BRI Takes Centrestage - China-Central Asia Foreign Ministers Meeting Outcomes - Lashing Out at the US on Taiwan - China-Russia Strategic Air Patrol
Here are the key reports and articles that I found noteworthy from the People’s Daily’s edition on Monday, December 02, 2024.
Page 1: There’s a long article on the page, which talks about the continued deepening of BRI’s development. The headline reads: “Benefit people’s livelihoods, win people’s hearts, and benefit the world” 惠民生 得民心 利天下.
On BRI, there are two propositions that I frequently hear. First, that it has been de-prioritised or has met its quiet demise. Second, that BRI has been replaced by GDI. Both of these arguments are misplaced. On the first point, there has, of course, been a re-orientation of BRI in terms of quantum of investments, sectoral focus, and type of projects. But I cannot fathom the BRI brand not remaining a priority since it has been formally included in the CPC constitution and is linked to Xi Jinping’s legacy. On the second point, I have consistently argued that GDI and BRI are distinct pillars in the grand edifice of building a community of common destiny/shared future for mankind. There are overlaps in project areas. But these are distinct brands, which approach development and project funding and execution differently.
Anyway, the article today begins by talking about the opening of the port in Chancay. The piece informs that over the past 11 years, more than 150 countries and more than 30 international organizations have signed cooperation documents on the Belt and Road Initiative.
Some key excerpts:
“The high-quality joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative is an important cooperative platform through which China, with an open mind, invites countries to share the opportunities of Chinese-style modernization and build a community with a shared future for humanity. It represents a magnificent chapter in China’s head-of-state diplomacy.” 高质量共建“一带一路”是中国以开放胸襟邀请各国分享中国式现代化机遇、构建人类命运共同体的重要合作平台，是中国元首外交中的恢弘篇章.
“Under the personal planning, deployment, and promotion of President Xi Jinping, the joint construction of the Belt and Road has transformed from a concept into action, from a vision into reality. It has evolved from the broad brushstrokes of a ‘freehand sketch’ to the meticulous refinement of a ‘fine brush painting’, showcasing the outstanding political wisdom and mission of the leader of a major country. In the face of changes in the world, the era, and history, the joint construction of the Belt and Road takes the building of a community with a shared future for humanity as its ultimate goal, consistently upholds the principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits, adheres to openness as its essence, green development as its foundation, and integrity as its hallmark. It emphasises high standards, sustainability, and benefits for people’s livelihoods, and constantly realizss the people’s desire for exchanges among civilisations, expectations for peace and tranquility, pursuit of common development and yearning for a better life. More than 11 years of progress have demonstrated that the joint construction of the Belt and Road stands on the right side of history.” 在习近平主席亲自谋划、亲自部署、亲自推动下，共建“一带一路”从理念转化为行动，从愿景转变为现实，从谋篇布局的“大写意”到精耕细作的“工笔画”，见证了大国领袖的卓越政治智慧和使命担当。面对世界之变、时代之变、历史之变，共建“一带一路”以构建人类命运共同体为最高目标，始终秉持共商共建共享原则，坚守开放的本色、绿色的底色、廉洁的亮色，坚持高标准、可持续、惠民生，不断实现各国人民对文明交流的渴望、对和平安宁的期盼、对共同发展的追求、对美好生活的向往。11年多的历程证明，共建“一带一路”站在了历史正确一边.
The joint construction of the Belt and Road has driven an investment scale of nearly $1 trillion and helped nearly 40 million people get rid of poverty. 共建“一带一路”拉动近万亿美元的投资规模，帮助近4000万人摆脱贫困.
“The Luban Workshop has established 32 ‘technical stations’ in countries jointly building the Belt and Road, providing vocational and technical training for local youth and continuously enhancing the endogenous development momentum of these countries.” 鲁班工坊在“一带一路”共建国家打造32个“技术驿站”，为当地青年提供职业技术培训，不断增强共建国家内生发展动力.
