Strengthening National Security - Regulations on Managing Leading Cadres - NDRC on August Data - Yang-Patrushev Meeting - Bajwa's Visit - The Two Establishments - Zhang Weiwei: US & Colour Revolutions
Here are the stories and pieces that I found noteworthy in the Tuesday, September 20, 2022, edition of the People’s Daily.
Page 1: There are three reports on letters from Xi Jinping. At the top of the page is a brief report on Xi’s letter to the International Forum on Resilient and Stable Industrial and Supply Chains, which is being held in Hangzhou. Xinhua reports:
“Xi noted that maintaining the resilience and stability of the global industrial and supply chains is a vital guarantee for promoting the development of the world economy and serves the common interests of people globally. China will unswervingly ensure that the industrial and supply chains are public goods in nature, safeguard the security and stability of its industrial and supply chains, take concrete actions to deepen international cooperation on industrial and supply chains, and make sure that people of all countries share the fruits of development, Xi said. He stressed that China is willing to work with other countries to seize the new opportunities presented by the latest scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation and build a global industrial and supply chain system that is secure, stable, smooth, efficient, open, inclusive, and mutually beneficial.”
Then there’s a report on Xi’s letter to the 7th China-Eurasia Expo, being held in Urumqi. Xinhua reports:
“In recent years, China’s Xinjiang has given full play to its location advantages to actively advance the construction of the core area of the Silk Road Economic Belt and promote the interconnectivity, mutually beneficial cooperation and common development between China and Eurasian countries, with positive results being achieved, said Xi. He stressed that China is willing to work with other countries to promote the Silk Road spirit that incorporates peace and cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning as well as shared benefits, with the China-Eurasia Expo being a platform. Meanwhile, China is ready to work with other countries to pursue high-standard and sustainable development that benefits the people, and explore new spheres for Eurasian cooperation, elevate the cooperation to new levels, and promote common development and prosperity, Xi added.”
Third, there’s Xi’s letter to his Togolese counterpart, Faure Essozimna Gnassingbe, on the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Xinhua reports:
“Over half a century since the establishment of their diplomatic ties, the two sides have always been sincere and friendly towards each other, staunchly supported each other on issues related to their respective core interests and of major concern, produced fruitful results in practical cooperation, and brought real benefits to their people, no matter how the international landscape has changed, he said. Facing the COVID-19 pandemic, Xi said, the people of the two countries have supported and helped each other, and stood together to overcome difficulties, writing a new chapter of the China-Togo friendship. Xi said that he places high importance on the development of China-Togo relations, and is ready to work with President Gnassingbe to take the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties as an opportunity to consolidate political mutual trust, deepen cooperation in various fields under the frameworks of the Belt and Road cooperation and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, lift bilateral ties to new levels, and make positive contributions to building a closer China-Africa community with a shared future.”
Fourth, there’s a report on Li Keqiang’s call with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. Xinhua reports:
“Li said that at present, the world economic recovery is sluggish, and various uncertainties and complex factors are intertwined. Affected by unexpected factors, the Chinese economy is withstanding downward pressure, making efforts to stabilize employment and prices and keeping major economic indicators within an appropriate range and showing an overall recovery trend. Li said that China is glad to see the steady growth of Vietnam's economy, which is conducive to the stability of the industrial and supply chains in East Asia. He added that China is ready to work with Vietnam to give full play to the complementary advantages of their industries, expand economic and trade cooperation, ensure smooth customs clearance at border crossings, import more marketable high-quality agricultural products from Vietnam, welcome Vietnamese students who are willing to go back to China on the premise of good epidemic prevention and increase direct flights between the two countries. Li stressed that peace and stability in the South China Sea are in the common interests of all parties. The Chinese side, Li said, is ready to work with ASEAN countries to take the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea as an opportunity to strive for an early agreement on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea by giving full play to the wisdom of all parties, focusing on the overall interests, promoting cooperation and managing differences, so as to build the South China Sea into a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation.”
Fifth, there’s an article on how national security has been strengthened since the 18th Party Congress. It’s a broad piece that touches on themes, which are further discussed in feature articles on Page 9. The piece basically says that under Xi,
The Party’s leadership over national security work has become stronger: This talks about top-level design, the writing of the concept of comprehensive national security in the constitution, the holding of a national security work conference, etc.
