China's AIIB Agenda - Ren Ping: Xi's Thought Addresses How to View Problems & How to Act - China Bestows Award on Interpol Chief - SCO Defense Ministers' Meet Controversy
Here are the key reports and articles that I found noteworthy from the People’s Daily’s edition on Friday, June 27, 2025.
Page 1: Let’s begin with Li Qiang’s comments at the opening ceremony of the 10th Annual Meeting of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) Board of Governors.
Li said that “at the beginning of its establishment, President Xi Jinping had proposed to build the AIIB into a new type of professional, efficient, and clean multilateral development bank. Over the past 10 years, with the joint support and efforts of all members, the AIIB has adhered to its original aspirations, innovated and advanced, and its members have expanded from 57 to 110. Its business has continued to grow and develop, and it has established a good image of professionalism and pragmatism, injected new momentum into the common development of all members, expanded a new model for global financial governance, and set a new example for international multilateral cooperation.” 李强表示，习近平主席在亚投行组建之初提出将亚投行打造成专业、高效、廉洁的新型多边开发银行。10年来，在全体成员共同支持和努力下，亚投行坚守初心、创新进取，成员从57个扩大到110个，事业不断发展壮大，树立了专业务实的良好形象，为各成员共同发展注入了新动能，为全球金融治理拓展了新模式，为国际多边合作树立了新典范.
Li Qiang put forward three hopes for the future development of the AIIB.
First, in the face of the difficulties of world economic growth, provide stronger support for members to enhance development capacity. According to the different development needs of members, provide high-quality and low-cost financing support, help members share technological experience, and enhance endogenous momentum for development.
Second, in the face of the reshaping of the economic and trade landscape, promote international dialogue, exchange, and cooperation on a broader scale. Adhere to open regionalism, promote connectivity and communication among Asian countries and even countries around the world, and strengthen alignment with BRI and GDI.
Third, in the face of global governance challenges, better leverage the AIIB’s function of a new-type multilateral platform. Always uphold the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits; adhere to internationalisation, normativeness, and high standards; continuously optimise internal governance structure; strengthen multilateral decision-making rules; innovate products and services; promote the building of a more just and reasonable global governance system; and continuously enhance all members’ sense of participation and gain.
李强对亚投行未来发展提出三点希望。一是面对世界经济增长困境，更大力度支持成员提升发展能力。根据成员不同发展需求，提供高质量、低成本的融资支持，帮助成员分享技术经验，增强发展内生动力。二是面对经贸格局重塑，更大范围增进国际对话交流协作。坚持开放的区域主义，推动亚洲乃至世界各国间的联通与沟通，加强与共建“一带一路”倡议、全球发展倡议等对接。三是面对全球治理挑战，更好发挥自身新型多边平台功能。始终践行共商共建共享原则，坚持国际性、规范性和高标准，不断优化内部治理结构，强化多边决策规则，创新产品和服务，推动构建更加公正合理的全球治理体系，持续提升全体成员的参与度和获得感.
Li added that “this year, China’s economy continued to improve despite external shocks. The future Chinese economy will still be a hotbed for the world economy. China’s large market continues to release huge dividends by expanding and improving its quality, which will bring more trade and investment opportunities to all countries. ‘Made in China’ is accelerating its transformation to ‘Created in China’, and the business ecosystem is rapidly iterating, which will continue to open up new incremental space. China will unswervingly expand its high-level opening up to the outside world, continue to deeply integrate into the world economy, and bring new opportunities for the development of all countries. China is willing to work with all parties to support the AIIB in beginning a new glorious decade, and make new and greater contributions to promoting the sustainable development of its members and building a community with a shared future for mankind.” 李强指出，今年中国经济面对外部冲击，延续向好态势。未来的中国经济仍是世界经济的一片热土。中国大市场扩容提质持续释放巨大红利，将为各国带来更多贸易投资机会。“中国制造”加快向“中国创造”转型，商业生态迅速迭代，将不断打开全新增量空间。中国将坚定不移扩大高水平对外开放，持续深度融入世界经济，为各国发展带来新机遇。中方愿同各方一道，携手支持亚投行开启新的辉煌十年，为促进成员持续发展、推动构建人类命运共同体作出新的更大贡献.
