Chapter 222: Another Important Acquisition Target

"The acquisition of *Star Daily* is also nearing completion. I plan to go to Singapore tomorrow, coinciding with the consolidation of *Nanyang Business News*, and I will also finalize the acquisition of *Star Daily*," Yan Wenhan reported.

"*Star Daily* has a circulation of 100,000, which is 10,000 less than *Nanyang Business News*. The price has now been negotiated down to 11.5 million HKD, and I estimate we can acquire it for 11 million HKD."

"If there are no unforeseen issues, the acquisition should be completed within five days!"

Xia Yu smiled, praising, "Well done!"

"As long as we acquire *Star Daily*, we will control half of Malaysia's four major Chinese newspapers. Combined with our *Wind and Cloud Daily* and *Jiu Ding Daily* in the region, the market share of Chinese-language newspapers will exceed 50%, creating a preliminary monopoly!"

Hearing Xia Yu's words, Yan Wenhan also smiled.

Moreover, it's not as simple as Xia Yu described.

*Star Daily* was founded in 1929, positioning itself as a service to the Malaysian Chinese community. It has played a role as a witness and participant through the British colonial era, the Anti-Japanese War, the independence movement, and post-independence.

*Star Daily* has a strong heritage and solid foundation.

Like *Nanyang Business News*, *Star Daily* is one of Malaysia's four major Chinese newspapers. Although its circulation is only 100,000, considering the Chinese population in Malaysia is comparable to that in Hong Kong and Macau, and Malaysia's large land area means a more dispersed population, having a daily circulation of 100,000 is already impressive.

In addition to being one of Malaysia's four major Chinese newspapers, *Star Daily* is also one of Singapore's two largest Chinese-language newspapers.

The other is *Nanyang Business News*, which has already been acquired by Jiu Ding Media!

Therefore, acquiring *Star Daily* would not only give Jiu Ding Media over 50% of the Malaysian Chinese newspaper market but also monopolize the Chinese newspaper industry in Singapore, which is highly beneficial!

Historically, Singapore and Malaysia have a complex relationship. Singapore was once part of Malaysia.

The Republic of Singapore, formerly known as Singapore, Singapura, or Xingshu, is an island nation in Southeast Asia with a parliamentary republic system. It was a British colony in the early 19th century and was occupied by Japan in February 1942. Singapore joined Malaysia in 1963 but gained independence in 1965 with support from the UK and the US.

Singapore's proximity to Malaysia and its high Chinese population—74%—contributes to the complex relations between the two countries.

Given that ethnic Chinese dominate capital in Southeast Asia and Singapore is the financial center of the region, monopolizing Singapore's Chinese-language newspapers greatly benefits Xia Yu!

Controlling public opinion grants significant leverage when communicating with major Chinese families in Southeast Asia, thus elevating one's status.

Thus, Xia Yu is determined to acquire *Star Daily*!

"Rest assured, Boss, I will ensure a rigorous process to secure the acquisition!"

Yan Wenhan firmly stated. Acquiring *Star Daily* would significantly enhance Jiu Ding Media's influence, so he certainly did not want to fail.

"How is the acquisition of *South China Morning Post* progressing?" 

After understanding the situation with *Star Daily*, Xia Yu was in a good mood but did not relax because the most crucial part of the plan was the acquisition of *South China Morning Post*!

Currently, the top three English newspapers in Hong Kong are *South China Morning Post*, *English Tiger News*, and *Asian Wall Street Journal*.

Among them, *South China Morning Post* has the highest circulation at 110,000. Established in 1903, it mainly provides authoritative business and financial analysis and is the most influential English newspaper in Southeast Asia, with its readership consisting mainly of high-level figures in politics and business.

*South China Morning Post* was listed in Hong Kong in November 1971. Historically, it was privatized by media tycoon Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation in 1987. Then, in 1993, it was acquired by Malaysian billionaire Robert Kuok, and in December 2015, it was bought by Alibaba Group, which aims to build a major media empire.

The second-ranked *English Tiger News*, also known as *Hong Kong Tiger News*, is one of the newspapers under the Sing Tao News Corporation. Founded in March 1949 by Hu Wenhu, it has a daily circulation of about 100,000.

Before Jiu Ding Media's rise, Sing Tao News Corporation was indeed the top media company in the newspaper industry.

The third-ranked *Asian Wall Street Journal*, with a daily circulation of 90,000, has a remarkable background!

Founded in 1976, *Asian Wall Street Journal* has achieved the third position among English newspapers within just two years, with a strong growth trajectory.

The name itself hints at its background. *Asian Wall Street Journal* is a financial newspaper targeting Asian readers, belonging to Dow Jones & Company.

Dow Jones, founded in 1882, owns the *Wall Street Journal*, which is one of the oldest newspapers in the US with the second-largest circulation nationwide, and Dow Jones Newswires, known for real-time financial reporting and market commentary, as well as Barron's, a prominent investment publication.

Given Dow Jones's substantial financial and professional strength, it is unlikely to sell *Asian Wall Street Journal* due to a bit of money.

For these reasons, Xia Yu initially targeted *South China Morning Post*.

Acquiring the number one newspaper *South China Morning Post* also aligns with Jiu Ding Media's status—to be the best!

Moreover, *South China Morning Post* surpasses Sing Tao News Corporation's *English Tiger News*. Jiu Ding Media's *Jiu Ding Daily* and *Wind and Cloud Daily* have already outperformed Sing Tao's *Star Daily*, so Jiu Ding Media cannot afford to lag in the English newspaper sector.

In any case, *South China Morning Post* is the most suitable target for acquisition!

However, seeing Yan Wenhan's expression, it seemed the acquisition of *South China Morning Post* was not progressing smoothly.

"What's the situation? Just tell me straight. If there are problems, we'll solve them."

Seeing Yan Wenhan's difficulty, Xia Yu smiled to ease his pressure.

Yan Wenhan nodded and began to explain…