The Lectures on China's WTO Entry, jointly sponsored by the Publicity Department of CPC Central Committee, the Working Committee of Subordinate Departments of CPC Central Committee, the Working Committee of Subordinate Departments of the Central Government, the PLA General Political Department and the Beijing Municipal Party Committee, were held on January 16 to 23, 2002 in Beijing. Leaders from the State Economic and Trade Commission, the Ministry of Personnel, the Legislative Affairs Office of the State Council, the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television, the General Administration of Press and Publishing, the Ministry of Information Industry, the People's Bank of China and the Ministry of Agriculture gave their speeches respectively in the event.

Xu Guangchun, vice minister of the Publicity Department of CPC Central Committee and director of the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television, said that China's radio, film and television industry boasts both the same attribute as other industries and distinct feature of ideology, and it is not only a mass media but also a propaganda tool of the Party. China's entry into the WTO will bring about opportunities and challenges to that industry.

Shi Zongyuan, minister of the General Administration of Press and Publishing, said that news and publishing fall in the field of ideology and it is critical to the national security and social stability. Therefore, China should take the initiative to push forward its development.

(Source: Peopledaily.com.cn)