CEWC: Stability while Making Steady Progress - Patriotism & the Blueprint for Socialist Art & Culture - Xi & Media and Opinion Work - Seizing the Democracy Narrative
Here are the stories and pieces from the December 14, 2021, edition of the People’s Daily that I found noteworthy.
Page 1: Let’s begin with a commentary following the economic work conference. This one emphasises the importance of stability in economic work for the next year. It says that the goal is to maintain “a stable and healthy economic environment, a social environment that is peaceful and secure and a political environment that is clean and with integrity.”
It says that since the 18th Party Congress, the Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core has taken the two overall situations into consideration and worked to seek “progress in a stable manner” and “improved the institutional mechanism of the Party to lead economic work.” It adds that “the balance, coordination and sustainability of China’s economic development have been significantly enhanced, and the national economic strength, scientific and technological strength and comprehensive national power have leapt to a new level. China's economy has embarked on a path of higher quality, more efficient, fairer, more sustainable and more secure development.” 我国经济发展平衡性、协调性、可持续性明显增强，国家经济实力、科技实力、综合国力跃上新台阶，我国经济迈上更高质量、更有效率、更加公平、更可持续、更为安全的发展之路.
The next paragraph talks about the significance of stability while making steady progress. “Adhere to the word stability and steady progress in order to grasp the overall requirements of economic work next year.” 坚持稳字当头、稳中求进，要把握好明年经济工作的总体要求. It then reiterates this paragraph from the CEWC readout: “adhere to the general tone of making steady progress; completely, accurately and comprehensively implement the new development concept; accelerate the construction of a new development pattern; comprehensively deepen reform and opening up; adhere to innovation-driven development; promote high-quality development; and adhere to the supply-side structural reform as the main line. Make overall plans for epidemic prevention and control and economic and social development’ make overall plans for development and security, continue to do a good job in terms of the six stabilities and six guarantees’ continuously improve people’s livelihood; maintain the economic operation within a reasonable range, maintain overall social stability…”
The next paragraph talks about the importance of the 7 key points from the readout. In this context, the piece reiterates adherence to the “principle of establishing first, breaking later” and to “ensure steady advancement.” Finally, again talking about “seeking progress while maintaining stability,” the piece says:
At a macro level, it promises a “proactive fiscal policy and a prudent monetary policy.”
Implement the strategy of expanding domestic demand and strengthen the internal drivers of development.
Boost the confidence of market players, strengthen the protection of intellectual property rights, and strengthen the spirit of contract. - This paragraph in the CEWC readout had spoken about “fair competition policy” and “anti-monopoly and anti-unfair competition” work. Both missing here.
Deepen supply-side structural reform, improve the core competitiveness of the manufacturing sector, and ensure that housing is for living in, not for speculation. In this context, it also talks about the promotion of “a virtuous cycle and healthy development of the real estate industry.”
Strengthen national strategic science and technology forces, strengthen the leading position of enterprises in innovation, and improve and optimise the science and technology innovation ecosystem.
Carry out comprehensive trials of market-based allocation of factors of production, and open wider to the outside world at a higher level.
Make overall plans to promote economic development and people's livelihood security, improve the system of providing basic public services for people where they are in permanent residence, improve the policies for flexible employment and social security, promote the overall planning of basic old-age insurance, and push for the effectiveness of the new birth policy.
