January 2

The CPC Central Committee and the State Council issue the Guidelines on Grasping the Key Work Concerning Agriculture, Rural Areas, and Rural Residents to Ensure the Completion of a Moderately Prosperous Society in All Respects on Schedule, which calls for concentrating on the two key tasks of winning the battle against poverty and shoring up the areas of weakness in agriculture, rural areas, and rural residents which fall short of the needs to complete a moderately prosperous society in all respects.

January 6

The Plenary Session of the Seventh National Population Census Leading Group is held. At the meeting, Han Zheng delivers a speech.

January 7

Xi Jinping presides over a meeting of the Standing Committee of CPC Central Committee’s Political Bureau and puts forward requirements for the prevention and control of the Covid-19 epidemic of unknown cause detected in Wuhan, Hubei since December 27, 2019. On January 22, the Party Central Committee, with General Secretary Xi Jinping at the core, makes a decisive decision to close the passages for leaving Wuhan and the rest of Hubei Province. After strenuous efforts, it takes China about three months to achieve decisive results in the defense of Wuhan and the rest of Hubei. The Covid-19 epidemic is the fastest spreading, most extensive, and most challenging public health emergency China has encountered since the founding of the People’s Republic and the most serious infectious pandemic to occur worldwide in a century. Xi Jinping personally takes charge, makes response decisions, makes people’s lives and health a top priority, and unifies the Chinese people in rapidly launching an all-out people’s war to contain the virus, largely containing the spread of the virus in China. On September 8, a national gathering to honor outstanding individuals and groups in the fight against the Covid-19 epidemic is held. At the meeting, Xi Jinping states, “In the fierce battle against Covid-19, the Chinese people and the Chinese nation have shown extraordinary mettle and fought courageously for victory. While fighting the virus, we have put life above all else, rallied the entire country, braved danger, respected science, and stood together through adversity.” He presents medals and awards to Zhong Nanshan, the recipient of the Medal of the Republic, and Zhang Boli, Zhang Dingyu and Chen Wei, the recipients of the national honorary title of the People’s Hero.

January 12

The Nanchang, the first of China’s new 10,000-metric ton destroyers, is commissioned into service.

January 13

The Fourth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Commission for Discipline Inspection is held. At the meeting, Xi Jinping stresses in his speech that, “Since the 18th CPC National Congress, we have sought out a path to resolve problems rooted in the Party’s long-term governance so as to avoid the historical cycle of rise and fall, and we have built a set of effective systems for scrutinizing the exercise of power and for enforcing Party discipline and state laws. We must uphold, strengthen and develop our path and systems for a long time to come. We should ensure our officials do not dare to be, are not able to be, and do not want to be corrupt. This is the fundamental guideline for battling corruption, and also a major strategy for strengthening Party self-governance in the new era.” Zhao Leji delivers a work report at the session.

January 17–18

Xi Jinping pays a state visit to Myanmar and attends the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Myanmar and the launching ceremony of the Sino-Myanmar Cultural Tourism Year.

February 13

The General Office of the CPC Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council issue the Guidelines on Deepening the Reform of the Education Oversight Systems and Mechanisms in the New Era. In 2020, other documents issued by them include the Guidelines on Comprehensively Strengthening the Workplace Safety for the Production of Dangerous Chemicals, the Guidelines on Establishing a Modern Environmental Governance System, the Guidelines on Further Promoting the Reform, Opening Up, and Development of the Service Industry, the Plan for Deepening the Pilot Reform of the System of Rural Land Designated for Housing, the Three-Year Action Plan for the Reform of State-Owned Enterprises (2020–2022), and the Guidelines on Accelerating the Deeply Integrated Development of Media.

February 23

A meeting on coordinating Covid-19 epidemic response with economic and social development is held. At the meeting, Xi Jinping stresses in his speech that, “We must unleash our great potential and momentum by turning pressure into motivation and crisis into opportunity, by restoring the normal order to business and people’s lives, by taking solid measures to stabilize employment, the financial sector, foreign trade, foreign investment, domestic investment, and market expectations, and by strengthening policy adjustment.” On April 17, it is proposed at the meeting of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee that while stepping up greater efforts to stabilize employment, the financial sector, foreign trade, foreign investment, domestic investment, and market expectations, it is necessary to maintain security in job security, basic living needs, operations of market entities, food and energy security, stable industrial and supply chains, and the normal functioning of primary-level governments.

