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Access Asia

Access Asia

Written by: FRANCE 24 English
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Exclusive reports, features and analysis of political and social events from across the Asian continent. Friday at 3:45pm Paris time.

France Médias Monde
Politics & Government
Episodes
  • 'The world has let this happen': Wu'er Kaixi on Hong Kong's loss of freedoms
    May 22 2026

    As a trial of former organisers of Hong Kong's Tiananmen vigils has concluded, FRANCE 24's Yuka Royer speaks with Wu'er Kaixi, one of the student leaders who led mass protests leading up to the brutal 1989 crackdown. Nearly 37 years since the tragedy, the exiled campaigner laments China's continued oppression of dissident voices and ethnic minorities.

    Also on the show:

    "Taiwan Travelogue", a novel exploring the history of the island during Japan's colonial rule through the lens of travel and food, has won this year's International Booker Prize. Author Yang Shuang-zi says she hopes her work could be read in China and provide an opportunity for dialogue.

    Plus, football has brought North Korea into the global spotlight. Naegohyang Women's FC scored a 2-1 win against South Korea's Suwon FC, offering a glimpse into decades-long efforts by Pyongyang to invest in the sport as a tool that can boost its international profile.

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    13 mins
  • Trump's silence on Taiwan during summit with Xi comes as relief for island nation
    May 15 2026

    Donald Trump has wrapped up a high-stakes visit to China. While host Xi Jinping warned that the Taiwan issue, if mishandled, could lead to conflict between the two superpowers, the US president took a muted approach and remained silent on the question. Lev Nachman, political science professor at National Taiwan University, tells FRANCE 24's Yuka Royer that the silence was welcomed by the Taiwanese as a sign the US would not change its longstanding policy.

    Also on the show:

    Philippine senator Ronald dela Rosa left the Senate building after taking refuge there, following an arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court. The tense standoff earlier in the week saw gunshots ring out and the site go under lockdown, as the former police chief urged the public to block his arrest. Dela Rosa is accused of crimes against humanity as the chief enforcer of a brutal war on drugs waged by former president Rodrigo Duterte.

    Finally, Everest season has started with a delay this year as a huge chunk of ice blocked the only climbing route to the peak of the world's highest mountain. A group of elite sherpas reached the summit after securing an alternative, treacherous pathway around the obstacle. FRANCE 24's Antonia Kerrigan explains why an ever-increasing number of climbers is both a problem and a blessing for Nepal.

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    12 mins
  • Iran war hangs over Trump's Beijing visit
    May 8 2026

    In this edition of Access Asia, we look ahead to the US president's upcoming visit to China. While both sides will be seeking to reset ties, the war in Iran is set to cloud the trip. We also speak to an Australian artist of Indian descent who is currently in residence in Paris. We explore how Sid Pattni's work examines issues of identity and belonging through a post-colonial framework.

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    13 mins
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