Foreign Affairs Work Conference - What's in the Party's New Discipline Regulations? - China's Pitch for Global AI Governance Cooperation
Hi folks,
I hope this finds you well. I thought I was done for 2023, but I am doing a brief edition today because there were three important stories to cover. There’s a report on the Central Conference on Foreign Affairs, an interview on the new Party discipline regulations and a commentary on AI governance.
The readout of the foreign affairs conference is rather interesting in that it doesn’t offer a terribly dire view of the world. There is no mention of Cold-War mentality, small circles, containment, etc. Instead, it argues that while there is turbulence and transformation taking place, China has “new strategic opportunities in its development.” There is also very little in there about struggle and fighting, although they do find mention when it comes to protecting interests and opposing “acts of power politics and bullying”.
Four other noteworthy points for me were:
the emphasis on building a community with a shared future for mankind being the “core tenet” of Xi’s Thought on Diplomacy
the emphasis on building China’s “moral appeal”
the stated desire to raise China’s international influence, appeal and power to shape events to a new level
the objective of creating a favourable international environment to support China’s modernisation
Cheers,
Manoj
The top story is about the Central Conference on Work Relating to Foreign Affairs, which was held in Beijing on Wednesday and Thursday. The report (full English text) says that Xi Jinping delivered a speech, offering a “systematic review of the historic achievements and valuable experience of major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics in the new era” and making “comprehensive plans for China's external work for the present and coming periods.”
To begin with, Xi outlined 10 achievements since the 18th Party Congress
First, we have established and developed Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, opening up new vistas in the theory and practice of China’s diplomacy and providing the fundamental guideline for advancing major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics.
Second, we have showcased distinct Chinese characteristics, style and ethos in our diplomacy, and established the image of a confident, self-reliant, open and inclusive major country with a global vision.
Third, we have advocated the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, pointing the right direction for human society leading to common development, lasting peace and security, and mutual learning between civilizations.
Fourth, we have followed the strategic guidance of head-of-state diplomacy, and played an increasingly important and constructive role in international affairs.
Fifth, we have taken a holistic approach to our relations with all parties, with a view to fostering major-country dynamics featuring peaceful coexistence, overall stability and balanced development.
Sixth, we have expanded a comprehensive strategic layout, and formed a wide-ranging, high-quality global network of partnerships.
Seventh, we have advanced high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and established the world’s most broad-based and largest platform for international cooperation.
Eighth, we have worked to both pursue development and safeguard security, and effectively upheld China’s sovereignty, security and development interests with a firm will and an indomitable fighting spirit.
Ninth, we have taken an active part in global governance, and shown the way in reforming the international system and order.
Tenth, we have strengthened the centralized, unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee, and brought about greater coordination in China’s external work.
“In the decade of the new era, we have seen high winds and choppy waters and overcome various difficulties and challenges in China’s external work. We have opened up new prospects in major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics, and gained much more strategic autonomy and initiative in our diplomacy. China has become a responsible major country with enhanced international influence, stronger capacity to steer new endeavors, and greater moral appeal.”
The readout then talks about some key experiences that have been accumulated:
“It is imperative to uphold principles. On major issues concerning the future of humanity and the direction of the world, we must take a clear and firm position, hold the international moral high ground, and unite and rally the overwhelming majority in our world.
It is imperative to shoulder China’s responsibility as a major country. We need to advocate the spirit of independence, champion peaceful development, and promote global stability and prosperity.
It is imperative to apply systems thinking. With a correct understanding of history and of the big picture, we must navigate the prevailing trends, adopt a coordinated approach, and seize the initiative.
It is imperative to uphold fundamental principles and break new ground. We need to follow the fine tradition and fundamental direction of China’s diplomacy, and at the same time work progressively for innovation in both theory and practice.
It is imperative to carry forward our fighting spirit. We must reject all acts of power politics and bullying, and vigorously defend our national interests and dignity.
It is imperative to leverage our institutional strengths. Under the centralized, unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee, all regions and all departments must coordinate with each other and build strong synergy.”
The next bit talks about the world undergoing “great transformation” and being in a “period of turbulence and transformation.” It adds, however, that “China faces new strategic opportunities in its development”.
“We must focus on the central task of the CPC and the country, seek progress while maintaining stability, break new ground while upholding fundamental principles, and firmly safeguard China's sovereignty, security and development interests.
We will explore new frontiers in China's diplomatic theory and practice, foster new dynamics in the relations between China and the world, and raise China's international influence, appeal and power to shape events to a new level.
We will create a more favorable international environment and provide more solid strategic support for building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects and advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through the Chinese path to modernization.”
