Talking Up the Economy - Revised Discipline Inspection Regulations - Wang Yi: 'Europe’s Rational Understanding of China is Increasing' - US' Gaza Resolution Veto
Here are the key reports and articles that I found noteworthy from the People's Daily’s edition on Thursday, February 22, 2024.
Page 1: The lead report is an accumulation of data, comments and policy information to shed positive light on the Chinese economy. The report says that the IMF has raised its global growth estimate and China’s growth estimate for the year. It says that in the IMF’s latest World Economic Outlook Report, the upward trend is attributed to several major factors, including the “acceleration of China's economic recovery.” The report adds:
“Optimistic expectations for China’s economic growth have also boosted confidence in regional economic growth. The International Monetary Fund predicts that as China's economic growth may exceed expectations, the overall economic growth rate of emerging economies in Asia is expected to reach 5.2% this year, 0.4 percentage points higher than the forecast in October last year.” 对中国经济增长的乐观预期，也提振了对地区经济增长的信心。国际货币基金组织预测，由于中国经济增长可能超过预期，亚洲新兴经济体今年的整体经济增长率有望达到5.2%，比去年10月的预测提高0.4个百分点.
This is the actual relevant paragraph from the IMF’s report:
“Growth in emerging and developing Asia is expected to decline from an estimated 5.4 percent in 2023 to 5.2 percent in 2024 and 4.8 percent in 2025, with an upgrade of 0.4 percentage point for 2024 over the October 2023 projections, attributable to China’s economy. Growth in China is projected at 4.6 percent in 2024 and 4.1 percent in 2025, with an upward revision of 0.4 percentage point for 2024 since the October 2023 WEO. The upgrade reflects carryover from stronger-than-expected growth in 2023 and increased government spending on capacity building against natural disasters.”
Another important bit to note from the PD article is that it does not mention the actual growth rate projection by the IMF.
Another bit of selective data sharing in the article is below:
“The latest survey report released by the American Chamber of Commerce in China shows that 50% of the American companies surveyed ranked China as their first or top three investment destinations in the world. A survey by the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China shows that 59% of the companies surveyed regard China as one of the three main investment destinations. The business confidence survey report of the German Chamber of Commerce in China shows that 91% of the German companies surveyed stated that they will continue to take root in the Chinese market, and more than half of the surveyed German companies plan to increase investment in China in the next two years.” 中国美国商会发布最新调查报告显示，有50%的受访美国企业将中国列为全球首选或前三位投资目的地。中国欧盟商会调查显示，59%的受访企业将中国视为三大主要投资目的地之一。中国德国商会的商业信心调查报告显示，91%的受访德国企业表示将继续扎根中国市场，超过半数的受访德企计划未来两年内增加对华投资.
Now, let’s take a look at what some of the surveys actually indicate. The EU survey cited is from mid-2023. It indeed says that 59% of the companies surveyed regard China as one of the three main investment destinations. But this figure is down 7% year-on-year.
In contrast, the AmCham survey cited is from earlier this year. It says this:
“In a notable shift from last year, when a majority of the respondents did not consider China among their top three global investment priorities, this year sees a slight rebound. This year, half of the survey participants place China as their first choice or within their top three investment destinations globally, marking a 5pp increase from last year’s all-time low. Notably, this 50% includes 12% of members who operate solely in China, offering a more detailed view of the investment landscape.”
Anyway, later the article shares another noteworthy data point:
As of February 20, 214 cities in 29 provinces have established urban real estate financing coordination mechanisms, and proposed a ‘white list’ of real estate projects in batches and sent them to commercial banks. This involves a total of 5,349 real estate projects.” 截至2月20日，29个省份214个城市已建立城市房地产融资协调机制，分批提出房地产项目“白名单”并推送给商业银行，共涉及房地产项目5349个.
The other lead article is the full revised regulations on the Party's disciplinary inspections. The notice issued with the regulations talks about implementing Xi’s important thought on the Party’s self-revolution. This set of regulations was revised during the Politburo meeting on January 31, 2024.
Article 1 talks about upholding and strengthening the Party’s overall leadership over inspection work.
Article 2 says that “Inspection work is the political supervision of higher-level Party organizations over lower-level Party organizations’ performance of the Party’s leadership functions and responsibilities. The fundamental task is to resolutely safeguard the status of General Secretary Xi Jinping as the core of the Party Central Committee and the entire Party, and resolutely safeguard the authority and centralized and unified leadership of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core.” 第二条 巡视工作是上级党组织对下级党组织履行党的领导职能责任的政治监督， 根本任务是坚决维护习近平总书记党中央的核心、全党的核心地位，坚决维护以习近平同志为核心的党中央权威和集中统一领导.
