'The Ship of Dreams Needs a Helmsman' - 仲音 Commentary Backs Dynamic Clearing - China-Mongolia Ties - Li Keqiang Speaks at Key China-Japan Forum - Huang Shouhong on 2035 Goals
Here are the stories and pieces that I found noteworthy in the Tuesday, November 29, 2022, edition of the People’s Daily.
Page 1: The COVID-19 situation does not find its way to the front page of the paper today.
The lead story on the page is a report on the visit of Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh. Xinhua reports:
“Xi said the two countries are each other's important neighbor. It is in the fundamental interests of the two peoples to maintain long-term and stable relations of good-neighborliness, friendship and cooperation. Following the principle of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness, China pursues friendship and partnership with its neighboring countries. It attaches great importance to growing the friendship, mutual trust and common interests with Mongolia…Facing an increasingly unstable and uncertain international environment, China is ready to work with Mongolia to build a community with a shared future between the two countries. Together, the two countries could promote long-term and steady development of the China-Mongolia comprehensive strategic partnership, and bring greater benefits to the two peoples, Xi said.”
Xi further said that China and Mongolia should:
“set an example of pursuing integrated development and shared future”
“promote the building of a new type of international relations and a community with a shared future for mankind”
“respect each other’s independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and the choice of development path”
“support each other on issues concerning respective core interests and major concerns”
“seek greater synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative and the Development Road Initiative, between the Global Development Initiative and Mongolia's New Recovery Policy”
work together to combat desertification
“strengthen exchanges and cooperation between legislatures, governments, political parties and at the sub-national levels”
“China is ready to step up cooperation with Mongolia in the key areas of economy, trade, energy, mining and connectivity, while expanding cooperation on information technology and livestock-products deep processing. The competent departments of the two countries will stay in close touch, work for an early opening of new connectivity channels, and actively advance the China-Mongolia-Russia economic corridor as well as the section of China-Russia natural gas pipeline in Mongolia.”
He added that “China will actively support the construction of a Mongolian youth sports center and other projects as new landmarks of China-Mongolia friendship. Xi emphasized that as two developing countries in the Asia-Pacific, China and Mongolia share extensive common interests in international and regional affairs. China will work with Mongolia in close coordination and collaboration to jointly defend true multilateralism, reject bloc confrontation, and uphold solidarity and cooperation of the international community.”
As per Xinhua, Khurelsukh praised Xi, saying that “Mongolia firmly believes that General Secretary Xi and the CPC will continue to lead the Chinese people in building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects as planned.”
He talked about backing the one-China policy, expressed support for GDI and GSI and talked about cooperating under the BRI framework. He talked about expanding “cooperation on economy, trade, investment, minerals, energy, infrastructure, climate response, green development and desertification treatment, and build(ing) up the China-Mongolia-Russia economic corridor. As the international and regional situation is going through profound and complex changes, it is important that the two sides carry forward Asian values and jointly uphold peace, stability and development in Asia. Mongolia commends China's efforts for upholding world peace, stability and development and the international system with the UN at its core. It will strengthen communication and collaboration with China in international affairs, in a joint effort for greater peace and development in the region, the Mongolian president said.”
At the bottom of the page, there’s also a consolidated report on Li Keqiang and Li Zhanshu meeting with Khurelsukh separately. There’s nothing particularly relevant in these reports. I am linking the English versions to the names of the individuals, if you are interested. The only really noteworthy thing about the report is that Li Zhanshu took the opportunity to praise Xi. He talked about the importance of the “strategic guidance of the two heads of state” in taking the bilateral relationship forward. And then the report has him saying:
“The strong leadership of the Party Central Committee with comrade Xi Jinping as the core and the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era are the most fundamental political guarantees for China to build a modern socialist country in all respects and realise the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.” 以习同志为核心的党中央坚强领导和习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的指引，是我国全面建设社会主义现代化国家、实现中华民族伟大复兴最根本的政治保障.
