Talk Asia is a monthly program that explores the personalities behind newsmakers in the fields of arts, politics, sports, business and more.
Maria Ressa speaks with CNN about why she’s going against Rodrigo Duterte, the president of the Philippines, whom she believes wants to lock her up for speaking the truth.
Elected by a landslide in 2016, Tsai Ing-wen became Taiwan’s first female president. During her tenure, she's taken a stronger approach to China than her predecessor, causing the relationship between Taiwan and China to deteriorate. As she continues to defy Beijing, Taiwan has been feeling the knock-on effects on a global stage, increasingly getting alienated by a number of countries. CNN sits down with Tsai at the Presidential Office in Taipei to talk about her dealings with China, Taiwan’s relationship with the U.S., as well as its place in the world. We get to know her better as we travel with the president to southern Taiwan - where she meets with the citizens and takes part in local festivities.
At 93, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad is the world's oldest elected head of state. Dubbed the father of modern Malaysia, he has been in politics for more than seven decades.
The son of an Indian cricket legend and an acclaimed actress, Saif Ali Khan has grown up in front of Indian audiences with a career in Bollywood spanning over two decades. Now, he has opened himself up on a new platform, starring in the successful crime series "Sacred Games" – the first Netflix original from India. The 48-year-old actor sits down with Anna Coren in Mumbai to talk about his 25-year career, dealing with the media’s obsession with his son Taimur, and his relationship with religion.
We ask Copeland about her incredible rise, the challenges of overcoming stereotypes and her experiences performing in some of the most coveted roles of ballet.
Malaysian politician Anwar Ibrahim has spent over three decades weaving in and out of the country’s complicated state of affairs. Having lived through two controversial imprisonments, he has now formed a partnership with his one-time political foe, Mahathir Mohamad, and is slated to become the next prime minister of Malaysia himself. He discusses politics, corruption, the 1MDB scandal, and the future of his country with Richard Quest.
With an incredible record of 50-0, Floyd Mayweather Jr. is considered one of the world’s best pound-for-pound boxers. The 41-year-old came out of retirement in 2017 for his successful and high profile bout against UFC star Conor McGregor, making him more than $275 million in just one night.
In 2015, Misty Copeland made history by becoming the first African-American female principal dancer with the prestigious American Ballet Theatre, one of the top institutions for ballet in the United States.
Japan is constantly evolving, using innovation and ingenuity as the key drivers of the future. Follow some of Japan’s most creative and revolutionary minds across design, fashion and architecture.
The English Premier League reaches a potential global audience of 4.7 billion. This year, the soccer competition turns 25 and will earn close to $7 billion in total revenue.
As South Korea's new president, Moon Jae-in has a tough road ahead, as he deals with North Korea' nuclear development as well as trying to reunify and heal a country after the massive corruption scandal.
He's often referred to as the G.O.A.T, or the greatest of all time. At 40, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is playing better than ever, defying the limits of age in a sport known for its relentless athleticism and brutal take downs.
A career civil servant, Carrie Lam's decades of government experience has brought her to the top of Hong Kong's political sphere. Her role as the new chief executive will be vital, acting as the go-between for the Chinese Central Government and Hong Kong.
He is racing's biggest name and one of the fastest drivers of our generation. Matt Rivers sits down with Formula One favorite Lewis Hamilton as he greets his fans in China.
South Korean actor Gong Yoo is one of Asia's most popular and in-demand actors today. He captivated television audiences in the hit drama, Goblin and left moviegoers shaking in their seats in the zombie flick.
CNN gets access to one of the most tech-shy leaders in the world. Billionaire Robin Li, founder and CEO of Chinese search giant Baidu (China's Google) sits down for a wide-ranging interview.
Manisha Tank sits down with American chef Nancy Silverton, discussing her culinary journey to success and how her start into the cooking world began with her attraction to a boy.
Gaggan Anand is no ordinary chef – he's also a food scientist exploring the world of molecular gastronomy, physically and chemically transforming ingredients.
We speak to the Indian icon in Mumbai, and he opens up about the sacrifices he’s made, being called the next Sachin Tendulkar, and the bowler he most fears.
On ‘Talk Asia’, the legendary designer sits down with CNN’s Mallika Kapur in Mumbai, India, to discuss the changing face of luxury and why he believes the future of fashion lies in Asia.
CNN’s Manisha Tank spends an afternoon with the retail and banking tycoon as she opens up about why being a woman is not a barrier for her, why it’s important to have “crazy ideas”, and shares her opinion on the many Filipinos that chose to work abroad.
CNN’s Andrew Stevens hits the court with Djokovic at the Shanghai Masters to discuss his best season yet, his childhood in Serbia and his revitalized take on life.
Meet the man behind the brand and shoot hoops with the all-star in Hong Kong, as he opens up about his latest business venture in China and the drive that keeps him going.
Benedict Cumberbatch, who has been named “sexiest man alive” by numerous magazines, tells CNN’s Anna Coren about his childhood, his charity work, and his new films.
Bimbimbap, Kimchi, Dukbokki - Korean food has sparked a global craze and chefs around the world are bringing the best of the cuisine to the West. On this special ‘Talk Asia’, CNN International correspondent Sumnima Udas goes on a culinary adventure to South Korea to explore the tastes at the heart of Korean fare.
She's been called the most powerful woman in fashion. The Vogue editor–in-chief, Anna Wintour, sits down with us in Beijing. This year's Costume Institute exhibition, called "China: Looking through the Glass", and The Met Ball, happening in May, focus on Chinese imagery, art, and fashion.
This month CNN’s ‘Talk Asia’ dips into the world of celebrity restaurateur Michael Chow. While perhaps best known for his star-studded ‘Mr. Chow’ restaurants in cities such as London and New York, it’s his passion for art that brings him back to China for his first solo exhibition in half a century.
Wooing audiences in Hollywood and Bollywood, Irrfan Khan is one of a handful of homegrown Indian stars successfully bridging an award-winning career in the East and West. We meet the "Life of Pi" star in Mumbai to talk movies, the future and why he cheated to get into drama school.
Challenging the boundaries of art and technical ingenuity. Jeff Koons' work has divided critics and earned him the title of the world's most expensive living artist.
This month on Talk Asia we're in Colombo, Sri Lanka with cricket sensation Kumar Sangakkara. The world class batsman, national sporting hero and former team captain opens up to CNN's Anna Coren.
This month on Talk Asia we're in Japan where we meet the famed native epicurian Yoshiki Tsuji who takes us inside the nation's most prestigious cooking school.
She’s the Hong Kong heiress who made headlines around the world after her tycoon father offered millions of dollars to the man who could win his daughter’s heart.