Article 3 then further calls for everyone to “deeply understand the decisive significance of the Two Establishments, strengthen the four consciousnesses and four self-confidences, and achieve the two safeguards…”
The core principles for inspection work are:
Adhere to the centralized and unified leadership of the Party Central Committee, with responsibility assigned at different levels
Persist in focusing on the center and serving the overall situation
Adhere to the people's standpoint and implement the mass line
Adhere to a problem-oriented approach and promote the spirit of struggle
Adhere to seeking truth from facts and act in accordance with rules, discipline, and the law.
一）坚持党中央集中统一领导、分级负责；（二）坚持围绕中心、服务大局；（三）坚持人民立场、贯彻群众路线；（四）坚持问题导向、发扬斗争精神；（五）坚持实事求是、依规依纪依法.
Under Chapter 2, Article 5 reaffirms the “hierarchical responsibilities” of the inspection work system. This chapter also outlines the main responsibilities for inspection work.
Article 8 is important to note:
“The party organization that carries out inspection work shall establish an inspection work leading group. The leading group for inspection work is responsible to and shall report its work to the party organization at the same level. The head of the Central Inspection Leading Group is the Secretary of the CCDI. The deputy leader is generally the head of the Organization Department of the Central Committee and the deputy secretary of the CCDI in charge of daily work. The leader of the inspection leading group of the Party committee of a province, autonomous region, or municipality directly under the Central Government shall be the secretary of the Party's discipline inspection committee at the same level, and the deputy leader shall generally be the head of the Organization Department of the Party committee at the same level…” 第八条 开展巡视工作的党组织设立巡视工作领导小组。巡视工作领导小组向同级党组织负责并报告工作。 中央巡视工作领导小组组长由中央纪律检查委员会书记担任， 副组长一般由中央组织部部长和中央纪律检查委员会分管日常工作的副书记担任。 省、自治区、直辖市党委巡视工作领导小组组长由同级党的纪律检查委员会书记担任，副组长一般由同级党委组织部部长担任.
Article 10 confirms the CCDI’s control over all inspection work with the offices of the inspection work leading groups at different levels being located under the discipline inspection commissions at different levels.
The other key takeaway from this Chapter is that the primary task of the inspection is to ensure implementation of the decisions and arrangements of the Party Central Committee.
Article 18 further states that
Inspection work shall closely focus on power and responsibilities, strengthen political supervision, strictly enforce political disciplines and rules, and focus on inspecting the following situations:
Implementation of the Party’s theories, lines, principles and policies, the Party Central Committee’s major decisions and arrangements, especially the implementation of the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important speeches and important instructions, the implementation of the Party Constitution and other intra-Party regulations, the performance of functions and responsibilities, and the implementation of the responsibility system for ideological work.
Implementing the main responsibilities and supervisory responsibilities related to the comprehensive and strictly governance of the party and those related to promoting the construction of Party work style/econduct and clean government and the fight against corruption; ensuring that leading cadres establish and practice the correct view of political performance, strengthening of work style construction, implementation of the spirit of the eight-point central regulation and their implementation rules, and the maintenance of integrity and self-discipline.
Implement the Party’s organizational line in the new era, implement democratic centralism, strengthen the construction of leadership teams and cadres, and the construction of grassroots Party organizations and Party members
Implementation of inspection supervision and rectification of problems found in auditing, accounting, statistics and other supervision
Other information required by the Party organizations conducting the inspection.
implementation of inspection supervision, as well as the rectification of problems discovered by other supervisory methods such as auditing, financial and accounting, and statistics.第十八条 巡视工作应当紧盯权力和责任加强政治监督，严明政治纪律和政治规矩，重点检查下列情况： （一）落实党的理论和路线方针政策、党中央重大决策部署特别是贯彻习近平总书记重要讲话和重要指示批示精神的情况，执行党章和其他党内法规、履行职能责任的情况， 落实意识形态工作责任制的情况； （二）落实全面从严治党主体责任和监督责任、 推进党风廉政建设和反腐败斗争的情况， 领导干部树立和践行正确政绩观、加强作风建设、落实中央八项规定及其实施细则精神、廉洁自律的情况； （三）落实新时代党的组织路线，贯彻执行民主集中制，加强领导班子和干部人才队伍建设、基层党组织和党员队伍建设的情况； （四）落实巡视监督以及审计、财会、统计等其他监督发现问题整改的情况； （五）开展巡视工作的党组织要求了解的其他情况.
