Implementing GCI at Beijing Cultural Forum - Xi's Instructions for General Offices - Politics First for China's Professional and Technical Civil Servants - Thoughts on 'Missing' Li Shangfu
Here are the key reports and articles that I found noteworthy from the People's Daily's edition on Friday, September 15, 2023.
Page 1: The top story today is about Xi Jinping’s instructions on the work of the general offices in the new era. These were delivered by Cai Qi at a meeting of secretaries-general of Party committees and governments from across the nation, which was held in Beijing from Wednesday to Thursday.
The report says that Xi called on the general offices of Party committees and governments to take on “new responsibilities, new actions, and a new demeanour.” “We should improve our political position, adhere to the guidance of the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, keep in mind 国之大者, deepen the construction of political organs, firmly safeguard the centralized and unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee, and always maintain a high degree of alignment with the CPC Central Committee in terms of thought, politics and actions.” 党委和政府办公厅应有新担当新作为新气象。要提高政治站位，坚持以新时代中国特色社会主义思想为指导，胸怀“国之大者”，深化政治机关建设，坚定维护党中央集中统一领导，始终在思想上政治上行动上同党中央保持高度一致.
“It is necessary to strengthen political responsibility, closely focus on comprehensively implementing the spirit of the 20th Party Congress, strengthen overall coordination, supervision and inspection, form a strong synergy in action, avoid formalism, and ensure that the decision-making and deployment of the CPC Central Committee are effectively implemented. It is necessary for general offices to enhance political capabilities, persist in integrity and innovation, and play a better role as the advisors and assistants of Party committees and governments. It is necessary to implement political responsibilities, unswervingly promote the comprehensive and strict governance of the Party, build a team of high-quality professional cadres who are loyal and clean, build a model organ that will reassure the Party and satisfy the people, and make new and greater contributions to comprehensively promoting the building of a strong country and the great cause of national rejuvenation.” 要强化政治担当，紧紧围绕全面贯彻党的二十大精神，加强统筹协调和督促检查，形成强大合力，力戒形式主义，推动党中央决策部署落地见效。要提升政治能力，坚持守正创新，更好发挥党委和政府参谋助手的重要作用。要落实政治责任，坚定不移推进全面从严治党，打造忠诚干净担当的高素质专业化干部队伍，建设让党放心、让人民满意的模范机关，为全面推进强国建设、民族复兴伟业作出新的更大贡献.
The meeting concluded by saying that Xi’s speeches and instructions had answered a series of important issues related to the work of general offices, such as the political requirements, responsibilities, main tasks, work standards, and team building. It is important that these instructions are implemented in all aspects throughout the entire process of the work of general offices.
“It is necessary to deeply understand the decisive significance of Two Establishments, take the lead in achieving two safeguards, closely follow the objectives and tasks set by the 20th Party Congress, strengthen our political responsibilities, effectively enhance our political screening capabilities, better perform the basic functions of implementation, and fully promote the effective implementation of the decision-making and deployment of the CPC Central Committee. 要进一步深刻领悟“两个确立”的决定性意义，带头做到“两个维护”，紧扣党的二十大确定的目标任务，强化政治担当，切实提高政治把关能力，更好履行抓落实的基本职能，全力推动党中央决策部署落地见效.
It is necessary to adapt to the new situation and new tasks, comprehensively enhance the level of capability in the 'Three Services' work, focus on strengthening overall coordination, act as advisors and assistants, ensure the smooth and secure transmission of government orders, strive to build a strong line of defence for confidentiality, and provide effective service guarantees. It is necessary to implement political responsibilities, strengthen the self-construction of general offices with higher standards, stricter requirements and more practical measures, strive to be at the forefront and serve as a ‘vanguard’ among party and government agencies at all levels, and build a model agency that reassures the Party and satisfies the people. 要适应新形势新任务，全面提高“三服务”工作能力水平，着力加强统筹协调，着力当好参谋助手，着力确保政令传输安全畅通，着力筑牢保密防线，着力做好服务保障。要落实政治责任，以更高标准、更严要求、更实措施加强办公厅自身建设，努力在各级党政机关中走在最前列、当好“排头兵”，建设让党放心、让人民满意的模范机关.
