Ear to Asia

por Asia Institute, The University of Melbourne

Política Sociedad y Cultura

Temporada 2023

How Australia's future depends on better understanding Asia

There's no question that Australia is tightly bound to Asia. Indonesia is a close neighbor, China is its most important trading partner, and India and Japan are its strategic partners. While prioritizing Asia-focused education would thus seem essential for Australia, recent trends indicate a decline in Asian language and studies programs in Australian universities, risking leaving the country ill-prepared to navigate its future in the region. What are the causes of this flagging interest in studying Asia, and how can it be rekindled? Indonesia law expert Professor Melissa Crouch and Indonesia political scientist Professor Edward Aspinall shed light on the state of Asian studies and its importance to Australia. Presented by Ali Moore. An Asia Institute podcast. Produced and edited by profactual.com. Music by audionautix.com.

Policy reversals and political impact in China

China's government has made significant policy shifts in recent months, including lifting the zero-covid policy, loosening credit regulations for real estate development, and a less strident tone in international relations. These changes suggest a sense of reversal or climbdown, despite the absence of official admissions of any policy failing. Is all this recalibration just part of a push to juice a flagging economy? Has recent overt public discontent over a number of issues had an impact on the thinking of the authoritarian state? And what, if any, is the reputational and political cost to Xi Jinping and the Chinese Communist Party? Dr Chris Buckley, chief China correspondent for The New York Times, examines China’s lively policy dynamics with presenter Ali Moore. An Asia Institute podcast. Produced and edited by Profactual. Music by audionautix.com.

The future of Taiwan-China relations: Is the status quo the best option?

In Taiwan, the victory in Taipei's 2022 mayoral election of Chiang Wan-an, the Kuomintang (KMT) candidate and purported great grandson of former strongman Chiang Kai Shek, has sparked debate about the future of the island's relationship with China. While the KMT has adopted a more conciliatory stance towards the Chinese Communist Party, its one-time arch adversary, Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) advocates for a separate Taiwanese identity. If the election outcome points to a strengthening KMT eventually winning national government and taking a softer line towards Beijing, would it really improve cross-straits relations? Is simply maintaining the One China policy indefinitely a viable long-term strategy? What is the best outcome that the Taiwanese people can realistically hope for? China historian Dr Craig Smith and Taiwan watcher Dr Lennon Chang join host Ali Moore to examine Taiwan’s often fraught relationship with the People’s Republic of China. Note: Since this interview was recorded on 17 January, Lennon has accepted an associate professorship at Deakin University. An Asia Institute podcast. Produced and edited by Profactual Music by audionautix.com.

Singing songs of rebels, rice and romance in China’s lower Yangtze Delta

The Yangtze, Asia's longest river, flows through China's wealthiest region, the lower delta, which includes the metropolis of Shanghai. Sadly, the unique traditional cultures and epic folk songs of this region have all but succumbed to the relentless march of modernization and cultural homogenisation. What are the stories behind the region’s longform folk songs, and how are they passed down? How do today's people in the region regard this cultural legacy, and what's being done to save the songs of Shanghai's hinterland? Sinologist Prof. Anne McLaren, who has researched the region over decades, joins presenter Ali Moore to explore the lower Yangtze’s unique cultural heritage. An Asia Institute podcast. Produced and edited by Profactual. Music by audionautix.com.

A changed Hong Kong under China’s national security law

In 2020, Beijing imposed a national security law on Hong Kong after months of mass protests, resulting in the prosecution and conviction of many activists and journalists. China introduced the law despite their 1997 agreement with the outgoing British colonial administration to allow the territory its own system of governance for 50 years. Nearly three years later, how has this controversial law affected Hong Kong’s spirit and aspirations? And can the city keep its edge as Asia’s leading financial centre? Hong Kong watchers Assoc Prof Ester Leung and Dr Kevin Carrico examine the impact of the law and Hong Kong’s evolving ethos. Presented by Ali Moore. An Asia Institute podcast. Produced and edited by Profactual. Music by audionautix.com.

Temporada 2022

Who wants to be Indonesia’s next president?

Although Indonesia's presidential elections take place in February 2024, it's already game on for the lineup of presidential hopefuls, and the nation's political machine is already in high gear. So who are the big names throwing their hats into the ring this time around? What will each bring to the table? And what messages will resonate with the diverse electorate? Indonesia watchers Professor Tim Lindsey and Dr Ian Wilson join presenter Ali Moore to dissect the race to the presidential palace. An Asia Institute podcast. Produced and edited by profactual.com. Music by audionautix.com.

The rise and rise of halal consumerism in Indonesia

Muslims in Indonesia are increasingly seeking to align their consumption with their religious beliefs. The push comes from a growing urban middle class who have greater access to global products and services. At the same time, Indonesia’s halal product assurance law, which came into effect in 2019, is being phased in across a wide range of goods and services. In a world awash with consumerism, what does halal certification mean for Muslims? And how do these economic choices play into the political landscape? Indonesia watchers Professor Julian Millie and Dr Inaya Rakhmani examine the trajectory of Indonesia’s halal consumerism with presenter Ali Moore. An Asia Institute podcast. Produced and edited by Profactual. Music by audionautix.com.

What a Taliban theocracy means for Afghanistan

In August 2021, the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan after a 20-year hiatus and promptly replaced the nation’s legal system with their own austere version of Islamic law or Sharia. While the impact of the new government on women and girls has been well documented outside the country, the Taliban's interpretation of Sharia is making itself felt across Afghan society as the country is in the grip of possibly its worst ever humanitarian crisis. What is the theological basis of the Taliban's version of Sharia? What's the Taliban vision for Afghanistan? And how will it turn that vision into reality? Researchers of Islamic law in South Asia Associate Professor Matthew Nelson and Haroun Rahimi join presenter Ali Moore to examine the Taliban’s rule in Afghanistan. An Asia Institute podcast. Produced and edited by Profactual Music by audionautix.com

How can Sri Lanka continue to hedge between India and China?

Sri Lanka recently found itself caught in a diplomatic tussle between China and India over the planned visit of Chinese naval vessel the Yuan Wang 5, to the port of Hambantota. India opposed the visit because it considers the vessel a spy ship, while China maintains that it’s just a research vessel. And that saga is but one example of how Sri Lanka must walk the line between Asia's two largest powers. How can Sri Lanka maintain a sense of balance in its bilateral relationships with the two Asian giants? And will there come a time when Colombo will have to choose a side? Geopolitical analysts Dr Pradeep Taneja and Dr Chulanee Attanayake join presenter Ali Moore to examine the state of India-China power dynamics and what this means for Sri Lanka. An Asia Institute podcast. Produced and edited by Profactual. Music by audionautix.com.

What will it take to end the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan?

After the Taliban wrested power from Afghanistan’s democratically-elected government in August 2021, almost overnight, life for millions of Afghans changed radically and possibly irrevocably. Notably, the rights of women and girls to be educated and to participate in the workforce were stripped away. But the nation was also plunged into a terrible humanitarian crisis with more than a million severely malnourished children, massive unemployment, and runaway inflation. So what caused the sharp decline in living conditions? What can aid agencies like the United Nations Development Programme do to improve the lot of ordinary Afghans? And what will it take to stave off the collapse of Afghanistan? Abdallah Al Dardari, the UNDP’s resident representative in Afghanistan gives us the view from Kabul. Presented by Peter Clarke. An Asia Institute podcast. Produced and edited by Profactual. Music by audionautix.com.

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