Alex Willemyns
Australian journalist in Washington DC. State Department correspondent for Radio Free Asia. Before: Morning Consult geopolitics editor, VOD English co-founder and politics editor at The Cambodia Daily and Phnom Penh Post.
See my stories for Radio Free Asia, articles from Cambodia and photos.
Twitter: @alexwillemyns • Contact: alex.willemyns@gmail.com
Stories for Radio Free Asia
March 2025
- US might not cut pledged Pacific aid, NZ foreign minister says
- US sanctions Thai officials for deporting Uyghurs to China
- US charges 12 Chinese hackers and officials, offers $10M in rewards
February 2025
- Rubio accuses China of ‘reverse’ Opium War via fentanyl
- Top US, Chinese officials talk about tariffs on video call
- Trade dominates Trump’s talks with Japanese leader
- Musk says US aid agency will be closed
January 2025
- Trump threatens 100% tariff on Taiwan’s microchip industry
- Rubio holds phone call with China’s Wang Yi
- Beijing opaque on its travel ban against Rubio
- Trump says China tariffs could begin Feb. 1
- Rubio hosts ‘Quad’ foreign ministers after being sworn in
- Trump extends deadline for TikTok ban
- Supreme Court upholds TikTok ban, but Biden says he won’t enforce it
- Uyghurs welcome largest Chinese import blacklisting yet
- Rubio says US at risk of relying on China
- TikTok lawyers ask Supreme Court to delay ban
December 2024
- Uyghur group welcomes key laws passed in US defense bill
- China now has more than 600 nuclear warheads, Pentagon says
- California man jailed for Chinese ‘birth tourism’ business
- US hits North Korea with new sanctions
- More China trade ‘hawks’ among Trump’s top State Department picks
- US and China renew science sharing deal, but pare it back
- Activists tell US Congress of China’s far-reaching cultural erasure
November 2024
- Trade and tariffs to dominate US-China ties under Trump
- US bars 29 more Chinese companies over Uyghur slave labor
- Biden heads to Peru for APEC and final Xi meeting
- China hawk Marco Rubio nominated for US secretary of state
- Asian leaders congratulate Trump on US election victory
- US election won’t impact AUKUS or Quad, Australian and Indian foreign ministers say
- US blacklists 3 more Chinese textile firms over Uyghur slave labor
- EXPLAINED: How would Harris and Trump differ on Asia?
October 2024
- North Korean troops to battle Ukraine within days, US says
- Myanmar’s internet now as restrictive as China’s: report
- Giant pandas arrive in US en route to Washington’s zoo
- Newsweek retracts paid story on sanctioned Cambodian firm
- Transnational repression endangers Americans: US diplomat
- Award-winning Cambodian journalist jailed for ‘incitement’
September 2024
- At UN, Zelensky rejects China-Brazil peace plan
- Biden meets Vietnam’s president in New York
- World is stuck in ‘purgatory of polarity’: UN chief
- What exactly is UNGA Week?
- Too many Americans ‘unjustly’ jailed in China, lawmakers say
- ‘Too early’ for an Asian NATO: US official
- Uyghur activists welcome Biden’s call to limit ‘de minimis’ exemption
- US lawmakers ask Biden to end China trade ‘loophole’
- What is ‘China Week’ at the US Congress?
