China's New Urban Development Framework - Aus PM Visits China - Xi's Qiushi Article on Opening Up Policy - Xi's Thought on the Significance of Grasping the 'Key Minority'
Here are the key reports and articles that I found noteworthy from the People’s Daily’s edition on Wednesday, July 16, 2025.
Page 1: Xi Jinping dominates the front page today. Let’s begin with the report on the Central Urban Work Conference. This is really significant for who was in attendance and what was agreed upon with regard to the direction of urban development work. The headline argument from this conference is that:
“China’s urbanisation is transitioning from a period of rapid growth toward a period of stable development, and urban development is shifting from a stage of large-scale incremental expansion to a stage dominated by improving the quality and efficiency of existing stock.”
The specific implications of this assessment in terms of policies regarding the property sector, migration, infrastructure investment, environmental issues, etc, are outlined below in the report. So let’s dive in.
The entire Politburo Standing Committee was in attendance. Xi Jinping delivered a speech. The report says:
The meeting pointed out that, since the 18th Party Congress, the Party Central Committee has profoundly grasped the laws of urban development in China under the new situation, adhered to the Party’s overall leadership over urban work, adhered to the principle that the people build the people’s city and that the people’s city is for the people, adhered to planning cities as organic living systems, and promoted historic achievements in urban development; China’s new urbanisation level and urban development level, planning and construction governance level, business and liveability level, historical and cultural protection and inheritance level, and ecological environment quality have been greatly improved. 会议指出，党的十八大以来，党中央深刻把握新形势下我国城市发展规律，坚持党对城市工作的全面领导，坚持人民城市人民建、人民城市为人民，坚持把城市作为有机生命体系统谋划，推动城市发展取得历史性成就，我国新型城镇化水平和城市发展能级、规划建设治理水平、宜业宜居水平、历史文化保护传承水平、生态环境质量大幅提升.
The meeting emphasised that the overall requirements for urban work at present and in the future are: adhere to the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era; thoroughly implement the spirit of the 20th Party Congress and the Second and Third Plenary Sessions of the 20th Central Committee; fully implement General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important expositions on urban work; adhere to and strengthen the overall leadership of the Party, earnestly practice the concept of people’s cities; adhere to the general tone of work of seeking progress while maintaining stability; adhere to local conditions and classified guidance; take the construction of innovative, livable, beautiful, resilient, civilized and intelligent modern people's cities as the goal; promote high-quality urban development as the theme; take the adherence to the connotation-oriented development of cities as the main line; take the promotion of urban renewal as an important starting point; vigorously promote the optimization of urban structure, kinetic energy conversion, quality improvement, green transformation, cultural heritage continuation, and governance efficiency improvement; firmly hold the bottom line of urban safety, and embark on a new path of urban modernisation with Chinese characteristics. 会议强调，当前和今后一个时期城市工作的总体要求是：坚持以习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想为指导，深入贯彻党的二十大和二十届二中、三中全会精神，全面贯彻习近平总书记关于城市工作的重要论述，坚持和加强党的全面领导，认真践行人民城市理念，坚持稳中求进工作总基调，坚持因地制宜、分类指导，以建设创新、宜居、美丽、韧性、文明、智慧的现代化人民城市为目标，以推动城市高质量发展为主题，以坚持城市内涵式发展为主线，以推进城市更新为重要抓手，大力推动城市结构优化、动能转换、品质提升、绿色转型、文脉赓续、治理增效，牢牢守住城市安全底线，走出一条中国特色城市现代化新路子.
The meeting pointed out that China’s urbanisation is transitioning from a period of rapid growth toward a period of stable development, and urban development is shifting from a stage of large-scale incremental expansion to a stage dominated by improving the quality and efficiency of existing stock. Urban work must deeply grasp and actively adapt to changes in the situation, shift the concept of urban development to place greater emphasis on putting people first; shift the mode of urban development to place greater emphasis on intensive and efficient development; shift the driving force of urban development to place greater emphasis on characteristic development; shift the focus of urban work to place greater emphasis on governance input; and shift the methods of urban work to place greater emphasis on overall coordination. 会议指出，我国城镇化正从快速增长期转向稳定发展期，城市发展正从大规模增量扩张阶段转向存量提质增效为主的阶段。城市工作要深刻把握、主动适应形势变化，转变城市发展理念，更加注重以人为本；转变城市发展方式，更加注重集约高效；转变城市发展动力，更加注重特色发展；转变城市工作重心，更加注重治理投入；转变城市工作方法，更加注重统筹协调.
Then we get 7 key tasks:
First, focus on optimising the modern urban system. Focus on improving cities’ comprehensive capacity to support population and economic and social development, develop cluster-based and networked modern urban agglomerations and metropolitan areas, promote urbanisation construction with county towns as important carriers in a classified manner, continue to promote the urbanization of rural migrant population, promote the coordinated development of large, medium and small cities and towns, and promote urban-rural integrated development.
Second, focus on building vibrant innovative cities. Carefully cultivate an innovative ecology and continuously make breakthroughs in developing new quality productive forces; rely on reform and opening up to enhance urban momentum, carry out high-quality urban renewal, and fully leverage the hub role of cities in the domestic and international dual circulation.
Third, focus on building comfortable and convenient liveable cities. Adhere to the integrated planning of population, industry, towns and transportation, optimize the urban spatial structure; accelerate the construction of a new model of real estate development, steadily promote the renovation of urban villages and dilapidated houses; vigorously develop life services, improve the level of public services, and firmly protect the bottom line of people’s livelihood.
Fourth, focus on building green and low-carbon beautiful cities. We will consolidate the results of ecological and environmental governance, take more effective measures to solve problems in urban air governance, drinking water source protection, and new pollutant governance, promote the coordinated efficiency of pollution reduction, carbon reduction, and greening, and enhance urban biodiversity.
