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CNA Correspondent

Teresa Tang dissects the biggest global news stories. Our host speaks to CNA correspondents on the frontlines to bring you behind-the-scenes of their dispatches from Asia and the world. The views and opinions shared during this podcast series are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessaril

New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 22 min
Latest: 13 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

13 Oct 2026 · 16 minNew

From zombie vapes to drug driving - Taiwan's new narcotics crisis

Drug-driving cases in Taiwan have surged more than 200-fold since 2021. But the accidents are only the visible part of a much bigger problem. Genevieve Woo speaks with CNA Senior Correspondent Victoria Jen, who investigated a drug market that is growing increasingly digital - from teenagers tumbling into addiction to drugs that can be ordered online and delivered within an hour. We examine how Taiwanese authorities are racing to keep up. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

S5 · E33 · 6 Oct 2026 · 17 min
What durian reveals about the China-Vietnam border
China has a huge appetite for durian and Vietnam wants a bigger bite of the market. But getting the fruit across the border is only part of the challenge. From winning over Chinese consumers to improving quality and speeding up customs, CNA's Otelli Edwards speaks with Shenzhen Correspondent Deborah Wong and Hanoi Correspondent Leong Wai Kit about what Vietnam is up against and why this durian boom tells a much bigger story about relationships and trade at the China-Vietnam border. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S5 · E32 · 29 Sep 2026 · 21 min
Foreigners in Malaysia - who gets to stay and who doesn't?
Malaysia is dealing with two very different groups of foreigners - Chinese and Korean players squeezing local businesses on price, and tens of thousands of stateless Rohingya refugees it never recruited but has hosted for years. Now, as local resentment rises, and talk of repatriations to Myanmar increases, Arnold Gay asks CNA Senior Correspondent Melissa Goh how and where Malaysia is drawing the line. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S5 · E31 · 25 Sep 2026 · 22 min
Trump-Xi summit: Did they both win?
Donald Trump gave Xi Jinping a lavish welcome for their summit in Washington, but expectations of a major breakthrough were low even before the Chinese leader arrived. With both presidents facing pressures at home, how much of this meeting was about changing the US-China relationship and how much was about showing their own audiences who's holding the cards? Genevieve Woo speaks to correspondents Olivia Siong and Nick Harper to unpack what actually changed on trade, tech and Taiwan, and what the summit tells us about where the balance of power now lies. See omnystudio.com/listener for…
S5 · E30 · 22 Sep 2026 · 22 min
With extreme heat getting worse, why aren't cities ready?
Deadly heatwaves in Europe. Floods, typhoons and scorching temperatures across Asia. Extreme weather is no longer just an environmental story. It's reshaping economies, disrupting livelihoods and exposing how prepared or lacking some countries really are. From Brussels to Bangkok, correspondents Will Denselow and Jack Board examine with Genevieve Woo why governments are still scrambling despite decades of climate warnings, what adaptation looks like on the ground, and why the difference between a crisis and a manageable disruption ultimately boils down to preparation, not prediction. See…
S5 · E29 · 17 Sep 2026 · 19 min
Why haze has Southeast Asia in a chokehold
Indonesia has warned that its wildfires may last until early November, with the haze expected to keep air quality in parts of the region in the unhealthy range. As the country combats stubborn peat fires that can smoulder underground and flare up again, Malaysia is battling blazes of its own, while Singapore and other nations cope with the fallout. After decades of transboundary haze, why is Southeast Asia still struggling with the same problem? CNA Senior Correspondents Saifulbahri Ismail and Melissa Goh report from Indonesia and Malaysia on the people fighting the fires, communities living…
S5 · E28 · 8 Sep 2026 · 19 min
Will Thailand pass stricter gun laws?
