China-Sri Lanka Joint Statement - Huán Yǔ Píng Commentary: Economic Globalisation 'Is Not Subject to Any Person's Will' - Subsidies for New Smartphones, Tablets & Smartwatches
Page 1: Although it’s not in the paper today, it is now confirmed that Chinese Vice President Han Zheng will be attending Donald Trump’s inauguration in DC. China’s Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson said that “China follows the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation in viewing and growing its relationship with the United States…We stand ready to work with the new U.S. government to enhance dialogue and communication, properly manage differences, expand mutually beneficial cooperation, jointly pursue a stable, healthy and sustainable China-U.S. relationship and find the right way for the two countries to get along with each other.”
One of the lead reports in the paper is about the publication of a new book of Xi’s thoughts on Party building. The book, which is 121,000-character-long, “systematically explains the core essence, spiritual substance, rich connotations, and practical requirements of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important thoughts on Party building. It profoundly elucidates the fundamental principles, scientific layout, value pursuits, and key tasks of Party building, comprehensively reflecting the original contributions of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era in the field of Party building.” The report adds that the book is “highly political, ideological, systematic, and instructive, making it an authoritative auxiliary reading for Party members and cadres to deeply study and understand General Secretary Xi Jinping's important thoughts on Party building.” 《概论》由绪论、主体、结语组成，共12.1万字。全书系统阐释习近平总书记关于党的建设的重要思想的核心要义、精神实质、丰富内涵、实践要求，深刻阐明党的建设的根本原则、科学布局、价值追求、重点任务，全面反映习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想在党建领域的原创性贡献。《概论》内容丰富、观点鲜明，论述深刻、逻辑严密，政治性、思想性、系统性、指导性强，是广大党员、干部深入学习领会习近平总书记关于党的建设的重要思想的权威辅助读物。
Another report (English report) informs of Xi and Prince Albert II of Monaco exchanging congratulatory messages to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of China-Monaco diplomatic ties.
Premier Li Qiang met with visiting Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Thursday. Xinhua reports:
“During the meeting, Li emphasized the enduring friendship between China and Sri Lanka, which has lasted for over a thousand years. China is willing to work with Sri Lanka to implement the strategic consensus reached by the two heads of state, continue the traditional friendship, deepen political mutual trust, expand practical cooperation, and jointly build a community with a shared future, Li said. ‘Over the past 68 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the relationship between the two countries has withstood the test of international changes and has maintained a steady and healthy pace of development,’ Li added. He said that China is ready to strengthen the docking of development strategies with Sri Lanka, jointly work for the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative, promote cooperation projects such as the Colombo Port City and Hambantota Port, expand cooperation in green development, the digital economy, agriculture and maritime sectors, and continue to enhance economic and trade exchanges to achieve more fruitful results. China is willing to import more high-quality products from Sri Lanka, and encourages capable Chinese enterprises to invest in Sri Lanka, Li said, adding that China hopes Sri Lanka will continue to optimize its business environment and provide more convenience and security for Chinese enterprises. The two sides should continue to deepen exchanges in culture, tourism, youth, sports, media, and other areas, he added. China is willing to work with Sri Lanka and other Asian countries to practice true multilateralism and safeguard common interests, Li said.”
The joint statement issued by the two sides following this visit is available on Page 3, and in English. Key excerpts:
Both sides reaffirmed mutual support on issues involving each other’s core interests and major concerns. Both sides reaffirm the authority of the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 and Sri Lanka reaffirmed its strong commitment to the one-China principle, recognizing that the Government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory. Sri Lanka firmly supports all efforts by the Chinese government to achieve national reunification, and opposes ‘Taiwan independence’ in any form. Sri Lanka reiterated that it will never allow its territory to be used for any anti-China, separatist activities and will firmly support China on issues related to Xizang and Xinjiang. China reiterated that it will continue to firmly support Sri Lanka in safeguarding national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and will respect and support Sri Lanka in independently choosing a development path suited to its national conditions. The Chinese side reiterated its commitment to an independent foreign policy of peace. Sri Lanka reiterated its commitment to an independent non-aligned foreign policy.”
