Stories about East Asia from June, 2009
Preetam Rai interview
GV author Preetam Rai was interviewed by Syed Syahrul Zarizi of Malaysia about his online projects and his thoughts on blogging and travel.
Japan: Chinese Translation of 2channel
Takeshi Yamaya links to 2ch Kan Riben (2ch看日本), a blog that posts Chinese translations of interesting threads from the Japanese Internet forum 2channel. He appreciates the thoughtful observations made by...
Singapore: Infamous Burger King ad
Burger King has a new sandwich offering in Singapore called the “Super Seven Incher.” To promote the new product, a local ad agency produced an outdoor ad which is now getting a lot of attention and criticism around the world.
Indonesia: Ancient manuscripts digitalized
A literature foundation in Surakarta has announced that it plans to digitalize more than 6,000 ancient Indonesian manuscripts and books in its possession.
Laos: Strange pineapples on display
Two strange pineapples, one shaped like a dragon and the other shaped like a heart, are on display in a temple in Laos. The pineapples harvested from a Vientiane farm...
“Lao help Lao” mentality
Buc Kee Kark, writing for Lao Voices, analyzes and criticizes the “most enslaving Lao help Lao” mentality.
China's youngest mayor questioned
An interesting battle over the youngest mayor in China is going on the internet. Netizens tried their best to find out evidence of illegitimacy of the mayor's rocketing promotion but the official media strike back forcefully. Internet supervision on Chinese officials is going through a new test.
China: Calling for volunteers
Sichuan Quake-relief.org is now calling for volunteers to teach summer course for the kids in temporary villages in Sichuan.
China: China's censorship blowback
Rebecca MacKinnon comments on the Chinese government's recent censorship move and the counter-censorship campaign launched by netizens.
China: Internet boycott on July 1st?
ESWN translated Ai Weiwei's call for internet boycott on July 1st and some other opposite opinions on the boycott action. There are other actions call, such as this 2009 Declaration...
Russia-Poland: History revisionism at large again
The Beatroot comments on a current dispute between Russia and Poland about a Russian state TV-documentary, claiming that Nazi Germany, Poland, and Japan were preparing to invade the Soviet Union...
China: When plans overtake change
Maryannodonnell has some very interesting interpretations on Shenzhen government political slogan: “Plans overtake change”.
Taiwan: Burning of the Plague God Boat
Burning of Plague God Boat is a local religious ritual in many parts of Taiwan. Instead of showing you a grand event, photo blogger, YangPhoto, takes us to one of the smallest ritual in Da Jiou, a small fishing village in Pingdong.
Thailand: Thousands affected by train strike
Thousands of passengers were affected by the two-day nationwide train strike launched by employees of the State Railway of Thailand. The workers were protesting a cabinet resolution which they claim would lead to the privatization of the railway company. A survey shows that majority of Thais are upset with the strike.
Indonesia: Disappointing Election Debate
Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim populated country, conducted its first ever presidential election debate. The country's three presidential hopefuls attended the debate. But many viewers and bloggers were disappointed with the debate.
China: More corpses found in Shishou hotel; disputes continue.
The death of a chef triggered a mass protest that finally brought over ten thousand armed police into the town for crackdown. The dead’s families along with thousands of people resisted the police and protected the corpse, because they know once the body was taken away, the death would be identified as a suicide and the truth will be lost forever.
China: The incomprehensible China and its difficult problems
ESWN translated Lipuman's blog post in response to FT's reader comment: Please try to understand China better. The blogger pointed out that it is difficult to comprehend China, even among...
Japan: On How to Perceive the Japanese Web (Part One)
Reporter Yuka Okada from the Japanese tech news site ITmedia brandished her well-regarded interviewing skills for a one-on-one session with Mochio Umeda. The result was “The Japanese web is ‘disappointing':...
China: July 1 Operation: Jump the Great Fire Wall
Wenyunchao called for a joint operation to demonstrate against the Green Dam on July 1 via twitter: Operation July 1: Oppose Green Dam, unite and jump the Great FireWall (translated...
Metropolis TV and Hivos: Independent People Videos
Metropolis TV is a Hivos and VPRO TV project based in the Netherlands, which brings together film-makers and civil video journalists from all over the world to record and transmit different aspects of life and culture in their homeland. Following, a few videos selected and played on the Netherlands TV station VPRO forWorld Humanist Day around a specific subject: to recognize individuals who live under the ideal of independence and being in control of their own lives.
Philippines: A(H1N1) panic continues to grow
Asia’s first A(H1N1)-related death is a Filipina from Metro Manila. This was confirmed by health authorities who also warned that 25 percent of the country’s 90 million population could be affected by the dreaded influenza virus. More schools have suspended their classes to protect the health and safety of their students.
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