Single Chinese want to find love, but remain straitjacketed by expectations of what their partners should look like.

Synopsis: Every first Friday of the month, The Straits Times catches up with its foreign correspondents about life and trends in the countries they're based in.

Inequality is at play in China’s singles market in more ways than one. 

In China, the number of men outstrip that of women, and yet, they find it far easier to find marriage partners.   

At the same time, both genders are trapped by familial and their own expectations to marry within the same social bracket, in the face of a growing divide between the elites and the broader generation.

China correspondent Michelle Ng unpacks the dynamics with host and ST foreign editor Li Xueying.

Highlights (click/tap above):

0:49 Attending a matchmaking event in Beijing

2:55 Screening for income

5:40 A paradox in the marriage market

9:04 Anxiety of the rich

12:29 Lack of social mixing

Read Michelle Ng’s article here: https://str.sg/jMu4

Read Li Xueying’s articles: https://str.sg/iqmR 

Follow Li Xueying on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/ip4x  

Register for Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/stnewsletters  

Host: Li Xueying ([email protected])

Edited by: Fa’izah Sani

Executive producer: Ernest Luis

Follow Asian Insider on Fridays here:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8

Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX

Feedback to: [email protected] 

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg 

---

Follow more ST podcast channels:

All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7

Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts 

The Usual Place Podcast YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa 

---

Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB

Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX 

---

#STAsianInsider

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The coming months will see several changes in the political landscape as parties make moves on various fronts. 

Synopsis: Every fourth Friday of the month, The Straits Times analyses the hottest political and trending talking points, alternating between its Malaysia and China bureaus.

In this episode, ST’s Malaysia bureau chief Shannon Teoh and host Tan Tam Mei are joined by Ibrahim Suffian, also known as Ben, the co-founder and programs director of Merdeka Center for Opinion Research.

With Malaysia’s opposition Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS) holding its annual conference in September, and the 17th Sabah election that is likely happening by year-end, what is on the horizon for Malaysia’s political scene?

Highlights (click/tap above):

3:32 PAS no longer just a supporting actor in Malaysia’s political scene

7:37 PAS as an alternative for Barisan National and Umno and its more moderated image

10:47 Possible leadership change in the coming PAS congress and ambitions of federal power

14:17 What’s next for PAS and its standing in Perikatan Nasional (PN)?

18:55 The coming Sabah elections and the state of play

 27:16 Why the death of 13-year-old Sabah student Zara Qairina has become part of the political discussion

29:39 The rise of state nationalism in Sabah

35:52 News nugget: Malaysians generally feel optimistic about ageing 

Read more:

The state of play in Sabah as elections loom - https://str.sg/oKkNK 

6 in 10 Malaysians upbeat about ageing - https://str.sg/DhRU 

Read Tan Tam Mei’s articles: https://str.sg/iJxJ 

Read Shannon Teoh's articles: https://str.sg/wzyK 

Register for Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/stnewsletters 

Hosts: Tan Tam Mei ([email protected])  

Produced and edited by: Fa’izah Sani

Executive producer: Ernest Luis

Follow Asian Insider Podcast on Fridays here:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7 

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8 

Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX

Feedback to: [email protected]

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg

---

Follow more ST podcast channels:

All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7

Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

The Usual Place Podcast YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa

---

Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB

Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

---

#STAsianInsider

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why does President Donald Trump seem so intent on winning the Nobel Peace Prize?

Synopsis: Every third Friday of the month, The Straits Times gets its US bureau chief to analyse the hottest political and trending talking points.

In this episode, President Donald Trump’s ambition to win the Nobel Peace Prize is the topic of discussion for ST's assistant foreign editor Clement Tan who hosts colleague and US bureau chief Bhagyashree Garekar.

They discuss the motivations behind his desire for the award and the international political implications of his nomination at a time when a number of wars are raging and the ensuing loss of innumerable lives frame his presidency. 