坚持稳字当头、稳中求进，各地区各部门要担负起稳定宏观经济的责任，各方面要积极推出有利于经济稳定的政策，政策发力适当靠前。宏观政策上，继续实施积极的财政政策和稳健的货币政策，积极的财政政策要提升效能，更加注重精准、可持续；稳健的货币政策要灵活适度，保持流动性合理充裕；实施好扩大内需战略，增强发展内生动力。微观政策上，提振市场主体信心，强化知识产权保护，强化契约精神。结构政策上，深化供给侧结构性改革，提升制造业核心竞争力，坚持房子是用来住的、不是用来炒的定位，因城施策促进房地产业良性循环和健康发展。科技政策上，强化国家战略科技力量，强化企业创新主体地位，完善优化科技创新生态。改革开放政策上，抓好要素市场化配置综合改革试点，扩大高水平对外开放。区域政策上，深入实施区域重大战略和区域协调发展战略，全面推进乡村振兴。社会政策上，统筹推进经济发展和民生保障，健全常住地提供基本公共服务制度，健全灵活就业劳动用工和社会保障政策，推进基本养老保险全国统筹，推动新的生育政策落地见效.
Next, there’s a long piece again on literature and art development since the 18th Party Congress. The first part talks about the development of blueprints for this. It highlights different speeches by Xi.
This talks about Xi’s comments at the Beijing Forum on Literature and Art in 2014. In this, it highlights comments about how “great undertakings require great spirit.”
Xi’s comments at the 10th Congress of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles and the ninth Congress of the Chinese Writers Association in 2016. Here the comments highlighted are that literature and art must be “closely connected with the country and the nation.”
In 2019, he addressed literary and art workers at a CPPCC meeting, calling on them to “keep pace with the times, focus on the people, contribute high-quality products, and lead trends with the highest virtue.
In 2020, he presided over a symposium of experts from the fields of education, culture, health and sports. He spoke about the importance of the “development of socialist culture” to “socialist modernisation.” Without the former, the latter is not possible, as per Xi.
The next section of the piece talks about the importance of cultural confidence. It says that there are “a hundred, a thousand ways of creating art, but the most crucial and the most reliable method is taking root among the people and in their lives.” It adds that “contemporary literature and art should take patriotism as the main theme of literary and artistic creation, guide the people to establish and adhere to the correct view of history, nationality, country and culture, and strengthen the backbone and confidence of being Chinese.” 在弘扬中国精神方面，指出我们当代文艺更要把爱国主义作为文艺创作的主旋律，引导人民树立和坚持正确的历史观、民族观、国家观、文化观，增强做中国人的骨气和底气.
It adds that “literature and art cannot lose their way in the tide of market economy, cannot become slaves of the market, and must not be stained with the stink of money.” 在两个效益相统一方面，指出文艺不能在市场经济大潮中迷失方向，文艺不能当市场的奴隶，不要沾满了铜臭气. The last point in this section is about creating “outstanding works that embody the essence of Chinese culture, reflect the aesthetic pursuit of Chinese people, spread contemporary Chinese values and conform to the trend of world progress…” 在文化走出去方面，指出创作更多体现中华文化精髓、反映中国人审美追求、传播当代中国价值观念、又符合世界进步潮流的优秀作品，让我国文艺以鲜明的中国特色、中国风格、中国气派屹立于世.
The next section talks about the guidelines and documents issued over time and some of the artworks that have been created. It also talks about Xi’s inspections and instructions, given the importance he has attached to “the protection, inheritance and development of Chinese excellent traditional culture.” It says that Xi has “guided the literary and art workers to integrate their artistic ideals into the cause of the Party and the people, and to work together for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.” 习近平总书记立足文艺战线生机勃勃长远发展，引导广大文艺工作者把艺术理想融入党和人民事业，为中华民族伟大复兴凝心聚力.
Next a one-line report on a Xi-Putin chat, which is scheduled for tomorrow. Fourth, there’s a report about Li Keqiang’s chat with World Bank’s David Malpass. Xinhua English has the details:
“Noting the just-concluded annual Central Economic Work Conference, Li said as the world’s largest developing country, China’s economic work next year will prioritize stability while pursuing progress. Facing downward economic pressure, China will prioritize growth, coordinating steady economic growth while archiving structural adjustment and promoting reform, said Li. Li said China would simultaneously strengthen its confidence and face difficulties. Briefing on China's economic policy, Li underlined that actions would safeguard macroeconomic stability and implement proactive fiscal policies for precision and sustainability. Prudent monetary policies should be flexible and appropriate, and liquidity should be at a reasonable and ample level, said Li. China will also continue deploying macro policies in direct response to market entities to stimulate the vitality of market entities and enhance the internal driving force of development, said the Premier. China will scale up inclusive financial services to help market entities, particularly micro, small, medium-sized firms and household businesses, and increase the resilience and confidence of the Chinese economy, Li said.”
