China-Uruguay Joint Statement - Zhong Sheng on Expectations from China & US as Major Powers
Here are the key reports and articles that I found noteworthy from the People's Daily’s edition on Friday, November 24, 2023.
Page 1: At the top of the page, there are three stories about letters sent by Xi Jinping.
First, Xi’s letter to the second Global Digital Trade Expo, which is taking place in Hangzhou. Xinhua reports:
“Booming global digital trade has become a new bright spot in international trade, Xi said in the letter. In recent years, China has actively made alignment with high-standard international economic and trade rules, established and improved its digital trade governance systems, and promoted the reform and innovation of digital trade, Xi said. By doing that, China has been providing new opportunities for the world with its new development, Xi said. Xi called for making full use of the expo to promote cooperation, common development and shared benefits, build digital trade into a new engine for common development, and inject new impetus into world economic growth.”
Han Zheng read out Xi’s letter at this event. He further said:
“China is ready to work with all other countries to jointly create an open, inclusive, fair, just and non-discriminatory environment for the development of the digital economy. Han highlighted unique advantages of China's digital trade development, such as massive data resources and rich application scenarios for trade digitalization. China has taken digital trade as one of the three pillars to develop its trade sector, along with trade in goods and services, he said. China will actively participate in the formulation of international rules and standards in the digital field and promote higher-level opening up in the field. It will continue to accelerate digital transformation and the development of cross-border e-commerce, improve digital infrastructure, establish pilot zones for Silk Road e-commerce cooperation and set up Belt and Road e-commerce market with partners, Han said, adding that these efforts will help safeguard the security and stability of global digital industrial and supply chains.”
Second, Xi’s letter to Javier Milei on his election as president of Argentina. Xinhua says:
“Xi said that China and Argentina, both major developing countries and emerging economies, have been committed to mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, and firmly supported each other on issues concerning each other’s core interests. Noting that practical cooperation in various fields has brought tangible benefits to the two peoples, Xi said that the China-Argentina friendship has taken deep roots in the hearts of the two peoples and that it has become the consensus among people from all walks of life in both countries to advance the development of China-Argentina relations. ‘I highly prize the development of China-Argentina relations and is willing to work with Milei to carry forward our friendship, boost development and rejuvenation in both countries via win-win cooperation, and promote the sound and sustained growth of China-Argentina relations so as to better benefit the two peoples’.”
Third, Xi’s letter to Joseph Nyumah Boakai, Liberia's president-elect. Xinhua says:
“Xi said that he highly values the growth of China-Liberia relations, and that China applauds the consensus on the one-China principle, which has been built among people from all walks of life in Liberia thanks to Boakai's facilitation. The two peoples, he said, have stood in solidarity against the Ebola and the COVID-19 pandemic, conducted fruitful cooperation in socioeconomic development, and forged a profound friendship.”
Fourth, there’s a brief report (English report) on the launch ceremony of the book Xi Jinping on Respecting and Protecting Human Rights (Spanish-Chinese version) in Madrid.
Finally, there’s a consolidated report on Li Qiang and Zhao Leji’s meetings with Uruguayan President Luis Alberto Lacalle Pou. Xinhua says:
“Li called on the two sides to set a good example of bilateral relations featuring mutual respect and trust between countries with different social systems, mutual benefit and complementarity between countries with different economic sizes, and mutual learning between countries with different cultural backgrounds. The premier expressed the hope that the two countries will continue to firmly support each other on issues concerning their core interests and major concerns. He called on the two sides to uphold the principle of mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, give full play to their complementary advantages, and take the signing of the Belt and Road cooperation plan as an opportunity to promote the continuous growth and improvement of bilateral trade and improve trade and investment facilitation. He also called on the two sides to strengthen cooperation on clean energy, communications, sci-tech innovation and finance, and expand people-to-people exchanges in fields such as culture and tourism, education, sports and sub-national cooperation. China supports Uruguay in playing a bigger role in regional affairs, and stands ready to work with Uruguay to deepen overall China-Latin America cooperation, promote the building of a China-Latin America community with a shared future, uphold multilateralism and an open world economy, and better safeguard international fairness and justice, Li said.”
The report on the meeting with Zhao Leji says:
“China-Uruguay relations have stood the test of changes in the international landscape and become a model of peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation between countries with different political systems and economic sizes. The two heads of state jointly announced the establishment of bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership on Wednesday, which is an important milestone, Zhao said, adding that the two sides should follow the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, respect, trust and support each other, and jointly build the Belt and Road in high quality to bring more benefits to the two peoples. Noting that next year will mark the 65th anniversary of legislative exchanges between the two countries, Zhao said the NPC of China is willing to continue the traditional friendship and deepen exchanges with the Uruguayan General Assembly, and provide a solid legal guarantee for bilateral practical cooperation.”
