International media reported that Chinese state TV played the music of “America the Beautiful” (without lyrics) during the historic launch of the country’s first space laboratory.
BBC: ‘America the Beautiful’ accompanies China rocket launch
BBC reported that some Chinese people say that CCTV must have made a mistake with the music. The broadcaster has not commented.
USG Broadcasts – BBG Watch on Facebook had this comment:
The BBG (Broadcasting Board of Governors which manages U.S. international broadcasts, including the Voice of America) may take it as a vindication of its plan to end VOA radio and TV to China. If we just stop annoying the regime with these boring human rights news stories, everything will be fine. Chinese state TV will play VOA English lessons and VOA’s audience ratings in China will be in the billions. Right?