East Asia Pacific
Asia coverage from the Voice of America. VOA covers the world including China, Vietnam and South Korea.
Thai PM Survives No-Confidence Vote
Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha survives a no-confidence vote Saturday in parliament over his handling of the coronavirus, prompting members of the pro-democracy movement to vow to raise the stakes by using protests to voice their discontent. Camera: Black Squirrel Productions
China Suggests US Will Treat Taiwan Like Afghanistan
The Chinese government is drawing parallels between Afghanistan and Taiwan, suggesting the U.S. is a weak and unreliable partner. Analysts say the accusation is part of China’s political warfare – as VOA’s Elizabeth Lee reports.
A Final Appeal and Khmer Rouge Tribunal Begins Winding Down
The last surviving leader of the Khmer Rouge, Khieu Samphan, launched his final defense in appealing his conviction for genocide this week as the long-running United Nations-backed tribunal held its last public hearings before winding down. Luke Hunt has more.
Protest Veterans in Thailand Join Young Pro-Democracy Demonstrators
Thailand’s young protesters have been joined by the "Red Shirt" veterans of the kingdom’s pro-democracy battle. That brought tens of thousands out over the weekend calling on Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha to resign. But as violent clashes with police become a nightly ritual, experts say Prayuth is unlikely to bend…
The Ramifications of China's One-child Policy
In May 2021, China allowed its families to have up to three children, just five years after it had increased the limit to two. However, the changes are not likely be felt anytime soon because of the far-reaching impacts of China’s one-child policy, which lasted more than 35 years. Here…
Thai Protesters Claim 'Change of Heart' as They Take to Streets to Reject PM Prayuth
A weekend of major protests across Bangkok in defiance of an emergency order to control the pandemic, brought out thousands of anti-government protesters, including some of the city’s rich, a new threat to the royalist establishment and Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha's grip on power. For VOA, Vijitra Duangdee reports from…
Some Experts Concerned About Closer Ukraine-China Ties
While Ukraine’s president prepares for a visit to Washington, Kyiv is accepting COVID-19 vaccines from China and has signed a major infrastructure agreement with Beijing to cooperate on roads, bridges and railway projects. Some experts worry China is attaching strings to the ventures, as VOA's Senior Diplomatic Correspondent Cindy Saine…
For Many Uyghurs, China Is Wrong Choice for Winter Olympics
It’s not unusual for the Olympic Games to attract controversy. Then again, not every Olympics is hosted by a country being accused of genocide. That’s what is creating waves upon the approach of the 2022 Winter Olympics, as VOA’s Bill Gallo reports.Jesusemen Oni contributed to this report.
Indonesia’s Isolated Baduy Use Internet to Survive Pandemic
Many isolated tribes have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. One such tribe in Indonesia, the Baduy Tribe has been devastated economically. To survive, some members of the community have embraced a local taboo, as VOA’s Rendy Wicaksana reports.Camera: Rendy Wicaksana
Pandemic Gives Loan Sharks More Prey
The pandemic’s economic impact has led to bankrupt businesses and unemployment around the world. In Malaysia an increasing number of people are looking for cash quickly to keep their families and businesses afloat. But as Dave Grunebaum reports, many soon find themselves in over their heads dealing with debt and…
Bhutan Scripts Rare COVID-19 Success Story
In the south Asian region that has been devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the tiny mountain kingdom of Bhutan stands out as a rare success story. It has reported two deaths and about 2,500 cases and vaccinated 90% of its adult population. As Anjana Pasricha reports, even though Bhutan has…
A Team of Refugees Competes in Olympic Games for Only 2nd Time in History
29 elite athletes from 11 countries comprise the International Olympic Committee’s Refugee Olympic Team. The group will compete in the Summer Games in Tokyo that open later this month. As VOA’s Laurel Bowman reports, it is only the second time in history that a team of refugee athletes will compete…
As Delta Variant Spreads in Indonesia, Hospitals Seek Oxygen
As the Delta variant spreads in record numbers in Indonesia, hospitals are overwhelmed. The situation is forcing many residents to care for sick families themselves. VOA’s Ahadian Utama reports.Producer: Eva MazrievaAhadian Utama contributed to this report.
With Many of Its People Vaccinated, Maldives Wooing Tourists
The Maldives – a tiny nation of about twelve hundred islands set in crystalline waters – depends on income from tourism. The pandemic cut that revenue in half. But with COVID on the run, the government’s wooing tourists, especially from China. VOA’s Janine Phakdeetham reports. Video editor: Warangkana Chomchuen
US Ships Moderna Vaccine to Indonesia Amid COVID-19 Surge
The Biden administration is sending 3 million doses of the Moderna coronavirus vaccine to Indonesia as the archipelago deals with a surge in COVID-19 cases. The Indonesian government said it would use the doses as booster shots for health workers who have already been fully vaccinated with the Chinese Sinovac…
Before COVID Vaccines, China Used Pandas to Aid Diplomatic Efforts
Long before China began using N95 masks and COVID-19 vaccines as part of its diplomatic efforts, it used pandas. The furry bears have been used by China to generate goodwill with other countries for more than 1,000 years.
North Korea Faces Worsening Economic Woes Amid COVID Lockdown
North Korea’s coronavirus lockdown has taken a major toll on its economy. Its leader, Kim Jong Un, has hinted at a humanitarian crisis. Some fear the situation could get much worse, as VOA’s Bill Gallo reports from Seoul.
Cambodia Backs Vaccinations as COVID-19 Case Load Soars
Amid rising caseloads of coronavirus infections as it emerges from a strict COVID lockdown, Cambodia is pinning its hopes on a vaccination rollout that will help the nation reach herd immunity, even as the nation confronts unique challenges that could hamper that effort. Luke Hunt reports from the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh.Camera:…
Indonesia COVID-19 Surge Brings High Rate of Cases Among Children
Indonesia is struggling with another peak of COVID-19. Infections topped two million in June, with the Delta variant driving the current surge. And as the county’s pediatricians point out, 1 out of 8 of confirmed cases are found in children and the fatality rate among children is the highest in the world…
US Hong Kongers Reflect on Changes to the Island Since 1997
July 1 marks the 24th anniversary of the moment when Hong Kong reverted from a British colony back to Chinese rule. While changes to the financial hub were gradual at first, China has been quickly reshaping Hong Kong in the past year. VOA’s Elizabeth Lee has more.Camera: Songlin Zhang, Suli Yi Produced…