February 25

The CPC Central Committee and the State Council issue the Guidelines on Deepening the Reform of the Medical Security System to solve the problem of unbalanced and insufficient development of medical security.

March 1

The State Council issues the Decision on Authorizing and Entrusting Local Governments to Approve the Use of Land. In 2020, the State Council also issues documents such as the Guidelines on Promoting High-Quality Development of National High-Tech Industrial Development Zones, the Decision on Implementing Access Management for Financial Holding Companies, the Guidelines on Further Improving the Quality of Listed Companies, and the Guidelines on Carrying Out an Intensive Patriotic Health Campaign.

March 6

A seminar on securing a decisive victory in poverty eradication is held. At the meeting, Xi Jinping stresses in his speech that, “We should mobilize the energies of our whole Party, our whole country, and our whole society to concentrate on winning the battle against poverty, to ensure that the target task of poverty eradication is completed as scheduled and to ensure that a moderately prosperous society is completed in all respects.” On November 23, the last nine poor counties in China are lifted out of poverty.

March 9

The General Office of the CPC Central Committee issues the Regulations on Enforcing the System under Which Party Committees and Leading Party Members’ Groups Assume Primary Responsibility in Full and Vigorous Party Self-Governance.

March 18

The General Office of the State Council issues the Guidelines on Strengthening Stability and Employment Initiatives in Response to the Impact of the Covid-19 Epidemic. In 2020, the General Office of the State Council also issues the Guidelines on Further Improving the Business Environment and Better Serving Market Entities, the Guidelines on Supporting Multi-Channel Flexible Employment, the New Energy Vehicle Industry Development Plan (2021–2035), and the Guidelines on Promoting the Healthy Development of Elderly and Child Care Services.

March 20

The CPC Central Committee and the State Council issue the Guidelines on Comprehensively Strengthening Labor Education in Schools and Universities in the New Era. On October 4, they issue the Guidelines on Comprehensively Strengthening and Improving School Sports in the New Era and the Guidelines on Comprehensively Strengthening and Improving School Aesthetic Education in the New Era.

March 26

Xi Jinping attends the Extraordinary G20 Leaders’ Summit via video link and delivers a speech entitled “Working Together to Defeat Covid-19.” On May 18, he delivers a speech entitled “Defeating Covid-19 through Solidarity and Cooperation and Building a Global Health Community” at the opening ceremony of the virtual 73rd World Health Assembly. On June 17, he presides over the Extraordinary China-Africa Summit on Solidarity against Covid-19 via video link and delivers a speech entitled “Beating Covid-19 through Solidarity and Cooperation.” By August 2022, China had provided anti-Covid assistance to 153 countries and 15 international organizations, which had supported the prevention and control of the Covid-19 epidemic around the world.

March 30

The CPC Central Committee and the State Council issue the Guidelines on Developing Sound Institutions and Mechanisms for the Market-Based Allocation of Production Factors, proposing initiatives to promote market-based allocation of land factors, guide the reasonable, smooth and orderly flow of labor factors, and promote market-based allocation of capital factors.

April 10

Xi Jinping states in his speech at the Seventh Meeting of the Central Commission for Financial and Economic Affairs that, “We should create a double development dynamic with the domestic economy as the mainstay and the domestic economy and international engagement providing mutual reinforcement.”

April 22

The General Office of the CPC Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council issue the Guidelines on Reforming and Improving the Social Assistance System, proposing to improve the social assistance systems with Chinese characteristics of different types at different levels for both rural and urban areas in about two years.

April 29

At its 17th Meeting, the Standing Committee of the 13th NPC adopts the revised Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Prevention and Control of Environmental Pollution by Solid Waste.

May 5

The Long March-5B completes a successful maiden flight, officially kicking off China’s space station construction.

May 11

The CPC Central Committee and the State Council issue the Guidelines on Accelerating the Improvement of the Socialist Market Economy in the New Era.

May 16

The CPC Central Committee and the State Council issue the Guidelines on Accelerating the Modernization of Social Governance and Creating a New Phase of the Peaceful China Initiative, which call for adhering to and developing the Fengqiao model in the new era as the basis to create a new social governance model based on collaboration, participation, and common interest.

