Central Commission for Deepening Overall Reform Meets - H1 Auto Exports at 2.14 mln - Commentary on China-PIC Ties - Defending TikTok - Wang Yi Meets Diplomats from Uganda, Burundi & Nicaragua
Here are the key reports and articles that I found noteworthy from the People’s Daily's edition on Wednesday, July 12, 2023.
Page 1: The lead story on the page is about the meeting of the central commission for deepening overall reform. A few guidelines were approved at the meeting:
Opinions on Constructing a New System of Higher-Level Open Economy to Promote the Establishment of a New Development Pattern
Implementation Plan for Deepening Rural Reform
Opinions on Promoting the Gradual Transition from Dual Control of Energy Consumption to the Dual Control of Carbon Emissions
Opinions on Pilot Reforms of Salary Systems in Higher Education Institutions and Research Institutes
Implementation Opinions on Further Deepening the Reform of the Oil and Gas Market System and Improving the National Oil and Gas Security Guarantee Capabilities
Guiding Opinions on Deepening the Reform of the Power System and Accelerating the Construction of a New Power System
中共中央总书记、国家主席、中央军委主席、中央全面深化改革委员会主任习近平7月11日下午主持召开中央全面深化改革委员会第二次会议，审议通过了《关于建设更高水平开放型经济新体制促进构建新发展格局的意见》、《深化农村改革实施方案》、《关于推动能耗双控逐步转向碳排放双控的意见》、《关于高等学校、科研院所薪酬制度改革试点的意见》、《关于进一步深化石油天然气市场体系改革提升国家油气安全保障能力的实施意见》、《关于深化电力体制改革加快构建新型电力系统的指导意见》
The report then talks about Xi’s remarks at the meeting. He said that:
“building a new system for a higher-level open economy is a strategic initiative taken to promote reform and development through opening-up.” He added: “We should build a new development pattern around services, focus on institutional opening, focus on key areas of foreign exchanges and cooperation such as investment, trade, finance and innovation, deepen institutional reform, improve supporting policies and measures, and actively raise China's opening up to a new level.”
“It is necessary to anchor the strategic goal of realising agricultural and rural modernization and building an agricultural power, take the relationship between farmers and land as the main line, speed up the filling of shortcomings in agricultural and rural development, and lay a solid foundation for building a socialist modern country in an all-round way.
Basing ourselves on the fact that China's ecological civilization construction has entered a critical period with carbon reduction as the key strategic direction, we should improve the regulation of total energy consumption and intensity, and gradually shift to dual control of total carbon emission and intensity.
It is necessary to promote the reform of the salary distribution system for university faculty members and research fellows as an important starting point to coordinate the development of education, science and technology, and human resources, and gradually establish a salary system that stimulates innovation, is knowledge-oriented, has standardized and effective management, and ensures a balance between incentives and guarantees, so as to further stimulate the innovation and creativity of institutions of higher learning and research institutes.
It is necessary to focus on the goal of improving national oil and gas security capabilities, in view of the prominent problems existing in the oil and gas system, we must actively yet prudently promote the reform of the upstream, midstream and downstream systems and mechanisms of the oil and gas industry to ensure stable and reliable supply.
It is necessary to deepen the reform of the electric power system, accelerate the construction of a new type of clean, low-carbon, safe and abundant, economically efficient, supply-demand coordinated, flexible and intelligent power system, better promote the revolution of energy production and consumption, and ensure national energy security.”