Highlights (click/tap above):

1:23 Trump's obsession with the Nobel Peace Prize

3:07 Trump vs. Obama: A rivalry

4:07 Global reactions and nominations

7:05 Trump's diplomatic efforts

9:59 Current major conflicts and Trump's role

13:43 Nobel Peace Prize nomination process

Read Bhagyashree Garekar’s articles: https://str.sg/whNo 

Read Clement Tan's articles: https://str.sg/Ep62 

Follow Clement Tan on X: https://str.sg/uErS 

Register for Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/stnewsletters

Host: Clement Tan ([email protected]) 

Produced and edited by: Fa’izah Sani

Executive producer: Ernest Luis

Follow Asian Insider Podcast on Fridays here:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7 

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8 

Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX

Feedback to: [email protected]

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg

---

Follow more ST podcast channels:

All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7

Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

The Usual Place Podcast YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa

---

Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB

Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

---

#STAsianInsider

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Declaring war “against everybody” including China and hoping for the right result is very worrying.

Synopsis: Every second Friday of the month, The Straits Times’ senior columnist Ravi Velloor distils 40 years of experience covering the Asian continent, with expert guests.

In this episode, Ravi speaks with Ambassador John Bolton, the American foreign policy hawk and former National Security Adviser to President Donald Trump, on US policy toward Asia.

Mr Bolton speaks on the chaos and confusion in the Trump White House, the lack of a coherent policy toward Asia including senseless tariffs slapped on key security partners, and Mr Trump’s proclivity to personalise foreign policy.

Highlights (click/tap above):

3:00 A tone-deaf presidency 

4:45 Asia in Trump 2.0

6:30 Singapore’s shock over tariffs

10:20 Is Trump more than an aberration?

11:30 Trump’s China fascination

13:40 Desperation for a Nobel; Trump in Asian conflicts

16:40 Are Quad and Aukus dead in the water?

19:00 Taiwan has reason to be worried

Host: Ravi Velloor ([email protected])

Read Ravi's columns: https://str.sg/3xRP

Follow Ravi on X: https://twitter.com/RaviVelloor

Register for Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/stnewsletters

Produced and edited by: Fa’izah Sani & Natasha Liew

Executive producer: Ernest Luis

Follow Asian Insider Podcast on Fridays here:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7 

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8 

Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX

Feedback to: [email protected]

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg

---

Follow more ST podcast channels:

All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7

Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

The Usual Place Podcast YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa

---

Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB

Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

---

#STAsianInsider

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Social isolation is especially acute in the capital city of Seoul—and it’s not just among the elderly.

Synopsis: Every first Friday of the month, The Straits Times catches up with its foreign correspondents about life and trends in the countries they're based in.

South Korea correspondent Wendy Teo, who has lived in South Korea for six years, describes what life in Seoul can be like, and explains why loneliness is a looming epidemic not just for the aged but for young people there as well. 

Steps are being taken to address the challenge, with local authorities rolling out measures ranging from cafes where anyone can drop by for a steaming hot bowl of ramyeon to 24-hour call centres.  

Highlights (click/tap above):

1:12 All alone in Seoul

4:59 Intense competition in exams and for jobs

6:41 A district in southern Seoul City

11:47 Tackling the problem before depression sets in

15:04 Are mindsets shifting?

Read Wendy Teo’s article here: https://str.sg/f4bN

Read Li Xueying’s articles: https://str.sg/iqmR 

Follow Li Xueying on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/ip4x  

Register for Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/stnewsletters  

Host: Li Xueying ([email protected])

Produced and edited by: Fa’izah Sani

Executive producer: Ernest Luis

Follow Asian Insider Podcast on Fridays here:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7 

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8 

Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX

Feedback to: [email protected] 

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg

---

Follow more ST podcast channels:

All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7

Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

The Usual Place Podcast YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa

---

Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB 

Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX 

---

#STAsianInsider

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ultimately, the outcome might depend on both sides’ threshold for pain.

Synopsis: Every fourth Friday of the month, The Straits Times will now analyse the hottest political and trending talking points, alternating between its Malaysia and China bureaus.

For July, host and deputy foreign editor Albert Wai connects with senior China correspondent Yew Lun Tian.

They take stock of the twists and turns in the tariff negotiations between Washington and Beijing.

Both sides have weaponised access to rare earths and advanced chips as well as the potential sale of short video app TikTok, among other issues, in a bid to gain leverage.

Ultimately, how the negotiations pan out may depend on how much pain both sides are prepared to endure. 

