Meng Return Commentary - Xi on 1992 Consensus - Inspection of Financial Institutions - Xi & Liu on Wuzhen Conference - Xuānyán Article - Xi Thought: Why Xi Deserves to be the 'Core' & Two Safeguards
Here are the stories and pieces from the September 27, 2021, edition of the People’s Daily that I found noteworthy.
Let’s begin by going back in time. Sunday’s PD had a front page commentary around the return of Meng Wanzhou to China. The headline emphatically stated that no force can stop China’s progress. The piece told us that Meng’s return to the “motherland” was the “result of the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee, the unremitting efforts of the Chinese government, the full support of the Chinese people, and is a major victory for the Chinese people.”
It added that “facts had proven” that the case against Meng was a “political witch hunt aimed at suppressing Chinese high-tech companies and targeting Chinese citizens.” The piece reiterates that “the Chinese government’s position on the Meng Wanzhou incident is consistent and clear. The Chinese government will take all necessary measures to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of its citizens and companies.” It says that the government lodged “solemn representations,” “strongly urged the Canadian side to release” her and the people made their voice heard.
Then this:
“China will never accept any form of political coercion or abuse of justice, and will never allow Chinese citizens to become victims of political persecution by other countries. The Chinese people are people who uphold justice and are not afraid of violence. They have a strong sense of national pride and self-confidence. The Chinese people have never bullied, oppressed or enslaved people of other countries, and we will never allow any foreign forces to bully, oppress or enslave us. The Chinese people will never allow anyone or any force to dream of doing so.” 孟晚舟事件充分表明，中国不惹事，但也不怕事。中国绝不接受任何形式的政治胁迫和滥用司法行为，绝不允许中国公民成为别国政治迫害的牺牲品。中国人民是崇尚正义、不畏强暴的人民，中华民族是具有强烈民族自豪感和自信心的民族。中国人民从来没有欺负、压迫、奴役过其他国家人民，也绝不允许任何外来势力欺负、压迫、奴役我们。任何人、任何势力妄想这样干，中国人民都绝不会答应.
Then we are told that the “essence” of this episode is that the US is trying to “obstruct” and “interrupt” China's development process. “Through the Meng Wanzhou incident, the Chinese people have seen more clearly that in the face of profound changes unprecedented in the world in a century, we must unswervingly follow our own path, manage our own affairs well with perseverance, achieve self-reliance and self-improvement in high-level science and technology, and build our great motherland even stronger.” 透过孟晚舟事件，中国人民更加清晰地看到，面对世界百年未有之大变局，我们必须坚定不移走自己的路，百折不挠办好自己的事，实现高水平科技自立自强，把伟大祖国建设得更加强大.
It ends by saying the rejuvenation is now an “irreversible historical process.” The closer China gets to rejuvenation, “the more fraught it will be with risks, challenges and turbulence.”
Page 1: Now to Monday, we have a bunch of stories to note. First, the exchange of letters between Eric Chu, the new KMT chairman, and Xi Jinping (English report). In his letter, Xi emphasised the “common political foundation of upholding the 1992 Consensus and opposing ‘Taiwan independence’.” Xinhua tells us: “Xi expressed his expectations that the two parties adhere to the common political foundation, uphold the national interests, and work together to seek the wellbeing of the people, maintain peace across the Taiwan Strait and achieve national reunification and rejuvenation.”
Chu, as per Xinhua: “Noting that the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are all Chinese, Chu voiced his deep hope that the two parties can enhance mutual trust, exchanges and cooperation upon the foundation of upholding the 1992 Consensus and opposing ‘Taiwan independence’.”
Next, Xi’s letter to the World Internet Conference in Wuzhen. Xinhua English reports: “Xi noted that digital technology is being fully integrated into all fields and the whole process of economy, politics, culture, society and ecological civilization construction with new ideas, new forms and new models, having extensive and profound impacts on the production and life of humankind.”
He talked about seizing opportunities and addressing challenges related to “the trend of informatization and digitalization, as well as networking and smart development.” He emphasised China’s commitment to the “historical responsibility” of “stimulating the digital economy vitality, enhancing the digital government efficiency, optimizing the digital social environment, setting up a digital cooperation structure, and building a strong digital security shield.”
