Radio was introduced into China in the early 1920’s. The first radio station in China were set up by foreigners. In 1926, the first Chinese-run radio station, Harbin Radio Station, was established. In 1928, the Kuomintang Government started the Central Radio Station in Nanjing. On December 30, 1940, the Chinese Communist Party set up the Yan’an Xinhua Radio Station in Yan’an. It was moved to Beijing on March 25, 1949 and renamed China National Radio(CNR), formerly translated as the Central People’s Broadcasting Station(CPBS), following the founding of the People’s Republic of China. It is the only state-run radio station that broadcasts nationwide.

CNR currently broadcasts a total of 156 programs on eight channels every day. All the programs are transmitted by satellites and the signals can be received throughout China. Channel One focuses on news, broadcasting throughout China in Mandarin. Channel Two provides programs on business and economy, science and technology, and life style. This channel is also transmitted nationwide in Mandarin. Channel Three is a music and arts channel on FM stereo. Channels Four and Eight transmit programs in languages of ethnic minority groups such as Mongolian, Tibetan, Uygur, kazak and Korean. Channels Five and Six provide programs for listeners in Taiwan, while Channel Seven caters for listeners in the region of the Pearl River Delta, including Hong Kong and Macao.

CNR has 39 bureaus and offices in China, and has business relations with counterparts in over 40 countries and regions.

In addition to China National Radio, regional radio stations have been set up throughout China’s provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities, prefectures and some countries. By the end of 2000, there were 296 radio stations across China, covering over 92.1% of the country’s population.

CNR’s website iswww.cnradio.com