Thailand is now looking at clamping down on firearms, following a spate of shootings, including a 14-year-old student who went on a killing spree in his school. But with millions of legal and illegal firearms circulating through the country and deeper problems around violence, will the new measures hold? Genevieve Woo speaks with Saksith Saiyasombut about Thailand's gun control challenge. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S5 · E27 · 2 Sep 2026 · 29 min
Nepal-Tibet floods: What recovery really means
Thousands remain missing after catastrophic floods swept across the Nepal-Tibet border. Correspondents Jack Board and Rebecca Bundhun look beyond the devastation to the people living through the aftermath - families searching for loved ones, survivors returning to what is left of their homes and communities beginning the long process of rebuilding. What does recovery really mean when the search is still not over? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S5 · E26 · 25 Aug 2026 · 26 min
The future of Indonesia's last whale hunters
In the remote fishing village of Lamalera, on Indonesia's Lembata Island, whale hunting isn't sport or industry - it's survival. This tradition has been practised the same way for hundreds of years and passed down the generations. CNA Senior Correspondent Saifulbahri Ismail spent part of the whaling season with the fishermen, the harpooners and the families who wait on the beach for them to return. Arnold Gay finds out whether Lamalera's centuries-old way of life has a future anymore. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S5 · E25 · 18 Aug 2026 · 20 min
Is China's livestreaming boom creating careers or fuelling burnout?
A fast-growing livestream industry is giving young people in China a new way to earn a living and pursue their dreams. But behind the polished performances are long hours, intense competition, emotional labour and an algorithm that can make or break careers. In this episode of the CNA Correspondent podcast, Otelli Edwards speaks with Correspondent Melody Chan, who followed one of Shenzhen's largest livestreaming companies to meet the performers and production crew driving this booming business. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S5 · E24 · 11 Aug 2026 · 21 min
China dominates global matcha supply but can Japan protect its premium edge?
For centuries, Japan has defined matcha through ritual, craftsmanship and the legendary tea-growing town of Uji. But today, China has quietly become the world's biggest producer, supplying around 70 per cent of global output. As global demand soars, which country will shape the future of matcha? Genevieve Woo speaks to CNA Senior Correspondent Michiyo Ishida in Tokyo and Correspondent Tan Si Hui in Beijing, exploring the growing contest between heritage and scale, tradition and technology, as two neighbours take very different paths to satisfy the world's matcha obsession. See…
S5 · E23 · 3 Aug 2026 · 29 min
Blue sweep in Negeri Sembilan and Johor - what it means for Anwar's Pakatan Harapan
Two state elections, three weeks apart, where Malaysia's own governing coalitions ended up as rivals rather than partners, each hoping to boost their power in Putrajaya. First came Barisan Nasional's sweep in Johor, its best result since 2008. Then came Negeri Sembilan, where Pakatan Harapan's caretaker chief minister Aminuddin Harun and Transport Minister Anthony Loke were defeated. Arnold Gay speaks with correspondents Melissa Goh and Afifah Ariffin, to unpack what Barisan Nasional's "blue wave" means for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and the federal government. See omnystudio.com/listener…
S5 · E22 · 28 Jul 2026 · 34 min
Is China's economic success creating a domestic paradox?
China is producing advanced technologies at lightning speed, from AI to electric vehicles. But can rapid innovation translate into stronger domestic consumer confidence? CNA Senior China Editor and Senior Correspondent Olivia Siong joins Robin Pomeroy, Podcast Editor at Radio Davos, on this special episode in collaboration with the World Economic Forum. Together, they interview Professor Yuen Yuen Ang, Alfred Chandler Chair of Political Economy at Johns Hopkins University on how China's transformation could affect businesses, governments and consumers worldwide. See omnystudio.com/listener…
S5 · E21 · 27 Jul 2026 · 27 min
The 'cockroach' party that shook Indian politics
An education minister has resigned. India's Cockroach Janta Party is claiming victory. What began as an online satirical campaign has become one of India's most talked-about youth movements, tapping into frustrations over jobs, opportunity and political representation. Genevieve Woo speaks to Correspondent Neha Poonia about how a movement built around a cockroach forced its way onto India's political agenda and what it reveals about a generation that is refusing to be crushed and trampled on. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S5 · E20 · 21 Jul 2026 · 25 min
