Simone McCarthy - China Writer, CNN Digital Worldwide
Simone McCarthy
China Writer, CNN Digital Worldwide
Simone McCarthy is the China Writer for CNN Digital Worldwide.
Latest
Israel-Hamas truce believed to be holding, with hostage release expected in coming hours
Nov 24, 2023
A truce between Israel and Hamas that was scheduled to begin at 7 a.m. local time (12 a.m. ET) Friday is believed to be holding, with civilian hostages held captive by militants expected to be released in the coming hours as part of a breakthrough diplomatic deal following an uneasy day-long delay.
Beijing hospitals overwhelmed with post-Covid surge in respiratory illnesses among children
Nov 24, 2023
Hospitals in Beijing and northern China are grappling with a surge of children with respiratory illnesses as the country enters its first winter since relaxing stringent Covid-19 controls nearly one year ago.
Israel and Hamas agree to breakthrough deal on hostage release and four-day truce
Nov 23, 2023
Israel and Hamas have reached a breakthrough deal for a four-day pause in fighting and the release of at least 50 women and children held hostage in Gaza, marking a major de-escalatory step nearly seven weeks after the start of a conflict that has spiraled into a grave humanitarian crisis in the enclave.
China calls for ‘urgent’ action on Gaza as Muslim majority nations arrive in Beijing
Nov 21, 2023
The world must “must act urgently” to stem the conflict in Gaza, China’s top diplomat said Monday during a meeting with officials from Arab and Muslim majority nations, as Beijing steps up its efforts to play a role in establishing ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Xi signals marked shift in tone for China on US – but with Biden’s off-the-cuff ‘dictator’ comment can it last?
Nov 16, 2023
Chinese leader Xi Jinping presented an amicable China ready to improve ties with the United States in a landmark meeting with US President Joe Biden Wednesday, marking a noticeable shift in tone for Beijing as it looks to minimize friction with Washington.
Wooing business leaders and avoiding conflict: What’s on Xi’s agenda as the Chinese leader heads to California
Nov 15, 2023
Hong Kong (CNN) — Xi Jinping is making his first visit to the US in six years this week for a highly anticipated summit with US President Joe Biden — where the Chinese leader will likely try to bolster his country’s troubled economy and push back on perceived US efforts to suppress it.
Developing countries owe China at least $1.1 trillion – and the debts are due
Nov 14, 2023
Developing countries owe Chinese lenders at least $1.1 trillion dollars, according to a new data analysis published Monday, which says more than half of the thousands of loans China has doled out over two decades are due as many borrowers struggle financially.
China has a sweeping vision to reshape the world — and countries are listening
Nov 10, 2023
Xi Jinping has a plan for how the world should work, and one year into his norm-shattering third term as Chinese leader, he’s escalating his push to challenge America’s global leadership – and put his vision front and center.
After seven years of strain, an Australian leader is returning to China
Nov 04, 2023
Australia’s troubled ties with China in recent years have had far-reaching costs – as sweeping trade curbs from Beijing devastated the Australian wine industry, hit the livelihoods of farmers and fishers across the country, and impacted billions of dollars in trade.
Former Chinese Premier Li Keqiang dead at 68: state media
Nov 03, 2023
China’s former Premier Li Keqiang has died, state media said on Friday.
As Gaza conflict rages, online maps from Chinese companies are missing Israel’s name
Nov 02, 2023
Beijing has clarified that Israel remains marked on official maps issued by Chinese authorities after questions emerged over why the country’s name was not visible on online maps provided by two major Chinese companies.
Israeli troops advance in Gaza, hostage freed and ‘impossible’ hospital evacuation: What to know Monday
Oct 31, 2023
Israeli troops have advanced more than two miles into Gaza in their expanding ground operation, a CNN analysis has found, as aid groups warned civil order is breaking down and hospitals grapple with “impossible” orders to evacuate patients.
![China's Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission Zhang Youxia (L) and Russia's Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu arrive to the Xiangshan Forum in Beijing on October 30, 2023. Beijing says representatives of 90 countries are taking part in this week's Xiangshan Forum, a gathering of military and diplomatic officials billed as its answer to the annual Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. (Photo by Pedro PARDO / AFP) / "The erroneous mention[s] appearing in the metadata of this photo by Pedro PARDO has been modified in AFP systems in the following manner: [correcting name to Zhang Youxia] instead of [Zhang Youxian]. Please immediately remove the erroneous mention[s] from all your online services and delete it (them) from your servers. If you have been authorized by AFP to distribute it (them) to third parties, please ensure that the same actions are carried out by them. Failure to promptly comply with these instructions will entail liability on your part for any continued or post notification usage. Therefore we thank you very much for all your attention and prompt action. We are sorry for the inconvenience this notification may cause and remain at your disposal for any further information you may require." (Photo by PEDRO PARDO/AFP via Getty Images)](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/231030073608-01-xiangshan-forum-103023.jpg?c=16x9&q=h_144,w_256,c_fill)
China touts global security vision at a defense forum in Beijing – with Russia by its side
Oct 30, 2023
China is hosting defense officials from across the world for its flagship military diplomacy conference this week – a key opportunity for Beijing to promote its alternative vision for global security that has also underscored its increasing alignment with Russia against the United States.
UN warns ‘civil order’ declining in Gaza as thousands take basics from warehouses
Oct 30, 2023
The main United Nations agency in Gaza warned Sunday there are signs “civil order is starting to break down” after “thousands” of people broke into its warehouses and distribution centers in central and southern parts of the enclave, “taking wheat, flour and other basic survival items.”
China’s special envoy is on a Middle East mission. Peace is just part of the picture
Oct 23, 2023
Zhai Jun, Beijing’s special envoy to the Middle East, has embarked on a whirlwind tour of the region aimed at promoting peace talks between Israel and Hamas – even though Beijing still refuses to condemn or even name the Palestinian militant group in any of its statements.
Putin’s prominence and the shadow of conflict: Key takeaways from China’s Belt and Road Forum
Oct 19, 2023
A two-day global gathering billed as China’s “most important diplomatic event” of the year wrapped up in the Chinese capital on Wednesday, with Beijing touting its outsized role in world development – and its alternative vision to that of the United States.
About
Simone McCarthy is the China Writer for CNN Digital Worldwide. Based in Hong Kong, she writes breaking news, analysis and feature stories on China’s politics, society, and foreign affairs. She is also a contributor to CNN’s three-times-per-week Meanwhile in China newsletter.
Before joining CNN in 2022, McCarthy covered China and health security at the South China Morning Post, where she drove coverage of the Covid-19 pandemic and China’s response to the outbreak. Her work was subsequently honored at the WAN-IFRA Asia Media Awards in 2021. Prior to this role, she was a contributor to the US-based outlet SupChina, where she wrote feature stories on social trends and technology from Shanghai.
McCarthy is from Martha’s Vineyard in the US. She has a Masters in Journalism from Columbia University School of Journalism and a Bachelors in Literature from Yale University. She has studied Mandarin Chinese at Shanghai Jiaotong University, Beijing’s Tsinghua University and the Chinese University of Hong Kong, where she continues her studies of the language.