Briefing on Export Controls - China's Currency Swap Agreements Scale at RMB 4.5 trillion - The Art of Criticism & Self-Criticism

Here are the key reports and articles that I found noteworthy from the People’s Daily’s edition from Monday, October 13, 2025.

There are three reports in the paper that I found significant. Other than that, everything wasn’t particularly interesting. So I am focusing on those three.

First, we have the report on the Ministry of Commerce’s press Q&A, discussing the new range of export controls. Here’s what the Ministry said:

“China’s announcement of export control measures concerning rare earths and other related items is a legitimate practice of the Chinese government in accordance with laws and regulations to improve its export control system. Currently, the global situation is turbulent and unstable, with military conflicts occurring from time to time. The Chinese side has noted that certain medium and heavy rare earth–related items have important applications in the military field. China is a responsible major country, and is implementing export controls on related items in accordance with law, with the purpose of better maintaining world peace and regional stability, and fulfilling international obligations such as non-proliferation. The Chinese side’s export controls do not constitute export bans; applications that meet the requirements will be approved. Before the measures were announced, the Chinese side informed all relevant countries and regions through the bilateral export control dialogue mechanisms. China is willing to strengthen dialogue and exchanges on export controls with all countries to better safeguard the security and stability of the global industrial and supply chains.” 答：中方发布了关于稀土等相关物项的出口管制措施，这是中国政府依据法律法规，完善自身出口管制体系的正当做法。当前世界局势动荡不安，军事冲突时有发生，中方注意到中重稀土相关物项在军事领域有重要应用。中国是负责任大国，依法对相关物项实施出口管制，目的是更好维护世界和平与地区稳定，履行防扩散等国际义务。中国的出口管制不是禁止出口，对符合规定的申请将予以许可。在措施公布前，中方已通过双边出口管制对话机制向各有关国家和地区作了通报。中方愿与各国加强出口管制对话交流，更好维护全球产业链供应链安全稳定. (Note: The bit about maintaining world peace is terrible spin.)

The next question is about implementation. The Ministry said:

As a responsible major country, China has always firmly upheld its own national security and the common security of the international community, and has always adhered to a fair and reasonable principled position, prudently and appropriately implementing export control measures. The Chinese side had already conducted a full assessment in advance of the possible impact of the measures on production and supply chains, and is confident that the relevant impact is very limited. Before the measures were introduced, the Chinese side had already notified relevant countries and regions through bilateral export control dialogue mechanisms. Going forward, the Chinese government will conduct licensing reviews in accordance with laws and regulations and grant licenses to applications that meet the requirements, and at the same time, actively consider applying various facilitation measures such as general licenses and licensing exemptions, effectively promoting compliant trade. What I want to emphasize is that China’s export control is not a ban on exports; as long as export applications are for civilian use and are compliant, they can all be approved, and relevant enterprises need not worry. The Chinese government will, as always, work with other countries to firmly safeguard world peace and stability in neighboring regions, and jointly ensure the stability of the global industrial and supply chains. 答：中国作为负责任大国，始终坚定维护自身国家安全和国际共同安全，始终秉持公正、合理原则立场，审慎适度实施出口管制措施。中方事先已就措施可能对产供链产生的影响进行了充分评估，并确信相关影响非常有限。措施出台前，中方已通过双边出口管制对话机制向各有关国家和地区进行了通报。后续，中国政府将依法依规开展许可审查，对符合规定的申请予以许可，同时，积极考虑适用通用许可、许可豁免等多种便利化措施，有效促进合规贸易。我想强调的是，中国的出口管制不是禁止出口，只要是用于民用用途的、合规的出口申请，都可以获得批准，相关企业无须担心。中国政府将一如既往地与各国一道，坚定维护世界和平和周边地区稳定，共同保障全球产业链供应链稳定.

The next question is about the US’ response of imposing 100% tariffs and export controls on all key software. The Ministry said:

The Chinese side has noted the relevant situation. On October 9, China issued export control measures on rare earths and other related items. This is a normal act by the Chinese government, carried out in accordance with laws and regulations, to improve its own export control system. As a responsible major country, China has always firmly safeguarded its national security and common security of the international community, and has always adhered to the principles of fairness, rationality, and non-discrimination, implementing export control measures prudently and appropriately. The relevant statements from the US side are a typical case of ‘double standards’. For a long time, the US side has generalized the concept of national security, abused export control, adopted discriminatory practices against China, and imposed unilateral long-arm jurisdiction measures on numerous products such as semiconductor equipment and chips. The US export control list contains more than 3,000 items, whereas the Chinese export control list contains just over 900 items. The US has long employed the ‘de minimis rule’ in export control, setting it as low as 0%. The relevant moves by the US side seriously harm the legitimate rights and interests of enterprises, severely impact the international economic and trade order, and gravely undermine the security and stability of global production and supply chains. 答：中方注意到有关情况。10月9日，中方发布了关于稀土等相关物项的出口管制措施，这是中国政府依据法律法规，完善自身出口管制体系的正常行为。中国作为负责任大国，始终坚定维护自身国家安全和国际共同安全，始终秉持公正、合理、非歧视的原则立场，审慎适度实施出口管制措施。美方有关表态是典型的“双重标准”。长期以来，美方泛化国家安全，滥用出口管制，对华采取歧视性做法，对半导体设备、芯片等众多产品实施单边长臂管辖措施。美方管制清单物项超过3000项，而中方出口管制清单物项仅900余项。美方使用出口管制最低含量规则由来已久，低至0%。美方相关举措严重损害企业正当合法权益，严重冲击国际经贸秩序，严重破坏全球产供链安全稳定.

