COVID Outbreaks 'Grave & Complex' - Chen Xi on Building High-Quality Cadres Team - 20th Party Congress Propaganda across Armed Forces - China & US Defense Chiefs Meet - Policing in Pacific Islands

Here are the stories and pieces that I found noteworthy in the Wednesday, November 23, 2022, edition of the People’s Daily.

Page 1: At the top of the page is a short report on Xi Jinping’s message of condolence to Indonesian president Joko Widodo over the recent earthquake. The other top story is Xi’s call for “all out efforts” after a fire at a factory in Anyang, Henan Province. Official reports put the death toll from the incident at 38.

Next, there’s a feature article on China’s foreign trade and investment growth since 2012. The piece has some useful data, but there’s no new point that’s being made. Rather, it repeats the idea that China is the world’s largest trading nation and has remained an attractive destination for foreign investment.

• In 2020, China’s total trade in goods and services was $5.3 trillion; in 2021, this grew to $6.9 trillion.

• In 2021, the export of mechanical and electrical products and high-tech products increased by 68.4% and 62.9% respectively compared with 2012. Knowledge-intensive service trade increased by 122.1% compared with 2012.

With regard to foreign investment, the article mentions Guangzhou Beixiu Biotechnology upgrading its facilities and BASF’s investment in Zhanjiang. It says that “in the first 10 months of this year, FDI into China has increased by 14.4% year-on-year.” It adds that in 2021, FDI into China hit $145.2 billion. From 2013 to 2021, cumulative non-financial FDI into China was estimated at $1,128.1 billion, the highest in the world.” 2021年，我国对外直接投资额达1452亿美元。2013年至2021年，我国累计非金融类对外直接投资11281亿美元，稳居世界前列.

The final section discusses China’s FTAs and the preparation to join the CPTPP and DEPA. The interesting datapoint here is that trade with China’s FTA partners accounts for around 35% of the country’s total foreign trade. China has signed 19 FTAs with 26 countries and regions.

Next, there’s a report on Wang Yang’s remarks at the meeting of the Chairpersons' Council of the CPPCC National Committee. 

Xinhua reports: “The meeting heard a report on the analysis of performance statistics from the 13th CPPCC National Committee members, as well as reports on democratic oversight work delivered by a number of committees under the CPPCC.” On the former, the PD story says:

“The 13th CPPCC has conscientiously implemented the spirit of the important instructions of General Secretary Xi Jinping on strengthening the construction of committee members. It has taken multiple measures to give full play to the principal role of committee members and strengthen their sense of responsibility. Members have further strengthened their awareness of their responsibilities and their ability to perform their duties. The committee members have taken on a new look for a new era.” 汪洋指出，十三届全国政协认真贯彻落实习近平总书记关于加强委员队伍建设的重要指示精神，多措并举发挥委员主体作用、强化委员责任担当，委员履职责任意识进一步强化，履职能力进一步增强，委员队伍面貌焕然一新，展现出新时代新样子.

It is necessary to implement the spirit of the 20th Party Congress in the light of the actual work of the CPPCC, explore and improve the scientific and reasonable target/index system, analyse and evaluate members' performance of their duties in a more objective and comprehensive manner, and provide scientific support for them to better play their representative role among the people in different sectors and improve their performance. 要切实结合政协工作实际贯彻落实中共二十大精神，探索和完善科学合理的指标体系，更加客观全面地分析评价委员履职情况，为更好发挥委员在界别群众中的代表作用、提高履职效能提供科学支撑.

The meeting also adopted reports on the democratic oversight of subjects such as advancing elderly-friendly renovation projects in homes and communities, as well as the construction of a modern industrial system in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

Next, two brief reports with some useful data. First, the Ministry of Transport informs that  from January to October this year, total fixed asset investment in roads and waterways has been around 2,466.5 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 9.5%. Second, from January to October, China has started construction on 24,000 water conservancy projects with a combined investment of 1.15 trillion yuan. This is 5200 more projects than last year. For the first 10 months, China has completed investments worth 921.1 billion yuan in water conservancy projects. Water conservancy construction projects have created 2.26 million jobs so far this year, including 1.83 million for rural workers.

