President Xi congratulates media group

Ruan Zongze, executive vice-president of the China Institute of International Studies, said China Daily is "a key, reliable history witness and storyteller of the country's reform and opening-up as well as its interactions with the world".

The media group "now shoulders an even greater, challenging task of helping shape an enabling environment for the country that is building its new development pattern", and "it could make foreign readers better understand the nation's role as an opportunity rather than a threat to them", said Ruan, who said he is "a veteran subscriber of the newspaper".

"The nation's rejuvenation featuring its peaceful development is one of the most exciting stories of the times, and China Daily could further explain the win-win nature of China's interactions with the world," he added.

Ke Rongyi, director of China Daily's New Media Department, said Xi's letter "sets a greater requirement" for the media group's future performance, since it serves as an outstanding information provider for researchers and observers overseas.

China Daily's social media outlets are an emerging tool and platform bridging the nation and the world, and "these days, real-time feedback from hundreds of millions of netizens from overseas is available at any time", he said.

"They recognize China's development, love Chinese culture, and express their yearning for China," Ke said, adding that he and his colleagues will embrace the world and help online subscribers gain a greater perception of the vibrant nation.