Field Notes

Field Notes from Hong Kong

Beijing’s message to HK: Get your act together

The charred towers of Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po.

Field Notes from Beijing

A technocrat wants to uplift China’s slowest-growing province. Can he succeed?

ltliaoning - Liaoning party chief Xu Kunlin (middle) blames cadres for not creating a pro-business environment for companies.
He was speaking at a meeting of Liaoning parliamentarians on March 6 during the Two Sessions in Beijing.
ST PHOTO: YEW LUN TIAN

Field Notes from Jakarta

Preacher talent show enlivens the wee hours in Indonesia

hbshow - On Feb 19, the latest season of reality show Aksi Indonesia premiered, introducing the Gua Hira group — one of seven teams into which the 28 contestants are divided. From left: Agung from Serdang Bedagai, Ainia from Lebak, Ozan from Samarinda and Sutan from Jakarta.

CREDIT: INDOSIAR/YOUTUBE

Field notes from Ipoh

From Ipoh to Singapore: Ah Beng Vs Liang Po Po and the economics of cross-border jobs

A fully loaded Sri Maju bus ready to depart for Johor Bahru and Singapore, carrying Ipoh residents back to work after the CNY holidays, on Feb 20, 2026.

Field Notes from Beijing

Can Olympic skier Eileen Gu continue to walk the US-China tightrope?

Eileen Gu celebrating after winning the gold medal in the women’s freestyle skiing halfpipe final at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics on Feb 22.

Field Notes from Taipei

Taiwanese are boycotting a film about an unresolved part of history. Can any good come out of this?

wyyblood - Screenshot. (From left to right) Shiauli Yang, Lee Chien-na, Johnny Kou, Jian Man-shu, Hsia Teng-hung at a press conference for The Century Bloodshed.

CREDIT: TTV NEWS/YOUTUBE

Field Notes from Sydney

‘It’s not going to be me’: Despite risks of shark attacks, Sydney beachgoers still catch the waves

Mr Greg Littrich, 58, from the Sydney beach-side suburb of Coogee, said he has been upset by the spate of shark attacks in January 2026 but this had not prevented him from swimming. PHOTO: JONATHAN PEARLMAN

Field Notes from Pahang

In Malaysia’s ‘jungle railway’, a colonial-era train signalling ritual still survives

Kuala Krau station master Mohd Akmal Jamal (left), 31, hands a key token to the driver of an incoming train.

Field Notes from New Delhi

‘Not a Hindu, not a Muslim... I am a human being’: Gym instructor stands up for a Muslim in India

Gym instructor Deepak Kumar has become a hero in India after standing up for a bullied Muslim shopkeeper.

Field Notes from Seoul

Oh crumbs! South Korea weighs new sugar tax amid craze over Dubai chewy cookie

The price of a Dubai chewy cookie in South Korea ranges from 5,000 won (S$4.40) to 10,000 won a piece.

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MDDI (P) 046/10/2025. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No.202120748H. Copyright © 2026 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.