China would continue expanding its radio and television networks coverage in the country's rural areas in the 2011-2015 period, according to the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT).

In the five-year period, efforts would focus on ensuring access to radio and TV services in those villages with less than 20 households, the SARFT said in a statement.

It noted that China's other villages which had more than 20 households were already covered by the radio and TV networks, thanks to Government's continuous efforts in this regard.

China's central and local governments poured over 15.7 billion yuan ($2.38 billion) into the upgrading of the radio and TV networks in the country's rural areas in 2006-2010.

Official figures indicated that 96.31 percent and 97.23 percent of China's population had access to radio and TV services respectively in 2009. The ratio was 86.02 percent and 87.68 percent respectively in 1997.

(Xinhua News Agency February 8, 2011)