Under the guidance and encouragement of leaders of both countries, China and Sri Lanka have produced fruitful outcomes in Belt and Road cooperation. Sri Lanka appreciates the important role of Belt and Road cooperation in its economic and social development and the livelihood of its people. The two sides agreed to advance all major signature projects including the Colombo Port City and Hambantota Port integrated development, fully utilize such platforms as the Silk Road Workshop and carry out more livelihood programs in Sri Lanka in accordance with the principles of planning together, building together and benefiting together, open, green and clean cooperation, and high-standard, people-centered and sustainable development and following the eight major steps announced by President Xi Jinping for supporting high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. The two sides were pleased to sign a Belt and Road cooperation plan to upgrade China-Sri Lanka high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and jointly open up new space for win-win development of higher standard, stronger resilience and greater sustainability.
Sri Lanka expressed its high appreciation for the valuable support it has received from China in times of financial difficulties, including the vital assistance in restructuring China-related debts, which was a robust support for Sri Lanka in effectively dealing with the debt issue. Sri Lanka expressed its desire for the early implementation of the agreed debt restructuring plan together with Chinese financial institutions. China will continue to play a positive role in the International Monetary Fund and maintain friendly communication with other creditors to help Sri Lanka ease its financial difficulties and achieve debt sustainability. The Central Bank of Sri Lanka and the People's Bank of China have renewed their currency swap agreement and will continue to carry out financial cooperation.
The two sides agreed to work toward the early conclusion of a comprehensive free trade agreement in one package in line with the principles of equality, mutual benefit and win-win outcomes…The two sides agreed to expand cooperation in such fields as logistics, green development, and digital economy to propel their high-quality and mutually beneficial practical cooperation.
China conveyed its readiness to carry out training and demonstration programs with Sri Lanka in areas including bio-technologies for tropical crops, plant breeding and cultivation, and aquaculture to help Sri Lanka enhance its capacity for sustainable agricultural development; and welcome Sri Lanka to further expand its export of distinctive products to China, including tea, fruits, cinnamon, and aquatic products. The two sides shared the readiness to expand exchanges and cooperation with a sharper focus on poverty reduction and rural revitalization. China expressed its readiness to help Sri Lanka strengthen the capacity of personnel in related fields.
China expressed its readiness to enhance cooperation with Sri Lanka in such fields as disaster prevention and mitigation and emergency rescue, share its technologies and provide training in improving Sri Lanka’s emergency management capabilities. China welcomes Sri Lanka’s participation in the relevant activities of the Belt and Road International Green Development Coalition and other platforms as part of the joint effort to realize the U.N. 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
The two sides share the desire to continue maritime cooperation on the basis of equality, mutual trust, openness and mutual benefit, and hold regular bilateral consultations on maritime affairs. The two sides are ready to deepen cooperation in such fields as conservation and restoration of the marine environment and ecosystems, maritime domain awareness, maritime rescue and disaster relief, and maritime personnel training and capacity building, and pool their strength to build a maritime community with a shared future. The two sides agreed to sign Memorandum of Understanding on Ocean Cooperation toward Blue Partnership.
China welcomes and encourages more committed students from Sri Lanka to pursue further studies in China, and is ready to continue to support them with government scholarships. China will work with Sri Lanka to implement the Luban Workshop to good effect and nurture more professionals through vocational and technical training for Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka appreciates China's assistance in education, and will work for the success of the digital classroom project together with China. The two sides are ready to promote Chinese language education in Sri Lanka and continue to work through the China Culture Center in Sri Lanka to promote cultural exchanges and cooperation between the two countries. The two sides will continue to work in and develop the China-Sri Lanka Joint Center for Education and Research under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and strengthen scientific and technological exchanges and cooperation and education in the universities and research institutes of the two countries.
