CCDI Plenary Communiqué Outlines Tougher Action Plans in Anti-Corruption Struggle - Boosting Support for 'Two New' Policies in 2025
Here are the key reports and articles that I found noteworthy from the People’s Daily’s edition on Thursday, January 9, 2025.
Page 1: Let’s begin with the full communique after the CCDI plenary session. 131 CCDI members and 247 observers attended the plenary session. The first substantive paragraph outlines what was done during the plenary. It begins by saying that the “session thoroughly studied and implemented Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.”
The next bit says:
The plenary session earnestly studied and deeply understood the important speech by General Secretary Xi Jinping. It unanimously held that the speech fully affirmed the new progress and achievements in comprehensive and strict Party governance over the past year, grasped the basic laws of the anti-corruption struggle from the strategic height of realizing the Party’s mission and tasks in the new era and new journey, and deeply analyzed the current situation of the anti-corruption struggle, unequivocally clarified erroneous understandings and cleared ideological fog with a clear-cut stance, put forward clear requirements for resolutely fighting the tough, protracted, and comprehensive battles against corruption, made strategic plans to provide strong guarantees for advancing Chinese-style modernization with new achievements in comprehensive and strict Party governance, and placed high expectations on discipline inspection and supervision cadres. 全会认真学习、深刻领会习近平总书记重要讲话。一致认为，讲话充分肯定过去一年全面从严治党取得的新进展新成效，从实现新时代新征程党的使命任务的战略高度，以高远的历史眼光深刻把握反腐败斗争基本规律，深刻分析当前反腐败斗争形势，旗帜鲜明澄清错误认识、廓清思想迷雾，对坚决打好反腐败斗争攻坚战、持久战、总体战提出明确要求，对以全面从严治党新成效为推进中国式现代化提供坚强保障作出战略部署，对纪检监察干部队伍寄予殷切期望.
The speech is far-sighted, profound, confronted problems directly, and was striking in clarity/would arouse even the apathetic. It demonstrates strong political nature, ideological nature, and guiding nature, pointing out the forward direction and providing important guidelines for deeply advancing comprehensive and strict Party governance, Party conduct and clean government construction, and the anti-corruption struggle. They all expressed that they will be guided by the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important speech, strengthen their confidence, dare to struggle, resolutely shoulder the responsibility of supervision, promote the implementation of the main responsibility, focus on the ‘国之大者’ (matters of national interest/significance) in strengthening political supervision, unswervingly rectify the work style/conduct and discipline, and deepen the anti-corruption struggle with the tenacity and perseverance of always being on the road, and strive to eliminate the soil and conditions where corruption breeds through the integration of efforts to ensure that officials and cadres do not dare to be corrupt, are not being able to be corrupt, and do not want to be corrupt. A sense of reverence must always be maintained, efforts must be intensified to strengthen the standardization, legalisation, and professionalization of discipline inspection and supervision work, and truly achieve loyalty, cleanliness and responsibility, and dare to struggle and be good at struggle. 讲话高瞻远瞩、思想深邃、直面问题、振聋发聩，具有很强的政治性、思想性、指导性，为深入推进全面从严治党、党风廉政建设和反腐败斗争指明前进方向、提供重要遵循。一致表示，将以习近平总书记重要讲话精神为指引，坚定信心、敢于斗争，坚决扛起监督责任、推动落实主体责任，聚焦“国之大者”强化政治监督，坚定不移正风肃纪，以永远在路上的坚韧执着深入推进反腐败斗争，一体推进不敢腐、不能腐、不想腐，着力铲除腐败滋生的土壤和条件。要始终保持敬畏之心，加强纪检监察工作规范化法治化正规化建设，真正做到忠诚干净担当、敢于善于斗争.
The long paragraph below gives a recap of the work from 2024.
