Articles by Zhang Guanghui

From food to official scandals: Chinese we-media expose what state media doesn’t

Independent online investigators in China increasingly expose official misconduct and food safety scandals, areas where mainstream media falls short. Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Zhang Guanghui explores their rising influence, risks and motives.

Zhang Guanghui

26 Oct 2026

Why putting Chinese officials on speed dial won’t solve grassroots grievances

Chinese grassroots officials are handing out their mobile numbers for greater accessibility, but critics warn that the practice is little more than a fleeting PR stunt. Lianhe Zaobao journalist Zhang Guanghui finds out more.

Zhang Guanghui

01 Oct 2026

[Big read] The deadly climate blind spots fracturing China’s illusion of control

Extreme weather in China is growing more frequent and destructive, exposing weaknesses in how vital information travels to the top and the public. Can warnings and the truth arrive in time? Lianhe Zaobao journalist Zhang Guanghui finds out.

Zhang Guanghui

23 Sep 2026

Warm tea and brainwashing: Why Singaporeans fall for China’s 1040 scam

Despite years of police crackdowns, the “1040 Sunshine Project” continues to thrive in new and increasingly covert forms, luring victims with promises of enormous returns and claims of secret state backing. Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Zhang Guanghui dives into the issue.

Zhang Guanghui

07 Sep 2026

China’s underground market for anti-corruption leaks

Self-media accounts by insiders have turned anti-corruption leaks into a profit-making industry, prompting a nationwide push to curb a new form of political information leakage. Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Zhang Guanghui finds out more.

Zhang Guanghui

24 Jul 2026

[Big read] Too ‘cool’ to resist: China’s soft power captivates Taiwan’s youth

From TikTok trends to Chinese apps and pop culture, Beijing’s soft power is gaining traction among young Taiwanese, raising fresh questions over identity, influence and cross-strait competition. Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Lai Oi Lai and journalist Zhang Guanghui find out more.

Lai Oi Lai, Zhang Guanghui

01 Jul 2026

China’s political debate finds a new home on YouTube

China’s political debate finds a new home on YouTube, where overseas-based commentators build a parallel public sphere still widely accessed in China via VPN, even as some voices remain on the ground. Lianhe Zaobao journalist Zhang Guanghui explores the shift.

Zhang Guanghui

12 May 2026

[Big read] China’s rural officials are performing for attention online, with Xi’s blessing

China’s village officials are turning to livestreams, dances and short-form videos to sell rural products and boost local economies, citing President Xi Jinping’s emphasis on e-commerce to justify the shift, though it sits uneasily with expectations that officials keep a low profile. Lianhe Zaobao journalist Zhang Guanghui reports.

Zhang Guanghui

24 Apr 2026

[Big read] The rise and fall of China’s independent bookstores

Built by idealists and sustained by belief, independent bookstores became places to gather and breathe in China. As the tide turns, their owners face the hardest question: how long to keep the lights on. Lianhe Zaobao journalist Zhang Guanghui speaks to academics and those in the industry to find out more.

Zhang Guanghui

19 Jan 2026

Chinese public questions transparency over delays in deadly accident reports

Delayed official reports of public safety incidents have stirred up public discord. Is the lack of regulations in the timely release of public information an attempt to sweep things under the rug and cover up incidents? Lianhe Zaobao journalist Zhang Guanghui takes a look at the matter.

Zhang Guanghui

03 Dec 2025

Censored but unstoppable: How male desire and grievances go viral in China

Chinese authorities have set out another campaign to stamp out online negativity, now with the men from the lower rungs of society its target. Lianhe Zaobao journalist Zhang Guanghui takes a look at why talk of “Android”, “Apple”, “sexual repression” and “ligong (力工) show hand” has come under the authorities’ cross hairs.

Zhang Guanghui

06 Nov 2025

How Trump sparked China’s new vodcast fever

After years of short video domination, Chinese platforms like Douyin and Bilibili are betting on vodcasts as the next frontier — transforming the “ear economy” into a visual revolution inspired, in part, by Trump. Lianhe Zaobao journalist Zhang Guanghui takes a look at the phenomenal growth of this new form of content in China.

Zhang Guanghui

24 Oct 2025