Fifth, focus on building safe, reliable and resilient cities. Promote the construction of lifeline safety projects for urban infrastructure and accelerate the renovation and upgrading of old pipelines; strictly limit super-high-rise buildings and comprehensively improve the level of housing safety protection; strengthen urban natural disaster prevention and control, coordinate urban flood control systems and water-logging control; strengthen overall social security prevention and control, and effectively maintain urban public safety.
Sixth, focus efforts on building civilised cities that revere virtue and promote benevolence. Improve the historical and cultural protection and inheritance system, improve the urban landscape management system, protect the city’s unique historical context, human geography, and natural landscape; strengthen the construction of urban cultural soft power, and improve the civilised quality of citizens.
Seventh, focus on building convenient and efficient smart cities. Adhere to the leadership of Party building, adhere to the rule of law in cities, innovate the concepts, models, and means of urban governance, make good use of mechanisms such as citizen service hotlines, and efficiently solve the urgent problems of the masses.
会议部署城市工作7个方面的重点任务。一是着力优化现代化城市体系。着眼于提高城市对人口和经济社会发展的综合承载能力，发展组团式、网络化的现代化城市群和都市圈，分类推进以县城为重要载体的城镇化建设，继续推进农业转移人口市民化，促进大中小城市和小城镇协调发展，促进城乡融合发展。二是着力建设富有活力的创新城市。精心培育创新生态，在发展新质生产力上不断取得突破；依靠改革开放增强城市动能，高质量开展城市更新，充分发挥城市在国内国际双循环中的枢纽作用。三是着力建设舒适便利的宜居城市。坚持人口、产业、城镇、交通一体规划，优化城市空间结构；加快构建房地产发展新模式，稳步推进城中村和危旧房改造；大力发展生活性服务业，提高公共服务水平，牢牢兜住民生底线。四是着力建设绿色低碳的美丽城市。巩固生态环境治理成效，采取更有效措施解决城市空气治理、饮用水源地保护、新污染物治理等方面的问题，推动减污降碳扩绿协同增效，提升城市生物多样性。五是着力建设安全可靠的韧性城市。推进城市基础设施生命线安全工程建设，加快老旧管线改造升级；严格限制超高层建筑，全面提升房屋安全保障水平；强化城市自然灾害防治，统筹城市防洪体系和内涝治理；加强社会治安整体防控，切实维护城市公共安全。六是着力建设崇德向善的文明城市。完善历史文化保护传承体系，完善城市风貌管理制度，保护城市独特的历史文脉、人文地理、自然景观；加强城市文化软实力建设，提高市民文明素质。七是着力建设便捷高效的智慧城市。坚持党建引领，坚持依法治市，创新城市治理的理念、模式、手段，用好市民服务热线等机制，高效解决群众急难愁盼问题.
The meeting stressed that in order to build a modern people’s city, it is necessary to strengthen the Party’s overall leadership over urban work. Efforts must be made to further improve leadership systems and working mechanisms, enhance the coordination of urban policies, and strengthen implementation capacity across all aspects. It is necessary to establish and practice a correct view of political achievements, establish and improve a scientific evaluation system for urban development, strengthen the quality and capacity building of urban work teams, and encourage Party members and cadres to undertake responsibilities and engage in entrepreneurship. It is necessary to adhere to seeking truth from facts, seeking truth and being pragmatic, and resolutely oppose formalism and bureaucracy. 会议强调，建设现代化人民城市，必须加强党对城市工作的全面领导。要进一步健全领导体制和工作机制，增强城市政策协同性，强化各方面执行力。要树立和践行正确政绩观，建立健全科学的城市发展评价体系，加强城市工作队伍素质和能力建设，激励广大党员干部干事创业、担当作为。要坚持实事求是、求真务实，坚决反对形式主义、官僚主义.
The meeting pointed out that General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important speech has scientifically answered major theoretical and practical questions, such as who urban development is for, who it relies on, what kind of city to build, and how to build a city, and provided a fundamental guideline for doing a good job in urban work in the new era and on the new journey. It is essential to study and understand it carefully and implement it in full and without compromise. We must deeply grasp the historical position of China’s urban development and do a good job in urban work with a broader vision; deeply grasp the goal and positioning of building modernised people’s cities, and consciously practice the people-centered development philosophy; deeply grasp the strategic orientation of cities’ connotative development, and improve the quality of urban development in a more targeted manner; deeply grasp the inherent requirements of enhancing the dynamics and vitality of urban development, and do a good job in reform and innovation; and deeply grasp the systematic complexity of urban work, and strive to improve the ability to implement various tasks and deployments. 会议指出，习近平总书记的重要讲话，科学回答了城市发展为了谁、依靠谁以及建设什么样的城市、怎样建设城市等重大理论和实践问题，为做好新时代新征程的城市工作提供了根本遵循，要认真学习领会，不折不扣抓好落实。要深刻把握我国城市发展所处历史方位，以更加开阔的视野做好城市工作；深刻把握建设现代化人民城市的目标定位，自觉践行以人民为中心的发展思想；深刻把握城市内涵式发展的战略取向，更有针对性地提升城市发展质量；深刻把握增强城市发展动力活力的内在要求，做好改革创新大文章；深刻把握城市工作的系统性复杂性，着力提高落实各项任务部署的能力.
There’s a commentary on this meeting on Page 2. It says:
“This meeting, from an overall and strategic height, for the first time proposed the goal of building a modernised people’s city, and clearly defined the connotations in six aspects: ‘innovation, liveability, beauty, resilience, civility, and intelligence.’ The seven key tasks that were deployed closely follow this goal and positioning, grasping the issues of most concern and highest expectation among the people, and provide important epistemological and methodological guidance for us to explore a new path of Chinese-style urban modernisation.” 这次会议从全局和战略高度，首次提出了建设现代化人民城市的目标，明确了“创新、宜居、美丽、韧性、文明、智慧”6个方面的内涵。所部署的7个方面重点任务，紧扣这一目标定位，抓住了群众最为关心、最为期盼的问题，为我们走出一条中国特色城市现代化新路子提供了重要认识论和方法论.
