Stories about East Asia from March, 2017
The CIA's Online Museum Offers a Glimpse of US Military Intervention in Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia is a region where U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War led to the expansion of the CIA’s paramilitary operations in Laos and Cambodia.
Homeless Filipino Families Occupy 6,000 Vacant Public Housing Units
"Look at those houses, they are idle. The grasses have grown tall, the houses are being invaded by soil. Why don't they let the homeless live there?"
Hong Kongers Say Beijing and Police ‘Incited’ the 2014 Pro-Democracy Movement, Not Protest Leaders
"I am one of the Occupy protesters and I was incited by the police’s decision to fire 87 rounds of tear gas [at demonstrators]."
Thai Junta's Media Regulator Suspends Voice TV for ‘Unreasonable Criticism’ and ‘Biased Content’
"Even though Voice TV may provide different views, we insist that the contents do not harm national security."
China's Great Firewall Gives Rise to a Robust Industry of Information Smugglers
More often than not, information smugglers prioritize things like click rates over hard-hitting public interest journalism.
Beijing's Favorite Carrie Lam Becomes Hong Kong's First Woman Leader With 777 Votes
She promised to "heal the divide" in her victory speech, but her win was met with protests by pro-democracy activists.
Art in Transit: Meet the Commute Sketchers of Singapore
"With dwindling interests in traditional art, the public commute presents a unique, safe and condensed setting to practice what I love."
What's Old Is New: Are You Listening? Podcast
We take you to Jamaica, Indonesia, Syria, Macedonia and Ethiopia for tales of remembering, revival and resurgence in this podcast.
Searching for Justice, This Catholic Church Worker Documents Drug Killings in the Philippines
"As a photojournalist, always be with the poor, understand their social reality."
Concrete Lovers, This Is What Social Housing Looks Like in Japan
An interesting blog devoted to documenting the concrete housing projects that have been home to several generations of Japanese since the end of the war.
Hong Kong Residents Are Trolling China's New ‘Diplomacy’ Page on Facebook
When China's Foreign Ministry in Hong Kong opened an official Facebook page, it was quickly flooded with angry comments.
There Are ‘No Borders to Music,’ But the U.S. Consulate Still Rejected These Indonesian Choir Members’ Visas
"Regardless of the “borders” instilled by politics, there are no borders to music, no borders to unity through artistry, no borders from humanity that thrives from singing of the heart."
Hong Kong's Hottest Fake News Headlines Target Refugees, Foreign Domestic Workers
Hong Kong's increase in fake news prompted media activists to create the Facebook page Kau Yim to verify important information and identify fake news.
Chinese Lawmakers Seek to Protect Dead Communist Heroes With New Law
Critics are worried the new 'hero law' could have a chilling effect on academic and historical inquiry in China.
How One Small Japanese City Is Attracting Trainspotters
How is a small city in western Japan attracting thousands of tourists? Trainspotting.
Life Inside a Leprosy Colony in Myanmar
Pyay Kyaw visits patients at the St. Joseph Cotto Legnos Leprosy Colony, home to people like Maya, who once was forced to live in her town’s cemetery due to stigma.
British Cruise Ship Destroys Pristine Coral Reefs in West Papua
"This damaged area could take hundreds of years to re-grow. Noble Caledonia need to take responsibility for this and help rebuild this reef!"
A Syrian Activist's Japanese-Language Message to the People of Japan
"Syria is witnessing a revolutionary call for freedom and dignity for its entire people." Will Japan help?
Disney’s New ‘Gay Moment’ Outrages Religious Conservatives in Malaysia and Singapore
Religious groups and state censors in Singapore and Malaysia are unhappy about the live-action remake of Disney's “Beauty and the Beast,” because of a “gay moment” in the film.
Indonesians Gleefully Welcome Saudi King, But Activists Are Wary of Riyadh's Influence
"Saudi learns pluralism from Indonesia. We learn Wahhabism from Saudi. We're even," wrote a Twitter user during the visit.
Some Chinese Pin Their Hopes of Lower Housing Prices on a Property Tax
"People prefer to buy property only if housing surges overtake holding costs. It’s too silly and naïve to count on a property tax to contain rising prices!"
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