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Aw Cheng Wei

China Correspondent

Cheng Wei is China correspondent at The Straits Times. He is based in the Chongqing municipality in south-western China, where he documents the changes of everyday life as the world’s second-largest economy tries to carve a way to the top. He was previously based in Beijing and Singapore. He holds a master’s degree in public policy from the University of Oxford.

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Latest articles

Chinese factories welcome any tariff relief from Trump-Xi summit, but diversification continues

The photo taken on April 16, 2026 shows a man wheeling bags of clothes toward a wholesale clothing market in Guangzhou, in southern China's Guangdong province. Factories in Guangdong province, China's production heartland, have borne the brunt of the US president's mercurial policies and a blistering trade war that saw US levies on their goods reach an eye-watering 145 percent for many products. (Photo by Jade GAO / AFP) / TO GO WITH AFP STORY: China-trade-US-tariffs,  by Isabel KUA
The photo taken on April 16, 2026 shows a man wheeling bags of clothes toward a wholesale clothing market in Guangzhou, in southern China's Guangdong province. Factories in Guangdong province, China's production heartland, have borne the brunt of the US president's mercurial policies and a blistering trade war that saw US levies on their goods reach an eye-watering 145 percent for many products. (Photo by Jade GAO / AFP) / TO GO WITH AFP STORY: China-trade-US-tariffs,  by Isabel KUA

Fewer Chinese students head overseas for studies amid geopolitical uncertainty and high costs

Chinese students sit on a bench at Beijing Foreign Studies University in Beijing on May 29, 2025. Beijing reacted in fury Thursday at the US government's vow to revoke Chinese students' visas, condemning President Donald Trump's crackdown on international scholars as "political and discriminatory". (Photo by Jade GAO / AFP)
Chinese students sit on a bench at Beijing Foreign Studies University in Beijing on May 29, 2025. Beijing reacted in fury Thursday at the US government's vow to revoke Chinese students' visas, condemning President Donald Trump's crackdown on international scholars as "political and discriminatory". (Photo by Jade GAO / AFP)

All that glitters is not gold: Consumers in China on alert over hard-to-detect fakes

State broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV) reported on April 26 that fraudsters had been mixing rhenium powder with gold to make fakes that are hard to detect.
State broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV) reported on April 26 that fraudsters had been mixing rhenium powder with gold to make fakes that are hard to detect.

Is ‘Gucci bag lady’ entitled? Here’s why the outburst by AirAsia passenger struck a nerve online

A Chinese passenger created a ruckus on an AirAsia flight after cabin crew members spoke to her in English, not Mandarin.
A Chinese passenger created a ruckus on an AirAsia flight after cabin crew members spoke to her in English, not Mandarin.

Is this singer real? Why China wants to regulate AI-generated humans

Chinese singer Pin, also known as Datouzhen, appearing in what is known as his official Instagram account.
Chinese singer Pin, also known as Datouzhen, appearing in what is known as his official Instagram account.

Is Pursuit of Jade’s Zhang Linghe too pretty? Here’s what Chinese authorities think

Some netizens called actor Zhang Linghe a “foundation general”, scoffing that he would need to wake up at 4am to put on make-up for a 6am battle.
Some netizens called actor Zhang Linghe a “foundation general”, scoffing that he would need to wake up at 4am to put on make-up for a 6am battle.

The mysterious origins of a spicy, grilled fish dish

awkaoyu - Grilled fish served with pickled peppers is a specialty in Wanzhou district in Chongqing. China's national food and catering industry body named Wanzhou the hometown of kaoyu in 2018.


ST PHOTO: AW CHENG WEI
awkaoyu - Grilled fish served with pickled peppers is a specialty in Wanzhou district in Chongqing. China's national food and catering industry body named Wanzhou the hometown of kaoyu in 2018.


ST PHOTO: AW CHENG WEI

Chongqing surpassed Shanghai in consumer spending. Singaporeans played a part

People enjoy the night lights of Hongya Cave from the Qiansimen Bridge, in southwestern China's Chongqing municipality on December 15, 2025.
People enjoy the night lights of Hongya Cave from the Qiansimen Bridge, in southwestern China's Chongqing municipality on December 15, 2025.

Four crime families in Myanmar in spotlight as China deepens fraud crackdown

Chinese victims rescued from illegal call center scammer operations in Myanmar being repatriated in 2025 at the Mae Sot Airport on the Thai-Myanmar in Thailand.
Chinese victims rescued from illegal call center scammer operations in Myanmar being repatriated in 2025 at the Mae Sot Airport on the Thai-Myanmar in Thailand.

Don’t overestimate your abilities, China’s top diplomat Wang Yi tells Tokyo in stern warning

China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi speaking during a press conference on foreign policy and external relations during the Fourth Session of the 14th National People's Congress in Beijing, China on March 8.
China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi speaking during a press conference on foreign policy and external relations during the Fourth Session of the 14th National People's Congress in Beijing, China on March 8.

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MDDI (P) 046/10/2025. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No.202120748H. Copyright © 2026 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.