January 19: China

China’s Public Security Ministry announces a 6 percent rise in public disturbances in 2005. As economic growth widens the wealth gap in the Chinese society, it sets off social conflicts. China’s leaders see the social unrest as the biggest challenge to their power.

January 19: Taiwan

Su Tseng-chang becomes Taiwan’s new prime minister after the resignation of Frank Hsieh, who gave his notice in response to his party’s defeat in December local elections. Prime minister in Taiwan does not have a lot of powers as most executive authority rests in the post of a president. Prime Minister Su is a popular politician and seen as a likely contender in the 2008 presidential elections.

January 20: East Timor/Indonesia

The East Timorese Commission for Reception, Truth and Reconciliation releases a report on Indonesia’s abuses during the twenty-four-year annexation of East Timor between 1975 and 1999. According to the report, in order to suppress independence movement, the Indonesian security forces used starvation, violence, rape, and execution-style killings against civilians, which resulted in as many as 183,000 deaths.

January 21: Japan

Japan bans all imports of U.S. beef due to fears of mad cow disease. A shipment of veal from a plant in New York contained some spinal material, which is banned by Japanese regulations. Restrictions against bone-in beef remain in most of Asia due to fear that bone tissue might be contaminated. The ban comes just six weeks after Japan lifted a previous two-year ban on American beef, and is a serious setback for the U.S. meat industry.

January 23: Indonesia

About two hundred protesters push their way into a provincial legislative building in Papua, Indonesia, calling for national troops’ withdrawal from their province. Papua became a part of Indonesia in 1963, and since then there have been sporadic calls for independence.

January 25: Mongolia

The Mongolian Parliament selects the former mayor of Ulan Bator, Miyeegombo Enkhbold of the Mongolian People’s Revolution Party (MPRP), as the country’s new prime minister. The change of administration is a result of a parliamentary crisis earlier in the month in which the MPRP withdrew from the governing coalition due to slow economic growth, corruption, and inflation. For most part, the political situation in Mongolia has been peaceful since the move to democracy in 1991.

January 25: China

Internet company Google came under attack after it agreed to censor its search engine in China in order to satisfy authorities in Beijing. Critics warn that this could restrict access to Web sites on sensitive topics like independence for Taiwan and the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre. Google argues that it can play a more useful role in China by participating in the fast growing market.

January 31: Cambodia

Cambodia’s National Election Committee officially announces that the ruling Cambodian Peoples’ Party (CPP) won an absolute majority in the country’s first Senate elections on January 23. However, the election observers say the vote was undemocratic because only members of parliament or local government whose political affiliations were already known were allowed to vote.

February 8: Japan/North Korea

Japan and North Korea conclude high-level, five-day talks in China, failing to reach an agreement on any issues discussed. The abduction of Japanese nationals by North Korea in the 1970s and 1980s was the main issue that the two parties discussed. The two countries also talked about North Korea’s nuclear arms program and Japan’s colonial rule reparations for North Korea.

February 28: China/Taiwan

China expresses its anger after Taiwan’s president, Chen Shui-bian, dissolves the National Unification Council and its guidelines, accusing him of pushing toward the island’s independence. The council was set up in 1990 to convince China that Taiwan was interested in reunification with mainland China. It also helped launch important talks between both sides at the beginning of the 1990s.

March 2: North Korea/South Korea

North and South Korea resume military talks after an almost two-year hiatus. The talks are the highest-level military meeting held since the Korean War in the 1950s. The two countries hope to ease the military tension as well as to encourage trade.

March 3: Philippines

Philippine President Gloria Arroyo lifts a state of emergency one week after an alleged coup plot. Since the accusations of rigging the presidential elections in 2004, Arroyo has faced growing protests calling for her resignation. Although she introduced some reforms to improve the government finances, tackle corruption, and cut the country’s debt, she has failed to strengthen the fractious political system, bring unity to the military, and deal with the poverty.

March 14: Thailand

In Bangkok, Thailand, about 50,000 demonstrators march on Government House, calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The peaceful demonstration is one of many in recent weeks, in which protestors accuse Shinawatra of corruption and abuse of power. To regain legitimacy, the prime minister has called for an early election in April, which the opposition has vowed to boycott.

March 27: Philippines

A bomb explosion kills nine people and injures twenty on the island of Jolo in the Philippines. Police officials suspect the Islamic militant group Abu Sayyaf. A similar attack by insurgents occurred in Jolo last month. The most violent Islamic separatist group in the country, Abu Sayyaf has been the focus of U.S.-supported military offensives, which are thought to have seriously weakened the group.

