Scott Tong

Correspondent

SHORT BIO

Scott Tong is a former correspondent for Marketplace. He reported on sustainability issues (energy, climate, environment, resources) for Marketplace, as well as the U.S.-China technology relationship, frequently described as “fraught.” He is Marketplace’s former China bureau chief.

What was your first job?

English-language audiotape (yes, tape) voice-over work. Sixth grade.Taiwan.

What advice do you wish someone had given you before you started this career?

Show up an hour before the interview.

Fill in the blank: Money can’t buy you happiness, but it can buy you ______.

Gas for kid carpools; Washington Capitals hockey tickets.

What is something that everyone should own, no matter how much it costs?

Smoker (plus wooden slotted spoon).

What’s your most memorable Marketplace moment?

Sneaking into Burma for twenty bucks.

Latest Stories (1,339)

Up for a little corruption tonight?

Oct 15, 2007
The word "corruption" is popular slang used among Chinese youth to invite someone out to eat. But some cultural critics think the word is too close to the truth. Scott Tong has more.

A closed Burma keeps China trade open

Oct 12, 2007
China has sided with the West, for the first time, against Myanmar's military junta -- despite its close economic ties with the country. Scott Tong reports from the China-Burma border on how business is booming.

China's spreading the wealth around

Sep 28, 2007
China is unveiling a new investment organization tomorrow geared towards spreading some of its vast amount of money around the world. Lisa Napoli talked to Scott Tong in Shanghai about where the money might go.

Myanmar protests not good for China

Sep 26, 2007
As political tensions and protests continuing to build in Burma, China is hoping things will calm down. As Burma's biggest ally, China has a lot at stake. Scott Tong reports.

Living with China's different speeds

Sep 25, 2007
As China races to soon become the number three economy in the world, many aspects of its economy and society are still catching up. Our man in Shanghai, Scott Tong, shares experiences and observations from his daily life there.

Day 1: Fix Japan's economy

Sep 25, 2007
Yasuo Fukuda started today as Japan's new prime minister, and he's already got a lot of economic baggage to carry. Scott Tong reports what's on the leader's to-do list.

China inflation coming to U.S. price tags

Sep 19, 2007
China's having inflation worries of its own. Beijing imposed price controls today on almost everything. The rising cost of food is the most worrisome in a country that has 1.3 billion people to feed. But Scott Tong reports the Chinese won't be the only ones paying the price.

No such thing as a rain check

Sep 19, 2007
Authorities in Shanghai evacuated more than 2 million people to brace for what was to be the biggest typhoon in a decade. The city's partial shutdown left thousands of migrant workers without a day of pay. Scott Tong has more.

Save the tiger by mass production?

Sep 11, 2007
With wild tigers on the brink of extinction, many countries ban the sale of hides and bones. But China is considering lifting its restrictions. It's part of a free-market approach to conservation that's novel -- and controversial. Scott Tong reports.

China not manned enough for safety

Sep 10, 2007
Beijing safety regulators are meeting in Washington today to discuss China's need to ensure safety of its products. As Scott Tong reports, the problem with fulfilling these mandates may come from the country's lack of manpower.