New Survey on India-China Relations - Xi Visits Sanya - Wang Yi on China's Global Outlook in 2025 - Li Qiang on Plan to Ease Law-enforcement Challenges for Businesses
Hi folks,
In today’s People’s Daily, there is a brief report confirming that India and China will be holding a meeting of the Special Representative on the India-China boundary question in Beijing today. This is a key outcome from the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Kazan in October.
So I guess this is an opportune moment to share that last night, the Takshashila Institution released a new public opinion survey report on India-China ties. And not surprisingly, the report found that over half of Indians believe that the boundary issue is the biggest stressor between India and China.
The report also has some rather counter-intuitive findings on issues related to trade, investment and skilled talent. But let me leave you with this bit, which I thought was rather interesting and perhaps said more about Indians’ positive assessment of the system of multi-party democracy
Cheers,
Manoj
Here are the key reports and articles that I found noteworthy from the People’s Daily’s edition on Wednesday, December 18, 2024.
Page 1: The main report on the page is on Xi Jinping’s visit to Sanya, where he heard work reports of the Hainan Provincial Party Committee and the Provincial Government. Xi “affirmed the achievements made in Hainan’s various work, and put forward clear requirements for the next step of work.”
In his speech, Xi first called for efforts “to build a modern industrial system” with local characteristics and strengths.
“Promote the deep integration of scientific and technological innovation and industrial innovation, and promote the extension of industrial chains of leading industries such as tourism, modern services, high-tech, and tropical high-efficiency agriculture and to promote their optimization and upgrading. Actively align with the national strategic scientific and technological forces, strengthen international scientific and technological cooperation, build a more open talent attraction mechanism, create a multi-level scientific and technological innovation system, increase efforts to tackle core technologies, strengthen the transformation of scientific and technological achievements, and develop new quality productive forces according to local conditions. Adhere to prioritising the environment and green development, strengthen the rectification of prominent environmental problems, and safeguard lush mountains, clear waters, and blue seas and skies. Promote the integrated development of industries such as culture, sports, tourism, and health care, and promote open cooperation in the tourism industry. Cultivate and expand new consumption and promote consumption transformation and upgrading. Persist in the coordinated development of land and sea, the interaction between mountains and seas, and the integration of resources. Focus on marine development, seek productivity and new growth points from the ocean, and build a strong maritime province.” 习近平指出，要着力构建具有海南特色和优势的现代化产业体系。促进科技创新和产业创新深度融合，推动旅游业、现代服务业、高新技术产业、热带特色高效农业等主导产业补链延链、优化升级。主动对接国家战略科技力量，加强国际科技合作，构建更加开放的引才机制，打造多层级科技创新体系，加大核心技术攻关力度，加强科技成果转化，因地制宜发展新质生产力。坚持生态优先、绿色发展，加强突出环境问题整治，守护好青山绿水、碧海蓝天。推动文化、体育、旅游、康养等产业融合发展，促进旅游业开放合作。培育壮大新型消费，推动消费转型升级。坚持陆海统筹、山海联动、资源融通，抓好海洋开发，向海洋要生产力、求新增长点，建设海洋强省.
“Xi Jinping stressed that we must solidly promote reforms in key areas. Focus on the full implementation of the free trade port policy and system, and properly coordinate the pace and sequencing of opening up. Focus on achieving free and convenient trade, investment, cross-border capital flow, personnel entry and exit, transportation, and orderly and secure data flow, align with high-level international economic and trade rules, vigorously promote institutional opening-up, and create a first-class business environment that is market-oriented, law-based, and internationalized. Strengthen and optimize various open platforms, enhance exchanges, cooperation, and functional alignment with free trade zones in countries and regions participating in the Belt and Road Initiative. Strengthen coordinated development with the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and deepen cooperation with the Yangtze River Economic Belt, the Yangtze River Delta and other regions. Accelerate the implementation of the core policies of the Hainan Free Trade Port, carefully make all preparations, and ensure the smooth and orderly operation of customs clearance. 习近平强调，要扎实推进重点领域改革。着眼全方位实施自由贸易港政策制度体系，统筹安排好开放进度和节奏。聚焦实现贸易、投资、跨境资金流动、人员进出、运输来往自由便利和数据安全有序流动，对标国际高水平经贸规则，大力推进制度型开放，营造市场化、法治化、国际化一流营商环境。做实做优各类开放平台，加强同共建“一带一路”国家和地区自由贸易园区的交流合作和功能对接。加强同粤港澳大湾区联动发展，深化同长江经济带、长三角等区域的合作。加紧推进海南自由贸易港核心政策落地，精心做好各项准备工作，确保封关运作平稳有序.