Next, there’s a report on the 12th meeting of the exchange mechanism between the legislative bodies of China and France. Zhao Leji and Yael Braun-Pivet, speaker of the French National Assembly, co-chaired this meeting. Xinhua says:
Zhao said that “both sides should deepen cooperation in traditional fields, expand cooperation in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence and green and low-carbon development, and properly resolve trade differences through consultation and dialogue. He called on the two countries to deepen exchanges in culture, education and tourism and strengthen coordination in multilateral frameworks, adding that China believes France will abide by the one-China principle with concrete actions. As this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the European Union, China hopes for continuously improving China-EU relations that inject more stability and positive energy into the world, he said. This meeting marks the resumption of the exchange mechanism between the two legislative bodies after a five-year hiatus, and is of great significance for deepening the cooperation between the two sides, Zhao said. Zhao said China’s NPC is willing to work with the French parliament to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state and provide legal support for practical cooperation between the two countries, adding that the NPC is ready to enhance exchanges and cooperation with the European Parliament. In the face of grave international situation, it is of vital importance for France and China, supporters of multilateralism, to enhance communication and solidarity, Braun-Pivet said. The French side hopes to strengthen cooperation with the Chinese side in trade and investment, artificial intelligence, climate change, culture and education, and jointly address global challenges, Braun-Pivet said. She said the French National Assembly is willing to deepen dialogue with the NPC of China to inject new vitality into the development of France-China relations”.
Next, there’s a Ren Ping bylined article that makes the argument that “adhering to the problem-oriented approach is an inherent requirement of the Marxist view of practice.”
It says that:
In the face of problems, one must have a correct overall perspective, maintain strategic sobriety, and persist in strategic thinking and bottom-line thinking. Problems are the manifestation of contradictions in things, and every era has its own problems. Leading cadres must be good at strategic thinking, and good at viewing and considering problems from a strategic level. ‘The reason why a nation is great fundamentally lies in never giving up, never retreating, never stopping in the face of any difficulties and risks, and perseveres unremittingly in striving for its own future and destiny.’ General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important assertion reveals the spiritual quality of the Chinese nation in opening up a path forward while directly facing difficulties and risks. ‘Difficulties are difficulties, when is there no difficulty? ‘Don’t think about difficulties, just do things, and move forward step by step.’ Huawei CEO Ren Zhengfei’s words are exactly the attitude of most Chinese people towards difficulties today. True Marxists never fear problems; rather, they regard daring to face problems squarely, actively seeking and being good at discovering problems as an important measure of a political party's governance capability level.” 面对问题，要有正确的大局观，保持战略清醒，坚持战略思维、底线思维。问题是事物矛盾的表现形式，每个时代总有属于它自己的问题。领导干部要善于进行战略思维，善于从战略上看问题、想问题。“一个民族之所以伟大，根本就在于在任何困难和风险面前都从来不放弃、不退缩、不止步，百折不挠为自己的前途命运而奋斗。”习近平总书记的重要论断，揭示了中华民族在直面困难和风险中开辟前路的精神品质。“困难就困难嘛，什么时候没有困难？”“不去想困难，干就完了，一步一步往前走。”华为首席执行官任正非的一席话，正是今天多数中国人对待困难的态度。真正的马克思主义者从不惧怕问题，反而把敢于正视问题、主动寻找并善于发现问题作为衡量一个政党的治理能力水平的重要标尺. (Note: It’s again quite something that Ren Zhengfei’s quote gets space next to Xi’s quote. Also, he effectively gets the tag of being a “true Marxist”, embodying what Xi outlined as the “spiritual quality of the Chinese nation”, as per this piece.)
