On its 80th anniversary, Xinhua reported that it received 150 greetings from foreign government officials, organization leaders, and the renowned media from 70 countries and regions. Previously known as the “Red China News Agency” established on November 7, 1931, Xinhua has developed into a media group in multiple languages and media forms and has served as the official mouthpiece for the Chinese Communist Party.
Source: Xinhua, November 6, 2011
http://news.xinhuanet.com/2011-11/06/c_111148381.htm