Asia Rising

The Australian government has released a new roadmap aiming to bolster critical minerals co-operation between Australia and India. Crucial to the economy and productivity, the mineral trade, the plan aims to drive research and trade in both countries, but can the plan also address resource security and climate concerns? Guests: Ambika Vishwanath (DFAT Maitri Principal Research Fellow, La Trobe Asia) Titiksha Vashist (Co-founder and Lead Researcher, Pranava Institute) Recorded 16th April, 2025

High in the Himalayas the waters of Asia's eight largest rivers intersect. The rivers of the Asian Highlands are central to the world's weather systems and activities in their water catchments have shaped the human past and will shape the future. These rivers support more than three billion people and provide water for 85% of Asia's populations, and what happens to Asian highland rivers is of global significance. Today human activities are contributing to rising temperatures, which leads to glacial shrinkage and uncertain river flows. Highland rivers are suffering from multiple crises, including inept management, negative effects from poorly planned damming, and declining fish stocks, along with decreased biodiversity. This event explores the rivers of this critically important region and the iconological crisis that they face. The launch of Rivers of the Asian Highlands From Deep Time to the Climate Crisis by Ruth Gamble, Gillian G. Tan, Hongzhang Xu, Sara Beavis, Petra Maurer, Jamie Pittock, John Powers, Robert J. Wasson, published by Routledge. Speakers: Professor Emily T. Yeh (Geography, University of Colorado Boulder) Dipak Gyawali (Former Minister of Water Resources of Nepal) Dr Ruth Gamble (Deputy Director, La Trobe Asia) Ambika Vishwanath (Principal Research Fellow, La Trobe Asia) (Chair) Recorded on 27th May, 2025.

The Asia-Pacific is an area of great power contestation, of an intense rivalry between major powers, particularly the United States and China. How influence and dominance intersect in the Asia Pacific has major implications for the politics, economies and militaries of the countries in the region. Guest: Mike Bosack (Special Adviser for Government Relations,Yokosuka Council on Asia-Pacific Studies) Recorded 29th April, 2025.

Australia's federal election has produced a significant majority for PM Anthony Albanese. While most of the campaign was dominated by domestic issues, the shadow cast by the Trump administration's highly destabilising policies was long. The re-elected government faces the most complex international environment in decades with the ongoing wars in Ukraine and Gaza, an America led by a mercurial President who appears intent on wrecking the liberal international order and an ambitious and confident China. This panel will discuss the most immediate international challenges facing the newly elected government, how it is likely to approach these issues and what new direction a more confident and emboldened Labor government may take. Panel: The Hon Bill Shorten (Leader of the Australian Labor Party (2013 - 2019), Vice-Chancellor of the University of Canberra) Professor Andrea Carson (Political Communication, La Trobe University) Professor Nick Bisley (Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, La Trobe University) Professor Bec Strating (Director, La Trobe Asia) Recorded 13th May, 2025

The past six months in South Korea have been eventful - a declaration of martial law, the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol, but the country continues and now there is an election on the 3rd June. The election is heated, and there are still protests on the streets of Seoul. How the votes could go, what is on the agenda, and how this will affect the world are all topics of debate. Guest: Dr Duyeon Kim (Adjunct Senior Fellow, Indo-Pacific Security Program, Centre for New American Security) Recorded on 29th February, 2025.

It is two weeks until an Australian federal election in which the presiding Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, will meet the challenger Peter Dutton in a campaign that has been dominated by domestic issues, but overshadowed by Trump. Guests: Professor Bec Strating (Director, La Trobe Asia) Professor Andrea Carson (Journalism, La Trobe University) Recorded on 16th April, 2025.

Late last year the Chinese government announced it had approved the world's largest and most expensive, hydropower project on the Yarlung Tsangpo River in the Eastern Himalaya, near its disputed border with India. The project would generate around 60 gigawatts annually, nearly three times the capacity of the Three Gorges Dam, and help them meet their energy transition goals. What they actually intend to build and the impact it could have on the surrounding landscape and the people who call it home is the subject of much debate. Guests: Dr Ruth Gamble (Senior Lecturer, Archaeology and History, La Trobe University) Dr Hongzhang Xu (Senior Ecohydrologist, Murray Darling Basin Authority (MDBA)) Recorded on April 1st, 2025.

