The cover picture of the first issue of China Reconstructs in 1952 reflects the high spirits of emancipated farmers, as they anticipate bright future of new China.

"Peasants who have received farm implements as well as land in the division of estates under China's great land reform return home happily with their new possessions. Up to the end of 1951, the land reform had benefited 310 million of China's rural population." This is the cover picture caption of the first issue of China Reconstructs. It is a picture of peasants, their faces wreathed in smiles, advancing in high-spirited vigor, that still moves people to this day. No one would believe that only two to three years previously, these were the most oppressed of people, the very lowest social stratum, with neither land nor rights. With the establishment of new China the quality of their lives became more human as they regained their dignity and rights.

As from this issue, a brand-new China had emerged, and the purpose of China Reconstructs was to give the outside world a true picture of new China through vivid articles, featuring real events and persons. In the 1950s and 1960s, when Western countries were unremittingly hostile towards communism, and as weaker, smaller countries and nations struggled to liberate themselves from colonialist rule, the voice of China spread to the outside world through China Reconstructs.

The early stages of China Reconstructs featured such topics as, new women in new China, new relationships among the people, housing problems in urban areas, and the impressions of foreigners who had traveled China. Articles written by foreigners included "Travels in China Today" by James and Mary Endicott, "China Then and Now" by Scott Nearing, "Through a Builder's Eyes" by Henry Willcox, and "Thirty-Five Years After" by Dora Russell. The main theme of these articles was the surprise expressed at the incredible changes that had occurred in new China, the new-found confidence of the Chinese people, and their happy lives.

Restoring production and rebuilding was one of the main themes of China Reconstructs in the 1950s.

Despite being impeded by the West, new China established a brand-new friendship and peace seeking image, as can be seen from the Sino-foreign cultural exchanges reported in China Reconstructs. Such articles included "We Want the Same Things -- On Sino-British Cultural Relations" by Guo Moro, "An English Artist in China" by Paul Hogarth, "The Chinese Theater in Western Europe"by Jin Zhonghua, "Animal Exchanges with Foreign Countries" by Tan Bangjie, and "Latin American Literature Comes to China" by Wang Shoupeng. These articles reflect the diverse facets of cultural exchanges between China and other countries, and the recognition of and importance attached to China by the friendly nations.

It was through China Reconstructs' presentation of new China's daily progress that the Chinese residing overseas were able to gain a thorough understanding of new China. In the late 1950s and early 1960s several returned overseas Chinese who came to work for China Reconstructs said that they had been fascinated by the prosperity of new China as reflected in the magazine, and had decided to return to the motherland to take part in socialist construction.

In the May issue of 1957, Angelina Mingardi, a reader from Barnet, Herts, England, wrote a letter to the editorial board saying, "I would like to point out the integrity of the article, "What the Farmer Gets" by Tan Ai-ching (November issue), and its approach to the issue of agricultural policy, new experiences, unavoidable mistakes, and how these are overcome. I completely agree with the point of view that frankness and honesty of information are the fundamental bases of a magazine."

When China carried out its policy of reform and opening to the outside world in the 1980s, both its window and door opened wider, and more channels for Sino-foreign exchange emerged. China Reconstructs also embarked on a new journey at this time. In October 1980, the Chinese edition was founded, mainly targeted at overseas Chinese, foreign nationals of Chinese origin, and compatriots in Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan. In 1990, China Reconstructs was renamed China Today, an idea that had been cherished by Soong Ching Ling for many years. Its new name was now more relevant, as the magazine, as a medium for Sino-foreign exchange, had begun to place emphasis on the spread of Chinese culture, and on practicality and service, in addition to reporting on the changes in China and people's lives.