Ed & Nik on the Asia Pacific

Ed & Nik reunite for a Xmas Special to review the year over a couple of drinks. All the big stories, including (but not limited to) Covid, China-India border clashes, Abe's resignation, protests in Hong Kong and Thailand, and the height of Everest, all mixed together with some good cheer and petty squabbling.

Ed & Nik discuss the implications of the security law in Hong Kong for China's wider foreign policy. Other topics include the death of Seoul's mayor, the future of DPRK-US relations, sex-crazed monkey gangs in Thailand and new rules on Japan's roller-coasters. And Nik is on the hunt for a new co-presenter....

Ed & Nik discuss recent tensions across the Korean border, the clash between Indian and Chinese troops in the Himalayas, Japan's 'renaming' of the Senkakus and the latest act of political activism by K-Pop fans in the US.

Ed & Nik consider the fallout from the new security law in Hong Kong, the removal of the mayor of Kaohsiung and the response to the Black Lives Matter campaign from the K-Pop community. They also explore a Japanese theory on why coronavirus spreads more easily in the West and demonstrate just how down with the kids they are (spoiler alert: not very).

Ed & Nik mark a milestone (of sorts) with wild speculation on Kim Jong Un, a heated debate about the future of Taiwan and Hong Kong under 'one country, two systems' , a heart warming tale of Spandau Ballet-inspired triumph in Singapore, and reflect on the presence of sex dolls at South Korean football.

Ed & Nik return after a brief hiatus doing some real work and discuss the media frenzy over Kim Jong-un's recent non-death. Other subjects tackled include an exchange of gunfire across the Korean DMZ, Vietnam's successful Covid-19 policies, fake Indonesian ghosts and Nik's mysterious lack of teaching duties.

Ed & Nik return to the hot topic of pandas' (in)ability to mate. Other topics include the South Korean election, a reported nuclear test in China, and a generous Vietnamese entrepreneur.

Ed & Nik return to the Taiwan/WHO dispute, consider Japan's late reaction to the COVID-19 outbreak, mark the end of China's lockdown and discuss panda sex and robot graduation.

Ed & Nik continue their lockdown with discussions on Taiwan's exclusion from the WHO and a debate on the anti-Taiwan bias of the BBC, as well as some monkey/elephant chitter chatter.

As the lockdown begins in earnest in England, Ed & Nik tackle remote working, the Olympics, Korea's mixed response to covid-19, Taiwan-China tensions and Thai monkey gangs.

Ed & Nik take the opportunity to revisit the discussion on North Korea's response to COVID-19, censorship in China, the 75th anniversary of the Tokyo firebombings and a new world record holder for oldest professional footballer.

More chat around Covid-19 and speculation on North Korea's reaction. A "boy doggy wee wee pole" in Osaka airport and locust-eating ducks feature in an extended oddity section.

Ed & Nik consider the latest developments on the Covid19 coronavirus outbreak, the implications of Parasite's success at the Oscars, and the use of Virtual Reality in Korea to help bereaved parents 'meet' their children again. They also argue over a bar bill and marvel at the dedication of a Chinese runner.

Ed & Nik discuss the various impacts of the Corona virus around the world from the hero doctor Li Wenliang to Boris Johnson's dad and the 'mental anguish' of South Korean football fans.

Ed & Nik discuss the recent Corona virus outbreak in China (and beyond) and the various ramifications. They also rant about Piers Morgan being a racist @!%& and talk about a posh rabbit & a lazy Japanese postman.

Ed & Nik are back with a special guest appearance from Dr Ti-han Chang, discussing Tsai Ing-wen's victory in the Taiwan elections. Other topics include the US-China trade war, Parasite (a film that neither Ed nor Nik have seen), an old Japanese footballer, a horny tortoise and a billionaire's search for a partner to go to the moon with.

Ed & Nik start 2020 with a chat about Carlos Ghosn's escape from Japan, the African swine fever epidemic in China, the calls to ban Japan's 'rising sun' flag for the 2020 Olympics, a preview of the Taiwan elections and predictions for the year ahead.

A bumper Christmas special, by which we mean that Ed & Nik don't really mention Christmas but do go on for far too long about the fallout from Mesut Ozil's tweet about Uyghurs in Xinjiang, plus the World Bank's stance on Taiwanese employees, a guest appearance from Dr Moises Lopes de Souza and, inexplicably, a discussion on turkey eggs.

Ed & Nik talk cat names, burning books in Gansu, Aung San Suu Kyi in the Hague, Bougainville independence, and the controversy in Miss Universe.

Ed & Nik talk about Australia's 'China paranoia' and the spy who may not have been a spy, and speculate on what Christmas present Kim Jong Un is getting Donald Trump.

Ed & Nik consider the implications of the Hong Kong elections, discuss a suggestion of US recognition of Taiwan, speculate on the Bougainville independence referendum, and fail to understand the modern world of expensive computer game upgrades.

Ed & Nik express their opinion on the China-South Korea defence agreement, the US demands for increased payments from its East Asian military allies and the rise and fall of Lennon Walls discussing the Hong Kong protests around the world. And should there be German jobs for German robots?

Ed and Nik mull over the ongoing dispute between South Korea and Japan, revisit the discussion on the Hong Kong protests, and explore the idea of mass living funerals.

Ed & Nik chew the fat over the role of Huawei in the coming fifth industrial revolution, discuss the suggestion that Hong Kong is becoming the new Belfast, and consider how hit-men in Guangxi are embracing the concept of out-sourcing.