The Ganges River, a lifeline for millions and one of the most significant and sacred rivers in the world, faces a multitude of seemingly intractable environmental challenges. One of the most innovative ways of both researching and shifting attitudes on the Ganges is through Citizen Science, bringing scientists and communities together to learn more about the world around them. Guests: Dr Prem Kurup (Science Education, La Trobe University) Anjali Yadav (PhD Candidate, La Trobe University and IIT Kanpur) Host: Assoc. Professor Ruth Gamble (Deputy Director, La Trobe Asia) Recorded on 17th October, 2024.

For centuries the western world has enjoyed an outsized global influence, but is that time coming to an end? In demographic, economic, military and cultural terms, we are hurtling into a far more diverse global future. Guest: Dr Samir Putri (Former UK diplomat, visiting lecturer at the Department of War Studies at the Kings College London) Samir's book: Westlessness: The Great Global Rebalancing Recorded 10th September, 2024.

Large numbers of people in Southeast Asia seek opportunities to improve their lives either within or outside their home country. While there are many positive benefits, the risk of exploitation is high. Many find themselves deceived or coerced into situations where they are abused and forced to live and work in poor conditions with little or no pay. Some are forced into sex work or marriages against their will, while others fall prey to the illicit organ trade. How can we better understand what makes people vulnerable to human trafficking? What can governments and organisations be doing to better support victims and confront the causes? What roles can researchers play in helping answer these questions? Speakers: - Assoc. Professor Lisa Denney (Acting Director, Centre for Human Security and Social Change, La Trobe University) - Assoc. Professor Sallie Yea (Tracey Banivanua-Mar Fellow, La Trobe University) - Dr Elisabeth Jackson (Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Human Security and Social Change, La Trobe University) - Professor Bec Strating (Director, La Trobe Asia) (Chair) A La Trobe Asia and Centre for Human Security and Social Change event.

The West has always had an outsized influence in the world, but what if this trend is changing? The post cold-war era U.S. and European countries, which represent the foundational pillars of the Western system, have seen their power diminish. Shifts in demographics, economics, military, and cultural terms are indicating a more diverse global future. Wealth is moving from the West to the East, and nations such as India and Indonesia are set to reach new heights of growth and confidence. Is the West prepared for a more diverse global future? The Melbourne launch of Westlessness: The Great Global Rebalancing by Samir Puri. Speakers: Dr Samir Puri (Visiting Lecturer, Department of War Studies, Kings College London) Professor Nick Bisley (Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, La Trobe University) Professor Bec Strating (Director, La Trobe Asia)(Chair) Recorded 9th September, 2024

In recent years Australia has drawn closer to many of its Asia-Pacific neighbours, but when push comes to shove, it continues to look well beyond the oceans and regions that surround it to the distant horizons of Europe and North America for its ultimate security guarantee'. But is there another way Australia should understand its strategic challenges and find lasting security? Girt by Sea: Re-Imagining Australia's Security by Rebecca Strating and Joanne Wallis is published by La Trobe University Press. Guest: Professor Rebecca Strating (Director, La Trobe Asia) Recorded on 15th August 2024.

The catastrophic attacks of 9/11 led to successful US-led military effort to overthrow the Taliban regime and dismantle al-Qaeda’s terrorism training camps in Afghanistan. Britain took the lead in creating the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) to stabilise the country and support the new government. Why did the ISAF mission fail, and what are the wider lessons from the Afghanistan war for security in the Asia-Pacific. Guest: Professor Theo Farrell (Vice-Chancellor, La Trobe University) Author of Unwinnable: Britain’s War in Afghanistan published by Penguin Books. Recorded 22nd July, 2024.

On September 15 2021 Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the agreement of both the US and the UK to supply Australia with nuclear-powered submarines. Following its election in 2022 the government of Anthony Albanese made clear that that AUKUS was supported by Labor. Is there now any significant difference between the defence policies of the Coalition and Labor? What exactly are the motives of the three governments involved in the AUKUS agreement--the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia? Speakers: Emeritus Professor Hugh White AO (Strategic and Defence Studies Centre, Australian National University) Professor Peter Dean (Foreign Policy and Defence, United States Studies Centre, University of Sydney) Professor Bec Strating (Director, La Trobe Asia) (Chair) Professor Theo Farrell (Vice Chancellor, La Trobe University) Recorded on 16th July, 2024.

Taiwan recently saw a peaceful transition of power with the inauguration of President Lai Ching-Te, who was elected to office in January. President Lai’s election continues the pro-democracy stance of Taiwan, and in his inaugural speech he called on neighbouring China to cease its acts of intimidation and to “choose dialogue over confrontation.” China responded by holding a simulated blockade of Taiwan, complete with imagery boasting its ability to reign missiles down on the island. Guest: Kevin Magee (Former Australian Representative to Taiwan) Recorded on 19th June, 2024.

The world’s largest display of democracy has just taken place, with close to a billion people eligible to vote in an election across 44 days. Narendra Modi has been sworn in for a rare third term as India’s Prime Minister, after emerging victorious in a tough election with a slim majority. His party, the BJP, had hoped for a landslide victory, but needed to rely on a coalition to gain power. Guest: Associate Professor Priya Chako ( International Politics, University of Adelaide) Recorded on 19th June, 2024.

More than a billion people across Asia have voted so far in 2024, in elections in India, Indonesia, South Korea, Taiwan and more, but outside of the main results the electoral processes and implications for democracy rarely attracted international headlines. While voting is a key expression of democratic participation, during elections democratic ideals can be challenged. Many of these elections will have repercussions not just for citizens within these countries and the Asian region, but also for the quality of democracy and human rights across the globe. What can we learn from these elections in Asia? What can we expect from these countries and the leadership styles they represent? Is democracy healthy in Asia? Speakers: Kevin Magee AO (Former Australian Representative to Taiwan) Dr Priya Chacko (Associate Professor of International Politics, University of Adelaide) Professor Vedi Hadiz (Director and Professor of Asian Studies at the Asia Institute, University of Melbourne) Dr Ruth Gamble (Senior Lecturer in History and Deputy Director of La Trobe Asia, La Trobe University) - Chair Recorded 19th June, 2024.

There’s a theory that’s discussed in many circles of international relations: have we reached peak China? In a post-pandemic age in which it is struggling with development, confronted with an aging population, and a slowing economy, is China on the decline? Guest: Professor Evan Medeiros (Penner Family Chair in Asian Studies, Georgetown University) Recorded 28th May, 2024.

Slavery remains a problem in many countries across Asia, and the understanding of what makes a person vulnerable to this kind of exploitation continues to evolve. When it comes to disability, the links are less understood, and more research is needed to understand the barriers survivors with disabilities face when accessing remedies, justice and support. The report: Exploring the intersection between disability and trafficking in persons www.aseanact.org/resources/tip-disability/ Guest: Dr Elisabeth Jackson (Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Human Security and Social Change, La Trobe University). Recorded on 13th May, 2024.

Australia has drawn closer to many of its Asia-Pacific neighbours in recent years, but 'when push comes to shove, it continues to look well beyond the oceans and regions that surround it to the distant horizons of Europe and North America for its ultimate security guarantee'. In Girt by Sea, international-relations experts Rebecca Strating and Joanne Wallis instead turn their gazes to Australia's near region, focusing on the six maritime domains central to its national interests: the north seas (the Timor, Arafura and Coral Seas and the Torres Strait), the Western Pacific, the South China Sea, the South Pacific, the Indian Ocean and the Southern Ocean. In so doing, they reimagine how Australia should understand its strategic challenges and find lasting security. Speakers: - Bec Strating (Professor of International Relations, La Trobe University, Director of La Trobe Asia) - Joanne Wallis (Professor of International Security, University of Adelaide) - Ali Moore (ABC Radio 774) Held on 15th May, 2024 at Readings Bookshop, Carlton.

In 2004 Indonesia enacted the Anti-Domestic Violence Law in what has been widely acknowledged as a progressive move, and a major achievement for the women’s rights groups who advocated for it. Despite the law being in effect for 20 years, domestic violence in Indonesia remains a persistent issue. Guest: Dr Balawyn Jones (Lecturer and Bendigo Law Convenor, La Trobe Law School, La Trobe University). Recorded on 1st March, 2024.

In 2004 Indonesia enacted the Anti-Domestic Violence Law in what has been widely acknowledged as a progressive move, and a major achievement for the women’s rights groups who advocated for it. Despite the law being in effect for 20 years, domestic violence in Indonesia remains a persistent issue. Guest: Dr Balawyn Jones (Lecturer and Bendigo Law Convenor, La Trobe Law School, La Trobe University). Recorded on 1st March, 2024.

In 2021 a new alliance between the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom was announced. Dubbed the AUKUS agreement, the centrepiece of the plan was for the United States to build Australia new nuclear submarines, to replace its aging fleet. Now almost three years later, the plan has evolved, and with it, inevitably has the budget expectations and the criticisms. Guest: Professor Peter Dean (Director of Foreign Policy and Defence, United States Studies Centre, University of Sydney) Recorded 28th March, 2024.

Oceans are an important resource for every country and are essential for travel and trade, but there are several critical issues facing maritime order in Asia. A lack of a shared vision, differing interpretations of maritime order, and cooperation over security issues all create friction for use of shared waterways across Asia, which makes fair and equitable access vital. How can Asian states and allies strengthen dialogue, interactions, and coordination to maximise the impact of their efforts in upholding regional and maritime order? Speakers: - Professor Bec Strating (Director, La Trobe Asia) - Professor Alessio Patalano (Department of War Studies, Kings College London) - Professor Kyoko Hatakeyama (Graduate School of International Studies and Regional Development, University of Niigata Prefecture) - Professor Nick Bisley (Chair) (Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, La Trobe University) - With an introduction from La Trobe University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Theo Farrell. The launch of Issue 10 of the La Trobe Asia Brief. Event recorded on 11th April, 2024. This public panel will present research from a collaborative project between La Trobe Asia, Kyushu University and King’s College London. It has received grant funding from the Australia-Japan Foundation of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the United Kingdom Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office.

North Korea is an isolated and secretive country, long restricted by sanctions, and getting an accurate picture of its economy can be a challenge. So what can we know about its economic condition? Guest: Dr Chiew Ping Hoo (Senior Fellow, East Asia and International Relations (EAIR) Caucus, Malaysia) Recorded 6th March, 2024.

Indonesia has had a national election, and the likely next president is Prabowo Subianto, a leader with a checkered past. Prabowo served as Jokowi’s defense minister and gained his backing for this election, even naming Jokowi’s son as his VP running mate. Given his background, there are many who are carefully watching the decisions he will make in foreign affairs. Guest: Dr Lina Alexandra (Head of International Relations at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) based in Jakarta). Recorded 6th March, 2024.

La Trobe Asia is proud to partner with the Australian Government to deliver the 2024 ASEAN-Australia Special Summit: Maritime Cooperation Forum. The Forum will address the Blue Economy and maritime cooperation, as well as perspectives on regional maritime challenges and opportunities. This special keynote address is delivered by Senator the Hon Penny Wong, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australia, and the Honourable Enrique A. Manalo, Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Republic of the Philippines. It was introduced by convenor Professor Bec Strating, Director of La Trobe Asia. Held on 4th March, 2024.

The maritime region is becoming increasingly contested, particularly in Southeast Asia. From tensions rising in the South China Sea, grey zone issues, challenges to international law, and environmental issues such as sea level rise and overfishing, maritime security is important for Indo-Pacific security. As Melbourne hosts the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit, this event will provide insights into maritime security issues in Australia and Southeast Asia and explore opportunities for collaboration and cooperation. Speakers: • Dr Chiew-Ping Hoo (Senior Fellow, East Asian International Relations Caucus) • Dr Ruji Auethavornpipat (Lecturer, La Trobe University) • Jennifer Parker (Expert Associate, National Security College, Australian National University) • Professor Bec Strating (Director, La Trobe Asia) • Melissa Conley Tyler (chair) (Executive Director, Asia-Pacific Development, Diplomacy & Defence Dialogue (AP4D)) Held on 6 March, 2024.

Taiwan has held a presidential election, and the Democratic Progressive Party has won a third term, with current vice-president Lai Chinge-Te succeeding Tsai Ing-Wen later this year. And while his victory is seen as one of continuing democratic values on the island, Lai will need to rely on his political opponents to govern, and that’s without mentioning the China-sized problem across the Taiwan strait. Guest: Professor Bec Strating (Director, La Trobe Asia, La Trobe University) Recorded on 29th January, 2024.

In the decade since Xi Jinping became China's top leader, he has centralised decision-making powers, encouraged a cult of personality around himself, and moved toward indefinite rule by scrapping presidential term limits--stirring fears of a return to a Mao-style dictatorship. Today the influence of China and Xi Jinping are felt around the world, challenging Western pre-eminence in global affairs and casting its authoritarian system as a model of governance worthy of international emulation. Guest: Chun Han Wong of (Journalist, Wall Street Journal and author of Party of One: The Rise of Xi Jinping and China's Superpower Future) Recorded on 1st December, 2023.

The United Nations has long been seen as an organisation of international cooperation, and every country tries to use it to legitimise their actions and views on a global stage. Perhaps none is more successful than this and influential than China. Guest: Assoc. Professor Courtney Fung (Security Studies & Criminology, Macquarie University and Scholar in residence, Asia Society Australia). Recorded on 7th December, 2023.

India has a population of 1.4 billion to support, and there is one basic commodity that every one of those citizens needs: water. But with only 4% of the world’s fresh water resources and demands of industry and agriculture to contend with, it is fair to assume that clean, usable water is going to be in high demand. Guest: Ambika Vishwanath (Co-founder of the Kubernein Initiative) Recorded on 24 November, 2024.

With its densely populated cities, low-lying islands, and melting glaciers, Asia is a region vulnerable to the impact of climate change. Extreme heat, weather disasters and the rising sea level could lead to mass flooding, landslides and drought, impacting millions. While governments across developing Asia have made ambitious climate pledges, there remains substantial scope for expansion, and the region stands to gain many benefits from decisive action. How is climate change going to affect the region in the decade to come? What efforts are being made to increase regional climate resilience? What is Australia’s role in preserving its own regional environment and assisting its neighbours? Panel: - Ambika Vishwanath (Co-Founder & Director, Kubernein Initiative) - Professor Lauren Rickards (Director, La Trobe Climate Change Adaptation Lab, La Trobe University) - Dr Ruth Gamble (Senior Lecturer & DECRA Fellow, Department of Archaeology and History, La Trobe University) - Associate Professor Bec Strating (Director, La Trobe Asia) (Chair) Held on 25 November, 2023.

Sarnath, in Uttar Pradesh, India, is the site of where Buddha delivered his first sermon, and a significant stop on the Buddhist pilgrimage trail. But long since overshadowed by local Hindu sites, it remains underdeveloped. Guest: Dr Kiran Shindi (Urban Planning, La Trobe University) Recorded 8th November, 2023.

In Australia, there is much public discussion about US-China relations, prospects of conflict involving Taiwan and implications for Australia’s security. It is only rarely, however, that these conversations involve Taiwanese voices. La Trobe University is honoured to host an exclusive panel discussion in which Foreign Minister of Taiwan Joseph Wu and Associate Professor Rebecca Strating of La Trobe Asia discuss Taiwan’s perspectives on key regional security issues and concerns to a global audience.

In 2020 China’s top legislature unanimously passed a new national security law for Hong Kong. Entered into force the same day. Vague and broad in its remit, it applies to everyone who is deemed a risk to national security, and has had wide implications to freedom and protest in Hong Kong, how the justice system works and how law can be applied. Guest: Dr Karen Lee (Senior lecturer, La Trobe Law School, La Trobe University) Recorded 5th September, 2023.

China’s activities in the Pacific have been the subject of increased media attention in Australia. Its vast resources exercised through trade and investment has bought both good will and influence, and a recent agreement with the Solomon Islands on policing cooperation intensified concern among Australian security watchers about its strategic ambitions in the Pacific region. But while Australia is showing concern, is China benefitting the Pacific Islands, and exposing the gaps in Australia’s support? The Melbourne launch of Divided Isles: Solomon Islands and the China Switch by Edward Cavanough. Published by La Trobe University Press. Panel: Edward Cavanough (CEO, The McKell Institute) Dr Dan Hu (Research Fellow, Centre for Contemporary Chinese Studies, University of Melbourne) Assoc Prof Bec Strating (Director, La Trobe Asia)

There’s a proven link between the benefits of sport programs within schools, not just through personal development but also community cohesion. In a country as linguistically and culturally diverse as India, implementing such programs can be a challenge. Guest: Dr Biju Philip (La Trobe Business School, 2023 La Trobe Asia Fellow). Recorded 5th September 2023.

In the past few years India's right-wing ruling BJP party has made efforts to change curriculum and censor textbooks in an attempt to deprioritise history that doesn't amplify their narrative - in particular centuries of India's Mughal history. Host: Dr Ruth Gamble (Senior Lecturer and DECRA Fellow, Archaeology and History, La Trobe University) Guest: Divya Rama Gopalakrishnan (History, La Trobe University) Recorded 7th July, 2023.

There has long been an associated benefit between sport and learning, as it develops communication, social and psychological benefits. In the context of India, it could be used as an active part of the curriculum, to encourage activity-based learning initiatives and improve the quality of school education. The prospect comes with challenges – India is a populous country, multilinguistic and culturally diverse. However, India is a sport loving nation, and sport has important roles to play in Indian society. This creates an opportunity for India to use sport as a tool to engage children and adults for increased social participation, livelihoods, development and community connections. A La Trobe Asia / Australia India Institute Event Panel: Dr Biju Philip (La Trobe Business School, La Trobe University) The Hon. Lisa Singh (CEO, Australia India Institute) Mr David Hussey (Head of Male Cricket, Cricket Victoria) Dr Greg Dingle (La Trobe Business School, La Trobe University) Chair: Associate Professor Bec Strating (Director, La Trobe Asia) Recorded on 28 July, 2023.

Along the coast of Hakata Bay in Fukuoka, Japan there is a 13th century wall, built by the local Samurai as defense against a Mongol invasion. Guest: Associate Professor Andrew Hall (Asian Studies, Kyushu University) Recorded 17 April, 2023.

This event explores Australia’s identity in Asia, and what it means for Australia to be in the Asia-Pacific region. Ten years since the ‘Australia in the Asian Century’ Foreign Policy White Paper, we reflect on Australia’s role and national identity in Asia. What does it mean for Australia to have an Asian Identity? What is Australia’s Asia Identity? What does it mean for Australia to be in Asia? How do we harness multiculturalism in policy making? Taking a policy and cultural perspective, this event will unpack Australian nationhood and grapple with Australia’s identity in Asia. Panel: Hon Tim Watts MP (Member for Gellibrand and Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs) Alice Pung OAM (Author) Dr Sabrina Gupta (Lecturer, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University) Associate Professor Bec Strating (Director - La Trobe Asia, La Trobe University) Held on 14th July, 2023.

When atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima in 1945, it led a few months later to the surrender of Japan, effectively ending World War 2. There were up to 150,000 casualties in the atomic blast, and the magnitude of the devastation has changed how the Japanese view war and how Hiroshima sees itself today. Guest: Associate Professor Luli van der Does (Director of the Center for Peace, Hiroshima University) Recorded on 19 April, 2023

In June 2022 Indonesian President Joko Widodo went first to the Ukraine, and later to Moscow, hand delivering a letter from President Zelensky to Vladimir Putin. His purpose, to quote, was to open a dialogue forum for peace, to build peace, because the war has to be stopped. Widodo’s carefully worded statement, about ending a war but not necessarily pointing fingers, is emblematic of Asia’s response to the Ukraine invasion, to the extent where a UN vote for sanctions against the Ukraine earned the muted response of most Asian counties abstaining from voting. Guest: Associate Professor Nobuhiro Aizawa (School of Social and Cultural Studies at Kyushu University). Recorded on 18th April, 2023.

A year has passed since a new Labor government took power after nine years occupying the opposition benches. Over this time, the new government has prioritised the deepening of genuine partnerships with states across Asia and the Pacific, particularly in its foreign policy narratives. At the same time, Australia has also made decisive moves in the name of national defence, by solidifying deals with old allies, developing a new strategy to confront current and future threats, and committed future governments to substantial increases in defence spending, including by advancing the previous government’s plan for nuclear powered submarines. How has the Albanese government positioned Australia’s foreign and defence policy in its first year of power? How is this approach similar and/or different from the previous government? Have relationships with states across Asia and the Pacific improved or deteriorated? And how do we know? Panel: Professor Peter Dean (Director, Foreign Policy and Defence, United States Studies Centre) Yun Jiang (AIIA China Matters Fellow) Kevin Magee (Former Ambassador and Policy Fellow, Australian National University) Associate Professor Bec Strating (Director, La Trobe Asia)(Chair) Recorded on 30 May 2023.

Japan is forbidden by their constitution to use force as a means of settling international disputes, or maintaining military forces with the potential of war. Japan relies heavily on the concept of defence, and how they define it has repercussions for the strategic safety of Japan and its international alliances. Guest: Professor Alessio Patalano (Department of War Studies , Kings College London) Recorded on 20 April 2023 in Japan on a trip funded by a grant from the Australia-Japan Foundation.

Japan has always had a tense relationship with China, but now due to both their geographic proximity and their close alliance with western countries, this tension is taking on new dimensions. Guest: Professor Chisako Masuo (Graduate School of Social and Cultural Studies, Kyushu University) Recorded 18 April, 2023.

Japan and Russia are geographically close, but have always had an uneasy relationship. Territorial disputes, strained diplomacy, and an unsigned war era peace treaty has amounted to strained bilateral ties, with little sign of easing. Guest: Professor James Brown (Politics, Temple University). Recorded 20 April, 2023.

