Li Qiang Confident of Achieving Annual Goals - SPP's Implementation Xi Thought Study Campaign - Wang Yi's Diplomacy at South Asia Expo
Here are the key reports and articles that I found noteworthy from the People’s Daily’s edition on Thursday, August 17, 2023. It’s a brief edition today; I’ve been very strict with my editorial decisions on what to cover owing to paucity of time.
Page 1: It’s another slow news day on the front page. The key news story on the page is about the second plenary meeting of the State Council. Li Qiang said that since the beginning of the year, China’s “economic operation has generally recovered and improved, laying a good foundation for achieving the annual goals and tasks.”
“We must earnestly align our thinking and actions with the scientific judgments and decision-making arrangements of the Party Central Committee, adhere to the general tone of seeking progress while maintaining stability, strengthen confidence, maintain determination, and work hard, implement macro-control accurately and effectively, and strengthen the coordination and synergy of various policies; in the process of overcoming difficulties, we must continuously promote the sustained improvement of economic performance, enhance endogenous growth momentum, continuously improve social expectations, and persistently resolve risks and dangers, thereby accelerating the development of new advantages in achieving high-quality growth.” 李强指出，今年以来，在以习近平同志为核心的党中央坚强领导下，在各地各部门的共同努力下，我国经济运行总体回升向好，为实现全年目标任务打下了良好基础。我们要切实把思想和行动统一到党中央的科学判断和决策部署上来，坚持稳中求进工作总基调，坚定信心、保持定力、奋发作为，精准有力实施宏观调控，强化各类政策协调配合，在攻坚克难中不断推动经济运行持续好转、内生动力持续增强、社会预期持续改善、风险隐患持续化解，在固本培元中加快塑造高质量发展新优势.
The next paragraph has a list of instructions:
Efforts should be made to expand domestic demand, continue to expand the policy space for expanding consumption and promoting investment, boost bulk consumption, mobilize the enthusiasm of private investment, and do a solid job in conducting preliminary research and preparation for major projects.
Focus on building a modern industrial system, accelerate the transformation and upgrading of traditional industries with new technologies and new formats, vigorously promote the development of strategic emerging industry clusters, and comprehensively accelerate the pace of digital transformation of the manufacturing industry.
Deepen reform and expand opening up, carry out a new round of actions to deepen and upgrade the reform of state-owned enterprises, improve the environment for the development of private enterprises, ensure a steady scale and a good structure of foreign trade, and make greater efforts to attract and utilize foreign investment.
Efforts should be made to promote the coordinated development of regional urban and rural areas, deepen the implementation of the strategy of main functional areas, thoroughly implement the new urbanization strategy and rural revitalization strategy, and consolidate and expand the achievements of poverty alleviation.
Efforts should be made to prevent and defuse severe risks, and effectively promote substantive risk reduction in key areas in an orderly and effective manner.
Efforts should be made to protect and improve people's livelihood, increase social assistance for the needy, and promote employment and income through multiple channels.
Efforts should be made in preventing and reducing disasters and supervising production safety; promote post-disaster recovery, conduct in-depth investigations into and rectify the hidden dangers in production, and ensure the safety of people’s lives and property.
李强强调，要着力扩大国内需求，继续拓展扩消费、促投资政策空间，提振大宗消费，调动民间投资积极性，扎实做好重大项目前期研究和储备。要着力构建现代化产业体系，加快用新技术新业态改造提升传统产业，大力推进战略性新兴产业集群发展，全面加快制造业数字化转型步伐。要着力深化改革扩大开放，深入实施新一轮国企改革深化提升行动，优化民营企业发展环境，推动外贸稳规模优结构，更大力度吸引和利用外资。要着力促进区域城乡协调发展，深化落实主体功能区战略，深入实施新型城镇化战略和乡村振兴战略，巩固拓展脱贫攻坚成果。要着力防范化解重大风险，有力有序有效推进重点领域实质性化险。要着力保障和改善民生，加大困难群众社会救助兜底保障力度，多渠道促进就业增收。要着力强化防灾减灾救灾和安全生产监管，切实做好灾后恢复工作，深入开展安全生产风险隐患排查整治，最大限度保障人民群众生命财产安全.