The two sides recognize judicial, law enforcement and security cooperation as an important component of bilateral cooperation, and stand ready to jointly crack down on cross-border crimes such as telecom fraud and online gambling. China is ready to do its best to support capacity building in Sri Lanka's judicial, law enforcement and security areas and provide assistance of police supplies.
Sri Lanka reaffirmed its commitment to supporting and actively participating in the development of a community with a shared future for mankind, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping.
Back to the front page, there’s an article discussing macroeconomic policies. It says that:
“In 2025, additional ultra-long-term special treasury bonds will be issued, with funds optimised for allocation to ‘two major’ projects. More funds will be arranged, and more consumer goods will be included in the support list under the ‘two new’ policies. At the same time, the fiscal deficit ratio will be increased, local government special bonds will be issued in greater quantities, and the scope of their application and use as project capital will be expanded.” 2025年，将增发超长期特别国债，优化用于“两重”项目的资金投向，并安排更多资金、把更多消费品纳入“两新”政策支持清单。同时，还将提高财政赤字率，增发地方政府专项债券并扩大投向领域和用作项目资本金的范围.
The article says that “a moderately loose monetary policy will be implemented” in 2025. For the private sector, this is what’s on offer:
“Promote the introduction of the Private Economy Promotion Law; advance the fair opening of competitive infrastructure sectors to business entities; make good use of policies such as newly-issued local government special bonds to accelerate the repayment of arrears to enterprises; and focus on rectifying arbitrary charges, fines, inspections, and seizures…this year, efforts will further target key issues and implement precise measures to create a safe and stable development environment for all types of business entities, helping more enterprises weather the winter, welcome the spring, and grow robustly.” 推动出台民营经济促进法；推进基础设施竞争性领域向经营主体公平开放；用好新增地方政府专项债等政策，加快偿还拖欠企业账款；集中整治乱收费、乱罚款、乱检查、乱查封……今年，将进一步聚焦疑难、靶向施策，为各类经营主体营造安全稳定的发展环境，助力更多企业越冬迎春、拔节向上.
On real estate, the piece says:
“This year, on the demand side, we will vigorously implement urban renewal policies, intensify the renovation of urban villages and dilapidated houses, implement the policies and measures that have been issued, and effectively reduce the cost of buying houses; on the supply side, we will use local government bonds to support the revitalisation of idle stock land and the acquisition of stock commercial housing, promote the construction of a new model of real estate development, and resolutely win the battle to ensure the delivery of houses.” 今年，在需求侧，将大力实施城市更新，加力实施城中村和危旧房改造，落实好已出台政策举措，切实降低购房成本；在供给端，将用地方政府债券支持盘活闲置存量土地、收购存量商品房，推动构建房地产发展新模式，坚决打赢保交房攻坚战.
Page 3: On the eve of Donald Trump taking over as US President, with the threat of tariffs and deeper global fissures, there’s a long article in the bylined Huán Yǔ Píng, making a pitch for economic globalisation.
My Brief View: I found this to be a very interesting read. It makes a strong data-driven — and ideological — argument about the resilience of global trade. Beijing, of course, must also walk the talk on issues related to trade, subsidies and surpluses. That said, going back to a world in which fences for capital and labour are higher is self-defeating for everyone. Likewise, while one understands that there is securitisation around certain select emerging technologies, new clubs that result in broad-based denial regimes will indeed set a bulk of the world back by a couple of generations. Politicians and bureaucracies need to guard against mission creep in this era of securitisation. This is not simply about China; this is about the broader developing world. Obviously, the consequences of development failures in the developing world will also be felt by the developed world.