Article 19 says that “the inspection work shall strengthen the supervision of the main leaders of the inspected Party organizations, focusing on checking their loyalty to the Party, fulfillment of the primary responsibility as the person in charge for comprehensive and strict Party governance, adherence to rules and laws in the exercise of powers, taking responsibilities, and maintaining integrity and self-discipline…” 第十九条 巡视工作应当加强对被巡视党组织主要负责人的监督，重点检查其对党忠诚、履行全面从严治党第一责任人责任、依规依法履职用权、担当作为、廉洁自律等情况， 对反映的重要问题进行深入了解，形成专题材料.
Article 20 says that the “Party organization conducting the inspection, based on the needs of the work, can organize inspection supervision through routine inspections, special inspections, flexible inspections, and ‘look-back’ inspections, and when necessary, inspections can be escalated to a higher level.” 第二十条 开展巡视工作的党组织根据工作需要， 采取常规巡视、专项巡视、机动巡视、“回头看”等方式组织开展巡视监督， 必要时可以提级巡视.
The next couple of chapters deal with the inspection process and application of outcomes. After this, there’s a chapter on building the inspection work team. In this, it is important to note the qualities that are highlighted.
“Article 40: Inspection cadres shall meet the following conditions:
Have firm ideals and beliefs, loyalty to the party, and consciously maintain a high degree of alignment in thought, politics, and actions with the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core
Must adhere to principles, dare to fight, take responsibility, act in accordance with the law, be fair and upright, and maintain integrity and honesty
Exemplify compliance with the Party's discipline and national laws and regulations, strictly observe Party and state secrets.
Have the professional knowledge necessary for performing inspection and supervisory duties, as well as strong abilities in problem discovery, communication, coordination, and comprehensive writing.
Have the physical and psychological qualities necessary for normal job performance.
When selecting individuals to participate in inspection work, the above criteria should be strictly adhered to, including political reliability, ethical conduct, competence, work style, and integrity. Party discipline and integrity opinions should be sought through the proper procedures. Individuals not suitable for engaging in inspection work should be reassigned in a timely manner.”
第四十条 巡视干部应当具备下列条件： （一）理想信念坚定，对党忠诚，自觉在思想上政治上行动上同以习近平同志为核心的党中央保持高度一致； （二）坚持原则，敢于斗争，担当作为，依法办事，公道正派，清正廉洁； （三）模范遵守党的纪律和国家法律法规，严守党和国家的秘密； （四）具有履行巡视监督职责的专业知识和较强的发现问题、沟通协调、文字综合等能力； （五）具有正常履行职责的身体条件和心理素质。 抽调人员参加巡视工作，应当按照上述条件，严把政治关、品行关、能力关、作风关、廉洁关，按程序征求党风廉政意见。 对不适合从事巡视工作的人员，应当及时予以调整.
On Page 2, there’s a long Q&A with the head of the Office of the Central Leading Group for Inspection Work. The official largely highlights the points that I have covered above.
Page 3: There’s an interview with Wang Yi on his visit to the Munich Security Conference, Spain and France.
The first question is broadly about MSC; he concludes with this:
“President Xi Jinping has proposed building a community with a shared future for mankind and advocated an equal and orderly world multi-polarization and inclusive economic globalization. This is China’s solution to a series of practical problems, major challenges and outstanding contradictions in the world today. China will lead the implementation of the Global Security Initiative, the Global Development Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative, use high-quality joint construction of the ‘Belt and Road’ as a platform, adhere to extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, and work with other countries to achieve world modernization of peace and prosperity.” 习近平主席提出构建人类命运共同体，倡导平等有序的世界多极化和普惠包容的经济全球化，正是针对当今世界一系列现实问题、重大挑战、突出矛盾给出的中国方案。中国将以落实全球安全倡议、全球发展倡议、全球文明倡议为引领，以高质量共建“一带一路”为平台，坚持共商共建共享，同各国一道实现和平与繁荣的世界现代化.
