Today, the Post is 120 years young as we continue our journey
- The media landscape has changed dramatically over the years, but our mission remains the same: to be the leading voice on conversations about China
Today marks the 120th anniversary of the first edition of the South China Morning Post. Our journey has been long and eventful.
The first copy, on November 6, 1903, comprising eight broadsheet pages, brought readers news on Hong Kong, including plans for a new post office and the development of tramways.
There was coverage of Qing dynasty China and reports from Britain, the US, Russia, South Africa and Japan. Editorials expressed opinions on the virtues of a Sunday newspaper (which we supported) and snobbery in cricket (which we were against.)
Over 120 years, the Post has evolved with Hong Kong, reporting on its many ups and downs. We have chronicled the city’s progress from early 20th-century entrepot to today’s international financial centre.
Our pages and, more recently, digital platforms, have brought readers news of dramatic developments, from the plague to the pandemic, from the 1967 riots to civil unrest in 2019, and from the rickshaw to the high-speed rail.
Now, the focus is on the city’s post- Covid recovery as it develops as a key player in the Greater Bay Area.
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Coverage of China has, from the beginning, been one of the Post’s strengths. The inclusion of “China” in our name reflects the aspirations of our founders to see the country reformed and set on the path to become a modern state.
We reported on the revolution of 1911, the founding of the People’s Republic in 1949, and – one of the biggest stories – Hong Kong’s return to Chinese rule in 1997.
The Post has provided extensive coverage of China’s transformation, from its opening up more than four decades ago to becoming the world’s second-largest economy and major power on the global stage.
Our mission is to lead the global conversation on China, helping readers understand the complex issues arising.
Changes in technology have transformed the media. The Post has moved from being a traditional newspaper to a digital media organisation with global reach, a credible source of news on China, including Hong Kong, and the region.
Great pride is still taken in publishing the flagship newspaper. In many ways, our aims have remained the same.
While times change, the Post is still deeply committed to providing high-quality, trustworthy, fact-based journalism. This is more important than it has ever been, amid an uncertain and fast-changing geopolitical environment.
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Reliable sources of news are much-needed with so much misinformation and disinformation circulating.
We mark our anniversary with a commemorative supplement published today and stories on our digital platforms.
As we celebrate our birthday, we thank our readers, old and new, for their valuable support. Stay with us on our journey as we look to the future.
