Writer

David Armstrong
David Armstrong is an Australian journalist and editor with decades of experience, including as editor-in-chief of The Australian, editor of The Bulletin and The Canberra Times and deputy editor the Daily Telegraph in Australia. He is also former editor and editor-in-chief of the South China Morning Post, former president of the Bangkok Post company, former chair of the Phnom Penh Post company and is current chair of ucanews.com.
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In Asia Media this week: New leaders and testing times in Seoul, Manilla and Hong Kong – and soon, perhaps, in troubled Colombo
In Asia Media this week: South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol took office, in Manilla Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos, son of the late ousted corrupt dictator, won the election in a landslide while in Hong Kong John Lee Ka-chiu, a former chief secretary and security minister, was the only candidate – and resignation of the leader in Continue reading »
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In Asian media: Sri Lanka crisis gets worse by the day
Sri Lanka crisis gets worse by the day Plus: Assault scandal unfolds in Thailand; moral leadership on Ukraine; Singapore to get new leader – sometime; the greying nation. Continue reading »
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In Asian Media: US links a key factor in Pakistan turmoil
Plus: India likes free movement of people; Taiwan learns from Ukraine; politics behind judges’ departure; Indonesia combats sexual violence; no tourists for cherry blossom time Continue reading »
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In Asian Media: Imran Khan hits turbulent point in Pakistan politics
In Asia Media: Blinken draws an admission from Myanmar; US has big problem in India; food security a looming concern; South Korea logs a sad COVID record; and HK food goes back to basics Continue reading »
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Asian Media – New South Korea president closer to U.S., Japan
“Ugliest” South Korean presidential election, remembering Myanmar, Xi’s virtual tip-off and racial profiling of scientists in America Continue reading »
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China, the US and Nixon’s legacy
In Asian media this week: Nixon, Mao and the Taiwan question; Dutch apology for violence in colonial Indonesia; HK battling to get to COVID-zero; no room for losers in Beijing 2022; and women beating men in Japan Continue reading »
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The drums of war that are heard so loudly in Canberra beat rather more softly in Asia.
As the Winter Olympics started, China and Russia spelled out how close they have come and Australian media slipped into their default attack mode. But not so in Asia, where the media response was more varied and more muted. Continue reading »
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In the Asian media: worrying population numbers for China
Elsewhere, a diplomatic rift ends, the blind spot in the climate change debate, an anti-corruption mystery, and insects on the menu. Continue reading »
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In the Asian media: what our media ignored; caution on China, a problem for ASEAN, and grief tourism
Around Asia, the newspapers are covering how to deal with China, ASEAN’s Myanmar problem, and a surprising side effect of the pandemic in Singapore. Continue reading »
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In the Asian media: democracy recession, Olympic boycott and Squid Game
Around Asia, the media is covering democracy conferences with scepticism, and the Olympic boycott with caution. Continue reading »
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What the Asian media are saying: ASEAN, JI returns, ping-pong diplomacy
Xi Jinping’s appearance at ASEAN this week, a question mark over China’s naval power, concerns about Jemaah Islamiyah rebuilding, and more news from our region. Continue reading »
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What the Asian media are saying: ASEAN, China powers up EVs, Japan’s inequality
Our US/UK centric media largely ignores Asia. But important and interesting things are happening- Cambodia will host ASEAN later this month, security between China and the US, and a spicy controversy in Korea. Continue reading »
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What Asian media are saying about COP26
In the Asian media, COP26 isn’t all about net zero plans and phasing out coal — our region is just as concerned with the potential potholes. Continue reading »
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Simple illustration of how our climate has changed
Climate change sceptics and doubters might be beyond persuasion but the Bureau of Meteorology has a plain bar chart that shows how our climate has changed Continue reading »
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Rethinking 2020: We should never forget it
For millions of people, 2020 was the worst of years. But it also showed humanity at its finest. At times, I find it tempting to want to wish away all memory of 2020. It was a sorrowful, depressing year. Tempting – but wrong. Continue reading »
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Australia caught in a time warp
Contemporary Australia has some sorry echoes of a less-liberal past, especially as our relations with China continue to deteriorate Continue reading »