The boat is used to deliver the newspaper to readers across the water, as well as ships docked in Victoria Harbour.

Whittlesey Noble joins the board and later becomes the majority shareholder. The no-nonsense character – also a dentist – instils financial discipline, making the young newspaper viable.

The South China Morning Post brings its readers news of the revolution in China – which sees the Qing dynasty overthrown and a republic with Sun Yat-sen as president established – via a special report (published in December 1911).

The company outgrows its premises and finds a larger space around the corner in No. 3 Wyndham Street (it later acquires No.1, too). It is on this site that the newspaper bears witness to some of the city’s most historic moments.

Although the product is well received, thanks to its lively editorials and varied coverage, it takes several years for SCMP to declare a profit. It eventually does in 1913, for HK$11,338.90.

Born in Australia to a Chinese father and British mother, Henry Ching (first hired in 1916 and the first “non-European” reporter) is appointed editor and proves instrumental in establishing the South China Morning Post’s reputation as Hong Kong’s leading English-language newspaper. Another key figure, Ben Wylie, from Scotland, rises from the printing department to become a highly competent general manager.

The newspaper continues to publish, unlike many of its rivals, during a general strike. It launches the Overseas Chinese Daily News, a Chinese-language newspaper, to carry news of the strike, relying at first on translations of its print page proofs. The publication lasts 70 years.

The South China Morning Post hires its first woman reporter, Helen Duncan, daughter of the then-managing director Ben Wylie.

The newspaper stops publishing, the first time since its launch, as Japanese forces occupy Hong Kong during the second world war. It returns in 1945, as soon as the Japanese surrender. Editor Henry Ching and other staff hurry to print a one-page flysheet carrying news of the arrival of the British fleet.

SCMP sponsors Hong Kong’s first golf championship offering £1,000 in prize money. The event attracts many of the sport’s big names and hundreds of spectators.

In October 1961, the newspaper's first racing section launches. Over the following decades, it covers the rise of Hong Kong horse racing on the international scene. By 2025 it has evolved into Racing Post (Print) and HK Racing (Digital).

The paper covers the “leftist riots” which leave 51 people dead and more than 800 injured. An SCMP photographer is attacked while covering the unrest and the Wyndham Street office is bombed (fortunately no one is injured).

SCMP launches the Young Post-Herald, an eight-page section published on Sundays aimed at younger readers. It is published from 1968 to 1974.

In March 1971, production moves to offset printing and a new masthead is introduced. Later in the year, the company is publicly listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

The company moves offices from Wyndham Street to new premises in Quarry Bay.

SCMP launches Classified Post to take advantage of the boom in Hong Kong’s property and financial markets and growth of its service sector, with recruitment – and appetite for job ads – surging.

The newspaper publishes a colour photograph for the first time, featuring the arrival of Queen Elizabeth II and her husband Prince Phillip at Kai Tak airport, along with the headline “Welcome, Your Majesty.” A second colour photograph, the following day, records the Queen’s visit to Graham Street market.

SCMP launches Student of the Year, a prestigious event for secondary school students that nurtures and elevates the future leaders of Hong Kong. The event celebrates many dedicated students, including Trevor Morris (1984), now a well-known philanthropist.

The Sunday paper (originally branded as the Sunday Post-Herald) is reborn as the Sunday Morning Post.

Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp buys SCMP, as the tycoon builds up his global media empire.

SCMP and RTHK jointly launch the first Operation Santa Claus campaign – which has roots dating back to 1960 – one of the largest annual charitable donation drives in Hong Kong.

The Sunday publication, M magazine, launches in October 1989. Known today as PostMag, the Sunday supplement has seen many iterations in terms of name and format size over the years.

Chinese-Malaysian businessman Robert Kuok’s Kerry Group becomes SCMP’s largest shareholder.

Classified Post hits a record 208 pages.

The company spends HK$670 million to establish the Morning Post Centre in the Tai Po Industrial Estate.

The South China Morning Post goes digital as www.SCMP.com launches on December 2, 1996. Two years later, the website is voted best online newspaper outside the US at the E&P Best Online Newspaper Awards, also called the Eppys.

The newspaper publishes a fast-selling special edition to commemorate the return of Hong Kong to China, accompanied by a dedicated website.

In 2002, a paywall is introduced on SCMP.com.

Style, a luxury lifestyle magazine, launches in January 2006.

In 2010, the tablet edition launches, which replicates the print product on the newly launched Apple iPad.

SCMP launches Posties, an edutainment newspaper for children aged 6-12 that improves English language skills through interactive and entertaining content.

