New Xi Book - Wang Yang on Sinicization of Islam - Wang Yi's Warning on Taiwan - Understanding GDI's Evolution - CPPCC's Goals in New Era - Tian Wenlin on 'US Role in Egypt's Colour Revolution'
Here are the stories and pieces that I found noteworthy in the Wednesday, September 21, 2022, edition of the People’s Daily.
Page 1: First up, there’s a report on a new book on Xi’s views on the construction of socialist spiritual civilisation published by the Central Party Literature Press. Xinhua informs that “compiled by the Institute of Party History and Literature of the CPC Central Committee, the book brings together 512 relevant parts falling under 10 themes, excerpted from 240 important spoken and written works that Xi made between Nov. 17, 2012 and June 8, 2022. Some content has been made public for the first time.”
“Since the 18th Party Congress, the CPC Central Committee with comrade Xi Jinping as the core has attached great importance to the building of socialist spiritual civilisation, persisted in arming the whole party and educating the people with Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and built a socialist ideology with strong cohesion and leading power. It has used core socialist values to build consensus and pool strength, and used advanced socialist culture, revolutionary culture, and excellent Chinese traditional culture to nourish the roots and forge the soul of the nation; constantly meet the diverse and multi-faceted spiritual and cultural needs of the people, constantly enhance the people’s ideological consciousness, moral standards, civilisational literacy and the degree of civilisation of the whole society…and promote comprehensive, profound and fundamental changes in the field of spiritual civilisation construction. The cultural self-confidence of the whole party and people of all ethnic groups in the country has been significantly enhanced, the cohesion and centripetal force of the whole society have been greatly enhanced, and the appearance of the Party, the country, the people, the army and the Chinese nation have taken on a new look.” 党的十八大以来，以习近平同志为核心的党中央高度重视社会主义精神文明建设，坚持用习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想武装全党、教育人民，建设具有强大凝聚力和引领力的社会主义意识形态，用社会主义核心价值观凝聚共识、汇聚力量，用社会主义先进文化、革命文化、中华优秀传统文化培根铸魂、启智润心，不断满足人民群众多样化、多层次、多方面的精神文化需求，不断提升人民思想觉悟、道德水准、文明素养和全社会文明程度，更好构筑中国精神、中国价值、中国力量，推动精神文明建设领域发生全面、深刻、根本性的变化，全党全国各族人民文化自信明显增强，全社会凝聚力和向心力极大提升，党、国家、人民、军队、中华民族的面貌焕然一新.
“Comrade Xi Jinping’s series of important expositions on strengthening the construction of socialist spiritual civilisation have profoundly revealed the characteristics and laws of socialist spiritual civilisation construction, enriched and developed the Party’s scientific theory on socialist spiritual civilisation construction. It is a powerful ideological weapon to guide us in building socialist spiritual civilisation. Comrade Xi Jinping’s important exposition on the construction of socialist spiritual civilisation is an important part of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. It is of great guiding significance for strengthening the education of ideals and beliefs, cultivating and practising the core socialist values, promoting the practice, cultivation and creation of civilisation, improving the civilisation level of the whole society, promoting the common prosperity of people’s spiritual life, and providing a strong ideological guarantee, strong spiritual motivation, abundant moral nourishment and good cultural conditions for forging ahead in the new journey and making achievements in the new era.” 习近平同志围绕加强社会主义精神文明建设发表的一系列重要论述，深刻揭示了社会主义精神文明建设的特点规律，丰富和发展了党关于社会主义精神文明建设的科学理论，是指导我们做好社会主义精神文明建设工作的强大思想武器。习近平同志关于社会主义精神文明建设的重要论述，是习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的重要组成部分，对于加强理想信念教育、培育和践行社会主义核心价值观，推进文明实践、文明培育、文明创建，提高全社会文明程度、促进人民精神生活共同富裕，为奋进新征程、建功新时代提供坚强思想保证、强大精神动力、丰润道德滋养、良好文化条件，具有十分重要的指导意义.
Next, there’s a report on Wang Yang meeting with the leadership of the China Islamic Association.
