Alice Su
@aliceysu.bsky.social
Covering China and Taiwan & co-hosting Drum Tower pod @TheEconomist. Former Beijing bureau chief @latimes, previously in the Middle East. alicesu@economist.com
Pinned
Alice Su
@aliceysu.bsky.social
· Nov 26
Climbers (part one): A way out of China
Drum Tower · Episode
open.spotify.com
This year I spent months reporting in Colombia, Mexico, and California, following Chinese migrants hoping to seek asylum in the US. It's a route that's become known as 走线. We made a 4-part podcast series about their journey. The first episode is free this week: open.spotify.com/episode/0vTt...
Two years ago, I heard that Taiwan's govt had unearthed surveillance files from the secret police of its authoritarian era. They were finally becoming open to the public, nearly four decades after Taiwan's democratisation. I wanted to see what was inside:
www.economist.com/1843/2025/05...
www.economist.com/1843/2025/05...
May 4, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Two years ago, I heard that Taiwan's govt had unearthed surveillance files from the secret police of its authoritarian era. They were finally becoming open to the public, nearly four decades after Taiwan's democratisation. I wanted to see what was inside:
www.economist.com/1843/2025/05...
www.economist.com/1843/2025/05...
Reposted by Alice Su
Superb and important piece from @aliceysu.bsky.social about the long and painful process of truth and reconciliation in Taiwan.
A pointed reminder about what "unification" with the People's Republic of China actually demands of the Taiwanese people.
www.economist.com/1843/2025/05...
A pointed reminder about what "unification" with the People's Republic of China actually demands of the Taiwanese people.
www.economist.com/1843/2025/05...
The terrible secrets of Taiwan’s Stasi files
Researchers have unearthed the surveillance records of Taiwan’s former dictatorship. But the revelations inside could tear society apart
www.economist.com
May 3, 2025 at 11:20 PM
Superb and important piece from @aliceysu.bsky.social about the long and painful process of truth and reconciliation in Taiwan.
A pointed reminder about what "unification" with the People's Republic of China actually demands of the Taiwanese people.
www.economist.com/1843/2025/05...
A pointed reminder about what "unification" with the People's Republic of China actually demands of the Taiwanese people.
www.economist.com/1843/2025/05...
Reposted by Alice Su
What if China & India became friends? I join @aliceysu.bsky.social on The Economist's Drum Tower podcast this week to discuss whether India & China can grow closer economically after their October border deal -- and what that might mean for Asia and the world. www.economist.com/podcasts/202...
Could China and India become friends?
Our weekly podcast on China. This week, amid geopolitical uncertainty, we examine what the thaw between the two countries could mean for the world
www.economist.com
February 26, 2025 at 5:59 AM
What if China & India became friends? I join @aliceysu.bsky.social on The Economist's Drum Tower podcast this week to discuss whether India & China can grow closer economically after their October border deal -- and what that might mean for Asia and the world. www.economist.com/podcasts/202...
Taiwan has detained a Chinese-crewed ship for investigation after another one of its undersea cables, this time connecting Taiwan to Penghu, was cut this morning. Coast guard says the ship was sailing under Togo flag but Chinese-funded, and could be a grey-zone actor
www.cna.com.tw/news/asoc/20...
www.cna.com.tw/news/asoc/20...
中資背景權宜輪涉拖斷台澎3號海纜 海巡攔查押返港偵辦[影] | 社會 | 中央社 CNA
中資背景權宜輪的多哥籍「宏泰」貨輪涉拖斷台澎第3海纜，海巡署凌晨接獲中華電信通報並派員到場，「宏」輪遭押返安平港，全案將依國安層級處理原則報台南地檢署指揮偵辦。
www.cna.com.tw
February 25, 2025 at 7:04 AM
Taiwan has detained a Chinese-crewed ship for investigation after another one of its undersea cables, this time connecting Taiwan to Penghu, was cut this morning. Coast guard says the ship was sailing under Togo flag but Chinese-funded, and could be a grey-zone actor
www.cna.com.tw/news/asoc/20...
www.cna.com.tw/news/asoc/20...
