Politburo on National Security - Xi Thought at Heart of 20th Party Congress Election - 8 Years of BRI - Wang Yi warns Japan's FM - Ding Xuexiang on Ideals, Beliefs and Xi's Core Position
Here are the stories and pieces from the November 19, 2021, edition of the People’s Daily that I found noteworthy.
Page 1: Let’s begin with a report about Thursday’s Politburo meeting, the first since the 6th plenum. It met to review documents including the National Security Strategy (2021-2025), regulations on awarding military honours, and the 2021 advisory report of the national science and technology advisory commission. On national security, the meeting said:
To safeguard national security under new circumstances, it is necessary to firmly develop an overall national security concept and speed up the building of a new security structure...We must uphold the Party’s absolute leadership, improve the centralized, unified, efficient and authoritative national security leadership system, and realize the unity of political security, people’s security and the supremacy of national interests. Insist on national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and maintain stability and order around the frontiers, border, and surrounding areas; pursue development security and high-quality development; adhere to an overall strategy of balancing traditional and non-traditional security; and stay committed to the path of peaceful development and coordinate our own security and common security. 会议指出，新形势下维护国家安全，必须牢固树立总体国家安全观，加快构建新安全格局。必须坚持党的绝对领导，完善集中统一、高效权威的国家安全工作领导体制，实现政治安全、人民安全、国家利益至上相统一；坚持捍卫国家主权和领土完整，维护边疆、边境、周边安定有序；坚持安全发展，推动高质量发展和高水平安全动态平衡；坚持总体战，统筹传统安全和非传统安全；坚持走和平发展道路，促进自身安全和共同安全相协调. --
Quick Thought: Maintaining stability and order along the border areas doesn’t imply playing nice. The presence of this comment probably suggests that the leadership believes that challenges along the land boundary, for one, are much more pronounced than they were.
The next paragraph says that political security must be given top priority and national security work in political security, economic security, social security, science and technology security, security work in new areas and key fields must be coordinated. The following are then listed as must do items:
firmly safeguard the security of state power, system and ideology, and strictly guard against and resolutely crack down on all kinds of infiltration, subversion and sabotage -- Quick thought: I would view this is terms of domestic political, security and information environment more than external threats like terrorism.
make our industries more resilient to shocks, set a bottom line to prevent systemic financial risks, ensure food security, energy and mineral resources security, and security of important infrastructure, and strengthen protection of our overseas interests -- Quick thought: I wonder if the bottom line signals more discipline for the property sector and large, indebted SoEs?
strengthen the role of science and technology in supporting national security and development
actively safeguard social security and stability, prevent and reduce social conflicts at the source, prevent and contain major workplace accidents, and improve the safety of food, drugs and other products and services that affect people’s health
accelerate the improvement of governance capabilities in the fields of biosafety, network security, data security and artificial intelligence security
actively foster a favorable external environment, adhere to independence, never give in on issues of national core interests and national dignity, and resolutely safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests
foster a vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable global security, strengthen security cooperation, maintain global strategic stability, jointly address global challenges and promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind -- Quick thought: Reading the above two points together basically informs that the path to fostering a favourable external environment isn’t necessarily being flexible and open to others concerns.
comprehensively improve national security capabilities, pay more attention to coordination and efficiency, pay more attention to the rule of law, pay more attention to science and technology and pay more attention to the grassroots.
continue to take political construction as the guide and build a strong contingent of national security cadres
strengthen education on national security awareness and promote the deep integration of development and security
会议强调，必须坚持把政治安全放在首要位置，统筹做好政治安全、经济安全、社会安全、科技安全、新型领域安全等重点领域、重点地区、重点方向国家安全工作。要坚定维护国家政权安全、制度安全、意识形态安全，严密防范和坚决打击各种渗透颠覆破坏活动。要增强产业韧性和抗冲击能力，筑牢防范系统性金融风险安全底线，确保粮食安全、能源矿产安全、重要基础设施安全，加强海外利益安全保护。要强化科技自立自强作为国家安全和发展的战略支撑作用。要积极维护社会安全稳定，从源头上预防和减少社会矛盾，防范遏制重特大安全生产事故，提高食品药品等关系人民健康产品和服务的安全保障水平。要持续做好新冠肺炎疫情防控，加快提升生物安全、网络安全、数据安全、人工智能安全等领域的治理能力。要积极营造良好外部环境，坚持独立自主，在国家核心利益、民族尊严问题上决不退让，坚决维护国家主权、安全、发展利益；树立共同、综合、合作、可持续的全球安全观，加强安全领域合作，维护全球战略稳定，携手应对全球性挑战，推动构建人类命运共同体。要全面提升国家安全能力，更加注重协同高效，更加注重法治思维，更加注重科技赋能，更加注重基层基础。要坚持以政治建设为统领，打造坚强的国家安全干部队伍。要加强国家安全意识教育，自觉推进发展和安全深度融合.