Emerging leaders from Australia, Japan, India and the United States discuss key issues facing the 'Quad', and puts forward a strong case for the Quad working together on non-traditional security issues across the Indo-Pacific region. The next generation of Quad leaders view enhancing resilience against grey zone challenges, geoeconomics, outer spaces, critical technologies and human security as keys to unlocking the Quad’s potential. This challenges the Quad to deliver on public goods commitments to strengthen the free and open Indo-Pacific. This is the launch of the 8th issue of the La Trobe Asia Brief produced from the La Trobe Asia Emerging Leaders Program, funded and supported by the United States Embassy in Canberra. Panel: Patrick Saunders (Humanitarian Services, AMES Australia) Abhishek Sharma (Pacific Forum and University of Delhi) Eleanor Shiori Hughes (Non-resident Fellow, EconVue) Afeeya Akhand (Research Intern, Australian Strategic Policy Institute) Kate Clayton (Research Officer, La Trobe Asia, La Trobe University) (Chair) Recorded 3 May 2023.

What does it look like for Australia and Southeast Asia to develop a joint agenda for maritime security? Join La Trobe Asia, consortium lead for the Blue Security program, to launch the first paper in a series on Maritime Security in Southeast Asia. Blue Security is a collaboration between La Trobe Asia, Griffith Asia Institute (GAI), University of New South Wales Canberra (ADFA), University of Western Australia’s Defence and Security Institute (DSI) and the Asia-Pacific Development, Diplomacy and Defence Dialogue (AP4D). Panel: - Melissa Conley Tyler (Executive Director, Asia-Pacific Development, Defence & Diplomacy Dialogue) - Aristyo Rizka Darmawan (Lecturer, Universitas Indonesia) - Associate Professor Charmaine Misalucha-Willoughby (De La Salle University) - Associate Professor Bec Strating (Director - La Trobe Asia, La Trobe University) Recorded on April 26, 2023.

The message conveyed by global media can be a powerful one, useful in influencing public perception and shaping politics, local media and information environments. Controlling the media narrative, usually through influence or your own state-run outlets, is of great interest to China. The superpower is actively seeking to insert itself into many other countries’ elections, social media, media, and overall politics. Guest: Joshua Kurlantzick (Senior Fellow for Southeast Asia Council on Foreign Relations and author of Beijing's Global Media Offensive: China's Uneven Campaign To Influence Asia and the World) Recorded on February 16, 2023.

A recent UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report found global sea levels have been rising at an accelerated rate. For the small island nations of the Asia Pacific this is sobering news, but even for larger nations, lets take Indonesia, there are significant consequences. As an archipelagic state with more than 17,000 islands stretching over 80,000 kilometres of coastline, it should be alarmed by the implications. One issue is that your water territory, your exclusive economic zone (or EEZ) is measured as a distance from your coastline. And if your coastline changes, be it through rising sea levels or land reclamations, that has implications for you, your resources and your neighbours. Guest: Assistant Professor Tara Davenport (Deputy Director, Asia-Pacific Centre for Environmental Law, National University of Singapore). Recorded on 28th November, 2022.

There are around 170 Indigenous languages spoken in the Philippines, as well as speakers of English, Spanish and several Chinese languages. Most people are multilingual, with more than 90 percent of the population speaking one or more language. Guest: Professor Tuting Hernandez (Department of Linguistics, University of the Philippines) Recorded on 22 November 2022.

Australia’s relationships in and with Asia and the Pacific is a perennial feature of debates about its foreign and defence policy and how it projects its sense of identity on the world stage. In recent years Australia’s interaction with major powers have become much more complex. As Australia reconceptualises future directions in dealing with allies and neighbours, and its position in Asia and the Pacific more broadly, what lessons does history offer? What forces have influenced Australia’s role on the world stage both historically and today? What is the future direction of Australia’s foreign relations? How should we reposition what we know about Australia’s international relations and its Asia engagement for an increasingly contested future? This event is the Melbourne launch of the book Australia on the World Stage (edited by Benjamin T Jones, Bridget Brooklyn and Bec Strating). Panel: Wesa Chau (Founder and CEO, Cultural Intelligence) Dr Benjamin T Jones (History, Central Queensland University) Dr Michael O’Keefe (Politics, La Trobe University) Dr Nicholas Ferns (History, Monash University) Associate Professor Bec Strating (Director, La Trobe Asia)(Chair) Recorded on 21 March, 2023

What pressures will the Russian invasion of Ukraine put on Asia? How will China recover post-covid? Will the Quad and AUKUS change power dynamics in the region? To celebrate the 200th episode of Asia Rising, a special recording to discuss the news, views and general happenings of Asian states and societies in 2023. Guests: Professor Nick Bisley (Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, La Trobe University) Assoc. Professor Bec Strating (Director, La Trobe Asia) Recorded on 13 February, 2023.

The Gardens by the Bay are an iconic feature of Singapore, where they dominate every tourist photograph with their towering tree-like structures. Now celebrating their tenth year, they're an emblem of the success of the greening of the city. Guest: Felix Loh (Chief Executive Officer, Gardens by the Bay) Recorded on 28 November 2022.

Indonesia has passed a new criminal code, amongst which are a raft of controversial new morality laws and speech restrictions, including banning sex outside of marriage, insulting the president, and expressing any view that runs counter to state ideology. There are important implications for democratic freedoms in Indonesia, and human rights concerns on the implications of for women, religious minorities, and gender diverse groups. What does the new criminal code imply for human rights in Indonesia? How has the Indonesian public responded to the new criminal code? What could it mean in the lead-up to the 2024 general election? A La Trobe Asia event in collaboration with Human Rights Watch. Panel: Andreas Harsono (Human Rights Watch, Indonesia) Associate Professor Dirk Tomsa (Politics, La Trobe University) Dr Dina Afrianty (La Trobe Law School, La Trobe University) Associate Professor Bec Strating (La Trobe Asia, La Trobe University)(chair) Recorded on 7 February, 2023.

Xi Jinping has secured a historic third term as general secretary with unmatched political authority. This has given China a new drive to retain its position as a global superpower, and a desire to restore what Xi believes is China’s natural position of leadership in the world. As China attempts to reassert itself after harsh covid-19 lock-downs, what is driving Chinese foreign policy under current President Xi. What is his vision for China in the world? And what are the implications of President Xi’s agenda for other states in the region? An event to celebrate Professor Suisheng Zhao's new book :The Dragon Roars Back - Transformational Leaders and Dynamics of Chinese Foreign Policy", published by Stanford University. Panel Professor Suisheng Zhao (Director, Center for China-US Cooperation, University of Denver) Dr Yangbin Chen (Coordinator, Chinese Studies Program, La Trobe University) Dr Dan Hu (Research Fellow, Centre for Contemporary Chinese Studies, University of Melbourne) Associate Professor Bec Strating (Director, La Trobe Asia)(Chair) Recorded on 3rd Februrary 2023.

Singapore is a small country, highly reliant on commerce and trade, and with strong ties to China. This relationship can be at odds with other practices, for example: Its small military has an active conscription system. All citizens need to serve at least two years in the military, and their training bases are in Taiwan. Guest: Associate Professor Ian Chong (Political Science, National University of Singapore) Recorded 25th November 2022.

In 2022 The Philippines elected a new president, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, and with him came a pivot in international views, particularly towards China and the United States. The previous administration led by Rodrigo Duterte had embraced China and the development opportunities it had to offer, and while Marcos Jr might continue this, it might be with slightly less enthusiasm. Guest: Professor Aries Arugay (Political Science, University of the Philippines) Recorded 23rd November 2022.

When Rodrigo Duterte was elected to the office of president in 2016 one of his main election promises was to clean up the drug trade. And he was quite open about how he was going to do it. The language he used was provocative and ruthless – those involved in the drug trade would be dealt with, using as much force as necessary. For those working in the Filipino media and covering these events it can be a challenge to get accurate information – people are reluctant to talk, and the government wants to keep the full extent of the drug war away from the public. Guest: Rambo Talabong (Multimedia Journalist, The Rapper) Recorded 23rd November 2022.

As tensions in the Indo-Pacific increase and new security issues emerge, Australia, the United States, India and Japan have come together with the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue to support the Indo-Pacific. The event will explored the key issues and challenges of the Quad, and the role of each state in emerging security issues Indo-Pacific. This event was a part of the QUADMIN Emerging Leaders Dialogue, bringing together emerging leaders from Australia, the United States, India and Japan. QUADMIN is supported by the U.S. Embassy Canberra. Panel: Stuti Bhatnagar (Research Fellow, Strategic and Defence Studies Centre, Australian National University) Kate Clayton, (Research Officer La Trobe Asia) Tom Corben (Research Fellow, Foreign Policy and Defence Program, United States Studies Centre) Eleanor Shiori Hughes (Defense Analyst, The Asia Group) Associate Professor Bec Strating (Director, La Trobe Asia)(Chair) Recorded 16 November 2022

India is a country rich in food variety and tastes, but access to food has changed, bringing options of western foods of differing nutritional value. With changes in diet comes a change to health, and wider implications on the health system of the country. Guests: Dr Sabrina Gupta (Department of public health, La Trobe University) Dr Jency Thomas (Department of Microbiology, Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, La Trobe University) Dr Rahul Krishna Puvvada (PhD graduate, Department of Microbiology, Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, La Trobe University) Recorded 10th November 2022.

Mr John Howard, former Prime Minister of Australia (1996 - 2007) on Asia, his legacy, and Australia's place in the region. His new book, A Sense of Balance, is published by HarperCollins Australia. Recorded 19 October 2022.

The United Nations has declared 2022 the start of the International Decade of Indigenous Languages, aiming to raise awareness of the ongoing global loss of Indigenous languages. Ongoing attacks on human rights defenders and restrictions on civil society are critically challenging the effectiveness of these efforts. Read Indigenous Language Rights and the Politics of Fear in Asia - Issue 7 of The La Trobe Asia Brief. Dr Gerald Roche (Senior Research Fellow in Politics at La Trobe University, La Trobe Asia fellow). Recorded 29 September 2022.

Approximately 7,000 languages are signed or spoken in the world today, more than half of them by Indigenous people. These languages are critical to services like education and healthcare, and their neglect threatens the health and wellbeing of Indigenous people. Language is literally a matter of life and death. The United Nations has declared 2022 the start of the International Decade of Indigenous Languages, highlighting the need for governments and societies to amplify the voices and knowledge of Indigenous peoples globally, and involve them directly in the process. However, in Asia’s largest and most linguistically diverse countries, human rights defenders and civil society are under attack, creating a climate of fear that poses serious challenges to successfully implementing the International Decade of Indigenous Languages. This event launched the new issue of the La Trobe Asia Brief: Indigenous Language Rights and the Politics of Fear in Asia, authored by Gerald Roche, Madoka Hammine and Tuting Hernandez. Panel: Dr Gerald Roche (Senior Research Fellow, Politics, La Trobe University) Professor Jakelin Troy (Director, Indigenous Research, University of Sydney) Dr Dolly Kikon (Senior Lecturer, Development Studies, University of Melbourne) Professor James Leibold (Politics, La Trobe University) (Chair) Recorded on 4 October 2022.

With China mostly closed to international journalists accurate reporting is a challenging prospect, putting those engaged in it in danger from the Chinese government and their supporters. Guest: Vicky Xu (Journalist and Author, lead researcher of Uyghurs for Sale) Recorded 17 August 2022.

Angkor is an archaeological site in northern Cambodia, and was home to the impressive capitals of the Khmer Empire between the 9th and 15th centuries. It is one of the most important archaeological sites in Southeast Asia, and an ongoing project aims to recreate it virtually. Find out more about the Virtual Angkor project. Guest: Dr Bernard Keo (Archaeology and History, La Trobe University) Recorded on 9 May, 2022.

The track record of human rights in China is of global concern, with allegations of religious and ethnic repression, lack of freedom of information and civil liberties, violations of gender rights, and detainment of those who would speak out against the Chinese Communist Party. While the Chinese government is focused on maintaining ‘social stability’, the response of states within the international community remains largely non-confrontational, despite the growing mountain of evidence of human rights violations and repressions. Some fear China is gradually altering the entire international human rights system by stealth. What is the true situation of human rights in China? What response should be expected from the global community? What role can public activism play in improving the situation for Chinese people? Panel: - Yaqiu Wang (Senior Researcher on China, Human Rights Watch) - Vicky Xu (Writer, journalist and researcher) - Dr Gerald Roche (Senior Research Fellow, La Trobe Asia) - Professor James Leibold (Politics, La Trobe University) (Chair) Recorded on 17 August, 2022.

What are the broad strategic trends and security challenges affecting the Asian region, now and into the future? Guests: Dr Elizabeth Buchanan (Head of Research, Royal Australian Navy, Seapower Centre) Professor Peter Dean (Director of Foreign Policy and Defence, United States Studies Centre) Host: Assoc. Professor Bec Strating (Director, La Trobe Asia) Recorded on 21 July, 2022.

In recent years, as the People’s Republic of China (PRC) has grown in economic size, military strength and international influence, it has become more active in Antarctica. This has led to worries that Beijing’s ambitions extend further than just scientific research and fishing. Concerns have been raised about the PRC wanting to exploit Antarctica’s mineral and fossil energy resources and militarise the continent. There has been speculation that the PRC is even planning to make its own territorial claims. A La Trobe Asia event in collaboration with Australian Institute of International Affairs (AIIA) and China Matters to launch a new policy research report "China’s Antarctic ambitions - and their implications for Australia" by Yun Jiang. Panel: - Yun Jiang (AIIA China Matters Fellow) - Assoc. Professor Nengye Liu (School of Law, Singapore Management University) - Richard Maude (Senior Fellow, Asia Society Australia) - Professor Nick Bisley (Dean, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, La Trobe University)(Chair) Recorded on 3 August, 2022.

There has been an escalation of tension between China, Taiwan and the United States in the wake of a visit to Taiwan by United States house speaker Nancy Pelosi, the first visit of such a rank in close to 30 years. While the visit validates Taiwan’s democratic claims, it gives China an incentive to increase hostilities and increase tension in the region. Guest: Professor Nick Bisley (Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at La Trobe University). Recorded on 8 August, 2022.

In early 2022 the NGO Civicus added India to its watch list of countries of concern. In doing so it highlighted recent protest movements, arrests of academics, journalists and activists. This discussion examines how India got to this position and the impact on people on the ground in India. Speakers: Professor Nandini Sundar (Sociology, Delhi School of Economics) Dr Ian Woolford (Hindi Studies, La Trobe University) Dr Gerald Roche (Senior Research Fellow, Politics, La Trobe University) Recorded on 28th July, 2022.

The Indo-Pacific faces multiple security challenges, ranging from the risk of major war arising from territorial and maritime disputes to significant human and environmental threats to ecosystems. Exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, many states remain at odds over governance issues, how to confront pressing regional disputes and how to deal with countries outside the Asian region seeking to have greater influence. While the role of existing regional institutions such as ASEAN remains central to regional security and prosperity, improved regional architecture will be needed to address maritime security challenges with a clear understanding of priorities across regional states. What are the central maritime security challenges facing states in the region? How do they respond individually and collectively to these challenges? And what legal and institutional mechanisms exist to manage ongoing disputes? Launch of the ‘Enhancing Maritime Security in the Indo-Pacific’ report, a collaboration between Griffith Asia Institute, Kings College London and La Trobe Asia. Speakers: Dr Huong Le Thu, Principal Fellow, Perth USAsia Centre Assistant Professor Tara Davenport, Deputy Director, Asia-Pacific Centre for Environmental Law Abhijit Singh, Senior Fellow, New Delhi-based Observer Research Foundation Professor Ian Hall, Griffith Asia Institute, Griffith University (Chair) Recorded on 25th July, 2022.

Indonesia has made impressive democratic gains since the fall of the authoritarian Suharto regime in 1998, and has long been praised as a ‘model Muslim democracy’. But in recent years, the quality of Indonesian democracy has noticeably declined as the country continues to struggle with challenges to its democratic institutions and values, with systemic corruption and discrimination and violence against minority groups. Guests: Dr Ken Setiawan (Lecturer in Indonesian and Asian Studies, Asia Institute, University of Melbourne) Associate Professor Dirk Tomsa (Head of Department of Politics, Media and Philosophy, La Trobe University) Their book is Politics in Contemporary Indonesia: Institutional Change, Policy Challenges and Democratic Decline (Routledge, 2022). Recorded on 15 July, 2022.

Australia has a strong alliance with America, one that has remained unwavering through changes of leadership and turbulent international developments. While agreements such as AUKUS and the Quad have strengthened our position in the region, it has come at the cost of relations with other states and could in the future draw us into conflict. Guest: Hugh White (Emeritus Professor of Strategic Studies at Australian National University) Hugh's new Quarterly Essay is Sleepwalk to War: Australia’s unthinking alliance with America. Recorded on 30 June, 2022.

The idea of gender mainstreaming in foreign policy is gaining traction across the world. Several countries such as Sweden, Canada, France, Mexico, Germany, Spain, Luxemburg, Libya, Chile, and most recently the Netherlands have announced Feminist Foreign Policies. Other countries such as Australia, UK, Ireland, Argentina, may not have made formal Feminist Foreign Policy announcements yet, but are working towards understanding and integrating the gender and inclusivity lens in policy action according to their specific contexts. Through this webinar, along with unpacking some of the core aspects of a Feminist Foreign Policy/gender mainstreaming in foreign policy, we seek to hear perspectives from Indo-Pacific countries, with the objective of adding more voices from the region to the growing global conversations. Panel: Dr Elise Stephenson (Research Fellow, The Global Institute for Women's Leadership, Fellow, National Security College, Australian National University) Dr Soumita Basu (Associate Professor, Department of International Relations, South Asian University) Dr Maria Tanyag (Fellow / Senior Lecturer, Coral Bell School of Asia-Pacific Affairs, Australia National University) Associate Professor Bec Strating (Director, La Trobe Asia)(Chair) Opening remarks: Hunter Marston - 9DASHLINE Priyanka Bhide - Kubernein Initiative Recorded on 13th July 2022.

Australia has a strong alliance with America, one that has remained unwavering through changes of leadership and turbulent international developments. While agreements such as AUKUS and the Quad have strengthened our position in the region, it has come at the cost of relations with other states in the region and could in the future draw us into conflict. Where does this leave our future security and prosperity in Asia? Is there a better way to navigate the disruption caused by China’s rise? A Melbourne event to discuss Sleepwalk to War, a new Quarterly Essay by Hugh White. Panel: - Professor Hugh White (Emeritus Professor of Strategic Studies, Strategic and Defence Studies Centre, Australian National University) - Dr Emma Shortis (School of Global, Urban and Social Studies, RMIT) - Professor Andrew O’Neil (Acting Dean, Griffith Graduate Research School, Griffith University) - Associate Professor Bec Strating (Director, La Trobe Asia) (Chair) Recorded at the La Trobe University City Campus on 30th June 2022.

The Catch. A podcast miniseries about modern slavery and forced labour in the offshore fishing industry in the Asia Pacific Region. Episode 3: Restitution Episode 4 available now on all podcast platforms. Host: Dr Bec Strating (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia) Guest: Dr Sallie Yea (Tracey Banivanua Mar Fellow, La Trobe University) Produced by La Trobe Asia.

The Chittagong Hill Tracts is in southeast Bangladesh, on the country’s border with India and Myanmar, and is home to 14 Indigenous groups. However, the state contests these people’s Indigenous status and identity. How will this impact their ability to participate in the UNESCO International Decade of Indigenous Languages, and what does it mean for the future of the languages of the Chittagong Hill Tracts? A three podcast series exploring issues of indigenous languages to mark the beginning of the United Nations International Decade of Indigenous Languages (2022 - 2032). Guest: Dr Maung Ting Nyeu (Research Scientist, New York University). Host: Dr Gerald Roche (Senior Research Fellow, Department of Politics, Media and Philosophy at La Trobe University, La Trobe Asia Fellow). Recorded on 19 March, 2022.

The Catch. A podcast miniseries about modern slavery and forced labour in the offshore fishing industry in the Asia Pacific Region. Episode 2: In Too Deep Episode 3 available now on all podcast platforms. Host: Dr Bec Strating (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia) Guest: Dr Sallie Yea (Tracey Banivanua Mar Fellow, La Trobe University) Produced by La Trobe Asia.

The Catch. A podcast miniseries about modern slavery and forced labour in the offshore fishing industry in the Asia Pacific Region. Available now on all podcast platforms. Hosted by Bec Strating, produced by La Trobe Asia.

At the end of June the Philippines will welcome new leadership featuring two very familiar names. Following in his father’s footsteps is Bongbong Marcos, son of former dictator Ferdinand Marcos, and joining him as Vice-President is Sara Duterte, daughter of the current President. While Marcos and Duterte are both the children of politicians with contentious backgrounds, they were elected with notably large majorities. How did they win, and what could their leadership mean for the Philippines? Guest: Professor Nicole Curato (Centre for Deliberative Democracy and Global Governance, University of Canberra). Recorded on 27 May, 2022.

As Australians head to the voting booth, much of this election has focused on our regional relationships and our place in the global order. Many have labelled this a 'khaki election', with national security becoming a major election issue. The campaign so far has been dominated by regional issues, particularly the fallout of China's pact with the Solomon Islands. Whether it is the strength of our alliances with neighbours or how to deal with rising China, the next government will potentially shape Australia's place in the region for the next generation. What does the 2022 election campaign reveal about Australia’s perceptions of its security within an increasingly contested region? Is the ‘politicisation’ of national security a positive development, and to what extent does it determine how people vote? And what do the national security discussions mean for the Asian diaspora in Australia? Panel: Professor Peter Dean (Chair of Defence Studies/Director, Defence and Security Institute, UWA Defence and Security Program) Associate Professor Andrea Carson (Department of Politics, Media and Philosophy, La Trobe University) Sarah Ison (Political reporter in The Australian's Canberra press gallery bureau) Jennifer Hsu (Research Fellow in the Public Opinion and Foreign Policy Program, Lowy Institute) Associate Professor Bec Strating (Director, La Trobe Asia)(Chair) This event is a collaboration with the Defence and Security Institute at the University of Western Australia. Recorded on 17 May 2022.

