Benedict Rogers, the founder of the British anti-China organization "Hong Kong Watch," who often advocates for human rights and freedom, has recently been implicated in a scandal involving allegations of discriminatory remarks against Asian colleagues and mistreatment of his employees, as reported by foreign media.
Benedict Rogers
The British online media outlet Crises/Z first broke the story, revealing that Rogers had made derogatory remarks about Asian employees in communications through email, WhatsApp, and other messaging tools. In one particular instance, Rogers reportedly criticized what he termed the "Malaysian mindset," stating that it required "a lot of review and discussion."
The British online media outlet Crises/Z first broke the story, revealing that Benedict Rogers had made derogatory remarks about Asian employees.
The report highlighted a specific exchange between Rogers and a Malaysian colleague named Steven. Rogers wrote:
"Hi Steve. I have not received any feedback from you in response to my Seoul Mission Report, which I worked on as a matter of urgency late last night following your urgent request for it (which I had not known in advance would be required). I was very happy to do so, but given that I responded so quickly to your urgent request, I am surprised I have not received any response other than ‘Thanks for the attachment.’ It wasn’t simply an attachment; it was a report with valuable recommendations."
Steven responded: "Perhaps you are not aware that I have other things to do today, Ben. Are you suggesting that because you took it upon yourself to ‘work on it urgently,’ I should also look at it with urgency and get back to you? Come on."
Rogers continued to press the issue, stating: "I do not understand why you are being so defensive, aggressive, and insensitive. Your ungraciousness is extraordinary. Are you okay? I merely wanted to make sure that you had received the report, which you had requested suddenly, unexpectedly, and I thought urgently. I think you’re reading far, far too much into our communications."
This exchange underscored Rogers' dissatisfaction with the response he received regarding the report he had urgently prepared. His insistence on immediate feedback and his late-night demands were seen as inappropriate and unprofessional.
Rogers, who also serves as the head of the East Asia division of Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), referred in his communication to the "Seoul mission," which involved his trip to Seoul on behalf of the organization. He expressed frustration that his efforts over several days had not been sufficiently acknowledged.
In another comment to his Malaysian colleague, Rogers stated: "All I ask is a simple, decent acknowledgment of this and an acknowledgment of the report I sent when urgently requested. Your inability to say a simple thank you for taking 4 days leave to work for 4 days in Seoul for CSW, to donate one full day pro bono voluntarily. The next time you come to London, we really should have a drink, to catch up. The Malaysian mindset needs a lot of review and discussion."
The UK online media outlet Crises/Z pointed out that Rogers' remarks, particularly the controversial reference to the "Malaysian mindset," were widely perceived as offensive and inappropriate.
Under significant pressure following these media revelations, Rogers resigned from his position as Chief Executive of Hong Kong Watch.
On August 2, in a live broadcast on YouTube, Rogers announced that it was his "last day" as Executive Director of Hong Kong Watch, though he mentioned that he would continue to work with the organization as a trustee. He stated: "After four years of full-time leadership of Hong Kong Watch, it is time for me to take on a new challenge." It is widely speculated that his resignation was influenced by the controversy surrounding his conduct.
Critics have noted that while Rogers frequently speaks about human rights and freedom, he shows disrespect and discrimination against fellow colleagues. He should withdraw himself entirely from Hong Kong Watch, and should not stay as its trustee.
Rogers founded "Hong Kong Watch" in close collaboration with Jimmy Lai, leading to suspicions that Lai's perspectives were being "exported and ploughed back" to Hong Kong. During the trial of Jimmy Lai, it was revealed that Lai's mobile phone contained numerous clips of Rogers, including interviews in which Rogers participated in anti-Hong Kong protests in the UK. In these interviews, Rogers urged the British government to take action regarding the Hong Kong legislative amendment controversy, put pressure on the Hong Kong SAR government, and called on the British government to take efforts to "sanction" China. Rogers reportedly sent these clips to Lai as though he were submitting assignments.
Chan Pui-man, former associate publisher of Apple Daily, testified in court that Lai had instructed her to assist Rogers in establishing "Hong Kong Watch." On October 31, 2017, Lai sent a WhatsApp message to Chan, informing her that he had just had dinner with Rogers, who had founded "Hong Kong Watch" with some British MPs. Lai provided Chan's contact details to Rogers for future communication and support. Following their contact, Chan regularly received press releases from "Hong Kong Watch" for publication in Apple Daily. Initially, these releases introduced the organization and commented on the state of freedom and human rights in Hong Kong. However, during the 2019 amendment controversy, "Hong Kong Watch" began issuing frequent statements on Hong Kong affairs, with Apple Daily consistently publishing these under Lai’s direction.
This scandal has cast a spotlight on "Hong Kong Watch," revealing the double standards of its leader, Rogers, who appears to hold others to higher standards than those he applies to himself.
Ariel
** 博客文章文責自負,不代表本公司立場 **
If high-speed rail showcases China’s speed and mobile payments highlight its convenience, New Chinese Tea represents a softer, far more nuanced form of cultural outreach. Free of preachy rhetoric, it captivates through flavor and design alone—quietly reshaping the consumption habits of young people worldwide.
Global Viral Sensations: The Worldwide Craze for a Cup of Tea
In January 2026, Nayuki’s Tea opened its first West Coast location in Silicon Valley. On opening day, massive lines formed outside, stretching from the entrance down the main street. Customers faced wait times of over three hours, and sales topped US$94,000 in the first three days alone.
