For Uyghur family, a legacy of rootlessness
The Muhammads fled China and war-torn Afghanistan. Decades later, they may be on the move again.
RFA Investigations
A quicker trip to Seoul – and potential curb on Chinese illegal fishing
Although more than half a century has passed, Kim Sang-jin still remembers when his family placed doenjang, a soybean paste, outside their home on South Korea’s Heuksan Island to ferment overnight – only to find it gone the next morning. “That’s how we knew,” Kim said, “North Korean spies had infiltrated the island.”
Fleeing North Korea has never been harder, or costlier
More North Koreans fleeing poverty and a repressive government have reached South Korea this year compared to last, as rescue operations restart after a hiatus during COVID.But the number remains well below the historical average, and likely will for the foreseeable future.
Returning Tibetans see a changing homeland
As a member of the Tibetan diaspora, Sengmo knew about the Chinese government’s campaign to assimilate ethnic minorities in the broader culture. But it was only after witnessing firsthand how his elementary school-age relatives interacted with one another that he thought: “They will not be like us.”
Cyber scams keep North Korean missiles flying
A team of hackers enables Kim Jong Un’s strategic ambitions, despite international sanctions.
Have you heard the one about stand-up in China?
On International Joke Day, recent moves are raising questions about the Communist Party's tolerance for comedy.
Le Le Farley’s videos on YouTube often feature Chinese-related content and are viewed by hundreds of thousands of people, mostly overseas.
In 2018, Le Le Farley took his first steps to a stand-up career with two nervous, and he says, poorly received, performances in China. Back then, Farley was among a vanguard of young entertainers experimenting with what was a relatively new form o
Le Le Farley’s videos on YouTube often feature Chinese-related content and are viewed by hundreds of thousands of people, mostly overseas.
In 2018, Le Le Farley took his first steps to a stand-up career with two nervous, and he says, poorly received, performances in China. Back then, Farley was among a vanguard of young entertainers experimenting with what was a relatively new form o
Escaping the chaos of home, Myanmar migrants face exploitation abroad
Forced to flee her Magway village in southeast Myanmar during a junta attack, Theingi Soe spent a “terrible” month living in makeshift shelters in the jungle during the rainy season. In her misery, she began to plot another escape – to a life in a country beyond the conflict. An acquaintance put her in touch with a hiring agent in Yangon who promised work in Dubai. She paid 1 million kyats (U.S. $476) upfront to be connected to a family in need of domestic help, bought her own plane ticket, and
Chinese students in US on a ‘political coming out’ still must manage risks
Inspired by the white paper protests back home, they are learning how to organize. But Beijing may be watching.
Alex Chan, center, and Nima Lama, left, a Tibetan activist, stand in silence to mark the third anniversary of Dr. Li’s death. (RFA Photo/Gemunu Amarasinghe)
Activists of Chinese origin try to hide their identity by covering their faces during a gathering in honor of Li Wenliang, a Chinese doctor who sounded the alarm in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic before dying of the dise
Alex Chan, center, and Nima Lama, left, a Tibetan activist, stand in silence to mark the third anniversary of Dr. Li’s death. (RFA Photo/Gemunu Amarasinghe)
Activists of Chinese origin try to hide their identity by covering their faces during a gathering in honor of Li Wenliang, a Chinese doctor who sounded the alarm in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic before dying of the dise
A Tibetan experiment in democracy struggles
The Tibetan exile community’s experience with representative government is still fresh, but it is already showing signs of strain, with potential implications for what may happen to the freedom movement without the Dalai Lama’s guiding hand.
A Ukrainian village occupied by Russian troops tries to recover
In the early weeks of the invasion, Yahidne residents were held captive in the basement of their local school.
For four weeks last March, the Yahidne school served as a makeshift prison for more than 300 of the town's residents.
Ivan Petrovich wearily unlocks the gate to the school that for four harrowing weeks in March became a makeshift prison, a morning fog still lingering in the surrounding woods.
