我們在中國有數百萬的讀者，他們到我們的數碼平台來，正是因為我們新聞的角度和解讀，與中國國內的媒體有別。這些讀者是我們所珍惜的，因為對他們來說，我們是他們跟外面的世界聯繫的一個重要窗口，我們也從不把他們能到我們平台來瀏覽，當成是理所當然的。在少數必要的情況下，對於一些新聞課題和內容，我們會對中國的市場，和全球其他的市場，做更細緻的處理，但我們的底線是，這樣的分化處理，不能抵觸我們的新聞專業原則。《聯合早報》做新聞和不做新聞的理由不是為了封不封網。我們不是為了反對中國或支持中國而存在，也不是為了反對和支持哪一國，我們的宗旨是把翔實的、有質量的信息帶給讀者，呈現不同的觀點。
We have millions of readers in China who visit our digital platforms because the perspective and interpretation of our reports are different from that of the local Chinese media outlets. We cherish these readers because to them, we are an important window for them to connect to the outside world. And we have never taken the fact that they are able to access our platform for granted. The reason why Lianhe Zaobao reports or does not report news is not dependent on whether we will be blocked in China. We also do not exist to oppose or support China, nor to oppose or support any country. Our mission is to bring informative and quality information to our readers, and to provide a broad spectrum of views.
問題五、《聯合早報》的編輯方針是否將能否進入中國納入考慮？
Q1. How does Lianhe Zaobao select opinion columnists for the newspaper? Can you confirm that regular columnists are paid?
Below are the complete set of questions raised by the Washington Post to Lianhe Zaobao for this story and our responses in full:
美國《華盛頓郵報》今日（當地時間7月24日）刊登長文《北京立場的回聲，在新加坡引起焦慮》（In Singapore, loud echoes of Beijing’s positions generate anxiety），以其既定的思維方式和自身議程，設定報道視角與方式，以此出發組織材料與論證，對《聯合早報》做了大量具偏頗性評論與不公正陳述，讓人遺憾。
We had earlier provided comprehensive responses to the questions raised by The Washington Post, which were not adequately reflected in their reporting.
回答：相當多不同國家的駐新加坡大使跟我們接觸，包括中國大使。我們採訪他們也刊登他們的來稿，最後一次刊登的是日本大使的評論。去年11月，孫大使來函對我們社長的專欄做出回應，我們根據給予回應的原則刊登她的文章。
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Lianhe Zaobao is a Singapore news media with an eye on the Asia-Pacific region and the world. We strive to provide fair and balanced reporting, and in doing so draw extensively from international news sources and the first-hand reports of our correspondents and writers in Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing, Guangzhou/Shenzhen, Taipei, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Seoul and Kuala Lumpur who track regional developments and major power diplomacy. Our publication also features articles with diverse perspectives.
回答：《聯合早報》與商湯科技簽署了為期一年的合作備忘錄，探索利用人工智能技術來優化我們的視覺內容，為讀者提供更好的沉浸式的閱讀體驗。這是我們與不同夥伴合作，進行創新推進數碼化旅程的一部分。新加坡《聯合早報》無意捲入中美大國博弈中。
回答：根據一些西方媒體的定義，你如果不反中，你就是親中，而且在他們的眼裡，你不只親中，還親中共。這樣的一種認知和界定，不只太過簡單化，甚至還存有惡意。我們在報道中國的新聞時，就像報道其他新聞一樣，都力求客觀和中立，以事實為根據，不夾帶評論或預設的立場。的確，在一些新聞事件上，我們報道的角度，未必是跟着西方媒體起舞，但如果就因此就把我們歸入親中共的陣營，那未免太過草率和武斷。
LHZB: Lianhe Zaobao’s official position is only carried in its editorials. Lianhe Zaobao aims to feature a broad spectrum of views in the Forum Opinion section, including those approving of the Chinese approach and articles criticising it. The contributors of these articles include academics and experts from the US and Japan, as well as those from China; we do not want to discard certain views out of hand solely based on the columnist’s background. These pieces do not represent Lianhe Zaobao’s views. Given that China is the largest trading partner of most countries in this region, understanding the thinking of the authorities in Beijing has its value. In the CCP’s “whole nation” system, so-called private agencies or individuals may often have an official background — this is well known among observers of modern China. The Washington Post has also published interviews of academics reflecting the official position, also without indicating their partisanship. As far as possible, Lianhe Zaobao verifies the background of all writers, while respecting how they wish to describe themselves. Lianhe Zaobao also publishes writers from China who prefer to publish anonymously or under a pseudonym due to their contradictory positions on sensitive issues from the Chinese government. There is a modest fee for published articles, which is the practice for Chinese-language newspapers in Singapore.
