Stories about East Asia
Undertones: Zimbabwe's cyberpunk cities fueled by China
Zimbabwe is set to become Africa’s first country with a “smart” capital city built from scratch. But many are wary of Zimbabwe becoming a surveillance state.
Latin America walks a fine line between East and West amidst Ukrainian conflict and China-U.S. tensions
At the first anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and in the midst of growing tensions between superpowers, our region maintains an ambiguous role.
Can China act as a peace broker in the Russian-Ukraine war?
China is attempting to rebuild ties with the EU and is blaming the US for taking advantage of the Russia-Ukraine War ahead of a meeting between Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin.
Cambodia’s prime minister revokes license of independent news outlet Voice of Democracy
"We believe that the closure of VOD would represent a grave step backwards for both press freedoms and the rule of law in Cambodia."
Will Chinese advanced AI chatbots survive China’s online censorship?
China Digital Times asked a Chinese chatbot “How do you comment on Chinese leader Xi Jinping?” and the chatbot answered, “Your entry contains rule-breaking terms, please re-enter.”
Myanmar media two years after the 2021 coup: ‘Resistance, resilience, restoration’
"The international community must renew its commitment to Myanmar and protect and defend the courageous journalists who are risking their lives to report on the regime’s ongoing human rights abuses.”
Hong Kong’s wetland conservation remains uncertain in the Northern Metropolis
The Northern Metropolis project covers 30,000 hectares of land along Shenzhen River and Deep Bay where the city's major wetlands are located.
Queering the internet: anonymous online spaces for LGBTQ+ people
The threat of persecution, violence, and judgement is why many queer people turn to anonymous online spaces to build community and relationships, seek support, and share their experiences.
How the US anti-vaccine disinformation on COVID-19 is appropriated in China
Without verifying the content, China propagandists and spokespeople cited American far-right disinformation spreader Project Veritas, and urged the US to investigate Pfizer's role in engineering the COVID-19 virus.
Amid fears of contamination, Japan will soon dump treated water from Fukushima Nuclear Plant into the Pacific
"(The plan) shows direct disregard for the sovereignty and self-determination of Pacific peoples and the ocean their livelihoods depend upon."
How military supporters are using Telegram channels to suppress dissent in Myanmar
Pro-military people are urging the military authorities to take action against those who are pro-democracy, calling for detention, imprisonment, property seizure, revoking citizenship and travel documents — even the execution of political prisoners and rebels.
Where will Prague's China policy go with the new president?
As the Czech Republic chooses a new president for the next five years, the pro-Beijing policy embraced by current president Miloš Zeman is likely to come to a halt.
Anti-zero-COVID ‘white paper’ protesters face forced disappearance in China
An unknown number of anti-zero COVID policy protesters were forced into disappearance during Christmas and Lunar New Year break in China.
Repression of Uyghurs remains unchanged: Interview with Xinjiang Victims Database founder Gene Bunin
Gene Bunin, founder of the Xinjiang Victims Database talks to Global Voices about the lack of political will to highlight internationally the oppression of Uyghur people in China.
Undertones in Myanmar: Junta, Buddhism, Youth
Researchers from Myanmar expect heightened tension as the country heads towards military-led elections this year.
Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen orders police to find Facebook beach ‘insulter’
Cambodian prime minister's Facebook post attracted more than 19,000 comments, mostly fawning deferentially to the prime minister. But Facebook user “Ver To” went against the tide.
From 37 to 60,000: China’s official COVID-19 death toll data remains opaque
...there are a total of 35,519 hospitals, the 60,000 figure implies that, on average, there was fewer than two COVID-related death per hospital between December 8 and January 12.
Cambodia bans music video of police attacking workers in 2014
"It is LICADHO’s belief that the music video is not incitement, and is protected speech under the Cambodian Constitution. We are saddened by this restriction on freedom of expression."
Hmong women use TikTok to reveal marriage exploitation in Thailand
“When men actually take us as wife, we have no freedom. It’s just like slavery."
Why was the major COVID-19 drug Paxlovid delisted from China's medical insurance scheme?
The Chinese poor will not be able to access the WHO-recommended "life-saving" COVID-19 drug after delisting Paxlovid from China's basic medical insurance scheme. But online patriots are backing the decision.
Thailand’s new ministerial decree could further suppress free speech online
The new decree is “another tool of control for the authorities to silence critical dissent, and a reflection of the digital dictatorship in Thailand.”
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.
