Economy
Who governs food security now? Why Beijing’s answer matters most
Global food governance is increasingly dispersed across overlapping institutions and frameworks. Few countries are better positioned than China to bridge them, but whether Beijing chooses to do so remains the defining question, says researcher Genevieve Donnellon-May.
Genevieve Donnellon-May
10 Jul 2026
Society
[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
Economy
From caviar to foie gras: China’s next export shock
From caviar to foie gras, Chinese producers are entering markets long tied to European prestige. As these brands expand overseas, Lianhe Zaobao China news editor Yang Danxu explores what their success reveals about China’s growing influence in global markets.
Yang Danxu
30 Jun 2026
Culture
Salt-baked chicken and tea-smoked ham: Songyang’s unforgettable flavours
A literary trip to southern Zhejiang unlocks the sensory soul of Songyang — a paradise where ancient mountain villages blend rich cultural history with unforgettable delicacies. Writer Shen Jialu uncovers the rare, centuries-old art of tea-smoked ham and more.
Shen Jialu
26 Jun 2026
Economy
High-tech farming cannot rescue China’s smallholders
China has grand plans for innovation-driven productivity in the agricultural sector, but how will these initiatives trickle down to the regions and the large proportion of smallholder farmers? Researcher Genevieve Donnellon-May discusses the issue.
Genevieve Donnellon-May
26 Jun 2026
Economy
From HK department store heir to outback cattleman: Inside Bruce Cheung’s US$130m wagyu gamble
When he was nearing 60, Bruce Cheung stepped away from China International Duty Free Group, the company he had co-founded and built up for more than 20 years, starting a journey of self-discovery that took him along half of Australia’s coast. Lianhe Zaobao journalist Li Yaning speaks to the founder of agriculture company Pardoo Wagyu.
Li Yaning
18 Jun 2026
Society
[Big read] Why China’s viral cities rise fast and fade faster
As local governments in China bank on becoming the next viral sensation to revive local economies, experts warn that turning short-term internet hype into sustainable growth is a steep climb. Lianhe Zaobao journalist Zeng Shi tells us more.
Zeng Shi
17 Jun 2026
Society
How Peking duck went from imperial Beijing to Singapore’s kopitiams
Once a delicacy savoured at imperial banquets, Peking duck has shed its exclusivity and reinvented itself for the masses — evolving in style, price and ritual as it finds an unexpected new home in the heartlands. Lianhe Zaobao lifestyle correspondent Tang Ai Wei finds out more.
Tang Ai Wei
15 May 2026
Economy
How caviar became China’s most unexpected success story
China’s culinary tradition prized technique over luxury ingredients. Now, rising affluence and innovation are changing that — turning caviar and other premium foods into symbols of status and engines of growth. Economist Li Jingkui looks at how high-end ingredients can play a part in boosting the economy.
Li Jingkui
29 Apr 2026
Economy
China’s seed war for food security and supply chains
China is turning seeds into a strategic frontier — balancing domestic food security needs with global ambitions in agricultural supply chains, biotech dominance and the geopolitics of food production. Researcher Genevieve Donnellon-May explains.
Genevieve Donnellon-May
27 Apr 2026