{"id":30575,"date":"2026-02-22T16:03:37","date_gmt":"2026-02-22T08:03:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=30575"},"modified":"2026-02-22T16:03:37","modified_gmt":"2026-02-22T08:03:37","slug":"farewell-singapore-ni-hao-beijing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=30575","title":{"rendered":"Farewell Singapore, ni hao Beijing"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<header class=\"sc-ad76bc40-0 fGWwxS\">\n<div class=\"sc-5cbbddda-0 cRMyzw\">\n<div data-testid=\"article-author\" class=\"sc-5cbbddda-1 kekTYX\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Lisa Visentin\" data-testid=\"author-avatar-image\" height=\"64\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/w_64%2Ch_64%2Cc_fill%2Cg_auto:faces\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/e3b83e0cc0bded1ebecd9a7d4ebf56f2e94e07b8\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/w_64%2Ch_64%2Cc_fill%2Cg_auto:faces\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/e3b83e0cc0bded1ebecd9a7d4ebf56f2e94e07b8, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/w_128%2Ch_128%2Cc_fill%2Cg_auto:faces\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/e3b83e0cc0bded1ebecd9a7d4ebf56f2e94e07b8 2x\" width=\"64\" class=\"sc-9a01536c-0 cJPmxL\"\/><\/p>\n<div>\n<p data-testid=\"article-datetime\" class=\"sc-5cbbddda-5 jMFiFd\"><span class=\"sc-a243f860-0 dLDTDi\"><time data-testid=\"storytile-timestamp\" datetime=\"2026-02-21T05:00:00+11:00\">February 21, 2026<!-- --> \u2014 5:00am<\/time><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-7132c98c-0 hMrcSL noPrint\" data-testid=\"article-actions\">\n<div class=\"sc-7132c98c-1 cbqDrw\">\n<div class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-0 cGFoDo\"><button aria-checked=\"false\" aria-label=\"Save article to read later\" role=\"switch\" type=\"button\" class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-1 bYQiGM\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"none\" height=\"24\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"24\" class=\"sc-d1b14060-0 bRyYMS\"><path d=\"M5.75 4C5.75 3.86193 5.86193 3.75 6 3.75H18C18.1381 3.75 18.25 3.86193 18.25 4L18.25 19.7709L12.8004 16.9682C12.2981 16.7099 11.7019 16.7099 11.1996 16.9682L5.75 19.7709L5.75 4Z\"\/><\/svg><span class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-2 bBuibL\">Save<\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"sc-ba6ddcd9-0 bnZsbn sc-d1b14060-3 bnLMbo\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p class=\"sc-d1b14060-4 NcyxX\">You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n<p>Remove items from your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theage.com.au\/goodfood\/saved\" class=\"sc-3f16ee48-12 sc-d1b14060-2 kfUMNO cdQiAR\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">saved list<\/a> to add more.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"sc-ba6ddcd9-0 dpTpUw sc-369d9219-0 ipWbwh\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p class=\"sc-369d9219-1 eGTSJh\">Save this article for later<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-369d9219-2 crcSSW\">Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime.<\/p>\n<p><button type=\"button\" class=\"sc-3f16ee48-0 sc-3f16ee48-6 sc-369d9219-3 dXbfCd gDnvwr gxYZHU\">Got it<\/button><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><button aria-label=\"Set font size to normal\" aria-pressed=\"true\" class=\"sc-f7fd8257-1 fKewKr\">A<\/button><button aria-label=\"Set font size to larger\" aria-pressed=\"false\" class=\"sc-f7fd8257-1 kfmQUR\">A<\/button><button aria-label=\"Set font size to very large\" aria-pressed=\"false\" class=\"sc-f7fd8257-1 kfmPpl\">A<\/button><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<aside class=\"sc-67b869c7-6 cFwlqx\"\/>\n<div class=\"sc-80607c67-0 byCHjx\">\n<p><strong><em>What in the World, a free weekly newsletter from our foreign correspondents, is sent every Thursday. Below is an excerpt. <\/em><em><a class=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.smh.com.au\/link\/follow-20170101-p56l7u\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Sign up to get the whole newsletter delivered to your inbox.<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Singapore: <\/strong>For the past few weeks, I\u2019ve been on a farewell tour of my favourite hawker stalls in Singapore, squeezing in final feasts of chicken rice, nasi lemak and mutton biryani.<\/p>\n<p>The Little Red Dot (as Singapore is affectionately known) of 6 million people is about as food-obsessed as nations come, and these are some of the top-tier dishes that capture the Chinese, Malay and Indian roots of this sweltering island.