Politburo Discusses Government Work Report & Security - China-Russia Strategic Dialogue
Hi folks,
Doing a brief special weekend edition, covering some of the developments that were reported on Saturday and Sunday.
Cheers,
Manoj
I. Politburo Study Session on Security
On Sunday, the front page covered the 19th collective study session of the Politburo, which was held on Friday. The focus of the session was building the Peaceful China Initiative at a higher level. Comrade Li Yan, vice president and professor of the Southwest University of Political Science and Law, was the guest speaker. Xi said that “building a higher-level Peaceful China concerns the prosperity and development of the cause, the people’s better life, and the country’s long-term stability. It is necessary to unswervingly implement the overall national security concept, continuously exert efforts in making the country safer, society more orderly, governance more effective, and the people more satisfied, and push the development of a Peaceful China to a higher level.” 中共中央总书记习近平在主持学习时强调，建设更高水平平安中国，事关事业兴旺发达、事关人民美好生活、事关国家长治久安。要坚定不移贯彻总体国家安全观，在国家更加安全、社会更加有序、治理更加有效、人民更加满意上持续用力，把平安中国建设推向更高水平.
The report says:
Xi Jinping “pointed out that since the 18th Party Congress, the CPC Central Committee has has continuously improved the national security leadership system and legal system, strategic system, and policy system, enhanced the social governance system, strengthened overall prevention and control of public security, focused on improving the level of public safety governance, and resolutely safeguarded the national sovereignty, security, and development interests, successfully continuing the ‘two miracles’ of rapid economic development and long-term social stability. To adapt to the development and changes in the situation and tasks, the development of a Peaceful China can only be strengthened, not weakened.” 习近平在听取讲解和讨论后发表重要讲话。他指出，党的十八大以来，党中央不断完善国家安全领导体制和法治体系、战略体系、政策体系，完善社会治理体系，强化社会治安整体防控，着力提高公共安全治理水平，坚决维护国家主权、安全、发展利益，成功续写了经济快速发展和社会长期稳定“两大奇迹”新篇章。适应形势任务的发展变化，平安中国建设只能加强，不能削弱.
He added that the comprehensive overall national security concept is an important guideline for building a higher-level Peaceful China and must be unswervingly implemented. Party committees and governments at all levels must adhere to systematic thinking, further establish the concept that development is a hard truth (硬道理/fundamental need), and security is also a hard truth. In their work, they must consciously integrate development and security, plan together, deploy as a whole, and promote each other. It is necessary to uphold the approach of a national chess game with coordinated efforts at all levels, creating conditions for national overall security by ensuring security in specific regions, sectors, and industries, and lay a solid foundation for the long-term stability of the country by promptly and effectively solving each individual security problem.” 习近平强调，总体国家安全观是建设更高水平平安中国的重要遵循，必须坚定不移贯彻。各级党委和政府要坚持系统思维，进一步树立发展是硬道理、安全也是硬道理的理念，在工作中自觉把发展和安全统一起来，共同谋划、一体部署、相互促进。要坚持全国一盘棋、上下齐发力，通过抓好一地一域一业的安全为国家整体安全创造条件，通过及时有效解决一个个安全问题为国家长治久安筑牢根基.
Xi Jinping pointed out that the construction of a Peaceful China is for the people and relies on the people. It is necessary to continuously enhance people’s well-being, solidly promote common prosperity, and effectively safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of the people while upholding social fairness and justice. It is necessary to improve the social governance system and mechanisms and build a social governance community where everyone has responsibility, everyone fulfils their responsibilities, and everyone benefits. It is also essential to cultivate a social mindset characterised by self-respect and self-confidence (自尊自信), rationality and calmness (理性平和), and positivity and upward progress (积极向上), while carrying forward the new spirit of the times of being enterprising, willing to dedicate oneself/make sacrifices, respecting the rule of law, and being civilised and courteous.” 习近平指出，平安中国建设为了人民，也依靠人民。要不断增进民生福祉，扎实推进共同富裕，切实维护人民群众合法权益，维护社会公平正义。要完善社会治理体系、健全社会工作体制机制，建设人人有责、人人尽责、人人享有的社会治理共同体。要培育自尊自信、理性平和、积极向上的社会心态，弘扬锐意进取、甘于奉献、崇尚法治、文明礼让的时代新风.
Xi Jinping stressed that preventing and defusing all kinds of risks is an important task in building a Peaceful China. It is necessary to prioritise the defense of national political security and firmly safeguard the security of the state power, system and ideology. It is necessary to improve the public security system, promote the transformation of the public security governance model to ensure preemptive prevention, and strengthen work in disaster prevention, mitigation and relief, production safety, food and drug safety, network security, and artificial intelligence security. We must focus on preventing risks in key areas.” 习近平强调，防范化解各类风险是平安中国建设的一项重要任务。要把捍卫国家政治安全摆在首位，坚定维护国家政权安全、制度安全、意识形态安全。要完善公共安全体系，推动公共安全治理模式向事前预防转型，加强防灾减灾救灾、安全生产、食品药品安全、网络安全、人工智能安全等方面工作。要着力防范重点领域风险.