The next paragraph says:
“Li Qiang emphasised that it is necessary to vigorously improve administrative efficiency and provide a strong guarantee for the completion of various tasks. All departments of the State Council must strengthen their understanding of the concept of the overall situation, keep in mind 国之大者, identifying the points of entry for their work, and opening up new avenues of progress. It is necessary to take the initiative to take a step forward, strengthen coordination and cooperation, and work together to tackle difficulties and complete tasks efficiently, so as to continuously enhance the sense of gain of the masses and enterprises. It is necessary to break free from fixed thinking patterns, adhere to proceeding from reality in all endeavours, and continuously optimise work processes and approaches. It is necessary to better perform our duties and responsibilities, organically combine supervision and service, ensure safety and promote development, find ways for development and help enterprises, and create a strong atmosphere of entrepreneurship and common development in the whole society. help enterprises, and create a strong atmosphere of entrepreneurship and development in the whole society.李强强调，要大力提升行政效能，为完成各项任务提供有力保障。国务院各部门要强化全局观念，心怀“国之大者”，找准工作切入点，打开工作新局面。要主动跨前一步，加强协同配合，围绕“高效办成一件事”合力攻坚，不断增强群众和企业的获得感。要打破思维定势，坚持一切从实际出发，不断优化工作流程和推进方式。要更好履职尽责，把监管与服务、保安全与促发展有机结合起来，多为发展想办法，多为企业助把力，在全社会营造干事创业、共促发展的浓厚氛围.
Another report on the page discusses the implementation of the Xi thought education campaign by the Supreme People's Procuratorate. It says that the SPP has “prioritized theoretical learning as the key focus of thematic education, focussing efforts to deepen, internalise and apply Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era; it has insisted on understanding the law, obtaining clear direction, learning methods and increasing wisdom by drawing from the Party’s scientific theory from a political perspective, with a strong emphasis on enhancing political competence.” 最高检坚持把理论学习作为主题教育的重中之重，全力做好学习贯彻习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的深化、内化、转化工作；坚持从党的科学理论中悟规律、明方向、学方法、增智慧，从政治上学、从政治上悟，着力提升政治能力
Tempering political loyalty. The SPP has taken theoretical learning as a political guarantee to drive the development of procuratorial work, grasp the core essence, spiritual essence, rich connotation, and practical requirements of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era comprehensively and systematically, cultivating political alignment, ideological consensus, theoretical understanding, and emotional identification. 淬炼政治忠诚。把理论学习作为推动检察事业发展的政治保证抓紧抓实，全面系统深入把握习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的核心要义、精神实质、丰富内涵、实践要求，增进政治认同、思想认同、理论认同、情感认同.
Firm political determination. Adhere to the Party’s absolute leadership over procuratorial work, and work hard on comprehensive learning, focused learning, and continuous follow-up. Integrating historical context with developmental practice, the SPP adheres unwaveringly to the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, fully implementing the major decisions and deployments of the Party Central Committee. 坚定政治定力。坚持党对检察工作的绝对领导，在全面学、重点学、跟进学上下苦功。融入历史方位、联系发展实践，坚持以习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想为指导，不折不扣地落实好党中央重大决策部署.
Strengthen political responsibility. Focusing on high-quality development, be loyal to the party, share worries for the party, take responsibility for the party; fulfil one’s duties for the Party, and implement the people-centered development philosophy throughout the entire process of legal supervision. 强化政治担当。紧紧围绕高质量发展，对党忠诚、为党分忧、为党担责、为党尽责，把以人民为中心的发展思想贯彻到法律监督全过程.
