HONG KONG, 25 August 2015 –

SCMP Group Ltd (SEHK: 583) yesterday announced the interim results for 2015. Interim revenue was $549.3 million, 8% lower than the same period in 2014. Net profit attributable to shareholders, which included a fair value gain on investment properties of $137.1 million, and a gain on partial disposal of interests in an associate of $43.3 million, was $208.7 million compared to $48.2 million for the same period in 2014. Carving out these gains, net profit from normal operations amounted to $28.3 million compared to $48.2 million in the same period in 2014.

In the first half of 2015, Hong Kong experienced muted financial performance, with the secular challenges from 2014 carrying over into the first two quarters. Locally, retail sales value for the first five months dropped 1.8%¹, and luxury retail sales decreased year-on-year by more than 10% in June 2015². With diminished retail consumption, a narrowed IPO pipeline in Hong Kong and China, together with stock market volatility in the US, Europe and at home, the overall anemic market sentiment has caused advertisers to pull back on their spending.

In spite of this uncertainty, the SCMP Group remains steadfast on its path to continue fortifying existing revenue drivers, while growing and developing new growth thrusts organically and inorganically. Importantly, the Group’s fundamentals are strong.

For the interim period ended 30 June 2015, the Board of Directors resolved to declare an interim dividend payable of HK 1.3 cents per ordinary share.

The Newspaper division recorded a decrease in revenue by 8% as compared with same period of 2014. This decline is attributable to restrained retail and luxury market spending and the slow down from the financial sector, which in turn reduced the sales volume of display advertising and IPO notices. This drop however, was partly mitigated by the higher revenues from both digital subscription and online advertising. Print recruitment revenues also saw a decline from Classified Post and Jiu Jik. However, a gain was achieved in market share of online job volume through effective campaigns for CPjobs.com and Jiujik.com. The previous period when the division reported a loss in the first half was in 2009 at the time of the global financial crisis.

Overall circulation of South China Morning Post and Sunday Morning Post remained stable, with digital subscriptions continuing to grow strongly to offset the decline in print circulation. Total circulation revenue grew 2% for the period.

Total revenue from the Magazines division decreased 13%, as the lackluster retail and luxury market dampened advertising spending. Despite the weak market conditions, the women’s titles, including Cosmopolitan, Harper’s BAZAAR and ELLE were able to gain market share from our competitors, which further strengthened our dominant position in women’s monthly magazine market.

SCMP Group CEO Mr. Robin Hu noted, “Entering the second half of 2015, signs of significant recovery have not been apparent. In spite of this, the Group’s fundamentals are strong, and the company remains on its path to continue fortifying existing revenue drivers, while growing digital-specific revenues, and expanding overseas readership. Of note, the company’s diverse product portfolio that includes print, digital, outdoor and events, collectively increases the Group’s resilience during challenging times.”

“Internally, efficiency improvement programmes are already in place to strategically reduce operating expenses and optimise our processes to nurture homegrown talent, innovate green-field products, and capture emerging opportunities. By activating these growth strategies, together with prudently managing our strong fundamentals, the Group looks forward to building and managing our future growth”.

– END –

About SCMP Group Ltd and South China Morning Post

SCMP Group Limited (SEHK: 583) is a leading newspaper and magazine publisher in Asia. Its flagship publication, the South China Morning Post, is Hong Kong’s internationally recognised English language newspaper and has the city’s most affluent and influential readership.

First published in 1903, the newspaper has developed an enviable reputation for authoritative, influential and independent reporting on Hong Kong, China and the rest of Asia. Available in print, mobile, tablets and online through scmp.com and e-reader editions, the South China Morning Post reaches a global audience with daily breaking news, analysis and opinion, multimedia articles and interactive forums. The South China Morning Post received over 160 awards in 2014-15 for excellence in editorial, marketing and technical capabilities. Other titles in the Group include the Sunday Morning Post, Nanzao.com (南早.com), Nanzaozhinan.com (南早香港指南.com), STYLE, Destination Macau, The PEAK, HK Magazine, The List and Where Hong Kong.

