http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/rss/8 This feed contains all new content on the Chatham House website related to Asia. http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/ia/archive/view/-/id/2400/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/ia/archive/view/-/id/2400/ The American decision to deploy missile defence in Poland endangered the central myth of Putin's regime (Russia's rebirth as a Great Power), challenged the status of Putin as Russia's strongman, and introduced an additional uncertainty into the carefully scripted campaign for succession to Putin. It also hit the raw nerve of Russia's reliance on nuclear weapons. The character of Russian policy-making has guaranteed the worst-case scenario evaluation of the American programme. The Russian elite's world view has magnified the problems resulting from the deployment into fears of a window of vulnerability. Thu, 02 Jul 2009 11:46:25 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/ia/archive/view/-/id/2398/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/ia/archive/view/-/id/2398/ Preparations for the next UK defence review are under way; a struggle is imminent and the lines of battle are being drawn. There is a grave danger that in the new 'age of austerity' defence planning-and strategy generally-will be driven by tribal conflicts, either between supporters of one or other of the armed services or between contending viewpoints about the nature of conflict. And there will be others who will argue that the defence review should be driven simply by the need to reduce government expenditure, as quickly as possible. These arguments not only reduce the defence debate to a struggle between various incompatible and uncompromising tribal beliefs-'war among the fetishes', perhaps-they also miss the point. This article gauges the extent of the economic challenges which the UK defence establishment will confront over the coming decade. The authors consider how best to approach the problem of undiminished (and even expanding) commitments at a time of decreasing resources. They argue that defence planning should be driven by the notion of value (the ratio of function to cost), which in turn requires both a clear national political vision and a defence establishment which is output- rather than input-oriented. Finally, the authors assert that defence must transform itself to be able to achieve the outputs required in the most efficient and responsive manner. Read also: Blair's Wars and Brown's Budgets: From Strategic Defence Review to Strategic Decay in Less Than a DecadePaul Cornish and Andrew Dorman, International Affairs, March 2009 Thu, 02 Jul 2009 11:31:58 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/papers/view/-/id/759/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/papers/view/-/id/759/ The Forum for China Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), established to coordinate relations between the two entities, is due to hold its next meeting later this year. This paper assesses what the outcomes from that meeting will be on this evolving, dynamic, and complex relationship. China's involvement in African countries goes back many years. Relationships from mid 1950s to late 1970s based more on emotional intimacy than that of 1980s and the period after the cold war. To some extent, the current relationship builds more on pragmatic economic considerations. China is already Africa's third largest trading partner. China is a complex actor, and Africa a complex continent. China, while predominantly state led in its behaviour, differs depending on which country it works in Africa, how it works, and what actors are involved, be they state, or non state, companies. Some of this involvement has been positive, with major investment, under very flexible terms, going to aid projects. Some has been highly problematic, causing China reputational damage. In the coming years, China will almost certainly increase its interests in Africa. Fri, 26 Jun 2009 15:31:29 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/news/view/-/id/643/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/news/view/-/id/643/ Iran's elections were a monumental miscalculation and now the Islamic Republic faces the most serious crisis of authority in a generation, writes Ali Ansari in this month's The World Today. Hard liners may have overreached in their quest for democratic approval. On climate change, Bernice Lee and Antony Froggatt write that the international community is not doing enough to deviate from 'business as usual' in tackling greenhouse gas emissions. Politics is trumping science as national interests come before a concerted global effort to do something about emissions. Economist Max Watson outlines a programme of action for the Euro area where policy often lags behind events. He argues that the Euro area cannot afford to wait and see what strains emerge over the medium term; it needs stronger policy coordination now. Full contents Iran Elections: Monumental Miscalculation, Ali Ansari Democracy: Dicing With Democracy, Richard Youngs Democracy: The Quiet Democrat, Nicolas Bouchet Engaging Iran - European Lessons for America: Tempting Tehran, Riccardo Alcaro Burma: All Change or No Change?, Richard Horsey Burma: Trust the People, Maung Zarni Climate