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- 2017 Asia and Africa today
"Asia and Africa today" № 11 2017 |
Top Problem |
RUSSIA IN THE NEAR AND MIDDLE EAST. LIMITS OF PRAGMATISM by Alexey M. VASILIEV, member, Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS); Honorary President, Institute for African Studies (RAS); Chair, African and Arab Studies, People’s Friendship University of Russia (PFUR); Editor-in-Chief, «Asia and Africa today» journal (
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Intervention of the Russian Aerospace Forces into the Syrian conflict has had a twofold goal: to help the legitimate Syrian government, in fact to save it and defeat or significantly weaken powerful extremist terrorist groups. At the end of 2017, a major military-political success has been achieved. Next task is to launch a real political process between the government and the so called «healthy» opposition. At the same time, the desire to cooperate in the region with the United States and with the Western countries in general remains an important vector of Russian policy. «Enemy of my enemy» could be a common enemy. But this logic does not find understanding in Washington. It became impossible to solve numerous problems of the region without Russia. Nevertheless since the main economic ties of the countries of the region are directed toward the West, the EU, China, and India the RF can not play in general in the Near and Middle East the role of “conductor” of the orchestra. The ferment in the region caused by terrorism and conflicts will be going on at the level of present or more moderate chaos. The fate of the «mother of all conflicts» - the Israeli-Palestinian one - remains suspended. The Russian Federation will continue to implement deideologized policy of pragmatism, expressing its interest in stability and security in the region. The choice of the path of development remains for the peoples of the Near and Middle East.
Keywords: Syrian crisis, terrorism, Russian military campaign in Syria, Middle and Middle East region, Arab-Israeli conflict
THE ROLE OF JAPAN IN THE CURRENT GEOPOLITICAL SITUATION by Irina V. GORDEEVA, PhD (History), Associate Professor, School of Asian Studies, National Research University Higher School of Economics, Moscow (
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The article stresses the importance of Japan as one of the major global powers with a highly developed economy and effective military capabilities, the closest ally of the United States, the main outpost of the West in the Western part of the Pacific Ocean. Japan’s role has further increased with the intensifying of the struggle for dominance in the Asia Pacific region. Steps taken by Washington and Tokyo to strengthen the US-Japan alliance in order to counter rising China, Japan’s efforts to upgrade its military capabilities, to raise the Japanese economy («abenomics»), policy of «active pacifism» are analyzed. The author also addresses the actions of Japan towards Russia, the attempts of Prime Minister S.Abe to be more flexible in order to conclude a peace treaty with Russia.
Keywords: Japan, the situation in the Asia Pacific region, strengthening of the US-Japan Alliance, confrontation with China, «abenomics», «active pacifism» policy
Policy, Economy |
NEW STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT OF THE CIVIL CODE OF PRC by Nikolay V. ANISIMTSEV, PhD (History), Senior Research Fellow, Institute of Far Eastern Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences (
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The 12th National People`s Congress of PRC at its 5th annual session held in March 2017 has approved the draft of the General provisions of Civil Law of PRC (revised). The Document reflects a new stage of development of China and its international situation. The work on the Civil code as a whole would be completed by 2020. The article presents an overview of ideological and political views and legal concepts of the Chinese scholars, main legal novations, the dominant points of view of politicians on the ways and directions for formation of the civil law of the country. The Legal reform is a part of the process of modernization of China, an important aspect of the work for achieving the “society of moderate prosperity”. The main conclusion - updated General provisions of the future Civil code retain potential for the further development of civil law of the PRC reflecting complex internal and international dynamics in different spheres of life. The article is addressed to sinologists, men of law, as well as to the broad public interested in the matters of contemporary PRC.
Keywords: General provisions of Civil law of PRC, the Law system of socialism with Chinese characteristics, society of moderate prosperity, modernization of China
THE POTENTIAL OF RUSSIAN FOOD EXPORT TO CHINA by Irina V. KARZANOVA, PhD (Economics), Professor, National Economy Department, Faculty of Economics, RUDN University (
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), and Alexander S. KAZYUKHIN, Post-graduate student, National Economy Department, Faculty of Economics, RUDN University (
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The paper analyses the current state of Russian food export to China, as well as the key problems faced by domestic exporters in their foreign economic activities. The available channels of Russian food sales to China, logistics, customs clearance, promotion and reimbursement of VAT are discussed.
