Wang Huning on Enhancing China's Civilisation's Appeal - Guo Jiping on China-Central Asia Ties - G7 'Destroyer of Int'l Order' - Graduate Employment Woes - China-Japan Hotline
Here are the key reports and articles that I found noteworthy from the People's Daily's edition on Wednesday, May 17, 2023.
Page 1: I’ll begin with the news reports on the front page first before getting to the more elaborate feature articles. So that’s like going from the bottom of the page to the top. Anyway, first, a report on Wang Huning’s comments at a meeting of the National Committee of the CPPCC in Beijing, discussing the importance of enhancing the dissemination power of Chinese civilisation.
He said that “enhancing the dissemination and influence of Chinese civilisation is an important deployment made by the 20th Party Congress, and Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era must be taken as the fundamental basis for enhancing the dissemination and influence of Chinese civilisation.他表示，增强中华文明传播力影响力是中共二十大作出的重要部署，要切实把习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想作为增强中华文明传播力影响力的根本遵循，推动中华文明更好走向世界. He added that it is necessary to build brands and platforms for foreign exchanges, enhance the appeal and communication of China’s stories, present a credible, loveable (Xinhua translated this as appealing) and respectable image of China to the world, and promote exchanges and cooperation among civilisations. 要打造对外交流品牌和工作平台，增强中国故事的感召力和传播力，向世界展现可信、可爱、可敬的中国形象，更好促进文明交流合作.
Wang called on the CPPCC to enhance investigation and research, and proactively offer suggestions in this regard. The report says that 20 members spoke at the meeting. They all agreed with the idea that “it is necessary to strengthen cultural self-confidence, widely publicise Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and guide the international community to form a correct view of the CPC and the country.” 大家表示，中国的悠久历史文化和新时代发展越来越受到世界关注，要坚定文化自信，广泛宣介习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想，引导国际社会形成正确的中共观、中国观.
They added: “It is necessary to refine and display the spiritual identity and cultural essence of Chinese civilisation, speed up the construction of a Chinese discourse and narrative system, and deepen exchanges and mutual learning among civilisations. It is necessary to innovate ways of expression and means of communication to show the achievements of Chinese civilisation and the wonderful life of contemporary China people.” 要提炼展示中华文明的精神标识和文化精髓，加快构建中国话语和中国叙事体系，深化文明交流互鉴。要创新表达方式和传播手段，展示中华文明成果和当代中国人精彩生活。
Propaganda Department chief Li Shulei also spoke at the meeting, saying that “it is necessary to vigorously promote the prosperous development of Chinese culture, continuously enhance the attractiveness of Chinese culture, accelerate the construction of a strategic communication system with distinctive Chinese characteristics, and promote the GCI to take root.” 要大力推动中华文化繁荣发展，不断提升中华文化吸引力，加快构建具有鲜明中国特色的战略传播体系，推动全球文明倡议落地生根.
Next, there’s a report on Premier Li Qiang’s call with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte. Xinhua reports:
“The open and pragmatic partnership for comprehensive cooperation between China and the Netherlands, jointly defined by President Xi Jinping and King Willem-Alexander, meets the interests of the two countries and the needs of their people, Li said. China will continue to open up its market, strengthen intellectual property protection, and welcome more Dutch high-quality speciality products and competitive firms coming into the Chinese market, Li said, expressing the hope that the Netherlands will provide an open, fair and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese firms to invest in. China is ready to deepen cooperation with the Netherlands in areas including agriculture, water conservancy and new energy, promote people-to-people exchanges and strengthen cooperation in multilateral areas such as addressing climate change, Li said. Noting that both countries have benefited from and supported economic globalization and free trade, Li expressed the hope that the Netherlands will uphold the spirit of contract, adhere to market principles and WTO rules, safeguard the common interests of the two countries and their companies, and maintain the smooth flow of the global industrial and supply chains. China's policy toward Europe is characterized by a high degree of consistency and stability, Li said, both China and Europe should practice true multilateralism and jointly oppose camp confrontation and the "new Cold War." He wished that the Netherlands urges Europe to adhere to strategic autonomy, and contribute more to the development of China-Europe ties.”
