Key Messages from Xi's Guangdong Visit - PLA Focuses on War Preparedness - Q1 Foreign Trade Data - Qin Discusses Afghanistan in Uzbekistan - Implementing GSI with Ethiopia
Here are the key reports and articles that I found noteworthy from the People’s Daily’s edition on Friday, April 14, 2023. My apologies for getting this late today; parenting duties have taken precedence over the past week, and will likely lead to some more inconsistencies in the next week.
Page 1: Just about the entire page is dedicated to covering Xi Jinping’s trip to Guangdong from Monday to Thursday. Xi was accompanied by Cai Qi, Guangdong Secretary Huang Kunming and Guangdong Governor Wang Weizhong.
Xi stressed that Guangdong has been the vanguard, pioneer and experimental area when it came to reform and opening up, and now plays an important and prominent role in the overall situation of Chinese-style modernisation.” 中共中央总书记、国家主席、中央军委主席习近平近日在广东考察时强调，广东是改革开放的排头兵、先行地、实验区，在中国式现代化建设的大局中地位重要、作用突出.
“It is necessary to anchor the goal of building a strong country and national rejuvenation, focus on the primary task of high-quality development and the strategic task of building a new development pattern, and continue to be at the forefront in comprehensively deepening reform, expanding high-level opening up, enhancing the ability of self-reliance and strength in science and technology, building a modern industrial system, and promoting coordinated development between urban and rural areas, and in promoting Chinese-style modernization.” 要锚定强国建设、民族复兴目标，围绕高质量发展这个首要任务和构建新发展格局这个战略任务，在全面深化改革、扩大高水平对外开放、提升科技自立自强能力、建设现代化产业体系、促进城乡区域协调发展等方面继续走在全国前列，在推进中国式现代化建设中走在前列.
On Monday, Xi visited the National ‘863 Program’ marine aquaculture seed project South Base base in the city of Zhanjiang, where he called for attention to food security.
“China is a big country with a population of over 1.4 billion. To ensure food security, we need to adopt a big food concept, and turn to the land and the sea for food; cultivate the sea for animal husbandry and fishing, and build marine pastures and ‘blue granaries/bread baskets’. The seed industry is the foundation of the development of modern agriculture and fisheries…it is necessary to vigorously develop deep-sea aquaculture equipment and smart fisheries, and promote the transformation and upgrading of marine fisheries into information-based, intelligent and modern industries.” 中国是一个有着14亿多人口的大国，解决好吃饭问题、保障粮食安全，要树立大食物观，既向陆地要食物，也向海洋要食物，耕海牧渔，建设海上牧场、“蓝色粮仓”。种业是现代农业、渔业发展的基础，要把这项工作做精做好。要大力发展深海养殖装备和智慧渔业，推动海洋渔业向信息化、智能化、现代化转型升级.
After this, he went to the Zhanjiang Mangrove National Nature Reserve. He said that this was a “national treasure” that must be carefully protected “like people protect their own eyes.” “Strengthening the construction of marine ecological civilization is an important part of the construction of ecological civilization,” he added. Xi emphasised the need for persistent efforts towards green development, with the aim of building a beautiful China while also contributing to the preservation of the global environment.