Taiwan's armed forces have a Chinese spy problem. Prosecutions for Chinese espionage have jumped fourfold in the last 4 years. 2/3 of alleged spies last year were current or retired military personnel. China is also using new tactics to recruit younger collaborators
www.economist.com/asia/2025/02...
www.economist.com/asia/2025/02...
China is infiltrating Taiwan’s armed forces
And Taiwan is struggling to deal with the growing number of spies
www.economist.com
February 7, 2025 at 8:06 AM
Taiwan's armed forces have a Chinese spy problem. Prosecutions for Chinese espionage have jumped fourfold in the last 4 years. 2/3 of alleged spies last year were current or retired military personnel. China is also using new tactics to recruit younger collaborators
www.economist.com/asia/2025/02...
www.economist.com/asia/2025/02...
Reposted by Alice Su
I'm hearing a lot from the media NGO sector about the impact of USAID cuts. A lot of small investigative media organisations across the globe are facing imminent closure as the funding they've budget for has vanished overnight, and the funder community has no capacity to absorb the shock.
February 6, 2025 at 9:46 AM
I'm hearing a lot from the media NGO sector about the impact of USAID cuts. A lot of small investigative media organisations across the globe are facing imminent closure as the funding they've budget for has vanished overnight, and the funder community has no capacity to absorb the shock.
I spent the last two days speaking w researchers and activists doing some of the most groundbreaking work on human rights in China. Many are facing pay cuts, layoffs, and total shutdown after the sudden freeze in US foreign aid
www.economist.com/china/2025/0...
www.economist.com/china/2025/0...
Cuts in American aid are crippling groups promoting rights in China
Some aid money has been very well spent
www.economist.com
February 7, 2025 at 4:17 AM
I spent the last two days speaking w researchers and activists doing some of the most groundbreaking work on human rights in China. Many are facing pay cuts, layoffs, and total shutdown after the sudden freeze in US foreign aid
www.economist.com/china/2025/0...
www.economist.com/china/2025/0...
Our latest episode of Drum Tower tackles a difficult problem for liberal democracies with Chinese diasporas - how to counter the Communist Party's influence and espionage attempts within Chinese communities without demonising and alienating Chinese people?
www.economist.com/podcasts/202...
www.economist.com/podcasts/202...
How China recruits members of its diaspora for espionage
Our weekly podcast on China. This week, how the Communist Party co-opts members of the diaspora to gather information and further China’s interests
www.economist.com
February 5, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Our latest episode of Drum Tower tackles a difficult problem for liberal democracies with Chinese diasporas - how to counter the Communist Party's influence and espionage attempts within Chinese communities without demonising and alienating Chinese people?
www.economist.com/podcasts/202...
www.economist.com/podcasts/202...
"When the US selectively applies internationally accepted rules, it undermines its credibility and loses influence.. Biden claimed to understand this, but he abandoned his own strategy at a critical time. In doing so, he paved the way for a race to the bottom."
www.foreignaffairs.com/united-state...
www.foreignaffairs.com/united-state...
How Biden Failed on Human Rights
The moral and strategic costs of abandoning an ideal.
www.foreignaffairs.com
January 20, 2025 at 3:25 AM
"When the US selectively applies internationally accepted rules, it undermines its credibility and loses influence.. Biden claimed to understand this, but he abandoned his own strategy at a critical time. In doing so, he paved the way for a race to the bottom."
www.foreignaffairs.com/united-state...
www.foreignaffairs.com/united-state...
"Our core values remain openness, humility and digital. I know some people think that digital is not a value. But I believe that digital changes everything, including grammar."
Bartleby is always excellent but this one actually made me laugh out loud www.economist.com/business/202...
Bartleby is always excellent but this one actually made me laugh out loud www.economist.com/business/202...
The year ahead: a message from the CEO
From the desk of Stew Pidd
www.economist.com
January 20, 2025 at 3:11 AM
"Our core values remain openness, humility and digital. I know some people think that digital is not a value. But I believe that digital changes everything, including grammar."
Bartleby is always excellent but this one actually made me laugh out loud www.economist.com/business/202...
