On August 1, 2025, China’s National Radio and Television Administration (NRTA) publicly announced the release of the official industry standard GY/T 423-2025, titled “Technical Specifications for Medium and Short-Wave Digital Sound Broadcasting”, which had been officially issued on July 29, 2025.
With this publication, NRTA formally adopts the global Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) standard as the technical foundation for digital broadcasting in the AM bands for domestic radio services in China.
The NRTA is a ministry-level regulator overseeing broadcasting and audio-visual services in China. It regularly issues industry standards (GY/T) that define recommended technical specifications for broadcasters and manufacturers.
About DRM on Medium and Short Wave
Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) is an international digital broadcasting standard, developed by the DRM Consortium and published by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI).
DRM on AM bands combines robust transmission with advanced audio and data features, including xHE-AAC, Emergency Warning Functionality (EWF), and Journaline for interactive text information. It supports single- and multi-language broadcasts, distance learning, and disaster communication, while maintaining compatibility with existing AM transmitters and frequency allocations.
Background: Growing Institutional Support in China
In September 2023, three key Chinese government organisations – the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), the National Radio and Television Administration (NRTA), and the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) – jointly issued a recommendation encouraging the Chinese automotive industry to support DRM reception on AM bands. The same recommendation also called on provincial transmission stations to explore the deployment of domestic DRM broadcasting services. Since then, 31 automotive manufacturers and more than 70 industry stakeholders have been involved in the process.
In 2024, MIIT and NRTA launched a public consultation on the revision and development plan for a mandatory national standard for in-vehicle wireless reception systems. The consultation concluded on October 25, 2024, with the decision to proceed with the drafting of a future mandatory national standard.
As of today, China operates seven DRM-capable shortwave transmitters for domestic coverage, primarily targeting the densely populated eastern regions, but also capable of serving the entire country. These transmitters can also be used for international services by China Radio International (CRI). China National Radio (CNR) currently broadcasts daily DRM shortwave content for domestic audiences, covering several regions across the country.
