Talking up Innovation - Wang Yi Interview on Recent Diplomacy - You Quan on United Front Work - Zheng Jian on Taiwan White Paper
Here are the stories and pieces that I found noteworthy in the Friday, August 12, 2022, edition of the People’s Daily.
Page 1: At the top of the page is an article celebrating the expansion of science and technology innovation in China over the past decade. Some data points from the piece:
In the Global Innovation Index, China rose from 34th in 2012 to the 12th in 2021.
R&D investment of the whole society has increased from 1.03 trillion yuan in 2012 to 2.79 trillion yuan in 2021
Basic research expenditure has increased to 3.4 times what it was a decade ago
The number of high-tech enterprises increased from 49,000 to 330,000
In 2021, 683 Chinese enterprises were listed among the top 2,500 enterprises in R&D investment globally
Beijing, Shanghai and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area are among the top 10 global innovation clusters
A total of 173 high-tech zones in China account for more than one-third of the country’s high-tech enterprises
Some of the sectors where the piece says that China is at the forefront are: digital economy, new energy vehicles, solar PVs, new displays, and advanced energy storage
The article also talks about applications of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, big data, blockchain, and quantum communication, such as smart terminals, online education, and telemedicine, along with online payments
The article also references the goal of technological self-reliance
Next, is a piece telling us that under the leadership of Xi Jinping, all localities and departments have coordinated development and security to ensure food security, energy security and stable supply and prices of key commodities. Of course, this comes with a note of caution that the country’s economic recovery is still in a critical phase. So it’s necessary to continue to focus on these issues.
Finally, some data on vehicles in China.
The number of motor vehicles in China has reached 408 million, including 312 million cars
There are 494 million motor vehicle drivers, including 456 million car drivers.
In HI, there were 16.57 million newly registered motor vehicles and 11.03 million newly licensed drivers
As of June, the number of new energy vehicles in China had reached 10.01 million, accounting for 3.23% of the total number of vehicles
Among them, the number of pure electric vehicles was 8.104 million
In H1, 2.209 million new energy vehicles were newly registered, an increase of 100.26% compared with the first half of last year
Page 3: There’s an interview with Wang Yi on his recent engagements in Cambodia, Bangladesh and Mongolia, along with his meetings with counterparts from South Korea and Nepal.
The first question relates to the ASEAN meeting in Cambodia. Wang talked about the growth of China-ASEAN trade and development cooperation. He then said:
“The biggest consensus from the meeting was that all parties agreed to uphold the concept of prioritising development, sharing development opportunities, connecting development strategies and establishing an example for development cooperation. ASEAN supports the Global Development Initiative and is willing to take the lead in the region to promote the initiative. All parties agreed to build a high quality BRI, actively participate in the construction of the new land-sea channel, ensure the smooth flow of production and supply chains, safeguard food and energy security, strengthen cooperation in e-commerce and clean energy, and constantly cultivate new growth points for cooperation.” 会议最大共识是各方同意秉持发展优先理念，共享发展机遇，对接发展战略，打造发展典范。东盟支持全球发展倡议，愿推动倡议在本地区率先落地。各方同意高质量共建“一带一路”，积极参与陆海新通道建设，保障产供链畅通，维护粮食和能源安全，加强电商、清洁能源合作，不断培育合作新增长点。
“The biggest highlight of the meeting was the position paper issued by China, which clearly supported the ASEAN-centred regional cooperation framework, which was generally welcomed by ASEAN countries. All parties believe that it is necessary to adhere to open regionalism, carry forward genuine multilateralism, and contribute to the ‘Asian plans/solutions’ and ‘Asian Power’. We should be vigilant of extra-regional forces provoking camp confrontation and safeguard the hard-won peaceful development.” 会议最大亮点是中方发表立场文件，鲜明支持以东盟为中心的区域合作架构，东盟各国对此普遍欢迎。各方认为，要坚持开放的区域主义，弘扬真正的多边主义，贡献“亚洲方案”和“亚洲力量”。要警惕域外势力挑动阵营对抗，维护得来不易的和平发展局面。
On the Foreign Ministers’ Meeting of ASEAN, China, Japan and South Korea, Wang reiterated the proposals that he had made. These were:
China had proposed a new five-year work plan for the 10+3 cooperation
He proposed “a special donation for the RCEP economic and technical cooperation under the framework of the ASEAN-China Cooperation Fund to help ASEAN countries enhance the ability to better implement the pact.” He also said that China “supports the establishment of 10+3 immigration and consular consultation mechanism as well as increasing direct flights between China and other 10+3 countries in an orderly manner.”
