Understanding the New Development Concept - Party’s Leadership & Xi's Core Position - July Economic Data - Outreach to Developing World - US lawmakers visit Taiwan - Warning Japan
Hi folks,
Apologies for missing out on yesterday’s edition. It was independence day in India and I spent my time relaxing and reading this fantastic post by my colleague Pranay Kotasthane spanning landmark moments from 75 years of Indian history. If you want to understand the India of today, then this dive into the past is the best place to start.
Cheers,
Manoj
Anyway, here are the stories and pieces that I found noteworthy in the Tuesday, August 16, 2022, edition of the People’s Daily.
Page 1: The lead story (brief English report) on the page is about Xi’s latest article in Qiushi on implementing the new development concept. This is drawn from Xi’s comments on January 28, 2021, at the Politburo’s 27th study session.
The article says that the new development concept is a theoretical system, which answers a series of theoretical and practical questions about the purpose, driving force, methods and approaches of development, and clarifies our Party’s political stance, value orientation, development model, development path and other major political issues. The whole party must implement the new development concept completely, accurately and comprehensively. 文章强调，新发展理念是一个系统的理论体系，回答了关于发展的目的、动力、方式、路径等一系列理论和实践问题，阐明了我们党关于发展的政治立场、价值导向、发展模式、发展道路等重大政治问题，全党必须完整、准确、全面贯彻新发展理念.
The next paragraph says that the NDC should be fully grasped, accurately understood and fully implemented…in the whole process of economic and social development and in all domains. It is necessary to grasp the main contradictions and main aspects of the contradictions, effectively solve the outstanding problems that affect the construction of a new development pattern and achieve high-quality development, and effectively solve the outstanding problems that affect the production and life of the people. The article talks about paying attention to “innovative development, coordinated development, green development, open development, and shared development” so that they together form a synergy. 文章指出，要落实以人民为中心的发展思想。进入新发展阶段，完整、准确、全面贯彻新发展理念，必须更加注重共同富裕问题。共同富裕本身就是社会主义现代化的一个重要目标。要始终把满足人民对美好生活的新期待作为发展的出发点和落脚点，在实现现代化过程中不断地、逐步地解决好这个问题。促进全体人民共同富裕是一项长期任务，也是一项现实任务，急不得，也等不得，必须摆在更加重要的位置，脚踏实地，久久为功，向着这个目标作出更加积极有为的努力.
The next paragraph talks about common prosperity, which falls under the framework of people-centred development philosophy. Common prosperity is an important goal of socialist modernisation. It is necessary to take meeting people's new expectations for a better life as the starting point and the end result of development, and constantly and continuously and gradually address this in the process of modernisation. Promoting the common prosperity of all the people is a long-term and realistic task. One cannot rush with urgency but neither can one wait in pursuing it. It must be placed in a more important position, remain down-to-earth, work hard for the long-term, and make more active efforts toward this goal. 文章指出，要落实以人民为中心的发展思想。进入新发展阶段，完整、准确、全面贯彻新发展理念，必须更加注重共同富裕问题。共同富裕本身就是社会主义现代化的一个重要目标。要始终把满足人民对美好生活的新期待作为发展的出发点和落脚点，在实现现代化过程中不断地、逐步地解决好这个问题。促进全体人民共同富裕是一项长期任务，也是一项现实任务，急不得，也等不得，必须摆在更加重要的位置，脚踏实地，久久为功，向着这个目标作出更加积极有为的努力.
Although it’s not in the PD summary, but in Qiushi, Xi is quoted as having said that “achieving common prosperity is not only an economic issue, but also a major political issue related to the Party’s governing foundation.” 在这次省部级主要领导干部专题研讨班上，我又讲了促进全体人民共同富裕这个问题，强调实现共同富裕不仅是经济问题，而且是关系党的执政基础的重大政治问题.
