GDI Pitch at G20 - Xi Meets Leaders in Bali - Economic Data - Wang on Russia's 'Rational and Responsible Attitude' on Nuclear Weapons - Zhong Sheng on US Ties - Chen Wenqing on Political & Legal Work
Here are the stories and pieces that I found noteworthy in the Wednesday, November 16, 2022, edition of the People’s Daily.
Page 1: The entire page today is dedicated to Xi Jinping’s engagements in Bali at the G20 summit. The lead story is around his remarks at the summit. The full speech is published in full on Page 2 (English version).
Xi said that the G20 countries were meeting “at a time of momentous changes unseen in a century, changes that are consequential to the world, to our times, and to history.” He called on them to “embrace the vision of a community with a shared future for mankind, and advocate peace, development, and win-win cooperation. All countries should replace division with unity, confrontation with cooperation, and exclusion with inclusiveness.”
Xi said that it was important to make “global development more inclusive.”
“Drawing ideological lines or promoting group politics and bloc confrontation will only divide the world, and hinder global development and human progress. With human civilization already in the 21st century, the Cold-War mentality has long been outdated. What we need to do is to join hands together and elevate our win-win cooperation to a new height. Countries should respect each other, seek common grounds while reserving differences, live together in peace, and promote an open world economy. No one should engage in beggar-thy-neighbor practices, building ‘a small yard with high fences,’ or creating closed and exclusive clubs.”
He then talked about GDI, outlining key agenda points:
“Within one year, more than 60 countries have joined the Group of Friends of the GDI. China has established the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund, and will increase its funding for the China-UN Peace and Development Fund. We will make a list of items for practical cooperation, set up an open-ended pool of GDI projects, and draw up a roadmap for GDI implementation. We are working with 100-plus countries and international organizations on the GDI, thus providing new impetus for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. China has submitted 15 projects to the ‘G20 Action for Strong and Inclusive Recovery,’ and has participated in five other projects within this framework. We will work with fellow G20 members to deliver on these projects.”
Global development needs to be made resilient, he said, adding that “we need to build a global partnership for economic recovery, prioritize development and put the people at the center, always keep in mind the difficulties faced by developing countries, and accommodate their concerns. China supports the African Union in joining the G20.”
“We should curb global inflation, and defuse systemic economic and financial risks. In particular, developed economies should mitigate the negative spillovers from their monetary policy adjustment, and keep their debts at sustainable levels. The IMF should speed up the on-lending of SDRs to low-income countries. International financial institutions and commercial creditors, which are the main creditors of developing countries, should take part in the debt reduction and suspension for developing countries. China is implementing the G20's Debt Service Suspension Initiative (DSSI) in all respects, and has suspended the largest amount of debt service payment among all G20 members. Meanwhile, China is working with some G20 members on the debt treatment under the Common Framework for Debt Treatment beyond the DSSI, thus helping relevant developing countries navigate through the difficult time.”
“Global trade, digital economy, green transition and fighting corruption are key factors driving global development. We should continue to uphold the WTO-centered multilateral trading system, actively push forward WTO reform, enhance trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, and promote an open world economy. China has proposed the G20 Action on Digital Innovation and Cooperation. We look forward to working with all parties to foster an open, fair, and non-discriminatory environment for digital economy so as to narrow the North-South digital divide. In tackling climate change and transitioning toward green and low-carbon development, the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities must be upheld. It is also important to provide funding, technology and capacity-building support for developing countries and promote cooperation on green finance. International cooperation is very important for fighting corruption. G20 members must maintain zero tolerance for corruption, step up international cooperation on fugitive repatriation and asset recovery, and refuse to provide ‘safe havens’ to corrupt individuals and assets.”
On GSI, he said that “our goal is to work with all parties to champion the spirit of the UN Charter, act on the principle of indivisible security, uphold the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, advocate the resolution of conflicts through negotiation and settlement of disputes through consultation, and support all efforts conducive to the peaceful settlement of crises.”
