1. RCEP comes into effect
Following eight years of negotiations, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP) came into effect on January 1, 2022. The world's largest free trade deal covers 15 countries and accounts for about one-third of the world's GDP.
2.China-Arab summit opens up new prospects for China-Arab relations
The China-Arab States Summit and the China-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit, two first-of-its-kind events in Chinese-Arab history, were held here successfully. The milestone summits have yielded fruitful results between China and Arab states. The Chinese president also elaborated on building a China-Arab community with a shared future in the new era.
3. Jakarta-Bandung high-speed rail signifies strong China-Indonesia cooperation
The Jakarta-Bandung high-speed rail is a landmark cooperation project promoted by the top leaders of China and Indonesia. After it is completed, Indonesia will become the first country in Southeast Asia to have a high-speed railway.
4.World population passes 8 billion
The number of people on Earth passed 8 billion on 15 November 2022, according to the United Nation's World Population Prospects 2022 report.
5.Global inflation hits new high
Inflation in the U.S. soared to 8.5 percent in March, the fastest 12-month rise since 1981. Annual inflation moderated in April, but the Consumer Price Index still increased at a rapid pace. The eurozone has also witnessed record high inflation. And emerging markets, which are more vulnerable to shocks, are feeling the pain.