Next, he headed to inspect the Xuwen Port. He talked about the strategic importance of the Qiongzhou Strait as a vital gateway to the development of the Hainan Free Trade Port and for China to navigate the South China Sea. He said Xuwen Port should be upgraded into a modern, comprehensive hub of water and land transportation that connects the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Hainan Free Trade Port. 习近平指出，琼州海峡是国家经略南海的战略通道，也是海南自由贸易港建设和发展的咽喉要道，要把“黄金水道”和客货运输最佳通道这篇大文章做好，把徐闻港打造成连接粤港澳大湾区和海南自由贸易港的现代化水陆交通运输综合枢纽。
Next, he visited the Dashuiqiao Reservoir in Xuwen County. The report says that the staff “showed the general secretary water samples and monitoring equipment, and reported on the strengthening of surrounding ecological protection in the local area. Xi Jinping pointed out that China faces the challenges of insufficient and unbalanced water resources. To promote Chinese-style modernization, issues related to water resources must be taken into consideration when developing cities, settling people and establishing industries. Guangdong must do a good job in optimising the allocation of water resources, speed up the construction of water resource allocation projects in an all-round way, address the challenges related to regional development imbalances, and benefit the masses.” 工作人员向总书记展示水样和监测设备，汇报当地加强周边生态保护等情况。习近平指出，我国缺水且水资源分布很不均衡。推进中国式现代化，要把水资源问题考虑进去，以水定城、以水定地、以水定人、以水定产，发展节水产业。广东要把水资源优化配置抓好，加快全面推进水资源配置工程建设，推动解决区域发展不平衡问题，尽早造福广大人民群众.
Xinhua English captures the next bit, i.e., his activities on Tuesday: “On Tuesday, Xi went to a village known for growing lychees, a subtropical fruit much loved by Chinese for generations, in the city of Maoming, where he visited a plantation, talked with agricultural technicians and learned about the operation of a cooperative and its function in promoting rural revitalization. Xi called for enhancing technologies used in lychee cultivation, preservation, and processing to boost the sector and culture-themed tourism. Bidding farewell to villagers, Xi said that to advance Chinese modernization, it is imperative to comprehensively advance rural revitalization and effectively address the imbalance between urban and rural areas and between regions. Xi went on to say that by adhering to the path of common prosperity, more resources should be allocated to assist less developed areas, promote social etiquette and civility, enhance the living environment, and protect the rural eco-environment to improve the quality of life for the people.”
On Wednesday, Xi travelled to Guangzhou. He first visited LG Display's manufacturing base. Here, he made a pitch for foreign investors. “Xi said that China's market strengths will become more apparent as the country quickens the formation of a new development pattern and further improves the business environment amidst the backdrop of sluggish global economic growth. He expressed the hope that foreign investors will seize opportunities and achieve greater business success by coming to China, particularly Guangdong and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.”
He then visited the GAC Aion New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd, where again the pitch was about being open to foreign enterprises and investors. “While visiting the carmaker's R&D center, he talked with researchers, entrepreneurs, employees, and representatives of foreign enterprises. Xi said that “China's policy of reform and opening up will remain unchanged over the long term, and it will never close the door of opening up by itself. He stated that China is ready to collaborate with any nations that are interested in engaging in mutually beneficial cooperation to advance the shared prosperity and development of the global economy. Xi Jinping emphasised that China is a big country, and it should attach importance to the real economy and take the path of self-reliance. Key core technologies must be based on independent research and development, and international cooperation is also welcome. It is necessary to strengthen education and talent cultivation, and lay a solid foundation for self-reliance and self-improvement in science and technology.” 习近平指出，中国改革开放政策将长久不变，永远不会自己关上开放的大门。一切愿意与我们合作共赢的国家，我们都愿意与他们相向而行，推动世界经济共同繁荣发展。习近平强调，中国是个大国，要重视实体经济，走自力更生之路。关键核心技术要立足自主研发，也欢迎国际合作。要加强教育和人才培养，夯实科技自立自强根基.
After this, on Thursday, Xi listened to work reports by the Guangdong Provincial Party Committee and the Provincial Government.
“Xi Jinping pointed out that the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area has an important strategic position in the new national development pattern. Guangdong must conscientiously implement the decision-making and deployment of the Party Central Committee, and regard the construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area as a great opportunity for Guangdong to deepen reform and opening up. Successfully accomplishing this major event will make the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area a strategic fulcrum for a new development pattern, a demonstration site for high-quality development, and a leading site for Chinese-style modernization.” 习近平指出，粤港澳大湾区在全国新发展格局中具有重要战略地位。广东要认真贯彻党中央决策部署，把粤港澳大湾区建设作为广东深化改革开放的大机遇、大文章抓紧做实，摆在重中之重，以珠三角为主阵地，举全省之力办好这件大事，使粤港澳大湾区成为新发展格局的战略支点、高质量发展的示范地、中国式现代化的引领地.