On food security, he emphasised the need to “develop an open, stable and sustainable commodities market, and work together to unclog supply chains and stabilize market prices. We must resolutely oppose the attempt to politicize food and energy issues or use them as tools and weapons. Unilateral sanctions must be removed, and restrictions on relevant scientific and technological cooperation must be lifted. In reducing the consumption of fossil fuel energy and transitioning toward clean energy, we need to give balanced consideration to various factors, and make sure that the transitional process does not hurt the economy or people's livelihood. Developing countries face more acute risks in food and energy security. The G20 should keep this in mind, and provide necessary support in production, collection, storage, funding and technology.”
Also on the page are reports of Xi’s meetings with other world leaders. One of the big themes in all of these meetings has been Xi’s remark that as the country pursues Chinese-style modernisation, it will bring new development opportunities for foreigners to partake in. I am mentioning this here, since it’s a constant; as is the call to treat Chinese companies in a fair, just, transparent and non-discriminatory manner.
Meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron (English report):
“Pointing out that the world today has entered a new period of turbulence and change, Xi said as two major forces in a multi-polar world, China and France and China and Europe should uphold the spirit of independence, openness and cooperation, promote the steady and sustained development of their bilateral relations on the right track, and inject stability and positive energy into the world. Underscoring China's commitment to promoting high-standard opening up and advancing Chinese modernization, Xi said these efforts will offer France and other countries new opportunities. The two sides need to make top-level planning for the bilateral relations with a view toward the future, respect each other's core interests and major concerns, deepen practical cooperation, and work for continued progress in traditional areas of cooperation while actively tapping into green energy, scientific and technological innovation and other areas for cooperation potential, Xi said. China hopes that France will provide Chinese businesses there with a fairer, more equitable and non-discriminatory business environment, Xi added. Emphasizing that, after many years of development, China and Europe have formed a strong relationship of economic interdependency, Xi said that the two sides should expand two-way trade and investment, keep global industrial and supply chains stable and smooth, and uphold international economic and trade rules and order. China, Xi said, hopes France will encourage the EU to stay committed to an independent and positive China policy.”
Xinhua characterises Macron’s comments as follows: “Noting France follows an independent foreign policy and stands against bloc confrontation, the French president said that amid a volatile international landscape, France hopes to continue working with China in the spirit of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, increase high-level exchanges and dialogue, and deepen cooperation in areas such as trade, economy, aviation and civilian nuclear energy.”
On Ukraine, the report says: “The two sides exchanged views on the situation in Ukraine. Xi made the point that China's position on the Ukraine crisis is clear and consistent: China stands for ceasefire, cessation of the conflict and peace talks. The international community should create conditions for this to happen. China will also continue to work in its way to play a constructive role.”
Meeting with South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa (English report)
“Noting that China and South Africa enjoy a special friendship of ‘comrades plus brothers,’ Xi said that as major developing countries, the two countries firmly uphold international fairness and justice and the common interests of developing countries. China has all along viewed its relations with South Africa from a strategic height, and stands ready to consolidate political mutual trust and promote even greater development of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and South Africa, Xi said…China is ready to strengthen governance experience sharing with South Africa, and supports South Africa in exploring a modernization path that meets its national conditions, Xi said, adding that the two countries will forge stronger synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative and the South African Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan, cooperate more closely on trade, investment and energy, advance the implementation of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation outcomes in South Africa, support Chinese companies in investing and doing business there, and expand China's import of quality products from South Africa. China supports South Africa in taking over the BRICS rotating chair next year, and stands ready to work with South Africa in deepening China's solidarity and cooperation with Africa, Xi said, noting that the two countries will step up coordination on international affairs, and work together on global challenges including climate change, food security and energy security.”