- Trump’s and Harris’ differing proposals on Chinese tariffs
August 2024
- US soldier who entered North Korea will plead guilty
- Top White House official to visit China
- US approves AUKUS defense sharing deal
- Attacks against Rohingyas now ‘worse than in 2017’
- US blacklists five more Chinese firms over Uyghur slavery
- Harris’ VP pick has extensive China ties
- Protesters in US were attacked by Beijing-linked figures: report
July 2024
- US lawmakers allege rampant Chinese Olympics doping
- Chinese and Russian bomber jets intercepted near Alaska
- US offers $10M reward for info on North Korean hacker
- Rohingya at risk of being forgotten, activists say
- US secretaries of state and defense head to Asia
- Blinken to meet Chinese counterpart in Laos
- Russia may have shared US arms info with China: lawmakers
- Congress moves to create special US rep for Rohingya
- NATO calls China ‘decisive enabler’ of Russia’s war in Ukraine
- US officials pledge to close forced-labor import loophole
- US aims to ‘disrupt’ Chinese spy station in Cuba
- Xi is a ‘dictator’ who broke Hong Kong treaty, ex-governor says
June 2024
- US diplomats: Budget cuts would be ‘devastating’ and ‘deadly’
- US: China still arresting ‘thousands’ each year for practicing faith
- Vietnam improves in US human trafficking report
- ASEAN chief: Bloc won’t pick sides in US-China rivalry
- US doesn’t want ‘regime change’ in China, diplomat says
- US blacklists 3 more Chinese firms for Uyghur slave labor
- US and China spar over nuclear weapons build-up
- Rudd says China using ‘gray zone’ tactics against Taiwan
- Five Eyes nations say China is poaching Western ex-military
- US lawmakers remember Tiananmen Square massacre
- US lawmakers query credibility of Volkswagen forced labor audit
May 2024
- US to issue visa bans for Hong Kong officials
- Chinese ‘botnet’ admin arrested in Singapore
- Chinese citizens stole ‘billions’ in COVID relief funds, US says
- Amid US flirtation, Cambodia stresses ‘steel’ ties to China
- Hong Kong’s US offices should be closed, activists say
- US imported cars tied to Uyghur slave labor, Senate report says
- North Koreans worked remotely for American companies, US says
- US to send delegation to Taiwan’s presidential inauguration
- Biden unveils sweeping tariffs on Chinese goods
- US, Chinese officials head to Geneva for AI talks
- US sanctions 37 Chinese tech firms over drones, spy balloons
- Cambodia and Vietnam defend their rights records
- US begins review process for key AUKUS pillar
- 4 in 5 Americans have a negative view of China: survey
April 2024
- US diplomat: Official ties to Taiwan would ‘undermine’ peace
- Blinken meets Xi amid warning of ‘downward spiral’ in ties
- Blinken begins China trip with light friction
- Biden signs TikTok ban bill
- US report: ‘Ethnic cleansing’ of Rohingya took place last year
- Blinken to visit China amid claims about Russia support
- Report: China is exporting digital control methods
- US lawmakers relaunch Uyghur caucus
- Biden: US will defend Philippines if vessels are attacked
- With eyes on Beijing, US and Japan pledge stronger ties
- Japan can aid lagging US defense industrial base: diplomat
- US needs to share military secrets, Australian diplomat says
- US Treasury secretary in China amid ‘overcapacity’ dispute
- US committed to Australia nuclear subs deal, diplomat says
- Xi and Biden hold first phone call in nearly 2 years
March 2024
- Rohingya activists call for more control of aid money
- US and China feud over subsidies for green tech
- Vietnamese FM: President’s ouster doesn’t change much
- US alleges massive Chinese state-backed hacking program
- Experts: China is sequencing Uyghur DNA for organ harvesting
- Sam Rainsy says West can still influence Cambodia
- New Cambodian democracy group says it could ‘legitimize’ Hun Manet
- TikTok ban bill passes US House
- US intelligence: Beijing may try to influence 2024 election
- US lawmakers introduce latest TikTok ban bill
- US Army analyst arrested for selling military secrets
- US lawmakers call for release of Uyghur prisoners
February 2024
- Report: Freedom continued to erode in 2023
- Shan state leader denies nuclear trafficking links
- China to send giant pandas back to US
- In Taiwan, US lawmaker calls any Chinese invasion plans ‘foolish’
- Yakuza leader charged over Myanmar nuclear trafficking
- Biden unveils $20 billion for US port security
- ‘Stop harassing’ Chinese students, Beijing tells US
