Before we get to today’s edition, I’d like to highlight two of the fellowships that we at Takshashila are running. The aim is to deepen policy-related scholarship on Pakistan and China. We’ve put together some really interesting, forward-looking questions that we’d like researchers to address. The application deadlines are tight. So if you are interested, please apply.
Here are the key reports and articles that I found noteworthy from the People’s Daily’s edition on Friday, June 13, 2025.
Page 1: Let’s begin with the report (English report) of Xi Jinping attending the funeral of Ragdi, former vice chairman of the NPCSC. The report describes him as “excellent member of the Communist Party of China, a loyal communist soldier, an outstanding leader in the work on ethnic affairs and socialist legal system development, and an excellent son of the Tibetan people.”
The report says that Xi, Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang and Li Xi attended the funeral. Hu Jintao’s name is not mentioned here. But it does say that Hu was among the people who visited Ragdi when he was in hospital.
Next, there’s a report on Li Qiang meeting with European Central Bank President Christine Lagard. The report says:
Li said that “at present, the China-EU relationship has become one of the most important bilateral relations in the world. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the EU. Last month, President Xi Jinping exchanged congratulatory messages with President Costa and President Von der Leyen, and provided strategic guidance for further deepening the partnership between the two sides. The essence of China-EU relations is mutual benefit and win-win results. Strengthening cooperation between the two sides is an objective need and a general trend. China is willing to continue to work with the EU to consolidate political mutual trust, expand practical cooperation, and jointly promote development and prosperity, which will not only benefit both sides but also benefit the world. Li Qiang pointed out that China and Europe have strong economic complementarity. China has the advantage of a super-large market and is continuously releasing its market potential. China and Europe have great potential for cooperation in many areas. China is willing to strengthen market connectivity and industrial coordination with the EU to add more impetus to their respective development. In the current context of economic globalisation encountering headwinds, cooperation can lead to win-win results. As two major economies and two major forces, China and Europe should strengthen multilateral coordination, promote open cooperation, and make greater contributions to promoting world economic recovery and improving global governance. China is willing to strengthen cooperation with the ECB in the reform of the international monetary system. This year, China will implement more proactive macroeconomic policies, increase countercyclical adjustments, and take multiple measures to expand domestic demand and boost consumption, which can fully offset the impact of adverse external factors. China will firmly expand opening up and share development opportunities with all countries. 李强表示，当前中欧关系已成为世界上最重要的双边关系之一。今年是中欧建交50周年。上个月，习近平主席同科斯塔主席、冯德莱恩主席互致贺电，就双方进一步深化伙伴关系作出战略指引。中欧关系的本质是互利共赢，双方加强合作是客观需要和大势所趋。中方愿同欧方一道继续努力，巩固政治互信，扩大务实合作，共促发展繁荣，既成就彼此，也惠及世界。李强指出，中欧经济互补性强，中国具有超大规模市场优势，并在持续释放市场潜力，中欧在许多领域都有很大合作潜力。中方愿同欧方加强市场联通和产业协同，为各自发展增添更多动力。在当前经济全球化遭遇逆流的大背景下，合作才能共赢。中欧作为两大经济体、两大力量，应密切多边协调、促进开放合作，为推动世界经济复苏、完善全球治理作出更大贡献。中方愿同欧央行在国际货币体系改革等方面加强合作。今年中国实施更加积极有为的宏观政策，加大逆周期调节力度，多措并举扩大内需、提振消费，完全能够对冲外部不利因素影响。中国将坚定扩大开放，同各国分享发展机遇.
Lagarde reportedly said that “the interests of Europe and China are deeply intertwined, and both sides share common responsibilities in many areas such as maintaining global financial stability and promoting the development of international trade. Tariff wars and trade wars will only lead to a lose-lose situation. Adhering to multilateralism and strengthening open cooperation are the correct choices. China’s innovative development and the competitiveness of its enterprises in recent years are impressive. The ECB is pleased to have established a central bank governor meeting mechanism with the Chinese side and to have held the first meeting. It is committed to strengthening communication and coordination with Chinese financial institutions, expanding and deepening areas of cooperation, jointly responding to global challenges, and injecting more stability and certainty into the world.” 拉加德表示，在当前充满不确定性的国际形势下，欧中保持高层交往和对话合作十分重要。欧中利益相互交融，在维护全球金融稳定、促进国际贸易发展等诸多方面有着共同责任。关税战、贸易战只会双输，坚持多边主义、加强开放合作才是正确选项。中国近年来的创新发展和企业竞争力令人印象深刻。欧央行很高兴同中方建立央行行长会晤机制并举行首次会议，致力于同中方金融机构加强沟通协调，拓展深化合作领域，共同应对全球性挑战，为世界注入更多稳定性和确定性.
