New Xi Thought Study Campaign - Li Qiang's BFA Outreach - Zhong Sheng on US Defense Budget - ILD Chief Speaks at United Russia Meet on Neo-Colonialism - IPR Courts Report
Dear subscribers,
Hope this finds you well. Just a quick note before we get on with today’s edition. I’ll be in the UK through the second half of April. It would be great to catch up with folks there who are engaged in China study and analysis. Look forward to hearing from folks who might be available.
Cheers,
Manoj
Here are the key reports and articles that I found noteworthy from the People’s Daily’s edition on Friday, March 31, 2023.
Pages 1 & 2: The main report on the front page is about the Politburo meeting yesterday. The big decision at the meeting was the launch of a new Party-wide thematic education campaign starting from April to study and implement Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.
“The meeting pointed out that according to the deployment of the 20th Party Congress, focusing on leading cadres at or above the county and director level, the whole party will carry out a thematic campaign for in-depth study and implementation of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era in order to achieve unity in thought, will and action, carry forward the great founding spirit of the Party, Keep in mind the ‘three musts’ and ensure that the whole Party struggles in unity to build a socialist modern country in an all-round way and achieve the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation in an all-round way.” 会议指出，根据党的二十大部署，以县处级以上领导干部为重点，在全党深入开展学习贯彻习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想主题教育，用党的创新理论统一思想、统一意志、统一行动，弘扬伟大建党精神，牢记“三个务必”，推动全党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 next paragraph says that this campaign is aimed at mobilising all comrades to unite and strive to accomplish the Party's central tasks; it is a “major deployment of the new great project of further advancing the Party building in the new era”; it is necessary to use Xi’s thought to cast souls and ensure that the whole Party more consciously and profoundly understands the decisive significance of the Two Establishments, strengthens the four consciousnesses and four self-confidences and achieves the two safeguards, and maintains a high degree of consistency with the CPC Central Committee in terms of thought, politics and actions. 会议强调，在全党深入开展学习贯彻习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想主题教育，是党中央为全面贯彻党的二十大精神、动员全党同志为完成党的中心任务而团结奋斗所作的重大部署，是深入推进新时代党的建设新的伟大工程的重大部署，就是要用习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想凝心铸魂，推动全党更加自觉深刻领悟“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”，在思想上政治上行动上同党中央保持高度一致；就是要全面学习、全面把握、全面落实党的二十大精神...
It is also aimed at implementing the new development concept, building the new development pattern, promoting high-quality development, and promoting Chinese-style modernisation; it is also aimed to advance the Party's self-revolution, always remain clear-headed and firm in solving problems unique to a big Party, always work with the people, maintain the Party's advanced nature and purity, and rally the whole Party more closely around the CPC Central Committee with comrade Xi Jinping at its core, so as to provide strong political guidance and guarantee for forging ahead on a new journey and making contributions in a new era. 贯彻新发展理念、构建新发展格局、推动高质量发展，推进中国式现代化；就是要推进党的自我革命、时刻保持解决大党独有难题的清醒和坚定，始终与人民同心，保持党的先进性和纯洁性，使全党更加紧密地团结在以习近平同志为核心的党中央周围，为奋进新征程、建功新时代提供坚强有力的政治引领和政治保障.
The next paragraph says that a key goal of this campaign is to “transform Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era into a powerful force to strengthen ideals, temper Party spirit, guide practice and promote work so that the entire party will always maintain unified thinking, firm will, coordinated actions, and strong combat effectiveness; efforts will be made to achieve tangible results in casting souls, enhancing wisdom, rectifying winds and promoting work through learning.” 把习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想转化为坚定理想、锤炼党性和指导实践、推动工作的强大力量，使全党始终保持统一的思想、坚定的意志、协调的行动、强大的战斗力，努力在以学铸魂、以学增智、以学正风、以学促干方面取得实实在在的成效.