Breakthrough progress has been made in building the national security system and capacity building: This talks about the passing of new laws, such as the National Security Law, Biosafety Law, Cybersecurity Law, Data Security Law, and the Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law, and the HK National Security Law, along with improvement of bottom-line thinking and strengthening of cadres spirit of struggle,
The country has withstood national security challenges: In this, the piece says that the Party has upheld the objective of people’s safety by ensuring that political security is the essence/foundation of its approach, which is based on economic security with military, scientific, technological, cultural and social security as the guarantee. It has also relied on promoting international security; defended national sovereignty and territorial integrity; successfully responded to a series of major risks and challenges; and maintained the overall stability of China's national security, thereby ensuring that China has become among the most secure countries in the world.” 党的十八大以来，以习近平同志为核心的党中央把国家安全置于中国特色社会主义事业的全局中来把握，坚持以人民安全为宗旨，以政治安全为根本，以经济安全为基础，以军事、科技、文化、社会安全为保障，以促进国际安全为依托，捍卫国家主权和领土完整，成功应对了一系列重大风险挑战，保持了我国国家安全大局稳定，我国成为世界上最有安全感的国家之一.
Sixth, there’s the full regulation on encouraging/promoting cadres to become ready to assume any role/job, high or low - 推进领导干部能上能下规定. The English translation of this by Xinhua is “regulation on improving the framework of systems for strictly managing and overseeing leading officials.” This regulation was first approved in June 2015 and was later revised in August 2022.
The piece informs that the regulations are guided by “Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, implement the general requirements for Party building in the new era and the Party’s organisational line in the new era…” In addition, they are “of great significance to improve the mechanism of selecting and appointing people who can assume any job, high or low; to promote the formation of employment orientation and political environment in which those who are capable will rise, the superior will be rewarded, the mediocre will go down, and the inferior will be eliminated; and to build a high-quality contingent of loyal, clean and responsible cadres.” 通知指出，《规定》以习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想为指导，贯彻新时代党的建设总要求和新时代党的组织路线，吸收了全面从严治党的新鲜经验，健全能上能下的选人用人机制，对于推动形成能者上、优者奖、庸者下、劣者汰的用人导向和从政环境，建设忠诚干净担当的高素质执政骨干队伍，具有重要意义.
The regulation comprises 18 articles.
Article 2 talks about adherence to the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era…
Article 3 informs that the regulations are applicable to cadres who hold leading positions in Party organs, people’s congress organs, administrative organs, CPPCC organs, supervisory organs, judicial organs and procuratorial organs at all levels, as well as other organs listed in the Civil Servant Law, people holding leadership positions in state-owned enterprises and institutions.
Article 4 says that the regulations mainly relate to organisational adjustments with regard to leadership positions where serving cardres are unsuitable.
Article 5 says that one is deemed unsuitable for their position, primarily if their morality, ability, diligence, performance and integrity, which are not in accordance with the requirements of the position.
Under this, there are sub-categories that have been highlighted:
Lack of political ability
Wavering in their ideals and beliefs
Weak sense of responsibility and spirit of struggle
Deviation in view of political achievements, i.e., those who do not adhere to people-centred development philosophy, do not grasp the new development stage, do not accurately and comprehensively implement the new development concept; and instead of focussing on high-quality development, they focus on image building and projects for their own reputation. 政绩观存在偏差，不能坚持以人民为中心的发展思想，不能准确把握新发展阶段、完整准确全面贯彻新发展理念，在构建新发展格局、推动高质量发展上不积极不作为，搞“形象工程”、“政绩工程”乱作为的
Those who violate the principle of democratic centralism; this entails those who acting arbitrarily or those who are being weak and lax; it includes failing to implement or arbitrarily changing the decisions made by the organisation, causing unprincipled disputes among the leadership team, or resorting to cronyism, forming cliques, and damaging the political ecology of the place or unit; 违背党的民主集中制原则，独断专行或者软弱涣散、自行其是，不执行或者擅自改变组织作出的决定，在领导班子中闹无原则纠纷，或者任人唯亲、拉帮结派，破坏所在地方、单位政治生态的;
Those who have a weak sense of organisation
Those who lack a sense of professionalism
Those who do not have adequate leadership ability
Those who make decisions in violation of regulations or those whose decisions are insufficiently thought through/imprudent, resulting in the loss and waste of public funds, state-owned assets and state-owned resources, ecological environment damage, public interest damage and other consequences; (九) 违规决策或者决策论证不充分、不慎重，造成公共资金、国有资产、国有资源损失浪费，生态环境破坏，公共利益损害等后果的；
Those whose work style is not strict or practical, i.e., problems of bureaucratism and formalism are prominent and there isn’t sufficient adherence to the eight-point regulation.
