20 years and counting for China Daily Hong Kong
Newspaper earns high praise for 20 years of public service in SAR
As the China Daily Hong Kong Edition, a leading English-language daily, marks its 20th anniversary on Oct 6, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor led the tributes to the newspaper’s civic commitment and influential role in advancing the “one country, two systems” principle.
“Throughout the historic transformational period of the past two decades, China Daily Hong Kong Edition has earned the respect and loyalty of readers through its insightful commentary and reporting. The publication has established itself as an influential player in the city’s vibrant media scene, which includes more than 80 international media groups operating in the city,” wrote Lam in her message of congratulation marking China Daily’s 20th anniversary in Hong Kong.
The occasion also drew high praise from many other most respected leaders in Hong Kong. They spoke of China Daily’s leadership role in opening closer dialogue and cooperation, drawing together Hong Kong, the Chinese mainland and the entire Asia Pacific region.
Tung Chee-hwa, vice-chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and the first chief executive of the HKSAR, said in his congratulatory message that China Daily Hong Kong “has evolved in step with enormous changes taking place in global media and continues its efforts to remain ahead. The paper serves the local community and also enjoys a vast readership outside Hong Kong, through several platforms embracing traditional and new media. I am confident that China Daily will remain at the forefront, and will go from strength to strength in the coming years”.
Leung Chun-ying, vicechairman of the CPPCC and former chief executive of the HKSAR, also commended the paper, stating that over 20 years, “China Daily bridges over the language barrier to provide English language readers with first-hand information on China and hence foster better understanding of one-fifth of mankind.” Leung expressed his confidence that China Daily Hong Kong would play an even more significant role in the future, as the Belt and Road Initiative evolves.
Jonathan Choi Koon-shum, chairman of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, also commended China Daily Hong Kong’s role in bringing people together, saying that the paper has “served as an important media platform for connecting people between the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong, and helped facilitating business development of the region”.
The publication has established itself as an influential player in the city’s vibrant media scene.”
Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor
Ho Lok-sang, dean of business at Chu Hai College of Higher Education in Hong Kong, pointed out that China Daily Hong Kong “informs readers about the latest developments in the world’s second largest economy and one of the world’s most ancient civilizations on many fronts: economic, political, cultural, and social”.
The high-quality journalism produced by China Daily Hong Kong has been acknowledged by the arbiters of excellence in media. In 2017, the paper won 11 awards, including four top prizes, at the Hong Kong News Awards, organized by the Newspaper Society of Hong Kong, bringing the total to 58.
Noting that China Daily Hong Kong Edition has earned 49 awards presented by the Newspaper Society in consecutive years since 2010, as well as four international news awards, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of China Daily Hong Kong Zhou Li said that these awards were achieved by beating the competition from long established competitors in both the English and Chinese media. “They demonstrate the publication’s continuous pursuit of excellence and efforts to innovate to engage a wider audience.”