China Youth Daily
Founded in 1951, China Youth Daily has served as the official newspaper of the Communist Youth League of China (CYLC) ever since. Over the decades, it has established itself as a key instrument for engaging younger audiences and conveying the messaging of the Party.
Media assets
Publishing: Zhōngguó Qīngnián Bào
State Media Matrix Typology
Ownership and governance
China Youth Daily is overseen by the Central Committee of the Communist Youth League of China—a youth mass organization operating under the aegis of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
The League, itself an extension of the Party’s apparatus, exercises full control over editorial staffing and organizational direction, consistent with broader media governance under Party structures.
Source of funding and budget
While China Youth Daily does not publicly disclose detailed financial statements, it is known to generate revenue through advertising and to benefit from significant government subsidies, typically funneled via the Youth League’s budget, a pattern observed as recently as 2023.
Editorial independence
Although the newspaper occasionally publishes relatively bold commentary, such as investigative pieces or content that hints at mild critique, it remains firmly tethered to Party messaging and objectives. Editorial autonomy is tightly constrained by the CCP’s Central Propaganda Department, which presides over media narratives across the country.
There is currently no legislation in place, nor an independent assessment or oversight mechanism, to validate the editorial independence of China Youth Daily.
August 2025