Next, there’s a report on Xi Jinping’s letter to the 2023 Beijing Culture Forum. Xinhua says:
“Xi highlighted the enduring fine traditional culture of the Chinese nation, which has always embraced openness and inclusiveness, noting that the Chinese civilization has always valued mutual understanding and respect among different civilizations. ‘Beijing, with its long history and profound cultural heritage, serves as a powerful testament to the continuity, innovation, unity, inclusiveness and peaceful nature of the Chinese civilization,’ he said. Xi said China will leverage the advantages of Beijing as an ancient capital and a national cultural center to strengthen cultural exchanges with the rest of the world, so as to jointly promote cultural prosperity, heritage preservation and mutual learning between civilizations and implement the Global Civilization Initiative.”
Also on the page is a report on Cai Qi’s comments at this forum. He begins by praising Xi’s letter, which he read out. Then he said:
“We must persist in self-confidence and self-improvement, take Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese characteristics for the new era as the guide, conscientiously implement the fundamental requirements of ‘Two Integrations’, unswervingly follow the path of cultural development with Chinese characteristics, vigorously carry forward China's excellent traditional culture, systematically protect historical and cultural heritage, give full play to the leading role of core socialist values, and nurture the spiritual strength required for national rejuvenation.” 蔡奇强调，要坚持自信自强，以习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想为指导，认真落实“两个结合”的根本要求，坚定不移走中国特色社会主义文化发展道路，大力弘扬中华优秀传统文化，系统保护历史文化遗产，充分发挥社会主义核心价值观引领作用，涵养实现民族复兴的精神力量.
“We must adhere to the supremacy of the people, adhere to the unity of ideological and artistic qualities, promote the main theme while advocating diversity, create and produce more masterpieces, prosper and develop cultural undertakings and industries, and constantly enrich the people's spiritual world. It is necessary to persist in maintaining integrity and innovation, not forget our roots, absorb external influences, and face the future. Innovate closely with the theme of the times, innovate in solving practical problems, innovate in strengthening scientific and technological empowerment, and strive to stimulate the vitality of cultural development. It is necessary to openness and inclusiveness and promote mutual respect and harmonious coexistence among different civilizations and break down the barriers of cultural exchanges with the broad mind of embracing all rivers, encourage our own civilization to maintain their vitality through exchanges and mutual learning with other civilizations and carry out extensive exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations.” 要坚持人民至上，坚持思想性和艺术性相统一、弘扬主旋律和提倡多样化相统一，创作生产更多精品力作，繁荣发展文化事业和文化产业，不断丰富人民精神世界。要坚持守正创新，不忘本来、吸收外来、面向未来，在紧扣时代主题中创新，在解决实际问题中创新，在强化科技赋能中创新，着力激发文化发展活力。要坚持开放包容，推动不同文明相互尊重、和谐共处，以海纳百川的宽广胸怀打破文化交往的壁垒，促使自身文明在同其他文明交流互鉴中保持旺盛生命力，广泛开展文明交流互鉴.
He added that “China will work with the international community to uphold its own cultural position, promote the common values of mankind, and strive to create a new situation in people-to-people exchanges, cultural intermingling and mutual understanding among people around the world. It is hoped that the Beijing Cultural Forum will produce results and influence, and build a first-class platform for promoting cultural exchanges and deepening mutual learning among civilizations.” 蔡奇表示，中国将同国际社会一道，坚守自身文化立场，弘扬全人类共同价值，努力开创世界各国人文交流、文化交融、民心相通新局面。希望北京文化论坛办出成果、办出影响，搭建起促进文化交流、深化文明互鉴的一流平台.
Next, there’s a report on Xi’s congratulatory message to Tharman Shanmugaratnam on his assuming office as president of Singapore. Xinhua reports:
“Noting that China and Singapore are each other's friendly neighbour and important partner for cooperation, Xi said that with concerted efforts of both sides, China and Singapore have jointly blazed a trail of success featuring mutual learning and win-win cooperation, which gives a strong boost to their respective development and rejuvenation, and also sets an example for cooperation among countries in the region. This year, China-Singapore relations have been elevated to an all-round high-quality future-oriented partnership, charting the course for the high-level development of bilateral relations in the new era, Xi said. The Chinese president said that he attaches great importance to the development of China-Singapore relations and is ready to establish a good working relationship with Tharman Shanmugaratnam to bring China-Singapore relations to new levels, promote better integration and mutual improvement of the modernization process, so as to bring more benefits to their people and make greater contributions to regional peace, prosperity and stability.”
