Central Committee on Studying, Publicising & Implementing 20th Congress Spirit - Key Appointments - China-US Talks - High-quality Development is 'Primary Task' to Build Modern Socialist Country
Here are the stories and pieces that I found noteworthy in the Monday, October 31, 2022, edition of the People’s Daily.
Page 1: At the top of the page is a report (English report) on Xi Jinping and Li Keqiang sending their condolences to the leaders of South Korea over the stampede in Seoul. The report says that “several Chinese citizens were unfortunately killed or injured in the accident, Xi said, expressing his hope that the South Korean side will make every effort to treat those injured and handle the follow-up matters properly.”
The first section says:
“Comrade Xi Jinping’s report profoundly explained a series of major theoretical and practical issues in upholding and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era, and drew a grand blueprint for building a comprehensively modern socialist country and comprehensively promoting the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. It has pointed out the direction and established a guide for action for the development of the cause of the Party and the country in the new era and on the new journey; it is the crystallisation of the wisdom of the Party and the people, a political declaration and programme of action for the Party to unite and lead the people of all ethnic groups across the country to win new victories in socialism with Chinese characteristics; it is a Marxist programmatic document. 习近平同志的报告，深刻阐释了新时代坚持和发展中国特色社会主义的一系列重大理论和实践问题，描绘了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的宏伟蓝图，为新时代新征程党和国家事业发展、实现第二个百年奋斗目标指明了前进方向、确立了行动指南，是党和人民智慧的结晶，是党团结带领全国各族人民夺取中国特色社会主义新胜利的政治宣言和行动纲领，是马克思主义的纲领性文献.
The Constitution of the Communist Party of China (Amendment) embodies the theoretical innovation, practical innovation and institutional innovation of the Party since the 19th Party Congress. It also embodies the important ideas and viewpoints and major strategies and measures determined in the Party’s report to the 20th Congress, and puts forward clear requirements for upholding and strengthening the Party's overall leadership, unswervingly promoting strict governance of the Party in an all-round way, upholding and improving the Party building and promoting the Party's self-revolution. 《中国共产党章程（修正案）》体现了党的十九大以来党的理论创新、实践创新、制度创新成果，体现了党的二十大报告确定的重要思想、重要观点、重大战略、重大举措，对坚持和加强党的全面领导、坚定不移推进全面从严治党、坚持和完善党的建设、推进党的自我革命提出了明确要求.
The first plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China elected a new central leadership group with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core; a group of experienced, capable and hardworking comrades have entered the central leading bodies, which fully shows that the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics is flourishing and full of vitality. 党的二十届一中全会选举产生了以习近平同志为核心的新一届中央领导集体，一批经验丰富、德才兼备、奋发有为的同志进入中央领导机构，充分显示出中国特色社会主义事业蓬勃兴旺、充满活力.
Studying, publicising and implementing the spirit of the 20th Party Congress is the primary political task of the whole party and the whole country at present and for the future; it is related to the cause of the Party and the country; it concerns the future and destiny of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and is related to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. It is of great significance to mobilise the whole Party and the people of all ethnic groups to unite more closely around the CPC Central Committee with comrade Xi Jinping at the core, hold high the great banner of Socialism with Chinese characteristics, strengthen self-confidence in the path, theory, system and culture; it is of great practical significance and far-reaching historical significance to unite and strive for building a comprehensively modern socialist modern country and for the comprehensive promotion of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.” 学习宣传贯彻党的二十大精神是当前和今后一个时期全党全国的首要政治任务，事关党和国家事业继往开来，事关中国特色社会主义前途命运，事关中华民族伟大复兴，对于动员全党全国各族人民更加紧密地团结在以习近平同志为核心的党中央周围，高举中国特色社会主义伟大旗帜，坚定道路自信、理论自信、制度自信、文化自信，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而团结奋斗，具有重大现实意义和深远历史意义.
