PBSC Discusses Flood Control & Disaster Relief - PBoC’s Quarterly Report - NDB's Dilma Rousseff Backs BRI Linkages - Li Shangfu Meets Lukashenko - Wooing Pacific Island Countries
Here are the key reports and articles that I found noteworthy from the People’s Daily’s edition on Friday, August 18, 2023.
Page 1: The big story on the page today is about the Politburo Standing Committee meeting. This one focussed on flood control and disaster relief and post-disaster restoration and reconstruction work. The report endorses the work done by the Party-state administration, saying that significant achievements have been made in the struggle for flood prevention and disaster relief.
Xinhua English captures the next paragraph well:
“China is still in the main flood season, rainstorms, floods, typhoons and other disasters still occur frequently in many places across the country. Efforts must not be slackened as the risks of floods in some river basins still exist and risks of mountain torrents in parts of north and northeast China are high, while the fact that drought has developed in some regions should not be taken lightly. It urged relevant localities and departments to always prioritize the safety of people's lives and property, and keep doing a good job in flood prevention and disaster relief.”
The next paragraph makes five broad points:
Strengthen early warning mechanisms; improve response to early warning; and strengthen the linkage between early warning and emergency response.
Prevention of major floods in river basins is the top priority of work; make full preparations in terms of plans, teams, materials and flood storage areas, and ensure the safety of major rivers and rivers
Implement flood control and safety measures for vulnerable points, such as small and medium-sized rivers, small reservoirs, mountain torrents, geological hazards, and urban and rural waterlogging, to eliminate various risks and hazards before they escalate into disasters.
Prevent the simultaneous occurrence of droughts and floods and abrupt shifts from drought to flood
Act decisively to evacuate and relocate people from dangerous areas at critical moments
会议指出，要精准预警响应，进一步加强气象预警与灾害预报的联动，突出临灾预警，做好点对点精准预报和滚动更新，强化预警指向性，落实直达基层防汛责任人的临灾预警“叫应”机制，加强预警和应急响应联动，落实应急预案行动措施，把握工作主动权。要突出防御重点，流域性大洪水始终是防汛工作的重中之重，要把江河流域的防洪调度工作谋划好、落实好，全面做好预案、队伍、物资和蓄滞洪区启用准备，保障大江大河安全度汛；要细化落实中小河流洪水、中小水库度汛、山洪和地质灾害、城乡内涝等薄弱环节防洪保安措施，把各类风险隐患消除在成灾之前；要统筹抓好防汛和抗旱工作，严防旱涝并发、旱涝急转。要果断转移避险，“宁可十防九空，不可万一失防”，关键时候果断撤离转移危险地带群众，进一步细化人员转移避险预案，确保应转尽转、应转早转.
The next paragraph talks about the importance of “sparing no effort in emergency rescue” of people who are trapped or missing. It calls for rescue teams, including from the PLA and PAP, to be dispatched well in time. It also urges efforts to reinforce dams that are crucial or relatively weak, and meet the basic living needs of flood-hit residents. It further calls to make efforts to resettle the people that have been affected given the widespread impact of flooding. The meeting called for “every effort to be made to ensure the basic livelihoods of the affected populations. Environmental disinfection and hygiene measures should be carried out effectively, and disease prevention and control measures should be implemented. Market stability and supply should be reinforced to maintain stable prices. It's important to swiftly restore normal production and living order in the disaster-stricken areas.” 会议强调，要全力抢险救援，统筹调度国家综合性消防救援队伍、解放军和武警部队、中央企业和社会救援力量等各类救援力量，确保高效救援、科学救援，全力固堤排险，全力抢救被困人员，全力搜救失踪人员，最大限度减少人员伤亡；对薄弱堤段、关键堤防要提前进行加固加高，安排专门力量不间断巡护巡查，及时处置管涌、溃坝等重大险情，坚决守住安全度汛底线。要妥善安置群众，这场灾害受灾面广、蓄滞洪区启用多、转移安置群众多，要千方百计保障好受灾群众的基本生活，做好环境消杀和卫生防疫工作，强化市场保供稳价，尽快恢复灾区正常生产生活秩序.
The next paragraph states:
“make good use of disaster relief funds, speed up recovery and reconstruction, speed up the repair of damaged infrastructure such as transportation, communications and power, and speed up the repair of damaged farmland and agricultural facilities, strengthen the supply of agricultural materials, strengthen the guidance of farmers on agricultural technology, organize farmers to actively replant and remedy, do a good job in agricultural disaster prevention and mitigation, minimize agricultural losses, and ensure national food security”
It is necessary to speed up the restoration and reconstruction of public facilities such as schools, hospitals and nursing homes to ensure that all affected students can return to school on time.
