Asia Specific

For the first time in 20 years, a major global survey conducted between February and May of 2026 has found that more countries favour China over the US. The Pew Research Center, a non-partisan, US-based think tank, found that China’s global image is eclipsing that of the US, with 25 out of 36 countries surveyed preferring China over the US – a reversal from previous years.

The shift comes as President Donald Trump's foreign and economic policies have upended the global order. China has spent years working to build a more favourable reputation abroad, drawing accusations of state-sponsored propaganda campaigns, something Beij...

Humanoid robots are suddenly everywhere - dancing, boxing, running marathons and even attempting surgery. China is leading the charge, producing the vast majority of the world's humanoid robots.

But beyond the viral videos, are these machines actually useful?

Why has China emerged as the global leader in robot manufacturing? How is AI transforming what robots can do? And can countries like the US, Japan, and Germany keep pace?

In this episode, host Mariko Oi speaks to BBC Beijing correspondent Stephen McDonell and BBC cyber correspondent Joe Tidy about whether humanoid robots are finally...

Multiple families in Singapore are facing an unimaginable possibility that the children they legally adopted from Indonesia may have been victims of an alleged baby trafficking network.

A major trial is underway in Indonesia involving 19 defendants accused of buying babies, forging documents, and arranging adoptions of the children, including at least 12 babies who were brought to Singapore. The defendants deny the allegations.

The case has raised difficult questions about international adoption, how trafficking networks operate and why vulnerable parents give up their babies.

On this episode of Asia Specific, host Mariko Oi speaks...

On July 2, separatist rebels released a video saying that they had shot dead a US pilot and set his plane on fire in Indonesia's far eastern Papua region.

The West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) said they killed 29-year-old Nicholas F Gosselin after he landed in the Highland Papua province, and claimed that the pilot had been transporting Indonesian troops into the region.

Indonesia’s military rejects those claims, saying the passengers were indigenous Papuans.

Indonesian officials confirmed that Gosselin's plane had been found burnt, but said it was unclear what happened to hi...

The Japanese imperial family is running out of members — with only 16 royals remaining, questions are growing about the future of the world's oldest hereditary monarchy. So what is the Japanese government's plan to safeguard the imperial line, and why is it proving so controversial? Japan is facing a royal succession dilemma. With a shrinking imperial family, fewer members are available to carry out official duties, while the pool of potential heirs continues to narrow. To address the issue, the Japanese government is considering allowing male descendants of former imperial branches to rejoin the imperial family. Supporters argue it would he...

The murder of a 17-year-old girl in the coastal city of Pattaya, allegedly by a 45-year-old Australian man has sparked a discussion about whether legalising sex work in Thailand could make it safer.

Tunchanok Donhomla’s body was found stuffed in a suitcase in late June near a railway track. The man accused of killing her, Simon Peter Carman, has been charged with murder and abducting a minor for indecent purposes, along with other charges. He has denied murder, claiming he acted in self-defence.

The case has shone a spotlight on the precarious legal situation th...

If you’re on TikTok, Instagram or Facebook, chances are you’ve come across microdramas: 30 to 90-second videos with over-the-top and emotional plots. Every episode ends on a cliffhanger. It’s easy to get addicted.

Microdramas first started in China around 2018, and in 2024 the microdrama industry surpassed China’s film box office for the first time.

The success of this multibillion dollar model has since spread around the world – in the US, South Korea, and across South East Asia.

Some companies are now using Artificial Intelligence to produce these short drama series. While AI can dra...

Cancer patients are increasingly travelling to China for CAR-T therapy. How did China become a leader in cancer treatment and could it become a major medical tourism destination?

This year Youtuber Logan Paul sold the world’s rarest Pokemon card for a record-breaking 16 million USD.

He isn’t the only one selling Pokemon cards for huge sums.

Cards from the 30-year-old Japanese game and animation franchise have become one of the most sought-after items for collectors, with both fans new and old getting in on the action.

What drives this market, and are these traders real Pokemon fans or profit-seeking card flippers?

On this episode, host Mariko Oi is joined by journalist Derek Cai from the Asia Specific podcast team...

North Korea and Russia are about to open their first road bridge connection, deepening a partnership that has rapidly expanded since Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

The growing relationship is helping fuel one of the most surprising stories in Asia today: North Korea's economy appears to be performing far better than many expected.

New housing projects are transforming Pyongyang, consumer activity has picked up and Russia has emerged as a major new source of revenue for Kim Jong Un's regime.

Also, North Korea's use of cryptocurrency theft is growing while sanctions are being bypassed. <...

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi says she wants a vote on amending Japan's constitution, reviving a debate that could reshape the country's Self-Defence Forces, its alliance with the US, and relations across Asia.

Japan's post-war constitution has remained unchanged since it came into force in 1947. Its famous 'Article 9' renounces war and appears to prohibit the country from maintaining armed forces.

Yet Japan today has one of the world's most advanced armed forces and hosts the largest concentration of US troops overseas.

Now, with growing concerns about China's military expansion, North Korea's missile...

Australia's government is winding back tax incentives for property investors in a bid to make housing more affordable - but will it work?

From Sydney to Seoul, Bangkok to Beijing, housing affordability has become one of the biggest economic and political issues facing young people across Asia Pacific.

In many major cities, home prices have risen far faster than incomes, leaving many first-time buyers feeling locked out of the market.

