NPCSC Work Report - Details of Party & State Institutional Reform Plan - Qin Gang's Press Conference on Foreign Policy - Weak Trade Data for Jan-Feb Period
Here are the key reports and articles that I found noteworthy from the People’s Daily’s edition on Wednesday, March 8, 2023.
Page 1: At the top of the page is a feature report telling us that throughout his career, the masses, the people have been “the most important thing in the heart of General Secretary Xi Jinping.” One example cited in the report:
On October 21, 2021, while visiting Dongying in Shandong, Xi Jinping went to a demonstration area for the agricultural industry. There he picked up a bean pod, twisted it, checked the colour and then put it in his mouth. The person in charge was very surprised at this, saying that only farmers tend to act with such instincts. The subtleties reveal the General Secretary’s deep affection for the people. Over the past ten years, he has visited communities, factories and campuses leaving behind memories of warm moments…Only with deep feelings for the people can there be enthusiasm and passion for serving the people… 2021年10月21日，山东东营。习近平总书记走进一块示范田，俯身摘下一个豆荚、一撮一捻、仔细察看成色，顺手将一颗大豆放进嘴里。一旁的农技负责人既惊讶又感到亲切：“这是老农民才有的动作呀。”细微之处，流露出总书记对人民的赤子深情。十年来，他访社区、进工厂、到校园，留下一个个温暖瞬间。幼有所育、学有所教、劳有所得……一件接着一件办，一事一事见实效。只有怀着对人民群众的深厚感情，才会有为人民服务的热情和激情。心里装着群众，把群众当亲人，才能真正做到“民之所忧，我必念之；民之所盼，我必行之”.
The article also talks about dealing with corruption and rectifying the four winds; essentially, it emphasises the importance of public satisfaction and its importance for ruling legitimacy.
The main story on the page, however, is on the second plenary session of the 14th NPC. During this session, the leadership heard and reviewed the work reports of the NPCSC, the SPP, the SPC and an explanation of the Party and state institutional reform plan. This report offers a brief summary of the key points from each of these. But excerpts from all these texts are published in the paper today. I will only do a breakdown of the NPCSC work report and the Party and state institutional reform plan.
First, the NPCSC work report, excerpts of which are on Page 2. The full text, including English text, is available at the NPC Observer’s website:
In the report, Li Zhanshu informed that over the past year under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with comrade Xi Jinping at the core, the NPCSC had conscientiously implemented the spirit of the 19th and 20th Party Congresses. The following is the report card:
It enacted 5 laws, revised 9 laws, adopted 4 decisions on legal and major issues, and made 1 legal interpretation
It examined the implementation of five laws, listened to and considered 23 supervision reports, conducted special inquiries, and conducted 8 special investigations; it adhered to high quality in doing a good job in representative work: it handled 487 representative motions and 9349 suggestions, and more than 100 delegates participated in the work of the Standing Committee, special committees and working committees
It decided to ratify or join 14 treaties and important agreements, held bilateral video activities, attended 116 international conferences online, carried out 38 offline foreign affairs activities, and exchanged nearly 600 diplomatic letters
393 staff members of state organs were appointed and removed, and the tasks set by the Fifth Session of the 13th National People's Congress were successfully completed.
过去一年，在以习近平同志为核心的党中央坚强领导下，全国人大常委会认真贯彻党的十九大、二十大精神，坚持高质量做好立法工作，制定法律5件，修改法律9件，通过有关法律问题和重大问题的决定4件，作出法律解释1件；坚持高质量做好监督工作，检查5件法律的实施情况，听取审议23个监督工作报告，开展专题询问，进行8项专题调研；坚持高质量做好代表工作，办理代表议案487件、建议9349件，共有100多人次代表参与常委会、专门委员会、工作委员会的工作；坚持高质量做好外事工作，决定批准或者加入条约和重要协定14项，举行双边视频活动、线上出席国际会议116场，开展线下外事活动38场，外交信函往来近600件；依法任免国家机关工作人员393人次，圆满完成十三届全国人大五次会议确定的任务.
He added that this NPSC’s work has coincided with “great historical changes” in the cause of the Party and the country. The NPCSC “deeply understands the decisive significance of the Two Establishments, has strengthened the four consciousnesses, and the four self-confidence, and achieved the Two Safeguards. It has always firmly safeguarded the authority of the CPC Central Committee and the centralised and unified. It has resolutely implemented the Party's theory, line, principles and policies, firmly grasped the correct direction of the work of the NPC, closely followed the major decision-making arrangements of the CPC Central Committee, closely followed the expectations of the people for a better life, and closely followed the needs of promoting the modernisation of the national governance system and governance capacity; it has implemented the great concept of whole process people's democracy…” 常委会深刻领悟“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”，始终坚定维护党中央权威和集中统一领导，坚决贯彻党的理论和路线方针政策，牢牢把握人大工作正确方向，紧跟党中央重大决策部署，紧贴人民群众对美好生活的期盼，紧扣推进国家治理体系和治理能力现代化的需求，贯彻全过程人民民主重大理念，紧紧依靠全体代表，依法行使立法权、监督权、决定权、任免权，切实履行党和人民赋予的光荣职责，努力做到不负党中央重托、不负人民期望的庄严承诺.