回答：我們也大量引述國際通訊社與西方正規媒體關於中港台地區的報道。當我們報道中國或任何一個地方的新聞時，所在地的正式數據和信息是首要來源。相對而言，我們報道的台灣新聞並不多，多數是我們駐地記者寫的，在選擇素材時，並沒有根據其政治傾向性作為選擇引用的標準。我們在報道中國時，原則是同時報道中國與其他國家怎麼說，前提是信源可靠，或者我們到現場採訪。我們追求的論述不是西方的論述，也不是北京的論述，而是作為新加坡媒體的論述。我們也為此收到過親中或不親中讀者的強烈謾罵，但那不會動搖我們的基調。
Q2. The Washington Post has found that two regular columnists, Ding Song Quan (e.g. of op-ed here []) and Deng Qingbo (e.g. of op-ed here []) are both Communist Party officials. Ding is part of Zhejiang province’s Department of Education, where he was the deputy editor-in-chief of their official newspapers and periodicals. He doesn’t just teach at Huzhou College, but is also part of the Chinese Communist Party committee of that school. Deng Qingbo, meanwhile, is the director of the online propaganda and comment division of the Hunan Provincial Party Committee’s Cyberspace Administration Office. Why have both these writers been described as China affairs commentators, without their Communist Party affiliation? Were their full positions not known by Zaobao’s editorial leadership? Have the two been paid by Zaobao for their opinion contributions?
新加坡《聯合早報》是一家立足新加坡，放眼亞太與全球的新聞媒體。我們力求公正平衡報道，既大量參考國際通訊社的報道，在北京、上海、重慶、廣州/深圳、台北、香港、東京、首爾、吉隆坡也有特派記者或特約記者，追蹤本區域發展和大國外交，同時刊登呈現多元視角的文章。
作為一家新加坡媒體，《聯合早報》兼容中西方的觀點，但保持我們自身立場的獨特性與獨立性。中國讀者閱讀《聯合早報》網絡版接近30年，我們努力讓中國受眾閱讀到中國國內媒體不一定報道的國際信息與視角，《聯合早報》網也曾經歷過多次長期被屏蔽。
回答：早報的正式立場只呈現在社論，言論版旨在呈現多元觀點（包括美國與日本的學者），不代表早報看法，這包括中共和中國官方的， 不能以人廢言。中國作為本區域所有國家的最大貿易夥伴，了解北京官方怎麼想具有參考價值。中共舉國體制意味着許多稱作民間的單位或個人其實背後都有官方背景，這是觀察當代中國的常識。《華郵》也通過採訪發表許多反映官方立場的學者的觀點，同樣不註明他們的黨籍身份。早報盡可能查證所有作者的背景，但尊重作者的自我介紹。刊登的稿件都有微薄稿費，這是本地華文報的傳統。
The objective fact is that there are instances where our users in mainland China cannot access particular reports, or any report for that matter, but we maintain our usual stance. Amid intensifying China-US rivalry, we stick to the principle of not taking sides and refuse to be forced into taking sides under pressure.
