PBSC Claims COVID Victory - China-Iran Joint Statement - Wang Yi in France & Italy - Balloon Politics - Solar Energy Boost - US Gun Violence - MoFA on NATO & Nord Stream - Rural Corruption Crackdown

Feb 17, 2023

Here are the stories and pieces that I found noteworthy from the Friday, February 17, 2023, edition of the People’s Daily. Once again, apologies for missing out on yesterday’s edition. Doing this in transit and at airports is not as easy as I thought it would be. Will be back to normal functioning from next week.

Page 1: It’s a packed front page today. At the top of the page, there’s a report on Xi Jinping’s letter to the China+Central Asia (C+C5) industry and investment cooperation forum, which opened in Qingdao. Xinhua reports:

“Deepening industry and investment cooperation between China and the five countries of Central Asia will safeguard the stability of regional industrial and supply chains, promote regional industrial development, increase engagement in world's economic activities, and boost common prosperity, Xi noted. Xi said that China is willing to share with the Central Asian countries the super-large market, complete industrial system and advanced technologies, deepen pragmatic cooperation, achieve mutual benefit and win-win results, work together to promote high-quality development of regional economy, and build a closer community with a shared future.”

The main story on the page (English report), however, is about the Politburo Standing Committee meeting, which said that China had “achieved a major and decisive victory in its COVID-19 prevention and control since November 2022.” This is worth reproducing in entirety.

“Over the past three years, China has gone through an extraordinary journey in its COVID-19 prevention and control work. The CPC Central Committee with comrade Xi Jinping at its core has always put the people and life first, united and led the whole Party and the people of all ethnic groups in the fight against the epidemic. With a strong historical responsibility and strategic determination, it has optimised and adjusted the prevention and control policies and measures according to the situation, and efficiently coordinated epidemic prevention and control and economic and social development, successfully avoiding widespread infections of the strains of the virus that had strong pathogenicity and led to high mortality rates, effectively protecting people's life safety and health. This won precious time for winning the battle against the epidemic. Since November 2022, we have constantly optimised and adjusted our prevention and control measures with a focus on ensuring health and preventing severe cases. In a relatively short period of time, we have achieved a smooth turnaround in epidemic prevention and control. More than 200 million people have been diagnosed and treated, and nearly 800,000 critically ill patients have been effectively treated. China’s COVID-19 death rate has remained at the lowest in the world, and a major and decisive victory in epidemic prevention and control has been achieved, creating a miracle in the history of human civilisation that a country with a large population successfully emerged from the pandemic. Practice has proved that the CPC Central Committee's major judgement on the epidemic situation, major decisions on the prevention and control work, and major adjustments to the prevention and control strategy are completely correct; they have been robust, have received the masses’ approval, and have shown great effect. 会议指出，3年多来，我国抗疫防疫历程极不平凡。以习近平同志为核心的党中央始终坚持人民至上、生命至上，团结带领全党全国各族人民同心抗疫，以强烈的历史担当和强大的战略定力，因时因势优化调整防控政策措施，高效统筹疫情防控和经济社会发展，成功避免了致病力较强、致死率较高的病毒株的广泛流行，有效保护了人民群众生命安全和身体健康，为打赢疫情防控阻击战赢得了宝贵时间。2022年11月以来，我们围绕“保健康、防重症”，不断优化调整防控措施，较短时间实现了疫情防控平稳转段，2亿多人得到诊治，近80万重症患者得到有效救治，新冠死亡率保持在全球最低水平，取得疫情防控重大决定性胜利，创造了人类文明史上人口大国成功走出疫情大流行的奇迹。实践证明，党中央对疫情形势的重大判断、对防控工作的重大决策、对防控策略的重大调整是完全正确的，措施是有力的，群众是认可的，成效是巨大的.

