ARCID China Update Vol.4, No.1

Asian Research Center for International Development (ARCID), Mae Fah Luang University, Thailand

ARCID china update Volume 4, No. 1

ISSN 2630-0885

January - June 2021

ARCID China Update Volume 4, No. 1 January - June 2021

Compiled by Tarida Baikasame Research Associate

Asian Research Center for International Development (ARCID) School of Social Innovation Mae Fah Luang University Thailand

ARCID CHINA UPDATE VOLUME 4, NO. 1 JANUARY-JUNE 2021 © All Rights Reserved Compiled by Tarida Baikasame ISSN: 2630-0885 First published in 2018 by ASIAN RESEARCH CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT (ARCID) School of Social Innovation, Mae Fah Luang University 333 Moo 1, Thasud, Muang, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand Tel : +66 5391 7137 Fax : +66 5391 6685 Email : arcid.social-innovation.school@mfu.ac.th Website : chinawatch.today, social-innovation.mfu.ac.th/arcid.php Facebook page : www.facebook.com/ARCIDTHAILAND www.facebook.com/chinawatch.arcid

Cover Photo by Usukhbayar Gankhuyag on Unsplash

Contents Preface

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Part I: The Chronology (January-June 2021) Coronavirus Update

3

(A) Foreign Affairs

23

(B) Political Affairs

36

(C) Economic Affairs

48

(D) Socio-cultural Affairs

61

Part II: Selected Documentation (January-June 2021) (A) China’s International Development Cooperation in the New Era (White Paper)

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(B) Speech of President Xi Jinping at the World Economic Forum Virtual Event of the Davos Agenda

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(C) Report on the Work of the Government

74

(D) Poverty Alleviation: China’s Experience and Contribution (White paper)

74

(E) Co-Chairs’ Statement on the Special ASEAN-China Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Celebration of the 30th Anniversary of the Dialogue Relations

74

(F) Joint Statement on Deepening Cooperation on Traditional Medicine Within the Framework of Lancang-Mekong Cooperation

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(G) Joint Statement on Enhancing Sustainable Development Cooperation of the Lancang-Mekong Countries

79

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(H) Initiative on Deepening Cooperation among Local Governments of Lancang-Mekong Countries

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Part III: Selected Analysis (January-June 2021) Coronavirus Update (A) Pull through together Peng Bo

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(B) WHO approval of Chinese vaccines can increase global supply Gauden Galea

91

Foreign Affairs (C) Thailand’s ‘make or break’ jobs in 2021 Kavi Chongkittavorn

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(D) Southeast Asia of special importance to China Li Kaisheng

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(E) Regional vaccine approach is imperative Thitinan Pongsudhirak

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Political Affairs (F) China seeks to shore up its influence in Myanmar Larry Jagan

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(G) Mekong drowned in water politics Ploenpote Atthakor

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(H) Democracy in Myanmar faces uncertain future Global Times Editorial

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(I) Mekong needs tough govt stance Ploenpote Atthakor

108

(J) Can US, China cooperate on Myanmar?

Kavi Chongkittavorn

111

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(K) What are some ways to end South China Sea stalemate and cooperate?

Wu Shicun

114

(L) China’s way with a divided, inert Asean Thitinan Pongsudhirak

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Economic Affairs (M) BRI, RCEP, CAI to strengthen China’s world economic, geopolitical position Ken Moak

118

(N) Vietnam, with surging GDP and stability, is a rising star in Southeast Asia Nie Huihui

121

(O) Rural recovery and resilience Zhang Qingfeng

123

Socio-cultural Affairs (P) Can China be carbon neutral before 2060?

Asit K. Biswas and Cecilia Tortajada

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125

Preface

With economic reforms and the opening up of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to the outside world by Deng Xioaping and post-Deng leaders, China is now the largest economy (on a purchasing power parity basis). All indications show that China will be a superpower. The meteoric rise of China in the 21 st century signals the successful comeback of China in regaining its respectful place in regional and international affairs. It also means challenges as well as opportunities for other parts of the world, especially for countries in the Asia Pacific region.

For many of us, the big question is: how should we deal with such a rising superpower? Other questions may include the following: Is China’s rise going to be sustained? What are the new directions mapped out

by Xi Jinping to develop China? What sort of developmental challenges will it face? Is China a threat according to some analysts? How can we promote a winwin relationship with China? How can we manage our problems, if any, with China in order to preserve peace and development?

To answer these questions, the Asian Research Center for International Development (ARCID) of the School of Social Innovation at Mae Fah Luang University has launched the China Watch Project with a grant from the Thailand Research Fund (TRF). We would like to express our thanks to the TRF for its funding support and suggestions in improving the project proposal.

As part and parcel of the China Watch Project, ARCID has established a Monitor and Analysis (M & A) Unit surveying and analyzing major developments in China. Located in Northern Thailand, ARCID would take advantage of its geography and focus its research more on the Mekong region and its relations with East Asia, including China. We hope this strategy could help a young research center to establish a niche in the academic, intellectual and policy community. In this regard, the ARCID China Update, a biannual publication, is produced by the M & A Unit to keep track of the developments in China with special reference to its interactions with the Mekong region. The publication includes a chronology, selected documentation, selected analysis, and at times, viii

appendices. Inaugurated in mid-2018, the ARCID China Update is published twice a year with each issue covering developments in China for the immediate past six months. Essentially, the publication is a record of the events and issues under review.

Lee Lai To, Ph.D. Senior Professor and Director ARCID

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Part I The Chronology

(I)The Chronology (January-June 2021) Coronavirus Update January 1

(1) The World Health Organization (WHO) granted emergency validation to the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine on December 31, 2020, for countries worldwide to approve its import and distribution. The PfizerBioNTech vaccine was the first to receive “emergency validation” since the pandemic emerged.

(2) China granted “conditional” market approval to a Sinopharm vaccine on December 31, 2020.

January 2

Vietnam reports the first imported case of the new coronavirus variant that spreads rapidly in the UK, according to the Ministry of Health. A variant is known as “VOC 202012/01.” The country records 1,474 confirmed cases with 35 deaths so far.

January 6

China denies entry to the WHO expert team at the last minute. The team has a mission to trace the origins of the coronavirus. WHO Chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus says that he is very disappointed.

January 9

More than 9 million doses of Chinese Covid-19 vaccines have been administered in China, according to the National Health Commission (NHC). The vaccines are free to the public. The NHC also tells the press conference that China is ready to receive an investigation on the origins of Covid-19 by a WHO expert team. However, the specific time is being determined.

January 10

(1) Thailand’s Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) reports 10,298 confirmed cases with 67 deaths in the country. Thailand ranks 129th in the global list of most confirmed cases.

(2) The NHC has received a report of 87,536 confirmed cases in China's mainland. The death toll is at 4,634.

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(3) The global Covid-19 cases reach 90,045,410 with a total of 1,931,571 deaths worldwide, according to the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University. The US reported the most cases and deaths around the world, followed by India and Brazil.

January 13

Thai health officials hold a press conference to assure people that the Sinovac vaccine is effective enough to tackle the virus after the test results by Brazil’s Butantan Institute on January 12 showed that Sinovac is only 50.4 percent effective. The Health Ministry also requests further information about the Sinovac vaccine from Sinovac Biotech Limited. The Ministry has relied on the WHO suggestion that 50 percent efficiency is enough for emergency use.

January 14

The WHO team arrives in China for origin tracing of the coronavirus, according to China’s NHC. The team conducts joint research with Chinese scientists. The 10 WHO experts led by Peter Ben Embarek must be quarantined for 14 days before starting their work.

On the same day, China also records its first Covid-19 death in 8 months in Hebei Province.

January 16

China News reports that Meng La county in Yunnan Province, which borders Laos and Myanmar is working on the construction of a new central isolation site to contain imported cases from abroad.

It contains more than 2,000 rooms and 2,001 beds.

January 26

(1) The CCSA reports 959 new Covid-19 cases in Thailand, the highest number on a single day since the outbreak in 2020. The total number of confirmed cases rises to 14,646. The death toll is 75.

(2) The NHC reports that a total of 22.77 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines have been administered in China. The mainland records 89,272 confirmed cases with 4,636 deaths.

January 27

Myanmar launches a Covid-19 vaccination program with healthcare workers. They receive shots of

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AstraZeneca and Oxford University vaccine donated

by India, according to the Health Ministry.

January 28

A team of experts from the WHO start its origintracing of the Covid-19 pandemic in Wuhan.

January 30

16 Chinese coronavirus vaccines are undergoing clinical tests. 7 of them have entered Phase-III tests, according to the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology. Sinovac and Sinopharm are being reviewed for emergency uses by the WHO.

January 31

The Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announces that the country has administered more than 24 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines. China planned to vaccinate 50 million people before the Chinese New Year.

February 1

(1) China's NHC reports 89,564 confirmed cases in the mainland with 4,636 deaths as of January 31. The confirmed cases in Thailand have risen to 19,618.

The death toll remains at 77, according to the CCSA. (2) China’s Ad5-nCOV vaccine developed by CanSino Biologics has reached pre-specified primary safety and efficacy criteria by its interim analysis. The company will continue to proceed with Phase-III clinical trials of the vaccine with more than 40,000 volunteers.

February 2

Vietnamese Health Minister Nguyen Thanh Long reveals that a newly Covid-19 outbreak is caused by the contagious British variant of coronavirus. There are 1,851 confirmed cases with 35 deaths so far.

February 3

(1) A team of Chinese vaccine specialists provides a training course on how to use the Covid-19 vaccine to Cambodian medical staff ahead of its arrival. The opening ceremony of the training is held at the Preah Ket Mealea Hospital.

(2) China decides to provide 10 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines to the COVAX, according to Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin. China officially joined the COVAX on 5 The Chronology

October 8, 2020. The COVAX plans to distribute at least 330 million doses to developing countries in the first half of this year.

February 4

(1) A WHO expert team had visited key facilities in Wuhan, Hubei Province, including Wuhan Baishazhou Agricultural Market, Huanan Seafood Market, Wuhan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hubei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hubei Provincial Center for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, and the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Wuhan Institute of Virology, and talked with relevant administrative personnel, experts, businessmen, residents, and media representatives to search for the origins of the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the NHC. The team began field visits on January 28.

(2) Cambodia’s Ministry of Health authorizes the emergency use of the Sinopharm vaccine. The total of confirmed cases in the kingdom is 470 with no deaths so far.

February 5

China’s National Medical Products Administration grants conditional market approval to CoronaVac developed by Sinovac Biotech. The Sinovac vaccine was approved for emergency use in China in June 2020. It is China's second self-developed Covid-19 vaccine that gets conditional market approval in the country.

February 7

(1) Cambodia receives the first batch of the Chinadonated 600,000 doses of the Sinopharm vaccine.

Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wentian hands over them to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen at the Phnom Penh International Airport.

(2) The Chinese mainland reports no new domestic cases and new deaths for the first time in 53 days since the latest outbreaks, according to the NHC.

February 8

(1) China has provided vaccine aids to 53 developing countries and exported vaccines to 22 countries so far, according to Chinese Foreign Ministry

6 The Chronology

Spokesperson Wang Wenbin at the regular press conference.

(2) Laos receives 300,000 doses of Sinopharm vaccines from China. The country has already started to inoculate 600 frontline medical workers, according to Lao Health Minister Bounkong Syhavong. There are 45 confirmed cases with no deaths so far.

February 9

The China-WHO expert team tracing the coronavirus origins reports at a press conference of the WHOconvened Global Study of Origins of SARS-CoV-2 China Part that the coronavirus may not originate from the Huanan seafood market and leak from labs in Wuhan. It remains unclear which species first transmitted Covid-19 to humans. There was no Covid-19 spread in Wuhan before December 2019.

The joint team includes 17 Chinese experts and 17 international experts from 10 other countries. They conducted 28-day research in Wuhan. The next investigation will be in Southeast Asia.

February 10

Cambodia begins a Covid-19 vaccination campaign with Sinopharm. Hun Manet, the son of Prime Minister Hun Sen gets the first dose of the jab. The priority groups include frontline health workers, government officials, armed forces, and journalists, according to the Ministry of Health.

February 11

The NHC reports 89,748 confirmed cases with 4,636 deaths in China’s mainland.

February 12

Cambodia officially grants Sinovac vaccine for the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) in the country, according to Health Minister Mam BunHeng.

February 15

There are 2,229 confirmed cases with 35 deaths in Vietnam.

February 16

The CCSA reports that the confirmed cases in Thailand had risen to 24,786. The death tolls are at 82.

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February 22

Thailand approves the Sinovac vaccine for emergency use, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The authorization will be valid for 1 year.

February 23

Cambodia’s Ministry of Health reports 593 confirmed cases with no deaths. Prime Minister Hun Sen has approved the deportation of foreigners who violate the quarantine rules, escape treatment, and refuse cooperation with authorities.

February 24

The first batch of 200,000 Sinovac vaccines from China arrives in Thailand. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha receives it at Suvarnabhumi Airport. This batch is a part of 2 million doses of Sinovac vaccines that the Thai government ordered from Sinovac Life Science Company of China.

February 28

Thailand starts the Covid-19 inoculation campaign, using China's Sinovac vaccine, with ministers, health officials, and medical workers. Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul receives the first shot. The country has 25,591 confirmed cases. The death tolls are at 83.

China's NHC reports 89,893 confirmed cases in the mainland with 4,636 deaths. There are 45 confirmed cases with no deaths in Laos, 141,896 confirmed cases with 3,199 deaths in Myanmar, 805 confirmed cases with no deaths in Cambodia, and 2,448 confirmed cases with 35 deaths in Vietnam.

March 2

Cambodia receives 324,000 doses of the Oxford/AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine provided by the Covax Facility. The country will receive at least 1,296,000 vaccines in total throughout this year, according to the COVAX Facility’s latest report. More than 60,000 people in the country have received the Sinopharm vaccine so far, including almost 47,000 military officials and around 13,500 civilians.

Priority groups are politicians, armed forces, journalists, and health officials.

March 5

COVAX had delivered more than 20 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines to 20 countries, according to WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

8 The Chronology

March 8

(1) Vietnam starts a Covid-19 vaccine inoculation campaign, using the Astra Zeneca vaccine, according to the Ministry of Health. The country received the first batch of 117,600 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine from the British company on February 24. There are 2,524 confirmed cases with 35 deaths so far.

(2) China and Thailand had discussed the use of vaccine passports between the two countries. China urged Thailand to set up a center for vaccinating Chinese expatriates, according to Acting Chinese Ambassador Yang Xin.

March 9

Cambodian Health Ministry Spokesperson Or Vandine says that China’s Sinopharm vaccine is safe and effective with no serious side effects in the country.

March 11

Cambodia reports the first death from the coronavirus, according to the Health Ministry. The country records 1,124 confirmed cases.

March 14

(1) The number of confirmed cases in Thailand rises to 26,927 with 86 deaths, according to the CCSA. The country ranks 116th on the global list of most cases.

(2) China’s NHC reports that 64.98 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines had been administered across China.

March 19

Thailand's CCSA approves the reduction of the quarantine from 14 days to 10 days for travelers, starting from April 1. It also plans to have further relaxation from June and quarantines free travel from October.

March 20

The second batch of 800,000 doses of the Sinovac vaccine arrives in Thailand. Thailand is in talks with Sinovac Biotech to buy another 5 million doses of the Sinovac vaccine. The country’s original agreement with Sinovac Biotech called for 2 million doses of the vaccine. The first 200,000 doses arrived on February 24, 800,000 doses on March 20, and 1 million doses in April. As of today, the country has received 1 9 The Chronology

million doses of Sinovac and 115,000 doses of AstraZeneca for the vaccination program. 61,791 people had received jabs as of March 28 with priority given to health workers, frontline workers, members of the public, people with existing conditions, and people aged 60 or more.

March 21

Chinese Deputy Director of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention Feng Zijian reveals at a news conference that China will continue to quarantine travelers arriving from overseas, including vaccinated people. The country will continue to implement centralized isolation and conduct nucleic acid tests on people entering the country. It will conduct different policies on visa issuance and the number of flights and arrivals according to the level of vaccination and pandemic control situation in different countries.

March 26

Health officials have rolled out more than 510 million Covid-19 vaccine doses around the world, according to the AFP. The WHO calls for richer nations to donate vaccines to help start the vaccination of poorer nations.

March 30

A joint China-WHO report on the origins of the coronavirus reveals that the virus most probably jumped from an animal, potentially a bat or pangolin, to humans through an intermediate animal host. It recommends further study of the possible path of transmission between animals and humans. The virus was an unlikely leak from a lab in Wuhan.

Chinese Foreign Ministry expresses appreciation for the WHO research team and calls for further research in other countries and regions. However, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus raises concerns about the level of data access that China provided to the expert team during the investigation in Wuhan.

March 31

China's NHC has received reports of 90,217 confirmed cases and 4,636 deaths in the mainland.

The CCSA reports 28,863 confirmed cases with 94 deaths in Thailand.

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There are 2,603 confirmed cases with 35 deaths in Vietnam, 49 cases with no deaths in Laos, 142,434 cases with 3,206 deaths in Myanmar, and 2,440 cases with 11 deaths in Cambodia.

April 1

Cambodia starts to vaccinate its citizens with the Sinovac vaccine. It aims to inoculate around 745,000 people, according to Health Ministry Spokesperson Or Vandine. The Sinovac vaccine is the third Covid vaccine for the country’s inoculation drive after the Sinopharm and the AstraZeneca vaccines. More than 407,000 people had been vaccinated as of March 31.

April 3

Local authorities of Ruili City in Yunnan Province say at a news conference that the latest outbreak in the city is likely imported from Myanmar via people or goods as the gene sequencing showed the virus in the city is highly homologous and similar to the sequence reported by Myanmar.

April 5

A total of 139.97 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines has been administered across China, according to the NHC.

April 6

Ruili City launches the second round of mass nucleic acid testing due to a new surge of Covid-19. The first round was on March 31. About 70,000 Myanmar people are living in the city. The Ruili government formed a team of more than 1,540 volunteers providing Burmese language translation service to help Myanmar people in Ruili in testing and vaccination.

April 9

(1) Thailand’s Foreign Ministry reduces the quarantine period to 7 days for recipients of 8 vaccine brands, including Sinovac, AstraZeneca, Johnson&Johnson, Pfizer-BioNTech, Indian Serum Institute vaccine, Moderna, and Sinopharm.

(2) The NHC reports no new locally transmitted Covid-19 cases. China has 90,400 confirmed cases with 4,636 in the mainland.

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April 10

(1) Cambodia reports 4,081 confirmed cases with 26 deaths. Authorities ban travel between provinces, impose a night-time curfew, and shut down tourist attraction sites. Prime Minister Hun Sen warns that quarantine breakers will be put into jail and civil servants will be fired if they go unvaccinated.

(2) The third batch of 1 million doses of the Sinovac vaccine arrives in Thailand. The number of confirmed cases in the country increases to 31,658.

The death toll rises to 96. So far, 537,380 doses of the Covid-19 vaccine have been given to Thai people across the country.

April 11

George Fu Gao, head of the Chinese Center for Disease Prevention and Control, said in a forum on April 10 that the efficacy of Chinese Covid-19 vaccines is not high and requires improvement. His comments went viral on social media and then censored by the Chinese authority. After that, George Fu Gao says that his comments were misinterpreted and he has just suggested ways to improve the efficacy of vaccines.

April 13

Thai Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul defends the quality of the Sinovac vaccine following reports that the vaccine has low protection rates. Moreover, Thailand cancels the Songkran Festival or the Thai New Year festival due to the pandemic.

April 17

A second batch of the Sinovac vaccine arrives in Cambodia. The country has received more than 3.6 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines from China and the COVAX Facility. 1.24 million people had been vaccinated, according to the government.

April 18

(1) Cambodia reports 5,771 confirmed cases with 39 deaths. The country imposed a 2-week lockdown in Phnom Penh and Ta Khmau city from 15 to 28 April.

(2) Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health insists that the Sinovac vaccine can protect people against the coronavirus amid social media concern with the immunity development.

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April 20

The number of confirmed cases in Thailand rises to 45,185. The death tolls are up to 108, according to the CCSA.

April 21

China has administered over 200 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines so far, according to the NHC.

April 24

The fourth batch of Sinovac vaccine with 500,000 doses from China arrives in Thailand, according to the Chinese Embassy in Bangkok.

April 26

The third batch of China-donated vaccines, the Sinopharm vaccine, arrives in Laos. The country reports 436 confirmed cases with no deaths.

April 27

The B.1.617 variant of Covid-19 first found in India has been detected in at least 17 countries, according to the WHO.

April 29

Thailand's CCSA announces that all arrivals from overseas will be required to take 14-day mandatory quarantine for entering the country. The government grants permission to the private sector to import Covid-19 vaccines, according to the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) President Suphan Mongkolsutee.

April 30

China's NHC reports 90,671 confirmed cases and 4,636 deaths in the mainland. The number of confirmed cases in Thailand is 65,153 with 203 deaths. There are 757 confirmed cases with no deaths in Laos, 142,817 confirmed cases with 3,209 deaths in Myanmar, 13,402 confirmed cases with 93 deaths in Cambodia, and 2,928 confirmed cases with 35 deaths in Vietnam.

May 1

Thailand’s Public Health Ministry launches the Mor Phrom (Doctors Ready) Line official account for the public to register for Covid-19 vaccination. Other channels for registration include provincial health offices and public hospitals. The priority groups are people over 60 years old and people who have chronic diseases such as severe respiratory syndrome, heart and coronary diseases, kidney diseases, cancer patients under treatment, 13 The Chronology

cerebrovascular diseases, and obese patients weighing 100 kilograms or having a body mass index exceeding 35. The vaccination will start on June 7.

May 2

The NHC reports that more than 270.4 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines had been administered across China.

May 3

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of Thailand has approved 3 Covid-19 vaccines for use in the country, including AstraZeneca, Sinovac, and the Johnson & Johnson vaccine so far, according to FDA Secretary-General Dr. Phaisan Dankhum. Other 3 vaccines, including Moderna, Covaxin, and Sputnik V, are under consideration.

May 4

Lao National Taskforce for Covid-19 Prevention and Control announces to continue imposing the lockdown until May 20. The country has imposed a lockdown in Vientiane since April 22. There are 1,026 confirmed cases with no deaths in Laos.

Medical experts and equipment from Vietnam and China arrive in Vientiane to help the country fight against the pandemic today.

May 5

(1) The Covid-19 Vaccine Tracker website developed by professors from the McGill University’s School of Population and Global Health, Canada states that 326 Covid-19 vaccines were under clinical trials, 14 vaccines, including China’s Sinopharm and Sinovac, had been approved by at least one country.

(2) Vietnam’s Ministry of Health officially extend the quarantine period from 14 days to 21 days to contain the spread of Covid-19.

May 6

1 million doses of the Sinovac vaccine from China arrive in Thailand, according to Thailand's Government Pharmaceutical Organization (GPO).

May 7

(1) Thailand’s National Communicable Disease Committee approves China’s Sinovac vaccine for people aged 60 and over. However, the WHO reported that it has a low level of confidence in the

14 The Chronology

quality of evidence showing the vaccine has a low risk of serious adverse effects for adults above 60.

(2) Vietnam reports first death from the adverse effect of the AstraZeneca vaccine, according to the Health Ministry. The official cause of death was registered as anaphylaxis.

(3) The WHO approves China’s Sinopharm vaccine for emergency use. It is the sixth vaccine to receive WHO validation and the first Chinese-made vaccine to receive emergency authorization from the WHO. The vaccine efficacy for symptomatic and hospitalized diseases was estimated to be 79 percent. The WHO has recommended the vaccine for people aged 18 to 59 years. The second jab should be received 3-4 weeks after the first jab.

May 8

Myanmar’s Health and Sports Ministry reports 142,947 confirmed cases with 3,210 deaths in the country.

May 9

Laos reports the first fatality from the Covid-19, a 53year-old Vietnamese woman, in the country.

May 10

Thailand found the first detections of the Indian variant in the country in a Thai woman and her son arriving from Pakistan. The country records 85,005 confirmed cases with 421 deaths.

May 11

(1) The 3rd batch of Sinovac vaccines from China arrives in Cambodia. More than 1.82 million people had been vaccinated so far. The total number of confirmed cases in the country is 20,223. The death toll is 131.

(2) The NHC reports 90,799 confirmed cases with 4,636 deaths in mainland China.

May 12

The WHO reveals that the Indian Covid-19 variant (B.1.617) has been found in 44 countries. It was first found in India in October last year. It is more dangerous than the original version of the virus as it is either more transmissible, deadly or can get past some vaccine protections.

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May 13

China inaugurates a national administration of disease prevention and control. It is a viceministerial level agency managed by the NHC. It is responsible for formulating policies for the prevention and control of infectious diseases and the supervision and management of public health.

May 14

(1) WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus calls on rich countries to donate vaccines to the COVAX for the inoculation in poor countries. He also warns that this year will be more deadly from the pandemic.