The report says that Wang emphasised that the Islamic community should study and implement the spirit of the Central United Front Work Conference and the National Religious Work Conference, deeply understand General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important expositions on religious work, fully implement the Party’s basic policy on religious work, and implement the relevant decisions of the CPC Central Committee based on their own responsibilities, and make efforts to rally Islamic figures and Muslims closely around the Party and the government for building China into a modern socialist country in all respects and realising the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation. 他强调，伊斯兰教界要学习贯彻中央统战工作会议、全国宗教工作会议精神，深入领会习近平总书记关于宗教工作的重要论述，全面贯彻党的宗教工作基本方针，立足自身职责落实好党中央相关决策部署，把伊斯兰教界人士和穆斯林群众紧密团结在党和政府周围，为全面建成社会主义现代化强国、实现中华民族伟大复兴的中国梦贡献力量。
Wang also called on the association to maintain the correct political direction, uphold the banner of patriotism and socialism, further strengthen the Chinese orientation in developing Islam in China, and facilitate the adaptation of Islam in China to socialist society.
He further added: “It is necessary to further promote the sinicization of Islam in China, adhere to the guidance of core socialist values, adhere to the combination of upholding integrity and innovation, do a good job in interpreting and preaching the scriptures, widely spread the concepts of patriotism, peace and moderation of Islam in China, and guide the Islamic figures and the Muslim people to continuously enhance their recognition of the great motherland, the Chinese nation, Chinese culture, the Communist Party of China and socialism with Chinese characteristics, so as to promote the better adaptation of Islam in China to the socialist society. It is necessary to strengthen self-education, self-management and self-restraint, adhere to the strict administration of education in an all-round way, improve various systems such as the democratic supervision of members of the leadership team, take the lead in abiding by laws and regulations, advocating frugality and forbidding extravagance, and promoting cultivation, and solve outstanding problems that affect the healthy inheritance of Islam with a strong sense of responsibility. It is necessary to strengthen the construction of a personnel team, and strive to cultivate a team of representatives of Islamic circles who are politically reliable, accomplished in religion, able to serve the public morally and play a key role.” 要深入推进我国伊斯兰教中国化，坚持以社会主义核心价值观为引领，坚持守正与创新相结合，做好解经、讲经等各项工作，广泛传递我国伊斯兰教爱国、和平、中道等理念，引导伊斯兰教界人士和穆斯林群众不断增进对伟大祖国、中华民族、中华文化、中国共产党、中国特色社会主义的认同，推动我国伊斯兰教更好与社会主义社会相适应。要加强自我教育、自我管理、自我约束，坚持全面从严治教，完善领导班子成员民主监督等各项制度，带头守法遵规、崇俭戒奢、提升修为，以强烈的责任感解决影响伊斯兰教健康传承的突出问题。要加强人才队伍建设，努力培养一支政治上靠得住、宗教上有造诣、品德上能服众、关键时起作用的伊斯兰教界代表人士队伍.
Third, there’s a report on Wang Qishan attending Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral in the UK as Xi’s special representative. Xinhua reports:
“On Sunday afternoon, Wang paid tribute to the Queen lying in state at Westminster Hall. On Monday morning, he attended the state funeral for the Queen held at Westminster Abbey, together with heads of state from various countries, members of the royal family and government representatives. Wang told the British side that at a time when Britain is in national grief following the Queen's death, Xi appointed him as the Chinese president's special representative to attend the funeral in London. This fully demonstrates the goodwill of the Chinese president, government and people for the British royal family, government and people, Wang said.”
Finally, a report on eight mega projects being launched in Shanghai (English report), with a combined investment approximating 1.8 trillion yuan. The projects include:
the Pudong integrated transportation hub
new urban railway construction and existing railway renovation projects
a new batch of rail transit construction projects
deep offshore wind power demonstration projects
an ecological park belt around the urban area
a new batch of subsidised housing construction projects
a new batch of old and urban village renovation projects
drinking water safety and quality improvement projects
Page 2: A report on Wang Yang’s meeting with representatives of political advisors who put forward excellent proposals and departments that do a good job handling the proposals. Xinhua reports:
“Wang noted that the proposal work is a groundwork and an important way for the CPPCC to fulfil its duty. Wang said thanks to efforts by the 13th CPPCC National Committee, the proposal work’s quality and efficiency have been boosted throughout its entire process, achieving new substantial progress. The consultation principle has been highlighted, the quality of proposal making, handling, and relevant services have been raised, a synergy has formed to handle the proposals, and relevant institutions have improved, said Wang. Wang stressed efforts to build on experience and make the proposal work better in its role in reflecting public opinion, facilitating sound decision-making, building consensus, and contributing more to the modernization of the country's governance system and capacity.”
