CNA Correspondent

CNA

Mining the deep reporting of CNA's correspondents, Teresa Tang goes behind the scenes with journalists on the frontlines to unpack the biggest Asian and global stories. The views and opinions shared during this podcast series are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of Mediacorp Pte. Ltd. or its group of companies.

  • 16 minutes 2 seconds
    Best of: Why does Bangkok want to replace street food stalls with hawker centres?

    Food vendors are a fixture on the streets of the Thai capital, often crowding pedestrian pathways. Officials now want to tidy things up by moving the stands to central, open-air food courts. But not everyone agrees with the idea. Teresa Tang speaks to CNA correspondent Jack Board to find out why.

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    16 December 2025, 11:00 pm
  • 13 minutes 34 seconds
    Best of: From mango pits to rocks, how peculiar ‘pets’ bring comfort to the lonely in China

    The definition of "pet" has taken on a whole new meaning in China with some youths adopting mango seeds and even jars of yeast for companionship. It’s an unconventional pastime aimed at helping to cope with societal pressures and loneliness. CNA's Melody Chan speaks to Teresa Tang about the trend.

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    9 December 2025, 11:00 pm
  • 17 minutes
    Best of: High-speed rail dreams and realities in China and Japan

    Journeys that once took hours now take only half the time. Bullet trains and high-tech infrastructure have changed the way we think about time and distance. And the evolution continues, as Beijing and Tokyo move forward with their visions of the future. CNA's Tan Si Hui and Michiyo Ishida join Teresa Tang in this episode. 

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    2 December 2025, 11:00 pm
  • 25 minutes 25 seconds
    Brewed in China: How a tea nation got hooked on coffee

    In a country where tea has reigned for thousands of years, a new aroma is taking over the streets - coffee. From Shanghai’s dizzying array of cafes to the tech-fuelled rise of coffee brands and the new wave of local roasters, coffee has become China’s new cultural currency. Genevieve Woo speaks with CNA senior correspondent Tan Yew Guan to learn more about China’s java scene. 

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    25 November 2025, 11:00 pm
  • 12 minutes 8 seconds
    Will the Johor-Kuala Lumpur electric train service live up to the hype?

    Who doesn't want to save time and money? That's what proponents of the new Johor Bahru-Kuala Lumpur electric train service are looking forward to when the line opens at the end of the year. But critics question if the track will be ready on time. Teresa Tang speaks to CNA digital correspondent Amir Yusof about just how revolutionary the new transport link will be. 

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    18 November 2025, 11:00 pm
  • 20 minutes 57 seconds
    Young and jobless: Why some youth in China are pretending to be employed

    For many young people in China, graduation has become synonymous with being unemployed. In a dire job market some are turning to pretend workplaces to maintain a sense of routine and motivation. Fake boss, fake office and fake company, but there could be some real benefits. CNA digital correspondent Bong Xin Ying tells Teresa Tang what pretending to work is all about.

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    11 November 2025, 11:00 pm
  • 18 minutes 14 seconds
    Fast cities, slow lanes: Asia’s traffic trap

    Asia’s fastest-growing cities are on the move — but not always forward. From Bengaluru’s tech boom to Kuala Lumpur’s car-first legacy and Singapore’s long-term road map, prosperity in some Asian cities often comes with gridlock. What’s driving the congestion crisis? Can technology or political will finally turn things around? Genevieve Woo speaks with correspondents Ishan Garg in India and Afifah Ariffin in Malaysia on what it will take to clear the path ahead for Asia's traffic woes.

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    4 November 2025, 11:00 pm
  • 26 minutes 41 seconds
    Trump gives ASEAN its moment in the sun

    US President Donald Trump attended the ASEAN Summit for the first time in seven years, injecting new life into the gathering in Kuala Lumpur. Mr Trump witnessed the signing of a peace agreement between Thailand and Cambodia, which he co-brokered with Malaysian Prime Minister and ASEAN Chair, Anwar Ibrahim. The summit also marked the official admission of Timor-Leste as the newest member of the regional bloc. Arnold Gay speaks to CNA senior correspondents Melissa Goh and Leong Wai Kit to find out what's changed for ASEAN and the role Mr Trump and Mr Anwar's charismas played at the 47th Summit.

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    28 October 2025, 11:09 am
  • 20 minutes 16 seconds
    New leader, old problems: What’s next for Japan under Sanae Takaichi?

    Sanae Takaichi takes office as Japan's first female prime minister, but she faces immediate headwinds. Stepping up amid a sluggish economy and rising prices, she confronts a restless public tired of inflation and the high costs of living. Genevieve Woo speaks with CNA's Michiyo Ishida to unpack what her win means for Japan’s future as she navigates tense foreign relations and domestic pressures. 

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    22 October 2025, 10:11 am
  • 19 minutes 51 seconds
    Can Thailand become Asia’s next big stage for global events?

    From F1 to the Tomorrowland music festival, Thailand is looking to make its mark as the destination for marquee events in Asia. But challenges stand in the way. CNA correspondent Saksith Saiyasombut joins Teresa Tang to discuss the hurdles and payoffs of playing host.

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    14 October 2025, 11:00 pm
  • 17 minutes 16 seconds
    Dynasties and destinies: Women and the future of politics in Asia

    Paetongtarn Shinawatra. Sara Duterte. It is daughters - not sons - who appear to be carrying on their fathers' political legacies. Teresa Tang speaks to CNA's Lim Yun Suk, Afifah Ariffin and Saksith Saiyasombut to find out why.

    Credits:  
    Instagram/@n_izzah  
    Office of the Vice President of the Philippines

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    7 October 2025, 11:00 pm
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