The other big article on the page is a feature article on the 10th anniversary of Xi coining the China Dream concept. As you will read in this summary below, this is not as much about the Chinese dream as it is about shining a positive light on and praising Xi’s leadership over the past 10 years.
It says that “in the 10 years of the new era, an extraordinary chapter has been written in the grand journey of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.” 新时代十年，在中华民族伟大复兴的壮阔征程中，书写出非凡篇章. The article explains that the “great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is the greatest Chinese dream of the Chinese nation in modern times. It embodies the overall interests of the Chinese nation and the Chinese people, and is the common aspiration of all Chinese sons and daughters.” “何为中国梦？我以为，实现中华民族的伟大复兴，就是中华民族近代最伟大的中国梦。它体现了中华民族和中国人民的整体利益，它是每一个中华儿女的一种共同的期盼.”
The piece talks about how the Chinese people have endured hardships and struggled since modern times; how the CCP has “shouldered the historical mission of realising the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation without hesitation” and never forgotten what it is fighting for; and adds that in the new era,
“the Central Committee with Xi Jinping at its core has made more scientific and complete strategic plans for the development of the Party and the country, stabilised the economy, promoted development, fought poverty, built a moderately prosperous society, controlled the epidemic, responded to major disasters and defused crises. The great ship of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is forging ahead in the direction of our dream.” 当中国特色社会主义进入新时代，以习近平同志为核心的党中央对党和国家事业发展作出更加科学完整的战略部署，稳经济、促发展，战贫困、建小康，控疫情、抗大灾，应变局、化危机，中华民族伟大复兴号巨轮向着梦想的方向破浪前行.
The piece references comments by Sun Yali, the great-grandniece of Sun Yat-sen, who says that in the 10 years of the new era, the Chinese dream has become the common dream of all the sons and daughters of the Chinese nation, drawing the largest concentric circles. 孙中山曾侄孙女孙雅丽说，新时代十年，中国梦已成为全体中华儿女的共同梦想，画出了最大同心圆.
The next paragraph praises Xi.
“Over the past 10 years, the CPC Central Committee with comrade Xi Jinping at the core has united and led the whole party, the whole army and the people of all ethnic groups in the country, strengthened their historical self-confidence, strengthened their historical initiative, firmly grasped the fate of China’s development and progress in its own hands, overcome seemingly insurmountable difficulties and obstacles, and created remarkable human miracles.” 十年来，以习近平同志为核心的党中央，团结带领全党全军全国各族人民，坚定历史自信，增强历史主动，把中国发展进步的命运牢牢掌握在自己手中，攻克了一个个看似不可攻克的难关险阻，创造了一个个令人刮目相看的人间奇迹.
The next section of the article talks about Xi’s emphasis on the “people's yearning for a better life” as the Party’s goal. It stresses the idea of “selfless” service by Xi. “General Secretary Xi Jinping’s feelings of being ‘selfless’ and his sense of responsibility have inspired hundreds of millions of people to run on the track of chasing their dreams.” 习近平总书记“无我”的情怀与担当，激励着亿万人民奔跑在追梦的赛道上.
This then leads to highlighting three examples of “selfless” service. It’s worth noting that one of them is Qi Fabao and his fellow soldiers, who “stood as towering boundary markers/pillars for the motherland.” 因为对大好山河的热爱，祁发宝和战友誓死战斗，站成祖国的巍峨界碑. This, for those who are unfamiliar, is a reference to the June 2020 clash between Indian and Chinese soldiers in the Galwan valley.
