Wang Xiangwei

Wang Xiangwei

Wang Xiangwei was the Post's editor-in-chief from 2012-2015. He started his 20-year career at the China Daily, before moving to the UK, where he worked at a number of news organisations, including the BBC Chinese Service. He moved to Hong Kong in 1993 and worked at the Eastern Express before joining the Post in 1996 as China business reporter. He became China editor in 2000 and deputy editor in 2007, a position he held for four years prior to being promoted to Editor-in-Chief. He has a master's degree in journalism, and a bachelor's degree in English.

Latest from Wang Xiangwei

China Briefing | Coronavirus: Xi says the tide has turned, but people deserve the truth about China’s response

While Beijing deserves kudos for its handling of the Covid-19 outbreak, a full accounting of its initial blunders will go a long way towards restoring public confidence in the government.

14 Mar 2020 - 9:30AM

While Beijing deserves kudos for its handling of the Covid-19 outbreak, a full accounting of its initial blunders will go a long way towards restoring public confidence in the government.

Coronavirus: Xi says the tide has turned, but people deserve the truth about China’s response
China Briefing | China’s coronavirus battle may be ending but its war on eating wild animals has just begun

China’s latest ban will wipe out wet markets, but they are just the tip of the iceberg. To avoid simply driving the problem underground, a whole-of-society approach is needed, for years to come.

7 Mar 2020 - 9:30AM

China’s latest ban will wipe out wet markets, but they are just the tip of the iceberg. To avoid simply driving the problem underground, a whole-of-society approach is needed, for years to come.

China’s coronavirus battle may be ending but its war on eating wild animals has just begun
China Briefing | Coronavirus: a chance for China to boost its world standing?

China and US should join hands to lead the campaign against the looming Covid-19 pandemic.

29 Feb 2020 - 9:30AM

China and US should join hands to lead the campaign against the looming Covid-19 pandemic.

Coronavirus: a chance for China to boost its world standing?
China Briefing | The coronavirus is no Chernobyl, but a wake-up call for China’s top-down autocratic rule

Comparisons to the Soviet-era meltdown are far-fetched, but there are lessons to be learned. Among them, the benefits of transparency, rule of law and a vibrant media.

1 Mar 2020 - 5:52PM

Comparisons to the Soviet-era meltdown are far-fetched, but there are lessons to be learned. Among them, the benefits of transparency, rule of law and a vibrant media.

The coronavirus is no Chernobyl, but a wake-up call for China’s top-down autocratic rule
China Briefing | Coronavirus: going ahead with China’s ‘two sessions’ as normal would be foolhardy

If China’s best case scenario is that the virus will go away by April, pressing on with the political events in March would send a message that politics is above people. Far better to delay.

15 Feb 2020 - 9:30AM

If China’s best case scenario is that the virus will go away by April, pressing on with the political events in March would send a message that politics is above people. Far better to delay.

Coronavirus: going ahead with China’s ‘two sessions’ as normal would be foolhardy
China Briefing | Coronavirus: what Xi fears most is Chinese turning on the Communist Party

It’s not just lives, health and the economy that are threatened by the deadly disease. China’s authoritarian centralised system of rule is, too

8 Feb 2020 - 9:30AM

It’s not just lives, health and the economy that are threatened by the deadly disease. China’s authoritarian centralised system of rule is, too

Coronavirus: what Xi fears most is Chinese turning on the Communist Party
China Briefing | Britain ignored the US to welcome Huawei. Can Canada do the same with 5G and Meng Wanzhou’s trial?

There are lessons from the UK for PM Justin Trudeau as Canada looks to develop its mobile phone infrastructure amid legal proceedings over Meng’s extradition.

1 Feb 2020 - 9:30AM

There are lessons from the UK for PM Justin Trudeau as Canada looks to develop its mobile phone infrastructure amid legal proceedings over Meng’s extradition.

