Ta Kung Pao (1902–1949)

Ta Kung Pao (simplified Chinese: 大公报; traditional Chinese: 大公報; French: L'Impartial^: 7) was one of the most influential newspapers of the Republic of China until 1949.^: 98

Established in 1902^: 98 by Ying Lianzhi, a Manchu aristocrat, within the French Concession of Tianjin, Ta Kung Pao initially championed the cause of a constitutional monarchy in China. However, following the 1911 Xinhai Revolution, Ying withdrew from active involvement in the newspaper's operations. In 1916, with backing from the Anfu Club, shareholder Wang Zhilong took over full ownership, transforming Ta Kung Pao into the club's mouthpiece.^: 34 Wang appointed Hu Zhengzhi as both chief editor and manager, leading to significant reforms in both the newspaper's design and its editorial approach. The decline of the Anfu Club by 1920 prompted Wang to divest his stake, and Hu's subsequent resignation saw a drastic reduction in circulation, culminating in the newspaper's shutdown on November 27, 1925.

In 1926, Wu Dingchang, Zhang Jiluan, and Hu Zhengzhi formed the Xinji Company and took over Ta Kung Pao.^: 11 Known for its principles of four no's, namely non-partisan, not for sale, no self-interest, and not blind, Ta Kung Pao became famous for its sharp political commentary and current affairs reporting.^: 75 From its inception in 1902 until the Ta Kung Pao Revival Declaration published in Shanghai in 1949, it was referred to as the "old Ta Kung Pao". After 1949, it gradually came under the control of the Chinese Communist Party, with the Chongqing edition becoming the Chongqing Daily, and the Tianjin and Shanghai editions merging and relocating to Beijing, ceasing publication in 1966, leaving only the Hong Kong edition still in existence today.

Ta Kung Pao was the only Chinese newspaper to send reporters to the Paris Peace Conference after World War I and the only one to station reporters in Europe during World War II. It sent journalists to witness historical events such as the Potsdam Conference and the Japanese surrender ceremony aboard the USS Missouri. Additionally, it was the first Chinese newspaper to be listed on the stock market.^: 75 Along with Yishi Bao, Shen Bao, and Minguo Daily, Ta Kung Pao was one of the "Four Major Newspapers of the Republic of China".