· January, 2010

Stories about Chinese from January, 2010

China: No more dirty joke via SMS

  25 January 2010

According to last week's Xinhuanet report, Mobile China Shanghai branch will start suspending a mobile phone's SMS function if they find the number distribute “vulgar”, “pornographic” and other illegal contents(Details see GVA). Other cities and mobile companies also carry out similar practices since the beginning of 2010. The new policy...

China’s Orwellian Future

  25 January 2010

John Chan (陳冠中), an author from Hong Kong who is currently living in Beijing, has written a novel entitled The Fat Years: China, 2013 (盛世 – 中國, 2013). The story happens in 2013, when China enters a new era of material prosperity and everyone is happy, while the western world...

China: How does the young generation view Confucius

  24 January 2010

A rumor circulated on the web that all the 2D versions of Avatar have been pulled out of the Chinese cinemas to make way for the domestic movie Confucius. Despite reports like this, government officials quickly denied it. Yet like all rumors, even if wrong, they may contain a kernel...

China: Another Cell Phone Registration System in the Works

  20 January 2010

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has announced a plan to enforce a “real-name” registration system for mobile phone users. The announcement comes four years after the Ministry of Information Industry—which subsequently became the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology—drew up the framework for similar legislation.  Despite much talk...

China: More Violence Over Salary Dispute

  19 January 2010

A migrant worker from Hebei was stabbed Jan. 9, resulting in the loss of a kidney, after requesting withheld salary from a subcontractor in Beijing, reports the Yangcheng Evening News.  The incident has been dubbed the “beg for salary, lose a kidney” incident by Chinese media sources. 28 year-old Gao Zhiqiang, father of three,...

China: Twitter survey on a Google departure

  19 January 2010

As Chinese Internet users wait for Google's decision regarding the future of its operations in China, one netizen has begun surveying peers for their views on what Google should do and what the impact will be should the company decide to leave.

Taiwan: How the Puyuma people started Year 2010

  13 January 2010

The Puyuma tribe is one of the indigenous groups in Taitung County along Taiwan’s East Coast. The Nanwang Village, the leading village of this tribe, holds the Monkey Ceremony and Hunting Rite in December and starts the new year with the Annual Ritual.

China: Bloggers’ Reviews of Avatar

  11 January 2010

James Cameron’s blockbuster, Avatar, was released in China on 2 January 2010, two weeks later than the rest of the world. It is proving popular among the Chinese people. Apart from praising the 3D and special effects, Chinese people also link the story to a controversial social issue in China:...

China: New Ticketing System For Train Riders

  10 January 2010

As “Chunyun”—the travel season before, during, and after the Chinese New Year—approaches, two of China’s largest rail lines are adopting a “real-name” ticketing system. Information Times reported Friday that passengers traveling on trains serviced by Guangzhou Railway Group or Chengdu Railway Bureau will be required to produce a valid identification card upon...

China: Will you accept ‘Naked Marriage’?

  5 January 2010

A new term has become popular recently among Chinese netizens: ‘naked marriage’ (裸婚). Don’t be mistaken, but the term has a special meaning: it means getting married without a house, a car, a diamond ring and a proper wedding ceremony. Just taking a picture and getting a marriage certificate is...

Taiwan: Suhua Freeway Project Deferred

  4 January 2010

Suhua Freeway Project has been in dispute for more than a decade. On 22 of December, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) opted for a plan to improve existing highway. However, we are yet to see if this decision will put an end to the controversy and path the...

Hong Kong: #0101hk – New Year March for Democracy

  1 January 2010

Around 30-thousand Hong Kong residents spent the first day of the 2010 new year by marching in the street, demanding democracy and the release of Liu Xiaobo. To show their support for this rally, twitterers from Hong Kong, Taiwan and Mainland China together pushed the hashtag #0101hk to the top...

About our Chinese coverage

Oiwan Lam
Oi wan Lam is the North East Asia editor. Email her story ideas or volunteer to write.