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2013 Asia and Africa today

RUSSIAN-EGYPTIAN RELATIONS AT THE TURN OF THE CENTURIES by M.L.Bogdanov, Special Representative of the President of Russian Federation for the Middle East, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation

Keywords: Russia, Egypt, Soviet/Russian - Egyptian relations

In August of this year the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Moscow and Cairo has been celebrated. In connection with this the nature of relations between the two countries over the years is analyzed. Over the last four decades the Russian - Egyptian relations have gone through three stages in its development: the crisis period (first half of the 1970s - mid-1990s); finding ways to recover and to look for new forms of interaction (the mid-1990s - beginning of 2000); and stage of modernization and the rise (the first decade of the XXI century). The main attention is paid to the relationship in the post-Soviet period.
The deputy minister stresses, that the national interests of the two countries will continue to push both sides towards developing cooperation in the new environment.

XINJIANG - «OUTPOST» OF CHINA IN CENTRAL ASIA by V.G.Gelbras, Dr.Sc. (History)
Keywords: China, Xinjiang province, Central Asia Chinese leadership made the decision to accelerate
development of economy of Xinjiang province and transform this region which is rich in natural resources in the center of export production. It has to become an outpost of China in the countries of Central Asia. For this purpose the authorities intend to accelerate construction of the cross-border railroad through Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Turkey and further to Europe. The central government and the governments of provinces allocate large financial funds and manpower for economic development of Xinjiang.

WORLD ECONOMY: PROBLEMS OF RESTORATION

EXTERNAL ECONOMIC ASPECT OF THE YUAN’S TRANSFORMATION INTO THE WORLD CURRENCY by A.I.Binder, PhD (Economics), A.Yu.Kononov, Far- Eastern Federal University

Keywords: China, foreign exchange policy, internatio- nalization, yuan

The article analyzes external economic aspect of the yuan’s transformation into the world currency. Special attention is paid to renminbi’s role in world trade transactions, to clarifying the prospective of renminbi being added to the central banks reserves portfolios, to analyzing the process of local currency swap agreements ratifications, etc. The research indicates the upturn of the Chinese currency’s role in the world economy and global finances.

ISLAM, ISLAMISM AND EXTREMISM

AL-SHABAAB IN SOMALIA: HOPE FOR THE PEACE OR THREAT TO THE WORLD? by L.V.Ivanova, PhD (History)

Keywords: Somalia, al-Shabaab, Islamic Courts’ Union, conflict in Somalia, terrorist threat

The author analyses main approaches in understanding the ideology and the aims of the Somali organization of al- Shabaab. Special interest is given to ideology, recruiting and membership in al-Shabaab as well as to the image of this organization created by mass-media. The author describes current attempts to eliminate violent/terrorist activities of Al-Shabaab via funding peaceful conferences and negotiations with Somali Diaspora, and offers some different approaches to the conflict resolution.

ENERGY: PRESENT AND FUTURE

HYDRO POWER ENGINEERING OF INDIA IN THE CONTEXT OF WATER MANAGEMENT IN SOUTH ASIA by T.S.Svinarchuk

Keywords : South Asia, India, hydropower, transboundary rivers, water resources

The major feature of the projects of hydro power engineering in South Asia ( SA), is that all three existing there major river systems - the Indus basin, the Ganges and the Brahmaputra - are transboundary. Construction of multi- purpose dams, even on one of the tributaries of the three largest rivers in the region will result in changes of status of the entire basin. Therefore, an important aspects of water management in SA need the inter-state cooperation.

ARABIC WORLD. THE PROBLEM OF WATER SUPPLY by A.B.Podtserob, PhD (History)

Keywords: Arab countries, water demand, Great Artificial River in Libya

Landside growth of production and increase of the population of the Earth has caused increase of water demand. In this regard, the provision of water begins to turn into one of the global problems. This problem is particularly urgent in the Arab countries, also because a large part of their territory is occupied by deserts.
As far as in 1960 each person could consume 3,3 thousand cubic meters of water annually. Nowadays this figure decreased to 1,3 thousand cubic meters.

INTERNATIONAL CORPORATIONS IN AFRICA by G.E.Roshchin, Dr.Sc. ( Economics)

Keywords: Africa, TNCs, FDI, modernization of the global economy, the financial and economic crisis

Attracting foreign capital is one of the main priorities of the investment policies of most African states. Foreign direct investment (FDI) are considered here, as elsewhere in the world, as an important channel of access to the resources of transnational corporations which are necessary for the development and modernization of their economy. Unrest and instability in Egypt and Libya have caused many potential investors to refrain from investing their capital to these countries.

LAND REFORM IN SOUTH AFRICA by A.D.Hamatshin

Keywords: South Africa, land reform, agrarian sector
This year South Africa has marked a centenary of the adoption of the Law on Land to the Natives, 1913. That law provided unequal distribution of land resources among racial groups of the country and deprived the Africans of 86% of the agricultural territory.
Although apartheid was abolished two decades ago, the land ownership structure has not undergone significant changes, and rural poverty still persists. Against this background the government land reform carried out in recent years does not look very successful.