Vice Premier Liu He’s comments at Wuzhen are on Page 2. He said that Xi’s letter fully “reflects his deep thinking with regard to the global information development wave, stressing that to make digital civilization benefit people of all countries and promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, it is necessary to earnestly study and implement it.” Liu said that the Internet has “had a profound impact on industrial development, economic structure, social life and the international landscape.” He added that “digital technology has profoundly transformed production functions and continuously created new forms of business, bringing new development opportunities to all countries.”
He wants all countries to work towards ensuring “security and reliability of infrastructure, upholding the ethics of science and technology, cracking down on illegal activities in cyberspace, truly protecting fair competition and promoting innovation, properly defining digital property rights, overcoming ‘Baumol's disease’ and the digital divide to achieve inclusive growth.” 科技向善是人类命运共同体的内在要求，世界各国要共同维护基础设施的安全可靠，坚持科技伦理，打击网络不法行为，真正保护公平竞争和推动创新，合理界定数字产权，克服“鲍莫尔病”和“数字鸿沟”，实现包容性增长。
The last paragraph of the report tells us that Liu wants to “strengthen new infrastructure construction,” “promote the development of the software industry,” “continuously improve the marketization” under the rule of law and that he reiterated the “two unwaverings,” i.e., support for private sector development.
There’s also a PD piece on Page 1 talking about the reactions from people there to Xi’s letter. For instance, Dr. Zhang Ya-Qin, Chair Professor of AI Science of Tsinghua University, and Dean of Institute for AI Industry Research of Tsinghua University, saying that Xi’s comments led him to “deeply” realise what ‘innovation is the primary driving force for development’ implies. And in the future, “we should conform to the development trend, firmly grasp the strategic initiative of international competition in the new stage of digital technology development, create new technological advantages, explore new industrial spaces, and build a new pattern of cooperation.”
Chen Rui, Chairman and CEO of Bilibili, is quoted as saying that it is necessary to actively encourage, guide and support content creators, continue to put out high-quality original works that promote the main theme and positive energy and showcase China's excellent traditional culture, promote exchanges and dialogues among young people from various countries, and strive to expand the influence of Chinese cultural works. 哔哩哔哩董事长兼CEO陈睿表示，要积极鼓励、引导、扶持内容创作者，持续输出弘扬主旋律和正能量，展现中国优秀传统文化的优质原创作品，促进各国青年的交流与对话，努力扩大中国文化作品的影响力.
Next a brief report telling us that the Arabic version of a book compiling Xi’s expositions on Building of a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind has been published.
Then we have a very long piece that talks about personnel/talent-related work during Xi’s era. This is a very difficult piece to summarise because there are many different aspects and there are documents and events mentioned which will need referencing to summarise it well. Also, amid all this, there are individual examples/stories. So, I am doing a brief bit capturing what I thought was relevant and easiest to do.
The piece first tells us that Xi has been personally engaged in this work. It talks about how when Xi visited Shenzhen in 2012 for his first inspection visit after taking over as General Secretary, his view was that the talent lay at the heart of the desire to grow national power. Then we get a step-by-step outline of top-level design/policies/directions when it comes to issues related to talents.
18th Party Congress proposed speeding up the establishment of the strategic layout of giving priority to the development of talents, and creating a large, high-quality talent team.
3rd Plenary of 18th CC: focused on “comprehensively deepening reform and specifically put forward the reform task of ‘establishing institutional mechanisms for gathering talents’.”
4th Plenary of 18th CC: brought talent development into the track of building the rule of law.
National Work Conference, 2018 explicitly included the need to “focus on gathering outstanding talents with patriotic dedication in various fields” into the Party's organizational line in the new era. 2018年召开的全国组织工作会议，明确将“着力集聚爱国奉献的各方面优秀人才”纳入新时代党的组织路线；
4th Plenary of the 19th CC emphasised as one of the key advantages of China’s national system and governance system was the adherence to the principle of virtue and capability when it comes to talent selection; gathering talents from around the world and cultivating more outstanding talents. 党的十九届四中全会将“坚持德才兼备、选贤任能，聚天下英才而用之，培养造就更多更优秀人才”作为国家制度和国家治理体系的显著优势之一；
5th Plenary of the 19th CC approved the 14 FYP, which set a long-term goal of a developing a powerful country through human capital/talents (人才强国) as a goal for 2035.