While the twentieth century saw the collapse of monarchies across Europe, recent events are a reminder that hereditary monarchies still matter in Asia. In some countries like Malaysia and Bhutan the institution is thriving, but they can struggle for relevancy given the pro-democracy movement in Thailand and fast-modernising landscape of Japan. Guest: Emeritus Professor Dennis Altman (Vice-Chancellor's Fellow, La Trobe University), author of God Save the Queen: The Strange Persistence of Monarchies. Recorded on 15 February, 2022.

Indonesia aspires to play an active and influential role in regional and global affairs, and its public expects broad influence. How can its foreign policy ideas adapt to a changing and contested region? And how can prospective partner countries such as Australia build trust and relationships? Guest: Professor Dewi Fortuna Anwar (Research Professor at the Research Centre for Politics, National Research and Innovation Agency (Pusat Riset Politik BRIN); Chair, Board of Directors of The Habibie Center; former Deputy Secretary for Political Affairs to the Vice President of Indonesia). Recorded on 28 April, 2022.

Japan occupies an ambitious position in geopolitics, desiring to maintain a balance of power in the face of a rising China, and to bring about economic prosperity, peace, and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. Guest: Associate Professor Stephen Nagy (Department of Politics and International Studies, International Christian University (ICU), Tokyo, Japan). Recorded on 4 April, 2022.

Since 2016, an estimated one million Uyghurs and members of other Turkic Muslim minorities have disappeared into a vast network of ‘re-education camps’ in the far west region of Xinjiang, China in what some experts call a systematic, government-led program of cultural genocide. Those outside detention are subject to intensive surveillance through a network of hi-tech surveillance systems, checkpoints and interpersonal monitoring. While many countries now acknowledge these problems as a reality of President Xi Jinping's China, a more accurate understanding of how the detentions are perceived both within China and in the global community is crucial. The Melbourne book launch of The Xinjiang emergency Exploring the causes and consequences of China's mass detention of Uyghurs, edited by Michael Clarke. Panel: Dr Michael Clarke (Senior Fellow, Centre for Defence Research, Australian Defence College and Adjunct Professor, Australia-China Relations Institute, University of Technology Sydney) Professor James Leibold (Department of Politics, Media and Philosophy, La Trobe University) Associate Professor Rebecca Strating (Director, La Trobe Asia)(Chair) Recorded on 5 April 2022.

As regional powers in the Indo-Pacific, Australia and Japan have much to gain from increased bilateral cooperation and increased interaction through ‘minilaterals’ such as the Quad. Strategic forces are pushing the states closer together, and Australia relationship with Japan has never been closer. This is demonstrated by the ‘Special Strategic Partnership’ between the states and the recent signing of an historic Reciprocal Access Agreement. How can the two countries deepen their relationship in a time of strategic contestation? How can they better use diplomatic, trade and security policy tools to deal with new challenges? And how might cultural and people-to-people links be further developed? Opening remarks by Mr Shimada Junji, Consul-General of Japan in Melbourne. Panel: Snr Associate Professor Stephen Nagy (Department of Politics and International Studies, International Christian University (ICU), Tokyo, Japan) Professor Nick Bisley (Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, La Trobe University) Professor Kaori Okano (Japanese Studies, La Trobe University) Assoc. Professor Rebecca Strating (Director, La Trobe Asia)(Chair) Recorded on 4 April 2022.

This launch of Issue 6 of the La Trobe Asia Brief brings together emerging leaders to discuss critical issues facing the Indo-Pacific. Written by students and young professionals from a diverse range of areas, this event will explore gender and conflict resolution in the Indo-Pacific, Australian foreign policy and South Korea’s maritime strategy. As the balance of power shifts in the Indo-Pacific, future leaders are looking at strategic challenges from a fresh perspective. To understand the future of the Indo-Pacific, it is vital we listen to future leaders. This La Trobe Asia Brief is in conjunction with the 2021 La Trobe Asia Emerging Leaders Program: Regional Perspectives on the Free and Open Indo-Pacific. Over two months 40 Emerging Leaders participated in a series of Masterclasses and academic dialogue with regional experts. This event is supported by the U.S. Embassy Canberra. Speakers: Tom Barber (Program Officer, Asia-Pacific Development, Diplomacy & Defence Dialogue (AP4D)) Isadora Vadasz (Victoria Department of Justice and Community Safety) Alexander M. Hynd (PhD Candidate and Research Associate, University of New South Wales) Chair: Kate Clayton (Research Officer, La Trobe Asia Associate Professor Bec Strating (Director, La Trobe Asia) Recorded on 24 March 2022.

The Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region in northern China has, in recent years, been the site of extensive protests against changes to the education system that have diminished the role of the Mongolian language. What might the UN’s Decade of Indigenous Languages mean for the region’s Mongols and their struggle to protect their language? A three podcast series exploring issues of indigenous languages to mark the beginning of the United Nations International Decade of Indigenous Languages (2022 - 2032). Guest: Gegentuul Baioud (Postdoctoral Fellow, Hugo Valentin Centre, Uppsala University). Host: Dr Gerald Roche (Senior Research Fellow, Department of Politics, Media and Philosophy at La Trobe University, La Trobe Asia Fellow) Recorded on 17 February, 2022.

For all states across the Asia-Pacific women's representation in all sectors remains dismally low. The COVID-19 pandemic and responses to it have disproportionately affected women and girls across the Asia-Pacific, from alarming increases in domestic violence during extended lockdowns to the growing gender gap in employment opportunities. Addressing these challenges requires policy-makers to implement gender-sensitive reforms, taking the voice and visibility of women and girls seriously in decision-making processes across both private and public sector spheres. As we manage the difficult task of recovery and the ongoing long term impacts of COVID-19 there has never been a better time to lift ambition on women's representation and participation in leadership roles. But how do we make this ambition a reality? This event is presented by La Trobe Asia and the Griffith Asia Institute. Introduction provided by Professor Caitlin Byrne, Director - Griffith Asia Institute Panel: - Professor Vivian Lin, Executive Associate Dean, Professor of Practice (Public Health), LKS Faculty of Medicine, Hong Kong University and Adjunct Professor, La Trobe Asia - Dr Dhara Shah, Senior Lecturer and Deputy Director Engagement in the Department of Business Strategy and Innovation, Griffith Business School - Ryce Chanchai, ASEAN Governance, Peace and Security Lead, UN Women Indonesia - Associate Professor Bec Strating, Director - La Trobe Asia (Chair) Recorded on 15 March 2022.

The Lepcha community is indigenous to the Himalayan mountains, and can be found across India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Tibet. There's estimated to be less than 70,000 speakers of the Lepcha language, and while it is an official language of Sikkim retention is a challenge. A three podcast series exploring issues of indigenous languages to mark the beginning of the United Nations International Decade of Indigenous Languages (2022 - 2032). Guest: Dr Charisma Lepcha (Assistant Professor, Department of Anthropology, Sikkim University and Visiting Scholar, Harvard Yenching Institute). Host: Dr Gerald Roche (Senior Research Fellow, Department of Politics, Media and Philosophy at La Trobe University, La Trobe Asia Fellow) Recorded on 16 February, 2022.

Asia is a linguistically diverse region, but this diversity is currently under threat. After centuries of colonisation and decades of rapid development, communities throughout Asia are facing distinct and urgent challenges to defend their rights to language in the face of discrimination, exclusion, and violence. How are Indigenous people and languages across Asia responding to this situation? Who decides which languages deserve attention and resources? How can awareness of Indigenous languages be raised and new political agendas promoted? As the world enters what UNESCO has declared as the Decade of Indigenous Languages we will explore these issues with several researchers from Asia - people who speak, advocate for, or research some of the region’s many Indigenous languages. Speakers: Assistant Professor Prem Phyak, Applied Linguistics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong Associate Professor Madoka Hammine, International Studies, Meio University Associate Professor Tuting Hernandez, Linguistics, University of Philippines Senior Research Fellow Gerald Roche, Politics, Media & Philosophy, La Trobe University Chair: Associate Professor Bec Strating, Director, La Trobe Asia Recorded on 22 February 2022.

The Biden administration has released a new Indo-Pacific strategy, and much is at stake, with the acknowledgement that competition from China and climate change are of great concern to the United States and its allies. Guest: Assoc Professor Bec Strating (Director, La Trobe Asia, La Trobe University) Recorded on 15 February, 2022.

The 2022 Winter Olympics will be held in Beijing, and with the collision of sports, politics and covid this is proving to be an olympiad to remember. Guest: Assoc Professor Geoff Dickson (Director of the Centre for Sport and Social Impact, La Trobe University) Recorded on 1 February, 2022.

As we enter year three of the covid-19 and settle into our schedule of working from home, home-schooling and hopefully not catching a deadly plague, how are health systems in Asia coping and adapting with the pandemic? Guest: Professor Vivian Lin (Executive Associate Dean of LKS Faculty of Medicine at the University of Hong Kong and Adjunct Professor of La Trobe Asia). Recorded on 16 January, 2022.

The Himalaya and the adjacent Tibetan plateau house the globe's third biggest ice packed are the source of most of Asia's major rivers. Over the past century of the people of these mountains have had to endure colonisation unstable geopolitics, and now a climate changing at twice the global average. Despite this they have survived and in some cases thrived, coming up with innovative ways to approach these changes. Guest: Tsechu Dolma (Co-founder and Director, Mountain Resiliency Project) Host: Dr Ruth Gamble (DECRA Fellow, History, La Trobe University) Recorded on 8 December, 2021.

Since the mass internment of Uyghurs and other indigenous groups in China was first reported in 2017, there is now a rich body of literature documenting recent human rights abuses in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. However, there is little knowledge of the actual perpetrators inside China’s vast and opaque party-state system. A report published by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) maps and analyses the governance mechanisms employed by the Chinese party-state in Xinjiang. While the international debate continues as to whether the recent events in Xinjiang constitute genocide, this report gathers the relevant evidence before it could be covered up, and makes it publicly available. Guests: Professor James Leibold (Head of the Department of Politics, Media and Philosophy, La Trobe University) Daria Impiombato (Researcher at ASPI’s International Cyber Policy Centre) Recorded on 24 November, 2021.

After a period of turmoil, Malaysia’s new Prime Minister, Ismail Sabri Yaakob, has a tenuous hold on leadership. A politician of the UMNO (United Malays National Organisation) coalition, his party returns to power a few short years after their first ever electoral defeat when former Prime Minister Najib Razak was tied to the 1MDB scandal involving RM 2.67 billion (close to $900m AUD) in missing funds. Ismail now holds a slim majority in parliament and is seen by many as a compromise leader for parties and factions desperate to hold off high profile opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim. While Malaysia faces recovery from a devastating pandemic and the economic fallout from a lengthy lockdown, even more challenges come from within - managing a tenuous coalition whose support is crucial to government stability. What are these political developments likely to mean for Malaysia’s long term democratic prospects? Panel: Dr Amrita Malhi (Visiting Fellow, Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs, Australian National University) Professor James Chin (Asian Studies, University of Tasmania) Associate Professor Kerstin Steiner (Director of Research, La Trobe Law School, La Trobe University) Dr Bec Strating (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia)(Chair) Recorded on 18 November 2021.

After a quiet start to his presidency, United States President Joe Biden has made some recent decisive steps in engaging with Asia by selling nuclear submarines to Australia and establishing the AUKUS pact, outlining an approach to trade with China, and hosting a Quad summit at the White House, gathering with key U.S. partners in Asia. A major part of this strategy is building up alliances to offer both the region and world at large to drive ‘responsible competition’ with China. With the withdrawal of the US from Afghanistan signals a step away from the wars of the past two decades, Biden now has an opportunity to focus the US on the region it is says is its highest priority, Asia. Guest: Professor Nick Bisley (Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, La Trobe University) Recorded on 9 November, 2021.

Australia, the UK and the US have announced a historic security agreement, dubbed ‘AUKUS’, in response to regional security concerns about China’s rising power and influence in the Indo-Pacific. Under the deal, Australia will build nuclear-powered submarines for the first time, using technology provided by the United States. It also signals to a greater presence of the three powers in the region with a focus on military and technological capabilities, including in long-range weapons, cyber and undersea technologies. How do the three states see AUKUS as contributing to regional security? How have regional states responded to this agreement? And what are the broader implications of Australia’s pursuit of nuclear-powered submarines? Panel: Dr Anna Powles (Senior Lecturer in Security Studies at Massey University, New Zealand) Associate Professor Maria Rost Rublee (Politics and International Relations, Monash University) Professor Peter Dean (Director, Defence and Security Institute, University of Western Australia) Natalie Sambhi (Executive Director, Verve Research) Dr Rebecca Strating (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia, La Trobe University)(Chair) Recorded on 27 October, 2021.

The Islamic fundamentalist group the Taliban have returned to power in Afghanistan twenty years after being ousted by the United States, sparking concern for a harsh rule imposed on Afghans, a neglect of human rights and the beginning of a humanitarian crisis for the region. For neighbouring countries the initial shock of transition is being met with pragmatism of coping with the aftermath. The Taliban has sought to boost diplomacy with neighbouring countries such as China, Pakistan and Russia, and many are looking to make the most of the power vacuum left by U.S. forces. For other regional countries the Taliban’s return to power represents a security risk, and the proliferation of violent extremism could pose a threat to security in the region. Guest: Dr Niamatullah Ibrahimi, Lecturer in International Relations, La Trobe University) Recorded on 21 October, 2021.

In June 2020 there was a clash between India and China at a disputed border site in the Himalayan Galwan Valley, in which twenty India soldiers were killed. A wave of anti-Chinese sentiment swelled across India, with Chinese-made televisions thrown from balconies, restaurants boycotted and Chinese goods burnt. With the covid-19 pandemic devastating India the anti-Chinese sentiment has only worsened. While bilateral trade between the two countries is now recovering, there is a conscious effort of decoupling. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has banned hundreds of Chinese apps, slowed approval for Chinese investment and called for self-reliance. With Indian public discourse on China worsening, have the two countries have walked away from shaping the ‘Asian century’ together? Guest: Snigdha Poonam (Author and independent Journalist) Recorded on 14 October, 2021.

While the twentieth century saw the collapse of monarchies across Europe, recent events are a reminder that hereditary monarchies still matter in Asia. In some countries like Malaysia and Bhutan the institution is thriving, but they can struggle for relevancy given the pro-democracy movement in Thailand and fast-modernising landscape of Japan. In an era of autocratic populism, does constitutional monarchy provide some safeguards against the megalomania of political leaders? Are they just feudal relics and ceremonial figureheads which should be abolished, or does the division between ceremonial and actual power act as a brake on authoritarian politicians? A virtual book launch of God Save the Queen: The strange persistence of monarchies by Dennis Altman, published by Scribe Publications. Speakers: Professor Dennis Altman (Vice-Chancellor’s Fellow, La Trobe University) Professor Kaori Okano (Japanese Studies, La Trobe University) Dr Wendy Mee, (Adjunct Senior Research Fellow, Department of Social Inquiry, La Trobe University) Dr Bec Strating (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia) (Chair) Recorded 12 October, 2021.

As strategic competition between the US and China increasingly shapes the region, Vietnam has reoriented its national foreign and defence policy. Vietnam has a major stake in the international rules-based order. One of its key priorities is defending sovereignty and maritime claims in the South China Sea, which are coming under challenge by an assertive Beijing. Vietnam has been increasingly vocal in its opposition to Beijing's coercive activities and claims in the maritime domain. It has also been deepening diplomatic and defence links with the US and other regional partners, such as Australia. How has strategic competition between the US and China influenced Vietnam's foreign and defence policy? Is Hanoi likely to move closer to the US, or "hedge" against choosing between either power? And what does this mean for Vietnam's relations with China and the wider region? Guest: Dr Huong Le Thu (Senior Analyst, Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) and Non-resident Fellow at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington DC) Recorded on 29th September, 2021.

Modern China is seen variously as an economic powerhouse, an icon of urbanisation, a propaganda state or an aggressive superpower seeking world domination. From kung-fu to tofu, tea to trade routes, sages to silk, China has influenced cuisine, commerce, military strategy, aesthetics and philosophy across the world for thousands of years. China’s history is full of heroes who are also villains, prosperous ages and violent rebellions, cultural vibrancy and censorious impulses, rebels, loyalists, dissidents and wits. The story of women in China, from the earliest warriors to twentieth-century suffragettes, is rarely told. And historical spectres of corruption and disunity, which have brought down many a mighty ruling house, continue to haunt the People’s Republic today. Panel: Linda Jaivin (Author and co-editor of the China Story Yearbook) Dr Ruth Gamble (Lecturer, History, La Trobe University) Professor Baogang He (Alfred Deakin Professor and Personal Chair in International Relations, Deakin University) Dr Bec Strating (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia)(Chair) A virtual launch of Linda Jaivin’s book ‘The Shortest History of China’, available from Black Inc books. Recorded 28 September, 2021.

India and Australia stand to benefit greatly through deep and ongoing engagement. But despite some share interests between the two states, there is a shallow public interest and understanding of India in Australia, and the coverage of the country is often cursory and limited in scope. How can we better promote understanding of India in Australia, leverage shared interests, and strengthen national, business and societal relations? Guest: Lisa Singh (Deputy Chair, Australia India Council and Former Australian Senator (2011-2019)). Recorded on 19th August, 2021.

Why does gender matter when thinking about security? In Asia, discussions and policies concerning conflict, peace and security remain dominated by male voices and views. The exclusion of women’s voices has significant implications for the types of ideas, strategies and policies that are proposed and adopted in security-related fields. A live recording of the Asia Rising podcast for 'India Week' - in collaboration with the Australia India Institute. Guest: Dr Meenakshi Gopinath (Director, Women in Security Conflict Management and Peace and member of the La Trobe Asia Advisory Board) Recorded on 11th July, 2021.

The recent emergence of China as an economic and military super-power, rivalling the United States, is one of the most significant and challenging developments of the present era. A La Trobe Asia / Ideas and Society event Speakers: - The Hon. Malcolm Turnbull AC (29th Prime Minister of Australia) - The Hon. Kevin Rudd AC (26th Prime Minister of Australia) - Professor John Dewar (Vice-Chancellor, La Trobe University (Introduction) - Dr Rebecca Strating (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia) (Chair) Recorded on 10th August, 2021.

India had more than 10 million foreign tourists arrive in 2019, and more than a billion domestic tourists. A large portion of these are religious tourists, visiting the multitude of Hindu, Muslim and Buddhist sites scattered around the country. Guest: Dr Kiran Shinde (Senior lecturer and Convener of Planning program at La Trobe University) Recorded on 22rd July, 2021.

As Asia grapples with a global pandemic the region has become less secure. China's ambitions in Taiwan and Hong Kong are growing, North Korea is uncharacteristically silent, and the United States, a long-time stabilising presence, continues to slowly withdraw. In this webinar, an expert panel considers where conflict is likely, who could be involved, and what can be done to mitigate the situation. A La Trobe Asia / Asia Society event Speakers: Dr Oriana Skylar Mastro, Center Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies, Stanford University Professor Nick Bisley, Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, La Trobe University Guy Boekenstein, Northern Australia Fellow, Asia Society Matt Smith, La Trobe Asia (Chair) Recorded on 4th August, 2021.

Australia’s relationship with China has been in sharp decline, fuelled by a critical government agenda and a hostile media environment. The trust, warmth and confidence towards China is at a record low, and the majority of Australians now see it as a major security threat. In his new book China Panic, David Brophy offers a progressive alternative to Australia’s relationship with China aside from paranoia and pandering, with solutions and strategies that strengthen Australian democracy. Guest: Dr David Brophy (Senior Lecturer in modern Chinese history, University of Sydney) Recorded on 22nd July, 2021.

The relationship between Australia and Southeast Asian countries has grown substantially in the last decade, from a marriage of convenience to the development of regional agendas, strategic partnerships and shared economic interests. A global pandemic has shifted priorities, and vaccine diplomacy throughout the region has both shifted and strengthened existing allegiances. Has Australia’s actions during the pandemic helped or hindered relationships with Southeast Asian nations? What will the post-COVID-19 regional order of Southeast Asia look like? The launch of the 5th issue of the La Trobe Asia Policy Brief. Speakers: Professor Caitlyn Byrne (Director, Griffith Asia Institute, Griffith University) Chen Chen Lee (Advisor (Diplomacy) to Asialink) Dr Huong Le Thu (Senior Analyst, The Australian Strategic Policy Institute) Dr Jeffrey Wilson (Policy Fellow, Perth USAsia Centre) Dr Bec Strating (Executive Director at La Trobe Asia)(Chair) Recorded on 7th July, 2021. This publication is a product of a fruitful online academic dialogue held in February 2021 in collaboration between La Trobe Asia, Asia Centre, Centre for Strategic and International Studies Indonesia, Institute of Strategic and International Studies Malaysia, Griffith Asia Institute, Asialink, Perth US-Asia Centre and Generate Worldwide. It was proudly supported by the Australia-ASEAN council.

Asia’s relationship with democratic governance is complicated. While some countries such as Japan and Indonesia pride themselves on transparent elections, the struggles for democracy continue in countries such as Cambodia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand and the Philippines, where growing authoritarianism may be undermining long-term prospects for democratic institutions and civil liberties. Guest: Dr James Gomez (Regional Director, Asia Centre) Recorded on 23rd June, 2021.

For the last seventy years Taiwan and mainland China has remained mostly separated. While China has encouraged interaction in the hope of a peaceful reunification, they have sought to isolate Taipei internationally, offering inducements and economic incentives to those who might engage. In recent months there could be signs that Beijing is contemplating taking Taiwan by force, with an increase of military activity near the island. This live podcast will discuss this shift, the implications for Taiwan, and the international dilemma. Guest: Dr Oriana Skylar Mastro (Center Fellow, Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies (FSI), Stanford University) Recorded on 15th June, 2021.

Regional security is a critical issue for The Philippines. Once closely aligned with western democracies, the strong-arm leadership of Rodrigo Duterte has guided it in a more authoritarian direction, leading critics to voice concern for the country’s democratic freedoms. In the international arena, tensions in the South China Seas have complicated a cooling relationship with China, leading the Philippines to diversify its foreign relations and take the development of its defence and security capabilities seriously. Dr Charmaine Misalucha-Willoughby (Associate Professor in International Studies, De La Salle University, Manila). Recorded on 10th June, 2021.