“ALMOST KINSHIP COUNTRY” by V.V.Belyakov, Dr.Sc. (History)

Keywords: Russia, Egypt, tourism, culture

Mass tourism from Russia to Egypt made this country well-known for millions of Russians, attracted attention to its history and culture. Nowadays in Russia publication of books on Egypt has increased some writers and poets created works about this country, symbolic pyramids were built, sphinxes were installed. Positive image of Egypt is used widely by businessmen for attracting more clients. Russian cities are full of commercial entities named “Pharaoh”, “Sphinx”, “Luxor”, “Nefertiti”, and “Cleopatra”.

RUSSIANS IN SOUTHEAST ASIA by V.V.Bublikov, PhD (Sociology), Belgorod State National Research University; N.G.Kuznetzov PhD (Economics), Institute of Socio-Political Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences

Keywords: Russian diaspora, South-East Asia, Vietnam, Thailand, migration flows, favorable conditions of life, downshifting

The article analyzes the main causes and forms of Russian community in South-East Asia, which has recently become one of the new, fast-growing centers of attraction for migrants from Russia. Large Russians diaspora currently exist in Thailand, Vietnam and Singapore, but the rapid development of relations between Russia and the countries of South-East Asia creates the preconditions for the development of similar communities in other countries in the region - Indonesia, Cambodia, Philippines.

KWANZAA - PAN-AFRICAN NEW YEAR by N.E.Khokholkova, Yaroslavl State University

Keywords: Kwanzaa, festival, African Americans

New Year is the most popular traditional festival. During the period of twelve calendar months it is being celebrated at various times all over the world. People celebrate New Year according the Christian, Buddhist, Islamic calendars: in Japan - O-shogatsu, in China - Chunjie, in Iran - Nowruz. Afro-Americans invented their own variant of New Year’s fest
- they named it Kwanzaa. The article is devoted to Kwanzaa - a family celebration and festival of Pan-African culture. The author speaks about history, symbols, ritual and ceremonies of the festival.

CHINESE AND AFRICAN STUDENTS IN MOSCOW. PROBLEMS OF ADAPTATION by V.V.Glebov, PhD (Psychology)

Keywords: China, African countries, foreign students, adaptation processes

Data of researches are provided in article on selection of the Chinese and African students who are trained at the
Peoples’ Friendship University in Moscow and the Moscow State University. Features of adaptation processes of the Chinese and African students are given. The received results show that on adaptation processes of foreign students are greatly influenced by social and economic cultural, ecological factors.

INDIANS IN THE PHILIPPINES by I.Yu.Kotin, Dr.Sc. (History), St. Petersburg State University

Keywords: Indians, Philippines, Sikhs, Sindhis

Since 1762 Indians are recorded in the Philippines, though linguistics and other sources tell of longer cultural contacts between the territory of present-day Philippines and South Asia. Those ‘Sipays’ who were stationed by the British in manila stayed there even after 1764. Present day Philippines has about 30,000 Indians. They are commonly known as the ‘Bumbai’. Most influential among them are Sikhs and both groups originating from North-Western India.

INDIA. LOOKING FOR BONDO by A.V.Ivanov

Keywords: India, Bondo people

This paper speaks about the author’s search for the Bondo people in the jungle of Orissa state. He set a goal to find this small ethnical community, isolated in its ecological niche, and he has done it although it wasn’t easy task.
Readers will find interesting facts about this little-known ethnical group living in the central part of India, about adventure the author has had during his traveling.

VALENTINA BATTLER - POET AND ARTIST by O.A.Arin, Dr.Sc. (History)

Keywords: China, Wang Liushi, Chinese painting, poetry

Today, the very meaning and the spirit of the artistic development are almost destroyed. In spite of the heralds of novelty and bulky support of this phenomenon by the businessmen, visual art turned to its opposite - anti art. Rare cases present comprehension of spirit and creative perfection that make us slow step, and even wonder - what we are.
Valentina Battler (Valentina Alieva, Russian) is one of such wondrous figures. She is an artist and poet in the most difficult and the challenging artistic genre - Chinese painting. Moreover, referring to the supranational, she has a unique talent of expressing the universal in both - painting and poetry.

TAUFIQ ISMAIL: ADVOCATE OF THE POOR AND OPPRESSED by V.A.Pogadaev, PhD (History), University of Malaya (Kuala Lumpur)

Keywords: Indonesian poetry, Taufik Ismail, literary magazine «Horison», «Nusantara» Society

Taufiq Ismail is a prominent Indonesian poet and essayist. His works are inherent in social and political significance, as well as in religious issues. Along with the theme of alienation of the human individuals there are sketches of the life of Javanese farmers with their joys and troubles, elements of gentle humor and sympathy for working people.
He was one of the first poets who brought the poetry into the streets. He is the author of the lyrics for popular songs too, is engaged also in translation work.

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