申報
Because "Shen Bao" was based and published out of the International Settlement in Shanghai, it was subject to fewer regulations compared to many other Chinese newspapers. The International Settlement was governed by the Municipal Council which was completely separate from the Qing court and foreign consulate. The freedom of press granted in the International Settlement in Shanghai was “even greater than that enjoyed by British papers in London itself”. (Wagner, 4) Because of this lack of state regulation, Shen Bao was considered a reliable and independent source of information and “had acquired the reputation of being more independent and more reliable than most of the other available sources” (Wagner, 5). Chinese officials considered foreign journalists to be “infinitely more credible, reliable and honest than their own countrymen”. (Wagner, 19) Major specifically adopted an editorial policy geared toward improving China’s long-term growth and development.