Takeaways from Xi's Astana Visit - He Lifeng Seeks More Support for Foreign Trade Enterprises - Wang Talks to Egyptian, Omani FMs - How are Central SoEs Boosting Tech Self-Reliance?
Here are the key reports and articles that I found noteworthy from the People’s Daily’s edition on Thursday, June 19, 2025.
Page 1: At the top of the page is a brief report informing that Xi Jinping has returned to Beijing after the visit to Kazakhstan. Another report offers full coverage of Wang Yi’s summary of the outcomes of Xi’s visit. Wang said that Xi attended “more than 10 multilateral and bilateral events” during the visit.
In the first section of the report, Wang informs that:
The China-Central Asia cooperation mechanism has evolved over time. Especially since the first summit was successfully held in Xi’an in 2023, the four beams and eight pillars of the mechanism rapidly took shape, 13 ministerial-level cooperation platforms were successively established, the permanent secretariat has become fully operational, presenting a three-dimensional and diversified cooperation pattern of head-of-state leadership, government promotion, participation from all sectors, and the operation of multiple parallel tracks. 特别是2023年在西安成功举行首届峰会，机制建设四梁八柱由此迅速成型，13个部级合作平台相继建立，常设秘书处全面运营，呈现元首引领、政府推动、各界参与、多轨并行的立体多元合作格局.
The most prominent highlight of this summit was President Xi Jinping’s announcement of the ‘China-Central Asia Spirit’. 本届峰会最突出的亮点是习近平主席宣布“中国—中亚精神”. This is: “adhering to mutual respect and equal treatment; adhering to deepening mutual trust and responding in the same voice; adhering to mutual benefit and win-win results, and common development; adhering to watching out for and helping each other, and sharing weal and woe in the same boat.” 习近平主席精辟概括了“中国—中亚精神”的核心要义，即坚持相互尊重、平等相待；坚持深化互信、同声相应；坚持互利共赢、共同发展；坚持守望相助、同舟共济.
“The six countries reiterated their mutual understanding, respect and support for each other on issues involving each other’s core interests. China firmly supports Central Asian countries in choosing their own development path and supports all countries in safeguarding their national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. Central Asian countries reaffirmed their adherence to the one-China principle, recognised that there is only one China in the world, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory. All parties are determined to jointly combat the ‘three evil forces’ and transnational organised crime, jointly respond to security threats, help Afghanistan achieve peace, stability and reconstruction and development as soon as possible, and create a regional security pattern of peace, tranquility and common destiny. All parties agreed to support the work of the China-Central Asia Secretariat and agreed that the third China-Central Asia Summit will be hosted by China in 2027. All parties support China’s assumption of the rotating presidency of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and are willing to make every effort to assist in the successful hosting of this year’s Tianjin Summit. 六国重申在涉及彼此核心利益问题上互予理解、尊重和支持。中方坚定支持中亚国家自主选择发展道路，支持各国维护国家独立、主权和领土完整，中亚国家重申恪守一个中国原则，承认世界上只有一个中国，台湾是中国领土不可分割的一部分。各方决心共同打击“三股势力”以及跨国有组织犯罪，共同应对安全威胁，帮助阿富汗早日实现和平稳定和重建发展，打造和平安宁、休戚与共的地区安全格局。各方同意支持中国—中亚秘书处工作，商定第三届中国—中亚峰会将于2027年由中国主办。各方支持中方担任上海合作组织轮值主席国，愿全力协助办好今年天津峰会。
Entering the new era, the Chinese side is willing to work together with all parties to promote a correct view of history, safeguard the outcomes of the victory in World War II, uphold the international system with the UN at its core, and inject more stability into world peace and development. Regarding the current situation in the Middle East, President Xi Jinping pointed out that the Chinese side opposes any actions that violate other countries’ sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity. Military conflict is not the way to solve problems; all parties should work to cool down the conflict as soon as possible and avoid further escalation of tensions. The heads of state of Central Asian countries positively evaluated China’s constructive role in international and regional affairs, and highly praised President Xi Jinping’s vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind and the three major global initiatives. They expressed willingness to closely coordinate and cooperate with the Chinese side within multilateral mechanisms such as the UN, the SCO, BRICS, and the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia, adhere to resolving hotspot issues through dialogue and consultation, and jointly defend international fairness and justice. 进入新时代，中方愿同各方一道，弘扬正确历史观，捍卫二战胜利成果，维护以联合国为核心的国际体系，为世界和平和发展注入更多稳定性。针对当前中东局势，习近平主席指出，中方反对任何侵犯别国主权安全和领土完整的行为。军事冲突不是解决问题之道，各方应推动冲突尽快降温，避免紧张事态进一步升级。中亚国家元首积极评价中国在国际地区事务中发挥的建设性作用，高度赞赏习近平主席提出的构建人类命运共同体理念和三大全球倡议，表示愿同中方在联合国、上海合作组织、金砖、亚信等多边机制中密切协调配合，坚持通过对话协商解决热点问题，共同捍卫国际公平正义。
In the second section, Wang talks about development agreements.
