Featured stories about East Asia
Stories about East Asia
11 January 2019
Chinese authorities go after citizens for using VPNs, skirting online censorship
The news of two men being fined for using VPNs may serve as a wake up call to Chinese netizens.
5 January 2019
China's push for ‘one country, two systems’ in Taiwan meets vigorous opposition
"As a Hongkonger, I urge Taiwanese people to never believe in CCP’s 'one country, two systems.' Once they take control, they can do whatever they want."
4 January 2019
How preserving folktales and legends help raise environment awareness in the Mekong
"By means of stories, the communities search for ways to accommodate and/or resist changes that are taking place in the Mekong river basin."
2 January 2019
China persecutes independent leftists in the name of Marxism
While many Marxists believe in workers' struggle as the driving force for social and political transformation, Chinese ideologues consider young leftist students’ who stand by workers' rights simply troublemakers.
1 January 2019
New Year's Eve 2018 marked the end of an era in Japan
For Japan, 2018 was the year of Heisei saigo (平成最後), "the last time we'll do this in the Heisei era" — especially year-end New Year's events.
31 December 2018
Censored in 2018: Protest videos, court verdicts, real news — and Peppa Pig
From blocked websites to revoked media licenses to account shutdowns, censorship comes in many forms. Here are a few we saw in 2018.
Exploring Indo identity with Dutch photographer Armando Ello
"I have first hand experiences throughout my whole life. We live in a society that is still centered around colonial perspectives on history."
Why Chinese netizens believe a commodity index can predict global affairs
According to the myth, the Yiwu commodity index predicted the outcome of the US 2016 presidential election and is set to do the same for Europe's "yellow vest" protests.
30 December 2018
Indonesian military suspected of using chemical weapons against West Papuan separatists, reports Australian newspaper
"Villagers are traumatised and very scared. They have fled into the jungle. Christmas should be a time of peace but not a time of fear."
22 December 2018
China's campaign against Christmas makes celebrating a difficult choice for citizens
"Are all these measures to enhance and promote Chinese culture or a sign of losing confidence on one’s own culture?"
17 December 2018
What do Chinese internet users think of Google's ‘Dragonfly’ project?
Internet users remain divided over whether or not Google's supposed return to China is a good thing -- or not.
15 December 2018
It’s official: 2018 in Japan was a ‘disaster’
Given Japan's year of natural catastrophes, the Japanese Kanji Proficiency Society thought that “disaster” was a suitable symbol for 2018.
14 December 2018
Removal of Filipino language and literature as required college subjects sparks opposition
"We believe that Filipino language and literature is vital in deepening the critical, creative, free, and liberating capacities of students and people."
11 December 2018
Crackdown in Beijing: ‘Using Twitter is more dangerous than street demonstrations’
The number of Twitter users who have been directly threatened by authorities is estimated to be in the hundreds or even more.
Singapore government threatens critics and independent media with defamation claims
"How can a prime minister be offended by someone sharing a Facebook post?"
1 December 2018
Terrifying folk rituals from Japan added to UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list
The demons enter homes to scare children until being placated with sake. In other variations of the ritual, the demons will chase children through the streets to scare them.
28 November 2018
British national urges UK to ban Chinese state TV over role in forced confession
The complaint was filed mere weeks before's CCTV's opening of its European hub in Chiswick Park in London.
27 November 2018
How will Google plug into China’s all-encompassing internet censorship regime?
How far is Google willing to go to get the Chinese government's blessing?
26 November 2018
Indonesian school teacher faces jail time for documenting sexual harassment
Public outrage forced the Attorney General's Office to suspend the jailing of the female teacher, who was sexually harassed by her boss.
About our East Asia coverage
Oiwan Lam is the North East Asia editor. Email her story ideas or volunteer to write.
Nevin Thompson is the Japan editor. Email him story ideas or volunteer to write.
