Global Political Calendar: China-U.S. tension, PLA birthday, HK LegCo

The U.S. consulate in Chengdu, China, is closing on July 27, Chinese People's Liberation Army marks the 93rd anniversary of its founding on August 1, nominations for Hong Kong's 2020 Legislative Council (LegCo) General Election end on July 31.

U.S. consulate in Chengdu to close

China has ordered the U.S. consulate in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, to close in response to the U.S. closing its consulate in Houston.

According to Global Times Editor-in-Chief Hu Xijin, the deadline for the Americans to exit Chengdu should be 10 a.m. local time on July 27.

The American insignia was removed from the building on Saturday and consulate staffers were seen packing their belongings.

The next steps taken by China and the U.S. in the coming week will be worth watching.

Open letter from Chinese Consul General on Houston consulate closure

Explainer: What Houston consulate closure means for China-U.S. ties

PLA's 93rd birthday

The PLA has come a long way since its birth during the armed uprising in the city of Nanchang on August 1, 1927, when it had only 20,000 soldiers.

With 2 million servicemen, today's PLA pledges to build up new types of combat forces that have the ability to conduct special operations, all-dimensional offense and defense, amphibious operations, far seas protection, and strategic projection.

The PLA has reshaped its leadership and management system, optimized its structure and reformed its military policies and institutions since 2015.

Graphics: Reform in China's national defense and armed forces

In China's battle against COVID-19, the PLA dispatched over 4,000 medical personnel to the epicenter of the outbreak, Hubei, to work in epidemic control. Medical teams were formed within two hours of receiving the order, and they arrived at their destinations within 24 hours, carrying a seven-day stock of protective materials. On arrival, they started to treat patients right away.

The PLA has also shared experience, sent COVID-19 prevention and control supplies and experts to help multiples countries in their fight against the virus.

The Chinese defense ministry hasn't officially announced any celebration activities yet.

HKSAR LegCo election nominations to end

The nomination period for the 2020 LegCo General Election in China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) will end July 31.

This is the first nomination since the Safeguarding National Security Law was enacted at the beginning of July.

A total of 70 members, 35 from geographical constituencies and 35 from functional constituencies, will be elected during the general election for the seventh-term LegCo on September 6.

To run for a seat in a geographical constituency or a functional constituency, a nominee must be a registered geographical constituency elector aged 21 or above and the nominee must also have ordinarily resided in Hong Kong for the three years immediately preceding the date of his nomination.

A number of candidates from political groups, including the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB), and the Business and Professionals Alliance for Hong Kong (BPA), have registered to stand for the election.

Day by Day:

Monday: Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte delivers the state of the nation address; Deadline for the U.S. to close its consulate in Chengdu, China.

Tuesday: 106th anniversary of the beginning of World War 1; Peru's President Martin Vizcarraon addresses the nation from the congress on the occasion of Peru's 199th Independence Anniversary.

Wednesday: A quiet day for politics.

Thursday: A quiet day for politics.

Friday: Chilean President Sebastian Pinera delivers the annual state of the nation address; Nomination of the 2020 LegCo General Election in China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) ends.

Saturday: 93rd founding anniversary of the PLA; Third APEC Senior Officials' Meeting and Related Meetings (to August 15); Poland marks the 76th anniversary of its war-time Warsaw Uprising against the Nazis.

Sunday: A quiet day for politics.