Xi Jinping emphasised that realising high-level scientific and technological self-reliance and self-improvement is the key to Chinese-style modernisation. It is necessary to implement the innovation-driven development strategy in depth, strengthen the construction of the regional innovation system, further enhance independent innovation capabilities, and strive to make greater progress in breaking through key core technological problems. It is necessary to strengthen innovation support for small and medium-sized enterprises and cultivate more innovative enterprises with independent intellectual property rights and core competitiveness. It is necessary to strengthen the dominant position of enterprises, promote the deep integration of the innovation chain, industrial chain, capital chain and talent chain, continuously improve the transformation and industrialization of scientific and technological achievements, and build industrial science and technology innovation centers with global influence. It is necessary to promote the construction of a talent highland in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area to form the effect of gathering high-end scientific and technological talents. 习近平强调，实现高水平科技自立自强，是中国式现代化建设的关键。要深入实施创新驱动发展战略，加强区域创新体系建设，进一步提升自主创新能力，努力在突破关键核心技术难题上取得更大进展。要加强对中小企业创新支持，培育更多具有自主知识产权和核心竞争力的创新型企业。要强化企业主体地位，推进创新链产业链资金链人才链深度融合，不断提高科技成果转化和产业化水平，打造具有全球影响力的产业科技创新中心。要推进粤港澳大湾区人才高地建设，形成高端科创人才聚集效应.
Xi Jinping said that Chinese-style modernization cannot be divorced from reality. Therefore, we must speed up the construction of a modern industrial system supported by the real economy. Guangdong should always insist on the manufacturing industry as the foundation of its development, pay more attention to developing the real economy, accelerate industrial transformation and upgrading, promote the upgrading of industrial base and the modernization of the industrial chain, develop strategic emerging industries, and build a modern industrial system with greater international competitiveness.” 习近平指出，中国式现代化不能走脱实向虚的路子，必须加快建设以实体经济为支撑的现代化产业体系。广东要始终坚持以制造业立省，更加重视发展实体经济，加快产业转型升级，推进产业基础高级化、产业链现代化，发展战略性新兴产业，建设更具国际竞争力的现代化产业体系.
“Xi Jinping emphasized that the common prosperity of all people is the essential feature of Chinese-style modernization, and coordinated regional development is an inevitable requirement for achieving common prosperity. Guangdong should make great efforts to solve the problem of unbalanced regional development, speed up the regional connectivity of transportation and other infrastructure, and drive and promote the orderly transfer of industries from the Pearl River Delta region to the east, west and north of Guangdong.” 习近平强调，全体人民共同富裕是中国式现代化的本质特征，区域协调发展是实现共同富裕的必然要求。广东要下功夫解决区域发展不平衡问题，加快推进交通等基础设施的区域互联互通，带动和推进粤东、粤西、粤北地区更好承接珠三角地区的产业有序转移. Xi also called for better coordination of land and marine development, enhancing marine ecological protection, and developing Guangdong into a strong maritime province. In addition, he emphasised rural development and monitoring so that people do not fall back into poverty.
The final paragraph with Xi’s comments focuses on carrying out the Xi thought education campaign, which he termed as a “major task of Party building.” “To cast a soul by learning implies doing a good job in internalising and translating into performance (Xi Jinping) Thought on Socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era, to thoroughly rectify/cleanse/renew ideological roots and consolidate and cultivate their foundations, to supplement the calcium of spirit, and to steady the rudder of thought.”以学铸魂，就是要做好学习贯彻新时代中国特色社会主义思想的深化、内化、转化工作，从思想上正本清源、固本培元，筑牢信仰之基、补足精神之钙、把稳思想之舵.
