North Korea, legal marijuana and the South China Sea – here are nine big issues for Asia in 2019

Observers will also be closely watching the outcome of four key elections, the rise of new technology and the ongoing US-China trade war

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The US-China trade war remains a threat. Photo: AP

Published: 10:30am, 30 Dec 2018Updated: 2:20pm, 30 Dec 2018

Asia has no shortage of challenges as it heads into 2019. The region must react to an ever deepening US-China rivalry, and learn to adjust to new technologies and social pressures. It also faces four crucial elections, and two long-standing security threats.

Here are nine issues and news events to watch in the year to come.

Thai junta leader Prayuth Chan-ocha at government house in Bangkok. Photo: AP

1. FOUR ELECTIONS: First, Thailand holds a general election on Feb 24, marking the first time the ruling junta will face voters since seizing power in a military coup in 2014. Prayuth Chan-ocha, the former general and current prime minister, is leading most polls ahead of Sudarat Keyuraphan, a close ally of deposed leader Thaksin Shinawatra. Concern is mounting over a repeat of the street clashes that marred the 2014 vote.

On April 17, Indonesia’s presidential election is a rematch between President Joko Widodo and rival Prabowo Subianto. Jokowi is ahead in the polls, and his running mate Ma’ruf Amin, a Muslim cleric, has boosted his religious credentials. Expect religion and the falling rupiah to be key factors as this race heats up.

India will hold a general election that must be completed by mid-May. The Bharatiya Janata Party of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s has been stung by recent losses, and Modi has done little to improve India’s relations with either China or Pakistan. Watch for a resurgent Congress Party led by Rahul Gandhi – a political scion from a long line of Indian prime ministers.