China Daily, China's national English-language newspaper, formally launched its US edition in New York on Monday.

Targeted at North American businesses and observers of China's rapidly-changing economic, cultural and political landscape, China Daily's US edition will feature reports of local events related to China in the United States, according to a company statement.

"As a widely recognized authoritative English media outlet in China, China Daily has been publishing in the United States since 1983, only two years after it was founded," Qu Yingpu, deputy editor-in-chief of China Daily told Xinhua. "But it is the first time we publish a specialized edition for our readers in North America."

The new edition will also have analysis and opinions from American and Chinese thinkers and business leaders, and personal profiles of noted contributors to China and America's growing understanding of each other.

"It is our responsibility to our readers to do on-the-ground reporting here in America," said Qu. "We also see it as part of our social responsibility to promote common understanding among people engaged in the two economies."

Qu rang the opening bell at the NASDAQ Stock Market in Times Square, New York, on Monday to celebrate the launch of China Daily 's US edition.

China Daily has a worldwide readership of 300,000. It is also the publisher for China Daily Hong Kong edition, China Business Weekly, Shanghai Star, Beijing Weekend, 21st Century and China Daily CEO Roundtable.

(Xinhua News Agency February 24, 2009)