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Synopsis
An in-depth portrait of Asia today, covering its dynamism as a center of growth as well as its traditions tossed around by the advance of globalization.
Episode 40 : The Dolphin Village: Cambodia
December. 12,2014
The Irrawaddy dolphins, which inhabit the Mekong River in Cambodia, are an endangered species that are bringing economic benefits to local people through eco-tourism. In this episode, we follow the villagers of Kampi, and see how they have turned their conservation efforts into a lucrative homegrown industry, which is now beginning to blossom in other parts.
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Episode 39 : Typhoon Haiyan: One Year On
December. 05,2014
In November 2013, Typhoon Haiyan devastated the central Philippines with the city of Tacloban and nearby areas suffering the worst damage. The disaster left more than 2,700 of Tacloban's population dead or missing and completely destroyed more than 40,000 homes. In this episode, we visit Tacloban one year on and follow several farmers and fishermen as they strive to rebuild their lives.
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Episode 38 : Mediating Doctor-Patient Disputes in Shanghai
November. 28,2014
Disputes over poor medical treatment between doctors and patients, stemming from chronic overcrowding, the high cost of healthcare, and a lack of doctor-to-patient communication, have become a growing issue in China, with tens of thousands of cases reported over the past 3 years alone. The problem has become so bad that the government decided to create a system where third-party mediators stand between doctors and patients to conduct investigations.
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Episode 36 : Tibet's Changing Landscape: Lhasa
November. 14,2014
Tibet was once among the world's most isolated places. Its main city, Lhasa, was a center of traditional culture and Tibetan Buddhism. But in recent years, development by the Chinese government has brought waves of construction - and Han Chinese workers. The region is being transformed with highways, shopping malls, hotels, and a way of life that threatens to wipe out customs that have been handed down for centuries.
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Episode 35 : Innovative Farming in Singapore
November. 07,2014
The small, yet affluent city-state of Singapore, on the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula. Occupying an area of just 710 square kilometers, the population already exceeds 5.4 million and is expected to grow even further due to migration from overseas. Only 1% of the country's land is used for agriculture, making Singapore dependent upon imports for 90% of its food.
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Episode 34 : Hong Kong's Fight for Democracy
October. 24,2014
July 1, 2014 heralded the 17th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to China after British rule. A mass pro-democracy protest involving 500,000 people was held. 10 days earlier residents had voted in an unofficial referendum calling for democratic elections when selecting Hong Kong's chief executive. Although the referendum was a success, Beijing announced a new system whereby candidates would be nominated by an approval committee.
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Episode 33 : Female Entrepreneurs in East Timor
October. 17,2014
With a population of 1.2 million, East Timor is one of the poorest countries in Asia. In a male dominated society, women find it difficult to have their voices heard. However, due to strains on household incomes, women are now taking their first tentative steps forward in business. With the help of a Japanese NGO, women in agricultural areas are working together to develop various homegrown produce.
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Episode 32 : The Aftermath of Strikes in Cambodia
October. 10,2014
In Cambodia, many garment factories have been forced to shut down temporarily and some have even gone under altogether. This was triggered by strikes for higher wages that escalated into large-scale demonstrations in which there were more than 40 injuries and deaths. News of the unrest quickly spread and overseas clients cut back on orders, sensing risk and instability with their Cambodian manufacturers.
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Episode 31 : South Korea Seeks Skilled Foreigners
September. 26,2014
The Republic of Korea has long been known as a homogenous country, but due to struggles with a labor shortage and an aging society, the nation has been actively allowing foreigners to work and settle in the country since early 2000. It even went as far as taking the step to revise laws to allow foreign nationals to become South Korean citizens.
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Episode 26 : Promoting Organic Farming in Laos
August. 15,2014
Laos is a landlocked country on the Indochina Peninsula and one of the poorest countries within ASEAN. However, its economy has been expanding at roughly 8% annually over the last 5 years creating larger numbers of affluent people. These consumers are concerned about their health and are prepared to pay around 20% more to purchase organic vegetables. With its long-standing tradition of natural cultivation, Laos is suited to organic agriculture because much of the land has not been contaminated with agrochemicals.
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Episode 20 : An Emerging Sporting Nation: Qatar
June. 13,2014
Qatar is a small country in the Middle East with a population of 2 million people. Although it is blessed with natural resources such as oil and natural gas, the government realizes that one day these resources will be exhausted. It has started, therefore, to invest vast amounts of money in other sectors, including the world of sports.
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Episode 18 : TV Drama Abu Dhabi-style
May. 23,2014
Abu Dhabi is the capital of the United Arab Emirates and with its rich oil resources, it is also the most affluent emirate. TV dramas produced here are already popular throughout the Arab countries of the Persian Gulf Region and they focus on everyday life in the emirate, including such taboo subjects as trouble with domestic staff. In this week's episode, we take a look at the TV drama industry in Abu Dhabi.
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Episode 17 : Saving China's Abandoned Children
May. 16,2014
In China, roughly 100,000 children are abandoned by their parents each year. Many suffer from illness or disability. Shanghai is one of the first Chinese cities to address the issue with one hospital taking in more than 500 unwanted children over the past 9 years. There has also been an increase in so-called baby hatches as there are concerns over infants left in life-threatening environments. This episode of Asia Insight follows some of the people at the frontline in protecting China's abandoned children.