Through the joint venture partnership with Hearst, SCMP Hearst publishes the Chinese editions of Cosmopolitan, CosmoBride, Harper’s BAZAAR, Harper’s BAZAAR Art, Harper’s BAZAAR Bride, Esquire, ELLE, ELLE Men, ELLE Wedding, ELLE Décoration, and ELLE Accessories; and operates Cosmopolitan.com.hk, Cosmogirl.com.hk, Harpersbazaar.com.hk, ELLE.com.hk and EsquireHK.com in Hong Kong.

HONG KONG, 21 July 2015 –

The South China Morning Post recently implemented changes to our Insight page as part of the plans to increase the pool of contributors to reflect society’s diversity of opinion. We notified our Op-Ed contributors and columnists of the changes, including a change in the way they submit contributions. They were invited to share with us their thoughts on columns in a bid to avoid a potential overlap with other editorial plans, and to introduce healthy competition for column space. These measures are consistent with practices of leading publications of repute, and are designed to heighten the quality of the SCMP’s Insight page. This is consistent with the SCMP’s constant drive to identify and implement ways to strengthen our content.

Regretfully, this operational change has been misinterpreted and erroneously reported. Comments and clarifications from the SCMP sometimes were not sought before these reports were published.

In particular, the Hong Kong Journalists Association’s (HKJA) recent annual report, released on 12 July 2015, includes a section titled “Post’s Column Policy Change Causes a Stir”. It states that there were “demand for pre-approval of topics” and the changes “resulted in the disappearance of some widely read regular columns”. The SCMP strongly objects to these baseless allegations.

We would like to reiterate that there is no such demand and as we continue to welcome contributions from columnists and other contributors as before, it is evident in our current Insight page that the SCMP now features an even larger pool of contributors. We have highlighted these views to the HKJA in a letter sent to the association last week.

We strongly believe in and uphold editorial objectivity and fairness, and share the HKJA’s Code of Ethics, an integral part of which is to eliminate distortion, conjecture and misrepresentation. We urge all to observe stringent applications of these principles as they are integral to the integrity and the well-being of our media industry.

– END –

About SCMP Group Ltd and South China Morning Post

SCMP Group Limited (SEHK: 583) is a leading newspaper and magazine publisher in Asia. Its flagship publication, the South China Morning Post, is Hong Kong’s internationally recognised English language newspaper and has the city’s most affluent and influential readership.

First published in 1903, the newspaper has developed an enviable reputation for authoritative, influential and independent reporting on Hong Kong, China and the rest of Asia. Available in print, mobile, tablets and online through scmp.com and e-reader editions, the South China Morning Post reaches a global audience with daily breaking news, analysis and opinion, multimedia articles and interactive forums. The South China Morning Post received over 160 awards in 2013-14 for excellence in editorial, marketing and technical capabilities. Other titles in the Group include the Sunday Morning Post, Nanzao.com (南早.com), Nanzaozhinan.com (南早香港指南.com), STYLE, 48 HOURS, Destination Macau, The PEAK, HK Magazine, The List and Where Hong Kong.

Through the joint venture partnership with Hearst, SCMP Hearst publishes the Chinese editions of Cosmopolitan, CosmoBride, Harper’s BAZAAR, Harper’s BAZAAR Art, Harper’s BAZAAR Bride, Esquire, ELLE, ELLE Men, ELLE Wedding, ELLE Décoration, and ELLE Accessories; and operates Cosmopolitan.com.hk, Cosmogirl.com.hk, Harpersbazaar.com.hk, ELLE.com.hk and EsquireHK.com in Hong Kong.

HONG KONG, 24 April 2015 –

SCMP Group Ltd (SEHK: 583), Asia’s leading media holding company, today announced the launch of the SCMP Mobile Edition app for the Apple Watch, heralding the SCMP as one of the first developers and publishers of Apple Watch apps.

“We are excited to make our foray into this latest wearable technology,” said Ms Elsie Cheung, Chief Operating Officer, the SCMP Group. “The launch of our Mobile Edition for the Apple Watch will further expand our footprint with global digital audiences and reinforce our commitment to integrating cutting-edge digital technologies into our news platform.”

Available on the App Store for worldwide download, the app provides Apple Watch users free access to latest news from the South China Morning Post as well as Hong Kong, China, business and sport news. Readers can view article snippets, bookmark stories for reading later on their iPhones and access top SCMP stories with a single flick of their finger using the Apple Watch Glances feature.

In addition, breaking news alerts will be sent directly to the Apple Watch ensuring SCMP readers have access to up-to-the-minute breaking news stories as soon as they happen.

