This reporter recently interviewed Cewang, deputy director of the Tibet Administration of Radio Broadcasting and Television. He stated "The three major projects" refer to Radio and TV Project for Villagers undertaken in 1999, 'Movie Project 2131' initiated in 2000 and 'the Radio and TV Project' undertaken from October 2000. The central government and the Autonomous Region of Tibet invested over 200 million Yuan in them.

By 2002, radio and TV coverage in Tibet reached 82.59 percent and 81.14 percent respectively. In such areas as prefectures (city), county, town (township) and villages with a concentrated population, people can listen in China Radio and Tibetan Radio as well as watch CCTV and Tibetan TV.

Heart-Warming Projects

Cewang also said that, "the Radio and TV Project" for Villagers is one of 12 projects undertaken by National Bureau of Radio Broadcasting and Television and the People's Government of the Tibetan Autonomous Region for farmers and herdsmen. With the great support of the Planning Committee of the Tibetan Autonomous Region, which invested 100 million Yuan from 2002 to 2003, 4,000 village-level broadcasting and TV receiving and transferring stations, receiving stations and small-sized cable broadcasting stations were established in administrative villages in the farming and pastoral areas. The administrative villages of 42 counties in Tibet have now achieved all the project's goals. In addition, the special funds of "the Radio and TV Project" cover the maintenance expenses for the normal work of radio and TV stations at village level and town level so as to assure their long-term function.

During the three years since implementation, the National Bureau of Radio Broadcasting and TV has bought for Tibetan people 47 sets of 16mm film projection equipment, 35 mobile film projection vehicles and 848 film copies, organized 478 projection teams in the farming and pastoral areas, which are distributed in 7,679 projection spots in Tibet with the annual projection volume of 123.82 times. As a result, 90 percent of farmers and herdsmen can see a film once a month.

At present, 40 counties have achieved the goal of "Movie Project 2131" to bring films to towns and taken the leading position in this aspect among 12 provinces and regions in the western part of the country. It has dubbed 30 foreign films into Tibetan, providing farmers and herdsmen with a more abundant cultural life and spiritual environment. After virtually realizing the "Movie Project 2131", film workers in Xigaze and Lhasa areas began sending films to other sectors, such as monasteries and communities, which has led to many good experiences and is welcomed by many Tibetan people.

In 2001, medium wave and FM stations were renewed; central and local finances invested over 30 million Yuan; the Autonomous Region assigned staff to the Tibetan People's Radio and county FM stations; and the central government invested nearly 15 million Yuan in upgrading the dubbing machines in the Tibetan People's Radio Stations. The Tibetan and Khamba programs were formally launched on October 1, 2001. On December 1 of that year, Chengdu People's Radio began to broadcast formally and launched Tibetan vernacular programs mainly in Khamba. The FM radio, relay stations and medium wave relay stations above county level have played an important role in extending the broadcasting coverage in Tibet.

The programs in Tibetan and Chinese can be received through satellite over a wide area with improving reception, which is acclaimed by many domestic and foreign audiences. Hence, Jiang Zemin affirmed "the Radio and TV Project" in Tibet and made an important instruction for its development.

Since 2002, the Radio and TV Project has been aiming at strengthening comprehensively the fundamental installations of radio, film and TV broadcasting on the basis of the promotion of quality, assurance of "three-full" broadcasting and the promotion of wide coverage.

Radio Broadcasting and TV in Development

Since their foundation, Tibetan People's Radio and Tibetan TV have emphasized Tibetan programs, adopting an acceptable form and promoting the quality of radio broadcasting and TV.

We interviewed Ms. Gungsang Degyi, who is in charge of Tibetan People's Radio. She said "Tibetan People's Radio has four sets of programs and broadcasts a total of 78 hours and 35 minutes of programs every day. We stick to the principle of 'relying mainly on Tibetan programs and making excellent Chinese programs'. For many years, we have given priority to Tibetan programs. They occupy the best frequencies and the strongest power, involving 80 percent of the output of the Tibetan Radio Station."

Tibetan People's Radio has many audiences of Tibetan, English and Chinese programs both in China and foreign countries. From January 1, 2004, Voice of China's Tibet, an external program, began to broadcast the Ballad of King Gesar in Khamba. In particular, on May 1, 2002, the external programs were completely rearranged and Holy Tibet, an English program, was launched. Soon, many audiences of Tibetan and English programs sent us letters to congratulate the good news from the world ridge from over 40 countries in the world including Sweden, Italy, Nepal, Uruguay, Spain, Luxemburg, UK, France, Germany, US, Japan, India, Russia, Sikkim, Greece, Finland and others. Echad Roseche, a German audience, said in his letter on October 12, 2002 that, "it is a good media to introduce Tibetan custom and culture through short wave. I am looking forward to gaining more knowledge more about Tibetan custom and culture and I like your beautiful music."

By interviewing, we also learned that Tibetan TV has three sets of programs, broadcasts 47 hours of programs every day and shows dubbed foreign films and teleplays for 140 hours every year. At present, its Chinese programs can be received in 17 provinces and municipalities in the country and Tibetan Satellite TV occupies the leading position among Tibetan residents in five provinces. On September 1, 2002, it began to cover Nepal, which influences greatly

the surrounding countries and regions.

When this reporter interviewed in herdsmen's families in Anduo County in northern Tibetan region, they were listening to Tibetan radio programs. Uncle Dorje said "now. we can gain knowledge, without stepping out of our tents, about the international and domestic situations, scientific and technical knowledge and legal knowledge as well as the knowledge

about preventing illness."

"The Radio and TV Project" certainly shortens the distance between Tibetan people and the world.