SCMP holds its first Redefining Hong Kong event. In the following years, the event becomes a flagship platform for discussions on Hong Kong’s opportunities and challenges, covering topics such as economic development, green finance and demographic shifts. As of April 2025, SCMP has hosted a total of 50+ RHK events, which have evolved to address diverse themes relevant to Hong Kong’s strategic positioning, both regionally and globally.

The Spirit of Hong Kong Awards is established, with the aim of celebrating Hong Kong’s unsung heroes. The annual event highlights inspiring stories of Hongkongers who go the extra mile; those who demonstrate a genuine spirit of charity, civic awareness and community goodwill.

The new app (which is available on Apple and Android) marks the next stage in SCMP’s digital era.

100 Top Tables launches. It goes on to become the definitive annual guide to the most outstanding fine dining restaurants and bars in Hong Kong and Macau, celebrating the talent and dedication of the local F&B scene.

In December 2015, South China Morning Post Publishers Limited is acquired by tech giant Alibaba.

The inaugural China Conference – officiated by C.Y. Leung, the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region – is held in Hong Kong. The event marks the beginning of what will become one of SCMP’s signature thought-leadership platforms – endorsed by local governments – focusing on discussions about China’s growing global influence and business landscape.

SCMP introduces an Asia-focused current affairs publication providing weekly news and analysis across print and digital.

SCMP opens its first permanent US bureau in 2017, a move that signals its commitment to leading the global conversation about China.

SCMP’s headquarters move to Hong Kong’s Times Square in 2018. The hi-tech offices are among the best in the city and are fully equipped to facilitate SCMP’s ongoing transformation from a regional newspaper to a global media company.

Morning Studio launches. Over the next few years, it establishes itself as SCMP’s award-winning branded content marketing arm specialising in storytelling with the standards of a newsroom, and the perspective of a marketer.

The South China Morning Post introduces a new brand identity, as it embarks on a global digital strategy. The newspaper is redesigned and a new colour palette of Admiralty Blue and Forenoon Yellow is introduced alongside a new brandmark.

In April 2020, SCMP achieves a new high traffic milestone of 50 million monthly active users (MAU) across all platforms.

SCMP video achieves a new video traffic high for a single year, surpassing an incredible two billion video views.

In 2022, China’s Power Players launches. An easy-to-explore interactive visual series – spearheaded by SCMP’s graphics team – it helps readers understand China’s leadership reshuffles via visually compelling multimedia content.

In 2023, SCMP celebrates its 120th anniversary. The occasion is marked with a special exhibition at the Landmark which showcases SCMP’s heritage and future relevance in shaping the international story of Hong Kong.

In 2023, SCMP hosts its inaugural Family Business Summit (FBS). The exclusive event brings together family-business owners and managers from across Asia and the world. With 80 per cent of businesses in Asia owned by families, SCMP sees an opportunity to gather the most influential family offices in the region and beyond. The event helps position Hong Kong as a prominent family office hub and facilitates powerful discussions on wealth preservation.

In April 2023, Style successfully relaunches, ushering the publication into a new era with a sharper focus on fashion and luxury, reflecting contemporary audience values of knowledge, access and connectivity. The relaunch sees the title grow to over 230 pages.

In 2024 SCMP Plus launches. The platform helps premium readers – business leaders and those interested in China affairs – decode news on China and make informed decisions with comprehensive insights into China’s policies, society and economy, plus curated analysis, summaries, fact sheets, opinion and more.

After more than a decade of covering Hong Kong and Macau’s best F&B spots, 100 Top Tables relaunches. The new offering positions it as the most indispensable and authoritative guide to fine dining in the region, complete with a new visual identity.

SCMP expands its product range for younger audiences with the introduction of a news and education-focused product for junior-level English readers and students.

In September 2024, Post Magazine, SCMP’s iconic weekly publication, relaunches as PostMag. The all-new magazine curates the very best culture and lifestyle stories to inspire its readers to live well each day.

SCMP’s China Conference celebrates its 10-year anniversary. Over the years it has expanded with several global editions, facilitating impactful discussions on pressing regional topics. 2025 sees three high-profile events: China Conference Southeast Asia, which welcomes the Prime Minister of Malaysia as a ministerial speaker; China Conference Greater Bay Area, with a keynote address from The Hon. C. Y. Leung, Vice-Chairman, National Committee of CPPCC; and China Conference Hong Kong, addressing Hong Kong’s unique role as a GBA superconnector.

An extensive, year-long branding exercise drives a move to consumer-first segmentation that helps readers identify SCMP brands and products that suit their specific needs, including SCMP Live, Advertising+, Enterprise+, SCMP Learn and C-Suite.