Who Owns Lianhe Zaobao?
Lianhe Zaobao is owned by SPH Media, Singapore's not-for-profit company limited by guarantee. Formed in 1983 by the merger of Nanyang Siang Pau and Sin Chew Jit Poh, it is the country's flagship Chinese-language daily and one of the most influential Chinese newspapers in Southeast Asia.
Parent Company
Founded
1983
Status
Private
Headquarters
Asia PacificOfficial Website
Who Owns Lianhe Zaobao?
- Parent Company: SPH Media Trust
- Ownership Type: Wholly owned
- Company Type: Privately Held
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| Lianhe Zaobao | SPH Media Trust | Wholly owned |
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History of Lianhe Zaobao
- Founded: 1983
- Founders: Singapore News and Publications Limited (merger entity)
Lianhe Zaobao was born from consolidation rather than launch. Singapore's two historic Chinese dailies, Nanyang Siang Pau (founded 1923 by Tan Kah Kee's interests) and Sin Chew Jit Poh (founded 1929), merged in March 1983 under Singapore News and Publications Limited, ending six decades of rivalry to create a single flagship Chinese-language paper.
The merged paper quickly became the authoritative Chinese voice in Singapore and a bridge publication for the Chinese-speaking world: its coverage of mainland China, Taiwan and the regional diaspora gave it influence far beyond Singapore's small Chinese-reading market. The zaobao.com website, launched in 1995, was among the earliest Chinese-language news sites and built a substantial mainland and diaspora readership despite periodic mainland blocking.
The digital service expanded with ThinkChina, an English-language site powered by Zaobao content aimed at non-Chinese-reading audiences interested in China analysis, and zbCOMMA and Thumbs Up, youth-oriented sister publications serving younger Chinese readers.
Under SPH Media the title has leaned into its role as Singapore's Chinese-language reference: subscriptions via the group all-access packages, expanded video and podcast content, and continued international coverage that remains its editorial signature.
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About SPH Media Trust
Who owns SPH Media?
SPH Media Trust is a company limited by guarantee with no shareholders. It is not legally state-owned, but it receives government funding and operates under ministerial oversight rules covering newspaper control.
Is SPH Media publicly traded?
No. Its predecessor, Singapore Press Holdings, was listed on the Singapore Exchange until the media business was spun off in 2021 and the remaining entity was later taken private.
What newspapers does SPH Media own?
It publishes The Straits Times, The Business Times, Lianhe Zaobao, Berita Harian, Tamil Murasu, Shin Min Daily News and tabla!, along with the Stomp platform that absorbed The New Paper in 2025.
When was SPH Media founded?
SPH Media Trust was incorporated on 19 July 2021 and began operations on 1 December 2021, though its flagship The Straits Times dates to 1845.
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How is SPH Media funded?
Through a mix of newspaper circulation and digital subscriptions, advertising, events, radio revenue and direct government funding provided since 2024 for public service journalism.
Does SPH Media own radio stations?
Yes. It operates five FM stations: Money FM 89.3, Kiss92, One FM 91.3, 96.3 Hao FM and UFM100.3, plus the Awedio streaming service.
Is SPH Media independent from the government?
Formally it is a non-profit private entity. In practice it receives state funding, operates under statutory newspaper controls, and is classified by press freedom monitors as closely aligned with the government.
- Founded: 2021
- Headquarters: Toa Payoh, Central Region, Singapore
- Company Type: Privately Held
- Revenue: Not publicly disclosed (company limited by guarantee)
- Employees: Approximately 3,000
Where Is Lianhe Zaobao Made / Based?
