GDToday launches app and optimizes news coverage for foreign readers

GDToday, a multi-language media platform from Nanfang Media Group, was established on Tuesday in Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong province, helping to shore up international communication about Guangdong.

"GDToday will advance towards becoming a flagship media platform for international communication in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, fully serving construction of the GBA and high-quality development of Guangdong," said Hou Xiaojun, vice-president of Nanfang Media Group and CEO of Southcn.com.

The English-language GDToday App was also unveiled during the inauguration ceremony, focusing on four main sections —— news, services, lifestyle and city information.

"It will become a comprehensive platform for foreigners to have access to information about Guangdong, providing a convenient tool for living and working in Guangdong," said Hou.

GDToday was upgraded from an international communication center within Nanfang Media Group, which was established in 2021. The center was based on the English-language website newsgd.com, which has more than 220,000 daily active users.

"We will build a comprehensive international communication network, accurately reach our target audience, break down barriers, and enhance communication between China and foreign countries and regions," said Hou.

According to Hou, the GDToday website will be further optimized, with news displayed primarily in English and supplementary services in Portuguese, Spanish, French, Arabic, and other languages.

This news website serves as the primary portal for foreign internet users to learn about Guangdong through the PC platform, according to Hou.

Celebrities from both China and abroad have sent their wishes to GDToday's inauguration and called for more quality reports, media products and cultural exchange activities.

"GDToday has been spreading multilingual stories about China and the GBA. The reporting had a huge international impact, and to some extent, it connects the Chinese community and the Chinese people," said Irina Bokova, former director-general of UNESCO.

Bokova hopes that GDToday will continue to work for a better mutual understanding with global media outlets, so that the East and West meet again and the whole world lives in harmony, as Confucius used to say.

During the inauguration ceremony, Nanfang Media Group signed strategic cooperation framework agreements with more than 40 city-level publicity departments and other government authorities, as well as media groups including Xinhua News Agency and China Daily, to strengthen international communications.

GDToday has already set up workrooms in Hong Kong and Macao, as well as in Southeast Asian countries including Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia, helping to greatly expand its international communication network.