對於《華盛頓郵報》的質疑，本報此前在回復記者提問時已給予完整回答。這些答覆並未充分反映在其報道中。
問題二、《華盛頓郵報》發現，《聯合早報》的兩位固定專欄作家丁松泉和鄧清波都是中共黨員。丁松泉隸屬於浙江省教育廳，曾擔任教育廳機關報和期刊的副主編。他不僅在湖州學院任教，還是該校中共黨委委員。鄧清波則是湖南省委網信辦網絡宣傳評論和社會工作處處長。為什麼這兩位作家都被稱為中國時事評論員，而沒有說明他們與中共的關係？早報編輯部領導層不知道他們的完整職務嗎？早報是否向他們支付了稿費？
三個月單次觀光泰國簽證需準備哪些資料?保麗龍割字價格推薦優仕彩。反光背心全系列台灣工廠製造工廠直營，月子中心貴鬆鬆,找對到府月嫂省一半，更讓你事半功倍!!東京包車愛寶貝桃園到府坐月子提供24小時、9小時彈性月嫂到府服務。優仕彩提供立體字、電腦割字…等成品的尺寸。南部專業嘉義到府坐月子,台南到府坐月子,高雄到府坐月子收費服務資訊懶人包，寶寶頭型如何矯正?把握黃金期，不要錯過最佳時機!好月嫂難尋!台北到府坐月子、新北市到府坐月子專業月嫂真心推薦最專業的到府坐月子。日本包車專業電腦割字服務的廠商優仕彩有多項大型展覽會場的設計佈置。台灣護照代辦申辦工作天及價錢!露營車-公路旅遊精選景點，租露營車玩秘境景點，精緻花蓮泛舟-親子特惠組合方案在這裡。濃郁的奶香牛軋糖-最好吃的伴手禮,送禮要送進心崁裡!北部潛水由專業潛水教練帶領，初學者也能盡情探索海底世界，秀姑巒溪親子一起泛舟去刺激安全又開心。坐月子經驗談-新竹到府坐月子媽媽心得分享與交流找尋專業廣告設計,價格公道大圖輸出,背板品質佳，不僅電腦割字色彩表現優異，電腦割字讓客戶滿意優仕彩專業大圖輸出的品質。秀姑巒溪泛舟一日遊享受特色風味餐以及部落文化專人導覽。為什麼辦理台胞證需要護照正本?大阪包車
《華郵》選擇性地忽略一些事實，刻意突出和拼湊一些信息，引述不知名的離職和在職的記者，形塑《聯合早報》的負面形象，讓我們既有感慨，又不覺意外。在當前的國際地緣政治形勢下，非友即敵的思維蔓延，讓《聯合早報》更堅定地相信，我們不應受到任何一方的壓力而改變編輯方針。我們會繼續致力於保持客觀，不被各方力量擠壓，不捲入中美博弈之中。
問題四、有記者表示，新任中國大使孫海燕，相當強勢而且直白地要求新加坡媒體協助對中國進行正面報道。《聯合早報》是否抵制這些要求，《聯合早報》是否曾經拒絕發表她的評論或來函？
Q4. Reporters have suggested that the new Chinese ambassador, Sun Haiyan, has been quite strong and vocal in asking media across Singapore to help tell positive stories of China. Has Zaobao pushed back against this? Have their been instances where Zaobao has declined to run op-ed pieces or letters from her?
LHZB: All our journalists and editors working on China reporting are proficient in both English and Chinese languages and we obtain our information from a great variety of sources. As a result, besides Chinese sources, we also cite or quote a lot from international news agencies and Western mainstream media reports on mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. When we report on China or any location, official local data and information is the primary source. Reports on Taiwan are usually filed by our correspondents based there; when quoting from other media, we do not intentionally select the sources according to their political leanings. When we report on China, the principle is to concurrently report what China and other countries are saying, on the premise that the information sources are reliable, or that we have first-hand interviews. The narrative we are after is not the Western narrative or Beijing’s narrative, but a Singapore media’s narrative. And for that, we have also been strongly criticised by pro-China or anti-China readers. But this will not deter us from our fundamental intentions.
Q3. The Washington Post did a data analysis of Zaobao’s articles on topics like Taiwan, protests in China and Hong Kong, Xinjiang and other topics, covering all articles published in 2022 on those specific topics. We noted that overall, Zaobao references, cites and publishes pro-CCP or state sources more than any other sources, including independent media. For example, Zaobao most often on these topics republished stories from China Times and United Daily News, both pro-CCP Taiwanese newspapers. Further, we analyzed the coverage of the recent ‘blank paper’ protests in China and found the first articles all referencing Chinese state sources, without further context, including repeating the state narrative of the cause of the Urumqi fire. At least 9 stories mentioned “foreign interference” accusations in the protests, without providing a contrasting view. Interviews with reporters and former reporters for Zaobao have indicated that Zaobao isn’t incentivized to provide a more balanced view, as to not offend the reader base. Others have said that there is a practice for standing up or having more neutral/balanced reports on issues core to Singapore, but then letting Beijing’s narrative run on topics that are not considered as core to Singapore. It would be good to have a response to these questions as well.
客觀事實是，在中國大陸境內也遇到瀏覽器打不開我們的文章，或者完全打不開任何文章，但我們繼續秉持一貫的方針。在中西方對立日益尖銳的時代，我們堅持不站隊的原則，也拒絕在壓力下被迫站隊。
Lianhe Zaobao takes its mission of delivering information seriously and remains committed to neutrality. Our reporting features viewpoints from China and the West, including policy statements from officials, analyses from academics, media coverage and commentaries. In fact, we extensively quote and use information from international news agencies and commentaries to offer our readers and audiences broad, diverse, and sometimes opposing perspectives and information.