– END –

About SCMP Group Ltd and South China Morning Post

SCMP Group Limited (SEHK: 583) is a leading newspaper and magazine publisher in Asia. Its flagship publication, the South China Morning Post, is Hong Kong’s internationally recognised English language newspaper and has the city’s most affluent and influential readership.

First published in 1903, the newspaper has developed an enviable reputation for authoritative, influential and independent reporting on Hong Kong, China and the rest of Asia. Available in print, mobile, tablets and online through scmp.com and e-reader editions, the South China Morning Post reaches a global audience with daily breaking news, analysis and opinion, multimedia articles and interactive forums. The South China Morning Post received over 160 awards in 2014-15 for excellence in editorial, marketing and technical capabilities. Other titles in the Group include the Sunday Morning Post, Nanzao.com (南早.com), Nanzaozhinan.com (南早香港指南.com), STYLE, 48 HOURS, Destination Macau, The PEAK, HK Magazine, The List and Where Hong Kong.

Through the joint venture partnership with Hearst, SCMP Hearst publishes the Chinese editions of Cosmopolitan, CosmoBride, Harper’s BAZAAR, Harper’s BAZAAR Art, Harper’s BAZAAR Bride, Esquire, ELLE, ELLE Men, ELLE Wedding, ELLE Décoration, and ELLE Accessories; and operates Cosmopolitan.com.hk, Cosmogirl.com.hk, Harpersbazaar.com.hk, ELLE.com.hk and EsquireHK.com in Hong Kong.

HONG KONG, 31 March 2015 –

The SCMP Group Ltd (SEHK: 583), Asia’s leading media holding company, has garnered a total of 91 accolades in recognition of its editorial, digital and social media strengths in the first three months of this year. On average, one award was conferred to the Group every day from January to March 2015. The awards are:

• The 23rd Malofiej International Infographics Awards – 18 awards (3 Golds, 5 Silvers and 10 Bronzes)
• The Society of News Design’s Best of News Design awards – 50 awards (1 Silver, 49 awards of excellence)
• Hong Kong Association of Interactive Marketing (HKAIM) Media Convergence Awards 2014 – 14 awards (2 Golds, 8 Silvers, 3 Bronzes and one Top 10 Media award)
• Hong Kong News Awards 2014 – 6 awards (Two first prizes, three 1st runner-ups and one 2nd runner-up)
• The Star of Weibo Awards – #5 of the Top Ten Most Influential Hong Kong Media Organisations
• Hong Kong Press Photographers Association Annual Awards – Silver award in Portrait category
• Hong Kong Junzi Corporation Award 2014 – Junzi Gold Award

Wang Xiangwei, Editor-in-Chief of the South China Morning Post, said, “This achievement is very encouraging as it recognises the talent of our Editorial team and the quality of the content they create. As journalists, it’s an honour to see our work gain traction in the market and to receive praise from our peers and readers.”

At the Best of News Design Awards and the Malofiej International Infographics Awards – both of which laud outstanding page layouts and graphics from media organisations around the world – SCMP Graphics Director Alberto Lucas brought home a combined total of 45 awards, including 2 Gold Awards at Malofiej and a Silver award in the Portfolio/Page Designer category at the Best News Design Awards.

At the recent Hong Kong News Awards 2014, the SCMP picked up six awards including 1st prizes in Best News Writing (English) with Shirley Zhao’s Positive Parenting story; and Photographic Section (Sport) with Felix Wong’s All Black Rain photo.

ELLE, a top women’s lifestyle magazine from the Group’s expanding portfolio, snatched two Gold awards in Monthly Magazine Category (Social Media) and Monthly Magazine Category (Website) at Media Convergence Awards.

– END –

About SCMP Group Ltd and South China Morning Post

SCMP Group Limited (SEHK: 583) is a leading newspaper and magazine publisher in Asia. Its flagship publication, the South China Morning Post, is Hong Kong’s internationally recognised English language newspaper and has the city’s most affluent and influential readership.