Moving on from Xi, there’s a consolidated report on Li Qiang and Zhao Leji meeting with Maduro. Li said that “the decision of the two heads of state to elevate the China-Venezuela relationship to an all-weather strategic partnership is an important milestone in the history of bilateral relations.” Xinhua adds:
“Noting next year will mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Venezuela, Li said China-Venezuela friendship, trust, and cooperation would grow thanks to the strategic guidance of the two heads of state and the joint efforts of both sides. Li said China will continue to firmly support Venezuela in safeguarding its sovereignty, national dignity, and legitimate rights and interests and oppose foreign forces' interference in Venezuela's internal affairs under any pretext. China is ready to work with Venezuela to implement the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative and strengthen the exchange of development experience, make good use of the Mixed Venezuela-China High-Level Committee mechanism, and deepen practical cooperation in various fields, the premier said. China will coordinate closely with Venezuela in multilateral frameworks and promote the building of a community with a shared future for humanity, Li said.”
Maduro said “establishing an all-weather strategic partnership between Venezuela and China is ‘a milestone in the cooperation between countries of the Global South’.” — Comment: From a narrative perspective, he has given Beijing all that it could as for.
The Xinhua report on Maduro’s meeting with Zhao says:
“Noting that President Xi Jinping and President Maduro on Wednesday announced the elevation of the China-Venezuela relationship to an all-weather strategic partnership, Zhao said this reflects the high level of China-Venezuela strategic cooperation, meets the common expectations of the two peoples and demonstrates the two countries' firm determination to jointly build a more just and equitable international order. Zhao said that China's NPC is willing to maintain close exchanges at all levels and in all fields with Venezuela's National Assembly, carry out exchanges of legislative experience, continue to consolidate the iron-clad friendship between China and Venezuela, and better benefit the two countries and two peoples.”
Staying with China-Venezuela ties, there’s a report on Ding Xuexiang’s comments at the plenary session and closing ceremony of the 17th meeting of the Mixed Venezuela-China High-Level Committee on Wednesday. The report informs that around 100 people in charge of relevant departments and agencies of the two countries attended the meeting. There’s nothing particularly special about Ding’s comments that are reported.
Next, there’s a report confirming that Li Qiang will be attending the opening ceremony of the 20th China-ASEAN Expo and China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit in Nanning. MoFA said the following dignitaries will be attending:
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet
Laotian Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim
Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh
Indonesia's Vice President Ma'ruf Amin
Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai
ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn
Finally, there’s a front page commentary on the new guideline on making Fujian a demonstration zone for integrated development with Taiwan. The commentary says that the guideline is of “great significance for deepening the integrated development of various fields across the Taiwan Strait and promoting the process of the peaceful reunification of the motherland.” 近日，《中共中央国务院关于支持福建探索海峡两岸融合发展新路 建设两岸融合发展示范区的意见》发布，对于深化两岸各领域融合发展、推进祖国和平统一进程具有十分重要的意义. The commentary highlights the different elements of the guideline. I covered these a couple of days ago.
It then adds that the “fundamental purpose of deepening cross-Strait integrated development is to enhance the family bonds and well-being of compatriots on both sides of the Strait, promote industrial integration and spiritual harmony, and achieve the common yearning for a better life by compatriots on both sides.” 深化两岸融合发展，根本目的是要增进两岸同胞的亲情和福祉，促进产业融合和心灵契合，实现两岸同胞对美好生活的共同向往.