He said that the six countries have “jointly announced that 2025 to 2026 will be the ‘Year of High-quality Development of China-Central Asia Cooperation’. All parties will focus on the six priority areas of unimpeded trade, industrial investment, connectivity, green minerals, agricultural modernisation, and personnel exchanges…”
All parties signed a new action plan on BRI cooperation. This is the first time that China has signed Belt and Road cooperation documents with all countries in a neighboring region as a whole. From a strategic height and regional level, cooperation will be promoted in a coordinated manner, making Central Asia a more vibrant and stronger demonstration zone for jointly building the Belt and Road. The Chinese side will strengthen the alignment of development strategies with Central Asian countries and accelerate the implementation of a number of major projects. When President Xi Jinping met with the heads of state of Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, all sides agreed to promote high-quality construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway and strive for its early completion so that all parties can benefit. The Chinese side will also work with Kazakhstan to accelerate the construction of the third China-Kazakhstan cross-border railway, work with Tajikistan to carry out renovation of key sections of Phase II of the China-Tajikistan highway, and deepen cooperation with Central Asian countries on the China-Europe Railway Express and the Trans-Caspian International Transport Corridor, promoting Central Asia's transformation from being ‘land-locked’ to ‘land-linked’, and truly becoming a ‘golden crossroads’ connecting the Eurasian continent.” 习近平主席同中亚五国元首见证签署高质量共建“一带一路”行动计划，这是中国首次同周边单一区域内所有国家整体签订共建“一带一路”合作文件，从战略高度和区域层面统筹推进合作，让中亚作为共建“一带一路”示范区的成色更足，动力更强。中方将同中亚国家加强发展战略对接，加快实施一批重大项目。习近平主席同吉尔吉斯斯坦、乌兹别克斯坦元首会晤时，一致同意高质量推进中吉乌铁路建设，力争早日建成，各方受益。中方还将同哈萨克斯坦加快推进中哈第三条跨境铁路建设，同塔吉克斯坦实施中塔公路二期关键路段改造，同中亚各国深化中欧班列和跨里海国际运输走廊合作，推动中亚地区由“陆锁”向“陆联”转型，真正成为连通欧亚大陆的“黄金十字路口”。
All parties agreed that tariff wars and trade wars have no winners, and that unilateralism and protectionism have no way out. 各方一致认为，关税战、贸易战没有赢家，单边主义、保护主义没有出路.
The six heads of state jointly unveiled the China-Central Asia Trade Facilitation Cooperation Platform and reaffirmed their commitment to consolidating the multilateral trading system based on WTO rules. The six countries reached an action plan to strengthen economic and trade cooperation; China and Kazakhstan signed a new version of the Investment Protection Agreement, and China and Uzbekistan successfully concluded bilateral market access negotiations for Uzbekistan’s accession to the WTO, demonstrating their firm willingness to oppose unilateralism and safeguard the international economic and trade order with practical actions. 六国元首共同为中国—中亚贸易畅通合作平台揭牌，重申致力于巩固以世贸组织规则为基础的多边贸易体制。六国达成加强经贸合作的行动计划，中哈签署新版投资保护协定，中乌成功结束乌加入世贸组织的双边市场准入谈判，以实际行动显示反对单边主义、维护国际经贸秩序的坚定意愿。
President Xi Jinping announced the establishment of three major cooperation centers for poverty reduction, education exchange, and desertification control within the framework of China-Central Asia cooperation, and offered 3,000 training opportunities for Central Asian countries in the next two years. 为了回应中亚渴望振兴、提升自主发展能力的迫切需求，习近平主席宣布在中国中亚合作框架内建立减贫、教育交流、荒漠化防治三大合作中心，未来两年为中亚国家提供3000个培训名额。
“Wang Yi said that sharing development experience with developing countries is China’s responsibility and duty, and also the rightful meaning of implementing the Global Development Initiative. China has never pursued modernisation for itself alone, but is committed to joint development and win-win cooperation with all countries. The practical cooperation between China and Central Asian countries addresses development challenges, gathers strength for common progress, and supports shared prosperity. China will, through high-quality development and high-level opening up, bring more development opportunities to countries around the world, including Central Asian countries, and work hand in hand with all countries to embark on a broad path toward joint modernization.” 王毅说，同发展中国家分享发展经验，是中国的责任担当，也是落实全球发展倡议的应有之义。中国从不追求独善其身的现代化，而是致力于与各国共同发展、合作共赢。中国和中亚国家务实合作破解的是发展难题，汇聚的是共进力量，托举的是共同繁荣。中国将以高质量发展和高水平开放为包括中亚国家在内的世界各国带来更多发展机遇，与各国携手走出一条宽广的共同现代化之路。
In the third, and final, section of the article, Wang talks about the Treaty of Permanent Good-Neighbourliness, Friendship and Cooperation. He calls it a milestone agreement. He then talked about some of the deals on people-to-people exchanges.
