Stories about Chinese from February, 2011
China: Jasmine Revolution, Week Two
Following dozens of arrests since an anonymous blog post called for revolutionary gatherings in cities across China last Sunday, a second round of gatherings is scheduled for today. Has the heavy-handed government response turned what many insist was a stunt into something more powerful?
China: The Risk of Shutting Up Sina Weibo is Zero!?
The reaction of the Chinese government towards the anonymous “Jasmine Revolution” message circulated around overseas dissident websites and Twitter has alerted investment banks’ analysts to cut the rating of Sina's stock value. Some banks apparently anticipate an increase in the risk of the Chinese government tightening regulations on social media,...
China: Playing Revolution on Twitter
Two small protests on Sunday have been declared the beginning of China's own revolution, and yes, it all started on Twitter. Many felt leading up to the protests that they would prove to be little more than performance art, but now wonder if the heavy-handed response from authorities has created something bigger.
China: Open letter from Jasmine organizers
Human Rights in China translated an open letter, first posted on Boxun's temporary website, from the organizers of the Chinese Jasmine rallies held on 20 February 2011. The letter calls for people to gather every Sunday to continue to push for political reforms in China.
China: Exportation of value to Libya
Siweiluozi translated prominent blogger Yang Hengjun's tweet “celebrating” the successful exportation of political value to Libya.
Taiwan:Is Central News Agency Censoring China's Jasmine Revolution?
The National News Agency-Central News Agency of Taiwan is suspected to censor related news about China's Jasmine Revolution yesterday. Jou Ying-Cheng, blogger and former reporter of CNA, accused CNA for not syndicating the second and further interview with Tan Lan-Yin(談蘭英)’ son due to political sensitivity, and such news blocking has...
China: Petitioner burns down his black prison
Veteran citizen journalist Zhang 'Tiger Temple' Shihe tells the story of Hubei petitioner Yan Sen, whose provincial government paid to keep him locked away in an extralegal 'black prison', up until Yan made his dramatic escape.
China: Worst Drought in 60 Years
Major agricultural regions in China are facing their worst drought in 60 years. According to government statistics, 2.57 million people and 2.79 million livestock have been hit by the drought. The immediate impact has been rising food prices, indeed its implication on food security has prompted the United Nations' food agency to issue a warning to the world's grain markets.
Taiwan: Debate Over the ‘Light Novel’ Phenomenon
Light novels - manga and cosplay books which originated from Japan - are hyper popular in Taiwan, where they have conquered the book market.
China: Farewell to all Mubaraks!
"Illegitimate regimes," writes Chinese novelist Yang Hengjun of Hosni Mubarak, "end up illegitimate, no matter how many impressive reasons you put forward, no matter how smooth-tongued you are, no matter how big your army is."
China: Campaign to Free Blind Human Rights Activist
Since his release from prison on September 8, 2010, blind Chinese human rights activist Chen Guangcheng has been held under 24 hour home surveillance by security police in Shandong, a province in eastern China.
Taiwan: Women's role in free and open source software movement
WoFOSS (Women in Free and Open Source Software in Taiwan) is a community of females in free and open software development and movement. Traditionally, in the field of information/engineering, men are always in charge, however, for many years, women have been stepping in from various directions, including developers, promoters, or...
China: The coming of age of Political Confucianism?
The unveiling of the Confucius statue in Tiananmen Square last month has renewed the debate about Political Confucianism as the state ideology of China.
China: Internet service as a social contract
What do Chinese netizens think is more likely to spark a new political movement in China: Facebook, a Joe Lieberman-style Internet kill switch, or widespread corruption, inflation and human rights abuses? Find out below.
Video: Explosive Chinese Popcorn
Videos of a unique Chinese popcorn making technique are doing their rounds on the internet. While for many popcorn popping has a unique rhythm to it that trickles from a single popping kernel to a deluge of pings and pops; in China, popcorn pops with a bang.
About our Chinese coverage
Oi wan Lam is the North East Asia editor. Email her story ideas or volunteer to write.
