Stories about East Asia from May, 2008
The Burma Daily Online
Copies of the The Burma Daily were confiscated in Cambodia. But articles of the paper can be accessed online.
Vesak Day in Malaysia and Thailand
Vesak Day is the most holy time in the Buddhist Calendar. saengthai writes about Vesak Day activities in Thailand and Dhamma Delights blogs about Vesak Day in Malaysia
Indonesia: Fuel price protests
Papernas discussed the fuel protests in Indonesia. Hardship Posting notes the protest action coincides with the recent 10th anniversary of the riots which tore Jakarta apart ten years ago. Bellamy Budiman disapproves of the fuel rallies.
Indonesia: 100th year of of “Kebangkitan Nasional”
q-harukichi is not so optimistic as Indonesia celebrates the 100th year of “Kebangkitan Nasional” which initiated Indonesia's journey to independence.
Korea: Saving One Life
A netizen shares a cute story that happened on a usual day for him. Helping others might not be so hard. …안녕하세요.. 저는 20대 직장인 남자입니다^^! 다른게 아니라 어제 밤 11시 30분쯤에 있었던일을 이야기할려합니다… 뚜뚜~~뚜뚜~~뚜우우~ 7시다 퇴근하자 칼퇴근.. ㅁㅅㅁ 퇴근을 마치고.. 요즘 똥배가 조금나와서 8시부터 항상 운동을합니다.. 이 한강근처라.. 한강에서...
China: What the Olympics Will Look Like
Xueyong wonders what the Beijing Olympics will look like after the disaster as people are still in the mourning mood. He suggests that the government should not take the lead in framing the Olympics but leave space for the people to express their emotions and feelings[zh].
China: Ill-luck 2008
Maryannodonnell posted a mobile text message at Shenzhen Fieldnotes: Dog-FXXked 2008.
China: GFW Upgraded
According to Turnright, the Great Fire Wall internet filtering system in China has recently been upgraded. Apart from website keyword filter, it also filters signatures of Window Live messager.
China: Magazine Banned
A Chongqing-based magazine, New Travel Weekly, was suspended from publishing for using bikini-clad women on the front page of its May 19 issue. More from ESWN and DANWEI.
Taiwan: Ma's Inaugural Speech
Michael Turton comments on Taiwan new president Ma Ying-jeou's inaugural address.
China: All CCTV, Entertainment Banned
Sun Bin reported that in the three days national mourning for Sichuan earthquake victims, all T.V channels become CCTV. Literally speaking, most of the entertainment channels, including Star T.V and HBO are banned locally, with a mourning message.
China: Internet Spy Spreading Rumors?
A message mobilizing people to boycott internet spy has been spreading around via e-mails and forums. All negative comments about earthquake relief work are considered as rumors written by spies. Jenny pointed out that the message intended to block and threaten all negative comments rather than dealing with problems with...
Hong Kong: Private Deal Against Basic Law?
Luke pointed out that the private deal between Hong Kong government and the Time Square property management concerning the Time Square public space may have violated the Basic Law [zh], which protects freedom of expression and gathering.
China: Man-made Mistake in Earthquake Relief
Wang Hua from china-week listed out several mistakes made by People's Liberation Army in the 512 earthquake relief work. The rescue team has missed the golden 72 hours to save the victims[zh].
Southeast Asia: Coping with the rice and food crisis
Food prices continue to rise in the world market. Southeast Asian governments are now re-examining their food and agricultural policies in order to prevent consumer panic and social unrest. Bloggers are discussing the food crisis and its impact in the region.
China: Volunteer Force
A hug number of volunteers rushed to Sichuan to help the earthquake victim. Zhai Minglei is one of them, he pointed out that civic force, even though they don't have legal status due to government policy, has contributed a lot in the relief work [zh], but the CCTV camera only...
Philippines in mourning over death of legendary labor leader
The death of Filipino veteran labor leader, street parliamentarian and legislator Crispin “Ka Bel” Beltran at 11:48 am Tuesday due to massive head injuries saddened and shocked many Filipinos. He was 75.
China: One Angle Earthquake Story
Barokoliebe is troubled by the single angle earthquake story told by mainstream media [zh].
China: Letter to Earthquake Child Victim
1KG.org launched an action to collect letters and deliver them to Sichuan earthquake child Victims [zh]. The organizer hope that the letter senders would continue to communicate with the children and give them love and care.
China: Mourning for Earthquake at Tiananmen
hk1183 posted photos of Sichuan earthquake mourning at Tiananmen square on 19 of May, Beijing.
China and Hong Kong: Interviewing Earthquake Reporter
Ling Nan from inmediahk.net, interviewed a Hong Kong reporter in Sichuan earthquake center about issues that hadn't been reported in Hong Kong mainstream media [zh]. The reporter also criticized the way official Chinese media handle the news.
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