Propaganda Officials Meet in Beijing - Ding Seeks 'Reliable' Economic Census - Lan Fo’an on Fiscal Policy Agenda for 2024
Here are the key reports and articles that I found noteworthy from the People's Daily’s edition on Thursday, January 04, 2024
Page 1: There are three stories that are worth noting on the page today. First, there’s a report on Cai Qi’s comments at a conference of propaganda officials.
“He emphasised that we must be guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, fully implement the spirit of the 20th Party Congress and the Second Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, deeply study and implement Xi Jinping Thought on Culture, and profoundly understand the decisive significance of the ‘Two Establishments’, strengthen the ‘four consciousnesses’ and ‘four self-confidences’, and achieve ‘two safeguards’; focus closely on promoting Chinese-style modernization as the most important political task and firmly grasp the new cultural mission of the new era; focus on the primary political task of arming the whole Party with the Party’s innovative theories and educating the people, and develop and strengthen mainstream values, mainstream public opinion, and mainstream culture; and provide strong ideological guarantee, strong spiritual power, and favourable cultural conditions for comprehensively promoting the development of a strong country and the great cause of national rejuvenation.” 他强调，要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，深入学习贯彻习近平文化思想，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”，紧紧围绕推进中国式现代化这个最大的政治，牢牢把握新时代新的文化使命，聚焦聚力用党的创新理论武装全党、教育人民的首要政治任务，发展壮大主流价值、主流舆论、主流文化，为全面推进强国建设、民族复兴伟业提供坚强思想保证、强大精神力量、有利文化条件.
“Cai Qi pointed out that since the 20th Party Congress, General Secretary Xi Jinping has made a series of important new expositions on the propaganda and ideological and cultural work in the new era and on the new journey, and further answered a series of major directional, fundamental and strategic issues in the propaganda, ideological, and cultural work, pointing out the direction to do a good job in promoting ideological and cultural work. The Party Central Committee held a national propaganda, ideological and cultural work conference, which formally proposed Xi Jinping Thought on Culture and raised high the cultural banner of the Party on the new journey. We must adhere to the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture, accurately grasp the new situation and tasks, and constantly create new situations in propaganda, ideological and cultural work.” 蔡奇指出，党的二十大以来，习近平总书记对做好新时代新征程宣传思想文化工作作出一系列新的重要论述，进一步回答了宣传思想文化工作一系列方向性、根本性、战略性重大问题，为我们做好宣传思想文化工作指明了方向。党中央召开全国宣传思想文化工作会议，会议正式提出习近平文化思想，在新征程上高举起我们党的文化旗帜。要坚持以习近平文化思想为引领，准确把握新的形势和任务，不断开创宣传思想文化工作新局面.
“Cai Qi emphasised the need to consolidate and expand the achievements of the theme education, continuously exert efforts in genuine learning, understanding, belief, and application, and consistently deepen the study, propaganda, and implementation of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. It is necessary to build a new trend of mainstream public opinion around enhancing confidence and building consensus, continue to strengthen positive propaganda and public opinion guidance, and sing praises for the bright prospects of the Chinese economy. It is necessary to widely practise core socialist values, promote the construction of ideological, moral and spiritual civilization, and better cultivate the new trend and new look of the times. It is necessary to strengthen the creation and production of cultural masterpieces and the protection and inheritance of cultural heritage, and promote the high-quality development of cultural undertakings and cultural industries. It is necessary to deepen exchanges and mutual learning between civilizations and improve the effectiveness of international communication. It is necessary to uphold the Party’s cultural leadership and ensure that the Party’s propaganda, ideological and cultural work consistently moves in the correct direction.” 蔡奇强调，要巩固拓展主题教育成果，在真学真懂真信真用、深化内化转化上持续用力，不断把习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想学习宣传贯彻引向深入.要围绕增强信心、凝聚共识构筑主流舆论新态势，持续加强正面宣传和舆论引导，唱响中国经济光明论。要广泛践行社会主义核心价值观，推进思想道德和精神文明建设，更好培育时代新风新貌。要加强文化精品创作生产和文化遗产保护传承，推动文化事业和文化产业高质量发展。要深化文明交流互鉴，提升国际传播效能。要坚持党的文化领导权，确保党的宣传思想文化工作始终沿着正确方向前进.
