The Sinkie Chinese news media has been compromised by the CCP long ago. I suspect some of the Tiong 'editors' working for them are spies.
For example, in the local tabloids (now-defunct Lianhe Wanbao and Shinmin), you often have an entire backpage of trivial news from various provinces of China. You also have lengthy opinion articles praising the CCP regime, for example its economic potential or how it handles the pandemic.
Perhaps there are many Dickson Yeo types who regularly read their newspapers, and they're just playing to the gallery.