B)Political Affairs

December 17 Laos will reopen the country to fully vaccinated visitors from January 1, 2022. Visitors can visit Vientiane,Vang Viengand Luang Prabang. The entry will be available to tourists from 17 nations, including Southeast Asian and European countries, China, the US, Australia, and Canada.

December 18 Cambodia inaugurates a China-aided national stadium, the Morodok Techo National Stadium, in Phnom Penh. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and Chinese Ambassador Wang Wentian preside over the event. The stadium is built by China State Construction Engineering Corporation and starting in April 2017.

July 1

July 6 China celebrates the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC) at Tiananmen Square in Beijing. President Xi Jinping delivers a speech to praise the party for uplifting people’s livelihood and restoring national pride.

China holds the virtual meeting of the CPC and World Political Parties Summit. President Xi Jinping calls on international cooperation to improve the fairness, efficiency, and coordination of global development, uphold multilateralism, strengthen international cooperation to handle global risks and challenges, and promote global governance. More than 500 leaders of political parties and organizations from more than 160 countries attend the Summit.

July 12

July 16 The People's Liberation Army (PLA) of China warns off the US guided-missile destroyer, USS Benfold, that trespasses into the Paracel Islands in the South China Sea. The PLA urges the US to stop provocations and control military activities.

President Xi Jinping attends the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Informal Economic Leaders' Retreat hosted by New Zealand, the APEC host, via a videoconference. Xi Jinping delivers a speech and proposes that the APEC should

July 20 strengthen international cooperation on the Covid19 response, deepen regional economic integration, pursue inclusive and sustainable development, and seize opportunities fromscientific and technological innovation. China will provide another US$3 billion in international aid over the next 3 years to support Covid-19 response and economic and social recovery in developing countries. China has provided over 500 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines to developing countries so far.

(1) 55 countries have submitted letters to the WHO to oppose the politicization of the Covid-19 origins issue as the WHO proposed a second phase study into the originsof the coronavirus in China on July 16.

(2) The Thai government extends the nationwide state of emergency until September 30 to tackle surging Covid-19 infections.

July 20-23 Law enforcement authorities from China, Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand conduct the 107th Mekong River joint patrol.

July 22 (1) The Chinese Embassy in Cambodia refutes Reuters’ report that Chinese hackers steal Mekong River data from Cambodia. According to the US Justice Department’s statement on July 19, 4 Chinese nationals have been charged with attacks on data of companies, universities, and government agencies in the US and other countries, including the discussions between China and Cambodia over the use of the Mekong River.

(2) China rejects a WHO's proposal for a second investigation of the Covid-19 origins in China. It urges the WHO to trace the origins of the virus in multiple countries.

July 29 Chinese Ministry of National Defense Spokesperson Wu Qian uses the words "steel-like Cambodia" to describe the China-Cambodia relations for the first time at a press conference.

August 2 More than 300 political parties, organizations, and think tanks from more than 100 countries and regions submit a joint statement to the WHO Secretariat to reject the politicization of the Covid19 origins tracing.

August 3 The MRC revealsthat the waterlevel of the Mekong River has decreased over the past week despite China's pledge that the Jinghong dam will not restrict water flows to facilitate power grid construction until the end of this month.

August 3-6 On August 3, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi attends the ASEAN-China Ministerial Meeting via a videoconference. Both sides agree to deepen anti-pandemic cooperation, promote economic recovery, consolidate the existing regional cooperation frameworks, and maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea. China has provided more than 190 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines to ASEAN countries so far, according to Wang Yi.

At the 22nd ASEAN Plus Three Foreign Ministers' Meeting on the same day, participants are willing to promote economic integration, implement the RCEP, strengthen vaccine research and development cooperation, uphold multilateralism and free trade, and expand cooperation in areas such as the digital economy and climate change.

On August 4, Wang Yi attends the 11th East Asia Summit (EAS) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. Participants want to deepen cooperation in the fight against the pandemic, promote green development, strengthen ASEAN centrality, and safeguard international fairness and justice. Wang Yi stresses fourrespects on the South China Sea issue, namely, all parties should respect the historical facts, international laws, consensus, and regional countries.

On August 6, Wang Yi attends the Foreign Ministers’ Meeting of the 28th ASEAN Regional Forum. Participants agree to adhere to the principle of noninterference in internal affairs, maintain peace and

stability in the South China Sea, pushing efforts to facilitate consultations on the Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea, and jointly overcome difficulties and challenges.

August 5 State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi holds the 1st Meeting of the International Forum on Covid19 Vaccine Cooperation. President Xi Jinping sends a message to the meeting. It states that China vows to provide 2 billion doses of Covid-19 vaccines to the world this year and donates US$100 million to the COVAX to promote global vaccine provision.

Participants agree to strengthen cooperation in battling with the pandemic, provide vaccines to developing countries, support the WHO’s COVAX, oppose vaccine nationalism, support the waiver of intellectual property rights on vaccines, and promote international cooperation on vaccine production capacity. The meeting adopts the Joint Statement of the International Forum on Covid-19 Vaccine Cooperation.

