China is in the process of merging three of its state-run national networks – China National Radio, China Radio International and China Central Television (CCTV), to form one mega broadcaster to be named ‘Voice of China’.
Earlier, in 2016, CCTV – which broadcasts from more than 70 countries, rebranded its international operations as China Global Television Network.
China Radio International broadcasts in 65 languages – more than any other broadcaster around the world.
The goal of the new platform will be to “guide hot social issues, strengthen and improve public opinion, push multimedia integration, strengthen international communication and tell good China stories,” according to Xinhua, the country’s official news agency.
Voice of China will employ more than 14,000 people.
The announcement is a part of a larger government overhaul, with which regulation of News, Films and Publishing will now come under the Chinese Communist Party’s publicity department.
The move comes as president Xi Jinping – who has been elected again after pushing through changes to the constitution to remove term limits – takes control over the government.
