Two Sessions - Xi on Food and Social Security - Carbon Emissions: Don't 'Rush for Quick Results' - Who Backs the 'Two Establishments'?
Here are the stories and pieces that I found noteworthy from the Monday, March 07, 2022, edition of the People’s Daily.
Page 1: The entire paper today is essentially about the Two Sessions. Actually, the first two pages basically have rep about Xi Jinping’s two engagements at the Two Sessions. The only other report on either of the pages is about Xi Jinping’s letter to IOC President Thomas Bach.
Anyway, the big story on the page is Xi Jinping’s remarks (English report) when meeting with political advisors from the sectors of agriculture and welfare and social security, attending the CPPCC session.
The report informs us that at the meeting, seven members, including Yáng Fēng Jí, Wáng Jìng, Táng Jùnjié, Mò Róng, Yìxī Dáwǎ, Wàn Jiànmín, Wáng Hǎijīng, made speeches on developing rural industries, improving quality and safety of agricultural products, promoting independent innovation of seed industry, addressing the shortcomings in the social security system, promoting the sustainable development of social welfare undertakings, comprehensively promoting agricultural and rural modernization and mobilising social forces to promote common prosperity. On Page 2, there’s a report about some of the comments that these individuals made in their interactions with Xi.
Xi then made his remarks. He said that the Party had made major new achievements in all undertakings in the past year and the the 14th Five-year Plan off to a good start despite the “complicated international situation, the challenging tasks of domestic reform, development and stability, especially amid the serious impact of the COVID-19 outbreak.” He said that these “achievements have not come easily,” and are “the result of the hard work of the whole Party and the people of all ethnic groups in China, as well as the concerted efforts of CPPCC members.”
The next paragraph has Xi saying that the “the international situation is continuing to undergo profound and complicated changes, the once-in-a-century changes are intertwined with the once-in-a-century pandemic, economic globalisation is facing counter-currents, the contest/game among major powers is becoming increasingly fierce, the world is entering a new period of turbulent change, and China continues to face arduous tasks of reform, development and stability domestically. 习近平强调，当前，国际形势继续发生深刻复杂变化，百年变局和世纪疫情相互交织，经济全球化遭遇逆流，大国博弈日趋激烈，世界进入新的动荡变革期，国内改革发展稳定任务艰巨繁重.
But he argues that it is important to recognise that China still boasts multiple strategic advantages.
First, the strong leadership of the Party, which “takes the overall situation into account and coordinates all parties in order to provide the fundamental political guarantee for calmly responding to various major risks and challenges”
Second, the socialist system with Chinese characteristics. To make this point, Xi touches on poverty alleviation and COVID-19 control as examples of governance strength and capacity. He also adds that with all this “the contrast between ‘the governance of China’ and ‘chaos in the West’ is even more apparent.”
Third, China has a solid foundation for sustained and rapid development. Its economic strength, scientific and technological capabilities, national defense capabilities, and overall national strength have significantly increased. China’s economy is large; there is significant room for manoeuvre and China has a super-large market. The economy has “strong resilience and vitality” and its long-term fundamentals will not change.
Fourth, there is a stable social environment. He says that under the Party’s rule, the level of social governance has been continuously improved.
Fifth, there exists a spiritual strength of self-confidence and self-improvement. The enthusiasm, initiative and creativity of the Chinese people have been further stimulated, their ambition, character and confidence have been unprecedentedly enhanced, and the party, army and people are in high spirits.
习近平强调，当前，国际形势继续发生深刻复杂变化，百年变局和世纪疫情相互交织，经济全球化遭遇逆流，大国博弈日趋激烈，世界进入新的动荡变革期，国内改革发展稳定任务艰巨繁重。我们要看到，我国发展仍具有诸多战略性的有利条件。一是有中国共产党的坚强领导，总揽全局、协调各方，为沉着应对各种重大风险挑战提供根本政治保证。二是有中国特色社会主义制度的显著优势，我国政治制度和治理体系在应对新冠肺炎疫情、打赢脱贫攻坚战等实践中进一步彰显显著优越性，“中国之治”与“西方之乱”对比更加鲜明。三是有持续快速发展积累的坚实基础，我国经济实力、科技实力、国防实力、综合国力显著增强，经济体量大、回旋余地广，又有超大规模市场，长期向好的基本面不会改变，具有强大的韧性和活力。四是有长期稳定的社会环境，人民获得感、幸福感、安全感显著增强，社会治理水平不断提升，续写了社会长期稳定的奇迹。五是有自信自强的精神力量，中国人民积极性、主动性、创造性进一步激发，志气、骨气、底气空前增强，党心军心民心昂扬振奋。我们要既正视困难又坚定信心，发扬历史主动精神，迎难而上，敢于斗争，砥砺前行，奋发有为，以实际行动迎接中共二十大胜利召开.
