MOFCOM on Trade & Investment - Industrial Tech Development in Hubei - Zhong Sheng's Unsolicited Advice to US Allies - Qin's Outreach to Japan - Qin-Cavusoglu Call
Here are the stories and pieces that I found noteworthy from the Friday, February 3, 2023, edition of the People’s Daily.
Page 1: It’s quite a slow news day in the world of the People’s Daily today. On the front page, there is a report on the Ministry of Commerce presser on business operations in the country. More details are available from the presser on Page 4. I am consolidating the data points below:
In 2022, China’s actual use of FDI reached 1.2 trillion yuan, expanding 6.3% year on year.
FDI in the manufacturing industry was 323.7 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 46.1%.
Investment in the automobile manufacturing industry increased by 263.8%
More than 90% of foreign-funded enterprises in China are mainly oriented to the needs of the Chinese market
China's non-financial outbound direct investment rose 7.2 percent to 785.9 billion yuan.
Retail sales reached 44 trillion yuan ($6.56 trillion) in 2022
Annual sales volume of new cars was 26.864 million, a year-on-year increase of 2.1%
For NEVs, domestic sales increased by 93.4% year-on-year and export sales increased by 131.4% year-on-year
Export of photovoltaic products grew by 67.8% and lithium batteries exports grew 86.7%
Net export of goods and services contributed 17.1% to GDP growth. There were 598,000 foreign trade companies in China in 2022, an increase of 31,000 compared with 2021.
Trade with RCEP countries reached 12.95 trillion yuan in 2022, a year-on-year increase of 7.5%, accounting for 30.8% of China’s total foreign trade.
China's non-financial direct investment in other RCEP members was $17.96 billion, up 18.9%, and their direct investment in China was $23.53 billion, up 23.1%.
In 2022, China’s trade with BRI countries hit a record high of 13.8 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 19.4%, which is 11.7 percentage points higher than the overall growth rate.
Two-way investment with BRI countries also reached a new level, with Chinese non-financial direct investment being 141.05 billion, and incoming investment being 89.15 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 7.7% and 17.2%, respectively.
For 2022, the newly signed contracts for contracted projects in BRI countries amounted to 871.84 billion yuan, and the completed turnover was 571.31 billion yuan, accounting for 51.2% and 54.8% of the total contracted projects respectively.
By the end of 2022, Chinese companies have invested a total of 397.9 billion yuan in cooperation zones in BRI countries, creating 421,000 local jobs.
China signed 31 MoUs in the fields of green development, digital economy, and blue economy. 29 countries have established bilateral e-commerce cooperation mechanisms.
Also on the page is a report (English report) on Li Keqiang congratulating Chris Hipkins on his taking office as New Zealand's prime minister.
Apart from this, there are a couple of feature reports on the page.
One of these talks about Hubei’s technology transformation and upgrading. The piece begins by discussing Huagong Technology Co Ltd., which is described as “the epitome of the transformation and upgrading of Hubei's manufacturing industry.” The plan that Hubei has for upgradation is as follows:
“With the goal of building an advanced manufacturing base in China…Hubei is accelerating the construction of ‘51020’ modern industrial clusters.” These are:
building five trillion yuan-level pillar industries such as optical core screen network and automobile manufacturing
consolidating and upgrading 10 500-billion-level advantageous industries, such as high-end equipment and advanced materials
cultivating and expanding 20 100-billion-level characteristic industrial clusters, such as new energy and intelligent networked vehicles and Beidou and its applications.”
以建设全国重要的先进制造业基地为目标，以高端化引领、智能化赋能、绿色化转型为主攻方向，湖北正加快构建“51020”现代产业集群：打造光芯屏端网、汽车制造等5个万亿级支柱产业，巩固提升高端装备、先进材料等10个五千亿级优势产业，培育壮大新能源与智能网联汽车、北斗及其应用等20个千亿级特色产业集群.
Also mentioned in the report is Hubei HangYu Jiatai Aircraft Equipment Co., Ltd. This is a ‘little giant’ enterprise that is making passenger seats for the C919. The article quotes the company’s chairman Wang Tingjiang as saying that in recent years, governments at all levels have subsidised R&D funds to the tune of over 5.5 million yuan. The company, meanwhile, has spent more than 10% of its operating income on R&D for more than 10 years. 靠背后倾、腿部抬升，国产大飞机C919上的“摇篮式”旅客座椅，由专精特新“小巨人”企业湖北航宇嘉泰飞机设备有限公司设计生产。“飞机设备属于高端装备，研发投入大。近年来，各级政府补贴研发经费550多万元，还在融资、设备、供应链、人才引进等方面提供支持。”航宇嘉泰董事长王廷江说，公司连续10多年拿出营业收入的10%以上投入研发，突破航空座椅适坠性关键技术，与国际主流商用飞机制造商达成长期合作，近年来销售额大幅增长.