He called on everyone to:
strengthen ideals and beliefs; i.e., shape the world outlook, outlook on life and values as the “master switch.” 一是坚定理想信念，增强对党的价值追求和前进方向的高度政治认同，把好世界观、人生观、价值观这个“总开关”.
forge firm loyalty to the party, which entails maintaining a high degree of alignment with the Party Central Committee on political issues, and reflecting one’s loyalty to the Party in practical actions of implementing the decisions and deployments of the Party Central Committee. 二是铸牢对党忠诚，自觉坚持党的全面领导、坚定维护党中央权威和集中统一领导，不断提高政治判断力、政治领悟力、政治执行力，始终在政治立场、政治方向、政治原则、政治道路上同党中央保持高度一致，把对党忠诚体现到贯彻落实好党中央决策部署的实际行动上.
stand firmly on the people's stand, i.e., ensure popular support and legitimacy. In one part of this, Xi talks about ensuring that the “achievements of modernization can benefit all the people more and more equitably.” 三是站稳人民立场，强化宗旨意识，坚守初心使命，践行党的群众路线，把人民群众满意不满意作为评判主题教育成效的根本标准，解决好人民群众最关心最直接最现实的利益问题，把惠民生的事办实、暖民心的事办细、顺民意的事办好，让现代化建设成果更多更公平惠及全体人民.
The only other article is at the top of the page, telling us that officers and soldiers carefully studied Xi’s remarks when inspecting the STC Navy. The piece basically emphasises the importance of combat-readiness or war-preparedness.
It talks about the recent outing of the Shandong carrier in the Western Pacific; UAV regiment drills focussed on long-endurance joint reconnaissance in Zhejiang; the driving away of an “unknown ship” around Nansha; night take-off and landing drills of a brigade of the Marine Corps in Jiaodong; drills of J-15 carrier-based fighter jets in Bohai Sea, focussing on tactical formation, ground assault, and air combat confrontation…
Zeng Xianyan, head nurse of the First Naval Hospital of the Southern Theater Command, is quoted as saying that she and her comrades will continue work to prepare for wartime mobile medical service, and lay a solid foundation for military medical service preparations.
The piece also informs about a brigade of the Air Force engaging in a review and reflection activity to think about tactics, research tactics and practice tactics in actual combat environment, and focus on difficult subjects such as aerial refuelling, over-the-horizon air combat, etc. 参加完环台岛战备警巡和“联合利剑”演习，空军航空兵某旅展开复盘反思，组织飞行员结合空中加油、异型机编组超视距空战、联合慑压警巡等高难课目，置身实战环境想战法、研战法、练战法;
It also mentions the 3rd Battalion of a synthetic regiment in the Xinjiang Military Region testing new equipment and new training methods and tactics amid a complex terrain and especially cold environment, constantly tapping the operational potential of new equipment, promoting the speed of shifting gears in the combat effectiveness construction, and accelerating the forging of a plateau forces that are ready to be called upon, capable of fighting and sure to win. 喀喇昆仑，练兵热情高涨。新疆军区某合成团三营正在高原驻训，官兵们以时不我待、只争朝夕的紧迫感，潜心学装、知装、用装，在复杂地形、高寒特殊环境下检验新训法、新战法，不断挖掘新装备作战潜能，推动部队战斗力建设换挡提速，加快锻造召之即来、来之能战、战之必胜的高原劲旅. — Comment: No surprises for guessing which neighbouring country do these plateau forces imagine as the enemy.
Page 2: There's a report on Li Shulei meeting with a media delegation from Macao. Xinhua says: “Li called on Macao's press circles to continue to hold high the banner of loving both the motherland and Macao, foster greater patriotism and a strengthened sense of national identity, build stronger cultural confidence, and share the success story of ‘one country, two systems’ in Macao.”
