Link: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/4/5/leader-of-vietnams-pandemic-response-sworn-in-as-president Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Vietnam’s PM of 5 years, has this week been sworn in as the President of Vietnam. Most notably, Phuc was praised for his vigilant and strong leadership responding to the recent pandemic, ensuring that the populace was fed, employed, and safe through the crisis. However, prior to the pandemic he was known for renegotiating and… Read more »
Link: https://www.voanews.com/east-asia-pacific/laos-grants-25-year-concession-chinese-company-manage-power-grid Last September, Laos struck a deal with China to develop a series of dams along the Mekong in order to power Southeastern Asia provided that their deeply indebted power grid be given control to the China Southern Power Grid Company. Just recently, Laos negotiated a 25 year concession to this company to control the entire power grid of… Read more »
Link: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-philippines-china-southchinasea/philippines-duterte-calls-for-peaceful-resolution-of-china-boats-impasse-idUSKBN2BT12K This week, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has stated his intentions to maintain stable relations with China in light of recent encroachments of warships and fishing explorations in the South China Sea. He particularly noted it will not affect vaccine cooperations between the two countries as China continues to supply the Philippines with Sinovac sales and promises of Belt… Read more »
Link: https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3128836/hong-kong-protests-more-10200-arrested-connection-unrest According to documents published by the Department of Justice, Civil Service Bureau, and Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau, there have been 10,242 arrests. More than 600 people have now been sentenced, with another 2,521 facing charges ranging from rioting to unlawful assembly. At that time, 26 current or former civil servants were detained or charged with involvement in… Read more »
Link: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210406_29/ A UN panel has expressed concern about proposed amendments to Japan’s immigration law, claiming that they do not go far enough to protect international migrants’ human rights. The revision was drafted by the Japanese government in response to an increase in the number of illegal foreigners held at government facilities after resisting deportation. If deportees meet such criteria,… Read more »
Link: https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/k-pop-fans-twitter-whitelivesmatter-hashtag-racist-a9546866.html By flooding a racist hashtag on Twitter with clips of their favorite artists, K-Pop fans have helped drown out racist comments about the black lives matter movement going in June of 2020. As demonstrations over the death of George Floyd unfold throughout the United States, the K-Pop group has taken it upon itself to ensure that the #whitelivesmatter… Read more »
Link: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-56268409 The first transgender soldier in South Korea was found dead at her home after being discharged from the military for undergoing gender reassignment surgery. The cause of death for transgender rights activist Byun Hee-soo is unknown. In January of last year, she filed a historic legal challenge against the military over her dismissal. In July, her petition for… Read more »
Security forces in Myanmar have opened fire on anti-coup demonstrations in several cities, killing at least nine people. Indonesia issued a call to end the violence and restore democracy. Since the military takedown began on February 1st, a total of 40 media members have been arrested. The number of people killed as risen to 233. Western countries have condemned the… Read more »
Link: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-56265962 At least 38 people were killed in Myanmar on Wednesday, according to the United Nations, in the country’s “bloodiest day” since the coup a month ago. Christine Schraner Burgener, the UN envoy to Myanmar, said there was shocking footage coming out of the region. Security forces allegedly opened fire with rubber and live bullets, according to witnesses. Across… Read more »
Link: http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2021-02/04/c_139721898_2.htm Chinese president Xi Jinping has been visiting multiple poor villages as a part of more than 80 inspections since he was elected general secretary of the communist party of China (CPC) central committee in late 2012. However, his visit to the less-developed Guizhou Province this week signals a change. With the country’s victory in ending total poverty, the… Read more »