He added that in the past five years:
It enacted 47 laws, revised 111 laws, made 53 legal interpretations and decisions on legal and major issues
19 bills and decisions that have been deliberated have not been passed
182 oversight work reports and other reports have been discussed
implementation of 30 laws and decisions has been examined
11 special inquiries and 33 special investigations have been conducted
2,282 deputies' motions and 43,750 deputies' suggestions have all been handled, and the deputies' satisfaction with the handling of motions and suggestions has reached 98%
Decided to ratify or join 36 treaties and important agreements, organised and received 261 visiting groups, and held and participated in more than 400 bilateral and multilateral online foreign affairs activities
1,515 staff members of state organs were appointed or removed
五年来，历次大会和常委会会议通过宪法修正案，制定法律47件，修改法律111件次，作出法律解释、有关法律问题和重大问题的决定决议53件，已经审议尚未通过的法律案、决定案19件；听取审议182个监督工作报告和其他报告，检查30件法律和决定实施情况，开展11次专题询问、33项专题调研；2282件代表议案、43750件代表建议已全部办理完毕，代表对议案建议办理工作满意度达到98%；决定批准或者加入条约和重要协定36项，组派、接待出来访团组261个，举行和参加双多边线上外事活动400余场；依法任免国家机关工作人员1515人次。主要开展了以下工作.
Li then outlined the six key functions of the NPC and detailed the work done in that regard. At this point, I located the English version of the full report. So I am going to rely on that for excerpts that I found useful. This saves a lot of time.
On legislation related to high-quality development:
We conducted seven rounds of deliberation on the Civil Code and solicited public opinions on seven occasions before it was deliberated and adopted at the Third Session of the 13th NPC. We formulated the Foreign Investment Law and the Hainan Free Trade Port Law to support a new round of high-standard opening up. In order to stimulate rural revitalization and prioritize agricultural and rural development, we enacted the Rural Revitalization Promotion Law in a timely manner; revised the Seed Law, the Law on the Contracting of Rural Land, the Land Administration Law, the Agricultural Products Quality and Safety Law, and the Animal Husbandry Law; and deliberated draft laws on rural collective economic organizations and other issues.
In an effort to establish a fairer and more equitable legal system underpinning the market economy, we formulated the Electronic Commerce Law and the Law on Futures and Derivatives; revised the Anti-Monopoly Law, the Securities Law, the Workplace Safety Law, the Audit Law, the Urban Real Estate Administration Law, the Law on the Protection of Investment of Taiwan Compatriots, and the Foreign Trade Law; and deliberated a draft law on financial stability, draft revisions to the Company Law, and other draft laws.
We revised the Patent Law, the Copyright Law, and the Scientific and Technological Progress Law to help build China’s strength and self-reliance in science and technology. To ensure taxation is administered in accordance with the law, we enacted the Cultivated Land Occupation Tax Law, the Vehicle Purchase Tax Law, the Resource Tax Law, the Urban Maintenance and Construction Tax Law, the Deed Transfer Tax Law, and the Stamp Tax Law; we revised the Individual Income Tax Law; and we deliberated a draft law on value-added tax. With laws having been made for 12 out of 18 tax categories, we have further improved the legal system for taxation.
On national security-related legislative work last year, he says the following was done:
Giving prominence to safeguarding national security in our legislative work, we formulated the Biosecurity Law, the Data Security Law, the Cryptography Law, the Land Border Law, and the Anti-Organized Crime Law; we revised the Counter-Terrorism Law, the National Intelligence Law, the Archives Law, and the Maritime Traffic Safety Law; and we deliberated draft revisions to the Counter-Espionage Law. To step up legislation in foreign-related fields, we enacted the Law on Countering Foreign Sanctions and the Export Control Law and deliberated draft laws on foreign relations and foreign state immunity. With these efforts, we improved the legal system for opposing foreign sanctions, interference, and long-arm jurisdiction and provided legal protection for the interests of our country and our people. We ratified treaties and important agreements in areas such as extradition, criminal judicial assistance, countering extremism, transfer of sentenced persons, arms trade, joint military exercises, counter-terrorism, and civil aviation. We formulated the Law on International Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters and revised the Criminal Procedure Law, thus providing legal means for pursuing fugitives who have fled abroad and recovering stolen state assets. We formulated the Coast Guard Law, the Law on the Protection of the Status, Rights, and Interests of Servicepersons, the Reserve Forces Law, and the Regulations on Firefighter Ranks. We revised the National Defense Law, the Law on the People’s Armed Police, the Military Service Law, and the Law 8 on the Protection of Military Installations. We made decisions on temporarily adjusting the application of certain laws during the reform of the national defense mobilization system, on the rank system for active-duty enlisted service members of the People’s Liberation Army, and on adjusting the application of certain provisions of the Criminal Procedure Law for the military during wartime. All this has helped strengthen the rule of law in national defense and military development.
