Assessing Effectiveness of 'Beautiful China' Agenda - China Seeks US' 'Unequivocal Opposition to Taiwan Independence' - China-Bangladesh Joint Statement - Q1 ODI at RMB 309.45 bln

Here are the key reports and articles from the People’s Daily’s edition on Friday, May 08, 2026.

China returned from its May Day break a couple of days ago. But I got back last night. So today, I’ll also cover some of the reporting that I’ve missed in the past couple of days.

Page 1: The General Office of the Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council have issued the “Measures for Assessing the Effectiveness of Building a Beautiful China”. The full document is published in the paper today.

I have three observations:

• First, this is an important document. It outlines a clear process by which the central leadership will be overseeing local-level actions when it comes to the environmental agenda and key targets. It tells us that the intention to address environmental challenges remains a key part of Beijing’s agenda under Xi.

• Second, there’s a threat of punitive actions against individuals and groups that is explicitly made in this document. The document also says that assessment results will provide an “important reference for the comprehensive evaluation, rewards, punishments, appointments, and removals of the leadership teams and relevant leading cadres of the Party committees and governments of provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the Central Government), and as a reference basis for the allocation of fiscal funds related to ecological and environmental protection.” So the incentive structure is fairly clear for cadres across the system. Of course, like all information, the data can be selectively leveraged with the motive to take down someone politically problematic.

• Third, there’s the issue of whether such central control can fundamentally alter the local political economy. And what’s the weightage that the Beautiful China agenda gets in comparison to say keeping people on payrolls, ensuring resource security, maintaining electricity supply, etc. Those are all trade-offs that one has to confront at local and central levels. In essence, there a range of objectives and targets that pull in different directions, making what sounds rather straight-forward complex in practice.

Some key excerpts from the document:

Article 3. Under the centralised and unified leadership of the Party Central Committee, the assessment work shall be led and organised by the Central Leading Group for Ecological and Environmental Protection Inspection, and carried out by the Office of the Central Leading Group for Ecological and Environmental Protection Inspection and the Central Organization Department together with relevant departments. 第三条 在党中央集中统一领导下，考核工作由中央生态环境保护督察工作领导小组牵头组织，由中央生态环境保护督察工作领导小组办公室、中央组织部会同有关部门开展.

Article 4: The assessment work shall adhere to the following principles: emphasising actual performance and encouraging responsibility-taking, promoting the establishment and practice of a correct view of political achievements, and improving the execution of the Party Central Committee’s decisions and deployments on ecological civilisation construction; adhering to goal orientation and problem orientation, targeting prominent ecological and environmental problems strongly reflected by the people, continuously and deeply fighting the tough battle of pollution prevention and control, setting key and guiding assessment indicators around the goals and tasks of Beautiful China construction, and firmly grasping key areas and critical links; adhering to regulations, law, and public approval, strictly following relevant inner-Party regulations, the Ecological Environment Code and other legal requirements, standardizing assessment methods and procedures to ensure precision, scientific rigour, objectivity, and fairness, paying attention to reducing the burden on grassroots levels, and fully leveraging the role of social supervision; adhering to combining assessment with application and using assessment to promote action, strengthening the application of assessment results, using assessment to promote improvement of ecological and environmental quality and implementation of related work, and compacting ecological and environmental protection responsibilities. 第四条 考核工作应当坚持注重实绩、激励担当，推动树立和践行正确政绩观，提高对党中央生态文明建设决策部署的执行力； 坚持目标导向、问题导向，针对人民群众反映强烈的突出生态环境问题，持续深入打好污染防治攻坚战，围绕美丽中国建设目标任务设置关键性、引领性考核指标，狠抓重点领域和关键环节； 坚持依规依法、群众认可，严格依照有关党内法规、生态环境法典等法律要求，规范考核方式和程序，做到精准科学、客观公正，注重减轻基层负担，充分发挥社会监督作用； 坚持考用结合、以考促干，强化考核结果运用，以考核促进生态环境质量改善和相关工作落实，压实生态环境保护责任.

The assessment for building a Beautiful China will cover the following domains:

• Implementation of Beautiful China construction responsibilities. Assessing how the Party committee and government of the province (autonomous region, or municipality directly under the Central Government) have implemented joint Party-government responsibility and dual responsibility for one post, studied, deployed, and supervised the implementation of Beautiful China construction and ecological and environmental protection work, compacted ecological and environmental protection responsibilities, and promoted rectification from central ecological and environmental protection inspections.

• Completion of annual main targets for Beautiful China construction. Assessing the atmospheric environment, water and marine ecological environment, soil ecological environment, solid waste pollution prevention and control, ecological quality conditions, and completion of annual targets.

• Completion of annual key tasks for Beautiful China construction. Assessing completion of annual key tasks in green and low-carbon transformation of development modes, pollution control, enhancement of ecosystem diversity, stability, and sustainability, and ecological and environmental safety.

• Fund utilisation performance. Assessing the utilisation performance of central and local fiscal funds for ecological and environmental protection.

