The shifting editorial soul of Hong Kong's newspaper of record

Countries & Cities · Published 29 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Founded in 1903, the South China Morning Post has survived colonial rule and billionaire tycoons. But as ownership moved from News Corp to Alibaba, critics began asking: is the paper still an independent voice, or a tool for China's soft power?

For over a century, the South China Morning Post has served as a primary news source for Hong Kong. Established by Tse Tsan-tai and Alfred Cunningham, the publication has navigated profound political transitions, from British colonial administration to the current era. Throughout its history, the paper has been a symbol of status for the city's elite, even hosting regular briefings from HSBC and government officials to influence public opinion.

The newspaper's ownership history is marked by significant shifts in influence. After being owned by Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation from 1986, it was acquired by Malaysian tycoon Robert Kuok in 1993. In 2016, the Alibaba Group completed a HK$2 billion acquisition. This transition sparked intense debate regarding editorial independence. While Alibaba executives, such as Joseph Tsai, argue that the move provides a necessary plurality of views to counter Western biases, critics from outlets like The New York Times and The Atlantic allege the paper now promotes China's soft power.

Evidence of this shift is found in both personnel changes and content analysis. In 2015, several columnists critical of the government were told their services were no longer needed. Furthermore, a 2021 study suggested the paper's tone has moved closer to the Chinese government's position, making it a more effective conveyor of state influence than traditional state media. Despite these concerns, the paper maintains a massive global reach, attracting approximately 35 million monthly readers as of late 2024.

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