CNA Correspondent

The race to Taiwan’s highest office is on. Three contenders are vying for ballots with different approaches to Beijing. The youth vote and growing dissatisfaction over the rising cost of living makes this election one to watch. Deborah Wong and Tan Si Hui give us the state of play. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Here's the last of our three top episodes from our archives this year. CNA’s Leong Wai Kit gets rare access to the USS Nimitz, one of the largest warships in the world. He tells Steve Lai about its mission and the complex nature of disputes in the South China Sea. Plus, the thrill of take-off and landing on a runway less than 100 meters long. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Here's the second of our top three episodes of The CNA Correspondent podcast. Where can you find possibly the emptiest airport in the world? Look no further than Sri Lanka. The US$113 million airport project was backed by China as part of its massive BRI investments in the country. But was the money more debt trap than development opportunity? Chandni Vatvani sits down with Teresa Tang in this episode of the CNA correspondent podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Here's the first of our top three episodes of The CNA Correspondent podcast. In this episode, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim sat down with CNA’s correspondents Melissa Goh and Afifah Ariffin for an interview in Singapore. Steve Lai gets a peek into all the behind-the-scenes action and what’s next for Mr Anwar’s future and that of his country. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The leaders of the world’s two biggest economies met on the sidelines of the APEC Summit in San Francisco. Steve Lai speaks to Simon Marks and Low Minmin about the current state of the US-China relationship and the challenges that lie ahead.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Imagine getting paid to get a haircut. The demand for human hair has led to a complete makeover of the economic fortunes of some people in Asia. So what makes some strands more valuable than others? CNA's Teresa Tang sits down with Low Minmin and Tung Ngo for an in-depth look at the production chain in China and Vietnam.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s a reclusive country that regularly makes the headlines, but North Korea is now reopening to a post-pandemic world. Teresa Tang talks to CNA correspondent Lim Yun Suk about the country’s defectors, Kim Jong Un’s young daughter and the potential for families separated by the Korean War to be reunited. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thai citizens are among the highest number of foreign fatalities in the ongoing Israel-Hamas War with 23 currently held hostage in Gaza. Thai correspondent Saksith Saiyasombut speaks to Steve Lai about the nation’s efforts to rescue them and repatriate its 30,000 citizens.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

First, they disappeared from public life, then from China's Cabinet lineup. Qin Gang was dropped as the country’s top diplomat and shortly after, Li Shangfu was removed as defence minister. Theories abound as to why they fell out of favour. Beijing correspondent Olivia Siong sits down with Teresa Tang in this episode.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For decades, well-known Japanese talent manager Johnny Kitagawa sexually abused young men and boys who were desperate to make it big in Japan’s entertainment industry. Michiyo Ishida talks to Steve Lai about the reckoning that his agency – which created popular boy bands SMAP and Arashi - is going through now that the country’s worst-kept secret is finally out. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the deepest parts of Mongolia, Google Maps doesn’t work. The vast country is also the most sparsely populated in the world. But China’s Belt and Road Initiative is set to change that, with massive transport projects in full swing. Olivia Siong takes us there in this episode of CNA Correspondent.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Where can you find possibly the emptiest airport in the world? Look no further than Sri Lanka. The US$113 million airport project was backed by China as part of its massive BRI investments in the country. But was the money more debt trap than development opportunity? Chandni Vatvani sits down with Teresa Tang in this episode of the CNA correspondent podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ten years since it was first launched at a university in Kazakstan, projects under China’s Belt and Road Initiative have affected lives and livelihoods across Central Asia. CNA’s Lim Yun Suk tells Steve Lai how Beijing is reinventing the Silk Road for the 21st century with an ambitious agenda. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim sat down with CNA’s correspondents Melissa Goh and Afifah Ariffin for an interview in Singapore. Steve Lai gets a peek into all the behind-the-scenes action and what’s next for Mr Anwar’s future and that of his country. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On 7 September Hong Kong smashed a 140-year-old record when torrential rains drenched the city. At its height, 158mm fell in just one hour. As the clean-up happens, new problems have surfaced, that of illegal structures and slope safety. CNA’s Hong Kong correspondent Deborah Wong talks to Teresa Tang in this episode.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fukushima will long be linked with the wrecked nuclear facility that bears the prefecture’s name. Treated wastewater from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant is now being pumped into the Pacific Ocean and will continue to flow for decades to come. CNA’s Michiyo Ishida tells Teresa Tang what she saw when she visited for a media tour. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most people don’t know much about the tiny nations of the Pacific except tourists who are drawn to their stunning beauty. But they are strategically critical for China, the US and its allies. CNA’s Jeremy Koh speaks to Teresa Tang about his travels there and whether this tug-of-war is noticeable on the ground.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Three months after Thais voted in a general election, they finally have their next leader – though it’s not the person many had expected. Sretta Thavisin is a political novice who faces the task of uniting a fractured public. CNA's May Wong and Saksith Saiyasombut sit down with Teresa Tang to talk about what it was like on the ground as the dramatic developments unfolded.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Billed as a referendum on Anwar Ibrahim's leadership and his Unity Government, the results of the recent elections in six states exposed an exodus of Malay voters to the opposition Perikatan Nasional coalition. CNA's Melissa Goh and Afifah Ariffin talk to Steve Lai about where it’s going wrong for the prime minister and where he goes from here. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

