New Era & 2022 Recap - Xi's People's Leader & Helmsman - China Hitting 'Fast Forward Button on Economic Recovery' - 仲音 Commentary on COVID: Focus on Medical Services & Drugs
Hi folks,
I trust this finds you all well, and I hope you all have had a wonderful start to 2023! As always, thank you for subscribing and supporting the work I’ve been doing with this newsletter. I look forward to constructive engagements with you through the year.
Cheers, Manoj
Here are the stories and pieces that I found noteworthy from the Monday, January 2, 2023, edition of the People’s Daily.
Page 1: We have a brief holiday edition of the paper today. Let’s go through the news reports before looking at the longer feature articles. First, there’s a report on Xi’s letter to the Economic Daily on its 40th anniversary. Propaganda chief Li Shulei read out the letter during the anniversary event.
As per Xinhua, Xi said that the “newspaper has played an important role in disseminating the Party's new theories, interpreting economic policies, and reporting economic achievements over the past 40 years…Xi expressed the hope that the Economic Daily will study and implement the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress, maintain the correct political orientation, and accelerate the establishment of the systems for communications across all forms of media to make a greater contribution to promoting the high-quality development of China's economy and better telling its economic development stories in the new era.”
Li Shulei said that “it is necessary to conscientiously study and implement the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important instructions, and always keep in mind the duties and missions, do a good job in the propaganda with regard to Xi Jinping Thought on socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era, do a good job in the propaganda around the spirit of the 20th Party Congress, focus on its unique strength in economic reporting, improve the quality of its news reports and shore up confidence in development…” 他说，要认真学习贯彻习近平总书记重要指示精神，始终牢记职责使命，把习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想宣传做深做实，做好党的二十大精神宣传，突出经济特色，提高报道质量，提振发展信心，推动媒体融合深入发展，建立以内容建设为根本、先进技术为支撑、创新管理为保障的全媒体传播体系，努力培养新时代高素质人才队伍，开拓进取，守正创新，把经济日报办得越来越好.
Next, there’s a report on Xi exchanging congratulations with Antigua and Barbuda’s Governor-General Rodney Williams on the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Xinhua reports “Xi said he stands ready to work with Williams to take the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties as a new starting point to deepen cooperation in various fields, promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and open up an even better future for China-Antigua and Barbuda relations.”
Third, there’s a report on Li Keqiang congratulating Benjamin Netanyahu on reassuming Israel's premiership. Fourth, there’s a report on cadres and masses celebrating the new year. The report has three parts. The first part emphasises patriotic New Year celebrations, telling us that flag raising ceremonies were held in different parts of the country on January 1. The second and third parts talk about cultural activities being held and public workers who were on the job on January 1. In each of these, snippets fromXi Jinping’s new year message are carefully inserted, to make the point that it has resonated with the cadres and the masses.
For instance, Mao Fei, Secretary of the Party Committee of Mazhuang Village, draws inspiration from Xi’s message to say that “in the new year, we will vigorously develop characteristic industries and drive the villagers to increase their income and get rich.” 习近平主席的新年贺词振奋人心，新的一年，我们要大力发展特色产业，带动村民增收致富.”
Construction worker Qin Zhengui recalls that Xi had said that “struggle creates miracles” and he hopes to work hard for his family and to create a better life. 架子工覃振贵常年穿梭于钢筋森林中，他对新年充满了期待：“希望家人健康平安，自己工作顺利。习近平主席说，‘奋斗创造奇迹’。我会继续努力，为城市建设出一份力，创造更美好的生活.”
Next, there’s a commentary drawing from Xi’s New Year speech (English version). The piece starts off with this bit from Xi’s speech: “The Chinese economy enjoys strong resilience, tremendous potential and great vitality. The fundamentals sustaining its long-term growth have remained strong. As long as we stay confident and strive for progress while maintaining stability, we will realise the goals we have set.”
