China-Grenada Deals - National Science and Technology Work Conference - Eastern Theatre Command Delegation to Visit Japan - China-UK Economic and Financial Dialogue
Here are the key reports and articles that I found noteworthy from the People’s Daily’s edition on Tuesday, January 14, 2025.
Page 1: The lead stories today cover the visit of Prime Minister of Grenada Dickon Mitchell. First, Xi Jinping met Mitchell, saying that China is willing to provide assistance for Grenada's economic and social development within the framework of South-South cooperation.
The report (English report) begins with a conversation between Xi and Michell about the Tibet earthquake. Xi tells him that “the Chinese side completed rescue and temporary resettlement in the shortest possible time and will also begin reconstruction in the shortest possible time. The Chinese government has the confidence and capability to achieve victory in earthquake relief and disaster recovery.” 习近平对此表示感谢，指出此次地震发生在中国西南高海拔地区，中方在最短时间完成救援和临时安置，也将在最短时间开展重建，中国政府有信心有能力取得抗震救灾的胜利.
The report adds:
Xi noted that in recent years, China-Grenada relations have developed steadily, with the two sides treating each other with mutual respect and equality, consolidating political mutual trust, achieving fruitful results in practical cooperation in various fields, and deepening the friendship between the two peoples. China is willing to work with Grenada to enhance the synergy of development strategies and push for more outcomes of bilateral cooperation to better benefit the two peoples…The two sides should sum up the successful experience of the development of bilateral relations in the 20 years since the resumption of diplomatic relations and draw a new blueprint for the long-term high-level development of China-Grenada relations. China supports Grenada in independently exploring a development path suited to its national conditions, and stands ready to strengthen exchanges of governance experience with Grenada. China’s development will bring new development opportunities to other countries, including Grenada. China is willing to provide assistance for Grenada’s economic and social development within the framework of South-South cooperation and create new highlights in bilateral cooperation in the fields of new energy, green and low-carbon, and digital economy. China also supports Grenada in enhancing its capacity in climate change response and disaster prevention and mitigation, and will continue to raise international awareness of small island countries’ concerns over climate change and their demands. China advocates an equal and orderly multi-polar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, and is ready to work with Grenada to implement the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative to promote the building of a community with a shared future for humanity. China has always attached great importance to its relations with Caribbean countries and will continue to provide assistance within its capacity for the economic and social development of regional countries.”
Among other things, Mitchell is reported to have “expressed appreciation for China’s timely assistance after Grenada was hit by a devastating hurricane in July last year…Grenada firmly abides by the one-China principle and believes that China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity must be respected…Stressing China’s leading role in the Global South, Mitchell said Grenada will stand firmly with China to implement the three major global initiatives and safeguard world peace and stability.
Mitchell also met with Premier Li Qiang. Xinhua reports Li told him that “China is willing to align development strategies with Grenada, and expand cooperation with the country in such areas as new energy, the digital economy and the blue economy to enhance China-Grenada mutual beneficial cooperation”.
“China will work with Grenada to consolidate political mutual trust, provide firm support on issues concerning each other's core interests and major concerns, and continuously expand mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields to elevate bilateral relations to a new level, said Li. China is willing to align development strategies with Grenada, Li stressed, adding that based on the joint efforts in high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, the two sides should deepen cooperation in traditional sectors such as agriculture, infrastructure and healthcare, while expanding cooperation in emerging fields, including new energy, the digital economy and the blue economy. China encourages qualified Chinese enterprises to invest and start businesses in Grenada…He said that China is ready to assist Grenada and other Caribbean nations in climate adaptation to promote the full and effective implementation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Paris Agreement. China will work with Grenada to jointly safeguard the interests of the Global South, promoting the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, Li added.”
“Mitchell commended China’s remarkable contributions in poverty alleviation, which are exemplary particularly for developing countries. The prime minister also expressed appreciation for China's long-standing support and assistance in Grenada’s economic and social development, and praised China’s role in leading the development of the Global South. Grenada will continue to firmly abide by the one-China principle, said the prime minister, adding that the country supports the three major global initiatives proposed by China, and will enhance multilateral coordination and cooperation with China.”
