"There is a huge appetite for quality information on Asian business," says John Ridding

Hong Kong's media sector has added another high profile player to its ranks, with the opening of the Financial Times Asia newsroom. As John Ridding, editor and publisher of the FT's new Asia edition explains, when looking for an Asia base, Hong Kong was hard to resist.

As newsrooms go, it's hard to beat. The FT's new Asia team, which will launch its first Asian edition, enjoys stunning views over Hong Kong's bustling harbour from the city's newest and tallest skyscraper, the 88-floor IFC2 building.

"The setting is inspirational, but the view was obviously not the main reason behind our decision to set up here," says Mr Ridding. "For us, the deciding factors were communications and logistics, proximity to China, and the fact that costs have come way down."

With Hong Kong's in-town airport check-in in the basement of the new building, coupled with more than 3,000 flights a week, the FT's expanded team of reporters can also travel easily to the region, and the world's main business centres.

Equally important, Hong Kong's telecoms and communications infrastructure provide reliable links to the FT's four printing and production sites in the Asia Pacific region.

Hong Kong office links Asia to FT's global network

The Hong Kong news editing operation locks into the FT's global network - linked with the editorial centres in New York and London. And it is this global organisation that Mr Ridding feels will give the FT an edge in Asia.

"The international experience of our journalists and the fact that our business is now as big abroad as it is in the UK means we have a balanced, objective, perspective on financial and political affairs", he says.

The FT's expansion in Hong Kong and the region is a major strategic step for the group. "We have had a strong presence in Asia for a very long time," says Mr Ridding. "But our research showed there was still an unsatisfied demand for quality, global and objective coverage". 

The new team will also channel important news and commentary to the FT's other editions in the US and Europe. "There is a huge and growing appetite in the US and Europe for quality information and analysis about Asian business, particularly given the remarkable rise of China", says Mr Ridding.

FT.com, the company's award-winning website, will provide timely reports and analysis of key events while the FT's popular monthly luxury goods magazine "How to spend it" is now printed and distributed in Asia.

"Successful people want more than just business coverage," says Mr Ridding. "The brightest minds want stimulation and creativity too."

More details on the FT's Asia edition at www.ftasia.net