April 3: Australia/China

China signs an agreement with Australia for imports of uranium to supply its growing power stations. In order to assure that the uranium will not be used for building nuclear weapons, Australia sells it only to members of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. It also demands that the buyer signs a separate agreement stating the uranium will not be used for a weapons program. Australia has 40 percent of the world’s uranium deposits.

April 26: China

China’s President Hu Jintao pays an official visit to Africa, during which he signs a deal for oil drilling in Nigeria. In exchange, China will invest $4 billion in oil refining and build a railroad system and power stations in Nigeria. For China, Africa is an important region that can secure its energy needs. It also has a vast market for Chinese products.

May 2: Japan

The United States and Japan finalize an agreement to restructure the U.S. military presence in Okinawa. The plan includes relocating a U.S. airfield to another part of the island, and transferring 8,000 U.S. Marines to Guam. Residents have long complained about noise, crime, and other costs associated with the U.S. presence. Japan also plans to strengthen its own defense forces. American troops have been stationed in Japan since the end of World War II.

May 8: Thailand

Thailand’s constitutional court rules that the April elections are invalid due to the fact that opposition groups boycotted the poll and some of the seats in the parliament have not been filled. The court also rules that the country has to hold another election. The crisis began when Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra dissolved parliament in February and called for new elections to show that he still had popular support despite mounting protests against his government.

May 16: Myanmar

As many as 15,000 ethnic Karens flee to jungles and to the border with Thailand after Myanmar’s government launches a new military campaign against Karen rebels. Human rights organizations describe the situation as ethnic cleansing by Myanmar’s army, which for years has been accused of executions, rapes, and other abuses. Karen groups have fought for increased autonomy for decades.

May 31: Vietnam

Vietnam and the United States sign a trade deal in which Vietnam agrees to reduce tariffs and import restrictions on U.S. products. It also agrees to drop a plan to subsidize its textile industry. The deal, once approved by the U.S. Congress, is the final agreement needed for Vietnam to join the World Trade Organization (WTO). If it is successful in its bid for membership in the WTO, Vietnam will gain equal access to all other members’ markets.

June 24: Philippines

Philippines President Gloria Arroyo signs a law that abolishes the death penalty. Two weeks earlier, the country’s parliament voted overwhelmingly for the bill. As a result, 1,200 prisoners on death row will have their sentences changed to life imprisonment.

June 26: East Timor

East Timor’s prime minister, Mari Alkatiri, resigns after thousands of street protesters demanded his resignation. Alkatiri has been blamed for recent violence in the country caused by his move to dismiss 600 soldiers. His opponents also accuse him of creating a hit squad to eliminate his political rivals. Alkatiri is known for his involvement in East Timor’s independence movement and his successful negotiations with Australia over the country’s right to oilfields. However, many view him as an arrogant politician.

June 27: Vietnam

Vietnam’s parliament appoints Nguyen Minh Triet as the country’s new president and Nguyen Tan Dung as prime minister. Both new appointees are loyal Communist Party members, but they are seen as reformers. The president and prime minister are the most powerful post after the head of the Communist Party. The new leaders are expected to fight corruption and push for privatization and economic deregulation.

July 5: North Korea

North Korea test-fires seven missiles, sparking condemnation from the international community. One of the missiles, the Taepodong-2, is thought to be capable of reaching Alaska in the United States, despite failing shortly after takeoff. Although North Korea has been involved in stalled six-party talks on its nuclear program, analysts believe the missile tests may be a means of gaining world attention, particularly from the United States.

July 13: Indonesia

Indonesia’s parliament grants greater autonomy to the province of Aceh, which will enjoy more autonomy than any other Indonesian province. The new law is a part of the 2004 peace deal between the Indonesian government and a separatist group, the Free Aceh Movement (Gam). Human rights groups criticize the law citing that it prohibits Aceh’s new human rights court from trying crimes committed during the last 30 years of conflict.

July 14: East Timor

The new government of East Timor is sworn in, following the appointment of José Ramos-Horta as the new prime minister. Ramos-Horta replaces Mari Alkatiri, who stepped down last month after his firing of 600 soldiers led to months of violence and unrest. A recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, Ramos-Horta is viewed as a possible unifying figure for East Timor. The country gained independence from Indonesia in 2002.

July 18: Japan

Japan withdraws the last of its 600 troops from Iraq, ending the first deployment of Japanese forces into an active war zone since World War II. The troops were engaged in humanitarian projects and reconstruction projects in southern Iraq. Japan’s pacifist constitution bans the use of force in settling international disputes. A new law in 2003 granted troops permission to enter non-combat zones in Iraq.

August 22: China

China signs a free trade agreement with Chile, its first one in South America. The deal gives Chile access to the vast Chinese market. China, on the other hand, will have access to Chile’s vast natural resources, such as copper. Free trade covers 92 percent of Chile’s exports to China and 50 percent of China’s exports to Chile.