August 10 Cambodia’s Lower Sesan 2 dam financed by China Huaneng Group affects the livelihoods of tens of thousands of villagers, according to the Human RightsWatch (HRW). The dam threatens fishing and agriculture. Local people lose their incomes. The HRW suggests that Cambodian authorities have to revisit the compensation, resettlement, and livelihood-restoration methods of this project.

August 12 The WHO urges China to share more data on the Covid-19 origins to revive its probe into the origins of the virus as the data from the phase one report of the investigation in Wuhan was not enough and failed to conclude how the virus began.

August 13 China rejects the WHO's calls for further coronavirus origins probe and opposes political tracing. Further investigation should base on the scientific evidence from the first phase study conducted by Chinese and foreign experts in Wuhan and be carried out in multiple places worldwide.

August 24 During the visit to Singapore, US Vice President Kamala Harris accuses China of threatening the sovereignty of Southeast Asian countries on the South China Sea issue.

August 25 During the visit to Vietnam, US Vice President Kamala Harris accuses China of bullying Southeast Asian countries and making excessive maritime claims in the South China Sea. The US will find a new way to raise the pressure on China.

August 25-28 The 108th joint Mekong River patrol by China, Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand kicks off targetingatcrossborder crimes.

August 26 The Chinese Embassy in Vietnam releases a statement refuting US Vice President Kamala Harris' accusations against China during her visit to Vietnam. It stresses that the US disregarded the history and truth about the South China Sea, ignored the joint efforts of China and Southeast Asian countries to safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea and drum upthe so-called "Chinese threats" in the region.

August 30 Huang Kunming, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, a member of the Secretary of theCPC Central Committee, and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee holds talks with Nguyen Trong Nghia, head of the CPV Central Committee’s Commission for Information and Education via a videoconference to promote publicity and culture cooperation.

August 31 Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin remarks at a press conference that China will work with the international community to play a constructive role in Myanmar's efforts to restore social stability and resume democratic transformation at an early date.

September 6-15 The Chinese military kicks off the first-time international peacekeeping drill "Shared Destiny 2021" in Henan Province. The troops from China, Thailand, Mongolia, and Pakistan participate in the

drill to promote pragmatic cooperation among countries which have contributed troops to the United Nations' Action for Peacekeeping Initiative to boost the capacity of peacekeeping standby forces.

September 8 The US guided-missile destroyer, USS Benfold, trespasses the Meiji Reef in the South China Sea. China’s PLA Southern Theater Command warns it off and stresses that the US action has violated China’s sovereignty and security.

September 9 (1) Premier Li Keqiang attends and delivers a speech at the 7h Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Summit via a videoconference. The summit is chaired by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen. Participants are willing to work together to prevent and control the pandemic, deepen cooperation on water resources, promote regional economic and social recovery, uphold multilateralism, maintain peace and stability, and promote common prosperity and benefit of people in the region. The summit endorses the Joint Declaration of the 7th Greater Mekong Subregion Summit, the GMS Strategic Framework 2030 (GMS-2030), and the GMS COVID-19 Response and Recovery Plan 2021 and 2023.

(2) The National Assembly of Cambodia ratifies the RCEP. The pact will be reviewed by the Senate before being submitted to King Norodom Sihamoni for endorsement.

September 13 The Chinese Embassy in Vietnam refutes Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi’s attacks on China during his visit to Vietnam stating that China attempts to use its power to change the status quo and intensify the situation in East China and the South China Sea through its coast guard law. China's routine legislation in the South China Sea did not target any specific countries and complied with international law and international practice, according to the Embassy.

September 21 President Xi Jinping addresses the general debateof the 76th session of the United Nations General

Assembly (UNGA) via a videoconference. He proposes the Global Development Initiative to jointly address global threats and challenges to build a better world.

September 21-24 The 109th Mekong River joint patrol by law enforcement authorities from China, Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand kicks off and cracks down on crossborder crimes.

October 11-15 The 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the Convention on Biological Diversity is held in Kunming, Yunnan Province. President Xi Jinping attends and delivers a speech at the meeting via a videoconference. China announces that it will establish the Kunming Biodiversity Fund and invest 1.5 billion yuan to support biodiversity protection in developing countries. The meeting adopts the Kunming Declaration.

October 19 The 110th Mekong River joint patrol by China, Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand kicks off. Law enforcement authorities discuss the current situations of the pandemic and public security in the river basin.

October 26-28 The 38th and 39th ASEAN Summits and related meetings kick off online under the chairmanship of Brunei to strengthen the resilience of the ASEAN Community towards regional recovery from the pandemic and maintain regional cooperation.

