Zhou He

01. Trade volume at China-Vietnam border port bustling

December 4， 2019 （Xinhua） — The cargo volume at southwestern Chinas Tianpeng Port， located on the border of Yunnan Province and Vietnam， totaled 63，095 metric tons in the first three quarters of 2019， up 22.86% year-on-year. From January to September， trade value at the port amounted to US$ 46.77 million， expanding 19.71% year-on-year. Border authorities recorded a total of 120，302 inbound and outbound visits in the first nine months， a year-on-year increase of 4.67%. Border trade between China and Vietnam has witnessed rapid growth thanks to the Belt and Road Initiative.

02. The Philippines total goods trade declines by 6.7%

December 11， 2019 （China Daily） — The Philippines total external trade in goods in October 2019 declined by 6.7%， amounting to US$ 15.89 billion from the US$ 17.03 billion external trade in the same month of 2018. Of the total external trade， US$ 6.32 billion or 39.8% were exported goods and US$ 9.57 billion or 60.2% were imported goods， according to the data provided by the Philippine Statistics Authority. The countrys balance of trade in goods in October 2019 recorded a US$ 3.25 billion deficit which was lower by 26.4% from the US$ 4.42 billion deficit in October 2018.

03. ADB forecasts growth in developing Asia at 5.2% in 2019， 2020

December 11， 2019 （China Daily） — In a supplement to its Asian Development Outlook 2019 Update released in September， the Asian Development Bank （ADB） said it now expects GDP in developing Asia to expand 5.2% in both 2019 and 2020， down from the September forecast of 5.4% growth this year and 5.5% next year. “While growth rates are still solid in developing Asia， persistent trade tensions have taken a toll on the region and are still the biggest risk to the longer-term economic outlook. Domestic investment is also weakening in many countries， as business sentiment has declined，” said ADB Chief Economist Yasuyuki Sawada.

04. The Philippines beats Thailand to collect gold at SEA Games basketball

December 11， 2019 （Xinhua） — The Philippines mens national 5x5 basketball team hammered Thailand 115-81， attaining an 18th gold medal at 30th Southeast Asian （SEA） Games in its 20 participations. Both teams entered the final unbeaten after dominant runs through the group stages. Thailand edged Vietnam in the semi-finals while the hosts crushed Indonesia. “What makes me delighted is no one in this team tries to be a star. All of the players are trying harder to be as one， to be together，” said Tim Cone， the head coach of the Philippines， adding that the chemistry in the team is growing stronger and stronger.

05. Direct flights to link Chongqing， Laos

December 12， 2019 （China Daily） — Southwest Chinas Chongqing municipality is going to add two international direct flights to the city of Luang Prabang in Laos and Vientiane， operated by China Express Airlines， officials said. The flight between Chongqing and Luang Prabang will depart Chongqing at 00：30 am every Friday and arrives in Luang Prabang at 1：40 am. It will return from Luang Prabang at 2：40 am and arrives in Chongqing at 5：50 am. The flight between Chongqing and Vientiane will depart Chongqing at 00：35 am every Wednesday and Sunday and arrives in Vientiane at 2：20 am. It will return from Vientiane at 3：20 am and arrives in Chongqing at 6：45 am.

06. Bagan Run （Myanmar） promotes friendship

December 16， 2019 （China Daily） — The first Myanmar Run was held in Bagan， attracting over 300 foreign and local participants comprising corporations， running enthusiasts and the local community. Organized by China Daily and RVIPS Publications， two race events — the 10 km Challenge and 5 km Fun Run — took place， with runners appreciating the breathtaking sights and culture of Bagan from start to finish. Positioned as an International Friendship Run， the event was aimed at promoting the Belt and Road Initiative， as well as a healthy lifestyle and friendship.

07. Experts expect Asia to play lead development role across the world

December 18， 2019 （China Daily） — Asia is expected to lead the development of block-chain technology worldwide， with China among the key countries to watch next year， according to experts. Jason Potts， professor of economics and director of the Blockchain Innovation Hub at RMIT University in Melbourne， Australia， said Asian countries， including China， Singapore， South Korea and even Vietnam， are making huge investments in developing early-stage pilot projects and business experiments using block-chain technology. They are focusing on supply chains across a range of industries.

08. Chinese firm to be master developer for new Malaysian business district

December 20， 2019 （Xinhua） — The Malaysian government signed an agreement with a consortium which includes a major Chinese company on a major land development project， which Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said will add substantial value to the economy of his country. IWH CREC， the consortium comprising local developer lskandar Waterfront Holdings （IWH） and China Railway Engineering Corporation （CREC）， signed an agreement with TRX City， a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Malaysian finance ministry， acquiring a 60% stake in Bandar Malaysia， a future business district and a major transport hub of Kuala Lumpur， the Malaysian capital， according to a joint statement by the involving parties.