The other top report on the page is on Xi’s meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Xinhua reports:
Xi “said that with the joint efforts of both sides, China-Australia relations have emerged from their low point and achieved a turnaround in recent years, bringing tangible benefits to the people of both countries. The most important insight this gives us is that treating each other as equals, seeking common ground while shelving differences, and engaging in mutually beneficial cooperation serve the fundamental interests of both China and Australia and the two peoples, Xi said. Noting that the China-Australia comprehensive strategic partnership has entered its second decade, Xi said China stands ready to work with Australia to further advance their relations for sound development to bring greater benefits to the two peoples.”
Xi then made four points:
First, China and Australia must continue to enhance strategic mutual trust. China’s determination to pursue peaceful development will not waver, its commitment to the concept of common development will not waver, and its policy of promoting cooperation and development in the Asia-Pacific will not waver. China advocates unity and cooperation among all countries, promotes the building of a Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific, the liberalisation and facilitation of trade and investment, and promotes regional peace, development, and prosperity. Both sides should uphold a correct mutual understanding and consolidate the foundation of mutual trust.
Second, the two countries should deepen and expand mutually beneficial cooperation. China has been Australia’s largest trading partner for 16 years, and trade with China has brought tangible benefits to Australia. The two sides should promote the docking of development strategies, effectively create a good business environment for enterprises of the two countries, create more points of interest alignment and growth of cooperation, and continuously improve the level and quality of cooperation.
Third, the two sides should extensively cultivate people-to-people friendship. The hearts of the two peoples are connected, and the friendship is sincere. China welcomes more people from all walks of life in Australia to travel to China, and is willing to invite more Australian youth to visit and study in China, so that the tree of China–Australia friendship may grow more lush and flourish.
Fourth, both sides should jointly respond to risks and challenges. Faced with the turbulent international situation, all countries should jointly safeguard international fairness and justice, safeguard multilateralism and free trade, defend the international system with the UN at its core and the international order based on international law, and promote the development of the international order in a more just and reasonable direction.
习近平强调，中澳双方首先要持续增进战略互信。中国坚持和平发展的决心不会动摇，坚持共同发展的理念不会动摇，坚持促进亚太合作发展的政策不会动摇，主张各国团结合作，推进亚太自由贸易区建设、贸易和投资自由化便利化，促进地区和平、发展、繁荣。双方应坚持正确相互认知，夯实互信基础。二是要深化拓展互利合作。中国16年来一直是澳大利亚最大贸易伙伴，对华贸易为澳大利亚带来实实在在利益。双方要推动发展战略对接，切实为两国企业营造良好营商环境，打造更多利益契合点和合作增长点，不断提升合作层次和水平。三是要广泛培植人民友谊。两国人民的心灵是相通的、友谊是真诚的，中方欢迎更多澳各界人士来中国走走看看，愿邀请更多澳大利亚青少年来华交流访学，让中澳友好之树更加枝繁叶茂。四是要共同应对风险挑战。面对变乱交织的国际形势，各国要共同维护国际公平正义，维护多边主义和自由贸易，捍卫以联合国为核心的国际体系和以国际法为基础的国际秩序，推动国际秩序朝着更加公正合理的方向发展.
As per Xinhua, Albanese said:
“Albanese said that Australia values its relations with China and looks forward to working with the Chinese side to treat each other as equals, seek common ground while shelving differences, and engage in mutually beneficial cooperation to advance bilateral ties. Noting that Australia adheres to the one-China policy and does not support ‘Taiwan independence’, he said Australia stands ready to maintain dialogue and exchanges with China at all levels to enhance mutual trust. Albanese said China’s development is vital to Australia, and Australia has never sought to decouple from the Chinese economy. He added that Australia remains committed to advancing practical cooperation in green industries, climate change response, and medical technology for mutual benefit, while also strengthening people-to-people exchanges in tourism, education and sports to deepen mutual understanding. Australia will work with China to uphold multilateralism, jointly safeguard free trade and WTO rules, and provide greater stability and certainty for the international community, he said, adding that Australia supports China in hosting the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in 2026”.
Next, there’s a report (English report) on Xi meeting with foreign ministers and heads of standing bodies of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. The report says that three made three big points to them:
Xi Jinping emphasised that, in the face of an international situation of intertwined changes and turmoil, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization must keep its direction clear, strengthen confidence, act efficiently, and be more effective, injecting more stability and positive energy into the world.
First, firmly keep in mind the original intention of the SCO’s founding and be torchbearers of the ‘Shanghai Spirit’. Take mutual trust and mutual benefit as the foundation of cooperation, take equality and consultation as the way of getting along, promote harmony and tolerance, seek common development to achieve win-win prosperity, and let the ‘Shanghai Spirit’ continue to illuminate the road to building a community with a shared future for the SCO.
Second, respond to people’s expectations and be doers when it comes to deepening cooperation. Improve the mechanism for responding to security threats and challenges, build a solid security barrier, and respond to people’s expectations for a peaceful and tranquil life; connect the development strategies of member states with cooperation initiatives such as BRI to achieve higher quality and more sustainable development, and respond to people’s expectations for a rich and happy life; facilitate personnel exchanges, promote people-to-people exchanges, and hold more cultural activities that reflect the characteristics of various countries, and respond to people’s expectations for a rich spiritual life.
Third, take on the mission of the times and be practitioners in building a community with a shared future for mankind. Firmly oppose hegemony, domineering, and bullying, so that a multipolar world becomes more equal and orderly; insist on joint consultation, joint construction, and shared benefits, and make economic globalisation more inclusive; unite and lead the Global South, promote the establishment of a more just and reasonable global governance system, and gather tremendous strength for building a community with a shared future for mankind.
