Stories about East Asia from May, 2014
Property Prices a Source of Sticker Shock for Expats in Hong Kong
Expats flock to the city for the high quality of life and abundant work opportunities, but many say rental property prices are too expensive for the average worker.
Free Speech Curtailed as Thailand Declares Martial Law
After controlling the newsroom of 14 TV stations, the Thai army has closed down 2,000 radio stations across the country. Army insists martial law is not a coup.
Only in Thailand: Coup Without a Coup
The Thai army declared martial law across Thailand to solve the country's political crisis but it insisted that there was no coup.
China's Diehard Lawyers
A group of Chinese lawyers who firmly believe in rule of law called themselves diehard lawyers. Recently a key member of the diehard lawyers, Pu Zhiqian was arrested and prosecuted for “provocation” for organizing a conference on June 4 Incident. Tea Leaf Nation introduces China's “diehard lawyers” the readers.
Anti-China Protests Spread in Vietnam Over Oil Rig Dispute
Workers burned factories, rallies erupted across the country, and traders vowed not to sell Chinese goods after China installed an oil rig ‘inside’ the territorial waters of Vietnam.
Southeast Asian Journalists Speak Out for Press Freedom
The views expressed by Southeast Asian journalists highlighted the continuing challenges and even growing difficulties faced by the press in the region.
China's Social Web Late to Vietnam Dispute Thanks to Censors
Even after Chinese companies in Vietnam were attacked by Vietnamese protesters, propaganda authorities continued sending instructions to local media forbidding them to report on the news.
South Korean TV Reporters Apologize for Their Flawed Ferry Coverage
Young journalists for KBS (Korea Broadcasting System) have confessed that their ferry disaster reports were biased and too pro-government.
4G and other Indonesian Inventions
4G, the fastest data transmission technology of our time, was developed by an Indonesian. Another interesting Indonesian invention is the electric shoes which give women the tool to defend themselves by stunning an attacker with an electric shock.
VIDEOS: Vintage Southeast Asia in the British Pathe Archive
Many of the films in the British Pathe collection are valuable resource that could teach us a lot about Southeast Asia's recent past and even the present.
Japan's Yu Terasawa Named ‘Information Hero’ by Reporters Without Borders
Reporters Without Borders, a France-based non-governmental organization that defends freedom of information and freedom of the press, has for the first time created a list of 100 Information Heroes. From Japan, Yu Terasawa was among them. He is an investigative journalist and has written books exposing police corruption. Reporters Without Borders...
8 Strange Stories About Thailand’s Anti-Government Protests
As the confrontation continues between Thailand’s warring political forces, we take a look back at some of the intriguing and strange stories about the anti-government protests in recent months.
Should Anti-Nuclear Parents in Taiwan Bring Their Kids to Protests?
As police razed tents and shot water cannons at people protesting the island's fourth nuclear power plant, there were children among them.
Hong Kong: End Foreign Domestic Worker's Live in Requirement
Foreign domestic workers are required by law to live with their employers, which is a major causes of worker abuse. Below is a campaign video produced by the Hong Kong Helpers’ campaign calling for the end of the mandatory live-in regulation. It invites people to imagine if they had to...
After Six Months, Typhoon Haiyan Victims Continue to Demand Relief and Justice in the Philippines
Six months after a powerful storm displaced millions of residents in central Philippines, survivors continue to demand relief and justice. Lack of government rehabilitation master plan also slowing recovery.
Local or International School? The Dilemma Facing Expats in Hong Kong
International schools are expensive, but local schools often require Cantonese skills. What's an expat parent to do?
‘Worsening’ Human Rights Situation in Vietnam
The Vietnam Human Rights Network released its 2013 report about the ‘worsening’ human rights situation in Vietnam: …the human rights situation in Vietnam took a turn for the worse in 2013. The number of people detained for political views contrary to those of the ruling party increased, unabated police violence...
Dictatorship is Over But Press Freedom Still Under Threat in Myanmar
The Irrawaddy underscored the continuing difficulties experienced by Myanmar journalists despite the reforms implemented by the government …despite the ostensible changes in the way the government treats the media, the underlying mindset is much the same as in the past: Journalists have been given greater “space” within which to work,...