Led by Mrs Wang Lili, Vice Minister, State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT), the Chinese delegation included Ms Zhang HaiGe, Vice President, China Central Television (CCTV); Mr Wang ShuKe, Deputy Director-General, General Editorial Office; Mr Chang Jin, Deputy Director, European, North American and Oceania, Affairs Division, Foreign Affairs Department (SARFT); Mr Gao HuaZhong, Deputy Director, Finance Division, Finance and Economics Office (CCTV); Mr Wang Hao, Personal Secretary to Vice Minister Wang Lili and Mr Jiang, Attaché - Chinese Embassy in Bern.

The delegation met with Jean Réveillon, Jean Stock, David Lewis, Tony Naets, Raina Konstantinova, Max Johns and David Wood.

The Chinese delegation meets...

Tony Naets, Max Johns, Jean Stock, Jean Réveillon, David Wood, Raina Konstantinova and David Lewis

Jean Réveillon, Jean Stock and David Lewis first gave an overview of EBU activities before handing over to department specialists for a more detailed presentation of activities in their respective fields of expertise.

For television, Max Johns focused on the role of EBU coproductions, highlighting elements which could be of interest to the Chinese delegation: a programme about Hans Christian Andersen as well as the EBUConnect activities. 

David Wood gave an outline of the possible future of television broadcasting, including multimedia, HDTV etc.

Raina Konstantinova presented the role of the Radio Department and various projects carried out with Members. She underlined the increasing importance of radio throughout the world and suggested that the Chinese delegation reflect upon possible joint projects which could be undertaken in this field.

Tony Naets talked about Eurovision's role in news coverage (giving recent examples of the difficult coverage in Madrid – both the terrorist attacks and the royal wedding), coverage of festivals (Cannes), the use of HDTV, and sports coverage: Eurofoot and of course Eurovision's next big event, the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. He concluded that the 2008 Olympic Games must be a success and that any opportunities for partnership were welcome.

Mrs Wang Lili, head of the delegation, underlined the importance of television and radio in China as well as the government's wish to bring television to even the smallest of villages.

She explained that both digital radio and television were both developing in China and that the Chinese were very interested in what was happening in Europe. Mrs Wang Lili expressed her hope that the broadcasting of Chinese programmes by the EBU and its Members would convey what China is today.

Jean Réveillon, Wang LiLi, Jean Stock  and Zhang HaiGe	Wang LiLi, head of the delegation

Jean Réveillon concluded the meeting by underlining that many different possibilities were available to share experiences and that these opportunities should be taken.

Two months ago, the EBU set up an office in Beijing to facilitate the development of relations with televisions and various other Chinese Institutions in preparation for the 2008 Olympic Games. 

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