The next bit talks about the principle of the party’s management of talents -党管人才原则. It emphasises the need to “strive to build a team of outstanding talents who are determined to be patriotic and dedicated and brave in innovation and creation.” The piece references the May 2021 Organizational Work Regulations of the Communist Party of China, and then references some local-level regulations. This is followed by an emphasis on efforts to reduce administrative task burdens on science and technology talents. Towards the end, the piece focuses on the need to focus and develop talents in domains that are of strategic national importance and talents who are determined to serve the country. One statement of principle here that’s worth noting; this comes in the piece when talking about science and technology development and the need to ensure self-reliance:
“Development is the top priority, talents are the primary resources and innovation is the primary driving force.” “发展是第一要务，人才是第一资源，创新是第一动力.” - This was a quote from Xi in March 2018.
The piece also tells us that as of 2018, the total number of scientific and technological human resources in China reached 101.545 million...By the end of 2020, China’s skilled workforce had exceeded 200 million people, with more than 50 million highly skilled personnel. 报告显示，截至2018年底，我国科技人力资源总量达10154.5万人，规模继续保持世界第一. 截至2020年底，我国技能劳动者已经超过2亿人，高技能人才超过5000万人.
Next, a report telling us that the Regulations on Administration of Technical Services for Family Planning; Administrative Measures for Collection of Social Maintenance Fees, and Regulations on Family Planning for Floating Population have been abolished in order to adapt to the new state of China's population, economic and social development, optimise the fertility policy, and promote long-term balanced development of the population.
Next, Wang Yang speaking at a commemorative meeting in Beijing to mark the 40th anniversary of the founding of the All-China Federation of Taiwan Compatriots (ACFTC). Xinhua reports that “Wang said that current cross-Strait relations present both opportunities and challenges. People on both sides of the Taiwan Strait should proceed in the fundamental interests of the Chinese nation, pursuing and defending national reunification and resolutely opposing and deterring any separatist activities seeking ‘Taiwan independence’...China must and will be reunited, and reunification is a historic trend, Wang said, adding that the initiative to solve the Taiwan question has always been in the hands of the mainland.”
Then we have Zhao Leji calling for (English report) “thorough disciplinary inspection of financial institutions to promote the high-quality development of the industry.” The eighth round of inspection by the 19th CPC Central Committee “targets Party committees of 25 financial institutions, including banks, stock exchanges, regulatory commissions, insurance companies, asset-management companies and other financial enterprises.”
Here’s the full list of entities that will be inspected.
Zhao emphasized the need to thoroughly study and implement General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important expositions on financial work, and defined the aim of the inspections being “to uncover political deviation of Party organizations, as well as prominent problems that affect the high-quality development of the industry.”
PD reports that Zhao emphasised that inspections “are a powerful tool for political supervision and the comprehensive and strict governance of the Party. Inspection work should be viewed and handled from a political perspective, fully implement the guidelines, and officials must take it as the fundamental task to urge the strengthening of the four consciences, strengthen the four self-confidences, and ensure the two safeguards.”
He further emphasised strengthening Party leadership over financial work, maintaining national economic and financial security, promoting the high-quality development of the financial industry, and punishing financial corruption and preventing and controlling financial risks.
He wants the financial industry to “implement the new development philosophy, better meet the needs of the people and the financial needs of the real economy, and firmly foresee the bottom line against systemic financial risks.” He highlighted the three key tasks of “serving the real economy, preventing and controlling financial risks, and deepening financial reform.”
Finally, there’s a 宣言 Xuānyán piece on the page. I guess this is from the point of view that we are heading towards October 1. It talks about China’s success. There are three parts to the piece. The first part essentially doubles down on the notion of humiliation. There are multiple examples cited to make the point of national humiliation. The second part talks about the CCP’s rise, with emphasis on its struggle, sacrifice and effort to unite the people and its ability to represent the people’s interests. The last part talks about how Party leadership is China’s “greatest advantage.” This bit emphasises performance legitimacy, from economic development to social stability, pandemic management and contributing Chinese wisdom and solutions, etc.
For instance: “The greatest significance of China's peaceful development to the world lies not only in the extensive and profound international impact of the prosperity of one fifth of the world's population, but also in the new Chinese-style modernization path and new forms of human civilization that China has created, providing Chinese wisdom and solutions for mankind to build a better society.”中国和平发展对世界的最大意义，不仅在于世界五分之一人口走向富裕带来广泛而深刻的国际影响，更在于中国创造的中国式现代化新道路、创造的人类文明新形态，为人类建设更加美好社会提供了中国智慧、中国方案。
The piece tells us that the international community’s perspective of China has shifted from focusing on its achievements to focusing on the political reasons and institutional secrets of China's achievements. From asking whether the CPC can perform and does perform, to wanting to know why the CPC can perform and does perform; from marvelling at what the CPC can and does do, to thinking about how they do these things. 现在，国际社会观察中国的视角发生了重要的变化：从重点关注中国的成就，向关注中国成就取得的政治原因、制度秘诀转变；从询问中国共产党能不能、行不行，转变为渴望了解中国共产党为什么能、为什么行；从惊叹中国共产党能、中国共产党行，到思考自己怎么做才会也能、也行.
