On the Belt & Road: Cyprus' first Chinese-language radio station serves as cultural bridge

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Europe

A radio station in Cyprus is hoping to be a platform in understanding Chinese culture and people. Its owners may be Cyprian, but it broadcasts in Chinese through a Chinese host. Our reporter Wu Guoxiu tells us what's it like to be on the airwaves in the Mediterranean.

Su Ping is the host of this Chinese-language radio station in Cyprus. Her program, only a couple of months old, focuses on Chinese content and music.

WU GUOXIU NICOSIA, CYPRUS "I was very lucky to be the first guest of this show. It feels amazing to speak my mother language in a program in Cyprus. They are going to invite more Chinese to their show to talk about their life."

Su Ping wants to share modern China with Cyprus, and at the same time, tell the Chinese back home how life is like here.

SU PING HOST OF CCN RADIO "I want to show China's change to local Cypriots. I also want to show Chinese' life and homesickness to people in China."

The radio broadcasts over the internet. And feedback from listeners have encouraged the radio owners to expand its reach.

MARIOS AHHAS CO-OWNER OF CCN RADIO "People contact us from many countries, United Kingdom especially, the USA and many other countries. This kind of media is basically concentrated on Chinese people outside China needs. We're planning to put some video to cover their activities they like to change thoughts on."

KYRIAKOS KADIS CO-OWNER, CCN RADIO "When I was in my university in the UK, I took an opportunity to learn Chinese, I went to China to learn in Beijing Language and Culture University. I want to strengthen the bonds between Cyprians and Chinese."

You may not see many Chinese on the streets of Nicosia.

Su Ping is one of them. It's been 17 years since she stepped foot here, and she is still impressed at its liveability, and its easy access to other European countries.

And those reasons are expected to attract more Chinese to come. Wu Guoxiu, CGTN, Nicosia, Cyprus.