The SPP has engaged in activities like themed Party days, specialized Party lectures, thematic joint learning, and exchange seminars; events like grand prosecutors lectures, forums for youth study and essay readings for prosecutors have been held to promote in-depth, practical, and heartfelt engagement with theoretical learning. 创新方式方法。最高检通过开展主题党日、专题党课、主题联学、交流研讨等活动，以及举办大检察官讲堂、青年学习讲坛、检察官阅读征文等活动，推动理论学习往深里走、往实里走、往心里走.
The second section informs that the SPP has taken investigation and research as an “important aspect” of the campaign. The third and final section discusses the focus on high-quality development as part of SPP’s work under this campaign. This offers examples of work related to supporting private enterprises, protection of water resources in the Yellow River Basin, improving overall efficiency, safeguarding food and drug safety, etc.
Also on the page is a report (English report) on summer passenger train travel in China. It says that China saw 614 million railway passenger trips from July 1 to August 15 during the peak summer holiday season. The average daily number of railway passengers reached 13.47 million in the first 10 days of August, marking an increase of 71.8 percent from the same period last year and 13.1 percent over the same period in 2019.
Page 2: There’s a report on the State Administration for Market Supervision issuing a new guideline on Strengthening Intellectual Property Rights Enforcement in the New Era. The report says that the guidelines clarify the “main objectives, key tasks, and safeguard measures for intellectual property enforcement in the coming period.” “In view of the new characteristics of current infringement and counterfeiting activities, the guidelines call for strengthening the legal protection of intellectual property law enforcement, establish and improve the law enforcement mechanism, and equally protect the intellectual property rights of various business entities according to law, providing strong support for the implementation of the innovation-driven development strategy. By 2025, a comprehensive intellectual property enforcement system that coordinates administrative law enforcement, industry self-regulation, enterprise rights protection, and social supervision will be established.” 国家市场监督管理总局近日印发《关于新时代加强知识产权执法的意见》（以下简称《意见》）。《意见》明确了今后一段时期知识产权执法的主要目标、重点任务和保障措施，针对当前侵权假冒行为的新特点，加强知识产权执法的法治保障，建立完善执法机制，依法平等保护各类经营主体的知识产权，为创新驱动发展战略实施提供有力支撑。到2025年，基本建成行政执法、行业自律、企业维权、社会监督协调运作的知识产权执法体系.
The guidelines highlight the key products, key areas, key markets, and key links of intellectual property enforcement. Focusing on ensuring safety of products related to people's life and health and property, they call to strictly investigate and deal with trademark infringement, patent counterfeiting and other illegal acts. to strengthen the enforcement of intellectual property rights in the Internet field and increase the protection of intellectual property rights in the field of foreign investment and time-honoured/well-established brands. They call to strengthen the law enforcement with regard to commodity trading markets where there are many reports and complaints, as well as rural and urban-rural junction markets. They also call to strictly investigate and deal with malicious applications for registered trademarks and illegal trademark and patent agency activities. 《意见》突出知识产权执法的重点产品、重点领域、重点市场和重点环节。以关系人民群众生命健康、财产安全的产品为重点，严厉查处商标侵权、假冒专利等违法行为。《意见》提出，加强互联网领域知识产权执法，加大外商投资领域和老字号品牌的知识产权保护力度。加强对举报投诉较多的商品交易市场以及农村和城乡接合部市场的执法。严厉查处恶意申请注册商标和违法开展商标专利代理等行为.
Page 3: A couple of reports to note. First, there’s a report on Wang Yi addressing the opening ceremony of the seventh China-South Asia Expo in Kunming. Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, Lao Vice President Pany Yathotou, Nepalese Vice President Ram Sahay Prasad Yadav, and Vietnam's Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang attended the opening ceremony.
I am using the detailed readout from the MoFA website and Wang’s speech.