“In particular, since the September Madrid trade talks between China and the US, in just over 20 days, the US has continuously introduced a series of new restrictive measures against China, adding multiple Chinese entities on the Entity List and Special Designated National List, arbitrarily expanded the scope of control over businesses with the Affiliates Rule that affects thousands of Chinese companies, and persisted with the implementation of Section 301 measures targeting China’s maritime, logistics and shipbuilding industries in disregard of China’s concerns and goodwill. The actions of the US side have seriously harmed China’s interests and severely damaged the atmosphere of bilateral economic and trade talks. The Chinese side firmly opposes this. 特别是9月中美马德里经贸会谈以来，短短20多天时间，美方持续新增出台一系列对华限制措施，将多家中国实体列入出口管制实体清单和特别指定国民清单；通过穿透性规则任意扩大受管制企业范围，影响中方数千家企业；无视中方关切和善意，执意落地对华海事、物流和造船业301措施。美方的行为严重损害中方利益，严重破坏双方经贸会谈氛围，中方对此坚决反对.

Willful threats of high tariffs are not the right way to get along with China. China’s position on a tariff war is consistent: we do not want one, but we are not afraid of one. China urges the US to promptly correct its wrong practices, adhere to the important consensuses of the phone calls between the two heads of state, protect the hard-won outcomes of consultations, continue to use the China-US economic and trade consultation mechanism, and address respective concerns and properly manage differences through dialogues and on the basis of mutual respect and equal-footed consultation, so as to ensure the stable, sound and sustainable development of the China-US economic and trade relationship If the US insists insists on going the wrong way, China will surely take resolute measures to protect its legitimate rights and interests.” 动辄以高额关税进行威胁，不是与中方相处的正确之道。对于关税战，中方的立场是一贯的，我们不愿打，但也不怕打。中方敦促美方尽快纠正错误做法，以两国元首通话重要共识为引领，维护好来之不易的磋商成果，继续发挥中美经贸磋商机制作用，在相互尊重、平等协商基础上，通过对话解决各自关切，妥善管控分歧，维护中美经贸关系稳定、健康、可持续发展。如果美方一意孤行，中方也必将坚决采取相应措施，维护自身正当权益.

The final question is about China’s countermeasures against the US imposing port fees on related Chinese vessels. The Ministry said:

“On April 17, the Office of the USTR announced the final measures of its Section 301 investigation into China’s maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors, imposing port fees on relevant Chinese vessels, effective October 14. The US practice severely violates WTO rules and breaches the principle of equality and mutual benefit of the China-Us Maritime Transport Agreement, and is a typical act of unilateralism. China has repeatedly expressed strong dissatisfaction and resolute opposition. Since the economic and trade talks in London, China has engaged in consultations and communications with the US on the matter, provided a written reply to the groundless accusations against China in the Section 301 investigation report, and made recommendations of potential bilateral cooperation in related industries. However, the US has shown a negative attitude and willfuly persists in implementing those measures. On October 3, it issued a notice clarifying the specific requirements for charging fees to Chinese vessels. To safeguard its legitimate rights and interests, China has been compelled to take countermeasures; in accordance with the Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on International Maritime Transport and other laws and regulations, China has decided to impose special port fees on US-related vessels. China’s countermeasures are necessary acts of passive defense and are aimed at maintaining the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese industries and enterprises, as well as the level playing-field of the international shipping and shipbuilding markets. It is hoped the US will face up to its mistake, move with China in the same direction, and return to the right track of dialogue and consultation.” 4月17日，美国贸易代表办公室宣布了对中国海事、物流和造船领域301调查最终措施，将于10月14日起对相关中国船舶征收港口费。美方的做法严重违反世贸组织规则，违背《中美海运协定》平等互惠原则，是典型的单边主义行为。中方已多次表示强烈不满、坚决反对。中美伦敦经贸会谈以来，中方一直与美方就上述措施进行磋商沟通，就301调查报告中对中方的无端指责向美方提供了书面回应，并就双方可在相关产业开展合作提出建议。但美方态度消极，执意实施上述措施，并于10月3日发布公告，明确对中方船舶收费的具体要求。中方为维护自身正当合法权益，不得不采取反制措施，依据《中华人民共和国国际海运条例》等法律法规，决定对涉美船舶收取船舶特别港务费。中方的反制措施是必要的被动防御行为，旨在维护中国产业和企业正当权益，也为了维护国际航运和造船市场的公平竞争环境。希望美方正视自身错误，与中方相向而行，回到对话协商的正确轨道上来.

The next report that’s worth going through is the Q&A with Dong Ximiao, who is the Deputy Director of the Shanghai Finance and Development Laboratory and Chief Researcher at China CITIC Bank. Dong discusses China’s currency swap policy.

Question: What is bilateral currency swap? Why conduct bilateral currency swaps?

Answer: Bilateral currency swap refers to a collateralized financing arrangement established by the central banks (monetary authorities) of two countries (regions) on the basis of mutual trust, where one side pledges its own currency to obtain an equivalent amount of the other side’s currency.

For ease of understanding, we can imagine bilateral currency swaps as a ‘currency credit card’ opened between central banks. For example, after China and Europe sign a bilateral currency swap agreement, when European banks need renminbi to pay enterprises for goods imported from China, the ECB can use this ‘credit card’ to exchange renminbi from the People’s Bank of China at the spot exchange rate. Upon maturity, the two sides exchange currencies back at the original exchange rate and pay a small amount of interest.