Third, there’s a report on Ding Xuexiang meeting with Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong. Xinhua reports:
“The two sides should strengthen cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, upgrade key cooperation projects such as the Tianjin Eco-City, Suzhou Industrial Park, China-Singapore (Chongqing) Demonstration Initiative on Strategic Connectivity and Guangzhou Knowledge City, Ding said, adding that the two countries should continue to carry out cooperation in economy, trade, investment and finance, expand cooperation in new areas such as the digital economy and utilization of ocean energy, and deepen exchanges and cooperation in the fields such as health, education, culture and tourism. Ding emphasized that maintaining regional prosperity and stability is the common pursuit of the two countries, and China is willing to work with Singapore to resist politicization of economic issues, maintain the stability and smoothness of global industrial and supply chains, promote the high-level implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), and actively promote the building of version 3.0 of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area.”
Moving on, there’s a long, long Guo Jiping article previewing the China-Central Asia summit. The introductory section basically talks about the evolution of the dialogue platform between the two sides. It says:
“‘Irrespective of how the international situation changes or how far China develops in the future, China will always be a good neighbour, good partner, good friend, and good brother that Central Asian countries can trust and rely on.’” “无论国际风云如何变幻，无论未来中国发展到什么程度，中国都始终是中亚国家值得信任和倚重的好邻居、好伙伴、好朋友、好兄弟.”
The first section then begins with a brief overview of Chinese diplomacy this year. It mentions Xi’s visit to Russia and hosting of leaders from Asia, Europe, Latin America and Africa, along with the proposal of GCI. It says that these “series of events not only demonstrated China's international influence, appeal and shaping power but also showed the aspirations of the people, the trend of the times and the direction of the road ahead.” 应邀对俄罗斯进行国事访问，同来华访问的亚洲、欧洲、拉美、非洲等多位政要会谈会见，首次提出全球文明倡议，推动国际和地区热点问题解决……2023年的春天，中国元首外交高潮迭起，不仅展现了中国国际影响力、感召力、塑造力，也昭示了人心所向、大势所趋、大道所归.
Then the article focuses on China-Central Asia relations, saying that there is a lot of enthusiasm for the summit. This is evident from the friendship between the two sides.
It says that Xi Jinping has visited Central Asian countries 12 times and each time he has been received with warmth. The examples cited are the many honours that Central Asian leaders have bestowed upon Xi, such as the Order of Manas by Kyrgyzstan, the Order of the Golden Eagle by Kazakhstan, the Order of the Crown by Tajikistan and the Order of Friendship by Uzbekistan. 满怀着中国人民的美好希冀，习近平主席曾12次访问中亚国家。次次是特殊礼遇，处处是热情接待。“玛纳斯”一级勋章、“王冠勋章”、“金鹰”勋章、“最高友谊”勋章……中亚国家不约而同，选择将无比崇高的荣誉授予习近平主席，表达本国人民对中国人民的深情厚谊.
The enthusiasm is evident by the sense of brotherhood and family-like communication between China and Central Asian countries. To make the point on “family-like” engagement, the piece offers an example of Tajikistan's leader Emomali Rahmon hosting Xi for a dinner in 2014, during which three generations of his family dressed in traditional attire and so did Xi and Peng. “塔吉克斯坦对中国寄予厚望，愿意做中国真诚的伙伴和亲密的兄弟，同中国携手前行、世代友好。”2014年，塔吉克斯坦总统拉赫蒙一家三代人，身着民族盛装，为到访的习近平主席夫妇举行别具一格的家宴。习近平主席穿上拉赫蒙总统一家赠送的当地传统服饰，两国元首“手拉手、一起走”.
