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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.
![Restoring Ties by Restoring Monuments: Indian Diplomacy in Southeast Asia Restoring Ties by Restoring Monuments: Indian Diplomacy in Southeast Asia](jpg/thediplomat-2021-02-22-7.jpg)
February 22, 2021
Restoring Ties by Restoring Monuments: Indian Diplomacy in Southeast Asia
By Krzysztof Iwanek
Conservation of sacred sites is an important aspect of India’s diplomacy toward Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Laos.
![Contemporary Interpretations of Traditional Asian Crafts at Collect 2021 Contemporary Interpretations of Traditional Asian Crafts at Collect 2021](jpg/thediplomat-2021-02-22-3.jpg)
February 22, 2021
Contemporary Interpretations of Traditional Asian Crafts at Collect 2021
By Layne Vandenberg
This year’s online edition of Collect art fair showcases how modern artists are interpreting Asian craft art forms into traditional and contemporary pieces.
![Indian Journalist Acquitted of Defamation in #MeToo Case Indian Journalist Acquitted of Defamation in #MeToo Case](jpg/thediplomat-2020-02-26-8.jpg)
February 18, 2021
Indian Journalist Acquitted of Defamation in #MeToo Case
By Associated Press
Priya Ramani was the first of more than 20 women to come forward an allege sexual harassment by M.J. Akbar.
![Myanmar’s Protest Movement Finds Friends in the Milk Tea Alliance Myanmar’s Protest Movement Finds Friends in the Milk Tea Alliance](jpg/thediplomat-2021-02-12-10.jpg)
February 13, 2021
Myanmar’s Protest Movement Finds Friends in the Milk Tea Alliance
By Jessie Lau
Transnational solidarity – including shared protest tactics and strategies – between Hong Kong, Thailand, and Taiwan now stretches to include Myanmar’s anti-coup movement.
![Korean American K-pop Stars Promote Mental Health Awareness Korean American K-pop Stars Promote Mental Health Awareness](jpg/thediplomat-2021-02-10-9.jpg)
February 10, 2021
Korean American K-pop Stars Promote Mental Health Awareness
By Associated Press
Many recording artists struggle to cope with the trappings of fame, made more difficult by the perception of mental health as taboo topic.
![Nepal, the Beacon of LGBTQ+ Rights in Asia? Not Quite. Nepal, the Beacon of LGBTQ+ Rights in Asia? Not Quite.](jpg/thediplomat-2021-02-09-33.jpg)
February 10, 2021
Nepal, the Beacon of LGBTQ+ Rights in Asia? Not Quite.
By Sanju Gurung
Despite constitutional guarantees, the country’s laws are yet to fully support gender and sexual minorities.
![Taiwan Will Restrict Lunar New Year Activities Due to COVID-19 Threat Taiwan Will Restrict Lunar New Year Activities Due to COVID-19 Threat](jpg/thediplomat-2021-02-05-6.jpg)
February 05, 2021
Taiwan Will Restrict Lunar New Year Activities Due to COVID-19 Threat
By Nick Aspinwall
The country could also receive its first vaccine doses in February, although it must work around its exclusion from the World Health Organization.
![An Indian Diplomat-Poet on Writing Amid Catastrophe An Indian Diplomat-Poet on Writing Amid Catastrophe](jpg/thediplomat-2021-02-03-8.jpg)
February 04, 2021
An Indian Diplomat-Poet on Writing Amid Catastrophe
By Arun Budhathoki
“Poetry is an intrinsic need of our species,” says Ambassador Abhay Kumar.
![Post-Politics or the Politics of Posting: Indian Politics on the Web Post-Politics or the Politics of Posting: Indian Politics on the Web](jpg/thediplomat-2020-11-20-9.jpg)
February 02, 2021
Post-Politics or the Politics of Posting: Indian Politics on the Web
By Krzysztof Iwanek
What does India’s ruling party’s guidebook tell us about the era of social media we live in?
![The Art of Asian Crafts The Art of Asian Crafts](jpg/thediplomat-2021-01-29-9.jpg)
February 01, 2021
The Art of Asian Crafts
By Layne Vandenberg
Traditional Asian craft art forms -- ceramics, porcelain, lacquer, and jewelry -- are being upheld and interpreted by contemporary artists.
![How Have Women Leaders Shaped South Asia’s Politics? How Have Women Leaders Shaped South Asia’s Politics?](png/thediplomat-2021-01-27.png)
January 28, 2021
How Have Women Leaders Shaped South Asia’s Politics?
By Allia Bukhari
South Asia has elected its share of prominent women politicians. But what has that meant for gender equality and women's rights on the ground?
![In Hong Kong, COVID-19 and Racism Make an Ugly Mix In Hong Kong, COVID-19 and Racism Make an Ugly Mix](jpg/thediplomat-2021-01-21-9.jpg)
January 22, 2021
In Hong Kong, COVID-19 and Racism Make an Ugly Mix
By Jessie Lau
In Hong Kong, the pandemic has fanned the flames of a more silent epidemic: systematic racism.
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