Crystal covers business trends and cultural criticism, with a special focus on Northeast Asia, for the Asia desk. Before joining the SCMP, she contributed to Quartz, i-D Magazine, Monocle, Wallpaper, Lonely Planet and other publications. Her broadcast commentary has been featured on BBC Radio, CGTN and other media.
Latest from Crystal Tai
Activists want the government to revise laws on power harassment, or ‘pawa hara’, to include companies that force female employees to wear heels.
Activists want the government to revise laws on power harassment, or ‘pawa hara’, to include companies that force female employees to wear heels.
While many Hongkongers have been affected by six months of chaos, some of those hit the hardest – the poor, disabled and elderly – struggle in silence, as hard lives get even harder.
While many Hongkongers have been affected by six months of chaos, some of those hit the hardest – the poor, disabled and elderly – struggle in silence, as hard lives get even harder.
Korean students have found themselves at the centre of a political storm, in conflict with Chinese students over differing views on Hong Kong’s unrest.
Korean students have found themselves at the centre of a political storm, in conflict with Chinese students over differing views on Hong Kong’s unrest.
Images of tear gas-filled protests at Chinese University going viral alongside photos of the 1987 movement against strongman Chun Doo-hwan.
Images of tear gas-filled protests at Chinese University going viral alongside photos of the 1987 movement against strongman Chun Doo-hwan.
Alfred Babin was among a little known group of soldiers who fought for Hong Kong and spent years in a Japanese prisoner camp. His son says these 1,975 Canadians deserve greater recognition.
Alfred Babin was among a little known group of soldiers who fought for Hong Kong and spent years in a Japanese prisoner camp. His son says these 1,975 Canadians deserve greater recognition.
The movie has shed light on the struggles of women in the country’s deeply patriarchal and conservative society. It has also exposed a chasm in perspectives between the genders that is proving too much for some romances to bear.
The movie has shed light on the struggles of women in the country’s deeply patriarchal and conservative society. It has also exposed a chasm in perspectives between the genders that is proving too much for some romances to bear.
The death of Alexander Urtula, whose South Korean girlfriend sent him thousands of abusive text messages, should force a rethink of laws and attitudes to social media and gender-based bullying, experts say.
The death of Alexander Urtula, whose South Korean girlfriend sent him thousands of abusive text messages, should force a rethink of laws and attitudes to social media and gender-based bullying, experts say.
The Canadian leader has kept relatively quiet regarding the Hong Kong protests, but campaigners hope that will change now the election is behind him. Others say he is unlikely to risk jeopardising trade with Beijing.
The Canadian leader has kept relatively quiet regarding the Hong Kong protests, but campaigners hope that will change now the election is behind him. Others say he is unlikely to risk jeopardising trade with Beijing.
A growing number of lonely hearts are tapping into genetic testing in their search for a soulmate. Some governments see it as a fix for low birth rates, but experts warn that the science is far from conclusive.
A growing number of lonely hearts are tapping into genetic testing in their search for a soulmate. Some governments see it as a fix for low birth rates, but experts warn that the science is far from conclusive.
Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will need to partner with smaller parties to govern after he won a second term in national elections that resulted in his government reduced to a minority.
Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will need to partner with smaller parties to govern after he won a second term in national elections that resulted in his government reduced to a minority.
Kate Middleton stayed the right side of respectful with her shalwar kameez in Pakistan, while Trudeau crossed the boundaries of taste with his turban in India.
Kate Middleton stayed the right side of respectful with her shalwar kameez in Pakistan, while Trudeau crossed the boundaries of taste with his turban in India.
A boycott of Japanese goods poses a dilemma for Korean fans of brands like Uniqlo and Muji. Some pretend to support the boycott while getting their fix another way – even if it means flying to Tokyo for a T-shirt.
A boycott of Japanese goods poses a dilemma for Korean fans of brands like Uniqlo and Muji. Some pretend to support the boycott while getting their fix another way – even if it means flying to Tokyo for a T-shirt.
With the main parties neck and neck, the Conservative leader raises the issue in an appeal to both expats and the Chinese diaspora. It is a high-stakes gamble that risks alienating as many voters as it attracts
With the main parties neck and neck, the Conservative leader raises the issue in an appeal to both expats and the Chinese diaspora. It is a high-stakes gamble that risks alienating as many voters as it attracts
The likes of Saudi Arabia also saw an upswing in travellers from the mainland – but overall fewer Chinese tourists went abroad this year, with a 15 per cent drop from 2018 attributed to more opting to visit local historical sites.
The likes of Saudi Arabia also saw an upswing in travellers from the mainland – but overall fewer Chinese tourists went abroad this year, with a 15 per cent drop from 2018 attributed to more opting to visit local historical sites.
