Passengers read the new Metro Newspaper on a train on Metro Line 1 yesterday. Cen Zhili

Han Ximin

METRO commuters can update daily information by reading the Metro Newspaper, a new publication officially launched at Metro stations yesterday.

The newspaper, which is now available at 29 stations on Metro Lines 1 and 2, is the city’s first free newspaper.

A total of 50,000 copies were printed and distributed on the first day.

“Valentine’s Day is a holiday for young people and the newspaper is just like a budding rose serving the commuters,” said Huang Yanglue, president of Shenzhen Press Group, at a launch ceremony at the Window of the World Station.

Unlike other newspapers, the Metro newspaper distinguishes itself with free, fast reading and reading for enjoyment. It integrates short stories, news, fashion, consumption information, arts, culture and sports.

“It is a free cultural breakfast for commuters,” said Yang Liguang, editor-in-chief of the Shenzhen Evening News, the mother company of the newspaper.

Circulation of the 32-page newspaper will be initially set at 100,000 copies a day, gradually increasing to 200,000 copies after the opening of the extension of Metro lines 1 and 2 and line 5 at the end of June.

The newspaper is a strategic cooperation between Shenzhen Press Group and Shenzhen Metro.

“I got up at 5:30 a.m. and came from Shekou to the station (the Window of the World Station) for the first issue of the newspaper,” said Fan Fuchun, a woman in her 60s.

“It is the first newspaper I’ve had free of charge,” said Li Jianming, a passenger who has been working in the city for more than 10 years.

“I will keep the first issue of the newspaper. I think the editors can reduce some news reports and give more space to information such as recruitment, stock market, shopping discounts, movie introductions and housing-related issues,” said Li.

Metros in cities such as Beijing and Guangzhou have Metro newspapers. The Beijing Metro Corp. started the Beijing Star Daily in November 2007. Guangzhou started the Yangcheng Metro News in 2006.