Media & Analyst Release 30 October 1998

APT Increases Foothold in PRC Broadcasting Market

APT Satellite Co. Ltd., the wholly-owned subsidiary of APT Satellite Holdings Limited ("APT", stock code: 1045 or ATS), has secured a long term agreement on 29 October 1998 to lease one of its APSTAR-IA transponders to China Broadcast Film Television Satellite Company Ltd. ("CBFTS"), a subsidiary of The State General Administration of Radio Film and TV of China, for digital satellite broadcasting of programs produced by various Chinese TV networks in Chongqing City, Ningxia Autonomous Region, Gansu and Hainan Provinces.

The new agreement illustrates a satisfactory performance of APSTAR-IA, an in-orbit satellite of APT launched in July 1996. The television stations of Chongqing and Ningxia have been broadcasting satellite television programs successfully through the satellite. Satellite broadcasting of programs produced by the Gansu television station will commence on 1 November 1998 and broadcast for Hainan television programs will begin shortly.

According to APT, this new agreement represents additional services to CBFTS that currently leases ten APSTAR-IA transponders for broadcasting CCTV channels 1, 2 and 7, and also for TV channels broadcast by various television stations in Shandong, Zhejiang, Sichuan, Xinjiang, Tibet, Yunnan and Guizhou. The new lease agreement will bring the total number of satellite television channels broadcast by APSTAR satellite systems to fourteen, and further broaden APT's coverage in the PRC.

Mr. He Ke Rang, Vice-chairman and President of APT, said: "APT is committed to offering quality services to its clients, evident by this new lease agreement. Also the agreement demonstrates further strengthening of our relationship with CBFTS and our increasing foothold in the PRC market.

"Currently over 50% of our income comes from this market. Leveraging our strong relationships with PRC telecommunications and broadcasting enterprises, we expect the Group to continue benefiting from the rapid growth of the telecom and broadcasting industries in the country."

APT is a leading satellite service provider in Asia-Pacific region. It currently owns and operates three in-orbit satellites APSTAR-I, IA and IIR with a total capacity of 76 C-band and 16 Ku-band transponders. The three satellites have a footprint coverage of 100 countries throughout Asia, Europe, Africa and Australia, serving 75% of the world's population. APT's current customers include Reuters, Walt Disney, CCTV, HBO, ESPN, Sony Pictures Entertainment, TVB, Turner, Viacom etc.


Issued by : APT Satellite Holdings Limited
Contact: Brian LO
Tel: (852) 29188013/ 94338549 Fax: (852) 25220419
Email: aptir@apstar.com web-site: www.apstar.com

Through : Keith Statham Associates PR
Contact: Dorothy Lee (2801 0037) / Raymond Siu (2801 0036)

Hong Kong, 30 October 1998