Clement Tan 陳永強
@clemtan.bsky.social
Assistant Foreign Editor, The Straits Times
All things political economy. Now in Singapore, via Beijing, Hong Kong, DC and NYC. Former Reuters, Bloomberg reporter. Always trying to write a book.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/clemtan
All things political economy. Now in Singapore, via Beijing, Hong Kong, DC and NYC. Former Reuters, Bloomberg reporter. Always trying to write a book.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/clemtan
Reposted by Clement Tan 陳永強
When Tan Shzr Ee came to the UK in the 1990s, she faced racism for the 1st time, 'so quirkily delivered I didn’t clock it as racism.' On Sept. 14, 'a giggling chorus of youths' overtook her on the A30, their SUV window wound down, to shout: Ching-chong hee-haw! www.straitstimes.com/world/europe...
In race-shifting London, is it just a matter of time before there’s no love lost?
With rising xenophobia, the writer ponders a return to the safe familiarity - and responsibilities - of S'pore. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.
www.straitstimes.com
November 23, 2025 at 7:52 AM
When Tan Shzr Ee came to the UK in the 1990s, she faced racism for the 1st time, 'so quirkily delivered I didn’t clock it as racism.' On Sept. 14, 'a giggling chorus of youths' overtook her on the A30, their SUV window wound down, to shout: Ching-chong hee-haw! www.straitstimes.com/world/europe...
Reposted by Clement Tan 陳永強
5 headlines tonight on Charlotte Observer’s homepage:
“Manolo's Bakery closes to protect customers”
“Church members flee as federal agents arrive”
“Super G executive describes agents dragging out teen employee”
“Border Patrol questions people at Walmart”
“Border Patrol sweep sparks fear”
“Manolo's Bakery closes to protect customers”
“Church members flee as federal agents arrive”
“Super G executive describes agents dragging out teen employee”
“Border Patrol questions people at Walmart”
“Border Patrol sweep sparks fear”
November 16, 2025 at 4:25 AM
5 headlines tonight on Charlotte Observer’s homepage:
“Manolo's Bakery closes to protect customers”
“Church members flee as federal agents arrive”
“Super G executive describes agents dragging out teen employee”
“Border Patrol questions people at Walmart”
“Border Patrol sweep sparks fear”
“Manolo's Bakery closes to protect customers”
“Church members flee as federal agents arrive”
“Super G executive describes agents dragging out teen employee”
“Border Patrol questions people at Walmart”
“Border Patrol sweep sparks fear”
Reposted by Clement Tan 陳永強
According to @Reuters, #Germany's trade deficit with #China has reached USD100b. German exports to China are experiencing negative double-digit growth. For a country with a structural trade surplus, this is something I would really focus on if I were a #German policy maker
November 16, 2025 at 5:29 AM
According to @Reuters, #Germany's trade deficit with #China has reached USD100b. German exports to China are experiencing negative double-digit growth. For a country with a structural trade surplus, this is something I would really focus on if I were a #German policy maker
ST regional reporter Philip Wen travelled the length of the Chinese-built high speed rail in Laos for this story on China's growing footprint in this landlocked Asean nation. Locals are ambivalent as potholed roads sit alongside the gleaming infrastructure.
www.straitstimes.com/multimedia/g...
www.straitstimes.com/multimedia/g...
Chinese trains, tourists and money are flooding Laos. Laotians wonder if it makes sense
Chinese investments like the Yunnan-Vientiane rail transformed Laos but created debt, leaving locals questioning their future.
www.straitstimes.com
November 16, 2025 at 5:30 AM
ST regional reporter Philip Wen travelled the length of the Chinese-built high speed rail in Laos for this story on China's growing footprint in this landlocked Asean nation. Locals are ambivalent as potholed roads sit alongside the gleaming infrastructure.
www.straitstimes.com/multimedia/g...
www.straitstimes.com/multimedia/g...
