Han Yong Hong

Associate Editor, Zaobao; Editor, Zaobao.com

Yong Hong is associate editor of Zaobao and editor of Zaobao.com. She joined Lianhe Zaobao as a journalist in 2000, covering theatre, music and visual arts. In 2005, she was appointed Correspondent for the Zaobao Beijing Bureau and later become Beijing 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.

Supporters of Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen outside the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) headquarters in Taipei, January 2020. Young people played a big role in Tsai's win, and will continue to exert an influence in the future. (Tyrone Siu/REUTERS)

He who wins over the young people wins the world

Just about a week after the Taiwan presidential election, the rhetoric from both sides of the Taiwan Strait is aggressive. Will China take military action to take back Taiwan, or go with a safer approach? Zaobao associate editor Han Yong Hong examines the reasons for Tsai Ing-wen’s big win and concludes that young people will play a major role in the future.
China's goal is to eradicate poverty within 2020, including rural areas. (Tingshu Wang/REUTERS)

Only 17 people left in poverty

China’s efforts in alleviating poverty have worked well in Jiangsu, where there are apparently only 17 people left living in poverty. However, there is scepticism on the figures, as well as examples of how poverty alleviation efforts have not worked. Zaobao associate editor Han Yong Hong looks at how China can do better.
Taiwan and mainland China will have to navigate cross-strait relations in 2020. (iStock)

Cold hostility across the Taiwan Strait in 2020

The New Year speeches given by Taiwanese president Tsai Ing-wen and Chinese president Xi Jinping betrayed an atmosphere of cold hostility. Taiwan has made certain moves that have not gone down well with mainland China, seemingly with the support of the US, while the image of the CCP in Taiwan is not at its best. Han Yong Hong asks: “How will China respond?”
Hong Kong youth protesters think they can count on external support. But can they really? (Sam Yeh/AFP)

How much help should Taiwan offer Hong Kong protesters?

Young Hong Kong protesters seem to take for granted that they have the support of other countries and regions. How accurate is that perception? Veteran China affairs journalist Han Yong Hong analyses the recent war of words over the prospect of Taiwan enacting a law to help Hong Kong asylum seekers, and dishes out a dose of realism in her assessment.
TikTok has found itself mired in court cases recently. (Dado Ruvic/Reuters)

TikTok: Another victim of the China-US tech war

Veteran China affairs journalist Han Yong Hong examines recent flak TikTok has received in the US, suggesting that it reflects different approaches the US and China have towards freedom of speech and its responsibilities. Interestingly, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg is in the front rank of those criticising TikTok in the name of upholding free speech. Who has the users' interest in mind and how can Tik Tok fend off the heat?

Short-term wins and long-term losses for Hong Kong


Darker days lie ahead for Hong Kong

China and Hong Kong are very different in their understanding of “one country, two systems”. (Philip Fong/AFP)

Hong Kong: The state of statelessness

Are Hong Kongers a “stateless nation" struggling for autonomy? What are the current protests really about? How will Beijing respond? Han Yong Hong explores the deeper motivations behind the months-long protests in Hong Kong.
The Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge, a key infrastructure in the Greater Bay Area project. (Reuters)

Greater Bay Area: Ambitions, realities and the position of Hong Kong

The Greater Bay Area includes a total of 11 cities along the Lingding Channel of the Pearl River Delta. Hong Kong is one of them and occupied the lead role in this grand plan. Hong Kong is in unrest. Will Shenzhen replace Hong Kong?