Xi then spoke about food security. He said that food security is “国之大者”. He added people take food as the heaven - 民以食为天. Xinhua English has a good summary of the points that Xi made here.
“China has fed nearly one-fifth of the world population with 9 percent of the world's arable land and 6 percent of fresh water resources, Xi said, hailing this hard-won accomplishment (of going from 400 million being undernourished to having everyone well fed) while warning against a lapse of attention on the issue of food security. It is wrong to think that food supply is no longer a problem in an industrialized society, or to count on the global market to solve the issue, he added. Xi underscored keeping the annual grain output at over 650 million tonnes and ‘filling the rice bowl of Chinese people mainly with Chinese grain.’ Xi said curbing food waste is a long-term task that requires unremitting efforts. Calling farmland the foundation of ensuring sustainable development for the Chinese nation, Xi underscored cultivating 1 billion mu (about 66.67 million hectares) of high-standard farmland and ensuring the area of farmland remains above 120 million hectares. The ultimate solution to safeguarding food security lies in enhancing science and technology, Xi said. Germplasm resources security is closely related to national security, Xi said, adding that China must strengthen its seed industry to achieve self-reliance in the sci-tech development of the sector and keep the country's germplasm resources independent and controllable. He stressed ensuring the effective supply of meat, vegetables, fruits and aquatic products and other kinds of food in addition to grain (My note: This is the “大食物观” or big food concept, which refers to changing needs and tastes of people.). Efforts should be made to develop bio-technology and bio-industry, actively promote the agricultural supply-side structural reform and develop various food varieties, according to Xi.”
The PD story quotes Xi as saying: It is necessary to build a national food security industrial belt, strengthen irrigation and water conservancy project construction, implement black soil protection projects, classify and transform saline-alkali land, and strive to build 1 billion mu of high-standard farmland.”农田必须是良田，要建设国家粮食安全产业带，加强农田水利建设，实施黑土地保护工程，分类改造盐碱地，努力建成10亿亩高标准农田. It also has him promising harsh measures when it comes to protection and preservation of fertile land. Xi says that the “central government will sign a ‘military writ’ for farmland protection with local governments to ensure that the 1.8 billion mu of farmland is worthy of its name.” 要采取“长牙齿”的硬措施，全面压实各级地方党委和政府耕地保护责任，中央要和各地签订耕地保护“军令状”，严格考核、终身追责，确保18亿亩耕地实至名归.
After this, Xi turned to rural revitalisation, which he said was about more than economic development. It is also important to focus on “the development of rural grass-roots party organisations, attach importance to farmers’ ideological and moral education, attach importance to the development of the rule of law, improve the rural governance system, deepen the practice of villagers' self-government, give full play to the role of village rules and regulations, guide the development of family manner/style, and cultivate civilised family style, good family style and simple folk customs. Xi then called for continuous efforts to crack down on criminal gangs or clans in rural areas, demanding mechanisms to conduct such work on a regular basis. Pornography, gambling and drug-related crime in rural areas, as well as illegal and criminal acts infringing upon the rights and interests of women and children should be punished. 习近平强调，乡村振兴不能只盯着经济发展，还必须强化农村基层党组织建设，重视农民思想道德教育，重视法治建设，健全乡村治理体系，深化村民自治实践，有效发挥村规民约、家教家风作用，培育文明乡风、良好家风、淳朴民风。要健全农村扫黑除恶常态化机制，持续打击农村黑恶势力、宗族恶势力，依法打击农村黄赌毒和侵害妇女儿童权益的违法犯罪行为.
