CHUNG TAK LIVES IN A CAGE

Hidden from the glitz of rich Hong Kong, tens of thousands of people are living in cages. Literally. A visit to the hidden cage dwellers.

Asia, China, Features, PublishedRemko TanisDecember 20, 2018Hong Kong, Poverty, Cage Dwellers

SMOKING IS BEAUTIFUL AND PATRIOTIC

One in every three smokers in the world lives in China. A tobacco museum sings the praises of the cigarette. The government has named it an ‘advanced, patriotic destination for the education of youth.’

China, Asia, PublishedRemko TanisDecember 19, 2018China, Health, Smoking

ASIA'S WATER TOWER IS MELTING AWAY

They are the source for some of the world’s greatest rivers. But the glaciers of Western China are rapidly shrinking, threatening the water supply for 1.8 billion people.

Asia, China, PublishedRemko TanisNovember 21, 2018Environment, China, Asia, Water, Glaciers, Climate

MOVE OVER BUDDHA, HERE COMES JESUS!

Megachurches in Asia go out of their way to attract new, young believers. And they’re succeeding. Christianity is growing fast.

Features, Published, SingaporeRemko TanisNovember 9, 2018Singapore, Asia, Religion

SUICIDE ANGEL ON A SCOOTER

Every two minutes someone in China commits suicide. One man tries to stop as many as possible.

Features, Published, ChinaRemko TanisNovember 8, 2018China, Welfare, Suicide, Nanjing

TO SURVIVE, HELEN YBANES NEEDS HER SON TO STAY FAR AWAY

‘It’s more fun in the Philippines’, says the government tourism slogan, but millions are forced to leave the country and work abroad, simply to survive. I spent some time with those who stay behind.

Features, Asia, Published, PhilippinesRemko TanisOctober 29, 2018Philippines, Migration, Labour, Economy

LIU BOLIN IS CONFUSED

Liu Bolin is confused. The Chinese artist wonders whether he still understands what's happening in his country, with its people, and with himself.

Features, Published, ChinaRemko TanisOctober 29, 2018China, Art, Culture, Liu Bolin

LU JIANFU BATTLES CORRUPTION

Lu Jianfu films government cars violating traffic rules in Zhengzhou, China. Faced with bribes and violence, he soldiers on - hoping for the tiniest bit of progress.

Features, China, Asia, PublishedRemko TanisOctober 29, 2018China, Zhengzhou, Henan, Corruption, Protest, Government

ROBOTS, AIRPLANES AND SUBMARINES, BUILD BY CHINESE FARMERS

The Rockbund Art Museum celebrates the fantasy of Chinese farmers. It is filled with airplanes, robots and submarines handmade by inventors from China’s countryside.

Asia, China, PublishedRemko TanisOctober 28, 2018China, Culture, Farmers, Art

A NERVE WRECKING WEEKEND IN KOREA

Bullets coming from the North once again had people on the South Korean controlled island of Yeonpyeong hiding in shelters. Tensions are at maximum level.

Published, KoreaRemko TanisOctober 19, 2018Korea, North Korea, South Korea, War, Yeonpyeong

THE REMARKABLE ORDINARY IN MYANMAR

Myanmar is undergoing rapid changes, from introducing traffic lights to seeing its population armed with the internet. However, the progress proves to be fragile.

Features, PublishedRemko TanisOctober 3, 2018Myanmar, Society, Development

FIGHTING ETHNIC TENSIONS WITH A BASEBALL BAT

In Urumqi, a Chinese city divided by deadly racial violence and suppression of its muslim Uighur population, an ethnically mixed baseball team is training to win the national championship. Against all odds.

Features, Published, ChinaRemko TanisSeptember 27, 2018China, Xinjiang, Uighur, Sports

THE TOWN THAT DOESN'T EXIST

In China’s far north, a small town has been cut from the grid. The government wants the villagers to move to a bigger town. So far though, they’re staying put.

Features, Published, ChinaRemko TanisSeptember 27, 2018China, Rural, Heilongjiang

IKEA SHANGHAI: THE PLACE TO FIND LØVE

Hundreds of elderly Shanghainese flock to their local Ikea store to find someone, not to assemble furniture with, but to piece together a relationship.

Features, Published, ChinaRemko TanisSeptember 27, 2018China, Shanghai, Ikea, Romance, Elderly

THE ONE MAN SALVATION ARMY OF BEIJING

With his popular blog, Zhang Shihe has rescued a group of homeless in Beijing from sleeping on cardboard among the rats of the city. 'Chinese people are better than their government'.

Features, Published, ChinaRemko TanisSeptember 27, 2018China, Welfare, Beijing, Poverty

KING WU AND HIS EIGHTY DWARFS

In an amusement park in southern China, visitors pay to watch short adults dress up, sing and dance.

Features, Published, ChinaRemko TanisSeptember 26, 2018China, Yunnan, Discrimination, Entertainment

MY COUNTRY IS FAILING

Ding Zilin lost her 17-year old son during the bloody 1989 crackdown on Tiananmen Square in Beijing, China. She is still fighting for justice and demands the Communist Party comes clean.