January 11 – China / Thailand / Japan / South Korea
Global health – Coronavirus, or Covid19
China reports its first death caused by a new coronavirus after dozens of cases of pneumonia outbreak takes place in the country’s central province of Hubei.
(Jan 21): The United States announces its first coronavirus case in Washington State.
(Jan 23): China places the city of Wuhan under quarantine with all public transportation cancelled.[1]
(Jan 30): The World Health Organization (WHO) declares the new coronavirus outbreak a global public health emergency. While nearly 99 percent of the more than 9,000 confirmed cases are in China, 98 people have been diagnosed in 18 other countries, including the United States.[2]
(Jan 31): The United States closes temporarily borders with China banning an entry for foreign nationals who travelled to China within the last 14 days.[3]
January 11 – Taiwan
Politics: elections
Taiwan’s incumbent president, Tsai Ing-wen, wins a landslide victory in the presidential elections with 57 percent of the votes, giving her the second term in office. She rejects closer ties with China, unlike her rival Han Kuo-yu who says closer ties with China would bring Taiwan economic benefits although she rejects a unification. The election result is seen as a rebuke to China’s claims by the Taiwanese people.[4]
Background: China has claimed sovereignty over Taiwan since the end of the Chinese civil war in 1949, saying the island and China must eventually be reunited, even by force. China has put pressure on other countries to break their diplomatic recognition of Taiwan, which leaves Taiwan with only 15 countries that maintain their diplomatic ties with the island.[5]
Xi Jinping Calls Taiwan’s Independence a ‘Dead End’ (video 0:34 min)
What’s behind the China-Taiwan divide?
January 14 – Australia
Environment
As of January 14, the Australian government reports that the total amount of land burnt in Australia current bushfire season amounts to unprecedented 17 million hectares (about 66,000 square miles) with 28 people and more than one billion animals killed.[6] Bushfires are a regular occurrence in Australia, but this year’s fire season has been much worse than usually. These fires normally focus on bushland, while this year’s blazes are hitting forests, which burn higher and hotter hindering the fire fighting. Over the last three years, Australia was hit by unusually dry weather with last spring to be the driest and overall 2019 the hottest year on record. Also, being a coal-rich economy, Australia depends on fossil fuels. All this has sparked a debate about the underlying causes of these devastating fires, including climate change and fire management practices.[7]
Is climate change to blame for Australia’s bushfires?
Australia fires: A very simple guide
About koalas (video: 2:05 min)
January 22 – China
Global health: coronavirus
China confirms an outbreak of a new deadly virus called coronavirus that started in Wuhan in central China’s Hubei province. So far there are 630 confirmed cases caused by the virus with17 deaths. The virus has now spread to China’s other provinces, as well as Thailand, Taiwan, Vietnam, Hong Kong, South Korea, with one case also in the United States. It is determined that the virus originated in a seafood market from infected animals, spreading then person to person through coughing and sneezing. The virus, known also as 2019-nCoV, is understood to be a new strain of coronavirus that has not previously been identified in humans; it causes fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. Severe cases lead to pneumonia, kidney failure and even death. The Sars virus that killed nearly 800 people globally in the early 2000s was also a coronavirus. To contain the virus, China resorts to variety of measures, such as travel restrictions, canceling all large-scale events, closing tourist attractions and schools, and ordering to wear masks.[8]
(Jan 31): The number of coronavirus cases has surged to 10,000 surpassing that of the Sars epidemic in 2003. Most of them are in China, with about 100 worldwide. The virus has killed 213 – all in China. However, the University of Hong Kong puts the estimates at 75,000 cases. The World Health Organization (WHO) declares a global health emergency over the coronavirus outbreak.[9]
More about coronavirus from CDC
Coronavirus: What are viruses? And how do they spread?
February 7 – China / South Korea
Global health – Coronavirus, or Covid-19
Dr. Li Wenliang, a Chinese doctor who issued the first warning about the deadly new coronavirus outbreak contracts the virus while working at Wuhan Central Hospital and dies. He had sent out a warning to other doctors on December 30, but the Chinese authorities ordered him to stop “making false comments”.[10]
(Feb 26): The novel coronavirus, now named Covid-19, has been spreading quickly from China to other parts of the world raising fears of global pandemic. China is still the country affected the most, with 77,000 infections and 2,600 deaths. It has built several new hospitals and quarantine centers for infected patients. But the virus has now spread to 30 other countries infecting 1,200 people and killing 20. The worst affected countries right now are South Korea, Japan, Iran, and Italy, where authorities resort to drastic measures to contain and limit the speed of spread of the virus. Around 7,700 troops have been quarantined in South Korea after 11 service members were infected. In Italy, where confirmed cases surged from three to more than 200 in just three days, the government put several small towns on lock-down with their residents not allowed to leave without special permission. It also cancelled many activities, sporting events, and festivals even outside the zone.[11] The United States has 14 confirmed cases so far, some of them unexplained, which raises concerns about the virus spreading within communities.[12] Stock markets fall sharply amid fears of economic impact of the virus. Also, Brazil confirms its first coronavirus case, becoming the first country in Latin America with the outbreak.