Through all this, the aim is to address issues in six domains: theoretical study, political quality, ability, responsibility and performance, work style, honesty and self-discipline. 着力解决理论学习、政治素质、能力本领、担当作为、工作作风、廉洁自律等6个方面的问题.
Along with this, the meeting also deliberated the regulations on the reporting of personal information by leading cadres. It says that the revision of these regulations is of great significance.
The meeting emphasised that leading cadres should profoundly understand the decisive significance of Two Establishments, strengthen the four consciousnesses and four self-confidences and achieve two safeguards, be loyal and honest to the Party, be open and aboveboard, tell the truth, do honest things, be honest, truthfully report personal matters and consciously accept organisational supervision. Senior cadres should take the lead in implementation by reporting their personal information, thereby setting a good example. 领导干部要深刻领悟“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”，对党忠诚老实、光明磊落，说老实话、办老实事、做老实人，如实报告个人有关事项，自觉接受组织监督。高级干部要带头执行、模范遵守、以上率下.
Next, there’s a report on Li Qiang’s speech yesterday at the Boao Forum for Asia. The full speech is published on page 2. I am just going to look at that text.
Li said that mankind is today faced with “unprecedented challenges”, as “instability, uncertainty, and unpredictability have become the norm.” 当今世界，变乱交织，人类社会面临前所未有的挑战，不稳定、不确定、难预料成为常态。He talks about Xi introducing the concept of community of shared future for mankind, GDI, GSI, and GCI as Chinese solutions to tackle problems of global development and governance.
“Over the past 10 years, China has taken practical actions to promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, and has achieved a series of major practical results. In particular, high-quality, joint construction of BRI has driven the vast number of developing countries to accelerate their development and opened up new space for the world economy. At the same time, it has also made fruitful efforts in advocating political settlement of the crisis, solving international hotspot issues, persuading peace and promoting talks, and turning hostility into friendship, demonstrating the responsibility of a responsible big country. All these are vivid examples of the vision of a community with a shared future for mankind.” 10年来，中国以务实行动推动构建人类命运共同体，取得一系列重大实践成果。特别是高质量共建“一带一路”，带动广大发展中国家加快发展，为世界经济拓展了新空间。同时，在倡导政治解决危机，解决国际热点问题，劝和促谈、化干戈为玉帛等方面，也作出了卓有成效的努力，展现了负责任的大国担当。这些都是人类命运共同体理念的生动实践.
“Today, Asia and the world are at a historic crossroads. We must hold high the banner of the concept of a community of shared future for mankind, work together to build a community of Asian destiny, build an anchor for peace and stability, a source of growth and a new highland of cooperation in the world, inject more certainty into world peace and development, and strive to create a better future for mankind.” 现在，亚洲和世界都处在历史演变的十字路口。我们要高举人类命运共同体理念的旗帜，携手构建亚洲命运共同体，打造世界的和平稳定锚、增长动力源、合作新高地，为世界和平与发展注入更多确定性，努力创造人类更加美好的未来.
