Hong Kong, 11 June 2015: Last night, the Financial Times and FT Chinese were recognised in five categories at the Society of Publishers Asia (SOPA) Awards for Editorial Excellence 2015.

Shanghai correspondent Patti Waldmeir won the top award for Excellence in Opinion Writing for the third consecutive year for her work, including her Life in China feature. The judges said: “Waldmeir is a breath of fresh air – even when she is writing about toilets – in a field where people tend to take themselves much too seriously.”

Amy Kazmin and David Pilling were runners up in the opinion writing category for their commentary on India’s 2014 Election.

Two articles from FT Chinese — The Third Road Xi’s Taking by Wu Wei and The Doors He Opened and the Windows He Closed by Xiao Shu — received the Award for Excellence in Opinion Writing and the category’s honourable mention respectively.

Tom Burgis, Demetri Sevastopulo and Cynthia O’Murchu won the Award of Excellence in Investigative Reporting for their China in Africa: how Sam Pa became the middleman.

FT’s Asia editor David Pilling said: “These awards are testament to the phenomenal talent, drive and commitment of our reporters in Asia. I am hugely proud to work with a team that produces such outstanding work every day; journalism that enlightens readers with purposeful reporting and penetrating observations, carrying both human and economic significance.”