China has established the world’s largest social security system. We need to make sustained efforts to promote high-quality development of social security programs, make the system more unified and standardised, develop a multi-tiered and multi-pillar old-age pension system, and bring more people into the social security system. He also called for a better social security system for workers in flexible employment, highlighting efforts to expand the coverage of unemployment insurance, work-related injury insurance and maternity insurance. He added that it is important to improve the supervision system with regard to social security funds, crack down on illegal activities such as insurance fraud, hedging and misappropriation of social security funds, and protect every penny of people’s pension funds and life-saving money.” 习近平指出，我国已建成世界上规模最大的社会保障体系。要在推动社会保障事业高质量发展上持续用力，增强制度的统一性和规范性，发展多层次、多支柱养老保险体系，把更多人纳入社会保障体系。要健全灵活就业人员社保制度，扩大失业、工伤、生育保险的覆盖面，实现制度安排更加公平，覆盖范围更加广泛，为人民生活安康托底。要健全社会保障基金监管体系，严厉打击欺诈骗保、套保和挪用贪占各类社会保障资金的违法行为，守护好人民群众的每一分“养老钱”、“保命钱”.
He finally spoke about support for vulnerable groups, emphasising that when it comes to people’s livelihood, there are no trivial matters.
Also on the page, there’s a story that sort of tries to place the reader in the position of being a fly on the wall during Xi’s meeting covered above. So we have Xi engaging in a bit of small talk with the people there. We are told that he “listened and took notes” through the meeting. When he spoke about the importance of self-reliance – “Who will feed China? China should ensure self-reliance and feed itself!” – his tone was “sonorous.” He had a solemn tone when he spoke about the challenges of maintaining the rice bowl and the importance of taking responsibility.
I thought this was interesting with Xi chiding officials.
“Some localities resort to fraud in the balance between farmland occupation and replenishment and engage in 'replacing princes with civet cats';” Some think they have the ‘imperial sword’ for greening. If there is no lake, they have to occupy fertile land and dig a lake. Some think that the country doesn’t need as much as 1.8 billion mu of cultivable land. Rather what is needed is to just improve the level of science and technology. ‘It’s easy to simply talk! How can you achieve this without reservations? You have to ensure a very large margin of security. This is the 国之大者’.” “一些地方在耕地占补平衡上弄虚作假，搞‘狸猫换太子’”；有的地方自认为有搞绿化的“尚方宝剑”，没有湖非要占用良田挖个湖；有的认为不用18亿亩那么多，只要提高科技水平就行了。“这是站着说话不腰疼啊！一点预留都没有怎么能行？一定要有非常大的安全系数才行。这是‘国之大者’！”“要采取‘长牙齿’的硬措施”…
Then there’s a chunk where Xi refers to his time in Shaanxi, when he had to “tighten his belt.” He says that he understands that present-day achievements are hard-won. He says that a big country like China must always depend on itself. Dual circulation is the most stable and reliable economic layout. It is important to maintain bottom-line thinking and never forget danger. 像我们这样的大国绝对要靠自己。不是我们困难的时候才搞‘双循环’，就是平时，‘双循环’也是最稳定、最可靠的经济布局。我们一定要有底线思维，安不忘危。生于忧患，死于安乐.”
Finally, there’s a report (English report) about Xi’s reply to a letter from IOC President Thomas Bach.
Page 2: There’s a reaction story drawing from Xi’s engagement with the delegation from Inner Mongolia. If you are interested in what he said, Xinhua English had a really detailed report over the weekend.
He made some key points:
First, uphold the overall Party leadership is the path we must take to stick to and develop socialism with Chinese characteristics.
Second, socialism with Chinese characteristics is the path we must take to realize the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
Third, working hard in unity is the path the Chinese people must take to make historic achievements.
Fourth, putting into practice our new development philosophy is the path we must take to develop our country into a strong nation in the new era.
Fifth, exercising full and rigorous self-governance of the Party…as long as we make great efforts to carry forward the great founding spirit of the Party, stay true to our founding mission, have the courage to reform ourselves, consistently remove all elements that harm the Party's advanced nature and integrity and eliminate all viruses that erode its health, we will definitely be able to ensure that the Party preserves its essence, color and character.
He added:
“The CPC Central Committee has made fostering a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation the main task in its work related to ethnic affairs in the new era. It is a major decision made to maintain the great unity of the Chinese nation and to realize the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation. It is also an important conclusion drawn from a thorough review of the historical experience and lessons.”
“The requirements for fostering a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation should be carried out in relevant fields across the whole autonomous region, including historical and cultural education and publicity, construction of public cultural infrastructure and urban landmark structures, and exhibitions and displays in tourism sites. The relationship between the Chinese culture and the culture of an ethnic group must be dealt with properly. With all these efforts, we can lay a solid theoretical and cultural foundation for fostering a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation.”
