Politburo Discusses Economic Challenges - Wang Yi Meets BRICS NSAs - Central SoEs Eye Future Industries - EU-China Climate Dialogue - Taiwan 'Reunification' 'Core Essence' of National Rejuvenation
Here are the key reports and articles that I found noteworthy from the People’s Daily's edition on Tuesday, July 25, 2023.
Page 1: The top story today is about the Politburo meeting, which discussed the economy. The report says that:
The meeting held that since the beginning of this year, under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with comrade Xi Jinping at the core, all localities and departments have better coordinated the two overall situations at home and abroad, better coordinated the prevention and control of epidemic situation and economic and social development, better coordinated development and security. The national economy has continued to recover, with an overall improvement and solid progress in high-quality development. Industrial upgrading has made steady progress, and food and energy security have been effectively guaranteed. General social stability has been maintained, laying a solid foundation for achieving the economic and social development goals for the whole year. 会议认为，今年以来，在以习近平同志为核心的党中央坚强领导下，各地区各部门更好统筹国内国际两个大局，更好统筹疫情防控和经济社会发展，更好统筹发展和安全，国民经济持续恢复、总体回升向好，高质量发展扎实推进，产业升级厚积薄发，粮食能源安全得到有效保障，社会大局保持稳定，为实现全年经济社会发展目标打下了良好基础.
“China’s economy is facing new difficulties and challenges, which mainly arise from insufficient domestic demand, difficulties in the operation of some enterprises, risks and hidden dangers in key areas, as well as a grim and complex external environment. After the smooth transition from epidemic prevention and control, the process of economic recovery has been characterised by undulating development and twists and turns. China’s economy has great development resilience and potential, and the fundamentals of long-term improvement have not changed. 会议指出，当前经济运行面临新的困难挑战，主要是国内需求不足，一些企业经营困难，重点领域风险隐患较多，外部环境复杂严峻。疫情防控平稳转段后，经济恢复是一个波浪式发展、曲折式前进的过程。我国经济具有巨大的发展韧性和潜力，长期向好的基本面没有改变. Comment: At this point, it is worth going back to the H1 data, which showed weakness across the board.
The meeting emphasized that in order to do a good job in economic work in the second half of the year, we must adhere to the general tone of seeking progress while maintaining stability; fully, accurately and comprehensively implement the new development concept; accelerate the construction of a new development pattern; comprehensively deepen reform and opening up; increase macro-policy regulation, focus on expanding domestic demand; boost confidence; prevent risks; and continue to promote the improvement of economic operation, enhancement of endogenous power, improvement of social expectations and resolution of potential risks, and promote the effective improvement of quality and reasonable growth of the economy. 会议强调，做好下半年经济工作，要坚持稳中求进工作总基调，完整、准确、全面贯彻新发展理念，加快构建新发展格局，全面深化改革开放，加大宏观政策调控力度，着力扩大内需、提振信心、防范风险，不断推动经济运行持续好转、内生动力持续增强、社会预期持续改善、风险隐患持续化解，推动经济实现质的有效提升和量的合理增长.
Xinhua English captures the next bit well:
The meeting pointed out that it is essential to make good use of policy space and find the right direction to solidly promote high-quality development. It is necessary to implement precise and effective macroeconomic regulation, strengthen counter-cyclical adjustments and policy reserves. It is necessary to stick to a proactive fiscal policy and a prudent monetary policy, extend, optimize, improve and ensure the implementation of tax and fee reductions, and give full play to the role of quantitative and structural monetary tools…Strong support will be given to scientific and technological innovation, the real economy, and the development of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises…the RMB exchange rate shall be kept generally stable at an appropriate and balanced level, the meeting noted, pledging efforts to invigorate the capital market and boost investor confidence.” 会议指出，要用好政策空间、找准发力方向，扎实推动经济高质量发展。要精准有力实施宏观调控，加强逆周期调节和政策储备。要继续实施积极的财政政策和稳健的货币政策，延续、优化、完善并落实好减税降费政策，发挥总量和结构性货币政策工具作用，大力支持科技创新、实体经济和中小微企业发展。要保持人民币汇率在合理均衡水平上的基本稳定。要活跃资本市场，提振投资者信心。
The meeting emphasised that it is necessary to actively expand domestic demand, give full play to the basic role of consumption in driving economic growth, expand consumption by increasing residents' income, drive effective supply through terminal demand, and organically combine the implementation of the strategy of expanding domestic demand with deepening supply-side structural reforms. Efforts should be made to boost consumption in areas such as automobiles, electronic products, and household goods (Comment: refer to NDRC’s latest documents I covered yesterday), as well as to promote service consumption in sports, leisure, culture, and tourism. It is necessary to give better play to the driving role of government investment and accelerate the issuance and use of local government special bonds. It is necessary to formulate policies and measures to promote private investment (Comment: there are new measures, which I will cover below; but H1 private fixed-asset investment fell by 0.2% year on year.). It is necessary to take multiple measures to stabilize the basic market of foreign trade (Comment: H1 trade data available here) and foreign investment (Comment: FDI into China shrank by 2.7% year-on-year to 703.65 billion yuan ($98 billion) in H1.). It is necessary to increase international flights to ensure the stability and smooth flow of China-Europe freight trains. 会议强调，要积极扩大国内需求，发挥消费拉动经济增长的基础性作用，通过增加居民收入扩大消费，通过终端需求带动有效供给，把实施扩大内需战略同深化供给侧结构性改革有机结合起来。要提振汽车、电子产品、家居等大宗消费，推动体育休闲、文化旅游等服务消费。要更好发挥政府投资带动作用，加快地方政府专项债券发行和使用。要制定出台促进民间投资的政策措施。要多措并举，稳住外贸外资基本盘。要增加国际航班，保障中欧班列稳定畅通.