The second section calls for studying Xi’s report closely, word for word, while keeping in mind the following:
1. The theme of the congress; the need for fully implementing Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era; the need to maintain flesh and blood ties with the people; the need to maintain the political character of modesty, prudence and hard work; and the need to grasp the central task of the Party in the new era and on the new journey, concentrate all forces, eliminate all interference, and insist on the comprehensive promotion of Chinese-style modernisation.
2. A deep understanding of the work and achievements of the past five years and the great changes that have been ushered in the decade of the new era. In this, the piece emphasises the importance of the Two Establishments as “the major political achievement of the Party in the new era, and the decisive factor in promoting the Party and the country’s cause, enabling historic achievements and historic changes.” “两个确立”是党在新时代取得的重大政治成果，是推动党和国家事业取得历史性成就、发生历史性变革的决定性因素. “The whole Party must deeply understand the decisive significance of the Two Establishments, more consciously safeguard General Secretary Xi Jinping’s position as the core of the Party Central Committee and the core position of the whole Party, and more consciously safeguard the authority of the centralised and unified leadership of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core; it must fully implement Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and unswervingly maintain a high degree of consistency with the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at in terms of thought, politics and actions.” 全党必须深刻领悟“两个确立”的决定性意义，更加自觉地维护习近平总书记党中央的核心、全党的核心地位，更加自觉地维护以习近平同志为核心的党中央权威和集中统一领导，全面贯彻习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想，坚定不移在思想上政治上行动上同以习近平同志为核心的党中央保持高度一致。
3. Deeply understand and open up a new realm of Marxism in China. In this, the basic call is to grasp the global outlook and methodology of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and adhere to it and innovate based on it.
4. Deeply understand the mission and tasks of the CPC in the new era and on the new journey. In this, the text emphasises the second centennial goal and calls for “promoting the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation with Chinese-style modernisation.” It warns that China’s “development has entered a period in which strategic opportunities and risks and challenges will co-exist, and uncertainty and unpredictability will remain high. All kinds of ‘black swan’ and ‘grey rhino’ incidents could occur at any time. We must strengthen our sense of urgency, adhere to the bottom-line thinking, be prepared for danger in times of peace, prepare for a rainy day, and be prepared to withstand the great test of strong winds and even turbulent storms.” 当前，我国发展进入战略机遇和风险挑战并存、不确定难预料因素增多的时期，各种“黑天鹅”、“灰犀牛”事件随时可能发生。我们必须增强忧患意识，坚持底线思维，做到居安思危、未雨绸缪，准备经受风高浪急甚至惊涛骇浪的重大考验. In order to do this, the document says that it is necessary to “uphold and strengthen the Party’s overall leadership, adhere to the path of Socialism with Chinese characteristics, adhere to the people-centred development philosophy, persist in deepening reform and opening up, persist in carrying forward the spirit of struggle, neither take the old path of closure and rigidity nor take the evil road of changing the banner, persist in pursuing the development of the country and the nation on the basis of its own strength, firmly hold the fate of China’s development and progress in our own hands, and constantly win new victories in building a comprehensively modern socialist modernised country. 前进道路上，必须坚持和加强党的全面领导，坚持中国特色社会主义道路，坚持以人民为中心的发展思想，坚持深化改革开放，坚持发扬斗争精神，既不走封闭僵化的老路，也不走改旗易帜的邪路，坚持把国家和民族发展放在自己力量的基点上，坚持把中国发展进步的命运牢牢掌握在自己手中，不断夺取全面建设社会主义现代化国家新胜利.
5. Deeply understand the Chinese characteristics and essential requirements of Chinese-style modernisation. This reiterates the five points that Xi had made in his speech, i.e., it is the modernisation of a huge population; modernisation of common prosperity for all; modernisation of material and cultural-ethical advancement; modernisation of harmony between humanity and nature; and modernisation of peaceful development.
6. Deeply understand the major arrangements with regard to socialist economic development, political development, cultural development, social development and ecological civilisation development.
