CNA Correspondent

China has raced ahead in electric vehicle adoption, building vast charging networks, scaling production and reshaping how cars are bought and used. But across the rest of Asia, the shift is unfolding in far more uneven ways. From Mongolia’s hybrid-driving herders to Indonesia’s nickel boom and the Philippines’ copper reserves, the EV revolution is creating new opportunities alongside environmental strain, social tensions and questions over long-term sustainability. Arnold Gay speaks with CNA correspondents Bong Xin Ying and Jack Board about China’s dominance, the hidden costs of the transition and whether the rest of Asia can build its own EV ecosystems. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Wang Fuk Court fire left 168 people dead and thousands displaced, making it one of Hong Kong’s deadliest disasters in decades. Months on, investigations are uncovering deeper failures, from alleged substandard materials to possible corruption in the tendering process. As the inquiry continues, Genevieve Woo speaks to CNA correspondent Deborah Wong to understand what went wrong.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Japan’s tourism industry is back, with a record 10 million visitors in early 2026. But a major shift is underway: Chinese arrivals, once the backbone of Japan’s tourism boom, remain well below pre-pandemic levels. With visitor arrivals from South Korea, Southeast Asia, Europe and the US surging, can these new markets make up for the drop from China? And how are they reshaping the Japanese tourism industry’s growth, earnings and competitiveness? Arnold Gay finds out from senior correspondent Michiyo Ishida.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When it comes to social media policing, governments are no longer waiting for tech companies to act - they’re stepping in. Australia has an under-16 social media ban, Indonesia is cracking down on non-compliant platforms and pressure is growing in India, as a new wave of regulation takes shape. But do these measures actually work? Or are the authorities always a step behind the tech giants and curious young people?  Arnold Gay speaks to Natashya Gutierrez, Chandni Vatvani and Neha Poonia about what’s driving this shift, how enforcement is playing out and if these bans can really reduce the risks. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The war on Iran was expected to showcase military might, but it quickly turned into a battle over energy. With oil and gas flows disrupted, the crisis is rippling across the globe, hitting economies and households from Asia to the US. Why does the world remain so vulnerable to energy shocks? Could this accelerate the shift away from fossil fuels or deepen dependence? And how might the conflict reshape the balance of power in favour of China? Arnold Gay speaks to Roland Lim and Toni Waterman about how the war will impact economies, geopolitics and the search for energy security. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fans are rejoicing over the long-awaited return of boy band BTS. But beyond the spectacle, the ultra-famous K-pop group is expected to bring in billions of dollars to South Korea. Genevieve Woo speaks to Lim Yun Suk and Grace Shin about the Bangtan Boys' growing role at the intersection of culture, economics and global influence.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The conflict in Iran has pushed Iraq into a precarious position. Oil exports have been impacted and the country is caught in the middle of US-Israeli attacks on Iran-backed militia based in Iraq. Many of Iran's retaliatory attacks on US and coalition assets have taken place in the Kurdish region of northern Iraq. Arnold Gay speaks to Olly Barrett in this episode to understand what the Kurds and Iraqis fear most, even after the war ends.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

China is fast becoming a global leader in producing cutting-edge medicine, with nearly half of the world’s new drugs in testing now emerging from its labs. But can it replicate in pharmaceuticals what it has achieved in electric vehicles and robotics with faster and cheaper innovation? CNA Senior Correspondent Tan Yew Guan joins Otelli Edwards in this week’s episode of the CNA Correspondent podcast to explore China’s biotech ambitions and its push to make breakthrough treatments both accessible and affordable.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Taiwan’s long-standing debate over the death penalty has resurfaced after a landmark court ruling and the island's first execution in five years. In this week’s episode of the CNA Correspondent podcast, Genevieve Woo sits down with Senior Correspondent Victoria Jen to discuss her reporting on people caught in between, from victims’ families seeking justice to those who say the risk of irreversible error is too great to ignore. Through their stories, we examine why trust, fallibility and competing ideas of justice continue to divide Taiwanese society.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amid rising global tensions and economic uncertainty, China’s biggest annual political event - the Two Sessions - has laid out the playbook for the world’s second-largest economy. From navigating the rise of AI to creating new jobs and enhancing childcare subsidies, domestic priorities took centre stage. What do these signals reveal about Beijing’s next moves? And why should the rest of the world be paying close attention? Senior Correspondent Olivia Siong sits down with CNA’s China correspondents to unpack the key takeaways and what they mean for Asia and beyond.