Stories about East Asia from May, 2020
Tour little-known tourist spots in Japan on YouTube
YouTube channel Anna Film Production produces short videos of interesting and scenic spots in the Kansai region in western Japan.
‘Indonesia, whatever’: Frontline staff express frustration over COVID-19 response
"We risked our lives, but are paid less than is adequate. Hundreds of nurses faced pay cuts and their 13th-month salary was withheld."
Explore beauty and heritage in the Philippines, Vietnam and Thailand while staying at home
Southeast Asian countries have lost millions of visitors but none of their branding know-how.
Is China's ‘House of Cards’ in the Czech Republic beginning to wobble?
Public scepticism over Chinese influence campaigns and aggressive diplomacy is empowering anti-Beijing politicians.
COVID-19 tune educates, empowers Indonesia’s remote Marapu community
"Let’s just stay at home. Let’s wash our hands diligently to protect our health and lives."
Protests, police crackdowns return to Hong Kong as Beijing tightens grip
"This is the future of Hong Kong under National Security Law: No freedom of assembly and speech."
COVID-19 diaries from Wuhan: ‘You can go outside for two hours’
Someone asked me, "What is the first thing that you want to do after the lockdown is lifted?" I said, "I want to walk by the river and yell."
Foreign Correspondent's Club of Japan accused of censorship after taking down Tokyo Olympics parody
The April issue of the club's magazine featured the Tokyo Olympics' emblem depicted in the shape of a coronavirus, which reportedly prompted copyright complaints from the Olympic Organising Committee.
Uyghur human rights advocate Dilnur Reyhan laments lack of Muslim solidarity
Hatred against the West has blinded ordinary Muslim citizens to the point of refusing to believe news brought by the Western media, even when it concerns concentration camps for Muslims
‘One Country, Two Systems’ on the line as national security law looms over Hong Kong
"Our way of life may soon be circumscribed but we will find a way to survive and prosper through this."
Labour, migrant rights under spotlight as Thailand wrestles with COVID-19 impact
Fearing instability, the Thai government is failing to protect the labor rights of both Thai nationals and migrant workers.
Following COVID-19 closure, Ghibli Museum posts mini-tours online
One of Japan's most beloved tourist attractions is offering short virtual tours on YouTube.
A glimpse at Thailand's digital ID through the biometric profiling of Malay Muslims
"The discriminatory nature of these measures could amount to racial profiling, which subjects Malay Muslims to disproportionate and unnecessary surveillance based on ethnic prejudice rather than objective signs of suspicion."
Hong Kong reveals the city's agenda to construct an Orwellian ‘truth’
The release of a report on the police's use of force in protests seems to be "part of a wider set of coordinated announcements designed to deliver the new ‘truth’".
Photo contest asks Rohingya community to document their lives during the COVID-19 pandemic
A photography competition for Rohingya people is being held from April 23 – August 23, 2020, featuring two broad categories – “Rohingya life” and “Response to Coronavirus” and entries can be submitted online.
Banned for 30 years, Singapore’s only martial arts film is now on YouTube
"It's almost as if the film is a time capsule into Singapore’s past."
COVID-19 diaries from Wuhan: ‘People cannot grieve freely for their relatives. How repressive!’
"After the storm, we will need to rebuild our lives like those blown-down buildings."
China to its anxious youth: ‘Believe us, things are better in your day!’
"We have to struggle for our rights, not sit and wait. Youth in China should yell out -- we want freedom of press!"
COVID-19 diaries from Wuhan: ‘A person can survive the pandemic but not bullying, fear, and hatred’
People are asked to report their status to the grid controller and health code system everyday in exchange of mobility after the lifting of lockdown.
Thailand's homeless particularly at risk amid COVID-19 pandemic
"Since I didn’t have enough money to go home, I decided to become a homeless person and stay here."
As tourism declines in Cambodia, tuk-tuk drivers are down and out in Phnom Penh
"Today, I have not provided one service, and tomorrow, I’m not sure whether one will come or not. Probably finding a construction job is better."
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.