The plenary session pointed out that in 2024, under the leadership of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, the Party adhered to leading the great social revolution through self-revolution, united and guided the entire Party and people of all ethnic groups to focus their efforts and overcome challenges and took new and solid strides in advancing Chinese-style modernisation. The CCDI, NSC and discipline inspection and supervision agencies at all levels adhered to the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, firmly supported the Two Establishments and resolutely implemented the Two Safeguards’; focusing on the central tasks of the Party and the country, they continued to deepen political supervision, rectify work styles, discipline and the fight against corruption; promoted the improvement of the comprehensive and strict governance of the Party system, improved the supervision system of the Party and the country, consolidated and expanded the results of thematic education and education rectification, and ensured that the high-quality development of discipline inspection and supervision work in the new era and new journey achieved new results. The CCDI Standing Committee made the study and implementation of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, especially Xi Jinping’s important thought on the Party’s self-revolution, the central theme and focus throughout the year, leading the whole system to deeply study and understand the Party’s innovative theories, and firmly follow the correct direction of discipline inspection and supervision work. The mechanism for making political oversight more specific, precise, and normalised were improved, with political supervision being focussed around the major decisions of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee to ensure the effective implementation of the Party Central Committee’s policies and plans. In the study and education of Party discipline, efforts are made to excel as the ‘first phalanx’, thoroughly studying and comprehending General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important discourses on comprehensively strengthening the Party’s disciplinary construction. Focusing closely on the ‘Six Disciplines’, each was studied item by item and discussed in depth, guiding the entire system to learn more profoundly, become familiar with and effectively apply the knowledge, and promote the entire Party to study, understand, respect, and abide by discipline. We continued to severely curb hedonism and extravagance, severely rectified formalism and bureaucratism, and ensured the implementation of the eight-point central regulation in an in-depth and practical manner through effective and long-term governance. The anti-corruption struggle was pushed forward in depth, with intensified efforts in key sectors such as finance, state-owned enterprises, energy, tobacco, pharmaceuticals, sports, infrastructure projects, and bidding processes; corruption involving collusion between officials and businesses were severely investigated and dealt with; new and hidden forms of corruption were thoroughly investigated and deal with; efforts to investigate both bribe-taking and bribe giving were strengthened, and reforms based on cases were deepened to eliminate the soil and conditions that breed corruption. Focused rectification was carried out on misconduct and corruption directly affecting the people, with extraordinary measures being taken to punish ‘fly and ant’ corruption, resolutely safeguarding the interests of the people and consolidating the Party’s governance foundation. Political inspections were deepened, with routine inspections conducted for 68 departments and units, the first-ever coordinated inspections in the financial sector, and higher-level inspections conducted in prefecture-level cities. Immediate investigations and corrections were carried out during inspections, further highlighting the comprehensive supervisory role of inspections. The discipline inspection and supervision system and legal framework were further improved. The CCDI cooperated with the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress to amend the Supervision Law, comprehensively advanced the construction of a digital discipline inspection and supervision system, and promoted the better transformation of institutional advantages into the effectiveness of rectifying misconduct and combating corruption. While affirming the achievements, the plenary session conducted a realistic analysis of existing problems in discipline inspection and supervision work and in the building of the cadre team, calling for great attention and practical solutions to address these issues. 全会指出，2024年，以习近平同志为核心的党中央坚持以党的自我革命引领伟大社会革命，团结带领全党全国各族人民凝心聚力、攻坚克难，中国式现代化迈出新的坚实步伐。中央纪委国家监委和各级纪检监察机关坚持以习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想为指导，坚定拥护“两个确立”、坚决做到“两个维护”，围绕党和国家中心任务，持续深入强化政治监督、正风肃纪反腐，推动健全全面从严治党体系、完善党和国家监督体系，巩固拓展主题教育和教育整顿成果，推动新时代新征程纪检监察工作高质量发展取得新成效。中央纪委常委会把学习贯彻习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想特别是习近平总书记关于党的自我革命的重要思想作为贯穿全年的主题主线，带动全系统深学细悟党的创新理论，坚定纪检监察工作正确方向。健全政治监督具体化、精准化、常态化机制，围绕党的二十届三中全会重大部署谋深做实政治监督，推动党中央大政方针落地见效。在党纪学习教育中努力走好“第一方阵”，认真学习领会习近平总书记关于全面加强党的纪律建设的重要论述，紧扣“六项纪律”逐条学习、深入研讨，引领全系统学深一层、熟知善用，推动全党学纪知纪明纪守纪。持续狠刹享乐主义、奢靡之风，重拳纠治形式主义、官僚主义，以常态长效治理确保贯彻落实中央八项规定精神走深走实。纵深推进反腐败斗争，深化拓展金融、国企、能源、烟草、医药、体育、基建工程和招投标等重点领域反腐，严肃查处政商勾连腐败，深入查处新型腐败和隐性腐败，坚持受贿行贿一起查，深化以案促改促治，有力铲除腐败滋生的土壤和条件。开展群众身边不正之风和腐败问题集中整治，以超常规举措惩治“蝇贪蚁腐”，坚决维护群众利益，巩固党的执政根基。深化政治巡视，对68家部门单位开展常规巡视，首次对金融领域开展联动巡视、对地级市提级巡视，做实边巡边查、立行立改，巡视巡察综合监督作用进一步彰显。完善纪检监察体制机制和法规制度体系，配合全国人大常委会做好监察法修改工作，全面推进数字纪检监察体系建设，促进制度优势更好转化为正风肃纪反腐效能。在肯定成绩的同时，实事求是分析了纪检监察工作和干部队伍建设存在的问题，要求高度重视、切实加以解决.