On NPC’s foreign policy-related work:
We maintained exchanges and communications with parliaments of nearly 190 countries and regions and signed 11 agreements on friendship and cooperation with relevant countries and multilateral parliamentary organizations. We hosted 111 delegations to China and sent 150 delegations abroad. Since the onset of Covid-19, we made active use of “cloud diplomacy” and held more than 260 bilateral video events. We also organized 98 offline diplomatic events and exchanged nearly 2,000 diplomatic letters…We actively engaged with the parliaments of nine countries that recently established or restored diplomatic relations with China, holding 22 online and offline meetings and talks and establishing communications with all of them. We leveraged the roles of NPC staff stationed abroad and conducted research on the legislative practices of relevant countries and regions.
We gave full play to the guiding role of high-level exchanges between the NPC and foreign parliaments and actively participated in multilateral mechanisms including the Inter-Parliamentary Union, the G20 Parliamentary Speakers Summit, the BRICS Parliamentary Forum, the Meeting of Speakers of Eurasian Countries’ Parliaments, and the six-nation Conference of Speakers of Parliament. At these events, we presented China’s opinions and stayed firm in safeguarding our national interests. We sent delegations to 65 international conferences and attended 137 conferences via video, engaging extensively with members of parliaments around the world to secure international support for the Belt and Road Initiative, the building of a human community with a shared future, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and other Chinese propositions.
We organized six offline seminars for members of parliaments from developing countries, attracting 123 parliamentarians from 25 countries. We held virtual seminars with parliaments of four African countries, five Central Asian countries, three North African countries, and French-speaking countries in Africa to enhance communication and cooperation in relevant fields. We attended legislative exchange events held by multilateral parliamentary organizations and shared information about China’s legislative system and practices.
We took active and appropriate action to safeguard our national interests using international rules and adopted countermeasures against members of parliaments of certain countries on the basis of the principle of reciprocity. We put spokespeople at all levels of the NPC. We made unequivocal and timely statements on 48 occasions about the NPC’s stances on issues such as Tibet, Xinjiang, Hong Kong, Taiwan, human rights, the Covid-19 pandemic, and other sensitive issues that involve China. These came in the form of remarks by the NPC Standing Committee spokesperson, statements from the NPC Foreign Affairs Committee, and remarks by spokespersons of the NPC Foreign Affairs Committee and the Standing Committee Legislative Affairs Commission.
On Party building in the NPC:
“We launched campaigns to raise awareness of the need to stay true to the Party’s founding mission and to encourage the study of Party history, and we thoroughly studied Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. We held seminars every year to share our studies and application of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s key ideas on upholding and improving the system of people’s congresses. We hosted 32 lectures on topics such as Xi Jinping’s thinking on the rule of law and Xi Jinping’s thinking on diplomacy.”
Li then said that through practice, the NPC has gained “a deeper understanding of the core content, basic features, and defining requirements of the people’s congress system. This covers the following six aspects:
Uphold CPC leadership
Uphold Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era
Maintain the path of socialist political advancement with Chinese characteristics
Uphold the major concept of whole-process people’s democracy
Uphold the system of people’s congresses
Adhere to the nation’s fundamental tasks, development path, and goals as written in the Constitution
Finally, Li outlined the NPCSC’s 2023 agenda, which is very broad and not specific.
Next, there’s a report on Zhao Leji’s comments while attending the deliberations of the HK and Macau delegation at the NPC. He said that the one country, two systems framework was the “best institutional arrangement for maintaining long-term prosperity and stability after the return of Hong Kong and Macau.” 实践充分证明，“一国两制”是中国特色社会主义的伟大创举，是香港、澳门回归后保持长期繁荣稳定的最佳制度安排，必须长期坚持
“Hong Kong and Macau should actively integrate into the overall situation of national development, comprehensively, accurately and unswervingly implement the principle of "one country, two systems", strive to create a new situation of prosperity and development…The central government supports Hong Kong in maintaining its unique position and advantages for a long time, consolidate its position as an international financial, shipping and trade centre, maintain a free, open and standardised business environment, continuously enhance its development momentum, and effectively solve people's livelihood worries. I hope that our compatriots in Hong Kong will carry forward the fine traditions of tolerance and mutual assistance, seeking common ground while reserving differences, striving for self-improvement and striving for success, and jointly create a better life in Hong Kong.” 香港、澳门要积极融入国家发展大局，全面准确、坚定不移贯彻“一国两制”方针，努力开创港澳繁荣发展新局面，为实现中华民族伟大复兴更好发挥作用。中央支持香港长期保持独特地位和优势，巩固国际金融、航运、贸易中心地位，维护自由开放规范的营商环境，不断增强发展动能，切实排解民生忧难。希望香港同胞弘扬包容共济、求同存异、自强不息、善拼敢赢的优良传统，共同创造香港更加美好的生活。
Also on the page is a report on Wang Huning attending the discussions related to the proposed amendment of the CPPCC charter. The report doesn’t detail the amendment but carries a paragraph each of remarks by 13 CPPCC members. On Page 5, there’s an explanation of the amendments to the CPPCC charter. Some of the noteworthy changes are:
Largely the charter remains the same; the key changes are related to incorporating new developments in regard to Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era since the 19th Party Congress, the important ideas, important views, major strategies, and major measures put forward by the 20th Party Congress, as well as the important decisions and arrangements of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on the work of the CPPCC. 巴特尔作说明时说，按照这个草案，修改后的政协章程总体保持稳定，结构不变，内容上主要是把中共十九大以来习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想新发展写入章程，把中共二十大提出的重要思想、重要观点、重大战略、重大举措和中共中央关于人民政协工作的重要决策部署体现到章程中.