The politics of borders: Who decides where countries end?
Borders aren't just lines on a map, but clearly defined countries and territories with sometimes messy stories. From Greenland and Alberta to the South China Sea, Cyprus and Kaliningrad, their histories reveal why territorial disputes continue to shape politics and identity. Genevieve Woo joins Senior Editor Liling Tan and Correspondent Nick Harper to explore the deeper question of who actually holds the pen, and what it takes to make a boundary stick. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S5 · E19 · 20 Jul 2026 · 22 min
World Cup 2026: What's next for the beautiful game?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup began amid fears of immigration raids, political hostility and a tournament defined by controversy rather than competition. But something else entirely played out when football lovers from across the globe showed up. Norway fans did Viking rows, Scotland fans drank cities dry and Americans fell in love with a sport they had barely noticed before. But the politics never went away. US President Donald Trump's infamous call to FIFA chief Gianni Infantino to overturn US striker Folarin Balogun's red card dominated headlines. But the final matches and Spain's eventual…
S5 · E18 · 14 Jul 2026 · 25 min
China’s bigger bet on South Africa
For years, China's presence in Africa was defined by railways, roads and mega infrastructure projects. But a quieter transformation is underway. Through the lens of South Africa, Genevieve Woo and Senior China Editor and Senior Correspondent Olivia Siong explore how Chinese companies are shifting from building projects to building businesses, manufacturing locally and putting down deeper roots. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S5 · E17 · 7 Jul 2026 · 22 min
Is Hangzhou the Silicon Valley of China?
From robot patrol dogs to AI doctors, Hangzhou is fast producing some of China's most talked-about tech companies. The city is best known as the home of Alibaba and, more recently, DeepSeek. But beyond the headlines, what makes Hangzhou such a powerful engine for innovation? CNA Senior Correspondent Tan Yew Guan speaks with Genevieve Woo about the talent, capital and government support behind one of China's most dynamic tech ecosystems. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S5 · E16 · 2 Jul 2026 · 33 min
America at 250: United or divided states?
As the United States marks its 250th anniversary, it stands as the world's largest economy and commands the most powerful military. Yet confidence in its institutions has eroded, political divisions run deep and many question the nation's trajectory. From symbolic shifts on the White House grounds to the rise of China and the heavy cost of global leadership, Genevieve Woo and Senior Correspondent Simon Marks examine what these domestic and global tensions reveal about the state of the superpower. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S5 · E15 · 23 Jun 2026 · 17 min
Can toys and companions fill China's emotional needs?
China has a new buzzword: Emotional value. It is used to explain everything from blind box obsessions and AI companions to why young people are hiring strangers to climb mountains with them. In this episode of the CNA Correspondent podcast, Genevieve Woo and Correspondent Krystal Chia explore the rise of China’s emotional economy and examine what this growing search for comfort and connection reveals about modern Chinese society. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S5 · E14 · 16 Jun 2026 · 19 min
Is this really the World Cup of chaos?
The FIFA World Cup 2026 was always going to be unprecedented. Three host nations, 16 cities and 48 teams across an entire continent. What nobody quite expected was how much drama would happen off the pitch. The tournament kicked off amid an ongoing US-Iran conflict, Africa's top referee was denied entry to America, fans have paid record prices for tickets and the three co-hosts - the US, Canada and Mexico - are fighting a trade war of their own. Arnold Gay speaks to correspondents Matthew Mohan, Mitch McCann and Toni Waterman to unpack the politics, problems and blemishes behind the…
S5 · E13 · 11 Jun 2026 · 26 min
Australia vowed to change after Bondi. Has it?
