Politburo Discusses Economic Policy & Discipline Issues - Li Qiang Meets Heads of Int'l Organisations - Message for Chinese Companies Going Global
Here are the key reports and articles that I found noteworthy from the People’s Daily’s edition on Tuesday, December 10, 2024.
Page 1: The lead story today is the readout from the Politburo meeting. The meeting was held to “analyze and study the economic work of 2025 and arrange Party conduct and anti-corruption work.”
The report says:
“The meeting believes that this year is a key year for achieving the goals and tasks of the ‘14th Five-Year Plan’. The Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core has united and led the whole Party and people of all ethnic groups across the country to respond calmly and adopt comprehensive measures. The overall economic operation is stable and steady, and China’s economic strength, scientific and technological strength, and comprehensive national strength have continued to expand. The development of new-quality productive forces has steadily advanced, reform and opening-up have continued to deepen, risks in key areas have been resolved in an orderly and effective manner, people’s livelihood protection has been solid and powerful, and the main goals and tasks of economic and social development for the year will be successfully completed.” 会议认为，今年是实现“十四五”规划目标任务的关键一年，以习近平同志为核心的党中央团结带领全党全国各族人民，沉着应变、综合施策，经济运行总体平稳、稳中有进，我国经济实力、科技实力、综合国力持续增强.新质生产力稳步发展，改革开放持续深化，重点领域风险化解有序有效，民生保障扎实有力，全年经济社会发展主要目标任务将顺利完成.
“The meeting stressed that to do a good job in economic work next year, it is necessary to take Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as the guide, fully implement the spirit of the 20th Party Congress and the Second and Third Plenary Sessions of the 20th Central Committee, adhere to the general tone of work of seeking progress while maintaining stability, fully and accurately implement the new development concept, accelerate the construction of a new development pattern, solidly promote high-quality development, further comprehensively deepen reform, expand high-level opening up, build a modern industrial system, better coordinate development and security, implement more active and effective macro policies, expand domestic demand, promote the integrated development of scientific and technological innovation and industrial innovation, stabilize the real estate and stock markets, prevent and resolve risks and external shocks in key areas, stabilize expectations, stimulate vitality, promote the sustained recovery of the economy, continuously improve people’s living standards, maintain social harmony and stability, and complete the goals and tasks of the ‘14th Five-Year Plan’ with high quality, so as to lay a solid foundation for a good start of the ‘15th Five-Year Plan’.” 会议强调，做好明年经济工作，要以习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想为指导，全面贯彻落实党的二十大和二十届二中、三中全会精神，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，扎实推动高质量发展，进一步全面深化改革，扩大高水平对外开放，建设现代化产业体系，更好统筹发展和安全，实施更加积极有为的宏观政策，扩大国内需求，推动科技创新和产业创新融合发展，稳住楼市股市，防范化解重点领域风险和外部冲击，稳定预期、激发活力，推动经济持续回升向好，不断提高人民生活水平，保持社会和谐稳定，高质量完成“十四五”规划目标任务，为实现“十五五”良好开局打牢基础.
“The meeting pointed out that next year, it is necessary to adhere to the principle of maintaining stability while seeking progress and promoting stability through progress, uphold integrity while pursuing innovation, establish first before breaking new ground, integrate systems holistically, and ensure coordinated collaboration; implement a more proactive fiscal policy and moderately loose monetary policy; enrich and improve the policy toolkit, strengthen unconventional counter-cyclical adjustments, intensify the coordination of various policies, and make the macro regulation more forward-looking, targeted and effective.”
It adds:
It is necessary to vigorously boost consumption, improve investment efficiency, and expand domestic demand in all directions.
It is necessary to lead the development of new quality productive forces with scientific and technological innovation and build a modern industrial system.
It is necessary to leverage the leading role of economic system reform and promote the implementation of landmark reform measures.
It is necessary to expand high-level opening up to the outside world, stabilize foreign trade and foreign investment.
It is necessary to effectively prevent and resolve risks in key areas and firmly hold the bottom line of ensuring no systemic risks.
