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Entity Type: Domestic Chinese-Language Media

China Weekly

China Weekly (中國週報) is a bilingual Chinese-Arabic newspaper established in 2012 by Chinese entrepreneur Ma Qiang (馬強) in Egypt. The publication covers Chinese economics, politics, and culture for both Chinese and Egyptian audiences, maintaining cooperation with China News Service (中新社) since its inception. The paper regularly reposts content from CNS, which is operated by the United Front Work Department of the CCP. The newspaper and its publisher openly position themselves as serving to “tell China’s story well in both Chinese and Arabic languages” (用中阿雙語講好中國故事), a framing characteristic of Chinese state-linked overseas media, following Xi Jinping’s 2013 media speech on external propaganda. Ma Qiang has described his mission as presenting China’s image to the world from his position bridging Chinese and Egyptian communities. The newspaper represents part of China’s expanding media presence in the Middle East, particularly as part of the broader Belt and Road Initiative engagement with Arab nations.

Kansai Chinese Times

The Kansai Chinese Times (關西華文時報) is a Chinese-language newspaper serving overseas Chinese communities in Japan, founded in August 2002 by Osaka-based Acacia Communications Co. Ltd (阿卡西亞通訊有限公司), or Akashia Komyunikēshonzu. Initially targeting the ethnic Chinese population in the Kansai region, the publication expanded its distribution nationwide and launched a website in 2017. Published in both Chinese and Japanese, the Kansai Chinese Times covers news and information about the local Chinese community, employment and educational opportunities, and Japan-China exchanges — as well as sections on Kansai news, services and lifestyle. The newspaper positions itself as serving as a “bridge” between China and Japan, framing characteristic of Chinese state-linked overseas media. The bridging theme is reinforced through several ongoing columns, including “Bridging Japan and China” (日中を翔る), a series of interviews with individuals who work between the two countries. According to the site’s “About Us” profile, it was recognized in 2018 as “one of the Top 100 Most Influential Chinese Media Worldwide” by the official China News Service (中國新聞社), an outlet under the United Front Work Department of the CCP, and Communication University of China (中國傳媒大學). The public activities of the outlet routinely have participation from Chinese diplomats in Osaka.

United News

Led by publisher and editor-in-chief Ji Yuping (季毓萍) and operating from Budapest’s Chinatown, United News Hungary (匈牙利聯合報) was founded in April 1999 as a Chinese-language weekly newspaper distributed within Hungary and neighboring countries. The publication positions itself as providing “fair and objective reporting” – though it maintains close ties to official Chinese media organizations. In 2007, United Daily became one of the first eight overseas media partners of People’s Daily Overseas Edition (人民日報海外版), serving as the only Hungarian partner in this arrangement. The publication also has a partnership with China News Service (中國新聞社), or CNS, which has established overseas cooperation programs with Chinese-language media globally since 2007. CNS is operated by the United Front Work Department of the CCP Central Committee, charged with overseas influence-related work. United Daily  maintains a social media presence on WeChat,

Lianhe Zaobao

Lianhe Zaobao (聯合早報) is Singapore’s flagship Chinese-language daily newspaper, formed in March 1983 through the merger of Nanyang Siang Pau (南洋商報) and Sin Chew Jit Poh (星洲日報), two of Singapore’s oldest Chinese newspapers dating to the 1920s. The newspaper was initially published by Singapore News and Publications Limited before becoming part of Singapore Press Holdings in 1984. Currently published by SPH Media Trust, the newspaper maintains a daily circulation of approximately 136,900 print and digital copies as of 2021. Lianhe Zaobao became the first Chinese newspaper to go online in 1995 and the first foreign Chinese-language newspaper authorized for public distribution in China in 1993. In 2019, the newspaper launched ThinkChina (思想中國), an English-language digital magazine focused on China-related content and analysis.

Chinese Journal Today`

Chinese Journal Today was established in 1978 as the China Times (菲華時報), a Chinese-language newspaper in the Philippines. Under the leadership of Chairman and President Chen Yongnian (陳永年) since a 2009 reorganization, the publication claimed to have expanded its readership and influence across the Philippines, mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Southeast Asia, and other regions. The paper, which has little presence online, features more than 20 sections, including international news, domestic news, China news, Taiwan news, overseas Chinese community news, economics, sports, and commentary. The publication states it promotes Chinese culture by providing free monthly art supplements in collaboration with the Philippine Chinese Art Association, highlighting artistic works supporting the “Belt and Road Initiative.” The paper has an active account on Facebook, with just over 500 followers.

United Daily News

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

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.

Home Voice Chinese Weekly

Home Voice Chinese Weekly (乡音) claims to be New Zealand’s only Chinese-language newspaper serving Wellington and the southern North Island, founded in October 1998 by editor-publisher Kevin Zeng (曾凯文). Published weekly on Fridays with over 100 free distribution points across multiple cities including Palmerston North, New Plymouth, and Rotorua, the paper claims more than 16,000 readers weekly across print and digital platforms. Home Voice operates multimedia platforms including a website launched in 2004, online radio since 2013, and social media accounts on Facebook, X and WeChat. The publication maintains “long-term stable cooperative relationships” (长期稳定过的合作关系) with China’s Xinhua News Agency and China News Service, while stating its mission is serving overseas Chinese communities and “promoting New Zealand-China friendship.” The Home Voice Chinese Weekly site includes banner ads for several Chinese diplomatic missions in the region. The channel runs almost exclusively Chinese state media content on its social media channels.

Sinovision

Founded in 1990, SinoVision distributes television programs to Chinese-language viewers in the Greater New York area. The outlet describes its positioning as “facing local audiences, and getting close to mainstream society.” SinoVision launched its 24-hour digital news channel in 2011. It also operates the news website SinoVisionNet. The network is linked to the PRC and its official China News Service, under the auspices of the United Front Work Department of the CCP, through the Hong Kong-based Ya Zhou Wen Hua Enterprises Limited (HK).