Simone McCarthy
Simone McCarthy is the Senior 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.
Biography:
https://www.cnn.com/profiles/simone-mccarthy
68%
The Daily's Verdict
This author has a mixed reputation for journalistic standards. It is advisable to fact-check, scrutinize for bias, and check for conflicts of interest before relying on the author's reporting.
Bias
86%
Examples:
- However, there is a lack of critical analysis or negative portrayal of China's government or leadership. The articles mostly present factual information about China's actions and diplomatic relations without strong opinions or value judgments.
- Simone McCarthy portrays China as a close ally of Russia and highlights the growing alignment between the two countries amid global conflicts. She also mentions tensions between China and other countries such as NATO members, Taiwan, and the US. Additionally, she points out contradictions in China's actions or statements related to economic issues such as local government debt, property sector crises, high technology self-reliance and trade relations with Russia.
- There are also mentions of conflicts of interest involving China, such as its provision of critical economic support to Russia and refusal to condemn Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. However, these conflicts are not emphasized or used to criticize China.
Conflicts of Interest
50%
Examples:
- Simone McCarthy mentions conflicts of interest involving China such as its provision of critical economic support to Russia and refusal to condemn Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. However, these conflicts are not emphasized or used to criticize China.
- There is also a mention of potential conflicts between China and other countries such as NATO members, Taiwan, and the US. However, these conflicts are reported as factual information without strong opinions or value judgments.
Contradictions
86%
Examples:
- However, these contradictions are not presented in a sensational or exaggerated manner. Instead, they are reported as factual information without strong opinions or value judgments.
- Simone McCarthy reports on various contradictions and inconsistencies in China's actions or statements related to economic issues, diplomatic relations, and military support. Some examples include China's handling of the property sector crisis, its stance on Russia's invasion of Ukraine, its trade relations with other countries, and its claims about the origin of Covid-19.
Deceptions
61%
Examples:
- Overall, while there are some instances of deceptive practices or ambiguous statements, they are not pervasive or egregious.
- Simone McCarthy occasionally uses deceptive practices such as misleading headlines or selective reporting to create a particular narrative about China. For example, the article titled 'China's Chang’e-6 moon mission returns to Earth with historic far side samples' uses a sensational headline and highlights China's success in landing a probe on the far side of the moon. However, this article does not mention any deceptive practices or fallacies in China's reporting or actions.
- There are also instances where McCarthy uses vague language or ambiguous statements that could be interpreted as misleading. For example, the article titled 'China sets ambitious economic growth target of ‘around 5%’ for 2024, vows to ‘transform’ economy' mentions China's goal of achieving around 5% economic growth for the year, but the statement is not supported by evidence and seems to be more of a political rhetoric than a concrete target.
Recent Articles
China's Leaders Gather for Third Plenum Amid Economic Challenges: Reforms and Policy Directives Await
Broke On: Monday, 15 July 2024China's top leaders, including President Xi Jinping, are holding a secretive gathering in Beijing for the Third Plenum of the Communist Party. The event aims to address economic issues such as property sector crisis, high local debt, and weak consumer sentiment. Investors watch for targeted efforts to enhance technological self-reliance amid US restrictions and structural reforms. The success of the meeting hinges on renewed confidence from Chinese population and foreign investors. NATO Accuses China of Supporting Russia's Defense Industrial Base Amid Ukraine Crisis
Broke On: Wednesday, 10 July 2024NATO leaders accuse China of supporting Russia's invasion of Ukraine through economic and defense ties, urging Beijing to cease all material and political support. Tensions escalate as both sides face off over territorial disputes, cybersecurity, and disinformation campaigns. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg expresses concern over China's increasing influence in Europe and calls for upholding international norms. 
