Russia's pivot to Asia is complete

For nearly a decade, the Russian government has marked the start of September with a major international event: the Eastern Economic Forum, held in Vladivostok.
The forum's initial objective was twofold: to provide support for the accelerated development of the Far East and to integrate the entire Russian Federation into the Asian trade and economic system. This task however has not been straightforward. 
Pacific Russia has historically been a sparsely populated region with a challenging climate and a unique local culture of "pioneers".
Furthermore, by the mid-2000s, economic ties between Russia and the West were robust, and there were few purely commercial reasons to focus on Asia. It was necessary to take a proactive approach, considering not just what Asia could offer immediately, but also the potential of future relations with its states. This would help to establish a foundation for more easily overcoming the inevitable shift away from the West. The inevitability of this shift was already clear 15 years ago.
This year the event to on even more significance because of Russia's complete pivot away from the West and to engage fully with Asia,the Middle East and the Global South.
At the plenary session of the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok last week, an extraordinary occurrence took place that aligns with the forum's core theme. The Far Eastern 2030 initiative. "Combining Strengths to Create New Potential."
The stage was shared by President Putin, Vice-President of China Han Zheng and Prime Minister of Malaysia Anwar Ibrahim.
This translates as Russia-China-ASEAN: a key interlocking partnership, constantly being strengthened, on the road to exploring all the potential towards a new, equitable, fair, multi-nodal world.
In his address, President Putin focused on what is arguably the most ambitious national development project of the 21st century: the Russian Conquest of the East. This is a mirror image of the Chinese Conquest of the West, which began in earnest in 1999 with the "Go West" campaign.
Mr. Putin provided an overview of the rapid development occurring in the Russian Far East, with over 3,500 techno-industrial projects underway. He also discussed the Northern Sea Route (NSR), which the Chinese have dubbed the Arctic Silk Road. Plans for new nuclear icebreakers and the development of the port of Murmansk were also outlined. Mr. Putin noted that the NSR's turnover has already reached a record five times that of the USSR era.
The figures relating to the Far East and the Arctic are truly impressive. The Far East is a strategically important macro-region, accounting for 41% of the territory of the Russian Federation. The Arctic, an immense natural resource treasure linked to the NSR potential, occupies 28% of the territory of the Russian Federation. It accounts for 17% of Russian oil production, 83% of gas production and holds deposits of gold, coal, nickel, copper, cobalt, platinum group metals and diamonds.
It is therefore unsurprising that the recurring Western colonialist aspiration to attack, divide and plunder Russia – exemplified by the current focus on inflicting a "strategic defeat" of Russia in Ukraine – is inextricably linked to the desire to exploit the vast wealth of the Far East and the Arctic.
Putin once again highlighted the importance of the two regions as a key priority for the Russian Federation in the 21st century, emphasising their significance for national security. There has been a 20% increase in investment growth in start-up capital, which is twice the Russian average. Furthermore, each ruble of state funding is matched by 34 rubles of private investment. The region's key industries include energy, petrochemicals, mining, timber, logistics, aircraft/machinery/shipbuilding, agriculture and fisheries.
Anwar: "Where is the humanity?"
Malaysia's Anwar, an accomplished speaker, discussed ASEAN's role as a pivotal point in the Asia-Pacific region and provided a comprehensive analysis of soft power, referencing Russian literature (this is his first time on Russian soil). He emphasised Russia's significant contributions to human history and thought and highlighted the country's potential to shape the future.
He also commended the ascendance of the Global South (40% of global GDP, over 85% of the population), the appeal of BRICS (Malaysia has formally expressed interest in joining BRICS+), and the growing importance of Russia as an investment destination for Muslim-majority nations. He then took the opportunity to reiterate the national motto, "Malaysia, truly Asia," with a smile.
Anwar's comments on the Gaza tragedy resonated with the business and technocrat audience. He stated that he often inquires of his colleagues, even those in the West, where humanity is evident, how they can speak of justice, and how they can predicate human rights and democracy.
