Building Unified National Market & Marine Economy - Xi & China's Youth - China Sanctions ex-Philippine Senator - Wang Yi Visits Belgium - Xinhua Commentary: Dalai Lama Succession 'Rests with Govt'
Here are the key reports and articles that I found noteworthy from the People’s Daily’s edition on Wednesday, July 2, 2025.
Page 1: The lead report today is about the meeting of the Central Commission for Financial and Economic Affairs. Xi Jinping heads this commission. The meeting focussed on deepening the construction of a unified national market and the high-quality development of the marine economy.
“Xi Jinping delivered an important speech at the meeting, emphasising that building a unified national market is necessary to build a new development pattern and promote high-quality development. It is necessary to earnestly implement the deployment of the Party Central Committee, strengthen coordination and cooperation, and form a joint force to promote it. To promote Chinese-style modernisation, we must promote high-quality development of the marine economy and forge a Chinese path of leveraging marine resources to achieve strength.” 习近平在会上发表重要讲话强调，建设全国统一大市场是构建新发展格局、推动高质量发展的需要，要认真落实党中央部署，加强协调配合，形成推进合力。推进中国式现代化必须推动海洋经济高质量发展，走出一条具有中国特色的向海图强之路.
“The meeting pointed out that pushing forward the construction of a unified national market in depth requires meeting the basic requirements of ‘Five Unifications, One Openness,’ namely: unifying underlying market institutions, market infrastructure, government conduct, regulatory enforcement, and markets of production factors and resources, while continuously expanding opening up both internally and externally.” 会议指出，纵深推进全国统一大市场建设，基本要求是“五统一、一开放”，即统一市场基础制度、统一市场基础设施、统一政府行为尺度、统一市场监管执法、统一要素资源市场，持续扩大对内对外开放.
The meeting emphasised that in order to deepen the construction of a unified national market, it is essential to focus on:
key difficulties, enterprises’ disorderly price competition in accordance with laws and regulations, guide enterprises to improve product quality, and promote the orderly withdrawal of backward production capacity;
regulation of government procurement and bidding, and strengthen the fairness review of the winning bid results;
regulation of local investment promotion and strengthen the disclosure of investment promotion information;
promoting the integrated development of domestic and foreign trade, unblocking the path of export-to-domestic sales, and cultivating a group of high-quality domestic and foreign trade enterprises;
continuing to carry out special actions to standardise enterprise-related law enforcement, and improve the fiscal and taxation system, statistical accounting system and credit system that are conducive to market unification;
guiding cadres to establish and practice a correct view of political achievements, and improve the high-quality development assessment system and cadre performance assessment and evaluation system.
会议强调，纵深推进全国统一大市场建设，要聚焦重点难点，依法依规治理企业低价无序竞争，引导企业提升产品品质，推动落后产能有序退出；规范政府采购和招标投标，加强对中标结果的公平性审查；规范地方招商引资，加强招商引资信息披露；着力推动内外贸一体化发展，畅通出口转内销路径，培育一批内外贸优质企业；持续开展规范涉企执法专项行动，健全有利于市场统一的财税体制、统计核算制度和信用体系；引导干部树立和践行正确政绩观，完善高质量发展考核体系和干部政绩考核评价体系.
“The meeting emphasised that to promote high-quality development of the marine economy, it is essential to pay more attention to innovation-driven development, efficient coordination, industrial renewal, harmony between people and the ocean, and win-win cooperation. The meeting pointed out that to promote high-quality development of the marine economy, it is essential to strengthen top-level design, increase policy support, and encourage and guide social capital to actively participate in the development of the marine economy. It is necessary to improve the independent innovation capabilities in marine science and technology, strengthen marine strategic scientific and technological forces, and cultivate and develop marine science and technology leading enterprises and specialised, refined, and innovative small and medium-sized enterprises. It is necessary to strengthen, optimise and expand the marine industry, promote the standardised and orderly construction of offshore wind power, develop modern deep-sea fishing, develop marine biomedicine and biological products, create marine cultural and tourist destinations, and promote high-quality development of the shipping industry. Research on the development planning of bay-area economies must be strengthened, and the optimisation and integration of coastal port clusters must be advanced in an orderly manner. It is necessary to strengthen marine ecological environment protection, continue to implement comprehensive governance of key sea areas, actively advance the layered three-dimensional utilisation of marine areas, and explore carrying out marine carbon sink accounting. It is necessary to deeply participate in global marine governance, strengthen global marine scientific research investigation, disaster prevention and reduction, and blue economy cooperation.” 会议强调，推动海洋经济高质量发展，要更加注重创新驱动，更加注重高效协同，更加注重产业更新，更加注重人海和谐，更加注重合作共赢。会议指出，推动海洋经济高质量发展，要加强顶层设计，加大政策支持力度，鼓励引导社会资本积极参与发展海洋经济。要提高海洋科技自主创新能力，强化海洋战略科技力量，培育发展海洋科技领军企业和专精特新中小企业。要做强做优做大海洋产业，推动海上风电规范有序建设，发展现代化远洋捕捞，发展海洋生物医药、生物制品，打造海洋特色文化和旅游目的地，推动海运业高质量发展。要加强海湾经济发展规划研究，有序推进沿海港口群优化整合。要加强海洋生态环境保护，接续实施重点海域综合治理，积极推进海域分层立体利用，探索开展海洋碳汇核算。要深度参与全球海洋治理，加强全球海洋科研调查、防灾减灾、蓝色经济合作.