Li Shulei, who heads the Propaganda Department, presided over the meeting and delivered work plans. Among other things, Li said that “we must profoundly understand the decisive significance of the Two Establishments, resolutely adhere to the two safeguards; with a high level of political consciousness, an energetic and vigorous state of mind, tenacious will for struggle, and a scientific approach, we should perform our work well and make efforts to promote new achievements and a new outlook in propaganda, ideological, and cultural work.” 要深刻领悟“两个确立”的决定性意义、坚决做到“两个维护”，以高度政治自觉、饱满精神状态、顽强斗争意志、科学思路方法做好工作，努力推动宣传思想文化工作展现新气象新作为.
Next, there is a report on Ding Xuexiang’s comments on ensuring that the source data for China’s ongoing fifth national economic census should be true, accurate and reliable. He said that “the economic census should comprehensively and objectively reflect China's high-quality development, grasp new development changes and characteristics accurately, provide information support for scientific planning and policy formulation, and promote Chinese modernization.”
The remarks came during an inspection tour in Beijing. Ding visited the China National Aviation Fuel Co. Ltd. He said that “enterprises should fill in every form truthfully, check every index item by item, and submit data accurately and in a timely manner. The census agencies should conduct concurrent verification with the reporting and organise and supervise enumerators to verify the situation, ensuring the authenticity, accuracy, and reliability of the data from the source.” 规模以上单位统计基础较好，要如实填报每一张表格，逐项检查每一项指标，通过普查数据采集处理系统及时准确报送。普查机构要随报随审，组织督促普查员核实情况，从源头上确保数据真实、准确、可靠.
Next, he visited Lanyou Technology Co., Ltd., a private high-tech enterprise. Ding said “China's new economy is developing rapidly, and the digital, intelligent and green transformation of industries has achieved fruitful results. It is necessary to do a good job in statistics of new industries, new formats and new models, and provide a reliable basis for formulating more accurate and effective policy measures and accelerating the formation of new productive forces. It is necessary to standardize the conduct of census registration, strictly protect the personal information and commercial secrets of census subjects, and strictly limit the use of data obtained through the census for economic census purposes.” 他表示，我国新经济迅速发展，产业数字化、智能化、绿色化转型成果丰硕，要做好新产业新业态新模式的统计，为制定更加精准有效的政策举措、加快形成新质生产力提供可靠依据。要规范开展普查登记，严格保守普查对象的个人信息和商业秘密，普查取得的单位和个人资料，严格限定用于经济普查目的.
Finally, he visited an office supplies store, where he talked about the importance of micro business entities cooperating actively during the economic census.
Third and finally, there’s a report on Premier Li Qiang’s visit to Hubei. Li first visited the Gezhouba Water Conservancy Project in Yichang City. He reports on the Yangtze River conservation, the Three Gorges waterway, and the planning of a new canal. He said more should be done to unleash the benefits of the Yangtze River's shipping, water conservancy, ecology, and cultural tourism. He then visited the new plant area of Xingfa Group to learn about the transformation and upgrading of enterprises and inspect the rectification of the Yangtze River's pollution outlets and the situation of the relocation of the Yangtze River shoreline. He said it is hoped that enterprises will further make good use of local resource advantages, continue to promote technological innovation, and follow the path of ecological priority and green development. 李强随后来到兴发集团新厂区，了解企业转型升级情况，察看长江排污口整治和长江岸线腾退情况，希望企业进一步用好地方资源优势，持续推进科技创新，走好生态优先、绿色发展之路. Then, he visited the Bangpu Integrated Battery Materials Industrial Park. “Li Qiang fully affirmed the company's focus on recycling used batteries and creating a circular economy, and encouraged them to take the lead in green and low-carbon development and continue to move up to the middle and high end of the industrial value chain.” 建设中的邦普全链条一体化产业园塔吊林立，一派繁忙的景象。李强充分肯定企业专注废旧电池回收利用、打造循环经济的做法，勉励他们下好绿色低碳发展先手棋，不断向产业链价值链中高端攀升.
