MUMBAI: The Malaysian national broadcaster Radio Television Malaysia is expected to ink a tie-up with China Central Television (CCTV), Xinhua News reports quoting a company executive.

The deal will have CCTV and RTM exchanging economic, cultural and tourism-related programs, Information minister Zainuddin bin Maidin has been quoted as saying in the report. CCTV will be keeping a safe distance from political programmes.

According to Zainuddin, China Radio International (CRI) is also keen on joining hands with RTM to strengthen its Malay language service in China.

It can be noted that, Subhash Chandra's Zee Network in September signed an agreement with CCTV for entering China. As per the deal, CCTV has licensed to Zee Network, the use of news and other programs from CCTV International (CCTV-9). It has also authorised Zee to pick up their signals and transmit it over the Zee Network. Zee Network in turn will license to CCTV the use of its news and programs. Both the networks will exchange news programmes, documentaries and feature programs introducing each other's culture, history, geography and economy for telecast.