习近平在主持会议时强调，建设更高水平开放型经济新体制是我们主动作为以开放促改革、促发展的战略举措，要围绕服务构建新发展格局，以制度型开放为重点，聚焦投资、贸易、金融、创新等对外交流合作的重点领域深化体制机制改革，完善配套政策措施，积极主动把我国对外开放提高到新水平。要锚定实现农业农村现代化、建设农业强国的战略目标，以处理好农民和土地关系为主线，加快补齐农业农村发展短板，为全面建设社会主义现代化国家打下坚实基础。要立足我国生态文明建设已进入以降碳为重点战略方向的关键时期，完善能源消耗总量和强度调控，逐步转向碳排放总量和强度双控制度。要把推动高校教师、科研人员薪酬分配制度改革作为统筹推进教育、科技、人才事业发展的重要抓手，逐步建立激发创新活力、知识价值导向、管理规范有效、保障激励兼顾的薪酬制度，进一步激发高等学校、科研院所创新创造活力。要围绕提升国家油气安全保障能力的目标，针对油气体制存在的突出问题，积极稳妥推进油气行业上、中、下游体制机制改革，确保稳定可靠供应。要深化电力体制改革，加快构建清洁低碳、安全充裕、经济高效、供需协同、灵活智能的新型电力系统，更好推动能源生产和消费革命，保障国家能源安全。
Later the article informs that the meeting pointed out that:
“China's development is currently facing a complex and severe international situation. It is necessary to improve the top-level design of the new system for an open economy, deepen institutional and mechanism reforms in the areas of trade and investment, expand market access, comprehensively optimize the business environment, improve the service support system, give full play to China's comprehensive advantages in order to attract global resource elements through domestic circulation, and improve the quality and level of trade and investment cooperation. It is important adhere to bottom-line thinking and extreme thinking (极限思维), and focus on improving the national security system and mechanism, as well as enhancing the capacity and level of open supervision and regulation. It is necessary to closely link the construction of a higher-level new open economic system with national strategies such as building a building a high quality BRI, and actively participate in the reform and construction of the global governance system.” 会议指出，当前，我国发展面临复杂严峻的国际形势。要完善开放型经济新体制的顶层设计，深化贸易投资领域体制机制改革，扩大市场准入，全面优化营商环境，完善服务保障体系，充分发挥我国综合优势，以国内大循环吸引全球资源要素，提升贸易投资合作质量和水平。要坚持底线思维、极限思维，抓紧健全国家安全保障体制机制，着力提升开放监管能力和水平。要把构建更高水平开放型经济新体制同高质量共建“一带一路”等国家战略紧密衔接起来，积极参与全球治理体系改革和建设.
In terms of rural reform, it said that “efforts should be made to consolidate and improve the basic rural management system, improve the food security system, improve the system and mechanism for comprehensively promoting rural revitalization, improve the policy system for the integration of urban and rural development, and accelerate the breakthrough and effectiveness of reforms in important areas and key links…” 会议强调，贯彻落实党的二十大对深化农村改革的部署，要着力巩固和完善农村基本经营制度，健全粮食安全保障制度，完善全面推进乡村振兴体制机制，健全城乡融合发展政策体系，加快推动重要领域和关键环节改革攻坚突破、落地见效，让广大农民在改革中有更多获得感.
More importantly, it added: “It is necessary to organically combine top-level design with grassroots exploration, allow and encourage different regions to explore according to local conditions, be good at discovering and summarising grassroots practice and creation, and give timely support to those who encounter difficulties in exploration and innovation.” 要把顶层设计同基层探索有机结合起来，允许和鼓励不同地区因地制宜探索，善于发现和总结基层的实践创造，对探索创新中遇到困难的要及时给予支持.
In terms of the dual carbon transition, it said that it is important to adhere to the principle of establishing before breaking, improve the dual control system for energy consumption, optimize and improve regulatory methods, strengthen the foundation of dual control of carbon emissions, and establish a comprehensive set of supporting systems for dual control of carbon emissions in order to actively create conditions for the establishment and implementation of dual control of carbon emissions.” It added that “it is important to adhere to the policy of giving priority to conservation, and strive for higher levels and quality in energy-saving efforts, achieving maximum benefits at the lowest cost. It is necessary to persist with a steady pace of work, coordinate the relationship between development and emissions reduction, seek truth from facts, act within our capabilities, and adjust and optimize policies and measures in a scientific manner.” 从能耗双控逐步转向碳排放双控，要坚持先立后破，完善能耗双控制度，优化完善调控方式，加强碳排放双控基础能力建设，健全碳排放双控各项配套制度，为建立和实施碳排放双控制度积极创造条件。要一以贯之坚持节约优先方针，更高水平、更高质量地做好节能工作，用最小成本实现最大收益。要把稳工作节奏，统筹好发展和减排关系，实事求是、量力而行，科学调整优化政策举措. — Comment: The key takeaway in this seems to be to continue down the path of emissions reduction but avoid knee-jerk or campaign-style implementation. So basically, the warning is that one must not act too rapidly without keeping in mind practical realities. Would this lead to greater inertia in implementation?
