WSJ names Cheng its new China bureau chief

Wall Street Journal editor Matt Murray sent out the following announcement on Friday:

All:

I’m excited to share the news that Jonathan Cheng, after a stellar run as bureau chief in Seoul, has agreed to be the next China bureau chief for The Wall Street Journal, assuming a vital post at a time when the China story keeps growing in importance. He and his wife will be moving to Beijing soon, where he will step into the shoes of Charles Hutzler, who after more than five excellent years as chief — and about 25 in China —will be going to Washington later this year to take on a senior role.

Jon has served as chief in Seoul since 2016. Among other things, he has spearheaded our coverage of the North Korean nuclear crisis and recent diplomatic efforts to resolve it, setting the pace on news and enterprise that has put us in front on this highly competitive story. A prolific writer, gifted editor and strong leader, Jon joined the Journal as an intern in Hong Kong in 2005.

As China chief, Jon will be leading the best China team in journalism and driving our coverage of the defining story of our time: China’s rise as a global economic, business and military force. All our readers depend on the Journal for the richest and deepest insights into China and its place in the world. Jon is the right person to extend and build on the excellent work of our team and take us to the next level.

They can’t do it alone, of course. Jon and the China team will work closely with colleagues in Hong Kong, Washington, New York, San Francisco and elsewhere to make sure we continue to deliver news-making and ambitious journalism about China’s world-wide influence.

Born in Toronto, Jon speaks English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean and French. He studied history at Princeton and burnished his credentials as the Journal’s top curling reporter while covering the sport at the Pyeongchang Olympics last year. He will report to Gordon Fairclough.

Please join me in congratulating Jon on this exciting move.