Vol. 14 No. 4 (2021)

The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted global trade in goods and services and has exposed weaknesses in the existing structures for international interaction within the global value chains in the Asia-Pacific region, including the United States of America, Japan and the Republic of Korea. The dependence of these economies on the People's Republic of China negatively affected the production processes of the largest industrial companies. To minimize the existing risks, countries are actively participating in and developing free trade agreements, which helps to diversify the geography of participants in global value chains and sales markets. The Government of the Republic of Korea has demonstrated its ability to effectively combat the COVID-19 pandemic by implementing its own strategy of preventive measures and economic stimulus measures. In addition, two new foreign economic initiatives were launched: the New Southern Policy and the New Northern Policy, which could be based on existing and new free trade agreements. Active involvement in global value chains and participation in free trade agreements allowed the Republic of Korea to increase its competitive advantages in the world market and develop its economic potential. The diversification of trading partners under free trade agreements had a positive impact on the country's economic performance during the pandemic and helped to minimize the negative impact of disruptions in foreign trade. The Russian Federation has the opportunity to integrate into new foreign economic trends in South Korea, and there are opportunities to increase the volume of mutual trade between the countries. One of the ways to achieve this goal may be the signing of a bilateral agreement of a free trade zone between the Republic of Korea and the Eurasian Economic Union.

The article discusses the first results of implementation of the national project «Demography» in the Khabarovsk territory, analyzes the degree of compliance of the planned and actually achieved indicators. Assessment of the current situation in the field of demographic development in the Khabarovsk territory determines the importance of implementation of this project. For the Khabarovsk territory, the issues of reproduction of the population of the appropriate quantity and quality are among the top priorities and their relevance only increases with time. Due to the high mortality rate of the working-age population and the outflow of working-age population to other regions of the country, the economy of the Khabarovsk territory is not developing fast enough. The steady decline in the number of women of reproductive age also contributes to the decrease in natural population growth. The national project «Demography» should ensure the preservation of the population. A number of problems have been identified that do not allow making national projects an effective tool of public administration. Thus, the passports of federal and regional projects, as amended in 2020, do not specify their goals, and the proposed indicators do not allow us to unambiguously assess the degree of achievement of national goals. The realism and validity of the control figures are questionable. Federal and regional projects in the same areas use different sets of indicators in terms of composition and number. The analysis of the identified problems in the implementation of the national project «Demography» requires the development and justification of additional measures, both at the federal and regional levels, supported by appropriate funding from the federal budget. Suggestions are given to improve the methodology for developing projects in the field of demographic development.

The article presents an analysis of the current situation in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The experience of pandemic is analyzed from sociological perspective in assessments and attitudes, behavioral models, and public opinion about social phenomena and processes in a COVID-19 situation. In the theoretical and methodological terms, the author relies on the theory of social change by P. Shtompka, theoretical concept of “community of fate” by M. Weber and social theory in the global environment Sklair (2013). In the empirical aspect, the author resorts to the analysis of data from sociological polls of public opinion. The article uses the results of sociological research at the all-Russian level. The article analyzes a number of interrelated aspects of pandemic situation, such as: pandemic as epidemiological phenomenon associated with the emergence and spread of a new coronavirus; as a medical phenomenon associated with the medical and anti-epidemic measures to combat coronavirus; as a socio-political phenomenon associated with the decisions and measures of the authorities at all levels; as a socio-economic phenomenon caused by changes in behavior, attitudes, life scenarios of the population and associated with the restrictive measures that caused the recession of both national and world economies; as a cultural phenomenon, the essence of which is to change every day, customary practices and the emergence of new ones that were previously absent or not in demand; - as an existential phenomenon - the acquisition of mass experience associated with the disease and its consequences, worries about loved ones, the experience of loss. The goal is, on the basis of comprehensive analysis, to identify the main social trends in the development of public relations in the context of pandemic and existing restrictive measures, to identify negative factors acting as destabilizing ones. The research objectives included the following: describe the contours of social changes occurring under the influence of the pandemic; analyze the reaction of citizens to the situation of pandemic, as well as to the anti-epidemic measures taken by the governments; investigate the problem of influence of spread of the virus on the social structure of the society. It is concluded that the modern COVID situation, which has already been called the «black swan», is a difficultly predictable phenomenon. The ongoing social changes are obvious, and the adaptation process is developing unevenly. An analysis of sociological surveys conducted among the population shows that there is a tendency towards the normalization of everyday life, however, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, a new social reality is being formed, for which humanity is not yet ready.