Britain ignored the US to welcome Huawei. Can Canada do the same with 5G and Meng Wanzhou’s trial?
China Briefing | Coronavirus response highlights flaws in the way China’s bureaucracy handles a crisis

China has come a long way since the Sars outbreak but there are questions about whether it initially downplayed the crisis.

25 Jan 2020 - 9:57AM

China has come a long way since the Sars outbreak but there are questions about whether it initially downplayed the crisis.

Coronavirus response highlights flaws in the way China’s bureaucracy handles a crisis
China Briefing | Donald Trump really is Xi Jinping’s friend. The phase one US-China trade deal proves it

The US president’s pressure has helped China in a way its leaders would not want to acknowledge publicly, by strengthening the hands of its pro-reform officials.

17 Feb 2020 - 3:24PM

The US president’s pressure has helped China in a way its leaders would not want to acknowledge publicly, by strengthening the hands of its pro-reform officials.

Donald Trump really is Xi Jinping’s friend. The phase one US-China trade deal proves it
China Briefing | Beijing’s new man in Hong Kong: how the ‘odd choice’ of Luo Huining could signal a change in thinking

Former provincial party chief Luo Huining has had little experience dealing with Hong Kong, but a fresh mindset could be what the central government wanted.

17 Feb 2020 - 8:08PM

Former provincial party chief Luo Huining has had little experience dealing with Hong Kong, but a fresh mindset could be what the central government wanted.

Beijing’s new man in Hong Kong: how the ‘odd choice’ of Luo Huining could signal a change in thinking
China Briefing | Hong Kong is defiant, the Chinese economy is slowing. But Xi’s long game is for certain

The most certain thing of 2020 is uncertainty. But with Xi Jinping set to remain in power for life, one thing is assured: China’s political stability.

17 Feb 2020 - 8:47PM

The most certain thing of 2020 is uncertainty. But with Xi Jinping set to remain in power for life, one thing is assured: China’s political stability.

Hong Kong is defiant, the Chinese economy is slowing. But Xi’s long game is for certain
China Briefing | The Hong Kong protests have affected Taiwan’s election – but Beijing won’t back down

President Tsai and the DPP have taken advantage of fears of mainland influence to gain an advantage over the KMT – but Beijing will maintain its tough stance on the island.

7 Dec 2019 - 9:30AM

President Tsai and the DPP have taken advantage of fears of mainland influence to gain an advantage over the KMT – but Beijing will maintain its tough stance on the island.

The Hong Kong protests have affected Taiwan’s election – but Beijing won’t back down
China Briefing | Explosive claims of ‘Chinese spy’ Wang Liqiang seem more fiction than fact

The facts do not add up with the self-professed Chinese spy Wang Liqiang. There’s a growing consensus he’s either a low-level operative overstating his role or a scam artist.

2 Dec 2019 - 2:05PM

The facts do not add up with the self-professed Chinese spy Wang Liqiang. There’s a growing consensus he’s either a low-level operative overstating his role or a scam artist.

Explosive claims of ‘Chinese spy’ Wang Liqiang seem more fiction than fact
China Briefing | Why Beijing’s best option is to wait for Hong Kong to appeal mask ban

Beijing’s rebuke of the High Court decision raised fears it may overturn the ruling, weakening judicial independence. But any intervention would carry huge risks.

23 Nov 2019 - 10:30AM

Beijing’s rebuke of the High Court decision raised fears it may overturn the ruling, weakening judicial independence. But any intervention would carry huge risks.

Why Beijing’s best option is to wait for Hong Kong to appeal mask ban
China Briefing | From protests to riots to lone wolf attacks. What next, Hong Kong?

Don’t underestimate the depths to which adrenaline-fuelled students will plunge. Heed the words of CY Leung and beware the lone wolves at our door. 

16 Nov 2019 - 3:33PM

Don’t underestimate the depths to which adrenaline-fuelled students will plunge. Heed the words of CY Leung and beware the lone wolves at our door. 

