Hanoi (VNA) - The Vietnam News Agency has selected the top ten worldevents for 2017 as follows:

1. ASEAN creates central role in region after 50 yearsof establishment


2017 marks 50 years of establishment and development of the Association ofSoutheast Asian Nations (ASEAN). From an association with just five foundingcountries, ASEAN now groups ten members which have overcome variousdifficulties and differences to contribute to peace and prosperity in theregion and the world. Of note, with the formation of the ASEAN Community inDecember 2015, ASEAN became the world’s sixth largest economy and the mostdynamic economic community in Asia-Pacific. The association has created animportant position that is rarely seen in sub-regional linkages, with mechanismconnecting its member countries, as well as its member countries with othermajor partners.

2. 19th CPC National Congress marks new development period of China


Taking place from October 18-24, 2017, the 19th National Congress of theCommunist Party of China (CPC) rolled out thoughts, mottos, policies andstrategies of socialism with Chinese characteristics for the new era, alongwith a strategic vision to 2050, aiming to turn China into a modern socialistpower with leading influence on the world stage. The congress adopted theResolution on the Revised Constitution of the CPC which includes Xi Jinping Thought onSocialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as a new component of theParty's guide for action.

3. Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) nuclear crisis escalates

Tension on the Korean Peninsula continued to escalate with ballistic missiletests capable of reaching US territory in the Pacific Ocean, especially theDPRK’s sixth nuclear test on September 3, 2017. In the year, the UN SecurityCouncil adopted four sanction resolutions on the DPRK. US President Donald Trumpmade firm statements, even putting the country back on a so-called list of“state sponsors of terrorism.” However, the crisis has rumbled on, reflectingthat sanctions and isolation measures taken by the international community hadno effect and even prompted the DPRK to up the ante.

4. US withdraws from many global commitments,shapes Indo-Pacific policy

To implement the “America first” message of his 2016 campaign, President DonaldTrump walked back decisions on a range of important economic and diplomaticpolicies during his first year in office, such as the US’s withdrawal from theTrans-Pacific Partnership agreement, the Paris Agreement on climate changeresponse and the UN Organisation for Education, Science and Culture (UNESCO).The US also cut spending on US diplomacy and foreign assistance by one third,and tightened immigration policies. The new National Security Strategyannounced by President Donald Trump on December 18 also reflects a unilateralpolicy that promotes the national interests of the US. However, the“Indo-Pacific” geo-political term used by the present US administration hasdemonstrated a new strategic vision towards larger connectivity.

5. Europe faces security, political uncertainties

In 2017, Europe continued to face much political and security uncertainty. Severalterrorist attacks took place in the UK, France and Belgium. Separatistmovements flourished in a number of countries with the most noteworthy beingthe illegal referendum in the Catalonia region of Spain, obstacles innegotiations of the establishment of a new government in Germany and profoundcontradictions within Europe during Brexit talks.

6. Recognising Jerusalem as Israeli capital: US’s dangerous step


US President Donald Trump’s decision on December 6, 2017 to recognise Jerusalemas Israel’s capital and move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem sparkeda global outcry. The move was considered a dangerous step that not onlythreatens to destroy peace talks in the Middle East but also fuels a new waveof violence between Palestinian and Israeli people, as well as between the Araband Jewish communities, threatening security and stability in the Middle Eastand the world at large.

7. World economy records fastest growth in seven years


With rosy signs among the world’s leading economies like the US, China, the Eurozoneand Japan, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) upgraded the global economicgrowth rate from 3.6 percent in 2017 to 3.7 percent in 2018, much higher than2016’s 3.2 percent. Global stock markets have been thriving, especially the USstock market which has continuously broken records, with the Dow Jones indexcrossing 24,000 points for the first time. In Japan, the Nikkei 225 also set a new21-year high of 21,805.17 on October 24, 2017.

8. IS completely loses in Syria, Iraq


With strong intervention from Russia and international coalition forces, thefight against the Islamic State (IS) in Syria and Iraq claimed major triumphs.After several campaigns in 2017, the Russian army claimed that it hadcompletely driven IS militants out of Syria. In Iraq, IS militants were wiped out in all important bases heldby the group for more than three years. However, risks posed by IS have yetcome to an end as violent extremism continues to spread and the group is usingnew methods to launch terrorist attacks.

9. Russia banned from competing at 2018 Winter Olympics


The International Olympic Committee (IOC) decided to ban Russia from competingat the 2018 Winter Olympics following allegations of the so-called RussianGovernment-sponsored doping programme, which Moscow has repeatedly denied.However, Russian athletes who can prove theyare clean will be allowed to compete in the 2018 Winter Olympics under a neutral flag. According to the IOC, the decision wasnot influenced by political considerations. But Russian authorities have linkedthe decision with an “anti-Russian” campaign in the west.

10. Artificial intelligence develops strongly


Artificial intelligence (AI) recorded strong developments in 2017. There werevarious expanded projects with resources from individuals, organisations,businesses and governments and products of many sectors from transport tocutting-edge machines in health care, AI applications in distributions, retail,intelligence service, security, supervision and research. New-generation robotslook, sound and think like human beings. Of note, Saudi Arabia bestowedcitizenship on a “female” robot named Sophia. However, AI is posing big challenges to human beings, especially risksto global security and stability.-VNA