The third section of the article talks about realising the Chinese dream needing both material and spiritual strength. It says:
Since the 18th Party Congress, Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era has made major original contributions to enriching and developing Marxism, made historic contributions to activating the vitality of China's excellent traditional culture, and made global contributions to the progress of human civilisation, and provided strong value guidance, cultural cohesion and spiritual impetus for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese dream. 党的十八大以来，习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想为丰富和发展马克思主义作出重大原创性贡献，为激活中华优秀传统文化的生命力作出历史性贡献，为人类文明进步作出世界性贡献，为伟大复兴中国梦提供强大价值引导力、文化凝聚力、精神推动力。
In this section, there’s a quote from Meng Mana, who is a 20th Congress representative and professor at the College of History and Culture, Minzu University of China. Meng says that taking the example of Xi and under his promotion, the Chinese people in the new era have forged their souls and strengthened their ambition, backbone and confidence. 党的二十大代表、中央民族大学历史文化学院教授蒙曼深切感受到，在习近平总书记的垂范和推动下，新时代中国人培根铸魂，不断增强着志气、骨气、底气.
The final section is a call for people to unite and embark on a new journey. Chinese-style modernisation is a key part of this goal, as per the article. There’s a comment in this regard by Zhu Xuelan, a 20th Congress representative from Guangxi. She says that “we must think with one mind, work towards one direction, and move in the direction guided by General Secretary Xi Jinping, better promote rural revitalisation, and achieve common prosperity.” “我们一定要心往一处想，劲往一处使，朝着习近平总书记指引的方向前进，更好地推进乡村振兴，实现共同富裕.”
Finally, there’s a front page commentary, the first in a new series, around the same theme of the Chinese dream and great rejuvenation. It says that in the past 10 years, “under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with comrade Xi Jinping at the core, Chinese sons and daughters have marched triumphantly, engraving their glory on the extraordinary journey to realise their great dreams.” 在以习近平同志为核心的党中央坚强领导下，中华儿女凯歌行进，把光荣镌刻在实现伟大梦想的非凡征程上.
The next few paragraphs basically offer a summary of the achievements of the past decade. It says that the decade had been “extremely unusual and extraordinary in the development process of the Party and the country. Under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee, hundreds of millions of people have strengthened their confidence and faced difficulties, fighting one battle after another, overcoming seemingly insurmountable difficulties and obstacles, and creating amazing human miracles.” 这是砥砺奋进追梦的十年。十年来，多少涉滩之险，多少爬坡之艰，多少闯关之难，在党和国家发展进程中极不寻常、极不平凡。在党中央坚强领导下，亿万人民坚定信心、迎难而上，一仗接着一仗打，攻克了一个个看似不可攻克的难关险阻，创造了一个个令人刮目相看的人间奇迹.
The examples then cited are:
Ensuring stability amid globalisation facing counter-currents
Withstanding the COVID-19 outbreak
Achieving the goal of poverty alleviation
Developments in China’s space programme
Stability and security in terms of China’s “rice bowl”
Work on core technologies
Work on ecological protection
BRI
“Under the banner of the Party, the entire Party and the people of all ethnic groups in the country have united into a ‘hard piece of steel’, worked hard and together, and made a series of breakthroughs in the cause of the Party and the country, and achieved a series of landmark achievements. With the great achievements of the new decade in the new era, we declare that the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation has entered an irreversible historical process.” 全党全国各族人民在党的旗帜下团结成“一块坚硬的钢铁”，一道拼、一道干、一道奋斗，党和国家事业实现一系列突破性进展，取得一系列标志性成果。我们以新时代十年的伟大成就宣告：中华民族伟大复兴进入了不可逆转的历史进程.