The plenary session emphasized that comprehensively promoting the development of a strong country and the great cause of national rejuvenation through Chinese-style modernization has placed new and higher requirements for the fight against corruption. The discipline inspection and supervision organs should:
truly unify their thoughts and actions with the accurate judgment of the situation and the scientific deployment of tasks by the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core
deeply grasp the historic achievements made in the fight against corruption in the new era, and firmly believe in winning the tough battle against corruption;
deeply grasp the current situation of the anti-corruption struggle, which is still severe and complex, and firmly maintain the determination to win the protracted battle against corruption;
deeply grasp the policy and strategy of promoting the principle of not daring to be corrupt, not being able to be corrupt, and not wanting to be corrupt, and firmly maintain the strong determination to win the overall battle against corruption.
全会强调，以中国式现代化全面推进强国建设、民族复兴伟业，对反腐败斗争提出了新的更高要求。纪检监察机关要切实把思想和行动统一到以习近平同志为核心的党中央对形势的准确判断、对任务的科学部署上来，深刻把握新时代反腐败斗争取得的历史性成就，坚定打赢反腐败这场攻坚战的必胜信心；深刻把握当前反腐败斗争仍然严峻复杂的形势，坚定打赢反腐败这场持久战的如磐恒心；深刻把握一体推进不敢腐、不能腐、不想腐方针方略，坚定打赢反腐败这场总体战的坚强决心.
The plenary session proposed that 2025 is the final year of implementing the 14th Five-Year Plan. To do a good job this year, it is necessary to adhere to the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, fully implement the spirit of the 20th Party Congress and the Second and Third Plenary Sessions of the 20th Central Committee, thoroughly study and implement General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important thoughts on Party building and the Party’s self-revolution, deeply understand the decisive significance of the Two Establishments, strengthen the four consciousnesses, enhance the four self-confidences, and achieve the Two Safeguards, persist in governing the Party with the spirit of reform and strict standards, promote the implementation of the political responsibility of comprehensive and strict Party governance, promote the improvement of the system of comprehensive and strict Party governance, deepen the rectification of work style, discipline and anti-corruption struggle, and continuously promote the high-quality development of discipline inspection and supervision work in the new era and new journey, thereby providing strong guarantees for promoting Chinese-style modernization with new achievements in comprehensive and strict Party governance. 全会提出，2025年是“十四五”规划收官之年。做好今年工作，要坚持以习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想为指导，全面贯彻落实党的二十大和二十届二中、三中全会精神，深入学习贯彻习近平总书记关于党的建设的重要思想、关于党的自我革命的重要思想，深刻领悟“两个确立”的决定性意义，增强“四个意识”、坚定“四个自信”、做到“两个维护”，坚持用改革精神和严的标准管党治党，推动落实全面从严治党政治责任，推动健全全面从严治党体系，纵深推进正风肃纪反腐，持续推进新时代新征程纪检监察工作高质量发展，以全面从严治党新成效为推进中国式现代化提供坚强保障.
After this, the communique makes 8 points for work going forward:
First, strengthen political supervision around the major arrangements of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, and strive to promote further comprehensive deepening of reform and steady progress in China-style modernization. Resolutely safeguard the centralized and unified leadership of the Party Central Committee over the further comprehensive deepening of reform, closely focus on the progress of achieving the overall reform goal and progress in the ‘seven focuses’ and 13 goals, refine and substantiate the content of supervision, driving Party organizations at all levels to concentrate efforts on reform and focus on implementation. 第一，围绕党的二十届三中全会重大部署强化政治监督，着力推动进一步全面深化改革、推进中国式现代化行稳致远。坚决维护党中央对进一步全面深化改革的集中统一领导，紧紧围绕实现改革总目标和“七个聚焦”、13个分领域目标进展情况，细化实化监督内容，推动各级党组织聚力改革、狠抓落实.
Second, consolidate and deepen Party discipline study and education results, focus on promoting the establishment of a positive atmosphere of rule compliance, discipline observance, and doing things with dedication. Consolidate and deepen in implementing party discipline study and education, emphasise key content and key objects, advance discipline education method innovation, guide Party members and cadres to internalise discipline in their hearts and externalise it in actions. Consolidate and deepen the strict implementation of discipline, investigate and deal with violations of discipline as soon as they are discovered, and effectively maintain the rigidity and seriousness of discipline. Consolidate and deepen in accurately using the ‘four forms’, implement the policy of punishing those before to prevent those after or punishing earlier mistakes firmly to prevent them happening again (惩前毖后) and treat the disease to save the patient or punish to help the person improve (治病救人), and leverage layered preventive mechanisms. 第二，巩固深化党纪学习教育成果，着力推动形成遵规守纪、干事创业的良好氛围。在抓实党纪学习教育上巩固深化，突出重点内容、重点对象，推进纪律教育方式创新，引导党员干部把纪律内化于心、外化于行。在严格执行纪律上巩固深化，对违纪问题发现一起查处一起，切实维护纪律刚性、严肃性。在准确运用“四种形态”上巩固深化，贯彻惩前毖后、治病救人方针，发挥层层设防作用.