It ends by saying that “solving the Taiwan issue and realising the complete reunification of the motherland is the unswerving historical task of the Communist Party of China, the common aspiration of all Chinese people, and the inevitable requirement for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Going forward, if compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait jointly grasp the general trend of history, adhere to the national justice, meet each other halfway, and advance hand-in-hand, jointly promote the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations and promote the great cause of reunification of the motherland, they will surely be able to jointly create the long-lasting well-being of the Chinese nation and share the great glory of national rejuvenation.” 解决台湾问题、实现祖国完全统一，是中国共产党矢志不渝的历史任务，是全体中华儿女的共同愿望，是实现中华民族伟大复兴的必然要求。面向未来，两岸同胞共同把握历史大势，坚守民族大义，相向而行、携手并进，共同推动两岸关系和平发展、推进祖国统一大业，就一定能共创中华民族绵长福祉，共享民族复兴伟大荣光.
Page 2: There’s a Zhong Yin commentary on the page, discussing Xi’s letter to the Beijing Cultural Forum. It argues:
“Today, Chinese culture shines with the glory of the new era and radiates with new vitality, and the influence and appeal of Chinese civilization have been significantly improved; Chinese-style modernization endows Chinese civilization with modern strength, and as a new form of human civilization, it will learn from other civilizations around the world and will greatly enrich the garden of world civilization.” 今天，中华文化绽放出新的时代光彩、展现出新的蓬勃生机，中华文明的影响力和感召力显著提升；中国式现代化赋予中华文明以现代力量，并作为人类文明新形态，与全球其他文明相互借鉴，必将极大丰富世界文明百花园.
The diversity of human civilization is a basic feature of the world and the source of human progress. General Secretary Xi Jinping put forward the Global Civilization Initiative, emphasizing the promotion of the diversity of world civilizations, carrying forward the common values of all mankind, and strengthening people-to-people exchanges and cooperation, thereby contributing Chinese wisdom in promoting the inclusive coexistence, exchanges and mutual learning among different civilizations, and providing a Chinese solution for creating a new situation in people-to-people exchanges, cultural intermingling and mutual understanding among people around the world. In today's world where the destinies of all countries are closely interconnected, inclusive coexistence and mutual learning and exchanges among different civilizations play an irreplaceable role in advancing the modernization process of human society and flourishing the global garden of civilizations. Only by implementing the Global Civilization Initiative, upholding the principles of equality, mutual learning, dialogue, and inclusiveness among civilizations; promoting the common values of peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy, and freedom for all of humanity; transcending estrangement of civilisations through mutual exchanges, overcoming the clash of civilisations through cultural mutual learning, and going beyond the notion of superiority of civilisations through inclusiveness, and jointly promoting the development and progress of human civilizations can the garden of world civilizations be more colourful and full of vitality.” 人类文明多样性是世界的基本特征，也是人类进步的源泉。习近平总书记提出全球文明倡议，强调促进世界文明多样性，弘扬全人类共同价值，加强人文交流合作，为推动不同文明包容共存、交流互鉴贡献了中国智慧，为开创世界各国人文交流、文化交融、民心相通新局面提供了中国方案。在各国前途命运紧密相连的今天，不同文明包容共存、交流互鉴，在推动人类社会现代化进程、繁荣世界文明百花园中具有不可替代的作用。落实全球文明倡议，坚持文明平等、互鉴、对话、包容，弘扬和平、发展、公平、正义、民主、自由的全人类共同价值，以文明交流超越文明隔阂、文明互鉴超越文明冲突、文明包容超越文明优越，共同推动人类文明发展进步，才能让世界文明百花园姹紫嫣红、生机盎然。
It adds that the Beijing Cultural Forum seeks to “thoroughly study and implement the important exposition of General Secretary Xi Jinping on socialist cultural construction and fully implement the strategic deployment of the 20th Party Congress on building a strong cultural power, so as to build a platform for displaying cultural construction achievements, exchanging cultural construction experiences, collaborating on cultural innovation and development, and promoting the exchange and mutual learning of civilizations. Through in-depth discussions on topics such as cultural heritage preservation and utilisation, the deep integration of culture and technology, literature, art, and social life, the integration of culture and tourism development, and global civilization exchange and mutual learning, the forum will gather wisdom and strength for the construction of modern Chinese civilization and the promotion of common progress in human civilization." 北京文化论坛以“传承·创新·互鉴”为永久主题，以“传承优秀文化 促进交流合作”为年度主题，以深入学习贯彻习近平总书记关于社会主义文化建设的重要论述、全面落实党的二十大关于文化强国建设战略部署为主旨，打造文化建设成果的展示平台、文化建设经验的交流平台、文化创新发展的合作平台、文明交流互鉴的传播平台。 围绕文化遗产保护与利用、文化与科技深度融合、文学艺术与社会生活、文化与旅游融合发展、世界文明交流互鉴等议题开展深入交流，将为建设中华民族现代文明、促进人类文明共同进步汇聚智慧力量。
Next, there’s an interview with an unidentified official from the Organisation Department talking about the changes to the Regulations on the Management of Professional and Technical Civil Servants and the Regulations on the Management of Administrative Law Enforcement Civil Servants.
