Founded in 1993 by the People's Daily, China's largest newspaper group, Global Times was established to provide a more internationally-focused news source for Chinese readers. The idea came from the People's Daily's leadership, who recognized a growing need for coverage of world events from a Chinese perspective. In 2009, an English-language edition was launched to reach a global audience. Today, Global Times is owned and operated by the People's Daily, which is under the direct control of the Chinese Communist Party. Global Times covers a wide range of news topics, including international affairs, politics, economics, military matters, and social issues. While primarily focused on news related to China and its global interests, it also reports on major world events. Based in Beijing, China, Global Times has become one of the country's most prominent news outlets, known for its coverage of international relations and geopolitics. One interesting fact: Despite being a Chinese state-owned media outlet, Global Times has occasionally published opinion pieces that diverge from official government positions, sparking debates both within China and internationally about the extent of editorial freedom in Chinese media.