Page 2: There’s a report on Shi Taifeng, the new head of the UFWD, engaging with the central committees of various democratic parties and the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce to discuss the need to study, publicise and implement the spirit of the 20th Party Congress. The report has the eight parties “unanimously stating that they should study, publicise and implement the spirit of the 20th Party Congress, unite more closely around the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core…” 他们一致表示，要深入学习宣传贯彻中共二十大精神，更加紧密地团结在以习近平同志为核心的中共中央周围，充分发挥自身特色优势，认真履行中国特色社会主义参政党职能，扎实推进自身建设，为夺取中国特色社会主义新胜利而团结奋斗.

Shi told them that he hopes that “all democratic parties will unify their thoughts and actions into the spirit of the 20th Party Congress, adhere to the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and fully implement General Secretary Xi Jinping's important thoughts on doing a good job in the party's united front work in the new era, deeply understand the decisive significance of Two Establishments, constantly strengthen the four consciousnesses and four self-confidences and achieve the two safeguards … and contribute wisdom and strength to the construction of socialism with Chinese characteristics.” 希望各民主党派把思想和行动统一到中共二十大精神上来，坚持以习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想为指导，全面贯彻习近平总书记关于做好新时代党的统一战线工作的重要思想，深刻领悟“两个确立”的决定性意义，不断增强“四个意识”、坚定“四个自信”、做到“两个维护”，认真做好换届各项工作，积极发挥参政党作用，为中国特色社会主义建设贡献智慧和力量.

Next, there’s a report on the press briefing by the State Council’s joint prevention and control mechanism. A total of 253,000 cases of infection nationwide have been reported since November 1, with an average daily caseload of over 22,000 every day for the past week. NHC’s Mi Feng said that “China faces a grave and complex COVID-19 situation with a wider spread and more transmission chains of the virus.” In PD, Mi Feng basically calls for adhering to dynamic clearing and precise and scientific efforts to deal with outbreaks. 

Yesterday, the country reported 28000 cases. This chart below from FT is useful to compare the current situation with the situation during the Shanghai outbreak earlier this year. Significant outbreaks are being reported in Beijing, Chongqing, Sichuan and Guangdong.

In PD, Hu Xiang, an official from the national administration of disease prevention and control, is quoted as saying that “the epidemic spread in some areas is accelerating, and the difficulty of prevention and control is increasing.” Hu informed that “densely populated cities” have become key targets of prevention and control work and that owing to the high transmissibility of the Omicron variant, it is difficult to quickly identify and track early infections. “当前，我国疫情形势仍然严峻复杂，部分地区的疫情扩散速度加快，防控难度不断加大。”国家疾控局传防司二级巡视员胡翔介绍，近期新增感染者数量持续增加，疫情波及范围广、传播链复杂，人口密集城市成为疫情防控的重点地区。由于奥密克戎变异株的隐匿传播和传播力强的特点，增加了早期感染者快速识别和追踪管理的难度。国家卫健委、国家疾控局已经派出工作组，督促指导地方将二十条优化措施落实到位，现场指导支持地方疫情处置和防控工作.

Hu added that the NHC and national bureau of disease control and prevention have sent work teams to “supervise and guide the local authorities to implement the 20 optimisation measures.” 国家卫健委、国家疾控局已经派出工作组，督促指导地方将二十条优化措施落实到位，现场指导支持地方疫情处置和防控工作.

AP also quotes Hu as saying: “The outbreaks of epidemics have become consistent in most provinces…Some provinces are facing the most severe and complex situation in the past three years.” 

In PD, Hu basically warns of a larger scale of infections ahead. “According to Hu Xiang’s analysis, the Omicron variant has high transmissibility and is difficult to track. If an outbreak is detected late, there will be widespread community transmission, which, in turn, greatly increases the difficulty of epidemic prevention and control.” 近期，部分地区社会面筛查的感染者数量占比较高。胡翔分析，奥密克戎变异株隐匿性更强，传播速度更快，如果发现疫情较晚，会出现广泛社区传播，疫情防控的难度大大增加. In saying this, Hu basically called for enhanced monitoring of high-risk personnel, normalised prevention and control policies even where no outbreaks have been reported, and enhancing testing, isolation resources, and management of flow.

