· August, 2005

Stories about East Asia from August, 2005

Blog Day 2005

  31 August 2005

Blog Day 2005 is making waves throughout the global blogosphere. The one-day celebration, which encourages bloggers to introduce their readers to five new weblogs from other cultures or perspectives, has been adding nearly a page of relevant posts to Technorati every hour. Romanian blogger, Carmen Holotescu asks her readers to...

Indonesia: Dutch scholarship

  31 August 2005

A. Fatih Syuhud highlights StuNed (Studeren in Nederland), a scholarship programme that aims to contribute to the development of Indonesia through the strengthening of human resources in Indonesian organisations. Some 200 full scholarships are offered for professionals to follow master programmes, short courses or tailor made training, all conducted in...

Philippines: Economy refocus

  31 August 2005

If it succeeds, Philippines will be one of the beneficiaries including the other 99 heavily indebted countries. Jose de Venecia’s program called “debt-for-equity-in-investments” has won Kofi Annan’s endorsement “as a creative way of approaching the issue”, as well as from the Italian and German governments. The JDV’s proposal also sparked...

Macao: Better air routes

  31 August 2005

Budget airlines are adding new routes linking Macao and South-East Asia. Singapore-based Tiger Airways will launch flights between Macao and Manila in late October 2005, in addition to its Singapore-Macao route. Air Asia currently operates Macao-Kuala lumpur and Macao-Bangkok flights.

Vietnam: English blooming

  31 August 2005

Vietnam is discarding its Francophone past. English is the language of business and travel in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City now. Every child is now taught English from the time they start school, while schools teaching English to adults are everywhere. Via Richard McKinnon.

Myanmar: HIV/AIDS agencies leaving

  31 August 2005

Corporate Social Responsibility in Asia is concerned over media report which said many HIV/AIDS agencies are leaving Myanmar as it has proved so difficult to work within the military rules and regulations. Currently, there are an estimated 170,000 to 620,000 people living with HIV in Myanmar. Infection rate among its...

Cambodia: Bridging digital divide

  31 August 2005

The Panos and Global Knowledge Partnership is inviting submissions for 2005 “Reporting on the Information Society” awards. ThaRum highlights projects targetting at bridging digital divide in Cambodia so that Cambodian working journalists could use them to take part in the competition.

Cambodia: CamboKids

  31 August 2005

Johnny Crook reports that community work at CamboKids is about reintroducing Khmer traditional culture and heritage which were almost destroyed during the past war and using activities that might help ensure children grow up and develop with stable mental health.

North Korea: Unhappy, negotiations delayed

  31 August 2005

Intelligence Watch records a media report which said North Korea has declared a two-week delay to September 12 before it would resume its nuclear program negotiations in Beijing. Probably reason: North Korea is unhappy with plans for a joint United States-South Korea military exercise.

North Korea: Massive festivals

  31 August 2005

North Koreans are flocking to Pyongyang for a massive festival marking the August 15 Liberation Day and the 60th anniversary of the Workers Party. Migukin blog editor Shelton Bumgarner echoes doubts whether Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) can ill afford the resources given its troubled economy.

Japan: Geisha goof

  31 August 2005

Japundit says the movie version of Arthur Golden’s Memoirs of a Geisha, scheduled for Christmas release, is a goof. Apparently, the American producers had cast Chinese actresses in the roles of the Japanese characters, and the dialogues are in English. Bottomline: So un-authentic.

Inside The Japanese Blogosphere

  31 August 2005

Blogging in Iraq Japanese photojournalist Hiroshi Okamoto, who travelled to Iraq on assignment in 2004 and spent one month in Samawa, has produced a food blog of his experiences. Although Okamoto says he hopes to introduce Iraqi cuisine to his readers, his blog also provides a rare glimpse of life...

Malaysia: Political blog

  30 August 2005

Group blog, Politics 101 Malaysia, has been created as a social-political awareness exercise to reach out to young Malaysians who have little or no political knowledge. It's been rated by Yahoo.

Malaysia: Opposition Leader starts a blog

  30 August 2005

Even Lim Kit Siang, the Malaysian Parliamentary Opposition Leader, has started blogging. In his sixth entry, he talks about the 1957 Proclamation of Independence, and the gulf between promises and realities.

Malaysia: National Day + Blog Day

  30 August 2005

Malaysia's National day falls on the same day we observe Blog Day, August 31. Blogger Minishorts feels the 48-year independence has been taken for granted, TV Smith's heart sank seeing the faded and forlorn fluttering with a few remaining shreds of dignity. Some English bloggers chose to write in the...

Singapore: Migration blues

  30 August 2005

Singaporeans thinking about migrating are being reminded that migration is not a bed of roses. “Just get your feet in the door. Other doors will open….” might not be a mantra that works wonders.

Singapore: Blogs in public exam papers

  30 August 2005

Blogs and podcasting are becoming accepted phenomena as bothappeared as the essay question for the General Paper in the 2005 preliminary examination in the junior college.

Brazil, Japan: Samba!

  29 August 2005

Though held in Tokyo, Japan, Japundit tells us Samba dancers from Brazil were invited to the capitol city for the 25th annual Asakusa Samba Carnival parade.

Singapore: Quitters’ Exodus

  29 August 2005

Did Singapore premier Lee Hsien Loong break down during the National Day Rally because today's youngsters would just give up their citizenship so easily for greener pastures without second thought when they could not be satisfied materially?

Indonesia: Gus Dur for Christians

  29 August 2005

Former Indonesian president Abdurrahman Wahid (aka Gus Dur), an influential Muslim cleric, has made a stand against the anti-Christian activities of violent Muslim group Front Pembela Islam (Islamic Defenders’ Front).

Philippines: Going to the dogs

  29 August 2005

The Socialist opposition has been busy using pets for political propaganda. It's a gimmick to dramatize their stand that the impeachment complaint hearings against President Arroyo in Congress are going to the dogs.

About our East Asia coverage

Oiwan Lam
Oiwan Lam is the North East Asia editor. Email her story ideas or volunteer to write.

Mong Palatino
Mong Palatino is the South East Asia editor. Email him story ideas or volunteer to write.