It is necessary to continue to consolidate and expand the results of poverty alleviation, coordinate the promotion of new urbanization and comprehensive rural revitalisation, and promote integrated urban-rural development.
It is necessary to increase the implementation of regional strategies and enhance regional development vitality.
It is necessary to coordinate the promotion of carbon reduction, pollution reduction and green growth, and accelerate the comprehensive green transformation of economic and social development.
It is necessary to increase efforts to protect and improve people’s livelihood and enhance the people’s sense of gain, happiness and security.
会议指出，明年要坚持稳中求进、以进促稳，守正创新、先立后破，系统集成、协同配合，实施更加积极的财政政策和适度宽松的货币政策，充实完善政策工具箱，加强超常规逆周期调节，打好政策“组合拳”，提高宏观调控的前瞻性、针对性、有效性.要大力提振消费、提高投资效益，全方位扩大国内需求。要以科技创新引领新质生产力发展，建设现代化产业体系。要发挥经济体制改革牵引作用，推动标志性改革举措落地见效。要扩大高水平对外开放，稳外贸、稳外资。要有效防范化解重点领域风险，牢牢守住不发生系统性风险底线。要持续巩固拓展脱贫攻坚成果，统筹推进新型城镇化和乡村全面振兴，促进城乡融合发展。要加大区域战略实施力度，增强区域发展活力。要协同推进降碳减污扩绿增长，加快经济社会发展全面绿色转型。要加大保障和改善民生力度，增强人民群众获得感幸福感安全感。
The meeting emphasised that it is necessary to strengthen the Party’s leadership of economic work, ensure that all decisions and deployments of the Party Central Committee are implemented. It is necessary to fully mobilise the enthusiasm of all parties, stimulate the intrinsic motivation of cadres to work and innovate. It is necessary to adhere to being practical and realistic, coordinate development and security, enhance collaborative linkage, strengthen expectation management, and improve the overall effectiveness of policies. We must do a good job in people’s livelihood guarantees and social stability work, ensuring the overall stability of society. 会议强调，要加强党对经济工作的领导，确保党中央各项决策部署落到实处。要充分调动各方面积极性，调动干部干事创业的内生动力。要坚持求真务实，统筹发展和安全，增强协同联动，加强预期管理，提高政策整体效能。要做好民生保障和安全稳定各项工作，确保社会大局稳定.
The next two paragraphs deal with the issues of corruption and discipline. The report says:
“The meeting pointed out that, under the strong leadership of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI), the National Supervisory Commission, and discipline inspection and supervisory organs at all levels have deeply studied and implemented Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, especially General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important thought on the Party’s self-revolution; focusing on the central tasks of the Party and the state, they have continuously strengthened political oversight, vigorously promoted the rectification of conduct, discipline enforcement, and anti-corruption efforts, and solidly carried out education on Party discipline. They have advanced the in-depth and practical implementation of the eight-point central regulations, worked to rectify unhealthy practices and corruption around the masses, made efforts to eliminate the soil and conditions that breed corruption, promoted the improvement of the comprehensive and strict Party governance system, improved the Party and state supervision system, consolidated and expanded the results of thematic education and rectification, and promoted the high-quality development of discipline inspection and supervision work in the new journey, achieving new results.” 会议指出，在以习近平同志为核心的党中央坚强领导下，中央纪委国家监委和各级纪检监察机关深入学习贯彻习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想特别是习近平总书记关于党的自我革命的重要思想，围绕党和国家中心任务，持续强化政治监督，深入推进正风肃纪反腐，扎实开展党纪学习教育，推动贯彻落实中央八项规定精神走深走实，集中整治群众身边不正之风和腐败问题，着力铲除腐败滋生的土壤和条件，推动健全全面从严治党体系、完善党和国家监督体系，巩固拓展主题教育和教育整顿成果，推动新征程纪检监察工作高质量发展取得新成效.
