Jonathan Cheng

Jonathan Cheng

Creator
0 followers

WSJ Seoul bureau chief; covers Korea and Asia news with market implications

Trump Claims Xi Asked About US Troops Defending Taiwan
SocialMay 15, 2026

Trump Claims Xi Asked About US Troops Defending Taiwan

Trump Says China’s Xi Asked if U.S. Would Send Troops to Defend Taiwan—President Trump said he discussed Taiwan at length during his summit meeting in Beijing, and that Xi Jinping explicitly asked if the U.S. would send troops in the...

By Jonathan Cheng
US Clears Chinese Firms for Nvidia Chip, Deliveries Stalled
SocialMay 14, 2026

US Clears Chinese Firms for Nvidia Chip, Deliveries Stalled

Reuters: The U.S. has cleared around 10 Chinese firms to buy Nvidia’s second-most powerful AI chip, but no delivery has been made, three people familiar with the matter said, leaving a major deal in limbo as CEO Jensen Huang seeks...

By Jonathan Cheng
China’s J-35AE Signals Debut in Global Stealth Fighter Market
SocialMay 14, 2026

China’s J-35AE Signals Debut in Global Stealth Fighter Market

“The emergence of the J-35AE in public signals that China is moving forward with a fifth-generation fighter export market. If confirmed at scale, this would represent a notable shift in the global stealth fighter landscape.” @LyleJMorris https://t.co/YsbU3V8YUQ

By Jonathan Cheng
Trump Returns to Beijing as China Grows More Defiant
SocialMay 12, 2026

Trump Returns to Beijing as China Grows More Defiant

Trump Faces an Emboldened China in Return to Beijing—A decade after Trump’s last visit, Beijing is digging in on core issues of disagreement with the U.S., despite weaknesses at home https://t.co/Z4QKyot731 https://t.co/Z4QKyot731

By Jonathan Cheng
Trump’s Beijing Summit Likely to Address Iran Issue
SocialMay 12, 2026

Trump’s Beijing Summit Likely to Address Iran Issue

“When President Trump arrives in Beijing this week for a summit with Xi Jinping, the Iran file will likely be on the agenda—whether or not either leader wants it there.” @Lingling_Wei https://t.co/Ki2rwF4UjY https://t.co/Ki2rwF4UjY

By Jonathan Cheng
U.S. Abandons Efforts to Reform China, Plans Trade Cuts
SocialMay 12, 2026

U.S. Abandons Efforts to Reform China, Plans Trade Cuts

.@bobdavis187: “The United States has given up trying to change China’s economy through outside pressure or inducements. Instead, the U.S. accepts the state-dominated Chinese system as it is, and will…look to cut trade deals within the new framework.” https://t.co/D50COlAlzy

By Jonathan Cheng
Xi’s Power Lies in Rare Earth Monopoly
SocialMay 12, 2026

Xi’s Power Lies in Rare Earth Monopoly

.@gideonrachman in FT op-ed: “It is Xi Jinping who ‘has the cards’—to use a phrase that Trump likes. The Chinese president’s ace is his country’s near monopoly over the production of rare earths and critical minerals.” https://t.co/kdHuHoSwcP

By Jonathan Cheng
China Confident It Can Outmaneuver Trump on Key Policies
SocialMay 12, 2026

China Confident It Can Outmaneuver Trump on Key Policies

.@KennedyCSIS: “China’s leadership is genuinely confident about its ability to out-maneuver President Trump and gain the upper hand over the United States on China’s core foreign policy interests.” https://t.co/BeN9jhjaDK

By Jonathan Cheng
Kuaishou to Spin Off AI Unit, Targeting $20B Valuation
SocialMay 12, 2026

Kuaishou to Spin Off AI Unit, Targeting $20B Valuation

China’s Kuaishou Plans Spinoff of AI Unit That Could Be Valued at $20 Billion—Kuaishou aims to list Kling in Hong Kong next year, said people familiar with the matter @raffaelehuang @Tracyyyqu https://t.co/mx6fvVNZN6 https://t.co/mx6fvVNZN6

By Jonathan Cheng
China Blocks Taiwan From WHO, Taiwan Still Attends
SocialMay 12, 2026

China Blocks Taiwan From WHO, Taiwan Still Attends

Reuters: China said on Monday it would not allow Taiwan to take part in the annual assembly of the World Health Organisation, which starts next week, as Taiwan said it would send a delegation anyway for meetings outside the actual...