The meeting pointed out that it is necessary to vigorously promote the construction of a modern industrial system, accelerate the cultivation and growth of strategic emerging industries, and create more pillar industries. It is necessary to promote the deep integration of the digital economy with advanced manufacturing and modern service industries, and promote the safe development of artificial intelligence. It is necessary to promote the standardized, healthy and sustainable development of platform companies.”会议指出，要大力推动现代化产业体系建设，加快培育壮大战略性新兴产业、打造更多支柱产业。要推动数字经济与先进制造业、现代服务业深度融合，促进人工智能安全发展。要推动平台企业规范健康持续发展。
The meeting stressed that it is necessary to continue to deepen reform and opening up, adhere to the ‘two unwaverings’, effectively improve the core competitiveness of SoEs and effectively optimize the development environment of private enterprises. It is necessary to resolutely rectify arbitrary charges, fines and levies, and solve the problem of government arrears in corporate accounts. It is necessary to establish and improve the normal communication mechanism with enterprises, encourage enterprises to dare to venture, dare to invest and take risks, and actively create market opportunities. (Comment: Beijing clearly continues to struggle in getting the private sector enthused.) It is necessary to support qualified pilot free trade zones and free trade ports to connect with high-standard international economic and trade rules and promote reform and opening up. It is necessary to carefully organize the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation.” 会议强调，要持续深化改革开放，坚持“两个毫不动摇”，切实提高国有企业核心竞争力，切实优化民营企业发展环境。要坚决整治乱收费、乱罚款、乱摊派，解决政府拖欠企业账款问题。要建立健全与企业的常态化沟通交流机制，鼓励企业敢闯、敢投、敢担风险，积极创造市场。要支持有条件的自贸试验区和自由贸易港对接国际高标准经贸规则，推动改革开放先行先试。要精心办好第三届“一带一路”国际合作高峰论坛.
Xinhua English captures the next bit well; so I am using some text from there:
“The meeting called for concrete efforts in preventing and defusing risks in key areas, and adapting to the new situation that major changes have taken place in the relationship between supply and demand in China’s real estate market. Real-estate policies should be adjusted and optimized in a timely manner, the meeting said, adding that the policy toolkit should be well utilized with city-specific measures to better meet residents' essential housing demand and their needs for better housing, and advance the stable and sound development of the real estate market.” The report further calls to “increase the supply of government-subsidised housing, to promote the transformation of urban villages, develop ‘regular and emergency purposes dual use’ public infrastructure, and revitalize all kinds of idle real estate. It is necessary to effectively prevent and resolve local debt risks, and formulate and implement a comprehensive debt package plan. It is necessary to strengthen financial supervision and steadily promote the reform of high-risk small and medium-sized financial institutions. 会议指出，要切实防范化解重点领域风险，适应我国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，因城施策用好政策工具箱，更好满足居民刚性和改善性住房需求，促进房地产市场平稳健康发展。要加大保障性住房建设和供给，积极推动城中村改造和“平急两用”公共基础设施建设，盘活改造各类闲置房产。要有效防范化解地方债务风险，制定实施一揽子化债方案。要加强金融监管，稳步推动高风险中小金融机构改革化险。(Comment: This is really interesting. There’s no alarm but there is still a recognition that significant risks persist in the real estate sector. I also think that the call to appreciate “the new situation that major changes have taken place in the relationship between supply and demand in China’s real estate market” is important. In other words, Beijing’s basically arguing that it does not want to return to the old model of the sector’s growth. There has to be greater linkage to demand, and that will mean continued pain across the sector.)
The meeting stressed that it is necessary to strengthen the protection of people's livelihood; stabilising employment should be considered from a strategic and overall perspective; firmly grasp the bottom line of the ‘three guarantees’ at the grassroots level and expand the middle-income group. It is necessary to strengthen the protection and quality improvement of cultivable land, consolidate and expand the achievements of poverty alleviation, and comprehensively promote rural revitalization. We must resolutely guard against serious accidents and ensure the supply of energy and electricity during peak and summer periods. 会议强调，要加大民生保障力度，把稳就业提高到战略高度通盘考虑，兜牢兜实基层“三保”底线，扩大中等收入群体。要加强耕地保护和质量提升，巩固拓展脱贫攻坚成果，全面推进乡村振兴。要坚决防范重特大安全事故发生，保障迎峰度夏能源电力供应.
