Asia Specific
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 episodes twice a week.
Episodes
Could an Asian team win the World Cup?
There are more Asian teams competing in this year's FIFA World Cup than ever before, but can any of them win?
With the tournament expanding to 48 teams, Asia has nine nations plus New Zealand from the Oceania confederation competing for the prize across the USA, Canada and Mexico. Many, like Saudi Arabia and Iran are from the Middle East, but East and South East Asia will be represented by Worl
Bonus: Xi Jinping's North Korea visit
Having welcomed Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin to Beijing, China's leader is making his first overseas trip of this year to North Korea.It's Xi Jinping's first visit to Pyongyang in seven years, and he's visiting a nation bolstered by an increasingly close relationship with Russia, which has seen North Korean troops on the battlefield in Ukraine.
Why would a leader used to welcoming foreign di
Thailand’s tourism challenge
Thailand has cut the visa-free stay time for tourists, but will it boost numbers for an industry which is a lifeblood of the economy? Tourist numbers have fallen and have never gone back to the same level as before the Covid pandemic. While the government has been trying to shore up tourist numbers, in May Thailand cut visa-free stay period for tourists from 60 to 30 days. So what is the thinking
South Korea’s stock boom
AI is fuelling the biggest stock market rally in the world. South Korea's benchmark KOSPI index has nearly doubled in value this year – a rally driven largely by semiconductor giants Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, which have benefited from soaring global demand for AI memory chips. The surge has also attracted waves of retail investors. Advocates say the boom reflects South Korea's central role
Asia’s 'irrelevant' uni degree question
Comments by a senior Indonesian official about students pursuing “irrelevant” university degrees has sparked a debate about what sort of careers will survive in a fast-changing job market.
Indonesia is looking at ways to better equip universities and vocational schools for the future job market, and a relatively low level of graduates with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics)
The US-China robotaxi race
Who will dominate in the race to develop and scale self-driving cars - the US or China? The two countries are far ahead in the autonomous vehicle space. While the technology has many applications, the most obvious one – and the one most talked about – is robotaxis. As driverless cars increasingly start being rolled out in cities around the world, we unpack whether funding and user experience or sc
The Philippines beauty pageant controversy
A recent victory by a Filipina American beauty pageant contestant has sparked a debate about what it means to truly represent the Philippines.
The country has arguably the most enthusiastic beauty pageant culture in the world, with widespread fame and life-changing opportunities awaiting winners.
But the winner of this year’s Miss Universe Philippines Bea Millan-Windorski has had to defend h
Why North Korea became a women's football powerhouse
North Korean women footballers are heading to South Korea, in a closely watched match taking place at a moment of deep tension between the two neighbours.The two Koreas are still technically at war, and official contact between Pyongyang and Seoul has been minimal in recent years. But sport has long played a unique role in inter-Korean relations - from unified Olympic marches to politically charge
Bali’s rubbish crisis
Bali is facing a worsening rubbish crisis, with landfill restrictions causing garbage to pile up, on an island already infamous for plastic-strewn beaches. As the main landfill site tightens rules on organic waste, local communities are left scrambling for alternatives, and in some cases, resorting to burning rubbish.Indonesia’s president has even weighed in, criticising the island’s cleanliness a
The US-China problem
The relationship between the United States and China affects everything from global trade and technology to climate policy and security. But how well do the two superpowers really understand each other?
Donald Trump’s visit, from 13-15 May, will be the first to China by a US president in nearly a decade.We examine the assumptions, misconceptions and political narratives shaping one of the world’
Is India’s internet becoming more like China’s?
India and China have long taken very different approaches to controlling the internet. But is that gap starting to narrow?India’s government is proposing new rules that could bring bloggers, influencers and online creators under regulations similar to those governing traditional broadcasters. Officials say it’s about accountability, but critics worry it could limit free expression and political sp
Can China reverse a billion-dollar tech deal?
A $2 billion deal between Meta and rising AI company Manus was done and then suddenly, China stepped in and blocked it. The move stunned the tech world. Manus, a fast-growing AI startup with roots in China but based in Singapore, had been gaining attention for its powerful AI agent tools. Meta - the company behind Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp - saw it as a strategic bet in the race to dominate
New Zealand and India’s trade deal row
New Zealand has signed a major free trade deal with India, but a provision to lock in thousands of skilled migrants each year has sparked a backlash. The agreement promises economic benefits for both countries, including expanded trade and easier movement for Indian skilled workers. But a comment by a senior minister in the governing coalition describing the migration agreements as a “butter chick
Can Vietnam still reach its growth target?
