China-Russia Ties 'A Friendship between Gentlemen' (君子之交) - 10 Years of Concept of Community with a Shared Future for Mankind - Li Qiang on Boosting High-end Manufacturing
Here are the key reports and articles that I found noteworthy from the People’s Daily’s edition on Thursday, March 23, 2023.
Page 1: At the top of the page is a report on Xi Jinping sending a condolence message to the leaders of Malawi and Mozambique over the casualties and losses caused by Tropical Cyclone Freddy. Another report informs of Xi Jinping returning to Beijing after his visit to Moscow.
Here’s the farewell exchange between Xi and Putin.
Also on the page is a report with comments from Foreign Minister Qin Gang on Xi’s Russia visit. Qin said that the visit “embodies the awe-inspiring spirit of China's independent foreign policy of peace and its global image as a peace builder.” He said that this was “a major event with far-reaching influence in global geopolitics.” It has injected more stability into the international situation and will help promote the multi-polarisation of the world and the democratisation of international relations.” 此访时机特殊、背景复杂、意涵丰富、成果丰硕，是以习近平同志为核心的党中央着眼国内发展大局和外交战略全局作出的重大决策，体现了中国坚持独立自主和平外交政策的凛然风骨和促进世界和平的宏阔胸怀。国际舆论高度关注，普遍认为习近平主席此次俄罗斯之行是全球地缘政治中影响深远的大事，展现了中国作为“和平建设者”的国际形象，彰显了中国的大国作用和担当，将为错综复杂的国际形势注入更多稳定性，有助于推进世界多极化和国际关系民主化.
Qin’s explanation is structured into three sections. The first one talks about “upholding independence and safeguarding international fairness and justice.”
He says: “the international balance of power is undergoing profound adjustment. The historical trend of peace, development and win-win cooperation is irresistible. At the same time, hegemonism, unilateralism and protectionism are still rampant. The Cold War mentality and blocs politics are on the rise. As major powers and permanent members of the UN Security Council, the development of China-Russia relations bears on global strategic stability and security, as well as the evolution of the global landscape in the future. The more complex the international situation becomes, the more important it is for China and Russia to strengthen communication and coordination.”
He says that both leaders issued signed articles ahead of the visit, underscoring that “China-Russia strategic cooperation was the ‘mainstay’ of maintaining international peace and security.” Xi said “that China pursues an independent foreign policy of peace and has always made its own independent assessments according to the merits of issues. All countries have the right to follow the development path suited to their national conditions. The international community has recognized that no country is superior to others, no model of governance is universal, and no single country should dictate the international order. The common interest of all humankind is in a world that is united and peaceful, rather than divided and volatile. China and Russia should work together to guide and promote global governance in a direction that meets the expectations of the international community and build a community with a shared future for mankind.” 访问之际，习近平主席和普京总统分别发表署名文章，不约而同将中俄战略协作称为维护国际和平与安全的“中流砥柱”，访问期间两国元首又就相关重大问题进行长时间深度战略沟通。习近平主席强调，中国奉行独立自主的和平外交政策，历来根据事情本身的是非曲直独立作出自己的判断。各国都有走符合本国国情的发展道路的权利，世界上不存在高人一等的国家，不存在放之四海而皆准的国家治理模式，不存在由某个国家说了算的国际秩序，一个团结而非分裂、和平而非动荡的世界符合全人类共同利益。中俄应该共同努力，引导和推动全球治理朝着符合国际社会期待的方向前进，推动构建人类命运共同体.
“The two sides agreed that all countries should uphold the universal values of peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy and freedom, pursue dialogue rather than confrontation, inclusiveness rather than exclusivity, live in harmony, cooperate for win-win results and promote world peace and development. The two sides will view and handle China-Russia relations from a broad and long-term perspective, firmly uphold the international system with the United Nations at its core, the international order based on international law and the basic norms governing international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, uphold genuine multilateralism, and promote world multi-polarisation and democratisation of international relations.” 双方一致认为，各国应该弘扬和平、发展、公平、正义、民主、自由的全人类共同价值，对话而不对抗、包容而不排他，和睦相处，合作共赢，促进世界和平发展。双方将以宽广视野、长远眼光看待和把握中俄关系，坚定维护以联合国为核心的国际体系、以国际法为基础的国际秩序、以联合国宪章宗旨和原则为基础的国际关系基本准则，坚持真正的多边主义，推动世界多极化和国际关系民主化。
In the next paragraph, he says that it’s been 10 years since Xi proposed the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind. He says that “this vision has gained resonance and support from a growing number of countries.”