Fifth, a report about the meeting of the National Committee of the CPPCC. The focus was on promoting education on labor and industriousness in primary and secondary schools. Wang Yang spoke at the event. He said that “It is necessary to thoroughly understand General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important expositions on labor education, integrate labor education with moral education, intellectual education, physical education and aesthetic education, guide primary and secondary school students to build a firm Marxist view on labor, and cultivate socialist builders and successors with all-round development in morality, intelligence, physique, aesthetics, and labor.” 要深入领会习近平总书记关于劳动教育的重要论述，把劳动教育贯穿家庭、学校、社会各方面，与德育、智育、体育、美育相融合，引导中小学生树牢马克思主义劳动观，培养德智体美劳全面发展的社会主义建设者和接班人。
PD says that it is important to “set up the concept of open-door labor education, explore and construct the open sharing mechanism of labor practice places in relevant universities, vocational colleges, enterprises and institutions, factories and mines, agricultural and forestry farms, and solve the problem of shortage of labor teaching places in primary and secondary schools. It is necessary to encourage qualified normal colleges to set up labor education-related majors, conduct special training for primary and secondary school teachers who undertake labor education courses, and establish a team of full-time and part-time jobs to ensure that labor education is taught well. We should pay more attention to the basic role of families in labor education, widely publicise the family education promotion law, help parents establish a correct view of family education and a good family tradition of advocating and respecting labor, encourage parents and schools to work together to make a list of labor tasks, and integrate labor education closely with the daily lives of primary and secondary school students. It is necessary to strengthen the assessment, supervision and inspection, incorporate the situation of labor education security into the evaluation content of local governments’ educational duties, incorporate the development of labor education into the evaluation content of school quality, and incorporate the situation of labor practice into the evaluation of students’ comprehensive quality.” 要树立开门办劳动教育的理念，探索构建相关高校、职业院校、企事业单位、厂矿、农林场等劳动实践场所开放共享机制，破解中小学劳动教学场地匮乏之困。要鼓励有条件的师范院校开设劳动教育相关专业，对承担劳动教育课程的中小学教师进行专项培训，建立专兼职相结合的教师队伍，保障劳动教育有人教、教得好。要更加重视家庭在劳动教育中的基础作用，广泛宣传家庭教育促进法，帮助家长树立正确的家庭教育观和崇尚劳动、尊重劳动的良好家风，鼓励家校共同制定劳动任务清单，推动劳动教育与中小学生日常生活紧密结合。要加强考核评价和督促检查，把劳动教育保障情况纳入地方政府履行教育职责评价内容，把劳动教育开展情况纳入学校办学质量评价内容，把劳动实践情况纳入学生综合素质评价内容.
Next a report on propaganda work around the 6th plenum’s outcomes and the enthusiastic response that this has got. It also says this at one point:
“The broad masses of Party members, cadres and masses said that the Party’s establishment of Comrade Xi Jinping as the core of the CPC Central Committee and the whole party and the guiding position of Xi Jinping Thought on socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era reflected the common aspiration of the whole Party, the whole army and the people of all ethnic groups in China, and was of decisive significance to the development of the Party and the country in the new era and the historical process of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. We must consciously strengthen the four consciousnesses, strengthen the four self-confidences, achieve the two safeguards, be mindful of 国之大者. —
广大党员干部群众表示，党确立习近平同志党中央的核心、全党的核心地位，确立习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的指导地位，反映了全党全军全国各族人民的共同心愿，对新时代党和国家事业发展、对推进中华民族伟大复兴历史进程具有决定性意义。一定要自觉增强“四个意识”、坚定“四个自信”、做到“两个维护”，胸怀“国之大者”，切实把思想和行动统一到党的十九届六中全会精神上来.
