On December 13–14, St. Petersburg hosts the 13th Asian Conference of the Valdai Discussion Club, titled “Russia and Asia in the Emerging International Order”. The participants of the fifth session discussed Asia’s conflict potential and prospects for reducing it
Traditionally, Russia perceives Asia as a tranquil area, free from harsh bloc confrontation or fundamental interstate conflicts. It is this perception that explains Russia’s economic “pivot to the East” and its desire to engage in the regional trade and production chains. How worried should we now be about international stability in Asia? What are the main factors of destabilization? What could be Russia's role in resolving existing conflicts and preventing new ones?