Stories about East Asia from September, 2020
The untold plight of imprisoned women in Africa, the Americas, and Asia under the pandemic
"Not only are women at risk of contracting COVID-19, they are also exposed to an increased threat of sexual violence during the pandemic."
Press freedom impeded in Hong Kong as police limits definition of recognized media representatives
If approved, a new scheme limiting the definition of officially recognized media will deliver a serious blow to freelance journalists and student reporters.
#FreeMuay: Groups call for release of Laotian net idol and environment advocate
"Muay bravely stood up to protect the environment. Muay does not deserve to be let alone imprisoned from taking this stand."
Fearing the national security law, Hongkongers change their social media habits
Of the 2,587 people who responded to an online survey conducted by The Stand News, 96 percent said they fear "loss of free speech."
Thai protesters submit petition for monarchy reforms, install ‘people’s plaque’
The plaque has this inscription: "People shall know, that this country belongs to the people, not the king as they lied."
What Weibo and Chinese media are saying about TikTok's pending sale to US companies
"ByteDance's CEO needs to be tough and get prepared to withdraw from the U.S. market," one Chinese user said on Weibo.
As US West Coast burns, false rumors spread like wildfire on Chinese social media
This is another example of a disinformation trend underpinned by a wider narrative of "unrestricted warfare" between the US and China.
‘Please kill me now': Japanese Twitter reacts to Osaka Expo 2025's unusual new mascot
Japanese Twitter nicknamed the logo "koroshite-kun", which roughly translates as "Mr. Please Kill Me Now."
How the world's six largest economies are faring amidst the global political economy of COVID-19
"The political economy of any one nation, however, is interlinked with the global economy, and because of this the scale of activities in the largest economies really does matter."
Hong Kong's universal testing wraps up with low turn out
The scheme's effectiveness and costs were the subject of heated controversy, but it was probably Beijing's involvement that spooked most Hongkongers.
China's persecution of Muslim minorities: An Uyghur student living in Turkey shares her story
I came to Turkey legally, on a passport issued by the Chinese authorities. Why did they punish my family?
A Chinese city withdraws ‘civility code’ following online criticism
Suzhou – a Chinese city near Shanghai – launched a “civility code” in early September to rank citizens’ civility. As negative comments flooded in, the city called an end to...
Website exposing military corruption blocked in Myanmar
"It shows the increased intolerance by the government on freedom of expression and that they are trying to cover up the crimes and corruption of the military."
What's happening in Thailand? Youth activists rally to protect democracy, freedom of speech
An explainer about the ongoing youth-led protests in Thailand.
For Asian activists, boycotting Disney's ‘Mulan’ says no to China's nationalist propaganda, censorship and police brutality
"What we're boycotting is the Western commercialization (Disney) of Chinese nationalism. . . which points to how intertwined and convoluted the interests of global capital really are."
Myanmar activist poet convicted for protesting against internet shutdown
The protest featured the unfurling of a banner that read: “Is the internet being shut down to hide war crimes and killing people?”
‘Khon Kaen has had enough': Pro-democracy activists protest in northeast Thailand
The youth-led protest actions in Thailand are not just happening in the capital Bangkok. Here's a report of a major rally in the country's northeast region.
Detention of Chinese-Australian TV presenter Cheng Lei by China called out as ‘hostage diplomacy’
"Canberra should be doing all it can to ensure she [Cheng Lei] is released from “residential surveillance” as soon as possible"
Hong Kong artists burn protest gear, Winnie the Pooh, and ballot boxes on Ghost Day
"In the real world, no one answers our demands, so we have to seek other channels, such as communicating with the ghost realms."
Student Union of Thailand president arrested over anti-government protest
“Paint can be washed out, but we can’t wash out injustice.”
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.