Unsurprisingly, the piece ends by telling us that the Party is “the most reliable backbone and anchor of the Chinese people amid storms.” 历史实践不断证明，中国共产党是风雨来袭时中国人民最可靠的主心骨、定盘星.
Page 2: First, a report telling us that Yang Jiechi attended the opening ceremony of the second China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo, which kicked off on Sunday in Changsha. While this is not in PD, do check out this story: Beijing finds itself cornered by Africa as they cancel China-led projects.
Second, a report about Wang Yi speaking to Niger’s Foreign Minister Hassoumi Massoudou. Wang said that “Niger is China's good friend, good brother and important partner in Africa. China appreciates Niger's friendly policy towards China and its support for China's legitimate position on issues concerning China's core interests.” He added:
“The collective revitalization of developing countries is the most distinctive feature of our times and an important symbol of the progress of human society as a whole. Any attempt to suppress the development of developing countries by whatever despicable methods is doomed to failure. China is ready to work with Niger to support each other on the international and regional stage, jointly uphold basic norms governing international relations and international fairness and justice, and safeguard the legitimate rights to development of developing countries.”
And said that:
“development is the master key to addressing all problems. China is willing to share its governance experience with Niger and other developing countries.” As per the Chinese readout, Hassoumi said that “China’s success is a blessing for all mankind and provides inspiration and reference for other developing countries, which will facilitate and drive African countries to forge ahead...Niger fully agrees with and firmly supports it, and is ready to work with China to jointly safeguard the inalienable rights to development of developing countries and their legitimate rights to independent choice of their development paths.”
Page 3: First, a report about a forum in Beijing on Xi Thought on Rule of Law. Wang Chen made comments at the forum, basically emphasising the significance of Xi Thought in this regard and the importance of sticking to the system of socialist rule of law as opposed to Western ideas of judicial independence, constitutionalism and separation of powers. He also called for deepening research on the theoretical system, focusing on the discourse system, and expanding teaching materials related to Xi Jinping Thought on Rule of Law.
Then we have a report about the Ministry of Transport issuing a new Action Plan for the Construction of New Infrastructure in the Transport Sector (2021-2025). This talks about arterial highways, smart waterways, smart ports, smart transport hubs, the development of a national comprehensive transportation information platform - a “data brain” for this - and putting in place standards and regulations.
Page 4: Propaganda chief Hunang Kunming attended an event commemorating the 140th birth anniversary of Lu Xun. He called on people to learn from the noble character of Lu Xun and carry forward his spirit. He said that Lu Xun was dedicated to the pursuit of truth and progress, and always joined hands with the CPC and was the Party’s most faithful and trustworthy comrade and friend. PD tells us that Huang emphasised Lu Xun’s “patriotic spirit of caring about the destiny of the nation and shouldering the mission of the times.” He talked about Lu’s spirit of daring to struggle.
He added: “We must adhere to the Marxist view on literature and art, put the people first in our hearts, create more excellent works that are worthy of the times and the people, and guide people to strengthen their ambition, moral backbone and sense of confidence in being Chinese.” 要坚持马克思主义文艺观，把人民置于心中最高位置，创作更多无愧于时代、无愧于人民的优秀作品，引导人们增强做中国人的志气、骨气、底气。
Page 5: We have the 49th Xi Thought Q&A piece today. The first question talks about how one should understand the need to resolutely safeguard Xi Jinping’s position as the core of the CPC Central Committee and the entire Party.
We begin with Mao’s quote about a peach having just one core. And then quickly we are told that Xi was given the position of the core at the 6th plenary of the 18th CC. This was not just the “common choice, solemn choice and inevitable choice of history and people” but it actually is “a blessing/good fortune of the Party and the country, a blessing for the people, and a blessing for the Chinese nation.” 是党和国家之幸、人民之幸、中华民族之幸.