(Feb 28): Within just a few days, Iran reports 388 new cases of the illness and 34 deaths, which makes it the country with the highest number of deaths outside China.[13]
More about coronavirus from CDC: source and spread, risk assessment, illness severity Coronavirus and Economic Impact (video: 11:04)
March 19 – China / Thailand / Australia / New Zealand / Japan
Global health – Coronavirus, Covid-19
China reported no new domestic cases for the first time since the start of the coronavirus epidemic.
(Mar 24): Japan postpones the 2020 Summer Olympics until summer 2021.
(Mar 25): Thailand’s prime minister announces a state of emergency as the country reports 827 confirmed cases and four deaths.
(Mar 26): Australia and New Zealand announced plans to close their borders to all foreigners, while New Zealand also starts a one-month mandatory lockdown.[14]
History of Past Pandemics
How the Virus Got Out (graphic presentation)
How South Korea Flattened the Curve
April 6 – China / Japan / Indonesia / Taiwan / Singapore / New Zealand / South Korea
Global Health – Coronavirus, or Covid-19
China reports its first day with no coronavirus deaths since the outbreak began.
(Apr 7): Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe declares a month-long state of emergency following a sharp rise in coronavirus cases.
(Apr 9): Indonesia reports its biggest daily jump in coronavirus deaths, bringing the country’s total number of deaths to 280, with 3,293 total confirmed cases.
(Apr 17): China reports that its economy shrank 6.8 percent in the first quarter, ending a nearly 50-year run of growth.[15]
(Apr 21): Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong tightens coronavirus restrictions following a spike of over 1,100 new COVID-19 cases.
(Apr 27): New Zealand announces lifting some of its strictest coronavirus restrictions. Residents are now allowed to reconnect with close family, bring caregivers into the home and some people will be allowed to return to work.
(Apr 28): The Hong Kong government announces plans to resume public activities in phases starting May 4, after no new cases were reported for three consecutive days.
(Apr 30): South Korea reports no new domestic virus cases for the first time since February.[16]
May 1 – East Asia
Global Health – coronavirus, or COVID-19
China reopens Beijing’s parks and museums to the public, including the ancient Forbidden City. However, temperature checks and social distancing remain in force.
(May 4): Japan extends its state of emergency until May 31.
– South Korea reopens schools and reveals plans to set up 1,000 clinics to treat potential coronavirus patients during a possible second wave of COVID-19 later this year.
(May 11): China implements a five-year ban on the trade of illegal wildlife and the consumption of wild animals.
(May 16): South Korean health authorities say a virus hotspot linked to a nightclub district in Seoul shows how difficult it is to contain the virus.
(May 18): Japan’s economic growth plunges into recession in the first quarter as the pandemic suppressed production, exports and spending.
(May 28): The Philippines record its highest daily spike in coronavirus cases, but President Rodrigo Duterte presses ahead with easing one of the world’s toughest and longest lockdowns.[17]
May 28 – China / Hong Kong
China’s parliament approves the proposal to impose new national security legislation for Hong Kong. The process bypasses Hong Kong’s legislature.
The law, aiming at suppressing dissent in Hong Kong, targets secession, subversion of state power, terrorism activities and foreign interference. Despite assurances by Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam that the rights and freedoms of people in the city will remain intact, the law is seen as eroding Hong Kong’s autonomy and the system that made it prosperous. Large street protests in Hong Kong erupt against the legislation.[18]
Background: Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China ruled under a “one country, two systems” principle, which allows the city some freedoms that those on the mainland do not have. This includes self-governing power, limited election rights, and a largely separate legal and economic framework. By imposing the new law, China is breaching its international obligations under the Sino-British Joint Declaration — the treaty that established the territory’s “one country, two systems” framework.[19]
‘This is the end of Hong Kong’: Reactions pour in as Beijing proposes security law
Hong-Kong protests: one year later
June 6 – East Asia
Global Health: coronavirus, or COVID-19
China reports no new cases of local transmission in Beijing in at least 50 days, and as many as 90 days in some districts.
