[5] Simultaneously, the Shanghai United Media Group resolved that as of January 1, 2017, the Oriental Morning Post discontinued publication, with all original news reporting and opinion guidance functions being transferred to The Paper.

[6][7] In February 2025, The Paper significantly reduced its workforce, consolidating 13 editing centers into six, and terminating 20 portions of its news service along with 15 social media profiles.

[8][9] The Paper was originally given greater leeway in its reporting than other comparable organizations in China, where the government heavily censors and controls media.

In allowing relative autonomy, the government aims to foster a media organization popular with younger online users that will still follow the political line of the Chinese Communist Party.

[3][11] Certain reports garnered the attention of leaders; for instance, in November 2017, Premier Li Keqiang addressed the The Paper news regarding "children with leukemia facing a shortage of affordable domestic medications, with imported drugs exceeding 1,000 yuan per bottle," issuing directives for relevant departments to "effectively enhance the production and supply of inexpensive domestic drugs to ensure availability.