Next, there’s a long feature piece talking about how Xi Jinping deeply cares about the youth. This is in connection with the fact that the All-China Youth Federation and the All-China Students’ Federation are convening key meetings in Beijing. The feature informs that:
“From the youthful years on the loess land, all the way to the present, General Secretary Xi Jinping has always cared about young people, listened to them, and functioned as their confidant, enthusiast, and guide.” 从黄土地的青春岁月一路走来，习近平总书记始终心系青年、关怀青年、倾听青年，做青年朋友的知心人、热心人、引路人.
The piece tells us that:
“In 2023, at the deliberation session of the Jiangsu delegation during the Two Sessions, the General Secretary encouraged Wei Qiao, a post-1980s ‘new farmer’ who returned to the countryside to start a business: ‘It’s very good for comrades like Wei Qiao to go to the countryside’ … ‘The General Secretary is so modest and gentle, kind and amiable,’ ‘There’s no sense of distance between us at all,’ ‘He doesn’t put on airs as a leader, but communicates and interacts with everyone like an older friend’ … Time and again, the approachable, kind, and equal interactions have made countless young people feel warmth; in the course of exchanges, applause and laughter from everyone often merge into one. General Secretary Xi Jinping is also a ‘pen pal’ to many young people… 2023年，全国两会江苏代表团审议现场，总书记勉励返乡创业的80后“新农人”魏巧，“像魏巧这样的同志到农村去，很好”……“总书记是那么谦逊平和、亲切和蔼”“和我们一点儿距离感也没有”“没有领导架子，而是像大朋友一样与大家沟通交流”……一次次平易近人、亲切平等的互动，令无数青年人感到温暖，交流过程中，大家常常是掌声、笑声连成一片。习近平总书记也是很多青年的“笔友”.
But what’s Xi’s message to the youth? This sums it up:
“Strive to be good youth of the new era who have ideals, dare to take responsibility, can endure hardship, and are willing to struggle, make new contributions to comprehensively building a socialist modernised country and comprehensively advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.” “争做有理想、敢担当、能吃苦、肯奋斗的新时代好青年，为全面建设社会主义现代化国家、全面推进中华民族伟大复兴作出新贡献.”
