Stories about East Asia from June, 2023
Stress and depression prevail amid the ‘Happy Hong Kong’ publicity campaign
Hong Kong Free Press spoke to a front-line psychiatrist and a psychiatry scholar to address the problem of worsening mental health in the city.
Can Hong Kong afford its planned artificial island construction project?
In addition to the irreversible damage to Hong Kong's marine life and sea beds, the city’s fiscal reserves may be completely drained in a decade or so thanks to the pricy project.
‘Ukraine today, Taiwan tomorrow': Is the comparison valid?
"Ukraine today, Taiwan tomorrow" is a phrase often heard in Taiwan pointing at the common threats Russia and China represent for both countries. But is that comparison valid?
Chinese citizens find ways to dissent despite the risks
While Xi Jinping has imposed extreme censorship over Chinese society, dissent continues to happen despite immense risks for Chinese individuals, as a new database mapping protests across China shows.
Post-pandemic, lockdown on rights persists in the Philippines
The restrictions and repressive measures imposed during the pandemic have continued to have a chilling effect on the local population.
Interview with Bao Choy, a Hong Kong reporter who won a three-year legal battle over investigative journalism
"We have to admit that Hong Kong is gradually getting worse. And it will continue to deteriorate. But it is still important to meticulously document every small change in the city."
Digital rights activist groups urge tech giants to defend against Hong Kong’s injunctions against protest anthem
More than 24 human rights and digital rights groups believed that the injunctions, once granted, would have a “disastrous effect” on freedom of expression and information access, with global implications.
A leaked report exposes government's cover-up of repressions against Uyghurs in China
The leaked document sheds light on the Chinese authorities’ comprehensive and intense efforts to cover up these violations and restrict access to information by international media.
#StandWithBach: Support for detained environment lawyer who is on hunger strike in Vietnam
Vietnamese lawyer Dang Dinh Bach has been in detention since June 2021 and is currently serving a five-year prison sentence for tax evasion after criticizing the government for its environmental policies.
Togo and China: Half a century of fruitful cooperation, but also of rejection of any form of criticism
After a presence since 1972, China celebrates 51 years of cooperation with Togo in 2023. While Lomé and Beijing publicize an ideal relationship, the reality on the ground is more complicated.
From Hong-Kong to Central Europe and back: Interview with Prague-based activist Loretta Lau
Central Europe is aware of the situation in China-occupied Tibet, but less so about Hong Kong. Byt one Hong Kong artivism performer is determined to change this.
How do international media portray Taiwan in their coverage?
Global mainstream media often reduce their coverage of a country based on assumed risks for conflict, as is the case for Taiwan. How does the Taiwanese media assess this portrayal?
Hong Kong Court asks: Who are the defendants of the protest anthem injunctions?
"Even if [the injunction] successfully restrained Google, it would only prohibit its circulation within Hong Kong. The SAR government has to apply an injunction in the U.S.A to take down the videos globally […]"
Trans woman MP designate advocates for a more gender-inclusive Thailand
Thailand's LGBTQ+ community made strides in the last election after three self-identified LGBTQ+ people won MP seats, including one trans woman who hopes to make the education system more inclusive.
Switching from Taiwan to China has led to more exploitation: Interview with Cameroonian scholar Richard Atimniraye Nyelade
Cameroon first established relations with Taiwan upon its independence, later switching to Beijing. While Taiwan remains largely absent today, China dominates in Cameroon yet the relation remains far from equal.
Inspired by a Netflix drama, Taiwan finally has its #MeToo moment
The DPP staffers’ statement pointed to a Netflix drama about sexual assault, and urged the party to stand with progressive values and stop playing ignoring sexual harassment.
Challenges of independent filmmaking in Indonesia
Since 2019, Annisa Adjam, a director, producer, and writer from Indonesia, has independently produced short films ranging from experimental and virtual reality (VR) to documentaries, fiction, and animation.
Hong Kong seeks to ban protest anthem ‘Glory to Hong Kong’ in all media
The Justice Department seeks to ban the broadcasting, performing, printing, publishing, selling, sale offering, distributing, disseminating, displaying or reproducing in any media forms and channels the song.
Taiwan and Burkina Faso: A tumultuous history of cooperation and estrangement
While Taiwan was present in Western Africa in the 1960s, there is little memory left of this period, as Taiwan-based Burkinabe scholar Dramane Thiombiano explains to Global Voices.
Malaysian authorities confiscate PRIDE-themed Swatch watches
Malaysian officers under the Home Ministry raided 11 stores on May 13 and 14 and confiscated 160 Pride collection watches made by Swatch, a Swiss watch company.
Hong Kong authorities clamp down on the annual commemoration of the 1989 Tiananmen crackdown
Ahead of the 34th anniversary of the June 4th 1989 Tiananmen crackdowns, the Chinese term “special days” or “special occasion” replaced former political slogans like “vindication of June 4” because of censorship
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