The piece then outlines the province’s R&D focus. In 2022, the province focused on key core technologies and products in key industries, and organised the implementation of 17 major science and technology projects and 854 key R&D projects; nine Hubei laboratories have accelerated their substantive operation, and developed a number of major achievements…” 2022年，全省围绕重点产业领域开展关键核心技术和产品攻关，组织实施科技重大专项17项、重点研发项目854项；9家湖北实验室加快实体化运行，研发出国内首台铁路轨道在线强化与修复车辆等一批重大成果.
Some other companies mentioned in the piece are:
Hubei Huitian New Materials Co., Ltd, particularly its new energy vehicle adhesive material production line
Dongfeng Lantu Automobile Technology Co., Ltd, for its 5G connected factory, which has reduced energy consumption and space costs by 30%.
Then we get more on Hubei’s industry’s technology transformation.
“In 2022, Hubei implemented 2,469 technical transformation projects worth more than 100 million yuan, with an investment of 333.2 billion yuan. At present, there are 108 5G fully connected factories under construction in the province, and 46,000 industrial enterprises have migrated to the cloud, with a coverage rate of over 45%; the numerical control rate of key processes of enterprises has reached 58.1%.” 2022年，湖北实施亿元以上技改项目2469个，完成投资3332亿元。目前，全省在建5G全连接工厂108家，4.6万家工业企业上云，覆盖率超过45%；企业关键工序数控化率达58.1%.
The piece also informs that so far, Hubei is home to 33 national demonstration green products and 53 green factories. Also, in 2022, Hubei added 12 new national-level manufacturing champions, and 303 new national-level specialised and new ‘little giant’ enterprises; the added value of the province's high-tech manufacturing industry increased by 21.7%, contributing 41.2% to industrial growth. 2022年，湖北新增国家级制造业单项冠军12家，新增国家级专精特新“小巨人”企业303家；全省高技术制造业增加值增长21.7%，对工业增长贡献率达到41.2%.
Page 2: There’s a report on the Central and State Organs Work Committee holding a warning education meeting in Beijing. This is essentially in the context of younger officials.
“The meeting stressed that Party organisations at all levels in the central and state organs and leading Party cadres should thoroughly study and implement the spirit of the important speech of General Secretary Xi Jinping, deeply understand the concern and affection of the CPC Central Committee with comrade Xi Jinping at the core for the vast number of young people, resolutely shoulder political responsibilities, adhere to the guidance of Party building, combine strict management with care, pay equal attention to incentives and constraints, and strengthen the supervision of education and management of young cadres in all areas and across the whole chain. Guide young cadres to take the lead in practising the Two Safeguards’, always strengthen their ideals and beliefs, establish a correct view of power, strictly abide by the bottom line of discipline and law, be strict with self-cultivation, be loyal and clean, and strive to become talents that can be extensively deployed and shoulder heavy responsibilities, and contribute to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. 会议强调，中央和国家机关各级党组织和党员领导干部要深入学习贯彻习近平总书记重要讲话精神，深刻感悟以习近平同志为核心的党中央对广大青年的关心厚爱，坚决扛起政治责任，坚持党建引领，严管厚爱结合，激励约束并重，全方位全链条加强年轻干部教育管理监督. 引导年轻干部带头践行“两个维护”，始终坚定理想信念，树立正确权力观，严守纪法底线，严以修身律己，做到忠诚干净担当，努力成为可堪大用、能担重任的栋梁之才，为实现中华民族伟大复兴贡献应有力量.
Also on the page is a report on the Organisation Department and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security issuing Provisions for the Assessment of Staff in Public Institutions. This says that the staff will go through an annual assessment, employment period assessment, and regular and special assessments based on the nature of the actual work. It adds that on average, only 20% of the staff in public institutions tends to get an excellent grade in their assessments.