He then made four points:
Jointly safeguard the peaceful and stable development environment: “Asia's remarkable development achievements over the past few decades cannot be separated from the overall peaceful and stable environment it has enjoyed; in order to achieve greater development in Asia in the future, there must be no chaos and war; otherwise its future will be ruined. The Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and the Bandung Spirit, which were born nearly 70 years ago, are the crystallisation of the wisdom of the Asian people. The ‘Asian Way’, based on the important principles of mutual respect, consensus building and accommodating each other’s views, provides the basic principles for the development of cooperation between countries. The more turbulent the world is, the more we should cherish these precious treasures and resolutely safeguard the hard-won peace. We must always adhere to good-neighbourliness and friendship, support ASEAN-centrality in East Asian regional cooperation, share weal and woe with each other, and ensure lasting peace and stability in Asia. We should implement GSI, adhere to the common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security concept, oppose the abuse of unilateral sanctions and ‘long-arm jurisdiction’, oppose taking sides, group confrontation and the New Cold War, persist in resolving differences and disputes between countries by peaceful means, and jointly safeguard world peace and tranquillity.” 第一，共同守护和平稳定的发展环境，为变乱交织的国际局势注入更多确定性。和平是发展的前提。过去几十年，亚洲之所以能取得世界瞩目的发展成就，离不开总体和平稳定的大环境；未来亚洲要实现更大发展，决不能生乱生战，否则就会自断前程。诞生于近70年前的和平共处五项原则和“万隆精神”，是亚洲人民的智慧结晶；以相互尊重、协商一致、照顾各方舒适度等为重要原则的“亚洲方式”，为国家间合作发展提供了基本遵循。世界形势越是动荡不安，我们越是要倍加珍惜这些宝贵财富，坚决守护来之不易的和平局面。要始终坚持睦邻友好，支持东盟在东亚区域合作中的中心地位，安危与共、命运与共，确保亚洲持久和平稳定。要落实全球安全倡议，坚持共同、综合、合作、可持续的安全观，反对滥用单边制裁和“长臂管辖”，反对选边站队、集团对抗和“新冷战”，坚持以和平方式解决国家间的分歧和争端，共同维护世界的和平安宁.
The second point is around growth and development. Li said that “We must implement GDI, and seize the opportunities of the new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation, create points of growth and cooperation in areas such as digital economy and green economy, and make Asia a ‘power source’ for the recovery and development of the world economy.” 我们要落实全球发展倡议，抓住新一轮科技革命和产业变革机遇，在数字经济、绿色经济等合作领域打造新增长极，使亚洲成为世界经济复苏和发展的“动力源”. He also talked about regional economic integration via the RCEP, upgrading China-ASEAN FTA, building a regional production division system with complementary advantages and win-win cooperation, and promoting the formation of a more open regional market. “It is necessary to build an open world economy, build a high quality BRI, promote the liberalisation and facilitation of global trade and investment, oppose trade protectionism and ‘decoupling’, ensure the stable and smooth operation of global industrial and supply chains, and inject strong momentum into the development of the world economy.” 我们要落实全球发展倡议，抓住新一轮科技革命和产业变革机遇，在数字经济、绿色经济等合作领域打造新增长极，使亚洲成为世界经济复苏和发展的“动力源”。要深入推进区域经济一体化，加强宏观政策协调，高质量实施《区域全面经济伙伴关系协定》，积极推进中国—东盟自贸区3.0版谈判，构筑优势互补、合作共赢的区域生产分工体系，推动形成更加开放的区域大市场。要构建开放型世界经济，高质量共建“一带一路”，促进全球贸易投资自由化便利化，反对贸易保护主义和“脱钩断链”，确保全球产业链供应链稳定畅通，为世界经济发展注入强劲动能.
The third point is about global governance. In this, Li talked about adhering “to the global governance concept of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits”; the need to “firmly safeguard the international system with the United Nations as the core and the international order based on international law” and to uphold multilateralism, and “promote the development of the global governance system in a more just and reasonable direction.”
The fourth point is about promoting people-to-people and cultural exchanges, which is where GCI comes into play. He said: “We are ready to work with other parties to implement the Global Civilization Initiative and usher in new progress in people-to-people exchanges, cultural integration and people-to-people bonds. We must adhere to mutual respect, mutual trust, openness and tolerance, respect the development path independently chosen by all countries, and oppose the ‘clash of civilisations’ and ideological confrontation. It is necessary to carry forward the common values of all mankind, strengthen exchanges in the fields of culture, education, health, youth and media, enhance understanding and trust through sincere communication, properly handle differences and problems by seeking common ground while reserving differences, and create a model for different civilisations to blend and coexist.” 我们愿与各方一道落实全球文明倡议，努力开创人文交流、文化交融、民心相通的新局面。要坚持互尊互信、开放包容，尊重各国自主选择的发展道路，反对“文明冲突论”和意识形态对抗。要弘扬全人类共同价值，加强文化、教育、卫生、青年、媒体等领域交流，以真诚沟通增进理解和信任，以求同存异妥善处理分歧和问题，打造不同文明交融共生的样板. — Comment: The highlighted text reflects the core elements of GCI. What sort of tangible partnerships this will entail is worth watching.
