Stories about East Asia from November, 2023
What can Taiwan learn from Ukraine? Interview with disinformation and civil defense expert Puma Shen
Can Taiwan learn from Ukraine as it faces military threats from China? Global Voices interviewed Puma Shen, a Taiwanese disinformation expert after his first visit to Ukraine in September.
One year after the Ürümqi fire that kicked off protests across China: Interview with Uyghur activist Rushan Abbas
Global Voices interviewed Uyghur activist Rushan Abbas to assess how the human rights situation of Uyghurs has changed since the Ürümqi fire and talk about the future of Uyghur-Han Chinese relations.
Universal Children’s Day: Post-Covid, Hong Kong must ensure children’s rights
"This year, 269 students in Hong Kong have attempted to take their own lives, and 37 have succeeded. Among 10,279 arrested from the 2019 protests, 1,754 were teenagers under 18 years old, with the youngest only 11."
Undertones: What pop culture tells us about Myanmar’s politics
Democracy activists say that military junta is investing in the entertainment industry to distract people from the violent regime.
Within the law’s shadow: The stealth erosion of the media environment in South Korea
With national elections on the horizon, the government’s tightening grip on public dissent and media oversight will be a critical test of the country’s commitment to democratic principles and civil liberties.
Cambodian government, UNESCO implicated in mass displacement at Angkor Wat
“Almost all … described being evicted or pressured to leave Angkor following intimidation, harassment, threats, and acts of violence from Cambodian authorities.”
Widespread labour standards violations among Japanese businesses with so-called technical interns
The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan found record-high labour standard breaches in worksites where “technical interns” work in 2022. Can future legislative reform effectively address this issue?
Protesters flock to San Francisco ahead of Xi-Biden APEC meeting
Chinese president Xi Jinping was greeted by hundreds of protesters and welcoming crowds in San Francisco ahead of his meeting with US President Joe Biden.
Undoing colonialism in gender diversity discourse in the Philippines
Colonized by Spain, the US, and Japan, the Philippines has a long history of discourses imposed on its own traditions, including the ones related to gender identity and fluidity.
Decoding eight years of Taiwan's presidency by Tsai Ing-wen: Interview with French journalist Arnaud Vaulerin
"During this period, this democracy of 23.5 million inhabitants has positioned itself in the international arena. There will be a before, and an after Tsai Ing-wen."
Explainer: Hong Kong’s first ‘patriots-only’ District Council race
Just getting in contact with the committee members who hold nomination power proved problematic for potential candidates when authorities refused to disclose their contact details or even their first names.
Will the death of former Chinese Premier Li Keqiang precipitate civil disobedience?
In contemporary China history, a number of significant political incidents were triggered by the mourning of national leaders.
Myanmar anti-junta activist pens a rap song seeking justice for his murdered parents
"I want to create a piece of art that will last and that demands justice for my parents, in case I die before the revolution succeeds."
Filipino radio host killed during live broadcast
"This barbaric act reflects the broader peril of democratic discourse in the Philippines. It is a manifestation of an alarming, ongoing trend that casts a dark shadow over independent media."
‘Taiwanese people should support democracy in Swaziland': Interview with activist Tanele Maseko
Taiawn-based New Bloom editor Brian Hioe interviewed activist Tanele Maseko, widow of Thulani Maseko who was killed in January 2023 in Eswatini, one of Taiwan's few diplomatic allies.
The 11th Gay Games are happening in Hong Kong and very much watched
The games' attendees must agree to be filmed by police or security staff “for the purpose of ensuring public security at the Event and preventing crime.”
‘India–Taiwan relations could evolve into a defining partnership in the Indo-Pacific,’ says Indian scholar Sana Hashmi
The term "Indo-Pacific" resonates as a buzz word in many conversations in Taiwan. But what does the term refer to and how is it understood in the growing Taiwan-India relationship?
Translation as a voyage of discovery in the literal sense: Story of an adventure in Tibetan lands
How to translate into French a Tibetan author who writes in Chinese about profoundly Tibetan realities? A Global Voices interview with the project participants.
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