“The principal contradiction in the world today is not at all the so-called ‘democracy vs autocracy’ played up by a handful of countries, but a struggle between development and containment of development, and between global justice and power politics. Faced with rising unilateralism and hegemonism, it is all the more valuable for China and Russia to consolidate and strengthen strategic coordination. China and Russia are committed to promoting a multipolar world and greater democracy in international relations, which meets the demand for upholding international equity and justice, and fits in well with building a community with a shared future for mankind. It represents the right direction of the progress of the times and the development of history, and is beyond the scope of bilateral relations and of global significance.” 当今世界的主要矛盾根本不是个别国家渲染的所谓“民主对抗威权”，而是发展与遏制发展、公理与强权之间的斗争。面对甚嚣尘上的单边主义和霸权主义，中俄巩固和加强战略协作更加弥足珍贵。中俄坚定不移推进世界多极化和国际关系民主化，这是维护国际公平正义的需要，是构建人类命运共同体的应有之义，代表着时代进步和历史发展的正确方向，具有超越双边关系范畴的世界意义.
In the second section, Qin begins by telling us that the choice of Russia as the destination for Xi’s first visit after being re-elected president was a “political decision made after careful consideration.” 时隔10年，习近平主席再次将俄罗斯作为新任期出访首站，这绝非偶然，而是深思熟虑后作出的政治决断。The development of China-Russia ties has “its profound historical logic.” “China and Russia are each other's largest neighbours. Their relations adhere to non-alignment, non-confrontation, and non-targeting of third parties. They adhere to mutual respect and mutual trust, which not only promotes their respective development and revitalisation, but also strives to maintain international fairness and justice. It has set a model for a new type of major-country relationship.” 中俄关系发展到今天，有其深刻的历史逻辑。中俄互为最大邻国，中俄关系坚持不结盟、不对抗、不针对第三方，坚持相互尊重、相互信任，不仅促进各自发展振兴，也努力维护国际公平正义，树立了新型大国关系典范.
He then talks about Xi and Putin being close and supporting each other. He says that “the high level of mutual trust between the two heads of state provides strategic guidance and strong political guarantee for the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination in the new era.” 两国元首之间的高度互信为中俄新时代全面战略协作伙伴关系提供了战略引领和有力政治保障. He also reiterates Xi’s comment about supporting Putin’s reelection next year.
He talks about the joint statements and deals inked; mentions that the Russian side is looking forward to working with the new Chinese government; says that Russia and China “will continue to support each other on issues related to each other’s core interests, and jointly resist attempts by external forces to interfere in internal affairs; and says that Moscow “stated that it opposes any form of ‘Taiwan independence’ and firmly supports China’s measures to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity.” 双方重申在涉及彼此核心利益问题上继续相互支持，共同抵御外部势力干涉内政图谋。俄方表示，反对任何形式的“台独”，坚定支持中方维护本国主权和领土完整的举措. — Comment: The trip and both these points in particular should prompt Delhi to do much more soul-searching about the reliability of Moscow in the years to come.
“Qin Gang said that the development of China-Russia relations enjoys a solid political foundation and strong internal driving force, as well as sobriety and calm after the baptism of time. As President Xi Jinping emphasised, consolidating and developing China-Russia relations is a strategic choice made by China based on its own fundamental interests and the general trend of world development, and it will not be changed or swayed because of a particular moment or event. (Comment: Again something that New Delhi must think of deeply.) History has proved that the key to China-Russia relations withstanding the test of international vicissitudes lies in finding the right way for managing state-to-state relations. The Sino-Russian relationship is a clear and frank friendship between gentlemen/noblemen (君子之交), in stark contrast to closed and exclusive, selfish and narrow-minded group politics. Under the new situation, China and Russia are committed to advancing the comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination, which will not only benefit the two peoples, but also make new contributions to the development and progress of mankind. 秦刚说，中俄关系发展有着坚实的政治基础和强大的内生动力，有着历经岁月洗礼的清醒和从容。正如习近平主席所强调的，把中俄关系巩固好、发展好，是中方基于自身根本利益和世界发展大势作出的战略抉择，不会因一时一事而改变或动摇。历史证明，中俄关系之所以能够经受住国际风云变幻考验，关键在于找到了国与国正确相处之道。中俄关系是光明坦荡的君子之交，与那些封闭排他、自私狭隘的集团政治形成鲜明对比。新形势下，中俄双方致力于推进全面战略协作伙伴关系，不仅将造福两国人民，也将为人类发展进步做出新贡献.