“Wang Yi said that China and South Asian countries are linked by mountains and seas and their destinies are intertwined; they appreciate each other in the process of civilization rejuvenation and walk hand-in-hand amid the trend of globalisation. We conform to the trend of history, are accelerating development and revitalization, and growing into the world's fastest-growing and most dynamic region. We respect each other on an equal footing and are moving towards each other; cooperation in various fields has achieved fruitful results.” 王毅说，中国和南亚国家山海相连、命运相系，在文明复兴进程中相互欣赏，在全球化潮流中携手同行。我们顺应历史大势，加快发展振兴，成长为世界上增长最快、最富活力的地区。我们平等尊重，相向而行，各领域合作取得丰硕成果.
“We have actively promoted high-level interaction, strengthened strategic leadership, consolidated solidarity and cooperation, supported each other's core interests, respected our respective development paths, sought common ground while reserving differences and properly handled differences, and worked together to tackle challenges and jointly safeguarded regional security and the development environment. We have continued to build BRI together, aligned our development strategies, and brought our complementary advantages into play. Encouraging progress has been made in connectivity, infrastructure, trade, and investment, and a number of major projects, such as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, the 8th China-Bangladesh Friendship Bridge in Bangladesh, and the Colombo Port in Sri Lanka have been implemented one after another. Since 2013, the trade volume of goods between China and South Asian countries has expanded from less than $100 billion to nearly $200 billion, with an average annual growth rate of 8.3%. We have carried out in-depth friendly exchanges, adhered to the concept of openness and inclusiveness, carried out various forms of people-to-people activities, and built a multi-level non-governmental exchange platform, which has given new vitality to the interaction of millennia-old civilizations and laid a solid public opinion foundation for the cooperation between the two regions. In the face of earthquakes, floods, epidemics and other disasters, Chinese rescue teams, medical teams and local people have overcome the difficulties together, and a large number of anti-epidemic materials and vaccines have been continuously delivered to the people of South Asia, writing a new chapter in the era of friendship between China and South Asia.” 我们积极推动高层互动，加强战略引领，巩固团结合作，支持彼此核心利益，尊重各自发展道路，求同存异妥处分歧，同舟共济应对挑战，共同维护了地区安全和发展环境。我们持续共建“一带一路”，对接发展战略，发挥互补优势，互联互通、基础设施、贸易投资都取得可喜进展，中巴经济走廊、孟加拉国中孟友谊八桥、斯里兰卡科伦坡港等一批重大项目陆续落地。2013年以来，中国与南亚国家货物贸易额从不足千亿美元扩大至接近2000亿美元，年均增长率高达8.3%。我们深入开展友好交流，坚持开放包容理念，开展形式多样人文活动，构建多层次民间交流平台，为千年文明互动赋予新的生机，为两大区域合作奠定坚实民意基础。面对地震、洪水、疫情等灾害，中国救援队、医疗队和当地民众共克时艰，大批抗疫物资和疫苗源源不断传递到南亚民众手中，谱写了中国和南亚友好的时代新篇.
Wang added: “this year marks the 10th anniversary of the expo and also the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative and the neighbourhood diplomacy featuring amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness. Over the past decade, we have consolidated solidarity and cooperation to safeguard regional security and the development environment. We have continued to build the Belt and Road and made gratifying progress in connectivity, infrastructure, trade and investment. We have carried out in-depth friendly exchanges, adhered to the principle of openness and inclusiveness, and built a multi-level platform for people-to-people exchanges…He stressed that China stands ready to work with South Asian countries to strengthen solidarity and coordination, foster new development drivers, build a community of development, and contribute to enduring peace, stability and prosperity in the region.” 王毅表示，今年是南博会举行十周年，也是习近平主席提出“一带一路”倡议和亲诚惠容周边外交理念十周年。十年来，我们巩固团结合作，共同维护地区安全和发展环境。我们持续共建“一带一路”，互联互通、基础设施、贸易投资取得可喜进展。我们深入开展友好交流，坚持开放包容理念，构建多层次民间交流平台，为千年文明互动赋予新的生机，为两大区域合作奠定坚实民意基础，谱写了中国南亚友好的时代新篇.