Change Politics: Dangerous Game of Dare, Bernice Lee and Antony Froggatt Russia: Strategic Loneliness, Vadim Kononenko Central Asia: Power Plays, Graeme P Hern and Katva Palazzolo Mexico - Swine Flu: Victor or Victim?, Rodrigo Delgado Aguilera The Euro and the Global Financial Crisis: Surviving Strain, Max Watson Thu, 25 Jun 2009 15:49:40 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/papers/view/-/id/756/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/papers/view/-/id/756/ This briefing note explores how the UK can maxmize its relationship with China. Mon, 22 Jun 2009 16:53:42 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1226/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1226/ 16:30, 20th July 2009 - In his last speech before leaving office on 31 July, the Secretary-General will assess his legacy, comment on the challenges which lie ahead for the Alliance and give his views on what should be in NATO's new Strategic Concept. For more information please contact Members Events Mon, 22 Jun 2009 15:35:56 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1224/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1224/ 16:30, 14th July 2009 - The speaker will discuss the major challenges facing the Communist Party as it moves into the 21st century - energy security, environmental issues, and economic and social problems - offering a judgment on the Party's likelihood of survival, and how it might look twenty years from now. Kerry Brown's paper 'Thirty Years on - China Celebrates the Reform Process' is available for download on our website www.chathamhouse.org.uk/asia, along with a wide range of related research material and papers. For more information please contact Members Events Mon, 22 Jun 2009 15:19:13 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1220/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1220/ 16:30, 1st July 2009 - India's new government faces urgent foreign policy challenges, both in its region and with the rest of the world. The speaker will argue that, in addition to handling changing equations with global powers, managing relations with smaller neighbours is difficult and complex, especially given recent internal disturbances in Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Nepal. Equally important is finding a way to balance India's relations with Iran, Israel and the Arab world. Mr Sikri will argue that the time may be ripe for rethinking India's international relations strategies. For more information please contact Members Events Mon, 22 Jun 2009 14:49:25 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1216/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1216/ 13:00, 1st July 2009 - The speaker will discuss human rights in South Korea. Norma Kang Muico is the East Asia Researcher at Amnesty International responsible for South and North Koreas, Japan and Mongolia. She has written a report on Policing of the Candlelight Protests in South Korea (October 2008), and a report on migrant workers in South Korea will be launched in September. Previously at Anti-Slavery International, Norma Kang Muico published reports on forced labour in North Korean prison camps and trafficking of North Korean women in China. This event is open to Members only. For more information please contact the Asia Programme. Fri, 19 Jun 2009 13:43:33 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1212/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1212/ 12:00, 22nd June 2009 - Professor Park is one of Korea's leading Cold War diplomatic historians. He will discuss his paper, based on multi-archival research and the recent declassification of important Korean diplomatic records, which casts new light on key aspects of Korea's involvement in the Vietnam War. The speaker has served as advisor to the Korean Presidential Transition Committee (2003), and as advisor to the Ministry of Unification (2007). He is Editorial Board Member of Critical Review of History and of Pacific Affairs (UBC). In addition to his position at GSIS, Professor Park is Director of the International Studies Center for Korean Studies at Seoul National University. For more information please contact the Asia Programme. Tue, 16 Jun 2009 17:59:46 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1208/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1208/ 17:30, 15th July 2009 - Lord Stern will give the 30th Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Lecture on climate change and India's role in tackling it. Nicholas Stern is an economist and academic. He was the Chief Economist and Senior Vice-President of the World Bank (2000-03) and then an economic adviser to the UK Government. In 2007 he became the first holder of the I. G. Patel Chair at the London School of Economics (LSE) and head of the newly created India Observatory within the Asia Research Centre. In 2008 he was appointed Chair of the Grantham Institute for Climate Change and the Environment at the LSE. This event is organised in association with The Tata Group (UK). For more information please contact the Asia Programme. Mon, 15 Jun 2009 14:23:31 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/papers/view/-/id/753/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/papers/view/-/id/753/ Since the end of the Cold War, China has turned away from an