In Wuhan, Li visited the Yangtze Storage Technology Co., Ltd. and Huagong Laser Engineering Co., Ltd. Li “praised the innovation and development achievements of enterprises, and emphasised the need to further give full play to the main role of enterprises in scientific and technological innovation; improve the collaborative innovation mechanism of industry, academia and research; implement more precise support policies; and transform more and better scientific research results into real productivity.” 李强对企业创新发展成果表示赞许，强调要进一步发挥企业科技创新主体作用，完善产学研协同创新机制，实施更加精准的支持政策，把科研成果更多更好地转化为现实生产力. He then visited a national mapping and remote sensing lab. He encouraged researchers to make greater breakthroughs in core technologies and contribute more to China's technological self-reliance.
Finally, in Ezhou City, Xinhua reports that Li said that “Ezhou Huahu Airport has clear advantages and favorable conditions to develop into an international air cargo hub and called on the airport to better serve the Yangtze River Economic Belt and the country's building of a new development pattern.”
Page 2: There’s a report on Li Qiang’s letter of condolence to Japanese Prime Minister Kishida on the earthquakes. Li said “China is willing to provide necessary assistance to Japan in earthquake relief.”
Next, there’s a long interview with Minister of Finance Lan Fo’an. In response to the first question on proactive fiscal policy supporting macro-economic stability. He explains that:
“Effective macroeconomic regulation is an integral part of Xi Jinping Economic Thought. Every year at the Central Economic Work Conference, General Secretary Xi Jinping provides clear directives on the direction of proactive fiscal policies, specifying requirements for the scale of deficits, tax and fee support policies, the use of government bonds, and ensuring support in key areas. The financial authorities steadfastly implement the important directives and instructions of General Secretary Xi Jinping, as well as the decisions and arrangements of the Party Central Committee and the State Council. They consistently implement proactive fiscal policies to contribute to stabilising the macroeconomy.” 科学有效的宏观调控是习近平经济思想的重要组成部分，每年中央经济工作会议上，习近平总书记对积极的财政政策定调指向，对赤字规模、税费支持政策、政府债券使用、重点领域保障等提出明确要求。财政部门坚决贯彻习近平总书记重要指示批示精神和党中央、国务院决策部署，连续实施积极的财政政策，为稳定宏观经济出力.
Then he makes three points:
First, scientifically determine the level of deficit ratio and maintain appropriate expenditure intensity… “We reasonably and prudently determine the level of the deficit ratio, which not only appropriately expands the scale of expenditure to meet actual needs, but also ‘leaves room for manoeuvre’/‘keeps some reserves’ for dealing with possible risks and challenges in the future.” His explanation in this regard is that the fiscal deficit ratio for 2023 was to be maintained at 3%. But owing to natural disasters across the country this year, additional 1 trillion yuan of treasury bonds were issued late in the year. This money was delivered to local governments through transfer payments in order to support post-disaster recovery and reconstruction and enhance the ability of disaster prevention, mitigation and relief. Accordingly, the national fiscal deficit ratio increased from 3% to about 3.8%. He added: “Although the deficit ratio has expanded, China’s government debt ratio is still within a reasonable range. In recent years, by reasonably arranging the scale of the deficit, the country's general public budget expenditures have maintained substantial strength, increasing from 12.6 trillion yuan in 2012 to 26.1 trillion yuan in 2022, ensuring the implementation of major national strategies and livelihood policies.” 一是科学确定赤字率水平，保持适度支出强度。赤字率是宏观政策的一个重要风向标。习近平总书记强调，“宏观调控必须适应发展阶段性特征和经济形势变化，该扩大需求时要扩大需求，该调整供给时要调整供给，相机抉择，开准药方”。我们合理、审慎确定赤字率水平，既适度扩大支出规模，满足实际需要，又“留有后手”，为应对未来可能的风险挑战留出空间。2023年年初，按照党中央关于积极的财政政策要加力提效的部署，财政赤字率按3%安排。年中，我国多地遭遇暴雨、洪涝、台风等灾害，无论从支持受灾群众尽快重建家园、恢复生产生活看，还是从防灾减灾救灾长远计，都必须及时有力应对。四季度，按照党中央、国务院决策部署，经报全国人大常委会会议审查批准，增发1万亿元国债，全部通过转移支付方式安排给地方，支持灾后恢复重建和提升防灾减灾救灾能力。相应地，全国财政赤字率从3%提高到3.8%左右。虽然赤字率提升了，但我国政府负债率仍处于合理区间。这些年，通过合理安排赤字规模，全国一般公共预算支出保持较大力度，从2012年的12.6万亿元增加到2022年的26.1万亿元，保障了国家重大战略和民生政策落实.