“Being highly alert to the problems we face in this era, having a good understanding of various risks and challenges…it is precisely because of daring to squarely face problems, focusing on new problems encountered in practice, creatively proposing and deeply implementing a series of major strategies, that we firmly grasp the initiative of development in our own hands. Problems have the inevitability of objective existence. If there is no strong sense of crisis, no foresight or long-term vision, and one cannot see problems, it is akin to ‘a blind man riding a blind horse, approaching a deep pond at midnight’. In January 2021, at a provincial and ministerial-level special seminar, General Secretary Xi Jinping reviewed his inspection in Zhejiang in spring 2020: ‘The environmental conditions of large inflow and large outflow have already changed; we must propose new ideas for leading development according to the new situation.’ The new development pattern of ‘dual circulation’ was thus conceived, with the purpose of ‘enhancing our survival capacity, competitiveness, development capacity, and sustainability.’ Today, facing the rapid changes in the external environment, we more profoundly comprehend the strategic foresight of the Party Central Committee’s proactive move.” 对面临的时代问题高度警觉，对各种风险挑战胸中有数。正是因为勇于正视问题，聚焦实践遇到的新问题，创造性提出并深入实施一系列重大战略，我们把发展主动权牢牢掌握在自己手中。问题具有客观存在的必然性，倘无强烈的危机意识，缺乏预见性和前瞻性，看不到问题，则如“盲人骑瞎马，夜半临深池”。2021年1月，在省部级专题研讨班上，习近平总书记回顾2020年春在浙江的考察，“大进大出的环境条件已经变化，必须根据新的形势提出引领发展的新思路”。“双循环”的新发展格局由此酝酿，目的就是“增强我们的生存力、竞争力、发展力、持续力”。今天，面对外部环境的急剧变化，我们更加深刻领悟到党中央这步先手棋的战略远见.
The next section argues:
“When viewing problems, one must have a correct view of history, maintain strategic confidence, and persist in historical thinking, dialectical thinking, and legal thinking. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: '’We must firmly establish a grand view of history, grasp the developmental context and correct direction of world history with a broader vision and more far-reaching perspective, and clearly understand the grand logic and grand trends of our country’s social development and human society’s development.’ By viewing problems with historical thinking and grasping the general trend from history’s long cycles, only then can we see clearly the essence of problems, and thereby propose scientific concepts and effective countermeasures for solving real problems.” 看待问题，要有正确的历史观，保持战略自信，坚持历史思维、辩证思维、法治思维。习近平总书记指出：“要牢固树立大历史观，以更宽广的视野、更长远的眼光把握世界历史的发展脉络和正确走向，认清我国社会发展、人类社会发展的大逻辑大趋势”。以历史思维看问题，从历史长周期把握大势，才能看清问题的实质，进而提出解决现实问题的科学理念、有效对策.
Some of the examples cited are Xi’s “sweet potato economy”, focus on new quality productive forces, and the 8-point central regulations.
The final section says that:
“To solve problems, one must have a correct view of development, maintain strategic initiative, and persist in systematic thinking and innovative thinking. Our cause has always advanced in solving contradictions. ‘Problems in development and transformation can be completely overcome through effort.’ How can we solve the problem of unbalanced and inadequate development when the main contradictions in our society have changed? We must firmly grasp the primary task of high-quality development, firmly grasp the path choice of the new development pattern, and deeply promote the transformation of development methods, development momentum, development fields, and development quality. How can we unswervingly manage our own affairs well when the international situation is undergoing transformation and turbulence? The more difficult it is, the more we must adhere to high-quality development, promote high-level opening up, promote China’s economy to move forward, and create new advantages in international competition. ‘Development is the foundation and key to solving all problems in our country’; ‘High-quality development is the hard truth of the new era’…These profound assertions by General Secretary Xi Jinping reveal the strategies and actions adopted by the Party when facing a complex external environment, demonstrating the determination and initiative in solving problems.” 解决问题，要有正确的发展观，保持战略主动，坚持系统思维、创新思维。我们的事业从来都是在解决矛盾中前进的。“发展中、转型中的问题，经过努力是完全可以克服的”。我国社会主要矛盾发生改变，如何破解发展不平衡不充分问题？牢牢把握高质量发展这个首要任务，牢牢把握新发展格局这个路径选择，深入推进发展方式、发展动力、发展领域、发展质量变革。国际形势变乱交织，如何坚定不移办好自己的事？越是面对困难，越要坚持高质量发展、推进高水平开放，推动中国经济向新而行，塑造国际竞争新优势。“发展是解决我国一切问题的基础和关键”“高质量发展是新时代的硬道理”……习近平总书记的深刻论断，揭示了党在面对复杂的外部环境时采取的策略和行动，彰显了在解决问题上的定力和主动.
