ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the construction of multi-ethnic state identity in the People's Republic of China through song and dance performances on the national broadcasting network, China Central Television (CCTV), with a focus on how these link to conceptions of intangible cultural heritage. It also examines programmes primarily directed at domestic audiences, including one-off 'special programmes' such as CCTV's broadcasts of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Opening and Closing Ceremonies, a daily music video programme, 'Zhongguo Yinyue Dianshi/China Music Television', and the regular weekly variety programmes 'Tongyi shouge/Same Song' and 'Huanle Zhongguo xing/Happy in China' on CCTV's comprehensive entertainment channel. The chapter also examines a weekday programme called 'Min'ge Zhongguo/Folksongs China' on CCTV's specialized music channel. It analyses two important ways in which Chinese folk music is performed on CCTV, with 'folk music' defined as music-entertainment performances that signify the various state-recognized ethnic peoples of China.
