China-Poland Ties - Second Horn of Africa Peace Conference Meeting - Wang Xiaohong's Public Security Agenda - Flood Warnings
Here are the key reports and articles that I found noteworthy from the People's Daily’s edition on Tuesday, June 25, 2024.
Page 1: The top story (English report) on the page today is Xi Jinping’s speech on science and technology. I covered this last night.
But just to add, the meeting was “attended by about 3,000 people and honored 250 projects and 12 sci-tech experts, with two scientists winning the top award, 49 projects the State Natural Science Award, 62 projects the State Technological Invention Award, 139 projects the State Scientific and Technological Progress Award, and 10 foreign experts the International Science and Technology Cooperation Award.”
Also, photogrammetry and remote sensing expert Li Deren and condensed matter physicist Xue Qikun, won the top sci-tech award during the event.
The other main report is on Xi’s meeting with visiting Polish President Andrzej Duda. Xinhua says:
“Noting that great changes are unfolding globally in an unprecedented way, Xi said China is ready to work with Poland to adhere to the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, uphold the original aspiration of establishing diplomatic ties, continue the traditional friendship, push bilateral relations to a higher level, and inject more stability and certainty into the turbulent world. The key to the enduring relationship lies in that the two nations can draw wisdom and strength from their respective national history and cultural traditions, and independently develop their bilateral friendship, Xi said. The two sides should continue to adhere to the China-Poland friendship featuring mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit and mutual learning, understand and support each other's efforts to safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests, jointly oppose the Cold War mentality and camp confrontation, safeguard the international system with the United Nations at its core, and promote an equal and orderly global multipolarization and an economic globalization that benefits all, Xi said.”
“Xi urged the two sides to make good use of such mechanisms as the China-Poland Intergovernmental Cooperation Committee to strengthen strategic coordination and planning of cooperation in various fields, promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, advance cooperation in major projects such as the China-Europe Railway Express, and strengthen cooperation in trade, agriculture, digital economy, green industry and clean energy. China welcomes more high-quality agricultural and food products from Poland into the Chinese market, supports the expansion of two-way investment, and hopes Poland will provide a fair, just, and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese enterprises, Xi said. China has decided to adopt a 15-day unilateral visa-free policy for Polish citizens, Xi said, adding that both sides should vigorously promote exchanges in culture, youth, academia and media. China is willing to work with Poland and other countries to promote the sustainable development of the China-Central and Eastern European Countries cooperation mechanism, and advance the healthy and stable development of China-EU relations, he added.”
As per Xinhua, Duda said that BRI “represents huge development opportunities for Poland, and the Belt and Road cooperation has strongly propelled Poland's infrastructure construction and economic development”.
“Poland greatly appreciates the principles China adheres to in international affairs and its contributions to world peace and development, Duda said, stressing that Poland firmly adheres to the one-China principle. Poland is willing to advance the Belt and Road cooperation with China, deepen exchanges and cooperation in economy and trade, agriculture, infrastructure, connectivity and people-to-people exchanges, and expand cooperation in new areas such as innovation, digital economy and new energy vehicles…Noting that Poland will assume the rotating presidency of the EU in the first half of next year, Duda said Poland is willing to play a constructive role in promoting EU-China relations and advancing cooperation between Central and Eastern European countries and China.”
On Ukraine, the report has Xi saying:
“China opposes some individuals using the normal trade between China and Russia as an excuse to divert focus and smear China, Xi said, adding that China encourages and supports all efforts that contribute to a peaceful resolution of the crisis, and promotes the building of a balanced, effective, and sustainable European security architecture. China is willing to continue playing a constructive role in the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis in its own way.”
The two sides signed a new Action Plan on strengthening their comprehensive strategic partnership for the 2024-2027 period (English version). This is a document of intent as opposed to an action plan with measurable outcomes.
It says that:
The two sides have established joint working groups respectively dedicated to promoting trade and investment cooperation.
They will “promote and simplify the export of Polish products to China, facilitate inspection and quarantine of agricultural products, and expand the trade volume of food and agricultural products.” This includes “the early export of Polish poultry meat, fresh blueberries, beans, and wild aquatic products to China.” Also, “the two sides will endeavor to reach the agreement on the protocol of cooperation on highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) zoning and regionalization management by the end of 2024 and to sign the protocol thereafter.”
“China is willing to actively explore ways and steps to expand imports from Poland through the newly established Standing Working Group on Promoting Trade Cooperation.”
