Bill Birtles

Jakarta

Jakarta Bureau Chief at ABC News (Australia)

Jakarta bureau chief Australian Broadcasting Corp. (ABC). Previously Taipei & Beijing. Not actively on here anymore.

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Articles

Vietnam hopeful for tariff truce with US

1 month ago | abc.net.au | Bill Birtles

Fresh off clinching a temporary tariff truce with China, the Trump administration is hoping for similar, more permanent agreements in Asia. Global markets rose this week after the US and China agreed to reduce crippling tariffs on each other for 90 days, and South-east Asian countries are watching closely. Among them, Vietnam, which is facing one of the highest tariff rates if its leaders don't strike a deal with Donald Trump by mid-July.
Albanese and Prabowo meet in Jakarta - ABC listen

1 month ago | abc.net.au | Bill Birtles

The Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has met with the Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto in Jakarta. Mr Albanese was given a rousing welcome by his host. And he's remained cagey when asked if Indonesia has confirmed Russia asked to station military planes in Papua Province as was reported during the federal election campaign.
PM visits Indonesia to cement ties

1 month ago | abc.net.au | Bill Birtles

Anthony Albanese has continued the prime ministerial tradition of making the first, post-election bilateral visit to Indonesia. Defence and security cooperation will be a key priority on this visit, particularly in the wake of the Chinese navy's partial circumnavigation of Australia and the vast strategic uncertainties ushered in by Donald Trump.
Amid Donald Trump's tariff uncertainty, Vietnam scrambles to avoid an economic disaster

1 month ago | abc.net.au | Bill Birtles

In a garment factory on the outskirts of Ho Chi Minh City, there's a mixture of anxiety and quiet confidence among staff about US President Donald Trump's threat of a huge tariff. Here, workers measure, cut, sew and pack clothing for some of the world's biggest brands, with monthly salaries starting at about $US320 ($500). The company, named Dony, has ridden on the manufacturing wave that caused Vietnam's economy to surge in the past two decades.
50 years since end of Vietnam War

2 months ago | abc.net.au | Bill Birtles

Vietnam is preparing for a major celebration with a military parade in Ho Chi Minh City today to mark 50 years since the end of the Vietnam War. 52,000 Australian troops served there, and more than 500 were killed as they supported futile US efforts to fight the Communists.
Vietnam prepares major display of national pride 50 years on from fall of Saigon

2 months ago | abc.net.au | Bill Birtles

Vietnam is preparing for a major display of national pride and military might as it marks 50 years of unification under communist rule, known in the west as the "fall of Saigon". Thousands of troops and police plus around 13,000 civilians will parade down a major boulevard towards the Independence Palace, to mark the anniversary of communist troops conquering the southern city in 1975. Fighter jets and 10 helicopters roared in the skies over the city during a dress rehearsal.
Progressive force or timid academic? Filipinos hope for the first Asian pope, but he has his critics

2 months ago | abc.net.au | Bill Birtles

In cathedrals across the Philippines, Catholics are awaiting next week's conclave to choose the next pope with guarded optimism. While some are hesitant to say it, there's tremendous hope here that a 67-year-old hailing from the city of Imus, south of Manila, could make history and become the first ever pope from Asia.
Could Cardinal Tagle be the first Asian pope?

2 months ago | abc.net.au | Bill Birtles

There's increasing hope among Catholics in the Philippines that one of their own might become Asia's first Pope. Cardinal Luis Tagle is considered a contender to succeed Pope Francis, and has a reputation for being a relatively open minded voice in the Church.
Filipinos mourn Pope Francis

2 months ago | abc.net.au | Bill Birtles

Church bells have been ringing out across Manila, the capital of the Philippines, where worshippers have gathered in churches to pray and reflect on the Pope's death. The Philippines has Asia's largest Catholic population. Nearly 80 per cent of the population are members of the Church - and Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle is considered one of the frontrunners to be the next pope.
Russia responds to claims it sought access to Indonesian air base

2 months ago | abc.net.au | Stephen Dziedzic |Bill Birtles

Russia has issued its first direct response to claims that it is seeking access to an Indonesian air base, defending its military cooperation with Jakarta while slamming Australia's AUKUS nuclear submarine plan.