Featured stories
My journalism covers the intersections of human rights, politics and culture. I interrogate identity and power with a feminist perspective; I make sense of China and East and Southeast Asia in a global context. My work has appeared in The Guardian, Financial Times, CNN, The Economist, BBC and more. Testimonial:
“Jessie is a talented and thorough journalist. I edited Jessie’s work on a couple of occasions at CNN and found her to be prompt, receptive to feedback and willing to shepherd sometimes complex or sensitive stories through multiple layers of review. (She’s) a pleasure to work with.” —Sheena Mckenzie, Editor
View a selection of my work below (digital, film, audio and print):
Films
Over the years, I’ve worked on investigative documentaries as a multimedia reporter, producer, narrator, presenter, translator, fixer and researcher. Following the detention of China’s prominent #MeToo journalist Sophia Huang Xueqin in 2021, I fronted the BBC Eye documentary “China’s Silenced Feminist” investigating her “disappearance.” Watch it on YouTube or BBC iPlayer (UK access) I also executive-produced, reported and narrated the short film “China’s Feminist Fightback,” which explains the country’s dynamic feminist movement. It aired on the Channel 4 News show “Uncovered” on Facebook Watch.
Podcasts
I’m co-host of the NüVoices podcast, a biweekly show featuring interviews with women and gender minorities working on China related topics. Since we launched in Beijing in 2021, the podcast has been downloaded more than 40,000 times. The show is a part of NüVoices collective, a US-based non-profit with chapters across the world including in Britain, where I serve as head of the London chapter. Listen to all our episodes here.
The Guardian
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Financial Times
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BBC
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LA Review of Books
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The Economist
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CNN
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Times Literary Supplement
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WIRED Magazine
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The Guardian • Financial Times • BBC • LA Review of Books • The Economist • CNN • Times Literary Supplement • WIRED Magazine •
Print Portfolio
Can the last bamboo artisans of Hong Kong survive the modern age?
The material is an inescapable part of the city’s landscape and heritage — but its future is precarious
What happened to China’s fake Van Goghs?
Dafen once produced 60 per cent of the world’s new oil paintings — now this village of copyists is under threat
UK law change paves way for Hong Kong extraditions, unnerving exiles
Hong Kong activists in Britain fear reprisals from Beijing and call for more protection.
The Women Who Fought Japan’s Empire
Japanese colonialism is infamous for its brutalization of women, abducted and forced into sex slavery. Less known is women’s role in fighting against the Japanese Empire, brilliantly brought to life in two recent novels.
British government faces claims of capitulation to Beijing after spy trial collapses
Some scholars argue the real problem lies with the UK’s lack of a coherent engagement strategy with China.
‘She didn’t realise how dangerous it was’: London-bound student held in China over Tibet support
Zhang Yadi was due to begin a degree in the UK but the activist vanished on holiday amid tensions over Dalai Lama.
Baby snatchers
Jessie Lau reviews Barbara Demick’s “Daughters of the Bamboo Grove.”
A dystopian film ages into realism
A decade ago, Hong Kong filmmakers asked what their city would look like under Chinese control in 2025. Now, their banned dystopian hit is being brought to Britain on its ten year anniversary, by diaspora artists fighting against censorship.
China’s cyber-abuse scandal: is the government unwilling to crack down on exploitation of women online?
Secretly filmed images of women are spreading online, yet the authorities seem more focused on censorship than punishing the perpetrators, critics say.
In Hong Kong, domestic workers must walk a precarious tightrope. One stumble can be disastrous
Precarious labor conditions and restrictive government policies set domestic workers up to fail, advocates say.
Planning my multicultural wedding was already difficult. Finding a dress was even harder
I wrote about how my wedding dress anxieties became less about the look itself, and more about what it had come to represent—my identity in a mixed-race marriage.
Communications & consulting
As a freelance consultant and communications specialist, I bring my core journalistic values–trust, credibility, editorial integrity, transparency and a commitment to ethical approaches–into all of the projects I take on. I offer insights in the following areas of expertise (broadly defined):
Developing new multimedia initiatives and platforms
Art, political and cultural communication
Diversity, equity and inclusion training
Strategic communications
Audience targeting, social media and multi-platform growth strategy
China government, economy and consumer culture analysis
Asia-focused foreign policy and geopolitical risk assessment
Intersectional feminist and de-colonial foreign policy
Human rights monitoring and impact assessment (particularly in Greater China)
Expert and source referral
Crisis communication and decision-making
Over the past decade, I’ve offered my expertise, shaped projects and delivered training workshops for various organisations. I’ve shared strategies on developing de-colonial, anti-racist and intersectional feminist policies with the Centre for Feminist Foreign Policy (CFFP) in Berlin, as part of a year-long working group on improving the discourse around feminist foreign policy. I’ve also provided insights on a strategic communications webinar hosted by The Whitehouse Consultancy in London, and consulted on risk assessments for filming projects in China for BBC World Service and Channel 4 News.
My copywriting breaks down complex topics into engaging content; I deliver an organisation’s message to its target audience with nuance and clarity. I’ve worked on annual reports, research, copywriting and consulting projects for think tanks, charities and NGOs such as Media Defence, The Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung and Limelight Foundation. Have a project I can help with, or just an idea? Let’s discuss how I can add value.
What people are saying
“I've witnessed Jessie launch and manage several successful multi-platform projects and media platforms, nurturing them from the ground up into exciting ventures with high levels of growth. Jessie is one of the most dynamic and entrepreneurial editorial leaders I know and I would highly recommend her to anyone seeking her expertise on media and communications."
—Joanna Chiu, Managing Partner at Nüora Global Advisors and author of China Unbound
“Jessie is someone I would work with again in a heartbeat. She brings strong editorial judgement, excellent writing, and professionalism that make collaborative projects run smoothly. I would warmly recommend her to NGOs, think tanks, foundations, and other mission-driven organisations looking for someone who can develop and deliver thoughtful, high-quality media and copywriting work with care and intelligence.”
—Inge Snip, Communications and Partnerships Manager at Limelight Foundation