The next bit is about the regulations regarding military honours. Xinhua English says that “The regulations on awarding military honours aim to inspire all service personnel to strive for the centenary goal of strengthening the armed forces” The PD paragraph on this is much more emphatic, talking about educating officers to carry forward the army’s “fearless heroism and brave and tenacious fighting style.” The next paragraph talks about maintaining the Party’s absolute leadership over the forces, implementing the Chairman Responsibility System and cultivating “revolutionary soldiers with “soul, ability, blood and integrity” in the new era.
The final paragraph says that since its establishment, the National Science and Technology Advisory Commission has actively offered suggestions to the Central Committee on science and technology planning, COVID-19 response, development of scientific and technological talents, and scientific and technological support for the pursuit of carbon neutrality.
It talks about science and technology essentially being “the main economic battlefield.” “It is important to conduct in-depth studies on the national science and technology strategies, build scientific and technological innovation paths suited to China’s national conditions, deeply study and optimise the layout/distribution of scientific and technological forces, and deeply study and provide scientific and technological support for major urgent issues such as epidemic prevention and control and green and low-carbon development.” 要准确研判国际国内科技发展趋势，面向世界科技前沿、面向经济主战场、面向国家重大需求、面向人民生命健康，深入研究国家科技战略，深入研究构建符合国情的科技创新路径，深入研究优化完善科技力量布局，深入研究为疫情防控和绿色低碳发展等重大紧迫问题提供科技支撑。
Next, there’s a long piece about the development of BRI over the past 8 years. It informs that “as of November 2021, China had signed more than 200 BRI cooperation documents with 140 countries and 32 international organizations. It had also signed third-party market cooperation documents with 14 countries, including Japan and Italy. Relevant ideas and propositions on cooperation have been included in outcome documents of major international platforms, such as the United Nations, G20, APEC and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. The Belt and Road initiative is gaining greater international influence and attracting cooperation. Its ‘circle of friends’ is getting bigger, its cooperation quality is enhancing, and its development prospects are getting brighter.” 截至2021年11月，我国已与140个国家、32个国际组织签署200多份共建“一带一路”合作文件；与日本、意大利等14国签署第三方市场合作文件；有关合作理念和主张写入联合国、二十国集团、亚太经合组织、上海合作组织等重要国际机制的成果文件。“一带一路”的国际影响力、合作吸引力不断释放，“朋友圈”越来越大，合作质量越来越高，发展前景越来越好.
There’s a lot of praise for BRI through the piece. At one point, it also tells us that Xi has over the past 8 years, presided over conferences to study the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road plan, initiated the establishment of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the Silk Road Fund; presided over the collective study of the Politburo to frame future direction. He has also been “personally concerned about promoting the construction of major BRI projects during overseas visits and domestic inspections.” 如何更好地推动共建“一带一路”，习近平总书记深刻思考，深远谋划。8年来，他主持召开会议，研究丝绸之路经济带和21世纪海上丝绸之路规划、发起建立亚洲基础设施投资银行和设立丝路基金；主持中央政治局集体学习，总结历史经验，为新形势下推进“一带一路”建设提供借鉴；在出国访问和国内考察期间，他亲自关心推动“一带一路”重大项目建设，在多边国际场合号召高质量共建“一带一路”.
Later the piece talks about China’s pandemic diplomacy as part of the Health Silk Road. Some other data points:
For China-Europe rail connectivity, the piece informs that as of the end of October 2021, there are some 73 lines that have been laid to reach 175 cities across 23 European countries.
As of September 2021, China’s total trade in goods with BRI countries reached $10.4 trillion, and non-financial direct investment in countries along the route has exceeded $130 billion.
