BRICS Meeting on Mideast Situation - Wang Yi Meets Uzbek FM - China's Journalists & Xi's Thought on Culture - 7 Guiding Principles of Sino-US relations
Here are the key reports and articles that I found noteworthy from the People's Daily’s edition on Wednesday, November 22, 2023.
Page 1: The lead story on the page is about Xi Jinping’s remarks at the extraordinary joint meeting of BRICS leaders and invited leaders on the developments in the Middle East. I am going to cover Xi’s speech, which is available on Page 2 and in English on Xinhua.
“The conflict in Gaza is raging on into its second month. China is gravely concerned that the conflict is causing enormous civilian casualties and a humanitarian disaster, and tends to expand and spill over. China believes that the following is urgent and imperative:
First, the parties to the conflict must end hostilities and achieve a ceasefire immediately, stop all violence and attacks against civilians, release civilians held captive, and act to prevent loss of more lives and spare people from more miseries.
Second, humanitarian corridors must be kept secure and unimpeded, and more humanitarian assistance should be provided to the population in Gaza. The collective punishment of people in Gaza in the form of forced transfer or water, electricity and fuel deprivation must stop.
Third, the international community must act with practical measures to prevent the conflict from spilling over and endangering stability in the Middle East as a whole. China supports the resolution adopted at the emergency special session of the U.N. General Assembly on October 27. The U.N. Security Council under China's presidency has adopted Resolution 2712. All the parties must act to deliver on these resolutions through concrete measures on the ground.
The root cause of the Palestinian-Israeli situation is the fact that the right of the Palestinian people to statehood, their right to existence, and their right of return have long been ignored. I have emphasized on many occasions that the only viable way to break the cycle of Palestinian-Israeli conflict lies in the two-state solution, in the restoration of the legitimate national rights of Palestine, and in the establishment of an independent State of Palestine. There can be no sustainable peace and security in the Middle East without a just solution to the question of Palestine. China calls for early convening of an international peace conference that is more authoritative to build international consensus for peace and work toward an early solution to the question of Palestine that is comprehensive, just and sustainable.”
Xi later added that “China will provide more supplies and assistance according to the needs of the people in Gaza.”
Let me also cover the Indian and Russian statements. For India, Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar attended. He said:
“The ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza is causing immense human suffering, including to civilians, elderly, women and children. We welcome all efforts of the international community towards de-escalation. Right now, there is an urgent need to ensure that humanitarian aid and relief effectively and safely reach the population of Gaza. It is also imperative that all hostages are released. We believe that there is a universal obligation to observe international humanitarian law. We are all aware that the immediate crisis was triggered by the terrorist attack of 7th October. Where terrorism itself is concerned, none of us should or can compromise with it. Hostage taking is equally unacceptable and cannot be condoned. Subsequent developments have deepened our concern even more as we witness large scale civilian casualties and a humanitarian crisis. We strongly condemn any death of civilians. Along with the need for restraint and immediate humanitarian support, India also emphasizes peaceful resolution of conflicts through dialogue and diplomacy. Prime Minister Modi has spoken to several leaders in the region and across the world in this context. He has highlighted the need to create conditions for peace and restart direct and meaningful peace negotiations. We believe that the concerns of the Palestinian people must be addressed in a serious and sustainable manner. This can only happen with a two-State solution that is based on peaceful co-existence. We have been consistently supportive of international efforts towards this end…”
Putin’s statement is also very interesting. He begins with the very emotionally charged visual of children being operated without anaesthesia and then says:
“all of that is, in fact, happening as a consequence of the United States’ aspiration to monopolise the mediation role in the Palestinian-Israeli settlement process and block the activities of the Middle East Quartet of international mediators. This is history’s way of demonstrating that attempts to single-handedly cut the ‘Palestinian knot’ are unviable and counterproductive. Because of the sabotage of UN decisions, which clearly called for the establishment and peaceful coexistence of two independent and sovereign states – Israel and Palestine – more than one generation of Palestinians has grown up in an atmosphere of injustice, and Israelis cannot fully guarantee the security of their state either. Russia's stance is consistent and independent of momentary conditions. We urge the international community to join efforts aimed at de-escalating the situation, negotiating a ceasefire and achieving a political solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. The BRICS states and the countries in the region could play a key role in this work.”
