MU5735 Crash - History Learning and Education Guidelines - State Council on VAT Refunds & Economic Policy - Wang Yi in Pakistan
Here are the stories and pieces that I found noteworthy from the Tuesday, March 22, 2022, edition of the People’s Daily.
Page 1: The crash of China Eastern Airlines flight MU5735 yesterday is among the lead stories on the front page today. plane crashed near Wuzhou City in Guangxi. This was just such a terrible tragedy.
The point of the PD story is that Xi Jinping has ordered all-out search and rescue efforts. The story says that Xi was shocked to learn about the incident, and ordered the immediate launch of an emergency response, all-out search and rescue efforts and the proper settlement of the aftermath.
Xinhua reports: “Xi ordered swift action to be taken to identify the cause of the crash and to strengthen the safety overhaul of the civil aviation sector to ensure the absolute safety of the sector and people’s lives. Premier Li Keqiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, urged efforts to console the families of the victims and provide them with assistance, release accurate information in a timely manner, conduct a serious probe into the incident, and take strong measures to strengthen the safety of civil aviation.”
Work teams have been dispatched to the scene by relevant departments. Rescue forces from Guangxi and Guangdong have been mobilised.
On the second page, there’s a brief report that tells us that Vice Premier Liu He and State Councilor Wang Yong are leading the team to the plane crash site. Also, there’s a report about the Civil Aviation Administration’s team arriving at the site and salvage and rescue operations being carried out.
Second, on the top of the page, we have a full document, Opinions on Promoting the Normalisation and Long-term Effectiveness of Party History Learning and Education. The first chunk talks about the history campaign’s success so far.
The document says that carrying out Party history learning and education “throughout the Party has been a major strategic decision made by the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core based on a new starting point in the century-long history of the Party and with a view to opening up a new situation in the development of the Party’s cause. In this study and education, the Party has conscientiously implemented the requirements of learning history clearly, with confidence, with respect to morality and with practice, and achieved important political, theoretical, practical and institutional achievements. The majority of Party members and cadres received a comprehensive and profound political education, ideological tempering and spiritual baptism, greatly enhanced the historical consciousness and self-confidence, greatly improved the creativity, cohesion and combat effectiveness of the Party, and achieved the goal of learning the history of the Party, the purpose of learning Party history, understanding ideas, doing practical things, and opening new situations has been achieved.”
Given the above, the guidelines now aim to “further promote the Party's in-depth study and implementation of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and the spirit of the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Committee, consolidate and expand the achievements of Party history study and education” with the goal of enhancing “unity, confidence and fighting spirit.”
在全党开展党史学习教育，是以习近平同志为核心的党中央立足百年党史新起点、着眼开创事业发展新局面作出的一项重大战略决策。这次学习教育认真贯彻学史明理、学史增信、学史崇德、学史力行的要求，取得重要政治成果、理论成果、实践成果、制度成果，广大党员、干部受到一次全面深刻的政治教育、思想淬炼、精神洗礼，全党历史自觉、历史自信大大增强，党的创造力、凝聚力、战斗力大大提升，达到了学党史、悟思想、办实事、开新局的目的。为进一步推动全党深入学习贯彻习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想和党的十九届六中全会精神，巩固拓展党史学习教育成果，更好用党的百年奋斗重大成就和历史经验增长智慧、增进团结、增加信心、增强斗志，更加坚定自觉地牢记初心使命、开创发展新局，在新的赶考之路上考出好成绩，现就推动党史学习教育常态化长效化，提出如下意见。
The rest of the document comprises six points:
Focus on strengthening historical confidence. This emphasises studying and implementing the spirit of the recently concluded 6th Plenum.
