The Art of Adaptation: How Comics Are Changing Climate Conversations in Asia

From Japan’s imagined weather forecast of 2125 to India’s comic duo of a curious girl and her goat, scientists are finding creative ways to make climate change hit home. Farheen Hussain reports on how Asia is drawing its way to awareness.

Before the halt: Thai-Cambodian Tensions flare

From disputed temples to borderland villages, tensions between Thailand and Cambodia never truly faded. Tommy Walker reports on the background, the flashpoints, and why the peace accord was always on shaky ground.

Folklore on the Blockchain: Vietnam’s Cultural Crypto Renaissance

Vietnam’s folklore has gone digital. From river dragons to Tet harvest gods, myths are being reimagined through NFTs and Web3 art — just as the government tightens its new crypto laws. Robert Bociaga explains how culture and code are colliding in Southeast Asia’s most dynamic blockchain market.

What interesting stories about our region are being reported? Here's a roundup from the past week:

THAILAND 'HALTS' PEACE AGREEMENT WITH CAMBODIA HAILED BY TRUMP AFTER LANDMINE EXPLOSION INJURES TROOPS | CNN

Thailand has said it was halting progress on a peace agreement with Cambodia, signed last month in Malaysia and overseen by US President Donald Trump, after a landmine explosion at the border injured several Thai soldiers on Monday.

NEW ZEALAND 'RELUCTANTLY' EXTENDS PAUSE IN COOK ISLANDS FUNDING | RNZ

New Zealand has extended its pause on direct payments to the Cook Islands government, after it signed partnership agreements with China earlier this year. A Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson said the total amount of paused funding was NZ$29.8 million and covered two financial years.

INDIA AIR NZ CHIEF EXECUTIVE 'REALLY OPTIMISTIC' ABOUT INDIA FTA | 1 NEWS

Air New Zealand's new chief executive says the airline's fortunes are inextricably linked to the nation's economic recovery as he takes the helm during a period of significant pressure. Nikhil Ravishankar, who officially started as CEO in October, told Q+A the carrier had a central role in kickstarting the recovery while navigating a volatile global market.

JAPAN, CHINA EXCHANGES BARBS AFTER SANAE TAKAICHI REMARKS ON TAIWAN | 1 NEWS

Japan was involved in a war of words with China on Monday after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said a Chinese attack on Taiwan could constitute “a survival-threatening situation" for Japan requiring the use of force.

A new report from the New Zealand Embassy in Jakarta explains how Indonesia's digital economy is experiencing robust and rapid growth, projected to exceed $US 146 billion, driven by its large, young, and digitally-inclined population, increasing internet penetration, and a thriving e-commerce, ride-hailing, food delivery, and fintech landscape.

Indonesia is undergoing a profound digital transformation, driven by a national ambition to become a leading digital economy by 2045. Indonesia's digital economy is experiencing robust and rapid growth, projected to exceed $US 146 billion by 2025. This transformation is not merely technological — it is a structural shift in how the government delivers services, how businesses operate, and how citizens engage with the state and economy.

This expansion is primarily driven by a young, tech-savvy population, increasing internet penetration, and the swift adoption of digital services across various sectors. The ecommerce sector, in particular, has witnessed exponential growth, fuelled by the convenience and accessibility offered by online platforms. Ride-hailing and food delivery services have also become integral to daily life, transforming urban mobility and consumption patterns.

The fintech sector is rapidly evolving, offering innovative solutions for payments, lending, and investments, thereby increasing financial inclusion. This digital transformation has not only created new economic opportunities but also fostered a vibrant startup ecosystem, attracting significant domestic and international investment.

At the heart of this effort is a coordinated strategy involving multiple ministries, with the Ministry of National Development Planning (Bappenas) playing a pivotal role.

Indonesia’s digital transformation is anchored in several key planning documents: Digital Industry Development Roadmap: This roadmap outlines the country’s strategy to support inclusive and sustainable economic transformation through digitalization. When releasing the report, Bappenas projected that the digital economy would reach Rp 4,800–5,400 trillion (NZ$ 505-568 billion) by 2030. Medium-Term National Development Plan (RPJMN) 2025–2029: This plan integrates emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain into national development strategies. It also emphasizes smart cities, green digital innovation, and digital public services as key pillars of Indonesia’s long-term vision.

Continue reading on AMC website.

Asia Media Centre 

Relations and relationships: 50 years of people movements from ASEAN countries to NZ

Over the past 50 years, people movements from Southeast Asia to New Zealand — through migration, tourism, international education and refugee resettlement — have shaped who we are as a nation. This report by Associate Professor Kate McMillan and the Foundation's research programme manager Alex Smith explores those developments and what they might mean for New Zealand’s future demographic landscape.

Click here to download the latest Asia New Zealand Foundation's report.