Exciting times ahead as the Post turns 115

The first edition of the South China Morning Post was published 115 years ago today. Over that time, the media industry has changed dramatically, especially since the emergence of the internet and the need for newspapers to transform their operations to meet the challenges of the digital era.

The technological revolution has seen the Post move from being a newspaper distributed almost exclusively in Hong Kong, to a multi-platform media organisation telling stories in a variety of ways with a rapidly growing readership around the world. A move to well-equipped and spacious new offices in Times Square in February provided the Post with a home in the heart of the city that meets the needs of this modern media environment. There has been a change in corporate values, a fresh design for the newspaper, a new logo reflecting Hong Kong’s maritime past, and a shift in objectives for a newsroom now serving millions of readers in the United States and across Asia. These latest developments, after the purchase of the Post by e-commerce giant Alibaba in 2016, are in keeping with the history and traditions of the newspaper which, since its founding in 1903, has sought to move with the times and adapt to changing circumstances.

The pages of the Post have covered the historic events of the past 115 years, from the reform movement seeking to bring down the Qing dynasty at the turn of the century, to Japan’s surrender in the second world war, the founding of the People’s Republic of China and Hong Kong’s return to China. It has been a long and exciting journey. But not everything has changed. We continue to strive to serve our readers by bringing them reliable, objective, fair and independent coverage of events shaping Hong Kong, the mainland and the world. Our mission is to lead the global conversation about China. Now, as in the past, we seek to act as a window through which the world can learn more about the complex issues facing China. It is a role the Post shares with its home city, Hong Kong, long a bridge between China and the rest of the world.

Today, we mark our anniversary with a variety of content telling the story so far, including a commemorative supplement. We are proud of our history and excited about the future.