Beijing Review
A Chinese English-language news magazine serving as an international channel for reporting and commentary on China.
Last updated October 9, 2026
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Overview
Beijing Review is a Chinese English-language news magazine published by China International Publishing Group. It presents reporting, commentary, policy material and background features about China, its economy, society, politics, culture and relations with the rest of the world. The publication was established in 1958 under the name Peking Review, replacing the English edition of People’s China at a time when the Chinese government wanted a more timely international news and information outlet. Its creation followed China’s participation in the 1954 Geneva Conference and the resulting assessment that existing foreign-language publicity publications were not sufficiently current for the country’s expanding international engagement. The magazine’s editorial role has historically been closely connected with the communication of official Chinese positions. Its first issue stated that the publication would provide timely and accurate information about developments in China and the country’s relations with other nations. As a result, Beijing Review has combined journalistic formats—including news reports, interviews, analysis, regular columns and special features—with coverage of government policy, official documents and major political developments. It has therefore functioned both as an international-facing news publication and as part of China’s state-linked foreign-language publishing system. The publication expanded beyond English during the 1960s and later appeared in a range of foreign-language editions. Spanish, French, Japanese and German editions were introduced in 1963, while Indonesian, Arabic and Portuguese editions followed in later periods. The non-English print editions were discontinued in 2000, although the publication continued to provide online editions in Chinese, French, German and Japanese in addition to its English service. The English print magazine remains the central expression of the brand. Beijing Review’s history reflects major changes in China’s political and international environment. Its work was disrupted during the Cultural Revolution, when editorial staff were subjected to political criticism and, in 1969, most employees were sent to May Seventh Cadre Schools for labor and political re-education. In the late 1970s, the magazine underwent editorial and design reforms that expanded original reporting and material intended for overseas readers while retaining policy-related content. In 1979, its English name changed from Peking Review to Beijing Review as the Chinese government adopted the pinyin romanization of place names. The magazine also participated in international media exchanges. A Chinese news delegation including a senior Beijing Review editor visited the United States and Canada in 1973, meeting senior political and media figures. A delegation from Time magazine visited the publication in 1980. During the 1989 Tiananmen protests, Beijing Review initially expressed sympathy toward student demonstrators, but it was subsequently placed under temporary supervision by the head of China International Publishing Group and its coverage moved back toward the official party position over the following year. In the digital era, Beijing Review has continued as an English-language publication with a broader online presence and multilingual digital editions. Its principal audience consists of international readers, policymakers, researchers, business audiences, diplomats and others seeking China-focused news and official perspectives. In October 2020, the United States Department of State designated Beijing Review as a Chinese foreign mission, reflecting the U.S. government’s treatment of certain state-linked Chinese media organizations as extensions of the Chinese government rather than ordinary foreign publications.
History
Beijing Review originated in the expansion of China’s international communications after the 1954 Geneva Conference. Premier Zhou Enlai concluded that the country needed a more frequent English-language publication for foreign audiences because People’s China, then the main foreign publicity magazine, was published only twice a month and could not respond quickly enough to international developments. Wu Wentao, who had served as the People’s Daily chief correspondent at Geneva, returned to China and began preparing a proposal for a new English weekly. In late 1957, Wu formally submitted the proposal through the Foreign Languages Press to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Discussions were convened by Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Wentian on 18 November, and Foreign Minister Chen Yi endorsed the proposal on 20 November for Zhou Enlai’s consideration. Zhou approved the project in early 1958 and authorized publication on 9 February, setting 1 March 1958 as the date for the first issue. The new magazine, named Peking Review, inherited much of the editorial staff of the English edition of People’s China. Its stated purpose was to offer timely information on China’s political, economic and cultural developments and on its international relationships. From its beginning, Peking Review operated as part of China’s state-linked foreign-language publishing structure. It reported current events and international affairs, but it also carried official documents, policy explanations and material intended to communicate the Chinese government’s positions abroad. The publication became an important source through which overseas readers could follow China’s official narrative during the Cold War. Distribution in the United States encountered an initial restriction by the U.S. Postal Service; that policy was overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court in Lamont v. Postmaster General in 1965. The magazine developed a multilingual publishing program. Spanish, French, Japanese and German editions began in 1963. An Indonesian edition appeared during the mid-1960s, and Arabic and Portuguese versions were introduced in the late 1970s. Except for English, the foreign-language print editions ended in 2000, after which related language services continued online. This transition reflected both changes in the publication’s international distribution model and the growing importance of digital media. The Cultural Revolution severely affected the organization. Beginning in 1967, Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai criticized Peking Review and other external-propaganda outlets for presenting China’s political messages in an overly forceful style shaped by Cultural Revolution rhetoric. They called for a more restrained and modest approach in communications aimed at foreign audiences. In 1969, most of the magazine’s staff were sent to May Seventh Cadre Schools for labor and political re-education, disrupting ordinary editorial work. One unusual episode involved Jack I-Fan Chen, an editor and son of Eugene Chen, who left China for the United States in 1971 with his family under arrangements associated with Zhou Enlai. Chen was officially connected with external publicity work and later advised U.S. President Richard Nixon before Nixon’s 1972 visit to China. International media contacts resumed in the 1970s. In 1973, deputy editor-in-chief Wang Xi joined a Chinese news delegation led by Xinhua News Agency head Zhu Muzhi on a visit to the United States and Canada. The delegation met President Richard Nixon and Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau. In 1979, the magazine introduced major editorial and design reforms. It retained official documents and policy coverage but added more original reporting, special features and regular columns directed toward overseas readers. The same period brought the change from Peking Review to Beijing Review, following the adoption of pinyin for the romanization of Chinese place names. A Time magazine delegation led by Henry Grunwald visited the publication in 1980. The 1989 Tiananmen protests produced another important editorial turning point. Beijing Review initially showed sympathy toward the student protesters. It was then placed under temporary supervision by Lin Wusun, head of China International Publishing Group, and its reporting moved back toward the official party line during the following year. In the twenty-first century, the brand continued through its English print and online presence, together with Chinese, French, German and Japanese online editions. In October 2020, the U.S. Department of State designated Beijing Review a foreign mission of China. The designation underscored the publication’s continuing place within debates about the status, independence and international role of Chinese state-linked media.
