Stories about East Asia from April, 2012
Malaysia: Occupy Dataran Merdeka and Education Protests
The April 28 Bersih 3.0 sit-down protest is expected to be the major political event of the month in Malaysia but students and Occupy activists have already put forward their demands ahead of time. Students marched in the streets against the 'anti-poor' student loan program while activists launched the Occupy Dataran movement to 'reclaim' democracy in the country
Malaysia Prepares for Bersih 3.0 Sit-Down Protest
The Malaysia election reform movement Bersih (Clean) has organized a Bersih 3.0 Duduk Bantah (sit-in protest) on April 28 at Dataran Merdeka. It's the same group which gathered more than 50,000 people in Kuala Lumpur last year in protest against the 'undemocratic' electoral exercise in the country
Video: Mobile Phone Megaphone Project for Chinese Immigrants in the US
The Megaphone project has allowed communities to express their thoughts and aspirations through mobile technology since 2003. The latest incarnation is in New York City as Chinese Immigrants document their daily life, thoughts and dreams using mobile technology, with a video explaining a bit more about the process.
China: Reactions to TV Ban on Japanese Porn Star, Sola Aoi
Chinese netizens are frustrated by the government's ban stopping Japanese porn star Sola Aoi from appearing in television shows. To show their support, they displayed a slogan at a Guangzhou football match, which has captured imaginations.
Multinational Companies’ China Market
ChinaHush translated a local feature report looking into the significance of China market to different multinational companies.
Vietnam: Agent Orange Victim and his Music
Meet Thanh Tung, a talented player of dan bau which is a traditional monochord instrument in Vietnam. Tung is also an Agent Orange victim who lost his eyesight at the age of twelve.
Malaysia: Religion, Academe, and Freedom
Hwa Yue-Yi tackles the issue of academic freedom and religious freedom in a Muslim-dominated society like Malaysia
China and Hong Kong: 2010-2020 Shenzhen Comprehensive Plan
Mary Ann O'Donnell looks into the 2010-2020 Shenzhen Comprehensive Plan which shows how Hong Kong and Shenzhen would be integrated in the next 10 years.
Discussion on the Draft of China's Film Industry Promotion Law
China law blog has an article looking into the draft of the China's Film Industry Promotion Law which has been in process for years. The writers explain the potential controversy on the draft law.
Singapore: Train Breakdowns Becoming Part of Life
Once a symbol of pride and development, Singapore's Mass Rapid Transit trains now come with a warning: ride at your own risk. Four breakdowns and assorted delays over the past week have left many commuters stranded, late for work and exams. Netizens express this disappointment online
North Korean TV Announcer Appears with Double “Kim Pins”
North Korea Tech wrote a post on a new lapel pin made for the country's young dictator, Kim Jung-un. The “Kim pins” with the face of North Korean former leaders, are worn almost all the time by North Koreans and the new version debuted on its state TV.
North Korea Timeline in Storify
In the midst of North Korea's failed rocket launch, @StandfordCISAC posted a storify story with a summary of North Korean major events happened during recent decades.
East Timor: Presidential Runoff Election Accomplished With Stability
Following the presidential runoff election in East Timor, April 16, Fundasaun Mahein (a security sector watchdog) published a note on “the smooth and peaceful” ballot, celebrating the strengthening of the country's “democratization and developmental process”. According to the Electoral Management Body, Taur Matan Ruak will be the new president. The...
Video Highlights: Syrian Activism, Children's Issues and Dolphin Deaths
A selection of Global Voices' most recent and interesting stories like the Syrian protests in Middle East and North Africa, China and India's female gendercide phenomenon in South Asia and East Asia and viral video campaigns with Children in Mexico and the massive dolphin die-off in Peru for Latin America.
China: Crackdown on Large Dogs Again
The city of Harbin in northeastern Heilongjing province in China has enforced a new regulation that prohibits residents from raising dogs which are over 50 cm tall and 70 cm long. Many dog owners in Harbin have tied signs reading SOS around their pets’ necks to protest the ban. (More...
China: What is Causing the Death of Endangered Finless Porpoises?
More than a dozen corpses of the Finless Porpoise, a species even more rare than the Giant Panda, have been found in Dongting Lake in Hubei and Hunan provinces since March 2012. Chinese micro-bloggers are keeping each other updated on the situation while trying to determine the reasons for the deaths of this critically endangered species, as the government is yet to confirm the death toll and put forward a rescue plan.
Overhyped Elections in Myanmar?
The world rejoiced after Myanmar election officials announced the victory of democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi in the recent by-elections in the country. But according to some netizens and political observers, the euphoria over the opposition victory must be tempered by the fact that the junta-backed party is still the dominant force in the local politics.
Indonesia: Popular Minister Starts His Twitter Account
Dahlan Iskan, the popular State Enterprises Minister of Indonesia, has caused another hype in the virtual world after starting his Twitter account. In the past week, some netizens were able to express their concerns directly to the Minister through Twitter.
China: Feminist Questions ‘Date NGO Girls’ Charity Event
A nonprofit organization that supports the development of NGOs recently introduced a charity event in Beijing to help young female NGO staffers to find their marriage match. However, prominent feminist blogger Lu Ping questions why charities and NGOs are spending resources to promote a culture that reinforces gender, marriage and sexual stereotypes.
Chinese Africans in Hong Kong
The Republic of the Gambia has no consulate in Hong Kong. But the city has a population of Mainland Chinese Gambian passport holders seeking residency in HK via the Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (CIES). More from David Webb.
Business Prospects in Myanmar
Aim Sinpeng writes about the booming business prospects in Myanmar. Foreign investments have risen especially after the government has pledged to implement some key political and economic reforms