“Learn from the third historical resolution of the Party, learn to understand the glorious course of the Party’s century-long struggle, learn to understand the persistent struggle of the Party to adhere to its original mission, learn to understand the historical significance and experience of the Party’s century-long struggle, learn to understand the important requirements of learning from history and creating the future. In particular, deeply understand the historic achievements and changes that have taken place in the cause of the Party and the country since the 18th Party Congress, and deeply understand the original ideas, transformative practices, breakthroughs and landmark achievements of the new era. Adhere to the Party’s historical experience as an important ideological weapon for correctly judging the situation, scientifically analysing the future and grasping the historical initiative, as an important guideline for thinking about problems, making decisions and doing things, as an important basis for judging major political right and wrong, and as an important guide for strengthening Party spirit cultivation. Strengthen the historical cognition, promote the establishment of the correct view of Party history more deeply and widely, let the official history become the consensus of the whole Party and society, and educate the majority of party members, cadres and all the people, especially the majority of young people to see clearly why we succeeded in the past and how we can continue to succeed in the future…” 原原本本学习党的第三个历史决议，学懂弄通党百年奋斗的光辉历程，学懂弄通党坚守初心使命的执着奋斗，学懂弄通党百年奋斗的历史意义和历史经验，学懂弄通以史为鉴、开创未来的重要要求，特别是深入领会党的十八大以来党和国家事业取得的历史性成就、发生的历史性变革，深入领会新时代原创性思想、变革性实践、突破性进展、标志性成果，不断深化对历史进程的认识、历史规律的把握、历史智慧的运用。坚持把党的历史经验作为正确判断形势、科学预见未来、把握历史主动的重要思想武器，作为想问题、作决策、办事情的重要遵循，作为判断重大政治是非的重要依据，作为加强党性修养的重要指引. 强化历史认知，推动正确党史观更深入、更广泛地树立起来，让正史成为全党全社会的共识，教育广大党员、干部和全体人民特别是广大青年从党的百年奋斗中看清楚过去我们为什么能够成功、弄明白未来我们怎样才能继续成功...”
Second, focus on theoretical consciousness; continue to arm our minds with Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.
“The reason why Marxism works lies in the fact that the Party constantly promotes the modernization of Marxism in China and uses it to guide practice. Insist on studying Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as the top priority, guide the majority of Party members and cadres to have a deeper understanding of this important thought; insist on combining the basic principles of Marxism with China’s concrete reality and excellent Chinese traditional culture; it is contemporary Chinese Marxism and 21st century Marxism; it is the essence of the times of Chinese culture and Chinese spirit, and has achieved a new leap in the sinicization of Marxism; a profound understanding of this important ideological science answers the questions facing China, the world, the people and the times; deeply understand the guiding role of thought in realising the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, the guiding role of taking the path of Chinese-style modernization, and the guiding role of building a long-term ruling Marxist party.” 马克思主义之所以行，就在于党不断推进马克思主义中国化时代化并用以指导实践。坚持把学习习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想作为重中之重，引导广大党员、干部更加深刻认识这一重要思想坚持把马克思主义基本原理同中国具体实际相结合、同中华优秀传统文化相结合，是当代中国马克思主义、二十一世纪马克思主义，是中华文化和中国精神的时代精华，实现了马克思主义中国化新的飞跃；深刻认识这一重要思想科学回答了中国之问、世界之问、人民之问、时代之问；深刻感悟这一重要思想对实现中华民族伟大复兴的统领作用，对走好中国式现代化道路的引领作用，对建设长期执政的马克思主义政党的指引作用.
Also this: Encourage leading cadres to take the lead in learning, the majority of Party members to follow up and the whole society to learn extensively; constantly improve Marxist theoretical literacy across the whole Party, improve the ideological consciousness of the broad masses of cadres and people, better arm the whole Party with the Party innovative theory, unite the people, and implement the tasks linked to the decisions and deployment of the Party Central Committee.” 推动领导干部带头学、广大党员跟进学、全社会广泛学，不断提高全党马克思主义理论素养，提高广大干部群众思想觉悟，更好用党的创新理论把全党武装起来、把人民凝聚起来，把党中央决策部署的各项任务落实下去.
Third, focus on improving the political ability, persistently understand the decisive significance of the ‘Two Establishments’ and firmly realise the high consciousness of ‘Two Safeguards’.
