The year 2012 is one of political transition. In the two Koreas, China, the US, Russia, Japan, Taiwan, and others, regime changes have either already occurred or will do so in an upcoming election. This session will explore diverse perspectives on the potential effects these political changes could have on the building of a new order in Asia, particularly in the Northeast region.
- How can the US ensure that the Asian countries it is trying to rally for a resistance to Chinese assertiveness will maintain their allegiance to Washington, given their economic dependence on China?
- The latest data indicate that Chinese ownership of US treasuries has increased. What is the potential evolution of co-dependent US-China relations?
- Has Russia lost its clout in North Korea since the suspension of the Six-Party Talks? How should we understand Russia’s cooperation with the US on North Korea, in light of its opposition to US sanctions imposed as a result of the Iranian nuclear program?
- What are the views on Korea’s various territorial conflicts with Japan? Has Korea taken any position on the Japan-China sea border dispute?
- How is the Bo Xilai scandal affecting China’s image with foreign governments and investors? Will it render problematic an otherwise smooth transition?
- How has China reacted to the US hosting of the APEC summit for the first time in November 2011, and taking the steps to bolster its military presence in this region?

- Moderator
Nayan CHANDA (Director of Publications, Yale Center for the Study of Globalization)

- Participants
G. John IKENBERRY (Albert G. Milbank Professor of Political Science, Princeton University)
Nodari SIMONIYA (Professor, MGIMO University; former Director of IMEMO)
Stein TØNNESSON (former Director, Peace Research Institute Oslo)
KIM, Young Hie (Senior Reporter, JoongAng Ilbo)
ZHANG, Xiaoming (Professor, School of International Studies, Peking University)

- Rapporteur
YOON Dae-yeob (Director of Academic Planning Division, The Korea Foundation for Advanced Studies)