Finally, a long report reviewing Xi’s views and the evolution of the news and public opinion work. It says that since the 18th Party Congress, Xi has “made a series of important expositions, put forward many new ideas and new requirements, scientifically answered a series of fundamental, strategic and major issues concerning the long-term development of journalism, enriched and developed Marxist news theory, pointed out the way forward and provided fundamental direction of progress for doing a good job in news and public opinion work.” 党的十八大以来，以习近平同志为核心的党中央高度重视新闻舆论工作，作出一系列重要论述，提出许多新思想新观点新要求，科学回答了事关新闻事业长远发展的一系列带有根本性、战略性、全局性的重大问题，丰富和发展了马克思主义新闻理论，为做好新闻舆论工作指明了前进方向、提供了根本遵循.
The next bit talks about the February 2016 news and public opinion work. Anyway, more than that, this is critical.
“How to gather the strength of hundreds of millions of people to forge ahead together on the journey of national rejuvenation? How to arrive at a final decision in the complex field of public opinion? How to better enrich the people’s spiritual world, enhance their spiritual strength, meet their spiritual needs, and make news reports popular with the people? Only through in-depth study and understanding of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, carrying out the education of Marxist perspective on journalism, and earnestly enhancing the political consciousness, the overall situation consciousness, the core consciousness, and alignment consciousness, can the quality and strength of news be developed in line with the governance goals of the CPC Central Committee...Adhering to the correct political direction is the core of the Party’s news and public opinion work. Continuously enhance the four consciousness, firm-up the four self-confidences, achieve the two safeguards, strengthen the education and training of Marxist perspective on journalism, strengthen understanding of the four histories...News practitioners should supplement the ‘calcium’ of ideals and beliefs…” 如何在复兴征程中凝聚起亿万人民共同奋进的力量？如何在错综复杂的舆论场中一锤定音？如何更好丰富人民精神世界，增强人民精神力量，满足人民精神需求，使新闻报道为人民群众喜闻乐见? 唯有深入学习领会习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想，深入开展马克思主义新闻观教育，切实增强政治意识、大局意识、核心意识、看齐意识，才能形成与党中央治国理政相适应的新闻品格和新闻力量；唯有以“四向四做”为职业标杆，在增强“四力”中着力提升业务本领，练就一身好把式、真功夫，才能创作出更多有思想、有温度、有品质的精品佳作. 坚持正确的政治方向，是做好党的新闻舆论工作的核心要义。不断增强“四个意识”，坚定“四个自信”，做到“两个维护”，加强马克思主义新闻观教育培训，加强党史、新中国史、改革开放史、社会主义发展史专题培训……新闻从业人员补充理想信念之“钙”.
There are quite a few details in the piece. For instance, the piece talks about Xi having outlined “four directions and four actions” (四向 and 四做) for journalists, and then emphasises these. These include:
adhere to the correct political direction and be a politically firm journalist
adhere to the correct orientation of public opinion and be a journalist who leads the times
adhere to the correct journalistic aspirations and be a professional/skilled journalist
adhere to the correct work orientation and be a journalist with excellent style
Later the piece says:
“Under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, journalists have conscientiously put into practice the requirements of ‘four forces’, faithfully fulfilled their duties and missions, braved hardships and risks, bravely taken responsibility, gathered people’s hearts, boosted morale, and conveyed confidence to hundreds of millions of people.” 以习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想为指引，广大新闻工作者自觉深入践行“四力”要求、忠实履行职责使命，不畏艰险、勇敢担当，凝聚人心、鼓舞士气，把信心传递给亿万人民.