After this, he talked about China, stating that it has “created two miracles of rapid economic development and long-term social stability, which in themselves are contributions to the world. It can be said that in an uncertain world, China's certainty is the mainstay for maintaining world peace and development. This was true in the past, and even more so in the present and the future.” 中国创造了经济快速发展和社会长期稳定两大奇迹，这本身就是对世界的贡献。可以说，在不确定的世界中，中国的确定性，是维护世界和平与发展的中流砥柱。过去如此，未来和当下更是如此.
He then talked about Chinese-style modernisation. He said this is “the modernisation that China wants to achieve is a modernization with a huge population, one that features the common prosperity of all people, the harmony between material civilisation and spiritual civilisation, the harmonious coexistence between man and nature, and the peaceful development path; we will never seek modernization through war, colonisation or plunder. We will strive to build a modern society for 1.4 billion-plus people through peace and development. This will create a strong driving force for economic growth in Asia and beyond…I believe that a China that is committed to long-term stability and development, a China that is down-to-earth and courageous, a China that is confident and open and willing to share with others, will surely be a great force for global prosperity and stability.” 中国要建设的现代化，是人口规模巨大、全体人民共同富裕、物质文明和精神文明相协调、人与自然和谐共生、走和平发展道路的现代化，我们决不会通过战争、殖民、掠夺等方式实现现代化，一定会用和平和发展的方式使14亿多人口整体迈进现代化社会，这将为亚洲和世界经济增长带来强劲动能...我想，一个长期稳定、一心发展的中国，一个脚踏实地、勇毅前行的中国，一个自信开放、乐于共享的中国，一定是世界繁荣稳定的巨大力量。(Comment: I agree; but where is that China?)
In the next paragraph, he basically expressed confidence in China’s economic development this year.
The report on Page 1 also has this paragraph.
At the opening ceremony of the Boao Forum for Asia, Ban Ki-moon, Singapore’s Lee Hsien Loong, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Cote d'Ivoire Patrick Achi, IMF Managing Director Kristalina and industry representatives delivered speeches. They said that this Boao Forum for Asia has provided important guidance for coping with the uncertainties in today's world, promoted the construction of the concept of building a Community of Shared Future for Mankind, and pointed out the correct direction for countries to cooperate to meet common challenges. All parties have opposed camp confrontation, protectionism, disorderly competition and economic fragmentation, and advocated that the international community strengthen unity and cooperation and work together to meet global challenges. All parties appreciate China's support for multilateralism and regional cooperation, welcome China's continued opening to the outside world, and look forward to seizing the opportunities brought by China's vigorous economic development in the post-epidemic era, promoting the recovery of international investment and trade, and jointly promoting regional and world peace and development. 开幕式上，博鳌亚洲论坛理事长潘基文致欢迎词。李显龙、桑切斯、安瓦尔、阿希、格奥尔基耶娃以及工商界代表先后致辞。他们表示，本届博鳌亚洲论坛为应对当今世界的不确定性提供了重要指引，推动构建人类命运共同体理念为各国合作应对共同挑战指明了正确方向。各方反对搞阵营对抗、保护主义、无序竞争、经济碎片化，主张国际社会加强团结合作，携手应对全球性挑战。各方赞赏中方支持多边主义和区域合作，欢迎中方继续推进对外开放，期待在后疫情时代抓住中国经济蓬勃发展带来的机遇，推动国际投资和贸易复苏，共同促进地区和世界和平与发展.
I am going to stick with reports around the Boao Forum, which are on Page 2. First, there’s a report on Li Qiang meeting with BFA board of directors.
