The South Korean public opinion has become increasingly wary of China and the supposed “Olympic spirit” of the Beijing Winter Games has not in any way softened the criticism. Two specific episodes tossed a lit match on Korea’s bourgeoning anti-Chinese sentiments. During the opening ceremony, the depiction of a woman in hanbok (Korea's traditional clothing) as representing one of China’s 56 ethnic minorities was viewed in South Korea as the Chinese latest attempt at claiming provenance for Korean culture staples.
Risultati della ricerca:
War has come back to Europe just as the world’s centre of gravity was shifting from Europe to Asia. If today’s focus is on supporting Ukraine’s fight to resist the Russian invasion, long-term concerns for European security remain centred in Asia. It is past time for Europe to discuss whether to step up its economic and strategic presence in Asia, especially the Indo-Pacific region; the urgent challenge is to figure out how such a game will be played.
France is leading the European pivot towards the Indo-Pacific, taking advantage of its position as holder of the rotating Presidency of the Council of the EU. The Indo-Pacific has gained global attention in recent years and its momentum is not over. The concerns raised by the focus on the region are strictly connected to reducing its economic dependence on China, an issue that is testing EU cohesion in a diplomatic dispute between China and Lithuania.
France reinforces its Space Strategy to compete in the new arena, with a focus on EU cooperation.
Ever since, in March 2020, the European Union (EU) issued its proposed African strategy with the release of the Joint Communication Towards a new Comprehensive strategy with Africa, reference has been made to the 6th European Union-African Union (EU-AU) Summit, which was to be held in Brussels in the fall of the same year, as a topical moment for the redefinition of the partnership between the two continents.
The MED This Week newsletter provides expert analysis and informed insights on the most significant developments in the MENA region, bringing together unique opinions on the topic and reliable foresight on future scenarios. Today we focus on the broadening technological and military partnership between Israel and the Arab Gulf States.
The MED This Week newsletter provides expert analysis and informed insights on the most significant developments in the MENA region, bringing together unique opinions on the topic and reliable foresight on future scenarios. Today, we focus on Qatar, whose recent vibrant diplomatic role has been emphasized by its involvement in a broad range of issues discussed during Sheikh Tamim’s visit to Washington, the first Gulf leader to meet Biden at the White House.
On February 1st, 2021, the Myanmar army (Tatmadaw) announced the change of regime in the country. Within a few hours, the military arrested the leaders of the National League for Democracy (NLD), the party that won the elections twice in five years, gaining about 80% of the seats in Parliament in November 2020. The army’s key target was Aung San Suu Kyi, an icon for Myanmar’s people and a symbol of the battle against the military.
The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has been tightening its grip for over a decade, but the last few months have felt like a white-knuckle ride. CCP disciplinarians have expanded their watch to non-state actors and grassroots bureaucracies. Social controls have homed in on predictable targets, like journalists and lawyers, as well as new ones, like influencers and entertainers.
In November 2020, Chinese authorities abruptly called off the highly anticipated Initial Public Offering (IPO) of fintech firm Ant Group. This was set to be the largest IPO in world history, raising perhaps as much as $37 billion. International media was immediately abuzz with speculation about what lay behind this startling decision. Many sought to pin the blame on a speech made a few days earlier at a high-profile financial conference by Ant’s eccentric founder, tech tycoon Jack Ma.