President Xi Jinping announced that the Chinese side will establish more cultural centers, university branch campuses, Luban Workshops, and traditional Chinese medicine centers in Central Asia; set up Central Asian language programs in Chinese universities; continue to implement the ‘China–Central Asia Technical and Skills Improvement Plan’; and strengthen cooperation with Central Asian countries in legislative bodies, political parties, women, youth, media, think tanks, and other areas, and carry out in-depth exchanges on governance experience. The six heads of state witnessed the signing of multiple sister-city agreements, bringing the number of sister-city pairs between China and Central Asian countries to over 100, fulfilling the initiative proposed by President Xi three years ago. The first direct flight between Beijing and Dushanbe was launched, achieving full direct flight coverage between China and the capitals of Central Asian countries. The six countries signed a cooperation initiative to facilitate people-to-people exchanges and agreed to introduce facilitation measures, such as simplifying visa procedures, enabling people from China and Central Asia to visit each other frequently like relatives. All sides agreed to actively promote the mutual establishment of cultural centers…” 习近平主席宣布，中方将在中亚开设更多文化中心、高校分校、鲁班工坊、中医药中心等，在中国高校增设中亚语言专业，继续实施好“中国—中亚技术技能提升计划”，加强同中亚国家立法机构、政党、妇女、青年、媒体、智库等合作，深入开展治国理政经验交流。六国元首见证签署多份友城协议，中国与中亚国家的友城数量突破100对，完成了习近平主席3年前提出的倡议目标。北京和杜尚别直航首飞，中国同中亚国家首都直航实现全覆盖。六国签署促进人员往来便利化合作倡议，同意出台简化签证手续等便利化举措，让中国和中亚国家民众像走亲戚一样常来常往。各方商定积极推动互设文化中心，合作开展“中国—中亚文化和旅游之都”评选，联结六国历史文脉，传承千年丝路情谊。此行期间，《平“语”近人——习近平喜欢的典故》在中亚五国播出，习近平主席引用的中国诗文典故广受当地民众关注和喜爱.
Next, there’s a report (English report) on Li Qiang’s visit to Jiangsu. Li traveled to Xuzhou and Nanjing. Visiting the Jiangsu Huizhi High-end Engineering Machinery Innovation Center Co., Li said that “the high-end, intelligent and green development of the engineering machinery industry is the general trend. It is necessary to benchmark against advanced international standards, actively apply technologies such as artificial intelligence and clean energy, and promote industrial transformation and upgrading. It is necessary to pool industry resources, build collaborative innovation platforms for large, medium, and small enterprises, and promote complementary advantages among enterprises and mutual empowerment.” 要对标国际先进水平，积极运用人工智能、清洁能源等技术，推动产业转型升级。要聚合行业资源，搭建大中小企业协同创新平台，促进企业优势互补、相互赋能.
Visiting a Laboratory for Deep Earth Science and Engineering, Li “expressed the hope that everyone would effectively integrate scientific and technological innovation with industrial needs, advance major original innovations and technological breakthroughs, and accelerate industrial implementation and market application.” 在深地科学与工程云龙湖实验室，李强听取相关技术装备研发进展等介绍，希望大家把科技创新和产业需求有效结合，推进重大原始创新和技术突破，加快产业化落地和市场应用推广. At the Nanjing Institute of Atomic Manufacturing, Li learned about the “development of atomic-level manufacturing technology and encouraged them to focus on new fields and new tracks, strengthen forward-looking layout, carry out in-depth basic research, promote cross-disciplinary integration and innovation and open cooperation, and seize the commanding heights of future science and technology and industrial development.” 在南京原子制造研究所，李强了解原子级制造技术发展等情况，勉励他们锚定新领域新赛道，加强前瞻性布局，深入开展基础研究，推动跨学科交叉融合创新和开放合作，抢占未来科技和产业发展制高点.