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"sc-4820f69c-1 fhsnES\"><button aria-label=\"enlarge image\" type=\"button\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-5 bsFdcS\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-d34e428-0 bXqpHm\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.132%2C$multiply_0.9841%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_31\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/8e31c38c849c9fa6ec88a665b6e62569cf95e3f0, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.132%2C$multiply_1.9683%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_31\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/8e31c38c849c9fa6ec88a665b6e62569cf95e3f0 2x\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 750px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.132%2C$multiply_1.0159%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_31\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/8e31c38c849c9fa6ec88a665b6e62569cf95e3f0, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.132%2C$multiply_2.0317%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_31\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/8e31c38c849c9fa6ec88a665b6e62569cf95e3f0 2x\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Singapore\u2019s Tiong Bahru Market \u2013 one of the many hawker centres across the island.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.132%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_31\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/8e31c38c849c9fa6ec88a665b6e62569cf95e3f0\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.132%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_31\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/8e31c38c849c9fa6ec88a665b6e62569cf95e3f0, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.132%2C$multiply_1.545%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_31\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/8e31c38c849c9fa6ec88a665b6e62569cf95e3f0 2x\" class=\"sc-d34e428-1 bnWZMz\"\/><\/picture><\/div>\n<p><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 38 38\" height=\"38px\" width=\"38px\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-4 eROwEo\"><g stroke=\"#F4F5F7\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" transform=\"matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 22.029383, 7.619553)\"><path d=\"M1 8l6.36396103-6.36396103M8 7V1H2\"\/><\/g><g stroke=\"#F4F5F7\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" transform=\"matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 7.0731, 21.523087)\"><path d=\"M8 1L1.63603897 7.36396103M1 2v6h6\"\/><\/g><\/svg><\/button><figcaption data-testid=\"figure-caption\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-0 hMRMLa\"><span>Singapore\u2019s Tiong Bahru Market \u2013 one of the many hawker centres across the island.<\/span><cite class=\"sc-4820f69c-2 jnumBu\"><span class=\"sc-4820f69c-3 jkEJCb\">Lisa Visentin<\/span><\/cite><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The real Singapore, if I can humbly suggest, is not the glamour of Marina Bay Sands hotel or forking out $60 for a Singapore Sling at Raffles\u2019 Long Bar.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-80607c67-0 byCHjx\">\n<p>It\u2019s the experience of steaming in your own sweat over a plate of tasty, cheap fare at one of the many hawker centres across the island, joined in this happy trauma by dozens of locals doing the same.<\/p>\n<p>I\u2019m soaking it up while I can.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"sc-4820f69c-1 fhsnES\"><button aria-label=\"enlarge image\" type=\"button\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-5 bsFdcS\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-d34e428-0 bXqpHm\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.132%2C$multiply_0.9841%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_31\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/b2b12672c83ad96a944f8054936a8d3b161cd6ce, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.132%2C$multiply_1.9683%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_31\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/b2b12672c83ad96a944f8054936a8d3b161cd6ce 2x\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 750px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.132%2C$multiply_1.0159%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_31\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/b2b12672c83ad96a944f8054936a8d3b161cd6ce, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.132%2C$multiply_2.0317%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_31\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/b2b12672c83ad96a944f8054936a8d3b161cd6ce 2x\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Singapore is about as food-obsessed as nations come.