Updated cultural website aims to spur exchanges

Li Liyan (R2), assistant secretary of the Bureau for External Cultural Relations of the Chinese Ministry of Culture and Qu Yingpu (L2), deputy editor-in-chief at China Daily, attend the launching ceremony of Chinaculture.org in Beijing on Jan 13, 2015. Feng Yongbin / China Daily

Chinaculture.org, an English-language website sponsored by the Ministry of Culture and run by China Daily Website, launched its brand-new edition on Jan 13 in Beijing, aiming at spreading Chinese culture further and wider to the world.

The latest revamp marks a milestone for the website as it incorporates the latest trends in Internet development, and is also a starting point to expand new media channels to connect the world to Chinese culture, said Li Liyan, assistant secretary of the Bureau for External Cultural Relations of the Chinese Ministry of Culture, at the launch ceremony.

The updated version features eight major sections, putting emphasis on the use of new media technologies and prompt update of latest news, policies and development related to culture in China. The webpage also features social-media apps, mobile interface, RSS feed and email subscription services.

Qu Yingpu, deputy editor-in-chief at China Daily, said the newspaper group will utilize its advantage in new media and the latest technologies to make the site a first choice for English readers to access Chinese culture and know China better.

Ravi Shankar, expat editor at China Daily and a winner of the Friendship Award, praised Chinaculture.org as an "impeccable feast of China culture, from the very ancient to ultra-modern."

"This website is not about just basking past glories. We bring you the vibrant face of today's China as it undergoes huge social transformation," said Shankar.

Chinaculture.org is the first English website dedicated to cultural exchange. It is also a platform to share the ministry's policies and provide suggestions on international cultural exchanges. In 2014, the website was named the most international website among all Chinese government websites that publish in foreign languages.