The official explains that Xi Jinping has called for building a “team of cadres who are politically strong, adapt to the requirements of the new era, and have the ability to lead modernization,” and in this regard, the civil service is crucial for “comprehensively building a modern socialist country and comprehensively promoting the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.” 习近平总书记在党的二十大报告中强调，全面建设社会主义现代化国家，必须有一支政治过硬、适应新时代要求、具备领导现代化建设能力的干部队伍。公务员队伍是党的干部队伍的重要组成部分，是全面建设社会主义现代化国家、全面推进中华民族伟大复兴的骨干力量。
The official adds:
“The Civil Servants Law stipulates that civil servants are categorised into general management, professional and technical, administrative law enforcement, and other categories. General management civil servants are those engaged in planning, organization, decision-making, command, supervision and internal management of government organs; professional and technical civil servants are those who specialize in professional and technical work and provide technical support and guarantee for organs to perform their duties; and administrative law enforcement civil servants are those who directly perform law enforcement duties for administrative counterparts in accordance with laws and regulations.” 公务员法规定，公务员划分为综合管理类、专业技术类、行政执法类等类别。综合管理类公务员是从事规划、组织、决策、指挥、监督及机关内部管理等工作的公务员，专业技术类公务员是专门从事专业技术工作、为机关履行职责提供技术支持和保障的公务员，行政执法类公务员是依照法律、法规对行政相对人直接履行执法职责的公务员。
Then we get a timeline, starting from 2016, for the structural reform to clarify these positions, ranks and authorities. This ends with affirming that the new changes adhere to Xi’s thought and ideas that he has propounded.
The next question deals with the changes that have now been made. The officials says that across the two regulations, 11 new items and 3 items have been deleted. The changes are around 4 aspects:
First, adhere to the correct political direction. Strengthen the Party's centralised and unified leadership of the civil service team, always put political construction in the first place, highlight political standards, strengthen political requirements, and guide civil servants in professional and technical categories and administrative law enforcement to firmly support the Two Establishments and resolutely achieve the two safeguards.
Second, focus on problem orientation. According to the common problems encountered by local governments and departments in promoting classification reform in recent years, especially for the key and difficult issues related to the post setting, exchange and transfers, examination and training, supervision and constraints with regard to these two types of civil servants, corresponding policy provisions are further clarified.
Third, pay attention to the integration of systems. Within the institutional framework of the Civil Servants Law and the parallel regulation of civil service positions and ranks, the rank sequence of professional and technical civil servants and administrative law enforcement civil servants, which is corresponding to those of the general management civil servants, will be established to promote the systematic integration of classified management systems.
Fourth, pay equal attention to/maintain a balance between strict management and incentives. Considering the characteristics of these two types of civil servants, improve mechanisms for supervising and constraining their powers, guide professional and technical civil servants to abide by professional ethics and academic integrity, cultivate excellent professional quality and style, and encourage administrative law enforcement civil servants to strengthen their awareness of the rule of law and serve the people, so as to strictly regulate fair and civilised law enforcement. Improve relevant policies in terms of rank promotion, assessment and reward, salary and treatment, and guide the two types of civil servants to establish and practice a correct view of political achievements, and dare to take responsibility and act positively.