The next paragraph is the key one:
“It was pointed out at the conference that building a community with a shared future for mankind is the core tenet of Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy. It is how China proposes to solve the questions of what kind of world to build and how to build it based on our deepening understanding of the laws governing the development of human society. It reflects the Chinese Communists' worldview, perception of order, and values, accords with the common aspiration of people in all countries, and points the direction for the progress of world civilizations. It is also the noble goal pursued by China in conducting major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics for the new era. Since the dawn of this new era, building a community with a shared future for mankind has developed from a Chinese initiative to an international consensus, from a promising vision to substantive actions, and from a conceptual proposition to a scientific system. It has served as a glorious banner leading the progress of the times. In summary, in building a community with a shared future for mankind, the goal is to build an open, inclusive, clean and beautiful world of lasting peace, universal security and shared prosperity, the pathway is promoting global governance that features extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit, the guiding principle is to apply the common values of humanity, the basic underpinning lies in building a new type of international relations, the strategic guidance comes from the implementation of the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, and the platform for action is high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. On this basis, we seek to bring countries together to meet challenges and achieve prosperity for all, and usher in a bright future of peace, security, prosperity and progress for our world.”
“It was pointed out at the conference that given the series of major issues and challenges facing the world today, China calls for an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization. An equal and orderly multipolar world is one in which all countries, regardless of size, are treated as equals, hegemonism and power politics are rejected, and democracy is truly promoted in international relations. To keep the progress toward greater multipolarity generally stable and constructive, the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter must be observed by all, the universally recognized, basic norms governing international relations must be upheld by all, and true multilateralism must be practiced. A universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization is one that meets the common needs of all countries, especially the developing countries, and properly addresses the development imbalances between and within countries resulting from the global allocation of resources. It is important to resolutely oppose the attempt to roll back globalization and abuse the concept of security, oppose all forms of unilateralism and protectionism, firmly promote trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, overcome the structural problems hindering the healthy development of the world economy, and make economic globalization more open, inclusive, balanced and beneficial to all.”
It was made clear at the conference that in the current and upcoming periods, China's external work shall be guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy in particular. It should serve the goals and missions of Chinese modernization, and follow the principles of self-confidence and self-reliance, openness and inclusiveness, fairness and justice, and win-win cooperation. Focusing on the theme of building a community with a shared future for mankind, we need to strengthen strategic planning in sync with the changing times, deepen and improve our diplomatic layout, follow a problem-oriented approach, and apply a systematic way of thinking. We need to identify the strategic tasks of Chinese diplomacy in a more multi-dimensional and comprehensive manner. We need to act with a stronger sense of historical responsibility and a more vibrant spirit of innovation to make new headway in our major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics.”
“It was pointed out at the conference that upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground in our external work is the natural requirement of making new headway in our major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics on the new journey, and of providing a stronger underpinning for Chinese modernization. It is important to strengthen the intellectual and theoretical competence of the foreign service, deepen reform of systems and institutions, promote the building of a contingent of personnel involved in foreign affairs, and continue to make our external work more science-based, forward-looking, proactive and innovative. It was stressed at the conference that we must unswervingly uphold the CPC central leadership's ultimate authority over foreign affairs, conscientiously uphold the centralized, unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee, and further strengthen the systems and institutions for the CPC's leadership over external work. All localities and departments should keep in mind the big picture and coordinate with each other to implement the decisions and plans of the CPC Central Committee on our external work in both letter and spirit.”
Among the others who spoke were Wang Yi, mentioned by name, and officials from the propaganda department, ILD, Ministry of Commerce, CMC’s Joint Staff Department, an official Yunnan Province, and a representative of the PRC’s UN mission.
Next, there’s an interview with an official discussing the newly revised Regulations on CPC Disciplinary Action. These were approved at the Politburo on December 8. The full regulations are available here. The official informs that this is the third revision to these regulations, which have been revised in 2015, 2018, and 2023.
