Stories about East Asia from August, 2014
Malaysian Government Threatens to Block Facebook Over “Abuse” Reports
Other legislators want to create a government registry of Facebook accounts or amend the country's Sedition Act to address online hate speech -- moves that would still threaten free speech.
Human Kidney Trafficking in China
A recent court case in Jianxi province revealed the insider story of human kidney trafficking business in China. Charles Liu from theNanfang.com curated the local investigative report on the operation of the underground business. … a 21 year-old man looking to prove to his family that he was financially independent....
Local Chinese Government Bars Hijabs, Long Beards and Other ‘Abnormal Appearances’ From Public Transport
Some think the temporary measure will become permanent in Karamay, Xinjiang, home to many ethnic Uyghur Muslims. Tensions have at times resulted in deadly clashes between Uyghur activists and authorities.
Improving Internet Access in Cambodia
Danièle Adler, a consultant in communications strategy, gives an overview of the significant improvement of the IT sector in Cambodia: Six years ago, fewer than 10,000 Cambodians had a web connection, and it was extremely slow. Today 2.5 million people have Internet access at home, and an additional two million...
Thailand's Junta Bans ‘Tropico’, a Computer Game That Simulates Military Dictatorship
The game allows a player to be a dictator named 'El Presidente' and launch a coup in a tropical paradise island.
When Red Cross China Needs a PR Boost, Propaganda Authorities Have the Embattled Charity's Back
CCTV aired a confession from Guo Meimei, who impersonated a Red Cross executive, the evening after a deadly earthquake. Many speculated it was to help the charity's calls for donations.
China Tightens Its Control of Popular Messaging App WeChat With Real-Name Registration
WeChat has grown popular since 2012 and now has almost 400 million active users. It was subject to a crackdown earlier this year, with 100 public accounts shut down.
Cambodia’s Freedom Park, a Site of Protest and Symbol of Free Expression, Reopens
Cambodia's Freedom Park was barricaded by the police after it became the main site of protest actions against the government.
Chinese Soldiers Are Dancing to Viral Hit ‘Little Apple’ to Convince People to Enlist
Some media have called "Little Apple" China's answer to Korean K-pop's "Gangnam Style."
A Weibo Spat Hints at the Battle Brewing Over Journalism's Future in China
Lin Zhibo's appointment as dean of journalism school at Lanzhou University pitted the country's leftist nationalists against liberals pressing for more media freedom.
Hollywood Studios Sue 15 South Koreans for Subtitling Their TV Shows Without Permission
South Korean subtitlers were sued by Hollywood studios for their translation of popular TV shows. Is there any talking points missing from Western media report?
Hong Kong Web Users Are Defending Originality As Game Clone ‘Tower of Saviors’ Hits It Big
Behind the commercial success of mobile game Tower of Saviors lies a mob of angry netizens who accuse the game of being a shameless imitation of Japan's Puzzle & Dragons.
How the Singapore-Malaysia ‘Toll Wars’ Are Hurting Workers and Commuters
The cost of crossing the Singapore-Johor Causeway suddenly went up by almost 400 percent after toll fees were raised by Malaysia and Singapore.
Malaysia’s Longest Serving PM Repeats Call to Censor the Internet
Dr. Mahathir Mohamad says Web platforms and services are worse for online freedom than government regulation...and that the Malaysian government needs to start censoring the Web.
VIDEO: Development Master Plan for Brunei's Capital
This video shows the master plan to develop Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei's capital city, into a “livable, uniquely Bruneian, riverfront city.”
The World’s First Dengue Vaccine Could Be Available in Southeast Asia Next Year
Up to 100 million people across the world are infected with dengue each year. Will the vaccine finally stop the spread of the virus?
Indonesia Is Fighting Haze With a New Online Fire Monitoring Tool
An online fire monitoring tool using real-time information has reportedly reduced the time it takes for firefighters to respond to blazes from 20 hours to two to four hours.
Political Implications on the Downfall of Security Chief
The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) announced its investigation of Zhou Yongkang, a former senior member of CCP and headed China's security apparatus on July 29, 2014. China File invited Sebastian Veg, Roderick MacFarquhar and Taisu Zhang, scholars from history and social science to comment on the political significance of Zhou's...
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