Joining the Dangerous Philippine Mission in the South China Sea

Filipino award-winning journalist Camille Elemia recounts her firsthand experience joining a Philippine Coast Guard mission in the contested South China Sea—known to Filipinos as the West Philippine Sea, an area within the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ). For journalists, these high-stakes voyages mean more than just reporting: they share the same dangers at sea, from relentless chases to water cannon blasts and even ramming incidents.

India's Cheese Revolution 

Anusha Kalal headed back to India from NZ nearly two years ago. Amid the huge scale of the Indian dairy industry, she's discovered a new wave of artisan cheesemakers breaking new ground across the country. 

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

THAILAND TURNING TO SRI LANKAN WORKERS TO COPE WITH CAMBODIAN EXODUS, OFFICIAL SAYS | REUTERS

Thailand's cabinet has approved the hiring of 10,000 Sri Lankan workers as it tries to address a labour shortage caused by Cambodian workers returning home in the wake of a deadly border conflict between the two countries.

SOLOMON ISLANDS FREEZES OUT TAIPEI, BEIJING, WASHINGTON - AND ALL OTHER PIF PARTNERS | SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST

In a bold diplomatic manoeuvre, the Solomon Islands has decided to exclude all external “dialogue partners”—including China, the United States, and Taiwan—from this year’s Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) leaders’ gathering, scheduled in Honiara from September 8 to 12. Ostensibly a strategy to cultivate a “Pacific‑only dialogue,” observers see this move as a pragmatic compromise amid escalating geopolitical tensions.

INDIA'S MODI MEETS CHINA'S TOP DIPLOMAT WANG AS ASIAN POWERS REBUILD TIES | ALJAZEERA

On August 19, 2025, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with China’s top diplomat Wang Yi in New Delhi, heralding “steady progress” in bilateral relations after years of tension. Modi emphasised newfound mutual “respect for each other’s interests and sensitivities,” while China described both sides as entering a “steady development track,” calling for greater trust and support in their renewed dialogue.

THE SHIFTING SANDS OF SECOND LANGUAGE OPTIONS IN NZ SCHOOLS | RNZ CHINESE

Recent Ministry of Education data reveals a striking shift in New Zealand secondary schools: students are increasingly choosing te reo Māori and Asian languages over traditional European languages. While French and Spanish remain the most popular European options—French participation has fallen by more than half since 2008. In contrast, te reo Māori and languages such as Japanese, Chinese, and Korean are steadily growing in popularity, reflecting changing cultural interests and societal priorities

In the past fortnight, the Asia Media Centre examined the widening US tariff war with countries in Southeast and Northeast Asia. In the latest edition of the On the Radar, the focus shifts to South Asia, where recent developments have seen a turbulent few months and unexpected geopolitical shifts.

The US has activated tariffs on more than 90 countries, ranging from 10 to 50 percent — the highest average US tariff rate since 1933, according to analysis by the Yale Budget Lab. The lab projects these tariffs will cost the average US household the equivalent of US$2,400 (NZ$4,100) annually.

Here, we unpack how these new tariffs are affecting South Asian nations, their industries, and the wider geopolitical landscape.

India: From ‘Great Friend’ to Strategic Friction

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among the first world leaders to visit Washington after US President Donald Trump began his second term. Trump hailed Modi as his “great friend,” with the two leaders setting an ambitious target of doubling trade to US$500 billion by 2030.

Less than six months later, relations appear to have soured.

Trump has imposed 50 percent tariffs on Indian imports, with the threat of an additional 10 percent still looming due to India’s membership in the BRICS grouping — which includes China, Russia and South Africa.

On July 31, Trump announced a 25 percent tariff, which came into force on August 7. He then added another 25 percent on August 6 as a penalty for India’s purchase of Russian oil. The doubled tariff rate takes effect from August 27.

“Well, we are negotiating right now and it's also BRICS. BRICS, which is basically a group of countries that are anti the United States and India is a member of that if you can believe it...It is an attack on the dollar and we are not going to let anybody attack the dollar. So it's partially BRICS and it's partially trade,” Trump said last month.

India exported nearly US$87 billion worth of goods to the US in 2024, making America its largest export market. Sectors such as textiles, footwear, shrimp, gems and jewellery are now under threat.

Reports of Trump calling India’s economy “dead” two weeks ago also shocked observers, signalling a sharp reversal in bilateral ties.

An Al Jazeera report noted that Washington’s earlier warmth towards India stemmed from its role as a balancing force against Beijing’s growing influence in the Asia-Pacific. Under Obama, the US famously described India as its “best partner.” Today, relations look anything but.

Read the full report on the Asia Media Centre website

-Asia Media Centre

Vietcetera

Vietcetera is a Vietnam-based digital media company that produces bilingual content on business, culture, and lifestyle, aimed at both local and international audiences. Founded in 2016, the platform was created to tell authentic Vietnamese stories that reflect the country’s rapid transformation and growing global relevance.

Beyond written articles, Vietcetera has grown into a multi-platform media outlet with popular podcasts, video series, and events that bring together entrepreneurs, creatives, and thought leaders. Today, it is widely recognised as one of Vietnam’s most influential independent media brands, redefining modern Vietnamese storytelling and amplifying voices shaping the nation’s future.