Asia Rising

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...

Japan has had a re-energised approach to the global stage under the leadership of Prime Minister Shinzō Abe, so how has this altered its relationship with its neighbours and the power balance in the region? Professor Nick Bisley (Executive Director of La Trobe Asia) and Dr David Envall (Convenor, Department of International Relations, Australian National University) discuss Japan’s increasing acti...

Hong Kong is currently experiencing protests caused by public disagreements over changes to how the Chief Executive of Hong Kong will be selected. In this episode of Asia Rising, Professor Nick Bisley (La Trobe Asia, La Trobe University) speaks to Dr James Leibold (Senior Lecturer, Chinese Politics and Asian Studies, La Trobe University) look at the development of the popular protests in Hong Kong...

During his first year of office, Prime Minister Tony Abbott has conducted a surprisingly energetic and focused foreign policy. He's visited a number of countries in the Asian region and furthered Australia's interests by signing fair trade agreements with Japan and South Korea, as well as making progress in relationships with both China and India. In this episode of Asia Rising, Professor Nick Bis...

On the 22nd May 2014 the Royal Thai Armed forces led by General Prayuth Chan-ocha launched a coup against the democratically elected government government, dissolved the senate and stabled a Junta to govern the nation. Since that time there’s been a clampdown on freedom of speech and expression, there’s a curfew in place, and while a return to democracy is promised there’s uncertainty as to when t...

Narendra Modi won a landslide victory with the BJP in the 2014 Indian election, but what kind of government will India have, and how will it play out on the global stage? Professor Nick Bisley (Executive Director of La Trobe Asia) and Dr Ian Woolford (Head of Hindi and South Asian Studies, La Trobe University) present a wrap-up of the Indian election. Nick Bisley on Twitter: www.twitter.com/NickBi...

A recent report on human rights violations in North Korea outlined a well-known but persistent problem, but there is little indication as to how it can be used beyond a catalog of evidence. Professor Nick Bisley (Executive Director of La Trobe Asia) and Dr Benjamin Habib (Politics and International Relations, La Trobe University) present an update on North Korea, looking at human rights issues and...