Next, a report with data on regional coordinated development and imbalances in China. It says:
In 2021, the GDP of the central and western regions reached 25 trillion yuan and 24 trillion yuan, respectively, an increase of 13.5 trillion yuan and 13.3 trillion yuan compared with 2012. This accounted for 22% and 21.1% of the national GDP in 2021, compared to 21.3% and 19.6% in 2012.
The ratio of GDP per capita in the eastern and central and eastern and western regions have decreased from 1.69 and 1.87 in 2012 to 1.53 and 1.68 in 2021, respectively.
In 2021, the GDP of the nine cities comprising the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, the Yangtze River Delta region, and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area reached 9.6 trillion yuan, 27.6 trillion yuan, and 10.1 trillion yuan, respectively. Combined, they comprised more than 40% of the national GDP.
The five major grain-producing provinces of Heilongjiang, Henan, Shandong, Anhui, and Jilin produced 560.78 billion catties of grain in 2021, exceeding 40% of the country's total.
The resources of compulsory education across different places are basically balanced; school dropout rates have been controlled, and the ratio of students to teachers in compulsory education in the eastern, central and western regions is basically the same.基本公共服务均等化水平不断提高。各地义务教育资源基本均衡，控辍保学实现动态清零，东、中、西部地区义务教育生师比基本持平。
Basic medical security has been fully covered, and the number of beds in medical and health institutions per 1,000 population in the central and western regions exceeds that in the eastern region. 基本医疗保障实现全覆盖，中西部地区每千人口医疗卫生机构床位数超过东部地区.
The total operating mileage of railways in the central and western regions has reached 90,000 kilometres, accounting for nearly 60% of the national total. Air transport services cover 92% of the country's prefecture-level administrative units and 88% of the population.
The per capita disposable income ratio of residents in the east and northeast; east and central; and east and western regions have decreased from 1.7, 1.29 and 1.1 in 2013 to 1.63, 1.11 and 1.07 in 2021, respectively.
Page 3: A couple of reports to note. First, Foreign Minister Wang Yi is in New York, where he has been holding meetings at the sidelines of the UNGA. Two related reports are in PD, but I am covering some other meetings too.
First, in PD, there’s a report on Wang meeting with Henry Kissinger. Xinhua reports:
Wang called Kissinger “an old and good friend of the Chinese people” and then::
“Stressing that China's policy toward the United States has maintained continuity and stability, Wang noted that Chinese President Xi Jinping has put forward the three principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation between China and the United States. They are not only the accumulation of 50 years of experience in bilateral relations, but also the basic principles that should be jointly followed in the next step of development, Wang underlined.”
“U.S. President Joe Biden has made the commitments that the United States does not seek a new Cold War with China; it does not aim to change China's system; the revitalization of its alliance is not targeted at China; the United States does not support ‘Taiwan independence’ and it has no intention to seek a conflict with China, Wang noted. However, what the United States has done is contrary to the commitments, Wang added. Out of a wrong perception of China, the United States insists on viewing China as its main rival and a long-term challenge, and some people have even described the success of China-U.S. exchanges as a failure, which respects neither history nor themselves, Wang said. Kissinger once warned that China-U.S. relations are already in the "foothills of the Cold War," Wang noted. The outbreak of a "new Cold War" between China and the United States will be a disaster not only for China and the United States, but also for the whole world, Wang cautioned, adding that the U.S. side should return to a rational and practical China policy, return to the right track of the three China-U.S. joint communiques, and maintain the political foundation of bilateral relations. Wang stressed that the top priority now is to properly manage the Taiwan question, otherwise it will have a subversive impact on China-U.S. relations.”
“U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan, the deliberation of the ‘Taiwan Policy Act of 2022’ in the U.S. Senate, and the remarks on supporting Taiwan's defense have all seriously challenged the three China-U.S. joint communiques and seriously undermined the political foundation of China-U.S. relations, Wang said. It is China's top wish to realize peaceful reunification, which the Chinese people will do the utmost best to achieve, Wang said, adding that it must be noted that the more rampant "Taiwan independence" is, the less likely the peaceful resolution of the Taiwan question would be. The old Chinese saying -- better lose a thousand troops than an inch of land -- best describes the Chinese people's determination and resolution, Wang said. If the Anti-Secession Law is violated, China will take resolute actions in accordance with the law to safeguard the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity, Wang said, stressing that in order to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits, the United States should seriously return to the original meaning of one China, and clearly oppose and curb ‘Taiwan independence’.” —
Quick thought: Clearly, there’s no backing down by Beijing. I’ve not read this formulation of the potential for conflict before from Wang. That could just be me not having paid attention, but it does sound like a shift in rhetoric. Of course, it comes at an interesting time with Biden telling CBS that American troops would come to Taiwan’s defense in case there was an attack. Here’s what he told CBS.