From protests to riots to lone wolf attacks. What next, Hong Kong?
China Briefing | Open, friendly and rich. Modern China can learn from ancient Emperor Taizong

The Reign of Zhenguan was a golden period of peace and prosperity. China’s leaders should learn from this time, not just pay lip service with propaganda.

9 Nov 2019 - 9:15AM

The Reign of Zhenguan was a golden period of peace and prosperity. China’s leaders should learn from this time, not just pay lip service with propaganda.

Open, friendly and rich. Modern China can learn from ancient Emperor Taizong
China Briefing | Forget the trade war and Hong Kong. Beijing just showed everyone that Xi Jinping is more powerful now, not less

Rumours ahead of the Communist Party’s Central Committee meeting about a possible shake-up of China’s top leadership have proved off the mark

2 Nov 2019 - 9:15AM

Rumours ahead of the Communist Party’s Central Committee meeting about a possible shake-up of China’s top leadership have proved off the mark

Forget the trade war and Hong Kong. Beijing just showed everyone that Xi Jinping is more powerful now, not less
China Briefing | Why did China react so strongly to Daryl Morey’s tweet and the NBA?

The reasons for its extraordinary reaction are more nuanced than simple government orchestration. But while national outrage has reached fever pitch, this narrow-minded nationalism does not bode well for China’s image overseas.

26 Oct 2019 - 4:57PM

The reasons for its extraordinary reaction are more nuanced than simple government orchestration. But while national outrage has reached fever pitch, this narrow-minded nationalism does not bode well for China’s image overseas.

Why did China react so strongly to Daryl Morey’s tweet and the NBA?
China Briefing | Chinese leaders’ business affairs should be as clear as a US$15,000 crystal horse from Deutsche Bank

An exposé that revealed Deutsche Bank showered Chinese leaders with gifts, including a US$15,000 crystal horse, highlights the need for transparency in the business activities of Chinese leaders and their families

19 Oct 2019 - 9:32AM

An exposé that revealed Deutsche Bank showered Chinese leaders with gifts, including a US$15,000 crystal horse, highlights the need for transparency in the business activities of Chinese leaders and their families

Chinese leaders’ business affairs should be as clear as a US$15,000 crystal horse from Deutsche Bank
China Briefing | For Xi Jinping, the biggest danger to the Communist Party is itself

Nearly 40 years after Deng Xiaoping put China on the road to reform, it’s time for Beijing to make another monumental shift and embrace the rule of law

12 Oct 2019 - 9:30AM

Nearly 40 years after Deng Xiaoping put China on the road to reform, it’s time for Beijing to make another monumental shift and embrace the rule of law

For Xi Jinping, the biggest danger to the Communist Party is itself
China Briefing | With the party over, Beijing needs to see progress on Hong Kong, US trade talks

On both fronts, it might be time for Beijing to take a more flexible approach, writes Wang Xiangwei

5 Oct 2019 - 10:35AM

On both fronts, it might be time for Beijing to take a more flexible approach, writes Wang Xiangwei

With the party over, Beijing needs to see progress on Hong Kong, US trade talks
China Briefing | China’s praise for Xi Jinping on National Day will say much about his power

Xi already stands out for getting a second chance to stand atop the Tiananmen rostrum. Will he be glorified in terms once reserved for the country’s founder?

21 Sep 2019 - 9:52AM

Xi already stands out for getting a second chance to stand atop the Tiananmen rostrum. Will he be glorified in terms once reserved for the country’s founder?

China’s praise for Xi Jinping on National Day will say much about his power
China Briefing | Why soaring pork prices are a touchy problem for China’s leaders

Efforts to combat the national crisis over China’s staple food have been too little, too late. It now threatens to sour the mood for national celebrations, from the Mid-Autumn Festival to Lunar New Year.

16 Sep 2019 - 10:49AM

Efforts to combat the national crisis over China’s staple food have been too little, too late. It now threatens to sour the mood for national celebrations, from the Mid-Autumn Festival to Lunar New Year.

