Stories about East Asia from July, 2024
China strives to go green in South America's ‘Lithium Triangle’
Lithium is essential for the global green energy transition. At the same time, the pursuit of “white gold” comes with significant environmental and social costs. The Andean Lithium Triangle is grappling with this contradiction.
‘Walk for Justice’ organizers file complaint against police in Malaysia
"The police must cease all heavy-handed tactics and stop targeting peaceful protesters and government critics."
Life under military rule in Myanmar’s biggest city
"Inflation, shortages of consumer goods, serious power outages, and a crime wave of theft, mugging and pickpocketing have become part and parcel of life in towns."
Hong Kong shoppers head to China for lower prices amid stagnating local economy
The Hong Kong government's efforts to boost tourism and rescue Hong Kong’s floundering economy have had little effect.
The pros and cons of Chinese investment in Tajikistan's gold mining sector
China controls over 75 percent of Tajikistan’s output of gold, which, on the one hand generates significant money for the Tajik government, but also harms local citizens and the ecosystem.
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.
Chair of Hong Kong press union Selina Cheng fired by Wall Street Journal
Selina Cheng was told that employees of The Wall Street Journal should not be seen as advocating for press freedom “in a place like Hong Kong.”
Montagnard Indigenous activist arrested in Thailand, resists being extradited to Vietnam
“The case of Y Quynh Bdap clearly illustrates the Vietnamese authorities’ efforts to exercise its long-arm repression against human rights defenders beyond its own border.”
How immigrants from Russia manage to live in South Korea for years without proper registration
Initially, residents from the East of Russia flocked to South Korea for money. Today, people come from all over Russia.
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:
As electric vehicles gain momentum in Brazil, China's influence shines through
Chinese electric vehicles has made major inroads into Brazil's auto industry, however, increased tariffs on Chinese EVs could slow this progress.
Attack on pro-Palestinian activist in Taiwan undermines Israel's image on the island
Since the outbreak of the war in Gaza, Taiwan has seen several civic initiatives calling for an alternative discussion of events in Gaza.
Singapore files charges against three women for ‘illegal’ pro-Palestine rally
"The simple act of Singaporeans peacefully delivering a letter to the President’s office must be respected and protected."
Philippines's oldest political prisoner walks free at 85
"No words can describe my happiness. My happiness is sky high."
‘We cannot be dispirited’: Mother Nature activists defiant after court conviction in Cambodia
Ten environmental activists in Cambodia were found guilty of insulting the king and plotting against the government in connection with their environmental justice campaigns.
Ten LGBTQ+ couples ‘Pride to Wed’ despite same-sex marriage not being recognised in Hong Kong
The weddings took place in Hong Kong and virtually in Utah state of the U.S.A, where officiant witnessed their vows online and signed their marriage licenses.
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.
Boycotting Xinjiang cotton: What does it mean for environmental and labor justice in Central Asia?
While international brands have stepped away from cotton produced in Xinjiang, China, due to human rights concerns, some of the alternative producers, including Uzbekistan, have their own environmental and labor rights issues.
The complex role China plays in Africa's energy transition
China's investment in the clean energy sector in East African countries has simultaneously offered thousands access to electricity, while also creating opportunities for exploitation within the market.
The China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway: Between optimism and concern
The proposed route will further integrate Kyrgyzstan into Central Asian trade routes and potentially open new transport avenues to European and Gulf countries.
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