习近平强调，面对变乱交织的国际形势，上海合作组织要看准方向、坚定信心，高效行动、更有作为，为世界注入更多稳定性和正能量。一是牢记成立初心，做“上海精神”的火炬手。以互信、互利为合作之基，以平等、协商为相处之道，以尊重多样文明促进和谐包容，以谋求共同发展实现共赢繁荣，让“上海精神”持续照亮构建上海合作组织命运共同体之路。二是回应人民期待，做深化合作的行动派。完善应对安全威胁和挑战的机制，筑牢安全屏障，回应人民对和平安宁生活的期待；对接成员国发展战略和共建“一带一路”等合作倡议，实现更高质量、更可持续发展，回应人民对富足美满生活的期待；便利人员往来、促进民间交流，多举办体现各国特色的人文活动，回应人民对丰富精神生活的期待。三是担当时代使命，做构建人类命运共同体的笃行者。坚决反对霸权霸道霸凌，让世界多极化更加平等有序；坚持共商共建共享，让经济全球化更加普惠包容；团结引领全球南方，推动建立更加公正合理的全球治理体系，为构建人类命运共同体汇聚磅礴力量.
As per this report, Lavrov spoke at this meeting too. Meanwhile, we have learned that the SCO summit will be held from August 31 to September 1 in Tianjin. Leaders from more than 20 countries and heads of 10 international organizations will attend.
Next, Xi Jinping met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
“Xi Jinping pointed out that China and Russia should implement the important consensus reached between President Putin and myself, deepen the construction of China-Russia comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, strengthen mutual support on multilateral platforms, safeguard the development and security interests of the two countries, unite the Global South countries, and promote the development of the international order in a more just and reasonable direction. The SCO is a comprehensive regional cooperation organisation jointly established by China and Russia. It is of great significance to maintaining peace, stability and development in the Eurasian continent. The two sides should support each other, keep the development direction of the SCO, continuously inject new momentum, and make this strategic platform more solid and strong.” 习近平指出，中俄双方要落实好我同普京总统达成的重要共识，深入推进中俄全面战略协作伙伴关系建设，加强在多边平台的相互支持，维护好两国发展和安全利益，团结全球南方国家，推动国际秩序朝着更加公正合理的方向发展。上海合作组织是中俄共同参与创建的综合性区域合作组织，对维护亚欧大陆和平、稳定、发展具有重要意义。双方要相互支持，把好上海合作组织发展方向，不断注入新动能，做实做强这个战略平台.
Finally, there’s a report on a new Qiushi article by Xi Jinping, i.e., a collection of Xi’s quotes over the years, discussing the issue of opening up. The quotes cover a period of December 2012 to April 2025. The PD report summarises this as:
“The article emphasises that openness brings progress, while closure will inevitably lead to backwardness. China’s development cannot be separated from the world, and the world’s prosperity also needs China. Continuously expanding opening up, improving the level of opening up, and promoting reform and development through opening up are important magic weapons for China to continuously make new achievements in development. China’s door of opening up will not close, but will only open wider and wider.” 文章强调，开放带来进步，封闭必然落后。中国的发展离不开世界，世界的繁荣也需要中国。不断扩大对外开放、提高对外开放水平，以开放促改革、促发展，是我国发展不断取得新成就的重要法宝。中国开放的大门不会关闭，只会越开越大。
“The article points out that we must continue to expand high-level opening up. In the past, China’s economic development was achieved under the condition of openness, and in the future, China’s economy must achieve high-quality development under the condition of greater openness. It is necessary to attract global resources and factors through the domestic big cycle and enhance the linkage effect between domestic and international markets and resources. Steadily expand institutional opening up such as rules, regulations, management, and standards, actively connect with international high-standard economic and trade rules, deepen the reform of the management system of foreign trade, foreign investment, and outbound investment, and create a first-class business environment that is market-oriented, law-based, and internationalized. It is necessary to implement the strategy of upgrading the free trade pilot zone, encourage pioneering and integrated exploration, and create a new highland of reform and opening up with a higher level of openness and stronger radiation effect. It is necessary to improve and promote the mechanism of joint construction of the high-quality BRI. The more open we are, the more we should pay attention to security, the more we should coordinate development and security, and strive to enhance our competitiveness, open supervision and risk prevention and control capabilities. We must adhere to the rule of law to promote high-level opening up, and constantly consolidate the rule of law foundation for high-level opening up.” 文章指出，要不断扩大高水平对外开放。过去中国经济发展是在开放条件下取得的，未来中国经济实现高质量发展也必须在更加开放条件下进行。要以国内大循环吸引全球资源要素，增强国内国际两个市场两种资源联动效应。稳步扩大规则、规制、管理、标准等制度型开放，主动对接国际高标准经贸规则，深化外贸、外商投资和对外投资管理体制改革，营造市场化、法治化、国际化一流营商环境。实施自由贸易试验区提升战略，鼓励首创性、集成式探索，打造开放层次更高、辐射作用更强的改革开放新高地。完善推进高质量共建“一带一路”机制。越开放越要重视安全，越要统筹好发展和安全，着力增强自身竞争能力、开放监管能力、风险防控能力。要坚持在法治基础上推进高水平对外开放，不断夯实高水平开放的法治根基.
The article pointed out that China’s policy of utilising foreign investment has not changed and will not change. China is the world’s second largest consumer market, with the world's largest middle-income group, and contains huge investment and consumption potential; it has formed a relatively sound system of laws, regulations, policies and work systems for utilizing foreign investment; it has maintained political stability and social stability for a long time, and is recognized as one of the safest countries in the world. China has been, is and will be an ideal, safe and promising investment destination for foreign investors. Going with China means going with opportunities, believing in China means believing in tomorrow, and investing in China means investing in the future. 文章指出，中国利用外资的政策没有变也不会变。中国是全球第二大消费市场，拥有全球最大规模中等收入群体，蕴含着巨大投资和消费潜力；已经形成比较健全的利用外资法规政策体系和工作体系；长期保持政局稳定、社会安定，是世界公认的最安全国家之一。中国过去是、现在是、将来也必然是外商理想、安全、有为的投资目的地，与中国同行就是与机遇同行，相信中国就是相信明天，投资中国就是投资未来.
