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July 12, 2025
 

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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.
Legislative Council lawmakers in Hong Kong unanimously voted in favor of a new national security law on Tuesday. The legislation introduces penalties such as life imprisonment for crimes related to treason and insurrection.
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 25, 2024
Is Hong Kong headed for a rubber-stamp legislature?
With the unanimous passing of the new national security law, Hong Kong's "patriotic" council has shown that its willingness to toe the government line.
For the first time in 16 years, Taiwan will have a minority government when Lai Ching-te of the Democratic Progressive Party is sworn in on May 20.
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 9, 2024
To Taiwan’s president-elect, here is a proposal for your consideration
For the first time in 16 years, Taiwan will have a minority government when Lai Ching-te of the Democratic Progressive Party is sworn in on May 20.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Hong Kong's new chief executive, John Lee, take part in a swearing in ceremony to inaugurate the city's new government on July 1, 2022.
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 17, 2024
Hong Kong‘s choice: National security or a global role?
Hong Kong tries to maintain its international status and economic role amid challenges posed by China's National Security Law and other political developments.
U.S. President Joe Biden greets his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, in Woodside, California, on Nov. 15 during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Dec 19, 2023
Thaw in U.S.-China ties driven by domestic issues
There were no breakthroughs in Biden-Xi summit. But since then, there has been a lowering of tension and a rare sense of stability in the relationship.
A scheduling conflict resolves the diplomatic issue of Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee's participation in the APEC forum being hosted by the United States.
COMMENTARY / World
Nov 8, 2023
Resolving Hong Kong conundrum key to U.S.-China APEC summit
Four U.S. lawmakers urged the State Department to bar Hong Kong leader John Lee, calling him a “human rights abuser.”
Taiwan has become a hot spot that is capable of precipitating a military conflict between China and the United States, and possibly even a nuclear war.
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 5, 2023
Applying Chinese wisdom to resolve the Taiwan issue
Some 70 years after the Chinese Civil war ended, do the winners of that war still think that violence is the way to achieve unification with Taiwan?
Chinese President Xi Jinping attends the China-Africa leaders’ roundtable on the closing day of the BRICS summit in Johannesburg on Aug. 24
COMMENTARY / World
Sep 7, 2023
China and doubling of BRICS size challenges the U.S.-led global order
Although China is the world’s second largest economy, it still claims to be a developing country and depicts itself as the champion of the Global South.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY
Jul 5, 2023
Can the U.S. and China halt their spiraling relations?
Janet Yellen said ahead of her China visit the two countries need to discuss their disagreements so that they don’t have misunderstandings about each other's intentions.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 8, 2023
How Hong Kong is faring three years after China’s crackdown
The Lee administration’s policy toward its critics has led many to question whether freedom of speech is still a right in Hong Kong.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
May 3, 2023
Can a China that threatens Taiwan mediate in Ukraine?
One problem with Beijing’s diplomatic efforts is its claim that it has the right to take over Taiwan because of their historical connections, which Russia cited in justifying its war.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 5, 2023
The China-U.S. relationship must be fixed
The U.S.-China relationship is the world’s most important bilateral relationship, and fixing it to the extent that it can be fixed, should be a key priority.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 8, 2023
China says it’s neutral on the Russia-Ukraine war, but is it?
Xi Jinping may see Vladimir Putin as a kindred spirit, but what does the People's Liberation Army think of the Russian military?
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 11, 2023
Hong Kong’s court of final appeal is not so final when it comes to the government
The decisions of Hong Kong's Court of Final Appeal are final for most people, but the government doesn't think those rules apply to it.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 7, 2022
China snuffs out worst protests in years as U.S. just watches
It is almost unheard of for protesters to target the country's leader, including Xi Jinping. Such actions carry a high level of personal risk and virtually no chance of success.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 7, 2022
China, Taiwan and where the KMT fits in
The opposition Kuomintang party is needed to maintain a channel of communication between Beijing and Taipei.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Aug 8, 2022
Beijing laws are the barrier to improving Hong Kong’s human rights image
To improve Hong Kong's deteriorating image, the starting point is at home, not overseas
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
May 4, 2022
An inside look at the one-horse race for Hong Kong’s chief executive post
Lee is seen by China as the right man for the job. However, the Hong Kong public hasn't had a chance to assess him.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 6, 2022
Hong Kong in 2047: What to expect over the next 25 years
Twenty-five years ago, at midnight on June 30, 1997, Britain handed over Hong Kong, its colony for 150 years, to China in return for a promise that the region would be given “a high degree of autonomy” and retain its lifestyle for the next 50 years under a “one country, two systems” formula....
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 7, 2022
Hong Kong: Where East and West no longer meet
The Hong Kong legislature's willingness to give the government a free pass means liberty is under threat.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 8, 2021
Healing Washington and Beijing’s wounded relationship
China does see a global contest with the capitalist United States on one side and socialist China on the other. And it believes that history is on its side.
Tokyo hit by torrential rainfall at rush hour
People line up at Shibuya Station in Tokyo as they try to avoid the heavy rain on Thursday.
Foreign drivers in Japan to face tougher license conversion rules from October
According to the National Police Agency, there were 75,905 people who converted their foreign driver’s license to a Japanese one in 2024, up from 48,885 in 2019.
Chinese fighters came within 30 meters of Japanese spy aircraft, Tokyo says
A Chinese JH-7 fighter jet makes an near an Air Self-Defense Force YS-11EB surveillance aircraft over the East China Sea this week in this image released Thursday.
Air India crash report to offer peek into last seconds
Members of the Indian Army's engineering arm prepare to remove the wreckage of an Air India aircraft in Ahmedabad on June 14.
What Japanese politics could look like after Upper House election
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who heads the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (center) waves to attendees as he departs after delivering a campaign speech in Yokohama on Sunday.
New IG Arena set to dial down temperature at Nagoya Basho, in a good way
With IG Arena getting glowing early reviews as the Nagoya Basho’s replacement venue, it may be a while before fans wax nostalgic about the Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium.
Once a niche, anime is now mainstream content for Netflix and other streaming services
Though Netflix remains the dominant choice globally for anime viewers, Amazon Prime Video has also invested heavily in anime, steadily adding titles to their catalogue.
NGOs condemn rise in anti-immigrant rhetoric ahead of Upper House vote
Sanseito head Sohei Kamiya holds a board that reads "Japanese First" in Tokyo on July 2. In a joint statement on Tuesday, eight human rights nongovernmental organizations described the far-right party's stance as "hate speech."
Japanese dancers find a home abroad at Houston Ballet
“Giselle” lead Yuriko Kajiya (center), performing with Connor Walsh as Albrecht, is one of six Japanese dancers at Houston Ballet.
From the Abes to the Ohtanis: How siblings shape athletic development
Olympic judoka Uta Abe (second from left) and Hifumi Abe (second from right) with their brother Yuichiro (center) and their parents. “I’m always consciously trying to be a good older brother,” Yuichiro said.

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