(2) Thailand’s Government Pharmaceutical Organization (GPO) has procured a total of 5.5 million tablets of the anti-viral drug Favipiravir to supply the demand for Covid-19 treatment. The country uses about 50,000 Favipiravir tablets per day to treat Covid-19 patients, according to GPO Deputy Director Sirikul Metheerangsan.

(3) China has approved an inactivated Covid-19 vaccine developed by Shenzhen Kangtai Biological Products Company Limited for emergency use. The company has started related work for the Phase 3 clinical trial.

May 15

(1) A total of 1 million doses of the Sinovac vaccine is delivered to Thailand, according to the Chinese Embassy in Thailand. The country has received a total of 4.5 million Sinovac doses in 7 installments.

(2) The NHC reports that more than 392.9 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines had been administered across China.

May 16

(1) A study by the Center of Excellent in Clinical Virology of the Faculty of Medicine at Chulalongkorn University shows that the efficacy of the Sinovac vaccine is 99.49 percent with recipients developing antibody responses 4 weeks after their second jabs.

65.9 percent of recipients developed antibody responses 3 weeks after the first jab.

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(2) The fourth batch of Sinovac vaccines purchased from the Sinovac Biotech arrives in Cambodia. The country has vaccinated about 2.06 million people so far. The total number of confirmed cases is 22,184 with 150 deaths.

May 20

(1) Thailand’s GPO procured 2 million doses of the Sinovac vaccine from the Sinovac Biotech. It received 500,000 doses on May 15. Another 1.5 million doses arrive today. The vaccine will be handed over to the Department of Disease Control to distribute to vaccination centers and hospitals. The CCSA reports 119,585 confirmed cases with 703. The total number of Covid-19 vaccine doses administered in the country is 2,540,116.

(2) Chinese citizens living in Thailand begin to be vaccinated under China’s Spring Sprout program to inoculate Chinese nationals living and working abroad. There are around 150,000 Chinese citizens in Thailand. They receive the Sinovac vaccine.

May 21

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) proposes a US$50 billion plan to end the pandemic. It aims to have at least 60 percent of the world’s population vaccinated by the end of 2022.

May 24

Cambodia’s Ministry of Health reports 25,761 confirmed cases with 179 deaths. 2.27 million people have already been vaccinated so far.

May 25

(1) The Charoen Pokphand Group (CP) in Thailand denies that it is involved in the Sinovac Biotech and the import of the Sinovac vaccine by the Thai government.

(2) There are 5 Covid-19 variants in Thailand so far, including original SARS-CoV-2 from Wuhan, China, UK variant (B1.117), Brazilian variant (P.1), Indian variant (B1.617), and South African variant (B1.351), according to the CCSA. The Department of Medical Science passes the quality inspection of 9 production lots of the AstraZeneca vaccine manufactured by Siam Bioscience. Moreover, the Royal Gazette announces that the Chulabhorn Royal Academy was 17 The Chronology

granted the authority to procure alternative vaccines to support the government vaccination campaign and the country's needs for the vaccine.

May 28

(1) Sinopharm’s Covilo vaccine is the 5th Covid-19 vaccine approved for emergency use in Thailand by the FDA. It is an inactivated vaccine developed by Sinopharm’s subsidiary Beijing Institute of Biological Product Limited. The importer is Bio Genetech Limited.

(2) For the first time, the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention releases the adverse reactions data for massive inoculation of the Covid19 vaccine. The data shows that a total of 31,434 adverse reactions were reported among 265 million doses used between December 15, 2020, and April 30, 2021. 82.96 percent of adverse reactions are normal reactions such as fever and swelling. The NHC reports that a total of 584 million doses have been administered nationwide.

May 29

Vietnam discovers a combination of the Indian and British variants of Covid-19. A new variant spread quickly by air, according to the Health Ministry.

May 31

There are 91,099 confirmed cases with 4,636 deaths in China, 159,792 confirmed cases with 1,031 deaths in Thailand, 143,629 confirmed cases with 3,217 deaths in Myanmar, 30,096 confirmed cases with 214 deaths in Cambodia, 7,321 confirmed cases with 47 deaths in Vietnam, and 1,912 confirmed cases with 3 deaths in Laos.

June 1

The WHO approves the Sinovac vaccine for emergency use. It is the second Chinese vaccine to receive approval. The vaccine is for use in adults 18 years and older, in a two-dose schedule with an interval of 2-4 weeks. It prevents symptomatic disease in 51 percent of those vaccinated and prevents severe Covid-19 and hospitalization in 100 percent of the studied population.

The WHO has decided to refer to the Covid-19 variants by using letters of the Greek alphabet as 18 The Chronology

follows; Alpha (B.1.1.7), Beta (B.1.351), Gamma (P.1), and Delta (B.1.617.2) to avoid the possible stigmatization. They will be defined as Variants of Interest (VOIs) and Variants of Concern (VOCs). The assessment bases on the risk posed to global public health.

June 2

China has provided more than 350 million doses of vaccines to the international community, including vaccine aid to over 80 countries and vaccine exports to over 40 countries. The first batch of Sinopharm vaccines to be provided to COVAX starts the production on May 31. The country has announced to provide the first batch of 10 million doses of vaccines to the COVAX, according to Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin.

June 3

The NHC reports that over 723 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines had been administered across China.

June 4

(1) Laos extends the lockdown until June 19 due to the ongoing pandemic. The country records 1,952 confirmed cases with 3 deaths.

(2) China approves the emergency use of the Sinovac vaccine for children aged 3-17, becoming the first country to approve those as young as 3 years old.

June 5

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh issues a dispatch to ministries and local authorities in the country on avoiding excessive Covid-19 measures that cause negative impacts on business and production activities.

June 6

China has completed shipment of vaccines and matching syringes to 66 countries and 1 international organization, according to the Ministry of Commerce. The country is organizing vaccine aids for 88 countries and 4 international organizations.

June 7

Thailand starts a nationwide vaccination for Thai and foreign nationals. The Public Health Ministry launches the updated version of www.

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Thailandintervac.com for foreigners living in Thailand to register for vaccination. The registration first opens to foreigners aged 60 years and over and for those with chronic illness.

June 8

(1) Cambodia receives a new batch of Chinese vaccines, including the Sinopharm vaccine donated by the Chinese government and the Sinovac vaccine purchased from the Sinovac Biotech, according to the Health Ministry. Almost 4.97 million Covid-19 vaccines have been administered in the country, with 2.2 million people fully vaccinated.

(2) Thailand’s Royal Gazette announces to allow local and private organizations to procure Covid-19 vaccines from government agencies, namely, the Government Pharmaceutical Organization, the National Vaccine Institute, the Thai Red Cross Society, and the Chulabhorn Royal Academy.

June 9

The Chulabhorn Royal Academy in Thailand sets the price of the Sinopharm vaccine at 888 baht per dose.

The price includes transport, storage, and insurance against side effects of the vaccine. It does not include service and medical charges.

June 10

(1) Thailand records 187,538 confirmed cases. The death toll rises to 1,375, according to the CCSA. The total number of Covid-19 vaccines administered in the country is up to 5,443,743. The country ranks 80th in the global list of most cases. The top of the list is the US, followed by India, Brazil, France, and Turkey. Thailand receives another 1 million doses of the Sinovac vaccine.

(2) Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin says at a press conference that more than 1.18 million overseas Chinese in more than 150 countries have been inoculated with Chinese or foreign vaccines under the Spring Sprout program.

More than 200,000 foreign nationals in China have been vaccinated so far.

June 11

The Department of Medical Science of Thailand reveals that 88.48 percent of Covid-19 cases in the 20 The Chronology

country are of the Alpha variant first found in the UK, while 8.32 percent is the Delta variant and 0.62 percent is the Beta variant.

June 12

(1) Cambodia receives a new batch of the Sinopharm vaccine purchased from China. The country has received more than 8 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines from China and the COVAX Facility. It administers more than 5.22 million doses to its people, with 2.39 million of them fully vaccinated.

There are 37,959 confirmed cases with 320 deaths in the country so far.

(2) Vietnam reports 1,024 confirmed cases with 58 deaths.

June 13

The NHC had received a report of 91,451 confirmed cases with 4,636 deaths in mainland China.

June 14

The Chulabhorn Royal Academy (CRA) of Thailand opens registration for the Sinopharm vaccine. 6,938 organizations have applied for vaccines for 3.18 million of their staff on the first day of registration.

June 16

(1) The new variant named Lambda was classified as a global Variant of Interest (VoI) on June 14. It is first identified in Peru. So far, it has been identified in 29 countries, according to the WHO. (2) Thailand’s CRA announces that it would pay 1 million baht in compensation to the family of Sinopharm recipients who die or in a coma from the vaccine. Medical fees will be covered at a maximum of 30,000 baht in case recipients are hospitalized after the jab. The insurance will last for 1 year.

June 17

Laos reports 2,033 confirmed cases with 3 deaths.

Expatriates residing in the country can apply for free of charge vaccination, but they cannot choose the brand of the vaccine, according to the Department of Health.

June 19

(1) Cambodia receives a new batch of the Sinovac vaccine purchased from China. The country reports 42,052 confirmed cases. It detects the first cases of 21 The Chronology

the Delta variant from people arriving from Thailand by land. The death toll is up to 414, according to the Health Ministry.

(2) Laos extends the lockdown until July 4 to contain the spread of the virus, according to the Prime Minister’s Office.

(3) The NHC reports that China has administered more than 1 billion doses of Covid-19 vaccines.

June 20

(1) Thailand receives the first batch of Sinopharm vaccines imported by the CRA. There are 17,070 organizations and companies registered for the vaccine. The country records 218,131 confirmed cases with 1,629 so far, according to the CCSA. (2) Vietnam receives 500,000 doses of the Sinopharm vaccine from China. Priorities are given to vaccinating Chinese nationals, Vietnamese who travel to China for work, and personnel who work in the northern border area.

June 21

Laos starts the Covid-19 vaccination drive for people aged over 60 with the Sinopharm vaccine, according to the Ministry of Health. More than 700,000 people had received the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, while 400,000 people were fully vaccinated.

June 23

2 million doses of the Sinovac vaccine arrive in Thailand. China has delivered 12 batches of vaccines totaling 10.5 million doses to the country so far, according to the Chinese Embassy in Thailand.

June 28

Cambodia receives a new batch of the Sinovac vaccine purchased from China. The country launched an inoculation drive on February 10. It has planned to vaccinate at least 10 million of 16 million population by the end of this year.

June 29

Thailand’s FDA has warned medics to avoid vaccinating the Sinovac vaccine if they find any abnormality caused by improper temperature during storage or transportation. It recalls 110 vials that are no longer suitable for injection. However, the 22 The Chronology

Department of Medical Sciences investigates samples from the batch and finds that the sediment is safe.

June 30

There are 91,792 confirmed cases with 4,636 deaths in mainland China, 259,301 confirmed cases with 2,023 deaths in Thailand, 50,385 confirmed cases with 602 deaths in Cambodia, 2,121 confirmed cases with 3 deaths in Laos, 157,277 confirmed cases with 3,334 deaths in Myanmar, and 16,863 confirmed cases with 81 deaths in Vietnam.

(A) Foreign Affairs January 2

State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi remarks at an interview with Xinhua News Agency and China Media Group on the international situation and China’s diplomacy in 2020 that China will work with ASEAN to defeat the pandemic, bolster regional economic recovery, and stay committed to sustainable development. Moreover, China will further upgrade opening-up and cooperation, advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation

January 11-12

State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi pays an official visit to Myanmar.

On January 11, Wang Yi meets with Myanmar’s President U Win Myint, State Counsellor and Foreign Minister Aung San Suu Kyi, and Union Minister for the Office of the State Counsellor U Kyaw Tint Swe. Both sides are willing to implement the agreement on the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC), support the Kyaukphyu Deep Sea Port, the ChinaMyanmar Border Economic Cooperation Zone, the New Yangon City, extend activities of the ChinaMyanmar Year of Culture and Tourism 2021, promote people-to-people exchanges, and play an active role in advancing China-ASEAN relations and Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC). China will continue to support Myanmar to fight against the pandemic and provide anti-pandemic supplies and Covid-19 vaccines.

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On January 12, Wang Yi meets with Commander-inChief of Defense Services Min Aung Hlaing. He says that China will continue to back Myanmar in safeguarding its sovereignty, national dignity, and legitimate rights and interests. Myanmar will support the China-Myanmar friendship and China’s stance on issues related to Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Xinjiang.

Both sides sign the 5-Year Plan for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Myanmar, the Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation between the Chinese and Myanmar governments, and the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Conducting a Feasibility Study of the MandalayKyaukphyu Section of the China-Myanmar Railway.

They initiate the construction of China-aided Myanmar National Center of Disease Control (CDC).

China also announces that it will offer annual assistance to the peace process of Myanmar.

January 14

State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi meets with Secretary-General of ASEAN Lim Jock Hoi in Brunei. Both sides pledge to further enhance ChinaASEAN relations, promote the Blue Economy Partnership, improve public health and Covid-19 vaccine cooperation, support the China-ASEAN Year of Sustainable Development Cooperation, and strengthen cooperation in the digital economy and people-to-people exchanges.

January 15

President Xi Jinping sends a congratulatory message to Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith on his election as the new general secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party’s Central Committee.

The election is announced by the LPRP at the 11th party congress in Vientiane.

January 21

President Xi Jinping has a telephone conversation with General Secretary of LPRP Central Committee Thongloun Sisoulith. Both sides agree to further strengthen high-level exchanges, advance the construction of the China-Laos Economic Corridor and the China-Laos Railway, promote the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and deepen cooperation in 24 The Chronology

culture, youth, tourism, and so on. They announce the official launch of the China-Laos Friendship Year.

China will extend support to Laos in fighting against the Covid-19 outbreak and provide vaccines.

January 31

President Xi Jinping sends a congratulatory message to Vietnamese President Nguyen Phu Trong on his election as Vietnam’s Communist Party chief for the third term. China wants to promote traditional friendship, deepen exchanges and cooperation, and promote the cause of socialism with Vietnam.

February 3

State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi holds a video meeting with Lao Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith. Both sides are willing to support the China-Laos Economic corridor, the BRI, and the China-Laos Railway. China wants to strengthen cooperation with Laos in fighting the pandemic and provide vaccines and anti-pandemic support. The two sides agree to promote ChinaASEAN partnership on blue economy and the LMC and put the RCEP into effect.

February 7

China donates the first batch of Sinopharm vaccines to Cambodia. Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Hor Namhong says that this is the first vaccine that Cambodia had received so far. The donation symbolizes Cambodia-China's long-lasting friendship and cooperation.

February 8

(1) President Xi Jinping has a phone conversation with Vietnamese President Nguyen Phu Trong. Both sides want to deepen political mutual trust, promote the synergy of the BRI with the "Two Corridors, One Economic Circle," support the construction of crossborder economic cooperation zones and manage the maritime disputes to promote regional peace and stability.

(2) China donates Sinopharm vaccines to Laos. Lao Minister of Health Bounkong Syhavong and Chinese Ambassador to Laos Jiang Zaidong receive the vaccines at the Wattay International Airport. Jiang Zaidong hands over the vaccines to Lao Vice

25 The Chronology

President Phankham Viphavanh at the Lao Health Ministry.

February 9

Cambodian Government Spokesperson Ek Tha praises the Chinese government for stability and development in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region as he observed that Xinjiang’s economic development and people’s livelihood have been improved.

February 25

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian remarks at a regular press conference that countries have approved the emergency use of Chinese Covid19 vaccines. China will continue to promote the equitable global distribution of vaccines and make Covid-19 vaccines global public goods. China provides vaccine aid to 53 countries and Chinese enterprises export vaccines to 27 countries so far.

March 7

State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi answers questions about China’s foreign policy and external relations at a virtual press conference in Beijing. The highlights include “head-of-state diplomacy” through cloud diplomacy of President Xi Jinping, working with other countries to fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, the BRI, vaccine nationalism, multilateralism, China-ASEAN relations, and Myanmar tensions.

He raises a 3-point proposal on the Myanmar situation. First, China hopes all parties in Myanmar will address differences through dialogue and consultation within the constitutional and legal framework. Second, China supports ASEAN to uphold the principles of non-interference in internal affairs and make decisions through consensus. Third, China will not change the course of promoting friendship and cooperation with Myanmar.

Regarding China-ASEAN relations, Wang Yi states that China supports ASEAN to fight against the pandemic and provides vaccines for ASEAN. China will align its new development paradigm with the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework. China wants to work with ASEAN to press ahead with 26 The Chronology

consultations on the Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea and continue with full implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties (DOC) in the South China Sea. This year is the 30th anniversary of China-ASEAN dialogue relations.

March 9

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Luo Zhaohui attends the opening ceremony in celebrating the 30th anniversary of China-ASEAN dialogue relations and delivers a keynote speech via a videoconference. He stresses that China is willing to work with ASEAN to advance the China-ASEAN strategic partnership to new heights, elevate the bilateral relations, promote economic and social cooperation and the RCEP, accelerate the consultations on the COC in the South China Sea, and enhance cooperation in nontraditional security fields such as environmental protection, poverty alleviation, disaster prevention, and climate change.

March 12

Chinese Director of State Council Information Office Xu Lin attends the 6th Conference of ASEAN Plus Three Ministers Responsible for Information via a videoconference. Participants agree to deepen media cooperation, facilitate policy alignment, and promote cooperation on joint production and broadcasting, personnel training, new-media application, and media digital transformation.

March 15

Chinese embassies in many countries, including Thailand, streamline visa application procedures for foreign nationals who have been inoculated with Chinese-produced Covid-19 vaccines. The criteria for emergency humanitarian visas, such as visiting family, attending funerals, or seeing critically ill relatives will be expanded, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

March 16

Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni visits the site of the first national congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in Shanghai.

March 23

President Xi Jinping sends a congratulatory message to General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party Central Committee Thongloun 27 The Chronology

Sisoulith on his election as Lao president. On the same day, Premier Li Keqiang sends a congratulatory message to Phankham Viphavanh on his election as Lao prime minister.

March 24

Phuket Province is the first destination to reopen in Thailand since the outbreak last year. Vaccinated foreign visitors visiting will be allowed entry to Phuket without quarantine from July 1, 2021.

Visitors will be required to have received 2 doses of the vaccine in their home country before entering the province under the Phuket Tourism Sandbox campaign, according to Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn.

March 26

The handover ceremony of the China-aided lighting system in downtown Vientiane, Laos is held at the Patuxay Monument Park. Chinese Ambassador to Laos Jiang Zaidong and Vientiane Mayor Sinlavong Khoutphaythoune attend the ceremony.

March 31

(1) China’s Guizhou Province and Laos’ Luang Namtha Province sign a letter of intent to become friendly provinces. They will carry out exchanges and cooperation in agricultural technology training, talent cultivation, and language learning.

(2) China donates the second batch of vaccines to Laos. Lao Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh and Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong attend the handover ceremony.

April 5

President Xi Jinping sends a congratulatory message to Nguyen Xuan Phuc on his election as the new president of Vietnam. He says that China is ready to work with Vietnam to promote the greater development of the bilateral comprehensive partnership. Premier Li Keqiang also congratulates Pham Minh Chinh on his election as Vietnam’s new prime minister.

April 13

State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi attends a reception celebrating the 5th anniversary of the LMC. He states that China will work with Mekong

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countries to promote development and create a new model of regional cooperation.

April 16

State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi has a telephone conversation with Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son. They are willing to strengthen cooperation in anti-epidemic, trade and investment, infrastructure, the synergy of the BRI and “Two Corridors and One Economic Circle,” maritime issue, and people-to-people exchanges.

They support China-ASEAN relations, the connection between the LMC and the New International LandSea Trade Corridor, and the RCEP.

April 20

(1) Thailand's Royal Gazette publishes a copy of the format of the vaccine passport and an order by the Disease Control Department authorizing the Department officials to issue the vaccine passport.

The vaccine passport is an official travel document for Thais who have already been vaccinated against the Covid-19 when traveling to other countries.

(2) China donates 100,000 doses of animal vaccine for foot-and-mouth disease to Cambodia, according to China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.

The bovine vaccine was developed by China Agricultural Vet Biology and Technology, a company based in Lanzhou.

April 21

State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi attends the reception marking the 60th anniversary of China-Laos diplomatic relations. Both sides agree to implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, implement the action plan on the China-Laos community with a shared future, strengthen the BRI, and accelerate the construction of the economic corridor.

April 22

State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi exchanges views on the Myanmar situation in a telephone conversation with Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai and Bruneian Second Minister of Foreign Affairs Erywan bin Pehin Yusof. China expects that the upcoming special meeting of ASEAN leaders will be conducive 29 The Chronology

to promoting political reconciliation, showing ASEAN's constructive role, and fending off external interference on the Myanmar issue.

April 23

(1) State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi holds telephone talks with Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai.

The Thai side thanked China for offering support and assistance in fighting against the pandemic. China is willing to work with Thailand in the BRI, economic development, and epidemic prevention and control.

They also exchange views on the situation in Myanmar.

(2) China will do its utmost to work with Cambodia to fight against the pandemic and continue to assist the country, according to Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian.

(3) Premier Li Keqiang has a telephone conversation with Lao Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh to promote bilateral cooperation, upgrade ChinaASEAN relations, implement the RCEP, and safeguard the security and stability of the regional industrial chain and supply chain.

April 24

Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe and Vietnamese Defense Minister Phan Van Giang cochair the 6th China-Vietnam Border Defense Friendship Exchange to strengthen political trust, friendship, and cooperation between border forces and authorities, and people in the border areas of the two countries. They sign a memorandum of continued research cooperation between the Chinese Academy of Military Sciences and the Vietnam National Defense Strategy Institute.

April 25

President Xi Jinping exchanges congratulatory messages with Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith on the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries. Premier Li Keqiang also exchanges congratulatory messages with Lao Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh.

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April 26

(1) The Chinese Embassy in Thailand has released a list of 36 medical institutions in the country where people can seek a Covid-19 vaccination certification to travel to China.

(2) China donates the third batch of Sinopharm vaccine to Laos

April 26-28

Diplomatic envoys from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam visit the Nuozhadu and Jinghong hydropower stations in Yunnan Province, China. They learn about the running techniques of Chinese-built dams and the contribution of reservoirs to downstream countries. They call for closer collaboration in water resource management with China and exchange views about water resource cooperation with Chinese officials, experts, and hydropower plant executives. This visit is a part of the 2021 LMC Week on Water Resources to celebrate the 5th anniversary of the LMC cooperation.

April 27-30

The 104th Mekong River joint patrol by China, Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand kicks off. A total of 128 law enforcement officers and 7 vessels participate in the operation.

April 28

China donates the third batch of Sinopharm vaccines to Cambodia. Cambodia has received more than 4 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines from China and the COVX Facility.

April 30

The Thai Foreign Ministry says that the CCSA restores a 14-day quarantine for overseas arrivals starting from May 6, including vaccinated people, to curb the spread of the virus.

May 2

The Chinese government donates 500,000 doses of Sinopharm vaccine to Myanmar, according to the Chinese Embassy in Myanmar.

May 4

The Yunnan government sends a team of Chinese medical experts with medical materials to Vientiane, Laos to help the country in fighting the pandemic.

The team includes experts in infection prevention

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and control, intensive laboratory testing.

care,

epidemics,

and

May 10

Authorities from China and Vietnam jointly release about 56 million fish and post-larvae shrimp into the Beibu Gulf, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region to increase incomes and benefits for fishermen of both countries and support the sustainable development of the Beibu Gulf, according to Chinese Vice Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Yu Kangzhen.

May 14

China donates 500,000 doses of the Sinovac vaccine to Thailand.

May 18

The 27th China-ASEAN Senior Officials’ Consultation is held via a videoconference. It is co-chaired by Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Wu Jianghao and Philippine Deputy Foreign Minister Elizabeth Buensuceso. Participants are willing to deepen cooperation in pandemic control, economic recovery, connectivity, sustainable development and digital transformation, maintain the consultations on the COC in the South China Sea, and upgrade bilateral relations.

May 24

President Xi Jinping speaks with Vietnamese President Nguyen Xuan Phuc on the phone. Both sides agree to play a role in the China-Vietnam Steering Committee for Bilateral Cooperation, promote the synergy between the BRI and the “Two Corridors and One Economic Circle” plan, expand bilateral trade, and strengthen people-to-people exchanges.

May 25

Chinese Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs Wu Jianghao and Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Thailand Thani Thongphakdi co-chair the 5th Round of China-Thailand Strategic Dialogue online. They want to deepen practical cooperation in economy, trade and investment, connectivity, technological innovation, and clean energy. The Thai side hopes to align with Thailand's 20-Year National Strategy (2017-2036) with China's BRI.

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May 28

Premier Li Keqiang sends a letter to congratulate the launch of the 2021 China-ASEAN Year of Sustainable Development Cooperation. He says that both sides should enhance collaboration in ecology and environmental protection, disaster prevention and mitigation, climate change, and poverty reduction.

June 1

Vietnam Airlines signs an agreement with the International Air Transportation Association (IATA) to use the digital health application IATA Travel Pass, starting from June 1. It is the country's first airline to pilot this application. The application allows travelers to store and manage certifications for Covid-19 tests or vaccines and facilitate travel between countries.

