South China Morning Post

The South China Morning Post (SCMP) has been the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. As Hong Kong’s English-language newspaper of record, our international team of Asia experts, reporters, journalists, photographers and filmmakers are dedicated to providing breaking news and analysis from Hong Kong, China and beyond.

Our unique home base of Hong Kong allows us to have in-depth understanding of the China story from an insider’s perspective, while enjoying a high level of press freedom and independence granted by the city’s special constitutional principle of “One country, two systems”. Today, our dedication to representing the region with our editorial motto, “truth and fairness” is more relevant than ever before.

Our new app is our biggest app update ever. The update lets you explore curated content tailored to your news interests with My News, and informs you on the stories that matter to you with the redesigned top menu that allows you customise your reading preferences.

AWARD-WINNING JOURNALISM

Download the South China Morning Post app and receive instant access to the SCMP’s award-winning journalism including coverage of the latest breaking news, both regionally and globally, including: Coronavirus, US-China trade war and tech war, Biden vs Xi Jinping, the Hong Kong National Security law, Hong Kong protests and electoral changes, China military, South China Sea news, China’s relations with the EU, India and Australia, health and wellness, fashion and lifestyle updates, climate change and much much more.

KEY FEATURES

Breaking news alerts to keep you updated with exclusives, explainers, live coverage and developing stories

Article bookmarking to save your favourite features and articles

‘My News’ - Follow your favourite topic/author and get five daily stories curated for you, plus a personalised feed of our most popular content

Customisable top menu so you can move what matters to the top

Resigned quick-access menu to browse articles with ease and speed

Store articles under ‘Reading history’ for later browsing

CONTENT AND COVERAGE

Keep informed with the latest Hong Kong and China headlines, opinion pieces, plus stories from the rest of the world

Full access to all SCMP content, including publications such as Post Magazine, This Week in Asia and Style

Full access to SCMP’s award-winning journalism including Hong Kong news, China news, Asia news, Business, Politics, Economy, Lifestyle, Tech, Health, and Sports

Wide-range of regional topics from our Asia experts including North Korea, South China Sea tensions, China’s Economy, Belt and Road, K-pop, as-well-as a spotlight on China’s tech-giants such as Tencent, Baidu, Bytedance, and Alibaba, Huawei and Xiaomi

Explore new ways to discover our insightful, unique content and current issues with SCMP Films, SCMP Spotlight and SCMP Podcasts, plus video, infographics, pictures and special reports

TERMS OF USE

All content in the South China Morning Post is copyright South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd 2020. All rights reserved. Terms of use and privacy policy apply when accessing content via the South China Morning Post app.

Privacy policy:

https://www.scmp.com/privacy-policy

Terms and conditions:

https://www.scmp.com/terms-conditions

Feedback and Enquiries:

If you have questions or concerns, please contact us at [email protected] or (852) 2565 9388. Your feedback is important to us. If you have any suggestions for how we can improve the app please email us.

Support:

The app has been designed to run on Android OS versions 5 and above.

South China Morning Post (SCMP), a prominent English-language newspaper based in Hong Kong, boasts a rich and complex history intertwined with the city's own evolution from a British colony to a Special Administrative Region of China. Founded in 1903 by Tse Tsan-tai and Alfred Cunningham, the newspaper initially aimed to provide a voice for the local Chinese community while also serving as a source of information for the burgeoning international business community. Its early years were marked by a focus on local news, shipping intelligence, and commercial affairs, reflecting Hong Kong's status as a vital trading hub.

The SCMP's coverage evolved alongside the dramatic shifts in the political landscape of the 20th century. The rise of Chinese nationalism, the Second World War, the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong, and the subsequent return to British rule all profoundly impacted the newspaper's editorial direction and content. Throughout these tumultuous periods, the SCMP strove to maintain its position as a reliable source of news, often navigating complex political sensitivities.

Following the Second World War, Hong Kong experienced a period of rapid economic growth and social transformation. The SCMP mirrored this growth, expanding its coverage to encompass a wider range of topics, including politics, business, finance, culture, and lifestyle. It also invested heavily in developing its journalistic capabilities, attracting talented writers and editors from around the world.

The 1980s and 1990s witnessed the looming handover of Hong Kong from British to Chinese sovereignty, a period of considerable uncertainty and speculation. The SCMP played a crucial role in informing the public about the complex negotiations and the potential implications of the handover. This period also saw the newspaper become increasingly influential in shaping public discourse on issues related to Hong Kong's future.

In 1993, the SCMP was acquired by Robert Kuok, a Malaysian businessman with significant interests in Hong Kong and mainland China. This acquisition marked a new chapter in the newspaper's history, bringing with it increased investment and a renewed focus on expanding its reach within Asia and beyond. The SCMP embraced the digital age, launching its online platform to cater to a global audience.

Under Kuok's ownership, the SCMP continued to evolve, adapting to the changing media landscape and the growing importance of digital platforms. The newspaper invested in multimedia journalism, data visualization, and interactive storytelling, enhancing its ability to engage readers in new and innovative ways.

The SCMP's coverage of China has always been a central aspect of its identity. The newspaper has striven to provide comprehensive and insightful reporting on the country's political, economic, and social developments. This coverage has often been challenging, requiring a nuanced understanding of the complexities of China's political system and media environment.

In recent years, the SCMP has faced scrutiny regarding its editorial independence and its coverage of sensitive topics related to China. Concerns have been raised about the potential influence of the newspaper's ownership structure on its editorial direction. The SCMP has maintained its commitment to journalistic integrity and its dedication to providing accurate and impartial reporting.

Despite these challenges, the SCMP remains a significant voice in the region, offering a unique perspective on Asia and the world. Its long history, its commitment to journalistic excellence, and its ability to adapt to the changing media landscape have positioned it as a vital source of information and analysis for a global audience. The SCMP continues to evolve, embracing new technologies and expanding its reach, while remaining true to its core mission of informing and engaging readers on the issues that shape our world. The newspaper's future will undoubtedly be shaped by the ongoing evolution of the media landscape and the complex dynamics of the region it serves. However, the SCMP's rich history and its commitment to journalistic principles suggest that it will continue to play a vital role in shaping public discourse and understanding in the years to come. Its coverage of China, Hong Kong, and the wider Asian region will remain crucial, providing valuable insights into a region of increasing global importance. The SCMP's ability to navigate the complex political and economic landscape will be key to its continued success. Its commitment to journalistic integrity and its dedication to providing accurate and impartial reporting will be essential in maintaining its credibility and its position as a trusted source of information.