May 21–27

The Third Session of the 13th CPPCC National Committee is held. At the meeting, Wang Yang delivers a report on the work of the Standing Committee of the CPPCC National Committee.

May 22–28

The Third Session of the 13th NPC is held. At the session, Li Keqiang delivers the government work report, Li Zhanshu makes a report on the work of the NPC Standing Committee, and the Civil Code of the People’s Republic of China is adopted, which will come into force on January 1, 2021. This is the first law named “code” since the founding of the People’s Republic of China, and is a major achievement in the development of socialist rule of law in the new era.

June 1

The full-depth deep-sea remotely operated submersible Haidou-1 conducts its first 10,000-meter sea trial in the Marianas Trench, setting a new record for the maximum dive depth of China’s submersibles and filling the gap of its 10,000-meter class operational unmanned submersibles.

June 9

At its executive meeting, the State Council determines a special transfer payment mechanism for new financial funds to directly benefit enterprises and the people, requiring a total of 2 trillion yuan in new fiscal deficit and special national Covid bonds to be directly transferred to prefecture-level cities and counties. On March 5, 2021, the government work report proposes to make it a normal practice to directly allocate budgetary funds to prefecture- and county-level governments and place more funds under this mechanism.

June 14

The CPC Central Committee makes the Decision on Adjusting the Leadership System of the Reserve Forces. Starting from July 1, 2020 at 00:00, the reserve forces are fully integrated into the military leadership and command system, and adjusted from dual military and local leadership to centralized and unified leadership of the Party Central Committee and the Central Military Commission.

June 15

The Mozi quantum science experimental satellite achieves entanglement-based quantum key distribution between two ground stations separated by more than 1,000 kilometers at a finite secret-key rate in the international arena for the first time.

June 20

At its 19th Meeting, the Standing Committee of the 13th NPC adopts the Law of the People’s Republic of China on Administrative Punishment of Government Employees, the revised Archives Law of the People’s Republic of China and the revised Law of the People’s Republic of China on the People’s Armed Police.

June 22

Xi Jinping meets via video link with European Council President Charles Michel and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Li Keqiang co-chairs the 22nd China-EU Leaders’ Meeting with Michel and von der Leyen via video link.

July 4

The General Office of the State Council issues the Circular on the Effective Implementation of the Yangtze River Basin Fishing Ban. On December 22, a teleconference is held to promote the ban on fishing in the Yangtze River and the settlement of ex-fishermen. At the conference, Han Zheng delivers a speech. The 10-year fishing ban in key waters of the Yangtze River Basin starts on January 1, 2021.

July 10

The General Office of the State Council issues the Guidelines on the Comprehensive Rebuilding of Old Urban Residential Areas. From 2019 to 2021, rebuilding of a total of 115,000 old urban residential areas in China begins, benefiting more than 20 million residents.

July 13

The CPC Central Committee issues the Regulations of the Communist Party of China on the Election of Primary-Level Party Organizations. On December 28, it issues the revised Regulations of the Communist Party of China on the Election of Local Party Organizations.

July 16

China and five Central Asian countries hold the inaugural foreign ministers’ meeting via video link.

July 20

The CPC Central Committee issues the Regulations of the Communist Party of China on Strengthening the Party in the Military. On December 25, it issues the revised Regulations on the Political Work of the Military.

July 21

Xi Jinping presides over a seminar of entrepreneurs to listen to their opinions and suggestions on the 14th Five-Year Plan. Thereafter, he holds a seminar on solidly promoting the integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta, a seminar of economic and social experts, a seminar of people outside the Party, a seminar of scientists, a seminar of primary-level representatives, and a seminar of experts in the fields of education, culture, health and sports.

July 23

China successfully launches its first Tianwen-1 Mars probe, taking the first step in its planetary exploration. On May 15, 2021, Tianwen-1 successfully lands on Mars. On May 22, the Zhu Rong Mars rover rolls onto the surface of Mars to carry out scientific surveys, marking the complete success of China’s first Mars exploration mission.

July 27

The State Council issues the Policies to Promote High-Quality Development of the IC Industry and the Software Industry in the New Era.