The two sides signed 13 agreements. Here is the full list of these:
1. Memorandum of Understanding on Exchange and Cooperation in the Field of Economic Development between the National Development and Reform Commission of the PRC and the Ministry of Economic Development, Planning, Agriculture and Lands, Forestry, Marine Resources and Cooperatives of Grenada
2. Memorandum of Understanding on Deepening Blue Economy Cooperation between the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China and the Ministry of Economic Development, Planning, Agriculture and Lands, Forestry, Marine Resources and Cooperatives of Grenada
3. Memorandum of Understanding on Deepening Bilateral Cooperation for Unimpeded Trade between the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Export Development of Grenada
4. Memorandum of Understanding on Promoting the Implementation of the Global Development Initiative between China International Development Cooperation Agency and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Export Development of Grenada.
5. Exchange of Letters on the Feasibility Study of the Phase-9 China-Grenada Agricultural Technical Cooperation Project.
6. Implementation Plan for Cultural Cooperation (2025-2029) between the Ministry of Tourism and Culture of the PRC and the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Economy and Culture of Grenada.
7. The Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Export Development of Grenada and the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade.
8. Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation on Green and Low-Carbon Development between the National Development and Reform Commission of the PRC and the Ministry of Climate Resilience, the Environment and Renewable Energy.
9. Memorandum of Understanding between Yantai City, the People’s Republic of China and St. George, Grenada on Promoting Zero-Carbon Island Cooperation.
10. Memorandum of Understanding on Media Exchange and Cooperation between Xinhua News Agency and Grenada Information Service.
11. Cooperation Agreement or MOU between China Media Group and Grenada Information Service.
12. Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation between the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Government of Grenada.
13. Cooperation Plan between the Government of the PRC and the Government of Grenada on Jointly Promoting the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road.
Finally, Zhao Leji met Mitchell. Zhao told him that China “is prepared to be like-minded friends, good fellows seeking common development and good partners walking hand in hand” with Grenada. He wants the two sides to work together to “strengthen the exchange of experience in legislation, supervision and governance, creating a sound legal environment and consolidating public support for deepened friendly bilateral cooperation.”
Zhao also met with Maulen Ashimbayev, chairperson of the Senate of Kazakhstan. Xinhua says:
“China is willing to work with Kazakhstan to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state and push for new progress in the China-Kazakhstan permanent comprehensive strategic partnership, Zhao said. It is hoped that the legislatures of the two countries will strengthen exchanges and cooperation to provide a legal guarantee for the joint development of the Belt and Road Initiative and for practical cooperation between the two countries in various fields, Zhao added.”
Wang Huning also met with Ashimbayev. Xinhua’s report on that says:
“Noting that China and Kazakhstan have always followed the principle of mutual respect, good neighborliness, friendship, mutual assistance and win-win cooperation, Wang said that the development of bilateral relations and cooperation in various fields have entered the fast lane under the strategic guidance of the leaders of the two countries. The CPPCC National Committee is willing to strengthen its exchange with relevant institutions in Kazakhstan to facilitate the development of bilateral relations, Wang said.”
Finally, there’s a report on Ding Xuexiang’s remarks at the National Science and Technology Work Conference. The report says:
Ding Xuexiang said that we must accurately grasp the overall situation of China’s scientific and technological work, adhere to the nationwide ‘game of chess’, strengthen coordination in areas such as strategic planning, policy measures, major tasks, scientific research forces, resource platforms, and regional innovation. Strengthen the division of responsibilities and management of major science and technology projects, manage the task layout well, supervision and evaluation, and dynamic adjustment, fully authorise project management to the primarily responsible units, ensure they can handle and manage well. Strengthen the use of the new-type whole of nation system to tackle key core technologies, optimize the organizational model and operational mechanism for technological breakthroughs, fully leverage the advantages of super-large scale market, promote collaboration between industry, academia, research, and application and upstream-downstream cooperation. Strengthen planning guidance, enhance the systematic, holistic, and coordinated nature of work advancement. 丁薛祥表示，要准确把握我国科技工作的总体格局，坚持全国“一盘棋”，加强战略规划、政策措施、重大任务、科研力量、资源平台、区域创新等方面的统筹。强化科技重大项目分工负责管理，抓好任务布局、监督评估和动态调整，项目管理向主责单位充分授权，确保接得住、管得好。强化以新型举国体制开展关键核心技术攻关，优化科技攻关组织模式和运行机制，充分发挥超大规模市场优势，促进产学研用协同、上下游协作。强化规划引领，增强工作推进的系统性、整体性、协同性.
