Zhang Haijie
Encyclopedia
Zhang Haijie is a renowned Singapore
an television news presenter
with MediaCorp TV Channel 8
, one of two Mandarin Chinese free-to-air television channels in Singapore
. Born in Xi'an
, China
, she became a Singaporean citizen in 2003. Since 1 May 2008, she has been anchoring News Tonight (previously known as News 8 at Ten) every weekday night. Zhang has a reputation for being a highly-respected news anchor in the industry, and proves to be popular among the audience due to her distinctive clear voice and professional image she portrays in the newsroom.
Zhang is currently a part-time PhD candidate at the Nanyang Technological University
's Chinese division, researching the changing political role of the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry before Singapore's independence.
for four years before moving on to journalism.
Zhang then worked in the Shanghai Cable TV Station for one-and-a-half years as a financial-news presenter and producer. She then decided to relocate to Singapore to work abroad. One week into her initial job as a trainer, where she worked at the Television Corporation of Singapore (TCS)
(now MediaCorp
's News Department), she was asked to anchor the 1pm news bulletin instead. Zhang was then promoted and asked to anchor the 10pm news on MediaCorp TV Channel 8
.
In 2003, with SPH MediaWorks Channel U
, Zhang hosted the current-affairs programme, Inside Out, which explores various social issues in Singapore and the region. The programme was very well-received, which set the record with sky-high viewership ratings. (Inside Out, last episode) Till now, no other Chinese-language current-affairs programme has managed to break the viewership record Inside Out had set. Zhang also co-hosted radio talkshows on UFM 1003.
On 1 January 2005, following the merger with MediaCorp TV and SPH MediaWorks
, SPH MediaWorks closed down. Zhang was the only news anchor from SPH MediaWorks to be invited back to MediaCorp's News department. However, she rejected the move.
Zhang took a six-month break, travelled to places such as Egypt
and Russia
. In July 2005, she went back to studies and became a full-time PhD candidate at Nanyang Technological University
's Chinese division with her thesis on the political role of the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry
before Singapore's independence.
After three years off the air, Zhang announced on 7 January 2008, that she would return to broadcasting on MediaCorp TV Channel 8, and would assume duties as a news anchor on 15 February 2008, reporting on the 2008 Singapore Government Financial Budget.
. It was rumoured that she left MediaCorp because she was unhappy she did not win the Best News Presenter Prize in the Star Awards 2001 despite leading by a landslide victory of 70% of the audience vote according to several reports by the local media. (Straits Times, 2008) She resigned four days after the award ceremony was held.
page was set up in a bid to garner audience support for Zhang to win her long overdue Best News Presenter prize. Many netizens have also expressed support for Zhang in various online forums, as well as on MediaCorp TV Channel 8
's Chinese language News Official Facebook Page.
However, Zhang did not win the award once again in 2011. Her poor public relations
skill was thought to be a contributing factor as to why she has never won despite being widely acknowledged as one of the finer news presenters in the industry with vast experience. Zhang was once quoted as saying to reporters: "I once told my superior this - The TV station employed me all the way from China to come here to work, not to make friends."
She is unmarried and has said she does not mind going for match-making sessions to find a partner. Zhang was rumoured to be dating Creative Technology CEO Sim Wong Hoo, but she denied the rumours.
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
an television news presenter
News presenter
A news presenter is a person who presents news during a news program in the format of a television show, on the radio or the Internet.News presenters can work in a radio studio, television studio and from remote broadcasts in the field especially weather...
with MediaCorp TV Channel 8
MediaCorp TV Channel 8
MediaCorp Channel 8 is a 24-hour free-to-air Mandarin Chinese general entertainment television channel in Singapore...
, one of two Mandarin Chinese free-to-air television channels in Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
. Born in Xi'an
Xi'an
Xi'an is the capital of the Shaanxi province, and a sub-provincial city in the People's Republic of China. One of the oldest cities in China, with more than 3,100 years of history, the city was known as Chang'an before the Ming Dynasty...
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, she became a Singaporean citizen in 2003. Since 1 May 2008, she has been anchoring News Tonight (previously known as News 8 at Ten) every weekday night. Zhang has a reputation for being a highly-respected news anchor in the industry, and proves to be popular among the audience due to her distinctive clear voice and professional image she portrays in the newsroom.
