PM Lee Hsien Loong at Lianhe Zaobao's Centennial Gala Dinner

For English translations, please see below.

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新报业媒体信托主席 许文远先生
新报业媒体集团总裁 张丽琳女士
华文媒体集团社长 李慧玲女士
《联合早报》的编辑、记者们
各位来宾

大家晚上好！祝大家中秋节快乐！

很高兴今晚能和大家一起庆祝《联合早报》的百年报庆。

这是新加坡华文报历史上一个里程碑，意义非凡。让我在这里祝贺《联合早报》生日快乐，越办越好，更上一层楼！

早报百年事迹

早报这一百年来，一步一脚印，不断创新求变，才能够屹立不倒。大家都知道，早报的前身是1923年由陈嘉庚先生创办的《南洋商报》和1929年由胡文虎先生创立的《星洲日报》。当时这两位华社领袖办报的目的，不只是为了让当地华侨了解家乡情况，也是为了教育民众； 当然，还有他们自身商业的考量。

从那时起，这两份报纸便和新加坡一同成长，并见证和记录了我国多个重要的历史事迹。例如，1965年新马分家，本地的《南洋商报》和《星洲日报》也同马来西亚的同名报纸分道扬镳。我国的这两份华文报，充分地发挥新加坡媒体的角色，加强新加坡人的身份认同。1983年，《南洋商报》和《星洲日报》合并，成为了我们今天所熟悉的《联合早报》。

早报承载了一代代新加坡人的集体记忆。今时今日，早报不只是服务本地读者的华文媒体，也让外界听到和了解新加坡华人社会独特的声音和观点。

早报能够成为本地乃至亚洲具有权威的华文媒体，取决于三大要素：

客观报道，贴近民心

第一，客观报道，贴近民心。早报团队坚守新闻从业员的操守，翔实报道、还原新闻事件的真相。因此，它深受读者信赖，并且始终是读者生活中不可或缺的一部分。相信许多人都和我一样，每天必做的一件事，就是阅读早报。

尤其在今天的数码时代，即便面对许多新媒体的竞争，早报依然以专业与高水准的报道和精辟的分析，持续吸引读者的眼球。在冠病疫情期间，早报也扮演了关键的角色，为读者提供关于疫情最及时、最准确的消息。这有效遏制了假新闻的传播。

造福社会，传承文化

第二，造福社会，传承文化。作为新加坡的主要华文报，早报也有社会使命，在加强国人的身份认同感和社会凝聚力方面，不断作出贡献。记者和编辑们以高度的敏感性和细微的洞察力，为读者梳理复杂课题的来龙去脉，帮助他们更深入了解许多和他们息息相关的政策以及国内外发展。尤其在现今信息碎片化的大环境里，这有助于凝聚国人的共识，对保持社会团结，至关重要。

此外，早报举办各种文教活动，不但丰富了我国的多元文化遗产，也积极发扬我们独特的华族文化。例如，早报所举办的“定格百年摄影展”，利用照片来记录对新加坡的回忆。早报也邀请来自世界各地的作家到新加坡，促进文化交流，为本地的文化界注入活力，也让世界了解新加坡的文化生态。

以新加坡视角看天下事

第三个要素，以新加坡视角看天下事。早报最宝贵的特质之一，就是你们一直以来以独特的新加坡观点，报道国际事务，同时也是个提供多元、理性观点的平台。例如在报道有关两岸三地的新闻时，早报提供自己的独立分析，从新加坡的立场，来解释局势的发展。早报也刊登来自世界各地，包括美国和中国等，不同观点的评论，让本地与海外读者更全面地掌握信息，分析时事。这就是早报和世界上其他华文报有所区别的地方， 也是早报独有的价值。

在现在的国际环境里，各国不仅试图利用言论影响彼此的人民，甚至设法左右境外媒体的立场。他们还希望用种种方式，说服其他国家的人民站在他们那一边。

这是可以理解的，但是我们必须抗拒他。为了对抗这样的影响，早报必须维持清楚的编辑立场，并拥有足够的独立内容，才能继续为新加坡发声，维护新加坡的利益。早报绝对不能被其他势力利用，来散播一些对新加坡不利或不符合国情的言论。在刊登外国作者的文章或评论时，早报也要确保读者清楚知道，这些人是在替谁说话，同时明白这些言论并不代表早报的立场。否则，读者可能会质疑，早报是不是失去了独立性，或是在选边站。

