European Weekly bags 2 coveted UK awards

The China Daily European Weekly has won two prestigious journalism awards in Britain, for avoiding gobbledygook and for its commitment to international circulation.

Plain English Campaign, a group that has been promoting the use of concise English language among institutions and people for 32 years, gave the newspaper the International Media Award of the year.

In the award ceremony in Liverpool on Dec 9 the organization praised the paper for its "clear communication of business news to a global audience".

"The newspaper is written in a friendly style while still using impeccable English grammar," said Peter Griffiths, one of the judges.

"There are lots of acronyms but they are explained at intervals to remind the reader what they stand for. The text is broken up into short manageable paragraphs and there are colorful pictures on every page to provide interest. And the articles cover an astonishing variety of subjects."

The China Daily European Weekly was one of seven media winners announced at the group's 32nd awards ceremony, alongside BBC 1's The One Show as the Best National TV program, and Scottie Press as the Best Regional Newspaper.

"China Daily recognizes the importance that the English language plays in facilitating better communication and understanding between different people and cultures," said Zhi Renzhong, general manager of China Daily UK Co Ltd.

"That is why China Daily was launched 30 years ago as an English-language newspaper. The fact that English is not our native language makes winning the International Media Award all the more special."

Chrissie Maher, founder of the Plain English Campaign, said: "The language of commerce can be very complicated, especially for new business people. And yet clear communications are at the heart of every successful organization.

"We don't need useless management-speak like 'blue-sky thinking'. We do need clear and accurate information, and this is what we find in China Daily a newspaper that brings business into our daily lives in a way that is easy to read and understand for a wide and varied audience."

The Plain English Campaign, started in 1979, is a non-government funded pressure group that is now the biggest plain-language group in the world, fighting bureaucratic language, small print and the legalese of official information.

Three days earlier the publication also won the Launch of the Year award of the British Association of Circulation Executives.

The China Daily European Weekly began publishing in Britain and in continental Europe last December. It is distributed in 38 countries.

The association said of the newspaper: "A terrific long-term commitment to international circulation with an integrated strategy to develop sales."

China Daily