Stories about Chinese from May, 2012
China: Netizens Want Confucius to Return Home
A new visa policy was announced on May 17, 2012 by the U.S State Department which put the Confucius Institute under the spotlight in the Chinese blogosphere. Chinese netizens take the opportunity to ask Confucius to return home and teach the poor Chinese kids instead.
Taiwan: When News is Sold to the Chinese Government
In recent years, more and more Taiwanese media workers have been worried that press freedom has been eroding. In addition to the "embedded marketing" practice which cloaks advertising as news, the mainland China government has extended influence on the Taiwan public sphere through news industry acquisitions.
China: Campaign to Clean ‘Foreign Trash’ Out of Beijing
A campaign to rid Beijing of illegal foreign residents has created controversy in China, with Chinese people expressing widely differing viewpoints on social media. A famous television host has labelled a reporter for Al-Jazeera as 'foreign trash' and invited police to run background checks on the blogger who has criticised his xenophobic remarks.
The Future of Sino-US Relations: Ask Andrew Nathan
Xiaomi (twitter: xiaomi2020) is organizing an interview with Andrew Nathan, an internationally renowned expert on US-China relations from Columbia University. Submit a question or vote on a question that's already been asked here. Xiaomi is one of the organizers of Yizhe, a group which translates western journalism on China.
Taiwan: Could the Future Be Nuclear-Free?
Inspired by the shutting down of all nuclear power plants in Japan since May 5, 2012, for thorough security checks, the people of Taiwan have started discussing the possibility of moving towards a nuclear-free Taiwan.
China: Propaganda Against U.S. Ambassador Backfires
Since the escape of blind civic rights activist Chen Guangcheng into the U.S embassy, the U.S Ambassador Gary Locke has become the major target for media attack in Bejing. However, so far each piece of political propaganda has resulted in a backfire.
Taiwan: Indigenous Tao People's 30 Year Nuclear ‘Nightmare’
After Japan's Fukushima nuclear accident last year, more and more Taiwanese have started to become aware of the problems caused by nuclear power plants. One of the most serious issues is nuclear waste on Orchid Island, where the Tao people have lived for generations.
China, Philippines: Scarborough Shoal Sovereignty Tension Rises
Tension between China and the Philippines over the disputed waters of the Scarborough Shoal or Huangyan Island has been elevated, with the state-controlled Chinese media reporting that China can no longer tolerate the presence of Philippines naval ships in the South China Sea.
China: Political Space of the Weibo Blogging Platform
Chicago University Sociology Professor Zhao Dingxin recently delivered a speech entitled "Weibo, Political Space and Chinese Development", which has triggered off some debate and reflections amongst Chinese netizens. Oiwan Lam reports.
China: Al Jazeera's Beijing Correspondent Expelled
For the first time since 1998, an accredited foreign journalist has been expelled by the Chinese government. Highly respected by her peers, Melissa Chan's expulsion has provoked reactions all the way down to the microblogs.
China: Rural Left-behind Children
Acopy.net introduces a Chinese documentary, the Road, directed by independent documentary worker Jiang Nengjie on “left-behind children” in rural China.
China: Tibetan Netizen Responses to the Self-Immolations in Tibet
The April 2012 special “Hot Spots” online issue of the academic journal Cultural Anthropology focuses on the recent self-immolations in Tibet with a comprehensive background page. It features an impressive collection of scholarly responses to the self-immolations by well-known Tibet scholars such as Tsering Shakya, Janet Gyatso and Elliot Sperling....
Hong Kong: Evangelists Accuse Lady Gaga of Leading Youth Astray
American singer and songwriter Lady Gaga is currently touring Asia with her 'Born This Way Ball'. On the eve of her first concert in Hong Kong, an evangelist group's campaign against her presence has ignited debate within the local community, with some Christians praying for her influence and some against it, claiming the local youth will be corrupted by her presence.
About our Chinese coverage
Oi wan Lam is the North East Asia editor. Email her story ideas or volunteer to write.
