Politics & Central Goals Key in New Cadre Education & Training Plan - Li Xi's Appeal to Overseas Chinese - Wang-Park Jin Chat - BRI Forum Set for Oct. - Housing Credit Policy Easing
Here are the key reports and articles that I found noteworthy from the People's Daily's edition on Friday, September 1, 2023.
Page 1: The lead story today is about the Politburo meeting on Thursday to deliberate a set of regulations and a five-year plan concerning the education and training of cadres. These are the Regulations on Cadre Education and Training and the National Cadre Education and Training Plan (2023-2027). The report says that cadre training is a “strategic” undertaking.
“It is necessary to fully implement Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, conscientiously implement the general requirements for Party building in the new era and the Party’s organizational line in the new era, deeply understand the decisive significance of the ‘Two Establishments’, strengthen the four consciousnesses and four confidences and achieve the two safeguards. Based on a firm foundation of ideals, beliefs and purposes, and focusing on comprehensively enhancing governance skills, cultivate a team of high-quality cadres who are politically sound, adapt to the requirements of the new era, and have the ability to lead socialist modernization.” 会议指出，干部教育培训是建设高素质干部队伍的先导性、基础性、战略性工程，在推进中国特色社会主义伟大事业和党的建设新的伟大工程中具有不可替代的重要地位和作用。要全面贯彻习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想，认真落实新时代党的建设总要求和新时代党的组织路线，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”，以坚定理想信念宗旨为根本，以全面增强执政本领为重点，培养造就政治过硬、适应新时代要求、具备领导社会主义现代化建设能力的高素质干部队伍.
The meeting stressed that:
It is necessary to take in-depth study and implementation of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese characteristics for the new era as the main theme, and persistently use the Party's innovative theory to cast souls and strengthen the foundation.
It is necessary to persist in integrating political training throughout the entire growth cycle of cadres, educate and guide cadres to establish correct views on the issues of power, political performance, and careers, and improve cadres’ political judgement, understanding, and execution.
It is necessary to promote the accurate matching between the supply and demand of cadre education and training, better meet the needs of organizations, posts and cadres, continuously optimise the methods of education and training, and further enhance the systematization, pertinence and effectiveness of education and training.
It is necessary to focus on the major decision-making arrangements of the CPC Central Committee, along with the country's major strategic needs, study and train in different fields and topics, and improve cadres' ability to promote high-quality development, serve the masses, and prevent and resolve risks.
It is necessary to do a solid job in the basic guarantee of cadre education and training, give full play to the role of the party school as the main channel and front for cadre education and training, strengthen political checks, and continue to make great efforts to build a good teaching staff.
It is necessary to vigorously promote the Marxist style of study that integrates theory with practice, refrain from formalism, and run schools diligently and thriftily.
会议强调，要把深入学习贯彻习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想作为主题主线，坚持不懈用党的创新理论凝心铸魂、强基固本。要坚持把政治训练贯穿干部成长全周期，教育引导干部树立正确的权力观、政绩观、事业观，提高干部政治判断力、政治领悟力、政治执行力。要推动干部教育培训供给与需求精准匹配，更好满足组织需求、岗位需求、干部需求，不断优化教育培训方式方法，进一步增强教育培训的系统性、针对性、有效性。要围绕党中央重大决策部署，结合国家重大战略需求，分领域分专题学习培训，提升干部推动高质量发展本领、服务群众本领、防范化解风险本领。要扎实做好干部教育培训的基础保障，发挥好党校（行政学院）干部教育培训主渠道主阵地作用，加强政治把关，持续下大气力抓好师资队伍建设。要大力弘扬理论联系实际的马克思主义学风，力戒形式主义，勤俭规范办学。
The other top story is on the opening of the 11th National Congress of Returned Overseas Chinese. The entire PBSC was present for this meeting. Li Xi delivered a speech. The report informs that in the hall “on the second-floor balcony, there was a giant banner that read, ‘Guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, fully implement the spirit of the 20th Party Congress, unite and mobilise returned overseas Chinese and their relatives, and overseas Chinese compatriots to strive for the building of a comprehensively modern socialist country and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation!’ Nearly 1,200 representatives of returned overseas Chinese and their relatives from all over the country, as well as nearly 600 special guests from over 100 countries, gathered together.” 二楼眺台悬挂着“以习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想为指导，全面贯彻党的二十大精神，团结凝聚广大归侨侨眷和海外侨胞为全面建设社会主义现代化国家、全面推进中华民族伟大复兴而奋斗！”巨型横幅。来自全国各地的近1200名归侨侨眷代表和来自100多个国家的近600名海外侨胞特邀嘉宾欢聚一堂.
