Stories about East Asia from February, 2013
Chinese Parents of Gay Children Call for Equal Marriage Rights
More than 100 parents of gays and lesbians from different parts of China have sent an open letter [zh] to delegates of China’s National People’s Congress asking the government to legalize same-sex marriage.
U.S. and South Korea: A Show of Force, But Running Out of Options?
North Korea’s third nuclear test provided the ideal opportunity for the United States and South Korea to respond with their own displays of military muscle. But what will be their next move?
Interactive Maps of China’s Most and Least Polluted Places
Beijing recently experienced its worst day of air quality on record. Since then, reporting on China’s “airpocalypse” has been accompanied by what seems like a monochromatic slideshow of the country’s iconic cities all smothered in thick smog.
First Crowdsourced News Site in Myanmar
A group of young programmers in Myanmar launched the country's first ever crowdsourced news site called “Buzz in Myanmar“. With the slogan “News for people, by people”, netizens are allowed...
Being Fat, Talking Fat in South Korea
Many reports have been made about South Koreans’ obsessions with body image, some with shallow understanding of Korean culture. Youtube user durkeeinkorea in this video shares his experience in Korea where...
Open Letter to China on Human Rights
Just prior to China's annual “two meetings” of the NPC and CPPCC, which are scheduled to convene on March 5, more than 100 prominent individuals — including academics, journalists, lawyers and economists signed an open letter...
China: Cultural Revolution Murder Trial
The trial of an elderly man named Qiu accused of murdering a doctor during the Cultural Revolution has generated discussions about the cultural revolution in China. China Media Project has...
China: Guangzhou Police Detain Protesters
Authorities in Southern China's Guangzhou city have detained 10 activists who staged a protest over North Korean nuclear test. The news triggered netizens’ outrage. Radio Free Asia has more.
After Ang Lee's Oscar Win, China Imagines Cinema Beyond Censors
Looking to Taiwanese-born director Ang Lee's Oscar win for Best Director with pride and envy, mainland Chinese web users frustrated with China's tight grip on the film industry are wondering about their own country's cinematic potential.
Defending Capital Punishment in Japan
Would you still be against it if someone you loved was killed by a psychotic murderer? Human rights organization Amnesty International called for the death penalty to be abolished in Japan...
China, Pollution and Cancer Villages
A Chinese billionaire's warning that no amount of money can protect the rich from China's environmental crisis has resonated with web users, many of whom are already alarmed about the country's toxic combination of air and water contamination and food safety issues.
Defying the Government, Chinese Families Resurrect Graves
Scores of families have fought back against a controversial campaign in China's central Henan province to raze millions of graves for farmland by re-erecting their ancestors' resting places during the Lunar New Year.
Chinese General Luo Yuan's Battle on Weibo
High-ranking Chinese military officer Luo Yuan opened a personal Weibo account on Feb 21. Since then, his pro-war comments on how to manage China's relationship with Japan and the recent...
As Japan's Star Fades, Many Struggle for Hope
As Japan's economic growth continues to shrink each year, the Japanese, who find themselves more and more disconnected from their families and friends thanks to grueling works days and the Internet's erosion of personal relationships, are finding it difficult to put on a happy face.
Request Google to Look into Myanmar
Many Burmese netizens requested[my] the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Information who met with Google's Southeast Asia Country lead for Public Policy and Government Affairs to convince the company...
South Korea: Ex-Police Chief Jailed for Defaming Deceased President
A former South Korean police chief was sentenced to 10 months in jail for falsely accusing the deceased former president of maintaining slush fund bank accounts under assumed names.
Evacuate the Children of Fukushima
Parents, residents and lawyers are taking to the streets demanding that their children by evacuated from Japan's Fukushima region, where they claim radiation levels continue to be high.
In Pictures: The Polluted Rivers of China
Tencent News recently put together a photo story about the “colorful waters of China“, Offbeat China has translated the captions of the pictures.
Indonesia’s New Law on Mass Organizations Ignites Protest
The Indonesian Parliament is set to approve a bill that would amend the law governing mass organizations but human rights groups and experts have warned against its repressive provisions.
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