It is necessary to quickly start the repair and reconstruction of damaged houses to ensure that the affected people can go home or move into new homes before winter, and spend the winter safely and warmly.
Financial institutions should optimize and simplify relevant procedures, strengthen credit support and insurance payouts for disaster-stricken areas, and at the same time continue to do a good job in investigating potential risks and strive to help the affected people and business entities tide over the difficulties.
会议指出，要用好救灾资金，加快恢复重建，抓紧抢修交通、通讯、电力等受损基础设施，抓紧修复灾毁农田和农业设施，加大农资供应保障力度，加强对农民的农技指导，组织农民积极补种补救，做好农业防灾减灾工作，最大程度减少农业损失，保障国家粮食安全。要加快推进学校、医院、养老院等公共设施恢复重建，保证受灾学生都能按时开学返校。要迅速启动灾毁房屋修复重建，确保受灾群众入冬前能够回家或搬入新居，安全温暖过冬。金融机构要优化简化相关程序，加强对受灾地区的信贷支持和保险理赔，同时持续做好风险隐患排查，努力帮助受灾群众和经营主体渡过难关.
Xinhua English captures the next bit well: The meeting “urged efforts to improve the country's disaster prevention, mitigation and relief capabilities, further strengthen emergency command systems at all levels, and enhance the capacity of regional emergency rescue centers across the country. The meeting also called for enhancing disaster prevention and emergency response capacity at grassroots levels. It urged speeding up the improvement of the flood-control engineering system of river basins, especially major river basins in north China, and strengthening capacity planning and building on flood control and drainage in cities.”
Next, there’s a report with data from the State Energy Administration. It says that in the first 7 months, China’s newly-installed power generation capacity exceeded 170 million kilowatts, which was 87.73 million kilowatts more than the same period of the previous year. 前7月，全国新增发电装机容量超过1.7亿千瓦，比上年同期多投产8773万千瓦。
Within this, the newly-installed capacity of wind power and solar power exceeded 120 million kilowatts, accounting for more than 70% of the total newly-installed capacity of power generation. The breakdown of this is:
new-installed capacity of wind power was 26.31 million kilowatts, 11.38 million kilowatts more than the same period of the previous year;
new-installed capacity of solar power was 97.16 million kilowatts, 59.43 million kilowatts more than the same period of the previous year.
其中，风电新增装机2631万千瓦、比上年同期多投产1138万千瓦；太阳能发电新增装机9716万千瓦，比上年同期多投产5943万千瓦。这意味着，风电太阳能发电新增装机已超1.2亿千瓦，占全部新增发电装机比重超70%，相当于5个多三峡电站的总装机容量。
As of the end of July, China’s cumulative installed power generation capacity was about 2.74 billion kilowatts, a year-on-year increase of 11.5%. Among this, the installed capacity of solar power is about 490 million kilowatts, a year-on-year increase of 42.9%; the installed capacity of wind power is about 390 million kilowatts, a year-on-year increase of 14.3%. 截至7月底，全国累计发电装机容量约27.4亿千瓦，同比增长11.5%。其中，太阳能发电装机容量约4.9亿千瓦，同比增长42.9%；风电装机容量约3.9亿千瓦，同比增长14.3%.
From January to July, the power supply projects of major power generation companies across the country completed an investment of 401.3 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 54.4%. Among this:
Investment in solar power was 161.2 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 108.7%;
Investment in wind power was 96 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 40.3%;
Investment in nuclear power was 43.9 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 50.5%.
前7月，全国主要发电企业电源工程完成投资4013亿元，同比增长54.4%。其中，太阳能发电1612亿元，同比增长108.7%；风电960亿元，同比增长40.3%；核电439亿元，同比增长50.5%。前7月，电网工程完成投资2473亿元，同比增长10.4%.
Page 2: There’s a report informing that a total of 338 projects with an investment of 404 billion yuan ($55.5 billion) were signed on Thursday during the seventh China-South Asia Exposition and the 27th China Kunming Import and Export Fair. Among the projects, there are 116 major projects worth more than 1 billion yuan, of which 15 are worth more than 5 billion yuan, and 4 are worth more than 10 billion yuan. Xinhua says that “the investment projects focused on key industries in Yunnan, such as modern agriculture with plateau characteristics, green energy, advanced manufacturing, cultural tourism, and health care.”