Guo Yanhong from the NHC talked about enhancing medical capacity given the rising number of infections in the country. One key part of this is makeshift hospitals. Wang Liping, from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention of China, informs that if no new infections are found among those under lockdown/control in high-risk areas for five consecutive days, then it is deemed that the spread of community transmission has been basically blocked in that area. 

Earlier, on Monday the mechanism had unveiled four detailed guidelines for Chinese cities to follow with regard to nucleic acid testing, classification of risk areas, home quarantine and home health monitoring. Global Times’ report on this says:

“According to the latest documents, local authorities should not roll out mass nucleic acid testing when there is no outbreak in a place. Instead, they should closely follow the ninth edition of the country's epidemic prevention and control plan to focus on key populations. Specific locations should not be designated as risk areas if confirmed cases or asymptomatic cases are discovered during centralized quarantine, home quarantine, or closed-loop management but are evaluated as posing no risk to the community or families outside their range of activities. They should neither be identified as risk areas if a discharged patient is tested COVID-19 positive but poses no risk of spreading the virus or an international arrival's Ct value is more than 35, according to the documents.”

Finally, there’s a report on the systematic enhancement of Party control over state institutions. It informs that from November 17 to 21, the Organization Department held a training session for newly-recruited Chinese civil servants. This is the first such occurrence. Around 195,000 newly recruited civil servants across the country participated in the training and took the collective constitutional oath. Xinhua informs that “the training sessions highlighted the implementation of the guiding principles of the 20th National Congress of the CPC, and reinforced the political, theoretical, conduct and integrity training. The trainee civil servants were called upon to follow the instructions and guidance of the Party, act in line with the people-centered philosophy of development, and earnestly maintain integrity from the start of their careers.”

The PD story adds that the training sought to “educate and guide newly-recruited civil servants to persevere in using Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era to forge their hearts and souls, firmly support the Two Establishments, resolutely achieve the Two Safeguards, unswervingly listen to and obey the Party…” 培训班以学习贯彻党的二十大精神为主题，加强政治训练、理论武装、作风教育和廉政警示，教育引导新录用公务员坚持不懈用习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想凝心铸魂，坚定拥护“两个确立”，坚决做到“两个维护”，坚定不移听党话、跟党走，始终践行以人民为中心的发展思想，努力锤炼适应新时代要求的过硬本领，认真扣好廉洁从政的“第一粒扣子”，走好公务员职业生涯第一步，争做堪当民族复兴重任的高素质公务员，为实现新时代新征程各项目标任务拼搏奋斗.

Page 3: A few reports to note. First, Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe met with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in Cambodia. The meeting lasted for around 90 minutes. The US readout of the meeting says:

“Secretary Austin and General Wei discussed U.S.-PRC defense relations and regional and global security issues. Secretary Austin emphasized the need to responsibly manage competition and maintain open lines of communication. The Secretary also discussed the importance of substantive dialogue on reducing strategic risk, improving crisis communications, and enhancing operational safety. He raised concerns about the increasingly dangerous behavior demonstrated by PLA aircraft in the Indo-Pacific region that increases the risk of an accident. The Secretary also affirmed that the United States will continue to fly, sail, and operate wherever international law allows. Secretary Austin discussed Russia's unprovoked war against Ukraine and underscored how both the United States and the PRC oppose the use of nuclear weapons or threats to use them. Secretary Austin also expressed concerns about recent provocations from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and called on the PRC to fully enforce existing U.N. Security Council resolutions regarding the DPRK's unlawful weapons programs. The Secretary reiterated that the United States remains committed to our longstanding one China policy, which is guided by the Taiwan Relations Act, the Three U.S.-China Joint Communiques, and the Six Assurances. The Secretary reaffirmed the importance of peace and stability across the Strait. He underscored his opposition to unilateral changes to the status quo and called on the PRC to refrain from further destabilizing actions toward Taiwan.”