Second, optimise tax and fee reduction policies to support the development of the real economy. It is interesting to note the uses he describes for tax policy: “expand total demand and stimulate market vitality”, “promote the upgrading of industrial structure and increase potential growth rates.” 既能扩大总需求、激发市场活力，又能促进产业结构升级、提升潜在增长率.
Third, properly manage and utilise special bonds and give play to the guiding and driving role of government investment. He explains: “Since 2020, we have cumulatively allocated 14.6 trillion yuan in special bonds, supporting a large number of major projects in areas such as water conservancy, transportation, energy, and environmental protection. In 2023, we allocated 3.8 trillion yuan in special bonds, an increase of 150 billion yuan compared to 2022, taking full account of local financial conditions and debt risk levels, focusing on provinces and regions with large economies and good usage efficiency, giving priority to support mature and under construction projects and avoiding a scattered approach (of not spreading money too thinly). Preliminary statistics show that, among the special bonds issued in 2023, over 300 billion yuan has been used as project capital, accounting for over 9% of the total issuance. This is expected to drive over 1 trillion yuan in social investment, ensuring that government investment plays an incentivising role. 2020年以来，我们累计新增安排专项债券14.6万亿元，支持了一大批水利、交通、能源、环保等领域重大项目建设。2023年安排新增专项债券3.8万亿元、比2022年增加1500亿元，充分考虑各地财力状况、债务风险水平等因素，重点向经济大省和使用效益好的地区倾斜，优先支持成熟度高的项目和在建项目，不“撒胡椒面”。初步统计，2023年发行的专项债券中，用作项目资本金的超过3000亿元，占发行总额比例超过9%，预计拉动社会投资超万亿元，发挥了政府投资“四两拨千斤”的撬动作用.
In addition, he mentions steps like transfer payments, government procurement policies to support SMEs, and financial interest subsidies. For instance, from 2018 to 2022, government procurement contracts awarded to SMEs accounted for about 75% of the total government procurement contracts. He also talks about the development of a government financing guarantee system, which includes the National Financing Guarantee Fund, provincial re-guarantee institutions, and municipal and county-level government financing guarantee institutions. This system leverages more financial resources to flow towards SMEs, alleviating issues related to difficulties and high costs of financing. 2018—2022年，授予中小企业的政府采购合同占政府采购总金额75%左右，为中小企业提供了稳定支持。再如，我们推动基本建成包括国家融资担保基金、省级再担保机构、市县政府性融资担保机构在内的政府性融资担保体系，撬动更多金融资源流向中小微企业，缓解融资难、融资贵问题.
