
China’s construction boom in the Spratlys
What’s changed as a result of China’s massive construction projects in the Spratly islands? Legally – nothing – but strategically – we wait and see. All the features that the PRC occupies in the Spratlys would be naturally underwater at high tide, so building on them, doesn’t mean they will count as ‘territory’ under international […]

Clashes and artificial islands, BBC interview
An interview for BBC World News about developments in the South China Sea – particularly the release by the Vietnamese government of video showing a Chinese ship chasing and sinking a Vietnamese fishing vessel and allegations from the Philippines government that China is constructing new artificial islands in the Spratlys. The interviewer is Kasia […]

Vietnam’s protests aren’t just about China
Dramatic images of Vietnamese workers vandalising Chinese-owned factories appear to be yet more proof that an angry nationalism is taking hold in East and South East Asia. The reality is a little more complex. Although passions are certainly rising over the fate of a few specks of rock in the […]

China-Vietnam clash – interview for BBC World
Why has China sent an oil rig, guarded by a flotilla of ships, into disputed waters near the Paracel Islands and sparked a confrontation with Vietnam just days before a summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)? An interview explaining the background for BBC World’s Newsday programme. Link […]

Inside the Bilderberg Group (BBC)
A radio documentary for the BBC World Service ‘Who runs your world?’ season of programmes, originally broadcast in September 2005. What is the Bilderberg Group: a private group of well-meaning individuals or a sinister global conspiracy? This was the first programme to interview key members of the Bilderberg Group and their critics to try and […]