People's Daily expands reach with English-language news app

People's Daily launched an English-language news app on Sunday as it aims to reach more international readers.

"China has never been so close to the center of the world stage. A stronger China needs to present itself to the world, and the changing world is eager to know more about China," Yang Zhenwu, the paper's president, said at the launch ceremony in Beijing.

"The international community expects China to share its experiences, expound propositions, propose solutions, and contribute wisdom, which is an inevitable phase of its development."

People's Daily, the Party's official newspaper, launched a Chinese news app in 2014. Today, it has 200 million users.

The English-language version comes just three days ahead of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China.

"This is a timely opportunity to launch our English app," Yang said. "We will take this opportunity to provide to the world timely coverage on the congress, latest insights into the CPC and the new blueprint for China's development."

At the launch ceremony, the paper signed strategic cooperation agreements with the CPC Central Committee's International Department; the ministries of foreign affairs, education, commerce, and culture; the China National Tourism Administration and State Administration of Cultural Heritage; and Beijing's Palace Museum.

Zhang Yi contributed to this story.