After this, there are specific achievements of the new era that are highlighted:
Nearly 100 million rural poor people have been lifted out of poverty
GDP has reached 114 trillion yuan, and economic strength has achieved a historic leap
the world's largest education system, social security system, and medical care system have been established
ecological environment protection has undergone historic, transformative, and overall changes
The next two paragraphs are very interesting:
“The direction determines the path, and the path determines fate. Over the past hundred years, the Party has led the people in unremitting struggle and continuous progress, and successfully opened up the correct path to realise the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. From disintegration and disunity to a high degree unity and ethnic solidarity, from being poor and weak to becoming comprehensively well-off, prosperous and strong, from being passive and bullied to gaining independence and firm self-confidence, China has completed in just a few decades the industrialisation process that took developed countries hundreds of years to achieve; in doing so, it has created the two miracles of rapid economic growth and long-term social stability. Especially since entering the new era, the Party has deepened its understanding of building a modern socialist country, matured its strategy and enriched its practice, successfully promoted and expanded Chinese-style modernisation, continuously enriched and developed the new form of human civilisation, and provided new choices for mankind to realise modernisation. Practice has fully proved that Socialism with Chinese characteristics is a fundamental achievement made by the Party and the people through untold hardships and at great costs, and it is a broad path to create a better life for the people and realise the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. This path conforms to China's reality, reflects the wishes of the Chinese people, and meets the requirements of the development of the times; it is not only the right path to travel but is also stable and good.” 方向决定道路，道路决定命运。百年来，党领导人民不懈奋斗、不断进取，成功开辟了实现中华民族伟大复兴的正确道路。从四分五裂、一盘散沙到高度统一、民族团结，从积贫积弱、一穷二白到全面小康、繁荣富强，从被动挨打、饱受欺凌到独立自主、坚定自信，中国仅用几十年时间就走完发达国家几百年走过的工业化历程，创造了经济快速发展和社会长期稳定两大奇迹。特别是进入新时代以来，党对建设社会主义现代化国家在认识上不断深入、战略上不断成熟、实践上不断丰富，成功推进和拓展了中国式现代化，不断丰富和发展了人类文明新形态，为人类实现现代化提供了新的选择。实践充分证明，中国特色社会主义是党和人民历经千辛万苦、付出巨大代价取得的根本成就，是创造人民美好生活、实现中华民族伟大复兴的康庄大道。这条道路，符合中国实际、反映中国人民意愿、适应时代发展要求，不仅走得对、走得通，而且走得稳、走得好.
“The ship of dreams needs a helmsman; the journey of revival needs a leader that guides. The great transformation of the decade in the new era has been achieved through the united struggle of the entire Party and the people of all ethnic groups under the strong leadership of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core and under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. Entering the new era, the Party and country faced a complex situation, severe struggle, and daunting tasks of reform, development and stability, which are in the world and history. It is precisely because of the establishment of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s position as the core of the CPC Central Committee and the whole party, and the guiding position of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, that the Party has been able to effectively solve the prominent contradictions and problems that affect the long-term governance of the Party, the long-term stability of the country, and the happiness and well-being of the people, and has fundamentally ensured that the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation has entered an irreversible historical process. Practice has fully demonstrated that the Two Establishments is the decisive factor for promoting the historic achievements and changes to the cause of the Party and the country, the greatest certainty, the greatest confidence and the greatest guarantee to overcome all difficulties and obstacles and deal with all uncertainties; it is of decisive significance to the development of the cause of the Party and the country in the new era and to the historical process of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.” 梦想的航船，需要掌舵者；复兴的征程，需要领路人。新时代十年的伟大变革，是在以习近平同志为核心的党中央坚强领导下、在习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想指引下全党全国各族人民团结奋斗取得的。进入新时代，党和国家面临的形势之复杂、斗争之严峻、改革发展稳定任务之艰巨世所罕见、史所罕见。正是因为确立了习近平同志党中央的核心、全党的核心地位，确立了习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的指导地位，党才有力解决了影响党长期执政、国家长治久安、人民幸福安康的突出矛盾和问题，从根本上确保实现中华民族伟大复兴进入了不可逆转的历史进程。实践充分表明，“两个确立”是推动党和国家事业取得历史性成就、发生历史性变革的决定性因素，是战胜一切艰难险阻、应对一切不确定性的最大确定性、最大底气、最大保证，对新时代党和国家事业发展、对推进中华民族伟大复兴历史进程具有决定性意义.
