Li's Fujian Visit - China-DPRK Treaty Anniversary - Human Rights Diplomacy - Special Page on Chinese-style Modernisation - Criticising US' 'Unilateral Sanctions'

Here are the stories and pieces that I found noteworthy in the Monday, July 11, 2022, edition of the People’s Daily

Page 1: There’s nothing on the COVID situation in the country in the paper again today, despite fresh rounds of testing happening in Shanghai amid the detection of a case involving the BA.5 Omicron sub-variant. Also, if I am correct, Xi Jinping has not been seen in public for a week or so now, since he returned from Hong Kong.

Anyway, at the top of the page, there’s a report about Xi Jinping and Italian President Sergio Mattarella sending congratulatory letters to the opening ceremony of an exhibition on the origin of Italy being held in Beijing. Xinhua reports:

“China and Italy are outstanding representatives of Eastern and Western civilizations. This exhibition will show the rich Italian culture with a variety of precious antiques, Xi said in his letter to the exhibition that features ancient Roman civilization. He hoped that this will be an opportunity for the China-Italy Year of Culture and Tourism to promote exchanges and mutual learning between the two civilizations, strengthen bonds between people from the two countries, and inject new vitality into bilateral ties. Mutual respect, solidarity, and harmonious coexistence are the right path for the development of human civilization, Xi noted. He added that China is willing to work with the international community to promote equality, mutual learning, dialogue, and inclusiveness among civilizations, to replace estrangement with exchange, clashes with mutual learning, superiority with coexistence, and to build a community with a shared future for mankind.”

Next, there’s a report based on Li Keqiang’s inspection tour to Fujian Province from Thursday to Friday. Li went to Fuzhou and Quanzhou. Xinhua English’s report summarises the visit well. The key messages that Li delivered were:

• Local governments should provide funds to help incubators reduce costs, such as rent

• The country should encourage mass entrepreneurship and innovation by inspiring more people, especially the youth, to start businesses and make innovations

• Companies should eye market share expansion by making innovations and through quality management

• Li wants more investment from entrepreneurs from Taiwan

• He called for reforms in delegating power, improving regulations, and optimizing the business environment at ports. He stressed strictly implementing policies on smoothening logistics, continuing to facilitate customs clearance, and enlarging the capacity of ports in collection and distribution to lower costs for firms, stabilize market expectations, and improve international competitiveness.

Li visited ANTA Sports, a large-scale private sportswear company. 

“Hearing the company has created over 300,000 jobs nationwide, Li said the Chinese economy has been more resilient and active as many private companies have grown into large ones and worked closely with a large number of smaller firms and self-employed businesses. Stressing the role of market entities in promoting economic growth, he urged efforts to provide equal support regarding relief and development to state-owned, private, and foreign-invested companies.”

Next, a report that informs that as per the National Rural Revitalization Administration, as of June 2022, 4.594 million people who have been lifted out of poverty had found employment. In regard to households that have been relocated, at least one person per household has found employment. In 2021, the per capita net income of people who were relocated out of poverty was 11,897 yuan. Out of this, wage income accounted for 72.4%. There are a total of 35,000 centralised resettlement sites for those who have been lifted out of poverty; more than 9.6 million people have been relocated.

截至今年6月底，搬迁脱贫群众就业规模459.4万人，超过2021年底水平，有劳动力的搬迁家庭基本实现至少1人就业；就业帮扶车间数量和吸纳脱贫人口数量持续保持稳定，分别达到3.4万个、43.3万人，为脱贫人口稳定就业、巩固拓展脱贫攻坚成果提供了有力支撑。易地搬迁脱贫群众是防止规模性返贫的重要群体，把搬迁脱贫群众务工规模和收入稳定住，对巩固拓展脱贫攻坚成果至关重要。数据显示，全国累计有易地扶贫搬迁集中安置点3.5万个，搬迁脱贫人口960多万。2021年搬迁脱贫群众人均纯收入11897元，其中工资性收入占比72.4%.

