Stories about East Asia from November, 2009
Singapore: Is It a City or Country?
Is Singapore a city or a country? This question seems silly since Singapore is globally recognized as an independent state. But for Singapore Law Minister K. Shanmugam, Singapore should be treated as a city. This remark triggered a debate in the blogosphere.
Thailand: Former Prime Minister Passes Away
Samak Sundaravej — former Bangkok Governor, cooking show host, and Thailand's 25th Prime Minister passed away last November 24. Read the reactions from Bangkok bloggers and twitterers.
Barcamp Singapore 4
Check out the pictures and presentations of Barcamp Singapore 4
Philippines: CNN Hero of the year
Pedestrian Observer praises Efren “Kuya Ef!” Penaflorida Jr. from the Philippines for being the 2009 CNN Hero of the Year.
Cambodia: End of first Khmer Rouge Tribunal deemed a relative success
Many in the international community are calling the first Khmer Rouge Tribunal trial of Kaing Kek Iev, or Duch, a relative success as the trial closed. However, there are indications that Cambodian officials may not participate in future cases making it difficult to conduct a fair trial for the four Khmer Rouge members awaiting trial
China: Law or Justice?
According to Chongqing Evening News, by November 15th 2905 suspects had been arrested during a massive crackdown on gangs in the municipality of Chongqing, a major city with 30 million population and provincial status. The campaign was unprecedented both in its scope and its depth as it brought down a large number of government officials including...
China: Dwelling Narrowness
A popular Chinese drama “Dwelling Narrowness” was “re-scheduled” without explanation recently. ESWN translated various reports and discussions about the drama. A recent development of the drama is that one of the main characters becomes the mistress of a government official in order to help repay her older sister's mortgage.
China: 41 Popular Chinese Internet Memes From 2009
Fauna from ChinaSMACK translated local web portal Netease's pick of 41 popular Chinese internet memes.
Japan: Buy Nothing Day
Started in 1992 in Canada by artist Ted Dave, the Buy Nothing Day movement [en] has spread to more than 60 countries around the world, Japan included. In line with the philosophy of the movement, next Saturday (November 28) Japanese are invited to refrain from shopping and reflect upon their...
China: Prisons more modern & luxurious than schools
Tingting from ChinaSMACK translated a local forum post that shows modern and luxurious design prison in China.
China: The hottest people on the internet in 2009
CC from China Hush has a year end roundup post on the hottest people on the internet in China in 2009.
Japan: International Robot Exhibition
Pink Tentacle posted some photos taken from the International Robot Exhibition in Toyko.
China: Great Wall damaged by gold miners
Angry Chinese blogger blogs about the ongoing destruction of Great Wall as a result of local corporates’ private interest. In a recent case, a 100 meter long Great Wall has been damaged by gold miners in Inner Mongolia.
Could the U.S. learn something from China?
Could the world's lone but weary superpower actually learn something from China? This is a question the Time magazine posted when President Barack Obama began his first visit to China. The article said this is a time when China has ‘emerged as a dynamo of optimism, experimentation and growth’, while...
Successful BPO firm in Vietnam
Saigonnezumi features a successful Business Process Outsourcing firm in Vietnam
Singapore: Bilingual policy on education
Singapore is reviewing the bilingual policy on education following the admission of a former Prime Minister about the flaws of that policy
Singapore: Middle Class and recession
Seah Chiang Nee writes how the recession is affecting Singapore's middle-class population.
Singapore: Illegal employment termination
Illegally terminated pregnant workers in Singapore can lodge complaints. Barnyard Chorus identifies the process on how to file a complaint with the Ministry of Manpower
Singapore: New $100 banknotes
New $100 paper banknotes have been spotted in Singapore this month
Difference between Japanese and American Résumés
Daniel at the How to Japonese blog outlines the differences between Japanese and American résumés.
China: Chinese is the most difficult language
Uln has written three long posts to argue that Chinese is the most difficult language in the world. Part I, Part II and Part III.
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.
