Stories about East Asia from January, 2021
WATCH: ‘The Milk Tea Alliance'—Thailand, Taiwan and Hong Kong's unified fight for democracy’
Missed the live-stream of the Global Voices Insights webinar on the "Milk Tea Alliance"? Here's a replay.
Critics warn Malaysia’s state of emergency could undermine democracy
"Members of the public should not be treated as enemies and be dealt with by military personnel."
Japanese skincare company faces online backlash and boycott after CEO's racist remarks
Critics are also drawing attention to the DHC's connections to the Japanese far-right and its efforts to distribute conspiracy theories online.
Thai woman receives 43-year sentence for sharing audio clips ‘defaming’ the monarchy
"Although her sentence was reduced to 43 years, it’s still too harsh & unnecessary cruel. Should a defamation case land someone several decades in jail?"
Join us LIVE on January 29 for ‘The Milk Tea Alliance: Thailand, Taiwan and Hong Kong's unified fight for democracy’
Join us for a lively discussion about the impact of the transnational youth protest movement which united countries in Asia in the fight for democracy.
Chinese-Australian cartoonist Badiucao walks a fine line to avoid being politically hijacked
For Badiucao, the best way to spread the message of universal human rights is through his art, but even within Australia's Chinese communities, the narratives are both complex and nuanced.
Hong Kong protesters’ ‘Brick Arches’ wins Beazley Designs’ People’s Choice Award
Made from ordinary bricks, these small structures were used by Hong Kong protestors as roadblocks to slow down police vehicles.
Hong Kong’s Kim Jong-un impersonator reveals he was arrested in October
Hong Kong’s Kim Jong-un impersonator has revealed he was arrested in October for possessing a firearm without a licence, which he denies; he says his political performances are to blame.
What awaits Hong Kong in 2021?
Mass arrests, blocking of websites, end of judicial independence, among other issues, seem to be in store for Hong Kong this year.
Online football clinic helps Indonesian children improve skills during the pandemic
"We hope to provide easy access for all Indonesian children to continue to develop their potential during difficult times like today."
Malaysia’s internet regulator deactivates Twitter account after offensive tweets exposed
"It is shocking that they violated Twitter's terms by acquiring an account of a person that had no shame with their racism, misogyny, anti-baldness."
Reviving L’bokator, Cambodia's ancient martial arts
The sport is now recognized by the World Martial Arts Association and will be included in the 2023 Southeast Asia Games,
What drives ‘J-Anon’, QAnon's Japanese counterpart?
Donald Trump seems to have found supporters amid Japan's religious cults.
A digital artist depicts the lives of Thais and the struggle for democracy
"It’s time for us to rise up for a better future not just for ourselves, but also for the generations to come.”
Lax regulations behind surge in Hong Kong's ‘nano flats,’ land use group says
"You can fry a fish while sitting on the bed."
Mass arrests in Hong Kong of participants in the pro-democracy camp's July 2020 primaries
A number of pro-democracy organizations and media outlets also received court orders directing them to hand in documents related to police investigations.
Singapore livestreams Parliament session for the first time but prohibits use for ‘satire, ridicule, or denigration’
"Reminder that this development was made possible because activists, opposition politicians, and the great mass of dissenting Singaporeans had pressured the government to do so."
Interview: Ex-Hong Kong lawmaker says education has become a scapegoat for the protests
Ip Kin-yuen, who is the vice-president of the Hong Kong Professional Teachers’ Union, told HKFP that while the situation is very grim, he is still hopeful that 2021 could bring better news.
Hong Kong pro-establishment camp uneasy about leadership takeover by newcomers
The new Bauhinia Party was established by a group of businessmen with mainland Chinese backgrounds.