In section 3, Qin talks about the Iran-Saudi deal showing that China was “a fair, just, trustworthy and responsible major country”; he says that the world “expects China to play a greater role in resolving regional hotspot issues.” He says that Xi and Putin had “candid and in-depth exchanges on the Ukrainian crisis.”
“President Xi Jinping pointed out that historically, conflicts have always been resolved through dialogue and negotiation. The more difficult the situation is, the more room should be left for peace; the more acute the conflict, the more we cannot give up efforts for dialogue. As long as all parties uphold a common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security concept, and insist on equal, rational, and pragmatic dialogue and consultation, they will surely be able to find a reasonable solution to the Ukrainian crisis. The Russian side spoke highly of China’s objective, fair and balanced stance, saying that Russia has carefully studied China's position paper and is open to peace talks, and welcomes China to play a constructive role in this regard. After the talks, the two heads of state signed a joint statement, emphasising once again that the purposes and principles of the UN Charter must be observed and international law must be respected. The Russian side reaffirmed its commitment to resuming the peace talks as soon as possible, and welcomed China’s willingness to play a positive role in resolving the Ukrainian crisis through political and diplomatic channels. 此访期间，习近平主席同普京总统就乌克兰危机进行了坦诚、深入的交流。习近平主席指出，历史上看，冲突最后都需要通过对话和谈判解决。越是困难重重，越要为和平留下空间；越是矛盾尖锐，越不能放弃对话努力。只要各方秉持共同、综合、合作、可持续的安全观，坚持平等、理性、务实对话协商，就一定能找到解决乌克兰危机的合理途径。俄方高度评价中方秉持客观、公正和平衡立场，表示俄方认真研究了中方立场文件，对和谈持开放态度，欢迎中方为此发挥建设性作用。两国元首会谈后签署联合声明再次强调，联合国宪章宗旨和原则必须得到遵守，国际法必须得到尊重。俄方重申致力于尽快重启和谈，欢迎中方愿为通过政治外交途径解决乌克兰危机发挥积极作用.
Qin Gang said that China is neither the creator of the Ukrainian crisis nor a party involved in the crisis, but an advocate for a political solution to the crisis and a promoter of peace talks. Out of geopolitical self-interest, certain countries have deliberately obstructed peace talks, and even concocted all kinds of rumours and fallacies to attack and smear China. But justice prevails in the hearts of the people. It is obvious to everyone who is handing over knives and fuelling fires, and who is promoting talks and peace. China's stand is clear and consistent. Between peace and war, choose peace; between dialogue and sanctions, choose dialogue; between cooling down and fighting, choose cooling down. China has no political self-interest, does not engage in geopolitical manipulation, and is sincerely committed to persuading peace, promoting talks, and promoting ceasefire and cessation of war. This embodies China's responsibility as a major country, and is the embodiment of major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics in resolving international hotspot issues in the new era. It is in line with the interests and expectations of the people of most countries in the world, including Russia and Ukraine. 秦刚表示，中国既不是乌克兰危机的制造者，也不是危机的当事方，而是政治解决危机的倡导者、劝和促谈的推动者。个别国家出于地缘政治私利，处心积虑阻挠和谈努力，甚至炮制各种谣言谬论，攻击抹黑中国。但公道自在人心。谁在递刀拱火，谁在劝和促谈，世人有目共睹。中方的主张旗帜鲜明、一以贯之，在和平与战争之间，选择和平；在对话和制裁之间，选择对话；在降温和拱火之间，选择降温。中国没有政治私利，不搞地缘操弄，真心诚意致力于劝和促谈，推动停火止战，体现了中国负责任的大国担当，是新时代中国特色大国外交在解决国际热点问题上的体现，符合包括俄乌在内的世界上大多数国家人民的利益和期待. — Brief Comment: This is as clear as one could be that Beijing’s objective in this effort on Ukraine is not so much to throw its weight behind actions aimed at ending the war, but rather to rhetorically signal to Europe and the developing world that it is interested in peace.