一是坚持正确政治方向。加强党对公务员队伍的集中统一领导，始终把政治建设摆在首位，突出政治标准，强化政治要求，引导专业技术类、行政执法类公务员坚定拥护“两个确立”、坚决做到“两个维护”。二是突出问题导向。根据近年来地方和部门在推进分类改革中遇到的共性问题，特别是针对两类公务员职位设置、交流转任、考录培训、监督约束等有关重点难点问题，进一步明确相应的政策规定。三是注重系统衔接。在公务员法、公务员职务与职级并行规定等制度框架内，建立与综合管理类公务员总体保持对应衔接的专业技术类、行政执法类公务员职级序列，推动分类管理制度系统集成。四是坚持从严管理和激励保障并重。结合两类公务员履职特点，完善权力监督制约机制，引导专业技术类公务员恪守职业道德和学术诚信，培养优良专业素养、专业作风，促进行政执法类公务员强化法治意识、为民观念，做到严格规范公正文明执法。在职级升降、考核奖励、工资待遇等方面完善相关政策，引导两类公务员树立和践行正确政绩观，敢于担当、积极作为。
The subsequent question is about specific measures with regard to political construction. This is extremely important to note, because it places a gag on competent people in the system to raise any concerns. No voices of disagreement are going to be allowed from even the smartest people in the system.
The official outlines four measures. But he begins by telling us: “The primary attribute of civil servants is their political nature; they should possess both virtue and competence to be worthy of shouldering the heavy responsibilities that they have to.” 公务员的第一属性是政治属性，德才兼备，方堪重任.
“First, in the general provisions, it clearly states the need to adhere to Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as guidance, implement the overall requirements for Party building in the new era and the Party's organisational line in the new era, implement the standards for good cadres in the new era, adhere to the principle of the Party's management of cadres and talents, and build a high-quality and professional civil service team that is loyal, clean, and dedicated. It requires that both types of civil servants must be loyal to the Constitution, serve as role models in observing and consciously upholding the Constitution and laws, willingly accept the Party's leadership and possess good political qualities and moral conduct.”
Second, in terms of recruitment and promotions, it is clear that political quality is the primary content of the examination and the primary condition for rank promotion. This requires all organs to put political standards as a priority and test the political quality of the candidates to be promoted.
Third, in terms of training, it is proposed to include political quality, professional ethics, integrity and self-discipline in the training content.
Fourth, in terms of management and supervision, it is stipulated that individuals who lack strong political capability, lack the necessary political judgement, comprehension and execution, or display vacillation in their stance and ambiguous attitudes on major principles related to the Party's leadership, should undergo adjustments in their job positions and ranks; additionally, those who violate political discipline, such as making public statements expressing serious political concerns, demonstrate disloyalty and dishonesty to the Party, exhibit double-dealing behaviour/inconsistency in their words and actions, and disobey the rules and regulations will be severely dealt with according to law.
一是在总则中，鲜明提出坚持以习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想为指导，贯彻新时代党的建设总要求和新时代党的组织路线，落实新时代好干部标准，坚持党管干部、党管人才原则，建设忠诚干净担当的高素质专业化公务员队伍；要求两类公务员应当忠于宪法，模范遵守、自觉维护宪法和法律，自觉接受党的领导，具有良好的政治素质和道德品行。二是在录用晋升方面，明确把政治素质作为考录测查的首要内容、作为职级晋升的首要条件，要求机关必须把政治标准放在首位，考准考实拟晋升职级人选的政治素质。三是在培训方面，提出将政治素质以及职业道德、廉洁自律等方面列入培训内容。四是在管理监督方面，规定对有政治能力不过硬，缺乏应有的政治判断力、政治领悟力、政治执行力，在涉及党的领导等重大原则问题上立场不坚定、态度暧昧等情形的，应当对职务职级进行调整；对有公开发表存在严重政治问题言论、对党不忠诚不老实、表里不一、阳奉阴违等违反政治纪律行为的，依规依纪依法予以严肃处理等。
The final three questions deal with assessment and promotions, supervision and implementation.
Page 3: The president of Zambia and Prime Minister of Cambodia are in China today. They both have met with Xi Jinping. I’ll cover the detailed readouts as they come tomorrow. In today’s paper, there are reports of both of them laying wreaths at the Monument to the People’s Heroes.