“As the vast number of developing countries seek answers through exploration, Chinese-style modernization offers the world a brand-new mode of thinking and action — ‘The modernization of the world should be one of peaceful development, mutual benefit and cooperation, and shared prosperity’. ‘We must pursue a path of globalization that is people-centered, with more balanced development and more equitable opportunities, enabling different countries, social classes, and groups of people to share in the fruits of development’.” 当广大发展中国家上下求索之时，中国式现代化为世界提供了全新的思维和行动模式——“世界现代化应该是和平发展的现代化、互利合作的现代化、共同繁荣的现代化。”“要走以人为本、发展更加平衡、机会更加均等的经济全球化之路，让不同国家、不同阶层、不同人群共享发展成果.”
“In July 2024, the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China outlined a grand blueprint for further deepening reform and advancing Chinese-style modernization. The meeting resolved to improve mechanisms for promoting high-quality joint construction of BRI. It decided to continue implementing the Belt and Road Science and Technology Innovation Action Plan, strengthen the construction of multilateral cooperation platforms in fields such as green development, digital economy, artificial intelligence, energy, taxation, finance, and disaster reduction. It also called for improving the integrated layout of land, sea, air, and cyberspace to build a multidimensional connectivity network under the Belt and Road. Efforts will also be coordinated to advance major landmark projects and ‘small but beautiful’ livelihood projects.” 2024年7月，中国共产党二十届三中全会擘画进一步全面深化改革、推进中国式现代化的宏伟蓝图。会议决定完善推进高质量共建“一带一路”机制。继续实施“一带一路”科技创新行动计划，加强绿色发展、数字经济、人工智能、能源、税收、金融、减灾等领域的多边合作平台建设。完善陆海天网一体化布局，构建“一带一路”立体互联互通网络。统筹推进重大标志性工程和“小而美”民生项目.
Page 3: There’s a report on Fifth China-Central Asia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. Xinhua says:
“Wang noted that the China-Central Asia Mechanism has been in place for four years, during which the six countries, driven by good neighborliness, solidarity and pragmatism, have worked together to promote its development. He said that significant progress has been made since the first summit in Xi’an last May, with over half of the relevant projects being implemented or making substantial progress. The two sides have established ministerial platforms in areas such as trade, customs, agriculture, transportation, and industrial investment, Wang said, adding that China is willing to enhance cooperation with Central Asian countries and align development strategies.”
Wang Yi made five points:
First, we must adhere to the leadership of the heads of state. In accordance with the blueprint drawn up by the six heads of state, we will continue to implement the consensus reached at the Xi’an Summit and carefully prepare for the second summit to be held in Kazakhstan next year.
Second, we should prioritise development. We should focus on the six priority areas of cooperation, namely, trade facilitation, industrial investment, connectivity, green mining, agricultural modernization, and streamlined people-to-people exchanges, improve the overall level of China-Central Asia cooperation, and implement GDI with practical actions.
Third, we must uphold the principle of sharing weal and woe. We must implement the Global Security Initiative, deepen law enforcement and security cooperation, work together to respond to crises and challenges, and maintain a stable and peaceful development environment for the six countries.
Fourth, we should uphold our generational friendship. We should jointly implement the Global Civilization Initiative, uphold the concept of civilization based on equality, mutual learning, dialogue and inclusiveness, and perpetuate the concept of good-neighborliness, friendship and peace from generation to generation.
Fifth, we must uphold multilateralism. We must oppose any form of ‘decoupling’ and ‘small yards and high fences’, promote cooperation across the Global South, and promote the development of an equal and orderly multipolar world and inclusive economic globalization.
一是坚持元首引领。按照六国元首擘画的蓝图，继续落实好西安峰会共识，精心筹备好明年在哈萨克斯坦举办的第二届峰会。二是坚持发展优先。聚焦贸易畅通、产业投资、互联互通、绿色矿产、农业、人员往来便利化六大优先合作方向，整体提升中国中亚合作水平，以实际行动落实全球发展倡议。三是坚持安危与共。落实好全球安全倡议，深化执法安全合作，携手应对危机和挑战，维护六国安定祥和的发展环境。四是坚持世代友好。共同践行全球文明倡议，秉持平等、互鉴、对话、包容的文明观，永续传承睦邻友好、世代和平理念。五是坚持多边主义。反对任何形式的“脱钩断链”和“小院高墙”，促进全球南方协作，推动实现平等有序的世界多极化、普惠包容的经济全球化.
