China’s top political advisor visits Congolese village that will receive digital TVs from China

BRAZZAVILLE, 15 JUNE  — During his official visit to the Republic of Congo, head of China’s top political advisory body Wang Yang on Tuesday visited a village that will receive satellite TV thanks to Chinese aid.

At Kintele village, Wang, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, was briefed on the progress of the “Access to Satellite TV for 10,000 African Villages Project.” He also toured a public digital TV screening room and talked with local villagers.

Wang was accompanied by Congo’s minister of communication and media, Thierry Moungalla, who is also a spokesman for the Congolese government.

The project is a result of the 2015 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation held in Johannesburg, South Africa, during which the Chinese government pledged to provide satellite TV access to 10,000 African villages in some 30 African nations and donate set-top boxes to 200,000 African families.

Wang Yang, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, visits a demonstration village hosting the China-aided “Access to Satellite TV for 10,000 African Villages Project” at the village of Kintele in Brazzaville, the Republic of Congo, June 12, 2018. (Xinhua/Ding Haitao)

As a recipient country, the Republic of Congo will see 100 villages in the country benefit from the project. Currently, China has completed research on the villages as well as the first stage of technical training.

China has also built two demonstration points to promote the project, with the second stage of training and installation expected to be carried out shortly.

A total of 20 digital TV system sets have been installed in Kintele, located in the suburban area of Brazzaville, the country’s capital city.

Another two solar-powered projection systems and a digital TV system have been installed in schools and other public areas. The systems will be used to broadcast local and Chinese programs.

The Republic of Congo was the first stop of Wang’s three-nation visit to Africa, which will also bring him to Uganda and Kenya. He arrived in the Republic of Congo on Monday. – XINHUA