Archive: Asia Digest
View previous editions of the Asia Digest newsletter.
2023
- 31 May 2023
The G7 summit, Doc Edge festival, an IPL photo essay - and media opportunities - 24 May 2023
Winds of change in Thailand, Korea-Japan relations, and political dynasties in the Philippines - 17 May 2023
Bali's Bad Tourists, & Basketball in China - 10 May 2023
Thailand's election, India's biryani flavours, and Taiwan's abandoned buildings - 3 May 2023
The India-New Zealand relationship and an Asian alternative to the IMF - 26 April 2023
An India-NZ relationship reset and Hong Kong's literary scene - 19 April 2023
West Papua conflict, a stop in Chiang Mai, and Taiwan's 'Fake History' exhibition - 12 April 2023
Elections in Myanmar?, a journey through Kuala Lumpur, and build your media skills - 5 April 2023
A look at SEA's tourism recovery, Taiwan's Ugly Half brewery - and media training - 29 March 2023
People Trafficking, NZ and Myanmar, Craft Beer in Taiwan - 22 March 2023
Who's who in Thai politics, RNZ's new Asian-focused team, and returning to Vietnam - 15 March 2023
What's in a cup of tea, and Chiang Mai's slow food chef - 8 March 2023
Looted Buddhist art, Indonesia's political dynasties - and media grants - 1 March 2023
Thai political dynasties, mental health in Asian communities - and media opportunities - 22 February 2023
A te reo journey, living in Taiwan, a new media grant round - plus join our team! - 15 February 2023
The index of power in Asia and publishing in Taiwan - 8 February 2023
Asia-Pacific tourism in 2023 and Settling in Formosa - 1 February 2023
Singapore's art market and a roundup of Asian elections in 2023 - 25 January 2023
Happy Lunar New Year!
2022
- 21 December 2022
Top articles 2022, Seasonal celebrations across Asia - 14 December 2022
Taipei Popcorn is back, life in Vietnam, and women's rights in Southeast Asia - 7 December 2022
Taiwan elections, India as G20 head, and Chen Hsi-huang, glove puppet master - 30 November 2022
China protest reaction, Southeast Asia's crypto frenzy, and a journalist reports back from Taiwan - 23 November 2022
Singapore's politics of succession, Chinese students learn to crawl, and a Japanese fashion designer goes ceramic - 16 November 2022
Kiwi burgers in Taipei, the on-going crisis in Myanmar, and the final Unquiet Woman - 9 November 2022
The First Prime-Time Asian Sitcom, home help in Singapore, and Taiwan's tea shop - 2 November 2022
India & US relations, key summits in Asia, and the rise of Indian TV and film - 26 October 2022
Singapore's death penalty debate, microloans in Myanmar, and Diwali celebrations - 19 October 2022
Thai work-life balance, the Indian WOW effect - and media opportunities - 12 October 2022
Indian minister visit, from Middle Kingdom to Middle Earth, dual citizenship - and AMC opportunities - 5 October 2022
Asian candidates for Auckland's election, podcaster Arina Aizal, and what's happening in Thailand - 28 September 2022
Housing in Singapore, US-China trade war, Buddha & the junta - 21 September 2022
Shanghai Mimi review, Climate change in Cambodia, Unquiet Women: Indian Migration - 14 September 2022
Shanghai Mimi, Taiwanese beer revolution, and Asia reacts to QEII's death - 7 September 2022
The case for a rainbow refugee quota, Cynthia Lam's first play, and a new children's book - 31 August 2022
China's new rail system, reflections as a young female diplomat, and Bangkok residents on their new governor - 24 August 2022
Letter from Taipei, The Fall of Gaurav Sharma, Breakfast in Bangkok - 17 August 2022
The climate crisis in Southeast Asia, and hearing the Cham Cambodian voice - 10 August 2022
Rising tourism costs in SEA, painting through Covid, and President Marcos: take two - 3 August 2022