“Scott Pelley: What should Chinese President Xi know about your commitment to Taiwan?
President Joe Biden: We agree with what we signed onto a long time ago. And that there's one China policy, and Taiwan makes their own judgments about their independence. We are not moving-- we're not encouraging their being independent. We're not-- that-- that's their decision.
Scott Pelley: But would U.S. Forces defend the island?
President Joe Biden: Yes, if in fact there was an unprecedented attack.”
Second, there’s a report with Wang’s comments on ties with the US. This came during a meeting with representatives from the National Committee on United States-China Relations, the U.S.-China Business Council and the United States Chamber of Commerce. Xinhua’s report says that “against the current decline in certainties and the rise in uncertainties over the prospects of China-U.S. ties, Wang elucidated five ‘certainties’ about China:”
First, the prospects of China's own development are certain…this will provide more market and development opportunities for countries around the world, including the United States.
Second, China's resolution in reform and opening-up remains certain.
Third, China's policy toward the United States is certain…China and the United States have different systems, which are chosen by their own people, he said, adding that the two countries can neither substitute nor defeat one another…The key is that the United States should return to a rational and practical China policy at an early date, he said.
Fourth, China's attitude of continuing to strengthen economic and trade cooperation between the two countries is certain…Wang noted that China-U.S. economic and trade cooperation should do more addition instead of subtraction, join hands instead of letting go of each other's hands, and tear down walls instead of erecting walls. For their respective concerns, he added, the two sides should hold talks instead of confronting each other, negotiate instead of coercing each other. He urged the U.S. side to stop unilateral sanctions which do not conform to international law, and to stop engaging in small groups and cliques that exclude China.
Fifth, China's willingness to carry out multilateral coordination with the United States is certain, Wang said. History has proven and will continue to prove that China-U.S. cooperation can accomplish many important tasks that are beneficial to both countries and the world. Therefore, the two sides should uphold the political foundation of bilateral relations, particularly earnestly abide by the one-China principle.
Quick thought: I read this as a restatement of current policy goals. Beijing would like Washington to accommodate its interests, starting with the Taiwan issue. It’s useful to note here that Wang said one-China principle as the foundation and did not talk about the US reverting to what was seen as the one-China policy. In addition, the bit on not engaging in groups and cliques that exclude China is also a call for the US to accommodate China rather than compete or confront. None of this is an offer of an olive branch.
I’d like to cover two other meetings, which are not in PD. Wang met with his Pakistani counterpart Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. Xinhua reports:
“China, Wang said, is ready to work with Pakistan to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, jointly build the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor with high quality, build flagship projects along the Belt and Road, and accelerate the building of a closer China-Pakistan community of a shared future. He added that at present, Pakistan is fighting severe floods and is faced with complex and arduous tasks of post-disaster reconstruction. Noting the Chinese government and people will always stand by the Pakistani side, Wang expressed his belief that under the leadership of the Pakistani government and with the united efforts of people of all walks of life, Pakistan will surely overcome its difficulties soon, achieve more vigorous, safer and sustained development, and play a more important role in regional and international affairs.”
“Wang expressed the hope that the Pakistani side will well implement the upgraded protection mechanism to ensure the safety of Chinese institutions and personnel in Pakistan and provide a solid guarantee for the practical cooperation between the two sides.”
Zardari also said that “Pakistan will continue to unswervingly uphold the one-China policy, and firmly stand by the Chinese side on all issues concerning China's core interests, including those related to Xinjiang, Hong Kong and Taiwan, Zardari added.” — Quick thought: Even Pakistan does not talk about the one-China principle, it seems.
Wang also met with French Foreign Affairs Minister Catherine Colonna. Xinhua reports: “Congratulating France on taking the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council, Wang said that China and France, both permanent members of the Security Council, shoulder important responsibilities in maintaining international security and stability. Both China and France advocate a multi-polar world and greater democracy in international relations, sustaining the core status of the United Nations, and championing the basic norms of international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, he said. China is ready to maintain high-level exchanges and strengthen solidarity and coordination with France to jointly tackle the ever-emerging global challenges and inject more positive energy and stability into the world, said Wang.”
