When first I met with the great political, cultural and social information Beijing Review was several years ago, in 1963. I was a student. And like all the youth, I was interested in world development. And, of course, China was the country with most appeal for an European youth. So, I can say, I know Beijing Review from its age of 5.

Later on, after some years of contacting Chinese realities via Beijing Review, I was between those foreigners that knew China well.

And here is the point I want to underline now, at this great anniversary: even Beijing Review is only a weekly journal, it was all the time very direct and well connected to the concrete situation in China, to the great socio-politic movements, to the development of the nation in various domains of activity. Here lays the top of every paper and I can declare today that the majority of my information about China came from the interesting and up-to-date pages of this review.

Here lays one aspect I enjoyed reading through years. Because I can say that Beijing Review was and continue to be a complete paper, with both domestic and international relations points of view. I only underline its accurate writings.

There were, in time, different columns of interest. I followed some, may be others readers liked others topics, because another good aspect was that of miscellanea. Everything was there and each people can find texts he or she likes most.

At this anniversary, I would like to stress out the accomplishments but it is also normal to say that there were few moments in which the review was not at the top. But these were only transient short periods and the main trend was that of a very good review all over the world during 40 years.

As a diplomat, I have to say that, from my point of view, Beijing Review paid attention to the development of the friendship between Romania and China. The main events in our bilateral relations were taken into consideration and there were objective and in due time accounts.

Now, let me wish Beijing Review to live ten thousand years and to help as always promoting understanding, friendship and peace.

And last but not least, please allow me to congratulate the editorial staff of each periods for such a real and great success and especially the today's board, because, I think, the Beijing Review of these days is the most prolific and full up with everything the readers wish. Sincere congratulations and best wishes of greater success. Yours faithfully reader,

Constantin Lupeanu

Minister Counselor

Embassy of Romania

(This article appears on page 6, VOL.41 NO.9 MARCH 2-8, 1998)