· October, 2012

Stories about East Asia from October, 2012

China, U.S.A: Five Lifestyle Differences

  23 October 2012

Charlie from Chengdu Living listed five major differences in lifestyle and inter-personal interaction between China and the U.S.A, including: traffic laws, table menu, taste (of chicken), use of diapers and weight's comment.

North Korea's Software and IT Exhibition

  22 October 2012

The NK Leadership Watch posted photos of North Korea's 23rd National Software Contest and Exhibition held in Pyongyang. North Korean state media reported 1,300 computer programs developed by North Korean engineers and technicians were displayed in the exhibition.

A Maligned Law to Protect the Philippines from Cybercrime

  22 October 2012

The majority of Filipino internet users and media groups opposed the passage of the Philippine Cybercrime Law because of provisions which they think would curtail media freedom and other civil liberties. But prior to the insertion of online libel and other last minute amendments, the bill was actually quietly supported by many.

After Japan Earthquake, a New Local Newspaper by Citizens

  22 October 2012

Since the local newspaper in Otsuchi, Japan was forced to close down after the 2011 earthquake, a new hyper-local, hybrid newspaper project is teaching local citizens skills in reporting, and invites journalism students from across the country to sign up for internships.

East Timor: Documenting Traditional Music

  21 October 2012

The Timorese have a musical culture which is unique, but at present deeply hidden, the world is interested in it, and it deserves to be noticed and survive. The Unofficial East Timor blog publishes an interview with Ros Dunlop, the author of a book titled “Sounds of the Soul: The...

Myanmar: Newspapers Now Printed in Color

  21 October 2012

Government-sponsored newspapers in Myanmar are now printed in color, this was announced [my] by the Deputy Minister of Ministry of Information on his Facebook. There are only three major daily papers in Myanmar, all published in monochrome version except on special occasions like Independence Day. Weekly publications by other local media...

Will ‘National Conversation’ Work in Singapore?

  21 October 2012

In an effort to include ordinary Singaporeans in the planning of the nation's future, the government has launched a “national conversation” that will last for about a year to gather people's views. Some residents have welcomed the initiative but others dismissed it as nothing more than a public relations endeavour

China: Campaign to End the Unconstitutional Re-education Through Labour System

  20 October 2012

The injustice faced by 25-year-old Ren Jianyu, a village official in Pang Shui county, Chongqing province, who was sentenced to two years labour education for blogging has brought the Re-education Through Labor System into the public spotlight. Currently, there are more than 60 thousand people detained in labour education camps all over the country and opinion leaders are calling for an end to the unconstitutional system.

Singapore Tightens Rules on Casinos

  19 October 2012

Singapore is revising its casino rules to discourage low-income groups and the jobless from gambling. After weeks of consultation, the government has filed the Casino Control (Amendment) Bill which would empower authorities to restrict the entry of ‘financially vulnerable’ individuals in casino gaming centers.

China: Basketball Grandma

  18 October 2012

To avoid medical spending and keep herself healthy, Zhu Shumei, a 76 old granny plays basketball every day for more than 20 years on a university campus in Jinhua, Zhejiang province. JIng Gao from Ministry of Tofu has translated the local feature story.

China: Breast Feeding

  18 October 2012

Sascha Matuszak blogs about his wife, Zhang Yushi's involvement in breast feeding campaign in China, including the organization of a flash mob breast feeding action in Chengdu.

Vietnam: Cost of Rescuing Trafficked Children

  18 October 2012

It's definitely worth stopping to count the cost of rescuing trafficked girls and boys. When we do so, we see that the cost of NOT rescuing them is even higher. Blue Dragon explains the value of helping trafficked children in Vietnam.

Myanmar to Ban Viber?

  18 October 2012

An engineer from Myanmar's Ministry of Communication has warned[my] that Viber and other VOIP services might be banned in the country because of revenue losses of the state and the absence of contracts between ministry and the users. Internet users immediately criticized the statement.

About our East Asia coverage

Oiwan Lam
Oiwan Lam is the North East Asia editor. Email her story ideas or volunteer to write.

Mong Palatino
Mong Palatino is the South East Asia editor. Email him story ideas or volunteer to write.