Wang Yi emphasised that China welcomes South Asian countries to board the express train of China’s development and share the dividends of China's development. We are willing to work with South Asian countries to seize the historic opportunity, strengthen unity and cooperation, constantly cultivate new development momentum, build a development community, and contribute to the long-term stability, stability and prosperity of the region.” He then made four suggestions on deepening bilateral cooperation: 王毅强调，中方欢迎南亚国家继续搭乘中国发展快车，分享中国发展红利。愿同南亚各国一道，把握历史机遇，加强团结协作，不断培育发展新动能，构建发展共同体，为地区的长治久安、稳定繁荣贡献力量。王毅就深化双方四方面合作提出建议。
First, deepen strategic mutual trust. We should further strengthen the exchange of high-level visits, make good use of cooperation mechanisms, enhance mutual trust, expand consensus and consolidate unity. Support each other in international and regional affairs, advocate open regionalism, build close regional cooperation, jointly safeguard the interests of developing countries and jointly safeguard international fairness and justice. 一是深化战略互信。我们要进一步加强高层互访，用好合作机制，增进互信、扩大共识，巩固团结。在国际和地区事务中相互支持，倡导开放的区域主义，构建紧密的区域合作，共同维护发展中国家利益，共同捍卫国际公平正义.
Second, deepen interconnection. We will take the opportunity of holding the third BRI International Cooperation Summit Forum this autumn to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with South Asian countries under the framework of the Belt and Road. Actively strive for the support of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the Silk Road Fund, promote the construction of key corridors/channels such as China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and China-Nepal Cross-border Railway, accelerate the construction of key channels, key nodes, and key projects, and promote the smooth upgrade of regional economic circulation. 二是深化互联互通。我们将以今秋举办第三届“一带一路”国际合作高峰论坛为契机，与南亚国家加强“一带一路”框架下的交流与合作。积极争取亚投行、丝路基金支持，推进中巴经济走廊、中尼跨境铁路等骨干通道建设，加快推进关键通道、关键节点和重点工程建设，推动区域经济循环畅通升级.
Third, deepen economic and trade cooperation. We are willing to further promote trade facilitation, improve the rules of origin, and do a good job in the integration of information, customs clearance, quality inspection and other systems and standards. Adhere to promoting investment cooperation through extensive consultation, joint construction and sharing, improve the level of cooperation, and closely connect the global industrial and supply chains. We will protect the legitimate rights and interests of foreign-funded enterprises in accordance with the law, and create a market environment that treats everyone equally and competes fairly. We welcome enterprises from South Asian countries to increase investment in China. 三是深化经贸合作。我们愿进一步推进贸易便利化，完善原产地规则，抓好信息、通关、质检等制度标准对接。坚持以共商共建共享带动投资合作，提升合作水平，密切全球产业链供应链联系。我们将依法保护外资企业合法权益，营造一视同仁、公平竞争的市场环境，欢迎南亚国家企业加大对华投资。
Fourth, deepen people-to-people exchanges. We hope that the two sides will get closer as relatives and friends. Make full use of communication channels and platforms such as business, non-governmental, and academic circles to expand people-to-people and cultural exchanges, strengthen ties, elevate traditional friendship, and create a more cohesive and diverse social foundation for regional cooperation. 四是深化人文交流。我们希双方像亲戚一样越走越亲，朋友一样越走越近。充分利用商界、民间、学界等交流渠道和平台，拓展人文交流，拉紧联系纽带，升华传统友谊，为开展区域合作创造更具凝聚力、更富多样性的社会基础.