The next paragraph talks about adhering to reform and opening up, saying that it is necessary to push ahead with comprehensive reform under the guidance of the new development concept, and at the same time provide institutional guarantee for fully and faithfully implementing the new development philosophy through deepening reform. The next paragraph talks about the need to make “overall plans for both domestic and international situations.” “It is necessary to coordinate the overall situation of the great rejuvenation strategy of the Chinese nation and the unprecedented changes in the world in a hundred years, coordinate epidemic prevention and control and economic and social development, and coordinate development and security.” 要统筹中华民族伟大复兴战略全局和世界百年未有之大变局，统筹疫情防控和经济社会发展，统筹发展和安全.
The final paragraph is important. In making this point, the article quotes Mao as having said that “the key to all problems lies in politics.” Therefore, “complete, accurate and comprehensive implementation of the new development concept is not only a work requirement from an economic and social development perspective but also a very important political requirement.” 毛泽东同志说过，“一切问题的关键在政治”. 完整、准确、全面贯彻新发展理念，是经济社会发展的工作要求，也是十分重要的政治要求.
Reform and stability, domestic affairs, foreign affairs, national defence, and the governance of the Party, country and armed forces are all about politics; everything is inseparable from politics. To lead the party and the people in governing the country, the most important thing is to handle all kinds of complicated political relations and always maintain the correct political direction with regard to the development of the cause of the Party and the country. 改革发展稳定、内政外交国防、治党治国治军，样样是政治，样样离不开政治。党领导人民治国理政，最重要的就是处理好各种复杂的政治关系，始终保持党和国家事业发展的正确政治方向.
The final paragraph says that “the more complex the situation and the more arduous the task, the more we must adhere to the overall leadership of the Party and the centralised and unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee…”
The other top story on the page is about how Xi Jinping has promoted the high-quality development of enterprises. Some of the key themes that the piece touches upon:
Encouraging independent R&D of key core technologies and key components in order to achieve technological self-reliance and self-improvement. In this regard, the piece quotes Xi as having said in 2014 that “the equipment manufacturing industry is the backbone of a country’s manufacturing industry. At present, there are still many shortcomings in China’s equipment manufacturing industry. It is necessary to increase investment, strengthen research and development, accelerate development, and strive to occupy the commanding heights and ensure better control with regard to technology discourse power, so as to make China a modern equipment manufacturing power.” 装备制造业是一个国家制造业的脊梁，目前我国装备制造业还有许多短板，要加大投入、加强研发、加快发展，努力占领世界制高点、掌控技术话语权，使我国成为现代装备制造业大国. The piece also adds that China Railway Engineering Equipment Group Co., Ltd. has established a major specialised research institute in conjunction with more than 500 upstream and downstream enterprises.
The piece talks about Xi requiring the automobile manufacturing industry to strengthen independent research and development in key core technologies and key components.
The second section emphasises the need to promote the modernisation of the industrial chain and create globally competitive products and services. In this, we have an old quote from Xi saying that “the new material industry is a strategic and basic industry, and it is also a key field of high-tech competition. We should work vigorously to catch up and try hard to catch up. 新材料产业是战略性、基础性产业，也是高技术竞争的关键领域，我们要奋起直追、迎头赶上. In this context, the example given is research on high-end carbon fibre material and R&D in new energy vehicles, along with advanced energy storage materials, solar PV materials, etc. During the ‘14th Five-Year Plan’ period, SAIC will invest 300 billion yuan in the field of new energy and intelligent network connectivity, focusing on cutting-edge technologies such as skateboard platform, integrated casting, solid-state battery, etc., and accelerating the resolution of ‘chokepoint’ problems.“十四五”期间，上汽集团将在新能源和智能网联领域投入3000亿元，聚焦滑板平台、一体化铸造、固态电池等前沿技术，加快解决“卡脖子”难题.
The third section talks about the need to focus on industrial transformation and upgrading, strengthening independent innovation, developing high-end manufacturing and intelligent manufacturing.
Third, there’s an article that argues that “the deep concern and important instructions” of General Secretary Xi Jinping “have turned into the mission and responsibility of the cadres and the masses.” 习近平总书记的深情牵挂和重要指示，化为广大干部群众的使命与责任.