August 7

Xi Jinping gives instructions on fighting against food waste, stressing that, “We should resolutely fight against food waste by effectively cultivating the habit of saving and creating a social atmosphere in which thrift is honorable and waste is shameful.” On April 29, 2021, at its 28th Meeting, the Standing Committee of the 13th NPC adopts the Anti-Food Waste Law of the People’s Republic of China. On October 18, 2021, the General Office of the CPC Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council issue the Food Conservation Action Program.

August 10

China’s Huiyan satellite detects the surface magnetic field of a neutron star at 1 billion Tesla, setting a new world record for direct measurement of the magnetic field of the universe. On July 1, 2022, it again sets a new record by detecting the surface magnetic field of a neutron star at 1.6 billion Tesla.

August 11

At its 21st Meeting, the Standing Committee of the 13th NPC adopts the Law of the People’s Republic of China on Urban Maintenance and Construction Tax and the Law of the People’s Republic of China on Deed Transfer Tax.

August 19

Li Zhanshu attends and delivers a speech at the video conference of the Fifth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament. On September 7, 2021, he delivers a video message at the in-person segment of the Fifth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament.

August 21

The CPC Central Committee and the State Council approve the Detailed Control Plan for the Core Functional Areas of the Capital (Block Level) (2018–2035).

August 26

The flag-awarding ceremony of the Chinese People’s Police is held. At the ceremony, Xi Jinping presents the flag to the Chinese People’s Police Force and gives them orders.

August 28–29

The Seventh Central Working Conference on Tibet is held. At the conference, Xi Jinping stresses in his speech that, “We must comprehensively implement the Party’s strategy for governing Tibet in the new era, forge a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation, and strive to build a new modern socialist Tibet that is united, prosperous, culturally advanced, harmonious and beautiful.”

September 3

A meeting to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the Global War Against Fascism is held. At the meeting, Xi Jinping stresses that, “In the great War of Resistance Spirit and with the determination and courage to overwhelm all difficulties head on, we must dare to fight, be good at creation, and keep striving for the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation until we achieve final victory.”

September 4

The Global Trade in Services Summit of the 2020 China International Fair for Trade in Services is held in Beijing. Addressing the summit via video link, Xi Jinping stresses that, “China will remain steadfast in opening up wider to the world. We will continue to work on a sound negative list system for managing cross-border trade in services. We will further ease market access for the services sector, develop new business forms and models in services trade, support the establishment of a global alliance for trade in services and create new and broader horizons for reform and opening up.”

September 8

China proposes the Global Initiative on Data Security, advocating that global digital governance should follow the three principles of upholding multilateralism, ensuring both security and development, and upholding fairness and justice.

September 14

China and Europe announce the signing of the China-EU Agreement on Geographical Indications.

September 17

At its executive meeting, the State Council determines measures to promote trans-provincial settlement of frequent matters closely related to enterprise development and people’s lives. On September 24, the General Office of the State Council issues the Guidelines on Moving Faster to Make Government Services Trans-Provincially Available. At its executive meeting on September 26, 2022, the State Council decides to add 22 new frequent items with wide coverage to the 187 government services that have been made available trans-provincially.

September 21–October 1

Xi Jinping attends a series of high-level meetings to mark the 75th anniversary of the United Nations by video link. On September 21, he attends the high-level meeting marking the 75th anniversary of the UN and delivers a speech, stressing that the UN should stand firm for justice, uphold the rule of law, promote cooperation and focus on real action in the post-pandemic era. In his speech at the general debate of the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly on September 22, Xi announces that China aims to have CO2 emissions peak before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060.

September 25–26

The Third Central Working Conference on Xinjiang is held. At the conference, Xi Jinping states that, “We should implement the Party’s strategy for governing Xinjiang in the new era completely and accurately, uphold law-based governance in Xinjiang, maintain stability in Xinjiang based on unity, develop Xinjiang culturally, bring prosperity to its people, and pursue long-term development in Xinjiang in order to build it into a socialist region with Chinese characteristics in the new era.

September 28

The CPC Central Committee and the State Council issue the Integrated Plan for Deepening Education Evaluation Reform in the New Era, making comprehensive plans for getting rid of the obsession with scores, enrollment rates, diplomas, academic papers and professional titles.

