Discover China, discover the world
- Source: Global Times
- [07:39 April 20 2009]
- Comments
The Global Times today officially launches its English edition and new web portal, www.globaltimes.cn, giving the world a new source to understand China. For China, the new English edition is one more channel to deliver its voice to the world.
Almost a century ago, renowned American sociologist Robert E. Park declared newspapers to be “the outcome of a historic process,” referring to the correlation between newspapers, the times and social progress.
The front page of the first Chinese edition of the Global Times in 1993 displayed a large photo of Gong Li, the Chinese film star who was named “Best Actress” at the Venice International Film Festival.
On the cover today, you’ll largely see reports about political, military and economic issues, reflecting the changes between China and the world. Our changing front pages represent a microcosm of the evolution of China’s global position over the past 16 years.
In the global news industry, it is difficult to find a newspaper like the Chinese edition of the Global Times which mainly focuses on international news while maintaining its vibrancy over 16 years. It is outstanding in the Chinese and even world media landscape, with a wide national circulation and readership ranging from taxi drivers to civil servants and professors. This tells us that as China continues its process of opening up, its citizens are increasingly aware that world events are relevant and closely connected to their daily lives.
Since its inception the Global Times has been committed to providing Chinese readers with high-quality world news, while telling the stories of a complex, ever-changing China to readers everywhere. A key focus has been the viewpoints of Chinese people about important international issues. The paper’s positions and style have been well received in China.
With the dramatic achievements of China’s modernization process, people around the world are eager to learn more about this country. At the same time, Chinese people want to know more about the world, which is undergoing deep changes in its economic and political structures. This is a pivotal moment in history, ideal for the Global Times to take responsibility for making China more accessible to the English-speaking world.
The Global Times English edition will publish five times weekly, Monday through Friday. A 24-page newspaper with nationwide distribution, the English edition will be a vital new medium affording international readers the opportunity to discover and understand China, while allowing Chinese to express themselves to the world.
The English edition of the Global Times will carry on the traditions of the Chinese edition: presenting news from a Chinese perspective, in a fair, insightful and courageous manner.
The Chinese edition of the Global Times has more than 500 overseas correspondents and contributing writers around the world, whose original reporting and firsthand experiences make for compelling journalism. This powerful network will serve the English edition well. In addition, the English edition has a team of around 100 journalists based in China. It is a team of vigor, ambition and cooperation. It is a team with a dream.
In our journey to “Discover China, Discover the World,” we strive to reveal a complete and true picture of China. We are dedicated to conveying the original voices of Chinese people. We are keen for your support, suggestions and constructive criticism as we continually improve the publication.
We are ready. Please enjoy!