- Uyghur Policy Act passes US House
- US officials: Funding for Pacific allies ‘must be done’
- US must better engage allies on Taiwan: experts
- Almost $5 billion of Indo-Pacific aid in bipartisan Senate bill
- Senate vets Biden’s pick for key human rights diplomat
- UN should update North Korea rights report: experts
- Senate confirms Kurt Campbell as No. 2 US diplomat
January 2024
- FBI director: Chinese hackers targeting US infrastructure
- US official: China may never surpass America’s economy
- Report: ‘Little to no’ progress on fighting corruption in Asia
- US officials headed to Beijing for fentanyl talks
- Kim Jong Un’s sister ‘not to be underestimated,’ author says
- US urges China to push Iran to pressure Houthis over Red Sea attacks
- Little time to review China’s rights record at UN
- Chinese drones may pose security risks, US agencies warn
- ‘No honeymoon period’ for Taiwan’s new leader
- US imposes sanctions over North Korean missiles to Russia
- ‘Double standards’ on rights is doing damage, report says
- Biden to send delegation to Taiwan after election
- US and Chinese military officials meet in Washington
- In NY, Chinese official downplays ‘Wolf Warrior’ diplomacy
- US Navy sailor jailed for working with Chinese spy
- Russia fired North Korean missiles into Ukraine, US says
- IMF chief: US-China rivalry could dent global GDP by 7%
December 2023
- China sanctions US compliance firm over Uyghur research
- US defense bill spends big against China’s maritime claims
- Top US and Chinese generals resume talks
- N Korea fires long-range ballistic missile
- Jimmy Lai’s lawyer says rape threats precede public events
- China seeks a more ‘inclusive’ Taliban
- Congress hears of Beijing’s ‘discourse power’
November 2023
- US activists mark year since White Paper protests
- N Korea launches satellite despite warnings
- Biden: US-China ties ‘not all kumbaya’ after Xi talks
- Xi and Biden reinstate direct military talks
- APEC 2023: All eyes on Xi and Biden
- US lawmakers urge sanctions on Hong Kong justice officials
- Biden taps Asia czar as Blinken’s deputy
October 2023
- US sanctions Myanmar’s state energy company
- White House expects Biden and Xi to meet next month
- China’s foreign minister in Washington to pave way for Xi
- Biden not worried by Australia’s ties to China
- Experts: Americans are eating fish processed by slaves
- US officials: China’s economic woes may slow military rise
- US expands chip export ban to China
- US calls for China to ‘confirm’ location of rights lawyer
- Report: US brands linked to Uyghur-mined gold
- Former US soldier arrested for helping Chinese spies
- US blacklists 42 Chinese firms for selling microchips to Russia
- US Senate delegation to visit China next week
- US: Cambodia aid doesn’t mean election legitimacy
September 2023
- US won’t say why it reversed $18M aid cut to Cambodia
- US diplomat: ‘We’re in an undeclared information war’
- Biden promises more spending for Pacific island nations
- Hun Manet tells UN Cambodia’s elections were fair
- China sent who to the UN?
- Kyaw Moe Tun to remain Myanmar’s UN rep
- Yoon warns Russia, N Korea against cooperation
- Zelenskyy upstages UN climate summit
- Uyghur event in NY goes ahead despite Beijing’s warning
- UN’s relevance in focus as world leaders gather
- US House leaders decry Huawei’s new phone
- Senate finance committee approves Taiwan tax bill
- Official: US pushing Laos to press Myanmar junta
- ‘Washington and Wall Street are two different countries’
- Biden’s Hanoi trip buttressed by trade
- US senators question defense sharing with Australia
- G20 to meet amid a global turn inward
August 2023
- US issues sanctions over North Korean missile program
- US: North Korea in talks to supply Russia with weapons
- UN: Hundreds of thousands of people forced to scam
- Biden to visit Vietnam next month
- US sanctions Myanmar junta’s jet-fuel suppliers
- US to issue sanctions over forced assimilation of Tibetans
- US commerce secretary to visit Beijing next week
- Hun Sen’s legacy: Cambodia as the family business
- South Korea, Japan and US vow ‘new era’
- US, South Korea and Japan look to ‘institutionalize’ ties
- In NY, Taiwan’s deputy leader vows no retreat
- Taiwan deputy leader’s trip tests US-China thaw
- Biden issues order regulating investment in China
- US bans imports from two Chinese firms over forced labor
- Groundwork laid for China’s top diplomat to visit US
July 2023
- US intelligence: Beijing has increased Russia support
