As a centerpiece of its recent 55th birthday celebration, China Today launched the New Life Love and Compassion Journey in the Great Hall of the People on Beijing’s Tiananmen Square on September 21, 2007. Mr. Zhou Mingwei, executive vice president of China International Publishing Group, declared at the event: “China Today was initiated in 1952 by Mme Soong Ching Ling, late honorary chairman of the People’s Republic of China, with guidance from senior Chinese leaders, under the original name China Reconstructs. Since being launched, the magazine has upheld its historical mission of truthfully reporting on China’s economic, social and cultural achievements, and on the lives of its people, to the rest of the world. Several generations of China Today staff have contributed to this undertaking.”

Distinguished guests and staff past and present were on hand to celebrate the anniversary. Among the 300-odd participants were Mme He Luli and Mr. Redi, both vice chairpersons of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress; officials from the central government, various ministries and institutes; foreign diplomats; representatives of overseas Chinese; and international friends and journalists. Mr. Redi and Mr. Huang Hua, former vice premier, made calligraphic inscriptions for the event. Mr. Lu Ping, vice chairman of the China Welfare Institute, sent a congratulatory message. Other congratulatory messages were received from Mr. Yin Hengmin, Chinese ambassador to Mexico; Mr. Wu Sike, Chinese ambassador to Egypt; and several foreign ambassadors to China and overseas Chinese groups. Zhou Mingwei and Guo Xiaoyong, both executive vice presidents of China International Publishing Group, the administrator of China Today, delivered keynote speeches.

A Magazine that Influenced a Whole Generation

The influence China Today has had on people’s lives over the past 55 years is illustrated by the experience of Lu Guozheng, deputy editor-in-chief of International Trade Forum. When he studied Spanish in college 40 years ago, the Spanish edition of China Today was the only periodical published in that language in the whole of China. In fact, all the various editions of China Today represented the only publications in their respective languages published in China at that time. The magazine was therefore highly valued by language students. An avid reader while at university, Mr. Lu continued to read the magazine after his graduation. Now he is a member of the China Today Advisory Board, formally established during the birthday celebrations. The 80-member panel comprises experts and specialists from a wide spectrum of fields, including economics, culture, law, diplomacy and journalism. Their advice and expertise are expected to raise the quality of China Today to new heights.

The board’s chief advisors are Mr. Huang Hua and Mr. Hu Qili, chairman of the China Welfare Institute, chairman of the Soong Ching Ling Foundation and former vice chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference. Mr. Lu Ping is the Board’s chairman.

A Mission of Past, Current and Future Generations

As Mr. Zhou Mingwei noted in his speech, China Today could not be what it is today without the contributions of preceding generations of staff. Mme Soong Ching Ling invited the late Israel Epstein, our former editor-in-chief emeritus, to China from the United States to initiate the magazine. He was the editor-in-chief, and later editor-in-chief emeritus, for many years. Other celebrated Chinese leaders of China Today include Jin Zhonghua, Chen Hansheng, Lu Ping, Li Boti, Chen Lirui and many more. All have contributed greatly to the magazine’s development and progress over the years.

“The first 55 years have passed into time. The next 55 years belong to the younger generation,” remarked Shen Xingda, former vice president and vice editor-in-chief of China Today. During his years with the magazine Mr. Zhen contributed millions of words and left footprints in most parts of China. He sees much merit in the younger generation of journalists, who have benefited from China’s rising educational standards and a wider vision of the world. But he also advised that one cannot live a meaningful life without a meaningful job. China and the world may be changing, but current staff should carry forward the hardworking tradition of their predecessors.

Huang Zu’an was in the post of president and editor-in-chief of China Today for six years before his retirement. He is glad to see that with China’s rapid ascension in the international community, China Today, the nation’s only multi-lingual monthly, is expanding its presence worldwide. “There is no better time to introduce China to the rest of the world than now.”

Mrs. Wang Fu, director of the Arabic edition of China Today, has spent the best part of her life at the magazine. She had many offers of better-paid jobs over the years, but chose to stay. The reason? “I often remember the words of an Arabic country ambassador: ‘China Today plays an unmatched role in the communication between China and the Arabic world.’ His Excellency’s remarks stoked my heart, and are the best reward for the efforts my colleges and I have been making for so many years. I know I am part of a significant undertaking.”

Awareness of Social Responsibility

China Today’s anniversary gala marks the commencement of a joint charity campaign between China Today and New Life Industrial Co., Ltd. The campaign aims to draw public attention to, and generate support for, rural children separated from parents working in the city.

On September 22 China Today sponsored a golf tournament, participated in by 150 persons from the government, institutes, foreign embassies and corporations. The donations collected during the day are earmarked for the China Today New Life Love and Compassion Journey campaign.

At this special moment in China Today’s history, the publication’s past and present staff take pride in sharing their joy with children who have savored the bitterness of life much too young. These children are a key part of China’s future - a future for which we are all working.