From the editor: Bringing you the news for 30 years

It's not often that the birth of a newspaper makes news around the world.

But China Daily did. And so it was on June 1, 1981 that the first edition rolled off the presses to the accompaniment of what seemed a global media drumbeat.

There was good reason: The steadily-growing stream of tourists, businessmen, consultants and "foreign experts" making their way to the country found themselves almost isolated from the outside world - and didn't know much of what was happening in the country, either.

In today's plugged-in world, it might be difficult to comprehend that news in English was then at such a premium.

Birthday 'starting point' for a new journey

More than 800 people gathered at the Great Hall of the People on Tuesday to celebrate China Daily's 30-year journey from an eight-page black/white newspaper to a global media group. China Daily marks 30th birthday

China Daily marks 30th birthday

China's English language newspaper China Daily celebrated its 30th birthday in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Tuesday.

Wang Chen delivers keynote speech

China Daily celebrates the 30th anniversary of its founding at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, May 31, 2011.

Liu Yunshan delivers keynote speech

China Daily celebrates the 30th anniversary of its founding at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, May 31, 2011.

China Daily marks 30th anniversary at Great Hall of the People

China Daily celebrates the 30th anniversary of its founding at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, May 31, 2011.