People whose conduct is contrary to social morality, professional ethics, and family virtues, resulting in adverse effects
Adjustments may be needed in accordance with relevant regulations in cases where spouses and children have migrated outside the country or run certain businesses. 因存在配偶、子女移居国（境）外，配偶、子女及其配偶经商办企业等情况，按照有关规定需要组织调整的;
Those who are determined to be incompetent in the annual assessment, or determined to be basically competent for two consecutive years as well as those who have received less than two-thirds of the votes in the democratic assessment of excellence and competence, and have been determined to be truly unfit for the present post; 年度考核被确定为不称职，或者连续两年被确定为基本称职，以及民主测评优秀和称职得票率达不到三分之二，经认定确属不适宜担任现职的;
Those who are unable to perform their duties for more than 1 year due to health reasons
Any other circumstances that make them unsuitable for the present position
Article 8 offers the cadres who have been adjusted to appeal and review the decision, but the decision does not get halted during the course of the appeal. Article 11 calls on the organisation departments at all levels to maintain the requisite records for the purpose of adjustment. They are also required to report the relevant information of the previous year to the organisation department of the party committee at the next higher level before the end of January each year.
On Page 2, there’s also a Zhong Zuwen commentary based on these regulations. The author says that since the 18th Party Congress, General Secretary Xi Jinping has stressed that the cadres should maintain high standards and strict requirements, and that the standards should not be lowered to the level of simply not violating the law and discipline. 习近平总书记强调，对干部要高标准严要求，不能把标准降低到不违纪违法就行的水平上. It adds that since the regulation was first cleared in 2015, breakthrough progress has been achieved.
The piece further adds that unprecedented changes are taking place in the world and China is moving towards the second centennial goal. Amid this, the risks and challenges that need to be dealt with and the contradictions and problems that need to be solved are more complicated than ever before. This situation requires a certain quality of cadres to be promoted and calls for strictly managing leading bodies and cadres at all levels.
The regulations seek to build a cadre team that is “capable of taking on the important task of national rejuvenation with the spirit of self-revolution” the regulations “further encourage the broad masses of cadres to keep in mind their initial mission, enhance their confidence and fighting spirit, keep their sobriety and firmness as they rush to take the test…” 此次修订，就是要健全能上能下的选人用人机制，以自我革命精神锻造堪当民族复兴重任的执政骨干队伍，进一步激励广大干部牢记初心使命、增强信心斗志，永葆“赶考”的清醒和坚定，自觉践行“三严三实”要求，踔厉奋发、笃行不怠，集中精力办好自己的事情，依靠顽强斗争打开事业发展新天地.
The next paragraph in the piece basically makes the point that the regulations seek to get in place the cadres who are suitable for the role that they are in; I’ve discussed the suitability criteria above. The final paragraph emphasises implementation and ensuring that incentives and constraints are balanced.
Finally, a report informing that in the first eight months of this year, FDI into China was 892.74 billion yuan, an increase of 16.4% year-on-year.
FDI in the service industry was 662.13 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 8.7%.
FDI in the high-tech industry increased by 33.6% year-on-year, of which FDI in the high-tech manufacturing industry increased by 43.1% year-on-year, and FDI in the high-tech service industry increased by 31% year-on-year.
FDI from South Korea, Germany, Japan and the United Kingdom increased by 58.9%, 30.3%, 26.8% and 17.2%, respectively year-on-year.
From the perspective of regional distribution, the actual use of foreign capital in the eastern, central and western regions increased by 14.3%, 27.6% and 43% year-on-year, respectively.
Page 3: A couple of reports about important foreign affairs related meetings.
First, a report on Yang Jiechi’s meeting with Nikolai Patrushev, secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, at the 17th Round of Strategic Security Consultation between China and Russia. Xinhua reports:
“The two sides agreed to continue to make positive use of the consultation mechanism, implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state during the SCO Samarkand Summit, and enhance mutual trust. They also agreed to support each other in taking the development path in line with their conditions, jointly safeguard global strategic stability, and continuously consolidate and enrich the content of the comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination between the two countries.”
Yang said that “under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, China-Russia relations have maintained a strong development momentum in recent years. He said that the two countries have continued to deepen strategic coordination and firmly supported each other on issues involving each other’s core interests and major concerns. He added their cooperation in various fields has grown. The two countries have jointly upheld the international system with the United Nations as the core and the international order based on international law. They also safeguarded global fairness and justice, and set a model of relations between major countries with mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation for the global community, said Yang.”
