Foreign and Military Affairs

European politicians praises China Daily’s bridging role

By Fu Jing (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2011-01-21 22:41

Brussels - Europe's first English-language Chinese paper has scaled new heights following its launch in early December, signaling a new dawn in communications - and European politicians and business leaders have recognized the bridging role the paper plays in linking Europe with China.

The European edition of China Daily, China's leading English-language newspaper, is now available in 27 countries on the continent, up from the initial 8.

At a reception held in the EU headquarter Brussels on Friday to celebrate the launch of the European edition and the upcoming Chinese New Year, Qu Yingpu, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of China Daily Media Group, said: "As China and Europe face a host of common problems - a patchy global economic recovery, sovereign debt crises, diminishing resources, environmental challenges, trade disputes - the two sides should talk more and do more. Talk to each other, not past each other. Do more together, not pull in different directions. "We do not shy away from contentious issues - we provide a rational perspective and try to be the voice of reason. On various issues, we provide balance with comment from Europeans and Chinese."

Ambassador Song Zhe, head of the Mission of China to the EU, said: "As the first English-language Chinese newspaper published in the EU, China Daily European Weekly offers a brand new platform and opens a unique window for Europeans from all walks of the society to know more about modern China's development and progress, its policies in all sectors, and its foreign relations - especially with the EU."

Song said the year 2011 is a critical one for both China and the EU. "I sincerely wish China Daily offers more up-to-date, accurate and comprehensive information on China and China-EU relations for the EU bodies and the Europeans."

He said he also hopes the newspaper contributes to enhancing China-EU understanding, facilitating China-EU cooperation, and promoting the comprehensive strategic partnership between them.

Iliana Ivanova, Vice-Chair of European Parliament's Delegation for relations with the People's Republic of China, said the European Union and China have been building a fruitful relationship for a long time and to continue this cooperation and to reinforce the relationship, both sides need influential media to deliver objective news coverage.

"Therefore, by entering the European market, China Daily Group is making a significant contribution to build connections between Europe and China," said Ivanova.

"Its influence grows in the process. Now that the group is present in London and Brussels, China Daily has all the prerequisites to become one of the most powerful journals to enhance EU-China links by providing the latest news and most comprehensive reviews."

Bernard Dewit, Chairman of Belgian-Chinese Chamber of Commerce said the new publication will help European readers get a better understanding of different aspects of China: cultural, economic and political, among others. It will provide precious information for the members of the chamber that will be useful in their daily activities in China, he said.