There is a change to call for “strengthening ideological and political leadership”
In terms of the responsibility of CPPCC members, history learning has been added
Content around implementing the principles of ‘patriots governing Hong Kong’ and ‘patriots governing Macau’ has been added, and is content around the need to unswervingly follow the correct path of solving ethnic issues with Chinese characteristics.
There are two other reports on the page. First, a report with comments by Ding Xuexiang during the deliberation of the Liaoning delegation. Ding endorsed Li Keqiang’s work report. He praised Xi’s leadership, saying that the “hard-won” achievements of the past five years were “rooted in the leadership of General Secretary Xi Jinping and the scientific guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.” He underscored the importance of the key agenda outlined by the 20th Party Congress, calling on everyone to “grasp the primary task of high-quality development.” This entails:
accurately and comprehensively implementing the new development concept, and solidly promoting Chinese-style modernisation
adhering to the tone of seeking progress while maintaining stability, better coordinating the effective improvement of economic quality and reasonable growth in quantity, and better coordinating development and security.
adhering to the people-centred development philosophy, and ensuring that the achievements of modernisation benefit all the people more, and more equitably,
adhering to the deepening of reform and opening up, and accelerating the establishment of a new development pattern with the domestic cycle as the main body and the domestic and international cycles promoting each other
resolutely safeguard the authority and centralised leadership of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at the core, uphold and improve the system and mechanism for the Party to lead economic and social development, and ensure that all decisions and deployments of the Party Central Committee are implemented
丁薛祥强调，今年是贯彻党的二十大精神的开局之年，要全面贯彻落实党中央决策部署，把握好新时代新征程党的使命任务，把握好高质量发展这个首要任务，完整、准确、全面贯彻新发展理念，扎实推进中国式现代化建设。坚持稳中求进工作总基调，更好统筹经济质的有效提升和量的合理增长，更好统筹发展和安全。坚持以人民为中心的发展思想，让现代化建设成果更多更公平惠及全体人民，不断增强人民群众的获得感、幸福感、安全感。坚持深化改革开放，促进有效市场和有为政府更好结合，加快构建以国内大循环为主体、国内国际双循环相互促进的新发展格局。坚决维护以习近平同志为核心的党中央权威和集中统一领导，坚持和完善党领导经济社会发展的体制机制，确保党中央各项决策部署落到实处.
For Liaoning, he talked about the importance of dealing with the issues related to improving the modernisation level of the industrial system, scientific and technological self-reliance and self-improvement, the key and core tech stranglehold problem, implementing the Two Unwaverings, moving ahead with SoE reforms, etc.
Second, there’s a report on Cai Qi’s remarks at the Qinghai delegation’s discussions. He talked about China’s poverty alleviation and pandemic management, arguing that these achievements or “miracle in the history of human civilization” were the “result of the Party and the people working together, working hard and struggling together; but the most fundamental reasons behind them were that General Secretary Xi Jinping has been at the helm to navigate the situation and the scientific Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a new era. 这些成就是党和人民一道拼出来、干出来、奋斗出来的，最根本在于有习近平总书记掌舵领航，有习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想科学指引. He, like Ding, then reiterated the importance of the Two Establishments, the Two Safeguards, and maintaining alignment with the Central Committee with Xi as the core in ideology, politics and action.
For the region, Cai Qi talked about the importance of promoting ecological protection and high-quality development, and promoting Chinese-style modernisation, focussing on rural revitalisation, water conservation, industrial development, people-centred development and cultural development.
Page 3: The page carries the explanation by Xiao Jie of the Party and state institutional reform plan. Lots of people have already written about the plan. I am doing a brief breakdown of the points in the explanation. I also recommend going through the translation provided by the Ginger River Review substack too.