Reposted by Clement Tan 陳永強
This week I wrote about the rise of the e-bike dad - this piece was originally going to run alongside the story I did in September about the bike boom in general, and we didn't have space in print, but here it is:
www.economist.com/united-state...
www.economist.com/united-state...
Parents on e-bikes are transforming the school run
They’re smug, snug and often faster than drivers
www.economist.com
November 13, 2025 at 2:34 PM
This week I wrote about the rise of the e-bike dad - this piece was originally going to run alongside the story I did in September about the bike boom in general, and we didn't have space in print, but here it is:
www.economist.com/united-state...
www.economist.com/united-state...
Reposted by Clement Tan 陳永強
Delighted to share a new @carnegieendowment.org report on China’s Foreign Police Training: A Global Footprint. Over 50 entities in China have provided training to at least 138 countries, forming a major pillar of Beijing’s drive to reshape global security:
carnegieendowment.org/research/202...
carnegieendowment.org/research/202...
China’s Foreign Police Training: A Global Footprint
New data reveal how China’s foreign police training programs have become an integral part of Beijing’s strategy to remake global security.
carnegieendowment.org
November 13, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Delighted to share a new @carnegieendowment.org report on China’s Foreign Police Training: A Global Footprint. Over 50 entities in China have provided training to at least 138 countries, forming a major pillar of Beijing’s drive to reshape global security:
carnegieendowment.org/research/202...
carnegieendowment.org/research/202...
Reposted by Clement Tan 陳永強
A few years ago, Hongkonger youths took to the streets to demand democratic reforms. This was a picture of Chinese University in 2019 (Citizen news, HKFP)
Ever wondered what drove a whole generation of youths to risk their lives to protest?
Ever wondered what drove a whole generation of youths to risk their lives to protest?
November 13, 2025 at 1:01 PM
A few years ago, Hongkonger youths took to the streets to demand democratic reforms. This was a picture of Chinese University in 2019 (Citizen news, HKFP)
Ever wondered what drove a whole generation of youths to risk their lives to protest?
Ever wondered what drove a whole generation of youths to risk their lives to protest?
Reposted by Clement Tan 陳永強
You probably saw videos of a nighttime raid in Chicago. Agents rappelling from a helicopter, bursting down doors, questioning brown-skinned immigrants.
We investigated -- and found little evidence to support the government’s claims about Tren de Aragua.
www.propublica.org/article/chic...
We investigated -- and found little evidence to support the government’s claims about Tren de Aragua.
www.propublica.org/article/chic...
“I Lost Everything”: Venezuelans Were Rounded Up in a Dramatic Midnight Raid but Never Charged With a Crime
Authorities said Tren de Aragua “terrorists” had taken over the building. A ProPublica investigation found little evidence to back up the government’s claims. For the first time, the Venezuelans arres...
www.propublica.org
November 13, 2025 at 1:28 PM
You probably saw videos of a nighttime raid in Chicago. Agents rappelling from a helicopter, bursting down doors, questioning brown-skinned immigrants.
We investigated -- and found little evidence to support the government’s claims about Tren de Aragua.
www.propublica.org/article/chic...
We investigated -- and found little evidence to support the government’s claims about Tren de Aragua.
www.propublica.org/article/chic...
Reposted by Clement Tan 陳永強
Horrific reporting from the AP on the Myanmar families watching their kids starve to death from Trump and Musk’s aid cuts apnews.com/article/myan...
Starving children screaming for food as US aid cuts unleash devastation and death across Myanmar
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has repeatedly said “no one has died" because of his government’s decision to gut its foreign aid program.
apnews.com
October 8, 2025 at 10:41 AM
Horrific reporting from the AP on the Myanmar families watching their kids starve to death from Trump and Musk’s aid cuts apnews.com/article/myan...
What was well known Indian opposition politician and author Dr Shashi Tharoor doing on Russian state TV’s India programming? Why are Russian outlets focusing on India expansion?
www.straitstimes.com/asia/south-a...
www.straitstimes.com/asia/south-a...