Next, there’s a report on foreign trade data for Q1 (English report).
China's foreign trade grew by 4.8 percent year-on-year to 9.89 trillion yuan ($1.44 trillion) in the first quarter of 2023, data from the General Administration of Customs showed. After dropping 7 percent year on year in January due to the Spring Festival holiday, it recovered to an expansion of 8 percent in February before surging 15.5 percent in March. The first-quarter growth rate accelerated by 2.6 percentage points from the pace recorded in the fourth quarter of last year.
In the first three months, exports grew 8.4 percent year on year to 5.65 trillion yuan (about 823 billion U.S. dollars) while imports rose 0.2 percent to 4.24 trillion yuan, bringing the total trade to 9.89 trillion yuan.
In terms of trading partners:
ASEAN is China’s largest trading partner, with total Q1 trade at 1.56 trillion yuan, up 16.1 percent on a yearly basis, accounting for 15.8 percent of China's total foreign trade value.
China's imports and exports to the European Union, the United States, Japan and the Republic of Korea reached 1.34 trillion yuan, 1.11 trillion yuan, 546.41 billion yuan and 528.46 billion yuan, respectively, accounting for 35.6 percent of the country's foreign trade.
From January to March, China's imports and exports with economies participating in the Belt and Road Initiative surged 16.8 percent year-on-year to account for 34.6 percent of its foreign trade
BRI countries’ proportion of China’s overall trade has grown from 25% in 2013 to 32.9%. Comment: This should be quite a disappointing figure, given the focus on this over the past 10 years. It just shows that building trade resilience is not going to be easy. China’s exports still remain heavily dependent on Western markets.
Trade with Southeast Asia, West Asia and North Africa, Central Asia, South Asia and other regions along BRI increased by 16.1%, 12.5%, 32.2%, and 4.1% respectively.
Trade with other participating countries of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership rose 7.3 percent from the first quarter of 2022.
In terms of enterprises:
In the first quarter, there were 457,000 foreign trade enterprises with import and export performance in China, up 5.9% year-on-year.
Among them, there were 384,000 private enterprises, an increase of 7.5%; their import and export volume was 5.18 trillion yuan, an increase of 14.4%, accounting for 52.4% of China's total import and export value.
In the same period, the import and export of foreign-invested enterprises was 3.04 trillion yuan, and the import and export of state-owned enterprises was 1.65 trillion yuan, accounting for 30.7% and 16.7% of the total import and export value, respectively.
外贸经营主体数量稳中有增，呈现出新活力。一季度，我国有进出口实绩的外贸企业45.7万家，同比增加5.9%。其中，民营企业38.4万家，增加7.5%，进出口5.18万亿元，增长14.4%，占我国进出口总值的52.4%。同期，外商投资企业进出口3.04万亿元，国有企业进出口1.65万亿元，分别占进出口总值的30.7%和16.7%.
Other data:
The first quarter, mechanical and electrical products export value was 3.27 trillion yuan, an increase of 7.6% year-on-year, accounting for 57.9% of the total exports
Among them, the exports of automobiles, household appliances and batteries were at 147.47 billion, 141.24 billion and 116.34 billion yuan, respectively, an increase of 96.6%, 3.2% and 84.8%.
During the same period, the export of labour-intensive products was 947.46 billion yuan, an increase of 5.7%.
机电产品和劳动密集型产品出口均实现增长。一季度，我国机电产品出口3.27万亿元，同比增长7.6%，占出口总值的57.9%；其中，汽车、家用电器和蓄电池分别出口1474.7亿、1412.4亿和1163.4亿元，分别增长96.6%、3.2%和84.8%。同期，劳动密集型产品出口9474.6亿元，增长5.7%.
There was a 66.9-percent increase in the exports of three green products, namely solar batteries, lithium-ion batteries, and electric vehicles. These three products contributed 2 percentage points to the overall export growth in the first quarter.
