Stories about East Asia from December, 2007
Lusosphere: Wishes and hopes for 2008
The new year is inevitably soon arriving and the Lusosphere is booming with posts about traditions, resolutions, wishes, and reflections. Here is a short roundup of Portuguese speaking blogs from Brazil, Cape Verde, East Timor, Mozambique and Portugal - although countries far apart, they share the language and hopes for a better future.
Cambodia: Social Network For People Living with Disabilities
Cambodian blogger Heng Phan has created a social network for People Living with Disabilities in Cambodia.
Taiwan: Demos Chiang
Demos Chiang is the great grandson of Chiang Kai-shek, the KMT dictator and he started to blog. ESWN translated local report on Demos Chiang's move and his blog post on Dec 27, about his political viewpoint on the anti-Chiang political process and blue-green politics.
South Korea: DLP Leaders to be Resigned
CINA pointed out the Democratic Labour Party has the greatest loss in the Presidential election as their sympathizers/members had voted for the right wing candidate Lee Hoi-chang. The mainstream had reported that the DLP leadership is to be resigned.
China: Guangxi Nailhouse
Zhaumu blogged photos of a most spectacular nail house in Guangxi.
China: Ant Farmers’ Open Letter to Hu Jintao
Zoula has reposted Luliang Ant Farmers’ Open Letter the State president Hu Jintao (zh). The farm said that local government had to be responsible for the bankruptcy of Yilishen and they demanded for throughout investigation on the issue and the return of guarantee fund.
Hong Kong: Top News in 2007 Blogosphere
As the year end is approaching, local blogger sidekick has her picks of "Top News in Hong Kong 2007 Blogosphere". She also calls for more comments and suggestions for the year end round up. Below is a translation of her selection:
Bahrain: Reactions after the riots and arrests
In another special roundup, we have the reactions of Bahrain's bloggers to the events of the last few weeks, when rioting took place after the death of a demonstrator during a commemoration of 'Martyrs' Day', and many were subsequently arrested.
Philippines: Sweet Treat
Eating Asia has a pictorial post on how people in rural Philippines work out a sweet treat with a stick and a can of molasses.
Myanmar: On Sanctions
Kalvin makes use of some algebra to show why sanctions are not working in Myanmar.
Thailand: Censoring Thaksin
Bangkok Pundit comments on Thai officials attempts at censoring former prime minister Thaksin's appearance on Thai media.
Malaysia: Getting The Page Rank Back
5xmom is happy to get her google page rank back and swears to stay off paid posts. “No more selling text links, no more paid posts on the these three blogs until Google define what I am allowed to do.”
Japan: Web visionary Umeda Mochio
While famous in Japan as a web visionary, Silicon Valley resident Umeda Mochio, president of Muse Associates, co-founder of Pacifica Fund and board member of the Japanese bookmarking and diary service Hatena, is little-known overseas. His recent book "Web Shinkaron" ("Theory of Web Evolution") sold 370,000 copies and become a national besteller in Japan. Umeda was recently interviewed by the Japanese magazine Central Review (Chuo koron), portions of which are introduced and translated in this post.
China: Official Olympics channel's unveiling ceremony crashed
How did a couple's marital issues become today's top sports story? She's a prominent Beijing television broadcaster, he's one of Chinese sports news' top official faces for the Olympics; she just crashed his high-profile unveiling of China's new Olympics channel, and someone's put the video online.
Korea: Three Singers and Military Service
How much can military service change your life? There were three singers in Korea. The first singer, Yoo Seung Joon, who grew up in the U.S., but still kept the Korean citizenship, debuted in Korea in 1997. With a sweet voice and fit body, he got attention instantly and has...
Myanmar: Video Showing September Violence
Agam's Gecko points to a new video clip that has emerged from Myanmar. “As if the world needed anymore evidence that the brutal Burmese regime has got to go now, but here is some more anyway. I've been told it's been given to CNN — but it only surfaced this...
Hong Kong: No More Delay For Universal Suffrage
Charles Mok posts the position statement of professional commons on the universal suffrage plan: Delay after Delay; Enough is Enough! in his blog.
China: Hospital Sues Local Governments
Last month a rural migrant worker set fire on himself after he failed to collect 1000 yuan wage from the boss. He was sent to the hospital with promise from Yunnan and Shenzhen government for the hospital fee. After one month 700,000 yuan has been spent, the hospital is at...
China: 1Bao Blocked
In Dec 26, 1bao was blocked again, Zhai Minglei said he would continue to write and wait for the blog to be unblocked again (zh).
Hong Kong: Wedding Card Street
Lee Tung Street, more known as the wedding card street, located at Wanchai downtown is demolishing under the urban renewal project. A local resident May, age 59, had hunger strike for 4 days to save the street, yesterday she fainted and was sent to the emergency ward – more from...
China: Scientist's Wage
China Scientist's wage is the lowest among 38 countries according to a EU report. Gezhi points out that, the real income maybe higher as many of the scientists in China is not depending on wage, but other side income (zh).
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.