A return to Taiwan, Asia's 'Alice in Wonderland' park, and a path to Temahahoi - 27 July 2022
Drug decriminalisation, Japan's cautious opening, and Kiwi drag queen conquers Taiwan - 20 July 2022
Death of Abe Shinzo, Sir Lanka Revolts, Day Tripping to Malaysia - 13 July 2022
Sharing migrant stories, moving from Taiwan to NZ as a child, and India: dialogue before trade - 6 July 2022
China's paradoxical censorship, Asia's history of atrocity crimes and its lessons, and Unquiet Women returns - 29 June 2022
Thailand's tourism experience, Nathan Joe's Yellow Peril, and Cambodia's road to democracy - 22 June 2022
A reflection on Krishnan's Dairy, Unquiet Women, and Perceptions of Asia research launched - 15 June 2022
Bangkok's new governor, food in Shanghai's lockdown - and new research on Perceptions of Asia - 8 June 2022
Bangkok food, Indian Ink Theatre, and Hugh Seagrim - a hero of the Karen - 1 June 2022
The rise of disinformation, Asia/Māori face-to-face connections, and K-culture in the capital - 25 May 2022
Foreigners under Chinese law, Russia's arms in Asia, and Asia's forgotten bears - 18 May 2022
Moving forward in the Philippines, what next for Sri Lanka, and Prayas’ world premiere - 11 May 2022
Singapore's hawkers, Philippines has a new leader, and five climate change projects in Asia - 4 May 2022
Life as a Chinese journalist in NZ, Thailand's young changemakers, and the Philippines election - 27 April 2022
Singapore's high rises, NZ-India opportunities in the South Pacific, and revisiting "Seriously Asia" - 21 April 2022
ANZAC remembrance in Singapore, politics in Pakistan, and Timor Leste polls - 13 April 2022
PM trip to Asia, travelling the new Thailand, and crisis in Singapore - 6 April 2022
Thailand's relationship with whiteness, Vietnam mourns influential monk, The Shinawatra Dynasty in Thailand - 30 March 2022
Asian elections for 2022, Japanese convenience machines, and Indian dual names - 23 March 2022
Unquiet Women, Thai photography that matters, and a taste of home - 16 March 2022
A Thai food renaissance, making quality matcha in NZ, and growing Asian vegetables - 9 March 2022
Bali Reopens, India's Ukraine Policy, and Bringing Clean Water to Myanmar - 2 March 2022
Tourism re-start challenges in SE Asia, 80th anniversary of the fall of Singapore, and Asia views on Ukraine - 23 February 2022
Pride Special Edition: Queer tourism in Thailand, LGBTQIA+ rights in Asia, and queer Asian theatre in New Zealand - 16 February 2022
Cultural context in New Zealand's outdoors, Vietnamese names, and finding freedom in New Zealand - 9 February 2022
Winter Olympics and diplomacy, Asian-Kiwi sports stars, and Covid life in Japan - 2 February 2022
Kiwis in Vietnam, the rise of cosplay, and Southeast Asia's afterlife obsession - 26 January 2022
Burmese in Wellington, Rachin Ravindra talks cricket, a guide to Chinese names
2021
- 23 December 2021
Merry Christmas from the Asia Media Centre - 15 December 2021
Thai art repatriation, translating across generations, and the Beijing Winter Paralympics - 8 December 2021
Thai designer Tawn C, the rise of Shanghainese, and Rohingya fight for their future - 1 December 2021
Unrest in Solomon Islands, a push for pay equality, and keeping up with the Dutertes - 24 November 2021
A hyphenated Kiwi-Indian life, the tale of a Tibetan chef and Unquiet Women: Empowered and empowering - 17 November 2021
Vietnamese boating, Auckland International College closes, and journalists in Myanmar - 10 November 2021
NZOA researches Asian audiences, After the Tampa - and AMC's search for new voices - 3 November 2021
Vietnamese coffee, Chinese 'common prosperity' and Open Roads for former refugees - 27 October 2021
A non-aligned New Zealand, a Cambodian-Kiwi cultural care package, and US-Vietnam relations - 20 October 2021