The next paragraph says:
“The meeting stressed that the discipline inspection and supervision organs should adhere to the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, deeply understand the decisive significance of Two Establishments, resolutely implement Two Safeguards, always maintain a high-pressure situation in combating corruption, unswervingly advance the anti-corruption struggle in depth, and provide strong guarantees for promoting Chinese-style modernisation with new achievements in comprehensive and strict Party governance. It is necessary to focus on ‘Two Safeguards’ to strengthen political supervision, strictly enforce political discipline and political rules, incorporate the implementation of major reforms into the content of supervision, inspection and inspection tours, and ensure the smooth progress of reform through strong oversight. It is necessary to consolidate and deepen the results of Party discipline learning and education campaign, and fully leverage the constraining, safeguarding, and motivating roles of Party discipline education. It is necessary to improve the mechanism of the joint investigation and treatment of misconduct and corruption issues, focusing on promoting the integrated deepening of rectifying conduct and combating corruption. It is necessary to continue to deepen the rectification of unhealthy practices and corruption around the masses, and promote the reform and development achievements to benefit the general public better and more fairly. It is necessary to strengthen the political responsibility of comprehensive and strict Party governance, and strive to maintain a strict tone at all times. It is necessary to enhance the standardisation, legalisation, and professionalisation of discipline inspection and supervision work, deepen the reform of the discipline inspection and supervision system, and build a loyal, clean, and responsible discipline inspection and supervision iron army that dares to fight and excels in struggle.” 会议强调，纪检监察机关要坚持以习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想为指导，深刻领悟“两个确立”的决定性意义，坚决做到“两个维护”，始终保持惩治腐败高压态势，坚定不移把反腐败斗争向纵深推进，以全面从严治党新成效为推进中国式现代化提供坚强保障。要聚焦“两个维护”强化政治监督，严明政治纪律和政治规矩，把重大改革落实情况纳入监督检查和巡视巡察内容，以有力监督保障改革顺利推进。要巩固深化党纪学习教育成果，综合发挥党的纪律教育约束、保障激励作用。要健全不正之风和腐败问题同查同治机制，着力推动正风反腐一体深化。要持续深化整治群众身边不正之风和腐败问题，推动改革发展成果更好更公平惠及广大人民群众。要强化全面从严治党政治责任，着力推动严的基调一贯到底。要加强纪检监察工作规范化、法治化、正规化建设，深化纪检监察体制改革，打造忠诚干净担当、敢于善于斗争的纪检监察铁军.
The report ends with this:
Earlier, General Secretary Xi Jinping presided over a meeting of the Politburo Standing Committee and listened to the report on the work of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Supervisory Commission in 2024 along with the preparations for the fourth plenary session of the 20th Central Commission for Discipline Inspection. The meeting agreed to hold the fourth plenary session of the 20th Central Commission for Discipline Inspection from January 6 to 8 next year. The meeting also discussed other matters. 此前，习近平总书记主持召开中央政治局常委会会议，听取中央纪委国家监委2024年工作情况和二十届中央纪律检查委员会第四次全体会议准备情况汇报。会议同意明年1月6日至8日召开二十届中央纪律检查委员会第四次全体会议。会议还研究了其他事项.
The other top story is the Party holding a symposium with non-CPC personages to solicit opinions and suggestions on this year's economic situation and the economic work of 2025. Along with Xi, Li Qiang, Wang Huning, Cai Qi and Ding Xuexiang attended the meeting. Li briefed the meeting on this year’s economic work and introduced relevant considerations for the economic work of 2025. Chairpersons of the central committees of eight non-CPC parties, chairperson of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC), and a representative of personages without party affiliation made speeches.
The report says:
“They fully agreed with the CPC Central Committee’s analysis and assessment of the current economic situation and the planning and consideration of next year’s economic work, and put forward opinions and suggestions on accelerating the development of new quality productive forces, appropriately increasing the intensity of macroeconomic regulation, improving the efficiency of fiscal funds, strengthening the construction of scientific and technological innovation ecosystem, creating a new energy consumption ecosystem, promoting the construction of national laboratories, promoting the employment of new skilled talents, promoting the healthy development of the private economy, and deepening the integration and development of the two sides of the Taiwan Strait.” 他们完全赞同中共中央对当前经济形势的分析判断和明年经济工作的谋划考虑，并就加快发展新质生产力、适当加大宏观调控力度、提高财政资金效益、强化科技创新生态建设、打造能源消费新生态、推进国家实验室建设、促进新增技能人才就业、促进民营经济健康发展、深化两岸融合发展等提出意见和建议.