• Degree of public satisfaction. Assessing the degree of public satisfaction with Beautiful China construction and improvement of ecological and environmental quality in their respective regions.

第五条 对各省（自治区、直辖市）党委和政府美丽中国建设成效的考核，主要包括：（一）美丽中国建设责任落实情况。考核省（自治区、直辖市）党委和政府落实党政同责、一岗双责，研究部署和督促落实美丽中国建设和生态环境保护工作，压实生态环境保护责任，推进中央生态环境保护督察整改等情况.（二）美丽中国建设年度主要目标完成情况。考核大气环境、水和海洋生态环境、土壤生态环境、固体废物污染防治和生态质量状况以及年度目标完成情况.（三）美丽中国建设年度重点任务完成情况。考核发展方式绿色低碳转型、污染治理、生态系统多样性稳定性持续性提升、生态环境安全年度重点任务完成情况.（四）资金使用绩效情况。考核中央和地方生态环境保护财政资金使用绩效情况.（五）群众满意程度。考核群众对本地区美丽中国建设和生态环境质量改善的满意程度.

Article 6: The assessment shall use a 100-point scoring system, with bonus and deduction items set reasonably. Based on the scoring, assessment results shall be divided into four grades: excellent, good, qualified, and unqualified. The Office of the Central Leading Group for Ecological and Environmental Protection Inspection and the Central Organization Department, together with relevant departments, shall formulate detailed scoring rules for assessment indicators. Among these, the relevant assessment of green and low-carbon transformation of development modes shall maintain alignment with the comprehensive evaluation and assessment for carbon peaking and carbon neutrality. If a province (autonomous region, and municipality directly under the Central Government) experiences a particularly major environmental pollution incident or a particularly major ecological destruction incident, the annual assessment result shall not be determined as ‘good’ or above. 第六条 考核采用百分制评分，合理设置加分项和减分项，根据评分情况，考核结果划分为优秀、良好、合格、不合格4个等级。中央生态环境保护督察工作领导小组办公室、中央组织部会同有关部门制定考核指标评分细则。其中，对发展方式绿色低碳转型的有关考核应当与碳达峰碳中和综合评价考核保持衔接。 省（自治区、直辖市）发生特别重大环境污染事件或者特别重大生态破坏事件的，年度考核结果不得确定为“良好”及以上.

Article 7 says that assessment work should be done annually by June and the evaluation should be completed by March.

Article 8 outlines the process of assessment.

• Self-evaluation and summary. Each province (autonomous region and municipality directly under the Central Government) shall summarize the progress and achievements of Beautiful China construction, conduct self-evaluation against the assessment indicators, form a self-evaluation summary report, and submit it to the Office of the Central Leading Group for Ecological and Environmental Protection Inspection. Self-evaluation need not be conducted for statistical monitoring data and public evaluation perceptions and other data held by relevant departments.

• Verification and validation. The Office of the Central Leading Group for Ecological and Environmental Protection Inspection, together with relevant departments, shall verify, validate, and compile the self-evaluation summary reports of each province (autonomous region and municipality directly under the Central Government).

• Comprehensive evaluation. The Office of the Central Leading Group for Ecological and Environmental Protection Inspection and the Central Organization Department, together with relevant departments, shall conduct comprehensive evaluation against the assessment indicators, propose suggestions for grade classification of assessment results and handling of assessment results, and report to the Central Leading Group for Ecological and Environmental Protection Inspection for study and discussion.

• Results and feedback. After the assessment results are reviewed and approved by the Party Central Committee and the State Council, they shall be communicated to each province (autonomous region and municipality directly under the Central Government) in the name of the General Office of the Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council. The Office of the Central Leading Group for Ecological and Environmental Protection Inspection and the Central Organization Department shall provide feedback on problems discovered during assessment to each province (autonomous region and municipality directly under the Central Government) and promote problem rectification.

第八条 考核采取下列步骤： （一）自评总结。各省（自治区、直辖市）就美丽中国建设进展情况和取得成效进行总结，对照考核指标进行自评，形成自评总结报告，送中央生态环境保护督察工作领导小组办公室。对统计监测数据和群众评价感受等有关部门掌握数据可不开展自评。 （二）核实核证。中央生态环境保护督察工作领导小组办公室会同有关部门对各省（自治区、直辖市）自评总结报告进行核实核证和汇总整理。 （三）综合评价。中央生态环境保护督察工作领导小组办公室、中央组织部会同有关部门对照考核指标进行综合评价，提出考核等级划分、考核结果处理等建议，报中央生态环境保护督察工作领导小组研究讨论。 （四）结果反馈。考核结果经党中央、国务院审定后，以中央办公厅、国务院办公厅名义向各省（自治区、直辖市）通报。由中央生态环境保护督察工作领导小组办公室、中央组织部向各省（自治区、直辖市）反馈考核发现问题，并推动问题整改.