The second question is on the current fiscal situation. He says that “the global economy is facing a situation of ‘three highs and one low’, with high inflation, high interest rates, high debt, and low growth. Some countries are struggling to balance macro policies in controlling inflation, stabilising growth, and preventing risks. Some developing countries are facing severe risks and challenges such as currency depreciation, capital outflows, and debt defaults. In comparison, in 2023, China’s economic operation showed a pattern of initial low, mid-to-high growth, and eventual stability. Employment and overall price levels are generally stable, international balance is basically maintained, and high-quality development is steadily progressing. China’s economic strength has once again reached new heights, with it still being the largest engine of global growth. In the long run, China possesses institutional advantages of a socialist market economy, a demand advantage from an ultra-large-scale market, a supply advantage with a complete industrial system, and a talent advantage with a large number of high-quality workers and entrepreneurs; the country's economic development has strong endogenous driving force, resilience, and potential.” 当今世界变乱交织，百年变局加速演进，国际政治纷争和军事冲突多点爆发，世界经济增长动能不足，全球经济呈现高通胀、高利率、高债务、低增长“三高一低”态势，一些国家宏观政策在控通胀、稳增长、防风险之间艰难权衡，部分发展中国家面临货币贬值、资本外流、债务违约等严峻风险挑战。相比而言，2023年我国经济运行呈现前低、中高、后稳态势，就业物价总体稳定，国际收支基本平衡，高质量发展扎实推进，我国经济实力再上新台阶，仍是全球增长最大引擎。长远一点看，我国具有社会主义市场经济的体制优势、超大规模市场的需求优势、产业体系配套完整的供给优势、大量高素质劳动者和企业家的人才优势，经济发展具备强劲的内生动力、韧性、潜力.
He adds: In the first 11 months, the national general public budget revenue exceeded 20 trillion yuan, up 7.9% year-on-year, which was in line with expectations. The local general public budget revenue at the corresponding level was 10.84 trillion yuan, up 8.7% year-on-year. The revenue of the eastern, central, western and northeastern regions increased by 8%, 6.5%, 12.2% and 11.9%, year-on-year, respectively, and the revenue of 31 provinces generally increased. The progress of fiscal expenditure was reasonably accelerated. In the first 11 months, the national general public budget expenditure was 23.85 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 4.9%. Among them, social security and employment expenditure increased by 9%, education expenditure increased by 5.7%, agriculture, forestry and water expenditure increased by 5.8%, science and technology expenditure increased by 4.3%, and housing security expenditure increased by 8.6%. 前11个月，全国一般公共预算收入突破20万亿元，同比增长7.9%，符合预期，其中地方一般公共预算本级收入10.84万亿元，同比增长8.7%，东部、中部、西部、东北地区收入分别同比增长8%、6.5%、12.2%、11.9%，31个省份收入普遍实现增长。财政支出进度合理加快，前11个月，全国一般公共预算支出23.85万亿元，同比增长4.9%。其中，社会保障和就业支出增长9%，教育支出增长5.7%，农林水支出增长5.8%，科学技术支出增长4.3%，住房保障支出增长8.6%，重点领域支出得到有力保障.
In sum, in 2023, amid a challenging and complex situation, the Chinese economy has withstood pressure, stabilised in scale, and improved in quality. This fully affirms the correctness and foresight of the Party Central Committee, with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, in assessing the situation and making decision arrangements. It demonstrates the Party Central Committee's outstanding wisdom and skilful ability in steering economic work amid complex and volatile circumstances. The difficulties and challenges we are currently facing are problems in progress and concerns in development. As long as we unite into ‘a hard piece of steel’ under the banner of the Party, focus our minds on one goal and channel our efforts toward it, we will surely continue to overcome obstacles and challenges, responding to uncertainties in the changing situation with the certainty of our own work, and turn the magnificent blueprint of Chinese-style modernization into a beautiful reality one step at a time.” 总的来说，2023年，在严峻复杂形势下，中国经济顶住了压力、稳定了规模、提升了质量，充分印证了以习近平同志为核心的党中央对形势判断和决策部署的正确性预见性，充分证明了党中央复杂多变局面下驾驭经济工作的高超智慧和娴熟能力。我们现在面临的困难和挑战，都是前进中的问题、发展中的烦恼，只要我们在党的旗帜下团结成“一块坚硬的钢铁”，心往一处想、劲往一处使，就一定能够继续爬坡过坎、攻坚克难，以自身工作的确定性应对形势变化的不确定性，把中国式现代化宏伟蓝图一步步变成美好现实.
