Asia Specific

Asia Pacific - unpacked by those who know it best. Bringing you essential insights and conversations on the stories shaping the region.

World Service,59 episodes

Episodes

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South Korea’s stock boom
How AI is fuelling the biggest domestic stock market rally in the world
02 Jun 2026,19 mins
Asia’s 'irrelevant' uni degree question
A push in Indonesia to dump "irrelevant" university degrees sparks debate
29 May 2026,18 mins
The US-China robotaxi race
Which country will dominate driverless cars - the US or China?
26 May 2026,21 mins
The Philippines beauty pageant controversy
The US-born Miss Universe Philippines has defended her right to represent the country.
22 May 2026,18 mins
Why North Korea became a women's football powerhouse
North Korea’s women footballers head to the South amid political tension
19 May 2026,19 mins
Bali’s rubbish crisis
Bali faces mounting waste problems as tourism surges and landfill rules change
15 May 2026,17 mins
The US-China problem
Why US-China misconceptions are shaping global tensions
12 May 2026,22 mins
Is India’s internet becoming more like China’s?
India is proposing tighter new rules that could impact influencers and online creators
08 May 2026,19 mins
Can China reverse a billion-dollar tech deal?
China halts Meta’s Manus takeover, marking a turning point in the US-China tech rivalry
06 May 2026,22 mins
New Zealand and India’s trade deal row
The free trade agreement means bringing in more skilled migrants, sparking backlash
01 May 2026,21 mins
Can Vietnam still reach its growth target?
The country’s economy is under pressure, with manufacturers hit by the oil shock
28 Apr 2026,21 mins
Japan’s megaquake threat
How prepared is Japan for a major earthquake?
24 Apr 2026,20 mins
Indonesia’s US airspace deal risks China ties
What would a deal with the US military mean for Indonesia’s ties to China?
21 Apr 2026,18 mins
Who’s winning the EV race?
Is the energy crisis accelerating a shift in Asia to electric vehicles beyond China?
17 Apr 2026,21 mins
Thailand’s complicated relationship with tourism
How the oil shock is affecting Thailand’s Songkran celebrations
14 Apr 2026,18 mins
Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs, one year on
How have US tariffs changed trade in Asia?
10 Apr 2026,22 mins
Bonus: What an Iran US ceasefire means for Asia
Donald Trump believes China helped push Iran towards a ceasefire
08 Apr 2026,12 mins
Who is leading the race to the Moon?
The US and China are both planning lunar missions. Why does it matter?
07 Apr 2026,18 mins
Is Australia seeing an immigration backlash?
Could the populist One Nation party become Australia’s main opposition?
31 Mar 2026,22 mins
The billion dollar return of K-pop kings BTS
Can South Korea’s biggest boyband BTS still dominate K-pop after four years off?
28 Mar 2026,19 mins
South East Asia’s oil shortage fears
Why has the Iran war left the region’s oil supply so exposed?
25 Mar 2026,23 mins
What message does the Iran war send to Asia’s nuclear powers?
Will North Korea and China rethink their weapons programme after the attacks on Iran?
18 Mar 2026,18 mins
The US-China crypto split
Why do the superpowers of US and China see cryptocurrency so differently?
14 Mar 2026,16 mins
Can China’s economy survive global shocks?
China’s growth is slowing as the US-Israel war with Iran jolts the world economy
11 Mar 2026,20 mins
Is AI threatening Japan’s manga industry?
Creators of Japan’s popular manga comics see both threat and opportunity in AI
07 Mar 2026,13 mins
China warns against ‘law of the jungle’ after US-Israeli strikes on Iran
China condemns US actions in Iran, but will support for Tehran go beyond rhetoric?
02 Mar 2026,14 mins
The boom in queer romance shows
How same-sex romance dramas have moved into mainstream pop culture in Asia
28 Feb 2026,17 mins
Marcos v Duterte: The family feud shaking the Philippines
Sara Duterte announces bid for the top job in a deepening family dynasty political battle
25 Feb 2026,18 mins
Inside Singapore’s war on vapes
Why Singapore is going all out on its campaign against vaping
21 Feb 2026,18 mins
Bonus: South Korea’s former leader convicted for insurrection
Will a life sentence for South Korea’s ex-president Yoon Suk Yeol end divisions?
19 Feb 2026,11 mins