The assessments should be based on their job duties and the tasks they undertake, and should comprehensively assess their morality, ability, diligence, performance and integrity, with emphasis on the assessment of their morality and performance.” 考核规定提出，对事业单位工作人员的考核，以岗位职责和所承担的工作任务为基本依据，全面考核德、能、勤、绩、廉，突出对德和绩的考核.
“It is necessary to combine the assessment results with the selection and appointment, training and education, management and supervision, incentive and restraint, accountability and responsibility, etc., as the basis for adjusting jobs, positions, staff grades, salaries of staff at public institutions and evaluating their professional titles and rewards, as well as to change, renew and/or terminate their employment (appointment) contracts.” 要将考核结果与选拔任用、培养教育、管理监督、激励约束、问责追责等结合起来，作为事业单位工作人员调整岗位、职务、职员等级、工资和评定职称、奖励，以及变更、续订、解除、终止聘用（任）合同的依据.
Page 3: Another Zhong Sheng commentary today on the China-US relationship. This is actually not so much about the US but rather about other countries. Messers Zhong Sheng are offering advice to third countries on their China policies:
“The current US administration has pieced together ‘small circles’ everywhere in an attempt to contain China and delay or even hinder its development. This practice, which goes against the trend of the times and creates group politics and camp confrontation, has aroused widespread concern within the international community. Even among American allies, more and more countries are realising that it is not feasible to follow the blind anti-China policy of the United States. It is in their own interest to keep a distance from the US policy toward China and strengthen strategic autonomy. It is the right way to adopt a rational and pragmatic policy toward China.” 本届美国政府到处拼凑“小圈子”，企图围堵中国，迟滞甚至阻碍中国发展。这种违逆时代潮流、制造集团政治和阵营对抗的做法，引起了国际社会广泛担忧。即使在美国盟友中，也有越来越多国家认识到，跟随美国盲目反华行不通，与美国对华政策保持距离、加强战略自主符合自身利益，采取理性务实的对华政策才是正路.
“The US insists on regarding China as an imaginary enemy and defines China as ‘the most important geopolitical threat’. American politicians play up the ‘China threat’ everywhere, create provocations in relations between the countries concerned and China, and use the traditional dependence of allies to win over and even intimidate other countries to take sides. The US has concocted the so-called ‘democracy vs authoritarianism’ narrative, trying to piece together the so-called ‘values-based alliance’ and strengthen and even expand military groupings. The US’ actions of provoking camp confrontation pose a serious challenge to the stability of the international order and pose a serious threat to peace and security in the Asia-Pacific region and the world.” 美国执意将中国当作假想敌，把中国定义为“最重大的地缘政治威胁”。美国政客到处渲染“中国威胁”，挑拨有关国家同中国关系，并利用盟友对其传统依赖，使用胡萝卜加大棒的手段，拉拢甚至胁迫他国选边站队。美国炮制所谓“民主对抗威权”叙事，试图拼凑所谓“价值观联盟”，强化甚至扩张军事集团。美方种种挑动阵营对抗的做法对国际秩序稳定构成了严重挑战，对亚太及全球和平安全造成严重威胁.
“The US talks about ‘allies’, ‘values’ and ‘international rules’, but it is always thinking about ‘American interests’, ‘American priorities’ and ‘American hegemony’. Snatching orders for submarines worth tens of billions of dollars from France; introducing the Inflation Reduction Act to ‘protect’ or even expand the American manufacturing industry by ‘hollowing out’ the European manufacturing industry; desperately forcing allies to ‘decouple and break the chain’ with China ... Facts have repeatedly shown that the US only regards allies as chess pieces, and the interests of allies must make way for American hegemonic self-interest…” 美国嘴上谈的是“盟友”“价值观”“国际规则”，心里盘算的却始终是“美国利益”“美国优先”“美国霸权”。抢走法国价值数百亿美元的潜艇订单；出台《通胀削减法案》，以“掏空”欧洲制造业的方式“保护”甚至壮大美国制造业；不计后果逼迫盟友搞对华“脱钩断链”……事实一再表明，美国只是把盟友当作棋子，盟友的利益必须为美国霸权私利让路.