(Jun 8): New Zealand declares itself free of the coronavirus. The country last reported a new case 17 days ago, and had only 1,154 confirmed cases to date.[20]
Our new normal in pictures
July 1 – China / Hong Kong
New National Security Law for Hong Kong
China’s legislature unanimously passes a new controversial national security law and imposes it on Hong Kong. The law criminalizes four types of activity — secession, subversion of state power, terrorism, and collusion with foreign entities. The law carries a penalty of up to life in prison. The critics of the law say it ends once and for all any remaining autonomy the region has had under Chinese rule.[21]
More about the law and what it means for Hong Kong
July 7 – Singapore
Elections
Singapore’s ruling People’s Action Party (PAP), in power since 1965, wins another general election and a parliamentary majority, but with fewer votes than in previous elections. PAP receives 61 percent of the vote (down from 70 percent in 2015) and 83 out of 93 seats in the parliament. This election was a referendum on the governing party, its handling of the coronavirus pandemic, and an economic recession caused by Covid-19. The PAP victory means that current Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong will serve another term in office, while its two-third majority will allow him to easily pass legislations. Supporters of the opposition Workers’ Party celebrate its best election result so far winning 10 seats in the parliament.[22]
City of the Future: Singapore – video: 44:24 min
August 9 – China
China-Iran Partnership
A leaked document shows that China and Iran are entering into a 25-year strategic partnership in trade, politics, culture, and security. China will invest in Iranian infrastructure, transport and seaports, while Iran will provide China with steady supplies of discounted oil and gas. For sanctions-hit Iran, this cooperation ensures the flow of cash into its economy. For China, with its growing influence in East Asia an Africa, this partnership allows China to play more active role in the Middle East, challenging the United States interests and undermining its influence in the region.[23]
More on the China-Iran partnership and its implications
September 6 – Hong Kong
About 290 people are arrested during anti-government protests in Hong Kong sparked by the region’s Chief Executive Carrie Lam’s decision to postpone the elections for a year. Lam’s reason for canceling the election is the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, but critics say her government is concerned the opposition would gain legislative seats if election took place now. The new security law enacted recently aiming at curbing protests has not completely achieved its goal as demonstrations still take place.[24]
October 14 – Australia
Environment – Great Barrier Reef
A study published by Australian researchers says that half the coral that makes up the Great Barrier Reef has died since 1995 due to warmer seas driven by climate change. Also, about two-thirds of the reef is damaged by mass bleaching that occurs when corals drive out the algae that give them color due to heat stress. Global temperatures have already risen by about 1°C since pre-industrial times. The scientists warn that if that rise reaches 1.5°C, 90 percent of the world’s corals will disappear. Corals can recover if normal conditions return, but it can take decades.[25]
Background
The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef system composed of over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands stretching for 1,400 miles. The reef is located in the Coral Sea, off the coast of Queensland, Australia. The Great Barrier Reef can be seen from outer space and is the world’s biggest single structure made by living organisms.
The reef was designated a World Heritage site in 1981 for its “enormous scientific and intrinsic importance”.[26]
Map of the Great Barrier Reef region
Various photographs of the Great Barrier Reef
The bleached Australian reef and a Covid challenge
How the Great Barrier Reef was saved in the 1960s
October 26 – East Asia: Japan
Environment: Carbon Neutrality
Japan’s Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga pledges to make Japan carbon neutral by 2050, joining other countries, such as China (which produces 26 percent of the world’s emissions) and the European Union who have made similar promises to fight the climate change. The United States, the world’s second largest carbon emitter, has not made any pledges to become carbon neutral. Carbon neutral refers to balancing carbon emissions by also removing carbon from the atmosphere. Japan plans to focus on the production of solar panels and carbon recycling.[27]
November 11 – China / Hong Kong
Four pro-democracy legislatures are dismissed from the city’s parliament after China had passed a new resolution. The new law allows the Hong Kong government to immediately disqualify politicians who support the city’s independence, refuse to recognize the country’s sovereignty over the city, seek out foreign or external forces to interfere with domestic affairs, or engage in acts that endanger national security. In solidarity, all of Hong Kong’s pro-democracy lawmakers resign. The city’s pro-democracy legislators had 19 seats in the 70-seat legislature.[28]
Background on the pro-democracy struggle in Hong Kong
December 9 – China / South Korea
Global Health: Coronavirus, or Covid-19
China’s two companies, Sinovac and Sinopharm, develop coronavirus vaccines. Unlike the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines, it works by using killed viral particles to expose the body’s immune system to the virus without risking a serious disease response. They also are less effective, currently at 79 percent.[29]
More about China’s coronavirus vaccines
(Dec 10): South Korea has been hit by four waves of coronavirus infections since its first case in January, but according to health officials, the current outbreak is the hardest to control. Daily number of new cases South Korea’s used to be as two per day; currently the number is 682. The current wave has spread through numerous small clusters that erupted in nursing homes, hospitals, saunas, bars, restaurants, music halls and factories, most of them in the Seoul metropolitan area, but also in towns farther away.[30]