Asia Pacific

Asia Pacific

Sen Lam

Asia Pacific

Asia Pacific brings you news and in-depth coverage of regional issues in Asia and the Pacific.

Join Sen Lam each evening, Monday to Friday, on Radio Australia, and domestically on ABC Radio National and ABC NewsRadio.

Stories

US acknowledges Myanmar reforms

Updated 21 May 2013, 21:42 AEST

President Thein Sein, now in Washington, is the first Myanmar leader to visit the United States in 47 years.

Mines Minister says Myanmar in new era of transparency

Updated 21 May 2013, 21:43 AEST

Myanmar's government says it's being unfairly judged on the record of the past.

Myanmar lagging in telecoms market

Updated 21 May 2013, 21:43 AEST

In the world of telecommunications, Myanmar remains one of the world's last remaining untapped markets.

Little effective progress after Asia Pacific water summit

Updated 21 May 2013, 22:00 AEST

The Second Asia-Pacific Water Summit has wrapped up, with a declaration by leaders and representatives of more than 50 countries to do more on water security.

Possible PNG withdrawal from regional trade talks

Updated 21 May 2013, 21:47 AEST

Papua New Guinea has told a meeting of Melanesian finance ministers that it wants to pull out of regional free trade negotiations that include Australia and New Zealand.

Sam Rainsy confident of returning to Cambodia to contest elections

Updated 21 May 2013, 21:48 AEST

Around 2,000 people took to the streets of Phnom Penh on Monday, demanding the reform of Cambodia's National Election Committee ahead of polls on the 28th of July.

Afghanistan's structures in place, to ensure success of mining industry

Updated 21 May 2013, 13:03 AEST

Afghanistan expects mining revenues will replace all of its receipts from donor contributions within a decade.

India China relationship tested by border issue

Updated 20 May 2013, 21:36 AEST

The new Chinese premier, Li Keqiang, has pledged to build trust with India, on his first foreign trip since taking office in March.

Conservative MPs block women's rights bill in Afghanistan

Updated 20 May 2013, 21:37 AEST

Womens' rights have again been challenged in Afghanistan, after parliament blocked debate on a bill eliminating violence against women.

Maximum security prison planned for Manus Island

Updated 20 May 2013, 21:39 AEST

Papua New Guinea's government has announced plans to build a privately-run maximum security prison on Manus Island.

Australia seeks global role in tackling the resource curse

Updated 20 May 2013, 21:40 AEST

Australia is putting itself at the forefront of the global campaign to reduce the negative impact of extractive industries in developing countries.

Philippine polls deliver sound endorsement for President Aquino

Updated 17 May 2013, 21:44 AEST

Mid-term elections in the Philippines, seen as a referendum on the policies of President Benigno Aquino, appear to have delivered him a ringing endorsement.

Australia urged to speak out against Indonesia's death penalty

Updated 17 May 2013, 21:45 AEST

The Australian government has again been urged to speak out against the death penalty in Indonesia, after three local men were executed by firing squad early this morning.

Australian government attacks Opposition's budget plans

Updated 17 May 2013, 21:46 AEST

With the dust settling on the Federal Budget, the Government's gone on the offensive over Opposition leader Tony Abbott's plans if the Coalition wins the September poll.

ANZUS forces preparing for major Pacific aid mission

Updated 17 May 2013, 21:57 AEST

In Australia, New Zealand, America and across the Pacific, doctors, dentists, and military engineers are gearing up to take their skills on tour.

Film festival's spotlight on women in Bollywood

Updated 17 May 2013, 21:47 AEST

With violence against women in India in the spotlight, so too is the portrayal of women in Bollywood and how much it may perpetuate a culture of misogyny.

Asia Pacific Business: 17th May 2013

Updated 17 May 2013, 17:09 AEST

Australia's mining industry and government criticised on transparency record.

Malaysia's Youth Ministry resonates with political significance

Updated 16 May 2013, 22:09 AEST

Malaysia's Prime Minister has unveiled a cabinet which observers say is packed with conservatives, with few MPs from the Chinese and Indian communities.

New Australian law will send asylum seekers to Nauru or Manus

Updated 16 May 2013, 22:08 AEST

The Australian Government can now send all asylum seekers who arrive by boat to offshore processing centres.

Japan's nuclear watchdog refuses to allow trouble-plagued plant

Updated 16 May 2013, 22:04 AEST

Japan's nuclear watchdog has refused to give the go-ahead to commission a trouble plagued fast breeder reactor due to safety concerns.

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