It calls for having a “profound understanding” of the notion that “the historic achievements and changes in the cause of the Party and the country since the 18th Party Congress lies in having General Secretary Xi Jinping as the core of the CPC Central Committee and the core of the whole Party at the helm, and in the scientific guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.” 深刻认识党的十八大以来党和国家事业取得历史性成就、发生历史性变革，根本在于有习近平总书记作为党中央的核心、全党的核心掌舵领航，在于有习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想科学指引.
It further talks about improving the “quality of political life within the Party.” In this context, it talks about “democratic life meetings,” thematic days, revisiting the pledge of joining the Party, etc, in order “to strengthen the party's consciousness, the awareness of Party membership.” It also talks about the need to “deeply understand that adhering to the overall leadership of the Party, especially the centralised and unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee, is our fundamental political advantage, further understand the decisive significance of ‘Two Establishments’ and always maintain a high degree of consistency with the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core in terms of political position, direction, principle, and path.” 推动各级党组织不断提高党内政治生活质量，通过民主生活会、组织生活会、“三会一课”、主题党日、重温入党誓词、过“政治生日”等，引导广大党员、干部强化党的意识、党员意识，深刻认识坚持党的全面领导特别是党中央集中统一领导是我们的根本政治优势，进一步领悟“两个确立”的决定性意义，始终在政治立场、政治方向、政治原则、政治道路上同以习近平同志为核心的党中央保持高度一致.
“Strengthen the education of loyalty to the Party, and embody loyalty to the Party and achieve ‘two safeguards’ in the actions of resolutely implementing the decision-making arrangements of the Party Central Committee, in the actual effect of performing their duties and doing their jobs well, and in the daily words and deeds of Party members and cadres, consciously benchmark against the Party’s theory, line, principles and policies, and calibrate deviations in a timely manner. The strategic decisions made by the Party Central Committee must be resolutely implemented…” 强化对党忠诚教育，把对党忠诚、做到“两个维护”体现在坚决贯彻党中央决策部署的行动上，体现在履职尽责、做好本职工作的实效上，体现在党员、干部的日常言行上，自觉同党的理论和路线方针政策对标对表、及时校准偏差，党中央作出的战略决策必须坚决执行，确保不偏向、不变通、不走样.
Fourth, focus on strengthening the sense of purpose, and make unremitting efforts to do practical things and good things for the masses.
Fifth, focus on inspiring high morale and persistently carry forward the great spirit of party building. This talks about core socialist values, making good use of red resources, ensuring that they inherit the red genes, and strengthening the spirit of struggle.
Sixth, focus on the original mission and unremittingly promote self-revolution. “Fully implement the general requirements of Party building in the new era, take the Party’s political construction as the guide, comprehensively promote the Party’s political construction, ideological construction, organisational construction, work style construction, and discipline construction, and integrate system construction into it; enhance the Party’s self-purification, self-perfection, self-innovation and self-improvement capabilities. Make good use of the valuable experience of the Party in promoting self-revolution, earnestly practise the practical requirements of keeping the true colour of a Marxist political party, and be particularly clear-headed and stand firm on the fundamental issue of who is in power, who is using power and who is benefiting. Regularly carry out political physical examinations, consciously clean up ideological and political dust, actively carry out criticism and self-criticism, and continuously enhance political immunity. Leading bodies and leading cadres at all levels should always deeply examine and analyse for gaps and shortcomings in politics, ideology, organisation, style, ability, honesty, etc., and conscientiously do a good job in rectification and implementation, according to the Party Constitution and Party rules, the decision-making arrangements of the Party Central Committee, the new expectations of the people and the advanced models and examples around them.” 全面贯彻新时代党的建设总要求，以党的政治建设为统领，全面推进党的政治建设、思想建设、组织建设、作风建设、纪律建设，把制度建设贯穿其中，深入推进反腐败斗争，不断增强党自我净化、自我完善、自我革新、自我提高能力。用好党推进自我革命的宝贵经验，认真践行永葆马克思主义政党本色的实践要求，在为谁执政、为谁用权、为谁谋利这个根本问题上头脑要特别清醒、立场要特别坚定。经常性开展政治体检，自觉打扫思想政治灰尘，积极开展批评和自我批评，不断增强政治免疫力。各级领导班子和领导干部要经常对照党章党规，对照党中央决策部署，对照人民群众新期待，对照先进典型、身边榜样，查找自身在政治、思想、组织、作风、能力、廉洁等方面存在的差距和不足，深刻检视剖析，认真抓好整改落实.