当然，随着全球地缘政治局势日益严峻，许多媒体机构，包括早报，也不可避免地被指责偏袒某些国家。有些人说早报的报道支持中国的立场，也有人说早报的分析倾向美国。作为一个负责任的新加坡媒体，早报必须竭尽所能，避免被他人左右，以维护自己的公信力。我很欣慰，早报坚守自己的核心原则，在报道新闻时，一直保持客观独立。这也是早报能建立良好的信誉和口碑的原因。

求新求变，迎向未来

除了来自国际局势的挑战，早报也面对另一个难题，那就是日新月异的数码科技，已经颠覆了整个媒体生态，并且彻底改变了人们获取信息的方式。这个趋势不仅影响了早报，几乎每个印刷媒体都必须面对。

即便是习惯每天看报的人，也未必看印刷版报纸。我们身边年纪较大的朋友，也有不少人改看电子报了。所以Uncle、Auntie们也意识到，时代不同了。要跟上时代的步伐，我们就要活到老学到老，不断掌握新技能。

我很高兴看到，早报和义安理工学院合作推出“乐龄数码学堂”，让学生一对一，指导年长人士学习上网看新闻，以及掌握其他有用的数码技能和知识。有了年轻朋友的鼓励与陪伴，年长一辈掌握新科技时感到更加轻松，也更有信心。

久而久之，大家的生活都越来越离不开数码科技。从小就生活在这种环境的年轻人，就更不用说了。他们根本不需要靠一份报章或是一家媒体得知天下事，而更可以通过各种社交媒体平台获取资讯。早报面对的艰巨挑战，是在竞争激烈、选择众多的网络世界里突围而出。

早报也的确在这方面做出了不少尝试，并且有不错的成绩。例如，早报最近做了街访，问国人的退休计划以及他们对共同前进配套的看法，并将访问制作成视频，把老百姓最真实的反应呈现在观众眼前。这个视频在YouTube的观看次数如今已经超过6万，在早报的脸书上，观看的人数多达22万。

除了在 YouTube、Instagram和TikTok发布视频，早报也制作其他的数码内容，包括专属的播客平台和新闻直播节目等，题材包罗万象，应有尽有。由此可见，早报对时代潮流以及受众的喜好非常敏感，深知要继续获得受众的青睐，就必须不断求新求变，一步步转型成为全方位多媒体新闻平台。

早报能突破自我，是一件好事。但没有人知道，媒体业在未来10年还会有什么变化，人们的媒体使用习惯又会经历什么样的改变。就如李慧玲社长所说，油墨味道的时代已经快要结束了。10年后，报纸油墨在手指上留下的印记，或许只是我们这一代人脑海中的回忆。

但无论新闻的传播方式如何改变，不会改变的是，我们必须继续拥有高素质和客观的新闻报道，备受信赖且有影响力的新闻工作者，以及能够凝聚和启迪一代代新加坡人的华文媒体。而我有信心，早报会随着需求的改变，随着科技的进步，与时俱进，继续履行它的社会使命和历史任务。

这也是政府拨款资助新报业媒体的原因，因为我国需要优质且具有权威和影响力的主流媒体。今后，政府依然会助早报一臂之力，让你们继续做新加坡人信赖的新闻和资讯来源，以及贴近民众生活的良伴。

早报人是最宝贵的资源

回顾早报100年，最值得我们敬佩的，是在漫漫路上砥砺前行的早报人。是你们的努力和付出，成就了今天的早报。其中，编辑和记者更是一份报纸的灵魂人物。早报的采访和编辑团队，为读者带来了深入浅出的报道。你们坚持追求真相，并且精益求精。今天很高兴看到很多资深报人也到场，一起庆祝早报这个里程碑。如果没有你们打下的基础，早报也不会有今天的成就。谢谢你们！

常言道：“前人种树，后人乘凉”。过去100年，一代代早报人不畏艰辛、前赴后继，让早报从一棵树苗长成了参天大树。如今，这棵树已经枝叶繁茂，硕果累累。但我想，新一代的早报人并不只想在这棵大树下乘凉，而是要像前辈那样，继续做浇灌和滋养它的“种树人”。这样，早报才能在新时代里，薪火相传，再攀高峰。

结语

我们今晚要肯定的，不仅是早报这100年来对新闻事业的卓越贡献，更是早报今后在启迪民智、团结国人和参与国家建设所继续扮演的重要角色。祝愿早报再接再厉，为下一个百年继续谱写辉煌的新篇章，成为更有影响力、更加出色的世界级华文媒体。最后祝愿大家在这个中秋佳节，圆圆满满！

谢谢！

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Chairman, Mr Khaw Boon Wan
Chief Executive Officer, Ms Teo Lay Lim
Editor-in-Chief of Chinese Media Group, Ms Lee Huay Leng
Editors and staff of Lianhe Zaobao
Ladies and Gentlemen

Good evening! I wish everyone a very happy Mid-Autumn Festival! I am happy to join you to celebrate Lianhe Zaobao’s 100th anniversary.