Next, there’s a report based on the PBoC’s quarterly report. It informs that:
New RMB loans in the first half of the year were 15.7 trillion yuan, an increase of 2.0 trillion yuan year-on-year. As of June, the stock of RMB loans, broad money (M2), and social financing scale increased by 11.3%, 11.3% and 9.0%, respectively. 货币信贷保持合理增长，上半年新增人民币贷款15.7万亿元，同比多增2.0万亿元；6月末人民币贷款、广义货币（M2）、社会融资规模存量同比分别增长11.3%、11.3%和9.0%。
At the end of June, the balance of inclusive small and micro loans and medium and long-term loans to the manufacturing industry increased by 26.1% and 40.3% year-on-year, respectively. 信贷结构持续优化，6月末普惠小微贷款和制造业中长期贷款余额同比分别增长26.1%和40.3%.
In June, the weighted average interest rates of newly-issued corporate loans and personal housing loans were 3.95% and 4.11%,, respectively, which were 0.21 and 0.51 percentage points lower than the same period last year, and were at historical lows. 贷款利率明显下行，6月新发放企业贷款、个人住房贷款加权平均利率分别为3.95%、4.11%，较去年同期分别低0.21个、0.51个百分点，处于历史低位。
The exchange rate of the RMB against the US dollar fell below 7 yuan in May, and then appreciated by 1.3% in July. The behaviour of foreign exchange settlement and sales is rational and orderly, and market expectations are basically stable. 人民币汇率双向浮动，人民币对美元汇率5月贬破7元，7月份又升值1.3%，结售汇行为理性有序，市场预期基本稳定。
The next paragraph says:
In the next phase, a prudent monetary policy should be precise and effective; give full play to the dual functions of monetary policy tools in aggregate and structure, and firmly support the recovery and development of the real economy.
Maintain reasonable and ample liquidity and ensure moderate and steady growth of money supply and credit; ensure the growth rate of money supply growth and total social financing is maintained largely in line with nominal economic growth rate.
Continue to deepen the interest rate marketization reform, improve the central bank's policy interest rate system, continue to play an important role in the loan market quotation interest rate reform and the deposit interest rate marketization adjustment mechanism, so as to promote the steady reduction of corporate financing costs and residents' credit costs.
It calls for the implementation of existing measures, adding that it is necessary to extend the implementation period for areas with prominent structural contradictions, and continue to increase support for small and micro enterprises, scientific and technological innovation, and green development.
Adapt to the new situation that the relationship between supply and demand in the real estate market has undergone major changes, adjust and optimize real estate policies in a timely manner, and promote the stable and healthy development of the real estate market. Give full play to the positive role of finance in promoting consumption, stabilizing investment and expanding domestic demand, and keep the price level basically stable.
报告提出，下一阶段，稳健的货币政策要精准有力，更好发挥货币政策工具的总量和结构双重功能，稳固支持实体经济恢复发展。综合运用多种货币政策工具，保持流动性合理充裕，保持货币供应量和社会融资规模增速同名义经济增速基本匹配。继续深化利率市场化改革，完善央行政策利率体系，持续发挥贷款市场报价利率改革和存款利率市场化调整机制的重要作用，促进企业融资和居民信贷成本稳中有降。结构性货币政策工具“聚焦重点、合理适度、有进有退”，继续实施好存续工具，对结构性矛盾突出领域延续实施期限，持续加大对小微企业、科技创新、绿色发展等支持力度。适应房地产市场供求关系发生重大变化的新形势，适时调整优化房地产政策，促进房地产市场平稳健康发展。发挥好金融在促消费、稳投资、扩内需中的积极作用，保持物价水平基本稳定.
Another state media report covers the PBoC’s comment on the issue of deflation. Worth noting that the word was not mentioned in PD.
“When it comes to concerns over China's disinflationary pressures, the central bank said China's economy is not witnessing deflation, as the economy continues to recover, and the broad money supply is growing relatively fast. ‘Currently, there is no deflation (in China's economy),’ the PBOC said in the report, adding that it is not expecting inflation or deflation to become a problem for China. Data from the National Bureau of Statistics showed that the consumer price index, a main gauge of inflation, fell 0.3 percent year-on-year in July following a flat reading in June. The decline marks the first drop since February 2021. The central bank said China's consumer inflation is likely to gradually recover from August, and it is expecting to see a ‘U-shaped’ recovery in consumer prices this year.”
The report adds: The PBoC will “increase the financial support for rental housing, transformation of villages in cities and the construction of government-subsidized housing.”
Page 3: There’s a report on Defense Minister Li Shangfu’s visit to Belarus. Li met with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in Minsk on Thursday.