First published in 1903, the newspaper has developed an enviable reputation for authoritative, influential and independent reporting on Hong Kong, China and the rest of Asia. Available in print, mobile, tablets and online through scmp.com and e-reader editions, the South China Morning Post reaches a global audience with daily breaking news, analysis and opinion, multimedia articles and interactive forums. The South China Morning Post received over 160 awards in 2013-14 for excellence in editorial, marketing and technical capabilities. Other titles in the Group include the Sunday Morning Post, Nanzao.com (南早.com), Nanzaozhinan.com (南早香港指南.com), STYLE, 48 HOURS, Destination Macau, The PEAK, HK Magazine, The List and Where Hong Kong.

Through the joint venture partnership with Hearst, SCMP Hearst publishes the Chinese editions of Cosmopolitan, CosmoBride, Harper’s BAZAAR, Harper’s BAZAAR Art, Harper’s BAZAAR Bride, Esquire, ELLE, ELLE Men, ELLE Wedding, ELLE Décoration, and ELLE Accessories; and operates Cosmopolitan.com.hk, Cosmogirl.com.hk, Harpersbazaar.com.hk, ELLE.com.hk and EsquireHK.com in Hong Kong.

HONG KONG, 27 March 2015 –

The SCMP Group Ltd (SEHK: 583), Asia’s leading media holding company, yesterday launched the Game Changers Series, an array of thought leadership forums that highlights innovative entrepreneurship and fosters a culture conducive to business innovation in Hong Kong.

The Game Changers Series is a platform that garners investors, entrepreneurs, intrapreneurs, policymakers, industry experts and stakeholders to share insights, success stories and best practices and shed light on challenges and the best way forward. It comprises four innovation-themed forums – the first of which was held yesterday – in which macro policy implications, entrepreneurial mindset, funding and breakthrough go-to-market strategies and many more related topics will be discussed.

To mark the opening of the inaugural Game Changers Series yesterday were (from left) Nick Edwards, SCMP Business Editor; Agnes Chan, Managing Partner, Hong Kong & Macau, EY; Simon Galpin, Director-General of Investment Promotion, InvestHK; Robin Hu, CEO of SCMP Group; Dr Edmund Lee, Executive Director of Hong Kong Design Centre; Anthony Leung, Assurance Partner, EY; and George Chen, Managing Editor of SCMP.com international edition.

“The Game Changers series was created as a forum to introduce trailblazing entrepreneurs to the forefront of public discussion,” said Mr Robin Hu, Chief Executive Officer of the SCMP Group. “They will inspire future generations of startup entrepreneurs and, at this forum, they will share insights into how to achieve success by embracing disruption, to never cease to innovate, and to remain hungry for success by constantly raising the bar.”

Simon Galpin, Director-General of Investment Promotion, InvestHK, delivered a speech on related regulation framework at the forum yesterday. He added, “I am very happy to be part of the Game Changers forum, which offers a valuable platform for entrepreneurs, founders as well as investors to get to know more about Hong Kong’s advantages for starting a business and learn the latest trends and ideas in the startup communities.”

Dr Edmund Lee, Executive Director, Hong Kong Design Centre, and one of the moderators at the forum, said, “Designing for better placemaking, competitiveness and well-being needs visionary leadership, a new mindset, creative confidence, resourcefulness and collaborative synergy. It also calls upon the ability to explore new ground, navigate a sea of complexity and orchestrate development. It’s time to learn, unlearn and relearn, and embrace ourselves with open eyes and minds. Long live enterprising creativity!”

Another moderator George Chen, Managing Editor of SCMP.com international edition and SCMP Acting Technology Editor, said, “Hong Kong has never been short of entrepreneurial spirit, be it in good or bad economic circumstances. Once famously known as one of the four Asian Tigers, Hong Kong retained its high regard, overcoming the aftermaths of the Asian financial crisis and SARS, among other adversities. It is an honour to see many seasoned and new entrepreneurs get together at The Game Changers forum where we all work towards turning talk about change into real actions.”

Three remaining Game Changers forums will follow on 25 June, 17 September and 10 December. For details, please visit gamechangers.scmp.com or contact [email protected] /+852 2680-8902.

– END –

About SCMP Group Ltd and South China Morning Post

SCMP Group Limited (SEHK: 583) is a leading newspaper and magazine publisher in Asia. Its flagship publication, the South China Morning Post, is Hong Kong’s internationally recognised English language newspaper and has the city’s most affluent and influential readership.

