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.
Taiwan’s Language Politics and Tigertail’s Trilingualism
By Layne Vandenberg
Tigertail combines Taiwanese, Mandarin, and English languages to portray the reality of Asian American immigrants and modern-day Taiwan.
India E-ditions: Where Can You Read Books on India Online for Free?
By Krzysztof Iwanek
There are enough free online books about India to keep you busy until the end of the pandemic.
Taiwan High Court Overturns Acquittals, Finds Sunflower Movement Protesters Guilty
By Nick Aspinwall
The High Court’s decision to overturn not guilty verdicts for seven protesters who stormed the Executive Yuan led to outrage from civil society figures.
Targeted in Hong Kong, Causeway Bay Books Has a New Home: Taiwan
By Kuang-shun Yang
Lam Wing-kee found refuge in Taiwan. Can the island offer safe harbor to more Hong Kong democracy activists?
Japan Medical Association: Tokyo Olympics Difficult Without Vaccine
By Associated Press
Japan and the International Olympic Committee had agreed to postpone the Tokyo Games until July 23, 2021, because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Muslims Begin Marking a Subdued Ramadan Under Virus Closures
By Associated Press
Usually, Ramadan’s dawn-to-dusk fasting is followed by large gatherings and family meals. In many places, such gatherings aren’t possible now.
South Korean Soccer League Season Set to Kick Off on May 8
By Associated Press
The league will be imposing strict social-distancing regulations for players on and off the field, but games will start May 8.
Covering All the Bases: How Taiwan Opened Its Baseball Season Amid COVID-19
By Bo-jiun Jing
Taiwan is one of the few countries still playing live sports. Here’s how its pro baseball league made that happen.
Ventilator From Old Car Parts? Afghan Girls Pursue Prototype
By Associated Press
Afghanistan only has 400 ventilators for a population of more than 36.6 million. A cheap way to add to that stock will save lives.
‘In Milk Tea We Trust’: How a Thai-Chinese Meme War Led to a New (Online) Pan-Asia Alliance
By Dan McDevitt
From #MilkTeaAlliance to #StopMekongDam, can an internet meme war translate into real-world action?
Taiwan’s Baseball, Basketball Leagues Back in Action as the World Watches
By Nick Aspinwall
The country’s top baseball and basketball leagues are holding games without fans, a sign of its success in controlling the spread of the coronavirus.
Tokyo Has No ‘Plan B’ for Another Olympic Postponement
By Associated Press
Organizers are proceeding under the assumption the Olympics will open on July 23, 2021.