Zdzislaw Goralczyk, Adviser to the Polish President, and Chairman of the Poland-China Friendship Association:

On the occasion of China Today's 50th anniversary, and as a long-time reader and friend of your magazine, it gives me great pleasure to extend my sincere congratulations to its editor-in-chief, editors, and all working staff.

I was already an avid reader of your magazine, then called China Reconstructs, as a student in China in 1953.

Mme Soong Ching Ling's great and benevolent influence enabled your magazine to make great contributions towards presenting new China to the world at that time. Since your magazine changed its name to China Today, it has become still more appealing, from its cover design to its content. I believe that your magazine will continue effectively and successfully to publicize China's reform and opening-up.

I sincerely wish you still greater achievements and an ever-increasing readership all over the world.

Honorable regards on behalf of Poland, and from myself.

Abel E Prieto, Cuban Communist Party Central Committee Political Bureau member, Minister of Culture, and noted writer:

On behalf of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Cuba and myself, I honorably extend sincerest congratulations on your magazine's 50th anniversary.

China Today has enabled us to gain a full understanding of the political, economical, cultural and societal reforms that China has made in recent years. The people of new China, propelled by socialist ideals, have actively and consistently accomplished national construction and reforms to its social welfare system.

We are delighted and gratified that your magazine has a Spanish edition, thus allowing us a direct and thorough understanding of China's current situation, her achievements in diverse aspects, and her traditional culture.

I would also like to take this opportunity of wishing your magazine greater achievements in the future, and extend my sincere regards.

Koumba Justin, Speaker at the Congolese Transitional National Council:

At the time of China Today's 50th anniversary, I would like to extend congratulations to China, especially China Today, on behalf of the Transitional National Council and myself.

Reaching the age of 50 signifies maturity and responsibility.

One of the most impressive aspects of your magazine lies in its exposition of China's immense social, political, and economic developments, as well as its potential function within the international community. This is the celebration of a sacred moment, and I wish you still greater success in the new century.

Mambou Aimee Gnali, Congolese Minister of Culture, Art and Tourism:

I first heard about China Today, then China Reconstructs, in 1969, but was unable to read it while working for UNESCO. It was only 30 years later, in 1998, that I rediscovered the magazine.

China Today truthfully reflects the enormous changes that have occurred in China in recent years. The magazine is well laid out, with eye-catching and distinctive pictures, illustrations, and maps. Its various and diverse columns contain items of interest for every reader, such as articles on various Chinese ethnic groups, its culture, art, and historic and cultural relics. It even provides the opportunity to learn Chinese.

As to the foreign friends who have never been to China, they would be thrilled at being extended an invitation to visit. The many countries that have established friendly cooperative relations with China, such as Congo, have obtained valuable insights and information from the magazine's reports on China's policy on independence, its strategy of reform and opening-up, its persistent efforts to advance, and its protection of cultural diversity...... China Today has provided us a lot of experience and lessons.

This source of knowledge is precious to the African people. Your magazine will promote long-standing and fruitful cooperation between our two countries and their people.

I offer my congratulations to China Today on its quality, informative and interesting content, and wish your magazine greater success and more readers in the future.

Doctor Ya'koob Sham'oun, Deputy Director General of the Syrian Department of Public Engineering:

It was in the 1950s, when I was still at middle school that I first began to read your magazine. This was always a very pleasurable pastime for me, and one I continued as a student in China. Although I went back to my home country on finishing my studies in China, I have, to date, never stopped reading this interesting magazine. China Today has substantial content and fascinating pictures, which makes it deserving of the epithet, a bridge and tie of friendship connecting Chinese and Arab people.

On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of China Today, I wish you prosperity and progress from the faraway Syrian Arab Republic.

Eugenio Bregolat, Ambassador of the Spanish Embassy to China:

Congratulations on the 50th anniversary of China Today, and the 40th anniversary of the Spanish edition of China Today. The conscientious attitude and spirit of commitment on the part of the entire staff of your magazine make it popular the world over. Congratulations on your achievements.

Garza Limon, Ambassador of the Mexican Embassy to China:

On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of China Today and the 40th anniversary of the Spanish edition of China Today, I congratulate you on your achievements within the field of international communication, and in the development of friendships between China and the Latin American countries. I wish you still greater achievements in the future.

