| It was in 1953 that I was sent to China as a student by the Polish government. Five years later, when Beijing Review started publication, I was studying at the Beijing Foreign Trade Institute. I remember clearly the new-born Beijing Review soon appearing on the shelf in the school reading room. It became one of the basic periodicals for us foreign students to understand China.
After graduation in 1959, I went home to engage in foreign trade. In 1972, however, I entered the diplomatic service and began to work in the Polish embassy in China. My career as a diplomat was mainly spent in China, as I have been here four times. From 1972 to 1977, I was initially second and then first secretary; from 1980 to 1984, I assumed the post of attaché; from 1989 to 1991, I was an attaché with envoy title and charge d'affaires. Beginning in 1994, I have been ambassador in Beijing. In the years I did not hold any post in China, I was engaged in the study and practical side of promoting Sino-Poland relations. I can say that I am a participant and witness in the development of Sino-Polish relait0ns. While I was making this indissoluble bond with China, I was also forging an indissoluble bond with Beijing Review.
I regard Beijing Review as a most worthy periodical, not only for the Polish mission, but also for other embassies in China and for officials in their home countries, in order to better understand China. Its role can hardly be supplanted by any other media.
The Polish Embassy subscribes to three copies of Beijing Review: for myself, the military attaché and the commercial counselor. Every time an issue arrives, our staff will pin a slip of paper on the cover, with our names on it. After perusal by the three major officials, the copies will be passed around to others. I can say without any exaggeration that Beijing Review has become essential reading for our embassy's work. It is even more necessary for those diplomats who don't know Chinese. In addition, the Asian Department of Polish Foreign Ministry, Polish Research Institute on Chinese Studies and Polish Scientific Academy all subscribe to Beijing Review. The officials and researchers must read your publication.
Talking about my favorite reports, the first relates to friendly exchanges between China and foreign countries. In recent years, in particular, China has strengthened its national power and played an increasingly important role in international affairs, owing to its successful reform and opening up policies. The reports on China's active bilateral and multilateral diplomacy show China's elegance as a big nation, which offers inspiration and lessons in our own diplomatic work. Second are the special reports illustrating China's reform and opening up and development, such as reports on China's economic development, political and social progress, life of different nationalities and scenic spots and tourism. These reports not only enable us to learn more about present China from various aspects, but they are precious materials in Chinese studies. The third element is Foreign Ministry spokesmen's regular comments on sensitive issues in China and the world, in which my colleagues and I have great interest.
In my opinion, Beijing Review's reports on the Chinese economy have achieved obvious improvement in recent years. In the past, the reports tended to be like a political slogan, at besting providing a few statistics. Now, it can provide more statistics and analysis, a great step forward for foreigners to know China. Besides, your covers are excellent.
Certainly, there are many areas that could be improved in Beijing Review. For example, why not use color pictures with your articles? At least, some of them could be colorful. In this way, the publication will attract more readers. Besides, I suggest you invite articles from some well-known foreign research institutes and famous experts and scholars. Their introduction to China will expand your influence in the world. Also, you may send Beijing Review free of charge to some foreign renowned organizations, if they haven't subscribed to your publication.
Lastly, on the 40th anniversary of Beijing Review's foundation, I'd like to give my best wished to you. I wish that you will double your circulation in no more than another 40 years. I also wish more copies of Beijing Review can be distributed to my home country—Poland.
(This article appears on page 5, VOL.41 NO.9, MARCH 2-8, 1998) |