Bilateral local currency swaps play a positive role in maintaining financial stability, providing liquidity support, and supporting bilateral trade and investment. Previously, when Chinese enterprises conducted business overseas, they generally needed to first exchange renminbi into US dollars, then exchange US dollars into the other party’s currency. Exchange rate fluctuations could affect profits, and quite a few transaction fees had to be paid. With bilateral currency swaps, both sides conduct business by directly settling in their own currencies, which is both convenient and avoids the impact of US dollar exchange rate fluctuations. 问：什么是本币互换？为什么要进行本币互换？答：双边本币互换是指两国（地区）的中央银行（货币当局）在互信基础上建立的一种有抵押的融资安排，一方以本币为质押，获取另一方等值货币。为了方便理解，我们可以把本币互换想象成央行之间开立的一张“货币信用卡”。比如中欧双方签订本币互换协议后，当欧洲的银行需要人民币给企业支付从中国进口的货款时，欧央行就可以动用这张“信用卡”，用即时汇率从中国人民银行换取人民币，到期之后，双方再按原汇率换回货币并支付少量利息。双边本币互换在维护金融稳定、提供流动性支持、支持双边贸易和投资等多方面发挥着积极作用。以前中国企业在境外做生意，一般需要先把人民币换成美元，再把美元换成对方的货币。汇率波动可能对利润产生影响，还得交不少手续费。有了本币互换，双方做生意直接用本币结算，既方便又免受美元汇率波动的影响.

Question: What progress has China’s local currency swap agreements made in recent years?

Answer: Since the launch of local currency swaps, the RMB’s ‘circle of friends’ has steadily expanded and deepened. As of September 30th 2025, the PBOC had signed effective bilateral local currency swap agreements with central banks or monetary authorities in 32 countries and regions, covering major economies in Asia, Europe, Africa, the Americas, and Oceania, as well as many emerging market countries. In terms of scale, the total value of these local currency swap agreements is approximately RMB 4.5 trillion, providing stable RMB liquidity globally. 问：近年来，我国本币互换协议取得了哪些进展？答：自本币互换启动以来，人民币“朋友圈”一直在稳步扩容和深化。从范围看，截至今年9月30日，中国人民银行已与32个国家和地区的中央银行或货币当局签署有效双边本币互换协议，覆盖亚洲、欧洲、非洲、美洲和大洋洲的主要经济体及众多新兴市场国家。从规模看，本币互换协议总规模约4.5万亿元人民币，为全球提供了稳定的人民币流动性.

Question: What promoting effects can bilateral currency swaps bring to economic development?

Answer: Bilateral currency swaps can promote the facilitation of cross-border trade and investment, and have important promoting effects on international economic and trade development. Take the bilateral currency swap agreement between the PBOC and Brazil’s central bank as an example: in 2013, the two countries signed a bilateral currency swap agreement for the first time, with a RMB swap fund scale of 190 billion yuan. In recent years, China-Brazil economic and trade relations have become increasingly close, with China maintaining its position as Brazil’s largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years, and Brazil being China’s largest trading partner in the Latin American region. This year, the two sides renewed their bilateral currency swap agreement, which will help deepen trade exchanges between the two countries, strengthen market confidence, and maintain regional and global financial stability. 问：本币互换能够为经济发展带来哪些促进作用？答：本币互换能促进跨境贸易投资便利化，对于国际经贸发展具有重要推动作用。以中国人民银行与巴西央行的本币互换协议为例，2013年，两国首次签署双边本币互换协议，人民币互换资金规模为1900亿元。近年来，中巴经贸关系日益密切，中国连续15年保持巴西最大贸易伙伴地位，巴西也是中国在拉美地区的第一大贸易伙伴。今年双方续签双边本币互换协议，有助于深化两国贸易往来，增强市场信心，维护区域和全球金融稳定.

Question: What impacts will bilateral currency swaps have on enterprise production?

Answer: For enterprises engaged in production and business operations overseas, when conducting import and export trade, they can apply to local banks to obtain RMB funds under the swap arrangement, and directly quote and settle with customers using renminbi or the other party’s currency, locking in cost and profit, without being affected by US dollar exchange rate fluctuations, making production and operation more stable. Through this, enterprises can achieve more precise pricing, which is conducive to long-term planning of operations and enhances international market competitiveness. 问：对企业生产，本币互换将会产生哪些影响？答：对于在海外生产经营的企业，做进出口贸易时，可向当地银行申请获取互换项下本币资金，直接与客户用人民币或对方本币报价和结算，锁定成本利润，不受美元汇率波动影响，生产经营更加稳定。企业借此能实现更精准定价，有利于对经营进行长远规划，提升国际市场竞争力.

Question: What does the expanding scale and scope of local currency swaps mean for the RMB?

Answer: The growing scale and scope of local currency swaps, along with the willingness of more countries and regions to hold and use the RMB, signify increased international recognition of the RMB. Under the current international landscape, local currency swaps have become a crucial component of the global financial safety net, enhancing the financial autonomy and stability of various countries. Going forward, as bilateral monetary cooperation and mutual trust between the PBOC and central banks (monetary authorities) of other countries (regions) strengthen, the internationalisation of the RMB will advance steadily and prudently. 问：对人民币来说，本币互换规模和范围不断扩大意味着什么？答：本币互换规模和范围不断扩大，更多的国家和地区愿意持有和使用人民币，意味着人民币国际认可度提升。在当前国际形势下，本币互换已成为全球金融安全网的重要组成部分，增强了各国的金融自主性和稳定性。未来，随着中国人民银行与其他国家（地区）中央银行（货币当局）双边货币合作与互信水平提升，人民币国际化进程将稳慎扎实向前推进.

