Chinese Government provides RMB 52 million grant for Lao National Television (LNTV) Channel 3 Reconstruction Project (Linked to Record ID#64693, #64690)

Project narrative

On March 16, 2017, a feasibility study for the Lao National Television (LNTV) Channel 3 Reconstruction Project was completed. Then, on August 10, 2017, the Chinese Government and the Government of Laos signed a grant agreement for the Lao National Television (LNTV) Channel 3 Reconstruction Project. China’s Ministry of Commerce committed approximately RMB 52 million (70 billion kip) of grant funding or the project. The grant proceeds were to be used by the Government of Laos to finance an EPC contract, which was signed on January 6, 2018. The purpose of this project was to give Lao National Television (LNTV), which is located in the capital city of Vientiane, the ability to produce high-definition (HD) programs. It involved the upgrading and transformation of its studios, editing systems, transmission and conversion systems. It also involved the provision of high-definition studio vehicles, portable transmission equipment, and a 3-year period of technical cooperation. Jiangsu Jiangdu Construction Group Co., Ltd. and Beijing Century Sage Scientific Co., Ltd. were the contractors responsible for implementation. They work in close coordination with LNTV and China’s Radio-Film & Television Design & Research Institute. The project commenced on December 10, 2018. Then, a formal commencement ceremony took place on February 28, 2019. The project was completed on August 9, 2019 and a formal handover ceremony took place on September 6, 2019. Deputy Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr Savankhone Razmountry, Director General of Lao National Television, Mr Bounchao Phichit, Counsellor of the Economic and Commercial Counsellor’s Office at the Chinese Embassy to Laos, Mr Wang Qihui, and officials from both countries attended the handover ceremony. Following the completion of the project, the Chinese Government provided technical and operational support and training courses for Lao officials until August 2022.