Here’s Xinhua’s version of Ramaphosa’s remarks: “South Africa finds in China an important strategic partner, Ramaphosa said, adding that his country will continue to firmly support the one-China principle without doubt. South Africa hopes to learn from China's experience in green development and energy transition, and is ready to actively participate in the Belt and Road cooperation, he said. South Africa will open its door and welcome Chinese companies for investment and cooperation…”
The other meetings mentioned on the front page are the ones with the presidents of Senegal, Argentina and South Korea. I am only detailing the one with President Yoon Suk-yeol (English report).
“Xi pointed out that China and South Korea are close neighbors that will always live next to each other and cooperation partners that cannot be separated. The two countries shoulder important responsibilities in maintaining peace of the region and promoting prosperity of the world, and they also have broad converging interests…Xi stressed the need for the two sides to increase strategic communication and political mutual trust, adding that with their economies highly complementary, China and South Korea need to enhance alignment of development strategies and work for common development and prosperity. The two sides need to accelerate negotiations on a bilateral Free Trade Agreement, deepen cooperation in such areas as high-tech manufacturing, big data and green economy, jointly uphold the international free trade system, keep the global industrial and supply chains secure, stable and unclogged, and oppose politicizing economic cooperation or overstretching the concept of security on such cooperation, he said. China is ready to work with South Korea to promote cultural exchanges and cooperation, scale up communication and coordination at the G20 and other fora, jointly practice true multilateralism and safeguard overall peace and stability in the region, he added.”
Finally, at the top of the page is a report telling us that Qiushi has published Xi’s full remarks as the new PBSC met the media on October 23. The report says:
“The article emphasises that through the joint efforts of the whole party and the people of all ethnic groups, we have built a moderately prosperous society in all respects, as scheduled, and achieved the first centennial goal. Now, we are embarking on a new journey of building a modern socialist country in all respects, marching towards the second centennial goal, and comprehensively promoting the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation with Chinese-style modernisation.” 文章强调，经过全党全国各族人民共同努力，我们如期全面建成小康社会、实现了第一个百年奋斗目标。现在，我们正意气风发迈上全面建设社会主义现代化国家新征程，向第二个百年奋斗目标进军，以中国式现代化全面推进中华民族伟大复兴.
The piece basically says
China will adhere to Chinese-style modernisation based on the modernisation of Marxism in China;
It will rely on the people, stand in the same boat as the people and constantly turn people's yearning for a better life into reality;
It will always promote the self-revolution of the party;
It will promote the common values of all mankind and build a community with a shared future for mankind;
Just as China cannot develop in isolation from the world, the world needs China for its development;
China’s economy has strong resilience, sufficient potential, and wide room for manoeuvre, and its long-term fundamentals will not change;
China will only open its door wider and wider, and it will unswervingly and comprehensively deepen reform and opening up, promote high-quality development, and create more opportunities for the world with its own development.
Page 3: On this page, we have reports about Xi’s meetings with other leaders.
“Xi pointed out that for a long time, China-Australia relations had led the way of China's relations with developed countries and need to be cherished by both sides. ‘In the past few years, however, this relationship has encountered difficulties, which is the last thing we want to see,’ Xi said. Both as important countries in the Asia-Pacific region, China and Australia need to improve, uphold and further develop the relationship, he said, adding that it not only serves the fundamental interests of the two peoples but also helps promote peace and development in the Asia-Pacific and beyond…Xi said a mature and stable bilateral relationship should first and foremost be reflected in putting the differences and disagreements between the two countries in the right perspective. It is imperative to rise above disagreements, respect each other and seek mutual benefit and win-win results, which holds the key to the steady growth of the relationship, Xi said. He said that there are no fundamental conflicting interests between China and Australia. Instead, the two countries have a traditional people-to-people friendship, highly complementary economic structures, and shared commitment to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. China attaches importance to the will Australia has recently demonstrated to improve and grow its relations with China, Xi said, noting that both sides need to take stock of experience and lessons, explore ways to steer the relationship back onto the right track, and move it forward in a sustainable manner. With tremendous potential in economic and trade cooperation between the two sides, China hopes that Australia will provide an enabling business environment for Chinese enterprises to invest and operate in Australia, Xi added.”