Anyway, the first section of the article says:
Economic globalisation has not stagnated, let alone reversed; it continues to develop against headwinds. Trade is an important indicator of the state of economic globalisation. According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development’s Global Trade Update, global trade volume is projected to reach a historic high of $33 trillion in 2024, a year-on-year increase of 3.3%. Global trade has demonstrated strong resilience, particularly with the increasing dynamism of digital trade and service trade. Despite the spread of unilateralism and protectionism, and the enthusiasm of certain countries for pursuing ‘decoupling and breaking chains’ or building ‘small yards with high fences,’ the global picture shows that enterprises in various countries continue to coexist and thrive within global supply chains, industrial chains, and value chains. According to the World Openness Report 2024, global value chains have maintained an overall expansion trend in recent years, with digitalization, the green economy, and the service sector driving the process of global openness.
Humanity still lives in a world shaped by economic globalisation. Global logistics giant DHL and New York University calculated a composite index reflecting the globalisation process based on data on trade, capital, information, and personnel flows. Examining changes since 2001, the index has remained at its highest level of around 25% in recent years. John Pearson, CEO of DHL Express, stated: ‘This latest finding clearly refutes the notion that globalisation is reversing. Globalisation has profoundly reshaped our world and still holds enormous potential for further development’.
经济全球化并未陷入停滞，更没有被逆转，而是在逆风之中继续发展。贸易是衡量经济全球化运行状况的重要指标。联合国贸易和发展会议发布的《全球贸易最新动态》显示，2024年全球贸易额预计达到33万亿美元的历史新高，同比增长3.3%。全球贸易展现强劲韧性，尤其是数字贸易、服务贸易等日趋活跃。尽管单边主义、保护主义蔓延，个别国家热衷于搞“脱钩断链”“小院高墙”，但从世界整体格局看，各国企业依旧在遍布全球的供应链、产业链、价值链中共生共荣。根据《世界开放报告2024》，近年来全球价值链保持总体扩张趋势，数字化、绿色经济、服务业正在推动全球开放进程。人类依旧生活在经济全球化塑造的世界之中。全球物流巨头敦豪集团和美国纽约大学以贸易、资本、信息和人员流动数据为基础，计算了反映全球化进程的综合指数。从2001年以来的变化看，该指数近年来维持25%左右的最高水平。敦豪快递负责人约翰·皮尔逊表示：“这一最新发现明确反驳了全球化正在逆转的观点。全球化深刻重塑了我们的世界，仍然蕴含进一步发展的巨大潜力。”
From the perspective of policy orientation, the so-called ‘shock theory’ and ‘stagnation theory’ of economic globalisation are also untenable. The high-quality implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership agreement is bringing huge development dividends to regional countries. The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership has not declined due to the withdrawal of some countries, but rather has attracted more countries to join. African countries have accelerated the pace of free trade zone construction. The African Continental Free Trade Agreement was implemented between South Africa, Ghana, Kenya and other countries last year. In 2024, the negotiations on the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0 will be substantially completed; China and Peru will sign a protocol to upgrade the free trade agreement; and the China-Singapore Free Trade Agreement will be upgraded again. The 31st APEC Leaders’ Informal Meeting reached important consensus on supporting the multilateral trading system and promoting regional economic integration in the Asia-Pacific region. Looking at the world, the political consensus and policy measures to promote open development are increasing. 从政策取向看，所谓经济全球化“休克论”“停滞论”同样不成立。《区域全面经济伙伴关系协定》高质量实施正在给地区国家带来巨大发展红利，《全面与进步跨太平洋伙伴关系协定》不但没有因个别国家退出而式微，反而吸引更多国家加入。非洲各国加快自贸区建设步伐，《非洲大陆自由贸易协定》去年在南非、加纳和肯尼亚等多个国家实施。2024年，中国—东盟自由贸易区3.0版谈判实质性完成，中国与秘鲁签署自贸协定升级议定书，中国—新加坡自贸协定再升级。亚太经合组织第三十一次领导人非正式会议就支持多边贸易体制、推进亚太区域经济一体化等形成重要成果共识。放眼全球，推动开放发展的政治共识与政策举措不断增多.