Zhang is currently a part-time PhD candidate at the Nanyang Technological University
Nanyang Technological University
Nanyang Technological University is one of the two largest public universities in Singapore with the biggest campus in Singapore and the world's largest engineering college. Its lush 200-hectare Yunnan Garden campus was the Youth Olympic Village of the world's first 2010 Summer Youth Olympics in...
's Chinese division, researching the changing political role of the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry before Singapore's independence.
Career
Prior to relocating to Singapore in November 1998, Zhang graduated top of her cohort from the Communications University of China (formerly known as Beijing Broadcasting Institute) with a First Class Honours Degree in Broadcasting and Hosting （播音主持专业）. After graduation, Zhang taught at her alma materAlma mater
Alma mater , pronounced ), was used in ancient Rome as a title for various mother goddesses, especially Ceres or Cybele, and in Christianity for the Virgin Mary.-General term:...
for four years before moving on to journalism.
Zhang then worked in the Shanghai Cable TV Station for one-and-a-half years as a financial-news presenter and producer. She then decided to relocate to Singapore to work abroad. One week into her initial job as a trainer, where she worked at the Television Corporation of Singapore (TCS)
Television Corporation of Singapore
Television Corporation of Singapore was a private company that provide television broadcasting services in then monopolised media industry. TCS existed from 1 October 1994 to 11 February 2001; Singapore Broadcasting Corporation was privatised on 1 October 1994 at 00:00 am...
(now MediaCorp
MediaCorp
Media Corporation of Singapore, better known as MediaCorp, is a group of commercial media companies in Singapore, with business interests in television and radio broadcasting, interactive media, and, to a lesser extent, print publishing and film-making....
's News Department), she was asked to anchor the 1pm news bulletin instead. Zhang was then promoted and asked to anchor the 10pm news on MediaCorp TV Channel 8
MediaCorp TV Channel 8
MediaCorp Channel 8 is a 24-hour free-to-air Mandarin Chinese general entertainment television channel in Singapore...
.
In 2003, with SPH MediaWorks Channel U
SPH MediaWorks Channel U
SPH MediaWorks Channel U as called name Channel U was defunct Chinese language television channel in Singapore which began broadcasts on 6 May 2001...
, Zhang hosted the current-affairs programme, Inside Out, which explores various social issues in Singapore and the region. The programme was very well-received, which set the record with sky-high viewership ratings. (Inside Out, last episode) Till now, no other Chinese-language current-affairs programme has managed to break the viewership record Inside Out had set. Zhang also co-hosted radio talkshows on UFM 1003.
On 1 January 2005, following the merger with MediaCorp TV and SPH MediaWorks
SPH MediaWorks
SPH MediaWorks Ltd was an ephemeral free-to-air terrestrial television broadcaster in Singapore. In 6 May 2001, SPH MediaWorks brought 2 alternative free-to-air terrestrial television channels to the audience in Singapore, operating SPH MediaWorks Channel U and SPH MediaWorks Channel i.A...
, SPH MediaWorks closed down. Zhang was the only news anchor from SPH MediaWorks to be invited back to MediaCorp's News department. However, she rejected the move.
Zhang took a six-month break, travelled to places such as Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
and Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
. In July 2005, she went back to studies and became a full-time PhD candidate at Nanyang Technological University
Nanyang Technological University
Nanyang Technological University is one of the two largest public universities in Singapore with the biggest campus in Singapore and the world's largest engineering college. Its lush 200-hectare Yunnan Garden campus was the Youth Olympic Village of the world's first 2010 Summer Youth Olympics in...
's Chinese division with her thesis on the political role of the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry
The Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry is a business chamber in Singapore.-History:Established in 1906 as the General Chinese Trade Affairs Association, the SCCCI's original purpose was to look after the interests of the Chinese business community, but it has expanded its scope...
before Singapore's independence.
After three years off the air, Zhang announced on 7 January 2008, that she would return to broadcasting on MediaCorp TV Channel 8, and would assume duties as a news anchor on 15 February 2008, reporting on the 2008 Singapore Government Financial Budget.
