Praising Xi's NPC Work - Li Qiang's First State Council Meeting - China-Indonesia Ties - New Party Chiefs for Hunan, Anhui & Hainan
Hi folks,
I am a bit under the weather, so today’s edition is brief. I have tried to strictly focus on only relevant articles.
But before we get to the newspaper, let me begin by sharing a new document that my colleagues Anushka Saxena and Amit Kumar have put together on understanding the situation along the India-China border. It’s succinct with useful graphics. Do check it out.
Here are the key reports and articles that I found noteworthy from the People’s Daily’s edition on Wednesday, March 15, 2023.
Page 1: At the top of the page is a brief report on Xi Jinping congratulating Ram Chandra Poudel on assuming office as president of Nepal.
“In his message, Xi said China and Nepal are friendly neighbors linked by mountains and rivers, and since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1955, their relations have maintained healthy and stable development, setting a good example of peaceful coexistence, friendship and mutual assistance between large and small countries. The Chinese president said he attaches great importance to the development of China-Nepal relations, and is willing to work with Poudel to carry forward the traditional friendship between the two countries, consolidate mutual political trust, advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, expand cultural and people-to-people exchanges, so as to constantly promote the strategic partnership of cooperation featuring ever-lasting friendship for development and prosperity.”
Below this is a commentary drawing on Xi’s speech at the closing of the NPC. The first paragraph basically draws a straight line between the narrative of humiliation, saying that the emergence of the Communist Party in China was “a major event” and in order to pursue national rejuvenation, the CCP “united and led the Chinese people” and has written “the most magnificent epic in the history of the Chinese nation for thousands of years.”
“Since the 18th Party Congress, the CPC Central Committee with comrade Xi Jinping as the core has balanced the overall strategy of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and the profound global changes unseen in a century; with great historical initiative, great political courage and a strong sense of responsibility, it has united and led the people to overcome difficulties and forge ahead. The cause of the party and the country has gained historic achievements and undergone historic changes, which has pushed China onto a new journey of building a socialist modern country in an all-round way and successfully promoted and developed Chinese-style modernisation, creating a new form of human civilisation. The Chinese nation has ushered in a great leap from standing up, becoming rich to becoming strong, and the cause of realising the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation has entered an irreversible historical process.” 党的十八大以来，以习近平同志为核心的党中央统筹中华民族伟大复兴战略全局和世界百年未有之大变局，以伟大的历史主动精神、巨大的政治勇气、强烈的责任担当，团结带领人民迎难而上、砥砺前行，党和国家事业取得历史性成就、发生历史性变革，推动我国迈上全面建设社会主义现代化国家新征程，成功推进和拓展了中国式现代化，创造了人类文明新形态，中华民族迎来了从站起来、富起来到强起来的伟大飞跃，实现中华民族伟大复兴进入了不可逆转的历史进程.
The next paragraph emphasises this from Xi’s speech: “From now until the middle of the century, the central task of the Party and all Chinese people is to complete building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects and advance national rejuvenation on all fronts.” The commentary warns that in this process, it is important to be prepared to make arduous efforts and “withstand the major test of high winds, high waves and even turbulent storms.” 奋进在充满光荣和梦想的新征程上，我们比历史上任何时期都更接近、更有信心和能力实现中华民族伟大复兴的目标，同时必须准备付出更为艰巨、更为艰苦的努力，准备经受风高浪急甚至惊涛骇浪的重大考验.
It adds that the 20th Party Congress has provided a “grand blueprint for comprehensively building a socialist modern country and comprehensively promoting the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation with Chinese-style modernisation.” This must be carried out. 党的二十大擘画了全面建设社会主义现代化国家、以中国式现代化全面推进中华民族伟大复兴的宏伟蓝图，吹响了奋进新征程的时代号角.
The next paragraph makes the key policy points that Xi made in his speech. These include:
unswervingly promote high-quality development
always put the people first
better coordinate development and security
solidly promote the practice of 'one country, two systems' and the great cause of national reunification
work hard to promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind
The next paragraph calls for maintaining the Party’s leadership but also engaging in self-revolution, in order to address the challenges unique to a big political party like the CCP.
The final paragraph calls for uniting behind the Central Committee with Xi as the core, adhering to Xi’s thought, understanding the decisive significance of the Two Establishments, strengthening the four consciousness and four self-confidences and achieving the two safeguards. 向着新目标，奋楫再出发，让我们更加紧密地团结在以习近平同志为核心的党中央周围，全面贯彻习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想，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”，牢记“国之大者”，在新征程上作出无负时代、无负历史、无负人民的业绩，为推进强国建设、民族复兴作出我们这一代人的应有贡献!
