Society

A woman reads Lianhe Zaobao at a bus interchange in Singapore. (SPH Media)

Navigating China-US competition: A Singapore Chinese-language paper's experience

Former Zaobao editor Lim Jim Koon observes that zaobao.com was recently lumped in with “local media” of China in one of the Japanese media reports. Intentionally or not, this is one of the ways that Singapore’s leading Chinese-language newspaper has sometimes been cast as pro-China or anti-China to suit the narratives of others. As China-US tensions intensify in the new Year of the Rabbit, the paper, and perhaps Singapore too, must brace itself for labels being cast on it, and keep vigilant in staying the course and guarding its own interests.
People walk through a shopping district in Hong Kong on 22 December 2022. (Isaac Lawrence/AFP)

Is Hong Kong still a shopping paradise for mainland Chinese shoppers after the pandemic?

Lianhe Zaobao journalist Tai Hing Shing examines the reasons for the seeming initial lack of enthusiasm in travelling from mainland China to Hong Kong, including slow visa processing and changing consumer habits. Will traveller numbers pick up over the next few weeks or months?
A passenger wearing protective gear is seen at a train station in Beijing, China, on 28 December 2022. (Noel Celis/AFP)

Three years of Covid-19 exposes chronic political and social problems in China

China’s sudden opening up has taken many by surprise, and it seems that it was not just the people who were unprepared — the government itself appeared not to have planned for the aftermath of lifting all measures, leading to a shortage of medicine and vaccines, and a squeeze on healthcare resources. If anything, the three years of Covid-19 have highlighted the shortcomings of China’s political system. Chinese college student Anthony Shen shares his thoughts.
Commuters at a subway station in Shanghai, China, on 3 January 2023. (Qilai Shen/Bloomberg)

For better or worse: China's dash towards post-Covid normalcy

The ill-prepared nature of China’s opening up has led to a sudden rise in infections. While major cities such as Beijing and Shanghai have seemingly traversed this peak and are showing signs of economic recovery, China as a whole still has some ways to go, especially in addressing the people’s needs. Zaobao associate editor Han Yong Hong tells us more.
People release balloons as they gather to celebrate New Year's Eve, amid the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) outbreak, in Wuhan, Hubei province, China, 1 January 2023. (Tingshu Wang/Reuters)

Unease amid celebration: New year, old Covid worries in China

With the easing of Covid measures in China, many cities saw the return of New Year countdown celebrations, with major crowds congregating in droves. While the mood is upbeat, worries remain. Lianhe Zaobao’s China Desk looks at the people’s hopes for 2023.
Patients lie on beds in the emergency department of a hospital, amid the Covid-19 outbreak in Shanghai, China, 4 January 2023. (Reuters)

Are the Chinese facing a crisis of confidence in the government?

As the Chinese authorities ease Covid-19 controls and infections increase, hearsays about symptoms, treatments and folk remedies are widespread. Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Chen Jing looks at why people fall for these baseless rumours and remain wary of the government’s responses.
A man pushes a trolley across a street in the Kowloon district of Hong Kong on 22 November 2022. (Isaac Lawrence/AFP)

A battle for the Hong Kong narrative: Why TVB is losing support among Hong Kongers

Hong Konger Thomas Chan reflects on the decline of TVB, once an icon of Hong Kong’s success in entertainment. While business bottom lines and competition are real concerns, the tussle to tell the Hong Kong narrative is at the heart of the strong centripetal forces at work.
Commuters ride an escalator in Shanghai, China, on 20 December 2022. (Qilai Shen/Bloomberg)

How China bolted from zero Covid towards herd immunity

China has announced the long-awaited transition from zero Covid to opening up, as inbound travel measures ease and mandatory quarantines are removed. However, the process will not be easy as medical resources are short and vaccination rates among the elderly are still low. Will China be able to handle the internal and external pressures of what is to follow after opening up? Zaobao correspondent Yang Danxu tells us more.
People line up to buy antigen test kits for Covid-19, at a pharmacy in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, China, 19 December 2022. (China Daily via Reuters)

China prepares for Covid peaks in January

With the easing of Covid controls in China, many cities and provinces are seeing a sharp spike in cases. This wave is generally expected to peak in January next year, especially with the Chinese New Year travel wave. Lianhe Zaobao journalist Liu Liu takes a look at the possible direction and responses.