Stories about East Asia from March, 2012
East Timor: Notes on the Presidential Elections
The election campaign in East Timor lasted for 15 days and the voters are now ready to elect a new president. What happened during the campaign period?
South Korea: Major Network TV Journalists and Producers Joined Forces in Protest For Fair Journalism
Following MBC workers’ indefinite strike against the company president and his censorship of news contents, journalists, producers and union workers of other major TV networks have joined the protest calling for fair journalism. One well-known journalist appeared on this video clip [ko] that encourages people to attend a rally planned on...
South Korea: Protests Erupted against the Free Trade Deal with United States
A controversial free trade agreement between the United States and South Korea took effect starting March 15, 2012, prompting protests in downtown Seoul, South Korea. The nation's citizen media, Wiki Tree consolidated tweet photos of the protest.
China: Secret Arrest Law Passed
Samuel Wade from the China Digital Times translated some initial reactions from Twitter on the passing of a controversial amendment to China’s Criminal Procedure Law which provides legal ground to secret arrest and detention.
China: End of Chongqin Model Upon the Removal of Bo Xilai?
The former Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leader of Chongqing, Bo Xilai, has been removed from his post and replaced by Vice Premier Zhang Dejiang. Some believe that it signifies the end of the Chongqing model, which adopts a Maoist populist approach to justify a hard-fist crackdown on organized crime. Does it mean that China will be more open now to initiating political reform?
Hong Kong: Everyday Misery Unaddressed in Small Circle Mayoral Election
On the eve of the election of the Chief Executive in Hong Kong, a netizen presents a video showing the miserable life of Hong Kong people which hasn't been given enough attention in the upcoming small circle election of the city's Chief Executive.
Myanmar: Suu Kyi Speech Leaked on YouTube
The election campaign speech of Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi was leaked on the internet before its scheduled broadcast on state media. Suu Kyi criticized the negative legacy of military rule in her country.
Rising Chinese Investments in Cambodia
Alex Watts probes the impact of rising Chinese investments in Cambodia. Some local residents are worried over the sale of huge tracts of lands to Chinese investors.
Both Koreas Appear on Reporters Without Borders’ Annual List on Internet Censorship
Reporters Without Borders released its annual report on internet censorship. North Korea again appeared on the “enemies of the internet” list and South Korea joined the list of “countries under surveillance” due to the government's clamp down on online contents considered “Pro-North Korea”. North Korea Tech blog wrote a brief analysis on this.
Malaysia to Impose Minimum Wage Policy Soon
Malaysia has reportedly set a minimum wage policy for the first time in the country’s history. Netizens discuss whether the measure will be good for the economy.
Hong Kong: UNHCR's Subsidy Cut and Donation Black Hole
The UNHCR in Hong Kong is being questioned by several non-governmental bodies regarding its reduction in the day-to-day financial aid for refugees in Hong Kong, in spite of the huge amount of donation coming from private donors in Hong Kong.
China: Kony 2012, Chinese Netizen Reactions
Fauna from ChinaSMACK translated Chinese netizens’ reaction to “Kony 2012″.
China: New Criminal Procedure Law Undermine Human Rights
Samuel Wade from China Digital Times summed up the discussion on how the proposed amendment of criminal procedure law in China will undermine human rights.
Singapore: “Blackest Month for Bloggers”
Citing the numerous legal cases filed by Singapore public officials against prominent bloggers in the past month, Teo Soh Lung described the month of February 2012 as the “blackest month for bloggers and every Singaporean who treasures the right to free speech.”
South Korea: Guidelines for Stopping Jeju Naval Base Constructions
The Global Justice blog wrote about what individuals can do to promote and encourage protests against the Jeju naval base construction which has been blamed for destroying a rare ecosystem and disrupting the resident's livelihoods. Recently violent clashes between the government and protesters erupted as the construction launch date draws...
Singapore: Keeping Internet Safe
Andrew Loh reacts to the proposal of the Singapore government to develop an Internet code of conduct. The blogger suggests alternative ways to keep internet safe for young people.
Unemployment Woes of Young Singaporeans
Gilbert Goh writes about the unemployment woes faced by young Singaporeans, in particular those who belong to the so-called Generation Y.
Korea: Criticisms Mount against China for Repatriating North Korean Defectors
The Marmot's hole blog displayed interesting discussion threads on Chinese repatriation of North Korean defectors. Several reports revealed last week Chinese government sent back 31 North Korean defectors to North Korea where even families who helped those to escape from the country are being arrested and interrogated.
Singapore's Last Fishing Village
Remember Singapore posts pictures of Seletar Fishing Village which is described as “one of the last places in Singapore where you can find local fishermen making a living by the sea”
Brazil: Mihoko Satou, a Bridge-Blogger After the Japan Earthquake
A year after the earthquake in Japan, we publish an interview with Mihoko Satou, a Japanese blogger who was born and raised in Brazil. Mihoko tirelessly posted translations on her blog as the events unfolded around her.
Rumours of Children Abduction by Mainland Chinese Heighten in Hong Kong
Recently there are a number of “witness reports” circulated online about the the suspected “abduction” of Hong Kong children by mainland Chinese. Dictionary of Politically Incorrect presents the detail of the rumors.