The piece says that in the past year, “the quality of China’s development has steadily improved, fruitful results have been achieved in scientific and technological innovation, reform and opening up have been comprehensively deepened, employment and prices have been basically kept stable, and food security, energy security, and people’s livelihood have been effectively guaranteed. Overcoming difficulties and developing steadily, the annual GDP is expected to exceed 120 trillion yuan, and the Chinese economy is showing great vitality and bright prospects.” 过去一年，我国发展质量稳步提升，科技创新成果丰硕，改革开放全面深化，就业物价基本平稳，粮食安全、能源安全和人民生活得到有效保障。迎难而上，稳健发展，全年国内生产总值预计超过120万亿元，中国经济展现澎湃活力与光明前景.
The piece adds that despite the acceleration of the profound changes unseen in a century, “time and momentum” are on China’s side. The “machines are churning, workers are busy, orders are increasing, consumption is booming, and logistics are functioning…all localities have hit the ‘fast forward button’ on economic recovery… 当前，世界百年未有之大变局加速演进，但时与势在我们一边，这是我们定力和底气所在，也是我们的决心和信心所在。机器转起来，工人忙起来，订单多起来，消费旺起来，物流跑起来……各地按下经济恢复“快进键”，复工复产加快、复商复市回暖，各类市场主体活力和信心得到进一步激发，动能正在积蓄、活力正在释放.
It adds that “with the optimisation and adjustment of epidemic prevention and control measures, and the combination of existing and incremental policies, China's economy is expected to pick up overall this year. Vigorously boosting market confidence, earnestly implementing the ‘two unswervings’, fully unleashing the innovation and creativity potential of the whole society, unswervingly deepening reform, and further stimulating the vitality of the market and social creativity will surely promote the overall improvement of economic operation, and achieve effective improvement in quality and reasonable growth in quantity. 随着疫情防控措施的优化调整，存量政策和增量政策叠加发力，今年我国经济运行有望总体回升。大力提振市场信心，切实落实“两个毫不动摇”，最大限度释放全社会的创新创造潜能，坚定不移深化改革，更大激发市场活力和社会创造力，一定能推动经济运行整体好转，实现质的有效提升和量的合理增长.
Now, let’s get to the long feature articles. These run into the other pages of the paper.
First, there’s an article that looks at the past decade of development. It basically argues that China is entering 2023 with a lot to look forward to, given that it is “full of resilience and potential.” I am not highlighting all the points. Rather, let me just point to this bit, reaffirming Xi’s control and leadership, which is a key part of the narrative throughout the article.
“In the decade of the new era, the CPC Central Committee, with comrade Xi Jinping at the core, scientifically answered questions from China, the world, the people and the times, founded Xi Jinping Thought on socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era, writing a new chapter in realising the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics. The ship of dreams needs a helmsman; the journey of revival needs someone to lead the way.” 新时代十年，以习近平同志为核心的党中央科学回答中国之问、世界之问、人民之问、时代之问，创立了习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想，写下了在中国特色社会主义道路上实现中华民族伟大复兴的新篇章。梦想的航船，需要掌舵者；复兴的征程，需要领路人.
One section of the article discusses the adherence to people-centred development philosophy. It says that: “Education, employment, income, social security, medical care, old-age care, housing, the environment...Every issue that concerns people’s lives has been noted in the mind of General Secretary Xi Jinping, and one by one each item has been included in the important agenda of the central leadership, becoming the focus of reform…” 教育、就业、收入、社保、医疗、养老、住房、环境……一件件民生关切，记在习近平总书记心中，也一项项列入中央重要议事日程，一次次成为改革的关注点、发力点，一点点改变着人民群众的生活.
On the COVID-19 situation, the article reiterates Xi’s comments from his speech. “We have now entered a new phase of COVID response where tough challenges remain. Everyone is holding on with great fortitude, and the light of hope is right in front of us. Let us make an extra effort to pull through, as perseverance and solidarity mean victory.”
The third section talks about China’s global engagement. It mentions BRI, GDI, GSI and the proposal of the common values of mankind, among other things.