Let me share this little snippet from The Guardian’s report covering comments from the Australian prime minister.
“Albanese told reporters after Tuesday’s meeting it was unrealistic for Australians to expect instant breakthroughs on the damaging trade dispute, or other matters of contention instantly. While profound differences and irritants remained, the prime minister characterised the opening conversation with Xi as ‘very constructive’.”
It’s also worth pointing out here that Xi will be meeting Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Bangkok on the sidelines of the APEC meeting on Thursday. So the only Quad leader that Xi did not have a bilateral meeting with is India's Narendra Modi. The two men, however, did have an exchange at the G20 dinner on Tuesday. It was an exchange initiated by Modi.
Also worth noting is that Sun Weidong, who recently left his post as China’s ambassador to India, has been appointed as vice foreign minister. Sun has served as China’s ambassador in both India and Pakistan.
Anyway, back to PD’s reporting of Xi’s meetings.
Meeting with Dutch PM Mark Rutte (English report)
“The most valuable experience for this relationship is a commitment to openness and pragmatism. The two sides need to carry forward this fine tradition, intensify high-level exchanges, strengthen political mutual trust, and keep the bilateral relations on the right track, said Xi. It is important to uphold mutual benefit, advance cooperation in such fields as agriculture, water management and energy, and achieve greater progress in their open and practical comprehensive cooperative partnership, he added. The world is a community where all countries need to cooperate rather than ‘decouple’ from one another. The attempt to politicize economic and trade issues must be rejected, and stability of global industrial and supply chains should be maintained, said Xi. China will work with the Netherlands to uphold and practice true multilateralism, stay on the right course of economic globalization and defend the WTO-centered multilateral trading system, in an effort to jointly create an enabling international environment for development, said Xi. It is hoped that the Netherlands would enhance Europe's commitment to openness and cooperation, and play a positive role in promoting the healthy and steady growth of China-Europe relations, he added.”
Meeting with Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez (English report)
“Xi underscored that senior leaders of the two countries should keep regular communication, strengthen top-level design and political guidance, and build stronger mutual trust. It is important for the two sides to have mutual understanding and mutual support on issues concerning each other's core interests such as sovereignty, security, development and dignity, Xi said. The two sides need to make good preparations for the China-Spain Year of Culture and Tourism to build greater popular support for China-Spain friendship, and make vigorous efforts to promote practical cooperation, Xi said. China welcomes more Spanish companies and goods in the Chinese market and hopes that Spain will treat Chinese companies in a fair, just, transparent and non-discriminatory way, he said. China is ready to enhance coordination and collaboration with Spain within the Group of 20 (G20) and other multilateral platforms to jointly cope with such challenges as climate change, and energy and food security, Xi said, adding that it is hoped that Spain will play a positive role in promoting the healthy and steady growth of China-Europe relations.”
Next, there’s a report on the meeting between the Russian and Chinese foreign ministers. There has been some controversy around Sergei Lavrov’s health, with AP reporting, citing Bali Governor I Wayan Koster and director of health services governance at the Indonesian Health Ministry - Dr. Sunarto, that the Russian minister had gone to a hospital for a health check-up in Bali. The report also added that “four Indonesian government and medical officials earlier told The Associated Press that Lavrov was treated at the hospital in the provincial capital, Denpasar.” The Russian side dismissed the report as “the height of fakery.”
Anyway, the report (English report) on the Wang-Lavrov meeting says that following:
“Wang said that China is willing to work with Russia to push forward their high-level exchanges and communication in various fields, deepen bilateral practical cooperation and facilitate personnel exchanges. He stressed that China is willing to work with Russia and like-minded countries to firmly promote the world multipolarity process, staunchly support the democratization of international relations, and steadfastly safeguard the UN-centered international system. The two sides reiterated that they will continue to strengthen communication and cooperation within multilateral frameworks, such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and BRICS countries.”