This is a milestone in the history of Singapore’s Chinese journalism. Congratulations Lianhe Zaobao on your 100th birthday. May you continue to thrive and scale even greater heights!

100 years of Zaobao

Over the past 100 years, Zaobao has been constantly innovating and reinventing itself, in order to stay relevant.

Zaobao’s roots can be traced back to Nanyang Siang Pau, founded by Mr Tan Kah Kee in 1923, and Sin Chew Jit Poh, founded by Mr Aw Boon Haw in 1929.

The two Chinese community leaders set up their papers to keep the overseas Chinese here informed of developments back in China, to educate the masses, as well as for their own business considerations.

Since then, these two papers have developed along with Singapore, chronicling our key historical events.

For instance, when Singapore separated from Malaysia in 1965, the Singapore editions of Nanyang Siang Pau and Sin Chew Jit Poh also parted ways with their Malaysian counterparts. As Singaporean media, the two local Chinese newspapers then went on to fulfil their roles in strengthening the Singaporean identity.

In 1983, both papers merged to form the Lianhe Zaobao that we know today.

For generations of Singaporeans, Zaobao is a repository of our shared memories.

Today, Zaobao is not just a news outlet serving readers in Singapore, but is also a voice for Singapore’s Chinese community to the outside world.

Let me highlight three key aspects of Zaobao that makes it an authoritative Chinese media outlet not just in Singapore, but also in Asia:

Relevant and objective reporting

First, Zaobao has been a beacon of journalistic integrity, it reports with attention to detail and is committed to truth and accuracy.

This has built trust amongst Zaobao readers, allowing Zaobao to become an integral part of their lives.

Many people, including myself, read Zaobao every day.

Particularly in today’s digital age, it is Zaobao’s professional and quality reporting as well as its insightful analyses that continue to draw readers, despite competition from other new media.

Singaporeans’ trust in Zaobao also served us well during the COVID-19 pandemic, where Zaobao kept readers informed of the latest and most accurate news, helping to fight the spread of “fake news” online.

Preserving our culture and serving society

Second, as the main Chinese paper in Singapore, Zaobao continues to play an important role in strengthening social cohesion and our Singaporean identity.

This requires a keen sense of awareness and perception from Zaobao’s editorial staff, as they help Singaporeans dissect and make better sense of complex issues, as well as domestic policies or external developments that may affect them.

This helps to build national consensus, which is critical in keeping our society united, especially amidst a more fractured information landscape.

Zaobao also plays an integral role in enriching our diverse cultural heritage and promoting our unique Singaporean Chinese culture, by organising various educational and cultural activities.

For instance, Zaobao has organised events such as the “Capturing A Century: A Visual Journey” exhibition (定格百年摄影展), showcasing our shared memories of Singapore through photographs.

To promote cultural exchange and add vibrancy to the local cultural and literary landscape, Zaobao also regularly invites overseas writers to Singapore. Such events are also an opportunity to showcase Singaporean culture to the world.

A unique Singaporean perspective on world issues

The third important factor, one of its most valuable attributes, is the unique Singaporean perspective which Zaobao provides on global issues, and its role as a platform for diverse and rational viewpoints.

For instance, when covering news on Mainland China, Taiwan and Hong Kong, Zaobao offers its own independent analyses, and interprets these developments from Singapore’s perspective.

On top of the Singaporean point of view, Zaobao also publishes a wide range of perspectives from all over the world, including China and US, so that both local and foreign readers have more comprehensive information with which to analyse current affairs.

This is what sets Zaobao apart from other Chinese papers around the world, and also gives it its unique value.

In today’s international environment, where countries are not just trying to influence each other’s people, but also attempting to sway them through their media. They do this via various means, to convince others to be on their side. This is understandable but we must resist it.

To counter such influences, it is critical for Zaobao to maintain a clear editorial stance and have sufficient independent content, so that it can continue to speak for Singapore and safeguard our interests.

Zaobao must not be used by others to put out views that are detrimental to Singapore’s interests or are not aligned with our national sentiment.