Keywords: export, China, Russian food, government support
THE PROBLEM OF THE ABDICATION OF AKIHITO by Victor V. KUZMINKOV, PhD (Political Science), Assistant Professor, Japanese Language Department, Institute of Foreign Languages, Moscow City University (
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The article describes the problem of the abdication of the Emperor of Japan. In August 2016, the ailing Emperor Akihito made a televised address to the nation, expressing his fears for his health and his ability to carry on as emperor, and hinting that he wants to stand down. The Emperor`s speech became the subject of extensive discussion not only in Japan but also abroad. This is primarily due to the fact that abdication is not provided by the modern Japanese law. Considering exclusively representative status of the emperor, the change of legislation at his request can be interpreted as unconstitutional action.
Keywords: Japan, Emperor, constitution, abdication, succession to the throne, a special law
WINDS OF CHANGES OVER SAUDI ARABIA by Konstantin P. DUDAREV, orientalist, author of the book «Saudi Arabia. XXI century in the homeland of Islam: from «world gas station» to «laboratory of innovation and excellence». Moscow, Publishing House Nedra, 2017 (In Russ.) (
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The article analyzes the content and implementation of radical socio-economic reforms aimed at changing the development paradigm of Saudi Arabia on the basis of reducing raw materials dependence and diversifying the economy. Much attention is paid to the consideration of risks accompanying reforms, as well as to the analysis of the consistency of the criticism of changes by Western experts.
Keywords: Saudi Arabia, Vision 2030, reforms, Prince Mohammed bin Salman
BUSINESS CULTURES IN RUSSIAN-AFRICAN RELATIONS (Value and Semantic aspects) by Aida N. MOSEIKO, PhD (Philosophy), Leading Research Fellow, Institute for African Studies. (RAS) (
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), and Elena V. KHARITONOVA, PhD (Psychology), Senior Research Fellow, Institute for African Studies (RAS) (
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The reasons of barriers in business communications are considered, the possibilities of increasing the cross-cultural competence of a modern businessman are analyzed. In international business relations the one who can understand business culture of business partners realizes not only the behavioral and communicative manifestations of business culture that lie on the surface, but also the deep socio-cultural reasons underlying it will have the advantage. This will allow for flexibility and tolerance in cross-cultural communications and build effective business relationships.
Keywords: business cultures, Russian-African business, cross-cultural communications, meanings, meanings, sociocultural context
Scientific Life |
AFRICAN STUDIES AT THE XII CONGRESS OF ANTHROPOLOGISTS AND ETHNOLOGISTS OF RUSSIA by Eleonora S. LVOVA, Dr.Sc. (History), Professor, Institute of Asian and African Studies, Moscow State University (
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The Russian Assosiation of anthropologists and ethnologists held its XII Congress. 20 russian africanists took the part at it. Their abstracts were dedicated to various aspects of African studies - from sources till the political anthropology. The main theme of this Congress was the studying of the place and the importance of traditions in the modern world.
Keywords: anthropology, ethnology, Africa, traditions, modernization
OLD BELIEVERS IN UGANDA by Dmitry M. BONDARENKO, Corresponding Member, RAS, Deputy Director, Institute for African Studies, RAS, Dr.Sc. (History), Professor (
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). and Alina O. LAPUSHKINA, Junior Research Fellow, Institute for African Studies, RAS (
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From 13 to 27 of June 2017 Russian social anthropologists worked in the Republic of Uganda. The study was the first stage of the three-year scientific project “Orthodox Christians and Old Believers in Uganda: Socio-cultural Processes in African Christian Communities”. The aim of the Project is to study the phenomenon of Ugandan Orthodox Christianity and Old Believers in its sociocultural aspect.