Li also visited the Nanjing North Railway Station project site. There, he talked about the need to “actively explore the application of new materials and new technologies, plan supporting facilities and industrial layout, and give full play to the radiation and driving role of the project.”
At BSH Home Appliances (China) Investment Co., Ltd. Li “learned about the effects of the country's consumer goods trade-in program, and urged the company to make good use of relevant policies to unleash consumption potential. Noting that the country's market is vast and continuously growing, Li said that China welcomes enterprises from all countries to invest and start businesses here. We will further increase policy support and service guarantees to create a favorable environment for foreign-funded enterprises to develop and thrive in China, he said.”
Finally, there’s a report on Wang Huning’s comments at a symposium on promoting the integrated development of scientific and technological innovation and industrial innovation. At this meeting, the central committees of some non-CPC parties presented their research outcomes.
Wang said “that the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core has placed scientific and technological innovation in a major strategic position in the overall national development and made major arrangements to promote the integrated development of scientific and technological innovation and industrial innovation. We must thoroughly study and understand General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important expositions on promoting the integrated development of scientific and technological innovation and industrial innovation, deeply grasp the tasks and requirements put forward by the CPC Central Committee, improve our political stance, strengthen our sense of mission, and contribute wisdom and strength to promoting the implementation of the innovation-driven development strategy and accelerating the construction of an innovative country.” 他表示，以习近平同志为核心的中共中央把科技创新摆在国家发展全局的重大战略位置，作出推动科技创新和产业创新融合发展的重大部署。我们要深入学习领会习近平总书记关于推动科技创新和产业创新融合发展的重要论述，深刻把握中共中央决策部署提出的任务要求，提高政治站位、强化使命担当，为推动实施创新驱动发展战略、加快建设创新型国家贡献智慧和力量.
Wang said “that promoting the deep integration of scientific and technological innovation with industrial innovation is the proper meaning of adhering to the strategic guidance of the ‘four orientations’, realizing high-level scientific and technological self-reliance and self-strengthening, and building a modern industrial system. It is an inherent requirement for cultivating new quality productive forces and promoting high-quality development, and a major measure for building an innovative country and advancing Chinese-style modernisation. It is necessary to enhance the depth and effectiveness of research, consultation, and advice and proposals, deepen research and produce results around key and difficult issues in promoting scientific and technological innovation and industrial innovation, and bottlenecks in policy implementation, and do a good job in application transformation. It is necessary to improve the quality of multiparty consultation and the level of policy recommendations, strengthen key research and inspection work, serve the Party’s and the government’s decision-making with high-quality research, and widely pool strength for the cause of the Party and the country.” 他表示，推动科技创新和产业创新深度融合，是坚持“四个面向”的战略导向、实现高水平科技自立自强、构建现代化产业体系的应有之义，是培育新质生产力、推动高质量发展的内在要求，是建设创新型国家、推进中国式现代化的重大举措。要增强调研协商、建言献策的深入度和实效性，围绕科技创新和产业创新推进中的重点难点问题和政策落实中的堵点卡点问题深化研究、形成成果，做好应用转化工作。要提升政党协商质量和议政建言水平，加强重点考察调研工作，以高质量调研服务党和政府决策，为党和国家事业发展广泛凝心聚力.
Page 2: There are two reports of conversations that Wang Yi has had with counterparts in Egypt and Oman. First, the report on Wang’s chat with Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty says that:
Abdelatty said that “the current regional situation is extremely critical, and the international community is deeply concerned that the Middle East is falling into complete turmoil, directly endangering the security of countries in the region. Israel's attack on Iran is clearly a violation of international law. Egypt condemns this and looks forward to the Iranian nuclear issue returning to the track of political resolution as soon as possible.” 阿卜杜勒阿提表示，当前地区局势危急，国际社会高度担忧中东地区陷入全面动荡，直接危及地区各国安全。以色列对伊朗发起的袭击明显违反国际法，埃方对此予以谴责，期待伊朗核问题尽早回归政治解决轨道.
