The world’s seven major regions—Asia-Pacific, North America, Europe, Eurasia, the Middle East, Latin America, and Africa—will experience a combination of headwinds and tailwinds in 2023 due to the rapid unfolding of developments unseen in a century, as reported by English News.
Fresh beginning
Humanity cannot pretend that the world is at peace just now or that all issues will be resolved in the coming year. Nevertheless, despite crises and difficulties, people all over the world will continue to share the same aspirations of peace, development, fairness, and win-win collaboration.
A challenging year has passed. There is a fresh beginning before the planet.
Asia-Pacific: seeking cooperation while resisting interference
The Asia-Pacific region will continue to experience strong economic growth, a generally stable security environment, and a strong desire for collaboration in 2023. The continued meddling in the internal affairs of other nations by some nations will also represent a serious threat to the peace and stability of the region.
The so-called “Indo-Pacific strategy” has been furthered throughout the region by the US over the past year. The administration of U.S. President Joe Biden has collected friends and a few regional nations to fortify the “small circle” against China.
The Asia-Pacific area can only solidify the basis of regional security and propel the global recovery forward in 2023 by increasing mutual trust and the desire to maintain regional peace.
China is thinking about convening the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in 2023, the year the Belt and Road Initiative turns ten. India assumes the Group of 20 and Shanghai Cooperation Organization rotating presidency. The ASEAN’s rotating chair is currently held by Indonesia. Asia will once more steal the show by advancing global governance. The nations of the Asia-Pacific area have complete faith in the “China engine,” future cooperation, and regional prosperity.
Europe: multiple tests ahead
Europe will face much uncertainty in 2023. The European Union (EU) has “solidarized” with the United States since the Ukraine crisis began out of concern for security and has placed nine rounds of sanctions on Russia, which have backfired.
Europe’s judgement will be put to the test in 2023 as to whether it will stick with the United States and put the most pressure on Russia, or whether it will increase its strategic independence and try to defuse its conflict with Moscow.
Europe’s energy dilemma will be challenging to resolve in 2023. The economic picture will worsen as a result of the energy crisis and excessive inflation. The European Commission predicts that in the first quarter of 2023, economic activity in the EU, the euro area, and the majority of member states would continue to decline.
In 2023, European nations will face more pressing issues about how to advance China-EU ties. China continues to be the EU’s largest economic partner, while the EU is China’s second-largest trading partner, providing a solid foundation for the development of China-EU relations. The leaders of China and the EU are also in close contact, demonstrating their commitment to work together to deepen strategic coordination and communication in order to advance the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.
North America: growing political polarization in the U.S.
Politicians in the United States may become more divisive as they get ready for the 2024 presidential election 2023. Washington’s continued adherence to Cold War geopolitics and major-country relations might further upset the world order.
The world economy could be significantly impacted by American economic policy in the meanwhile. The possibility of an American recession is causing great alarm in the worldwide community.
The United States has consistently said that it doesn’t want war or a new Cold War, but it doesn’t follow through on this claim. To “decouple” from China in the Asia-Pacific, the United States has established a “quadrilateral mechanism” with Japan, India, and Australia, a trilateral security alliance called AUKUS, and an “Indo-Pacific Economic framework.” Washington has consistently aggravated the Ukraine problem in Europe, which has exacerbated the continent’s security situation and impacted global peace and security. In 2023, the international order will be further disrupted and new divides will be brought about if Washington continues to talk about one thing and do another.
Eurasia: moving forward despite uncertainties
The Ukraine conflict will continue to be a major source of tension for the region’s nations in 2023.
The West will not pass up the chance to subdue and weaken Russia, according to Han Lu, deputy head of the Department for European-Central Asian Studies at the China Institute of International Studies, and it will stop at nothing to wage its proxy war. The problem may lead to a further rise in geopolitical unrest.
However, regional nations will continue to strive for political stability, economic advancement, and diplomatic success. Despite a turbulent regional and global climate in the coming year, they will continue to advance their partnership with China.
The non-alignment, non-confrontation, and non-targeting of third parties tenets of China-Russia relations are unshakable. By collaborating with neighbouring nations on initiatives like the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan Railway and the Line D of the Central Asia-China natural gas pipeline, China will strengthen the high-quality development of the Belt and Road.
Middle East: moving eastward as region stabilizes
The Middle East’s situation is anticipated to continue “relaxing in general with volatility in specific places” in 2023. Despite the unknowns, it is anticipated that relations between the regional nations would continue to improve. While swiftly changing their Middle East policy, Western powers are anticipated to tighten their control over the region.
According to Tang Zhichao, a researcher at the Institute of West-Asian and African Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, the Middle Eastern climate of amity is long-lasting. There is a tremendous deal of optimism for the region’s ongoing peace and security in 2023. However, there are also unknowns in the future, such as whether the talks to resume implementing the Iran nuclear deal will result in a breakthrough.
The Middle East countries will transition from “looking eastward” to “going eastward” more quickly as a result of changing regional political ecology and warming China-Arab relations.
According to Tian Wenlin, a professor at the School of International Relations at the Renmin University of China, Arab countries are facing historic possibilities to expand their collaboration with China amid significant shifts that haven’t been witnessed in a century. It is expected that the Middle East nations’ ties with China will continue to improve in 2023.
Latam: strong left-wing comeback reshapes political landscape
Many populous Latin American nations have chosen leftist governments as of 2022, including Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina. The key political concern in 2023 in Latin America is whether the leftists can maintain their hold on power by fortifying their unity and controlling divisions.
Whether Latin America’s economy can react to shocks from the outside world efficiently in 2023 will be a challenge. The rapid interest rate increases made by the U.S. Fed in 2022 increased the debt loads of Latin American nations, causing debt problems in some of them.
According to Zhou Mi, deputy director of the Institute of American and Oceanian Study at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, which is affiliated with the Ministry of Commerce, in order to draw in investment, direct industrial transformation, and strengthen regional economic coordination and integration in 2023, Latin American nations must decide on their policy direction as soon as possible.
Integration in Latin America has stagnated recently. Following electoral victories, many leftist administrations are placing greater emphasis on regional unity and diplomatic independence, giving Latin American integration a fresh boost.
Africa: seeking stability & development
African nations will put up more effort in 2023 to end conflicts, enhance the security situation, and improve economic performance. Africa’s own capacity building, according to Li Hongfeng, dean of the School of African Studies at Beijing Foreign Studies University, is the most important factor in resolving the continent’s peace and security problems.
The African economy is still having trouble in the new year, but in 2023, the region’s economic recovery is anticipated to accelerate. Among other things, the green economy and digital technology are anticipated to be new development areas for the local economy.
Due to their enormous development potential, African nations will play a larger role on the global scene in the upcoming year. Africa as a whole will be more involved in world affairs, from climate change and energy supplies to the restructuring of the UN Security Council.
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Source: English News
