Rachel Cheung - The Wire China

Articles

Hong Kong’s ‘Conscience’ Leaves the Stage

David Webb, who for years fought for fairer markets and better-run companies in Hong Kong, passed away on January 13, 2026. In tribute, we are resurfacing this article about his career, first published in May 2025.

Paul G. Clifford on How China Made it Easier to Move Things Around

The business strategist and historian of modern China talks about robots in Chinese warehouses and fixing broken links.

“A Vicious Cycle”

Squeezed by commercial and political pressures, China’s book publishers face an existential crisis.

China’s Self-driving Danger

Automakers are striving to offer ever more advanced car models, but are they taking too many risks with driver safety?

U.S.-China Drugs Tie-ups Come Under Threat

A surge in dealmaking that's helped Chinese biotech and healthcare firms sell their products globally faces several headwinds.

Beijing’s Uranium Edge

China has the upper hand in the battle for nuclear fuel but is on the hunt for more.

A Seat at Xi’s Table

A deep dive into the private companies invited to meet the Chinese leader.

The Quantum Panic

The U.S. wants to be prepared for whatever quantum technologies bring, but is it time to rightsize the threat from China?

Mark Clifford on Why Jimmy Lai’s Story Matters

The former journalist talks about writing the biography of Apple Daily’s publisher, his ongoing national security trial in Hong Kong, and hopes for a political solution.

TikTok Refugees Head for Other Chinese Apps as Ban Looms

Chinese social media app Xiaohongshu has seen a surge in American users in recent days, but the trend could prove temporary.

Developing Countries Want More Than Just Cash From China

Emerging markets are still welcoming towards Chinese capital — but increasingly on their own terms.

The Great Brew Battle

After its Nasdaq-shaking accounting scandal of 2020, Luckin Coffee has staged a legendary comeback, surpassing even Starbucks in China in terms of revenue and store count. But the bad blood between Luckin's current and ousted leadership has resulted in a near clone, Cotti Coffee, as...