The section then ends by talking about growing strategic proximity between China and Central Asian countries. The examples cited are the summit meeting last year and Xi’s choice in September 2022 to travel to Central Asia as his first international visit after the pandemic.
The second section emphasises the presence of political trust between China and Central Asian countries, arguing that ties are based on “sincerity, mutual trust, equality and mutual benefit.” “Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, China has always treated Central Asian countries politically as equals, fully understood the reasonable concerns of Central Asian countries, and cared about the feelings and needs of Central Asian countries, winning wide respect from Central Asian countries.” 建交以来，中国自始至终在政治上对中亚国家平等相待，充分理解中亚国家的合理关切，切实照顾中亚国家的感受和需要，赢得中亚国家的广泛尊重.
It informs that “at present, China has established a permanent comprehensive strategic partnership with Kazakhstan, and a comprehensive strategic partnership with Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkmenistan…” 目前，中国已与哈萨克斯坦建立永久全面战略伙伴关系，与乌兹别克斯坦、塔吉克斯坦、吉尔吉斯斯坦、土库曼斯坦建立全面战略伙伴关系，中国与中亚各国的关系稳步提升。
“China and the five Central Asian countries stand firm in supporting each other’s core interests. ‘China firmly supports Central Asian countries in pursuing a development path that suits their own national conditions.’ ‘Resolutely opposes external forces engaging in 'colour revolutions’ in Central Asia, resolutely opposes interference in other countries' internal affairs under the pretext of human rights, and resolutely opposes any force that disrupts the peaceful life of the people.’ Central Asian countries ‘firmly adhere to the one-China principle, resolutely oppose any form of ‘Taiwan independence’; they ‘firmly support China's stance on issues related to Taiwan, Xinjiang, Hong Kong and other core interests’...At critical moments, both sides stand up and speak out for each other, jointly defend true multilateralism, safeguard the legitimate rights and strategic interests of both sides, and promote the development of the international order in a more just and reasonable direction.” 中国与中亚五国支持彼此核心利益立场坚定。“中方坚定支持中亚国家走符合本国国情的发展道路”“坚决反对外部势力在中亚搞‘颜色革命’，坚决反对以人权为借口干涉别国内政，坚决反对任何势力破坏人民平静生活”“坚定奉行一个中国原则，坚决反对任何形式的‘台独’”“坚定支持中方在涉台、涉疆、涉港等核心利益问题上的立场”……关键时刻，双方都会挺身而出，为对方仗义执言，共同捍卫真正的多边主义，维护双方正当权益和战略利益，推动国际秩序朝着更加公正合理的方向发展.
Section three discusses BRI engagement. It talks about China supporting developing countries. In particular, it mentions last year’s announcement of grant assistance of $500 million to Central Asian countries to support livelihood programs and the 5,000 seminar and workshop opportunities to help Central Asian countries train professionals in health, poverty reduction for agricultural development, connectivity, information technology and other fields.
It adds: “China is willing to take transportation, energy, agriculture, and infrastructure as key areas of cooperation to unblock the industrial and supply chains, and implement more livelihood projects in Central Asia that actually benefit ordinary people. China and Central Asian countries will build a ‘Digital Silk Road’ and deepen cooperation in high-tech fields such as digital economy and trade, artificial intelligence, big data, e-government and blockchain. The two sides will establish a ‘China-Central Asia e-commerce Cooperation and Dialogue Mechanism’ and develop ‘Silk Road e-commerce’. The two sides support the formulation of a ‘Green Silk Road’ roadmap, strengthen investment and technical cooperation in the fields of alternative energy and professional training, and implement regional plans and projects in the field of green technology.” 在发展振兴路上，双方都有锚定未来的合作构想。中方愿以交通、能源、农业、基础设施为重点合作领域，畅通产业链供应链，在中亚实施更多切实惠及普通民众的民生项目。中国和中亚国家将建设“数字丝绸之路”，深化数字经贸、人工智能、大数据、电子政务、区块链等高技术领域合作。双方将建立“中国—中亚电子商务合作对话机制”，发展“丝路电商”。双方支持制定“绿色丝绸之路”路线图，加强可替代能源和专业人员培训领域投资与技术合作，实施绿色技术领域的地区计划和项目.