“History has repeatedly proved that confrontation will only bring disastrous consequences. The US' attempt to copy the Cold War script to contain and suppress China is a serious misjudgment of the international situation and the trend of the times. The world is no longer what it used to be. At present, the interests of all countries are deeply intertwined, and ‘blowing out other’s lights will burn your beard’ is a true portrayal of reality. Engaging in protectionism and unilateralism will not protect anyone, and will only harm others and ourselves in the end. Hegemony and bullying are even more against the historical trend. A stable international order is a public good that all countries cannot live without. Artificially provoking confrontation and creating divisions will only undermine the common interests of the international community. China is deeply integrated into the world economy and the international system. It is a major trading partner of more than 140 countries and regions. Isolating China and limiting cooperation with China serves no one's interests and will not become a reality. The development of China is an opportunity for world peace and development. The fantasy of some people in the US to contain China does not have any purchase/a market in the international community. As former US Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and other people of insight have pointed out, nearly two-thirds of countries around the world have more trade with China than with the US. Countries have not sought to decouple from China economically; rather they have continued to deepen their trade with China.” 历史反复证明，对抗只会带来灾难性后果。美国企图复制冷战剧本遏制打压中国，是对国际格局和时代潮流的严重误判。世界早已不是过去的世界。当前，各国利益深度交融，“吹灭别人的灯，会烧掉自己的胡子”是现实的真实写照。搞保护主义、单边主义，谁也保护不了，最终只会损人害己。搞霸权霸凌，更是逆历史潮流而动。稳定的国际秩序是所有国家都离不开的公共产品，人为挑起对抗、制造割裂只会损害国际社会共同利益。中国已同世界经济和国际体系深度融合，是140多个国家和地区的主要贸易伙伴。孤立中国、限制对华合作不符合任何一方利益，也不可能成为现实。中国的发展是世界和平与发展的机遇，美国一些人所幻想的围堵中国在国际社会根本没有市场。正如美国前财长保尔森等有识之士所指出的，全球近2/3的国家与中国的贸易额超过了与美国的贸易额，各国并没有寻求在经济上和中国脱钩，而是继续深化与中国的贸易往来.
“Many US Allies recognise that the Cold War mentality is outdated and that it is not in their interests to follow the US in provoking a new Cold War. French President Emmanuel Macron has called on China and the US to avoid confrontation, stressing that competition between the two countries is a great risk and challenge. German Chancellor Scholz has said that China is an important economic and trade partner of Germany and Europe. Germany firmly supports trade liberalisation, economic globalisation and opposes ‘decoupling’. Germany is willing to deepen economic and trade cooperation with China and supports enterprises of the two countries to conduct investment cooperation in each other’s countries. The world needs a multi-polar pattern, and Germany opposes camp confrontation. President of the European Council Charles Michel pointed out that China does not pursue expansion and is an important partner in upholding the purposes of the UN Charter and supporting multilateralism. The EU is ready to be China’s reliable and predictable partner of cooperation. Many Asia-Pacific countries are wary of the US provoking bloc confrontation. Nguyen Phu Trong, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, stressed that Vietnam will not allow any country to establish military bases in the country, participate in any military alliance, use force against any country or unite with one country against another. Leaders of the Philippines, Thailand and other Asia-Pacific countries have also made it clear that they will not take sides between China and the US.” 许多美国盟友认识到，冷战思维早已过时，跟随美国挑起“新冷战”不符合自身利益。法国总统马克龙呼吁中美避免对抗，强调中美竞争是巨大的风险和挑战。德国总理朔尔茨表示，中国是德国和欧洲的重要经贸伙伴，德方坚定支持贸易自由化，支持经济全球化，反对“脱钩”，愿同中方继续深化经贸合作，支持两国企业相互赴对方开展投资合作；世界需要一个多极化的格局，德方反对搞阵营对抗。欧洲理事会主席米歇尔指出，中国不搞扩张，是维护联合国宪章宗旨和支持多边主义的重要伙伴，欧盟愿做中方可靠、可预期的合作伙伴。许多亚太国家对美方挑起集团对抗的做法保持警惕。越共中央总书记阮富仲强调，越方不容许任何国家在越南建立军事基地，不参加任何军事联盟，不使用武力对付任何国家，不联合一国反对另一国。菲律宾、泰国等亚太国家领导人也明确指出，不会在中美之间选边站队.
The article ends with advice for the US to “bid farewell to the old dream of the Cold War and realise that American hegemony is unpopular and group confrontation has no future…”
While we are talking about China-US ties, I guess the skies have darkened a little bit more with the balloon saga. Reuters reports:
“A suspected Chinese spy balloon has been flying over the United States for a couple of days, U.S. officials said on Thursday, in what would be a brazen act just days ahead of a planned trip to Beijing by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Fighter jets were mobilised but military leaders advised President Joe Biden against shooting the balloon out of the sky for fear debris could pose a safety threat, advice Biden accepted, U.S. officials said. The United States took "custody" of the balloon when it entered U.S. airspace and had observed it with piloted U.S. military aircraft, one of the officials told reporters on condition of anonymity.”