Australia is now changing long-standing tax rules that critics say encouraged property investment and pushed up prices. But will those reforms actually make...

A slight uptick in South Korea’s notoriously low fertility rate in the last two years has begged the question - are government policies to encourage dating, marriage and babies working?

It’s a question governments across Asia are asking, a region where fertility rates are at very low levels, particularly in Japan, China, Taiwan and Singapore.

Governments across the region have been rolling out initiatives to encourage dating in the hope that more couples will lead to more births, which in turn will help offset rapidly ageing populations.

From sponsoring dating app subs...

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 World Cup regulars Japan, South Korea and Australia.

Despite decades of investment, growing fan bases and increasingly professional leagues, no men's team from Asia has ever...

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 dignitaries make the trip to a much smaller neigbour?

And what does North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un want from China?

Host Mariko Oi is joined by the...

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 behind the move and what other factors are at play?

The BBC’s South East Asia correspondent Jonathan Head joins our host Mariko Oi to ex...

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 in the global AI supply chain while critics warn the heavy reliance on a handful of chip stocks could leave investors exposed if the AI sector loses momentum.

In this episode, ho...

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) degrees has the government concerned. It’s a priority across Asia, with governments trying different methods to increase the number of STEM students, with some like China and Malaysia having more success than others. But with AI-related job losses hitting the gl...

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 scale and diverse real world driving data will ultimately prove more valuable for the companies in the autonomous driving space.

Host Mariko Oi unpacks the challenges autonomous car comp...

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 her victory after being criticised for previously representing the United States at another pageant. The widespread media coverage of her victory and subsequent debate speaks to the broad appeal of beauty pageants in the Philippines. While they're regarded as re...

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 charged football matches played in empty stadiums.

In this episode, host Mariko Oi speaks to BBC Seoul correspondent Jake Kwon and freelance sports reporter Daisy Yoo about why...

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 and calling for urgent action. So can Bali fix its rubbish problem or is the damage already done?

In this episode of Asia Specific, host Mariko Oi speaks to Bali-based journalist Ade Mardiyati and...

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’s most consequential rivalries.

And also explore how censorship and propaganda shape public opinion in China, whether anti-foreigner sentiment is growing, and why many Chinese people believe the West is host...

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 speech online.

So how far could these changes go? And how do they compare to China’s highly controlled internet?

In this episode of Asia Specific, host Mariko Oi speaks to BBC Hindi...

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 artificial intelligence.

But Beijing saw something else. Chinese regulators intervened, reportedly framing the deal as a threat to national security and a...

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 artificial intelligence.

But Beijing saw something else. Chinese regulators intervened, reportedly framing the deal as a threat to national security and a potential loss...

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 chicken tsunami” has ignited criticism and raised concerns about attitudes toward the Indian community.

In this episode of Asia Specific, host Mariko Oi speaks with BBC journalist Vandhna Bhan and NZ BusinessDesk seni...

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 peers.

Asia Specific host Mariko Oi speaks to BBC World Service senior journalist Sen Nguyen and Edmund Malesky, professor of political economy at Duke University in the...

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 the history of major earthquakes in Japan, including the 2011 disaster, examine whether such events can be predicted and assess how prepared Japan really is.

Host Mariko Oi is joined by former BB...

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 China. What do Indonesians think and what could be the fallout for President Prabowo Subianto?

Host Mariko Oi is joined by Asia Spec...

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 Asia, setting up factories, and challenging long-established Japanese and Korean manufacturers. But a rush in South East Asia to attract Chinese investment and technology...

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 city transforms into a haven for revellers and holidaymakers from around the world.

Thailand’s tourism industry is one of the most visible drivers of its economy, drawing millions of v...

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 in 2025, arguing that the president had overstepped his powers. Mr Trump then imposed a new 10 per cent global tariff to replace them. So where exactly are...

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 prices, can expect things to return to normal soon? Host Mariko Oi is joined by Asia Specific Senior Journalist Bill Birtles and analyst Adam Samdin from Oxford Economics in Singapore. Asia Pacific, unpacked by those who...

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 firsts to sustained presence and strategic advantage. Both countries are investing heavily in lunar exploration, while also expanding capabilities in satellites, space stations, and deep space mi...

When the Samsung chairman has a heart attack, his heir is pushed into the spotlight. The complex manoeuvring to secure his succession re-opens old family wounds, prompts one of the biggest scandals in South Korea’s history, and – eventually – helps to bring down a president.

Everyone’s heard of Samsung: more than a billion people have one of their smartphones. This is the drama behind the tech giant that changed the world.

From a fruit and vegetable store to a global empire, Samsung’s story is more than business - it’s an epic family saga. Behind...

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 Australia.

What does this mean for Australian politics and the future of its immigration policies? To unpack this, Asia Specific host Mariko Oi speaks to Simon Atkinson, the BBC’s produc...

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 by some in South Korea’s media as the “return of the kings”. An upcoming world tour is forecast to make more than a billion US dollars in revenue. But th...

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 coast of Iran. Much of that ends up in Asia.

Why are countries in South East Asia so sensitive to fluctuating energy prices even thou...

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 nuclear strategy in the Asia region. Host Mariko Oi is joined by Dr Zhao Tong from the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and Wall Street Journal reporter Dasl Yoon in S...