January 12: China
Pollution monitoring stations in China register that concentration of pollution particles in Beijing and 30 other China’s northern and eastern cities has far exceeded the levels considered hazardous by the World Health Organization (WHO). This extreme pollution is blamed on the country’s rapid economic growth and urbanization. Environmentalists say the situation could be improved by better urban planning and control of the number of vehicles allowed in the cities.
January 22: North Korea
The United Nations Security Council unanimously condemns North Korea’s December rocket launch, including China, North Korea’s sole ally. The Council also agrees to expand sanctions against North Korea. (January 24): In defiance, North Korea announces its plan to carry out a third nuclear test and more long-range rocket launches aimed at the United States. The UN banned North Korean from nuclear tests after two previous ones in 2006 and 2009.
February 6: China
To protect political and social stability as well as maintain long-term economic growth, the Chinese government approves a plan to narrow the gap between the rich and the poor by raising a minimum wage, funding more social programs through higher taxation on state companies, raising income of farmers, improving health care system, and providing more affordable housing. China’s growing middle class is contrasted by almost 128 million people who live in poverty on less then $368 a year. Critics warn, however, that several previous similar plans did not work.
February 19: China
U.S.-based computer security company Mandiant reports that its investigation of hundreds of hacking activities in the last decade has traced it to a unit based in a government building in Shanghai that belongs to China’s People’s Liberation Army. Mandiant says that in this period of time, the Unit hacked into141 companies, stealing hundreds of pieces of information such as business plans, blueprints, and contact data. The Chinese government denies any involvement in this cyber espionage.
February 24: South Korea
South Korea swears in its first female president, Park Geun-hye, who represents the Saenuri Party. She is the daughter of General Park Chung-hee, who came to power in a military coup in 1961 and ruled South Korea for almost two decades. President Park comes to power at a time of heightened tensions with North Korea over its nuclear tests, slowed economic growth, and the aging population.
February 27: China
China’s prominent intellectuals issue an open letter calling for the government to implement political reforms and the parliament to ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which is part of the UN International Bill of Human Rights. The Bill guarantees civil and political rights such as freedom of religion, assembly, and speech.
March 7: North Korea/South Korea
The United Nations Security Council unanimously approves new sanctions against North Korea in response to its third nuclear test last month. The sanctions freeze assets and ban travel on some individuals and companies connected with North Korea’s military. (March 11): The United States and South Korea begin joint annual military exercises that involve more than 13,000 troops. (March 26): Angered by the new sanctions and the U.S.-South Korean military drills, North Korea threatens the U.S. territory with a pre-emptive nuclear attack and strikes of U.S. military bases in Japan. At the same time, it carries out large military exercises. (March 30): North Korea announces that it is entering into “a state of war” with South Korea.
March 21: Myanmar
Clashes between Muslim and Buddhist communities in Myanmar’s central town of Meiktila leave at least 30 people dead and several mosques burned. (March 25): Large group of people attack the Muslim communities in the town of Oh The Kone, destroying their homes, shops, and burning mosques.
April 4: North Korea
North Korea continues to make war threats and moves its mid-range missiles to its east coast. In response, the United States moves missile defense shields to Guam. (April 8): North Korea withdraws its workers from the joint North-South Korean Kaesong industrial park, where more than 50,000 North Koreans find employment. (April 18): North Korea offers talks to reduce tensions, but only after the United Nations lifts sanctions against the country and the United States and South Korea end their joint military exercises.
May 5: Malaysia
Malaysia’s prime minister, Najib Razak, wins a second term in office after his ruling National Front coalition secures enough votes in the parliamentary elections. The National Front has been in power for the last 56 years. The opposition leader, Anwar Ibrahim, alleges massive electoral fraud and calls for protests.
June 18: China
China is launching its first carbon trading scheme aimed at reducing its carbon dioxide emissions by about 45 percent from 2005 levels by 2020. Emissions trading, known also as cap and trade, is a market-based approach used to control pollution by providing economic incentives for achieving reductions in the emissions of pollutants. The project starts in Shenzhen and is expected to expand into six other places, including Beijing.
July 8: China
Chinese former Railways Minister Liu Zhijun receives a suspended death sentence for corruption and abuse of power. He enriched himself by selling government contracts and taking bribes totaling $10 million. China’s new President Xi Jinping has vowed to fight corruption on all levels of the Communist Party.
November 8: The Philippines
Typhoon Haiyan with winds up to 168 miles per hour strikes the Philippines, affecting more than 11 million people. It kills over 5,700 people and flattens parts of islands and destroys hundreds of towns. More than 1,600 people are missing. Haiyan becomes the deadliest natural disaster in the country’s history.
November 12: China
China concludes the Third Plenum of the 18th Central Committee with a communique outlining new economic and social reforms. The document says that the market economy will play a leading role in the country’s economy, but state ownership will remain its pillar. Third Plenums take place soon after the change of leadership, and in the past, they had a significant impact on economic future of the country, such as former leader Deng Xiaoping’s announcement about opening China’s economy at the 1978 Third Plenum, which accelerated major market reforms.
November 23: China/Japan/South Korea/Taiwan
China establishes the air identification zone (ADIZ) over the East Asia Sea zone, which covers areas also claimed by Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. It includes the Senkaku islands under Japanese control, but also claimed by the above countries. With the new zone, China demands that planes transiting the zone must file flight plans. The United States and Japan condemn the move, saying it destabilizes the region.
December 13: North Korea
North Korea’s President Kim Jong-un’s uncle, Chang Song-thaek, who held a powerful senior military position and served as the president’s mentor, is executed for treason. It is believed that President Kim got rid of his uncle because he posed a threat to his authority and independence.