“Wang Yi said that Israel’s disregard for international law and international rules has caused the situation in the Middle East to suddenly become tense, and China is also deeply concerned that the situation could go out of control. China once again calls on the parties to the conflict, especially Israel, to put the interests and well-being of the people of regional countries first, immediately achieve a ceasefire, ease tensions, and create conditions for returning to dialogue and negotiations. Egypt recently took the lead in issuing a joint statement with 20 Arab and Islamic countries, jointly calling for a ceasefire and an end to the war, restarting negotiations on the Iranian nuclear issue, and maintaining lasting peace in the region. This is very timely and necessary to promote the cooling of the situation, and China fully supports this.” 王毅说，以色列无视国际法和国际规则的行径，造成中东局势骤然紧张，中方也对事态可能走向失控深感担忧。中方再次呼吁冲突当事方尤其是以色列以地区国家民众的利益和福祉为重，立即实现停火，缓解紧张局势，为重回对话谈判创造条件。埃及日前牵头和20个阿拉伯、伊斯兰国家发表外长联合声明，共同呼吁停火止战，重启伊朗核问题谈判，维护地区持久和平，这对推动局势降温非常及时、必要，中方对此完全支持.
“Wang Yi pointed out that at the current critical juncture, the international community, especially the countries in the region, should further build consensus and take more concerted actions. China is willing to work with Egypt to strengthen communication and coordination at multilateral platforms such as the UN, make every effort to promote peace and dialogue, and make unremitting efforts for peace.” 王毅指出，当前紧要关头，国际社会特别是地区国家应进一步凝聚共识，采取更为一致的行动。中方愿同埃方一道，在联合国等多边平台加强沟通协调，全力劝和促谈，为争取和平作出不懈努力.
The report on Wang’s chat with Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi says that:
“Badr stated that Israel’s attack on Iran openly violates the UN Charter and international law, infringing upon Iran’s sovereignty and territory. The Omani side is deeply concerned about the current situation, especially that strikes targeting nuclear facilities could lead to nuclear leakage, causing catastrophic consequences for the region. China has always upheld justice and safeguarded peace in the international community, and the Omani side highly appreciates this, hoping that China will play a greater role in restoring peace and stability in the Middle East.” 巴德尔表示，以色列袭击伊朗公然违反联合国宪章和国际法，侵犯伊朗主权和领土。阿方对当前局势深感担忧，特别是针对核设施的打击可能导致核泄漏，将对地区造成灾难性影响。中国始终在国际社会主持正义、维护和平，阿方对此高度赞赏，期待中方为恢复中东地区和平稳定发挥更大影响力.
Wang Yi said that the rights and wrongs of the current situation are crystal clear. Israel’s actions violate international law and the norms of international relations, infringe upon Iran’s sovereignty and security, and undermine regional peace and stability. The conflict also interrupted the hard-won indirect negotiation process on the Iranian nuclear issue, and Oman's mediation efforts were in vain. China has always advocated the peaceful settlement of all disputes and opposed the use or threat of force. We have immediately expressed our opposition to Israel’s use of force. 王毅表示，目前局势的是非曲直一目了然。以色列的行为违反国际法和国际关系准则，侵害伊朗主权和安全，破坏了地区和平稳定。冲突还打断了来之不易的伊朗核问题间接谈判进程，使阿曼为此做出的斡旋努力付之东流。中方一贯主张和平解决所有争端，反对使用或威胁使用武力，我们已第一时间表明了反对以色列动武的立场.
Wang Yi emphasised that the top priority now is to cease fire and end the fighting. The sooner a ceasefire is achieved, the smaller the losses will be. The regional situation must not be allowed to slide into an unknown abyss. China supports the joint statement issued by 21 Arab and Islamic countries, including Oman, calling for a balanced position of respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other countries and resolving disputes through peaceful means. At the current critical juncture, the international community, especially regional countries, should further unite their forces, uphold justice, and form an international momentum to oppose war, advocate peace, and promote political solutions. It is hoped that Arab and Islamic countries will unite and continue to make efforts to persuade peace and promote talks. China will also further maintain communication and coordination with Oman and other regional countries, and play a constructive role in promoting the cessation of war and the restoration of peace in the Middle East on platforms such as the United Nations. 王毅强调，当务之急是停火止战，越早实现停火，造成的损失才会越小，不能坐视地区局势滑向未知的深渊。中方支持包括阿曼在内的21个阿拉伯和伊斯兰国家发表联合声明，呼吁尊重他国主权和领土完整、通过和平方式解决争端的平衡立场。在当前紧要关头，国际社会特别是地区国家应进一步凝聚合力、主持公道，形成反对战争、倡导和平、推进政治解决的国际声势。希望阿拉伯和伊斯兰国家团结一致，继续为劝和促谈作出努力。中方也将进一步同阿曼等地区国家保持沟通和协调，在联合国等平台为推动平息战事、恢复中东和平发挥建设性作用.
