Li Qiang Meets Macron & Borne & Two Establishments Enter CYL Constitution - China-Pakistan Ties
Here are the key reports and articles that I found noteworthy from the People’s Daily's edition on Friday, June 23, 2023.
Page 1: Today’s is also a holiday edition. Therefore, it is much shorter. Let’s begin with Li Qiang’s visit to France. First, there’s a report on his meeting with President Emmanuel Macron. Xinhua says:
“China, France, and Europe have their own strengths and need to further strengthen cooperation, said Li, stressing that they, while deepening cooperation in such traditional areas as nuclear energy, space and aviation, should also tap the potential of cooperation in such emerging areas as environmental protection, digital economy, artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing, so as to achieve mutual benefit and win-win results. The Chinese side encourages its enterprises to invest in France and French companies are welcomed to share China's development opportunities, said Li.”
Li added that “both China and France are permanent members of the UN Security Council and are responsible major countries, with a common strategic perspective and view on the overall situation. China is willing to continue to strengthen communication and coordination with France in international affairs, support each other's good initiatives, jointly cope with global challenges, and promote world peace and stability.” 李强表示，中法同为联合国安理会常任理事国，也是负责任大国，具有共同的战略观、大局观。中方愿同法方继续加强在国际事务上的沟通协调，支持对方有益倡议，共同应对全球性挑战，促进世界和平稳定.
Apparently, Macron “joyfully recalled” his successful visit to China in April. As per Xinhua, he reiterated France’s “adherence to the one-China policy” and said:
“France is willing to work with China to enhance coordination through the France-China Strategic Dialogue, High-Level Economic and Financial Dialogue, and High-level Dialogue on People-to-people Exchanges and to deepen cooperation with China in such fields as aviation and space, nuclear energy, agriculture and food, he said. Macron welcomed Chinese companies to invest in France and expand cooperation in emerging areas such as green and environmental protection and new energy. In a world full of challenges, France and China should adhere to resultful multilateralism, promote international solidarity, improve global governance and promote solutions to global issues, Macron said.”
On the next page of the paper, there’s a report on Li’s chat with French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne. Key points from the report:
Li pointed out that China is willing to work with France to uphold mutual benefits, continuously improve the business environment, expand cooperation in emerging areas, and make the pie of common interests bigger and push bilateral pragmatic cooperation to a new level. Both sides should continuously tap into the potential for cooperation in areas such as green development, technological innovation and digital trade, help both countries achieve their ‘dual carbon’ goals, and enhance the quality and efficiency of bilateral economic and trade cooperation. 李强指出，中方愿同法方坚持互利互惠，推动双边贸易平衡发展，相互扩大市场准入，不断优化营商环境，拓展新兴合作领域，做大共同利益的“蛋糕”，推动两国务实合作再上新台阶。双方要不断挖掘绿色发展、科技创新、数字贸易等方面合作潜力，助力两国实现“双碳”目标，为双方经贸合作扩容提质增效.
Li said that “China stands ready to step up cooperation with France on such issues as climate, food and debt, to support each other in international affairs and to jointly implement the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, so as to contribute to the world's peace and security, stability and prosperity in the long run. Li stressed that China always regards the European Union (EU) as an important pole in a multi-polar world, adding that strengthening cooperation between China and Europe is a strategic choice based on their respective interests, which is not targeted at, dependent on, or subjected to third parties.”
“China is willing to strengthen macro policy coordination with the EU to create conditions for their long-term and stable cooperation, Li said, voicing hope that the French side will continue to exert its positive influence and encourage Europe to form more objective and rational understandings and policies toward China, so as to intensify ‘win-win cooperation’ as the main theme between China and the EU.”
Borne said that the “French side is also willing to deepen cooperation in various areas, such as bilateral trade, investment, aviation, agrifood, green development, and medical and health care and jointly cope with global challenges like climate change…France welcomes investments from Chinese companies, and the EU will maintain its strategic autonomy and does not support decoupling or severing supply and industrial chains.”
The report mentions agreements in areas covering aviation, space research and nuclear energy.
Back to the front page, there’s a report (English report) on Xi Jinping’s instructions for rescue and treatment of the injured after a restaurant explosion in Yinchuan in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region on Wednesday.
“Xi urged efforts to ascertain the cause of the accident as soon as possible and hold the relevant people accountable in accordance with the law. All regions and related departments should screen for and rectify all types of risks and hidden dangers, Xi noted. Relevant departments should launch a campaign to promote workplace safety at an early date and enhance safety overhaul of key sectors and industries, Xi added.”
The PD report informs that the Ministry of Emergency Management, the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, the National Health Commission, and the State Administration for Market Regulation have sent working groups to Ningxia.
