NEWTOWN, Pa., Aug. 8, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Weida Communications, Inc. (Other OTC:WDAC), a U.S. company providing satellite communications services throughout China, anticipates an increased demand for emergency communications systems in response to a call by China's Premier Wen Jiaboa for widespread improvements in government emergency management.
As China's leading satellite communications company, Weida has been providing satellite-based emergency communications systems for many of China's government agencies who earlier took the initiative to put such systems in place. These include: the Forest Fire Prevention Office of China's State Forestry Administration, the Shenyang Water Conservancy Bureau, the National Safe Production Supervision Bureau and China's Ministry of Land and Resources. Weida emergency communications systems already have proven of great value in helping authorities respond to both natural and industrial disasters.
In March 2005, officials of the National Safe Production Supervision Bureau used Weida's mobile satellite emergency communications system to organize rescue efforts for more than 50 miners trapped in a coal mine explosion in Shuozhou in Shanxi province. The system provided voice, video and data communications linking those at the scene of the disaster with authorities and rescue experts in Beijing. (see Multimedia Notes below: photos 1, 2, 3 & 4)
Also in March, the start of a landslide in Danba County, Sichuan Province, caused 5,000 people to be evacuated. In response to this emergency, officials of the Ministry of Land and Resources used a Weida satellite communications system to coordinate the implementation of a plan to stabilize the mountainside and allow the 5,000 area residents to return to their homes and workplaces. Weida's satellite link made it possible for ministry leaders and geologists in Beijing to confer with local and provincial government officials and project workers in Danba County. According to news reports, about 300 soldiers and 1,500 local residents from 15 towns helped bolster the hill under the direction of the experts. (see Multimedia Notes below: photos 5 & 6)
Natural and man-made disasters often occur in remote areas without land-based telephone, video and data communication facilities. And where such facilities are normally available, disasters often put them out of service. But Weida's modern mobile satellite systems for two-way voice, video and data communications are ready to operate everywhere in China and provide the high reliability needed for emergency communications systems. These systems can be small enough to be carried anywhere. They also are available for mounting on vehicles. All these systems can be set up quickly to provide the communication links needed in an emergency situation. (see Multimedia Notes below: photo 7)
Weida's affiliate in China, Guangzhou Weida Communications Co., Ltd., owns the satellite (VSAT) license granted by The National Information Industry Department and is highly regarded in China for its advanced technology and responsive service, especially in the area of emergency communications. It is currently installing the latest generation of VSAT technology, including a new 9-meter diameter antenna at its communications hub in Kuatangfenqu, JiangSu Province. (see Multimedia Notes below: photo 8)
About Weida Communications, Inc.
Weida Communications is a U.S company that provides data communication services via satellite to businesses and government agencies throughout China. The company participates in the fast-growing China telecom market through its majority profit sharing interest in and control of the only wholly privately-owned company in China holding a license for bi-directional VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal) satellite communications services. VSAT is an attractive telecommunications solution in China with its exploding demand for telecommunications, dense urban areas, and extensive mountainous terrain. For more information, visit the Weida Communications, Inc. Web site at http://www.weida.com
This press release contains forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are based on the current expectations of the management of Weida Communications, Inc. (the Company) only, and are subject to a number of risk factors and uncertainties, including but not limited to the Company's immediate need for equity financing in order to continue operations and to consummate the acquisition of a legal ownership interest in Guangzhou Weida, limited operating history, Weida Communications' historical and likely future losses, uncertain regulatory landscape in the People's Republic of China, fluctuations in quarterly operating results, the Company's reliance on the provision of VSAT-based communications services for the majority of its revenues, changes in technology and market requirements, decline in demand for the Company's products, inability to timely develop and introduce new technologies, products and applications, difficulties or delays in absorbing and integrating acquired operations, products, technologies and personnel, loss of market share, and pressure on pricing resulting from competition, which could cause the actual results or performance of the Company to differ materially from those described therein. We undertake no obligation to update these forward- looking statements. For a more detailed description of the risk factors and uncertainties affecting the Company, refer to the Company's reports filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the information about risk factors provided in Item 1, "Business," in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2004, filed with the SEC on October 12, 2004.
Multimedia Notes:
Photo 1 - http://media.corporate-ir.net/media_files/irol/10/108410/images/080805_1.jpg
Photo 2 - http://media.corporate-ir.net/media_files/irol/10/108410/images/080805_2.jpg
Caption (for both):
At the site of the coalmine explosion in March in Shuozhou, Shanxi province, Weida engineers set up mobile satellite terminals for the staff in the National Safe Production Supervision Bureau the night of the disaster. They begin videoconferencing in the early morning to transmit video images and the on-site news back to bureau officials and rescue experts in Beijing.
Photo 3 - http://media.corporate-ir.net/media_files/irol/10/108410/images/080805_3.jpg
Caption:
Watching a Weida mobile satellite terminal at the accident site, Li Yizhong (front), Director General of National Safe Production Supervision Bureau, speaks highly of the performance of the emergency communications facility Weida provided.
Photo 4 - http://media.corporate-ir.net/media_files/irol/10/108410/images/080805_4.jpg
Caption:
The leaders of Shanxi province and National Safe Production Supervision Bureau, along with the rescue experts, discuss the rescue plan for accident site. This picture is photographed during their videoconference with officials in Beijing.
Photo 5 - http://media.corporate-ir.net/media_files/irol/10/108410/images/080805_5.jpg
Caption:
At the scene of a large area landslide in March 2005, in Danba County, Sichuan province, Weida engineers take mobile satellite terminals to the site for use by experts and officials of Ministry of Land and Resources. In just 20 minutes, Weida opens videoconferencing and transmits the video back to Beijing, facilitating discussion and planning to deal the with the slide.
Photo 6 - http://media.corporate-ir.net/media_files/irol/10/108410/images/080805_6.jpg
Caption:
The image of a house destroyed by the large-scale landslide is transmitted back to the Ministry of Land and Resources at the same time it is viewed at the landslide site.
Photo 7 - http://media.corporate-ir.net/media_files/irol/10/108410/images/080805_7.jpg
Caption:
A mobile system with a 1.2m mobile satellite communication antenna, It is being used in the Daxinganling forestry area.
Photo 8 - http://media.corporate-ir.net/media_files/irol/10/108410/images/080805_8.jpg
Caption:
The completed 9-meter satellite communications antenna at Weida's hub is ready to serve China's communications needs.