The article presents a sociological analysis of the state of modern student youth in Khabarovsk. The scientists investigated: the ideas of student youth about the city of Khabarovsk and living conditions in it; peculiarities of youth leisure; basic problems of life; education, employment and professional development; migratory moods of young

The article is devoted to the issues related to the study of problems of orphans and children left without parental care in the context of a pandemic (COVID19). Analysis of the existing situation in this problem field testifies to the exacerbation of traditional contradictions, on the one hand, and the emergence of completely new ones, complicating the difficult situation with this category of the population, on the other. The article analyzes the problems faced by graduates of orphanages, generated by the conditions of the pandemic and aspects of social policy in this direction (problems of social adaptation in society, violation of the basic rights of graduates, problems of legal nihilism, the lack of a fundamental federal and regional legal framework on this issue, the lack of technical capabilities of graduates in receiving remote social support). The article highlights the need to develop mechanisms for interdepartmental interaction for post-boarding support on the territory of the Khabarovsk territory. The empirical data obtained as a result of the conducted expert survey actualizes the need for a radical change in the vector of solving problems in relation to graduates of orphanages and social support for this category of persons in the short term. The revealed contradictions in legal regulation indicate the absence of unified approach to the concept of post-boarding support as a type of social support. It was found that the organization of post-boarding support belongs to the powers of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation, which, in turn, differently carry out the legal regulation of social relations in the field of post-boarding support of orphans. The article draws the main conclusions and proposals for improving the activities of subjects on postboarding support for orphans and children left without parental care.

Based on the results of focus group interviews of police officers of different categories, the article analyzes social practices that develop in the course of police interaction with the citizens and organizations in the regions of the Far-Eastern federal district. Based on the methodology proposed by P. A. Sorokin, the article shows the subject composition of persons interacting with the police, the forms of such interaction. The author gives priority attention to the issues of police cooperation with the citizens and organizations. In addition, in the work in sociological dimension, the functional and dysfunctional impact of certain factors on the considered interaction is presented. The author comes to the conclusion that one of the most significant factors is the statutory set of a social subject in contact with the police. The article has a pronounced applied character, lays the foundation for the further quantitative surveys.

The article examines the system of interactions between the young Russian compatriots living abroad and Russia. The article considers the question of how closely young Russian compatriots are connected with Russia. The purpose of the study is to study the forms and channels of interaction of young Russian compatriots with Russia. The article is based on a study of the opinion of young members of the Russian community abroad. The empirical basis of the study is a questionnaire survey conducted in 54 foreign countries. The survey was conducted in groups in social networks and in organizations of Russian compatriots. 2042 respondents aged from 14 to 30 years inclusive were interviewed. Russian studies show that young Russian compatriots largely continue to preserve their Russian identity, identify themselves with the Russian people and speak Russian better than the language of their country of residence. Most of the young compatriots maintain close ties with Russia, which is confirmed by their personal visits to visit relatives, for the purpose of tourism in Russia, etc. A significant part of the interaction is outside the political space, but in the field of informal communication and mass culture, which determines the image of Russia and the people as a whole. The main communication channels are social networks, messengers and Internet resources. The development of centers for the study of the Russian language, education and culture, while expanding the resource base of state policy and its information campaign, can prove to be a powerful tool of the Russian public administration in the long term.

The modern development of the Far-Eastern region of Russia is closely related to the priority of accelerated solution of this problem for the national economy and the consistent implementation on this basis of the program of Russia's integration into the APR, economic «advance to the East». In 2013–2021, a significant number of governmental, sector and regional programs were devoted to the implementation of these tasks. However, the ongoing industrial, social, infrastructural and institutional transformations in the Far East have shown the difficulties of restructuring in traditional directions and the need to initiate new solutions. Some of them are determined by the support for fundamental changes in the future strategies of the world economic process, active restructuring of the economies of the North-Eastern Asia countries, including introducing “carbon regulation” as one of the imperatives of development. The latter are of a forced adaptive nature to the changing conditions of economic activity in the post-pandemic world, stimulating a number of spheres of interstate interaction, and limiting others. Still others are focused on the active proposal by Russia to the APR countries of new partnership opportunities through the implementation of high-cost infrastructure projects that create impulses for Russia's international cooperation (development of the railways of the Eastern range and the Northern sea route). At present, in each of the promising areas of development of the regional economy, landmarks have been outlined that make it possible to predict the effective results of their implementation. However, at the same time, these projects generate new risks that can hinder the achievement of the set goals. Their identification and accounting should be considered as an essential component of medium-term forecasting.