In this context, the piece talks about COVID containment to argue that the broad masses and cadres feel that the CPC’s “incomparably strong leadership is the most reliable backbone of the Chinese people when the storm strikes.” 广大干部群众深切感受到，中国共产党所具有的无比坚强的领导力，是风雨来袭时中国人民最可靠的主心骨.
It says that since the 18th Party Congress, focusing on the overall situation of the strategy of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and the profound changes in the world that are unprecedented in a century, General Secretary Xi Jinping has made a series of important judgments on the nature, orientation and role of the Party’s leadership from the political height of upholding and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era. 党的十八大以来，习近平总书记着眼中华民族伟大复兴战略全局和世界百年未有之大变局，站在新时代坚持和发展中国特色社会主义的政治高度，对党的领导的性质、定位、作用作出一系列重大判断.
The piece then says: “upholding the Party’s leadership, first and foremost, is to uphold the authority of the Party Central Committee and centralised and unified leadership. This is the highest principle of the party's leadership, and it cannot be ambiguous or shaken at any time and under any circumstances.” “坚持党的领导，首先是坚持党中央权威和集中统一领导，这是党的领导的最高原则，任何时候任何情况下都不能含糊、不能动摇.”
The first big section of the piece says that the CPC’s leadership, which is the most essential feature of socialism with Chinese characteristics, is included in the Party Constitution and the Constitution, and it is clear that the Party’s leadership system is the fundamental leadership system of the country. A series of important meetings were held, such as the National Conference on Organizational Work, the National Conference on Propaganda and Ideological Work, the Conference on Party Building in Central and State Organs, the National Conference on Party Building in State-owned Enterprises, the National Conference on Ideological and Political Work in Colleges and Universities, and the Military Political Work Conference. The General Secretary attended and delivered important speeches, making arrangements for strengthening the overall leadership of the Party. Deepening comprehensive reform, comprehensive law-based governance, finance and economics, foreign affairs, and national security...in important areas related to national rejuvenation, the Party Central Committee has established top-level institutions, with the General Secretary personally in charge, and comprehensively strengthening the Party’s leadership over major work. We have formed and reorganised 25 ministerial-level institutions, adjusted and optimised the leadership management system and responsibilities of 31 ministerial-level institutions...deepened the reform of the Party and state institutions, and improved the institutional function system of maintaining the centralised and unified leadership of the Party.
The piece then talks about changes in Party laws and regulations, such as Guidelines on Political Life in the Party under the New Situation and Provisions of the Politburo of the CPC Central Committee on Strengthening and Safeguarding the Centralised and Unified Leadership of the CPC Central Committee, were promulgated… it talks about optimising the position and role of grassroots party organisations…it also talks about improving the implementation mechanism of major decisions of the CPC Central Committee, strengthening political supervision and deepening political inspections, so that the decision-making arrangements of the CPC Central Committee can be fully implemented. 2017年金秋，中国共产党第十九次全国代表大会上，习近平总书记明确提出新时代党的建设总要求，强调“坚持和加强党的全面领导”。不仅“坚持”，还要“加强”；不仅是党的领导，更是党的“全面领导”。顺应时代之变，作答强党之问，充分彰显了新时代共产党人的使命担当。10年来，为确保党始终成为中国特色社会主义事业坚强领导核心，一系列基础性、创制性、战略性举措相继出台——将中国共产党领导这一“中国特色社会主义最本质的特征”载入党章和宪法，明确党的领导制度是我国的根本领导制度。召开全国组织工作会议、全国宣传思想工作会议、中央和国家机关党的建设工作会议、全国国有企业党的建设工作会议、全国高校思想政治工作会议、全军政治工作会议等一系列重要会议，习近平总书记都出席并发表重要讲话，对加强党的全面领导作出部署要求。全面深化改革、全面依法治国、财经、外事、国家安全……在事关民族复兴的重要领域，党中央都组建顶层机构，习近平总书记亲自挂帅，全面加强党对重大工作的领导。组建和重新组建部级机构25个，调整优化领导管理体制和职责部级机构31个……深化党和国家机构改革，维护党的集中统一领导的机构职能体系更加健全。出台《关于新形势下党内政治生活的若干准则》《中共中央政治局关于加强和维护党中央集中统一领导的若干规定》等一系列重要党内法规，严格执行向党中央请示报告制度，党的领导制度体系不断完善。调整优化基层党组织的地位作用，全面完成央企集团“党建入章”，不断健全各高校党委领导下的校长负责制，形成上下贯通、执行有力的严密组织体系，筑牢党的全面领导的坚实组织基础。完善推动党中央重大决策落实机制，强化政治监督，深化政治巡视，使党中央决策部署不折不扣地贯彻落实.