Also:
In terms of news and public opinion, the primary task has been to study, propagate and implement Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and unremitting efforts have been made to strengthen the ideological foundation for the concerted efforts of the whole Party and the whole people. 新闻舆论战线把学习宣传贯彻习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想作为首要任务，坚持不懈抓好思想理论建设，全党全国人民团结奋斗的思想基础愈加巩固. After this, we get a list of all the Xi Jinping-specific propaganda work. This kind, for instance.
Later the piece says this, which is a resoundingly positive appraisal of the Chinese media’s international communication approaches. So don’t expect things to change; expect more and vigorous contestation.
“It is the mission of journalists to tell China's stories well, spread China's voice well, and present a true, three-dimensional and comprehensive China. They have broadened their horizons, explored the freshest, liveliest and truest news, and used various forms to present a civilised, democratic, open and progressive China to the world. They have had the courage to speak out and have been good at making their voices heard. They have effectively guided international public opinion and waged public opinion struggles with sufficient factual evidence, diversified forms of expression and precise communication routes, fully demonstrating the power of facts and morality.” 讲好中国故事，传播好中国声音，展示真实、立体、全面的中国，是新闻工作者的使命任务。他们拓宽视野、拓展思路，发掘最新鲜、最活泼、最真实的新闻，用多种形式向世界展示一个文明、民主、开放、进步的中国；他们敢于发声、善于发声，以充分的事实依据、丰富的表现形式、精准的传播路径，有效开展国际舆论引导和舆论斗争，充分彰显事实的力量、道义的力量.
The last bit talks about innovation and the use of technology. It talks about how firmly grasping the significance of the Internet is key to “enhance the communication, guidance, influence and credibility of news and public opinion.” It says that some 2,535 county-level integrated media centers have already been built, and calls for more emphasis on the use of big data, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, blockchain and other advanced technologies. It also says that the construction of three national key laboratories of media integration has “led to continuous innovation in news communication.”
Page 2: A report on a new notice by the State Council to strengthen pandemic control activities in port cities.
Page 3: A couple of reports to note. First, a report on a joint statement (English report) issued by World Political Parties, Social Organizations and Think Tanks on Making Independent Efforts to Explore the Path toward Democracy and Working Together to Promote Common Development. This was run by ILD. In all, 355 political parties, social organizations and think tanks from 140 countries and regions reportedly signed on this.
“The statement emphasized that democracy represents an important achievement of humanity in the advancement of political civilisation, and there is no democratic system and development model applicable to all countries, opposing any interference in other countries' internal affairs under the pretext of democracy. According to the statement, the fascinating feature of human civilisations lies in diversity. Due to the fact that different countries and regions may not necessarily share the same history, culture, social system and development stage, the ways and means they are realising democracy may vary. There does not exist any system of democracy or pattern of development that is applicable to all countries, and the practice of judging the rich variety of political systems around the world by a single yardstick, or observing the colorful political civilisations of the humanity from a monochromatic sight, is in itself undemocratic, said the statement. The statement held the view that the judgement on whether a country is democratic hinges on whether the people can become the real masters of the country, whether the people can enjoy the right to vote, whether their right of extensive participation is guaranteed, how many of the promises during election campaigns are fulfilled after elections, whether stipulated political regulations and laws are rigorously enforced, and whether the exercise of power is truly subject to the supervision and restraint by the people. The statement pointed out that democracy is the right of all peoples rather than an exclusive privilege of the few, and the judgement on whether a country is democratic or not should be made by their people. The statement demonstrated that making international relations more democratic is the trend of the times, and the only way to realise this lies in putting true multilateralism into practice.”
Second, a Zhong Sheng commentary criticising the US on the issue of democracy and the Democracy Summit.