43,000 Scouts from 158 countries arrived in South Korea expecting 12 days of learning, fellowship and fun. What they didn’t bargain for were inadequate facilities, an unbearable heatwave and an approaching typhoon that forced an evacuation. CNA’s Lim Yun Suk talks to Steve Lai about how things went south. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Six states in Malaysia go to the polls on Aug 12 with 245 state assembly seats up for grabs. CNA correspondents Melissa Goh and Afifah Ariffin preview the upcoming elections and the issues voters are grappling with which will put the unity government to the test. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fear and a lack of faith in the justice system often prevent many sexual harassment victims from coming forward. But a Netflix series in Taiwan is changing that. Taiwan correspondent Victoria Jen tells host Teresa Tang what’s behind the island’s #MeToo movement. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s been six months since China dropped its zero-COVID policy and reopened its borders. But recovery has been uneven on the mainland and for its major markets. CNA’s Low Minmin, Deborah Wong and Tung Ngo talk about economic hopes despite the lag with Teresa Tang in this episode.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Utter the name "Marcos" in the Philippines and the words dictator and corruption used to come to mind. But now, under the presidency of Ferdinand Marcos Jr, the legacy of his father is being rewritten. Host Teresa Tang speaks to Buena Bernal on the one-year anniversary of the re-emergence of this political dynasty, and how Filipinos feel about what the president has accomplished so far. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s an industry that can generate billions of dollars in a single month. Nuptials are big-business in India as couples pull out all the stops to host lavish, show-stopping celebrations. But where is this money coming from? Teresa Tang speaks to CNA’s Neha Poonia and Ishan Garg.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singapore hosted the 20th edition of the Shangri-La Dialogue in early June. All eyes were on China and the US but the two didn’t meet – formally, that is. CNA’s Jeremy Koh speaks to Steve Lai on what happened behind the public conference and the broader security challenges the world faces. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Myanmar has been in turmoil since the military coup on 1 February 2021. CNA’s Leong Wai Kit tells Steve Lai of the resilience of its people and the challenges facing ASEAN and the international community to find a solution. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A record voter turnout in Thailand’s 2023 election saw the rise of the Move Forward party and a clear decline of former general Prayut Chan-o-cha. Steve Lai speaks to Saksith Saiyasombut on the state of play now and whether the charismatic Pita Limjaroenrat can forge a strong coalition and win enough support from rival MPs or the appointed senators to form a government.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim emerges from the first Unity Government Convention in a confident mood ahead of upcoming state elections. Afifah Ariffin speaks to Steve Lai about the uneasy alliances within his government and an opposition that says it has plans to topple him. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Taiwan’s tree poachers (known as ‘mountain rats’) are on the run as police and forest rangers use technology, community engagement and good old-fashioned legwork to stop the lucrative illegal trade of its centuries-old cypress trees. Victoria Jen tells Steve Lai about her arduous trek into the island’s virgin forests to uncover the story. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Incumbent Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha looks to fend off challengers, including Paetongtarn Shinawatra, daughter of former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, as she aims to stake her claim. Correspondent Saksith Saiyasombut speaks to Steve Lai ahead of Thailand’s general election on 14 May. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What could have been a preview to the world’s football superstars of tomorrow turned into a missed opportunity for Indonesia to shine. CNA correspondent Saifulbahri Ismail talks to Steve Lai about how domestic politics sullied the beautiful game, with FIFA removing Indonesia as the tournament’s host. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The number of people embracing solo bliss is on the rise in Japan and Korea. These one-person households are changing society in critical ways and businesses are cashing in. Teresa Tang speaks to CNA's Michiyo Ishida and Lim Yun Suk.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More than one million people are affected by an unprecedented drought in Jeolla, South Korea. Is climate change to blame? What is being done to deal with the shortage? We speak to CNA correspondent Lim Yun Suk. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

