Sowmiya Ashok
Sowmiya Ashok is an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express. She reports on politics and the environment. She tweets @sowmiyashok
Articles By Sowmiya Ashok
A Chinese platform that makes space for discussions on women’s sexuality
Zhao Jing says it is “definitely good” that there is at least talk about the LGBT community publicly. Her passion project Yummy, however, is broader in its focus.
China, Pakistan air forces hold joint training
The joint training, which ran for a fortnight, is the eighth of its kind between the two countries, Chinese news agency Xinhua reported. The agency also quoted sources saying “the annual joint training does not target any third party, and aims to improve training standards of the two air forces through mutual learning”.
Two studies on ancient DNA released: ‘No central Asian Steppe ancestry among Harappans’
The two studies — which appeared in journals Cell and Science — show that there was no central Asian Steppe ancestry among the Harappans, indicating that the Steppe pastoralists migrated to India after the decline of the Harappan civilisation.
A floating panda, tai chi in China: Learning Mandarin in a VR classroom
The Project Aims To Augment Collaborative Learning With A.I. Agents, Simulated Environments
China’s concern over Article 370 ‘misplaced’: Indian Ambassador to China Vikram Misri
In a media interaction with Chinese journalists on Tuesday, Misri pointed out that the change - which stripped the state of Jammu & Kashmir of its special status and bifurcated it into two Union Territories - was an “internal administrative reorganization,” and had “no external ramifications whatsoever.”
A tale of a small town: An exhibition in China traces the origin of the multiplication table
The pieces on display at the National Museum of China are from the collection of the Hunan Provincial Institute of Archeology in Changsha and the Liye Qin Slips Museum near the relic site.
Swachh China: Trash cans with facial ID and reward points
Pilot project in Beijing locality: Rewards include eggs, salt, toilet rolls, detergent.
Cheaper fees, easy admissions: Indian medical students shift gaze towards China
Sowmiya Ashok visits campuses and finds that this journey to a medical degree comes with its share of anxieties — language hurdles, uncertain career options back home. Besides, a lingering concern: how much noodles can one eat?
Post-Doklam, China talks of roadmap on border tensions
Indian government sources, who analysed the white paper, said it also tries to play down heavy military expenditure, saying that China is spending less on defence budgets in terms of GDP in comparison to India, US and other countries.
From Beijing, lessons for Delhi on Metro fare pricing and scaling up
The ridership pattern of the two public transporters — cumulatively carrying over 1.50 crore passengers daily in two of the most populated world capitals — seen against their evolving fare structures and growth in network makes for a study in contrast.
That day after everyday: The loss of a loved one is a reminder of the impermanence of life
In Harsh’s words, Toulouse sounded lovely, almost like paradise. But to him, it wasn’t this French city where he pursued a PhD in, it was the west Delhi neighbourhood of Janakpuri he grew up in, that was truly paradise.
In China, archeologists find earliest evidence of ochre on bone engravings
The discovery of abstract engravings is considered an indicator of modern human cognition which researchers say led to the development of symbols, drawings, art and language.
As China seeks to recycle more, Shanghai implements strict regulations
Individuals may be fined anything from 50 to 200 yuan (one yuan converts to roughly Rs 10) for not complying with the new waste management policy, while enterprises can be fined up to 5,000 yuan for failing to have the right trash bins in place.
Comic artist Krish Raghav traces the role of Chinese-Jamaicans in reggae history and how the music reached China
How the beat came home: Krish Raghav works for a China-based music promoter which organises tours and music festivals. He moved to Beijing as a student of public policy in 2012.
India’s entry into nuke club not on agenda of NSG meet: China
Beijing also declined to provide a timeline for member-states to reach a “consensus” to include non-NPT (Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty) members into the fold.
With paper and a promise, a Chinese cafe keeps traditional writing alive
To The Indian Express, she hands a simple version for foreigners with “zhongwen” written in Chinese - “zhong” meaning “centre or middle” and “wen” meaning “writing”.
Beijing says Hong Kong protests China’s internal affair
Information on protests in Hong Kong was heavily censored in mainland China including on microblogging site Weibo. While Chinese news agency Xinhua did not carry details on Hong Kong, a report on Taiwan stressed the "Chinese mainland has unwavering resolve to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity" and will "not tolerate separatist elements advocating "Taiwan independence".
China blames ‘foreign forces’ for massive Hong Kong protests over extradition Bill
More than a million people reportedly took part in a protest to amend the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance.
US cannot use ‘extreme pressure’ to force trade negotiations, says China
China said its negotiators were still “committed to credible consultations based on equality and mutual benefit” but said there will be no compromise on “matters of principle”.
For a Chinese podcast, personal stories are a way of bringing people closer
The podcast series, which has now completed over 200 episodes, offers intimate, personal audio stories on everyday lives in China.