The mechanism that Lagarde is talking about was her meeting with PBOC Governor Pan Gongsheng. The Chinese report on that meeting says:
“The two sides conducted in-depth exchanges of views on issues such as economic and financial developments in China and the euro area, developments in the international monetary system and financial regulation, and key areas for cooperation between the two institutions. After the meeting, both sides signed the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation between the People’s Bank of China and the European Central Bank, clearly establishing an annual meeting mechanism between the central bank governors of China and Europe, and further improving the cooperation framework in areas such as information sharing, policy communication, and technical cooperation. Pan Gongsheng stated that China adheres to promoting high-quality development through high-level opening-up, and is willing to strengthen coordination and cooperation with all economies, including the European Union, to jointly address global challenges. The People’s Bank of China is willing to continue deepening exchanges and cooperation with the European Central Bank, build the annual governors’ meeting mechanism into an important platform for strengthening policy communication between the two sides, and promote continuous advancement in China-Europe central bank cooperation. Lagarde stated that under the current complex and ever-changing international situation, deepening China-Europe cooperation is of great significance. The European Central Bank attaches great importance to its cooperation with the People’s Bank of China. The signing of the cooperation memorandum is conducive to maintaining close communication and strengthening coordinated cooperation in various areas in the future.
Finally, there’s a report with data about China’s auto sector. It says:
From January to May, the production and sales of automobiles reached 12.826 million units and 12.748 million units, respectively, up 12.7% and 10.9% year-on-year. Among them, the production and sales of new energy vehicles reached 5.699 million units and 5.608 million units, respectively, up 45.2% and 44% year-on-year. The sales of new energy vehicles accounted for 44% of the total sales of new vehicles.
From January to May, domestic automobile sales reached 10.258 million units, a year-on-year increase of 11.7%.
For the same period, 2.49 million vehicles were exported, a year-on-year increase of 7.9%. Among them, 855,000 new energy vehicles were exported, a year-on-year increase of 64.6%.
Page 2: There’s a report on the remarks by China’s Ministry of Commerce on the talks between the US and China in London. The report says:
“The two sides reached a principled agreement on the framework of measures to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state on June 5 and consolidate the results of the Geneva economic and trade talks, and made new progress in resolving the economic and trade concerns of both sides. ‘In the next step, the two sides will further leverage the role of the China-US economic and trade consultation mechanism, continue to maintain communication and dialogue, continuously enhance consensus, reduce misunderstandings, strengthen cooperation, and jointly promote the steady and long-term development of China-US economic and trade relations.’ He said that regarding the rare earth issue, China as a responsible major power, fully considers the reasonable demands and concerns of various countries in the civilian field, conducts reviews of rare earth-related items export license applications in accordance with law and regulations, has already lawfully approved a certain quantity of compliant applications, and will continuously strengthen the approval work for compliant applications. In response to questions related to tariffs, He Yadong said that China’s position of opposing unilateral tariff measures is consistent; it urges the US to abide by WTO rules and work with China in accordance with the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation to jointly promote the stable and sustainable development of China-US economic and trade relations.” 双方就落实两国元首6月5日通话重要共识和巩固日内瓦经贸会谈成果的措施框架达成原则一致，就解决双方彼此经贸关切取得新进展。“下一步，双方将进一步发挥好中美经贸磋商机制作用，继续保持沟通对话，不断增进共识、减少误解、加强合作，共同推动中美经贸关系行稳致远。”何亚东说。他表示，关于稀土问题，中国作为负责任的大国，充分考虑各国在民用领域的合理需求与关切，依法依规对稀土相关物项出口许可申请进行审查，已依法批准一定数量的合规申请，并将持续加强合规申请的审批工作。在回答关税相关提问时，何亚东说，中方反对单边加征关税措施的立场是一贯的，敦促美方恪守世贸组织规则，与中方按照相互尊重、和平共处、合作共赢的原则，共同推动中美经贸关系稳定、可持续发展.
