Farewell Singapore, ni hao Beijing
Sydney Morning Herald
by Lisa VisentinFebruary 20, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The article details the journey of an Australian journalist as she prepares to leave Singapore after five years and return to Beijing, reflecting a shift in Australia-China relations. The author shares her bittersweet farewell to Singapore’s vibrant food culture and the process of packing up her life, including selling belongings and preparing for a new chapter in Beijing. Her move follows the approval of a J1 visa, which allows foreign journalists to work in China—a significant milestone after years of strained diplomatic ties between Australia and China.
The journalist highlights how political tensions and the COVID-19 pandemic led her to settle in Singapore initially, where she found safety and stability as a base for reporting on the region. However, with improving relations between Canberra and Beijing, she sees this as an opportunity to resume reporting from China, a move that aligns with broader diplomatic efforts to stabilize ties. The article underscores the symbolic significance of her return, signaling a potential thaw in media access and collaboration between the two nations.
The piece also reflects on the challenges faced by journalists during the low point of Australia-China relations, including the jailing of Australian journalist Cheng Lei, which cast a shadow over the profession. Despite these hurdles, the author found solace in Singapore’s vibrant food culture and community, but now looks forward to re-establishing her bureau in Beijing. This shift not only marks a personal victory but also a broader acknowledgment of
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Originally published on Sydney Morning Herald on 2/20/2026