He ends by calling the visit a “historic journey of friendship, cooperation and peace, and another successful practice of Xi Jinping’s diplomatic thought” and praises Xi for demonstrating “extraordinary strategic determination, political wisdom and the courage of the leader of world-class power.” 在国际社会迷茫焦虑的关键当口，主席再次洞察大势、举旗定向、砥柱中流，以中国外交政策的确定性为变乱交织的国际形势注入宝贵的稳定性，展现了世界级大国领袖非凡的战略定力、政治智慧和魄力担当.
There are two articles on the page marking the 10th anniversary of Xi putting forward the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind. Both of these articles run into the inner pages. The first piece is a Xinhua report; the other is a Guo Jiping signed article.
The Xinhua report says that “in the past 10 years, the international situation has changed dramatically, and the influence and appeal of the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind have become increasingly prominent. It has gathered extensive international consensus and injected strong confidence, courage and strength into building a better world together.” 10年来，国际局势风云变幻，人类命运共同体理念的影响力、感召力愈发凸显，为携手建设更加美好的世界凝聚广泛国际共识，注入强大信心、勇气和力量.
After listing key dates, such as:
March 23, 2013, when he first mentioned the concept in Moscow
September 28, 2015, when Xi spoke about this during his UNGA address
January 18, 2017, Xi’s speech about building “a Community of Shared Future for Mankind” at the UN Office in Geneva
It then says that: “Over the past 10 years, the concept of a community of shared future for mankind has been deeply rooted in people's hearts, and has been written into the CPC and PRC constitutions, as well as important documents of multilateral institutions such as the UN and the SCO. It has had a far-reaching impact on the development of China and the world. ‘China has become an important pillar of multilateralism, and the purpose of practising multilateralism is to establish a community of shared future for mankind,’ said UN Secretary-General António Guterres.” 10年来，人类命运共同体理念持续深入人心，先后写入《中国共产党章程》《中华人民共和国宪法》，也陆续写入联合国、上海合作组织等多边机制重要文件，深远影响着中国和世界的发展。“中国已成为多边主义的重要支柱，而我们践行多边主义的目的，就是要建立人类命运共同体。”联合国秘书长古特雷斯表示.
“The concept of a community with a shared future for mankind, focusing on the common interests and common well-being of all mankind, transcends the Western realistic international relations theory of zero-sum games.” 人类命运共同体理念，着眼全人类共同利益和共同福祉，是对你输我赢、零和博弈的西方现实主义国际关系理论的超越.
Then the piece highlights the building of the China-aided African Union Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and then talks about China’s health and pandemic diplomacy.
“Xi Jinping pointed out that the building of a community with a shared future for mankind is not about replacing one system with another, or one civilisation with another, but to form the greatest common denominator for countries with different social systems, ideologies, histories, cultures and levels of development to share interests, rights and responsibilities in international affairs.” 习近平主席深刻指出，推动构建人类命运共同体，不是以一种制度代替另一种制度，不是以一种文明代替另一种文明，而是不同社会制度、不同意识形态、不同历史文化、不同发展水平的国家在国际事务中利益共生、权利共享、责任共担，形成共建美好世界的最大公约数.
“The concept of a community with a shared future for mankind, rooted in more than 5,000 years of Chinese civilisation, has absorbed the ideological essence of the ‘Tianxia view’ and ‘harmony culture’ from Chinese traditional culture.” 人类命运共同体理念，植根于5000多年的中华文明，汲取了中华传统文化中“天下观”与“和文化”的思想精髓.
