Bang Xiao
Melbourne, VIC
Bang Xiao is an award-winning journalist and supervising producer for ABC Chinese. His work often focuses on China and its influence in Australia. He has written on topics from Chinese censorship system, rising nationalism, and turmoils in Hong Kong and Xinjiang, to Beijing's diplomatic relationship with Canberra.
As a bilingual reporter at ABC's Asia Pacific Newsroom, Bang's storytelling highlights issues facing Australia's migrant communities. His three-year deep dive into Australia's illegal visa sponsorship and systemic exploitation earned him the 2021 Quill Award for Reporting on Multicultural Affairs.
Bang's work is also available in Chinese.
Latest by Bang Xiao
Tomorrow is the start of the Lunar New Year. How well do you know the zodiac animal, what to eat and what to say?
Here are 10 questions to help you understand the diversity, traditions, foods, and significance of the Year of the Dragon — and how to greet people celebrating the Lunar New Year.
Analysis
analysis:Beijing edits Yang Hengjun's online record in a hint of what might lie ahead
Yesterday, China sentenced Yang Hengjun to death. But a minor tweak in a press conference transcript from years ago sheds light on a potential reprieve, writes Bang Xiao.
Analysis
analysis:What is Taiwan's capital? The answer is a clue to why the island's election today is so fraught
Taiwan is voting today to choose its next president. As the election result becomes clear, Canberra will have some delicate decisions to make.
Battle in the sky: China's efforts to get Taiwanese back to the island to vote
The news sparked controversy in the island, with think tank Taiwan Economic Democracy Union warning authorities to investigate suspicions of election bribery and political interference.
Analysis
analysis:Why is Anthony Albanese's China visit significant for Xi Jinping?
As Xi Jinping faces a double dip in China's economy and public support wanes in his third term, interactions between Beijing and the West, including Australia and the United States, have become a tool in his efforts to turn things around, writes Bang Xiao.
China's former premier Li Keqiang dies months after leaving office, state media says
Li Keqiang, China's former premier who served under President Xi Jinping from 2013 until March this year, has died, state media reports.
Analysis
analysis:'Disarray for Xi': A second senior Chinese minister disappears into thin air as Beijing cracks down on corruption
Li Shangfu was only appointed defence minister six months ago but has become the second missing Chinese minister in two months after Qin Gang was stripped of the foreign minister portfolio, with questions of loyalty and corruption believed to behind his apparent ouster.
'Tightly organised network': China using cloud-based tech to provide police services in Australia
The ABC can reveal a "contact point" linked to police in a Chinese city has gone online and remains operational in Australia. Similar operations have been investigated by US authorities for espionage, but Australian authorities remain unconcerned.
Analysis
analysis:'A very urgent removal': Qin Gang was favoured by Xi but ended up China's shortest-serving foreign minister
China's youngest ever minister went on to become the country's shortest-serving foreign minister, lasting only 207 days before vanishing for a month and eventually having everything he had done in office removed from the government's records, writes Bang Xiao.
Speculation rife after China's Foreign Minister Qin Gang disappears from public view
China's Foreign Minister Qin Gang disappears from public view, the first time a senior Chinese government minister has been out of the public eye for more than 20 days without explanation.
Analysis
analysis:China's tactic of hostage diplomacy could backfire as Beijing awaits PM's RSVP
For years, hostage diplomacy has been Beijing's coercive tactic in dealing with the West. However, it could also cost Beijing dearly, Bang Xiao writes.
Beijing downplays Wagner mutiny as experts say China might re-evaluate partnership with Russia
On Chinese social media, users referred to the Wagner chief by using the names of historical Chinese rebels to share their views on China's heavily censored internet.
Concerns grow over Socceroos match in China 'unwittingly being used for propaganda'
The Socceroos' friendly with world champions Argentina raises alarm bells and prompts a warning that Beijing is likely to exploit the match for propaganda.
China's young people say their university degrees are 'wasted' as they struggle to find jobs
Millions of university-educated, young people in China are unemployed and new data released by Chinese authorities shows the problem is getting worse.
Analysis
analysis:Liberal losses hint at shifting sentiment among Chinese-Australians
Labor's historic win in Aston has shown the public sentiment in the quiet and marginalised Chinese community — many were long-term Liberal supporters, but now they are switching, writes Bang Xiao.
Chinese-born journalists share their joy and frustration on covering China from Australia
To mark Harmony Week, Chinese-born journalists Bang Xiao, Echo Hui and Samuel Yang are for the first time sharing their experiences of working in journalism in Australia.
Analysis
analysis:Xi Jinping's new cabinet has been stacked with loyalists. Here's why that's a problem
As China faces difficult economic times, there are concerns that the new premier and cabinet have been chosen more for their loyalty to President Xi Jinping than for their ability to confront the challenges ahead, writes Bang Xiao.
Australians in Türkiye speak of survivor's guilt after losing friends in deadly earthquake
Ahmet Kurtul says his family had to rush into the street when the first earthquake hit on Monday and was evacuated to a nearby military base, as Australians in the country come to terms with the scale of the disaster.
China's Sichuan drops strict limits on children, lets unmarried people register as parents
Before this month, only married women were allowed to register births in the Chinese province of Sichuan, but in an attempt to reverse an ageing and declining population local authorities are extending benefits reserved for married couples to anyone who wants to become a parent.
China and Australia say they have 'no conflicting interests' — but our history tells another story
Fifty years ago today, Australia established diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China. Here's a look back at the key moments that landed us where we are today.
Analysis
analysis:What does a blank, A4 sheet of paper have to do with protests in China?
If you're not aware of what is happening in China right now, you might quickly dismiss photos of people holding blank pieces of paper. But the absence of words speaks volumes.
Analysis
analysis:Australia has waited six years for this meeting. So where could our relationship with China be headed next?
It's taken more than six years to have this 32-minute meeting. But as Chinese President Xi Jinping embarks on his third term, Australia will have to deepen its understanding of the one-party state to improve relations.
Chinese diplomat who was involved in UK protest scuffle is also accused of previous brawl in Fiji
Gao Lianjia, who was part of a scuffle at the Chinese consulate in Manchester last month, was also involved in an alleged assault involving Taiwanese officials at a hotel in Fiji in October 2020.
After teaching VCE students for 14 years, Linda has been told she is not a 'teacher'
A group of Chinese language teachers allege they are owed unpaid wages and entitlements for work over decades due to a "grey area" of Victoria's education system.
A bizarre scene at the Chinese Communist Party Congress has sparked fears of a purge — here's what we know
Chinese state-owned media chalked up the incident to health issues, but little information seeped through to the Chinese-speaking public thanks to Beijing's censorship.