On Ukraine: “Wang said the four points about what must be done and the four things the international community must do together proposed by Xi is China’s basic principles in tackling the Ukraine issue. China noticed that Russia has recently reaffirmed the established position that ‘a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought’, which shows Russia's rational and responsible attitude, he added. China willingly saw Russia release the signal of dialogue and agree to resume the implementation of the Black Sea Grain Initiative. China will continue holding an objective and fair position and playing a constructive role in promoting peace talks, Wang said. Lavrov said Russia has always been open to negotiation and dialogue.”
Also worth noting is Wang mentioning the importance of the Two Establishments in this meeting with Lavrov.
Page 4: There’s a Zhong Sheng commentary on the Xi-Biden meeting. There is little new here. It basically reiterates the points from the Chinese readout and Wang Y’s press briefing. The core argument is that the meeting “achieved the expected purpose of engaging in in-depth communication, clarifying intentions, drawing red lines, preventing conflicts, and pointing out the direction to explore potential cooperation.” 中美元首巴厘岛会晤达到了深入沟通、明确意图、划清红线、防止冲突、指明方向、探讨合作的预期目的.
The article reiterates that “head-of-state diplomacy is the compass and anchor of China-U.S. relations, and plays an irreplaceable strategic role in guiding the growth of the relationship.” 元首外交是中美关系的“指南针”和“定盘星”，对两国关系发展发挥着不可替代的战略引领作用. It adds that the meeting was “comprehensive, in-depth, frank, constructive and strategic, covering the most important aspects of bilateral relations and the most pressing regional and global issues.” 两位元首的交流全面、深入、坦诚，富有建设性和战略性，覆盖了两国关系最重要的方面和当前最紧迫的地区和全球性问题...
The piece adds that China and the US are “two major countries” and should “strengthen their sense of responsibility when handling their relationship, preventing it from derailing and going out of control.” They should “play the role of a major country to cope with global challenges.” “The world is at a major historical turning point, and all countries need to face unprecedented challenges as well as seize unprecedented opportunities. China and the United States should treat and handle Sino-US relations from this perspective.” 中美作为两个大国，在处理彼此关系时强化责任意识，有助于防止中美关系脱轨失控，有助于为应对全球性挑战发挥大国作用。世界正处于一个重大历史转折点，各国既需要面对前所未有的挑战，也应该抓住前所未有的机遇。中美双方应该从这个高度看待和处理中美关系.
“President Xi Jinping emphasised that China and the US need to adopt an attitude of being responsible to history, the world, and the people, explore the correct way for the two countries to get along with each other in the new era, find the correct direction for the development of bilateral relations, and push Sino-US relations back to a healthy and stable development track, benefiting both countries and the world. President Biden said that the United States and China have a common responsibility to show the world that they can manage and control differences, and avoid and prevent misunderstanding and misjudgment or fierce competition from turning into confrontation or even conflict.” 习近平主席强调，中美双方需要本着对历史、对世界、对人民负责的态度，探讨新时期两国正确相处之道，找到两国关系发展的正确方向，推动中美关系重回健康稳定发展轨道，造福两国，惠及世界。拜登总统表示，美中双方有共同责任向世界展示，美中能够管控分歧，避免和防止由于误解误判或激烈竞争演变成对抗甚至冲突.
The piece adds that “the history and reality of Sino-U.S. ties show that a correct view of each other’s domestic and foreign policies and strategic intentions is an important prerequisite for proper handling of mutual relations.”中美关系的历史和现实共同说明，双方正确看待对方内外政策和战略意图，是处理好彼此关系的一个重要前提. Then the article reiterates Xi’s comments about China’s policies and strategic intentions being transparent, i.e., focus on China’s modernisation, pursuit of an independent foreign policy of peace, support for the UN, etc. It also says that US perceptions of “China as ‘the most important strategic competitor’ and ‘the most significant geopolitical challenge’ is a misjudgment of Sino-US relations and a misinterpretation of China's development…” 美国将中国视为“最重要的战略竞争对手”和“最重大的地缘政治挑战”，是对中美关系的误判和中国发展的误读，只会误导两国人民和国际社会.