After this, Xi delivered a speech. The report says:
“Xi Jinping pointed out that this year, in the face of an even more complex and challenging international and domestic environment, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China united and led the entire Party and people of all ethnic groups across the country to withstand pressures, overcome difficulties, respond calmly and adopt comprehensive measures. China’s economic operation is generally stable and making steady progress. The main goals and tasks for economic and social development will be successfully achieved, and solid steps have been taken in advancing Chinese-style modernisation.”
Xi thanked non-CPC personages for their suggestions on reports on developing new quality productive forces, unblocking domestic circulation and strengthened supervision of the ecological environment protection of the Yangtze River, etc. The report then says:
“Xi Jinping noted that to accomplish next year’s economic work, it is first necessary to first strengthen firm confidence in victory. The foundation of China’s economy is stable, its advantages are numerous, its resilience is strong, and its potential is great. The supporting conditions and fundamental trends for long-term positive development have not changed. We must maintain strategic resolve, proactively shape an external environment favourable to us, stay firmly committed to managing our own affairs well, and transform various positive factors into tangible development results. Xi Jinping emphasised that doing a good job in economic work next year requires the joint efforts and hard work of the entire Party and all of society. At present, China’s development faces many uncertainties and challenges, which must be taken seriously and effectively addressed. Difficulties and challenges are there every year, but we have always developed through trials and grown stronger through tests. We must make full preparations for work, achieve the economic and social development goals for next year through unremitting efforts, and create a new situation for the development of our cause.” 习近平指出，做好明年经济工作，首先必须坚定必胜信心。我国经济基础稳、优势多、韧性强、潜能大，长期向好的支撑条件和基本趋势没有变。我们要保持战略定力，主动塑造于我有利的外部环境，坚定不移办好自己的事，把各方面积极因素转化为发展实绩。习近平强调，做好明年经济工作，需要全党全社会共同努力、艰苦奋斗。当前，我国发展面临许多不确定性和挑战，必须高度重视，切实加以解决。困难挑战年年有，但我们从来都是在风雨洗礼中发展、在历经考验中壮大的。要做好充分的工作准备，通过不懈努力实现明年经济社会发展目标，开创事业发展新局面.
Xi then put forward three wishes for the gathering.
First, improve political standing and support the Party and the government in doing a good job in economic work. Enhance the awareness of the overall situation and the overall perspective, and consciously leverage the role of participating parties in the overall work of the Party and the country. Leverage the unique advantages of the United Front, assist the Party and the government in advancing policies, stabilizing expectations, and resolving contradictions, guide the majority of members and the masses to comprehensively and dialectically view the economic situation and development trends, sing the main theme, and convey positive energy.
Second, leverage the advantages of gathering talents and actively contribute to the decision-making of the CPC Central Committee. Conduct in-depth research on key issues related to reform, development and stability, and put forth forward-looking and actionable opinions and suggestions. Accurately position the nature of democratic supervision, strengthen work coordination, and promote the implementation of various national strategies.
Third, strengthen self-construction and further enhance the capacity to participate in political consultation. Strengthen leadership teams and personnel development with strict requirements, constraints, and supervision, punishing corruption with zero tolerance. Reinforce theoretical grounding and knowledge renewal, enhance practical training, and continuously improve the ability to perform duties and participate in political consultations.