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.132%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_31\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/b2b12672c83ad96a944f8054936a8d3b161cd6ce\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.132%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_31\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/b2b12672c83ad96a944f8054936a8d3b161cd6ce, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.132%2C$multiply_1.545%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_31\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/b2b12672c83ad96a944f8054936a8d3b161cd6ce 2x\" class=\"sc-d34e428-1 bnWZMz\"\/><\/picture><\/div>\n<p><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 38 38\" height=\"38px\" width=\"38px\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-4 eROwEo\"><g stroke=\"#F4F5F7\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" transform=\"matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 22.029383, 7.619553)\"><path d=\"M1 8l6.36396103-6.36396103M8 7V1H2\"\/><\/g><g stroke=\"#F4F5F7\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" transform=\"matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 7.0731, 21.523087)\"><path d=\"M8 1L1.63603897 7.36396103M1 2v6h6\"\/><\/g><\/svg><\/button><figcaption data-testid=\"figure-caption\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-0 hMRMLa\"><span>Singapore is about as food-obsessed as nations come.<\/span><cite class=\"sc-4820f69c-2 jnumBu\"><span class=\"sc-4820f69c-3 jkEJCb\">Lisa Visentin<\/span><\/cite><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>In the meantime, I\u2019ve been packing up my apartment, selling what belongings I can, preparing to ship the big stuff home to Sydney (goodbye, coffee machine!), and whittling down what\u2019s left into two or three suitcases \u2013 the foundation of my new life in Beijing.<\/p>\n<p>On December 8, I stood outside the China visa centre in Singapore\u2019s CBD, held my open passport up to the sky, and snapped a photo against the backdrop of the city\u2019s famously glitzy skyline.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-80607c67-0 byCHjx\">\n<p>\u201cWe got it,\u201d I messaged my editors. \u201cAfter five long years, we can move back to Beijing and re-establish our bureau.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>It was a triumphant moment, cruelled slightly by Telstra\u2019s global roaming, which chose that exact moment to choke as I tried to send the snap of my J1 visa.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"sc-4820f69c-1 fhsnES\"><button aria-label=\"enlarge image\" type=\"button\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-5 bsFdcS\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-d34e428-0 bXqpHm\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.132%2C$multiply_0.9841%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_31\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/e3b30ca5deb0a9ea06e3bf4d63e938a7671ec202, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.132%2C$multiply_1.9683%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_31\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/e3b30ca5deb0a9ea06e3bf4d63e938a7671ec202 2x\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 750px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.132%2C$multiply_1.0159%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_31\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/e3b30ca5deb0a9ea06e3bf4d63e938a7671ec202, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.132%2C$multiply_2.0317%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_31\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/e3b30ca5deb0a9ea06e3bf4d63e938a7671ec202 2x\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Sharing a plate of tasty, cheap fare alongside locals.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.132%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_31\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/e3b30ca5deb0a9ea06e3bf4d63e938a7671ec202\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.132%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_31\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/e3b30ca5deb0a9ea06e3bf4d63e938a7671ec202, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.132%2C$multiply_1.545%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_31\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/e3b30ca5deb0a9ea06e3bf4d63e938a7671ec202 2x\" class=\"sc-d34e428-1 bnWZMz\"\/><\/picture><\/div>\n<p><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 38 38\" height=\"38px\" width=\"38px\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-4 eROwEo\"><g stroke=\"#F4F5F7\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" transform=\"matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 22.029383, 7.619553)\"><path d=\"M1 8l6.36396103-6.36396103M8 7V1H2\"\/><\/g><g stroke=\"#F4F5F7\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" transform=\"matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 7.0731, 21.523087)\"><path d=\"M8 1L1.63603897 7.36396103M1 2v6h6\"\/><\/g><\/svg><\/button><figcaption data-testid=\"figure-caption\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-0 hMRMLa\"><span>Sharing a plate of tasty, cheap fare alongside locals.