The report adds that “Colonna voiced hope that the two sides will deepen cooperation in such fields as climate change, biodiversity and food security…Appreciating France's consistent adherence to strategic independence, Wang said China is ready to strengthen coordination with France and advance cooperation in areas like climate change, biodiversity and food security so as to jointly deal with global challenges. They also exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis. Colonna expressed concern over a protracted and escalating conflict while Wang said China always advocates solving the disputes through dialogue and will continue to play a constructive role in promoting peace talks.”
Moving back to PD, there’s the fourth and final commentary in the series on the SCO summit. This one basically says that the outcomes of the latest SCO summit are a product of the effectiveness of true multilateralism, which China has advocated and practised and is unlike the pursuit of “unilateralism,” “bloc politics” and “small circles” approach of “some countries” that are pushing the world on the path of division and confrontation. 当前，世界百年未有之大变局正在加速演进，世界进入新的动荡变革期。个别国家奉行单边主义，热衷于搞集团政治和“小圈子”，有将世界推向分裂和对抗的严重风险。
“At present, in the face of many difficulties and challenges, the importance of the SCO's maintenance and practice of true multilateralism has become more prominent. The Samarkand Declaration of the Council of Heads of Member States of the SCO emphasises that member States have similar or identical positions on current international and regional issues, and reiterates the commitment to a more representative, democratic, just and multipolar world order based on the universally recognised principles of international law, multilateralism, equal, common, indivisible, comprehensive and sustainable security, multicultural and civilisational diversity, mutual benefit and equal cooperation among states with a central coordinating role for the UN. What the declaration embodies is the true concept of multilateralism advocated by China.” 当前，面对重重困难与挑战，上合组织维护并践行真正的多边主义的重要性更加凸显。《上海合作组织成员国元首理事会撒马尔罕宣言》强调，成员国在当前国际和地区问题上立场相近或相同，重申坚持以公认的国际法原则，多边主义，平等、共同、综合、合作、可持续安全，文化文明多样性为基础，在联合国中心协调作用下通过各国间平等互利合作，构建更具代表性、更加民主公正的多极世界秩序。宣言所体现的，正是中方倡导的真正的多边主义理念.
“It further adds that the SCO has now “ushered in a new round of the largest expansion of its membership, consolidated and expanded its status and influence as the most populous and largest regional cooperation organisation in the world, and once again demonstrated the vitality, cohesion and attraction of the ‘Shanghai Spirit’. International commentators have pointed out that the SCO advocates that all countries, big or small, are equal and pursues the principle of consensus. This has injected positive energy in international affairs and will vigorously promote the development of the international order in a more just and reasonable direction.” 上合组织迎来新一轮最大规模扩员，巩固扩大了作为世界上人口最多、幅员最为辽阔的地区合作组织的地位和影响，再次彰显出“上海精神”的生命力、凝聚力和吸引力。国际人士指出，上合组织倡导大小国家一律平等，奉行协商一致原则，是国际事务中的正能量，将有力推动国际秩序朝着更加公正合理的方向发展.
Finally, there’s a really long article looking at GDI, which Xi proposed at the UNGA last year. It says that GDI is based on China’s “people-centred development philosophy.” More than 100 countries and international organisations have responded positively to the initiative, and more than 60 countries have joined the GDI Group of Friends. The initiative has been written into the relevant joint statements, outcome documents or conference declarations of the Foreign Ministers' Meeting of China-Pacific Island Countries, the 30th anniversary summit of China-ASEAN ties, the eighth FOCAC ministerial meeting, and the third CELAC ministerial meeting.
Then the article talks about the 32 outcomes that were put out after the High-level Dialogue on Global Development, which had followed the BRICS summit this year. The piece then talks about China-supported development projects going into operation this year. Under this, the piece mentions rail and road projects, knowledge sharing, youth dialogue, and south-south cooperation in general. Later the piece talks about China sharing its experience in poverty alleviation, supporting countries in combating COVID-19, investments by Chinese companies in say Indonesia’s mineral industry, or support for upgrading ports in Colombia, etc.
