01. New China-Vietnam tour route launched

June 1, 2018 (Xinhua) — A border crossing between the southern Chinese cities of Guilin and Dongxing, in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, to Mong Cai and Ha Long in Vietnam has been launched. It is the expansion of the original tourist route between Dongxing and Mong Cai, on both sides of the border river, launched in November 2016.Driving tours across the Vietnam-China border became popular after the Dongxing-Mong Cai route opened. The number of outbound tourists from Dongxing rose to 3.1 million in 2017, as against 162,700 in 2014.

02. Indonesia continues to top infrastructure development index

June 7, 2018 (Xinhua) — Indonesia continues to top the Belt and Road Infrastructure Development Index for two consecutive years, according to a report released at the 9thInternational Infrastructure Investment and Construction Forum in China’s Macao Special Administrative Region.The report was based on infrastructure development environment, development potential and development trend of the countries and regions along the Belt and Road Initiative. Singapore, Pakistan, Russia, Vietnam, Brazil,Poland, Turkey, Malaysia and India also rank in the top 10 in the index.

03. Cambodia-China roundtable dialogue on new economy held in Phnom Penh

June 10, 2018 (Xinhua) — A roundtable dialogue on new economy between Cambodia and China was held in Phnom Penh, focusing on the development of E-commerce, media and tourism. Organized by China’s Singmeng TMT Operation Center, the forum brought together 60 people including Cambodian government officials and businesspeople from the two countries. Cambodian Commerce Ministry secretary of state Chhuon Dara said the forum was a good chance for officials and businesspeople to meet and explore ways to further enhance bilateral cooperation in economics, trade,investment and tourism.

04. China-funded national road inaugurated in Cambodia

June 11, 2018 (Xinhua) — Cambodia inaugurated the 251-km section of the China-funded national road No. 6 from southeastern Kampong Cham province to northwestern Siem Reap province. Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen and Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Xiong Bo presided over the inauguration ceremony that was attended by more than 10,000 people who are government officials, local authorities, residents and students. To date, 23 roads in a total length of 2,301 km have been constructed under China’s loan and grant, while seven other roads in the length of 735 km are being built with the China’s funding.

05. China, ASEAN to forge closer community of shared future

June 13, 2018 (Xinhua) — China and ASEAN will expand cooperation in various fields and forge a closer community with a shared future, said Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi while holding talks with Secretary-General of ASEAN Lim Jock Hoi. China and ASEAN will work together to promote the formulation of theChina-ASEAN Strategic Partnership Vision 2030, hold the 2018 ASEAN-China Year of Innovation, and synergize the Belt and Road Initiative with theMaster Plan for ASEAN Connectivity 2025.

06. 16th ASEAN Overseas Chinese Entrepreneurs Conference opens

June 13, 2018 (Xinhua) — The 16thASEAN Overseas Chinese Entrepreneurs Conference opened in Kunming,capital of Yunnan Province. More than 600 overseas Chinese businesspeople from over 40 countries and regions attended the event. During the conference, five projects valued at a total 2.62 billion yuan (US$ 409.2 million) are scheduled be signed, ranging from agriculture and culture, to cross-border business and logistics. Since the conference was first held in 2003, it has attracted more than 3,000 enterprises and 5,000 overseas Chinese entrepreneurs, with actual investment totaling more than US$ 5 billion.

07. Chinese engineering firm completes main construction work of Laos’ longest bridge

June 15, 2018 (Xinhua) — China Railway No. 2 Engineering Group (CREC-2) has completed the main construction work of the longest bridge along the China-Laos railway which is also the longest-ever bridge in Laos. The Nam Khone super major bridge, located in the northern suburb of Lao capital Vientiane, has a total length of 7.5 km. A total of 230 bridge piers have now been erected. The China-Laos railway is one of interconnectivity projects under the framework of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative. Construction of the railway began in December 2016 and the railway is expected to open to traffic in December 2021.

08. CLMV continues to cooperate to narrow gap with other ASEAN nations

June 16, 2018 (Xinhua) — Leaders from Cambodia, Laos,Myanmar and Vietnam (CLMV) agreed to promote the effectiveness and roles of their cooperation mechanism to narrow the gap between CLMV and other ASEAN countries. To realize the goal, the four countries reaffirmed their commitment to further deepen cooperation, actively coordinate and comprehensively promote CLMV’s economic linkage and people’s connectivity. Enhancing infrastructure connectivity, facilitating cross border goods and peoples’movements, promoting cross-border trade, supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, simplifying the movement of intra-CLMV travelers and attracting more inbound tourists to the four countries are among their priorities.