Guohe-1, the landmark achievement in China’s third-generation independent nuclear power technology, is launched.

September 30

The CPC Central Committee issues the Regulations on the Work of the CPC Central Committee, making adhering to Party leadership in all work and ensuring the centralized and unified leadership of the Party Central Committee the first principle that the Central Committee must follow in carrying out its work. This is a key move to adhere to and improve the Party’s leadership system, and a landmark achievement to strengthen the institutional guarantee of the upholding of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s position at the core of the Central Committee and of the Party as a whole and the upholding of the Central Committee’s authority and its centralized, unified leadership.

October 5

The CPC Central Committee and the State Council issue the Plan for Ecological Conservation and High-Quality Development of the Yellow River Basin. On December 9, the Plenary Session of the Leading Group for the Promotion of Ecological Conservation and High-Quality Development of the Yellow River Basin is held. Han Zheng presides the meeting and delivers a speech.

October 12

A seminar of the principal leaders of some local governments is held by video link. Li Keqiang chairs the meeting and delivers a speech.

October 17

At its 22nd Meeting, the Standing Committee of the 13th NPC adopts the Biosafety and Biosecurity Law of the People’s Republic of China, the Export Control Law of the People’s Republic of China, the revised Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Protection of Minors, and the Decision on Revising the Electoral Law of the National People’s Congress and Local People’s Congresses of the People’s Republic of China.

October 23

Xi Jinping states in his speech at a meeting to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Chinese People’s Volunteers’ entry into the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea, “In the great and momentous War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea, the valiant Chinese People’s Volunteers forged a great spirit of the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea. We must not forget the grueling route to victory in this war. We must maintain our mettle and courage, and display wisdom in our endeavor. We must press ahead with tenacity in spite of all difficulties and advance the great historic cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era.”

October 26–29

The Fifth Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Committee is held. Xi Jinping reports to the Plenary Session on behalf of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee, makes a statement on the draft 14th Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development and Long-Range Objectives through the Year 2035 and delivers a speech. The 14th Five-Year Plan is adopted at the Plenary Session. At the Plenary Session, the Central Committee determines that, “The 14th Five-Year Plan period is the first five years in which China will build on achievements and embark on a new journey of building a modern socialist country in all respects and advancing toward the Second Centenary Goal after China has realized the First Centenary Goal of completing a moderately prosperous society in all respects. We should stay committed to the philosophy of innovative, coordinated, green, open and shared development, focus on promoting high-quality development and move faster to create a new development dynamic with the domestic economy as the mainstay and the domestic economy and international engagement providing mutual reinforcement.” At the second plenary assembly of the Plenary Session, Xi Jinping says, “Entering the new development stage marks a great advance toward our national rejuvenation.”

November 7

The Provisional Plan for Joint Operations of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army comes into force, which is the top-level regulations on the operational ordinance system in the new era.

November 10

Xi Jinping attends the 20th meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization via video link and delivers a speech entitled “Carrying Forward the Shanghai Spirit and Deepening Solidarity and Collaboration for a Stronger Community with a Shared Future.”

November 11

At its 23rd Meeting, the Standing Committee of the 13th NPC adopts the Veterans Law of the People’s Republic of China.

It also adopts the Decision on the Qualification of Members of the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, which further clarifies the political principle that patriots, but not those engaged in anti-China activities to disrupt Hong Kong’s public order, should administer Hong Kong. Based on this decision, the HKSAR government subsequently declares the persons concerned disqualified from the Legislative Council in accordance with the law.

November 12

Xi Jinping speaks at a conference to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Pudong’s development and opening up, stressing that, “Pudong should strive to become a pacesetter for higher-level reform and opening up, a forerunner of advancing socialist modernization in all respects, and a model to exemplify our confidence in the path, theory, system and culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics, displaying more vividly China’s philosophy, values, and development path to the world.” On April 23, 2021, the CPC Central Committee and the State Council issue the Guidelines on Making the Pudong New Area a Leading Area in Socialist Modernization through High-Standard Reform and Opening Up.

November 12–15

Li Keqiang attends the 23rd China-ASEAN (10+1) Summit, the 23rd ASEAN Plus Three (China-Japan-Republic of Korea) Summit, the 15th East Asia Summit, the Fourth Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Summit and the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit, which are held via video link.

