Key Deals Inked During Xi's Serbia Visit - Breakdown of China-Serbia Joint Statement - Wang Huning on Forging Sense of Chinese National Community - Fujian Carrier Trial Competed
Here are the key reports and articles that I found noteworthy from the People's Daily’s edition on Thursday, May 09, 2024.
Page 1: All seems well in terms of PD’s publication schedule now. The front page today is all about Xi Jinping’s visit to Serbia. First, there’s a report on Xi’s statement upon landing in the country. The entire English version is available here, if you are interested.
The main report is about the bilateral dialogue between Xi and Vucic. The readout says:
“President Xi stressed that the ironclad friendship between China and Serbia has stood the test of the changing international landscape. Such friendship is characterized by profound historical roots, solid political foundation, extensive common interests and strong popular support. Over the past few years, under the leadership of the two Presidents, the bilateral relationship has leapfrogged with historic progress. Since the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2016, in particular, the bilateral relationship has been enriched in substance and expanded in scope. It has become an example for China’s friendly relations with other European countries. Actions speak louder than words. China will stand shoulder to shoulder with Serbia, share weal and woe like passengers in the same boat, carry forward the spirit of the ironclad friendship, maintain and grow their friendship, and jointly safeguard fundamental and long-term interests of the two countries. As the two sides pursue their respective national development and revitalization, China will join hands with Serbia to advance the building of a community with a shared future in the new era.”
He then hailed the fact that the two sides had agreed to building a community with a shared future. Xi said: “Under the new circumstances, Serbia has become the first European country to build with China a community with a shared future. This speaks volumes about the strategic, special and high-level China-Serbia relations. The China-Serbia community with a shared future in the new era is an upgrade of the ironclad friendship between China and Serbia. It also represents their common values and objectives, namely, joint pursuit of development, win-win cooperation and mutual success.”
Xi then made three points:
First, “China supports Serbia in upholding independence and pursuing a development path suited to its national conditions, and supports its efforts in safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity. The two sides should continue to offer each other firm support, deepen strategic cooperation, and safeguard their respective political security and fundamental interests.”
Second, BRI cooperation between the two “has achieved remarkable results. The two sides should steadily advance cooperation in traditional areas such as transportation and energy infrastructure, make sure the entire Serbian section of the Belgrade-Budapest railway go into operation as scheduled, jointly operate well their major cooperation projects, create more small and beautiful livelihood projects, and continue to generate positive economic and social impacts. With the China-Serbia Free Trade Agreement set to take effect on July 1 this year, the high-standard mutual opening up between China and Serbia will surely enter a new stage. China will continue to import more high-quality agricultural specialties from Serbia. It will invite 300 young Serbians to China on study and exchange programs in the next three years. China welcomes the opening of direct flights from Belgrade to Shanghai by Serbia so as to comprehensively deepen people-to-people exchanges.”
Third, “China will support 50 young Serbian scientists in taking part in scientific research exchanges in China in the next three years. It is ready to work with Serbia to strengthen cooperation on artificial intelligence (AI) and endeavor to ensure humanity properly develop and utilize AI. It is important for China and Serbia to jointly reject hegemonism and power politics, and oppose bloc politics or bloc confrontation. The two sides should join hands to uphold the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter, practice true multilateralism, and promote international fairness and justice.”
Vucic, reportedly, praised Xi as “a great world leader”. He added that “under his (Xi’s) strong leadership, China has made remarkable achievements. It has become a beacon of development and progress of the world and is playing an increasingly important leading role in international affairs.” He also said that “Serbia firmly supports China’s legitimate position on issues concerning its core interests including on Taiwan. There is but one China in the world. Serbia will, without hesitation, continue to unswervingly provide China with firm support.”
The two leaders signed a Joint Statement on Deepening and Elevating the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and Building a China-Serbia Community with a Shared Future in the New Era. In addition, there were a bunch of agreements on BRI, green development, digital economy, e-commerce, infrastructure, economic and technical cooperation, information and communication, agri-food, and the media.