“China is willing to work with Russia to fully implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state to continue deepening political mutual trust and strategic coordination to build a more secure and stable external environment for the development of the two countries, said Yang. He added China is ready to contribute more to safeguarding the common interests of the two countries and world security and stability.”
“Patrushev said Russia adheres to the one-China principle and firmly supports the measures taken by the Chinese government to safeguard the sovereignty and territorial integrity concerning the Taiwan question. Russia is willing to maintain close strategic communication with China, deepen pragmatic cooperation in various fields and further strengthen coordination and cooperation in international organizations. The two sides also exchanged in-depth views on maintaining global strategic security, the situation in the Asia-Pacific region, Afghanistan, Ukraine, and other issues.”
SCMP’s report has more comments from Patrushev. It reads:
“China-Russia relations will not be affected by “external factors”, Russian security chief Nikolai Patrushev has said, with both sides calling for “a more just world order”. The Sino-Russian will of building a fairer world order was being opposed by “the political elites of the collective West, who seek to impose their own bogus values to the detriment of the interests of the peoples of the world”, Patrushev said, according to a Tass report.
Second, Guo Shengkun co-chaired the 7th meeting of the China-Russia law-enforcement and security cooperation mechanism with Patrushev. Xinhua reports:
“Since the establishment of the law enforcement and security cooperation mechanism, China and Russia have cooperated closely in areas such as safeguarding national political security, anti-terrorism, drug control, and combating transborder crimes. The mechanism has achieved fruitful results and played an irreplaceable role in safeguarding the sovereignty, security, and development interests of the two countries, Guo said. Guo said China is willing to work with Russia to implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state during the SCO Samarkand summit. China will give full play to the role of the law enforcement and security cooperation mechanism to meet various security risks and challenges.”
Third, a report on Defense Minister Wei Fenghe’s meeting with Pakistani Chief of Army Staff Qamar Javed Bajwa. Xinhua reports:
“Wei said that, as all-weather strategic cooperative partners, China and Pakistan will always be trustworthy and the most reliable friends and brothers, no matter how the global situation changes. The two sides should continue to enhance their capabilities to jointly address various risks and challenges, and work together to safeguard the common interests of both countries, as well as peace and stability in the region, said Wei. Bajwa thanked China's aid after Pakistan's flood disaster. He said Pakistan will firmly adhere to the one-China policy and expressed the hope that the two militaries will further enhance cooperation on joint exercises and training, as well as in other fields.”
In the Chinese language report, it’s important to note that Bajwa thanked Xi Jinping, the Chinese government and the armed forces; Xinhua English has translated this as he thanked China’s aid. 巴杰瓦说，感谢习近平主席和中国政府、军队对巴洪涝灾害给予的大力援助.
Fourth, there’s the third commentary in the series on the SCO summit. This one focuses on Xi’s comments with regard to GDI, BRI, economic cooperation and people-to-people exchanges in his speech. Basically, the commentary makes the point that China’s propositions have received support from SCO nations. Interesting to note that the individual SCO countries that support BRI are mentioned. So it is made obvious that India does not support this proposition.
While on the India-China issue, let me share this piece by Jabin Jacob on the non-meeting of Narendra Modi and Xi Jinping
Finally, there’s a piece by Kirill Vladimirovich Babaev from the Institute of China and Modern Asia of the Russian Academy of Sciences. His basic argument is that promoting the democratisation of international relations and practising multilateralism are the common aspirations of the international community. Russia and China will work with other member states to comprehensively enhance the role of the SCO, and promote the construction of multipolar world order.
He writes that the “SCO insists on jointly safeguarding regional security and stability. From severely cracking down on the ‘three evil forces’ and eradicating the breeding ground for terrorism, to deepening drug control and border defense cooperation and improving the ability to maintain stability and deal with emergencies, security cooperation among SCO member states has become increasingly close and achieved remarkable results. Under the new situation, all parties should further strengthen cooperation in maintaining cyber security, international information security, biological security and security in other fields, work together to cope with all kinds of new threats and challenges, and jointly safeguard regional peace and tranquillity.” 上合组织坚持共同维护地区安全稳定。从严厉打击“三股势力”、铲除恐怖主义滋生土壤，到深化禁毒、边防合作，提升维护稳定、处理突发状况的能力，上合组织成员国安全合作日益密切，取得显著成效。新形势下，各方应进一步加强维护网络安全、国际信息安全、生物安全等领域合作，携手应对各类新威胁新挑战，共同守护地区和平安宁.
He adds that “member states should further expand practical cooperation, deepen the alignment of the Eurasian Economic Union and BRI to create important opportunities for regional development.” He also backs the expansion of the SCO.