The final two paragraphs call for uniting behind the blueprint put together at the 20th Party Congress and moving forward with greater spirit, while “deeply understanding the decisive significance of the Two Establishments, keeping in mind the ‘国之大者’, strengthening the four consciousnesses and four self-confidences, achieving the two safeguards, adhering to the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and comprehensively promoting the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese-style modernisation…” 奋进充满光荣和梦想的新征程，在以习近平同志为核心的党中央坚强领导下，全面贯彻习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想，深刻领悟“两个确立”的决定性意义，牢记“国之大者”，增强“四个意识”、坚定“四个自信”、做到“两个维护”，坚持走中国特色社会主义道路、以中国式现代化全面推进中华民族伟大复兴，我们就一定能谱写新时代中国特色社会主义更加绚丽的华章，中华民族伟大复兴的航船就一定能破浪前进、胜利驶向光辉的彼岸.
Page 2: The China-Mongolia joint statement is on the page. I am not summarising that. Instead, let’s look at the 仲音 commentary on the COVID situation.
It says that over the past three years, the Chinese authorities have “insisted on taking small steps without stopping, optimising and adjusting the epidemic prevention and control measures according to the situation, assessing the situation, and seeking truth from facts…each version of the prevention and control plan has been based on the pathogenic and epidemiological changes such as the incubation period, transmissibility, and pathogenicity of the novel coronavirus, as well as the latest epidemic situation at home and abroad, and on the basis of summarising the experience and lessons of previous epidemic prevention and control work, combined with China's prevention and control strategies and objectives; it has also gathered the wisdom of experts in various fields of prevention and control policy research.” 抗击疫情近3年来，我国坚持走小步不停步，因时因势、审时度势、实事求是对疫情防控措施进行优化和调整，先后出台了9版防控方案和最新的二十条优化措施。每一版防控方案，都是基于新冠病毒的潜伏期、传播力、致病力等病原学和流行病学变化，以及国内外最新疫情形势，在总结历次本土疫情防控工作的经验教训基础上，结合我国防控策略和目标，集聚防控政策研究多领域专家的智慧制定的.
“The purpose of implementing the 9th edition of the prevention and control plan and the 20 optimisation measures is to better adapt to the new situation of epidemic prevention and control and the new characteristics of the virus’ mutation, further improve the scientificity and accuracy of epidemic prevention and control, control the epidemic in the shortest possible time at the lowest possible cost, balance the relationship between epidemic prevention and control and economic and social development, protect the safety of people’s lives and health to the greatest extent, and minimise the impact of epidemic prevention and control on economic and social development. This does not imply relaxing epidemic prevention and control, let alone to let go and ‘lie flat’. 落实第九版防控方案和二十条优化措施，目的正是更好适应疫情防控新形势和新冠病毒变异新特点，进一步提高疫情防控的科学性、精准性，用更小的代价在尽可能短的时间把疫情控制在最小的范围，平衡好疫情防控和经济社会发展之间的关系，最大程度保护人民生命安全和身体健康，最大限度减少疫情对经济社会发展的影响，不是放松疫情防控，更不是放开、“躺平”.
The next paragraph says that practice has proved that the 9th plan has “withstood the test of time and is scientific and effective…Except for the 20 optimisation measures, other measures are still to be implemented in accordance with the 9th edition of the prevention and control plan…The 9th edition of the prevention and control plan is the premise of the 20 optimisation measures, and the 20 optimisation measures are an important means to improve the scientific and accurate prevention and control. We should not relax strict prevention and control just because we have the 20 optimisation measures, nor should we ‘add incremental layers’, ‘apply one size fits all’ approach or oversimplify the 20 optimisation measures because of strict prevention and control.” 实践充分证明，第九版防控方案经受住了时间检验，是科学的、有效的。二十条优化措施是对九版防控方案部分措施的优化完善，除了二十条优化措施外，其他各项措施仍然按照第九版防控方案执行。必须充分认识到，第九版防控方案和二十条优化措施二者缺一不可，第九版防控方案是二十条优化措施的前提，二十条优化措施是提高防控科学性、精准性的重要手段，绝不能因为有了二十条优化措施而放松严防严控，也不能因为严防严控而对二十条优化措施再进行“层层加码”“一刀切”或者简单化.
