Asians Who Made a Difference in 2012

Asians Who Made a Difference in 2012

If there were an award for Person of the Year in Asia, it would undoubtedly go to President Thein Sien of Myanmar. Thought at first he seemed to be just another general in a line of military dictators stretching back more than 40 years, Thein Sien astonished the world by taking concrete steps to dismantle the dictatorship.

 

He turned down Chinese-sponsored energy projects, released political prisoners and permitted free and fair elections. The latter, held in April of this year saw longtime democracy advocate and Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi win a seat in parliament. Her National League for Democracy Party won 43 of 44 contested seats in a special election.

 

The changes did not go unnoticed. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made two visits to Myanmar during the year. Many sanctions that had been imposed for human rights abuses were lifted and Washington appointed an ambassador. And President Barack Obama visited Myanmar shortly after his re-election in November.

 

This list would not yet include Xi Jinping, who was elevated to head the Chinese Communist Party at the party congress in November. His rise was heavily scripted. He will undoubtedly be a major mover and shaker in the coming year, but in 2012 the newsmaker of the year in China was without doubt the deposed head of the party in Chongqing, Bo Xilai.

Read Full Article »
Comment
Show commentsHide Comments

Related Articles