Han Yong Hong

Han Yong Hong

Associate Editor, Zaobao; Editor, Zaobao.com

Yong Hong is an associate editor of Zaobao and the editor of Zaobao.com. She joined Lianhe Zaobao as a journalist in 2000, covering theatre, music and visual arts. In 2005, she was assigned to the Beijing bureau as a correspondent, and became the chief correspondent in 2009. She received the Business China Young Achiever Award in 2011, making her the second recipient of this award, and the first journalist to receive this recognition.

Shiyu or Lion Islet, which is part of Kinmen county, one of Taiwan's offshore islands, is pictured with China's Xiamen in the background, in Kinmen, Taiwan, on 21 February 2024. (Ann Wang/Reuters)

Kinmen capsizing incident: Mainland China closer to 'administrative reunification' with Taiwan?

Lianhe Zaobao associate editor Han Yong Hong looks at the recent incident of a mainland Chinese fishing boat capsizing off Kinmen after a chase with Taiwanese coast guard, leading to the death of two fishermen. Is mainland China using the crisis to create a new baseline to Beijing’s advantage?
Singapore’s ambassador-at-large and former ambassador to the US Chan Heng Chee. (SPH Media)

Chan Heng Chee: Amid chaos, our national interest is the only constant

The future world will neither be unipolar nor bipolar but multipolar; the structure will be fragmented, and the heights of the poles will be asymmetrical. Amid the tensions and pitfalls, how does Singapore cope in an increasingly complex world? Lianhe Zaobao associate editor Han Yong Hong speaks with Singapore’s ambassador-at-large and former ambassador to the US Chan Heng Chee about the challenges the world faces.
Presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto reacts while dancing as he claims victory after unofficial vote counts during an event to watch the results of the general election in Jakarta, Indonesia, on 14 February 2024. (Kim Kyung-Hoon/Reuters)

What Prabowo’s victory could mean for Indonesia-China relations

Based on current vote counts, Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto is set to clinch the Indonesian presidency after two previous losses against incumbent President Jokowi. Observers believe that Prabowo is riding on the popularity of Jokowi and could continue on the diplomatic path of non-alignment set out by the latter. Lianhe Zaobao associate editor Han Yong Hong takes a look at what Prabowo’s victory could mean for Indonesia-China relations.
This file photo taken on 13 March 2023 shows China's President Xi Jinping speaking during the closing session of the National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. (Noel Celis/AFP)

Xi's top men: Is there a power struggle between Li Qiang and Cai Qi?

Lianhe Zaobao associate editor Han Yong Hong notes that while international media and observers are suggesting a power struggle between the Chinese Communist Party’s top ranking officials Li Qiang and Cai Qi, they are both in fact in just a “sharing the workload but not the power” relationship with General Secretary Xi Jinping.
Pedestrians cross a road in Pudong's Lujiazui Financial District in Shanghai, China, on 9 January 2024. (Qilai Shen/Bloomberg)

The first economic report card for the Li Qiang government

While the latest economic results for China seem promising, one underlying factor could suggest otherwise — the lack of confidence in the authorities’ approach in stimulating the economy. How can China boost investor confidence and improve the economic climate?
People ride past a campaign ad for William Lai Ching-te, Taiwan's vice-president and the ruling Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) presidential candidate and Justin Wu, local parliament member candidate for the ruling DPP ahead of the election in Taipei, Taiwan, on 12 January 2024. (Ann Wang/Reuters)

Taiwan presidential election: A dull but important affair

With the Taiwan presidential election nearing its climactic end, Lianhe Zaobao associate editor Han Yong Hong notes there has been nothing fresh with election rhetoric, leading to a dull affair. Nonetheless, the election carries a lot of weight given its potential impact on cross-strait and China-US relations.
William Lai Ching-te, Taiwan's vice president and the ruling Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) presidential candidate, waves to supporters at an election campaign event in Taipei, Taiwan, 3 January 2024. (Ann Wang/Reuters)

Is mainland China the only one interfering in the Taiwan elections?

While criticisms are levelled at mainland China for apparent interference in the upcoming Taiwan elections, it seems there is another less overt player — the US. Is it fair to only notice mainland China’s actions while overlooking US efforts? Meanwile, as the ruling DPP continues to use “China's interference in the elections” as a means to deal with its political opponents, this might intensify cross-strait animosity that could be hard to reverse.
Chinese President Xi Jinping walks past members of the Chinese People's Liberation Army as he arrives for a ceremony in Beijing, China, 30 September 2023. (Florence Lo/Reuters)

Beijing ramps up purge of military-industrial sector

Lianhe Zaobao associate editor Han Yong Hong notes that due to centralised power, vast resources and opaque internal operations, the risk of corruption in the Chinese military-industrial sector is high. The recent crackdown on corruption among the high-ranking officials in the People’s Liberation Army and the leadership of the military-industrial sector shows how deep-seated this issue is.
Vietnam's Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (right) and the China's President Xi Jinping (left) wave to the media during their meeting at the Government Office in Hanoi on 13 December 2023. (Nhac Nguyen/AFP)

Vietnam’s firm but flexible balancing act between China and US

Evidently caught between the two major powers, Vietnam has shown adept skill at diplomacy in recent years, along with its soft handling of China and the US, allowing Vietnam to benefit from both sides even amid geopolitical conflict. Lianhe Zaobao associate editor Han Yong Hong takes us through how Vietnam uses "bamboo diplomacy" to develop and reassure its diplomatic relations.