Asia Rising

As strategic competition between the US and China increasingly shapes the region, Vietnam has reoriented its national foreign and defence policy. Vietnam has a major stake in the international rules-based order. One of its key priorities is defending sovereignty and maritime claims in the South China Sea, which are coming under challenge by an assertive Beijing.

Vietnam has been increasingly vocal in its opposition to Beijing's coercive activities and claims in the maritime domain. It has also been deepening diplomatic and defence links with the US and other regional partners, such as Australia. How has strategic competition between the US and China influenced Vietnam's foreign and defence policy? Is Hanoi likely to move closer to the US, or "hedge" against choosing between either power? And what does this mean for Vietnam's relations with China and the wider region?

Guest: Dr Huong Le Thu (Senior Analyst, Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) and Non-resident Fellow at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington DC)

Recorded on 29th September, 2021.

Modern China is seen variously as an economic powerhouse, an icon of urbanisation, a propaganda state or an aggressive superpower seeking world domination. From kung-fu to tofu, tea to trade routes, sages to silk, China has influenced cuisine, commerce, military strategy, aesthetics and philosophy across the world for thousands of years.

China’s history is full of heroes who are also villains, prosperous ages and violent rebellions, cultural vibrancy and censorious impulses, rebels, loyalists, dissidents and wits. The story of women in China, from the earliest warriors to twentieth-century suffragettes, is rarely told. And historical spectres of corruption and disunity, which have brought down many a mighty ruling house, continue to haunt the People’s Republic today.

Panel:

Linda Jaivin (Author and co-editor of the China Story Yearbook)

A virtual launch of Linda Jaivin’s book ‘The Shortest History of China’, available from Black Inc books.

Recorded 28 September, 2021.

India and Australia stand to benefit greatly through deep and ongoing engagement. But despite some share interests between the two states, there is a shallow public interest and understanding of India in Australia, and the coverage of the country is often cursory and limited in scope. How can we better promote understanding of India in Australia, leverage shared interests, and strengthen national, business and societal relations?

Guest: Lisa Singh (Deputy Chair, Australia India Council and Former Australian Senator (2011-2019)).

Recorded on 19th August, 2021.

Why does gender matter when thinking about security? In Asia, discussions and policies concerning conflict, peace and security remain dominated by male voices and views. The exclusion of women’s voices has significant implications for the types of ideas, strategies and policies that are proposed and adopted in security-related fields.

A live recording of the Asia Rising podcast for 'India Week' - in collaboration with the Australia India Institute.

Guest: Dr Meenakshi Gopinath (Director, Women in Security Conflict Management and Peace and member of the La Trobe Asia Advisory Board)

Recorded on 11th July, 2021.

The recent emergence of China as an economic and military super-power, rivalling the United States, is one of the most significant and challenging developments of the present era.

A La Trobe Asia / Ideas and Society event

Speakers:

- The Hon. Malcolm Turnbull AC (29th Prime Minister of Australia)

- The Hon. Kevin Rudd AC (26th Prime Minister of Australia)

- Professor John Dewar (Vice-Chancellor, La Trobe University (Introduction)

- Dr Rebecca Strating (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia) (Chair)

Recorded on 10th August, 2021.

India had more than 10 million foreign tourists arrive in 2019, and more than a billion domestic tourists. A large portion of these are religious tourists, visiting the multitude of Hindu, Muslim and Buddhist sites scattered around the country.

Guest: Dr Kiran Shinde (Senior lecturer and Convener of Planning program at La Trobe University)

Recorded on 22rd July, 2021.

As Asia grapples with a global pandemic the region has become less secure. China's ambitions in Taiwan and Hong Kong are growing, North Korea is uncharacteristically silent, and the United States, a long-time stabilising presence, continues to slowly withdraw.

In this webinar, an expert panel considers where conflict is likely, who could be involved, and what can be done to mitigate the situation.

A La Trobe Asia / Asia Society event

Speakers:

Dr Oriana Skylar Mastro, Center Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies, Stanford University

Professor Nick Bisley, Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, La Trobe University

Guy Boekenstein, Northern Australia Fellow, Asia Society

Matt Smith, La Trobe Asia (Chair)

Recorded on 4th August, 2021.

Australia’s relationship with China has been in sharp decline, fuelled by a critical government agenda and a hostile media environment. The trust, warmth and confidence towards China is at a record low, and the majority of Australians now see it as a major security threat.

In his new book China Panic, David Brophy offers a progressive alternative to Australia’s relationship with China aside from paranoia and pandering, with solutions and strategies that strengthen Australian democracy.

Guest: Dr David Brophy (Senior Lecturer in modern Chinese history, University of Sydney)

Recorded on 22nd July, 2021.

The relationship between Australia and Southeast Asian countries has grown substantially in the last decade, from a marriage of convenience to the development of regional agendas, strategic partnerships and shared economic interests.

A global pandemic has shifted priorities, and vaccine diplomacy throughout the region has both shifted and strengthened existing allegiances. Has Australia’s actions during the pandemic helped or hindered relationships with Southeast Asian nations? What will the post-COVID-19 regional order of Southeast Asia look like?

The launch of the 5th issue of the La Trobe Asia Policy Brief.

Speakers:

Recorded on 7th July, 2021.

This publication is a product of a fruitful online academic dialogue held in February 2021 in collaboration between La Trobe Asia, Asia Centre, Centre for Strategic and International Studies Indonesia, Institute of Strategic and International Studies Malaysia, Griffith Asia Institute, Asialink, Perth US-Asia Centre and Generate Worldwide. It was proudly supported by the Australia-ASEAN council.