Q6. I Would like to have your comment on your partnership with Sensetime, which has been sanctioned by the US government because of alleged complicity in human rights abuses against the Uyghur minority.
問題六、請評論你們跟商湯科技和合作關係。商湯科技因為被指涉嫌侵犯維吾爾少數民族人權而被美國政府制裁。
Q5.Does Zaobao factor its access in China in its editorial decisions in Singapore?
問題一、《聯合早報》如何篩選專欄作者，你能否證實這些固定專欄作者是否有獲得報酬？
The Washington Post’s feature article “In Singapore, Loud Echoes of Beijing’s Positions Generate Anxiety” (published on 24 July) made biased comments and unfair statements about Lianhe Zaobao, based on its journalistic perspective and approach on pre-established perspectives and agendas, and presenting its materials and arguments accordingly. This is unfortunate.
問題三、《華盛頓郵報》對《聯合早報》有關台灣、中國大陸和香港抗議活動、新疆和其他話題的文章進行了數據分析，涵蓋了早報在2022年發表的關於這些特定話題的所有文章。我們注意到，總體而言，與包括獨立媒體在內的其他來源相比，早報更多地參考、引用和發表親中共或官方的消息來源。例如，在一些課題上，早報最常轉載的是《中國時報》和《聯合報》的報道，而這兩家報紙都是親中共的台灣報紙。此外，我們分析了近期關於中國白紙抗議活動的報道，發現第一批文章都引用中國官方信息來源，而沒有進一步說明背景，包括重複官方對烏魯木齊火災原因的論述。至少有九篇報道提到了“外國干涉”抗議活動的指控，但沒有提供相反的觀點。對早報記者和前記者的採訪表明，早報缺乏提供更平衡觀點的動力，以避免冒犯讀者群。還有受訪者說，有一種做法是，在關乎新加坡核心利益的課題上，早報站出來或進行更中立或平衡的報道，但在不被認為關乎新加坡核心利益的話題上，則任由採用北京的敘事，最好也能就這些問題作出回應。
《華盛頓郵報》此前對本報的採訪與所提出的問題，我們的完整回復如下：
As a Singapore news media, Lianhe Zaobao takes in Chinese and Western viewpoints while preserving our unique stance and independence. Lianhe Zaobao has had an online presence in mainland China for nearly 30 years, making efforts to provide Chinese audiences with international information and perspectives that may not be covered by domestic media. Lianhe Zaobao has also experienced several periods of prolonged blocks.
LHZB：The one-year non-binding arrangement between Lianhe Zaobao and SenseTime International is designed to explore ways of using AI technology to improve visual content presentation and user experience. This is part of our digitisation journey where we develop digital innovations with a broad range of content, media and technology partners. Lianhe Zaobao has no wish to be embroiled in US-China contests.
《聯合早報》嚴肅看待媒體傳播信息的使命與我們對維持中立的堅持，我們的報道中，既有來自中國的論述，也有西方的論述，包括中西方官員的政策宣示、學者分析、媒體報道、評論等。事實上，我們大量引用和採用國際通訊社的信息與國際評論，目的就是讓我們的讀者、讓廣大受眾能看到更豐富、多元，以至對立的視角與信息。
LHZB： Based on the definitions of some Western media platforms, if you’re not anti-China, you must be pro-China. And in their eyes, you’re not only pro-China, but pro-CCP. Such perceptions and definitions are too simplistic and even malicious. We cover China news as we would other news — being objective, neutral, fact-based and without critique or preconceived notions. Indeed, we may not be dancing to the West’s tune when we report on certain topics. But to categorise us as a pro-CCP media because of this seems to be overly rash and arbitrary.
The Washington Post has selectively left out some facts while intentionally highlighting and putting together some information to paint a negative image of Lianhe Zaobao, which is regrettable but not surprising to us. Amid the current international geopolitical situation, the idea that “if you are not with us, you are against us” is spreading. Now more than ever, Lianhe Zaobao believes that we should not be pressured by anyone into changing our editorial direction. We remain committed to staying objective; we will not be pressured by any party, and will not get involved in China-US rivalry.
LHZB: Quite a number of ambassadors have been engaging us, including China’s ambassador. We interviewed them and published articles contributed by them. The latest was from the Japanese ambassador. Last November, Ambassador Sun sent one in response to our editor-in-chief’s column. We published that by our guiding principle of giving the right of reply.