The three new green products’ exports to the EU, the United States, ASEAN, South Korea and the United Kingdom grew by 88.7%, 88.1%, 103.5%, 121.7% and 118.2%, respectively.
Page 3: Let’s begin with Qin Gang’s visit to Uzbekistan. Xinhua has several reports.
In the PD report, Qin made four points during the meeting with foreign ministers of Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Russia, Iran and Pakistan These are covered here in English too:
The first is to crack down on the terrorist forces in Afghanistan, remove the breeding ground for terrorism at its source, and resolutely prevent Afghanistan from becoming a sanctuary, breeding ground and spreading source of terrorism again. ‘At the same time, we need to deepen regional cooperation on counterterrorism, drug control and refugees, strengthen border control, and jointly help Afghanistan enhance its counterterrorism capabilities to effectively curb cross-border terrorist flows and destabilization,’ he noted.
Second, the US should fulfil its responsibilities; this includes lifting “its unilateral sanctions against Afghanistan and returning Afghanistan's overseas funds.”
Third, he called on Afghan Taliban to build inclusive governance. On the basis of respecting the independence, sovereignty and national self-esteem of Afghanistan, the neighbors should guide the Afghan Taliban to follow the trend of the times, learn from the mature practices of other Muslim countries, and show more inclusiveness and progressiveness in the establishment and specific governance of political power.
The fourth is to carry out practical cooperation related to Afghanistan. The neighboring parties will speed up the implementation of the Tunxi Initiative, support Afghanistan in leveraging its geographical advantage as the "heart of Asia," integrate itself into regional connectivity and economic integration, and enhance its capacity for independent and sustainable development.
Qin said that China will “continue to provide support within its capacity for the reconstruction of Afghanistan.” All parties “noted that it's necessary to maintain communication with the Afghan interim government, guide it to fulfill its internal and external commitments and build an inclusive and moderate government, protect women's rights, restore the economy, and improve people's livelihood. They called on Afghan Taliban to pay attention to and respond to the major concerns of neighboring countries, and effectively combat terrorism and drug trafficking. They also expressed opposition to external forces undermining the security and stability of Afghanistan and the region, the evasion of responsibility by the country which bears the primary responsibility for the current situation in Afghanistan, and its closing the door to contact and dialogue with the Afghan side.” The meeting issued the Samarkand declaration of the fourth foreign ministers' meeting among the neighboring countries of Afghanistan.
After this, there was the second informal meeting of foreign ministers of China, Iran, Russia and Pakistan on the Afghan issue. Xinhua reports:
“During the meeting, Qin said that since the first informal meeting of foreign ministers of the four countries on the Afghan issue in September 2021, China, Russia, Pakistan and Iran, as the core force of regional coordination on Afghanistan issue, have worked together to effectively guarantee the smooth transition of the situation in Afghanistan. Meanwhile, although the war in Afghanistan has ended, the Afghan issue is far from being resolved. Afghanistan is now at a critical stage of transition from chaos to governance and still faces many challenges. Qin noted that China has recently issued The Global Security Initiative Concept Paper and China's Position on the Afghan Issue, which advocate spirit of solidarity to adapt to the profoundly adjusting international pattern, call for a win-win approach to address complex security challenges, and reiterate political solutions to Afghanistan and other international and regional hot issues.”
“The Cold War mentality and camp confrontation should be abandoned for the political settlement of the Afghan issue under the new situation, Qin stressed, adding that all countries concerned should adhere to the principle of inseparable security, address both the symptoms and root causes, and guide the Afghan Taliban to exercise governance in a moderate and steady way through mutual respect, equal consultation and friendly dialogue. China, Russia, Pakistan and Iran should work together to enhance the international community to pay more attention to terrorism-related security issues in Afghanistan, make consensus and joint efforts to combat the "three forces of evil," and help Afghanistan effectively address terrorist threats and draw a clear distinction from all terrorist forces. The four countries will encourage and support Afghanistan in pursuing a modernization path suited for its national conditions, and help Afghanistan enhance self-development capacity and integrate itself into the regional economy. China is ready to extend the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and the China-Central Asia-West Asia Economic Corridor to Afghanistan within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, so as to transform Afghanistan from a land-locked country into a land-linked one, Qin said.”
