Sentinels Under the Neon Lights - Carbon Peak & Neutrality - Hu Chunhua on Migrants' Employment - Zhou Qiang on Fengqiao Experience - Guo Shuqing on Debt & Property Sector - Pompeo's Taiwan Visit

Here are the stories and pieces that I found noteworthy from the Thursday, March 03, 2022, edition of the People’s Daily.

Page 1: Let’s begin with Xi Jinping’s reply to a letter from a People's Armed Police Force unit in Shanghai. The unit had written to Xi to report their progress in studying the Party's history. 

There are some interesting comments in this. Xi tells them that “you have carried forward the glorious tradition of ‘Good Eighth Company of Nanjing Road’, insisted on learning the history of the Party and forging loyalty, and voluntarily explained Party history and disseminated Party theory…” He called on them to “consolidate and expand achievements of Party history learning and education, consciously carry forward the Party’s great founding spirit, act as ‘sentinels under the neon lights’ in the new era, and always be loyal guardians of the Party and the people.” 

If you are interested, below is the 1964 movie titled sentinels under the neon lights. I haven’t seen it, but was trying to look up stuff on the plot, and I found an interesting 2005 paper by Yomi Braester from the University of Washington. In the paper, the author explains that “the Good Eighth Company campaign revised Shanghai’s portrayal as a revolutionary stronghold, representing the metropolis instead as a menace to socialism and as the PLA’s nemesis.”

Talking about the movie, the author shares the following:

Sentinels’ story line follows the company’s exploits after Shanghai’s liberation. In line with the political campaign initiated in 1963, the film is centered not on the soldiers’ frugality but rather on their struggle against counterrevolutionary activists and other, more subtly subversive elements. The soldiers are entrusted with guarding Nanjing Road, yet the street teems with dangers that might catch them unawares, weaken their revolutionary resolve, and enfeeble the PLA as a whole. The film foregrounds the metaphor of the ‘big dying vat,’ first used in the People’s Daily editorial. A citizen driving a luxurious car observes the soldiers enter the city and remarks, ‘Within three months, the Communists will lie face down in Nanjing Road, decay, mold, and rot away!’ At first the company does not seem to rise to the challenge. The plot follows two soldiers who almost succumb to the allure of Nanjing Road. One, a Shanghai native, cannot stand the military discipline and runs away. The other is tempted by the city’s luxurious lifestyle, dismisses his wife (who is also a comrade-in-arms and Party member), associates with women, and indulges in filmgoing. As his wife says, he “wasn’t taken down by the enemy’s gunfire, but fell amid the splendor of Nanjing Road!” Only after the soldiers realize the threat posed by Shanghai’s lifestyle do they revert to the true revolutionary spirit. Reinforced in their ideological conviction, they depart for the Korean front.

Unlike the literary and cinematic works of the late 1950s, which emphasize Shanghai’s contribution to the Communist victory and the benefit rendered by repentant capitalists, Sentinels stresses the city’s subversive power. Like The Battle for Shanghai, it begins with the offensive on the city’s outskirts and follows the PLA regiment as it takes over Shanghai, yet Sentinels does not declare the city liberated once the PLA enters it. In accord with Mao’s emphasis in “On the Correct Handling of Contradictions among the People,” to the effect that one should not relax one’s vigilance after the coming of socialist society, Sentinels warns of becoming complacent while class enemies are still at large. Appropriately, the film opens with a scene in which the head saboteur wears a PLA uniform to disguise himself. The enemy, it is implied, is capable of appearing in any guise and infiltrating the revolutionary apparatus. While this theme has also been explored in many earlier anti-espionage films (such as National Day at Ten O’clock [Guoqing shi dian zhong], 1959; dir. Wu Tian), Sentinels diverges from the generic formula in attributing the danger not only to underground saboteurs but also to the manifest and accepted norms of the coastal city.

Now, let’s think of what message Xi Jinping appears to be sending?

Next, there’s a new book about Xi Jinping. This one talks about his seven months as the Party chief of Shanghai between March and October of 2007. The book is composed of interviews of Shanghai officials at the time, as well as experts, scholars, and journalists. 

