'Made in Guangdong' soft power shines in North America

Ceremony of 5th anniversary of Guangdong TV America and American version of TV series “Gone with the Ocean” launched in Los Angeles

"Even though I've been away from hometown for tens of years, my heart is still with its development. It is really a comfort to receive messages from Guangdong directly." Li Yuwen, a guest invited to the ceremony, said with emotion.

His ancestral hometown is in Zhanjiang, South China's Guangdong province. He immigrated to US in 1996 and has kept in touch with his hometown ever since. He was invited back to Guangdong to take part in the 2nd Canton Entrepreneur Conference in 2010.

On Sept 24 local time, the ceremony of the 5th anniversary of Guangdong TV America was held in Los Angeles, while the American version of TV series Gone with the Ocean, the first piece of artwork on Guangdong toilers' life in the US, was launched on the same occasion.

During the event, California senator and officials from local government presented a certificate of gratitude to the Information Office of Guangdong Provincial Government and Guangdong Radio and Television Station for the latter's efforts to supply amazing TV programs to the audience in Los Angeles and even in North America in the past five years, which have enriched local Chinese's life while setting up an entertainment platform for young audience to show themselves.

Shen Haixiong, head of Guangdong Provincial Publicity Department and chairman of Guangdong International Cultural Association, spoke positively of the progress Guangdong TV America has made in the past five years. He said that Guangdong mainstream media and oversea media have been deepening co-operations and exchanges, not only in joint platforms but also in content production in film and TV programs and that Guangdong has brought in social funds for and increased inputs in program production in a bid to make more and better programs for audience in North America.

Shen said that he hoped to see Guangdong and its partners in Los Angeles and in North America to join closer force for mutual benefits and win-win development in the future.

Later, Bai Jie, chief of the Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television of Guangdong Province, emceed the launching ceremony of the TV series, which narrates a legend story of how the first generation of overseas Chinese survived all the hardship and fitted into the society in the US in the 19th century.

In 2012, Guangdong TV America landed in Los Angeles successfully by joining hands with WCETV of R&C Media Group Inc and has provided programs for 16 million audience in the Greater Los Angeles Area ever since, making itself the first Chinese live channel in North America on Google TV platform and providing television service to 20 million users in Google TV worldwide.

At the same time, Guangdong TV America has hosted several televised talent shows targeting the American youth consecutively for several years. The shows have received heated responses.

The ceremony of the American version of TV series Gone with the Ocean openes in Los Angeles on Sept 24 local time. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Signing ceremony between the Guangdong TV and American WCETV.com. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Zhao Meixin, an American representative addresses her speech during the ceremony. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Shen Haixiong, head of Guangdong Provincial Publicity Department and chairman of Guangdong International Cultural Association addresses a speech. [Photo provided to China Daily]