State Council Inspections - Li on Low Carbon Devpt - Shanghai's Economy - Internet Civilisation Declaration - Learn from Comrade Yang Yin - China's Role at NPT Review Meeting - CDB Infrastructure Fund
Here are the stories and pieces that I found noteworthy in the Monday, August 29, 2022, edition of the People’s Daily.
Page 1: The two stories at the top of the page today are feature articles. First, there’s a report about Yunnan’s efforts to become the vanguard of ecological civilisation construction. This, the piece tells us, is something that Xi Jinping had called for during his many visits to Yunnan. The piece says:
“Bearing in mind the entrustment of General Secretary Xi Jinping, Yunnan has resolutely shouldered the political responsibility of building an ecological civilisation, paid close attention to water, gas, and soil management, and taken steps to effectively protect the lucid waters and lush mountains.” 牢记习近平总书记的殷切嘱托，云南坚决扛起生态文明建设政治责任，狠抓水、气、土治理，采取有力措施切实保护好绿水青山.
The piece says that since 2018, at the provincial level, Yunnan has invested 3.6 billion yuan every year to protect nine plateau lakes. At present, the proportion of excellent water bodies in Yunnan is nearly 90%; The proportion of days with good air quality in prefecture-level cities has been stable at over 98% for many years; the use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides has decreased negatively for four consecutive years; 90% percent of typical ecosystems and 85% of important species have been effectively protected, and progress has been made in terms of water, air and soil treatment.
The piece also informs that Yunnan’s installed green energy capacity increased to 95 million kilowatts in 2021.
The other top story is on the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. The piece claims that the regional development has achieved “remarkable results and moved to a higher level.” The article basically talks about the development of the Xiongan New Area.
Third, there’s a report (English report) on Li Keqiang’s congratulatory letter to the Pujiang Innovation Forum. The theme of the forum is Low Carbon: A New Mission for Global Innovation. Li said that:
“To develop the economy, improve people’s livelihood and cope with climate change, all countries should not only base themselves on the present, but also look to the future, uphold the scientific spirit and pragmatic attitude, adhere to the path of open cooperation, promote the transformation of energy consumption and production in a stable and orderly manner, and do their best to realise the parallel and mutual promotion of development and green transformation, and promote the upgrading of quality.” 各国发展经济、改善民生、应对气候变化既要立足当前，更要放眼未来，秉持科学精神和务实态度，坚持走开放合作之路，平稳有序、尽己所能推进能源消费和生产方式转变，努力实现谋发展与绿色转型并行不悖、相互促进，推动提质升级.
He added that as the largest developing country in the world, China is seeking low-carbon and green development amid its modernisation process, which is unprecedented in history and demands arduous efforts. Based on our own resource endowment, we will persist in establishing first and breaking later (先立后破), give full play to the supporting and leading role of scientific and technological innovation, promote the revolution in energy consumption, supply, technology and system, ensure energy supply, and promote carbon peak and neutrality in an orderly manner. 我们将立足自身资源禀赋，坚持先立后破、通盘谋划，充分发挥科技创新的支撑引领作用，推动能源消费、供给、技术、体制革命，确保能源供应，有序推进碳达峰碳中和工作.
He also said that opening-up brings progress, promotes development and stimulates innovation, which is key to cope with various challenges on the road ahead. Opening-up will be a key move for addressing the challenges and the fundamental driving force for the country's development in the future, he said. China will stick to the basic policy of opening-up, deepen reforms and promote high-quality development through high-level opening-up, strengthen global cooperation on all fronts and deepen exchanges to achieve mutual benefit and win-win results.
Fourth, a report (English report) on Li Zhanshu’s remarks on implementing Xi Jinping's thought on ecological civilization and protecting the Yellow River in accordance with the law during an inspection of northwest China’s Gansu Province.
“Li visited the cities of Qingyang and Lanzhou to learn about the province's ecological environment improvements, wetland protection work, water resource utilization, cultural inheritance and protection of the Yellow River. He convened a symposium on legislation related to the protection of the Yellow River and heard the opinions and suggestions of relevant officials, deputies to the people's congresses, experts, scholars and the public. Yellow River legislation is an important task that has been promoted by the NPC Standing Committee in recent years, Li said, highlighting the basin-wide ecological protection of the Yellow River and its high-quality development. Li stressed the importance of water and soil conservation, ecosystem protection and restoration, the prevention and control of water pollution, and water resource utilization.”