He says that the current revision “is an inevitable requirement for the whole party to profoundly understand the decisive significance of the ‘two establishments’ and resolutely achieve the ‘two safeguards’. It is a concrete/tangible step taken to implement Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, a practical need to adhere to problem orientation, and a realistic requirement to govern the entire party with strict discipline. It also summarizes the experience of strict Party governance and meets the practical requirements of keeping pace with the times.” 中央纪委国家监委法规室负责人介绍，本次修订《条例》是促进全党深刻领悟“两个确立”的决定性意义、坚决做到“两个维护”的必然要求，是贯彻落实习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的具体行动，是坚持问题导向、用严明的纪律管全党治全党的现实需要，是总结从严管党治党经验、实现与时俱进的实践要求。
“This revision of the ‘Regulations’ transforms General Secretary Xi Jinping's relevant important expositions into disciplinary requirements, uses the Party’s innovative theoretical standpoints, views and methods to lead the discipline construction work, and provides a strong disciplinary guarantee for the continuous advancement of comprehensive and strict governance of the Party.” 本次《条例》修订，将习近平总书记相关重要论述转化为纪律要求，用党的创新理论的立场观点方法引领纪律建设工作，为一刻不停推进全面从严治党提供了坚强纪律保障。
The revised Regulations have a total of 158 articles. Compared with the 2018 Regulations, there are 16 new ones and 76 revised ones. 本次修订后的《条例》共158条，与2018年《条例》相比，新增16条，修改76条. “Among all Party disciplines, political discipline is the most important, fundamental, and crucial. To strictly enforce Party discipline, the primary focus is on ensuring political discipline. The revision of the ‘Regulations’ resolutely implements the various deployment requirements of the 20th Party Congress on upholding and strengthening the overall leadership of the Party and the centralized and unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee, and further enforces political discipline and rules.” 在党的各项纪律中，政治纪律最重要、最根本、最关键。严明党的纪律，首要的就是严明政治纪律。《条例》修订坚决落实党的二十大关于坚持和加强党的全面领导和党中央集中统一领导的各项部署要求，进一步严明政治纪律和政治规矩.
“In the section on political discipline, there is an improvement in disciplinary provisions to ensure the smooth implementation of the directives from the Central Committee. Additional disciplinary measures have been introduced for actions that disregard the overall interests of the Party and the country, as well as behaviours promoting departmental or local protectionism. Actions that merely express support for the decisions and deployments of the Central Committee without actual implementation have been shifted from a violation of work discipline to a violation of political discipline.” 在政治纪律部分，完善保障党中央政令畅通的纪律条款，增加对不顾党和国家大局、搞部门或者地方保护主义行为的处分规定，将贯彻党中央决策部署只表态不落实行为由违反工作纪律调整到违反政治纪律.
“Disciplinary provisions have been enriched to ensure that the requirements of the report of the 20th Party Congress on ‘accelerating the construction of a new development pattern and striving to promote high-quality development’ are implemented. These changes deal with Party members and leading cadres who have misaligned views on political performance, as well as behaviours that violate the new development concept and deviate from the requirements of high-quality development. Actions involving wasteful ‘image projects’ and ‘performance projects’ that harm the interests of the people and squander resources have been reclassified from violations of discipline related to public conduct to violations of political discipline.” 落实党的二十大报告关于“加快构建新发展格局，着力推动高质量发展”的要求，充实党员领导干部政绩观错位，违背新发展理念、背离高质量发展要求的处分规定，将搞劳民伤财的“形象工程”“政绩工程”行为由违反群众纪律调整到违反政治纪律.
“Disciplinary provisions regarding disloyalty and dishonesty to the Party, as well as actions that undermine the unity of the Party, have been enriched. Additional disciplinary measures have been introduced for behaviours such as engaging in political opportunism/clinging (政治攀附, i.e., essentially this is associating with factions or creating patron-client relations) and associating with political fraudsters/swindlers (政治骗子). In response to issues identified in disciplinary supervision, new provisions have been added to address actions involving reading, browsing, or listening to publications, books, audio-visual materials, electronic publications, and online information with serious political problems without prior permission. Disciplinary provisions for behaviours with severe implications have been further refined, aiming to enhance the measures for handling the conduct of Party members involving religious beliefs and engaging in superstitious activities at a personal level.” 同时，充实对党不忠诚不老实、破坏党的团结统一的处分条款，增加对搞政治攀附、结交政治骗子等行为的处分规定；针对执纪监督中发现的问题，增写对私自阅看、浏览、收听有严重政治问题报刊、书籍、音像制品、电子读物、网络资料，情节严重行为的处分规定，进一步完善对党员信仰宗教、个人搞迷信活动行为的处理处分条款. (Comment: So Xi wants people to “seek truth from facts” but they must only read facts and material that he wants them to read. This is such an incredible regression.)
Strict political discipline should drive comprehensive strictness in organisational discipline, integrity discipline, mass discipline, work discipline, and personal life discipline. For example, in terms of organisational discipline, provisions for disciplinary actions must be enriched for behaviours such as staying abroad without legitimate reasons beyond the approved period, guiding Party members and cadres to reject individualism and liberalism (个人主义、自由主义), and enhancing organisational concepts; in terms of integrity and discipline, we have strengthened all-round management and regular supervision of Party members and cadres, put forward strict requirements for them after leaving their posts and while in office, improve the handling of violations of regulations by Party members and cadres after they have resigned or retired, and disciplinary provisions regarding acts of using the influence of one’s authority or position to benefit relatives and friends. 严明政治纪律，带动组织纪律、廉洁纪律、群众纪律、工作纪律、生活纪律全面从严。例如，组织纪律方面，充实对因私出国（境）中无正当理由超期未归等行为的处分规定，引导党员干部摒弃个人主义、自由主义，增强组织观念；廉洁纪律方面，加强对党员干部全方位管理和经常性监督，对离岗后和在职时一并提出严要求，完善对党员干部离职或者退（离）休后违规从业行为，以及利用原职权或者职务上的影响为亲友谋利行为的处分规定.