<\/span><cite class=\"sc-4820f69c-2 jnumBu\"><span class=\"sc-4820f69c-3 jkEJCb\">Lisa Visentin<\/span><\/cite><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The J1 is a year-long resident correspondent visa that allows a reporter to live and work in China. Our \u201cjourney to J1\u201d has been circuitous, buffeted by the shifting political winds of the Australia-China relationship.<\/p>\n<p>When I started in this role in April 2024, moving to Beijing seemed out-of-reach. My colleague and predecessor, Eryk Bagshaw, had tried to navigate a pathway for return during his three-year posting as North Asia correspondent, but <a class=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theage.com.au\/world\/asia\/china-blocked-my-visa-i-spent-three-years-getting-as-close-as-i-could-20240402-p5fgqc.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ultimately to no avail<\/a>. With China not an option, Singapore \u2013 a safe, COVID-era backstop during the chaos of closed borders \u2013 became a longer-term base for our coverage of the region for Eryk, then me.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-80607c67-0 byCHjx\">\n<p>At the time, no Australian media outlets had reopened their China bureaus since <a class=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theage.com.au\/politics\/federal\/australian-journalists-bill-birtles-mike-smith-forced-out-of-china-20200908-p55tg0.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">the dramatic exit<\/a> of the <a class=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theage.com.au\/world\/asia\/a-day-to-pack-up-our-lives-and-get-out-journalist-bill-birtles-on-fleeing-china-20210305-p5785k.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ABC<em>\u2019<\/em>s Bill Birtles<\/a> and <em>The Australian Financial Review<\/em>\u2019s Mike Smith in September 2020, when the political relationship between Beijing and Canberra hit its nadir.<\/p>\n<aside data-testid=\"related-story\" class=\"sc-4dc7bff5-0 QbJUT\">\n<h2 data-testid=\"related-story-heading\" class=\"sc-4dc7bff5-1 fNPBEP\">Related Article<\/h2>\n<div data-an-position=\"1\" imagepositions=\"top\" data-testid=\"story-tile\" class=\"sc-679b6ed4-0 cMGLSH\">\n<figure imagesizes=\"[object Object]\" class=\"sc-8825a2fb-0 hUTlgn\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theage.com.au\/world\/asia\/a-day-to-pack-up-our-lives-and-get-out-journalist-bill-birtles-on-fleeing-china-20210305-p5785k.html\" tabindex=\"-1\" class=\"sc-cba76dee-0 hLTVHY\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-d34e428-0 bXqpHm\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.5515625%2C$multiply_0.2805%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/fce743aec5fd75925af3f0fc475ca74aea932934, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.5515625%2C$multiply_0.5609%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/fce743aec5fd75925af3f0fc475ca74aea932934 2x\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 750px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.5515625%2C$multiply_0.2842%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/fce743aec5fd75925af3f0fc475ca74aea932934, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.5515625%2C$multiply_0.5685%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/fce743aec5fd75925af3f0fc475ca74aea932934 2x\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"As diplomatic tensions between Beijing and Canberra worsened, ABC foreign correspondent Bill Birtles and his partner had to leave everything \u2013 immediately.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.5515625%2C$multiply_0.5127%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/fce743aec5fd75925af3f0fc475ca74aea932934\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.5515625%2C$multiply_0.5127%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/fce743aec5fd75925af3f0fc475ca74aea932934, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.5515625%2C$multiply_1.0255%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/fce743aec5fd75925af3f0fc475ca74aea932934 2x\" class=\"sc-d34e428-1 jiJqza\"\/><\/picture><\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>The <a class=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theage.com.au\/world\/asia\/matter-of-minutes-why-cheng-lei-did-not-see-her-family-for-three-years-20231017-p5ed0y.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">jailing of Australian journalist Cheng Lei<\/a>, who spent three years in a Beijing prison, was chilling for many of us in the journalism community, even if we hadn\u2019t known her personally. By the time I clocked on in Singapore, she had been <a class=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theage.com.au\/world\/asia\/inside-the-years-of-negotiations-to-secure-the-release-of-cheng-lei-20231012-p5ebs3.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">freed and reunited with her young children<\/a> in Melbourne only a few months earlier.<\/p>\n<p>So I bought an expensive TV, joined a hockey club, got to know my neighbours, and settled into life in Singapore, expecting to spend three years here.<\/p>\n<p>But quietly I hoped the dynamic would shift. It did.