SBS news presenter Lee Lin Chin has announced her resignation after almost 40 years with the broadcaster.

Speaking to Ten Daily's Sandra Sully, Chin, who spent 30 of those years as a presenter, said there were several "small to medium-sized reasons" for her resignation, but would not elaborate.

"There's not one big reason, there's many small to medium-sized reasons, which for the time being I wish to keep to myself but may talk about one day," she said.

"One reason I shall reveal however is that working two days a week didn't give me enough time to devote to the pub and re-reading the complete works of Shakespeare. So now that I work zero days that issue has been addressed."

The prominent and stylish newsreader will deliver her last bulletin for SBS World News on Sunday.

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SBS released a statement calling her "one of Australia's most recognisable and respected newsreaders".

"Having spent the bulk of my professional life at SBS, this isn't by any means an easy decision. I shall be leaving a happy and satisfying role as a newsreader. My friends and colleagues for whom I have fervent respect will be deeply missed," Chin said.

Chin was born to Chinese parents in Jakarta, Indonesia, and grew up in Singapore before migrating to Australia.

She started working for SBS as a translator for Chinese-language films in 1980, and later joined SBS World News delivering weekend bulletins.

More recently, Chin was involved in comedy sketches with SBS VICELAND's The Feed, and has amassed many young admirers thanks to her humorous and playful presence on Twitter.

SBS managing director Michael Ebeid said Chin was "truly one of a kind", adding the broadcaster would "miss her colourful personality gracing our screens on the weekend".

"Lee Lin embodies everything that SBS stands for and will always be a part of the SBS family. We respect her decision to embrace new projects and wish her all the very best for the future," he said.

Chin took to Twitter in her usual tongue-in-cheek tone to clarify that she was resigning — not retiring. "Retirement", she quipped, "is death".

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She was nominated for the Gold Logie in 2016.

Anton Enus will return to presenting two bulletins a week on SBS after being successfully treated for bowel cancer.

Lee Lin Chin fans react to her resignation

Fans of Chin grieved over the news of her resignation. Chin is often characterised as a queen and boss, and there have calls over the years by fans for her to take the helm as leader of the nation.

Chef Adam Liaw, who was the winner of MasterChef Australia's second season, said Chin was an inspiration, adding that she had "been the only regular Asian face on our screens".

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A similar sentiment was expressed by writer Michelle Law, quipping: "Now there's like 10 Asian people on TV but they're all on MasterChef".

Chin's resignation followed Thursday's shock announcement of Fairfax and Nine merging together.