The role of the ‘Global South’ in promoting the construction of an open world economic system is also expanding. According to the World Openness Report 2024, from 2008 to 2023, the openness index of developed economies fell by 7.7%, while that of emerging markets and developing economies rose by 5.0%. In 2023, the openness index of BRICS countries increased by 0.5% year-on-year, and increased by 8.0% compared with 2008. The latest World Investment Report released by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development shows that in 2023, developing economies accounted for 65% of global foreign direct investment flows. The Global South is increasingly becoming an important force in promoting economic globalization. “全球南方”推动建设开放型世界经济体系的作用不断上升。根据《世界开放报告2024》，2008年至2023年，发达经济体开放指数下降7.7%，新兴市场和发展中经济体开放指数上升5.0%。2023年，金砖国家开放指数同比提高0.5%，比2008年提高8.0%。联合国贸易和发展会议发布的最新《世界投资报告》显示，2023年全球外商直接投资流量中，发展中经济体占比65%。全球南方国家日益成为推动经济全球化发展的重要力量.
The second section discusses the headwinds to economic globalisation.
Historically, the two World Wars plunged the global economy into chaos, cut off cross-border trade routes, and led to the collapse of international cooperation mechanisms. The nearly half-century-long Cold War confrontation divided the world into two distinct blocs, obstructing economic exchanges and impeding resource flows. However, from the perspective of the long arc of history, none of these disruptions prevented the world from returning to the path of economic globalisation. Fundamentally speaking, economic globalisation is an objective requirement of the development of social productive forces, and is an inevitable result of scientific and technological progress; it is not subject to any person’s will. 江河九曲，终将入海。历史上，两次世界大战让全球经济陷入混乱，跨国贸易路线被切断，国际合作机制崩塌。长达近半个世纪的冷战对抗，让世界分裂为壁垒分明的两个阵营，经济交流受阻，资源流通不畅。然而，从历史的长周期看，这些都没有阻止世界重回经济全球化的轨道。究其根本，经济全球化是社会生产力发展的客观要求，是科技进步的必然结果，不以任何人的意志为转移.
The current headwinds facing economic globalisation are the product of domestic political shifts in a few countries, and do not mean that the fundamental logic of economic globalization promoting global welfare has changed. Data from the World Trade Organization show that from 1996 to 2021, the higher the proportion of trade in GDP, the faster the economic growth of low- and middle-income economies. This fully demonstrates that openness is the only way for a country to prosper and develop. 当前的经济全球化逆风是少数国家国内政治转向的产物，并不意味着经济全球化促进全球福祉这个根本逻辑发生了改变。世界贸易组织的数据显示，1996年至2021年，贸易在国内生产总值中的占比越高，中低收入经济体的经济增长就越快。这充分表明，开放是一个国家繁荣发展的必由之路.
