Xinhua launches upgraded version of Chinese flagship news app

　　BEIJING, June 8 -- Xinhua News Agency launched on Monday a new version of its Chinese news app, marking a key step in the news agency's efforts to advance the integration between traditional and new media.

　　Upon the launch, the app, by taking advantage of Xinhua's global news network, will release more than 1,000 pieces of original news every day in the form of stories, photos, charts and videos, covering all major events that take place both at home and abroad.

　　Users can access information services based on geographical position recognition, and can interact with over 3,000 Xinhua correspondents all over the world by using the app, which is compatible with Apple Watch and other high-tech products.

　　The upgraded news app has made 118 improvements from the previous version and will become a leading online news platform in China, Xinhua President Cai Mingzhao said at the launch ceremony held at the news agency's headquarters in Beijing.

　　This represented a key step forward Xinhua has taken toward mobile internet, he said.

　　As the first original gateway portal, the app serves not only as a platform for state-run media, but also a unified platform whereby nationwide party and government organs at all levels release administration and service information on mobile internet, making it "a close friend of netizens," Cai said.

　　Xinhua strives to make the app an "aircraft carrier" in the field of news and information communication on mobile internet, so that it will not only remain as the state news agency that plays a dominant role in traditional media, but also serve as an "online news agency" that plays a dominant role in the sphere of new media, Cai said.

　　After undergoing the major upgrading, the news app is now more user-friendly and all-encompassing, and runs more smoothly on mobile devices.

　　Its latest version is available in both IOS and Android at http://www.xinhuatone.com/xhskhd.jsp.