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-80607c67-0 byCHjx\">\n<p>At the political level, the relationship between Canberra and Beijing <a class=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theage.com.au\/politics\/federal\/wong-sets-out-plan-to-stabilise-without-compromise-on-china-20231103-p5ehbs.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">continued to stabilise<\/a> as the Albanese government took a lower-volume approach to dealing with frictions than the Coalition, while making <a class=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theage.com.au\/politics\/federal\/albanese-walks-trade-security-tightrope-before-xi-meeting-20250714-p5mepo.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">no major concessions on national security<\/a> policy. Cabinet ministers began travelling to China again after a seven-year hiatus, and China\u2019s number two, <a class=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theage.com.au\/politics\/federal\/panda-diplomacy-takes-centre-stage-during-chinese-premier-visit-20240611-p5jkvv.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Li Qiang, toured Australia<\/a> in July 2024.<\/p>\n<aside data-testid=\"related-story\" class=\"sc-4dc7bff5-0 QbJUT\">\n<h2 data-testid=\"related-story-heading\" class=\"sc-4dc7bff5-1 fNPBEP\">Related Article<\/h2>\n<div data-an-position=\"1\" imagepositions=\"top\" data-testid=\"story-tile\" class=\"sc-679b6ed4-0 cMGLSH\">\n<figure imagesizes=\"[object Object]\" class=\"sc-8825a2fb-0 hUTlgn\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theage.com.au\/world\/asia\/inside-the-years-of-negotiations-to-secure-the-release-of-cheng-lei-20231012-p5ebs3.html\" tabindex=\"-1\" class=\"sc-cba76dee-0 hLTVHY\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-d34e428-0 bXqpHm\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_1.0347%2C$multiply_0.2805%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/3499133ddb9c9e00e1bd23047304798cd4287f1c, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_1.0347%2C$multiply_0.5609%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/3499133ddb9c9e00e1bd23047304798cd4287f1c 2x\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 750px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_1.0347%2C$multiply_0.2842%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/3499133ddb9c9e00e1bd23047304798cd4287f1c, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_1.0347%2C$multiply_0.5685%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/3499133ddb9c9e00e1bd23047304798cd4287f1c 2x\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Cheng Lei, Penny Wong, Graham Fletcher, Jan Adams\u00a0\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_1.0347%2C$multiply_0.5127%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/3499133ddb9c9e00e1bd23047304798cd4287f1c\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_1.0347%2C$multiply_0.5127%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/3499133ddb9c9e00e1bd23047304798cd4287f1c, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_1.0347%2C$multiply_1.0255%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/3499133ddb9c9e00e1bd23047304798cd4287f1c 2x\" class=\"sc-d34e428-1 jiJqza\"\/><\/picture><\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>Then, in August that year, <em>The Australian<\/em>\u2019s North Asia correspondent, Will Glasgow, became the first to get the green light to move back to Beijing. He had been based there in early 2020 and had navigated the visa approvals process once before. But his success this time around was a turning point for other Australian correspondents scattered around Asia.<\/p>\n<p>J1s were once again obtainable.<\/p>\n<p>To my mind, this meant one thing: Singapore was over. We had to get to Beijing as soon as possible.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-80607c67-0 byCHjx\">\n<p>My editors agreed that we should redouble our efforts, and we found the Chinese side also wanted to engage.<\/p>\n<aside data-testid=\"related-story\" class=\"sc-4dc7bff5-0 QbJUT\">\n<h2 data-testid=\"related-story-heading\" class=\"sc-4dc7bff5-1 fNPBEP\">Related Article<\/h2>\n<div data-an-position=\"1\" imagepositions=\"top\" data-testid=\"story-tile\" class=\"sc-679b6ed4-0 cMGLSH\">\n<figure imagesizes=\"[object Object]\" class=\"sc-8825a2fb-0 hUTlgn\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theage.com.au\/world\/asia\/inside-the-shanghai-market-where-nothing-is-for-sale-but-everything-is-on-the-line-20250108-p5l2v4.html\" tabindex=\"-1\" class=\"sc-cba76dee-0 hLTVHY\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-d34e428-0 bXqpHm\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.25354256879588666%2C$multiply_0.2805%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_34\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/39e42a9f0afd030de14e287b24f5056fb87c8c04, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.25354256879588666%2C$multiply_0.5609%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_34\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/39e42a9f0afd030de14e287b24f5056fb87c8c04 