On salary reform, the meeting called for focussing on talents, giving priority to innovation, linking pay with performance, giving preferential treatment to those who are at the grassroots and frontlines of teaching and research, are undertaking urgent and dangerous tasks, and make outstanding contributions, along with those who are teaching fundamental disciplines and undertaking cutting-edge research, working on key national core technology research tasks, and achieve major innovation achievements. 会议强调，开展高等学校、科研院所薪酬制度改革试点，要根据薪酬管理需要和实际，优化和规范分配制度，树立正确分配导向，坚持人才为本，突出创新优先，坚持薪酬分配要同绩效紧密挂钩，向扎根教学科研一线、承担急难险重任务、作出突出贡献的人员倾斜，向从事基础学科教学和基础前沿研究、承担国家关键核心技术攻关任务、取得重大创新成果的人员倾斜.
Finally with regard to the power system, the report says that:
“It is necessary to strengthen market supervision, strengthen sectoral supervision and cross-sector collaborative supervision, standardize the oil and gas market order, and promote fair competition. It is necessary to deepen the reform of the oil and gas reserve system and give full play to the emergency and adjustment capacity of reserves.” It added that: “it is necessary to scientifically and reasonably design the construction path of a new power system, and gradually reduce the proportion of traditional energy in a planned and step-by-step manner on the basis of safe and reliable replacement of new energy sources. It is necessary to improve the system and mechanism to adapt to the new power system, and promote the strengthening of power technology innovation, market mechanism innovation, and business model innovation. It is necessary to promote the better combination of effective market and successful government, constantly improve the policy system, and do a good job in the supply of basic public services of electricity.” 会议指出，要进一步深化石油天然气市场体系改革，加强产供储销体系建设。要加大市场监管力度，强化分领域监管和跨领域协同监管，规范油气市场秩序，促进公平竞争。要深化油气储备体制改革，发挥好储备的应急和调节能力。会议强调，要科学合理设计新型电力系统建设路径，在新能源安全可靠替代的基础上，有计划分步骤逐步降低传统能源比重。要健全适应新型电力系统的体制机制，推动加强电力技术创新、市场机制创新、商业模式创新。要推动有效市场同有为政府更好结合，不断完善政策体系，做好电力基本公共服务供给.
Next, at the top of the page is a report about the publication of a new book on Xi’s thoughts on boosting China's strength in cyberspace. Also, there’s a brief report on Zhao Leji meeting with Solomon Islands’ PM Manasseh Sogavare, and a Zhong Yin commentary that basically reinforces messages that Xi Jinping had for cadres during his trip to Jiangsu. This one is around Xi’s comments about rectifying “unhealthy tendencies such as being choosy about jobs, lying flat and passing the buck, going through the motions and doing work half-heartedly.” The commentary implores cadres to “dare to struggle” and go to the frontlines despite the storms and challenges that lie ahead.
Next, there’s a report on Premier Li Qiang meeting with ADB President Masatsugu Asakawa. Xinhua reports:
“Li said that the ADB is a vital multilateral development institution in the Asia-Pacific region, playing a positive role in promoting poverty reduction and development in the region and responding to regional and global challenges. China is ready to work with all parties, including the ADB, to deepen practical cooperation, make a greater contribution to the sustainable recovery, prosperity and stability of the Asia-Pacific region, and inject more impetus into world economic development, Li said. He pointed out that China is comprehensively promoting Chinese modernization and striving to promote high-quality development, and there is broad space for cooperation with the ADB in the future. He said it is hoped that the ADB will continue to support and participate in China's reform and opening up, and focus on key areas such as environmental protection as well as green and low-carbon development. Li said China actively supports the ADB in addressing climate change and looks forward to ADB's further mobilization of climate finance to help developing members enhance climate adaptation and financing capacity and promote the transition to green and low-carbon development. ‘We hope that multilateral development institutions, including the ADB, will actively call on developed countries to take the lead in fulfilling their emission reduction responsibilities and fulfilling their financial and technical support commitments to create necessary conditions for developing countries to cope with climate change and achieve sustainable development,’ he added.”
Next, there’s a report on Vice President Han Zheng meeting with foreign attendees of the first high-level conference of the Forum on Global Action for Shared Development. Han said that China “is ready to work with all countries to consolidate consensus on development, address development challenges and seek common development and prosperity, in order to accelerate the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and jointly build a community with a shared future for humanity.” Xinhua informs that the attendees “said they will take the implementation of the Global Development Initiative as an opportunity to jointly promote coordinated, inclusive, sustainable and high-quality development.”