Bartleby is always excellent but this one actually made me laugh out loud www.economist.com/business/202...
“Because Mr. Biden, unlike Mr. Trump, was seen for decades as a champion of an American-led global order — ‘a high priest in the church’ — his actions in particular showed that international rules ‘are hollow’.”
www.nytimes.com/2024/12/26/u...
www.nytimes.com/2024/12/26/u...
Biden and Aides Courted Allies Who Undermined U.S. Goals
The Biden administration has been caught by surprise when partners like South Korea and Israel have acted against U.S. interests and principles.
www.nytimes.com
January 6, 2025 at 6:01 AM
“Because Mr. Biden, unlike Mr. Trump, was seen for decades as a champion of an American-led global order — ‘a high priest in the church’ — his actions in particular showed that international rules ‘are hollow’.”
www.nytimes.com/2024/12/26/u...
www.nytimes.com/2024/12/26/u...
Reposted by Alice Su
Just listen to Drum Tower podcast from the @economist.com Insights like this are worth the money.
We need to learn the lesson from Hong Kong about how step by step China crackdown on the rights and freedom of the individual.
We need to learn the lesson from Hong Kong about how step by step China crackdown on the rights and freedom of the individual.
December 12, 2024 at 10:08 AM
Just listen to Drum Tower podcast from the @economist.com Insights like this are worth the money.
We need to learn the lesson from Hong Kong about how step by step China crackdown on the rights and freedom of the individual.
We need to learn the lesson from Hong Kong about how step by step China crackdown on the rights and freedom of the individual.
现在能帮助过去吗?
活人能救死人吗?
当我继续阅读时，很明显这些都是不可能的问题。通过与人类最黑暗方面的持续接触，我感到我对人类长期破碎的信念完全破碎。我几乎放弃了这本小说。然后我读到了一个年轻夜校教育工作者的日记条目。朴永俊，一个害羞、安静的青少年，参加了1980年5月光州十天的起义中形成的自治公民的“绝对社区”.. 尽管他知道士兵们将在清晨返回，但他选择留在那里。在那最后一晚，他在日记中写道：“上帝啊，为什么我必须有这样令我痛苦的良心呢？我想活下去。”
读了这些句子，我像闪电一样清楚地知道这部小说应该走哪条路，我的两个问题必须颠倒过来：
过去能帮助现在吗?
死人能救活人吗?
活人能救死人吗?
当我继续阅读时，很明显这些都是不可能的问题。通过与人类最黑暗方面的持续接触，我感到我对人类长期破碎的信念完全破碎。我几乎放弃了这本小说。然后我读到了一个年轻夜校教育工作者的日记条目。朴永俊，一个害羞、安静的青少年，参加了1980年5月光州十天的起义中形成的自治公民的“绝对社区”.. 尽管他知道士兵们将在清晨返回，但他选择留在那里。在那最后一晚，他在日记中写道：“上帝啊，为什么我必须有这样令我痛苦的良心呢？我想活下去。”
读了这些句子，我像闪电一样清楚地知道这部小说应该走哪条路，我的两个问题必须颠倒过来：
过去能帮助现在吗?
死人能救活人吗?
分享韩江获得诺贝尔文学奖后，在瑞典学院发表的演讲《光与线》的全文翻译：
mp.weixin.qq.com/s/NUnois6Yjy...
mp.weixin.qq.com/s/NUnois6Yjy...
韩江的诺贝尔文学奖演讲：光与线
人类怎么会如此暴力？
mp.weixin.qq.com
December 10, 2024 at 4:02 AM
现在能帮助过去吗?
活人能救死人吗?
当我继续阅读时，很明显这些都是不可能的问题。通过与人类最黑暗方面的持续接触，我感到我对人类长期破碎的信念完全破碎。我几乎放弃了这本小说。然后我读到了一个年轻夜校教育工作者的日记条目。朴永俊，一个害羞、安静的青少年，参加了1980年5月光州十天的起义中形成的自治公民的“绝对社区”.. 尽管他知道士兵们将在清晨返回，但他选择留在那里。在那最后一晚，他在日记中写道：“上帝啊，为什么我必须有这样令我痛苦的良心呢？我想活下去。”
读了这些句子，我像闪电一样清楚地知道这部小说应该走哪条路，我的两个问题必须颠倒过来：
过去能帮助现在吗?