Finally, on the theory page, there’s an article by Chen Hexiang, who teaches at the Party School of Shenzhen Municipal Committee. Chen writes about the importance of using dialectical thinking to scientifically and accurately understand and conduct criticism and self-criticism. This is a really dense piece, the proverbial rhinoceros sausage that can be useful to munch to grasp organisational challenges when it comes to discourse and debate, along with the use of criticism as a policy and political tool. I have highlighted what I think are useful points to note.

Chen begins with a quote from Xi Jinping’s speech at the 20th Party Congress about the importance of criticism and self-criticism. He then argues that looking back at history, “criticism and self-criticism have always played the key roles of the ‘scalpel that dissects the lesion’ and the ‘whetstone that hones the Party spirit.’ They have already become a fine tradition and a political advantage of our Party, and are an important force driving the development of Party organizations and the growth of individual Party members. 回顾历史，在革命、建设与改革的不同阶段，批评和自我批评始终发挥着“解剖病灶之手术刀”与“磨砺党性之磨刀石”的关键作用，已成为我们党的优良传统与政治优势，是推动党组织发展与党员个体成长的重要力量.

Since the 18th Party Congress, General Secretary Xi Jinping has put forward a series of visionary new ideas, assessments, and requirements regarding greatly promoting the excellent tradition of criticism and self-criticism, systematically answered important questions such as why criticism and self-criticism should be valued and how to conduct criticism and self-criticism well, elevated our Party’s understanding of criticism and self-criticism to new heights, providing fundamental guidance for ensuring the Party’s overall health, purifying the Party’s internal political ecology, and promoting the advancement of Party members and cadres. 党的十八大以来，习近平总书记就大力弘扬批评和自我批评的优良传统提出一系列富有远见卓识的新思想新论断新要求，系统回答了为何要重视批评和自我批评、如何做好批评和自我批评等重要问题，将我们党对批评和自我批评的认识提升到新的高度，为保证党的肌体健康、净化党内政治生态、促进党员干部成长提供了根本遵循.

Currently, the entire Party is continuously consolidating and expanding the achievements of its study and education campaign to thoroughly implement the spirit of the Central Committee’s eight-point regulations. We must thoroughly understand and faithfully implement General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important expositions on criticism and self-criticism, deeply grasp their value connotations, master the important methods of criticism and self-criticism, and consciously apply this powerful weapon in our daily work to continuously promote the standardisation and long-term effectiveness of work style improvement. 当前，全党正不断巩固拓展深入贯彻中央八项规定精神学习教育成果，我们要深入理解并忠实践行习近平总书记关于批评和自我批评的重要论述，深刻领悟其中的价值内涵，熟练掌握批评和自我批评的重要方法，自觉将这一有力武器运用到日常工作中，不断推动作风建设常态化长效化.

In the next section, Chen tells us that criticism and self-criticism play an irreplaceable and multifaceted role in the development of the Party’s cause, and is a “sharp weapon” that “both reveals contradictions and points out how to resolve them”.

Chen then makes three points:

First, “from the perspective of epistemological function, criticism and self-criticism is a ‘corrector’ on the path to truth.” What does this mean? Here goes:

“The dialectical nature of cognitive activity is mainly manifested in the cycle of ‘practice—cognition—further practice—further cognition’. Criticism and self-criticism is not a one-time final confirmation; it introduces multiple perspectives and heterogeneous information, breaking the subject’s habitual thinking patterns and cognitive blind spots, thereby prompting subjective cognition and objective laws to achieve a new unity at a higher level of abstraction. In this sense, the epistemological function of criticism and self-criticism embodies a dual dimension: first, as a ‘developer’ of truth, it reveals inherent contradictions within cognitive systems, rendering hidden contradictions visible, and providing breakthroughs for deepening understanding; second, as an ‘upgrade package’ for cognitive structures, it introduces new explanatory variables and cognitive dimensions, systematically revealing and dynamically correcting existing cognitive deviations, thereby promoting the sublimation of understanding and grasping the essence of things more accurately. For Party members and cadres, criticism and self-criticism is equivalent to a ‘corrector’—a real-time calibration of the coordinate system of concrete practice, preventing cognitive deviations from accumulating into systemic risks, and maintaining understanding in a continuous spiral ascent from relative truth toward and approaching absolute truth.” 认识活动的辩证性主要表现为“实践—认识—再实践—再认识”的循环。批评和自我批评不是一次性的终点式确证，它通过引入多元视角和异质信息，打破主体的思维惯性与认知盲区，从而促使主观认知与客观规律在更高抽象层级上达成新的统一。就此而言，批评和自我批评的认识论功能体现为双重向度：其一，作为真理的“显影剂”，揭示认知体系内在矛盾，使隐匿的矛盾显性化，为认识深化提供突破口；其二，作为认知结构的“升级包”，引入新的解释变量与认知维度，对既有认知偏差进行系统揭示与动态修正，进而推动认识升华，更准确把握事物本质。对党员干部而言，批评和自我批评相当于“校正器”，是对具体实践坐标系的实时校准，防止认知偏离积累为系统性风险，使认识处于不断从相对真理走向和趋近绝对真理的螺旋式上升之中.