June 2

Yangon International Airport extends international passenger flight ban until June 30, according to Myanmar’s Ministry of Transport and Communications. Myanmar also extends the visa restrictions on international travelers to the country until June 30.

June 4

(1) Premier Li Keqiang holds a phone conversation with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to deepen pragmatic cooperation, synergize the BRI with the "Two Corridors and One Economic Circle," promote cross-border economic cooperation zone, and enhance cooperation in epidemic prevention and control. They agree to deal with maritime issues according to the previous consensus and safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea. (2) The GX Foundation, a non-profit charitable organization based in Hong Kong, donates antiCovid-19 supplies, including personal protective equipment for medical staff, ventilators, and patient monitors, to Laos. Lao Deputy Prime Minister Kikeo Khaykhamphithoune and President of the GX Foundation Leung Chun-Ying attend the handover ceremony.

June 5

The second batch of 500,000 doses of the Sinovac vaccine donated by China arrives in Thailand, taking the total doses donated to 1 million.

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June 7

(1) State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi meets with ASEAN Secretary-General Dato Lim Jock Hoi in Chongqing, China. Both sides will work together on the epidemic control, support the RCEP, promote the China-ASEAN Year of Sustainable Development Cooperation, build the blue economy partnership, promote regional economic recovery, and upgrade the China-ASEAN relationship.

(2) Cambodia, in partnership with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), launches a new project to manage medical waste during the pandemic with China’s financial and technical support through the South-South Cooperation Assistance Fund (SSCAF). The 3 medical facilities, including the Khmer-Soviet Friendship Hospital, Chak Angre Health Center, and National Pediatric Hospital, participate in the project.

June 8

On the sidelines of the Special Asean-China Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Chongqing, China, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi meets with Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai. Both sides discussed cooperation on Covid-19 vaccines, strategic connectivity through the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) and Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), and the Thai-Chinese railway project.

Wang Yi meets with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn to push for the implementation of the China-Cambodia Free Trade Agreement, and promote cooperation on the BRI, law enforcement, and security. They jointly inaugurate the Consular Office of the Chinese Embassy in Sihanoukville, Cambodia.

Wang Yi meets with Lao Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith to support the China-Laos Economic Corridor and the construction of the Laos-China Railway, and work together on the pandemic control and economic development.

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Wang Yi meets with Myanmar’s Foreign Minister U Wunna Maung Lwin. China supports all parties of Myanmar in resolving differences through political dialogue, implementing the Five-Point Consensus reached with ASEAN, preventing future recurrence of violence, restoring social stability of the country, and resuming the democratic transformation under the Constitution and legal framework.

Wang Yi meets with Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son to strengthen cooperation on the fight against the pandemic, push for the progress in the construction of the BRI and cross-border economic cooperation zones, elevate the China-ASEAN relations, and drive forward the LMC. June 15

The Chinese government donates the fourth batch of Sinopharm vaccines to Laos. Lao Deputy Prime Minister Kikeo Khaykhamphithoune and Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong attend the handover ceremony in Vientiane.

June 17

Chinese Chairman of the National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee Li Zhanshu holds talks with Vietnamese National Assembly Chairman VuongDinh Hue via a videoconference to enhance mutual political support, promote cooperation between legislative bodies and bilateral ties.

June 20

Vietnam receives 500,000 doses of the Sinopharm vaccine donated by China. The vaccines will be used for Chinese citizens in the country, Vietnamese who plan to work or study in China, and people who live near the borders with China, according to the Health Ministry.

June 28

President Xi Jinping sends a congratulatory message to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on the 70th anniversary of the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP)’s founding.

June 29

Wang Yang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference National 35 The Chronology

Committee meets with President of the Lao Front for National Construction (LFNC) Sinlavong Khoutphaythoune via a video conference to enhance friendly exchanges and push for further development of China-Laos relations.

(B) Political Affairs January 5

China notifies downstream Mekong countries that Jinghong Dam will reduce the water discharge rate from 1,904 cubic meters per second to 1,000 cubic meters per second, a decrease of about 47 percent, for 20 days from January 15 to 24, according to Thailand’s National Water Command Center and the Mekong River Commission (MRC).

January 9

China introduces new rules to counter unjustified laws and measures that other countries may apply to its companies and citizens as the relationship with the US is worsening, according to the Ministry of Commerce.

January 13

The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) sends a congratulatory message to the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) on the opening of its 11th congress. Both sides want to deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership cooperation and fully implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two parties and the two countries.

January 15

Thailand’s Department of Special Investigation (DSI) suspended 157 bank accounts with more than 1.5 billion baht and arrested the Chinese illegal gang.

The gang has been charged with running an organized crime, importing false information into a computer system, and conspiring to extend loans with interest higher than legally allowed.

January 19

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Luo Zhaohui presides over a videoconference with Myanmar’s Deputy Minister for International Cooperation U Hau Do Suan and Bangladeshi Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen to discuss the repatriation of Rohingya 36 The Chronology

refugees. They agree to maintain consultation and communication at the vice foreign minister level and launch the repatriation of the first batch as soon as possible.

January 22

China’s National People’s Congress standing committee passes the Coast Guard Law to allow all necessary means to stop or prevent threats from foreign vessels. The coast guard personnel can demolish other countries’ structures build on Chinese-claimed reefs and inspect foreign vessels in waters claimed by China.

January 23

The USS Theodore Roosevelt leads a US aircraft carrier group to enter the South China Sea to conduct routine operations and promote freedom of the seas, according to the US military.

January 25

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian responds to a US aircraft carrier group and other vessels entering the South China Sea. These actions are not conducive to regional peace and stability.

China will defend its national sovereignty and territorial integrity and oppose “Taiwan independence” and external interference.

January 26

China’s Maritime Safety Administration announces that the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) will conduct a series of exercises in the South China Sea from January 27-30.

February 1

The Myanmar military announces a state of emergency and detains leaders including State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and President U Win Myint. The new elections will be held after the end of a 1-year state of emergency.

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin says at a regular press conference in response to the situation in Myanmar that China hopes that all parties in Myanmar will handle their disputes under the constitutional and legal framework to safeguard political and social stability.

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The Chinese Embassy in Myanmar issues an urgent warning to Chinese citizens and Chinese-funded institutions in Myanmar to be aware of the situation and risk and avoid participating in any political activities.

February 2

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin says in a regular press conference that outside moves should be conducive to Myanmar's peace and stability and not to complicate the situation.

February 3

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin refutes claims that China supports the political upheaval in Myanmar after China vetoed a joint statement condemning Myanmar’s military coup at the UN Security Council meeting on February 2.

February 5

The USS John S. McCain, a US missile destroyer, trespasses upon Chinese territorial waters near the Paracel Islands. The PLA Southern Theater Command monitors and warns it off, according to PLA Air Force Senior Colonel Tian Junil.

February 9

(1) Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin remarks that two US carrier strike groups coordinated operations in the South China Sea are not conducive to regional peace and stability. China will take necessary measures to safeguard its sovereignty and security.

(2) The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) releases satellite images comparing images captured on January 3.

They show that the water level of the Mekong River has a drastic drop. The water turns dark blue and the sediment is visible underwater. This change indicates a severe drought.

February 12

The MRC calls on China and the Lower Mekong countries to share their water data and water release plans with the MRC as the Mekong River has fallen to a worrying level due to the outflow

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restrictions from dams and lower rainfall. However, there is no response from China.

February 13

The Chinese Embassy in Myanmar denies rumors that China sends IT personnel to establish a cyber firewall in Myanmar. China calls for communications and dialogues to settle differences and bring the situation back to normal.

February 18

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying remarks that internet rumors aim to disrupt China-Myanmar relations. More information on the impact of the situation on Chinese companies and citizens in Myanmar is funded by China.

February 19

(1) Chinese State Councilor and Minister of Public Security Zhao Kezhi meets with Vietnamese President Nguyen Phu Trong, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, National Defense Minister Ngo Xuan Lich, and Public Security Minister To Lam at the 7th China-Vietnam Public Security Ministerial Meeting in Hanoi. Both sides agree to enhance pragmatic cooperation against crimes and deepen cooperation in areas such as law enforcement, antiterrorism, and busting cross-border gambling, cybercrime, and telecom fraud.

(2) Cambodia denies the accusation that the country will create a new law to set up Chinese-style internet controls, but it will draft a law to protect personal data, according to the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications (MPTC).

February 22

The Thai government extends the emergency decree until March 31 to contain the outbreak, according to the CCSA. This is the 10th extension.

February 23-26

The 102nd Mekong River joint patrol by China, Laos, Thailand, and Myanmar is held. A total of 121 law enforcement officers with 6 vessels participate in the operation.

February 26

Chinese Permanent Representative to the UN Zhang Jun urges all parties in Myanmar to handle differences through dialogues and consultations at 39 The Chronology

the UN General Assembly informal meeting on the situation in Myanmar. The situation in Myanmar's internal affairs and the international community should respect Myanmar's sovereignty. China supports ASEAN in playing an active role in easing the situation.

March 1

China's National Defense Ministry remarks that the country develops its military and national defense to safeguard its sovereignty, security, and interests. It does not seek hegemony, expand influence, and target any other country. It also opposes any country creating tension and military presence in the South China Sea under the pretext of "freedom of navigation."

March 4

President Xi Jinping and other Chinese leaders attend the opening meeting of the 4th session of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Wang Yang, chairman of the CPPCC National Committee delivers a work report of the Standing Committee of the CPPCC National Committee to the session. The session is concluded on March 10.

March 5-11

The 4th session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) opens at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Premier Li Keqiang delivers a government work report. According to the report, China sets its GDP growth target for 2021 at above 6 percent and plans to create more than 11 million new jobs. It will accelerate the trade of energy consumption and carbon emission rights and promote Covid-19 vaccine development and free inoculation. China will faithfully implement 'one country, two systems.' The country will pursue high-level opening-up, implement the RCEP, uphold multilateralism, and deepen bilateral, multilateral, and regional economic cooperation. China’s annual defense budget will increase 6.8 percent this year to about US$209 billion. The meeting releases the 14th FiveYear Plan and Long-Range Objective through 2035.

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March 8

Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao announces that the Chinese government has officially ratified the RCEP agreement. China’s ratification process started in December 2020. All members of the RCEP plan to ratify the agreement before the end of 2021. The agreement will take effect on January 1, 2022.

March 12

Thailand’s Network of Council of Mekong River Community in 7 Northeastern Provinces discusses with the government on development projects on the Mekong River and their impacts on local people’s livelihood and river ecology. They submitted a proposal asking the government to establish the “Mekong River Rehabilitation Fund” to Assistant to Minister to the Prime Minister’s Office Suporn Atthawong. The proposal mentions that the government should collect tax revenues from development projects on the waterway and compensate villages affected by the projects. The government should let local people participate in the decision-making process of development projects on the Mekong River.

March 14

The Chinese Embassy in Myanmar urges authorities in Myanmar to punish the perpetrators and stop violence after some Chinese people and factories have been attacked.

March 15

The Chinese Embassy in Myanmar reports that a total of 32 Chinese-invested factories have been vandalized with property losses reaching US$36.89 million and 2 Chinese employees were injured in the attacks with no fatalities. China is closely monitoring the situation in Myanmar and is very concerned about the safety of Chinese institutions and personnel. It hopes Myanmar will take measures to protect Chinese safety, according to Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian.

March 16

Thai Defense Permanent Secretary Nat Intaracharoen and Wu Xiaoyi, Chinese military attache in Thailand discuss China's offer to develop a maintenance depot for weapons and equipment imported from China in Thailand. They also discuss 41 The Chronology

closer cooperation regarding military training, investment in the EEC, and the Covid-19 situation and vaccines.

March 19

Thailand's CCSA extends the emergency decree nationwide for 2 months until May 31 to curb the pandemic. It is the 11th consecutive extension since the pandemic.

March 23

Yunnan University releases the Blue Book of the LMC 2020 marking the 5th anniversary of the establishment of the LMC. It reviews the progress, problems, and development trends of the LMC since 2019.

March 25

(1) The Chinese Ministry of Commerce reveals that the country is fully prepared to fulfill its obligations for the RCEP, including tariff concessions, simplification of customs procedures, service trade liberalization. The RCEP should be ratified by at least 6 ASEAN member countries and 3 non-ASEAN members.

(2) Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying refutes US allegations of militarizing the South China Sea as stated by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium on March 24.

March 31

Chinese Permanent Representative to the UN Zhang Jun urges relevant parties in Myanmar to handle differences through dialogues and the international community's action should contribute to peace and stability of the country.

April 2

China calls Myanmar political parties to initiate dialogues and consultations as soon as possible, according to Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying. She expresses concern over the current situation in Myanmar and suggests that the international community should not interfere in Myanmar's internal affairs. China supports ASEAN to facilitate peace talks in the ASEAN Way.

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April 6

China supports all parties in Myanmar in seeking a political settlement through dialogues within the constitutional and legal framework. The country supports ASEAN in upholding the principle of noninterference in internal affairs and the ASEAN Way. It supports a special meeting of ASEAN leaders to discuss the approach to resolve problems in Myanmar. Moreover, Myanmar should avoid further bloodshed and conflicts. The UN Security Council should avoid improper intervention. External forces should avoid messing up Myanmar in pursuit of selfish gains, according to Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian.

April 19

State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi says at the high-level open debate held by the UN Security Council that China supports ASEAN to constructively participate in the Myanmar reconciliation process in the ASEAN Way and the international community should respect and maintain ASEAN's central position in regional cooperation. He proposes preventive diplomacy to the UN and regional partnerships to narrow differences and settle disputes through dialogues.

April 26

Vietnamese President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong meet with Chinese Minister of National Defense Wei Fenghe in Hanoi, Vietnam to strengthen bilateral ties and military cooperation. Nguyen Xuan Phuc says that Vietnam will never follow other countries in opposing China.

Wei Fenghe met with Vietnamese Defense Chief Phan Van Giang on April 25. They witnessed the signing of an MoU on strengthening international military cooperation between the national defense ministries of the two countries.

April 26-28

Chinese and Vietnamese maritime law enforcement officials kick off the 21st joint patrol in the Beibu Gulf water, according to the China Coast Guard (CCG).

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April 29

Vietnam rejects China's unilateral fishing ban in the South China Sea, according to Vietnamese Foreign Ministry Vice Spokesperson Doan Khac Viet. He also refutes the incorrect information about the marine self-defense militia force of Vietnam near the Hainan archipelago that threatened the maritime law enforcement of China. The country has sovereignty over the Spratly archipelagos and sea areas identified in line with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

April 30

(1) China and Russia raise objections to a joint statement on the crisis in Myanmar drawn by the UK at a meeting of the UN Security Council.

(2) The annual fishing ban in the South China Sea will start from May 1 to August 16, according to the announcement of the China Coast Guard to promote sustainable marine fishery development and improve marine ecology. The banned area covers waters north of the South China Sea.

May 3

The 24th ASEAN Plus Three Finance Ministers’ and Central Bank Governors’ Meeting (AFMGM+3) is held virtually in Brunei. Participants vow to enhance financial cooperation to sustain economic growth amid the pandemic.

May 17

Chinese netizens call for a ban of Netflix Thai drama ‘Girl from Nowhere’ as the drama’s promotional poster on Facebook includes Taiwan and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The Chinese think that this poster splits up China and violate the oneChina principle. The poster is later deleted.

May 18

The Buddhist Association of China holds a meeting to discuss cooperation among Buddhist communities in the LMC region in fighting against the pandemic and promote contributions to the public. Representatives from Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia attend the event online.

May 20

USS Curtis Wilbur, the US guided-missile destroyer, trespasses into the Paracel Islands in the South China Sea. The Chinese military warns the ship to 44 The Chronology

leave, according to the PLA Southern Theater Command.

May 21

(1) President Xi Jinping attends and delivers a speech at the Global Health Summit in Rome, Italy online. The Summit is organized by Italy as the G20 Presidency of 2021 and the European Commission.

China will provide an additional US$3 billion to international aid over the next 3 years to support the Covid-19 response and economic recovery in developing countries. The country will provide more vaccines to the world. Xi Jinping proposes to set up an international forum on vaccine cooperation. The Summit approves the Declaration of Rome.

(2) The CCSA approves the decree’s 12th extension for 2 months until July 31 to handle the pandemic.

May 24

Young members of China and Cambodia legislative bodies hold an online meeting to exchange views on cooperation on fighting against the pandemic and economic recovery and deepen bilateral ties.

June 1

The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) defends its purchase of 3 Chinese-made VN16 tanks. There was criticism on the social media against the government that it should give priority to the Covid-19 vaccines.

However, the RTN says that the procurement was approved before the pandemic. The tanks are manufactured by China Ordnance Industries Group Corporation Limited (China North Industries Group Corporation Limited).

June 2

Cambodian Defense Minister Tea Banh reveals that Cambodia had asked for China's help to upgrade the development of the Ream Port. However, in October 2020, Cambodia confirmed that it had demolished a US-built facility at the Ream Naval Base and denied that China would be involved in that issue.

June 5

Myanmar Leader Min Aung Hlaing meets with Chinese Ambassador Chen Hai. Myanmar is willing to work with ASEAN and communicate with China to maintain domestic stability. They exchange views on bilateral relations and anti-epidemic cooperation.

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June 7

The Special ASEAN-China Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Celebration of the 30th Anniversary of Dialogue Relations is held in Chongqing, China. State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi proposes to deepen anti-pandemic cooperation, push forward economic recovery, upgrade bilateral relations, uphold multilateralism, reach an agreement on the COC, and carry forward Asian values. Both sides agree to implement the ASEAN-China Strategic Partnership Vision 2030 and the Plan of Action to Implement the Joint Declaration on ASEAN-China Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity (2021-2025). China is ready to cooperate with ASEAN on Myanmar issues.

At the 19th Senior Officials’ Meeting on the Implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) on the same day, participants agree to strive for an early agreement on the COC.

June 8

The 6th LMC Foreign Ministers’ Meeting is held in Chongqing, China. The meeting reviews the progress of the LMC. Both sides are willing to work together to strengthen cooperation in fighting against the Covid-19 pandemic, seek recovery after the pandemic, expand water resources cooperation, advance local pragmatic cooperation, support infrastructure construction and connectivity, and strengthen people-to-people exchanges.

June 10

China’s Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC) adopts the law on countering foreign sanctions to better safeguard the country’s sovereignty, security, and development interests.

June 15

The 12th China-ASEAN Defense Ministers' Informal Meeting is held online. Both sides pledge to safeguard regional peace and strengthen national defense and military development.

June 16

The 8th ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting Plus is held via a videoconference. Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe attends the meeting and says 46 The Chronology

that China will protect its interests, including issues related to Taiwan, Hong Kong, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, and the South China Sea. Both sides agree to resolve disputes in the South China Sea peacefully. China will also help the region fight against the pandemic.

June 18

China will continue to support ASEAN and play a constructive role regarding the current situation in Myanmar, according to Chinese Representative to the UN Zhang Jun at the UN Security Council meeting on Myanmar. The country hopes all parties in Myanmar will resolve differences through political dialogues under the constitution and legal framework and avoid violent incidents.

June 24

Vietnamese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang calls on relevant parties to not take any action that further complicates the situation in the South China Sea in response to Chinese vessels and aircraft entering the territory of the Fiery Cross Reef in the Spratly Islands.

June 29

State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi attends the G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting online.

The meeting is chaired by Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio. The meeting agrees to work together to fight against the pandemic, uphold multilateralism, enhance openness and coordination to global recovery, and support global governance.

June 30

The MRC releases a report to encourage MRC member countries and Dialogue partners to share operational data to improve water resource management in the lower Mekong basin. The report shows the fluctuations in water levels in the Mekong River in Thailand, Laos, and the Tonle Sap Lake of Cambodia. Hydropower operations have impacted navigation, river ecosystems, and riverbank stability.

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(C) Economic Affairs January 5

The World Bank forecasts that the world economy will grow by 4 percent this year. The outlook remains uncertain. The global recovery will be worsened if the pandemic accelerates or the inoculation is delayed. The Chinese economy will expand by 7.9 percent this year.

January 8

(1) The central banks of Thailand and China have renewed bilateral currency swap arrangements for 5 years, starting from December 22, 2020.

(2) The IMF projects China's economy to grow by 7.9 percent this year as the domestic Covid-19 outbreaks remain under control and economic activity has become normal.

January 10

(1) China and Myanmar signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to conduct a feasibility study of the Mandalay-Kyaukphyu railway, according to the Chinese embassy in Myanmar.

(2) China’s State Council Information Office issues a white paper entitled “China’s International Development Cooperation in the New Era.” It explains China’s views on international development cooperation in the new era, actions, and plans for the future.

January 14

(1) China’s General Administration of Customs (GAC) reports that the country’s foreign trade grew 1.9 percent year on year in 2020. Exports increased 4 percent year on year, while imports declined 0.7 percent. ASEAN becomes China’s largest trading partner for the first time in 2020. The trade volumes reached US$731.9 billion, an increase of 7 percent year on year. China’s top 5 trading partners are ASEAN, the EU, the US, Japan, and South Korea. Trade with economies related to the BRI grew 1 percent year on year.

(2) Thailand's National Tourism Policy Committee approves the proposal of the Tourism and Sports Ministry to collect a 300-baht fee from every tourist 48 The Chronology

entering the country. The fee will support the management and development of tourism and insurance for foreign travelers during their stay in the country.

(3) China Eastern Yunnan Airlines resumes an air route between Kunming, Yunnan Province, and Bangkok after almost a year of suspension due to the pandemic.

January 18

China’s National Bureau of Statistics reports that the country’s economy grew by 2.3 percent in 2020. The annual GDP was US$15.66 trillion. It grew at the slowest pace in more than 40 years in 2020.

However, China’s economy is expected to be the world’s only major economy to achieve positive growth in 2020.

January 20

(1) China’s foreign direct investment (FDI) increased 6.2 percent year on year to reach US$144.37 billion in 2020, according to the Ministry of Commerce. Investment from ASEAN to China grew 0.7 percent.

(2) The Guangdong Customs reports that the trade volume with ASEAN was up 6.5 percent year on year in 2020. ASEAN has replaced Hong Kong as the largest trading partner of Guangdong Province.

(3) Chongqing Municipality's foreign trade grew by 12.5 percent year on year in 2020, worth about US$100.7 billion. ASEAN remains Chongqing's largest trading partner. The trade with ASEAN increased by 3.4 percent. The top 3 of Chongqing's trading partners in ASEAN are Vietnam, Malaysia, and Thailand.

January 22

(1) Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce forecasts that the country’s exports will rise 4 percent this year due to rising global demand, vaccine distribution, and stimulus measures in many countries.

(2) Nanning Customs reports that foreign trade in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region was up 3.5 percent year on year in 2020 to reach US$75.22 49 The Chronology

billion. Exports grew by 4.3 percent, while imports increased by 2.6 percent. Guangxi's 3 largest trading partners are ASEAN, Brazil, and Hong Kong.

January 25

President Xi Jinping attends the World Economic Forum Virtual Event of the Davos Agenda and delivers a speech via a videoconference. He emphasizes the global community to uphold multilateralism. The 4 major tasks are to step up macroeconomic policy coordination, abandon ideological prejudice, close the divide between developed and developing countries, and come together against global challenges.

January 26

The IMF forecasts global economic growth at 5.5 percent this year, according to the World Economic Outlook (WEO). China's economy will grow 8.8 percent.

February 3

(1) Thailand's Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry, and Banking (JSCCID) forecasts that the economy will grow 1.5-3.5 percent this year.

Exports will grow by 3-5 percent. The economy in the first quarter will be challenged by the pandemic.

(2) Renminbi (RMB) is the largest cross-border payment currency between Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and ASEAN in 2020, according to the Nanning Central Sub-branch of the People’s Bank of China (PBC). The total cross-border RMB settlement between the two sides was 68.1 billion yuan, accounting for 60 percent of the domestic and foreign currency cross-border income and expenditure.

February 4

China is researching information about the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) to consider for joining the pact. However, China is ready for enhancing technical communication and exchanges with CPTPP members, according to Chinese Commerce Ministry Spokesperson Gao Feng.

February 5

China-ASEAN Business Council and 75 business associations issue the Chinese Business Community 50 The Chronology

Initiative to promote business cooperation under the RCEP framework and call on companies and associations to strengthen industrial cooperation, promote trade and investment, and seek opportunities from the RCEP. February 7

Kunming Customs reports that Yunnan’s foreign trade rose 15.4 percent year on year in 2020.

Exports increased 46.4 percent year on year, while imports decreased 9.7 percent. ASEAN is Yunnan’s largest trading partner with foreign trade growing up 7.6 percent year on year.

February 10

Foreign investment applications in Thailand dropped 54 percent in 2020 due to the pandemic, according to the Board of Investment of Thailand (BOI). Japan is the biggest investor in the country, with projects worth 76 billion baht, followed by China with 31 billion baht.