Article 9: The assessment results shall serve as an important reference for the comprehensive evaluation, rewards, punishments, appointments, and removals of the leadership teams and relevant leading cadres of the Party committees and governments of provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the Central Government), and as a reference basis for the allocation of fiscal funds related to ecological and environmental protection. 第九条 考核结果作为省（自治区、直辖市）党委和政府领导班子和有关领导干部综合考核评价、奖惩任免的重要参考，作为生态环境保护相关财政资金分配的参考依据.

Article 10: If the assessment result of a province (autonomous region and municipality directly under the Central Government) is ‘unqualified’, it shall promptly propose rectification measures and complete rectification within the prescribed period. If rectification is not completed within the time limit, depending on the circumstances, the Central Organization Department together with the Office of the Central Leading Group for Ecological and Environmental Protection Inspection shall conduct an admonishment/accountability meeting with the principal responsible persons of the Party committee and government of the province (autonomous region and municipality directly under the Central Government). Where accountability is required, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Supervisory Commission and the Central Organization Department shall pursue accountability in accordance with regulations, discipline, and law. 第十条 省（自治区、直辖市）考核结果为“不合格”的，应当及时提出整改措施、按期整改到位。逾期整改不到位的，视情由中央组织部会同中央生态环境保护督察工作领导小组办公室对省（自治区、直辖市）党委和政府主要负责人进行约谈。需要追究责任的，由中央纪委国家监委、中央组织部依规依纪依法予以责任追究.

Article 11: Each province (autonomous region and municipality directly under the Central Government) and relevant departments shall provide relevant data and materials in a timely and accurate manner to ensure the smooth conduct of assessment work. For cases where assessment results are seriously distorted due to practicing favouritism and fraud, false reporting, concealment, tampering with data, or fabricating materials, the assessment grade shall be directly determined as ‘unqualified’, relevant information shall be included in the record of government dishonesty, and the responsibilities of relevant units and personnel shall be seriously pursued in accordance with relevant regulations. Assessment work personnel shall strictly observe discipline, implement work standards and confidentiality regulations, maintain integrity and self-discipline, and are strictly prohibited from abusing power or seeking personal gain through their authority. Those who violate assessment discipline shall be seriously held accountable in accordance with relevant regulations. 第十一条 各省（自治区、直辖市）、有关部门应当及时、准确提供相关数据和资料，确保考核工作顺利进行。对于徇私舞弊、谎报瞒报、篡改数据、伪造资料等造成考核结果严重失真失实的，考核等级直接确定为“不合格”，将相关信息纳入政务失信记录，并按照有关规定严肃追究相关单位和人员责任。 考核工作人员应当严格遵守纪律，落实工作规范和保密规定，做到廉洁自律，严禁滥用职权、以权谋私，对违反考核纪律的按照有关规定严肃追究责任.

Next, there are reports on Zhao Leji and Li Qiang meeting a delegation of visiting American senators. Xinhua’s report on Li’s meeting with delegation says:

“China is willing to work with the United States to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, enhance dialogue and communication, create a favorable atmosphere for exchanges at all levels and cooperation in various fields, and strive for more practical achievements between the two countries, Chinese Premier Li Qiang said Thursday. Li made the remarks when meeting with a visiting delegation of U.S. senators led by Steve Daines in Beijing.”

“Noting President Xi Jinping and President Donald Trump had a phone call this February, which has set new strategic guidance on promoting the development of the bilateral relations, Li said that the Chinese side is willing to work with the United States to continuously enhance the well-being of the two peoples, and inject certainty and positive energy into the world. Li pointed out that experience has repeatedly shown that adhering to mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation is the right way for the two major countries to get along with each other. It is hoped that the U.S. side will work with China in the same direction, pursue dialogue and mutually beneficial cooperation rather than confrontation and zero-sum competition, and maintain stable and predictable China-U.S. economic and trade relations, said Li, adding that this is in line with the fundamental interests of both sides. Noting the Taiwan question concerns China’s core interests, and is the first and foremost red line that must not be crossed in China-U.S. relations, Li said that it is hoped that the U.S. Congress will proceed from the overall interests of friendly cooperation between the two countries, view and handle China-related issues with caution, and play an active role in the stable, sound and sustainable development of China-U.S. relations.”

As per Xinhua, this is what Zhao told them:

“Zhao said the stable, healthy and sustainable development of China-U.S. relations is in line with the common interests of the two peoples and the general expectations of the international community. Noting that since last year, China-U.S. ties have achieved overall stability under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, Zhao said China is ready to work with the U.S. to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, strengthen dialogue and communication, properly manage differences and expand practical cooperation. The Taiwan question is at the core of China’s core interests and the most important issue in bilateral ties, Zhao said, urging the U.S. to abide by the one-China principle and handle the Taiwan question carefully. The NPC of China is willing to enhance exchanges with the U.S. Congress and realize more exchanges and visits, Zhao added”.

