Politburo Discusses NPC Report - Xi's Take on Deliberative Democracy - Xi's Message to Trainee Officials - PLA's Implementation of Xi Thought Education Campaign - US-China Auto Frictions
Here are the key reports and articles that I found noteworthy from the People's Daily’s edition on Friday, March 01, 2024.
Page 1: The lead story is on the Politburo meeting ahead of the Two Sessions. The meeting was to discuss a draft government work report, which Li Qiang will be presenting at the NPC.
“The meeting held that over the past year, in the face of an exceptionally complicated international environment and the arduous tasks of reform, development and maintaining stability, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core has united and led the entire Party and the people of all ethnic groups in the country to withstand external pressure and overcome internal difficulties. Through arduous efforts, a stable transition has been achieved from the phase of COVID-19 prevention and control, the economy rebounded and improved, and people's livelihoods was effectively ensured. The main goals and tasks of economic and social development for the whole year were successfully completed, and high-quality development was solidly promoted, taking solid steps towards the comprehensive construction of a socialist modernized country.” 会议认为，过去一年，面对异常复杂的国际环境和艰巨繁重的改革发展稳定任务，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，顶住外部压力、克服内部困难，付出艰辛努力，新冠疫情防控实现平稳转段，经济实现回升向好，民生保障有力有效，全年经济社会发展主要目标任务圆满完成，高质量发展扎实推进，全面建设社会主义现代化国家迈出坚实步伐.
“It added that 2024 marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China and is a crucial year for the realization of the goals and tasks of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025). To carry out government work effectively, we must, under the strong leadership of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core and guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, comprehensively implement the spirit of the 20th Party Congress and the second plenary session of the 20th Central Committee; follow the arrangements of the Central Economic Work Conference; adhere to the general principle of seeking progress while maintaining stability; fully, accurately, and comprehensively implement the new development concept; accelerate the construction of a new development pattern; focus on promoting high-quality development; comprehensively deepen reform and opening up; vigorously advance self-reliance and self-strengthening in science and technology at a high level; enhance macroeconomic regulation; coordinate the expansion of domestic demand and deepening of supply-side structural reforms; coordinate new urbanization and the comprehensive revitalization of rural areas; coordinate high-quality development and high-level security; effectively enhance economic vitality; prevent and resolve risks; improve social expectations; consolidate and enhance the positive trend of economic recovery; continue to promote the economy to achieve effective qualitative improvement and reasonable quantitative growth; improve people's livelihood and well-being, maintain social stability, and comprehensively promote the construction of a strong country and national rejuvenation with Chinese-style modernization.” 会议强调，今年是中华人民共和国成立75周年，是实现“十四五”规划目标任务的关键一年。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，着力推动高质量发展，全面深化改革开放，推动高水平科技自立自强，加大宏观调控力度，统筹扩大内需和深化供给侧结构性改革，统筹新型城镇化和乡村全面振兴，统筹高质量发展和高水平安全，切实增强经济活力、防范化解风险、改善社会预期，巩固和增强经济回升向好态势，持续推动经济实现质的有效提升和量的合理增长，增进民生福祉，保持社会稳定，以中国式现代化全面推进强国建设、民族复兴伟业.
The next paragraph makes the following points:
This year’s work must adhere to the principle of seeking progress while maintaining stability, promoting stability through progress, and establishing first and then breaking.
The proactive fiscal policy should be strengthened appropriately and its effectiveness should be improved, and the prudent monetary policy should be flexible, moderate, precise and effective. Strengthen the consistency of macro policy orientation and create a stable, transparent and predictable policy environment.
Vigorously promote the construction of a modern industrial system and accelerate the development of new productive forces.
Thoroughly implement the strategy of rejuvenating the country through science and education, focus on expanding domestic demand, unswervingly deepen reforms, expand high-level opening up, and effectively prevent and defuse risks in key areas.
Continue to do a good job in the work of ‘agriculture, rural areas and farmers’, solidly promote the comprehensive revitalization of rural areas, and promote urban-rural integration and coordinated regional development.
It is necessary to strengthen the construction of ecological civilization and promote green and low-carbon development.
