Society
China Daily launches new Asia publication
By Kane Wu (China Daily)
Updated: 2011-03-17 07:54
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Bangkok - China Daily, the national English-language daily newspaper of China, launched its new Asia edition, China Daily Asia Weekly, together with the second Asia Leadership Roundtable, in Bangkok on Wednesday.
More than 120 government officials, businessmen and media representatives from the Chinese mainland, Thailand and Hong Kong attended.
"A new channel of communication between our two people is right in place. The Thai government is committed to supporting this," Dr, Viramettekul said in his keynote speech. "China Daily Asia Weekly provides the basis for proper decisions and business actions. I hope the launch can serve to increase the flow of information about China and the region in all aspects and to promote regional media cooperation through Asia News Network.
"I'm sure this new chapter of cooperation between China Daily Asia Weekly and the Nation (the second largest newspaper in Thailand), will bring knowledge and resources to the nation, and prosperity in the future to come."
The 24-page China Daily Asia Weekly is published every Friday in five countries in Asia with a circulation of 70,000. It aims to increase that number to 120,000 by the end of the year, which will make it the most widely circulated pan-Asia newspaper.
"Today marked another milestone in our bilateral cooperation with the publication of China Daily Asia Weekly. For Thai readers, they will find the publication - which focuses on China issues, China business and Asian agenda - interesting," said Pana Janviroj, president of the Nation.
The media group is also the co-organizer of the second Asia Leadership Roundtable, titled China's 12th Five-Year Plan (2011-2015) and its partnership with ASEAN. True Visions Public Co Ltd, Thailand's leading cable satellite television operator, is the event's strategic partner.
Dr Suthad Setboonsarng, Thailand Trade Representative, together with panelists from the Asian Development Bank, ZTE Technologies, ASEANAFFAIRS and Thai-Hong Kong Trade Association, shared their views on the potential partnership between the second largest economy of the world and Thailand at the Roundtable's panel discussion.
"The 12th Five-Year Plan coincides with the ASEAN's economic mission. Thailand in particular is centrally located in every aspect. Thailand will be the core country to carry out the torch," Setboonsarng said.
"What is important is understanding. We should do more Roundtables in the future, with China and India possibly. This is a step in the right direction," Swarup Roy, founder and chairman of ASEANAFFAIRS, said at the panel discussion.
China's 12th Five-Year Plan was recently approved by China's National People's Congress. The plan calls for increases in Chinese domestic consumption, which offers huge opportunities for exports from ASEAN and Thailand in particular, as China is already the No 1 importer of Thailand exports.
"The China Daily Asia Leadership Roundtable aims to establish a platform for high-level discussions among political, business and academic leaders of Asia. The panel today on China's 12th Five-Year Plan cannot be more timely," Zhou Li, publisher and editor-in-chief of China Daily Asia Pacific and chairman of the Asia Leadership Roundtable, said in his concluding speech.
"I hope today's event has given us further impetus to continue to improve relationships in Asia and endeavor for common prosperity."
Also present at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the paper were Ambassodor of the Royal Embassy of Cambodia in Thailand You Ay, Malaysian-Thailand Chamber of Commerce President Yeap Swee Chuan and Singapore-Thai Chamber of Commerce Chairman Wilfred Kang.