Section four deals with security issues, and argues that “security cooperation between China and the five Central Asian countries has achieved remarkable results.” It says that Xi’s concept of ‘common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security’ has been recognised and practically implemented by Central Asian states. 习近平主席倡导各国秉持“共同、综合、合作、可持续的安全观”，得到中亚国家普遍认同，也在中国与中亚国家的合作中得到切实践行.
In terms of areas of security cooperation, the piece mentions:
Cooperation to combat the ‘three evil forces’
Tackling drug smuggling and transnational organised crime
Deeper law enforcement security cooperation
Holding of multilateral and bilateral joint exercises and joint border patrols
Training of law-enforcement officials and capacity building
Non-traditional security cooperation in data security and health
Agreement on trust between the militaries in the border areas
Cooperation on Afghanistan and at multilateral forums
Cooperation on climate change, food security and dealing with the pandemic
The piece also fleetingly mentions the joint implementation of GSI in this context.
The fifth section says that China and Central Asian countries are jointly implementing the Global Civilisation Initiative too. Some of the examples in this context are as follows:
Joint work done to restore cultural relics and preserving historical sites
Establishment of sister cities and provinces - apparently there are 62 such instances between China and Central Asia
People to people and education cooperation
Luban workshops
Section six talks about how China and Central Asian countries share similar feelings on the issue of national rejuvenation.
“In the eyes of Western scholars, Central Asian countries have ‘disappointingly’ ‘missed’ the opportunity to ‘democratise’ in the Western way. However, what really disappointed the Central Asian countries was that certain Western countries ‘prescribed random medicines’ based on their own self-interest. The Western modernization model, born out of capital expansion, has plunged many latecomer countries into a predicament of economic stagnation and social and political turmoil. Modernization is not a ‘patented product’ of a few countries, nor is it an either-this-or-the-other type of question. One cannot deploy simple, stereotypical approaches or a ‘copy-paste’ approach. To achieve modernization, the key is to find a development path that conforms to one’s national conditions and the law of human social development. Chinese-style modernization not only provides another successful choice, but also provides a way to find the right path, bringing important inspiration and confidence to Central Asian countries that want to speed up development while maintaining their own independence.” 在西方学者眼中，中亚国家曾“令人失望地”“错失”了走向西方式“民主化”的机会。而真正令中亚国家失望的，其实是个别西方国家出于私利“乱开药方”。诞生于资本扩张的西方现代化模式，让不少后发国家陷入经济停滞、社会政治动荡的困局。现代化不是少数国家的“专利品”，也不是非此即彼的“单选题”，不能搞简单的千篇一律、“复制粘贴”。实现现代化，关键是找到符合国情、符合人类社会发展规律的发展道路。中国式现代化，不仅提供了另一种成功的选择，更提供了找到正确道路的方式，给既希望加快发展又希望保持自身独立性的中亚国家带来重要启示与信心.
The final section says that it is important for China and Central Asian countries to cooperate amid the changes taking place in the world. It references BRI, GDI, GSI, and GCI, while arguing that Central Asian countries are “active responders and staunch supporters of China’s propositions.”
Moving on, there’s a report on how the Ministry of Science and Technology is implementing the Xi thought education campaign. The key takeaway that I gather from this is that it is not simply about learning theory and ensuring ideological or political loyalty. There is a component of trying to figure out what are the institutional challenges that need to be addressed to further self-improvement and self-reliance in science and technology.
