Satellite plan to give rural China a window on the world

A HONG KONG Chinese student who speaks almost perfect English says he learnt by watching television.

'I've never been abroad,' he said. 'I picked up the accent from watching Sesame Street.' Television can be an ideal educational tool - or a window on other cultures. For this reason a new project is under way to bring the television age to rural areas of China.

Known as 'Project Wok', the organisers aim to beam China Central Television (CCTV) by satellite into the homes of remote areas of the mainland.

Yunnan, Qinghai, Gansu and Henan are poor provinces. Improving the people's living standards will come from increasing their knowledge and providing 'cultural enhancement', the organisers believe.

They say poor villages cannot afford satellite dishes - at $35,000 each. So, when under way, the Ministry of Culture in China hopes the project will bring 'education to all'.

The project is being run by a non-profit making organisation, the Qin Jia Yuan foundation, and the Rotary Club of Hong Kong Harbour (RCHKH), although it was instigated by government officials at the Ministry of Culture.

RCHKH treasurer Shirley Chung Shiu-ling said there were four main programmes in the initiative.