November 14

Xi Jinping presides over a forum on promoting the comprehensive development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt, stressing that, “We should set a new example of coordinated regional development, raise opening up to new and higher levels, build new strengths in innovation-driven development, and create a new example of harmony between humanity and nature. The goal is to make the Yangtze River Economic Belt a showcase for China’s green development prioritizing eco-environmental conservation, a major artery boosting domestic and global economic flows, and an important leader in high-quality economic development.” Han Zheng delivers a speech at the meeting.

November 15

China signs the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with ten ASEAN countries, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia and New Zealand.

November 16–17

The Central Conference on Law-Based Governance is held. At the conference, Xi Jinping stresses in his speech that, “We should keep to the path of socialist rule of law with Chinese characteristics to provide sound legal guarantees for building China into a modern socialist country and realizing the Chinese Dream of National Rejuvenation.” Participants at the meeting review and elaborate on Xi Jinping’s thinking on the rule of law. On December 1, the CPC Central Committee issues the Plan on Building the Rule of Law in China (2020–2025) and the Plan on Building a Law-Based Society (2020–2025). On August 2, 2021, the CPC Central Committee and the State Council issue the Plan on Building a Law-Based Government (2021–2025).

November 17

Xi Jinping attends the 12th BRICS Summit via video link and delivers a speech entitled “Coming Together to Meet the Covid-19 Challenge and Map out a Blueprint for BRICS Development.”

November 18

The CPC Central Committee and the State Council issue the Plan for the Development of the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Zone.

November 20

The National Conference to Commend Individuals and Groups for Cultural-Ethical Progress is held. Xi Jinping meets with the new national representatives of model cities, villages and towns, entities, families, and schools and representatives of those who build intellectual and moral standards among minors. Wang Huning delivers a speech at the conference.

Xi Jinping attends the 27th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting via video link and delivers a speech entitled “Working Together for an Asia-Pacific Community with a Shared Future.”

November 21–22

Xi Jinping attends the 15th G20 Leaders’ Summit via video link and delivers a speech entitled “Together, Let Us Fight Covid-19 and Create a Better Future.”

November 24

The National Conference to Commend Model Workers is held. At the conference, Xi Jinping gives a speech, stressing the need to promote the spirit of model workers, the spirit of labor and craftsmanship. The CPC Central Committee and the State Council make the Decision to Commend National Model Workers.

The Chang’e-5 probe is successfully launched and it gets back to the Earth safely with lunar samples on December 17. This marks a successful conclusion of China’s three-step lunar exploration program of orbiting, landing and bringing back samples on schedule.

November 25

The Military Training Conference of the Central Military Commission is held. At the conference, Xi Jinping stresses that, “We should focus on improving combat readiness and winning wars. We should conduct actual combat training and joint combat training, use science and technology-based training, and carry out training in accordance with the law. We should carry forward the good traditions, strengthen reform and innovation and accelerate the establishment of a new military training system in order to comprehensively improve the level of training and the ability to win.”

November 27–30

The 17th China-ASEAN Expo and China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit are held in Nanning. Xi Jinping delivers a video message at the opening ceremony, stating that, “China continues to regard ASEAN as a priority in its neighborhood diplomacy and a key region in high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. China is ready to advance all-around cooperation with ASEAN, maintain the good momentum for development and prosperity in our region and cultivate a closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future.”

November 28

China’s manned submersible Fendouzhe successfully completes the 10,000-meter sea trial and returns to Sanya Port.

December 3–4

The Conference on Education in Political Philosophy in the Military is held. Xi Jinping meets with the delegates to the conference. On April 3, 2021, the Central Military Commission issues the Guidelines on Building the System of Education in Political Philosophy in the People’s Military in the New Era.

December 4

China successfully builds a 76-photon quantum computing prototype Jiuzhang, establishing its leading position in the field of international quantum computing research.

China’s new generation of “artificial sun” HL-2M, a controllable nuclear fusion device, is officially completed and put into operation.

December 8

China and Nepal jointly announce that the new height of Mount Qomolangma is 8,848.86 meters.

