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Rebecca Choong Wilkins
For Rebecca Choong Wilkins's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Hong Kong leader John Lee (center) with lawmakers after they passed the city's new security law. Hong Kong has fast-tracked into law domestic security legislation that critics say could muzzle open economic discussion and tighten control over foreign bodies operating in the global finance hub.
BUSINESS
Mar 20, 2024
Hong Kong's new security law only deepens challenges for financial hub
While the city’s role as a financial center dwarfs that of rivals, more firms are choosing Singapore as their Asian base.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has upended Communist Party norms since consolidating power and installing a coterie of loyalists in 2022, marking a shift from the more collective decision-making that helped propel China’s economic rise.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Mar 1, 2024
Xi’s one-man rule over China’s economy is spurring unrest
While the Chinese leader attempts to put the China's economy on a more sustainable footing, he is failing to convince the nation that's a good idea.
Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Nov 9, 2023
China unlikely to launch ‘D-Day’ on Taiwan, Singapore PM says
Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong downplayed concerns, saying China isn’t "trigger happy” about taking over the island.
Shipping containers near the train station near the China–Laos border in Boten, Laos, on June 29. The Global Times, a newspaper backed by the China’s Communist Party, said the railway “connects hearts” and promotes development.
BUSINESS / Economy
Nov 7, 2023
China revamps lending to Global South as U.S. narrows spending gap
Beijing is moving away from the big bilateral deals in favor of collaborative lending that reduces its exposure to financial risk, a new report says.
Demonstrators sing the "Glory To Be Thee, Hong Kong" protest song during a flash mob in 2019.
ASIA PACIFIC
Jul 21, 2023
Hong Kong court says protest song is matter of national security
The city’s High Court on Friday heard the government’s argument for why it should be illegal to perform or broadcast Glory to Hong Kong with criminal intent.
Japan Times
WORLD
Mar 21, 2023
Taiwan leader’s plan to visit U.S. set to test Xi’s new peacemaker image
The meeting comes at a delicate time for Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is seeking to bolster his credentials as a stable geopolitical mediator
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Feb 7, 2023
China balloon saga spotlights Beijing’s global spying push
The incident highlights the escalating intelligence battle between the U.S. and China, utilizing everything from geostationary satellites and signals intercepts to old-fashioned spy craft.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Markets
Dec 8, 2022
Hong Kong and Singapore compete for green finance supremacy
The race to attract all that fresh money and trading business in Asia will take years to play out, but so far Singapore has an early edge over Hong Kong.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Dec 2, 2022
Jiang Zemin death injects uncertainty for Xi at fraught time in China
Jiang's death at the age of 96 comes days after people took to the streets to challenge virus curbs in China's most widespread protests in decades.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics / ANALYSIS
Nov 20, 2022
Europe reasserts middle path on China, pushing back on Biden
The shift in sentiment amounts to a victory for Xi on just his second foray outside of China since the pandemic began.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics / FOCUS
Oct 17, 2022
Xi looks to harness Chinese 'fighting spirit' to take on U.S.
Leader Xi Jinping used a highly anticipated speech at a twice-a-decade Communist Party congress to deliver a clear message to those who want to thwart China's rise: You will fail.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Oct 7, 2022
Wall street desire for Xi to pivot to growth faces reality check
The optimism hinges on expectations Xi will usher in a more benign investing environment after the twice-a-decade Communist Party congress in October.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Aug 19, 2022
China's Xi faces problems at home and abroad as he starts march to third term
Shortly after Xi took power, he outlined his 'Chinese Dream” for national rejuvenation. A decade later, he's entering his most challenging period yet for turning that vision into reality.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jul 20, 2022
Xi faces surprise revolt from Chinese homebuyers on mortgage boycott
Ordinary Chinese people are publicly revolting, with rapidly escalating boycotts on mortgage payments spread across at least 301 projects in about 91 cities.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Jun 30, 2022
Hong Kong has 'risen from the ashes,' China's Xi says on rare visit
This is Xi Jinping's first trip to the territory since orchestrating crackdowns on political dissent and COVID-19, which put the city's future as a financial hub at risk.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Markets
Dec 19, 2020
An epic year of market events shook China, Hong Kong and Taiwan
China, Hong Kong and Taiwan's economies were among the first to suffer from the virus pandemic. They were also home to some of the most dramatic events in global financial markets this year.

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