New look and content for Lianhe Wanbao

Chinese evening daily Lianhe Wanbao is getting a new look tomorrow. The Singapore Press Holdings publication will have a cleaner layout, a new masthead and enhanced content.

Editor Lee Huay Leng said the aim is to connect with its 400,000 daily readers better.

"The relaunch is done with the readers at heart," she said. "We need to view things from their perspective and be closer to them."

Two new columns will be published on alternate Mondays. One, written by Ms Lee, will focus on the stories behind familiar places or interesting people. Every Tuesday, there will be a feature on small and medium-sized enterprises in addition to the Smart Shoppers column for readers looking for a good bargain.

The commentaries section will be expanded to a full page on Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays. Writers include well-known personalities such as Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Thomas Chua, Singapore history researcher Ng Ching Huei, and the China news editor of Lianhe Zaobao, Ms Han Yong Hong.

Lianhe Wanbao reporters will also be sharing their work experiences and observations on current affairs in a daily column.

"It is important for the newspaper to cultivate the right values," Ms Lee said. "I hope Lianhe Wanbao will generate a positive energy for the society and bring hope to the common readers, as well as help the less fortunate to improve their knowledge and strengthen their position in the society."

In conjunction with the relaunch, there will be a series of promotions for readers. Discount coupons for items at Prime Supermarket, BreadTalk and Mr Bean outlets will be available in tomorrow's issue.

The first 2,000 readers who take seven cutouts of Lianhe Wanbao's new mastheads published between tomorrow and Aug 23 to selected SPH Buzz kiosks can exchange them for a box of limited edition mini mooncakes on Aug 23. The masthead published on Aug 23 must be among the seven.

This article was first published on July 30, 2014.
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