China’s Alibaba is paying $266m for the South China Morning Post

The publisher of Hong Kong’s South China Morning Post says China’s Alibaba is buying the English-language newspaper for 2.06 billion Hong Kong dollars ($266 million). SCMP Group revealed the sale price Monday in a filing to the Hong Kong stock exchange. The deal was announced on Friday but no amount was given for the transaction.

The sale of the 112-year paper, which has a wide international following for its China coverage, has stirred concern that its reporting would be softened under the ownership of a Chinese company.

The deal is latest media-related acquisition for Alibaba as it diversifies beyond its core business of online shopping. The SCMP said in its filing that traditional publishing has an uncertain future and a new owner will be able to unlock greater value.