Expert views: Looking back at Asia in 2019
9 December 2019
While news media coverage of Asia in 2019 has arguably been dominated by the protests in Hong Kong (and when it comes to New Zealand media, the Rugby World Cup in Japan), other events have shaped the region. They include key elections in Hong Kong, India, Indonesia Sri Lanka and Thailand; tensions between Japan and South Korea; the US-China trade war.
The Asia Media Centre asked Asia experts from across the country for their views on developments in the region this year, and how those developments affect New Zealand.
They also told us what they would be watching in 2020, including the Tokyo Olympics (July); the impact of the US presidential (November); and the potential for heightened authoritarian rule and intolerance across the region.
And they shared their top reads and watches for knowing more about Asia.
Read commentary from:
Associate Professor Stephen Epstein, Victoria University of Wellington and New Zealand Asian Studies Society
Dr Manjeet Pardesi, Victoria University of Wellington, and managing editor, Asian Security
Dr Shin Takahashi, Victoria University of Wellington
Professor Alex Tan, University of Canterbury
This page will be updated as more commentary is added.