This Year in Asia: Huawei, Hong Kong protests, domestic workers and toxic masculinity in K-pop are our most-read stories from 2019
- From Huawei to the Hong Kong protests, via toxic masculinity in K-pop and the continued mistreatment of domestic workers, here are the most-read stories of the year
It’s been a big year, what with protests in Hong Kong, the regional fallout as Huawei became a target in the continuing joust for influence between the United States and China, and a spate of controversies everywhere from South Korea to the Philippines. Here are some of the stories that most resonated with readers over the past 12 months – some are quirky, others topical, and many deal with how the shifting tides of geopolitics affect all those who live in this endlessly fascinating continent.
These are your top pieces of the year – and here is a chance to go over an old favourite, or dive deep into a piece you might have missed.
1. The mistreatment of Asia’s domestic workers
Worst domestic worker abuse cases of Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia
Our top story of the year was a look at the plight of domestic workers around the continent. This piece was run as a follow-up to the jailing of a Singaporean couple who had force-fed, threatened and abused a domestic worker from Myanmar – but there have been a spate of such abuse cases in recent years.
2. The Hong Kong protests
US’ Hong Kong human rights and democracy act will ‘punish the wrong people’
Singapore’s Lee a social media hero in China for Hong Kong protest comments
One China, two different worlds: political divide on full show amid Hong Kong chaos
Where are Chinese tourists going if they’re giving protest-hit Hong Kong a miss?
3. Huawei under fire
My way or the Huawei: how US ultimatum over China’s 5G giant fell flat in Southeast Asia
Readers couldn’t get enough of this story, which kept its high rating for months after it was first published, and little wonder. The Huawei issue has ramifications for the entire continent, with its US-led blacklisting leaving question marks over how soon avid smartphone users can reap the benefits of next-generation communications technology.
If Donald Trump kills off Chinese firm Huawei, do Asia’s 5G dreams die?
New Zealand bans Huawei from 5G, China has message for New Zealand
4. Toxic masculinity in the K-pop industry
Seungri and Jung Joon-young K-pop sex scandal exposes South Korea’s culture of toxic masculinity
Experts say this is evident in the propensity of men to share illicit material about women and treat them as pieces of meat or bargaining chips in a game of sexual bragging – a common problem in Korean culture. And while some K-pop idols have been forgiven their past behavioural issues, some say 2019 is the year many first started facing the consequences of their actions.
5. Malaysia’s Mahathir deals with Beijing
I’d side with rich China over fickle US: Malaysia’s Mahathir Mohamad
As the Mahathir administration neared its one-year mark in March, the 94-year-old’s blend of candour and statesmanship proved as winning to our audience as it did to voters.
6. Singapore’s reaction to the Hong Kong protests
Hong Kong protesters’ five demands meant to ‘humiliate’ government, won’t solve city’s issues: Singapore PM
Singapore’s Lee Hsien Loong a social media hero in China for Hong Kong protest comments
Have Singaporeans misunderstood the nature of Hong Kong protests?
7. A Singaporean love story
Li Huanwu, grandson of Singapore founding father Lee Kuan Yew, marries boyfriend Heng Yirui – and Chinese social media users cheer them on
Sex between men remains illegal in the island nation, but Lee – who was prime minister for 31 years – had been known to express a different opinion from the government in his later years.
The story was especially popular in mainland China, where posts of Li’s wedding surfaced on social media app WeChat. A few reacted with disdain but many of the Chinese commentators also congratulated the couple, with some hoping that Li would front the fight for gay rights in Singapore.
8. Radar-evading missiles
US Navy ships to be armed with radar-evading precision missiles
This one really hit the spot with readers. Bhavan Jaipragas’ report revealed how the improved capabilities of littoral combat warships could give the US Navy an edge in Asia, just as its counterpart Chinese force is making gains.
9. A Philippine feud
How Gretchen and Marjorie Barretto feud shocked Duterte and transfixed Filipinos
This had all the ingredients for a story to go in the top 10 of 2019 – a brawl between two celebrity sisters, at their father’s wake, right in front of Rodrigo Duterte, the present of the Philippines.
10. The US needs India – because of China
G20 Osaka: as China, India and Russia draw close, has Trump overplayed his hand?
Ahead of the G20 meeting in Osaka this June, the United States was confronted with a sight it really didn’t want to see – Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Chinese President Xi Jinping all sharing a table. Then Xi and Modi began the first of three bilateral meetings they would have over the next three months.