There’s also an editorial on the meetings. Here’s an excerpt from the editorial:
“General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasised that the world’s profound changes unseen in a century are accelerating their evolution. To realise the grand goal of building a strong country and achieving national rejuvenation, it is necessary for the whole Party and the people of all ethnic groups across the country, including the broad masses of youth, to unite as one, go all out, and continue climbing slopes and overcoming barriers, tackling difficulties and challenges. The youth are the most vigorous, most pioneering, and least conservative-thinking group in society; the hope of the nation lies in youth, the future of the people lies in youth. Firmly uphold the life ambition of ‘serving the country and the people’, carry forward the glorious tradition of ‘eternal struggle’, maintain the confident foundation of ‘looking at the world on equal footing’, courageously innovate and create, strive hard and forge ahead, and shine in the places where the motherland and the people need it most, which will certainly allow the youth bloom brilliant flowers and bear abundant fruit.” 习近平总书记强调，当今世界百年未有之大变局加速演进，要实现强国建设、民族复兴宏伟目标，需要全党全国各族人民包括广大青年团结一致、全力以赴，继续爬坡过坎、攻坚克难。青年是社会中最有生气、最有闯劲、最少保守思想的群体，国家的希望在青年，民族的未来在青年。坚定“为国为民”的人生志向，弘扬“永久奋斗”的光荣传统，葆有“平视世界”的自信底气，勇于创新创造、奋力拼搏进取，到祖国和人民最需要的地方发光发热，就一定能让青春绽放绚丽之花、结出丰硕之果。
“As youth mass organizations under Party leadership, the Youth Federation and Student Federation organizations are bridges and bonds connecting the Party with broad masses of youth and young students, bearing the important responsibility of most extensively uniting, organising, and mobilising youth. On the new journey, firmly grasp the theme of the new era Chinese youth movement, focus efforts on strengthening political guidance for broad masses of youth, closely adhering to the lifeline of serving the youth, guide broad masses of youth to consciously heed the call of Party and people, courageously serve as vanguard and assault troops in advancing the great historical cause, they will surely be able to shoulder their mission and tasks and make their due contributions.” 作为党领导下的青年群团组织，青联学联组织是党联系广大青年和青年学生的桥梁纽带，承担着最广泛地把青年团结起来、组织起来、动员起来的重要责任。新征程上，牢牢把握新时代中国青年运动的主题，着力加强对广大青年的政治引领，紧扣服务青年的工作生命线，引导广大青年自觉听从党和人民召唤，在推进历史伟业中勇当先锋队、突击队，定能肩负起使命任务、作出应有贡献.
It ends by calling on everyone to “unite more closely around the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core, fully implement Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, strengthen our ideals and beliefs, and cultivate our patriotism…” 让我们更加紧密地团结在以习近平同志为核心的党中央周围，全面贯彻习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想，坚定理想信念、厚植家国情怀，在新征程上奋力书写为中国式现代化挺膺担当的青春篇章!
Finally, there’s a report on Wang Huning meeting with Marinko Cavara, deputy speaker of the House of Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Xinhua reports:
“In recent years, under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and the Presidency of BiH, the two countries have maintained solid political mutual trust and close people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and achieved fruitful results in economic and trade cooperation. Noting that this year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and BiH, Wang said China is willing to work with BiH to implement the important consensus reached by the heads of state of the two countries and deepen cooperation based on the principles of equality, mutual respect and mutual benefit. The CPPCC National Committee is ready to make new contributions to promoting the development of bilateral relations, he added. Cavara spoke highly of the concept of building a community with a shared future for humanity and the Belt and Road Initiative, both proposed by Xi. He said BiH firmly adheres to the one-China principle and is willing to deepen practical cooperation with China in various fields to promote new development in bilateral relations.”
Page 2: There’s a report on data from the Ministry of Transport. It says that:
From January to May, commercial freight volume reached 23.08 billion tons, a year-on-year increase of 4.1%.
From January to May, the port cargo throughput reached 7.34 billion tons, a year-on-year increase of 3.8%. Among them, the domestic and foreign trade throughput increased by 4.7% and 1.8% year-on-year respectively. The container throughput reached 140 million TEUs, a year-on-year increase of 7.4%. In May alone, the port cargo throughput reached 1.6 billion tons, a year-on-year increase of 4.4%.
From January to May, the cross-regional flow of people reached 28.64 billion, a year-on-year increase of 4.7%.
From January to May, the investment in transportation fixed assets was 1.2 trillion yuan, of which highways and water transport completed investments of 860.7 billion yuan and 87 billion yuan, respectively.
Page 3: A few reports to note. First, China’s foreign ministry says that the country has decided to impose sanctions on former Philippine senator Francis Tolentino for his egregious conduct on China-related issues and prohibit him from entering the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Macao.
Xinhua reports: “For quite some time, driven by selfish interests, a handful of anti-China politicians in the Philippines have made malicious remarks and moves on issues related to China that are detrimental to China’s interests and China-Philippines relations, the spokesperson said. The Chinese government is firmly resolved to defend national sovereignty, security, and development interests, the spokesperson noted.”
Second, China’s domestically developed C909 aircraft completed its maiden international flight, traveling from Hohhot to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. China Daily reports:
“The C909, which has between 78 to 97 seats and a flying range of 2,225 km to 3,700 km, has been in commercial operation for nine years. So far, 166 C909 planes have been delivered to domestic and overseas carriers, and they have together operated on over 700 routes, handling over 24 million passenger trips, according to its manufacturer Commercial Aircraft Corp of China.”