As President Donald Trump leads his second term, relationships between the US and Asian countries continue to evolve under his administration's policies. While there has been much focus on Europe's reactions to a more transactional leadership style in the US, less has been discussed about how it will affect trade negotiations, military alliances, and geopolitical tensions in Asia. The United States, once a reliable ally to many, now represents a wild card, and how Trump views Asian nations including China, North Korea, Japan, and India, will have a measurable impact on trade, security, and diplomacy. Panel: Professor Bec Strating (Director, La Trobe Asia) Professor Nick Bisley (Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, La Trobe University) Ambika Vishwanath (DFAT Maitri Research Fellow, La Trobe Asia) Assoc. Professor Ruth Gamble (Deputy Director, La Trobe Asia)(Chair)

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested on March 11, 2025, by the Philippine National Police and Interpol, acting on a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC). The warrant charges Duterte with crimes against humanity related to his administration's controversial "war on drugs," which resulted in thousands of deaths. Guest: Associate Professor Kerstin Steiner (La Trobe Law School, La Trobe University) Recorded on 18 March, 2025.

Australian headlines in late February were dominated by the activities of the Chinese navy's Task Group 107 as it progressed south along the Australian coast and conducted a series of live-fire exercises. To the media and a segment of politicians this is a big deal, and at the very least it signals a message that China is trying to send to Australia. Guest: Professor Bec Strating (Director, La Trobe Asia) Recorded on 3rd March, 2025.

The global south is struggling with extreme weather patterns and how to respond, with the Philippines being no exception. Since the devastation of the 2013 Haiyan typhoon, more than 15 thousand households have been relocated from the coast to Tacloban North, and this climate gentrfication has caused inequalities amongst the residents. Guests: Associate Professor Brooke Wilmsen (Social Enquiry, La Trobe University) Dr Justin See (Development Studies, University of Melbourne) Recorded on 21st February, 2025.

For years China has claimed historical rights in the South China Sea, enforcing this by establishing the expansive ‘nine-dash line' encompassing around 90% of the sea and challenging the maritime claims of neighbouring states in Southeast Asia. The Philippines in particular has contested China's claims, concerned about the implications for national security, sovereignty, sovereign rights, and maritime jurisdiction. What can the Philippines and other nations in do to support the maritime rules-based order? How can bodies like ASEAN and the United Nations assist in these areas? What kind of deterrence and diplomacy might help manage or resolve these disputes? Panel: Professor Amparo Pamela Fabe (National Police College and Philippine Public Safety College) Assoc. Professor Lowell Bautista ( School of Law, Western Sydney University) Dr Bich Tran (Senior Fellow, Verve Research, Adjunct Fellow, Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)) Professor Bec Strating (Director, La Trobe Asia) (Chair)

In his first month as the newly sworn in President of the United States Donald Trump signed a raft of executive orders, one of which was the near total freeze of all foreign aid, and the drastic reduction of the United States Agency for International Development. This move will have lasting repurcussions for the welfare of many of the world's poorest populations, not to mention the international reputation of the United States. Guest: Associate Professor Lisa Denney (Director, Centre for Human Security and Social Change, La Trobe University) Recorded on the 18th February, 2025.

Great power rivalry is now an entrenched feature of Asia's security environment. While the United States' role in Asia looks increasingly uncertain under the new Trump administration, China has long sought its security by building dominant relationships with smaller powers in its neighbourhood. While Australia focuses keenly on the activities of the US and China in East Asia and the Pacific, far less is understood about the contests for power playing out in Central Asia and its implications for global stability and order. In this arena, Russia and the United States are keen to challenge China's presence and maintain access and influence for both themselves and their partners. As global geopolitics evolve, China has come to dominate a region that is crucial to the world's economic and strategic future. In celebration of the new book ‘Great Game On: The contest for Central Asia and Global Supremacy' by Geoff Raby. Speakers: Dr Geoff Raby AO (Former Australia Ambassador to China, 2007-2011) Professor Theo Farrell (Vice-Chancellor, La Trobe University) Professor Rebecca Strating (Director, La Trobe Asia) Recorded on 12th February, 2025.

