Editor's Note: This week we are presenting a year-end review of the global economy, China's economy, society and diplomacy, and the international situation. Today, four researchers review the international situation and give their predictions for next year.

Shock waves generated by "black swan" events have been and are still being felt by the world. Targeted against the West-led globalization, they started with the United Kingdom voting to break away from the European Union, and helped Donald Trump to win the United States presidential election in November. Recently, the Republic of Korea parliament voted to impeach President Park Geun-hye, marking a turning point in the country's politics and fueling concerns that the "only certainties are uncertainties" in today's world.

The world is in consistent transition, a process that may continue into the 2030s, even the 2040s, according to the 2010 Global Strategic Trends issued by the Development, Concepts and Doctrine Center of the UK.