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。一是提高政治站位，协助党和政府做好经济工作。增强大局意识、全局观念，自觉在党和国家工作全局中充分发挥参政党作用。发挥统一战线独特优势，协助党和政府宣传政策、稳定预期、化解矛盾，引导广大成员及所联系群众全面辩证看待经济形势、发展大势，唱响主旋律、传递正能量。二是发挥人才荟萃优势，积极为中共中央决策献计出力。深入研究涉及改革发展稳定的关键问题，提出具有前瞻性和可操作性的意见建议。把准民主监督性质定位，加强工作统筹协同，助推各项国家战略的实施。三是加强自身建设，进一步增强参政议政能力。加强领导班子和队伍建设，从严要求、从严约束、从严监督，发现腐败行为严惩不贷。加强理论武装和知识更新，强化实践锻炼，不断提高履职本领和参政议政水平.
Third, there’s a report on the 1+10 dialogue. This is between China and 10 international organisations. In attendance were:
President of the New Development Bank Dilma Rousseff
President of the World Bank Group Ajay Banga
Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund Kristalina Georgieva
Director-General of the World Trade Organization Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala
Secretary-General of UN Conference on Trade and Development Rebeca Grynspan
Director-General of the International Labor Organization Gilbert Houngbo
Secretary-General of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development Mathias Cormann
General Manager of the Bank for International Settlements Agustin Carstens
Chair of the Financial Stability Board Klaas Knot
President of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank Jin Liqun
Li told them that “the current global economic growth is weak, and economic globalization and multilateralism face obstacles and challenges, leading to increased uncertainty. President Xi Jinping has emphasized the need to promote equitable and orderly world multipolarization and inclusive and mutually beneficial economic globalization. All parties should further focus on development, jointly foster a peaceful and stable development environment, advance the improvement of global governance, maintain the stability and smoothness of the global supply chain, and cultivate new momentum for economic growth.” 李强表示，当前世界经济增长乏力，经济全球化和多边主义受到阻碍和挑战，导致不确定性进一步上升。习近平主席指出，要促进平等有序的世界多极化、普惠包容的经济全球化。各方要进一步聚焦发展，共同营造和平稳定的发展环境，促进全球治理水平提升，维护全球产供链稳定畅通，培育经济增长新动能.
He added that “China is a staunch defender of economic globalization and multilateralism. Over the long term, China’s economy has continuously injected strong momentum into the global economy, increasingly demonstrating its distinct characteristics of development.” He then made three points with regard to China’s economic policy going forward:
First, there is an operating mechanism for stable growth, adhering to the principle of seeking progress while maintaining stability and long-term planning. We will increase counter-cyclical adjustments, step up the implementation of macroeconomic policies, do everything possible to expand domestic demand and boost consumption, make greater efforts to solve outstanding problems, and promote the continued recovery of the economy.
Second, there is incremental space for sustained growth, and new demands and new momentum will continue to form. We will further comprehensively deepen reforms, accelerate the construction of a unified national market, focus on promoting scientific and technological innovation and industrial innovation, and continuously enhance the endogenous driving force of the economy.
Third, there are positive spillover effects, and we will always share development opportunities with the world. We will unwaveringly promote high-standard opening up, introduce more self-initiated and unilateral opening policies,expand a global network of high-standard free trade zones, and continue to create a world-class business environment that is market-oriented, law-based, and internationalized.
Li added: “China is willing to work with all parties to safeguard the basic norms of international relations and the multilateral trading system. China supports international economic organizations in playing an important role in global governance and will actively assume international obligations that match its own capabilities to jointly promote the healthy and stable development of the world economy.”
李强强调，中国是经济全球化、多边主义的坚定维护者。长期以来，中国经济为世界经济持续注入强劲动力，日益呈现出自身发展的鲜明特点。一是有稳定增长的运行机制，坚持稳中求进、长远规划。我们将加大逆周期调节力度，加力实施宏观政策，千方百计扩大内需、提振消费，下更大功夫解决突出问题，推动经济持续回升向好。二是有持续成长的增量空间，新需求、新动能将不断形成。我们将进一步全面深化改革，加快建设全国统一大市场，着力推动科技创新产业创新，不断增强经济内生动力。三是有积极正向的外溢效应，始终同世界分享发展机遇。我们将坚定不移推进高水平对外开放，出台更多自主开放和单边开放政策，扩大面向全球的高标准自由贸易区网络，持续打造市场化、法治化、国际化一流营商环境。中国经济向上向好的底层逻辑没有变，惠及世界的方向原则没有变，这是中国经济之于世界经济最大的确定性。李强指出，中方愿同各方一道维护国际关系基本准则和多边贸易体制。中方支持各国际经济组织为全球治理发挥重要作用，将积极承担与自身能力相匹配的国际义务，共同推动世界经济健康稳定发展.
