Suchergebnisse

Do ASEAN people identify themselves first as Southeast Asians, as nationals of their country, or as members of their ethnic or local community? In a heterogeneous region where each country is culturally distinct and each holds on to its hard-earned sovereignty, how does the process of regional community-building fare? As ASEAN declares 2020 as the Year of ASEAN Identity, it is timely to reexamine its regional identity and its implications for creating an ASEAN Community.

The BRI seeks to build on the legacy of the traditional Silk Road as a venue for peaceful trade and harmonious cultural exchange. While the BRI is framed as a noble endeavor based on mutual benefit principle, many scholars consider the initiative as China's strategy to strengthen global economic leverage and assert its global leadership role. The great concern for Central Asia lies in BRI's probability of worsening existing problems given the economic and socio-political environment of the region. Corruption entrenched in the political system, unemployment and social inequality, Islamic fundamentalism and ethnic tensions, and ecological degradation in Central Asia challenge China's aspiration for Eurasian connectivity. China must convince many stakeholders, beyond public relations, that economic benefits far outweigh the costs.

On 28 June 2016, Kazakhstan won a non-permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) after outvoting ASEAN-backed Thailand to represent the Asia-Pacific in the UN body. Kazakhstan will serve for a two-year term starting this year, alongside non-permanent members Japan, Egypt, Ukraine, Uruguay, Senegal, Sweden, Bolivia, and Ethiopia – the latter three being newly elected non-permanent members – and permanent members US, China, Russia, France, and UK. Kazakhstan's ascension to the UNSC significantly indicates Central Asia's presence and relevance in the global stage. Arguably, Kazakhstan's election is fitting: not only does it stand for the Muslim community's interests and concerns before the most powerful UN agency, but is also symbolic of the effort to have greater and more diversified representation and perspectives in the global arena. While Kazakhstan may be a young country, it has shown that it can contribute to international peace and stability.