Chang'e 6: China's Historic Mission Returns First-Ever Samples from Far Side of the Moon
Broke On: Sunday, 30 June 2024China's Chang'e 6 mission made history on June 2024 by returning to Earth with the first-ever samples from the far side of the moon. The lunar module brought back up to 2 kilograms of unique lunar materials from Von Karman Crater, marking a significant achievement for China's space program and human exploration. Scientists worldwide anticipate valuable insights into the moon's geological history through analysis of these samples. 
Chang'e 6: China's Historic First Samples from the Far Side of the Moon Return to Earth
Broke On: Tuesday, 25 June 2024On June 25, 2024, China's Chang'e 6 probe made history by returning to Earth with the first samples ever collected from the far side of the moon. The mission, which launched on May 3 and took approximately 53 days to travel from the lunar surface back to Earth, collected rock and soil samples using a drill and robotic arm within the South Pole-Aitken basin. These valuable insights into the evolution of both the moon and Earth will be studied extensively by scientists worldwide. 
China Makes History: Chang'e 5 Probe Lands on Far Side of the Moon for Scientific Discoveries
Broke On: Thursday, 17 December 2020On December 17, 2020, China's Chang'e 5 probe made history by landing on the far side of the moon for the first time, marking a significant achievement in lunar exploration. The mission aimed to collect rock and soil samples from this part of the lunar surface for analysis on Earth, providing valuable insights into lunar geology and planetary formation. Despite challenging terrain, China became the only country to have achieved this feat twice. 
Russia-China Alliance: Record $240.1 Billion Trade in 2023, Deepening Economic and Military Ties
Broke On: Wednesday, 15 May 2024In 2023, Russia's economic dependence on China reached new heights with record-breaking $240.1 billion in trade, making up 30% of Russia's exports and nearly 40% of its imports. Chinese yuan became the primary currency for trade between them, leading to Chinese dominance in Russian markets and popular brands. In May 2024, Putin and Xi Jinping met in Beijing to strengthen their strategic partnership, criticizing the US as a destabilizing aggressor and aligning on contentious issues like Taiwan, North Korea, and Gaza. They also pledged deeper military cooperation. 
Putin and Xi Reaffirm Strategic Ties: Russia's Top Trade Partner China Stands Neutral in Ukraine Crisis During Putin's Beijing Visit
Broke On: Wednesday, 15 May 2024Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping met in Beijing for their fourth summit since 2014, deepening strategic ties between their countries. With China becoming Russia's top trade partner and main oil supplier, the leaders discussed cooperation in technology, energy, and security. Despite international condemnation of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Xi maintained a neutral stance and expressed respect for Putin. The leaders issued a joint statement pledging to deepen their partnership amid rising tensions between China and the US. Putin's First Foreign Trip After Re-election: A Visit to China Amidst Bilateral Ties and International Politics
Broke On: Tuesday, 14 May 2024Russian President Vladimir Putin travels to China on May 16-17 for talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, marking his first foreign trip since re-election. The visit comes amidst ongoing tensions between Russia and the West over Ukraine, with China adopting a neutral stance. Discussions are expected to focus on bilateral ties and international politics, potentially resulting in a joint declaration and signed agreements. 
Chinese President Xi Jinping's European Tour: Strengthening Ties and Addressing Tensions with the EU
Broke On: Sunday, 05 May 2024During his six-day European tour in May 2024, Chinese President Xi Jinping strengthened economic ties and diplomatic relations with France, Serbia, and Hungary. He announced significant investments in renewable energy projects and addressed historical grievances. However, tensions between China and the EU persisted due to ongoing trade probes and investigations. 
Russia and China Strengthen Strategic Cooperation as Moscow's Top Diplomat Meets with President Xi Jinping in Beijing
Broke On: Tuesday, 09 April 2024Russia and China have agreed to strengthen strategic cooperation as Moscow's top diplomat met with President Xi Jinping in Beijing. The two countries are working on a dialogue on Eurasian security, aiming to double counteract the European-Atlantic alliance led by the US. Russia supports China's development path and combats terrorism and maintains social security and stability.