The final paragraph talks about implementing the Xi Thought education campaign and the need to educate and guide Party members and cadres to firmly establish a correct view of political performance.
Next, there’s a report on Xi Jinping presiding over a symposium with non-CPC personages to seek opinions and suggestions on the current economic situation and economic work for H2. Li Qiang briefed the meeting on the situation. Cai Qi and Ding Xuexiang also attended the meeting. The report says that leaders of the eight non-CPC parties, head of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, and a representative of personages without party affiliation made remarks respectively at the meeting.
“They fully agreed with the CPC Central Committee's analysis and judgments on the current economic situation in China and its plans for the economic work in the second half of the year. They also put forward opinions and suggestions on solidly promoting high-level opening up to the outside world, increasing efforts to control network chaos, accelerating the development of artificial intelligence innovation, strengthening the integration of talent chains in industrial chains, accelerating the development of biomedical industry, promoting the development of new consumption, making overall plans to optimise the construction of scientific and technological innovation platforms for the manufacturing industry, promoting the high-quality development of sports industry, vigorously cultivating new pillar industries, and building a collaborative innovation chain and industrial chain layout.” 他们完全赞同中共中央就当前我国经济形势的分析判断和下半年经济工作的谋划考虑，并就扎实推进高水平对外开放、加大网络乱象治理力度、加快人工智能创新发展、强化产业链人才链融合、加速发展生物医药产业、促进新型消费发展、统筹优化制造业科技创新平台建设、推动体育产业高质量发展、大力培育新的支柱产业、协同创新链和产业链布局等提出意见和建议.
Xi Jinping spoke after this, the report informs. He said that:
In the first half of this year, under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee, all localities and departments better coordinated epidemic prevention and control and economic and social development; macro policies have been promptly implemented in a coordinated manner; the national economy continues to recover, and its operation is generally stable; industrial upgrading has achieved remarkable results; reform and opening up has taken new steps; food and energy security has been effectively guaranteed; people's livelihood has also been effectively guaranteed; residents' income growth and economic growth were basically synchronised; and high-quality development has been solidly promoted. The speed of China’s economic recovery is in a leading position among the world's major economies, the fundamentals of long-term improvement have not changed, and the prospects for development are bright. 习近平指出，今年上半年，在中共中央坚强领导下，各地区各部门更好统筹疫情防控和经济社会发展，宏观政策靠前协同发力，国民经济持续恢复、运行总体平稳，产业升级成效明显，改革开放迈出新步伐，粮食能源安全得到有效保障，民生保障有力有效，居民收入增长与经济增长基本同步，高质量发展扎实推进。我国经济恢复速度在全球主要经济体中处于领先地位，长期向好的基本面没有改变，发展前景光明.
To address the prominent contradictions and problems facing economic operation at present, it is necessary to increase the strength of macro policy regulation, actively expand aggregate demand, vigorously promote industrial optimization and upgrading, continue to deepen reform and open up at a high level, effectively prevent and resolve risks in key areas, effectively ensure and improve people's livelihoods, promote sustained economic recovery, and strive to achieve the year’s development goals. 习近平指出，针对当前经济运行面临的突出矛盾和问题，要加大宏观政策调控力度，积极扩大总需求，大力推动产业优化升级，持续深化改革扩大高水平开放，有效防范化解重点领域风险，切实做好保障和改善民生工作，推动经济持续回升向好，努力实现全年发展目标.
He expressed gratitude to the non-CPC parties and personages for their proposals and suggestions on major issues.
Finally, he put forward three points of hope for the democratic parties, the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, and non-party personages. (Comment: These three hopes are really useful to read because they underscore the lack of authority for these entities within the Chinese system. How can one have a meaningful multi-party system if the job of other parties is to nod their heads, offer suggestions within the framework set by the ruling party and basically spread the message of the ruling party.)
“First, unify thoughts and actions with the CPC Central Committee's analysis and judgments on the economic situation, fully understand and grasp the CPC Central Committee's policies and decision-making arrangements, and work together to overcome various risks and challenges.
Second, fulfil duties and actively play a role, conduct in-depth research and actively offer advice and suggestions on major issues, such as promoting infrastructure construction, accelerating the construction of a modern industrial system, and promoting reforms in key areas.
Third, build consensus and boost confidence in development. Assist the Party and the government in addressing doubts and uncertainties, guiding expectations, and building consensus, strengthening the ideological and political guidance of private economic personnel, and coordinating with relevant departments to implement beneficial policies for enterprises, further stimulating the vitality of the main market players.”
习近平对各民主党派、全国工商联和无党派人士提出3点希望。一是统一思想，增强责任担当，进一步把思想和行动统一到中共中央关于经济形势的分析判断上来，全面理解、准确把握中共中央的方针政策和决策部署，合力战胜前进中的各种风险挑战。二是履职尽责，积极发挥作用，围绕推动基础设施建设、加快建设现代化产业体系、推动重点领域改革等重大问题，深入开展调研，积极建言献策。三是凝聚共识，提振发展信心，协助党和政府解疑释惑、引导预期、凝聚共识，强化对民营经济人士的思想政治引领，配合相关部门推动惠企政策落地，进一步激发经营主体发展活力.