On Page 3, there’s a report on Wang Yi’s meeting with the delegation. The readout says:

“Wang Yi said, this visit is the first bipartisan delegation of US Congressional senators to visit China since President Trump took office, and carries important symbolic significance. I hope that through this visit you can feel the new atmosphere of China’s development, build new bridges of communication, explore new areas of cooperation, and add new momentum to the stable, healthy, and sustainable development of China-US relations. Wang Yi stated that China-US relations bear upon the wellbeing of the peoples of both countries and affect the stability of the world order. China’s policy toward the US has been consistent throughout. The two countries should take mutual respect as the cornerstone, peaceful coexistence as the principle, and win-win cooperation as the goal, to explore a correct way for two major countries to get along, and jointly contribute to world peace and stability. Over the past year and more, President Xi Jinping and President Trump have spoken and met multiple times, calibrating the direction of bilateral relations at critical moments. The Chinese side is willing to work with the American side to properly implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, to let China-US relations truly stabilize and improve, benefiting both countries and the world.

Wang Yi said, to truly find the correct way for China and the United States as two major countries to get along, the key is to continuously and unceasingly resolve each other’s perception problems, and to fasten the ‘first button’ of bilateral relations correctly. The social systems and development paths of China and the United States are different, but both originate from their respective historical and cultural accumulations, and both are the choices of their own peoples. All things grow together without harming one another. We should jointly seek ‘harmony without uniformity’, being partners rather than rivals. China will not follow the old path of a strong country inevitably seeking hegemony, and will persist in peaceful development and firmly follow the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics. We hope the American side will view China objectively, establish a rational perception of China, earnestly respect China’s core interests, properly manage differences, and join hands to do more big things, practical things, and good things that benefit both countries and the world, and send more positive and constructive signals to the world.” 王毅说，此访是特朗普总统就任以来首个访华的美国国会两党参议员代表团，具有重要象征意义。希望你们通过此访感受中国发展新气象，搭建沟通新桥梁，探讨合作新领域，为中美关系稳定健康可持续发展增添新动力。王毅表示，中美关系攸关两国人民福祉，牵动世界格局稳定。中方对美政策一以贯之，两国应以相互尊重为基石，以和平共处为准则，以合作共赢为目标，探索出一条大国正确相处之道，共同为世界和平与稳定作出贡献。一年多来习近平主席同特朗普总统多次通话会晤，在关键时刻校准了两国关系方向。中方愿同美方共同落实好两国元首重要共识，让中美关系真正稳下来、好起来，造福两国，惠及世界。 王毅说，要真正找到中美两个大国正确相处之道，关键是持续不断解决彼此认知问题，扣好两国关系“第一粒纽扣”。中美两国社会制度和发展道路不同，但都源于各自历史文化积淀，都是本国人民的选择。万物并育而不相害，我们应共同寻求“和而不同”，做伙伴而不是当对手。中国不会走国强必霸的老路，将坚持和平发展，坚定走中国特色社会主义道路。希望美方客观看待中国，树立理性对华认知，切实尊重中国核心利益，妥善管控分歧，携手多办一些有利于两国和世界的大事、实事、好事，向世界发出更多积极和正面的信号.

Another related report on Page 3 is this comment (English text) from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, setting the tone and outlining an objective for Trump’s visit.

“CCTV: With the China-U.S. presidential meeting approaching, there is speculation that Taiwan tops Beijing’s agenda for the summit. What’s your comment?

Lin Jian: The Taiwan question is at the very core of China’s core interests, and the bedrock of the political foundation of China-U.S. relations. Abiding by the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiqués, and honoring the commitments made by U.S. administrations on the Taiwan question is the U.S.’s due international obligation and the prerequisite for a steady, sound and sustainable China-U.S. relationship. China has unwavering resolve in safeguarding national unity and territorial integrity. ‘Taiwan independence’ and cross-Strait peace are as irreconcilable as fire and water. To keep the Taiwan Strait peaceful and stable, there must be unequivocal opposition to ‘Taiwan independence’.”

Li also met with Uzbek PM Abdulla Aripov in Beijing. Xinhua reports:

“Noting that the current international situation is complex and intricate, Li said that as all-weather comprehensive strategic partners for a new era, China and Uzbekistan should unite and work together more closely. China is willing to work with Uzbekistan to follow the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, consolidate political mutual trust, strengthen mutual support, expand all-round mutually beneficial cooperation, and promote more outcomes in building a China-Uzbekistan community with a shared future…”