Finally, there’s a report informing that China has exported 2.14 million automobiles in the first half of this year, up 75.7% year on year. The numbers for 2021 and 2022 were 2 and 3 million, respectively. In the first half of the year:
passenger car exports reached 1.78 million vehicles, an 88.4% year-on-year increase
commercial vehicle exports reached 361,000 vehicles, a 31.9% year-on-year increase
the export of new energy vehicles reached 534,000 vehicles, a 1.6-fold year-on-year increase
新能源汽车成为出口新的增长点。上半年，乘用车出口178万辆，同比增长88.4%；商用车出口36.1万辆，同比增长31.9%。新能源汽车出口53.4万辆，同比增长1.6倍。
Page 2: A couple of reports to note.
First, a report informing that Tuesday was the 19th National Maritime Day in China. The Ministry of Transport released the 2022 China Shipping Development Report. The report informs that as of 2022, China’s maritime fleet reached a carrying capacity of 370 million deadweight tons, double the volume of 10 years ago. China’s fleet size now ranks second in the world, with a significant improvement in its modernization level. Ocean transport accounts for about 95% of China's foreign trade cargo transportation.
In 2022, the pace of major water transport infrastructure construction in China accelerated, and the investment in waterway fixed assets increased by 10.9% year-on-year…the waterway freight volume, port cargo throughput and port container throughput increased by 3.8%, 0.9% and 4.7%, respectively year-on-year. China accounted for 8 and 7, respectively, of the top 10 ports in the world in terms of cargo and container throughput.
As of the end of 2022, the total number of registered sailors in China reached over 1.9 million, including 900,000 mariners and 1 million river ship sailors members. In 2022, Last year, 127,000 Chinese sailors worked on foreign vessels across the world.
“As a maritime power, a seafaring nation, and a shipbuilding nation, China possesses vast maritime jurisdiction and a long coastline. In promoting the formation of a new pattern of comprehensive opening to the outside world, maritime activities play a significant role. China's shipping routes and service networks are all over the world's major countries and regions, and the port scale, crew number, shipbuilding output and shipping fleet scale rank among the top in the world. Over the past decade, China has established maritime connections with over 100 countries and regions, with its routes covering all coastal countries and regions along the Belt and Road Initiative.”
7月11日是第十九个中国航海日，记者在中国航海日主论坛暨全国航海日活动周启动仪式上获悉：截至2022年底，我国海运船队运力规模达3.7亿载重吨，较10年前增长1倍，船队规模跃居世界第二，船队现代化水平显著提升，海运承担了我国约95%的外贸货物运输量，为保障国民经济和对外贸易发展发挥了重要作用。水路基础设施加快完善，船舶运力不断优化。2022年，我国重大水运基础设施建设步伐加快，水路固定资产投资同比增长10.9%；运输保通保畅成效持续巩固，水路货运量、港口货物吞吐量、港口集装箱吞吐量同比分别增长3.8%、0.9%、4.7%，全球货物和集装箱吞吐量排名前十的港口中，我国分别占八席和七席，运输生产持续增长，市场发展健康有序，为经济社会发展和对外贸易提质增效提供了坚实有力的服务保障。海船船员规模持续壮大，船员管理改革有序推进。数据显示，截至2022年底，我国注册船员总数达到190万余人，其中海船船员90万人、内河船员100万人。2022年，我国外派到世界各地的船舶任职船员达到12.7万人次，为国际水上物流供应链稳定，确保国内国际双循环提供了有力支撑。作为海洋大国、航海大国、造船大国，我国拥有广袤的管辖海域和漫长的海岸线，在推动形成全方位对外开放新格局中，航海发挥着重要作用。我国海运航线和服务网络遍布世界主要国家和地区，港口规模、船员数量、造船产量、海运船队规模等位居世界前列。10年来，我国已与100多个国家和地区建立了航线联系，航线覆盖“一带一路”沿线所有沿海国家和地区。
Second, there’s a report on the press conference by officials from the Minister of Natural Resources (related English report). Some key points that were made:
The total amount of cultivated land in the country has achieved a net increase for two consecutive years; last year, arable land in China rose by more than 86,600 hectares year-on-year and now exceeds 127.6 million hectares.
The ministry has conducted tough inspections and law enforcement to protect farmland. Measures include publicizing and prosecuting major cases involving arable land. As a result, the number of such cases in the first half of this year decreased by 64% compared to the previous year.