February 15

(1) Thailand’s National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) reports that the country’s GDP contracted 6.1 percent in 2020 due to the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak. The NESDC lowers the GDP growth forecast for 2021 from 3.54.5 percent to 2.5-3.5 percent.

(2) Great Wall Motors, a Chinese automobile manufacturer, will establish a regional production center for electric vehicles in Thailand. Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha discusses with Chinese President of Great Wall Motors’ ASEAN Operations Zhang Jiaming, according to Thai Government Spokesperson Anucha Burapachaisri. The company plans to produce 80,000 cars in the first quarter in Thailand for sale across Southeast Asia.

February 18

Data from the Thai Government Public Relations Department shows that Thai fruit exports to China grew 39.43 percent year on year in 2020, worth US$2.9 billion. Durian exports to China reached US$1.51 billion in 2020, an increase of 77.57 percent year on year.

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February 23

Thailand’s exports in January rose 0.35 percent year on year, according to the Commerce Ministry.

Exports to China were up to 9.9 percent. Imports in January declined 5.24 percent year on year.

February 24

Central Bank of China, Thailand, and the United Arab Emirates as well as Hong Kong Monetary Authority have launched the Multiple Central Bank Digital Currency Bridge (m-CBDC) project to study the use of central bank digital currencies in cross-border payment, transfer, international trade settlement and foreign exchange transactions.

February 25

Thailand's Administrative Court issues an order to suspend the process to procure a constructor for two sections of the Thai-Chinese high-speed rail project linking Bangkok to Nong Khai in response to a lawsuit filed by the ITD-CREC, a joint venture between China Railway No.10 Engineering Group and Italian-Thai Development Public Company. The two sections include the Kaeng Khoi-Klang Dong and Pang Asoke-Bandai Ma, according to the State Railway of Thailand (SRT).

February 27

Thailand's Foreign Trade Department reports that border trade, including transit trade, decreased 1.7 percent year on year due to the pandemic, the closed border checkpoints, and the strong baht. Exports were down 2.16 percent year on year, while imports shrank by 1.05 percent. Transit trade rose 8.41 percent in 2020. Transit trade with southern China grew by 20 percent.

March 5

Premier Li Keqiang delivers the Government Work Report at the opening of the 4th session of the 13th National People’s Congress. He says that China will give priority to high-quality development and set its GDP growth target at above 6 percent this year. The country will create 11 million new jobs in urban areas and maintain the urban unemployment rate at around 5.5 percent.

March 7

China's exports increased 50.1 percent year on year in the first two months of this year, according to the GAC. Imports also rose by 14.5 percent year on year.

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ASEAN was the country's largest trading partner in this period, an increase of 32.9 percent year on year.

March 12

China's foreign direct investments increased 31.5 percent year on year to US$27.17 billion in the January-February period, according to the Ministry of Commerce. Investments in the service industry grew by 48.7 percent, accounting for 80.2 percent of the total investments.

March 18

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) releases the Trade and Development Report 2020 Update and forecasts China’s economic growth at 8.1 percent this year.

March 26

Kunming customs recently cracked down on hair smuggling cases from India, Pakistan, and Myanmar.

The case involves 48 suspects and 11 smuggling gangs. China is now the world’s largest producer and exporter of wigs. The profits for smugglers are huge due to the price gap between the domestic and foreign markets of human hair’s raw materials.

March 29

The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) and the private firms sign 3 civil engineering contracts for the Thailand-China High-Speed Rail project, including the 4-3, 4-4, and 4-6 contracts.

April 6

(1) China releases a white paper entitled “Poverty Alleviation: China’s Experience and Contribution” by the State Council Information Office to share experiences and actions in eradicating extreme poverty with other countries.

(2) The IMF projects global growth at 6 percent this year, according to the World Economic Outlook.

However, the health crisis remains a critical factor in the economic recovery. China’s economy will expand 8.4 percent, an increase from 8.1 percent in the January forecast.

April 13

China’s foreign trade reached US$1.29 trillion in the first quarter of 2021, an increase of 29.2 percent year on year, according to the GAC. Exports grew

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38.7 percent year on year, while imports increased 19.3 percent.

April 16

China’s economy grew 18.3 percent year on year in the first quarter of this year, according to the NBS. The GDP reached US$3.82 trillion.

April 18-21

President Xi Jinping addresses the opening ceremony of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2021 via a videoconference on April 20.

He calls on parties to defeat the pandemic through solidarity, strengthen global governance, uphold multilateralism, openness and innovation, and support high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. He stresses that China will never seek hegemony, expansion, and a sphere of influence. The BFA releases the Asian Economic Outlook and Integration Progress Annual Report 2021. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the BFA. The BFA is held in Hainan Province under the theme "A World in Change: Join Hands to Strengthen Global Governance and Advance Belt and Road Cooperation." More than 2,600 delegates from over 60 countries and regions attended the event.

April 19

Foreign trade of China’s Guangdong Province increased 33.4 percent year on year to reach US$281.54 billion in the first 3 months of this year, according to Guangdong Customs. Exports increased 41.6 percent year on year, while imports were up 22.2 percent. The trade with ASEAN grew 28.4 percent.

April 24

The China-ASEAN Business Center is officially opened in the Nanning Area of China (Guangxi) Pilot Free Trade Zone. It is a one-stop service for ChinaASEAN economic cooperation such as trade and investment, legal consultation, finance, logistics, science and technology innovation, agricultural cooperation, and cultural and tourism cooperation.

April 28

(1) The Asian Development Bank (ADB) reports that China’s economic growth is projected to rebound 8.1 percent this year due to strong exports and recovery 54 The Chronology

in household consumption. Vietnam’s economic growth will be 6.7 percent this year due to exportoriented manufacturing, increased investment, and expanding trade.

(2) The 1st batch of Lao cattle has been exported to China under a bilateral agricultural cooperation project. It helps promote cooperation on the prevention and control of cross-border animal diseases in the Mekong region, according to the Chinese Embassy in Laos.

April 29

(1) Thailand's Finance Ministry cuts the GDP growth forecast of this year from 2.8 percent to 2.3 percent due to the impact of the pandemic on the economy. However, the Ministry expects exports will grow 11 percent as the world economy continues to recover.

(2) China opens the Dongxing border gate in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region for fruit imports from Thailand. China requires Thai fruits to either come from farms that have been given good agriculture practices or GAP certification or processed at good manufacturing practices (GMP) certified facilities, according to Thailand’s Department of Agriculture.

May 3

(1) Foreign trade of China’s Hubei Province increased 88.1 percent year on year in the first quarter of this year to about US$18.1 billion, according to Wuhan Customs. Trade with ASEAN was up 96.9 percent year on year.

(2) The ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office, the ADB, and the IMF hold a joint virtual meeting of finance ministers and central bank governors from the three organizations. They agree with economic prospects in this region and that global inoculation will help the economic recovery. They recommend focusing on ensuring vaccines, promoting digital transformation, supporting domestic resources, improving tax systems and encouraging tax collaboration, and advancing a green economy.

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May 4

Thailand’s border and transit trade value increased by 19.3 percent year on year in the first quarter of this year. Exports increased 20.5 percent year on year, while imports rose 17.7 percent, according to the Foreign Trade Department. The transit trade with Singapore, Vietnam, and southern China grew 36.1 percent. Major exports to China include rubber and fresh, chilled, frozen and dried fruits.

May 5

Thai durian exports to China in the first quarter of this year reached US$186 million, an increase of 14 percent year on year, according to the Department of Trade Negotiations (DTN). Import tariff for Thai durian has been waived in China, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, India, Chile, and Peru.

May 6

Thai Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit holds a video meeting with Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development of Hong Kong Edward Yau to discuss Thailand-Hong Kong FTA and a special agreement for access to Hong Kong’s thriving animation and film industry. The FTA is expected to be conducted by the third quarter of this year.

May 7

(1) China's foreign trade reached US$1.79 trillion in the first 4 months of this year, an increase of 28.5 percent year on year, according to the GAC. Exports were up 33.8 percent year on year, while imports grew 22.7 percent. Trade with ASEAN increased 27.6 percent year on year.

(2) Cambodia delivers the first batch of fresh mango exports to China, according to Cambodian Agriculture Minister Veng Sakhon.

May 10

Guangxi will promote economic and trade cooperation with ASEAN during the 14th Five-Year Plan Period (2021-2025) and establish cross-border industrial and service chains, according to Chinese Deputy Head of Commerce Department of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Liang Yiguang. Foreign trade between Guangxi and ASEAN increased by 74.9 percent year on year in the first quarter of 2021.

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May 13

(1) China’s foreign direct investment (FDI) in actual use rose 38.6 percent year on year in the first 4 months of this year, a worth of about US$61.45 billion, according to the Ministry of Commerce.

Investment from ASEAN expanded 65.2 percent year on year.

(2) The first cross-border freight train transporting agricultural products departs from Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. The train will cross the border at Pingxiang Checkpoint to Vietnam and travel by road from Vietnam to Laos. The journey marks the opening of a new long-distance transport route featuring both railway and road and passing through 2 ASEAN countries, according to Sinotrans Guangxi.

May 16

The China-Laos railway project finishes the construction of all 67 communication towers along the railway, according to General Manager of the Laos-China Railway Company Limited Xiao Qianwen.

May 17

(1) Chongqing Customs reports that Chongqing Municipality’s foreign trade increased 48.3 percent year on year to about US$38 billion in the first 4 months of this year. Exports were up 53.2 percent year on year, while imports grew 40.7 percent.

Trade with ASEAN increased 30.4 percent.

(2) Thailand’s GDP in the first quarter of this year decreased by 2.6 percent year on year due to the impact of the third wave of the pandemic on the economy and tourism industry, according to the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC). The NESDC cuts the GDP forecast for this year from 2.5-3.5 to 1.5-2.5 percent.

May 24

Thailand's Commerce Ministry reports that vegetable exports to China grew 96 percent year on year to US$471 million in January-March. China is the largest foreign vegetable market of the country, accounting for 81 percent of exports.

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May 25

(1) Thailand’s exports grew 13.09 percent year on year in April, according to the Commerce Ministry.

Exports to China increased 21.9 percent year on year. Imports rose 29.79 percent.

(2) The first GBA-ASEAN freight train departs from Guangzhou, Guangdong Province to Hanoi, Vietnam, according to Sinotrans Limited. It will take about 4 days to reach the destination.

May 27

Chinese Vice Premier Liu He holds phone talks with US Trade Representative Katherine Tai to discuss trade disputes, exchange views on issues of each other's concern, and agree to maintain communication. Both sides hold candid, pragmatic, and constructive communication, according to Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian.

May 28-29

The Shandong Provincial People’s Government and the ASEAN-China Center co-host the ASEAN-China (Shandong) SME Conference for Cooperation and Development in Jinan, Shandong Province to expand ties.

May 31

Thailand's Supreme Administrative Court upholds a lower court injunction to temporarily suspend the construction of the Kaeng Khoi-Klang Dong and Pang Asoke-Bandai Ma of the Thai-Chinese high-speed rail project in a response to a petition lodged by China Railway No 10 Engineering Group against a decision made by the Comptroller General’s Department on awarding the contract for the two sections.

June 1

Thailand’s cross-border trade rose by 26.7 percent year on year in the first 4 months, according to the Commerce Ministry. Transit trade to southern China increased 54.3 percent year on year. The main products included fruit, rubber, and computers.

June 3

Chinese Vice Premier Liu He holds talks with US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen via a videoconference on China-US economic and trade relations on June 2. They agree to solve problems pragmatically, according to Commerce Ministry Spokesperson Gao Feng.

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June 5

The Jingzhai tunnel, the last tunnel of the China-Laos railway, is successfully drilled through. All 167 tunnels of the project have been drilled so far.

June 7

The GAC reports that China’s foreign trade grew 28.2 percent year on year to US$2.3 trillion in the first 5 months of this year. Exports were up 30.1 percent year on year, while imports rose 25.9 percent.

ASEAN is the largest trade partner. Trade with ASEAN increased 29.2 percent year on year.

June 8

The World Bank forecasts that the global economy will grow 5.6 percent this year, according to the latest Global Economic Prospects (GEP) report.

However, it warns that poor nations are being left behind. China’s growth will expand 8.5 percent.

June 10

Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao has a phone conversation with US Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo to exchange views on trade and related issues and concerns in a practical way. They agree to maintain communication.

June 11

The Guangdong Customs reports that the city’s foreign trade increased 27.1 percent year on year to US$484.62 billion in the first 5 months. Exports increased 30.1 percent year on year, while imports were up 22.8 percent. Trade with ASEAN grew 28.3 year on year.

June 17

The Shanghai Customs sees foreign trade grew 18.8 percent year on year to US$239.8 billion in the first 5 months. Exports increased 9.4 percent year on year, while imports rose 25.4 percent. Trade with ASEAN was up 19.3 percent.

June 18

China’s outbound direct investment (ODI) into BRI countries expanded 13.8 percent year on year to US$7.43 billion in the first 5 months, according to the Ministry of Commerce.

June 22

(1) The 15th ASEAN-China Forum on Social Development and Poverty Reduction is held in Beijing. The Forum aims to conduct high-level 59 The Chronology

exchanges, institutional and practical cooperation on poverty alleviation. The exchanges help the regional body to recover from the pandemic, according to a video speech by ASEAN SecretaryGeneral Dato Lim Jock Hoi. ASEAN countries have learned from China’s success in eradicating poverty.

(2) Yiwu City, Zhejiang Province sees foreign trade increase 25.2 percent year on year in the first 5 months. Exports grew 23.4 percent year on year, while imports rose 64.7 percent, according to Yiwu Customs. Trade with ASEAN increased 23.5 percent year on year.

(3) The Chongqing Customs sees foreign trade increase 39.9 percent year on year to US$47.23 billion in the first 5 months. Exports surged 42.6 percent year on year, while imports were up 35.6 percent. Trade with ASEAN was up 23.9 percent.

June 23

China’s customs department has requested Thailand’s Department of Agriculture to randomly inspect plantations and factories that export durian, longan, mangosteen, and coconut to China. The inspection follows food safety standards required by China and guidelines provided by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization and the WHO on food safety during the pandemic.

June 25

The 29th meeting of the joint committee on ThaiChinese rail cooperation is held online and cochaired by Thai Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob and Chinese Vice Chairman of the Chinese National Development and Reform Commission Ning Jizhe. They agree to hold a monthly tripartite meeting with Laos to review updates on the progress to connect the Thai-Chinese high-speed rail systems in Thailand with Vientiane.

June 27

China agrees to import 20,000 tons of 5 percent white rice from Thailand worth US$10.4 million to be delivered in June and July, according to Thailand’s Department of Foreign Trade. This is the 8th lot of rice that China imports from Thailand under the

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government-to-government contract of a total of 1 million tons.

June 29

The World Bank projects China’s GDP growth to reach 8.5 percent this year and 5.4 percent in 2022, according to its updated regional economic report.

June 30

The Lao Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has ordered relevant departments to promote cattle farming and produce more cattle for export to China.

The country has been granted a quota of 500,000 cattle for export to China. More than 2,000 cattle were shipped to China from April 8-May 4.

(D) Socio-cultural Affairs January 5

More than half the world's nations miss the deadline to accelerate climate ambitions set out in the Paris Agreement and submit upgraded commitments to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. The 2015 Paris Agreement called for nations to reduce global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius. China set new ambitions to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.

However, it has not formally submitted proposals yet.

March 5

China will draw up an action plan for carbon emissions to peak by 2030, improve the quality of the environment, and eliminate heavy air and water pollutions, according to the Government Work Report. China aims to reduce energy consumption per unit of GDP by 13.5 percent and carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP by 18 percent in the 14th Five-Year Plan.

April 22

President Xi Jinping attends and delivers a speech via a videoconference at the virtual Leaders Summit on Climate hosted by the US. He calls on upholding multilateralism in climate governance and building a community of life for mankind to cope with the challenges of climate change.

April 24

China and Laos have been cooperating to build the Vientiane Saysettha Development Zone (SDZ) into a 61 The Chronology

low-carbon demonstration model for the country, according to Lao Deputy General Manager of the Laos-China Joint Venture Investment Company Limited (LCJV) Khienkham Phoudchanthavongsa.

China’s Yunnan Construction and Investment Holding Group (YCIH) is the main investor of the LCJV. The project is one of the 10 low-carbon demonstration zones developed by China in developing countries. Environment ministers of China and Laos signed an MoU on cooperation in the construction of the low-carbon demonstration zone on July 16, 2020.

April 26

Officials from culture authorities of China and Laos sign an MoU to jointly translate and publish 50 classic books from both countries in the next 5 years to further deepen China-Laos publishing exchanges and cooperation.

May 26

Thai Actress Kanyawee Songmuang issues an apology to Chinese people on Twitter for making comments against the Sinovac vaccine that it had not been approved by the WHO. Chinese fans responded with anger to her comment. The actress says that her comment was misunderstood and it was not her intention.

May 28

China and ASEAN initiate the Year of Sustainable Development Cooperation in Beijing marking the 30th anniversary of cooperation on climate change, biodiversity, and the marine environment.

June 2

The 2021 ASEAN-China Media Cooperation Forum is held in Beijing to mark the 30th anniversary of ChinaASEAN dialogue relations and the China-ASEAN Year of Sustainable Development Cooperation. The event is organized by China Report Press and guided by the State Council Information Office (SCIO) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China. It is a platform for officials and media practitioners to share views for cooperation. Participants call for greater efforts on the media front to promote cooperation between the two sides.

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June 30

The WHO certifies China as malaria-free, following a 70-year fight to eradicate the disease. The country becomes the 40th territory certified malaria-free by the WHO. It applied for WHO certification in 2020 after 4 consecutive years of zero indigenous cases.

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Part II Selected Documentation

(II) Selected Documentation (January-June 2021) January (A) China’s International Development Cooperation in the New Era (White Paper) For detail see: http://english.www.gov.cn/archive/whitepaper/202101/10/co ntent_WS5ffa6bbbc6d0f72576943922.html Released on: January 10, 2021 (B) Speech of President Xi Jinping at the World Economic Forum Virtual Event of the Davos Agenda Source: https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/mfa_eng/wjdt_665385/zyjh_665391/2021 01/t20210125_678968.html Released on: January 25, 2021 Let the Torch of Multilateralism Light up Humanity's Way Forward Special Address by H.E. Xi Jinping President of the People's Republic of China At the World Economic Forum Virtual Event of the Davos Agenda 25 January 2021 Professor Klaus Schwab, Ladies and Gentlemen, Friends, The past year was marked by the sudden onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Global public health faced severe threat and the world economy was mired in deep recession. Humanity encountered multiple crises rarely seen in human history.

The past year also bore witness to the enormous resolve and courage of people around the world in battling the deadly coronavirus. Guided by science, reason and a humanitarian spirit, the world has achieved initial progress in fighting COVID-19. That said, the pandemic is far from over. The recent resurgence in COVID cases reminds us that we must carry on the fight. Yet we remain convinced that winter cannot stop the arrival of spring and darkness can never

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shroud the light of dawn. There is no doubt that humanity will prevail over the virus and emerge even stronger from this disaster.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Friends, History is moving forward and the world will not go back to what it was in the past. Every choice and move we make today will shape the world of the future.

It is important that we properly address the four major tasks facing people of our times.

The first is to step up macroeconomic policy coordination and jointly promote strong, sustainable, balanced and inclusive growth of the world economy.

We are going through the worst recession since the end of World War II. For the first time in history, the economies of all regions have been hit hard at the same time, with global industrial and supply chains clogged and trade and investment down in the doldrums. Despite the trillions of dollars in relief packages worldwide, global recovery is rather shaky and the outlook remains uncertain.

We need to focus on current priorities, and balance COVID response and economic development. Macroeconomic policy support should be stepped up to bring the world economy out of the woods as early as possible. More importantly, we need to look beyond the horizon and strengthen our will and resolve for change. We need to shift the driving forces and growth models of the global economy and improve its structure, so as to set the course for long-term, sound and steady development of the world economy.

The second is to abandon ideological prejudice and jointly follow a path of peaceful coexistence, mutual benefit and win-win cooperation.

No two leaves in the world are identical, and no histories, cultures or social systems are the same. Each country is unique with its own history, culture and social system, and none is superior to the other. The best criteria are whether a country's history, culture and social system fit its particular situation, enjoy people's support, serve to deliver political stability, social progress and better lives, and contribute to human progress. The different histories, cultures and social systems are as old as human societies, and they are the inherent features of human civilization. There will be no human civilization without diversity, and such diversity will continue to exist for as long as we can imagine. Difference in itself is no cause for alarm. What does ring the alarm is arrogance, prejudice and hatred; it is the attempt to impose hierarchy on human civilization or to force one's own history, culture and social system upon others. The right choice is for countries to pursue peaceful coexistence based on mutual respect and on expanding common ground while shelving differences, and to promote exchanges and mutual learning. This is the way to add impetus to the progress of human civilization.

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The third is to close the divide between developed and developing countries and jointly bring about growth and prosperity for all.

Today, inequality continues to grow, the North-South gap remains to be bridged, and sustainable development faces severe challenges. As countries grapple with the pandemic, their economic recoveries are following divergent trajectories, and the North-South gap risks further widening and even perpetuation. For developing countries, they are aspiring for more resources and space for development, and they are calling for stronger representation and voice in global economic governance. We should recognize that with the growth of developing countries, global prosperity and stability will be put on a more solid footing, and developed countries will stand to benefit from such growth. The international community should keep its eyes on the long run, honor its commitment, and provide necessary support to developing countries and safeguard their legitimate development interests. Equal rights, equal opportunities and equal rules should be strengthened, so that all countries will benefit from the opportunities and fruits of development.

The fourth is to come together against global challenges and jointly create a better future for humanity.

In the era of economic globalization, public health emergencies like COVID-19 may very well recur, and global public health governance needs to be enhanced.

The Earth is our one and only home. To scale up efforts to address climate change and promote sustainable development bears on the future of humanity.

No global problem can be solved by any one country alone. There must be global action, global response and global cooperation.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Friends, The problems facing the world are intricate and complex. The way out of them is through upholding multilateralism and building a community with a shared future for mankind.

First, we should stay committed to openness and inclusiveness instead of closeness and exclusion.

Multilateralism is about having international affairs addressed through consultation and the future of the world decided by everyone working together.

To build small circles or start a new Cold War, to reject, threaten or intimidate others, to willfully impose decoupling, supply disruption or sanctions, and to create isolation or estrangement will only push the world into division and even confrontation. We cannot tackle common challenges in a divided world, and confrontation will lead us to a dead end. Humanity has learned lessons the hard way, and that history is not long gone. We must not return to the path of the past.

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The right approach is to act on the vision of a community with a shared future for mankind. We should uphold the common values of humanity, i.e. peace, development, equity, justice, democracy and freedom, rise above ideological prejudice, make the mechanisms, principles and policies of our cooperation as open and inclusive as possible, and jointly safeguard world peace and stability.

We should build an open world economy, uphold the multilateral trading regime, discard discriminatory and exclusionary standards, rules and systems, and take down barriers to trade, investment and technological exchanges. We should strengthen the G20 as the premier forum for global economic governance, engage in closer macroeconomic policy coordination, and keep the global industrial and supply chains stable and open. We should ensure the sound operation of the global financial system, promote structural reform and expand global aggregate demand in an effort to strive for higher quality and stronger resilience in global economic development.

Second, we should stay committed to international law and international rules instead of seeking one's own supremacy.

Ancient Chinese believed that "the law is the very foundation of governance".

International governance should be based on the rules and consensus reached among us, not on the order given by one or the few. The Charter of the United Nations is the basic and universally recognized norms governing state-to-state relations. Without international law and international rules that are formed and recognized by the global community, the world may fall back to the law of the jungle, and the consequence would be devastating for humanity.

We need to be resolute in championing the international rule of law, and steadfast in our resolve to safeguard the international system centered around the UN and the international order based on international law. Multilateral institutions, which provide the platforms for putting multilateralism into action and which are the basic architecture underpinning multilateralism, should have their authority and effectiveness safeguarded. State-to-state relations should be coordinated and regulated through proper institutions and rules. The strong should not bully the weak. Decision should not be made by simply showing off strong muscles or waving a big fist. Multilateralism should not be used as pretext for acts of unilateralism. Principles should be preserved and rules, once made, should be followed by all. "Selective multilateralism" should not be our option.

Third, we should stay committed to consultation and cooperation instead of conflict and confrontation.

Differences in history, culture and social system should not be an excuse for antagonism or confrontation, but rather an incentive for cooperation. We should respect and accommodate differences, avoid meddling in other countries' internal affairs, and resolve disagreements through consultation and dialogue.

History and reality have made it clear, time and again, that the misguided approach of antagonism and confrontation, be it in the form of cold war, hot war, 70 Selected Documentation

trade war or tech war, would eventually hurt all countries' interests and undermine everyone's well-being.

We should reject the outdated Cold War and zero-sum game mentality, adhere to mutual respect and accommodation, and enhance political trust through strategic communication. It is important that we stick to the cooperation concept based on mutual benefit, say no to narrow-minded, selfish beggar-thyneighbor policies, and stop unilateral practice of keeping advantages in development all to oneself. Equal rights to development should be guaranteed for all countries to promote common development and prosperity. We should advocate fair competition, like competing with each other for excellence in a racing field, not beating each other on a wrestling arena.