Below this, is a dramatic report on what it was like when Xi stepped up to the stage to deliver his speech. For instance, as he walked up, his steps were “steady and resolute.” The key point in this article is:
“Facts have eloquently proved that the great changes in the new era in the past ten years lie in having the General Secretary Xi Jinping as the core of the CPC Central Committee and the core of the whole party at the helm, and in the scientific guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era. Be loyal to the core, support the core, safeguard the core, and defend the core. Hundreds of millions of people have followed the navigator of the great rejuvenation to strive for achievements in the new era and forge ahead on a new journey.” 事实雄辩证明，新时代十年伟大变革，根本在于有习近平总书记作为党中央的核心、全党的核心掌舵领航，根本在于有习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想科学指引。忠诚核心、拥戴核心、维护核心、捍卫核心，亿万人民紧跟伟大复兴领航人建功新时代、奋进新征程.
Two other reports on the page worth noting. First, Zhao Leji held the first meeting of the Council of Chairpersons of the 14th NPC Standing Committee. The key outcome was that Liu Junchen, Guo Zhenhua, He Xin, Hu Xiaoli, and Ouyang Changqiong were appointed as deputy Secretaries-General of the 14th NPC Standing Committee at its first meeting.
Second, Li Qiang led the first executive meeting of the new State Council.
Comment: I read this report as a new head of an agency basically rallying the troops. The fact that there have been winners and losers and some folks might not be entirely happy with the changes is evident in the reporting. The emphasis on implementing the institutional reform agenda being a “political task” is important too. It tells you that there will be serious consequences for those who do not fall in line.
The report says that Xi’s speeches at the Two Sessions were “highly political, ideological, instructive, and pertinent.” The meeting stressed that “the new government should be guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, thoroughly study and understand General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important speeches and the spirit of the Two Sessions, and earnestly implement them. The meeting emphasised that the State Council is first and foremost a political organ, and it must speak politics with a clear-cut stand, deeply understand the decisive significance of the Two Establishments, strengthen the four consciousnesses and four self-confidences, and achieve the two safeguards. We must persist with integrity and innovation, systematically study and master the spirit of the important instructions of General Secretary Xi Jinping and the decision-making arrangements of the CPC Central Committee, vigorously investigate and study, thoroughly study major issues, propose major initiatives, promote major work, and creatively grasp all tasks. It is necessary to enhance the awareness of the layout of the chess game, unite and work together as officials, support and cooperate with each other, and work together efficiently.” 会议强调，习近平总书记在全国两会期间发表了一系列重要讲话，具有很强的政治性、思想性、指导性、针对性。新一届政府要以习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想为指导，深入学习领会习近平总书记重要讲话和全国两会精神，认真抓好贯彻落实。会议强调，国务院首先是政治机关，必须旗帜鲜明讲政治，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”。要坚持守正创新，系统学习掌握习近平总书记重要指示批示精神和党中央决策部署，大兴调查研究之风，深入研究重大问题、提出重大举措、推进重大工作，创造性地把各项任务抓实抓好。要增强“一盘棋”意识，团结共事、合力干事，相互支持、相互配合，协同高效开展工作.
The second paragraph tells us that the “institutional reform” that has been carried out “is a major political task.” “It is necessary to unify thoughts and actions in the decision-making and deployment of the CPC Central Committee, stress politics and take care of the overall situation, carefully organise and implement it, and ensure that institutions, responsibilities and teams are adjusted in time to ensure the normal operation and orderly connection of all work during the reform period. We must take this institutional reform as an opportunity to adapt to the needs of building a new development pattern and promoting high-quality development, further transform the functions of the government, improve working mechanisms, improve work skills, improve work style, and promote better alignment between an efficient market and a well-functioning government.” 会议指出，机构改革是当前一项重大政治任务，要切实把思想和行动统一到党中央决策部署上来，讲政治、顾大局，精心组织、周密实施，确保机构、职责、队伍等及时调整到位，确保改革期间各项工作正常运转、有序衔接。要以这次机构改革为契机，适应构建新发展格局、推动高质量发展的需要，进一步转变政府职能，完善工作机制，提高工作本领，改进工作作风，推动有效市场和有为政府更好结合.
The final paragraph says that the meeting deliberated on the newly revised working rules of the State Council. “The meeting stressed that to do a good job of the work of the State Council, we must take safeguarding the authority of the CPC Central Committee and its centralised and unified leadership as the most fundamental political discipline and political rule, adhere to and improve the implementation mechanism of major decision-making arrangements of the CPC Central Committee, and consciously align with the major requirements of the CPC Central Committee to ensure that the decision-making arrangements of the CPC Central Committee are implemented to the letter.”会议讨论了新修订的《国务院工作规则》，决定将修订稿提请国务院第一次全体会议审议。会议强调，做好国务院工作，必须把维护党中央权威和集中统一领导作为最根本的政治纪律和政治规矩，坚持和完善党中央重大决策部署落实机制，自觉同党中央重大要求对标对表，确保党中央决策部署不折不扣落实。
The meeting also talked about strict governance and adhering to the eight-point central regulations.
