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
Mass killings leave dozens dead, rattling Chinese society
After a spate of mass attacks in China where the perpetrators were supposedly ‘taking revenge on society’, some are calling for reform and greater social support.
Influx of student bike riders from Zhengzhou to Kaifeng overwhelm Chinese authorities
While the state initially encouraged student "night riders" who were biking from Zhengzhou to Kaifeng for steamed buns, overcrowding and politically sensitive messaging led the government to clamp down on the bikers.
Hong Kong education experts weigh options for addressing student suicide problem
As suicides are on the rise among young people in Hong Kong, some suggest that adopting traditional Chinese values and cultural practices can solve the student suicide problem.
Chinese police ban ‘weird’ costumes and round up partygoers ahead of Halloween
Shanghai police were deployed in full force over the weekend to crack down on Halloween activities amid concerns that revelers might appear in politically sensitive costumes. They continued celebrating regardless.
The 2024 Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences triggers debates on China’s economic growth
A few critical voices are using three Nobel laureates' research to argue for institutional reform in China. Critics say change is essential to address the country's economic woes.
What is behind China’s latest military drills around Taiwan?
As pointed out by many China observers, the unprovoked drills aim at manifesting China’s ability to strangle or choke, if not takedown, Taiwan in a swift manner.
Lone candidate Sam Hou Fai is now Macau’s designated Chief Executive
Sam Hou Fai was is the Casino hub's first executive leader to be born in Mainland China. The former judge has vowed to regulate the development of Macau’s gaming industry
X overtakes WeChat in spreading Chinese disinformation about the 2024 US presidential elections
Many mainland Chinese influencers have migrated away from WeChat thanks to China’s censorship policies and resettled on X in recent years. They're turning their attention to the 2024 US Presidential Elections.
A Japanese schoolboy was killed in China, raising concerns about increasing xenophobia
As anti-Japanese sentiment spreads in China, the second hate-crime in two months is raising questions about the country’s nationalistic education and how it is spreading xenophobia.
Does ‘Black Myth: Wukong’ conquer the game world with its free spirit or China’s soft power?
Some believe that China's desire to promote its soft power has contributed to the game's popularity, others see the creating team's will to confront the destiny of the gaming sector.
China’s top nationalist influencer Hu Xijin silenced for over a month, but very few miss him
Hu Xijin, the former chief editor of the Chinese-state-funded Global Times and a prominent nationalist commentator, has been quiet on social media for over one month, since he critiqued party policy.
What are the controversies over Hong Kong’s latest cybersecurity bill?
“The proposals give authorities overly broad powers that could threaten the integrity of service providers and rock confidence in the city’s digital economy.”
Taiwan embraces Olympic gold medal boxer Lin Yu-ting amid unwarranted gender controversy
Amid unwarranted gender controversy, an online bullying campaign, and transphobic smears, gold-medal-winning Taiwanese boxer Lin Yu-ting has become a symbol for Taiwan.
Can Hong Kong's achievement in the Olympics revive the city's spirit?
Some see the city's achievement in the Olympics as an opportunity to reclaim “Hong Kong’s Spirit.”
Taiwan struggles to combat Chinese influence in its generative AI tools
Taiwan released TAIDE, a Taiwan-centric generative AI bot, in April 2024, to address cultural and political bias and security risks, like industrial espionage, cyber-attacks and propaganda, associated with imported AIs.
Chinese social media users call this age “The Garbage Time of History”
A new buzzword, “the garbage time of history”, has gone viral on the Chinese internet after the suspected suicide of a 30-year-old female investment bank worker.
Inflatable wonders or graveyards? Hong Kong exhibition triggers an outpouring of mockery
Many said the white “inflatable Stonehenge” looked like tombstones and the green-lit “inflatable Pyramids” looked like the green tents that police use to cover dead bodies after road accidents:
Six dishes that most represent Hong Kong
Hong Kong young people picked snacks that most represented Hong Kong cuisines. The winners were egg tarts, pineapple buns, egg waffles, milk tea, siu mai and curry fishball.
China’s legal warfare on Taiwan separatists: The death penalty and absentia trials
Critics believe the guidelines will have a chilling effect and deter ordinary Taiwanese from expressing pro-independent views. Additionally, fewer Taiwanese tourists will travel to China and Hong Kong.
Censorship and isolation as China bans thousands of mobile apps
Research on Apple censorship finds out, as of March 2023, 11,026 out of a total of 40,049 apps were unavailable in China Apple Stores. The ratio of unavailability was 27.53 percent.
How will China balance Russian and European relations after the Swiss Peace Summit?
China called for an alternative peace talk after the Swiss Summit, but Russia and Ukraine do not have any common ground for the meetup.