There’s an interesting quote by Hu Yishan, chief advisor at the Malaysian Pacific Research Center. Hu says that “by proposing GDI, China is sharing its development experience with the world.” Robert Lawrence Kuhn then says that “GDI is based on China's great achievements, and introduces China's development experience and vision to the world. It has rich connotations, plans a blueprint for global development and meets the urgent needs of today's world.” “中方提出全球发展倡议，是在向全世界分享中国发展经验。”马来西亚太平洋研究中心首席顾问胡逸山表示，中国经济向高质量发展转变，创新驱动、绿色发展等理念日益深入人心，各方期待分享中国的发展成果和理念。“全球发展倡议建立在中国取得伟大成就的基础上，将中国的发展经验和愿景介绍给世界，其内涵丰富，规划了全球发展的蓝图，契合当今世界的迫切需要。”美国库恩基金会主席罗伯特·劳伦斯·库恩认为，中国提出全球发展倡议，为全球发展注入“积极的正能量”. —
Quick thought: I have highlighted these quotes to make the point, which I have made for some time now, that I don’t see GDI as a replacement for BRI. To me BRI is the hardware, while GDI is about the software of China’s development diplomacy. Therefore, those studying GDI should not be looking at the dollars spent as a measure of success. Its plans and programs are likely to be more about sharing best practices, enterprise and elite exchanges, policy connectivity, etc.
Page 4: Just one report to note. Propaganda chief Huang Kunming spoke at a convention of the Chinese Society of Ideological and Political Work in Beijing.
Huang Kunming emphasised that to do a good job in ideological and political work in the new journey, we should adhere to the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, deeply understand the decisive significance of the Two Establishments, focus on the overall situation of the centre, persist in being honest and innovative, and strive to unify our thinking, gather strength, warm people's hearts, inspire morale, and constantly create a new situation in ideological and political work in the new era. It is necessary to strengthen ideological guidance, clarify the pursuit of value, resolve contradictions, solve ideological questions and practical problems in an integrated manner, do everything possible to the people’s work, maximise the mobilisation of positive factors, and encourage cadres and the broad masses to work hard, move forward courageously and work together in unity, and strive to write a new chapter in building a modern socialist country in an all-round way.” 黄坤明强调，新征程上做好思想政治工作，要坚持以习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想为指导，深刻领悟“两个确立”的决定性意义，围绕中心大局，坚持守正创新，着力统一思想、凝聚力量、温润人心、鼓舞斗志，不断开创新时代思想政治工作新局面。要加强思想引领，鲜明价值追求，切实理顺情绪、化解矛盾，把解决思想问题和实际问题结合起来，千方百计做人的工作，最大限度调动积极因素，激励广大干部群众踔厉奋发、勇毅前行、团结奋斗，奋力谱写全面建设社会主义现代化国家崭新篇章.
Page 9: On the theory page, the lead article is by the Party Group of the National Committee of the CPPCC. It says that:
“As the most extensive patriotic United Front organisation, the CPPCC should adhere to its own nature and orientation, deeply understand the core essence, spiritual essence, rich connotation and practical requirements of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important thought on doing a good job in the United Front work in the new era, and combine it with the study of the spirit of the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Committee and the CPPCC work conference, so as to further strengthen the responsibility of developing and carrying out the United Front work, and concentrate on the central tasks of the party and the country in the new era and new journey.” 人民政协作为最广泛的爱国统一战线组织，要坚持自身性质定位，深入理解习近平总书记关于做好新时代党的统一战线工作的重要思想的核心要义、精神实质、丰富内涵、实践要求，同学习党的十九届六中全会精神结合起来，同学习中央政协工作会议精神结合起来，进一步增强发展好统一战线、开展好统战工作的责任担当，围绕新时代新征程党和国家中心任务凝心聚力.
So what must it do? The piece says that it should:
Uphold and strengthen the Party's overall leadership over the work of the CPPCC.
Under this, the piece says that “the 13th National Committee of the CPPCC has effectively implemented the Party’s leadership over the work of the CPPCC through effective measures, such as improving systems and mechanisms, strengthening theoretical arming, and consolidating political responsibilities. It is necessary to deeply understand the decisive significance of the Two Establishments, continuously strengthen the four consciousnesses and four self-confidences, and achieve the two safeguards.” 十三届全国政协通过完善制度机制、强化理论武装、压实政治责任等有效措施，切实把党对政协工作的领导落到实处。要深刻领悟“两个确立”的决定性意义，不断增强“四个意识”、坚定“四个自信”、做到“两个维护”. Also, the piece talks about expanding theoretical learning in order to strengthen the Party's leadership, which essentially means more learning and study of Xi’s thought.