Unrest in South Korea is developing quickly. In December President Yoon Suk-yeol declared a short lived martial law. He has since been impeached, removed from office and arrested after weeks of evading arrest, potentially to face charges of insurrection. The political turmoil has shaken South Korea, where Yoon Suk-yeol has popular support. What were the events that led to this political juncture? What could it mean for South Korea and a potential election? Could the unrest have implications for the wider Asian region? Panel: Associate Professor Danielle Chubb (International Relations, Deakin University) Associate Professor David Hundt (International Relations, Deakin University) Assisstant Professor Jiye Kim (Assistant Professor (International Security, University of Queensland Professor Bec Strating (Director, La Trobe Asia, La Trobe University)(host) Recorded on 29th January 2025.

It's been four years since the Myanmar government was overthrown in a military coup, with the promise of a swift election never eventuating. Since that time the public sentiment has soured and resistance has grown, and a long civil war is being fought within its borders. Guest: Hunter Marston (PhD candidate, Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs, Australian National University and an Adjunct Research Fellow at La Trobe Asia) Recorded on Friday 24th January, 2025.

Its been more than 70 years since China annexed Tibet, and in that time there has been a noticeable decrease in political representation. There has been an increasing centralisation of power by Han Chinese officials, undercutting Tibetan representation in key political and administrative roles, and it's a trend that has only accelerated under the leadership of Xi Jinping. Guests: Professor James Leibold (Politics at La Trobe University) Dr Devendra Kumar (Associate Fellow, Centre of Excellence for Himalayan Studies, Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence) Recorded 27th November, 2024.

Many countries struggle with gender inequality, but in Japan the problem is pronounced. The gender pay gap is at 22%, and women face a number of related issues, including precarious and subordinate positions in the labour market, and the sexual exploitation in the entertainment industry. Voices from the Contemporary Japanese Feminist Movement by Emma Dalton and Caroline Norma (Palgrave Macmillan, 2022) Guest: Dr Caroline Norma (Senior Lecturer, Interpreting and Translating, RMIT) Host: Dr Emma Dalton (Senior Lecturer, Japanese Studies, La Trobe University) Recorded on 11th December, 2024.

Tibet and the Tibetan Plateau are well-known as the home of an important religious and philosophical tradition, Tibetan Buddhism. However, we tend to pay less attention to the lived experiences and llfeways of the Indigenous peoples who live with this singular environment and their achievements and challenges. So how does the state education address Indigenous knowledge and that which the people get from the land itself? Guest: Dr Tashi Dekyid Monet (School of Education and Human Development, University of Virginia) Host: Assoc Professor Ruth Gamble (Deputy Director, La Trobe Asia) Recorded on 30th October, 2024.

There are dozens of minority languages spoken in Tibet, but that number is currently collapsing under assimilatory state policies. An increasing number of families in these communities are now passing on Tibetan or Chinese, in the hope of accessing better opportunities in education and employment. What are the systems at work that restrict and devalue minority languages in Tibet? How can global advocacy networks acknowledge the issue, and what radical changes are needed to address this crisis? The launch of The Politics of Language Oppression in Tibet by Gerald Roche, published by Cornell University Press. Panel: Associate Professor Gerald Roche (Department of Politics, Media, and Philosophy, La Trobe University) Associate Professor Sonika Gupta (Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Madras) Dr Anna Belew (Executive Director, Endangered Languages Project, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa) Associate Professor Ruth Gamble (Deputy Director, La Trobe Asia, La Trobe University)(chair) Professor Bec Strating (Director, La Trobe Asia, La Trobe University)(introduction) Recorded on 15th November, 2024

Donald Trump has won the 2024 Unites States election. So what will his return to the White House mean for the Asian region? Guest: Professor Bec Strating (Director, La Trobe Asia) Recorded on 11th November, 2024.

