Programs & Projects

The North Asia Program

The China and East Asia Program

The China and East Asia Program conducts research on the politics and foreign policy of China and its immediate neighbours in Northeast Asia: Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan and the Korean peninsula. The program is renowned for its particular focus on China’s domestic politics and how this helps to shape its external behaviour. From 2020, the Institute’s extensive research on Southeast Asia – including Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, and Myanmar – is now incorporated in a dedicated Southeast Asia Program. Each Program also commissions work by other scholars on the broader region. To complement their written research, Lowy Institute experts hold a robust series of dialogues and events on the politics of the region, independently and in partnership with other organisations.

Photo: Jung Yeon-Je-Pool/Getty Images

Experts
Latest publications
News and media
Congress and Asia-Pacific policy: Dysfunction and neglect
Analyses
Congress and Asia-Pacific policy: Dysfunction and neglect
In this Analysis, Lowy Institute Research Fellow Aaron L. Connelly examines the role of the US Congress in policy toward the Asia-Pacific region.Aaron L Connelly
China's world view, in 6 parts
Commentary
China's world view, in 6 parts
China's worldview, in 6 partsMerriden VarrallThe Straits Times12 June 2015Click here for the online text. Merriden Varrall
Trade protectionism in Indonesia: Bad times and bad policy
Analyses
Trade protectionism in Indonesia: Bad times and bad policy
In this Analysis, Arianto Patunru and Sjamsu Rahardja highlight the protectionist shift in Indonesia, and argue that this will harm Indonesia’s economic prospects.Arianto…
Condemned to Crisis?
Lowy Institute Papers
Condemned to Crisis?
It is often said that no country is more important to Australia than Indonesia. Ken Ward argues that Australian governments and their critics need to be realistic about an…
The perception gap: reading China's maritime objectives in Indo-Pacific Asia
Reports
The perception gap: reading China's maritime objectives in Indo-Pacific Asia
In this Lowy Institute Report Nonresident Fellows Linda Jakobson and Rory Medcalf identify both the real differences in interests between China and other powers in the Indo…
High stakes for Australia in limiting China's South China Sea incursions
Commentary
High stakes for Australia in limiting China's South China Sea incursions
High stakes for Australia in limiting China's South China Sea incursionsBonnie GlaserThe Age22 May 2015Click here for the online text.Bonnie S. Glaser
Bridging the China gulf
Commentary
Bridging the China gulf
Bridging the China gulfLinda JakobsonThe Australian22 May 2015Linda Jakobson
Sovereignty and the Sea: President Joko Widodo's Foreign Policy Challenges
Journal Articles
Sovereignty and the Sea: President Joko Widodo's Foreign Policy Challenges
In this paper for Contemporary Southeast Asia, Aaron L. Connelly argues that under President Joko Widodo, Indonesia's foreign policy is likely to become less clear, less…
An unyielding foe of corruption
Commentary
An unyielding foe of corruption
An unyielding foe of corruptionMilton OsborneThe Australian Financial Review24 March 2015Milton Osborne
Abe's mandate: The economic imperative
As predicted, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP)-Komeito coalition led by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe scored an easy victory in Japan's Lower House election on Sunday. For Abe it…