Press Room

ePaper collaboration looks to broaden readers’ perspective by welcoming fifth member

OH ING YEEN and KELLY TEY metro@thestar.com.my

 

 

THERE was another reason to celebrate the 40th Malaysia-China diplomatic relations on the heels of the arrival of giant pandas Feng Yi and Fu Wa – the participation of a fifth member in the CIMB-Asean ePaper collaboration.

China Daily Asia Weekly from China is now part of the collaboration, which comprises The Star from Malaysia, The Jakarta Post from Indonesia, The Nation from Thailand and Philippines Daily Inquirer from the Philippines.

Its participation was announced by Star Publications (M) Bhd group managing director and chief executive officer Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai during a ceremony at Menara Star on Friday.

“I am pleased to announce China Daily Asia Weekly’s collaboration with our ePaper during this timely period as our country celebrates the 40th Malaysia-China Friendship Year,” he said.

The collaboration, he said, would further bring insurmountable value to ePaper subscribers, while attesting to the strength of the Asean ePaper partnership.

Present to launch the latest addition were CIMB group chief executive officer Datuk Seri Nazir Tun Razak and China’s Ambassador to Malaysia Huang Huikang.

China Daily Asia Weekly representative Zhang Hai Zhou described the collaboration as an important step forward for the leading English newspapers in Malaysia and China.

In reference to the disappearance of flight MH370, Zhang hoped the ePaper collaboration would help both nations and its people understand each other better.

“We need a strong and reliable platform to bridge this gap of understanding, and our bundle with The Star will definitely be such a platform.

“Since today’s launch, we are no longer just a newspaper in the region, but also a messenger between two nations to better enhance the understanding between two nations,” Zhang continued.

Also present at the event were China Daily Asia Weekly editor K.S Chan, Star Publications (M) Bhd chairman Datuk Fu Ah Kiow, Malaysia-China Friendship Association president Datuk Abdul Majid Ahmad Khan, Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia deputy secretary-general Datuk Dr Chin Yew Sin, Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce president Datuk Bong Hon Liong, Associated Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Indust­ries Youth chief Datuk Ng Yih Pyng, Puan Sri Wendy Ong, Toh Puan Aishah Ong, Eco World Development Group director Tan Sri Liew Kee Sin, i-Berhad executive chairman Tan Sri Lim Kim Hong, Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute centre for public policy studies chairman Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam, Mah Sing Group group managing director and chief executive Tan Sri Leong Hoy Kum, Nasim Sdn Bhd chief operating officer Datuk Samson Anand George, PKT Logistics Group Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Datuk Michael Tio, Sin Chew Media Corporation Berhad editor-in-chief Pook Ah Lek and executive editor-in-chief Kuik Cheng Kang.

A tie-up that benefits all

Among the many guests who witnessed the launch of the ePaper collaboration was Bloomberg TV Malaysia chief executive officer Michael Chan, who said the collaboration was a clever initiative.

“Sometimes, we have to read the news in all different perspectives. Not only do we have them from Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Philippines, now we even have China,” he said.

He hoped the ePaper would look into more tie-ups in the future, opening up viewpoints from the West.

Federation of Chinese Association of Malaysia (Hua Zong) deputy secretary-general Datuk Dr Chin Yew Sin, in commending the collaboration, said with one of China’s most prominent English newspapers joining ePaper, they could now share first-hand news with one another.

“This brings us together in the same direction, with a commitment for reliable news sources and a comprehensive content,” he added.

Associated Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industries youth chairman Datuk Ng Yih Pyng said the project was a milestone for The Star and marked the beginning of something substantial.

“The younger generation can be exposed to much more information the region can offer them through one ePaper platform,” he added.

Orando Holdings Sdn Bhd managing director Datuk Dr Eng Wei Chun said: “The partnership will help both countries move forward in the aspects of social, business and culture.”

Aside from business association members and industry players, former and current Universiti Malaya students from China also witnessed the event. A pleasant internship experience has led to a longer stay for 27-year-old financial analyst Ou Yang Zhen.

He was interning as part of his business degree course when he was studying in UM. After seven months as an intern, he was offered a job and has been working for an IT company for more than two years.

“I wanted to gain more experience in my internship and found the people very nice,” he said. Men Jianing, 24, has been living in Malaysia since 2008. “It is a great country with good food and friendly people. I hope to be able to work here after I complete my studies,” he said. He finds the ePaper collaboration an interesting one.

“The partnership between The Star and China Daily Asia Weekly is another way to commemorate the 40 years of friendship between China and Malaysia.

“I believe that the friendship between both countries will never end,” he said.

Although Li Xie Chan, 25, planned to further her studies in the United Kingdom after completing her degree at UM, she hoped to return to Malaysia to work. “I enjoy it here as it is less stressful.

“Chinese nationals come to Malaysia as there are more business opportunities here, just like Malaysians go to China to explore new opportunities,” she said.