From working to keep supply chains open to establishing “fast lanes” for essential travel, China and Singapore have been working together to face the tough challenges of the pandemic. Beyond pomp and pageantry, these actions are a sign of the strong ties that the two countries have forged over the last 30 years and more. In a recent interview with Lianhe Zaobao, Chinese ambassador to Singapore Hong Xiaoyong said Singapore and China have been working together this year, showing the strength of bilateral relations. And when the coronavirus is over, Singapore and China will be able to cooperate in more areas. With ASEAN becoming China’s top trading partner for the first time ever in the first half of the year, there is even greater scope for China-ASEAN cooperation.
Economy
To help businesses get back on their feet, the Wuhan municipal government recently announced that it is raising 20 billion RMB to roll out a rescue package for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). On the ground, many companies find themselves in more dire straits now than when the city was under a complete lockdown, and business owners are generally not confident of surviving the present downturn.
Society
With the Wuhan coronavirus sweeping the world, the authorities are hard put to hold to account officials who were inept and shirked their duty in one way or another. ZB journalist Lim Zhan Ting finds out more.
Economy
Despite the local government’s best efforts to create “China’s Manhattan” in Tianjin, the Yujiapu and Xiangluowan business areas in Binhai — once looked upon with much promise — have not been as successful as hoped. Lim Zhan Ting visits the developments for a firsthand look.
Society
Chinese telecom giant Huawei is facing a tide of public anger from within China, following its handling of an incident involving a former employee who was wrongly jailed for 251 days. Lim Zhan Ting explores how Huawei landed itself in this position and what it can do to recover its image.
Technology
Amidst a China-US tech war, TikTok may soon lose its foothold in the American market, thanks to expressed national security concerns.
Politics
The case of the Essex truck deaths remain inconclusive as investigations are still ongoing. Why then, did CNN jump the gun and conveniently assume the bodies were of Chinese nationality, and from there go on to associate the whole incident with the PRC’s celebration of its 70th anniversary? Correspondent Lim Zhan Ting opines that if the truth is not accurately portrayed, or if there is a loss of neutrality, the basis of any sharp questions will be shaken, and such efforts will ultimately prove to be futile.
Society
All eyes are on China’s youths born in the affluent 1990s, are they satisfied with their lives? Are they confident in their country?
Society
China’s “middle-class wannabes” live on the margins of a lower-middle class income, leading seemingly glamorous lives, but what goes on behind the scenes is a life laden with tough challenges and insecurities.