The world in 697 AD — what happened that year

5 events the sources record for this year, grouped by region.

What happened

Sun Wanzhan was murdered by a household slave, and his remnants were thoroughly routed. (Old Book of Tang (Jiu Tangshu), Annals 舊唐書卷6 神功1年)
At the East Xia Valley, Sun Wanrong of the Khitan defeated Wang Xiaojie, who died in battle. (New Book of Tang (Xin Tangshu), Annals 新唐書卷004 則天·中宗神功1年3月)
In March 697, the Khitan, riding the momentum, invade Youzhou, capture its walled towns and plunder its officials and people; Youyi sends a general, but cannot win. (Zizhi Tongjian (Comprehensive Mirror) 권206 697년 항)

Emperor Monmu accedes to the throne by abdication (first year, eighth month, day Kōshi-saku). (Shoku Nihongi (Continued Chronicles of Japan) 續日本紀卷第1 「元年八月甲子朔元年八」)
Silla envoys, Ilgilchan Kim Pildeok, vice-envoy Nama Kim Imsang and others, come to pay court. (Shoku Nihongi (Continued Chronicles of Japan) 續日本紀卷第1 「辛夘。新羅使一吉飡金」)