Page 7: Two reports of disciplinary action. China Daily has the story on both.
First, “Sheng Guangzu, former chief of the leading Party members group and general manager of China Railway Corporation, which is now known as China State Railway Group, has been expelled from the Party, according to a statement issued by the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Supervisory Commission on Monday. It said Sheng had lost his ideals and convictions, engaged in superstitious activities and interfered with investigations into him. He attended banquets and accepted travel arrangements, gifts and money that may have affected the impartial performance of his duties. Sheng also capitalized on his public power in the customs and railway systems to seek profits for himself, assisted others in running companies and contracting projects, and accepted huge amounts of money and property in return. Sheng, 73, a native of Jiangsu province, began working in 1968 and worked in the railway and customs systems for a long time…Sheng was placed under Party disciplinary examination and investigation by the CCDI and NSC in March.”
Second, Li Jiexiang, former vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of Qinghai Provincial People's Congress, has been expelled from the Party and removed from his post, said another statement issued by the CCDI and NSC on Monday. Li used to be a member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Qinghai Provincial Committee. He lost his ideals and convictions, deliberately engaged in political speculation and made friends with political brokers for promotion, said the statement. He used State-owned mineral resources for political transactions, used political disguise against organizational disciplinary review and investigations, and engaged in superstitious activities, it said. Li ate and drank wantonly (engaged in 酒桌文化), engaged in hedonism, accepted gifts and money offered by others, failed to report personal matters as required, and helped others in the appointment of cadres, it said. Li used the business of his friends and relatives as a cover and engaged in power and money trade, and made use of his position to help others in project contracting and development, accepting a huge amount of property in return.”
Page 10: A report on the NDRC’s press conference on the economy. The NDRC said that going forward, the approach will be to “further efficiently coordinate epidemic prevention and control and economic and social development, and go all out to implement a package of policies and 19 measures to stabilise the economy.” 下一步，将进一步高效统筹疫情防控和经济社会发展，全力以赴落实扎实稳住经济的一揽子政策和19项接续措施.
The report says that:
The first batch of 300 billion yuan of policy-oriented development financial instruments have all been put into operation. In August, fixed assets investments grew by 5.8% year-on-year, 0.1 percentage point faster than that in July. Among this, investment in manufacturing and infrastructure increased by 10.0% and 8.3% respectively, 0.1 and 0.9 percentage points faster than that in the previous July.
Worth noting that China had decided to employ 300 billion yuan in financial instruments during a State Council executive meeting in late June. The funds were designed to replenish the capital for major projects or to provide financing for projects funded by special-purpose bonds. In August, the Chinese government doubled the quota of these instruments.
In August, the cumulative growth rate of total retail sales turned from negative to positive, and citizens’ consumption recovered steadily. The sales volume of automobiles in August was 2.383 million, a year-on-year increase of 32.1%.
In August, the automobile output increased by 39% year on year, and the added value of the automobile industry increased by more than 30%.
In August, the added value of industrial enterprises above designated size increased by 4.2% year-on-year, 0.4 percentage point faster than that of the previous month. The output of the equipment manufacturing industry, new energy vehicles, mobile communication base station equipment, solar cells and other products increased rapidly.
In August, urban surveyed unemployment rate was 5.3%, down 0.1 percentage point from last month
CPI rose by 2.5% year-on-year, 0.2 percentage point lower than last month
NDRC spokesperson Meng Wei said that “the economy is at a critical juncture in its recovery, as the foundation of the domestic economic recovery is still weak despite main economic indicators showing positive changes.” “尽管主要指标呈现积极变化，但国内经济恢复基础仍不牢固，正处于经济恢复紧要关口.”
Meng also talked about easing burdens on enterprises, promoting consumption, support for NEVs,
Other useful data:
real estate investment in August contracted further to nearly 13.8%, after a 12.1% decline in July.
China’s power generation rose 9.9% year on year to 824.8 billion kilowatt-hours in August. The August growth rate was 5.4 percentage points higher than that registered in July. Specifically, both thermal power and wind power generation posted faster growth in August, rising 14.8 percent and 28.2 percent from a year ago, respectively. Solar power generation grew 10.9 percent year on year. Hydropower output, however, shrank 11 percent year on year in August, while that of nuclear power edged down 0.6 percent from the previous year. China's power generation amounted to 5.6 trillion kilowatt-hours in the first eight months, a year-on-year increase of 2.5 percent, the data showed.