Next, there’s a long feature reviewing the governance of China in 2022 by the Party Central Committee with Xi Jinping at its core. I am going th share links to my earlier coverage of some of the points mentioned in the article. The first section talks about Xi’s leadership specifically in the lead-up to the 20th Party Congress. It starts with Xi’s engagements during the NPC session in March. At the time, we got the slogans of the five roads and five strategic advantages.
We get a quick recap of Xi’s investigations: “April: Hainan; June: Sichuan and Hubei; July: Xinjiang; August: Liaoning.” Then the piece talks about the lead-up and culmination of the 20th Party Congress. This section ends by saying:
“In the new era and on the new journey, the whole Party and the people of all ethnic groups have deeply understood the decisive significance of the Two Establishments, strengthened the four consciousnesses and four self-confidences and achieved the two safeguards; they are working unitedly and with high spirits to build a socialist modern country in all respects and promote the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation in an all-round way.” 新时代新征程上，全党全国各族人民深刻领悟“两个确立”的决定性意义，增强“四个意识”、坚定“四个自信”、做到“两个维护”，正以昂扬奋进的精神状态为全面建设社会主义现代化国家、全面推进中华民族伟大复兴而团结奋斗.
The second section of the article begins with this quote from Xi: “Insist on putting the development of the country and the nation on the basis of our own strength, and firmly hold the destiny of China’s development and progress in our own hands.” This section talks up:
pandemic control policies,
economic support policies
work to build supply chain resilience
work to ensure energy and food security
the maintenance of employment and price stability
the focus on self-reliance and self-improvement of science and technology in order to ensure “independence, autonomy, and security of China’s development”
the strategy of strengthening the armed forces through talents in the new era and the strategy of strengthening the army with science and technology, grasping the key to a strong army that can fight and win battles
the adoption of “strong countermeasures” in order to defend “national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and vigorously combat external interference and ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist activities
The article praises Xi, saying that “With a profound awareness of the need for urgency/concern and a far-reaching strategic vision, General Secretary Xi Jinping has creatively put forward the overall national security concept, emphasised the overall coordination of the domestic and international situations and the two major issues of development and security; in the process of planning according to the situation, acted in response to the situation, and following the trend, we have enhanced our sense of urgency, established bottom-line thinking, safeguarded national dignity and core interests through struggle, and firmly grasped the initiative of China’s development and security.” 习近平总书记以深刻的忧患意识和深远的战略眼光，创造性提出总体国家安全观，强调统筹国内国际两个大局、发展安全两件大事，在因势而谋、应势而动、顺势而为中增强忧患意识，树立底线思维，在斗争中维护国家尊严和核心利益，牢牢掌握了我国发展和安全主动权.
In defending China’s pandemic control policies, the article claims that “General Secretary Xi Jinping has been far-sighted, scientific and decisive, demonstrating the responsibility of the people's leader.” 习近平总书记高瞻远瞩、科学果断，彰显着人民领袖的责任担当.
The piece later references the 11th meeting of the Central Committee Financial and Economic Affairs from April; the publication of the guideline on accelerating the construction of a unified domestic market; the guideline for expanding domestic demand; among other things.
The piece then talks about internal party governance. In this, it mentions the regulation on encouraging/promoting cadres to become ready to assume any role/job, high or low; the honouring of model civil servants; and the regulation related to the business activities of relatives of leading cadres; the 40th collective study session of the Politburo in June, which dealt with the issue of corruption and the Politburo’s review of a report on the rectification of problems discovered during the eighth round of inspections of financial institutions; among others.
The next section of the article talks about foreign engagement. This talks about the Beijing Olympics, GDI, GSI, CIIE, RCEP, China’s desire to enter the CPTPP, Xi’s visit to Indonesia and Saudi Arabia, etc. It says that China has cultivated a “credible, loveable and respectable” image, which has won it “more understanding, respect and support.” 广交天下朋友、共行天下大道。一个可信、可爱、可敬的中国，赢得越来越多理解、尊重与支持.