The report tells us that Li Zhanshu visited the Qingyang Nanliang Revolutionary Memorial Hall. He emphasised that Gansu should always keep in mind General Secretary Xi Jinping’s earnest entrustment, continue to promote high-quality development, carry forward the spirit of Nanliang, inherit the red culture, and turn the vision of building a socialist modern, happy and beautiful new Gansu into reality and take practical actions to greet the 20th Party Congress. 调研期间，栗战书瞻仰了南梁革命纪念馆，向革命烈士纪念碑敬献了花篮，还考察了兰州新区重离子应用技术及装备制造产业基地。他强调，甘肃要始终牢记习近平总书记的殷殷嘱托，持续推进高质量发展，弘扬南梁精神，传承红色文化，把全面建设社会主义现代化幸福美好新甘肃的愿景一步步变为现实，以实际行动迎接党的二十大胜利召开.
Finally, a report with data from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, which informs that in the first half of this year, China’s information consumption market size was 3.24 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 6%. The market size for information consumption has increased from 2.8 trillion yuan in 2014 to 6.8 trillion yuan in 2021.
By the end of July, the total number of fixed Internet broadband access users in China had reached 566 million, and the number of 5G mobile phone users had reached 475 million In July, the cumulative traffic of China's mobile Internet reached 146.3 billion GB, a year-on-year increase of 19.1%. The piece also informs that in the first half of this year, rural online retail sales reached 975.93 billion yuan, up 2.5 percent year on year. China's banking institutions processed more than 100 billion online payments worth 2,354 trillion yuan in 2021.
Page 2: A report on the inspections carried out by the State Council with regard to the economic measures that it had announced. 19 inspection teams had been sent to carry out the inspection. The report says that the inspection team in Zhejiang found that with regard to major projects, by the end of July, 300 of 379 new projects had started, with an operating rate of 79.2%. 第六督查组调研发现，浙江省建立重大项目“周监测、半月调度、在线晾晒”机制，加强重大项目调度管理。截至7月底，379个新建项目已开工300个，开工率达79.2%.
The team in Hunan Province found that the local government had greatly eased project application and approval processes. So far this year, a total of 20,000 new projects have been approved, with a total investment of 2.2 trillion yuan. 第十一督查组在湖南省了解到，当地通过并联审批、容缺受理和先建后验，大幅压减项目报建程序，今年以来，已累计新增完成立项项目2万个，总投资额2.2万亿元.
During inspections in Heilongjiang and Shaanxi, the teams found that there were outstanding problems related to the renovation of old residential areas.
The piece then says that the automobile industry “is an important strategic and pillar industry of the national economy, as well as an important field for maintaining steady growth and promoting consumption.” Therefore, the teams worked towards addressing difficulties and removing bottlenecks in regard to the automobile industry.
The piece says that the team found that there were hidden barriers, such as issues with recognition of second-hand car transaction invoices, and arbitrary charges were being levied in the second-hand car market in Harbin. After the inspection and feedback of the relevant issues, Harbin authorities held a special rectification meeting, implemented the reform, and explicitly prohibited bundled charges to ensure that all requirements were implemented.” 根据群众反映的哈尔滨市二手车交易市场存在隐性壁垒和乱收费等问题线索，第三督查组深入当地多个车辆管理所、机动车登记服务站进行实地核查，督查发现，当地二手车交易市场存在二手车交易发票不互认、市场经营服务收费与行政收费捆绑等问题，增加了消费者负担，不利于二手车交易流通。督查反馈相关问题后，哈尔滨市召开整改专题会议，立行立改，明令禁止捆绑收费，确保各项要求落到实处. Likewise, the piece talks about easing bottlenecks in car registration policies in Hangzhou to promote sales.
Then we are told that:
Zhengzhou issued a total of 188 million yuan of automobile consumption vouchers, driving the sales of 39,200 new cars; Puyang City invested 16 million yuan to issue special coupons, which drove commodity consumption to about 630 million yuan…The 9th inspection team learned that Henan Province has issued more than 770 million yuan worth of coupons in key areas, such as automobiles, household appliances and refined oil, which has effectively stimulated the potential of commodity consumption by improving the residents' consumption environment. 郑州市累计发放汽车消费券1.88亿元，带动新车销售3.92万辆；濮阳市投入资金1600万元发放专项消费券，带动商品消费约6.3亿元……第九督查组了解到，河南省针对汽车、家电、成品油等重点领域累计发放消费券超7.7亿元，通过改善居民消费环境，有力激发商品消费潜力.