Japan has been expanding its military roles in the post-Cold War period. While the conventional security threats associated with China’s military rise and North Korea’s nuclear weapons are still present, Japan’s participation in United Nations Peacekeeping Operations, the arms trade ban policy, regional maritime capacity-building and shaping international norms have become more influential in Japan’s foreign and defence policy. How have domestic norms and political interests contributed to this trend? How does Japan balance a desire to broaden its military role without violating the pacifist domestic norm? And how will it expand relations with other states to pursue its economic and security interests in a changing region? The book launch of Japan's Evolving Security Policy: Militarisation within a Pacifist Tradition by Kyoko Hatakeyama, published by Routledge. Panel: Professor Kyoko Hatakeyama (Graduate School of International Studies and Regional Development, University of Niigata Prefecture) Professor Nick Bisley (Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, La Trobe University) Associate Professor Nobuhiro Aizawa (Department of Cultural Studies, Kyushu University) Dr Bec Strating (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia) Held as live zoom panel on 8th June, 2021.

In April 2017, Chinese Communist Party authorities in Xinjiang launched a series of “strike-hard” campaigns against “illegal births” with the explicit aim to “reduce and stabilise a moderate birth level” and decrease the birth-rate in southern Xinjiang. The crackdown has led to an unprecedented and precipitous drop, and the largest declines have been in counties where Uyghurs and other indigenous communities are concentrated. Guest: Professor James Leibold (Head of Department of Politics, Media and Philosophy at La Trobe University and a senior fellow at Australian Strategic Policy Institute). Professor Leibold’s report, ‘Family De-planning: The Coercive Campaign to Drive Down Indigenous Birth-rates in Xinjiang’ was co-authored with Nathan Ruser of ASPI. Recorded on 18th May, 2021.

The Shangri-La Dialogue is one of the premiere defence summits on the Asian calendar, where leaders from all over the region gather to discuss key global issues and security trends. James Crabtree, Executive Director of IISS-Asia, oversees the event and lays out what likely to be on the agenda at this year's dialogue.

Over the past two decades Japan has experienced slow economic growth, changed employment practices, population decline, an ageing society, and an increasingly multi-ethnic population resulting from migration. How all of these factors have influenced education will shape the society of the future. Guest: Professor Kaori Okano (Asian Studies and Japanese, La Trobe University)

The rise of China, Trump’s America First policies, division within Europe and successful defiance by authoritarian states are affecting the shape of the emerging new order. Human rights, rule of law, free media and longstanding global institutions all seem set to be weakened. Autocracies are exercising greater control over world affairs. Australia will need to engage heightened levels of diplomacy to forge relations with countries of opposing principles. It will need to be agile in pursuing a realistic foreign policy agenda if it is to be well positioned for this future. A La Trobe Asia 'China in Focus' seminar, held in front of a zoom audience on 22 April, 2021. Speakers: Geoff Raby (former Australian ambassador to China (2007–11); ambassador to APEC (2003–5); and ambassador to the World Trade Organization (1998–2001). Member of the La Trobe Asia advisory board.

Human trafficking is an urgent human security issue in Asia. The abuse and exploitation associated with human trafficking have been documented across a range of sectors, including the sex industry, domestic work, construction, agriculture, and fisheries. Key drivers of human trafficking across the region include poverty and the desire for a better life. Increasingly widening economic disparities in Asia and the impact of climate change have become a focus of attention for organisations attempting to address peoples' vulnerability to human trafficking. Trafficking for labour exploitation outside the sex industry is now recognised as an equally significant concern in the region. The offshore fishing industry is beset by extreme cases of forced labour and human trafficking, exploiting migrant workers from Indonesia, the Philippines, Cambodia and Myanmar, and with countries like Australia benefitting from the import of this seafood only fuelling the problem. Speakers: Associate Professor Sallie Yea (Tracey Banivanua Mar Principal Research Fellow, La Trobe University) Jenny Stanger (Executive Manager at the Anti-Slavery Task Force, Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney) Sunil Rao (Lecturer, La Trobe Law School, La Trobe University) Chair: Dr Bec Strating (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia) Held as live zoom panel on 20th April, 2021.

While the rest of the world still struggles with a deadly pandemic, Beijing has suppressed the spread of COVID-19 and is executing an exit plan to make the most of its opportunities in a changing world, where "the east is rising while the west is declining". A live recording of the Asia Rising podcast. Guest: Chris Buckley (Chief China correspondent for The New York Times). Recorded with a live zoom audience on 30th March 2021.

The Chagos Archipelago, a group of small tropical islands in the middle of the Indian ocean, has become a surprising location of strategic importance. Recent international legal rulings have invalidated The United Kingdom’s claimed sovereignty, and international groups are urging the UK to end its ‘unlawful occupation’, presenting interesting dilemmas for the United States and its allies. A live recording of the Asia Rising podcast. Guest: Nilanthi Samaranayake (Director of the Strategy and Policy Analysis Program at the Center of Naval Analysis in Washington D.C). Host: Bec Strating (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia) Recorded with a live zoom audience on 9th March 2021.

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted how the spread of fake news and misinformation online – even if shared without malicious intent – can weaken global public health efforts, contribute to social unrest and lead to real-life harms or even death. In the Asia Pacific, Singapore and Indonesia are among the early adopters of fake news laws to crack down on the pernicious problem of online misinformation and disinformation. These laws aim to address COVID-19 misinformation and the real-world violence and hate speech aimed at minority and religious groups, but internet and human rights experts fear the laws are also open to political misuse. A landmark report from La Trobe University details the harm caused by online misinformation, how it is being regulated in some countries, and how it might be tackled. The launch of the report Fighting Fake News: A study of online misinformation regulation in the Asia Pacific. A La Trobe Asia / Asia Centre event. Speakers: Associate Professor Andrea Carson (Journalism, La Trobe University) Dr James Gomez (Regional Director, Asia Centre) Kristen Han (Singapore-based journalist and activist) Associate Professor Dirk Tomsa (Politics, La Trobe University) Chair: Dr Bec Strating (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia) Held as live zoom panel on 16th March, 2021.

The COVID pandemic has hit tertiary education in Australia hard, and for most of 2020 it prevented students from studying on campus. For international students they were unable to enter the country, which meant a drop in enrolments and a decrease in university revenue, a situation which will likely continue into 2022. Australian international students are largely from Asian countries, with large numbers from China and India in particular, and how the pandemic affects enrolment numbers will have flow on effects throughout not just those societies, but Australia as well. Guests: Dr Jasvir Nachatar Singh (Lecturer at the Department of Management, Sport and Tourism, La Trobe Business School, La Trobe University) Dr Stacey Farraway (Pro-Vice Chancellor (International), La Trobe University)

In late January 2021 China moved to intensify military activity in the Taiwan Strait, sending bombers capable of carrying nuclear weapons and fighter jets into airspace just southwest of the island. Taiwan responded by scrambling fighters and broadcasting warnings, but there has been no subsequent comment from China. Beijing has long regarded the island as a renegade province and strongly opposes diplomatic attempts by other countries to engage with it. The action is the latest in an escalation of tension around the independence of Taiwan, and it coinciding with the inauguration of new United States President Joe Biden has led many to interpret it as a clear warning and the first major test of the Biden administration’s foreign policy. What do these heightened tensions mean for Taiwan’s dreams of independence? What are the Chinese Communist Party’s objectives for Taiwan? Will the Biden Administration stand up to China over Taiwan, and will it look to its allies such as Australia for support? SPEAKERS: Professor Brendan Taylor (Strategic Studies, Strategic and Defence Studies Centre, Australian National University) Natasha Kassam (Research Fellow, Lowy Institute) Jessica Drun (Non-Resident Fellow, Project 2049 Institute) Dr Bec Strating, Executive Director, La Trobe Asia (Chair) Held as live zoom panel on 3rd March, 2021.

Last month, the military upended years of quasi-democratic rule in Myanmar in a carefully orchestrated coup. Military leaders justified the takeover by alleging voter fraud in the 2020 November election, which the National League for Democracy (NLD) had won in a landslide. The civilian leader of Myanmar and the NLD, former Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi, was detained by the military, along with dozens of officials, law-makers and aides. The military announced that it will remain in power for one year, with ultimate authority resting with Senior General Min Aung Hlaing. Some suspect the military will stay in charge beyond that, returning to the time prior to Myanmar’s first democratic reforms in 2011. What were the driving factors behind the military coup? Does Myanmar have a long-term future as a democratic country? What response should be expected from the international community, and what are the implications for regional stability in Southeast Asia? SPEAKERS: Hunter Marston (Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs, Australian National University) Christopher Lamb (President of the Australia Myanmar Institute; Honorary Associate Professor - The University of Melbourne; and, Former Australian Ambassador to Myanmar) Wai Wai Nu (Peace, Human Rights and Women Rights Advocate, Founder of Women's Peace Network, Myanmar) Dr Bec Strating (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia)(Chair) Held as live zoom panel on 24th February, 2021.

In the course of a year Hong Kong has been transformed by a new security law. Drafted by Beijing and aimed at protestors, it has led to mass arrests of activists, lawyers and law makers. Political participation in Hong Kong is now more dangerous than ever, and with rights and freedoms diminishing under Beijing’s vast national security apparatus, is the democratic dream of Hong Kong over? Guest: Antony Dapiran (Hong Kong-based writer and lawyer, author of the book City on Fire: The Fight for Hong Kong). Recorded with a live zoom audience on 17th February 2021.

The political landscape of Indonesia has had a shakeup with the resurrection of the long-defunct Masyumi Party. The once-powerful party invokes a time when Islamists were more united in Indonesia, and signals a desire for greater coordination. Guest: Associate Professor Dirk Tomsa (Politics, La Trobe University) Recorded 9 February 2021.

Cultural and environmental conservation can be motivated by a number of factors, such as desire for resources, tourism, or perhaps just an appreciation for the environment. Perhaps there is no greater motivation for conservation in Asia than that of sacred geographies. Guest: Dr Ruth Gamble (Environmental historian and lecturer, Department of Archaeology and History, La Trobe University) Recorded 30 November 2020.

The election of Joe Biden to serve as the 46th President of the United States comes at a critical moment of the country’s relationship with Asia. A global pandemic, frayed diplomatic relations and struggling economies make the next four years internationally significant, and Biden is assumed to reset many relationships and to bring an old-school sensibility back to diplomacy His actions will have a major impact on regional prosperity and security. In this special episode of the Asia Rising podcast Bonnie Glaser, Senior Adviser for Asia at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, will speak about the outcome of the United States election and what Biden Presidency will mean for Asia. Guest: Bonnie Glaser (Senior Adviser for Asia, Center for Strategic and International Studies) Recorded 17 November 2020.

In 2020, Australia and China relations appeared to hit new lows. Diplomatic tensions flared over a range of issues, including Australia’s unilateral calls for an inquiry into the origins of the coronavirus, Beijing’s trade strikes on key industries, and raids on journalists. In Australia, concerns about foreign interference and human rights violations have encouraged an increasingly hardline anti-China stance in some quarters, including among the so-called ‘Wolverines’. In Chinese media, Australia is presented as a lackey of the United States and a satellite of American interests in the Indo-Pacific. Despite these challenges, China remains Australia’s biggest trade partner. Are Australia-China relations where they need to be? To what extent does Australia remain reliant upon trade with China? And is the Morrison government’s adoption of a more assertive, ‘sovereign first’ approach to Sino-Australian relations helpful, or likely to do more harm than good? In this La Trobe Asia webinar a panel of experts will discuss these questions. Speakers: Dr Gerald Roche (Senior Research Fellow, Politics, La Trobe University) Assistant Professor Dan Hu (Deputy Director, Australian Studies Centre, Beijing Foreign Studies University) Richard McGregor (Senior Fellow, Lowy Institute) Mike Smith (China Correspondent, Australian Financial Review) Chair: Dr Bec Strating (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia) Recorded live via zoom on 11 November, 2020.

Over the past five years India and Australia’s bilateral relations appear to be deepening. Both states agree that the future security challenges are likely to occur in the world’s oceans, and other common domains such as space. As a response to rising regional contestation, India and Australia have both expanded defence cooperation activities, including through the development of multiparty initiatives such as the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (the ‘Quad’) and the new India, France and Australia trilateral grouping. Yet, differences in strategic outlook and trade relations remain that may hinder closer cooperation. Are Australia and India’s strategic interests closely aligned? How does India’s leadership define its core national security interests, and seek to manage relationships with rising China and the US? And what practical steps can India and Australia take to further strengthen bilateral and regional cooperation? A live recording of the Asia Rising podcast as part of the Australia India Institute’s 'India Week' via zoom. Guest: Dr Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan (Distinguished Fellow and Head of the Nuclear and Space Policy Initiative, Observer Research Foundation, New Delhi) Recorded 27 October 2020.

India has a long and unique history with a rich cultural heritage, but in the modern race for progress it can be difficult to conserve the past. The country boasts 38 recognised UNESCO world heritage sites with many more under consideration, ranging from natural wonders like the Himalayan National Park, to the cultural treasures such as the Agra Fort, the Taj Mahal, and the Historic City of Ahmedabad. These sites are treated with respect and pride by India, but many intersect with conflicting demands of tourism, religion, and everyday living. How can India preserve its heritage while pursuing a ‘smart-city’ agenda? Who holds the responsibility for maintaining and preserving these sites? How does heritage status affect the local individuals and communities? Panel: Dr Kiran Shide (Planning, La Trobe University) Professor Utpal Sharma (Dean and Director at the Institute of Architecture and Planning at NIRMA University, India) Dr Anita Smith (Archeology and History, La Trobe University) Chair: Dr Bec Strating (La Trobe Asia) A La Trobe Asia event as part of the Australia India Institute’s 'India Week'. Recorded live via zoom on 29 October, 2020.

From a riverside shack to the presidential palace, Joko Widodo surged to the top of Indonesian politics on a wave of hope for change. However, six years into his presidency, he is struggling to deliver the reforms that Indonesia desperately needs. Despite promising to build Indonesia into an Asian powerhouse, Jokowi, as he is known, has been challenged by regular crisis, from COVID-19 to an Islamist mass movement. How does Indonesia balance the competing demands of democracy and authoritarianism, openness and protectionism, Islam and pluralism? Guest: Ben Bland (Author of Man of Contradictions, Director of the Southeast Asia Program at the Lowy Institute). Recorded 13 October 2020.

The 2020 United States presidential election is weeks away, and the stakes have never been higher. A global pandemic, frayed diplomatic relations and struggling economies make the outcome of the race between incumbent Republican President Donald Trump and stalwart democratic contender Joe Biden internationally significant. Over recent years, China has increasingly asserted its stake in the South China Sea, North Korea has stepped into the international spotlight, and India has flexed its military might at borders in every direction. Despite the Trump administration’s Indo-Pacific strategy, doubt has been cast on the long-term prospects of US leadership and presence in the region. The outcome of the election will likely shape the global balance of power and US-Asian relations for many years to come. What might Asia expect from four more years of a Trump presidency? What does a Biden presidency promise for Asia, and is it likely to improve regional co-operation? Or will the nations of Asia find strength in pursuing greater strategic autonomy? A La Trobe Asia/Perth USAsia Centre event Panel: Frank Lavin (former White House Political Director; former U.S. Ambassador to Singapore) Professor Gordon Flake (Chief Executive Officer, Perth USAsia Centre) Dr Kyungjin Song (Director, FN Global Issues Center) Chair: Dr Rebecca Strating (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia). Recorded live via zoom on 7 October, 2020.

The retirement of Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe was met with concern and dismay in Japan. The long-serving leader had been in office since 2012, retained a strong popularity, and was well respected as a thoughtful and progressive leader in the international arena. Following in his footsteps is Yoshihide Suga, a public face of the Abe administration who emerged as a leading favourite. The 71 year old is from a modest background and a self made man, and would be an unusual leader in a country that favours political dynasties. Guest: Dr Shiro Armstrong (Director, Australia-Japan Research Centre, Australian National University) Recorded 30 September 2020.

In its many successes and struggles, the Asian American community can be seen as a microcosm of the nation. Despite often being treated as a monolithic community there is great diversity amongst the groups, and all are impacted by varying degrees to the current coronavirus emergency, the political climate and the inflammatory rhetoric directed at Asian nations. As the United States approaches a divisive election during the year of a devastating pandemic, La Trobe University’s Asia Rising podcast welcomes Chris Lu to the 150th episode. Chris Lu served in the Obama administration as Deputy Secretary of Labor, White House Cabinet Secretary, and Co-Chair of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. He is a senior fellow at the University of Virginia Miller Center. Recorded 9 September 2020.

Despite their diverse histories and cultures, common tensions characterize debates about identity and nationhood across the Asia-Pacific. Homogenous visions of identity and nationhood sit uneasily alongside notions of citizenship that embrace cultural and ethnic diversity. In many societies, rising inequality feeds fear and resentment of immigrants, and legacies or memories of empire and colonialism have also fuelled resentment of foreign interference or ‘hegemony’. In stories of nationhood, what is forgotten or avoided is just as important as what is remembered. What role, then, does education play in shaping ideas of identity and nationhood across the contemporary Asia-Pacific? To what extent are citizens taught to see political identity as something diverse and complex, and what are the implications of different approaches to citizenship education? And, should we see education as a potential tool for promoting national reconciliation, or as a dangerous weapon for inciting hatred and division? Panel: Professor Tzu-Bin Lin (Associate Vice-President for Academic Affairs, National Taiwan Normal University) Professor Edward Vickers (Professor of Comparative Education, Kyushu University) Professor Kaori Okano (Professor of Japanese Studies/Asian Studies, School of Humanities & Social Sciences, La Trobe University) Chair: Dr Bec Strating (La Trobe Asia, La Trobe University) A joint La Trobe University/Kyushu University event. Recorded live via zoom on 9 September, 2020.

The covid-19 pandemic sweeping across Asia and the world has highlighted the strengths and limitations in the delivery of public health services within different states. While some states like Vietnam and South Korea are praised for their successful responses to the global crisis, the public health systems in other countries have seemingly struggled to manage surges in cases. A well-developed and effective public health system is one that meets the needs of communities through the achievement of primary health care objectives. This requires recognising and accounting for the complex relationships between the delivery of health services and other national priorities in politics, economics, the environment, culture and education. What lessons can Asian states draw from Covid-19 and other pandemics in strengthening their public health systems? Which states have been successful in dealing with pandemics and why? And how are pandemics linked with other global challenges? In this La Trobe Asia webinar a panel of experts will discuss these questions. Panel: Professor Vivian Lin (Public Health Practice, University of Hong Kong) Professor George Liu (School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University) Dr Susan Mercado (Special Envoy of the President for Global Health Initiatives, Philippines) Chair: Dr Bec Strating (La Trobe Asia, La Trobe University) Recorded live via zoom on 2 September, 2020.

Singapore has long been a global hub of business, uniquely positioned in the world of economics at a crossroads serving multiple time zones and business interests. While the highly developed city-state is home to the world’s second busiest port, it has no natural resources and relies largely on international trade for its economic prosperity. How does a new reality of limited travel and pandemic restrictions look from Singapore and what changes can we expect in the global marketplace? What role will it play in regional economic recovery, and is there still a place for a green economy? His Excellency Mr Kwok Fook Seng is Singapore’s High Commissioner to Australia. From 2011 to 2014, he was Singapore’s Permanent Representative to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) in Geneva. As Ambassador for Climate Change from 2014 to 2016, he worked on the Paris Agreement at the 21st Conference of Parties of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in December 2015. Host: Matt Smith Recorded 25 August 2020.

The Chinese Government is building the world’s largest police-run DNA database, profiling tens of millions of people across the country who have no history of serious criminal activity. Those individuals (including preschool-age children) have no control over how their samples are collected, stored and used. When combined with other surveillance tools it will increase the power of the Chinese state and further social control. A live podcast recording of the Asia Rising podcast via zoom. Guests: Associate Professor James Leibold (Head of the department of Politics, Media and Philosophy at La Trobe University) Emile Dirks (PhD candidate in political science at the University of Toronto) Host: Matt Smith Recorded 12 August 2020.

The United States’ approach to Taiwan has long been defined by ‘strategic ambiguity’. While it has never directly challenged China’s claim over the island, the U.S. has also never shied away from selling weapons to Taipei or making use of the Taiwan Strait for naval exercises. The Trump administration has arguably provided more tangible and symbolic support for Taiwan than any previous U.S. presidency - but how much of that is related to China? Is Taiwan just a pawn in a diplomatic chess game between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, and what does the United States prioritise in the relationship? A live recording of the Asia Rising podcast via zoom. Guest: Natasha Kassam (Research Fellow, Diplomacy and Public Opinion Program, Lowy Institute) Recorded 21st July 2020.

The election of Donald Trump was met with mixed emotions across Asia, and in the years since his presidency has had a marked effect on the stability of the region. Countries are adjusting and re-evaluating their perspectives on regional security, alliances are being tested, and many countries are facing the reality of an Asia without a United States presence. How will security and prosperity be achieved in a contested Asia? Does America benefit from an unstable Asia? And what might the future bring for the region with a change of president in America or four more years of Donald Trump? A live recording of the Asia Rising podcast via zoom. Guest: Professor Nick Bisley (Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, La Trobe University) Recorded 15th July 2020.

The election of Donald Trump heralded a new era in the relationship between the United States and India. For India, America has become arguably its most important partner, and the new president represented a volatile unknown. In subsequent years, policy-makers have tried to limit disruption and move the India-U.S. relationship forward. While the strategic side of the relationship has not been without differences, there is a lot at stake for India-U.S. relations. India has unpredictable neighbours in China and Pakistan, and the United States is critical to the maritime security of the Indian Ocean. Has the Trump presidency been good for India and America? Do Narendra Modi and Donald Trump have a good working relationship, and how could things change for the two countries in the future? A live podcast recording of the Asia Rising podcast via zoom. Guest: Tanvi Madan (Director, The India Project, The Brookings Institution) Recorded 7th July 2020.