The Chinese Vice President Han Zheng highlighted the outcomes of recent high-level meetings in Beijing and Astana, which have reinforced the Russia-China strategic partnership. He also drew attention to the growing trade volume, China's status as the leading trade partner and investor in the Russian Far East, the drive to modernise trans-border structures, and President Xi's Global Security Initiative, which is a more ambitious version of the Russian concept of Greater Eurasian Partnership.
Mr. Han Zheng was unequivocal in his remarks on China's commitment to a new comprehensive security format, emphasizing the need to "combat the mentality of the Cold War." This is all part of China's overarching concept for the 21st century: to build a "community with a shared future for mankind."
In practical terms, the forum, which was attended by 7,000 guests from 75 nations (with only a small number from the West), resulted in 258 deals worth a significant 5.4 trillion rubles (equivalent to over $59.7 billion).
As in previous years, an open-air exhibition by the sea was a highlight of the event. It showcased the culture, customs, cuisine and natural beauty of a number of the regions, including Primorsky, Sakhalin, Kamchatka, Sakha/Yakutia, Buryatia and Krasnoyarsk.
All of this soft power is integrated into the geopolitical and geoeconomic drive towards continuous, sustainable economic growth, from Russia's east to the entire Asia-Pacific region. This is exemplified by the evolving Russian-ASEAN business dialogue.
Connie Bakrie, an Indonesian military and security analyst and professor at St. Petersburg State University's Faculty of International Relations, provided a comprehensive overview.
"The most important thing for the Asia-Pacific region is technology and science. President Putin emphasised that Russia will play a significant role in developing science and technology across Asia, particularly in the nuclear field of energy security."
At the Eastern Polygon, the discussion, which included Igor Levitin, a senior advisor to President Putin, focused on the shifting dynamics of geoeconomics in the Asia-Pacific region. The Far East is emerging as a pivotal gateway for international trade.
At the Russian-ASEAN session, which included a minister from the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), there was a detailed discussion of the developments over the past five years since the inception of the Russia-ASEAN strategic partnership. The focus was on how Moscow views the Asia-Pacific region, and particularly ASEAN, as a top priority.
A counterpart session examined potential collaboration across Greater Eurasia, with a particular focus on the development of production chains integrating the EAEU, SCO and BRICS.
Karin Kneissl, head of the GORKI Center (Geopolitical Observatory on Key Issues of Russia) at the St. Petersburg State University and former Austrian Minister of Foreign Affairs, once again represented the minority of voices in Europe calling for reason and stability. She highlighted the alarming decline in the rule of law and the erosion of trust in traditional systems.
It is therefore crucial to emphasise the importance of the BRICS forum. "What is required is a new normative foundation."
A fascinating and timely discussion took place under the theme "Instruments of Sovereign Development in the Context of the Destabilisation of the World Order", with an incisive input from Albert Bakhtizin, Director of the Central Economics and Mathematics Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
A group of Russian scientists, with input from the Chinese, has developed a National Strength Index. This takes into account a number of variables, including population size, natural resource reserves, military power, economic strength, and the solidity of government, business, and society, in order to achieve national development goals. Ultimately, it is about sovereignty.
The Eastern Economic Forum demonstrated once again that Russia and a number of Asian countries are maintaining a calm and collected approach, despite the ongoing tensions with the United States and its allies. Despite the current geopolitical challenges, Russia and its partners in the BRICS are resolutely pursuing their economic interests.
Despite the ongoing development of military strategies by US Think Tankland, the latest of which is the proposed formation of a NATO "Arctic Sparta" to counter the perceived decline of American Exceptionalism in the High North, the new socioeconomic connections explored at the forum and the resulting enhanced stability and resilience represent a more significant shift than the military and moral challenges currently facing Russia in Gaza and Novorossiya.
It is unsurprising that the Hegemon plutocracy and its vassals express intense animosity towards Russia, China, Asia and Eurasia, which have outclassed and outwitted them. These entities are likely to become increasingly irrelevant in the global landscape.