Stories about East Asia from December, 2020
Short videos by young Cambodians promote fight against COVID-19 disinformation
The videos discuss the role of young internet users in combatting disinformation about the coronavirus pandemic.
Christmas in the Philippines in the time of Duterte and COVID-19
The government has discouraged family reunions, church gatherings and even prohibited the holding of Christmas parties.
COVID Christmas: Was it truly like no other?
For our world and the faiths we have, hasn't this Christmas been like all others—painful, often sordid, sometimes deadly?
Shooting of mother and son highlights institutionalized police violence in the Philippines
"This is what happens when we have leaders who consent and encourage such behavior from policemen."
Online backlash follows blurring of Christmas imagery on popular Chinese TV show
A Chinese online TV outlet had to pixelate its variety show's Christmas setting as the political campaign to boycott foreign festivals gained momentum.
2020 round-up: How the tragedy of COVID-19 became a success story for the China model
The year 2020 began with the outbreak of COVID-19 in Wuhan. Throughout the year, COVID-19 was the most discussed topic on the Chinese social media.
Is the honeymoon over for Beijing and Hong Kong's Carrie Lam?
Hong Kong’s pro-Beijing camp is revolting against Chief Executive Carrie Lam, using the city’s failure to contain the COVID-19 outbreak as the pretext.
Crackdown against journalist and activists mars Human Rights Day in the Philippines
"We were forced to turn our backs for one hour while evidence was being planted."
COVID-19 infects Japan's ‘kanji of the year’
密 (mitsu), in some cases, means "close, crowded, or confined."
China’s imposition of electricity restrictions this winter gets a chilly reception
Winter has come, yet many regions in southern China including Hunan, Zhejiang and Jiangxi have recently issued notifications on the limited supply of electricity.
Citing tweets and op-eds, Hong Kong police charges media tycoon Jimmy Lai with foreign collusion
Documents supporting Lai's collusion charge include social media posts, interviews with foreign media outlets, and meetings with foreign politicians and alleged donations to them.
‘Queer Japan’ documentary introduces Japan's vibrant, multifaceted LGTBQ+ community
The film features a variety of individuals involved in art, activism, nightlife, and politics in Japan.
Internet artist behind satirical Australia war crimes image hailed as a hero on Chinese social media
The satirical image of an Australian soldier slitting the throat of an Afghan child was shared by China’s Foreign Ministry's spokesman on Twitter, causing a row between the two countries.
Hong Kong suppresses political dissent by freezing bank accounts
Pro-democracy activists believe that the banking system is being weaponized by the national security police to crack down on activists and pro-democracy NGOs.
Singaporean activist who staged a solo protest with a ‘smiley’ placard charged with illegal assembly
"I barely stayed in the area for more than several seconds. Yet, what I did has been deemed as a public protest by the State."
Australia-China relations hit rock bottom after provocative tweet by senior Communist Party official
"A Chinese diplomat's tweet re inquiry into war crimes is breathtakingly, gobsmackingly hypocritical. We are waiting for independent investigations into widespread systematic abuses by China in Xinjiang, Tibet, Hong Kong."
‘Don't come back, or you will disappear': Uyghur mother pleads with her daughter abroad
Global Voices interviewed Mehbube Abla, a 38-year-old Uyghur activist living in Austria since 2004. All the members of her family who stayed in Xinjiang are in prison.
Hong Kong activists Joshua Wong, Agnes Chow and Ivan Lam sentenced to jail
Joshua Wong tweeted: "We’re now joining the battle in prison along with many brave protestors, less visible yet essential in the fight for democracy and freedom for Hong Kong."
Journalists at Hong Kong TV station resign en masse after 40 colleagues fired
The cable broadcaster, one of Hong Kong's largest, cited financial reasons. Newsroom staff claim the decision was politically motivated.
Student protests in Philippine universities hit government for bungled Typhoon disaster response
"We halt our classes and academic work to amplify our call for justice and for the ouster of Duterte."
Controversy over Thanksgiving celebration in a Chinese university highlights a growing culture of political snitching
A dormitory supervisor at Harbin Institute of Technology wanted to give out chocolate treats to students on Thanksgiving Day. A student threatened to report her to the school's authorities.
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.
