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
What South Korea's election result could mean for the region
Commentary
What South Korea's election result could mean for the region
Originally published in the Sydney Morning Herald.  Merriden Varrall
In China, changing online attitudes towards Korea
In China, changing online attitudes towards Korea
Additional research by Zixin Wang, an intern in the Lowy Institute's East Asia Program. Shen Zhihua, a world-renowned Chinese scholar of the Cold War, recently proposed that …
North Korea: ‘A most enterprising country’
North Korea: ‘A most enterprising country’
A myth told and re-told in the West is that North Korea, a 'hermit kingdom' and 'pariah state', is cut off from the outside world. North Korean people suffer indescribable…
Indonesia di Laut Cina Selatan: Berjalan sendiri
Analyses
Indonesia di Laut Cina Selatan: Berjalan sendiri
Selagi Indonesia di bawah pimpinan Jokowi dapat diharapkan terus mengambil langkah unilateral untuk memperkuat posisi Indonesia di sekitar Kepulauan Natuna, Jokowi belum memainkan…
China lives in two different worlds
Commentary
China lives in two different worlds
Originally published in the Australian Financial Review on 31 March 2017. Merriden Varrall
Don’t waste time trying to get Trump to Manila
Don’t waste time trying to get Trump to Manila
Over the last two months, Australian and Southeast Asian officials have been urging their US counterparts to ensure President Donald Trump shows up at two major summits in…
China leadership prizes internal security over one-upping the US
China leadership prizes internal security over one-upping the US
Since Donald Trump won the US presidential election last November there has been no shortage of speculation on how China will respond to the new Administration. Among the wealth…
Can Indonesia take on Freeport?
Commentary
Can Indonesia take on Freeport?
Originally published in the East Asia Forum. Matthew Busch
Li’s Australia visit: ‘Nothing to be afraid of’
Li’s Australia visit: ‘Nothing to be afraid of’
Chinese President Xi Jinping's speech at Davos in January presented China as the natural protector of the global order after the abdication of the US from the position. Premier Li…
Understanding China’s Belt and Road Initiative
Analyses
Understanding China’s Belt and Road Initiative
China’s Belt and Road Initiative is one of President Xi’s most ambitious foreign and economic initiatives. It reflects a combination of economic and strategic drivers, not all of…
Bloomberg
3 August 2022
ABC Radio National Saturday Breakfast
19 February 2022
Australian Financial Review
18 February 2022
The Australian Financial Review
21 January 2022
Financial Times
9 January 2022