It is necessary to effectively protect and improve people’s livelihood and strengthen and innovate social governance.
It is necessary to strengthen the government's self-construction, resolutely rectify formalism and bureaucracy, truly grasp practical work, work hard, and achieve good results, striving to accomplish the annual goals and tasks of economic and social development.
会议指出，今年工作要坚持稳中求进、以进促稳、先立后破。积极的财政政策要适度加力、提质增效，稳健的货币政策要灵活适度、精准有效，增强宏观政策取向一致性，营造稳定透明可预期的政策环境。要大力推进现代化产业体系建设，加快发展新质生产力。要深入实施科教兴国战略，着力扩大国内需求，坚定不移深化改革，扩大高水平对外开放，有效防范化解重点领域风险。要坚持不懈抓好“三农”工作，扎实推进乡村全面振兴，推动城乡融合和区域协调发展。要加强生态文明建设，推进绿色低碳发展。要切实保障和改善民生，加强和创新社会治理。要加强政府自身建设，坚决纠治形式主义、官僚主义，真抓实干、埋头苦干、善作善成，努力完成全年经济社会发展目标任务.
Second, there’s a report (detailed English report) on Xi Jinping writing a preface to the sixth batch of reading materials for the training of officials across the country, which will soon be published. The full preface is below:
Xi “emphasized that Chinese modernization is a sure path for building China into a strong country and realizing the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, and advancing it will help blaze a new trail for modernization of humanity, and create a new form of human advancement. It is both an honorable historic mission and a serious test for the Party, which urgently needs to equip itself with theories to promote its solidarity and the development of its cause.”
“Xi noted that only a robust theoretical footing can lead to clear direction, remarkable cohesiveness and strong confidence. It is imperative for trainee officials to consolidate the gains made in the theoretical study program, keep enhancing cohesion and forging souls with the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, have a good command of fundamental Marxist theories, and ensure their alignment in political standing and action through a high degree of unity in thinking, so as to comprehensively improve their political competence, leadership and working skills for advancing Chinese modernization. It is imperative to draw inspiration for forging ahead with enterprise and resolve from the Party's new theories, reinforce confidence in history and honing the ability to carry out struggle. On the new journey, it is essential to forge ahead with determination and have courage to tackle challenges, and make new achievements in the new era.”
“Xi stressed that it is useless to only talk about theories without putting them into practice. The relevance of learning the Party's new theories lies in applying them to practical work. Officials at all levels should carry forward the Marxist style of study that combines theory with practice, consciously master and apply the powerful ideological weapon of the Party's new theories. It is imperative to focus on the central task of building China into a strong country and realizing national rejuvenation through a Chinese path to modernization, and continue to solve problems that hinder high-quality development, problems that the people are most concerned about, and prominent problems in Party building. It is essential to effectively guard against and defuse major risks, and work creatively to turn the grand blueprint outlined at the 20th CPC National Congress into a beautiful reality.”
“Xi noted that in the new era, the innovation in Party's theories and practical work has been vivid, and so should be our study. These reading materials reflect the achievements of the innovation in the new era and represent our Party's vivid practices to advance and expand Chinese modernization. Officials at all levels should do a good job in studying the reading materials and putting them into practice, and take concrete action and do solid work in advancing Chinese modernization.”