Fourth, we should stay committed to keeping up with the times instead of rejecting change.

The world is undergoing changes unseen in a century, and now is the time for major development and major transformation. To uphold multilateralism in the 21st century, we should promote its fine tradition, take on new perspectives and look to the future. We need to stand by the core values and basic principles of multilateralism. We also need to adapt to the changing international landscape and respond to global challenges as they arise. We need to reform and improve the global governance system on the basis of extensive consultation and consensus-building.

We need to give full play to the role of the World Health Organization in building a global community of health for all. We need to advance reform of the World Trade Organization and the international financial and monetary system in a way that boosts global economic growth and protects the development rights, interests and opportunities of developing countries. We need to follow a peoplecentered and fact-based policy orientation in exploring and formulating rules on global digital governance. We need to deliver on the Paris Agreement on climate change and promote green development. We need to give continued priority to development, implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and make sure that all countries, especially developing ones, share in the fruits of global development.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Friends, After decades of strenuous efforts by the Chinese people, China is on course to finish building a moderately prosperous society in all respects. We have made historic gains in ending extreme poverty, and have embarked on a new journey toward fully building a modern socialist country. As China enters a new development stage, we will follow a new development philosophy and foster a new development paradigm with domestic circulation as the mainstay and 71 Selected Documentation

domestic and international circulations reinforcing each other. China will work with other countries to build an open, inclusive, clean and beautiful world that enjoys lasting peace, universal security and common prosperity.

- China will continue to take an active part in international cooperation on COVID-19.

Containing the coronavirus is the most pressing task for the international community. This is because people and their lives must always be put before anything else. It is also what it takes to stabilize and revive the economy. Closer solidarity and cooperation, more information sharing, and a stronger global response are what we need to defeat COVID-19 across the world. It is especially important to scale up cooperation on the R&D, production and distribution of vaccines and make them public goods that are truly accessible and affordable to people in all countries. By now, China has provided assistance to over 150 countries and 13 international organizations, sent 36 medical expert teams to countries in need, and stayed strongly supportive and actively engaged in international cooperation on COVID vaccines. China will continue to share its experience with other countries, do its best to assist countries and regions that are less prepared for the pandemic, and work for greater accessibility and affordability of COVID vaccines in developing countries. We hope these efforts will contribute to an early and complete victory over the coronavirus throughout the world.

- China will continue to implement a win-win strategy of opening-up.

Economic globalization meets the need of growing social productivity and is a natural outcome of scientific and technological advancement. It serves no one's interest to use the pandemic as an excuse to reverse globalization and go for seclusion and decoupling. As a longstanding supporter of economic globalization, China is committed to following through on its fundamental policy of opening-up. China will continue to promote trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, help keep the global industrial and supply chains smooth and stable, and advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. China will promote institutional opening-up that covers rules, regulations, management and standards. We will foster a business environment that is based on market principles, governed by law and up to international standards, and unleash the potential of the huge China market and enormous domestic demand.

We hope these efforts will bring more cooperation opportunities to other countries and give further impetus to global economic recovery and growth.

- China will continue to promote sustainable development.

China will fully implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It will do more on the ecological front, by transforming and improving its industrial structure and energy mix at a faster pace and promoting a green, low-carbon way of life and production. I have announced China's goal of striving to peak carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 72 Selected Documentation

2060. Meeting these targets will require tremendous hard work from China. Yet we believe that when the interests of the entire humanity are at stake, China must step forward, take action, and get the job done. China is drawing up action plans and taking specific measures already to make sure we meet the set targets.

We are doing this as a concrete action to uphold multilateralism and as a contribution to protecting our shared home and realizing sustainable development of humanity.

- China will continue to advance science, technology and innovation.

Science, technology and innovation is a key engine for human progress, a powerful weapon in tackling many global challenges, and the only way for China to foster a new development paradigm and achieve high-quality development.

China will invest more in science and technology, develop an enabling system for innovation as a priority, turn breakthroughs in science and technology into actual productivity at a faster pace, and enhance intellectual property protection, all for the purpose of fostering innovation-driven, higher-quality growth. Scientific and technological advances should benefit all humanity rather than be used to curb and contain other countries' development. China will think and act with more openness with regard to international exchange and cooperation on science and technology. We will work with other countries to create an open, fair, equitable and non-discriminatory environment for scientific and technological advancement that is beneficial to all and shared by all.

- China will continue to promote a new type of international relations.

Zero-sum game or winner-takes-all is not the guiding philosophy of the Chinese people. As a staunch follower of an independent foreign policy of peace, China is working hard to bridge differences through dialogue and resolve disputes through negotiation and to pursue friendly and cooperative relations with other countries on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit. As a steadfast member of developing countries, China will further deepen SouthSouth cooperation, and contribute to the endeavor of developing countries to eradicate poverty, ease debt burden, and achieve more growth. China will get more actively engaged in global economic governance and push for an economic globalization that is more open, inclusive, balanced and beneficial to all.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Friends, There is only one Earth and one shared future for humanity. As we cope with the current crisis and endeavor to make a better day for everyone, we need to stand united and work together. We have been shown time and again that to beggar thy neighbor, to go it alone, and to slip into arrogant isolation will always fail.

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Let us all join hands and let multilateralism light our way toward a community with a shared future for mankind.

Thank you.

March (C) Report on the Work of the Government For detail see: http://english.www.gov.cn/premier/news/202103/13/content _WS604b9030c6d0719374afac02.html Released on: March 13, 2021

April (D) Poverty Alleviation: China’s Experience and Contribution (White paper) For detail see: http://en.people.cn/n3/2021/0406/c90000-9836157.html Released on: April 6, 2021

June (E) Co-Chairs’ Statement on the Special ASEAN-China Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Celebration of the 30th Anniversary of the Dialogue Relations Source: https://asean.org/wp-content/uploads/Co-Chairs-Statement-on-theSpecial-ASEAN-China-Foreign-Ministers-Meetin....pdf Released on: June 7, 2021 Co-Chairs’ Statement on the Special ASEAN-China Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Celebration of the 30th Anniversary of the Dialogue Relations The Special ASEAN-China Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Celebration of the 30th Anniversary of the Dialogue Relations was held in Chongqing, People’s Republic of China on 7 June 2021. H.E. Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr., Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines, and H.E. Wang Yi, State Councilor and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, co-chaired the meeting.

We recalled the milestones and achievements of ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations over the course of three decades. We reaffirmed our commitment to further enhance and strengthen our wide-ranging and robust cooperation

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towards our mutual advancement and prosperity. This year’s theme of Sustainable Development Cooperation is apt and fortuitous.

With the mutual support and assistance extended by ASEAN and China, together with the significant regional and national measures undertaken, we have mitigated the deleterious impacts of the pandemic. ASEAN greatly appreciates China’s provision of vaccines, medical supplies and technical assistance to ASEAN and its Member States. In grappling with the challenges of the pandemic, we saw the wisdom of close collaboration on pandemic control and socioeconomic recovery.

We reaffirmed that the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) is a milestone document that embodies the collective commitment to promote peace, stability, mutual trust and confidence in the region, in accordance with international law, including 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

We highlighted the maintained momentum of the negotiations on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC) through its step-by-step resumption, undertaken by several virtual meetings of our officials despite the challenges of the pandemic.

Taking stock of the extensive measures and efforts by ASEAN and China in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as in maintaining regional peace and stability, the Meeting discussed taking the following steps: 1. Advance ASEAN-China Strategic Partnership to new heights by forging closer cooperation; 2. Reaffirm the commitment to multilateralism founded on the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and based on international law, maintain an open and inclusive regional cooperation framework, support ASEAN Centrality in the evolving regional architecture, uphold multilateralism and jointly respond to regional and global challenges; 3. Enhance ASEAN-China public health cooperation, strengthen regional and global supply chains for medical supplies and equipment, capacity building, and information and policy exchanges; 4. Further expand vaccine cooperation and promote equitable access to and accelerate production and distribution of safe, effective, quality and affordable vaccines for all; 5. Promote comprehensive, balanced and sustainable recovery as well as resilient post-COVID-19 economic and social development, including through 75 Selected Documentation

the support for the COVID-19 ASEAN Response Fund and ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework; 6. Strengthen exchanges and cooperation in areas such as climate change, environmental protection, biodiversity and resource conservation, marine debris, poverty alleviation and elimination, disaster prevention and mitigation, marine ecosystem conservation, and sustainable use of the ocean, seas and marine resources; and encourage partnership on blue economy; 7. Strengthen exchanges in the fields of culture, education, tourism, media, women and youth affairs, including through programs such as the ASEANChina Young Leaders Scholarship Program; 8. Implement the ASEAN-China Joint Statement on Synergising the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) 2025 and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), discuss the development and financing of ASEAN infrastructure projects, and work to enhance linkages in the region to enhance conducive business environment and to fuel sustainable and inclusive economic growth; 9. Promote the early entry into force of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Agreement as an important platform to further enhance economic cooperation and foster greater integration of regional and industrial supply chains to bolster recovery; 10.Support ASEAN’s economic integration efforts, particularly in meeting the challenges of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) through enhanced partnership as close regional partners; 11.Explore possible cooperation on circular economy and study further other sustainable economic models as inspired by regional and national action plans such as the Bio-Circular-Green Economy and the Belt and Road Ecological and Environment Cooperation Plan; 12.Reaffirm our continued commitment to fully and effectively implement the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea in its entirety, including strengthening practical maritime cooperation to build mutual trust and confidence, and emphasize the need to maintain and promote an environment conducive to the COC negotiations; 13.Enhance and promote maritime security, uphold the freedom of navigation in and overflight above the South China Sea, exercise self-restraint in the conduct of activities that would complicate or escalate disputes and affect peace and stability, and pursue the peaceful resolution of disputes, in accordance with universally recognised principles of international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS; and, 76 Selected Documentation

14.Strive to expedite the resumption of the textual negotiations of the COC through virtual platforms, with the understanding that physical meetings would remain the primary modality, towards the early conclusion of an effective and substantive COC that is in accordance with international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS. (F) Joint Statement on Deepening Cooperation on Traditional Medicine Within the Framework of Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Source: https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/mfa_eng/wjb_663304/wjbz_663308/Acti vities_663312/202106/t20210609_9168243.html Released on: June 8, 2021 Joint Statement on Deepening Cooperation on Traditional Medicine Within the Framework of Lancang-Mekong Cooperation 8 June 2021, Chongqing, China At the Sixth Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) Foreign Ministers' Meeting held in Chongqing, the People's Republic of China, on 8 June 2021, the Ministers recalled the Leaders' consensus on strengthening public health cooperation in the Third LMC Leaders' meeting on 24 August 2020, supported the deepening of cooperation on traditional medicine (TM), and welcomed the following statement issued by the health authorities of China and of Mekong countries: The six Lancang-Mekong member countries, connected by mountains and rivers, enjoy close affinity, similar cultures and a long history of exchanges and mutual learning in TM. TM institutions of the Lancang-Mekong countries have maintained close cooperation. In particular, during the rampage of COVID-19, the six member countries have stood by each other in fighting the deadly virus, setting a fine example of international cooperation against the pandemic.

We recognize the serious challenge that COVID-19, influenza, malaria, dengue fever and other ongoing diseases pose to people' lives. By supporting the participation of TM of the six member countries in global response to such diseases, we are making efforts to fulfill our responsibilities to protecting the life and health of our own people, as well as contributing to public health in the Lancang-Mekong region.

To advance cooperation among the six member countries in TM and better leverage its positive role in the prevention and treatment of major infectious diseases, and under the principles of mutual exchanges, mutual learning and win-win cooperation, the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of the People's Republic of China, the Ministry of Health of the Kingdom 77 Selected Documentation

of Cambodia, the Ministry of Public Health of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, the Ministry of Health and Sports of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, the Ministry of Public Health of the Kingdom of Thailand, and the Ministry of Health of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, will take the following measures: Work actively on coordinated response to epidemics. Joint efforts will be made to support the participation of TM in preventing and treating major infectious diseases, coordinate and share information in response to COVID-19 and other major infectious diseases, and enhance capabilities to respond to emergencies with TM to safeguard public health in the Lancang-Mekong region; Review past experience for the promotion and application of TM. Joint research on effective TM therapeutics and medicine in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19, malaria and other infectious diseases will be carried out to provide reference for further application of the region's TM in global efforts against the epidemics; Promote mutual learning to safeguard people's health. Efforts will be made to enhance mutual learning among TM practitioners and social groups in the Lancang-Mekong region, harness TM including those inspired by local wisdom in line with relevant laws and regulations of member countries on the basis of guaranteed safety and effectiveness, and promote the integration of TM with conventional health services to enhance local people's health; and Strengthen exchanges and training of TM professionals. Efforts will be made to enhance exchanges and cooperation in TM therapeutics, education, scientific research and industrial development. A mechanism for TM professionals training and exchanges among the six member countries should be established to explore different ways to nurture TM practitioners with a global vision.

Under the current circumstances, to support the application of TM in the epidemic response of the Lancang-Mekong region, and to safeguard people's health, calls for a more open and inclusive mindset than ever before. Solidarity and cooperation among the six member countries will prevail over difficulties and produce even more fruitful outcomes of TM cooperation in the LancangMekong region.

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(G) Joint Statement on Enhancing Sustainable Development Cooperation of the Lancang-Mekong Countries Source: http://en.people.cn/n3/2021/0609/c90000-9859319.html Released on: June 8, 2021 Joint Statement on Enhancing Sustainable Development Cooperation of the Lancang-Mekong Countries 8 June 2021, Chongqing At the Sixth Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held in Chongqing, the People’s Republic of China, on 8 June 2021, the Ministers reaffirmed the commitment of Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC), which is to deepen good-neighborliness and pragmatic cooperation among the six countries, contribute collective efforts to the socio-economic development of the LMC countries and enhance the well-being of their people, narrow the development gap among countries, support the ASEAN Community building as well as advance South-South cooperation and enhance the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Ministers also reaffirmed the principles of consensus, equality, mutual consultation and coordination, voluntarism, common contribution and shared benefits, and respect for the United Nation Charter, ASEAN Charter and international law, as well as in accordance with domestic laws, and regulations and procedures of each member countries. In this context, the Ministers issue the statement as follows: 1. We commend the joint COVID-19 response of the six member countries, agree to strengthen cooperation on key medical supplies and vaccines production and technology transfer, and make full use of the LMC Special Fund for Public Health to secure the final victory over the pandemic.

2. We agree on the vital importance of stronger water governance, including the water resources management of the Lancang-Mekong River and cooperation among riparian countries for sustainable economic and social development in the region. We acknowledge the fact that the six member countries are facing growing water resources challenges, including increasing demand for water resources as a result of industrialization, urbanization and population growth, and uncertainties brought by climate change, frequent occurrence of floods and droughts. In this context, national capacity and sub-regional institutions in water governance and the development of water infrastructure need to be enhanced to meet the demand.

We speak highly of the efforts made by the water authorities of the six member countries to actively strengthen the cooperation mechanism, steadily 79 Selected Documentation

implement the Five-Year Action Plan on Lancang-Mekong Water Resources Cooperation (2018 - 2022), and conduct extensive practical cooperation on basin planning, dam safety, comprehensive management of small basins, capacity building, emergency management and water-related risk and impact assessment. We welcome the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) under the Joint Working Group on Lancang-Mekong Water Resources Cooperation on the Provision of Hydrological Information of the Lancang River throughout the year

by China to the Other Five Member Countries signed by the six LMC countries and the steady implementation of the MOU. In this regard, the Ministers of Mekong countries expressed appreciation to China for sharing the year-round hydrological information of the Lancang River, and increasing the discharge upon the requests of downstream countries. We recognize water as a valuable natural resource on which peoples of the six member countries rely for their livelihood. We encourage all the six member countries to intensify their efforts and step up the coordination and collaboration at drainage basin level to address water-related issues of common concern, such as to improve conditions for local water supply, protect the ecosystem of the Lancang-Mekong River, address the adverse impacts of floods and droughts, and other extreme weather events caused by climate change.

We highly appreciate the broad consensus on future cooperation reached among the water authorities of the six member countries, including supporting China for convening the Second Lancang-Mekong Water Resources Cooperation Forum and Viet Nam for convening the Second Ministerial Meeting on LancangMekong Water Resources Cooperation, strengthening pragmatic cooperation on flood and drought disaster mitigation, clean drinking water and sanitation services, hydrological information monitoring and alignment of technical standards, fully promoting the building of the Lancang-Mekong Water Resources Cooperation Information Sharing Platform through an appropriate mechanism, and enhancing the capacity of member countries in sustainable water resources development and management.

We support the Joint Study on the changing Pattern of Hydrological Conditions of the Lancang-Mekong River Basin and Adaption Strategies by the LancangMekong Water Resources Cooperation Center and Mekong River Committee Secretariat, which will put forward engineering and non-engineering measures to tackle climate change.

3. We commend the progress made in the Lancang-Mekong environmental protection cooperation, including strengthening cooperation and knowledge sharing on clean and renewable energy, joint efforts in promoting green and low carbon transition, and enhancing capabilities to address climate change. We agree to accelerate the implementation of the Lancang-Mekong Environmental Cooperation Strategy and the Green Lancang-Mekong Initiative, make full use of the Lancang-Mekong Environmental Cooperation Center, strengthen 80 Selected Documentation

environmental policy exchanges and dialogue, and enhance cooperation on biodiversity conservation, air quality, clean water pilot programs, and sustainable infrastructure. Efforts will be made to jointly develop the LancangMekong Knowledge Hub for Low-Carbon, Green, and Sustainable Infrastructure, carry out demonstration projects of sustainable and low-carbon communities and schools, promote nature-based solution through building a mangrove protection network and enhance knowledge sharing and cooperation on climate adaptation.

4. We also emphasize the need for the six member countries to work closely together to promote economic growth models that are environmentally friendly and innovation-driven in order to help the region to build back better, greener and smarter in the post-COVID-19 era. To this end, more efforts should be made to bring about actions/measures on Bio-Circular-Green Economy (BCG) and promote innovation such as exploring the idea of innovation corridors, which are networks of R&D hubs to support economic and industrial zones in the border areas of the Lancang-Mekong region.

5. We encourage cooperation in the management and protection of forest resources, bolster exchanges and cooperation on the conservation of precious tree species and wildlife, legal forestry trade, forest ecological restoration and research, promote and develop community based forest products, enhance local livelihood through agroforestry, and joint forest fire prevention in border areas, prevent haze pollution, and work together to combat illegal logging and wildlife trafficking in an effort to enhance forestry management capacity of the LancangMekong countries.

6. We take note of the Joint Research Report on Promoting Synergy between Lancang-Mekong Economic Development Belt and the New International LandSea Trade Corridor by the Global Center for Mekong Studies as well as China’s recommendations and measures in promoting the synergy. Relevant authorities of the six member countries are encouraged to carry out discussions on their suggestions and measures to enhance connectivity, trade, investment, ecommerce and production capacity cooperation, accelerate digital transformation and scientific and technological innovation, and jointly build the Lancang-Mekong Economic Development Belt.

We encourage relevant agencies of the six member countries to undertake further studies to formulate detailed plans to build the Lancang-Mekong Economic Development Belt while promoting the synergy with the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, which would enhance further connectivity between China and Southeast Asia through, in particular, the EastWest Economic Corridor, North-South Economic Corridor and Southern Economic Corridor.

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7. We recall the ASEAN-China Aviation Cooperation Framework, and reaffirm our commitment towards deepening aviation cooperation fields through strengthening exchanges and communication. Efforts will also be made to enhance sustainable transport action and measures in LMC for, in the long run, achieving universally accessible, safe, affordable, clean and low-carbon passenger and freight transport.

8. We reaffirm the LMC’s commitment to deepening cooperation in agriculture, poverty reduction, rural development, tourism, sports, media, gender equality, women, youth, and the disabled to deliver more benefits to the people.

Cooperation in education and human resources will be enhanced to help the Lancang-Mekong countries train more science and engineering professionals and a high-caliber and skilled workforce.

9. We recognize the importance of funding for sustainable development of the region, welcome the List of the Projects Supported by LMC Special Fund of 2021 released by China, and call for further enhancing project quality and implementation efficiency to produce greater influence and better serve the economic and social development of the six member countries.

10. We reaffirm to strengthen multilateralism to support win-win cooperation for addressing challenges and ensuring benefit to all LMC countries. Committing to the principle of openness and inclusiveness, we agree to foster greater synergy and coordinated development efforts between the LMC and other regional organizations as well as sub-regional cooperation frameworks including the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), Ayeyawady– Chao Phraya–Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS), Greater Mekong Subregion Economic Cooperation Programme (GMS) and the Mekong River Commission (MRC). Other international organizations and institutions, such as the World Bank, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and Asian Development Bank (ADB) are also welcomed to contribute to the LMC in promoting ASEAN Community building and regional economic integration.

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(H) Initiative on Deepening Cooperation among Local Governments of Lancang-Mekong Countries Source: http://en.people.cn/n3/2021/0609/c90000-9859320.html Released on: June 8, 2021 Initiative on Deepening Cooperation among Local Governments of Lancang-Mekong Countries 8 June 2021, Chongqing, China The Sixth Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting was held in Chongqing, the People’s Republic of China, on 8 June 2021. We, the Foreign Ministers of the Lancang-Mekong countries, have agreed to intensify efforts to implement the consensus in the Vientiane Declaration of the Third LancangMekong Cooperation Leaders’ Meeting and the Five-Year Plan of Action of the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (2018-2022) on strengthening cooperation among local governments of the six member countries.

We hereby proposed the following: 1. We share the view that the geographic proximity, close affinity and cultural similarity of the Lancang-Mekong countries have fostered a traditional friendship that has been passed from generation to generation, and that the close exchanges and fruitful cooperation among local governments have played a significant role in growing the relations among the six member countries.

2. We emphasize that deepening local government cooperation will help enrich the LMC, improve the 3+5+X cooperation framework, promote people-to-people contacts, enhance mutual understanding and bring more benefits to the people of the six member countries.

3. We encourage our local governments to fully leverage their comparative strengths to enhance cooperation and exchanges and actively participate in the LMC. 4. We commend the efforts of our local governments in jointly fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, and the dispatch of the medical teams and anti-epidemic supplies. Looking ahead, the local governments of China will continue to provide assistance and support to Mekong Countries to the best of their ability in a joint effort to defeat the virus at an earlier date and promote socio-economic recovery in the post-COVID-19 era.

5. We support the holding of the Forum on Lancang-Mekong Local Government Cooperation, and take note of the List of Areas and Projects for Intended 83 Selected Documentation

Cooperation with Local Governments of Mekong Countries Proposed by Relevant Chinese Provinces and Municipalities proposed by China so as to promote greater development cooperation among the six member countries.

6. We agree to promote exchanges among local/regional governments of border areas as well as border management departments of Lancang-Mekong countries, in line with the spirit of LMC and each member country’s comfort level and domestic laws and regulations, with the aim to address issues of mutual interests including fighting against trans-national crimes.

7. We encourage local governments of the six member countries to forge synergy among their development strategies, and make full use of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) that will soon come into force.

We also urge local governments to enhance business exchanges and two-way investment, deepen cooperation on agriculture, tourism, border trade, ecommerce, industrial parks, media exchanges, scientific and technological innovation, MSMEs support, and digital economy, and actively participate in jointly building the Lancang-Mekong Economic Development Belt with a view to optimizing regional industrial and supply chains.

8.We recognize the importance of greater connectivity for local economy, tourism and social development in the six member countries, and pledge to step up efforts to promote the upgrade and construction of necessary infrastructure at the local level, such as railway, highway, waterway, ports, tourism ports, power grid, information network, and aviation, enhance the facilitation of customs clearance and transportation, and build safe, efficient, integrated, sustainable and environmentally friendly infrastructures and tourism facilities.

9. We support close communication and contact among local governments of the six member countries, and welcome the establishment of more sister-city relations while strengthening existing ones. The sister-city relationships between member countries should be on equal footing and based on the principle of mutual respect. We encourage the local governments to jointly intensify their engagements, formulate concrete cooperation plans and activities that could yield tangible benefits to local people in the long run. We acknowledge the role of associations, enterprises and non-governmental entities and encourage them to advance cooperation and exchanges in all fields.

10. We encourage local governments of the six member countries to intensify efforts to study and implement the Five-Year Plan of the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation on Poverty Reduction (2018-2022) and increase the sharing of experiences, best practice and knowledge on poverty reduction to promote rural revitalization in Lancang-Mekong countries.

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11. We encourage local governments of the six member countries to deepen and expand cooperation on digital transformation and IT application, ecology and environment, culture, education, safe transportation, tourism, sports, health, women and youth through cultural performances, roadshows, exhibitions, training, academic exchanges, international sports events and other activities to enhance mutual understanding and friendship among people of the six member countries. Relevant Chinese local governments will also provide more scholarships for students of Mekong countries.

