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.
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 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.
Commentary / World Nov 3, 2021
In defense of Taiwan, Biden makes a ‘slip of the tongue’
Joe Biden may intentionally be telegraphing the message to China that he fully intends to protect Taiwan with the aim of deterring a Chinese attack.
Commentary / World Oct 5, 2021
China is close to dominating the world stage
Recent global matters all see China deeply involved, even when its name isn’t mentioned.
Commentary / World Aug 4, 2021
U.S.-China talks: Salvaging a relationship
The slogan when U.S.-China relations were first restored was “Friendship first, competition second.” Now, no one speaks about friendship. It is competition first, last and in between.
Commentary / World Jul 7, 2021
China’s war against poverty may not be all that it seems
“Much of the poverty reduction in the first years after 1978 was simply a result of reversing bad Maoist policies," according to one U.N. economist.
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.