Greater China Correspondent

About us

The Financial Times is one of the world’s leading news organisations, globally recognised for its authority, integrity and accuracy, with a mission to deliver quality information and services worldwide.

At the FT, curiosity thrives and ambitious thinking is rewarded. Here, you’re given the chance to reach millions, create work that matters and deliver impartial journalism in a polarised world.

In our warm, collaborative culture, you’ll connect with a diverse community of experts who support your growth, career aspirations and wellbeing.

Your future at the FT will be filled with opportunities that challenge and inspire you. With no fixed path, you’ll discover new skills and forge a career that can take you anywhere.

Build a newsworthy career at the FT.

 

The role

The Financial Times is seeking a seasoned correspondent to cover Taiwan, regional security and to look across the strait at Chinese elite politics and the People’s Liberation Army. In terms of military power, political influence and the semiconductor industry, Taiwan lies at the heart of the contest between the US and China, creating the opportunity for a talented journalist to write on what may be the biggest story of the 21st century.

Taiwan as such should be a relatively minor part of the job, but we follow the country’s political divide between the Kuomintang and the Democratic Progressive Party, and the dynamics of groups calling for greater or lesser ties to the mainland. Military manoeuvring around Taiwan and in the South and East China Seas, extending to the wider region including Japan and the Philippines, will be a greater source of day-to-day news.

Beyond these immediate news developments, Taipei is also a centre for analysing the politics of mainland China itself, and assessing the growing military power of the PLA. We would appreciate a correspondent with the expertise to write with originality and insight on these areas, which can be difficult to follow from the mainland itself.

At present, we do not envisage coverage of corporate Taiwan or the technology industry as being part of this role, although that may be needed from time to time. Aptitude for financial and business news is important for correspondents who want to build a long-term career at the FT.

Regional travel is expected. You may also be asked to represent the FT at events and work on podcasts or video. For a talented journalist focused on China, geopolitics and regional security there could not be a better platform.

 

Your skills

This job will suit an experienced correspondent who understands news and how to project a story. National security and defence sources are sensitive. Ideally, you will have a track record in this area, or if not, you will be able to demonstrate very strong source building experience on other beats.

Experience reporting from mainland China would be a big help, as would Chinese language skills, with a vital source of information on political and military affairs being the material that Beijing itself chooses to release.

The FT writes across a wide range of formats, from news through to features and long-form analysis, and we expect you to be comfortable with turning around a speedy news story or a more substantive piece. Editors will be looking for you to pitch them stories, so an entrepreneurial and self-starting attitude is important: we expect our correspondents to be out generating stories, not waiting for the news to come to them.

Collegiality is central to the FT’s culture. We have a world-class network of correspondents, including in mainland China, the wider Asia region and in Washington DC; close cooperation with colleagues is both a basic expectation and part of the recipe for success.

 

Please submit your application by the end of the day, Sunday February 15 2026. 

 

The use of AI

Original reporting, great writing and intelligent commentary lie at the heart of FT journalism. Our readers trust us to produce quality journalism that is accurate, fair and insightful. This is why FT editorial staff do not by default use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to write articles or create other reader-facing content. For specific and pre-approved cases, AI can be harnessed for certain tasks, such as assisting data research for investigations.  

We expect applicants to the FT newsroom to refrain from using AI in their test submissions, and any written materials should be a genuine reflection of their own knowledge, skills and experiences. We encourage candidates only to employ AI as a tool to help with research and interview readiness for a role. 

Candidates should be aware that the use of AI throughout the application process is monitored to ensure a fair and transparent hiring process for all.

Our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion 

We believe in the power of unique perspectives and want all voices in our organisation to be heard, respected and valued. A supportive workplace is one where employees feel they can be themselves and operate to their full potential. We are committed to removing barriers for everyone, with a focus on addressing those faced by underrepresented groups.

What’s in it for you? Our benefits

Our benefits vary by location but we are committed to providing best-in-class perks across all our offices. These include generous annual leave, medical cover, inclusive parental leave packages, subsidised gym memberships and opportunities to give back to the community. Full details of our benefits are available here.

FT Newsroom staff are expected to work onsite a minimum of three days per week, subject to role requirements and regular review. While flexible working requests will be considered, not all patterns are suitable for Editorial roles.

Accessibility

We are a disability confident employer and Valuable 500 signatory.

Please let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments/personalisation as part of the application process or to enable you to attend an interview. If you would like to discuss your requirements or have any questions, email talent@ft.com and a member of our team will be happy to help.

 

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