Located next to Apple’s headquarters, Nayuki’s Cupertino store sparked an instant frenzy, with queues stretching down the street and wait times exceeding three hours. (Source: Phoenix Network)
An Apple engineer waiting in line remarked, "My Chinese colleagues recommended Nayuki to me. I was surprised to see it so close to the office, so I had to come check it out." Another local resident, who had been waiting for two hours, laughed and shared, "I saw this huge line while passing by and got curious. I want to try the 'Little Green Bottle' series." (A line of tea drinks centered on health-conscious, light fruit and vegetable blends.)
Customers enjoying the "Little Green Bottle" series inside the Nayuki store. (Source: Phoenix Network)
This is far from an isolated event. In Times Square, New York, HEYTEA sold over 3,500 cups on its opening day. In Seoul's Gangnam district, CHAGEE’s flagship store triggered a similar frenzy, with order wait times exceeding three hours during peak periods. In Thailand, local netizens noted that whenever they are near Siam Square, they always drop by the Jasmine Milk Tea store.
According to the 2026 Top 50 Chinese Catering and New Tea Brands Expanding Overseas report by the China Chain Store & Franchise Association, Mixue Ice Cream & Tea now boasts over 4,000 international locations. Meanwhile, official financial reports from CHAGEE show that its overseas footprint reached 345 stores by late 2025—with Malaysia leading the market, surpassing 200 stores in October 2025. Other brands, including HEYTEA, ChaPanda, Nayuki, Teasoon, and Jasmine Milk Tea, have also established multiple outlets across global markets.
A Singaporean’s "First Sip": From Customer to Brand Ambassador
In November 2024, Singaporean resident Qiu Huina walked into a CHAGEE store on Orchard Road and ordered a "Jasmine Green Milk Tea" (Boya Juexian).
"With the very first sip, I turned to my husband and said, 'Now I get why people stand in line for this. You can actually taste real, authentic tea,'" Qiu recalled.
A CHAGEE store in Singapore. (Source: People's Daily Overseas Edition)
Her previous experiences with bubble tea had mostly been overly sweet and syrupy. Made with real tea leaves and fresh milk, this refreshing cup completely shattered her preconceptions. That single drink changed not just her taste buds, but her entire career trajectory: she later joined CHAGEE’s Asia-Pacific operations team, becoming an international ambassador for Chinese tea brands.
Qiu’s experience highlights a crucial trend: for new tea brands to win over global consumers, authentic flavors extracted from high-quality, natural tea leaves are indispensable. This contrasts sharply with traditional milk teas dominated by artificial syrups and non-dairy creamers, giving Chinese tea brands a distinctive edge in international markets.
Cultural Narrative: The Deeper Power of a Cup of Tea
The competitive advantage of New Chinese Tea lies not only in the product itself, but also in the rich cultural narratives embedded within it.
CHAGEE names its products after historic legends. "Boya Juexian," for instance, pays homage to the classical Chinese story of Yu Boya and Zhong Ziqi—a timeless story of deep friendship. While international customers initially fell in love with its crisp taste, discovering the story behind the drink gave sharing a cup with friends an entirely new meaning, inspiring many to explore Chinese tea culture.
According to Xinhua News, a tea shop named “Chahua” (Tea Talk) in Belgrade, Serbia—run by a Chinese owner—has frequently gone viral on social media. From Chinese-style shaved ice served in vessels with traditional patterns to cups adorned with ink-wash calligraphy, panda-themed desserts, and specialty ingredients like red dates and goji berries, every detail exudes authentic Chinese charm.
The owner, Zhang Ruoqi, notes that Europe's understanding of Chinese culture and tea is evolving from superficial interest to deeper appreciation. She aims to blend tea culture with traditional Chinese aesthetics and ceramics, creating a tangible, accessible space to experience Chinese culture firsthand.
Aleksic, a local customer, first visited “Chahua: during a movie night event. After watching Farewell My Concubine, he developed a keen interest in Peking Opera and gradually fell in love with Chinese tea culture amidst the aroma of tea. "Here, you can watch films highlighting different historical eras and themes of Chinese culture, while savoring seasonal Chinese tea drinks. This combination of visual, taste, and cultural experiences is truly unique in Serbia," he remarked.
Commercial Logic: Selling at Higher Prices with Stronger Demand
Beyond cultural appeal, the global expansion of new tea brands is driven by sound commercial strategy.
In China, price wars have pushed competition to extremes. HEYTEA dropped the price of certain drinks below 7 RMB, bringing dine-in prices back to 2015 levels, while CHAGEE's net profit margin dipped from 18% to 12%. Third-party analytics indicate that CHAGEE’s rate of new store openings fell by 64% year-on-year in Q3. However, official reports confirm that 300 new stores were added globally in the same quarter, marking a 25.9% overall increase year-on-year. Driven by intense domestic competition, expanding abroad has become a primary growth strategy.
Overseas markets offer a relief from local price floors, allowing brands to set prices based on local supply and demand. HEYTEA’s average price in the US is nearly 40 RMB higher than in China, while Mixue’s US$1.99 lemonade sells for three to four times its domestic price. Higher price tags have not dampened customer enthusiasm; instead, they prove that overseas markets offer a lucrative commercial reality: selling at higher prices with even stronger demand.
The global battle for New Chinese Tea is about far more than securing market share—it is a cultural resonance built around the true "flavor of China."
