Stories about East Asia from April, 2010
China: Swiss army knife, meet the PLA super shovel
It chops, saws, snips, rips through clay rock, helps you up cliffs and slices your potatoes: it's the People's Liberation Army multifunction shovel. Seen here in this limited speed viral video, order yours today by calling this number — FREE SHIPPING WHILE SUPPLIES LAST.
Hong Kong: Vote in the coming election
Joyceyland comments on government arrangement of the coming Legislative council by-election and urges people to vote in this de facto referendum to express their desire for democracy.
China: The un-natural death in the Chinese detention center
Damon from interlocals published a video on the issue of un-natural death in the Chinese detention center.
Japan: Plastic duck race
Photoreporter Damoncoulter uploaded original pictures of the duck race held at the second Ashigara River festival in Matsuda city (south of Tokyo). Some hundred yellow, plastic ducks are emptied into the river and “the monies raised are plowed back into environmental organizations that clean up the river and Ashigara area.”
Japan: Kabuki Theatre to be Rebuilt
One of the most recognizable buildings in Japan, the grand, old Kabuki-za in Ginza is closing this month. It will be torn down and become a theater and office complex with direct connections to the subway station. Be sure to click this link to see a sketch of the planned...
East Timor: Connecting Civil Society
Providing internet access to civil society has been a key priority of the few information and communication technology (ICT) initiatives that exist in East Timor so far.
Southeast Asia: Good Governance Advocacy via Technology
As part of our Technology for Transparency research, Sopheap Chak offers a broad overview of the role of technology and grassroots, online communities in the movement for good governance in Southeast Asia.
China: The 42th anniversary of Lin Zhao's death
Lin Zhao (林昭）, a Peking University student, was arrested in 1960 during the Anti-Rightist Campaign launched by Mao Zedong in 1957 and sentenced to death on 29 of April (today) in 1968, 42 years ago at the age of 35. She could have exchanged for her freedom and life by...
Thailand: Online censorship amid protests
As Red Shirt protesters in Thailand continue to press their demand for the resignation of the Prime Minister, the government is also doing everything to weaken the protests, including the use of emergency powers to block TV stations, community radio stations, and websites that broadcast “subversive” stories.
Laos: Rural food
Rambling Spoon, who spent nine days in Phongsali province in Laos, kept a diary of what they ate in Laos.
East Timor: Resignation through SMS
East Timor Foreign Minister Zacarias da Costa reportedly resigned his post through SMS.
Brunei: Salaries of hospital doctors
Brunei Doctors Mess Club writes about the salaries received by hospital doctors in Brunei.
China: New Avatar theme song inspired by forced evictions
Avatar director James Cameron admits he found inspiration for the film in China, and Chinese viewers saw a common story from today's China being told in the film. Somewhere in between, mashup artists have now imagined a theme song for Avatar as one might have been sung in Chinese.
Japan: Remove the U.S. Marine Base From Ginowan
Martin from Kurashi blogs about the recent protest in Tokyo calling for the Japanese Parliament to remove the U.S. marine air base from Futenma, Okinawa in the city of Ginowan.
China: Reflection on bridge-blogging
Kai Pan from China Divide reflects on the non-Chinese China blogs's bridging effort.
China: Hospital holds newborn hostage
DANWEI translated a frontpage story from Dongguan Times about a local hospital holding newborn hostage when the parent can't pay the bill.
Philippines: 2010 iBlog Summit
The 6th Philippine Blogging Summit, or iBlog was successfully held at the University of the Philippines.
Malaysia: Hulu Selangor by-election
anilnetto shares his views about the recently concluded by-election in Hulu Selangor, Malaysia
Myanmar: Mystery disease outbreak
A mystery disease has broken out in Myanmar. Symptoms include a high fever, bruising and swollen face and legs.
Singapore: Retraction of invitation to hearing-impaired educator
Singapore's Ministry of Education retracted a conference invitation to a top U.S.-based educator after learning that she is hearing-impaired. The Ministry has already apologized for this mistake. Bloggers react.
Brunei Foodies Go Pink 2010
Brunei Foodies Go Pink 2010 is a charity recipe book project of Brunei bloggers for 2010. Bloggers and foodies alike have agreed to raise funds and create awareness about breast cancer by inviting bloggers to contribute their favorite dessert recipe which will be compiled in a book.
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.