Almost six months ago, two gunmen opened fire on hundreds of Jewish families celebrating Hanukkah near Sydney’s Bondi Beach. Fifteen people were killed and more than 40 wounded in the December 14, 2025 attack - Australia's worst mass shooting in nearly 30 years. In the aftermath, Parliament passed stricter hate crime and gun ownership laws, announced a national buyback scheme and launched a Royal Commission into antisemitism. But since then, the gun buyback initiative has faltered and a provision to criminalise inciting racial hatred has been quietly dropped. On this episode of the CNA…
S5 · E12 · 9 Jun 2026 · 18 min
Aviation was flying high. Then the war in Iran changed everything
The numbers going into 2026 were some of the best in aviation history. Then, US and Israeli strikes on Iran led to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, choking off a fifth of the world's oil supplies. Carriers saw jet fuel prices surge by more than 120% and braced for supply shortages, cancelling thousands of flights and raising airfares. Some budget airlines have already shut down, and others could follow. The aviation industry's annual gathering in Rio was supposed to celebrate record profits and chart a greener future. Arnold Gay speaks with Yasmin Jonkers to find out who will survive,…
S5 · E11 · 2 Jun 2026 · 25 min
Can rice farming ever be climate friendly?
Traditional rice farming is a major climate problem. Flooded paddy fields release methane, a greenhouse gas 27 times more potent than carbon dioxide. But a Singapore-led project in Indonesia is testing a new way forward. By changing the way rice is planted and grown, researchers say emissions can be cut by up to half, without hurting farmers’ incomes. Arnold Gay speaks to CNA Senior Correspondent Saifulbahri Ismail about the science behind low-methane rice, the challenges of changing long-held farming practices and if consumers will go for a more climate-friendly grain. See…
S5 · E10 · 26 May 2026 · 23 min
Jensen Huang: The tough boss of Nvidia who is 'exhausted all the time'
Jensen Huang is one of the most influential men in the world right now - the CEO and face of Nvidia, the company powering the global AI boom. But beyond the black leather jacket and rockstar status is a deeply candid story about immigrant sacrifice, fear of failure and relentless ambition. In this special episode of the CNA Correspondent podcast, Genevieve Woo speaks to Senior Correspondent Victoria Jen after her wide-ranging interview with the Nvidia co-founder, covering everything from AI anxiety and job losses to China, Taiwan and what really drives the world’s most powerful…
S5 · E9 · 19 May 2026 · 21 min
South Koreans who left home to build two nations
In the 1960s and 70s, tens of thousands of South Koreans went to what was then known as West Germany as miners and nurses under a labour-for-loan deal. They were meant to stay for three years. Many never left. Genevieve Woo speaks to CNA Senior Correspondent Lim Yun Suk about the sacrifices behind South Korea’s rise - and the lives built between two countries. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S5 · E8 · 15 May 2026 · 20 min
Trump meets Xi: Who came out ahead?
The Trump–Xi summit has just wrapped in China. But beyond the handshakes and official statements, what really happened behind closed doors? We break down the key moments, the surprises and the strategic stakes with insights from Beijing and Washington. From trade and tech rivalry to the Taiwan question, the shadow of Iran and global energy tensions, we ask - who came in with the upper hand and did that balance of power shift by the end? Genevieve Woo unpacks the two-day meeting with Tan Si Hui in Beijing and Nick Harper in Washington. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S5 · E7 · 12 May 2026 · 34 min
Speed and strain: The impact of Asia's EV surge
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…
S5 · E6 · 5 May 2026 · 22 min
168 lives, a chain of failures: What Hong Kong’s Wang Fuk Court fire exposed
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.
S5 · E5 · 28 Apr 2026 · 18 min
Japan’s tourism rebounds, but where are the Chinese tourists?
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.

About CNA Correspondent

CNA Correspondent is a English news podcast from CNA. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: CNA
Language: English
Category: News
New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 22 min
Latest episode: 13 Oct 2026
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Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1635732814

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