Donald J. Trump’s win in the 2016 US elections was met with mixed emotions across Asia. Many in the region greeted the election with cautious optimism. They assumed that Washington would take a more pragmatic line, and that a man who prided himself on his business acumen would present new opportunities in trade and resource relations. But the Trump presidency has proven to be unpredictable. His relationship with Asian countries has been wide-ranging, from flattering to negligent, and competition among the major powers, particularly between China and the United States, has intensified and is now the dominant feature of the region’s international relations. So how has the relationship between the United States and Asia fared under the leadership of Donald Trump? Will the situation improve in the future, and what will it mean for the power balance in the region if they don’t? The launch of the La Trobe Asia Brief Issue 4 - Trump in Asia: A More Dangerous Place. Panel: - Associate Professor Nicole Curato (Centre for Deliberative Democracy and Global Governance, University of Canberra) - Professor Zha Daojiong (School of International Studies, Peking University) - Dr Huong Le Thu (Australian Strategic Policy Institute) - Dr Rebecca Strating (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia)(Chair)

The United States and North Korea both share a desire to achieve a breakthrough in their relationship, but to very different ends. At one time there was the hope that strongman personalities of Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un could push their way through diplomatic roadblocks, but with a year since their last significant meeting interaction has stalled. Guest: Sea Young Kim, (Research Associate and Project Manager, the East Asia Institute (EAI), South Korea). Theme music: Asian Wonders by Butterfly Tea Recorded 24th April, 2020.

Over the past decade the hotly disputed South China Sea has become increasingly used as example of the rising strategic competition between the People’s Republic of China and the United States. Overlapping territory claims and maritime jurisdiction, strategic control over maritime domain, and differences in legal interpretations of freedom of navigation combine in a broader contest that affects multiple countries in Southeast Asia as they defend their maritime entitlements. Even regional non-claimant states such as Australia, Japan, India and South Korea claim stakes in the South China Sea, reflecting concerns about the shifting regional order and China’s intentions in the maritime domain. How do these different countries approach the South China Sea disputes? How are concepts around sovereignty, history and the law of the sea used and abused in foreign policy discussions and discourses? And what capacity is there for the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) – the so-called Constitution for the Oceans – to resolve these complex problems? Panel Gregory Poling (Director of the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative, Center for Strategic and International Studies) Dr Lynn Kuok (Shangri-La Dialogue Senior Fellow for Asia-Pacific Security, International Institute for Strategic Studies) Dr Rebecca Strating (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia, La Trobe University) Chair Professor Nick Bisley (Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, La Trobe University) Recorded on 15 June, 2020.

This La Trobe Asia event launches the newly released Australian Journal of International Affairs special issue “Critical Analyses in Australian Foreign, Defence and Strategic Policy”, a collection of essays by early- to mid-career Australian women researchers that arose as a response to ongoing issues around women’s visibility and representation in Australian International Affairs. Session One:vWomen in Australian International Affairs What challenges face women's equitable participation in the discipline & vocation of International Relations, & what strategies and responses might help redress gender imbalances in the field? This keynote panel will discuss the findings of the article “Women in Australian International Affairs”, written Dr Jasmine-Kim Westendorf and Dr Bec Strating of La Trobe Uni who co-edited the special issue. Panel: Dr Jasmine-Kim Westendorf, La Trobe U Professor Sara Davies, Griffith U Associate Professor Sarah Percy, Queensland U Chair: Dr Bec Strating, La Trobe U Session Two: Critical Analyses of Australian Foreign, Defence & Strategic Policy panel This session (chaired by Jasmine-Kim Westendorf) presents the ground-breaking research of women scholars published in the Special Issue with time for questions after each short presentation. Topic 1: The politics of strategic narratives on regional order in the Indo-Pacific: Free, open, prosperous & inclusive? Dr Monika Barthwal-Datta, UNSW & Dr Priya Chacko, Adelaide University Topic 2: Perceptions of terrorism in Australia: 1978 – 2019 Dr Danielle Chubb, Deakin University Topic 3: The Australian Foreign Policy White Paper, gender & conflict prevention: Ties that don’t bind Dr Chris Agius, Swinburne U & Anu Mundkur, Flinders University Topic 4: The externalization of Australian refugee policy & the costs for queer asylum seekers & refugees Dr Jaz Dawson, The Refugee Hub - Ottawa University Topic 5: Enabling authoritarianism in the Indo-Pacific: Australian exemptionalism Dr Bec Strating Held on 3 June, 2020

Countries in Asia are dealing with the Covid-19 crisis differently, and Vietnam has been widely praised in its apparent success. But is this success down to luck, or tight government control? Guest: Bill Hayton (Author of Vietnam: Rising Dragon (2010), his forthcoming book is The Invention of China (2020).

While much of the world is still in the grips of a tumultuous pandemic, areas of Asia are in recovery and planning for the year ahead, albeit at a cautious pace. China, Hong Kong, South Korea and Australia are executing roadmaps for economic recovery, and there are signs that some countries will benefit at the expense of distracted western democracies. How does the next year look for the region? Will Asia emerge from the pandemic region stronger, and have a bolder China to contend with? In this La Trobe Asia webinar we will be joined panel of experts to discuss Asia’s pandemic recovery. Panel: Tanvi Madan (Senior Fellow, Brookings Institute) Bill Hayton (Associate Fellow, Chatham House Asia-Pacific) Nick Bisley (Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, La Trobe University) Chair: Bec Strating (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia) Webinar held on 14 May, 2020.

Since 2017, more than a million Uyghurs and members of other Turkic Muslim minorities have disappeared into a vast network of ‘re-education camps’ in the far west region of Xinjiang in what some experts call a systematic, government-led program of cultural genocide. Now it appears that plans have entered a new phase, as government officials now claim that all ‘trainees’ have ‘graduated’. There is mounting evidence that many Uyghurs are now being forced to work in factories within Xinjiang. Guest: Associate Professor James Leibold (Politics and Philosophy, La Trobe University)

Asia has been coping with the coronavirus in a variety of ways. Some regions, such as China, Hong Kong and South Korea, have reached a point where they are living with it. Others, such as India, Indonesia and the Philippines, are just emerging with cases, and due to low testing it’s hard to get a full picture of the situation. In this episode of Asia Rising, we will hear from three countries in lockdown. Guests: Professor Paul Yip (Centre of Suicide Research and Prevention, Hong Kong University) Sea-Young Kim (East Asia Institute, Seoul, South Korea) Dr Sandesha Rayapa (Linguistic Empowerment Cell, Jawaharlal Nehru University, India)

The South China Seas comprises a large international body of water south of Taiwan. There are island and maritime claims from a number of sovereign states in the region, and is economically important as a commercial gateway for merchant shipping. While much has been said on the arena of competition between the US and China, much less ink has been spilt on comparing the approaches of regional non-claimant states - Australia, India, South Korea and Japan - who all make the South China Seas their business. These states are often described as 'like-minded states' - are they? Guest: Dr Rebecca Strating (Senior Lecturer in Politics and International Relations at La Trobe University, Executive Director of La Trobe Asia) Recorded 19 March, 2020.

Since 2017, more than a million Uyghurs and members of other Turkic Muslim minorities have disappeared into a vast network of ‘re-education camps’ in the far west region of Xinjiang, China, in what some experts call a systematic, government-led program of cultural genocide. The ‘re-education' appears to be entering a new phase, as government officials now claim that all ‘trainees’ have ‘graduated’. There is mounting evidence that many Uyghurs are now being forced to work in factories that are in the supply chains of at least 83 well-known global brands in the technology, clothing and automotive sectors, including Apple, BMW, Gap, Huawei, Nike, Samsung, Sony and Volkswagen. In this La Trobe Asia webinar we will be joined panel of experts who have investigated and reported on the Uyghur forced labour. Panel: Associate Professor James Leibold (Head of Department - Politics, Media and Philosophy at La Trobe University) Vicky Xiuzhong Xu (Researcher, Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI)) Anna Fifield (Journalist for The Washington Post) Chair: Bec Strating (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia) Recorded 9th April 2020.

What started as a protest against a proposed new law, which would see people extradited from Hong Kong to mainland China to face Beijing-style justice, has now turned into a battle for the future of Hong Kong. Sophie McNeill, a Walkley award winning journalist for the ABC television program 4 corners, was on the frontlines of Hong Kong's democracy protests. Guest: Sophie McNeill (Reporter, 4 Corners, ABC) Recorded 18 February, 2020.

With the coronavirus pandemic spreading throughout the world the long-term effects are hard to project, and many are starting to question how a global event like this could alter the Asian economy and the balance of power. Guest: Professor Nick Bisley (Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, La Trobe University) Recorded 13 March, 2020

The Indo-Pacific is both a place and an idea. It is the region central to global prosperity and security. It is also a metaphor for collective action. If diplomacy fails, it will be the theatre of the first general war since 1945. But if its future can be secured, the Indo-Pacific will flourish as a shared space, the centre of gravity in a connected world. Not only is the Indo-Pacific the area where the growing China-US rivalry seems to playing out, it is also home to a host of large and middle powers. These countries have a stake in that Great Power contest, but they also have ambitions and growing economies of their own. How can other countries respond to a strong and coercive China without resorting to capitulation or conflict? Professor Rory Medcalf (Head of the National Security College at the Australian National University) is in conversation with Dr Rebecca Strating (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia) at the Melbourne launch of his new book Contest for the Indo-Pacific: Why China Won't Map the Future published by La Trobe University Press. Introduced by Penny Burtt, CEO of Asialink. Recorded at the State Library of Victoria on 5th March 2020.

For months the citizens of Hong Kong have been taking to the streets, protesting democratic deterioration and rights violations. There have been frequent clashes with police, outbreaks of violence and widespread disruption to the city. As the new year begins the movement shows little sign of relenting, and while it has had some success it would take serious changes in mainland China for broader demands to be considered. While many democracies have voiced support for the movement, even more have remained silent, wary of the damaging accusations of meddling or drawing the ire of Beijing. So what are the demands of the protest movement? What is a likely future for Hong Kong’s democratic movement, and what does it mean for both the island and mainland China? In this La Trobe Asia public event, an expert panel will consider the future and potential of Hong Kong’s democratic movement. Panel: Sophie McNeill (Reporter, 4 Corners, ABC) Dr Kevin Carrico (Senior lecturer, Chinese Studies, Monash University) Yun Jiang (co-editor of China Neican) Associate Professor James Leibold (Head of the Department of Politics, Media and Philosophy, La Trobe University) (Chair) Recorded at State Library of Victoria on 18 February 2020.

North Korea is one the world's most authoritarian and isolated countries, cut off from global trade and Western influence. Yet, its doors remain open to tourists, who the government welcomes and is keen to show the North Korea it wants them to see. Guest: James Scullin (Tour leader in North Korea, co-author: The Hotels of Pyongyang) Recorded 7 February, 2020.

Violence against women and gender activism became central issues in Indonesia during the 2019 elections. The growing importance of these issues and events is a sign of how successful they have been at rallying supporters in the digital media environment. Guest: Dr Monika Winarnita (Honorary Research Fellow, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, La Trobe University) Recorded 5 December, 2019.

The mountains of the Himalaya are instantly recognisable, and they play a critical role in Asia’s climate, hydrology, ecology, and geopolitics. Despite their regional and global importance, they face multiple, severe, and intersecting threats that do not receive the attention they deserve. Speakers: Dr Alexander E. Davis (New Generation Network Research Fellow, Politics, La Trobe University) Dr Ruth Gamble (David Myers Research Fellow, La Trobe University) Dr Gerald Roche (Research Fellow, Politics, Media and Philosophy, La Trobe University) Dr. K.R. Rama Mohan (Associate Professor, Head of Anthropology, Sikkim University) Pema Dorjee (Consulting Editor, Summit Times) Dr Uttam Lal (Assistant Professor, Department of Geography, Sikkim University) An Indian launch of the La Trobe Asia Brief Issue 3, held in partnership with the anthropology department of Sikkim University on 22 November, 2019.

Japan’s national security is rapidly changing. Asia is shifting from an era of prosperity and peace to one of contestation and rivalry between powerful leaders. North Korea has grown emboldened and appears no closer to denuclearisation than when Kim Jong Un embraced dialogue with US President, Donald Trump, in 2017. Xi Jinping’s China is more confident, assertive and nationalistic than ever, and there is fresh uncertainty about Japan’s security partner, the United States. In this challenging security environment, Japan has signalled a desire to change its foreign and defence policy to secure greater regional and global influence. What role is it seeking to play in Prime Minister Abe’s vision of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific? How will it establish and maintain space for itself in the region? What are the prospects for closer security cooperation between Australia and Japan? In conversation: - Associate Professor Tsuruoka Michito (Graduate School of Media and Governance at Keio University, formerly Senior Research Fellow at the National Institute for Defense Studies, Tokyo). - Dr Euan Graham, (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia, La Trobe University). A La Trobe Asia event supported by the Consulate General of Japan in Melbourne Recorded at State Library of Victoria on 11 November 2019.

When Tibet was invaded by China in the 1950s the Dalai Lama and many Tibetans left, finding a new home in India. Over the years this population has grown, now overseen by a Central Tibetan authority which has never been formally integrated into India. While this has allowed Tibetans to retain their culture and religion, it’s added challenges when it comes to citizenship. Guest: Associate Professor Sonika Gupta (China Studies Centre, Indian Institute of Technology Madras) Recorded 26 June, 2019.

Australian universities rely heavily on China for both students and research investment, but engagement brings considerable risk. Technology theft is common, and awareness of how research is being applied is necessary for institutional security. Guest: Alex Joske (Analyst, Australian Strategic Policy Institute) Recorded on 24 October, 2019.

The snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas are instantly recognisable, but the critical role these mountains play in Asia’s climate, hydrology, ecology and geopolitics is mostly underplayed. Despite this importance, or perhaps because of them, there are a number of threats to the environment, many of which intersect, and the Himalayas will need careful management and thoughtful intervention if they are to survive both as a natural environment and a resource. In this event, a panel of experts discuss the problems with managing the Himalayas and potential solutions. Speakers: - Dr Alexander Davis (NGN Research Fellow, La Trobe University) - Dr Ruth Gamble (Centre for the Study of the Inland, La Trobe University) - Dr Anwesha Dutta (Chr. Michelsen Institute, Bergen, Norway) - Dr Euan Graham (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia) Recorded at the launch of the third issue of the La Trobe Asia Brief on 23 October 2019 at the City Campus of La Trobe University.

The ice-capped peaks of the Himalaya are instantly recognisable and play a critical role in Asia's climate, hydrology, ecology and geopolitics. Despite this importance the mountains are also the site of international border disputes, ethnic unrest, competitive development and ongoing environmental and cultural destruction. Guest: Dr Ruth Gamble (David Myers Research Fellow, La Trobe University) Dr Alexander Davis (New Generation Network Research Fellow, La Trobe University) Recorded on 26 September, 2019.

A traditional Tibetan proverb tells that every valley has its river and every village has its own language. These languages are an important part of the Tibetan identity, and and there is much debate among the wider Tibetan diaspora as to how to teach and preserve them. Guest: Dr Tsering Shakya (Associate Professor, Research Chair in Religion and Contemporary Society in Asia, Institute for Asian Research, University of British Columbia) Recorded on 2 July, 2019.

In October 2019 the People's Republic of China celebrated its 70th anniversary with pomp, parades and pageantry. This lecture Asia examines the highs and lows, the failures and its successes of the PRC through the 27 Mao Zedong years and the 43 years since then, of Deng Xiaoping's reform-and-opening followed by Xi Jinping's New Era for "socialism with Chinese characteristics." A China Studies Research Centre / La Trobe Asia event Speakers: - Professor Baogang He (Alfred Deakin Professor and Chair in International Relations at Deakin University) - Dr Gerry Groot (Senior Lecturer in Chinese Studies in the Department of Asian Studies, University of Adelaide) - Dr Delia Lin (Senior lecturer in Chinese Studies in the Asia Institute, University of Melbourne) - Rowan Callick (Author and former China correspondent for The Australian Financial Review and The Australian)(Chair) Recorded on 1 October 2019 at the La Trobe University City Campus.

Thae Yong-ho is a former North Korean diplomat to the United Kingdom who defected to South Korea in 2016. As the highest ranking North Korean official to defect, he has a unique perspective on North Korean politics, reunification with South Korea, and the Kim regime. Guest: That Yong-Ho (North Korean Defector, former North Korean deputy ambassador to the UK). Recorded on 4 September, 2019.

The decision to defect from North Korea is not undertaken lightly, but for those in prominent positions it can be particularly fraught. The fates of Kim’s half-brother, Kim Jong Nam, and uncle, Jang Song Thaek underline the risks of disloyalty to the regime. In this special in-conversation event Thae Yong Ho, a prominent North Korean defector and former North Korean deputy ambassador to the United Kingdom, shares rare insights based on his experience and knowledge of the Kim regime. Speakers: Thae Yong Ho (North Korean Defector, former Deputy Ambassador to the United Kingdom) Dr Euan Graham (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia, La Trobe University) Dr Jay Song (Senior lecturer in Korean Studies, University of Melbourne) A La Trobe Asia event in association with the Asia Institute, University of Melbourne. Recorded on 4 September, 2019.

On 30 June Donald Trump became the first serving US President to step into North Korea. Heavy on symbolism, the meeting with Kim Jong Un suggested a renewed impetus towards easing nuclear tensions. Guest: Professor Gordon Flake (CEO,Perth USAsia Centre, University of Western Australia). Recorded on 22 September, 2019.

Australia is one of the few countries whose shores lap both the Indian and Pacific oceans, and the old adage of “where you stand depends upon where you sit” rings true. From Western Australia, the “Indo” component of the Indo-Pacific has clear geographical clarity. Western Australians look north and west to rising India and rising Indonesia. From the east coast of Australia, developments in the Pacific, including in the nearby Pacific Islands, necessarily capture strategic attention. Geography plays an important role in driving different international and strategic outlooks in Australia. With an expansive coastline, Australia’s vastly dispersed maritime approaches give rise to very different geostrategic and defence considerations. How Australia both recognises and reconciles these differences, and executes a cohesive national policy for Indo-Pacific engagement, will have a significant impact on the nation’s prosperity and security. A La Trobe Asia/Perth USAsia Centre joint event. Speakers: Professor Gordon Flake (CEO, Perth USAsia Centre, University of Western Australia) Erin Watson-Lynn (Head of Programs, Perth USAsia Centre, University of Western Australia) Dr Euan Graham (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia, La Trobe University) Recorded on 22 August, 2019.

For the past twenty years Pakistan has wrestled with terrorism. More than 60,000 Pakistanis have been killed as a result of terrorist attacks. Terrorism has caused tension with Pakistan’s neighbouring countries, with Iran, India and Afghanistan accusing Pakistan of complicity in attacks on their soil. It has also complicated Pakistan's relations with the United States, especially after the discovery that Osama bin Laden had been hiding in the country for years after 9/11. Successive governments, including the present one led by Imran Khan, have struggled to curb terrorist activity by a series of groups, despite international pressure. This La Trobe Asia event will explore the growth and persistence of terrorism in Pakistan, the impact it has had on the country, and the international response to the problem. Speakers: Associate Professor C. Christine Fair (Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University) Professor Ian Hall (International Relations and Deputy Director (Research) of Griffith Asia Institute, Griffith University) Dr Euan Graham (Executive Director - La Trobe Asia, La Trobe University) (Chair) Recorded on 15 August 2019.

India’s government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has made a controversial move to usurp power from Jammu and Kashmir, the nation’s only Muslim-majority state, Modi says the move marked "a new era" that would free the region of "terrorism and separatism". The actions sparked outcry and unrest over the divided Himalayan territory, which both India and Pakistan claim in its entirety. Guest: Associate Professor C. Christine Fair (Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University) Recorded on 15 July, 2019.

For a long time Australia has taken it for granted that America can uphold the old US-led regional order by containing China’s bid to become the region’s leading power – which would keep us safe from any major threats from China. That is no longer something that is assured. Find out more about the La Trobe Asia Brief on Australia-China relations. www.latrobe.edu.au/news/announceme…china-relations Guest: Professor Hugh White (Emeritus, Strategic and Defence Studies Centre, Australian National University) Recorded on 18 July, 2019.

The relationship with China is of critical importance to Australia. It is also increasingly complex, being influenced by economics, domestic factors and strategic forces. Yet it is a relationship with underlying tension. China and Australia sometimes find themselves on different sides of the table in some bilateral issues, and disagreements over foreign investment in Australia, influence, and the interests of allied countries might prevent further successful co-operation or interaction. This panel discusses the key challenges and opportunities confronting the bilateral relationship of China and Australia. Panellists: Professor Nick Bisley (Head of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, La Trobe University) Dr Dan Hu (Deputy Director, Australian Studies Centre, Beijing Foreign Studies University) Rowan Callick (Journalist, author, advisory board member of La Trobe Asia) Professor John Fitzgerald (Centre for Social Impact, Swinburne University of Technology) Dr Euan Graham (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia, La Trobe University)(Chair) The Launch of Issue 2 of the La Trobe Asia Brief: Australia-China Relations: Finding the Elusive Balance. Recorded at the State Library of Victoria on 30 July, 2019.

Australia has implemented a wide range of policies which, while not explicitly anti-China, are definitely interpreted that way. Other countries are taking notice and inspiration from such actions. Find out more about the La Trobe Asia Brief on Australia-China relations. www.latrobe.edu.au/news/announceme…china-relations Guest: Dr Dan Hu (Deputy Director, Australia Studies Centre, Beijing Foreign Studies University) Recorded on 18 July, 2019.

For decades in Australia we have assumed that America will prevent any serious emerging military threats to Australia, or defend us from them if they do, but now America's power in Asia is waning and those old assumptions are no longer valid. So what now? We have never really tried to defend ourselves independently, but now we may have no choice. Can it be done, and if so how? What do we really need to defend? What forces do we need? How much would they cost and how serious are the threats? Speakers: Professor Hugh White (Emeritus Professor of Strategic Studies, Strategic and Defence Studies Centre, Australian National University) Dr Euan Graham (Executive Director of La Trobe Asia) The Melbourne launch of How to Defend Australia by Hugh White, published by La Trobe University Press. Presented at the State Library of Victoria on 17 July, 2019.