The next paragraph makes the point that China has proposed a framework of “mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation” for the US and China to manage their ties; that the bilateral relationship “should not be a zero-sum game”; that the success of China and the US is an opportunity rather than a challenge for each other; the vast earth can fully accommodate the respective development and common prosperity of China and the US; in the current situation, China and the US have more not less common interests; no conflict, no confrontation and peaceful coexistence is in their common interests; the two sides should respect each other, benefit each other, focus on the overall situation, and provide a good atmosphere and stable relationship for cooperation between the two sides.” The article says that Biden reiterated the five nos, i.e., “The United States does not seek a new Cold War, does not seek to revitalise alliances against China, does not support Taiwan independence, does not support ‘two Chinas’ or ‘one China, one Taiwan’, and has no intention to have a conflict with China. The U.S. side has no intention to seek ‘de-coupling’ from China, to halt China’s economic development, or to contain China.” 中美两个大国相处，需要基于大的原则性共识。有了原则，才有方向，有了方向，才能妥处分歧、拓展合作。正是基于这一考虑，中方提出双方应该坚持相互尊重、和平共处、合作共赢，共同确保中美关系沿着正确航向前行，不偏航、不失速，更不能相撞。中方始终认为，中美关系不应该是你输我赢、你兴我衰的零和博弈，中美各自取得成功对彼此是机遇而非挑战。宽广的地球完全容得下中美各自发展、共同繁荣。当前形势下，中美两国共同利益不是减少了，而是更多了。中美不冲突、不对抗、和平共处，这是两国最基本的共同利益。双方应该相互尊重，互惠互利，着眼大局，为双方合作提供好的氛围和稳定的关系。美方应将拜登总统“四不一无意”等重要表态落到实处，将“无意寻求同中国‘脱钩’，无意阻挠中国经济发展，无意围堵中国”的承诺落到实处.
After all this, there’s a big bit on the Taiwan issue, followed by stuff on democracy and human rights and economic ties. This basically reiterates the points from the Chinese readout of the meeting, i.e., the Taiwan issue is the “core of China's core interests”, the “political foundation of Sino-US relations,” and the “red line that must not be crossed.” The US must “be consistent in its words and deeds”, “stop hollowing out the one-China policy”, “restrain and cease ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist words and deeds” and “not let the situation get out of hand’.” 台湾问题是中国核心利益中的核心，是中美关系政治基础中的基础，是中美关系第一条不可逾越的红线。解决台湾问题是中国人自己的事，是中国的内政。美方应言行一致，恪守一个中国政策和中美三个联合公报规定，履行“不支持‘台独’”的承诺，停止虚化掏空一中政策，约束制止“台独”分裂言行，不要让局势发展到不可收拾的地步.
The essence of China-US economic and trade relations is mutual benefit. To engage in trade and technology wars, artificially ‘building walls and erecting barricades’ and pushing for ‘decoupling and breaking of chains’ completely violate the principles of market economy and undermine international trade rules. One will only hurt others in doing so while not benefiting oneself. China has a glorious tradition of striving for self-improvement. All suppression and containment will only inspire the will and enthusiasm of the Chinese people. China has its own long-standing principles and bottom line, legitimate interests that must be firmly safeguarded, and will not succumb to any hegemonic bullying.” 中美经贸关系的本质是互惠互利，打贸易战、科技战，人为“筑墙设垒”，强推“脱钩断链”，完全违反市场经济原则，破坏国际贸易规则，只会损人不利己。中国有自强不息的光荣传统，一切打压和遏制只会激发中国人民的意志和热情。中方有自己长期坚守的原则和底线，有必须坚定维护的正当合法利益，不会屈服于任何霸权霸凌.
