Jamaica/China Discuss Media Cooperation

Cabinet has approved talks between Jamaica and the Peoples Republic of China on cooperation on the transmission of Chinese radio and television programmes in Jamaica.
However, Minister with Responsibility for Information, Telecommunications and Special Projects, Hon. Daryl Vaz, says that the discussions are in the preliminary stage, and that China is only interested in the rebroadcast of Chinese radio and television programmes in English and Chinese.
He has also noted that similar arrangements are already in place with international relay services, including the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and Alliance Francais.
Making the announcement of Cabinet’s approval at a Post Cabinet press briefing on Wednesday (March 31) at Jamaica House, Mr. Vaz explained that in response to the request from the Embassy of the Peoples Republic of China, discussions were held at a ministerial level with a delegation from China Radio International and China Central Television.
“(This is) to promote Jamaica/China relations and deepen local appreciation and understanding of Chinese culture,” Mr. Vaz explained.
These relations formally began in 1972 and, over the past 38 years, have produced fruitful partnerships, including economic and technical cooperation agreements in 2003, which incorporated a donation of much needed equipment for the Jamaica audio visual archives, Mr. Vaz said.