The next paragraph says that the current situation in China is “generally improving” but given that “the virus is still spreading globally and continues to mutate,” “all localities and departments to optimise related mechanisms and measures, strengthen the medical service system, and consolidate the hard-earned achievements in a resolute manner.” 会议强调，当前全国疫情防控形势总体向好，平稳进入“乙类乙管”常态化防控阶段，但全球疫情仍在流行，病毒还在不断变异。各地区各部门要以时时放心不下的责任感，深入总结3年多来特别是最近一段时间的经验做法，完善相关机制和举措，抓实抓细新阶段疫情防控各项工作，建强卫生健康服务体系，坚决巩固住来之不易的重大成果.

The final paragraph talks about the work that is to be done going forward. The key points are:

fully implement the decisions and plans made by the Central Committee
enhance COVID-19 monitoring and early warning capacity
improve the systems for COVID-19 monitoring and information reporting
plan for the next phase of COVID-19 vaccinations, particularly focussing on the elderly
strengthen the production and supply of medicines

The final bit is very important: “Efforts should be made to preserve the important outcomes of the fight against COVID-19, better tell China's stories of this fight, and encourage the whole Party and Chinese people of all ethnic groups to solidify their confidence in their success.”

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Next, there’s a report (English report) on Li Zhanshu chairing the 133rd meeting of the Council of Chairpersons of the 13th NPC Standing Committee. It was decided that the NPCSC will convene its 39th session from February 23 to 24. This is all to prepare for the next NPC session in March. Also on the page is the report informing us that the first session of the 14th CPPCC National Committee is set to begin on March 4; and the first session of the 14th NPC is scheduled to open on March 5.

Finally, some travel data from the Spring Festival travel rush. Xinhua reports: “A total of 1.595 billion passenger trips were made in China via commercial transport during the 40-day Spring Festival travel rush that ended Wednesday…The figure marked a 50.5-percent increase over the same period in 2022 and accounted for 53.5 percent of the volume in the corresponding period of 2019, according to the Ministry of Transport. The total flow of people in the country came in at 4.733 billion in the period.”

“Out of all modes of commercial transportation, road trips stood at 1.169 billion, marking the fastest year-on-year growth of 55.8 percent. The railway industry reported the best recovery as the number of trips touched 348 million, recovering to 85.5 percent of the 2019 level. Waterway and aviation trips both surged over 30 percent from a year ago to 22.452 and 55.214 million, respectively.”

Page 2: Lots of news on the page. First, there’s the full text of the China-Iran Joint Statement following the visit of President Ebrahim Raisi.

On political relations: “The two heads of state reiterated that developing a close strategic relationship is a historic choice made by China and Iran as two ancient civilizations in East Asia and West Asia, and is in the interests of the entire region. No matter how the international situation changes, China and Iran are committed to strengthening bilateral relations and promoting comprehensive strategic cooperation in various fields. The two sides emphasised that a close China-Iran relationship is not only conducive to the realisation of the goals of bilateral relations, but also helps to create favourable conditions for the realisation of common interests of all countries. The two sides reaffirmed their firm mutual support on issues concerning each other's core interests. The two sides firmly support each other in safeguarding national sovereignty, territorial integrity and national dignity. China firmly opposes external forces interfering in Iran's internal affairs and undermining Iran's security and stability. Iran will continue to pursue the one-China policy. China supports Iran in playing a greater role in regional and international affairs. The two sides emphasised the importance of peace and stability in the Persian Gulf region to world security and energy transportation. China appreciates Iran's important role in maintaining international energy security, and appreciates President Raisi’s good-neighbourly policy. Iran welcomes China's initiative to realise security and stability in the Middle East and promote dialogue among countries in the Persian Gulf region. China supports countries in the region to strengthen solidarity and coordination, resolve differences through dialogue, and achieve good-neighbourliness and friendship. China is willing to work with Iran to jointly maintain regional peace, security and stability.” 两国元首重申，发展紧密的战略关系是中伊作为东亚和西亚两个古老文明所作出的历史性选择，符合整个地区的利益。不论国际形势如何变化，中伊两国均致力于加强双边关系，促进各领域全面战略合作。双方强调，密切的中伊关系不仅有利于实现双边关系目标，也有助于为各国实现共同利益创造良好条件。双方重申在涉及彼此核心利益问题上坚定相互支持。双方坚定支持对方维护国家主权、领土完整和民族尊严。中方坚决反对外部势力干涉伊朗内政，破坏伊朗安全稳定。伊方将继续奉行一个中国政策。中方支持伊方在地区和国际事务中发挥更大作用。双方强调波斯湾地区的和平稳定对世界安全及能源运输的重要性。中方赞赏伊方在维护国际能源安全中的重要作用，赞赏莱希总统的睦邻政策。伊方欢迎中方提出的实现中东安全稳定以及促进波斯湾地区国家对话的倡议。中方支持地区国家加强团结协作，通过对话化解分歧，实现睦邻友好，愿同伊方一道，共同维护地区和平、安全和稳定.