- 2020
U.S. foreign-mission designation
[1]The U.S. Department of State designated Beijing Review as a foreign mission of China in October.
- 2000
Non-English print editions end
[1]Foreign-language print editions other than English ceased publication, while several language services continued online.
- 1989
Coverage changes during the Tiananmen protests
[1]The magazine initially expressed sympathy for student protesters before being placed under temporary supervision and moving back toward the official party position.
- 1979
Editorial reforms and renaming
[1]The magazine underwent editorial and design changes, expanded original reporting and changed its English title from Peking Review to Beijing Review.
- 1969
Staff sent to May Seventh Cadre Schools
[1]Most of the magazine’s staff were sent for labor and political re-education during the Cultural Revolution.
- 1965
U.S. postal restriction overturned
[1]The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Lamont v. Postmaster General overturned an initial restriction on distribution of the magazine through the U.S. postal system.
- 1963
Multilingual editions introduced
[1]Spanish, French, Japanese and German editions were launched, broadening the magazine’s international distribution.
- 1958
Peking Review begins publication
[1]Zhou Enlai authorized the publication, and the first issue of the English-language Peking Review appeared on 1 March.
- 1957
Formal proposal submitted
[1]Wu Wentao submitted a proposal through the Foreign Languages Press for an English-language weekly devoted to China and international affairs.
- 1954
Need for a new international weekly identified
[1]Following China’s participation in the Geneva Conference, Zhou Enlai supported the idea of creating a more timely English-language publication for international readers.
Products and positioning
An international-facing Chinese news magazine combining reporting, analysis, policy material and commentary for readers interested in China and China’s relations with the world.
News magazine · 1958
Beijing Review English edition
The core English-language magazine, covering Chinese politics, economics, society, culture, international relations and policy. It combines news reporting and analysis with interviews, features, columns and selected official documents. The edition is aimed primarily at international readers who want China-focused information and commentary from a Chinese state-linked publishing perspective.
Digital news and analysis
Beijing Review online editions
The digital platform extends the magazine’s international publishing role beyond the English print edition. Online services have included Chinese, French, German and Japanese content alongside English material, carrying news, commentary and background information on China and its international affairs.
International magazine editions · 1963
Foreign-language print editions
The publication historically produced Spanish, French, Japanese, German, Indonesian, Arabic and Portuguese print editions at different times. These editions formed part of a broad foreign-language communications program, but all non-English print editions had ended by 2000 and were replaced or followed by online language services.
Brand decisions
2000
Shift away from non-English print editionsStrategyBackground
The publication had operated multiple foreign-language print editions since the 1960s.
Action taken
All foreign-language print editions other than English were discontinued, while Chinese, French, German and Japanese services continued online.
Aftermath
The brand’s international language strategy moved toward digital distribution outside its continuing English print operation.
1979
Editorial and design modernizationStrategyBackground
The magazine sought to remain relevant to overseas readers while retaining its role in communicating official documents and policy-related material.
Action taken
It expanded original reporting, special features and regular columns, introduced design reforms and changed the English title from Peking Review to Beijing Review.
Aftermath
The reworked publication aligned its English branding with pinyin and presented a broader magazine format to international readers.
1958
Launch of an English-language weeklyProduct launchBackground
China’s growing international engagement after the Geneva Conference created demand for a more frequent foreign-language publication than People’s China could provide.
Action taken
The government approved a new English-language weekly, with the first issue of Peking Review scheduled for 1 March 1958.
Aftermath
The magazine became a principal English-language channel for presenting Chinese political, economic, cultural and international information to overseas audiences.
Recent events
Beijing Review launches ASentenceADay app[6]
Reported:
Beijing Review launched ASentenceADay, a WeChat app for Chinese and English learning, on January 7.
Sources6 sources
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