The next paragraph tells us that adhering to the 9th plan and the 20 optimisation measures means that the requirements for epidemic prevention and control work are not lower, but higher. “All localities and departments must further unify their thoughts and actions with the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important instructions and the decision-making and deployment of the Party Central Committee, unswervingly adhere to the supremacy of the people and life, and unswervingly implement the general strategy of preventing both imported cases and domestic resurgences, unswervingly implement the general policy of ‘dynamic clearing’ (动态清零), resolutely overcome the mentality of paralysis and slack, and the wait-and-watch mentality, adhere to the 9th edition of the prevention and control plan, and implement 20 optimisation measures, do not waver or distort focus on prevention, early and fast, and take more resolute and decisive measures to contain the spread of the epidemic as soon as possible. It is necessary to have a complete, accurate and comprehensive understanding and grasp of the current epidemic prevention and control policies in the light of local conditions, carry out prevention and control policies in a more scientific, standardised, faster and more effective manner, control key risks that should be controlled, implement effectively what should be implemented, and resolutely cancel measures that should be cancelled; make full use of existing resources to improve the efficiency of prevention and control work and effectively coordinate epidemic prevention and control with economic and social development.” 坚持第九版防控方案，落实二十条优化措施，对疫情防控工作的要求不是变低了，而是更高了。各地区各部门要进一步把思想和行动统一到习近平总书记重要指示精神和党中央决策部署上来，坚定不移坚持人民至上、生命至上，坚定不移落实“外防输入，内防反弹”总策略，坚定不移贯彻“动态清零”总方针，坚决克服麻痹松懈心理、等待观望心态，坚持第九版防控方案，落实二十条优化措施，不动摇、不走样，立足于防、立足于早、立足于快，采取更为坚决、果断的措施攻坚，尽快遏制住疫情扩散蔓延势头。要紧密结合各地实际，完整、准确、全面理解和把握当前疫情防控政策，更科学、更规范、更快速、更有效地开展防控，把该管住的重点风险管住，该落实的落到实处，该取消的也坚决取消，充分利用好现有的资源提高防控效率，高效统筹疫情防控和经济社会发展.
— Quick thought: Again, to me, this sounds like demanding flexibility and adaptability from local governments, while calling on them to work as per the prescribed central guidelines. There is clearly a suggestion that local officials should address what might be problems or onerous practices and also control key risks (how should a local official interpret that if there are protests?), but this is not a call for easing the broad policy approach.
The final paragraph acknowledges that prevention and control work is challenging but says that it is important to maintain strategic determination and strengthen confidence in victory.
Some other developments over the past 24 hours:
Also, reactions by foreign governments:
Anyway, also on the page is a Q&A around the COVID policies. The first question is around the daily needs of the people. The official makes four points:
Strengthen continuous market monitoring, forecasting and early warning, put in meat reserves in time, coordinate trans-regional material transportation, and ensure the stable supply of daily necessities in the market. He also mentions the need to formulate plans for distribution in closed communities.
Local governments should guide large supermarkets and agricultural product wholesale markets to strictly implement relevant requirements.
Establish and improve the whitelist system of enterprises to protect the supply and ensure their smooth operations.
Strengthen the coordination of cross-regional supply guarantee
On meeting the needs of quarantined individuals, the official calls for setting up special teams to ensure the supply of daily necessities, having clear plans for supply of commodities and distribution in these communities, and to stock up on essentials. He also calls for keeping in mind the specific needs of key groups such as the elderly, the young, the sick, the disabled and pregnant women. 各地要建立生活物资保障工作专班，及时制定完善生活必需品市场供应、封闭小区配送、区域联保联供等预案，做好重要民生商品储备。优化封闭区域终端配送，明确生活物资供应专门力量，在小区内划出固定接收点，打通配送“最后一米”。根据老幼病残孕等重点群体需求，各地要制定相应的保供方案，满足封控隔离人员基本生活需要.
