theage.com.au
launches a Chinese edition on the Internet
MELBOURNE, September 3, 2001 -
theage.com.au, the online site of The Age, has launched a Chinese edition, in Simplified Chinese Text,
for the Australian Chinese community, and Chinese users on the net in the Peoples Republic of China.
The homepage of the Chinese version of The Age - which can be found at www.theage.com.au/chinese -- contains the top 3 business
stories, and top 3 general news stories from The Age's website. The homepage also contains the top 3 property stories, with a special focus
of property news of interest to the local Chinese community.
The homepage carries advertising space and can provide links to related resources, such as in travel and community services.
Mr Fred Hilmer, chief executive officer of Fairfax, said, "This is an important development for Fairfax and The Age in continuing to build
ties, using our high quality content on the internet, with China and the Chinese community in Australia. With respect to China, this is another
significant link between our two economies."
Mr Mike Van Niekerk, Managing Editor for theage.com.au, said, "This is the first time a major newspaper has initiated a foreign language
edition on the net for readers in our home market and in another country. Our business and technology model allows for this service to
be expanded if, as we anticipate, there is a strong response to this initiative.
"We believe the Chinese Age website will be particularly attractive to advertisers in higher education, Australian government
organisations, small businesses, commercial property, and residential and investment
property sales."
Translation services and technical support for The Age's Chinese edition is being provided by Altlan Pty Ltd, a high tech internet
company based in Melbourne owned by Chinese and Australian enterprises. Altlan is using technology developed under the auspices
of the China Academy of Sciences to provide instant webpage translation and instant article translation.
"Altlan is showing us the way forward, and we are delighted to have Altlan as a partner in this enterprise," said Mr Van Niekerk.
Users who wish to download the Chinese character set into their browser should go to:
www.njstar.com.au
Beta testing on the site began in July, and the site went live late last week.
-- ENDS --
Contact, Mike Van Niekerk, f2, 0419 203 867
Note to editors
John Fairfax Holdings [ASX:FXJ] is Australia's leading publishing group. Its mastheads
include The Sydney Morning Herald, The Australian Financial Review, The Age, The Sun
Herald, and BRW. In addition, the company publishes financial and consumer magazines,
regional and community newspapers, and provides online services. In 2000, the company
had revenues of over $1.3 billion.
f2, the Fairfax Interactive Network, is building businesses in four areas:
The
f2 network attracts more than 2 million monthly unique users (Red Sheriff). f2's sites and
press releases are accessible through its home page at www.f2.com.au.
f2 is a wholly
owned subsidiary of John Fairfax Holdings Limited [ASX:FXJ]
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