The examples given are the goods trade-in policy and the use of market mechanisms to address environmental issues, such as use of carbon emission rights, water use rights, and pollution discharge rights, etc.
“Amid an unprecedented pioneering cause, new problems and new challenges emerge endlessly. Using innovative thinking provides disruptive and creative ideas and methods for solving problems. We must squarely face that some problems have long-term characteristics, and solving them requires a process; and so we must have historical patience. ‘We must both base ourselves on the present, solving specific problems step by step, accumulating small victories into great victories; and also look toward the long term, overcoming the impulse of seeking quick results and being eager for success.’ To a considerable extent, any problem encountered in development can, in general, be summed up as a matter of how to view it and how to deal with it. And the mission of a Marxist political party lies in not only explaining the world, but more importantly, changing the world. Clarifying essence and achieving practical application, integrating essence and application—Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era speaks both of how to view and how to act, both deploying the task of ‘crossing the river’ and guiding the solution to the problem of ‘bridges or boats’. By firmly advancing theoretical innovation based on practice, our Party has guided the practice of development with enriched and developed Marxism, obtaining important experience and profound enlightenment. ‘As long as we firmly maintain our beliefs and confidence without wavering, directly face contradictions and problems without avoidance, and respond to risks and challenges without retreat, we will certainly be able to open up new horizons for reform and development!’” 前无古人的开创性事业，新问题新挑战层出不穷。运用创新思维，为解决问题提供了颠覆性、创造性的思路和办法。必须正视，有的问题具有长期性，解决起来有个过程，要有历史耐心。“既要立足当下，一步一个脚印解决具体问题，积小胜为大胜；又要放眼长远，克服急功近利、急于求成的思想”。在相当意义上说，发展面临的任何问题，总体上可归结为怎么看、怎么办。而马克思主义政党的使命在于，不仅要解释世界，更要改变世界。明体达用、体用贯通，习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想既讲怎么看又讲怎么干，既部署“过河”的任务又指导解决“桥或船”的问题。坚定推进实践基础上的理论创新，我们党以丰富和发展的马克思主义指导发展的实践，获得了重要经验和深刻启迪——“只要我们坚定信念信心不动摇，直面矛盾问题不回避，应对风险挑战不退缩，就一定能够打开改革发展新天地!”
Page 2: There’s a report informing that as per the Ministry of Commerce, as of June 24, 22 regions have carried out 225 foreign trade quality products tour activities, with more than 19,000 foreign trade enterprises and buyers participating. This has resulted in a transaction volume of 24.8 billion yuan (approx $3.47 billion). Basically, this is the support being provided to help foreign trade enterprises expand domestic sales.
In addition,
Chain supermarkets have opened more than 700 offline special counters, and 11 e-commerce platforms have set up online special zones to support foreign trade enterprises in expanding domestic sales.
The Ministry has opened a green channel for foreign trade enterprises to apply for compulsory certification, and promoted the resolution of 30 standard certification issues that enterprises have collectively reported.
In the second half of the year, the Ministry of Commerce will also hold more than 330 foreign trade quality products tour activities.
Also, there’s a set of ‘three increases and three reductions’ support policies. These refer to “increasing fiscal input, credit scale, and insurance coverage, and reducing rent, booth fees, and traffic charges.”
Page 3: There’s a brief report on the SCO defense ministers’ meeting in Qingdao. Also, there’s a report on Defense Minister Dong Jun meeting with his visiting counterparts. These are brief. The interesting story emerging from this dialogue is around India’s engagement with the SCO.
Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh attended the meeting. Here’s what he focussed on:
Singh “laid down the broad contours of India’s transitional shift in its policy against terrorism at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ Meeting at Qingdao, China, calling upon the member countries to unite in eliminating the menace for collective safety and security. Addressing the Defence Ministers, SCO Secretary General, Director Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) of SCO and other distinguished delegates, Raksha Mantri stated that the biggest challenges faced by the region are related to peace, security and trust-deficit, with increasing radicalisation, extremism & terrorism being the root cause of these problems. ‘Peace and prosperity cannot co-exist with terrorism and proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction in the hands of non-state actors and terror groups. Dealing with these challenges requires decisive action. It is imperative that those who sponsor, nurture and utilise terrorism for their narrow and selfish ends must bear the consequences. Some countries use cross-border terrorism as an instrument of policy and provide shelter to terrorists. There should be no place for such double standards. SCO should not hesitate to criticise such nations.”
“Raksha Mantri asserted that India launched Operation Sindoor in response to the heinous terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, exercising its right to defend against terrorism and pre-empt as well as deter further cross border attacks. ‘During the Pahalgam terror attack, victims were shot after they were profiled on religious identity. The Resistance Front, a proxy of UN-designated terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) claimed responsibility for the attack. The pattern of Pahalgam attack matches with LeT’s previous terror attacks in India. India’s zero tolerance for terrorism was demonstrated through its actions. It includes our right to defend ourselves against terrorism. We have shown that epicentres of terrorism are no longer safe and we will not hesitate to target them,’ he said. Shri Rajnath Singh reiterated the need to hold the perpetrators, organisers, financiers and sponsors of reprehensible acts of terrorism, including cross-border terrorism, accountable and bring them to justice. He termed any and every act of terrorism as criminal & unjustifiable regardless of their motivation whenever, wherever and committed by whom-so-ever. SCO members must condemn this evil unequivocally, he said, reaffirming India’s resolve to fight terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.”
Another interesting point to note was this: “Shri Rajnath Singh added that India has been consistent and steadfast in its policy in support of peace, security & stability in Afghanistan. He enumerated the immediate priorities in Afghanistan including providing humanitarian assistance to its people and contributing to overall developmental needs. As Afghanistan’s largest regional development partner, India continues to implement capacity-building initiatives for the Afghan people, he said.”
Anyway, the controversy here is around India refusing to sign a joint SCO communique following the meeting. As per Hindustan Times:
“The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) defence ministers’ meeting couldn’t issue a joint communique on Thursday after India refused to endorse the document because it didn’t address its terrorism-related concerns, officials aware of the matter said. Defence minister Rajnath Singh, who attended the meeting at Qingdao in China, refused to sign the joint communique as it was silent on the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people were killed but mentioned Balochistan and the hijacking of the Jaffer Express by Baloch militants in March, the officials said, asking not to be named. Pakistan’s insistence on not having any reference to the Pahalgam attack, while retaining the reference to the situation in Balochistan, stymied the finalisation of a joint statement, the officials said. The SCO works by consensus and a joint communique cannot be issued if even one member state doesn’t endorse it.”
The Chinese side is officially no-selling this development. As per the Global Times,
“Meanwhile, in response to Indian media reports claiming that ‘India refused to sign the SCO Defense Ministers’ joint statement due to differences over terrorism-related issues,’ Zhang Xiaogang, a spokesperson at China's Ministry of National Defense, stated at a press briefing on Thursday, ‘As far as I know, with the concerted efforts of all parties, the SCO Defense Ministers’ Meeting concluded successfully’.”
Anyway, Indian reporting of the meeting between Singh and Dong Jun is worth noting:
“He said that he and General Don Jun had ‘constructive and forward-looking exchange of views’ on issues related to bilateral ties. The Defence Minister expressed happiness at the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. ‘Held talks with Admiral Don Jun, the Defence Minister of China, on the sidelines of SCO Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Qingdao. We had a constructive and forward looking exchange of views on issues pertaining to bilateral relations. Expressed my happiness on restarting of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra after a gap of nearly six years. It is incumbent on both the sides to maintain this positive momentum and avoid adding new complexities in the bilateral relationship,’ wrote Singh on X handle. A Chinese readout of the meeting stated that India does not seek confrontation with China, but rather aims to enhance communication and mutual trust.”