In regard to the medical needs of people who are quarantined, he talks about having in place emergency systems and establishing “a green channel” 绿色通道 that allows people to access doctors and then return.
“Strengthen the management of centralised isolation points. The isolation point should know and check the health status of people in centralised isolation in time. In the process of daily health monitoring, in addition to understanding their body temperature and nucleic acid status, it is also necessary to understand their physical discomfort, and make timely medical service arrangements to prevent minor illnesses from becoming serious or even severe.” 加强集中隔离点管理。隔离点要及时了解和排查处于集中隔离人员的健康状况。在每天的健康监测过程当中，除了要了解他们的体温、核酸状态，也要了解他们身体方面有何不适，及时做出医疗服务安排，避免小病拖成大病甚至重症.
Later, the official also warns that “medical institutions at risk of outbreaks cannot be shut down or sealed off on the grounds of epidemic prevention and control.” 不能以疫情防控为由，对发生疫情风险的医疗机构一关了之、一封了之. He adds that important departments, such as the emergency section, dialysis facilities, OTs, obstetrics department, neonatal facilities, etc, should be sustained. There should be adequate vehicles and sufficient personnel in case of emergencies. Patients should not be rejected and the buck should not be passed in the name of epidemic prevention and control or the fear of risking exposure. 不能因为疫情防控，为了达到零风险，就推诿、拒收患者.
“For the elderly, pregnant women with underlying diseases, and patients who need continuous radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and dialysis in the jurisdiction, relevant departments should keep abreast of the situation and solve practical difficulties. For patients with chronic diseases, it is necessary to ensure their daily medication needs, and the supply of medicines should not be interrupted because of the epidemic situation. 对于辖区内患有基础疾病的老年人、孕妇，以及需要持续放化疗、透析的患者，有关部门应该及时了解情况，解决实际困难。对于慢性病患者，要保证他们的日常用药需求，不能因为疫情中断药品供应.
Page 3: A bunch of stories to note. First, Li Keqiang addressed the eighth China-Japan Business Leader and Former High-Level Government Official Dialogue. Xinhua reports:
“Li said maintaining the sound and stable development of China-Japan relations conforms to the interests of both sides, and is conducive to the well-being of the two peoples, as well as regional and world peace, stability and development. He said that both sides should commit to peaceful and friendly coexistence, abide by the principles set forth in the four China-Japan political documents, view each other's development objectively and rationally, respect each other and treat each other as equals, maintain a peaceful external environment and stable surrounding environment, and realize the common development of China, Japan and other countries in the region…Noting that opening up is China's basic national policy, Li said China has no reason to close the door on opening up and will not do so. Li said China is committed to free trade and fair trade, fostering a market-oriented and law-based international business environment and treating all types of companies fairly. China has always been a big market for the world and a destination for foreign investment, and welcomes companies from all countries, including Japan, to continue to expand cooperation with China and enjoy China's development opportunities, Li said.
Second, Wang Yi’s meeting (English report) with his Mongolian counterpart. Third, there are two brief announcements regarding the upcoming visits of Kazakh Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov today and President of the European Council Charles Michel on December 1. Also, there is a profile of Thongloun Sisoulith, general secretary of Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee, Lao president, who begins a visit to China today.
Finally, there’s a report on Shen Yueyue, vice chairman of the NPCSC and chairman of the All-China Women's Federation, engaging with women leaders from political parties across 10 Southern African countries. I wonder if this is a new format for Chinese diplomacy? It could simply be my ignorance, but I’ve never noted any such women-focussed diplomatic engagements in the recent past.
Page 4: A report on the launch of the Shenzhou-15 manned space mission, which will take place today. Chinese astronauts Fei Junlong, Deng Qingming and Zhang Lu have been selected to carry out the Shenzhou-15 space mission, the China Manned Space Agency said at a press conference on Monday. The trio will briefly stay in the space station with the three Shenzhou-14 crew members, who are preparing to head back to Earth.