Finally, there’s a report on Wang Yi meeting Belgium’s Prime Minister Bart de Wever in Brussels on Monday.
“Wang Yi said that Belgium is a founding member of the EU and hosts the headquarters of the EU, and has played a unique role in the European integration process and China-EU exchanges. China appreciates the rational and pragmatic policy of the new Belgian government toward China, and is willing to work with Belgium to carry forward traditional friendship and promote the steady progress of the all-round friendly and cooperative partnership between China and Belgium. China adheres to high-quality development and high-level opening up. We welcome more Belgian companies to develop in China and hope that Belgium will also provide a fair, safe and predictable business environment for Chinese companies to invest in Belgium.” 王毅说，比利时是欧盟创始成员国和欧盟总部所在地，在欧洲一体化进程和中欧交往中发挥着独特作用。中方赞赏比利时新政府奉行理性务实对华政策，愿同比方弘扬传统友好，推动中比全方位友好合作伙伴关系持续稳健前行。中国坚持高质量发展、高水平开放，欢迎更多比利时企业赴华发展，希望比方同样为中国企业赴比投资提供公平、安全、可预期的营商环境.
“Wang Yi said that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the EU, which is of great significance in inheriting the past and ushering in the future. The half-century history of exchanges between China and the EU has fully proved that the two sides can fully respect each other and achieve win-win cooperation. Faced with the turbulent international situation, China and the EU, as two major forces, two major markets and two major civilisations in the world, should adhere to the positioning of partnership and the main tone of win-win cooperation, strengthen communication, enhance understanding, build mutual trust, jointly safeguard multilateralism and the free trade system, serve as the ‘anchor of stability’ of the world, and become reliable, strong and mutually beneficial partners.” 王毅表示，今年是中欧建交50周年，具有承前启后重要意义。中欧半个世纪交往历程充分证明，双方完全可以相互尊重，实现合作共赢。面对变乱交织的国际局势，中欧作为全球两大力量、两大市场、两大文明，应当坚持伙伴关系定位和合作共赢主基调，加强沟通、增进理解，筑牢互信，共同维护多边主义和自由贸易体制，做世界的“稳定之锚”，成为彼此可靠强劲、相互成就的伙伴.
As per the report, de Wever said that “Belgium and China have a long history of exchanges with active local friendly exchanges, which played a gateway role in Europe-China cooperation. I have visited China many times and am impressed by China’s development achievements. Although Europe and China have different perspectives, in the face of the current complex geopolitics, the two sides should strengthen exchanges and enhance mutual trust. Belgium firmly believes in multilateralism, supports Europe’s strengthening of autonomy, and looks forward to positive results from the EU-China leaders’ meeting. The Belgian government firmly adheres to the one-China policy and will not change this stance.” 德韦弗表示，比中交往历史悠久，地方友好交流活跃，在欧中合作中发挥着门户作用。我曾多次访华，对中国的发展成就印象深刻。欧中视角虽不同，但面对当前复杂地缘政治，双方应加强交往，增进互信。比方坚信多边主义，支持欧洲加强自主，期待欧中领导人会晤取得积极成果。比利时政府坚定奉行一个中国政策，不会有任何变化.
They also discussed the Ukraine war.
Page 4: If you are interested, there’s a report on the ‘Integrity Star’ medal awardees for this year. These are awarded for diligence, honesty and perseverance in one’s respective line of work.
Also, there’s a one line report on the page informing that the Central Committee has “recently decided” that Chen Xiaojiang will replace Ma Xingrui as the Party Secretary of Xinjiang. Ma “will be appointed to another position.”
Page 6: There’s a report on China’s film market. It says that in the first half of 2025, total box office revenue exceeded 29.23 billion yuan (about $4.09 billion), a 22.91 percent year-on-year increase. During the same period, the number of moviegoers increased to 641 million, a 16.89 percent rise from the previous year, according to the data released by the National Film Administration on Tuesday. Domestic films accounted for 91.2 percent of the total earnings, playing an increasingly important role in the world's largest film market.
Finally, outside the paper, again today, we have another Xinhua article on the issue of the succession of the Dalai Lama. This one is attributed to Li Decheng, deputy director-general of and a research fellow with China Tibetology Research Center.