The next question deals with the CEWC calling for continuing a “proactive” fiscal policy, which must be “appropriately intensified” with a focus on “improving quality and efficiency.” What does this mean?
Lan Fo’an says that this basically implies “moderately expanding the scale of fiscal expenditures to promote sustained economic recovery.” He outlines four types of actions:
First, maintain appropriate expenditure intensity and release positive signals. In addition to the fiscal revenue, a deficit of a certain scale will be set for 2024, and some funds will be transferred from the budget stabilisation fund and other government budgets to ensure that the total fiscal expenditure scale will expand, so as to better play the role of stimulating domestic demand, promote economic circulation, and provide necessary support for economic and social development.
Second, reasonably arrange the scale of government investment and amplify the driving effect. Under the principle of keeping the overall leverage ratio of the government basically stable, we will continue to arrange local government special bonds of appropriate scale, strengthen the management of the use of special bond funds, support local governments to make up for shortcomings in key areas, and strive to improve investment efficiency.
Third, increase the intensity of balanced transfer payments and firmly grasp the bottom line of the ‘three guarantees’ at the grassroots level. In 2024, the central government will still maintain a certain scale of transfer payments to local governments, with a particular emphasis on increasing balanced transfer payments. These payments will be directed towards difficult and underdeveloped areas to reinforce financial support for economically weak regions.
Fourth, optimise and adjust the tax and fee policies to enhance prevision and pertinence. To meet the needs of overall macro-control, fiscal sustainability and optimization of the tax system, we will implement the structural tax reduction and fee reduction policy, and focus on supporting scientific and technological innovation and manufacturing development. Efforts will continue to standardize the management of non-tax revenue, resolutely preventing arbitrary charges, fines, and levies.
“适度加力”方面，主要是加强财政资源统筹，组合使用专项债、国债以及税费优惠、财政补助、财政贴息、融资担保等多种政策工具，适度扩大财政支出规模，促进经济持续回升向好。一是保持适当支出强度，释放积极信号。除财政自身收入外，2024年安排一定规模的赤字，并从预算稳定调节基金、其他政府预算调入一部分资金，确保财政总的支出规模有所增加，更好发挥拉动国内需求、促进经济循环的作用，形成对经济社会发展的必要支撑。二是合理安排政府投资规模，发挥好带动放大效应。在保持政府总体杠杆率基本稳定原则下，继续安排适当规模的地方政府专项债券，强化专项债券资金使用管理，支持地方加大重点领域补短板力度，着力提高投资效率。三是加大均衡性转移支付力度，兜牢基层“三保”底线。2024年中央对地方转移支付仍然保持一定规模，特别是增加均衡性转移支付，并向困难地区和欠发达地区倾斜，强化财力薄弱地区的资金保障。四是优化调整税费政策，提高精准性和针对性。统筹宏观调控、财政可持续和优化税制的需要，落实好结构性减税降费政策，重点支持科技创新和制造业发展。继续规范非税收入管理，坚决防止乱收费、乱罚款、乱摊派.
In regard to improving quality and efficiency, Lan makes the following points:
implement the requirements of living a tight life; do not spend any money that should not be spent, and concentrate financial resources on major tasks.
optimise spending structure; effectively utilise the limited additional funds, and make significant efforts to reinvigorate and adjust existing funds. Redirect funds with poor performance towards priority areas, preventing expenditure from becoming rigid and stagnant…
strengthen performance management
enforce financial discipline by strictly adhering to financial laws and regulations. Resolutely investigate and punish violations of laws and regulations, so that discipline truly becomes a ‘high-voltage line’.
enhance fiscal sustainability; conduct a thorough assessment of fiscal resilience, effectively address hidden risks, and ensure the stability and sustainability of fiscal operations.
strengthen policy coordination, so that fiscal and monetary policies, employment policies, industrial policies, regional policies, science and technology policies, environmental protection policies and other policies can maintain the same orientation, resonate at the same frequency, and amplify the combined effect.
