Stories about East Asia from August, 2016
Food Trucks Have Arrived in Hong Kong, But Not Everyone Is Lining Up
More than half of the new food-truck licenses ended up in the hands of big corporate food subsidiaries. Many, however, believe the scheme is poorly and unfairly designed
Japan Off to a Strong Start at 2016 Rio Olympics
Japanese men and women got off to a strong start during the first weekend of the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.
Southeast Asia’s Iconic Mosques, Temples, Pagodas, and Cathedrals
Where can you find the largest Catholic cathedral in Asia, the world's largest religious monument, and the only mosque without a dome? Only in Southeast Asia.
Justice as Usual, or Attack on Free Speech? Debunking Singapore’s Contempt-of-Court Bill
"Leaving people confused over what can or can’t be said will have a chilling effect, whatever the intention of the law, further entrenching a culture of self-censorship and passive citizenship."
Japanese Police Are Spying on Muslims, Despite The Constitution
The Supreme Court's dismissal of a case questioning the legality of putting Muslims under surveillance based on their religion alone brought a long series of court battles to an end.
Hong Kong Election Officials Disqualify Six Legislative Candidates for Not Being ‘Loyal’ Enough to China
"Would anyone on earth want his or her fate to be determined by others? Only a lackey would think so."
Netizen Report: In China and the Middle East, Pokémon GO is Not All Fun and Games
While Pokemon continues to make waves across the globe, the UAE passes a perplexing new VPN law, Brazil's battle with WhatsApp continues and Mexican indigenous groups launch their own telco.
Who Are Hong Kong's ‘Monster Parents'?
"[University officials] explained that while the school did not prohibit families from asking their domestic helpers to tidy up students’ dorm rooms, they did not encourage it..."
How the Vietnamese People Reacted to the South China Sea Ruling
"Groups of riders zipped through the streets, each biker with a passenger holding up a sign that read “China get out of Vietnam”.
Critics See China's Fingerprints All Over the Turmoil at Hong Kong's Anti-Corruption Authority
"...if Beijing appoints a high official in Hong Kong, it can’t have some other body come along and prosecute the guy. Who’s in charge here? This is China."
The Week That Was at Global Voices: Pokémon Go Gets Political
This week, we take you to Iran, Japan, China, Mexico and Timor-Leste.
‘This Is a 99.99 Percent Democracy’ and Other Orwellian Newspeak by Thailand's Junta
"The closer to the August referendum, the more intense intimidation gets."