- Headquarters: Toa Payoh, Central Region, Singapore
Lianhe Zaobao Categories & Tags
Brands Owned by SPH Media Trust
Media EntertainmentBerita Harian
Owned by SPH Media Trust
Singapore's only Malay-language daily newspaper, published by SPH Media with roots to 1957.
newspapermalay-mediasingapore
Media EntertainmentThe Business Times (Singapore)
Owned by SPH Media Trust
Singapore's only financial daily, published by SPH Media since 1976 and the country's leading business news source.
newspaperbusiness-newssingapore
Media EntertainmentThe Straits Times
Owned by SPH Media Trust
Singapore's most-read newspaper and SPH Media flagship, published since 1845 in print and digital editions.
newspapersingaporenews
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Lianhe Zaobao Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Non-profit funding sustains vernacular journalism that pure economics might not
- +Flagship status in Chinese media gives outsized regional influence
- +Group bureaus support international Chinese coverage
- +Early digital investment built global reach
Considerations
- -Shrinking Chinese-reading population pressures circulation
- -Government funding invites independence scrutiny on China coverage
- -Mainland China audience access is subject to periodic blocking
- -Vernacular ad market is smaller than English-language equivalents
Frequently Asked Questions About Lianhe Zaobao
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Sources & Further Reading
Competitors to Lianhe Zaobao
These competing brands operate in the same categories and provide similar products or services. Compare key attributes to understand market positioning and competitive landscape.
| Brand | Parent Company | Country | Founded | Market Position | Primary Market | Gender Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sph Media | Singapore | 1957 | Mass market | Asia pacific | All Genders | |
| Sph Media | Singapore | 1845 | Mass market | Asia pacific | All Genders | |
| Dmg Media | United Kingdom | 2010 | Mass market | United kingdom | All Genders | |
| Sph Media | Singapore | 1976 | Mass market | Asia pacific | All Genders | |
| Mediacorp | Singapore | 1999 | Mass market | Asia pacific | All Genders | |
| Dmg Media | United Kingdom | 1896 | Mass market | United kingdom | All Genders |
Learn More About Competitors
Media EntertainmentBerita Harian
Owned by SPH Media Trust
Singapore's only Malay-language daily newspaper, published by SPH Media with roots to 1957.
newspapermalay-mediasingapore
Media EntertainmentThe Straits Times
Owned by SPH Media Trust
Singapore's most-read newspaper and SPH Media flagship, published since 1845 in print and digital editions.
newspapersingaporenews
Media EntertainmentThe i Paper
Owned by dmg media Limited
Britain's compact national newspaper, launched in 2010 by the Independent titles and owned by dmg media since 2019.
newspaperuk-mediacompact
Media EntertainmentThe Business Times (Singapore)
Owned by SPH Media Trust
Singapore's only financial daily, published by SPH Media since 1976 and the country's leading business news source.
newspaperbusiness-newssingapore
Media EntertainmentCNA
Owned by Mediacorp Pte. Ltd.
Mediacorp's pan-Asian English news channel and digital service, reaching 13 million viewers monthly across the region.
newstelevisionsingapore
Media EntertainmentDaily Mail
Owned by dmg media Limited
Britain's best-read mid-market newspaper, published since 1896 by dmg media, owned by the Harmsworth family.
newspaperuk-mediatabloid
Competitive Analysis
Market Positioning: Lianhe Zaobao competes with 6 brands in the same categories, ranging from mass market to luxury positioning.
Geographic Distribution: Competitors are headquartered across multiple regions, indicating global competition in this market segment.
Brand Heritage: Competitor brands range from established heritage brands to newer market entrants, with founding years spanning several decades.
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Owned by National Public Radio, Inc.
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public-radiononprofitnews
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Owned by Simon & Schuster LLC
Major American book publishing brand founded in 1924, owned by KKR since 2023 and a member of the Big Five trade publishers.
publishingbooksbig-five
Privately Owned
Simon & Schuster operates independently without a large parent corporation.
Media EntertainmentAdvergic
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ad-techad-optimizationheader-bidding
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Advergic operates independently without a large parent corporation.
Media EntertainmentAEG
Owned by Anschutz Entertainment Group, Inc.
Global sports and live entertainment brand of Anschutz Entertainment Group, owner of major venues, festivals including Coachella, and sports teams such as the LA Kings and LA Galaxy.
live-entertainmentsportsvenues
Privately Owned
AEG operates independently without a large parent corporation.
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