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
ASEAN summit is diplomatic coup for Australia
Commentary
ASEAN summit is diplomatic coup for Australia
Originally published in Australian Financial Review Aaron L Connelly
Are China and Australia at a Breaking Point?
Commentary
Are China and Australia at a Breaking Point?
Originally published in The Diplomat. Merriden Varrall
Understanding China’s approach to aid
Understanding China’s approach to aid
International Development Minister Concetta Fierravanti-Wells' remarks about China's aid to the Pacific are part of a long tradition of concern in Australia. Yet while some…
How to handle the finger-wagging from Beijing
Commentary
How to handle the finger-wagging from Beijing
Originally published in the Australian Financial Review (Photo:  Merriden Varrall
Brexit Britain won’t be able to uphold Asia’s liberal order
Brexit Britain won’t be able to uphold Asia’s liberal order
This article is part of a series for the Australia-UK Asia Dialogue, co-hosted by the Lowy Institute and Ditchley Foundation, and supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs…
Australia wants to reform Hun Sen – ‘It’s not going to work,’ says opposition leader
Australia wants to reform Hun Sen – ‘It’s not going to work,’ says opposition leader
This morning I spoke with Mu Sochua, the deputy leader of the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP). On 2 September, the leader of her party Kem Sokha was arrested at…
The ill-advised rush for Australia to strike a trade deal with Indonesia
The ill-advised rush for Australia to strike a trade deal with Indonesia
Negotiations for the Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA) entered extra time this week, as negotiators agreed to add an 11th round (the 7th…
What the White Paper misses on China
What the White Paper misses on China
The Foreign Policy White Paper paints a picture of an uncertain world and troubling times. With this understanding as its foundation, the White Paper outlines what approaches…
No need to self-censor in the face of China
No need to self-censor in the face of China
The recent decision by Allen & Unwin to drop Clive Hamilton's book on Chinese influence illustrates that China need not exert much effort in influencing us. We're doing the…
Clear waters and green mountains: Will Xi Jinping take the lead on climate change?
Analyses
Clear waters and green mountains: Will Xi Jinping take the lead on climate change?
President Trump’s retreat on climate change put China ‘in the driver’s seat’. But to really demonstrate leadership, China needs to green its overseas investments. Sam Geall
The Australian Financial Review
20 February 2023
Philippine Daily Inquirer
17 February 2023
Business World (Philippines)
7 February 2023
Manila Standard
29 March 2024
The Philippine Star
5 February 2023
The Australian Financial Review
23 January 2023
The Sydney Morning Herald
12 January 2022
The Sydney Morning Herald
11 January 2023
The Australian Financial Review
4 January 2023
The Australian Financial Review
4 January 2023
Australian Financial Review
21 December 2022