Third, there’s a commentary drawing from Xi’s speech to cadres at the Party school. The article focuses on the theme of ideals and beliefs. It says that Xi Jinping, in his speech, “put forward clear requirements for young cadres from the strategic height of them becoming inheritors of the cause of the Party and the people, such as ‘building the foundation of ideals and beliefs, maintaining the defensive line against corruption and change, establishing and practising the correct view of political achievements, practising excellent skills, carrying forward the spirit of responsibility and struggle, and implementing the Party’s mass line’. He encouraged young cadres to ‘temper the political character of maintaining loyalty towards the Party, establish a sense of family and country that is worthy of the people, pursue a noble and pure ideological realm, and work hard and contribute to the cause of the Party and the people’. Laziness, and leave a regretless striving footprint on the new era and new journey. He motivated and inspired the young cadres to work hard and persevere, leaving a regretless footprint in the new era and on the new journey.” “年轻干部是党和国家事业发展的希望”，在2022年春季学期中央党校（国家行政学院）中青年干部培训班开班式上，习近平总书记从党和人民事业后继有人的战略高度，对年轻干部提出“筑牢理想信念根基，守住拒腐防变防线，树立和践行正确政绩观，练就过硬本领，发扬担当和斗争精神，贯彻党的群众路线”的明确要求，勉励年轻干部“锤炼对党忠诚的政治品格，树立不负人民的家国情怀，追求高尚纯粹的思想境界，为党和人民事业拼搏奉献”，激励和鼓舞着广大年轻干部踔厉奋发、笃行不怠，在新时代新征程上留下无悔的奋斗足迹.

“History and practice have repeatedly proved that if a political party has lofty ideals and lofty pursuits, it will be strong and invincible, and can withstand setbacks and rise again and again. Only when party members and cadres have firm ideals and beliefs can they stand all kinds of tests, travel steadily and far. Marxist belief, the great ideal of communism, and the common ideal of socialism with Chinese characteristics are the spiritual pillar and political soul of Chinese Communists, and the ideological foundation for maintaining unity and Party unity. The most important thing for young cadres is to adhere to Marxist beliefs and strive for the lofty ideal of communism and the common ideal of socialism with Chinese characteristics.” 历史和实践反复证明，一个政党有了远大理想和崇高追求，就会坚强有力，无坚不摧，无往不胜，就能经受一次次挫折而又一次次奋起；党员干部有了坚定理想信念，才能经得住各种考验，走得稳、走得远。马克思主义信仰、共产主义远大理想、中国特色社会主义共同理想，是中国共产党人的精神支柱和政治灵魂，也是保持党的团结统一的思想基础。年轻干部接好班，最重要的是接好坚持马克思主义信仰、为共产主义远大理想和中国特色社会主义共同理想而奋斗的班.

Later the piece adds: 

“Whether a cadre’s ideals and beliefs are firm depends on whether a cadre can maintain political determination in the face of major political tests, whether he can establish a firm sense of purpose, whether he can be extremely responsible for his work, whether he can endure hardships before enjoying himself, whether he can bravely shoulder heavy burdens in the face of urgent and dangerous tasks, and whether he can withstand the temptation of power, money and beauty. In order for young cadres to grow into loyal and reliable cadres of the Party and the people, they must fasten the ‘first button’ of honesty and politics and maintain the defensive line against corruption and change. We should keep in mind that integrity is a blessing and greed is a curse, and always check the Party’s theory, line, principles and policies, the Party constitution, Party rules and discipline, and original mission to see clearly whether some things should be done or not, and always be self-conscious and strictly abide by the rules and regulations. We should start from the smallest of matters/most trivial matters, be upright and clear-minded, cherish morality and self-respect, brush off ‘ideological dust’ frequently, think about ‘the harms of greed’, frequently break through/surmount ‘the evil within’, and ensure that there is no rashness in thoughts or deeds. It is necessary to guard against corruption and degeneration at every level and everywhere…”　检验一个干部理想信念是否坚定，主要看干部是否能在重大政治考验面前有政治定力，是否能树立牢固的宗旨意识，是否能对工作极端负责，是否能做到吃苦在前、享受在后，是否能在急难险重任务面前勇挑重担，是否能经得起权力、金钱、美色的诱惑。年轻干部要成长为党和人民忠诚可靠的干部，必须扣好廉洁从政的“第一粒扣子”，守住守牢拒腐防变防线。要牢记清廉是福、贪欲是祸的道理，经常对照党的理论和路线方针政策、对照党章党规党纪、对照初心使命，看清一些事情该不该做、能不能干，时刻自重自省，严守纪法规矩。要从小事小节上守起，正心明道、怀德自重，勤掸“思想尘”、多思“贪欲害”、常破“心中贼”，以内无妄思保证外无妄动。要层层设防、处处设防，守住政治关、权力关、交往关、生活关、亲情关，在大是大非面前、在政治原则问题上做到头脑特别清醒、立场特别坚定，坚持公正用权、依法用权、为民用权、廉洁用权，不断净化社交圈、生活圈、朋友圈，严格家教家风，保持共产党人本色。

Next, there’s a long piece on the development of whole-process democracy under Xi Jinping. This is a curtain raiser of sorts for the Two Sessions. Fundamentally, the piece is about the system and Xi as the driving force. I am offering a few excerpts below, which should capture the flavour of the piece. 