Give full play to the advantages of consultation to enhance unity and consolidate and expand consensus. In this regard, it says that “efforts to be made to foster a culture of consultation and create a sound atmosphere for consultation in which people can express their views freely, rationally and in accordance with laws and regulations.” 着力培育协商文化，营造既畅所欲言、各抒己见，又理性有度、合法依章的良好协商氛围。
Carry out activities to “increase their political, ideological, theoretical, and emotional identification with the Communist Party of China and socialism with Chinese characteristics.”
Finally, strengthen the responsibility of CPPCC members.
Page 10: There’s an article by Wang Weiguang from Nankai University, writing about Xi’s speech to leading cadres at the provincial and ministerial levels, which was delivered in July. He talks about Marxism being key to the Party’s success and China’s rise. The core argument he makes is that Marxism and its sinicization is what lends the CCP its distinctive political character and also bestows upon it strong political advantages.
“The Communist Party of China has been able to accomplish arduous tasks that various political forces in modern times have been unable to accomplish. This is because it has always taken the scientific theory of Marxism as its guide to action, persisted in enriching and developing Marxism in practice, and constantly promoted the sinicization of Marxism. Our party gives full play to the guiding role of Marxism, pays attention to the practical application of Marxist positions, viewpoints and methods, and has made great achievements in revolution, construction and reform. Adhering to the guidance of scientific theory has become the distinctive feature and strong advantage of the CCP, which distinguishes it from other political parties.” 中国共产党能够完成近代以来各种政治力量不可能完成的艰巨任务，就在于始终把马克思主义这一科学理论作为自己的行动指南，并坚持在实践中丰富和发展马克思主义，不断推进马克思主义中国化时代化。我们党充分发挥马克思主义的指导作用，注重结合实际运用马克思主义的立场、观点和方法，取得革命、建设、改革的伟大成就。坚持以科学理论为指导，成为中国共产党区别于其他政党的鲜明特征和强大优势. Of course, all of this leads to support for Xi’s thought, which is described as a “new leap in the sinicization of Marxism.” This has resulted in that adoption of strategic decisions, which have promoted a series of transformative practices and achieved breakthrough progress.
For example, Xi’s thought has “proposed to uphold and strengthen the party's overall leadership, promote the party's self-revolution, and achieve new developments in the Marxist theory of Party building; uphold and improve the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics, modernise China's system and capacity for governance, and make new progress in the Marxist theory of the state; proposed adhering to the people-centred development philosophy, developing whole-process people's democracy, promoting all-round human development and common prosperity for all, and making new developments in the Marxist outlook on the people; proposed building Community of Shared Future for Mankind, hold high the banner of peace, development, cooperation and win-win cooperation, unswervingly follow the path of peaceful development, pursue a win-win strategy of opening up, and make new developments in the Marxist theory of world history; and so on…” 比如，提出坚持和加强党的全面领导、推进党的自我革命，对马克思主义建党学说作出新发展；提出坚持和完善中国特色社会主义制度、推进国家治理体系和治理能力现代化，对马克思主义国家学说作出新发展；提出坚持以人民为中心的发展思想，发展全过程人民民主，推动人的全面发展、全体人民共同富裕取得更为明显的实质性进展，对马克思主义人民观作出新发展；提出构建人类命运共同体，高举和平、发展、合作、共赢的旗帜，始终不渝走和平发展道路、奉行互利共赢的开放战略，对马克思主义世界历史理论作出新发展；等等.
“Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era adheres to the Marxist standpoint, viewpoint and method, creatively uses dialectical materialism and the methodology of the global outlook of historical materialism, and has composed a new chapter in the sinicization of Marxism. In contemporary China, adhering to and developing Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era means truly adhering to and developing Marxism, and truly upholding and developing scientific socialism.” 习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想坚持运用马克思主义立场观点方法，创造性运用辩证唯物主义和历史唯物主义世界观方法论，谱写了马克思主义中国化时代化新篇章。在当代中国，坚持和发展习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想，就是真正坚持和发展马克思主义，就是真正坚持和发展科学社会主义.