An assessment system for arable land protection was set up for local governments earlier this year. The assessment will be conducted annually, with procedures such as provincial self-inspection and random checks to ensure a fair assessment. The results will be a key reference for evaluation and performance assessments of officials.
Wang Hong, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Director of the State Oceanic Administration, said that the ministry has coordinated the implementation of 51 integrated protection and restoration projects for mountains, rivers, forests, farmland, lakes, grasslands, sands, and wetlands. This covers a total area of 80 million mu. Wang added that by the end of the 14th-FYP period another 30 million mu will be added to this. The ecological restoration of mining areas will cover an area of 2.8 million mu, and the marine ecological protection and restoration project will address 400 km of coastlines and 300,000 mu of coastal wetlands.
Guan Zhiou, Director of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration and Director of the National Park Administration, said that so far, a total of area of 480 million mu of afforestation has been completed, 500 million mu of desertified land has been treated, and 1.28 billion mu of degraded grassland has been treated. He added that the “establishment of a national park system is a major institutional innovation in China's ecological civilization system reform.” As per the national park plan, 49 national park candidate areas have been identified, accounting for 10.3% of the land area of the country.
In terms of minerals, the officials said that surveys have been conducted on all 163 mineral resources with identified reserves and over 45,000 mining areas nationwide to comprehensively understand the quantity, quality, structure, spatial distribution, and development and utilisation of various mineral resources. Since the 14th Five-Year Plan, 124 prospective areas for mineral exploration have been preliminarily identified, and 102 exploration target areas have been proposed, providing guidance for commercial exploration by private capital. Policy support for mineral exploration and development has been strengthened.
In the first half of this year, investment in the exploration of solid minerals and oil and gas minerals in China increased by 17.2% and 7.5% year-on-year, respectively. A total of 242 new mining rights were granted, representing a 25.4% year-on-year increase. Significant breakthroughs have been made in mineral exploration, including the discovery of the Laizhou gold mine in Shandong and the Zhaotong phosphate mine in Yunnan.
Page 3: Lots to cover on the page. Let’s begin with Wang Yi attending the opening of the embassy of the Solomon Islands in Beijing.
Xinhua reports that Wang said: “the country has established diplomatic ties with China, and stands on the side of international justice, historical correctness, and the future development of the country and people of Solomon Islands. He pointed out that, since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two nations, bilateral exchanges have moved forward in all aspects, vigorously promoted the development of Solomon Islands and brought tangible benefits to the people of the Pacific island country.”
Also on the page is a commentary reiterating Xi’s “four full respects”(四个充分尊重) formula for ties with Pacific Island Countries (PIC). These are:
China fully respects the sovereignty and independence of Pacific island countries, and upholds the equality of all countries, big or small. Under this, the commentary says that China “does not attach any political conditions, does not impose things on others, does not target any third party, and does not seek the so-called ‘sphere of influence’.” 中国同岛国的合作公开透明、光明磊落，不附加任何政治条件，不做强加于人的事情，不针对任何第三方，不谋求所谓“势力范围”，得到了岛国的真诚欢迎。
China fully respects the will of Pacific island countries and pursues extensive consultation, joint contribution, shared benefits and win-win results. Under this, the article says: “The island countries desire to develop their processing industry, increase the value-added products and accelerate the process of industrialization. China fully understands this and fully supports it. Island countries have vast exclusive economic zones, rich marine and fishery resources, and great potential for developing the blue economy. The Chinese side has expressed its willingness to help the island countries rationally develop and utilize the oceans according to their wishes on the premise of protecting the marine ecology. The information and communication infrastructure of island countries is backward, and China has expressed its willingness to provide support for the development of information technology and digital economy in island countries, helping them to accelerate technological progress and industrialization, create more jobs and improve their economic competitiveness.” 岛国期望发展加工业，提高产品附加值，加快工业化进程，中方对此完全理解，全力支持。岛国有广阔的专属经济区，海洋和渔业资源丰富，发展蓝色经济潜力巨大。中方表示愿在保护好海洋生态前提下，根据岛国意愿，帮助其合理开发利用海洋。岛国信息通信基础设施落后，中方表示愿为岛国发展信息技术、数字经济等提供支持，帮助其加快技术进步和工业化进程，创造更多就业，提高经济竞争力.