While on this subject, let me also look at the joint statement issued after the visit. This is published on Page 3 today. Key excerpts:
“Both sides emphasise that political mutual trust is the primary foundation of China-Uruguay comprehensive strategic partnership. The two sides reaffirm mutual respect for national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and mutual understanding and support for each other’s core interests and major concerns. Uruguay highly appreciates China’s development achievements and commends China for comprehensively promoting the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese-style modernization, and believes that Chinese-style modernization provides a new path and new choice for mankind to realise modernization. Uruguay reaffirms its adherence to the one-China principle, recognizes that the government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing all of China, and that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory, and supports the Chinese government’s efforts to achieve national reunification. Uruguay reiterates its support for China’s legitimate position on issues related to Hong Kong and other core interests, and supports China's efforts to safeguard national sovereignty and security.” 五、双方强调，政治互信是中乌全面战略伙伴关系的首要基础。双方重申相互尊重国家主权和领土完整，相互理解和支持彼此核心利益和重大关切。乌方高度评价中国取得的发展成就，赞赏中方以中国式现代化全面推进中华民族伟大复兴，认为中国式现代化为人类实现现代化提供新路径、新选择。乌拉圭重申恪守一个中国原则，承认中华人民共和国政府是代表全中国的唯一合法政府，台湾是中国领土不可分割的一部分，支持中国政府为实现国家统一所作努力。乌方重申支持中方在涉港等核心利益问题上的正当立场，支持中方维护国家主权安全的努力.
The two sides will intensify high-level exchanges, strengthen communication between various ministries, and enhance the guidance role of bilateral mechanisms. The two sides will strengthen cooperation between their respective foreign ministries, make good use of the political consultation mechanism of the foreign ministries, maintain channels of communication and coordination, and continuously expand consensus on bilateral relations and other issues of common concern. 六、双方将密切高层交往，加强各部委间交流和各双边机制指导作用。双方将加强两国外交部间合作，用好外交部政治磋商机制，保持沟通和协调渠道，就双边关系和其他共同关心的议题不断扩大共识。
Under BRI, the document says that both sides will cooperate in various fields, “including energy, food, industry, water resources, mining, taxation, maritime transport, ports, logistics, industrial investment, information communication, digital economy, deep-sea fishing ports, railway infrastructure, and the establishment of joint R&D laboratories. In addition, they will leverage Uruguay's position as a logistics hub in the South Atlantic, in order to strengthen industrial chains between the two regions, promote trade, and enhance services. “Uruguay reaffirms the principle of technological neutrality and welcomes the participation of Chinese companies in the construction of Uruguay's 5G network. Both sides are willing to jointly promote the establishment of a Spanish-language ‘Belt and Road’ Tax Academy.” 双方忆及《中华人民共和国政府与乌拉圭东岸共和国政府关于共同推进丝绸之路经济带和21世纪海上丝绸之路建设的谅解备忘录》，同意推动落实此访期间签署的《中华人民共和国政府与乌拉圭东岸共和国政府关于共同推进“一带一路”建设的合作规划》，在共建“一带一路”框架内，共同推进能源、食品、工业、水利、矿业、税务、海运、港口、物流、产业投资、信息通信、数字经济、深水渔港、铁路基础设施、建立联合研发实验室等领域合作。发挥乌拉圭作为南大西洋物流枢纽的区位优势，强化两个地区间产业链，促进贸易和服务供给。乌方重申技术中立原则，欢迎中国企业参与乌5G网络建设。双方愿共同推动建立西班牙语“一带一路”税务学院.
Both sides will engage in talks to update the Agreement on Encouragement and Mutual Protection of Investment signed between China and Uruguay, signed in December 1993. They also noted the successful completion of the joint feasibility study on the China-Uruguay FTA, which was proposed in 2021. (This FTA business is complicated as this Reuters story explains.)
Uruguay shared its experience with issuing bonds linked to environmental sustainability indicators. China backed Uruguay to join the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the BRICS New Development Bank.