“The article emphasises that economic globalisation is an objective requirement for the development of social productivity and an inevitable result of scientific and technological progress. It provides a strong impetus for world economic growth, promotes the flow of goods and capital, the progress of science and technology and civilisation, and the exchanges between people of all countries. At present, unilateralism and protectionism are intensifying, and multilateralism and free trade are facing severe challenges. China adheres to the correct direction of economic globalisation, promotes the liberalisation and facilitation of trade and investment, opposes protectionism, opposes ‘building walls and barriers’, ‘decoupling and breaking chains’, and opposes unilateral sanctions and extreme pressure. Adhere to true multilateralism, promote inclusive economic globalisation, actively participate in global economic governance, and commit to building an open world economy.” 文章强调，经济全球化是社会生产力发展的客观要求和科技进步的必然结果，为世界经济增长提供了强劲动力，促进了商品和资本流动、科技和文明进步、各国人民交往。当前，单边主义、保护主义加剧，多边主义、自由贸易受到严峻挑战。中国坚持经济全球化正确方向，推动贸易和投资自由化便利化，反对保护主义，反对“筑墙设垒”、“脱钩断链”，反对单边制裁、极限施压。坚持真正的多边主义，推动普惠包容的经济全球化，积极参与全球经济治理，致力于建设开放型世界经济.
Page 3: There’s a report on the 10th China-Australia Annual Leaders' Meeting, which Li Qiang and Albanese co-chaired.
Li said that “China is willing to continue working with Australia to promote the continuous deepening and expansion of bilateral cooperation, achieve a higher level of mutual benefit and win-win results, and better benefit the people of both countries.” 中方愿同澳方继续努力，推动两国合作不断深化拓展，实现更高水平的互利共赢，更好惠及两国人民.
“Li Qiang pointed out that the Chinese and Australian economies are highly complementary, and there is broad space for cooperation in the fields of energy and minerals, agricultural products, green development, and scientific and technological innovation. The Chinese side is willing to work with the Australian side to make full use of various dialogue mechanisms such as the Strategic Economic Dialogue, the Joint Committee on Agriculture, and the High-Level Dialogue on Trade Remedies, to strengthen the planning and design of cooperation in various fields, explore more points of interest alignment and economic growth points, and unleash the great potential of economic and trade cooperation between the two countries. It is hoped that Australia will provide a fair, open, and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese companies in Australia. China is willing to continue to vigorously support exchanges in the fields of culture, education, tourism, and local areas with Australia, and further facilitate personnel exchanges between the two sides. China and Australia are both supporters and beneficiaries of multilateralism and free trade, and are both active advocates and promoters of Asia-Pacific regional cooperation. They should strengthen communication and cooperation under the frameworks of the UN, the WTO, and APEC, maintain a rules-based multilateral trading system, and work together to promote a good international economic and trade cooperation environment.” 李强指出，中澳经济有着高度互补性，在能源矿产、农产品、绿色发展、科技创新等领域的合作空间广阔。中方愿同澳方充分用好战略经济对话、农业联委会、高级别贸易救济对话等各类对话机制，加强对各领域合作规划设计，发掘更多利益契合点和经济增长点，释放两国经贸合作的巨大潜力。希望澳方为在澳中国企业提供公平、开放、非歧视的营商环境。中方愿同澳方继续大力支持文化、教育、旅游、地方等领域交流，进一步便利双方人员往来。中澳同为多边主义和自由贸易的支持者、受益者，同为亚太区域合作的积极倡导者和推动者，要加强在联合国、世贸组织、亚太经合组织等框架下的沟通协作，维护以规则为基础的多边贸易体制，携手共促良好的国际经贸合作环境.
After the talks, the two prime ministers jointly witnessed the signing of a number of cooperation documents on trade, customs inspection and quarantine, agriculture, tourism and other areas. The two sides also issued a Statement on Joint Outcomes of the China-Australia Annual Leaders’ Meeting.
Key points from that document:
Australia reiterated its commitment to “its one-China policy.”
The two sides look “forward to holding the Foreign and Strategic Dialogue and the Joint Ministerial Economic Commission in China in 2025.”
“Australia looked forward to a successful APEC 2026 and supported China’s hosting.”
The two sides “welcomed the important role played by the China-Australia High Level Dialogue and plans to hold the next meeting later this year in China.”
The two sides agreed to continue or expand engagement in: Political dialogue, including through continuing the Annual Leaders’ Meeting, the Foreign and Strategic Dialogue, the Strategic Economic Dialogue, the Joint Ministerial Economic Commission, as well as other government-to-government mechanisms … they welcomed a review of the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA) … Australia will be this year’s country of honour at the China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS).
Both sides agreed to establish a new Policy Dialogue on Steel Decarbonisation. They looked forward to holding the Ninth China-Australia Ministerial Dialogue on Climate Change in 2025 in China.
They will engage on “border enforcement, building on existing bilateral law enforcement cooperation in our mutual interest against forms of crime including counter-narcotics, transnational and organised crime and cyber-telecom scams.”
There’s also a report on the 8th China-Australia CEO Roundtable, which Li and Albanese attended. The report says:
Under the current international economic and trade situation, it is all the more necessary to deepen China-Australia cooperation. The economic structures of the two countries are highly complementary, and the foundations for industrial and market alignment are solid; they are natural cooperation partners. China and Australia should further tighten the bonds of cooperation, persist in promoting the liberalisation and facilitation of trade and investment, form a stronger synergy for development, and effectively respond to environmental uncertainties. This is in the common interests of the two countries. 在听取两国工商界代表发言后，李强表示，今年恰逢中澳自贸协定生效十周年。过去十年里，中澳经贸合作展现了较强的韧性和活力。在当前国际经贸形势下，更加需要深化中澳合作。两国的经济结构高度互补，产业和市场对接的基础扎实，是天然合作伙伴。中澳要进一步拉紧合作纽带，坚持推进贸易投资自由化便利化，形成更强的发展合力，有效应对环境的不确定性。这符合两国的共同利益.