Page 11: The lead piece is by the Shandong Provincial Research Centre on Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. The basic point being made in the article is that the “Two Establishments are the choice of history, the call of the times, the aspiration of the people, and the fundamental guarantee for greater victory and glory on the new journey.” “两个确立 是历史的选择、时代的呼唤、人民的愿望, 是新征程上赢得更大胜利和荣光的根本保证.
As you gather, this is essentially offering whole-hearted support for Xi Jinping’s continued leadership of the Party.
The argument is that the cause of national rejuvenation has entered a critical period and its development is at a new historical starting point. At the same time, the external environment has become more complex, severe and uncertain. The road ahead will not be smooth, and there will be unimaginable storms. The Party’s governance of the country is facing a major test. The more ambitious the goal, the more severe the risks and challenges, and the more arduous the mission and tasks, the more necessary the leadership core is to steer the ship from the helm and the more the need for the scientific theory to guide the direction. The Two Establishments were formed in the great changes of the new era, which will surely provide a fundamental guarantee for us to win initiative, gain advantages and win the future in the new journey. 今天，实现中华民族伟大复兴进入关键时期，我国发展站在新的历史起点上。同时，外部环境更趋复杂严峻和不确定，前进的道路并不平坦，甚至会遇到难以想象的惊涛骇浪，党治国理政面临重大考验。目标越是远大，风险挑战越是严峻，使命任务越是艰巨，就越需要领导核心掌舵领航，越需要科学理论指引方向。“两个确立”形成于新时代伟大变革之中，必将为我们在新征程上赢得主动、赢得优势、赢得未来提供根本保障.
It adds: “The great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation cannot be achieved easily by beating drums and gongs. We must be brave in the great struggle with many new historical characteristics and be prepared to make more arduous efforts. To realise the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation in the new era, there is an urgent need for leaders who can guide the direction of the Party and the people of the whole country; there is an urgent need for scientific theories that can answer questions from China, the world, the people and the times, and constantly open up a new realm of sinicization of Marxism. Facts have proved eloquently that with General Secretary Xi Jinping as the core of the CPC Central Committee and the core of the whole party at the helm, and with the scientific guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era, the whole party and the people of the entire country can unite as one, move forward firmly towards the grand goal, and gather together the majestic power to promote national rejuvenation.” 实现中华民族伟大复兴的客观需要。中华民族伟大复兴不是轻轻松松、敲锣打鼓就能实现的，必须勇于进行具有许多新的历史特点的伟大斗争，准备付出更为艰巨、更为艰苦的努力。新时代实现中华民族伟大复兴，迫切需要能够指引全党和全国人民前进方向的领路人；迫切需要能够及时回答中国之问、世界之问、人民之问、时代之问，不断开辟马克思主义中国化时代化新境界的科学理论。事实雄辩地证明，有习近平总书记作为党中央的核心、全党的核心掌舵领航，有习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想科学指引，全党全国人民就能团结一心朝着宏伟目标坚定前行，汇聚起推动民族复兴的磅礴伟力.
Page 17: Two articles on the page that are worth noting. First, there’s a piece by Zhang Hanhui, China’s ambassador to Russia. Zhang writes about the SCO meeting.
“The SCO has always practised a common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security concept. Member States have established long-term good-neighbourly and friendly relations of cooperation, advocated building a multipolar world order on the basis of universally recognised norms of international law, multilateralism, equal and indivisible security, and opposing conflict and confrontation, consolidated global and regional security and stability, and effectively safeguarded long-term regional stability. China, together with other SCO member states, will join hands in implementing GSI, resolutely oppose hegemonism and power politics, and jointly fight against ‘three evil forces’, which will help build a community of common security.” 上合组织始终践行共同、综合、合作、可持续的安全观。成员国确立了长期睦邻友好合作关系，主张在公认的国际法准则、多边主义、平等和不可分割的安全、反对冲突和对抗的基础上构建多极化世界秩序，巩固全球和地区安全与稳定，有效维护了地区长治久安。中方同其他上合组织成员国一道，携手落实全球安全倡议，坚决反对霸权主义和强权政治，共同打击“三股势力”，有助于构建安全共同体.
He argues that:
“SCO has always advocated an innovative, coordinated, green, open and shared development concept…. In 2021, the total trade volume between China and other member states reached $343.1 billion, a 27-fold increase from 2001 when the SCO was established. Together with other SCO member states, China is actively implementing the Global Development Initiative and the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which will help build a community of development.”
“The SCO has always upheld the civilisational concept of equality, mutual learning, dialogue and inclusiveness….China will continue to work with other SCO member states to promote the building of a new type of international relations featuring mutual respect, fairness and justice, and win-win cooperation.”
