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Chinese Duowei News closes its doors, with content taken from website and app removed

  • News portal known for Chinese political news and commentary shut down because of adjustment to company operations, according to notice
  • Duowei raised eyebrows after publishing article last year calling for public supervision of all Communist Party leaders

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Chinese news portal Duowei News has closed its website and mobile app, citing operational changes. Photo: Handout
Josephine Ma

Chinese portal Duowei News, known for its Chinese political news and commentary, has closed its website and mobile app, ending 23 years of operation.

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All content has been taken down from the website, which was originally named Chinese News Net. The portal notice said the closure from Tuesday 4pm was caused by an adjustment to company operations.

Its owner, Hong Kong listed company Nan Hai Corporation, also owns the HK01 news portal. The owner of the group, Yu Pun-hoi, once owned the Hong Kong newspaper Ming Pao.

The group issued a profit warning in March saying it lost HK$3 billion (US$382 million) to HK$3.4 billion last year because of the weak property market and the protracted pandemic. The group principally engaged in property development, culture and media services.

Duowei News has around 50 to 60 staff, with most reportedly losing their jobs because of the closure, although the company has not confirmed job losses.

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Duowei was founded in 1999 by He Pin, a Chinese media veteran who immigrated to the US. It was once an important platform for Chinese political news and commentary, especially related to elite politics, before it was bought by Yu in 2009.

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