Next, there is a report on the NPCSC convening a session on Tuesday to review a draft criminal law amendment and a decision on official appointment and removal. This is a sudden meeting and there’s a lot of speculation that the decisions on appointment and removal will likely tell us something about Qin Gang’s future.
Finally, there’s a brief report that from July 27 to 28, Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend the opening ceremony of the 31st summer edition of the FISU World University Games in Chengdu and hold a welcome banquet and bilateral events for foreign leaders attending the opening ceremony and visiting China.
Page 2: First, a report informing that Guangdong’s foreign trade value was 3.86 trillion yuan in H1, with exports amounting to 2.55 trillion yuan, representing a growth of 3.6%. This is the first time that Guangdong’s export volume exceeded 2.5 trillion yuan. Guangdong’s exports of mechanical and electrical products amounted to 1.7 trillion yuan, with a 1% increase, accounting for 65.7% of the total export value. Exports of electric passenger vehicles, lithium batteries, and solar cells increased significantly, with growth rates of 7 times, 27.7%, and 57%, respectively.
Second, a report telling us that the Joint Working Office for Coordinated Development of Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei was officially established in Beijing. Its main tasks are:
focusing on key matters across regions and sectors
promoting the implementation of work tasks determined by the three provinces and cities' coordination mechanism
coordinating and supervising the specific implementation of tasks by various thematic working groups
In the next step, the Joint Office will further promote the implementation of the three-year action plan and annual key tasks for the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region.
Third, there’s an article discussing the importance of the fifth national economic census, which will be held from August to October 2023. Earlier this month, NBS had said that:
“a comprehensive and thorough indoor survey will be carried out from August to October. This survey aims to figure out the basic situation and distribution of all legal entities, industrial activity units and self-employed households engaged in secondary and tertiary industry activities in China. The State Council has established a leading group for the economic census, responsible for organizing and implementing the fifth national economic census, coordinating, and solving major issues during the census. The NBS is leading the establishment of an economic census office composed of 33 departments, responsible for the specific work in the census. The main content of the census includes the basic information, organizational structure, personnel wages, production capacity, financial status, production management, energy production and consumption, R&D, IT development, and e-commerce transactions, as well as the structure of the input, the use of products and the composition of fixed asset investments.”
Today’s article says that the survey will help “gaining an in-depth understanding of China’s comprehensive national strength and economic strength will provide a comprehensive reference for scientifically formulating medium- and long-term plans for national economic and social development and solidly promoting Chinese-style modernization.”
The fifth national economic census is conducive to accurately grasp the characteristics of economic and social development in the new era, and to better service the promotion of high-quality development. At present, the international environment is complex and severe, the world is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century, and the domestic reform, development and stability tasks are still arduous. Conducting this census will comprehensively grasp the new progress in economic aggregate, structural changes, promotion of high-quality development, construction of a new development pattern, and the establishment of a modern economic system over the past five years. This will help us continue to deepen supply-side structural reform, shape new momentum and advantages for development, enhance the resilience and security of the industrial and supply chains, promote coordinated regional development and high-level opening-up, and achieve qualitative and reasonable growth in the economy.” 开展第五次全国经济普查，有利于准确把握新时代经济社会发展特征、更好服务推动高质量发展。当前，国际环境复杂严峻，世界百年未有之大变局加速演进，国内改革发展稳定任务艰巨繁重。开展这次普查，全面把握近5年经济总量、结构变化以及推动高质量发展、构建新发展格局、建设现代化经济体系等方面的新进展，将助力我们持续深化供给侧结构性改革、塑造发展新动能新优势、提升产业链供应链韧性和安全水平、推进区域协调发展和高水平对外开放，推动经济实现质的有效提升和量的合理增长.
