GIO denies politics behind removal of CCTV transmissions

Taiwan yesterday dropped the Beijing-run China Central Tele-vision (CCTV, 中央電視台) channel from its cable television network as the political rivalry between the two foes flared.

ERA Communications Co (年代), the company handling satellite transmission of CCTV programs, ran a bulletin apologizing to customers saying that the channel would remain off the air pending government approval.

The Government Information Office (GIO) refused to comment.

ERA rejected reports that the move had political implications.

"I believe this has nothing to do with politics. Hopefully the programs will resume immediately after we get the GIO approval," an ERA manager identified only as Chen said.

There are some 3.63 million cable subscribers in Taiwan.