Ding Xuexiang emphasised the need to fully advance the organisation and implementation of major scientific and technological tasks already approved, refine a batch of new projects, and strengthen organised basic research. Strengthen the construction of national strategic scientific and technological forces, further clarify the functional positioning, strengthen the coordinated deployment with major scientific and technological tasks and scientific and technological infrastructure, and enhance the ability to tackle problems in a systematic manner. Promote the deep integration of scientific and technological innovation and industrial innovation, strengthen demand orientation, improve the multi-level scientific and technological financial service system, and open up the channel for the transformation of scientific and technological achievements into real productivity. Coordinate the reform of education, science, technology, and talent systems and mechanisms, improve the science and technology evaluation mechanism, vigorously promote the spirit of scientists, and resolutely break the ideological concepts and institutional and mechanism obstacles that restrict scientific and technological innovation. Strengthen the coordination between the central and local governments, guide local scientific and technological work to better obey and serve the needs of the country, and build international and regional scientific and technological innovation centers at a high level. Deepen the opening and cooperation of science and technology, build a mutually beneficial and win-win scientific and technological cooperation partnership, and strengthen the construction of an international scientific research environment. Science and technology management cadres should improve their political ability, enhance their professional level, improve their work style, combine their enthusiasm for work with a scientific attitude, and creatively implement the decisions and deployments of the Party Central Committee. 丁薛祥强调，要全力推进已立项重大科技任务的组织实施，凝练一批新项目，加强有组织的基础研究。加强国家战略科技力量建设，进一步明确功能定位，强化与重大科技任务、科技基础设施统筹部署，增强体系化攻关能力。推动科技创新与产业创新深度融合，强化需求导向，健全多层次科技金融服务体系，打通科技成果向现实生产力转化的通道。统筹推进教育科技人才体制机制一体改革，完善科技评价机制，大力弘扬科学家精神，坚决破除束缚科技创新的思想观念和体制机制障碍。加强央地协同，引导地方科技工作更好服从和服务于国家需要，高水平建好国际和区域科技创新中心。深化科技开放合作，构建互利共赢的科技合作伙伴关系，加强国际化科研环境建设。科技管理干部要提高政治能力，提升专业水平，改进工作作风，把干事热情和科学态度结合起来，创造性落实好党中央决策部署.
Page 2: There’s a report on remarks by Chen Wenqing at the Central Political and Legal Work Conference. Chen said that:
“The national political and legal organs should adhere to the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, deeply understand the decisive significance of Two Establishments resolutely implement Two Safeguards, fully implement the spirit of the 20th Party Congress and the Second and Third Plenary Sessions of the 20th Central Committee, uphold the Party’s absolute leadership, comprehensively deepen reforms in the political and legal system, implement and improve the Party-led political and legal work system, and resolutely safeguard national security and social stability, coordinate efforts to advance legislation, law enforcement, judicial administration, and compliance with the law, striving to build a higher level of Peaceful China and Rule of Law China, providing strong and secure guarantees for comprehensively advancing the construction of a strong nation and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.” 中共中央政治局委员、中央政法委书记陈文清在会上强调，全国政法机关要坚持以习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想为指导，深刻领悟“两个确立”的决定性意义，坚决做到“两个维护”，全面贯彻党的二十大和二十届二中、三中全会精神，坚持党的绝对领导，全面深化政法改革，落实和完善党管政法工作制度，坚决维护国家安全和社会稳定，统筹推进立法执法司法守法，努力建设更高水平的平安中国法治中国，为全面推进强国建设、民族复兴伟业提供坚强安全保障.
Chen Wenqing fully affirmed the achievements made in the national political and legal work in 2024, and stressed that in order to do a good job in the political and legal work in 2025, we must strengthen our confidence, work hard, strictly implement the national security responsibility system of the Party Committee (Party Group) and the responsibility system for maintaining social stability, and improve the overall prevention and control capabilities of social security. We must thoroughly study and implement Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law, solve new problems through scientific legislation, solve practical problems through strict law enforcement, maintain social fairness and justice through fair judiciary, consolidate the foundation of rule of law through universal compliance of the law, and enhance the modernization level of political and legal work through deepening reform. We must promote political and legal organs to perform their respective duties, cooperate with each other, and check and balance each other under the Party’s leadership, focus on work style and capability, and forge a loyal, clean, and responsible new era political and legal iron army. 陈文清充分肯定2024年全国政法工作取得的成绩，强调做好2025年政法工作，要坚定信心、干字当头，严格落实党委（党组）国家安全责任制、维护社会稳定责任制，提高社会治安整体防控能力。要深入学习贯彻习近平法治思想，通过科学立法解决新问题，通过严格执法解决现实问题，通过公正司法维护社会公平正义，通过全民守法夯实法治根基，通过深化改革提升政法工作现代化水平。要推动政法机关在党的领导下各司其职、相互配合、相互制约，聚焦作风能力，锻造忠诚干净担当的新时代政法铁军.