In terms of agriculture cooperation, both sides have a joint lab on soybean research; they reaffirmed the importance of cooperation in the fields of agricultural science and technology, biomedicine, nanotechnology and pharmaceuticals, information integration technology, communications and mechatronics, and clarified that innovative digital technology, biotechnology applications, and green economy-related technologies will be the priority areas for future cooperation; they also called to establish a joint laboratory for bio-nanopharmaceuticals (双方重申在农业科技、生物医学、纳米科技和制药、信息集成技术、通信和机电一体化等领域开展合作的重要性，明确创新数字技术、生物技术应用、绿色经济相关技术为未来合作优先领域，愿积极推动中乌生物纳米制药联合实验室建设.);
The two sides reaffirmed the importance of cooperation in equipment manufacturing, new energy vehicles, high-tech parks, communications infrastructure and artificial intelligence. The Uruguay side has noted and will seriously study the Global AI Governance Initiative proposed by China. 十四、双方重申在装备制造、新能源汽车、高科技园区、通信基础设施、人工智能等领域开展合作的重要性。乌方注意到并将认真研究中方提出的《全球人工智能治理倡议》.
Another set of areas for cooperation mentioned is minerals, geology, green energy, sustainable transportation, and green hydrogen and its derivatives. The education bit includes Uruguay's support for Confucius Institutes. “The two sides agreed to deepen cooperation in the fields of education, scientific and technological innovation, culture, sports, tourism and health, promote connections between media, artists and youth organisations, increase student exchanges, and continuously enhance mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples.”
“In the field of national defence, both sides agreed to continue to promote the implementation of the recently signed cooperation agreement, continue to deepen cooperation in traditional fields, and strengthen high-level mutual visits and personnel exchanges between the two militaries; they emphasised that United Nations peacekeeping operations are of vital importance and they should support each other in peacekeeping operations.” 在国防领域，双方同意继续推动落实近期签署的合作协定，继续深化传统领域合作，加强两军高层互访和人员交流；强调联合国维和行动至关重要，应在维和行动中相互支持.
Both sides agreed on the importance of jointly safeguarding the common values of all mankind, such as peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy and freedom. Uruguay appreciates the contribution of President Xi Jinping’s concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind to the realisation of world peace and development. Uruguay has joined the GDI proposed by President Xi Jinping and appreciates the GSI and GCI. 双方一致认同共同维护和平、发展、公平、正义、民主、自由的全人类共同价值的重要性。乌方赞赏习近平主席提出的构建人类命运共同体理念为实现世界和平与发展作出的贡献。乌拉圭已经加入习近平主席提出的全球发展倡议，赞赏全球安全倡议、全球文明倡议.
The two sides signed 20 agreements as part of this visit; these include the BRI cooperation plan and MoUs on Economic Development, Industry and Information Communication, Digital Economy, Green and Low-Carbon Development, Promoting Investment Cooperation in the Field of Green Development, Strengthening Investment Cooperation in the Field of Digital Economy, Establishing a Trade Facilitation Working Group, etc.
Page 2: There is a brief report on the State Council approving a work plan to support Beijing in deepening the construction of the Integrated National Demonstration Zone for Opening up the Services Sector. Xinhua says: “The work plan proposes over 170 pilot tasks in areas such as deepening reform and opening-up in key sectors of the services industry, exploring rules and regulations for emerging business forms, and optimizing institutional trade and investment arrangements.”
Page 3: There’s a report on Wang Yi meeting with a delegation led by Natsuo Yamaguchi, leader of Japan’s ruling coalition party Komeito. Xinhua says:
“Noting that the two sides should implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries and bring China-Japan relations back to the track of sound development, Wang expressed his hope that the Komeito Party will continue to make efforts for China-Japan friendship and cooperation. Yamaguchi said that the Komeito Party has long been committed to improving Japan-China friendship and is willing to continue to make due efforts to enhance mutual understanding between the two peoples and promote the development of Japan-China relations under the guidance of the principles set out in the Japan-China Treaty of Peace and Friendship.”