Next, there’s a consolidated report on Wang meeting with Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, Lao Vice President Pany Yathotou, Nepalese Vice President Ram Sahay Prasad Yadav, and Vietnam's Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang. Xinhua’s report says:
First, Wang’s meeting with Yadav:
“Yadav stated that Nepal and China are close partners, with close exchanges in various fields and rich content in strategic cooperation, and the level of mutual trust continues to rise. Nepal will always remember the support, assistance and deep friendship of the Chinese government and people, and is full of confidence in the future of Nepal-China relations. Nepal will always give priority to relations with China in its foreign policy, and will continue to firmly adhere to the one-China policy, adhere to its political commitment, and never allow any forces to use Nepal's territory to engage in anti-China activities. Nepal looks forward to jointly implementing the important achievements of the historic exchange of visits between Nepalese and Chinese leaders in 2019, building the trans-Himalayan three-dimensional connectivity network into a century-long bridge of friendship between the two peoples, enhance the diversity of economic and trade cooperation between Nepal and China, and accelerate post-epidemic recovery. It is hoped that China will continue to facilitate the export of Nepalese agricultural products to China.” 亚达夫表示，尼中是亲密伙伴，各领域交往密切，战略合作内涵丰富，互信水平持续提升。尼泊尔永远铭记中国政府和人民对尼的支持帮助和深厚情谊，对尼中关系未来充满信心。尼方始终将对华关系作为外交政策优先方向，将继续坚定奉行一个中国政策，坚守政治承诺，决不允许任何势力利用尼泊尔领土从事反华活动。期待共同落实好2019年尼中领导人历史性互访重要成果，将跨喜马拉雅立体互联互通网络打造为两国人民友谊的世纪桥梁，提升尼中经贸合作多样性，加快疫后复苏。希望中方继续为尼农产品输华提供便利.
“Wang Yi appreciated Yadav's reaffirmation of the One-China principle (that’s not what Yadav said; he said “一个中国政策” and not “个中国原则”) and the solemn commitment that Nepal's territory will not be used by any anti-China forces. He acknowledged Nepal’s consistent adherence to friendly relations with China and its respect for China's core interests. He emphasized that China and Nepal are friendly neighbours connected by mountains and rivers, and the two countries have always respected and supported each other, worked together in unity, and pursued mutual benefit and win-win cooperation. China cherishes the traditional friendship between China and Nepal, and will continue to firmly support Nepal in safeguarding its sovereignty, security and development interests, and adhere to a development path that suits its own national conditions. We are willing to work with the Nepali side to promote the building of a generations-long development and prosperity-oriented strategic partnership of cooperation. The two sides should continue to promote the construction of a trans-Himalayan three-dimensional connectivity network, build the high quality BRI, speed up the feasibility study of the cross-border railway, and help Nepal develop and rejuvenate. Nepal is welcome to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with neighbouring places in China…We welcome more characteristic and high-quality products from Nepal to enter the Chinese market, and will encourage Chinese enterprises to invest in Nepal.” 王毅赞赏亚达夫重申一个中国原则和郑重承诺尼领土不会被任何反华势力利用，肯定尼泊尔朝野各界一贯坚持对华友好、尊重中方核心利益，表示中尼是山水相连的友好邻邦，两国始终相互尊重、相互支持，团结协作、互利共赢。中方珍视中尼传统友谊，将继续坚定支持尼维护主权安全和发展利益，走符合自身国情的发展道路。愿同尼方一道，推动构建面向发展与繁荣的世代友好战略合作伙伴关系。双方要持续推进跨喜马拉雅立体互联互通网络建设，高质量共建“一带一路”，加快跨境铁路的可行性研究，助力尼泊尔发展振兴。欢迎尼方同中国毗邻地方加强交流合作。感谢尼泊尔作为此次南博会主题国，为博览会成功作出积极贡献。欢迎尼更多特色优质产品进入中国市场，将鼓励中国企业赴尼投资兴业.