The parameters and assessment of the state economic policy measures to eliminate the economic shocks of the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan from Jan., 2020 till Jul., 2021 are carried out. It was revealed that the economic policy of responding to the shocks of the COVID-19 pandemic was timely and adequate to the current crisis. It was confirmed that in 2020, compared to other developed countries, it was possible to effectively use its health care system in the fight against COVID-19 and reduce economic losses in the initial stage of the pandemic. This was due to the correct choice of both epidemiological strategies and monetary and structural policies. It is also confirmed that the package of anti-crisis measures turned out to be one of the largest in the world in terms of volume and that in the coming years

Referring to four strategies of internationalization of higher education, suggested by the Organization for economic cooperation and development, Japan’s strategy is traditionally called mutual understanding approach, aiming mainly at the cultural diplomacy and spreading “soft power” around the globe. However, in modern Japan other strategies may become more important, such as skilled migration approach or capacity building approach. The goal of this paper is to demonstrate the reasons for different strategies in internationalization of higher education in Japan. It is argued that both skilled migration approach and capacity building approach are implemented, while the revenue-generating approach is not.

The article examines prevailing tendencies of social development in the FarEastern federal district during the period of active state policy for the advanced development of macro-region (2013-2020). On the basis of statistical information, the parameters reflecting the demographic dynamics and well-being of the population are analyzed in the context of the subjects of the Far-Eastern federal district. It was revealed that, despite the measures taken to stabilize the population and create comfortable conditions for attracting labor resources to the region, the downward trend of natural and migration movement of the population continues. It is shown that the persistence of an increased birth rate in national entities compared to the national average is accompanied by a decrease in the number of women of reproductive age and a drop in rates, including under the influence of adjusting reproductive attitudes against the background of a coronavirus infection pandemic, which is subsequently fraught with a transition to negative performance. It has been established that high mortality rates continue to persist in the macro-region, especially among people of working age, due to both the low standard of living and the poor development of the health infrastructure, which limits timely access to medical care. It is substantiated that the economic conditions during the study period did not contribute to the positive dynamics of the level of well-being of the population of the Far East, primarily due to the lack of growth in real cash income. A conclusion is made about the low probability of achieving the target social indicators stated in the official strategic documents for the development of the Far East.

This study is based on the conceptual position that selective regional policy is an independent direction of the state's regional policy and its mechanism depends on the model of regional policy implemented in the country: «efficiency» or «equality». The theoretical and methodological foundations of the selective regional

In the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic, close attention of the expert community and administrators is turned to the possible scenarios of development of interethnic relations in the Russian regions. This article presents the results of ethnosociological monitoring that took place in the Chelyabinsk region. Our attention is focused on assessing the risks of perception of trans-border migrants, searching for the main indicators, on the basis of which it is possible to monitor the dynamics of xenophobic attitudes, developing recommendations to improve migration and national policies. The source base of the research was the data of the ethno-sociological survey conducted in April-June 2021 and the results of expert interviews. The research involved 2,062 respondents and 105 experts. This toolkit allowed the authors to determine the current state of interethnic relations in the region, to show the degree of influence of migration from the Central Asia and the PRC on them, to determine the main attitudes of the South Ural residents towards the non-ethnic migrants. The ethno-sociological monitoring showed that inter-ethnic relations in the Chelyabinsk region are in a state of latent tension, largely caused by difficulties of incorporation of the natives of Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and PRC into the host society. On the basis of the collected empirical data, recommendations were developed to change the context of perception of migration and migrants from the main receiving countries of international and labor migration. These include creating a system of ethno-sociological monitoring based on the research conducted, removing hate speech, xenophobic rhetoric and negative stereotypes about migrants from the regional press, explaining the positive consequences of international migration, and creating conditions for interaction between the different groups of migrants and the local population.

In the article on the base of sociological research assessment of migration situation in the Krasnoyarsk territory is given. Measures to improve migration situation are offered. Complex epidemiological situation in the region led to the choice of intelligence research. Non-random (spontaneous) types of selection were used. Questionnaire method of collecting information was used. Surveys were conducted from November to December 2020 and covered 400 residents of the region. As a result of the study, it turned out that old-timers are not particularly wor-ried about the arrival of foreign labor migrants. They are more concerned about the other aspects of migration. First of all, there is the outflow of highly qualified specialists and graduates of universities («brain drain»). Second, there is a migration of the local population. This is the opinion of both students and the adult