It adds that the census is “conducive to further strengthening and improving macro-control, better serving and promoting sustained economic stability and improvement. Since the beginning of this year, China's economy and society have fully recovered to a normal operating state, and the economic development has shown signs of improvement. However, the endogenous driving force is still not strong, demand remains insufficient, and economic transformation and upgrading face new obstacles. To promote high-quality development, many difficulties and challenges still need to be overcome. This census is the first time a coordinated input-output survey is being carried out. It will comprehensively investigate the development scale, layout and benefits of the secondary and tertiary industries, the basic situation of various units, and grasp the economic relations between industries in the national economy. It will give full play to the role of government statistics as a measuring instrument, indicator and weather vane, accurately reflect the implementation of the decision-making arrangements of the CPC Central Committee, and help us to adopt more accurate and effective policies and measures to promote the sustained improvement of economic operation, the continuous enhancement of endogenous power, the continuous improvement of social expectations and the continuous resolution of potential risks.” 开展第五次全国经济普查，有利于进一步加强和改善宏观调控、更好服务推动经济持续回稳向好。今年以来，我国经济社会全面恢复常态化运行，经济发展呈现回升向好态势，但内生动力还不强，需求仍然不足，经济转型升级面临新的阻力，推动高质量发展仍需要克服不少困难挑战。这次普查首次统筹开展投入产出调查，全面调查第二产业和第三产业发展规模、布局和效益，摸清各类单位基本情况，掌握国民经济行业间经济联系，将更好发挥政府统计的测量仪、指示器和风向标作用，准确反映党中央决策部署贯彻落实情况，有助于我们采取更加精准有效的政策措施，统筹推动经济运行持续好转、内生动力持续增强、社会预期持续改善、风险隐患持续化解。
Finally, there’s a report informing that the SASAC is deploying the advancement of the Central SoEs industrial renewal and future industries takeoff actions. This aims to accelerate the layout and development of strategic emerging industries by central enterprises. The focus is on 15 key industries, including:
Next-generation mobile communications
artificial intelligence
Biotechnology
New materials
It says that SoEs must come up with ‘state-owned central enterprise solutions’ for the development of strategic emerging industries. Central enterprises should go all out to develop strategic emerging industries; swiftly establish systematic layouts based on scientific research; adhere to long-term, stable investment; develop, break through and lay out simultaneously; strengthen cooperation with enterprises of various ownership in the industrial chain, increase major investment, industrial mergers and acquisitions, technology research and development, standard formulation, etc.; and strive to build a number of strategic emerging industrial clusters and industrial leading enterprises with international competitiveness.” ...拿出战略性新兴产业发展的“国资央企解决方案”。中央企业要全力以赴发展战略性新兴产业，在科学论证基础上尽快形成体系化布局，坚持长期主义、稳定投入，边发展、边突破、边布局，强化与产业链上各类所有制企业协同合作，加大重大投资、产业并购、技术研发、标准制定等，抓紧打造一批具有国际竞争力的战略性新兴产业集群和产业领军企业.
Page 3: We have the joint statement following the Fourth EU-China High Level Environment and Climate Dialogue (English text). It says:
“The Dialogue focused on the avenues for EU-China cooperation in implementing the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Paris Agreement and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Both sides fully recognized that the HECD must continue to achieve practical results.”
The discussion included key issues, including respective environmental and climate policies and actions in China and in the EU, deepening bilateral environmental and climate cooperation, and jointly promoting global multilateral processes.
In accordance with the principles and goals of the Paris Agreement, extensive international cooperation shall be carried out to advance implementation of the Agreement. Both sides commended the outcomes of UNFCCC COP27 and will provide support to the United Arab Emirates as Presidency of UNFCCC COP28 to host a successful COP. In view of COP 28, they agreed to enhance action and cooperation to advance domestic and global implementation efforts. In this light both sides agreed that a successful COP 28 must show comprehensive and balanced progress across all workstreams. The EU and China will undertake joint efforts to contribute to this success, starting by co-chairing the Ministerial on Climate Action in mid-July in Brussels, together with Canada.
Both the EU and China are committed to take swift action towards implementation of the GBF both domestically and at the global level, including by submitting before COP16 updated national biodiversity strategies, and action plans or national targets in alignment with the GBF. China will continue to demonstrate leadership as COP15 Presidency and will work with the EU to actively promote the complete and effective implementation of the CBD and the GBF.
Circular economy, biodiversity, chemical management, plastic pollution, national carbon markets, climate adaptation, methane emissions management and control and the clean energy transition (renewables, stability of the grid, energy storage, hydrogen) were confirmed as key areas of cooperation. Both sides will build on and expand existing cooperation with a view to contributing to SDG 15.2 and the Glasgow declaration on forests and land use. Both sides look forward to intensifying cooperation on Emission Trading Systems. Both sides agreed to hold a dialogue on CBAM (Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism) to understand and address Chinese concerns. Both sides agreed to holding the first High Level Dialogue on Circular Economy and reaffirmed the commitment to increase efforts to transition to a circular economy domestically and internationally. They also agreed to hold the Environmental Policy Dialogue and the EU-China Water Policy Dialogue.
Both sides agreed to cooperate and work towards the adoption of a global legally binding instrument on plastic pollution by the end of 2024. Both sides are committed to marine conservation and congratulate the adoption of the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ) and will continue to strengthen communication and coordination on the ratification and implementation of the Treaty. They reaffirmed their commitment to promote the conservation of Antarctic marine living resources in accordance with the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) and to continue the discussion on the establishment of a representative system of marine protected areas in the waters surrounding Antarctica.
Next, there’s a brief report on a Chinese observer team, led by Vice Minister of the International Liaison Department Qian Hongshan, visiting Cambodia. Xinhua says that:
“They participated in a collective meeting with Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen, who is also the president of the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP). Qian also met with Khuon Sudary, the second vice-president of the Cambodian National Assembly and a member of the CPP's Standing Committee, and Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn, who is also a member of the CPP's Standing Committee. During their stay in Cambodia, the team observed political parties' campaign activities, visited polling stations to view the voting and counting process, and attended press conferences and other activities. A total of 18 political parties contested in Sunday's election, the seventh of its kind since 1993 in Cambodia, which was held to elect the members of parliament for the 125-seat National Assembly. According to the National Election Committee, some 8.21 million, or 84.58 percent of the 9.71 million eligible voters, cast their ballots at all 23,789 polling stations across the country.”
