In recent years, China has undertaken drastic efforts to dredge and reclaim thousands of square feet in the South China Sea. It has deployed anti-ship and anti-aircraft missile systems on the Spratly Islands, and constructed military infrastructure on several artificial islands, such as runways, support buildings, loading piers, and communications facilities. China’s land development has profound security implications.

Europe

Austria: Starting from August 15, only fully vaccinated persons, those who can prove they were infected recently with COVID-19, as well as those who can present negative COVID-19 test results, will be eligible to enter places like restaurants, hotels, events, etc. Face masks are required on public transport and in other public spaces.

Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy has ten core principles. It spells out the historical mission and the overall objectives of China's external work in the new era and outlines the set of policies and principles that must be upheld. 

The ten core principles are: 

1. Upholding the authority of the CPC Central Committee as the overarching principle and strengthening the Party's centralized, unified leadership over external work;

2. Advancing major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics to fulfill the mission of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation;

Animalhealth Europe Association: Hans-Guenther Dittrich from the German animal pharma company MSD has been appointed as president of the AnimalhealthEurope association.

The European Commission has given a positive assessment to Spain’s recovery and resilience plan, which will be financed by €69.5 billion in grants.

40% of the plan’s total allocation for reforms and investments supports climate objectives

The European Commission has given a positive assessment to Italy's € 191.5 billion recovery and resilience plan, consisting of € 68.9 billion in grants and € 122.6 billion in loans.

37% of the plan's total allocation for reforms and investments supports climate objectives

The European Commission has given a positive assessment to France’s recovery and resilience plan, which will be financed by €39.4 billion in grants. The financing provided by the Recovery and Resilience Facility – at the heart of NextGenerationEU – will support the implementation by 2026 of crucial investment and reform measures put forward by France to emerge stronger from the COVID-19 pandemic.

46 % of the plan’s total allocation for reforms and investments supports climate objectives

As of 27/28 July 2021

Source: 2021 Rule of Law Report

Low and Relatively Low Level of Corruption