Although there exists a tug-of-war between the forces driving economic globalization and those resisting it, the driving forces still outweigh the resistance. The current acceleration of global economic digitalization, green development, and intelligent transformation is building strong momentum for the re-acceleration of economic globalization. The rapid development of global e-commerce and the rise of overseas warehouses are just glimpses of the digital trade wave. According to WTO statistics, global digitally delivered services exports reached $4.25 trillion in 2023, a 9% year-on-year increase, accounting for 54.2% of global service exports, setting a new historical high. Green and sustainable development has become a global consensus, with the ‘green content’ of the world economy continuously increasing and new opportunities for open cooperation emerging. Data shows that in 2023, global newly-installed renewable energy capacity increased by 50% year-on-year, and green bond sales grew by over 10%. China’s advancements in the new energy vehicle industry and autonomous driving technology are fostering a new wave of deep collaboration in the global automotive industry. As Mark Leonard, Director of the European Council on Foreign Relations, points out, due to accelerating changes in energy and technology, the world is experiencing ‘re-globalization’ rather than ‘de-globalisation’. 经济全球化虽然动力和阻力胶着，但动力仍然胜过阻力。当前世界经济数字化、绿色化、智能化进程不断加快，为经济全球化再度加速蓄积了强劲动能。全球电子商务快速发展，海外仓建设方兴未艾，是数字贸易大潮的一个缩影。据世界贸易组织统计，2023年全球数字化交付服务出口额4.25万亿美元，同比增长9%，占全球服务出口的54.2%，规模再创历史新高。绿色可持续发展成为全球共识，世界经济“含绿量”不断提升，开放合作机遇不断涌现。数据显示，2023年，全球可再生能源新增装机容量同比增长50%，绿色债券销售额增长超过10%。中国新能源汽车产业的发展和自动驾驶技术的进步，正在促进全球汽车产业的新一轮深度合作。正如欧洲对外关系委员会主任马克·伦纳德所指出的，由于能源和技术的加速变革，世界正经历“再全球化”而非“去全球化”.
The third section says that:
Economic globalisation is at a new crossroads, and only by guiding it well, taking advantage of the benefits, and avoiding harm can it develop healthily and progress steadily over the long term.
‘In terms of achieving inclusiveness, protectionism is neither efficient nor cost-effective. Only more and better trade can enable more people and regions to integrate into the mainstream of the global economy’, said the WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. The 2024 World Trade Report warns that intensified protectionism may set back the process of narrowing the gap between the rich and the poor by 30 years. Both the United Nations and the International Monetary Fund have recently warned that raising tariffs may affect global economic growth. Countries, especially major economies, must adhere to the general direction of open development, resist protectionism, and promote the construction of an open world economic system. 经济全球化正处在新的十字路口，善加引导、趋利避害，才能健康发展、行稳致远。“就实现包容性而言，保护主义既不高效，也不划算，更多更好的贸易才能让更多民众和地区融入全球经济的主流。”世界贸易组织总干事伊维拉指出。《2024世界贸易报告》警示，保护主义加剧可能使缩小贫富差距的进程倒退30年。联合国和国际货币基金组织最近都警告，提高关税可能影响全球经济增长。各国特别是主要经济体必须坚持开放发展大方向，抵制保护主义，推动构建开放型世界经济体系.
The key to solving the problems brought about by economic globalisation is to promote inclusive economic globalisation. Only by solving the imbalanced development between countries and within countries caused by the global allocation of resources, allowing different countries, different classes and different groups to participate in and enjoy the fruits of economic and social development, so that development is both full and balanced, is the way to drive economic globalisation into a more dynamic, inclusive, and sustainable new phase. This requires governments to show wisdom and take action. As World Economic Forum Chairman Klaus Schwab once pointed out: ‘The challenge and responsibility of today's leaders is to counter trade protectionism while making trade the driving force for inclusive growth.’ The process of promoting inclusive development of economic globalization may not be smooth and may not yield immediate results, but all parties must maintain confidence with the belief that ‘progress will come with action and success will follow with perseverance’. 解决经济全球化带来的问题，关键是要推动普惠包容的经济全球化。解决好资源全球配置造成的国家间和各国内部发展失衡问题，让不同国家、不同阶层、不同人群都能参与并享有经济社会发展成果，使发展既充分又平衡，才能推动经济全球化进入更有活力、更加包容、更可持续的新阶段。这需要各国政府展现智慧和行动力。正如世界经济论坛主席施瓦布曾指出：“当今领导人面临的挑战和责任是，既要对抗贸易保护主义，又要让贸易成为包容性增长的原动力。”推动经济全球化普惠包容发展的进程也许不会很顺利，也许无法带来立竿见影的效果，但各方要始终保持“行则将至、做则必成”的信心.
