Sino Satellite, a Chinese TV satellite, was taken over by illegal TV signals transmitted by Falun Gong cult followers at 9:05 p.m. Tuesday and at 8:23 p.m. Wednesday, the Ministry of Information Industry said Friday.

The state monitoring center on wireless communications under the ministry said illegal signals sent by Falun Gong cult activists had hindered the Chinese audience from watching routine programs of China Central Television (CCTV), China Education TV Station (CETV) and ten provincial TV stations.

The TV hijacking was also confirmed by the Ministry of Education and the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television.

The banned cult attacked the satellite for several times between June and November last year.

(Xinhua News Agency August 15, 2003)