Keywords: Orthodox Christianity, Old Believers, religious communities, socio-cultural processes, global trends, intercultural synthesis, Africa, Uganda
Post-Graduate Column |
INDIA AND CHINA: «FORCED PARTNERSHIP» OF TWO ASIAN GIANTS by Maria S. RESHCHIKOVA, master’s degree, MGIMO-University (
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), and Oleg I. RESHCHIKOV, Post-graduate student, Institute for Oriental Studies, RAS (
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The article contains a brief analysis of India-China economic relations and the assessment of trade and investment cooperation, as well as the effectiveness of joint institutions and mechanisms. The importance of cooperation within multilateral international formats and groups is emphasized. The main differences and problems of bilateral cooperation are described, with discrepancy between the existing disputes and the intensity of economic ties demonstrated. The authors characterize the relations of «forced partnership» between the two countries, explain the reasons and factors behind such a type of interaction and assess the prospects of evolution of the balance of power and interests in future.
Keywords: India, China, India-China relations, economic cooperation, «forced partnership»
RELATIONS BETWEEN SOUTH AFRICA AND THE COUNTRIES OF LATIN AMERICA (on the example of Brazil) by Yuri D. VERTASHOV, Post-graduate student, Junior Research Fellow, Institute for African Studies, RAS (
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The article analyzes some aspects of South African relations with the states of Latin America. The article analyses the role of Latin American states in the foreign policy of South Africa in the period from 1994 to the present time. The author investigates the milestones of South African foreign policy and the role of cooperation with leading countries of Latin America, primarily Brazil, in this policy. Author makes the conclusion, that the practice of the South Africa’ relations with Brazil and Latin America in total convinces in efficiency and mutual benefit of bilateral and multilateral political and economic ties among the developing countries.
Keywords: South Africa, Latin America, Brazil, BRICS, IBSA, collaboration, trade, investments
Travellings, Meetings, Impressions |
THE LIFE OF EXPATS IN KSA by Elizaveta A. KUZMICHEVA, Post-graduate student, Institute of Asian and African Studies, Moscow State University (
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In the article the author examined the stereotypes about the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, revealed the peculiarities of the expats’ residence on its territory, and also disassembled the pros and cons of the life of foreigners in this closed country. The author conducted a small comparative analysis of the life of the indigenous population of Saudi Arabia and representatives of other countries residing in its territory.
Keywords: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh, expats, work
Book Review |
АСTUALIZING HISTORY
Review of the book: Yu.V.Chudodeyev. «On the Ground and in the Sky of China. Soviet military advisers and volunteer pilots in China during SinoJapanese war (1937-1945)». Moscow, 2017. 224 p. (In Russ.)
Evgeny M. ANTASHKEVICH, member, Russian-Chinese Friendship Society, Russian Writers Union. (
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Keywords: Chinese Republic, USSR, Chiang Kaishek, I.V.Stalin, Soviet advisers, Soviet pilots
REFLECTION OF STRUGGLE WITH ISLAMIC INTEGRISM IN THE CONTEMPORARY ALGERIAN LITERATURE
Review of the book: Svetlana V. Prozhogina. «Dismay» (reflection of the terror of Islamism in Algerian literature in the 20th and 21st centuries)». (In the author’s edition, with annex. M., Institute of Oriental Studies, RAS, 2017. 511 p.) (In Russ.)
Natalia L. KRYLOVA, Dr.Sc. (History), Institute of African Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences. Spiridonovka str., 30/1, Moscow, 123001, Russian Federation (e-mail
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Keywords: Algeria, literary evidence, terror, Islamism, fundamentalism, Maghreb writers
HEROES AND ANTIHEROES OF TROPICAL AFRICA: PEOPLE AND DESTINY Review of the book: T.S.Denisova. Tropical Africa: Evolution of Political Leadership. Moscow, Institute for African Studies, RAS, 2016. 595 p. (In Russ.) Tatyana M.GAVRISTOVA, Dr.Sc. (History), Professor ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ), and Anna V.MILTO, PhD (History), Associate Professor ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ), Department of General History, Faculty of History of P.G.Demidov Yaroslavl State University. Keywords: political leadership, Africa south of Sahara, аuthoritarianism, dictatorship, legitimacy
TRAVELLING WITH THE FAMILY IN AFRICA
Review of the book: “Travelling with the family in Africa. A year on the road” (St.Petersburg, 2016. 664 p.) (In Russ.)
Nikolai I. PETROV, independent observer, Moscow (
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Keywords: Africa, family safari, V.A.Snatenkov