It says:

“Since the 18th Party Congress, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core has deepened the understanding of the development law of democratic politics, put forward the major concept of people’s democracy throughout the whole process, enriched and developed the theory of socialist democratic politics, and provided the guidance and pathway for the development of socialist political civilization.” 党的十八大以来，以习近平同志为核心的党中央深化对民主政治发展规律的认识，提出全过程人民民主的重大理念，丰富和发展了社会主义民主政治理论，为社会主义政治文明发展提供指引和遵循.

Apparently, Xi offered this branding – “people’s democracy is a democracy of the whole process” – in November 2019. If you are interested in this further, you can go back to the white paper on Chinese democracy that was issued. There’s a fair amount of repetition from there. For instance,

“Whole-process people’s democracy integrates process-oriented democracy with results-oriented democracy, procedural democracy with substantive democracy, direct democracy with indirect democracy, and people’s democracy with the will of the state. It is a model of socialist democracy that covers all aspects of the democratic process and all sectors of society. It is a true democracy that works.”

The key criterion to measure whether a country is democratic - ‘It depends on whether people have the right to vote, but also whether people have the right to participate extensively; It depends on what promises the people are given in the course of elections, and even more on how many of those promises are fulfilled after the election…’ ‘Whether a country is democratic or not should be judged by its people, not by the finger-pointing of a few outsiders’.”　明确衡量一个国家是否民主的关键标准——“要看人民有没有投票权，更要看人民有没有广泛参与权；要看人民在选举过程中得到了什么口头许诺，更要看选举后这些承诺实现了多少……”“一个国家是不是民主，应该由这个国家的人民来评判，而不应该由外部少数人指手画脚来评判”。

The piece also talks about people’s participation. It offers an example of Xi meeting with people and inquiring about their needs and views, and of him hosting thematic symposiums to listen to the opinions and suggestions of people from all walks of life in various fields. It also talks about the election of NPC deputies as an example of participation. 

We get the example of Li Dianbo, a grassroots cadre from Pugebu village. The story goes that Li had an idea about “mutual-help for elderly care,” which he shared during the online comments solicitation phase at the time of the framing of the 14th Five Year Plan. China Daily’s report covering Li’s story informs:

“Li logged onto such a web page, and under the username ‘Yun Fan’ he wrote down his thoughts for "mutual-help for elderly care," saying: The government builds canteens and dormitories for the rural elderly who opt for living together; those who are relatively younger and stronger can help take care of the older and weaker. The idea caught the drafting group's attention, and the phrase "mutual-help for elderly care" was incorporated in the CPC Central Committee's proposals for formulating the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) for National Economic and Social Development and the Long-Range Objectives Through the Year 2035. Sources with the drafting group said it is a good piece of advice aimed at addressing a pressing challenge the country faces.”

Today PD’s piece says: “The voice from the small village ‘walked into’ Zhongnanhai and became a vivid example of the practice of whole process people’s democracy.”

A couple of more reports on the page. A report about the 13th National Committee of the CPPCC closing its 20th standing committee session on Wednesday. Wang Yang delivered a speech at the session. Wang Yang said that “we should make good use of the achievements in the Party history learning and education campaign, deeply understand the political advantages of the Communist Party of China’s leadership, the institutional advantages of socialism with Chinese characteristics and the advantages of the great unity of the Chinese people drawn from the century-long struggle of the Party, and constantly enhance the confidence to ride the wind and waves and forge ahead bravely…” 要用好中共党史学习教育成果，从党的百年奋斗中深刻领悟中国共产党领导的政治优势、中国特色社会主义的制度优势和中华儿女大团结的力量优势，不断增强乘风破浪、勇毅前行的信心.

Xinhua reports: “The meeting reviewed and adopted documents including the draft agenda and the schedule for the fifth annual session of the 13th CPPCC National Committee, and reports on the work of the Standing Committee of the CPPCC National Committee and its handling of proposals. The documents will be submitted to the annual session for review.”

PD also reports that Vice Foreign Minister Le Yucheng gave a special lecture. No details on what this was about.

Linked to this, there’s a long feature piece on the upcoming CPPCC session. This piece basically talks about some of the different activities that the CPPCC has engaged in to further the cause of the Party and the country over the past year. 

I am doing a truncated summary of the first chunk of the text below, along with a bit on the history-learning campaign.