Xinhua reports: “China and Asia could play a larger role in dealing with the current uncertainties faced the world, he said, adding that, with the spirit of win-win cooperation and common development, the human society will find a way to share the fruits of peaceful development. ‘The Chinese economy is now showing a momentum of stabilization and recovery,’ Li said. ‘We will ensure steady growth, employment and prices through strong and effective implementation of macro policies, improve the business environment by steadfastly deepening reform and opening up, vigorously boost market expectations and confidence, and make new strides in promoting high-quality development.’ Li said China will open its door even wider to the world, and welcomes foreign companies to invest and do business in China.”
Second, a report on Li’s meeting with Chinese and foreign business representatives attending the BFA. Xinhua reports:
“All types of enterprises, including foreign-funded businesses, have witnessed and contributed to China's rapid economic growth and long-term social stability, Li said. Li highlighted his hope that all entrepreneurs will play a leading role in boosting confidence and improving expectations. It should be noted that despite the current difficulties, the historical trend of economic globalization will not change, the sound fundamentals of China's economic development will not change, the general direction of reform and opening-up will not change, and the outstanding strengths of China's enormous market and complete industrial system will not change, he said. Li said the steady progress of Chinese modernization will bring more business opportunities and development dividends to countries around the world, and inject great certainty into the global economy. He said the Chinese government will continue to provide an improved environment and better services for the development of various enterprises. China will continue to maintain relative stability in its macro policy, take greater initiative to align high-standard international economic and trade rules, and foster a world-class business environment that is market-oriented, law-based and internationalized. China has always attached great importance to attracting and utilizing foreign investment, Li said, adding that China will ease market access further, expand the global-oriented network of high-standard free trade areas, and make solid progress in promoting the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative. ‘Investing in China equals choosing a better future,’ Li said.”
Some of their comments are captured in this article on Page 3.
Finally, on Page 1, there’s a report informing that the output value of China’s 45 national-level advanced manufacturing clusters exceeded 20 trillion yuan in 2022.
Page 3: There’s a Zhong Sheng commentary on the US’ 2024 defence budget.
It says that the US government recently announced its 2024 fiscal year budget plan. The total defense budget is now at $842 billion, up 8.9% year-on-year. This continues the trend of record high US military spending for many years in a row. It is predicted that the total military expenditure finally approved by the US Congress may exceed $900 billion US dollars. This huge amount has aroused widespread concern in the international community. 美国政府日前公布2024财年预算计划，其中国防预算总额高达8420亿美元，同比增长8.9%，这是美国军费连续多年创下历史新高。据预测，美国国会最终批准的军费总额有可能突破9000亿美元，堪称“天量”，引发国际社会普遍担忧.
The article says that as per SIPRI data, US military expenditure accounts for about 40% of the total military expenditure of all countries in the world. It also makes the point that increased US defense spending is linked to it provoking conflicts. “At present, about two-thirds of the global conflicts, i.e., 34 of the 46 conflicts involve one or more parties armed by the United States.” 在目前全球的冲突中，大约有2/3的冲突，即46个冲突中的34个涉及一个或多个由美国武装的当事方。
The piece mentions the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, and Syria. On Ukraine it says: “It is reported that the US Department of Defense has issued a number of ammunition procurement requirements for the Ukrainian battlefield to several major arms dealers. The production cycle of these ammunition is as long as several years. How long does the United States want this crisis to drag on through such deliberate actions? 据悉，美国国防部向几大军火商发出多项用于乌克兰战场的弹药采购需求，这些弹药生产周期长达数年。美方如此处心积虑，到底还想让危机延宕多久?
It then offers some data on the US budget plan, saying that it includes:
spending $37.7 billion on new nuclear modernisation, including intercontinental ballistic missiles, strategic bombers and other upgrades;
spending $170 billion on weapons and equipment procurement
spending $145 billion on the development of long-range strike capabilities, such as hypersonic missiles.
spending $9.1 billion for the Pacific Deterrence Initiative, an increase of 50 percent.