Following this, the piece emphasises Xi’s comments about peaceful development and then talks about Chinese support following the earthquake in Turkey and Syria. And then we get this:
“Instead of following the old path of a traditional power rising through war, colonisation and plunder, China has taken a new path of state-to-state relations featuring dialogue rather than confrontation and partnership rather than alliance. China is striving to build a new type of international relations featuring mutual respect, fairness, justice and win-win cooperation, and pave the way and create conditions for the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. Promote the construction of a pattern of relations between major powers with peaceful coexistence, overall stability and balanced development; Adhere to the principle of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness and the foreign policy of building friendship and partnership with neighbouring countries; strengthen solidarity and cooperation with developing countries by upholding the concept of truthfulness and sincerity and the correct concept of righteousness and benefit…China has established diplomatic relations with 181 countries and different forms of partnerships with more than 110 countries and international organisations, and has continuously promoted and improved the global partnership network characterised by equality, openness and cooperation. Those who are like-minded are partners, and so are those who seek common ground while shelving differences. With such a philosophy, China has made friends all over the world.” 不走传统大国通过战争、殖民、掠夺等方式崛起的老路，中国走出了一条“对话而不对抗、结伴而不结盟”的国与国交往新路，推动构建相互尊重、公平正义、合作共赢的新型国际关系，为构建人类命运共同体开辟道路、创造条件。推动构建和平共处、总体稳定、均衡发展的大国关系格局；坚持亲诚惠容理念和与邻为善、以邻为伴周边外交方针深化同周边国家关系；秉持真实亲诚理念和正确义利观加强同发展中国家团结合作……中国已同181个国家建立外交关系，同110多个国家和国际组织建立不同形式的伙伴关系，不断推进和完善以平等、开放、合作为特征的全球伙伴关系网络. 志同道合是伙伴，求同存异也是伙伴。秉持这样的理念，中国广交天下朋友.
After this, the piece discusses Xi’s more than 40 foreign visits over 10 years; it talks about BRI investments bringing benefits to people in partner countries (mentioned are: China-Laos Railway, tap water projects in Sri Lanka, subway building in Pakistan, and connectivity and electricity projects in Cambodia); after this, the piece talks about trade and dialogue between civilisations.
The final section of the article talks about China’s global diplomacy. It talks about pushing back against hegemonism and unilateralism, the promotion of GDI, GSI and GCI, and argues that China has been a “voice of peace and cooperation, demonstrating rationality, confidence, and responsibility as a major country.” On GSI, the piece says that “more than 80 countries and regional organisations have expressed their appreciation and support,” and it cites the Iran-Saudi deal as an example of outcomes.
The Guo Jiping piece follows a similar line of argument. The first section says that the concept has gained much global appeal. The second section talks about China’s practical actions under this framework:
The launch of GDI. It says that China has “integrated and upgraded the South-South cooperation assistance fund into a "Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund’, set up a Global Development Promotion Center, and jointly launched a Global Youth Development Action Plan... President Xi Jinping presided over a high-level dialogue on global development, which announced 32 important measures for China to implement GDI, demonstrating its sincerity in working with the world for common development; At the ministerial meeting of the Group of Friends of GDI, China released the first list of projects in the Global Development Initiative Project Library, including 50 practical cooperation projects and 1,000 capacity-building projects in key areas of the initiative. At present, more than 100 countries and international organisations have supported the initiative, and nearly 70 countries have joined the Group of Friends of the Global Development Initiative. 把南南合作援助基金整合升级为“全球发展和南南合作基金”，成立全球发展促进中心，共同发起全球青年发展行动计划……习近平主席主持全球发展高层对话会，宣布中方落实全球发展倡议的32项重要举措，彰显携手世界共谋发展的诚意；“全球发展倡议之友小组”部长级会议上，中方发布全球发展倡议项目库首批项目清单，包括50个务实合作项目和1000个倡议重点领域能力建设项目。目前已有100多个国家和多个国际组织支持倡议，近70个国家加入“全球发展倡议之友小组”.
The implementation of BRI. In this regard, the article says: “In the past 10 years, the initiative has driven nearly one trillion US dollars in investment, formed more than 3,000 cooperation projects, created 420,000 jobs for countries along the route, and lifted nearly 40 million people out of poverty.” 10年里，倡议拉动近万亿美元投资规模，形成3000多个合作项目，为沿线国家创造42万个工作岗位，让将近4000万人摆脱贫困.
