Singapore, 26 March 2025 – Lianhe Zaobao (LHZB), the flagship Chinese-language daily of SPH Media, is celebrating 30 years of its online presence, with a dynamic line-up of events and initiatives aimed at strengthening its global reach and reaffirming its commitment to delivering high-quality content to audiences in Singapore and worldwide.
In 1995, LHZB made history as the first Chinese-language newspaper to go online globally, pioneering a digital transformation that paved the way for its international expansion. To commemorate this milestone, LHZB is rolling out new content offerings, enhancing its digital platforms, and launching a year-long series of events across China and Southeast Asia.
Fireside Chat Launches Anniversary Celebrations
Kicking off the celebrations, LHZB today hosted an insightful fireside chat titled “Adapting to An Ageing Asia”, featuring Deputy Prime Minister Mr Heng Swee Keat. The event, held in Beijing, China, drew more than 400 attendees, including government officials, industry leaders, and academics from Singapore and China.
A Vision for the Future
Reflecting on the journey, Ms Lee Huay Leng, Editor-in-Chief of the Chinese Media Group, SPH Media, said, “Thirty years ago, we couldn’t have foreseen the full impact of going digital. Yet, we embraced the challenge, and extended our reach beyond Singapore. Today, we have found our pace, developed a distinctive voice, and, most importantly, built a strong team committed to delivering credible and sophisticated content to our readers. In an increasingly noisy and chaotic world, with a cacophony of voices, Lianhe Zaobao remains a highly regarded newspaper within the global Chinese community. We will continue to report the news and observe the world with our calm, rational, and balanced perspective. Moreover, we are committed to fostering understanding among Chinese communities worldwide, serving as a bridge to connect people while embracing differences and creating shared memories.”
Mr Goh Sin Teck, Editor of Lianhe Zaobao, added, “Over the years, we’ve evolved from a traditional newspaper into a dynamic multimedia platform. We’ve introduced region-specific homepages to cater to diverse audiences and enhanced content recommendations to better align with readers’ preferences. Our audio-visual content, like the video series ‘The World Explained’ and the audio series ‘Global Heartbeat’, has garnered global followings across our website and social media. Today, Lianhe Zaobao is more than a newspaper.”
Expanding Content and Digital Experiences
To deepen its insights and analysis, LHZB will introduce a series of new, in-depth columns this year. In partnership with a Singaporean think tank, a dedicated Southeast Asia commentary section will be launched to provide readers with thoughtful perspectives on the region’s political and economic developments. LHZB will also deepen and broaden its coverage of China and global developments, offering more comprehensive, multi-dimensional reporting.
On the digital front, LHZB is enhancing its user experience with smarter, more personalised platform features. The improved mobile app will offer content recommendations tailored to individual reading habits and interests, ensuring a more engaging and intuitive experience.
Fostering Global Connections
LHZB remains dedicated to promoting cross-border dialogue and understanding. This year, it will co-organise media engagement activities with universities in China, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore to share expertise and provide insights on the role and mission of Singapore's Chinese-language media.
The annual “Singapore-China Forum” will bring together influential voices from political, business, and academic sectors in both countries to discuss key issues shaping bilateral relations and global developments. LHZB will also host the third edition of the “Southeast Asia Lecture” series, featuring prominent financial and business leaders from across the region to offer insights on emerging political and economic trends.
Additionally, ThinkChina — LHZB’s English-language platform — will host a forum titled “China’s Future: Navigating a Changing World Order” on 28 March 2025 in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The event will explore how historical lessons can guide China’s future trajectory and its evolving role in an increasingly complex global landscape.
As LHZB commemorates this significant milestone, it remains steadfast in its mission to inform, connect, and engage communities across borders — shaping conversations and bridging cultures for generations to come.
At today’s event, Ms Lee Huay Leng, Editor-in-Chief of SPH Media’s Chinese Media Group, and Mr Peter Foo, President and CEO of United Overseas Bank (China) Limited (UOB China), exchanged gifts and marked a new collaboration between LHZB and UOB China on public good initiatives. As part of this, UOB China’s “Forging a Sustainable Future for Art Education” initiative will feature two video series produced by ZBSchools — “Junior SG Adventures” and “Platoon Thumbs Up” — to promote education and appreciation of Singapore’s multicultural heritage. Mr Foo highlighted UOB’s longstanding commitment to community partnerships and giving back. As the bank celebrates its 90th anniversary, he noted that this timely collaboration with LHZB reflects both organisations’ dedication to making a positive impact and strengthening community ties.
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