China is pursuing a path of seeking common development through opening up. Its participation in economic globalisation has promoted China’s development and brought vast opportunities to other countries. China’s development proves that promoting an inclusive and equitable economic globalisation can promote common development for all countries. This is why China firmly pursues a mutually beneficial and win-win opening-up strategy, orderly expands independent and unilateral opening-up, steadily expands institutional opening-up, and promotes the construction of an open world economic system. Economic globalization is an inevitable path for human society and an irreversible trend of the times. Countries must have the wisdom to recognize the overall situation, the determination and confidence to follow the trend, and work together to promote inclusive and equitable economic globalization. 中国走的就是一条在开放中谋求共同发展的道路，参与经济全球化促进了中国的发展，也给其他国家带来了广阔发展机遇。中国的发展证明，推动普惠包容的经济全球化能够促进各国共同发展。这是中国坚定奉行互利共赢的开放战略、有序扩大自主开放和单边开放、稳步扩大制度型开放、推动构建开放型世界经济体系的原因。经济全球化是人类社会前进的必由之路、不可逆转的时代潮流。各国既要有认清大势的智慧，也要有趋势而行的决心和信心，携手推动普惠包容的经济全球化.
Next, there’s a brief report on Wang Yi meeting with ASEAN ambassadors in China. Xinhua reports:
“China-ASEAN relations have provided valuable stability for the region and the world, which is worth cherishing. China will continue to firmly support ASEAN’s centrality, and is willing to work with ASEAN to maintain the healthy and sustainable development momentum of China-ASEAN relations and continue to contribute to regional peaceful development, Wang said. ‘We are ready to deepen our partnership with ASEAN countries, advancing from peaceful coexistence to a shared future, and playing a leading role in building a community with a shared future for humanity’, Wang said, noting that ASEAN countries are welcome to seize the new opportunities of China’s new development, and work together to realize the modernization of Asia and the world. Diplomatic envoys of ASEAN countries in China said that this year marks an important milestone for the establishment of diplomatic ties between many ASEAN countries and China. ASEAN countries look forward to taking this opportunity to tap the potential of bilateral cooperation in economy, trade and investment, connectivity, digital economy, green transformation and sustainable development, continue to make the year of people-to-people exchanges a success, and push ASEAN-China relations, as well as bilateral relations, to a new level.”
Another issue discussed at the meeting was the need to “crack down on cross-border online gambling and telecom fraud”. Xinhua reports:
Wang “said that the recent vicious cases of online gambling and telecom fraud along the Thailand-Myanmar border have threatened and harmed the vital interests of citizens of China and other countries, a situation that demands a great deal of attention. Wang said it is hoped that the relevant countries will take responsibility and strong measures to resolutely crack down on these crimes, safeguard people’s safety and property, and never allow criminals to evade punishment. China is willing to strengthen bilateral and multilateral cooperation on law enforcement and security with ASEAN countries to provide a safe environment for people-to-people exchanges and sound order of cooperation among neighboring countries”.
Page 10: There’s a report on the announcement of subsidies for new smartphones, tablets, smartwatches or wristbands. The Ministry of Commerce said that the subsidies are for purchasing new items, not for trade-ins, and are not conditional on handing in old items.
Global Times’ English report is useful. It informs that under the plan, individual consumers purchasing smartphones, tablets, smartwatches or wristbands priced below 6,000 yuan ($834.6) per item will receive a subsidy covering 15 percent of the product's sales price, according to the plan. Each consumer can receive a maximum subsidy of 500 yuan per item, with a limit of one subsidized item per category for each customer, per the plan.
Also on the page is a brief report on China’s shipbuilding industry. It says:
From January to December 2024, the national shipbuilding completion volume was 48.18 million deadweight tons, a year-on-year increase of 13.8%; the new orders were 113.05 million deadweight tons, a year-on-year increase of 58.8%; as of the end of December, the backlog of orders was 208.72 million deadweight tons, a year-on-year increase of 49.7%.
Thank you for sharing and for the information. Appreciated!