The second section of the piece talks about the Party’s and Xi’s core positions. It says that entering the new era, the Party’s leadership has been implemented and reflected in all aspects of reform, development and stability, domestic affairs, foreign affairs, national defence, and Party and state governance. The Party’s core leadership role in overall planning and coordination of all parties has been fully exerted, and the Party’s governing ability and leadership level have been continuously enhanced. 进入新时代，党的领导贯彻和体现到改革发展稳定、内政外交国防、治党治国治军各个领域各个方面，党把方向、谋大局、定政策、促改革的能力和定力不断增强，党总揽全局、协调各方的领导核心作用充分发挥，党的执政能力和领导水平不断提高.
All regions, departments and units have continuously strengthened the four consciousnesses and the four self-confidences and achieved the two safeguards and have always maintained a high degree of consistency with the Party Central Committee with comrade Xi Jinping as the core in terms of ideology, politics and actions.各地区各部门各单位不断增强“四个意识”、坚定“四个自信”、做到“两个维护”，始终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。
The piece then talks about the need for someone at the helm, making the point that the two establishments place Xi Jinping in that position. “This is the choice of history, the choice of the times, and the choice of the people. It reflects the common aspiration of the whole Party, the whole army, and the people of all ethnic groups in the country. Today, under the strong leadership of the CPC 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, the Communist Party of China, with more than 96 million members and more than 4.9 million grass-roots party organisations, is united into ‘a solid of steel’, moving forward in unison.” 这是历史的选择、时代的选择、人民的选择，反映了全党全军全国各族人民共同心愿。今天，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，拥有9600多万名党员、490多万个基层党组织的中国共产党，团结成“一块坚硬的钢铁”，步调一致向前进.
Finally, a report that informs that since the 18th Party Congress, 7000 cadres from different central state organs, provinces, cities and central enterprises have gone to Tibet to “assist” in development tasks.
In 2021, 807 aid projects related to Tibet were implemented across the country, with an investment of 40.2 billion yuan. In the past 10 years, more than 17.1 billion yuan has been invested in poverty alleviation funding for Tibet. 2,311 poverty alleviation projects have been implemented. 284 counties and districts in the mainland have established paired assistance relationships with 332 counties, districts, and towns in Tibet, helping more than 230,000 people get out of poverty. ——援藏投入持续加强。2021年，全国对口援藏共实施援藏项目807个，完成投资402亿元。近10年来共投入援藏扶贫资金171亿余元、实施援藏扶贫项目2311个，推动内地284个县区与西藏的332个县区、乡镇建立结对帮扶关系，帮助23万余名群众脱贫，全方位助力西藏改善民生、打赢脱贫攻坚战.
Page 3: A few important stories to note on the page. First, a report on CMC Vice Chairman Xu Qiliang meeting with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Tea Banh in Guangzhou. Xinhua reports:
“Xu said the Chinese military will strengthen communication and coordination with the Cambodian side and deepen pragmatic cooperation, so as to write a new chapter in the high-quality development of relations between the two militaries in the new era. China firmly supports Cambodia in safeguarding its national sovereignty, independence, development and stability, Xu said. The Cambodian side unswervingly adheres to the one-China principle, and is willing to deepen pragmatic cooperation in various fields with the Chinese side and upgrade the level of relations between the two countries and the two militaries, Tea Banh said.”