“Xi Jinping pointed out the need to continuously enhance the civility of residents and the level of social civilization. Persistently use the Party’s innovative theories to unite minds and forge souls, cultivate and promote socialist core values, extensively carry out mass activities for spiritual civilization building, and strive to achieve simultaneous improvements in material and spiritual civilization. Effectively protect, utilize, and inherit historical culture, revolutionary culture, marine culture, and folk culture resources, enhance cultural innovation and creativity, and develop and expand the cultural industry. Improve the public cultural service system in urban and rural areas, enrich the spiritual and cultural lives of urban and rural residents, and continue to promote the transformation of outdated customs and practices.” 习近平指出，要不断提升居民文明素养和社会文明程度。坚持不懈用党的创新理论凝心铸魂，培育和弘扬社会主义核心价值观，广泛开展群众性精神文明创建，努力实现物质文明和精神文明双提升。保护好运用好传承好历史文化、革命文化、海洋文化、民俗文化资源，增强文化创新创造活力，发展壮大文化产业。健全城乡公共文化服务体系，丰富城乡群众精神文化生活，持续推进移风易俗.
“Xi Jinping stressed that it is necessary to comprehensively improve the level of people’s livelihood security and social governance. Strengthen the basic, universal and bottom-line/safety-net (基础性、普惠性、兜底性) livelihood construction, improve the urban and rural public service system and social security system, and solve the urgent problems of the people. Enhance support for employment and entrepreneurship among key groups, and maintain overall employment stability. Coordinate the layout of urban and rural infrastructure and public services, and steadily advance urbanization. Improve the effectiveness of assistance for populations lifted out of poverty, and firmly prevent large-scale relapse into poverty. Coordinate development and security, improve the risk prevention and control system, strengthen disaster prevention, mitigation and relief capacity building, and enhance the ability to respond to major risks and challenges. Strengthen the urban and rural community governance system, normalize efforts to combat organized crime and eliminate evildoers, and punish all illegal activities according to law.” 习近平强调，要全面提高民生保障和社会治理水平。加强基础性、普惠性、兜底性民生建设，完善城乡公共服务体系和社会保障体系，解决好群众急难愁盼问题。加强对重点群体就业创业支持，保持就业总体稳定。统筹城乡基础设施和公共服务布局，稳步推进城镇化。提升脱贫人口帮扶实效，守住不发生规模性返贫致贫底线。统筹发展和安全，完善风险防控体系，加强防灾减灾救灾能力建设，提升应对重大风险挑战能力。健全城乡社区治理体系，常态化开展扫黑除恶，依法惩治各种违法行为.
“Xi Jinping pointed out that the Party’s political building should guide all Party building work and promote the comprehensive and strict governance of the Party to a deeper level. Consolidate and expand the results of the thematic education campaign, promote the normalization and long-term effectiveness of Party discipline learning and education, continue to implement the spirit of the Central Committee’s eight-point regulation to promote the transformation of work conduct, encourage the majority of cadres to continue to carry forward the special zone spirit of daring to explore, daring to be pioneers, and working hard with their heads down, and to establish and practice a correct view of political achievements. Unremittingly grasp the anti-corruption struggle and strive to eradicate the soil and conditions for the breeding of corruption. Strengthen the restraint and supervision of exercise of power, and educate and guide cadres to enhance their ability to resist and prevent corruption.” 习近平指出，要以党的政治建设统领党的建设各项工作，推动全面从严治党向纵深发展。巩固拓展主题教育成果，推进党纪学习教育常态化长效化，持续落实中央八项规定精神推动转变作风，激励广大干部继续发扬敢闯敢试、敢为人先、埋头苦干的特区精神，树立和践行正确政绩观。驰而不息抓好反腐败斗争，着力铲除腐败滋生的土壤和条件。强化对权力运行的制约和监督，教育引导干部增强拒腐防变能力.
