Nation

China Daily opens office in Hefei

By Ma Chenguang and Wang Yan (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-04-27 07:58

HEFEI - China Daily opened its 26th regional office on Monday in Hefei, capital of East China's Anhui province, another major step toward ensuring the newspaper's timely coverage of local news.

"The opening of the Anhui office not only helps further connect the province to the world, but it also contributes to the overall establishment of China Daily's global reporting network," Zhu Ling, editor-in-chief of China Daily, said at the opening ceremony.

Known for its agriculture, as well as its natural and cultural resources, Anhui plays an important role in the development of mid-China and the Yangtze River delta area.

In recent years, the province has experienced rapid development, which has led to it receiving increasing attention from across the globe.

According to Zhu, the increased attention on the province made it necessary for an office of China Daily to be located there.

The opening ceremony was also attended by provincial officials, information officers from 17 cities in the province, heads of other media groups, principals of local universities, along with corporate and financial directors in the region.

Zang Shikai, chief of the publicity department of the Anhui provincial committee of the Communist Party of China, warmly welcomed the establishment of the new office.

"With its unique channels and rich experience in global publicity, China Daily will set roots and develop in the province. It will present to the outside world a complete and real Anhui," Zang said.

Established in 1981, China Daily is the first national English-language newspaper, with 26 regional offices around the country.

However, the paper is not limited by borders and has been taking ambitious measures to expand its influence around the world.

Following the launch of the China Daily US edition in 2009, the paper is expecting to establish its Asian-Pacific edition, European edition and African edition this year.

The redesign of the newspaper in March attracted widespread media coverage, contributing further to China Daily's reputation as one of the most authoritative newspapers in the country.

With an average daily circulation of more than 300,000 in 150 countries and regions, two-thirds of its readers are government officials, think tank leaders, decision-makers and top executives from multinational corporations.

CHINA DAILY

(China Daily 04/27/2010 page5)