The launch of GSI. “The Global Security Initiative Concept Paper clearly defines 20 key cooperation directions and 5 cooperation platforms and mechanisms for the initiative, providing more systematic thinking and more feasible measures to solve global security problems.” 《全球安全倡议概念文件》明确倡议的20个重点合作方向以及5个合作平台和机制，为解决全球安全难题提供更系统的思路、更可行的举措. It adds that from the Israel-Palestine issue, Afghanistan, the Ukraine issue, to the Saudi-Iran talks, “China has always decided its position and policies on international and regional hotspot issues based on the merits of the matter itself, adhering to the basic principles of objectivity and justice, and adding more certainty to eliminating the root causes of international conflicts and improving global security governance.” 从提出解决巴勒斯坦问题的四点主张、实现中东和平稳定的五点倡议，到推动成立阿富汗邻国协调合作机制、为政治解决乌克兰危机发挥建设性作用、促成沙特和伊朗同意恢复外交关系，在国际和地区热点问题上，中国始终根据事情本身的是非曲直决定立场和政策，秉持客观公正的基本原则，为消弭国际冲突根源、完善全球安全治理增添更多确定性.
GCI - there’s nothing new on this in the article.
China has actively participated in global environmental and climate governance and strengthened biodiversity protection.
The piece also talks about how the concept derives from Chinese culture and how Chinese-style modernisation opens up opportunities for developing countries. It reiterates that “Chinese-style modernization has broken the myth of ‘modernization equals Westernization’ and presented another picture of modernization.”
The final section says that the concept embodies major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics. In this, the point is to portray China as a defender of the international order and an actor that pursues genuine multilateralism.
The final piece on the page is on Premier Li Qiang’s comments on manufacturing during a visit to Hunan (English report). Li talked about the need to “vigorously develop advanced manufacturing, promote high-end manufacturing, and accelerate the construction of a modern industrial system.”
The report says that in Zhuzhou, visiting the CRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive Co., Ltd, Zhuzhou Hard Alloy Group Co. Ltd, Hunan Shanhe Technology and other enterprises, “Li Qiang was very happy to learn that the product technology of some enterprises has reached the international advanced level. He said that promoting the development of advanced manufacturing depends on innovation and talents. Enterprises should vigorously cultivate, attract and make good use of outstanding scientific and technological talents, speed up breakthroughs in key core technologies and major technologies and equipment, and create more products and technologies with discourse power/a voice/right to speak. The value and vitality of technological innovation lies in its application. It is necessary to promote greater synergies between industry, academia, research and application, and promote the improvement of product standards and quality, strengthen product appearance and design, and lead and expand market demand with product innovation.” 在株洲，李强考察了中车株洲电力机车、株洲硬质合金、湖南山河科技等企业，深入企业的车间和实验室，详细询问生产、研发和市场情况。得知一些企业的产品技术达到国际先进水平，李强非常高兴。他说，推动先进制造业发展，根本靠创新、靠人才。企业要大力培养、吸引和用好优秀科技人才，加快关键核心技术和重大技术装备攻关，打造更多有话语权的产品和技术。科技创新的价值和生命力在应用，要促进产学研用深度融合，推动产品标准和质量提升，加强产品外观设计，以产品创新引领和拓展市场需求.
In Changsha, Li visited BYD, China Railway Construction Heavy Industry Corp Ltd, and Lens Technology Co., Ltd, among other enterprises. There, he emphasised that “enterprises are the main body of innovation, and efforts should be made to cultivate world-leading enterprises and enterprises that use special and sophisticated technologies to produce novel and unique products.” He talked about the need to “help enterprises solve difficulties in a practical manner, actively create a strong atmosphere of respecting entrepreneurs and encouraging entrepreneurial innovation and creation, vigorously carry forward outstanding entrepreneurial spirit, and constantly enhance new driving forces for the development of enterprises. 在长沙，李强考察了长沙比亚迪汽车、中国铁建重工、蓝思科技等企业，与企业负责人深入交流。他指出，企业是科技创新的主体，要培育世界一流的先进制造业龙头企业和专精特新企业，实打实帮助企业解决困难，积极营造尊重企业家、鼓励创业创新创造的浓厚氛围，大力弘扬优秀企业家精神，不断增强企业发展新动能.