It adds that China has not been afraid of hegemony and bullying; it has resolutely defended national sovereignty, security, and development interests when it comes to issues related to Taiwan, Xinjiang, Hong Kong, and Tibet; it has upheld fairness and justice, and played a constructive role in promoting the settlement of the Ukraine crisis and hotspot issues such as Afghanistan and Palestine; in the clamour of ‘clash of civilisations’, China has advocated the protection of the diversity of world civilisations, promoted the common values of all mankind, and respected the right of the people of all countries to independently choose their development path...It has stood on the right side of history and the progress of human civilisation…China's voice, and even more, China's actions, have inspired people to realise that Chinese-style modernisation/China’s rise is unlike the traditional rise of great powers, still less does it imitate the notion of a strong country seeking hegemony; rather, it is the right path that benefits China and the world. 不畏霸权霸道霸凌，在台湾、涉疆、涉港、涉藏等问题上坚决捍卫国家主权、安全、发展利益；秉持公道正义，为推动乌克兰危机和阿富汗、巴勒斯坦等热点问题解决发挥建设性作用；在“文明冲突”的喧嚣鼓噪中，倡导守护世界文明多样性，弘扬全人类共同价值，尊重各国人民自主选择发展道路的权利……站在历史正确一边、站在人类文明进步一边。在同世界相互交融、相互成就的奋斗史诗中，中国世界和平建设者、全球发展贡献者、国际秩序维护者的形象愈发鲜明。人们从中国声音、更从中国行动中真切感悟：中国式现代化不是传统大国崛起的翻版，更不是国强必霸的再版，而是造福中国、利好世界的正道.
Page 4: There’s a Zhong Yin 仲音 commentary on the pandemic situation. There’s no mention of the deaths or challenges in different parts of the country. The piece basically makes the point that the policy shift has been scientific, which is of course as far as one can be from the truth. There’s also nothing about the deaths or high number of cases, but within the commentary, there is an implicit acknowledgement of the challenges with regard to drug supplies and medical treatment.
This reiterates that the epidemic prevention and control work has “entered a new stage.” The article says that China has “closely tracked the characteristics of the virus, assessed the epidemic situation, accelerated vaccination and drug supply, strengthened the construction of medical treatment and prevention and control system, and improved the emergency response capabilities, all of which have created the conditions for COVID-19 to be classified as a Class B infectious disease. 疫情防控进入新阶段，我们密切跟踪病毒特点，研判疫情形势，加快疫苗接种和药物供给，加强医疗救治和防控体系建设，提升应急处置能力等，都为将新冠病毒感染从“乙类甲管”调整为“乙类乙管”创造了条件.
On this change in designation, the article says that this “does not mean the withdrawal of all prevention and control measures, but the continuous strengthening of services and guarantees.” What this means is that “in view of the prominent demand for diagnosis and treatment by fever clinics, all localities are further expanding the supply and provision of medical resources and services, giving full play to the role of community medical and health institutions and Internet hospitals, in order to facilitate the masses to obtain services such as health consultation, medical guidance and appointments for diagnosis and treatment.” It also calls for expanding stable and orderly production and supply of drugs, given the high demand. “乙类乙管”绝不意味着所有防控措施的退出，而是要继续强化服务、强化保障。当前，各地针对发热门诊的诊疗需求比较突出的情况，进一步扩大医疗资源和医疗服务的供给和准备，发挥社区医疗卫生机构、互联网医院作用，方便群众获得健康咨询、就医指导和预约诊疗等服务；针对药物需求明显增长的情况，进一步加大对生产企业生产要素的保障，确保生产供应稳定有序，释放相关药品的产能，保障群众的用药需求，等等.
The piece adds: “By focusing more prevention and control resources on key groups, giving higher priority to critical and severe cases, ensuring daily medical and health needs, preventing a run on medical resources, and giving more prominence to prevention and control and treatment capacity building in rural areas, we can effectively provide a strong guarantee for safeguarding people's health.” 把防控资源更加集中到重点人群上来，将重症救治、保障日常医疗卫生需求、防止医疗资源挤兑放在更加重要的位置，将农村地区的防控和救治能力建设放在更加突出的位置，就能切实为维护人民健康提供有力保障.