Stories about East Asia from June, 2024
War on citizens: How the junta’s VPN ban is strangling communication in Myanmar
"People should not underestimate what the regime is doing. Yet at the same time, they should not succumb to unwarranted fear. The regime can’t control everything."
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.
Tensions at Colombia’s largest gold mine highlight climate justice quagmire
The Colombian government is simultaneously facing a lawsuit by a Chinese mining company, protests by local miners, and calls for action by communities caught in the middle.
Decolonization, the climate crisis, and improving media education in the Pacific
"There should be more international reporting about the 'hidden stories' of the Pacific such as the unresolved decolonisation issues."
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.
With ‘Flower strikes,’ citizens call for the release of Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi
"I wanna thank her for resisting to date and wanna wish her a long life and good health and that she may witness the victory of the revolution."
Women leaders remain scarce in Thai local politics. What can be done?
"Women leaders in local politics have been working relentlessly to combat gender stereotypes, to improve the people’s standard of living, and to become living examples for future generations."
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.
Polish-Taiwanese cultural bridges: An interview with translator Wei-Yun Lin-Górecka
Taiwan and Poland are distant geographically and culturally, yet share a long history of bilateral relations, as Lin Wei-Yun Górecka, a Taiwan based translator and researcher explains to Global Voices.
Hong Kong: The political subtext behind the resignations of overseas non-permanent judges
"Intimidated or convinced by the darkening political mood, many judges have lost sight of their traditional role as defenders of the liberty of the subject, even when the law allows it."
One in five Nepalese youths in Hong Kong are returned to Nepal against their will
Family problems and financial difficulties are the main reasons Nepali parents to send their children back to Nepal.
Filipino groups defy China’s ‘unilateral’ and ‘baseless’ fishing ban in the South China Sea
“This is a demonstration of fisherfolk’s opposition to China’s baseless fishing ban that will cover our territory.”
China increases gas imports from Turkmenistan for green energy transition. It's impact is unclear
To reduce carbon emissions, China is looking to transition from coal to natural gas, with much of that coming from Turkmenistan. But how will this impact its overall annual emissions?
Indonesia’s Broadcasting Bill could restrict investigative journalism and LGBTQ+ content
"With shrinking space caused by the internet and social media and struggling for sustainable financial support, more restrictions on journalism means sucking out the already limited air that we breathe."
Keeping the memory of Beijing's 1989 Tiananmen Massacre alive in Taiwan
June 4, 2024 marks the 35th anniversary of the 1989 Tiananmen massacre of pro-democracy protestors in China.Today Taiwan remains the last Chinese-speaking society where public commemorations can take place to commemorate it.
Tiananmen crackdown commemorations foiled by large Hong Kong police deployment
Hundreds of police officers were stationed around Victoria Park and Causeway Bay on June 4 to thwart the commemoration of the 35th anniversary of Tiananmen Crackdown.
With the reintroduction of import taxes on Chinese solar panels, Brazil hopes to develop its own industry
For years, Brazil has relied on Chinese solar panels to power its green energy transition. With a new tax on solar energy equipment imports, this industry could be shaken.
Will Ecuador lift Amazon oil block despite a historic referendum?
A historic referendum that halted all oil exploitation in Ecuador's Yasuni National Park is putting Chinese oil investors in a tough position.
Is China partly responsible for the destruction of Africa's Miombo woodlands?
China is the world's largest importer of timber. How has it affected the forest and timber industry in Africa?
Hong Kong battles over the memory of June 4, the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre
Chow started presenting her own testimony/memories about the June 4 commemoration beginning April 30, 2024 — the date marks a 35-day countdown for the 35th anniversary of 1989 June 4 crackdowns in China.
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