Second, Wang Yi’s video meeting with diplomatic envoys of developing countries from Asia and Africa who were visiting the UN Office at Geneva. Xinhua reports:
“Wang said that China is willing to uphold the vision of a community with a shared future for humanity, and work in solidarity with other developing countries to achieve common development and prosperity and to make the planet even more beautiful. ‘In the face of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the turbulent international situation and the resurgence of the Cold War mentality, we need a strong UN more than ever,’ said Wang. He said all sides should firmly uphold the international system with the UN at its core, the international order underpinned by international law, and basic norms governing international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. He stressed that the representation and voice of developing countries should be enhanced and multilateral institutions should not be reduced to tools for certain countries or groups of countries to manipulate and decide international affairs.”
“Wang introduced China's achievements in the development of human rights cause, saying that China is willing to carry out human rights exchanges and cooperation with other countries on the basis of equality and mutual respect with an open attitude, so as to learn from each other and make progress together. Wang expounded on the historical facts of the Taiwan question and China's solemn position, stressing that China must make the necessary and legitimate responses to every blatant provocation by the United States. This is exercising the legitimate right to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as safeguarding the principle of non-interference in other countries' internal affairs, he said.”
“The envoys lauded China’s world-renowned achievements and strong leadership, commending China’s efforts on promoting development, progress and social equality. They said the one-China principle established by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution 2758 is the consensus of the international community and the political basis for developing bilateral relations between all countries and China. Taiwan and Xinjiang are both integral parts of China, and China's internal affairs brook no interference. They also said that human rights issues should not be politicized, and measures taken by China to defend its legitimate rights should be firmly supported by the international community.”
Third, a bunch of responses to a visit by a group of US lawmakers to Taiwan.
“The delegation led by US Senator Ed Markey, in disregard of China’s serious démarches and firm opposition, insisted on visiting the Taiwan region of China. It is a blatant violation of the one-China principle and the stipulations of three Sino-US joint communiqués. It also infringes on China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and sends a seriously wrong signal to the “Taiwan independence” separatist forces. The one-China principle is a prevailing consensus in the international community and a basic norm in international relations. It is also the political foundation for the establishment and development of diplomatic ties between China and the US. China’s national reunification is an unstoppable historical trend and the formidable common will of the Chinese people. China once again urges the US to abide by the one-China principle and the three joint communiqués, prudently and properly handle Taiwan-related issues and stop fudging, hollowing out and distorting the one-China principle to prevent further damaging China-US relations and peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. China will take resolute and strong measures to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity. Associating themselves with the separatists in Taiwan and attempting to challenge the one-China principle is a misjudgment and will get these small number of US politicians nowhere.”
Comments by the Ministry of National Defense, saying that:
the visit “blatantly violates the one-China principle and the three Sino-US joint communiques, violates China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, sends a wrong signal to the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces, and fully exposes the true face of the US as a disruptor and destroyer of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.” 这公然违反一个中国原则和中美三个联合公报规定，侵犯中国主权和领土完整，向“台独”分裂势力发出错误信号，充分暴露出美是台海和平稳定搅局者和破坏者的真实面目. The MND also warned the US that efforts to ‘using Taiwan to contain China’ are doomed to failure, and the DPP that ‘relying on the US for independence’ will bring about its own destruction. 我们正告美方和民进党当局：“以台制华”注定失败，“倚美谋独”自取灭亡.
Next, there’s a comment by Ma Xiaoguang from the Taiwan Affairs Office. Xinhua reports:
“Their visit to Taiwan is further evidence of the violation of the U.S. commitments concerning the Taiwan question and an act of sabotage against peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, said Ma Xiaoguang, a spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office. Such wrongful acts have seriously violated the one-China principle and the provisions of the three China-U.S. joint communiques, Ma added. Some Americans have not learned a lesson from serious consequences of Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan, and Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities have repeatedly drawn in external anti-China forces to make provocations aiming at "Taiwan independence," Ma noted. These acts have fully exposed sinister intentions of the United States to contain China by using Taiwan, and of the DPP authorities to seek "independence" through soliciting U.S. support, Ma added. The DPP authorities will receive more severe punishment if they continue banking on external forces to seek "Taiwan independence," the spokesperson warned.