It says that from November 22 to 24, 2021, the 19th Session of the 13th Standing Committee of the CPPCC was held. This session was held to study and implement the spirit of the 6th Plenum. “The Standing Committee members and members attending the meeting had in-depth studies and exchanges on this, and offered suggestions on how the CPPCC can play an effective role as an important part of the national governance system and a United front organization, and contribute wisdom and strength to realize the Chinese dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. The most important achievement of the 6th Plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Committee was the deliberation and adoption of the Resolution of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on the Major Achievements and Historical Experience of the Party over the Past Century, which clearly pointed out the ‘Two Establishments.’ The Standing Committee members and members attending the meeting said that the ‘Two Establishments’ is a significant historical conclusion drawn from a profound summary of the Communist Party of China’s century-long struggle and the great practice since the 18th Party Congress. It is a major political judgement that reflects the common will of the whole Party and the common aspirations of the people, and is of decisive significance for promoting the historical process of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, and called for constantly improving the political consensus of all walks of life to strengthen the ‘four consciousnesses’, strengthen the ‘four self-confidences’ and achieve the ‘two safeguards’. 2021年11月22日至24日，全国政协十三届常委会第十九次会议召开，议题是学习贯彻中共十九届六中全会精神。与会常委和委员紧紧围绕这一议题展开了深入学习与交流，就如何有效发挥人民政协作为国家治理体系重要组成部分和统一战线组织的作用，为实现中华民族伟大复兴的中国梦贡献智慧和力量建言献策. 中共十九届六中全会最重要的成果是审议通过了《中共中央关于党的百年奋斗重大成就和历史经验的决议》，鲜明指出确立习近平同志党中央的核心、全党的核心地位，确立习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的指导地位，反映了全党全军全国各族人民共同心愿，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。与会常委和委员纷纷表示，“两个确立”是深刻总结中国共产党百年奋斗、中共十八大以来伟大实践得出的重大历史结论，是体现中共全党共同意志、反映人民共同心声的重大政治判断，对推进中华民族伟大复兴历史进程具有决定性意义，不断提高各界别增强“四个意识”、坚定“四个自信”、做到“两个维护”的政治共识.

Later the piece tells us that the CPPCC National Committee set up a group for Party history study in April last year. In the process of history learning, the piece says that members deeply understood why the Communist Party of China can deliver, why Marxism works and why socialism with Chinese characteristics is good, and gathered the wisdom and strength to forge ahead together. ‘Did you study today?’ This sentence became commonplace among the members to strengthen contact and communication. 全国政协“中共党史学习”读书群去年4月初正式开群，随即在网上“全国政协书院”掀起一阵红色热潮。委员们在读书交流过程中，各抒己见、深入交流、相互碰撞，深刻领悟中国共产党为什么能、马克思主义为什么行、中国特色社会主义为什么好，凝聚起共同奋进的智慧和力量。“今天，你读书了吗？”这句话已经成为委员们加强联系、密切交流常说的一句话.

Next, there’s a report about Han Zheng presiding over a meeting of the leading group on carbon peak and carbon neutrality. Han talks about solidly promoting ‘double carbon’ work. Xinhua reports:

“The country’s goal of peaking its carbon emissions and achieving carbon neutrality is a major strategic decision made by the CPC Central Committee, Han noted, calling for solid steps to make progress amid stable development. Efforts should be made to ensure the security of energy, supply and industrial chains as well as food while reducing carbon emissions, Han said. The vice premier called for working on major problems on carbon peak and carbon neutrality in order to formulate operable policy measures. Meanwhile, clean and efficient utilization of coal should be promoted, and the layout of coal-fired power construction should be programmed in a reasonable manner to better advance low-carbon transformations, Han said. He stressed further promoting renewable energy development and accelerating the construction of a new energy supply and consumption system. A market-oriented mechanism for facilitating carbon peak and carbon neutrality should be built while optimizing the carbon emission trading market, and low-carbon technology shall be further developed and applied, said Han. Han also underscored the coordination of local authorities and relevant departments in achieving carbon peak and carbon neutrality goals.”

Interesting to note that Liu He, Wang Yong, Wang Yi, and He Lifeng attended the meeting and delivered speeches.

Finally, there’s the next piece in the series: Endeavour to build a strong country: General Secretary leads Chinese-style modernization in this way.” This one talks about building an ecological civilization and ensuring sustainable development.

Page 2: Two of the pieces from the first page run on to this page. In addition, there’s a report about Wang Yi’s conversation with the Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian. Xinhua reports:

“Wang said China is willing to work with Iran to promote pragmatic cooperation in various sectors and deepen the China-Iran comprehensive strategic partnership in accordance with the important consensus reached by the two heads of state. China will host the third meeting of foreign ministers of Afghanistan's neighboring countries when the time is appropriate, so as to give full play to the strengths of Afghanistan's neighbors, highlight their characteristics and play a positive role in Afghanistan's enduring peace and stability, Wang said. Abdollahian briefed on the latest progress of the resumption of negotiations on the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on the Iranian nuclear issue, noting that relevant parties have reached consensuses on most issues, saying that Iran has made active efforts to this end and hopes that all parties will attach great importance to and address Iran's legitimate concerns. Iran appreciates the constructive role China has played in the Iranian nuclear issue, and is willing to maintain communication and coordination with China to jointly achieve results in the negotiations, Abdollahian said. Noting that Iran's nuclear talks have reached their final hurdle, Wang said all parties should attach great importance to the settlement of the remaining issues, show flexibility to each other, seek reasonable solutions, make political decisions and bring the negotiations to a successful conclusion.”