The second question is about Ukraine and Palestine. Wang says that with regard to both of these, “although the situation remains uncertain and contradictions are still prominent, there is an increasing consensus among all parties, and the willingness to cooperate is on the rise. I introduced China’s position and propositions to all parties, emphasizing the need to adhere to a political solution, not giving up efforts to seek peace and promote dialogue, actively seeking fair and reasonable solutions, and preventing more serious consequences.” 我此行同各方就此深入沟通，最突出的感受是，虽然形势仍不明朗、矛盾仍很突出，但各方的共识在增加，合作的意愿在上升。我向各方介绍了中方立场主张，强调必须坚持政治解决思路，不放弃劝和促谈努力，积极寻求公正合理方案，防止更加严重的后果.
“A prolonged, complicated and expanding Ukraine crisis is not in the common interest of the international community. Historical experience proves that the end point of any conflict is to return to the negotiating table. History will judge the causes and effects and the rights and wrongs of this crisis. The most urgent thing at the moment is to restore peace. We believe that a political solution is the only way out. As long as there is still a glimmer of hope for peace, efforts to promote peace should not be given up. If peace talks begin even a day earlier, there are fewer losses. The ‘Four Shoulds’ proposed by President Xi Jinping are China’s fundamental principles for promoting a political solution to the Ukrainian crisis. China will continue to play a constructive role in re-establishing peace and support the building of a balanced, effective and sustainable European security architecture.”
“Over the past 100-plus days, the conflict between Israel and Palestine has continued to escalate, resulting in nearly 30,000 civilian deaths and approximately 1.9 million people displaced. Allowing the Gaza conflict to drag on will lead to an even more serious humanitarian disaster. In the 21st century, how can the international community remain indifferent and inactive in the face of such a human tragedy? The root cause of the conflict lies in the fact that Palestine has never been able to realize its dream of statehood, and generations of people have been displaced and unable to return to their homeland. China's position is clear: first, there should be an immediate ceasefire and end to hostilities; second, it is imperative to ensure humanitarian relief; third, all detainees should be released; fourth, an international conference to restart the talks for a ‘two-state solution’ should be convened in order to ultimately achieve peaceful coexistence between Israel and Palestine, and harmony between the Arab and Jewish peoples.” 乌克兰危机长期化、复杂化、扩大化不符合国际社会共同利益。历史经验证明，任何冲突的终点都是回到谈判桌。这场危机的来龙去脉、是非曲直历史自会有公论，当前最紧迫的是恢复和平。我们认为政治解决是唯一出路。只要和平还有一线希望，就应不放弃促和努力。如果早一天开启和谈，损失就会减少一分。习近平主席提出的“四个应该”是中方推动政治解决乌克兰危机的根本遵循。中方将继续为重建和平发挥建设性作用，支持构建均衡、有效、可持续的欧洲安全架构。过去100多天来，巴以冲突持续升级，已造成近3万平民丧生，约190万人流离失所。任由加沙战事延宕，将会造成更严重人道主义灾难。二十一世纪的今天，国际社会怎能面对这样的人间悲剧而无动于衷、无所作为？冲突的根源在于巴勒斯坦始终未能实现建国梦想，几代人颠沛流离而无法回归家园。中国的立场很清楚，一是立即停火止战，二是确保人道救援，三是释放所有扣押人员，四是召开国际和会，重启“两国方案”，最终实现巴以两国和平共处、阿拉伯和犹太两民族和谐共存。
The third question is about China-Europe ties. This one is really interesting. Wang says that amid the turbulent geopolitical environment, “we must regard partnership as the main tone of China-EU relations, take cooperation as the main theme of China-EU relations, persist in seeking common ground while reserving differences, build convergences amid differences, and promote the stable and forward-looking development of China-EU relations.” 展望未来，我们必须把伙伴作为中欧关系的主基调，把合作作为中欧关系的主旋律，坚持求同存异、聚同化异，推动中欧关系稳中有进、行稳致远.