He ended by talking about the need to implement the priorities from the CEWC and ensure social stability, food and energy supplies, etc, ahead of the New Year and Spring Festival.
Next, there’s a report on the State Council study session, which discussed the need to strengthen enforcement procedures, improve methods and enhance supervision to boost the quality and effectiveness of administrative law enforcement. Professor Hu Jianmiao of the Central Party School was the guest speaker at the session.
Li Qiang then spoke.
He said “that administrative law enforcement is an important means for the government to perform its duties according to law and manage economic and social affairs, and promoting strict, standardised, impartial, and civilised law enforcement is a key aspect of building a law-based government. Currently, there are still instances of abuse of administrative discretion and unjust law enforcement in certain areas and localities. Efforts must begin with issues strongly raised by the public and businesses, further improving the benchmark system for administrative discretion and standardising the operation of power. To address the issue of incomplete benchmark coverage, it is necessary to promptly improve benchmarks for discretion in areas such as licensing, collection, enforcement, and inspection. To resolve the problem of unreasonable discretion ranges, the severity of violations by business entities and their capacity to bear penalties should be considered, and the principle of ‘proportionality of offence and punishment’ should be followed to determine penalty limits. Regarding the issue of inconsistent local standards, coordination and guidance should be strengthened, and timely adjustments should be promoted.” 李强在听取讲座和交流发言后指出，行政执法是政府依法履职、管理经济社会事务的重要方式，推进严格规范公正文明执法是建设法治政府的重要内容。现在一些领域和地方滥用行政裁量权、执法不公正的现象仍然存在。要从群众和企业反映强烈的问题入手，进一步完善行政裁量权基准制度，规范权力运行。针对基准覆盖不全面问题，抓紧完善许可、征收、强制、检查等裁量权基准。针对裁量幅度不合理问题，考虑经营主体违法情况和可承受能力，按照“过罚相当”原则确定处罚限度。针对地方标准不统一问题，加强统筹指导，及时督促调整.
“Li Qiang pointed out that next year will launch a special action to standardise law enforcement involving enterprises, continuously optimise the business environment, promote stable expectations and strengthen confidence. It is necessary to standardise the law enforcement procedures, fully implement the publicity of administrative law enforcement, the record of the whole process of law enforcement, and the legal review system of major law enforcement decisions, unblock the channels of appeal, and protect the appeal rights of those being supervised according to law. In improving enforcement methods, flexible measures can be applied to minor offences that involve no intent and pose limited social harm. Strengthen law enforcement supervision, pay attention to abnormal growth in fines and confiscations, a large number of off-site law enforcement (this is largely about issues of jurisdiction), and large-scale maximum penalties, review and verify relevant law enforcement behaviours, and correct any problems in a timely manner. Strengthen the use of information technology to improve the effectiveness of law enforcement supervision.” 李强指出，明年要开展规范涉企执法专项行动，持续优化营商环境，促进稳预期强信心。要规范执法程序，全面落实行政执法公示、执法全过程记录、重大执法决定法制审核制度，畅通申诉渠道，依法保障监管对象申诉权利。要优化执法方式，对情节比较轻微、没有主观故意、对社会危害性较低的违法行为，可采取柔性执法措施。要强化执法监督，关注罚没收入异常增长、大量异地执法、大额顶格处罚等情况，审查核实相关执法行为，有问题的要及时纠正。强化信息技术运用，提升执法监督效能.
Li ended with the need to “safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of the people and enterprises, and maintain a fair and competitive market order.”
