Q&A: Jamil Anderlini, Asia Editor for the Financial Times
18 October 2019
Kiwi journalist Jamil Anderlini is the Asia Editor for the Financial Times, based in Hong Kong. A fluent Mandarin speaker, he joined the FT in China in 2007 and was made the Beijing bureau chief in 2011. He previously worked at the South China Morning Post and the China Economic Review. Here, he shares his insights into life as a journalist in China.
Jamil Anderlini is the Asia Editor for the Financial Times.
What made you decide to work in China, and how long have you been in the region?
I studied Chinese at Victoria University of Wellington and decided to spend a bit of time in China to improve my language skills and have an adventure. I've now been in China for almost 20 years.
What is the journalism landscape like in Hong Kong, where you're now based?
It is vibrant and flourishing but facing increasing challenges from authoritarian repression in Beijing. Because of its colonial history and the "one country, two systems" political arrangement introduced when it was handed back to China in 1997, Hong Kong has enjoyed far greater freedoms than mainland China. Freedom of speech is supposed to be guaranteed in Hong Kong until at least 2047, but in recent years it has been dramatically eroded by the Hong Kong government under pressure from the ruling Communist Party in Beijing. The most egregious recent example was the Hong Kong government's decision to expel my deputy, Victor Mallet, from Hong Kong last October. For now, many global news organisations base their regional Asia headquarters in Hong Kong but how long they will decide to do so if the situation continues to deteriorate is an open question.
Watch footage of Jamil Anderlini covering the Hong Kong protests for the Financial Times:
What has been your career highlight so far?
Probably being hired to join the Financial Times in 2007 and then being named the Asia Editor, responsible for all FT coverage in Asia, in 2015.
Tell us about your favourite story you've worked on:
Hard to decide but probably my reporting on the Bo Xilai Scandal in 2012 that resulted in my e-book, The Bo Xilai Scandal: Power, Death and Politics in China.
What is the biggest challenge for journalists working in your part of the world?
In general, the killing, hailing and intimidation of journalists is increasing throughout Asia and it is a difficult time to be a reporter in Asia. China, in particular, has become far more authoritarian and far less tolerant in recent years.
What advice would you have for other Kiwi journalists hoping to make a career in Asia?
Learn an Asian language and move to the country you would like to cover. That is the best way to get yourself hired.
Main image: Pixabay
Video: Ned Wotherspoon
- Asia Media Centre