“The United States is still trapped by the false ‘dream of hegemony’,” the article adds. 2024财年美国军费包括斥资377亿美元用于新型洲际弹道导弹、战略轰炸机等“三位一体”核力量更新换代，1700亿美元用于武器装备采购，1450亿美元用于重点发展高超音速导弹等远程打击系统，还为所谓“太平洋威慑计划”注资91亿美元，增幅达50%。“美国仍被虚假的‘霸权梦’所困.”
If you are interested, here are the details on the DoD’s website.
The next paragraph points to the US debt and economic situation, arguing that the Pentagon is “forcing American taxpayers to pay the bill (for this defense spending) and putting huge profits into the pockets of the military-industrial complex. Having money for arms and no money to improve people's livelihood, this is the abnormal/distorted nature of American democracy.” 尽管如此，五角大楼仍开出如此高的军费预算，强迫美国纳税人埋单，把巨额利润装入军工复合体的腰包。有钱大搞军火、无钱改善民生，这就是畸形的美式民主现状.
The article ends by arguing that this high-level of military spending “reflects the obsession of the United States with the outdated Cold War mentality.”
Next, there’s a consolidated report on Qin Gang meeting with his counterparts from Dominica, Vince Henderson, and Papua New Guinea, Justin Tkatchenko.
Xinhua’s report on the meeting with Henderson says:
“China is willing to take the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Dominica next year as an opportunity to strengthen bilateral exchanges at all levels, strengthen people-to-people and cultural exchanges, enhance multilateral cooperation, and promote China-Dominica ties to reach a new level, Qin said. He said China appreciates the support of Dominica for the Global Development Initiative and welcomes its active participation in the Global Civilization Initiative. Henderson said Dominica adheres to the one-China principle and is willing to strengthen cooperation with China in fields such as agriculture, education, medical care and climate change, and deepen exchanges and cooperation between the Caribbean Community and China.” — Comment: Do note that there was no endorsement of GSI.
Xinhua’s report on the meeting with Tkatchenko says:
“Calling PNG China's good friend and partner, Qin said China is willing to work with PNG to earnestly implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, adhere to mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, and tap the potential of cooperation. Qin said China appreciates PNG's firm adherence to the one-China principle, and is willing to enhance synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative and the Connect PNG infrastructure development strategy. China welcomes PNG's accession to the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and will continue to provide economic and technical assistance to PNG without attaching political conditions, Qin said, adding that the country is willing to strengthen communication and cooperation with PNG under multilateral frameworks. China is an important partner of PNG, Tkatchenko said, adding that PNG adheres to the one-China principle and is firmly committed to deepening its relations with China. PNG is willing to further strengthen exchanges and cooperation with China in areas such as economy, trade, education, and people-to-people and cultural exchanges, Tkatchenko added.”
Next, there’s a report on ILD chief Liu Jianchao meeting with the president of the Malaysian Chinese Association and a delegation of the Palestinian Popular Struggle Front. Another report informs of Li attending a forum being held by the United Russia party on opposing neo-colonialism. This is the ‘forum of supporters against modern neocolonial practices.’ Tass’ report has more details on Li’s comments:
According to the report, he said that “some states retained their colonial mindset over time and continue to interfere into sovereign affairs of other states, provoking color revolutions and imposing their values and ideology. Liu Jianchao went on to say that Beijing ‘sticks to the principle of indivisible security and opposes attempts to boost one’s security at the expense of others.’ He called upon other nations to jointly resist the policy of confrontation, oppose other states’ attempts to violate peace, defend the legitimate rights of developing nations and help the global management to develop in a more fair and rational way. ‘China favors an innovative, open, interrelated and inclusive concept of nations’ development,’ the official added.”
Page 4: Two reports to note. First, Ma Ying-jeou, former chairman of the Chinese Kuomintang party, met with Song Tao, head of the Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council.