“Li Qiang pointed out that China is willing to strengthen the alignment of development strategies with Uzbekistan, continuously promote trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, deepen cooperation in energy resources, connectivity, digital economy, green economy and other fields, create more landmark projects, promote the high-standard and high-quality construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, and continuously improve the effectiveness of cooperation. China is willing to import more high-quality products from Uzbekistan, encourage capable Chinese enterprises to invest in Uzbekistan, and hopes that Uzbekistan will safeguard their legitimate rights and interests. Both sides should further utilize the mutual visa exemption policy, increase the number of direct flights, strengthen exchanges and cooperation in culture, tourism, education, youth and other fields, and enhance mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples. China is also willing to work closely with Uzbekistan in multilateral mechanisms such as the UN and the SCO, promote the sound development of the China-Central Asia mechanism, actively implement the four major global initiatives, and advance the development of the international order in a more just and reasonable direction.” 李强指出，中方愿同乌方加强发展战略对接，持续促进贸易投资自由化便利化，深化能源资源、互联互通、数字经济、绿色经济等领域合作，打造更多标志性项目，推动中吉乌铁路高标准、高质量建设，不断提升合作实效。中方愿进口乌方更多优质产品，鼓励有实力的中资企业赴乌投资，希望乌方保障好他们的合法权益。双方要进一步用好互免签证政策，增开更多直航航班，加强文化、旅游、教育、青年等领域交流合作，增进两国民众相知相亲。中方也愿同乌方密切在联合国、上合组织等多边机制协作，推动中国—中亚机制做优做强，积极落实四大全球倡议，推动国际秩序朝着更加公正合理的方向发展.

Finally, there’s a report informing that in Q1 2026, China’s total outbound direct investment (ODI) reached RMB 309.45 billion ($44.53 billion), a year-on-year increase of 5.4%.

Chinese investors made non-financial direct investments in 4,111 overseas enterprises across 140 countries and regions, with a total investment of RMB 232.86 billion. China’s outward contracted engineering business completed turnover of 259.35 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 5.7%, and newly signed contract value reached 385.3 billion yuan.

Chinese enterprises’ non-financial direct investment in BRI countries reached 61.27 billion yuan. In terms of outward contracted engineering, Chinese enterprises newly signed contracted engineering contracts in BRI countries totalled 348.51 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 2.4%; completed turnover reached 218.69 billion yuan, an increase of 10%.

Chinese enterprises dispatched a total of 96,000 various categories of labour overseas, among whom 30,000 were dispatched for contracted engineering projects and 66,000 under labour cooperation projects. 据商务部、国家外汇局统计：今年一季度，我国全行业对外直接投资3094.5亿元，同比增长5.4%。其中，我国境内投资者共对140个国家和地区的4111家境外企业进行了非金融类直接投资，累计投资2328.6亿元。一季度，我国对外承包工程业务完成营业额2593.5亿元，同比增长5.7%，新签合同额3853亿元。一季度，我国企业在共建“一带一路”国家非金融类直接投资612.7亿元。对外承包工程方面，我国企业在共建“一带一路”国家新签承包工程合同额3485.1亿元，同比增长2.4%；完成营业额2186.9亿元，增长10%。一季度，我国企业共向境外派出各类劳务人员9.6万人，其中承包工程项下派出3万人、劳务合作项下派出6.6万人

If you are interested in tracking this data, do check out this report by China briefing. It shows that China’s non-financial ODI was $143.85 billion, up 10.5%, for January to December 2025. But in the first quarter of this year, it is at $33.51 billion, down 6.1%.

Page 3: There’s an article by Yang Hongjun on Japan’s “neo-militarism”.

Yang argues that Sanae Takaichi’s ritual offering and Japanese Diet members’ visit to the Yasukuni Shrine show that they are “openly seeking to reverse the verdict on historical crimes and summon the spirits of war criminals. This is a serious provocation against international justice, and even more a brutal trampling of human conscience.”

“Brazenly issuing explicit fallacies concerning Taiwan, dispatching Self-Defense Force vessels into the Taiwan Strait in deliberate provocation, revising the ‘Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment’, obstinately pushing forward the revision of Article 9 of the Constitution...Since Sanae Takaichi took power, these various perverse actions going against the tide of history have exposed her delusional ambitions to subvert the foundations of the post-war international order and to achieve the strategic goal of making Japan a major political and military power through constitutional revision and military expansion. Japan’s ‘neo-militarism’ has already bared its fangs, taken shape as a menace, and once again threatens regional peace and stability. 悍然发表涉台露骨谬论、派自卫队舰艇进入台湾海峡蓄意挑衅、修改“防卫装备转移三原则”、执意推进修改宪法第九条……高市早苗上台执政以来，种种倒行逆施，暴露了其意图颠覆战后国际秩序基础、以修宪扩军实现日本政治军事大国化战略目标的妄念野心。日本“新型军国主义”已露出獠牙、成势为患，再次威胁地区和平稳定.

The erroneous view of history to which Japanese right-wing politicians such as Sanae Takaichi are obsessively attached to has its roots in the militarist ideological system that was gradually constructed since Japan’s modern era and that ultimately pushed Japan into the abyss of destruction. As early as the period when the achievements of the Meiji Restoration first became visible, the imperialist expansionist and emperor-system worshipper Fukuzawa Yukichi proposed that Japan should become the ‘leader of Eastern civilisation’, arguing that Japan should ‘protect’ the ‘Asian East’, and make China and Korea emulate Japan in entering the so-called ‘civilisation’ proclaimed by Japan, ‘compelling their progress through military force.’ This not only initiated Japan’s so-called ‘civilisational judgment’ of its Asian neighbours, but also wove together high-sounding excuses for its launching of wars of aggression. 高市早苗等日本右翼政客所执迷的错误史观，根源在于日本近代以来逐步构建并最终将日本推向毁灭深渊的军国主义思想体系。早在明治维新成果初现之时，日本尊崇天皇制的帝国主义扩张论者福泽谕吉便提出日本要做“东洋文明之魁首”，认为日本应“保护”“亚细亚东方”，并令中国、朝鲜仿效日本进入后者宣称的所谓“文明”，“以武力胁迫其进步”。这不仅开启了日本对亚洲邻国所谓的“文明审判”，更为其发动侵略战争编织了冠冕堂皇的借口.