If you’d like to hear my views on the SCO and India’s participation in it, do check out this video podcast that I was on last night for the Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS).
Two other reports on the page to note.
First, Wang Yi met with Graham Allison. The English report on this says:
Wang “praised Professor Allison for his efforts in promoting mutual understanding between China and the US and exploring ways for the two countries to coexist. He noted that Chinese people value the concept of ‘harmony without uniformity’, a traditional Eastern philosophy that is fundamentally different from the Western zero-sum mentality of ‘black or white, you-lose-I-win’. This philosophy promotes harmonious coexistence through mutual respect and recognition of differences, while expanding common interests. Wang emphasized that China and the US now need to construct a new narrative to guide future interactions between major powers. Mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation are China’s fundamental principles in managing relations with the US. It is hoped that both sides will work together to properly address the fundamental issue of mutual perception, fasten the ‘first button’ of China-US relations correctly, and, in line with the three principles, find the right way for the two major countries to coexist, Wang said. People of insight from various sectors are also expected to play an active role in fostering an objective and positive understanding of China and in promoting sound interactions between the two countries, Wang added. Allison observed that the concept of ‘harmony without uniformity’ aligns with the American value of embracing diversity. Living on the same planet, deeply interconnected, both sides should pursue a strategic framework for coexistence to avoid falling into the Thucydides’s Trap. A new principled framework should be established to guide the future development of bilateral relations, with mutual respect as the first principle. Allison also expressed his willingness to continue contributing to enhancing communication and promoting the stable development of relations between the two sides.”
Second, China has just awarded the Interpol chief, Ahmed Nasser Al-Raisi, the Gold Great Wall Commemorative Medal.
Xinhua reports that “Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong met with Al-Raisi in Beijing on Thursday, urging both sides to step up cooperation to enhance universal security. Wang said China highly appreciates Interpol’s firm adherence to the one-China principle. He called on both sides to enhance communication and coordination on important affairs, improve their strategic cooperation, deepen cooperation on law enforcement capacity-building, and ensure the success of the 94th Interpol General Assembly. Expressing gratitude for China’s long-standing support, Al-Raisi said that Interpol is willing to continue high-level cooperation with China.”
Page 4: There’s a report on the monthly violations of the central 8-point regulations.
May recorded 21,843 violations, which were investigated. These involved 28,189 people (including 2 provincial and ministerial officials and 98 county-level officials). 19,004 people were handed Party disciplinary and administrative sanctions. 11,730 cases were related to formalism and bureaucratism. 10,113 cases were related to hedonism and extravagance.
Page 10: There’s a report from the Ministry of National Defense’s monthly press conference. Zhang Xiaogang was asked about the date by when China’s third aircraft carrier, Fujian, will be put into service after trials. Also, what role will a three-aircraft carrier formation play in safeguarding overseas interests and regional stability?
Zhang Xiaogang said that “building a strong and modernised navy carries the century-old aspiration of the Chinese nation. We have always advanced aircraft carrier construction based on national security needs and the development of equipment and technology. From the initial stage of having nothing at all, to the commissioning of the ski-jump takeoff carriers Liaoning and Shandong, and then to possessing the Fujian carrier with electromagnetic catapult capabilities, the construction of aircraft carriers by the PLAN has continuously achieved leapfrog development. It must be emphasised that our development and improvement of weapons and equipment is entirely for the purpose of safeguarding national sovereignty, security, and development interests. The Chinese military is a firm force in maintaining world peace. The more we develop, the more powerful the peaceful forces that constrain war will be. 张晓刚表示，建设一支强大的现代化海军，寄托着中华民族的百年夙愿。我们始终根据国家安全需要和装备技术发展推进航母建设，从初创时期的一穷二白，到滑跃起飞航母辽宁舰、山东舰服役，再到拥有具备电磁弹射能力的福建舰，人民海军航母建设不断实现跨越式发展。需要强调的是，我们发展和改进武器装备，完全是为了维护国家主权、安全、发展利益。中国军队是维护世界和平的坚定力量，我们越发展，制约战争的和平力量就越有力.