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2012 Asia and Africa today

BRICS: MODERNIZATION AND COOPERATION

SINGAPORE’S EXPERIENCE IS INSTRUCTIVE by A.V.Frolov, PhD (Economy)
Keywords: Singapore, the US, innovation, economy
The article examines the main trends of two very different national innovation systems, namely those of the U.S. and Singapore. Both countries are in search of ways to solve such modern innovation problems as the optimal ratio of fundamental and applied researches, development of public-private partnerships and the creative economy. Their experience is instructive in dealing with the creation of innovative economies in other countries, primarily in Russia.

SEDITION, ANARCHY, REVOLUTION: ARAB POLITICAL CULTURE ON ITS WAY TO THE FUTURE by E.I.Zelenev, Dr.Sc. (History), St.-Petersburg
Keywords: the Arabian countries, mass political unrest, sedition
Sedition today loses its nature of local form of protest and enters into life as the universal tool of pressure upon the power where the other more civilized ways of dialogue between the people and the ruler do not exist. Sedition is becoming not only the way of behavior, but a stereotype of thought, informal model of protest and maybe an element of liberal political culture. Sedition in the modern informational environment as a form of expression of any political demand will likely be used by very different political powers. It is becoming rather convenient to “launch” sedition with the help of mobile technology and the Internet.
The mechanisms of mobilization in the course of sedition in the Arab countries can work on the traditional communication level as well. Therefore we are forced to acknowledge that in the foreseeable future in the countries of the Arabian world sedition (fitna) will create a background of pre-election struggle and actions of opposition forces. Political stability will depend on ability of the authorities to cope with this form of protest which was introduced to the new conditions of the proto-global world.

RUSSIAN TELECOMMUNICATION COMPANIES IN THE ASIAN AND AFRICAN MARKETS by E.V.Sklyarov

The article analyses the global telecommunications market, as well as the position of the largest Russian telecom operators in this market. The main geographical areas of foreign economic activities of the Russian companies, primarily in the markets of Asia and Africa, are given. Conclusions about competitive advantages of Russian mobile operators in these markets are formulated based on the analysis of the features of business models in telecommunications in the developing countries. Finally, predictions about the future directions of foreign economic activities of the Russian telecom business are given.

THE SECRET OF SUCCESS OF SOUTH KOREA by M.A.Morekhodov
Keywords: South Korea, planned economy, economic reforms
Michael Morekhodov is absolutely unusual author of our magazine. He is not the scientist-orientalist, he is a professional seaman, a long voyage captain. Wide experience and knowledge of the Russian engineer has been claimed in many countries of the world, including China and Japan. Last 10 years M. Morekhodov lives and works in South Korea.
His article doesn’t apply for the scientific analysis of an economic situation in this country. It is of great value mainly because it is based on rich historical and statistical materials, as well as on personal experience and impressions.
The author speaks about the incitement to fast economic growth of the Republic Korea, its entering into the club of the leading industrial states of the world. He believes that much of South Korean experience is of interest for the updated Russia.

AGRARIAN ECONOMY OF CHINA: RESULTS IN THE 11th FIVE-YEARS PLAN (2006-2010) by L.D.Bonnie, Dr.Sc. (Economy), part 1
Keywords: rural economy, land resources, food security, comparative efficiency, modernization, demonstration fields, biotechnology, mechanization, macro-regulation
The article analyses the achievements of Chinese agricultural sector for the last five years, as well as the main factors ensured undoubted success. The agrarian economy has definitely played an important role in the government Anti- crisis Program (2008-2009): favorable situation in agriculture prevailed, food supply was sufficient, social stability preserved. Most evident successes are the following: progressive dynamics in agriculture during all five years; effective solution of the unemployment problem in the rural regions complicated due to the world crisis growing grain yields over seven years (2004-2010); the start of a new biotechnological breakthrough in grain production complex of Chinese agriculture.

WHY INDIA IS SO ATTRACTIVE FOR FOREIGN INVESTORS? by N.V.Galisheva, Ph.D. (Economy)
Keywords: capital import, direct foreign investments, India, Southern Asia
The economic reforms being realized in India from the beginning of 1990th, promoted liberalization of all aspects of economic life, resulted in growth of competitiveness in many spheres of economy. All that has allowed the Indian government to open the market for inflow of direct foreign investment (DFI), to stimulate integration of the country into the world economy. As a result of liberal reforms the investment climate in India changes for the better. It is expected that volume of direct foreign investment to India in 2011 will make an order of 1 650 руб. bln, and in 2012 - 1 979 руб. bln.
The flow of DFI gives the Indian companies a chance to get necessary high technologies and to expand communications with foreign markets. It also creates favorable conditions for development of hi-tech branches of industry, for promotion of modernization of economy and as the result - strengthens the economic role of India in the world.

