The Diplomat posted on 14 February 2019 an article titled "How a Pay TV Company Is Serving Up a Soft Power Win for China in Africa" by Angela Lewis, Nottingham University.
State affiliated but privately-held pay television company, StarTimes, is partnering with African state broadcasters and other organizations to provide new entertainment channels and digital satellite infrastructure. It is funded by Chinese state banks and provides service to rural areas of sub-Saharan Africa. Because it serves as a proxy for Beijing, it is a win for Chinese soft power.