The country’s economy - forecast to grow at the fastest pace in South East Asia this year - is under pressure, with manufacturers hit by oil price hikes from the conflict in the Middle East. Vietnam’s manufacturing sector is one of the country’s main engines of growth.The government has set its economic growth target at 10% over the next five years, and the country has been outpacing its regional
Japan’s megaquake threat
How prepared is Japan for a major earthquake? The country has been on high alert for aftershocks since this week’s magnitude 7.7 quake, with thousands of people urged to seek higher ground.Scientists have warned for decades that a powerful quake along the Nankai Trough could strike, triggering potentially devastating tsunamis and widespread destruction.In this episode of Asia Specific, we explore
Indonesia’s US airspace deal risks China ties
What would a deal with the US military mean for Indonesia’s ties to China? The proposal being considered by Indonesia would allow US military aircraft easier access to its airspace. But it has ignited debate in a country that’s long had a non-aligned foreign policy stance. We discuss this possible shift in strategy, the US military presence in the region and how a potential deal is being viewed by
Who’s winning the EV race?
Are high energy prices prompting a shift to electric vehicles in Asia? In China, more than half of all new cars sold are now electric vehicles or plug-in hybrids. But across the rest of Asia, the shift is much slower, in part due to a lack of charging infrastructure. Will high oil prices due to the Iran conflict be the catalyst to change that?Chinese carmakers are rapidly expanding into Southeast
Thailand’s complicated relationship with tourism
Songkran - Thailand’s biggest new year water festival is underway. People visit family in their hometowns during the holiday season and wash the feet of their elders with scented water in a cleansing ritual. But the energy crisis has made driving back home prohibitively expensive for many locals this year.In the capital of Bangkok, however, celebrations are taking place as usual. Every year, the c
Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs, one year on
How have US tariffs changed the way countries in Asia trade and what has been the impact on the region?US President Donald Trump announced a slew of tariffs in April last year on more than 90 countries. For a while, it threatened to damage global trade and grind business investments to a halt. Then, earlier this year, the US Supreme Court struck down most of the tariffs the White House announced i
Bonus: What an Iran US ceasefire means for Asia
US President Donald Trump says he believes China helped push Iran towards the two-week ceasefire. With Pakistan leading talks between Iran and the US, what role is China, Pakistan’s close friend and neighbour, playing behind the scenes?
What will this conditional ceasefire mean for Asia’s energy shortage? And does a two-week truce mean Southeast Asian countries, grappling with high oil and gas pri
Who is leading the race to the Moon?
The US Artemis II mission around the Moon is part of a plan to establish a long-term human presence beyond Earth. But it’s not alone. China has been steadily advancing its space programme, with plans to land its own astronauts on the moon by 2030 and develop a permanent lunar base in the years that follow.More than half a century after the Apollo missions, the focus has shifted from symbolic first
Is Australia seeing an immigration backlash?
The right-wing populist One Nation has a breakthrough with voters. Pauline Hanson’s party recently secured more than 20 per cent of the vote in a South Australia state election - its first major breakthrough outside her home state of Queensland. It’s also the strongest showing by a minor party in a system long dominated by two political heavyweights: Australian Labor Party and the Liberal Party of
The billion dollar return of K-pop kings BTS
BTS is as much of a cultural phenomenon as they are a K-pop band, but after four years off, can they rekindle the magic that made them a music and economic juggernaut? In the years before they went on hiatus for military service, BTS helped propel K-pop to the forefront of international music charts, and they became global cultural ambassadors. Their comeback concert in central Seoul was described
South East Asia’s oil shortage fears
Why has the Iran war left the region’s oil supply so exposed? Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines and China are all bringing in different measures to try and control the situation - from making government employees work from home, to restricting fuel exports, to a four-day week.Around a fifth of the world’s oil is shipped through the Strait of Hormuz - a narrow strip of water along the southern coa
What message does the Iran war send to Asia’s nuclear powers?
Will North Korea and China rethink their weapons programme after the US-Israeli attacks on Iran? Pyongyang has come under pressure from the US in recent years over its nuclear stance and China, experts believe, is expanding its arsenal. The US and Israel’s attacks on Iran are partly aimed at destroying Tehran’s nuclear weapons capability. We discuss what could be the potential impact on future nuc
The US-China crypto split
The superpowers of US and China are taking starkly different directions on cryptocurrency trading. So, what is behind this and what does it mean for the future of crypto?The US under President Donald Trump positions itself as a pro-crypto hub to foster innovation. China under President Xi Jinping has imposed a strict ban on domestic trading and mining of digital currency since 2019. Because of tha
Can China’s economy survive global shocks?