By Jonathan Cheng
China Pumps AI and Weapons, Economy Sputters
SocialMay 11, 2026

China Pumps AI and Weapons, Economy Sputters

Xi’s China: Dazzling Technology, Military Muscle—and an Economic Mess. Government pours money into AI, electric cars and military power, while consumer confidence sags and job market grows bleak @BrianSpegele https://t.co/oLalrSpepN https://t.co/oLalrSpepN

By Jonathan Cheng
Trump Seeks to End Iran War Before China Summit
SocialMay 11, 2026

Trump Seeks to End Iran War Before China Summit

Iran War Hangs Over China Summit—As Trump prepares to meet with Xi Jinping this week, he is eager to move on from the conflict that is hurting his domestic power and the global economy @AnnieLinskey @alexbward @GavinBade https://t.co/RZ8h2LdG17 https://t.co/RZ8h2LdG17

By Jonathan Cheng
China’s Furniture Hub Struggles Amid U.S. Tariffs
SocialMay 11, 2026

China’s Furniture Hub Struggles Amid U.S. Tariffs

The Factory Town Known as China’s Furniture Capital Is Fighting to Survive—The U.S. lost much of its furniture industry to China years ago. Now, American tariffs and overseas competition are punishing manufacturers. @hannahmiao_ @TByGraceZhu @GillSabrie https://t.co/tcjOyNuP9h

By Jonathan Cheng
Trump‑Xi Summit May Rival Nixon‑Mao 1972 Historic Meeting
SocialMay 7, 2026

Trump‑Xi Summit May Rival Nixon‑Mao 1972 Historic Meeting

.@tomfriedman: “The summit between President Trump and President Xi Jinping in Beijing next week could be the most significant encounter between American and Chinese leaders since Richard Nixon met Mao Zedong in Beijing in 1972.” https://t.co/AATXBhthnH

By Jonathan Cheng
US‑Iran Peace Talks Resume as China Hosts Diplomats
SocialMay 7, 2026

US‑Iran Peace Talks Resume as China Hosts Diplomats

The news that the U.S. and Iran are moving toward restarting peace talks came as Tehran’s foreign minister visited Beijing, throwing a spotlight on President Trump’s own coming trip to China and the pivotal role the two powers could play...

By Jonathan Cheng
UK Immigration Official Convicted for Aiding China Spies
SocialMay 7, 2026

UK Immigration Official Convicted for Aiding China Spies

U.K. Immigration Official Convicted in Landmark China Spying Case—The official was one of two men found guilty of helping China spy on dissidents in the U.K. @MaximColch https://t.co/WJNfnvXP7j https://t.co/WJNfnvXP7j

By Jonathan Cheng
NY Man on Trial for Running Secret Chinese Police Station
SocialMay 6, 2026

NY Man on Trial for Running Secret Chinese Police Station

Trial Begins for Man Accused of Operating Secret Chinese Police Station in New York—Prosecutors allege the defendant, a U.S. citizen, cooperated with Beijing to harass dissidents @jamestareddy https://t.co/s1qzAOHyr6 https://t.co/s1qzAOHyr6

By Jonathan Cheng
China Urges Iran Ceasefire, Hormuz Reopening Ahead of Xi‑Trump Summit
SocialMay 6, 2026

China Urges Iran Ceasefire, Hormuz Reopening Ahead of Xi‑Trump Summit

FT: China calls for Iran war ceasefire and Hormuz to reopen in meeting with top envoy Beijing’s foreign minister meets his Iranian counterpart days before summit between Xi Jinping and Donald Trump https://t.co/9alWj104ho

By Jonathan Cheng
Chinese Firms Bypass U.S. Sanctions, Supply Drones to Iran, Russia
SocialMay 6, 2026

Chinese Firms Bypass U.S. Sanctions, Supply Drones to Iran, Russia

China Is Still Supplying Drone Factories in Iran, Russia Despite U.S. Sanctions—Obscure Chinese companies are openly shipping dual-use goods such as engines and batteries, defying American controls @joshchin @austinramzy https://t.co/SApvFcjCD7 https://t.co/SApvFcjCD7

By Jonathan Cheng
Reporter Tests BYD’s High‑Tech Electric Ride‑Hailing
SocialMay 5, 2026

Reporter Tests BYD’s High‑Tech Electric Ride‑Hailing

.@Kubota_Yoko: “It was one of my first times riding in a new BYD electric car, and as a…reporter, I was excited. China’s BYD was the talk of the car world, and the ride-hailing vehicle I was in had buzzy features,...