Despite Prime Minister Abe’s plan to see 10 Japanese universities in the world’s top 100, rankings have slipped since 2013 – as a result, experts say, of a lack of English-language innovation, university funding and internationalisation
Despite Prime Minister Abe’s plan to see 10 Japanese universities in the world’s top 100, rankings have slipped since 2013 – as a result, experts say, of a lack of English-language innovation, university funding and internationalisation
Tight accommodation is a harsh reality for many residents of Asian cities where population density is high. Four tiny home dwellers offer their thoughts on living small.
Tight accommodation is a harsh reality for many residents of Asian cities where population density is high. Four tiny home dwellers offer their thoughts on living small.
If you thought your Hong Kong flat was small, would you live in a 100 sq ft hut in a forest? Believe it or not, a growing number of millennials are choosing to do so as part of the ‘tiny house movement’.
If you thought your Hong Kong flat was small, would you live in a 100 sq ft hut in a forest? Believe it or not, a growing number of millennials are choosing to do so as part of the ‘tiny house movement’.
Observers said the decision to move the Mnet Asian Music Awards away from Hong Kong showed the costs from potential disruptions and safety issues were more concerning than the bilateral row between Seoul and Tokyo.
Observers said the decision to move the Mnet Asian Music Awards away from Hong Kong showed the costs from potential disruptions and safety issues were more concerning than the bilateral row between Seoul and Tokyo.
A handful of local and foreign companies are seeing opportunities in catering to increased demand from Hongkongers for overseas property and migration services.
A handful of local and foreign companies are seeing opportunities in catering to increased demand from Hongkongers for overseas property and migration services.
Park, popularly known as Micky, has been told to pay the woman more than US$80,000. She is one of four women to have made sexual assault claims against the troubled star.
Park, popularly known as Micky, has been told to pay the woman more than US$80,000. She is one of four women to have made sexual assault claims against the troubled star.
Eatery that decorated its walls with a North Korean flag and propaganda-style messages such as ‘more alcohol for the comrades!’ is being probed by local police on suspicion of breaching the national security act.
Eatery that decorated its walls with a North Korean flag and propaganda-style messages such as ‘more alcohol for the comrades!’ is being probed by local police on suspicion of breaching the national security act.
Experts and fans say it captures the lives of overseas Filipino workers, who finally feel seen after often being regarded as invisible in their daily jobs.
Experts and fans say it captures the lives of overseas Filipino workers, who finally feel seen after often being regarded as invisible in their daily jobs.
Panda twins born in Berlin’s zoo have sparked a national debate on China and panda diplomacy in Germany, with calls to name them Hong and Kong in recognition of the ongoing protests in the city.
Panda twins born in Berlin’s zoo have sparked a national debate on China and panda diplomacy in Germany, with calls to name them Hong and Kong in recognition of the ongoing protests in the city.
Protesters in Hong Kong may have been scathing about the chief executive’s attempt to appease the public, but regional leaders have been a little more supportive
Protesters in Hong Kong may have been scathing about the chief executive’s attempt to appease the public, but regional leaders have been a little more supportive
From brawls over the Hong Kong protests to division over Tibet and Xinjiang’s Uygurs, political debate among Chinese students at Western universities has made headlines over the years. Here are six examples.
From brawls over the Hong Kong protests to division over Tibet and Xinjiang’s Uygurs, political debate among Chinese students at Western universities has made headlines over the years. Here are six examples.
Campus confrontations have erupted from Canada to New Zealand as mainland Chinese students react, sometimes violently, to public scrutiny of Beijing’s policies.
Campus confrontations have erupted from Canada to New Zealand as mainland Chinese students react, sometimes violently, to public scrutiny of Beijing’s policies.
In Japan, though, Ronaldo may have gained some new fans who welcomed his decision to remain on the bench as an act of support for their country.
In Japan, though, Ronaldo may have gained some new fans who welcomed his decision to remain on the bench as an act of support for their country.
As calls for Koreans to boycott Japanese goods continue over Tokyo’s export curbs, the country’s car owners have found their vehicles being subject to so-called kimchi terrorism, as angry passers-by hurl the fermented foodstuff.
As calls for Koreans to boycott Japanese goods continue over Tokyo’s export curbs, the country’s car owners have found their vehicles being subject to so-called kimchi terrorism, as angry passers-by hurl the fermented foodstuff.
Some Japanese in South Korea are wary of discrimination but Zainichi or ethnic Koreans in Japan say xenophobia is an everyday reality.
Some Japanese in South Korea are wary of discrimination but Zainichi or ethnic Koreans in Japan say xenophobia is an everyday reality.
Many South Koreans have vowed to boycott Japanese products – but in a globalised world, pinning down where something comes from can be easier said than done.
Many South Koreans have vowed to boycott Japanese products – but in a globalised world, pinning down where something comes from can be easier said than done.
RELATED TAGS
Products & Services
Our Sites
Copyright © 2019 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.