Perseverance Pays, Press Freedom, and Sea Nomads - 13 October 2021
Cambodia on camera, Asian MPs in MMP's 25 years, and a new visa for a new time - 6 October 2021
Pandora papers, Filipino films, and the latest from Taiwan and Japan - 29 September 2021
Inked in NZ, Vietnam's Pandemic, and SE Asia Travel Restarts - 22 September 2021
Nonnative success in Japan; Unquiet Women: a journey from Afghanistan; and Aotearoa's Korean Coalition - 15 September 2021
Myanmar's 'people's defensive war'; Japanese elections; and popular Asian dog breeds - 8 September 2021
Islam in Sri Lanka, ASEAN Forum, Asia-watching in lockdown - 1 September 2021
International film marketing, the selling power of K-Pop and stories of old Saigon - 25 August 2021
Views on Afghanistan and a letter from Mandalay - 18 August 2021
The music of Phoebe Rings, Asia's Covid battle, and Vietnamese gem artists - 11 August 2021
Modern Chinese marriage, gold for the Philippines, and Singapore's Covid response - 4 August 2021
Pork and Poll Taxes, Life 'n' Seoul, and Voices of Asian Aotearoa - 28 July 2021
Kiwi-Japanese sailors, missed opportunities, and Japanese work culture - 21 July 2021
Asia Digest: 21 July 2021 - 14 July 2021
Korean beauty ideals, South China Sea, the book helping kids cope with Covid - and media training - 7 July 2021
Marketing NZ tourism to Asia, human rights during Covid, and planning the RWC - 30 June 2021
Cricket and the India-NZ relationship, the power of protest, and Duterte's 2022 election - 23 June 2021
Queer Chinese-Kiwi representation, dragon boating in NZ, and Chinese sports sponsorship - 16 June 2021
Rohingya: refugees forever?; vaccine denial in Pakistan; and the world's tastiest curry - 9 June 2021
Chinese consumer trends, Olympics: the past recalled, and Aotearoa: Ukiyo-e style - 2 June 2021
Taiwan's lessons for NZ, tech trends in Asia, and why we should care about Myanmar - 26 May 2021
Alternative travel in Asia, NZ-China trade, and ex-Tall Black on Covid and coaching - 19 May 2021
Kiwis dominate Chinese multisport, Thai youth exodus, and Shiziyuan Persimmon Garden - 5 May 2021
Pronouncing Asian names, Single Asian Female: a reflection, and West Papua tensions - 28 April 2021
Translating plantscapes in China, Chloé Zhao's Oscar win, and West Bengal: The BJP's new frontier - 21 April 2021
A personal view on the SS Ventnor, NZ's sister city links, and Asia travel bubbles - 14 April 2021
Asian identity onstage and in poetry, and Myanmar's political landscape - 7 April 2021
Mandalay post-coup, Timor Leste floods, Xinjiang cotton explained - and a media training opportunity - 31 March 2021
Myanmar's student voices, Chinese community voices on racism, and Taiwan's queer cinema - 24 March 2021
Chinese-Kiwi identity on stage, China's EV market, and the Myanmar coup - 17 March 2021
Chinese films vs Hollywood, women's rights in Pakistan and cycling in Asia - 10 March 2021
Filipino Nurses, Electoral change for Hong Kong, Japan's new security role - 3 March 2021
Digital Passports, HK Court Action, Myanmar's Resistance - 24 February 2021
Tokyo Olympics & sexism, Taiwan's vaccine politics and Indonesia's "moral revolution" - 17 February 2021
A Kiwi's optimism for Myanmar, Taiwan's Covid story, and bakso - Indonesia's most popular street food - 10 February 2021
Understanding the Chinese zodiac, who is Min Aung Hlaing, and 50 years of Bangladesh - 2 February 2021
Myanmar's coup, Hong Kong in 2021, and Pakistan's human rights record - 27 January 2021
Indian farmers protest, property markets in Asia, and a kendo journey - 20 January 2021
Australian media lens on Indonesia, NZ & Vietnam ties, and Asia on Trump leaving
2020
- 16 December 2020