The CPP won the election, of course. Yesterday, MoFA congratulated the CPP on its victory. This is covered in the paper today.
What’s not covered are Wang Yi’s meetings in Africa.
First, Wang met with South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Naledi Pandor. Xinhua says:
“Wang said the BRICS mechanism is the most important platform for representatives of emerging markets and major developing countries to strengthen dialogue and cooperation, as well as the most important channel for strategic communication in the Global South. China fully supports South Africa as the BRICS chair in hosting the 15th BRICS Summit and actively responds to the strong call of relevant countries to participate in BRICS cooperation, Wang said, calling for efforts to further strengthen BRICS cooperation, practice multilateralism and provide more stability to a world full of uncertainties. In the post-pandemic era, the two sides should work together to push forward the China-South Africa comprehensive strategic partnership towards higher quality, wider areas and deeper levels, and continue to serve as a model of solidarity and cooperation among developing countries, Wang said. China stands ready to continue to support each other with South Africa, forge stronger synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative and the South African Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan, and expand cooperation in fields including key minerals, digital economy, clean energy, environmental protection industries, marine resources development and poverty reduction, Wang said. For her part, Pandor said South Africa-China relations continue to operate at a high level. She expressed her thanks to China for helping South Africa and other African countries fight the COVID-19 pandemic and boost economic and social development. BRICS is facing important opportunities for development and growth, and South Africa is willing to communicate closely with China and other BRICS members to ensure the BRICS Summit delivers fruitful outcomes, Pandor said.”
Second, Wang’s meeting with Celso Luiz Nunes Amorim, chief advisor of the Presidency of Brazil. Xinhua says:
China and Brazil, the biggest developing countries in the Eastern and Western hemispheres, share common strategic interests, Wang said. China is willing to work with Brazil to deepen strategic mutual trust, expand strategic cooperation, and strengthen the alignment between the Belt and Road Initiative and Brazil's development strategies, such as reindustrialization and the growth acceleration program, Wang said. China also stands ready to work with Brazil to further explore common interests and create growth drivers, making their relationship a model of solidarity and cooperation between emerging markets and developing countries, so as to jointly promote human development and progress, and strive to build a human community with a shared future, Wang said. The BRICS mechanism has become the most representative platform for South-South cooperation and is facing a historical opportunity for development, Wang said…China is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with Brazil, jointly promote BRICS cooperation to reflect the new reality and respond to the voices of all parties, keep pace with the times, make new progress, better safeguard the common interests of emerging markets and developing countries, and promote the multi-polarization and democracy in international relations, Wang said.”
“Brazil is willing to work with China to implement the consensus of leaders of the two countries, maintain close strategic communication and coordination, deepen pragmatic cooperation in aviation, automobile, advanced technology, green economy, climate change and other fields, and create multiplier effects, he said. Brazil is willing to strengthen cooperation with China in multilateral frameworks such as BRICS, jointly uphold multilateralism and safeguard world peace, Amorim added.”
Third, Wang’s meeting with Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Akbar Ahmadian. The report says:
“China will continue to support Iran in safeguarding its national sovereignty and dignity, pursuing a development path suited to its national conditions and safeguarding its national security, Wang said, noting that China opposes external interference in Iran's internal affairs. Wang stressed that China is willing to strengthen synergy with Iran on the implementation of the China-Iran comprehensive cooperation plan, advance Belt and Road cooperation, and help Iran improve people's livelihood and promote its economic and social development. China and Iran should jointly advocate multilateralism, safeguard the basic norms of international relations, safeguard the common interests of developing countries, and maintain regional peace and stability.
Among other things, Ahmadian said that “Iran attaches great importance to BRICS cooperation and is willing to continue to participate in this process through ‘Friends of BRICS’ and other means.”
Fourth, Wang’s meeting with Indian NSA Ajit Doval. The Chinese language text of this is really interesting because I think we’re getting some new information from Wang in this.
Wang Yi said that China and India are two major forces in the process of multi-polarization, and both sides should follow the development trend of the times and correctly grasp the development direction of bilateral relations. At the end of last year, President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Modi reached an important consensus in Bali on stabilizing China-India relations. The two sides should adhere to the strategic judgement of the leaders of the two countries that ‘they do not pose a threat to each other, and they are each other's development opportunities’, truly implement the consensus on stabilizing bilateral relations into specific policies, and translate them into concerted actions by various departments and sectors, enhance strategic mutual trust, focus on consensus and cooperation, overcome interference and obstacles, and promote the return of bilateral relations to the track of healthy and stable development at an early date.” 王毅表示，中印是多极化进程中的两大力量，双方应顺应时代发展潮流，正确把握两国关系发展方向。去年底，习近平主席和莫迪总理在巴厘岛达成稳定中印关系的重要共识。双方要坚持两国领导人“互不构成威胁、互为发展机遇”的战略判断，真正将稳定双边关系的共识落实到具体政策，转化为各部门、各领域协同一致的行动，增进战略互信，聚焦共识合作，克服干扰困难，推动两国关系早日重回健康稳定发展轨道. (Comment: I have not heard of this “consensus” in Bali being mentioned before. There was no official Chinese statement on the exchange between the two leaders in Bali and Indian reporting basically called it an “exchange of courtesies.” This exchange was during the informal dinner, and the video does show that this was a very brief engagement. The two leaders have not had a formal bilateral meeting since the October 2019 ‘informal’ summit in Mamallapuram, India.)