Early in his speech, Li Xi basically endorsed the work of the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese since the 10th Congress, arguing that it has been guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.
“Li Xi said that building a comprehensively modern socialist country, realizing the goal of the second century, and comprehensively promoting the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation with Chinese modernization are the central tasks of the Party and also require the joint efforts of Chinese people at home and abroad. It is hoped that the vast number of returned overseas Chinese, relatives of overseas Chinese and overseas Chinese compatriots will actively respond to the call of the Party and the people, demonstrate greater achievements in helping to build a new development pattern and promote high-quality development, and make greater contributions to building a sense of the Chinese nation community and promoting the reunification of the motherland, play a greater role in promoting Chinese traditional culture, contribute to building a community with a shared future for mankind, achieve greater development while contributing to the development of their (ancestral) homeland and the country of residence, unite the majestic forces of unity and struggle and create new and greater achievements in carrying out the important mission of national rejuvenation and sharing in the glory of national rejuvenation.” 李希表示，全面建成社会主义现代化强国、实现第二个百年奋斗目标，以中国式现代化全面推进中华民族伟大复兴，是党的中心任务，也需要海内外中华儿女共同努力。希望广大归侨侨眷和海外侨胞积极响应党和人民的号召，在助力构建新发展格局、推动高质量发展中展现更大作为，为铸牢中华民族共同体意识、推进祖国统一作出更大贡献，在弘扬中华优秀传统文化、推动构建人类命运共同体中发挥更大作用，在促进祖（籍）国和住在国发展中实现自身更大发展，凝聚起团结奋斗的磅礴力量，在共担民族复兴重任、共享民族复兴荣光中创造新的更大业绩.
Xinhua summarises further that during the session, models of returned overseas Chinese and outstanding individuals and groups under the ACFROC and its affiliated organizations were honored at the ceremony.
Li Xi’s full speech is published on Page 2. Apart from what I’ve covered earlier, below are key excerpts from the speech:
“Practice has fully proved that the historic achievements and historic changes in the cause of the party and the country in the new era are fundamentally because of the leadership of General Secretary Xi Jinping at the helm as the core of the Party Central Committee and the core of the entire Party and the scientific guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. The ‘Two Establishments’ are of decisive significance for the development of the cause of the Party and the country in the new era and for promoting the historical process of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.” 实践充分证明，新时代党和国家事业取得历史性成就、发生历史性变革，根本在于有习近平总书记作为党中央的核心、全党的核心领航掌舵，在于有习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想科学指引，“两个确立”对新时代党和国家事业发展、对推进中华民族伟大复兴历史进程具有决定性意义.
It is hoped that the majority of returned overseas Chinese, their relatives and overseas Chinese compatriots will give full play to their unique advantages, keep up with the pace of the times, and demonstrate greater achievements in helping to build a new development pattern and promote high-quality development. General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out that accelerating the construction of a new development pattern and promoting high-quality development is the only way to pursue Chinese-style modernization. The vast numbers of returned overseas Chinese and their relatives and overseas Chinese compatriots are both promoters and beneficiaries of Chinese-style modernization. It is hoped that the majority of overseas Chinese will align with the development trends of the motherland, make good use of their advantages in terms of capital, technology, talents, information, and management, as well as their advantages in bridging domestic and international interests and understanding international rules; play a great role in the practice of socialist modernization in terms of realising high-level scientific and technological self-reliance, building a modern industrial system, promoting rural revitalization, promoting coordinated regional development, promoting common prosperity, and promoting green and low-carbon development, and will play a greater role in promoting a higher level of opening up, smoothing the domestic and international dual cycle, and building BRI.” 希望广大归侨侨眷和海外侨胞发挥独特优势、紧跟时代步伐，在助力构建新发展格局、推动高质量发展中展现更大作为。习近平总书记指出，加快构建新发展格局、推动高质量发展，是中国式现代化的必由之路。广大归侨侨眷和海外侨胞既是中国式现代化的推动者，也是受益者。希望广大侨胞顺应祖国发展大势，发挥好资金、技术、人才、信息、管理等方面的优势，发挥好融通内外、熟悉国际规则等优势，在实现高水平科技自立自强、建设现代化产业体系、推进乡村振兴、促进区域协调发展、推进共同富裕、推动绿色低碳发展等社会主义现代化建设实践中大显身手，在推进更高水平对外开放、畅通国内国际双循环、共建“一带一路”中发挥更大作用.