Another report on the page talks about Wang Yi’s meetings with visiting African ministers. The more useful piece is about the fourth China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo, which opened in Changsha. Xinhua reports:
“This year’s expo features dedicated zones highlighting smart mining technology, clean energy, modern agricultural machinery and construction equipment. For the first time, the expo includes dedicated exhibitions on renowned China-Africa cooperation brands, quality African goods, China-Africa tourism, and China-Africa cooperation on traditional Chinese medicine. A total of 30 economic and trade activities are scheduled for the expo, covering China-Africa industrial chain collaboration, green minerals, infrastructure, traditional medicine, cultural industries and youth entrepreneurship. Two key reports on China-Africa economic ties are also set to be released during the event.”
Next, there’s a report on ILD chief Liu Jianchao visiting Norway, where he attended the Oslo Forum. Liu met with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. The report says:
“Both sides expressed that they should jointly implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, strengthen inter-party exchanges and dialogues, enhance mutual understanding and trust, promote cooperation in the fields of economy and trade, marine affairs, green transformation, etc., expand cultural exchanges, strengthen communication and coordination on international and regional affairs, and promote greater development of China-Norway relations.” 双方表示，要共同落实好两国领导人达成的重要共识，加强党际交流对话，增进相互理解与信任，促进经贸、海洋海事、绿色转型等领域合作，扩大人文交流，密切国际地区事务沟通协调，推动中挪关系取得更大发展.
At the 22nd Oslo Forum, Liu spoke during a special China session. The report on his remarks is on the ILD’s website. The theme of the conversation was “China’s Role in Global Mediation and Peacemaking”. Liu said:
“China is the UN Security Council permanent member that dispatches the most peacekeeping personnel and the UN’s second-largest peacekeeping contributor. It has never actively provoked any war or conflict; it has repeatedly stated publicly that no matter how developed it is, it will never seek hegemony, expansion, sphere of influence, or arms race; it is the only country that publicly promised not to use nuclear weapons first and not to use or threaten to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear weapon states and nuclear-weapon-free zones. China in the new era has become an important force in maintaining world peace.” 中国是派遣维和人员最多的安理会常任理事国和联合国第二大维和摊款国，没有主动挑起过任何一场战争和冲突；多次公开阐明无论发展到什么程度，永远不称霸、不扩张、不谋求势力范围，不搞军备竞赛；是唯一公开承诺不首先使用核武器、不对无核武器国家和无核武器区使用或威胁使用核武器的国家。新时代的中国已经成为维护世界和平的重要力量.
“Liu Jianchao said that for some time, the basic norms of international relations have been challenged, globalisation has encountered headwinds, unilateralism has risen, power politics has proliferated, localised conflicts and turmoil have occurred frequently, and certainty and stability have become increasingly scarce resources in the world. In the face of the above challenges, countries should unite and cooperate to inject stability and certainty into the world. Regarding disputes and conflicts in the world, China has always adhered to the principles of sovereign equality, fairness and justice, solidarity and cooperation, multilateralism, and respect for international rule of law, and advocated promoting political solutions through dialogue and consultation. The GSI proposed by President Xi Jinping has been appreciated and supported by more than 120 countries and international organizations. China supports the UN in playing a core role in international conflict mediation and calls on all countries to jointly uphold the humanitarian spirit and actively participate in global humanitarian assistance operations.” 刘建超表示，一段时间以来，国际关系基本准则受到冲击，全球化遭遇逆流，单边主义抬头，强权政治泛滥，局部冲突和动荡频发，确定性、稳定性日益成为全球稀缺资源。面对上述挑战，各国应团结协作，携手为世界注入稳定性、确定性。对于世界上的争端与冲突，中国始终坚持主权平等、公平正义、团结协作、多边主义、尊重国际法治等原则，主张通过对话协商推动政治解决。习近平主席提出的全球安全倡议，得到了120多个国家和国际组织的赞赏和支持。中方支持联合国在国际冲突调解中发挥核心作用，呼吁各国共同秉持人道主义精神，积极参与全球人道援助行动.
Liu Jianchao elaborated on China’s positions and propositions on the Ukrainian crisis, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Myanmar, the Korean Peninsula, the South China Sea and other issues, and said that in the face of a world full of changes and chaos, preventing conflicts and maintaining peace requires joint efforts from all countries and people of insight. China is willing to work hand-in-hand with all peace-loving countries and people in the world to jointly implement the three major global initiatives and promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.
