1.China, Laos agree to push forward shared future

Dec.1, 2022 (China Daily) — China and Laos agreed to push forward building the China-Laos community with a shared future to bring more benefits to their peoples and promote regional peace, stability and development when President Xi Jinping met with visiting Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith in Beijing.Xi said the CPC is willing to work with the LPRP to strengthen solidarity, cooperation, exchanges and mutual learning, adhere to the people-centered development philosophy, be firmly confident with the socialist path and jointly explore new paths for mankind’s modernization.China will encourage more Chinese enterprises to invest in Laos and the Chinese market welcomes more imports of quality products from Laos.

(Source: Xinhua)

(Source: Xinhua)

2.Malaysia and China ready to move forward in relationship

Dec.15, 2022 (China Daily)— China stands ready to work with Malaysia’s new government to carry forward their friendship and deepen cooperation, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on December 14.Wang made the remarks in a virtual meeting with Malaysian Foreign Minister Zambry Abdul Kadir who took up his post in early December.Wang called for the two countries to strengthen high-level exchanges and strategic communication, continue to advance high-quality “Belt and Road” cooperation, and step up cultural exchanges.Zambry said Malaysia is willing to work with China to jointly promote ASEAN-China cooperation and jointly maintain regional peace and stability.

3.ASEAN launches plan to promote women’s security in Southeast Asia

Dec.5, 2022 (Xinhua)— ASEAN launched a regional plan of action on women’s peace and security in partnership with UN Women.The ASEAN Regional Plan of Action on Women,Peace and Security (ASEAN RPA on WPS) was adopted by the ASEAN leaders during the 40thand 41stASEAN summits in Phnom Penh last month as a key deliverable during the ASEAN chairmanship of Cambodia.It aims to advance commitments to the women’s peace and security agenda and turn them into action.The launch event called for ASEAN member states to commit themselves to effectively implementing the ASEAN RPA on WPS.

4.Lao deputy PM hails Laos-China Railway as pride of Laos

Dec.5, 2022 (Xinhua) — Lao Deputy Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone hailed the Laos-China railway as a pride of Laos.Sonexay said the cross-border railway, a landmark project of Laos-China friendship, is a strategic project to convert Laos from a landlocked country to a land-linked hub,synergizing with the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative.The 1,035-km China-Laos Railway connects Kunming,capital of southwest China’s Yunnan province, with the Lao capital Vientiane.Sonexay noted that in the past year, the China-Laos Railway has been running smoothly, providing quality service for passenger and freight transportation and contributing to socio-economic development of Laos.

5.Huawei helps enhance digital skills in Thailand

Dec.9, 2022 (China Daily)— Huawei announced a partnership with several Thailand departments, higher education institutions, and industry partners to exchange opinions and jointly formulate an ICT personnel development policy, which is about to be developed into a national master plan.The partnership was announced at the Thailand Talent Transformation Symposium in Bangkok, which is jointly organized by Huawei, Thailand Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (MDES), and Thailand Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI).At the symposium, Huawei and the two ministries also announced the opening of Huawei ICT Competition 2022-23 to develop ICT talent from Thai high schools and universities.

6.China’s Chongqing, Singapore roll out events to promote cooperation

Dec.16, 2022 (Xinhua)— Southwest China’s Chongqing Municipality kicked off a slew of events to promote cooperation with Singapore.This year marks the 7thanniversary of the China-Singapore (Chongqing) Demonstration Initiative on Strategic Connectivity.Exchanges between Chongqing and Singapore in the business, leisure tourism, and culture sectors have been deepened in recent years.The events integrate different experiences on offer in Singapore, and will allow Chinese visitors to feel the charm of the country from various perspectives including tourism, food, art, and shopping.More opportunities for cooperation between Chongqing and Singapore in the culture and tourism sectors will be promoted through the events.

7.Chinese-invested largest power generation project in Cambodia launches operation

Dec.16, 2022 (Xinhua)— The Huadian Preah Sihanouk coal-fired power plant in Cambodia passed a commissioning test successfully and was officially put into operation, becoming the largest power generation project in the country.The full operation of the plant is of great significance for improving Cambodia’s power supply structure and perfecting Cambodia’s power infrastructure.The plant has adopted Chinese standards, technology and equipment with an installed capacity of 2x350 megawatt(MW).It is the coal-fired power plant with the largest installed capacity, the most advanced indicators, and the highest environmental protection level in Cambodia.

8.China donates household items to Myanmar’s Kyaukphyu nursing home

Dec.20, 2022 (Xinhua) — The Chinese Embassy in Myanmar handed over household items to Kyaukphyu Nursing Home in Kyaukphyu town of Myanmar’s Rakhine State.The donated items included single steel beds, mini wardrobes, a refrigerator,rice cookers, water containers, and a wheelchair.Speaking at the handover ceremony, Qiao Li, Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Myanmar, expressed thanks to Rakhine state’s local government and CITIC Myanmar for facilitating the donation.The donation aims to inherit China-Myanmar “Paukphaw”friendship.U Nyein Chan Maung, Chairman of the Supervision Committee of the Kyaukphyu Nursing Home, expressed thanks to the Chinese embassy for the donation.