First published in 1903, the newspaper has developed an enviable reputation for authoritative, influential and independent reporting on Hong Kong, China and the rest of Asia. Available in print, mobile, tablets and online through scmp.com and e-reader editions, the South China Morning Post reaches a global audience with daily breaking news, analysis and opinion, multimedia articles and interactive forums. The South China Morning Post received over 160 awards in 2014-15 for excellence in editorial, marketing and technical capabilities. Other titles in the Group include the Sunday Morning Post, Nanzao.com (南早.com), Nanzaozhinan.com (南早香港指南.com), STYLE, 48 HOURS, Destination Macau, The PEAK, HK Magazine, The List and Where Hong Kong.

Through the joint venture partnership with Hearst, SCMP Hearst publishes the Chinese editions of Cosmopolitan, CosmoBride, Harper’s BAZAAR, Harper’s BAZAAR Art, Harper’s BAZAAR Bride, Esquire, ELLE, ELLE Men, ELLE Wedding, ELLE Décoration, and ELLE Accessories; and operates Cosmopolitan.com.hk, Cosmogirl.com.hk, Harpersbazaar.com.hk, ELLE.com.hk and EsquireHK.com in Hong Kong.

HONG KONG, 19 March 2015 –

SCMP Group Ltd. (SEHK: 0583) announced today the financial results for the year ended 31 December 2014.

Group revenues rose by 8% to $1,241.2 million from $1,146.6 million in 2013. Half of this growth was contributed by our magazines business with the addition of men’s luxury titles Esquire and The PEAK, and the growth in online advertising revenue for the Group. Our newspaper business and outdoor media business also contributed towards this increase.

Adjusted operating profit for 2014 increased moderately by 4% to $167.7 million, as revenue growth was partly offset by increasing costs to support our new businesses. Net profit attributable to shareholders (excluding the fair value gain on investment properties) was $125.4 million, $11.1 million or 8% lower than the previous year. The decline in net profit was mainly due to the share of losses of our associated companies.

The newspaper division continues to be a key revenue driver for the Group, and recorded a 3% increase in revenue to $841.5 million. This revenue growth was contributed by Advertising and Marketing Solutions, Circulation and Syndication Business, and contract printing, but was partly offset by a decline in Recruitment and Education Business. Notably, the digital business provided new growth opportunities. SCMP.com and its mobile and tablet editions saw significant growth during the year, with more than 100 new digital advertisers acquired in 2014. Similarly, our online recruitment sites, namely ClassifiedPost.com and JiuJik.com continued to make progress with the combined revenue of both sites increasing 15% over last year. For the Circulation and Syndication Business, revenue increased by 5% in 2014. The main contributor was the strong growth in digital subscriptions, with the number of new subscriptions to SCMP.com, and the renewal rate of monthly subscriptions both recording growth in 2014.

The magazines division enjoyed a year of good financial performance, in spite of a slow and shrinking magazines market, by recording $325.8 million revenue in 2014. The introduction of Esquire and The PEAK to our portfolio of magazines titles, together with display advertising revenue for all existing brands continued to increase, with year-on-year growth of 17%. Digital advertising revenue continued to show promise by rising 41% year-on-year.

Earnings per share for 2014 was 8.8 cents, and a final dividend payable per share was 3.8 cents.

Dr. David Pang, Chairman of SCMP Group, commented, “While the Group demonstrated promising growth in the first half, major protests that lasted the larger part of the fourth quarter negatively affected the overall economy, and cast a shadow on our full year performance somewhat. In spite of this, the Group has successfully charted through uncertainties through prudent management, and emphasis on strategic growth thrusts. These include the continued growth of our magazines portfolio to now include prestigious titles such as Esquire and The PEAK, the expansion of our out-of-home billboard inventory, and more new conferences and events leveraging our flagship brands South China Morning Post and Classified Post. These pillars of growth, together with our fully diversified digital ecosystem of products consisting of desktop, mobile and tablet platforms, gives us new reach into multiple revenue opportunities home and abroad. With this strategic positioning, we at the Group remain positive of our ability to deliver value to our shareholders consistent with the Hong Kong economy in 2015.”

– END –

About SCMP Group Ltd and South China Morning Post

SCMP Group Limited (SEHK: 583) is a leading newspaper and magazine publisher in Asia. Its flagship publication, the South China Morning Post, is Hong Kong’s internationally recognised English language newspaper and has the city’s most affluent and influential readership.

