The Wall Street Journal is looking for a reporter to cover the Chinese economy based in Singapore.
The Chinese economy is at a pivotal moment, as a 40-year boom that reshaped the country and the world economy comes to an end. China now faces a maelstrom of challenges: an epic property bust, an aging and shrinking workforce, skyrocketing debt and a collapse in foreign investment.
Just as China’s explosive growth turbo-charged globalization and lifted it out of poverty, its decline has vast domestic and global consequences. As the world’s second-biggest economy seeks to manufacture its way out of its slump, foreign capitals are raising trade barriers to fend off an onslaught of Chinese products, compounding the fracturing of the world into rival geopolitical blocs aligned with either Washington or Beijing. Resentment at home over the slowdown could morph into political challenges to the government and to leader Xi Jinping’s broader geopolitical ambitions.
We are looking for a reporter who can capture this historic moment, from the growing resentment of China’s unemployed youth to the struggle of Western businesses to respond to its slowdown.
The ideal candidate would need to dive into economic statistics, trade data and demographic trends. You would have the storytelling skills to bring these stories to life through real people and real businesses. You would work very closely with bureaus around the world, notably in the U.S., so that the Journal is the first to discern and report the global impact of China’s pivot.
You will:
- Be a key member of a flexible team that is focused on ambitious and distinctive work;
- In consultation with your editor, identify big targets for your reporting that lead to a cohesive body of work on your beat;
- Produce in-depth enterprise and exclusive stories;
- Identify novel ways to tell stories, including through graphics, photos, videos and podcasts;
- Work closely with editors and reporters in other regions to help lead globe-spanning stories;
- Collaborate with colleagues in business and finance in identifying and leading stories at the nexus of geopolitics and money
You have:
- The skills and instincts to jump on news, writing quickly and cleanly
- Strong enterprise-reporting skills and the ability to conceive and execute deep long-form reported articles and other signature features
- Strong communications skills and a proven ability to work across geographies and coverage areas
- Ideally, a facility with spoken and written Chinese.
To apply, please submit your resume, a cover letter detailing how you would do the job, and five examples of your best work.
To apply, go here.