The key points of the reform plan are:
First, the Ministry of Science and Technology will play a bigger role in improving a new system for a whole-of-nation effort to make technological breakthroughs. Xiao Jie said that faced with a severe international scientific and technological competition and external containment and suppression, we must further rationalise the scientific and technological leadership and management system, better coordinate scientific and technological forces to overcome difficulties in key core technologies, and accelerate the realisation of high-level scientific and technological self-reliance. This reform of the party and state institutions has strengthened the centralised and unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee over scientific and technological work. A new Central Science and Technology Commission is being established, with MoST assuming the working functions and responsibilities of this commission. MoST will be in charge of macro-management responsibilities, including strategic planning, institutional reform, resource pooling, overall coordination, policies, regulations, supervision and inspection. 一、重新组建科学技术部。科技创新在我国现代化建设全局中居于核心地位。面对国际科技竞争和外部遏制打压的严峻形势，必须进一步理顺科技领导和管理体制，更好统筹科技力量在关键核心技术上攻坚克难，加快实现高水平科技自立自强。这次党和国家机构改革，加强党中央对科技工作的集中统一领导，组建中央科技委员会，中央科技委员会办事机构职责由重组后的科学技术部整体承担。根据《党和国家机构改革方案》精神，强化科学技术部的战略规划、体制改革、资源统筹、综合协调、政策法规、督促检查等宏观管理职责，推动健全新型举国体制、优化科技创新全链条管理、促进科技成果转化、促进科技和经济社会发展相结合.
Second, a new National Financial Regulatory Administration is being established under the State Council. This will regulate the financial sector, excluding securities. Xiao Jie explained that “In order to strengthen the protection of the legitimate rights and interests of financial consumers and standardise the operation of financial products and services, the People's Bank of China and China Securities Regulatory Commission will transfer to the National Financial Regulatory Administration the duties of daily supervision over financial holding companies and other financial groups, financial consumer protection, and investor protection functions. The China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission will no longer be retained.” 为加强金融消费者合法权益保护，统一规范金融产品和服务行为，把中国人民银行对金融控股公司等金融集团的日常监管职责、有关金融消费者保护职责，中国证券监督管理委员会的投资者保护职责划入国家金融监督管理总局。不再保留中国银行保险监督管理委员会.
Third, deepen the reform of the local financial supervision system. Xiao’s explanation here talks about the lack of local talent and lack of means of supervision. He then points to the goal of enhancing central control. “Establish a local financial supervision system with local agencies of the central financial management departments as the main body.” 针对地方金融监管部门存在的监管手段缺乏、专业人才不足等问题，强化金融管理中央事权，建立以中央金融管理部门地方派出机构为主的地方金融监管体制，统筹优化中央金融管理部门地方派出机构设置和力量配备.
Fourth, the China Securities Regulatory Commission is being placed directly under the State Council as a government agency rather than a public institution.
Fifth, Coordinate and promote the reform of the branches of the People's Bank of China. The PBOC will set up branches across the 31 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities, along with branches in cities specially designated in the state plan, including Shenzhen, Dalian, Ningbo, Qingdao, and Xiamen. 撤销中国人民银行大区分行及分行营业管理部、总行直属营业管理部和省会城市中心支行，在31个省（自治区、直辖市）设立省级分行，在深圳、大连、宁波、青岛、厦门设立计划单列市分行.
Sixth, improve the state-owned financial capital management system.
Seventh, strengthen the unified and standardised management of staff in financial regulatory departments.
Eighth, establish a National Data Administration under the NDRC. This agency will be “responsible for coordinating and promoting the construction of data infrastructure, and coordinating the planning and construction of Digital China, digital economy and digital society.” The aim behind establishing this agency is to maintain “overall stability” and centralisation with regard to “data security, industry data supervision, informatization development, digital government construction” and will be responsible for “integration, sharing, development and utilisation of data resources.” The new agency will absorb functions Office of the Central Cyberspace Affairs Commission related to “studying and drafting plans for the construction of Digital China, coordinating and promoting IT application of public services and social governance, coordinating and promoting the construction of smart cities, coordinating the development, utilisation and sharing of important national information resources, and promoting cross-industry and cross-departmental connectivity of information resources.” It will also assume some NDRC responsibilities like “coordinating the development of the digital economy, organising the implementation of the national big data strategy, promoting the construction of the basic system of data elements, and promoting the layout and construction of digital infrastructure.” 在保持数据安全、行业数据监管、信息化发展、数字政府建设等现行工作格局总体稳定前提下，把数据资源整合共享和开发利用方面的有关职责相对集中，组建国家数据局，作为国家发展和改革委员会管理的国家局，负责协调推进数据基础制度建设，统筹推进数字中国、数字经济、数字社会规划和建设等。把中央网络安全和信息化委员会办公室承担的研究拟订数字中国建设方案、协调推动公共服务和社会治理信息化、协调促进智慧城市建设、协调国家重要信息资源开发利用与共享、推动信息资源跨行业跨部门互联互通等职责，国家发展和改革委员会承担的统筹推进数字经济发展、组织实施国家大数据战略、推进数据要素基础制度建设、推进数字基础设施布局建设等职责划入国家数据局.