Speaking about the UNSC resolution and the idea of a humanitarian pause, he said:
“I would like to emphasise that such humanitarian pauses and, better still, a full ceasefire are essential to continue the efforts to free hostages and evacuate civilians and foreigners from the Gaza Strip. I must express again my deep gratitude to President [of Egypt Abdel Fattah] el-Sisi, and all our Egyptian colleagues for their help in resolving many challenging issues linked with receiving and sending home the Russian citizens that had left the conflict area. Of course, by all accounts, the most urgent goal is to reach a truly long-term and sustainable truce. I agree with my Brazilian colleague that it is important that other states not get drawn into a war in the Middle East and that the conflict not spread in any way, as is preserving the fragile peace between religions. In this context, we consider it extremely useful to continue discussing subsequent developments in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict in BRICS…”
Finally, earlier today, CNN reported that:
“Israel and Hamas have reached a breakthrough deal in their ongoing conflict for a four-day humanitarian pause to allow the release of at least 50 hostages – women and children – held in Gaza, key negotiator Qatar said Wednesday. The deal, which hinged on approval from Israel’s cabinet and follows weeks of negotiations that included the United States and Egypt, marks a major de-escalatory step nearly seven weeks since Israel declared war on Hamas. The hostages will be released in exchange for a number of Palestinian women and children held in Israeli jails, Qatar said in a statement. The start of the pause will be announced within the next 24 hours. The pause will also allow the entry of “a larger number of humanitarian convoys and relief aid, including fuel designated for humanitarian needs,” the statement added…Both Israel and Hamas released their own separate statements earlier Wednesday. Hamas’s statement said that 150 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails would be released as part of the deal. Israel held out the potential for the truce to extend beyond the original four-day period, saying in its statement that an extra day would be added for each 10 additional hostages available for release. It also made clear that Israel plans to resume its air and ground campaign “to complete the eradication of Hamas” once this round of hostage releases concludes.”
Next, there’s a report on Zhao Leji meeting with Chairman of the Russian State Duma Vyacheslav Volodin. Xinhua reports:
“Zhao said that no matter how the international situation changes, China and Russia should work together to consolidate and develop comprehensive strategic coordination, bring constant benefits to the two peoples, and safeguard international fairness and justice. The two sides should continue to promote synergy between Belt and Road cooperation and the Eurasian Economic Union, achieve more practical cooperation outcomes, and promote cooperation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, BRICS and other mechanisms, he said. Zhao said the China-Russia committee for parliamentary cooperation is a solid and effective platform for enhancing political mutual trust, promoting practical cooperation and carrying forward the friendship between the two peoples. The NPC of China is willing to work with the Russian Federation Council to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, strengthen exchanges further, and promote the development of the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for the new era, Zhao said. ‘We are willing to make use of exchange mechanisms, special committees, bilateral friendship groups and other platforms to carry out in-depth exchanges and cooperation at various levels and in various fields, and strengthen the exchange of foreign-related legislative experience,’ he added. Volodin said that Russia firmly upholds the one-China principle, and that all parties and groups of the Russian State Duma support the continuous development of friendly relations with China. The Russian State Duma is willing to make joint efforts with the NPC of China to give play to the positive role of the Russia-China committee for parliamentary cooperation, provide a legal guarantee for the promotion of practical bilateral cooperation, and contribute to the development of Russia-China relations, Volodin said.”
Third, there’s a report on Han Zheng meeting Uzbekistan's Minister of Foreign Affairs Bakhtiyor Saidov in Beijing. Xinhua says:
“Han said the development of China-Uzbekistan relations has entered a new era under the strategic guidance and personal promotion of the two heads of state. China is willing to step up mutual support with Uzbekistan, speed up the synergizing of development strategies, and translate the high-level political relations between the two countries into tangible results to the greater benefits of the two peoples, Han said. Saidov said the Uzbekistan-China relations are at the best and highest level in history, adding that Uzbekistan regards China as the most important comprehensive strategic partner.”
Saidov also met with Wang Yi, which is covered on Page 3. This was the first meeting of a new foreign ministers’ mechanism. The Xinhua report on that meeting says:
Wang said that “no matter how the international situation changes, the bilateral relations have maintained sound and steady development and are full of vitality. The close interaction between the leaders of the two countries shows the high level and particularity of China-Uzbekistan relations, and also demonstrates the distinct features of the bilateral relations represented by mutual respect, good-neighborliness, solidarity and mutual benefit, Wang said. China is ready to work with Uzbekistan to make good use of the new platform of China-Uzbekistan Foreign Ministers' Strategic Dialogue, advance all-round mutually beneficial cooperation and speed up the building of a China-Uzbekistan community of shared future, Wang said.”
