Speakers:
Ms. Cao Shumin, deputy director of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and minister of the National Radio and Television Administration (NRTA)
Mr. Zhu Yonglei, vice minister of the NRTA
Mr. Yang Guorui, vice minister of the NRTA
Chairperson:
Mr. Chen Wenjun, director general of the Press Bureau of the State Council Information Office (SCIO) and spokesperson of the SCIO
Date:
Sept. 28, 2023
Chen Wenjun:
Ladies and gentlemen, good morning. Welcome to this press conference held by the State Council Information Office (SCIO). This is the 26th briefing in the series "Embarking on the New Journey — A Government Perspective." Today, we will brief you on the topic of supporting high-quality development of radio, television, and online audio and video, striving to secure new successes in developing socialist culture with Chinese characteristics. Present today are Ms. Cao Shumin, deputy director of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and minister of the National Radio and Television Administration (NRTA), as well as Mr. Zhu Yonglei and Mr. Yang Guorui, both vice ministers of the NRTA.
Now, I'll give the floor to Ms. Cao for her introduction.
Cao Shumin:
Ladies and gentlemen, good morning. I'm delighted to meet with you all here. On behalf of the NRTA, I'd like to express my heartfelt gratitude to members of the media and all sectors of society for their long-standing interest in and support for the development of radio, television, and online audio and video.
Next, I'd like to briefly introduce how the NRTA has thoroughly implemented Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress in its efforts to promote high-quality development of radio, television, and online audio and video. I will address this from six aspects:
First, we have focused on themed promotion and the timely release of authoritative information. Radio and television media, as well as online audio and video platforms, have centered their efforts on promoting Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress. They have rolled out a series of influential news reports and theory-based programs, including "Xi Jinping's Cultural Story," "Chinese Practice with Chinese Wisdom" and "New Thought: Along China-Laos Railway." During major conferences and events like the "Two Sessions" (the annual sessions of the National People's Congress and the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference), the Chengdu Universiade and the Hangzhou Asian Games, radio and television media have undertaken promotion and reporting work, and staff members have shouldered responsibility for broadcast and transmission. This has ensured the safe, high-quality delivery of broadcast signals to countless households.
Second, we have fostered the creation of high-quality content to enrich the intellectual and cultural lives of our people. China has become a major producer of radio, television, online audio and video, and cultural programs. We boast 56,000 program production and operation institutions. Our annual TV drama production output ranks first worldwide, and our documentaries, animations and cultural programs also rank among the top globally. In the first half of this year, a diverse range of works were produced and released, including 70 television dramas, 112 online series and 272 online micro or short video series. Many excellent works have emerged, including TV and online series like "The Knockout," "Three-Body" and "The Long Season," animations such as "Yao-Chinese Folktales," cultural programs like "China Through Its Intangible Heritage," and online audiovisual works like "Infinity and Beyond 2023" and "Here Comes! Beijing Central Axis." Some have been enthusiastically received.
Third, we have enhanced our broadcasting system to ensure that the public can readily access and enjoy our content. China has built the world's most extensive radio and television transmission network with cable, wireless, satellite and other technical means. There are 200 million cable TV users and 150 million direct-broadcast satellite households. At the same time, we have over 300 million internet protocol television (IPTV) users, an average of over 270 million monthly active users of over-the-top (OTT) TV platforms, and 1.04 billion users on online video platforms. Last year, the national revenue of the radio, television, and online audio and video industry surpassed 1 trillion yuan ($137.28 billion). To ensure that people in old revolutionary base areas, areas with large ethnic minority populations, border regions and economically disadvantaged areas can access premium broadcasts, we have implemented several key public-benefit projects during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025). These include the integrated enhancement of municipal-level broadcasting in the "Most Impoverished Three Regions and Three Prefectures," the building of emergency broadcasting systems at the county level in old revolutionary base areas, areas with large ethnic minority populations, border regions and economically disadvantaged areas, and the promotion and popularization of high-definition interactive digital cable TV set-top boxes in areas with large ethnic minority populations.
Fourth, we have advanced scientific and technological innovations to provide better audiovisual experiences. Television is rapidly progressing from Standard Definition (SD) to High Definition (HD) and Ultra High Definition (UHD). There are 1,099 HD channels nationwide, including 10 UHD channels. By the end of 2025, HDTV will become the basic broadcasting standard. We have expedited the development of new broadcasting networks. The "cable + 5G" integrated transmission pattern has primarily taken shape, with number of mobile subscribers surpassing 18 million, through the integration of cable television networks nationwide and the simultaneous development of 5G infrastructure for broadcasting. We have also independently developed a smart TV operating system (TVOS), with the number of deployed terminals totaling more than 38 million. Currently, new technologies such as 5G, big data, virtual reality/augmented reality, and artificial intelligence have been widely applied across all sectors of radio, television, and online audio and video content, including gathering and editing, production, broadcasting, transmission, and reception. This has advanced the digital upgrade of the industry at a faster pace, enabling high-quality and diverse audiovisual content and services.
Fifth, we have engaged in international exchanges to enhance global reach and influence. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). We have coordinated activities among BRI partner countries to broadcast each other's programs. We've carefully selected a hundred excellent audiovisual works and presented and promoted these works in countries and regions along the Belt and Road routes. We have also selected over 60 excellent works from 30 Belt and Road countries and showcased them in China. Not too long ago, we launched the "TV China Theater" on BRICS TV in South Africa, around the time when General Secretary Xi Jinping was in the country to attend the BRICS Summit. We also organized the "Seeing China" Africa Broadcasting event. Recently, we hosted the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) TV Festival in Nanjing, where over 150 delegates from 10 SCO member states participated. The TV festival featured a series of exchange events, including focused dialogues and exhibitions of TV programs and TV technologies. In recent years, a large number of domestic works, including a feature program presenting China's historic achievements and transformation achieved under the leadership of the Party as well as TV dramas "Three Body" and "Minning Town," have been broadcast overseas, vividly demonstrating China's visions, image, and culture.
Sixth, we have strengthened industry regulations to maintain a sound business environment. Responding to the public's concerns, we have implemented comprehensive measures to address problems in the culture and entertainment sector. These measures include tackling excessive payments to entertainers, abnormal aesthetic standards, vulgarity, kitsch, and other negative trends. We have also taken resolute action against various violations of regulations, such as the illegal display of ads. Currently, in response to pressing public concerns regarding difficulties and troubles in watching television, we are undertaking targeted actions to address problems related to multiple charges and complicated operations. As the result, over 20 million users in Beijing and other pilot areas are now able to directly access live TV channels as soon as they turn on their TVs. We are committed to continually improving radio, television, and online audio and video services by creating a clean and ethical business environment.
That concludes my introduction. Next, my colleagues and I are happy to answer your questions. Thank you!
