China opens new radio station, news portal in Turkey

China Radio International (CRI), the country's state-owned international broadcaster, introduced Monday its services in Turkish at a ceremony in Istanbul. CRI Türk is the first foray of the broadcaster into the Turkish market while several Chinese news websites, such as Xinhua, already owns several services in Turkish.

CRI Türk aims expansion in radio and digital media sectors, its executives said at the ceremony attended by CRI International's Vice President Hu Bangsheng, Chinese Consul General Qian Bo and a group of Chinese journalists. Officials say they aim to contribute to cultural and economic ties between Turkey and China, which developed closer ties in recent years as economic growth in both countries help them invest in foreign markets. The radio section of CRI Türk has already aired on Nov. 1, along with a website offering news in Turkish. The radio will focus on topical news programs on economy, sports and politics, while offering Turkish and international hits in its music segments. Several web-only radios focusing on news and music as well as a web-only TV dedicated to documentaries are among other services CRI offers in Turkey.

Xia Yongmin, general manager of the CRI, said it was exciting for them to launch the Turkish edition. "China and Turkey are two great countries in Asia and we should endeavor in maintaining international order among changing dynamics of times. Cooperation in media plays a key role in developing ties between two nations," Xia Yongmin said. Xia Yongmin added that their slogan was "Fine Music, Accurate News" and they would offer Turkish and Chinese music for audiences in Turkey while conveying accurate news about Turkey, China and the world.

CRI Türk's general manager Michael Kuyucu said the Chinese broadcaster's investment in Turkey was important for the country "that is used to investments from Western countries."

"An important goal of CRI Türk is to contribute to the Chinese-Turkish ties that have flourished in the recent years," he said.

The broadcaster also launched a mobile app called CRI Panda which offers information on pandas, Chinese culture such as popular Chinese films and TV series as well as content for people interested in learning Chinese.