Ding's Message on the Economy - Ideological & Political Education at Nankai University - Real Estate Policy: 4 Cancellations, 4 Reductions & 2 Increases - China-Russia Coast Guard Drills
Here are the key reports and articles that I found noteworthy from the People’s Daily’s edition on Thursday, October 18, 2024.
Page 1: The top story is about Xi Jinping’s letter to students participating in China International College Students' Innovation Competition 2024. This was co-organised by the Ministry of Education. Xinhua says:
“In the letter, Xi praised the students for taking the competition as a platform to apply their knowledge gained in classrooms and laboratories to solve practical problems, hone their abilities in innovative practice, and foster friendship among Chinese and international youth through mutual learning. Noting that young people are an important driving force behind innovation, Xi called on the students to contribute to promoting scientific and technological exchanges between China and other nations, as well as propelling scientific and technological progress. Xi also urged the society as a whole to pay attention to the growth and development of young people, foster a conducive atmosphere for innovation and entrepreneurship, and provide an expansive platform for the young people to better exhibit their talents in the country’s endeavors to advance Chinese modernization.”
Another report on the page covers Ding Xuexiang’s visit to Henan and Jiangsu. The report says that Ding “investigated economic operation, scientific and technological innovation and industrial development”.
He stressed that it is necessary to thoroughly study and understand the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important speech on the current economic situation and economic work at the meeting of the Politburo of the CPC Central Committee, implement the decisions and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, enhance the effectiveness of existing policies, and to carry out a package of incremental policies, promote the sustained recovery of the economy, and strive to achieve the annual economic and social development goals and tasks. 他强调，要深入学习领会习近平总书记在中央政治局会议上关于当前经济形势和经济工作的重要讲话精神，贯彻落实党中央和国务院决策部署，加力提效实施存量政策和一揽子增量政策，推动经济持续回升向好，努力完成全年经济社会发展目标任务.
Xinhua English captures the essence of the next bit well: “In Zhengzhou, capital of Henan, Ding visited places including an academy of science, a university and a digital technology firm, calling for concerted efforts to promote projects aligned with major national strategies. He underscored the need to cultivate the digital economy and develop new quality productive forces tailored to local conditions.”
In addition, he visited a housing project in the city and “called for increased fiscal and tax policy support to help the real estate market stabilise and recover.” 丁薛祥还来到保交房项目现场，调研项目建设，要求加大财税政策支持，促进房地产市场止跌回稳.
Then in Jiangsu, Ding went to Suzhou and Jiangyin. Xinhua says: Ding learned about local efforts to attract foreign investment, develop the integrated circuit sector and promote vocational education. He said it is crucial to integrate sci-tech innovation and industry innovation to create momentum for high-quality development. Work should also be done to maximize the use of local government special-purpose bonds, improve the business environment for the private businesses, and enhance services for foreign investors.
He also called on relevant departments to strengthen the guarantee of essential factors, support major economic provinces in taking on greater responsibilities, and better play their leading and pillar roles in contributing more to the stable and healthy development of the national economy. 调研中，丁薛祥要求有关部门强化要素保障，支持经济大省挑大梁，更好发挥带动和支柱作用，为全国经济稳定健康发展作出更大贡献.
Next, there’s a report on Wang Huning’s visit to Zhejiang, where he talked about doing a better job in United Front work. In Ningbo, while visiting Ningbobang Museum and the Tianyige Museum, Wang talked about the need to “tap and utilise the unique advantages of united front resources, give play to the role of historical culture in rallying people’s hearts and minds, guide people to carry forward patriotism and the spirit of patriotic struggle, and contribute to China’s modernization.” 他表示，要挖掘利用统战资源特色优势，发挥历史文化凝心聚力的作用，引导人们弘扬家国情怀、爱国奋斗精神，为中国式现代化贡献力量.
When visiting Ningbo Zhoushan Port and Taiwan-funded enterprises, Wang talked about the need to “promote cross-strait economic and cultural exchanges and cooperation, attract more Taiwanese businessmen and enterprises to participate in cross-strait integration and development, and share the development achievements of the motherland.” 要推动两岸经济文化交流合作，吸引更多台商台企参与两岸融合发展，共享祖国大陆发展成果.