Lukashenko said that “the foreign policies of Belarus and China are highly consistent, and both sides are staunch defenders of international fairness and justice and a multipolar world. The Belarusian side firmly supports the major concepts and initiatives put forward by Chairman Xi, and is willing to work with the Chinese side to make new contributions to maintaining world peace. The relationship between the Belarusian and Chinese militaries is developing well, and it is hoped that the two sides will work together and play a constructive role in maintaining the security of the two countries and regional stability.” 卢卡申科请李尚福转达白俄罗斯全体人民对习近平主席的诚挚问候，对中方给予白方的支持表示衷心感谢。他说，白中两国外交政策高度一致，双方都是国际公平正义和多极化世界的坚定捍卫者，白方坚定支持习主席提出的重大理念和倡议，愿同中方一道，为维护世界和平作出新贡献。白中两军关系发展良好，希望双方在维护两国安全和地区稳定方面携手努力，发挥建设性作用.
Li “said that under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, China-Belarus relations have been upgraded to an all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership. China is willing to work with Belarus to promote mutual benefit and win-win cooperation between China and Belarus, so as to better benefit the two peoples. The cooperation between the Chinese and Belarusian armed forces has developed steadily and achieved fruitful results in strategic communication and joint training. The two sides will work together under the guidance of the two heads of state to continuously promote the relations between the two armed forces.” 李尚福向卢卡申科转达习近平主席的亲切问候。李尚福说，在两国元首战略引领下，中白关系提升为全天候全面战略伙伴。中方愿同白方一道，推动中白互利共赢不断走深走实，更好造福两国人民。中白两军合作稳步发展，在战略沟通、联训联赛等方面取得丰硕成果，双方将在两国元首引领下共同努力，不断推进两军关系.
Earlier, Li met with Belarus’ defence chief Viktor Khrenin. SCMP’s report on this says that “according to the state-owned Belarusian Telegraph Agency (BelTA)...“[In recent years] the relations between Belarus and China have been continuously strengthening, steadily developing and moving forward,” Li said, in his second meeting with Khrenin this year. ‘Last year we received a new status of our relations – it is an all-weather and comprehensive strategic partnership. This shows that now we have truly fraternal relations’.”
The report adds:
“Li’s visit to Belarus is the first by a Chinese defence minister since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, an action supported by Minsk, which has also allowed Russian troops to pass through its territory on their way to the conflict. Belarus came under renewed international scrutiny earlier this year when Moscow announced plans to deploy nuclear strategic weapons within its western neighbour’s borders. There was further alarm when Wagner mercenaries were allowed into Belarus as part of a deal to end their mutiny in Russia in June…Li’s visit to Belarus highlights the increasing military ties between China and the authoritarian states in eastern Europe, both isolated by Western-led sanctions against Russia’s war in Ukraine and Minsk’s cooperation with Moscow. While China seeks to play a peacemaker role in the war in Ukraine, its recent military and diplomatic activities have shown that its ties with Russia and its allies are increasing. Last month, China and Russia held joint military drills in the Sea of Japan, or East Sea, which focused on ‘maintaining the security of strategic maritime corridors’, according to the Chinese defence ministry.”
Next, there’s an article by Dilma Rousseff, the former president of Brazil and current President of the BRICS New Development Bank. She writes that the NDB came into being in 2015; it focuses on infrastructure construction and sustainable development and “aims to mobilize resources for related projects, complementing existing multilateral and regional development financial institutions, and promoting global growth and development.” 新开发银行2015年正式开业，重点关注基础设施建设和可持续发展两大领域，旨在为相关项目调动资源，对现有多边和区域开发金融机构形成补充，促进全球增长与发展.
She writes that “sustainable infrastructure development is at the core of the bank's investment support, with approximately two-thirds of its loans allocated to projects in this domain.” “The world is currently in a unique historical period where driving post-pandemic economic recovery and addressing climate change are central to the New Development Bank's vision. Development must always remain sustainable and inclusive, a fundamental concept being upheld by the New Development Bank. 世界正处于特殊历史时期，推动疫后经济复苏和应对气候变化成为新开发银行愿景中的核心。发展必须始终保持可持续性和包容性，这是新开发银行秉持的基本理念。
The NDB’s strategy reflects this institution's understanding of the numerous challenges that globalization has faced in recent years. Various crises have been affecting the process of globalization. Currently, global economic relationships are undergoing reshaping. The rules and practices of international trade and finance are being changed in unprecedented ways, and the technology connections that have been strengthening between Asia, North America, Latin America, Africa, and Europe over the past 30 years are undergoing comprehensive reshaping. These changes pose serious risks to the stability and prosperity of the world. If not effectively and adequately managed, these risks could further exacerbate global political polarization, leading to greater dangers and causing the world economy to fragment into different groups. The world economy currently faces the threat of protectionism, a situation that could persist for several years to come. The objective of protectionism is to establish economic hegemony, which implies exerting pressure and containment on emerging economies, narrowing their political space, and limiting their growth potential.” 新开发银行的战略反映了本机构对近年来全球化面临的诸多挑战的认识。各种各样的危机一直在影响着全球化进程。当前，全球经济关系正在重塑。国际贸易和金融的规则及实践正在以前所未有的方式被改变，过去30年来亚洲、北美、拉美、非洲和欧洲之间不断增强的科技联系也在经历全方位重塑。这些变化给世界的稳定和繁荣带来了严重风险。如果不加以有效和充分管理，这些风险很可能会进一步加剧全球政治两极分化，进而带来更大风险，导致世界经济分化成不同的集团。世界经济目前面临着保护主义的威胁，这种情况可能会延宕数年。保护主义的目标是建立经济霸权，这意味着对新兴经济体施加打压和遏制，使后者的政治空间变窄，增长潜力受限.