Page 3: There’s a long feature piece about the “miracle” of poverty alleviation, which has been led by Xi Jinping as part of China’s development. 

Page 4: A report about Hu Chunhua visiting Guangdong and talking about the importance of doing a “solid and effective job” in regard to the employment of migrant workers this year. Hu said:

“that there are many outstanding problems and challenges in the employment domain this year, and the task of stabilizing employment is even more arduous. All localities should conscientiously implement the decision-making arrangements of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, give higher priority to employment, increase support for employment in all policies, and do everything possible to stabilize and expand employment. Hu Chunhua emphasized that migrant workers are an important employment group in China. Doing a good job in the employment of migrant workers is not only vital to stabilizing the overall employment situation, but is also of great significance to increasing farmers’ income and realizing common prosperity. All localities should put the work of migrant workers in a more prominent position, and the eastern provinces with large employment areas should make greater contributions to the whole country, help the unemployed migrant workers to return to work as soon as possible, and strive to provide more jobs for people who have been lifted out of poverty. It is necessary to strengthen the connection with the provinces that export migrant workers, innovate training methods, play a bigger role in strengthening vocational skills training for rural migrant workers, and improve their employability. It is necessary to further strengthen the management of wage arrears, prevent new wage arrears, properly handle contradictions and disputes in labour relations, and safeguard their legitimate rights and interests.” 胡春华指出，今年就业领域面临不少突出问题和挑战，稳就业任务更加艰巨。各地要认真落实党中央、国务院决策部署，进一步突出就业优先导向，各项政策要加大对就业的支持，千方百计稳定和扩大就业。胡春华强调，农民工是我国重要的就业群体，做好农民工就业工作不仅对稳就业大局至关重要，对促进农民增收、实现共同富裕也具有重要意义。各地要把农民工工作放在更加突出位置，东部用工大省要为全国作更大贡献，帮助尚未就业的农民工尽快返岗就业，努力为脱贫人口提供更多岗位。要加强与农民工输出省份的衔接，创新培训方式，在强化农民工职业技能培训中发挥更大作用，着力提升农民工就业能力。要进一步强化欠薪治理，防止发生新的欠薪问题，稳妥处置劳动关系矛盾纠纷，平等对待本外地农民工，维护好农民工合法权益.

Page 6: There’s an article by Zhou Qiang, the Chief Justice and President of the Supreme People’s Court. It’s a really long article, so I am just picking excerpts that I found interesting.

Zhou starts by talking about dispute settlement and the importance of the Fengqiao Experience, which he describes as an “effective social governance scheme that is rooted in Chinese culture, in line with China’s reality. It has become a valuable experience created by our Party in correctly handling contradictions among the people.” 这是一套扎根中国文化、符合中国实际、行之有效的社会治理方案，成为我们党领导人民在正确处理人民内部矛盾方面创造的宝贵经验。

He adds that since the 18th Party Congress, “Xi Jinping has given important instructions on many occasions, stressing that the Fengqiao Experience should be adhered to and developed further, and the Party’s mass line should be adhered to and implemented well. This has given the Fengqiao Experience a new era connotation, rejuvenated it, and pointed out the direction for the Party to better serve the masses, resolve conflicts and settle disputes. The people’s courts should adhere to the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on socialism with Chinese characteristics for the new era, thoroughly implement Xi Jinping Thought on Rule of Law, strengthen ‘four consciousnesses’, ‘four self-confidences’ and achieve ‘two safeguards’, thoroughly study and understand the decisive significance of ‘two establishments’, draw wisdom and strength from the history of the Party’s century-long struggle, adhere to and develop the ‘Fengqiao Experience’ in the new era, and focus on the goal of ‘making efforts to make the people feel fairness and justice in every judicial case’, and promote the construction of a one-stop and multi-dimensional dispute resolution mechanism with Chinese characteristics, and continuously contribute to the realisation of the people’s yearning for a better life.” 党的十八大以来，习近平总书记多次作出重要指示，强调把“枫桥经验”坚持好、发展好，把党的群众路线坚持好、贯彻好，为“枫桥经验”赋予了新的时代内涵，使之在新时代焕发新的生机活力，为我们更好服务群众、化解矛盾、定分止争指明了方向。人民法院要坚持以习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想为指导，深入贯彻习近平法治思想，增强“四个意识”、坚定“四个自信”、做到“两个维护”，深入学习领会“两个确立”的决定性意义，从党的百年奋斗史中汲取智慧和力量，坚持和发展新时代“枫桥经验”，紧紧围绕“努力让人民群众在每一个司法案件中感受到公平正义”目标，推进中国特色一站式多元纠纷解决机制建设，不断为实现人民对美好生活的向往贡献力量.