He talked about the construction of a 10+3 emergency medical supplies reserve centre and the establishment of a disaster management ministerial-level meeting mechanism.
He also talked about “expanding exchanges and cooperation in digital infrastructure, e-commerce, digital logistics and smart cities to facilitate regional digital transformation, and accelerating green development in the region with efforts towards a 10+3 low-carbon partnership, and strengthening cooperation in poverty alleviation to narrow development gaps in the region.”
The next question is about the South China Sea Code of Conduct; Wang said that China and ASEAN countries have the “capability, confidence and wisdom to properly handle the South China Sea issue.” He added that China is willing to work with ASEAN countries to firmly uphold the principles of the DOC, accelerate consultations on the COC, deepen maritime dialogue and cooperation, firmly grasp the correct direction of properly handling the South China Sea issue, and turn the South China Sea into a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation.” 中国与东盟国家作为全面战略伙伴，经过20年协调磨合，完全有能力、有信心、有智慧处理好南海问题。中方愿同东盟国家一道，坚定维护《宣言》原则、加快推进“准则”磋商、深化海上对话合作，牢牢把握妥善处理南海问题的正确方向，将南海打造成和平之海、友谊之海、合作之海.
The third question is about Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan. Wang pats himself on the back here. He says that the Chinese side “explained the facts and positions to all parties in a timely manner, effectively responded to unreasonable accusations, firmly defended national sovereignty and resolutely safeguarded legitimate rights and interests.” 此次与会和访问期间，我们向各方及时讲清事实、阐明立场，有力回击无理指责，坚定捍卫国家主权，坚决维护正当权益.
He added that “China’s just and reasonable proposition” received wide support, with Russia, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore, Bangladesh, Greece, Turkey and New Zealand making it clear during bilateral and multilateral engagements that they adhere to the One-China policy and hope to maintain a peaceful and stable international and regional environment. ASEAN foreign ministers also issued a statement reaffirming the One-China policy and calling for adherence to the principles of the UN Charter. 中方正义合理主张得到广泛响应支持。俄罗斯、柬埔寨、老挝、印尼、文莱、马来西亚、越南、新加坡、孟加拉国、希腊、土耳其、新西兰等在会议双多边场合明确表示坚持一中政策，希望维护和平稳定的国际地区环境。东盟外长发表声明，重申一中政策，呼吁坚持联合国宪章原则.
He also criticised the G7 for their statement on the Taiwan issue, and says that China has not changed the status quo, rather the US has been trying to use Taiwan to contain China and Taiwan authorities had been trying to seek independence by relying on the US. And then Wang said something that is not new but some serious narrative mumbo-jumbo.
“China's countermeasures are precisely aimed at maintaining peace across the Taiwan Strait and stability in the region. The principle of non-interference in internal affairs is the ‘golden rule’ of state-to-state communication and the ‘magic weapon’ for developing countries. The measures taken by China are also to safeguard the basic norms of international relations and international fairness and justice.” –中方的反制恰恰是为了维护台海的和平，维护地区的稳定。不干涉内政原则是国与国交往的“黄金法则”，是发展中国家的“护身法宝”。中国采取的举措也是在维护国际关系基本准则，维护国际公平正义。--- In other words, he says that PLA exercises in the Taiwan Strait are somehow in the interest of developing countries because they are essentially preserving the international norm of non-interference in internal affairs.
Wang further talked about the threat from the three dangerous trends, which Beijing will be watching for.
Firstly, “it is necessary to be prepared for the United States gathering some accomplices to pour fuel on the fire, enhancing regional military deployments, further escalating the situation and attempting to create a new and bigger crisis.”
Secondly, “we must be wary of ‘Taiwan independence’ forces misjudging the situation, continuing to collude with external forces, and heading further along the path of splitting the country.”
Thirdly, “we must be wary of politicians in some countries ignoring right and wrong, getting caught up in the hype and following suit for political gain. This will seriously undermine the political foundation for relations between China and these countries, and will seriously undermine the UN Charter and the post-World War II international system.”
The next few questions are about China-Cambodia ties, the visits to Bangladesh and Mongolia and the meetings with the foreign ministers of South Korea and Nepal. There’s nothing new in this, so I’ve linked previous coverage above.