First published in 1903, the newspaper has developed an enviable reputation for authoritative, influential and independent reporting on Hong Kong, China and the rest of Asia. Available in print, mobile, tablets and online through scmp.com and e-reader editions, the South China Morning Post reaches a global audience with daily breaking news, analysis and opinion, multimedia articles and interactive forums. The South China Morning Post received over 160 awards in 2014-15 for excellence in editorial, marketing and technical capabilities. Other titles in the Group include the Sunday Morning Post, Nanzao.com (南早.com), Nanzaozhinan.com (南早香港指南.com), STYLE, 48 HOURS, Destination Macau, The PEAK, HK Magazine, The List and Where Hong Kong.

Through the joint venture partnership with Hearst, SCMP Hearst publishes the Chinese editions of Cosmopolitan, CosmoBride, Harper’s BAZAAR, Harper’s BAZAAR Art, Harper’s BAZAAR Bride, Esquire, ELLE, ELLE Men, ELLE Wedding, ELLE Décoration, and ELLE Accessories; and operates Cosmopolitan.com.hk, Cosmogirl.com.hk, Harpersbazaar.com.hk, ELLE.com.hk and EsquireHK.com in Hong Kong.

HONG KONG, 19 March 2015 –

The South China Morning Post, the most awarded newspaper in Hong Kong, has been lauded as one of “The Most Influential Hong Kong Media Organisations” by The Star of Weibo awards for the second consecutive year. The SCMP was ranked fifth in the top ten media winner list, up from eighth last year. Through the official account “SCMP_南華早報”, the SCMP has garnered over 547,000 Weibo followers since 2012.

“The SCMP has adhered to our professionalism and journalistic conduct in a complicated media environment, and through various social media platforms reached out to readers from around the world,” said Mr William Zheng, Chief Editor of SCMP.com and SCMPChinese.com. “The award is not only recognition given by a new media platform of our efforts in transforming from a traditional newsroom into a new media one, but also a testimony to the SCMP’s status as a high-quality news brand recognised by world readers, including the vast Chinese-language market.”

Organised by Sina Weibo, The Star of Weibo is an annual award that names the top 10 most influential Hong Kong media organisations, corporations, celebrities and topics according to activeness, impact and reach on the Weibo social media platform.

The SCMP engages with readers incessantly through an array of social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Reddit, Tumblr, Twitter, WeChat, Weibo and YouTube.

– END –

About SCMP Group Ltd and South China Morning Post

SCMP Group Limited (SEHK: 583) is a leading newspaper and magazine publisher in Asia. Its flagship publication, the South China Morning Post, is Hong Kong’s internationally recognised English language newspaper and has the city’s most affluent and influential readership.

First published in 1903, the newspaper has developed an enviable reputation for authoritative, influential and independent reporting on Hong Kong, China and the rest of Asia. Available in print, mobile, tablets and online through scmp.com and e-reader editions, the South China Morning Post reaches a global audience with daily breaking news, analysis and opinion, multimedia articles and interactive forums. The South China Morning Post received over 160 awards in 2014-15 for excellence in editorial, marketing and technical capabilities. Other titles in the Group include the Sunday Morning Post, Nanzao.com (南早.com), Nanzaozhinan.com (南早香港指南.com), STYLE, 48 HOURS, Destination Macau, The PEAK, HK Magazine, The List and Where Hong Kong.

Through the joint venture partnership with Hearst, SCMP Hearst publishes the Chinese editions of Cosmopolitan, CosmoBride, Harper’s BAZAAR, Harper’s BAZAAR Art, Harper’s BAZAAR Bride, Esquire, ELLE, ELLE Men, ELLE Wedding, ELLE Décoration, and ELLE Accessories; and operates Cosmopolitan.com.hk, Cosmogirl.com.hk, Harpersbazaar.com.hk, ELLE.com.hk and EsquireHK.com in Hong Kong.

HONG KONG, 19 March 2015 –

100 Top Tables 2015 – A CEO’s Dining Guide, the definitive guide for executive dining in Hong Kong and Macau, is hot off the press and available at bookstores now, while stock lasts. Published by the South China Morning Post, the third-edition culinary guide names Hong Kong’s top 100 restaurants and Macau’s top 20 for executive dining, based on their respective brilliance in eight types of cuisine – Chinese, French, Italian, Western, Steak & Grills, Japanese, Asian and Macanese. Nearly 40 restaurants unseated their counterparts to make it to the list this year¹.