India & NZ's developing relationship, mindfulness and tea, Asian-New Zealand film, and an update from Hong Kong - 9 December 2020
Indian farmer protests, Hong Kong democracy figures arrested, and Covid in Bali - 2 December 2020
China's vaccine diplomacy, a welcome in the Waitaki, and Auckland's top surnames - 25 November 2020
Selling tea to Asia, NZ's moment in APEC 2021, and Southeast Asia under Biden - 18 November 2020
New Zealand signs RCEP, the mass resignation in Hong Kong, and Chinese communities on Trump - 11 November 2020
Asia Digest 126 - US election reaction - 4 November 2020
Asia and the US election, Myanmar goes to the polls - and a media training opportunity - 28 October 2020
Protests in Thailand, the Chinese-Kiwi identity, and Chinese poetry gets a fresh reprint - 21 October 2020
Reflecting on the election and the Kiwi connections to K-Pop's biggest girl group - 14 October 2020
Singapore's Covid situation, Indonesia-NZ relations, and the swimming course making a difference - 7 October 2020
Kiwis in Hong Kong, the Thai tourism industry, and media training deadline - 30 September 2020
Election 2020: Q+A with a Green candidate, treasures of the Chee Kung Tong, and South Asian tales onstage - 23 September 2020
The 'New' New Zealand, Duterte's improbable pardon, and Vietnam Pride - 16 September 2020
No easy answers for Myanmar, Kiwi women and kabaddi - and a media training opportunity - 9 September 2020
Gambling among Asian-Kiwis, Hong Kong protests, and Election 2020's new Chinese candidates - 2 September 2020
Asia savviness in business, Japanese PM Abe resigns, and Muslim women in NZ sport - 26 August 2020
Campaigning to Asian Kiwis, a new dawn for wool, and a look at post-COVID travel - 19 August 2020
New Zealand-Hong Kong relations, the Tall Ferns in Japan, and Bali's barefoot charity - 12 August 2020
Myanmar's developing democracy, hockey in Tokyo, and Lee Teng-hui's impact on Taiwan - 5 August 2020
Singapore and COVID, and business gears up for APEC 2021 - 29 July 2020
The Chinese community's questions for Collins, China and the CPTPP, and diplomacy during COVID - 22 July 2020
Nepal's 'Enough is enough' movement, Asian meat-consumption trends, and NZ's Malaysian esports rep - 13 July 2020
The death of Seoul's mayor and pandemic struggles in the Philippines and Pakistan - 8 July 2020
Hong Kong's new era, Paul Henare on coaching basketball during COVID-19, and business in a trade war - 1 July 2020
Japan's debate on monuments, a Kiwi taekwondo star, experts on the APEC 2021 shift, and more - 24 June 2020
Experts on Perceptions of Asia report, the India-China rivalry, and Kiwi esports in Asia - 17 June 2020
Hong Kong's dark days continue, migrant workers in Singapore, and NZ video games in Asia - 10 June 2020
Cybercrime in Asia, SS Ventnor links Māori and Chinese, and commemorating Tiananmen Square - 3 June 2020
Hong Kong’s history of tension, Asian tourism in NZ, and business in a trade war - 27 May 2020
China moves on Hong Kong, a Kiwi on his cafes in Asia, and baseball in Japan - 20 May 2020
New Zealand's Quad question, rugby in Japan, and heading home in a pandemic - 13 May 2020
Why COVID-19 is my Morpheus; Taiwan's COVID-19 response; and China's 'twin meetings' - 6 May 2020
Taiwan: Lessons learned from SARS, a Kiwi CEO in Vietnam, and 'Policy Watch', the global portal for COVID policy - 29 April 2020
Business confidence in Asia, China and the COVID-19 backlash, and lockdown in Singapore - 22 April 2020
Kim Jong Un health rumours, COVID-19 in Thailand and Jakarta, and religion in a pandemic - 15 April 2020
COVID-19 in Bali, Thailand's chocolate industry, and New Zealand's growing diversity - 8 April 2020
COVID-19 in Hong Kong, New Zealand lobster exports to China, and privacy in a pandemic - 1 April 2020
