Stories about East Asia from April, 2008
Hong Kong: Shit, the Holy Torch is Coming to Town!
Mo bu yen from inmediahk.net wrote a citizen report about the government's preparation for the coming of Olympic torch – Shit, the Holy torch is coming to town [zh].
China: We Made the World Hate Us
Zhou kou dian ren from china week pointed out that the Chinese government has failed to improve its public image with the Olympic torch relay, on the contrary the Chinese government and people have made the world hate us with the protest.
Special report on Vietnam censored
Saigon Blues writes that the current issue of The Economist which has a special report on Vietnam has been subjected to censorship in Vietnam.
Thailand: Boycott Tesco Lotus campaign
British company Tesco Lotus has sued three Thai journalists in just one month for writing about the “aggressive” operations of the global retailer in Thailand. As a protest, Fable supports a worldwide boycott campaign of Tesco Lotus.
Vietnam ends adoption program with U.S.
American couple and bloggers Robert and Lesa went to Vietnam 16 months ago to adopt a girl. Imagine their disappointment as Vietnam ends its adoption program with the United States
Malaysia: Parliament begins session
My Life My Stories comments on the opening session of Malaysia's Parliament: “Parliament is like a wet market. Shouting everywhere, speaking without raising hand to get approval and of course calling each other nickname.”
Indonesia: Praying and shopping
Indonesia Matters reports that people in West Java are flocking to shopping malls in order to pray.
South Africa: Should South Africans boycott Chinese products?
Sarah asks, So, could South Africans boycott Chinese products with any justification?: “Consumer boycotts have long been a means for ordinary consumers to express their anger with a country and hit regimes where it hurts most, in their wallets – even if only indirectly.”
Philippines: Civilian supremacy in Cabinet
A Filipino lawmaker-blogger hopes that the next defense chief of the Philippines will still come from the civilian sector.
China: The Green Olympics and an Actress as UN Eco Ambassador.
Dan Beekman at “Blogging Beijing” gives a roundup of Beijing's environmental problems and its hopes. He interviews NGO and student leaders about the Green Olympics, one of the three themes of this year's Games. He ‘s also recently interviewed Mr. Wu Dengming, an environmental powerhouse from Chongqing, in middle China....
Hong Kong and China: 5 Posters On Beijing Olympics
5 protest posters have been circulated via e-mails and twitter among friends. 1. Olympic workers; 2. Olympic silencing; 3. Olympics and June 4; 4. Olympic GFW; 5. Olympic erection.
South Korea: Seoul Invaded by “The Ugly Chinese”
One free Korea described the pro-China Olympic torch protesters as invasion by “The Ugly Chinese”.
China: RMB Exchange Rate
YuLizheng wrote a long piece [zh] on the implication of the rise in RMB exchange rate on China economy. The blogger stressed that the property bubble, inflation and rise in currency are strong indicators of an economic crisis.
China and South Korea: Red Guards’ Gong Fu
Red Guard from tecn pointed out that the Olympic torch relay protest became an opportunity for Chinese to show off their Gong Fu. In the comment section, many commentators criticized that the Chinese protesters acted like red guards during the cultural revolution[zh].
China: I Want My Two Bucks
Hanhan commented on the lawsuit against CNN in New York and pointed out that the lawyer had never gotten approval letter from 1.3 billion Chinese to represent them in the case. He also pointed out that, if CNN had to make compensation, every Chinese should have their share of two...
China: Train Accident
Yesterday a train accident happened in Shandong which injured 416 and killed 70 people. Ting yun from my1510 pointed out that the investigation should be conducted by an independent team and the head of railway department should take the blame and resign [zh].
Indonesia: Rice laws
‘Sarapan Ekonomi, quotes a scholar who says “Asian rice laws and regulations are going in the wrong direction.”
Brunei: Top six blogs
After more than six months of public nominations and votes, the top six blogs of Brunei are finally known.
Cambodia: Funny signs
ZJ posts funny and creative signs in the streets of Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Indonesia: Craft Fair
Elyani's Place writes about Inacraft 2008. Now on it's tenth year, the big craft fair was held at Jakarta Convention Centre.
Southeast Asia: Rice and food price crisis
The Southeast Asian region, home to several emerging and developing economies, is also struggling to cope with the global food price crisis. Bloggers discuss the impact of the crisis in the region.
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.
