Ta Kung Pao
A long-running Chinese-language newspaper founded in Tianjin in 1902 and now based in Hong Kong.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Ta Kung Pao is a Chinese-language newspaper with origins in Tianjin at the end of the Qing dynasty and a long publishing history shaped by political upheaval, war, migration, and changes in China's media system. Ying Lianzhi founded the paper on 17 June 1902. In its early period, it promoted constitutional and democratic reform, criticized official abuses, and adopted accessible written vernacular Chinese at a time when much formal journalism still relied heavily on classical styles. Its early editorial identity was summarized by the “Four Noes” principle, which pledged independence from political parties, governments, commercial companies, and individual interests. That position brought it into conflict with authorities and foreign institutions in Tianjin, including after its criticism of the Eight-Nation Alliance presence. The paper experienced political restrictions and commercial difficulties during the Republican period. It was banned by the Republic of China government in 1912 after criticizing Yuan Shikai, and it later lost readership before ceasing publication in 1925. Wu Dingchang, Hu Zhengzhi, and Zhang Jiluan relaunched it in Tianjin on 1 September 1926. During the Second Sino-Japanese War, its staff and publishing operations moved through several cities, including Shanghai, Hankou, Chongqing, Guilin, and Hong Kong, as military conditions made local editions difficult or impossible to sustain. After the war, a Shanghai edition was re-established, but the continuing Chinese Civil War prevented the broader expansion that had been contemplated. The Hong Kong edition was re-established in March 1948. After 1949, it became one of the prominent Chinese-language publications in Hong Kong associated with support for the government of the People's Republic of China. Its political orientation shifted during the Chinese Civil War from earlier support for the Kuomintang toward sympathy for the Chinese Communist Party, a change linked in the historical record to opposition to repression, inflation, and political violence under the Kuomintang. The paper subsequently developed a strong pro-Beijing editorial position and became institutionally connected to the central government's Hong Kong liaison structure. Ta Kung Pao's postwar history also includes direct confrontations with the colonial Hong Kong authorities. In 1952, coverage of the authorities' response to the Tung Tau Tsuen squatter-area fire led to sedition proceedings involving the paper's leadership. A later dispute arising from coverage of demonstrations and the government's handling of the fire resulted in prison sentences, fines, and a temporary publishing suspension, although the sentences were later rescinded after intervention by the British government following a statement from Premier Zhou Enlai. Today, Ta Kung Pao operates as a newspaper and digital news publisher. Its coverage spans Hong Kong affairs, mainland Chinese politics and policy, international developments, business, culture, sports, and public affairs. It maintains operations in Hong Kong and offices or reporting presence in mainland cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Inner Mongolia, and Guangzhou. The newspaper is state-owned and controlled through the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in Hong Kong. In 2016, it merged with Wen Wei Po to form the Hong Kong Dagong Wenhui Media Group. Academic and media-monitoring assessments have generally characterized its editorial output as closely aligned with official Chinese government positions. Critics and press-freedom organizations have also challenged its reporting practices, particularly during the Hong Kong protests, the COVID-19 pandemic, and politically sensitive legal and civil-society disputes.
History
Ta Kung Pao was founded in Tianjin on 17 June 1902 by Ying Lianzhi, a Catholic Manchu aristocrat who wanted the newspaper to contribute to China's modernization and democratic development. Its early editorial policy was associated with the “Four Noes,” a declaration that the paper would not be subordinated to political parties, governments, commercial interests, or individual patrons. It criticized the Qing court and foreign military influence in Tianjin and was fined by French authorities after reporting on the Eight-Nation Alliance presence. Ying moved the operation from the French concession to the Japanese concession in response. The newspaper was banned in 1912 after criticizing Yuan Shikai. Ying responded by distributing copies without charge, but readership weakened after the Xinhai Revolution. Wang Zhilong acquired the paper in 1916, yet it eventually stopped publishing in 1925. Wu Dingchang, Hu Zhengzhi, and Zhang Jiluan revived it in Tianjin on 1 September 1926, restoring its reputation as an influential Chinese newspaper during the Republican era. The Second Sino-Japanese War forced the paper's staff and editions to move repeatedly. Publishing continued from places including Shanghai, Hankou, Chongqing, Guilin, and Hong Kong, while editions in areas occupied by Japan were progressively abandoned. After the war, Wong Wan San re-established the Shanghai edition on 1 November 1945. Plans for additional editions, including one for Guangzhou, were overtaken by the Chinese Civil War. During that conflict, the paper's political sympathies moved from support for the Kuomintang toward the Chinese Communist Party, reflecting opposition to Kuomintang repression, inflation, and violent political purges. The Hong Kong edition resumed in March 1948 under publisher Fei Yi Ming and became one of the principal Chinese-language publications associated with the pro-Beijing camp. In 1952, colonial authorities prosecuted the proprietor, publisher, and editor under the Sedition Ordinance after the paper reported critically on the government response to the Tung Tau Tsuen fire. A related episode involving coverage of protests and the alleged neglect of poor residents led to prison sentences, fines, and a six-month publication order. Following a statement from Premier Zhou Enlai, the British government instructed the Hong Kong authorities to withdraw the sentences, and publication resumed after a short suspension. In the post-1997 period, Ta Kung Pao retained a strongly pro-Beijing editorial line and became institutionally linked to the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in Hong Kong. The paper expanded its reporting beyond print through an online news platform and maintained offices or reporting operations in Hong Kong and several mainland Chinese cities. Its editorial output has been described by academic research as closely aligned with official Chinese Communist Party media, including People's Daily and Xinmin Evening News. The newspaper has faced repeated criticism over accuracy, credibility, political advocacy, and treatment of dissenting voices. In 2019, it was challenged over a report about an alleged Taiwanese presidential envoy and received the lowest credibility score among paid Hong Kong newspapers in a university survey. During the 2019–2020 protests, it was criticized for conspiracy theories and attacks on judges. The Hong Kong Bar Association objected to allegations concerning Judge Anderson Chow, while Chief Justice Geoffrey Ma publicly defended the judiciary. Critics also accused the paper of amplifying misleading vaccine narratives during the COVID-19 pandemic and of targeting academics, civil-society organizations, and business figures in politically charged reporting. In 2016, Ta Kung Pao merged with Wen Wei Po to create the Hong Kong Dagong Wenhui Media Group. The combined group remains under central-government control through the Hong Kong liaison structure. Subsequent activities included a 2024 media partnership with Heilongjiang Daily Newspaper Group and a 2025 editorial campaign against CK Hutchison's proposed Panama ports sale. Ta Kung Pao continues to function as an active newspaper and digital media brand serving Hong Kong and mainland-focused audiences.