I think the meeting with South Korea’s Park Jin is interesting. Xinhua reported that:
“Wang pointed out that the two countries should adhere to independence and freedom from external interference, adhere to good-neighborliness and friendship and take care of each other’s major concerns, adhere to openness and win-win results and maintain stable and smooth production and supply chains, adhere to equality and respect and non-interference in each other's internal affairs, adhere to multilateralism and abide by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. China is willing to work with the ROK to adhere to the positioning of the strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries and promote the healthy and stable development of bilateral relations, Wang added.”
AP’s report on this is good to note too:
“Commenting on Tuesday’s meeting between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his South Korean counterpart Park Jin, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin in a briefing on Wednesday reaffirmed Beijing's stance that the Thaad system in South Korea undermines its ‘strategic security interests’. He added that Seoul had committed to a policy of ‘Three Nos and One Limit,’ the latter apparently referring to a pledge to limit the operations of the Thaad battery already in place, something Seoul has never publicly acknowledged. ‘The two foreign ministers had another in-depth exchange of views on the Thaad issue, making clear their respective positions and enhancing mutual understanding,’ Wang said. He added that the ministers agreed to ‘attach importance to each other's legitimate concerns and to continue to handle and control the issue prudently’ to prevent it from becoming a ‘stumbling stone’ in bilateral relations.”
“South Korea's Foreign Ministry said in a statement that it understood that Wang was referring to the policies of the Moon government with the ‘Three Nos and One Limit’ remark. It said the Yoon government had maintained that Thaad was a defensive tool for protecting South Korean lives and property and a national security matter that Seoul wasn't willing to negotiate with Beijing. It also insisted that the ‘Three Nos’ were never a formal agreement or promise.”
Next, there’s a report telling us that overseas Chinese groupings are discussing the Taiwan white paper. Again, this is useful if you would like to gather a list of overseas associations linked to the United Front.
Finally, there’s a Zhong Sheng commentary criticising the US for forced labour. This is not a new argument. The piece basically says that while there is no forced labour in Xinjiang, the US had slavery. It claims to be the beacon of human rights, but there is darkness underneath the beacon. When you read this piece, do keep in mind this report: “Long-Awaited Uyghur Human Rights Report Due This Month”
Page 4: A report on comments by You Quan made when he was in Shandong on August 10 and 11.
He said that “it is necessary to study and implement the spirit of the Central United Front Work Conference as an important political task for the United Front at present and in the future. Guided by General Secretary Xi Jinping's important thoughts on doing a good job in regard to united front work in the new era, we will promote the high-quality development of the United Front work in all sectors, effectively prevent and resolve risks and hidden dangers in the United Front domain, and create a favourable environment for the successful convening of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China.” 要把学习贯彻中央统战工作会议精神作为统一战线当前和今后一个时期的重要政治任务，以习近平总书记关于做好新时代党的统一战线工作的重要思想为指导，推进各领域统战工作高质量发展，有效防范化解统战领域风险隐患，为党的二十大胜利召开营造良好环境.
Speaking at a symposium during his visit, You said that Xi Jinping’s “important speech” at the central conference had “profoundly clarified a series of major theoretical and practical issues in the United Front work in the new era, and also put forward clear requirements for the risk prevention work in the United Front domain.” 尤权指出，中央统战工作会议特别是习近平总书记在会上的重要讲话，深刻阐明了新时代统战工作一系列重大理论和实践问题，也对做好统战领域防风险工作提出明确要求，要持续深入抓好会议精神的学习贯彻.
He added that it is necessary to comprehensively investigate potential/hidden risks in the United front domain, grasp the facts and details and leave no loose ends, and take the initiative to do a good job in risk disposal. We should steadily and prudently promote the adjustment and improvement of policies related to the United Front, ensure harmony and stability in all fields of United Front work, firmly defend the Two Establishments and resolutely achieve the Two Safeguards with practical actions, and contribute to the convening of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China. 尤权强调，要从党和国家事业发展的全局高度认识做好统战领域防风险工作的重要意义，增强忧患意识，坚持底线思维，坚定斗争意志，增强斗争本领。要全面排查统战领域风险隐患，抓实抓细、不留死角，并主动做好风险处置工作。要稳慎推进涉及统一战线政策的调整完善，确保统战各领域和谐稳定，以实际行动坚定捍卫“两个确立”、坚决做到“两个维护”，为党的二十大召开贡献统战力量.
Page 6: There’s a piece by Zheng Jian from the Taiwan Research Institute at Xiamen University. Zheng describes the publication of the white paper on Taiwan as a “major move.” Zheng writes that the new document, which comes 20 years after the last white paper on Taiwan, is being published keeping in mind the changed environment.
