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
China: surveillance tech is extending from the classroom to kids’ summer holidays
China is now deploying surveillance technology to the education sector. Now students are required to do their summer homework with a "smart pen" that monitors and records them.
How are the Taiwanese reacting to China's military threats following US House speaker's visit?
While most Taiwanese have anticipated Beijing's retaliation, they reacted to the crisis by living a normal life.
Will US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visit Taiwan, despite China’s ‘forceful’ warning?
The US House and Taiwan support the visit. China threatened "forceful measures" if Pelosi proceeds and the US military said "it's not a good idea." Will Pelosi make it to Taiwan?
A Chinese office platform confirms that users’ files on its cloud server are subject to censorship
Cloud platforms are required by laws to review and censor users' documents on private cloud drives in China.
China: Possible police database breach exposes at least 1 billion citizens’ personal data
"...the data breach is a fresh new case of a dictator’s dilemma: the more you concentrate, the more you lose control."
Hong Kong paints the city red for the 25th anniversary of its handover to China
The city has been adorned with China’s national flags and Hong Kong’s regional flags, creating a sea of red. Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to attend the grand celebrations
Decoding Chinese online lexicon: How Jade came to represent the Chinese President Xi Jinping
Overseas Chinese dissidents have successfully reinterpreted the term “Fei Cui” (jade) to mean “negating Xi” and “Xi dies.”
An ice cream treat exposes the paradoxical nature of June 4th censorship in China
The censorship of Li Jiaqi has indicated a paradox: If one wants to stay away from politically sensitive topics, he has to learn all the forbidden topics.
Tiananmen Massacre vigils are banned in Hong Kong, though memorials persist across the world
Hongkongers were warned not to test the law and the authorities’ determination in enforcing the law.
Chinese nationalists scapegoat feminists and LGBTQ+ people for the declining birth rate
"This government is so consistent in treating women's body as a tool for its economic development goals, and in violating women's reproductive choice and bodily autonomy."
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.
Listen to the 10 allegedly censored singers and bands in Hong Kong
The 10 allegedly censored artists and music groups are Anthony Wong, Tat Ming Pairs, Denise Ho, Rubberband, C Allstar, Dear Jane, Charmaine Fong, Serrini Leung, Kay Tse and Alfred Hui.
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.