China’s growth is slowing as the US-Israel war with Iran jolts the world economy and oil prices spike. Once seen as the growth engine of Asia and the world, China is now trying to shield its giant economy from external shocks, this year setting its lowest economic growth target in more than three decades. Can China’s leaders build a more self-reliant economy? And is it still on track to overtake t
Is AI threatening Japan’s manga industry?
Creators of Japan’s popular manga comics see both threat and opportunity in AI. Some think it can help with labour shortages and boost productivity, but many artists and publishers fear copyright infringement, falling incomes and the devaluation of human artistry.Major publishers have taken a firm stance against AI-generated submissions. AI can generate anime-style characters in seconds. In this e
China warns against ‘law of the jungle’ after US-Israeli strikes on Iran
China has warned against the ‘law of the jungle’ after US-Israeli strikes on Iran, but will Iran's biggest oil buyer take any tangible measures?The conflict in the Middle East is widening, with missile and drone strikes hitting Iran, Israel and neighbouring countries, and Washington is now warning its campaign could continue for weeks. China is often viewed as Tehran’s key international backer. It
The boom in queer romance shows
Same-sex romance dramas are booming across Asia, but does that mean there’s growing tolerance towards LGBTQ communities?
What began as a niche genre in Japan has become a regional phenomenon, with countries like Thailand producing hugely popular series that travel far beyond Asia.
Streaming platforms and shows like The Boyfriend and Heated Rivalry have helped bring these stories to global audience
Marcos v Duterte: The family feud shaking the Philippines
The Vice-President of the Philippines Sara Duterte has announced she will run for the Presidency, more than two years out from the next election. While long expected that she would seek the top job, why is she announcing her bid so early? Is a bitter feud with the current President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jnr a factor?Four years ago she joined forces with Marcos and the pair won the Presidency a
Inside Singapore’s war on vapes
Singapore has launched a crackdown on vapes, eight years after banning the product, moving in lockstep with several countries around the world in clamping down on e-cigarettes. The campaign comes as a rising number of teenagers in the country are found to have been using k-pods - vapes that are laced with the drug etomidate, an anaesthetic agent used in hospitals. The new penalties include fines,
Bonus: South Korea’s former leader convicted for insurrection
Yoon Suk Yeol - former South Korean president - is sentenced to life in prison but avoids the death penalty, in an insurrection case that has gripped the nation. He was found guilty of leading an insurrection linked to his brief declaration of martial law in December 2024. Prosecutors called it an attempt to subvert the constitutional order by deploying troops around parliament and targeting polit
Why don’t Chinese workers get more leave?
Chinese workers officially get nine days off for this Lunar New Year – the longest stretch of public holiday on record. But, as millions move around the country in the annual travel rush, they’ve found there’s a catch. Some of those days must be made up by working weekends. Many workers are guaranteed just five days of paid annual leave, far fewer than in other major economies. And the work cultur
The pressure to be thin in Asia
Bodyweight influences in Asia - from fashion to K-pop to social media. We examine perceptions around thinness and why Asia didn’t follow the body positivity movement championed in Western countries.The pressure to be thin shapes how many young people in Asia see their bodies, with extreme diets amplified on social media.Host Mariko Oi is joined by Rachel Lee from the Asia Specific team and chef an
What do Thailand’s election results mean?
Voters in Thailand stick with the conservative Bhumjaithai Party, in a shock national election result. But why did Thais reject the opposition movement, after polls showed an appetite for change?The elected leaders – seen as part of the political establishment – now have the challenge of rebuilding Thailand’s struggling economy. A former fast-growing Southeast Asian powerhouse, Thailand now faces
Bonus: Japan PM’s landslide election win
Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi now has the mandate she's been seeking, after a record-breaking election win. But since becoming the nation’s first female leader in October, her time in office has been overshadowed by a bitter dispute with Beijing. Japanese tourism, seafood and entertainment businesses have taken the brunt of Chinese economic retaliation.Beijing remains angry that Takaichi i
Malaysia's football scandal
Fifa has accused Malaysia of trying to fast-track foreign football players into the men's national team. In one of the biggest scandals in the country’s football history, football's governing body alleges citizenship documents have been doctored.Fifa launched an investigation after Malaysia's 4-0 victory over Vietnam in an Asian Cup qualifier last June, when seven new foreign-born players were in
Bonus: What in the World
Videos of strangers offering parental love are gaining traction in China. POV videos of parents doing everyday things - like telling you to wrap up when it’s cold outside or reminding you not to skip meals - are racking up millions of views. Fans leave lots of comments sending love to their digital mums and dads, but lots of the most popular accounts weren’t originally set up for this purpose. So
The daughter who could rule North Korea
Will North Korea’s next leader be Kim Jong Un’s daughter? It’s time to meet Kim Ju Ae. For the past 15 years Kim Jong Un has been the face of North Korea, but now a new Kim is increasingly sharing the stage. Is Kim Ju Ae being prepared to become the first female leader in the country’s history? Or will North Korea's male-dominated political and dynastic culture prove too strong for that to happen?
