Stories about East Asia from May, 2008
Nepal: Chindia
The complications of being surrounded by India and China. More at Nepali Netbook.
Japan: The Secret of Mizuki Shigeru
At age 86, Mizuki Shigeru is one of the most well-known manga artists in Japan thanks to work that stretches over more than four decades, including among them some of the most popular Japanese manga and anime TV series. GeGeGe no Kitarō, a manga series he created in 1959, is Mizuki's most famous, featuring an orphaned yōkai (monster) named Kitaro who fights for peace between humans and monsters. In a post entitled “Why has GeGeGe no Kitaro remained popular for this long?”, blogger ta26 proposes an explanation for the popularity of this manga.
China: Foreign Rescue Teams
There are criticisms that the Chinese Government should have allowed foreign rescue teams to help the relief works earlier, black and white cat pointed out that foreign rescue teams might not be very useful in earthquake relief work.
China: Shenzhen Garbalogy
Maryannodonnell points out that the history of garbage can tell a lot about a city.
China: Three Minutes Silence Reflected in Search Stats
Jacky Peng blogs the search traffic stats of Google China on May 19 which showed the three minutes silence (mourning for earthquake victims) effect.
Myanmar: Beyond Rangoon Project on Flickr
Latest pictures of relief operations in cyclone ravaged Myanmar can be accessed at Beyond Rangoon Project.
Myanmar: Open and close borders
The Siam Sentinel sums up the inconsistency of Myanmar's attitude in accepting aid: “Burma opens its borders. Burma closes its borders. Burma agrees to allow foreign aid workers to enter its borders. Burma closes those borders again.”
Indonesia: Peaceful fuel hike protest
Rangga Praduwiratna suggests some peaceful actions to express disagreement over the decision of the Indonesian government to raise fuel prices.
Malaysia: Fuel prices remain stable
Rocky's bru is grateful that Malaysia will not increase fuel prices. In neighboring Indonesia, fuel prices have gone up already.
Indonesia: Coping with rising cost of living
dua mata saya gives creative and funny tips on how to survive the rising cost of living in Indonesia
Vietnam: Miss Universe 2008
Vietnam Extremes is happy to report that Vietnam will host this year's Miss Universe beauty pageant
Laos: Eco Tourism
Not a book describes Laos as “a Country of Eco Tourism, and Organic Laos!” The tourist notes that “Everywhere we go all trips are promoted as eco friendly and that the money are going to local people for their support.”
China: International Anthopology Congress Called-off
Angry Chinese Blogger reports on the calling off of the International Union of Anthropological and Ethnological Sciences Congress at Yunnan University, Kunming City, from 15 July to 23 July.
China: Earthquake Video
Michael Zhao made a 9 mins video on the 512 Wenchuan Earthquake with English subtitles.
China: Environmental Fallout After Sichuan Earthquake
A week after China's deadly earthquake killed nearly 56,000 people, environmental and other costs of the 8.0 magnitude earthquake are becoming clearer. On this post we examine posts related to the environmental fallout of the earthquake, and also the plight of animals in the earthquake area. Plans for a proposed...
China: Q&A with Premier Wen
An increasing number of questions are being asked as China continues to mourn for the massive number of lives lost in the earthquake in Sichuan earlier this month. Veteran news figure Rose Luqiu has posted her recent questions to Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on her blog along with his answers, in full.
Taiwan: Tibet Issued Manipulated in Taiwan Election
Kwang Yin from interlocals.net explained how Tibet March riot had been manipulated in Taiwan during the presidential election period.
Hong Kong: Floating Voices
An independent video maker Law Man Lok has produced a video, called floating voices (with English subtitles), on inmediahk.net, a citizen journalist site in Hong Kong. (via inmediahk.net)
Japan: Experiences at IDAHO
On the International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO), Japanese LGBT communities organized several events and street activities in several cities across the country. With a slogan of “Yes to sexual diversity” (多様な性にYES!), various groups broadcast messages promoting a society where differences and diversity are accepted and respected.
Myanmar: U.N. leader speech
Ashin Mettacara posts the speech delivered by U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon who visited Yangon, Myanmar this week. Excerpt of the speech: “I saw the saddest things: homes and villages destroyed, fields flooded, roads and bridges washed away, so many lives lost. We work hard in our lives, for ourselves and...
Malaysia loses to Singapore on island dispute
The International Court of Justice has ruled in favor of Singapore in its 29-year dispute with Malaysia over a tiny uninhabited island. Blogger saif2020 comments: “So, Singapore gets the prize while Malaysia the crumbs.”
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