Narratives of Asia

Exploring China’s diplomatic motivations, Taiwanese hacktivism culture and efficient government-led pandemic responses, this episode proffers a teaser for their recently published policy paper and offers introductory insight into the relationship between ideology, the state, and technology. Our affiliated research team from Bentham Brooks Institute discusses the deployment of digital surveillance models in India, the exportation of Chinese surveillance strategies abroad and further highlights their potential repercussions for a post-pandemic society.

Joined by Doris Okenwa, member of the UCL Anthropology Department, in this episode, Karyn and Angela will be continuing with the topic of corporate social responsibility by honing in on the roles played by culture and demographic tensions in shaping the future of development in Africa. Addressing potential threats towards resource permanency and Africa’s green future, the episode ties together the past, present and future of investment in Africa.

Joined by Doris Okenwa, member of the UCL Anthropology Department, in this episode, Karyn and Angela will be introducing Doris’ research on Oil in Kenya whilst looking more closely at the practice of ethical capitalism and corporate social responsibility, as well as framings of development against a neoliberal backdrop in Africa.

Continuing our discussion of China-Africa relations, this episode focuses on the wider discourse surrounding China’s neo-colonial practices in Africa and beyond. The nature of China’s relations with many countries today has been frequently held in comparison to European colonial practices in the 19th and 20th century. Critiqued as a form of neo-colonialism, join our moderator, Angela, and Min Jing, a writer from UCL Asiatic Affairs, together with Lisa, Larissa and Stephen from UCL African Conference in examining the competing narratives behind this discourse.

Drawing from the previous discussion in episode 9.1 over China’s foreign policy towards Africa, our moderator, Angela, and Min Jing, a writer from UCL Asiatic Affairs, together with Lisa, Larissa and Stephen from UCL African Conference will be further exploring China’s Belt and Road Initiative and its role in African development in this episode. In addition to visible current implications, the episode extrapolates into the advancing economic frontier before deliberating over the future of the Project in Africa.

Exploring the impact of Chinese investment on Africa’s infrastructural development, this episode engages with various interpretations of China’s investment in Africa, China’s practice of ‘debt-trap’ diplomacy and further contemplates the degree to which China is ‘good’ for Africa’s economy.

In this episode, hosted by our very own Aysima Ahmadli, we are joined by Ulviyya and Maryam, who will be sharing with us stories of mutual support and peaceful coexistence between Azerbaijanis and Armenians despite the tensions that existed between the two ethnic groups in the ongoing Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.