Abbreviation of
美国联合通讯社 (Měiguó Liánhé Tōngxùnshè, 'American United News Agency'). Founded in 1846, the AP is one of the world's oldest and largest news agencies. Same naming pattern as
路透社 (Lùtòushè, Reuters) and
法新社 (Fǎxīnshè, AFP) — agency names typically end in
社.
