Thailand Welcomes Tourism, Economic Progress, Looks Ahead to 2023 Elections Experts say the elections could promote further economic growth and create stability for the kingdom. The News Lens · Jan 7, 2023
China: Zhang Zhan’s Prison Letter Offers Hope and Fear The rare insight into prison life comes over two years after the citizen journalist was handed a four-year sentence. She was imprisoned after covering the Covid-19 lockdown in the Chinese city of Wuhan in early 2020. The News Lens · Jan 6, 2023
How the Privatization of Urban Renewal in Taipei Has Led To Fake Parks The privatization of urban renewal in Taipei has led to a proliferation of parks in name only — deficient in space and social and environmental benefits. Activists are fighting back. The News Lens · Jan 6, 2023
Beijing Empowers Hong Kong Chief Executive To Direct Local Courts on National Security-related Trials The immediate effect is that Jimmy Lai would lose his right to hire an overseas lawyer to defend against foreign collusion charges, which could lead to a maximum life sentence. The News Lens · Jan 5, 2023
The Shows We Loved, the Shows We Love: Taiwanese TV Drama Looks to the Future The diversity and tolerance of Taiwanese society have allowed film and TV creators to unleash their creativity by taking on the challenge of turning tough social issues into exciting dramas. The News Lens · Jan 4, 2023
Trolling of Female Asian Journalists on Rise as Beijing Seeks to Discredit Media In the eyes of the Beijing, it’s viewed as especially unforgivable if women are perceived as betraying China, a journalist says. The News Lens · Jan 3, 2023
Taiwan’s 2022 in Review From the largest public displays of protest in a generation arising in China to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the most important developments internationally in the past year had a profound influence on Taiwan and the region. The News Lens · Dec 31, 2022
Southeast Asia’s Tech Industry Goes From a Gallop to a Canter ASEAN’s economic growth is projected to be above 5% in 2022 and 2023, outperforming China for the first time. The News Lens · Dec 30, 2022
Hong Kong Expecting Influx of Tourists From Mainland China Hong Kong has canceled quarantine requirements for arrivals. The only measure remaining is the mask mandate. The News Lens · Dec 29, 2022
What’s in Store for Emerging Asian Economies in 2023? Many economies in the region could be in for a bumpy ride next year, but some may also be set to benefit as companies diversify investments from the Chinese market. The News Lens · Dec 28, 2022
Rohingya Refugees Adrift for Weeks at Sea Land in Indonesia 2022 could be the deadliest year for Rohingya fleeing Bangladesh and Myanmar by boat since 2014, when 730 were believed to have died or gone missing. The News Lens · Dec 27, 2022
China Sends 71 Warplanes to Taiwan’s Air Defense Zone More than 1,700 such incursions have occurred so far this year, compared to 969 in 2021. The News Lens · Dec 26, 2022
Japan Steps Closer to Global Military Power The loosening of arms exports controls and proposed increase of the national defense budget to 2% of GDP over time signal paradigmatic shifts in Japan’s security posture. The News Lens · Dec 23, 2022
“Ka Joma Lives!”: The Philippines Mourns Exiled Revolutionary Leader Joma Sison, a revolutionary leader in exile, leaves a legacy deeply intertwined with the modern political history of the Philippines. The News Lens · Dec 22, 2022
The News Lens · Dec 22, 2022 UN Council Adopts Resolution Urging End to Myanmar Violence This is the first Security Council resolution on Myanmar since the country became a U.N. member in 1948.
The News Lens · Dec 21, 2022 China’s Soaring Covid Numbers Raise Global Fears Investors have welcomed China’s shift away from the zero-Covid strategy as good news for the world economy in the longer run. However, there are more immediate worries about the near-term impact of surging case numbers on trade and industry.
The News Lens · Dec 20, 2022 Hong Kong Launches a National Security Legal Battle Against Media Tycoon Jimmy Lai Jimmy Lai’s case could be complicated as six former staff members of Apple Daily and Next Digital pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit collusion last year.
The News Lens · Dec 19, 2022 Kishida’s Difficult Year Support for Kishida’s government has plummeted to below 30%. Next year will be no easier with local elections scheduled in April and big issues on the table such as mounting security challenges, a declining birth rate, and overcoming obstacles to economic reform.
The News Lens · Dec 16, 2022 What Tsai Ing-wen’s Resignation From DPP Leadership Means With the 2024 DPP nomination favored to go to Vice President Lai Ching-te, attention is now on whether he will deviate from President Tsai’s cross strait policy.
The News Lens · Dec 16, 2022 China Trying To Fight Back US Ban on Its Chip Industry On Thursday, the U.S. government broadened its crackdown on China’s chip industry by adding memory chipmaker YMTC and 21 “major” Chinese players in the artificial intelligence chip sector to a Commerce Department trade blacklist.
The News Lens · Dec 15, 2022 Deterrence Across the Taiwan Strait Demands a Diplomatic Touch A survey in 2022 showed that simply informing citizens in Taiwan that the U.S. would come to help them in a war created a significant boost in their willingness to defend themselves.
The News Lens · Dec 14, 2022 A Step-up for China’s Involvement in the Middle East Beijing will soon supplant Washington as a dominant security partner – and the Arab world sees a chance for leverage.
The News Lens · Dec 13, 2022 Indonesia’s New Criminal Code Turns Representatives Into Rulers Activists say provisions in the code smack of the Sukarno-era Anti-Subversion Law, a vaguely-worded statute that was used to great effect by the Suharto regime to repress and intimidate dissidents.
The News Lens · Dec 12, 2022 Japanese Company’s Moon Mission Takes off on SpaceX Rocket A Tokyo-based company has become the first private entity to send a mission to the moon. If successful, it will be the first moon landing by a Japanese spacecraft.
The News Lens · Dec 9, 2022 Dwindling Economic Opportunities for China’s Youth Fuels Discontent Without addressing high levels of youth unemployment, China will see a generation of lost youth who may look for disruptive ways to voice their despair.