Featured stories about East Asia
Stories about East Asia
Dissenting artist Ai Weiwei on Hong Kong: art would not be art if it cannot be done in the face of tyranny
'Art would not be art if it cannot be done in the face of tyranny… the artworks which fight for freedom are precious efforts of the human spirit.'
Singapore’s The Online Citizen news website stops operating after government suspends its license
"The licensing regime is simply meant to strike fear in the minds of the would-be donors and subscribers to prevent them from supporting independent journalism in Singapore."
Athletes’ mental health is neglected in post-Olympic phase, new study finds
With the Olympic Games and the Paralympics both over, there have been concerns about what the fame and spotlight does to athletes post-Games.
China as a cultural threat in Ethiopia: From food to cultural appropriaton
Public interest in Chinese exotic eating habits and in potential appropriation of Ethiopian traditional culture speaks of the larger rifts in Sino-Ethiopian encounters
What did Japanese people really think about the Olympics?
To gauge public sentiment following the end of the Olympics, Global Voices used the Twitter API to track the online conversation.
Chinese higher education programs attract increasing numbers of students from Kazakhstan
Education abroad and study exchanges have become instruments for the Chinese government to attract foreign students, especially from Kazakhstan. Does studying in China trigger support among Kazakhstani students?
The construction of Chinese patriotic masculinity: ‘sissies will ruin the nation’
The Chinese regulators have banned effeminate images and idols on both television and video streaming sites since September 2, 2021.
China-funded Kaliwa dam in the Philippines flagged for irregularities
"Indigenous Peoples should not be sacrificed on the altar of development aggression, which would just benefit big businesses and Chinese investors."
Diverging narratives on the Belt and Road Initiative in Greece and China
After years of investment in the port, information on the hurdles that China’s BRI is facing in Greece differs across the language of the media reporting it.
Myanmar LGBTQ makeup artist swaps beauty salon for border hideout and revolution
"I know my strength is not [in military activities] . . . I see myself as a pillar to help the revolution be victorious."
Hong Kong set to dismantle Tiananmen vigil host ahead of China's National Day
The Hong Kong Alliance, a group of opposition activists, is being dismantled following the arrest of its core members, further eroding what remains of Hong Kong's democracy.
China's unfulfilled promise to develop Venezuela's mines
The Venezuelan and Chinese governments promoted the mining sector as a solution to Venezuela's oil dependence. Despite millionaire investments, the industry is far from its achieving its promise.
Turkey and China in the eastern Mediterranean: Partners or competitors?
China and Turkey continue to collaborate on their visions for trans-continental integration, though should Ankara's political and military ambitions increase, Beijing might reconsider its role as a reliable BRI partner.
Hong Kong labels the host of Tiananmen vigil and other civic groups as ‘foreign agents’ to justify clampdown
'Once the organization is labelled as a "political organization", those who are funded or employed by them would be treated as foreign agents.'
Resisting the coup and the patriarchy: An interview with Myanmar's feminist activist Nandar
"I want people to know that showing solidarity isn't an expensive act. It can be done in so many ways if you don't limit yourself."
Puny opposition no threat to Japan's sickly government
Opposition parties comprising vocal anti-vaxxers and members making unsettlingly inappropriate comments do not appear robust enough to unseat an unpopular Japanese government in the October polls.
China's crackdown on business, media and entertainment sectors is packaged as a ‘profound revolution’
China started a heavy-handed clampdown on the private corporate sector from Big Tech companies to property developers near the end of 2020. The crackdown then extended to education, culture and...
Chinese netizens identify the Weibo supervisor system as a source of arbitrary censorship
Each Weibo supervisor filed an average of 4,472 censorship reports in July 2021. The top performer would have to file 700 complaints per day and 70 reports per hour.
Train attack in Japan exposes misogyny and gender violence
"The common trait among mass shooters, serial killers, and other serial perpetrators of gendered violence is an intense hatred of women."
Facebook user gets 18-month prison sentence for mocking Cambodia’s prime minister
"This verdict is a message that makes those who have constructive ideas or criticisms in relation to social issues be fearful and hesitant and will limit their freedom of expression."
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.