Second, “from the perspective of dialectical function, criticism and self-criticism is a ‘negative mediator’ that promotes sublation. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: ‘Criticism and self-criticism is a powerful weapon for resolving contradictions within the Party, and is also a powerful weapon for eliminating various political dust and political microbes within the Party’. This profoundly elucidates the dialectical function of criticism and self-criticism. Materialist dialectics emphasises grasping affirmation within negation and achieving development amid opposition. Criticism and self-criticism, precisely through the revelatory power of negation, break original balances and expose the internal contradictions of things, and through the ‘negation of negation’, achieve a leap from the old qualitative state to a new qualitative state. In this sense, criticism and self-criticism are by no means mere negation, but rather a constructive negation, whose internal operational mechanism presents a progressive pattern of ‘negation of the status quo—expectation of improvement—reconstruction and generation’, effectively promoting spiral development of individual Party members and Party organizations amid continuous reflection and dynamic adjustment. Thus, the dialectical value of criticism and self-criticism lies in: creating conditions for sublation through negative feedback, making negation the premise of higher-level affirmation, transforming opposition into new driving force for unity, ultimately achieving a benign cycle of ‘unity—criticism—unity.’ For Party members and cadres, criticism and self-criticism is a comprehensive investigation, overhaul, and sweeping away of work style defects and behavioural dirt, continuously cleansing dust and eliminating pathogens, helping Party members and cadres enhance their capabilities in self-renewal, and promoting Party organizations to strengthen their cohesion and combat effectiveness amid the purification of the political ecology. 从辩证法功能看，批评和自我批评是推动扬弃的“否定性中介”。习近平总书记指出：“批评和自我批评是解决党内矛盾的有力武器，也是清除党内各种政治灰尘和政治微生物的有力武器。”这深刻阐明了批评和自我批评的辩证法功能。唯物辩证法强调在否定中把握肯定、于对立中实现发展。批评和自我批评正是通过否定性揭示，打破原有平衡和揭示事物内在矛盾，并以“否定之否定”实现从旧质态向新质态的跃迁。在此意义上，批评和自我批评绝非单纯的否定，而是一种建构性否定，其内在运作机制呈现为“现状否定—改进期待—重构生成”的递进模式，有效推动党员个体与党组织在持续反思与动态调整中实现螺旋式发展。由此，批评和自我批评的辩证法价值在于：以否定性反馈为扬弃创造条件，使否定成为更高层次肯定的前提，使对立转化为新的统一动力，最终达成“团结—批评—团结”的良性循环。对党员干部而言，批评和自我批评是对作风之弊、行为之垢进行大排查、大检修、大扫除，不断涤荡尘埃、杀灭病菌，帮助党员干部在自我革新中提升能力本领，推动党组织在净化政治生态中增强凝聚力与战斗力.

Finally, from the perspective of practical function, the effects of criticism and self-criticism have a dual nature. In view of prominent problems existing in current criticism and self-criticism, General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: ‘This ‘sharp weapon’ of criticism and self-criticism has, in many places, become a ‘blunt weapon,’ covered in rust, unable to touch problems or touch them deeply.” Criticism and self-criticism becoming a ‘blunt weapon’ is importantly due to cognitive deviations, specifically manifested as: narrowing criticism to ‘finding faults’ and ‘attaching labels’, weakening the constructiveness of criticism; avoiding criticism on the grounds of ‘maintaining unity’, resulting in criticism becoming ineffective; taking things in isolation, lacking follow-up, causing criticism to become mere formality; and so on. The root of these problems lies in a lack of dialectical thinking and in failing to fully understand that as a means and tool, ‘criticism’ itself has duality, possessing both a constructive side and a destructive side. 从实践性功能看，批评和自我批评的效果具有二重性。针对现实中批评和自我批评存在的突出问题，习近平总书记指出：“批评和自我批评这个‘利器’在很多地方变成了‘钝器’，锈迹斑斑，对问题触及不到、触及不深”。批评和自我批评变成“钝器”，一个重要原因在于认知偏差，具体表现为：将批评窄化为“挑毛病”“扣帽子”，削弱批评的建设性；以“维护团结”为由回避批评，导致批评失效；就事论事，缺乏后续跟进，使批评流于形式；等等。出现这些问题的根源在于缺乏辩证思维，未能充分认识到作为一种手段和工具，“批评”本身所具有的二重性——既有建设性的一面，又有破坏性的一面.

Systematically distinguishing constructive criticism from destructive criticism can be done from the following six aspects: whether the goal focuses on improvement or determining victory; whether the object focuses on the ‘matter’ itself or targets the ‘person’; whether the attitude is respectful and caring or carries contempt and mockery; whether the content can provide concrete suggestions for improvement or is vague and general; whether the communication method is bidirectional interaction allowing for rebuttal or one-way venting prohibiting rebuttal; whether the resulting consequences promote cognitive upgrading and trust enhancement or cause relationship tension and trust loss. 系统区分建设性批评与破坏性批评，可从以下6个方面进行：目标是重在改进还是分出胜负；对象是聚焦于“事”本身还是针对“人”；态度是尊重关怀还是带有蔑视嘲讽；内容是能提供具体改进建议还是空洞笼统；沟通方式是双向互动、允许申辩还是单向宣泄、禁止辩驳；产生后果是推动认知升级、信任增进还是导致关系紧张、信任流失.

It is evident that constructive criticism, through positive interaction, can correct errors and maintain the vitality and vigour of Party organizations; while destructive criticism may trigger internal friction, induce tension and efficiency decline, and hinder the achievement of organizational goals. Therefore, criticism and self-criticism must precisely grasp the proper scale and method, and scientifically apply the tool of criticism, so as to maximise its constructive effectiveness and avoid destructive risks, thereby truly making criticism and self-criticism a powerful weapon for advancing the undertakings of the Party and the nation. 可见，建设性批评能够通过良性互动纠正错误，保持党组织的生机与活力；破坏性批评则可能引发内耗，诱发关系紧张与效率衰减，阻碍党组织目标的实现。因此，批评和自我批评需精准把握尺度与方式，科学运用批评工具，才能最大限度发挥其建设性效能、规避破坏性风险，使批评和自我批评真正成为推动党和国家事业发展的有力武器.