December 10

The gravitational wave high-energy electromagnetic counterpart all-sky monitor satellite (also named Huairou-1) is successfully launched.

December 11

Xi Jinping presides over the 26th group study session of the 19th CPC Central Committee’s Political Bureau and puts forward 10 requirements for implementing the holistic approach to national security, including adhering to absolute Party leadership over national security, keeping to the national security path with Chinese characteristics, and adhering to people’s security as the purpose. In April 2022, Introducing the Holistic Approach to National Security is published and distributed.

December 12

Xi Jinping delivers a speech entitled “Building on Past Achievements and Launching a New Journey for Global Climate Actions” at the Climate Ambition Summit via video link.

December 16

The CPC Central Committee and the State Council issue the Guidelines on Effectively Aligning Efforts to Consolidate and Expand the Achievements in Poverty Eradication with Efforts to Promote Rural Revitalization, planning the effective coordination between the leadership systems, work systems, development plans, policy initiatives and assessment mechanisms of poverty eradication and rural revitalization.

December 16–18

The Central Economic Work Conference is held. Xi Jinping reviews economic work in 2020, analyzes the economic situation and plans economic work for 2021. Li Keqiang makes specific arrangements for economic work in 2021 and gives a concluding speech. It is stated at the meeting that, “While taking a holistic approach to the domestic and international situation and coordinating epidemic response and economic and social development, we have gained a deeper understanding of how to grow the economy in the face of severe challenges and have summed up the factors contributing to our achievements as follows: The authority of the CPC Central Committee is the fundamental guarantee for the whole Party and all the people in overcoming difficulties at critical moments. Putting the people first is the fundamental prerequisite for us to make correct decisions. Institutional strength provides a fundamental guarantee for us to unite to overcome difficulties and remove obstacles. Rational decision-making and creativity are the essential means to turn crisis into opportunity. Strength and self-reliance in science and technology are the fundamental support for development. The formation of a strong domestic market is an important support for building a new development dynamic, and is where the advantages of a major country’s economy lie.”

December 24 and 25

Xi Jinping delivers a speech at a meeting for criticism and self-criticism of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, stressing that, “We must reinforce political awareness, look at problems from a political perspective, grasp the overall political situation, and improve our political acumen, understanding and capacity to deliver.”

December 25

The CPC Central Committee issues the revised Regulations of the Communist Party of China on the Protection of the Rights of Its Members to further promote the institutionalization and standardization of the protection of Party members’ rights.

December 26

At its 24th Meeting, the Standing Committee of the 13th NPC adopts the Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Protection of the Yangtze River, the Amendment to the Criminal Law of the People’s Republic of China (XI), the revised Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Prevention of Juvenile Delinquency and National Defense Law of the People’s Republic of China.

December 28

The General Office of the CPC Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council issue the Guidelines on the Full Implementation of the Forest Chief System. By June 2022, the forest chief system had been established across the board.

December 28–29

The Central Rural Work Conference is held. At the conference, Xi Jinping stresses in his speech that, “After the victory in poverty eradication, it is necessary to comprehensively promote rural revitalization, which is a historic shift in the work related to agriculture, rural areas, and rural residents. We should address the problems related to agriculture, rural areas, and rural residents as a top priority in the work of our Party. We need to mobilize the whole Party and society to promote rural revitalization.” On January 4, 2021, the CPC Central Committee and the State Council issue the Guidelines on Accelerating Agricultural and Rural Modernization by Comprehensively Promoting Rural Revitalization.

December 30

Xi Jinping states in his speech at the 17th Meeting of the Central Commission for Further Reform that, “Great successes of historic significance have been achieved in furthering reform. Pressing ahead with confidence, we will forge a strong synergy of reform and work even harder to ensure that reform achieves greater breakthroughs in the new development stage.” More than seven years since the Third Plenary Session of the 18th CPC Central Committee was held, a total of 2,485 reform programs have been launched in various areas, and the reform goals and tasks proposed at the Plenary Session have generally been completed on schedule.

2020

China’s gross domestic product exceeds 100 trillion yuan and the country becomes the only major economy in the world to achieve positive economic growth.

from:A Chronicle of Events Since the Communist Party of China's 19th National Congress, edited by the Institute of Party History and Literature of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, published by Central Compilation & Translation Press,2023