The threat of unilateralism and protectionism has brought many challenges to developing countries. Weaponization of sanctions and ‘long-arm jurisdiction’ will not solve any problems, but will only bring more difficulties to economic growth and social development, aggravate the inequality of opportunities and affect the prospects of global economic growth.” 单边主义和保护主义威胁给发展中国家带来了多方面挑战。制裁武器化和“长臂管辖”解决不了任何问题，只会给经济增长和社会发展带来更多困难，加剧机会不平等，影响世界经济增长前景.
She adds that the NDB “as a significant participant in the new international financial architecture, promotes the priority use of local currencies for investments while also raising funds through various currencies and markets. At the same time, the NDB is committed to devising solutions that address the mismatch between project cash flows and sustainable infrastructure needs in emerging markets and developing nations. It provides financing in a targeted and customized manner to support economic growth, and more importantly, enhance economic inclusion.” 在这一背景下，新开发银行作为新国际金融架构的重要参与者，推动优先使用本币进行投资，同时借助多种货币和不同市场募集资金。与此同时，新开发银行致力于制定方案，帮助解决新兴市场国家和发展中国家面临的项目现金流与可持续基础设施需求不匹配的问题，并以有针对性的、定制化的方式提供融资，帮助其实现经济增长，更重要的是增强经济包容性。
In response to the challenges of deglobalization, the NDB and BRI have joined forces to establish, expand and strengthen regional markets in emerging markets and developing countries, so as to support and promote multilateral cooperation. The BRI is an excellent example of combining infrastructure construction projects with economic growth and social inclusion. Both the NDB and BRI Initiative contribute to infrastructure development in partner countries, helping them achieve their development goals and strengthening industrial chains, value chains and supply chains through their own projects. 为了应对逆全球化，新开发银行与共建“一带一路”倡议汇聚力量，在新兴市场国家和发展中国家建立、拓展和增强区域市场，以支持和促进多边合作。共建“一带一路”倡议是将基础设施建设项目与经济增长和社会包容相结合的优秀范例。新开发银行和共建“一带一路”倡议都通过自身项目帮助伙伴国加强基础设施建设，助其实现发展目标，强化产业链、价值链和供应链。
The BRI is an open and major global initiative aimed at constructing a new platform for international cooperation. The BRI’s focus is in planning and constructing large-scale infrastructure projects, improving connectivity, promoting cross-border trade and investment between different regions of the world, promoting cooperation among economies and increasing personnel exchanges. The joint construction of the BRI helps many countries build industrial parks, and strengthens e-commerce applications in different countries and regions through the Digital Silk Road. At the same time, the joint construction of the BRI is helping the global economy to achieve a green transformation. 共建“一带一路”倡议是一项致力于打造新的国际合作平台的全球性、开放性重大倡议。共建“一带一路”倡议的重点是规划和建设大型基础设施项目，改善互联互通，促进世界不同地区之间的跨境贸易和投资，推动各经济体之间的合作，增加人员往来。共建“一带一路”助力多国建设工业园区，通过“数字丝绸之路”在不同国家和地区加强电子商务应用。与此同时，共建“一带一路”正在助力全球经济实现绿色转型.