死人能救活人吗?
活人能救死人吗?
当我继续阅读时，很明显这些都是不可能的问题。通过与人类最黑暗方面的持续接触，我感到我对人类长期破碎的信念完全破碎。我几乎放弃了这本小说。然后我读到了一个年轻夜校教育工作者的日记条目。朴永俊，一个害羞、安静的青少年，参加了1980年5月光州十天的起义中形成的自治公民的“绝对社区”.. 尽管他知道士兵们将在清晨返回，但他选择留在那里。在那最后一晚，他在日记中写道：“上帝啊，为什么我必须有这样令我痛苦的良心呢？我想活下去。”
读了这些句子，我像闪电一样清楚地知道这部小说应该走哪条路，我的两个问题必须颠倒过来：
过去能帮助现在吗?
死人能救活人吗?
Reposted by Alice Su
Reposted by Alice Su
Syria is the most displaced nation on Earth.
60% of its population - 14M people - forced from their homes by the regime’s brutality.
Today, a golden thread has connected cities around the world as the Syrian diaspora gather to celebrate the end of Assad.
Here’s a 🧵 of global celebrations
🟢⚪️⚫️ 👇
60% of its population - 14M people - forced from their homes by the regime’s brutality.
Today, a golden thread has connected cities around the world as the Syrian diaspora gather to celebrate the end of Assad.
Here’s a 🧵 of global celebrations
🟢⚪️⚫️ 👇
December 8, 2024 at 5:41 PM
Syria is the most displaced nation on Earth.
60% of its population - 14M people - forced from their homes by the regime’s brutality.
Today, a golden thread has connected cities around the world as the Syrian diaspora gather to celebrate the end of Assad.
Here’s a 🧵 of global celebrations
🟢⚪️⚫️ 👇
60% of its population - 14M people - forced from their homes by the regime’s brutality.
Today, a golden thread has connected cities around the world as the Syrian diaspora gather to celebrate the end of Assad.
Here’s a 🧵 of global celebrations
🟢⚪️⚫️ 👇
Crying this morning. Alf mabrook to the brave Syrians I know who have suffered so much for so long and who thought this day would never come. Courage and strength to them as they see loved ones come out of prison and dare to think of finally, really, being able to go home apnews.com/article/syri...
Syrian government appears to have fallen in stunning end to 50-year rule of Assad family
The Syrian government appeared to have fallen early Sunday in a stunning end to the 50-year rule of the Assad family after a lightning rebel offensive.
apnews.com
December 8, 2024 at 5:03 AM
Crying this morning. Alf mabrook to the brave Syrians I know who have suffered so much for so long and who thought this day would never come. Courage and strength to them as they see loved ones come out of prison and dare to think of finally, really, being able to go home apnews.com/article/syri...
Japan's military spots a Russian submarine moving near Yonaguni, the island closest to Taiwan, for the first time
apnews.com/article/japa...
apnews.com/article/japa...
Japan dispatches a plane and navy ship after spotting a Russian submarine
Japan has dispatched a surveillance plane and a navy ship after spotting a Russian submarine off the coast of a southwestern island near Taiwan.
apnews.com
December 5, 2024 at 3:58 AM
Japan's military spots a Russian submarine moving near Yonaguni, the island closest to Taiwan, for the first time
apnews.com/article/japa...
apnews.com/article/japa...
Reposted by Alice Su
Some tip-top tariff coverage by colleagues this week. First, Don Weinland on how China will resist and retaliate against US trade restrictions. One meaningful difference between today and 2018-19 is that China's trade surplus with non-US partners is far larger. www.economist.com/finance-and-...
December 4, 2024 at 8:50 AM
Some tip-top tariff coverage by colleagues this week. First, Don Weinland on how China will resist and retaliate against US trade restrictions. One meaningful difference between today and 2018-19 is that China's trade surplus with non-US partners is far larger. www.economist.com/finance-and-...