Page 2: There’s an interview with Sadyr Japarov, President of Kyrgyzstan. He says that “Kyrgyzstan and China have always firmly supported each other on issues concerning each other’s core interests. Today, there are no conflicts or unresolved issues between Kyrgyzstan and China. The exchanges at all levels between the two countries are close, the interaction is fruitful, and the cooperation is developing steadily. China is one of Kyrgyzstan's most important partners. The hard-won mutual understanding and friendly cooperation are very precious. Kyrgyzstan is willing to make efforts to further deepen cooperation.” 在国际舞台上，吉中两国在涉及彼此核心利益问题上始终坚定相互支持。今天，吉中两国间不存在任何冲突和悬而未决的问题，两国间各层级交流密切，互动富有成效，合作稳步发展。中国是吉尔吉斯斯坦最重要的伙伴之一，来之不易的相互理解、友好合作非常珍贵，吉方愿付出努力进一步深化合作.
He praises Xi: “President Xi Jinping's experience in governing the country reminds me of the wisdom of Chinese Confucianism. I feel honoured to be friends with President Xi Jinping. I am very much looking forward to participating in the China-Central Asia Summit and meeting President Xi Jinping again.” “习近平主席的治国理政经验让我想到中国儒家的智慧。能与习近平主席成为朋友，我感到很荣幸。我非常期待参加中国—中亚峰会，与习近平主席再次见面.”
He terms GDI, GSI and GCI as “timely and practical” initiatives. 从这一角度来说，习近平主席提出的全球发展倡议、全球安全倡议以及全球文明倡议是及时且切实可行的.
Two other reports on the page that are worth noting.
First, China’s Defense Minister Li Shangfu had a telephone conversation with Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada on Tuesday. This essentially activated the “direct telephone line under the maritime and air liaison mechanism between the two defense authorities for the first time.”
Xinhua says that “the establishment of the hotline is a practical measure that follows the important consensus reached between the leaders of the two countries, the statement said. It will effectively enrich the communication channels between the two defense authorities and help the two sides improve their management of crises on and above the sea, which is conducive to the maintenance of regional peace and stability.”
Second, a report on Qin Gang’s meeting with Sierra Leonean Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation David Francis in Beijing. The report, unfortunately, is devoid of any details, apart from talk of “practical cooperation” and Sierra Leone saying that it “adheres firmly to the one-China principle.”
Page 4: A report informing that the Ministry of Education is launching a ‘100-day sprint’ action to push for the employment of fresh graduates. Global Times has an English report, which provides the key details. It says that:
The spring, which will last from May until August this year, “is designed to expand the job market, provide targeted employment guidance, strengthen employment support for key groups and improve employment monitoring mechanisms. The MOE told universities nationwide to continue to carry out the activities of enterprises on campus, make full use of the ‘internet + employment’ resources, and provide job information for graduates who have yet to find jobs.”
The PD report says that the ministry wants universities to ensure more campus placements and enterprise visits. In addition, “all universities and colleges should also do a good job in organising and mobilising college graduates to go to the grassroots level and register for the 特岗计划 (special post teacher recruitment programme), 三支一扶 (plan to send graduates to grassroots areas to support agriculture, education, medical care and poverty alleviation) and the 西部计划 (a volunteering program in rural areas in the west of the country).
All of this comes as China’s youth employment, i.e., for the 16-24 age group hit a record high of 20.4 per cent in April. SCMP’s report on April’s data says:
“Retail sales in China rose by 18.4 per cent in April, year on year, but the surge was largely caused by a low comparison base after the figure had dropped by 11.1 per cent in April last year. Retail sales in April also fell by 7.8 per cent from March, the official data showed. Industrial production, a gauge of activity in the manufacturing, mining and utilities sectors, also rose by only 5.6 per cent in April, year on year, the NBS confirmed. “Four months into the reopening, China’s economic recovery can best be described as uneven, front-loaded, and still necessarily state-supported,” said Louise Loo, lead economist at Oxford Economics.”
