INTERNATIONAL CHINESE MEDIA OUTLETS BROADCAST IN DRC

UNCLAS KINSHASA 000556 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O.12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV KDEM KPAO PREL PHUM CG SUBJECT: INTERNATIONAL CHINESE MEDIA OUTLETS BROADCAST IN DRC CAPITAL SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED - PROTECT ACCORDINGLY ¶1. (SBU) Summary: The government-run Radio Chine Internationale (RCI) and China Central Television (CCTV)are currently broadcasting in Kinshasa via satellite, in support of China's attempt to expand its strategic partnership with the DRC. RCI is planning to broadcast across the DRC's territory in the long term, providing cultural and communication support to Chinese strategic goals in the DRC, including China's efforts to finance DRC infrastructure construction in return for access to natural resources. End summary. ¶2. (U) RCI began to broadcast on 91.0 FM in late February. The radio station's programs include Chinese and international news in Chinese and French languages, as well as Chinese lessons for French-speaking persons. RCI intends to install transmitters in the DRC's ten other provinces. CCTV started broadcasting more recently, providing news and documentaries on various aspects of the Chinese culture as well as movies in Chinese with French subtitles. ¶3. (U) According to the local correspondent of Chinese press agency Xinhua, RCI primarily targets the ever-growing Chinese community in Kinshasa. However, it is no coincidence that the launch of Chinese broadcasts in DRC occur at a time when Chinese investors are struggling to implement a multi-billion dollar deal aimed at building key infrastructure across the country. The presence of RCI and CCTV in Kinshasa was encouraged following DRC Infrastructure Minister Pierre Lumbi's visit to China in September 2007 to negotiate the involvement of Chinese companies in the infrastructure project. RCI and CCTV have not yet met the legal requirements to broadcast in the DRC that other media outlets must fulfill. This underscores the special status accorded Chinese media by GDRC. ¶4. (SBU) Comment: Radio Chine Internationale and China Central Television support China's ambition to become a strategic partner of the DRC. At the same time, the presence of these media reiterates the DRC Government's message that new development partners like China can support the Congo's reconstruction effort, while not demanding reforms like Western partners. The presence of Chinese media is not only reflective of China's attempt to expand its influence in Central Africa. It also emphasizes the DRC's effort to relativize the relevance of traditional partners such as the U.S., France, and Belgium. End comment. BROCK