Finally, data from the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security informs that China has recruited approximately 340,000 postdoctoral researchers. There are currently 3,352 postdoctoral research mobility stations and 4,338 postdoctoral research workstations established, covering various major fields of national economic and social development. 记者近日从人力资源和社会保障部获悉：截至目前，我国累计招收博士后约34万人，已设立博士后科研流动站3352个，博士后科研工作站4338个，设站单位涵盖国家经济社会发展各主要领域.
It adds that postdoctoral work has expanded from key universities and research institutes to include enterprises and industrial parks. The research areas have developed into more than 110 primary disciplines across 13 subject categories, and the recruitment and training of interdisciplinary postdoctoral researchers is encouraged.博士后工作从重点高校和科研院所扩展至企业、园区；研究领域发展到13个学科门类的110多个一级学科，并鼓励跨学科招收、培养复合型博士后...
As of mid-June, the Postdoctoral Innovative Talent Support program has invested a total of about 1.5 billion yuan, selected and funded 2,500 outstanding postdoctoral students, gradually establishing its brand. The China Postdoctoral Science Foundation has funded 8.3 billion yuan and nearly 120,000 postdoctoral fellows. The investment mechanism, which involves the central government, relevant local authorities, workstation establishments, and private funds, is increasingly sound, jointly promoting the development of postdoctoral undertakings. 截至6月中旬，博士后创新人才支持计划累计投入资助经费约15亿元，遴选资助2500名优秀博士后，逐渐形成品牌；中国博士后科学基金累计资助83亿元，资助博士后近12万人。中央财政、相关地方、设站单位及社会资金等多渠道投入机制日益健全，共同推动博士后事业发展.
Page 2: There’s a report on Li Qiang’s meeting with Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif on the sidelines of the Summit for a New Global Financing Pact. The report says:
“Li Qiang said that China and Pakistan have always treated each other sincerely, trusted each other and shared weal and woe. China will continue to firmly support Pakistan in safeguarding national sovereignty, national independence and territorial integrity, support Pakistan in pursuing a development path suited to its own national conditions, and support Pakistan in stability, development and prosperity. China is ready to work with Pakistan to promote the continuous development of China-Pakistan all-weather strategic cooperative partnership and promote the building of a closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era.” 李强表示，中国和巴基斯坦始终真诚相待、彼此信任、患难与共。中方将继续坚定支持巴方维护国家主权、民族独立和领土完整，支持巴方走适合本国国情的发展道路，支持巴方稳定、发展和繁荣。中方愿同巴方一道，推动中巴全天候战略合作伙伴关系继续发展，推动构建新时代更加紧密的中巴命运共同体.
He “pointed out that this year marks the 10th anniversary of President Xi Jinping's joint construction of the ‘Belt and Road’ initiative, and also the 10th anniversary of the launch of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. China is willing to continue to strengthen cooperation with Pakistan in the joint construction of BRI, work together to ensure the construction of major projects in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, promote the high-quality development of the corridor, and better contribute to the economic and social development of the two countries. China will, as always, support Pakistan in accelerating its economic development and enhancing its capacity for sustainable development. It is hoped that Pakistan will resolutely and effectively crack down on various domestic terrorist organizations and ensure the safety of Chinese institutions and personnel in Pakistan. The two sides should jointly safeguard international fairness and justice, and safeguard the common interests of China and Pakistan and even the vast number of developing countries.” 李强指出，今年是习近平主席提出共建“一带一路”倡议10周年，也是中巴经济走廊启动10周年。中方愿与巴方继续加强共建“一带一路”合作，共同抓好中巴经济走廊重大项目建设，推动走廊高质量发展，更好助力两国经济社会发展。中方将一如既往支持巴方加快经济发展，增强可持续发展能力。希望巴方坚决有效打击国内各类恐怖组织，确保中国在巴机构和人员安全。双方要共同维护国际公平正义，维护中巴两国乃至广大发展中国家共同利益. — Comment: Alas, Beijing continues to speak with a forked-tongue on terrorism. As PTI reports: “China on Tuesday blocked a proposal moved by the U.S. and co-designated by India to blacklist Mir under the 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council as a global terrorist and subject him to assets freeze, travel ban and arms embargo. Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist Mir is wanted for his involvement in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.” The Hindu has a very useful graphic of Chinese blocking the listing of terrorists.
While in Paris, Li also met with President of the European Council Charles Michel. Xinhua reports:
“Li said China hopes that the European Union (EU) will view its cooperation with China in an objective and rational way and work with China to safeguard the sound environment of the China-EU practical cooperation. Noting that this year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and the EU, Li said China stands ready to work with the EU to make a new China-EU summit a success and strengthen cooperation in green, economic, trade and digital fields, so as to open up new space for the development of China-EU relations. China is willing to make joint efforts with the EU to enhance the reliability and stability of China-EU economic and trade relations and better achieve mutual benefit and win-win results, said Li. There is no conflict of fundamental interests between China and the EU, said Li, mentioning that both sides have benefited from each other's development, adhered to strategic autonomy and multilateralism, and had broad consensus on climate change and other global issues. China and the EU should enhance mutual trust and address concerns through successful cooperation, the Chinese premier said. That is conducive to the common development of China and the EU, the joint response to global challenges, and the building of a multi-polar world, Li said, adding that it also serves the fundamental interests of both sides and will inject stability and positive energy into the world.”