Next, there’s a report informing that China's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Zhang Jun, spoke at the UNSC’s public meeting on the Palestinian-Israeli issue on November 22, “calling on the international community to increase efforts to promote the political prospects of revitalising the ‘two-state solution’. Zhang Jun said that any solution to the current situation must not deviate from the ‘two-state solution’ and should be conducive to regional peace and stability. Any arrangements regarding the future and destiny of Palestine must seek the consent of the Palestinian people and accommodate the legitimate concerns of regional countries. The United Nations should continue to play an active role in building international consensus and advancing the peace process. The Security Council must always be prepared to take responsible and meaningful actions on the situation between Palestine and Israel to ensure it can stand the test of history and conscience.” 中国常驻联合国代表张军22日在安理会巴以问题公开会上发言，呼吁国际社会加大努力，推动重振“两国方案”的政治前景。张军表示，任何针对当前形势的解决办法都不能悖离“两国方案”，都应有利于地区和平稳定。任何关于巴勒斯坦前途命运的安排都必须征得巴勒斯坦人民的同意，照顾地区国家合理关切。联合国应当继续为凝聚国际共识、推进和平进程发挥积极作用。安理会要随时准备就巴以局势采取负责任、有意义的行动，确保经得起历史和良知的检验。
Finally, we have the fourth Zhong Sheng commentary on China-US ties. This one covers the fourth pillar articulated by Xi Jinping:
“China and the United States should jointly shoulder responsibilities as major countries. The problems facing human society cannot be solved without cooperation between major countries. China and the US should lead by example, step up coordination and cooperation on international and regional issues, and provide more public goods for the world. The two sides should keep their initiatives open to each other, or coordinate and connect them for synergy, to benefit the world.”
The commentary then argues:
“To assume the responsibilities of a major country, one must first embody the perspective of a major country. President Xi Jinping pointed out that the world today is undergoing major changes unseen in a century, and China and the United States have two options: one is to strengthen solidarity and cooperation, work together to address global challenges, and promote global security and prosperity. The other is to adopt a zero-sum mentality, provoke conflict between camps, and lead the world to turmoil and division. The two choices represent two directions that will determine the future of mankind and the future of the planet. It is from this perspective that President Xi Jinping stated in his speech at the welcome banquet that ‘China is ready to be a partner and friend of the United States. The fundamental principles that we follow in handling China-U.S. relations are mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation.” 承担大国责任，首先要有大国格局。习近平主席指出，当今世界正经历百年未有之大变局，中美有两种选择：一种是加强团结合作，携手应对全球性挑战，促进世界安全和繁荣。另一种是抱持零和思维，挑动阵营对立，让世界走向动荡和分裂。两种选择代表着两个方向，将决定人类前途和地球未来。正是从这个高度出发，习近平主席在美国友好团体联合欢迎宴会上发表演讲时提出：“中国愿意同美国做伙伴、做朋友。我们处理中美关系的根本遵循就是相互尊重、和平共处、合作共赢.”
“The responsibility and role of a major country must be tested through actions to safeguard world peace and security and promote global development and prosperity. Over the past half century or so, the restoration and development of Sino-US relations has benefited the people of both countries and promoted world peace, stability and prosperity. At a time of increasing instability and uncertainty in the international situation, China and the United States should strengthen communication and cooperation and, while running their respective domestic affairs well, play a leading role in jointly advancing the noble cause of peace and development of mankind. This is the shared aspiration of the people of the two countries and the rest of the world. During this meeting, the two heads of state put forward guiding opinions on the most prominent issues, such as establishing a correct understanding of each other, properly managing differences, and promoting dialogue and cooperation, and conducted all-round communication on dealing with the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, the Ukrainian crisis, climate change, artificial intelligence and other global challenges, further exploring the correct way for China and the United States to get along with each other, and further clarifying the great power responsibilities shared by China and the United States. The international community generally believes that this meeting has injected stability, certainty and constructiveness into an intertwined and chaotic world.” 大国担当和大国作用，要通过维护世界和平安全、促进全球发展繁荣的行动来检验。过去半个多世纪，中美关系的恢复和发展，造福了两国人民，也促进了世界和平、稳定、繁荣。当前，国际形势不稳定性不确定性增加，中美加强沟通和合作，在办好各自国内事情的同时，发挥引领作用，共同推进人类和平与发展的崇高事业，这是中美两国和世界各国人民的共同愿望。在此次会晤中，两国元首就树立彼此正确认知、妥善管控分歧、推进对话合作等最突出问题提出指导性意见，就应对巴以冲突、乌克兰危机以及气候变化、人工智能等全球性挑战进行全方位沟通，进一步探讨了中美两个大国的正确相处之道，进一步明确了中美共同肩负的大国责任。国际社会普遍认为，这次会晤为变乱交织的世界注入了稳定性、确定性、建设性.