Finally, the full work report delivered by Li Keqiang at the beginning of the NPC session is published in the paper today.
Page 2: The entire page is dedicated to Xi’s different comments during the Two Sessions. I’ve covered this through the course of the past week.
Page 3: There are pieces on positive responses to Xi’s speech and foreign leaders congratulating Xi on his presidency.
Next, there’s a report on Wang Yi speaking to Indonesia's Coordinator for Cooperation with China and Coordinating Minister of Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan at the latter's request.
Xinhua says that Wang “noted that the new Chinese government will uphold the concept of people-centered development, drive high-quality development, advance the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization, and provide the world with fresh opportunities through China's new development. In this process, there will be much to achieve in China-Indonesia cooperation, Wang added. For his part, Pandjaitan extended warm congratulations on the success of China's two sessions. Valuing its relations with China, Indonesia is willing to work with China on high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and the construction of the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway, and seek more progress in bilateral cooperation in various areas, he added. Indonesia applauds China for facilitating the dialogue between Saudi Arabia and Iran and achieving important results, he said, adding it's a good example of resolving conflicts and achieving peace through consultation with China playing a remarkable role. Wang also briefed Pandjaitan on the dialogue between Saudi Arabia and Iran, saying that this is a successful practice in implementing the Global Security Initiative proposed by Xi, a successful example of developing countries addressing regional hot issues through their own efforts, and a victory for dialogue and peace. China always stands for peaceful settlement of disputes through dialogue and hopes that hotspot issues in the world can be politically resolved through dialogue, he said, adding China will continue to play a constructive role in this regard. The two sides also exchanged views on other issues of common concern.”
Next, there’s a report (English report) on the appointment of new Party chiefs for Hunan, Anhui and Hainan.
Shen Xiaoming has been appointed member, standing committee member and secretary of the CPC Hunan Provincial Committee
Han Jun has been appointed member, standing committee member and secretary of the CPC Anhui Provincial Committee
Feng Fei has been appointed secretary of the CPC Hainan Provincial Committee
Finally, there’s a long report previewing the dialogue between the Communist Party and world political parties, which is set to take place today. Xi Jinping is delivering a speech at the event. The theme of the event is Path Towards Modernization: the Responsibility of Political Parties. There have been two previous editions of this dialogue, in 2017 and in 2021. In 2017, nearly 300 political parties and political organisations from over 120 countries participated. In July 2021, leaders of more than 500 political parties and organisations from over 160 countries attended the event. I’ll cover Xi’s remarks in tomorrow’s edition.
And that’s it for the paper today. There isn’t much else that I found interesting. But let me share a few links to stories outside the paper that are worth reading:
Chinese consumers out of COVID gates with caution, rather than zest: “Some economists, pointing to new household savings reaching 17.8 trillion yuan ($2.59 trillion) last year, an increase of 7.9 trillion yuan from 2021, had expected pent-up demand to drive a recovery in consumption even without policy support. But there is little sign that enough money is being spent on goods and services to make much difference to consumption. Data last week showed consumer inflation had slowed in February to its lowest annual rate in a year, while passenger car sales for the first two months of the year were down 20% on a year earlier. Imports have fallen faster than expected. A data report on Wednesday is expected to show January-February retail sales were only 3.4% higher than a year before, when annual growth was 6.7%, according to a Reuters poll. Daniel Zipser, senior partner at McKinsey, said most shoppers were still in wait-and-see mode, and the next holiday season, in May, would offer the next clues on whether their mood was changing. ‘People are free to travel and spend, but they're not fully there yet compared to about 18 months ago, when they were incredibly confident about their future prospects,’ said Zipser. Consumer confidence ticked up in January from 2022's record low, but was well below the levels seen in the past two decades.”
Taiwan’s Isolation Deepens as Ally Honduras Switches to Beijing
China’s Xi Plans to Speak With Zelensky for First Time Since Ukraine War Broke Out
Biden splits EU’s top ranks over China: “A split is emerging at the very top of the European Union over the bloc’s China policy, amid growing pressure from U.S. President Joe Biden for Brussels to take a more hawkish stance toward Beijing. Senior figures in the European Council — including President Charles Michel — are pushing for a less confrontational approach to China than that of the Biden administration, which is trying to pressure allies to team up in taking on Beijing. The Council is the EU body that represents the 27 EU member countries — including governments with dovish positions on Beijing, such as Berlin, Budapest and Athens. EU kingpin Germany is a major investor in China, particularly through the car industry, and wants to avoid ructions in commercial ties. This means there are concerns in several member countries that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is striking a more hawkish tone, in line with the U.S. Crucially, the Commission is the executive body that plays a core role in deciding Chinese access to Europe through trade policy.”
Brussels seeks new controls to limit China acquiring high-tech