Li Qiang Meets Raimondo - Returned Overseas Chinese Congress Preview - Zhang Youxia on PLA Equipment Development - 3rd China-Africa Peace and Security Forum
Here are the key reports and articles that I found noteworthy from the People’s Daily’s edition on Wednesday, August 30, 2023.
Page 1: Not a lot that I found interesting on the page today. Let’s begin with the consolidated report on Li Qiang’s meetings with US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and Jose Manuel Barroso, chair of the Gavi vaccine alliance. Xinhua’s report on the meeting with Raimondo says:
“Li said the economic and trade relations between China and the United States are mutually beneficial and win-win in nature. Politicizing economic and trade issues and overstretching the concept of security will not only seriously affect bilateral relations and mutual trust, but also undermine the interests of enterprises and people of the two countries, and will have a disastrous impact on the global economy. Noting that China is the largest developing country and the United States is the largest developed country, Li said the two sides should strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation, reduce friction and confrontation, and jointly promote world economic recovery and cope with global challenges. Li said a sound and stable China-U.S. relationship benefits both countries and the world, and China is glad to see that the United States has recently repeatedly said it is committed to returning to the agenda set by the two heads of state in Bali. ‘Mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation are the right ways for China and the United States to get along. We hope that the U.S. side will work with China to take more practical and beneficial actions to maintain and develop bilateral relations,’ he added. Li said China is willing to strengthen dialogue and cooperation with the United States on the economy and trade, and to promote the sound development of bilateral economic and trade relations. He said he hopes that the United States will work with China in the same direction. China is actively advancing its high-level opening-up and making efforts to provide a world-class, market-oriented business environment governed by a sound legal framework, Li said. The country is also working to ease market access further, treat foreign companies in the same manner as domestic firms, and safeguard and promote fair competition, he said, adding that China will only open its doors even wider to the outside world.”
“Raimondo said that the Biden administration supports China's economic development and its improvement of people's livelihoods, has no intention of containing China's development, does not seek to decouple from China, is willing to maintain communication and normal economic and trade relations, and is willing to promote the steady development of bilateral relations. The U.S. side also stands ready to strengthen cooperation with China on artificial intelligence, climate change work, and combating fentanyl, Raimondo added.”
In the report on his meeting with Barroso, Li said:
“it is necessary to uphold fairness and inclusiveness, improve the efficiency of public health resource allocation, and give developing countries equal access to vaccines. Li called for practicing true multilateralism, advocating equal rights, opportunities, and rules among countries, giving full play to the role of scientific and technological innovation, and promoting the modernization of global health governance. ‘We should uphold the principles of objectivity, fairness, and professionalism and oppose politicizing and stigmatizing pandemic prevention and control and origins tracing issues,’ Li added.”
Next, there’s a feature article previewing the 11th National Congress of Returned Overseas Chinese, which will open in Beijing on Thursday. The article says says:
“The Central Committee of the Party, with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, attaches great importance to harnessing the role of returned overseas Chinese and their relatives as well as overseas compatriots, and places a high emphasis on effectively carrying out work related to them. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized that achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation requires concerted efforts from Chinese sons and daughters both at home and abroad. It is an important task of the Party and the country to unite the vast number of overseas Chinese and returned overseas Chinese and their family members closely and give full play to their active role in the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.” 以习近平同志为核心的党中央高度重视发挥归侨侨眷和海外侨胞的作用，高度重视做好归侨侨眷和海外侨胞的工作。习近平总书记强调，实现中华民族伟大复兴，需要海内外中华儿女共同努力。把广大海外侨胞和归侨侨眷紧密团结起来，发挥他们在中华民族伟大复兴中的积极作用，是党和国家的一项重要工作.
The article later says that over the past five years, the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese and its various levels of organisations have adhered to playing the role of being the ‘bridge and link between the Party, government, and the vast numbers of returned overseas Chinese and their relatives, as well as overseas compatriots’. They have deeply understood the decisive significance of the ‘Two Establishments’, resolutely achieved the ‘two safeguards’, and have given top priority to the study, promotion and implementation of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for the New Era.” 5年来，中国侨联和各级侨联组织立足侨联作为“党和政府联系广大归侨侨眷和海外侨胞的桥梁和纽带”的职责定位，深刻领悟“两个确立”的决定性意义，坚决做到“两个维护”，把学习宣传贯彻习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想作为重中之重.