2x\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 750px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.25354256879588666%2C$multiply_0.2842%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_34\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/39e42a9f0afd030de14e287b24f5056fb87c8c04, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.25354256879588666%2C$multiply_0.5685%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_34\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/39e42a9f0afd030de14e287b24f5056fb87c8c04 2x\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Every weekend, parents of unmarried adults come to the marriage market in Shanghai in hope of finding a good match for their children.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.25354256879588666%2C$multiply_0.5127%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_34\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/39e42a9f0afd030de14e287b24f5056fb87c8c04\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.25354256879588666%2C$multiply_0.5127%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_34\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/39e42a9f0afd030de14e287b24f5056fb87c8c04, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.25354256879588666%2C$multiply_1.0255%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_34\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/39e42a9f0afd030de14e287b24f5056fb87c8c04 2x\" class=\"sc-d34e428-1 jiJqza\"\/><\/picture><\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>It would take another 16 months of discussions and meetings between my editors and Chinese diplomats in Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra (and several in-person meetings myself on visits home) before I would be standing on the street in downtown Singapore, J1 visa in hand.<\/p>\n<p>In the meantime, other constraints loosened. Short-term journalism visas began to flow again, meaning Australian reporters could enter China for a week or two, providing we were there to cover official events that permitted international media.<\/p>\n<p>This typically meant going to Beijing or Shanghai for events such as trade shows or industry exhibitions, but it also opened the door to other fascinating aspects of Chinese life, culture and the economy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-80607c67-0 byCHjx\">\n<p>I\u2019ve been to China five times in the past 18 months. Each time I trekked home to Singapore more convinced than ever of the importance of the China story, the urgency of getting there to tell it, and the vast opportunities for us to bring you, our readers, on-the-ground coverage with all the colour and nuance it deserves.<\/p>\n<aside data-testid=\"related-story\" class=\"sc-4dc7bff5-0 QbJUT\">\n<h2 data-testid=\"related-story-heading\" class=\"sc-4dc7bff5-1 fNPBEP\">Related Article<\/h2>\n<div data-an-position=\"1\" imagepositions=\"top\" data-testid=\"story-tile\" class=\"sc-679b6ed4-0 cMGLSH\">\n<figure imagesizes=\"[object Object]\" class=\"sc-8825a2fb-0 hUTlgn\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theage.com.au\/world\/asia\/on-the-hunt-for-smuggled-aussie-lobster-in-beijing-20241009-p5kh3f.html\" tabindex=\"-1\" class=\"sc-cba76dee-0 hLTVHY\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-d34e428-0 bXqpHm\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.27314934227495485%2C$multiply_0.2805%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_123\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/3248d2d73ad99cda9d9a5d6327b34829e127c988, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.27314934227495485%2C$multiply_0.5609%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_123\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/3248d2d73ad99cda9d9a5d6327b34829e127c988 2x\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 750px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.27314934227495485%2C$multiply_0.2842%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_123\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/3248d2d73ad99cda9d9a5d6327b34829e127c988, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.27314934227495485%2C$multiply_0.5685%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_123\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/3248d2d73ad99cda9d9a5d6327b34829e127c988 2x\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"A big dish of sashimi made of Australian rock lobster and other seafood ready to be served at the Minmonfeast Restaurant in Beijing.