What does "Indigeneity" mean in Asia? For many in these communities, an Indigenous identity can represent a way to strengthen community identities, encourage language and cultural flourishing, highlight their ancestral relationships to land and water, and push back against large states' attempts to minoritise them. What are the benefits and challenges of using the term in Asia? What does the grassroots enthusiasm for the term “Indigenous” and top-down restraints on its use mean for our understanding of Indigeneity more broadly? And how could recognising Asian Indigenous groups shape diplomacy and aid programs? Speakers: Professor Sheryl Lightfoot (Political Science and First Nations and Indigenous Studies, University of British Colombia) Dr Tashi Dekyid Monet (School of Education and Human Development, University of Virginia) Dr Urmee Chakma (Lecturer, Humanities and Pedagogy Education, La Trobe University) James Blackwell (Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs, Australian National University) Dr Ruth Gamble (Senior Lecturer, History, La Trobe University) (chair) Recorded on 30th October, 2024.

After more than 70 years of Chinese rule, much has changed in Tibet, and one notable decline is that of language diversity. There are currently around sixty minority languages spoken in Tibet, in some cases by just a few thousand people, but that number is collapsing under assimilatory state policies. Book: The Politics of Language Oppression in Tibet by Gerald Roche, published by Cornell University Press. Guest: Assoc. Professor Gerald Roche (Politics, La Trobe University) Recorded on 17th October, 2024.

The Ganges River, a lifeline for millions and one of the most significant and sacred rivers in the world, faces a multitude of seemingly intractable environmental challenges. One of the most innovative ways of both researching and shifting attitudes on the Ganges is through Citizen Science, bringing scientists and communities together to learn more about the world around them. Guests: Dr Prem Kurup (Science Education, La Trobe University) Anjali Yadav (PhD Candidate, La Trobe University and IIT Kanpur) Host: Assoc. Professor Ruth Gamble (Deputy Director, La Trobe Asia) Recorded on 17th October, 2024.

For centuries the western world has enjoyed an outsized global influence, but is that time coming to an end? In demographic, economic, military and cultural terms, we are hurtling into a far more diverse global future. Guest: Dr Samir Putri (Former UK diplomat, visiting lecturer at the Department of War Studies at the Kings College London) Samir's book: Westlessness: The Great Global Rebalancing Recorded 10th September, 2024.

Large numbers of people in Southeast Asia seek opportunities to improve their lives either within or outside their home country. While there are many positive benefits, the risk of exploitation is high. Many find themselves deceived or coerced into situations where they are abused and forced to live and work in poor conditions with little or no pay. Some are forced into sex work or marriages against their will, while others fall prey to the illicit organ trade. How can we better understand what makes people vulnerable to human trafficking? What can governments and organisations be doing to better support victims and confront the causes? What roles can researchers play in helping answer these questions? Speakers: - Assoc. Professor Lisa Denney (Acting Director, Centre for Human Security and Social Change, La Trobe University) - Assoc. Professor Sallie Yea (Tracey Banivanua-Mar Fellow, La Trobe University) - Dr Elisabeth Jackson (Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Human Security and Social Change, La Trobe University) - Professor Bec Strating (Director, La Trobe Asia) (Chair) A La Trobe Asia and Centre for Human Security and Social Change event.

The West has always had an outsized influence in the world, but what if this trend is changing? The post cold-war era U.S. and European countries, which represent the foundational pillars of the Western system, have seen their power diminish. Shifts in demographics, economics, military, and cultural terms are indicating a more diverse global future. Wealth is moving from the West to the East, and nations such as India and Indonesia are set to reach new heights of growth and confidence. Is the West prepared for a more diverse global future? The Melbourne launch of Westlessness: The Great Global Rebalancing by Samir Puri. Speakers: Dr Samir Puri (Visiting Lecturer, Department of War Studies, Kings College London) Professor Nick Bisley (Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, La Trobe University) Professor Bec Strating (Director, La Trobe Asia)(Chair) Recorded 9th September, 2024

In recent years Australia has drawn closer to many of its Asia-Pacific neighbours, but when push comes to shove, it continues to look well beyond the oceans and regions that surround it to the distant horizons of Europe and North America for its ultimate security guarantee'. But is there another way Australia should understand its strategic challenges and find lasting security? Girt by Sea: Re-Imagining Australia's Security by Rebecca Strating and Joanne Wallis is published by La Trobe University Press. Guest: Professor Rebecca Strating (Director, La Trobe Asia) Recorded on 15th August 2024.