Page 3: There’s a brief report on Wang Yi’s speech on China’s diplomacy in 2024. The full English version of the speech is available on the Ministry’s website. Let me highlight key excerpts. Wang began by talking about Xi Jinping’s head of state diplomacy. He then said:
“Over the past year, new breakthroughs have been made in building a community with a shared future for mankind, which has shaped the historical trend toward a shared future and greater solidarity in our global village…In the course of 2024, China and Brazil have announced joint efforts to build a China-Brazil community with a shared future for a more just world and a more sustainable planet, demonstrating their sense of responsibility as two emerging countries; China and Serbia have launched efforts to build a China-Serbia community with a shared future in the new era, the first of its kind in China’s relations with European countries. Globally, a growing number of countries have pitched in to build a community with a shared future. What’s worth mentioning in particular is that Chinese and African leaders have agreed to build an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era, giving expression to the shared desire of the 2.8 billion Chinese and Africans to pursue common development in greater solidarity. China has also made efforts to build communities with a shared future with particular regions, including with Central Asia, ASEAN, countries in the Lancang-Mekong river basin, Arab states, and countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. These efforts are opening up new vistas of harmonious coexistence between different civilizations…With the joint efforts of China and other countries, the notion of humanity sharing a common future has been written into multiple resolutions of the General Assembly of the United Nations (U.N.) and multilateral documents, and the goal of building a community with a shared future has been established in various fields such as cybersecurity, climate change, and health. We have firmly upheld the authority and stature of the U.N., supported the U.N. in holding theSummit for the Future, and endeavored to promote an equal and orderly multipolar world, and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization. We have accelerated the implementation of the three major Global Initiatives. To date, 82 countries have joined the Group of Friends of the Global Development Initiative, 119 countries and international organizations have given support to the Global Security Initiative, and the 78th U.N. General Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution proposed by China to establish an International Day of Dialogue among Civilizations. Building a community with a shared future for mankind has been established as the noble goal for practicing major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics.”
“We have actively worked for the restoration of world peace and endeavored to save human lives. On the Ukraine crisis, we have always maintained an objective and impartial position, and actively pushed for peace talks. Over the past year, our special envoy conducted three rounds of shuttle diplomacy. China and Brazil jointly issued the six-point consensus on political settlement of the Ukraine crisis. We also brought other Global South countries together to launch the group of ‘friends for peace’ to gather consensus for finding a path to peace. The Gaza conflict has taken too many civilian lives. The immediate priority is a comprehensive ceasefire, the key is to ensure humanitarian assistance, and the fundamental way out is to realize the two-state solution. Over the past year, we have pushed for the adoption of the first resolution by the Security Council on a ceasefire in Gaza, facilitated the reconciliation dialogue and the signing of the Beijing Declaration by various Palestinian factions, and delivered multiple batches of humanitarian assistance to Gaza. We will continue to make unremitting efforts toward a comprehensive, just, and lasting solution to the Palestinian question. We have mediated peace in northern Myanmar and facilitated multiple rounds of peace talks among conflicting parties. We have supported Afghanistan in building an inclusive political framework and realizing peace and reconstruction. We have also made consistent efforts to promote the political resolution of the Korean Peninsula issue. Facing the dramatic change in Syria, China will continue to stand with the Syrian people and uphold the ‘Syrian-led and Syrian-owned’ principle. China opposes the attempt of terrorist forces to exploit the situation to create chaos, and will help Syria maintain its sovereignty and restore stability.”
He then talked about how Chinese modernisation has created opportunities for the world. Under this, he said that 155 countries had joined BRI. The next bit was on the Global South. Wang said:
“The collective rise of the Global South in the current chapter of history is a distinctive feature of the great transformation across the world. China will always be an important member of the Global South and always be committed to unity and invigoration of the Global South. China promoted new proposals and new developments of mechanisms and strengthened the force for unity and progress in the Global South. President Xi Jinping called for more open and inclusive Global South cooperation, and announced eight measures in support of Global South cooperation. He articulated the vision for countries in the Global South to work together as the staunch force for peace, the core driving force for open development, the construction team of global governance, and the advocates for exchange among civilizations, so as to leave their mark on the progress of humanity. Building on its historic expansion last year and setting off this year from the new starting point of greater BRICS cooperation, BRICS is bringing more partners into its big family to make the platform a primary channel for strengthening solidarity and cooperation among Global South nations. Considering the reasonable concerns of developing countries, China promoted the adoption of a U.N. General Assembly resolution on enhancing international cooperation on AI capacity-building, proposed the AI Capacity-Building Action Plan for Good and for All, worked with fellow Global South nations to jointly launch an Initiative on International Cooperation in Open Science with fellow Global South nations, and pushed for the adoption of the New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance at COP29. China called on developed countries to take concrete actions to earnestly fulfill their due responsibilities, provide sufficient financial support to developing countries, and uphold global climate justice. China has stayed committed to the principle of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith, and helped fellow developing countries move faster in rejuvenation. At FOCAC, China and Africa agreed on the Beijing Declaration and the Beijing Action Plan for stronger cooperation between the two sides in the next three years, and agreed on ten partnership actions for modernization covering 10 key areas such as trade and investment, industrial chain cooperation and green development in an all-dimensional boost to Africa’s development. China and Arab states saw significant early harvests from the ‘eight major cooperation initiatives’ and went on to develop ‘five cooperation frameworks’ in five dimensions: innovation, finance, energy, economy and trade, and people-to-people exchanges. China deepened the synergy of development strategies with Latin American and Caribbean countries, and continued to upgrade its cooperation with Pacific island countries.”