The security and defense section talks about opposing terrorism and double-standards related to it. They also “oppose linking terrorism with specific ethnic groups and religions” and call for “eliminating the breeding grounds for terrorism by developing and encouraging a moderate ideas and middle-path mentality.” 双方谴责一切形式的恐怖主义，反对任何针对平民的恐怖袭击，反对在反恐问题上搞“双重标准”，反对将恐怖主义同特定民族和宗教挂钩，主张通过发展和鼓励温和中道思想消除恐怖主义滋生土壤，从源头上减少恐怖势力发展空间. It also talks about the need for more “bilateral consultations” and exploring the establishment of a bilateral mechanism on anti-terrorism political consultation. 双方愿就反恐问题举行双边磋商，并探讨建立双边反恐政治磋商机制.

“The two sides agreed to strengthen strategic communication between the defence departments of the two countries, carry out exchanges and cooperation at all levels and in all fields between the two militaries, and expand the scale of joint drills and personnel training. The two sides agreed to hold the fourth meeting of the Joint Working Group on Public and Internal Security in Beijing in 2023.” 双方同意加强两国防务部门间的战略沟通，开展两军各层级各领域交流合作，扩大联演联训和人员培训规模。双方同意于2023年内在北京召开两国公安内政安全联合工作组第四次会议.

The economic cooperation section talks about the need to “deepen cooperation in trade, agriculture, industry, renewable energy, infrastructure and other fields.” Also, the two sides are willing to invite 50 people from political parties, think tanks, media and other parties to visit each other's country within 2023 to exchange experience in governance.”

The next section is on educational and cultural cooperation. But after this, there’s a section on regional and international affairs. This deals with a lot of issues:

On Human Rights: This says that countries should “protect human rights in accordance with their national conditions, values and people’s needs. Promoting and protecting human rights is a common cause of the international community, and all countries should pay equal attention to and systematically promote various types of human rights.”
“The two sides reaffirmed that they should follow the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries. They emphasised that the democratic governance models of different countries should be respected, and opposed political manipulation under the pretext of safeguarding human rights and democracy, interfering in the internal affairs of other countries, and even inciting turmoil and creating divisions.” 双方重申应当奉行不干涉别国内政原则，强调应尊重不同国家的民主治理模式，反对借口维护人权、民主进行政治操弄，干涉别国内政，甚至煽动动乱，制造分裂.
In the entire document, BRI, GSI and GDI are mentioned.
The two sides reaffirmed that the comprehensive agreement on the Iranian nuclear issue has been approved by the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231, which will help ensure the peaceful nature of the Iranian nuclear program. The unilateral withdrawal of the United States from the JCPOA is the root cause of the current situation. The two sides emphasised that lifting sanctions and ensuring Iran's economic dividends are an important part of the JCPOA. All relevant sanctions should be fully lifted in a verifiable manner, and the JCPOA should be fully and effectively implemented.” 双方重申伊朗核问题全面协议业经联合国安理会第2231号决议核可，有助于确保伊核计划的和平性质。美国单方面退出全面协议是当前局势根源所在。双方强调解除制裁并确保伊朗经济红利是全面协议的重要组成部分，应以可核查的方式全面解除所有相关制裁，推动全面协议恢复完整有效履行。
The document talks about the “building of a Middle East zone free of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction.” “The two sides recalled that the Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons reaffirmed the importance of Israel's accession to the NPT and the placement of all its nuclear facilities under comprehensive IAEA safeguards.” 双方重申坚定支持中东无核及其他大规模杀伤性武器区建设。双方忆及《不扩散核武器条约》缔约国审议大会重申以色列加入《条约》并将其所有核设施置于原子能机构的全面保障监督之下的重要性.
“The two sides oppose any country's unilateral coercive measures and restrictive measures driven by political aims, which hinder the exercise of the right of the NPT member states to peacefully develop and utilise nuclear technology and nuclear energy.” 双方反对任何国家的单边胁迫措施以及由政治目的驱动的限制性措施，这阻碍了《不扩散核武器条约》成员国行使和平发展和利用核技术和核能的权利.
“The two sides resolutely oppose some countries’ attempts to politicise the implementation of the IAEA’s safeguards agreement, and support the IAEA in carrying out supervision and inspection work in a fair, objective and professional manner.” 双方坚决反对一些国家将国际原子能机构保障监督协议落实工作政治化的企图，支持国际原子能机构以公正、客观和专业的方式开展监督核查工作，机构总干事也应严格根据机构原则和规定履职.
Citing Resolution 533 adopted by the International Atomic Energy Agency General Conference in October 1990, they “condemned attacks, threats of attacks and sabotage of nuclear facilities dedicated to peaceful purposes.”
The document refers to the situation in Syria, Yemen and mentions support for Palestine. It says that the “the United States and NATO should be responsible for the current situation in Afghanistan.”
On the Ukraine war, it says: “With regard to the current Ukrainian crisis and its impact on international peace and security, the two sides call on the international community, especially relevant parties, to create conditions for a peaceful settlement of the Ukrainian crisis.” 关于当前乌克兰危机及其对国际和平安全的影响，双方呼吁国际社会特别是相关各方为和平解决乌克兰危机创造条件.

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Next, there’s a report on Wang Yi co-chairing the 23rd China-France Strategic Dialogue with France’s Emmanuel Bonne. Wang had earlier met with French President Emmanuel Macron. Xinhua reports:

“During the dialogue, the two sides agreed that the healthy and stable development of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and France is of special significance. They also agreed to give full play to the leading role of head-of-state diplomacy, strengthen strategic communication, consolidate political mutual trust, deepen pragmatic cooperation, and jointly tackle global challenges, so as to inject new impetus into China-Europe relations, providing stability to the world. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, said that China-France strategic cooperation should play a leading role and lead the trend of development of the times, which meets the need for the development of bilateral ties and reflects the global responsibility of China and France as responsible major countries. China stands ready to strengthen cooperation in the fields of civil nuclear energy, aviation, aerospace, health, agricultural and food products, tourism, culture, and cooperation in the third-party markets, so as to push for new and greater achievements, Wang said. China is also willing to jointly plan the next steps of high-level exchanges and the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France next year, Wang noted … Bonne said that he endorses the vision of the Chinese side for the next stage development of bilateral cooperation, and looks forward to new progress in various areas. France is willing to actively participate in the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, further intensify coordination with the Chinese side in international affairs, and cooperate with China to achieve common development goals, he added.”

“The two sides also exchanged in-depth views and reached a broad consensus on issues such as global debt, climate change, biodiversity, food security and the crisis in Ukraine.”