China fully respects the cultural traditions of Pacific island countries, and adheres to harmony in diversity and shared beauty of diverse cultures. Under this, the article says that “China supports talent cultivation and capacity building in island nations, has expanded Chinese language teaching and personnel exchanges, enhanced exchanges in various fields, and encouraged more exchanges and cooperation between provinces and cities in China and island nations. According to the ‘China’s Position Paper on Mutual Respect and Common Development with Pacific Island Countries’ China will provide 2,500 government scholarships and 3,000 human resources training opportunities to island nations from 2020 to 2025.” 。中方支持岛国人才培养和能力建设，扩大汉语教学和人员往来，加强各界交流，鼓励更多地方省市同岛国开展交流合作。根据《中国关于同太平洋岛国相互尊重、共同发展的立场文件》，2020年至2025年，中方将向岛国提供2500个政府奖学金名额、3000个人力资源培训名额.
China fully respects the unity and self-reliance of Pacific island countries, and supports them in implementing the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, contributing to the building of a peaceful, harmonious, secure, inclusive and prosperous Blue Pacific. Under this, the article says: “Pacific Island Countries should not be bystanders in the world, nor should they be left behind; they should progress together with the world. China and Pacific Island Countries are developing countries, and China fully understands their situation, needs, and concerns. China and the island countries share extensive common interests in maintaining peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region, safeguarding international fairness and justice, and promoting sustainable and resilient development. China is willing to strengthen coordination and cooperation with island countries in international and regional affairs, adhere to true multilateralism, safeguard the basic norms of international relations, and jointly promote the common values of peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy and freedom for all mankind. China attaches great importance to the special situation and concerns of island nations regarding climate change and has actively contributed to enhancing their capacity to cope with climate change.” 岛国不应沦为“世界的看客”，更不应被落在后面，而应与世界齐头并进。中国与岛国同为发展中国家，充分理解岛国的处境、需求和关切。在维护亚太地区和平稳定、维护国际公平正义、推动实现可持续韧性发展等方面，中国同岛国拥有广泛共同利益。中方愿同岛国加强在国际和地区事务中的协调配合，坚持真正的多边主义，维护国际关系基本准则，共同弘扬和平、发展、公平、正义、民主、自由的全人类共同价值。中国高度重视岛国在气候变化问题上的特殊处境和关切，为帮助岛国提升应对气候变化能力作出了积极贡献。
Next, there’s a consolidated report on Wang’s meetings with the foreign ministers of Burundi and Uganda, and his meeting with the presidential adviser of Nicaragua.
Xinhua's report on the meeting with Ugandan Foreign Minister Jeje Odongo says:
Wang said that “China will continue to support Uganda's development and its efforts in improving the capacity for independent development. China is ready to strengthen Belt and Road cooperation with Uganda and improve solid cooperation in various fields, he added. Wang said China attaches importance to Uganda's role in international affairs, and supports the country in safeguarding its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and in playing a greater role in African affairs. China and Uganda should continue to be supportive on issues concerning each other's core interests, oppose unilateralism and bullying, and uphold international fairness and justice, Wang said. He said the Global Development Initiative helps the international community refocus on development issues, and it helps developing countries improve their capacity building and achieve economic revitalization and independent development. The initiative has received a positive response from the international community, and it is hoped that Uganda will actively participate in the initiative so that more projects will land in Uganda and benefit its people, Wang said.”
Odongo “expressed Uganda's appreciation for China's support of its development. He said that this support is not a ‘debt trap’, but valuable help provided in the absence of aid from developed countries, with the aim of enhancing Africa's independent development capacity. Odongo said that Uganda is willing to work with China to implement the Global Development Initiative to ensure that development returns to the center of the global agenda and is not affected by politicizing factors.”
Xinhua’s report on the meeting with Burundian Foreign Minister Albert Shingiro says:
Wang “appreciated Burundi's active support and participation in the Global Development Initiative…China will continue to support Burundi in safeguarding its own rights and interests and accelerating its own development. China is concentrating on its modernization drive and promoting national rejuvenation through Chinese modernization, which will also provide new development opportunities for Burundi and other developing countries…”
“Noting that China's cooperation with Burundi and other developing countries never attaches any political conditions, Shingiro said Burundi is willing to carry out more pragmatic cooperation with China in agriculture, infrastructure construction and other fields. Burundi firmly supports China’s position on issues concerning its core interests and major concerns and adheres to the one-China principle, Shingiro said, adding that Burundi opposes politicizing human rights issues in developing countries and is willing to strengthen cooperation with China, adhere to multilateralism, and safeguard common interests.”