In the next section, Zhou writes:

“People's courts should firmly adhere to the Party’s absolute leadership over judicial work, give full play to the Party’s leadership and the advantages of China’s socialist system, encourage all social forces to play a greater role in resolving contradictions, and form a multi-dimensional dispute resolution pattern of internal and external linkage, coordination between upper and lower levels, truly transform the Party’s theoretical advantages, political advantages, institutional advantages and advantages of close contact with the masses into effective social governance, and demonstrate the great advantages of socialist social governance system and judicial system with Chinese characteristics.” 人民法院要牢牢坚持党对司法工作的绝对领导，充分发挥党的领导和我国社会主义制度优势，推动社会各方力量在矛盾化解中发挥更大作用，形成内外联动、上下协同、有序衔接的多元纠纷解决格局，真正把党的理论优势、政治优势、制度优势、密切联系群众优势转化为社会治理的强大效能，彰显中国特色社会主义社会治理体系和司法制度的巨大优越性.

“The people’s court should keep in mind that the people are supreme, everything is for the people and everything depends on the people, improve the institutionalised channels for the masses to participate in conflict resolution, create more ways to rely on the grassroots, mobilise the masses and resolve conflicts on the spot, and meet the multi-level and diversified judicial needs of the masses to the maximum extent. The dispute resolution work of the people’s courts is deeply rooted in the people’s creative practice, so that the people can truly become the practical participants, direct beneficiaries and effective judges of the one-stop and multi-dimensional dispute resolution mechanism.” 人民法院要牢记人民至上，一切为了人民、一切依靠人民，完善群众参与矛盾化解的制度化渠道，创造更多依靠基层、发动群众、就地化解矛盾的办法，最大限度满足群众多层次多样化司法需求。把人民法院纠纷解决工作深深扎根于人民群众的创造性实践中，真正让人民群众成为一站式多元纠纷解决机制建设的实践参与者、直接受益者和成效评判者.

“The people’s courts should inherit the excellent traditional Chinese legal culture, carry forward the fine tradition of people’s justice, highlight the Chinese characteristics, the characteristics of the times and practical characteristics of the one-stop and multi-dimensional dispute resolution mechanism, and provide online and offline dispute resolution services for the people.” 人民法院要传承中华优秀传统法律文化，发扬人民司法优良传统，突出一站式多元纠纷解决机制建设的中国特色、时代特色、实践特色，为人民群众提供线上线下一站式多元纠纷解决服务。

“As a people’s judicial organ, it is also necessary to guide the masses to correctly handle the relationship between individual interests and collective interests, local interests and overall interests, immediate interests and long-term interests, and provide diversified channels to resolve conflicts and disputes and interests demands, so as to prevent and reduce social conflicts at the source. The people’s courts resolve contradictions among the people fairly and efficiently through reconciliation and mediation, repair damaged social relations and interpersonal relationships as soon as possible, and better safeguard the long-term stability of the country and social security and stability.” 作为人民司法机关，又要引导群众正确处理个人利益和集体利益、局部利益和全局利益、眼前利益和长远利益等关系，提供化解矛盾纠纷、解决利益诉求的多元化渠道，从源头上预防和减少社会矛盾。人民法院通过和解、调解等方式公正高效化解人民内部矛盾，尽快修复破损的社会关系、人际关系，更好维护国家长治久安和社会安全稳定.

“The people’s courts should take the judicial system reform and the construction of smart courts as the two wheels of the car and the two wings of birds to promote the high-quality development of court work.” 人民法院要把司法体制改革和智慧法院建设作为推动法院工作高质量发展的车之两轮、鸟之双翼.

In the next section, Zhou talks highlights some of the work done by the courts when it comes to dispute resolution. He writes that the courts around the country have extended their reach to grassroots grids, enterprise parks and key industries, and participated extensively in the creation of safe villages (communities). The establishment of mediation platforms into villages, communities, and grids is progressing in an orderly manner. The ‘doorstep’ dispute settlement system is full of vitality, and the supply of high-quality judicial resources in rural areas is more abundant. People's courts play the role of ‘outposts’ and ‘fortresses’ in preventing and mediating conflicts and disputes at the source. Some 8,429 people’s courts across the country have got on the mediation platform to connect online with 43,033 grassroots governance units in order to effectively advance grassroots dispute resolution. 各地法院解纷触角不断向基层网格、企业园区、重点行业领域延伸，广泛参与平安乡村（社区）创建，调解平台进乡村、进社区、进网格工作有序推进，“家门口”纠纷解决站点充满活力，农村地区优质司法资源供给更加充沛。人民法庭发挥在源头预防调处矛盾纠纷中的“前哨”“堡垒”作用，全国8429家人民法庭通过入驻调解平台，在线对接综治中心、矛调中心、司法所、派出所、工会、妇联、乡镇（街道）、村（社区）等基层治理单位43033家，有效激活基层解纷服务网格，让大量矛盾纠纷依法及时就地化解.