Another Xinhua report informs that the following points of “consensus” were reached at this meeting.
The first is to reaffirm respect for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Afghanistan, and support the determination of the country's political future and development path in accordance with the "Afghan-led and Afghan-owned" principle.
The second is to pay attention to the current security situation involving terrorism in Afghanistan, and urge the Afghan interim government to take more visible measures, fulfill its commitment to contain and resolutely fight terrorism, disintegrate and eliminate all types of terrorist organizations, prevent the territory of Afghanistan from being used by any terrorist forces, and take effective measures to protect the security and legitimate rights and interests of foreign institutions and citizens in Afghanistan.
The third is to call on the Afghan ruling authorities to form an inclusive government to protect the basic rights and interests of all Afghan people, including women, children and ethnic minorities.
The fourth is to emphasize that the United States and its allies bear historical responsibility for the current difficult situation in Afghanistan; should lift immediately unilateral sanctions against Afghanistan, and return immediately overseas funds belonging to the Afghan people; and should not build military bases again in Afghanistan and the region.
The fifth is to call on the international community to continue to provide humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan…
The sixth is to support all diplomatic efforts that are conducive to the political settlement of the Afghan issue…
In PD, there’s also a report on Qin meeting with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Xinhua has a report on the meeting with Qin’s counterpart Bakhtiyor Saidov.
In PD, Mirziyoyev is quoted as congratulating Xi on beginning his third term as president. He says that this reflects the “heartfelt and full support of all Chinese people for President Xi Jinping's wise leadership.” 米尔济约耶夫请秦刚转达对习近平主席的诚挚问候，祝贺习近平主席再次全票当选中国国家主席，表示这彰显了全体中国人民对习近平主席英明领导的衷心拥护和全力支持.
He calls China a “good friend” and “reliable partner” and commits to “continue to unswervingly abide by the one-China principle, jointly combat the ‘three evil forces’, and work together to build a community with a shared future for mankind.” 乌方珍视中方对“新乌兹别克斯坦”建设的支持，将继续坚定不移恪守一个中国原则，共同打击“三股势力”，携手构建人类命运共同体。Some areas of priority that he touched on were:
The upcoming Uzbekistan-China Intergovernmental Cooperation Committee meeting
Implementation of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project
Cooperation in fields such as economy and trade, new energy, infrastructure, humanities, and localities
Learning from China's development experience and innovative technology.
He also said that he looked forward to going to China to attend the China-Central Asia Summit and the 3rd BRI Forum
愿筹备好乌中政府间合作委员会会议，加快落实中吉乌铁路项目，拓展经贸、新能源、基础设施、人文、地方等各领域合作，借鉴中国发展经验和创新科技。期待赴华出席中国—中亚峰会和第三届“一带一路”国际合作高峰论坛。
Qin highlighted the importance of meeting the US$10 billion trade volume target that has been set by both sides; establishing a sub-committee for cooperation on poverty reduction; implementing the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project; focusing on new energy cooperation; encouraging and supporting local and non-governmental exchanges and cooperation to consolidate the foundation of friendship between the two peoples. 双方要落实好经贸投资合作五年规划，在完成好两国元首确定的100亿美元贸易额目标基础上持续努力。加快发展战略对接，争取中吉乌铁路早日启动建设，助力地区互联互通。成立减贫合作分委会，助力乌早日实现减贫目标。拓展新能源合作，优化能源结构，维护能源安全。鼓励支持地方、民间交流合作，夯实两国人民友好基础.