The catastrophic attacks of 9/11 led to successful US-led military effort to overthrow the Taliban regime and dismantle al-Qaeda's terrorism training camps in Afghanistan. Britain took the lead in creating the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) to stabilise the country and support the new government. Why did the ISAF mission fail, and what are the wider lessons from the Afghanistan war for security in the Asia-Pacific. Guest: Professor Theo Farrell (Vice-Chancellor, La Trobe University) Author of Unwinnable: Britain's War in Afghanistan published by Penguin Books. Recorded 22nd July, 2024.

On September 15 2021 Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the agreement of both the US and the UK to supply Australia with nuclear-powered submarines. Following its election in 2022 the government of Anthony Albanese made clear that that AUKUS was supported by Labor. Is there now any significant difference between the defence policies of the Coalition and Labor? What exactly are the motives of the three governments involved in the AUKUS agreement--the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia? Speakers: Emeritus Professor Hugh White AO (Strategic and Defence Studies Centre, Australian National University) Professor Peter Dean (Foreign Policy and Defence, United States Studies Centre, University of Sydney) Professor Bec Strating (Director, La Trobe Asia) (Chair) Professor Theo Farrell (Vice Chancellor, La Trobe University) Recorded on 16th July, 2024.

Taiwan recently saw a peaceful transition of power with the inauguration of President Lai Ching-Te, who was elected to office in January. President Lai's election continues the pro-democracy stance of Taiwan, and in his inaugural speech he called on neighbouring China to cease its acts of intimidation and to “choose dialogue over confrontation.” China responded by holding a simulated blockade of Taiwan, complete with imagery boasting its ability to reign missiles down on the island. Guest: Kevin Magee (Former Australian Representative to Taiwan) Recorded on 19th June, 2024.

The world's largest display of democracy has just taken place, with close to a billion people eligible to vote in an election across 44 days. Narendra Modi has been sworn in for a rare third term as India's Prime Minister, after emerging victorious in a tough election with a slim majority. His party, the BJP, had hoped for a landslide victory, but needed to rely on a coalition to gain power. Guest: Associate Professor Priya Chako ( International Politics, University of Adelaide) Recorded on 19th June, 2024.

More than a billion people across Asia have voted so far in 2024, in elections in India, Indonesia, South Korea, Taiwan and more, but outside of the main results the electoral processes and implications for democracy rarely attracted international headlines. While voting is a key expression of democratic participation, during elections democratic ideals can be challenged. Many of these elections will have repercussions not just for citizens within these countries and the Asian region, but also for the quality of democracy and human rights across the globe. What can we learn from these elections in Asia? What can we expect from these countries and the leadership styles they represent? Is democracy healthy in Asia? Speakers: Kevin Magee AO (Former Australian Representative to Taiwan) Dr Priya Chacko (Associate Professor of International Politics, University of Adelaide) Professor Vedi Hadiz (Director and Professor of Asian Studies at the Asia Institute, University of Melbourne) Dr Ruth Gamble (Senior Lecturer in History and Deputy Director of La Trobe Asia, La Trobe University) - Chair Recorded 19th June, 2024.

There's a theory that's discussed in many circles of international relations: have we reached peak China? In a post-pandemic age in which it is struggling with development, confronted with an aging population, and a slowing economy, is China on the decline? Guest: Professor Evan Medeiros (Penner Family Chair in Asian Studies, Georgetown University) Recorded 28th May, 2024.

Slavery remains a problem in many countries across Asia, and the understanding of what makes a person vulnerable to this kind of exploitation continues to evolve. When it comes to disability, the links are less understood, and more research is needed to understand the barriers survivors with disabilities face when accessing remedies, justice and support. The report: Exploring the intersection between disability and trafficking in persons www.aseanact.org/resources/tip-disability/ Guest: Dr Elisabeth Jackson (Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Human Security and Social Change, La Trobe University). Recorded on 13th May, 2024.

