Role In Asia Research Articles

Mitigating the negative effects of droughts on alpine grassland productivity in the northern Xizang Plateau via degradation-combating actions

The Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, hosting the world’s largest alpine pastures, plays a pivotal environmental role in Asia. These ecosystems face alterations driven by both climate change and anthropogenic activities, resulting in the widespread consideration of grassland degradation. From 2000 to 2020, the northern Xizang Plateau experienced a pronounced escalation in drought conditions, particularly following a management policy aimed at combating grassland degradation, via restricting livestock numbers and implementing fencing enclosures, initiated in 2009. Specially, following the enforcement of this policy (2010–2020), there was a substantial 13.5 % reduction in soil moisture levels compared to the pre-implementation period (2000–2009), accompanied by a 42.8 % increase in drought severity (measured by the Palmer Drought Severity Index, PDSI) and an 11.6 % rise in drought duration. Under these challenging drought conditions, we identified negative trends of potential grassland Net Primary Productivity (NPP) which in absence of anthropogenic influence, as simulated by terrestrial ecosystem model (TEM). Contrary to this simulation, satellite time series observations revealed a widespread increase in actual grassland productivity. Remarkably, despite the challenging drought conditions between 2010 and 2020, we observed a substantial increase of 4.8 % in actual NPP (measured by light use efficiency model), 2.7 % in Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), 10 % in solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF), and 7.95 % in Gross Primary Productivity (GPP), respectively. Much of this enhancement in grassland productivity occurred in areas where livestock populations had markedly declined. Notably, the percentage of NPP increase mainly caused by degradation-combating actions doubled from 24.8 % during 2000–2009 to 49.8 % during 2010–2020 across the northern Xizang Plateau. In conclusion, our findings highlight the potential of large-scale degradation-combating actions to mitigate the negative impacts of climate change and contribute to a greener Earth.

Opportunities and Challenges of China’s Economic and Political Development under the Third Term of Xi Leadership: A Viewpoint of Indonesia

This article examines China’s recent economic and political progress under the leadership of President Xi Jinping, focusing on the opportunities and problems faced. It also explores the concept of the "China dream" and its impact from the perspective of Indonesia. This research is an analysis of the perceptions of Indonesia’s elite and the general public on Chinese political influence and economic cooperation. Multiple discussions will be examined. Firstly, it outlines the characteristics of China’s global development plan, which encompasses the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and Global Development Initiatives. What is the impact of Chinese development policies on the ASEAN Outlook of Indo-Pacific (AOIP) suggested by Indonesia? Furthermore, Indonesia, as the longstanding dominant force in Southeast Asia, plays a pivotal role in upholding regional stability and the important position of ASEAN in relation to China. This research examines the historical and contemporary strategic cooperation and growth between Indonesia and China, as well as the chances and difficulties that China’s third term under Xi Jinping presents for Indonesia’s development. Additionally, this analysis will examine the fundamental strategic decision that Indonesia must make in response to China’s influence through the Belt and Road Initiative. Indonesia will strategically hedge its position toward China’s rising power while leveraging China’s ongoing soft power to preserve its prominent role in ASEAN.

INDONESIA'S ATTITUDE IN FACING THE SOUTH CHINA SEA CONFLICT, POLICY ANALYSIS AND IMPLICATIONS

Background. The South China Sea conflict is one of the complex and challenging geopolitical issues in the Southeast Asia region. This study aimed to analyze Indonesia's attitude in dealing with this conflict, with a focus on foreign policy and its implications for regional stability. Research Method. This research uses a type of legal research that is normative in nature (normative legal research) and through a foreign policy analysis approach. Findings. The factors are diplomacy and negotiation policy, Indonesia's role in ASEAN, efforts to strengthen maritime cooperation, external actor involvement, the need for a just and sustainable settlement, impact on regional stability, and protection of national maritime interests that influence Indonesia's attitudes and the strategies taken by the Indonesian government in managing this conflict. The impact of Indonesia's attitude towards political and security dynamics in the Southeast Asia region. Conclusion. Indonesia has an important strategic role to play in addressing the South China Sea conflict as the largest maritime nation in Southeast Asia. Indonesia's presence in regional diplomacy and efforts to mediate the conflict are key to achieving a sustainable solution.