Finally, Xi and Vucic met the press (English readout). The key points from that are:
Serbia has become “the first European country to build a community with a shared future with China. This speaks volumes about the strategic, special and high-level relationship between the two countries.”
The two leaders agreed to enhance strategic communication to guide the building of the China-Serbia community with a shared future in the new era. The two sides will firmly support each other’s core interests and major concerns, and cement the political foundation for building this community. China supports Serbia in upholding its independence and following the development path that suits its own conditions. China supports Serbia’s efforts to safeguard sovereignty and territorial integrity on the Kosovo issue.
The two sides will jointly implement the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, and advance the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. The two sides will advocate fairness and justice, and jointly oppose hegemonism and power politics.
After this, Xi talked about the “first batch of six practical steps China will take to support the building of a China-Serbia community with a shared future in the new era.” These are:
The FTA that will take effect from July 1
Support for Serbia hosting the Specialized Expo 2027
China will import more agricultural products from Serbia
China will invite 50 young Serbian scientists as part of scientific exchanges over three years
China will invite 300 young Serbians to study in China in the next three years
Opening of Belgrade to Shanghai direct flights by Serbia and support for opening flights connecting Guangzhou to Belgrade
On Page 2, there’s an entire list of the agreements that were signed during this visit. There are some interesting documents, such as:
a bilateral extradition treaty
an agreement of judicial support related to civil and commercial matters
a feasibility study on assisting Serbian smart education and digital school projects
an MoU on promoting the implementation of the Medium-term Action Plan for BRI.
MoUs on sustainable development, poverty reduction, geology and minerals, IT, space, cultural ties, digital economic cooperation, media ties and sports etc
Agreements on inspection, quarantine and hygiene requirements for Serbian dried plums to be exported to China and phytosanitary requirements for Serbian fresh blueberries exported to China
Also reported on the page are Xi’s remarks (English report) at the welcome banquet held by Vucic. During the speech, Xi mentioned Novak Djokovic, among others, and said that “The Yugoslav film The Bridge and the song Bella Ciao, which evoke strong patriotic and anti-Fascism sentiments, have been immensely popular in China through the years and became my companion in my youthful days.”
The full joint statement on building a community with a shared future in the new era is available on Page 3.
Key points:
The two sides believe that close political dialogue at the highest level between the two countries is of great significance to strengthening China-Serbia relations, and agreed to continue to maintain close exchanges between the two heads of state through meetings, phone calls, and correspondence. The two sides are willing to give full play to the role of the China-Serbia Legislative Cooperation Committee, the Joint Committee on Economic and Trade Cooperation, and the Joint Committee on Science and Technology Cooperation and other mechanisms, strengthen exchanges and cooperation at all levels and in all fields, and continue to deepen the friendship between the two countries. The two sides will continue to deepen cooperation between the foreign ministries of the two countries, conduct regular meetings and consultations at all levels, exchange views on bilateral relations and international and regional hot issues of common concern, and coordinate positions in a timely manner. The two sides will continue to strengthen exchanges between the political parties of the two countries, deepen exchanges of experience in state governance, and promote bilateral cooperation in various fields. 二、双方认为，两国最高层密切开展政治对话对加强中塞关系意义重大，商定继续通过会晤、通话、信函往来等形式保持两国元首密切交往。双方愿充分发挥中塞立法机构合作委员会、经济贸易混合委员会、科技合作联委会等机制作用，加强各层级、各领域交流合作，继续不断深化两国友谊。双方将继续深化两国外交部门合作，开展各层级定期会晤和磋商，就双边关系和共同关心的国际和地区热点问题交换意见并及时协调立场。双方将继续加强两国政党间交往，深化治国理政经验交流，促进双边各领域合作
The two sides will firmly support each other on issues involving each other's core interests on the basis of respecting national sovereignty, territorial integrity and the principles of non-interference in other countries' internal affairs. Serbia reiterated that developing friendly relations with the People’s Republic of China is one of the main pillars of Serbian foreign policy. Serbia reiterated its firm support for the one-China principle. There is only one China in the world. Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory, and the government of the People's Republic of China is the only legal government representing the whole of China. Serbia firmly opposes any form of ‘Taiwan independence’ and interference in China’s internal affairs, reiterates that it will not engage in any form of official exchanges with the Taiwan authorities, and firmly supports all efforts made by the Chinese government to achieve national reunification. 双方将在尊重国家主权、领土完整和不干涉别国内政原则基础上就涉及彼此核心利益问题相互坚定支持。塞方重申，发展同中华人民共和国的友好关系是塞尔维亚外交政策的主要支柱之一。塞方重申坚定支持一个中国原则，世界上只有一个中国，台湾是中国领土不可分割的一部分，中华人民共和国政府是代表全中国的唯一合法政府，反对任何形式的“台湾独立”，反对干涉中国内政，重申不同台湾当局进行任何形式的官方往来，坚定支持中国政府为实现国家统一所作的一切努力.