Xinhua’s report says: “Wei said that the United States, not China, is responsible for the current situation in the China-U.S. relations. China attaches great importance to the development of relations between the two countries and the two militaries, but the U.S. side must respect China's core interests, the Chinese defense minister said. He expressed the hope that the United States could keep its words and promises, truly implement the consensuses reached by the two heads of state, and adopt rational and pragmatic policies towards China so as to push bilateral relations back to the track of healthy and stable development. Wei emphasized that the Taiwan question is the core of China's core interests and the first insurmountable red line in China-U.S. relations. He added that Taiwan is China's Taiwan, and the settlement of the Taiwan question is the Chinese people's own affair and brooks no foreign interference. Wei said the Chinese military has the backbone, confidence and ability to resolutely safeguard national unification. During the talks, the two sides voiced the view that the two militaries should earnestly implement the important consensuses reached by the two heads of state, maintain communication and contact, strengthen crisis management and control, and strive to maintain regional security and stability.”

The report adds that they discussed the Ukraine crisis, the South China Sea and the Korean Peninsula.

Second, there’s a report (English report) on the first minister-level dialogue on law enforcement and police cooperation between China and six island states in the South Pacific. Wang Xiaohong, a member of the Communist Party of China Central Committee Secretariat and Minister of Public Security, co-chaired the dialogue with Anthony Veke, minister of police, national security and correctional services of the Solomon Islands. The heads of the police departments of Fiji, Vanuatu, Kiribati, Tonga and Papua New Guinea attended the dialogue and made statements.

Wang said that he hoped that through the minister-level dialogue mechanism, China and some South Pacific countries can establish a more friendly cooperative relationship, form a more efficient mode of cooperation, and enhance professional law enforcement capacity. China stands ready to work with other parties to jointly foster this mechanism to create a security environment for the prosperity, stability and development of all countries in the region. — The way I see it, it’s worth noting that only one minister was part of a ministerial dialogue. But, this is a gradual process and Beijing will seek to intensify cooperation. Also, such cooperation is not specific to the Pacific Island States. We should expect more of this going forward. All of this is eventually going to fall under the umbrella of the Global Security Initiative.

Third, Liu Qibao, vice chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, was part of the Second China-EU Track Two High-Level Dialogue co-organised by the Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs and the European Policy Center in Beijing. Liu said that “China and the EU should adhere to the correct understanding of bilateral relations, the main tone of mutually beneficial cooperation, the banner of multilateralism, and communication and dialogue; they should properly control differences, continue to maintain political determination, release the potential of cooperation, stimulate the vitality of exchanges, and work together with Asia and Europe to push forward new progress in China-EU relations.” 刘奇葆表示，中欧要坚持对双边关系的正确认知，坚持互利合作主基调，坚持共举多边主义旗帜，坚持沟通对话妥善管控分歧，继续保持政治定力、释放合作潜力、激发交流活力、共聚亚欧合力，推动中欧关系不断取得新进展.

Meanwhile, for those interested Josep Borrell also delivered a speech on China-EU ties to members of the European Parliament. He said that:

• “The 20th Congress of the Chinese Communist Party has largely confirmed what we already knew: President [of China] Xi Jinping’s personal hold on the Chinese Party, state and people, even a stronger hold of the party on the state, and, in particular, on public enterprises; the growing ideological nature of the Chinese political system with the development of both Chinese Marxist style – or Chinese way - and hyper nationalistic rhetoric.”

• “So, the last time we discussed EU-China relations here was on 5 April, right after the EU-China Summit. Addressing and changing China’s ambiguous position on Russia’s war in Ukraine was the main European Union objective. China was not too eager to listen, but talking through differences is what mature partners must do. Many months later, Russia’s aggression against Ukraine is still ongoing. While we keep our focus on the war at our Eastern borders, our attention to China has not decreased. China has not condemned yet the war of [aggression] of Russia against Ukraine - and the atrocities that are happening there -, but it has set out clear red lines, and is increasingly concerned about the global consequences. Red lines about the use of nuclear weapons and, in Bali [at the G20], also sending a clear message about the global consequences and the concern they have about [them]. At the same time, it is not a secret that we and China have different political system, that we view democracy and human rights differently, that we pursue different models of governance, [and] that we have a different vision of multilateralism. But these differences should not and are not stopping us from engaging with each other.”

• “If we are to defend our interests and to address global challenges - climate change, but also the environment, health - we need to speak, we need to work, we need to trade and negotiate with China.”