Сотрудничество стран ЦА в области обеспечения региональной безопасности

Central Asia, a region marked by its historical significance and strategic importance, has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years regarding regional security cooperation. This comprehensive article explores the multifaceted landscape of security cooperation among the five Central Asian nations: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. It delves into the fundamental concepts of security systems, the role of regional organizations, and the challenges and future prospects of security in the region.Understanding these challenges and exploring future prospects is essential for charting a path toward enhanced stability, cooperation, and prosperity in the region.The article provides a holistic view of the region's security dynamics, beginning with a historical context highlighting Central Asia's role as a crossroads of cultures and interests. It underscores the significance of regional security cooperation in the face of shared challenges and geopolitical complexities.In-depth analyses are conducted on various aspects, including security organizations, diplomatic efforts, regional security challenges, and future prospects. The article explores the complexities and challenges faced by Central Asian nations while navigating a dynamic geopolitical landscape. In conclusion, this article underscores the pivotal importance of cooperation among Central Asian countries and their engagement with regional organizations in maintaining stability and peace.

ASEAN's Role and Future Economic Cooperation Under the US-China Rivalry: The Quest for Effective Democratic Leadership

Amid the US-China rivalry, the ASEAN role and future economic cooperation are uncertain. Deploying a qualitative approach based on documents as sources of data, this study aims to suggest democratic leadership as an intervening variable and examines future possibilities of the ASEAN role and economic cooperation under the US-China rivalry. There are three ASEAN's role future possibilities under the US-China rivalry: the honest broker (best-case scenario), a partial mediator (moderate-case scenario), and a dysfunctional organisation (worst-case scenario). The gradations linearly demonstrated an interlinked connection between the cooperation engagement and outcome possibilities. This study found that the best-case prospect, "an honest broker" could be materialised by implementing democratic leadership, an equally distributed, empowered, egalitarian decision-making kind of leadership determined by willingness, capacity, and acceptance. It could optimally encourage internal economic development and effectively manage cooperation with both parties through the distribution of responsibility, group member empowerment, and assisting all members in decision-making.

Tools of imperialism or sources of international law? Treaties and diplomatic relations in early modern and colonial Southeast Asia

AbstractThe history of treaty‐making, diplomacy, and international law has traditionally been written from Eurocentric perspectives, but since the middle of the 20th century, Southeast Asia has attracted relatively much attention because of the region's importance for the 17th‐century Dutch jurist Hugo Grotius. More recently, however, the interest in Southeast Asia's role in the history of international law and diplomacy in the early modern period has become more oriented toward understanding the dynamics of international relations and cross‐cultural diplomacy in Southeast Asia itself, rather than focusing on the region's role in European legal and intellectual history. The prolific treaty‐making and other diplomatic activities of the Dutch East India Company (VOC) during the 17th and 18th centuries have been the object of several studies, highlighting how the company adopted Asian practices of statecraft and at times functioned as a traditional ruler, tributary or stranger‐king, rather than as an omnipotent colonial power. Moreover, several recent studies have expanded the study of diplomacy and treaty‐making in Southeast Asia to imperial powers other than the VOC and into the 19th century. With regard to the practice of treaty‐making during the colonial era, three main themes in the current state‐of‐the‐art are identified: 1) Southeast Asian and inter‐cultural perspectives on treaties and treaty‐making; 2) the question of mutual consent or coercion and violence in treaty‐making; and 3) discrepancies between Asian and European treaty texts and biases in printed and digitised compilations of treaties.

ASEAN Charter and Regional Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development

Introduction: Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are a prominent sector in the Asian region that is proven to support the economy, especially developing countries. Although important, it is not uncommon for countries to ignore these independent economic initiatives.Purposes of the Research: This paper aims to provide a brief overview of ASEAN's role in the development of MSMEs in the Region which is the mandate of the ASEAN Charter.Methods of the Research: This research was conducted by conducting a normative juridical approach. Literature review and related secondary data.Results of the Research: The results showed that MSMEs are one of the efforts to realize the economic goals of the Region as stated in the ASEAN Charter. Behind its strategic role for the national and regional economies, MSMEs still often face various challenges, both internally, such as limited capital and technology, as well as externally, including issues related to licensing, raw materials, marketing to integration efforts into regional and global production chains. For this reason, ASEAN's role is very important, especially to implement the Strategic Action Plan for SME Development (SAPSMED) 2016-2025 with the vision of 'Globally Competitive and Innovative SME’.