August 23: North Korea/Thailand

Thai police arrest 175 North Koreans in Bangkok who illegally entered the country. Tens of thousands of North Koreans escape the repression and hunger in their country. Through China, they try to reach Southeast Asia, where they have a chance of being sent to South Korea.

August 30: Vietnam

A Vietnamese pro-democracy activist, Pham Hong Son, is released from prison as part of a general amnesty. Son was sentenced to 14 years in prison for spying, after he translated an article on democracy and posted it on the Internet. His release follows diplomatic pressure from the United States, the European Union, and human rights organizations on Vietnam to improve human rights and release Son.

September 6: Japan

A baby boy is born into the Japanese royal family, calming worries of a succession crisis. His birth eases debates over constitutional reforms that would allow women to take the throne. Only males may succeed the throne in Japan, and a male had not been born into the imperial family for over 40 years.

September 19: Thailand

The Thai military overthrows the government of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, while Thaksin is at a UN meeting in New York. Thaksin declares a state of emergency and says the government remains in control. The armed forces, however, declare martial law and order all troops to return to their bases. The coup is the result of pressure for Thaksin’s resignation, which groups close to King Bhumibol support.

September 26: Japan

Shinzo Abe is elected as Japan’s new prime minister. At 52 years old, he is the youngest prime minister since World War II. His platform is based on cutting government spending, improving ties with China, and implementing economic reforms. Abe also advocates a revision of Japan’s pacifist constitution and a more assertive foreign policy.

October 5: China

Seventy Tibetan refugees are shot at by Chinese border guards while trying to flee to a UN-sponsored refugee center in Nepal. Two are killed, several are injured, and forty-two enter Nepal safely. Hundreds of Tibetans try to cross the border each year attempting to escape Chinese rule.

October 12: China

China’s trade surplus reaches $110 billion, exceeding the record set in 2005. China has attained over $1 trillion in foreign reserves as its exports continue to grow faster than its imports. Both the United States and the European Union are concerned about China’s trade imbalance, arguing that China keeps its currency artificially low to boost exports.

October 13: Taiwan

A recall motion against Taiwan’s President Chen Shui-bian fails to get enough parliamentary votes. President Chen has recently faced numerous protests due to charges of corruption against him, his family, and his aides. He denies any personal wrongdoing and insists that he will serve out his full term in office. This is the opposition’s second failed attempt to recall the president.

October 18: Malaysia

The Malaysian government frees Nik Adli Nik Aziz, son of the Islamic opposition’s spiritual leader. Aziz’s release marks the end of five years in jail as a suspected militant without seeing charges or trial. The number of people detained without trial in Malaysia has dropped in recent years, but activists continue to call for the release of more detainees.

October 20: North Korea

North Korean leader Kim Jong Il assures a Chinese envoy that his government has no plans to carry out more nuclear tests. Despite strong international opposition, North Korea has become the ninth country with nuclear weapons after it carried out its first test earlier in the month. In response, the UN Security Council unanimously approved sanctions against the country. North Korea’s state media deem the sanctions a “declaration of war.”

October 23: Myanmar

The United States grants asylum to thousands of refugees from the Chin state in Myanmar. Currently living in camps in Asia, the refugees will be allowed to relocate despite having supported rebel groups in Myanmar. The United States has previously opened its borders to many disaffected by the Myanmar military regime.

November 14: Japan/North Korea

Japan approves a ban on the export of luxury goods to North Korea. The ban is similar to the United Nations’ sanctions imposed in response to Pyongyang’s nuclear test in October. Other countries in the region have been more hesitant to take steps that may aggravate North Korea.

November 27: Myanmar

The Myanmar government orders the International Committee of the Red Cross to shut down its offices in the country. The government of Myanmar had refused to allow Red Cross prison visits prior to the decision. The order effectively halts the ICRC’s humanitarian operations in Myanmar, placing vulnerable populations in jeopardy.

November 28: Vietnam

Vietnam’s National Assembly ratifies membership in the World Trade Organization (WTO) after being invited to become its 150th member, marking an end to the country’s decade-long effort to join. Terms of Vietnam’s WTO membership include more access to overseas markets and reductions in Vietnam’s high import tariffs.

December 17: China

U.S.-based Westinghouse wins a billion-dollar contract to build four nuclear plants in China. Many countries are focusing on nuclear power due to declining fossil fuels and increased energy consumption. Nuclear power is highly controversial. Some experts claim it is a very efficient energy source, while others argue that the risks of an accident and costs of disposing radioactive waste outweigh the benefits.