The English reporting has some differences. It says that:
The Chinese foreign minister summed up five consensus reached by the six foreign ministers during the meeting. First, the six countries agree to adhere to the guidance of the head of states and make the China-Central Asia mechanism better and stronger. Second, the six countries will adhere to the goal of modernization and deepen all-round cooperation. China is willing to expand cooperation with Central Asian countries in BeiDou Navigation Satellite System applications, poverty reduction and alleviation, desertification control, higher education and people-to-people exchanges, and build platforms for exchanges. Third, the six countries will share weal and woe and uphold regional peace and tranquility and actively implement the China-proposed Global Security Initiative, oppose external interference in the internal affairs of Central Asian countries and assist Afghanistan in realizing peaceful reconstruction as early as possible. Fourth, the six countries will adhere to mutual learning among civilizations and strengthen the foundation of everlasting friendship. ‘In the coming three years, China will provide 1,500 training opportunities to the five Central Asian countries and increase the number of scholarships by 600, so as to train more talents in various fields that are urgently needed for their development’. Fifth, the six countries will uphold multilateralism and safeguard international equity and justice, continue to strengthen coordination and cooperation in international and regional affairs, promote solidarity and coordination in the Global South, and oppose any form of ‘decoupling and breaking chains.’ The six countries will fully support China in assuming the rotating presidency of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and jointly push the SCO to achieve new development and raise it to a new level.”
The meeting ended with a joint statement. Key points:
All parties pointed out that the ministerial cooperation mechanisms in the fields of economy and trade, industry and investment, agriculture, transportation, customs, security law enforcement, and emergency management established within the framework of the China-Central Asia Mechanism have been operating efficiently and have played an important role in promoting China-Central Asia cooperation. All parties are willing to continuously improve the construction of the China-Central Asia Mechanism and enrich the connotation of China-Central Asia cooperation in accordance with the actual needs of cooperation. All participating parties of the Secretariat believe that the China-Central Asia Mechanism Secretariat, which began operations in March 2024, provides an effective platform for promoting multilateral cooperation. All participating parties of the Secretariat are willing to make full efforts to complete the signing of secretariat legal documents and related work, ensuring the Secretariat transitions to comprehensive operations next year. 各方指出，中国—中亚机制框架内成立的经贸、产业与投资、农业、交通、海关、安全执法、应急管理等领域部长级合作机制高效运作，为推动中国中亚合作发挥了重要作用。各方愿根据合作的现实需要不断完善中国—中亚机制建设，丰富中国中亚合作内涵。秘书处参与方均认为，2024年3月启动运营的中国—中亚机制秘书处为促进多边合作提供了有效平台。秘书处参与方均愿全力完成秘书处法律文件签署等相关工作，确保秘书处明年转入全面运营.
The document then talks about 7 areas of cooperation. These are:
Cooperation in unimpeded trade: This covers enhancing the level of trade and investment liberalization and facilitation between China and Central Asian countries, expanding mutual market access, ensuring the stability and smoothness of supply and industrial chains, and promoting the development of new formats such as digital trade, trade in services, and e-commerce
Cooperation in industrial investment: This covers consolidating cooperation in traditional fields such as building materials, light industry, and processing and manufacturing and expanding cooperation in new fields such as digital economy, green development, and renewable energy.
Cooperation in connectivity: This calls to comprehensively promote cooperation between China and Central Asian countries in the fields of roads, railways, aviation, shipping, multimodal transport, logistics and transportation, port construction, and fibre optic cables, and promote the construction of the China-Central Asia transportation corridor. It adds that China is willing to strengthen cooperation with Central Asian countries on China-Europe trains and promote the establishment of an intergovernmental cooperation mechanism.