Finally, although this is not in PD, Beijing has announced sanctions against “diehard ‘Taiwan independence’ separatists.” Xinhua reports:
“it is decided that Bi-khim Hsiao, Koo Li-hsiung, Tsai Chi-chang, Ker Chien-ming, Lin Fei-fan, Chen Jiau-hua and Wang Ting-yu are listed as diehard ‘Taiwan independence’ separatists, and punitive measures are imposed on them, as well as Su Tseng-chang, You Si-kun and Jaushieh Joseph Wu, who had already been on the list, said the spokesperson. They and their family members are banned from entering the mainland and the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macao. Their affiliated institutions are restricted from forging cooperation with relevant organizations and individuals on the mainland. The enterprises related to them, as well as their sponsors, are prohibited from engaging in profit-making activities on the mainland. Other punitive measures will also be taken.”
“They will be held to lifelong accountability according to law, said the spokesperson. Sanctions are also imposed on the president of the ‘Taiwan Foundation for Democracy’, and the secretary general of the ‘International Cooperation and Development Fund.’ They are banned from entering the mainland, and the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macao, said the spokesperson. You Si-kun is the chairman of the ‘Taiwan Foundation for Democracy.’ Jaushieh Joseph Wu is the chairman of the ‘International Cooperation and Development Fund’.”
Anyway, also in PD is the first in a series of Zhong Sheng commentaries on Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan. There’s a lot of repeating of the talking points that we’ve heard over the past few weeks.
It says that the US has “slandered China’s counter-measures as ‘overreaction’, ‘irresponsible’ and ‘real provocation’, claiming that ‘China's actions undermine peace and security in the region’.” It calls Pelosi’s visit a “malicious provocation of the United States” which came first, and was followed by China’s “legitimate defense,” which was “reasonable, legal and absolutely necessary.” 美方污蔑中方反制行动“反应过度”“不负责任”“是真正的挑衅”，声称“中国行为破坏该地区和平与安全”。这是典型的倒打一耙。佩洛西不顾中方强烈反对和严正交涉窜台，美方恶意挑衅在先，中方正当防卫在后，合理、合法，完全必要，事实十分清楚。国际社会对此有着清晰判断，美方混淆视听的做法是徒劳的。
It adds that the Biden administration was aware that the visit was a “serious and harmful” “provocation” and arguing that “the Chinese side had no reason to not take resolute and powerful countermeasures to defend its core interests.” 面对佩洛西执意窜台的严重恶劣行径，中方没有任何理由不采取坚决有力的反制措施来捍卫自己的核心利益. Interesting framing this. Why use the double negative?
The piece calls the US the “initiator of the escalation of tensions across the Taiwan Strait” and talks about its “naked hegemonic thinking and robber logic.” It also adds that “more than 170 countries reaffirmed their firm adherence to the one-China principle, understood and supported China’s legitimate position, and opposed the US's sabotage and provocation.”
This bit is the gem though, because let’s just think about China’s position on the Russian invasion of Ukraine while reading it.
“If China is indifferent to the US’ escalating interference in its internal affairs and infringement of its sovereignty, and does not resolutely counter the US’ irresponsible actions, how will the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and basic norms governing international relations, such as respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, be preserved and reflected in practice? How will the interests of developing countries, which account for more than 80 percent of the world’s population, be safeguarded? The actions of the US government, which always talks about upholding international rules, have once again made it clear to the world that the US is the biggest destroyer of international rules.” 如果中国面对美方步步紧逼的干涉内政和损害主权行为无动于衷，不对美方不负责任的行径予以坚决反制，那么，尊重主权和领土完整等联合国宪章宗旨原则和国际关系基本准则的价值将如何体现？占世界人口80%以上的广大发展中国家的利益将如何维护？惯于将维护国际规则挂在嘴边的美国政府这一行径，再一次让世人看清了，美方才是国际规则的最大破坏者.
Finally, there’s a brief report on the China-Thailand joint drills.
