Network director to retire

The director of China Central Television for the past seven years is to retire, sources said yesterday.

Yang Weiguang, who took up the position on February 1, 1992, will be replaced by one of his deputies, Zhao Huayong.

'The news has not been announced yet,' said a spokeswoman for CCTV. 'Yang has reached the retirement age of 60.' Sources said he was not stepping down because of any mistake.

He has overseen a rapid expansion of television in China, making it the most important medium of communication, with eight national channels and a proliferation of local and cable channels.

Mr Yang, from Guangdong, graduated from the Chinese department of Beijing University in 1961 and served as vice-minister of radio, film and television from 1994 to 1997.