Tokyo's Olympic debate and Kiwis on the ground in Asia during COVID-19 - 24 March 2020
A view of COVID-19 from Taiwan; inside a refugee camp in Bangladesh - 17 March 2020
Asia's management of COVID-19 and agri-tech in India - Special edition: 13 March 2020
Asia Digest special edition: A year on from March 15 - 10 March 2020
Migrant communities fight COVID-19, Christchurch's legacy of hope, and new morality in Indonesia - 3 March 2020
COVID-19 hits supply chains, Japan's "China Dilemma", and the plight of the Rohingya - 25 February 2020
Power shifts in the Asia-Pacific; COVID-19 around the globe; and the Indian-owned dairy - 18 February 2020
Impact of COVID-19 on international students; reading between the lines in China - 11 February 2020
WeChat and novel coronavirus, Thailand's mass shooting - and new Asia Media Centre staff - 4 February 2020
Chinese language media coverage in NZ - 28 January 2020
Asia reacts to the spread of novel coronavirus - 21 January 2020
China's new coronavirus, an NZ expert on Chinese orphanages, NZ hotels adapting to Asian tourists - 14 January 2020
Taiwan elections, media travel grant deadlines for 2020
2019
- 18 December 2019
Jefferson Fellowship, Indian riots, US-China trade war - 9 December 2019
Whakaari/White Island, 2019 in review - 2 December 2019
Raisina Dialogue, Japanese PM Shinzō Abe breaks record, Typhoon Tisoy - 26 November 2019
HK elections and a Chinese espionage ring in Australia - 19 November 2019
HK Protests, NZ aid in Asia, Sri Lanka elections
- 12 November 2019
Singles Day, HK Protests, Sri Lanka elections
- 5 November 2019
Alan Bollard on APEC; HK protests & NZ
- 29 October 2019
Parkable tackles China; trade war rubles on
- 22 October 2019
China in the Pacific; academic freedom in Singapore
- 15 October 2019
Return to Timor Leste; Look west to India, businesses told
- 8 October 2019
Digital security; Q&A with Edward White
- 1 October 2019
Doing business in China; Singapore water shortage
- 24 September 2019
Census data, China's economy, social media - 17 September 2019
Japan special ahead of Rugby World Cup - 10 September 2019
Climate change in Cambodia, responding to climate change in Asia
- 3 September 2019
Jammu and Kashmir, Wayne Hay Q&A
- 27 August 2019
Indonesia's #MeToo movement, David Brophy Q&A, what's happening in September - 20 August 2019
Hong Kong protests, Kiwis clearing landmines in Cambodia, John Gerritsen report - 13 August 2019
Jean Lee, Robert Kelly, why South Korea is boycotting Japan, Kashmir - 6 August 2019
Japan expert Sheila Smith, the Philippines under Duterte, Tao Lin Q&A - 30 July 2019
China's defence white paper, what's happening in August, Dean Brettschneider - 23 July 2019
Asian films at NZIFF, Rugby World Cup, Japan-South Korea tensions - 16 July 2019
Japan's Upper House election, Perceptions of Asia, Thomas Heaton Q&A - 9 July 2019
Asia's most expensive cities for expats, Tuck Shop Pies, NZ film industry - 2 July 2019
Hong Kong handover anniversary, Japan resumes whaling, Alex Sigley - 25 June 2019
China-Canada dispute, Kiwi kai in Bangkok, India's booming population - 18 June 2019
Hong Kong anti-extradition protests - 11 June 2019
Q&A with Anna Fifield, Mekong region, Kiwi coffee chain taking over Asia - 4 June 2019
Political spectrums in Asia, Tiananmen Square, Kiwis sports stars in Asia - 28 May 2019
Tiananmen Square anniversary, Sejong City, guide to Asian names - 21 May 2019
Kiwis doing business in Japan, Indian general election, Singapore's fake news law - 14 May 2019
10 years since Sri Lanka's civil war, 5G in Vietnam, how China views New Zealand - 7 May 2019
Tips for reporting Islam, Filipinos in NZ, death by overwork in the Indonesian election - 30 April 2019