Then Wang talked about specific relations. He cast this in terms of “all-round diplomacy, which has built up the trend toward a new type of international relations”. One of the goals for this is to build a “amicable and harmonious home in Asia”.
He said that China-Russia ties had “grown more mature and stable, demonstrated in a clearer way its independence and resilience, and set an example of friendly exchanges between major countries and neighbors.” He added: “China-Russia relations are based on non-alliance, non-confrontation and not targeting any third party, and are not subject to interference or coercion from any external factor. Amid shifting global dynamics, China and Russia will maintain a high degree of strategic mutual trust, support each other’s development and revitalization, and jointly safeguard global strategic stability.”
On Europe, he said: “Europe holds an important position in China’s diplomatic agenda. A healthier and more stable China-Europe relationship serves the fundamental interests of both sides and the common aspiration of the world.” During engagements with European leaders, Xi “encouraged the European side to take a long-term and strategic perspective, see China as a partner and strengthen dialogue and cooperation to the benefit of both sides and the world at large. China and Europe are two great civilizations of the world and two major forces of the times. China stands ready to work with the European side to handle differences and disputes properly, seek win-win solutions, and jointly safeguard free trade and multilateralism.”
This is the paragraph on India and Japan, which are clubbed together.
“China is having more trust and less suspicion with major countries in this region. When meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Xi Jinping put forth important propositions on improving China-India relations, which received positive response from Prime Minister Modi. The two sides agreed to step up strategic communication, safeguard peace and tranquility in the border areas, and strive to bring the bilateral relationship back to the track of stable development at an early date. China and Japan reaffirmed the commitment to promoting the China-Japan strategic relationship of mutual benefit in an all-round way, and to building a constructive and stable relationship that meets the requirements of the new era. In line with Japan’s commitment on the discharge of nuclear contaminated water, China has recently started independent sampling and monitoring and will work with the international community to urge the Japanese side to earnestly fulfill its international obligations and responsibilities.”
Then there are two paragraphs dealing with the US.
“There is a lot of interest in China-U.S. relations. How China and the United States get along concerns the well-being of the two peoples and also the future of the world. This year, we have followed the guidance of head-of-state diplomacy, focused on implementing the San Francisco Vision, and worked to maintain the overall stability of China-U.S. relations. China and the United States held two rounds of strategic communication and five meetings of the Financial Working Group and the Economic Working Group respectively. The two sides advanced practical cooperation in such areas as counternarcotics, law enforcement and climate change,extended the science and technology agreement, and co-signed each other’s resolution on artificial intelligence at the U.N. General Assembly. Nearly 15,000 young Americans visited China through the initiative of ‘50,000 in five years’, sowing the seeds of friendship between the two countries. Such progress has been widely welcomed by Chinese and Americans across the sectors as well as the international community at large. This fully shows that as long as China and the United States cooperate with each other, they can accomplish many great things together. In the meantime, China firmly safeguards its sovereignty, security and development interests, and firmly opposes the illegal and unreasonable suppression by the U.S. side. In particular, with regard to the U.S.’ gross interference in China’s internal affairs such as Taiwan, China has to make a firm and robust response to resolutely defend its legitimate rights and interests and safeguard the basic norms governing international relations.
