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Archives: Dispatches

All Lingua Sinica Dispatches

China Media Group and the National Library of Pakistan Hold Event

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On April 21, 2025, the China Media Group (中央廣播電視總台), a state-run media conglomerate under China’s Central Propaganda Department, hosted a seminar in Pakistan commemorating President Xi Jinping’s state visit to the country a decade ago. Held in Islamabad, the diplomatic event was jointly organized by the National Library of Pakistan, featuring prominent government officials reflecting on the impact of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor — a sea and land-based infrastructure network that is meant to further integrate China and parts of South Asia. Federal Minister for Board of Investment Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh called Xi’s visit in 2015 “a pivotal moment in bilateral relations,” while Minister of State for National Heritage and Culture Huzaifa Rehman described CPEC as “an economic lifeline” for Pakistan during challenging times. Parliamentary Secretary for IT and Telecommunications Sabheen Ghoury emphasized what she called the “all-weather friendship” between the nations. The event again underscored the key role of central Chinese state media in bilateral diplomacy.

Radio Nacional del Perú

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Radio Nacional del Perú is Peru’s first and oldest radio station, originating as the private station Lima OAX-AM owned by the Peruvian Broadcasting Company. Founded in 1924 by César A. Coloma and Santiago Acuña, the station began broadcasting on June 20, 1925, following five days of test broadcasts. After the private station declared bankruptcy, the Peruvian government took control through a resolution on September 6, 1926. The station was officially relaunched as Radio Nacional del Perú on January 30, 1937, under President Óscar R. Benavides with new transmitters and facilities in San Miguel, Lima. The station broadcasts in Spanish, Quechua, and Aymara across Peru’s nationwide AM and FM frequencies. Radio Nacional is currently owned by the National Institute of Radio and Television of Peru (IRTP), a state-owned company, and operates multiple subsidiaries throughout the country connected via satellite, covering national and international events.

Radio Republik Indonesia

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Radio Republik Indonesia (印尼國家廣播電台), or RRI, is Indonesia’s public radio network and one of the country’s two national public broadcasting institutions, alongside state television network TVRI. Founded on September 11, 1945, RRI is the first radio network in Indonesia and one of the oldest media companies in the country. Headquartered on Medan Merdeka Barat Street in Central Jakarta, RRI operates four radio networks and visual radio channels supported by roughly 90 local stations, the largest of any radio network in Indonesia. The network provides nationwide broadcasting services and operates Voice of Indonesia, its overseas broadcasting division that delivers information about Indonesia to international audiences. RRI is funded primarily through annual state budget allocations approved by parliament, advertising revenue, and other services.

ODK Media

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ODK Media is a U.S.-based digital media company incorporated in December 2011 that operates as an Asian media hub in North America. The company launched OnDemandKorea, described as the first legal Korean over-the-top streaming service, and has since expanded into a multinational OTT platform reaching over 36 countries worldwide. ODK Media’s operations include digital magazines, e-commerce, content metadata production, and international content intellectual property distribution networks. The company positions itself as a bridge for Asian entertainment content in Western markets, particularly focusing on Korean and broader Asian programming. ODK Media has partnered with various international content providers to distribute programming across its digital platforms. The company’s business model combines streaming services with complementary digital media operations, targeting diaspora audiences and international viewers interested in Asian content.

National Institute of Radio and Television of Peru

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The National Institute of Radio and Television of Peru (秘魯國家廣播電視總局), or IRTP, is a Peruvian state-owned company responsible for managing the state’s media across radio, television, and internet platforms. Established in 1974 during the Revolutionary Government of the Armed Forces as ENRAD Perú, the institution was reorganized in 1981 and renamed to its current form in 1997 under President Alberto Fujimori. Headquartered in Santa Beatriz, Lima, IRTP operates under the Ministry of Culture with administrative, economic, and financial autonomy. The institute manages TV Perú television network, an international channel, several digital terrestrial television signals, Radio Nacional del Perú, Radio Filarmonía, and other radio stations. IRTP oversees programming production and distribution across Peru, providing news, cultural, educational, and children’s content. The organization underwent significant restructuring in the early 2000s under President Valentín Paniagua to incorporate professionals without political ties.

China Media Group Launches APEC Content Distribution Initiative

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China Media Group (中央广播电视总台), also known as CMG, the state-run media conglomerate directly under the Central Propaganda Department, launched a distribution initiative on October 25 showcasing Chinese television programs across Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation member economies. The programming rollout, running through December 2025, coincided with Chinese President Xi Jinping’s attendance at the 32nd APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Gyeongju, South Korea, from October 30 to November 1, 2025. More than ten CMG productions, including a documentary series on Xi Jinping and Chinese modernization, aired on 22 mainstream media outlets across 14 countries, including Australia, Canada, Indonesia, South Korea, Russia, Thailand, and the United States. CMG Director Shen Haixiong (慎海雄) described the initiative as deepening cultural exchanges with Asia-Pacific nations. Partner broadcasters included Rossiyskaya Gazeta, Indonesia’s national broadcaster Radio Republik Indonesia, South Korea’s OBS, Thailand’s Thai PBS, and Peru’s national broadcasting group.

Sichuan International Communication Center

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The Sichuan International Communication Center, established in March 2022 by the Sichuan Daily Press Group (四川日報報業集團), describes itself as a provincial hub for international media outreach. Officials say the center “covers more than 20 million overseas users” and operates what they call their “flagship video platform” (旗艦視頻平台) “Inspiration China” (灵感中国). The center says it focuses on distributing content about Sichuan culture, tourism, cuisine, gaming, and traditional medicine through what it terms “multi-modal, lightweight video products” (多模態、輕量化視頻). Officials claim the center has developed partnerships with “over 500 international content creators” and “more than 50 international organizations.”

Council of Ministers of Saudi Arabia

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The Council of Ministers of Saudi Arabia is the Kingdom’s highest executive authority responsible for governing. Established by King Abdulaziz through royal decree on October 9, 1953, the Council is currently presided over by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who was appointed Prime Minister on September 27, 2022 by King Salman. The Council includes 23 ministers with portfolio and seven ministers of state, administering executive and administrative matters including foreign policy, defense, finance, health, and education through specialized agencies. While the Council formulates policy through meetings held under the King’s chairmanship, all decisions require royal approval, reflecting Saudi Arabia’s absolute monarchical structure where major initiatives emerge from consensus within the royal family.

Televisi Republik Indonesia

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Televisi Republik Indonesia (TVRI) operates as Indonesia’s national public television broadcaster and the archipelago’s oldest television network, having launched on August 24, 1962, to cover the opening ceremony of Jakarta’s Asian Games. The state broadcaster maintained a television monopoly until 1989 when commercial competitor RCTI began operations, forcing TVRI to adapt to Indonesia’s evolving media landscape. Following decades under government control, TVRI transitioned to independent public broadcasting status in March 2005 under Broadcasting Act No. 32/2002, joining radio counterpart RRI as the nation’s dual public broadcasting institutions. The network now operates three national channels alongside 33 regional stations, claiming the country’s largest terrestrial coverage.