“Qin Gang emphasised that China highly appreciates Uzbekistan's valuable support on issues involving China's core interests. China also firmly supports Uzbekistan in safeguarding its sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, supports Uzbekistan in promoting reform and development, opposes any external forces interfering in Uzbekistan's internal affairs, and is willing to work closely together to crack down on the ‘three evil forces’ and jointly safeguard peace and tranquillity in the two countries and the region.” 秦刚强调，中方高度赞赏乌方在涉及中方核心利益问题上给予宝贵支持，中方同样坚定支持乌方维护主权、独立和领土完整，支持乌方推进改革发展，反对任何外部势力干涉乌内政，愿密切协作，共同打击“三股势力”，共同维护两国和地区和平安宁.
Next, there’s a report on Wang Yi meeting with Celso Amorim, advisor to Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Wang said:
“that the upcoming strategic meeting between the two countries' leaders will have a bearing on the world and draw a new blueprint for the development of bilateral relations. Wang stressed that China has always viewed and developed its relations with Brazil from a strategic perspective. He said China and Brazil, as the largest developing countries in the eastern and western hemispheres respectively, are both committed to development paths suited to their own national conditions. They both adhere to independent foreign policies, advocate for the peaceful settlement of disputes, oppose interference in other countries' internal affairs, support a multi-polar world and oppose unilateralism. The China-Brazil comprehensive strategic partnership has tremendous potential and a promising future, Wang said.”
Another report informs that Chinese State Councilor and Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong met with Demelash Gebremichael, commissioner general of Ethiopia's Federal Police Commission, in Beijing on Thursday. Xinhua says:
“China is ready to work with Ethiopia to actively implement the China-proposed Global Security Initiative, and to strengthen personnel exchanges and the building of cooperation mechanism, Wang said. China will deepen pragmatic cooperation with Ethiopia to ensure the security of Belt and Road cooperation, combat transnational crime and build law enforcement capacities, in order to bring more benefits to the people of the two countries, he added.”
Page 4: Just one report to note. Du Zhaocai, deputy head of the General Administration of Sport of China, the country's top sports body, was removed from his post by the State Council on Thursday. Sixth Tone reports that this is by far the highest-ranking sports official snared by the country's ongoing crackdown against corruption in Chinese soccer.
Page 15: On the international page, the fifth in the series of Zhong Sheng commentaries attacking the US on human rights. This one argues that:
“Systemic racism is not only a ‘stain on the soul’ of the United States, but also a serious human rights issue that has aroused widespread concern within the international community. American politicians should face up to the problem, reflect deeply, and effectively improve the human rights situation of ethnic minorities in the US.” 美国国内存在的系统性种族主义，不仅是美国“灵魂上的污点”，也是引发国际社会广泛关切的严重人权问题。美国政客应正视问题，深刻反省，切实改善美国少数族裔的人权状况.
Next, there’s a report on comments by French finance minister Bruno Le Maire to Europe 1 Radio. The interview is in French, and my French is as good as Joey Tribbiani’s. So I am going to just tell you what PD is saying. As per PD, Le Maire said that Europe should be more autonomous, not only in terms of the economy, military and finance, but also in terms of independent thought.
“Specifically, Europe should have its own strategic thinking in areas such as economy and finance." Le Maire says Europe does not need to think in the same strategic way as the United States.” “具体而言，在经济、金融等领域，欧洲应拥有自主战略思考。”勒梅尔说，欧洲无需同美国具有一致的战略思考.
He further asked: "Has the United States considered the impact of this bill (Inflation Reduction Act) on Europe? No.”勒梅尔特别以美国出台的《通胀削减法案》举例说：“美国考虑过这一法案对欧洲造成的影响吗？没有.” ... “We should also learn to think for ourselves.” “To think for ourselves is to defend our own interests,” he said. “我们也应该学会自主思考。”勒梅尔说，“自主思考，就是维护我们自己的利益.”