“It is hoped that the vast community of returned overseas Chinese and their relatives, as well as overseas Chinese compatriots, will grasp the historical trend, uphold the national righteousness, and make greater contributions to fostering a sense of the Chinese national community and promoting the reunification of the motherland. General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out that the realization of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation requires the joint efforts of Chinese people at home and abroad. Every Chinese son and daughter shoulders the responsibility and is indispensable for building a strong country and national rejuvenation. It is hoped that the vast number of overseas Chinese will make good use of their own strengths, foster harmonious feelings among compatriots and enhance national consensus, develop and strengthen their patriotic love for Hong Kong and Macao, and make more contributions to promoting the cause of ‘one country, two systems’, promoting the better integration of Hong Kong and Macao into the overall situation of national development, and maintaining the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and Macao. Solving the Taiwan Province question and realizing the complete reunification of the motherland is the common aspiration of all Chinese sons and daughters and the inevitable requirement for realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. The vast number of overseas Chinese should adhere to the righteous national cause, firmly oppose independence activities and promote reunification, deepen integration and development in various sectors across the Taiwan Strait, and promote the spiritual connection among compatriots on both sides. It is necessary to take a clear-cut stand against all remarks and actions that split the country and the nation, constantly consolidate the great unity of the people of all ethnic groups and the Chinese people at home and abroad, build a solid sense of the Chinese national community, and unite the majestic forces of building a strong country and national rejuvenation.” 希望广大归侨侨眷和海外侨胞把握历史大势、坚守民族大义，为铸牢中华民族共同体意识、推进祖国统一作出更大贡献。习近平总书记指出，实现中华民族伟大复兴，需要海内外中华儿女共同努力。强国建设、民族复兴，每一位中华儿女都肩负责任、不可或缺。希望广大侨胞用好自身所长，融洽同胞感情、增进民族共识，发展壮大爱国爱港爱澳力量，为推进“一国两制”事业，促进香港、澳门更好融入国家发展大局，保持香港、澳门长期繁荣稳定多作贡献。解决台湾问题、实现祖国完全统一，是全体中华儿女的共同愿望，是实现中华民族伟大复兴的必然要求。广大侨胞要坚守民族大义，坚定反独促统，深化两岸各领域融合发展，促进两岸同胞心灵契合。要旗帜鲜明反对一切分裂国家、分裂民族的言论和行为，不断巩固各族人民大团结、海内外中华儿女大团结，铸牢中华民族共同体意识，凝聚起强国建设、民族复兴的磅礴力量。
“Chinese-style modernization, which takes the path of peaceful development, is not only the broad road for the Chinese people to build a comprehensively modern and powerful socialist country and realize the Chinese dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, but also the right path for human society to realize the beautiful dream of lasting peace and common development. It is hoped that the vast numbers of overseas Chinese compatriots will inherit the spiritual genes of Chinese culture, jointly shoulder the historical responsibility of carrying forward the excellent traditional Chinese culture and building the modern civilization of the Chinese nation, actively promote exchanges and mutual learning between the Chinese and foreign civilizations, tell China’s stories well, spread China’s voice, and enhance the understanding between the Chinese and foreign people. We should actively promote the common values of all mankind, promote the implementation of GDI, GSI and GCI, and work with people of all countries to build a community of shared future for mankind and work together to build a better world.” 走和平发展道路的中国式现代化，不仅是中国人民全面建成社会主义现代化强国、实现中华民族伟大复兴中国梦的康庄大道，也是人类社会实现持久和平、共同发展美好梦想的人间正道。希望广大侨胞传承好中华文化的精神基因，共同担负起弘扬中华优秀传统文化、建设中华民族现代文明的历史责任，积极推动中外文明交流互鉴，讲好中国故事、传播中国声音，增进中外民众的相互了解和理解。要积极弘扬全人类共同价值，推动落实全球发展倡议、全球安全倡议、全球文明倡议，同各国人民一道推动构建人类命运共同体，携手建设更加美好的世界.