It says:
“Recently, the Dalai clique and international anti-China forces have colluded to clamor about the reincarnation of Tibetan Buddhist Living Buddhas, claiming that it is an internal religious affair to be decided by the reincarnated individuals themselves. Historical facts demonstrate that the reincarnation of Tibetan Buddhist Living Buddhas, including the search for and confirmation of successive Dalai Lamas, has never followed such a precedent. The reincarnation of Living Buddhas is by no means merely an internal religious matter, nor is it solely the ‘unique predestined bond’ claimed by the 14th Dalai Lama. Instead, it reflects national sovereignty, governmental authority, religious principles, and the sentiments of lay followers.”
The article has two sections. The first section argues that:
“The reincarnation of Tibetan Buddhist Living Buddhas has never been decided by reincarnated individuals.” The author says that the “Dalai Lama reincarnation lineage system commenced with the third Dalai Lama, Sonam Gyatso, while the religious community posthumously recognized the first and second Dalai Lamas.” Anyway, the main argument is that:
“...the reincarnations of successive Dalai Lamas have always been sought and identified through religious procedures by the Gelug sect monastic community, with the approval of the government. There has never been a case where the decision was made solely by the reincarnated individual.”
The second section says that “the reincarnation of Living Buddhas follows rigorous historical conventions and rules—it is not subject to individual decision.” Under this, he makes four points:
First, the reincarnation of Living Buddhas must adhere to the principle of government oversight.
“The formation of the Living Buddha reincarnation system is inextricably linked to the support of the central government. As such, a key aspect of the system is that the final authority for approving a reincarnated successor rests with the government. From the perspectives of national sovereignty and governmental authority, the central government exercises an approval and conferral system for the reincarnations of influential Living Buddhas. This reflects the state’s sovereignty over regions such as Xizang and its authoritative role in the recognition of reincarnations. It embodies the principle that the state is above religion, with political authority taking precedence over religious authority, and that religious followers are citizens first and foremost. It also reflects the principle that religions will prevail with the support of the state…Historically, the reincarnation of Living Buddhas, especially those of great influence, was subject to government approval and oversight. The establishment of the Dalai Lama reincarnation system was not the decision of any individual, but rather approved by local authorities. Throughout history, each successive Dalai Lama was recognized, approved, and enthroned with the consent of both local and central governments.”
Second, the reincarnation of Living Buddhas must follow the principle of management according to law.
Third, the reincarnation of Living Buddhas must adhere to the principle of confirmation through dharma.
“Buddhism has always advocated ‘following the dharma, not individuals’, meaning that internal Buddhist affairs must be handled according to Buddhist principles rather than personal wishes—and the reincarnation of Living Buddhas is no exception. According to Tibetan Buddhist views and the practice of ‘divine judgement of the true reincarnation’, the confirmation of a reincarnation's true identity is not determined by the personal wishes of the reincarnated individual or by others. Still, it follows religious rituals and historical conventions, through applying the principle of doctrinal determination. Tibetan Buddhism holds that a Living Buddha reincarnates into the world to uphold the dharma, fulfill the Bodhisattva vow, and bring salvation. Therefore, when confirming a reincarnation, drawing lots from the golden urn before the Buddha and relying on the Buddha’s compassionate blessings and enlightened determination is regarded as the most sacred, solemn, and impartial method. Methods like drawing lots from the golden urn embody the doctrine of ‘the Buddha's decision through dharma’. They cannot be manipulated by individuals, much less decided by the personal will of the reincarnated individual. As the saying goes, ‘real gold does not fear the test of fire’.”
Fourth, the reincarnation of Living Buddhas must follow the principle of respecting the sentiments of lay followers.
“The majority of Tibetan Buddhist believers reside in China, specifically within regions where Tibetan Buddhism is practiced. Therefore, in practice, reincarnated Living Buddhas do not abandon their followers or the land that nurtures them, and can only reincarnate within China, rather than in places where Tibetan Buddhism is not traditionally practiced. Thus, decisions about whether to reincarnate and where to reincarnate must respect the sentiments and wishes of the lay followers, and cannot be decided solely by the reincarnated individual. Precisely out of respect for the sentiments of the faithful, the Measures on the Management of the Reincarnation of Tibetan Buddhist Living Buddhas stipulate that ‘the request of the majority of local believers and monastery management organizations for reincarnation’ is a fundamental condition for reincarnation.”