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Archives: Dispatches

All Lingua Sinica Dispatches

United Daily News

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Lianhe Ribao (聯合日報) is a Malaysian Chinese-language newspaper that was formed on January 1, 2004, through the merger of Miri Daily News (美里日報), founded in 1957, and Zhong Hua Ribao (中華日報), established in 1945. The newspaper primarily serves East Malaysia, with circulation concentrated in Sarawak and extending to neighboring Brunei Darussalam. According to industry data, the newspaper’s circulation increased from 40,947 copies in 2004 to 50,729 copies by 2017, making it one of the fastest-growing Chinese newspapers in East Malaysia. Lianhe Ribao focuses particularly on local news coverage from western Sarawak regions including Kuching, Samarahan, and Sri Aman, distinguishing itself through community-based reporting that serves the Chinese-speaking populations in these areas.

Kwong Wah Yit Poh

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Kwong Wah Yit Poh (光華日報) is a Malaysian Chinese-language daily newspaper founded on December 20, 1910, by Chinese revolutionary Dr. Sun Yat-sen (孫中山) in Penang. The newspaper was established from the Tongmenghui headquarters at 120 Armenian Street, which now houses the Sun Yat-sen Museum Penang. Kwong Wah Yit Poh is recognized as “the world’s oldest Chinese newspaper outside of China” and Malaysia’s oldest surviving Chinese-language newspaper. The publication ceased operations during World War II in 1941 and resumed in 1946. Currently led by Chairman Dato’ Sri Lim Soo Tong (拿督斯里林綉通) and Deputy Chairman Tan Sri Ong Kim Huat (丹斯里王錦發), the newspaper operates from 19 Presgrave Street in George Town, Penang, serving primarily the northern Malaysian Chinese community with a daily circulation exceeding 100,000 copies.

Tanjug News Agency

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Tanjug News Agency, founded on November 5, 1943, as Yugoslavia’s official state news agency, operated under government control until 2015 when authorities announced its closure and officially stopped funding it. Despite this announcement, the agency continued functioning in what it is described as a “legal vacuum” with funds from undisclosed sources. In 2021, the Belgrade-based private company Tacno acquired rights to Tanjug’s intellectual property and trademarks for a 10-year period. Tacno is owned by Radoica Milosavljevic of RTV Pancevo, characterized as “an openly pro-government station,” and Minacord Media. Local journalists interviewed in 2023 and 2024 claimed the government continued financing aspects of the agency’s operations despite denials from both Tanjug and state authorities. Critics characterized the agency as “notorious for its government-supportive content,” with its editorial policy reportedly unchanged following privatization.

China-Africa Friendly Economic and Trade Development Foundation

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The China-Africa Friendly Economic and Trade Development Foundation (中非友善經貿發展基金會) was established in September 2014 in Beijing as China’s first foundation specifically focused on economic and trade development between China and African countries. Operating under the supervision of the China-Africa Friendship Leadership Group of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (全國政協中非友善領導小組), the foundation describes itself as a non-governmental organization with the stated mission to “help small and medium enterprises go abroad, strengthen China-Africa economic and trade cooperation, fund China-Africa science and technology trade projects, and encourage export earnings.” Since 2015, the organization claims to have established relationships with embassies from all 53 African countries and over 60 Belt and Road Initiative countries in China. The foundation offers services including fundraising for small enterprises, international exchange facilitation, targeted funding for China-Africa technology projects, and legal training programs, positioning itself as a bridge between Chinese enterprises and African markets within China’s broader Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in Africa.

Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference

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The Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (中國人民政治協商會議) was established on September 21, 1949, during the founding of the People’s Republic of China. The CPPCC served as China’s interim legislature from 1949 to 1954, before the National People’s Congress was established. During its inaugural session from September 21-30, 1949, in Beijing, the CPPCC adopted the Common Program as the country’s basic political framework, selected Beijing as the capital, and chose the five-star red flag as the national flag. The organization functions as China’s top political advisory body and a central component of the Chinese Communist Party’s united front system. The CPPCC consists of representatives from various political parties, social organizations, and sectors of society who provide consultation on political and social issues, though it lacks legislative power.

Chinese Ambassador Publishes 70th Anniversary Article in Lithuanian Media

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On October 1, 2019, in Lithuania, Chinese Ambassador Shen Zhifei (申知非) published a signed article titled “Seventy Years of Glory Forge the Dream of Prosperity and Strong Nation” (七十年辉煌铸就富民强国梦) in major Lithuanian media outlets including Lietuvos Rytas. The ambassador penned the article to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the PRC and promote “mutual benefit and win-win cooperation” (互利共赢). He also touted bilateral trade achievements, and positioned Lithuania as a partner in Xi Jinping’s signature Belt and Road Initiative (一带一路) as well as the China-Central and Eastern European Collaboration framework (中国—中东欧国家合作). Shen described growing Lithuanian participation in China’s import expo and cultural exchanges as evidence of deepening “friendship” (友谊), arguing both nations shared common aspirations as “dream chasers in the new era.” The article employed standard PRC diplomatic terminology about building a “community with shared future for mankind.”

Chinese Embassy in Lithuania

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The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Lithuania (中华人民共和国驻立陶宛共和国大使馆) was established following the restoration of diplomatic relations between China and Lithuania in September 1991, after Lithuania regained independence from the Soviet Union. Located in Vilnius, the embassy served as Beijing’s primary diplomatic mission for bilateral relations, consular services, trade promotion, and cultural exchanges between the two nations. Since 2021, operations have been severely disrupted following Lithuania’s decision to host the Taiwanese Representative Office (台湾代表处) using Taiwan’s name rather than Taipei. Beijing downgraded ties and renamed its mission a Chargé d’Affaires Office (临时代办处), which Lithuania refuses to recognize. As of June 2025, no Chinese diplomats remain accredited in Lithuania after three staff expelled.

Lietuvos Rytas

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Lietuvos Rytas is Lithuania’s largest daily newspaper by circulation and readership, established January 1, 1990, replacing the Soviet-era publication Komjaunimo Tiesa (Youth Truth). The name translates to “Morning of Lithuania.” Headquartered in Vilnius, the newspaper claims to serve as Lithuania’s leading source of national and international news, with a circulation of 17,000 on weekdays and 55,000 on Saturdays according to 2023 figures. The publication maintains correspondent bureaus in Berlin, Paris, Warsaw, Rome, and Moscow, and operates with approximately 80 staff members. Lietuvos Rytas publishes magazines including Stilius and Stilius Plius, and sponsors Lithuania’s annual Woman of the Year awards. The newspaper has operated its own printing facilities since 1994 and launched its online presence at lrytas.lt in 1997, maintaining both print and digital operations throughout Lithuania’s media landscape.

China Funds Tanzania’s Excellence in Journalism Awards

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On May 12, 2018, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, the Media Council of Tanzania and Embassy of China co-sponsored the ninth Excellence in Journalism Awards Tanzania ceremony at Golden Tulip Hotel, with guest of honor Professor Issa Shivji and organizing committee chairman Kajubi Mukajanga attending alongside partners including Tanzania Revenue Authority, World Wildlife Fund, Tanzania Breweries Limited, and HakiElimu among others. The Media Council of Tanzania’s annual report lists the Embassy of China as the lead partner among sponsors who “made EJAT 2017 possible,” indicating direct Chinese funding of the journalism awards program.