Second, Wang’s meeting with Gunawardena:
“Gunawardena stated that the strategic partnership between Sri Lanka and China is strong and robust. He expressed gratitude to China for its unwavering support in safeguarding Sri Lanka's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, as well as for providing timely and substantial assistance during challenging times. Forward-looking flagship cooperation projects between Sri Lanka and China, such as Colombo Port City and Hambantota Port, will not only bring benefits to Sri Lankan people, but also play a key role in regional interconnection and sustainable development. Sri Lanka will work with China to implement a series of important global initiatives put forward by President Xi Jinping, and look forward to expanding bilateral cooperation in economic and trade investment, agriculture, tourism, local affairs, energy and innovation, so as to help Sri Lanka achieve food self-sufficiency and accelerate the development of key industries.” 古纳瓦德纳表示，斯中战略合作伙伴关系强劲有力，感谢中方坚定支持斯维护独立、主权和领土完整，在斯面临困难时给予及时有力帮助。科伦坡港口城和汉班托塔港等具有前瞻性的斯中旗舰合作项目不仅为斯里兰卡人民带来福祉，也将为地区互联互通和可持续发展发挥关键作用。斯将同中方共同落实习近平主席提出的一系列重要全球倡议，期待拓展双方经贸投资、农业、旅游、地方、能源、创新等合作，助力斯实现粮食自给自足，加快关键产业发展.
Wang Yi stated that China-Sri Lanka relations have become a model for countries big and small to treat each other as equals and get along well with each other. China cherishes the traditional friendship cultivated by the leaders of the two countries, and will always be a strategic partner that Sri Lanka can rely on. China appreciates that Sri Lanka has always adhered to its friendship with China and stood with China on issues involving its core interests. China also firmly supports Sri Lanka in safeguarding its sovereignty, independence, and national dignity, and is willing to strengthen exchanges in terms of governance experience and cooperation in various fields with Sri Lanka, so as to help Sri Lanka effectively cope with the challenges of financial debt, enhancing its capacity for independent development, breaking free from the ‘poverty trap’ and ‘underdevelopment trap’, and accelerating industrialization and agricultural modernization. We believe that Sri Lanka will overcome temporary difficulties, find a development path that suits its national conditions, achieve rebirth from adversity and revitalise prosperity...” 王毅说，中斯关系已成为大小国家平等相待、友好相处的典范。中方珍视两国历代领导人培育的传统友谊，永远是斯里兰卡可以倚靠的战略伙伴。中方赞赏斯方始终坚持对华友好，在涉及中方核心利益问题上同中方站在一起。我们同样坚定支持斯维护主权独立和民族尊严，愿同斯加强治国理政经验交流和各领域合作，助力斯有效应对金融债务问题挑战，提高自主发展能力，摆脱“贫困陷阱”和“不发展陷阱”，加快工业化进程和农业现代化水平。相信斯必将克服暂时困难，找到符合国情的发展道路，实现浴火重生，振兴繁荣。斯里兰卡是中国一南亚博览会的重要参与者和受益者，欢迎斯方继续用好这一重要平台，进一步开拓中国市场.
Third, Wang’s meeting with Pany Yathotou:
Pany said that: “The Lao side has always adhered to the one-China principle, sincerely admires China's great development achievements, and firmly believes that under the strong and powerful leadership of President Xi Jinping, China will smoothly achieve the second centenary goal as scheduled. The Lao side fully supports and is willing to actively participate in the global development, security, and civilization initiatives proposed by President Xi Jinping, and looks forward to taking the opportunity of serving as the rotating chair of ASEAN next year to strengthen multilateral communication and coordination with China.” 老方始终坚持一个中国原则，衷心钦佩中国伟大发展成就，坚信在习近平主席坚强有力领导下，中国将如期顺利实现第二个百年奋斗目标。老方全力支持并愿积极参与习近平主席提出的全球发展、安全、文明倡议，期待以担任明年东盟轮值主席国为契机，同中方加强多边沟通协调.
