Stories about East Asia from July, 2014
China Monitors the Internet and the Public Pays the Bill
Experts say the billion-yuan “stability maintenance industry” is designed to help the government tighten its grip over public opinion online -- and to turn a profit.
Seoul Says No to Uber, But Don't Put Down Your Mobile Just Yet
Seoul is banning Uber and planning to release its own mobile app for taxi services. Who wins from such a move?
China's State Media Reveals Unapproved Genetically Modified Rice Is on the Market
A deteriorating environment and decreasing arable land threaten China’s ability to feed the world’s biggest population. The country is looking into GMO technology, but rice remains in a research stage.
Can France Catch Up With Internet of Things World Leader China?
The Internet of Things is permanently and fundamentally revolutionizing our consumption habits.
Thai Junta Issues New Gag Order Against Media
A new order from the Thai military government bans "criticism of operations of the [Junta], its officials, or any related individual," among other things.
‘Boyfriend No, Only Volleyball': Kazakh Sportswoman Ignores Marriage Proposals After Going Viral
Sabina Altynbekova, a 17 year-old volleyball player representing Kazakhstan at youth level has been thrust into the global spotlight after playing for her country in a tournament in Taiwan.
‘Terrified’ Founder Decides to Shutter Hong Kong Pro-Democracy News Site ‘House News’
Some are speculating that the site was pressured to shut down as part of a wider crackdown by Beijing on Hong Kong's media.
Victory Speech of Indonesia's New President
Indonesia's President-elect Joko Widodo or Jokowi delivered a victory speech recognizing the spirit of voluntarism among citizens: This presidential election has sparked new optimism for us, for this nation. Free souls and political responsibilities blossom within the souls of the new generation. The long-lost voluntarism is now back with a...
“Shrinking Democratic Space” in Myanmar
The new United Nations Special Rapporteur on Myanmar, Yanghee Lee, has concluded a visit in the country and issued an initial report about Myanmar's human rights situation: The opening up of democratic space for people to exercise their rights to freedom of opinion and expression and to freedom of assembly...
The Philippines’ ‘Anti-Corruption’ President Is Facing Impeachment Calls Over Accusations of Corruption
Philippine President Benigno Aquino III, who won on an anti-corruption platform, is now accused of corruption after one of his fund programs was dismissed by the Supreme Court as unconstitutional.
PHOTOS: Typhoon Glenda Left Trail of Destruction in the Philippines
Typhoon Glenda (International name: Rammasun) damaged many structures in Southern Luzon, located south of Manila in the Philippines. Photos shared by Citizens’ Disaster Response Center.
Malaysia's Government, Opposition and People Unite to Demand Justice For MH17 Crash
Malaysia’s Parliament held an emergency session and unanimously approved a motion condemning those who are responsible for shooting down the Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 which killed 298 people.
Burmese Reporters Get Ten Years in Jail Plus Hard Labor for Reporting About Myanmar's Chemical Weapons Factory
Four journalists and the CEO of a Burmese journal were sentenced to ten years in jail with hard labor for reporting about Myanmar's chemical weapons factory.
Jokowi Is Indonesia's Third President to Be Elected by a Direct Vote
Jakarta Governor Joko Widodo (Jokowi), a popular politician from the city of Solo, took 53.15 percent of the nearly 130 million votes cast.
Expired Meat Was on the Menu at McDonald's, KFC and Other Fast Food Restaurants in China
It's the latest food safety scandal to hit China, which has seen a spate of issues in recent years, including a 2008 milk contamination that killed six infants.
Pro-Democracy Protesters in Hong Kong Can Face Down Police, but Not Their Mom and Dad at the Dinner Table
Hundreds of thousands have vocally demanded democratic elections, but some of those same activists are having trouble speaking up to their conservative parents.
Indonesia, the World's Third Largest Democracy, Will Soon Know Who Its Next President Is
The results of Indonesia's presidential election will be announced on July 22. Will it be a peaceful transition or chaos?
Only Months After MH370 Disappears, Plane Crash in Ukraine Sends Malaysians Reeling
A Malaysia Airlines flight attendant highlighted on Instagram and Twitter the loss of lives on both flights: "Within 4 months I lost almost 30 friends."
Malaysia Airlines Crash in Ukraine Brings on Heart-Wrenching Déjà Vu for Chinese Families Still Waiting on MH370 Answers
Memories are still fresh for Chinese families who don't know what happened to their loved ones after airliner MH370 vanished from radar screen in March.
Was Singapore Airlines’ Facebook and Twitter Message After the MH17 Crash Insensitive?
After news broke out about the Malaysian Airlines MH17 crash in eastern Ukraine, Singapore Airlines posted this message on Facebook and Twitter: Customers may wish to note that Singapore Airlines flights are not using Ukraine airspace. — Singapore Airlines (@SingaporeAir) July 17, 2014 Many netizens accused the airline of being...
Vietnamese Government ‘Opinion Shapers’ Target Activist Facebook Pages
The Facebook accounts of prominent Vietnamese activists have been suspended after being reported for abuse by suspected government supporters known as 'opinion shapers'.
About our East Asia coverage