China's extraordinary purge of military leaders
China’s President Xi Jinping is overseeing an unprecedented purge of military generals. In late 2022, Xi Jinping appointed six men to serve under him at the top of China’s 2-million strong armed forces. Now, in just over three years, he has removed five out of six of the members of the Central Military Commission, or CMC. One by one, they have been placed under investigation for corruption and dis
Why the Philippines’ most valuable export is its people
The Philippines is one of the world’s largest exporters of labour, sending millions of workers overseas each year - many of them women employed as domestic helpers in places like Singapore and Hong Kong. For families struggling with low wages and limited opportunities at home, overseas work can mean financial stability through remittances.But that choice comes at a cost. Parents leave children beh
Japan's snap election: Inside Takaichi’s political gamble
Just three months into the job, Japan’s first female prime minister Sanae Takaichi has called a snap election, betting that high approval ratings will give her a public mandate. Critics say it’s opportunistic and risky, especially as voters face rising prices and lingering political scandals.In this episode, we look at why Takaichi is taking this gamble now, what she hopes to gain, and how her sud
Why South Korea keeps jailing its ex-presidents
The former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has been found guilty on multiple charges over his failed attempt to impose martial law in 2024 - he faces up to ten years in prison, and even the death penalty over charges of insurrection and abuse of power.His prosecution has reopened a familiar question in South Korea: why do so many of its former leaders end up jailed, disgraced, or worse? Is th
Can electric bikes save Vietnam's most polluted cities?
Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City rank among the world’s most polluted cities. The millions of petrol motorbikes are huge contributors to the pollution. Vietnam’s government now says it has the answer: electric bikes.Vietnam is betting on one of the boldest electric mobility plans, pushing more than 70 million riders to switch from petrol motorbikes to e-bikes, starting in the capital. The aim is to clea
Which Asian country has the world's best passport and why?
Singapore doesn’t just have the best passport in Asia. By some metrics, it has the best passport in the world. What does that really mean though?Singaporeans can travel to 193 countries without a visa. Chinese passport holders, in contrast, can travel to just over 80 countries visa-free. In fact, the top three countries with the strongest passport are all in Asia: Singapore, Japan, and South Korea
How do journalists cover a disputed election in Myanmar?
Myanmar’s military is holding a stage-managed election, but will it change anything?A raging civil war, a popular former leader detained, and an exodus of citizens abroad aren't ideal conditions for holding an election. Yet Myanmar’s military junta government is pressing ahead with a three-stage vote that many outside observers say is being held in a climate of fear. With early results confirming
Inside South Korea's K-beauty obsession
As South Korea's entertainment and cultural soft power surges abroad, the country's cosmetics industry is also riding the wave of growing popularity. South Korea's 'K-beauty' skincare and makeup brands have gone mainstream in the US and UK, with sales worth billions of dollars and social media platforms driving global demand.But behind the glossy packaging and viral trends is a society long associ
Why many in Taiwan dismiss China’s threat to blockade and invade their island
China has given its clearest sign so far at how it would blockade and forcefully take Taiwan, with large-scale military drills surrounding the island. The live-fire exercises disrupted up to 100,000 airline passengers as Chinese forces simulated blockading ports and stopping cargo ships carrying American weapons to help the Taiwanese defend themselves. China claims the drills show its military’s i
The paradise island nation caught between the US, Taiwan and China
Palau is a tiny Pacific nation of just 18,000 people but its location has made it a strategic prize in the diplomatic contest between China and Taiwan, and the broader strategic battle between Beijing and Washington.In this episode, BBC's Global China Unit reporter Shawn Yuan takes us inside Palau, where he found a country grappling with diplomatic pressure from Beijing and growing concerns about
Food, flags and feuds: Why Asians fight over cuisine
You might think food brings people together. But online, it has sparked some of Asia’s fiercest cultural disputes. From Singapore and Malaysia arguing over Hainanese chicken rice and hawker centres, to China and South Korea clashing over kimchi and bibimbap, food has become a proxy for deeper debates about history, identity and power.Dishes migrate across borders and governments now stake claims o
Can Prabowo Subianto finally unleash Indonesia’s potential?