“During the year, 40,000 non-business bus licences have been added; the maximum financial subsidy for new energy vehicles has been at 10,000 yuan per vehicle; large shopping malls, e-commerce platforms and other enterprises have been supported to carry out home appliance trade-ins through discounts and subsidies ... The fourth inspection team learned that Shanghai had introduced a series of powerful measures to promote consumption recovery. According to statistics, in June and July, the total retail sales of automobiles in Shanghai achieved a year-on-year growth rate of 12.4% and 24.2%, respectively.” 年内新增非营业性客车牌照额度4万个，新能源车以旧换新最高给予每辆车1万元的财政补贴，支持大型商场、电商平台等企业以打折、补贴等方式开展家电以旧换新……第四督查组了解到，上海市以大宗消费为抓手，出台一系列有力举措促进消费回暖。据统计，6月、7月，上海市汽车类社会零售总额均实现单月同比增长，增速分别达12.4%、24.2%.
The final section of the piece talks about investments. It mentions the construction of the Taiyuan Airport in Shanxi. The inspection team found that Shanxi had arranged special bond funds of 40.659 billion yuan to guarantee the construction of 613 key projects, such as the third phase of reconstruction and expansion of the Taiyuan Airport, Jidayuan High Speed Railway, Fenyang-Shilou Expressway and Taiyuan-Xinzhou Integrated Economic Zone, accounting for 68.8% of the annual special bond quota. 第一督查组了解到，山西省已安排专项债券资金406.59亿元，用以保障太原机场三期改扩建、集大原高铁、汾石高速、太忻一体化经济区基础设施等613个重点项目建设，占全年专项债券额度的68.8%.
The article adds that “the use of policy-oriented financial instruments to support major project construction is an important starting point for expanding effective investment. By inspecting the construction site, interviewing project executing companies, and having discussions with relevant departments, the inspection teams found that there are still obstacles and difficulties in the implementation of policies in some places. 运用政策性开发性金融工具支持重大项目建设，是扩大有效投资的重要抓手。通过查看施工现场、访谈项目企业、与相关部门展开座谈，督查组发现，一些地方在政策落实中仍存在堵点难点.
For instance, in Guangdong, the team found that some local governments and enterprises were still concerned about applying to use policy-oriented financial instruments and banks were still concerned about releasing funds, because they were unclear whether the funds were implicit debts and because of lack of clarity around the requirements for construction. Likewise, in Fujian, they identified issues with regard to fund investment not being in compliance with financial regulations, the lack of clarity on complete procedures for projects to be launched, etc.
Second, a report informing us that as of August 26, the CDB Infrastructure Investment Fund has signed 422 projects with a contract value of 210 billion yuan; 210 billion yuan has been invested, focusing on the five key areas of infrastructure defined at the 11th meeting of the Central Financial and Economic Affairs Commission, major scientific and technological innovation, vocational education and other projects that can be invested by local special bonds of local governments…” 记者近日从国家开发银行获悉：截至8月26日，国开基础设施投资基金已签约422个项目、合同金额2100亿元；已投放2100亿元，重点投向中央财经委员会第十一次会议明确的五大基础设施重点领域，重大科技创新、职业教育等领域，以及其他可由地方政府专项债券投资的项目，取得阶段性重要进展。
Third, a report on Shanghai’s improving economic indicators.
The growth rate of output value for industries above designated size decreased by 61.5% in April; it rebounded to increase by 15.8% in June and 16.1% in July.
From January to July, the proportion of strategic emerging industries among overall industries increased to 42%, and the output value of new energy vehicles increased by 57%.
From January to July, the import and export of goods in the city increased by 3% year-on-year. In July, trade grew by 23% year-on-year, with import increasing by 16.4% year-on-year and export increasing by 32.9% year-on-year.
From January to July, FDI increased by 6.1% year-on-year. The regional headquarters of multinational companies increased by 32, reaching a total of 863, and foreign R&D institutions increased by 12, reaching a total of 518.
Page 4: A report on the 2022 China Internet Civilisation Conference in Tianjin, which ended with a new declaration on jointly promoting an internet civilisation. The declaration touches upon six points:
Build a internet civilisation
Strictly guide the cyberspace development
Optimise the internet ecology
Develop a thriving internet culture
Standardise online behaviour
Maintain network security.
