Wang Yuehong, Counselor with the Chinese Embassy in the United States, speaks at the event (Photos by Zeng Wenhui)

The digital archives of Beijing Review and its sister publication ChinAfrica were launched in Washington D.C. on March 22, at an event celebrating the weekly magazine's 60th anniversary.

"During the past 60 years, especially the 40 years of reform and opening up, Beijing Review has been an important channel for the international community to have a better understanding of China, by providing objective and unbiased news coverage about China," said Wang Yuehong, Counselor with the Chinese Embassy in the United States.

The archives give readers access to the 3,100 Beijing Review issues that have been published since the magazine made its debut in March 1958 as China’s first English-language newsweekly. The online database also features content from ChinAfrica, a monthly publication focusing on China-Africa relations produced by Beijing Review in English and French editions.

Beijing Review President Li Yafang speaks at the event

"In the 60 years since its creation, Beijing Review has never missed a publication in spite of changing international and domestic conditions," said Beijing Review President Li Yafang, adding that the magazine has been devoted to presenting China and the Chinese perspective truthfully to the outside world.

Beijing Review has been committed to following developments in China-U.S. relations, Li said. As part of its sustained efforts to bridge differences between the two countries, it has signed content cooperation agreements with major magazines such as Bloomberg Businessweek, Newsweek, The Economist and Time.

"We intend to work closely with our partners across the Pacific to bring fair, objective and unbiased reporting to our readers, which we feel is conducive to the healthy development of China-U.S. relations," Li said.

John Marcom, Senior Vice President of Strategy and Business Development for Time Inc. International, speaks at the event

John Marcom, Senior Vice President of Strategy and Business Development for Time Inc. International, extended his congratulations, while expressing hope for further cooperation with Beijing Review.

"Beijing Review is a window in a way in political science," said Clifford Kiracofe, a former senior staff member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations and an op-ed contributor to Beijing Review.

The event was held during the annual conference of the Association for Asian Studies, a U.S.-based non-profit professional association. Readers, contributors and partners joined magazine staff in celebrating six decades of publication.

(Reporting from Washington D.C.)