Russian state TV taps anti-colonialism narrative in India as part of pro-Kremlin media push
India, with its relatively neutral position on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, has emerged as a key priority for Moscow.
Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.
www.straitstimes.com
October 5, 2025 at 6:33 AM
What was well known Indian opposition politician and author Dr Shashi Tharoor doing on Russian state TV’s India programming? Why are Russian outlets focusing on India expansion?
www.straitstimes.com/asia/south-a...
www.straitstimes.com/asia/south-a...
Reposted by Clement Tan 陳永強
Macron remarks are notable- some quotes: "We have been incredibly naive in entrusting our democratic space to social networks that are controlled either by large American entrepreneurs or large Chinese companies, whose interests are not at all the survival or proper functioning of our democracies."
President Macron: “Europeans, let's wake up!
We have been incredibly naive in entrusting our democratic space to social networks.”
defenddemocracy.eu/macron-democ...
We have been incredibly naive in entrusting our democratic space to social networks.”
defenddemocracy.eu/macron-democ...
October 4, 2025 at 11:57 AM
Macron remarks are notable- some quotes: "We have been incredibly naive in entrusting our democratic space to social networks that are controlled either by large American entrepreneurs or large Chinese companies, whose interests are not at all the survival or proper functioning of our democracies."
Reposted by Clement Tan 陳永強
RIP Jane Goodall, by all accounts a wonderful woman who loved this Far Side cartoon
October 1, 2025 at 6:09 PM
RIP Jane Goodall, by all accounts a wonderful woman who loved this Far Side cartoon
Reposted by Clement Tan 陳永強
I did not expect this kind of fire from Eliot Cohen, but he has Hegseth absolutely pegged www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
October 1, 2025 at 4:00 PM
I did not expect this kind of fire from Eliot Cohen, but he has Hegseth absolutely pegged www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
Reposted by Clement Tan 陳永強
1 October 2014, eleven years ago today, Occupy Central and the Umbrella Movement protesters in photos.
It had rained the previous night.
1- Apple Daily, with the cheeky headline “Stand up! Those who are unwilling to become slaves!”
2- Reuters
It had rained the previous night.
1- Apple Daily, with the cheeky headline “Stand up! Those who are unwilling to become slaves!”
2- Reuters
October 1, 2025 at 10:50 AM
1 October 2014, eleven years ago today, Occupy Central and the Umbrella Movement protesters in photos.
It had rained the previous night.
1- Apple Daily, with the cheeky headline “Stand up! Those who are unwilling to become slaves!”
2- Reuters
It had rained the previous night.
1- Apple Daily, with the cheeky headline “Stand up! Those who are unwilling to become slaves!”
2- Reuters
Reposted by Clement Tan 陳永強
"Colonel Kim was recognized for delaying the entry of Special Forces troops into the National Assembly by 42 minutes through three instances of withholding or refusing emergency flight approvals."
That detail made me emotional. One person doing what they could, the importance of those 42 minutes!!
That detail made me emotional. One person doing what they could, the importance of those 42 minutes!!
The South Korean Ministry of Defense has awarded medals of merit to 11 officers for disobeying direct orders of superiors during the martial law fiasco, orders that they deemed to be contrary to the constitution and endangerment to democracy.
www.chosun.com/english/nati...
www.chosun.com/english/nati...
National Defense Ministry Honors 11 Soldiers for Refusing Illegal Orders
National Defense Ministry Honors 11 Soldiers for Refusing Illegal Orders Honored for rejecting illegal orders during martial law, Marine death probe
www.chosun.com
September 27, 2025 at 8:11 PM
"Colonel Kim was recognized for delaying the entry of Special Forces troops into the National Assembly by 42 minutes through three instances of withholding or refusing emergency flight approvals."
That detail made me emotional. One person doing what they could, the importance of those 42 minutes!!
That detail made me emotional. One person doing what they could, the importance of those 42 minutes!!