“The internal and external environment for the Taiwan question are undergoing profound and complex changes. As socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a new era, we are closer than ever before to realising the goal of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation; at the same time, the world is undergoing changes unseen in a century, which are accelerating. Some external forces have stepped up their efforts to ‘control China using Taiwan’ and trampled on international law and the basic norms of international relations. The ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist forces have made every effort to ‘seek independence by relying on foreign countries’ in a ‘last-ditch’ effort, constantly challenging the one-China principle and harming the overall interests of the Chinese nation. The ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist forces have stepped up ties with external forces in an attempt to block China’s complete reunification and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.” 如今，20多年过去了，台湾问题内外环境正在发生深刻复杂变化。随着中国特色社会主义进入新时代，我们前所未有地接近实现中华民族伟大复兴的目标，世界百年未有之大变局加速演进。一些外部势力加大力度搞“以台制华”，不惜践踏国际法和国际关系基本准则。“台独”分裂势力则以“最后一搏”的姿态倾尽全力“挟洋谋独”，不断挑战一个中国原则和损害中华民族整体利益。“台独”分裂势力与外部势力加紧勾连，企图阻挡中国实现完全统一和中华民族迈向伟大复兴.
Zheng then talks about what the white paper does.
Zheng says that it highlights the CCP’s efforts to promote “complete reunification,” and its policies in this regard in the new era. Zheng says that the document makes the point that “only the CPC can lead the Chinese people to complete the great cause of the reunification of the motherland and realise the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.”
The paper “clearly illustrates the bright future of peaceful reunification under the principle of ‘one country, two systems’, explains that Taiwan will have a wider development space once reunified, the vital interests of Taiwan compatriots will be fully guaranteed and compatriots on both sides of the strait will share the great glory of national rejuvenation. It once again reveals the truth that ‘reunification will create advantages/gains/benefits,' (统一有好处) ‘Taiwan independence' is a dead end (‘台独’是绝路), and outsiders are unreliable/cannot be trusted (外人靠不住).
Zheng then says that the DPP authorities “are adhering to the ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist stance, and colluding with external forces to continuously carry out ‘independence’ provocations. In particular, they are relying on external actors for support and shown a willingness to act as ‘pawns’ of external forces, leading to heightened tension and turmoil in the Taiwan Strait. 当前，民进党当局坚持“台独”分裂立场，勾连外部势力不断进行谋“独”挑衅，特别是挟洋自重、甘当外部势力“棋子”造成台海局势紧张动荡. This, he argues, has led to many in Taiwan being worried about their future and destiny; Zheng reiterates that “reunification is trend of the times, the destination of Taiwan, and in the interests and well-being of people on both sides of the strait.” 台湾同胞普遍对自身前途命运顾虑繁多、忧心忡忡，而祖国统一是大势所趋、台湾归宿所向、两岸同胞利益福祉所在。
The paper, Zheng writes, makes it clear that “external forces are using Taiwan Province as a pawn to contain China’s development and progress and obstruct the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, sacrificing the interests and bright future of Taiwan Province compatriots…” Zheng adds that “the vast number of Taiwan Province compatriots should open their eyes and see the reality clearly, recognise the true nature of the external forces, stand firmly on the right side of history, resolutely oppose the ‘Taiwan independence’ split and the interference of external forces, and actively participate in the just cause of promoting the peaceful reunification of the motherland. After reunification, the future and destiny of Taiwan Province will be truly settled, and Taiwan Province compatriots will share in the dignity and glory of a great country with their mainland compatriots, and be proud to be dignified and upright Chinese. 外部势力打“台湾牌”，是把台湾当作遏制中国发展进步、阻挠中华民族伟大复兴的棋子，牺牲的是台湾同胞的利益福祉和光明前途，绝不是为了台湾同胞好。广大台湾同胞要睁大眼睛看清现实，认清外部势力的本来面目，坚定站在历史正确的一边，坚决反对“台独”分裂和外部势力干涉，积极参与到推进祖国和平统一的正义事业中来。统一以后，台湾的前途命运将真正安定下来，台湾同胞将同大陆同胞一道，共享一个伟大国家的尊严和荣耀，以做堂堂正正的中国人而骄傲和自豪. — So by this measure, the folks who do not want to be part of the mainland are not 堂堂正正 - dignified and upright - Chinese? It’s quite the sleight being handed out to people whom you want to convince to be part of the PRC.