By Jonathan Cheng
Iran's FM Visits Beijing Before Trump's China Trip
SocialMay 5, 2026

Iran's FM Visits Beijing Before Trump's China Trip

Iran Foreign Minister Headed to Beijing Ahead of Trump China Visit—Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is headed to Beijing for talks, days ahead of President Trump’s visit this month to meet his counterpart Xi Jinping in China. @laurnorman https://t.co/d35F5NJWz7

By Jonathan Cheng
China Deploys Blocking Rule to Counter U.S. Sanctions
SocialMay 5, 2026

China Deploys Blocking Rule to Counter U.S. Sanctions

China Steps Up U.S. Sanctions Fight, Defying Blacklisting Over Iranian Oil—Beijing’s first-time use of ‘blocking rule’ comes ahead of expected Trump-Xi summit @hannahmiao_ https://t.co/1ePNqIE1df https://t.co/1ePNqIE1df

By Jonathan Cheng
Seven Pacific Allies Conduct Massive Joint Drill, Challenging China
SocialMay 4, 2026

Seven Pacific Allies Conduct Massive Joint Drill, Challenging China

America’s Pacific Allies Train to Face Down China Together—Seven nations, 17,000 personnel participate in Philippines exercise that has angered Beijing @Mike_Cherney https://t.co/xpp5GeRw7G https://t.co/xpp5GeRw7G

By Jonathan Cheng
U.S. Faces Tough Road Challenging China’s Drone Dominance
SocialMay 3, 2026

U.S. Faces Tough Road Challenging China’s Drone Dominance

The U.S. Wants to Break China’s Drone Dominance. Here’s Where It Will Struggle.—A part-by-part breakdown of a typical first-person-view drone shows the strength of China’s stranglehold @joshchin https://t.co/YvlkeFWcuv https://t.co/YvlkeFWcuv

By Jonathan Cheng
China's 'Teapot' Refineries Aid Iran Amid U.S. Pressure
SocialMay 2, 2026

China's 'Teapot' Refineries Aid Iran Amid U.S. Pressure

China’s ‘Teapot’ Refiners, Targeted by U.S., Offer Financial Lifeline to Iran—Sector that once rebelled against Beijing grows into a critical tool for working around sanctions @BrianSpegele https://t.co/kjTCM9IgX4 https://t.co/kjTCM9IgX4

By Jonathan Cheng
Iran Conflict Reveals US Firepower Limits to Rivals
SocialMay 2, 2026

Iran Conflict Reveals US Firepower Limits to Rivals

Iran War Gives U.S.’s Rivals a Real-Time Look at Its Firepower—Adversaries have watched the U.S. burn through missile stockpiles, seen new tech in action and witnessed what cheap weapons can do to a stronger foe @timothywmartin @tggrove @ByChunHan https://t.co/u1iHjjA18i

By Jonathan Cheng
Zambia Aided Chinese Miner in Pollution Cover‑up, Owes $6.6B
SocialMay 1, 2026

Zambia Aided Chinese Miner in Pollution Cover‑up, Owes $6.6B

Zambia Helped Chinese Miner Cover Up Pollution Disaster, House Committee Finds—Zambia is relying on China to grow its copper-mining industry and owes Beijing $6.6 billion @Nicholasbariyo https://t.co/bWIwsk3urK https://t.co/bWIwsk3urK

By Jonathan Cheng
China Threatens EU over “Buy European” And Cyber Rules
SocialApr 29, 2026

China Threatens EU over “Buy European” And Cyber Rules

China to EU: We’re going to need you to make substantial changes to your proposed “Buy European” and cybersecurity rules, or else face the consequences. https://t.co/gGBr0Rq5nh

By Jonathan Cheng
China Bans Meta-Manus Deal, Highlighting US‑China Business Strain
SocialApr 28, 2026