It’s a grand promise by Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto - a free meal every day for 83 million school children and pregnant women.But one year into one of the boldest free meal programmes in the world, the policy is facing budget challenges and several mass food poisoning cases affecting thousands of children. The success or failure of the programme will define the legacy of a leader who pl
Jimmy Lai verdict: From Hong Kong activist to national security criminal
How tycoon Jimmy Lai went from pro-democracy activist to national security criminal is a story that, some say, mirrors the changes in Hong Kong itself. The 78-year-old once published the city's most widely-read tabloid Apple Daily, which played a pivotal role in encouraging and supporting pro-democracy protestors during a prolonged and violent uprising in 2019. But for the past six years, he’s bee
Bonus: Bondi shooting tests Australia’s social cohesion
A deadly shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach - one of Australia’s most iconic public spaces - has raised urgent questions about how such an attack could happen in a country known for strict gun control. With more than a dozen people killed, the attack has shocked the nation and sharpened concerns about security failures, gun ownership and the targeting of Jewish Australians on the first day of Hanukk
Science and solutions to prevent a repeat of South East Asia’s huge floods
What made flooding in Indonesia and South East Asia so deadly and how to prevent a repeat of it?With close to a thousand people killed across the region, South East Asia’s late-2025 wet weather events were particularly devastating.And scientists say climate change is shaping weather patterns in a way that will likely make future rain and flooding events worse. With a relatively high number of dens
Special episode: Thailand-Cambodia peace shattered
President Trump seeks to intervene again as Thailand and Cambodia conflict intensifies. As hundreds of thousands are displaced, we bring you a special episode on why the deadly border dispute has re-ignited, shattering a peace accord signed in October. Asia Specific host Mariko Oi unpacks why the peace deal unravelled so quickly, with reporting at the border from BBC South East Asia correspondent
Trump: the man who made Asia reimagine the US
Has an American leader who cut aid and imposed tariffs changed US ties with Asia forever? Or will it be business as usual with the region once the Trump era is over? Except for China, most Asian countries have been at pains to placate President Trump with offerings of crowns, gold golf clubs, and even a Nobel Peace Prize nomination. Does the special treatment suggest a region seeking to get closer
Is banning children from social media smart or excessive?
As Australia moves to restrict children under 16 from accessing social media, several Asian countries are signalling they may follow suit. Malaysia’s government plans to stop under-16s from creating social media accounts, while Indonesia has also expressed interest in adopting a similar policy. But does banning teenagers really address online harms, or does it raise new questions about enforcement
China tries to control anger over the Hong Kong fire
Hong Kong mourns 150 victims of its worst fires in decades amid mounting anger. As residents grieve for those lost, authorities are working to control and contain the public response to the tragedy. The arrest of a young man demanding answers, along with reports that two others have also been detained, has highlighted how politically sensitive the aftermath has become for China’s government.Six ye
Asia’s soft power battle: Has the Korean Wave peaked?
Japan gave us Hello Kitty and Pokémon. China is making waves with micro-dramas and cutting-edge tech. But it’s South Korea that is currently the region’s reigning cultural superpower. From KPop Demon Hunters and Squid Game to BTS and Blackpink, the Korean Wave seems unstoppable. And with its Oscar-winning films and Nobel Prize-winning literature, its influence is global. But how much further can i
The Japan-China feud: Why has it reignited?
A Taiwan comment by Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has sparked the deepest diplomatic clash in more than a decade between the Asia neighbours. She indirectly implied that a hypothetical Chinese attack on Taiwan could prompt a Japanese military response. The Chinese government called it “shocking,” suspending some Japanese imports and urging its citizens to avoid Japan for tourism. But what
Introducing Asia Specific
Asia Pacific stories, unpacked by those who know them best. Essential insights and conversations on the stories shaping the Asia Pacific region. Expect Asian perspectives on international issues and in-depth analysis on news from the region. Hosted in Singapore by Mariko Oi, alongside BBC experts from Beijing to Bangkok. Listen to new episodes twice a week from 26th November.
