2019 is a year of sensitive anniversaries in China

March 10 marked the 60th anniversary of the uprising against Chinese rule in Tibet. It was one of several difficult anniversaries China will be grappling with in 2019, writes NZ Contemporary China Research Centre director Jason Young.

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Alan Bollard reflects on six years in APEC's top job

Kiwi economist Dr Alan Bollard recently returned to Wellington after completing two terms as the executive director of the APEC Secretariat. He spoke to the Asia Media Centre about the changes he witnessed during his six years there.

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Mandarin language assistants hope to represent 'the real China'

Young university graduates taking part in the Confucius Institute's Mandarin Language Assistants programme are not just teaching their language in New Zealand classrooms — they're also breaking down stereotypes about China.

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What have media in New Zealand been reporting about Asia? Here's a roundup of stories from the past week. 

• China-NZ Year of Tourism gets its launch date after postponement controversy
  STUFF
   
• New Zealand's former ambassador to China John McKinnon believes Jacinda Ardern will travel to China
  NEWSHUB
   
• Labour MPs vote against allowing China expert Anne-Marie Brady to speak at justice select committee
  NZ HERALD
   
• All Blacks captain Kieran Read will depart for Japanese rugby after 2019 World Cup
  STUFF 
   
• Inquest for Singaporean actor, soldier Aloysius Pang ruled out
  RADIO NZ 
   
• Survey finds Māori have strong affinity with Asian countries, people and cultures 
  STUFF 

March 8 was International Women's Day. Here's how media in Asia have been covering gender issues over the past week.

• What Chinese women really want when it comes to children and reproductive rights
  SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST | HONG KONG
   
• Not just 'pretty faces' - Thai women on barriers to success in politics
  KHAOSOD ENGLISH | THAILAND
   
• Taiwan ranks best in Asia on gender equality by law
  TAIPEI TIMES | TAIWAN
   
• 4 in 10 think false sexual harassment reports are a bigger problem than unreported acts: Study
  THE STRAITS TIMES | SINGAPORE
   
• Japan ranks at bottom of G20, and in lowest quarter globally, for percentage of female MPs
  THE JAPAN TIMES | JAPAN
   
• Indonesia remains 'grim place' for working women
  THE JAKARTA POST | INDONESIA 

Japan: 'Momo Challenge' artist speaks out

The artist who created the monster at the centre of the Momo Challenge says he does not approve of the viral hoax. Keisuke Aiso said his original sculpture was based on the ubume, or the ghost of a women who died during childbirth.

Malaysia: Kim Jong-nam murder suspect freed

An Indonesian woman accused of killing Kim Jong-un's half brother has returned home after charges against her were dropped. Siti Aisyah was accused of smearing VX nerve agent on his face in Kuala Lumpar airport back in 2017.

Thailand: MasterChef cooks up controversy

The Thai version of popular cooking show MasterChef found itself in hot water after it featured stingrays as a main ingredient. Viewers pointed out the rays used in the show were likely to be spotted eagle rays, an endangered species.