“The SCO has always adhered to the global governance concept of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits…China will continue to work with other member states to promote the SCO to play a greater role in regional and international affairs.”
“China is willing to work with Russia to safeguard the security interests of the region, safeguard the common interests of emerging markets and developing countries, and inject stability into a turbulent world.” 中方愿同俄方一道努力维护本地区安全利益，维护广大新兴市场和发展中国家共同利益，为变乱交织的世界注入稳定性.
Next, there’s a piece by Zhang Weiwei, which looks like the first in a new series on the shattering of the “myth of American democracy.” Zhang argues that the US has “:seriously endangered world peace, stability and development” by promoting “colour revolutions.”
He blames the US for:
the disintegration of the Soviet Union in the late 1980s and early 1990s
the Rose Revolution in Georgia in 2003
Orange Revolution in Ukraine in 2004
the Tulip Revolution in Kyrgyzstan in 2005
Belarus’ Snowflake Revolution in 2005
Azerbaijan’s Orange Storm in 2005
Lebanon’s Cedar Revolution in 2005
Iran’s Green Movement in 2009
The Arab Spring in 2011
Maidan Revolution in Ukraine in 2014
He argues that since the Cold War, statistics show that for decades, the CIA has overthrown or tried to overthrow at least 50 foreign governments, although only 7 cases have been publicly acknowledged by the CIA. Other statistics show that from 1946 to 2000, the United States tried to influence the elections in 45 countries 81 times. The colour revolutions instigated by the United States have been ‘successful’ many times, and the United States even regards itself as the winner of the Cold War. However, since the 21st century, especially since the global financial crisis in 2008, these attempts at ‘colour revolutions’ have been frequently frustrated. In some countries and regions, the domestic governments have quickly ensured stability and contained the violence, defeating the interference by external forces; In other countries and regions, Western-style democracy has caused great chaos and even wars because it isn’t acclimatised to the local soil. This has aroused strong condemnation from the people of the countries concerned and the international community.” 如果从冷战时期算起，带有“颜色革命”色彩的政权更迭事件更是众多。有统计显示，数十年来，美国中情局至少推翻或试图推翻超过50个外国政府，尽管中情局公开承认的只有7起。另有统计表明，1946—2000年间，美国曾81次试图对45个国家的选举施加影响。美国煽动的“颜色革命”曾多次“得手”，美国甚至以“冷战胜利者”自居。然而，进入21世纪以来，特别是自2008年国际金融危机以来，其“颜色革命”频频“受挫”。在一些国家和地区，本国政府迅速维稳止暴，挫败了外部势力的干涉；在另外一些国家和地区，西式民主因“水土不服”带来巨大混乱乃至战乱，引发当事国民众及国际社会的强烈谴责.
He then talks about the US strategy for colour revolutions, which is 画饼充饥 - satisfying hunger by drawing cakes/feeding one through an illusion. He says that: “The United States and its Western partners have carried out large-scale ideological and cultural infiltration into the target countries, cultivated a large number of so-called elites who beholden to the United States and the West, and invented the myth of Western-style democracy, which is that as long as the Western democratic system is adopted, all kinds of difficulties faced by the target countries, such as poverty, unemployment and corruption, can be addressed.” “画饼充饥”是美国煽动“颜色革命”的一大招数。美国及其西方伙伴对目标国进行大规模的思想和文化渗透，培养大批唯美西方马首是瞻的所谓精英人士，虚构西式民主神话，即只要采用西式民主制度，目标国所面临的各种困难，如贫困、失业、腐败等都能解决.
To make his argument, Zhang cites the work of the book The hidden face of the 'Arab revolutions' by French scholar Eric Denécé to say that American NGOs - National Endowment for Democracy, Freedom House, USAID and the Open Society Institute - trained Arab cyber activists/writers over a period of 10 years. Their key point was to emphasise that the economic, social and political problems facing Arab countries in the Middle East and North Africa were a product of the ‘autocratic’ system of governance, and can only be fundamentally addressed through the system of Western-style democracy. 2011年前后爆发的“阿拉伯之春”很能说明问题。据法国学者埃里克·德纳塞等人所著《阿拉伯“革命”隐藏的另一面》一书透露，美国国家民主基金会、“自由之家”、美国国际开发署、开放社会研究所等所谓非政府组织，花了10多年时间，培养了一大批以阿拉伯文为母语的网络写手，组成“网络阿拉伯联盟”。他们在网上设置议题、呼风唤雨，将中东北非阿拉伯国家的经济、社会、政治发展情况和存在的一些问题都归结为“专制”制度，强调唯有通过西式民主，所谓的问题才能得到根本解决.