Ninth, optimise the responsibilities of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs
Tenth, improve the elderly care work mechanism, with the Ministry of Civil Affairs being empowered. The office of the China National Committee on Ageing will be located at the Ministry of Civil Affairs to strengthen its responsibilities for comprehensive coordination, supervision and guidance, and organisation and promotion of the development of the cause of the elderly. 全国老龄工作委员会办公室改设在民政部，强化其综合协调、督促指导、组织推进老龄事业发展职责.
Eleventh, the China National Intellectual Property Administration is being elevated to a top-level agency under the State Council. It is now on par with SAMR, rather than being directly administered by SAMR.
Twelfth, the State Bureau for Letters and Visits is being placed directly under the State Council.
Thirteenth, all central state organs will cut staffing by 5%; “the recovered staffing will be mainly used to strengthen key areas and important work”; 精减中央国家机关人员编制。中央国家机关各部门人员编制统一按照5%的比例进行精减，收回的编制主要用于加强重点领域和重要工作 and the State Council will comprise 26 departments after this reform plan is implemented.
Page 4: The page carries the summaries of the SPP and SPC work reports. I am not detailing these.
Page 6: The entire page is dedicated to Qin Gang’s engagement with the press. Key excerpts from the English text are below
First, he talked about diplomatic priorities for the year:
The first China-Central Asia Summit and the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, “which will be the showcase of the distinctive character of China’s diplomacy.”
“We will take it as our mission to defend China’s core interests. We firmly oppose any form of hegemonism and power politics. We firmly oppose the Cold War mentality, camp-based confrontation, and acts to contain and hold back other countries’ development. We will resolutely safeguard China’s sovereignty, security and development interests.”
Build on our extensive partnerships; promote a new type of international relations; take openness and development as our objective, facilitate high-quality development and high-standard opening-up…reject ‘decoupling’, and oppose severing industrial and supply chains and imposing unilateral sanctions; promote greater democracy in international relations, and make global governance more just and equitable…offer more, better Chinese insight and solutions to help meet humanity’s common challenges; enhance the service for and protection of Chinese citizens and institutions abroad to make their overseas travels and exchanges safer and more convenient; and foster an enabling external environment for building a modern socialist country in all respects.
He made a pitch for Chinese-style modernisation offering an example for developing countries. He pointed to five characteristics; all of these were essentially juxtaposed to what China has argued are challenges that the Western world has struggled with
Independence
Putting people first
Peaceful development: In this, he said that Chinese modernisation was “a new path different from Western modernisation.”
Openness and inclusiveness
Working hard in unity: In this point, he compared unity in China to the following: “Partisan rift, empty talk and frequent policy flip-flop as seen in certain country will only make even the best blueprint an illusion and a castle in the air.”
On ties with Russia: “China and Russia have found a path of major-country relations featuring strategic trust and good neighborliness, setting a good example for a new type of international relations. Some countries who are inclined to view China-Russia relations through the lens of Cold War alliances see nothing but their own image. The China-Russia relationship is based on no-alliance and no-confrontation, and it is not targeted at any third party. It is not a threat to any country, nor is it subject to any interference or discord sown by any third party. With China and Russia working together, the world will have a driving force toward multipolarity and greater democracy in international relations, and global strategic balance and stability will be better ensured. The more unstable the world becomes, the more imperative it is for China and Russia to steadily advance their relations.” On currencies used for trade, Qin said that “whichever that are efficient, safe and credible. Currencies should not be trump cards for unilateral sanctions, still less a disguise for bullying or coercion.” Comment: I thought this was an interesting answer. He talked up the bilateral relationship and highlighted its significance for Beijing, while trying to address some assumptions. I wonder if the push back on the idea of an alliance is a message for people in Europe. It’s also true that there isn’t an alliance in the traditional sense between China and Russia. But this is more than just a close relationship; for Beijing, its purpose is ensuring “global strategic balance and stability.”
On GDI and GSI: Qin wandered all the way to Jupiter and back in response to this question, without really saying anything meaningful. But it’s worth noting that the position of GDI and GSI is around developing countries. “Developing countries account for more than 80 percent of the global population and more than 70 percent of global economic growth. People in developing countries are entitled to a better life, and developing countries are entitled to greater representation and a louder voice in international affairs.”
