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BBC World Service · News

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 podcast episodes twice a week. Get in touch: [email protected]

Episodes

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Can China deal with a huge graduate glut?

04 Aug 2026
17m
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China faces a significant youth unemployment crisis as a record 12.7 million university graduates enter a labor market struggling with slowing economic growth. While the government targets 4.5 to 5% GDP growth, this rate fails to generate sufficient jobs to absorb the record number of new entrants. Unlike the 2008 glob...

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What’s behind Vietnam’s counterfeit crackdown?

31 Jul 2026
17m
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What’s behind Vietnam’s counterfeit crackdown?

31 Jul 2026
17m
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Why people in China aren’t spending

28 Jul 2026
15m
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Why more countries are favouring China over the US

24 Jul 2026
17m
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China's humanoid robot boom

21 Jul 2026
18m
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Inside a major baby trafficking trial in Indonesia

17 Jul 2026
17m
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Why armed men killed a US pilot in Indonesia

14 Jul 2026
16m
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Why can’t Japan have a female emperor?

10 Jul 2026
17m
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Thailand’s sex worker legal limbo

07 Jul 2026
19m
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Are microdramas the future of entertainment?

03 Jul 2026
17m
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The ultra-short microdrama industry in China has experienced explosive growth, surging from 150 million USD in 2020 to a 14 billion USD market. Driven by short attention spans and sophisticated algorithms, these one-to-two-minute episodes prioritize intense emotional hooks, such as revenge fantasies and rags-to-riches ...

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Why cancer patients are travelling to China

30 Jun 2026
16m
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China is emerging as a significant destination for medical tourism, particularly for cutting-edge CAR-T cell therapy. Patients from countries like Australia are increasingly traveling to Shanghai for treatment, citing costs that are approximately ten times lower than in the United States or the United Kingdom. Beyond a...

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What makes a Pokemon card worth millions?

26 Jun 2026
18m
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Is North Korea getting richer?

23 Jun 2026
17m
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Will Japan turn away from pacifism?

19 Jun 2026
20m
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Asia’s affordable housing problem

16 Jun 2026
19m
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Could changing the way we date solve Asia's low fertility rates?

12 Jun 2026
20m
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Could an Asian team win the World Cup?

09 Jun 2026
19m
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Bonus: Xi Jinping's North Korea visit

09 Jun 2026
11m
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Thailand’s tourism challenge

05 Jun 2026
17m
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