100 Top Tables 2015 – A CEO’s Dining Guide is a companion that connects restaurants with C-suite diners perennially looking for culinary delights and surprises in Hong Kong, a place renowned for its eclectic dining variety that attracts some of the world’s best chefs and restaurateurs. Out of this myriad of noted food & beverage establishments, the difficult task of compiling the list fell on the shoulders of a team of SCMP gourmets, dining critics and lifestyle experts. Coming from a local gastronomical perspective fused with years of fine-dining exploration, the SCMP team made the selections without being beholden to restaurants or advertisers. Their independent opinions will help time-starved top-level executives choose from among Hong Kong’s most exquisite culinary establishments.

At a ceremony held yesterday, fine-dining restaurants named in the 100 Top Tables 2015 – A CEO’s Dining Guide were commended with a certificate of recognition from the South China Morning Post.

In the 186-page guide, each restaurant is listed with essential particulars (address, phone number, opening hours, availability of vegetarian dishes and more), witty write-ups on the food, service and ambience, signature dishes, photos of appetizing dishes and classy decor.

Mr Romanus Ng, General Manager, SCMP Advertising and Marketing Solutions, said, “As Hong Kong business elites’ most read daily, weekly and monthly publication², SCMP is uniquely positioned to put together a high-end dining guide for top executives. Now in its third year, the 100 Top Tables guide has come of age and is increasingly becoming a sought-after dining companion for executives. We congratulate the 120 restaurants named by the guide for creating indelible dining experiences in Hong Kong and Macau.”

“Dining out is a big part of life in Hong Kong and Macau, a sentiment that we share with people around the world. We think about it, talk about it, tweet about it and look forward to it. But it is always a quandary deciding where to go as we are so spoiled for choice in Hong Kong,” said Ms Winnie Chung, Editorial Director, SCMP Specialist Publications. “The 100 Top Tables guide is a great gift for the busy executive selecting restaurants for business or culinary pleasure, or a bit of both. This year’s edition is another success as we see many restaurants being named again, because of their consistent high quality, and new ones that bring a welcome change to the dining scene. We hope readers will enjoy the book and its recommendations and we look forward to bringing them more in years to come.”

Priced at HK$168, 100 Top Tables 2015 is available at a number of major bookstores. Visitors to airport lounges in Asia and over 70 Pacific Coffee outlets in Hong Kong will have access to the guide. It will also be distributed free to SCMP print subscribers.

– END –

About SCMP Group Ltd and South China Morning Post

SCMP Group Limited (SEHK: 583) is a leading newspaper and magazine publisher in Asia. Its flagship publication, South China Morning Post, is Hong Kong’s internationally recognised English language newspaper and has the city’s most affluent and influential readership.

First published in 1903, the newspaper has developed an enviable reputation for authoritative, influential and independent reporting on Hong Kong, China and the rest of Asia. Available in print, mobile, tablets and online through scmp.com and e-reader editions, the South China Morning Post reaches a global audience with daily breaking news, analysis and opinion, multimedia articles and interactive forums. The South China Morning Post received over 160 awards in 2014-15 for excellence in editorial, marketing and technical capabilities. Other titles in the Group include the Sunday Morning Post, Nanzao.com (南早.com), Nanzaozhinan.com (南早香港指南.com), STYLE, 48 HOURS, Destination Macau, The PEAK, HK Magazine, The List and Where Hong Kong.

Through the joint venture partnership with Hearst, SCMP Hearst publishes the Chinese editions of Cosmopolitan, CosmoBride, Harper’s BAZAAR, Harper’s BAZAAR Art, Harper’s BAZAAR Bride, Esquire, ELLE, ELLE Men, ELLE Wedding, ELLE Décoration, and ELLE Accessories; and operates Cosmopolitan.com.hk, Cosmogirl.com.hk, Harpersbazaar.com.hk, ELLE.com.hk and EsquireHK.com in Hong Kong.

