Central Daily News Digital Archive

Central Daily News (中央日報) was founded in Shanghai in February 1928. After relocating several times, the newspaper’s headquarters moved to Taiwan in 1949, where it continued publishing until its closure in 2006.

During its years of publication in Mainland China, the newspaper was the official mouthpiece of the Kuomintang (KMT) government and provided comprehensive coverage on politics, the economy, military matters, culture, foreign relations, law, and society. It served as an important historical record of China’s changing landscape in the early 20th century, documenting critical events like the lead-up to World War II, the Chinese civil war, and the interactions between China and foreign powers. This makes the Central Daily News Digital Archive a crucial resource for academic research and China studies, offering valuable insights into the socio-political developments of the time.

The newspaper’s coverage also reflected the shifting dynamics within Chinese society, acting as a bridge between the government and the people, and capturing the pulse of different social strata. Its reports provide a detailed view of the Republic of China’s international relations, particularly in the 1930s and 1940s, and are invaluable for understanding the historical context of modern China.

After relocating to Taiwan, Central Daily News continued to play an influential role in the media landscape. It became a leading newspaper in Taiwan, benefiting from the integration of party and government, and often ranked as the top newspaper in terms of circulation. Over the years, it chronicled Taiwan’s political, economic, military, and cultural developments, offering in-depth coverage of the nation’s modernization efforts. The newspaper’s extensive coverage of these issues makes it a key historical resource for understanding Taiwan’s post-World War II development.

However, as Taiwan’s political landscape evolved and media diversification grew, Central Daily News struggled to adapt. Its strong ties to the KMT and its early role as a government mouthpiece became less relevant in a society demanding more diverse media options. Despite its historical significance, the newspaper ceased publication on May 31, 2006, after issuing a total of 28,356 editions.