Stories about East Asia from October, 2014
Chinese Outbound Foreign Direct Investment in Europe
This five-minute video created by ESADE business school shows where Chinese capital is invested in Europe and examines the various motivations Chinese companies have for investing overseas (via the China Observer).
Facebook's Zuckerberg Promotes Greater Internet Access in Indonesia
Indonesia has one of the biggest and most active social media communities in the world -- and Mark Zuckerberg wants to get in on the action.
Powerful Typhoon Vongfong Kills 2, Injures More Than 70 in Japan
About two million people were evacuated, and damage, while limited, was still significant in isolated and rural prefectures such as Okinawa.
Six Hong Kong Police Officers Kick and Punch a Handcuffed Protester in a Dark Corner
Last night at 9:30pm, around 300 hundred protesters attempted to set up new barricade in Long Wo Road, near the government headquarter at Admiralty. Riot police took action to disperse protesters and arrested 45 of them. The process was brutal. The TV news showed that one of the protesters, identified...
Beijing Claims Hong Kong's Pro-Democracy Protests Are a US-Backed Color Revolution
Never mind that the very thing protesters are fighting for -- the right to nominate candidates -- is a feature of local elections in mainland China.
Protesting Students and Teachers in Myanmar Reject Law They Claim Will Strengthen Junta-Era Schooling System
Students, teachers, and over 200 civil society organisations have joined forces against the proposed National Education Bill of Myanmar.
Child's Murder Unveils Lack of Sympathy for Japan's Single Mothers
A babysitter is accused of killing a woman's young child while she picked up extra shifts at her job. A local politician implied that the mother is to blame.
Following Political Pressure, Citizen-Led Rural Libraries Shut Down in China
During the past seven years, China Rural Library has partnered with local schools and government-owned libraries and set up 22 libraries across 11 provinces in China.
How Two Tibetan Musicians Created a Novel and Forbidden Collaboration Through the Internet
By communicating through the internet, Tibetan exile musician Techung and internal Tibetan blogger Woeser were able to create a song that reaches across borders while calling attention to them.
Hour-Long Total Lunar Eclipse Lights Up Japan's Sky
People in Japan greeted the astronomical phenomenon on October 8 with special yoga sessions and light shows.
Hong Kong's Umbrella Revolution in Mathematical Formula
The above high school test paper has gone viral in Hong Kong social media in the past few days. The test question is: What are the factors that lead to the September 28 Umbrella Revolution? The student answered with a mathematical formula: 64+71+101+689+3=928. The teacher marked the paper 0 and...
Weapon of Mass Destruction in Hong Kong's Umbrella Revolution
Mainland Chinese state-run media has been running editorials and opinion pieces to criticize the Umbrella Revolution in Hong Kong, with emphasis on the destruction the street occupations have brought to ordinary people. The Umbrella Revolution has also been labeled as “Color Revolution” backed up by foreign forces, in particular, the...
English Speakers Can Finally Enjoy Classic Japanese Cartoon ‘Doraemon’
Japan’s most beloved pop culture icon has been Disney-fied, prompting an online conversation among devoted Japanese anime fans.
Could Women Be Banned from Buying Alcohol in Myanmar?
Myanmar's alcohol consumption is the lowest in Southeast Asia, but many claim that this is now changing. Authorities are reportedly discussing banning women from buying alcohol in certain areas.
With an Eye on China's Future, Mainlanders Brave Arrest to Support Hong Kong's Umbrella Revolution
At least 34 activists in China had been arrested. Some in mainland China hope a win for democracy in Hong Kong will mean democratic development at home.
Why Singapore Artists Rejected the Government's Self-Censorship Scheme
Singapore’s decision to ban a political documentary has renewed the debate over the country's policies that undermine the freedom of artists.
The Invisible Violence of Cyber War in Hong Kong's Umbrella Revolution
Nearly all major pro-democracy organizing platforms and media sites have been knocked offline over the past ten days. And mainstream media hasn't said a word about it.
The Struggling Free Press in Myanmar
This image, posted in the online magazine Shan Herald, describes the state of the press in Myanmar. Despite the abolition of the censorship board a few years ago, journalists still face a lot of challenges. This year, reporters have been detained for reporting and asking about some government-initiated projects.
US President Obama Honors Global Voices Author for Her Human Rights Work in Cambodia
Sopheap Chak is executive director of the Cambodian Center for Human Rights. Obama praised her campaign for justice in Cambodia in light of the country's worrying human rights situation.
Waves of Synchronized Tweets From Japan Have Forced Twitter to Redo Its System
Japan's habit of publishing tweets at the same time on certain occasions have caused Twitter to crash in the past.
Pro-Democracy Protesters Accuse Hong Kong Police of Allowing ‘Thugs’ to Attack Them
"A passerby tried to stop an anti-Occupy Central man from hurting two young people. The thug pointed at him in the face with a blade, saying, 'You have the guts?'"