BEIJING, May 31 (Xinhua) -- China Daily, the only national English newspaper in China, is to expand from 16 to 24 pages, editor-in-chief Zhu Ling said Wednesday at an event to mark the paper's 25th anniversary.

    "The move is to meet the surging demand from overseas readers," Zhu said, adding the paper is distributed to 150 countries and regions. The daily circulation exceeds 200,000, with a third going abroad.

    The former 16-page format of China Daily included the National, World, China Scene, Opinion, Business, Feature and Sport sections. The content of the expanded newspaper is yet to be decided. The expansion would take place next year, Zhu said. But he declined to set a precise date.

    Zhu said China Daily would better use its newspaper and website to provide information for the needs of different readers, and prepare for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

    Cai Wu, head of the Information Office under the State Council, said China Daily had been a bridge between China and the world. He called on the staff to work harder and provide more comprehensive information about China for the world.

    World Trade Organization Director-General Pascal Lamy said in a congratulatory letter to the paper that the country's economic growth had made an indelible contribution to the world economy. China Daily had played an indispensable role in introducing a modern China to the world.

    Lamy wished China Daily greater success.

    Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf said in his congratulatory letter that China Daily had played an important role in strengthening mutual understanding between China and world. Foreigners had come to know China through the paper's precise reporting of political, economic and social sectors.

    Australian Prime Minister John Howard also extended his congratulations to China Daily. Enditem