Page 9: On the theory page, the lead article is by Huang Shouhong, who last I checked was the Director of the State Council Research Office. He writes about the 2035 goals.
The key points he makes are:
By 2035, per capita GDP will double that of 2020. China's per capita GDP was $12,551 in 2021. It will reach the level of moderately developed countries by 2035. 到2035年实现经济总量或人均国内生产总值比2020年翻一番。我国人均国内生产总值2021年达到12551美元、超过世界平均水平，到2035年将达到中等发达国家水平。经济结构优化升级，全要素生产率大幅提升，社会生产力水平显著提高.
“Realise high-level scientific and technological independence and self-improvement, and enter the forefront of innovative countries. He aims that by 2035, “the effectiveness of the national innovation system would have been comprehensively improved; the country's would rank among the world leaders in strategic scientific and technological strength and in terms of high-level human resources; its capacity for basic research and original innovation would have been fully enhanced; major breakthroughs would have been made in key and core technologies, achieving the goals of independence and controllability; and more cutting-edge areas of science and technology have been realised and are leading the way; the intensity of total R&D expenditure and the proportion of basic research expenditure in R&D expenditure would have reached the level of major developed countries; China’s global innovation index would rank among the top in the world…” 实现高水平科技自立自强，进入创新型国家前列。国家创新体系效能全面提升，国家战略科技力量和高水平人才队伍居世界前列，基础研究和原始创新能力全面增强，关键核心技术实现重大突破和自主可控，更多科技前沿领域实现并跑和领跑。全社会研发经费投入强度、基础研究经费投入占研发经费投入比重达到主要发达国家水平。我国全球创新指数排名进入世界前列，科技进步贡献率大幅提升.
Build a modern economic system, form a new development pattern, and basically achieve new industrialisation, informatisation, urbanisation, and agricultural modernisation. Two interesting points in this are:
“Move from a big manufacturing country to a strong manufacturing country, the supply chain of the industrial chain would be basically secure and controllable, and its resilience would be significantly enhanced, and the upgrading of the industrial base and the modernisation of the industrial chain would have been realised. The digital economy would be deeply integrated with the real economy, and public services, social governance and other areas would have achieved a higher level of digitalisation and intelligence. The urbanisation pattern with urban agglomerations as the main body and coordinated development of large, medium and small cities and small towns would have basically taken shape. The urbanisation rates of permanent residents and registered residents have increased substantially, and a new type of people-centred urbanisation has been basically implemented…由制造大国迈入制造强国，产业链供应链基本安全可控、韧性显著增强，实现产业基础高级化、产业链现代化。数字经济与实体经济深度融合，公共服务、社会治理等领域数字化智能化水平大幅提升。以城市群为主体、大中小城市和小城镇协调发展的城镇化格局基本形成，常住人口城镇化率、户籍人口城镇化率大幅提高，以人为核心的新型城镇化基本实现，城市品质明显提升.
Basically realise the modernisation of the national governance system and governance capabilities…
Building a strong country in education, science and technology, talents, culture, sports, and a healthy China, and the country's cultural soft power will be significantly enhanced. 建成教育强国、科技强国、人才强国、文化强国、体育强国、健康中国，国家文化软实力显著增强.
People’s lives will be happier and better, residents’ per capita disposable income will rise to a new level, the proportion of middle-income group will increase significantly, there will be equal access to basic public services, rural areas basically have modern living conditions, society has maintained long-term stability, people's all-round development and common prosperity of all people have made more obvious and substantial progress. 人民生活更加幸福美好，居民人均可支配收入再上新台阶，中等收入群体比重明显提高，基本公共服务实现均等化，农村基本具备现代生活条件，社会保持长期稳定，人的全面发展、全体人民共同富裕取得更为明显的实质性进展.
Carbon emissions would have stabilised and declined after peaking; the ecological environment would have fundamentally improved.
The national security system and capabilities have been comprehensively strengthened, and the modernisation of national defence and the armed forces has been basically achieved. 国家安全体系和能力全面加强，基本实现国防和军队现代化.