Both sides oppose imposing any solution on the final status of ‘Kosovo’. Relevant parties should reach a mutually-acceptable solution through dialogue and consultation within the framework of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244. During this process, Serbia’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity must be fully respected. China supports the efforts of the Republic of Serbia to seek a compromise solution through peaceful means in the negotiations with representatives of the Provisional Institutions of Self-Government of ‘Kosovo’, and calls for the implementation of all agreements reached at the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue to effectively safeguard the religion and culture of the region. heritage. The establishment of the Community of Serb Municipalities is an important part of the 2013 Brussels Agreement and must be implemented. 双方反对就“科索沃”最终地位问题强加任何方案。有关各方应当在联合国安理会第1244号决议框架内，通过对话协商，达成彼此均可接受的解决方案。在此过程中，塞尔维亚主权、独立和领土完整必须得到充分尊重。中方支持塞尔维亚共和国在同“科索沃”临时自治机构代表谈判中，为以和平方式寻求妥协方案所作的努力，呼吁贯彻执行贝尔格莱德—普里什蒂纳对话达成的所有协议，有效保障该地区宗教和文化遗产。建立塞族城市联盟是2013年《布鲁塞尔协议》的重要内容，必须得到落实。
China understands Serbia’s efforts to join the EU and welcomes Serbian policy of developing friendly relations with regional countries and promoting regional cooperation. Both sides agree that on the South China Sea issue, territorial issues and maritime disputes should be peacefully resolved by the parties directly concerned through friendly consultations and negotiations in accordance with bilateral agreements and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea. 中方理解塞方致力于加入欧盟的努力，欢迎塞方奉行的与地区各国发展友好关系、推进地区合作的政策。双方一致认为，在南海问题上，应当根据双边协议和《南海各方行为宣言》规定，由直接当事方通过友好磋商和谈判，和平解决领土问题和海洋争议.
The next point covers many aspects. Some key points are that “both sides agreed to deepen cooperation in the field of space science and technology. China welcomes Serbia to join the International Lunar Research Station.” “Serbia welcomes the Global Artificial Intelligence Governance Initiative…” “China is willing to strengthen bilateral cooperation with Serbia in communications infrastructure, 5G, cloud computing, big data, smart photovoltaics and other fields…” “The two sides are willing to strengthen financial cooperation, support the opening of Serbia’s RMB clearing bank as soon as possible, promote the use of local currency settlement in bilateral trade and investment, and encourage financial institutions of the two countries to provide financing support and financial services for trade and investment cooperation.” It also mentions BRI and GDI.
On railways, “China is willing to encourage its enterprises to continue to participate in regional connectivity projects in accordance with commercial and market principles.” 中方愿鼓励本国企业按照商业和市场原则继续参与地区互联互通项目.
On health and biotechnology, “China is willing to strengthen bilateral and multilateral cooperation with Serbia in the fields of disease prevention and control, health emergency response, telemedicine, and traditional medicine, jointly promote the building of a human health community, and actively participate in the construction of related projects in Serbia’s domestic biotechnology industrial park.” 双方高度重视卫生健康和生物技术领域合作，中方愿同塞方加强在疾病防控、卫生应急、远程医疗、传统医学领域的双多边合作，共同推动构建人类卫生健康共同体，积极参与塞国内生物科技产业园相关项目建设.