Page 4: There’s a back-handed acknowledgement of the COVID situation in Hainan, with a piece telling us that local officials are facilitating the return of stranded travellers. Of course, the piece does not say anything about the nature of lockdowns or the challenges that tourists have faced.
Page 6: There’s a report telling us that the Chinese economy “is continuing to recover.” Not an unexpected narrative on what’s bad data on the economy.
The PD piece says that “in July, the total import and export of goods increased by 16.6% year-on-year, 2.3 percentage points higher than the previous month.” It quotes NBS’ Fu Linghui as saying that the “economy continued to recover in July, the economic structure continued to be optimised, people’s livelihood was guaranteed effectively, and the resilience of development has continued to emerge.” “7月国民经济继续恢复，经济结构持续优化，民生保障有力有效，发展的韧性不断显现.”
Some key data points, largely from CNBC rather than PD:
Industrial production rose by 3.8%, also missing expectations for 4.6% growth and a drop from the prior month’s 3.9% increase.
Fixed asset investment for the first seven months of the year rose by 5.7% from a year ago, missing expectations for 6.2% growth. “Investment into real estate fell at a faster pace in July than June, while investment into manufacturing slowed its pace of growth. Investment into infrastructure rose at a slightly faster pace in July than in June.”
Retail sales grew by 2.7% in July from a year ago. CNBC reports: “Within retail sales, catering, furniture and construction-related categories saw declines. Sales of autos, one of the largest categories by value, rose by 9.7%. The gold, silver and jewelry category saw sales rise the most, up by 22.1%. Online sales of physical goods rose by 10% year-on-year, faster than in June, according to CNBC calculations of official data.”
From Xinhua:
Newly added social financing, a measurement of funds that individuals and non-financial firms receive from the financial system, came in at 756.1 billion yuan (about 112.16 billion U.S. dollars) last month, down 319.1 billion yuan from the same period last year, data from the country's central bank showed.
From PD,
From January to July, the added value of high-tech manufacturing increased by 9% year-on-year, and the investment in high-tech industries increased by 20.2%; The production index of information transmission, software and information technology services increased by 12.1% year-on-year; In July, the output of new energy vehicles and solar cells increased by 112.7% and 33.9% respectively.
From January to July, investment in education and health increased by 8.2% and 33% respectively. —I am fairly certain that a large part of the health figure is around COVID testing facilities.
On employment PD says that surveyed urban unemployment rate continued to drop in July, down from 5.5 percent in June to stand at 5.4 percent in July. “In July, the unemployment rate of migrants with agricultural household registration was 5.1%, down 0.2 percentage points from the previous month.” “In July, the unemployment rate for adults aged 25 to 59 was 4.3 percent, a decrease of 0.2 percentage points from the previous month, and was close to the level of the same period last year, indicating that the employment fundamentals have remained basically stable.” “In July, the surveyed urban unemployment rate in 31 large cities was 5.6 percent, down 0.2 percentage points from the previous month.” In July, the unemployment rate of urban youth aged 16 to 24 was 19.9 percent, up 0.6 percentage points from the previous month.” That’s the highest on record, according to Wind data going back to 2018, reports CNBC. Fu said that the employment situation “is generally stable, and the unemployment rate has continued to fall. However, we must also see that the pressure on the total employment and structural pressure still exists. In July, the overall level of the national unemployment rate was still higher than that of the same period of the previous year. The unemployment rate is still at historically high levels.” “总的来看，我国就业形势总体稳定，失业率连续回落。但也要看到，就业总量压力和结构压力依然存在。7月份，全国失业率总体水平还是高于上年同期，青年人失业率仍然处于历史较高水平.”
Also, do check out this Reuters report: China unexpectedly cuts key rates as economic data disappoints
Page 17: On the international page today, the top story is about “environmental racism” in the US.
There’s also an article by Lu Yaodong – deputy director of the Institute of Japanese Studies, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences – on Japan needing to learn from its militarist past. The context, of course, is recent events, but also the “77th anniversary of Japan’s surrender” in WWII.
