Remarks by H. E. Ambassador Hu Dingxian at the Handover Ceremony of the Lesotho Radio & TV Network Expansion Project with Equipment Supply Aided by the Government of the People's Republic of China
(May 31, 2013)
2013-06-05 17:00
May I start by paying my respect to His Majesty King Letsie III and the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister Motsoaha Thabane,
Hon. Minister Tseliso Mokhosi,
Senior Officials and staff from the Ministry of Communication, Science and Technology and the Lesotho National Broadcasting Service (LNBS),
Director Li Chao and Members of the Chinese technical team,
Distinguished Guests,
Friends from the News Media,
Bo Mme le bo Ntate, Lumelang!
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good afternoon!
It gives me great pleasure to attend this Handover Ceremony of the Lesotho Radio & TV Network Expansion Project with Equipment Supply aided by the Government of the People's Republic of China.
This Project was officially launched at the end of 2012, in accordance with the Letters exchanged on May 30 and June 20, 2011 respectively between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Kingdom of Lesotho. The implementation of the project is undertaken by Anhui Telecommunications Engineering Co. Ltd., with the aims to help LNBS upgrade the Audio/Video system of news studio and non-linear editing system, raise the operational capability of the Lesotho TV technical personnel for the aided equipment of the two systems and improve the broadcasting efficiency of Lesotho TV Station.
During the implementation of the project, a series of impressive achievements have been made through the joint effort by the both the Chinese and Lesotho technical teams:
1. The most advanced Audio/Video system equipments of news studio and non-linear editing system have been supplied and installed successfully.
2. Based on the digitization and networking, the news studio and non-linear editing system have been effectively combined, which realizes such functions as the news program network transmission, live news production, news interaction, etc.
3. Due to the site conditions, the news studio has been successfully interconnected with the existing play-out system, which improves the news program production level and efficiency.
4. Through the essential training that Chinese team offered, the Lesotho technical personnel have mastered the operation skills of the above mentioned systems.
5. Hardware and software equipments have been greatly upgraded, improving the working conditions of Lesotho TV staff.
Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen,
I believe that, with the above mentioned achievements, it would surely help boost the technical level, improve the quality and efficiency of the broadcasting service of the LNBS, and provide more information, entertainment, education and bring benefit to the Basotho people.
I would like to proudly point out that this is the first high-tech broadcasting and TV equipment project China conducted with the kingdom of Lesotho. This is another vivid testimony of profound friendship between the Chinese and Basotho peoples, and of the importance Chinese Government attaches to the good and friendly relations between our two countries.
Here, I would like to express my warm congratulations on the successful completion of the Lesotho Radio & TV Network Expansion Project and thanks to both Chinese and Lesotho Technical Teams and all participants for their hard work and dedication, and also my sincere and heartfelt gratitude to Hon. Minister Mokhosi and his staff in the Ministry of Communication, Science and Technology and in the LNBS for their good cooperation and assistance, without which the success of the Project would not be possible in just 45 days.
Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen,
The Chinese Government attaches great importance to the development of broadcasting and film industry. Since the founding of the New China, and especially since the country began to implement its reform and open-up policy over the past 30 years, great progress have been achieved. China has set up a radio and TV broadcast network capable of covering the largest population in the world, with the coverage reaching 97% and 98% respectively. In 2011, China produced 15,000 hours of TV dramas, 260,000-minutes of cartoons and 558 films. They have become important and effective means to provide information, entertainment and education and promote social development in China. The growth of China's broadcasting and film industry has laid a good foundation for the exchange and cooperation between China and other countries under the principle of mutual benefits and win-win cooperation. Thanks to the support of African countries and media organizations, CCTV's Chinese, English and French channels can be watched in over 40 African countries, and more than 20 FM radio stations are in service, which are jointly set up by China Radio International and its African partners, playing an ever increasing role in promoting mutual understanding and friendship between Chinese and African peoples. In August last year, China and African countries jointly initiated the Forum on China-Africa Media Cooperation within the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Beijing. At the end of the Forum, the Declaration of the Forum on China-Africa Media Cooperation was passed, which sets goals and measures for future cooperation. During the Forum, for further expand the exchanges and cooperation in the sector of media and culture, China promised to offer 10 TV serials, animations, documentaries and 52 films per year to main broadcaster in African countries, so as to enable the local audience to have more chance to know about China. Certainly, China is ready to broadcast more films, dramas and documentaries about Africa as well. We have every reason to believe this programme exchange will inject new vitality into China-Africa media cooperation, including Lesotho, and further enhance our mutual understanding and friendship.
At present, China-Lesotho relations maintain a sound momentum for development. We should seize the opportunity to expand cooperation in various fields, especially in people to people communication, in media and cultural exchanges, so that we lay a solid foundation for further cooperation and sustainable development of China-Lesotho relations.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Before the conclusion of my remarks, I would like to say that during the project implementation, members of our two technical teams respected each other, learned from each other, exchanged and drew on experience with each other, and have forged profound friendship with each other. I believe these experiences will surely leave them good and unforgettable memories in their life time. Soon, they are going to part each other, may friendship last forever! I wish all members of the Chinese technical team good and safe journey home!
Kea leboha. Thank you all!