Laiyin Tongxin (LYTX)

Laiyin Tongxin (LYTX) was a Chinese-language general-interest magazine produced by Chinese residents in Germany. First published in 1987, it appeared as a bimonthly and became one of the earliest and longest-running Chinese-language periodicals distributed across Germany. Over its eighteen-year run it issued 86 regular issues, two special issues and a number of bulletins, with a cumulative circulation of nearly 300,000 copies. Its editorial scope covered German current affairs, daily life, fashion and profiles, as well as literary writing such as essays, travelogues, fiction and poetry, alongside practical consultation on economic and legal matters for the Chinese-speaking community. The magazine was founded at a time when the only other cross-region Chinese-language publication in Germany was the traditional-character Xide Qiaobao. For many newly arrived Chinese readers who could not yet follow German television or newspapers, Laiyin Tongxin served as an essential source of information and a rare outlet for original writing. Its editors and authors deliberately sought to distinguish the magazine from official mainland publications, publishing original political commentary and pieces that could not appear elsewhere. From the late 1990s the environment changed sharply. The number of Chinese-language newspapers and magazines available in Germany grew rapidly, and the rise of the internet eroded the print readership. Although the magazine had itself devoted a 1998 special feature to the convergence of telecommunications, information, media and entertainment, it struggled to adapt. By the early 2000s it faced falling quality of competitors, rising competition for advertising, staff shortages and mounting losses. In its farewell issue (issue 86, dated December 2005 and announced on the website in mid-2006), the editorial board stated that the magazine could no longer provide high-quality service to readers and commercial partners, and formally announced its closure. It promised to refund excess subscription fees and asked readers with outstanding balances to settle them. The website continued to post selected previously published or unpublished articles and readers' letters after the print edition ended.

Laiyin Tongxin was founded in 1987 by Chinese residents in Germany. At the time, the only other cross-region Chinese-language publication in the country was the traditional-character Xide Qiaobao, and the new magazine quickly became an important source of information and a platform for original writing for the Chinese-speaking community. It was published as a bimonthly and, over its lifetime, produced 86 regular issues, two special issues and several bulletins, with a cumulative circulation of nearly 300,000 copies. Roughly one thousand authors contributed more than two thousand articles. The magazine's editorial stance was deliberately distinct from official mainland publications. It published works and information that could not appear elsewhere, including political commentary and essays by authors who were also editors. Originality was described as the driving force of the publication rather than a slogan. By the late 1990s and early 2000s, the environment had changed. The number of Chinese-language newspapers and magazines available in Germany increased sharply, some of them with large claimed circulations that gave them an advertising advantage. At the same time, the internet became a serious competitor to print media. In 1998 the magazine ran a special feature on the "TIME" industries—telecommunications, information, media and entertainment—but did not anticipate the internet's impact on its own readership. In the early 2000s the magazine suffered from poor operations, staff shortages and severe losses. In its farewell issue (issue 86, dated December 2005 and announced on the website in mid-2006), the editorial board formally announced the cessation of publication, stating it could no longer provide high-quality service to readers and commercial partners. It promised to refund excess subscription fees and asked readers who had not paid due to billing delays to settle their accounts. The website continued to publish selected previously published or unpublished articles and readers' letters.

• 2006

  The farewell notice is posted on the website on 4 June 2006.

• 2005

  Issue 86, dated December 2005, is the farewell issue; the magazine announces its closure.

• 1998

  The magazine runs a special feature on the "TIME" industries (telecommunications, information, media and entertainment).

• 1987

  Laiyin Tongxin is founded in Germany as a Chinese-language bimonthly.

A Chinese-language general-interest and literary magazine for the Chinese community in Germany, emphasizing original writing and independent commentary.

• 《莱茵通信》bimonthly magazine (86 regular issues)

• Two special issues

• Bulletins / newsletters

• Website articles and readers' letters

1. 1莱茵通信 Laiyin Tongxin (LYTX) - 告别刊谢读者chinasprache.de
2. 2Wikidata: 莱茵通信wikidata.org
3. 3维基百科：莱茵通信zh.wikipedia.org