• “I can tell you that European Union leaders also agreed that the European Union needs to step up its work on reducing dependencies and strategic vulnerabilities – diversifying sources of supply and improving internal resilience. This applies to raw materials and semiconductors – both being critical for the green transition. To counter cyber and hybrid threats is something that has to be also high in our agenda, and to step up our engagement with both the likeminded and the non-likeminded partners to better address them.”

• “I am coming from Central Asia, and I can tell you that the countries of Central Asia are looking at us, are waiting [for] our partnership, are waiting [for] our support because they do not want to be squeezed between China and Russia. They want to have a more balanced foreign policy.”

• He said that systemic rivalry with China “does not mean to be in a permanent rivalry in [everything], in [every] field, for everything, everywhere.”

The final bit is critical:

“Communication channels have to be open with Beijing. Not even the Americans are asking for decoupling their economies - neither us are we. But certainly, human rights issues will be high in our agenda. We need to update our policy towards China in light of the most recent developments and, in particular, the very important American [US] declaration on 7 October, concerning the drastic reduction of China’s access to American technology in the field of semiconductors. This is a decision that has to be taken into account. The technological battle will be absolutely fundamental for our immediate future. Semiconductors are, truly, the most fundamental technological issue of the economic competition in the 21st century. We have to develop, also, a dialogue with other countries that are in a similar situation as us - [I am] thinking, in particular, of Japan. [We have] to keep a dialogue with the United States - this [EU-US] Dialogue is going to take place next week. The Secretary-General of the [European] External Action Service, [Stefano Sannino], and my team will travel to Washington to have this political high-level Dialogue on China. Certainly, the United States are our most important ally but, in some cases, we will not be in the same position or on the same approach to towards China.”

Finally, there’s a report in PD on Vice Premier Sun Chunlan and Russian Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova attended the 23rd session of the China-Russia Committee on Humanities Cooperation.

Page 4: A report summarising the activities for the study and publicity of the spirit of the 20th Party Congress across the armed forces. From November 4th to 14, 14 experts delivered 34 rounds of lectures and 47 face-to-face interactive discussions with officers and soldiers to talk about the 20th Party Congress. Some 900,000 officers and soldiers listened to the lectures through various mediums. 11月4日至14日，由14名专家组成的全军学习贯彻党的二十大精神宣讲团，分7个组赴各单位巡回宣讲34场，与官兵面对面互动交流座谈47场，直接听众和通过各种形式听取宣讲的官兵90万余人.

The activities impressed upon everyone to “fully implement Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, thoroughly implement Xi Jinping Thought on Strengthening the Army, and deeply understand the decisive significance of the Two Establishments, unify thoughts and actions into the decision-making and deployment of the Party Central Committee, the Central Military Commission, and Chairman Xi…” 深入浅出、通俗易懂的宣讲让官兵深受教育鼓舞，一致表示，要全面贯彻习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想，深入贯彻习近平强军思想，深刻领悟“两个确立”的决定性意义，把思想和行动统一到党中央、中央军委和习主席决策部署上来，以高度的政治责任感和使命感学习宣传贯彻党的二十大精神，在全面学习、全面把握、全面落实上下功夫，强化思想引领，强化担当作为，强化工作落实，奋力实现建军一百年奋斗目标，打开强军事业发展新局面.

Page 6: Today’s big post-20th Congress article is by Chen Xi. He talks about building a team of high-quality cadres that are worthy of the cause of national rejuvenation. In the first section, he writes that since the 18th Party Congress, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has placed the development of cadres in a prominent position in the context of the management of the Party and the country. Xi is quoted as saying: “Whether a political party or a country can continue to cultivate outstanding leadership talents determines to a large extent the survival and decline of the political party and the country.” 党的十八大以来，以习近平同志为核心的党中央从进行具有许多新的历史特点的伟大斗争出发，把干部队伍建设放在管党治党、治国理政的突出位置来抓。习近平总书记指出：“一个政党、一个国家能不能不断培养出优秀领导人才，在很大程度上决定着这个政党、这个国家的兴衰存亡.”

