Last updated March 2005
Printable versionBBC Chinese
BBC Chinese has been serving audiences
for 41 years. It is a valuable and respected source of news for listeners
in China - and expatriates in the Asia Pacific and across the world
via online.
BBC Chinese covers a wide spectrum of news stories and
regular features on Chinese issues. It broadcasts two
five-minute news bulletins each day, plus an hour-long
programme every Sunday.
It can be heard on FM in Mandarin for six hours a day
in over 20 cities in China, and on shortwave across the Asia Pacific region.
It also broadcasts in Cantonese in Hong Kong.
BBC Chinese has staff in the UK and China and access
to a global network of BBC correspondents and journalists in key cities
across the world.
Over 20 reporters file in Chinese across the Asia Pacific
region, including Hong Kong, and from all major Chinese populated areas
of the diaspora. All contribute to the news content
and features on-air and online.
BBC Chinese broadcasts a wide range of programming,
including sport and business. Its feature programming explores a variety
of topics, from arts and science to human interest.
They also have dedicated English language teaching programmes,
created specially for the Chinese.
BBC Chinese has a range of interactive programmes. The
bi-weekly programme London
Hotline gives listeners the opportunity to participate
in live discussions via telephone or email.
Another popular programme is On
Campus, where students can seek advice on pressing issues
- from personal dilemmas to exam techniques or studying abroad.
BBC Chinese regularly works closely with other BBC departments
and Chinese media organisations.
In 2002, it teamed up with Radio Tianjin to co-host
a debate on Smoking and Health.
In 2003, BBC Chinese joined forces with BBC English
Production, BBC Worldwide and China's largest website Sina.com to launch
a teaching English by mobile phone initiative. Up to 200 million Chinese
received a daily text message on their mobile containing an English
phrase together with the Chinese translation.
That same year it jointly organised, with Yunnan Radio,
a multi-media debate on AIDS, and in April 2004 BBC Chinese worked with
Beijing Radio to co-host a tri-media debate on road safety and urban
transport.
There is also a huge audience of Chinese living outside
China who regularly visit the service's online site bbcchinese.com
for programmes, in text and audio, as well as news summaries and features.
bbcchinese.com provides in-depth analysis of global events and dedicated
pages on Chinese affairs.
There is a range of e-educational modules
available helping people improve their English skills.
The site is updated
24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