It says that the summit “ended in disappointment amid a storm of criticism.” It says that the summit demonstrated the Cold War mentality of the US. “The US has drawn lines based on its own standards, categorising half of the world’s countries and regions into the ‘democratic camp’ and the other half into the ‘non-democratic countries’ group. This reflects a dangerous attempt to push the world back to the Cold War pattern.” 美国以自身标准划线，将世界上一半国家和地区划入“民主阵营”，将另一半国家归入“非民主国家”行列，反映出将世界推回冷战格局的危险企图.
The piece then cites criticism of the summit in terms of voices of some commentators from Pakistan, Thailand, Russia and the Middle East.
“By privatising, instrumentalising and weaponising democracy, the United States betrays and tramples on the democratic spirit and values. Whether a country is democratic or not should, in the final analysis, be judged by its people, not by a few outside people. No democratic system in the world is perfect. There is no political system model that can be applied to all countries. The establishment of a democratic system and the development of democratic processes in all countries have their own historical and national characteristics and unique values. The US is trying to monopolise the definition of democracy with its own standard, ignoring the huge differences in culture, history and civilisation of different countries, and pretending to be the ‘judge of international democracy’. This in itself is the biggest undemocratic act.” 美国将民主私有化、工具化、武器化，是对民主精神、民主价值的背叛和践踏。一个国家是否民主，归根到底应该由这个国家的人民来评判，而不是由外部少数人指手画脚、妄加判断。世界上没有哪一套民主制度是完美的，不存在适用于一切国家的政治制度模式。各国民主制度的建立和民主进程的发展都有其历史性和民族性，都有自身独特价值。美国试图用一己标准垄断民主定义，无视不同国家文化、历史和文明的巨大差异，自封“国际民主判官”，这本身就是最大的不民主.
The next paragraph criticises the US for “interfering in other countries’ internal affairs and waging wars in order to export democracy.” It also criticises the US for “infiltrating and subverting sovereign states and inciting ‘colour revolutions’ through government agencies USAID and so-called non-governmental organizations such as the National Endowment for Democracy.” It also lashes out at the use of “indiscriminate unilateral sanctions and military interventions” by the US.
“The United States has sought to usurp the banner of democracy to serve its own interests; (these actions and the summit) have led to tearing off the mask of the US as a ‘defender of democracy,’ revealing its true face as a ‘destroyer of democracy’...美国盗用民主旗号服务一己私利，撕破了美国“民主捍卫者”的假面具，展现了美国“民主破坏者”的真面目...
Third, a report on Hu Chunhua and French Economy and Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire co-chairing the eighth China-France High-Level Economic and Financial Dialogue. Xinhua English says that Hu wants to “strengthen cooperation on international and multilateral affairs in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in key areas.”
The Xinhua report adds that:
“the two countries should consolidate and expand cooperation on major projects, and strive to create a good environment for trade and investment to push China-France cooperation to a higher level and inject new momentum into their bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership, said the vice premier. Le Maire, for his part, said that France attaches great importance to the bilateral ties, and is willing to work with China to further deepen economic and financial cooperation. France is ready to strengthen communication and coordination with China on multilateral issues including the response to climate change, biodiversity protection and the WTO reform, said the French minister. France is hoping to deepen cooperation with China on agriculture, finance and the third-party market, and promote bilateral pragmatic cooperation to achieve additional positive results, he added. The dialogue reached 54 items of agreement.”
Finally, a report (English report) on Pascal Lamy’s comments to Le Monde about China’s entry into the WTO having “boosted global economic growth.”
Page 4: A report on the Nanjing Massacre memorial day, which was held yesterday. Second, a report (English report) informing that the Macao government “has completed legislation on instituting national security advisers to the Committee for Safeguarding National Security of the Macao SAR, effective Tuesday. The amended regulation, which was published Monday on the Macao SAR government gazette, clearly states the responsibilities of the advisers. It serves as a legal guarantee at the local level for national security advisers to perform their duties after the central government decided to institute such advisers to the committee. According to the central government's decision, the committee shall have a national security affairs adviser and three national security technical advisers.
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