Third, improve the mechanism for investigating and combating unhealthy practices and corruption simultaneously, striving to integrate and deepen efforts to rectify unhealthy practices and combat corruption. Severely punish intertwined issues of misconduct and corruption through ‘joint investigation’, persevere in implementing the spirit of the eight-point regulations, strictly correct the ‘four winds’, focus on violations of discipline, invisible mutations, serious disruptions to market order, and increased burdens on the grassroots, strengthening supervision and deepening governance; punish corruption unceasingly, strictly investigate corruption cases where political and economic issues intertwine, focus on systematic rectification in fields such as finance, state-owned enterprises, energy, fire services, tobacco, medicine, universities, sports, development zones, engineering construction, and bidding processes, and strive to address the problems of discovering, collecting evidence and characterising new types of corruption and hidden corruption, severely investigate and punish the problems of abuse of power, dereliction of duty, and illegal decision-making that cause major losses to state-owned assets, resolutely crack down on bribe-givers who repeatedly entangle cadres into wrongdoing and harm local areas, and increase the intensity of tackling cross-border corruption. Through ‘joint rectification’, eliminate the common roots of misconduct and corruption, and strengthen timely warning and supervision of situations where leading cadres’ spouses, children, and their spouses illegally engage in business activities. Promote the establishment of a political ecology analysis and assessment mechanism with unified leadership of the Party Committee, organizational coordination of the CCDI, and coordinated linkage of relevant departments. Improve the joint punishment mechanism for key bribe-givers, formulate a three-year action plan for the construction of a clean culture in the new era (2025-2027), and tell the story of China’s anti-corruption struggle well. Use ‘investigation’ and ‘rectification’ in a coordinated manner to block the evolution of misconduct and corruption, formulate opinions on advancing the simultaneous investigation and rectification of misconduct and corruption issues, and leverage big data and informatization to empower efforts to rectify misconduct and combat corruption. 第三，健全不正之风和腐败问题同查同治机制，着力推动正风反腐一体深化。以“同查”严惩风腐交织问题，锲而不舍落实中央八项规定精神，一严到底纠治“四风”，聚焦顶风违纪、隐形变异、严重影响市场秩序、加重基层负担等问题，强化监督、深化治理；一刻不停惩治腐败，严查政治问题和经济问题交织的腐败案件，着重抓好金融、国企、能源、消防、烟草、医药、高校、体育、开发区、工程建设和招投标等领域系统整治，着力破解新型腐败和隐性腐败发现、取证、定性难题，严肃查处滥用职权、玩忽职守、违规决策造成国有资产重大损失问题，坚决查处那些老是拉干部下水、危害一方的行贿人，加大跨境腐败治理力度。以“同治”铲除风腐共性根源，加强对领导干部配偶、子女及其配偶违规经商办企业等情况的及时预警监督，推动构建党委统一领导、纪委组织协调、有关部门协同联动的政治生态分析研判机制，完善对重点行贿人联合惩戒机制，制定新时代廉洁文化建设三年行动计划（2025—2027年），讲好中国反腐败故事。以“查”、“治”贯通阻断风腐演变，制定关于推进不正之风和腐败问题同查同治的意见，以大数据信息化赋能正风反腐.
Fourth, continue to deepen the rectification of unhealthy practices and corruption around the masses, and strive to promote the reform and development results to benefit the general public better and more equitably. Continue to work hard to punish ‘fly-level corruption’ (petty corruption) and ‘ant-level corruption’ (low-level corruption), focusing on the key and weak links below the county level and continuing to address them. Deepen the governance of outstanding issues in ‘campus meals’, rural collective management of ‘three resources’, supervision of rural revitalization fund usage, medical insurance fund management, and elderly care services, and solidly advance the special campaign to address corruption and irregularities in the funeral sector. Guide local governments to select pain points and difficult issues related to people’s livelihood and carry out rectification according to local conditions, so that the masses can perceive the impact and benefit. 第四，持续深化整治群众身边不正之风和腐败问题，着力推动改革发展成果更好更公平惠及广大人民群众。持续发力惩治“蝇贪蚁腐”，聚焦县以下这一关键环节、薄弱环节持续抓下去。深化“校园餐”、农村集体“三资”管理、乡村振兴资金使用监管、医保基金管理、养老服务等方面突出问题治理，扎实推进整治殡葬领域腐败乱象专项行动。指导各地选择民生痛点难点因地制宜开展整治，让群众可感可及.
