Stories about East Asia from January, 2016
Hong Kongers Fear That Their City's Autonomy From China Might Be Next to Disappear
"I mean, maybe one day we will be taken away just because we are not happy about the political system."
A Live Surgery Draws Attention to Black Lung Disease in China
A black lung patient prepared a coffin for himself after ten years of languishing with the disease before receiving a lung transplant watched online by millions.
‘You Just Need To Be White To Win’ Ad Denounced as Racist in Thailand
"Thai advert says you can be a winner if you have white skin. This is the most racist advert I've ever seen."
These Calendars Can Get You Into Trouble in Thailand and Myanmar
"Who would've thought that mere act of taking photo with calendar could be an act of resistance?"
‘Orwellian Dystopia’ or Trustworthy Nation? Get the Facts on China's Social Credit System
Combining individuals' financial records, online shopping data, social media behaviors and employment history, China will now produce a combined "social credit" score for each citizen.
Japan and South Korea's Historic ‘Comfort Women’ Deal Angers Surviving Victims
The Imperial Japanese Army forced women from across Asia forced into sexual slavery during WWII. The surviving victims and some right-wing Japanese politicians weren't on board with this agreement.
Chinese Netizens Want Their Government to Take a Hard Line on North Korea's Nuclear Testing
"The heavenly kingdom is still protecting this thug. We should be ashamed that the heavenly kingdom is still protecting this thug"
Street Art Urges Hong Kongers Not to Turn a Blind Eye to Missing Booksellers
“We cannot and should not turn a blind eye to this. Normal daily life is not normal any more.”
Hong Kong Bookseller's Disappearance Stokes Fears of Cross-Border Kidnaps by Mainland Chinese Police
"Hong Kong residents can be taken away by non-local law enforcers and the government will not protect you."
For Southeast Asia, 2015 Was a Year of Corruption Scandals
A look back at some of the biggest corruption scandals that made news in the Southeast Asian region in 2015.