DHAKA: A Chinese tycoon said on Monday he is serious about buying the New York Times and wants to work on ‘rebuilding its credibility and influence’ by reforming its award-winning coverage of China.

Chen Guangbiao, listed as one of China’s 400 richest people and a man known as much for his publicity stunts as his charitable giving, penned an op-ed in the state-run Global Times newspaper headlined, ‘I intend to buy The New York Times, please don’t take it as a joke’.

‘The tradition and style of The New York Times make it very difficult to have objective coverage of China,’ Chen wrote, reports daily Hurriyet.

‘If we could purchase it, its tone might turn around. Therefore I have been involved in discussing acquisition-related matters with like-minded investors.’

The New York Times has published several award-winning reports on China, including a 2012 investigation into the family wealth of then-premier Wen Jiabao that was awarded a Pulitzer Prize.

The paper’s website has been blocked ever since in China, the world’s second-biggest economy, and several of its reporters have had difficulty obtaining visas.

Chinese state media and officials often interpret overseas criticism of the ruling Communist Party as an attack on the country itself.

BDST: 1752 HRS, JAN 06, 2014
Edited by Robab Rosan, Current Affairs Editor