“Xi pointed out that Inner Mongolia, as a border area with a large ethnic minority population, shoulders a major responsibility for safeguarding ethnic solidarity and the stability of our border. We should tell big pictures from observing details, be more mindful of difficulties ahead, maintain a strategic perspective, and take effective measures to guard against all types of risks and hidden dangers in the work related to ethnic affairs and ensure the security and stability on the north border of our country.”
On Covid-19: “We should put into effect all measures for routine epidemic prevention and control, improve the mechanisms for routine containment and emergency response, give priority to epidemic control at port-of-entry areas, and ensure that no large-scale resurgences arise.”
On Carbon Peak and Neutrality: “We will take proactive and prudent steps to advance carbon emissions peaking and carbon neutrality initiatives. In light of our country's energy situation rich in coal and poor in oil and gas resources, we should act on the national plans and arrangements for carbon emissions peaking and carbon neutrality, apply systems thinking, stay committed to the principle of pursuing progress while ensuring stability step by step, and coordinate efforts to reduce carbon emissions, address pollution, promote green development, and maintain continued growth. When carrying out carbon reductions, we must also ensure the security of energy, food, and industrial and supply chains, as well as the normal life and work of our people. We must not distant ourselves from realities and rush for quick results.”
Page 3: A report about Li Keqiang joining lawmakers from Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in a group deliberation on the government work report. Xinhua English reports that:
“Li acknowledged that China's development could face more difficulties and challenges this year, and called on Guangxi to make good use of supportive policies and tap into its potentials to achieve better development. Guangxi should take the opportunity of the implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership agreement and promote its cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Li said. Li highlighted the importance of tax refunds and cuts in boosting the vitality of market entities, underscoring that these policies should go straight to market entities and tax refunds should prioritize micro and small enterprises with more emphasis on supporting the manufacturing sector. On guaranteeing and improving people's wellbeing, Li called for efforts to continuously strengthen compulsory education, improve primary-level medical services, and advance affordable housing construction.”
In the PD report, Li talks about the challenges of domestic reform and the complex and severe external environment. He talks about following the guidance of Xi Jinping thought on socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era and mentions the 4-4-2 formulation. But no mention of the Two Establishments.
Next, there’s a combined report about different deliberations that Li Keqiang, Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Wang Huning, Zhao Leji, and Han Zheng had with different groups during the Two Sessions so far. Interesting to note that in this report only three people mentioned the Two Establishments during their discussions: Li Zhanshu, Wang Huning, and Zhao Leji. Also, it’s worth noting that the reports for each member follows their ranking in the PBSC. I only point this out because of what’s coming below.
Next, there’s another combined report of participation in different sessions by Ding Xuexiang, Guo Shengkun, Cao Jianming, Wan Exiang, Wang Dongming, Wang Yi, and Zhang Jun. That’s the order of the coverage. All this is under the heading that members of the Central Committee, the NPCSC and the State Council participated in discussions. Everyone except Cao Jianming and Zhang Jun are reported to have mentioned the Two Establishments framework in their remarks. Also, all of their remarks essentially begin with them lending support for the Government Work Report that Li Keqiang presented on Saturday. They also touch upon their work domains, affirming that the direction of policy is sound.
Next, there’s a report about leading memes of the National Committee of the CPPCC participating in discussions. No mention of the Two Establishments here.
Finally, there’s a report of the PLA and PAP delegations reviewing the government work report swearing by the Two Establishments. The report quotes 4 of the 7 members of the CMC standing by the Two Establishments. These men are: Wei Fenghe, Li Zuocheng - chief of the CMC’s Joint Staff Department - Miao Hua - Director of the CMC’s Political Work Department - Zhang Shengmin, Secretary of the CMC’s Commission for Discipline Inspection.
That’s it for today. Other pages in the paper have some details about comments and view expressed by different people during the Two Sessions discussions. I am not covering all that.
Other Stories:
Second batch of Chinese evacuee flights from Ukraine returns home
China trade: export growth slowdown in January-February ‘alarming’ despite beating expectations
Finally, if you are interested, I am sharing herewith a PDF of Li Keqiang’s Government Work Report with my highlights and notes in the margins. I hope it’ll be useful.