Third, a report on the weekly State Council meeting. Xinhua English reports that “China will implement value-added tax (VAT) credit refund on a large scale to provide strong underpinnings for keeping the operations of market entities stable and maintaining job security, as part of effort to sustain stable macroeconomic performance.”
The VAT credit refund this year is worth around 1.5 trillion yuan ($235.56 billion). Key points:
The meeting decided to refund VAT credits to micro and small enterprises and self-employed households as general VAT payers across all sectors, which is worth around 1 trillion yuan.
Outstanding VAT credits will be refunded in one lump sum by the end of June. Refunds to micro enterprises will be completed in April, and those to small enterprises in May and June.
Newly added credits will be fully refunded on a monthly basis starting from April 1. In addition, tax refund requirement that ‘newly added credits should be above zero for six consecutive months and newly added credits for the last month should be no less than 500,000 yuan’ will be called off on a time-limited basis.
Outstanding VAT credits of enterprises in manufacturing, research and technical services, electricity, heating, gas and water production and supply, software and information technology services, ecological protection and environmental governance, and transportation, storage, and postal services will be fully refunded, the meeting noted. The refunding process will start on July 1 and be completed by the end of the year. Newly added credits will also be fully refunded on a monthly basis starting from April 1.
On top of paying 50 percent of the tax refunds under the current tax system, the central government will earmark 1.2 trillion yuan of transfer payments to set up three special funds, to support localities in implementing the VAT credit refunds and tax and fee cuts, and ensuring employment and basic living needs. The central government will subsidize over 82 percent of the refunds of newly added VAT credits borne by local governments on average, and weigh its fiscal support toward the central and western regions.
“This is also a clear message to the market that we remain committed to encouraging, supporting and guiding the development of the non-public sector while unswervingly consolidating and developing the public sector. We treat State-owned, private and foreign-invested enterprises as equals in terms of tax refunds,” Li said.
Li also said that “We should properly handle problems in capital market operation and foster a stable, transparent and predictable development environment for all market players in line with market-oriented, law-based and internationalised principles.”
On the broad economic picture, the report informs that:
increase the support of prudent monetary policy to the real economy, adhere to not engaging in flooding the market with liquidity and at the same time, use various monetary policy tools in a timely manner to maintain reasonable and abundant liquidity and moderate growth of credit and social financing.
maintain policy stability; policies to stabilise economic operation and stimulate market vitality should be implemented as much as possible. At the same time, carry out a policy orientation consistency assessment in order to rectify and correct the introduction of policies that are not conducive to market expectations.
according to the principle of marketization, rule of law and internationalisation, properly handle the problems in the operation of the capital market and create a stable, transparent and predictable development environment for all kinds of market players.
strengthen departmental coordination, closely follow the economic and financial situation at home and abroad, prepare for new challenges, and take targeted measures to stabilise market expectations and boost market confidence.
make sustained efforts to stabilise foreign trade and investment. The RMB exchange rate will be kept generally stable at an adaptive, balanced level.
