The world watches as Filipinos elect the successor of President Rodrigo Duterte on May 9, 2022. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., which the polling firm Pulse Asia says is leading the race by a wide margin, would like the election to be a plebiscite on reality itself.
“I condemn Russia’s offensive against the Ukrainian people in Donbas. We must (…) impose peace on Russia so that Ukraine regains its full sovereignty.” Such were the blunt words against the Kremlin pronounced by French far-right politician and Vladimir Putin’s long-time ally, Marine Le Pen.
Pivot to Asia is our monthly newsletter focusing on the most significant issues and trends in Asia. Today, we turn the spotlight on the effects of the rise of commodity prices in the region.
As Asia was divided in its condemnation of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the rise of the price of commodities is having an uneven impact over the region.
The more advanced economies are facing challenges similar to those that Europe is experiencing, where inflation and energy demands are the primary concerns.
In contrast, emerging markets are more concerned for their national food security.
While the war in Ukraine is a game changer for international and in particular European security, China appears to be marching on. And, in some ways, it is true. Since Xi Jinping took power in 2012, China’s foreign policy has significantly shifted from a defensive to an assertive approach. For decades, Beijing worked to integrate into the liberal international order, presenting itself as a peacefully rising power.
While differences might remain in the interpretation of how the war in Ukraine could have been avoided and what the consequences will be, it is unanimously understood that the conflict has recompacted the Western front and has in fact divided the world. This division was very visibile on 2 March, at the United Nations, when the General Assembly resolution condemning the Russian invasion was passed with 141 votes in favour, 35 abstentions, and 5 against.
Lo scorso 9 marzo la Corea del Sud si è recata ai seggi per eleggere il nuovo presidente della repubblica. La fotografia del paese che ci è stata restituita durante lo spoglio del voto è quella di un paese spaccato in due, tanto che il risultato finale ha visto uno scarto tra i due contendenti di appena lo 0,73%.
Porte chiuse
Da oggi Shanghai è in lockdown a causa di un focolaio di Covid. È la prima volta da inizio pandemia che la città (26 milioni di abitanti, come l’intero Nord Italia) va in lockdown. Così, malgrado da alcuni mesi il governo stia cercando alternative alla sua strategia “zero Covid”, la Cina torna a chiudersi.
Pivot to Asia is our monthly newsletter focusing on the most significant issues and trends in Asia. Today, we turn the spotlight on the war in Ukraine and Asia’s reaction.
Se restano differenze nella lettura di come si poteva evitare la guerra in Ucraina, e di quali ne saranno le conseguenze, unanime è invece l’opinione che il conflitto abbia ricompattato il fronte occidentale, dividendo così il mondo. La rappresentazione plastica di questa divisione si è consumata il 2 marzo scorso alle Nazioni Unite, quando la risoluzione dell’Assemblea Generale di condanna dell’invasione russa è stata approvata con 141 voti a favore, 35 astenuti, 5 contrari.
Asia is divided in its condemnation of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The more advanced economies, such as Japan, South Korea and Singapore, not only approved the resolution, but they had already imposed sanctions on Russia. Taiwan, too, although not represented at the UN, has expressed its condemnation of Russian actions and aligned itself with Western sanctions. However, many Asian countries have opted for a broadly neutral approach with significant differences between their positions. The most relevant ones are those of China and India.