“Wang Yi pointed out that whether China and India support each other, or whether they suspect and exhaust each other will directly affect their respective development processes and the trend of the world situation. A major trend in the world today is the rise of developing countries, including China and India. This is an unprecedented phenomenon in centuries and will undoubtedly impact and determine the future of the world. China will never tread the old path of seeking hegemony taken by some countries. It is willing to work together with a vast number of developing countries, including India, to support multilateralism and democratization of international relations. We believe that a multipolar world without hegemony and based on equality and order is sure to come.” 王毅指出，中印两国是相互支持、相互成就，还是相互猜忌、相互消耗，将直接影响各自发展进程和世界局势走向。当今世界的一个大势，就是包括中、印在内的发展中国家相继崛起，这是数百年未有的现象，必将影响和决定世界未来。中国绝不会重蹈一些国家寻求霸权的老路，愿同包括印度在内的广大发展中国家一道，共同支持多边主义和国际关系民主化，推动国际秩序朝着更加公正合理的方向发展。我们相信，一个没有霸权、平等有序的多极世界一定会到来.
“Doval said that India and China, as two ancient civilizations, two neighbouring countries and the two most populous countries in the world, are two major forces affecting the evolution of the world pattern. The two countries share many common views on the future of mankind and the world, and share extensive common interests. The destiny of the two sides is closely linked, and it is necessary to rebuild strategic mutual trust and seek common development. The Indian side is willing to work with the Chinese side to find a fundamental solution to the border situation in the spirit of mutual understanding and mutual respect, look at the overall situation and the long-term, promote the improvement and development of bilateral relations as soon as possible, and make positive contributions to maintaining world peace and prosperity.” 多瓦尔表示，印中作为两大古老文明、两大邻国和世界上人口最多的两个国家，是影响世界格局演变的两大力量。两国对人类前途和世界未来有着诸多相同看法，拥有广泛共同利益。双方的命运紧密相连，应当重建战略互信，谋求共同发展。印方愿同中方本着相互理解、相互尊重精神，着眼大局和长远，寻找解决边境事态的根本途径，推动两国关系尽快改善发展，为维护世界和平与繁荣作出积极贡献.
India’s MEA said that
The “NSA conveyed that the situation along the LAC in the Western Sector of the India-China boundary since 2020 had eroded strategic trust and the public and political basis of the relationship. NSA emphasised the importance of continuing efforts to fully resolve the situation and restore peace and tranquility in the border areas, so as to remove impediments to normalcy in bilateral relations. The two sides agreed that the India-China bilateral relationship is significant not only for the two countries but also for the region and world.”
Fifth, Wang’s meeting with Nikolai Patrushev, secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation. Xinhua says:
“During the meeting, Wang said China-Russia relations have withstood the test of international changes and become more mature, resilient and vigorous. China is willing to further strengthen strategic communication with Russia, enhance strategic mutual trust, deepen the synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative and the Eurasian Economic Union, and intensify coordination and cooperation at the bilateral, regional and international levels, Wang said. ‘We should work together to oppose hegemonic and high-handed acts, enrich the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for the new era, and inject new impetus into a multi-polar world and democratization of international relations,’ said Wang. Stressing that the BRICS countries are all major emerging markets and developing countries that play important roles in the world, Wang hailed BRICS cooperation in recent years with both practical outcomes and institutional progress. China is ready to work closely with Russia and other BRICS countries to further strengthen BRICS cooperation in a bid to safeguard the common interests of developing countries, Wang said.
Patrushev said that “under the current situation, Russia and China are actively practising multilateralism, jointly opposing unilateralism, resisting hegemonic actions that use multilateral mechanisms to safeguard the interests of a few countries, and opposing the Cold War mentality that aggravates regional and international tensions, and have made important contributions to safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of Russia, China and developing countries, and maintaining regional and world peace and stability. Russia is willing to strengthen strategic communication with China, expand practical cooperation, and deepen coordination and cooperation within the frameworks, including BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, to inject more stability into a volatile world.” 帕特鲁舍夫表示，当前形势下，俄中积极践行多边主义，共同反对单边主义，抵制假借多边机制维护少数国家利益的霸权行径，反对加剧地区和国际局势紧张的冷战思维，为维护俄中和发展中国家正当权益、维护地区和世界和平稳定作出重要贡献。俄方愿同中方加强战略沟通，扩大务实合作，深化在金砖国家、上海合作组织等框架内协调配合，为动荡不定的世界注入更多稳定力量.