In regard to economic development, the document talks about “implementing the new development concept completely, accurately and comprehensively, speeding up the construction of a new development pattern, focus on promoting high-quality development, build a high-level socialist market economic system, build a modern industrial system, comprehensively promote rural revitalisation, promote regional coordinated development, promote high-level opening to the outside world, and promote the effective improvement of quality and reasonable growth of economy.” 在经济建设上，要完整、准确、全面贯彻新发展理念，加快构建新发展格局，着力推动高质量发展，构建高水平社会主义市场经济体制，建设现代化产业体系，全面推进乡村振兴，促进区域协调发展，推进高水平对外开放，推动经济实现质的有效提升和量的合理增长. ---– This last bit in the paragraph is basically accepting and signalling that politically slower GDP growth is acceptable in favour of higher-quality development.
7. Deeply understand the major arrangements in terms of the education of scientific and technological talents, rule of law construction, and national security. On national security, the document says: “we must unswervingly implement the overall national security concept, improve the national security system, enhance the ability to safeguard national security, improve the level of public security governance, improve the social governance system, and resolutely safeguard national security and social stability.” 在国家安全上，要坚定不移贯彻总体国家安全观，健全国家安全体系，增强维护国家安全能力，提高公共安全治理水平，完善社会治理体系，坚决维护国家安全和社会稳定.
8. Deeply understand the major arrangements with regard to national defence and military development, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan work, and diplomatic work. In regard to military work, it talks about implementing Xi’s thought on strengthening the military, adhere to the party's absolute leadership over the people’s army, comprehensively strengthen military training and preparation for war, comprehensively strengthen military governance, consolidate and improve integrated national strategic system and capabilities, achieve the goal of the army’s centenary struggle as scheduled…要贯彻习近平强军思想，贯彻新时代军事战略方针，坚持党对人民军队的绝对领导，全面加强人民军队党的建设，全面加强练兵备战，全面加强军事治理，巩固提高一体化国家战略体系和能力，如期实现建军一百年奋斗目标，加快把人民军队建成世界一流军队.
On HK, Macao and Taiwan, the objectives are drawn from Xi’s speech, i.e., strengthen one country, two systems and adhere to the principle of patriots governing Hong Kong. On Taiwan, it talks about the one-China principle and 1992 Consensus, peaceful reunification and opposing independence. In terms of foreign policy, the article says:
“In diplomatic work, we should always adhere to the foreign policy objective of safeguarding world peace and promoting common development, devote ourselves to promoting the construction of community of shared future for mankind, firmly pursue an independent foreign policy of peace, develop friendly cooperation with other countries on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, adhere to the basic national policy of opening to the outside world, actively participate in the reform and construction of the global governance system, and carry forward the common values of all mankind.” 在外交工作上，要始终坚持维护世界和平、促进共同发展的外交政策宗旨，致力于推动构建人类命运共同体，坚定奉行独立自主的和平外交政策，坚持在和平共处五项原则基础上同各国发展友好合作，坚持对外开放的基本国策，积极参与全球治理体系改革和建设，弘扬全人类共同价值. — Quick thought: Again, all this might sound anodyne and is sort of standard language, but think about this: when China talks about safeguarding world peace, who is it that Beijing believes is disrupting world peace today? Also, reform of the global governance system and the carrying forward of the common values of mankind are two aspects that underscore intensified systems competition with the West in today’s geopolitical environment.
9. Deeply understand the major deployment of upholding the Party’s overall leadership and comprehensively and strictly governing the Party. This calls for maintaining “sobriety and firmness” in order to “solve the unique problems of a big party in order to always win the support of the people and consolidate its long-term ruling position.”
