Stories about East Asia from July, 2020
Popular YouTube channel documents what it is like to be black in Japan
Popular YouTube channel and website The Black Experience Japan features interviews with dozens of Black residents of Japan.
Hong Kong government disqualifies 12 pro-democracy candidates running for the local legislature
Beijing is determined to block any pro-democracy candidates to be elected to the Hong Kong Legislative Council in order to extend its full political control over the territory.
How Balinese communities in Indonesia are coping with the COVID-19 pandemic
"COVID-19 mini-wikithons provide a safe space for people to talk in their native Balinese language about their challenges and coping strategies of the pandemic in Balinese communities."
Four student activists arrested in Hong Kong for ‘inciting secession’ because of related social media posts
Hong Kong's newly established national security police united has arrested four youngsters aged between 16 and 21 on suspicion of inciting secession in their social media posts.
Secret trials threaten open justice in Australia
"The cases… highlight the need for strong action to ensure that any such trials are held in open court and subject to public scrutiny."
Chinese nationalists call for retaliation measures against US diplomacy
While the Chinese government attempts to de-escalate tensions following the closure of one of its consulates in the US, nationalists talk about a "nuke race" on Chinese social media.
As COVID-19 infections surge, Japan launches travel subsidy campaign
Even as COVID-19 cases continue to climb in major cities in Japan, the government launched a new campaign aimed at encouraging tourism in local communities.
Iranians and Hongkongers connect through online campaign against China-Iran deal
Despite language and cultural barriers, Hong Kong and Iranian activists share similar views when it comes to speaking out against China's proposed 25-year partnership agreement with Iran.
Documentary exposes the threat of facial recognition surveillance in Serbia
Online documentary warns the public about privacy risks emanating from a newly installed video surveillance system equipped with Chinese facial recognition technology.
Liberian fishing communities stand up to Chinese supertrawlers
Liberian fishing communities are threatened by Chinese supertrawlers capable of catching about twice the nation’s sustainable catch — potentially decimating vital fish stocks in just a few years.
Out of work, out of options: Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand scrape by during COVID-19
"Since my workplace was closed, I don’t have much money left, I don’t know where to find work. I live in a construction camp with my 4-year-old son."
Chinese netizens rebrand Xi Jinping’s international relations strategy as ‘wolf warrior’ style diplomacy
"The Chinese Foreign Affair Ministry has turned into a branch of the propaganda department... and is now known as the Ministry of Making Foreign Enemies."
Students lead mass protest against dictatorship at Thailand's Democracy Monument
Protesters issued three demands related to democratic reforms and human rights protetion, and gave the government two weeks to respond.
Tears and rage after Congress rejects franchise renewal of the Philippines’ biggest media network
"Our dreams and future, these are the things they took away from us. I’ve worked so hard for this. But it’s gone in an instant. You are inhumane!”
‘Invisible hands': How millions of domestic workers fare under COVID-19
"We are the invisible hands. Our work is not valued. We don’t exist for the families we serve nor do we exist for the state."
Is Namibia walking a fine line between Chinese and European spy technology?
Namibia denies accusations that it is building an internet war chest to effortlessly check up on its domestic critics.
Hong Kong protest supporters’ international lobby to ‘burn’ China for hurting the city
“Laam chau”, a term derived from a username on the Reddit-like forum LIHKG, means "mutually-assured destruction", and it has captured the imagination of Hongkongers — even those in the pro-establishment camp.
Solo protest in the Netherlands for the Uyghur cause: One man takes on the Chinese state
In the Netherlands, the solo protest of an Uyghur exile puts a spotlight on China's actions against Uyghurs and other Muslims in Xinjiang.
The long journey to Uyghur visibility: An interview with French author Sylvie Lasserre
The issue of China's treatment of the Uyghurs is slowly getting noticed in France, according to the author of the first book in French about Uyghur identity.
‘Where is my family?': A question left unanswered for too many Uyghurs living abroad
After years of silence about the fate of his family, an Uyghur refugee decides to go public about the persecution of Uyghurs in China, despite the trauma he experiences.
Cambodia continues to block memorial activities honoring murdered political analyst Kem Ley
Four years on, the government is still ignoring calls to set up an independent commission to investigate the murder.
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.