“Strengthening coordination and cooperation on international and regional issues is the proper meaning/integral part of assuming the responsibility of a big country. China and the United States are the world's two largest economies, with a combined economic output exceeding one-third of the world's total, and their bilateral trade accounts for approximately one-fifth of the world's total. The warmth or chill in China-U.S. relations significantly influences the global economic climate. Going against the laws of behaviour/trend and engaging in ‘decoupling and breaking the chains’ will not help boost the US economy and will make the world economy more fragile. As important G20 members, China and the United States must strengthen collaboration to jointly promote world economic recovery and jointly promote more inclusive, universally beneficial and resilient global development. The Asia-Pacific is a region where the interests of China and the US are most closely intertwined and the interactions are most frequent. China and the United States should strengthen cooperation to promote the goal of building an open, dynamic, strong, and peaceful Asia-Pacific community by 2040. 加强在国际和地区问题上的协调合作，是承担大国责任的应有之义。中美是全球前两大经济体，经济总量超过世界1/3，双边贸易额约占世界1/5，中美关系冷暖左右着世界经济气候。违背规律搞“脱钩断链”，无助于提振美国经济，也将使世界经济变得更加脆弱。作为二十国集团重要成员，中美要加强协作，共同推动世界经济复苏，携手推动更加包容、普惠、有韧性的全球发展。亚太是中美利益交织最密集、互动最频繁的地区。中美应加强合作，推动实现到2040年建成一个开放、活力、强韧、和平的亚太共同体的目标.
“Providing more public goods to the world is an important manifestation of assuming the responsibility of a major country. In his speech at the welcome banquet, President Xi Jinping said that China’s BRI, as well as GDI, GSI and GCI, have always been open to all countries, including the US. China is also willing to participate in the multilateral cooperation initiatives proposed by the United States. China has proposed a series of important initiatives to provide Chinese solutions to global challenges, which have received widespread support and participation from the international community. China and the United States can jointly provide more public goods to the world, make the initiatives proposed by both sides open to each other, and strengthen coordination and docking, which can better enhance the well-being of people in all countries.” 向全球提供更多公共产品，是承担大国责任的重要体现。习近平主席在美国友好团体联合欢迎宴会上发表演讲时表示，中方提出的共建“一带一路”倡议以及全球发展倡议、全球安全倡议、全球文明倡议，始终面向各国开放，包括美国。中方也愿参与美国提出的多边合作倡议。中方提出一系列重要倡议，为应对全球性挑战提供中国方案，得到国际社会的广泛支持和参与。中美共同向全球提供更多公共产品，让双方提出的倡议对彼此开放，加强协调对接，可以更好地增进各国人民的福祉.
The next paragraph identities “green development and addressing climate change” as areas of Sino-US cooperation.
Page 4: A report informing that the Central Steering Group on Studying and Implementing Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era met in Beijing. Li Ganjie spoke at the meeting, which was attended by members of guiding groups and inspection teams that ensure the education campaign’s advancement. The meeting was presided over by Jiang Xinzhi.
“The meeting emphasised that the central and provincial inspection and guidance teams should deeply study and implement the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s series of important speeches and important instructions on thematic education, further strictly carry out their tasks, and promote the deep and practical progress of the second phase of thematic education. It is necessary to grasp the political direction firmly, precisely understand the overall requirements, goals, and methods of thematic education, ensuring that thematic education is continuously advanced in the correct direction in a strong and orderly manner. Emphasis should be placed on a problem-oriented approach, urging units to address development bottlenecks and solve urgent issues that concern the masses. It is necessary to pay attention to methods and approaches, continuously improving the targeted and practical effectiveness of supervision and guidance work. It is necessary to focus on combating negative tendencies, closely integrating thematic education with central tasks, preventing formalism, and firmly avoiding superficial behaviour. It is necessary to pay attention to overall coordination, do a good job of linkage, and promote high-quality theme education with high-quality supervision and guidance.” 会议强调，各中央巡回指导组和省级巡回督导组要深入学习贯彻习近平总书记关于主题教育系列重要讲话和重要指示批示精神，进一步严督实导，推动第二批主题教育不断走深走实。要把准政治方向，牢牢把握主题教育的总要求、目标任务、方法措施，确保主题教育始终沿着正确方向有力有序推进。要突出问题导向，督促联系指导单位推动破解发展卡点瓶颈、解决群众急难愁盼问题。要讲究方式方法，不断提高督促指导工作的针对性、实效性。要紧盯不良倾向，把主题教育同中心工作紧密结合、深度融合，坚决防止形式主义，坚决防止“两张皮”。要注重统筹协调，搞好衔接联动，以高质量督促指导推动主题教育高质量开展.
Next, there’s a report informing that in October this year, a total of 9,567 cases of violations of the eight-point central regulations.
That’s about it from the paper today.