The next paragraph tells us that having a strong leadership core has been a “necessary factor for the victory of the international communist movement and Marxist parties of various countries.” In fact, having a strong leadership core is an “important sign of the maturity of the proletarian party.” We are told about Mao and the Zunyi Conference and then we are told about Deng during the reform and opening up era. We get a repeat of Deng’s quote: “A collective leadership must have a core; a leadership without a core is unreliable.” Also we are told: “Only when the entire Party has a core, can the Party Central Committee have authority and power. Without the core of the Party Central Committee and the core of the entire Party, there will be no authority and centralized leadership of the Party Central Committee.”
The next paragraph talks about the current scenario. So there are two overall situations to keep in mind, i.e., China’s national rejuvenation and the “major changes unseen in a century” that are taking place around the world. In this situation,
“We urgently need a leader who can answer the questions of the times and the people, open up a new horizon for adapting Marxism to China, and guide the way forward for the whole Party and all of the people. There is an urgent need for a leader who can discern the vicissitudes of the times, distinguish between right and wrong, face up to the tempests, and lead the whole Party and people in a great struggle; there is an urgent need for a commander-in-chief who can coordinate the overall cause of the Party and the country, lead the great endeavor of socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era, advance the realization of the two centenary Goals, and pool the boundless strength of the Party and people. It is in this call of the times, the choice of history, the expectations of the people and the forging of practice that General Secretary Xi Jinping deservedly became the core of the Party Central Committee and the core of the whole Party.
统筹两个大局，成就伟大事业，迫切需要能够及时回答时代之问、人民之问，开辟马克思主义中国化新境界，指引全党和全国人民前进方向的领路人；迫切需要能够洞悉时代风云、明辨大是大非、迎战惊涛骇浪，带领全党和全国人民进行伟大斗争的掌舵者；迫切需要能够统筹协调党和国家事业全局，领导新时代中国特色社会主义伟大实践，推进实现“两个一百年”奋斗目标，凝聚全党和全国人民磅礴力量的总指挥. 正是在这样的时代呼唤、历史选择、人民期盼和实践锻造中，习近平总书记当之无愧地成为党中央的核心、全党的核心.
The next paragraph tells us that Xi is the founder of Xi Thought and in coming up with this thought he has demonstrated “extraordinary theoretical courage, outstanding political wisdom, and strong sense of mission of a Marxist politician, thinker, and strategist, has made a series of major scientific judgments in response to the changing times...” Xi Thought today is “like a towering beacon, illuminating our journey forward and guiding the great ship that is China to the bright shore of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.” 这一思想如同耸立的灯塔，照亮我们前行的征途，指引“中国号”巨轮不断驶向中华民族伟大复兴的光明彼岸.
The next paragraph tells us what all Xi has personally taken charge of and succeeded at since the 18th Party Congress. This includes poverty alleviation, comprehensively deepening reform, improving the governance system, swatting flies, fighting tigers and hunting foxes, armed forces reform, BRI, etc. It ends by saying that with Xi in charge, “there is the leader of the officers and entrepreneurs, the backbone of unity and struggle” as the country embarks on a new Long March.
The following paragraph again emphasises poverty alleviation as an endeavour led by Xi. It then talks about how Xi “personally led China’s response to economic and trade frictions with the United States, effectively safeguarding China’s sovereignty, dignity and core interests, and demonstrating the leadership and fighting skills of a leader of a great party and great country.” 亲自领导应对中美经贸摩擦，有力维护了我国主权、尊严、核心利益，展现了一个大党大国领袖运筹帷幄、指挥若定的领导水平和斗争艺术... It also talks about Xi’s personal command over the pandemic control situation.
In doing all of this, Xi has “demonstrated the noble character of a true Marxist and created a glorious image of contemporary Chinese Communists.” 习近平总书记干在实处、走在前列，立言立行、说到做到，彰显了真正的马克思主义者的高尚人格，立起了当代中国共产党人的光辉形象. The last paragraph, therefore, calls on all comrades to unswervingly and resolutely support Xi’s core position and implement Xi Thought. They must enhance “ideological consciousness, political consciousness and action consciousness of maintaining General Secretary Xi Jinping’s position as the core of the CPC Central Committee and the whole party, through this demonstrate their sincere affection for the core, ideological identification with the core, absolute maintenance of the core politically, and they should consciously obey the core organizationally and closely follow the core in action.” 要从历史和现实、理论和实践、国内和国际的结合上深刻认识、强化认同，不断增强维护习近平总书记党中央的核心、全党的核心的思想自觉、政治自觉、行动自觉，做到情感上衷心爱戴核心、思想上高度认同核心、政治上绝对维护核心、组织上自觉服从核心、行动上紧紧跟随核心.