12. We recommend the local governments of the six member countries to promote closely coordination with respective LMC National Secretariats/ Coordination Units for smooth and greater efficiency in work in practical cooperation in all areas.

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Part III Selected Analysis

(III) Selected Analysis (January-June 2021) Coronavirus Update (A) Pull through together Building of Health Silk Road is significant contribution to world's counterpandemic endeavor and improved global surveillance The novel coronavirus outbreak has posed new challenges to the Belt and Road Initiative and global health cooperation. The Health Silk Road will become an important strategic area for China to advance the Belt and Road Initiative in the next few years.

The Health Silk Road is being developed because the Chinese government understands the significance of social development and health for all and is acting on this understanding.

Prevention and control of communicable diseases is listed in the Healthy China 2030 Planning Outline as a priority area, with the proposed measures including better surveillance and an improved early warning mechanism, as well as proactive prevention and control and response to public health emergencies both at home and overseas. The Healthy China strategy has played a key role in China's achievements in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Since the implementation of the Healthy China strategy, the number of healthcare professionals in China has increased from 8.01 million in 2015 to 10.1 million in 2019, constituting a deep talent pool for China's efforts to fight against pandemics. It was the rapid arrival of medical teams from all over the country and the allocation of emergency medical supplies that greatly relieved the pressure on Wuhan and its surrounding cities in the early days of China's fight against the virus in Hubei province.

China has been helping countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative by sharing its experience and establishing cooperation mechanisms for pandemic prevention and control. In a sense, the joint development of the Health Silk Road is an extension and implementation of the experience and idea of Healthy China at the international level, which represents a Chinese solution for global efforts against the pandemic.

In the early days of the outbreak in China, the Chinese government and people received generous donations from countries and international organizations 89 Selected Analysis

around the world. When the situation was brought under control at its domestic level, China reciprocated by proactively providing practical and necessary supplies to countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative based on its strong production capacity following resumption of production and work. From March to September, China exported more than 150 billion masks, 1.4 billion protective suits, more than 200,000 ventilators, as well as a considerable number of goggles, test kits and infrared thermometers, which equipped Belt and Road countries to fight against the pandemic.

Having successfully brought the pandemic under control, China's approach has been recognized by the World Health Organization and most countries in the world. Under the framework of the Health Silk Road, China has sent medical expert teams to more than 30 countries, held hundreds of international videoconferences on pandemic response and shared China's experience without reservation.

In March 2020, the Belt and Road Initiative inter-bank regular cooperation mechanism, known as the Belt and Road Bankers Roundtable Mechanism, released the Proposal to Support China and Other Countries in Fighting the COVID-19 Pandemic, calling on financial institutions in countries participating in the initiative to help fight against the pandemic globally by following closely how the situation was unfolding, contributing financially, donating funds and pandemic supplies and facilitating financing and services. In November 2020, the third China-ASEAN Forum on Health Cooperation toward a Health Silk Road was held in Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, deepening the longterm cooperation mechanism between China and members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in disease prevention and control.

With the pandemic still ravaging the world, China is making the Health Silk Road a priority area for the future development of the Belt and Road Initiative.

First, China upholds the leadership of the World Health Organization, thus laying a solid political foundation for global anti-pandemic cooperation. In May 2017, China and the WHO signed a memorandum of understanding on collaboration in the countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative. China has called on other countries to continue to support the WHO's leadership in global health governance.

Second, China is developing new digital health infrastructure and providing technical support for global counter-pandemic cooperation. Promoting advanced technologies and products such as information technology, biotechnology and artificial intelligence not only makes the pandemic response more science-based and technology-empowered, but also meets the goal of advancing the Belt and Road Initiative to high standards as outlined in the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25). The construction of new health infrastructure has not 90 Selected Analysis

only accelerated the adoption of telemedicine consultation, remote pharmacy services, health insurance and medical technology innovations, but also promoted the development of various emerging business formats such as ecommerce, online education and online offices, thus striking a balance between economic growth, social stability and pandemic response to a certain extent.

Third, China has been developing and sharing COVID-19 vaccines. In the early days of the outbreak, China began to research and develop various types of COVID-19 vaccines, including whole virus vaccines, nucleic acid vaccines and recombinant engineered vaccines. In May 2020, President Xi Jinping stated in his speech at the videoconference of the 73rd World Health Assembly that China will make its COVID-19 vaccine a global public good when available, contributing to vaccine accessibility and affordability in developing countries. On Oct 8,2020, China signed an agreement with the GAVI vaccine alliance and formally joined the COVAX program.

Finally, China has improved the global medical supply chain, thus fueling global counter-pandemic cooperation. As the largest supplier of personal protection equipment and relevant drugs, China will make greater progress in the manufacturing and export of advanced medical equipment in the future. In light of some developing countries' limited manufacturing capacity, China is increasing investment in these countries, especially in their existing industrial parks alongside the Belt and Road, to improve their production capacity for basic health equipment, which will make China a significant factor in the regional and even global medical supply chain.

Written by: Peng Bo Source: China Daily Published: 2 March 2021 The author is an assistant research fellow in the Institute of World Economics and Politics at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

(B) WHO approval of Chinese vaccines can increase global supply The decision announced on Friday by the World Health Organization in Geneva to grant Emergency Use Listing to a COVID-19 vaccine manufactured in China represents a milestone moment. The successful EUL application is built on years of training and research by Chinese scientists, and decades of investment, coordinated efforts, and reform on the part of the government, national regulators, and the manufacturers themselves. We look forward to such recognition of more Chinese-produced vaccines in the future, and not only for COVID-19. This marks a new chapter in China’s role in global public goods

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supply in health, building on its R&D capability and manufacturing capacity, as well as its commitment to contribute substantially to global health.

The highly anticipated WHO EUL listing of the vaccine communicates both at home and abroad that the vaccines are of assured quality, safe for use, meets WHO’s requirements for efficacy, and will be an important tool in fighting the global pandemic which has now claimed over 3 million lives worldwide. At this point last year, we hoped – but could not be confident – that the world would have at least one effective vaccine against a completely new virus. It is a testament to the ingenuity and dedication of scientists and researchers in China and around the globe, and the resilience and power of humankind in fighting a common challenge, that Friday’s announcement adds to the five EULs already granted by WHO for COVID-19, with another five vaccines still under active review.

These vaccines are a critically important part of the COVID-19 pandemic toolkit.

In addition to contact tracing, testing, isolating or quarantine where needed, personal protective measures like masking and hand washing, or improved medical treatments, COVID-19 vaccines will help us put the pandemic behind us.

But that won't happen until the vaccines are made available to everyone, everywhere.

At home in China, there is urgent need for us to press ahead with the unfinished businesses of the response. We need to continue to adhere to the public health measures (hygiene, physical distancing, masks) that remain essential in a vaccinated world while the pandemic continues around us. At the same time, we need to overcome any COVID-19 complacency and commit to be vaccinated. The success of the pandemic response in 2020 and earlier this year has meant that, in China, we now live mostly unrestricted in our daily routines. That may make some of us think that getting the vaccine is something we will do eventually, but there is no rush. The reality, however, is the sooner we are all vaccinated, the sooner can we look forward to a day when trade and tourism can resume. Each one of us has a part to play in shortening the length of time between now and when COVID is truly a thing of the past.

Around the world, more than a billion vaccine doses have been administered.

Among those, 100 million were administered in April – but only 1 percent (1 million doses) went to low-income countries. The rest – 99 million doses – went to high- and middle-income countries. Collectively, we need to do more to ensure COVID-19 vaccines are made available as part of a coordinated, multilateral response via the global COVAX facility established last year.

Uncoordinated bilateral deals, while well-intentioned, have made this more difficult and resulted in a situation where, at the start of this month, 14 countries had still not received any vaccines at all. Working through established 92 Selected Analysis

multilateral systems like COVAX remains our best opportunity for ensuring equitable access to the current supply.

In addition, it is imperative that we increase global supply. WHO Director General Tedros has called on vaccine producing countries to accelerate technology transfer, either through voluntary licensing, the sharing of licenses through the COVID-19 technology access pool, or by waiving intellectual property rights through a WTO agreement. We welcome recent comments by Chinese manufacturers that they are undertaking efforts toward technology transfer in other countries and encourage rapid acceleration of these commitments to expand local supply.

Today we take a moment to recognize an important advance in the development of China's global vaccine contributions. Tomorrow, we redouble our efforts to stamp out the virus at home and abroad, by working collectively to ensure equitable access to these lifesaving vaccines.

One vaccine has received EUL, but we know that there are over 15 additional COVID-19 vaccines in advanced development in China. Today's milestone achievement should spur other manufacturers to pursue this route and add to the global vaccine arsenal. It should also encourage an even greater contribution from China to global supply and vaccine equity.

Written by: Gauden Galea Source: China Daily Published: 9 May 2021 The author is WHO Representative to China.

Foreign Affairs (C) Thailand’s ‘make or break’ jobs in 2021 Thailand's future is now at the edge of a precipice due to the recent virus outbreak in Samut Sakhon that has now spread to over 50 out of 77 provinces.

The unexpected upsurge has dramatically diminished public confidence that the government will be able to contain the pandemic in a sustainable way. Worst of all, it has also dampened economic activity and overall post-Covid-19 recovery forecasts and plans. At this juncture, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's legacy in terms of his performance during the epidemic is unclear.

The government's efforts in this coming year will continue to be the containment of the Covid-19 epidemic without crippling the country's livelihood. After more than seven months of efficient management of the virus and preventing the 93 Selected Analysis

spread to the maximum extent possible, the complacency of some officials and individuals could now bring the country to a grinding halt.

Over the months, Thailand has tried righteously to balance the safety of its citizens with economic well-being. The measures employed have yielded positive results, especially in protecting the country from a complete lockdown and economic stagnation. Now, with the surge, more thorough but practical steps are necessary. The government must act fast and decisively. Prosecutions of wrongdoers must be swift.

The next priority is the speedier procurement of vaccines. From the beginning, the Ministry of Public Health has been confident about coping with the pandemic so it has not shown any sense of urgency. It had good reason too, as all concerned agencies and more than one million health volunteers have worked overtime to fight the virus. However, the recent increase of positive cases has raised alarm among the policymakers that without a vaccination programme in the near future, the infection could spread far faster and wider.

Earlier Thailand has been betting on manufacturing a vaccine under the AstraZeneca licence by mid-year. Apparently, the surge since the second week of December has now prompted the government to look for new vaccine providers from all available sources. Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anuthin Charnvirakul said last week the country had secured at least 2 million vaccine doses for between February and April. Hope is also being placed in potential local vaccine manufacturers. The first jab is expected by next month.

At this juncture, the government needs to halt the spike of infections to at least two-digit levels -- a manageable level -- in the first quarter, otherwise other priorities would be difficult to proceed, in particular political reforms and gubernatorial elections. As of Sunday, the infection had reached 7,694 people.

Now that key sensitive domestic issues have been brought into the parliamentary framework, politicians have time to deliberate them in meaningful ways without the oft-cited rhetoric that has often made the news headlines and gone viral on social media.

It is an unintended consequence that the virus surge has resulted in a lull for the government and the demonstrators. Both sides have the chance to rethink their strategies so that they can re-engage with each other again. The reconciliation commission, headed by the King Phrajadhipok Institute, has a formidable challenge as it has to simultaneously bridge the generational and perception gaps that exist. Only continued consultative dialogue in a transparent manner with all stakeholders can yield such results.

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Despite the hue and cry, the recent political tussles have shown Thai society to be free and open, albeit imperfect. The absence of condemnations and demarches from Western countries is a good indicator. Thailand does not have a repressive monarchy or government because the Thai people would not allow it. That is for sure.

As such Thailand needs fresher narratives, as existing ones are quite misleading and scandalous. It has been that way all along, often because of our own fault, lacking our own narratives. Thai opinion makers and influencers have often failed to articulate the social and political changes that have taken place in the country, instead tending to follow buzzwords and lofty perceptions from outsiders. They tend to see the kingdom as a half-empty bottle. Oddly enough, with a non-colonial experience, one would expect support with more respectful and circumspect views of our own norms and values, and hence, our narratives.

That has not been the case. Thailand today needs to do a soul-searching for new narratives that can capture the country's economic, political and social dynamism against the background demographic shifts.

Externally, as the world continues to struggle to come to grips with the pandemic, the kingdom needs multi-pronged strategies to navigate its ties with all major powers, especially the US and China. The new US administration under President-elect Joe Biden has made clear the importance of allies and friends, a far cry from the Trump administration. Washington has yet to inform Bangkok of the kinds of expectations it has from one of its allies in the Indo-Pacific region.

In the post-Covid world, Thailand will no longer have the luxury of being a benign ally as before. As Thailand is now at the front seat of the heightened USChina strategic competition, a notch or two of help or support is necessary, if not compulsory.

In contrast, the trajectory of Thai-China ties is clear -- relations between the two countries are becoming closer and more intertwined, both economically and politically. With all around better management of the pandemic, East Asia's economic growth and recovery will be faster than other regions. China has already registered positive growth in the second half of last year. EU and China last week signed the much-awaited investment agreement which can serve as a barometer of their future ties. With the EU on board, nobody can point the finger at Europe for cooperating with China.

Within our region, Thailand must work closely with Asean to make sure that all the group's efforts in response to Covid-19 bear fruit. In particular, the Covid-19 Asean Response Fund can be dispersed soon. Bangkok, Jakarta, Hanoi and Singapore have already each pitched in US$100,000 (2.9 million baht) to the US$12-million fund, which included contributions from China, Japan, Korea, India, Australia and UK. A bigger but time-consuming framework under the 95 Selected Analysis

Asean Comprehensive Economic Recovery must be implemented in full and in a more coordinated way. Asean centrality and relevance will depend on how efficient the grouping can fully implement this holistic vision.

Above all, people-to-people connectivity within Asean must be restored as soon as possible. In the case of Thailand the country must, for example, find appropriate measures to facilitate cross-border business with neighbouring countries. Obviously, that is more easily said than done. In reality, it can be done with teams of committed and honest officials. In the past five years, the country's border management has improved markedly -- there are loopholes at border checkpoints but this should not deter Thailand for opening up the country.

Finally, mainland Southeast Asia matters. The Mekong sub-region has now gained the respect and attention it deserves from the international community.

Indeed, major powers have upped their ante in our region, now viewing it as a core strategic interest. This subregion is no longer the discarded backwater of yesteryear. From a regional perspective, the rejuvenated ACMECS (AyeyarwadyChao Phraya-Mekong-Economic Cooperation Strategy) framework will serve as an indigenous platform to build up a so-called Mekong-centric identity, norms and governance. That was the consensus from last month's 9th ACMECS summit chaired by Cambodia.

The kingdom is facing above-mentioned "make or break" priorities. It needs to be assertive and firm but never too aggressive in pursuing its national interests in the post-pandemic era. As the region's connectivity hub with its central geostrategic location, the country will have only itself to blame if it does not live up to these rising challenges.

Written by: Kavi Chongkittavorn Source: Bangkok Post Published: 5 January 2021 The author is a veteran journalist on regional affairs.

(D) Southeast Asia of special importance to China Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi embarked on his fournation Southeast Asian tour Monday, one day after he finished his traditional first visit of the New Year to Africa.

It is not surprising that his second overseas journey comes right after the first one. For China, Southeast Asia is of special importance in this year's diplomacy.

Politically, 2021 marks the 30th anniversary of ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations. A series of celebrations may be held to upgrade bilateral relations.

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Economically, ASEAN became China's largest trading partner in 2020, in addition to the signing of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). This year will see an even bigger embrace of enhanced China-ASEAN ties in addressing COVID-19 and promoting regional cooperation.

The first stop of Wang's Southeast Asia tour is Myanmar. He will be the first foreign dignitary to visit the country since the November election in the country.

During Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit in January 2020, the two countries agreed to make joint efforts to build a China-Myanmar community with a shared future, laying the basic framework for future China-Myanmar relations. Wang's visit will inject new impetus to these bilateral relations.

Consolidating the stability of the South China Sea will be undoubtedly one focus of Wang's visit. The South China Sea situation has basically remained stable in recent years, but challenges remain ahead and the prospect is still concerning.

The first challenge is whether or not the Code of Conduct (COC) can be established. Due to the pandemic and the differences among relevant parties, it's difficult to make substantial progress and reach an agreement that is acceptable to all parties in the short term.

Second, it's very likely that the incoming Biden administration will increase US intervention in the South China Sea issues. In addition to making waves with the so-called freedom of navigation operations, the new US government may ratchet up efforts to seduce relevant countries to reduce or abandon cooperation with China. It could even take advantage of them to stir up trouble in the South China Sea waters.

Relevant countries need to meet each other half way, reach a consensus, and take practical measures to manage differences and promote cooperation. These are keys to maintaining the stability of the South China Sea. Vaccine cooperation will likely be high on Wang's agenda. Certain Western media outlets and countries have been accusing China of attempting to expand influence in Southeast Asia with the so-called vaccine diplomacy.

Vaccines are important public goods to fight the pandemic. China's promise in distributing vaccines to developing countries, including many in Southeast Asia, demonstrates that it is a responsible major power willing to bear its international obligations. Besides, no evidence indicates that China attaches additional political and economic conditions for access to its vaccines. The West's speculation and rabble-rousing is sinister and irresponsible.

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politicizing of the public health issue is not conducive to relevant countries in curbing the impact of the pandemic.

Against this backdrop, during Wang's visit, a better implementation of vaccine cooperation shall be an important topic. This requires China to do more to reduce misunderstandings about the reliability of its vaccines. Countries concerned are also required to depoliticize the issue, which should transcend diplomatic games and domestic partisanship.

Since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, China's neighbors, especially those in Southeast Asia, have been given priority in China's diplomacy. Driving by the RCEP and the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative, China and its neighbors are now in the best position to take the lead in building a community of a shared future.

The Biden administration will soon take office. Compared with Trump, Biden will attach more comprehensive and in-depth attention to Southeast Asia. First, he will pay more attention to rebuilding the US' soft power in Southeast Asia.

Second, the Biden administration will strengthen US efforts to woo countries in the region to contain China. Third, it may resort more to diplomatic means such as undermining the COC negotiations between China and ASEAN. As a result, cooperation between China and Southeast Asian countries is facing more subtle and profound challenges. In this regard, China should further promote the construction of a community of shared future with its neighboring countries, and in particular, achieve more mutual benefits and win-win results in terms of economics and trade.

Besides, the creation of a lasting and effective institutional platform is also very important. China should prioritize making stronger mechanisms for "10 plus 1" between China and ASEAN, the China-Japan-South Korea trilateral cooperation, and other deals with neighboring cooperation.

Written by: Li Kaisheng Source: Global Times Published: 11 January 2021 The author is research fellow and deputy director at the Institute of International Relations of the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences.

(E) Regional vaccine approach is imperative As vaccine diplomacy thrives and vaccine nationalism rears its head, it has become clear that the ideal global solution to the collective action problem of the coronavirus pandemic is for all countries to put their eggs in the same basket. If 98 Selected Analysis

all countries are forced to rely on the global vaccine alliances' and the World Health Organization's Covid-19 Global Vaccines Access (Covax) plan, whereby any vaccine for one means an available antidote for all, the post-pandemic recovery would arrive faster and smoother with more promising prospects. But short of the ideal solution, the global health system is largely based on self-help, each country mapping its own plan for recovery with a mix of procurement strategies.

For Thailand, the virus stage last year was well handled. The Thai strategy of minimising case numbers while waiting for the vaccine appears to have been vindicated. For much of last year, Thailand stayed open internally, maintaining a domestic bubble while letting few outsiders in. But as the vaccine rollout started around the world early this year, Thailand was caught out, worsened by a virus spike. The government chose not to join Covax, which is subscribed to by the rest of Asean and almost all other countries, and placed its eggs on a direct tie-up between AstraZeneca and Siam Bioscience, supplemented by China's Sinovac. Not a day goes by without public criticism of the folly of this strategy and the government's gross vaccine mismanagement and apparent cover-up.

What needs to be considered now, even while Thailand grapples with a new wave and uncertain prospects, is to regionalise the vaccine available in the Mekong region of mainland Southeast Asia in the near future. Vaccination in Thailand will create limitations for the economic recovery in the longer term unless Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar can also reach similar herd immunity due to labour market integration and trade and investment enmeshment. The economy has benefited from fast-growing neighbours next door. Unless their economies can expand together, the region's economic performance will be subpar.

After more than a year of global contagion, Covid-19 has persisted virulently in the Mekong region, with adverse social and economic impacts and mixed recovery trajectories. As Covid-19 moves from the virus stage to vaccination and herd immunity, the Mekong countries risk being left behind. Vaccine diplomacy from China and Russia and vaccine nationalism among countries that may not recognise each other's jabs will be critical in how mainland Southeast Asia emerges out of the Covid-19 doldrums.

Already, economic contractions that were projected six months ago have even worsened, with knock-on effects on social conditions, such as poverty and greater unemployment. It is instructive to note Covid-19 patterns and trends between virus and vaccine stages. One remarkable trend is that some of the countries that fared poorly in the initial pandemic months, particularly the United States, the United Kingdom, and much of the European Union, have had impressive vaccine rollouts, and are likely to reach herd immunity earlier than 99 Selected Analysis

others who did well at first but later fell behind on both renewed waves and vaccine delays.

The Mekong countries fall into this category. While infection numbers were relatively low last year, the Mekong countries' vaccine access and rapid inoculation are uncertain and likely to take longer than anticipated, thereby hindering recovery and a full resumption of economic activity.

The relative virus containment successes in the Mekong region seem to render vaccination less urgent, compared to other countries where case numbers have been much higher. Yet the ongoing virus bursts, especially in Thailand as a regional hub, suggest that expeditious inoculation drives are needed to ensure economic recovery and capacity to move beyond Covid-19 on a solid footing. But in the global rankings, all of the Mekong countries are well down the table on vaccination.

According to global health data, their vaccine choices are also telling. The UK's AstraZeneca is the common jab for Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam, whereas Laos uses China's Sinopharm and Russia's Sputnik. Cambodia and Thailand also have received China's Sinovac and Sinopharm, but Myanmar and Vietnam have deployed only AstraZeneca so far. As its batches are a goodwill gesture from India, Myanmar's supplies are likely to decline as India scales up production for its own people. Partly due to bilateral tensions with Beijing, Vietnam has avoided the Chinese versions. Recipient countries of AstraZeneca in the Mekong region are members of Covax, with the conspicuous absence of Thailand.

The diverse vaccine procurement among Mekong countries reflects geopolitics.

China's vaccine diplomacy works more in Cambodia, Myanmar, and Thailand but less in Myanmar and Vietnam. AstraZeneca is sought after by all Mekong countries but not Laos. The US-made Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson, on the other hand, are currently not in the Mekong vaccine cabinets. Thailand's monopoly aim of securing AstraZeneca's manufacturing licence only for Siam Bioscience also poses risks for mainland Southeast Asia. While it was supposed to be the regional manufacturing centre for AstraZeneca's rollout in Southeast Asia, the royally owned Siam Bioscience is behind schedule, with growing question marks about what happens next. The firm could come through very soon but, if it does not, the delay will have adverse repercussions for the region.

The vaccine world, in turn, appears divided into three distinct groups with overlap. Developed countries in the vaccine "First World" are fast approaching herd immunity by mid-2021. Russia and China's vaccine brands are reaching countries in the "Second World" where Moscow and Beijing are geopolitically influential. Vaccines in "Third World" countries appear restricted to those with 100 Selected Analysis

limited access and with not much option but to rely on the Covax scheme and vaccine donations.

Because the Mekong countries are spread out among the last two groups with varying means of affordability -- Laos in the second set and Myanmar in the third -- vaccine regionalisation is imperative. Vaccines for one country should mean antidotes for the entire Mekong region in view of their land connectivity, intraregional trade, and labour market integration. Moreover, regionalising vaccine procurement, production and distribution will be vital to reopening and recovery. While Singapore joins the US and UK as advanced countries reaching herd immunity by end-2021, the Mekong countries lag behind. According to Economist Intelligence Unit data, Vietnam and Thailand are on course to emerge from Covid-19 earlier than Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar. However, Thailand needs its next-door neighbours to also reach herd immunity in order to fully revive economic activity in view of labour migration, border trade, and the potential for renewed virus outbreaks and/or variants from Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar. It is conceivable that Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar will not sufficiently shake off Covid-19 until 2023 or beyond.

Post-coup Myanmar with spiralling violence and civil war is vulnerable to an even longer recovery time. In other words, the Covid-19 crisis may well last up to five years from outbreak to "new normal". As both the virus and vaccine challenges have further reinforced the Mekong mainland countries' "regionness," it behoves the governments involved to focus on a vaccine regionalisation approach and the acceleration of Covax AstraZeneca availability and access for all five countries.

Written by: Thitinan Pongsudhirak Source: Bangkok Post Published: 14 May 2021 The author is a professor and director of the Institute of Security and International Studies at Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Political Science

Political Affairs (F) China seeks to shore up its influence in Myanmar China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi is scheduled to arrive in Myanmar on Monday on a critical two-day visit. It is intended to further strengthen Chinese influence in the country, in light of the changing international dynamics in the region, amid fears that China's sway is beginning to wane.