Page 3: There’s a commentary marking the 61st anniversary of the signing of the China-DPRK Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance. The piece says that General Secretary Xi Jinping and General Secretary Kim Jong Un have maintained close exchanges and interactions, through visits and exchanges of letters and telegrams, leading and promoting the development of China-DPRK relations to a new historical stage. The two sides have actively promoted cooperation in various fields, supported each other on issues related to each other’s major core concerns, maintained close coordination and cooperation on the international and multilateral stage, effectively safeguarded the common interests of both sides, demonstrating the value of the China-DPRK friendship in present times. This year is an important year for China, as it embarks on a new journey of building a comprehensively modern socialist country and marches toward the second centenary goal. It is also the year when the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China will be held. The whole party and people of all ethnic groups are closely united around the CPC Central Committee with comrade Xi Jinping at the core, fully implementing the new development concept, speeding up the construction of a new development pattern, and making overall plans to promote epidemic prevention and control and economic and social development. Do not forget the original intention, bear in mind the mission, and remain determined in forging ahead, welcoming the 20th Party Congress with full confidence and practical actions. 中朝传统友好是两国老一辈领导人亲手缔造和培育的，是两国人民在抵御帝国主义侵略斗争中用鲜血凝成的，是双方共同的宝贵财富。近年来，习近平总书记和金正恩总书记通过访问、互致函电等形式保持密切交往互动，引领和推动中朝关系发展进入新的历史阶段。双方各领域合作积极推进，在涉及彼此重大核心关切问题上相互支持声援，在国际多边舞台保持密切协调配合，有力维护双方共同利益，彰显了中朝友谊的时代价值。今年是中国进入全面建设社会主义现代化国家、向第二个百年奋斗目标进军新征程的重要一年，是党的二十大召开之年。全党全国各族人民正紧密团结在以习近平同志为核心的党中央周围，全面贯彻新发展理念，加快构建新发展格局，统筹推进疫情防控和经济社会发展，不忘初心、牢记使命，锐意进取、砥砺前行，满怀信心以实际行动迎接党的二十大胜利召开.

The piece promises that “China will, as always, support the DPRK in developing its economy, improving people's livelihood and promoting various socialist construction undertakings.” It adds that “Regardless of how the international and regional situation changes, the firm position of the Chinese Communist Party and the government of being committed to maintaining, consolidating and developing China-DPRK relations will not change, the Chinese people’s friendship with the Korean people will not change, and China's support for the socialist (North) Korea 朝鲜 will not change.” 无论国际和地区形势如何变化，中国党和政府致力于维护好、巩固好、发展好中朝关系的坚定立场不会变，中国人民对朝鲜人民的友好情谊不会变，中国对社会主义朝鲜的支持不会变.

Next, a piece talking about China’s human rights diplomacy at the 50th session of the UNHRC. It says that the China Society for Human Rights Studies, China NGO Network for International Exchanges, the United Nations Association of China have hosted a number of meetings, focusing on the reality of minority rights policies in the West; educational development and rights protection in China’s minority areas; strengthening global human rights governance and promoting the common values of all mankind. “Participants agreed that China has made great achievements in its human rights cause and played an important role in the global human rights governance. China’s experience can be used as a reference point for human rights protection in all countries in the world, especially developing countries, and it has also contributed to the development of international human rights cause.” 联合国人权理事会第五十届会议期间，中国人权研究会、中国民间组织国际交流促进会、中国联合国协会等机构主办了多场云上边会，中外相关社会组织负责人和专家学者围绕“权利保护的实效：西方国家少数族裔政策的现实与反思”“中国民族地区教育发展与权利保障”“加强全球人权治理，弘扬全人类共同价值”等主题，通过线上线下进行深入交流。与会嘉宾一致认为，中国人权事业取得巨大发展成就，在全球人权治理过程中发挥重要作用。中国经验对世界各国，特别是发展中国家的人权保障具有借鉴意义，也为国际人权事业发展贡献了力量.

The piece basically praises China’s policies regarding ethnic minorities; it even argues that while some Western countries have “many problems in the protection of minority rights,” Chinese policies can offer a reference point to the world. 一些西方国家自身存在诸多少数族裔权利保护问题，需好好反思。在这方面，中国少数民族权利保护的理念和实践可为世界提供更多借鉴. The article also praises China’s sustainable development focus, emphasis on environmental rights, and its contribution to global human rights governance.

Finally, there’s a report based on comments from Julio Rios, from the Galician Institute of Analysis and International Documentation, a Spanish think tank. Rios says that the Global Security Initiative covers traditional and non-traditional security fields and is of great significance to promoting the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. He praises GSI as an “important international public good provided by China.” Rios attacks “some Western countries” for reigniting “Cold War mentality, hegemonism and power politics, which completely goes against the trend of historical development. The Global Security Initiative adheres to true multilateralism, reflects the common security needs of the international community under the new situation, and ‘provides an important solution for global security governance’.” 里奥斯表示，全球安全倡议是中国向世界提供的又一个重要国际公共产品。当前，个别西方国家重拾冷战思维、霸权主义和强权政治，全然违背历史发展趋势。全球安全倡议坚持真正的多边主义，反映了新形势下国际社会共同的安全需要，“为全球安全治理提供了重要方案”.

