News and views that inform – and shape – Hong Kong: three readers of the South China Morning Post reflect on newspaper’s 115th anniversary

The South China Morning Post published its first edition on November 6, 1903. As it now marks its 115th anniversary, three readers reflect on its importance to Hong Kong as a window to the English-speaking world and a gauge on public views.

Matthew Cheung Kin-chung

Chief secretary

I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to the South China Morning Post on its 115th anniversary.

I have been a great fan of the SCMP since I was a 14-year-old Form Three student in Hong Kong. It was one of the first windows to the English-speaking world for me and I found it a great way to improve my vocabulary, writing, presentation and analytical skills.

The SCMP has been widely considered to be, and is even more so now, a highly reputable daily local publication for authoritative, influential and independent reporting of a rigorous editorial quality. It was a key and valuable source of daily updates on Hong Kong during my school days and its reports on diverse issues worldwide broadened my multicultural horizons and deepened my global knowledge.

The SCMP offered great help to me during my English-learning process and has now become my great companion to start the day, keeping me abreast of the latest developments in Hong Kong and other places around the globe. Its leader page is more insightful than ever.

News value aside, the SCMP is the only newspaper in Hong Kong that maintains a section on “Letters to the Editor”. It is my daily “must-read” to help me feel the pulse of the public closely, which is of utmost importance especially after I graduated and started my public service in the Hong Kong government.