exclusive focus on great-power relations and is now cultivating its relations with the countries and institutions of Southeast Asia. China is pursuing regional cooperation in order to improve bilateral relations, gain political support in international forums, insulate itself against US strategic interests and obtain raw materials for its economy. In the Mekong area these issues are concentrated in a small and geographically well-defined area. Its strategic relevance was spelled out in China's 2002 white paper on national defence. While China is by far the strongest economic, political and military power in the Mekong Basin, its geographical position reinforces this asymmetry: as the source country of the Mekong river, China has control over the development of water resources, therefore exercising a degree of 'hydrohegemony'. Consequently, the area is a focal point for traditional and non-traditional security conflicts, where resource competition is adding new layers to deeprooted, old and complex relations. Fri, 12 Jun 2009 09:57:46 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1206/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1206/ 16:00, 10th July 2009 - A fascinating but complex web of interdependence binds China and Russia. Oil and gas supplies from Russia and growing energy demand in China are at the heart of this and the development of the relationship has important ramifications for other regions depending on Russian resources. At this meeting, Professor Xu will discuss recent developments in the Russia-China relationship and the prospects for energy deals between the two countries. Professor Xiaojie (Steven) Xu is the Head of Institute of World Economics & Politics' International Energy Program, China Academy of Social Sciences in Beijing, and an independent petroleum investment advisor to State Energy Bureau, national oil companies and energy service firms. Xu was the first director of Overseas Investment at China National Petroleum Corporation and remains the Chief Professor of the Institute of Geopolitics and Energy Economics at the East China Normal University, Shanghai. Xu has been a leading expert in numerous Chinese and English professional consulting reports, speeches, research papers/chapters and books including 'Petro-Dragon's Rise: What It Means for China and the World' (European Press, 2002). Attendance at this event is strictly by invitation only. This is the sixth meeting of the Chatham House Fossil Fuels Expert Roundtable. For more information please contact Tim Eaton. Thu, 11 Jun 2009 12:20:06 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1202/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1202/ 16:00, 23rd June 2009 - In the light of growing Chinese investment overseas, how large is China's contribution across EU member states and between regions, and what role does regional policy play in attracting Chinese FDI? This roundtable meeting will feature original findings from comparative country case studies carried out by pan-European research teams at Chatham House and CASCC as part of a major collaborative project. With the research results presented here publicly for the first time ahead of the publication of a major report on Chinese FDI in Europe, the meeting will provide a unique opportunity for policy-makers and experts to assess the policy implications and engage in an important discussion with leading researchers in the field. Attendance at this event is by invitation only. For more information please contact Amalia Khachatryan. Mon, 08 Jun 2009 14:48:58 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/papers/view/-/id/749/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/papers/view/-/id/749/ Although ODI from emerging economies is gaining ground, it remains very much a developed-country phenomenon. China's direct outbound investment flows accounted for only 1.1 per cent of the world total in 2007 and in terms of stocks, China still lags behind many industrial and emerging economies. For fiscal reasons, most Chinese ODI is officially reported to flow to Hong Kong and tax havens. Europe and the rest of the world have only a modest share. Market-seeking considerations rank first and strategic-asset-seeking motivations second in Chinese ODI. State intervention in Chinese ODI is generally exaggerated. The domination of state-owned enterprises in Chinese ODI reflects the fact that government policies generally favour the public sector within the Chinese economy. Chinese investment in Europe is growing but remains relatively insignificant. It is biased towards service activities; in manufacturing it is heavily concentrated in ICT and the automobile sector. Through mergers and acquisitions, Chinese investors seek access to brands and distribution networks or to engineering know-how and customer networks. Greenfield investments aim to access the European market and help to customize products for local needs. Overall, Chinese firms' performances in Europe tend to be disappointing, particularly in terms of profitability. The current economic crisis may provide new investment opportunities but it is also a major challenge for Chinese firms which invested in ailing European firms. Tue, 02 Jun 2009 12:27:14 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1191/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1191/ 