Li Qiang pointed out that with the joint efforts of China and Australia, bilateral cooperation will not only achieve quantitative expansion, but also a qualitative leap, which will bring new opportunities for enterprises in the two countries. First, the large Chinese market will continuously release huge consumption potential. As long as China and Australia work closely together, the scale of trade will continue to expand and the structure will continue to optimise, which will create more business opportunities for enterprises in the two countries. Second, if the two countries strengthen cooperation in the research and development of cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence and life sciences, they can better empower the industries of the two countries and enable enterprises on both sides to seize the lead in the new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation. Third, if enterprises of the two countries work together to accelerate cooperation in clean energy, electric vehicles, energy storage and other fields, they will be able to create a world-class green industrial chain with both resilience and competitiveness, and generate huge development momentum. 李强指出，中澳双方共同努力，双边合作不仅会实现量的扩张，也会发生质的飞跃，将为两国企业带来新的机遇。一是中国大市场将源源不断释放巨大消费潜力，只要中澳紧密合作，贸易规模就会持续扩大、结构不断优化，就能为两国企业创造更多商机。二是两国加强人工智能、生命科学等前沿技术研发合作，就能为两国产业更好赋能，使双方企业在新一轮科技革命和产业变革中抢占潮头。三是两国企业携手加快推进清洁能源、电动汽车、储能等领域的合作，就能打造出兼具韧性和竞争力的世界级绿色产业链，催生巨大发展动能.
“Li Qiang stressed that only when the government and enterprises move towards each other can development be better promoted. China will continue to promote high-level opening up, treat domestic and foreign-funded enterprises equally, and protect the rights and interests of foreign enterprises and entrepreneurs in China in accordance with the law. It is hoped that the Australian side will treat Chinese enterprises in Australia fairly and properly solve the problems encountered by enterprises in market access, investment review and other areas. It is hoped that Chinese and Australian enterprises will adhere to openness, embrace cooperation, make forward-looking arrangements, continue to deepen their efforts, and further promote the docking of the two countries’ markets and industrial integration, so as to promote better complementary advantages and joint development between the two countries.” 李强强调，政府和企业相向而行才能更好促进发展。中国将继续推进高水平对外开放，对内外资企业一视同仁，依法保护外国企业和企业家在华权益。希望澳方公平对待赴澳中国企业，妥善解决企业在市场准入、投资审查等方面遇到的问题。希望中澳企业坚持开放、拥抱合作，前瞻布局、持续深耕，深入推进两国市场对接和产业融合，促进两国更好优势互补、携手发展.
Page 9: There’s a really interesting article by Zhang Hao, who is a researcher at the Guangdong Provincial Research Center for Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. The article talks about the concept of “key minority” 关键少数 who must be grasped. It says that:
“Grasping the ‘key minority’ is an innovative achievement of the sinicization and modernisation of Marxism.”
“The Marxist materialist view of history emphasises that the people are the creators of history, while also recognising the role of outstanding figures in promoting historical development. General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important discourse on grasping the ‘key minority’ is based on in-depth analysis and innovative interpretation of the relationship between the leading cadres and the people on the basis of inheriting the essence of this theory. As the ‘key minority’, leading cadres bear the key responsibilities of policy formulation, direction guidance and organizational coordination in the cause of socialist modernisation. Every move of leading cadres functions as a signal/guide, and they carry significant weight and exert considerable influence in the hearts of the masses. Only by firmly grasping the ‘key minority’ of leading cadres can we achieve the effect of leading by example and uniting and leading the masses to gather a mighty force to comprehensively promote the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese-style modernisation. How can leading cadres win the support and support of the people? General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasised that ‘leading teams and leading cadres at all levels must establish a correct view of political achievements’ and ‘must bear in mind that the purpose of creating achievements is to seek benefits for the people, and truly focus their minds and energy on doing things for the Party and the people.’ Only when leading cadres always keep the masses in mind and think more from the perspective of the masses can they do their work thoroughly and in a practical manner, thereby leading the masses and gathering positive energy for action and entrepreneurship. General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important exposition on grasping the ‘key minority’ highlights the close connection between leading cadres and the people in the historical process, further deepens the understanding of the relationship between leading cadres and the people, and promotes the sinicization and modernisation of the Marxist history centered on the masses.” 深化对领导干部和人民群众关系的认识。马克思主义唯物史观强调人民群众是历史的创造者，同时也承认杰出人物对历史发展的推动作用。习近平总书记关于抓住“关键少数”的重要论述，在继承这一理论精髓的基础上，对领导干部群体与人民群众的关系进行深度剖析与创新阐释。领导干部作为“关键少数”，在社会主义现代化建设事业中承担着政策制定、方向引领和组织协调的关键职责。领导干部一举一动皆是导向，在广大人民群众心中的分量很重、影响很大。紧紧抓住领导干部这个“关键少数”，才能起到上行下效、一呼百应的效果，团结和带领广大人民群众，凝聚起以中国式现代化全面推进中华民族伟大复兴的磅礴力量。领导干部如何赢得人民群众的拥护和支持呢？习近平总书记强调“各级领导班子和领导干部要树牢正确政绩观”，“一定要牢记创造业绩的目的是为人民谋利益，真正把心思和精力放在为党和人民干事创业上”。领导干部只有时刻把群众放在心里，多从群众角度思考，才能把工作做细做实，从而带动群众，凝聚起干事创业的正能量。习近平总书记关于抓住“关键少数”的重要论述，突出强调领导干部与人民群众在历史进程中的密切联系，进一步深化了领导干部与人民群众关系的认识，推进了马克思主义群众史观的中国化时代化.
