Director-general of China Radio International, Wang Gengnian, speaks at the launch ceremony of CRI's studio in Chaozhou, in southern China's Guangdong Province on Wednesday, July 1, 2009. [Photo: CRIonline]

China Radio International (CRI) Wednesday launched a studio in the southern Chinese city of Chaozhou, the hometown of some 2.3 million Chinese who have emigrated overseas.

The studio is expected to enrich the content of CRI's programs in Chaozhou dialect. A feature program on CRI's website also became accessible on Wednesday.

At the launch ceremony, Director-General of China Radio International Wang Gengnian noted that CRI's Chaozhou dialect programs, which focus on the country's economic and cultural development, have been very well-received by oversees Chinese.

Secretary of Chaozhou Municipal Committee Luo Wenzhi, who also participated in the event, spoke highly of CRI's programs, saying they have played an important role in keeping Chaozhou natives who are living overseas up-to-date with the latest developments in their hometown.

Chaozhou, a city in Guangdong province, has now a population of 2.47 million.

Director-general of China Radio International, Wang Gengnian, (middle) and Chaozhou city officials together launch a CRI studio that will produce programs in Chaozhou dialect on Wednesday, July 1, 2009. [Photo: CRIonline]

Director-general of China Radio International, Wang Gengnian, (2nd from right) inspects an office at newly launched CRI studio in Chaozhou, which will produce programs in Chaozhou dialect, on Wednesday, July 1, 2009. [Photo: CRIonline]