There’s also a commentary in the paper around this preface. It says:
“Faced with complex situations, arduous tasks, and severe risks and challenges, in order to achieve the strategic goals set at the 20th Party Congress, it is urgently necessary to continuously deepen the study and implementation of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, using theoretical arming to promote the unity of the Party and development of the cause. A strong theoretical foundation ensures clear direction, unity of minds, and confidence. Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is the ideological banner of the Communist Party of China and a scientific and action guide for the whole Party and the people of the country to forge ahead on a new journey and win new victories. We must persist in using this important thought to focus our minds and forge our souls, keep learning and innovating, deepen internalization and transformation, establish a solid foundation of belief, replenish spiritual calcium, and steady the rudder of thought, firmly supporting the Two Establishments and resolutely achieving the Two Safeguards. It is necessary to learn rules, understand directions, study methods, and enhance wisdom through this important thought; master the essential skills, Party-building skills, and skills for strengthening the country; comprehensively enhance and advance political capabilities, leadership abilities, and work capabilities in line with the promotion of Chinese-style modernization. We must be good at drawing the spiritual motivation to work hard and forge ahead courageously from this important thought, strengthen our historical confidence, hone our struggle skills, always maintain the struggle attitude of forging ahead and facing difficulties, and demonstrate a new outlook and achieve new accomplishments in the new era.” 面对错综复杂形势、艰巨繁重任务、严峻风险挑战，要实现党的二十大确定的战略目标，迫切需要把学习贯彻习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想不断引向深入，以理论武装推动全党团结、事业发展。理论强，才能方向明、人心齐、底气足。习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想是中国共产党的思想旗帜，是全党全国人民奋进新征程、夺取新胜利的科学指引和行动指南。要坚持不懈用这一重要思想凝心铸魂，常学常新、常悟常进，在深化、内化、转化上下功夫，筑牢信仰之基、补足精神之钙、把稳思想之舵，坚定拥护“两个确立”、坚决做到“两个维护”。要善于从这一重要思想中悟规律、明方向、学方法、增智慧，把看家本领、兴党本领、强国本领学到手，全面提升与推进中国式现代化相适应的政治能力、领导能力、工作能力。要善于从这一重要思想中汲取踔厉奋发、勇毅前行的精神动力，坚定历史自信、锤炼斗争本领，始终保持锐意进取、迎难而上的奋斗姿态，在新征程上展现新气象新作为.
The commentary also adds: “The purpose of studying Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is all about application.”
Next, there’s a report reviewing the implementation of the Xi Thought study campaign in the armed forces. It says that “Comrades of the Central Military Commission took the lead in collective learning, conducted in-depth investigations and studies, organized concentrated discussions, and set a powerful example for the troops.”
It adds that through the course of the campaign, “Party members and cadres in the armed forces experienced a comprehensive and profound forging of loyalty, tempering of thoughts, and baptism of Party spirit, further deepening their understanding of the decisive significance of the Two Establishments, strengthening the four consciousnesses and four self-confidences, achieving the ‘two safeguards’, implementing the Chairman Responsibility System of the CMC, and enhancing the determination to contribute to the practice of building a strong military with a more spirited attitude. They are more committed to making new and greater contributions to the struggle to achieve the armed forces’ centennial goals.” 全军广大党员干部在主题教育中，经受了一次全面深刻的忠诚锻造、思想淬炼、党性洗礼，进一步深刻领悟“两个确立”的决定性意义，增强“四个意识”、坚定“四个自信”、做到“两个维护”，贯彻军委主席负责制，决心以更加昂扬姿态投身强军实践，为打好实现建军一百年奋斗目标攻坚战作出新的更大贡献.
The next section of this article basically talks about all the reading and discussing that went on with regard to Xi thought. Basically, they had to go through a large quantity of Xi’s speeches, instructions and books, along with specific guidelines. There were seminars and lecture sessions to discuss ideas and implementation. There were also visits to revolutionary sites, historical red sites, and discussions around role models, etc. On discipline issues, there was case-based warning and deterrent education, along with lectures on maintaining “the ideological defense line, the bottom line on the use of power, the red line of law and discipline, and the line of family ethics.”