So what are the actions that are praised?
First, “in June 2020, the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese held the online thematic event ‘Dreaming of China: Overseas Chinese and Fighting Poverty’, and told the story of China's poverty reduction and the story of overseas Chinese's participation in fighting poverty using micro-documentaries, interactive online submissions of ‘Witnessing New Changes in Hometowns’, collecting and displaying ‘Photo Stories of Overseas Chinese Striving for Poverty Alleviation, etc. Through these, they have shared stories of poverty reduction in China and the overseas Chinese community's involvement in poverty alleviation, continually reinforcing the overseas Chinese community's political, ideological, theoretical, and emotional identification with Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.” 2020年6月，中国侨联举办“追梦中华·侨与脱贫攻坚”网络主题活动，通过微纪录片、“喜看侨乡新变化”网友互动征集、“侨界脱贫攻坚图片故事”征集与展示、网络主题活动成果展等形式，面向海内外讲好中国减贫故事、讲好侨界投身脱贫攻坚的故事，不断增强侨界群众对习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的政治认同、思想认同、理论认同、情感认同。
Second, have focussed on propaganda/publicity around Chinese government policies, the cultivation of socialist core values, and international dissemination particularly at key occasions.
Third, they have held symposiums for overseas Chinese entrepreneurs, training for federation members, overseas Chinese leaders’ seminars on the national situation, innovation and entrepreneurship seminars, BRI business seminars, etc, while continuously strengthening the patriotic spirit and dedication of the overseas Chinese community.
The next section of the article informs of an overseas Chinese entrepreneurs investment conference that was held in Guangzhou in February. It ended with 658.2 billion yuan in investment projects and a total of 968.8 billion yuan in trade projects. A similar conference earlier held in Fujian led to a total investment of 59.8 billion yuan for contracted projects and 121.5 billion yuan for agreed projects. All of this is being done by the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese, starting from 2021.
The article also informs that the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese ran a three-year campaign to support the fight against poverty, contributing a total of 1.629 billion yuan in funding. Overseas Chinese donated 2.278 billion yuan linked to pandemic support, and around 20 billion yuan as part of broader public welfare and charity.
The report also informs that
The number of overseas Chinese federations at all levels across the country increased to 28,700, an increase of 51% since 2017
Various levels of overseas Chinese federations have established connections with over 17,000 overseas Chinese businesses and enterprises
Finally, there’s a report on the Development Plan for Shenzhen Park of Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone. The full plan is also published in the paper. Some goals mentioned in the plan are:
by 2025, an efficient Shenzhen-Hong Kong collaboration mechanism on science and technology innovation will be basically established
by 2025, the construction of the Huanggang Port will be completed, cross-border infrastructure will be interconnected, and an innovative customs clearance and inspection mode with efficient operation will be realised
by 2025, the regulatory mode of Shenzhen Park would be mature, and the smooth flow of factors, the integration of innovation chains and the smooth exchange of personnel are basically realised with Hong Kong Park
by 2025, establish a comprehensive research management system integrated with Hong Kong and the international community, gather a cluster of key laboratories in advantageous disciplines from Hong Kong and around the world, as well as outstanding research centers and top-tier corporate R&D centers; a number of significant achievements would have been made in scientific and technological cooperation with Hong Kong.