China's Xi Jinping met Russia's Vladimir Putin armed with a 12-point peace plan as the war in Ukraine grinds on. Does this visit signal China's growing ambitions on the global stage? Steve Lai speaks with CNA’s Beijing and Shanghai correspondents Olivia Siong and Low Minmin to find out. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the one-year anniversary of the war in Ukraine, CNA sent correspondent Jeremy Koh to get a firsthand look at life in a conflict zone. He sits down with Teresa Tang to share the challenges and fears he and his team faced while reporting in Kyiv and Lviv. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From the rollercoaster of emotions while rescuers searched for survivors, to a nation coming together to support the relief efforts, Trent Murray talks to Steve Lai about his time reporting from Malatya, Turkiye after deadly earthquakes devastate an area roughly the size of South Korea. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

CNA Correspondent marks International Women’s Day with a look at India’s progress through the eyes of its women. Steve Lai talks with Neha Poonia and Rebecca Bundhun on how women in India are fighting the patriarchy and charting their own course. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stupid. Idiot. Brainless. These are insults some domestic workers have had to endure from their employers in Indonesia. There are also those who end up being hit too. Teresa Tang speaks to CNA’s Saifulbahri Ismail who explains why a near two-decade old bill to protect these workers has been in limbo, and what are its chances for success now. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his wife were the latest dignitaries to have an orchid named after them as Singapore and Vietnam celebrate their 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations. At least 200 varieties of specially curated orchids are named after heads of state, royalty and celebrities in Singapore. Why does gifting a beautiful orchid matter in diplomatic relations? Steve Lai asks Glenda Chong in this episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In some US states, you can walk into a gun shop and walk out with a firearm. Many people, including President Biden and victims of mass shootings, have called for change. But change is slow to come by. Ira Spitzer explains to Teresa Tang why there’s an American fascination with firearms, and why gun control discussions trigger such heated debate. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

CNA’s Leong Wai Kit gets rare access to the USS Nimitz, one of the largest warships in the world. He tells Steve Lai about its mission and the complex nature of disputes in the South China Sea. Plus, the thrill of take-off and landing on a runway less than 100 meters long. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After three years of COVID-19 lockdowns, the Year of the Rabbit is being ushered in largely unrestricted in Asia. Our Taiwan correspondent Victoria Jen and Hong Kong correspondent Deborah Wong sit down with Teresa Tang to share what the return of festivities looks like, how businesses are doing, and what their personal wishes are.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the early hours of Dec 16 last year, a landslide buried 31 campers on a hillside near Malaysia’s Genting Highlands. CNA’s Afifah Ariffin and Pamella Lim tell Steve Lai how the team covered the story and explore the bigger question about the ramifications for Malaysia’s outdoor tourism industry.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For three years, China doubled down on its zero-COVID policy. But now that its borders are opened, Chinese travellers are celebrating while the rest of the world are holding their breath. Teresa Tang speaks to CNA’s Low Minmin and Olivia Siong about Beijing's abrupt turnaround, its impact on President Xi Jinping's image and what this means for global tourism. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Muay Thai, or Thai boxing, is a symbol of cultural pride and identity and now, Thailand’s national sport is generating huge interest internationally. But with it comes the fear that it will lose its ancient traditions. With dreams of the sport making its Olympic debut growing bigger, Teresa Tang talks to correspondent Saksith Saiyasombut about how Muay Thai could change, and what is being done to preserve it. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2021, Japan recorded its lowest number of births in more than a century. The declining population is now coming home to roost – with severe labour shortages. Enter foreign workers. Host Teresa Tang speaks to correspondent Michiyo Ishida who spent time with some of them who are now calling Japan home.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After more than a two-decade wait, Anwar Ibrahim takes the reins of power as Malaysia's prime minister at a time of economic uncertainty and a fractured political landscape. Steve Lai speaks to CNA correspondents Melissa Goh and Afifah Ariffin about his GE15 victory and the bumps that lie ahead.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What do you do when your country is resource poor? You import. A lot. South Korea imports an astounding 94 per cent of its energy sources. And that has posed a challenge - figuring out what the best energy mix is to get to zero emissions. Teresa Tang speaks to Lim Yun Suk who headed to the bowels of a coal mine to look for some answers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

History, the polls, an unpopular president and inflation at a 40-year high all pointed to the Republicans sweeping back into power in the House of Representatives and the Senate. It didn’t happen, as Trump-backed candidates failed to deliver on the expected ‘Red Wave’. Steve Lai and Washington Correspondent Nick Harper discuss what the results mean for President Joe Biden and the Democrats, and where the Republican party goes from here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.