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Episode 16 : Spreading Light with Plastic Bottles
May. 09,2014
In impoverished areas of the Philippines, many households cannot afford electricity and don't use their lights. As the homes are so densely packed, they block sunlight and remain in darkness even during the day. Illac Diaz is a social entrepreneur who is striving to help those in this situation by promoting the use of an ingenious method of lighting using plastic bottles. This episode of Asia Insight focuses on his project and the lives of those who struggle to find adequate sources of lighting in the Philippines.
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Episode 14 : Restoring Vietnam's Forests
April. 25,2014
During the Vietnam War, vast amounts of defoliant were released by the US military in order to destroy the tropical forests that concealed guerilla fighters. The dioxins contained in the defoliant destroyed foliage and soil, creating toxic hotspots and areas where only grass can grow even today. In this episode, we follow the 40-year campaign of Dr. Quy to restore the Vietnamese rainforests to their former glory.
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Episode 13 : North Korean Defectors Struggles in South Korea
April. 11,2014
Over 26,000 North Koreans have now defected to South Korea. Seoul has many measures in place to resettle these defectors, as it considers their acceptance into South Korean society as one way to unify the Korean peninsula. Despite these measures, defectors often face hurdles in the South, and because of this, many have been trying to move on to other countries in recent years. This episode of Asia Insight focuses on the North Koreans who fled from their homes and are struggling to integrate into their new communities.
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Episode 11 : Overcoming the Odds: Laos Young Filmmakers
March. 28,2014
For 20 years, not a single commercial film was made in the Lao People's Democratic Republic. Now, a group of young filmmakers is turning things around. They are short on funds and equipment, and government censors curb their creative freedom. But they make up for such limitations with passion and drive. In this episode, we follow the founders of Lao New Wave Cinema, a film production company that is charting a new path in a socialist country and inspiring the next generation.
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Episode 10 : Lonely Providers: South Korea's Goose Fathers
March. 21,2014
South Korea is home to a growing legion of lonely men. They are fathers whose wives and kids have gone overseas so the children can receive an international education. Goose fathers juggle the burden of providing for their families while dealing with the stress of living all alone. Such sacrifices cause some men to become depressed. In this episode, we talk to several goose fathers who have given up the comforts of family life in the hope of giving their children a bright future.
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Episode 8 : I'm Not Going Home: Social Changes Reshape Chinese New Year
February. 28,2014
Chinese New Year is traditionally a time for people in China to spend time with their families. Migrants living and working in major cities typically return en masse to their hometowns. But the number of people who choose not to go home is increasing. Some remain in the cities to work and earn extra money. Others are hesitant to spend time with their families. This episode looks at migrants who decide to stay put, and what it means for a time-honored Chinese custom.
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Episode 7 : White Gold: The Cambodian Rice Market
February. 21,2014
Although strong economic growth is taking place in Cambodia's capital city, rural Cambodia - home to 80% of the country's population - remains impoverished. In order to raise the standard of living there, the government has turned its attention to the production of processed rice - otherwise known as white gold.
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Episode 6 : The Foggy Skies of Beijing
February. 14,2014
PM2.5 - tiny particulate matter - is the main cause of the air pollution currently plaguing China. The air quality in Beijing is reaching critical levels and it seems that China is paying the price for its voracious economic development. With the health of Beijing's residents at risk, in this episode we take a look at how authorities, scientists, the business sectors and locals are dealing with this issue.
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Episode 5 : The Street Children of Ulan Bator
February. 07,2014
In spite of rapid economic growth in Mongolia's capital, Ulan Bator, the gap between rich and poor is widening with insufficient employment for former nomads flocking to the city. Many children choose to leave their poverty stricken homes and around 400 live on the city streets, enduring sub-zero conditions during the winter.
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Episode 4 : Celebration Amid Disaster in The Philippines
January. 31,2014
Following the lives of those who lived through the devastating typhoon that hit the Philippines in November 2013.
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Episode 3 : Education for $1 a Month: Nepal
January. 24,2014
A look at the amount of families in Nepal who cannot afford to send their children into school.
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Episode 2 : Cambodia's Factories Face Labor Rifts
January. 17,2014
Cambodia's economy is booming thanks in part to a burgeoning garment industry. Business people from other countries have opened factories in areas surrounding the capital, Phnom Penh. Many Cambodians are abandoning rural life for factory jobs and the increased economic opportunity they offer. But the process has not been smooth. Workers are demanding higher pay and other concessions from management. Factory owners are being forced to reexamine their image of Cambodia as a low-wage alternative to China.
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Episode 1 : Ulan Bator's Battle for Clear Skies
January. 10,2014
Air pollution in Mongolia's capital, Ulan Bator, is among the world's worst. A thick haze often envelops the city, reducing visibility to just 20 meters. The main problem is smoke from coal-burning stoves. The number of such stoves has increased as more migrants move to the city in search of work. City officials are now trying to tackle the problem by convincing people to replace their old stoves. In this episode, we look at the battle to bring clear skies back to Ulan Bator.
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