15:00, 4th June 2009 - **PLEASE NOTE THIS MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE IN MAPUTO, MOZAMBIQUE** At this event, co-hosted with the Instituto Superior de Relações Internacionais (ISRI), Dr Emma Archer will discuss how climate change is affecting southern Africa and what the future may look like for the region. She will remark on how this issue pertains to the whole of government as it is not only an environmental issue. Barbara van Logchem will reflect on Dr Archer's comments and discuss those climate change challenges specifically related to Mozambique. For more information please contact Tighisti Amare. Chatham House is cooperating with the Maputo-based Instituto Superior de Relações Internacionais (ISRI) on a capacity-building project sponsored by the British High Commission in Mozambique. Mon, 01 Jun 2009 10:32:17 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1184/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1184/ 16:30, 1st June 2009 - THIS MEETING IS FULL AND REGISTRATION HAS NOW CLOSED. The Sri Lankan government has claimed victory and an end to its campaign against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). But does a military victory mean an end to the ethnic tensions that created the LTTE? With over 8000 Tamil civilians dead since January, thousands more wounded and maimed and some 300,000 displaced, the endgame has been bloody. The conflict has not only brought with it human rights violations, it has also weakened the rule of law, political pluralism, and civil liberties, with a government and military increasingly beyond legal accountability. This increasing violence has also seriously undermined press freedom in Sri Lanka. The speakers will address whether the Sri Lankan government can rebuild a country torn by decades of violent conflict, repair relations between the ethnic communities and discuss what the future holds for Tamil political movements. For more information please contact Members Events Fri, 22 May 2009 16:02:16 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1179/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1179/ 23:00, 3rd June 2009 - The event aims to provide a comparative analysis of health reform and demographic trends in Russia and China, and the impact this has on domestic policy and international relations. The seminar will focus on: Comparative Analysis of Health in Russia and China Lifestyles, Illness, and Potential Threats to Global Health in Russia and China Recent and Future Demographic Changes in Russia and China Implications for Foreign Policy and International Co-operation of Demographic and Health Changes in Russia and China Attendance at this event is by invitation only. For more information please see the agenda or contact Alex Nice. This seminar is jointly organized and sponsored by the Centre on Global Health Security, Chatham House; the Centre for East European Language-Based Area Studies (CEELBAS) and the British Inter-University China Centre (BICC). Fri, 22 May 2009 10:41:22 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/news/view/-/id/606/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/news/view/-/id/606/ In this month's issue, Dr David Heymann, Head of Chatham House's new Centre on Global Health Security, and formerly Assistant Director-General at the World Health Organization, traces the means of managing the risks of influenza and outlines today's challenges for practitioners to identify emerging infections such as swine flu. Prem Shankar Jha, columnist and former editor, The Hindustan Times, argues that the Obama administration must understand that there will be no peace settlement in Afghanistan if India is left out of the process. And Kerry Brown, Senior Research Fellow, Chatham House, writes on how China is rising again but faces a major task in communicating what it calls its 'benign objectives and intentions' to the rest of the world. Full list of contents: Afghanistan and Pakistan: Obama's Quagmire, Prem Shankar Jha Afghanistan and Pakistan: Taliban Toxin, Wolfgang Danspeckgruber and William Maley Health: Preparing for Pandemics, David L Heymann Health - China and Russia: Life Support, Christopher Davis Group of Eight - Aid in Africa: Party Over, Tom Cargill Group of Eight: Thinking, Not Talking, Alex Vines China: Rising Again, Kerry Brown Coal and Climate Change: Electrifying Issue, Michael Hogan Coal and Climate Change: Between a Rock and a Hard Place, Jon Gibbins Europe: Jobs for the Boys, Richard Whitman Thu, 21 May 2009 15:51:04 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/twt/archive/view/-/id/1912/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/twt/archive/view/-/id/1912/ In April, British Energy Secretary Ed Miliband announced that new coal-fired power plants would be required to capture and store carbon dioxide. The speech was more nuanced than that, of course, and important details are yet to be worked out. But that is the practical consequence. It was an extraordinary announcement - the first industrialised country to make such a commitment. Why now? And what are the implications for the future of coal and the future of renewable electricity, in Britain and across Europe? Tue, 19 May 2009 14:10:22 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1176/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1176/ 