Asia Rising

The major political parties have joined together to convince us that asylum seekers must be prevented from coming to Australia. However, they have not explained why asylum seekers attempt to come to Australia in the first place or what the consequences of Australia's deterrence policies might be for asylum seekers and countries in the region. At this forum Mary Anne Kenny (an Australian lawyer) ha...

The Indian Ocean is often thought of with a post World War II context, but it's had a long history prior to this when empires in the area struggled for dominance. Assoc. Professor Andrew Phillips (Reader in International Relations and Strategy, University of Queensland) talks to Professor Nick Bisley (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia) about the early growth of empire and the beginning of European...

In 2014 after judicial reforms China decided local trials will be held in several locations, on being the Guizhou Povince. The Hon. Sun Chao (President and Chief Justice of the Guizhou High Court) delivers a lecture on the progress of these reforms, intended to uphold efficiency, fairness and justice as the fundamental principles underpinning the Chinese judiciary. Translated by Professor Jianfu C...

Jo Hong-ju (Republic of Korea's Consul-General to Victoria) presents a South Korean perspective of inter-korean politics, and the fundemental divide between north and south. A “Contemporary Politics in Northeast Asia” lecture from the La Trobe University Department of Politics and Philosophy and La Trobe Asia. Introduced by Dr Benjamin Habib, (Lecturer in international relations, La Trobe Universi...

North Korea is vulnerable to climate change, and experiences problems of food insecurity. It has an active relationship with the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), brought on largely by a strong incentives program. Dr Benjamin Habib (International Relations, La Trobe University) speaks to Matt Smith North Korea’s climate change efforts and compliance with the UNFCCC, and explains...

How much does the ordinary Chinese person know and understand about Australia? Li Jianjun (Director of the Australian Studies Centre at Beijing Foreign Studies University and Secretary-General of the National Association of Australian Studies in China) talks about his research into the Chinese knowledge of Australia, looking at politics, culture, environment, immigration and Aboriginal issues.

With the 70th anniversary of World War II fast approaching in the Asian region, there will be a vastly different take on how the event is celebrated, particularly the Chinese independence from Japan. Professor Nick Bisley (Director of La Trobe Asia) speaks to Matt Smith about what to expect from both China and Japan, and how the rest of the world will view the events. Nick Bisley on Twitter: www.t...

East Timor is a country with a young democracy under threat from internal conflict, and it is still struggling to assert itself after years of political turmoil. Dr Jasmine-Kim Westendorf (Lecturer in International Relations, La Trobe University) speaks to Professor Nick Bisley (Director of La Trobe Asia) about the dominant forces at work in East Timor and the news the rest of the world never hear...

Australia has made refugee and asylum seeker issues a cornerstone of their political debate and excessive lengths have been taken to prevent asylum seekers from reaching Australia by boat. Julian Burnside (Barrister and human rights advocate) speaks to host Matt Smith about Australia's perceived asylum seeker problem and how there might be a better solution. Julian Burnside on Twitter: www.twitter...

The population of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands have emigrated far, from Indonesia to Western Australia, but have maintained a strong community and bartered goods through the use of Facebook. In this episode of Asia Rising, Dr Nicholas Herriman (Anthropology, La Trobe University) speaks to host Matt Smith about the Cocos (Keeling) Island community and gift-giving. You can follow Nicholas Herriman on...

A number of high profile incidents have highlighted the contested territory of the South China Seas, most provocatively China's significant land reclamation and construction activties. In this episode of Asia Rising, Linda Jakobson (Founding Director of China Matters) talks to Professor Nick Bisley (La Trobe Asia, La Trobe University) about China's controversial activities in the east and south ch...

After the first year of government Narendra Modi has been presented with a number of challenges, both from within his own party and on a national and international stage. In this episode of Asia Rising, Dr Ian Hall (School of Government and International Relations, Griffith University) talks to Professor Nick Bisley (La Trobe Asia, La Trobe University) about Modi's first year as Prime Minister of...

After years of civil unrest, will Nepal's struggling democracy survive the recent earthquake? In this episode of Asia Rising, Dr Jasmine-Kim Westendorf (International Relations, La Trobe University) talks to Professor Nick Bisley (La Trobe Asia, La Trobe University) about Nepal's long road to democracy and future challenges. Nick Bisley on Twitter: www.twitter.com/nickbisley Jasmine-Kim Westendorf...

