English-language daily makes debut in Peking

Communist China's first English-language newspaper, the China Daily, was launched Monday with unedited Western reports of major world stories, financial and sports news, and an apology that the crossword puzzle did not appear. The eight-page broadsheet, to be published five times a week at a newspaper price of 6 cents, is aimed at foreign visitors who often find up-to-date news about the outside world hard to come by.

The first issue was dominated by the death of Soong Ching Ling. An editor's note said that because of her death, features such as the crossword were withdrawn temporarily.

An inaugural editorial asked readers to forgive early shortcomings in the newspaper, "including more than the usual typographical errors." It added: "Like any newborn babe, it wi ll need care and support."