The Havelian-Thakot section of the Karakoram Highway Phase II gets mentioned in the piece.
CPEC direct investment is at $25.4 billion
Third, we have a report (English report) about the Central Committee issuing a circular on the election of delegates to the 20th Party Congress. The election will run from now on until the end of June 2022.
Xinhua English reports:
“The congress comes at an important time when the CPC has embarked on a new journey to build a modern socialist country in all respects and to realise the Second Centenary Goal. It will be a highly important meeting and an event of great political significance for both the Party and the country, said the statement. The election of the delegates will lay an important foundation for the success of this congress, it said.”
The PD report informs that Xi Jinping chaired a PBSC and Politburo meeting “to conduct a special study, and determined the general requirements, objectives and tasks for doing this work (election work) well, requiring Party organizations at all levels to earnestly assume political responsibilities, conscientiously perform their duties, carefully organise and implement the election of deputies, and ensure the successful completion of the election of deputies.” 党中央对做好二十大代表选举工作高度重视，习近平总书记主持召开中央政治局常委会会议和中央政治局会议专门研究，确定了做好这项工作的总体要求和目标任务，要求各级党组织切实负起政治责任，认真履行职责，精心组织实施，确保代表选举工作圆满完成.
A total of 2,300 delegates will be elected by 38 electoral units across the country. PD reports that in order to ensure the successful election of deputies/ or to do a good job in regard to the election, “we must follow the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, follow the Party Constitution as the fundamental principle, uphold the nature and purposes of the Party, uphold and strengthen overall Party leadership, fully promote intra-Party democracy, strictly enforce qualification requirements, follow strict selection procedures and strict election discipline. This is important to ensure that the composition of the delegates is well structured, and the delegates come from a broad spectrum with the support of other Party members. 党中央确定，二十大代表名额共2300名，由全国38个选举单位选举产生。做好二十大代表选举工作，要坚持以习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想为指导，坚持以党章为根本遵循，坚持党的性质宗旨，坚持和加强党的全面领导，充分发扬党内民主，严格资格条件，严密产生程序，严肃选举纪律，确保选出的二十大代表素质优良、结构合理、分布广泛、党员拥护.
The next paragraph talks about the qualities of candidates. It says that delegates should be outstanding Party members. It adds that “political standards must be prioritised when selecting candidates. The candidates’ commitment to ideals and convictions should be considered first, as well as their political character and moral traits.” PD talks about focusing on “understanding a candidates’ political judgment, political understanding and political execution” in the selection process and “veto the politically unqualified.” 对政治上不合格的一票否决. In this context, the paragraph also talks about the four consciousnesses, four self-confidences and two safeguards. In addition, the paragraph talks about candidates who are clean and honest.
The statement then also stressed “improving the composition of delegates, with a certain proportion for front-line workers maintained. Efforts must be made to recommend model workers, farmers and professionals to stand for delegate elections. Women and people from ethnic minorities should constitute a certain proportion of the delegates. People from economic, sci-tech, national defense, political and legal affairs, education, communication, culture, health, sports and social management, among others, should have representations. Grassroots Party members and organizations should be extensively mobilised to take part in the nomination of candidates.”
The next paragraph says that extensive “publicity and education should be carried out, and community-level Party organizations and Party members should be encouraged to actively participate in the recommendation and nomination of candidates for deputies, and candidates should be selected on a step-by-step basis based on the opinions of the majority of Party organizations and Party members.”
The paragraph also talks about strict supervision of the election process, and it says this: 要认真搞好会议选举，代表实行差额选举，差额选举的比例应多于15%. Xinhua English basically translates this as: “The statement said the delegates should be elected from among over 15 percent more candidates.” - I am not sure what this means, to be honest. Does it mean that a delegate should have at least 15% lead over their opponent to be elected?
The last paragraph warns that “we should take political discipline, organisational discipline and election discipline seriously, make full use of cases of canvassing, bribery and sabotage of elections in Hengyang, Hunan, Nanchong, Liaoning, Sichuan and other places, carry out warning education, draw lessons from them and learn from them. Strengthen the whole-process supervision of the election of deputies and have ‘zero tolerance’ for violations of laws and regulations. Once found, resolutely investigate and deal with them to ensure that the atmosphere is clean and upright.” 要严肃政治纪律、组织纪律和选举纪律，充分运用湖南衡阳、四川南充、辽宁等地拉票贿选、破坏选举案件，开展警示教育，汲取教训，引以为戒。加强对代表选举工作的全程监督，对违规违纪违法问题“零容忍”，一经发现坚决查处，确保风清气正.