He says that these American institutions “systematically train” people in street politics. This covers “everything from attire and symbols used by protesters to the coordinated gestures of commanders at all levels to the use of social media to spread viral disinformation.” He writes that they have special courses/classes for all this. 这些机构系统地培训街头政治的骨干力量，从示威者的着装、标识，到各级指挥者整齐划一的手势动作，再到利用社交媒体进行病毒式的假信息传播等，都有专门的课程.
He then says that while in some countries colour revolutions have succeeded, the success hasn’t lasted long. Sooner rather than later there are fights between the Westernised elite faction and local factions; between different religions and sects; and between different national cultures and even languages, resulting in social disorder, business closures, capital outflow and economic recession. “颜色革命”在一些国家和地区暂时得手后，往往好景不长。这些国家和地区开始遭遇更多、更突出的矛盾。西化派与本土派的对峙、不同宗教和教派之间的对立、不同民族文化乃至语言之间的对垒都严重加剧对抗，结果是社会失序、企业倒闭、资本外流、经济衰退.
“In the final analysis, ignoring a country’s unique history, culture, political system, religious beliefs, ethnic balance, social environment, etc., and adopting the so-called western-style ‘confrontational democracy’ is often a process in which various contradictions are constantly intensified.” 归根结底，无视一个国家所特有的历史文化、政治制度、宗教信仰、族裔平衡、社会环境等，采用所谓西方“对抗式民主”的过程，往往就是一个各种矛盾不断被激化的过程.
As an example, Zhang says that today the Arab Spring has become an Arab Winter, pointing to the situation in Syria, Iraq, Libya and Yemen. Then he points to Ukraine.
“After Ukraine became independent in 1991, it maintained a relatively stable relationship with the West and Russia. In 2004, the country underwent the Orange Revolution and in 2014, there was the Maidan Revolution. The Associated Press has published a trove of documents to prove that the United States intervened in Ukraine’s 2004 election, including funding a number of political organisations and paying for opposition leaders' visits to the United States. During the riots in Independence Square in Kiev, then Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Nuland and then Senator John McCain went directly to Independence Square to support Ukrainian pro-Western groups and distribute food to protesters. At that time, an exposed recording showed that Nuland, in a conversation with the US ambassador to Ukraine, was direct about the question of who should be Ukraine’s next prime minister.” 乌克兰1991年独立后，原本与西方和俄罗斯保持着相对平稳的关系。2004年以及2014年，乌克兰先后发生“橙色革命”和“广场革命”。美联社曾披露一批资料，证明美国曾插手乌克兰2004年选举，包括资助多个政治组织，为反对派领导人访美埋单等。在基辅独立广场发生骚乱时，美国时任助理国务卿维多利亚·纽兰和时任参议员约翰·麦凯恩直接前往独立广场，支持乌克兰亲西方派，并为抗议者分发食物。当时一段被曝光的录音显示，纽兰在与美驻乌大使的通话中，更是直接对谁来当乌克兰总理这个问题指手画脚.
“The US has instigated ‘colour revolutions’ around the world without realising that its democratic halo had long since collapsed into a quagmire. On January 6, 2021, the US Capitol Hill riot shocked the world. The riots, wrote the New York Times, were ‘a blow to the image of America as a beacon of democracy’. German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said the violence at the US Capitol was the result of American politicians spreading lies, disrespecting democracy, inciting hatred and division. Richard Haass, president of the Council on Foreign Relations, lamented: ‘No one in the world is likely to see, respect, fear, or depend on us in the same way again. If the post-American era has a start date, it is almost certainly today’.” 美国在世界各地煽动“颜色革命”，却没有意识到自身的民主光环早已跌落泥潭。2021年1月6日，美国国会山骚乱事件震惊世界。《纽约时报》文章写道，这场骚乱是“对美国民主灯塔形象的一记重击”。德国总统施泰因迈尔认为，美国国会大厦暴力事件乱象是美国政客散布重重谎言、蔑视民主、煽动仇恨和分裂导致的恶果。美国对外关系委员会会长理查德·哈斯也发文感叹：“从今以后，世界上再也不会有人以同样的方式看待、尊重、恐惧或者依赖我们. 如果说后美国时代有一个开始日期，那几乎可以肯定就是今天.
He quotes the “French media” as having said that “‘democracy’ has become America's ‘weapon of mass destruction’.” And then says that inciting colour revolutions will only further hurt America’s image and reputation.