New York Times launches Chinese-language site

The New York Times has launched a new Chinese-language website in beta to offer translated New York Times content "edited specifically for readers in China" as well as original content by Chinese writers.

The site, which went live in China today (Thursday, 28 June), was launched in a bid to bring the New York Times's reporting to "China's growing number of educated, affluent, global citizens", according to the publisher.

In an online post the New York Times said the beta version "will grow in scope and functionality over the course of the next several months".

"The site will be edited specifically for readers in China, presenting translations of the best of the Times's award-winning journalism alongside original work by Chinese writers contributing to the Times.

"The New York Times is committed to serving readers around the world with journalism of the highest quality."

According to a report by the New York Times: "The site will rely on Times staff members based in Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong for content, as well as 30 new employees who are mainly translators and editors."

Earlier today some news outlets were reporting difficulties accessing some of the New York Times's Chinese social media platforms. A few hours later it was reported that at least one seemed to be accessible again.

At news:rewired in February the New York Times's former social media editor Liz Heron discussed how the news outlet had first put out a version of a China-related story within its iEconomy story on Chinese social networks, translated into Mandarin, before running it in English online and in print.

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