Li then attended a symposium on the development of the advanced manufacturing industry. “The heads of eight enterprises from all over the country talked about the situation and offered suggestions. Li said that the real economy, especially the manufacturing sector, is the very foundation of China's economy. As the domestic and external environments are undergoing profound and complex changes, the country’s manufacturing sector is also at a critical juncture. Our determination to adhere to the manufacturing industry is unwavering, and we must intensify efforts to strengthen the manufacturing industry. It is necessary to closely focus on the high-end, intelligent and green development of manufacturing industry, strengthen overall strategic planning, promote high-level scientific and technological self-reliance, promote the transformation and upgrading of traditional manufacturing industry and the cultivation and development of strategic emerging industries, persist in optimising the layout and cluster development, and accelerate the transformation from made in China to created in China, from Chinese speed to Chinese quality, and from Chinese products to Chinese brands. A market-oriented, law-based and internationalized business environment should be created, and policy orientation to support the advanced manufacturing industry should be strengthened.” 在先进制造业发展座谈会上，来自全国各地的8家企业负责人谈了情况和建议。李强指出，实体经济特别是制造业是我国经济的根基所在，随着国内外形势发生复杂深刻变化，我国制造业发展面临一个重要关口，我们坚守制造业的决心不能动摇，做强制造业的力度必须加大。要紧紧围绕制造业高端化、智能化、绿色化发展，加强战略统筹谋划，推进高水平科技自立自强，推动传统制造业改造升级和战略性新兴产业培育发展，坚持优化布局、集群发展，加快中国制造向中国创造转变、中国速度向中国质量转变、中国产品向中国品牌转变。要营造市场化、法治化、国际化营商环境，强化支持先进制造业的政策导向，引导更多资源要素向先进制造业流动，形成有利于先进制造业发展的良好生态.
Page 2: A picture report on the first flight landing this year at the new Tashkurgan Khunjerab Airport, which was opened in December 2022.
Also on the page is a report informing that China’s National Energy Administration has released an Action Plan to accelerate the integration of oil and natural gas development with renewable energy from 2023 to 2025. The report says by 2025,
The goal is to increase crude oil production by more than 2 million tons through the use of low-cost green electric support for oxygen-reduced air flooding, carbon dioxide flooding and electric heating assistance for thermal recovery of heavy oil.
China will accelerate the development and utilisation of geothermal, wind and solar energy resources, actively promote an environmentally friendly, energy-saving, emission-reduction and multi-energy oil and gas production system, and strive to build ‘low-carbon’ and ‘zero-carbon’ oil and gas fields.
到2025年，通过低成本绿电支撑减氧空气驱、二氧化碳驱、稠油热采电加热辅助等三次采油方式累计增产原油200万吨以上；加快开发利用地热、风能和太阳能资源，积极推进环境友好、节能减排、多能融合的油气生产体系，努力打造“低碳”“零碳”油气田.
The report adds that the “action plan proposes to adhere to ecological priorities, local conditions, diversified and integrated development, initially based on local and nearby consumption, vigorously promote wind power and solar power generation in onshore oil and gas mining areas and surrounding areas, coordinate and promote offshore wind power and oil and gas exploration and development, accelerate the enhancement of new energy development and utilisation and storage capacity in the upstream of oil and gas, and actively promote the demonstration construction of green oil and gas fields. Energy authorities at all levels should increase their support for solar, wind, hydrogen, geothermal and other new energy projects as clean alternatives to oil and gas exploration and development, and prioritise the inclusion of energy development planning at all levels.” 《行动方案》提出，要坚持生态优先、因地制宜、多元融合发展，初期立足于就地就近消纳为主，大力推进陆上油气矿区及周边地区风电和光伏发电，统筹推进海上风电与油气勘探开发，加快提升油气上游新能源开发利用和存储能力，积极推进绿色油气田示范建设。各级能源主管部门要加大支持力度，对于作为油气勘探开发用能清洁替代的太阳能、风能、氢能、地热等新能源项目，优先列入各级能源发展规划.
Page 3: A brief report on a China-Russia media roundtable being held in Moscow. As per this report, everyone agreed that Chinese-style modernisation is awesome and provides a new model for other countries.
Page 17: On the international page, there’s a report (English report) on the opening of a new China-Pacific Island Countries Juncao Technology Demonstration Center in Fiji.
Other Stories:
Some useful exchanges from the MoFA press briefing:
Reuters: Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said today that four new military bases under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) with the United States would be located in various parts of the Philippines, including in a province facing the South China Sea. President Marcos also said today that the external security environment is becoming more complex and more unpredictable. So I have two questions. Can we expect that Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong will alleviate Philippines’ concerns on its territorial security during his visit to the country? Second, does China believe that Philippines’ actions aimed at alleviating its security concerns pose a security threat to China?