The subsequent section deals with practical application for purposes of improving effectiveness. This talks about conducting discussions and research to address challenges related to combat effectiveness, talent and operational issues. This is followed by a section on rectification and corruption. It says that:
Party committees at the regimental level and above hold high-quality special democratic life meetings, sharpening the weapons of criticism and self-criticism, conducting deep introspection, and carrying out in-depth analysis of typical cases to temper strong Party spirit … Grassroots party organizations solidly held special organizational life meetings, where everyone underwent a political check-up and cleansed political dust from their thoughts.” 坚持自我革命，从思想根源上解决问题。团级以上单位党委班子高质量召开专题民主生活会，擦亮批评和自我批评锐利武器，深刻检视反思，深入开展典型案例剖析，以党内炉火淬炼坚强党性。基层党组织扎实召开专题组织生活会，人人接受政治体检，打扫思想上的政治灰尘。
Further on rectification, the article says:
For the problems listed, they were rectified immediately upon identification, with clear goals, measures, and deadlines. Rectification responsibilities were firmly assigned, dynamic write-offs were implemented, and for problems that cannot be solved in the short term, near-term, medium-term, and long-term rectification goals were proposed…”
It adds that new regulations were established, such as the Opinions on Comprehensively Strengthening Party-Building in the armed forces focussed on achieving the PLA’s centennial goal 《关于围绕实现建军一百年奋斗目标全面加强军队党的建设的意见》and the Military Party Committee’s implementation of Inspection and Evaluation Index System For the Responsibility of Strict and Comprehensive Party Governance (Trial) 《军队党委落实全面从严治党主体责任检查评价指标体系（试行）》.
The final section is around promotion of high-quality development, which implies improving combat capabilities. It says:
“Since 2023, the armed forces have carried out intensive real combat training, cross-regional base training, mission-specific training, joint exercises with foreign forces, and other activities, showing full enthusiasm and determination to comprehensively strengthen military training and preparedness, and rapidly enhance the ability to win in battle. Under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Strengthening the Military, the People’s Army has successfully performed major tasks, such as border defense, maritime rights protection, counter-terrorism and stability maintenance, and its deterrence and actual combat capabilities have been significantly improved. With a tenacious fighting spirit and practical actions, the People’s Army has resolutely defended national sovereignty, security, and development interests, achieving new developments in the application of military force.” 2023年以来，全军实战化训练、跨区基地化训练、使命课题训练、中外联演联训等密集展开，全军上下处处涌动着全面加强练兵备战、加快提高打赢能力的干劲热情。在习近平强军思想指引下，人民军队出色遂行边防斗争、海上维权、反恐维稳等重大任务，威慑和实战能力显著提升，以顽强斗争精神和实际行动，坚决捍卫国家主权、安全、发展利益，军事力量运用实现了新发展.
Moving on, there’s a report briefly talking about Xi’s article in the latest edition of Qiushi. This one talks about the role of the CPPCC. The actual article is a collection of Xi’s quotes at different times.
Some interesting excerpts from the PD report:
“The article points out that the multi-party cooperation and political consultation system led by the Communist Party of China, as a fundamental political system in our country, is a new type of party system that has grown from Chinese soil. It not only conforms to the reality of contemporary China but also aligns with the excellent traditional culture of the Chinese nation — which advocates the concept that the world belongs to everyone, inclusiveness, and seeking common ground while shelving differences — and is a major contribution to human political civilization.” 文章指出，中国共产党领导的多党合作和政治协商制度作为我国一项基本政治制度，是从中国土壤中生长出来的新型政党制度。它不仅符合当代中国实际，而且符合中华民族一贯倡导的天下为公、兼容并蓄、求同存异等优秀传统文化，是对人类政治文明的重大贡献.
The article outlines the following 8 requirements for the CPPCC in the new era:
Strengthen the party’s leadership over the work of CPPCC
Accurately grasp the nature and positioning of the CPPCC
Give full play to the role of the CPPCC as a special consultation body
Uphold and improve China’s new political party system.
Widely consolidate the hearts and strengths of the people
Focus on fulfilling duties and responsibilities related to the central tasks of the Party and the country
Insist that the CPPCC should serve the people
Promote the development of functional capabilities with a spirit of reform and innovation
文章指出，党的十八大以来，我们总结经验，对人民政协工作提出了一系列新要求，主要有以下几个方面。一是加强党对人民政协工作的领导。二是准确把握人民政协性质定位。三是发挥好人民政协专门协商机构作用。四是坚持和完善我国新型政党制度。五是广泛凝聚人心和力量。六是聚焦党和国家中心任务履职尽责。七是坚持人民政协为人民。八是以改革创新精神推进履职能力建设。新形势下，我们必须把人民政协制度坚持好、把人民政协事业发展好，增强开展统一战线工作的责任担当，把更多的人团结在党的周围.