Reposted by Clement Tan 陳永強
The successful public backlash against silencing Jimmy Kimmel contains some big lessons on what works in the face of autocracy, as expert Hardy Merriman explains in this fascinating episode with my co-hosts @janemayer.bsky.social @sbg1.bsky.social podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Jimmy Kimmel and the Power of Public Pressure
Podcast Episode · The Political Scene | The New Yorker · 09/27/2025 · 44m
podcasts.apple.com
September 27, 2025 at 8:10 PM
The successful public backlash against silencing Jimmy Kimmel contains some big lessons on what works in the face of autocracy, as expert Hardy Merriman explains in this fascinating episode with my co-hosts @janemayer.bsky.social @sbg1.bsky.social podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Reposted by Clement Tan 陳永強
Scoop: Trump lost the legal battle over halting the offshore Revolution Wind project after Orsted, its developer, brought reams of evidence to court alleging the government was lying about military security concerns.
It’s a sign truth can empower companies Trump targets.
Via @heatmap.news
It’s a sign truth can empower companies Trump targets.
Via @heatmap.news
How Trump’s Case Against Revolution Wind Fell Apart
The administration argued in the name of national defense — but Orsted had receipts.
heatmap.news
September 26, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Scoop: Trump lost the legal battle over halting the offshore Revolution Wind project after Orsted, its developer, brought reams of evidence to court alleging the government was lying about military security concerns.
It’s a sign truth can empower companies Trump targets.
Via @heatmap.news
It’s a sign truth can empower companies Trump targets.
Via @heatmap.news
Reposted by Clement Tan 陳永強
Journalists covering the US are about to realise what those of us covering China have always known: for laws and campaigns in authoritarian society, the ambiguity is the point. That’s why authorities here target “spiritual pollution,” “historical nihilism,” “picking quarrels,” and “soft resistance.”
President Trump said Wednesday that he is designating “antifa,” a decentralized, leftist ideology, as a terrorist organization following Charlie Kirk’s fatal shooting.
Trump did not explain what specific groups would be targeted or how he would do it.
Trump did not explain what specific groups would be targeted or how he would do it.
What the law says as Trump tries to designate ‘antifa’ a terrorist group
The U.S. has no legal way to designate domestic terrorist groups. Experts raised fears of political repression because “antifa” is a broad ideology, not a group.
www.washingtonpost.com
September 19, 2025 at 4:16 AM
Journalists covering the US are about to realise what those of us covering China have always known: for laws and campaigns in authoritarian society, the ambiguity is the point. That’s why authorities here target “spiritual pollution,” “historical nihilism,” “picking quarrels,” and “soft resistance.”
Reposted by Clement Tan 陳永強
by karl rove
am i being pranked here
am i being pranked here
ROVE: “.. Using Charlie’s murder to justify retaliation against political rivals is wrong and dangerous. It will further divide and embitter our country. No good thing will come of it.”
@wsj.com
www.wsj.com/opinion/they...
@wsj.com
www.wsj.com/opinion/they...
September 18, 2025 at 1:37 AM
by karl rove
am i being pranked here
am i being pranked here
Reposted by Clement Tan 陳永強
The following is a statement from the WGA on ABC’s decision to pull ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’
September 18, 2025 at 2:41 AM
The following is a statement from the WGA on ABC’s decision to pull ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’
Reposted by Clement Tan 陳永強
Robert Redford playing a gentle incarnation of death, coming for a frightened old woman in The Twilight Zone episode "Nothing in the Dark" (1962). An extraordinary performance then, terribly bittersweet today
September 16, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Robert Redford playing a gentle incarnation of death, coming for a frightened old woman in The Twilight Zone episode "Nothing in the Dark" (1962). An extraordinary performance then, terribly bittersweet today
Reposted by Clement Tan 陳永強
America's H-2A visa program sounded like a way for Sofi to earn money and support her child in Mexico. Instead, she ended up living a nightmare.
@maxblau.bsky.social and Zaydee Sanchez report, with illustration by Dadu Shin for @propublica.org projects.propublica.org/h2a-visa-far...