The next point talks about cooperation in education, media, tourism, etc.
“Both sides advocate equal and orderly world multi-polarization and inclusive economic globalization, insist on the equality of all countries, large and small, oppose hegemonism and power politics, and oppose various forms of unilateralism and protectionism. Both sides support the United Nations in playing a leading role in addressing global problems, maintaining world peace, and promoting common development, and advocate strengthening the role and authority of the United Nations and its Security Council. Both sides support increasing the representation of developing countries through the reform of the United Nations and its Security Council, and advocate that member states should seek a ‘package’ solution and reach consensus through democratic consultations on the basis of broad consensus. Both sides are willing to strengthen coordination and cooperation in the United Nations and other international organizations and work together to promote global and regional peace, stability, development and prosperity. Both sides believe that promoting and protecting human rights is a common cause of all humanity. Countries should cooperate to promote and protect human rights on the basis of mutual respect and equality, and should not politicise or instrumentalize human rights issues to interfere in the internal affairs of other countries. Both sides will strengthen communication and cooperation in multilateral human rights forums to promote the development of global human rights governance in a more just manner.” 双方强调应当遵守基于联合国宪章在内的国际法的国际秩序，尊重各国独立、平等、主权和领土完整原则，坚持以联合国为核心的多边合作，维护真正的多边主义。双方倡导平等有序的世界多极化和普惠包容的经济全球化，坚持大小国家一律平等，反对霸权主义和强权政治，反对各种形式的单边主义和保护主义。双方支持联合国在解决全球性问题、维护世界和平、促进共同发展等方面发挥主导作用，主张加强联合国及其安理会的作用和权威。双方支持通过改革联合国及其安理会，增加发展中国家的代表性，主张会员国应当通过民主协商，在达成广泛共识的基础上，寻求“一揽子”解决方案并达成协商一致。双方愿加强在联合国及其他国际组织中的协调配合，携手推进全球与地区的和平、稳定、发展与繁荣。双方认为，促进和保护人权是全人类的共同事业，各国应当在相互尊重、平等相待基础上合作促进和保护人权，不能把人权问题政治化、工具化，用来干涉别国内政。双方将在多边人权论坛中加强沟通合作，推动全球人权治理以更加公正的方式发展.
“Both sides support the efforts of the international community to promote a political solution to the Ukrainian crisis and promote a ceasefire between Palestine and Israel, and call on all parties to prevent further spillover effects and maintain regional peace and stability. Both sides reiterate their opposition to confrontation between camps and to any actions by any country or group that provoke conflicts or undermine the security interests of other countries.” 双方支持国际社会为推动政治解决乌克兰危机、推动巴以停火止战所作努力，呼吁各方防止外溢影响进一步扩大，维护地区和平与稳定。双方重申反对阵营对抗，反对任何国家和集团挑动冲突、损害别国安全利益的行为.
Both sides condemn and oppose all forms of terrorism, and stress that the international community should continue to strengthen anti-terrorism cooperation, give full play to the central coordinating role of the United Nations, and use comprehensive means to address both the symptoms and root causes of terrorism. Both sides oppose the adoption of double standards on counter-terrorism issues and the politicisation and instrumentalization of counter-terrorism. Both sides will continue to strengthen counter-terrorism cooperation bilaterally and within multilateral frameworks such as the United Nations. Both sides believe that expanding cooperation between judicial, law enforcement, and security departments is of great significance for deepening security cooperation between the two countries. They will continue to promote cooperation in areas such as combating human trafficking, telecommunications fraud, economic crimes, and cross-border corruption. Both sides are willing to strengthen contact and cooperation between their respective immigration departments, deepen practical cooperation in areas such as border control inspections at ports of entry and exit, facilitation of personnel exchanges, combating illegal immigration activities, and capacity building in law enforcement. 双方谴责并反对一切形式的恐怖主义，强调国际社会应当不断加强反恐合作，发挥联合国中心协调作用，运用综合手段，标本兼治铲除恐怖主义滋生根源。双方反对在反恐问题上采取双重标准以及将反恐政治化、工具化的行径。双方将继续加强在双边以及在联合国等多边框架内反恐合作。双方认为，扩大司法、执法、安全等部门间合作对深化两国安全合作具有重要意义，将继续推动在打击人口拐卖、电信网络诈骗、经济犯罪、跨境腐败等领域合作。双方愿加强移民部门间联系与合作，深化在口岸出入境边防检查、人员便利往来、打击非法移民活动、执法能力建设等方面的务实合作.