The report is having immediate repercussions with American lawmakers up in arms. Politico reports:
“House Speaker Kevin McCarthy on Thursday night called for a briefing of the ‘Gang of Eight’ — the group of lawmakers charged with reviewing the nation’s most sensitive intelligence information — following reports of a Chinese spy balloon flying over Montana. ‘China’s brazen disregard for U.S. sovereignty is a destabilizing action that must be addressed, and President Biden cannot be silent,’ McCarthy tweeted. ‘I am requesting a Gang of Eight briefing’.”
Also, while on camp confrontation, here’s something from MoFA’s press briefing yesterday, which was covered in PD today.
“CGTN: NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has concluded his visit to the ROK and Japan. During his visit, he mentioned China on several occasions, claiming that China is leading an “authoritarian pushback” against the rules-based, open and democratic international order; that China is developing military capabilities that could also reach NATO countries and is threatening Taiwan; that NATO must “remain united and firm” in the face of security threats posed by China; and that “what is happening in Europe today could happen in East Asia tomorrow”. What is China’s comment on Secretary General Stoltenberg’s visit to the ROK and Japan and his remarks?
Mao Ning: We have stated our position on NATO several times this week. The NATO Secretary General went to the ROK and Japan, yet he kept referring to China and hyping up the so-called “China threat”, drawing ideological lines and sowing discord between countries in the region. The intention behind those moves is quite alarming. China is committed to world peace and stability. We do not engage in geopolitical contests and have no intention to challenge or threaten any country. The peace, cooperation, stability and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific has been made possible thanks to the concerted efforts of countries in the region. The Asia-Pacific does not welcome Cold-War thinking and bloc confrontation. NATO needs to reflect on itself what kind of role it has played in European security. We have seen what NATO has done to Europe, and NATO must not seek to sow chaos here in the Asia-Pacific or elsewhere in the world.”
Moving on, there’s a report on Qin Gang’s chat with his Japanese counterpart Yoshimasa Hayashi. Xinhua reports:
“Qin also expressed his hope that Japan will act cautiously in the area of military security, and stop provocations by right-wing forces on the Diaoyu Islands issue. China and Japan are close neighbors separated by a strip of water, and peaceful coexistence and friendly cooperation are the only correct choices for both sides, the Chinese foreign minister said. The two sides should learn from history, stay true to their original aspiration, thwart disturbances, steer their relationship in the right direction, and work together to build China-Japan relations that meet the demands of the new era, Qin said. Noting that this year marks the 45th anniversary of the signing of the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship, Qin said that China is willing to take this opportunity with Japan to review the spirit of the treaty, fulfill the obligations under the treaty, and adhere to the important political consensus of being cooperative partners and not posing a threat to each other. China stands ready to work with Japan to deepen cooperation in various fields and promote the improvement and development of China-Japan relations on the right track, he added. Qin said he hopes that Japan will continue to uphold market principles and the spirit of freedom and openness in conducting economic, trade and scientific cooperation with China, and earnestly handle the disposing of nuclear-contaminated water in an open, transparent, scientific and safe manner. Qin said the two sides should adhere to strategic independence and work together for the sound development of Asia.”
As per Xinhua, Hayashi said: “Japan is ready to work with China to take the 45th anniversary of the signing of the Japan-China Treaty of Peace and Friendship as an opportunity to review the spirit of the treaty, implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, promote dialogue and communication at all levels and people-to-people exchanges, advance practical cooperation and build constructive and stable Japan-China relations.”
The Japanese readout of the call says:
“Minister Hayashi stated that Japan-China relations face many challenges and concerns, and that public opinion in Japan toward China is extremely severe. Minister Hayashi again expressed serious concerns regarding the East China Sea including the situation surrounding the Senkaku Islands, China’s increasingly active military activities near Japan including its coordination with Russia, and the situations in the South China Sea, Hong Kong, the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, and others. Minister Hayashi also expressed the importance of the peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. In addition, Minister Hayashi again made requests based on Japan’s positions regarding cases including the detention of Japanese nationals in China. Furthermore, Minister Hayashi strongly called for the prompt lifting of import restrictions on Japanese food products.”
