Stories about East Asia from December, 2013
Human Trafficking in Southeast Asia
The Asian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development has published a policy briefer that tackled the extent of human trafficking in Southeast Asia. Many Southeast Asian countries are at...
Beer Looting Ignited Internet Meme in Vietnam
The public looting of an overturned beer truck in Vietnam early this month generated an Internet meme. Many criticized the looters for stealing beer instead of helping the truck driver.
Hundreds of Local Chinese Lawmakers Dismissed Over Massive Bribery Scandal
518 Hengyang lawmakers and 68 staff members were found to have accepted bribes, and 512 lawmakers were dismissed.
South Korean Pres. Vows Pre-emptive Strikes on Social Media Rumors
Is South Korea government gearing up toward social media censorship? The latest official remark by President Park (full transcript [ko]) had Korean net users worried. Park, addressing “those rumors spreading via social...
PHOTOS: Humans of Southeast Asia
Brandon Stanton’s Humans of New York Facebook page has inspired many photographers in Southeast Asia to share photos and stories of ordinary people in the streets in their respective countries
China's Hunan Province: “96.6% Complete on Democracy and Rule of Law”
China's Hunan Party Secretary Xu Shousheng published a report on Hunan Daily that says “Hunan province is 96.6% complete on democracy and rule of law.” The statement has been ridiculed...
Mandela's lesson for Hong Kong
Sa Law from left21 wrote a piece on Nelson Mandela and his lesson for Hong Kong, a city where migrant workers are living in apartheid. Due to their long working...
The Return of Chairman Mao Worship in China
The celebration of Chair Mao's 120th birthday has seen a return of personality worship in China.
Chinese President Xi Jinping Eats Steam Buns
The news about Chinese President Xi Jingping in a small restaurant eating steam buns with common people was first appeared in Weibo and spread through mainstream media outlets. ChinaSMACK translated...
China's Southern Media Group Turns Back on Anti-Censorship Supporters
The newspaper issued testimony that supports the prosecution of activists who took part in an anti-censorship protest in support of the paper.
South Korea: Reason Behind Movie ‘The Attorney's Box Office Smash
South Korean movie ‘The Attorney’ which depicts the early life of ex-President Roh who started as a civil rights lawyer resisting against dictatorial regimes, has drawn over 4 million admissions in...
Rebuilding Schools in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyuan in Bantaya, Philippines
Young Pioneer Disaster Response (YPDR) is a small NGO whose goal is to rebuild schools and help residents of the small island of Bantayan in the area of Santa Fe...
Cambodia’s Garment Workers Hold Nationwide Strike for Pay Hike
Thousands of Cambodian garment workers have joined a nationwide strike to press for a pay hike. Many workers also joined a protest rally organized by the opposition
South Korean Election Scandal Brings Three Religions Together
Opposition against the current administration's election manipulation scandal grows stronger every day, even enough to inspire conservative Protestant Christian groups to join the protest movement [ko] following the trails of Catholic...
IMF Silent on Corruption in Cambodia?
Jessica Evans of the Human Rights Watch criticized International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde for being silent about Cambodian's corruption problem when the IMF leader visited the country early this...
Wishing You a Free Christmas from Hong Kong
There are a number of e-Christmas cards that carry political message circulated on social media in Hong Kong. Below are two examples:
Dishing on Sino-American Relations
Chinese food culture constitutes a significant part in the Chinese language. Below is a part of an online fictional story on a conversation between Obama and Xi Jinping on Sino...
Indonesia's Haunting Tsunami Memorials Foreshadow Our Future
On the anniversary of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, Ivan Sigal visits memorials of the disaster in Banda Aceh, Indonesia, and finds prophesies of our future.
Haze and Haiyan: Southeast Asia’s Deadly Disasters of 2013
Global Voices coverage of the transboundary haze pollution in Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia; and the deadly impact of super typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines in 2013
Chinese Challenge State Media's Rosy Take on Mao Zedong's Legacy
"Mao’s biggest crimes were the rectification movement expansion, which killed countless innocent intellectuals; the Great Leap Forward, which led millions of innocent people to starve; and the cruel Cultural Revolution..."
Killing of Two Demolition Officials by Chinese Veteran Farmer Wins Public Sympathy
The arrest of an old farmer for killing two men sent to evict his family in the east China city of Suzhou has provoked outcry on China’s social media.
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