Chinatown News was the first and only English-language magazine devoted to Vancouver’s Chinatown for more than four decades. Published biweekly, it reported on community events, local affairs and civic life, offering readers a window into the evolving Chinese Canadian experience. Through its coverage of everyday life, cultural activities, and public issues, Chinatown News documented the neighbourhood’s growth and helped shape a Chinese Canadian identity that continues to resonate today.

Chinatown News, originally launched as Chinatown in September 1953, was published in Vancouver by Publicity Bureau Ltd. (Chung Hua Publishing), owned by Roy Mah. In September 1956, the magazine was renamed Chinatown News (ISSN 0009-4501), a title it retained until publication ended in 1996.

As the only English language publication focused on Chinatown issues at the time, Chinatown News addressed community identity, local affairs and issues affecting Chinese Canadians. Aimed especially at younger English speaking generations, it also reported on major Chinese communities in Toronto, Edmonton, Calgary, San Francisco, Honolulu and New York. Over four decades, the magazine documented civic participation, social life and the changing political engagement of Chinese Canadians.

Roy Quock Quon Mah (馬國冠，1918 to 2007) was a Canadian veteran, journalist and community activist. He served during World War II and encouraged Chinese Canadians to enlist as part of the broader struggle for equal rights. Through Chinatown and later Chinatown News, he promoted political participation and greater civic engagement among Chinese Canadians. In 2003, he was appointed to the Order of British Columbia in recognition of his contributions.

See here for more about the Chinatown Storytelling Centre Digital Archives. If you have a copy of Chinatown News to donate, please contact archives@chinatownfoundation.org.