In recent years, the Indian and Chinese states have become increasingly assertive in the Himalaya. Driven in part by their mutual enmity and border disputes, both states have undertaken massive infrastructure developments, enabling vast new extractive projects, and a rush of troops and tourists from the plains to the mountains. These political tensions have dangerous ecological consequences. All Himalayan states are building large dams to facilitate development. The Himalayan ice pack moderates monsoonal rains in Asia and feeds most of the region’s large rivers. This system provides 40 per cent of the world’s population with water. To make matters worse, the Himalaya is experiencing climate change at twice global averages. With these political and environmental transformations, the lives of the region’s diverse peoples, including its refugee populations, along with broader ideas of citizenship and belonging, are being changed and challenged. Speakers: Associate Professor Sonika Gupta (IIT Madras) Dr Ruth Gamble (David Myers Research Fellow, La Trobe University) Dr Alexander Davis (New Generation Network Scholar, La Trobe University) Chair: Dr Gerald Roche (Senior Research Fellow, Politics, La Trobe University) Presented at the La Trobe University City Campus on 26 June, 2019.

When talking about Chinese international politics, the loudest voices are often western ones, and the Chinese perspective is limited to official party lines. In a rare interview, Professor Zhu Feng gives his thoughts on the US/China trade war, the South China Sea, China relations with Australia, and China's activity in the South Pacific. Guest: Professor Zhu Feng (Executive Director, China Center for Collaborative Studies of the South China Sea, Nanjing University) Interviewer: Dr Euan Graham (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia) Producer: Matt Smith Recorded 23 June, 2019.

For the most part, China has seen Australia as an especially agreeable and non-troubling partner, as a predictable American security ally but with a friendly twist. This is changing, and the pressure is intensifying for Australia to rebuild its standings with Beijing. Find out more about the La Trobe Asia Brief on Australia-China relations. https://www.latrobe.edu.au/news/announcements/2019/australia-china-relations Guest: Rowan Callick (Journalist, author, advisory board member of La Trobe Asia) Follow La Trobe Asia on Twitter: www.twitter.com/latrobeasia Recorded 30 May, 2019.

Over the past decade the city of Chengdu, capital of the Sichuan province, has emerged as the most important Tibetan city in China. Various forms of financial, political, and symbolic capital have come together, converging in Chendgu, creating a centre for social mobilisation around the production of Tibetanness. Guest: Dr Gerald Roche (Senior Research Fellow, Department of Politics and Philosophy, La Trobe University) Recorded 14 June, 2019.

The collapse of Polonnaruva marked the end of the lowland kingdoms in Sri Lanka's arid north, and the end of a distinctive and successful form of hydraulic low-density urban settlement. Although historically understood as the result of Indian invasion, recent research at Anuradhapura has suggested the very economic system that enabled these kingdoms to flourish within a marginal environment, may have facilitated their collapse. Guest: Dr Keir Strickland (Archaeology, La Trobe University) Recorded 3 June, 2019.

Nusantaria – often referred to as 'Maritime Southeast Asia' – is the world's largest archipelago and has, for centuries, been a vital cultural and trading hub. These have long been primarily the domain of the Austronesian-speaking peoples and their seafaring traditions. The surrounding waters have always been uniquely important as a corridor connecting East Asia to India, the Middle East, Europe and Africa. Guest: Philip Bowring (journalist and author) Book: Empire of the Winds: The Global Role of Asia’s Great Archipelago by Philip Bowring, published by Tauris. Recorded 7 May, 2019.

Can a grand bargain be reached between the United States and China? For the past 40 years the United States dominance of East Asia remained acknowledged and relatively uncontested, but now times have changed. China is a force to be reckoned with, and current American leadership can be seen as slightly ambivalent about challenging a change in the balance of power. Guest: Professor Nick Bisley (Head of School, Humanities and Social Sciences, La Trobe University). Book: After American Primacy Imagining the Future of Australia’s Defence, published by Melbourne University Press. Recorded 26 April, 2019.

On 17 April, Indonesians headed to the polls in one of the largest democratic elections in the world. President Joko Widodo seems assured of a second term, with a quick count announcing a win by around 9-10 percentage points. In this panel discussion, three Indonesia experts will analyse the outcome of the elections, examine what went right and what went wrong for the presidential candidates and political parties, and look at the road ahead for the elected president and Indonesia itself. Panelists: Professor Vedi Hadiz (Director and Professor of Asian Studies at the Asia Institute and an Assistant Deputy Vice-Chancellor International, University of Melbourne) Dr Dirk Tomsa (Senior lecturer, Department of Politics, Media and Philosophy, La Trobe University) Dr Jemma Purdey (Research Fellow, Australia Indonesia Centre, Monash University) Chair: Dr Euan Graham (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia) Presented at the La Trobe University City Campus on 1 May, 2019.

The India/Pakistan relationship has rarely been an easy one, with the two disagreeing on everything from territory, cricket, and who is the rightful owner of the Kohinoor diamond. At times it spills into open conflict which can easily escalate, but who benefits from such a tense relationship, and should the world be concerned? Guest: Professor Ian Hall (International Relations and Deputy Director (Research) of Griffith Asia Institute) Recorded 19 March, 2019.

Indonesians head to the polls on April 17 in one of the largest democratic elections in the world. Joko Widodo will once again face Prabowo Subianto, so how have the candidates changed in that time, and how is the election shaping up? Guest: Dr Dirk Tomsa (Senior lecturer, Department of Politics, Media and Philosophy, La Trobe University) Dr Dina Afrianty (Research Fellow, La Trobe Law School) Recorded on 9th April 2019

Almost no question is of greater significance for Australia’s future than the emergence of China as an economic and military great power. Does the rise of China pose a threat to the security of Australia? If so, a threat of what kind? Speakers: Professor Hugh White (Strategic Studies at the Australian National University) Professor Clive Hamilton (Public Ethics, Charles Sturt University) Chair: Dr Rebecca Strating (Politics, Media and Philosophy at La Trobe University) Introduced by: Professor John Dewar (Vice-Chancellor, La Trobe University) Presented in association with the Ideas and Society Program at the State Library of Victoria on 6th March, 2019.

La Trobe University's incoming Chancellor explains his views on the importance of engaging Asia, and China in particular. Australia and China enjoy a strong relationship in trade and education. Does this present any conflicts with the authoritarian nature of China’s regime, and our alliance with the United States, given the growing antagonism between Washington and Beijing? Guest: John Brumby (Chancellor of La Trobe University, former Premier of Victoria, and until recently a member of the Australian board of China’s telecommunications giant Huawei) Recorded on the 19th February 2019

Australia and India are at a key moment in their relationship. Both countries will have elections this year. India is poised to become the third largest economy in the world, and there are opportunities for both countries in broader co-operation in areas such as security and research. A report released by Australia’s Ministry for Trade, Tourism and Investment judged that no single market over the next 20 years will offer more growth opportunities for Australia than India. Despite much in common there are still cool reactions in some quarters. Resistance to investment from the Indian conglomerate, Adani Group, for the proposed Carmichael coal mine, in Queensland, is the latest episode in a history of faltering engagement. How can Australia and India develop closer ties to their mutual benefit? Panelists: Professor Ian Hall (International Relations, Griffith University) Dr Ruth Gamble (David Myers Research Fellow, La Trobe University) Mr Shabbir Wahid (Director at VFS Global Services) Moderator: Ms Ali Moore (Journalist and Vice-Chancellor's Fellow, The University of Melbourne) A La Trobe Asia event in partnership with Asialink. This event was held on the 19th March 2019 at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI), Melbourne.

China’s Belt and Road strategy is acknowledged to be the most ambitious geopolitical initiative of the age. Covering almost seventy countries by land and sea, It symbolises a new phase in China’s ambitions as a superpower: to remake the world economy and crown Beijing as the new centre of capitalism and globalisation. Guest: Bruno Maçães (Senior advisor at Flint Global and a senior fellow at Renmin University in China).

The global geopolitical landscape is shifting towards Asia. It can be seen in China’s bold infrastructure project reopening the historic Silk Road and in the maritime success of port cities like Shanghai, Hong Kong and Singapore. Asia is rising but so are its connections to Central Asia, Turkey and Europe. Perhaps the best word to capture the emerging global order is 'Eurasian'. At the Melbourne launch of his new book The Dawn of Eurasia, Bruno Maçães discusses the increasing strategic significance of Eurasia, the dominance of China, Russia and the EU, and how the United States is redefining its place in between. Bruno was in conversation with Dr Euan Graham, Executive Director of La Trobe Asia. His visit was supported by Adelaide Writer’s Week. It was held at the State Library of Victoria on 7th March, 2019.

A second summit between the United States and North Korea has been cut short, with Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un walking away from the table suddenly with empty hands. Is denuclearisation of North Korea realistic, and what does it mean for regional stability as a whole? Guest: Dr Euan Graham (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia)

The Kingdom of Bhutan, on the eastern edge of the Himalayas, is a country rarely visited by tourists. Entry is by application and extremely limited, assuring that only a select number of most dedicated tourists meet the criteria. Guest: Paul Strickland (Program Director and Lecturer in Tourism, Hospitality and Event Management in the La Trobe Business School).

In the Chinese region of Xinjiang, tens of thousands of ethnic Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities have been detained inside enormous extrajudicial ‘re-education camps’. China faces mounting pressure from international human rights groups, governments, and academics to end these practices, but will anything help the Uyghurs? Guests: Nury Turkel (Uyghur Human Rights Project) Associate Professor James Leibold (Politics and Philosophy, La Trobe University)

The South China Seas is a region in hot contestation, and is important to many surrounding countries in terms of territory, resources and trade routes. Who controls the South China Seas? Spoiler alert… it’s probably China. Guests: Professor Nick Bisley (Head of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, La Trobe University) Dr Rebecca Strating (Lecturer in Politics and International Relations, La Trobe University)

China and India share a 4000km long border, and it’s been a relationship that has had its tense moments. This situation is made all the more complicated by the Brahmaputra river - rivers recognise no borders, and its resources are always in high demand. Guest: Dr Ruth Gamble (David Myers Research Fellow, La Trobe University)

For most defectors the decision to leave North Korea is never an easy one, and there are major difficulties in addressing the refugee crisis. Those crossing into China risk arrest and deportation, and the safety of those left behind is often in question. Hyeonseo Lee defected from North Korea in 1997, and has since become an activist for human rights. Her memoir, The Girl with Seven Names, is a New York Times best seller. Guest: Hyeonseo Lee

When Narendra Modi and the BJP won the 2014 election in India they did so under the slogan 'Achhe din aane waale hain' - Good days are coming. With an impending election, we give Modi's progress a report card. Have good days come to India? Guest: Emeritus Professor Robin Jeffrey (Politics, La Trobe University)

In the Chinese region of Xinjiang, tens of thousands of ethnic Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities have been detained inside enormous extrajudicial ‘re-education camps’. China claims the region faces a serious threat from Islamist militants and separatists, stirring up tensions between the mostly Muslim Uyghur minority and the ethnic Han majority. After months of denial, the Chinese government now claims these camps are benign vocational training centers, but many outside observers assert that they are little more than prisons where detainees are subjected to political and cultural indoctrination without legal recourse. As more allegations come to light about the treatment of Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities, China faces mounting pressure from international human rights groups, governments, and academics to provide access to these camps and put an end to any coercive and illegal practices. Speaking on Uyghurs in China and how the world should react are: - Nury A Turkel (Uyghur Human Rights Project) - James Leibold (Associate Professor, Politics and Philosophy, La Trobe University) - Louisa Greve (Uyghur Human Rights Project) - Euan Graham (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia) (chair) Co-hosted by the Australian Institute of International Affairs (AIIA) Victoria, on 7th December 2018.

There are 22 official languages in India, but more than 780 have been recognised. It can be a challenge to communicate across the country, and while the most common language is Hindi there’s communication of all sorts in a variety of dialects and scripts. Guest: Emeritus Professor Robin Jeffrey (Politics, La Trobe University) Dr Ian Woolford (Lecturer in Hindi, La Trobe University)

Religion and caste divides Indians in many ways - religion primarily between Hindu and Muslim, with Hindu further divided by a complex caste system which can influence how they work, how they live and even who they marry. While laws and social initiatives have tried to to counteract inequality and discrimination, it does still happen. Guest: Emeritus Professor Robin Jeffrey (Politics, La Trobe University)

With a fast-growing population and aspirations to join the throwaway prosperity of the developed world, India generates vast quantities of waste, sewerage and pollution. How does it live with and deal with the problem? Guest: Emeritus Professor Robin Jeffrey (Politics, La Trobe University) Assoc. Professor Assa Doron (College of Asia and the Pacific. Australian National University)

The Indian National Congress party in India has mostly looked to the Nehru-Gandhi family for leadership, making them powerful figures in India’s political landscape. Four members of the family have been Prime Minister of the country, but does the current leader, Rahul Gandhi, have what it takes? Guest: Emeritus Professor Robin Jeffrey (Politics, La Trobe University).

India goes to the polls in 2019, and the popular incumbent Narendra Modi is currently favoured to retain his position. With close to a billion people eligible to vote elections in India promises to be a busy time and an organisational quagmire. Guest: Emeritus Professor Robin Jeffrey (Politics, La Trobe University).

The vibrant fashion styles of Tokyo are notable for their colour and playfullness, and the shojo culture (girls) draw on anime, manga, literature, film and cosplay. The distinctive fashion movement has evolved to embrace culture and identity, and in this panel we will hear from four experts about shojo and kawaii (cute) studies. - Dr Lucy Fraser is a specialist on Japanese fairy tales and girl culture. - Dr Emerald L King is Japanese literature scholar and cosplayer. - Dr Masafumi Monden is an expert on Japanese fashion. - Megan Catherine Rose specialises in kawaii fashion communities in Tokyo. - Madman MC and cosplayer K (chair). It was co-hosted by La Trobe Asia and the Japan Foundation, Sydney. It was recorded on 1st November, 2018 at the State Library of Victoria.

In 2017 India celebrated 70 years of independence from British rule. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the country, calling for the people to set aside their differences. "India is about peace, unity and goodwill," said Modi. "We have to take the country ahead with the determination of creating a new India." Can a new India emerge from the old? How has it been shaped by its years in the British Empire? Guest: Emeritus Professor Robin Jeffrey (Politics, La Trobe University).

India will soon be unveiling the world’s tallest statue, the Statue of Unity. At 182m tall it towers over its nearest competitor by more than 50m. The statue in the Narmada district of Gujarat is of independence leader Vallabhbhai Patel. The project has been championed by India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and is not without controversy. Guest: Dr Alexander Davis (New Generation Network Postdoctoral Fellow with La Trobe University and the Australian India Institute).

The Bund, or Wai Tan in Chinese, is a waterfront strip in central Shanghai. It is within the former Shanghai International Settlement, and so all the buildings there have a grand colonial feeling, right across the river from the Pudong district, with some of the most modern and radical skyscrapers you’ll see. Guest: Associate Professor James Leibold (Department of Politics and Philosophy, La Trobe University)

Asia is at a dangerous moment. China is rising fast, North Korea may be assembling more nuclear weapons, Japan is building up its military and The United States, for so long a stabilising presence in Asia, is behaving erratically. What can the world’s major powers can do to avoid an eruption of war? Guests: Associate Professor Brendan Taylor (Strategic Studies at the Australian National University, author of ‘The Four Flashpoints: How Asia Goes to War’)

In recent months there has been intense speculation in the media and in policy forums about China’s involvement in the Pacific. In turn, this has raised questions about the Australia’s historical and continuing role in the region, as well as evolving issues around sovereignty and neo-colonialism. Is the sovereignty of Pacific nations under threat? Or is China really providing aid only in order to help those nations attain sustainable development? Should Australia be doing more to support Pacific nations and, if so, what form should this take? Speakers: The Hon. John Brumby (Former Premier of Victoria, currently President of the Australia China Business Council, and incoming Chancellor of La Trobe University). Ms Makereta Komai (Manager/Editor, Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) and author of ‘Fiji’s Foreign Policy and the New Pacific Diplomacy’ in The New Pacific Diplomacy, edited by Greg Fry and Sandra Tarte, ANU Press, 2015) Chaired by Professor Nick Bisley (Head of School of Humanities and Social Sciences at La Trobe University) A public forum hosted by La Trobe University’s Pacific Research Community, La Trobe Asia, and the China Studies Research Centre. Held on 20th September, 2018.

East Asia’s security environment is changing rapidly. China’s power and confidence is rising, the US is increasingly introspective and uncertainty abounds about its power and purpose. India and Russia also clamour for influence. Regional powers are entering a period of growing rivalry and animosity, nationalism is an increasingly pervasive force, and prompted by a pervasive sense of strategic uncertainty, military spending is ramping up in many countries. As a new equilibrium has yet to be established in the security order, how can middle ranking countries like Japan and Australia manage their interests? The two countries have developed a close and cooperative security partnership since 2007. The changing environment is challenging but they can better navigate it by working together in a closely coordinated manner involving both diplomatic and security policy tools. Speakers: Professor Nick Bisley (Head of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, La Trobe University) Dr Rebecca Strating (Lecturer in Politics, La Trobe University) Daniel Flitton (Managing Editor, The Interpreter Lowy Institute)(Chair). The launch of La Trobe Asia's first policy paper, authored by Nick Bisley, Rebecca Strating, Chisako Masuo and Nobuhiro Aizawa. Held at the City Campus of La Trobe University on 7th September, 2018.

East Asia’s security environment is changing rapidly. China’s power and confidence is rising, the US is increasingly introspective and uncertainty abounds about its power and purpose.As a new equilibrium has yet to be established in the security order, how can middle ranking countries like Japan and Australia manage their interests? Guests: Professor Nick Bisley (Head of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, La Trobe University) Dr Rebecca Strating (Lecturer in Politics, La Trobe University)

Asia is at a dangerous moment. China is rising fast, and its regional ambitions are growing. Reckless North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un may be assembling more nuclear weapons, despite diplomatic efforts to eradicate his arsenal. Japan is building up its military, throwing off constitutional constraints imposed after World War II. The United States, for so long a stabilising presence in Asia, is behaving erratically: The possibility of global catastrophe looms ever closer. Geopolitical expert Brendan Taylor is Associate Professor of Strategic Studies at the Australian National University. His new book The Four Flashpoints, examines the areas of Asia most likely to erupt in sudden and violent conflict: the Korean Peninsula, the East China Sea, the South China Sea and Taiwan. He is in conversation with Professor Nick Bisley, Head of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at La Trobe University. This event is the Melbourne book launch of Brendan Taylor's The Four Flashpoints: How Asia Goes to War, published by La Trobe University Press. It was recorded at the State Library of Victoria on 28th August 2018.

For decades Australia’s security and economic policy has been developed based on an established regional order coming out of World War II, but we are now in turbulent times. Strong personalities and strained tensions means a change in the balance of power in the Asian region. Guest: Gareth Evans (Former politician and cabinet minister during the Hawke and Keating governments and foreign minister from 1988 to 1996. Chancellor of the Australian National University).

Waste in India is an important and visible issue, and the country is struggling to manage and process recycling. While a reported 60% of plastics are recycled the volume of garbage is immense, and much of the industry is informal. Guest: Assoc. Professor Assa Doron (College of Asia and the Pacific. Australian National University)

For most defectors the decision to leave North Korea is never an easy one, and there are major difficulties in addressing the refugee crisis. Those crossing into China risk arrest and deportation, and the safety of those left behind is often in question. The status of these refugees is an international issue, and they face a challenge of accessing support and services once they reach safety. While many settle in South Korea there is now a global North Korean diaspora, shaping the global policy debate towards North Korea. All of this could face imminent change with evolving international relations. SPEAKERS: Hyeonseo Lee North Korean refugee, Author The Girl with Seven Names Dr Danielle Chubb Senior Lecturer in International Relations, Deakin University Dr Jay Song Senior Lecturer in Korean Studies, University of Melbourne Dr Rebecca Strating (Chair) Lecturer in Politics, La Trobe University A La Trobe Asia event in partnership with the 2018 Bendigo Writers Festival. Held at the State Library of Victoria on 8th August, 2018.

Japan is one of many countries faced with an ageing population, but the problem is quite pronounced. The world's lowest fertility rate combined with a high life expectancy gives it the oldest mean age in the world of 46.1. A third of Japanese are aged over 60, and the country's population is falling. Guest: Associate Professor Nobuhiro Aizawa (Center for Asia-Pacific Future Studies at Kyushu University).

The mausoleum of Emperor Qin is a national treasure of China, and is known throughout the world for the army of terracotta warriors that guard his final resting place. The army of terracotta warriors is vast, and we are still discovering how they are made,and how best to preserve them. Guest: Xiuzhen Li (Senior Archaeologist, Emperor Qin Shihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum)

On 12th June 2018 the world witnessed a peace summit between two long feuding leaders the United States president Donald Trump and North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Un. While the meeting was unprecedented but did it deliver anything worthwhile, or was it just a glorified photo-op? Guest: Dr Michael Cohen (Senior lecturer at the National Security College, Crawford School of Public Policy, ANU College of Asia and the Pacific). The author of 'When Proliferation causes Peace: The Psychology of Nuclear Crises' published by Goergetown University Press.

In recent history the world witnessed a peace summit between the United States president Donald Trump and North Korean dictator Kim-Jong Un. While Trump cites his negotiating and business skills in bring Kim to the table, Kim would likely see it as an acknowledgement of the threat he poses with viable nuclear weapons. Does state acquisition of nuclear weapons lead to stability and peace or instability and crisis? Speaker: Dr Michael Cohen (Senior lecturer at the National Security College, Crawford School of Public Policy, ANU College of Asia and the Pacific). The author of 'When Proliferation causes Peace: The Psychology of Nuclear Crises' published by Goergetown University Press. This talk was recorded on the 20th June 2018 at the city campus of La Trobe University.

Chinese philosophy has a long history stretching back more than two thousand years and covers schools of thought such as Confucianism, Taoism, Legalism, and Buddhism. It has had a deep influence on the cultural and political development of the nation and people of China. Guest: Professor John Makeham (Director of the China Studies Research Centre, La Trobe University).

