The original Nanyang Siang Pau was founded by Tan Kah Kee in the Straits Settlements on 6 September 1923.

[1] During the Japanese invasion of Manchuria in 1931, Nanyang Siang Pau started Sunday publications from 20 December 1931 to report on the war.

[2] The Singapore edition of the paper has merged with Sin Chew Jit Poh on March 16, 1983, to form the current Lianhe Zaobao.

On 28 May 2001, Huaren Holdings, the investment arm of the political party MCA, bought over Nanyang Press, in a controversial transaction that led to mass boycotts of the newspaper by the Chinese community.

in 2006, Huaren Holdings disposed 21.02% of its share to Ezywood Options Sdn Bhd, a company owned by Tan Sri Tiong Hiew King.