Cara Baru Memandang Prinsip Non-Intervensi ASEAN dalam Menilik Kasus Rohingya

This research aims to propose a fresh perspective on ASEAN's non-intervention principle through the analysis of the Rohingya case. The Rohingya case represents a humanitarian crisis complexity in the Myanmar region that necessitates serious consideration from ASEAN as a regional body. This research employs a multidisciplinary approach involving political analysis, international law, and international relations theory. The study argues that ASEAN's non-intervention principle should not be interpreted as a reluctance to intervene in cases of human rights violations that threaten regional security. Instead, the research advocates for a more proactive and responsive approach from ASEAN towards humanitarian situations resulting in mass suffering, such as the Rohingya case. The findings of this research provide new insights into how ASEAN can modernize its approach to the non-intervention principle, emphasizing the importance of human rights protection as an integral part of regional stability and peace. This research also proposes concrete recommendations regarding steps that ASEAN can take in addressing similar cases in the future, thereby strengthening ASEAN's role and relevance in the context of global humanitarian issues.

Precarity, Climate Change and Migrant Labour Amitav Ghosh’s Eco-Aesthetics

Migrant workers play an increasing role in Asia, where they are both remarkably mobile and largely disorganized. The workers’ position leaves them disempowered within the workplace; it also leaves them vulnerable in the world outside. In this sense, migrant workers lead lives that are, in Hannah Lewis’s view “hyperprecarious”. The celebration of the collective has been a recurrent trope in Ghosh’s oeuvre, and this article seeks to shed light on the formation of communities of migrant labourers in a transnational space in Amitav Ghosh’s Gun Island. It explores the heterogeneity of exploitative labor conditions, their situatedness as well as their “lived experiences” documenting the variegated landscape of neo-slavery for vulnerable migrant workers. It also highlights how Amitav Ghosh interrogates the ways in which the Western colonial episteme has commodified nature, land, mountains, and ecology in his most recent writing.

Geopolitical Competition Among Great Powers and ASEAN’s Policy Preference

The United States has long been a security ally and economic partner of ASEAN members. The strengths of the U.S.-ASEAN partnership include cooperation on regional security, economic growth, and people-to-people ties. The United States also supports ASEAN's efforts to promote regional cooperation and integration through mechanisms such as the ASEAN Regional Forum and the East Asia Summit. Moreover, the United States has demonstrated its commitment to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region, which is consistent with ASEAN's own desire for a rules-based regional order. Due to its strategic presence in the Asia-Pacific region, the United States is considered to play a very important role in ASEAN's soft balance against China. ASEAN's hedging approach and bandwagoning are no longer relevant in the context of rising competition between China and the United States. This paper will explain the causes of China and ASEAN's lack of political and security cooperation. By combing and evaluating current literature discussing the political and security cooperation between ASEAN and ASEAN countries with China and the United States. ASEAN's security policy against China, in particular. This paper's main research method is to explain the adjustment of ASEAN's policy toward China in the context of great power geopolitics through the soft balance theory by analyzing the political and security cooperation between ASEAN and China and the United States, as well as the weapons imported by ASEAN countries from China and the United States.

Asian conceptions of international order: what Asia wants

Abstract How do major Asian states regard the current international security order? Do they agree or disagree among themselves? This is an introduction to a special section on ‘Asian conceptions of international order: what Asia wants’. It draws on articles analysing the stances of China, India, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Philippines and Vietnam towards the existing international security order usually described as a liberal international order (LIO). It argues that Asian states substantially support the main constitutive and regulatory norms and institutions of the LIO, but they worry that the LIO does not consistently honour these norms. Asians disagree on the centrality of political liberalism, but even Japan and South Korea, the most liberal states, are uncomfortable with strident criticism, punishment and the exclusion of less liberal states. Asians also disagree on the role of US alliances: some are strongly supportive, some are ambivalent and some are negative. Finally, Asians disagree on how they voice dissatisfaction. Japan and South Korea supplement existing norms and institutions as a way of transcending the limitations of the LIO; south-east Asian states promote ASEAN's mediatory role for peace and security above and beyond existing global arrangements; and Indonesia, India and China want to move from being norm takers to becoming norm shapers. The introduction ends with six policy implications.

Searching for a new institutional structure for the global trade system: What role for Asia in the age of US-China competition?

After a year of record international trade in 2022, it is uncertain whether the future of the global economy is fragmentation or a new institutional structure. The challenges are to re-establish a dispute resolution mechanism, as the WTO process currently allows decisions to be appealed into oblivion, and to extend the coverage of world trade law to address changes in world trade since 1995. This paper argues that the best option for a beyond-WTO institutional order is an expanded Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and that, absent a functioning WTO appeal system, the Multi-Party Interim Appeal Arbitration Arrangement (MPIA) is a way to resolve appeals. This could lead to a three-tier global trade system as the expanded CPTPP membership observes the highest standard world trade rules, a second group accepts WTO rules but no more, and a third group has no interest in being bound by world trade rules. On the post-2017 record, the USA could be in any of these three groups. The leading Asian trading nations have a key role to play in ensuring that the first group accounts for the majority of world trade, and to encourage countries to want to follow CPTPP standards and to be at the table when extensions to these standards are discussed.

