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Nobel Prize Laureate Gao Xingjian Gives Exclusive Television Interview to the Voice of America Voice of America Launches 24-Hour FM Frequency in Mongolia
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WITH THE VOICE OF AMERICA Washington, D.C., April 9, 2001: In an exclusive interview with the Voice of America (VOA), Tibet’s spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, suggested China needs to accept history and reality in dealing with Tibet and Taiwan. At the conclusion of the Dalai Lama’s trip to Taiwan, he observed that the status of Tibet and Taiwan remain completely separate issues for Beijing. He said his own refusal to recognize Taiwan as a province of China “is irrelevant.” He noted his visit to Taiwan focused on developing educational opportunities for Tibetans, getting aid for Tibetan exiles in India, and on employment for Tibetans in Taiwan. In response to a question on the Falun Gong movement in China, the Dalai Lama characterized the government’s reaction to the movement as “an overreaction,” that has brought “great damage to the image of the People’s Republic of China.” The Dalai Lama left Taiwan today after a ten-day visit during which he visited President Chen Shuibian. The exclusive interview with the Dalai Lama was broadcast by VOA in Mandarin at 9:00 p.m. Beijing time (9:00 a.m. EDT) on April 9. According to independent audience measurement firms such as A.C. Nielsen, VOA’s audience in China numbers more than 10 million. The Chinese listen on shortwave radio or watch on satellite television up to 18 hours of original VOA programming every day in Mandarin, Cantonese and Tibetan. Of the Mandarin radio broadcasts, one hour a day (except Thursdays and Sundays) is simultaneously broadcast on television. Carried by the Asiasat satellite, these simulcasts are seen in China between 9:00 and 10:00 p.m. VOA’s China Branch extends its reach by providing Chinese Internet users around the globe the same level of quality, timely, and in-depth news coverage they have come to expect from VOA’s traditional television and radio broadcasts. With over 900 hours of airtime per week and reaching an audience of approximately 91 million people, VOA broadcasts via satellite, shortwave radio and the Internet in 53 languages. VOA utilizes its almost 60 years of experience to rapidly deliver accurate, objective and comprehensive news reports on national, international and U.S. events. Releases | VOA | WORLDNET | IBB | Radio/TV Marti |