China's Xinhua News Agency to boost cooperation with SPH Media

Xinhua News Agency stands ready to deepen ties with Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) Media, Xinhua reported on Jul. 8.

Xinhua is China's official state-run news agency under the government's State Council.

According to Xinhua, an SPH Media delegation led by Chief Executive Officer Chan Yeng Kit was in Beijing on Jul. 8.

SPH Media released a statement that said Chan's delegation included Lee Huay Leng, Editor-in-Chief of SPH Media’s Chinese Media Group (CMG), and Loh Woon Yen, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of CMG.

"The purpose of this visit is to gain insights into the latest developments, innovations, and trends shaping China’s media landscape through engagements with PRC mainstream media including China Media Group, People’s Daily, and Xinhua News Agency."

Meeting Fu Hua

Chan and the delegation met with the President of Xinhua, Fu Hua.

Fu said that the two media outlets are ready to work to "implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries."

Their other objectives are to "jointly tell the story of the two countries' development and people-to-people friendship", and also "enhance communication under the framework of multilateral mechanisms and experience sharing."

This is intended to "deepen cooperation and bring the people closer together."

In addition, Chan said that under the guidance of the leaders of the two countries;

"SPH Media is willing to work with Xinhua to promote cooperation in news reporting, artificial intelligence and other fields, tell the stories of China, Singapore, Asia and the world, and accurately and objectively reflect the development and changes of the world."

He added:

"This is the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Singapore and China.

During Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s recent visit to China, both countries’ leaders had expressed support for deepening linkages, as well as continuing to enhance our people-to-people ties.

SPH Media would like to build on the positive momentum of this bilateral cooperation and deepen sharing and exchanges with our counterparts in China on common challenges faced by mainstream media globally."

Background

SPH Media Trust (SPH Media) is a company limited by guarantee which owns the media-related business that used to belong to Singapore Press Holdings.

The restructuring occurred in 2021.

In Feb. 2022, the government announced that it would disburse up to S$180 million a year for five years to SPH Media Trust, if it meets certain key performance indicators.

This is intended to help sustain it as a not-for-profit entity.

Top image from Xinhua Facebook page.