New era for Japan-NZ relations, Thailand coronation ceremony, what's happening in May - 23 April 2019
Sri Lanka attacks, ethical fashion, Japan's new emperor Naruhito - 16 April 2019
Indonesian election, Moka Lashes, India's view on climate change - 9 April 2019
Kiwi lawyer in Japan, Songkran in Thailand, Brunei's new penal code - 2 April 2019
Japan's new era name, China tech terms, what's happening in April - 26 March 2019
Singapore retail, Trump and Kim's nuclear negotiations, India's big election - 19 March 2019
Christchurch terror attack, Tokyo Cheapo, Thai election - 12 March 2019
China's year of anniversaries, Alan Bollard Q&A, Mandarin Language Assistants - 5 March 2019
Māori and Asian cultural connections, education in India, immigration in Japan - 26 February 2019
New Zealand's only rakugo artist, March 1st Movement, Philippines Q&A - 19 February 2019
NZ-China coverage, Kiwi bioarchaeologists in China, Twitter - 12 February 2019
Thailand political drama, Valentine's Day in Asia, Jefferson Fellowship - 4 February 2019
PRC funding, Japan-based kapa haka group, media opportunity -
18 January 2019
Looking ahead, summer stories
2018
- 14 December 2018
Year in review, Asia holidays, China-NZ Year of Tourism - 30 November 2018
Huawei ban, Moon Jae-in’s state visit, China-India ties - 16 November 2018
Summit season, Sri Lanka power struggle, Pakistan political woes - 2 November 2018
Disaster preparedness, Rohingya crisis, debate around 5G - 12 October 2018
Arts collective, reporter’s DPRK experience, travel grants - 28 September 2018
Trade war, media opportunity, NZ Chinese Language Week - 14 September 2018
Asian-Kiwi arts hui, India’s Pacific ties, China trade - 31 August 2018
China’s gaming industry, Asian-Kiwi stars, Filipinos in Christchurch - 17 August 2018
Asian Games, Belt and Road paper, Multicultural Times - 3 August 2018
Imran Khan, K-pop fan scene in New Zealand, media opportunity - 20 July 2018
Protest in Wellington, job opportunity, Pakistan elections - 22 June 2018
First Baby, rules-based trade system, Japanese war brides - 8 June 2018
Trump-Kim summit, Shangri-La Dialogue, filming in North Korea - 1 June 2018
NZ perceptions of Asia, India business tips, journalism conference - 18 May 2018
Mahathir Mohamad, journalism opportunity, AMC survey - 4 May 2018
Press freedom around Asia, Modi-Xi meeting, inter-Korean summit - 19 April 2018
Belt and Road explainer, Thai election overview, journalism conference roundup - 5 April 2018
Mu Sochua in NZ, Indonesia and Vietnam state visits, media travel grants - 21 March 2018
Duterte, Vietnam business tips, top issues Indonesians care about - 15 March 2018
Jokowi fact-sheet, diversity in Indonesia, misconceptions about Indonesia - 9 March 2018
Vietnamese PM in NZ, perceptions of Vietnam, Vietnam business tips - 8 March 2018
PRC constitutional changes, Jefferson Fellowship, NZ-China police co-operation - 22 February 2018
AMC event recap, interview opportunities, ethnic minority media - 8 February 2018
PyeongChang Olympics, journalism opportunity, NZ-Japan rugby ties - 22 January 2018
Asia issues in 2018, second-language learning, diversity in NZ film
2017
- 19 December 2017
Christmas in Asia, myths about North Korea, CCP influence - 6 December 2017
Internet freedom in Asia, tech innovation in Southeast Asia , Thailand travel tips - 22 November 2017
Rohingya crisis, the Indo-Pacific, Kiwi-Asian children - 7 November 2017
APEC, tech sector in Vietnam, New Zealand-China relations - 30 October 2017
How Asia has changed, CCP congress, Asian-language learning in schools - 26 September 2017
NZ political parties on Asia, Chinese business values, cosplay mania in NZ - 12 September 2017
North Korea, Cambodia’s democracy challenges, Sino-India rivalry revived