Page 3: There’s a report on He Lifeng’s inspection of foreign trade and economic work in Shandong from June 17 to 18. He called to “increase support for stabilising foreign trade and economic activities, strengthen support and service guarantees for enterprises, fully leverage enterprises’ competitive advantages, and continuously promote the high-quality development of foreign trade and economic cooperation.” 中共中央政治局委员、国务院副总理何立峰17日至18日在山东调研外经贸工作时强调，要认真学习贯彻习近平总书记重要指示精神和党中央、国务院决策部署，加大稳外经贸支持力度，加强对企业支持服务保障，充分发挥企业竞争优势，持续推动外经贸高质量发展.
He traveled to Dezhou and Qingdao, where he visited “multiple foreign trade export product manufacturing enterprises, gained an in-depth understanding of the enterprises' order-taking, production, technological innovation, and international market expansion, and listened to their main concerns and demands. He Lifeng pointed out that, since the beginning of this year, in the face of a complex and severe international environment, China’s foreign trade manufacturing enterprises have overcome numerous difficulties, demonstrated tenacious resilience, withstood pressure and resisted impact, with stable growth in production and operations. With high-quality and competitively-priced export products enjoying a reputation in international markets, they have not only powerfully supported domestic economic development, but also benefited further enhancement of global economic stability, and effectively maintained the stable and smooth flow of global industrial and supply chains. 何立峰先后来到德州、青岛，实地走访多家外贸出口商品生产企业，深入了解企业接单、生产、技术创新和开拓国际市场情况，听取企业主要关切诉求。何立峰指出，今年以来面对复杂严峻的国际环境，我国外经贸制造企业克服诸多困难，展现出顽强韧性，扛住了压力、顶住了冲击，生产经营稳定增长，以质高价优的出口产品享誉国际市场，不仅有力支撑了国内经济发展，同时也有利于进一步增强世界经济的稳定性，有效维护了全球产业链供应链的稳定畅通.
“It is hoped that the majority of enterprises will dare to face problems, be good at facing up to difficulties, adapt to changes, fully leverage their own advantages, continue to focus on their main business, deeply cultivate international markets, and continuously promote the innovation and upgrading of products, technologies and formats. Actively integrate into the new development pattern with the domestic big cycle as the mainstay and the domestic and international dual circulation promoting each other, pay attention to the integrated development of domestic and foreign trade, organically combine the expansion of foreign trade with the service of the domestic demand market, and continue to provide high-quality and low-cost products and excellent services.” 希望广大企业敢于直面问题，善于迎难而上、应变求变，充分发挥自身优势，继续专注主业，深耕国际市场，不断推动产品、技术和业态创新升级，主动积极融入以国内大循环为主体、国内国际双循环相互促进的新发展格局，注重内外贸一体化结合发展，将拓展外贸与服务内需市场有机结合，持续提供物美价廉的产品和优良服务.
“He Lifeng said that local government commerce and other related departments should courageously take responsibility and fulfil duties, go deep into the front lines to understand actual conditions in a timely manner, try every possible means to help foreign trade enterprises solve actual problem demands, strengthen support service guarantees, use practical measures to support enterprises in actively cultivating new advantages in foreign trade, and continuously promote high-quality development of foreign economic trade.” 何立峰要求，地方政府商务等相关部门要勇于担当尽责，深入一线及时了解实情，千方百计帮助外经贸企业解决实际问题诉求，加强支持服务保障，以切实举措支持企业积极培育外贸新优势，持续推动外经贸高质量发展.
Page 4: A report (English report) on changes at the State Council.
Zhou Xing has been appointed vice minister of natural resources
Wang Jianhua has been named vice minister of culture and tourism
Yang Jinlong was appointed president of Tongji University
Wang Zhenjiang has been removed from the post of vice minister of justice.
Jiang Wanrong will no longer serve as vice minister of housing and urban-rural development.
Zhao Baolin has been removed from the post of auditor general of the National Audit Office
Gou Ping will no longer serve as vice chairman of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council
Page 7: There’s a report on Chinese researchers making breakthroughs in maglev technology. CGTN’s English report says:
“China's magnetic levitation (maglev) technology, researchers at the Donghu Laboratory in central China's Hubei Province have successfully accelerated a 1.1-tonne test vehicle to 650 km/h within just 1,000 meters, using advanced magnetic levitation support and electromagnetic propulsion systems. The test data showed that the vehicle reached the remarkable speed in about 7 seconds with a running distance of 600 meters, Li Weichao, director of the High-speed Maglev Electromagnetic Propulsion Technology Innovation Center at the lab, told China Media Group.”