Xinhua English’s report also says that:
“‘This year the Chinese economy has enjoyed generally stable growth, and recently we have unveiled a package of incremental policies. Market confidence and expectations have been significantly enhanced,’ Li said, adding that China will work to inject more impetus and certainty into the recovery and growth of the world economy. China supports the continuous expansion of the New Development Bank and is willing to expand project and financing cooperation between the two sides to jointly contribute more to the economic and social development of BRICS countries and developing countries. China is willing to strengthen cooperation with the World Bank in international development, loans, knowledge and other fields to improve the quality and efficiency of cooperation, he said. China supports the WTO in carrying out necessary reforms, promoting the vitality of the multilateral trading system, and safeguarding economic globalization and free trade, and China is willing to deepen cooperation with the IMF and make greater contributions to maintaining global financial stability, promoting common development and tackling climate change, Li noted.
Finally, there’s a report on Wang Huning’s comments at the 2024 annual conference of the Cross-Strait CEO Summit. Wang praised the summit for having “united enterprises and business people on both sides of the strait” and for making “important contributions to promoting the peaceful development and integrated development of cross-strait relations”.
The report adds:
Wang said that “we will thoroughly implement the spirit of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, adhere to the one-China principle and the ‘1992 Consensus’, resolutely oppose ‘Taiwan independence’ separatism and external interference, promote cross-strait economic and cultural exchanges and cooperation, deepen cross-strait integration and development in various fields, support Taiwan compatriots and enterprises to participate in Chinese-style modernisation, share the fruits of development and progress of the motherland, and enhance the sense of kinship and well-being of compatriots on both sides of the strait. Wang Huning expressed the hope that compatriots and entrepreneurs on both sides of the Taiwan Strait will uphold righteousness, follow the trend of the times, grasp the correct direction of the development of cross-strait relations, firmly grasp the destiny of the Chinese nation in the hands of the Chinese people themselves, and jointly write a brilliant chapter of national reunification and national rejuvenation.” 我们将深入贯彻中共二十届三中全会精神，坚持一个中国原则和“九二共识”，坚决反对“台独”分裂和外来干涉，促进两岸经济文化交流合作，深化两岸各领域融合发展，支持台胞台企参与中国式现代化建设，共享祖国大陆发展进步成果，增进两岸同胞亲情福祉。王沪宁表示，希望两岸同胞、两岸企业家秉持民族大义，顺应时代潮流，把握两岸关系发展正确方向，把中华民族的命运牢牢掌握在中国人自己手中，共同书写祖国统一、民族复兴的华彩篇章.
Page 3: There’s a report on a session titled ‘China’s Role in the Rise of the Global South: Redefining the Future World Order’ which was held at the 22nd Doha Forum. There are comments from leaders of Rwanda, Namibia, Barbados and Honduras praising China. Namibian President Dr. Nangolo Mbumba had something really interesting to say:
“China-Africa cooperation is built on a basis of mutual benefit rather than coercion. Today, Chinese companies are building infrastructure such as roads in Africa, which developed countries are unwilling to participate in.” 纳米比亚总统姆本巴说，非中合作建立在互惠基础上，而非强迫。如今，中国企业在非洲修建公路等基础设施，而这是发达国家不愿参与的...
Next, there’s a brief report on the opening of the 18th Confucius Institute in France. Another report informs that China will provide special training for 1,300 TCM talents from BRI partner countries in the next three years.
