On Friday China's official broadcaster, China Radio International (CRI), officially launched online radio service stations in 11 major cities around the world. Nearly 80 hours of programs, in nine languages, will be broadcast daily.

A launch ceremony was held at 3:00 PM yesterday in Beijing to officially start operation of the 11 online radio service stations. The recipients are: Washington DC (United States), London (UK), Sydney (Australia), Moscow (Russia), Berlin (Germany), Seoul (South Korea), Tokyo (Japan), Cairo (Egypt), Ankara (Turkey), Rio De Janeiro (Brazil) and Buenos Aires (Argentina).

These diverse programs are tailored for local residents receiving the broadcasts. They provide information about China's politics, economy and culture, as well as the latest news regarding China's development. The online radio stations will also provide Chinese language learning services.

Tian Jin, Vice-Minister of the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT), said at the ceremony: "The launch of these 11 online radio stations represents a successful application of new media technologies. People from other counties around the world can learn about Chinese culture. We are nurturing an exchange between China and these countries in their own language."

CRI, one of China's official broadcasting stations, was founded on December 3, 1941. It broadcasts 290 hours of programs each day to global audiences in 43 languages.

(China.org.cn by Staff Reporter Zhang Yunxing September 14, 2007)