On the horizon is talk about a possible visit by President Donald Trump to China and how this might play a decisive role for some sort of deal.

Highlights (click/tap above):

1:28 The twists and turns of US-China tariff negotiations

3:24 How Beijing has weaponised the access to rare earths

5:40 China can now buy Nvidia H20 AI chips again. What are the implications?

7:49 Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang makes waves in China

9:54 Can Americans be happy without Chinese goods?

12:41 How the sale of TikTok might be a bargaining chip

13:56 Transhipment taxes add a layer of uncertainty

17:59 What a grand bargain might look like

19:37 Who will win the trade war? 

Read more: https://str.sg/eGoi 

Register for Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/stnewsletters 

Host: Albert Wai ([email protected]) 

Produced and edited by: Fa’izah Sani

Executive producer: Ernest Luis

Follow Asian Insider Podcast on Fridays here:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7 

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8 

Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX 

Feedback to: [email protected] 

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg

---

Follow more ST podcast channels:

All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7

Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

The Usual Place Podcast YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa

---

Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB 

Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX 

---

#STAsianInsider

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A conversation with Chicago-based Mayank Chhaya, the Dalai Lama’s biographer, on the highs and lows of His Holiness’ remarkable journey through life. 

Synopsis: The Straits Times’ senior columnist Ravi Velloor distils 40 years of experience covering the Asian continent, with expert guests.

In this episode, Ravi speaks with Mayank Chhaya, writer, broadcaster and the Dalai Lama’s biographer. 

Mr Chhaya, a writer and broadcaster, says that at 90, the Dalai Lama has become larger than the Tibetan cause he espouses and represents. He describes some remarkable moments in the Dalai Lama’s life, discusses his politics and geopolitics, and what lies ahead with China standing firm that it will choose the next Dalai Lama.

Highlights (click/tap above):

3:00 The flight to safety 

6:10 Prayers, pigeons and lightning strikes

9:20 Dalai Lama has grown beyond Tibetan cause

12:00 The geopolitical Dalai Lama  

16:50 China has lifted Tibetan living standards

19:50 At some point, there could be two Dalai Lamas

Host: Ravi Velloor ([email protected])

Read Ravi's columns: https://str.sg/3xRP

Follow Ravi on X: https://twitter.com/RaviVelloor

Register for Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/stnewsletters

Produced and edited by: Fa’izah Sani

Executive producer: Ernest Luis

Follow Asian Insider Podcast on Fridays here:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7 

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8 

Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX

Feedback to: [email protected] 

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg

---

Follow more ST podcast channels:

All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7

Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

The Usual Place Podcast YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa

---

Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB 

Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX 

---

#STAsianInsider

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From the use of bamboo scaffolding for construction projects to a six-decade-old public housing estate, changes are afoot.

Synopsis: Every first Friday of the month, The Straits Times catches up with its foreign correspondents about life and trends in the countries they're based in.

Hong Kong’s bamboo scaffolding is immortalised in many a Jackie Chan flick, with heroes and baddies fighting it out while teetering on poles. But the city has been gripped in what Hong Kong correspondent Magdalene Fung says is an almost “visceral fear” over a recent government edict to reduce the use of bamboo in construction projects due to safety concerns.

ST foreign editor Li Xueying catches up with her over a similar debate arising over the would-be demolition of Choi Hung, Hong Kong’s first large-scale public housing project completed in the 1960s. 

Having undergone the social turmoil and political changes of recent years since the 2019 protests, Hong Kongers are seeking comfort in the things that can remain the same - and quietly protesting the changes coming their way.

Highlights (click/tap above):

0:53 Changes in government regulations over bamboo scaffolding

2:25 Safety concerns

9:24 A fear of change

11:42 Why Hong Kong’s oldest public housing estate has to go

17:02 Has cultural nostalgia been weaponised? 

Read Magdalene Fung’s article here: https://str.sg/dbo9

Read Li Xueying’s articles: https://str.sg/iqmR 

Follow Li Xueying on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/ip4x  

Register for Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/stnewsletters  

Host: Li Xueying ([email protected])

Produced and edited by: Fa’izah Sani

Executive producer: Ernest Luis

Follow Asian Insider Podcast on Fridays here:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7 

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8 

Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX

Feedback to: [email protected] 

---

Follow more ST podcast channels:

All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7

Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

The Usual Place Podcast YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa

---

Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB 

Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX 

---

#STAsianInsider

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On international platforms, he earns praise but faces rising scepticism domestically.

