1.Xi meets Cambodian PM Hun Sen

Feb.10, 2023 (Xinhua) — Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia Hun Sen at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing.This year marks the first year for China to fully implement the guiding principles of the 20thNational Congress of the Communist Party of China and also the 65thanniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Cambodia.The two sides also exchanged views on issues of common concern.Wang Yi and He Lifeng were present at the meeting.

(Source: Xinhua)

2.Malaysian PM cultivates closer ties with Singapore

Feb.2, 2023 (China Daily)— The leaders of Malaysia and Singapore have met in the city-state as Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim continues to reach out to close neighbors first after taking office in November.Anwar arrived in Singapore on February 2, affirming what he said is perhaps the “most important relationship for both countries”.Anwar reaffirmed the long-standing and immutable friendship between the two countries, welcomed the reopening of borders, and witnessed the signing of an agreement on the digital economy and the green economy and a memorandum of understanding on collaboration in personal data protection,cybersecurity and the digital economy, Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.Lee has invited Anwar to visit Singapore for the leaders’ retreat in the second half of this year.

(Source: Xinhua)

3.China-ASEAN negotiations enter next round

Feb.7, 2023 (China Daily)— The first round of consultations on the 3.0 version of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area negotiations was launched between China and the bloc on February 7, according to China’s Ministry of Commerce.Officials from China and member economies of the ASEAN,and the ASEAN’s Secretariat attended the meeting via video link, the ministry said in an online statement.The two sides held in-depth discussions on topics such as procedural rules, organizational arrangements and work plans for the negotiations, and set a timetable and roadmap for subsequent talks.

4.High hopes for Cambodia’s tourism boom after comeback of Chinese tourists

Feb.7, 2023 (Xinhua) — Cambodia has pinned high hopes for its tourism recovery after Chinese tourists gradually returned to the Southeast Asian nation.Air China flight CA745, carrying some 125 Chinese tourists, arrived at the Phnom Penh International Airport from Beijing on February 2, receiving a warm welcome from Cambodia’s Tourism Minister Thong Khon and Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wentian as well as other officials.Speaking to reporters at the welcoming ceremony,Khon said the comeback of Chinese tourists has given a boost not only to the tourism sector, but also to the kingdom’s economy as a whole.

5.New train builds efficiency for China-ASEAN biz

Feb.9, 2023 (China Daily)— The China-Laos-Thailand round-trip train, an extension of the China-Laos Railway,was successfully launched on February 7.The new efficient,stable cold chain channel is expected to inject new impetus into trade between China and member states of the ASEAN.The train, which runs between Kunming,Yunnan province, and Bangkok, Thailand, consists of 19 cold chain containers able to carry 286 metric tons of fresh vegetables, with a total travel time of 55 hours.

6.China, Myanmar to promote economic cooperation in post-pandemic era

Feb.15, 2023 (Xinhua) — China’s Yunnan provincial department of commerce and the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI) held a meeting on February 2 to promote economic and trade cooperation.Myanmar, in the post-COVID-19 period right now, was making efforts to increase its export, which declined during the pandemic period, and China is an important market for Myanmar.UMFCCI President U Aye Win said that it is a timely meeting to promote the economic and trade cooperation between Myanmar and China’s Yunnan province,adding it will assist Myanmar’s economic development and private business sector development.

7.Delegation from China’s Hainan Province promotes business opportunities in Indonesia

Feb.16, 2023 (Xinhua) — A delegation from south China’s Hainan Province promoted the business opportunities offered by its free trade port status in the Indonesian capital.Hainan is an ideal place for trade supported by its open and stable preferential policies, low taxes, and industries that complement those of Southeast Asian nations.Chinese Ambassador to Indonesia Lu Kang described the promotion meeting as the “Hainan moment”for the advancement of China-Indonesia relations, adding that he was optimistic about the two nations’ cooperation getting better over time.During the promotion event,several Hainan and Indonesian companies signed cooperation agreements.

8.Vietnam to issue biometric passports from March

Feb.17, 2023 (Xinhua) — Vietnam will issue passports embedded with electronic microprocessor chips containing biometric information from March, so as to facilitate international travel for its citizens.The main advantage of the electronic passport is greater security as the data digitally stored in the chip is more difficult to replicate than information printed on a traditional passport, making it harder for fraudsters and criminals to travel on false identity documents.The introduction of the new type of passport is expected to facilitate international travel for Vietnamese citizens as many governments have required travelers to hold biometric passports to gain entry at the destination country.