On ties with the US, Qin was exceptionally blunt: He began with criticising the US over the balloon incident. Then he said:
“An accident can reveal something fundamental. In this case, the US perception and views of China are seriously distorted. It regards China as its primary rival and biggest geopolitical challenge. This is like the first button in a shirt being put wrong. And the result is that the US China policy has entirely deviated from the rational and sound track. The United States claims that it seeks to ‘out-compete’ China but does not seek conflict. Yet in reality, its so-called ‘competition’ means to contain and suppress China in all respects and get the two countries locked in a zero-sum game. The United States talks a lot about following rules. But imagine two athletes competing in an Olympic race. If one athlete, instead of focusing on giving one’s best, always tries to trip or even injure the other, that is not fair competition, but malicious confrontation and a foul! Its so-called ‘establishing guardrails’ for China-US relations and “not seeking conflict” actually means that China should not respond in words or action when slandered or attacked. That is just impossible! If the United States does not hit the brake but continues to speed down the wrong path, no amount of guardrails can prevent derailing, and there will surely be conflict and confrontation. Who will bear the catastrophic consequences? Such competition is a reckless gamble with the stakes being the fundamental interests of the two peoples and even the future of humanity. Naturally China is firmly opposed to all this. If the United States has the ambition to make itself great again, it should also have a broad mind for the development of other countries. Containment and suppression will not make America great, and it will not stop the rejuvenation of China.”
He added: “Getting the relationship right is not optional, but something we must do and must do well. I have also noted that more and more people with vision and insight in the United States are deeply worried about the current state of China-US relations, and have been calling for a rational and pragmatic policy toward China. The American people, just like the Chinese people, are friendly, kind and sincere, and want a better life and a better world…I’m convinced that the China-US relationship should be determined by the common interests and shared responsibilities of the two countries and by the friendship between the Chinese and American peoples, rather than by US domestic politics or the hysterical neo-McCarthyism.
“China will continue to follow the principles put forth by President Xi Jinping, namely, mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, to pursue a sound and stable relationship with the United States. We hope the US government will listen to the calls of the two peoples, rid of its strategic anxiety of ‘threat inflation’, abandon the zero-sum Cold War mentality, and refuse to be hijacked by ‘political correctness’. We hope that the United States will honor its commitments and work with China to explore the right way to get along with each other to the benefit of both countries and the entire world.” —
Comment: There has been a lot of reportage on these remarks already. For what it’s worth, I don’t think these comments signify a major shift in Chinese policy. If one has been following domestic discourse in China, then this is basically public articulation of views that have long been held by Chinese policymakers about the direction of US policy. I think Beijing is of course concerned about the US’ Indo-Pacific strategy and what seems to be a deeper bi-partisan consensus on being tough on China. It has obviously followed the discourse over the balloon controversy and the developments related to the House China Select Committee. In that context, these public comments appear to be a signal/warning/expression of anger and anxiety that American politics and policies are fundamentally closing the window for engagement. This is a message to the folks within the US policy ecosystem who are keen on engagement and stability. But what might further complicate the situation is how Beijing might respond going forward, particularly during an accident or crisis or when it comes to escalation management. An example of this was Beijing’s decision to not engage with American Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin during the balloon controversy. I think another question worth discussing is, what is China willing to concede to balance ties with the US? The onus surely is not entirely on DC. Qin says here that getting the relationship right “is not optional, but something we must do and must do well.” So what is Beijing going to bring to the table?
On Taiwan: “The Taiwan question is the core of the core interests of China, the bedrock of the political foundation of China-US relations, and the first red line that must not be crossed in China-US relations. The US has unshirkable responsibility for causing the Taiwan question. The reason why China raises this question to the US is to urge it to stop interfering in China’s internal affairs. The Chinese people have every right to ask: Why does the US talk at length about respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity on Ukraine, while disrespecting China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity on China’s Taiwan question? Why does the US ask China not to provide weapons to Russia, while it keeps selling arms to Taiwan in violation of the August 17 Communiqué? Why does the US keep on professing the maintenance of regional peace and stability, while covertly formulating a “plan for the destruction of Taiwan”? Separatism for Taiwan independence is as incompatible with peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait as fire with water. For peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, its real threat is the separatist forces for Taiwan independence, its solid anchor is the one-China principle, and its genuine guardrails are the three China-US joint communiqués. Mishandling of the Taiwan question will shake the very foundation of China-US relations. If the United States truly expects a peaceful Taiwan Strait, it should stop containing China by exploiting the Taiwan question, return to the fundamental of the one-China principle, honor its political commitment to China, and unequivocally oppose and forestall Taiwan independence.”
On the war on Ukraine: “China did not create the crisis. It is not a party to the crisis, and has not provided weapons to either side of the conflict. Why on earth the blame, sanctions and threats against China? This is absolutely unacceptable…(China’s) core stance is to promote talks for peace. Regrettably however, efforts for peace talks have been repeatedly undermined. There seems to be ‘an invisible hand’ pushing for the protraction and escalation of the conflict and using the Ukraine crisis to serve certain geopolitical agenda. The Ukraine crisis has come to a critical juncture. Either hostilities stop and peace is restored and the process of political settlement begins, or more fuel is added to the flames and the crisis further expands and spirals out of control. Conflict, sanctions and pressure will not solve the problem. What is needed is calmness, reason and dialogue. The process of peace talks should begin as soon as possible, and the legitimate security concerns of all parties should be respected. This is the right way to achieve durable security in Europe.”
