Wang Hao, deputy editor-in-chief of China Daily, and Yuan Fei, head of the Wuxi Publicity Department, announce the launch of?the "Charming Wuxi" English New Media Platform in Wuxi, Jiangsu province, on Dec 20. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

An enhanced English language new media platform for Wuxi in Jiangsu province was launched on Dec 20, with a goal of promoting the city's brand to an international audience.

The "Charming Wuxi" English New Media Platform, which consists of Wuxi's official English website, Facebook and Twitter pages, is the result of strengthened cooperation between China Daily and the Wuxi Publicity Department over the years.

Wang Hao, deputy editor-in-chief of China Daily, together with Yuan Fei, head of the Wuxi Publicity Department, announced the launch of the platform at a ceremony held at the World Hotel Grand Juna Wuxi in Binhu district.

The upgraded platform will continue to report on Wuxi's development in all spheres using the latest new media technologies to present the storied eastern Chinese city to a western audience, said Liu Jie, deputy editor-in-chief of China Daily website.

The Wuxi English website has become the preferred source of information for English-speakers to explore the famous industrial and commerce powerhouse. Since the site's launch in 2014, more than 2,000 stories have been published, along with 1,200 photos, 25 videos and 19 special reports, amassing 3 million page views, averaging about 3,200 per day.

The Wuxi official Twitter and Facebook pages were created in 2015 and 2016, respectively, and have attracted over 260,000 followers worldwide using an array of multimedia methods including 360-degree and panoramic photos, videos and live streaming. To build a stronger bond with Wuxi-based followers, a series of real life activities have also been held with great success.

Ten fans of Wuxi's Facebook and Twitter pages are honored on Dec 20. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]?

The ceremony also honored 10 fans and several correspondents for their long-standing support and contribution to the ever-growing Wuxi new media platforms.

All platforms have witnessed significant progress in 2017. Website page views grew by 13 percent year-on-year, and the number of Wuxi Facebook and Twitter page followers nearly doubled thanks to China Daily and its more than three decades' expertise in international publicity.

Han Lei, editor-in-chief of China Daily website, shared the winning formulas with an audience of around 100 at the ceremony. She explained how China Daily has transformed from being a print edition newspaper to a comprehensive news organization with about 80 million global subscribers across its all media platforms.

Han also used some of China Daily's case studies as examples of how it has helped governments and institutions of all levels raise their profiles overseas.

The ceremony was sponsored by China Daily website and Wuxi Municipal Publicity Department, and organized by the?China Daily Multimedia Wuxi Co?and Wuxi New District (now known as Xinwu district) Publicity Department.

Attendees to the ceremony included Cai Wenyu, deputy head of Wuxi Municipal Publicity Department, Liu Xia, head of Xinwu District Publicity Department, as well as officials from local publicity divisions and representatives from local universities and leading enterprises.

Attendees to the launch ceremony of the "Charming Wuxi" English New Media Platform on Dec 20. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]?