China donates IT equipment to PBS, PNA

MANILA -- The Chinese Embassy in Manila on Wednesday donated sets of equipment to state-run Philippine News Agency (PNA) and Radyo Pilipinas of the Philippine Broadcasting Service (PBS) in a ceremony led by Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua and Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar.

Ambassador Zhao said the donations translate to Beijing's commitment to further enhance the two nations' media cooperation and gratitude to the "excellent" work of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) in promoting the "bilateral friendship and cooperation" between the two nations and getting these across both the Philippines and China.

"People to people contact between our two people are the fundamental basis for the bright future of our relationship," he said.

The ambassador bared that the latest donations to the PNA and Radyo Pilipinas are part of Beijing's PHP15 million worth of assistance to Manila's state media.

In the coming weeks, he said another unveiling will take place in Malacanang.

China had previously donated about PHP140 million worth of radio and broadcasting equipment to the government.

"Now, they have the donation worth PHP15 million of equipment to both the Radyo Pilipinas, the PNA, and the PCOO," he told reporters.

During an interview, Andanar described Beijing's commitment to the Philippines government media as "sincere".

Apart from these donations, he said media workers have continuously received scholarships and training from the Chinese side.

"We have more than 30 Filipino media workers receiving assistance every year and we will be sending another batch of 30 students by the second quarter of 2019," Andanar added.

The turn over ceremony held at the Philippine News Agency and Radyo Pilipinas offices were attended by officials from the Embassy and the PCOO.

Among the donations were IT equipment such as the iMac Pro computers, camcorders, and teleprompters for the digitization of both agencies.

(Source: PNA)