Page 4: The fifth in the series of 仲音 commentaries on human rights. This argues that China’s human rights development is premised on the rule of law or rather it talks about the legalisation of the rule of law.

Second, a feature piece that tells us that since mid-April, key central media outlets have gone to old revolutionary bases and frontier areas and published reports and publications and told vivid stories about the changes in and revival of these areas, effectively demonstrating “General Secretary Xi Jinping’s deep concern for the old revolutionary base areas and frontier areas.”

Page 6: A report with comments from Zhou Qiang, president of the Supreme People’s Court, at the National Symposium for High Court Presidents and the National Court Culture Construction Work Conference. 全国高级法院院长座谈会暨全国法院文化建设工作会议上.

Zhou emphasised that it is necessary to thoroughly study and implement Xi Jinping Thought on the rule of law and General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important expositions on the construction of socialist culture; adhere to the Party’s leadership over the construction of court culture, take the people as the centre, take the socialist core values as the guide, abide by the judicial conscience, persist in upholding integrity and innovation, earnestly strengthen the construction of court culture, vigorously carry forward the people's court culture in the new era, provide strong value guidance, cultural cohesion and spiritual impetus for the high-quality development of court work, promote justice for the people and just justice, and greet the 20th Party Congress with practical actions. 

SCMP also has a report on Zhou’s comments, but in that the focus is on strictly dealing with violence against women, children and elderly.

Page 8: There are three academic pieces on the page talking about different aspects around the theme of “Chinese-style modernisation.”

The first piece is by Zhang Yi, a researcher at CASS. I think this is useful to note because it is indicative of the kind of arguments that cement a sense of exceptionalism and superiority.

Zhang argues that:

• Chinese-style modernisation is the modernisation led by the Communist Party of China. 

Therefore, “in order to deeply understand the nature and characteristics of Chinese-style modernisation, it is necessary to deeply understand the original intention and mission of the CPC, as well as the core leadership role of the CPC in overseeing the overall situation and coordinating all parties. Sociological researchers should conduct in-depth research on Chinese-style modernity from the perspectives of the Party's theory, line, principles and policies, the Party’s governing ability and level, and the Party’s rigorous organisational system and strong organisational ability.” 深入理解中国式现代化的本质和特征，就要深刻理解中国共产党的初心和使命，深刻认识中国共产党总揽全局、协调各方的领导核心作用。社会学研究者应从党的理论和路线方针政策、党的执政能力和执政水平、党的严密组织体系和强大组织能力等方面，深入研究中国式现代化的领导力量，深入研究中国共产党在中国式现代化进程中的领导核心作用.

• Chinese-style modernisation is socialist modernisation. 

“There are essential differences between Chinese modernisation and capitalist modernisation. Capitalist modernisation, based on capitalist private ownership of means of production, is a capital-centred modernisation, and its essence is to safeguard bourgeois rule. Historically, wherever capitalism expanded, it brought wars of aggression, cruel exploitation and brutal colonisation. In reality, capitalist modernisation has produced a series of chronic diseases such as polarisation, materialism expansion, foreign expansion and plunder. Chinese-style modernisation is based on the socialist public ownership of the means of production, people-centred modernisation, a socialist modernisation that constantly realises, safeguards and develops the fundamental interests of the overwhelming majority of the people, and unswervingly promotes the common prosperity of all people. Chinese-style modernisation was formed and developed by our Party in firmly defending Marxism and adhering to the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics. It is not a simple continuation of our country’s history and culture, or a simple copy of the template imagined by classic Marxist writers, or an imitation of socialist practices adopted in other countries, or a replica of the model of modernisation and development adopted by Western countries. Chinese-style modernisation adheres to the guidance of Marxism, insists on combining the basic principles of Marxism with China’s specific reality and with the excellent traditional Chinese culture, and continuously promotes the modernisation of Marxism in China.” 中国式现代化与资本主义现代化有着本质的不同。资本主义现代化以生产资料资本主义私有制为基础，是以资本为中心的现代化，其本质是为了维护资产阶级统治。历史上，资本主义扩张到哪里，就将侵略战争、残酷剥削与野蛮殖民带到哪里。现实中，资本主义现代化产生了两极分化、物质主义膨胀、对外扩张掠夺等一系列顽疾。中国式现代化以生产资料社会主义公有制为基础，是以人民为中心的现代化，是不断实现好、维护好、发展好最广大人民根本利益，坚定不移推进全体人民共同富裕的社会主义现代化。中国式现代化是我们党在坚定捍卫马克思主义、坚持走中国特色社会主义道路中形成和发展的。它不是简单延续我国历史文化的母版，不是简单套用马克思主义经典作家设想的模板，不是其他国家社会主义实践的再版，更不是西方国家现代化发展的翻版.