In the second section, Chen talks about the methods and strategies for carrying out criticism and self-criticism. Chen begins with a quote from Xi:

“Criticism must come from a public-spirited mind, with a sincere attitude and attention to method; it must proceed from seeking truth from facts, distinguishing right from wrong, and discerning truth from falsehood. It is strictly necessary to avoid viewing matters and treating people from the standpoint of personal grudges, gains and losses, interests and harms, or closeness and distance in relationships.” 习近平总书记强调：“批评要出以公心、态度诚恳、讲究方法，要实事求是、分清是非、辨别真假，切忌从个人恩怨、得失、利害、亲疏出发看事待人.”

He says that “the choice of the method of criticism is a key variable influencing the effectiveness of criticism and the acceptance of those being criticised”. 这深刻阐明了批评应遵循的重要原则。在具体实践中，批评方法的选择是影响批评效果和被批评者接受度的关键变量，党员干部应掌握正确的批评方法，并根据批评的目标与性质等采取合适策略.

“Grasp the inner and outer dimensions of the objects of criticism and self-criticism, paying attention to bi-directionality. ‘When observing in a bright mirror, blemishes do not linger on the body; when listening to direct words, faults do not burden one’s person.’ Criticism and self-criticism form an integrated whole; the two are like the two wings of a bird or the two wheels of a cart, complementing each other, with neither dispensable. When Party members and cadres carry out criticism and self-criticism, they should adhere to both internal and external cultivation and exert strength in both directions, so that through the combination of external scrutiny and internal reflection, they may undergo a deep cleansing of thought and a baptism of spirit, achieving self-transformation and self-improvement.” 把握批评和自我批评对象的内与外，注重双向性。“观于明镜，则瑕疵不滞于躯；听于直言，则过行不累乎身。”批评和自我批评是一个整体，二者犹如鸟之两翼、车之两轮，相辅相成、缺一不可。党员干部在开展批评和自我批评时，应坚持内外兼修、双向发力，才能在外在审视与内在反思的结合中，进行深刻的思想涤荡和精神洗礼，实现自我改造、自我提升.

“When shining the flashlight on others, Party members and cadres should muster up the courage to pursue truth and be demanding; not only should they dare to use it on subordinates, but also on peers, especially superiors, daring to point out problems with real knives and real guns (真刀真枪-without pretence and with genuine substance), digging into the roots, striking at the vital points, and probing at the tender spots, not engaging in that set of ‘cherishing one’s feathers’ (爱惜羽毛-protecting one’s reputation) and being worldly-wise and playing it safe. When shining the flashlight on oneself, one must dare to conduct internal examination, scrutinising problems carefully, not evading or concealing, not engaging in superficial work that merely scratches the surface. When facing colleagues’ ‘head-on blows’/wake-up calls, Party members and cadres should have the self-awareness of ‘examining oneself as if falling short’, viewing critical opinions as a ‘catalyst’ for improving work, being delighted to hear of faults and accepting them humbly, and using this as an opportunity to draw inferences about other cases, proactively seeking out one’s own shortcomings, and transforming criticism into motivation for growth.” 手电筒照别人时，党员干部要拿出较真的勇气，不仅对下级要敢用，对同级特别是对上级也要敢用，敢于真刀真枪指出问题，往根子挖、往要害指、往痛处戳，不搞爱惜羽毛、明哲保身那一套。手电筒照自己时，要敢于内在检视，深挖细照问题，不回避、不掩饰，不做“隔靴搔痒”的表面文章。对同志的“当头棒喝”，党员干部应有“检身若不及”的自觉，将批评意见视为改进工作的“催化剂”，做到闻过则喜、虚心接受，并以此为契机，举一反三，主动查找自身不足，将批评转化为成长动力.

Grasp the rhythm of criticism and self-criticism—the fast and the slow—paying attention to timeliness. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: ‘Self-criticism should involve three daily reflections, and mutual criticism should occur at any time and place; do not wait until small faults develop into big problems before raising them.’ This requires Party members and cadres to pay attention to grasping the right rhythm when conducting criticism and self-criticism. After a problem arises, Party members and cadres should ‘cut through the tangled hemp with a sharp knife’, immediately point out others’ errors or promptly reflect on their own problems. This method is suitable for handling simple, clear, and repetitive mistakes, and can quickly correct deviations and demonstrate initiative in self-reflection. However, when facing problems of complex nature with causes not yet clear, it is necessary to adopt the method of ‘taking a pause’, providing the necessary time buffer for calm analysis and in-depth investigation, carefully seeking the reasons for matters, exploring the key aspects of problems, and analysing the root causes of errors, in order to avoid misjudgments or exacerbating contradictions. 　把握批评和自我批评节奏的快与慢，注重及时性。习近平总书记指出：“自我批评要一日三省，相互批评要随时随地，不要等小毛病发展成大问题再提。”这就要求党员干部在批评和自我批评时，注重把握好节奏。在问题发生后，党员干部要“快刀斩乱麻”，立即指出他人错误，或及时反思自身问题。这种方法适用于处理简单、明确且重复性高的错误，能迅速纠正偏差，展现自我反思的主动性。但面对性质复杂、原因暂时不明的问题，则需要采用“缓一缓”的办法，为冷静分析和深入调查提供必要的时间缓冲，认真追寻事情的缘由、探究问题的关键和剖析错误的症结，以避免误判或激化矛盾.