Reposted by Alice Su
While Yoon previously vowed to fight corruption and improve transparency, his presidency has been marred by abuses of power. Imposing martial law is a serious backslide of democracy in South Korea and follows a trend of a worrying chilling effect in the media since he entered office in 2022.
December 3, 2024 at 3:19 PM
While Yoon previously vowed to fight corruption and improve transparency, his presidency has been marred by abuses of power. Imposing martial law is a serious backslide of democracy in South Korea and follows a trend of a worrying chilling effect in the media since he entered office in 2022.
Reposted by Alice Su
For those wanting a stream, Yonhap Television Network has a Youtube feed. www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_Bb...
[생중계] 국회 정문 폐쇄…국회의원도 출입통제ㅣ이 시각 국회 앞 / 연합뉴스TV (YonhapnewsTV)
YouTube video by 연합뉴스TV
www.youtube.com
December 3, 2024 at 3:46 PM
For those wanting a stream, Yonhap Television Network has a Youtube feed. www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_Bb...
Reposted by Alice Su
I was preparing to pitch an op-ed on the nationwide protests calling for President Yoon's resignation, aiming to provide global context amid the limited international coverage.
Given the urgency, I’m sharing it now. I didn’t expect events to escalate this quickly. #SouthKorea #Democracy
Given the urgency, I’m sharing it now. I didn’t expect events to escalate this quickly. #SouthKorea #Democracy
South Korea Is Fighting for Democracy Again—And the World Needs to Know
Last updated December 3, 10:09 AM South Korea Is Fighting for Democracy Again—And the World Needs to Know Heesoo Jang Assistant Professor of Media Law and Ethics Journalism Department, University of...
docs.google.com
December 3, 2024 at 3:11 PM
I was preparing to pitch an op-ed on the nationwide protests calling for President Yoon's resignation, aiming to provide global context amid the limited international coverage.
Given the urgency, I’m sharing it now. I didn’t expect events to escalate this quickly. #SouthKorea #Democracy
Given the urgency, I’m sharing it now. I didn’t expect events to escalate this quickly. #SouthKorea #Democracy
Reposted by Alice Su
A Beijing court sentenced veteran Chinese state media journalist Dong Yuyu to seven years in prison for espionage, a family member told Reuters reut.rs/4fKqO27
China court sentences journalist Dong Yuyu to 7 years on spy charges, family says
A Beijing court sentenced veteran Chinese state media journalist Dong Yuyu on Friday to seven years in prison for espionage, a family member told Reuters.
reut.rs
November 29, 2024 at 3:53 AM
A Beijing court sentenced veteran Chinese state media journalist Dong Yuyu to seven years in prison for espionage, a family member told Reuters reut.rs/4fKqO27
Reposted by Alice Su
This was a great listen, and well worth your time. Full of interesting characters and questions about what a just migration policy would look like.
This year I spent months reporting in Colombia, Mexico, and California, following Chinese migrants hoping to seek asylum in the US. It's a route that's become known as 走线. We made a 4-part podcast series about their journey. The first episode is free this week: open.spotify.com/episode/0vTt...
Climbers (part one): A way out of China
Drum Tower · Episode
open.spotify.com
November 26, 2024 at 8:46 AM
This was a great listen, and well worth your time. Full of interesting characters and questions about what a just migration policy would look like.
Reposted by Alice Su
Every episode The Drum Tower puts out is gold, but Pt. 2 of this series on Chinese migrants, about challenges crossing throughMexico, is particularly salient this week.
This year I spent months reporting in Colombia, Mexico, and California, following Chinese migrants hoping to seek asylum in the US. It's a route that's become known as 走线. We made a 4-part podcast series about their journey. The first episode is free this week: open.spotify.com/episode/0vTt...
Climbers (part one): A way out of China
Drum Tower · Episode
open.spotify.com
November 27, 2024 at 3:41 PM
Every episode The Drum Tower puts out is gold, but Pt. 2 of this series on Chinese migrants, about challenges crossing throughMexico, is particularly salient this week.