China Daily launches U.S. edition

NEW YORK, Feb. 23 -- China Daily, China's national English-language newspaper, formally launched its U.S. edition here on Monday.

Targeted at North American businesses and observers of China's rapidly-changing economic, cultural and political landscape, China Daily's U.S. edition will feature reports of local events related to China in the United States, according to a company statement.

The new edition will also have analysis and opinions from American and Chinese thinkers and business leaders, and personal profiles of noted contributors to China and America's growing understanding of each other.

"As a widely recognized authoritative English media outlet in China, China Daily has been publishing in the United States since 1983, only two years after it was founded," Qu Yingpu, deputy editor-in-chief of China Daily told Xinhua. "But it is the first time we publish a specialized edition for our readers in North America. It is a milestone for us."

The launch of the new edition coincided with a deepening economic recession worldwide, which has prompted both Chinese and American leaders to call for joint efforts to combat the crisis.

"It is our responsibility to our readers to do on-the-ground reporting here in America," said Qu. "We also see it as part of our social responsibility to promote common understanding among people engaged in the two economies."

Qu rang the opening bell at the NASDAQ Stock Market in Times Square, New York, on Monday to celebrate the launch of China Daily's U.S. edition. He was joined by Bethany Sherman, senior vice president of NASDAQ, Stephen Orlins, president of the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations, and Huang Xueqi, secretary-general of China General Chamber of Commerce-USA.

China Daily has a worldwide readership of 300,000. It is also the publisher for China Daily Hong Kong edition, China Business Weekly, Shanghai Star, Beijing Weekend, 21st Century and China Daily CEO Roundtable.

(Xinhua)