Stories about East Asia
Chinese patriotic YouTuber apologizes after criticizing propaganda and corruption
"In our village, the forest land has not been distributed. It is so full of corruption!"
After pineapple ban, Taiwan calls Beijing’s new agricultural investment offer ‘an old trick’
Weeks after the pineapple ban, China offered incentives to Taiwanese agriculture and forestry sector to invest in rural tourism and plant high-end commercial crops in China.
Malaysia’s ‘fake news’ ordinance takes effect amid continuing concern over the COVID-19 state of emergency
"This ordinance strengthens the perception that the state of emergency we are currently in is a smokescreen to curb any form of criticism towards the government of the day."
Biru Terong Initiative: Using the power of video for social change in Indonesia
"We use video to capture the social-economic reality of marginalised groups of society and use that footage to stimulate dialogue and learning."
Myanmar's anti-coup protesters include DIY shields, women’s sarongs in their defensive arsenal
Myanmar's security forces have become more brutal in suppressing the anti-coup movement but protesters have devised creative and unusual tactics to survive and avoid the riot police.
Exiled activists launch the ‘2021 Hong Kong Charter,’ a vision for the future of the pro-democracy movement
"Hongkongers, whether in Hong Kong or overseas, are capable of overriding the script written by the state and instead write their own story."
An interview with a blogger who connects Myanmar and Hong Kong's dream for democracy
"Exchanges among activists could help reflect on the inadequacy of local protests and develop a wider horizon in understanding the significance of the pro-democracy movement in Asia."
Sunday's death toll rises to 71 in crackdown on anti-coup protesters in Myanmar
"These shooting[s] are totally unacceptable. They are not dispersing the protests. They are just murdering the people with violence."
‘This goes way beyond brutality': Myanmar coup and the military's violent suppression of democracy
Myanmar protesters are being killed for resisting the military government. As violence continues to worsen, many are appealing for urgent UN intervention.
In the streets and online, Myanmar's citizens unite in creative opposition to the military junta
"The protests have also been highly inclusive, welcoming people representing a diversity of professions and identities, including people from a range of religious faiths and from the LGBTQ community."
What International Women's Day looked like around the world in 2021
"Although COVID-19 dampened participation in many countries, women still raised their voices on the streets on different continents, especially as the pandemic has worsened inequalities faced by women."
How COVID-19 ramped up a simmering hostility between Brazil and China
While governments around the world scrambled to secure vials of the COVID-19 vaccine, Bolsonaro refused to negotiate with drug companies, especially the Chinese ones.
Scenes from Myanmar’s deadliest week as coup enters second month
"They are so determined to see the death of the military dictatorship, there is simply no way their movement can die."
How human voice matters in the Chinese political discussion on Clubhouse
The voices that Zhang treasured was the shocking utterance of ordinary people when they first heard about what happened in Xinjiang and in Tiananmen Square.
For this Filipina journalist, every day is a battle with fear
Rampant impunity means that accountability for attacks against activists and journalists is virtually non-existent.
Cambodia’s internet gateway could intensify surveillance and censorship
"Government surveillance cultivates an environment of fear, creating incentives for self-censorship and directly undermining the ability of journalists and human rights defenders to undertake their work."
Coup and resistance in Myanmar: A timeline of the first month under the 2021 military junta
From the coup to violent crackdowns and arrests, February 202a was a month of turmoil in Myanmar. But the people are fighting back.
New Chinese-led port project faces backlash from local residents and environmentalists in Peru
“Throughout the history of Peru, investments are located wherever they want, as long as they bring money, and the state or government allows this to happen”
Virtual exhibit commemorates 1971 ‘Diliman Commune’ protests in The Philippines
A virtual exhibit features a student-led uprising at The Philippines' top university 50 years ago that has become a symbol of resistance to dictatorial rule and oppression.
Pineapple recipes flood Taiwan's social media after China bans imports
China cited safety concerns, but Taiwan says the ban is an "economic intimidation."
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.
