Oct. 20 - 23: Communist party to hold key plenum
The Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) will convene in Beijing for its annual plenum, the most important event in China’s political calendar this year. This session will deliberate on the draft of the Central Committee’s proposals for formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan, which will be approved by the National People’s Congress in March 2026.
Oct. 21: Japan to elect new prime minister
Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party plans to convene an extraordinary session of parliament to elect the country’s next prime minister. Sanae Takaichi, who became the ruling party’s first female president on Oct. 4, must win the parliamentary vote to assume the premiership.
Oct. 24 – 28: China’s top legislature to convene
The 18th session of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People’s Congress will be held in Beijing. The agenda includes reviewing draft amendments to several laws, including the maritime law and the cybersecurity law.
Oct. 24: Hong Kong opens legislative council election nominations
The nomination period for Hong Kong’s 2025 Legislative Council general election will run from Oct. 24 to Nov. 6. The election is scheduled for Dec. 7, when 90 members will be chosen.
Oct. 26: Argentina to hold midterm elections
Argentina will hold legislative midterm elections, renewing half the seats in the Chamber of Deputies and a third in the Senate in a vote seen as a key test of President Javier Milei’s political strength.
Oct. 26 – 28: 47th ASEAN summit
The summit will be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Leaders from ASEAN member states and dialogue partners, including China, the U.S., Japan, South Korea, and India, are expected to attend. East Timor is set to be formally admitted as the newest member of the bloc during the summit.
Oct. 26: Direct flights resume between China and India
India’s IndiGo will resume a daily direct flight route between Kolkata and Guangzhou on Oct. 26, with direct flights between Delhi and Guangzhou to follow soon. The airline will operate an Airbus A320neo on the route, which is expected to reestablish channels for cross-border trade and tourism.