会议听取了国务院金融委汇报，指出要高度重视国际形势变化对我国资本市场的影响。坚持发展是第一要务，着力办好自己的事，坚持稳字当头、稳中求进，深化改革开放，保持经济运行在合理区间，科学有效施策，维护资本市场稳定、保持平稳健康发展。一是加大稳健货币政策对实体经济的支持力度，坚持不搞“大水漫灌”，同时及时运用多种货币政策工具，保持流动性合理充裕，保持信贷和社会融资适度增长。二是保持政策稳定性，近年来稳定经济运行、激发市场活力的政策要尽可能延续实施，同时开展政策取向一致性评估，防止和纠正出台不利于市场预期的政策。三是按照市场化法治化国际化原则，稳妥处理好资本市场运行中的问题，为各类市场主体营造稳定、透明、可预期的发展环境。四是加强部门协同，密切跟踪国内外经济金融形势，未雨绸缪应对新挑战，采取有针对性措施稳定市场预期、提振市场信心。五是继续做好稳外贸稳外资工作，保持人民币汇率在合理均衡水平上的基本稳定，保持国际收支基本平衡.
Page 2: A report based on the NDRC’s new document talking about major tasks in promoting new urbanization and integrated urban-rural development in 2022. Some data points to note: China’s urbanization rate of permanent residence hit 64.72 percent in 2021, said the NDRC. The country aims to raise its urbanization rate to 65 percent during the 2021-2025 period, according to the 14th Five-Year Plan. Xinhua English’s report on the plan says:
“In deepening reform of the household registration system, cities with a permanent resident population under 3 million should remove all limits on household registration…The renovation of old urban communities will be accelerated, as the country aims to improve the basic living conditions of 8.4 million households in 2022, according to the plan. The supply of government-subsidized housing will be increased, with a focus on addressing the concerns of new arrivals and young people in big cities.”
Page 3: An article by Li Ming, China’s ambassador to Solomon Islands, talking about the bilateral relationship. Li adds that China has provided Solomon Islands with 100,000 doses of vaccines, 300,000 rapid test kits, more than 300,000 pieces of personal protective equipment and a large amount of professional medical equipment.
Next, there’s a very short story about Chen Zhu, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the NPC, attending a meeting of the Inter-Parliamentary Union. Chen talked about climate change and adhering to sustainable development, and jointly promoting the building of a community of life between man and nature.
Finally, a report about sessions on different issues led by Chinese institutions at the sidelines of the UNHRC. These include a session on Xinjiang; putting people at the centre and protecting the economic, social and cultural rights of ethnic minorities; and protecting children in the digital age.
Although this is not in PD today, Wang Yi is visiting Pakistan at present. Upon arrival, Wang spoke at a joint press conference with Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi. He made the following four points:
First, giving firm support to each other. No matter what changes take place in the international situation and their respective countries, China will stick to its friendly policy toward Pakistan, firmly support the Pakistani people in taking a development path that fits their own national conditions, and support Pakistan in defending its sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. It is hoped that various political parties in Pakistan will strengthen their cooperation and unity to ensure development and stability in the country. (The last line is interesting if you thought China did not comment about the internal affairs of other countries.)
Second, accelerating common development and revitalization. China and Pakistan should enhance the integration of their development strategies, build the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor with high quality, and stay committed to advancing key cooperation projects and expand cooperation in green development, digitalization, poverty reduction, health and other fields. China will support Pakistan in developing industries, strengthening commerce and revitalizing agriculture so as to achieve a more balanced, independent and sustainable development.
Third, deepening counter-terrorism cooperation. China supports Pakistan in severely punishing the perpetrators of the Dasu terrorist attack, appreciates its efforts to strengthen the security of Chinese personnel and projects in Pakistan, and will, as always, help Pakistan improve its law enforcement and security capacity. (Do note, the very limited nature of counter-terrorism focus in this bit.)
Fourth, maintaining closer multilateral coordination. The two countries should strengthen coordination on international and regional issues such as Afghanistan and Ukraine, jointly practice true multilateralism, earnestly safeguard the basic norms governing international relations, oppose power politics, bullying and unilateral sanctions, and work to help the international order advance in a more just and reasonable direction.