@maxblau.bsky.social and Zaydee Sanchez report, with illustration by Dadu Shin for @propublica.org projects.propublica.org/h2a-visa-far...
A Farmworkers Visa Promised Her a Better Life. It Was a Trap.
Sofi left behind her child in Mexico for the promise of providing him a better life. She ended up a victim of an operation that is alleged to have exploited the H-2A visa program — and the workers it ...
projects.propublica.org
September 16, 2025 at 3:17 PM
America's H-2A visa program sounded like a way for Sofi to earn money and support her child in Mexico. Instead, she ended up living a nightmare.
@maxblau.bsky.social and Zaydee Sanchez report, with illustration by Dadu Shin for @propublica.org projects.propublica.org/h2a-visa-far...
@maxblau.bsky.social and Zaydee Sanchez report, with illustration by Dadu Shin for @propublica.org projects.propublica.org/h2a-visa-far...
Reposted by Clement Tan 陳永強
Significant, on many levels.
The mortgage fraud claim against Lisa Cook is false, per documents obtained by Reuters.
Bill Pulte's accusation, the sole pretext Trump used to fire her from the Fed, was that she claimed two homes as primary residence.
These docs show she did not.
www.reuters.com/world/us/fed...
Bill Pulte's accusation, the sole pretext Trump used to fire her from the Fed, was that she claimed two homes as primary residence.
These docs show she did not.
www.reuters.com/world/us/fed...
Exclusive: Fed Governor Cook declared her Atlanta property as “vacation home,” documents show
A loan estimate for an Atlanta home purchased by Lisa Cook, the Federal Reserve governor accused of mortgage fraud by the Trump administration, shows that Cook had declared the property as a “vacation home,” according to a document reviewed by Reuters.
www.reuters.com
September 12, 2025 at 9:59 PM
Significant, on many levels.
Reposted by Clement Tan 陳永強
Cancer drug Revlimid is one of the bestselling pharmaceutical products of all time, with total sales of over $100 billion.
It’s also extraordinarily expensive, costing nearly $1,000 for each pill, even though that pill costs just 25 cents to make.
(Published May 2025)
It’s also extraordinarily expensive, costing nearly $1,000 for each pill, even though that pill costs just 25 cents to make.
(Published May 2025)
The Price of Remission: This Cancer Drug Saves Lives — but Costs a Fortune. I Wanted to Know Why.
When I was diagnosed with cancer, I set out to understand why a single pill of Revlimid cost the same as a new iPhone. I’ve covered high drug prices as a reporter for years. What I discovered shocked ...
www.propublica.org
September 8, 2025 at 3:00 AM
Cancer drug Revlimid is one of the bestselling pharmaceutical products of all time, with total sales of over $100 billion.
It’s also extraordinarily expensive, costing nearly $1,000 for each pill, even though that pill costs just 25 cents to make.
(Published May 2025)
It’s also extraordinarily expensive, costing nearly $1,000 for each pill, even though that pill costs just 25 cents to make.
(Published May 2025)
Reposted by Clement Tan 陳永強
AfD loses. Badly, and in the first round. It’s just a mayoral election, but Meißen is the heart of Saxony and as the thread points out, AfD invested a lot in this race.
Es ist offiziell: Markus Renner ist der neue Oberbürgermeister von Meißen. Der Kandidat von CDU, der Unabhängigen Liste Meißen, den Bürgern für Meißen, der SPD und der Linken holt im 1. Wahlgang 58%.
Die blaue Welle bleibt aus. AFD-Kandidat Jurisch bleibt weit unter den BTW-Ergebnissen der AFD.
Die blaue Welle bleibt aus. AFD-Kandidat Jurisch bleibt weit unter den BTW-Ergebnissen der AFD.
September 7, 2025 at 5:48 PM
AfD loses. Badly, and in the first round. It’s just a mayoral election, but Meißen is the heart of Saxony and as the thread points out, AfD invested a lot in this race.