Lianhe Zaobao receives Business China Enterprise Award

SINGAPORE - Lianhe Zaobao, the Chinese flagship newspaper of Singapore Press Holdings (SPH), is honoured with the Enterprise Award at the Business China Award 2013.

The award was presented by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong this evening at the Compass Ballroom, Resorts World Sentosa. The Business China Awards aim to honour outstanding businessmen, entrepreneurs, professionals and organisations for their successes and contributions to Singapore-China relations as well as the appreciation of the Chinese language and culture.

Lianhe Zaobao was honoured for its significant contributions towards the strengthening of bilateral ties between Singapore and China by providing a platform for bilateral exchange and knowledge sharing in the two countries.

With a history of 90 years, Lianhe Zaobao is one of the longest surviving Chinese newspapers in the world. The print and digital editions of Lianhe Zaobao reach out to about 750,000 local readers.

Its online edition zaobao.com, which was launched in August 1995, commands a visitorship of more than 10 million readers monthly, and daily page views exceeding 4 million. It has generated a strong following of Chinese readers who could read international and Singapore news from a non-Chinese perspective. The high readership shows that it has fostered better understanding of Singapore amongst the Chinese readers.

In addition, the Chinese daily has also launched its iPhone and Android smartphone apps to stay in the forefront of new media.

Highly regarded in the region and Asia, Lianhe Zaobao's articles are often quoted in Chinese newspapers in the region. In order to produce first-hand news reports on China, Lianhe Zaobao has based its journalists in bureaus in China's main cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chongqing. The team of Zaobao journalists in China has received recognition from the Chinese government for their professionalism and dedication.

In 2011, Ms Han Yong Hong, then Beijing bureau chief of Lianhe Zaobao, clinched the Business China Young Achiever Award. She was the only Southeast Asian reporter who was permitted to enter Tibet to cover the Lhasa riot.

Lianhe Zaobao has played the pivotal role of an information medium between Singapore and China, and facilitated both countries in learning more about each others' developments and happenings. The print version of Lianhe Zaobao created a Zaobao China section which covers various aspects of China. Its online version has sections such as China Finance and China Invest which provide local and Chinese businessmen with essential financial news.

In 2009, Lianhe Zaobao launched Crossroads, a weekly section which focused on news and issues of concern to new immigrants, covering current affairs, career, education and law, as well as lifestyle topics like arts and culture.

Mr Goh Sin Teck, Editor of Lianhe Zaobao, said: "Lianhe Zaobao, a brand name which is synonymous with Singapore, reflects the voices of Singaporeans. Although it is deeply rooted in Singapore, its website zaobao.com targets international Chinese readers. When we report on the region, including China, we adopt an independent, detached and Singaporean perspective. That is our value to all readers, both local or overseas."

On Lianhe Zaobao receiving the award, Mr Goh said: "A newspaper is a product of teamwork and collective wisdom. This award goes to my team in Zaobao, especially my colleagues, past and present, from the China desk and at zaobao.com, as well as the many correspondents who are based in the Greater China region over the years. Mr Lim Jim Koon, who was Zaobao's Editor for the past 18 years, deserves special credit for setting the tone and laying the strong foundation in how we report on China."

Lianhe Zaobao celebrated its 90th anniversary this year with a host of activities to engage its readers. These events include a volunteer reading programme in the library, tree-planting day, complimentary health checks, photos and comics exhibitions, an outdoor arts performance and readers' promotions. It also launched its new portal zaobao.sg for local readers last week.

Two other recipients were honoured at the Business China Awards 2013. Mr Liang Baohua, Member of the Standing Committee, the 12th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Former Secretary of the Jiangsu Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China, received the Business China Excellence Award and Mr Charles Wong, CEO of Charles & Keith Group, received the Business China Young Achiever Award.