Vice Premier Li Keqiang addresses CDPF's 5th National Congress in Nov. 2008 (Filephoto)

(Theme promo up)

A: Hello and welcome to our weekly feature Listeners' Garden here on CRI, China Radio International. I'm your host LPC.

B: And I'm MG, saying hello once again to all our dear listeners around the world. Thanks for tuning in!

A: In today's program, we'll focus on a question related to the topic of China's disabled community as asked by one of our Nepalese listeners. But first we'll look at some of the feedback we've received from our listeners around the world over the past one or two weeks.

B: Good. So, let's see what some of our listeners from around the globe had to say for themselves over the past couple of weeks.

A: Right. Our first piece of feedback comes from one of our UK listeners, Mark Hirst. As well as wishing CRI a Happy New Year, Mark says he wants to let us know he is still enjoying our programs and manages to listen to China Drive most days. He says:

B: "This new year, instead of listening to the chimes of Big Ben heralding 2012 on the BBC, I listened to an edition of China Horizons. The program covered several subjects, but the piece on the Red Crane was especially interesting. Thank you for ushering in 2012 for me this year. I'm looking forward to another twelve months with you, hearing about the world from a Chinese perspective."

A: In a similar tone, one of our Sri Lanka listeners, Victor Goonetilleke tells us that he also frequently tunes in to our service and finds our news and other programs an excellent addition to his day. He says:

B: "I have written once before to CRI. I find that when I listen to news and commentaries there is a balance from CRI, different from that of the BBC or VOA, which tend to have a Western bias. Thank you for your excellent short wave signals. As a Dx-listener, I would also like you to send me a program schedule. That way, I can better arrange my listening schedule since I have only limited access to the Internet. I cannot afford to listen via the internet."

A: Similar to the positive feedback expressed in the messages we just heard, our following message from Thomas Kuca, one of our US listeners, compliments CRI on the continuation of our shortwave services. Thomas says:

B: "I greatly appreciate your continued presence on the short waves! So many stations that I used to regularly listen to have abandoned shortwave, leaving their loyal listeners with no alternative for learning more about their respective countries—I learned much about the world by listening to shortwave radio and I feel "lost" without the perspective given by those stations that have now left this broadcast medium. I hope that CRI continues to use shortwave far into the future, as I remain your loyal and devoted listener in the U.S.A."

A: Thank you Mark, Victor, and Thomas for your continued interest in listening to our shortwave service. We'll try to live up to your sincere hopes and expectations.

B: Now, our next message from one of our Ukrainian listeners, Madam Novikova Nadezhda, talks about a different way to access CRI's programs. Unlike our Sri Lankan friend Victor and countless other, who have difficulty listening to us via the internet, Novikova tells us however her family of five, including herself, her husband and her three children, Nikita, Elena and Veronica, are loyal CRI listeners via our online platforms. She says:

A: "I have great pleasure listening to your radio station via the Internet. Thank you so much for the professional work. My family, particularly my children are big fans. We would be very grateful if you can send our young guys something as a souvenir! With an open heart and love, we wish you happiness and health in the New Year!"

B: Thanks dear Novikoya, because of you, we have an equally devoted group of five family members on the other side of the line. Well, best wishes to your family during the New Year!

A: Much like the fantastic messages we have just heard, here are a few more shorter messages from our dear friends who also express their sincere love for CRI services.

B: These simple messages have been sent to us by our dedicated listeners, Moekyaw from Myanmar, Maryiam from Nepal, Francis Benya from Sierra Leone, Emmanuel Nwagwu from Nigeria, and Andre Massieye from France.

A: In probably the shortest message we'll read out today, Moekyaw from Myanmar says rather simply: "I like CRI so much!"

B: True. But for us, the sentiment attached to this message is much more important than the length. Thanks dear Moekyaw. Also, good luck to you for 2012!

A: Now, our next message from Maryiam of Nepal reads: "I love CRI. I've learned many things from CRI. I can't even go a day without listening to CRI!"

B: What wonderful listener friends we have!

A: Indeed! Our next listener, Francis Benya from Sierra Leone, wrote to us to say: "Most of the time I listen to China Radio International. I love to listen to 'Key words of the day' which helps me to learn some words in Chinese."

A: Emmanuel Nwagwu of Nigeria says: "I'm an ardent listener of CRI. I love your broadcasts. They're really informative, educative, and entertaining."

B: Our French listener Andre Massieye tells us why he loves to listen to us. He says: "It's always interesting to learn the point of view of the Chinese government. That's why I like to hear the news from CRI."

A: Thank you dear friends. No matter what the reason is for your tuning in to CRI, we welcome you. Your interest and love provide us with the support we need to go on! Thank you again and we're looking forward to your continued support in the long run. Good luck to all of you and other listeners from around the world for a happier 2012!

B: Next up, we'll look at one or two more messages before taking a music break. This message here is from our Australian listener Paul Peacock. He provides us with his feedback on one of our recent surveys which looked at awareness of Chinese culture. Paul says he loves Chinese culture:

A: "I have a very warm affection for all things Chinese. I have been to Beijing and enjoyed the hospitality, the diversity of architecture, the history, the food. I love it all. Best ever trip I've ever made. To stand on the Great Wall, go through the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, Hard Rock Cafe Beijing. I love it all. Thank you China and your wonderful people for giving me such fantastic memories."

B: Now, our last message for today comes from one of our US listeners, Joe Recknor. Joe expresses his love for our service as he talks about one of the topics covered in one of CRI's many programs. He says:

A: "I want to say thanks for the insightful presentation on the subject of soft power. Your presentation was top notch. The honest, accurate, and humble way China presents itself on the radio is so attractive. Thanks for the programming and continued use of shortwave. Keep up your wonderful work!"

B: Well, it's time for now for a music break. The beautiful piece we have in store for you today is called "Rosy Clouds Chasing after the Moon", or "Cai Yun Zhui Yue" in Chinese. The piece is a very popular melody that originates from southern China's coastal Guangdong province. So, sit back, relax and enjoy this beautiful piece of music, after which we'll move on to today's main topic. Stay tuned!

(Music break, 3'37")