In Wenzhou, Wang visited a community and a Muslim prayer site. “He said that we must adhere to the main line of forging a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation, implement the initiatives for ethnic unity and progress among communities at the grassroots level and integrate these into the lives of the masses, and build a strong sense of kinship among people of all ethnic groups through solid community construction, effective community services, and rich community activities. It is necessary to implement the basic principles of the Party’s religious work and strengthen the management of religious affairs and religious venues in accordance with the law. 在温州，王沪宁来到鹿城区南郊街道三板桥社区、温州市区穆斯林礼拜点调研。他表示，要坚持铸牢中华民族共同体意识的主线，把民族团结进步创建落到基层社区、融入群众生活，通过扎实的社区建设、有效的社区服务、丰富的社区活动，营造各族人民一家亲的浓厚氛围。要贯彻党的宗教工作基本方针，依法加强宗教事务和宗教活动场所管理.
Finally, there’s a really interesting article that talks about ideological and political education at Nankai University. The institution marked its 105th anniversary on October 17. The article says:
Guided by patriotic education for the new era to lead moral, intellectual, physical, aesthetic, and labour education, Nankai University has closely focused on the fundamental task of cultivating virtue and nurturing people, accelerated the construction of a first-class university and first-class disciplines, encouraged students to contribute their youthful energy where the motherland needs them most, adding Nankai’s strength to the building of a strong nation and the rejuvenation of the Chinese people. 以新时代爱国主义教育统领德智体美劳“五育并举”，南开大学紧紧围绕立德树人根本任务，加快一流大学和一流学科建设，激励学子到祖国最需要的地方书写青春华章，为强国建设、民族复兴贡献南开力量.
It says that Nankai University has made every effort to promote the reform and innovation of ideological and political teaching, and constantly open up a new situation of ideological and political education in the new era. The report informs that there are guidelines for ideological and political courses. The course ‘Introduction to Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era’ is being offered according to the ‘golden course’ standard. Each institution under the university has a dedicated team for this purpose. The leadership teams at both the school and college levels take the lead in the current affairs and policy course. “南开思政课30条”、《南开大学高质量推进“大思政课”建设 全面推动“三进”工作实施方案》先后出台， 以“金课”标准开设“习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想概论”课，建好“一院一团队”， 校院两级领导班子带头上“形势与政策”课…… 思政课不仅应该在课堂上讲，也应该在社会生活中讲.
Ideological and Political courses should not only be taught in classrooms but also integrated into social life. Adhering to the unity of preserving tradition and pursuing innovation, Nankai University is striving to promote the development of Ideological and Political courses with substance. The university has carried out a series of patriotic education activities in various forms and made good use of patriotic education bases; there have been patriotic theatrical performances, such as ‘Zhou Enlai Returns to Nankai’, ‘Three Questions on Patriotism’, and ‘Eternal Remembrance’ using stories of predecessors like Zhang Boling, Yang Shixian, and Guo Yonghuai to inspire young students; there has been an effort to explore and establish an education model of ‘four togethers between teachers and students’ - learning together, researching together, teaching together, and travelling together, guiding students to find ‘ideological and political answers’ on the land of the motherland. 坚持守正和创新相统一，南开大学努力推动思政课建设内涵式发展。开展多种形式的爱国主义教育系列活动，用好爱国主义教育基地；上演《周恩来回南开》《爱国三问》《永怀》等爱国主义原创话剧，用张伯苓、杨石先、郭永怀等前辈的故事感染青年学子；探索形成同学、同研、同讲、同行的“师生四同”育人模式，引导学生在祖国大地上寻找“思政答案”.
The next section talks about research and discipline construction. This focuses on science and technology as opposed to ideological and political courses. Among other things, this section says:
“In recent years, Nankai University has achieved fruitful results in discipline construction: 6 disciplines including Chemistry, Mathematics, Materials Science and Engineering have been selected for the second round of the ‘Double First-Class’ construction discipline list; the number of disciplines ranking in the top 1% of global discipline evaluation systems has increased to 17, among which Chemistry, Materials Science, Engineering Science, Environmental Science and Ecology have entered the top 1‰; 4 major interdisciplinary clusters have emerged in response to the times: ‘Creation of New Substances’, ‘Cognitive Science’, ‘Development of Chinese-style Modernization’, and ‘Creative Transformation and Innovative Development of Excellent Traditional Chinese Culture’.” 近年来，南开大学学科建设成果丰硕：化学、数学、材料科学与工程等6个学科入选第二轮“双一流”建设学科名单；全球学科评价体系前1%学科增至17个，其中化学、材料科学、工程科学、环境科学与生态学进入前1‰；“新物质创造”“认知科学”“中国式现代化发展”“中华优秀传统文化创造性转化和创新性发展”四大交叉学科群应运而生.
Page 2: There’s a report that provides a round-up of the positive comments from the NSUSCR gala. I am not covering this.
