Pelaut ADIPATI l Kalitbang INDOMARITIM l Direktur Eksekutif TRUST l Presiden SPI l Volunteer INMETA
The year 2024 marks a crucial moment in the global political and digital landscape. More than 60 countries, representing nearly half of the world’s population, will hold national elections. Meanwhile, the Indo-Pacific region is experiencing a surge in data center growth, which is becoming the backbone of the digital ecosystem. These two phenomena demonstrate how the world is at a crossroads between politics and technology, with China playing a significant role in both areas.
In 2024, national elections will be held in several major countries, including the United States, the European Union, India, and Indonesia. Although China does not have an election scheduled, it remains an important topic in political discussions in many countries.
The European Union faces significant challenges in reducing its dependence on China in key sectors while managing the economic and diplomatic risks that may arise from tensions with Beijing. Even though other issues, such as the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza and internal political tensions, are in the spotlight, China remains a key concern. A European Parliament that is increasingly leaning to the right could push for anti-China rhetoric and tighten scrutiny of Chinese investments, potentially complicating economic and diplomatic relations between the EU and China.
In the United States, China is expected to remain a major focus in the presidential election campaign. The two main candidates, Joe Biden and Donald Trump, are likely to emphasize their respective approaches to China as a key part of their foreign policy. Against the backdrop of the trade war that began in 2018 and Biden’s efforts to balance relations, China is expected to remain a central topic in U.S. political debates.
In India, the upcoming general election is a crucial moment for Narendra Modi’s government, which is striving to assert India’s position as a major power in Asia. Competition with China, exacerbated by border tensions, is expected to be a central issue in the election campaign. Under Modi’s leadership, India has taken steps to balance China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific region by strengthening relations with other countries.
Unlike other countries, China has not emerged as a major issue in Indonesia’s election discussions. This is mainly because of China’s importance as a trading and diplomatic partner for Indonesia. The three main presidential candidates, Anies Baswedan, Ganjar Pranowo, and Prabowo Subianto, tend to maintain strong relations with China, given the country’s key role in Indonesia’s economic and development strategy.
In addition to being a topic in elections, China also plays a significant role in global digital trends, especially in the Indo-Pacific region. Data centers, which serve as critical infrastructure for the digital economy, are experiencing rapid growth in this region.
The United States currently leads with the highest number of data centers, but Asia is beginning to rival it with significant investments in data center infrastructure. In the Indo-Pacific region, the data center market is projected to grow at an annual rate of 12.6% from 2024 to 2032, with the market value potentially reaching $71.7 billion by 2032. This growth reflects the region’s immense potential to compete with the United States in the global race to become a technology leader.
China has taken significant steps in developing its domestic data centers, driven by technological innovation and rapid adoption of cloud computing services. China’s 14th Five-Year Plan focuses on innovation and the development of local digital infrastructure, with a “East Data, West Computing” strategy aimed at balancing data processing demand between the densely populated eastern regions and the resource-rich western regions.
South Korea and Japan are also experiencing significant growth in the data center sector. South Korea is encouraging data center development outside the Seoul metropolitan area, while Japan is working to catch up in digital technology adoption. India, with its “Digital India” program, is striving to boost its digital economy, attracting significant investments from global tech companies.
Southeast Asian countries such as Indonesia and Vietnam are beginning to attract attention as new data center investment destinations. Indonesia, with its dynamic digital economy, and Vietnam, which has opened its data center sector to foreign investment, are aiming to become alternative hubs for global digital giants.
The year 2024 is a pivotal moment that highlights how politics and technology are interconnected in an increasingly connected world. Elections in various countries will shape international policies, while data center growth in the Indo-Pacific will play a key role in supporting the global digital economy. China, even without holding its own elections, remains a crucial factor in both areas, demonstrating its broad influence in the global political and technological landscape. Therefore, countries around the world must continue to adapt and navigate the challenges and opportunities presented by these changes.
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