The AsiaNews magazine, a 32-page publication, will reflect Asian perspectives in the fast growing and most diverse region of the world. It will cover a wide range of issues from business, politics, personalities, lifestyles, sports, and social trends.

The magazine will also feature special reports focusing on topics affecting the region. These reports are especially packaged by the ANN, and tap the editorial resources and talents of its members.

The magazine will also be available on digital e-paper form via www.asianewsnet.net.

The magazine will initially be on board selected member carriers of Star Alliance, the world's largest airline group. Other sponsors include Holcim Group of Switzerland which has cement operations in almost all countries in Asia and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation.

"The ANN is a prime example of Asian cooperation which we all dream of, and we would like to thank these organisations in having the foresight to support the AsiaNews magazine," said Bangkok-based Pana Janviroj, executive director of the Asia News Network.

Since its founding in 1999, the ANN has aimed to take advantage of its resources by working on collaborations among its editors and reporters as well as the daily exchange of stories and photos to provide a comprehensive coverage on Asia.

The ANN members are The Statesman (India), The Jakarta Post, (Indonesia), Sin Chew Daily and The Star (Malaysia), The Straits Times (Singapore), The Nation (Thailand), Viet Nam News (Viet Nam), The Philippine Daily Inquirer, The Daily Star (Bangladesh), China Daily (China), Daily Yomiuri and Yomiuri Shimbun (Japan), The Korea Herald (South Korea) and The Island (Sri Lanka).

The ANN members send their personnel to the Bangkok secretariat office on a rotation basis to help maintain its website (www.asia-newsnet.net), produce the daily newsletter, publish the weekly magazine in print and e-paper forms, and facilitate the regular exchange of editorial content among its members.

The alliance enjoys a combined circulation of 14 million newspaper copies daily. Its readers are from corporate/ business, government and professional sectors, are highly educated and are middle to high income earners. The newsletter is sent to almost 20,000 subscribers daily.