“Both sides will support the growth of two-way investments in electric vehicles, green development, logistic and other sectors, as well as the improvement of the investment environment that will create equal opportunities and a level playing field for enterprises from both countries in both markets.”
“The two sides agree to conclude an agreement on deepening bilateral cooperation in railway sector.” The document also talks about shipping, customs and civil aviation cooperation.
“Both sides are willing to strengthen information exchange and practical cooperation on greenhouse gas emission reduction and climate change adaptation.”
“The two sides noted the possibilities in exploring opportunities in areas such as green technology, recycling and waste treatment, including the potential of biogas technology cooperation.”
“The two sides will strengthen cooperation in green economic fields such as new materials, clean energy, sustainable development, and diversified energy resource supply, and promote the transition to sustainable low-carbon energy sources such as solar, geothermal, and wind energy, with economic sustainability and fair competition as the drivers of cooperation.”
The final bit is on culture, tourism, education, etc. There are no tangible commitments.
Back to the front page, the only other story on the page is about Xi’s letter to the ‘Bond with Kuliang: 2024 China-U.S. Youth Festival’ held in Fuzhou. Xinhua says:
“Xi said it is hoped that Chinese and U.S. youth will have in-depth exchanges, enhance friendship, know each other well and work hand in hand to carry forward China-U.S. friendship, contribute to the sound and steady growth of China-U.S. relations, and work with people around the world to build peace, promote progress and create prosperity.”
Page 3: There is a report on Chen Wenqing’s visit to South Africa. During the visit, he met with ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula and former President of South Africa Kgalema Motlanthe. Xinhua adds:
“Chen congratulated South Africa on its successful general election, in which the ANC secured a victory and President Cyril Ramaphosa was re-elected. Under the strategic guidance of Chinese President Xi Jinping and his counterpart Ramaphosa, the friendship between China and South Africa has continued to strengthen and deepen, opening a new chapter in building a high-level China-South Africa community with a shared future, Chen said. The CPC and the ANC have been close friends for over 40 years, and they have always supported and learned from each other, fostering a deep bond, he said, noting that China is committed to enhancing strategic communication with South Africa, increasing political mutual trust and deepening exchanges and cooperation.”
Next, there’s a report on the second Senior Officials Meeting of the Second Horn of Africa Peace Conference, which was held in Beijing on Monday.
The event was attended by Vice Foreign Minister Chen Xiaodong, Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa Affairs Xue Bing from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, representatives from the Ministry of Commerce and the China International Development Cooperation Agency, and senior officials and diplomats from the foreign ministries of Ethiopia, Djibouti, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Uganda.
Global Times’ English report carries Chen’s comments:
“‘Since the Initiative of Peaceful Development in the Horn of Africa was proposed more than two years ago, China has worked hand in hand with countries in the Horn of Africa, focusing on the three main goals of “security, development, and governance”, to support regional peace and development through concrete actions,’ Chen said. China is willing to continue to be a partner on the path to peace with the Horn of Africa countries, guided by the Global Security Initiative, to build a ‘comprehensive security’ framework with a broad vision of peace, and to be a pioneer in maintaining peace, Chen noted. ‘We will also continue to be partners on the path to development, guided by the Global Development Initiative, and work together to build the Belt and Road with high quality, striving to be leaders in shared development. Furthermore, we will continue to be partners on the path to justice, actively participating in the reform and construction of the global governance system, safeguarding international fairness and justice, and the common interests of developing countries, striving to be forerunners in upholding justice. China is willing to work with the countries in the Horn of Africa to turn the region into a horn of peace, development, and prosperity, building a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future,’ Chen added.”
Page 4: Deep into the paper we get a consolidated report on Li Qiang meeting with Polish President Duda and Prime Minister of Vietnam Pham Minh Chinh, who is in Dalian for the Summer Davos.
Xinhua’s report on Li’s meeting with Duda says:
“China is willing to work with Poland to follow the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, further carry forward traditional friendship, enhance political mutual trust, strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation and push for greater development of bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership, Li said. He said China stands ready to strengthen the docking of development strategies with Poland, take high-quality Belt and Road cooperation as the guide to promote the upgrading of economic and trade cooperation, foster optimized and balanced development of bilateral trade, achieve more efficient and smooth connectivity, expand cooperation in emerging fields like new energy, digital economy and artificial intelligence, and achieve mutual benefits and win-win results. China welcomes more quality Polish products to enter the Chinese market and hopes that Poland will provide a fair, just and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese enterprises, Li said, adding that the two sides should strengthen people-to-people exchanges and cooperation on youth and education and continue to enhance mutual understanding and friendship. It is hoped that the European Union will view China's development in an objective and rational way, honor its commitment to support free trade, create a fair and non-discriminatory market environment for China-EU economic and trade cooperation, and promote the steady and healthy development of China-EU relations, he added.”