“Since the 18th Party Congress, we have pursued comprehensive and strict governance of the Party, and we have solved many outstanding problems within the party. However, the tests of governance, reform and opening up, the market economy and the external environment that the Party faces will remain for a long time to come, and the dangers of spiritual laxity, lack of competence, detachment from the people and passive corruption will exist for a long time. The whole Party must bear in mind that strict governance of the Party and the self-revolution are continuous processes. We must never let up or become tired and war-weary. We must persevere in promoting the comprehensive and strict governance of the Party, deepen the new great project of party building in the new era, and lead the social revolution with the Party's self-revolution.” 经过党的十八大以来全面从严治党，我们解决了党内许多突出问题，但党面临的执政考验、改革开放考验、市场经济考验、外部环境考验将长期存在，精神懈怠危险、能力不足危险、脱离群众危险、消极腐败危险将长期存在。全党必须牢记，全面从严治党永远在路上，党的自我革命永远在路上，决不能有松劲歇脚、疲劳厌战的情绪，必须持之以恒推进全面从严治党，深入推进新时代党的建设新的伟大工程，以党的自我革命引领社会革命.
It is necessary to implement the general requirements of Party building in the new era, improve the system of comprehensive and strict Party governance, uphold and strengthen the centralised and unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee, unremittingly use Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics to cast the soul and improve the system and norms related to the Party’s self-revolution, build a contingent of high-quality cadres who can shoulder the important task of national rejuvenation, enhance the political and organisational functions of Party organisations, persist in strengthening integrity and discipline with a strict tone, and resolutely win the protracted battle against corruption; comprehensively promote the Party’s self-purification, self-improvement, self-innovation and self-improvement, so that our Party will stick to its original mission and always remain the strong leadership core for the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics.” 要落实新时代党的建设总要求，健全全面从严治党体系，坚持和加强党中央集中统一领导，坚持不懈用习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想凝心铸魂，完善党的自我革命制度规范体系，建设堪当民族复兴重任的高素质干部队伍，增强党组织政治功能和组织功能，坚持以严的基调强化正风肃纪，坚决打赢反腐败斗争攻坚战持久战，全面推进党的自我净化、自我完善、自我革新、自我提高，使我们党坚守初心使命，始终成为中国特色社会主义事业的坚强领导核心。
Section three of the document talks about publicity activities. This includes study sessions across the Party system, sessions for non-Party individuals, focus on news coverage and new media products, and emphasis on research and analysis by scholars. There are two more brief sections, but I think I’ve covered the meat of the matter already.
Third, there’s a report with the International Liaison Department expressing thanks on behalf of Xi and the Central Committee for folks abroad who congratulated them CCP on the 20th Party Congress.
Fourth, a report on the NPCSC concluding its 37th session. Xinhua reports that “lawmakers voted to adopt a revised Law on the Protection of Rights and Interests of Women, a Yellow River protection law, and a revised Animal Husbandry Law. They also adopted a decision to remove Chen Wenqing from the post of minister of state security, and appoint Chen Yixin to the position.” The report adds: the lawmakers ratified several treaties on international judicial assistance in criminal matters, reports on deputy qualifications, and personnel related bills, among others. PD has the details on these. I am highlighting below the personnel changes.
“The meeting voted to remove Shi Taifeng from the post of vice chairman of the NPC’s Education, Science, Culture and Health Committee. The meeting voted to remove Yang Xiaochao and Xu Lingyi as deputy directors of the National Supervision Commission, and appointed Sun Xinyang, Liu Xuexin, and Zhang Fuhai as deputy directors. Also, Lu Xi, Bai Shaokang, Chen Chaoying, Jiang Xinzhi, Ling Ji, and Cui Peng were removed as members of the National Supervision Commission, while Wang Xiaoping, Wang Aiwen, Xu Luode, Li Xinran, Zhao Shiyong, Qu Bai, and Mu Hongyu were appointed. The meeting voted and passed the decision of the NPCSC on accepting Cheng Lifeng’s request to resign as an NPCSC member.”
Fifth, there’s a front page commentary on learning and implementing the spirit of the 20th Party Congress. Some interesting bits here:
First, the article says that doing a good job in the next five years is important to the achievement of the second centennial goal. Then it adds that in order to build a comprehensively modern socialist country, high-quality development is the primary task. It is necessary to completely, accurately and fully implement the new development concept, accelerate the construction of a new development pattern, and strive to promote high-quality development. 全面建设社会主义现代化国家，高质量发展是首要任务，必须完整、准确、全面贯彻新发展理念，加快构建新发展格局，着力推动高质量发展.
