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The Global Story
Why is China giving satellite TV to 10,000 African villages?
Sep 3, 2024
Shawn Yuan and Ankur Shah from the BBC's Global China unit delve into China's ambitious plan to provide free satellite TV to 10,000 remote African villages. They discuss how this initiative, linked to China's soft power strategy, is transforming lives through improved access to education and media in rural areas. The conversation highlights the challenges faced, including affordability and logistical issues, as well as the evolving dynamics of sports broadcasting in Africa. The duo critically assesses whether this initiative truly enhances China's influence on the continent.
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Quick takeaways
- China's Ten Thousand Villages Project significantly improved access to digital television in remote African areas, enhancing educational opportunities and global connectivity.
- However, the sustainability of the project is questioned due to emerging subscription fees and a top-down approach that overlooked local community needs.
Deep dives
China's Ten Thousand Villages Project Overview
China's Ten Thousand Villages Project aimed to install digital television infrastructure in remote African villages as a demonstration of goodwill and an effort to bridge the digital divide. Announced by President Xi Jinping in 2015, the initiative initially targeted 10,000 villages across various African countries, with significant completion reported by the end of last year. The Chinese firm Star Times was contracted to implement the project, taking advantage of its existing presence in Africa, having already garnered over 13 million subscribers prior to the initiative. This partnership was framed as an aid initiative during notable summits, emphasizing China's outreach to rural areas struggling with outdated analog television access.
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Discover
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