Grasp the public and private occasions of criticism and self-criticism, paying attention to propriety. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasised: ‘One should boldly conduct criticism with a spirit of high responsibility to the Party, to the cause, and to comrades, helping comrades discover shortcomings, correct errors, and move forward together with comrades.’ When Party members and cadres conduct criticism and self-criticism in public settings, it possesses efficiency and broad influence, can transform the shortcomings and errors of individual Party members into opportunities for collective learning and improvement, effectively conveying the behavioural standards and value bottom lines of Party organizations, strengthening organisational norms and maintaining organisational order, and evoking widespread attention and collective reflection among Party members. By contrast, private criticism and self-criticism are more suitable for handling sensitive topics; especially when facing those with weaker psychological resilience, conducting criticism in private settings allows for more candid communication, thereby shifting the focus from ‘punishing errors’ to ‘solving problems’. However, it is important to note that over-reliance on private criticism can lead other Party members to mistakenly believe they’ve turned a blind eye to certain mistakes, thereby undermining the rigour of organisational rules. 把握批评和自我批评场合的公与私，注重分寸性。习近平总书记强调：“要本着对党、对事业、对同志高度负责的精神大胆开展批评，帮助同志发现缺点、改正错误，团结同志一道前进。”党员干部在公开场合进行批评和自我批评，具有高效性和广泛影响力，能将党员个体的不足和错误转化为集体学习和改进的契机，有效传递党组织的行为准则和价值底线，强化组织规范和维护组织秩序，引发党员的广泛关注和集体反思。相比之下，私下批评和自我批评更适合处理敏感话题，尤其是面对心理承受能力较弱的被批评者时，在私下场合进行批评，更易进行坦诚沟通，从而将焦点从“惩罚错误”转移到“解决问题”。需要注意的是，党员干部若过度依赖私下批评，可能会让其他党员误以为其对某些错误视而不见，从而削弱组织规则的严肃性.

Grasp the directness and indirectness of the methods of criticism and self-criticism, paying attention to flexibility. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: ‘Criticism and self-criticism is good medicine–a true expression of love for our comrades and ourselves’. In criticism and self-criticism, direct criticism is like beating a drum in one’s face (speaking plainly and directly to someone’s face), helping to quickly correct errors. This method is applicable to situations where problems are clear, responsibilities are definite, and those being criticised can rationally accept and agree; however, when involving subjective judgment, complex causes, and other circumstances, if direct criticism is still adopted, it may trigger resistance and even antagonism in those being criticised, causing their attention to shift from ‘how to improve work’ to ‘how to defend myself’, resulting in significantly reduced effectiveness of criticism. Indirect criticism, through heuristic questioning and tactful expression and other methods, guides the person being criticized to discover the problem and to take the initiative to make improvements. This shifts the focus of criticism from ‘blaming mistakes’ to ‘caring about causes’ and ‘jointly solving problems’, helping to maintain good working relationships and to stimulate the inner potential of individual Party members. 把握批评和自我批评方式的直与曲，注重灵活性。习近平总书记指出：“批评和自我批评是一剂良药，是对同志、对自己的真正爱护。”在批评和自我批评中，直接批评如同当面锣、对面鼓，直截了当指出问题所在，有助于迅速纠正错误。这种方法适用于问题清晰、责任明确且被批评者能够理性接受认同的情况，但在涉及主观判断、复杂成因等情况时，若仍采取直接批评，则可能引发被批评者的抵触情绪，甚至激发对立心态，使被批评者的注意力从“如何改进工作”转移到“如何为自己辩护”上，导致批评效果大打折扣。间接批评通过启发式提问、委婉表达等方式，引导被批评者发现问题并主动改进。这将批评的重点从“指责错误”转移到“关心原因”和“共同解决问题”上，有助于维护良好的工作关系和激发党员个体的内在潜能.

In the final section, Chen tells us that the art of criticism is to transform opposition into unity.

“General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: ‘The common problem that exists in criticism and self-criticism is that self-criticism is difficult, and mutual criticism is even more difficult. The difficulty lies in being trapped by personal feelings and bewitched by interests; fearing to incur grudges and make enemies, fearing to bring trouble upon oneself. When all is said and done, it is because selfish thoughts and distracting desires are at work, and there is a lack of Party spirit and sense of responsibility.’ This profoundly indicates the difficulties and challenges existing in the practice of conducting criticism and self-criticism. Criticism and self-criticism is a mandatory course for every Party member and cadre, and one must know how to use well, and apply this powerful weapon flexibly, in order to achieve the dual purpose of both punishing past mistakes to prevent future ones and uniting comrades.” 习近平总书记指出：“批评和自我批评存在的普遍性问题是，自我批评难，相互批评更难。难就难在为人情所困、为利益所惑，怕结怨树敌、怕引火烧身，说到底还是私心杂念作怪，缺乏党性和担当。”这深刻指明了开展批评和自我批评在实践中存在的难点与挑战。批评和自我批评是每一名党员干部的必修课，要用好用活这一利器，实现既惩前毖后又团结同志的目的.

Chen makes three points here.

First, balance principle and flexibility when conducting criticism and self-criticism. “Being principled is embodied in adhering to fundamental norms and value standards during the process of criticism, while flexibility is manifested in adjusting the manner of criticism according to specific circumstances.” 原则性体现为在批评过程中对基本准则和价值标准的坚守，而灵活性则表现为根据具体情况调整批评方式. Criticism that lacks being principled is prone to degenerate into emotional accusation, while criticism that lacks flexibility may fall into rigidity. Both will cause criticism to fail to achieve its desired effect.

