1.President’s trip charts global governance path

Nov.21,2022 (China Daily) — Xi traveled to Bali,Indonesia for the G20 Summit before attending the 29thAPEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Bangkok and visiting Thailand — the first time he has attended the events in person in three years.Two multilateral meetings,close to 20 bilateral talks,and a sit-down with United States President Joe Biden — President Xi Jinping’s trip to Southeast Asia has charted the way for global governance,expanded China’s global partnerships,and steadied ties between the world’s two largest economies.It will be of major significance for the early recovery and steady growth of the global economy.

(Source: Xinhua)

2.Beijing ready to increase China-Singapore direct flights

Nov.12,2022 (Xinhua) — China is ready to increase the direct flights between China and Singapore to better facilitate personnel exchange as China is optimizing its COVID-19 response in light of the new situation,said Premier Li Keqiang.China stands ready to work with Singapore and other member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to further enhance mutual trust,advance economic integration in the region,and promote sustained and steady growth of China-ASEAN relations.The friendship and cooperation between Singapore and China remain unchange.

(Source: Xinhua)

3.Cambodia to export more milled rice to China in coming years

Nov.5,2022 (Xinhua) — Cambodia is expected to export more milled rice to China in coming years thanks to the entry into force of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership(RCEP) trade deal and the Cambodia-China Free Trade Agreement (CCFTA) earlier this year.A report released by CRF showed that China remained a major buyer of Cambodia’s milled rice in the first 10 months of 2022.From January to October,Cambodia’s milled rice exports to international markets reached 509,249 tons,up 10.6% year-on-year,earning gross revenue of US$ 324 million.Exported milled rice varieties included fragrant rice,long grain white rice,parboiled rice,organic rice,and glutinous rice.

4.Cambodia marks 69th anniversary of Independence Day

Nov.9,2022 (Xinhua) — Cambodia celebrated the 69thanniversary of its independence from France in an hourlong ceremony held at the Independence Monument in the capital.King Norodom Sihamoni,accompanied by Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen and other government officials,laid a wreath and lit the ceremonial victory fire inside the Independence Monument to symbolize the country’s independence.The ceremony was also attended by foreign diplomats,armed forces,civil servants,citizens and students.At the end of the celebration,doves and balloons were released as a sign of independence and freedom.

5.Myanmara djusts electric vehicles tariffs to zero

Nov.11,2022 (Xinhua) — Myanmar imposed zero tariffs on electric vehicles (EVs) imports effective from November 2.The move is aimed at encouraging the use of EVs in the country and developing EVs industry and related businesses.The zero-tariff treatment on the electric cars was granted with approvals from the Union Government.The zero-tariff granted BEVs included road tractors,passenger vehicles,trucks,threewheeler vehicles,electric motorcycles,electric bicycles,ambulances,prison vans and hearses.The accessories and spare parts for BEVs,approved by the Ministry of Electric Power and the Ministry of Industry,were also to be granted zero-tariff treatment.

6.ASEAN agrees in principle to admit Timor-Leste as 11th member

Nov.11,2022 (Xinhua) — The leaders of the ASEAN agreed in principle to admit Timor-Leste as the 11thASEAN member.The statement was issued while the leaders are gathering in Phnom Penh,for the 40thand 41stASEAN Summits and Related Summits.The leaders agreed to grant an observer status to Timor-Leste and allow its participation in all ASEAN meetings including at the summit plenaries.They also agreed to formalize an objective criteria-based roadmap for Timor-Leste’s full membership.All ASEAN member states and external partners shall fully support Timor-Leste to achieve the milestones through the provision of capacity building assistance and any other necessary and relevant support for its full membership in ASEAN.

7.Test success on Indonesia’s first high-speed railway

Nov.17,2022 (China Daily) — China’s first overseas highspeed railway project fully adopting the nation’s own technologies and standards is progressing at pace in Indonesia,with a successful inspection test run carried out on the landmark Jakarta-Bandung line.The route connects the Indonesian capital Jakarta with the city of Bandung to the east and reduces travel time between the cities from more than three hours to just 40 minutes.China Railway International,which is overseeing the project,said all data collected on the inspection test run showed the railway performed well.Parameters tested included track condition,contact network,communication and signaling.Upon completion,it will be Indonesia's first high-speed railway.

8.China-Thailand railway brings Thais hope for convenience,prosperity

Nov.20,2022 (Xinhua) — The China-Thailand railway,an important part of the trans-Asian railway network,will be Thailand’s first standard-gauge high-speed railway.The first section,linking the Thai capital of Bangkok with the Nakhon Ratchasima province,is expected to shorten the travel time from more than four hours to over one hour.When completed,the China-Thailand railway will take trains from Bangkok to the border town of Nong Khai,where a bridge will connect it with the China-Laos railway.By then people can travel by train from Bangkok,through Laos,to Kunming.It will not only inject vitality into the economic development of regions along the line in Thailand,but also strengthen the trans-Asian railway network and promote regional connectivity.