After the Sino-Japanese War and the Russo-Japanese War, Japan styled itself as the ‘spokesperson’ of Western civilisation in Asia. Domestically, it bound the Japanese people to the chariot of militarism. Externally, it annexed Korea, continuously expanded its aggression against China, and broadly infiltrated and interfered in the modernisation processes of Asian countries across the political, economic, and ideological domains. During this period, Japan established a path of colonial expansion under the banner of so-called ‘civilisation and enlightenment’ and a discursive power system under the guise of so-called ‘civilisational judgment’, which ultimately evolved into monstrous crimes behind the mask of the ‘Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere’, bringing unprecedented catastrophe to human civilisation. 甲午战争、日俄战争后，日本以西洋文明在亚洲的“代言人”自居，对内将日本人民绑上军国主义战车，对外吞并朝鲜、持续扩大对华侵略，在政治、经济及思想等各领域广泛渗透和干涉亚洲各国的近代化进程。这一时期，日本确立了以所谓“文明开化”为旗帜的殖民扩张道路和以所谓“文明审判”为幌子的话语权力体系，最终演变为“大东亚共荣圈”面具下的滔天罪行，给人类文明带来空前浩劫.

Even today, Japan’s right wing, in advancing historical revisionism and manipulating constitutional revision and military expansion, still employs this extremely erroneous and extremely dangerous cognitive logic and narrative system. When former Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo was in power, he launched and comprehensively strengthened so-called ‘values-based diplomacy’ and developed a narrative of a ‘free and open Indo-Pacific;’, which gradually became a strategic tool for Japan to break free from the post-war system and pursue the goal of becoming a major political and military power. Under this false narrative, Japan regards itself as a ‘honours student of democracy’ and denigrates other countries with values-based arrogance. This is exactly the same as Japan’s so-called ‘civilizational judgment’ perspective toward neighbouring countries since modern times and possesses strong deceptive and dangerous qualities. Advancing geopolitical and military strategy under the cloak of ideology, the true intent of the Japanese right wing is to achieve expansion. This is nothing less than the resurrection and mutation of militarist ideology in the 21st century. Since the establishment of the Takaichi government, provocative acts have been unceasing. This is a dangerous escalation of the Abe line. The dangerous logic of pursuing major political and military power status, cloaked in values and following the path of confrontation with neighbouring countries, is clearly visible. 时至今日，日本右翼推进历史修正主义、修宪扩军操弄，仍套用这一极端错误、极其危险的认知逻辑和叙事体系。日本前首相安倍晋三执政时，推出并全面强化了所谓“价值观外交”，发展出一套“自由开放的印太地区”叙事，逐渐成为日本摆脱战后体制、谋求政治军事大国化的战略工具。在这种虚假叙事下，日本自认“民主优等生”，以价值观傲慢贬低他国。这与日本近代以来对邻国的所谓“文明审判”视角如出一辙，具有很强的迷惑性、危险性。披着意识形态外衣推进地缘与军事战略，日本右翼的真实企图是要实现扩张，这无异于是军国主义思潮在21世纪的复活与变种。高市政权成立以来，挑衅行径不断，是安倍路线的危险升级，以价值观为外衣、以对抗邻国为路径，谋求政治军事大国化的危险逻辑清晰可见.

Japanese right-wing politicians’ open worship of war criminals and promotion of constitutional revision and military expansion are two sides of the same coin, thoroughly exposing their obsession with and delusion of being the so-called ‘leader of Eastern civilisation.’ Taking history as a mirror, Japanese militarism once carried out the destruction of civilisation in the name of ‘civilisation and enlightenment’, and once fabricated so-called ‘existential crises’ to exonerate its crimes of aggression. Historical memory must not be erased, and justice and righteousness must not be challenged. Faced with the wanton recklessness of the Japanese right wing in falsifying history and beautifying aggression, faced with the evil fangs that ‘neo-militarism’ continues to bare, all peace-loving countries and peoples should maintain the highest vigilance and resolutely oppose it. 日本右翼政客公然祭拜战犯与推动修宪扩军的行为互为表里，彻底暴露对所谓“东洋文明之魁首”的执念和狂想。以史为鉴，日本军国主义曾以“文明开化”之名行摧残文明之实，也曾炮制所谓“存亡危机”为侵略罪行开脱。历史记忆不容抹杀，公理正义不容挑战。面对日本右翼篡改历史、美化侵略的肆意妄为，面对“新型军国主义”不断龇出的邪恶獠牙，所有爱好和平的国家和人民都应当保持高度警醒，并予以坚决反对.