“The ‘key minority’ is a specific group formed based on China’s political system, governance structure and practical needs, with clear orientation and practical relevance. In terms of the concept itself, the ‘key minority’ refers to leading cadres. In the important discussion on grasping the ‘key minority’, General Secretary Xi Jinping has paid special attention to the following important cadre groups. First, senior cadres of the Party and the country. General Secretary Xi Jinping has emphasised: ‘Focus on leading cadres, especially senior cadres’ and ‘among senior cadres, members of the Central Committee, the Central Politburo, and its Standing Committee bear the primary responsibility’. Second, the ‘top leader’ among leading cadres. General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out: ‘The top leaders are the key. They must shoulder the responsibility, dare to take on the heaviest burdens, dare to gnaw the hardest bones, and be skilled in handling the hottest potatoes’. The ‘top leader’ among leading cadres is the main person in charge of a region, a department, or a unit, and is the key person who bears the main responsibility. Third, among the ‘top leaders’, the county Party secretary has been emphasised. General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out: ‘a county is a basically complete society’; ‘the county Party secretary is not high in the cadre hierarchy, but has a special status’, ‘the county Party committee is the ‘front-line command center’ of our Party’s governance and national rejuvenation, and the county Party secretary is the ‘front-line commander-in-chief’, an important backbone force of our Party in governing the country in the county’. It is required that the county Party secretaries take the lead in conducting themselves with integrity, doing things cleanly, and being an upright official, and truly set an example and lead by example.” 明确“关键少数”的主体范围。“关键少数”是基于我国政治体制、治理结构和实践需求形成的具体群体，具有明确的指向性和现实针对性。从概念本身而言，“关键少数”指的是领导干部。在抓住“关键少数”的重要论述中，习近平总书记特别关注的“关键少数”包括以下几个重要的干部群体。一是党和国家的高级干部。习近平总书记强调：“突出抓好领导干部特别是高级干部”“在高级干部中，中央委员会、中央政治局、中央政治局常委会组成人员首当其责”。二是领导干部中的“一把手”。习近平总书记指出：“一把手是关键，要把责任扛在肩上，勇于挑最重的担子，敢于啃最硬的骨头，善于接最烫的山芋”。领导干部中的“一把手”是一个地区、一个部门、一个单位的主要负责人，是负主要责任的关键人物。三是在“一把手”中，强调了县委书记。习近平总书记指出：“一个县就是一个基本完整的社会”“县委书记在干部序列中说起来级别不高，但地位特殊”“县委是我们党执政兴国的‘一线指挥部’，县委书记就是‘一线总指挥’，是我们党在县域治国理政的重要骨干力量”。要求县委书记带头清清白白做人、干干净净做事、堂堂正正做官，真正做到率先垂范、以上率下.
The next big point made is that “leading cadres, as the ‘key minority’ who wield public power, are both the key subjects of correct power use and the main targets of supervision.” 这一重要论述表明，领导干部作为掌握公共权力的“关键少数”，既是权力正确行使的关键主体，也是权力监督的重点对象.
“Since the 18th Party Congress, whether it is standardising the duties and the limits of authority of main leading cadres at all levels of Party and government, scientifically allocating the power and functions of Party and government departments and their internal institutions, or implementing the power list system and lawfully making public the power processes, all efforts have focused around the links of authorisation, use and limits of power. Reasonably determining the ownership of power, clearly demarcating the boundaries of power, clarifying the list of powers, explicitly stating what powers can be used and what powers cannot be used, strengthening control over the power process, compressing the space for discretionary power, eliminating all kinds of black-box operations, placing the operation of power under the supervision of the Party organizations and the people, and minimising the space for rent-seeking. By establishing and improving the power list system, accountability mechanism and supervision and assessment system for the ‘key minority’, a theoretical and practical framework has been constructed where duties are clearly defined, powers and responsibilities are unified, and supervision is effective. This further enriches the Marxist thought on power operation and supervision, aligning it more closely with the actual needs of power operation under the socialist system with Chinese characteristics, and provides solid support for regulating power and preventing corruption.” 党的十八大以来，无论是规范各级党政主要领导干部职责权限、科学配置党政部门及内设机构权力和职能，还是推行权力清单制度、依法公开权力流程，都围绕授权、用权、制权等环节，合理确定权力归属、划清权力边界、厘清权力清单，明确什么权能用、什么权不能用，强化权力流程控制，压缩自由裁量空间，杜绝各种暗箱操作，把权力运行置于党组织和人民群众监督之下，最大限度减少权力寻租的空间。通过建立健全针对“关键少数”的权力清单制度、责任追究机制和监督考核体系，构建职权明晰、权责统一、监督有力的理论和行为框架，进一步丰富马克思主义关于权力运行与监督的思想，使其更贴合中国特色社会主义制度下权力运行的实际需求，为规范权力运行、防治腐败提供坚实支撑。
General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important discourse on grasping the ‘key minority’ integrates Marxist dialectical materialism with the with the Chinese Communist Party's practice of managing and governing the Party, governing the country and managing state affairs, and regards the group of leading cadres as the key force for implementing policies, promoting reforms and promoting development; it promises to strengthen the responsibility, capacity building and behavioural norms of the ‘key minority’ to drive the ‘vast majority’ to form a powerful synergy to promote social development. 习近平总书记关于抓住“关键少数”的重要论述，将马克思主义唯物辩证法与中国共产党管党治党、治国理政的实践相结合，将领导干部群体视为落实政策、推进改革和推动发展的关键力量，提出通过强化“关键少数”的责任担当、能力建设和行为规范，带动“绝大多数”形成推动社会发展的强大合力.
Also: “General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out in the ‘Explanation of the Several Regulations on Intra-Party Political Life under New Circumstance’ and the ‘Regulations on Intra-Party Supervision of the Communist Party of China’: ‘Both the draft of the guidelines and the draft of the regulations emphasise the focus on senior cadres. The main consideration is that strengthening Party building must focus on leading cadres, especially senior cadres, and focusing on the members of the Central Committee, the Politburo of the Central Committee, and the PBSC is the key. If this group of people is well managed, they can set an example for the whole Party, and many things will be easier to handle. Therefore, to strengthen and regulate intra-Party political life and strengthen intra-Party supervision, it is necessary to start first with this group of people.” This is the key point.” 习近平总书记在《关于〈关于新形势下党内政治生活的若干准则〉和〈中国共产党党内监督条例〉的说明》中指出：“准则稿、条例稿都强调以高级干部为重点，主要考虑是加强党的建设必须抓好领导干部特别是高级干部，而抓好中央委员会、中央政治局、中央政治局常委会的组成人员是关键。把这部分人抓好了，能够在全党作出表率，很多事情就好办了。因此，加强和规范党内政治生活、加强党内监督，必须首先从这部分人抓起。”这是讲重点.