“I know there are a lot of things to do – cleaning up the village, farming, fixing the house
For four weeks last March, the Yahidne school served as a makeshift prison for more than 300 of the town's residents.
Ivan Petrovich wearily unlocks the gate to the school that for four harrowing weeks in March became a makeshift prison, a morning fog still lingering in the surrounding woods.
“I know there are a lot of things to do – cleaning up the village, farming, fixing the house
For female journalists, covering China comes at a cost
Su Yutong, Vicky Xu and other reporters of Asian descent face an onslaught of abuse covering China critically.
The strange men started showing up at Su Yutong’s Berlin apartment in early June. For weeks, one or two would arrive each day.
Su grew up in China but since 2010 has lived in Germany, where she works as a journalist, including for Radio Free Asia. Her visitors, though, thought they were visiting a prostitute.
“Almost every day different people rang my doorbell,” Su said. “They say th
The strange men started showing up at Su Yutong’s Berlin apartment in early June. For weeks, one or two would arrive each day.
Su grew up in China but since 2010 has lived in Germany, where she works as a journalist, including for Radio Free Asia. Her visitors, though, thought they were visiting a prostitute.
“Almost every day different people rang my doorbell,” Su said. “They say th
‘He is always perfect in my heart’
Wolf warrior Zhao Lijian has a big fan base in China. Some boosters aren’t happy with his new job, or his wife.
Weibo user “Lilaoshilifuzhen” is taking the news of Zhao Lijian’s new job hard. She says she was in tears over learning Zhao, one of China’s best-known wolf warrior diplomats, would leave his post as the high-profile Foreign Ministry spokesman to become the deputy head of the lesser-known Department of Boundary and Oceans Affairs.
“China’s foreign affairs are always fascinating, but
Weibo user “Lilaoshilifuzhen” is taking the news of Zhao Lijian’s new job hard. She says she was in tears over learning Zhao, one of China’s best-known wolf warrior diplomats, would leave his post as the high-profile Foreign Ministry spokesman to become the deputy head of the lesser-known Department of Boundary and Oceans Affairs.
“China’s foreign affairs are always fascinating, but
Videos show brutal interrogation in Myanmar, allegedly at hands of junta soldier
‘I feel sorry for you only after I’ve tortured you.’
Under the Gun in Myanmar
Conditions in Myanmar have “gone from bad, to worse, to horrific for untold numbers of innocent Myanmar people."
China’s transgender ‘medicine girls’ can’t find the medicine they need
An already fraught transition process has been made harder by new restrictions on online drug sales in China.
For transgender women in China, transitioning can feel like a mythical quest, a fresh obstacle arising just after one has been cleared.
Treatments are expensive, difficult to obtain and can require years of fighting unwilling doctors, red tape and familial disapproval.
In recent months, a difficult process has become even harder, according to Chinese trans women who spoke to RFA. In D
For transgender women in China, transitioning can feel like a mythical quest, a fresh obstacle arising just after one has been cleared.
Treatments are expensive, difficult to obtain and can require years of fighting unwilling doctors, red tape and familial disapproval.
In recent months, a difficult process has become even harder, according to Chinese trans women who spoke to RFA. In D
Cambodia sells research monkeys to the world. It’s not all legal, US says.
As COVID-19 sends demand for research macaques soaring, a U.S. court case is raising questions about their origins.
Visitors are not welcome at the monkey farm co-owned by the sister of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen.
The farm is ringed by moat-like canals, 6-foot-6-inch-high (2 meters) earthworks and a brick wall topped with razor wire.
A former employee told RFA that guards with Kalashnikov assault rifles patrol the grounds inside the farm in rural Kampong Speu province, which is two hour
Visitors are not welcome at the monkey farm co-owned by the sister of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen.
The farm is ringed by moat-like canals, 6-foot-6-inch-high (2 meters) earthworks and a brick wall topped with razor wire.
A former employee told RFA that guards with Kalashnikov assault rifles patrol the grounds inside the farm in rural Kampong Speu province, which is two hour