“It is hoped that the returned overseas Chinese, their relatives and overseas Chinese compatriots will uphold their fine traditions, be brave in self-reliance and self-improvement, and achieve greater development in promoting the development of their (ancestral) homeland and the country of residence. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that China’s reform and opening-up, as well as its development and construction, are inseparable from a significant number of overseas Chinese who are deeply connected to their hometowns and their homeland. With the development of the times, an increasing number of overseas Chinese have settled down and thrived in the country where they live. It is hoped that the vast number of overseas Chinese will carry forward the fine tradition of caring for their hometown and the motherland, closely integrate their personal career development with the development of the motherland, strive for self-improvement, work hard, and expand more space for career development in the context of China's socialist modernization construction. It is hoped that overseas Chinese will abide by the laws of the country where they reside, respect local customs, actively integrate into and give back to the local society, and actively build a bridge for exchanges and cooperation between the country of residence and China in various fields, so as to better realize their own development.” 希望广大归侨侨眷和海外侨胞秉承优良传统、勇于自立自强，在促进祖（籍）国和住在国发展中实现自身更大发展。习近平总书记指出，中国的改革开放，中国的发展建设跟我们有这么一大批心系桑梓、心系祖国的华侨是分不开的。随着时代发展，越来越多海外侨胞在住在国落地生根、繁衍生息。希望广大侨胞发扬心系桑梓、心系祖国的优良传统，将个人事业发展同祖国发展紧密结合起来，自强不息、艰苦创业，在祖国社会主义现代化建设中拓展事业发展的更大空间。希望广大侨胞遵守住在国法律、尊重当地习俗，主动融入和回馈当地社会，积极为住在国同中国各领域交流合作牵线搭桥，更好实现自身发展.
He then spoke about the future of the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese. Li said that “it is necessary to continuously deepen the understanding of the decisive significance of the Two Establishments, resolutely achieve the two safeguards, adhere to the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and firmly implement the decisions and deployments of General Secretary Xi Jinping and the Party Central Committee regarding the work of the federation. It is necessary to persist in arming the overseas Chinese community with the Party’s innovative theory, strengthen ideological guidance, unite the hearts of the overseas Chinese community, and draw the greatest concentric circle of unity among the overseas Chinese community. It is necessary to keep in mind 国之大者, closely focus on the objectives and tasks set by the 20th Party Congress, identify key areas, and focus on helping the overseas Chinese community address urgent and pressing issues, and better unite the vast number of returned overseas Chinese and their relatives and overseas Chinese compatriots to forge ahead in a new journey and a new era of meritorious service. It is necessary to strengthen friendships and connections, make new friends and make good friends, and constantly strengthen the strength of patriotism and love for the motherland. It is necessary to strengthen the construction of a harmonious overseas Chinese community, cultivate the younger generation, guide young Chinese descendants in deepening their understanding and identification with their ancestral homeland, and inherit the excellent Chinese traditional culture. It is necessary to strengthen the overall leadership of the Party, strengthen Party building across the federation, deepen the reform of the federation, and improve its own construction. It is necessary to adhere to strict governance within the organization, building a trustworthy and reliable home of unity, striving, and warmth for the vast community of returned overseas Chinese, their relatives, and overseas Chinese compatriots. 要不断深化对“两个确立”决定性意义的认识，坚决做到“两个维护”，坚持以习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想统领侨联工作，坚决把习近平总书记和党中央关于侨联工作的决策部署落到实处。要坚持不懈用党的创新理论武装侨界群众，加强思想引领、凝聚侨界人心，画好侨界团结最大同心圆。要胸怀“国之大者”，紧紧围绕党的二十大确定的目标任务，找准切入点、结合点，着力帮助侨界群众解决急难愁盼问题，更好团结广大归侨侨眷和海外侨胞奋进新征程、建功新时代。要加强联谊联络，广交新朋友、深交好朋友，不断壮大爱国爱乡力量。要加强和谐侨社建设，培养年轻一代，引导华裔青少年增进对祖（籍）国的了解和认同，传承中华优秀传统文化。要加强党的全面领导，加强侨联组织党的建设，深化侨联改革，提升自身建设水平。要坚持从严治会，建设广大归侨侨眷和海外侨胞可信赖的团结之家、奋斗之家、温暖之家.