Page 2: Xi is now in Hungary for the final stop of his European visit. Prior to his arrival, there was an article for the Hungarian newspaper Magyar Nemzet (English text). Xi wrote:
“This year marks the 75th anniversary of China-Hungary diplomatic relations. The bilateral relationship has since been developing and growing steadily and soundly with tangible results achieved in all fields. We respect and treat each other as equals, and pursue mutually beneficial cooperation. We see each other as a priority partner of cooperation. We have gone through hardships together and defied power politics together amid volatile international situations. We have found our respective path for sovereign states to independently conduct friendly exchanges with other countries.”
He later made five points for the future:
“Stronger political mutual trust is the cornerstone of rapid and steady development of China-Hungary relations. China is willing to build on the 75 years of our diplomatic relations and work with Hungary to make top-level designs for the relationship from a strategic and long-term perspective, sustain the strong momentum of high-level interactions, and support regular exchanges and policy communication between our governments, legislatures and political parties. We should continue to firmly support each other on issues that involve our respective core interests. This will provide a strong political guarantee for the high-standard development of China-Hungary relations.”
“We will work with Hungary to forge greater synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative and Hungary's Eastern Opening strategy, and accelerate the construction of the Budapest-Belgrade railway link and other significant cooperation projects. China will stay committed to promoting high-standard opening up. We will strengthen cooperation with Hungary in clean energy, artificial intelligence, digital economy, green development, and other emerging areas, foster new quality productive forces, and serve our respective high-quality development.”
“China is willing to expand with Hungary exchanges and cooperation in education, culture, tourism, sport, youth, the media and at the subnational level, support the teaching of each other's languages, make full use of cultural centers, and encourage more communication and interaction between peoples and between institutions. We will continue to work with Hungary to upgrade mutual visa facilitation, expand direct flights, and facilitate people-to-people exchanges.”
“Our two countries need to lead regional cooperation and keep to the right direction of China-Europe relations. The cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European countries conforms with the trends of the times and development, and serves the common interests of all relevant countries. It is also an important complement to the overall China-Europe relationship. Recently, there are signs of stability for the better in China-Europe relations. As comprehensive strategic partners, China and Europe have a broad range of shared interests. Their relationship is more cooperative than competitive and features more consensus than differences. The two sides have the responsibility to provide together more stability for the world and more impetus for global development. We are ready to work with Hungary to deepen and substantiate China's cooperation with Central and Eastern European countries and to ensure steady and sustained growth of China-Europe relations.”
“Our two countries need to enhance communication on international affairs and join hands to address global challenges. At present, transformation not seen in a century is accelerating across the world and global challenges keep emerging. The international community must make a response together. China and Hungary have similar views and positions on international and regional situations. It is important that we stay committed to solidarity and collaboration, champion humanity's common values of peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy and freedom, and practice true multilateralism. We should advocate an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, endeavour continuously to build a community with a shared future for mankind, and inject more positive energy into safeguarding world peace and promoting common development.”
