If You're Listening

CHINA | S05 05 - Chinese students: Commodity or opportunity?

When the COVID-19 pandemic caused the shutdown of travel from China, it shone a harsh light on the way Australia treats Chinese students who come here to study.Some feel isolated and discriminated against, others feel they are being treated as "cash cows" by a university sector desperate for their fees.Can we do better? And can we handle it when problems arise inside the bubble we have created around Chinese students?Guests:Dr Fran Martin, associate Professor &amp; Reader in Cultural Studies, University of MelbourneCatriona Jackson, CEO, Universities AustraliaYaqiu Wang, researcher, Human Rights Watch'Yuki', former University of Adelaide studentJane Poon, Australia-Hong Kong Link

The world is on fire. There's a coup. Inflation is through the roof, and AI is taking our jobs. What does it all mean? Each week, Matt Bevan explains the biggest story in world news while hiding in his basement from assassins and authoritarian regimes.

Recent episodes include an exploration of the relationship between India and China, a closer look at the Saudi Arabian city of NEOM, the conflict in the Middle East, the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran, and Ukraine's incursions into Vladimir Putin's Russia. Matt Bevan draws connections between stories from the past and the events of the present to help listeners understand world news and international affairs.

The podcast also features series about big moments in world news; previous series have focused on the United States presidential election, the United Kingdom's 14 years of Conservative Party leadership, Donald Trump's relationship with Russia, Donald Trump's presidency and promise to Make America Great Again, the Mueller Report, Vladimir Putin's scheme to destroy western democracies, how the relationship between Australia and China came to the verge of collapse, and Australia's turbulent history with climate change.

There's a new episode of If You're Listening every Thursday.