China's economy has long been a story of success and growth, and being the second largest in the world has given it a position of power in the global economy. But could there be signs of an economic slowdown ahead of China? What steps would they have to take to safely navigate it? Guest: Professor Michael Pettis (Finance, Peking University).

India’s fast-growing population, and aspirations to join the throwaway prosperity of the developed world, generate vast quantities of waste, sewage and pollution. In attempting to mitigate these problems, India displays strengths and weaknesses, and the Clean India campaign has found successful techniques as well as discovering strategies that do not work. Some of India’s experiments hold lessons for Australia. The panel examines the Indian experience of waste removal, public sanitation, recycling and local-government dilemmas with special reference to India’s economic and population growth and to the role caste plays in the contest to control waste. SPEAKERS Assa Doron is Associate Professor in Anthropology at the College of Asia & the Pacific, Australian National University (ANU). Robin Jeffrey is an Emeritus Professor of Politics at La Trobe University and the ANU and chairs an advisory panel for the Australia-India Institute. Dolly Kikon, a lawyer from northeastern India, has a doctorate from Stanford University and is a lecturer at the School of Social and Political Sciences at the University of Melbourne. CHAIR Sally Warhaft is a Melbourne broadcaster, anthropologist and writer. Melbourne book launch of Waste of a Nation: Garbage and Growth in India by Assa Doron and Robin Jeffrey (Harvard University Press). This event is a collaboration between La Trobe Asia and the Australian India Institute (AII). It was held at the Wheeler Centre in Melbourne on 31st May, 2018.

Asia’s elderly population is on track to reach a billion by 2050, and there are few governments prepared to meet this change, which will have wide social and economic consequences. Guest: Professor Thomas Klassen (Political Science at York University in Ontario, Canada).

The future of the Indo-Pacific region is being buffeted by an array of complex forces including the return of great power rivalry, rising illiberalism, and growing nationalism. SPEAKERS: The Hon Julie Bishop MP (Minister for Foreign Affairs and Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party) Professor Nick Bisley (Head, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, La Trobe University) Tony Walker (Vice-Chancellor’s Fellow, La Trobe University) Dr Rebecca Strating (Lecturer in International Relations, Department of Politics and Philosophy, La Trobe University) In partnership with La Trobe University’s Ideas and Society Program. Recorded at Grand Hyatt Melbourne on 1th April 2018.

Any visitor to China will be acutely aware of the amount of security, and nowhere is this more visible than the nation’s capital, Beijing. Guards are frequent, Cameras are plentiful, and the electronic data mining is extensive. GUEST: Bill Birtles (China Correspondent, Australian Broadcasting Corporation) Theme music: Asian Wonders by Butterfly Tea

The Chinese education system has had its criticisms, but many argue that it delivers, at least in the larger cities such as Shanghai and Hong Kong. Students are pushed to study, with many students attending after-school tutoring, and qualities such as respect and dedication are held to a higher standard than that of western education systems. GUEST: Lenora Chu (American journalist, author of Little Soldiers: An American Boy, a Chinese School, and the Global Race to Achieve’) Theme music: Asian Wonders by Butterfly Tea

Indonesia is a sprawling nation of islands across south-east Asia, and two environmental concerns are significant – deforestation and rising sea levels. The deforestation rate is one of the highest in the world, and rising sea levels threaten much of their territory, including the capital, Jakarta. GUEST: Dr Dirk Tomsa (Senior Lecturer, Politics and Philosophy, La Trobe University).

The population of Asia is ageing rapidly. People are living longer than in the past, and coping with this problem requires thoughtful social security and balancing the interests of different generations. Although nations in the region each have unique characteristics, there are overall trends associated with population ageing, which raise implications that extend across most nations in Asia. Speaker: Professor Thomas Klassen (School of Public Policy and Administration at York University, Canada). Recorded at La Trobe University (City Campus) on 21st March 2018, in an event co-hosted by the John Richards Centre for Rural Ageing Research.

China operates on a scale that outclasses every other country, and are taking climate change seriously. As the world’s biggest polluter many would say that this is the way it should be. But does this give China an advantage and a global platform in green leadership? And are they making the most of it? GUEST: Dr Benjamin Habib (Lecturer, Politics and International Relations, La Trobe University).

Japan faces a rapidly changing international environment. Asia is shifting from an era of peace and prosperity to one of contestation and great power rivalry. North Korea's nuclear ambitions are unsettling the region. Xi Jinping's China is more confident, assertive and nationalistic than ever and uncertainty lingers of the role of Japan's security partner, the United States. In response to these changes and challenges Japan has set out to change its foreign and defence policy and is seeking a greater regional and global influence. It is taking on a greater role in regional security matters including increasing security co-operation with Australia. What role is Japan seeking to play? How will it carve out space for itself in a region dominated by giant powers? And how will the region respond to a Japan that plays a greater role? Nobuhiro Aizawa is an expert in Japanese international relations and southeast Asian politics. He is an Associate Professor at the Center for Asia-Pacific Future Studies at Kyushu University. Nick Bisley is the Executive Director of La Trobe Asia and Professor of International Relations at La Trobe University. Introduced by Yoshimitsu Kawata, Deputy Consul-General of Japan in Melbourne. The event was held at the State Library of Victoria on 28th February, 2018.

North Korea is a country that can little afford a close examination of ecological impact. The environment exists and is protected as long as it is useful as a resource to the authoritative state. Despite this it holds an important place in the mythology of the country, and retaining elements of it is useful, as long as they can be exploited. GUEST: Dr Robert Winstanley-Chesters (Research Fellow, College of Asia and the Pacific, Australian National University) Follow Robert Winstanley-Chesters on Twitter: @rwinstanleyc Follow Benjamin Habib on Twitter: @drbenjaminhabib Follow La Trobe Asia on Twitter: @LaTrobeAsia

India struggles with environmental imperatives. Its cities have the worst air pollution in the world, its iconic rivers are, in some places, literally dead and human development pressures will often override concerns of the natural environment. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made commitments to clean up India, but can he follow through with his promises? Are there more invested interests in pushing forward with industrial projects, and does India's environment have the time to be neglected? GUEST: Professor Amita Baviskar, (Sociologist, Economic Institute of Growth, Delhi). Follow La Trobe Asia on Twitter: @LaTrobeAsia

With China's emergence as a power of the first rank it has changed the Asian region and indeed the world. It has reordered established patterns of trade and investment, unsettled a longstanding balance of power in Asia, and brought old historical antagonisms to the surface. As President Xi Jinping consolidates his power, China increasingly presents a confident and at times assertive face to the wider world. But what does China want from its region? How much change would this represent? What options exist for Australia to influence how the People's Republic comports itself on the wider global stage? GUEST: The Hon. Kevin Rudd (Former Prime Minister of Australia, President of the Asia Society Policy Unit). Follow Kevin Rudd on Twitter: @krudd Follow Nick Bisley on Twitter: @NickBisley Follow La Trobe Asia on Twitter: @LaTrobeAsia

From the turbulent 1960s until today, Hong Kong has been a city shaped by civil disobedience. The latest wave of protests in Hong Kong’s long history of public dissent culminated in the Occupy Central movement of 2014. What emerges from these grassroots movements is a unique Hong Kong identity, one shaped neither by Britain nor China. Guest: Antony Dapiran (author of City of Protest: A Recent History of Dissent in Hong Kong) Follow Antony Daparin on Twitter: @antd Follow La Trobe Asia on Twitter: @LaTrobeAsia

China’s emergence as a global power of the first rank has changed the Asian region and the world. It has reordered established patterns of trade and investment, unsettled a long standing balance of power in Asia and brought old historical antagonisms to the surface. What options exist for Australia to influence how the People’s Republic comports itself on the wider global stage? SPEAKERS: Kevin Rudd (Former Prime Minister of Australia) Linda Jakobson (CEO, China Matters) Professor Nick Bisley (La Trobe Asia, La Trobe University) Recorded on October 26, 2017 at The Sofitel, Melbourne.

The 19th Chinese Communist Party Congress has been and gone, and in its wake we’re left with a more powerful Xi Jinping with an far-reaching vision for the future of the country. But what could it mean in the long-term, and is Xi making a power play that could see future change in both the party and the political balance of China? GUEST: Rowan Callick (China correspondent for The Australian, author of Party Time: Who Runs China and How) Follow La Trobe Asia on Twitter: @LaTrobeAsia

President of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte has been called many names: The Trump of the East, a dictator-in-waiting, the bastard child of Philippines’ democracy. Beyond these colourful labels, however, are critical social transformations occurring in the Philippine society that accompany Duterte’s rise to presidency. SPEAKERS: Dr Nicole Curato (ARC Discovery Early Career Research Fellow, Centre for Deliberative Democracy and Global Governance, University of Canberra). Professor Nick Bisley (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia, La Trobe University) This event was the book launch of a new book edited by Nicole Curato: 'The Duterte Reader: Critical Essays on Rodrigo Duterte’s Early Presidency'. Held at the City Campus of La Trobe University on 30 November 2017.

China and Australia have relationship anchored by strong trade bonds, and there is a respectful prime-ministerial level dialogue between the two countries. Yet it is a relationship with underlying tension. China and Australia sometimes find themselves on different sides of the table in some bilateral issues, and disagreements over foreign investment in Australia, influence, and the interests of allied countries might prevent further successful co-operation or interaction. This panel will discuss the key challenges and opportunities confronting the bilateral relationship of China and Australia. SPEAKERS: Professor Nick Bisley (La Trobe Asia, La Trobe University) Professor Chen Hong (Australian Studies Centre, East China Normal University) Professor Hou Minyue (Australian Studies Centre, East China Normal University) Assoc Professor James Leibold (Politics and Philosophy, La Trobe University) Recorded on November 21, 2017 at East China Normal University, Shanghai.

Australia has a vital set of relationships with its Asian neighbours, built on the foundation of shared geography, security interests and mutually beneficial trade. Over recent decades Japan and China have become global powerhouses and India may yet join them. Having strong, beneficial relations with these countries will only become more important. One of the most important figures in building these relationships is Gareth Evans. When he became Foreign Minister in September 1988 he prioritised building a strong relationship between Australia and Asian countries, navigating the troubled relationship with Indonesia, working closely with China and other regional powers in initiating the UN peace plan for Cambodia, and playing key roles in the creation of new regional economic and security policy architecture with APEC and the ASEAN Regional Forum. This conversation reflects on Gareth Evans’ time in office, discuss his thoughts on Australia’s place in Asia and how our region’s future may unfold. He is in conversation with Professor Nick Bisley, executive director of La Trobe Asia. Gareth Evans was a member of parliament and Cabinet member throughout the Hawke-Keating years. His newbook, Incorrigible Optimist: A Political Memoir is published by Melbourne University Publishing. Recorded at the State Library of Victoria on 15 November, 2017.

Western countries are impressed by the performance of China's schools in international tests and search for the secrets of their success, but are we overlooking the punishing nature of elite schooling in China and its role in increasing inequality? Guest: Professor Edward Vickers (Comparative Education, Kyushu University), co-author of Education and Society in Post-Mao China (Routledge 2017). Follow La Trobe Asia on Twitter: @LaTrobeAsia

India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, is a man with strong views on economics. He came into office in 2014 with a vision for India to be a global manufacturing power, and promises that his leadership will usher in economic revival. Has Modi's economic leadership paid off, or is India still waiting for the cheque to clear? Guest: Adam Roberts (former South Asia correspondent for the Economist, current Europe business correspondent, author of "Superfast Primetime Ultimate Nation: the Relentless Invention of Modern India”) Follow Adam Roberts on Twitter: @ARobertsJourno Follow La Trobe Asia on Twitter: @LaTrobeAsia

China’s Communist Party Congress has begun in Beijing and opened with an address from General Secretary Xi Jinping. The country’s most powerful leader in decades, Xi game himself a glowing report card and set an ambitious agenda for his second term, keeping a captive audience of delegates entranced 205 minutes. What did the address have to say about the successes of China, the new era it approaches, and the role of Xi Jinping moving forward? Guest: Professor Nick Bisley (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia, Professor of International Relations) Follow Nick Bisley on Twitter: @NickBisley Follow La Trobe Asia on Twitter: @latrobeasia

Recent years have witnessed mingled alarm and envy in the West at the supposed excellence of China's education system - epitomized by Shanghai's PISA success. But much public discussion of the context for that success, and of the nature of the education system that has produced it, remains worryingly superficial. Drawing on a new monograph, Education and Society in Post-Mao China (Routledge 2017), this talk re-examines the educational record of China during the four decades of 'Reform and Opening'. It argues that evaluation of this record depends very much on the evaluator's comparative perspective and ethical assumptions. Notwithstanding its impressive performance on many counts, education in Post-Mao China has played a key role in fostering radical social stratification - a role that is not accidental, but intrinsic to the system's design. Edward Vickers is a Professor of Comparative Education at Kyushu University. His research focuses on the contemporary history of education in Chinese societies (mainland China, Taiwan and Hong Kong), with a particular focus on the role of schools and other public institutions in political socialization.

History is the best textbook’ is one of the favourite phrases of China’s President Xi Jinping, yet only one version of history is acceptable in today's China. Since 2012, the ruling Communist party has made radical efforts to tighten its control over history, even bringing lawsuits against those seen guilty of ‘historical nihilism’. The streets around Tiananmen Square were not the only place that experienced a bloody suppression in 1989, and since that time efforts to control historical memory have become more apparent. The state has made clear their desire to rewrite history, and within China they've been successful. Louisa Lim is a Senior Lecturer of Audio-Visual Journalism at the University of Melbourne, and an award-winning journalist who reported from China for a decade for the NPR and BBC. She is the author of The People's Republic of Amnesia: Tiananmen Revisited (Oxford University Press) and co-host of the Little Red Podcast. Follow Louisa Lim on Twitter: @limlouisa Follow La Trobe Asia on Twitter: @latrobeasia

China's influence in Australia has become controversial. For years there have been reports connecting Chinese money to the funding of political parties, think-tanks, and research institutes. There is investment in business and buildings, and the Chinese Communist Party mouthpiece China Daily struck a deal to be distributed in the Fairfax Media’s newspapers. Less recognised is China’s exercise of soft power through the promotion of its culture and history – festivals, tours, exhibitions, performances, subsidies, and scholarships are often representative of a considerable investment in public diplomacy, estimated to be part of the US$10 billion that China budgets annually for ‘external propaganda’. Why does China continue to invest so much in its international efforts to curry favour? What message are they trying to convey, and at what point does it become an issue of concern? How much influence does the People’s Republic of China wield in Australia? This public forum brings together four experts to reflect on Chinese influence in Australia. - Associate Professor James Leibold (Senior Lecturer, Politics, La Trobe University) - Louisa Lim (Senior Lecturer, Audio Visual Journalism, University of Melbourne) - Professor Bates Gill (Strategic and Defence Studies Centre, Australian National University) - Professor Nick Bisley (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia) (Chair) Held at the State Library of Victoria on 19 September, 2017.

For the past 15 years western democracies have appeared to reach a crisis point. Cynicism towards political institutions is widespread, with results in the UK and the United States the most visible manifestation of this trend. In contrast, the Chinese Communist Party has overseen the greatest advancement in human development history, and maintained social stability and cohesion at the same time. Is there something structurally wrong with liberal democracy, and does China have a better model for managing politics in the 21st century? Guest: Professor Daniel Bell (Dean, School of Political Science and Public Administration, Shandong University) Follow La Trobe Asia on Twitter: @latrobeasia

Modern India stands on the threshold of becoming a global power. As it seeks to revitalise its economy and improve the health and education prospects of its citizens, improve its fractious relations with China and Pakistan and make its mark on the global stage, the key to understanding its future lies in understanding its leader. Prime Minister, Narendra Modi is a controversial figure in his own country and abroad. He has garnered unprecedented political support while facing criticism for his nationalism, his record in government and his economic policies. With his leadership India has enormous potential and equally vast challenges. Adam Roberts, journalist for the Economist (between 2010 and 2015 was its South Asia bureau chief) and author of Superfast Primetime Ultimate Nation, which draws on years of on-the-ground research, and interviews with everyone from wayside fortune-tellers to Modi himself, will be in conversation with Professor Nick Bisley, Executive Director of La Trobe Asia. A La Trobe Asia event in partnership with Griffith Asia Institute.

Much of migration to Melbourne is studied in a post-war context dominated by Greeks and Italians fleeing a post-war Europe, but it undoubtedly goes back much further. Asian migrants played a notable part in the city’s growth, and these people bought new languages and culture with them. Guest: Dr Nadia Rhook ( Archaeology and History, La Trobe University) Follow Nadia Rhook on Twitter: @NadiRhook Follow La Trobe Asia on Twitter: @latrobeasia

The Philippines’ maverick president, Rodrigo Duterte, has had a turbulent first year in office. His crime fighting agenda, popular with the middle class during the election, has delivered a bloody and devastating war on drugs with crowded prisons and thousands killed in the streets. Internal conflict with Islamic State-backed groups has led to martial law on the island of Mindanao and threats of civil war. With five years left in his term of presidency, what can the Philippines and the world expect from Duterte? In this discussion two experts give their assessment of how Duterte has fared in his first year. Dr Nicole Curato (ARC Discovery Early Career Research Fellow in the Centre for Deliberative Democracy and Global Governance at the University of Canberra.) Professor Nick Bisley (Executive Director of La Trobe Asia and Professor of International Relations at La Trobe University.) A live event presented by La Trobe Asia in partnership with the Philippines Australia Studies Centre on 16th August, 2017.

China’s political and economic growth in the past three decades has been rapid and impressive, and central to this transformation has been the role of the Chinese communist Party. It controls the government, courts, media and military, and its decisions have a global impact. Guest: Richard McGregor, journalist and author of ‘The Party: The Secret World of China’s Communist Rulers’. Follow Richard McGregor on Twitter: @mcgregorrichard Follow La Trobe Asia on Twitter: @latrobeasia

A North Korean threat is a reality Asia has had to deal with for some time, but now that they have nuclear weapons that can reach the United States mainland the stakes of changed. Tensions on the Korean peninsula remain high, and two unpredictable and strong-willed leaders, Kim Jong-Un and Donald Trump, could escalate the situation quickly. Guests: Professor Nick Bisley (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia) Dr Benjamin Habib (Lecturer, International Relations, La Trobe University) Follow Nick Bisley on Twitter: @NickBisley Follow Benjamin Habib on Twitter: @drbenjaminhabib

Japan has a challenging future. Its population is declining, the economy remains anaemic while the country’s security environment is extremely challenging. North Korea presents an existential threat, and China’s growing military power threatens the country’s long-term interests. Even though it is an affluent country the restrictive constitution forced on it after World War II places limitations on Japan’s military and makes it dependent on its ally, the United States. Murray McLean (Former Australian Ambassador to Japan (2004-2011)) speaks to Professor Nick Bisley (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia) about the impact a more strategically influential Japan could have on Asia and the world. Follow Nick Bisley on Twitter: @NickBisley Follow La Trobe Asia on Twitter: @latrobeasia

For more than half a century, American power in the Pacific has successfully kept the peace. But it has also cemented the tensions in the toxic rivalry between China and Japan, consumed with endless history wars and entrenched political dynasties. Now, the combination of these forces with Donald Trump's unpredictable impulses and disdain for America's old alliances threatens to upend the region, and accelerate the unravelling of the postwar order. If the United States helped lay the postwar foundations for modern Asia, now the anchor of the global economy, that structure is now crumbling. Richard McGregor is a journalist and an author with extensive experience in reporting from East Asia and Washington. He is the author of Asia's Reckoning: China, Japan, the US and the Struggle for Global Power. A La Trobe Asia seminar recorded on 1st August, 2017.

In recent years, the English-speaking world has become wildly enthusiastic about India. India is a trusted ally, ‘the world’s largest democracy’, and it’s the ‘democratic counterweight’ to China. Despite these pronouncements, India has continually defied and confounded the expectations of the English-speaking world. Dr Alexander Davis, (New Generation Network research fellow with La Trobe University Department of Politics and Philosophy and the Australia India Institute) speaks to Matt Smith about the English-speaking world's 'India problem'. Follow Alex Davis on Twitter: @AlexEDavisNGN Follow La Trobe Asia on Twitter: @latrobeasia

The Great Wall has long been a symbol of China, but a problematic one - an authentic experience can be hard to find, and in the modern day China wants to be seen as open and inviting, but a wall closes off, and keeps people out. Associate Professor James Leibold (Department of Politics and Philosophy, La Trobe University) and Dr Graeme Smith (Research Fellow at the Australian National University) take Matt Smith on a tour of the Great Wall of China. Follow James Leibold on Twitter: @jleibold Follow Graeme Smith on Twitter: @GraemeKSmith Follow La Trobe Asia on Twitter: @latrobeasia

Globalisation and major power rivalry are creating a China-centric integrated Asian strategic system, drawing together the once-discrete theatres of Northeast, Southeast, South and Central Asia. Nationalist ambition among the region’s giants will make integrated Asia an unstable place where cooperation among the great powers will be much harder to achieve than in the past. Professor Nick Bisley (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia) speaks to Dr Andrew Carr (Senior Lecturer, Strategic and Defence Studies Centre, Australian National University) about changing strategic geography. This podcast was recorded live at the launch the new Centre of Gravity Paper ‘Integrated Asia’ by Nick Bisley, on 20th June, 2017. Download the paper from the Centre of Gravity website. Follow Nick Bisley on Twitter: @NickBisley Follow Andrew Carr on Twitter: @AOCarr

Is Tibetanness under threat? As more young Tibet are lured towards a dominant Chinese education, Tibetans are faced with hard realities of ethnocultural survival. Dr Adrian Zenz (European School of Culture and Theology, Germany) speaks to Associate Professor James Leibold (Politics, La Trobe University) about the challenges facing Tibetan language and culture in China. Follow Adrian Zenz on Twitter: @adrianzenz Follow James Leibold on Twitter: @jleibold

On 14 May this year 33 world leaders gathered in Beijing for what has been touted as the inaugural Belt and Road Forum for international Cooperation. Billed as the biggest diplomatic event in China this year the summit was ostensibly about improving economic integration between East and West and providing leadership to a global economy going through difficult times. Dr Luca Anceschi (Lecturer in Central Asian Studies, University of Glasgow) joins Professor Nick Bisley (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia) to discuss the Belt and Road Initiative and its potential to usher in a new era of Chinese global dominance. Follow Luca Anceschi on Twitter: @anceschistan Follow Nick Bisley on Twitter: @nickbisley

Since the fall of President Suharto’s new order regime in 1998, culture has exploded in Indonesia, and nowhere is this more evident than in the media. With increases in media providers comes increases in diversity of media forums and media content. With such an increasing in offering comes an altering of the public discourse that can further change democracy and modernity. Professor Ariel Heryanto (Herb Feith Professor for the Study of Indonesia at Monash University) speaks to Matt Smith about the politics and development of Indonesian screen culture. Follow Ariel Heryanto on Twitter: @ariel_heryanto Follow La Trobe Asia on Twitter: @latrobeasia

Australia is a country that depends on investment, and normally we can't welcome it enough. But money coming from China is different, can be at odds with strategic interests, and can cause considerable tension. Professor Nick Bisley (Executive Director of La Trobe Asia) is joined by Hannah Bretherton (Project Coordinator and Researcher at China Matters) to discuss the issues and challenges associated with Chinese investment in Australia. Follow Hannah Bretherton on Twitter: @hcbretherton Follow Nick Bisley on Twitter: @nickbisley

In Fear of Abandonment, expert and insider Allan Gyngell tells the story of how Australia has shaped the world and been shaped by it since it established an independent foreign policy during the dangerous days of 1942. Gyngell argues that the fear of being abandoned – originally by Britain, and later by our most powerful ally, the United States – has been an important driver of how Australia acts in the world. Allan Gyngell was foreign policy adviser to Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating and worked as a diplomat, policy officer and analyst in several government departments. Featuring Fairfax senior correspondent Daniel Flitton in conversation with the author.