QATAR IN THE MARKETS OF THE ASIAN STATES by E.O.Kasayev
Keywords: Qatar, trade, investments
In the article modern trading and investment relations of Qatar with the leading Asian countries of Asia are considered, also the condition and prospects of their development is analysed. The author comes to conclusion that the Asian markets are priority for the emirate, first of all, as markets for export of liquefied natural gas and realization of long-term capital investments in various spheres of economy.

AFRICA: FORMATION OF THE NATIONS AND ETHNORACIAL TOLERANCE by D.M.Bondarenko, Dr.Sc. (History) (part 2, the beginning in “Asia and Africa today” № 12, 2011)
Keywords: Tanzania, Zambia, tolerance, the nation, students, diasporas
We continues the publication of results of the study spent by the author in the student’s environment of Tanzania and Zambia. The study testifies that the university students representing the African by origin overwhelming majority of the countries’ population are generally tolerant towards their compatriots of the non-African (European and South Asian) origins. In both countries perception of the Europeans is more positive than that of the South Asians. However, tolerance level of Zambian students is higher than that of Tanzanian. The author also investigated how the respondents regard for colonialism, secularization and religion.

FEATURES AND PROBLEMS OF THE AFRICAN FAMILY by I.G.Rybalkin, PhD (History)
Keywords: Africa, family, polygamy, globalization
Now marriage-family structures and interfamily relations in the African countries appear more and more subject to influence of processes of globalization, of military-political, financial and economic crises. Gender problems have started to be discussed widely at the international and local political levels.

DEVELOPMENT OF OIL AND GAS SECTOR OF CHINA by Fan Tintin (People’s Republic of China)
Keywords: China, oil and gas sector, foreign power investments, power cooperation, national oil companies
Last years high rate of growth of Chinese economy resulted in considerable increase of demand for power resources. With the purpose of maintenance of power safety Chinese leaders have undertaken a number of reforms. In the article formation and function of the Chinese power companies are considered. The author gives the detailed analysis of relations between the national oil and gas companies and the government of the Peoples Republic of China

ETHIOPIA: “GRAND RENAISSANCE DAM” by A.N.Bragin
Keywords: Ethiopia, hydropower, the Nile Basin Initiative
The article of our staff reporter in Addis Ababa is devoted to the construction of “Grand Renaissance Dam” in Ethiopia, the biggest hydropower plant in Africa. The implementation of this project is seen as a part of the ambitious plans of the Ethiopian government for electro power development. It also includes brief analysis of the political aspects of building the dam on the Nile.

LIGHT AND SHADOW OF POLYNESIAN «PARADISE» by Yu.M.Sokolov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, rtd., part 3
Keywords: New Zealand, Polynesia, Samoa
The author continues to share the impressions of his stay for several years in New Zealand, where he was ambassador to the USSR. In this chapter Sokolov tells the story of Western Samoa.

RIPE APPLE by V.V.Ivanova, Ph.D. (History)
Keywords: Pan-Turkism, Turkish poetry, golden apple
It was Ziya Gokalp, the ideologist of Turkish unity who has chosen a gold or red apple as a symbol of pan-Turkism. And from that time this archaic image is a keystone in the rhetoric of Turkish pan-Turkists. The article poems about the golden apple of 12 contemporary Turkish poets are examined. Their poems can be considered as a unique source for analysis of contemporary pan-Turkism in Turkey.

TIANJIN CORRECTS IT’S FENG SHUI by E.M.Breus
Keywords: China, Tianjin, traditional and modern urban planning, feng shui, cultural landscape
Modern China is changing before your eyes actively using new technologies in urban development. The historical parts of towns and cities are converted as a rule into museums or even re-created «by the models of antiquity». By linking together geography and history, the state transforms the urban landscape into means of ideological influence.

RED HOT IN PINK LIGHT, OR ABOUT MADAGASCAR WITH LOVE
Review of L.A.Kartashova’s book «Madagascar and Me» (Moscow, Econ-Inform, 2011, 272 pp.).

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