Page 4: The verdicts against Li Shangfu and Wei Fenghe are covered on this page. Both of them have been handed death sentences, with a two-year reprieve. After two years, their sentence will be commuted to life-imprisonment. No parole and no further commutation is possible.

If you are interested, my colleague Anushka, who tracks the PLA, has put together this neat table covering the charges against the duo.

Page 10: There’s a report on Jin Zhizhen, former vice-chairman of the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous regional committee of the CPPCC, being expelled from the Party and removed from public office. China Daily informs:

“Jin was found to have resisted organizational investigations, accepted ‘butler-style’ services from private business owners, and attended banquets that could have affected the impartial performance of his duties, according to the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Commission of Supervision. He was also found to have failed to truthfully explain issues during talks with the Party organization, illegally accepted money and gifts, engaged in power-for-sex transactions, and interfered in market economic activities. The statement said Jin abused public power for personal gain, used his positions to seek benefits for others in project contracting and business operations, and illegally accepted huge amounts of money and valuables. Authorities decided to expel Jin from the Party, remove him from public office, confiscate his illegal gains, and transfer his suspected criminal case to procuratorial organs for review and prosecution.”

Also expelled is Hou Weidong, former vice-president of the Bank of Communications. The report says:

“Hou was found to have resisted organizational investigations and engaged in superstitious activities, according to a statement released by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Commission of Supervision. The investigation found that Hou accepted improper banquets and travel arrangements, failed to report personal matters as required, and used his position to seek benefits for others in staff recruitment and promotions in exchange for bribes. Hou was also found to have accepted gifts, money, and prepaid cards, borrowed large sums from those under his supervision, and shifted personal expenses onto others. The statement said he abused his authority over financial technology resource allocation for personal gain, engaging in power-for-money deals and using his position to help others secure project contracts and financing in return for large sums of money and valuables. Authorities have decided to expel Hou from the Party, revoke his entitlements, confiscate his illegal gains, and transfer his case to procuratorial organs for further review and prosecution.”

Other Reports:

Okay, let me now cover the visit of Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman. The readout says:

“Wang Yi said that China and Bangladesh are good neighbors and good partners. The two countries have always followed the principles of mutual respect, equality and win-win cooperation. The bilateral relationship has withstood the test of changing international dynamics and grown increasingly mature and stable. China respects Bangladesh’s independence, sovereignty and national dignity, as well as the development path and political system chosen by its people, and supports Bangladesh in pursuing an independent foreign policy. China also supports the new Bangladeshi government in maintaining unity and stability, revitalizing and growing the economy, and improving people’s livelihoods and well-being, and is ready to continue providing support and assistance to Bangladesh to the best of its ability. China stands ready to work with Bangladesh to carry forward traditional friendship, enhance political mutual trust, deepen practical cooperation, and serve as the most reliable partner for Bangladesh in its national development process. Wang Yi said that China is ready to promote alignment between high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and Bangladesh’s national development strategies, deepen cooperation in traditional areas such as economy and trade, investment, infrastructure, water conservancy, and people-to-people and cultural exchanges, expand cooperation in emerging industries, including green development and digital economy, and support capable Chinese enterprises in investing and doing business in Bangladesh. China’s relations with Bangladesh and other South Asian countries are not targeted at any third party, nor should they be influenced by any third party. China stands ready to strengthen communication and cooperation with Bangladesh in multilateral institutions and regional cooperation frameworks, jointly contributing to peace and development in the region and the wider world.”

As per the Chinese readout, Rahman said that “China has always been a trustworthy and indispensable friend and partner to Bangladesh. The new Bangladeshi government attaches high importance to its relations with China. On Taiwan-related issues, Bangladesh firmly stands with China, adheres to the one-China principle, and resolutely upholds the authority of UN General Assembly Resolution 2758. Bangladesh recognizes that the Government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China and that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory, and supports China in realizing national reunification. Bangladesh appreciates China’s long-standing support and assistance and looks forward to further deepening all-round friendship and cooperation, elevating the China-Bangladesh comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership to a new level, while boosting Bangladesh’s own economic and social development. Bangladesh welcomes Chinese enterprises to invest in the country and is ready to provide a stable, sound and predictable business environment. Bangladesh highly appreciates the vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity and other global initiatives put forward by President Xi Jinping, and stands ready to strengthen coordination with China to jointly safeguard multilateralism.”

The two sides also issued a joint statement. Key excerpts:

“Both sides emphasized that the authority of the U.N. General Assembly Resolution 2758 is beyond any question or challenge. Bangladesh reiterated its firm adherence to the One-China Principle, and reaffirmed its position that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory, and the Government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China. Bangladesh resolutely opposes any form of “Taiwan independence” and firmly supports the Chinese government in achieving national reunification. China reiterated its support for Bangladesh in safeguarding its national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and reaffirmed its respect for the development path independently chosen by the people of Bangladesh, suited to its own national conditions.”