Then it calls for doing a good job in the election, so that the process itself “can become a process of in-depth study and implementation of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics in the New Era, a process of implementing the general requirements of Party building in the new era and the Party’s organisational line in the new era, a process of education in ideals and beliefs, Party spirit, Party style, Party discipline and Party history education, a process of vivid practice of political life within the Party and education in democratic centralism. It should further enhance the Party’s creativity, cohesion and combat effectiveness, and mobilise the broad masses of Party members and cadres to unite more closely around the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core, keep in mind the original intention…” 要通过做好学习宣传、组织动员、推荐提名、会议选举、严肃纪律等各项工作，使代表选举产生过程成为深入学习贯彻习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的过程，成为贯彻落实新时代党的建设总要求和新时代党的组织路线的过程，成为理想信念教育和党性党风党纪党史教育的过程，成为党内政治生活生动实践和民主集中制教育的过程，进一步增强党的创造力、凝聚力、战斗力，动员广大党员、干部更加紧密地团结在以习近平同志为核心的党中央周围，不忘初心、牢记使命，攻坚克难、开拓奋进，为全面建设社会主义现代化国家、夺取新时代中国特色社会主义伟大胜利、实现中华民族伟大复兴的中国梦作出新的更大贡献.
Next, there’s a report (English report) about Wang Huning’s comments at the Propaganda Department’s mobilisation meeting on publicising and implementing the 6th Plenum’s spirit. Wang says that this process of publicity is very important from Xi’s perspective, and Xi Thought should be used as a guide. Xinhua English summarises his comments as:
“Wang said the publicity campaigns and lectures should also be extensive and thorough so that the spirit of the plenum can better help unify thinking, build consensus, shore up confidence and boost morale among officials and the public. Through the publicity campaigns and lectures, the Party's glorious journey, remarkable achievements and historical significance and experience over the past century, as well as the historic achievements and changes in the new era should be better understood.”
Finally, on the page, there’s a commentary drawing from the 6th Plenum. This talks about ensuring strict all-round governance of the Party. The idea is that there’s a new Party building project that is underway in the new era. The commentary reiterates comments about ideological strengthening and the corruption campaign from the history resolution to conclude that:
“Our Party has solved a series of major problems in politics, ideology, organisation, style and discipline in the process of scraping the bones and curing the poison, demonstrated the political essence of a proletarian Party, reshaped the political advantages of a proletarian Party in the process of reforming the old and innovating new ideas, renewed its strong vitality and provided a strong political guarantee for the development of the cause of the party and the country.” 我们党在刮骨疗毒中解决了自身在政治、思想、组织、作风、纪律等方面存在的一系列重大问题，在激浊扬清中彰显了无产阶级政党的政治本色，在革故鼎新中重塑了无产阶级政党的政治优势，焕发出新的强大生机活力，为党和国家事业发展提供了坚强政治保证.
Alas, going forward, there are many tests that await the Party, i.e., the test of a ruling party, the test of reform and opening-up, the test of market economy, the long-term and complex test of the external environment, the risk of spiritual deficiency, lack of ability, separation from the masses and corruption. These risks are “sharp and severe.” 踏上实现第二个百年奋斗目标新的赶考之路，必须充分认识到，我们党面临的长期执政考验、改革开放考验、市场经济考验、外部环境考验是长期而复杂的，面临的精神懈怠危险、能力不足危险、脱离群众危险、消极腐败危险是尖锐而严峻的.
Ergo, to successfully carry out the great social revolution of upholding and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era, the Party must bravely carry out self-revolution, adhere to the four consciousnesses, four self-confidences and two safeguards, be mindful of 国之大者 and “consciously maintain a high degree of unity with the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core in ideological and political actions, consciously safeguard the unity and unity of the party, strictly observe the party's political discipline and rules, and always maintain flesh-and-blood ties with the people.”
Page 2: Just one piece to note, with intellectuals and students discussing the 6th Plenum. The first comment is by Xin Ming, Professor at the Central Party School. Xin talks about the two establishments, i.e., the establishment of Xi’s core position and Xi Thought’s guiding position.