From France, Wang travelled to Italy, where he met with Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani. Xinhua’s report on this says:

“The two sides can tap the potential of cooperation in green and digital sectors, and in third-party markets, and push for more positive results in the China-Italy relations which are positive assets, Wang said. China is ready to import more quality products from Italy, support Italian companies in expanding their share in the Chinese market, and hopes Italy will provide a fair, transparent and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese companies, he said. As of October 2022, China played as Italy's largest trade partner in Asia, while Italy as China's fourth-largest trade partner in the European Union, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry. China values Italy's status and influence in the international arena, and is ready to work with Italy to safeguard the core position of the United Nations (UN), uphold norms governing international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, advocate and practice multilateralism, and promote democracy in international relations and economic globalization, Wang said. The senior diplomat said he also looks forward to Italy's positive contribution to the development of China-Europe relations.”

It adds: “The two sides also exchanged in-depth views on the Ukraine issue. Wang emphasized that China has always been committed to promoting peace talks on the issue. The more complicated the situation is, the more necessary it is to hold on to political and diplomatic efforts to find a solution that is acceptable to all parties, he said.”

Another report on the page talks about Wang Yi’s letter to the inauguration ceremony of the Preparatory Office of the International Organization for Mediation, held in Hong Kong. Qing Gang had addressed the ceremony.

The report on Qin’s speech says: “Noting that the International Organization for Mediation will be the world's first intergovernmental legal organization dedicated to the settlement of international disputes through mediation, Qin said it is an important effort to practice the principle of settling international disputes by peaceful means enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations. It will transcend the limit of litigation and arbitration, Qin said, calling for jointly building an authoritative, trustworthy, efficient and professional international mediation institution. He said the preparatory work should adhere to the principle of mutual respect, give full play to the strength of extensive consultation and joint contribution, uphold the spirit of openness and inclusiveness, and achieve balanced development. Qin also called for enhancing the participation of developing countries, training mediators from developing countries, and working to make the international dispute settlement mechanism fairer and beneficial to all.”

The report on Wang’s letter says: “The world is now in a new round of turbulence and transformation, Wang said, adding that effective solutions to tackle challenges, the ability to build consensus, and the sense of responsibility to lead the trend of the times are needed. As a responsible major country, China has always acted as a builder of world peace, a defender of the international order and a provider of public goods, and actively explored the pathways to peaceful resolution of international disputes under the new circumstances, he said. Wang noted that China has worked with relevant countries to jointly initiate the IOMed, in an effort to tackle differences through peaceful means, resolve disputes through dialogue and consultations, and reject zero-sum game with mutual benefit, adding that such an initiative echoes the international community's strong call for peace, security, fairness, justice and win-win cooperation.”

There’s a report on Xia Baolong leading a meeting of the China-Russia Friendship, Peace and Development Committee in Beijing, and a report on an International Liaison Department delegation visiting Kuwait.

Finally, there’s this statement by the NPC Foreign Affairs Committee on the US House of Representatives' resolution on the balloon saga. Xinhua says:

“The so-called resolution on China's use of a high-altitude balloon over United States territory, recently passed by the U.S. House of Representatives, hyped up the ‘China threat,’ which is nothing but malicious hype and political manipulation, the NPC Foreign Affairs Committee said in a statement. The NPC strongly condemned and firmly opposed it, the statement said. ‘As a responsible country, China strictly adheres to international law, respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries, and has no intention of violating the territory and airspace of any sovereign country,’ the statement said. The unintended entry of the unmanned Chinese civilian airship into U.S. airspace was purely an isolated, unexpected incident, which didn't pose any threat to any person or to the national security of the United States, it said, adding the Chinese side immediately briefed the United States and the international community on the situation and asked the U.S. side to properly handle the matter in a calm, professional and restrained manner. The statement said that the U.S. side, however, insisted on using force and deliberately created a stir, which seriously violated the spirit of international law and international norms. ‘Some politicians in the U.S. Congress are even utilizing the issue to fan the flames, fully exposing their sinister intention to contain China,’ it said. ‘In fact, it is the United States that wantonly interferes in other countries' internal affairs, infringes on other countries' sovereignty, and conducts extensive surveillance activities on other countries.’ The statement emphasized that building China-U.S. relations featuring mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation serves the fundamental interests of the two peoples and is the common expectation of the international community. The Chinese side strongly urges the U.S. Congress to respect the facts, the spirit of international law, and the basic principles of international relations, immediately stop maligning China, and refrain from taking actions that could escalate situations, it said.”