Finally, the report on the meeting with Laureano Ortega Murillo, presidential adviser of Nicaragua, says:
“China always views China-Nicaragua relations from a strategic and long-term perspective, regards Nicaragua as a trustworthy partner, will firmly support Nicaragua in defending its independence and national sanctity, and firmly support Nicaragua in independently choosing a development path in line with its national conditions, Wang said. China is willing to upgrade the strategic level of bilateral relations with Nicaragua, promote the implementation of the free trade agreement, strengthen coordination in the multilateral field, and take a clear-cut stand against all hegemonism and power politics, Wang said. Laureano said that Nicaragua fully recognized and highly supported a series of major initiatives concerning the future and destiny of mankind, such as the Global Development Initiative. Nicaragua firmly supports China in safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity, adheres to the one-China principle, and firmly opposes the containment of China by a few countries. Nicaragua will always stand with China.”
The final story in connection with Wang Yi is that he will be attending the ASEAN-China Foreign Ministers' Meeting, the ASEAN Plus Three Foreign Ministers' Meeting, the East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers' Meeting and the ASEAN Regional Forum Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia from July 13 to 14. This is in the absence of Foreign Minister Qin Gang owing to health reasons.
Moving on, there’s a brief report on the meeting between UFWD chief Shi Taifeng with foreign representatives who will attend the fourth China-Arab States Political Parties Dialogue. He said that the “CPC is willing to work with political parties in Arab countries to give play to the role of inter-party channels, promote the implementation of the outcomes of the China-Arab States Summit, expand pragmatic cooperation and join hands on the road to modernization.”
Next, there’s a report on NPCSC Vice Chairman Xiao Jie visiting The Bahamas. He met with the country’s Prime Minister Philip Davis, Senate President Lashell Adderley, and House Speaker Patricia Deveaux. He also attended the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Bahamas independence. Xiao said that “China is willing to work together with The Bahamas to continuously enhance political mutual trust, deepen cooperation in various fields, and take the bilateral relationship to a higher level. He also talked about the willingness to strengthen exchanges and cooperation between the legislatures of the two countries. 肖捷代表中方对巴哈马独立50周年致以热烈祝贺，并表示，中巴建交26年来，两国关系稳步发展，中方愿同巴方一道努力，不断增进两国政治互信，深化各领域合作，将两国关系推向更高水平。中国全国人大愿同巴立法机构加强交往合作，为促进中巴关系发展发挥积极作用。肖捷还向巴方介绍了中共二十大和中国式现代化、全过程人民民主等情况.
The report adds: “The Bahamas reiterated its firm adherence to the One-China principle and expressed gratitude to China for its valuable support and assistance in the economic and social development of the Bahamas. They expressed willingness to strengthen exchanges between legislative bodies, exchange governance and administration experiences, expand cooperation in infrastructure construction, healthcare, and other fields, and continuously elevate bilateral relations to new heights.” 巴方重申坚定恪守一个中国原则，感谢中方为巴经济社会发展提供的宝贵支持和帮助，愿同中方加强立法机构交往和治国理政经验交流，拓展在基建、医疗等领域合作，推动双边关系发展不断迈上新台阶.
Page 4: There’s a report on the level 4 flood response being activated for the provinces Jiangsu, Shandong, Sichuan, and Gansu.
Page 10: There’s a report (English report) with PBOC data informing that China’s yuan-denominated loans rose by 15.73 trillion yuan ($2.19 trillion) in the first half of the year. In June alone, the yuan-denominated loans rose by 3.05 trillion yuan, according to the People's Bank of China. The M2, a broad measure of money supply that covers cash in circulation and all deposits, climbed 11.3 percent year-on-year to 287.3 trillion yuan at the end of June.
Page 15: On the international page, there’s an article by Fu Zhu, arguing that the “suppression of TikTok” by the US “violates the non-discrimination principle of the World Trade Organization” and is a “typical hegemonic act.” The proximate cause animating the commentary is the decision by Montana to ban the app.
The author’s core argument is that “Article XIV of the GATS allows for trade restriction measures based on national security. But there are strict restrictions. As per the WTO expert group, the application of the ‘national security’ exception clause must simultaneously meet the requirements of basic security interests, emergency situations, and the principle of good faith.”
