Featured stories about East Asia
Stories about East Asia
20 January 2020
Facebook apologizes for translating Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s name as ‘Mr. Shithole’
"And the president of China, Mr. Shithole, signed a guest record of the house of representatives."
16 January 2020
Despite legal threats and harassment, thousands join the ‘Run Against Dictatorship’ in Thailand
"The reactions by the authorities and intimidation tactics are not just wrong but also absurd. As the country has returned to democracy, no citizen should face such intimidation."
12 January 2020
Victory for labor rights in Cambodia as largest casino workers’ strike ends in peace
Despite the success of the strike, workers could face sanctions for breaching the court order which declared the protest as illegal.
11 January 2020
Thai journalist convicted over a 2017 Twitter post about a labor conflict
"There is a high level of self-censorship in Thailand… When you forbid freedom of expression… you forbid an open society."
10 January 2020
The impact of Hong Kong protests on Taiwan’s presidential election and cross-strait relations
The axis of Taiwan’s political dynamics has shifted from the country's economy and administration to China factor and cross-strait relation.
9 January 2020
Philippine art town unites against mining extension
Citing grave damages to their environment after five decades of gravel extraction, the people of Angono town are petitioning against the extension of mining in their area.
8 January 2020
Carlos Ghosn's great escape embarrasses Japanese government
The Japanese government has been embarrassed as details of Ghosn's escape expose systemic shortcomings in the country's police and prosecution services, the judicial system, passport security and more.
Ahead of Taiwan's presidential election, KMT accuses DPP of ‘green terror’ and Beijing echoes
The political label “green terror” is also circulating widely on mainland Chinese state-affiliated media and social media outlets.
Beijing’s new top man in Hong Kong says he hopes city will return to ‘the right track’
The new director of Beijing’s Liaison Office in Hong Kong reiterated Chinese President Xi Jinping's expressed desire for "a harmonious and stable environment".
7 January 2020
Six years after deadly crackdown of garment strike in Cambodia, families say no hope for justice
"Justice seems as far away as the horizon, or like searching for a needle in the bottom of the sea. We have not yet seen the light of justice."
6 January 2020
What is at stake in Taiwan's January 2020 presidential elections?
The large questions of what should be Taiwan's political, social, economic, environmental, cultural model continue to dominate the political debate, and naturally surge at times of elections.
Chinese propaganda slogan ‘unifying Taiwan by force’ is losing its threatening edge
Ahead of Taiwan's 2020 presidential election, mainland Chinese propaganda has started to downplay the “unifying Taiwan by force” narrative.
2 January 2020
Taiwan January 2020 presidential elections: who are the contenders?
All three candidates represent strongly divergent views on social values, economic development, relations with China and the status of Taiwan.
31 December 2019
All I want for Christmas is a free Hong Kong: How activists used festive cards to get the word out
People volunteered to translate holiday greetings into different languages and write letter templates for people of different backgrounds.
30 December 2019
Who has ruined Christmas peace and joy in Hong Kong?
Hong Kong’s Christmas was neither peaceful nor joyful as riot police charged major shopping districts with anti-riot weapons to disperse flash mob protests.
29 December 2019
Longest internet disruption in Myanmar’s Rakhine state sets dangerous precedent
"There has been no evidence that the disproportionate decision has had any positive effect on reducing the conflict, which remains pervasive."
27 December 2019
Conference in Thailand debates state of human rights in the northeast provinces
"We need to shame the government for using violence and intimidation against villagers who are just trying to preserve their livelihoods."
A look at the 2020 Taiwan presidential election through an online poster design challenge
As the election nears, netizens are election posters through the hashtag #GraphicDesignForDemocracy.
26 December 2019
How China's Belt and Road Initiative is affecting Shan communities in north Myanmar
"The majority of the people are worried about losing their homes, farmlands and water resources. Some people voiced concerns about losing natural resources and heritage places."
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.