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.27314934227495485%2C$multiply_0.5127%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_123\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/3248d2d73ad99cda9d9a5d6327b34829e127c988\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.27314934227495485%2C$multiply_0.5127%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_123\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/3248d2d73ad99cda9d9a5d6327b34829e127c988, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.27314934227495485%2C$multiply_1.0255%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_123\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/3248d2d73ad99cda9d9a5d6327b34829e127c988 2x\" class=\"sc-d34e428-1 jiJqza\"\/><\/picture><\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>I\u2019ve spoken to Chinese parents at a <a class=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theage.com.au\/world\/asia\/inside-the-shanghai-market-where-nothing-is-for-sale-but-everything-is-on-the-line-20250108-p5l2v4.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">marriage market in Shanghai<\/a> hoping to find matches for their stubbornly single children. In Guangzhou, the world\u2019s epicentre of fast fashion, <a class=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theage.com.au\/world\/asia\/because-there-is-no-profit-no-one-is-willing-to-work-inside-china-s-fast-fashion-dilemma-20250511-p5ly8y.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">factory workers shared their hardship<\/a> at being caught in the crossfire of US President Donald Trump\u2019s tariff war.<\/p>\n<p>On trips to Beijing, I squeezed in side quests <a class=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theage.com.au\/world\/asia\/on-the-hunt-for-smuggled-aussie-lobster-in-beijing-20241009-p5kh3f.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">hunting for smuggled Australian lobster<\/a> before the ban lifted, and spoke to Chinese Catholics about their <a class=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theage.com.au\/world\/asia\/pope-francis-has-an-outstanding-wish-how-far-will-the-vatican-go-to-deliver-it-20250319-p5lkvq.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">hopes to one day see the Pope set foot in China<\/a>. On the roadside on the outskirts of the capital, China\u2019s migrant labourers \u2013 the rural poor who had fled to the city in search of low-paid construction work \u2013 <a class=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.smh.com.au\/world\/asia\/china-at-two-speeds-flying-cars-moon-trips-and-millions-struggling-to-survive-20241003-p5kfm5.html\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">told me how even those jobs were hard to come by now<\/a> after the country\u2019s devastating property market collapse.<\/p>\n<p>And my personal favourite \u2013 a <a class=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theage.com.au\/world\/asia\/on-the-china-russia-border-trade-is-booming-as-xi-and-putin-pull-closer-20250521-p5m135.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">one-day blitz to the small, quirky town of Manzhouli<\/a>, nestled on the China-Russia border in Inner Mongolia, where dozens of Russian truck drivers arrive each day to courier home the goods sustaining Vladimir Putin\u2019s wartime economy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-80607c67-0 byCHjx\">\n<p>China is a nation galloping towards economic, technological and military supremacy, at a time when the US is unmooring as the anchor of the international system. It\u2019s a recalibration that poses big questions for Australia, wedged between our biggest trading partner and our closest ally. Arguably, there\u2019s never been a more important time for Australian journalists to be there.<\/p>\n<aside data-testid=\"related-story\" class=\"sc-4dc7bff5-0 QbJUT\">\n<h2 data-testid=\"related-story-heading\" class=\"sc-4dc7bff5-1 fNPBEP\">Related Article<\/h2>\n<div data-an-position=\"1\" imagepositions=\"top\" data-testid=\"story-tile\" class=\"sc-679b6ed4-0 cMGLSH\">\n<figure imagesizes=\"[object Object]\" class=\"sc-8825a2fb-0 hUTlgn\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theage.com.au\/world\/asia\/on-the-china-russia-border-trade-is-booming-as-xi-and-putin-pull-closer-20250521-p5m135.html\" tabindex=\"-1\" class=\"sc-cba76dee-0 hLTVHY\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-d34e428-0 bXqpHm\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.2765%2C$multiply_0.2805%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/4b0620b68c8142350f5095c4bfddedde4087f5f3, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.2765%2C$multiply_0.5609%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/4b0620b68c8142350f5095c4bfddedde4087f5f3 2x\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 750px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.2765%2C$multiply_0.2842%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/4b0620b68c8142350f5095c4bfddedde4087f5f3, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.2765%2C$multiply_0.5685%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/4b0620b68c8142350f5095c4bfddedde4087f5f3 2x\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Vladimir Putin speaks to China\u2019s President Xi Jinping during the Victory Day parade in Moscow.