Frank Ching

Frank Ching is a Hong Kong-based writer who has covered developments in China for several decades. He opened The Wall Street Journal’s Bureau in Beijing after the U.S. and China established diplomatic relations in 1979, becoming one of the first American reporters to be based in China since 1949.

For Frank Ching's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:

Commentary / World Jun 9, 2021

China ages before it can become rich

One problem is that the Communist Party views people not as individual human beings but as tools to be manipulated to suit party policy at different times

Commentary / World May 10, 2021

Hong Kong’s fading attractions: Will the new Carrie Lam Show help?

Hong Kong is changing so much that it is quickly becoming unrecognizable. With China tightening its grip over the former British colony, it is losing much of its old attraction.

Commentary / World Apr 7, 2021

China’s Taiwan conundrum: Will use of force to unite be followed by new division?

If Taiwan doesn’t agree to be absorbed peacefully, it will be forced to do so. Beijing now feels that there is little likelihood of peaceful unification.

Commentary / World Mar 3, 2021

China says 'patriotism' in Hong Kong means loving the party

Hong Kong’s Basic Law provides that foreigners can serve as judges and up to 20% of legislators can be foreign nationals. An emphasis on patriotism puts such people in an awkward position.

Commentary / World Feb 7, 2021

Biden plays Deng’s card against Xi

Chinese officials are clearly disappointed that he doesn’t seem to be thinking of China and did not mention China during his inaugural address.

Commentary / World Jan 6, 2021

As world says good riddance to 2020, China hails its new status

China’s position in the world has been elevated as a result of the pandemic, despite criticism that its early missteps and cover-ups made possible the spread of the virus around the world.

Commentary / World Dec 23, 2020

These two jailed Canadians deserve your Christmas wishes

Hopefully, the buildup of publicity of people sending Christmas cards to the imprisoned Canadians will put moral pressure on China, causing it to abandon its practice of hostage diplomacy.

Commentary / World Dec 16, 2020

Can Hong Kong return to the situation before the national security law?

In the current political climate, it is difficult to see China reversing its current course of greater integration of Hong Kong into the mainland.

Commentary / World Nov 22, 2020

After 23 years of Chinese rule, Hong Kong is back to square one

Hong Kong's chief executive has created a path for the city's leadership to remove legislators at will, without involvement of the legislature itself or the judiciary.