Xinhua’s report on Li’s meeting with Chinh says:
“China is willing to work with Vietnam to further implement the important consensus reached between the top leaders of the two parties, and promote the building of a China-Vietnam community with a shared future in order to benefit the two peoples and contribute to regional peace, stability and development, Li said. He called on the two countries to make full use of their economic complementarity, facilitate synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative and the Two Corridors and One Economic Circle strategy, expand the scale of trade and investment, strengthen connectivity, and continue to foster new growth points for cooperation on new energy and digital economy. China is willing to deepen people-to-people and cultural exchanges with Vietnam in fields such as tourism, medical education and youth to consolidate public support of the China-Vietnam friendship, the premier said. Chinh said that strengthening long-term friendly cooperation with China is a strategic choice and top priority of Vietnam's foreign policy. The Vietnamese side firmly adheres to the one-China policy, supports China's development, and supports China's accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, Chinh said.”
Next, there’s a report on Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong’s comments at a national video conference for public security agencies.
He said that “it is necessary to thoroughly implement General Secretary Xi Jinping's important expositions on public security work in the new era, implement the spirit of the national public security work conference, firmly support the Two Establishments and resolutely achieve the Two Safeguards. He called on everyone to “actively respond to the expectations and demands of the people, proactively adapt to the current situation and tasks, and earnestly carry out the summer security crackdown and rectification campaign and promote the work of fighting, preventing, controlling and building with higher standards, stricter requirements, more practical measures and greater efforts, so as to fully safeguard the national political security and social stability, and better protect the happiness and peace of the people.” 中共中央书记处书记、公安部部长王小洪24日在全国公安机关视频会议上强调，要深入贯彻习近平总书记关于新时代公安工作的重要论述，落实全国公安工作会议精神，坚定拥护“两个确立”、坚决做到“两个维护”，积极回应人民群众期待要求，主动适应当前形势任务需要，扎实开展夏季治安打击整治行动，以更高标准、更严要求、更实举措、更大力度推进打防管控建各项工作，全力维护国家政治安全和社会大局稳定，更好守护人民幸福和安宁.
He then made five points:
“We must do our utmost to safeguard political security, closely guard against and severely crack down on infiltration, subversion, disruption and sabotage activities by hostile forces at home and abroad.
We must do our utmost to advance the fight against terrorism and maintain the bottom line of having no violent terrorist incidents.
We must do our utmost to ensure thorough investigation and resolution of conflicts and risks to ensure that conflicts do not accumulate and risks do not escalate.
We must do our utmost to combat and manage prominent crimes, such as telecommunications and network fraud and gang-related crimes, and ensure swift investigation and handling of frequently occurring summer cases such as disturbances caused by drinking and fights.
We must do our utmost to maintain public security, do a good job in flood control and drought relief, emergency rescue, safety supervision and other work, and effectively protect the lives and property of the people.”
王小洪要求，要全力捍卫政治安全，严密防范、严厉打击境内外敌对势力渗透颠覆捣乱破坏活动。要全力推进反恐怖斗争，守牢不发生暴恐案事件的底线。要全力排查化解矛盾风险，确保矛盾不积累、风险不上行。要全力打击治理电信网络诈骗、涉黑涉恶等突出违法犯罪，快查快处酒后滋事、打架斗殴等夏季多发性案件。要全力维护公共安全，做好防汛抗旱、抢险救援、安全监管等各项工作，切实保障人民群众生命财产安全.
Also on the page is a report on Ding Xuexiang’s meeting with foreign experts who won the International Science and Technology Cooperation Award for the year 2023.
Finally, there’s a report on the flood situation in the country. It says that the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters has raised the flood emergency response level for Zhejiang, Anhui and Jiangxi provinces to Level 3, and dispatched an additional working group to Zhejiang to assist in guiding flood control and relief work. At 19:00 on June 24, the flood emergency response level for Hunan Province was raised to Level 3.
This is such poor coverage of what looks like a widespread challenge. For instance, check out this NYT report, which talks about flood-related deaths in Guangdong, Fujian, Guangxi and Hunan.