President Xi Jinping wrote a letter of congratulations to Wen Wei Po (WWP) on its 65th anniversary on Monday Sept 9, 2013. In the letter he not only speaks highly of WWP's impressive achievements in supporting the lawful administration of the HKSAR government, watching out for Hong Kong residents' well-being, building consensus among people from all walks of life, enhancing mutual understanding between Hong Kong and the mainland and spreading Chinese culture, but also expresses his hope for the daily newspaper to uphold its editorial principle of patriotism, objectivism and fairness while striving to expand its influence and credibility as well as making greater contributions to advancing the exercise of the "One Country, Two Systems" principle in Hong Kong, maintaining lasting prosperity and stability in Hong Kong.

President Xi's congratulatory message fully recognizes the historical significance of WWP's past 65 years and the contributions it is making today and conveys the central authorities' care and support for WWP, which is a tremendous encouragement for the entire establishment and our readers as well. It not only spells out the historic mission but also points the way for all patriotic media in Hong Kong going forward. It serves an important guidance to WWP for future development.

Sixty-five years ago WWP was born in Hong Kong. Since then it has established itself as an authoritative and objective source of information about the motherland and the world, as well as Hong Kong. It has also earned the distinction of being a leading patriotic daily among Hong Kong's mainstream media serving as an important link of mutual understanding between Hong Kong and the mainland

In the past 65 years of WWP, readers of the newspaper have witnessed through its news coverage the nation's development and the implementation of the "One Country, Two Systems" principle in Hong Kong. Today Hong Kong and the mainland are at a new starting point in their development. WWP is determined to advance together with the nation as well as the HKSAR toward a brighter future.

This is an excerpted translation of a Wen Wei Po editorial published on Sept 9.

(HK Edition 09/11/2013 page1)