|  | | A number of Asian countries have elected new leaders in recent months. The string of changes comes amid regionwide efforts to break free from the COVID-19 pandemic while also dealing with supply chain issues and soaring inflation, which has accelerated in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. All eyes are on how Asia's new leaders will deal with these global concerns, as well as what sort of relationships they will try to forge with China, whose influence is rising in the region. Take a look at the new faces of Australia, East Timor, Hong Kong, the Philippines and South Korea below. (In alphabetical order) |
|  | Raised by a single mom, the 59-year-old, known as "Albo," became the first in his family to finish high school and go to university. He has worked energetically on human rights issues since the start of his career, and has put climate change at the forefront of his foreign policy. |
|  | The 72-year-old Nobel laureate previously served as foreign minister, prime minister and then, from 2007 to 2012, the country's second president. With infrastructure development vital to East Timor's economy, he has voiced strong support for China's Belt and Road Initiative. |
|  | The 64-year-old former police officer will be the first security official to take over as chief executive. He will inherit a financial hub struggling to stay internationally competitive as strict coronavirus policies damage business sentiment and the national security law imposed by Beijing smothers expression of dissenting views. |
|  | Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., the son and namesake of the late Philippine dictator, has avoided topics related to his family's legacy, including efforts by the government to recover billions of dollars of ill-gotten wealth allegedly amassed by his family. Instead, he made national unity his main message. |
|  | A political novice representing the conservative People Power Party, the 61-year-old won the election by less than 1 percentage point by tapping the anger of young men. The former chief prosecutor has vowed to strengthen South Korea's defense against the North and is seen as willing to improve relations with Japan. |
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