Ronald Yam (left) with Datuk Yong
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 12: Beginning August 11, 2026, the Weekly Echo, which began modestly some four years ago, has formally expanded its role and reach.
This follows a Memorandum of Understanding signed with The Standard of Hong Kong for collaboration across both media platforms.
The partnership will explore opportunities for content exchange and cross-border reporting, promote digital media innovation, and enhance visibility in both Hong Kong and Malaysian markets
Ronald Yam Chin-hing, General Manager of The Standard under Sing Tao News Corporation, signed on behalf of the Hong Kong media organisation. At the same time, Weekly Echo was represented by its Editor-in-Chief, Datuk Yong Soo Heong, who is also the President of the Malaysian Press Institute, a key journalism training organisation in Malaysia.
The MoU was signed in the presence of Malaysia’s Transport Minister Anthony Loke and Hong Kong’s Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Algernon Yau Ying-wah.
The signing formed part of eight MoUs and cooperation agreements inked between Malaysian and Hong Kong entities during Yau’s official visit to Kuala Lumpur for the “Think Business, Think Hong Kong” Symposium. Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the symposium showcased Hong Kong’s latest advantages to the Malaysian business community. It highlighted opportunities to leverage Hong Kong as a gateway to the mainland, ASEAN, and global markets.
Both Yong and Weekly Echo’s Founding Editor, Santhy Ayadurai, welcome this partnership, which allows their publication to broaden its news and information offerings with The Standard, a renowned news organisation from Hong Kong with an illustrious history.
“These are indeed exciting times as this alliance enables us to report on important developments in Hong Kong and Malaysia with greater depth and efficiency,” said Yong after the signing. The partnership was mooted earlier this month by The Standard’s Editor-in-Chief, Bonnie Chen Hor Yee.
Santhy commented: “It’s most comforting to be chosen by The Standard for this collaboration despite our relatively short history. We will endeavour to make the partnership work for our mutual benefit.”
The Standard, Hong Kong’s only free English-language daily under the Sing Tao Group, carries a rich legacy dating back to 1949, when it was founded by tycoon Aw Boon Haw as the “Hong Kong Tiger Standard.” Today, it remains a trusted voice in Hong Kong’s media landscape, complementing Sing Tao’s flagship Chinese titles and global reach.
Aw, a prominent businessman and philanthropist, established the newspaper to provide English-language news for Hong Kong’s international community and to project Hong Kong’s voice globally. Initially published in broadsheet format, it later shifted to tabloid in 2000 for accessibility.
The Standard later became part of Sing Tao News Corporation, which also publishes Sing Tao Daily (Chinese) and Headline Daily. Ownership passed through several phases: originally under Aw’s family, later acquired by Charles Ho’s Global China Technology Group in 2001, which was rebranded as Sing Tao News Corporation in 2005. The company is now co-chaired by Karson Choi Ka-tsan and Kwok Ying-shing.
Today, Sing Tao positions itself as a bilingual media powerhouse, delivering content across Hong Kong, Mainland China, North America, and Europe.
Sing Tao Group has over 85 years of history (since 1938 with Sing Tao Daily) and operates in more than 100 cities worldwide, making it one of the largest Chinese international newspaper networks. The Standard complements this by serving English-speaking audiences.
Sing Tao Group recently rebranded as Sing Tao Global (星島環球) in 2026, reflecting its ambition to be a “super engine” connecting Hong Kong with the world through bilingual content and digital innovation.
Today, The Standard continues to play a pivotal role in Hong Kong’s bilingual media landscape, striking a balance between tradition and digital transformation, and serving as a bridge between Chinese and English audiences.
WE