He then talks about the development of a ‘court plus’ system for resolving disputes. This essentially refers to mediation by other social forces. “In 2021, the number of mediation organizations and mediators in the people’s courts reached 63,000 and 260,000 respectively, and 6.107 million cases were successfully mediated by social forces before litigation, up 43.9% year-on-year, far exceeding the increase of the number of cases in national courts in the same period.” 2021年，人民法院对接调解组织和调解员数量分别达到6.3万个和26万名，借助社会力量诉前调解成功案件610.7万件，同比增长43.9%，远超全国法院案件量同期增幅。

Next, he talks about online dispute resolution. “By the end of 2021, there were more than 24 million online mediation cases in people’s courts, with an average annual growth rate of 85.6%. The proportion of online audio and video mediation increased from 0.2% in 2018 to 27.5% at present. The average mediation time is 17 days. 86% of road traffic disputes are mediated online, and the success rate of mediation exceeds 66%. On average, 43,000 disputes are mediated on the platform every working day, and 51 disputes are successfully resolved before litigation every minute. The people’s court online mediation platform has greatly facilitated the masses to resolve conflicts and disputes in time, and has become a bright example of the functioning of Chinese courts.” 截至2021年底，人民法院在线调解案件累计超过2400万件，年均增长85.6%，在线音视频调解占比从2018年的0.2%提高到现在的27.5%，平均调解时长17天。86%的道交纠纷在线调解，调解成功率超过66%。平均每个工作日有4.3万件纠纷在平台进行调解，每分钟有51件成功化解在诉前。人民法院在线调解平台极大方便群众及时化解矛盾纠纷，成为中国法院的一张亮丽名片.

The next paragraph talks about one-stop resolution. He says that “one-stop dispute resolution covers many fields such as labour disputes, road traffic, property contracts, medical disputes, securities and futures, financial consumption, banking and insurance, intellectual property rights, private enterprises, price disputes, overseas Chinese and Taiwan-related issues, etc. The channels for people to resolve disputes are more abundant, and the quality, efficiency and credibility of dispute resolution are constantly improving. In 2021, 52.5% of the first-instance civil cases in the national courts were tried by quick adjudication and quick trial, which took 43% less time than the average trial period of first-instance civil cases, thereby truly accelerating justice and relieving people’s worries.” 一站式解纷涵盖劳动争议、道路交通、物业合同、医疗纠纷、证券期货、金融消费、银行保险、知识产权、民营企业、价格争议、涉侨涉台等诸多领域，群众解决纠纷渠道更加丰富，纠纷化解的质量、效率和公信力不断提升。2021年，全国法院52.5%的一审民事案件通过速裁、快审方式审理，比一审民事案件平均审理周期缩短43%，真正实现让正义提速、为群众解忧.

In the final section of the piece, Zhou talks about doing better on all of this going ahead, keeping in mind the goals of serving the modernization of national governance system and governance capacity, remaining people-centred, ensuring high-quality development of judicial work and the people’s courts.

Next, there’s a piece based on comments by Guo Shuqing, chairman of the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission, and others. The report talks about a range of different issues. Xinhua English reports:

“In 2021, with threats in salient areas controlled, the macro leverage ratio decreased by about 8 percent…From 2017 to 2021, risky shadow banks were dismantled by 25 trillion yuan (about 3.95 trillion U.S. dollars), of which 11.5 trillion yuan were cut in the past two years. According to Guo, China's banking sector handled about 12 trillion yuan in non-performing assets during the five years, with more than 6 trillion yuan handled in the past two years. Local governments have reported improved hidden debt situations, with bubble signs and highly leveraged financing trends in the real estate sector fundamentally reversed, Guo stressed, adding that ‘China's resilience against external risks has further improved’.”

“According to Guo, efforts have also met the reasonable and effective financing needs of the real economy and boosted the steady recovery and virtuous cycle of the economy. With nearly 20 trillion yuan of new yuan loans in 2021, newly-added bond investments by banking and insurance institutions totaled 7.7 trillion yuan. Meanwhile, the balance of medium- and long-term loans to the manufacturing sector increased by nearly 30 percent year on year, research and technology loans by 28.9 percent, and green credit by 21 percent, Guo added.”

In PD, Guo also says that in the past four years, the average growth rate of inclusive small and micro enterprise loans has exceeded 25%, and the cumulative loan interest rate has dropped by more than 2 percentage points.

ICBC’s Chen Siqing said that in 2021, the bank focussed on key areas and weak links in the development of the real economy, and the average interest rate of newly issued manufacturing loans and inclusive loans declined again on the basis of 2020. More than 15,000 ‘specialised and new’ corporate credit customers have been granted loans; the financing balance has exceeded 100 billion yuan, with a growth rate of more than 18%. Hu Xiaolian, chairman of the Export-Import Bank of China, talked about supporting small and medium-sized foreign trade enterprises. 