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.2765%2C$multiply_0.5127%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/4b0620b68c8142350f5095c4bfddedde4087f5f3\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.2765%2C$multiply_0.5127%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/4b0620b68c8142350f5095c4bfddedde4087f5f3, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.2765%2C$multiply_1.0255%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/4b0620b68c8142350f5095c4bfddedde4087f5f3 2x\" class=\"sc-d34e428-1 jiJqza\"\/><\/picture><\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>My arrival will take the number of Australian media outlets represented in China to three. The ABC moved back late last year. Hopefully, there are more to come.<\/p>\n<p>Which brings me back to Singapore. I leave with a great deal of affection for the Little Red Dot and the people I\u2019ve met here, locals and expats alike.<\/p>\n<p>But my time here has been spent preoccupied looking north, tapping my foot anxiously, watching the clock, waiting, hoping for the visa to come.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div data-testid=\"article-footer\" class=\"sc-780f6c39-0 gMidPz\">\n<div class=\"sc-780f6c39-1 bXzMFW noPrint\">\n<div class=\"sc-780f6c39-2 fDvLNJ\">\n<div class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-0 cGFoDo sc-780f6c39-3 csnzsK\"><button aria-checked=\"false\" aria-label=\"Save article to read later\" role=\"switch\" type=\"button\" class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-1 bYQiGM\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"none\" height=\"24\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"24\" class=\"sc-d1b14060-0 bRyYMS\"><path d=\"M5.75 4C5.75 3.86193 5.86193 3.75 6 3.75H18C18.1381 3.75 18.25 3.86193 18.25 4L18.25 19.7709L12.8004 16.9682C12.2981 16.7099 11.7019 16.7099 11.1996 16.9682L5.75 19.7709L5.75 4Z\"\/><\/svg><span class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-2 bBuibL\">Save<\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"sc-ba6ddcd9-0 BgjOX sc-d1b14060-3 bnLMbo\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p class=\"sc-d1b14060-4 NcyxX\">You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n<p>Remove items from your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theage.com.au\/goodfood\/saved\" class=\"sc-3f16ee48-12 sc-d1b14060-2 kfUMNO cdQiAR\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">saved list<\/a> to add more.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-b5b9fd03-0 ckGUXQ\">\n<div class=\"sc-b5b9fd03-1 iROwGF\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Lisa Visentin\" data-testid=\"author-avatar-image\" height=\"40\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/w_40%2Ch_40%2Cc_fill%2Cg_auto:faces\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/e3b83e0cc0bded1ebecd9a7d4ebf56f2e94e07b8\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/w_40%2Ch_40%2Cc_fill%2Cg_auto:faces\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/e3b83e0cc0bded1ebecd9a7d4ebf56f2e94e07b8, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/w_80%2Ch_80%2Cc_fill%2Cg_auto:faces\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/e3b83e0cc0bded1ebecd9a7d4ebf56f2e94e07b8 2x\" width=\"40\" class=\"sc-9a01536c-0 cJPmxL\"\/><span data-testid=\"author-bio\" class=\"sc-b5b9fd03-3 iaHQXJ\"><span><a class=\"sc-cba76dee-0 hLTVHY sc-b5b9fd03-2 bOdPsp\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theage.com.au\/by\/lisa-visentin-hvez0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Lisa Visentin<\/a> is the North Asia correspondent for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age. She was previously a federal political reporter based in Canberra.<\/span><span class=\"sc-b5b9fd03-4 jVqFia\">Connect via <a class=\"sc-cba76dee-0 hLTVHY sc-b5b9fd03-5 cqyqDm\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/LisaVisentin?lang=en\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">X<\/a><span> or <\/span><a class=\"sc-cba76dee-0 hLTVHY sc-b5b9fd03-5 cqyqDm\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theage.com.au\/world\/asia\/mailto:lisa.visentin@smh.com.au\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">email<\/a>.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"sc-3dbe4134-0 eKUqbd sc-df8e6ee0-0 noPrint\" data-an-name=\"From our partners\" data-an-cu-group=\"everything\" data-an-cu-name=\"From our partners\" data-an-cu-position=\"4\" data-testid=\"from-our-partners-strap\">\n<header class=\"sc-84567ec1-0 ea-dUAB\">\n<h2 data-pb-type=\"hi\" class=\"sc-84567ec1-1 qhIfr\"><span>From our partners<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theage.com.au\/world\/asia\/farewell-singapore-ni-hao-beijing-20260202-p5nyvm.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read Full Article At Source <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>February 21, 2026 \u2014 5:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. 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