- Global survey: China viewed in more negative light
- Democrats question proposed part of AUKUS deal
- US commerce secretary plans China trip
- Kerry: China won’t surrender ‘developing country’ rights
- Chinese hackers breached US email servers for a month
- NBA star says he was dumped for China criticism
- US climate envoy John Kerry to visit China
- Beijing’s ‘gray zone’ tactics in the South China Sea
- US says reconsider China travel due to ‘exit bans’
June 2023
- Blinken: No US goal for China but peace
- Beijing looms large as Modi visits White House
- Cambodian journalist wins award for cyber-scam stories
- US official: Blinken not seeking ‘deliverables’ in Beijing
- Blinken walks a diplomatic tightrope to Beijing
- US defense official: China’s maneuvers risk conflict
- Reports: Blinken to visit Beijing within weeks
- Rudd foresees ‘seamless’ AUKUS defense industry
- Senior US officials visit Beijing in search of thaw
- UN Myanmar envoy to leave role
May 2023
- Chinese and US jets tangle over South China Sea
- US debt deal nears, but Asia will look on warily
- US House panel urges further action Uyghur forced labor
- US sanctions North Korean crypto operations
APRIL 2023
- Survey: Americans hold increasingly negative views of China
- Philippines, US launch largest-ever joint war games
- Philippine foreign secretary sees hope for Taiwan
- Taiwan leader’s visit lays bare US-China schism
- Taiwan’s leader praises US ties: ‘We are not alone’
MARCH 2023
- A tale of two Taiwanese presidents
- Tsai talks in US – behind closed doors
- Tsai arrives in US amid Beijing’s protests
- Taiwan leader’s US trip comes with baggage
- Uyghurs tell Congress of gang rape, shackles and sterilization
- TikTok CEO denies links to Chinese Communist Party
- Blinken pushes for $2B for US rival to Belt and Road
- Blinken: Human rights are a ‘central interest’ but not the only one
- China hits back after US calls for TikTok sell-off
- Nearly $500 million in US imports blocked due to Uyghur forced labor
- AUKUS pact makes waves with submarine deal
- Rudd: US and China risk war ‘by accident’
- US intel chief: Agencies ‘divided’ over COVID origins
- White House backs TikTok ban bill
- US blacklists 28 more Chinese firms
- Dual House committees take aim at China
FEBRUARY 2023
- US and China spar over Ukraine war support
- Biden seeks ‘common global norms’ for aerial objects
- Radar tweaks driving balloon finds, US officials say
- US shoots down ‘high altitude object’ over Alaska
- Sherman: China has ‘penetrated’ UN to declaw its oversight
- Biden: ‘We seek competition, not conflict’ with China
- CIA director: China readying for Taiwan invasion by 2027
- Blinken delays China trip after balloon detection
JANUARY 2023
- When might China invade Taiwan? Depends who you ask
- Myanmar plunges in latest corruption index, but Vietnam rises
- Japanese and Dutch officials in US to discuss chips
- Biden extends deportation protections for Hongkongers
- US intel: Deterrence against North Korea is working
- Biden nominates new North Korea human rights envoy
DECEMBER 2022
- Chinese fighter jet and US military plane nearly collide
- Limited TikTok ban could augur sweeping changes
- Defense bill paves way for heftier U.S. policy on Myanmar
- U.S. blacklists 36 Chinese tech firms
- U.S.-China chip war opens up on new fronts
- No successor for departing U.S. ambassador to Myanmar
- U.S. issues slew of sanctions ahead of Human Rights Day
- Australia calls for greater U.S. trade focus in Asia
- China’s push to build an overseas media empire
- UN rights chief slams Myanmar death penalty cases
NOVEMBER 2022
- Pentagon: China’s supply of nukes is rapidly rising
- World leaders call on Beijing to respect rights to protest
- FBI investigating ‘outrageous’ Chinese police stations in US
- Top US general: China likely won’t invade Taiwan soon
- Congress urged to streamline China conflict planning
- Xi and Biden to meet Monday to discuss ‘red lines’
- Week of summits to test Biden’s foreign policy
- Biden: U.S. chip subsidies are key for national security
OCTOBER 2022
- Biden to visit Cambodia for dual summits
- Asia gets mixed marks amid ‘global rule of law recession’
- Navel-gazing biopic shuns Hun Sen’s revolutionary rise
- US Navy chief: Can’t rule out Taiwan invasion by 2023
- Blinken: China speeding up plans for takeover of Taiwan
- Even with CHIPS Act, U.S. could take ‘years’ to catch up
- Biden: Next decade will be ‘decisive’ for rivalry with China