Third, there’s a report on Qiushi publishing the speech that Xi delivered at the meeting on civilisation, cultural inheritance and development in June this year. I would recommend going through my coverage of the speech from June. The key bit was around Xi Jinping discussing the importance of the integration of Marxism with Chinese culture or the “two integrations.” This is not just about rhetoric; these statements are critical from a policy perspective.
Fourth, there’s a report on Xi’s letter to 20 students of the Anhui Province Qianshan Yezhai Middle School, who have been accepted into military academies. He called on them to become high-quality, professional military personnel. Xi wrote: “I hope you will forge a solid character of loyalty, study and train hard, temper your style of work, and strive to grow into high-quality professional new-type military talents, and contribute to national defense and military modernization.” 希望你们铸牢忠诚品格，刻苦学习训练，锤炼过硬作风，努力成长为高素质专业化新型军事人才，为国防和军队现代化贡献力量.
Fifth, there’s a report on Xi’s letter replying to John Easterbrook, grandson of former American General Joseph Stilwell. Xinhua English has a detailed story. It says:
“In his reply, Xi thanked Easterbrook for the letter sharing the story about the friendly exchanges between General Stilwell and several generations of the Stilwell family and China. Xi said that from the Stilwell family, he felt the goodwill of the American people towards the Chinese people, adding that General Stilwell was an old friend of the Chinese people, who gave active support to China's cause of liberation and progress and made positive contributions to the friendship between the two peoples, which the Chinese people will never forget. Not long ago, Xi mentioned, a series of commemorative events were organized in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality to mark the 140th birth anniversary of General Stilwell, during which Easterbrook delivered a video message, while his daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren attended the events in person. He is glad to see that General Stilwell's dedication to friendship between China and the United States has been passed down to the fifth generation of his family, Xi noted. Looking back, Xi stressed, China and the United States fought side by side against Japanese fascists and for world peace; looking into the future, the two countries have every reason to help each other achieve success and common prosperity. The foundation of China-U.S. relations lies in the people and the source of strength lies in the friendship between their peoples, he added. The two peoples should strengthen exchanges, enhance understanding and expand cooperation to continuously inject new impetus into the development of bilateral relations, Xi said, expressing his hope and belief that Easterbrook and other members of the Stilwell family would continue to contribute to the development of friendship between the two peoples. Xi also invited the Stilwell family to often visit China in the future.”
Sixth, there’s a report on Zhao Leji’s comments to NPC deputies, calling on them to “thoroughly study and understand General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important expositions on national food security, consciously implement them in the performance of their duties, give full play to their role as representatives, and make positive contributions to jointly promoting food security.” 他强调，人大代表要深入学习领悟习近平总书记关于国家粮食安全的重要论述，自觉贯彻落实到履职工作中，充分发挥代表作用，为共同推动粮食安全作出积极贡献.
While talking positively about improvements in China’s food security situation over the years, he said that “we must be soberly aware that the foundation of China’s food security is still unstable, and the string of ensuring food security must not be loosened at any time.” 同时要清醒看到，我国粮食安全基础仍不稳固，保障粮食安全这根弦任何时候都不能松。
“Zhao added that as representatives of the National People's Congress, especially those who are representatives of the agricultural and agricultural science and technology front, it is necessary to take the lead in studying, publicising and implementing the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's important expositions on national food security and the decision-making and deployment of the Party Central Committee, and studying, publicizing and implementing laws, regulations and policies and measures related to food security, guiding farmers to enhance their awareness of farmland protection and increasing their enthusiasm for growing grain. It is important to promote the concept of ensuring food security to be deeply rooted in the hearts of the people.” 赵乐际强调，作为人大代表，特别是农业和农业科技战线的代表，要带头学习宣传贯彻习近平总书记关于国家粮食安全的重要论述精神和党中央决策部署，学习宣传贯彻有关粮食安全的法律法规和政策措施，引导农民群众增强耕地保护意识、提高种粮积极性，推动保障粮食安全的理念深入人心.