By 2035, the pattern of collaborative innovation with Hong Kong Park will be fully formed, the internationalization of scientific and technological innovation will be in the leading position in the world, and innovative elements will flow freely and in an orderly manner across borders, and a number of world-class innovation carriers and top scientific and technological enterprise R&D centers will be cultivated to become world-class scientific research hubs, which will effectively support the construction of the Greater Bay Area's international tech innovation center. 《规划》明确，到2025年，基本建立高效的深港科技创新协同机制，深港科技创新开放合作取得积极成效；皇岗口岸整体完成重建，跨境基础设施互联互通，实现运转高效的通关查验模式创新；深圳园区监管模式运作成熟，与香港园区基本实现要素流动畅通、创新链条融通、人员交流顺通；建立与香港及国际全面对接的科研管理制度，集聚一批香港及国际优势学科重点实验室集群和卓越研究中心、顶尖企业研发中心，与香港科技合作取得一批重大成果。到2035年，与香港园区协同创新的格局全面形成，科技创新国际化程度居于全球领先地位，创新要素跨境自由有序流动，培育一批世界一流的创新载体和顶尖科技企业研发中心，成为世界级的科研枢纽，有力支撑粤港澳大湾区国际科技创新中心广深港科技创新走廊建设。
China Daily has an English report on this. It clarifies that the plan outlines four key tasks:
first, work with Hong Kong to promote international scientific and technological innovation and build a first-class scientific and technological platform
second, build industrial pilot bases to advance the new generation of information technology and biomedicine
third, build an international mechanism for scientific and technological innovation to facilitate cross-border flows of personnel, capital and data
fourth, build a global platform for science and technology cooperation and strengthen international exchanges and talent training
Page 2: A report informing that the military equipment quality work conference was held in Beijing from August 28 to 29. Zhang Youxia spoke at the conference. He said:
“it is necessary to thoroughly implement Chairman Xi’s important instructions on equipment quality work, adhere to actual combat standards and problem orientation, promote the innovative development of equipment quality work, and provide solid and key material support for achieving the PLA’s centennial goal.” 他强调，要深入贯彻习主席关于装备质量工作的重要指示，坚持实战标准、问题导向，推进装备质量工作创新发展，为实现建军一百年奋斗目标提供硬实托底的关键物质支撑.
“Zhang Youxia pointed out that it is necessary to deeply grasp the severe and complex situation of struggle, the rapidly evolving forms of warfare, and the construction tasks that must be successfully accomplished; with a sense of responsibility for achieving victory, ensuring combat effectiveness, and safeguarding the lives of officers and soldiers, we must prioritise and enhance equipment quality.” 张又侠指出，要深刻把握严峻复杂的斗争形势、加速演进的战争形态、务期必成的建设任务，以对打赢负责、对战斗力负责、对官兵生命负责的态度把装备质量搞上去.
“It is necessary to focus on the quality construction, strengthen high-quality supply around actual combat, do a good job in the quality rectification of active-duty equipment, enhancing the driving force of advanced technology, the support of industrial foundation, and the self-sufficiency and controllability guarantee, and promote the iterative improvement of equipment quality. We must persistently demand quality through effective management, explore new avenues through system-oriented construction, innovate new scientific control models, establish new benchmarks for standards and norms, foster a new lineup of professional talents, and build a fresh pattern of quality management reform.” 要把准装备质量建设的发力重点，围绕真打实抗加强优质供给，深入抓好现役装备质量整治，强化先进技术引领力、工业基础支撑力、自主可控保障力，促进装备质量迭代提升。要坚持向管理要质量，走开体系抓建新路子，探索科学管控新模式，立起标准规范新基准，打造专业人才新方阵，构建质量管理变革的崭新格局。
“Zhang Youxia stressed that it is necessary to fully mobilise the initiative and creativity at all levels in the military and civilian areas, firmly control the quality responsibility, cultivate the quality culture, purify the industry atmosphere, and unite the strong synergy for enhancing equipment quality.” 张又侠强调，要充分调动军地各级主动性创造性，把质量责任压紧实，把质量文化培育好，把行业风气搞纯正，凝聚大抓装备质量的强大合力.
Page 3: A bunch of reports to note. First, He Lifeng met with Gina Raimondo. Xinhua says:
“The two sides had candid, pragmatic and constructive discussions over implementing the important consensus reached at the Bali meeting between the two countries' heads of state, as well as economic and trade issues of common concern. The Chinese side expressed its concerns over measures taken by the United States, such as Section 301 tariffs, export controls against China and two-way investment restrictions. The two sides agreed to continue to maintain communication and support enterprises of the two countries in carrying out pragmatic cooperation.”
