Asia Insight

Season 1, Episode 5: Writers Fight Publishing Ban in HK

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When Hong Kong was returned to mainland China from the U.K. in 1997, it was promised 50 years of autonomy and different political, judicial and economic systems than mainland China. This gave freedom of speech to mainland writers as well because they could publish banned material in Hong Kong. But as the Chinese economy grows, and gains stronger ties with Hong Kong, writers publishing in Hong Kong have been receiving various forms of pressure. Some writers have even been detained after their works have been published. Others have had emails checked and phone calls bugged. This episode of Asia Insight followed many Hong Kong and mainland-based writers and publishers fighting to protect their freedom in a changing region.

All Episodes - Season 1

Migrants Gain Upper Hand
Episode 1
Migrants Gain Upper Hand
 Indonesia's First National Car
Episode 2
Indonesia's First National Car
 Diversifying Shanghai
Episode 3
Diversifying Shanghai
 Vietnam's Court Music Revival
Episode 4
Vietnam's Court Music Revival
 Writers Fight Publishing Ban in HK
Episode 5
Writers Fight Publishing Ban in HK
 Mongolia's Forgotten Slum Dwellers
Episode 6
Mongolia's Forgotten Slum Dwellers
 The "80's Writers" in China
Episode 7
The "80's Writers" in China
 Hydropower for Indonesian Villagers
Episode 8
Hydropower for Indonesian Villagers
 Energy-Hungry Nepal
Episode 9
Energy-Hungry Nepal
 China's Job-Hunting Inn
Episode 10
China's Job-Hunting Inn
 The Year of the Dragon Baby Boom
Episode 11
The Year of the Dragon Baby Boom
 The Dancing Prisoners
Episode 12
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 Singing Out for Change in China
Episode 13
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 The Golden Triangle: Fighting for Change
Episode 14
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 South Korea's Budding Entrepreneurs
Episode 15
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 China's Good Deeds Banks
Episode 16
China's Good Deeds Banks
 Born This Way in Thailand
Episode 17
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 The Greater Mekong Subregion: China Creates Massive Trade Center
Episode 18
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 The Greater Mekong Subregion: The Rising Potential of Laos
Episode 19
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 The Greater Mekong Subregion: A New Era for Cambodia
Episode 20
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 Kid Golfers Taking on the World, South Korea
Episode 21
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 China's Traveling Handymen
Episode 22
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Episode 23
From Slum Dwellers to Homeowners
 East Timor's Mobile Health Clinics
Episode 24
East Timor's Mobile Health Clinics
 The New Heroes of the Philippines
Episode 25
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 Vietnam's Hope Serving Restaurants
Episode 26
Vietnam's Hope Serving Restaurants
 Thailand's Little Myanmar
Episode 27
Thailand's Little Myanmar
 Strike Action in Cambodia
Episode 28
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 Singapore Playing Cupid
Episode 29
Singapore Playing Cupid
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