Lu argues that “right-wing forces in Japan are trying to downplay the crimes of militarism and aggression, get rid of the shackles of the post-war international order, and deny the path of peaceful development after the war. Asian neighbours and the international community should be highly vigilant against this.” 日本右翼势力企图淡化军国主义侵略罪行，摆脱战后国际秩序束缚，否定战后和平发展道路，亚洲邻国和国际社会有理由对此保持高度警惕.
The author argues that “at present, the right wing in Japan is stepping up its constitutional amendment agenda, trying to further change the post-war system, eliminate the pacifist spirit of Japan's current constitution, and loosen the laws more thoroughly for the expansion of Japan’s military strength and permitting the use of its military overseas.” 目前，日本右翼正加紧推动修宪议程，试图进一步改变战后体制，剔除日本现行宪法的和平主义精神，为日本扩充军力、海外动武进行更彻底的法律松绑.
Lu argues that in order to do this, the right has “hyped the so-called ‘threat’ from neighbouring countries, upgraded the Japan-US alliance, and acted under the banner of so-called ‘democracy’, ‘freedom’, and ‘human rights’ in order to damage regional peace, stability and development. 为达到摆脱战后国际秩序束缚的企图，日本近年来还频频炒作所谓邻国“威胁”，升级日美同盟，打着所谓“民主”“自由”“人权”的旗号，行损害地区和平、稳定、发展之实。
Lu adds that after the “Ukraine crisis” broke out, Japan has tried to “inflame tensions in East Asia.” “Its motive is to engage major extra-regional powers, stir up confrontation and create chaos in the region, and then take advantage of the chaos for its own gain.” 乌克兰危机发生后，日本试图搞“祸水东引”，在东亚地区渲染紧张局势，其动机是勾连域外大国，在地区挑起对抗、制造乱局，然后趁乱谋利。
Lu further argues that in addition to this, Japan’s “wrong words and deeds on the Taiwan Province issue violate its own commitments, seriously damage Sino-Japanese relations and threaten regional stability.” 日本在台湾问题上的种种错误言行，明显违背自身承诺，严重损害中日关系，威胁地区稳定.
The final paragraph calls for Japan to “profoundly learn the lessons of history, abide by its own commitments, adhere to the path of peaceful development, and win the trust of its Asian neighbours and the international community with practical actions.”
Also on the page is this bit from yesterday’s MoFA briefing:
Phoenix TV: Today marks the 77th anniversary of Japan’s defeat in World War II. August 15 also marks a special day in China-Japan relations. Also today, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida sent a ritual offering to the Yasukuni Shrine. Certain member of Japan’s Cabinet also visited this place the other day. Do you have any comment on this?
Wang Wenbin: The Yasukuni Shrine, where World War II Class-A war criminals are honored, is a spiritual tool and symbol of the wars of aggression launched by Japanese militarists. The negative move of Japanese political leaders on the issue of the Yasukuni Shrine once again shows the Japanese side’s erroneous attitude toward historical issues. The Chinese side has lodged solemn démarches to the Japanese side. Today marks the 77th anniversary of Japan’s defeat and unconditional surrender. Seventy-seven years ago, the Chinese people, together with the people of the world, defeated the Japanese militarist aggressors and fascism. It was a decisive battle between justice and evil, between light and darkness, and between progress and reaction. This great victory will forever be remembered in the history of the Chinese nation and the pursuit of justice for all humanity. Facing up to and deeply reflecting on history is an essential prerequisite for Japan to restore and develop normal relations with its Asian neighbors after World War II. For quite some time, some Japanese politicians have kept using various means to distort and glorify its history of aggression and openly acted against important legal instruments including the Cairo Declaration of 1943, which clearly stipulates that Taiwan shall be restored to China. This constitutes serious defiance to the outcomes of the victory of the World Anti-fascist War and the post-war international order. This is unacceptable to anyone who loves peace and stands for justice. Those who try to turn back the wheel of history are bound to find themselves on the wrong path again. Only by sticking to the path of peaceful development can Japan find the right direction. We urge the Japanese side to draw lessons from history, make a clean break with militarism and avoid further losing the trust of its Asian neighbors and the international community.”