A meeting was held in Beijing on Friday to mark the 50th anniversary of the monthly China Today, with President Jiang Zemin sending a message of congratulation.

The message reads: "On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the magazine, I send you my warmest congratulations. Over the past 50 years, by enthusiastically reporting China's great progress in socialist construction and its reform and opening-up, you have made important contributions to the promotion of understanding between the peoples of China and the rest of the world, and have helped consolidate the friendship between the Chinese people and the peoples of other countries.

"In her lifetime, Comrade Soong Ching Ling poured much of her energy into the founding and development of the magazine. I hope that you will carry on your fine traditions, make even greater efforts, advance with the times, work harder for reform and opening-up and the modernization of our country, and continue to devote your capabilities to the noble cause of promoting peace and development for humankind."

Li Ruihuan, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, also wrote: "Display Today's China, Serve as its Platform."

The multi-language monthly for foreign-oriented publicity was founded in January, 1952, by Soong Ching Ling, the late honorary president of the People's Republic of China and the wife of Dr. Sun Yat-Sen, the great forerunner of the Chinese revolution.

The magazine, which was formerly named China Reconstructs, has developed into a multi-language and general-interest monthly with copies in English, French, Spanish, Arabic and Chinese. It has also launched a website in six foreign languages. Distributing networks have also been set up in more than 150 countries and regions.

Some memorial collections were also published at today's commemoration meeting. There is a commemorative charity performance scheduled on January 19.

(People's Daily January 19, 2002)