Fifth, adhere to the positioning of political supervision, and strive to promote supervision to more accurately identify problems and effectively resolve them. Make political supervision more practical, thoroughly identify the main contradictions that affect high-quality development and major deviations in implementing reform deployments. Scientifically coordinate regular inspections, special inspections, mobile inspections and inspection ‘look-back’/reviews, and flexibly carry out upgraded inspections. Establish and improve mechanisms for integrating and coordinating internal inspections of central units with discipline inspection and supervision, and deeply advance inspection work at the village level. Further consolidate the main responsibility for rectification, improve the rectification supervision mechanism, and enhance the pertinence and effectiveness of rectification. 第五，坚守政治巡视定位，着力推动巡视更加精准发现问题、有效解决问题。做实政治巡视，深入查找影响高质量发展的主要矛盾、落实改革部署中的重大偏差。科学统筹常规巡视、专项巡视、机动巡视和巡视“回头看”，灵活开展提级巡视。建立健全中央单位内部巡视与纪检监察监督贯通协调机制，深入推进对村巡察工作。进一步压实整改主体责任，完善整改督促机制，增强整改针对性、实效性.
Sixth, deepen the implementation of the reform tasks of the discipline inspection and supervision system, and strive to improve the institutional and normative system for the Party’s self-revolution. Deeply implement the strategic deployment of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee on the reform of the discipline inspection and supervision system, deepen the reform of the internal institutions and dispatched institutions of the disciplinary inspection commissions and supervision commissions, complete the comprehensive deployment of discipline inspection and supervision teams to centrally-managed enterprises, and promote the ‘re-dispatch’ of relevant dispatched institutions to the subordinate units of host entities, universities directly under the ministry, and central enterprises whose leadership teams are managed by the SASAC of the State Council. Assist the Party’s Central Committee in formulating the working methods for Party Committees (Party Groups) to conduct supervisory talks with lower-level ‘top leaders’ and in drafting the Anti-cross-border Corruption Law. Promote the improvement of the Party and state supervision system with intra-Party supervision as the leading factor, specialized supervision as the main body, grassroots supervision as the support, and coordination of various types of supervision as the guarantee. 第六，深化落实纪检监察体制改革任务，着力推动完善党的自我革命制度规范体系。深入落实党的二十届三中全会关于纪检监察体制改革战略部署，深化纪委监委机关内设机构、派驻机构改革，完成向中管企业全面派驻纪检监察组，推动有关派驻机构向驻在单位的下一级单位、部属高校和国务院国资委管理领导班子的中央企业“再派出”。协助党中央制定党委（党组）对下级“一把手”开展监督谈话工作办法，起草反跨境腐败法。以党内监督为主导、专责监督为主干、基层监督为支撑、各类监督贯通协调为保障，推动完善党和国家监督体系.
Seventh, strengthen the political responsibility for comprehensive and strict Party governance, striving to maintain a consistent tone of strictness from start to finish. With the ‘two responsibilities’ as the guide, promote the main responsibility of the Party committee (Party group), the regulatory responsibility of functional departments, and the supervision responsibility of discipline inspection commissions (or discipline inspection teams), ensuring that all work in the same direction, thereby improving the responsibility pattern of managing and governing the Party with each entity assuming their responsibility and maintaining coordination. Urge Party organizations at all levels to use systematic thinking and scientific methods to advance Party governance, further improving the comprehensive and strict Party governance system. 第七，强化全面从严治党政治责任，着力推动严的基调一贯到底。以“两个责任”抓纲带目，推动党委（党组）主体责任、职能部门监管责任、纪委（纪检组）监督责任同向发力，健全各负其责、统一协调的管党治党责任格局。督促各级党组织用系统思维、科学方法推进管党治党，进一步健全全面从严治党体系.
Eighth, launch the ‘Standardization, Legalization and Regularization of Discipline Inspection and Supervision Work’ action, and strive to take the construction of the iron army of discipline inspection and supervision to a new level.
Strengthen political construction, respect faith and the organization, unwaveringly use Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era to arm the mind, firmly support the Two Establishments and resolutely implement the Two Safeguards, unswervingly bear in mind the ‘国之大者’, and consciously place work within the broader context of the Party and national priorities for planning and advancement.
Strengthen capacity building, respect responsibility and mission, firmly establish and practice a correct view of political achievements, uphold the lifeline of seeking truth from facts, strictly act in accordance with regulations, discipline, and laws, correctly grasp policies and strategies, accurately determine the nature and extent of discipline and law enforcement, implement the three-year action plan to strengthen organizational construction, and optimize the cadre selection, training and management mechanism.
Strengthen style construction, respect power and the people, carry forward the spirit of struggle, responsibility and rule of law, dare to confront and draw the sword on issues of major political principles and of right and wrong, and ensure that the power granted by the Party and the people is not abused.
Strengthen the construction of integrity, respect discipline and law, strengthen constraints with strict management, strengthen deterrence with severe punishment, warm people’s hearts with genuine care and affection, strengthen daily management and supervision, resolutely eliminate the bad apples, and build a loyal, clean, responsible, and discipline inspection and supervision iron army, that dares to struggle and excels in struggle, with higher standards and stricter requirements.
