RTM AND CRI TO STRENGTHEN PARTNERSHIP THROUGH NEW INITIATIVES

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 9 (Bernama) -- Radio Television Malaysia (RTM) will
strengthen its partnership with China Radio International (CRI) through various
initiatives to be implemented soon, Information Minister Ahmad Shabery Cheek
said Tuesday.

These would include an exchange programme between staff of RTM and CRI and
rebroadcasting some of CRI programmes through RTM's radio stations, he told
reporters after a 45-minute meeting with a nine-member CRI delegation led by
its President and Editor-in-Chief, Wang Gengnian, here.

RTM had sent one of its employees to be attached with CRI's Malay language
service in Beijing early this year.

"We also discussed the possibility of programmes produced by RTM to be
aired on CRI," said Ahmad Shabery.

Both organisations had also agreed to explore initiatives to cooperate in
the emerging new media, including linking their official websites on the
Internet and disseminating content via mobile phones.

Ahmad Shabery said these initiatives were a follow-up to his recent meeting
with China's Minister of the State Council Information Office, Wang Chen, in
Nanning, China.

Both ministers had agreed to look into various avenues of co-operation,
including exchange of personnel between media organisations and starting a
weekly TV talk show focusing on trade and economic issues.

Established in December 1941, CRI today broadcasts in 53 languages
including Malay.

Its Malay language station started in 1959 and its broadcasts can be heard
in Malaysia, Singapore, southern Thailand and parts of Indonesia.

Earlier, CRI's Wang discussed potential areas of cooperation, including
exchange of radio programmes and attachment of journalists, with Bernama's
Editor-in-Chief Yong Soo Heong.
-- BERNAMA