On BRI: “Over the past decade, the BRI has galvanized nearly US$1 trillion of investment, established more than 3,000 cooperation projects, created 420,000 local jobs, and helped lift almost 40 million people out of poverty.”
On Debt: “China should be the last one to be accused of the so-called debt trap. Data show that multilateral financial institutions and commercial creditors account for over 80 percent of the sovereign debt of developing countries. They are the biggest source of debt burden on developing countries. Particularly since last year, the unprecedented, rapid interest hikes by the United States have led to capital outflows in many countries and worsened the debt problems in the countries concerned. China has been making efforts to help the countries in distress, and is the biggest contributor to the G20’s Debt Service Suspension Initiative (DSSI). China will continue to participate constructively in the resolution of international debt issues. Meanwhile, we call on other parties to act together and share the burden fairly. When parties sit together and talk things through, there will be more solutions than problems.”
On ties with Japan: Qin offered four points:
honor commitments
learn lessons from history: “should some people from the Japanese side choose a beggar-thy-neighbor approach rather than pursuing partnership, and even take part in a new Cold War to contain China, the bilateral relations would only suffer new wounds when the old ones are yet to be healed.”
preserve the international order
promote win-win cooperation: “We should uphold market principles and a free and open spirit, increase cooperation, jointly ensure stable and smooth industrial and supply chains, and inject impetus and vitality into global economic recovery.”
On the US’ Indo-Pacific Strategy: It is “an attempt to gang up to form exclusive blocs, to provoke confrontation by plotting an Asia-Pacific version of NATO, and to undermine regional integration through decoupling and cutting chains.”
“The US claim to ‘shape the strategic environment in which China operates’ actually reveals the real purpose of its Indo-Pacific Strategy, that is, to encircle China. Such an attempt will only disrupt the ASEAN-centered, open and inclusive regional cooperation architecture, and undermine the overall and long-term interests of regional countries. It is bound to fail. I noticed that leaders of a number of regional countries have recently stated that ASEAN should not be a proxy for any party and should stay clear from big power rivalry. As a pacesetter in global development, Asia should be a stage for win-win cooperation rather than a chessboard for geopolitical contest. No Cold War should be reignited, and no Ukraine-style crisis should be repeated in Asia. As for who to rely on in terms of security and economy, I believe it is necessary to stand together in face of difficulties, jointly pursue security and development, and work together to build a closer community with a shared future in the neighborhood.”
Comment: Again, I do not see these as new viewpoints. Beijing has said this for quite some time now. The objective has been to disincentivise countries from engaging in closer security cooperation with the US. But if the Philippines and India are examples, then this isn’t necessarily working out well for China.
On engagement in the Middle East: “China supports the strategic autonomy of Middle Eastern countries, and opposes foreign interference in their internal affairs. China will continue to stand for justice and support countries in this region in seeking political settlement of hotspot issues through dialogue and consultation. China fully respects Middle Eastern countries as the masters of their own affairs. We have no intention to fill a so-called ‘vacuum’. And we will not build exclusive circles. In the Middle East, China will be a facilitator for peace and stability, a cooperative partner for development and prosperity, and an enabler for building strength through unity.”
On ties with Europe: “The China-Europe relationship is not targeted at any third party, nor is it subjugated to or controlled by any third party. No matter how the situation may evolve, China all along sees the European Union as a comprehensive strategic partner and supports European integration. We hope that Europe, with the painful Ukraine crisis in mind, will truly realize strategic autonomy and long-term peace and stability.”
On China’s discourse power: “China is moving closer to the center of the world stage. We make trending topics and find ourselves in spotlight more often. But we don’t have enough microphones, and our voice is not loud enough. Some are still hogging the microphones, and there are quite many noises and jarring notes about China. When it comes to making China’s voice heard loud and clear, young Chinese have an important role to play.” He called on the Chinese to be confident, enterprising and open-minded.
Page 7: Just one report to note. China’s foreign trade for January and February totalled at 6.18 trillion yuan (Xinhua’s English report), a slight decrease of 0.8% year-on-year. Among this, exports were 3.5 trillion yuan, an increase of 0.9%; imports were 2.68 trillion yuan, a decrease of 2.9%; the trade surplus was 810.32 billion yuan, an increase of 16.2%.
In dollar terms, the data looks much different. Bloomberg reports: exports fell by 6.8 percent from a year earlier to $506.3 billion. Imports contracted 10.2 percent from a year earlier to $389.42 billion The trade surplus for the two months of this year was $117 billion. Bloomberg reports: “Economists said the sharp decline in imports was largely a result of weaker commodity prices and a stronger dollar, rather than a sign of muted domestic demand. Trade data for the first two months of the year is typically combined to avoid distortions from the Lunar New Year holiday.”