Syed Ali Nawaz Gilani, Secretary General of Pak-China Friendship Association, N.W.F.P:

My heartfelt congratulations to the China Today team on their 50 years of service to the Chinese nation, its leadership, and the world at large. It is, without doubt, a great achievement.

I have found China Today to be the torchbearer of China's acquaintance with the outside world. The role it has played is conspicuous from the fact that the open-door policy of China became widely known through the corridors of China Today. Chinese civilization is centuries old, its culture is rich and possesses a powerful attraction for the world at large, but it could not have gained such fame and prestige if not for China Today. Its pages proved a window for the world to peep through and gain a bird's-eye view of the Chinese multi-dimensional civilization and its drive to reach the modern world in all aspects of life.

I wish China Today all the best for the years ahead.

Chris Noyes, President of China Books & Periodicals, Inc., San Francisco:

Beginning as China Reconstructs in 1951 and continuing presently as China Today, this magazine has made great contributions to mutual understanding and world peace.

China Today has consistently presented China's culture and people to the world in its many language editions. From personal experience, this magazine was instrumental in the development of the relations between our countries and our peoples.

From Soong Ching Ling and Israel Epstein to the current leadership of China Today, this magazine has constantly presented China to the outside world in meaningful ways and has made many friends around the world.

I, and the staff of China Books, wish you continued success for the next 50 years. Keep up the good work.

Ibrahim Nafeh, Editor-in-Chief of Al Ahram:

China has a special place within the hearts of the Egyptian people, and in the hearts of the people of the Arab world, that few other countries or cultures could fill. From the Arab point of view, it is a marvel beyond myth or legend that the prosperity of this ancient empire could give birth to China's miracle of development.

I have been fortunate enough to visit China on several occasions, and thus had the opportunity to write numerous articles and several books about this vast and ancient country. There are still many aspects of China on which I have yet to write. Both its past and present have created abundant experience that has provided for China a unique course of development.

In current international affairs, the Chinese government always supports the Arab world, and provides generous technological assistance that is greatly appreciated. The increasingly strong ties between China and Egypt in so many fields reflect the similar wishes of these two nations, both of which represent the best of ancient culture, to develop in cooperation. Both are aware of one another's significance in maintaining world peace and stability.

In the field of international communication, China Today has been highly effective in reporting the development of China over the years. It is a window through which the Arab people may get to know China. Through this magazine, people may learn of China's great progress in agriculture, industry, culture, and construction.

As China's experience is important to all Arabs, this magazine has, through its vivid and authoritative content, been an important medium that has helped us keep in step with Chinese affairs. On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of China Today, and the 38th anniversary of the Arabic edition, I express my admiration for the efforts of this magazine over the years, and congratulate the staff of the Arabic edition. It is my hope that China Today might continue to make great contributions towards the strengthening of the relationship between China and the Arab world.

President Yang Yongju and Editor-in-Chief Liang Yuanfa of Nouvelles D'Europe:

In the 50 years since its establishment by Soong Ching Ling, China Today has made a prominent contribution as regards providing the world with access to an understanding of China. Many foreigners have come to learn about, understand, and get to love China through China Today.

China Today has served as a bridge between China and various countries of the world in establishing ties of friendship and cooperation.

On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the magazine, we wish China Today greater achievements in helping the world understand China, and in enabling China to be more closely integrated into the world.

Overseas Edition of People's Daily:

During the past fifty years, China Today has served as an important bridge and communications link between China and overseas countries. On the occasion of the 50th anniversary we would like to offer our best wishes, as well as our sincere regards to you. We hope that you will continue to adhere to Soong Ching Ling's patriotism and internationalism and make even greater achievements in promoting understanding and friendship between the Chinese people and people from all over the world.

China News Service:

Thanks to the concern of central leaders, as well as the support of its readers all over the world, and concerted efforts of its entire staff, China Today has expanded and matured over the past 50 years, and is making a stronger impact. Since its founding by Soong Ching Ling in 1952, it has developed from a solely English magazine to the only one of its kind in China that is published in multiple languages, and that also has its own website. In carrying on the spirit of Soong Ching Ling's patriotism and internationalism, China Today has established a bridge between China and other countries, enabling readers to gain a better understanding of China, as well as promoting the friendship between the Chinese people and people from other countries. Congratulations on your success.