In 1858, Andrew Dixson became the owner of the publication, followed by James Kemp in 1863, Nicholas B. Denny in 1866, Charles A. Saint in 1867 (the year the newspapers became a daily), George Murray Bain in 1872, and by China Mail Co. in 1906.
Early versions of the journal published mainly advertising and government notices, along with featured articles.
During John Pope Hennessy's governorship of Hongkong, the China Mail adopted a hostile editorial line against him.
[3] In October 1969, the front page of the China Mail covered the prediction of a local astrologer claiming that Mao Zedong may die between November 11 and December 7.
Most of the European journalists and some of the local Chinese journalists were moved to the South China Morning Post (including Mail editor Alfred Cunningham), which owned 80% of the China Mail, or managed to obtain employment on other publications.