February 22: Cambodia/Thailand
Cambodia and Thailand agree to allow Indonesian observers to monitor the border area near the 11th century temple of Preah Vikear, which is disputed by both countries. The international court assigned the temple to Cambodia in 1962, which did not solve the issue, and the countries have been experiencing occasional border clashes, with the most recent one earlier this month.
March 11: Japan
A devastating 9.0 magnitude offshore earthquake followed by powerful tsunami up to 133 feet high hit northern Japan. As a result, about 28,000 people are either killed or missing, 150,000 other are left homeless, and the destruction to infrastructure is estimated at more than $300 billion. In addition, damage to the Fukushima nuclear plant, located 155 miles north of Tokyo, causes several explosions, radiation leaks, and contamination of food and water supplies. The government evacuates hundreds of thousands of residents from around the damaged plant.
April 27: India
The Tibetan government-in-exile based in Dharamsala, India announces that Harvard educated Lobsang Sangay has been elected a prime minister. About 50,000 Tibetans living in exile around the world cast their votes. The Dalai Lama insisted on devolving the political duties to an elected official, but he will continue his role as Tibetan spiritual leader.
May 16: Japan
Amid continued struggle to take control over the Fukushima nuclear power plan damaged in the last month’s earthquake and tsunami and new fears of a highly radioactive material leak, the Japanese government widens the evacuation zone to a radius of 19 miles. About 5,000 people are moved from the area.
June 16: China/Vietnam/Philippines/Taiwan/Malaysia
China sends a navy ship into the disputed waters of the South China Sea to patrol the area amid the recent upsurge in regional tensions over the sovereignty over the waters and two island chains, the Paracels and the Spratlys. It is believed that the area contains the wealth of natural resources, such as oil and natural gas, as well as is rich in fish. The area is also one of the region’s main shipping lanes. China, Vietnam, Taiwan, the Philippines, Brunei, and Malaysia claim sovereignty over the Spratlys, while China and Vietnam dispute the ownership of the Paracels.
June 26: China
Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao arrives in the United Kingdom to promote more trade between Britain and China. China is also interested in diversifying their foreign reserves holdings by purchasing government bonds in other currencies such as the euro. Before coming to Britain, Prime Minister Wen stopped in Hungary, where he agreed to purchase a certain amount of the Hungarian debt in government bonds.
June 27: Cambodia
The Special Court of Cambodia (ECCC), the United Nations backed Tribunal established to try senior members of the Khmer Rouge regime, holds a first hearing in the trial of four former top officials in the regime that ruled between 1975 and 1979. They include the second in command in the regime, Nuon Chea, former head of state, Khieu Samphan, former Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, leng Sary, and his wife leng Thirith, former Minister of Social Affairs. They all are accused of genocide and crimes against humanity.
July 3: Thailand
Thailand’s opposition leader, Yingluck Shinawatra, sister of ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, and her party Pheu Thai win a landslide victory in parliamentary elections. She will become Thailand’s first female prime minister. The military says it will not interfere in Shinawatra’s forming a new government.
July 9: Malaysia
About 10,000 people gather for a banned rally in Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur, to push the government to reform the country’s electoral system. The demonstration is organized by Bersih activists, the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections, who want all parties to have equal access to the media and longer campaign period. The riot police disperse the rally and arrest more than 1,500 people.
November 22: South Korea
South Korean parliament ratifies a free-trade agreement with the United States after it was agreed in 2007. The United States ratified it last month. The deal is expected to raise U.S. exports to South Korea by $10 billion. However, the Korean opponents, who protest outside the parliament, say the agreement puts Korean workers at disadvantage.
December 1: Myanmar
United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton pays an official visit to Myanmar for the first time since 1955. She meets with the country’s president, Thein Sein, and commends the recent reforms, saying that as long as they continue relations between Myanmar and the United States will improve. Hillary Clinton also meets with opposition and pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
December 4: Japan
Japan says that contaminated water from the damaged Fukusima nuclear plant leaked into the sea. The plant was crippled as a result of the devastating March 11 earthquake and tsunami.
December 19: North Korea
The long-time leader of the hermit country of North Korea, Kim Jong-il, dies of a heart attack at the age of 69 after 17 years in power. North Korea’s neighbors are put on high alert amid worries of instability in North Korea. Kim Jong-il’s youngest son, Kim Jong-un, is a designated successor by his father and appointed Chairman of the National Defense Commission. He is expected to take over as the leader of the ruling party.