How Asian leaders fared in 2016 and some of the headaches they have to face in 2017

In a year dominated by Brexit and Donald Trump’s surprise US election win, Asia felt like a relatively stable part of the world.

A closer look shows that the region endured its own seismic events in 2016, from a Philippine leader embracing China to massive street protests in Seoul to the elimination of 86 per cent of India's hard currency.

Here we look at how key leaders performed. They are listed in order of the size of their economy




Xi Jinping further consolidated power in 2016. He also shone internationally, hosting G-20 leaders for the first time.

Biggest challenge in 2017: Responding to Trump’s tougher line on issues like trade and Taiwan while ensuring China’s economic recovery stays on track amid the power transition.



While Trump’s win dealt a blow to Abe’s push for an Asia-Pacific trade pact, he rounded off the year by seeking progress on a territorial dispute with Russia and becoming the first Japanese PM to visit Pearl Harbor in decades—both popular moves at home.

Biggest challenge in 2017: Navigating relations with China while convincing Trump of the importance of the US-Japan alliance.




Modi’s move to abolish 86 per cent of hard currency overnight on November 8 showed that he’s willing to risk imposing hardship on millions of people to implement his vision of a modern India: Free of corruption, fewer internal trade barriers and a tougher line against archrival Pakistan.

Biggest challenge in 2017: Reviving the economy after his surprise cash ban dented India’s growth prospects while also fighting a bellwether election in India’s largest state and rolling out a national goods and services tax.



Park Geun-hye easily had the worst year of all Asian leaders. She was impeached on December 9 over an influence-peddling scandal after weeks of protests drew hundreds of thousands into the streets calling for her resignation.

Biggest challenge in 2017: Staying out of jail.



Rodrigo Duterte remains highly popular in the Philippines despite international criticism over a war on drugs that killed as many as 5,000 people since he took power in June.

Biggest challenge in 2017: Balancing relations with the US and China.