Asia Rising

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.

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.