The other noteworthy stories on the page are:
First, Chen Wenqing, head of the Commission for Political and Legal Affairs of the CPC Central Committee, met with To Lam, Vietnamese Minister of Public Security, in Beijing on Thursday. Xinhua says:
“Noting that law enforcement and security cooperation is a significant part of China-Vietnam bilateral relations, Chen said it is hoped that the two sides will work together to implement the important consensus reached by the top leaders of the two parties and countries, continuously push forward the vigorous development of China-Vietnam law enforcement and security cooperation, and consolidate the security foundation of the China-Vietnam community of shared future.”
Second, a brief report on a medical team of Guangxi having conducted 10,059 cataract surgeries in Cambodia and Laos. No dates on when these have been done.
Page 4: There’s a report on the Cyberspace Administration of China holding a seminar on studying, publicising and implementing General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important thoughts on cyber power. Basically, this was studying the new book of Xi’s thoughts that was released in July.
Page 6: There’s a report on the People’s Bank of China saying that it would cut the reserve requirement ratio for all banks, except those that have implemented a 5% reserve ratio, by 25 basis points from September 15. The report adds that this is the second reserve requirement ratio cut this year and is expected to release more than 500 billion yuan in medium- and long-term liquidity.
Page 7: Today’s article drawing from the book Face to Face with Chinese-style Modernisation deals with the question of why is it that Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is the scientific guide for comprehensively promoting the construction of a strong country and national rejuvenation? As earlier, this is available for paid subscribers below.
Finally, I want to look at a recent development that’s obviously not in the paper. Earlier today, Demetri Sevastopulo of the Financial Times reported that:
“The US government believes Chinese defence minister Li Shangfu has been placed under investigation in the latest sign of turmoil among elite members of Beijing’s military and foreign policy establishment. Three US officials and two people briefed on the intelligence said Washington had concluded that Li, who has not been seen in public for more than two weeks, had been stripped of his responsibilities as defence minister. The move comes two months after China’s president Xi Jinping removed the two top generals at the People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force, which oversees China’s rapidly expanding arsenal of long-range missiles and nuclear weapons…Reuters on Thursday cited Vietnamese officials saying that Li abruptly cancelled a meeting last week because of a “health condition”. At one point in the run-up to Qin’s ousting, the Chinese foreign ministry explained his absence from official events as being health-related.”
I wanted to offer some brief thoughts on this, because there are questions about the political churn that is taking place in China at the elite level. Of course, the caveat in all of this is that elite politics in China is as close to a black box as one can get. So based on what’s discernible, I am putting below some early thoughts. Take this as an exercise in thinking through the situation. And as always, it would be great to hear what you think:
First, ministers in China are not necessarily the top political brass. They are lower-level guys who implement policy. The defense minister’s task is primarily policy implementation and plays an important external-facing role. This is important to keep in mind.
Second, Qin and Li have likely fallen for distinct reasons (owing to personal issues or professional corruption). There doesn't seem to be any connection between their cases. In Li’s case, there might be links to the talk of a broader corruption crackdown or perhaps some individual family-related corruption issue. Of course, all of this is part of the rumour-mill, and it’s difficult to confirm any of this.
Third, that said, if indeed Li has now been taken down, it does reflect badly on Xi Jinping's leadership and the process of official selection, since both Qin and Li were elevated rather recently. These were Xi’s choices at the end of the day, and Li was anyway a controversial choice owing to US sanctions.
So I go back to my framework of faith, fear and fruits -- I don't think that at present, one can conclude that Xi’s position/authority is weakened. But it does say that political in-fighting at different levels continues despite Xi emerging as the supreme leader and the undermining of other factions. Consequently, scalps will continue to fall as people jockey for positions. Also, it does suggest that Xi is willing to let individuals fall (at even personal reputational cost, which I guess is oddly also a sign of confidence in his authority) to signal the seriousness of dealing with corruption. The question that then follows is what does this mean for policy implementation? Does this engender greater integrity and reduce corruption, or does it lead to paralysis as individuals prefer to be cautious in their actions for the fear that skeletons in their closet could be weaponized against them by potential rivals?