Blog
Asia Life
Sports, culture and the arts are a passion for billions in the Asia-Pacific, and offer unique insights into what makes countries here tick. From the latest cricket match to prize-winning novels and the latest art exhibitions, The Diplomat's bloggers cover it all, giving you a fresh perspective on the region.
‘Don’t Be Dead’: China Mourns Kobe Bryant
By Shannon Tiezzi
The basketball legend's sudden death shocked his millions of die-hard fans in China.
Who Is Behind K-pop’s Viral Choreography?
By Layne Vandenberg
The minds behind K-pop dance choreography, one of K-pop’s most iconic features, deserve formal recognition.
How Chinese Immigrants Found Their Way to Puerto Rico
By Robert Farley
The history of Chinese immigrants in Puerto Rico is intertwined with American restrictions on Chinese immigration through 1965.
How Chinese Immigrants Found Their Place in Puerto Rico
By Robert Farley
By the 1890s, many Chinese immigrants had made their homes in Puerto Rico.
Eggs from Endangered Sea Turtle Stolen from Thai Beach
By Associated Press
Outraged local residents donated 50,000 baht ($1,660) for a reward to catch the thieves.
The Quest to Revive Tourism in Pakistan
By Syed Hammad Mahmood
Pakistan is a nature-lover's dream. Now, thanks to a better security situation and government efforts, the world is finally realizing that.
The 2010s: Reflecting on a Decade of Change in Bollywood
By Alexandra Delaney-Bhattacharya
From digital streaming to the #MeToo movement, the last 10 years have left their mark on India’s film industry.
Hats, Carpets, and Dances: Bits of Central Asia’s Intangible Culture Added to UNESCO List
By Catherine Putz
Uzbekistan's Khorazm dance, Kyrgyzstan's kalpak, and Turkmenistan's carpets all notched spots on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List
Asia Is Becoming a World Leader in Electric Public Transportation
By Jenna Tsui
Asian cities are among the few adding EVs to their public transportation fleets.
Taiwan Authorities Bust Illegal Logging Ring as Island’s Forest Wars Rage On
By Nick Aspinwall
50 tons of timber worth over $3.3 million were seized in an operation targeting a gang trafficking wood from protected trees, the latest assault on Taiwan’s hated “mountain rats.”
Sports on the Silk Road
By Rani Singh and Tim Winter
The often overlooked people-to-people element of the Belt and Road is embracing sports, with all the cultural complexities that brings.
What’s Behind the Rise of Recluses in Japan?
By Xiaochen Su
A lack of economic ambition is increasing the trend of “hikikomori” in Japan.