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Amanda HodgeSouth East Asia Correspondent

Amanda Hodge is The Australian’s South East Asia correspondent, based in Jakarta. She has lived and worked in Asia since 2009, covering social and political upheaval from Afghanistan to East Timor. She has won a Walkley Award, Lowy Institute media award and UN Peace award.

@hodgeamanda

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‘Australia should be concerned’Nation

The Chinese ship Tan Suo Yi Hao, which is currently sailing off Australia's southern coast. Picture: China's Institute of Deep-sea Science and Engineering

Experts reveal Chinese ‘spy’ ship’s interest in ocean trench off WA

Maritime security experts say the ‘most obvious’ explanation for the Chinese navy’s interest in the Diamantina Trench near WA would be to facilitate its submarine force.

Amanda Hodge

World

TOPSHOT - A damaged Buddha statue is pictured in Inn Wa on the outskirts of Mandalay on April 6, 2025, following the devastating March 28 earthquake. The shallow 7.7-magnitude earthquake on March 28 flattened buildings across Myanmar, killing more than 3,400 people and making thousands more homeless. (Photo by AFP)

Foreign diplomats in Myanmar urged to help international aid flow

The Myanmar junta is trying to monopolise quake aid by demanding all relief missions obtain official permission before entering quake zones and work only in collaboration with military-authorised teams, rights groups say

Amanda Hodge

Tariffs falloutWorld

Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim (L) meets Indonesian president Prabowo Subianto on Sunday in Putrajaya ahead of an ASEAN economics ministers meeting in KL to discuss fallout of US trade tariffs. Picture: X

Malaysia rallies united response to US tariffs

ASEAN’s silence in the wake of US tariff announcements has stoked fears some members may try to carve out a bilateral advantage.

Amanda Hodge

Southeast AsiaWorld

HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM - APRIL 03: People ride motorbikes next to a Nike store on April 03, 2025 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Vietnam is facing significant economic challenges following President Donald Trump's

US tariffs push region into China’s arms

One likely reason for Donald Trump coming down so hard on Southeast Asian nations is they are seen to have aided and abetted Chinese efforts to circumvent US trade sanctions.

Amanda Hodge

Deadly earthquakeWorld

TOPSHOT - Myanmar and Chinese rescuers carry the body of a victim that was trapped under the rubble of the collapsed building 'Sky Villa Condominium development' in Mandalay on April 2, 2025, five days after a major earthquake struck central Myanmar. Days after a shallow 7.7-magnitude earthquake that killed more than 2,000 people, many people in Myanmar are still sleeping outdoors, either unable to return to ruined homes or afraid of further aftershocks. (Photo by Sai Aung MAIN / AFP)

Junta announce ceasefire, as miracle survivor pulled from rubble

The military regime has been widely condemned for continuing to bomb resistance strongholds since Friday’s earthquake, putting survivors and aid distribution at risk.

Amanda Hodge

World

TOPSHOT - People line up for food aid distributed in Sagaing on April 2, 2025, five days after a major earthquake struck central Myanmar. The shallow 7.7-magnitude earthquake on March 28 flattened buildings across Myanmar, killing more than 2,700 people and making thousands more homeless. (Photo by Sai Aung MAIN / AFP)

Junta chief heads to Bangkok as rains loom for quake-struck Myanmar

The death toll from Friday’s devastating earthquake has now surpassed 3000 as Myanmar’s military continues to block aid.

Amanda Hodge

World

Lorna Nico, a mother of five from Bulolo in northern Morobe Province, was chased by a group of men in August 2023, beaten,tortured and hacked to pieces in front of her eight-year-old daughter in August 2023 after James Mon accused her of sorcery.

PNG bid to stamp out sorcery killings

The conviction of James Mon has been hailed as an important legal victory in a country where sorcery accusations have been spiralling out of control.

Amanda Hodge

commentaryWorld

Southeast Asia clobbered by tariffs – but US will be hit too

Manufacturing powerhouses Vietnam and Thailand, and garment producer Cambodia, have been hit badly, but the knock-on effect will hit global brands such as Nike, Adidas, Hoka and Lululemon.

Amanda Hodge

Deadly quakeWorld

Rescuers work through rubble of a collapsed building following Friday's earthquake in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, Tuesday, April 1, 2025. (AP Photo)

Myanmar opposition areas starved of aid as military cordon tightens

Myanmar’s military regime has been accused of preventing aid and assistance from reaching opposition areas devastated by Friday’s 7.7 magnitude earthquake.

Amanda Hodge

survey shipPolitics

A Chinese research ship has sailed into Australian waters as the country prepares to head to the polls. , , The Tan Suo Yi Hao, a 94 metre vessel that carries manned and unmanned small submarines, remains in the Great Australian Bightoff South Australia.

PM a ‘wet lettuce’ on China: Dutton

The Opposition Leader has accused the Prime Minister of not knowing what is happening off Australia’s shores and failing to stand up for the country at a time that strength is needed.

Amanda Hodge

Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/author/amanda-hodge