第八，开展“纪检监察工作规范化法治化正规化建设年”行动，着力推动纪检监察铁军建设再上新台阶。加强政治建设，敬畏信仰、敬畏组织，始终不渝用习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想武装头脑，始终不渝坚定拥护“两个确立”、坚决做到“两个维护”，始终不渝心怀“国之大者”，自觉把工作置于党和国家大局中谋划推进。加强能力建设，敬畏责任、敬畏使命，牢固树立和践行正确政绩观，坚守实事求是生命线，严格依规依纪依法，正确把握政策策略，准确定性量纪执法，实施加强组织建设三年行动计划，优化干部选育管用机制。加强作风建设，敬畏权力、敬畏人民，发扬斗争精神、担当精神、法治精神，在重大政治原则和大是大非问题上敢于交锋、勇于亮剑，确保党和人民赋予的权力不被滥用。加强廉洁建设，敬畏纪律、敬畏法律，以严管强约束，以严惩强震慑，以厚爱暖人心，加强日常管理监督，坚决清除害群之马，以更高标准、更严要求，打造忠诚干净担当、敢于善于斗争的纪检监察铁军.
The communique ends by calling for “closer unity around the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core”.
Page 2: There’s a report on the NDRC and Ministry of Finance’s notice on increasing efforts to implement the ‘two new’ policies in 2025, i.e., equipment renewal and consumer goods trade-in.
Zhao Chenxin, NDRC Deputy Director, provided some data:
In 2024, more than 6.5 million vehicles were scrapped and replaced nationwide.
In 2024, among the more than 4,600 equipment renewal projects supported by ultra-long-term special treasury bonds alone, the equipment renewal volume in industry, energy consumption, energy and electricity, transportation and other fields exceeded 2 million units (sets). Preliminary estimates show that under the ‘two new’ policies, the total equipment renewal volume in key areas exceeded 20 million units (sets). 拉动投资增长效果明显。2024年，仅超长期特别国债资金支持的4600多个设备更新项目中，工业、用能、能源电力、交通运输等设备更新量就超过200万台（套）。初步估算，在“两新”政策带动下，重点领域设备更新总量超2000万台（套），有力拉动相关领域投资.
The ‘two new’ policies have promoted the rapid growth of equipment manufacturing and consumer goods industry. In November 2024, the added value of equipment manufacturing increased by 7.6% year-on-year, contributing nearly 50% to the growth of added value of industrial enterprises above designated size; the added value of equipment industries such as shipbuilding and related equipment manufacturing, smart consumer equipment manufacturing, and lithium-ion battery manufacturing increased by 20.1%, 10.7% and 8.8% year-on-year respectively. 促进产业升级效果明显。“两新”政策推动设备制造和消费品行业生产快速增长。2024年11月，装备制造业增加值同比增长7.6%，对规模以上工业增加值增长贡献率接近50%；船舶及相关装置制造、智能消费设备制造、锂离子电池制造等装备行业增加值分别同比增长20.1%、10.7%和8.8%.
The ‘two new’ standard improvement action has resulted in the issuance of 168 important standards, such as energy consumption and pollutant emissions. In 2024, more than 11,000 new intelligent community waste material recycling facilities were added nationwide, and the sales of Class-I energy-efficient home appliances accounted for as high as 90%. It is estimated that the energy saving generated by the implementation of the ‘two new’ policies in 2024 was around 28 million tons of standard coal, with carbon dioxide emissions being reduced by about 73 million tons. 支撑绿色转型效果明显。“两新”标准提升行动已经发布能耗、污染物排放等重要标准168项，2024年全国新增智能化社区废旧物资回收设施1.1万余个，1级能效家电销售额占比高达90%。据测算，2024年“两新”政策落地形成的节能量约2800万吨标准煤，减少二氧化碳排放约7300万吨.
The report also quotes Fu Jinling, from the Ministry of Finance, saying that by the end of 2024, the 150 billion yuan of consumer goods replacement funds arranged by the central government have basically been used. Some local governments have taken the initiative to increase local funds to ensure that the support policies are not interrupted. 财政部经济建设司司长符金陵介绍，截至2024年底，中央财政安排的1500亿元消费品以旧换新资金已基本使用完毕，部分地方主动增加安排地方资金，保障支持政策不断档.
In terms of actions going forward, the report says that these will focus on:
Increase efforts to promote equipment renewal. Continue to support equipment renewal in industries, energy-consuming equipment, energy and electricity, transportation, logistics, environmental infrastructure, education, culture and tourism, medical care, and old elevators, and further include electronic information, production safety, facility agriculture and other areas with great potential for renewal into the scope of subsidies. Specifically allocate a portion of funds, increase efforts to implement equipment renewal loan interest subsidies, amplify the leverage effect of funds, and reduce the financing costs for business entities in equipment renewal. Further increase the subsidy standards for scrapping and renewal of agricultural machinery, new energy buses and power battery renewal. 加力推进设备更新。继续支持工业、用能设备、能源电力、交通运输、物流、环境基础设施、教育、文旅、医疗、老旧电梯等设备更新，进一步将更新换代潜力大的电子信息、安全生产、设施农业等领域一并纳入补贴范围。专门安排一部分资金，加力实施设备更新贷款贴息，放大资金撬动效应，降低经营主体设备更新融资成本。进一步提高农业机械报废更新、新能源公交车及动力电池更新等补贴标准.