Why soaring pork prices are a touchy problem for China’s leaders
China Briefing | Forget Lam’s extradition U-turn, Xi’s channelling of Mao shows he’s about to get tough on Hong Kong

Any optimism that Hong Kong’s protest crisis has been defused is likely to be short-lived. Protesters may feel emboldened – and if they do, they’ve misread the mood in Beijing

7 Sep 2019 - 9:30AM

Any optimism that Hong Kong’s protest crisis has been defused is likely to be short-lived. Protesters may feel emboldened – and if they do, they’ve misread the mood in Beijing

Forget Lam’s extradition U-turn, Xi’s channelling of Mao shows he’s about to get tough on Hong Kong
China Briefing | Trump’s face-changing used to rattle China, but time is now on Beijing’s side

To Chinese observers, the US president’s rapid flip-flops on Xi Jinping and the imposition of tariffs are giving off hints of desperation – and China can afford to hunker down for a drawn-out negotiating process

31 Aug 2019 - 9:43AM

To Chinese observers, the US president’s rapid flip-flops on Xi Jinping and the imposition of tariffs are giving off hints of desperation – and China can afford to hunker down for a drawn-out negotiating process

Trump’s face-changing used to rattle China, but time is now on Beijing’s side
China Briefing | No troops, no concessions, no end in sight for Hong Kong unrest

Since Sunday’s peaceful rally of hundreds of thousands, there has been hope for a break from months of violence. But with Beijing not likely to meet the protesters’ demands or send in troops, the summer of discontent will roll on.

24 Aug 2019 - 5:10PM

Since Sunday’s peaceful rally of hundreds of thousands, there has been hope for a break from months of violence. But with Beijing not likely to meet the protesters’ demands or send in troops, the summer of discontent will roll on.

No troops, no concessions, no end in sight for Hong Kong unrest
China Briefing | Carrie Lam can defuse the Hong Kong protests by taking on the property tycoons

Political reform is slow, but there’s a swift solution to the economic inequality that has helped foment discontent. The Chief Executive can break the stranglehold of property moguls by greatly increasing land supply.

17 Aug 2019 - 5:24PM

Political reform is slow, but there’s a swift solution to the economic inequality that has helped foment discontent. The Chief Executive can break the stranglehold of property moguls by greatly increasing land supply.

Carrie Lam can defuse the Hong Kong protests by taking on the property tycoons
China Briefing | China’s solution to Trump’s trade tantrums? Treat him like a natural disaster

Last week’s decision to devalue the yuan against the dollar sent turbulence through international markets, but Washington should be aware that Beijing knows how to match Trump’s brinkmanship, writes Wang Xiangwei.

10 Aug 2019 - 11:51PM

Last week’s decision to devalue the yuan against the dollar sent turbulence through international markets, but Washington should be aware that Beijing knows how to match Trump’s brinkmanship, writes Wang Xiangwei.

China’s solution to Trump’s trade tantrums? Treat him like a natural disaster
China Briefing | Hong Kong needn’t fear the PLA, even if it is a US-China battleground

This is no Tiananmen moment – despite delusional radicals on both left and right itching for a military intervention, Beijing is likely to wait these protests out.

3 Aug 2019 - 8:05PM

This is no Tiananmen moment – despite delusional radicals on both left and right itching for a military intervention, Beijing is likely to wait these protests out.

Hong Kong needn’t fear the PLA, even if it is a US-China battleground
China Briefing | Xi Jinping’s ZTE concession to Donald Trump still haunts Chinese negotiators in US trade talks

Xi Jinping reportedly agreed to allow a compliance department chosen by the US to be embedded into the firm, but the move has only emboldened Washington.

27 Jul 2019 - 4:37PM

Xi Jinping reportedly agreed to allow a compliance department chosen by the US to be embedded into the firm, but the move has only emboldened Washington.

Xi Jinping’s ZTE concession to Donald Trump still haunts Chinese negotiators in US trade talks