A media activist, researcher and educator currently based in Hong Kong. My Twitter account is @oiwan and personal views are published on: patreon.com/oiwan
Latest posts by Oiwan Lam
What overseas Chinese citizens make of Xi Jinping's resignation rumours
Rumours of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s potential resignation have swirled on Chinese social media in the past two weeks and prompted a lot of speculations among overseas Chinese dissidents.
The most desperate response to the COVID-19 lockdown in China: ‘We are the last generation.’
Some interpreted the “we are the last generation declaration” as the most desperate resistance against tyranny.
Hong Kong’s press freedom plunged from satisfactory to a ‘difficult situation’ in a matter of years
Hong Kong’s ranking was dragged down by the enactment of the National Security Law and the prosecutions of journalists.
China: Weibo’s new location tag exposes the whereabouts of users, opinion leaders and tiny pinks
Despite privacy concerns, the location data has unexpectedly exposed the whereabouts of pro-government opinion leaders and patriotic trolls.
Hong Kong’s Foreign Correspondents’ Club cancels Human Rights Awards for fear of legal risks
Launched in 1995, the Awards is one of the most important platforms to celebrate and honour human rights journalism from around Asia.
The censorship of Shanghai citizens in lockdown sparks an uproar on Chinese social media
A six-minute video on the lockdown in Shanghai had gone viral and sparked large-scale online protests after the Chinese censor handed down a comprehensive content removal order on April 22, 2022.
Unverified claims that a popular herbal medication prevents COVID-19 triggers online backlash in China
While Shanghai residents are struggling with food shortages, they have an abundant supply of “Lianhua Qingwen”.
Hong Kong remains isolated despite lifting region-based air travel ban
Despite the Hong Kong government's attempt to loosen the air travel ban on April 1, airlines continue to avoid flying to and through the city.
Shanghai continues citywide lockdown despite public outcry, food shortages and chaos
The city is in chaos as many residents under lockdown are running out of food, being denied standard health care, and struggling to access basic everyday goods.
Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam will not run for a second term
Carrie Lam said her work is done and it was time for her to go home.
Shanghai’s experiment on middle-way COVID-19 control model ends with citywide lockdown
Many believe that the decision for a large-scale lockdown signifies the failure of the Shanghai model, a middle path between the zero-COVID-19 and living with COVID-19 strategies.
Taiwan: The happiest nation in East Asia, according to the 2022 World Happiness Report
"...the lesson of the World Happiness Report over the years is that social support, generosity to one another, and honesty in government are crucial for well-being."
The Chinese great translation movement: Exposing Chinese propaganda or spreading hate?
Some are concerned that translating hate speech on Chinese social media would fuel anti-Chinese sentiment among western societies, but others believe it can counteract Chinese propaganda.
Chinese netizens blame Hong Kong for Omicron outbreaks in China
As more and more Chinese cities impose zero-COVID lockdown measures, some netizens are pointing fingers at Hong Kong, accusing the global city of spreading the virus to China.
Chinese netizens demand women be ‘unchained’ on International Women’s Day
"In a place where women are still chained and caged, the women’s day celebration is meaningless."
Why have attempts to debunk Russian war propaganda on Weibo failed?
China relies on Russian propaganda as the main source of information on the Ukraine crisis. Censorship instruction forbids Sino-Russian antagonism and anti-war declaration. Love triangle analogy has gone viral.
Hong Kong’s Lunar New Year is ruined by Omicron outbreak
This year, the Chinese Lunar New Year is on February 1. Yet, thanks to the community outbreak of Omicron and the zero-COVID policy, there isn't much festival mood in town.
Internet watchdog finds encryption flaw in mandatory Chinese Olympic app
Athletes, journalists and all other attendees of the Beijing Winter Olympics are required to use the My2022 app but data submitted through the app may be intercepted.
Netizens mock China's suggestion that Omicron was brought to Beijing via a letter from Toronto
Based on the assumption that Omicron could spread through China via international mail, the Chinese authorities urged the public to reduce importing goods and receiving mail from overseas.
China aims to wipe out Omicron ahead of Winter Olympics
China's Zero-COVID policy is threatened as cases of the Delta and Omicron variants were identified in the country in recent weeks, raising concerns about how Beijing can contain the outbreak.
How one birthday party sparked an outpouring of anger and resentment in Hong Kong
Dozens of Hong Kong government officials attended a birthday party with over 200 guests, in violation of the city's COVID-19 control rules. Now attendees are testing positive for Omicron.