Others, for instance, include Xin Xiangyang, secretary of the Party Committee and deputy director of the Academy of Marxism, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. Xin believes that Xi Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics in the New Era combines Marxist principles with China’s realities, practice and traditional culture. Pi Yanqing, from the School of Marxism at Nanchang University, says that the “latest achievements of the Sinicisation of Marxism can guide young students to realise the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation as their responsibility, and make new and greater contributions in the historical process of realising the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.”
Page 3: A couple of reports to note. First, after Hu Chunhua, Liu He met with Ben Keswick, CEO of Jardine Matheson (English report). Liu said that the strengthening of pragmatic economic and trade cooperation between China and Britain is in the interests of the two countries and their peoples, and is conducive to the recovery of the world economy. He said that China is unswervingly promoting a high level of opening-up, is committed to providing a fair and competitive market environment for foreign-funded enterprises, and treats enterprises of all ownership types equally. Keswick said that China has achieved remarkable results in its response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and that its economy is full of vitality. Jardine Matheson attaches great importance to the Chinese market and is willing to continue strengthening its business development in China, Keswick said.
Second, Wang Yi spoke to Japan’s new Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi. Xinhua English reports:
Wang said that since Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida took office, Chinese and Japanese leaders have conducted positive interactions, Wang said, noting that Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Kishida have reached important consensus that the two countries should build a relationship that meets the requirements of the new era. The two sides, he suggested, should make plans based on the consensus, and take the 50th anniversary of the normalization of China-Japan diplomatic ties next year as an opportunity to advance the bilateral relationship along the right track towards long-term stability…
Wang then had certain demands:
Japanese side should observe the principles set out in the four political documents between China and Japan
view China's development objectively and rationally
put the political consensus that the two countries are cooperative partners and not threats to each other into policies and actions
make sure there will be no wavering, backtracking, and line-crossing on major issues concerning history, Taiwan and others
China and Japan should be aware of their international responsibilities, jointly practice true multilateralism, and resist any attempt to provoke separation, confrontation or even a new Cold War
And then he offered a warning, which is probably the most blunt I have noticed state media being about something like this. Such a quick turnaround after the Biden-Xi call.
“Wang pointed out that Japan and the United States are allies, while China and Japan are neighbors that cannot be moved away. Noting that China and the United States are communicating on strategic issues concerning the future of the two countries, Wang said it is hoped that Japan can grasp the general trend, bear in mind the common interests of Japan and the region, and properly handle its relations with China and the United States.” -- At this point, I recommend going back to my comment about shaping a favourable external environment in the first story. This will be about threats and economic carrots rather than accommodating others’ security interests.
The report also says that Wang “expounded China’s principles and stance on issues concerning the Diaoyu Islands, Hong Kong, Xinjiang and the South China Sea.”
One of the comments the report attributes to Yoshimasa Hayashi is that Japan will work with China to implement consensus of the two countries not being a threat to each other.
Third, there’s a report (English report) by the foreign ministry on the opening of a Taiwanese Representative Office in Lithuania.
It said that the move had “flagrantly violated the one-China principle, and renounced Lithuania’s political commitment in the communiqué on the establishment of diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China, undermined China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and grossly interfered in China's internal affairs. ‘The Chinese government expresses strong protest over and firm objection to this extremely egregious act, and will take all necessary measures to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Lithuanian side shall be responsible for all the ensuing consequences’.”
Page 4: The first China Internet Civilization Conference opened in Beijing on Friday. Xi sent a congratulatory letter, which I guess will get covered tomorrow in PD. Today, there is a summary of the work done to build an Internet Civilization.
Next, there’s a piece bylined 白弈非. I am not sure who this is, but it’s not a new byline. The piece talks about common prosperity, which it says is a “basic goal of Marxism and a basic ideal of the Chinese people since ancient times.” The author basically says that socialism is not about some getting rich while the majority remains poor. He talks about the importance of “enriching the people” for governing the country. He argues that everyone must share in the increasing wealth and strength of the country. This wealth and strength is common.
He says that upon entering the new era of reform, it was clear that one day common prosperity would become a “central task.” After this, the author warns against letting the gap between the rich and poor get wider.
“Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core has placed the gradual realisation of common prosperity of all people in a more important position, adopted effective measures to safeguard and improve people's livelihood, won the fight against poverty, built a well-off society in an all-round way, and created favourable conditions for promoting common prosperity. Facts have fully proved that to do a good job in all the work of the party and the state, we must take the realisation, maintenance and development of the fundamental interests of the overwhelming majority of the people as the starting point and foothold of all the work, and more consciously make the reform and development achievements more fair and beneficial to all the people.” 党的十八大以来，以习近平同志为核心的党中央把逐步实现全体人民共同富裕摆在更加重要的位置上，采取有力措施保障和改善民生，打赢脱贫攻坚战，全面建成小康社会，为促进共同富裕创造了良好条件。事实充分证明，做好党和国家各项工作，必须把实现好、维护好、发展好最广大人民根本利益作为一切工作的出发点和落脚点，更加自觉地使改革发展成果更多更公平惠及全体人民.
The next paragraph tempers expectations with a quote from Xi about China being in the primary stage of socialism and likely to remain there for a long time. This implies that there are limitations to what one can do. But that doesn’t mean that one mustn’t do anything. Ergo, move step-by-step “according to the existing conditions” and “make small gains to build to victory.”
Page 6: There’s a long piece by Ding Xuexiang, who I guess should be a shoe-in to enter the PBSC next year. Anyway, he talks about the 6th Plenum spirit in the context of maintaining firm deals, beliefs and adhering to the original mission. Like Zhao Leji’s piece yesterday, this one is also broken into sections. In the first section, Ding talks about the importance of ideals and beliefs having historically been the “spiritual pillar and political soul” of the Chinese Communists.
“From the very day of its birth, our Party has clearly written Marxism on its banner, established the realisation of communism as its highest ideal, and made the pursuit of happiness for the Chinese people and rejuvenation for the Chinese nation its original mission, which has been consistently reflected in all its endeavours.” 我们党从诞生之日起，就把马克思主义鲜明写在自己的旗帜上，把实现共产主义确立为最高理想，把为中国人民谋幸福、为中华民族谋复兴作为自己的初心使命，并一以贯之体现到党的全部奋斗中.
He then talks about how in the past, these ideals have got the Party through rough times. Ding then says that since the 18th Party Congress Xi Jinping has “from a strategic perspective bearing on the future of the Party and the country, clearly stressed the need to firm up our ideals and convictions and keep our mission firmly in mind...If we forget our original mission, our Party will change its character and colour, and lose the people and its future.” He adds that Xi has visited “revolutionary memorial sites all over the country, telling stories of revolutionary martyrs who selflessly pursued lofty ideals and sacrificed their lives to protect the flame of their faith. This has played an important role in demonstrating and leading the Party to strengthen their ideals and beliefs and keep in mind their initial mission.” 这些年，习近平总书记瞻仰革命纪念地的足迹遍及大江南北，讲述革命先辈先烈忘我追寻崇高理想、舍身守护信仰火种的故事饱含深情，对全党同志坚定理想信念、牢记初心使命发挥了最重要的示范引领作用.
He then says that from this base of convictions, the Party has governed China, and its efforts are demonstrated in the contrast between China’s governance and the chaos in the West.
Ding then says:
“In short, the 100-year history of the Party is a history of the great struggle to uphold truth, uphold ideals, fulfil its original aspiration, and fulfil its mission. No other political party in the world has endured so many twists and turns, endured so many hardships and tests, and made so much sacrifice and dedication as the CPC, and yet remained steadfast in its original aspiration and commitment. The history of the Party fully proves that when a political party pursues lofty ideals and firmly pursues its original mission, it will continue to grow stronger and become invincible. A party official who keeps his ideals, convictions and original mission firmly in mind will be able to stick to the correct political direction and stay as calm as possible.” 总之，我们党的百年历史，就是一部始终坚持真理、坚守理想，践行初心、担当使命的伟大奋斗史。世界上没有哪个政党像中国共产党这样，遭遇如此多的曲折和磨难，经受如此多的艰险和考验，作出如此大的牺牲和奉献，却初心不改、矢志不移。党的历史充分证明，一个政党有了远大的理想追求和笃定的初心使命，就能不断强大，做到无坚不摧、无往不胜；一名党员干部牢记理想信念和初心使命，就能坚持正确政治方向，做到“风雨不动安如山.”