In the next paragraph, she talks about the challenges that infrastructure projects face and says that “The preferential funds provided by the NDB are conducive to overcoming the market failure obstacles that project investment may face, and mobilizing social capital to participate in sustainable infrastructure investment and financing. From this perspective, the visions of the NDB and BRI are similar.” 新开发银行提供的优惠资金有利于克服项目投资可能面临的市场失灵障碍，撬动社会资本参与可持续基础设施投融资。从这一角度来看，新开发银行和共建“一带一路”倡议的愿景是相通的。
She adds: “Fundamentally speaking, the construction and development of sustainable infrastructure needs the promotion of technological progress and innovative demonstration. Many countries participating in BRI still have room for improvement in terms of their technological capabilities in sustainable infrastructure construction, and all parties are working hard to make innovation a core element of the initiative. When selecting sustainable infrastructure projects, the NDB considers the level of development and utilization of new technologies as one of the important criteria. In order to drive investments in innovation, multilateral development banks take into full consideration the political and economic influence of member country governments to promote demonstration projects in the field of technological innovation.” 从根本上讲，可持续基础设施的建设和发展需要技术进步和创新示范的推动。许多“一带一路”共建国家在可持续基础设施建设方面的科技水平仍有待提高，各方正在努力将创新打造成为该倡议的一项核心要素。在选择可持续基础设施项目时，新开发银行将新技术的开发和利用程度作为重要标准之一。为了带动创新投资，多边开发银行会充分考虑成员国政府的政治和经济影响力，以推动技术创新领域的示范项目.
Finally, she adds that “the NDB has so far approved nearly 100 projects with a total investment of more than $33 billion. These infrastructure investments have promoted the rapid development of green finance in countries that are important nodes in BRI. At present, the NDB is working hand in hand with a number of BRI partner countries to contribute to the realisation of more inclusive and innovative global development.” 新开发银行已累计批准近百个项目，投资总额超过330亿美元。这些基础设施投资促进了共建“一带一路”重要节点国家的绿色金融快速发展。目前，新开发银行正与多个“一带一路”共建国家携手合作，为实现更具包容性和创新性的全球发展作出贡献.
Next, there’s a report informing that the 4th ‘Horn of Africa’ International Medical Forum was hosted by the People's Liberation Army Support Base in Djibouti. Finally, there’s an article by Ji Shumin, China’s Ambassador to Tajikistan. The article says:
“The profound friendship between the heads of state is a huge advantage to promote the development of China-Tajikistan relations. Under the strategic leadership of President Xi Jinping and Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, the level of political mutual trust between China and Tajikistan has been continuously improved, and the connotation of bilateral relations has become more abundant. In 2019, during President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Tajikistan, the two heads of state signed a joint statement on further deepening the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Tajikistan, emphasizing that the two sides are committed to gradually building a China-Tajikistan development community and a China-Tajikistan security community. In May this year, the two heads of state signed a joint statement between China and Tajikistan in Xi’an, stressing that based on the common desire of the two countries for high-level cooperation and deepening bilateral relations, the two sides are committed to building a community with a shared future featuring lasting friendship, shared interests, and mutual benefits, setting forth a grand blueprint for the development of bilateral relations. 元首之间的深厚友谊是推动中塔关系发展的巨大优势。在习近平主席和塔吉克斯坦总统拉赫蒙的战略引领下，中塔政治互信水平不断提升，双边关系内涵愈加丰富。2019年，习近平主席对塔吉克斯坦进行国事访问期间，两国元首签署中塔关于进一步深化全面战略伙伴关系的联合声明，强调双方致力于逐步构建中塔发展共同体和中塔安全共同体。今年5月，两国元首在西安签署中塔联合声明，强调基于两国高水平合作和深化双边关系的共同愿望，双方致力于构建世代友好、休戚与共、互利共赢的命运共同体，为双边关系发展擘画了宏伟蓝图.
He then writes about China-Tajikistan economic engagement. “China is one of the most important trading partners of Tajikistan and has maintained the status of Tajikistan's largest source of investment for many years. Since the beginning of this year, economic and trade cooperation between China and Tajikistan has continued to show a strong growth momentum. The bilateral trade volume exceeded $2.1 billion in the first half of the year, an increase of 84.7%, and is expected to hit a new high in the whole year.” 中国是塔吉克斯坦最主要贸易伙伴之一，多年保持塔吉克斯坦第一大投资来源国地位。今年以来，中塔经贸合作继续呈现强劲增长势头，双边贸易额上半年突破21亿美元，涨幅达84.7%，全年有望再创新高.
The next paragraph discusses people-to-people connectivity. He writes that the number of Tajik students studying in Confucius Institutes and those choosing to study in China is on the rise. Last year, the first Luban Workshop in Central Asia was launched in Tajikistan, contributing positively to vocational training. Extensive exchanges and cooperation occur in fields such as technology, sports, local governance, and media. 塔吉克斯坦在孔子学院学习的学生和赴华留学生人数不断增多。去年，中亚地区首家鲁班工坊在塔吉克斯坦启动运营，为塔吉克斯坦开展职业培训作出了积极贡献。两国还广泛开展科技、体育、地方、媒体等领域交流合作.