One excerpt from Xi’s actual article:
Serving the people wholeheartedly and always representing the fundamental interests of the overwhelming majority of the people is an important prerequisite and foundation for us to implement and develop deliberative democracy. The Constitution of the Communist Party of China stipulates: The Communist Party of China has no special interests of its own except the interests of the working class and the overwhelming majority of the people. The Communist Party of China and the state it leads represent the fundamental interests of the vast majority of the people. All its theories, guiding principles, policies, work arrangements, should come from the people and be formulated and implemented for the benefit of the people. Under this broad political premise, we should and can widely solicit opinions and suggestions from various sectors of society. Under the unified leadership of the Communist Party of China, through various forms of consultation, actively seeking opinions and suggestions, accepting criticism and supervision, we can achieve the broadest consensus on decision-making and work, thereby effectively overcoming the drawbacks of political parties and interest groups competing or even conflicting for their own interests; it unblocks the channels for various interest demands and appeals to enter the decision-making process, effectively overcoming the drawbacks of different political forces stubbornly adhering to their own views and excluding others to safeguard and fight for their interests. It permits the formation of a mechanism for identifying and correcting errors and mistakes in order to effectively overcome the shortcomings of unclear situations and self-righteousness in decision-making. It enables the establishment of mechanisms for the participation of the masses in various levels of management and governance, effectively overcoming the drawbacks of the people being unable to express themselves and finding it difficult to participate in national political life and social governance. It permits widely gathering the wisdom and strength of the whole society to promote reform and development, and effectively overcome the shortcomings of low consensus and implementation of various policies and work. This is the unique advantage of China’s socialist deliberative democracy. 全心全意为人民服务，始终代表最广大人民根本利益，是我们能够实行和发展协商民主的重要前提和基础。中国共产党党章规定：中国共产党除了工人阶级和最广大人民群众的利益，没有自己特殊的利益。中国共产党及其领导的国家是代表最广大人民根本利益的，其一切理论和路线方针政策，其一切工作部署和工作安排，都应该来自人民，都应该为人民利益而制定和实施。在这个大政治前提下，我们应该也能够广泛听取人民内部各方面的意见和建议。在中国共产党统一领导下，通过多种形式的协商，广泛听取意见和建议，广泛接受批评和监督，可以广泛达成决策和工作的最大共识，有效克服党派和利益集团为自己的利益相互竞争甚至相互倾轧的弊端；可以广泛畅通各种利益要求和诉求进入决策程序的渠道，有效克服不同政治力量为了维护和争取自己的利益固执己见、排斥异己的弊端；可以广泛形成发现和改正失误和错误的机制，有效克服决策中情况不明、自以为是的弊端；可以广泛形成人民群众参与各层次管理和治理的机制，有效克服人民群众在国家政治生活和社会治理中无法表达、难以参与的弊端；可以广泛凝聚全社会推进改革发展的智慧和力量，有效克服各项政策和工作共识不高、无以落实的弊端。这就是中国社会主义协商民主的独特优势所在。(This is from a speech by Xi in 2014.)
Finally, there’s a report on Han Zheng meeting with Rodolphe Saade, chairman and CEO of CMA CGM Group. Xinhua says:
“Han said that the Chinese and French economies are highly complementary, and that cooperation between CMA CGM and Chinese shipping companies has achieved mutual benefits. China is committed to opening up to a high level and building a market-oriented, law-based and internationalized business environment, Han said, adding that China welcomes multinational companies, including CMA CGM, to deepen their cooperation with China and achieve better development in the country. Speaking highly of China's economic and social development achievements, Saade said that CMA CGM attaches great importance to cooperation with China. Saade said CMA CGM will adhere to its long-term development strategy in China, continue to pursue greater success in the Chinese market, and push for more achievements of mutually-beneficial cooperation between France and China.”