In the new era, he calls for more of the above because we have unprecedented changes in the world and movement towards national rejuvenation.
The next section talks about ideals, beliefs and adherence to the original mission not being empty talk. This is really useful, and I am doing a rough translation:
He says that in Party history, “there were a small number of Party members who backed down in the face of difficulties and obstacles” and who became “disgraceful traitors in the face of the enemy’s threats and inducements. Among the Party’s major representatives, there were those who abandoned their faith, lost their original aspiration and went against the Party and the people. In reality, some party members and cadres engage in double-dealing. They do not believe in Marxism-Leninism. Instead, they believe in ghosts and gods; they do not serve the common people but only themselves, degenerating into corrupt elements. These are typical manifestations of disloyalty to the Party.
During the revolutionary war of liberation, the test of loyalty to the Party was whether one would risk one’s life for the people. Today, the measure is whether one can adhere to the leadership of the Party, firmly maintain the authority of the centralised and unified leadership, and consciously maintain a high degree of consistency in ideological and political actions with the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core. Can we resolutely implement the party's theory, line, principles and policies, and implement the decision-making arrangements of the Party Central Committee to the letter; Can you strictly abide by the party's political discipline and rules, and be politically sensible and honest; Can we insist that the cause of the party and the people is above everything else, consciously implement organisational decisions and obey organisational arrangements? Among these, the most important thing is to see if we can achieve two safeguards’...历史上也有少数党员，面对前进道路上的艰难险阻打了退堂鼓，面对敌人的威逼利诱成了可耻叛徒，党的一大代表中就有的背弃信仰、丢掉初心，走向党和人民的对立面。现实中，一些党员干部搞两面派、做两面人，不信马列信鬼神、不为苍生只为己，堕落为腐败分子。这些都是对党不忠诚的典型表现。党员干部对党是不是忠诚，革命战争年代主要看能不能为人民解放事业冲锋陷阵、舍生忘死，今天主要看能不能坚持党的领导，坚决维护党中央权威和集中统一领导，自觉在思想上政治上行动上同以习近平同志为核心的党中央保持高度一致；能不能坚决贯彻执行党的理论和路线方针政策，不折不扣把党中央决策部署落到实处；能不能严守党的政治纪律和政治规矩，做政治上的明白人、老实人；能不能坚持党和人民事业高于一切，自觉执行组织决定，服从组织安排。而这其中，最重要的就是看能不能做到“两个维护”。只有始终以党的旗帜为旗帜、以党的方向为方向、以党的意志为意志，不断提高政治判断力、政治领悟力、政治执行力，坚定不移听党话，矢志不渝跟党走，才能永葆对党忠诚的政治品格.
The next two paragraphs cover keeping people at the center and having conviction to withstand tests. The latter requires strong determination from an ideological, political, moral and anti-corruption perspective. The subsequent paragraph calls on cadres to not pursue their personal fame, status, and selfish interests, and neither should they be b swayed by considerations of gain and loss or regional or departmental interests.
The third section of the article says that cadres must:
Arm themselves with the Party’s innovative theory, i.e., Xi Thought
Inherit the red gene, i.e, study and learn from the Party’s revolutionary history and believe in the system and path and propagate the history
Work for the people. This specifically mentions addressing livelihood concerns and “making greater efforts in employment, education, medical care, social security, housing, elderly care, food and drug safety, the environment, and public order.” It also talks about not being “divorced from reality” or “spending beyond our means.”
Take responsibility and have a problem-oriented attitude
Strengthen self-cultivation through strict governance.
Cadres “must take an active part in intra-party political activities, make good use of the weapons of criticism and self-criticism, and constantly review and correct our own thoughts and actions against the Party Constitution, rules and discipline, and positive and negative examples, so as to strengthen our political immunity. We should strengthen moral cultivation, take the lead in promoting core socialist values and traditional Chinese virtues, and maintain a noble spirit and a healthy taste for life.” 要积极参加党内政治生活，用好批评和自我批评武器，经常对照党章党规党纪、对照正反典型，检视矫正自己的思想和行为，增强政治免疫力。要强化道德修养，带头弘扬社会主义核心价值观、弘扬中华传统美德，保持高尚的精神追求和健康的生活情趣
Other Stories:
A piece on Page 11 about remembering Pan Dongsheng.