· February, 2011

Stories about East Asia from February, 2011

Singapore: Human rights record

  28 February 2011

Spotlight on Singapore compares the human rights record of Singapore with Hong Kong and comments that Singapore is trailing in the area of political freedom.

Malaysia: Rally against ‘racist’ book

  28 February 2011

A rally was held by Malaysian Indians in Kuala Lumpur to protest the continuing use of Interlok novel in schools. The controversial book, according to protesters, discriminates against the Indian community.

South Korea:Protest Against Foreign Finance's Encroachment

  28 February 2011

KEB(Korea Exchange Bank)'s employees and civil rights groups held a protest in Seoul today against Hana Financial Group's final decision to takeover KEB. The protesters, explaining the U.S. buyout fund Lone Star's involvement with Hana,  accused it of foreign finances’ encroachment on Korean turf. South Korea's influential Tweeter @Barunsori6 posted a photo of...

Japan: Football player exodus

  28 February 2011

At World Cup Blog, Aidan reflects on whether the exodus of soccer talents from Japan to European teams is a good thing for Japanese football. Considering the big number of players who left Japan recently, the blogger examines the positive and negative aspects of such trend.

Cambodia: Who Ordered the Blocking of Opposition Websites?

  27 February 2011

Since January, certain anti-government websites have been inaccessible in Cambodia. Service providers blame it on technical issues while the government claims it does not promote censorship. But media groups leaked a government letter asking companies to block critical websites.

China: 50 Cent Party's Fake Retweet

  27 February 2011

Several Chinese online activists have noticed that the 50 Cent Party has adopted a new tactic in creating fake retweets of prominent online opinion leaders. China Media Project has a brief account of the situation. Rebecca MacKinnon wonders if Twitter abuse team can deal with the problem of fake retweets.

China: Jasmine Revolution, Week Two

  26 February 2011

Following dozens of arrests since an anonymous blog post called for revolutionary gatherings in cities across China last Sunday, a second round of gatherings is scheduled for today. Has the heavy-handed government response turned what many insist was a stunt into something more powerful?

South Korea: Photos of Protest in Seoul

  26 February 2011

South Koreans held a protest in Seoul against the current administration yesterday, criticizing the government's unmet promises and its failures in several issues, such as high unemployment rate and the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak. Prolific Twitter and Blogger @givenjoy posted about 15 photos of the protest in his blog.

Myanmar: Over 3,000 Attend Mandalay Barcamp 2011

  25 February 2011

The city of Mandalay in Myanmar held its first Barcamp two weeks ago which was attended by more than 3,000 participants. GV author Tan gives an overview of what transpired in the Barcamp by quoting from blogs and websites written in the Burmese language.

About our East Asia coverage

Oiwan Lam
Oiwan Lam is the North East Asia editor. Email her story ideas or volunteer to write.

Mong Palatino
Mong Palatino is the South East Asia editor. Email him story ideas or volunteer to write.