13:00, 8th June 2009 - Indonesia is one of the world's resource giants: the country is rich in petroleum, natural gas and minerals, and is also an important consumer of energy. The speakers will discuss Indonesia's role in the global energy economy. Michael Putra is a CO2 Strategy Analyst for the Royal Dutch Shell Group of Companies. He is responsible for supporting the development of the CO2 Management Strategy and for providing analysis for global climate change and CO2 regulation. Dr Cho-Oon Khong is Chief Political Analyst in Shell International's Global Business Environment team. Dr Khong has over 15 years of experience in leading and participating in country scenario projects and development for risk analysis for the Shell Group. For more information please contact the Asia Programme. Tue, 19 May 2009 12:01:34 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1175/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1175/ 17:30, 28th May 2009 - The speaker will examine the UK's counter-terrorism policy in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and will assess the impact of these strategies within the UK. In particular, he will explore how Britain's international engagement is viewed by the UK's diverse Muslim communities. Formerly an activist of Hizb ut-Tahrir and Jamat-e-Islam front organizations in the UK, Ed Husain is now a strong critic of Islamic extremism. There will be a reception beforehand from 18.30-19.00 Tue, 19 May 2009 10:06:04 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1173/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1173/ 17:00, 22nd June 2009 - Pakistan's transformation from a country once projected as a model of Muslim enlightenment to a state faced with a lethal Islamist challenge has dominated headlines. The speaker will argue that while the failure of governance and the damage wrought by external powers have hastened this decline, the country's problems are rooted in its foundations as a nation. From the outset there was uncertainty about the country's national identity and the state's relationship to Islam. It is this ideological confusion that has left Pakistan prey to the forces of extremism that threaten international stability today. For more information please contact Members Events. Mon, 18 May 2009 16:01:30 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1168/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1168/ 15:00, 2nd June 2009 - The speaker will discuss the current global crisis from the perspective of its experience in the 1990s - the collapse of Japan's bubble economy and the subsequent 'Lost Decade', involving multiple bank failures and protracted recession. He will consider similarities between Japan's experience and today's global crisis, how Japan was able to restore economic growth, and what lessons can be learned. This meeting will be held under the Chatham House Rule REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED. THIS EVENT IS FULLY BOOKED. Thu, 14 May 2009 14:09:37 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1165/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1165/ 09:30, 3rd June 2009 - The speaker will address possible strategies of the new US administration towards North Korea. Walter Keats is a member of The Korea Society and the National Committee on American Foreign Policy (New York), the National Committee on North Korea (Washington), the President's Council and the China Roundtable of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs (Chicago), and is the founder of the Korea Council of Chicago, the Midwest Committee on North Korea and the US-Korea Horticultural Association. For more information please contact the Asia Programme. Wed, 13 May 2009 16:46:22 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1164/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1164/ 13:00, 18th May 2009 - Papuan lawyers face many challenges in their roles as human rights defenders and legal advocates. Their responsibilities include providing advice on a range of civil and criminal matters, promoting indigenous community rights over resources, land, forests and sea, educating civil society and individuals about their rights and how to enforce them. They face the danger of being stigmatised as 'separatists' for their professional work and operate in difficult circumstances within a legal system that is often used to punish those peacefully exercising their rights. Yan Christian Warinussy, a lawyer and founder member of the Institute for the Analysis, Investigation and Development of Human Rights (LP3BH) in Manokwari, West Papua will speak about his experiences as a legal practitioner and his role in grassroots legal education. For more information please contact the Asia Programme. Wed, 13 May 2009 15:08:46 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1163/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1163/ 13:00, 9th June 2009 - Dr Zhang Chun will discuss the six-party talks aimed at finding a peaceful resolution to the North Korean nuclear issue and the repercussions of North Korea's recent withdrawal from the talks. Dr Zhang Chun is currently undertaking a visiting fellowship at Chatham House. He is also a non-resident researcher at the Center for Korea Studies, Fudan