A new English-language website, Baotou, supported by Baotou City and chinadaily.com.cn, was officially opened on Dec. 25, providing readers around the world with an authoritative Baotou English news platform, according to a report published on the new website.
Also known as Lucheng City, Baotou is the largest city and a key transport hub in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. The city plays a major role in Inner Mongolia's economic expansion and in the implementation of China's Belt and Road initiative.
The report said that the launch ceremony was attended by Sun Hongmei, director of Baotou's publicity department; Li Jun, deputy director of Baotou's publicity department; Sun Bing, general manager of the China Daily website; Dong Zhixin, head of China Daily's International Communication department; and Yuan Hui, head of China Daily's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region office.
Sun Bing said that Baotou, known as the "steel city in the grassland" and the "capital of rare earth," is also renowned for having a strong economy, vigorous industrial enterprises and leading scientific and technological innovation. He said the city also has the advantages of being strategically located and having abundant high-quality mineral resources.
Sun said that China Daily has been giving importance to the reports of Baotou news, especially on the renovation of shanty towns and the "Tell Full Coverage" project, adding that it will continue to publish more stories characteristic of Baotou.
As the autonomous region's first English website for a city at that level, the English website will help foreigners learn more about Baotou by providing a more transparent image, Sun said.
The report addded that the website provides detailed information on the city and the latest local news updates with a fresh perspective. The site will raise Baotou's global profile by opening a window to the international community.
The website has eight major columns with various features such as a "News" section for the latest news and developments, and a "Specials" column that covers interesting aspects of local life or big events. The other columns include About Baotou, Doing Business, Visiting, Ethnic Culture, Living and Government.
The reports said that the columns and features will provide a local perspective and show the world that Baotou has an ideal location, great resources and interesting culture, in addition to being a good place for investment or travel.
China Daily, China's leading English-language news organization, is gaining popularity abroad. It has become the first choice for people interested in learning about China through the English-language media. Its English news website--chinadaily.com.cn--has provided almost 200 websites for major governments and enterprises in China, which also include the central government State Council's English website, launched on Oct. 8, 2014.