Australia has drawn closer to many of its Asia-Pacific neighbours in recent years, but 'when push comes to shove, it continues to look well beyond the oceans and regions that surround it to the distant horizons of Europe and North America for its ultimate security guarantee'. In Girt by Sea, international-relations experts Rebecca Strating and Joanne Wallis instead turn their gazes to Australia's near region, focusing on the six maritime domains central to its national interests: the north seas (the Timor, Arafura and Coral Seas and the Torres Strait), the Western Pacific, the South China Sea, the South Pacific, the Indian Ocean and the Southern Ocean. In so doing, they reimagine how Australia should understand its strategic challenges and find lasting security. Speakers: - Bec Strating (Professor of International Relations, La Trobe University, Director of La Trobe Asia) - Joanne Wallis (Professor of International Security, University of Adelaide) - Ali Moore (ABC Radio 774) Held on 15th May, 2024 at Readings Bookshop, Carlton.

In 2004 Indonesia enacted the Anti-Domestic Violence Law in what has been widely acknowledged as a progressive move, and a major achievement for the women's rights groups who advocated for it. Despite the law being in effect for 20 years, domestic violence in Indonesia remains a persistent issue. Guest: Dr Balawyn Jones (Lecturer and Bendigo Law Convenor, La Trobe Law School, La Trobe University). Recorded on 1st March, 2024.

In 2004 Indonesia enacted the Anti-Domestic Violence Law in what has been widely acknowledged as a progressive move, and a major achievement for the women's rights groups who advocated for it. Despite the law being in effect for 20 years, domestic violence in Indonesia remains a persistent issue. Guest: Dr Balawyn Jones (Lecturer and Bendigo Law Convenor, La Trobe Law School, La Trobe University). Recorded on 1st March, 2024.

In 2021 a new alliance between the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom was announced. Dubbed the AUKUS agreement, the centrepiece of the plan was for the United States to build Australia new nuclear submarines, to replace its aging fleet. Now almost three years later, the plan has evolved, and with it, inevitably has the budget expectations and the criticisms. Guest: Professor Peter Dean (Director of Foreign Policy and Defence, United States Studies Centre, University of Sydney) Recorded 28th March, 2024.

Oceans are an important resource for every country and are essential for travel and trade, but there are several critical issues facing maritime order in Asia. A lack of a shared vision, differing interpretations of maritime order, and cooperation over security issues all create friction for use of shared waterways across Asia, which makes fair and equitable access vital. How can Asian states and allies strengthen dialogue, interactions, and coordination to maximise the impact of their efforts in upholding regional and maritime order? Speakers: - Professor Bec Strating (Director, La Trobe Asia) - Professor Alessio Patalano (Department of War Studies, Kings College London) - Professor Kyoko Hatakeyama (Graduate School of International Studies and Regional Development, University of Niigata Prefecture) - Professor Nick Bisley (Chair) (Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, La Trobe University) - With an introduction from La Trobe University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Theo Farrell. The launch of Issue 10 of the La Trobe Asia Brief. Event recorded on 11th April, 2024. This public panel will present research from a collaborative project between La Trobe Asia, Kyushu University and King's College London. It has received grant funding from the Australia-Japan Foundation of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the United Kingdom Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office.

North Korea is an isolated and secretive country, long restricted by sanctions, and getting an accurate picture of its economy can be a challenge. So what can we know about its economic condition? Guest: Dr Chiew Ping Hoo (Senior Fellow, East Asia and International Relations (EAIR) Caucus, Malaysia) Recorded 6th March, 2024.

Indonesia has had a national election, and the likely next president is Prabowo Subianto, a leader with a checkered past. Prabowo served as Jokowi's defense minister and gained his backing for this election, even naming Jokowi's son as his VP running mate. Given his background, there are many who are carefully watching the decisions he will make in foreign affairs. Guest: Dr Lina Alexandra (Head of International Relations at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) based in Jakarta). Recorded 6th March, 2024.

La Trobe Asia is proud to partner with the Australian Government to deliver the 2024 ASEAN-Australia Special Summit: Maritime Cooperation Forum. The Forum will address the Blue Economy and maritime cooperation, as well as perspectives on regional maritime challenges and opportunities. This special keynote address is delivered by Senator the Hon Penny Wong, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australia, and the Honourable Enrique A. Manalo, Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Republic of the Philippines. It was introduced by convenor Professor Bec Strating, Director of La Trobe Asia. Held on 4th March, 2024.