Colin Mackerras is a world authority on Chinese culture and society, and he has taught in China since the 1960s, where he was a witness to the beginning of the Cultural Revolution. He joins Dr Yangbin Chen (Chinese Program, Languages and Linguistics, La Trobe University) in this interview.

India has been described as a country of potential, but hiding behind that hopeful term are a few powerful statistics. By 2022 it is projected to surpass China to become the most populated country in the world, and currently around 50% of India's people are below the age of 24. Professor Craig Jeffrey (Director, Australia India Institute) speaks to Matt Smith about the challenges presented with youth in India, and whether it's a demographic dividend or a disaster. Follow Craig Jeffrey on Twitter: @CraigJeffreyaii Follow La Trobe Asia on Twitter: @latrobeasia

It's no exaggeration that the election of Donald Trump was a shock to the system, and this was no more so than in the Asian region. During his election campaign Trump was abrasive and antagonistic towards many Asian countries, in particular China. Dr Ashley Townshend (Research Fellow, United States Studies Centre, University of Sydney) talks to Professor Nick Bisley (Executive Director of La Trobe Asia) about Trump's 'America First' approach and what it means for Asia. Follow Ashley Townshend on Twitter: @ashleytownshend Follow Nick Bisley on Twitter: @nickbisley

Many countries have a problem when it comes to gender equality, but in Japan it's quite pronounced. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe says he wants to put more women to work to help make up for the country's shrinking population, but there is little evidence of serious progress in what has been dubbed ‘womenomics'. Of particular note, Japan has the lowest percentage of women’s political representation in the industrialised world. Dr Emma Dalton (Japanese Lecturer in Global and Language Studies in the School of Global, Urban and Social Studies, RMIT) speaks to Matt Smith about why the glass ceiling is so hard to crack in Japan. Follow Emma Dalton on Twitter: @EmmaDal1977 Follow Matt Smith on Twitter: @nightlightguy

The opening years of the 21st century seemed to herald the start of a new era. On the back of China's remarkable economic revitalisation, India's reforms, as well as the ongoing growth in South Korea, Taiwan, and ASEAN economies, many argued that the new century belonged to Asia. Is that still the case, or has the gloss come off the Asian century? Andrew Leigh (Shadow Assistant Treasurer and Federal Member for Fenner, Australia) talks to Professor Nick Bisley (Executive Director of La Trobe Asia) about whether the concept still applies and what Asia's development will mean for Australia. Follow Andrew Leigh on Twitter: @ALeighMP Follow Nick Bisley on Twitter: @NickBisley Subscribe to Andrew Leigh's podcast: The Good Life

In 2014 the UN's commission of inquiry into human rights in North Korea published a report detailing human rights abuses committed by the country's leadership against its own people. They compared the scale of the abuse to the atrocities committed by the Nazis. Dr Danielle Chubb, (lecturer in International Relations at Deakin University) talks to Matt Smith about the response to the report and human rights issues in North Korea.

In 1964 the Communist Party of China released a collection of Mao’s speeches and statements titled ‘Quotations from Chairman Mao Tse-Tung’. Small, easily carried, and bound in bright red colours it became commonly known as the Little Red Book, and went on to become the most important tool of propaganda during the cultural revolution. Associate Professor James Leibold (Politics and Philosophy, La Trobe University) talks to Matt Smith about the power of Mao's book and how to spot a real one.

A sound foreign policy is crucial to the success and safety of any country, and governments are grappling with different ideals and agendas to maintain relationships in the current changing global environment. Allan Gyngell (Adjunct Professor of Public Policy at the Australian National University, director of the Crawford Australia Leadership Forum) joins Matt Smith to discuss Australia's Foreign Policy and reflect on its interactions with Asia.

State intervention in natural resource management is often inflexible, but projects in the Kangra District of India have found better success by involving the local communities. Dr Harry Fischer (Associate Lecturer in the Department of Social Inquiry at La Trobe University and a New Generation Network Fellow at the Australian India Institute) speaks about natural resource management in Himachal Pradesh, particularly the water canal 'kuhl' system.

Thailand has reached a period of political change. The recent death of the long-serving monarch, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, and the crowning of his son Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn have rocked a country still seeing fallout of a 2014 military coup. Dr Greg Raymond (Research Fellow at the Strategic & Defence Studies Centre at the Australian National University) talks to Matt Smith about the way forward for Thailand.

China is home to 1.5 billion people, many of them living in industrialised cities, and with that comes a heavy burden of medical problems. Martin Taylor (Team Leader, Health Systems and Health Security, World Health Organization, Beijing) discusses the good and the bad in China's health.

The study of Australia is well-established in China, and the active engagement across universities helps build cultural, social and economic understanding between the two countries. Professor David Walker (Chair of Australian Studies at Deakin University) talks to Matt Smith about Chinese understanding of Australia, and the healthy network of Australian studies.

Donald Trump will be the next President of the United States. While America, the world, and the Donald comes to terms with this unexpected result, the question is inevitably asked… what happens next? Professor Nick Bisley (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia) and Dr Kumuda Simpson (International Relations, La Trobe University) speak to Matt Smith about the international reaction to a Trump presidency.

Media in Australia and much of the western world are facing pressing times with shrinking revenue and a changing landscape, but how much of these trends coming across in the Chinese press? Lisa Murray (China Correspondent, Australian Financial Review) talks to Matt Smith about the media landscape in China and her experiences as a foreign correspondent.

The 2016 United States election is almost upon us, and much of the rhetoric has focused on countries in Asia. Hilary Clinton has made references to 'standing up to bullies', with Donald Trump going several steps further in his comments about China. Professor Nick Bisley (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia) speaks to Matt Smith about what Clinton or Trump could mean in Asia, and how regional security and economic stability hangs in the balance.

China and Australia have a long relationship anchored by strong trade bonds, yet this relationship isn’t without tension. The two countries often find themselves on different sides of the table when it comes to broader bilateral ties, and issues such as disagreements over foreign investment and the position and interests of allied countries threaten to prevent any meaningful co-operation or interaction. Professor Hou Minyue (Deputy Director, of the Australian Studies Centre, at East China Normal University in Shanghai) speaks to Matt Smith about the Australia-China relationship.

The cow is a sacred animal in India with nearly 80% of its Hindu population abstaining from eating beef and worshiping the animal for its production of milk. Surprisingly enough, the country has become the world's largest exporter of beef products, exporting more than 2 million tonnes a year and consuming just as much. Why is India selling the sacred cow? Dr Yamini Narayanan (DECRA Senior Fellow at the Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation at Deakin University) talks to Matt Smith about this clash of ideals which have become a topic of controversy, corruption and murder in India.

It’s been more than two years since Joko Widodo was elected Indonesian President. While his election occurred on a wave of high hopes and high expectations, little was known at the time about how the new President would approach Indonesia’s international affairs. Dr Evi Fitriani (Head of the International Relations Department at Universitas Indonesia)talks to Dr Rebecca Strating (Politics and Philosophy, La Trobe University) about Indonesia’s approach to foreign policy under the Widoko administration.

India has more than a billion mobile phones in use, with more people having access to a mobile phone than a toilet with plumbing. What impact has the phone had on India's society, politics and economy? Emeritus Professor Robin Jeffrey (Politics, La Trobe University)speaks to Matt Smith about the implications of a connected India.

On 30th June, Rodrigo Duterte was sworn in as the Philippines 16th President. Observers outside the country were stunned by his sudden rise to power, in both his tone and at times violent rhetoric he seemed, to many, to be South East Asian version of Donald Trump. Dr Nicole Curato (ARC Early Career Research Fellow at the Institute for Governance and Policy Advice in the University of Canberra) talks to Professor Nick Bisley (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia) about the kind of leader Duterte will be, and the changes he wants to bring to South East Asia's second largest population.

An election in the upper house of Japan has delivered a supermajority to Shinzo Abe, with two thirds of it in control of his Liberal Democratic Party and its allies. The win is a substantial vote of confidence for the Prime Minister and his policies, and with a similar majority in the lower house he now has the legislative firepower to make substantial changes, including rewriting Japan’s pacifist constitution. Dr David Envall (International Relations, Australian National University) talks to Matt Smith about the election results and what Abe could do with this power.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a political and economic organisation formed 49 years ago by like-minded southeast Asian countries. Much like the EU it aims to streamline co-operation such as trade and social progress between its member states, and increase bargaining power with the rest of the world. Professor Nick Bisley (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia) talks with Matt Smith about this regional entity, and whether the lofty aims of ASEAN are about to crack under outside pressures.

After hundreds of years of occupation and a bloody struggle for independence, Timor-Leste formed its democratic government in 2002, running an election under the watchful eye of the UN. It’s since had three highly competitive elections since 2002 that have been universally recognised as free and fair. Dr Rebecca Strating (Politics, La Trobe University) talks to Matt Smith about the state of democracy in Timor-Leste - is it failing as an institution, and is that a bad thing for the country?

The Three Gorges Dam, the world's largest hydro-electric power station, is one of the greatest infrastructure projects of modern times. Building it displaced many hundreds of thousands of people, and transformed the environment in a key part of China. Dr Brooke Wilmsen (Social Inquiry, La Trobe University) talks to Professor Nick Bisley (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia) about the impact of the dam on the lives of people in the region, what it tells us about China's modernisation, and the kind of social challenges faced by a rapidly industrialising society.

The Uyghurs are a Turkic-speaking Muslim minority that predominantly inhabit the far western region of China known as Xinjiang. Dr David Brophy (History, University of Sydney) talks to Assoc. Professor James Leibold (Politics, La Trobe University) the emergence of the Uyghur nation and reform and revolution on the Russian frontier. David Brophy's book, Uyghur Nation (2016) published by Harvard University Press: www.hup.harvard.edu/catalog.php?isbn=9780674660373 Follow David Brophy on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Dave_Brophy Follow James Leibold on Twitter: www.twitter.com/jleibold Theme music: Asian Wonders by Butterfly Tea

Indonesia has had ongoing problems with corruption since it established democracy in 1998, and while some recent high profile cases have been exposed, it's a problem at every level of government. Dr Dirk Tomsa (Politics, La Trobe University) talks to Professor Nick Bisley (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia) about Indonesia's ongoing struggle to combat corruption, whether it be exposed through efforts of the KPK, or political machinations. Copyright 2016 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.

The Indonesian island of Java has experienced a resurgence of Islam in recent years. Professor Joel Kuipers (Anthropology, George Washington University), presents the striking rise of the use of Arabic names in the island as a way of ethnographically bridging the gap between comparative surveys and in-depth interviews. Presented as a seminar for the Centre for Research on Language Diversity at La Trobe University on 11th May, 2016.

Observers worldwide are watching with trepidation as Donald Trump gains ground in the United States election. Perhaps none more carefully than China, who Trump directs many aggressive remarks towards, expressing a desire for stronger trade negotiations. Professor Nick Bisley (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia) speaks to Matt Smith about Trump's attitude towards China, the actions he could take, and how his victory could work in China's favour. Copyright 2016 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.

During World War II (and the wider Pacific War) women from many Asian countries were kept in 'comfort stations' for the use of Japanese soldiers. While Japan has now given ¥1 billion in compensation there is little acknowledgement of the issue, and it has caused tension in particular with neighbouring South Korea. Dr Nicola Henry (Social Inquiry, La Trobe University) speaks to Professor Nick Bisley (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia) discuss the issue of comfort women, whether the recognition offered is sufficient, and the extent of the political issues. Copyright 2016 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.

Suicide is a significant public health problem. With a highly populated and urbanised environment, Hong Kong in particular has taken a proactive approach to suicide prevention, such as restricting means, improving the data record, and media engagement. Professor Paul Yip (Director for the Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention) dicusses suicide prevention practices in Hong Kong, as well as cultural differences in attitudes between the east and the west. Copyright 2016 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.

India is a country that can overload the senses. One of the most striking features a visitor can notice is the country's seemingly endemic problem with rubbish and pollution. Professor Robin Jeffrey (Emeritus, La Trobe University) talks to Professor Nick Bisley (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia) about the extent of India's problem with waste, the cultural attitude towards sanitation, and Modi's plan to clean up India. Follow Nick Bisley on Twitter: www.twitter.com/nickbisley Copyright 2016 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.

The South China Sea is a critical commercial gateway for a significant portion of the world’s merchant shipping, and much of the territory is disputed by neighbouring countries. China's recent land reclamation projects in disputed areas leave many to fear it could escalate into full-scale conflict. Dr Euan Graham (Director, International Security. Lowy Institute for International Policy) joins Professor Nick Bisley (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia) to discuss the dispute and explain what's at stake. Follow Euan Graham on Twitter: www.twitter.com/graham_euan Follow Nick Bisley on Twitter: www.twitter.com/nickbisley Copyright 2016 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.

The recent arrest of Jawaharlal Nehru University student leader Kanhaiya Kumar on the charges of sedition have shaken India, the world's biggest democracy. Dr Ian Woolford (Hindi Program, La Trobe University) talks to Professor Nick Bisley (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia) about the Modi government reaction and what this crisis means for freedom of speech in India. Follow Ian Woolford on Twitter: www.twitter.com/iawoolford Follow Nick Bisley on Twitter: www.twitter.com/nickbisley Copyright 2016 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.

Australia's Turnbull government has released a new defence white paper containing the affirmation of the purchase of 12 new submarines. There have been previous indications that these would come from Japan, but much has changed in both domestic and international politics in this time. Professor Nick Bisley (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia) tells Matt Smith why Japan will be the provider of Australia's submarines and the ripples it could make in international diplomacy. Follow Nick Bisley on Twitter: www.twitter.com/nickbisley Follow Matt Smith on Twitter: www.twitter.com/nightlightguy Copyright 2016 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.

Chinatown was established in Melbourne in 1854, 20 years after the city started. It is located in Little Bourke St, and has a long history of supporting the local Chinese community. Dr Sophie Couchman (Curator at the Chinese Museum (Melbourne), Honorary Research Fellow, History, La Trobe University) talks about history, culture, and influences of Melbourne's Chinatown. Follow Sophie Couchman on Twitter: https://twitter.com/sophiecouchman Follow Matt Smith on Twitter: https://twitter.com/nightlightguy Follow Chinese Museum, Melbourne on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Chinese_Museum Copyright 2016 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.

Art therapy is a theraputic mental health inititiative from the western world, but it has now been incorporated into mental health initiatives in the Pacific Island nation of Samoa. Dr Patricia Fenner (Public Health, La Trobe University) talks about the program success and the strong influence Samoan community and culture has played in it. Follow Jasmine-Kim Westendorf on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Jasminekimw Copyright 2016 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.

It's been 15 years since the United Nations Security Council resolution on women, peace and security. Despite all the efforts there is still a lot of disappointment that women are still so excluded from peace processes. Dr Meenakshi Gopinath (Founder and Honorary Director of WISCOMP) talks to Dr Jasmine-Kim Westendorf (International Relations, La Trobe University) about how and why women should be included and encouraged in conflict resolution. Follow Jasmine-Kim Westendorf on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Jasminekimw Copyright 2016 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.

At the end of World War II, Japan adopted Article 9 into their constitution, aspiring to international peace and not having a standing army. Pacifism became part of the Japanese identity, but this could change with recent legislation. Professor Nick Bisley (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia) and Matt Smith discuss the recent constitution changes and what it could mean for Japanese society. Follow Nick Bisley on Twitter: www.twitter.com/nickbisley Follow Matt Smith on Twitter: www.twitter.com/nightlightguy Copyright 2015 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.

America has an interesting relationship with many Asian countries - on the surface there is polite co-operation and trade, but always with a wary attitude. Professor Nick Bisley (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia) and Dr Kumuda Simpson (International Relations, La Trobe University) speaks to Matt Smith about United States and their interaction with Asian states. Recorded in front of a live audience on 11th November, 2015. Nick Bisley on Twitter: www.twitter.com/nickbisley Kumuda Simpson on Twitter: www.twitter.com/kumudasimpson Copyright 2015 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.

Now an independent democracy, Timor-Leste is struggling to renegotiate treaties and agreements with neighbouring countries, particularly water territories with Australia which could give them better access to dwindling oil fields. Dr Bec Strating (Department of Politics and Philosophy, La Trobe University) talks to Professor Nick Bisley (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia) on Timor-Leste's motives and challenges in the Timor Gap. Bec Strating on Twitter: www.twitter.com/becstrating Nick Bisley on Twitter: www.twitter.com/nickbisley Copyright 2015 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.

Malcolm Turnbull has been the prime minister of Australia for two months, and while he hasn't made significant political moves regarding Asia, we can predict what kind of leadership he might bring. John Garnaut (Fairfax's Asia Editor) speaks to Professor Nick Bisley (executive director, La Trobe Asia) about the change in political tone Turnbull will bring towards Asia. Recorded in front of a live audience on 11th November, 2015. John Garnaut on Twitter: www.twitter.com/jgarnaut Nick Bisley on Twitter: www.twitter.com/nickbisley Copyright 2015 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.

China has announced a relaxing of the family planning policy, with a change of the existing law to a two-child policy beginning March 2016. Dr James Leibold (Politics and Philosophy, La Trobe University) discusses how the one-child policy has impacted China, if it was effective, and whether the change will come in time. Copyright 2015 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.

When we talk about the Asia what is the adjective referring to? Is it culture, geography, or somewhere in between? 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 broad implications of that single word. Copyright 2015 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.

China's economy is in a state of transition, and its success and failure has an impact on a global level. Dr Geoff Raby (Australia's Ambassador to China from 2007-2011, director of his Beijing-based business advisory company – Geoff Raby and Associates Ltd) speaks to Professor Nick Bisley (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia) about how the Chinese economy is transitioning and the changes it needs to make. Copyright 2015 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.

North Korea has an image of dire poverty and famine, but thanks to trade with Russia and China the economy is a dynamic space and fast developing. Dr Benjamin Habib (Politics and International Relations, La Trobe University) speaks to Professor Nick Bisley (Executive Director, La Trobe University) about the impact of North Korea's development and the emergence of the 'donju', the middle class. Copyright 2015 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.

China marked the 70th anniversary of Japan's defeat in World War II with a massive military parade which was as much a celebration as it was a show of force to the rest of the world. Professor Nick Bisley (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia) and Dr James Leibold (Senior lecturer, Department of Politics and Philosophy, La Trobe University) examine the parade and the message that Xi Jinping was trying to send, both domestically and internationally. Copyright 2015 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.

When the democratic government of Nepal was established in 2006 it marked the official end of a decade long civil war and a long drawn-out peace process with heavy involvement from the international community. But did it address the underlying tensions that caused the civil war, or does it remain unresolved? Dr Jasmine-Kim Westendorf (International Relations, La Trobe University) is the author of "Negotiating Insecurity: Why Peace Processes Fail in Civil Wars". This was a guest lecture delivered to the Melbourne South Asian Study Group on the 14th September, 2015.

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 influence. Copyright 2015 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.

North Korea is vulnerable to climate change, and is a country vulnerable to 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 their motives. Copyright 2015 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.

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. Copyright 2015 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.

East Timor is a country struggling with internal conflict, and a young democracy 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 hears. Copyright 2015 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.

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. Copyright 2015 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.

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. Copyright 2015 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.

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 china seas. Copyright 2015 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.

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 India. Copyright 2015 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.

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. Copyright 2015 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.

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. Copyright 2015 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.

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 diplomatic tensions of capital punishment. Copyright 2015 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.

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. Copyright 2015 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.

How did Japan’s recent election play out for Shinzo Abe, and what can Japan 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. Copyright 2015 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.

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. Copyright 2014 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.

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. Copyright 2014 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.

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 and how they might play out.

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 Bisley (La Trobe Asia, La Trobe University) speaks to host Matt Smith about Abbott's interactions with Asia in his first year of office.

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 active engagement with foreign powers and the challenges facing Shinzō Abe.

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 this will happen. Professor Nick Bisley (Executive Director of La Trobe Asia, La Trobe University) discusses the Thai political system, and the challenges of restoring democracy.

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.

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 ecent weapon developments and missile testing.