Rhythm Media Group, a multi-media company offering Chinese and English media services and promoting Sino-US exchanges, has launched a new radio station in Seattle.

AM1540 SeattleOnline Radio took to the airwaves earlier this month for the Chinese audiences in and around the Greater Seattle Metropolitan Area in an effort to have a substantial impact on multicultural media services to the local international community.

SeattleOnline delivers local and international news, entertainment and sport programs, financial and investment talk, as well as stories that range from the thought-provoking to the interesting from 5 pm to 8 pm, Monday through Friday weekly.

"As it is the first online Chinese radio station by the group, we will converge metrical power to operate it," said group president XieYining, who added that the station is supported by editorial teams in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington DC, in addition to Seattle.

"We are planning to connect with our offices in Beijing, Taiwan, New York, and Houston to provide better live programs," Xie said. "I believe with the editing power of the whole group, we will provide the international community in the Greater Seattle area more vivid first-hand news, exclusive features and original commentary."

In a good luck letter to the group, Washington Governor Jay Inslee wrote: "The organization provides a vital link between Washington State and China by utilizing print, radio, and online media sources. I thank you for your ongoing commitment to serving the international community in the Greater Seattle Area and promoting cultural and economic exchange between Washington State and China."

Ren Hongyu, general manager of Rhythm Media Group, told China Daily why the radio station opened offices in both Seattle and Bellevue. "In the past seven years, we witnessed the fast development and great changes in the Greater Seattle area, especially a large number of high-tech companies settled in Seattle, a large number of Chinese emigrated to Seattle to work, study, do business, and live here. We came to realize a weekly fare failed to meet the informational needs of our readers."

Now AM1540 SeattleOnline Radio has offices in both Seattle and Bellevue with editorial, marketing and digital media production departments.

The group's present Chinese-language web portalSeattleOnline (sea.uschinapress.com) was established in Seattle in October 2014, serving the Chinese community in the Pacific Northwest. Readers have access to real-time local and global news. SeattleOnline radio programs can also be listened to live or replayed on the website.

The US China Press Seattle Weekly, one of the most distributed Chinese weeklies in the US, serves Chinese communities with updated news coverage, unique perspectives and in-depth reports. The weekly started in January 2008.

To celebrate the 7th anniversary of the weekly and the grand opening of the Chinese radio station, the group will host a reception at the World Trade Center in Seattle on Jan 31. Besides Gov Inslee, the Chinese Consul General to San Francisco Luo Linquan and Mayor of Seattle Ed Murray are scheduled to attend.Secretary of State of Washington Kim WymanandLt Gov Brad Owenalsosent greetings and will send representatives to attend the event.

Rhythm Media Group operates a US-based Chinese newspaper, a Chinese news website and an English news website, a digital multimedia production center, and Chinese radio channels. Besides 15 offices across the US and China, the group has several centers focusing on cultural-related businesses.

lindadeng@chinadailyusa.com