When publishing articles or commentaries by foreign contributors, Zaobao should also ensure that its readers are aware who these writers are speaking for and recognise that these views do not represent Zaobao’s stance.

Otherwise, readers may question if Zaobao has lost its independence or is choosing sides.

But in a world where geopolitical tensions are rising, many media outlets, including Zaobao, are inevitably caught in the fray and accused of taking sides.

Some say that Zaobao supports China’s position.

While others say that Zaobao leans towards the United States.

As a responsible Singaporean paper, Zaobao must do all it can to avoid being influenced by others, and to uphold its credibility.

I am heartened that Zaobao has been unwavering in its principles, and has remained independent and objective in its news reporting. That is the reason for its good reputation and standing.

A future-ready Zaobao that constantly reinvents itself

Apart from international challenges, the other challenge that ZB has to deal with is the rapid development of digital technology which has disrupted the media ecosystem and revolutionised/transformed how people obtain information.

This is not something that just affects Zaobao.

But a trend that almost every print media faces.

Even those who read the newspaper daily may not necessarily read it in print.

Older readers have switched to e-papers.

Our seniors realise that the times are different and to keep up, they have to keep learning, and acquire new skills.

I am heartened by Zaobao and Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s “Youths Help Seniors Go Digital” initiative, where students guide seniors one-on-one to access digital news services and acquire other useful digital skills and knowledge.

With encouragement and companionship from their young friends, seniors have found it easier and are more confident to learn new technology.

Many of us now find it difficult to live without digital technology.

This is even more true for the younger generation who are digital natives.

They do not rely on a single newspaper or media outlet to learn about world affairs. Rather, they are more likely to get the information they need from social media.

Zaobao faces the tough challenge of setting itself apart in the crowded and competitive online world.

Zaobao has made forays in these areas and achieved admirable results.

For instance, Zaobao recently interviewed Singaporeans about their retirement plans and the Majulah Package. They produced a video that captured the candid reactions of Singaporeans.

To date, the video has garnered more than 60,000 views on YouTube and 220,000 views on Zaobao’s Facebook page.

Besides videos on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok, Zaobao also produces a slew of other digital content, including its own podcasts and livestreams of news programmes.

These examples show that Zaobao is well-attuned to current trends and well aware of the need to keep innovating and develop itself into an all-rounded multimedia news platform, in order to retain its audience.

It is good that Zaobao has been able to push the envelope and surpass itself, but no one knows how the media landscape or media consumption habits will change in the next decade and beyond.

As Ms Lee Huay Leng puts it, newspapers are approaching the end of the print era. Ten years later, the ink-stained fingers that come from flipping the pages of a newspaper might just be a memory for the older generation.

Yet, no matter how the format of news changes, what remains is the need for high quality and objective news coverage, trusted and influential journalists, and a Chinese media that continues to unite and inspire generations of Singaporeans.

I am confident that Zaobao will continue to fulfil its social and historical mission as it strives to keep up with technological changes and the times.

The Government is providing support to SPH Media Trust because we see the importance of having high-quality, authoritative and influential mainstream media.

Henceforth, Government will continue to support Zaobao, so that Singaporeans can continue to trust it as source of news and information and stay relevant to their lives.

Zaobao’s people as its key asset

As we celebrate this centenary, it is also important that we recognise the hard work and talent of Zaobao’s people, which has helped Zaobao get to where it is today.

Editors and journalists are the heart of Zaobao.

You are the ones who provide quality journalism to readers.

You are also committed to the truth and dedicated to excellence.

Today, I am happy to see many veteran editors and journalists who are here to celebrate this joyous occasion. Zaobao would not be what it is today, without the strong foundation you built. Thank you!

As the saying goes, “one generation sows and the next reaps” (前人种树，后人乘凉). For the past hundred years, generations of Zaobao editors and journalists have laid down a solid foundation with their dedication and efforts, so that Zaobao can grow strong and reach lofty heights.

I believe that the new generation of Zaobao editors and reporters are not content to just enjoy the fruits of past labour, but also want to sow the seeds for the next generation, so that Zaobao can continue to flourish and thrive for many years to come.

Closing remarks

In commemorating Zaobao's 100th anniversary, we not only celebrate a century of excellence in journalism, but also reaffirm Zaobao’s continued role in nation-building and shaping an informed and united citizenry.

I wish Zaobao continued success, and may Zaobao's second century continue to be illustrious, your impact even more profound, and your contributions even more enduring.

A very happy Mid-Autumn Festival to everyone once again.

Thank you!

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