Page 11: There’s an article by the Party Committee of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council. The focus of the piece is to make the case that central SoEs are contributing to high-level scientific and technological self-reliance.
They have accelerated the improvement of scientific and technological innovation capabilities. Central enterprises’ R&D investment from 2022-2024 broke through one trillion yuan for three consecutive years, with R&D investment intensity reaching 2.79% in 2024, of which basic research and applied basic research accounted for 8.8% of R&D investment; as of the end of 2024, they possessed 474 national-level R&D platforms, with 1.443 million scientific research personnel, a year-on-year increase of 5.5%.
They have taken the lead in undertaking major scientific and technological tasks. Central enterprises led 3 and participated in 19 national major science and technology projects, playing important roles in national-level key research tasks and major science and technology innovation projects. Central enterprises’ number of national science and technology awards in 2023 reached a new high, accounting for 54% of similar awards, and won all 3 special prizes for science and technology progress.
There is a focus on building a source of original technology. They have optimised and formed an overall layout of source areas in 8 major categories, 60 fields, and 201 directions, placing more emphasis on solving problems from the source and bottom level. The first batch of 45 source areas has already formed 121 landmark achievements, newly-built 52 source areas in fields such as quantum information and brain-like intelligence, and achieved a series of major breakthroughs in frontier fields such as controlled nuclear fusion, 6G network architecture, and carbon dioxide capture.
A number of world-class scientific and technological achievements have been achieved. The Shenzhou series of spacecraft have asked the sky, the Chang’e lunar exploration project has continued to explore space, and the development of high-end equipment such as the Fendouzhe submersible, ultra-deepwater ocean research drilling ship Mengxiang, and Shenditake-1 deep earth well have achieved major breakthroughs. A series of major projects such as the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Channel and the Qinling Station in Antarctica have been built. Central enterprises have greatly boosted the confidence and self-reliance of the Chinese nation with their own scientific and technological achievements.
加快提升科技创新能力。中央企业2022—2024年研发投入连续三年突破万亿元，2024年研发投入强度达到2.79%，其中基础研究与应用基础研究占研发投入比重达到8.8%；截至2024年底，拥有国家级研发平台474个，科研人员144.3万人、同比提高5.5%。牵头承担重大科技任务。中央企业牵头3个、参与19个国家科技重大专项，在国家级攻关任务和科技创新重大项目中发挥了重要作用。中央企业2023年度国家科技奖获奖数量再创新高，占同类奖项54%，并获得全部3项科技进步特等奖。着力建设原创技术策源地。优化形成8大类60个领域201个方向的策源地总体布局，更加注重从源头和底层解决问题。首批45个策源地已形成121项标志性成果，在量子信息、类脑智能等领域新建52个策源地，在可控核聚变、6G网络架构、二氧化碳捕集等前沿领域实现一系列重大突破。取得一批世界级科技成果。神舟系列飞船叩问苍穹，嫦娥探月工程接力探索太空，“奋斗者”号、“梦想”号、深地塔科1井等高端装备研制实现重大突破，建成深中通道、南极秦岭站等一系列重大工程，中央企业以自身的科技成果，极大振奋了中华民族自信自强的志气底气.
In the second section, the piece says that the SASAC is guiding central enterprises to give full play to their advantages in talents, funds, and scenarios with the aim of promoting full-chain innovation from basic research to industrialization. 国务院国资委指导中央企业充分发挥人才、资金、场景等优势，着力推进从基础研究到产业化的全链条创新.
A three-layer linkage research system that integrates into the national overall deployment, organizes central enterprises’ joint efforts to tackle key problems, and promotes enterprises’ active breakthroughs has been established. A unified breakthrough advancement mechanism has been formed, in which the industrial chain and innovation chain are interconnected, and breakthroughs made are connected to practical application and use. A number of ‘chokepoint’ critical core technologies have been overcome in fields such as integrated circuits, industrial mother machines, and industrial software. 构建了融入国家总体部署、组织央企合力攻坚、推动企业主动突破的三层联动攻关体系，形成了产业链创新链贯通、攻出来用起来对接的一体推进攻关机制，在集成电路、工业母机、工业软件等领域攻克一批“卡脖子”关键核心技术.
