10 events that will shape the world in 2022

On February 24, Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine with the goal of "demilitarizing and defascizing" Kiev, marking the largest conflict in Europe since World War II. Contrary to expectations that Russia would "strike quickly and win quickly", the war has lasted for more than 10 months due to Ukraine's fierce resistance and the West's "huge" military aid to Kiev. Fierce fighting has devastated many regions of Ukraine, forcing more than 14 million people to leave their homes and seek refuge.

Four Ukrainian regions – Donetsk, Lugansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia – joined Russia after referendums in late September. The US and its allies have imposed a series of sanctions on Russia. The European Union has granted Ukraine candidate status, while Sweden and Finland have applied to join NATO. The conflict has contributed to soaring food prices and a spike in global energy prices as Moscow tightens supplies to Europe in retaliation for the sanctions.

On November 8, American voters went to the polls in the midterm elections, re-electing all 435 seats in the House of Representatives, 35/100 seats in the Senate, 36 state governors and thousands of local officials. The event took place in the context of the US economy facing many difficulties, high inflation and the cost of living at a record high in the past 40 years. With some unexpected victories, the Democratic Party of incumbent President Joe Biden retained the leadership of the Senate, having captured 50/100 seats in this legislative body.

Former President Donald Trump’s Republican Party failed to create a “red wave” sweeping the US political map as expected, but still won control of the House of Representatives from the Democrats thanks to capturing 218 out of 435 seats there. The result is believed to help the Conservatives overshadow President Biden’s upcoming agenda, making it difficult to pass his policy proposals in the last two years of his term.

The 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China took place from October 16 to 22 in Beijing, with the participation of about 2,300 delegates. The delegates elected the 20th Central Committee and the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection. At the first plenary session held on October 23, the 20th Central Committee elected the Politburo and the Politburo Standing Committee. Xi Jinping was elected General Secretary for another five years.

The 20th National Congress is a very important event for China as the world's second largest economy embarks on a new journey of comprehensively building a modern socialist country. The Congress emphasizes the central task of the Communist Party of China to lead the Chinese people of all ethnic groups and work together to realize the second "centenary" goal, building the country into a comprehensively modern socialist country through the path of modernization with Chinese characteristics.

Former Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo was shot while speaking at an election campaign event in Nara on July 8. He was rushed to the hospital for treatment, but did not survive. The suspect, Tetsuya Yamagami, was subdued by security forces present at the event. On the afternoon of September 27, Japan held a state funeral for Mr. Abe. About 4,300 people attended the funeral. Vietnamese President Nguyen Xuan Phuc attended the funeral and laid flowers in memory of Mr. Abe.

Mr. Abe Shinzo is a politician who has reshaped Japan in the modern era, leaving behind many legacies in terms of economy, politics and society. No leader in Japanese history has left a stronger mark than him. As the most "breakthrough" politician in Japan after World War II, Mr. Abe is the longest-serving Prime Minister in history, always devoted to his work and his country. At the time of his assassination, he was still carrying out his responsibilities as a politician of the Liberal Democratic Party.

On the afternoon of September 8, Queen Elizabeth II of England passed away at Balmoral Castle, at the age of 96. Queen Elizabeth II's full name is Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor. She was born on April 21, 1926, in Mayfair, London. She ascended the throne in 1952, and her reign spanned 15 prime ministers, starting with Winston Churchill, born in 1874, and ending with Liz Truss, born in 1975. In February, the UK celebrated the Platinum Jubilee of her 70th year on the throne. The Queen's passing has left the entire British people in deep sorrow.

After the Queen's death, Prince Charles ascended the throne, becoming King Charles III. King Charles III said that the passing of his beloved mother was a "moment of great sadness" for him and his family. Former British Prime Minister Liz Truss said that the Queen was the foundation of modern Britain, the one who created the stability and strength needed for the United Kingdom. Queen Elizabeth II is also considered a symbol of the country's unity.

Three years after the Covid-19 pandemic began, the world is slowly returning to normal life, with many countries lifting lockdowns and travel restrictions. The reopening effort is largely due to vaccines, the most effective means of preventing the disease, reducing hospitalizations and deaths. In March, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that nearly 90% of the global population had antibodies against the coronavirus through vaccination or previous infection.

On December 12, the director of the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) said that it was too early to declare an end to the global health emergency over the Covid-19 pandemic. There are still more than 500 subtypes of the Omicron variant circulating, but none have been designated as new variants of concern. However, the prospect of ending the pandemic in the new year is relatively positive. China has also recently begun to relax epidemic prevention measures towards reopening.

The incident occurred on October 6 at a kindergarten in Nong Bua Lamphu province, Thailand. Former police sergeant Panya Khamrab stormed the school at 12:30 p.m., during the children's lunch break, and opened fire and stabbed many people. For about 20 minutes, Khamrab went from room to room in the kindergarten, killing teachers and children. After the attack, the killer calmly took a knife and drove back to his residence. At 3 p.m., the killer set fire to the car, shot his girlfriend and her son, and then committed suicide.

A total of 36 people, including 22 children aged 2 to 5, were killed in the horrific massacre that lasted just 3 hours. Thai Deputy Police Chief General Surachate Hakparn said Panya Khamrab's violent actions were triggered by an outburst of emotions after he was fired from the law enforcement force and was embroiled in legal, financial and family troubles.

On the evening of October 29, about 100,000 people, mostly young people, flocked to the steep and narrow streets of Itaewon district in central Seoul to attend Halloween. The event was one of the first major festivals to take place since the Covid-19 epidemic prevention measures were lifted in Korea. After 10 p.m., chaos broke out on a narrow and steep street near Itaewon station, which connects a series of bars and clubs from the main road.

Witnesses reported seeing the crowd surge from different directions and some people slipping on the slope, causing a domino effect. Many people fell, knocking others down, causing one person to pile up on top of another. South Korean authorities said 158 people died in the stampede, most of them teenagers. South Korea's president declared a national day of mourning after the tragedy and ordered an investigation into the incident.

In 2022, relations between the world's two leading powers were strained again due to the Taiwan issue, especially after the visit to the island by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. On the evening of August 2, Ms. Pelosi and a delegation of US congressmen arrived in Taiwan (China), becoming the highest-ranking US official to visit the territory in 25 years. The visit brought a wave of conflicting views, as well as strong criticism and reactions from China.

Beijing has suspended many cooperative relations with Washington. The Chinese military has also conducted a series of exercises around Taiwan. However, the situation has since calmed down. On November 14, in Bali (Indonesia), US President Joe Biden met directly with Chinese President Xi Jinping. "President Biden emphasized that competition should not escalate into conflict, and that Washington and Beijing need to manage competition responsibly and maintain open lines of communication," according to a White House statement about the meeting.

North Korea has been testing ballistic missiles at a record pace this year, as the US and its allies conduct large-scale military exercises in the region. Leader Kim Jong Un has declared that the country's ultimate goal is to possess the world's most powerful and unprecedented nuclear force. The statement came after Pyongyang tested the Hwasong-17 intercontinental ballistic missile and pledged to respond to US nuclear threats with its own nuclear weapons.

The North Korean issue will once again overshadow many world leaders' events in 2022, including the G20 summit in Bali, Indonesia in November. The US, Japan and South Korea have increased sanctions against North Korea. However, the matter may not stop at ballistic missile tests. Washington believes that Pyongyang has completed preparations and could conduct its seventh nuclear test at any time.