Finally, there’s a report on Wang Yi’s message to the Hernán Santa Cruz Dialogue on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights held in Hangzhou. Xinhua says:
“China will continue to work with all countries and UN agencies to pursue the common values of humanity, safeguard human rights with security, promote human rights with development, and advance human rights with cooperation, to contribute to sound and sustainable development of the global human rights cause … Wang said that the world is undergoing profound transformation of a scale not seen in a century, with geopolitical conflicts flaring up, global economic recovery remaining weak and deficit in human rights governance widening. Noting that ensuring the equal enjoyment of the Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ESCR) by all is an important goal for the realization of all human rights, Wang said it is important to uphold true multilateralism, adhere to a people-centered approach, and strengthen solidarity and coordination. Committed to putting the people first, China has found a path of human rights development that is in line with the trend of the times and suits its national conditions. Historic achievements have been made in China's human rights cause, and the protection of the ESCR has reached new heights, he added. Wang noted that the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee has drawn a blueprint for further deepening reform comprehensively to advance Chinese modernization, and will provide favorable conditions for the equal enjoyment of the ESCR of Chinese people at a higher level. The dialogue was jointly held by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).”
Page 7: Today’s Xinhua feature on the economy is about Chinese companies going global. It says:
“Currently, global economic recovery is weak, cross-border trade and investment are cooling, and consumers in various countries are becoming more rational. Chinese enterprises ‘going global’ are continuously introducing new offerings to the global market with higher-quality goods, services, and technologies.” 当前，全球经济复苏乏力，跨境贸易投资遇冷，各国消费者更趋理性。“走出去”的中国企业，以含金量更高的商品、服务与技术，持续为全球市场“上新”.
“In the first 10 months, China’s import and export of goods increased by 5.2% year-on-year, among which the export of automatic data processing equipment and its parts, integrated circuits and automobiles achieved double-digit growth. In the same period, China’s import and export of services increased by 14.6% year-on-year, among which the export of services increased by 16.6% year-on-year; non-financial ODI increased by 10.6% year-on-year, and the newly-signed contract value of contracted projects in the BRI partner increased by 15.7% year-on-year. Behind the growth curve is a pragmatic approach of mutual benefit and win-win cooperation … Increasingly, Chinese companies are actively working with host country companies to strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation and complement each other’s strengths. At the same time, they are actively fulfilling their corporate social responsibilities, creating jobs, providing vocational training, improving infrastructure, and integrating into local communities, making positive contributions to local economic and social development and improving people’s well-being. In 2023, Chinese companies overseas paid a total of $75.3 billion in various taxes to the countries (regions) where they invested, an increase of 0.3% over the previous year. At the end of the year, the total number of employees in overseas companies was 4.289 million, of which 2.57 million were foreign employees, an increase of 77,000, accounting for nearly 60%.” 前10个月，中国货物贸易进出口同比增长5.2%，其中，自动数据处理设备及其零部件、集成电路和汽车出口实现两位数增长。同期，中国服务进出口同比增长14.6%，其中，服务出口同比增长16.6%；对外非金融类直接投资同比增长10.6%，在共建“一带一路”国家承包工程新签合同额同比增长15.7%。增长曲线背后，是互利共赢的务实合作 ... 越来越多中国企业主动和东道国企业携手，加强互利合作、优势互补，同时积极履行企业社会责任，创造就业机会、提供职业培训、改善基础设施、融入当地社区，为当地经济社会发展、增进百姓福祉作出积极贡献。 2023年，中国境外企业向投资所在国家（地区）缴纳各种税金总额753亿美元，比上年增长0.3%。年末境外企业从业员工总数428.9万人，其中雇用外方员工257万人，增加7.7万人，占比近六成.
The article adds that Chinese companies are “accelerating their integration into the global value chain with high-quality development, providing the world with more choices and growth momentum.” 加快“走出去”的中国企业，正以高质量发展加速融入全球价值链，为世界提供更多选择和增长动力.