Xinhua added: “China's development is beneficial to the EU and the world. The EU has no intention to contain China's development, opposes a "new Cold War" and the act of taking sides, and hopes that the next EU-China summit will lead to positive results, said Michel.”
Also on the page is a brief report on ILD chief Liu Jianchao’s visit to the UK. Xinhua reports:
“During his stay in Britain from Monday to Thursday, Liu met and exchanged views with former British Prime Ministers Tony Blair and David Cameron, British Prime Minister's National Security Adviser Tim Barrow, and Anne-Marie Trevelyan, minister of state in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. Liu also delivered a speech at the Royal Institute of International Affairs. The two sides agreed that maintaining a sound relationship between China and Britain, both major countries with important international influence, serves the common interests of the two peoples. The two sides should strengthen exchanges between political parties, governments and think tanks as well as people-to-people exchanges and those at the subnational level, deepen cooperation, manage differences and enhance mutual understanding so as to promote the sound and steady development of bilateral relations and jointly cope with global challenges, they said.”
Page 3: There’s a report on the closing of the Communist Youth League congress. The CYL had over 73.58 million members at the end of 2022, the report informs.
The following were the key outcomes of the meeting.
The 19th CYLC Central Committee, consisting of 170 members and 129 alternate members, was elected. Here is the key leadership of the league after this congress.
A resolution was passed backing the report of the 18th CYLC Central Committee. The report says: “The resolution pointed out that the report comprehensively summarised the work of the CYL in the past five years under the strong leadership of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core. It clarified the mission and responsibilities of Chinese youth in the new era, emphasised the fundamental principles for the work of the CYL in the new era, and made arrangements for the construction and work of the Youth League in the next five years. The resolution fully reflects the CPC’s requirements and reflects the expectations of the youth. It is an important guiding document for the work of the CYL going forward.” 决议指出，报告全面总结了在以习近平同志为核心的党中央坚强领导下共青团过去五年的工作，阐明了新时代中国青年的使命担当，强调了新时代共青团工作的根本遵循，对未来五年共青团建设和工作作出部署，充分体现了党的要求、反映了青年期望，是当前和今后一个时期全团工作的重要指导性文件。大会决定批准这一报告.
The second, and arguably the politically more salient resolution adopted at the congress unanimously agreed to incorporate the decisive significance of deeply comprehending the Two Establishments into the CYL constitution. 大会通过了关于《中国共产主义青年团章程（修正案）》的决议。大会一致同意把深刻领悟“两个确立”的决定性意义写入团章. This is because the two establishments are the “common aspiration of the whole Party, the whole armed for es, and the people of all ethnic groups in the country, including the young members of the CYL, and are of decisive significance to the development of the cause of the Party and the country in the new era and to promoting the historical process of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.” 大会认为，党确立习近平同志党中央的核心、全党的核心地位，确立习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的指导地位，是党在新时代取得的重大政治成果，反映了包括广大团员青年在内的全党全军全国各族人民共同心愿，对新时代党和国家事业发展、对推进中华民族伟大复兴历史进程具有决定性意义.
It was noted at the congress that the CYLC should follow the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and fully implement the guiding principles established at the 20th Party Congress.
The report says that over the next five years, the CYL “should closely focus on the fundamental task of cultivating socialist builders and successors; with the 国之大者 in mind, it should wholeheartedly serve the growth and development of the youth, consolidate and expand the patriotic united front among the youth, and gather youth power to build a community with a shared future for mankind.”
It added that “the reform of the CYL is an ongoing process that has no end. It is necessary to strive to anchor the political, advanced and mass-oriented reform direction, strive to overcome bureaucratic style and administrative dependence, consolidate the achievements in reducing the trends of gentrification/aristocracy and recreation/entertainment, firmly establish a clear orientation of focusing on grassroots work, and strive to become an advanced organisation that meets the requirements of modernising the national governance system and governance capacity and closely follows the Party at the forefront of the times.” 大会强调，共青团改革只有进行时，没有完成时。必须锚定保持和增强政治性、先进性、群众性的改革方向，着力克服机关化作风和行政化依赖，着力巩固去贵族化、去娱乐化成效，树牢大抓基层的鲜明导向，努力成为适应国家治理体系和治理能力现代化要求、紧跟党走在时代前列的先进组织.
Other Stories:
I am breaking down the outcomes of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the US below. In the next few days, I’ll also do a special edition to cover the assessments of Chinese scholars on the visit for paid subscribers.