The final paragraph deals with legislative cooperation, saying that it provides a “strong guarantee for the development of China-Tajikistan relations. Both China and Tajikistan are at a critical stage of national development and national rejuvenation. It is a common task for the legislative bodies of both countries to provide strong legislative guarantees for safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests. The National People's Congress of China and the upper house of Tajikistan's parliament have broad space for cooperation. In the future, the two countries will further consolidate the foundation of cooperation between the legislative bodies of the two sides, and promote exchanges and cooperation between the special committees of the two sides and the China-Tajikistan friendship groups.” 立法机构间高水平合作为中塔关系发展提供有力保障。中塔都处在国家发展、民族复兴的关键阶段，为维护国家主权、安全和发展利益提供有力立法保障，是双方立法机构面临的共同任务。中国全国人大与塔吉克斯坦议会上院拥有广阔合作空间。未来，两国将进一步夯实双方立法机构间合作基础，促进双方专门委员会、中塔友好小组之间的交流与合作.
Page 17: On the page there are interview-based articles with political figures from the Pacific Island Countries, praising China’s support.
First, there’s a piece with comments from Samiu Vaipulu, Minister for Justice and Prisons, Tonga. It says that in April of this year, he, along with leaders from seven Pacific Island Countries, visited Fujian. They studied China's agricultural and marine economy development, sought to understand China's practical experience in poverty alleviation, and the governance practices of the CPC and steps to expand its governance capacity.
Vaipulu said that the CPC has always adhered to a people-centred development philosophy, taken the people's yearning for a better life as the goal of struggle, united and led the Chinese people to become self-reliant and industrious, and achieved great achievements; the development achievements have provided an important reference point for the development of PICS. 瓦伊普卢表示，中国共产党始终坚持以人民为中心的发展思想，把人民对美好生活的向往作为奋斗目标，团结带领中国人民自力更生、艰苦奋斗，取得了伟大的发展成就，给太平洋岛国发展提供了重要参考。
The piece mentions Chinese infrastructure projects, Tonga signing the BRI agreement in 2018, Chinese teams carrying out outreach medical services in communities and schools, etc.
“We feel fortunate that whenever we encounter difficulties, our friends in China lend a helping hand.’ Waipulu said that climate change is a common challenge facing all countries in the world, and the Pacific Island Countries are among the most severely threatened by climate change. In January 2022, the eruption of a volcano in Tonga led to severe disasters like tsunamis. China provided assistance to Tonga in various ways, including sending the first batch of relief materials after the disaster. In April 2022, the China-Pacific Island Countries Center for Climate Change Cooperation was officially launched, and China also signed five project documents for climate change South-South material assistance with Pacific Island Countries.” “我们感到幸运的是，每当遇到困难时，中国朋友都会伸出援手。”瓦伊普卢说，气候变化是当前世界各国面临的共同挑战，太平洋岛国是受气候变化威胁最严重的地区之一。2022年1月，汤加火山爆发并引发海啸等严重灾害，中国先后以多种方式援助汤加，为汤加提供了灾后收到的首批救援物资。2022年4月，中国—太平洋岛国应对气候变化合作中心正式启动，中国还同太平洋岛国签署了5份应对气候变化南南合作物资援助的项目文件.
Second, Bradley Tovosia, Deputy Leader of OUR Party and Minister for Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification from the Solomon Islands. He talks about the Solomon Islands establishing ties with the PRC in 2019 and signing the BRI agreement. He mentions Chinese funded stadiums helping the country host the 2023 Pacific Games; he mentions the China-aided Comprehensive Medical Center at the National Referral Hospital progressing smoothly. In addition, the Solomon Islands is actively engaging in international cooperation with China in areas such as natural disaster prevention and emergency management under the Belt and Road framework. 2019年9月，中国与所罗门群岛正式建交，10月两国签署共建“一带一路”合作文件。今年，中国援建的2023年太平洋运动会体育场馆等顺利竣工并交付。“中方建设者高质量完成体育场馆项目建设，对所罗门群岛筹办太平洋运动会具有重要意义。”托沃西亚介绍，中国援建的所罗门群岛国家转诊医院综合医疗中心等其他项目也进展顺利。此外，所罗门群岛正与中国在共建“一带一路”框架下积极开展自然灾害防治和应急管理等国际合作.
The people of the Solomon Islands often say that development has no end, only new beginnings. What does this new beginning mean? Tovosia found the answer from China’s development: ‘People-centered development has brought a steady stream of vitality, enabling China to constantly stand at a new starting point and move forward.’ Tovosia said that the CPC has always been committed to ensuring a better life for the people, and has united and led the Chinese people to pursue a Chinese-style modernization. This modernization has created a new model for modernization and provided a fresh choice for Pacific Island Countries. 所罗门群岛人常说，发展没有终点，只有新的起点。新的起点究竟意味着什么？托沃西亚从中国的发展中找到了答案：“以人民为中心为发展带来了源源不断的活力，使中国能不断站在新的起点上向前迈进。”托沃西亚表示，中国共产党始终致力于让人民过上更好的生活，团结带领中国人民走出了中国式现代化道路。中国式现代化开创了现代化模式新图景，为太平洋岛国提供了全新选择.