一是在落实过紧日子要求上下功夫，可以省的钱都省下来，不该花的钱一分都不乱花，集中财力办大事。二是在优化财政支出结构上下功夫，既用好有限的增量资金，又下大力气盘活、调整存量，将使用效果不好的资金腾出来用于保重点，防止支出固化僵化，做到“小钱小气、大钱大方”。三是在强化绩效管理上下功夫，将绩效理念和方法深度融入预算管理，完善预算编制有目标、预算执行有监控、预算完成有评价、评价结果有反馈、反馈结果有应用的全链条机制，强化信息技术支撑，提高财政资源配置效率和资金使用效益。四是在严肃财经纪律上下功夫，严格执行财经法规和管理制度，坚决查处违法违规行为，使纪律真正成为带电的“高压线”。五是在增强财政可持续性上下功夫，尽力而为、量力而行，深入开展财政承受能力评估，有效应对风险隐患，确保财政行稳致远。六是在强化政策协同发力上下功夫，使财政与货币、就业、产业、区域、科技、环保等政策保持取向一致、同频共振，放大组合效应。
The final question is about fiscal policy supporting Chinese-style modernisation. Lan makes three points:
First, support promoting consumption, expanding investment, stabilising foreign trade, and better coordinating domestic and international circulation. “Create a fair competitive market environment, treat all kinds of business entities equally in terms of financial subsidies, tax incentives and government procurement, and promote the construction of a unified national market. Focus on the direction of upgrading residents' consumption, further study fiscal and tax policies to encourage and guide consumption, and strive to enhance consumption capacity, optimize the consumption environment, and foster new types of consumption. Coordinate the use of funds from special bonds, central budget investments, local funds subsidized by vehicle purchase taxes, railway construction funds, civil aviation development funds, etc., to promote the construction of key areas and major projects, guiding and driving investment across the entire society Actively participate in international financial and economic exchanges and cooperation, leverage policies such as tariffs, support the establishment of a high-standard global network of free trade zones, and consolidate the foundation of foreign trade and investment.” 一是支持促消费、扩投资、稳外贸，更好统筹国内国际循环。营造公平竞争市场环境，在财政补助、税费优惠、政府采购等方面对各类经营主体一视同仁、平等对待，推进全国统一大市场建设。围绕居民消费升级方向，进一步研究鼓励和引导消费的财税政策，着力提升消费能力、优化消费环境、培育新型消费。统筹用好专项债券资金、中央预算内投资、车购税补助地方资金、铁路建设基金、民航发展基金等，推动重点领域、重大项目建设，引导带动全社会投资。积极参与国际财经交流合作，发挥好关税等政策作用，支持构建面向全球的高标准自由贸易区网络，巩固外贸外资基本盘.
