On 1 August 2025, China’s National Radio and Television Administration (NRTA) announced the release of its new official industry standard, GY/T 423-2025: Technical Specifications for Medium and Short-Wave Digital Sound Broadcasting, which had been issued a few days earlier on 29 July 2025.
This move marks the formal adoption of the international Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) standard as the technical basis for digital broadcasting on the AM bands for China’s domestic radio services.
Who is the NRTA?
The NRTA is China’s top-level broadcasting regulator, responsible for setting policies and issuing technical standards (GY/T series) to guide the nation’s broadcasting and manufacturing sectors. These standards are widely used by broadcasters, equipment suppliers, and manufacturers to ensure compatibility and consistent service delivery.
About DRM on Medium and Short Wave
Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) is a global digital broadcasting system developed by the DRM Consortium and recognised by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI).
DRM offers reliable signal delivery and advanced features, including:
- xHE-AAC audio codec for excellent sound quality at low bitrates
- Emergency Warning Functionality (EWF) for rapid disaster alerts
- Journaline interactive text service for news, information, and education
- Support for multiple languages, distance learning, and emergency communications
Importantly, DRM can work with existing medium and shortwave transmitters and uses the same frequency allocations, making it cost-effective for broadcasters.
China’s Growing Institutional Backing for DRM
The NRTA’s announcement follows years of growing support from government bodies. In September 2023, three major Chinese agencies – the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), the NRTA, and the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) – jointly encouraged the domestic automotive industry to include DRM reception capability in AM radios. They also urged provincial transmission facilities to trial DRM broadcasting.
The result? Over 31 vehicle manufacturers and more than 70 industry partners have since been engaged in DRM-related projects.
In 2024, the MIIT and NRTA invited public comment on revising national standards for in-vehicle wireless reception. The consultation wrapped up on 25 October 2024, with the decision to draft a future mandatory national standard for DRM compatibility.
Current DRM Operations in China
Right now, China runs seven DRM-enabled shortwave transmitters for domestic coverage, mainly targeting the busy eastern regions but also capable of reaching the entire country. These transmitters can also be used internationally by China Radio International (CRI).
China National Radio (CNR) currently airs daily DRM shortwave programs for local audiences, serving multiple regions across the country.
With this latest industry standard in place, DRM in China looks set to move from trials into mainstream adoption.
Info via https://www.drm.org/