Americans now have a visual bridge to life in China, thanks to new Chinese programming called The Great Wall TV Package. During a press conference in New York on Wednesday, a US TV company called it the most valuable Chinese TV package in the US.

The Great Wall TV package, which has just made its American debut, carries 17 channels from the Chinese mainland and the Hong Kong S-A-R. These include China Central Television, or CCTV, local Chinese stations, and Hong Kong and US-based stations.

The new venture was made technically possible by DISH network, owned by media heavyweight EchoStar.

Statistics show about three million Chinese people living in the US, and the number has been rising fast. This is a highly attractive market for every TV company. But experts say it is highly competitive and not easy to crack.

(CCTV.com October 15, 2004)