He adds that under Xi, 

• the organisational line of the Party in the new era, which emphasises the principle of having both integrity and ability, putting virtue first, and appointing people according to their merits, focusing on cultivating high-quality cadres who are loyal and clean, realising the integrity and innovation of the principle of selecting and employing people in the new era; 围绕建强党的执政骨干队伍，习近平总书记开创性提出新时代党的组织路线，强调坚持德才兼备、以德为先、任人唯贤，着力培养忠诚干净担当的高素质干部，实现了新时代选人用人方针原则的守正创新;

• standards for selection of good cadres have been set; they must be firm in their convictions, serve the people, be diligent and pragmatic, dare to take responsibility, be honest and clean…提出信念坚定、为民服务、勤政务实、敢于担当、清正廉洁的新时代好干部标准，立起了选人用人的时代标尺;

• the leadership and gate-keeping role of Party organisations have been strengthened; people are to be selected not only based votes, scores, GDP, or age and not to engage in direct elections (海推、海选), thereby correcting the once-existing bias in selecting and employing people; 提出强化党组织领导和把关作用，坚持不唯票、不唯分、不唯生产总值、不唯年龄，不搞“海推”、“海选”，纠正了一度存在的选人用人偏向；

• proposed the building of ‘five big systems’ – quality training, having an understanding/knowledge of people’s affairs, selection and appointment, strict management, and positive incentives, thereby pointing out a scientific path for cadre management. 提出一体推进素质培养、知事识人、选拔任用、从严管理、正向激励“五大体系”建设，指明了干部工作的科学路径

• put forward the fundamental plan of ensuring successors to the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and fostered reliable successors to the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics 提出抓好后继有人这个根本大计，培养造就中国特色社会主义事业可靠接班人，推动干部队伍形成青蓝相继的生动局面

• boosted the spirit of the cadres by attaching equal importance to incentives and constraints and improving the system of strict management and supervision of cadres. 提出坚持严管和厚爱结合、激励和约束并重，完善从严管理监督干部制度体系，健全干部担当作为的激励和保护机制，提振了干部队伍干事创业的精气神；

• improved the political ecology in the Party by resolutely correcting unhealthy practices and corruption in cadre selection and employment 提出用最坚决的态度、最果断的措施刷新吏治，坚决纠治选人用人上的不正之风和腐败现象，促进了党内政治生态的明显好转.

He then warns that after a long period of struggle, we have embarked on a new journey of building a modern socialist country in all respects and are marching towards the second centennial goal. We are closer, more confident and capable of realising the goal of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation than at any time in history. But, we must be prepared to make more strenuous efforts…China’s development is facing new strategic opportunities, new strategic tasks, new strategic stages, new strategic requirements and a new strategic environment, and the risks and challenges to be dealt with, contradictions and problems to be solved are more complicated than ever before. The more ambitious the goal, the more arduous the task, the more complicated the situation and the more severe the challenge, the more it is necessary to cultivate a team of high-quality professional cadres with both ability and political integrity, who are loyal and clean and have a sense of responsibility.” 经过接续奋斗，我们已经迈上了全面建设社会主义现代化国家、向第二个百年奋斗目标进军的新征程，比历史上任何时期都更接近、更有信心和能力实现中华民族伟大复兴的目标，同时必须准备付出更为艰巨、更为艰苦的努力。当前，世界百年未有之大变局加速演进，世界之变、时代之变、历史之变正以前所未有的方式展开，我国发展面临新的战略机遇、新的战略任务、新的战略阶段、新的战略要求、新的战略环境，需要应对的风险和挑战、需要解决的矛盾和问题比以往更加错综复杂。越是目标远大、任务艰巨，越是形势复杂、挑战严峻，越需要培养造就一支德才兼备、忠诚干净担当的高素质专业化干部队伍.

“Assessing the current situation of the cadre team, the overall quality is good and combat effectiveness is strong, but there are also some phenomena that are incompatible with the requirements of the new era, new journey and new tasks. For example, some of the cadres are not politically sensitive, some do not have the firm sense of purpose of serving the people, some lack the spirit of taking responsibility and struggle skills, some lack the spirit of hard work and engage in formalism and bureaucracy, and so on. These problems show that there is still a long way to go to promote the construction of high-quality cadres. We should thoroughly implement the strategic principle of comprehensive and strict Party governance, do a good job in the cadre work in the new era with higher standards, adopt more practical measures and greater efforts, constantly build a strong team, and better lead the social revolution with the Party’s self-revolution.” 从干部队伍现状看，总体素质是好的，战斗力是强的，但也存在一些与新时代新征程新任务不适应的现象。比如，有的政治敏锐性不强，有的为民宗旨树得不牢，有的缺乏担当精神和斗争本领，有的实干精神不足、搞形式主义官僚主义，等等。这些问题说明，推进高素质干部队伍建设依然任重道远。我们要深入贯彻全面从严治党战略方针，以更高标准、更实举措、更大力度做好新时代干部工作，不断建强执政骨干队伍，更好地以党的自我革命引领社会革命.