It ends by saying that “managing and stabilising China-U.S. relations is an ongoing process to which there is no end. In accordance with the priorities identified by the two heads of state, the two teams will maintain dialogue and communication, manage tensions and differences, and advance exchanges and cooperation, so as to add positive energy and a safety valve to China-US relations, and bring about stability and certainty to this turbulent and changing world.” - This is basically right out of Wang Yi’s press briefing.
Next, there’s a report on the 20th Party Congress spirit study session in Jilin Province, with Shu Qiming leading the event. Shu talked about the developments in the new era, Xi’s thought and Chinese-style modernisation.
Also, Chen Wenqing led the spirit study session at the Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission, and conducted an investigation. He emphasised that it is necessary to adhere to the guidance of Xi’s thought, comprehensively study, fully grasp, and fully implement the spirit of the 20th Party Congress, and strive to create a new situation with regard to political and legal work in the new era and on the new journey. During his investigation, Chen visited the “Supreme People's Court, the Supreme People's Procuratorate, the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of State Security, and the Ministry of Justice to learn about the work of promoting the comprehensive rule of law, maintaining national security and social stability, political and legal reform, and political and legal team building.”
Chen said that “the most important thing for political and legal organs was to study and implement the spirit of the 20th Party Congress, always adhere to the Party's absolute leadership over political and legal work, and consciously uphold and maintain the centralised and unified leadership of the Party Central Committee with comrade Xi Jinping at the core. It is necessary to deeply understand the decisive significance of the Two Establishments, resolutely achieve the Two Safeguards, and implement the party's absolute leadership in all aspects and the entire process of political and legal work.” 陈文清指出，政法机关学习贯彻党的二十大精神，最重要的就是始终坚持党对政法工作的绝对领导，自觉坚持和维护以习近平同志为核心的党中央集中统一领导。要深刻领悟“两个确立”的决定性意义，坚决做到“两个维护”，把党的绝对领导贯彻落实到政法工作各方面、全过程.
“It is necessary to thoroughly implement Xi Jinping’s thought on the rule of law and the overall national security concept, maintain strategic clarity, carry forward the spirit of struggle, strengthen our ability to fight, and do a good job in preventing risks, ensuring security, safeguarding stability and promoting development to provide a strong guarantee for lasting peace and stability of the country. It is necessary to regulate with strictness, ensure impartial and civilised law enforcement, severely punish all kinds of illegal and criminal activities that the masses strongly complain about in accordance with the law, and effectively guarantee social stability and people’s peace.” 要深入贯彻落实习近平法治思想和总体国家安全观，保持战略清醒，弘扬斗争精神，增强斗争本领，做好防风险、保安全、护稳定、促发展各项工作，为国家长治久安提供有力保障。要严格规范公正文明执法，依法严惩群众反映强烈的各类违法犯罪活动，切实保障社会安定和人民安宁.
Wang Xiaohong, Zhou Qiang, and Zhang Jun accompanied Chen during the investigation.
Page 6: Today’s big post-Party Congress article is by Huang Kunming. He talks about the global outlook and methodology of Xi’s thought. He makes six points, which I am not going into in depth, since there’s little new in there.
uphold the supremacy of the people: This, he says, is “a red line that runs through Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.” He also talks about common prosperity of the people being the “starting point and the end goal” of the Party’s endeavours.
persist in self-confidence and self-reliance: This emphasises having the “determination and confidence to stick to our own path” and the “need to uphold communist ideals and socialist beliefs, strengthen self-confidence in the path, theory, system, and culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics and strengthening historical self-confidence.” This bit, however, is interesting: “We must make new contributions to the development of Marxism with a more active sense of historical responsibility and creative spirit, and oppose all forms of bookishness and dogmatism; we can neither ignore the rapidly changing realities, be rigid and closed and refuse to adapt (this is expressed through this idiom 刻舟求剑) nor can we judge everything based on foreign standards and copy them.” 要以更加积极的历史担当和创造精神为发展马克思主义作出新的贡献，反对各种形式的本本主义、教条主义，既不能无视快速变化的实际，刻舟求剑、封闭僵化，也不能一切以外国的东西为圭臬，照抄照搬、食洋不化.
