The Economic Observer
Encyclopedia
The Economic Observer is an independent, weekly simplified Chinese-language newspaper published in the People's Republic
of China since April 2001.
The newspaper is considered by many to be one of the top three economic-focused newspapers in China and is well regarded for its in-depth special features and commentary.
Inspired by the British Financial Times
, as of September 2001, the Economic Observer has also been printed on salmon/peach-colored paper.
Although the newspaper's editorial offices are based in Beijing, the newspaper is actually registered in Ji'nan, the capital of Shandong province.
The newspaper is often listed as an original source by Bloomberg, Reuters and other international wire services, for stories discussing rumors of imminent changes to Chinese policy or other unconfirmed news that is affecting markets in the region.
The Economic Observer Online was relaunched in March 2007 and offers subscribers access to all the newspaper's content. However, most of the articles from each week's newspaper also appear on the website at no charge along with web-only content which includes commentary and op-ed pieces from guest columnists.
The newspaper's English-language website, features select translations from the weekly newspaper and the website, it also publishes original reporting and interviews.
The newspaper's kanhao, or domestic publishing license number is CN37-0027
Its distribution number through the Chinese postal system is 23-327
The paper is distributed on Saturday mornings but the official publication date is printed as the following Monday.
Each issue is 56 pages and sells for 3 Chinese yuan or 10 Hong Kong dollars.
The newspaper's slogan translates as "rationality and constructiveness" .
The newspaper also has a reputation for being "pro-business" and in favor of the continuation of market reforms.
The editorial was headlined, “Request for Representatives at the Two Meetings to Hasten Reform of the Household Registration System”
A report in the New York Times said that one of the editors involved, Deputy Editor of the Economic Observer Online Zhang Hong, was removed from his position as punishment for his role in the publishing the editorial.
According to an article on the Wall Street Journal's China Real Time Blog, Zhang Hong hatched the plan to publish an editorial in collaboration with other media outlets after taking part in the Guardian's "Copenhagen" editorial the previous year (see above).
near Wenzhou, the newspaper ignored a government censorship directive to publish an eight-page feature on the crash. The front page story was presented as a letter to 2-year old survivor Xiang Weiyi, whose parents were killed. It described two images of China, “one blossoming in the midst of the people, the other hidden in officialdom,” and pledged “to advocate and act” for the people’s rights.
People's Republic
People's Republic is a title that has often been used by Marxist-Leninist governments to describe their state. The motivation for using this term lies in the claim that Marxist-Leninists govern in accordance with the interests of the vast majority of the people, and, as such, a Marxist-Leninist...
of China since April 2001.
The newspaper is considered by many to be one of the top three economic-focused newspapers in China and is well regarded for its in-depth special features and commentary.
Inspired by the British Financial Times
Financial Times
The Financial Times is an international business newspaper. It is a morning daily newspaper published in London and printed in 24 cities around the world. Its primary rival is the Wall Street Journal, published in New York City....
, as of September 2001, the Economic Observer has also been printed on salmon/peach-colored paper.
Although the newspaper's editorial offices are based in Beijing, the newspaper is actually registered in Ji'nan, the capital of Shandong province.
The newspaper is often listed as an original source by Bloomberg, Reuters and other international wire services, for stories discussing rumors of imminent changes to Chinese policy or other unconfirmed news that is affecting markets in the region.
The Economic Observer Online was relaunched in March 2007 and offers subscribers access to all the newspaper's content. However, most of the articles from each week's newspaper also appear on the website at no charge along with web-only content which includes commentary and op-ed pieces from guest columnists.
The newspaper's English-language website, features select translations from the weekly newspaper and the website, it also publishes original reporting and interviews.
Brief Description
The Economic Observer is a Beijing-based weekly newspaper that publishes news and commentary related to China's economic and political developments.The newspaper's kanhao, or domestic publishing license number is CN37-0027
Its distribution number through the Chinese postal system is 23-327
The paper is distributed on Saturday mornings but the official publication date is printed as the following Monday.
Each issue is 56 pages and sells for 3 Chinese yuan or 10 Hong Kong dollars.
The newspaper's slogan translates as "rationality and constructiveness" .
History
Founded in August 2000, the Economic Observer began as a small news publication dedicated to supporting China's market liberalization and reporting on socioeconomic and political events with a stated commitment to journalistic integrity. The first issue was published in April 2001 and was 24 pages. By December 2006, the newspaper had expanded to the current 56 pages.Sections
The Economic Observer features seven regular sections: News, Nation, Market, Corporation, Automobile/Property, Observer, Lifestyle/Business Review.Style
The Economic Observer is considered to take a noticeably independent approach to reporting the news in China.The newspaper also has a reputation for being "pro-business" and in favor of the continuation of market reforms.
Joint Copenhagen Editorial
On December 7, 2009, The Economic Observer was one of only two Chinese newspapers to publish a common editorial with 55 other newspaper around the world calling for action from the world leaders gathering in Copenhagen for the UN's climate change summit. The idea for a common editorial was hatched by the British newspaper The Guardian.Hukou Editorial
In March 2010, The Economic Observer published an editorial calling on representatives of China's legislature to adopt reforms to the country’s household registration system. In an unprecedented move, the editorial was also simultaneously published by 13 other Chinese newspapers.The editorial was headlined, “Request for Representatives at the Two Meetings to Hasten Reform of the Household Registration System”
A report in the New York Times said that one of the editors involved, Deputy Editor of the Economic Observer Online Zhang Hong, was removed from his position as punishment for his role in the publishing the editorial.
According to an article on the Wall Street Journal's China Real Time Blog, Zhang Hong hatched the plan to publish an editorial in collaboration with other media outlets after taking part in the Guardian's "Copenhagen" editorial the previous year (see above).
Wenzhou Train Crash
On July 30 2011, a week after 40 people were killed in a high speed train collisionWenzhou train collision
On 23 July 2011, two high-speed trains travelling on the Yongtaiwen railway line collided on a viaduct in the suburbs of Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, China. The two trains derailed each other, and four cars fell off the viaduct...
near Wenzhou, the newspaper ignored a government censorship directive to publish an eight-page feature on the crash. The front page story was presented as a letter to 2-year old survivor Xiang Weiyi, whose parents were killed. It described two images of China, “one blossoming in the midst of the people, the other hidden in officialdom,” and pledged “to advocate and act” for the people’s rights.
Ownership
The original investment for the newspaper came from the Sanlian Group, a diversified state-invested company based in Shandong province.In May of 2010, Xinhua Sports and Entertainment Limited sold the advertising rights and the distribution rights of the paper to private buyer Lu Zhiqiang, a real estate billionaire.
Lu Zhiqiang currently has full control of the Economic Observer.
See also
- List of newspapers in the People's Republic of China
- Media of the People's Republic of ChinaMedia of the People's Republic of ChinaMedia of the People's Republic of China primarily consists of television, newspapers, radio, and magazines. Since 2000, the Internet has also emerged as an important communications medium....