Xinhua reports: “Song conveyed the greetings from Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, to Ma, and gave full recognition to the significant contribution made by Ma to the development of cross-Strait relations. Song said the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are of one family. He stressed adhering to the 1992 Consensus, boosting the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations, and resolutely opposing "Taiwan independence" separatist activities and foreign interference. Song also called for joint efforts to safeguard peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and to realize national rejuvenation. Noting that he appreciated Xi's greetings, Ma said compatriots on both sides belong to the same Chinese nation, and should work together to promote everlasting peace and prosperity across the Strait, improve the well-being of Chinese people on both sides and revitalize China based on the political foundation of upholding the 1992 Consensus.”
Reuters reports: “Ma said maintaining the peaceful and stable development of relations is the ‘general mainstream view of Taiwanese society’. It is the common responsibility of the ‘principals’ on both sides of the Taiwan Strait to strive for all opportunities that are conducive to enhancing peace, Ma said, according to a transcript of his comments provided by Ma's office in Taipei. ‘The two sides must maintain exchanges, cooperate together, and do everything possible to avoid war and conflict’.”
Second, a report informing that in the January-February period, total investment by central SOEs, excluding real estate, rose 5.6% from a year ago to 350 billion yuan (about $50.89 billion). More than 900 key investment projects are currently either under construction or planned by central SOEs for 2023, covering major projects listed in the 14th Five-Year Plan and other national plans.
Page 10: A report with comments from PBOC’s Yi Gang. He informed that China’s outstanding green loans exceed 22 trillion yuan accounting for about 10% of the country’s total loan balance. The balance of green bonds has also increased significantly to more than 2.5 trillion yuan.
Yi added that by the end of 2022, the carbon emission reduction (re-lending) tool has provided more than 300 billion yuan in funds, supporting financial institutions to issue carbon emission reduction loans of nearly 600 billion yuan. In addition to the initial 21 national Chinese banks, seven foreign banks and dozens of locally incorporated banks have also joined the program. In terms of impact, the 2022 support tool has led to about 100 million tonnes of carbon reduction.
Reuters’ report has more of Yi’s comments. He said “Achieving carbon neutrality requires 'carrots and sticks', Yi said, adding that a central bank incentive mechanism, which provides commercial banks with loans with interest rates as low as 1.75%, could be equated to a ‘carrot’.”
Finally, a report (English report) informing that China’s SOEs raked in 12.24 trillion yuan (about 1.78 trillion U.S. dollars) in operating revenues in the January-February period, up 5 percent from the same period last year. The combined profits of SOEs went up 9.9 percent year on year to 650.56 billion yuan in the first two months. By the end of February, the average debt-to-asset ratio of SOEs stood at 64.6 percent, up 0.3 percentage points from the previous year.
Page 11: Two reports to note. First, data for February records 5,689 cases of violations of the 8-point central regulation. This includes 2,532 cases of formalism and bureaucracy, and 3,157 cases of hedonism and extravagance. 5,612 people faced disciplinary and administrative punishments.
Second, a report on the Intellectual Property Court Annual Report (2022) released by the Supreme People’s Court.
In 2022, there were 1,338 new cases involving strategic emerging industries, accounting for 30.4% of all newly received cases, an increase of 3.5 percentage points from 2021. Among them, cases involving new industries and new fields such as new-generation information technology, biomedicine, high-end equipment manufacturing, standard essential patents, pharmaceutical patent linkages, integrated circuit layout designs, and new plant varieties have increased significantly. 2022年新收涉战略新兴产业案件1338件，占全部新收案件的30.4%，较2021年提高3.5个百分点。其中，涉新一代信息技术、生物医药、高端装备制造、标准必要专利、药品专利链接、集成电路布图设计、植物新品种等新产业、新领域案件明显增多.
The report adds that there has been a significant increase in cases related to rights with regard to new plant varieties, given the push on seed industry revitalisation.
In the whole year, 83 cases related to monopolistic and unfair trade practices were accepted. 57 of these cases were concluded in the year.