It says that “since 2023, China has signed 42 memorandums of cooperation on green, digital and blue economy investment with relevant countries to deepen sustainable development cooperation.” 2023年以来，中国与有关国家签署了42个绿色、数字、蓝色经济投资合作备忘录，深化与各国可持续发展合作.
“Chinese enterprises ‘going global’ have shifted from previously targeting developed regions such as Europe and the United States to increasingly entering markets in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. They have transitioned from ‘casting a wide net’ to tailoring strategies to local conditions and deepening their presence, from selling products to contributing experience and technology, and jointly exploring optimal development paths.” 中国企业“走出去”从过去瞄准欧美等发达地区，到如今更多走向亚洲、非洲、拉美等地区市场；从“广撒网”到因地制宜深耕；从卖产品到贡献经验技术，共同探索最优发展路径.
The second section of the article says that:
In 2023, China’s ODI increased by 8.7%, while global FDI fell by 2% and the scale of cross-border mergers and acquisitions was the lowest in the past decade. During the same period, China’s ODI accounted for 11.4% of the global total, while its share of international export markets remained stable at around 14%, which is no small feat. 2023年，在全球外国直接投资（FDI）下降2%、跨境并购规模为过去十年最低的情况下，中国对外直接投资增长8.7%。同期，中国对外直接投资流量占全球份额的11.4%，出口国际市场份额稳定在14%左右，殊为不易.
The essence of the global layout of enterprises is to achieve the best allocation of global resources. Going global to participate in global competition and cooperation is an inevitable choice for many Chinese enterprises to grow and develop. 企业全球化布局的本质是实现全球资源的最佳配置。出海参与全球竞合，是不少中国企业发展壮大的必然选择.
“For China’s economy, Chinese enterprises pursuing a path of globalisation and leveraging the synergy between two markets and two types of resources contribute to China’s economic transformation, upgrading, and high-quality development, thereby better serving the new development pattern. For the global economy, as Chinese enterprises ‘go global’, their products, technologies, business models, and management expertise promote connectivity in trade, economics, and other fields. This helps stabilise global supply chains and inject new vitality into the world economy. The ‘going global’ of Chinese enterprises makes the Chinese economy more closely interconnected with the global economy.” 对中国经济而言，中国企业走全球化发展道路，发挥好两个市场、两种资源的协同效应，有利于为中国经济转型升级和高质量发展提供助力，更好服务新发展格局。对世界经济而言，伴随中国企业“走出去”的脚步，中国的产品、技术、商业模式和管理经验，推动经贸等各领域互联互通，有助于稳定全球供应链，给世界经济增添新活力。中国企业“走出去”，让中国经济与世界经济更加紧密相连.
The final section talks about the policy determination to facilitate Chinese enterprises to go global. It refers to several initiatives, including BRI, and says that the Third Plenum Decision has proposed to improve the system and mechanism for promoting and safeguarding outbound investment, improve the outbound investment management service system, and promote international cooperation in the industrial chain and supply chain.
This bit is interesting:
“At present, China is more actively connecting with high-standard international economic and trade rules, and steadily expanding institutional opening up such as rules, regulations, management, and standards. This requires Chinese companies to not only focus on building hard power, such as high-quality products and projects, but also to be more familiar with and master international common rules, respect the laws and regulations of the host country, strengthen compliance awareness, brand awareness, and corporate management, and lay a solid foundation for sustainable development.” 当前，中国正在更加主动对接高标准国际经贸规则，稳步扩大规则、规制、管理、标准等制度型开放。这就要求中国企业不仅需要注重打造优质产品和项目等硬实力，还需更熟悉和掌握国际通行规则、尊重所在国法律法规，强化合规意识、品牌意识、企业管理等，夯实可持续发展根基.
Page 15: There’s a report with the statement of Foreign Ministry on the situation in Syria. It said:
“China is closely following the development of the situation in Syria, and that the future and destiny of Syria should be decided by the Syrian people. It is hoped that all relevant parties will find a political solution to restore stability and order as soon as possible in line with the principle of being responsible for the long-term and fundamental interests of the Syrian people.”