Synopsis: Every fourth Friday of the month, The Straits Times analyses the hottest political and trending talking points, alternating between its Malaysia and China bureaus.

For our June episode, ST’s Malaysia bureau chief Shannon Teoh and host Tan Tam Mei return to be joined by Ariel Tan, a senior fellow at RSIS, as they unpack Malaysia’s showing at global forums.

From hosting a landmark Asean Summit and joining BRICS, his diplomatic engagements with leaders from China, Russia, and the Middle East, PM Anwar has advanced Malaysia on the world stage.

But domestically, challenges are mounting. With talk of nepotism and several movements within the unity government, what could come next?

How will this reshape the political field as the country inches closer to its 16th General Election that must be held by early 2028?

Highlights (click/tap above):

6:58 Malaysia as Asean chair and PM Anwar’s showing 

9:44 How can PM Anwar and Asean effect change, especially in Myanmar? 

14:20 Translating Malaysia’s international appearance for the domestic audience

18:20 Malaysia’s diplomatic balancing act between the US and China

23:09 Nurul Izzah’s rise to PKR No.2 post, Rafizi Ramli’s exit from Cabinet

31:08 Timing, motivations and implications: Why Tengku Zafrul Aziz is joining the PKR

41:50 Quelling Umno’s upset; what to expect at the next Cabinet reshuffle, moves ahead of next general election

47:08 News nugget from Malaysia: Penang’s new char kway teow champion

Read more:

Malaysia’s showing at Asean - https://str.sg/Gp5Q

Fallout from Malaysia’s PKR election - https://str.sg/mbjY

Zafrul’s jump to the PKR - https://str.sg/kbSe

Read Tan Tam Mei’s articles: https://str.sg/iJxJ 

Read Shannon Teoh's articles: https://str.sg/wzyK 

Register for Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/stnewsletters 

Hosts: Tan Tam Mei ([email protected])  

Produced and edited by: Fa’izah Sani

Executive producer: Ernest Luis

Follow Asian Insider Podcast on Fridays here:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7 

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8 

Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX

Feedback to: [email protected] 

---

Follow more ST podcast channels:

All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7

ST Podcasts website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

The Usual Place Podcast YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa

---

Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB

Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

---

#STAsianInsider

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen to our news commentary podcasts on the go every week.

Podcasts have become part of the global media landscape these days. The audio-on-demand format allows many listeners to often do other chores or hobbies, while hearing the shows in the background over headphones or bluetooth speakers

Almost every weekday, check out our discussions on Singapore current affairs and social issues, geopolitics through an Asian lens, health, climate change, personal finance and career.

Follow our shows on your favourite audio apps Apple Podcasts, Spotify or even ST’s app, which has a dedicated podcast player section.

Trailer narrated by: Podcast editor Ernest Luis ([email protected]); edited by: Elsa Goh

---

Discover more ST podcast channels:

'All-in-one' ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7

The Usual Place: https://str.sg/wEr7u

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Headstart On Record: https://str.sg/wB2m

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Wheel Insights: https://str.sg/iTtE

ST Podcasts website: https://www.straitstimes.com/st-podcasts

(*New) The Usual Place Podcast YouTube: https://str.sg/theusualplacepodcast

Feedback to: [email protected]

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg

---

Special edition series:

Green Trails (4 eps): https://str.sg/bMyx

This series clinched the gold award for Best Podcast at the Digital Media Awards Asia 2025 on April 23, organised by the World Association of News Publishers (Wan-Ifra).

True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T

This series clinched the gold award for Best Podcast at the Digital Media Awards Asia 2024 in April, and third place for Best Podcast at the Digital Media Awards Worldwide 2024, both organised by Wan-Ifra.

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

This series also won The Best Podcast/Digital Audio Project category at the 2022 Digital Media Awards Asia, organised by Wan-Ifra.

Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

---

Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB

Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

#stpodcasttr

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.