Hong Kong, January 14, 2005 — China’s State Administration for Radio, Film and Television (SARFT) answered questions on its ground breaking new rules for investment in, and deployment of, commercial broadcast services and film & television production in China during a three-hour, closed door CASBAA seminar in Hong Kong on January 13th.
The four person SARFT delegation, led by Mr Ren Qian, vice director of SARFT’s Department of Broadcasting Affairs Supervision, made it plain the objective of the China regulator is to commercialize China’s television market. SARFT wants to encourage foreign investment, the creation of new and compelling content and the development of a robust and economically viable pay-TV environment within China. internet usage statistics
Mr Ren and the SARFT team reiterated that programming Joint Ventures, comprising up to 49 per cent of foreign capital, will be permitted. The market needs to benefit from international experience and technologies to createe a global competitive industry within China. domain map
The unprecedented Jan 13th exchange of information and views between SARFT and CASBAA members, highlighted the great strides that are expected from China’s pay-TV market in 2005 and reassured industry leaders that industry progress is a top priority for the regulator.
During the detailed discussions through the seminar Mr Ren emphasised that under CEPA (Closer Economic Partnership Agreement) joint productions between mainland companies and Hong Kong and Macau companies could be considered as domestic productions.
The SARFT delegation addressed four recent new rules governing overseas investment in domestic joint-venture productions for pay-TV and other television and film distribution:
Regulation 41
“The Provisions on the Administration of Chinese-Foreign Cooperation in Television Drama Production”
Regulation 42
“The Provisions on the Administration of Importing and Broadcasting Foreign Television Programs”
Regulation 43
“The Interim Provisions on the Qualifications for the Operations and Entry of Film Enterprises.”
Regulation 44
“The Interim Provisions on the Administration of Radio and Television Program Production and Operation Enterprises in the Form of Chinese-Foreign Equity Joint Ventures or Cooperative Joint Ventures”
Members of the SARFT delegation were:
• Mr Ren Qian, Deputy Director-General, Broadcasting Affairs Supervision Dept, SARFT (Delegation leader)
• Mr Li Bin, Director, International Programming Div., Foreign Affairs Dept, SARFT
• Mr Jin Bei Ning, Director, Capital Operation Div., Planning & Finance Dept, SARFT
• Ms Zhong Ming Lan, Director, Marketing Management Dept, Film Bureau, SARFT