“‘We hope to further enhance cooperation with China to promote regional prosperity and development.’ Tovosia said that the Solomon Islands admires China's achievements in modernization and China actively shares its development experience and ideas with Pacific Island countries. He looks forward to the Pacific Island countries making good use of this valuable experience to achieve their own modernization as soon as possible. Tovosia believes that China has contributed valuable Chinese wisdom to the realisation of world peace and development by proposing the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind and its GDI, GSI and GCI. In particular, the GSI, adhering to the concept of a security community, is committed to working with countries to address traditional and non-traditional security challenges, injecting more stability and certainty into a turbulent and volatile world, and providing an important guarantee for the realisation of lasting peace and development in the world. ‘We value the important role of the global security initiative and hope to conduct more in-depth cooperation with China,’ Tovosia said.” “我们希望进一步与中国加强合作，推动地区繁荣发展。”托沃西亚说，所罗门群岛钦佩中国取得的现代化成就，中国始终积极与太平洋岛国分享发展经验和理念，期待太平洋岛国能利用好这些宝贵经验，尽早实现本国的现代化。托沃西亚认为，中方提出构建人类命运共同体理念和全球发展倡议、全球安全倡议、全球文明倡议等，为实现世界和平与发展贡献了宝贵的中国智慧。特别是全球安全倡议，秉持安全共同体理念，致力于与各国携手应对传统和非传统安全挑战，为动荡变化的世界注入了更多稳定性和确定性，为实现世界持久和平与发展提供了重要保障。“我们珍视全球安全倡议的重要作用，希望同中国开展更多深入合作。”托沃西亚说.
Third, Rainbo Paita, who is the Minister for National Planning and Monitoring in Papua New Guinea. He talks about Juncao technology cooperation, going back to 1997. He says that PNG looks forward to more of its students coming to China to learn Juncao technology and continue to deepen cooperation with China in this field. He then discusses BRI cooperation, saying that: “PNG was the first Pacific island nation to sign a cooperation agreement under the BRI framework…under the framework of the joint construction of BRI, Chinese companies have helped PNG build infrastructure such as power grids, roads, ports, etc…and projects benefiting the people, such as Butuka Academy and the Enga Provincial Hospital…”
He then says: "Chinese companies have employed a large number of local personnel when undertaking important projects in Papua New Guinea, creating a considerable number of high-quality employment opportunities for Papua New Guinea.” “中国企业在承建巴新重要项目时雇用大量当地人员，给巴新创造了数量可观的高质量就业机会。”帕伊塔说.
“‘Development is the eternal theme of human society.’ Paita believes that China's development is not only independent, unique and advancing with the times, but also committed to mutual respect, mutual benefit and common development. ‘Every country has different national conditions, and the key is to build consensus for prosperity and development through mutual learning and openness and inclusiveness.’ Paita said that China's GDI ‘responds to the aspirations of the vast number of developing countries and charts the course for achieving shared global prosperity’.” “发展是人类社会的永恒主题。”帕伊塔认为，中国的发展不仅是独立自主、独具特色且与时俱进的，也致力于相互尊重、互利共赢和共同发展。“每个国家都有不同的国情，关键是要通过相互学习和开放包容凝聚繁荣发展的共识。”帕伊塔说，中国提出的全球发展倡议“回应了广大发展中国家的诉求，为实现全球共同繁荣指明方向”.
He then points out that in recent years, PNG's characteristic products such as tuna, coffee, and coconut oil have found their way to Chinese dining tables through platforms like the CIIE (China International Import Expo). Handcrafted products designed by PNG women entrepreneurs, like exquisite earrings and necklaces, have also gained popularity among Chinese consumers. ‘China has opened the door to high-quality goods from all over the world. China’s booming economy and open market continue to play a positive role in the recovery and development of all countries’.” 近年来，巴新的金枪鱼、咖啡、椰子油等特色产品借助进博会等平台走上中国民众的餐桌，一些由巴新女性创业者设计的精美耳环、项链等手工制品也深受中国消费者喜爱。“中国为各国优质商品打开大门，中国蓬勃发展的经济和开放广阔的市场，对各国恢复发展持续发挥积极作用。”帕伊塔说.
He ends by expressing hope for further cooperation with China in areas such as disaster reduction, climate change response, marine resource development, and economic sustainability.