Second, an announcement by China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism saying that China and the United States have agreed to hold the 14th China-U.S. Tourism Leadership Summit in the first half of 2024 in China to further revive and develop tourism cooperation between the two countries. Xinhua reports:
“While meeting with visiting U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo in Beijing on Tuesday, Chinese Minister of Culture and Tourism Hu Heping said the MCT is willing to work with the U.S. Department of Commerce to boost people-to-people and cultural exchanges and increase mutual visits. He expressed the hope that the U.S. side will work with China in the same direction, further increase direct flights between the two countries, adjust its travel advice for Chinese trips as soon as possible, and make it easier for Chinese citizens to apply for U.S. visas. Hu also urged the U.S. side to stop groundless interrogation and harassment of Chinese citizens and delegations visiting the United States and create better conditions for mutual tourist visits.”
Third, there’s a report on the third China-Africa Peace and Security Forum, which is being held in Beijing. Defense Minister Li Shangfu spoke at the meeting. Xinhua reports:
“Li noted that humanity (is) faced with unprecedented challenges as global development enters a new phase of instability and transformation. He said China is willing to join hands with Africa to tackle security challenges and safeguard international equity and justice, thus injecting more certainty and stability into the world. China and Africa should step up strategic communication and pragmatic cooperation, and enhance the quality and efficiency of their security cooperation, therefore making more contributions to maintaining regional and global security, Li said. More than 100 senior representatives from the African Union (AU) and nearly 50 African countries attended the forum. At the session, they made speeches on such topics as peace and security, maritime security, and the anti-terrorism situation in Africa. Expressing gratitude to China for its strong support in terms of peace and stability, the representatives said that they look forward to strengthening mutually beneficial cooperation with China, and will strive to create a better future for African and Chinese people. Also on Tuesday, Li held meetings with the defense leaders of Senegal, Comoros, the Republic of the Congo, Cameroon, Ghana, Zambia, South Sudan, Gambia, Mauritania, Uganda and other countries respectively, as well as the commissioner for political affairs, peace and security of the AU Commission.”
The theme of the 6-day forum is Implementing the Global Security Initiative [GSI] and Strengthening China-Africa Solidarity and Cooperation. I’ll be tracking this closely going ahead.
Finally, there are two brief reports informing that British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly will be visiting China today and the President of the Republic of Benin Patrice Athanase Guillaume Talon will pay a state visit to China from August 31 to September 3.
Page 6: The entire page is dedicated to the outcomes of the investigation into the deadly fire in Anyang City, Henan, on November 21, 2022, at the plant of a commerce and trade company. The fire had killed 42 people. I am not going through all the details. But briefly:
Sun Shougang, a member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Henan Provincial Committee and vice governor of the province, has been given an “intra-Party warning”. Xinhua describes his failings:
“The investigations found that Sun, the leading official in charge of emergency management, failed to implement the CPC Central Committee's plans for ensuring workplace safety and security against fire. He failed to make sure the rectifications of Anyang's shortcomings in coordinating development and safety were fully carried out. He also did not effectively urge municipal authorities to engage in a rectification campaign on fire safety or implement the responsibility system for workplace safety, according to the CCDI. Sun also failed to notice or cope with the lack of supervision and accountability in the city's fire safety due to some units' shirking of responsibilities. Sun should thus take major responsibility as a leading official for the accident and be held accountable, the CCDI said.”
The report further informs:
“A total of 58 public servants, including firefighters, police officers and civil servants, have been strictly held to account by local disciplinary inspection authorities. Three were subjected to detention measures and had their neglect of duty cases transferred to procuratorial organs for examination before prosecution. The other 55 public servants, including senior Party and municipal officials of Anyang City, were subjected to disciplinary actions such as intra-party warnings and the recording of demerits.”
“Criminal coercive” action has been taken against 8 people from the companies involved.
Page 7: Much of this page is dedicated to the investigation and punishments related to February Inner Mongolia mine collapse incident in which 53 people were killed, and six were injured. Once again, I am just covering the key outcome.
Xinhua says: “two senior officials of north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region have been subjected to disciplinary Party penalties as they were responsible.”
“Huang Zhiqiang, a standing committee member of the Communist Party of China (CPC) committee of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and a vice chairman of the regional government, was served a warning by the Party. Dai Qin, another vice chairman of the regional government, was handed a severe warning. The decision to hand down penalties was made by the Standing Committee of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) and approved by the CPC Central Committee.”