The second section of the article begins with Chen Xi quoting from Xi’s 20th Congress report: “To build a modern socialist country in all respects, we must have a team of officials who are politically committed and who have the competence to 58 meet the needs of the new era and lead China’s modernisation drive.” Within this context, he outlines five key points:

• First, focus on cultivating and selecting cadres who are politically sound and loyal to the Party. 要注重培养选拔政治过硬、对党忠诚的干部. He further explains:

“At present, the environment at home and abroad is undergoing profound and complex changes, and cadres face practical and severe political tests. If their political quality is lacking in strength, they will not be able to withstand the wind and waves, and at the critical moment, they will be full of selfish thoughts, and could even end up shying away/running away from the front line. Therefore, in training and selecting cadres, we must insist on putting political standards in the first place, and strictly control politics. It is necessary to vigorously select cadres who firmly support the two establishments, resolutely implement the two safeguards, and maintain a high degree of consistency with the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at the core in terms of ideology, politics and actions; resolutely keep out those ‘political grass atop the wall’ (people who are easily swayed - explanation courtesy Slow Chinese), fence-sitters and two-faced people; those who violate the party's political discipline and rules; and those who are identified with having the seven problems, to ensure that the chosen individuals are politically trustworthy, reliable and secure.” 现在，国内外环境正在发生深刻复杂变化，对干部政治上的考验是很现实、很严峻的，如果政治素质不过硬，就经不起风吹浪打，关键时刻就会私心杂念丛生，甚至临阵脱逃。因此，培养选拔干部必须坚持把政治标准放在首位，把严把紧政治关这个首要之关。要大力选拔坚定拥护“两个确立”、坚决做到“两个维护”、在思想上政治上行动上始终同以习近平同志为核心的党中央保持高度一致的干部，坚决把那些政治上的“墙头草”、“骑墙派”、“两面人”，那些违反党的政治纪律和政治规矩、存在“七个有之”等问题的人挡在门外，确保选出来的干部政治上信得过、靠得住、能放心。

• Second, pay attention to selecting cadres who are skilled and proficient in their work. 要注重培养选拔业务精通、本领高强的干部. 

He writes that given the challenges that lie ahead, there has been concern around an increase in “skills/competence panic”, lack of ability and lack of adaptability. This requires us, on the premise of adhering to political standards, to pay more attention to the quality and ability of officials, and to train and select officials with real talent and ability. 面对严峻复杂的形势任务，干部队伍不同程度存在“本领恐慌”、能力不足的问题，不适应的一面在上升。这就要求我们在坚持政治标准的前提下，更加重视干部的素质能力，大力培养选拔有真才实学、能力过硬的干部.

High-quality development is the primary task for building a comprehensively modern socialist country. Officials at all levels are urgently required to fully, accurately and comprehensively implement the new development concept, accelerate the building of a new development pattern with innovative ideas and methods, break through the bottlenecks of high-quality development, and focus on resolving the problem of unbalanced and inadequate development.” 高质量发展是全面建设社会主义现代化国家的首要任务，迫切要求各级干部完整、准确、全面贯彻新发展理念，以创新的思路和办法加快构建新发展格局，突破高质量发展的卡点瓶颈，着力解决发展不平衡不充分问题.

He then talks about the need to be close to the people and serve them, giving the context that “national security is the foundation of national rejuvenation, and social stability is the foundation for national prosperity.” Therefore, cadres must be ready to respond to risks and challenges, enhance their sense of urgency and adhere to bottom-line thinking. 国家安全是民族复兴的根基，社会稳定是国家强盛的前提，在各类矛盾和风险易发多发的情况下，更加需要各级干部增强忧患意识，树牢底线思维，善于统筹发展和安全，提高对重大风险的预见、应对、处置能力.