Xi Jinping pointed out that to build a higher-level Peaceful China, it is necessary to combine specialised governance with systemic governance, law-based governance, comprehensive governance, and source governance, to develop and strengthen the forces of mass prevention and mass control, and to build a true wall of copper and iron. We must uphold and develop the ‘Fengqiao Experience’ in the new era, promote the legalisation of petition work, and promptly and effectively resolve various contradictions and disputes. 习近平指出，建设更高水平平安中国，必须强化社会治安整体防控。要把专项治理和系统治理、依法治理、综合治理、源头治理结合起来，发展壮大群防群治力量，筑起真正的铜墙铁壁。要坚持和发展新时代“枫桥经验”，推进信访工作法治化，及时有效化解各种矛盾纠纷.
Xi Jinping emphasised that the leadership of the Party is the fundamental guarantee for the construction of a Peaceful China. It is necessary to always adhere to the absolute leadership of the Party Central Committee over national security and political and legal work, and give full play to the leadership role of Party committees at all levels in taking overall control and coordinating all parties in the construction of peace. It is necessary to strengthen positive publicity and public opinion guidance, and focus on using modern scientific and technological means to improve the effectiveness of social governance. It is essential to forge a loyal, clean and responsible iron political and legal affairs army in the new era. 习近平强调，党的领导是平安中国建设的根本保证。要始终坚持党中央对国家安全工作、对政法工作的绝对领导，充分发挥各级党委在平安建设中总揽全局、协调各方的领导作用。要加强正面宣传和舆论引导，注重运用现代科技手段提高社会治理效能。要锻造忠诚干净担当的新时代政法铁军.
II. Economic Policy Discussion
Earlier on Saturday, there was a report on the monthly Politburo meeting, which discussed the draft of the Government Work Report. The report said:
“The meeting pointed out that in the past year, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core has taken overall control and responded calmly, united and led the whole Party and people of all ethnic groups in the country to successfully complete the main goals and tasks of economic and social development. China’s economy has operated with overall stability, making progress amid stability, high-quality development has been solidly advanced, the overall social situation has remained stable, and Chinese-style modernisation has taken new solid steps forward.” 会议指出，过去一年，以习近平同志为核心的党中央统揽全局、沉着应变，团结带领全党全国各族人民顺利完成经济社会发展主要目标任务。我国经济运行总体平稳、稳中有进，高质量发展扎实推进，社会大局保持稳定，中国式现代化迈出新的坚实步伐。
“The meeting emphasised that this year is the final year of the 14th Five-Year Plan. To do a good job in government work, we must, under the strong leadership of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core, 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, follow the arrangements of the Central Economic Work Conference, 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 proactive and effective macroeconomic policies, expand domestic demand, promote the integrated development of scientific and technological innovation and industrial innovation, stabilise the property and stock markets, prevent and resolve risks and external shocks in key areas, stabilise 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 to the 15th Five-Year Plan.” 会议强调，今年是“十四五”规划收官之年，做好政府工作，要在以习近平同志为核心的党中央坚强领导下，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，按照中央经济工作会议部署，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. (Note: This doesn’t say anything new. I read it as the leadership calling for policy continuity and incremental changes, which is what I would expect from the work report, rather than some major, radical announcements.)
III. Sergei Shoigu’s Visit
Finally, also on Saturday, there was a report on Xi meeting with Sergei Shoigu, secretary of the Russian Federation Security Council. Xinhua reports:
“Xi Jinping pointed out that China and Russia are friendly neighbours connected by mountains and rivers and, even more so, are true friends forged into steel. This year, I have had two exchanges with President Putin, carrying out top-level design for the development of China-Russia relations and conducting in-depth communication on a series of major international and regional issues. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, the Soviet Union’s Great Patriotic War, and the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War, as well as the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. In such a year of special historical significance, China-Russia relations will usher in a series of important agendas. Both sides, at all levels, should maintain close communication, fully implement the consensus reached between myself and President Putin, and promote the spiritual core of China-Russia relations in the new era characterised by permanent good-neighbourliness, comprehensive strategic coordination, and mutually beneficial cooperation for win-win results, continuously deepen strategic coordination and practical cooperation, and support the common development and revitalisation of the two countries. Both sides should continue to strengthen coordination in international and regional affairs, fully leverage the roles of BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and consolidate the overall direction of unity and cooperation in the Global South.” 习近平指出，中俄是山水相连的友好邻邦，更是百炼成钢的真心朋友。今年我同普京总统已两次交流，对中俄关系发展作出顶层设计，就一系列重大国际和地区问题深入沟通。今年是中国人民抗日战争、苏联伟大卫国战争暨世界反法西斯战争胜利80周年，也是联合国成立80周年。在这样一个具有特殊历史意义的年份，中俄关系将迎来一系列重要议程。双方各层级要保持密切沟通，全面落实我同普京总统达成的共识，弘扬永久睦邻友好、全面战略协作、互利合作共赢的新时代中俄关系精神内核，不断深化战略协作和务实合作，助力两国共同发展振兴。双方要继续加强在国际和地区事务中的协调，充分发挥金砖国家和上海合作组织作用，巩固全球南方团结合作大方向.