On October 26, Premier Li Keqiang attends the 24th China-ASEAN Summit. Both sides agree to expedite the consultations on the COC in the South China Sea, conduct maritime cooperation, deepen economic integration, implement the RCEP, and promote green and sustainable development in the region. China supports the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework and its Implementation Plan. China will work with ASEAN to launch the feasibility study of the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area (ACFTA). The study will focus on the digital economy, green economy, and other new areas of cooperation. China pledges to offer more aid in Covid-19 vaccines and medical supplies to ASEAN and proposes the

building of a China-ASEAN cooperation center for public health science and technology. The meeting adopts the China-ASEAN Joint Statement on Cooperation in Support of the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework and the China-ASEAN Joint Statement on Enhancing Green and Sustainable Development Cooperation.

On October 27, Li Keqiang attends the 24th ASEAN Plus Three Summit. He proposes to participants to improve public health governance, deepen regional economic integration, enhance industrial cooperation in East Asia, promote the digital economy in East Asia, energize financial cooperation, and promote green and sustainable growth. Participants will work together to implement the RCEP, accelerate the building of the ASEAN Plus Three Reserve of Medical Supplies for Public Health Emergencies, and further deepen cooperation in the region.

On October 27, Li Keqiangalso attends the 16th East Asia Summit (EAS). Participants agree to uphold multilateralism, promote the equitable distribution of vaccines and medicines, strengthen cooperation on the digital economy, free trade, public health, and climate change, promote economic recovery, and maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea.

October 28 Thailand submits the ratification of the RCEP to the ASEAN Secretariat, according to Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit. Its parliament ratified the pact on February 9, 2021.

October 30-31 President Xi Jinping attends the 16th Group of 20 (G20) Leaders’ Summit and delivers a speech via a videoconference. He proposes a Global Vaccine Cooperation Action Initiative to enhance vaccine accessibility and affordability in developing countries. He calls on participants to uphold openness, inclusiveness, and win-win cooperation. He urges developed countries to lead by example on emissions reduction to solve the climate crisis. The meeting adopts the G20 Rome Leaders’ Declaration.

October 31November 13 The 26th United Nations Conference of Parties on Climate Change (COP26) is held in Glasgow, Scotland. The meeting adopts the Glasgow Climate Pact. The meeting reaches an agreement on Article 6 of the Paris Agreement related to carbon market mechanisms.

On November 1, Xi Jinping delivers a written speech at the World Leaders Summit at the COP26 and calls for participants to uphold multilateralism consensus on global challenges such as climate change, focus on concrete actions, and accelerate thegreen transition. The summit is held on the sidelines of the COP26 on November 1-2.

November 4 Vietnam asks China to withdraw its ships out of the Whitsun Reef in the Spratly archipelago and respect Vietnam’s sovereignty, according to Vietnamese Foreign Affairs Ministry Deputy Spokesperson Pham Thu Hang.

November 11 President Xi Jinping attends and delivers a keynote speech at the APEC CEO Summit via a videoconference. He urges participants to make allout efforts to fight against the pandemic, uphold openness and cooperation, promote green transition and innovation.

November 12-13 The 28th APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting is hosted by New Zealand online. President Xi Jinping attends and delivers a speech at the meeting. He proposesto advance anti-Covid cooperation and promote economic recovery, foster an open Asia-Pacific economy, promote innovation-driven development and the digital economy, and pursue inclusive and sustainable development. Participants vow to boost global economic recovery and support global efforts to share vaccines equitably. The meeting adopts the APEC Putrajaya Vision 2040 implementation plan and releases the APEC 2021 Leaders’ Declaration.

November 16 The 111th Mekong River joint patrol by China, Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand kicks off.

November 22 President Xi Jinping and Haji Hassanal Bolkian, the Sultan of Brunei and the ASEAN chairman, co-chair the Special Summit to Commemorate the 30th Anniversary of ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations via a videoconference.

Both sides announced the establishment of a ChinaASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. They agree to practice multilateralism. Xi Jinping says that China will prioritize ASEAN in its neighborhood diplomacy. China never seeks hegemony and it safeguardspeace in the region.

China supports ASEAN's efforts to build a nuclearweapon-free zone and prepares to sign the Protocol to the Treaty on the Southeast Asia NuclearWeapon-Free Zone. It will import more high-quality products from ASEAN countries, including agricultural products worth US$150 billion in the next 5 years. It will launch the China-ASEAN Science, Technology and Innovation Enhancing Program to enhance cooperation in technology andeducation.

Regarding the Covid-19 pandemic, China will donate an additional 150 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines to ASEAN countries and contribute an additional US$5 million to the Covid-19 Response Fund. It will provide another US$1.5 billion to develop assistance in the next 3 years to support ASEAN fight against thepandemic toboost economic recovery.

Participants agree to promote the negotiation on the COC in the South China Sea and implement the RCEP. The Summit adopts the Joint Statement of the ASEAN-China Special Summit to Commemorate the 30th Anniversary of ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations.

December 7-8 The 2nd Lancang-Mekong Water Resources Cooperation Forum is held online to strengthen cooperation among LMC countries. Chinese Minister of Water Resources Li Guoying attends the Forum. China proposes the Beijing Initiative that calls for further enhanced dialogue, technical cooperation,