The second section of the article basically outlines the key aspects of Xi’s thought on leading cadres and why his articulation of the perspective on the “key minority” has profound significance.
First, there is a timeliness to this perspective. “As socialism with Chinese characteristics enters a new era, new and higher requirements have been put forward for the "critical minority", requiring leading cadres to keep pace with the times and improve their level of scientific, democratic and law-based governance, ensure that they adapt to the requirements of the new era and have the ability to lead modernization construction, and constantly ope”n up new situations in their work by facing problems and solving difficult problems.” 中国特色社会主义进入新时代，对“关键少数”提出了新的更高要求，要求领导干部与时俱进提高科学执政、民主执政、依法执政水平，确保适应新时代要求、具备领导现代化建设能力，在直面问题、破解难题中不断打开工作新局面. “As the ‘key minority’, leading cadres must actively adapt to the requirements of the new era, vigorously emancipate the mind, forge ahead with reform and innovation, focus on eliminating the influence of all kinds of backward thinking and narrow-minded views, base themselves on reality but not be confined by the present, dispel the mentality of being timid and hesitant, and demonstrate the spirit and energy of ‘the one who dares to ride the waves stands at the crest of the tide’. They must ensure that they always keep pace with the times, stand bravely at the forefront of the era, absorb new ideas and new methods, study new situations and explore new approaches, and, with a fine work style, unite people’s hearts and gather strength, forge ahead with dedication, and truly demonstrate new atmosphere and new achievements in the construction of Chinese-style modernisation.” 作为“关键少数”，领导干部要主动适应新时代要求，大力解放思想，锐意改革创新，着力排除各种落后思想和狭隘观念影响，立足实际但不拘泥当前，消除畏首畏尾思想，展现“弄潮儿向涛头立”的精气神，确保始终紧跟时代步伐、勇立时代潮头，吸纳新理念、新方法，研究新情况、探寻新思路，以优良作风凝心聚力、干事创业，切实在中国式现代化建设中展现新气象新作为.
Second, there’s a people-oriented nature to it. In this, the author says that leading cadres have “the sacred mission of serving the people”. “Grasping the key link of leading cadres and promoting them to establish a correct view of power, political achievements, and career can ensure that the Party’s policies always take the fundamental interests of the vast majority of the people as the starting point and end goal.” 抓住领导干部这一关键环节，推动领导干部树牢正确权力观、政绩观、事业观，能够确保党的各项政策始终以最广大人民的根本利益为出发点和落脚点. In this context, the author argues that Xi’s thought is fundamentally people-orientated in nature.
Third, it is based on systematic thinking. “General Secretary Xi Jinping's important expositions on grasping the ‘key minority’ adhere to a systematic concept. It not only speaks to what it is, but also to why it is so; not only to what to grasp, but also to how to grasp it. It contains rich political wisdom, inspiration from laws and strategies, and embodies a high degree of unity between the overall and the local/specific, the current and the long-term, the macro and the micro, and addressing the root causes and tackling the symptoms, and embodies the systematic nature of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era in theory and practice.” 习近平总书记关于抓住“关键少数”的重要论述，坚持系统观念，既讲是什么又讲为什么，既讲抓什么又讲怎么抓，蕴含着丰富的政治智慧、规律启示和策略方法，体现了全局和局部、当前和长远、宏观和微观、治本和治标的高度统一，体现了习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想在理论和实践上的系统性。
Fourth, it is dialectical in nature. “Regarding the comprehensive and strict governance of the Party, General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasises the need to adhere to the unity of grasping the ‘key minority’ and managing the ‘vast majority’, both putting forward universal requirements for the broad mass of Party members, and at the same time proposing higher and stricter standards for the ‘key minority’, especially senior cadres, and implementing stricter management and supervision. Another example is that in terms of rule of law construction, General Secretary Xi Jinping has, on the one hand, emphasised the need to grasp the ‘key minority’ of leading cadres; on the other hand, he has and pointed out that it is necessary to ‘guide all the people to be loyal advocates, conscious observers, and firm defenders of socialist rule of law’. Such thinking and practical requirements not only grasp the main contradictions and the main aspects of the contradictions, but also take into account the secondary contradictions and the secondary aspects of the contradictions, reflecting the scientific and dialectical nature in all areas of work, such as comprehensive and strict Party governance and rule-of-law construction.” 关于全面从严治党，习近平总书记强调要坚持抓“关键少数”和管“绝大多数”相统一，既对广大党员提出普遍性要求，又对“关键少数”特别是高级干部提出更高更严的标准，进行更严的管理和监督。再如，在法治建设方面，习近平总书记一方面强调要抓住领导干部这个“关键少数”，另一方面指出要“引导全体人民做社会主义法治的忠实崇尚者、自觉遵守者、坚定捍卫者”。这种思维方式和实践要求，既抓住主要矛盾和矛盾的主要方面，又兼顾次要矛盾和矛盾的次要方面，体现全面从严治党、法治建设等各方面工作的科学性和辩证性。
Finally, there’s a practicality to this perspective. In this, the author argues that this view of grasping the ‘key minority’ has evolved from practical experience. “As the backbone of the cause of the Party and the country, how the ‘key minority’ plays its role is directly related to the effectiveness of the cause of the Party and the country. Firmly grasping the ‘key minority’ and consolidating the main responsibility is to grasp the key to the advancement of work; it will produce the effect of ‘pulling the main rope is lifted to result in opening the net’ and achieve twice the result with half the effort. This can effectively promote the concrete implementation of various tasks, thereby transforming institutional advantages into governance efficiency.” “关键少数”作为党和国家事业的中坚力量，其作用发挥如何直接关系党和国家事业的成效。牢牢抓住“关键少数”，压实主体责任，就抓住了工作推进的关键，会起到纲举目张、事半功倍的效果，能够有效推进各项工作的具体落实，从而将制度优势转化为治理效能。