LONDON - China Daily's European edition has received two prestigious UK journalism awards in the past week.

On Friday, China Daily European Weekly won the Plain English Campaign award in the international media category at a glittering ceremony in Liverpool.

Three days earlier, the UK's Association of Circulation Executives (ACE) also gave the publication its Launch of the Year award.

It is the first time a Chinese media organization has won either of the awards.

For the Plain English Campaign award, the European edition of China's largest and oldest English-language newspaper was hailed for its "clear communication of business news to a global audience".

It was one of the eight media winners announced at the group's 32nd awards ceremony, alongside other prizes for the best and worst use of the English language.

"China Daily recognizes the importance that the English language plays in facilitating better communication and understanding between different people and cultures," said Vincent Fan, deputy general manager of China Daily UK Co Ltd.

"That is why China Daily was launched 30 years ago as an English-language newspaper. The fact that English is not our native language makes winning the International Media Award all the more special."

Chrissie Maher, founder of the Plain English Campaign, said: "The language of commerce can be very complicated, especially for new business people. And yet clear communications are at the heart of every successful organization.

"We don't need useless management-speak like 'blue-sky thinking'. We do need clear and accurate information, and this is what we find in China Daily," she said. "A newspaper that brings business into our daily lives in a way that is easy to read and understand for a wide and varied audience."

The Plain English Campaign is an independent, self-funding pressure group in Derbyshire. Since its launch in 1979, it has grown to the biggest plain-language group in the world, aiming at persuading UK and worldwide organizations to communicate with the public in a clear, concise way.

The group fights bureaucratic language, small print and the legalese of official information, and promotes the use of plain language by presenting awards, hosting international conferences and funding research projects.

The Launch of the Year award follows the introduction of China Daily European Weekly in the UK and continental Europe in December last year. It is distributed across 38 countries.

The ACE said of the publication: "A terrific long-term commitment to international circulation with an integrated strategy to develop sales."

The association, conceived 60 years ago, is an exclusive organization for newspaper and magazine circulation and distribution managers. It is best known for its educational initiatives and the Press and International Awards.

The 2011 ACE International Circulation and Distributor Awards were held at St Luke's in Islington, north London - home of the London Symphony Orchestra.

China Daily