This paragraph outline the direction for action across specific domains:
Education, science and technology, and talents are the basic and strategic support for building a comprehensively modern socialist country
We must unswervingly follow the socialist path of political development with Chinese characteristics, develop people's democracy in the whole process and ensure that people are masters of the country.
We must adhere to the socialist cultural development path with Chinese characteristics.
We must give full play to the role of the rule of law in securing the foundation, stabilising expectations and benefiting the long-term
We must adhere to the people-centred development philosophy.
Respecting nature, conforming to nature, and protecting nature are the inherent requirements of building a comprehensively modern socialist country.
We must unswervingly implement the overall national security concept, and ensure national security and social stability throughout the entire process of the work of the Party and the state.
Achieving the army's centennial goal as scheduled and accelerating the establishment of the people's army into a world-class army is a strategic requirement for building a comprehensively modern socialist country.
Adhere to one country, two systems and unswervingly advance the great cause of national reunification.
The next paragraph warns against “empty talk” and calls for action across all localities and departments taking into account their own realities.
Finally, there’s a report on Cai Qi leading the meeting of the Central Propaganda Group to study and implement the spirit of the 20th Party Congress. Li Shulei, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and head of the Central Propaganda Department, presided over the meeting. Cai Qi said that the propaganda activities should guide Party members, cadres and the masses to deeply understand the decisive significance of the Two Establishments, strengthen the four consciousnesses and four self-confidences and achieve the two safeguards.
Page 4: There’s an article on Li Zhanshu’s comments at the conclusion of the 37th session of the NPCSC. In these, he’s basically calling for uniting more closely behind the Central Committee with Xi at the core. Also on the page are the different outcomes from the NPCSC meeting, which I highlighted based on the front page report.
Page 6: There’s a brief report on the first Global Development and Health Communication Forum, which was hosted by Tsinghua University.
Page 9: On the theory page, the lead article is by Li Dejin, the vice governor of Fujian. Li calls for “absolute loyalty” and “firm support” for the Two Establishments, maintaining close ties with the people and adhering to people-centred development philosophy, promoting high-quality development, adhering to law-based governance and pursuing self-revolution. Of course, Li offers examples of how Fujian has been doing these things.
Other Reports:
Just thought I’d highlight some key developments over the past couple of days.
Chen Jining has been appointed Party Secretary of Shanghai to replace Li Qiang.
Yin Yong has been appointed deputy mayor and acting mayor of Beijing Municipality.
Huang Kunming has been appointed as Party Secretary of Guangdong to replace Li Xi.
Chen Yixin is now the new minister of state security.
Chen Wenqing will succeed Guo Shengkun as party secretary of the Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission
Shi Taifeng is now the new head of the Communist Party’s United Front Work Department
Li Shulei is now the head of the Central Propaganda Department
Next, Wang Yi met with US Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns. The official Chinese readout says:
“Wang Yi noted that China-US relations are now at a critical juncture, and the international community generally expects to see stable development of China-US relations. As President Xi Jinping has pointed out, China and the US need to respect each other, live in peace and pursue win-win cooperation. These are the fundamental principles China follows in developing relations with the United States. As two major countries, neither China nor the US can change the other side. The US should stop trying to deal with China from a position of strength, and stop aiming at suppressing and containing China's development. Wang expressed the hope that Burns, as the US Ambassador to China, will act to build bridges between the two sides.”
If you are interested, I also recommend this conversation with Burns in Foreign Affairs.
Also, I recommend this piece by Tom Hancock: China Has a New System of Optional Growth Targets, and this one by Chun Han Wong and Keith Zhai in WSJ: China’s Xi Jinping Set to Give ‘Wolf Warrior’ Diplomacy More Bite