On the housing situation, here’s from an English story:

“‘Nowadays, housing loans account for a large part of total loans at large commercial banks. We have repeatedly reminded banks to pay attention to risks, as many people borrow to buy homes for investment or speculation. If housing prices decline (unreasonably or irrationally) or some other problems emerge, a huge financial crisis will hit markets,’ said Guo Shuqing…Despite the slump in housing prices last year, homes, especially rental housing, and home decorations are still needed. Therefore, it is very meaningful to provide financial services in this regard, Guo said. ‘No matter how much housing prices fall, it will still be difficult to meet housing demand of the working class, especially migrant workers who become new urban residents. In the future, we need to solve the problem by developing rental housing,’ said Tian Guoli, chairman of China Construction Bank Corp, a large State-owned commercial lender. "If we keep designing rental housing-related financial products, many residents will get used to renting a home gradually,’ Tian said. China Construction Bank developed a rental housing platform connecting landlords with tenants, which now covers more than 300 cities across the country. Over 38 million people have registered on the platform and conducted transactions so far, he said.”

Anyway, what’s not in the report in PD is this comment by Guo about the Western sanctions on Russia. Here’s the comment from Guo, as quoted by Reuters:

“Everyone is watching recent military conflict, or war, between Russia and Ukraine,” Guo Shuqing, chairman of the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission, said at a press conference in Mandarin, according to a CNBC translation. “China’s position has been stated clearly by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Our international policies are consistent.” “Regarding financial sanctions, we do not support that,” said Guo, noting particular opposition to “unilateral” sanctions, which he said don’t effectively address problems. “China won’t join such sanctions.”

Page 17: On the international page, the lead story is about hate crimes against Asian Americans. There’s also a Zhong Sheng commentary on Mike Pompeo’s visit to Taiwan. This was always going to get an angry response. Recall that at one point during the Trump administration’s term, Pompeo was China’s Enemy No. 1. The commentary begins by lashing out at the DPP for offering a high-profile reception to Pompeo, who is described as an “anti-China politician, who was proud of lying and cheating and was notorious when he was in office.” 

I’ll let the author speak for himself next:

“During his tenure, Pompeo created trouble everywhere in the world, and was called ‘the worst secretary of state in American history’ and ‘a blot in the history of international diplomacy’ by American and western media. Pompeo has an even worse track record when it comes to Sino-US relations. He ignored the interests of Chinese and American people again and again, broke through the bottom line of morality and international law, and planned and implemented a series of crazy acts to contain and suppress China. While he claimed that ‘the United States will adhere to the one-China policy, he still frequently flirted with the leaders of the Taiwan Province region and boasted about the ‘partnership’ between the United States and Taiwan. Before he stepped down, he staged one ‘last act of madness’ and publicly announced the lifting of restrictions on official exchanges between the United States and Taiwan...All his words and deeds have poisoned the atmosphere of China-US relations. Pompeo’s current visit to Taiwan is nothing more than a grab for attention and political and economic capital.” 蓬佩奥在任期间到处给世界添乱，被美西方媒体称为“美国历史上最糟糕的国务卿”“国际外交史上的污点”。在中美关系上，蓬佩奥更是劣迹斑斑。他一次次罔顾中美两国人民的利益，突破道德和国际法底线，策划、实施了一系列遏制打压中国的疯狂行径。他曾声称“美方会坚持一个中国的政策”，却频频与台湾地区领导人眉来眼去，吹嘘美台“伙伴关系”；他下台前上演“最后的疯狂”，公然宣布解除美台官方交往限制……种种言行，严重毒化了中美关系的气氛。蓬佩奥现在窜访台湾，不过是为博取眼球、捞些政治和经济资本而已.

“Taiwan’s DPP has made Pompeo a guest of honour and will present him with a so-called ‘medal.’ This absurd act is yet another evidence that the DPP authorities have not changed their ‘Taiwan independence’ nature and are begging external forces to back up their ‘independence’ provocation.”

The author then says that the DPP needs to understand Pompeo and others cannot be relied upon and are using Taiwan “as a tool for political show and personal gain. By colluding with external forces, Taiwan cannot achieve security or the well-being of the Taiwan people. It will only further make Taiwan a pawn used by external forces to counter and repress China.” 台湾民进党当局将蓬佩奥奉为座上宾，并要为其颁赠所谓“勋章”。这种荒唐行径是民进党当局“台独”本性不改，乞求外部势力为自己谋“独”挑衅撑腰壮胆的又一罪证。民进党当局需要明白的是，任何“倚美谋独”的伎俩都是徒劳的。蓬佩奥之流在位时靠不住，下台后更只是将台湾当做政治作秀、牟取私利的工具。靠勾结外部势力换不来安全，换不来台湾民众的福祉，只会进一步让台湾沦为外部势力反华遏华的棋子.