He adds that sociologists should adhere to the Marxist standpoint, viewpoint and methods, adhere to the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on socialism with Chinese characteristics for the new era, adhere to the people's stand, strengthen the ‘four self-confidences’, take root in the practice of China’s socialist modernisation, thoroughly study the essence and characteristics of Chinese modernisation, and constantly promote the innovation of knowledge, theory and method. 社会学研究者要坚持马克思主义立场观点方法，坚持以习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想为指导，坚持人民立场，坚定“四个自信”，扎根中国社会主义现代化建设实践，深入研究中国式现代化的本质和特征，不断推进现代化的知识创新、理论创新、方法创新.

• Chinese-style modernisation is a leap-forward development process. In saying this, the author basically praises China’s rapid development, despite the country having “gone through detours and encountered some unexpected difficulties and setbacks.” He also praises China’s “social harmony and stability,” calling it “one of the safest countries” in the world. Going forward, he talks about the need to promote “new industrialisation, informatisation, urbanisation, and agricultural modernisation in concert with each other.”

In the second piece, Hong Dayong argues that:

“Through unremitting struggle, Communist Party has led the people to successfully traverse the path of Chinese-style modernisation and achieved remarkable achievements. In doing so, not only has it addressed the many problems encountered in the development of human society, but it has  also shattered the myth that ‘modernisation is westernisation’. It has fully demonstrated that there is no one-size-fits-all model or universal standard for modernisation. The Chinese-style modernisation path has expanded the pathways for developing countries to modernise, provided a Chinese solution for mankind to explore better social systems, and has also provided tremendous resources for accelerating the development of sociology with Chinese characteristics and building China's independent modernisation knowledge system.” 经过不懈奋斗，中国共产党领导人民成功走出中国式现代化道路，取得了举世瞩目的成就，不但破解了人类社会发展的诸多难题、打破了“现代化就是西方化”的迷思，也充分表明世界上既不存在定于一尊的现代化模式，也不存在放之四海而皆准的现代化标准。中国式现代化道路，拓展了发展中国家走向现代化的途径，为人类对更好社会制度的探索提供了中国方案，也成为加快构建中国特色社会学、建构中国自主的现代化知识体系的“富矿”.

The other interesting chunk from the piece is about the idea of building a community with a shared future for mankind. In this regard, the author says that, “China does not call for substituting one system for another or one civilisation with another; rather it advocates that countries with different social systems, different historical cultures and different levels of development share interests, rights and responsibilities in international affairs, and form the greatest common denominator of building a better world. This transcends the modernisation theory centred on the West. It profoundly reveals the relationship between countries – in that they are interconnected and interdependent, and share the common destiny – and it profoundly re-develops the future picture of modernisation, which is of great theoretical and practical significance.” 我国推动构建人类命运共同体，不是以一种制度代替另一种制度，不是以一种文明代替另一种文明，而是主张不同社会制度、不同历史文化、不同发展水平的国家在国际事务中利益共生、权利共享、责任共担，形成共建美好世界的最大公约数。这超越了以西方为中心的现代化理论，深刻揭示了各国相互联系、相互依存，全球命运与共、休戚相关的国与国关系，深刻重构了现代化未来图景，具有重大理论意义与实践意义.

In the final piece, Ma Guoqing, from the Minzu University of China, writes about the importance of common prosperity and ethnic affairs work in forging a strong sense of community of the Chinese nation. 

He argues that sociologists and researchers should pay greater attention to the idea of the community of the Chinese nation in their research. “Correctly grasp the relationship between the consciousness of the Chinese nation as a community and the consciousness of various ethnic identities, and make it clear that all ethnic groups must always put the interests of the Chinese nation first, and at the same time, in the process of realising the overall interests of the Chinese nation as a community, the specific interests of all ethnic groups will be realised, and the community concept of sharing weal and woe, sharing life and death, and sharing destiny should be embodied in the research process and research results.” 正确把握中华民族共同体意识和各民族意识的关系，明确各民族要始终把中华民族利益放在首位，同时在实现好中华民族共同体整体利益进程中实现好各民族具体利益，把休戚与共、荣辱与共、生死与共、命运与共的共同体理念贯彻体现到研究过程和研究成果中。

Ma adds:

“Ethnic minority areas are resource-rich areas, water source areas, ecological barrier areas, cultural characteristic areas and frontier areas in China. (Good point to keep in mind always) The starting point of the older generation of sociological researchers to study ethnic areas had been to serve the establishment of a common and prosperous Chinese family; consequently, they proposed that the development of the western region needs to consider ethnic factors and rely on local history, culture, folk customs, ecology and other factors. At present, China has entered a new stage of development. Based on their own resource endowments, development conditions, and comparative advantages, ethnic regions need to identify and grasp the new development stage, implement new development concepts, build a new development pattern, promote high-quality development, and promote common prosperity. This requires sociological researchers to strengthen research on supporting policies in ethnic areas, such as how to strengthen infrastructure construction in ethnic areas, deepen industrial structure adjustment, and optimise the overall layout of economic and social development and ecological civilisation construction.” 民族地区是我国的资源富集区、水系源头区、生态屏障区、文化特色区、边疆地区。老一辈社会学研究者研究民族地区的出发点就是为建立一个共同繁荣的中华民族大家庭服务，提出西部地区的发展需要考虑民族因素，需要依托当地的历史、文化、民俗、生态等因素。当前，我国已经进入新发展阶段。民族地区需要立足自身的资源禀赋、发展条件、比较优势，找准把握新发展阶段、贯彻新发展理念、构建新发展格局、推动高质量发展和促进共同富裕的发力点。这就要求社会学研究者加强对民族地区支持政策的研究，比如研究如何加强民族地区基础设施建设、深化产业结构调整、优化经济社会发展和生态文明建设整体布局等.

Page 15: The lead report on the international page says that the US has “instigated the protracted conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and wooed allies to continue to strengthen sanctions against Russia, which caused a massive adverse impact on global energy, finance, food, and industrial chains. The US’ wanton suppression of other countries through the use of unilateral sanctions at every turn, arousing dissatisfaction and criticism from many parties, with the entire international community having to pay for the bullying behaviour of the US.” 美国挑唆俄乌冲突长期化，并拉拢盟友持续强化对俄制裁，给全球能源、金融、粮食、产业链等方面造成巨大冲击。美国动辄以单边制裁肆意打压其他国家引发多方不满和批评，整个国际社会都不得不为美国的霸凌做法埋单.

The piece makes three broad points, while quoting UN reports, international media and international analysts.

• The European economy is being sacrificed for American interests

• The Russian-Ukrainian conflict is leading to a domino effect and will have far-reaching global consequences; this essentially refers to challenges of food security, economic development and social stability in the developing world. It says that “many industries such as energy, commodities, telecommunications, and semiconductors” are being adversely hit. 

• Finally, the US creates and benefits from crises around the world

Next, there’s a report about comments by UN Secretary General António Guterres on the three major global challenges that need urgent action:

• The first is climate change; in this the paper talks about Guterres saying that “starting this year, rich countries must finally deliver on their pledge to provide $100 billion in climate finance to developing countries.”

• The second is addressing the immediate food, energy and financial crises facing the world, particularly developing countries.

• The third is the issue of the unequal post-pandemic economic recovery.

Finally, there’s a report about an incident involving a US service member in South Korea being probed for causing an accident while under the influence of alcohol. The PD report says that recently, there have been a series of incidents of misconduct involving American service members stationed in South Korea.

Other Stories:

None of these are in PD today, but they are worth noting.

First, a Xinhua report on personnel changes at the State Council:

• Wang Guanghua replaced Lu Hao as general supervisor of national natural resources.

• Wang Shouwen was appointed China international trade representative with the Ministry of Commerce, while Zhao Baolin was appointed auditor general of the National Audit Office.

• Luo Wen was appointed head of the State Administration for Market Regulation.

• Li Xiaohong was appointed president of the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE), while five other academicians -- Zhong Zhihua, Deng Xiuxin, Wang Chen, Wu Manqing, and Li Zhongping -- were appointed vice presidents of the CAE.

• Lu Hao was named director of the Development Research Center of the State Council.

• Cong Liang was named head of the State Grain and Reserves Administration, and no longer serves as deputy head of the National Development and Reform Commission.

• Song Zhiyong replaced Feng Zhenglin as head of the Civil Aviation Administration of China, and Feng was also removed from the post of vice minister of transport.

• Liu Siyang was removed from the post of vice president of Xinhua News Agency, while Ma Jiantang was removed from the post of deputy director of the Development Research Center of the State Council.

• Fu Xingguo is no longer head of the State Administration of Civil Service, and Wu Shizhong is no longer deputy head of the National Administration of State Secrets Protection.

Second, a report on the four-day Pakistan-China joint maritime drill - Sea Guardians-2 - taking place off the Shanghai coast.