Wang Wenbin: We have shared information on Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong’s bilateral consultation with the Philippines. Let me say it again that this will be the first face-to-face bilateral consultation between the foreign ministries since COVID-19 began. The two sides will compare notes on implementing our presidents’ important common understandings reached during President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s January visit to China and on advancing cooperation in priority areas. The two sides will also have in-depth communication on properly handling maritime disputes and advancing practical maritime cooperation, and exchange views on international and regional issues of shared interest. China and the Philippines are close neighbors. We hope and believe that this round of consultation will help enhance mutual understanding and trust and bring about closer communication and coordination between the two sides, and galvanize joint efforts for the sound and steady growth of bilateral ties.
On your second question, it is China’s consistent belief that defense and security cooperation between countries needs to be conducive to regional peace and stability and not targeted at or harmful to the interests of any third party. The US side, out of selfish interests, remains trapped in a zero-sum mentality and keeps increasing military deployment in the Asia-Pacific. This would escalate tensions and endanger peace and stability in the region. Regional countries need to remain vigilant and avoid being coerced or used by the US.
Yonhap News Agency: According to the proposed “guardrails” for the CHIPS Act issued by the US Commerce Department on March 21, recipient companies will have to return the entire funding reward if they engage in significant transactions involving the material expansion of semiconductor manufacturing capacity in some foreign countries including China for 10 years. What’s China’s comment?
Wang Wenbin: I would refer you to competent authorities for the specific questions. Let me reiterate China’s principled position on this issue. The “guardrails” proposed by the US are sci-tech blockade measures and protectionist in nature. In its pursuit of primacy, the US has overstretched the concept of national security, abused export control measures, and even coerced some of its allies to block and contain China and attempt to fragment the industrial chains at the latter’s expense. This gravely violates the law of the market economy and the principle of fair competition and impedes world economic recovery and development. We firmly reject this and have made serious démarches to the US side on multiple occasions. China will continue to firmly defend the legitimate and lawful rights and interests of Chinese companies.
Containment and suppression cannot hold back China’s development. Instead, it will only strengthen China’s resolve and capability to seek self-reliance and technological innovation. To preserve one’s own hegemony at the expense of normal international economic and sci-tech cooperation will only backfire. We hope all parties will proceed from their own long-term interests and in the interest of a fair and equitable marketplace, abide by international economic and trade rules, work with China to jointly safeguard the stability of global industrial and supply chains and defend the shared interests of all parties.
Bloomberg: Ghana’s finance minister will arrive in Beijing, I guess, today for talks on debt restructuring. Ghana owes China $1.9 billion. Does the foreign ministry have any details about this visit?
Wang Wenbin: According to our knowledge, Ghana’s Finance Minister will visit China soon and meet with officials of competent departments of China on bilateral cooperation in relevant areas.
Ghana is China’s important cooperation partner in Africa. In recent years, practical cooperation between the two countries has yielded fruitful outcomes and brought tangible benefits to both sides. China attaches great importance to resolving Ghana’s debt issues and understands the difficulties facing Ghana at the moment. We would like to enhance communication with Ghana to work out a proper settlement through consultation. We would like to stress that official bilateral loans related to China only account for less than five percent of Ghana’s external debt. Properly resolving the issues concerning Ghana’s debt requires the joint efforts of Ghana and all international partners. China always believes that multilateral financial institutions and commercial lenders, who are the main creditors for developing countries, need to participate in developing countries’ debt relief efforts.
Later when asked about the remarks of outgoing WB Chief David Malpass, Wang said:
“The truth is, the Western-dominated commercial creditors and multilateral financial institutions account for the lion’s share of developing countries’ debt and represent the major source of stress in terms of debt repayment. Data from the World Bank shows that multilateral financial institutions and commercial creditors hold more than 80% of the sovereign debt of 121 developing countries. According to a report by UK-based charity Debt Justice, African governments owe three times more debt to Western private lenders than to China, and are charged double the interest. Western creditors claim they need to maintain their credit rating and have thus refused to be part of the debt relief and service suspension effort. Since last year, the US has resorted to unprecedented massive interest rate hikes. The world has witnessed tightening of financial conditions. This has made the severe debt problems of certain countries even worse. We call on all parties, especially Western commercial creditors and multilateral financial institutions, to help ease the debt burden of developing countries and foster growth drivers guided by the principle of joint actions and fair burden-sharing.”