He then adds:
“I feel that Europe’s rational understanding of China is increasing, recognizing that China's development is in line with the logic of history, and Europe should not fear it, let alone reject it. The European side is positive about strengthening exchanges at all levels with China and is enthusiastic about deepening practical cooperation. It hopes to achieve more concrete results in areas such as economy and trade, energy, green development, digital cooperation, education, and culture. We welcome Europe to share the vast opportunities of China’s super-large market and actively participate in China's high-level, institutional opening-up process. China will continue to make persistent efforts in relaxing market access, aligning with international trade rules, and addressing issues related to the entry of foreign personnel into China. I believe that European countries will also gain more opportunities for cooperation in China's high-quality development. All segments of society in Europe are clearly against ‘decoupling,’ and wise individuals are beginning to reflect on the risks brought about by ‘de-risking’. I emphasized to the European side that ‘de-risking’ cannot mean reducing cooperation, and ‘reducing dependence’ cannot mean reducing mutual trust. Mutual dependence based on mutual trust is conducive to complementing each other's advantages and accelerating common development. We must remain vigilant against the fragmentation of the world economy and protectionist tendencies, continue to pursue an open policy, adhere to fair competition, uphold free trade, avoid pan-securitization, and resist deglobalization. China and the EU attach great importance to each other's influence in international affairs. Both support world multipolarity and democratization of international relations, support the United Nations in playing an important role, and oppose camp confrontation and zero-sum games. The two sides should strengthen communication and coordination within multilateral frameworks such as the United Nations, the World Trade Organization, and the G20, jointly promote political solutions to hotspot issues, build international consensus on major issues such as climate change and artificial intelligence, propose effective solutions, and play a leading role. Europe is an important direction for major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics and an important partner in realizing Chinese-style modernization. As long as China and Europe strengthen cooperation, a new Cold War cannot be fought and confrontation between the camps cannot proceed.” 我感到，欧洲对华的理性认知在增多，认为中国的发展符合历史的逻辑，欧洲对此不应惧怕更不应拒绝。欧方对加强中欧各层级交往态度积极，对深化务实合作热情很高，希望经贸、能源、绿色、数字、教育、人文等领域合作取得更多具体成果。我们欢迎欧方分享中国超大规模市场机遇，积极参与中国高水平、制度型开放进程。中方将在放宽市场准入、对标国际贸易规则、打通外籍人员来华堵点等方面持续发力。相信欧洲国家也会在中国高质量发展中得到越来越多合作机遇。欧洲各界都明确反对“脱钩”，有识之士开始反思“去风险”带来的风险。我向欧方强调，“去风险”不能去合作，“降依赖”不能降互信，建立在互信基础上的相互依存，有利于各方优势互补，有利于加快共同发展。我们要对世界经济碎片化、保护主义倾向保持警惕，继续奉行开放政策，坚持公平竞争，维护自由贸易，避免泛安全化，抵制逆全球化。中欧高度重视彼此在国际事务中的重要影响。都支持世界多极化和国际关系民主化，都支持联合国发挥重要作用，都反对阵营对抗、零和博弈。双方要在联合国、世界贸易组织、二十国集团等多边框架内加强沟通协调，共同推动政治解决热点问题，就气候变化、人工智能等重大议题凝聚国际共识，提出有效方案，发挥引领作用。欧洲是中国特色大国外交的重要方向，也是实现中国式现代化的重要伙伴。只要中欧加强合作，“新冷战”就打不起来，阵营对抗就搞不下去.
The final question is about the visit to France and Spain. Nothing specific to highlight in this context.
Page 17: There are a couple of reports on the US vetoing a UNSC draft resolution calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza.
UN News reported that the “US uses veto power to quash Algeria’s draft resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and presents rival text that would condemn Hamas but also support a temporary ceasefire.”
China’s Zhang Jun said: “Under the current circumstances, remaining passive and evasive on the issue of an immediate ceasefire is tantamount to giving a green light to continue killing. Conflict spillover is destabilizing the entire Middle East, and the risk of wider war is rising. The Security Council must take action as soon as possible to prevent this catastrophe in the Middle East.” He also called on Israel “to listen to the call of the international community, cancel its attack plan on the southern city of Rafah in the Gaza Strip, and stop collective punishment of the Palestinian people.”
China’s MoFA said: “The Security Council must take immediate actions to push for a ceasefire. This is a moral obligation that the Council cannot shy away from and a legal responsibility that the Council must assume. Even more so, this is a political requirement that the Council must fulfill in accordance with the Charter. Algeria, on behalf of the Arab states, put forward the draft resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, immediate release of all hostages, guaranteed access for humanitarian supplies, and the rejection of forced displacement. This is both urgently required by the situation on the ground and it is also based on the minimum requirements of humanity. The draft resolution was supported by the overwhelming majority of Council members. China voted in favor of the draft resolution as well. The United States’ veto pushes the situation in Gaza into a more dangerous one. Various parties, including China, expressed strong disappointment by and dissatisfaction with the veto.”