China Bans Meta-Manus Deal, Highlighting US‑China Business Strain

China’s Ban on Meta-Manus Deal Shows Strains in U.S.-China Business Ties—National-security concerns are increasingly weighing on commercial ties @hannahmiao_ https://t.co/8u5gYXWhtZ https://t.co/8u5gYXWhtZ

By Jonathan Cheng
Assuming North Korea Will Disarm Threatens U.S. Security
SocialApr 28, 2026

Assuming North Korea Will Disarm Threatens U.S. Security

.@VictorDCha in Foreign Affairs: “The world would be…safer…if N. Korea shed its nuclear weapons. But getting it to give up its arsenal is simply not within reach any time soon, and proceeding as if it were would be detrimental to...

By Jonathan Cheng
Five Chinese EVs Cost as Much as One US Car
SocialApr 28, 2026

Five Chinese EVs Cost as Much as One US Car

Reuters: “For the average price of a car in the US, you could buy 5 new Chinese EVs” https://t.co/QabZJ2BjnR

By Jonathan Cheng
Kim Jong Un: Masterful Regional Player with Multiple Leverage Cards
SocialApr 27, 2026

Kim Jong Un: Masterful Regional Player with Multiple Leverage Cards

.@junghpak1 in Foreign Affairs: “N. Korea…holds quite a few cards. Kim has proved himself to be a skillful regional player and, like his father and grandfather…has honed the craft of juggling, flattering, threatening, and frustrating his…neighbors.” https://t.co/bQvlKf70Na

By Jonathan Cheng
China's Q1 Industrial Profits Jump 15.8% YoY
SocialApr 27, 2026

China's Q1 Industrial Profits Jump 15.8% YoY

China’s Industrial Profit Growth Accelerated in First Quarter—Industrial profit rose 15.8% last month compared with a year ago https://t.co/YnrxoHrbM7 https://t.co/YnrxoHrbM7

By Jonathan Cheng
Apple's Success Tied to China Manufacturing Consolidation
SocialApr 26, 2026

Apple's Success Tied to China Manufacturing Consolidation

.@PatrickMcGee_ in NYT op-ed: “When one considers his role in the sweep of American history, his legacy grows more complicated, for much of Apple’s success is due to his move to consolidate virtually all of his company’s manufacturing in China.” https://t.co/2GsN2QBBL7

By Jonathan Cheng
Most Viral Clips Powered by Chinese AI Tools
SocialApr 26, 2026

Most Viral Clips Powered by Chinese AI Tools

That Video on Your Phone Might Be Made-in-China AI—From short clips to Hollywood, creators lean on AI programs, many of them Chinese @raffaelehuang https://t.co/oAC8UaLZZn https://t.co/oAC8UaLZZn

By Jonathan Cheng
Chinese Families Spotlight New Harare Suburb Development
SocialApr 26, 2026

Chinese Families Spotlight New Harare Suburb Development

Bloomberg: “On the main road through the affluent suburb of Highlands in Zimbabwe’s capital, Harare, a billboard displays a beaming young Chinese family standing outside a newly built house…‘Harare is a beautiful city. This is the place to be.’” https://t.co/7hWpwV2fLM

By Jonathan Cheng
China's Solar Exports Could Brighten Africa's Underused Sunlight
SocialApr 26, 2026

China's Solar Exports Could Brighten Africa's Underused Sunlight

“Africa is the sunniest continent on the planet. But despite its abundance of natural light it generates less than five percent of its electricity from solar energy. China’s surging exports of solar panels could change that.” @economicsnoah https://t.co/iEIden3G7Z

By Jonathan Cheng
Robot Race Improves: 47 Teams Finish This Year
SocialApr 26, 2026

Robot Race Improves: 47 Teams Finish This Year

“A year ago, the same race looked like a blooper reel. Most robots could not finish. The champion needed 2 hours and 40 minutes for a distance that elite human runners cover in under an hour. This year, 47 of...