Zhao then made four key points:
It is necessary to do a good job in terms of primary responsibilities and in implementing the strategy of storing grain on the ground and storing grain using technology, and representatives of large-scale grain producers, farmer cooperatives, and leading agricultural enterprises should stay rooted in rural areas, connect with the land, and encourage the majority of farmers to grow more and better grains, making agriculture a promising industry
Representatives of experts and scholars should focus on the forefront of global agricultural technology and national major needs, strengthen research on key core agricultural technologies, and provide solid technological support for food security
Representatives of agricultural technicians should enhance grassroots agricultural technology extension services and bridge the ‘last mile’ of technology entering villages and households
It is necessary to actively offer advice and suggestions, conduct in-depth research and thinking around food security, focus on discovering prominent contradictions and shortcomings that affect food security from the legal and institutional perspectives, reflect opinions and suggestions through statutory channels, and promote relevant parties to solve problems and improve the system
要干好本职工作，把藏粮于地、藏粮于技战略落到实处，种粮大户、农民合作社和农业龙头企业负责人代表要扎根农村，扎根土地，带动广大农民群众多种粮、种好粮，让农业成为有奔头的产业；专家学者代表要面向世界农业科技前沿和国家重大需求，加强农业关键核心技术攻关，为粮食安全提供坚实科技支撑；农业技术员代表要加强基层农技推广服务，打通科技进村入户“最后一公里”。要积极建言献策，围绕粮食安全作深入调研思考，注重从法律、制度层面发现影响粮食安全的突出矛盾和短板，通过法定渠道反映意见建议，推动有关方面解决问题、完善制度。
Page 3: There’s a report on Wang Yi’s chat with South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin. Xinhua reports:
Wang said that “China’s policy toward South Korea has maintained continuity and stability, adding that the development of bilateral relations has an internal driving force and inevitable logic, and should not be influenced by a third party. China and South Korea should stick to the original intention of establishing diplomatic ties, stick to the right direction of friendly cooperation, continue to enhance mutual understanding between the two peoples, guard against interference from external factors, refrain from ideological confrontations, jointly push for steady and long-term bilateral relations, and open up the next 30 years of more sustainable, resilient and closer cooperation, Wang said. Noting that mutually beneficial economic and trade cooperation is the ballast of bilateral relations, Wang said that with enormous economic development potentials and a large market, China is accelerating the construction of a new system for higher-level open economy and expanding China-South Korea cooperation will help South Korea achieve sustainable prosperity and development. He expressed hope that South Korea will strengthen its strategic autonomy, reject various anti-globalization manoeuvers and attempts to decouple or sever supply chains, and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields, so as to better serve the people of the two countries. China supports South Korea in playing a positive role in promoting trilateral cooperation as the chair of the China-Japan-South Korea cooperation, Wang added.”
As per Xinhua, Park said that:
“the South Korean side looks forward to enhancing high-level exchanges with China, strengthening people-to-people exchanges, improving mutual understanding and actively building a sound and mature South Korea-China relationship, Park said. He said that South Korea has no intention to engage in decoupling targeting a specific country on the issue of production and supply chain, and ‘de-sinicization’ is neither possible nor desirable. South Korea is willing to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation with China, keep the production and supply chain stable and unimpeded, and jointly promote regional economic growth, Park said. The two sides also exchanged views on issues including Japan's discharge of nuclear-contaminated wastewater and the Korean Peninsula.”
Another report from NHK informs that Wang and Park “agreed to cooperate in resuming trilateral consultations among Tokyo, Beijing and Seoul.”
Second, there’s a report confirming that the third BRI forum will be held in October. MoFA’s Wang Wenbin said that “This is not only the highlight in commemorative events to mark the BRI’s 10th anniversary, but also an important platform for all partners to plan high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. China is in communication with all parties concerned on the preparation for the forum. Relevant information will be released in due course.”
He also elaborated on BRI’s achievements later:
China has signed Belt and Road cooperation documents with more than 150 countries and over 30 international organizations. The vision of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation supported by the spirit of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, open, green and clean cooperation, and a high-standard, people-centered and sustainable approach has been incorporated in the Joint Communique of the Leaders’ Roundtable of the 2nd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation.
It has established more than 3,000 cooperation projects and galvanized nearly USD 1 trillion of investment, creating an array of national landmarks, livelihood projects, and milestones of cooperation. A large number of transport infrastructure projects have been launched, greatly boosting the development of BRI partners. Clean, efficient and quality green energy projects have lit up the road to future development of partner countries. Projects closely linked to people’s daily life and aimed at improving people’s wellbeing in areas of poverty reduction, agricultural technology and vocational education have effectively increased the living standards of people in BRI partner countries. According to the World Bank, by 2030, BRI transport infrastructure, if fully implemented, is expected to increase global real income by 0.7 to 2.9 percent, lifting 7.6 million people from extreme poverty and 32 million people from moderate poverty.