Shoigu reportedly said that “President Putin highly values his sincere friendship and close ties with President Xi Jinping. Russia-China relations are at an unprecedentedly high level and are not directed against any third party. The Russia-China partnership plays an important role in the world, setting an example for major-power relations. Russia and China have always trusted each other and engaged in equal dialogue, and the strategic cooperation between the two countries is in the common interests of both sides. Russia will earnestly implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state and unswervingly strengthen cooperation with China. China has consistently and actively promoted a peaceful resolution of the Ukraine crisis, for which Russia expresses deep appreciation.” 绍伊古转达普京总统对习近平主席的亲切问候，表示普京总统高度珍视同习近平主席的真挚友谊和密切联系。俄中关系处于前所未有的高水平，不针对任何第三方。俄中组合在世界上发挥了重要作用，树立了大国关系典范。俄中始终相互信任、平等对话，两国战略合作符合双方共同利益。俄方将切实落实两国元首达成的重要共识，坚定不移加强对华合作。中方一直积极推动乌克兰危机和平解决，俄方对此深表赞赏.
Shoigu also held a strategic dialogue with Wang Yi.
Wang said that “President Xi Jinping recently spoke again with President Putin following their video meeting at the beginning of the year, engaging in strategic communication on deepening China-Russia strategic coordination under the new situation and promoting stability in the international situation, fully reflecting the high level and special nature of China-Russia relations, and demonstrating the leadership responsibility of the two heads of state as leaders of major powers. Both sides should take the implementation of the consensus reached by the two heads of state as the fundamental guideline, maintain close coordination, and continue to deepen mutual trust and cooperation in the field of strategic security. 王毅表示，习近平主席近日同普京总统继年初视频会晤后再次通话，就新形势下深化中俄战略协作、促进国际局势稳定进行战略沟通，充分体现中俄关系的高水平和特殊性，彰显了中俄元首的大国领袖担当。双方要以落实两国元首共识为根本遵循，保持密切协调，持续深化在战略安全领域的互信与合作.
Wang Yi said that China-Russia relations in the new era not only go beyond the Cold War-style military alliance model but also surpass outdated bloc confrontation thinking, increasingly showcasing the resilience and composure of a new type of major-power relationship. Under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, China-Russia relations will remain as they always have—stable as Mount Tai (稳如泰山), firm as a rock, and unshakable. 王毅说，新时代中俄关系不仅超越冷战式军事同盟模式，也超越阵营对抗式陈旧思维，越来越展现出新型大国关系的韧性和从容。在两国元首战略引领下，中俄关系将一如既往，稳如泰山，坚如磐石，不可撼动.
Shoigu said that the two heads of state have pointed out the direction for the development of Russia-China relations and strategic cooperation. Russia and China have a high degree of political and strategic mutual trust, which is not affected by any external factors. The comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between Russia and China is a firm choice made by both sides and is in line with the fundamental interests of the two countries and their peoples. Russia will fully cooperate with China in its rotating presidency of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and in hosting the summit, and is willing to work with China to hold the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Second World War. 绍伊古表示，两国元首为俄中关系和战略协作指明了发展方向。俄中拥有高度的政治和战略互信，不受任何外部因素影响。俄中全面战略协作伙伴关系是双方作出的坚定选择，符合两国和两国人民的根本利益。俄方将全力配合中方轮值上海合作组织主席国工作及举办峰会，也愿同中方共同办好二战胜利80周年纪念活动.
The two sides exchanged in-depth views on the Ukrainian crisis. The two sides agreed to hold a new round of China-Russia strategic security consultations at an appropriate time. The two sides also exchanged views on international and regional issues of common concern such as the Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and Afghanistan. 双方就乌克兰危机问题深入交换意见。双方同意适时举行新一轮中俄战略安全磋商。双方还就亚太、中东、阿富汗等共同关心的国际和地区问题交换了意见.
Xinhua’s English report also had Wang saying that:
“History and reality have proved time and again that China-Russia relations have a strong internal driving force, solid public support, and unique strategic value, and are not aimed at and should not be influenced by third parties, Wang said. He noted that China-Russia relations in the new era increasingly demonstrates the resilience and calm of the new model of major-country relations. Wang said that this year marks the 80th anniversary of victory in the World Anti-Fascist War, as well as the 80th anniversary of the founding of the UN, which is of landmark significance in the history of both China-Russia ties and broader international relations. As two major victors of World War II and permanent members of the UN Security Council, China and Russia have the responsibility to join hands to defend the outcomes of WWII and maintain global peace and development.”
It also said:
“The two sides exchanged in-depth views on the Ukraine crisis. Shoigu outlined the latest situation of Russia-U.S. contact, as well as considerations for Russia’s position, saying that Russia is committed to eliminating the root causes of the Ukraine crisis and seeking a permanent, fair and sustainable plan for peace. Wang said that China will continue to play a constructive role in promoting peace talks and pushing for a political settlement of the Ukraine crisis.”