The next question is related; it’s about the need to resolutely uphold the authority and centralized, unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee. The first few paragraphs stress on why this is important. We get a quote from Xi at the end to emphasise this: "If the Party Central Committee does not have the authority, the Party’s theory, line, principles and policies cannot be implemented. Everyone will go their own way, doing whatever they want, and doing nothing if they do not want to do something. The Party will become fragmented, and it will become a ‘private club’, and the leadership of the Party will become meaningless.” 习近平总书记深刻指出：“如果党中央没有权威，党的理论和路线方针政策可以随意不执行，大家各自为政、各行其是，想干什么就干什么，想不干什么就不干什么，党就会变成一盘散沙，就会成为自行其是的‘私人俱乐部’，党的领导就会成为一句空话.”
The subsequent paragraph talks about instances of people ignoring the authority of the CPC Central Committee, some of which were serious cases, and wavering on major issues of principles and ignoring central decisions and arrangements.
In this situation, since the 18th Party, the party central committee with comrade Xi as the core has worked to ensure that the whole party obeys the central leadership, with the primary task being the Party’s political construction, reforming and perfecting the institutional mechanism of upholding the party's leadership, strictly observing the party's political discipline and rules, and making a series of major institutional arrangements. Through this effort, the authority and centralized, unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee have been restored and fundamentally strengthened, effectively safeguarding the unity and unity of the whole Party. 党的十八大以来，以习近平同志为核心的党中央把保证全党服从中央、坚持党中央权威和集中统一领导作为党的政治建设的首要任务，改革和完善坚持党的领导的体制机制，严明党的政治纪律和政治规矩，作出一系列重大制度性安排，党中央权威和集中统一领导得到重塑和根本性强化，有力维护了全党的团结统一.
The next paragraph discusses the importance of loyalty. “Loyalty to the Party must be reflected in loyalty to the Party’s beliefs, to the Party organization, and to the Party’s theory, line, principles and policies.” It adds:
“We should take maintaining General Secretary Xi Jinping’s position as the core of the CPC Central Committee and the core of the whole party, maintaining the authority of the CPC Central Committee and the centralized and unified leadership as a clear political guideline and fundamental political requirement, and consciously make resolute efforts advocated by the CPC Central Committee, resolutely implement its decisions and resolutely refrain from doing what the CPC Central Committee prohibits, and implement its decision-making arrangements without conditions, discounts or modifications.” 要把维护习近平总书记党中央的核心、全党的核心地位，维护党中央权威和集中统一领导作为明确的政治准则和根本的政治要求，自觉做到党中央提倡的坚决响应、党中央决定的坚决执行、党中央禁止的坚决不做，执行党中央决策部署不讲条件、不打折扣、不搞变通。
The next paragraph talks about the “two safeguards” as the “highest principle of its leadership and the highest political principle and fundamental political rule of the party.” It says that this is by no means a “personality worship.” That is a “vulgar” interpretation of the two safeguards, we are told. 我们党把“两个维护”确立为党的领导的最高原则，确定为党的最高政治原则和根本政治规矩，是非常郑重、非常严肃的，决不是有人庸俗化理解的“个人崇拜”.
The next bit, however, somewhat contradicts this argument above. To the best of my understanding, it says:
“The ‘two safeguards’ have clear connotations and requirements. They call for safeguarding General Secretary Xi Jinping position as the core of the CPC Central Committee and the whole party; the object of this is General Secretary Xi Jinping rather than anyone else; when it comes to safeguarding the authority of the CPC Central Committee and centralised and unified leadership, the object is the CPC Central Committee rather than any other organization. The logic of maintaining the authority of the Party Central Committee and aligning with the Party Central Committee cannot be pushed down layer by layer. The core is only the core of the Party Central Committee, and alignment can only be to the Party Central Committee.” “两个维护”有明确的内涵和要求，维护习近平总书记党中央的核心、全党的核心地位，对象是习近平总书记而不是其他任何人；维护党中央权威和集中统一领导，对象是党中央而不是其他任何组织。维护党中央权威、向党中央看齐，这个逻辑不能层层推下去。核心只有党中央的核心，看齐只能向党中央看齐.
The final bit talks about how the two safeguards must not simply be a slogan but reflect in action.