Cross-over to SPH MediaWorks
In 2001, she resigned from MediaCorp News and crossed-over to rival TV station SPH MediaWorks Channel USPH MediaWorks Channel U
SPH MediaWorks Channel U as called name Channel U was defunct Chinese language television channel in Singapore which began broadcasts on 6 May 2001...
. It was rumoured that she left MediaCorp because she was unhappy she did not win the Best News Presenter Prize in the Star Awards 2001 despite leading by a landslide victory of 70% of the audience vote according to several reports by the local media. (Straits Times, 2008) She resigned four days after the award ceremony was held.
Missing out on Best News Presenter Award
Zhang has been nominated for the Best News Presenter every year while under MediaCorp TV's employment, but never won the award. In January 2011, an online FacebookFacebook
Facebook is a social networking service and website launched in February 2004, operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. , Facebook has more than 800 million active users. Users must register before using the site, after which they may create a personal profile, add other users as...
page was set up in a bid to garner audience support for Zhang to win her long overdue Best News Presenter prize. Many netizens have also expressed support for Zhang in various online forums, as well as on MediaCorp TV Channel 8
MediaCorp TV Channel 8
MediaCorp Channel 8 is a 24-hour free-to-air Mandarin Chinese general entertainment television channel in Singapore...
's Chinese language News Official Facebook Page.
However, Zhang did not win the award once again in 2011. Her poor public relations
Public relations
Public relations is the actions of a corporation, store, government, individual, etc., in promoting goodwill between itself and the public, the community, employees, customers, etc....
skill was thought to be a contributing factor as to why she has never won despite being widely acknowledged as one of the finer news presenters in the industry with vast experience. Zhang was once quoted as saying to reporters: "I once told my superior this - The TV station employed me all the way from China to come here to work, not to make friends."
Awards/Achievements
| Year | Organisation | Award | Nominated Work Title | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Star Awards Star Awards The Star Awards is an annual ceremony where the media organisation, Mediacorp, recognises entertainers in their employ for their outstanding performances... |
Best News / Current Affairs Presenter | News 8 at Ten | |
| 2001 | Star Awards Star Awards The Star Awards is an annual ceremony where the media organisation, Mediacorp, recognises entertainers in their employ for their outstanding performances... |
Best News / Current Affairs Presenter | News 8 at Ten | |
| 2003 | Asian Television Awards Asian Television Awards The Asian Television Awards is an appreciation to recognize and reward programming and production excellence in the Asian television industry. Held every December, the Awards draws about 1,400 entries each year from a wide range of broadcasters, including free-to-air TV stations and pay-TV... |
Best Current Affairs Presenter | Inside Out | |
| 2004 | Lianhe Zaobao Lianhe Zaobao Nanyang Sin-Chew Lianhe Zaobao , commonly abbreviated as Lianhe Zaobao , is the largest Singapore based Chinese-language newspaper with a daily circulation of about 176,000. Published by Singapore Press Holdings , it was formed on March 16, 1983 as a result of a merger between Nanyang Siang Pau and... |
Top 50 Most Popular Asian Idol | N/A | |
| 2008 | The Anniversary Gala 2008 | Most Memorable News Presenter (2000s Era) | N/A | |
| 2009 | Star Awards Star Awards The Star Awards is an annual ceremony where the media organisation, Mediacorp, recognises entertainers in their employ for their outstanding performances... |
Best News / Current Affairs Presenter | News 8 at Ten | |
| 2010 | Star Awards Star Awards The Star Awards is an annual ceremony where the media organisation, Mediacorp, recognises entertainers in their employ for their outstanding performances... |
Best News Presenter | News 8 at Ten | |
| 2011 | Star Awards Star Awards The Star Awards is an annual ceremony where the media organisation, Mediacorp, recognises entertainers in their employ for their outstanding performances... |
Best News Story | Kallang Slash | |
| 2011 | Star Awards Star Awards The Star Awards is an annual ceremony where the media organisation, Mediacorp, recognises entertainers in their employ for their outstanding performances... |
Best News Presenter | News Tonight | |
Family Life
Zhang is the youngest child of a school-principal father and an architect mother. She has two older sisters and an older brother.She is unmarried and has said she does not mind going for match-making sessions to find a partner. Zhang was rumoured to be dating Creative Technology CEO Sim Wong Hoo, but she denied the rumours.