HONG KONG--(Marketwire - Jan 31, 2012) - South China Morning Post announced today the appointment of Wang Xiangwei, previously Deputy Editor, as the new Editor-in-Chief.
He replaces Reginald Chua, who vacated the role in April last year. Cliff Buddle, previously also Deputy Editor, has been standing in as Acting Editor-In-Chief for the past 10 months.
Wang Xiangwei began his 20 year career with a Masters degree in Journalism after majoring in English at university. He spent 3 years at China Daily before moving to the UK, where he gained valuable experience at a number of news organisations, including the BBC Chinese Service. In 1993, he moved to Hong Kong and worked at the Eastern Express before joining the South China Morning Post in 1996 as their China Business Reporter. He was subsequently promoted to China Editor in 2000 and Deputy Editor in 2007, a position he held for four years.
"I am honoured to take up this role in these exciting and multi-faceted times," said Wang, adding that he intended to capitalise on the strengths "which have made SCMP a great newspaper for more than 100 years."
"As the world's attention shifts more and more to this part of the world, SCMP's unique position as the window for China and South East Asia, enabling readers to gain a better and more informed understanding of the region, is more important than ever."
Wang emphasised that Hong Kong remains the fulcrum for the century-old newspaper. "Hong Kong is our home and we are naturally proud of and committed to its success and progress. Our coverage will therefore continue to defend and promote the qualities that make Hong Kong such a great city. We will also continue to publish news without fear or favour through our fair, relevant and thought-provoking coverage."
With immediate effect, Xiangwei will be appointing Tammy Tam and Kenneth Howe as Deputy Editors.
Tam brings extensive experience to the role, having joined the SCMP in December from ATV News, where she was the Vice President of News & Public Affairs. Prior to that, she held a number of senior editorial positions, including Executive News Editor, China Editor and Political Editor for TVB News between 1994 - 2004.
Howe is a multiple award-winning journalist with over 30 years' experience. He joined the SCMP in 2007 as a Senior Editor, having previously worked at the San Francisco Chronicle, where he was Business Editor between 2000 - 2007. He is a three time winner of the Society of American Business Editors and Writers awards.
The appointment of Wang will be a solid step forward for the SCMP in its plan to build upon its strengths globally as the premier source of trusted information on the region. Following a print overhaul in May 2011, which received positive reader feedback and boosted the paper's largely Hong Kong based circulation, the South China Morning Post has focused on enhancing its digital offerings.
Ms. Kuok Hui Kwong, Managing Director and CEO of the SCMP Group, said, "We have a very talented editorial team in place, whose dedication and drive for excellence in their work wins us both local and global editorial awards. When South China Morning Post began in 1903, it served just a niche audience of English speakers in Hong Kong. Today, it has a growing global audience of readers eager to understand our part of the world."
"Our readers count on us to provide objective, authoritative and insightful reporting for Hong Kong and the Mainland. Xiangwei's experience, deep understanding and commitment to this will be instrumental in leading us through the changes in the region, as well as in the news industry."
Cliff Buddle, previously Acting Editor-In-Chief, has now been appointed Editor for special projects. Ms. Kuok commented, "Cliff is a key member of our editorial team with a great depth of knowledge gained through 17 years at the SCMP. We are very grateful to him for guiding the team for the past 10 months, and look forward to having him focus on some important projects that will benefit from his experience as we take our business forward."
Photos
Wang Xiang Wei, South China Morning Post's new Editor-In-Chief
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Tammy Tam, Deputy Editor, South China Morning Post
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Kenneth Howe, Deputy Editor, South China Morning Post
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SCMP's Company Logo
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About SCMP Group Ltd and South China Morning Post
SCMP Group Limited (SEHK: 0583) is a leading newspaper and magazine publisher in Asia. Its flagship publication, South China Morning Post, is Hong Kong's world renowned English language newspaper and has the city's most affluent and influential readership. First published in 1903, the newspaper has developed an enviable reputation for authoritative, influential and independent reporting on Hong Kong, China and the rest of Asia. Available in print, iPad™ and online through scmp.com and e-reader editions, South China Morning Post reaches a global audience with daily breaking news, insightful analysis and opinion, multimedia articles and interactive forums. Striving to maintain the highest standards among the world's quality newspapers, the South China Morning Post receives constant international recognition. It received 60 awards in 2010, and 57 in 2011 for excellence in editorial, marketing and technical capability. Other publication titles of the Group include the Sunday Morning Post, the Chinese editions of Cosmopolitan, Harper's Bazaar and CosmoGirl! magazines. For more information, please visit us at www.scmpgroup.com.
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