All Asia Pacific
Electoral reform: In changing Hong Kong, who counts as a 鈥榩atriot鈥�?China鈥檚 legislature approved sweeping changes to Hong Kong鈥檚 electoral system last week, with officials calling for 鈥減atriots鈥� to run the territory.
First LookWomen in Myanmar hang sarongs in streets to defy coupAs protestors continue to resist the military coup in Myanmar, some women have taken to hanging feminine clothing as a way to deter superstitious policemen and soldiers. Women have long played a role in聽Myanmar鈥檚 fight for democracy, activists say.
Are Myanmar's generals open to persuasion? Depends who鈥檚 persuading.Diplomatic efforts to end a crisis in Myanmar show how a decade of opening created some limited pressure points on its military rulers.聽
First LookMyanmar police intensify violence against anti-coup protestsA U.N. official said it had 鈥渃redible information鈥� that 18 people were killed. The Feb. 1 coup reversed slow progress toward democracy in Myanmar after five decades of military rule.
First LookIn single swoop, dozens of Hong Kong activists charged with subversionThe crackdown comes as Chinese officials prepare to unveil electoral reforms that will likely further diminish the influence of opposition forces.
As Beijing鈥檚 power grows, can it shift meaning of 鈥榟uman rights鈥�?Debates over whether to boycott Beijing鈥檚 2022 Olympics highlight a deeper trend: China鈥檚 growing leverage in reshaping the human rights agenda.
First LookWith Hollywood dark, Chinese filmmakers get the spotlightUnlike many parts of the world, COVID-19 is more or less under control in China. And now Chinese box office sales are surpassing sales in the United States as theater audiences grow.
Why Japan still plugs into nuclearTen years after the Fukushima disaster, the country needs the energy source to bridge to a greener future.
Cover Story10 years after tsunami: A Japanese town rebuilds its homes and heartA Japanese fishing village, destroyed聽by a wall of water after an earthquake 10 years ago, is a study in resilience.
First LookElectoral reformers want Beijing 'patriots' to run Hong KongBeijing continues to tighten its control over Hong Kong as the Communist Party plans to overhaul the electoral system in the semi-autonomous territory. The electoral reforms, which are expected to pass in March, will further erode the pro-democracy movement.
Cover StoryVilified abroad, popular at home: China's Communist Party at 100As China鈥檚 Communist Party prepares for its 100th anniversary, it has shored up popular support at home. But challenges lie ahead.
First LookHashimoto Seiko heads Tokyo Olympics, heralding gender equalityHashimoto Seiko has been appointed president of the Tokyo Olympic organizing committee following Mori Yoshiro鈥檚 resignation over his sexist remarks. Ms. Hashimoto, a seven-time Olympian, says 鈥渋t will be important for Tokyo 2020 to practice equality.鈥�
First LookJapan rolls out vaccination drive. Too late for the Olympics?Japan has launched its COVID-19 vaccination campaign, months after the U.S. and other major economies started theirs. Widespread vaccination may be crucial to holding the 2021 Olympics in July, but low vaccine confidence among the Japanese might prove to be a hurdle.
First LookMyanmar coup: Suu Kyi faces new charge as crackdown intensifiesPolice in Myanmar filed a new charge against ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi, which accuses her of violating coronavirus restrictions and could hold her indefinitely without trial. The military has been ramping up pressure on protesters in the past week.
First LookTokyo Olympics chief resignation highlights Japan's gender gapMori Yoshiro has resigned as president of the Tokyo Olympic organizing committee following sexist comments that women 鈥渢alk too much.鈥� The incident has put a spotlight on gender inequality in Japan, and there is now pressure to fill his role with a woman.
Why China may not be cheering Myanmar鈥檚 military takeoverMyanmar鈥檚 coup has put a spotlight on its relationship with China. But the military taking back more power isn鈥檛 necessarily a plus for Beijing.
First LookEthnic minorities join growing protests against coup in MyanmarIn a striking show of unity, Burmese from all walks of life have joined a growing opposition to the military coup that has detained聽Aung San Suu Kyi. Ethnic minority groups have long resented military crackdowns against their struggles for autonomy.
First LookWHO team in Wuhan rules out COVID-19 lab leakA World Health Organization team says farmed wild animals remain a likely source of the novel coronavirus but the virus didn't necessarily originate in Wuhan, China. New theories are being explored, but it will take years to fully understand the origins of COVID-19.聽
First LookIn Myanmar capital and across country, coup protests growTens of thousands protested in Myanmar鈥檚 capital, demanding a roll back of last Monday鈥檚 military coup and demanding the release from detention of Aung San Suu Kyi, the ousted leader.
First LookOusted Myanmar leader Suu Kyi faces jail on walkie talkie chargeThe Myanmar military has charged ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi with the possession of illegally imported walkie talkies. She had already been under house arrest following a coup, but the charges will lend a legal veneer to her continued detention.