There’s a report (English report) on the new measures by the State Council to boost cultural tourism. I am not interested in this, but thought I should highlight it.
Page 3: A few reports to note. First, Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake will be visiting China, starting today.
Second, there’s a report on Li Shulei meeting with a delegation of Japan’s ruling coalition, led by Secretary General Hiroshi Moriyama of the Liberal Democratic Party and Secretary General Makoto Nishida of the Komeito Party. The report says:
“Li Shulei welcomed the Japanese delegation to China to attend the China-Japan ruling party exchange mechanism meeting, and expressed that the CPC is willing to work with the Japanese ruling party to implement the important consensus reached by President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, strengthen political dialogue, promote cultural exchanges, and create a healthy and rational public opinion environment for China-Japan relations. The Japanese side expressed its willingness to give full play to the role of the ruling coalition in accordance with the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, face up to problems and challenges, and promote cultural exchanges between the two countries, especially youth exchanges.” 李书磊欢迎日本代表团来华参加中日执政党交流机制会议，表示中国共产党愿同日本执政党落实习近平主席与石破茂首相达成的重要共识，加强政治对话，促进人文交流，为中日关系营造健康理性的民意环境。日方表示，愿根据两国领导人重要共识，发挥执政党作用，直面问题挑战，推进两国人文特别是青少年交流.
In addition, Xinhua reports that “a delegation from the Eastern Theatre Command of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army is set to visit Japan in mid-January…the delegation will meet with senior officials from Japan's Defense Ministry and the Joint Staff Office of the Self-Defense Forces, and visit relevant military units.”
Third, there’s a brief report on the 11th China-UK Economic and Financial Dialogue that was co-chaired by Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng and British Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves in Beijing. The report says that the two sides achieved “69 mutually beneficial and win-win outcomes”.
The Chinese report says:
the two sides expressed their common will to uphold multilateralism and economic globalisation, and were committed to maintaining a multilateral trading system with the WTO at its core and based on rules, and building an open world economy;
both sides believed that China-UK cooperation was conducive to the development of both countries, and would jointly maintain the security, stability and smooth operation of the global production and supply chain, oppose ‘decoupling and breaking chains’, and agree to reduce barriers to two-way investment and promote a non-discriminatory and open business environment;
the two sides reached a lot of consensus on industrial, agricultural and energy cooperation, and agreed to convene a new China-UK Joint Economic and Trade Committee, Science and Technology Joint Committee, and Industrial Cooperation Dialogue as soon as possible, deepen the China-UK modern industrial cooperation partnership, and strengthen cooperation in addressing climate change;
both sides emphasised that finance is a highlight of China-UK cooperation and expressed their willingness to strengthen cooperation on financial policies and financial regulation, and to achieve practical outcomes on two-way opening and connectivity of financial markets
郭嘉昆表示，第十一次中英经济财金对话中，双方表达了坚持多边主义和经济全球化的共同意愿，致力于维护以世贸组织为核心、以规则为基础的多边贸易体系，构建开放型世界经济；双方认为中英合作有利于两国发展，将共同维护全球产供链安全稳定畅通，反对“脱钩断链”，同意减少双向投资障碍，促进非歧视、开放的营商环境；双方围绕产业、农业和能源合作等达成诸多共识，同意尽快召开新一届中英经贸联委会、科技联委会、产业合作对话，深化中英现代产业合作伙伴关系，并加强应对气候变化合作；双方强调金融作为中英合作的亮点，愿加强财金政策和金融监管合作，并就金融市场双向开放和互联互通达成诸多务实成果.
Finally, there’s a very short report on ILD chief Liu Jianchao meeting with a Sandinista National Liberation Front delegation led by Moreno.