Expand the scope of support for the trade-in of consumer goods. Include eligible fuel vehicles that meet the National IV emission standard in the scope of scrapping and renewal subsidies, and standardize the maximum subsidy limit for automobile replacement and renewal nationwide. The number of household appliances that enjoy the trade-in subsidy will increase from 8 categories in 2024 to 12 categories in 2025, and a single item can enjoy a maximum subsidy of 20% of the sales price. Increase the maximum subsidy for each consumer to purchase air conditioners from 1 to 3, and implement subsidies for the purchase of new digital products, such as mobile phones. In addition, continue to vigorously support the replacement of home furnishing consumer goods and the trade-in of electric bicycles. 扩围支持消费品以旧换新。将符合条件的国四排放标准燃油车纳入报废更新补贴范围，规范全国汽车置换更新最高补贴限额。享受以旧换新补贴的家电产品由2024年的8类增加到2025年的12类，单件最高可享受销售价格20%的补贴。将每位消费者购买空调产品最多补贴1件增加到3件，并实施手机等数码产品购新补贴。此外，继续大力支持家装消费品换新和电动自行车以旧换新.
Accelerate the improvement of recycling and circular economy levels. Standardize the trade of second-hand goods and accelerate the upgrading of the remanufacturing industry. The central government will continue to allocate special funds to support the recycling and processing of discarded electrical and electronic products. Accelerate the implementation of the ‘reverse invoicing’ system aimed at reducing the tax burden on recycling companies. Support automobile, electrical and electronic product manufacturers to increase the proportion of recycled materials. 加快提升回收循环利用水平。规范二手商品交易，加快再制造产业升级。中央财政继续安排专项资金，支持废弃电器电子产品回收处理。加快推行旨在降低回收企业税负压力的“反向开票”制度。支持汽车、电器电子产品等生产企业提高再生材料的应用比例。
Give full play to the role of standards in improving traction. Benchmarking against international advanced levels, improve the requirements for key industries and important equipment, technology, energy consumption, emissions and other indicators, and complete the formulation and revision of all 294 national standards in the ‘two new’ fields on schedule by the end of 2025. At the same time, enhance the execution and binding force of mandatory standards. Continue to expand the scope of implementation of energy efficiency and water efficiency labels, and organise the selection of ‘leaders’ in energy efficiency and water efficiency of products and equipment. 充分发挥标准提升牵引作用。对标国际先进水平，提升重点行业和重要设备、技术、能耗、排放等指标要求，2025年底前按期完成“两新”领域全部294项国家标准制定修订任务。同时，提升强制性标准的执行力和约束力。继续扩大能效和水效标识实施范围，组织遴选产品设备能效和水效“领跑者”.
In terms of the founding for all this, Zhao said that:
“Considering the consumer demand during the New Year and Spring Festival, the first batch of consumer goods replacement funds this year has been pre-issued to ensure the smooth implementation of the ‘two new’ policy. This year's special national bonds for supporting the 'two new’ policies have a significantly larger total scale compared to last year; the specific amount will be announced during the National People’s Congress.” 考虑到元旦、春节期间群众消费需求，已经预下达今年第一批消费品以旧换新资金，保障“两新”政策顺利接续实施。“今年超长期特别国债用于支持‘两新’的资金总规模比去年大幅增加，具体数额将在全国两会时公布。”赵辰昕说.
Page 3: There are two reports on Wang Yi’s meetings in Africa. First, there’s a report on Wang meeting with President of the Republic of the Congo Denis Sassou Nguesso and Foreign Minister Jean-Claude Gakosso. Xinhua’s report on th Wang-Denis Sassou Nguesso meeting says:
“Noting that Sassou is a renowned African politician and one of the African leaders who have visited China the most and met with Xi the most, Wang said the deep friendship between the two leaders serves as a vital political guarantee for China-Congo and China-Africa relations. The Chinese foreign minister's tradition of starting the year with a visit to Africa is a testament to China's unwavering solidarity with African nations, Wang said. Calling the Republic of the Congo a staunch friend and important partner of China, Wang praised the country's vibrant development under Sassou's leadership. China will remain the country's most reliable friend and partner during its development and revitalization journey, he said. The Republic of the Congo's role as the FOCAC's co-chair reflects Africa's confidence in the country, Wang said. As the best platform for deepening China-Africa cooperation and achieving common development, the FOCAC has been leading global cooperation with Africa, Wang said, noting that China is willing to work closely with the Republic of the Congo to comprehensively implement the outcomes of the FOCAC Beijing Summit, support Africa's development and jointly pursue modernization. These efforts will also enhance the Republic of the Congo's development and elevate its global standing, he added.”