He then made a four-point proposal:
consolidate the belief of solidarity and mutual trust
build an engine for common development
cultivate the public opinion for everlasting friendship from generation to generation, and
construct a fortress of peace and stability.
王毅就此提出四点建议：一是凝聚团结互信的信念。二是打造共同发展的引擎。三是深耕世代友好的民意。四是构筑和平稳定的堡垒.
Saidov said that Uzbekistan supports the global initiatives proposed by China, and will continue to abide by the one-China principle. They discussed the Israel-Palestine conflict and agreed to further strengthen coordination within multilateral institutions.
Next, there’s a report informing that Li Qiang will attend the G20 leaders summit online today. Finally, there’s a report on Cai Qi meeting with the winners of the 32nd and 33rd editions of China Journalism Award and the 17th Changjiang Taofen Award - the country's two top journalism awards. The report says:
“The meeting emphasized that news workers should take ;earning and mastering Xi Jinping Thought on Culture as a required course; deeply understand the significance, rich connotation and practical requirements of this important thought; and consciously implement it in all aspects of news and public opinion work throughout the entire process, striving to become news workers in the new era with passion, skill, and sense of responsibility. The meeting highlighted that the news front should focus on strengthening positive propaganda with a strong sense of confidence. It encouraged the use of new concepts, new categories, and new expressions that bind together and resonate with both China and foreign countries to tell the story of China, the story of the Communist Party of China, and the story of the new era. It emphasised actively utilizing new technologies, platforms, and methods to advance the construction of a comprehensive media communication system, continuously creating new situations in news and public opinion work.” 会议要求，广大新闻工作者要把学习掌握习近平文化思想作为必修课，深刻领会这一重要思想的重大意义、丰富内涵和实践要求，自觉贯彻落实到新闻舆论工作各方面全过程，努力做有情怀、有本领、有担当的新时代新闻工作者。会议强调，新闻战线要以强信心为重点加强正面宣传，用融通中外的新概念新范畴新表述讲好中国故事、中国共产党故事和新时代故事，积极运用新技术新平台新手段推进全媒体传播体系建设，不断开创新闻舆论工作新局面。
Page 2: There’s a report informing that as per the National Innovation Index Report 2022-2023 released by the Chinese Academy of Science and Technology for Development, China’s innovation capability ranking has risen to 10th place.
The report covers 40 countries that are comparable to China (their combined R&D investment accounts for more than 95% of the world’s total, and the total GDP accounts for more than 85% of the world's total). It compares them across five dimensions: innovation resources, knowledge creation, enterprise innovation, innovation performance and innovation environment. Over the past two decades, China has risen in this index from 38th place in 2000 to 20th place in 2011, and now to the 10th place.
Page 3: The second Zhong Sheng commentary in the new series on US-China ties argues that how the two sides manage their differences responsibly will be a test for their wisdom. This basically discusses the second of Xi’s five pillars. One noteworthy thing about these commentaries is how starkly the tone has changed with regard to the US. Of course, suspicions persist and fundamental differences persist; but this change in tone is noteworthy.
“China and the US should manage disagreements effectively. Disagreements should not be a chasm that keeps the two countries apart. Instead, the two sides should look for ways to build bridges to help them walk toward each other. It is important that both sides appreciate each other's principles and red lines, and refrain from flip-flopping, being provocative, and crossing the lines. The two sides should have more communication, more dialogues and more consultations, and calmly handle their differences as well as accidents.”
The commentary says that “the existence of differences and disagreements is not a terrible thing; the key is to have the vision and perspective of seeking common ground while shelving differences and converging on commonalities while accommodating differences.” 存在差异和分歧并不可怕，关键是要有求同存异、聚同化异的远见和格局. The author then goes back to the 1970s as the example and ends by arguing that: More than 50 years ago, the two sides were able to correctly view the differences between the two countries and manage them responsibly. Today, they should have such wisdom and responsibility. 双方50多年前能够正确看待两国之间存在的差异，负责任地管控分歧，今天更应该有这样的智慧和担当.