Construct Maritime Safety Culture to Reduce Risk Occurrence Through Implement of Balanced Scorecard

_ This study aims to assess navigation safety by enhancing maritime management based on balanced scorecard (BSC). Although the International Safety Management Regulations and the Ship Safety Management System have safety related definitions and provide standard safety regulations, but lack effective management processes. This study used path analysis and regression analysis to analyze the safety outcomes relationship among organization safety culture, work condition, and framework condition sectors. In this study, 173 valid sample questionnaires were collected to answer the influence of organizational culture, working environment, service process, and framework conditions on ship navigation safety. The suggestions mentioned expect to establish a maritime management-based BSC that could pave the way for the application of maritime safety around the organization culture. Introduction Safety management is an important part of organization management process. The purpose of safety management is to prevent accidents, so organizations need to develop, plan, implement, and track risks related to personal, environmental, or property safety in order to minimize risks. The rapid development of China’s economy has promoted the increase of economic, trade, and ship navigation between Taiwan and Chinese mainland, and the number of ships in Taiwan and other countries has also increased. Maritime transportation plays a significant role in the integrated transportation system, especially in international trade system. Safety is a crucial factor due to the fact that various accidents like ship collisions and groundings often result in great economic loss, fatalities, and the environmental contamination. This information shows that Taiwan plays a key maritime role in Asia and the world. Previously, several frameworks for assessing the effects of organizational aspects on risk or safety have been published within different domains (Embrey 1992; Pate-Cornell & Murphy 1996; Oien 2001; Roelen et al. 2003; Mohaghegh et al. 2009) and in the maritime transportation field (Trucco et al. 2008). However, these have not addressed the navigation safety process management through systematic concepts and empirical study, they only emphasized the reducing risk on the maritime safety.

Indonesia's Foreign Policy in the Indo-Pacific Region in the 2023 ASEAN Chair

This research discusses Indonesia's foreign policy in the Indo-Pacific region during the ASEAN chairmanship period in 2023. This is Indonesia's fourth time as ASEAN chairman, after serving three times in 1967, 2003, and 2011. This research focuses on how Indonesia contributes to stability and peace in the Indo-Pacific region through its foreign political activities, especially through implementing the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) document. The method used in this research is qualitative, with secondary data sources including books, journal articles, etc. The data collection technique is carried out through library research. Then, the research will be analyzed using qualitative data analysis techniques following the framework described by Miles and Huberman: data reduction, data presentation (data display), and drawing conclusions or verification (conclusion drawing/verification). The results show that Indonesia, in its chairmanship of ASEAN in 2023, wants to become a Regional Great Power that plays the role of norm-setting and norm-making. In ASEAN's chairmanship in 2023, one of the main focuses will be Indonesia's foreign policy activities in the Indo-Pacific region, which focuses on the implementation of AOIP, where Indonesia wants to encourage ASEAN's role in creating regional stability, peace, and progress and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific. ASEAN strives to embrace large countries to collaborate in the Indo-Pacific region by strengthening ASEAN centrality, openness, inclusiveness, transparency, and respect for international law. As part of this, Indonesia hosted the ASEAN Indo-Pacific Forum (AIPF) to strengthen regional cooperation and promote economic growth. This forum hopes to utilize principles such as ASEAN centrality, inclusiveness, and transparency to achieve a more peaceful and prosperous region.

İki Devlet Tek Millet Perspektifinden; Türkiye-Pakistan İlişkilerinin Savunma Sanayii Bağlamında İncelenmesi (2001-2021)

This study focuses on analyzing the cooperation between Turkey and Pakistan and evaluating the general circumstances in the defense sector. Pakistan and Turkey are considered two key military and geopolitical powers of the world. The relations between Pakistan and Turkey do not rely on regular politics, but since the first World War, the people of the two countries have had a sincere and strong relationship based on their mutual love and friendship. In the last 20 years especially, Turkey and Pakistan have played an important role in Asia in counterterrorism, regional security issues, and long-term defense strategies and have formed strong cooperation. This study, thus, aims to examine and evaluate joint defense industry cooperation between Pakistan and Turkey in terms of their core security and strategic interests, especially in the context of rapidly developing and unstable international relations after the September 11 attacks in 2001. The study utilizes the systematic literature review method to achieve its aim. The findings show that Turkey and Pakistan have strengthened ties in the last 20 years, but there is still more room for potential cooperation.