China has signed over 50 cooperation documents on ecological environmental protection with relevant parties, established the Belt and Road Initiative International Green Development Coalition, and launched the Initiative for Belt and Road Partnership on Green Development with 31 countries.
Finally, there’s a report on China and Nicaragua signing a free-trade agreement. This came after a year of negotiations. China Daily reports that the FTA will “allow for high-level mutual opening between the two nations in the fields of trade in goods and services and access to the investment sector.”
Page 6: There’s a report informing that a new survey shows that the proportion of Chinese citizens with scientific literacy reached 12.93% in 2022. This was 2.37 percentage points higher than that of 10.56% in 2020 and 6.73 percentage points higher than that of 6.20% in 2015. The survey revealed that over two-thirds of China's provinces (autonomous regions, municipalities directly under the central government) have a scientific literacy rate exceeding 10%. In 2022, the proportions of urban and rural residents with scientific literacy reached 15.94% and 7.96%, respectively.
Page 7: There’s a report on the adjustment of housing credit policy by the People's Bank of China and the National Administration of Financial Regulation. Xinhua reports (an analysis by Xinhua) that:
“Starting from Sept 25, borrowers of existing mortgages for first-home purchases can seek to lower their interest rates by applying for a rate change in the contract or a swap for a new mortgage. The move is expected to reduce interest expense for mortgage borrowers and help spur consumption and investment. The banking sector might also see an ease in paying back mortgages in advance, which will boost their interest revenue, the two financial watchdogs said. Banks and mortgage borrowers will be guided to negotiate independently according to market-based principles and rule of law to reduce the interest rate of existing housing loans in an orderly manner and maintain the market competition order, they added. The country will also implement a uniform policy on the minimum down payment ratio for individuals' commercial housing mortgages both for first-home and second-home purchases, another statement said. The minimum down payment ratio for individuals' commercial housing mortgages for first-home and second-home purchases will be adjusted to be no lower than 20 percent and 30 percent, respectively, nationwide. In line with the above changes, local governments can change related housing credit policies in a city-specific manner, according to the statement.”
Bloomberg’s report assess that:
“Beijing is betting that lower mortgage rates and down payments will revive demand for homes. Sales by the country’s largest developers fell 34% in August from a year earlier, a report showed Thursday, and Country Garden Holdings Co. — the former No. 1 — is on the brink of default. The moves will likely boost property sales, alleviate liquidity pressure for buyers and improve market sentiment, Citigroup Inc. economists led by Xiangrong Yu wrote in a research note. “The favorable policy shift and the nearly confirmed cyclical bottom of the economy could be supportive for China assets.” By contrast, Neo Wang, Evercore ISI’s New York-based managing director for China Research, said, “We were not impressed.” Many existing mortgages have no room for further interest-rate reductions because “they already enjoyed the floor rate” that’s now being set by regulators, he said…Bloomberg Economics estimates that the measures can release household purchasing power of around 0.24% of GDP — equivalent to a 15-basis-point cut in the policy rate.” — Chang Shu, chief Asia economist.”
Page 10: There’s a report on the improvements in China’s manufacturing PMI. It’s still not in positive territory and indicates contraction, but there have been improvements.
CGTN reports: “China's manufacturing purchasing managers' index stood at 49.7 in August, up 0.4 index point from the previous month, marking an increase of three consecutive months, according to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Thursday. The three-month rebound of the index reflects the trend of sustained and stable recovery in China's economy, said Cai Jin, vice president of the China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing. Among the 21 industries surveyed, 12 reported expansion in August, pointing to continued improvement in the manufacturing climate, NBS statistician Zhao Qinghe said. The new orders sub-index rose for three consecutive months to 50.2, indicating increased demand in the manufacturing sector. There was also a positive change in the new export orders index, which ended five consecutive months of decline.”
Reuters reports that “The Caixin/S&P Global manufacturing purchasing managers' index (PMI) rose to 51.0 in August from 49.2 in July, beating analysts' forecasts of 49.3 and marking the highest reading since February. The 50-point index mark separates growth from contraction.”