“The Bangladeshi side also sought the involvement and support of China in the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project (TRCMRP).”

“Bangladesh highly commended the initiative of building a community with a shared future for mankind proposed by President Xi Jinping, and valued and welcomed China’s visionary major Global Initiatives. The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter, multilateralism and democracy in international relations, and peaceful resolution of disputes and conflicts. The two sides agreed to jointly promote an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization.”

“Bangladesh highly appreciated the four propositions on safeguarding and promoting peace and stability in the Middle East proposed by President Xi Jinping. The two sides called for an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire, supported all diplomatic efforts conducive to restoring peace, ensuring security of non-military targets, maintaining normal passage through the Strait of Hormuz. The two sides stand ready to maintain communication on addressing the situation of Middle East, and play their constructive roles.”

“China would continue supporting Bangladesh and Myanmar in finding a mutually acceptable solution of the issue concerning the forcibly displaced people from the Rakhine state of Myanmar who have taken shelter in Bangladesh through dialogue and consultations. China would continue providing support for the repatriation to the best of its capabilities.”

Bangladeshi media also reports that Rahman also discussed “expanding development financing cooperation, with a focus on concessional loans, investment and preferential credit facilities to support Bangladesh’s infrastructure and sustainable development priorities.” This was discussed when Rahman met “Vice President of the Export-Import Bank of China Dong Yangning at the Diaoyutai State Guest House in Beijing. During the meeting, the two sides discussed strengthening bilateral cooperation in development financing, with particular emphasis on boosting investment, expanding concessional loan facilities and enhancing Preferential Buyer’s Credit arrangements for Bangladesh. Both sides expressed optimism that deeper financial engagement would further strengthen the longstanding economic partnership between Bangladesh and China while contributing to Bangladesh’s long-term growth and development goals.”

Also, earlier this week, Wang Yi met with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi. The Chinese readout said:

“Seyyed Abbas Araghchi briefed on the latest developments in the Iran-US negotiations and Iran’s next steps, stating that facts have proven that political crises cannot be resolved through military means. Iran will resolutely safeguard its national sovereignty and national dignity while continuously building consensus through peaceful negotiations to seek a comprehensive and permanent solution. Currently, the issue of opening the Strait of Hormuz could be promptly addressed. Iran highly appreciates and agrees with the four propositions put forward by President Xi Jinping on safeguarding and promoting peace and stability in the region. Iran commends China for always standing on the right side of history and making unremitting efforts with a constructive attitude to prevent the situation from deteriorating and spilling over. Iran trusts China and looks forward to China continuing to play an active role in promoting peace and ending the conflict, and supports the establishment of a new post-war regional framework that can coordinate development and security. Seyyed Abbas Araghchi said that China is Iran’s comprehensive strategic partner. Iran has always adhered to the one-China principle, and supports China in safeguarding its core interests. Iran is willing to take the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries this year as an opportunity to strengthen exchanges at all levels, tap into cooperation potential, provide firm mutual support, and deepen all-round cooperation. Iran is also willing to strengthen communication and coordination with China in multilateral affairs, and continuously deepen the Iran-China comprehensive strategic partnership.”

“Wang Yi reiterated China’s principled position on the situation in Iran, emphasizing that China has been actively promoting peace and facilitating talks since the outbreak of hostilities. President Xi Jinping solemnly put forward four propositions on safeguarding and promoting peace and stability in the Middle East, which has received a positive response from the international community. The current regional situation is at a critical juncture between war and peace. China believes that a comprehensive ceasefire is of utmost urgency, that resuming hostilities is even less acceptable, and that adhering to negotiations is particularly important. China supports Iran in safeguarding its national sovereignty and security, and appreciates Iran’s willingness to seek a political solution through diplomatic channels. Regarding the Strait of Hormuz, the international community shares a common concern about restoring normal and safe passage through the strait, and China hopes that the parties involved will promptly respond to the strong call from the international community. Regarding the nuclear issue, China appreciates Iran’s commitment not to develop nuclear weapons and, at the same time, believes that Iran has a legitimate right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy. China advocates that countries in the Gulf and Middle East should take their destiny into their own hands, encourages Iran and more Gulf countries to engage in dialogue to achieve good-neighborliness and friendship, and supports the establishment of a regional peace and security framework by regional countries that ensures joint participation, safeguards common interests, and achieves common development.”

“Wang Yi said that China is willing to uphold the spirit of President Xi Jinping’s four propositions, aim at supporting countries in the Middle East to build ‘four shared homelands’, further commit to easing tensions and ending hostilities, continue to provide assistance for initiating peace talks, and play a greater role in restoring peace and tranquility in the Middle East. Wang Yi pointed out that China is a trustworthy strategic partner of Iran. China is willing to consolidate and deepen political mutual trust with Iran, maintain and strengthen high-level exchanges, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields, and continue to advance the China-Iran comprehensive strategic partnership.”