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David Kirton
For David Kirton's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Staff members work at a desk next to an exhibition for Shenzhen's metro carbon inclusion project, inside a subway station in Pingshan district of Shenzhen on Oct. 19.
ENVIRONMENT / Climate change / ANALYSIS
Nov 27, 2023
China turns to households in fight to slash carbon emissions
"Carbon inclusion" programs aim to help transform the world's biggest greenhouse gas emitter into a carbon-neutral country by 2060.
A worker rides a scooter past an unfinished bridge near the center of the Qianhai new district in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, China.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Nov 16, 2023
China's not-so-special economic zone embodies a harsh new reality
Qianhai is struggling to stand out among 2,500 other special zones across China.
The Huawei Technologies Co. booth at the Smart China Expo in Chongqing, China, on Monday
BUSINESS / Companies
Sep 6, 2023
Huawei's new chip breakthrough likely to trigger closer U.S. scrutiny: analysts
The most advanced chip that chipmaker SMIC had previously been known for making was 14 nanometers.
People ride a boat through a flooded road after Typhoon Doksuri in Zhuozhou, Hebei province, China, on Thursday.
ASIA PACIFIC
Aug 6, 2023
China floodwater diversions unleash wave of online anger
To protect Beijing from flooding, water is sometimes channeled to so-called 'flood storage areas' — including populated areas.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jul 12, 2023
China's Huawei poised to overcome U.S. ban with return to 5G phone market
A return to the 5G phone market would mark a victory for Huawei after almost three years of being in 'survival' mode.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Tech
Jun 20, 2023
Inside China's underground market for high-end Nvidia AI chips
U.S. export restrictions have created a de facto underground market with vendors keen not to draw scrutiny from either U.S. or Chinese authorities.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jun 19, 2023
Their parents made China the world's factory. Can the children save the family business?
Tens of thousands of young Chinese are inheriting businesses that can no longer rely on labor-intensive models that made China the world's largest exporter.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Tech
May 31, 2023
Chinese tech business owners seek residency abroad as U.S. tensions soar
Dismayed by U.S.-China trade spats and restrictions on a growing number of Chinese companies, ambitious Chinese technology entrepreneurs are taking more drastic steps to expand into the U.S.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Dec 19, 2022
'I don't trust it:' Vaccine hesitancy lingers in China even as COVID cases surge
China's overall vaccination rate is above 90%, but the rate for boosted adults drops to 57.9%, and to 42.3% for people age 80 and above.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Aug 1, 2022
Shenzhen accelerates China's driverless car dreams
The United States took an early lead in autonomous vehicle technology, but the industry appears to be changing gears in Shenzhen.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Jul 7, 2022
In China's Shenzhen, nostalgia persists for the old days of Hong Kong culture
Before Shenzhen began to be transformed in the 1980s, Hong Kong's freewheeling economy represented a consumer haven for many from the mainland.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jun 13, 2022
Fears for China's economic future in 'miracle' city Shenzhen
Shenzhen posted overall economic growth of only 2% in the first quarter of this year, the lowest-ever figure for the city, aside from the first quarter of 2020 when the coronavirus hit.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Tech
Apr 27, 2022
DJI halts Russia and Ukraine sales to prevent use of its drones in combat
Ukrainian officials and citizens have accused DJI of leaking data on the Ukrainian military to Russia — allegations the firm has called 'utterly false.'
Japan Times
OLYMPICS
Feb 15, 2022
Bobsled rivals face an uphill struggle against Germany's resources
Germany has won six out of seven available golds so far in Beijing. But along with abundant talent, the country can marshal resources that are the envy of its rivals.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Nov 29, 2021
Even in tech hub Shenzhen, China's property market succumbs to chills
The lack of turnover in the property market and the fallout on the city's real estate brokers stems in part from policy efforts by local authorities to make apartment prices more affordable.
Japan Times
WORLD / Crime & Legal
Sep 26, 2021
China welcomes Huawei executive home as Trudeau hugs Canadians freed by Beijing
Meng Wanzhou arrived in China on Saturday, ending her near three-year U.S. extradition fight, the same day two Canadians detained by Beijing for more than 1,000 days returned home.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Aug 8, 2021
In China's Silicon Valley, COVID-19 curbs pinch hardware startups
Border closures have paralyzed the movement of talent to and from Shenzhen, throwing a spanner in the rapid cycles of product development.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Mar 8, 2021
Game of drones: Chinese giant DJI hit by U.S. tensions and staff defections
DJI is one of dozens of companies caught in the crossfire of trade and diplomatic hostilities between Washington and Beijing, like Huawei and ByteDance.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Science & Health
Feb 11, 2020
Virus outbreak may be over in China by April, says doctor who battled SARS epidemic
The coronavirus outbreak is hitting a peak in China this month and may be over by April, the government's senior medical adviser said on Tuesday, in the latest assessment of an epidemic that has rattled the world.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Nov 26, 2019
China sets up Hong Kong crisis center in mainland and considers replacing chief liaison
Tightening its control over efforts to manage the upheaval in Hong Kong, the Chinese leadership has set up a crisis command center on the mainland side of the border and is considering replacing its official liaison to the restive semi-autonomous city, people familiar with the matter have said.

Longform

Later this month, author Shogo Imamura will open Honmaru, a bookstore that allows other businesses to rent its shelves. It's part of a wave of ideas Japanese booksellers are trying to compete with online spaces.
The story isn't over for Japan's bookstores