Athens International Radio (AIR 104.4 FM) started the
broadcasting of a one-hour program in Mandarin Chinese every night
from December 15.
Ioannis Synodinos, General Editor-in-Chief of Athens
International Radio, told Xinhua that the one-hour program is
provided free by China Radio International (CRI).
In July and August next year, before and during the Beijing Olympic Games, Athens International
Radio will broadcast another 5-hour special program every day on
the Beijing Olympic Games in English, French, German, Russian and
Albanian.
He said these five languages are languages for the majority of
tourists and major foreign communities in Athens, and people in
Athens will therefore receive first-hand information about the
Beijing Olympic Games.
Synodinos said that China has had great success in economic
development and Beijing hosting the 2008 Olympic Games will attract
the eyes of the world.
"But we have no voice from such an important and fascinating
country," said Synodinos, a veteran TV anchorman and experienced
journalist who has covered the Olympic Games since 1976. "Now we
have it and I have no doubt that the program will be a big
success."
Athens Radio International will broadcast the Mandarin Chinese
program from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m. from Monday to Saturday and from 11
p.m. to 12 p.m. every Sunday night.
China's ambassador to Greece, Luo Linquan, was the guest of the
one-hour Mandarin program yesterday evening.
Luo said the Mandarin program will help Chinese people in Greece
get access to information from their homeland and also serve as a
window for Greeks to learn about China.
Athens International Radio was established in 2004, aiming to
provide information on the Athens Olympic Games as well as tourism
information to foreign visitors to the country.
(Xinhua News Agency December 16, 2007)