High-quality construction of innovation consortiums. Adhering to shared benefits and shared risks, 24 innovation consortiums in fields such as core electronic components and high-end numerical control machine tools have been formed, jointly designing tasks and jointly organizing implementation, with integrated allocation of talent, funds, and projects. 86 central enterprises drove over 800 universities, institutes, state-owned enterprises, and private enterprises to advance over 1,000 projects, with 190 achievements realizing application and promotion. 高质量打造创新联合体。坚持利益共享、风险共担，在核心电子元器件、高端数控机床等领域组建24个创新联合体，共同设计任务、共同组织实施，人才、资金、项目一体配置，86家中央企业带动800余家高校院所、国企民企推进1000多个项目，190项成果实现应用推广.
By the end of 2024, central enterprises led 479 national and local industrial science and technology innovation strategic alliances, and built 155 incubator platforms and science and technology industrial parks. In 2024, 35 central SOEs carried out ‘revealing the list and taking the lead’ activities open to the whole society, publishing 210 lists in total, launching 25,000 industry-academia-research cooperation projects, and spending a total of 27.42 billion yuan.
The ‘last mile’ of scientific and technological achievement transformation has been opened up. The docking and industrialization mechanisms for industry-academia-research achievements have been improved. Active efforts have been made to promote the first sets, first batches, and first versions of equipment or products to undergo first tests and first uses. In total, 205 pilot testing and verification platforms and 76 achievement transformation institutions have been built. In 2024, 1,232 independently achieved breakthroughs were applied and promoted, with contract amounts reaching 75.84 billion yuan, helping a large number of original technologies that truly meet market demand stand out.
构建了融入国家总体部署、组织央企合力攻坚、推动企业主动突破的三层联动攻关体系，形成了产业链创新链贯通、攻出来用起来对接的一体推进攻关机制，在集成电路、工业母机、工业软件等领域攻克一批“卡脖子”关键核心技术。高质量打造创新联合体。坚持利益共享、风险共担，在核心电子元器件、高端数控机床等领域组建24个创新联合体，共同设计任务、共同组织实施，人才、资金、项目一体配置，86家中央企业带动800余家高校院所、国企民企推进1000多个项目，190项成果实现应用推广。带动各类创新主体融通创新。截至2024年底，中央企业牵头国家及地方产业科技创新战略联盟479家，建设孵化器平台及科技产业园区155个。2024年，35家中央企业面向全社会开展“揭榜挂帅”，累计发布榜单210个，开展产学研合作项目2.5万个，实际支出经费274.2亿元。打通科技成果转化的“最后一公里”。健全产学研成果对接和产业化机制，积极推进首台（套）、首批次、首版次首试首用，累计建设中试验证平台205个、成果转化机构76个，2024年实现1232项自主攻关成果应用推广，合同金额达758.4亿元，帮助一大批真正符合市场需求的原创技术脱颖而出。
In the final section, the article contends that “central enterprises are the backbone of China’s real economy and the main force in developing new quality productive forces.” 中央企业是我国实体经济的骨干中坚力量，是发展新质生产力的主力军.
Three specific comittments follow:
We will vigorously promote the transformation and upgrading of traditional industries
We will focus on developing clusters of emerging industries. In 2024, the central enterprises completed investment of 2.7 trillion yuan in strategic emerging industries, a year-on-year increase of 21.8%, accounting for more than 40% of the total investment for the first time, and the operating income of strategic emerging industries exceeded 11 trillion yuan, accounting for nearly 30%. 2024年中央企业战略性新兴产业完成投资2.7万亿元，同比增长21.8%，占总投资的比重首次突破40%，战略性新兴产业营业收入规模突破11万亿元，占比接近30%.
According to the standards of ‘new tracks, new technologies, new platforms, and new mechanisms,’ a total of 79 future industry-related enterprises have been established through means such as wholly-owned, controlling, and equity participation. In 2024, central enterprises released the world’s first computing power router in future industry-related fields, the new generation ‘artificial sun’ with ion and electron temperatures both exceeding 100 million degrees, completed quantum gravimeter prototype testing, formed a batch of products and services that have market presence and competitiveness, and accelerated seizing the commanding heights of future development.” 超前布局未来产业。按照“新赛道、新技术、新平台、新机制”标准，通过全资、控股、参股等方式，累计成立未来产业相关企业79家。2024年中央企业在未来产业相关领域发布全球首台算力路由器，新一代“人造太阳”突破离子电子“双亿度”，完成量子重力仪样机测试，形成了一批有市场、有竞争力的产品和服务，加快抢占未来发展制高点。
The achievements made in the scientific and technological innovation of central SoEs are fundamentally due to the strong leadership of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core and the scientific guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. 国资央企科技创新工作取得的成绩，根本在于以习近平同志为核心的党中央坚强领导，在于习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想科学指引.