Also on the page is a report on Wang Huning’s remarks during his inspection tour of Guangxi. Wang said that:
“It is necessary to thoroughly study and implement General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important thoughts on strengthening and improving ethnic work, take building a strong sense of the Chinese national community as the main line of the Party’s ethnic work and all work in ethnic areas, and firmly follow the correct path of solving ethnic issues with Chinese characteristics and earnestly do a good job in the Party's ethnic work in the new era.” 他表示，要深入学习贯彻习近平总书记关于加强和改进民族工作的重要思想，把铸牢中华民族共同体意识作为党的民族工作和民族地区各项工作的主线，坚定走中国特色解决民族问题的正确道路，切实做好新时代党的民族工作.
Wang visited villages, enterprises, a primary school, a nature reserve zone and a port. Wang said that Guangxi is a demonstration area for ethnic unity and progress, and it is necessary to implement the awareness of forging the Chinese national community into various tasks such as economy, education, employment, community construction, and cultural construction. Implementing it thoroughly, meticulously, persistently for the long term, and continuously is essential to ensure that it takes root… 他表示，广西是民族团结进步示范区，要把铸牢中华民族共同体意识落实到经济、教育、就业、社区建设、文化建设等各项工作中，抓实抓细、抓常抓长、久久为功，使之深深扎根八桂大地.
In Nanning, Wang visited the Guangxi Minzu University, a regional museum and a community. He said that “it is necessary to adhere to the correct view of the history of the Chinese nation, strengthen the excavation and utilisation of archaeological objects, cultural relics, and historical materials, deepen the research on major fundamental issues of the Chinese nation community, and grasp the right of historical narrative and discourse from the height of the perspective of the Chinese national community.” 他表示，广西各民族交往交流交融历史悠久，要坚持正确的中华民族历史观，加强对考古实物、文化遗存、史料史实的挖掘利用，深化中华民族共同体重大基础性问题研究，从中华民族共同体高度把握历史叙述权和话语权.
He praised the local authorities for having “conscientiously implemented the decisions and arrangements of the Party Central Committee, solidly promoted the construction of a demonstration zone for the awareness of forging the Chinese national community, and consolidated and developed a good situation of national unity, social stability, and border tranquillity.”
He also called for more tangible actions to forge the Chinese national community. The goal is to unite hearts and minds with common ideals and beliefs; strengthen the construction of the theoretical system of the Chinese national community; deepen the creation, propaganda and education of national unity and progress, promote exchanges and interactions between people of different ethnic groups; implement actions to revitalise borders; and enhance the people’s sense of identification with the great motherland, the Chinese nation, Chinese culture, the Communist Party of China, and socialism with Chinese characteristics. 调研期间，王沪宁表示，广西认真落实党中央决策部署，扎实推进铸牢中华民族共同体意识示范区建设，民族团结、社会稳定、边疆安宁的良好局面巩固发展。要有形有感有效抓实铸牢中华民族共同体意识工作，坚持用共同理想信念凝心铸魂，加强中华民族共同体理论体系建设，深化民族团结进步创建和宣传教育，推进各民族交往交流交融，实施新时代兴边富民行动，增进各族群众对伟大祖国、中华民族、中华文化、中国共产党、中国特色社会主义的认同。
Page 4: There’s a brief report on Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong meeting with Finnish National Police Commissioner Seppo Kolehmainen in Beijing. Xinhua says:
“China is ready to work with Finland to advance bilateral law-enforcement and security cooperation at a high level, with a focus on combating telecom and internet fraud, economic and financial crimes, illegal immigration, anti-terrorism, drug control and other fields, while jointly meeting the challenges of transnational crimes. At the same time, China is also willing to work with Finland to enhance exchanges of law-enforcement personnel at all levels, push for steady and long-term growth of China-Finland relations, and bring more benefits to the two countries and two peoples, Wang said.”
Page 7: There is a brief report informing that the new aircraft carrier, Fujian, has achieved “expected results” in eight-day trials of its power, electricity and other systems. SCMP’s report has this bit:
“‘The length of the first trial is normal, and it shows that no major issues came up,’ said Yue Gang, a retired People’s Liberation Army colonel, adding that ‘if a major problem arose, the military would likely have made the carrier return earlier than scheduled’.”