- 2024
Heilongjiang international communication partnership
[1]Ta Kung Pao works with Heilongjiang Daily Newspaper Group to establish the Heilongjiang International Communication Center.
- 2016
Merger with Wen Wei Po
[1]Ta Kung Pao and Wen Wei Po combine under the Hong Kong Dagong Wenhui Media Group.
- 1952
Sedition proceedings in colonial Hong Kong
[1]Coverage of the Tung Tau Tsuen fire and related protests leads to prosecutions, penalties, and a temporary suspension before the sentences are withdrawn.
- 1948
The Hong Kong edition is re-established
[1]A Hong Kong edition resumes publication in March under the postwar leadership associated with publisher Fei Yi Ming.
- 1926
Ta Kung Pao is relaunched in Tianjin
[1]Wu Dingchang, Hu Zhengzhi, and Zhang Jiluan re-establish the newspaper on 1 September.
- 1925
Publication ends temporarily
[1]After years of declining readership, Ta Kung Pao ceases publication before its later relaunch.
- 1912
The paper is banned after criticizing Yuan Shikai
[1]The Republic of China government bans Ta Kung Pao; Ying responds by distributing the paper free of charge.
- 1902
Ta Kung Pao is founded in Tianjin
[1]Ying Lianzhi launches the newspaper on 17 June with a reformist mission and an editorial commitment later summarized as the Four Noes.
Products and positioning
A pro-Beijing Chinese-language newspaper serving Hong Kong and mainland Chinese audiences, with an editorial profile focused on central-government policy, Hong Kong affairs, national identity, and public affairs.
Print newspaper · 1902
Ta Kung Pao newspaper
The core print publication is a Chinese-language newspaper covering Hong Kong politics and society, mainland Chinese affairs, international news, business, culture, sports, and public policy. Historically it has operated through multiple city editions and wartime publishing locations. In the contemporary market, it is identified with a pro-Beijing editorial orientation and serves readers interested in official policy and national-affairs coverage.
Digital news media
Ta Kung Pao online news platform
The brand's website extends Ta Kung Pao's newspaper journalism into continuous digital publishing. It provides current-affairs reporting, political commentary, business coverage, cultural material, sports news, and other newspaper content for Hong Kong and mainland-oriented audiences. The online platform also gives the organization a channel for rapid editorial campaigns and distribution beyond the print edition.
Controversies
2020
Criticism over protest coverage and attacks on judges
The paper was criticized for antisemitic conspiracy material during the Hong Kong protests and for allegations directed at judges. The Hong Kong Bar Association objected to reporting about Judge Anderson Chow, while Chief Justice Geoffrey Ma defended the judiciary.
2020
COVID-19 vaccine misinformation allegations
Critics accused Ta Kung Pao of spreading misleading vaccine claims and of framing Western vaccines more negatively than Chinese vaccines during the pandemic.
2019
Disputed report about a Taiwanese presidential envoy
Ta Kung Pao described a Taiwanese journalist as a secret envoy of President Tsai Ing-wen. Taiwan's presidential office rejected the report and called it false or ridiculous after the person's actual journalistic affiliation was identified.
Marketing campaigns
- 2025Coverage opposing the CK Hutchison Panama ports transaction
Hong Kong · Mainland China
Ta Kung Pao ran a series of articles and editorials criticizing CK Hutchison Holdings and Li Ka-shing over the agreed sale of a Panama ports stake to BlackRock. The material was also republished by the CCP's Hong Kong and Macao Work Office, increasing its reach within the official political-media system.
Outcome. The campaign became part of a broader public dispute over the transaction and the political implications of strategic port ownership.
Brand decisions
2024
Establish the Heilongjiang International Communication CenterStrategyBackground
The partnership reflected continued expansion of official Chinese media cooperation and international-communication activities.
Action taken
Ta Kung Pao partnered with Heilongjiang Daily Newspaper Group to establish a communications center.
Aftermath
The partnership broadened Ta Kung Pao's institutional links with mainland provincial media.
2016
Merge with Wen Wei PoM&ABackground
Both newspapers were state-owned or state-aligned Chinese-language publications with strong pro-Beijing positions in Hong Kong.
Action taken
Ta Kung Pao combined with Wen Wei Po to form the Hong Kong Dagong Wenhui Media Group.
Aftermath
The merger consolidated the two newspapers within a media group controlled through the central government's Hong Kong liaison structure.
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