Asian issues vol. 8, no1/2022
Matteo Marconi - Francesco Barbaro The Geopolitical Divisions of the Mediterranean and China’s Impact on Them
Abstract
The main research question this paper sought to answer is formulated as it follows: Is the Chinese presence going to increase or decrease the geopolitical divisions in the Mediterranean? The Chinese foray into the Mediterranean is the final element of the New Silk Roads and Beijing’s projection towards the Mediterranean is a fact that cannot be merely denied or welcomed. The Mediterranean is neither politically nor economically united: many reasons for division prevail in the numerous regions. However, Mare Nostrum is also characterized by some particular forms of cohesion. Concerning the Chinese objectives and impacts on Mediterranean geopolitics, scholars’ views are extremely varied and opposing.
The main research question this paper sought to answer is formulated as it follows: Is the Chinese presence going to increase or decrease the geopolitical divisions in the Mediterranean? The Chinese foray into the Mediterranean is the final element of the New Silk Roads and Beijing’s projection towards the Mediterranean is a fact that cannot be merely denied or welcomed. The Mediterranean is neither politically nor economically united: many reasons for division prevail in the numerous regions. However, Mare Nostrum is also characterized by some particular forms of cohesion. Concerning the Chinese objectives and impacts on Mediterranean geopolitics, scholars’ views are extremely varied and opposing.
Keywords: Mediterranean area, geopolitical divisions, China, BRI
Jing Cai, Yingjie Fu, Iván Neszmélyi György - Live Online Streaming Sales and the Supply Chain Model in China - A Case Study of Taobao Live Online Streaming Platform
Abstract
Since 2016 live online streaming has emerged as a new sales model in China’s online sales market, and after six years of development, it has now formed a complete sales channel. Live online streaming has become an important sales channel for retailers because of its large coverage radius and wide audience, and it has greatly promoted China’s trade and economic development. But also because of the characteristics of live online streaming sales, which asks the higher requirements on the supply chain. The supply chain needs to adapt to this marketing method to improve the efficiency of live sales. This paper uses mainly qualitative research methods. It uses documentary research to analyses the characteristics of live sales and its impact on Chinese regional economic development, and a case study to analyses the supply chain changes made by the head platform for this sales model. It is hoped that this article can provide lessons for other live economy and supply chain development.
Since 2016 live online streaming has emerged as a new sales model in China’s online sales market, and after six years of development, it has now formed a complete sales channel. Live online streaming has become an important sales channel for retailers because of its large coverage radius and wide audience, and it has greatly promoted China’s trade and economic development. But also because of the characteristics of live online streaming sales, which asks the higher requirements on the supply chain. The supply chain needs to adapt to this marketing method to improve the efficiency of live sales. This paper uses mainly qualitative research methods. It uses documentary research to analyses the characteristics of live sales and its impact on Chinese regional economic development, and a case study to analyses the supply chain changes made by the head platform for this sales model. It is hoped that this article can provide lessons for other live economy and supply chain development.
Keywords: Live Online Streaming, Supply Chain Model, Regional economic development.
Petko Doykov - India’s Position on the US Indo-Pacific Strategy
Abstract
This paper focuses on the Indo-Pacific region, the approach of the US Administration to it and India’s position on the latter. It consists of three main parts, each of them respectively devoted to the growing importance of the region, the strategies of Washington and New Delhi vis-à-vis it and the relationship between the approaches of the two strategic partners. Based upon the survey and analysis of existing academic sources and official documents the paper brings us to the conclusion that it is not entirely in the interest of India to act in harmony with the fundamentals of the US Indo-Pacific strategy. In addition, another suggestion of us, coming out as a conclusion, is that the USA needs to amend its strategy in order to make it more attractive to other partners, including India, such an amendment being a prerequisite for better defending its interests in the region.
This paper focuses on the Indo-Pacific region, the approach of the US Administration to it and India’s position on the latter. It consists of three main parts, each of them respectively devoted to the growing importance of the region, the strategies of Washington and New Delhi vis-à-vis it and the relationship between the approaches of the two strategic partners. Based upon the survey and analysis of existing academic sources and official documents the paper brings us to the conclusion that it is not entirely in the interest of India to act in harmony with the fundamentals of the US Indo-Pacific strategy. In addition, another suggestion of us, coming out as a conclusion, is that the USA needs to amend its strategy in order to make it more attractive to other partners, including India, such an amendment being a prerequisite for better defending its interests in the region.
Keywords: Indo-Pacific region, US Indo-Pacific strategy, India’s concept on the Indo-Pacific, China, security.
Mehreen Gul - Post Covid-19 Era Energy Security and Crisis in Asia - Way Forward to Tackle the Issue
Abstract
The period from 2019-to 2021 was unforeseeable and challenging due to ongoing pandemic COVID-19, rapid climatic change, economic challenges, sewer supply disruption, depletion of resources, energy security, and related crisis. The year 2022 will be another challenge to deal with. As we entered the third year of COVID-19 the energy crises have intensified pressures in overall Asian countries. The energy crisis is of grave concern and a reason for financial downturns in the economies. Asian countries are confronting a critical energy crisis. The world defies resource depletion in this case human security is incomplete without the concept of energy security. Likewise, under Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), goal 7 appears as “Affordable and clean energy” which aims to ensure access to affordable, consistent, sustainable, and up-to-date energy for all.
The period from 2019-to 2021 was unforeseeable and challenging due to ongoing pandemic COVID-19, rapid climatic change, economic challenges, sewer supply disruption, depletion of resources, energy security, and related crisis. The year 2022 will be another challenge to deal with. As we entered the third year of COVID-19 the energy crises have intensified pressures in overall Asian countries. The energy crisis is of grave concern and a reason for financial downturns in the economies. Asian countries are confronting a critical energy crisis. The world defies resource depletion in this case human security is incomplete without the concept of energy security. Likewise, under Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), goal 7 appears as “Affordable and clean energy” which aims to ensure access to affordable, consistent, sustainable, and up-to-date energy for all.
Keywords: energy crises, energy security, sustainable recovery, regional collaborations, SDGs, COVID-19