Second, adjust economic structure. “Increase financial investment in science and technology, further adjust and optimize the direction of use, focusing on basic research, applied basic research, and national strategic scientific and technological tasks. Improve the new national system, fully support the key core technology breakthroughs, and ensure the funding needs of major national scientific and technological projects. Vigorously promote new industrialization, coordinate the use of special funds, make coordinated use of policies such as special funds, government procurement, and first (set) insurance compensation, support the development of advanced manufacturing clusters, promote the transformation and upgrading of traditional industries and the development and growth of strategic emerging industries, and foster new industries and new tracks. Carry out pilot projects for the digital transformation of SMEs in cities, improve financial support policies for specialised and special new SMEs, and implement tax incentives such as additional deductions for R&D costs to support enterprises in enhancing their competitiveness… make every effort to ensure national food security, promote the consolidation and expansion of poverty alleviation achievements, improve the level of rural industry, rural construction and rural governance, and accelerate the modernization of agriculture and rural areas. Improve institutional mechanisms conducive to the integrated development of urban and rural areas, place greater emphasis on accelerating the urbanization process of agricultural transfer populations, and promote the construction of new urbanization. Improve differentiated fiscal and tax policies, promote the implementation of major regional strategies and coordinated regional development strategies, and make regional development more balanced and coordinated. Maintain investment intensity, focus on promoting green and low-carbon transformation, strengthen ecological and environmental protection, and prudently promote carbon peak and carbon neutrality, so as to promote harmonious coexistence between man and nature.” 二是调结构、补短板、强弱项，提高经济发展质量。加大财政科技投入，进一步调整优化使用方向，向基础研究、应用基础研究、国家战略科技任务聚焦。完善新型举国体制，全力支持打赢关键核心技术攻坚战，保障好国家重大科技项目等资金需求。大力推进新型工业化，统筹运用专项资金、政府采购、首台（套）保险补偿等政策，支持发展先进制造业集群，促进传统产业改造升级和战略性新兴产业发展壮大，培育新产业新赛道。深入实施中小企业数字化转型城市试点，完善专精特新中小企业财政支持政策，落实好研发费用加计扣除等税收优惠，支持提升企业竞争力。以学习运用“千万工程”经验为引领，全力保障国家粮食安全，推动巩固拓展脱贫攻坚成果，提升乡村产业、乡村建设、乡村治理水平，加快推进农业农村现代化。完善有利于城乡融合发展的体制机制，把加快农业转移人口市民化进程摆在更加突出位置，促进新型城镇化建设。健全差异化财税政策，推动区域重大战略、区域协调发展战略落地实施，增强区域发展平衡性协调性。保持投入力度，围绕推进绿色低碳转型、加强生态环境保护、稳妥推进碳达峰碳中和等方面发力，促进人与自然和谐共生.
Finally, improve people's livelihood and well-being, so that development results can benefit all people more and more equitably. In this, he talks about “doing our best and within our capabilities”. Lan mentions support for education, employment, health, social security and cultural activities.
Page 12: There’s a report on the Beijing Municipal Commission of Discipline Inspection issuing a new negative list related to officials' engagement with businesses. The report says that the “document clarifies the red line of boundaries when it comes to government-business interactions, aiming to create a friendly, transparent and positive atmosphere for interactions between government agencies, public officials, and various enterprises and their leaders. The goal is to establish a healthy and mutually beneficial relationship while providing support for the high-quality development of the capital’s economy and society.” 北京市纪委监委近日印发《北京市政商交往负面清单》（以下简称《清单》），明确政商交往红线边界，加快形成党政机关和公职人员与各类企业及其负责人之间既亲又清、良性互动的氛围，全面构建亲清政商关系，为首都经济社会高质量发展提供保障.
The List outlines 10 prohibitions, including:
No discounting policy implementation.
No neglecting demands of enterprises.
No shifting responsibilities (passing the buck) or making excuses when providing services to enterprises
No unauthorised/illegal interference in business operations
No abuse of regulatory and law enforcement powers
No participation in activities that are explicitly prohibited.
No unauthorised acceptance of gifts or benefits.
No infringement on enterprise interests.
No unauthorised part-time jobs or shareholdings.
No forming cliques or engaging in mutual collusion.
《清单》提出10个“不准”。包括：不准落实政策打折扣，不准漠视企业诉求，不准在服务企业中推诿扯皮，不准违规干预企业经营，不准滥用监管执法职权，不准参加明令禁止的活动，不准违规收受财物，不准侵占企业利益，不准违规兼职、持股，不准拉帮结派相互攀附等.
SCMP’s report on this adds:
“More regional economic powerhouses with a high concentration of private firms, including Guangdong, Jiangsu and Zhejiang, have launched similar programmes to nurture their relationships with private firms, seeking to minimise interference and ensure good communication and appropriate support. Some cities, including the manufacturing hub of Yiwu in Zhejiang province, have also incorporated private sector growth into local official appraisal systems. They have also set specific goals for frontline officials, including the number of visits to private firms and a quota for the number of problems that should be identified and solved.”