“Minister Hayashi stated that it is important to ensure a transparent, predictable, and fair business environment and secure legitimate economic activities of Japanese companies, and once again strongly requested that China take appropriate measures. The two ministers exchanged views on the situation in Ukraine, and confirmed continued close cooperation on the response to North Korea, including the immediate resolution of the abductions issue. The ministers also confirmed to strengthen communication in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), as Japan is a non-permanent member of the UNSC from this year. Furthermore, while expressing the importance of China making positive contributions to the international community under established international rules, the ministers confirmed that Japan and China will take action as responsible major powers regarding international issues such as climate change and development finance. The two ministers concurred on continuing close communication at all levels, including at the summit level.”
Also in PD is a report on Qin’s chat with Csaba Korosi, president of the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly. Xinhua reports:
“He said the United Nations should uphold peace and security, and safeguard fairness and justice, while upholding universal benefit and inclusiveness, staying true to multilateralism, abandoning ideological confrontation, and promoting mutual learning among civilizations. ‘The United Nations General Assembly is the most universal and representative charter body of the United Nations,’ he said. ‘China will continue to fully support the work of the General Assembly and its President.’ China's development is a growing force for peace and justice, Qin noted, adding that China will uphold true multilateralism, promote the overall progress of mankind with Chinese-style modernization, and bring new opportunities to the world with China's new development.”
Korosi also met with Wang Yi. Xinhua reports:
“Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, said that the world today is full of uncertainties and instability. He called on all countries to hold high the banner of the UN and work together to decrease the number of geopolitical conflicts around the world, reduce hegemony and bullying, and bring more dialogue, consultation and international cooperation. ‘China is willing to strengthen cooperation with the UN further to implement the Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative, and jointly address such global challenges as water resources and climate change,’ he said.”
What’s not in PD is Qin’s call with his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu. Xinhua says that Qin “urged Türkiye to take China's concerns on Xinjiang-related issues seriously to ensure the healthy and stable development of bilateral relations.” For context, here is RFA’s coverage of Cavusoglu’s comments in late December.
“‘Turkish-Chinese ties have suffered over Beijing being disturbed by our attitude on the Turkic Uyghurs issue,’ Cavusoglu told reporters at a year-end press briefing in Ankara on Dec. 29, according to Turkish media reports. ‘They have extradition requests for people who are our citizens, who live in Turkey all the time. Therefore, we don’t grant any such requests,’ he said. Turkey has been one of the most hospitable countries to Uyghurs, with whom Turks share ethnic, religious and linguistic connections. Roughly 50,000 Uyghurs live in Turkey, forming the largest Uyghur diaspora outside Central Asia…In recent years, the Turkish government has been accused of deporting Uyghur dissidents to China via third countries adjacent to Xinjiang, making it easier for Beijing to secure their extradition and possibly put them in “re-education” camps or prisons. Cavusoglu said reports in past years that Turkey has been sending Uyghurs back to China were ‘total lies.’ ‘We defend Turkic Uyghurs’ rights in the international arena, and this disturbs China,’ he said. ‘But this is a humanitarian issue’.”
As the RFA story notes, there is a lot of criticism of the Turkish government’s policies regarding Uyghurs within the country, with people wanting a tougher stance to defend the community.
Anyway, Xinhua’s report on the Qin-Cavusoglu call says:
“A sound China-Türkiye relationship not only serves the people of the two countries, but is conducive to promoting the unity and cooperation of developing countries, he said. China is willing to work with Türkiye to implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state, give full play to the role of bilateral cooperation mechanisms to advance practical cooperation between the two countries, and promote the continuous development of China-Türkiye relations, Qin said. While expressing appreciation in Türkiye's repeated statement of its firm adherence to the one-China policy, Qin said China supports Türkiye in pursuing a development path that suits its own national conditions and safeguarding national sovereignty and security, and opposes external forces' interference in Türkiye's internal affairs. The Chinese foreign minister said that the two sides should enhance communication on regional affairs, strengthen coordination on multilateral occasions such as the United Nations, and safeguard the common interests of developing countries.”
Page 15: On the International page today, there’s an article by Yang Zirong, from the Institute of World Economics and Politics under CASS, on the US debt ceiling issue. Also, there’s a piece on the steps taken by other countries to make cyberspace safer for minors. The UAE, Spain and Germany’s policies are discussed in the article.