By Jonathan Cheng
China Bars Firing Workers Replaced by AI
SocialApr 26, 2026

China Bars Firing Workers Replaced by AI

“Beijing’s government published a ruling that firms could not fire employees replaced by AI. Doing so…was akin to ‘offloading’ risks from technological change onto workers, whom firms ‘enjoying the benefits of AI’ had a duty to protect.” https://t.co/v6ER57UJ8X

By Jonathan Cheng
China's Fertility Decline Predated, OCP Intensified Coercive Measures
SocialApr 26, 2026

China's Fertility Decline Predated, OCP Intensified Coercive Measures

“Fertility in China was already falling sharply before the One-Child Policy…The OCP accelerated and institutionalized a trend…already underway, but it also added enormous coercive machinery on top of it, including forced sterilizations and abortions.” https://t.co/eeyX4ZGmwq

By Jonathan Cheng
Hard Work No Longer Guarantees Rising Salaries, Says Anthropologist
SocialApr 26, 2026

Hard Work No Longer Guarantees Rising Salaries, Says Anthropologist

Anthropologist Xiang Biao to @61LiuYi: “People feel there are no opportunities. Before, if you worked hard, your salary actually went up—you felt recognized, your value was affirmed. Now you work hard and your salary doesn’t budge. You can’t find work.” https://t.co/JzD0scImLO

By Jonathan Cheng
China Shifts From Goods to Knowledge-Intensive Service Exports
SocialApr 26, 2026

China Shifts From Goods to Knowledge-Intensive Service Exports

FT op-ed: “No nation in the world exports as much merchandise as China. But having conquered global trade in goods, it is now rapidly moving up the international ranks as a leading exporter of knowledge-intensive services.” https://t.co/1hEm7NN3Bm

By Jonathan Cheng
Global Demand, Not US, Drives China's Export Surge
SocialApr 26, 2026

Global Demand, Not US, Drives China's Export Surge

“Chinese exports are finding genuine new markets, not just new routes to America…Clearly the rest of the world wanted more Chinese items, too. American demand cannot explain away the bulk of China’s export boom over the past year.” https://t.co/HIZ20v7gcn

By Jonathan Cheng
China's Critical Sectors Run Vulnerable Software, Lack Oversight
SocialApr 26, 2026

China's Critical Sectors Run Vulnerable Software, Lack Oversight

NYT: “Inside China, researchers and the broader A.I. community have been watching…The country’s banks, energy companies and government agencies run on the same software in which Mythos found vulnerabilities—but for now, they have no seat at the table.” https://t.co/45lu2SGkPE

By Jonathan Cheng
AI Startup Crackdown Drives Talent to Export Ideas Early
SocialApr 26, 2026

AI Startup Crackdown Drives Talent to Export Ideas Early

“For young innovators in AI, the crackdown on Manus is chilling. If they are unable to sell to foreigners, they will never get full value. That will only give them more incentive to take ideas abroad early on.” @S_Rabinovitch https://t.co/9zfMV0ZCb0

By Jonathan Cheng
Managed Trade Is All Washington Can Expect From China
SocialApr 25, 2026

Managed Trade Is All Washington Can Expect From China

Jamieson Greer, the US trade representative, said managed trade was the best Washington could hope for given that Chinese leaders were “not going to put their hand on Mao’s Little Red Book and swear that, ‘We’re not going to be...

By Jonathan Cheng
U.S. Neglect Risks Ceding Global Leadership to China
SocialApr 25, 2026

U.S. Neglect Risks Ceding Global Leadership to China

.@FareedZakaria in WaPo: “If the U.S. continues to squander its global influence, one day Beijing might well decide that, after all, it does want to take on the mantle of the world’s leading power. And at that point, it will...

By Jonathan Cheng
Gucci's China Push Was Cheap Growth, Not Authenticity
SocialApr 25, 2026

Gucci's China Push Was Cheap Growth, Not Authenticity

Luca de Meo, CEO of Gucci parent Kering: “Gucci in China has been used as a—can I use a very strong expression—a ​bit of a trash bin, or a place where they were looking for easy growth…People are very discerning...not...

By Jonathan Cheng
Yuan Emerges as Safe Haven Amid Dollar Uncertainty
SocialApr 25, 2026

Yuan Emerges as Safe Haven Amid Dollar Uncertainty

“Xi Jinping…said the country must have a ‘powerful’ currency. The yuan is still far from that. But it is becoming something else: a source of comfort for countries and firms disconcerted by America’s haphazard stewardship of the truly powerful dollar.” https://t.co/cZJuG30DSV

By Jonathan Cheng