Let’s also look at some responses from the MoFA press briefing yesterday:

“Reuters: A US official said on Wednesday that the Chinese balloon that was shot down after crossing into the continental United States originally had a trajectory that would have taken it over Guam and Hawaii, but it was blown by prevailing winds. Does the foreign ministry have any comment?

Wang Wenbin: We have made clear our position on this issue multiple times. The US side should not have overreacted.

Then there was a question from TASS on NATO and Nord Stream. Here is what Wang Wenbin said:

Wang Wenbin: On your first question, we have pointed out time and again that NATO’s Strategic Concept has misrepresented the facts and truth by wrongly defining China as posing “systemic challenges” and smearing China’s foreign policy, normal military posture and defense policy. The document seeks to stoke confrontation and antagonism. It smacks heavily of Cold War mentality and ideological bias. China is gravely concerned over this and firmly opposes it. China is known to be a force for world peace, a contributor to global development and a defender of the international order. China presents valuable opportunities for world peace and development. It does not pose “systemic challenges” as claimed by NATO. NATO claims to be a regional defensive alliance, but it has constantly sought to breach its geographic confines and expand its agenda, stoke division and tensions, and create fears and confrontation. We urge NATO to abandon the outdated Cold War mentality and bloc confrontation, stop creating imaginary enemies and destabilizing Europe and the Asia-Pacific, and do something good for peace and stability in Europe and beyond.

On your second question, the Nord Stream pipelines are vital cross-border infrastructure projects. The explosions have had a major serious impact on the global energy market and ecological environment and caused international concerns over the security of major cross-border infrastructure. There should be an objective, impartial and professional investigation into the explosions, and those responsible must be held to account. Immediately after the explosions, we saw extensive coverage in US and other Western media with one-sided speculations on who was “responsible” for the sabotage. What we see now, however, is that these media, hailed as free, professional and impartial, have fallen silent over Seymour Hersh’s detailed report. Just as Hersh wrote, “The New York Times published everything I wrote—most if not all on the front page—when I was an investigative reporter on the paper from 1972 to 1979. The Washington Post has followed my career as the loyal opposition and ran a long magazine pročle of me more than two decades ago. Neither paper has run a word at this point about the pipeline story, not even to quote the White House’s denial of my reporting.” Do these Western media really not care about the truth behind the Nord Stream blast? Or is something else going on? What exactly do they know? Is there anything they are trying to hide? I suppose any truly objective, impartial and professional media will want to seek out the truth.”

Xinhua News Agency: It was reported that on February 15, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told the State Duma that Russia and China will soon hold a series of high-level political talks; the two countries are working to strengthen bilateral strategic cooperation, which has reached never-before-seen levels of trust; ties between Moscow and Beijing are cementing the foundation of the emerging polycentric architecture and serve as a balancing and stabilizing factor in global affairs. What is your comment?

Wang Wenbin: China appreciates the positive comments of Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on China-Russia relations. Under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, relations between the two countries have maintained sound and steady development, with deepening political mutual trust, close and effective strategic coordination and substantial progress in cooperation across the board. The two countries have worked together for a multi-polar world, greater democracy in international relations, and the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. China stands ready to work with Russia to further advance our comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era.

Page 3: There’s a report with information from the China Manned Space Agency, informing that China plans two manned space flights this year and 1 to 2 cargo spacecraft missions.

The manned space missions will focus on conducting extravehicular activities, science and technology experiments in space, popularising science education and so on. Meanwhile, the Tianzhou-6 cargo spacecraft will be sent to Tiangong space station in May to deliver necessities, consumables, maintenance spare parts, experimental payloads and propellant.