The report on Wang’s meeting with Jean-Claude Gakosso says that the two sides pledged to implement the outcomes of FOCAC.
Wang “said that it has long been a tradition for China’s foreign minister to make Africa the destination of the first overseas trip each year. The longstanding tradition, which underscores China's enduring solidarity and cooperation with Africa, is the cornerstone of China's foreign policy and a firm strategic choice. He added that regardless of changes in the international landscape, China will remain committed to deepening its relations and cooperation with Africa. Describing the Republic of the Congo as a steadfast friend of China, Wang said that the two countries have shared an unbreakable bond for more than 60 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, which is characterized by consistent mutual understanding and support through challenges… As co-chair of the FOCAC, the Republic of the Congo reflects the high-level partnership between the two nations and embodies the aspirations of the African continent, Wang said, expressing his confidence in the Republic of the Congo's active fulfillment of its responsibilities as chair, contributing to the implementation of the FOCAC Beijing Summit's outcomes and advancing China-Africa cooperation. These efforts, Wang added, will not only strengthen the Republic of the Congo's development but also enhance its international influence. Wang also reaffirmed China’s commitment to working with African nations toward building an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era.”
As per Xinhua, “Gakosso emphasized that the two nations have forged a unique and enduring bond, making their relationship a model for international relations. He attributed this success to their shared dedication to safeguarding global peace, upholding international justice, and pursuing common development…Gakosso reaffirmed the Republic of the Congo's unwavering support for the one-China principle and China's efforts to achieve national reunification, stressing that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory. He also voiced support for the Belt and Road Initiative and China's three global initiatives, namely the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative, and expects to learn from China's governance experience.”
Second, Wang met with Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno on Wednesday. Mahamat reportedly said that “Xi is a visionary leader, steering China toward remarkable economic achievements and a pivotal role on the global stage…China's cooperation with Africa has always been based on mutual respect, equality, and mutual benefit, yielding fruitful results, he said. He also expressed gratitude to China for its enduring support for Africa's development, particularly Chad's progress. China is Chad's important strategic partner and a reliable friend, with their bilateral relations serving as a model of mutual respect and win-win cooperation, Mahamat said. Chad firmly supports China's efforts to safeguard its territorial integrity and achieve national unity while opposing interference in its internal affairs, he stressed. China is committed to upholding global fairness and justice, playing a constructive role in addressing key international issues, the Chadian president said, noting that Chad is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with China to uphold shared positions and protect common interests.”
Xinhua adds:
“China has always advocated that all countries, big or small, strong or weak, are equal, Wang said, noting that China opposes all forms of hegemony, bullying, and unilateralism. He expressed China's willingness to strengthen strategic coordination with Chad and continue to provide steadfast mutual support. China appreciates Chad's efforts in staying independent and self-reliant, and pursuing development and revitalization that suits its national conditions and is ready to work with Chad to actively implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state and the outcomes of the FOCAC Beijing Summit, Wang said. China seeks to deepen exchanges on governance experience, solidify political trust through shared values, and comprehensively expand mutually beneficial cooperation to support Chad's development and revitalization and jointly build an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era.”
Page 7: There’s a report informing that Guangzhou is now focussing on developing 15 strategic industrial clusters. Among them, there are:
6 emerging pillar industries: intelligent connected and new energy vehicles, ultra-high-definition video and new displays, biomedicine and health, green petrochemicals and new materials, software and the internet, and intelligent equipment and robotics;
5 strategic leading industries: artificial intelligence, semiconductors and integrated circuits, new energy and new energy storage, low-altitude economy and aerospace, and bio-manufacturing;
4 characteristic and advantageous industries: fashion consumer goods, rail transit, ships and marine engineering, intelligent construction and industrialized buildings.
其中，新兴支柱产业6个：智能网联与新能源汽车、超高清视频与新型显示、生物医药与健康、绿色石化与新材料、软件与互联网、智能装备与机器人；战略先导产业5个：人工智能、半导体与集成电路、新能源与新型储能、低空经济与航空航天、生物制造；特色优势产业4个：时尚消费品、轨道交通、船舶与海洋工程、智能建造与工业化建筑.
Page 11: There’s a piece by NDRC chief Zheng Shanjie on implementing the decisions from the 2024 CEWC. This is important but I don’t have the bandwidth to work on this today. Will probably cover this in the next week on a lighter work-day.
Page 17: President-elect Donald Trump’s rhetoric about the Panama canal gets coverage today, via the response of the Panamanian foreign minister, saying that the sovereignty over the canal is non-negotiable.