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Beijing is increasingly concerned with a plethora of issues, including recent Indian and Japanese initiatives with Myanmar, which Beijing fears may prove to be to their detriment, but also to take stock of the continued economic cooperation, strengthen its support for the peace process and to boost China's support for Myanmar's battle to control the Covid pandemic.

Mr Wang's primary purpose on this visit is to show China's unswerving support for the country and its civilian leader, the State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi -and to congratulate the National League for Democracy (NLD) on its landslide electoral victory. He will be the first international diplomat to visit Nay Pyi Taw in person since the elections last November.

The visit seems to have been arranged at short notice -- and tagged onto Mr Wang's current trip to Africa. It is low-key and being handled discreetly, according to Myanmar government sources. Foreign diplomats believe this may reflect some discomfort on the part of Nay Pyi Taw at the visit, and what is seen as "vaccine diplomacy".

Most diplomats and political observers expected an early visit from the Chinese envoy. "It's routine practice in China's bilateral relations with Myanmar," according to Moe Thuza, a former Myanmar diplomat, now a regional specialist and Myanmar programme coordinator at the Singapore-based think-tank, the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute.

"Chinese dignitaries and senior officials are usually the first visitors to Myanmar when a new administration takes office. Wang Yi was the first foreign dignitary to visit Myanmar when the NLD government took office in 2016. So, it is not really surprising that this visit is taking place in view of the NLD's second landslide win in 2020," she told the Bangkok Post.

While the finer details of Mr Wang's itinerary are still being worked out, according to Myanmar diplomatic sources. He will certainly meet President Win Myint, the State Counsellor and the Commander-in-Chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and key ministers in charge of the economy, according to Chinese sources. Most commentators believe the agenda is likely to prioritise economic issues and Covid assistance. "China has plenty of things that it wants to nudge Myanmar on," according to the China specialist Yun Sun, senior fellow at the USbased Stimson Centre.

"The China-Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC) is moving slowly, but that is to be expected given the Covid impact in 2020. I'd think Covid cooperation and the general consolidation of a positive momentum in relations between the two countries in light of the NLD's upcoming second term will be on the top of the list," she told the Bangkok Post.

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In fact the concrete idea of the CMEC was put forward by Mr Wang in November 2017 on a visit to the Myanmar capital. He suggested it as a means of fostering national reconciliation and development. Though of course parts of this concept were central to the Chinese leaders thinking when the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) was mooted several years previously.

The Chinese foreign minister's trip also marks the anniversary of the historic China-Myanmar Summit in Nay Pyi Taw last January, when China's president Xi Jinping visited Myanmar -- the first official visit by a top Chinese leader in 20 years. For the Chinese it was a significant step in their bilateral relations in which they redefined as the "Sino-Myanmar Community of Common Destiny" -- the highest possible level of bilateral relations for Mr Xi's administration.

"It includes political, economic and security cooperation and commands genuine mutual support of each other, especially on the most difficult issues, such as China's support of Myanmar on the Rohingya issue and Myanmar's acceptance of Taiwan as 'a part of the People's Republic of China'," according to Ms Yun. But despite the fanfare a year ago at the beginning of this era of stronger and deeper relations, things have not gone as smoothly as Beijing expected. In fact in the course of the last 12 months Myanmar has concertedly tried to wean itself off its over-reliance on Beijing, for political support, economic assistance and investment. The impact of Covid has necessitated some nuanced changes in foreign policy -- as for a long period the border with China was effectively closed and cross-border trade ground to a halt. It is still only barely being resuscitated.

But also in broadening Myanmar's security umbrella and diversifying its sources of aid, bilateral trade and its partners in economic cooperation.

During the Chinese president's visit more than three dozen agreements -including various MOUs and protocols -- were signed. At the same time Mr Xi urged both nations to deepen their "result-oriented Belt and Road cooperation" and move from "the conceptual stage to concrete planning and implementation."

The Kyaukphyu Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in western Rakhine State, the China-Myanmar Border Economic Cooperation Zone in Shan and Kachin states, and the New Yangon City project in Myanmar's commercial capital were designated as the three pillars of the CMEC. China has taken every opportunity to push for Myanmar's cooperation in implementing these projects. The visit of head of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission of the Chinese Communist Party, Yang Jiechi, in September was both to show support for Ms Suu Kyi prior to the election and to check on the progress being made on the various CMEC projects.

Beijing fears Myanmar is dragging its feet and is anxious to kick start many of the projects. For its part, Myanmar has taken a consistently cautious approach.

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And none of the new CMEC projects has actually reached the implementation stage, according to government officials.

Obviously the bilateral talks during Mr Wang's visit will include an update and discussion on the CMEC, according to diplomats and observers. "Nay Pyi Taw may be concerned about project implementation, especially so that it does not adversely affect local communities where the project are sited, nor exacerbate conflict," said Ms Thuza. "The Myanmar government is increasingly aware of the need for transparency and community consultation for such large infrastructure projects." This not only slows the implementation process but is likely to be an added irritant to the Chinese side.

But there will be significant political discussions too. Japan has been aggressively supporting Ms Suu Kyi's government by offering substantial technical assistance behind the scenes. Of recent they have become heavily involved in the country's troubled western province of Rakhine. In November the Japanese special envoy managed to broker talks between the Myanmar military (or Tatmadaw) and the armed rebel Buddhist group, the Arakan Army (AA). This has resulted in an informal truce. It has also led to the release of NLD MPs who the AA were holding captive -- and may even allow elections to be held in these areas, where voting was not allowed during the polls in November.

As Beijing has close relations with the AA -- including allowing a liaison office in the southern Chinese capital of Kunming -- Mr Wang will definitely be making Beijing's view known, with Ms Suu Kyi and the Tatmadaw commander. It is possible that Beijing is miffed by Japan's new prominent role as peace-maker in Rakhine.

But China's other major concern is what they see as Delhi's renewed and vigorous courting of Ms Suu Kyi and her government. While the recent acquisition by the military of two Indian Russian-made submarines may not pose too many problems in itself, it is likely to be seen as a significant reflection of Myanmar's pronounced tilt towards the West generally.

And in particular is seen as a reflection of the army's leaders preference for Indian and Russian equipment rather than Chinese. To add insult to injury Beijing will be upset that Myanmar has turned to India for a vaccine to combat Covid, though government insiders insist Myanmar will get vaccine supplies from several sources including India, Russia, the UK and China.

The most likely concrete outcome of the visit is an announcement about a deal for the Chinese vaccine. But the reality is that the discussions on the economic projects, the peace process, Rakhine and general security issues are expected to be quite fraught.

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Written by: Larry Jagan Source: Bangkok Post Published: 9 January 2021 The author is a specialist on Myanmar and a former BBC World Service News editor for the region.

(G) Mekong drowned in water politics The mighty Mekong River is the heart and soul of Southeast Asia. Millions of livelihoods are linked to it, especially in terms of food, energy and water security.

Besides giving birth to one of the planet's most biodiverse river basins, the transboundary nature of the river -- which begins its journey in the Tibetan plateau and flows 2,140km through China before entering downstream Southeast Asia -- means it is facing a threat to its existence like none before: hydropolitics.

In recent years, historic low water levels in the Mekong has devastated communities like Cambodia's Tonle Sap, once home to one of the most productive freshwater fisheries on Earth. But Tonle Sap isn't alone. Similar images of dry riverbeds, dead fish and destroyed farms have been shared by communities across Southeast Asia, even leading Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha to mobilise the army to aid the drought-hit North and Northeast in 2019.

Last year, two reports provided different accounts on why the Mekong is under threat. While the first study by US-backed consultancy Eyes On The Earth blamed China's dam activity upstream for the decrease in river levels during the wet and dry season as well irregular fluctuations, a study by China's Tsinghua University held weather patterns and El Nino responsible for causing drought and hence low water levels. Political motivations are likely to have ensured the results of the studies were used to push a certain narrative; it is a game of water diplomacy that has undermined cross-border water governance and affected millions of people in the process.

As concerns continued to grow over the drying of the Mekong, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang last September pledged the country would begin sharing hydrological data with downstream nations throughout the year instead of just the wet season, a welcome move.

But last week, locals in Chiang Saen in the North woke up to an unwelcome New Year surprise as they noted the water level in the Mekong had dropped again.

The Mekong Dam Monitor, formed in December, provided a clearer picture. By using remote sensors and satellite imagery, it confirmed the water level had

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dropped by "more than one metre" between Jan 2 and Jan 4 due to the filling of a reservoir at Jinghong Dam in Yunnan province on Dec 31.

On Jan 5, after the data was made public, Beijing finally notified Thailand's National Water Command Centre that Jinghong dam would reduce the water discharge rate by 47% between Jan 5-24 to "maintain its electricity grid" (perhaps to meet demand after widespread blackouts in China have been reported after a ban on Australian coal imports), contradicting its earlier promise to share hydrological data and inform downstream nations of disruptive dam operations in advance.

What is clear is that a healthy Mekong requires joint cooperation among all the nations it runs through. However, the presence of state and non-state actors and different agendas has made this a difficult task.

At present, two agencies, the Mekong River Commission (MRC) and the MekongLancang Cooperation (MLC), are spearheading efforts to heal the river but their approach is one dimensional, focusing only on improving drought forecasting to prevent low water levels. Although this is important, urgency is also needed in curtailing the negative impacts of dam activity and hydropower projects on this fragile ecosystem.

Independent agencies, who have conducted their own studies, have noted that unprecedented dam activity has caused sediment starvation, which used to flow downstream and fertilise the soil and influence fish reproduction. In fact, the impact of dams is crystal clear as the waters of the Mekong are becoming clearer downstream from its usual reddish-brown hue.

Yet the operation and construction of additional dams continues unabated not only in China but also Laos, which is planning to build a total dams as part of its "Battery of Asia" strategy to export power, despite there being no clear buyer (Thailand already has a surplus of power and Covid-19 has caused demand to fall further, according to the Energy Ministry).

Clearly, dams are not going away, so improvements must be made in current processes to prevent a repeat of conditions seen over the past years.

To put it bluntly, there is a need for a process based on dialogue, reciprocity, and trust between all partners. If China is serious about achieving its "Asian community of common destiny", which promotes regional peace, development, and prosperity, it must improve its lines of communication. Meanwhile, downstream nations must come together and act as one counterbalance to China's strategic dominance upstream.

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It is only after establishing a rules-based approach can there be accountability and an alternative outlook for the future of the Mekong and the region.

Written by: Bangkok Post Editorial Source: Bangkok Post Published: 10 January 2021

(H) Democracy in Myanmar faces uncertain future Myanmar military on Monday declared a state of emergency which will last for one year in the country, and Vice President Myint Swe would be elevated to acting president. On Monday early morning, State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, President U Win Myint and other senior officials were detained by the military.

Many said Myanmar experienced a "military coup".

The second general election of the country took place in November last year. Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) performed even better than in 2015.

The military has accused voting fraud in the election. Tensions in Myanmar have risen and the speculation of a potential coup rapidly spread.

The military junta had ruled Myanmar for decades since 1962. Later the military took the initiative to step back and carried out democratic reforms. Suu Kyi, who had been under house arrest for a long time, officially led the NLD into power in 2016. The military keeps 25 percent of the seats in parliament, but its influence has been shrinking. But the military has played a leading role in cracking down on Rohingya people. The move was condemned by the West, but supported by the Myanmese.

Myanmar's democratization process went smoothly initially. Suu Kyi and her NLD performed well in the election, but deep interest conflicts have not been tackled. The democratically elected government and the military junta have both made some efforts and the differences were eased for a while, but they failed to establish a mechanism to fundamentally resolve them. Overall, their frictions as well as the ethnic conflicts remained unchanged. The political resources brought by democratic elections were far from enough to fully resolve these problems.

This time, the Myanmar military detained elected leaders and declared a state of emergency, which is a heavy blow to the much applauded democratization process of Myanmar and put many people in awe. The prosperity brought about by political reforms alone was superficial and fragile. The predicament of Myanmar lies in that political reforms failed to provide any impetus to solve deep-seated problems, nor did they provide a safety valve to avoid repeated political wrangling.

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The military junta's rule that lasts half a century shaped interests pattern in Myanmar. The country faces complicated ethnic conflicts. No matter what new system Myanmar is to adopt, it will face challenges. It is difficult to redistribute interests without any conflicts. Myanmar is lucky enough to not have any bloody revolutions. But the road ahead will be extremely unstable. Myanmar needs robust economic growth for a rather long time to support its adjustment of interests. It is not easy to make all the people and social classes have a sense of gaining and not fear the future, and ensure the process of economic growth is stable and orderly.

So far, there are only a few governance models in the world, and the West is forcefully advocating its electoral system. Smaller countries do not have many options. As they walk toward modernization, most of them have chosen the Western-style electoral system. The setbacks and bumpy roads they encountered were interpreted as their due costs for democracy. Except for following traditional systems, it is merely impossible for them to explore new political systems.

The actions taken by Myanmar's military cannot break the current dilemma the country is facing. Political struggles are expected to intensify in a short period of time, and Myanmar is bound to face pressure from the international community.

Suu Kyi has already urged Myanmar people to protest. Countries including the US have demanded the military release the detained political leaders.

Uncertainties are looming over Myanmar.

The political spectrum in the Southeast Asian region is complex. Traditional practices in the region and pressure from Western systems have long been competing with each other. Perhaps result matters the most, and it will be assessed by two criteria - whether there is long-term political stability and whether the economy develops fast to benefit all the people.

Written by: Global Times Editorial Source: Global Times Published: 1 February 2021

(I) Mekong needs tough govt stance On Feb 8, Charge d'Affaires of Chinese Embassy Yang Xin paid a courtesy call to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, in which they exchanged Chinese New Year's wishes, looking ahead for warmer relations and closer cooperation.

One topic was missing from their friendly talks: the fluctuating water levels of the Mekong River which has been dry since last month largely because of equipment testing at Jinghong Dam. 108 Selected Analysis

It's a missed opportunity.

At the end of December, China had warned of lower water levels as it planned to reduce water discharges from its upstream Jinghong Dam in Yunnan from 1,900 to 1,000 cubic metres per second, starting on Jan 5.

It's reported the equipment testing was due to end on Jan 24, but sources along the Thai-Lao border told Radio Free Asia earlier this month that water levels in their area have not returned to their normal levels.

On Feb 12, the Mekong River Commission, an inter-governmental organisation made up of representatives of Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam, said water levels between China's Yunnan and Vietnam's Mekong Delta "dropped considerably since the beginning of the year due to lower rainfall, flow changes upstream, hydropower operations in the Mekong tributaries, and outflow restrictions from Jinghong Dam".

It called the drops "worrying".

"Since the initial fall on Jan 1, outflow levels at Jinghong from 1 to 7 January were stable at 785 m³/s but gradually rose to 1,400 m³/s on 15 January, representing a 1.07-metre rise in the water level.

The outflow then dropped to 740 m³/s during 15–23 January, before rising to 990 m³/s on 29 January. It then fell gradually, reaching 800 m³/s on Feb 11," it said.

The MRC on Feb 22 said: "According to MRC's observed water level data, the outflow at Jinghong hydrological station rose from 786 cubic metres per second (m³/s) on Monday last week to 1,020 m³/s today."

For years, people in the river basin have complained about the negative impact of upstream development projects in the Mekong.

The river, with the Chinese name of Lancang, stretches about 4,900 kilometres from the Tibetan Plateau in China to Vietnam, and is being dotted with hydropower projects.

Since the 1960s, China, Thailand and Laos have erected dozens of dams, and dozens more are being constructed.

Rapids blasting to widen the waterways for large vessels by China is another factor contributing to adverse changes in the river ecology.

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These massive power-producing structures have choked the river of its natural resources.

Fishermen in Thailand and Cambodia now say they can no longer profit from their trade because the fish population has dwindled.

"The water level is too low, and the climate is also changing," one Thai fisherman told German public broadcast service DW in a report published about a year ago.

"The water is lower than in other years. In the clear and shallow water, there are far fewer fish coming up the river."

"I only catch 60% of what I used to catch," he added.

The problem has gone on for years, and activists and government officials have repeatedly expressed concerns over the matter.

In 2018, the MRC said hydropower development on the river will result in food insecurity and poverty in the region.

Yet real action has not been taken to address the issue of fluctuating water levels in the Mekong River. China has agreed to work with the MRC to disclose when it will withhold water.

However, the ongoing water crisis means that words are not enough.

China knows full well that millions of people depend on the river for their livelihoods. The country said it believes cordial relations should do more to ease this crisis for Thailand and other downstream countries.

The Thai government, at the same time, must listen to the civic groups, and make sure Beijing gets the message and restores the water flow.

Gen Prayut cannot claim he is not informed about the Mekong crisis. In the past weeks, several media outlets have reported the issue.

During the Feb 8 meeting with Mr Yang, Gen Prayut should have highlighted the plight of fishermen and farmers who rely on the natural resources provided by the Mekong River.

The PM should have shown that he's on the side of Thailand by raising the issue with the envoy.

At the same time, Beijing must understand that the Mekong River belongs to everyone living along the body of water.

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China has huge international ambitions, and it will need to convince many countries to hop on board its economic agendas.

If it hopes to win the hearts and minds of the people of Indochina, Beijing must show that it is willing to be fair to people living outside of China.

Written by: Bangkok Post Editorial Source: Bangkok Post Published: 28 February 2021

(J) Can US, China cooperate on Myanmar?

Can the US transform the "extreme competition" to "extreme cooperation" with China for the sake of Myanmar's people and stability in the region? It is the only question being asked among the regional leaders. The meeting in Anchorage, Alaska this weekend between the leaders of the US and China could kick off a new impetus recalibrating their relations and beyond. The two superpowers can make a difference amid the unpredictable security landscape by continuing constructive dialogues.

Over the week, both sides have sent out signals in managing global expectation as their leaders have not met face to face for some time. Since coming to power, the Biden administration has been maintaining an unyielding position against China. However, unlike during the Trump era, the current White House's credibility has increased and it is being taken seriously by the international community whenever the diplomatic and security team announce their visions and approaches. The administration has proactively reached out to allies and friends throughout the world. In response, China has made positive overtures calling for win-win dialogue and cooperation to smooth the tough US rhetoric and stand on difficult issues including trade and human rights.

With President Joe Biden's new mantra of a broad multilateralism, the US and China have more space to work out common positions on global issues.

Washington's return to the Paris Accord on Climate Change and the Iran nuclear deal and World Health Organization, as well as stopping support for the Saudi Arabia-led war in Yemen, among others, has been widely applauded. At the upcoming high-level meeting, besides their discussions on existing contentious problems, there could well be new issues on which Washington and Beijing could work or even compete together.

Last week, the United Nations Security Council issued a joint statement that strongly condemned the violence against peaceful protesters including against women, youth and children in Myanmar. Previously, this had been a topic of 111 Selected Analysis

endless disagreements and vetoes. The council also expressed deep concern at restrictions on medical personnel, civil society, labour union members, journalists and media workers and called for the immediate release of all those detained arbitrarily. The council's common stands could lay the first step for the US and China to collaborate in the search for peace in Myanmar.

Should the US team led by Secretary of State Antony Blinken and National Security Adviser Jack Sullivan and their counterparts, Yang Jiechi, a member of the Politburo, the Chinese Communist Party and Wang Yi, State Councillor and Foreign Minister get along well, they might be able to help guide a speedier solution to the present crisis in Myanmar. Both countries realise that if the turmoil there drags on, it will have far-reaching repercussions to all, especially deepening the wedge between them. The two have more to lose in the long run.

However, if Washington and Beijing can focus on the low-lying fruit in Myanmar's crisis including an immediate ceasefire, secure the safety of protesters, the release of all detainees and pursuance of dialogue and reconciliation. It would be a win-win proposition for all.

At the global level, US-China collaboration could persuade other major powers to further constructively engage with one another to implement the council's wishes. Within the region, the council also provided the impetus for all concerned parties, especially Asean, to look for ways to address the quagmire in the most realistic and comprehensive ways. Last week, the Quad summit's joint statement also its strong support of Asean's unity and centrality. Obviously, Asean is deemed by the world over to be the most viable organisation to resolve the conflict in Myanmar.

At this juncture, the military regime headed by Senior Gen Min Aung Hlaing and the ruling party, the National League of Democracy, are not able to meet face to face for any serious dialogue and negotiation. They have yet to come to terms with themselves over the dire consequences of their actions. At this moment, the Asean members are working behind the scenes in close consultation with the concerned parties in Myanmar to break the impasse among them. After their informal ministerial meeting on March 2, each Asean member also issued an individual statement reinforcing the bloc's common stand on the crisis, calling on all sides to exercise utmost restraint as well as flexibility, for a de-escalation of the situation and the release of detainees, as well as urging all parties concerned to seek a peaceful solution through dialogue via any constructive channels.

The Asean leaders made clear their willingness to assist Myanmar to work out the best solution as a family. But whether the bloc is able to do so hinges on the trust in it of Myanmar's conflicting parties. Following the widely reported, albeit supposedly secret, closed-door meeting in Bangkok between Indonesia, 112 Selected Analysis

Thailand and the junta on Feb 24, Nay Pyi Taw's attitude suddenly changed and turned inward-looking. After the special UN envoy for Myanmar, Christine Burgerner, urged the UN to reprimand the regime following her discussion with Nay Pyi Taw, the junta's leaders decided to cut off communication with her, leaving the only communication line for the UN through Asean members.

With the brutal crackdown and bloodshed, which has already killed more than 80 people, pressures are augmenting for the Western countries to toughen sanctions against key military leaders and their financial networks. It remains to be seen what will transpire on Army Day on March 27, which the Tatmadaw wants to show off to manifest its accomplishments along with traditional military parades. It would be a sham as the current carnage has deepened anger and hatred of Myanmar's people against the Tatmadaw. Furthermore, on March 31, when the tenure of representatives from the 2015 election will expire, the Committee of Representing the Union Parliament plans to establish an interim government effective April 1. Lessons learned from the Middle East, especially in Libya and Syria, regarding dual governments and unintended consequences are on the top of the minds of UN member states.

Given these fluid circumstances, it would serve all the major powers' core interests to see one of the world's most diverse countries maintain its unitary state and get back on its feet and integrate with the Asean Community especially in the time of the Covid-19 pandemic. As it stands, no country will benefit from the quagmire as it would create a powerful vacuum and invite foreign intervention.

For the Biden administration, which is eager to project a new US global image, the crisis in Myanmar is a blessing in disguise, enabling Washington to display fresh leadership that is firm but cooperative. It will have a swift impact on a regional architecture and reset ties with China, especially in the context of the Indo-Pacific region. Both sides can turn their "extreme competition" into "extreme cooperation". That cooperation would allow Asean to play an effective role as the facilitator. As such, the military regime would be more collaborative in settling differences among the concerned parties.

Any positive moves in Anchorage would be a big reward for the people of Myanmar as the traditional new year, Thingyan, is less than a month away. Last year, due to the pandemic, the celebration was cancelled. Myanmar deserves to welcome the new year like her Southeast Asian neighbours, which share a similar auspicious festival.

Written by: Kavi Chongkittavorn Source: Bangkok Post Published: 16 March 2021 The author is a veteran journalist on regional affairs.

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(K) What are some ways to end South China Sea stalemate and cooperate?

Experts and scholars from countries surrounding the South China Sea have repeatedly discussed how to create a new order in the region based on cooperation against the backdrop of challenges to peace and stability. They tend to remain on the same page on this matter: Cooperation, rather than conflict, is more in line with each party's best interests.

The collaboration among countries surrounding the South China Sea can be divided into three levels. First, claimants including China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei should resolve their differences through direct bilateral negotiations. Second, countries can build crisis management mechanisms through bilateral or multilateral talks to avoid maritime conflicts.

Furthermore, all countries in the region should engage in regional maritime governance.

Currently, maritime cooperation in the South China Sea is characterized by more bilateral engagements than multilateral ones, focus more on traditional fields than non-traditional ones, and more on initiatives with less implementation.

Although China has established stable bilateral mechanisms of negotiations with countries including Vietnam and the Philippines to manage maritime disputes, as an important part of the new order in the South China Sea, cooperation in nontraditional fields and regional maritime governance has long been in stalemate despite of some consensuses.

Three factors have led to this situation. First, some claimants, out of the considerations of unilateral maritime claims and of maximizing the interests of resource development, have shown a lack of political will to carry out joint cooperation.

Second, the shortened window for the Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea negotiations has made some claimants prioritize consolidating and expanding their vested interests through unilateral actions.

Third, some non-regional countries, such as the US and Japan, have abandoned neutrality on the issue. Instead, they have resorted to military and diplomatic means to capture geopolitical interests in the region. As a result, the maritime security is turbulent. This has inevitably disrupted regional cooperation in the South China Sea - which China has been upholding.

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Establishing sustainable multilateral cooperation mechanisms starting from spheres that could bring all parties pragmatic interests will be a feasible way to overcome the current turmoil and stalemate.

So-called regional multilateralism is about forming a set of stable, sustainable and effective institutional arrangements among the littoral countries of the South China Sea. Only in this way can the problem of not having a will to build a regional governance mechanism be addressed.

