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Asia Specific

BBC World Service

Asia Pacific, unpacked by those who know it best. Bringing you essential insights and conversations on the stories shaping the region - an economic powerhouse, geo-political flashpoint and the birthplace of global cultural trends.

Hear Asian perspectives on international issues and in-depth analysis on news from a region that’s home to nearly 2.5 billion people.Whether it is the latest on trade between the US and China, the rise and fall of political dynasties in Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines, or South Korea’s K-pop inspired soft power strategy, we find out what key players are thinking and dive into the stories that matter.

Hosted in Singapore by Mariko Oi, alongside BBC experts in Beijing, Bangkok, and beyond – listen to new podcast episodes twice a week.

Get in touch: [email protected]

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Episodes

106 episodes

  1. Why Kylian Mbappé’s comment sparked anger in China 17:29
  2. Why Japan ranks so low for gender equality? 20:12
  3. Will AI wipe out interpreters? 17:30
  4. The Asean diplomacy behind the Indonesian haze 22:28
  5. Does China copy or create? 17:30
  6. Should we pay political leaders more? 20:07
  7. Inside Japan’s fury with the US 17:41
  8. Why Malaysia is repatriating thousands of Burmese migrants 21:37
  9. Why Vietnam’s coffee beans might outlast others 17:29
  10. Could dual citizenship stop Indonesia’s brain drain? 13:43
  11. Bonus: Catching My Teacher 18:48
  12. Why China’s Gen Z is turning to spirituality 17:28
  13. We need to talk about AI 22:31
  14. An awkward accident shines a spotlight on Hyrox 17:29
  15. Inside Australia's plan to beat the algorithm 16:15
  16. Why are Australia’s native animals going extinct? 17:29
  17. Can Indonesia stop SE Asia’s annual smoke haze? 18:43
  18. Is Hong Kong cinema’s golden age over? 20:49
  19. The AI data centre boom in South East Asia 20:02
  20. What if leaving your bedroom felt impossible? 17:42
  21. Bonus: What caused Nepal’s deadly flash floods? 15:23
  22. Why are lab monkeys so expensive? 21:27
  23. The fight to define ‘Asian pop’ at the Grammys 17:29
  24. Why North East Asia is wary of immigration 23:12
  25. The politics around China’s own ‘manosphere’ 21:17
  26. Why Thailand welcoming Myanmar’s leader caused anger 24:41
  27. Are the glory days of cheap flights in Asia over? 17:29
  28. Bonus: Why does Trump care about the Japanese yen? 20:55
  29. Can China deal with a huge graduate glut? 17:29
  30. What is behind Vietnam’s counterfeit crackdown? 17:29
  31. Why people in China aren’t spending 15:32
  32. Why more countries are favouring China over the US 17:29
  33. China's humanoid robot boom 18:29
  34. Inside a major baby trafficking trial in Indonesia 17:29
  35. Why armed men killed a US pilot in Indonesia 16:54
  36. Why can’t Japan have a female emperor? 17:29
  37. Thailand’s sex worker legal limbo 19:14
  38. Are microdramas the future of entertainment? 17:29
  39. Why cancer patients are travelling to China 16:17
  40. What makes a Pokemon card worth millions? 18:46
  41. Is North Korea getting richer? 17:30
  42. Will Japan turn away from pacifism? 20:12
  43. Asia’s affordable housing problem 19:04
  44. Could changing the way we date solve Asia's low fertility rates? 20:23
  45. Could an Asian team win the World Cup? 19:30
  46. Bonus: Xi Jinping's North Korea visit 11:13
  47. Thailand’s tourism challenge 17:14
  48. South Korea’s stock boom 19:56
  49. Asia’s 'irrelevant' uni degree question 18:30
  50. The US-China robotaxi race 21:46