The so-called ‘basic security interests’ refer to the vital interests of a country, such as sovereignty and war, which are related to the ‘key functions of the state’. ‘Emergency situation’ refers to the existence of actual or potential armed conflict, intensifying tensions or crises, and states of instability. The ‘good faith principle’ means that member parties must not abuse the ‘national security’ exception clause, and the purpose of taking relevant measures must be related to national security. TikTok is a social media app focused on entertainment, and it is difficult to imagine how its operation in the United States can meet the aforementioned criteria for national security. Invoking the ‘national security’ exception clause should not become an excuse for the US to arbitrarily suppress foreign companies.” 根据《服务贸易总协定》第十四条，成员方可基于国家安全采取贸易限制措施，但有严格的限定条件。世贸组织专家组在有关案件中指出，适用“国家安全”例外条款需同时满足基本安全利益、情势紧急和善意原则等要求。所谓“基本安全利益”是指主权、战争等对国家至关重要的利益，关系到“国家关键职能”；“情势紧急”指存在现实或潜在的武装冲突、正在加剧的紧张状态或危机、国家不稳定状态等情形；“善意原则”指成员方不得滥用“国家安全”例外条款，采取相关措施的目的必须与国家安全有关联。TikTok是一款专注娱乐社交的软件，难以想象其在美国的运营能触及上述国家安全要件。强行援引“国家安全”例外条款不能成为美国肆意打压他国企业的“挡箭牌”。
In a delicious irony, given that this is coming from the People’s Daily, the author further argues that the “ban in Montana constitutes undue restrictions on the speech of TikTok users, undermining the freedom of speech and other rights enshrined in the First Amendment to the US Constitution. Moreover, national security matters are the exclusive power of the federal government conferred by the US Constitution, and the states have no right to legislate.The ban issued by Montana violates the principle of priority of federal law in the US legal system.” 蒙大拿州TikTok禁令对TikTok用户言论也构成不当限制，有损美国宪法第一修正案所规定的言论自由等权利。而且，国家安全事项是美国宪法赋予联邦政府的专属权力，各州无权立法，蒙大拿州出台的禁令违反了美国法律体系中的联邦法优先原则.
Also on the page is a report informing that the Chinese delegation expounded on China's position on the Palestine issue at the 53rd session of the UN Human Rights Council on July 10.
“The representative of China pointed out that the Palestinian issue has been delayed for a long time, and the long-term occupation and frequent turmoil have seriously restricted the economic and social development of Palestine and seriously affected the human rights of the Palestinian people. Recently, tensions in the occupied Palestinian territory have been increasing. China once again urges the cessation of all settlement activities, unilateral changes in the status quo in the occupied territories and unilateral actions that aggravate tensions in the occupied territories. The Chinese representative stressed that the international community should increase its development assistance and humanitarian assistance to Palestine, support the protection of the human rights of the Palestinian people, and make practical efforts to promote the resumption of peace talks between Palestine and Israel as soon as possible on the basis of the ‘two-state solution’. China has always firmly supported the just cause of the Palestinian people to restore their legitimate national rights and the Middle East peace process. China will continue to make unremitting efforts to promote a comprehensive, just and lasting settlement of the Palestinian issue at an early date.”
中国代表指出，巴勒斯坦问题延宕已久，长期被占领和频繁动荡严重制约巴勒斯坦经济社会发展，严重影响巴勒斯坦人民人权。近期，巴勒斯坦被占领土紧张局势不断加剧。中方再次敦促停止一切定居点活动，停止单方面改变被占领土现状，停止在被占领土上加剧紧张的单边行动。中国代表强调，国际社会应加大对巴勒斯坦发展援助和人道帮扶，支持保障巴勒斯坦人民人权，为推动巴以在“两国方案”基础上尽快重启和谈作出切实努力。中方一贯坚定支持巴勒斯坦人民恢复民族合法权利的正义事业，支持中东和平进程。中方将继续为推动巴勒斯坦问题早日得到全面、公正、持久解决作出不懈努力。
Finally, MoFA’s comments criticising the IAEA safety review of the Fukushiuma wastewater issue have been published in the paper.. Wang Wenbin said: “the IAEA released the review on this complex issue too hastily, and the conclusion has its limitations and is narrowly focused without addressing the world’s concerns over the discharge plan. Japan can’t just use the IAEA report as a “greenlight” for the ocean discharge.”