Foreign-related cases accounted for 9% of the new cases received by the court throughout the year … The report adds: “By adjudicating foreign-related cases fairly according to law, we will earnestly fulfil our international treaty obligations, protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese and foreign obligees equally according to law, and strive to create a first-class business environment.” 通过依法公正裁判涉外案件，切实履行国际条约义务，依法平等保护中外权利人合法权益，努力营造一流营商环境.
When you read the above, I also recommend going through this WSJ story from February: China’s Newest Weapon to Nab Western Technology—Its Courts
Page 16: Another day, another report criticising the US on human rights. Beijing is really leaning in on this narrative contest with the US.
This one is titled: U.S. Human Rights Abuse Against Refugees and Immigrants: Truth and Facts (English text.)
The introduction says:
“The United States is a nation of immigrants. Ever since colonial times, immigrants from around the world have come to the country in waves. However, the history of U.S. treatment of immigrants is one rife with inhumane tragedies such as discrimination, exclusion, arrest, detention, expulsion, and a litany of human rights abuses. Worse still, the recent years have witnessed one humanitarian disaster after another caused by the U.S. government on refugees and immigrants going to the country. This report gives a truthful account of the United States' egregious record on the issue of refugees and immigrants by reviewing events in the past and present within the United States and beyond. Using facts and figures, this report lays bare the lies and double standards on the issue of refugees and immigrants of the United States, a self-proclaimed ‘beacon of democracy’.”
I also recommend reading section 4, which calls the US the “Primary Cause of the Global Refugee Crisis.” It basically argues that US military intervention and interference in domestic affairs of other countries have led to instability and refugee crises.
This bit on Europe is interesting. “U.S. military interventions around the world triggered a refugee crisis in Europe. It is widely held in Europe that U.S. interference and military operations in such countries as Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria gave rise to waves of refugees, but it is Europe, not the United States, that received them. Most of the affected people fled to Europe in the wake of the Syrian refugee crisis, exacerbating anti-immigrant sentiments and right-wing populist movements in Europe. By contrast, the Republican administration in the United States was tough on taking Syrian refugees, bringing refugee admission to a 40-year low and categorically banning refugees from seven Islamic countries from entering the country. The Democratic administration urged the EU to admit some Afghan refugees, a move upsetting the EU which feared that another surge of Muslim refugees could again heighten the right-wing populist movements. French President Emmanuel Macron put it bluntly that Europe alone will not be able to assume the consequences of the current situation in Afghanistan.”
Also this bit in Ukraine: “The eastward expansion of NATO led by the United States is an important root cause of the Ukraine crisis. Being the initiator and biggest driver of the crisis, the United States cannot shirk off its responsibility for the sufferings of Ukrainian refugees. After the conflict between Russia and Ukraine started, however, the U.S. government suggested that Ukrainian refugees should stay in European countries or return to Ukraine as soon as possible, and was reluctant to take them in on a large scale. As of January 2023, UNHCR data indicated that more than 7.91 million Ukrainian refugees were registered across Europe. It was not until the end of July 2022 that the U.S. government claimed to have received 100,000 Ukrainian refugees, a number significantly dwarfed by Europe Union, and the real purpose of the U.S. move was actually for Ukrainian Americans to reunite with their families.”
Here’s the conclusion: “A review of U.S. history would expose the country's cruel treatment of immigrants from almost all around the world, including people of African, Irish, Eastern European, Southern European, Jewish, Asian, Latino, and Muslim origins. The U.S. government interferes in the domestic affairs of other countries and launches wars across the world, creating large-scale humanitarian disasters and immigration crises while refusing to take responsibility and shifting the blame onto others. The United States needs to seriously reflect on its terrible record on the issue of refugees and immigrants and correct its course, and make real efforts to improve the situations of foreign refugees and immigrants in the country. It should stop all hegemonic and bullying practices, stop creating new crises, stop acting like a ‘human rights guardian’, and stop using human rights as a pretext to smear and attack others.”