共建网络文明，严把网络导向，优化网络生态，繁荣网络文化，规范网络行为，维护网络安全.
Next, there’s a report on Huang Kunming’s comments at the conference. Huang stressed the need to thoroughly study and implement General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important expositions on the construction of network civilisation, and focus on implementing the main line of propaganda to welcome the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, sing the triumphant song of the times with one heart, vigorously carry forward the new trend of striving for the good, and gather the majestic power of hundreds of millions of netizens to work hard, forge ahead bravely, and struggle unitedly. 中共中央政治局委员、中宣部部长黄坤明以视频方式出席并致辞，强调要深入学习贯彻习近平总书记关于网络文明建设的重要论述，紧紧围绕迎接宣传贯彻党的二十大这条主线，同心唱响时代奋进凯歌，大力弘扬向上向善新风，汇聚起亿万网民踔厉奋发、勇毅前行、团结奋斗的磅礴力量.
Huang added that since the 18th Party Congress, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core has made a series of major deployments to strengthen the construction of network civilization. We must always hold high the ideological banner, strengthen the correct political direction, strive to cultivate the soul of culture, expand the road of practice, improve governance strategies, cultivate and practice the core socialist values, strengthen the concept and practice of fostering civil literacy among internet users, and the integration of comprehensive cyber governance and the development of a civilised internet, so that advanced culture and the spirit of the times can fill the cyberspace. 黄坤明指出，党的十八大以来，以习近平同志为核心的党中央就加强网络文明建设作出一系列重大部署，网络空间向上向好态势日益巩固，网络文明建设取得明显成效。要始终高举思想旗帜、坚定正确政治方向，着力培铸文化之魂、拓展实践之路、完善治理之策，培育和践行社会主义核心价值观，加强网民文明素养理念塑造和实践养成，推动网络综合治理和网络文明建设紧密结合，让先进文化和时代精神充盈网络空间.
The involved authorities and institutions should strengthen their organization and leadership to improve working mechanisms, and pool efforts from all walks of life to build a sound pattern in which everyone can participate in and benefit from a civilized internet, he added.
Page 6: There’s a long piece by the Party History and Literature Research Institute. It talks about the 130th birth anniversary of Yang Yin. The piece calls him “one of the early, important CCP leaders, a staunch proletarian revolutionary, a famous leader of the workers’ movement, an important leader in terms of the Party’s early military work and one of the important pioneers in intelligence and security work.” 杨殷同志是中国共产党早期重要领导人之一，坚定的无产阶级革命家，著名的工人运动领袖，党的早期军事工作重要领导者和情报保卫工作的重要开拓者之一。
The first three sections of the article talk about Yang’s life. The last section says that:
“When we commemorate Comrade Yang Yin, we want to learn from his political character of firm belief and loyalty to the Party…In the new era, as per the instructions of General Secretary Xi Jinping, bear in mind the last wishes of the martyrs, stick to the political soul of the Communists, maintain firm the spiritual backbone of the Communists, take the belief in communism and socialism with Chinese characteristics as our lifelong pursuit, always believe in and love the party, and constantly push forward the practice of striving for lofty ideals.” 我们纪念杨殷同志，就是要学习他信仰坚定、对党忠诚的政治本色...”在新时代，我们要按照总书记的要求，铭记烈士们的遗愿，笃志坚守共产党人的政治灵魂，挺起共产党人的精神脊梁，把对共产主义的信仰、对中国特色社会主义的信念作为毕生追求，永远信党爱党为党，不断把为崇高理想奋斗的实践推向前进.
It calls for learning from Yang’s “spirit of not being afraid of hardships and dangers and being brave in being pioneering.” In this context, the piece adds that “in the new era, we must follow the requirements of General Secretary Xi Jinping and bear in mind the admonition that ‘empty talk will harm the country, and hard work will rejuvenate the country’; take the initiative to act with the unity of knowledge and action, act as pioneers to overcome difficulties, with the spirit of never slackening, to make unremitting efforts to realise the Chinese dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. 我们纪念杨殷同志，就是要学习他不畏艰险、勇于开拓的实干精神...在新时代，我们要按照习近平总书记的要求，牢记“空谈误国，实干兴邦”的告诫，在知行合一中主动担当作为，做起而行之的行动者，当攻坚克难的开拓者，以永不懈怠的精神状态，为实现中华民族伟大复兴的中国梦不懈奋斗.