• Third, pay attention to the cultivation and selection of cadres who dare to and have the courage to take responsibility. 要注重培养选拔敢于担当、勇于负责的干部. This is fairly self-explanatory. The call is for promoting doers and those who take on challenges.

• Fourth, pay attention to training and selecting cadres who dare to fight and are good at fighting.

“On our new journey, we are bound to encounter all kinds of foreseeable and unpredictable risks and challenges, even high waves and turbulent storms. Only when officials at all levels maintain their ambition, spine, and confidence to fight and do not believe in evil/unhealthy influences, are unafraid of the knock in the middle of the night, and are fearless in the face of pressure, can they effectively safeguard national sovereignty, security, and development interests…”新征程上，我们必然会遇到各种可以预见和难以预见的风险挑战，甚至是狂风暴雨、惊涛骇浪。只有各级干部保持敢于斗争的志气、骨气、底气，不信邪、不怕鬼、不怕压，才能有效维护国家主权、安全、发展利益，打开事业发展新天地。Daring to fight and being good at fighting should be regarded as an important criterion for training and selecting cadres. We should pay attention to using those cadres who have tenacious fighting spirit, excellent fighting skills, and have passed the test of major struggles, and resolutely not use those who put their own safety before matters of principle, cherish feathers (work to basically preserve their reputations), and are afraid of the head, terrified of the tail (basically terribly timid) in the face of major struggles. 新征程上，我们必然会遇到各种可以预见和难以预见的风险挑战，甚至是狂风暴雨、惊涛骇浪. 只有各级干部保持敢于斗争的志气、骨气、底气，不信邪、不怕鬼、不怕压，才能有效维护国家主权、安全、发展利益，打开事业发展新天地。要把敢于善于斗争作为干部培养选拔的重要标准，注重使用那些具有顽强斗争精神、过硬斗争本领、经过重大斗争考验的干部，坚决不用那些在重大斗争面前明哲保身、爱惜羽毛、畏首畏尾、怯阵退缩的人.

• Fifth, pay attention to the cultivation and selection of cadres with a good work style and integrity. In this, he talks about the importance of not engaging folks who are busy with vanity and performance projects and superficial outcomes, those who slack off, those who do not apply their mind to problems, those who muddle along, etc. He wants severe criticism for such individuals. The language is rather harsh here. 现实中，有的干部抓工作停留在口头上、表态上、概念上，摆花架子、做表面文章，对问题是不是真正解决、情况是不是明显改观、工作有没有落地见效却不管不问；有的满足于照抄照转、上传下达、不动脑筋，消极懈怠、得过且过，上面推一推才动一动、不推就无所作为；有的工作方式方法简单粗暴，违背群众意愿盲目蛮干，热衷于搞华而不实的“形象工程”、劳民伤财的“政绩工程”。

In the final section, he writes about what must be done going ahead.

• First, use Xi’s thought to cast our hearts and souls, and encourage the cadres to be firm believers and loyal practitioners of Xi’s thought. 要坚持不懈用习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想凝心铸魂，推动广大干部做坚定信仰者和忠实实践者.

• Second, adhere to the principle that integrity and talent of individuals align with their positions, and that cadres are selected precisely and scientifically. When selecting and employing individuals, integrity is always the first priority, and the most important thing is to have strong political integrity. 要坚持德配其位、才配其位，精准科学选用干部。选人用人，德始终是第一位的，最重要的是政治品德要过硬.

• Third, strengthen practical training and professional training to improve the quality and ability of cadres.

• Fourth, use the system for promotion and demotion and entry and exit of cadres in order to encourage cadres to take responsibility, and focus on adjusting officials who are unfit to serve in their current posts and get the mediocre to step down, in order to solve problems such as cadres' failure to take responsibility, inaction and disorderly actions. 要把工作重心放在调整不适宜担任现职干部、推动“庸者下”上，切实解决干部不担当、不作为、乱作为等问题.

• Fifth, strengthen all-round management and regular supervision of cadres

• Sixth, focus on doing a good job with regard to the plan of having capable successors, and improve the standardised working mechanism of training and selecting outstanding young cadres. 要抓好后继有人这个根本大计，健全培养选拔优秀年轻干部常态化工作机制.