adhere to integrity and innovation: This talks about keeping pace with the times, having a scientific attitude, being enthusiastic about new things, and making new breakthroughs, etc. But this must be done within the framework of using the ‘arrow’ of Marxism to shoot at the ‘target’ of China in the new era. This is basically emphasising ideological flexibility than rigidity.
adhere to being problem-oriented: In this, he argues that Xi’s thought addresses the big questions of the new era, i.e., what kind of socialism with Chinese characteristics to uphold and develop in the new era and how to do so?; what kind of a modern socialist power must be built in the new era and how to do so?; what kind of long-term ruling Marxist political party should be built in the new era and how to do so? He adds that it is necessary for cadres to enhance awareness with regard to the problems that exist, be clear-minded, dare to face the problems and not avoid them.
adhere to the system concept: The basic argument here is to think of interconnectedness and complexity of issues rather than through the narrow prism of individual interests. This is important because there are a lot of different interest groups across the body politic, and the signal is that one should look beyond those towards the overall picture.
persist in keeping the world at large in mind: We need to expand our global vision, take a comprehensive look at the global trend, have a deep insight into the trend of human development and progress, be good at identifying opportunities and challenges, and find a winning way to create new opportunities in crisis and open new avenues in times of change. We should actively respond to the common concerns of people around the world, respond to the common aspirations of people around the world for development, cooperation and a peaceful life, and contribute to solving the common problems facing mankind. We should learn from and absorb all the outstanding achievements of human civilization with a broad mind, promote exchanges and mutual learning among different civilizations…” 我们要拓展世界眼光，纵览天下大势，深刻洞察人类发展进步潮流，善于发现其中的机遇和挑战，找到在危机中育新机、于变局中开新局的制胜之道。要积极回应各国人民普遍关切，顺应世界人民要发展、要合作、要和平生活的普遍愿望，为解决人类面临的共同问题作出贡献。要以海纳百川的宽阔胸襟借鉴吸收人类一切优秀文明成果，推动不同文明交流互鉴，促进各国人民相知相亲，在美人之美、美美与共中建设更加美好的世界.
Page 8: A report on NBS’ data on the state of the economy as of October (English report). I am also using CNBC’s report for this:
Retail sales fell by 0.5% in October from a year ago — the first decline since May — and industrial production grew by 5%
Fixed asset investment for the first 10 months of the year grew by 5.8. Investment in infrastructure and manufacturing went up 8.7 percent and 9.7 percent during the period.
The unemployment rate in cities was unchanged from September, at 5.5% in October. That of young people ages 16 to 24 was also unchanged, at 17.9%.
During the January-October period, the value-added output of major high-tech manufacturing firms increased 8.7 percent year on year, and investment in high-tech industries surged 23.6 percent.
The output of new energy vehicles and solar cells increased by 108.4 percent and 35.6 percent, year on year.
From January to October, the planned total investment of newly started projects increased by 23.1% year-on-year.
In terms of the property sector, NBS said:
China's property sector investment fell at a faster pace in the first 10 months this year, dropping 8.8 percent year-on-year, compared with the 8-percent decline in the first nine months of 2022. From January to October, the sales area of residential housing reached 1.1 billion square meters, down 22.3 percent from 2021, including a 25.5 percent drop in residential properties. Sales of residential housing stood at 10.8 trillion yuan ($1.53 trillion), down 26.1 percent, and residential housing sales declined 28.2 percent, data from the NBS showed. In the first 10 months of 2022, the new housing construction area totaled 1.03 billion square meters, a year-on-year drop of 37.8 percent; while housing completion area stood at 465.6 million square meters, falling 18.7 percent from the same period last year.