Finally, at the BRICS NSAs meeting, Wang said that “cyber security is an important cornerstone of national security” and put forward four proposals:
“Firstly, he called for building a fair and reasonable cyberspace. The future of cyberspace should be jointly created by all countries, and the security of cyberspace should be jointly safeguarded by all countries. It is necessary to practice true multilateralism, support the United Nations in playing a central role in the global governance of cyberspace, fully listen to the legitimate concerns of developing countries, establish fair and reasonable international rules, and improve the democratic and transparent internet governance system.
Secondly, he called for building an open and inclusive cyberspace. The life of the network lies in interconnection, and the core lies in openness. Cyberspace should be a ‘big stage’ where a variety of flowers bloom, not a ‘new battlefield’ for a digital iron curtain. It is necessary to adhere to fairness and justice, oppose any form of scientific and technological hegemony and cyber hegemony, and let all parties do their best and get what they need in an open and inclusive cyberspace.
Thirdly, Wang called for building a safe and stable cyberspace. It is necessary to abide by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and respect the network development path and management mode independently chosen by each country, practice the concept of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, advocate the peaceful use of cyberspace, resolutely resist the cyber arms race, oppose attempts to use cyberspace to carry out ‘color revolutions’.
Fourthly, he called for building a vibrant cyberspace, saying it is necessary to coordinate development and security and adhere to ‘people-oriented’ and ‘intelligence for good’ policies to ensure national security and public interests, while seizing digital opportunities, bridging the digital divide, sharing the digital dividend, ensuring openness, security and stability of the global information and communication production and supply chain, to stimulate the potential and vitality of international cooperation in cyberspace.”
Comment: Points two and three are in deep contradiction. It is very difficult to have something open and inclusive, while stressing cyber sovereignty, which in China’s practice of it has basically meant exclusion owing to economic and political imperatives.
Anyway, the report adds: Wang said that “China attaches great importance to the issue of cyber security by actively participating in global network governance, making China's contribution to maintaining global data and network security. China is willing to strengthen exchanges and deepen cooperation with emerging market countries and developing countries, and make continuous efforts to promote the reform of the global cyber governance system and build a community with a shared future in cyberspace.”
Page 4: A report on H1 disciplinary action targeting CCDI and NSC cadres. It says that:
20,200 clues or reports related to issues involving discipline inspection and supervision cadres were received
more than 18,700 of these were dealt with
6,647 discipline inspection and supervision cadres have been talked to or interrogated
2,482 cadres have been subjected to disciplinary investigations, 1,647 have received disciplinary actions
73 people have been transferred to judicial organs
Page 6: There’s a report on the meeting between Song Tao, who heads the Taiwan Affairs Office, and Hung Hsiu-chu, former chairperson of the Chinese Kuomintang party, in Nanjing.
“Song Tao said that the CPC Central Committee with comrade Xi Jinping at the core has drawn a grand blueprint for comprehensively promoting the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation with Chinese-style modernization. This is the broad path to building a strong country and national rejuvenation. Realizing the complete reunification of the motherland is the core essence/fundamental meaning (题中之义) of comprehensively promoting the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese-style modernization. The peaceful development of cross-strait relations is the correct way to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, promote common development, benefit compatriots on both sides of the strait and lead to national rejuvenation. Only by adhering to the ‘1992 Consensus’ and opposing ‘Taiwan independence’ can cross-strait relations return to the correct track of peaceful development.” 宋涛表示，以习近平同志为核心的党中央擘画了以中国式现代化全面推进中华民族伟大复兴的宏伟蓝图，中国式现代化是我们强国建设、民族复兴的康庄大道。实现祖国完全统一，是以中国式现代化全面推进中华民族伟大复兴的题中之义。两岸关系和平发展是维护台海和平稳定、促进共同发展、造福两岸同胞、通向民族复兴的正确道路。坚持“九二共识”、反对“台独”，两岸关系才能回到和平发展的正确轨道。
The English report summarises:
“Song reiterated that only by upholding the 1992 Consensus and opposing ‘Taiwan independence’ can the cross-Strait relations return to the right path of peaceful development. He called for resolute opposition against separatist activities seeking ‘Taiwan independence’ and external interference, and taking the future and destiny firmly in the hands of Chinese people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. Hung and other guests noted that Taiwan should uphold the 1992 Consensus, which is the anchor for cross-Strait peace and stability, explore the ways and plans for realizing peaceful reunification, and work with the mainland towards Chinese modernization and national rejuvenation.”
Page 11: A report on the evolution of the 100-day of the Ministry of Public Security on online content or “Internet rumours.” Since April 10, the authorities have:
investigated and handled more than 2,300 cases
rectified nearly 8,000 internet platforms and enterprises
shut down over 21,000 illegal accounts
cleared more than 705,000 pieces of online rumours/information
The report also lists typical cases for anyone who is interested.