Wang said: “China and Laos are both socialist countries with the same ideals and common strategic interests. We are willing to continue to understand and trust each other, support and help each other, strengthen the docking of development strategies, expand all-round and all-field cooperation, and turn important high-level consensus into tangible cooperation results, bringing more benefits to the two peoples. China supports Laos to assume the rotating presidency of ASEAN next year and play a more important role in the international arena, and expects Laos to make new contributions to China-ASEAN cooperation. We welcome Laos to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with Yunnan and other provinces and regions in China.” 中老同为社会主义国家，理念理想相通，有着共同战略利益，我们愿继续同老挝相互理解信任，相互支持帮助，加强发展战略对接，拓展全方位、全领域合作，把高层重要共识转化为实实在在合作成果，给两国人民带来更多福祉。中方支持老方明年担任东盟轮值主席国，在国际地区舞台发挥更加重要作用，期待老方为中国东盟合作做出新的贡献。欢迎老方加强与云南等中国地方省区交流合作.
Fourth, Wang’s meeting with Vietnam’s Tran Luu Quang:
Wang said that “the two sides should prepare for the next stage of high-level exchanges, further deepen strategic mutual trust, jointly safeguard the security of political power and system, and jointly adhere to the Parties’ ideals and beliefs and socialist direction. 双方要筹备好下阶段高层往来，进一步深化战略互信，共同维护好政权和制度安全，共同坚守党的理想信念和社会主义方向.
Wang Yi said that China firmly supports ASEAN unity and ASEAN centrality in regional cooperation, and will work with ASEAN countries including Vietnam to uphold the spirit of friendly consultation and mutually beneficial cooperation, oppose the provocation and interference of external forces, and safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea and the region. We look forward to positive outcomes from the East Asia Summit series of meetings under the joint efforts of Vietnam and other ASEAN countries.王毅表示，中方坚定支持东盟团结和东盟在地区合作中的中心地位，将同包括越南在内的东盟国家一道，秉持友好协商和互利合作精神，反对域外势力挑拨干涉，维护南海和地区和平稳定。期待东亚合作领导人系列会议在越南等东盟国家共同努力下取得积极成果.
Tran Luu Quang said that “China's significance and uniqueness to Vietnam are unparalleled; it is the only country that holds a top-priority status in Vietnam's foreign relations. Developing relations with China has consistently remained the foremost priority in Vietnam's foreign policy. Vietnam cherishes peace and sincerely appreciates the selfless assistance from Chinese comrades in achieving independence and development. Vietnam opposes and remains vigilant against external interference and will strengthen high-level exchanges and deepen practical cooperation in various fields with China…Vietnam is willing to play its role within ASEAN, jointly safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea, and achieve common development.” 中国对越南的重要性和特殊性无可比拟，是唯一兼具越南外交所有优先方向的国家，发展对华关系始终是越外交政策头等优先。越南珍视和平，珍视并衷心感谢中国同志对越南独立和发展的无私帮助。越南反对并警惕外来干涉，将同中方加强高层往来，深化各领域务实合作。很高兴担任越中双边合作指导委员会越方主席，期待同中方建立良好关系，开好指导委员会会议。愿在东盟中发挥应有作用，共同维护南海和平稳定，实现共同发展.
Moving on, there’s a report on MoFA’s comment on China still being “an important engine for world economic growth.”
Finally, there’s a commentary on the new State Council guidelines on attracting foreign investment. It says that the guidelines “fully demonstrate that despite the rise of global protectionism and the strong push of certain countries to ‘decouple and break chains’, all parties are still eager to promote open cooperation, look forward to sharing opportunities in China, and with China, which is constantly expanding its high-level opening to the outside world, has strong attraction.” 这些充分说明，尽管全球保护主义抬头、个别国家强推“脱钩断链”，但各方依然渴望推进开放合作、期待共享中国机遇，不断扩大高水平对外开放的中国具有强大吸引力.