In the next bit, this quote is worth noting:
The CPC Central Committee has incorporated discipline construction into the overall layout of Party building, and strict and comprehensive Party governance has become a distinctive theme of Party building in the new era, fundamentally reversing the lax and soft situation in Party governance. At the same time, it is necessary to be cognizant that certain issues still require vigilance: the issue of implementing the decisions and deployments of the Central Committee with discounts or circumventions cannot be ignored. There is still a market for political swindlers; notions of privilege and the phenomenon of privilege still exist; and violations of national financial discipline and instances of statistical falsification still occur. 党中央把纪律建设纳入党的建设总体布局，全面从严治党成为新时代党的建设的鲜明主题，管党治党宽松软状况得到根本扭转。同时也应清醒认识到，一些问题仍需警惕：贯彻落实党中央决策部署打折扣、搞变通的问题不容忽视，政治骗子仍有市场，特权思想和特权现象依然存在，违反国家财经纪律、统计造假时有发生.
Therefore, the official says that the regulations “improve the punishment provisions for behaviours that violate the eight-point central regulations, and additional provisions have been added to address actions involving disguised gift-giving in the form of lecture fees, research project fees, consulting fees, etc. The regulations have been enriched to cover disciplinary measures for violations such as improper receptions, indiscriminate distribution of benefits, unauthorised leasing or borrowing of office space, and unauthorised organisation of demonstration activities, in violation of the regulations on the management of conference activities.” 针对这一现象，《条例》在廉洁纪律方面，完善违反中央八项规定精神行为的处分规定，增写以讲课费、课题费、咨询费等名义变相送礼的处分条款，充实对违规接待、滥发福利、未经批准租用借用办公用房，以及擅自举办创建示范活动、违反会议活动管理规定等行为的处分规定.
Finally, there’s a Huan Yu Ping commentary on AI governance. I am not translating the entire thing. But the key points being made are:
The author calls AI a “disruptive technology that will profoundly affect the development trajectory of human civilization”; and therefore, “more effective coordination of global cooperation is a top priority.” 一年来，各方对人工智能治理紧迫性的认识在深化，相关行动在提速，但面对这样一项必将深刻影响人类文明发展轨迹的颠覆性技术，治理挑战仍广泛存在，更有效地协调全球合作是当务之急。
“Effective AI governance involves, on the one hand, promoting the establishment of a risk-level testing and evaluation system, implementing agile governance, and managing classification and grading, allowing for a quick and effective response. On the other hand, it should drive research and development entities to continually enhance the interpretability and predictability of artificial intelligence, improve the authenticity and accuracy of data, ensure that artificial intelligence remains under human control, and build auditable, supervised, traceable, and trustworthy artificial intelligence technologies.” 有效的人工智能治理一方面要推动建立风险等级测试评估体系，实施敏捷治理，分类分级管理，快速有效响应，另一方面应推动研发主体不断提高人工智能可解释性和可预测性，提升数据真实性和准确性，确保人工智能始终处于人类控制之下，打造可审核、可监督、可追溯、可信赖的人工智能技术.
“In the current situation, what particularly needs to arouse the concern of the international community is that some major countries are trying to monopolise the advantages of AI development, are keen to engage in building ‘small yards and high walls’ and engage in ‘decoupling and breaking chains’, and some even want to introduce ideological prejudices into AI governance, create closed and exclusive ‘small circles’, and maliciously obstruct the development of AI in other countries. These practices undermine the right of countries to develop and use AI on an equal basis and run counter to the goal of sharing the fruits of AI knowledge. AI governance is vital to the destiny of all mankind, and the international community should uphold the spirit of true multilateralism, form a broad consensus framework and standards for AI governance, and constantly improve the safety, reliability, controllability, and fairness of AI technology. 当前形势下，尤其需要引起国际社会警惕的是，个别大国企图垄断人工智能发展优势，热衷于搞“小院高墙”“脱钩断链”，甚至要把意识形态偏见引入人工智能治理，打造封闭排他的“小圈子”，恶意阻挠他国人工智能发展。这些做法损害各国平等发展和利用人工智能的权利，与共享人工智能知识成果的目标背道而驰。人工智能治理攸关全人类命运，国际社会应该秉持真正的多边主义精神，形成具有广泛共识的人工智能治理框架和标准规范，不断提升人工智能技术的安全性、可靠性、可控性、公平性.
The author ends by talking about China being a responsible power that has proposed the Global AI Governance Initiative.