China – CCTV has officially launched its Arabic international channel. The new channel “will serve as an important bridge to strengthen communication and understanding between China and Arab countries,” said CCTV vice president, Zhang Changming, in a statement. He said the channel would need to meet five criteria in order to compete with other international Arabic channels. “We must have high standards for programmes, talent, technology, management and partners.” The new 24-hour Arabic Channel will reach about 300 million people in 22 Arab countries. CCTV Arabic will produce programmes that fall into four categories: news, feature stories, entertainment and education. Programmes will be rebroadcast six times every day while news will be regularly updated. The channel will gradually increase the number of programmes as the channel develops. The new Arabic Channel will reach the Middle East, North Africa and the Asia-Pacific region.