Radio Promotes Sino-African Friendship

In the 1980s, the story of a paralytic Chinese woman inspired a physically impaired girl in Morocco, who would have lost all hope of living had she not listened to China Radio International (CRI).

Broadcasting in six languages, CRI's African service is known among its listeners as "a window to China" and "an inseparable part" of daily life.

In 1999, CRI received over 23,000 letters from listeners in 38 African countries and regions.

"I've devoted myself to the promotion of China-Africa cultural exchange all my life, and I feel proud of my job," said Zheng Tianhua, anchor for CRI's Arabian programs.

Zheng said all the 21 Arabian-speaking African countries have set up a club of listeners. These clubs are frequently in contact with CRI.

Last year, a member of the Tunisian Club composed a poem to celebrate 35 years of Sino-Tunisian diplomatic relations.

An Egyptian listener once listened to CRI for 100 days and mailed to CRI the notes he had taken.

"The African countries are very friendly to China. They are always on China's side in major international issues," said Tian Zongzong, an anchor for CRI's Hausa programs.

The Hausa programs mainly serve listeners in west African countries, including Nigeria and Niger.

In 1971, when the legitimate seat of the People's Republic of China was restored in the United Nations (UN), CRI's Hausa Section received a stamp from Niger with China's national flag flying over the UN building.

Presently CRI has resident correspondents in Egypt, Nigeria, Niger and Zimbabwe, broadcasting 24 hours a day in Chinese, English, French, Arabian, Swahili and Hausa. There are 100 million CRI listeners in Africa.

China Radio International provides diverse programs ranging from news to features on Chinese culture, society, religion and tourism. Listeners requests are responded to quickly at the radio station.

In 1998, a listener in Nigeria heard the name of his lost brother in CRI's "Letters from Listeners". With CRI's help, the brothers were reunited after eleven years of separation.

Swahili anchor Chen Erlin, when commenting on his four decades at CRI, said "Hard work always pays off when African listeners tell us they enjoy our programs and have come to know China through our programs."

Talking about the future of CRI's African service, Director-general Li Dan said that as developing nations, China and African countries need to support each other.

While CRI will continue to present China to African people, Li said it will also introduce African culture and customs to China so as to reinforce the bridge of friendship linking the two peoples.



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