University and the manager of the project 'On Peace and Security Architecture of Northeast Asia' at Shanghai Institute for International Studies (SIIS). For more information please contact the Asia Programme. Wed, 13 May 2009 10:46:19 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1154/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1154/ 12:30, 20th May 2009 - Recent months have once again focused on developments on the Korean Peninsula, after an alleged satellite launch, a highly belligerent North Korean response to UN sanctions and North Korean leader Kim Jong Il's apparent stroke. Since he has no named successor, this has provoked speculation about who exactly is running the country. The speakers will discuss these developments and analyze the impact of a return to the old confrontational policies between North and South following on from last year's election of a conservative president in South Korea, who quickly moved away from his predecessors' engagement policy towards the North. They will also discuss how, despite high expectations and major modifications in United States' policies towards North Korea, 2008 ended without final agreement on North Korean denuclearization. Tue, 05 May 2009 16:28:51 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1147/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1147/ 12:30, 3rd June 2009 - The global economic crisis is having an obvious and significant impact on world consumption and as a result, challenging the world's status quo. How is China working to maintain economic and social stability? How will China and the West re-invent themselves to survive the recession and what are the implications for the future? Can the Chinese government's RMB 4 trillion stimulus package work and how much of it is 'real' money? How is it being spent and what opportunities will it bring? The Asia Programme at Chatham House, in conjunction with Schmittzehe & Partners China Advisory and Chopsticks Club, are organizing this seminar on China's stimulus package. The event will take the form of a panel discussion followed by interactive debate and networking opportunities. A summary research white paper on the stimulus package will be available with a discount on the full published report for all attendees. This event is specifically aimed at the business community. As such, senior executives of organizations with significant operations and interests in China would benefit greatly from taking part. This event is the first in a series of three events. The following seminars will take place on Monday 21 September 2009 - China Moves up the Value Chain at Home and Overseas: How Will it Achieve This and Will it Work?, and Thursday 12 November 2009 - China: The Shift from Export to Domestic Consumption. There is a package discount if tickets for all three events are bought in one booking. Ticket price: £45.00 (£35.00 for Chatham House and Chopsticks Club members). Bookings can be made via the Chopsticks Club website >> For more information please contact the Asia Programme. Thu, 30 Apr 2009 17:34:11 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/news/view/-/id/580/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/news/view/-/id/580/ Climate of Change? Ahead of the Copenhagen summit in December, this month's The World Today looks at how China, Russia and Brazil are preparing for a post-Kyoto climate change agreement. Linda Jakobson, Senior Researcher, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, writes on the delicate balancing act the Chinese government are pursuing: while some Chinese leaders are adamant that combating climate change must not deter economic development, they are also keen to show they are willing to shoulder international responsibilities in line with the status of a rising power. However, the view that China is a victim of climate change, rather than a country to be held responsible for it, is shared across the party. Looking ahead to Iran's presidential elections, Ali Ansari, Associate Fellow, writes that the faltering economy will be a key issue, but with political comebacks beckoning and harsh criticisms of Ahmadinejad by potential candidates rife, one thing stands out: everyone is arguing about the need for change. And, Tony Elumelu, Chief Executive, United Bank for Africa, writes on how in a world of largely negative economic growth, African stocks and shares are showing strong results. But Africa needs to get the message across that it is a continent of growing economies, with institutions and entrepreneurs willing to play important roles in providing solutions to the economic crisis. Full list of contents: Climate Change: China's Changing Climate, Linda Jakobson Russia and Climate Change: Costs or Benefits?, Anna Korppoo Brazil and Climate Change: Global Positioning, Paulo Wrobel Moldova: Question of Power, James Sherr Global Economc Crisis: Crunching Eastern Europe, Sean Hanley European Elections: Big Yawn, or Wake-Up Call?, Julie Smith Europe's Eastern Partnership: Between Europe and Russia, Georgy Bovt Council of Europe: Conscience of a Continent, Martyn Bond The Global Economic Crisis and Africa, Tony Elumelu Iranian Presidential Elections: Ghost at the Election Banquet, Ali Ansari Lebanon Elections: Into the Shadows, Hussain Abdul-Hussain Thu, 23 Apr 2009 12:23:36 +0100