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

  • 15 October 2019
    Return to Timor Leste; Look west to India, businesses told
  • 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