China launches radio service for rural residents

China's national radio station launched the country's first nationwide radio broadcast channel targeting rural residents on Wednesday.

The "Country Voice" channel will air news, science, culture and entertainment programs 24 hours a day, the content of which will also be available online.

The channel will serve China's agricultural modernization and meet rural residents' demand for a richer cultural life, Premier Wen Jiabao said in a congratulatory message.

The channel is part of China's national rural public service system and emergency broadcast system.