Another Xinhua report talks about Wang Yi speaking about China’s participation in the 48th session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). This is the first time that China is on the table at the OIC. Xinhua reports:
Wang “noted that his presence at the OIC event reflected the strong desire of China and the Islamic world to further deepen their cooperation, saying the theme of the OIC foreign ministers' meeting -- ‘Building Partnerships for Unity, Justice and Development’ -- bears special significance under the current international circumstances. China and the Islamic world both enjoy a profound history, seek similar values and share historic missions, Wang said, adding that China is ready to build partnerships with the Islamic countries for mutual support and mutual understanding. The cooperation between China and the Islamic world is a key part of South-South cooperation, Wang said. In the face of the centennial changes and the once-in-a-century pandemic, Wang said it’s necessary for China and the Islamic world to forge a closer unity and a common position, speak with one voice, and safeguard their common interests. Wang pointed out that the current world is far from tranquillity, and the international system and the basic norms governing international relations have encountered grave challenges. China is willing to work with the Islamic world to pursue multilateralism, safeguard sovereignty, independence and national dignity of all states, uphold the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and maintain fairness and justice in international relations, Wang said. Underlining the huge potential and complementary advantages in the cooperation between China and the Islamic countries, Wang said China is ready to join hands with friends of the Islamic world to make due contributions to the world's economic recovery and growth.”
“Shah Mahmood Qureshi said the two sides agreed to have a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of OIC Session of Council of Foreign Ministers. He said we concluded a comprehensive review of our bilateral relations, the regional challenges and the evolving situation in Ukraine. The Pakistan Foreign Minister said we discussed the extension of CPEC to Afghanistan and Chinese Foreign Minister is of the view that we can revisit because of the changed environment within Afghanistan, which would support regional integrity and prosperity. On counterterrorism, Shah Mahmood Qureshi said both sides have agreed to have a coordinated approach in dealing with organizations like ETIM, TTP, who have been destructive and a menace for peace and security. The Pakistan Foreign Minister thanked China for its unflinching support in the Financial Action Task Force. He said Pakistan is appreciative of China's consistent support to see Islamabad out of the grey list. The Foreign Minister also thanked China for announcing to deposit two billion dollars with the State Bank of Pakistan. Talking about the evolving situation in Afghanistan, Shah Mahmood Qureshi said there is once again an opportunity for initiating the trilateral process between China-Pakistan and Afghanistan. He said he would soon be visiting China on the invitation of his Chinese Counterpart to participate in the meeting of immediate neighbours of Afghanistan.
Qureshi “added that the leaders’ consensus and vision for all-around upgrading of the All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership, especially in terms of high-quality development of CPEC Phase-II, was rapidly becoming a reality with concerted efforts and follow-up by both sides. The two sides discussed the situation in Ukraine and reiterated the need for a solution through sustained dialogue and diplomacy. FM Qureshi briefed Wang Yi on India’s egregious human rights violations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and its irresponsible behaviour that is an impediment to regional peace and security. He also apprised about the so-called “accidental” firing of a missile from India into Pakistan’s territory and underlined Pakistan’s call for a joint probe, and stressed the need to ensure that it does not occur again.”
Page 4: First, a report about manpower changes at the State Council.
Zhang Ke was removed from the post of general auditor of the National Audit Office and was appointed deputy auditor general of the office.
Wang Xiaozhen was appointed vice president of the China Media Group, while Huang Yan was named deputy head of the National Rural Revitalization Administration.
Fu Ziying was appointed national security affairs adviser of the Committee for Safeguarding National Security of the Macao Special Administrative Region, while Zheng Xincong and Yin Shuhua as the national security technical advisers of the committee.
Tang Dengjie was removed from the post of deputy head of the National Development and Reform Commission, and Shang Yong will no longer serve as vice minister of emergency management.
Page 9: On the theory page piece by Zhao Fan from the Central Institute of Socialism talking about leveraging the function of the United Front to consolidate a common ideological and political foundation.
In another piece on the page, Xiao Guiqing from the Institute of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era at Tsinghua University, talking about how “each country’s development path is unique” and the importance of adhering to the right path and right direction” particularly amid the “complex and severe international situation and the arduous tasks of domestic reform, development and stability.”