Last month, President Xi Jinping met with President Biden and sent a congratulatory message to President-Elect Trump, providing strategic guidance for the growth of China-U.S. relationship at this critical juncture. President Xi Jinping summed up seven pieces of experience and inspiration based on a thorough account of bilateral exchanges in recent years, and drew four clear red lines that must not be challenged, namely, the Taiwan question, China’s path and system, democracy and human rights, and China’s development right. He stressed that China’s goal of a steady, sound and sustainable development of China-U.S. relationship remains unchanged; its commitment to mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation as principles for handling China-U.S. relations remains unchanged; its position of resolutely safeguarding China’s sovereignty, security and development interests remains unchanged; and its desire to carry forward the traditional friendship between the Chinese and American people remains unchanged. This is not only the authoritative interpretation of China’s U.S. policy, but also our earnest expectation on future China-U.S. relationship. The fact that China has maintained its U.S. policy stable and consistent demonstrates its firm strategic resolve and broad-mindedness as a major country. We will engage in dialogue, manage differences, enhance mutual trust, remove misunderstandings and expand cooperation with the U.S. side, and work with the U.S. to explore the right way for our two major countries to get along with each other on this planet to the benefit of the two countries and the world.”
Wang then made three points about China’s diplomacy:
First, China’s diplomacy upholds Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy “as the fundamental guideline” and that “the Party’s leadership is the most defining feature of our major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics, and our greatest political strength to overcome all risks and challenges.”
Second, China’s diplomacy is “people’s diplomacy.”
Third, “China’s diplomacy is always about standing up for responsibilities”, i.e., “We have resolutely countered the attempt of using Taiwan to contain China and the myth of seeking U.S. support for ‘Taiwan independence’, firmly safeguarded China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and effectively strengthened the international community’s commitment to the one-China principle. We have taken justified and firm measures to safeguard China’s rights against certain countries’ provocations in the South China Sea, and worked with ASEAN countries for peace and stability in the South China Sea. We have refuted false narratives hyping up the so-called ‘human rights issues’, set the record straight, and gained overwhelming support from over 100 countries for China’s just position. More countries have come to realize that playing double standards will only disgrace oneself and interfering in others’ internal affairs is ultimately unpopular.”
He then made five points about China’s diplomacy for 2025. Before doing so, this is how he assessed China’s global standing. “China today is already a responsible major country with enhanced international influence, stronger capacity to lead new endeavors, and greater moral appeal.”
First, China will be a firm force for peace in a world of turbulence and conflicts. We hope the incoming U.S. administration will make the right choice and work with China in the same direction to avoid disruptions, overcome obstacles, and achieve the steady, sound and sustainable development of China-U.S. relations. We will deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination and all-round practical cooperation with Russia, and work for steady progress in China-EU relations toward independence, mutual success and benefit to the world. Stability in China will provide a strong underpinning for global strategic stability, and certainty in China will help cushion uncertainties in other parts of the world. We will carry forward the Chinese way of settling hotspot issues and continue our constructive role in the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, and other hotspot issues such as the Korean Peninsula and Myanmar.
Second, China will be a firm force for unity in the face of division and confrontation. We support the holding of the second China-Central Asia Summit, and will work for the signing and implementation of the China-ASEAN FTA 3.0 Upgrade Protocol. We have properly handled differences and are working with India to find the right and bright path for big, neighboring countries to live in harmony and develop side by side. We will partner with Africa in implementing the ten partnership actions for modernization, expedite the building of ‘five cooperation frameworks’ with Arab states, and use the 10th anniversary of the China-CELAC Forum as an opportunity to open a new chapter of cooperation. We will continue to pool the collective strength of the Global South through unity.
Third, China will be a firm force for openness in the face of decoupling and severing supply chains. We will deliver on the eight major steps of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, advance both the major flagship projects and the ‘small and beautiful’ livelihood programs, and create new space for win-win cooperation of higher quality, enhanced resilience and greater sustainability. We are determined to pursue higher-standard opening up, accelerate the development of the FTAAP, and safeguard the global free trade system as well as the stable and unimpeded functioning of the industrial and supply chains. We advocate a world economy that is cooperative, stable, open, innovative and eco-friendly, and we are ready to join hands with all countries on the path toward modernization.
Fourth, China will be a firm force for justice in the face of the counter currents of unilateralism and bullying. We will hold solemn commemorations for the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese people’s war of resistance against Japanese aggression and the world anti-fascist war, promote a correct view of history, uphold true multilateralism, and firmly safeguard the international system with the U.N. at its core, the international order underpinned by international law, and the basic norms governing international relations based on the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter. We will effectively fulfill the role as the SCO rotating chair, support Brazil in hosting the BRICS summit and the U.N. Climate Change Conference (COP30), support South Africa in hosting the G20 summit, and work for a more just and equitable international order.