Public health in Asia during the COVID-19 pandemic: global health governance, migrant labour, and international health crises

Any book on the topic of ‘public health in Asia during the COVID–19 pandemic’ must tick three boxes. It must be ambitious in scope; discuss the political, sociological and economic aspects of public health (not just the science of public health) at the national level; and examine Asia's role in global health governance. This book does indeed tick all three. In addition, it has some strong highlights. The edited volume brings together 15 chapters, which are arranged into four themes: health policies in Asia; Asia's role in global health governance; national-level responses of Asian countries; and the impact of the COVID–19 pandemic on migrants’ health in Asia. The contributors include scholars of Asia area studies, International Relations (IR), economics, political science and public policy. The three editors are specialists in IR, global health and the politics of modern China. For context, the reviewers are specialists in health systems, public health and global health. We welcome other disciplines analysing health questions, especially as they shed light on social determinants and political economy dimensions, using IR theory to resolve global health commons problems, such as pandemics. These perspectives from other disciplines are especially welcome given the paucity of literature on the impact of the COVID–19 pandemic in Asia, from regional and interdisciplinary approaches. Therefore, we commend the book's three main strengths. First, there is a strong initial focus on the political and international relations in the context of past pandemics, such as the SARS outbreak in 2003 and the development of the International Health Regulations legal instrument in 2005. This focus is helpful because public health teaching tends to focus more on questions of epidemiology, science and the clinical impact of pandemics. Consequently, public health knowledge often downplays the international political, social and economic drivers and impacts. Second, the book demonstrates in-depth knowledge about the current governance structures, especially when applying the lenses of political science, IR and political economy to the study of pandemics. This is testament to the skills of the contributors and editors. Third and last, this book has an entire section on migrant health, which remains under-researched and under-discussed despite its importance to equity, justice and general public health common sense.

Negotiating RCEP: The Role of ASEAN in Middle-Power Diplomacy

Negotiating RCEP: The Role of ASEAN in Middle-Power Diplomacy

The Role of ASEAN in Dispute Resolution between Thailand and Cambodia

Dalam arti luas, hukum internasional dibagi menjadi dua, hukum internasional publik dan hukum perdata internasional. Hukum perdata internasional adalah kumpulan ketentuan hukum yang menyelesaikan masalah antarindividu-individu yang pada saat yang sama tunduk pada yurisdiksi dua negara atau lebih yang berbeda. Sedangkan hukum internasional yaitu kumpulan ketentuan hukum yang berlakunya dipertahankan oleh masyarakat internasional. Dalam bahasa Inggris, hukum internasional disebut dengan istilah “international law”. Ada juga yang mempergunakan istilah hukum antarbangsa atau hukum antarnegara. Hukum internasional publik juga merupakan keseluruhan kaidah dan asas hukum yang mengatur hubungan atau persoalan yang melintasi batas negara (hubungan internasional) yang bukan bersifat perdata.

‘Better to be a chicken’s head than an ox’s tail’: Japanese envoy diplomacy in the mediation of Konfrontasi (1965)

ABSTRACT This article examines a lesser-known episode of the Cold War in Asia, namely Japan’s mediation in the Konfrontasi crisis between Indonesia and Malaysia, focusing on Prime Minister Satō’s appointment of a special envoy, Kawashima Shōjirō, in spring 1965. Drawing on multi-archival research in Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States, it shows how Japan’s envoy diplomacy initiative was shaped by unilateralism, partisanship and a brazen diplomatic style that defied ‘low-profile’ expectations and revealed regional leadership aspirations. Kawashima’s (eventually unsuccessful) endeavour played out as a remarkably ‘interventionist’ initiative, mirroring domestic tensions over the definition of Japan’s post-war role in Asia.

South Korea in the ASEAN‐centered regional network

AbstractRelying on a networked perspective, this article argues that South Korea is an actor of relative importance in ASEAN's regional network, but it ultimately does not occupy a place that is more crucial than the association's other dialogue partners. In the context of ASEAN seeking to maintain its network power in an evolving Indo‐Pacific, South Korea has played a supportive role in ASEAN's pursuit of social access, brokerage links and minimizing its exit potential from the Indo‐Pacific network. South Korea's role, however, has been a comparably limited one rooted in specific functional areas and focused on certain ASEAN member states. While these efforts would certainly reinforce ASEAN's network power to some extent, the relatively thin network links between ASEAN and South Korea in other sectors suggest that there is little potential to expand cooperation beyond a functional and socioeconomic trajectory.