The maritime region is becoming increasingly contested, particularly in Southeast Asia. From tensions rising in the South China Sea, grey zone issues, challenges to international law, and environmental issues such as sea level rise and overfishing, maritime security is important for Indo-Pacific security. As Melbourne hosts the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit, this event will provide insights into maritime security issues in Australia and Southeast Asia and explore opportunities for collaboration and cooperation. Speakers: • Dr Chiew-Ping Hoo (Senior Fellow, East Asian International Relations Caucus) • Dr Ruji Auethavornpipat (Lecturer, La Trobe University) • Jennifer Parker (Expert Associate, National Security College, Australian National University) • Professor Bec Strating (Director, La Trobe Asia) • Melissa Conley Tyler (chair) (Executive Director, Asia-Pacific Development, Diplomacy & Defence Dialogue (AP4D)) Held on 6 March, 2024.

Taiwan has held a presidential election, and the Democratic Progressive Party has won a third term, with current vice-president Lai Chinge-Te succeeding Tsai Ing-Wen later this year. And while his victory is seen as one of continuing democratic values on the island, Lai will need to rely on his political opponents to govern, and that's without mentioning the China-sized problem across the Taiwan strait. Guest: Professor Bec Strating (Director, La Trobe Asia, La Trobe University) Recorded on 29th January, 2024.

In the decade since Xi Jinping became China's top leader, he has centralised decision-making powers, encouraged a cult of personality around himself, and moved toward indefinite rule by scrapping presidential term limits--stirring fears of a return to a Mao-style dictatorship. Today the influence of China and Xi Jinping are felt around the world, challenging Western pre-eminence in global affairs and casting its authoritarian system as a model of governance worthy of international emulation. Guest: Chun Han Wong of (Journalist, Wall Street Journal and author of Party of One: The Rise of Xi Jinping and China's Superpower Future) Recorded on 1st December, 2023.

The United Nations has long been seen as an organisation of international cooperation, and every country tries to use it to legitimise their actions and views on a global stage. Perhaps none is more successful than this and influential than China. Guest: Assoc. Professor Courtney Fung (Security Studies & Criminology, Macquarie University and Scholar in residence, Asia Society Australia). Recorded on 7th December, 2023.

India has a population of 1.4 billion to support, and there is one basic commodity that every one of those citizens needs: water. But with only 4% of the world's fresh water resources and demands of industry and agriculture to contend with, it is fair to assume that clean, usable water is going to be in high demand. Guest: Ambika Vishwanath (Co-founder of the Kubernein Initiative) Recorded on 24 November, 2024.

With its densely populated cities, low-lying islands, and melting glaciers, Asia is a region vulnerable to the impact of climate change. Extreme heat, weather disasters and the rising sea level could lead to mass flooding, landslides and drought, impacting millions. While governments across developing Asia have made ambitious climate pledges, there remains substantial scope for expansion, and the region stands to gain many benefits from decisive action. How is climate change going to affect the region in the decade to come? What efforts are being made to increase regional climate resilience? What is Australia's role in preserving its own regional environment and assisting its neighbours? Panel: - Ambika Vishwanath (Co-Founder & Director, Kubernein Initiative) - Professor Lauren Rickards (Director, La Trobe Climate Change Adaptation Lab, La Trobe University) - Dr Ruth Gamble (Senior Lecturer & DECRA Fellow, Department of Archaeology and History, La Trobe University) - Associate Professor Bec Strating (Director, La Trobe Asia) (Chair) Held on 25 November, 2023.

Sarnath, in Uttar Pradesh, India, is the site of where Buddha delivered his first sermon, and a significant stop on the Buddhist pilgrimage trail. But long since overshadowed by local Hindu sites, it remains underdeveloped. Guest: Dr Kiran Shindi (Urban Planning, La Trobe University) Recorded 8th November, 2023.

In Australia, there is much public discussion about US-China relations, prospects of conflict involving Taiwan and implications for Australia's security. It is only rarely, however, that these conversations involve Taiwanese voices. La Trobe University is honoured to host an exclusive panel discussion in which Foreign Minister of Taiwan Joseph Wu and Associate Professor Rebecca Strating of La Trobe Asia discuss Taiwan's perspectives on key regional security issues and concerns to a global audience.