Asia Rising

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.