Stories about East Asia from July, 2008
China: VPN to beat Olympic internet censorship
Via PandaPassport‘s Rick Martin on Facebook: “For anyone inside China, this is a great way to be able to view whatever content you like. Just a quick software install and you're ready to go…give it a try.
Vietnam: Economic woes and bicycles
Because of economic downturn, more people are using their bicycles again to save money in Vietnam, as reported by The Comical Hat
Vietnam: Floating market
Mango shake, anyone?? published several pictures of a floating market in Can Tho, Vietnam.
East Timor: Coffee economics
Dili-gence blogs about the coffee industry in East Timor
East Timor: Media for peace
The head of media agencies in Timor-Leste participated in a joint press conference to raise awareness for the 100 Day Peace Campaign celebrated around the world. The specific theme in Timor-Leste is this: “What are you doing for peace?”
Lithuania: President Abstains from Attending Olympics
Lituanica reports that the Lithuanian president, Valdas Adamkus, has decided not to attend the upcoming Olympic Games in Beijing.
China: All shook up by the torch relay
It's a double-edged Olympic torch. Veteran sports journalist Guan Jun shares a short sketch on his Beijing Olympics blog of how disruptive preparations for the torch relay proved to be for those living alongside the road chosen for the relay route.
Formoz Festival 2008: Don't wanna say goodbye
Here is wikipedia's explanation of the annual Formoz Festival: The annual Formoz Festival, Spring Scream, and Gung-liao Ho-hai-yan Rock Festival are representative gatherings within Taiwan's indie scene. Of these, Formoz Festival is notable for its international draw. Facing the threat of typhoon Phoenix, lots of people still decided to attend...
Korea: Fan Death and Your Belief
There is a myth that has been handed down from generation to generation in Korea. “The fan death.” If you sleep with a fan on in an airtight room, you might die. When I was a kid, adults around me always warned that I should not close the door and...
Nepal: On China, media and the Olympics
Blogdai on China deciding to reverse its pledge to offer complete media freedom, and planning to censor the Internet used by foreign media during the Olympics.
China: Sneak peak at Beijing Games opening ceremony
Danwei.org has been on a very long roll with its Olympics coverage, and now founder Jeremy Goldkorn has found clips of an opening ceremony rehearsal taken covertly by a Korean television crew. (Update: yes, it took a few minutes for the clip to be harmonized. This might work, however.)
Cambodia: Unofficial election results
Monivong Boulevard posts the unofficial election results in Cambodia.
Thailand: Transvestite toilets
A school in Northeastern Thailand has introduced “transvestite toilets” for male students who choose to dress as females. Connecting the dots criticizes the new toilets.
Brunei: Extreme skateboard competition
In celebration of His Majesty the Sultan’s 62nd Birthday, a skateboard competition was held in Brunei. Shimworld posts some pictures of the event.
China: Beijing Olympics
DANWEI translates two blog posts about how the Olympics affects Beijing people's everyday life.
China: Demonstration Area
Hu yong hopes that the three demonstration areas set up during the Olympics would continue to exist after the international event.
China: Earthquake Survivors
One man bandwidth posts some Sichuan earthquake survivors’ stories collected by volunteer teachers.
China: Naked Beach Proposal
Li Yinhe comments on the naked beach proposal in Zhuhai. Oppositional views said that naked beach is immoral and at odd with Chinese culture. The blogger also feels that the cultural leap is too big to be accepted by the public.
Czech Republic: Fear of the Olympic China
The Czech Daily Word explains why “Czech athletes are a little afraid to go to China.”
China: The Great Mascot Conspiracy
Of all the various interpretations of what the Fuwas could or should represent we've seen recently, ‘The Great Mascot Conspiracy’ from Angry Chinese Blogger has definitely done it better.
China: Beijing on the eve of the Olympics
There's been lots of talk of the ‘leave Beijing for the Olympics’ (避孕) movement, but how's it looking for those who are going to stick it through (受孕)? Danwei.org‘s Joel Martinsen translates two definitive blog posts from the latter camp in ‘Life in Beijing on the eve of the Olympics’.
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.