The promotion of this mechanism can be started in three dimensions.

First, maritime connectivity and tourism can be starting points for regional countries to build up economic cooperation. The abundance of tourist resources and huge travel market can be a base for countries to gain from multilateral cooperation. To realize this approach, port connection, reinvention of supply chains and effective reallocation of resources will be needed.

Second, drawing on the experience of successful practices in Europe, the South China Sea countries should, under the framework of the COC, initiate multilateral coordinative mechanisms for environmental protection, joint surveys of maritime resources and databanks of regional maritime information.

Third, a regional humanitarian rescue mechanism should be established as a priority to maintain navigation and maritime security in the South China Sea. This is vital for economic revival in the post-pandemic era. China and ASEAN members should put forth plans to establish effective and stable cooperation of maritime rescue operations. By starting with institutional building and facility construction and sharing, these efforts can solve the current problem, including a lack of mechanisms and rescue capabilities.

Currently, the situation in the South China Sea is complex. The present stability in the region is relative and fragile. A wise choice for countries in the region is to cooperate. Only in this way, they can find more common interests, hedge the factors that might result in turmoil and constantly improve stability.

Written by: Wu Shicun Source: Global Times Published: 11 May 2021 The author is president of the National Institute for South China Sea Studies and chairman of board of directors of China-Southeast Asia Research Center on the South China Sea.

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(L) China’s way with a divided, inert Asean The recent Asean-China foreign ministers' meeting early this month in Chongqing was crucial for its timing and circumstances. Co-chaired by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Philippine Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin, it was the first "in-person" meeting among foreign ministers of both sides since the Covid-19 period began early last year.

Meetings in the flesh are critical to Asean's inner workings as a diplomatic community because the strengths of Southeast Asia's 10-member regional organisation lie in informality and interaction at social gatherings. In the event, the Chongqing meeting provided strategic and symbolic benefits for Beijing and reassurances to Asean, enabling China to peddle its geostrategic interests and agenda while keeping its Belt and Road Initiative grand strategy on track.

Among the highlights Mr Wang noted, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, the Code of Conduct on the South China Sea, a proposed AseanChina Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, and "Asian values" were most salient. Conspicuously absent in the Chinese statement was the Myanmar crisis, which was the most pressing concern between the two sides. For Asean, the key issues were Covid-19 and pandemic recovery, South China Sea, and Myanmar.

The meeting ended on an optimistic and forward-looking note. China felt confident that its agenda was intact and in progress, while Asean foreign ministers had an opportunity to air their collective concerns.

Broadly, there is a sense among regional think-tank analysts and commentators that China is making steady progress in stamping its regional role and agenda.

The United States may have more "stock" from its entrenched role and influence since World War II but the "flow" of China's expansionist manoeuvres as a rising superpower in Southeast Asia is inexorable and indispensable as a regional economic locomotive.

Part of it has to do with geography. China is a giant resident neighbour that cannot be denied. The US, by contrast, is not only a faraway superpower with domestic divisions, but it has fallen behind in "soft power" and the fight for "hearts and minds" in Southeast Asia. As widely noted, it took the administration of President Joe Biden five months to send a senior official, namely Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman, to visit Southeast Asia, stopping by Jakarta, Phnom Penh and Bangkok.

The follow-up virtual conference between her boss, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, with Asean counterparts did not materialise due to technical difficulties. Meanwhile, Mr Blinken visited the Middle East and President Biden toured Europe for the G7 meeting in moves that made Asean leaders question 116 Selected Analysis

US priorities, leaving China as the necessary alternative superpower to deal with. All eyes will be on Washington's role and level of representation at the Asean-centred summits later this year.

For China, the three main priorities that drove the Chongqing agenda were Myanmar, Covid-19 and the South China Sea. On Myanmar, China has its own issues with the Myanmar's armed forces, known as the Tatmadaw. Beijing counts on natural gas and CMEC (China-Myanmar Economic Corridor) projects with geostrategic linkage from Yunnan through Myanmar to the Indian Ocean.

Myanmar is a vital piece of China's geostrategic jigsaw puzzle. Senior Chinese officials have expressed more than once their displeasure with the Feb 1 coup.

Yet China (together with Russia) has protected Myanmar's military regime at the United Nations Security Council, pre-empting and diluting what otherwise would have been tough and damning resolutions.

But on the ground, Beijing is concerned about rising anti-Chinese sentiment, including popular attacks and arson acts against Chinese businesses. In many ways, the Tatmadaw has China snookered, not quite blackmailed, but squeezed to the extent that China needs Myanmar more than Myanmar's Tatmadaw needs China. Before the coup, Chinese top leadership had met and dealt cordially with now-imprisoned opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Back then, China had already figured out where Myanmar fitted in Beijing's BRI and broader geostrategic mix.

The coup changed all that, forcing Beijing to rethink and refashion the ChinaMyanmar relationship. This is why the Chongqing meeting was an opportunity for China to prod Asean to do something after the grouping held a special summit on Myanmar on April 24, coming up with a "five-point" consensus that has gone nowhere. After nearly two months, Asean is still divided and undecided about its envoy structure and format.

On Covid-19, China had an easier time. It capitalised on earlier "mask diplomacy" to "vaccine diplomacy". Most Asean countries, except Myanmar and Vietnam, have used Sinovac and Sinopharm from donations and sales. China also has gained credit for being first-in and first-out of the pandemic crisis, keeping new infections to a minimum for such a large population in contrast to the US and Europe. Here, the US is trying to catch up with a recent 500 million dose donation to Covax, the international vaccine programme. But the US's vaccine move is unfocused as opposed to China's targeted vaccine diplomacy to shore up its BRI partners and global influence. There is still time on the clock for the vaccine race but the US must move faster and smarter if it is to reach parity with China's postpandemic standing.

On the South China Sea, the meeting was more perfunctory. According to the Chinese ministry of foreign affairs, Mr Wang urged to "reach the COC [Code of 117 Selected Analysis

Conduct] at an early date", repeating previous calls. Similarly, the South China Sea issues are between China and Asean claimant states, not to be interfered with by outside powers. With Asean's fragmented stand on Myanmar and the South China Sea, the COC is likely to continue to idle while maritime tensions rise.

For Washington amidst these dynamics, there is a rising spectre of the "Quad" among Australia, India, Japan, and the US replacing the "hub/spokes" alliance system in the US's dealing with China under Mr Biden in contrast to the Barack Obama administration when Asean centrality was granted a leading role. This is where Mr Obama and Mr Biden are fundamentally different despite obvious similarities and continuities hailing from the same Democratic Party and sharing policy experts. Mr Obama was more accommodating and cooperative vis-à-vis Beijing. By the time Mr Biden came to the White House, the bipartisan consensus in US policymaking circles had solidified, fingering China as a geostrategic rival and competitor. While Washington has a clear view of China, it is still fuzzy on what to do about it.

Overall, the recent Asean-China foreign ministers' meeting is to reassure and ensure that bilateral relations are motoring ahead. The 30th dialogue anniversary served as a timely occasion in view of the Chinese Communist Party's centennial this year. The US is in catch-up mode in Southeast Asia. Its values agenda on rights/freedoms and democracy must be better operationalised and resourced to be more effective. Other countries in the fray, such as Japan and Australia, must think long and hard about where to go and how to deal with Beijing's regional clout while the US's footing under Mr Biden is not yet firm and the EU's Indo-Pacific strategy is still inchoate, while India has its hands full at home.

Written by: Thitinan Pongsudhirak Source: Bangkok Post Published: 18 June 2021 The author is a professor and director of the Institute of Security and International Studies at Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Political Science.

Economic Affairs (M) BRI, RCEP, CAI to strengthen China’s world economic, geopolitical position China's economy emerged bigger and stronger in 2020 largely because it effectively curbed the COVID-19 spread within a few months of its emergence and imposed a series of stimulus packages, culminating in the only major 118 Selected Analysis

economy to register 2 percent growth in that year. The West (and a big part of the world), on the other hand, contracted between 5 percent and 10 percent, in large part, because it mishandled and misjudged the serious of the pandemic, resulting in a second or even third wave and exacerbating the economies.

It would not be a surprise if China will emerge even stronger and more influential on the world stage with the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the recently signed Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and China-EU Comprehensive Agreement on Investment (CAI). These stances will not only promote global trade and investment, but also proof that China can and is willing to work with the international community in making the world a more prosperous and secure place.

According to a China Daily report, China invested over $90 billion in the participating countries between 2013 and 2018 under the BRI framework, helping the participating countries' economic growth and development. A case in point was Siri Lanka leased the Hambantota port to a Chinese company, turning the "white elephant" into a viable commercial port.

Contrary to the U.S. claim that the BRI is a "debt trap," China's investment in its infrastructure and industries actually promoted local economic growth, generating revenue for Siri Lanka to pay off the debts. Siri Lankan government statistics showed that its total foreign debt was reduced from nearly $56 billion in 2018 to a little over $51 billion in the first quarter of 2020.

While there were many reasons for the decline in indebtedness, BRI-related investment and trade probably played a role. It is also noteworthy that Japan's Nikkei reported that Siri Lanka prefers to borrow money from China rather than the IMF to weather a 2020 debt issue, explicitly debunking the China "debt trap" allegation. Besides, BRI participating countries invested $40 billion in China between 2013 and 2019, suggesting the Chinese initiative is a two-way street.

According to OECD figures, trade under the BRI framework was equally if not more astonishing, increasing two-way trade $1.34 trillion in 2019, raising the total accumulative value to nearly $7 trillion since 2013. These numbers are expected to grow because of improved transportation efficiency and more countries are expected to join the BRI. The inking of the RCEP in November raised China's importance in the AsiaPacific if not beyond up another notch by virtue of it being the major trade partner to all 15 countries (the ASEAN 10, China, Australia, Japan, South Korea, and New Zealand). According to the governments' figures, two-way between China and the 15 countries exceed $1.5 trillion in 2019. These numbers will likely increase significantly because of the country's "dual circulation" strategy 119 Selected Analysis

driven by domestic demand and supported by technology and strengthening cooperation with other countries.

Unlike the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), the RCEP recognized that "one size" does not fit all. The high labor and environmental standards set by the CPTTP might be valid for a developed member such as Japan, but a hard press for developing Vietnam to meet.

Vietnam's relatively low wages and lax environmental rules could face antidumping measures from its higher wage and environmental standard partners.

Silent on labor and environmental standards and flexible in defining "rules of origins," the RCEP recognized that, thus preempting future trade frictions. The U.S. often used Singapore production costs as a thermometer to impose tariffs on Chinese products without taking into consideration that China is a developing nation whereas Singapore is a high-end manufacturing economy. In this sense, RCEP will likely succeed in meeting its trade goals, thereby raising China's status because it will drive Asia Pacific economic growth through massive imports.

The CAI deal reached by the EU and China at the end of 2020 was nothing short of astonishing because of the many differences between the two-sides. For instance, the EU always complained about China not meeting the International Labor Organization's (ILO) labor code and other incompatible practices, dragging negotiations for over seven years. But at the last hour, the two sides compromised and made huge concessions to each other, paving the way for major power cooperation in addressing global issues.

The CAI is more than an investment agreement; it covers sustainable development, the environment, labor standards and other issues, providing China and the EU the opportunity to shine in the world. Indeed, it is in their interests to do so. Living up to ILO labor codes, for example, will silent criticism of the so-called forced labor, make Chinese workers happier and more productive, and shed a positive image on China.

Initiating the BRI, joining RCEP and reaching a CAI agreement will strengthen China's economic and geopolitical position in the world.

Written by: Ken Moak Source: China Daily Published: 6 January 2021 The author is a columnist.

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(N) Vietnam, with surging GDP and stability, is a rising star in Southeast Asia In its latest "Asia Economics Quarterly" report, the Hong Kong Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) said Vietnam posted the fastest growth in Asia in 2020 and will once again be among the star performers in the region in 2021.

Vietnam is recognized as a role model for its pandemic control measures, and for achieving an economic growth of 2.91 percent in 2020. The economy has maintained growth for three decades, overcoming the Asian financial crisis and global financial crisis, stepping to becoming a middle-income country from an impoverished society. The big question is: will the country maintain the economic miracle?

Vietnam's rapid economic development has been driven by a range of factors.

Vietnam's exports to the US surged 29.1 percent in 2019 and 24.5 percent in 2020. With exports valued at $76.4 billion in 2020, Vietnam has become the second largest source of imports of the US. The large trade surplus with the US has ensured Vietnam's overall trade surplus reached consecutive growth in five years, reaching a record high of $19.1 billion in 2020.

Geographically positioned between ASEAN and China, Vietnam depends on the market advantage of regional integration and enjoys the facilitating conditions of zero tariffs on raw materials among ASEAN member economies.

In recent years, advanced countries in ASEAN have increased investment in Vietnam. Singapore's investment in Vietnam made up 31.5 percent of the FDI in Vietnam, ranking as the largest foreign investor. As a neighboring country to China, Vietnam also benefits from the production model of "China+1." Through promoting deeper cooperation with China and taking the convenience location of marine transport, Vietnam has become a key part of Asia-Pacific trade network.

China is not only the largest source of imports to Vietnam; the world's second largest economy has been increasingly becoming an important export market.

In 2020, China has surpassed EU, becoming the second largest export destination, taking up a quarter of Vietnam's exports.

In addition, Vietnam can take the geographical advantage as a land-sea connection point, with the help of the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) and the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor projects, undertake the vast markets of ASEAN and China, even reaching the western China region.

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Vietnam's economic miracle also relies on reforms to promote a more modern business environment. Under the leadership of Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), Vietnam enjoys political stability and social peace. The successful control against COVID-19 pandemic has won broad commendation. Vietnam unwaveringly opens its market and support free trade.

Vietnam has almost signed free trade agreements with all major economies in the world. In 2020, Vietnam signed Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), approved European Union-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and UK-Vietnam trade agreement, further expanding its export market.

In order to better attract foreign investment, Vietnam has also revised the Investment Law and Law on Enterprises in 2020 to simplify the foreign investment admission process and improve business environment.

However, Vietnam's economic development also faces some challenges. In short term, the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on the world economy will linger, which means it's not time for the tourism industry to recover.

Affected by shrinking consumer demand in the US and Europe, the textile and footwear sector, which accounts for a quarter of Vietnam's exports, experienced negative growth in 2020 for the first time in 25 years. Vietnam's exports to EU experienced a decline, with the proportion shrinking from 15 percent in past years to 12.7 percent.

The surging trade surplus with the US has put Vietnam facing sanctioning measures from the US. In December 2020, Vietnam was labeled by the Trump administration as an foreign exchange rate manipulator. Vietnam's bulk exports, including wood, textiles, and footwear, were being investigated by the US. In the long run, Vietnam's development heavily relies on foreign investment and overseas market. Foreign companies in Vietnam take up 70 percent of Vietnam's foreign trade. Among this, Samsung takes 25 percent of Vietnam's total exports.

Samsung's mobile phone sales fluctuation has caused economic instability in Vietnam. In 2017, the recall of Samsung's "Note 7" has pulled down the country's GDP growth rate, evoking Vietnam's reflection on its economic security.

The 13th National Congress of the CPV will be held from January 25 to February 2, and new leaders will be elected and the next five years of economic policy will be mapped out. Vietnam is a rising star which is worth watching.

Written by: Nie Huihui Source: Global Times Published: 25 January 2021

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The author is an assistant research fellow at China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations.

(O) Rural recovery and resilience Natural capital investment in agriculture is key to reviving food production, creating jobs and securing livelihoods The health and economic impacts of the novel coronavirus outbreak are being felt across developing Asia. As the region moves toward recovery, agriculture remains essential to reduce poverty and food insecurity.

Before the pandemic, agriculture accounted for a significant part of the economy for many emerging countries－7.7 percent in China, 12.7 percent in Indonesia, 7.3 percent in Malaysia, 8.8 percent in the Philippines, 8 percent in Thailand, and 14 percent in Vietnam. Since millions of rural migrants lost their jobs in cities because of the pandemic and returned to rural homes, rural development is vital to the post-pandemic recovery. As experiences in Thailand and the Philippines have shown, investments in agriculture can help rural communities recover after a crisis, reviving food production, creating jobs and securing livelihoods.

Productive and sustainable transformation of agri-food systems is a key element in the successful transition from middle to high income status. This is always challenging. But as countries push for economic diversification, expand the use of modern technologies, and establish effective management of food supply during the pandemic, many countries in developing Asia are well-equipped to overcome the challenge.

In the past, farmers had few incentives to pursue sustainable agriculture and protect natural assets without incurring significant cost or loss of income. This was because of the disconnection between the retail price of food and the cost of production and distribution reflecting implicit environmental costs.

But East Asia and developing countries along the Mekong River have started introducing natural capital accounting, such as gross ecosystem product, to attach a monetary value to nature, and applying eco-compensation or payments for ecosystems to provide incentives for farmers to change behaviors. These are critical to the sustainable transformation of the agricultural value chain, and can be replicated in other regions including Central and South Asia.

In February, China unveiled a new government body for the promotion of rural vitalization as the world's most populous country shifted its policy focus to further enhancing natural capital investment and boosting rural areas. The same week, China's top leaders outlined priorities and tasks for the next stage of 123 Selected Analysis

reform at a key meeting, which stressed efforts to explore a market-based, sustainable way to realize the value of ecological products.

The 52nd session of the United Nations Statistical Commission, which was held in early March, has adopted the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting as an international statistical standard. This new statistical framework will enable countries to measure their natural capital and understand the immense value of nature and the importance of protecting it.

Looking forward, several opportunities exist to continue the drive toward a more resilient and sustainable recovery in rural Asia.

The Asian Development Bank is working with its developing members to establish an agribusiness marketplace on a digital platform. This platform will integrate modern advanced technologies, such as the internet of things, artificial intelligence, big data, cloud computing and blockchain, to digitalize agriculture value chains. This will reinforce food security and strengthen the utilization, preservation and improvement of natural capital. It will also help in solidifying transparency and traceability to improve food safety. Via this marketplace, stakeholders of different sizes will have better channels to exchange information, sell products, arrange logistics, obtain financing, participate in training and acquire third-party services, such as branding, certification and new product design, as well as professional assistance in legal, contracting, accounting and taxation issues.

Small and medium-sized enterprises, including primary producers, dominate the food system. They are typically at a disadvantage when accessing finance, owing to opacity, under-collateralization, high transaction costs and lack of financial skills. Bank credits are the main source of external capital for SMEs. They need better access to alternative financing, such as equity finance, corporate bonds issuance and mezzanine finance.

While there is growth in the adoption of eco-compensation or payments for ecosystem services in rural areas, the current incentive structures still encourage unsustainable short-term behaviors that deplete natural capital. This is a complex area requiring a suitable mix of appropriate "carrots, sticks, and narratives" to change the way that markets work, such as sustainable financing and payments for ecosystem services, enacting smart policies and regulations, and to change social norms through information disclosure and education.

The ADB has established a working group to expand upon experiences in China and the Mekong subregion through a regional natural capital lab. The lab is designed as a living and virtual platform to incubate, accelerate and expand natural capital investment, which will prioritize the support for greening of the agriculture value chain in developing Asia. The lab will leverage existing 124 Selected Analysis

accounting tools to quantify the ecosystem service value of green agricultural value chains, strengthen eco-compensation or payments for ecological services to incentivize behavior change among small farmers, and establish a financial facility to convert ecosystem value or assets into the revenue model of agribusiness.

The experience during the pandemic has demonstrated the resilience of agriculture and its enormous value in driving economic recovery. The pandemic has also shown the importance of preserving the harmony among natural assets.

Combining these two lessons underlines the need to transform agri-food systems so that they operate in a sustainable way. This transformation can be considerably enhanced by the use of digital technology and eco-compensation mechanisms. The ADB's natural capital lab and the associated financing facility will catalyze much-needed investment to achieve this transformation.

Written by: Zhang Qingfeng Source: China Daily Published: 29 March 2021 The author is chief of Rural Development and Food Security (Agriculture) Thematic Group at the Asian Development Bank.

Socio-cultural Affairs (P) Can China be carbon neutral before 2060?

To objective China observers, China's pledge that its carbon emissions will peak before 2030 and it will achieve carbon neutrality before 2060 should not come as a surprise. It is a logical extension of its policies of "Made in China 2025", highquality development model and new infrastructure plan, all of which are focused on achieving development through low-carbon and advanced technologies.

The aim of reaching carbon neutrality before 2060 is also in line with China's 2049 goal of building a modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious and beautiful.

By announcing these ambitious goals at the 75th annual session of the United Nations General Assembly in September last year, President Xi Jinping also reconfirmed China's commitment to multilateralism. Beijing has played by the rules of the Paris Agreement, which stipulates individual and independent national commitments. And it has not sought any quid pro quo from developed countries, let alone developing countries, and instead made the challenging commitment of carbon neutrality unilaterally.

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Xi's commitment had swift impacts. Shortly after his UN statement, Japan and the Republic of Korea both vowed to realize carbon neutrality by 2050. But it will be a challenge for Japan and the ROK to achieve the goal by 2050, and for China to realize it before 2060.

Even before Xi's announcement, China had charted a path toward carbon neutrality.

Consider the following facts. Sinopec, China's largest oil refining company, estimated in December 2020 that China's demand for oil will peak in 2025. The share of coal in China's energy mix declined from 68 percent in 2012 to 58 percent in 2019. And while addressing the virtual Leaders Summit on Climate hosted by US President Joe Biden, Xi stressed that China will strictly control coalfired power projects, and limit the increase in coal consumption during the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) period and reduce it during the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30).

While the National Energy Administration has asked regional grids to increase the purchase of non-fossil-fuel energy from 28 percent in 2020 to 40 percent by 2030, the government plans to lower the country's carbon emissions per unit of GDP by more than 65 percent from the 2005 level by 2030, increase the share of non-fossil fuels in primary energy consumption to 25 percent, and raise the total installed capacity of wind and solar power to over 1.2 billion kilowatts.

China has also been the world leader in electric vehicles. In 2020 alone, China sold 1.3 million electric vehicles, or 41 percent of the global total. In comparison, the United States accounted for only 2.4 percent of the global sales.

China leads the world in electric two- and three-wheelers and buses, too. Of the 500,000 electric buses in the world in 2019, the majority were in China. And over the past decade, China has become a leading manufacturer of solar panels, wind turbines, and electric vehicles－in precise terms, it makes more than 70 percent of the world's solar modules, 69 percent of lithium batteries and 45 percent of wind turbines.

The country is also a global leader in construction of dams.

Besides, China has made remarkable achievements in research and development. The American Academy of Arts and Sciences estimates that China's spending on R&D exceeded that of the US in 2020. In fact, during the past two decades China's R&D expenditure as a percentage of GDP has more than tripled, and primarily due to China's efforts, the costs of solar and wind energy have reduced drastically across the world.

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Since China has been making technology more energy efficient in all sectors, and reducing the cost of renewable energy, it is in a good position to achieve carbon neutrality before 2060, without hampering its economic development.

Yet China needs to restructure its development model to realize the carbon neutral goal. Preliminary estimates by some Chinese ministries indicate the cost may be around $14.5-15 trillion. In comparison, the Marshall Plan to rejuvenate Europe after the end of World War II cost $135 billion in today's value.

Phasing out coal from the economy is likely to affect China's coal-producing provinces. But by 2018, renewable energy provided 4.1 million jobs, more than the fossil fuel extraction sector. Investments in low-carbon energy are now nine times higher than in fossil fuels, compared with only 1.1 times in 2008. And nearly 90 percent of the new investments in power generation is going to nonfossil fuel sector.

In 2020, China imported more than 10 million barrels of oil a day. So a shift to renewables will save China a huge amount of foreign exchange while enhancing its energy security. In a world where geopolitical events can suddenly disrupt oil imports, a steady shift to renewable energy sources makes good economic and political sense.

In particular, China will have to reduce the use of oil in the transportation sector if it wants to bring about major structural changes. At present, only about 20 percent of freight moves by train, compared with 50 percent by road. So China will have to substantially increase investments to further improve urban public transportation networks and increase the number of freight trains.

The shift from fossil fuels to clean energy will also bring considerable health and social benefits. For example, the implementation of strong policy measures has reduced PM2.5 in the atmosphere between 2015 and 2019, which has resulted in 90,000 fewer premature deaths. And further reductions will have significant health and social benefits.

And latest studies indicate that benefits from an aggressive climate changemitigation strategy will increase GDP by 2-3 percent, reduce demands for fossil fuels by 80 percent, and cut carbon emissions by 75-80 percent by 2050. Such developments will improve China's global competitiveness, make its economy more resilient, and boost its soft power. If these goals are achieved, China will become a leading decarbonization technology provider for the world.

Written by: Asit K. Biswas and Cecilia Tortajada Source: China Daily Published: 31 May 2021

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Asit K. Biswas is a distinguished visiting professor at University of Glasgow, UK, and director of Water Management International Pte Ltd of Singapore.

Cecilia Tortajada is a professor at the School of Interdisciplinary Studies at University of Glasgow.

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