Stories about East Asia from April, 2011
Brunei: Health Promotion Blueprint
During the launching of the Health Promotion campaign in Brunei, a walkathon was organized which was participated by 6,000 people.
East Timor: Tourism potential
EngageMedia uploads a video which features the tourism potential of Dili, East Timor and the problems of the tourism sector in the country.
China: Farmer Hangs Himself in Desperation
Olivia from ChinaHush reports on the vulnerable situation Chinese farmers are facing in the market. A recent incident has been the suicide of a 39 year-old farmer, Han Jin.
China: Centennial Celebration of Tsinghua University
Jing Gao from the Ministry of Tofu explains how the centennial celebration of Tsinghua University turns political.
China: Poem Dedicated to Lobsang Tsepak
High Peaks Pure Earth has translated a poem by Woeser dedicated to Lobsang Tsepak, a monk of Kirti Monastery, Ngaba, who was studying at Beijing's Central University for Nationalities and was arrested on March 25, 2011 for unclear reasons.
North Korea: Rumors and Superstitions Surrounding Former US President Carter
Former US President Carter visited the North Korea to resolve the country's nuclear issues, but failed to meet North Korea's reclusive leader, Kim Jong-il. A North Korean insider report, Open Radio for North Korea wrote about superstitions surrounding Carter and how he gained “an inauspicious individual” status in the North.
Execution Tunnels in North Korea
There are strong claims that tunnels in North Korea have been adapted for mass-executions of political prisoners if the regime ever be threatened, according to local reports. Alec Macph shared links to North Korea's human rights violation cases in the Harry's Place blog .
Taiwan: Lying Girls
After Japan's flying girl, here come Taiwan's lying girls. The Lying Girls will show you a really, totally, different way of viewing Taiwan…Come lie together!
Malaysia: DiGi WWWOW Award
Digi has launched the DiGi WWWOW Award, it's 1st people’s choice Internet awards for Malaysians by Malaysians.
Malaysia: Solar energy program
Gan Pei Ling writes about the prospects of the solar energy program in Malaysia.
Malaysia: Obesity in schools
Nuraina A Samad from Malaysia reminds authorities that addressing the obesity issue also requires a review of the physical education and fitness programs in schools
Malaysia: “Stateless Children of Sabah”
Anne Baltazar writes about the situation of poor children in Sabah in Malaysia whose migrant parents came from Indonesia and Philippines.
Philippines: Invisible paintings in a Manila museum
Artist Edd Aragon's ‘invisible’ paintings are on display today in a Manila museum. The artist used a unique paint formula that allows him to paint under UV (ultraviolet) light.
Thailand: Opposition radio stations raided
The Committee to Protect Journalists criticized Thailand authorities for raiding 13 radio stations which are aligned with the Opposition
Malaysia: Cost of 1Malaysia email
Malaysiakini gathers reactions in Malaysia to the report that the planned 1Malaysia email will also entail some cost for users who will access some of its value added services.
Japan: Netizens react to the arrest of an Englishman
Japan Probe translated the comments [en] of some netizens who reacted to the arrest of an English man who grabbed “a mike from a politician at a train station and yelled about how Japanese elections are loud and annoying.”
China: The Rich Are Fleeing
A new survey conducted in part with one of China's biggest banks suggests that large numbers of wealthy Chinese have over the past two years begun moving their assets overseas, and gaining foreign citizenship in the process. If China is so bad, some wonder, now having lost all this capital and talent, is it about to get even worse?
Malaysia: Boot Camp to “Help” Effeminate Boys
Based on their effeminate tendencies, 66 schoolboys from the state of Terengganu in Malaysia were recently sent to a boot camp aimed at "helping them behave in a proper manner". The boys were identified by their schools, who were instructed last year to identify students who displayed feminine qualities. The blogoshere in Malaysia is divided over this issue.
North Korea: Three Films Denouncing Kim Jong-il Regime
Three films which give a rare glimpse inside the North Korea have been introduced during the North Korea Freedom Week, an annual event jointly held in Seoul and Washington hosting lectures and film screenings focusing human rights abuses in the North. Mike Paarlberg posted a detailed introduction to the films in...
China: Come-and-go of Confucius
Jing Gao from the Ministry of Tofu explains the political implications of the appearance and disappearance of the sculpture of Confucius in Tiananmen Square.
China: Changing Pork into Beef
Fauna from ChinaSMACK looks into the latest food security scandal on beef extract addictive which can turn pork into beef.
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.