China calls on all countries to jointly implement the GDI, adhere to the concept of common development, promote free trade, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, and jointly create a development pattern that features inclusivity, balance, cooperation, win-win outcomes and common prosperity;
Jointly implement the GSI, adhere to the new security concept of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable, and resolve differences and disputes between countries in a peaceful way through dialogue and consultation;
Jointly implement the GCI, appreciate the unique wisdom of various civilizations with an open and inclusive attitude, and promote human progress and world peace through dialogue, exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations;
Jointly practice true multilateralism, firmly safeguard the international system with the United Nations at its core and the international order based on international law, and accelerate the construction of a more just and reasonable global governance system.
China is willing to work with all parties to build more bridges for dialogue and make more contributions to conflict mediation and peacemaking.
刘建超阐述了中方在乌克兰危机、巴以冲突以及缅甸、朝鲜半岛、南海等问题上的立场主张，表示面对变乱交织的世界，防止冲突、维护和平需要各国和各界有识之士共同努力。中方愿同世界上所有爱好和平的国家和人民携手同行，共同落实三大全球倡议，推动构建人类命运共同体。中方呼吁各国共同践行全球发展倡议，坚持共同发展理念，推动自由贸易，深化互利合作，共创普惠平衡、协调包容、合作共赢、共同繁荣的发展格局；共同践行全球安全倡议，坚持共同、综合、合作、可持续的新安全观，通过对话协商以和平方式解决国家间的分歧和争端；共同践行全球文明倡议，以开放包容的心态去欣赏各文明独特智慧，通过文明对话、交流互鉴推动人类进步与世界和平；共同践行真正的多边主义，坚定维护以联合国为核心的国际体系、以国际法为基础的国际秩序，加快构建更加公正合理的全球治理体系。中方愿同各方一道，搭建更多对话之桥，为冲突调解与和平缔造作出更多贡献.
Page 3: There’s a report on Guangdong announcing 17 specific work measures to support foreign trade enterprises boost domestic sales. The measures cover six areas:
optimising market access services
supporting the expansion of the domestic market
strengthening corporate compliance management
supporting enterprise brand building
promoting integrated development of domestic and foreign trade
enhancing the efficiency of regulatory enforcement
The report adds:
“At the recently held World Accreditation Day promotional event, the Guangdong Provincial Administration for Market Regulation provided explanations on facilitation arrangements in market access, such as self-declaration of conformity with mandatory standards for products transitioning from export to domestic sales, a green channel for compulsory product certification, and a green channel for industrial product production licenses. It also set up platforms for docking and exchange, including domestic and foreign trade testing and certification service areas and service areas for the transition of export products to domestic sales in order to provide face-to-face guidance and Q&A services for a wide range of domestic and foreign trade enterprises.” 在近日举办的“世界认可日”宣传活动上，广东省市场监管局就出口转内销产品强制性标准符合性自我声明、强制性产品认证绿色通道、工业产品生产许可证绿色通道等市场准入方面的便利化安排进行了现场政策解读，并设置了内外贸检测认证服务对接区、出口产品转内销服务区等对接交流平台，为广大内外贸企业提供面对面指导和答疑.
“During the event, the Guangdong Province Domestic and Foreign Trade Testing and Certification Integrated Service Alliance was established. Eight certification bodies jointly issued service commitments for a green channel for compulsory product certification of export-to-domestic products. Recently, under the guidance of the Guangdong Provincial Administration for Market Regulation, certification bodies have launched the green channel for mandatory product certification of export-to-domestic products, issuing more than 360 mandatory product certification certificates for over 160 enterprises. These involve 16 categories of products including home appliances, electronics, and toys, saving on average 40% of certification costs and shortening certification time by 30%.” 活动中，广东省内外贸检测认证一体化服务联盟成立，8家认证机构联合发布出口转内销产品强制性产品认证绿色通道服务承诺。近期，广东省市场监管局指导认证机构开通出口转内销产品强制性产品认证绿色通道，为160余家企业出口转内销产品出具强制性产品认证证书360余份，涉及家电、电子和玩具等16类产品，平均节省40%认证成本，缩短30%认证时间.