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Once seen as unstoppable, northern China’s deserts are now being reclaimed by forests, sprawling solar farms and even tropical fruit plantations. While officials hail it as a triumph, how durable is this green transformation? Genevieve Woo sits down with correspondent Tan Si Hui to discuss the scale of China’s long-running anti-desertification drive, the people on the front lines and the trade-offs involved.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the longest State of the Union address in modern history, US President Donald Trump laid out his achievements and made the economy a key pillar of his speech. Over nearly two hours, Mr Trump also touched on immigration, national security and foreign policy as he aimed to put his Republican Party in a position of strength ahead of the November midterm election. But beyond the headline claims, what does this speech mean for American alliances, global stability and trade with the rest of the world? Genevieve Woo breaks it down with senior correspondent Simon Marks.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party won a landslide victory in a long-awaited general election. Voters were promised a fresh start for democracy, jobs and the country's power structures. However, can the South Asian country move forward given some old, entrenched forces still hold sway? Genevieve Woo speaks with senior correspondent Afifah Ariffin on the CNA Correspondent podcast.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thailand's recently concluded election delivered a decisive lead for Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s Bhumjaithai Party, setting the stage for intense coalition bargaining in the weeks ahead. With voters expressing fatigue and exasperation after years of political instability, will this new government be the change that Thailand seeks? Genevieve Woo speaks with CNA Correspondent Saksith Saiyasombut and Senior Correspondent Leong Wai Kit to parse through the fine print of Thai politics.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A snap election bet paid off in a very big way for Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. She and her Liberal Democratic Party now hold a supermajority in the country’s Lower House. This gives them the power to override the opposition, push through legislation and even amend the Constitution. Ms Takaichi has made bold pledges on everything from industry and the economy to immigration and national security. But how quickly and aggressively will she move, and what does it mean for Japan and its neighbours? Arnold Gay gets insight from CNA's Senior Correspondent Michiyo Ishida.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Five years after Myanmar’s military coup ended a decade of democratic rule, the country remains deeply divided and scarred from its ongoing civil war. CNA's Genevieve Woo and Senior Correspondent Leong Wai Kit revisit the day the coup unfolded, the brutal crackdown that followed and how Myanmar’s politics arrived at an uneasy state of limbo.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Indonesia is the world’s second-largest producer of seaweed, supporting tens of thousands of coastal families. Yet behind the strong export numbers are farmers struggling with unstable incomes, environmental pressures and a precarious dependence on a single overseas market – China. Genevieve Woo speaks with Correspondent Chandni Vatvani on what this rapid growth means for the seaweed farmers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Greenland has become the hottest geopolitical real estate of 2026. The United States wants it. Denmark and Greenland say it’s not for sale. Now European allies are sending troops to the Arctic, not to fight, but to send a message. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has raised the stakes with tariffs. In this episode, Genevieve Woo and Correspondent Ross Cullen unpack why Greenland matters so much strategically and why this dispute has become a test of alliance unity within NATO. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After ceding the rare earth market to China, the US is playing catch-up as it tries to loosen Beijing’s grip on global supply chains for these minerals. These are critical to manufacturing everything - from smartphones to wind turbines and missile defence systems.  Arnold Gay speaks to Executive Producer Pearl Forss and Senior Correspondent Leong Wai Kit, to see what it would take to wean the world off China’s rare earth minerals. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Japan plans to restart the world's biggest nuclear plant, Kashiwazaki-Kariwa, sending nuclear power back to Tokyo and its surrounding prefectures for the first time since the 2011 Fukushima accident. The plant has been offline for more than a decade amid safety concerns and mistrust of operator TEPCO. Supporters say Japan needs the energy. Critics argue that the risks remain. Genevieve Woo speaks with Senior Correspondent Michiyo Ishida to find out if Japan is ready to deal with any nuclear fallout.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Japan retreated from occupied lands after its surrender in World War II, a large group of Japanese citizens was painfully repatriated to a land they didn’t identify as home. They are the wansei, those who were born in Taiwan during the 50 years of colonisation. Genevieve Woo speaks to Michiyo Ishida and Victoria Jen about their quest to meet the surviving wansei and others whose lives were changed during this period of history. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One BTS concert has the power to inject hundreds of millions of dollars into the South Korean economy. It's that star power that businesses are banking on as the K-pop sensation regroups after a military service hiatus. Teresa Tang speaks to Lim Yun Suk about the economic potential of the band's return. Credit: TikTok/@Marilynbooth786See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Food vendors are a fixture on the streets of the Thai capital, often crowding pedestrian pathways. Officials now want to tidy things up by moving the stands to central, open-air food courts. But not everyone agrees with the idea. Teresa Tang speaks to CNA correspondent Jack Board to find out why.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The definition of "pet" has taken on a whole new meaning in China with some youths adopting mango seeds and even jars of yeast for companionship. It’s an unconventional pastime aimed at helping to cope with societal pressures and loneliness. CNA's Melody Chan speaks to Teresa Tang about the trend.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Journeys that once took hours now take only half the time. Bullet trains and high-tech infrastructure have changed the way we think about time and distance. And the evolution continues, as Beijing and Tokyo move forward with their visions of the future. CNA's Tan Si Hui and Michiyo Ishida join Teresa Tang in this episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a country where tea has reigned for thousands of years, a new aroma is taking over the streets - coffee. From Shanghai’s dizzying array of cafes to the tech-fuelled rise of coffee brands and the new wave of local roasters, coffee has become China’s new cultural currency. Genevieve Woo speaks with CNA senior correspondent Tan Yew Guan to learn more about China’s java scene. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Who doesn't want to save time and money? That's what proponents of the new Johor Bahru-Kuala Lumpur electric train service are looking forward to when the line opens at the end of the year. But critics question if the track will be ready on time. Teresa Tang speaks to CNA digital correspondent Amir Yusof about just how revolutionary the new transport link will be. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For many young people in China, graduation has become synonymous with being unemployed. In a dire job market some are turning to pretend workplaces to maintain a sense of routine and motivation. Fake boss, fake office and fake company, but there could be some real benefits. CNA digital correspondent Bong Xin Ying tells Teresa Tang what pretending to work is all about.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Asia’s fastest-growing cities are on the move — but not always forward. From Bengaluru’s tech boom to Kuala Lumpur’s car-first legacy and Singapore’s long-term road map, prosperity in some Asian cities often comes with gridlock. What’s driving the congestion crisis? Can technology or political will finally turn things around? Genevieve Woo speaks with correspondents Ishan Garg in India and Afifah Ariffin in Malaysia on what it will take to clear the path ahead for Asia's traffic woes.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US President Donald Trump attended the ASEAN Summit for the first time in seven years, injecting new life into the gathering in Kuala Lumpur. Mr Trump witnessed the signing of a peace agreement between Thailand and Cambodia, which he co-brokered with Malaysian Prime Minister and ASEAN Chair, Anwar Ibrahim. The summit also marked the official admission of Timor-Leste as the newest member of the regional bloc. Arnold Gay speaks to CNA senior correspondents Melissa Goh and Leong Wai Kit to find out what's changed for ASEAN and the role Mr Trump and Mr Anwar's charismas played at the 47th Summit.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sanae Takaichi takes office as Japan's first female prime minister, but she faces immediate headwinds. Stepping up amid a sluggish economy and rising prices, she confronts a restless public tired of inflation and the high costs of living. Genevieve Woo speaks with CNA's Michiyo Ishida to unpack what her win means for Japan’s future as she navigates tense foreign relations and domestic pressures. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From F1 to the Tomorrowland music festival, Thailand is looking to make its mark as the destination for marquee events in Asia. But challenges stand in the way. CNA correspondent Saksith Saiyasombut joins Teresa Tang to discuss the hurdles and payoffs of playing host.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Paetongtarn Shinawatra. Sara Duterte. It is daughters - not sons - who appear to be carrying on their fathers' political legacies. Teresa Tang speaks to CNA's Lim Yun Suk, Afifah Ariffin and Saksith Saiyasombut to find out why. Credits:  Instagram/@n_izzah  Office of the Vice President of the PhilippinesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Impotent and irrelevant: That’s what US President Donald Trump calls the United Nations, accusing it of failing to live up to its mandate. Teresa Tang speaks to CNA senior editor Liling Tan and Toni Waterman about the debate surrounding the significance of the international body.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Along with President Prabowo Subianto, power is scattered among 961 regional leaders throughout the vast Indonesian archipelago. In a bid to maintain their popularity, some of these leaders have introduced unconventional programmes, including vasectomies for social aid. Teresa Tang sits down with CNA's Kiki Siregar to discuss the eyebrow-raising schemes. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Indonesia's declining birth rate and growing economy are just some reasons why more people are looking to own pets. But when these furry companions fall ill, finding medical treatment can be a challenge. Mobile vets are soon being launched in the capital to deal with the shortfall. Correspondent Nivell Raya tells Teresa Tang what impact the service could have on public health. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A watershed ruling has sent former leader Thaksin Shinawatra to jail for one year. The verdict comes shortly after the daughter of the once self-exiled icon was ousted from the prime minister's office. Is political stability finally on the horizon? Teresa Tang sits down with CNA’s Saksith Saiyasombut to dissect the developments.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Eighty years after the end of World War II, China commemorated the day with a grand military parade, right after hosting a high-profile regional gathering, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit. With leaders from Russia, North Korea and two dozen other nations in attendance, the parade showcased China’s growing military prowess. Genevieve Woo speaks to China correspondents Olivia Siong and Tan Si Hui to decode what’s behind the pomp and pageantry of the mega-event.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Japan retreated from occupied lands after its surrender in World War II, a large group of Japanese citizens was painfully repatriated to a land they didn’t identify as home. They are the wansei, those who were born in Taiwan during the 50 years of colonisation. Genevieve Woo speaks to Michiyo Ishida and Victoria Jen about their quest to meet the surviving wansei and others whose lives were changed during this period of history. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One BTS concert has the power to inject hundreds of millions of dollars into the South Korean economy. It's that star power that businesses are banking on as the K-pop sensation regroups after a military service hiatus. Teresa Tang speaks to Lim Yun Suk about the economic potential of the band's return. Credit: TikTok/@Marilynbooth786See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Greater Bay Area in China is a giant economic hub, home to more than 87 million people. The central government has pegged the region as key to the country's economic growth. Some regions in the integrated zone though are struggling. Teresa Tang speaks to Deborah Wong about the challenges and why it's still a critical part of President Xi Jinping's plans for China. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US accounts for less than 15 per cent of world trade but President Donald Trump has managed to force levies on America’s biggest trading partners. Arnold Gay speaks to trade expert Deborah Elms, along with Leong Wai Kit and Toni Waterman, to understand why many countries caved to Mr Trump’s demands. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amid a ceasefire agreement, those living along the Thai-Cambodian border are expressing cautious optimism on whether peace will last. Teresa Tang speaks to CNA correspondents Jack Board and Leong Wai Kit as they cover developments on the ground.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia's landfills will be full by 2050. Officials are weighing their options as advocates push for better compost and recycling systems in the country. CNA correspondent Rashvin Bedi digs into the problem with Teresa Tang.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thailand and Cambodia have a long-standing agreement to resolve border issues bilaterally. But on Jul 24, simmering tensions boiled over when troops on both sides exchanged fire, with reports of several civilian casualties. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has called on the United Nations Security Council to intervene. But who will lay down arms first to begin a diplomatic solution? Genevieve Woo speaks with CNA correspondent Saksith Saiyasombut on this special episode.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The leader of Japan has vowed not to step aside despite his ruling coalition losing its majority in the Upper House election. What does the outcome mean for Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba domestically? What impact will his weakened position have on looming US trade negotiations? Teresa Tang sits down with CNA’s Michiyo Ishida.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The price of rice in Japan has more than doubled since 2024, while in neighbouring South Korea the grain is practically being given away for free. Teresa Tang speaks to correspondents Michiyo Ishida and Lim Yun Suk about what's behind the disparity. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Food vendors are a fixture on the streets of the Thai capital, often crowding pedestrian pathways. Officials now want to tidy things up by moving the stands to central, open-air food courts. But not everyone agrees with the idea. Teresa Tang speaks to CNA correspondent Jack Board to find out why.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Journeys that once took hours now take only half the time. Bullet trains and high-tech infrastructure have changed the way we think about time and distance. And the evolution continues, as Beijing and Tokyo move forward with their visions of the future. CNA's Tan Si Hui and Michiyo Ishida join Teresa Tang in this episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Busan is South Korea's second-largest city and biggest port. But despite its reputation as a vibrant metropolis, it's facing the threat of extinction. As the population ages and young people leave for better opportunities, city officials are doing all they can to prevent it from turning into a ghost town. CNA's Lim Yun Suk sits down with Teresa Tang in this episode.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.