Fifth, China will be a firm force for inclusiveness in the face of ideological differences. We will promote the common values of humanity, deepen exchanges and mutual learning with other countries, join forces for the progress of human civilization, and enhance the mutual understanding and friendship among people of different countries. We will step up experience-sharing on governance and development, tell engaging stories of the CPC, of Chinese modernization, and of building a community with a shared future for mankind, and cement China’s friendship with countries around the globe. We will expand two-way exchanges between the Chinese people and people elsewhere, and do our best to stage a successful Asian Winter Games to showcase a diverse China through the charm of ice and snow.”
Also on the page is a report on the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) foreign ministers’ meeting. Xinhua reports:
“Emphasizing that ensuring security, promoting development, pursuing cooperation and seeking win-win results are the urgent aspirations of the overwhelming majority of countries, Wang called on CICA to play a unique role in this regard, build an Asian community with a shared future and expand new space for win-win development. Wang called on CICA member countries to adhere to peaceful coexistence and seek common security; jointly advance Belt and Road cooperation to promote prosperity and development; respect diverse civilizations and promote exchanges and mutual learning; practice multilateralism and build a beautiful home together. Noting that Chinese modernization is a modernization that follows the path of peaceful development and brings more opportunities to Asian countries, Wang said that China stands ready to work with CICA member states to forge a new form of Asian civilization featuring win-win development through solidarity and coordination.”
Page 4: There’s a report with data from China’s National Energy Administration. It says that:
As of 2024, the installed capacity of operational and approved nuclear power units in China is approximately 113 million kilowatts. In 2025, China will approve and commence construction of several mature coastal nuclear power projects, steadily advancing ongoing nuclear power engineering construction. 截至2024年，我国在运和核准在建核电机组装机约1.13亿千瓦，规模升至世界第一。2025年，我国将核准开工一批条件成熟的沿海核电项目，稳步推进在建核电工程建设.
In 2024, coal production remained stable, and the proportion of intelligent production capacity in total coal production increased to over 50%. The national coal production for the year reached approximately 4.76 billion tons, 180 million kilowatts of coal-fired power units were upgraded, and more than 8 million kilowatts of outdated capacity were eliminated. 煤炭稳产稳供，智能化产能占煤炭总产能的比例提升至50%以上，全年全国煤炭产量约47.6亿吨，改造升级煤电机组1.8亿千瓦，淘汰落后产能超过800万千瓦.
National crude oil production rose for the sixth consecutive year in 2024, and natural gas production increased by over 10 billion cubic meters for the eighth consecutive year. 油气勘探开发力度大幅提升，全国原油产量连续六年回升，天然气产量连续八年增产超百亿立方米.
China has built more than 60 million kilowatts of new energy storage capacity, with continuous innovation in new energy storage technologies and an enhanced ability to dispatch and utilize them. 与此同时，新型电力系统加快构建。我国累计建成新型储能超过6000万千瓦，新型储能技术创新不断涌现，调度运用持续增强.
The cumulative EV charging infrastructure in China has exceeded 12 million units, with over 95% of highway service areas possessing charging capabilities. 截至2024年，充电基础设施累计建成超过1200万台，95%以上高速公路服务区具备充电能力.
“It is reported that in 2025, China will continue to implement the Clean and Efficient Utilization Action Plan for coal, with the goal of achieving around 4.8 billion tons of coal production for the year. Large-scale coal mines are expected to achieve full intelligentization. On the basis of stabilizing production in older oil and gas fields, China will focus on promoting leapfrog development in deep earth, deep sea, and shale oil and gas exploration, with crude oil production remaining above 200 million tons and natural gas production continuing to grow rapidly… China will actively promote hydrogen energy ‘production, storage, transportation, and use’ full-chain development and improve industrial development management mechanisms.” 据悉，2025年，我国将继续实施煤炭清洁高效利用行动计划，全年煤炭产量力争达到48亿吨左右，大型煤矿基本实现智能化。在老油气田稳产基础上，聚焦推动深地、深海、页岩油气跨越式发展，全年原油产量保持在2亿吨以上，天然气年产量持续较快增长。大力发展能源领域新质生产力方面，将积极推进氢能“制储输用”全链条发展，完善产业发展管理机制.