For 20 years, 21st Century educational media has been a dedicated contributor to China’s English education, offering a platform for students to learn and shine. For its 20th anniversary, friends of the newspaper recognize its achievements and send their best wishes for a brighter future.
　　
　　　　According to Zhao Qizheng, 73, dean of the School of Journalism and Communication at Renmin University of China, and former chairman of the foreign affairs committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and former minister of the Information Office of the State Council, 21st Century’s endeavor to push forward China’s English education over the past 20 years has proved to be monumental.
　　
　　　　“The contribution of 21st Century to the cause of China’s English education for the last 20 years has been phenomenal. Through the staff’s relentless pursuit of excellence and innovation for 20 years, readers know the world better,” said Zhao. “I believe that greater accomplishments by the newspaper are still to come.”
　　
　　　　Tang Wensheng, 70, vice-president of China Soong Ching Ling Foundation and consultant at the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese, is happy to see that young English learners across the country have a dedicated companion in 21st Century.
　　
　　　　“May the newspaper continue to befriend young people and grow as they grow,” said Tang.
　　
　　　　Chen Lin, 85, professor at Beijing Foreign Studies University, has been a regular reader since of 21st Century was first launched 20 years ago.
　　
　　　　“Although the newspaper’s target readership is college students, I as a veteran English education practitioner also learn a great deal by reading the paper’s up-to-date content,” said Chen.
　　
　　　　Zhuang Zhixiang, 58, president of Shanghai Foreign Language Education Press, and Cai Jianfeng, 45, president of Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press, believes 21st Century is a “great teacher to students and a good friend of teachers”.
　　
　　　　Li Pengyi, 58, president of China Education Publishing & Media Group Ltd, sent his goodwill on the occasion of 21st Century’s 20th birthday.
　　
　　　　“I’m confident the paper will excel in every step it takes to have an even better future,” said Li.
　　
　　　　Sun Ning, 32, who was the champion of the 21st Century National English Speaking Competition in 2002 and is now an interpreter at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, believes the event made him what he is today. “Students definitely benefit from reading the newspaper,” he said.
　　
　　　　Rui Chenggang, 35, who was runner-up at the 21st Century National English Speaking Competition in 1998 and is now an anchorman at CCTV, agrees. Rui thinks the newspaper’s philosophy of “happy reading” is an effective way for readers to practice a foreign language and learn about a different culture while reading on topics they are interested in.
　　
　　　　“By reading about movies, fashion, sports and such, students can improve their English and expand their horizons in a spontaneous way,” Rui said. “I hope students can continue to read happily with 21st Century in the next 20 years.”