HONG KONG, 16 March 2015 –

The SCMP Group Ltd (SEHK: 583), Asia’s leading media holding company, today announced the launch of cpjobs.com, a new flagship digital recruitment platform, and the relaunch of Classified Post, the most established recruitment brand in Hong Kong, with a new look.

cpjobs.com, Hong Kong’s newest recruitment website, is a relaunch of ClassifiedPost.com. The redesigned website, which went live on 9 March, offers jobseekers easier access to the latest and most relevant job opportunities. This significant revamp reinforces SCMP’s positioning and ongoing effort as the most valued partner in recruitment. It also matches the best jobseekers with employers, to help both parties get ahead.

The Student of the Year Awards, an annual award jointly presented by the South China Morning Post and The Hong Kong Jockey Club, has recently named nine outstanding Hong Kong secondary students in recognition of their accomplishments in academics, linguistics, sports, the arts, science and mathematics, as well as community service.

These commendable winners were shortlisted from over 400 nominated students, representing the best Form 4 to 6 / Grade 10 to 12 pupils of 133 secondary schools. These students underwent various rounds of interviews and performance auditions with panels of expert judges from fields corresponding to the nine award categories. The Awards, in its 34^th year, were guided by the Advisory Board whose members included Mr. Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, CEO of The Hong Kong Jockey Club; Mr. Bernard Charnwut Chan, Hong Kong Deputy of National People’s Congress and Member of Hong Kong Government Executive Council; Mr. Douglas Woo, Chairman and Managing Director of Wheelock and Company; Mr. Allan Zeman, Chairman of Lan Kwai Fong Group & Honorary Advisor of Ocean Park and Mr. Robin Hu, CEO of the SCMP Group.

Mr. Hu remarked: “Established more than 40 years ago, the Awards serve as a capstone for students to strive for, and act as a benchmark of excellence in the pursuit of academic, sports and arts brilliance. As the community paper of record in Hong Kong for the past 112 years, the SCMP is proud to have played a part in supporting these outstanding students’ pursuits”.

Mr. Engelbrecht-Bresges said: “One of the most commendable aspects of the Student of the Year Awards is that they don’t just recognise academic excellence, but reward many different aspects of talent, ability and commitment – a philosophy we’ve always adopted in our own Hong Kong Jockey Club Scholarship Scheme. Today’s students will be tomorrow’s leaders, so it’s important they are able to view community issues from different perspectives and find innovative and sustainable means of addressing them.”

The Guest of Honour of the presentation ceremony, Mr. Eddie Ng, Secretary for Education, HKSAR Government, remarked: “Among the winners, some of them are outstanding at sports, visual arts, and performing arts; some excel in languages, science, and mathematics; while some are very much dedicated to serving our community. This is extremely important in the modern world, every successful (person) needs to balance achieving academic excellence and developing life-long interests and personal aspirations along the long learning journey.”

Eunice Yiu of St. Paul’s Convent School (Secondary Section) was named Student of the Year – Grand Prize and received a HK$25,000 scholarship. Winners of the remaining eight categories were each awarded a HK$10,000 scholarship. First and second runners-up were presented scholarships of various value.

The winners of the Student of the Year Awards 2014 are:

At the award presentation ceremony held on 28 February, shortlisted students, finalists, student winners, principals, teachers, parents and judges enjoyed student performances including a harp recital, a violin recital and an a cappella serenade. Five tasteful student art pieces were also exhibited at the ceremony.

For more information about the awards, please visit https://studentoftheyear.hk.

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About SCMP Group Ltd and South China Morning Post

SCMP Group Limited (SEHK: 583) is a leading newspaper and magazine publisher in Asia. Its flagship publication, South China Morning Post, is Hong Kong’s internationally recognised English language newspaper and has the city’s most affluent and influential readership.

First published in 1903, the newspaper has developed an enviable reputation for authoritative, influential and independent reporting on Hong Kong, China and the rest of Asia. Available in print, mobile, tablets and online through scmp.com and e-reader editions, South China Morning Post reaches a global audience with daily breaking news, analysis and opinion, multimedia articles and interactive forums. The South China Morning Post received over 160 awards in 2014-15 for excellence in editorial, marketing and technical capabilities. Other titles in the Group include the Sunday Morning Post, Nanzao.com (南早.com), Nanzaozhinan.com (南早香港指南.com), STYLE, 48 HOURS, Destination Macau, The PEAK, HK Magazine, The List and Where Hong Kong.

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