“On one hand, one should adhere to principle, with criticism having ‘spice’ yet not losing its flavour. Party members and cadres should discard the mentality of being a ‘nice guy’, emphasising Party character rather than personal feelings, emphasising truth rather than face, daring to expose shortcomings and reveal ugliness, daring to engage in real substance and hard contact, daring to take a clear stand on major questions of principle, daring to conduct forceful criticism and struggle against erroneous conduct, without personal bias, without mixing in private intentions, without seizing the opportunity to seek private gain, and using firm positions and attitudes to maintain the Party’s advanced nature and purity. On the other hand, one needs to handle matters flexibly, with criticism having both ‘force’ and ‘warmth.’ In reality, everyone has different personalities, experiences, and psychological resilience; one should fully respect individual differences, and on the basis of fully understanding situations and analysing causes, conduct comprehensive assessment of the implementation path, expected effects, and potential risks of criticism, according to the nature of problems, precisely distinguish between negligence and intent, between occasional mistakes and systematic errors, clarify the focus of criticism and direction for rectification, adhering to the principle of ‘one key for one lock’, thereby enhancing the acceptance and practical effectiveness of criticism.” 缺乏原则性的批评容易沦为情绪化的指责，而缺乏灵活性的批评则可能陷入僵化，二者均会导致批评难以达到预期效果。一方面，应坚守原则，批评既有“辣味”又不变味。党员干部要摒弃“老好人”心态，讲党性不讲私情，讲真理不讲面子，敢于揭短亮丑、动真碰硬，敢于在重大原则问题上表明立场，敢于对错误行径进行有力批评和斗争，不带个人偏见、不夹杂私人企图、不借机谋取私利，以坚定的立场和态度维护党的先进性和纯洁性。另一方面，需灵活处理，批评既有“力度”又有“温度”。现实中，每个人的性格、经历、心理承受能力不同，应充分尊重个体差异，并在充分了解情况和分析原因的基础上，对批评的实施路径、预期效果、潜在风险等进行综合评估，依据问题的性质，精准区分过失与故意、偶然失误与系统性错误，明确批评的焦点和整改方向，坚持“一把钥匙开一把锁”，从而增强批评的接受度和实际效果.

Second, Chen says that Party members and cadres should be good at “grasping the dialectical relationship between the whole and the parts”. This has two components. First, one needs to ensure that problems are solved in the early stage itself before they grow, and thereby use the resolution of local problems to promote the realisation of overall goals. Second, one should possess a macro vision and have an understanding of the overall goals, so that one grasps “local interests within the framework of overall interests. Through criticism and self-criticism, they should identify blockages and difficulties in work, solving problems from points to areas, achieving transformation from partial optimisation to overall improvement.”

Finally, Chen calls to maintain a balance between the present and the long-term. “Party members and cadres should apply dialectical thinking and systematic planning when conducting criticism and self-criticism, organically integrating current work with long-term perspectives.”

“On one hand, proceeding from a long-term perspective, treat current problems with a developmental eye, laying a foundation for future development. If current problems are not resolved in a timely manner, they may become chronic problems, or even accumulate with other problems, forming more complex and intractable contradictions that bring obstacles to future development. When Party members and cadres conduct criticism and self-criticism, they should not only focus on resolving immediate contradictions, but also combine them with the long-term objectives of the Party organisation, proposing forward-looking solutions and laying a solid foundation for future continuous improvement. On the other hand, transcend short-term behaviour, prevent errors from a long-term perspective, and promote the continuous development of party organizations and party members and cadres.What criticism and self-criticism pursues is not merely immediate effects but long-term effects. Party members and cadres should regard it as a continuous improvement process, utilising in-depth analysis of current problems to discover common issues from individual problems, optimise behaviour from a medium and long-term perspective, extract essential laws from similar events, thereby realising a benign cycle from problem resolution to capacity enhancement, promoting the improvement of the overall effectiveness of party organizations. Clearly, to achieve organic balance between the present and the long-term, Party members and cadres need to possess strategic vision and systematic thinking, finding the optimal point of combination between the present and the long-term, making criticism and self-criticism become a powerful lever for promoting the healthy development of Party organizations and the smooth conduct of work. 这要求党员干部在开展批评和自我批评时，运用辩证思维系统谋划，将当前工作与长远布局有机结合。一方面，立足长远，以发展的眼光处理当前问题，为未来发展奠定基础。当下问题若不及时解决，可能拖成老问题，甚至与其他问题相叠加，形成更加复杂棘手的矛盾，给未来发展带来障碍。党员干部在开展批评和自我批评时，不仅要关注眼前矛盾的化解，更要结合党组织的长期目标，提出具有前瞻性的解决方案，为未来的持续改进筑牢基础。另一方面，超越短期行为，从长远角度防范错误，促进党组织和党员干部的持续发展。批评和自我批评追求的不仅仅是一时之效，更是长远之效。党员干部应将它视为持续改进过程，借助深入剖析当前问题，实现从个别问题中发现共性问题、从中长期视角优化行为、从同类事件中提炼本质规律，进而实现从问题解决到能力提升的良性循环，推动提升党组织整体效能。可见，实现当前和长远的有机平衡，党员干部需要具备战略眼光和系统思维，在当前与长远间找到最佳结合点，使批评和自我批评成为推动党组织健康发展、工作顺利开展的有力杠杆.