Page 14: Today’s piece on US foreign policy and colour revolutions is by Tian Wenlin from Renmin University of China. Tian basically blames “ideological infiltration” by the US for the overthrow of the Hosni Mubarak regime in Egypt in 2011. He argues that “Egypt is an ancient civilisation and a ‘leader’ in the Arab world. In order to achieve the strategic goal of dominating the Middle East, the United States has been trying to push Egypt to take the so-called path of ‘democratisation’.”
He argues that while the protests that took place in 2011 might have appeared to be not organised, program-less, and leaderless on the surface, “the shadow of ‘colour revolutions’ instigated by the United States and other Western countries can be seen everywhere.” Tian’s also drawing this from Eric Denécé’s book, like Zhang Weiwei did in yesterday’s article. 埃及是文明古国，也是阿拉伯世界的“领头羊”。为了实现称霸中东的战略目标，美国一直试图推动埃及走所谓“民主化”道路。2011年1月25日，埃及发生全国性大规模反政府抗议行动。18天后，穆巴拉克政府被推翻。这场政治剧变看似无组织、无纲领、无领导，但其实正如法国学者埃里克·德纳塞等人在《阿拉伯“革命”隐藏的另一面》一书中所揭示的，它处处能看到美国等西方国家策动“颜色革命”的影子。
First, he argues that USAID and the National Endowment for Democracy and other similar organisations serve American strategic interests. He says that they worked to “infiltrate and destabilise Egypt by providing funding to pro-American individuals and groups at the behest of the U.S. government.” He says that “USAID spends about $20 million a year on ‘democratising’ Egypt. In the early 1990s, much of this assistance was focused on the rule of law and civil society; in the late 1990s, it focused on funding think tanks and the media. After the 9/11 attacks, the US government implemented the US-Middle East Partnership Initiative in order to accelerate the process of ‘democratisation’ across the Middle East. This entailed increasing its annual funding from $500 million in 2000 to $2 billion in 2005. Egypt has been one of the key objects of this goal of ‘democratic transformation’ of the US. After receiving Western funding, some government officials, soldiers and researchers actively or passively accepted and spread Western views and propositions. This long-term and covert ideological infiltration increasingly eroded the traditional social structure and popular psychology in Egypt, laying the groundwork for the political turmoil in the country in 2011. 首先，长期以来，美国采取各种手段向埃及社会进行意识形态渗透。美国国际开发署、美国国家民主基金会等服务于美国战略利益，遵照美国政府命令，通过向亲美个人和团体提供资助，不断对埃及进行渗透和颠覆活动。有数据显示，美国国际开发署每年在推动埃及“民主化”方面的开支大约有2000万美元。20世纪90年代前期，这些援助大部分集中在法治和公民社会领域；20世纪90年代后期，重点资助智库和媒体。“9·11”事件后，美国政府实施“中东伙伴倡议”，在中东加快推进“民主化”进程，将年度资助金额从2000年时的5亿美元增加到2005年的20亿美元。埃及正是美国“民主改造”的重点对象之一。一些政府人员、军人、研究人员接受西方资助后，主动或被动接受并传播西方观点和主张。这种长期而隐蔽的意识形态渗透，使埃及的传统社会结构和民众心理日益受到侵蚀，最终为2011年埃及政治动荡埋下伏笔.
Second, he argues that the US cultivated “local Egyptian NGOs and agents” to act as vanguard of the colour revolution. He argues that in 2011, while it appeared that different NGOs were fighting their own individual battles, their “operating methods revealed strong characteristics of planning and organisation, such as the use of slogans, cartoons, icons, flags and posters, publishing satirical articles and speeches, organising protests, defying the authority of the police, and blurring of political orientation.” 其次，美国发展埃及本土非政府组织和代理人，使其充当“颜色革命”的“急先锋”...在2011年埃及动荡中，形形色色的非政府组织看似各自为战，实则操作手法都显示出极强的策划组织特征，包括发布口号、漫画、图标、旗帜、海报，发表讽刺文章、演讲，组织抗议活动，藐视警察权威，模糊政治倾向等。
Third, he says that the West fostered turmoil in Egypt through the internet.
Anyway, Tian finally concludes that the purpose of colour revolutions is essentially to maintain US hegemony, which comprises military, economic and ideological aspects 其实质是维护美国的“军事—经济—观念三位一体”霸权. But in the end, this policy results in the target country being much worse off. For instance, the events of 2011, the piece argues, have set back Egypt’s economic development by 15-20 years. 有分析称，这场剧变使该国经济发展倒退至少15—20年.