Green minerals cooperation: This calls to expand cooperation between China and Central Asian countries in mineral exploration, extraction, smelting, processing, transportation, and sales fields, strengthen green development and utilization of mineral resource industrial chain’s ‘exploration, production, supply, storage, and sales’ links, and research drafting documents on strengthening investment cooperation in fields related to green mineral resources.——推进贸易畅通合作。进一步提升中国同中亚国家贸易投资自由化便利化水平，扩大相互市场准入，保障供应链产业链稳定畅通，推进数字贸易、服务贸易、电子商务等新业态发展。各方愿尽快商签关于深化贸易畅通合作的文件。——促进产业投资合作。支持中国同中亚国家开展相互投资，巩固建材、轻工、加工制造等传统领域合作，拓展数字经济、绿色发展、可再生能源等新领域合作，提升产业链附加值，增强经济的稳定性，推动中国同中亚国家投资合作高质量发展。各方欢迎在机制成员国举行进出口商品展、商业与投资论坛，支持举行第二届中国—中亚实业家委员会会议。——加强互联互通合作。全面推动中国同中亚国家在公路、铁路、航空、海运、多式联运、物流运输、口岸建设、数据光缆等领域合作，推进中国—中亚交通运输走廊建设。为打造双方高水平互联互通合作格局，各方愿研究商签互联互通发展、对接国家交通发展规划等战略文件。中方愿同中亚国家加强中欧（亚）班列相关合作，推动建立政府间合作机制。——拓展绿色矿产合作。推动中国同中亚国家在矿产勘探、开采、冶炼、加工、运输、销售等领域合作，加强矿产资源产业链“探产供储销”各环节的绿色开发利用，研究商签关于加强绿色矿产领域投资合作的文件。
Agricultural cooperation, personnel exchanges and tourism cooperation
It also talks about education and cultural cooperation. The document adds that “China is willing to carry out high-tech cooperation with relevant Central Asian countries, including satellite applications such as remote sensing and mapping.” And it says that “China is willing to share governance experience in areas such as poverty alleviation and dealing with desertification with relevant Central Asian countries, including exploring plans and projects in this field.”
Finally, the parties discussed the possibility of formulating a permanent treaty of good-neighborliness, friendship and cooperation among the member states of the China-Central Asia Mechanism. 各方探讨了制定中国—中亚机制成员国永久睦邻友好合作条约的可能.
Also on the page is a report (English report) on Wang Yi’s meetings with Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Murat Nurtleu, Tajikistan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Sirojiddin Muhriddin and Uzbekistan’s Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov.
Page 10: Much of this page is dedicated to express anger over Lai Ching-te’s stopover in the US. MoFA said (Chinese text):
“China firmly opposes any form of official interaction between the US and the Taiwan region, firmly opposes any trip by leader of the Taiwan authorities to the US in any name or under whatever pretext, and firmly opposes any form of US connivance or support for ‘Taiwan independence’ separatists and their separatist activities. China strongly condemns the US’s arranging for Lai Ching-te’s ‘stopover’ and has lodged serious protests with the US. The Taiwan question is at the core of China’s core interests, and the first red line that cannot be crossed in China-US relations. We urge the US to fully see the separatist nature of Lai Ching-te and the DPP authorities, fully understand the grave damage that ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist activities do to cross-Strait peace and stability, fully abide by the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiqués, act on the commitments made by US leaders such as not supporting ‘Taiwan independence,’ stop having official interaction with the Taiwan region, and stop sending any wrong signal to ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist forces. China will closely follow the developments and take resolute and strong measures to defend our nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
The foreign ministry also responded to a question on the State Department clearing arms sales to Taiwan totaling $385 million. It said:
“The US arms sales to China’s Taiwan region seriously violate the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiqués, especially the August 17 Communiqué of 1982 and China’s sovereignty and security interests. The sales are a severe breach of international law, send a gravely wrong signal to ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist forces, and are detrimental to China-US relations and peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits. The decision to sell arms to Taiwan is simply inconsistent with US leaders’ commitment of not supporting ‘Taiwan independence.’ China deplores and firmly opposes it and has lodged serious protests to the US, according to the statement. The spokesperson called on the US to immediately stop arming Taiwan and stop abetting and supporting ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist forces in seeking ‘Taiwan independence’ by building up its military.”
The Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council also issued remarks regarding the arms sales and Lai’s stopover. Global Times reports:
“China firmly opposes official interaction between the US and Taiwan region, firmly opposes leader of the Taiwan region making ‘stopover’ in the US in any name or under whatever pretext, a long-standing and clear position, the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office said on Sunday. Spokesperson Chen Binhua made the remarks in response to a media question on Taiwan regional leader Lai Ching-te's ‘stopover’ in Hawaii in his trip to so-called ‘diplomatic allies’ in the Pacific. Chen noted that the Chinese Foreign Ministry has lodged serious protests with the US. Since Lai took office, his authorities have stubbornly adhered to a separatist stance of ‘Taiwan independence’, continuously sought ‘independence’ and made provocations, escalating cross-Straits confrontation, threatening peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits, and severely harming the safety and well-being of the Taiwan compatriots, Chen said. No matter what tricks the Lai authorities adopt to manipulate in the pursuit of ‘Taiwan independence’, they cannot shake the basic pattern of the international community’s adherence to the one-China principle, nor can they obstruct the historical trend of China's eventual reunification, the spokesperson said. ‘We urge the US to abide by the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiqués, fully see the separatist nature and damage of Lai and the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities, handle the Taiwan question with prudence,’ Chen said.”
On the arms sales, the spokesperson basically reiterated MoFA’s remarks. When asked about the DPP’s reaction to the arms package, Global Times reports:
“Chen (Binhua) warned the Lai Ching-te authorities that buying weapons will not bring security, and ‘protection fees’ cannot save ‘Taiwan independence’. Relying on the US to pursue ‘independence’ is destined to fail, and attempting to achieve ‘independence’ through military means will only lead Taiwan to danger and ultimately to its own demise. The Taiwan question is at the core of China’s core interests, Chen said. ‘No one and no force should underestimate the firm will and strong capability of the Chinese people to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity.’”
Other Stories:
Xinhua reports: Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, said that on Nov. 29 and 30, the militaries of China and Russia conducted a joint strategic air patrol over the Sea of Japan and the western part of the Pacific Ocean. The strategic patrol jointly conducted by the two air forces effectively tested and enhanced the joint training and operation capabilities.
Reuters reports that “President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Monday the presence of a Russian attack submarine in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the South China Sea was ‘very worrisome’. ‘That’s very concerning. Any intrusion into the West Philippine Sea, of our EEZ, of our baselines, is very worrisome,’ Marcos told reporters, referring to part of the South China Sea within the Philippines' maritime zone. A Russian Kilo-class submarine was sighted 80 nautical miles off the western province of Occidental Mindoro on Nov. 28, Navy spokesperson Roy Vincent Trinidad said in a statement on Monday, confirming a report by the Philippine Daily Inquirer newspaper. Philippine navy frigate Jose Rizal established radio contact with the Russian submarine, which confirmed its identity as UFA 490 and its intent. ‘The Russian vessel stated it was awaiting improved weather conditions before proceeding to Vladivostok, Russia,’ Trinidad said, without elaborating on why it was in the area.”
Just before heading to Beijing, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock lashed out at China. Bloomberg reports: “‘Instead of taking responsibility for peace and security in the world as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China is opposing our core European interests with its economic and weapons aid to Russia,’ Baerbock said in an emailed statement before departing Berlin airport on Sunday for her two-day visit to Beijing. Vladimir ‘Putin’s brutal war of aggression against Ukraine is a direct threat to our peace. I will also speak in Beijing about the fact that we cannot simply ignore this in our relations with China’. The European Union is proposing to sanction several Chinese firms that it claims helped Russian companies develop attack drones that were deployed against Ukraine. Baerbock will meet her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Beijing to address this issue, her spokesman said. Germany’s top diplomat will also discuss the humanitarian situation in China, as well as EU tariffs against Chinese electric vehicles that were introduced in October. Brussels has claimed that Chinese state subsidies for EVs distort competition. The government of Chancellor Olaf Scholz voted against the tariffs because it fears counter measures against its own car industry. But in contrast to Scholz, who advocates a more pragmatic approach to China, Baerbock, a member of the co-governing Greens, is known for her more critical position. ‘As Europe’s largest economy, we stand up for our interests just as the Chinese leadership does for its interests,’ Baerbock said. ‘If our economic competition is abused for system competition, we will not turn a blind eye to it.’ Germany would therefore ‘not tolerate others violating the international rules of the game to the detriment of German and European industry — be it through state-subsidized overproduction or on the subject of human rights, when ILO core labor standards are ignored for competitive advantage,’ she added.