When Joko Widido won the 2014 Indonesian election with a significant popular mandate there was high expectations of the change he would bring to the office. In this episode of Asia Rising, Dr David McCrae (Asia Institute, University of Melbourne) talks to Professor Nick Bisley (La Trobe Asia, La Trobe University) about the effectiveness and difficulties facing Widodo's government. Twitter: David M...

The imminent execution of two Australians by Indonesia due to drug related offenses has put a strain on relationships between the two countries, and presents challenges for the leadership of both Joko Widodo and Tony Abbott. In this episode of Asia Rising, Dr David McCrae (Asia Institute, University of Melbourne) talks to Professor Nick Bisley (La Trobe Asia, La Trobe University) about the diploma...

Regional authorities outlawed Islamic veils from all public spaces in the regional capital of China’s Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region. Professor Nick Bisley (La Trobe Asia, La Trobe University) speaks to Dr James Leibold (Senior Lecturer, Chinese Politics and Asian Studies, La Trobe University) about the provocation and likelihood of this ban succeeding. Follow Nick Bisley on Twitter: www.twitte...

How did Japan’s recent election play out for Shinzo Abe, and what can the country expect from his next term? Professor Nick Bisley (La Trobe Asia) and Assistant Professor Christopher Hobson (School of Political Science and Economics, Waseda University) discuss Japanese politics and the Fukushima disaster. You can follow both speakers on Twitter: Nick Bisley: www.twitter.com/nickbisley Chris Hobson...

Recent incidents involving surrogacy in Asian countries have shed light on a growing trend. Prospective parents are traveling to Asian countries with lower costs and less stringent laws, to engage the services of surrogate parents. Discussing this issue is a panel of experts: Professor Jenni Millbank, University of Technology, Sydney Associate Professor Andrea Whittaker, ARC Future Fellow in Anthr...

A look at the big events in Asia in the year 2014 - the elections of Modi in India and Jokowai in Indonesia, to the military coup of Thailand, the popular protests in Hong Kong, the tension in the East China Sea and the dominance of the Chinese economy. Nick Bisley on Twitter: www.twitter.com/nickbisley Theme music: Asian Wonders by Butterfly Tea

On 22 July Joko Widodo was formally announced as the winner of Indonesia’s closely fought presidential election. Dr Dirk Tomsa (Politics and International Relations at La Trobe University) and Dr David McRae, (Asia Institute, University of Melbourne) present this lecture on how and why Jokowi won, what kind of president he is likely to become, what his policy priorities are likely to be and what k...

With Indian Prime Minister Narenda Modi proving to be a big hit in Australia during the G20, Professor Nick Bisley (Excutive Director, La Trobe Asia) and Dr Ian Hall (Department of International Relations, ANU) take a look at his relationship with Australia and the impact he's making on the world stage. Follow on Twitter Nick Bisley: http://www.twitter.com/nickbisley Ian Hall: http://www.twitter.c...

North Korea is one of the region’s most enigmatic states. It is one of the poorest states in Asia, yet is well on its way to developing a nuclear weapon. It has long sought isolation from the outside world, yet it is opening up more special economic zones. And its cult of personality around the Kim family dynasty seems at times almost a self-parody. Dr Benjamin Habib (Politics and International Re...

In 2014 Asia’s two biggest democracies, India and Indonesia, go to the polls to elect new governments. Both countries look destined for major political change, with potentially far-reaching consequences for domestic and international politics. In India, the leader of Gujarat, Narendra Modi, has emerged as a front runner in the polls, but the nature of the coalition he would need to form to take po...

Tensions between China and Japan have ratcheted up in recent years, to the point where their territorial dispute over islands in the East China Sea is seen as among the region’s most dangerous flashpoints. Professor Nick Bisley (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia) explains that insufficient attention has been given to the potential ramifications for Australia of conflict in the East China Sea, part...

Will China be able to sustain the economic growth rates of the past decade? Dr Geoff Raby (former Australian Ambassador to China) on the impact of the wide ranging reform program launched by Xi Jinping on China's economy and society, and the implications for Australia. Introduced by Nick Bisley (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia, La Trobe University) You can follow Nick Bisley on Twitter: www.twit...