It calls for learning from “his iron will to fight bravely without fear of sacrifice…General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out that ‘in coping with various difficulties and challenges, our Party has tempered the character and quality of not being afraid of strong enemies and of risks, daring to fight, and being brave to win. These are the most distinctive traits and characteristics of our Party.’ In the new era, in accordance with the requirements of General Secretary Xi Jinping, in the great struggle with many new historical characteristics, with the fearless spirit of struggle of revolutionaries, we must move forward bravely, overcome obstacles, and continue to win new victories in the struggle.” 我们纪念杨殷同志，就是要学习他不怕牺牲、顽强斗争的钢铁意志...习近平总书记指出：“在应对各种困难挑战中，我们党锤炼了不畏强敌、不惧风险、敢于斗争、勇于胜利的风骨和品质。这是我们党最鲜明的特质和特点。”在新时代，我们要按照习近平总书记的要求，在具有许多新的历史特点的伟大斗争中，以革命者的大无畏奋斗精神，勇往直前，披荆斩棘，不断夺取斗争新胜利.
It calls to learn from Yang’s ideological perspective of disregarding fame and wealth and selfless dedication. Again, in this context, the piece cites a requirement outlined by Xi Jinping.
The article ends by saying that Comrade Yang worked tirelessly for national independence and people’s liberation, dedicated himself, made arduous explorations and made outstanding contributions. His immortal achievements will always be remembered, and his precious spiritual wealth will always be passed down. A great cause breeds great spirit, and a great spirit leads a great cause. We must inherit and carry forward the lofty spirit of the older generation of revolutionaries, unite more closely around the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at the core, always maintain the fighting spirit of the Chinese Communists, always maintain a pure heart for the people, embark on the new journey of building a comprehensive socialist modernised country and march towards the second centennial goal with passion, and greet the 20th Party Congress with practical actions. 伟大事业孕育伟大精神，伟大精神引领伟大事业。我们要继承和弘扬老一辈革命家崇高的精神风范，更加紧密地团结在以习近平同志为核心的党中央周围，永远保持中国共产党人的奋斗精神，永远保持对人民的赤子之心，激情满怀地踏上全面建设社会主义现代化国家、向第二个百年奋斗目标进军的新征程，以实际行动迎接党的二十大胜利召开.
Page 16: A report on informing that the 10th Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons ended on Friday night without the adoption of an outcome document. Xinhua English has a detailed report on the Chinese delegation’s participation in this meeting.
“Fu Cong, director general of the Department of Arms Control of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, and Li Song, Chinese ambassador for disarmament affairs, led a Chinese delegation to the review conference. “During the conference, the Chinese delegation introduced in a comprehensive manner the Global Security Initiative proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping, and helped incorporate "common security" into the outcome document draft.”
“The Chinese delegation spoke highly of the status and role of the NPT and stood for the promotion of the three pillars of nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation and the peaceful use of nuclear energy in a comprehensive and balanced manner, and emphasized the NPT's important role in serving the purpose of peace and development. This was also incorporated into the outcome document draft. The Chinese delegation expounded China's position on safeguarding the international nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime with the NPT as the foundation; blasted the United States for its negative moves on disarmament, including its obsession with major-power strategic competition and attempts to seek absolute strategic advantage, strengthen military alliances, stir up bloc confrontation on the eastern and western sides of the Eurasian continent, and press ahead with the forward deployment of nuclear missiles and other strategic forces; and rejected the groundless accusations by the United States that China is accelerating the expansion of its nuclear arsenal and that China is unwilling to hold substantive dialogue with the U.S. side on nuclear disarmament.
“The Chinese delegation also voiced strong opposition to cooperation between the United States, Britain and Australia on nuclear-powered submarines; warned Japan and other relevant countries against the replication of NATO's nuclear-sharing arrangements in the Asia-Pacific; pushed Japan to reiterate its position that the country will stick to its Three Non-Nuclear Principles and will not seek nuclear-sharing arrangements, and expressed grave concern over Japan's discharge of nuclear contaminated water into the ocean.
“In his remarks at the closing plenary meeting, Li said that although a final document was not adopted at this conference, the states' parties have fully expressed their different opinions, positions and demands in search of common ground despite complex differences. This process significantly deepened the understanding of and appreciation of the profound and complex changes in the international situation, as well as discussions on addressing the severe challenges facing the non-proliferation regime. This is an important practice of common security and genuine multilateralism.”