The author later adds that “the key is not to let differences and disagreements dominate the relations between the two countries. It should be noted that although China and the US have different histories, cultures, social systems, and development paths, this has not hindered the development of bilateral trade of $760 billion and a cumulative two-way investment of more than $260 billion between the two countries; 284 pairs of sister provinces, states and sister cities have been established, with up to 300 flights per week and more than 5 million person-times per year. It should also be noted that although China and the United States have different histories, cultures, social systems, and development paths, their people are kind, friendly, hardworking, and pragmatic. They both love their motherland, their families, and their lives, and they share mutual goodwill and interest in each other. It is the trickle of goodwill and friendship that has turned the wide Pacific Ocean from an insurmountable barrier into a bridge; it is the mutual endeavours of people that have time and again brought Sino-US relations back on track. 存在差异和分歧并不可怕，关键是不能让差异和分歧主导两国关系。应该看到，中美历史文化、社会制度、发展道路虽然不同，但这并没有阻碍两国之间发展起7600亿美元双边贸易和累计2600多亿美元双向投资，建立起284对友好省州和友好城市关系，最多每周300多个航班和每年500多万人次的相互往来。也应该看到，中美虽然历史文化、社会制度、发展道路不同，但人民都善良友好、勤劳务实，都爱祖国、爱家庭、爱生活，都对彼此抱有好感和兴趣。正是善意友好的涓滴汇流，让宽广太平洋不再是天堑；正是人民的双向奔赴，让中美关系一次次从低谷重回正道。历史反复证明，中美有超越差异、管控分歧的能力.
“In recent years, some people in the US have been looking at China through coloured glasses, magnifying the differences and divergences between China and the US, and defining Sino-US relations through the lens of competition, which is irresponsible to history, people and the world. China is not afraid of any containment and suppression, and will firmly safeguard its legitimate interests, principles and positions, and adhere to its red lines and bottom lines. At the same time, China has always thought of Sino-US relations from the perspective of the future of mankind and the future of the earth, and is committed to managing differences and sensitive issues in a constructive manner and promoting the construction of stable, healthy and sustainable Sino-US relations.” 近年来，美国一些人戴着有色眼镜看中国，拿着放大镜看中美之间存在的差异和分歧，以竞争定义中美关系，这是对历史、对人民、对世界的不负责任。中国不惧任何遏制打压，坚定维护正当利益、捍卫原则立场、坚守红线底线。与此同时，中国始终站在人类前途和地球未来的高度谋划中美关系，致力于以建设性方式管控分歧和敏感问题，推动构建稳定、健康、可持续的中美关系.
The next paragraph talks about the importance of “mutual respect and equal treatment” and it is in this context that it frames the “more than 20 consensuses” reached at the Biden-Xi meeting. It adds that “these fully demonstrate the importance of President Xi Jinping's proposition of ‘more communication, more dialogue, and more consultation’.” 这些充分表明习近平主席提出的“多沟通、多对话、多商量”的重要性.
The final paragraph calls on both sides to adhere to the “basic norms governing international relations and the three China-US joint communiques.” It adds:
“During this meeting, the two heads of state recognized the efforts made by the two teams to discuss and establish the guiding principles of Sino-US relations since the Bali meeting, and stressed the need for mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, communication, conflict prevention, adherence to the UN Charter, cooperation in areas with common interests, and responsible management of competitive factors in bilateral relations. These seven consensuses will lay a solid foundation for the two sides to further explore the guiding principles of Sino-US relations.” (Comment: This is interesting because as much as Xi did not like the framing of ties as competition, clearly China is now publicly accepting that logic.)
Moving on, there’s a report on Belarus and China signing an agreement on joint film production.
Finally, there’s a report on Cai Dafeng, vice chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, attending the opening ceremony of the Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands and meeting with Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, Speaker of the National Parliament John Patteson Oti, opposition leader Matthew Wale. Xinhua says:
“Since the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and the Solomon Islands more than four years ago, bilateral relations have developed rapidly and become a model of solidarity and cooperation between developing countries, he said. China firmly supports the Solomon Islands in safeguarding sovereignty, security and development interests, and stands ready to work with the country to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, further deepen exchanges and cooperation in various fields and bring benefits to people of the two countries. The Solomon Islands side thanked China for providing strong support for the country to host the Pacific Games, saying that bilateral relations have achieved fruitful results since the establishment of diplomatic ties. The Solomon Islands will firmly adhere to the one-China principle, continuously deepen bilateral cooperation in various fields, learn from China's governance experience and push for new achievements in the development of bilateral relations.”