Page 2: There’s a report on a new textbook on the subject of the community of the Chinese nation being published. Xinhua says:
“The publication serves as a major outcome in establishing the frameworks concerning the historical and theoretical studies on the community of the Chinese nation, the statement noted. It is of great significance to building a modern Chinese civilization and guiding young students to cultivate and consolidate a correct understanding of the Chinese nation's history, it added. The textbook, compiled by the National Ethnic Affairs Commission, was released by China's Higher Education Press and the Ethnic Publishing House. It spans over 16 chapters and contains over 400,000 words, and is now available nationwide.”
The PD report says that this textbook is the “first comprehensive and systematic compilation that elaborates on the important thoughts of General Secretary Xi Jinping regarding strengthening and improving ethnic work. It is a public course textbook with ideological and political education attributes and is an important achievement in building the historical materials system, discourse system and theoretical system for building the community of the Chinese nation.” 概论教材是第一部全面系统阐释习近平总书记关于加强和改进民族工作的重要思想的统编教材，是一本具有思想政治教育属性的公共课教材，是构建中华民族共同体史料体系、话语体系、理论体系的重要成果.
Page 3: There’s a report (related English report) on a ceremony on February 28th to launch the construction of an automotive assembly plant in Kyrgyzstan. The plant, which will have the capacity to produce over 80,000 vehicles - electric, domestic, and commercial – is due to open in August this year. This is a joint venture between the Kyrgyz government, local enterprises, and the China Hubei Zhuoyue Group. The first stage of the project has attracted investment of $115 million.
Also, there’s a very brief report Liu Jianchao meeting with a U.S. Chamber of Commerce delegation led by the chamber's President and CEO Suzanne Clark.
US-China Auto Frictions
Outside of PD, President Biden has just announced “unprecedented actions to ensure that cars on U.S. roads from countries of concern like China do not undermine our national security. I have directed my Secretary of Commerce to conduct an investigation into connected vehicles with technology from countries of concern and to take action to respond to the risks.”
He said:
“Most cars these days are ‘connected’ – they are like smart phones on wheels. These cars are connected to our phones, to navigation systems, to critical infrastructure, and to the companies that made them. Connected vehicles from China could collect sensitive data about our citizens and our infrastructure and send this data back to the People’s Republic of China. These vehicles could be remotely accessed or disabled. China imposes restrictions on American autos and other foreign autos operating in China. Why should connected vehicles from China be allowed to operate in our country without safeguards?”
Fortune reported that “on Friday, the Alliance for American Manufacturing sounded the alarm, issuing a report entitled: ‘On a Collision Course: China’s Existential Threat to America’s Auto Industry and its Route Through Mexico.’ The report, which lists policy recommendations to combat overcapacity and unfair trade practices, notes that BYD is building factories in Thailand and Hungary designed to be regional export hubs. It then adds: ‘More alarming, however, are Chinese firms’ heavy spending on plants in Mexico, through which they can access the United States by way of the more favorable tariffs under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). This strategy is, in effect, an effort to gain backdoor access to American consumers by circumventing existing policies that are keeping China’s autos out of the U.S. market.’ In the U.S., made-in-China EVs are currently subject to a 25% tariff, which goes atop a 2.5% tariff on imported cars. That’s prevented them from making significant inroads. Manufacturing in Mexico, however, could change the equation.”
In response to this, China’s Ministry of Commerce had said that “the United States should create conditions for fair competition of the auto industry and correct its non-market policies and practices following a call to block imports of Chinese automobiles…” I guess today we will get an angry response to Biden’s latest announcement.
Page 7: A report (English report) informing that Shang Liguang, former deputy secretary of the Shanxi Provincial Committee, has been expelled from the CPC and dismissed from public office over severe violations of Party discipline and law.
“The investigation found that Shang had violated the Party's eight-point decision on improving Party and government conduct by attending banquets and fitness activities that might have compromised his impartiality in carrying out official duties. Other misconducts included failing to report personal matters according to requirements, and illegally accepting money and gifts. Shang was also found to have taken undue advantage of his position to seek profits for others in matters such as business operations, project contracting and job adjustment, and illegally accepting huge amounts of money and gifts in return.”
Pages 10-12 provide the full 2023 National Economic and Social Development statistical communique. The English version is available on NBS’ website, if you would like.