Explaining China to the World

By GONG XIXIANG & LII HAIBO

The founding, construction and development of the People's Republic of China long since accomplished, the Chinese people have just finished celebrating the 10th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland as they make preparations for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. It is against this vibrant scenario that China Today celebrates its 55th birthday.

From China Reconstructs to China Today

Fifty-five years ago, in the early years of the People's Republic of China, Western powers hostile to the newborn Communist regime carried out a total-containment policy of political non-recognition, economic blockade and military encirclement of New China. China was also subjected to vicious media attacks. In order to break through this imperialist media barricade, Soong Ching Ling, at the suggestion of Premier Zhou Enlai, founded China Reconstructs in January 1952. Under her leadership, this magazine took on the historic mission of factually reporting on China's economy, culture and its people's livelihood, in the face of the contemporary grim and complex international situation. In order to skirt the Western press blockage and avoid politicized publicity, the magazine was published in the name of a non-governmental organization -- the China Welfare Institute. The true picture of China it presented, encompassing the daily improving lives of its people and various flourishing undertakings, was based on a solid factual foundation.

After publication of the first issue of China Reconstructs , Soong Ching Ling wrote a letter to Jin Zhonghua, then editor-in-chief, stating the aims of the magazine, “I hope that through efforts we make now and in the future our magazine will become a journal that introduces China to the world and promotes peace.”

China Reconstructs received the solicitude of the Party and state leaders, such as Mao Zedong, Zhou Enlai, Chen Yi and He Long. Premier Zhou presented to the magazine his inscription: “Spread the good will of the Chinese people to people of various countries of the world far and wide, and promote unity among them.”

China Reconstructs was renamed China Today in January 1990, according to the wishes of the late Soong Ching Ling.

Well-known international journalist Israel Epstein came to China from the United States, at the invitation of Soong Ching Ling, to participate in the running and editing of the magazine. He was subsequently its editor-in-chief and editor-in-chief emeritus. Epstein had the distinction of being the only foreigner in China ever to have worked as editor-in-chief of a domestic magazine. From that point onwards, he dedicated his life, through to his death in 2005 at the age of 90, to China Today . Well-known figures such as Jin Zhonghua, Chen Hansheng, Tang Mingzhao, Lu Ping, Li Boti and Chen Linrui, who served as leaders of the magazine, also made everlasting contributions to it. In the past 55 years, more than 100 foreign editors, such as Epstein's then-wife Elsie Fairfax-Cholmeley, and Nan Green, also worked diligently for the magazine.

China Today , through the common efforts of hundreds of staff members over several generations, has matured. The magazine has, in tandem with the growth of this vast country and its massive population, expanded from a single-language bimonthly magazine to a comprehensive monthly published in six languages, including Chinese, English, French, Spanish, Arabic and German. It is also China's first magazine to establish overseas branches.

Tradition of Truthful Reporting, Speaking Through Facts

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