Another report informs that 36 new manufacturing projects with an investment of 66.8 billion yuan were signed in Tianjin on Tuesday. These include five new energy projects, nine information technology projects, and six high-end equipment projects, with an investment of 19.5 billion yuan, 17.4 billion yuan, and 8.3 billion yuan, respectively. 14 industry-finance cooperation agreements were also signed. CDB granted 500 billion yuan in credit to manufacturing companies. For the year, a total of 20 financial institutions will grant 686 billion yuan in credit to manufacturing enterprises in Tianjin. So far this year, Tianjin has attracted 160 projects with a total investment of 80.5 billion yuan, the report informs.

Finally, a report on China’s PV industry. It says that:

polysilicon production reached 827,000 tons, an increase of 63.4 percent; wafer output rose 57.5 percent to 357 gigawatts, and PV module production totalled 288.7 gigawatts, up 58.8 percent compared with the previous year.
China’s newly installed PV capacity exceeded 87 gigawatts last year, up 59.3 percent year on year.
The total export of photovoltaic products (silicon wafers, cells and modules) exceeded $51.2 billion, up 80.3% year on year.
The export volume of PV modules totalled 153.6 gigawatts, an increase of 55.8 percent year-on-year.
Europe remains the most important export market in 2022, accounting for about 46% of the total export. In terms of module exports, the Netherlands maintains its position as the country's top export market, followed by Poland and Portugal in Europe.
Newly installed photovoltaic capacity in the world this year will range from 280 GW to 330 gigawatts, and the newly installed photovoltaic capacity in China will range from 95 gigawatts to 120 gigawatts.

Do also check out Bloomberg’s report on this.

Page 4: There’s a report discussion guidelines issued by the CCDI, which call for a crackdown on corruption linked to the goal of advancing rural revitalisation.

It talks about corruption related to work style, i.e., the four winds, major projects and fund utilisation, along with being tough on or deepening rectification with regard to “rural tyrants.” In addition, there’s a warning of “severe punishments” for violations related to implementation of national strategies for safeguarding food security and protecting the farmland.

Page 15: On the international page today, the lead piece is the new document published “Gun Violence in the United States: Truth and Facts” (English version) There’s also a Zhong Sheng commentary on the issue. The commentary calls gun violence in the US an “indelible stain on human rights” in the country.

The commentary lashes out at American politicians for “pointing fingers at the human rights of other countries” while ignoring such issues at home. This, it says, reflects “their hypocrisy and arrogance.”

It adds that “the problem of gun violence highlights the decline of US governance capacity. The political system of mutual constraints, an increasingly polarised political ecology, and pervasiveness of interest groups have made it difficult for the US to control guns; a total ban on guns has almost become an ‘impossible task’.

What this means is the following:

“The design and functioning of the American political system is at the root of poor gun control policies. Regulations on gun control vary from state to state, making it increasingly difficult to control guns and enforce laws across states. The positions of the two main political parties on the issue of gun control are increasingly polarised, which makes it more difficult for the two sides to reach a compromise on the issue. Electoral politics in the United States provides legal channels for gun-owning groups to engage in money politics and influence the position of members of Congress on related issues. These problems have caused the US government to do almost nothing with regard to gun control for a long time. It has also made people increasingly realise that ‘gun violence is a plague that will never end in the United States’.” 枪支暴力问题凸显美国治理能力衰败。相互掣肘的政治体制、日益极化的政治生态、无孔不入的利益集团等，使美国枪支管控举步维艰，全面禁枪几乎成为一项“不可能完成的任务”。美国政治制度的设计与运作是枪支管控不力的深层根源，各州关于枪支管控的规定松紧不一，枪支管控和跨州执法愈发困难。美国两党在控枪问题上的立场日益两极化，导致双方更难在控枪问题上达成妥协。美国的集团政治和选举政治为拥枪团体提供了合法渠道，使其能大搞金钱政治，影响国会议员在枪支问题上的立场。这些问题导致美国政府长期在控枪方面几乎毫无作为，也让民众日益认识到“枪支暴力是美国永难终结的瘟疫”.

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