Next, there’s a report on Wang Yi’s meeting with a high-level Brazilian delegation led by Rui Costa, chief of staff of the presidency, in Beijing. Xinhua says:
Wang “noted that China and Brazil are the largest developing countries in the eastern and western hemispheres, respectively, with highly complementary economies, aligned development strategies and shared governance concepts. Under the new circumstances, the all-round strategic cooperation between China and Brazil not only serves the long-term and fundamental interests of the two peoples, but also sets a good example for the solidarity and coordination of countries in the Global South, Wang said. China attaches great importance to its relations with Brazil and is full of confidence in Brazil's development prospects, Wang said, adding that China is ready to work with Brazil to take the opportunity of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties to intensify high-level exchanges, deepen practical cooperation, enhance strategic collaboration and jointly build a community with a shared future. Costa and the other delegation members said Brazil is willing to push for more tangible results in cooperation in various fields, such as economy, trade, finance, infrastructure, green transformation, re-industrialization, and scientific and technological innovation. The Brazilian side is ready to enhance the strategic relationship of the two countries and push the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership to a new level, said the delegation. The two sides also had an in-depth exchange of views on improving global governance and agreed to safeguard the common interests of developing countries, international fairness and justice, and to become an important stabilizing force in today's turbulent world.”
Also, there’s a report on ILD chief Liu Jianchao meeting with Johnny Koanapo, president of Vanuatu's Vanuaaku Party and the country’s minister of finance. The report says nothing really. “The two sides exchanged views on jointly implementing the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, strengthening inter-party exchanges, deepening exchanges of experience in state governance, and promoting the building of a China-Vanuatu community with a shared future in the new era.” If you are interested in China-Vanuatu ties, this report from a couple of months ago is a good read.
Next, there’s a brief report on a CCP delegation led by Li Xiaoxin visiting Serbia. The delegation met with President Vucic, Prime Minister Milos Vucevic and National Assembly Deputy Speaker and Chairperson of the Foreign Affairs Committee Marina Ragus.
Although it is not in the paper today, do note this report on the Chinese Coast Guard completing joint drills and patrol missions with Russia’s coast guard. Xinhua says:
“During the drills, vessels from both sides formed a joint fleet to patrol the high seas of North Pacific Ocean for the first time, where they conducted inspections and monitoring operations of fishing vessels in accordance with the law, maintaining the fishing order in the area. During the patrol, they also successfully carried out joint exercises, including search and rescue operations, damage control and lifesaving missions, as well as joint searches for illegal vessels. The CCG noted that this mission is a routine operation under its annual plan and does not aim at any specific target, region or country, and it complies with international law and practice. The joint patrols and exercises between the Chinese and Russian coast guards are highly significant for strengthening mutual trust and cooperation between the coast guards of the two countries, while also ensuring the safety and stability of the waters of North Pacific Ocean, according to the CCG. The CCG will continue to engage in bilateral and multilateral maritime law enforcement cooperation and actively participate in international and regional ocean governance, said the CCG.”
Page 4: There’s a report on the briefing yesterday by officials from the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development and other departments discussing efforts to ensure the stable and healthy development of the real estate market. I covered a bit of this from Bloomberg’s reporting yesterday.
Minister Ni Hong talked about the approach of “four cancellations, four reductions, and two increases”.
The four cancellations refer to fully granting city governments autonomy in regulation, adjusting or cancelling various restrictions on home purchases. This mainly includes cancelling purchase restrictions, cancelling sales restrictions, cancelling price limits, and cancelling the standards for ordinary residential and non-ordinary residential properties.
The four reductions primarily include lowering housing provident fund loan interest rates, reducing the down payment ratio for housing loans, lowering interest rates on existing loans, and reducing the tax burden for replacing old homes with new ones.
The two increases are: first, implement 1 million new urban village renovations and dilapidated housing renovations through monetary compensation and other means. Second, by the end of the year, the loan scale for projects on the ‘whitelist’ will increase to 4 trillion yuan.
四个取消，即充分赋予城市政府调控自主权，调整或取消各类购房的限制性措施。主要包括取消限购、取消限售、取消限价、取消普通住宅和非普通住宅标准。四个降低，主要包括降低住房公积金贷款利率，降低住房贷款首付比例，降低存量贷款利率，降低“卖旧买新”换购住房的税费负担。两个增加，一是通过货币化安置等方式，新增实施100万套城中村改造和危旧房改造。二是年底前，将“白名单”项目的信贷规模增加到4万亿元.
The report also informs that so far white-listed projects have received 2.23 trillion yuan in funding.
Page 16: There’s a brief report on a Global South Think Tank Forum that was held in Beijing on October 16. 40 think tanks from the Global South participated in this forum, including Russian think tanks. CGTN will be broadcasting a special show on this today apparently.