There is a detailed and unsurprisingly positive report on April data on Page 10 of the paper today. Some key data points to note:
The added value of industrial enterprises above designated size increased by 5.6% year-on-year, 1.7 percentage points faster than the previous month
In April, the added value of the equipment manufacturing industry increased by 13.2% year-on-year,
The added value of the automobile manufacturing industry and the electrical machinery and equipment manufacturing industry increased by 44.6% and 17.3%, respectively.
In April, the output of photovoltaic cells and charging piles increased by 69.1% and 36.9% respectively; the output of polysilicon and service robots increased by 89.3% and 47.6% respectively.
In the first four months, fixed-asset investment rose 4.7 percent year on year to 14.75 trillion yuan, with investment in high-tech manufacturing and services increasing 15.3 percent and 13.4 percent, respectively.
Page 15: There’s a report on layoffs by tech majors in the US. The argument is that there is growing concern that the US economy is heading for a recession.
Also on the page is a Zhong Sheng commentary criticising the G7 for its positions on China. The author calls the G7 “a destroyer of the international order” and blames the US for “coercion and instigation.”
The piece begins by saying that as per reports, the G7 meeting in Hiroshima is likely to “smear and attack China” and ask it to “abide by the rules” and “take responsible actions”.
“Over the past two years, the G7, on the instigation of the US and other individual members, has repeatedly and brutally interfered in China’s internal affairs, made wild accusations against China, and permeated with a strong Cold War mentality and ideological prejudice. The US insists on containing and suppressing China as an ‘imaginary enemy’, and enlisting allies to encircle China is its publicly declared strategic goal. In June last year, the G7 ignored China’s solemn position and resolute opposition and made 14 references to China in the summit communiqué, talking about Hong Kong, Xinjiang, human rights, the East China Sea, the South China Sea and peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, grossly interfering in China’s internal affairs, promoting the false narrative of ‘democracy against authoritarianism’ and inciting confrontation. As the rotating chair of the G7 this year, Japan has taken advantage of the US’ erroneous China policy to speculate and seek personal gains, facilitating the US’ efforts to insert a series of issues to contain China into the G7 agenda. The G7 foreign ministers' meeting hyped up a series of China-related issues, once again grossly interfering in China's internal affairs, maliciously slandering and smearing China, and the trade ministers' meeting also sent signals against China. The G7, whose influence is diminishing, has been reduced to a hegemonic servant of the US, and can only rely on speculation on China-related issues to make its presence felt.” 据报道，即将在日本广岛举行的七国集团峰会可能将对中国施压列为中心议题之一，以要求中国“遵守规则”“采取负责任的行动”等为名，对中国进行抹黑攻击。近两年来，在美国及其他个别成员的裹挟怂恿下，七国集团一再粗暴干涉中国内政，对中国妄加指责，渗透出浓重的冷战思维和意识形态偏见。美国执意将中国作为“假想敌”进行遏制打压，拉拢盟友对中国搞围堵是其公开宣称的战略目标。去年6月，七国集团罔顾中方严正立场和坚决反对，在峰会公报中14处提及中国，对香港、新疆、人权、东海、南海以及台海和平稳定等说三道四，粗暴干涉中国内政，鼓吹“民主对抗威权”虚假叙事，煽动对抗情绪。作为今年的七国集团轮值主席国，日本利用美国错误对华政策搞投机、谋私利，为美国将一系列遏华议题塞进七国集团议程提供了便利。七国集团外长会议大肆炒作一系列涉华议题，再次粗暴干涉中国内政、恶意污蔑抹黑中国，贸易部长会议等也传递出针对中国的信号。影响力日渐式微的七国集团，已沦为美国的霸权仆从，只能靠炒作中国议题刷存在感.
“The G7 claims to uphold the so-called ‘international order based on the rule of law,’ but openly challenges the core of the post-war international order. The world knows that the return of Taiwan to China is an important part of the post-war international order, and the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation clearly stipulate this. Any country that is sincerely committed to maintaining the international order should adhere to the one-China principle and resolutely oppose all acts of ‘Taiwan independence’. The G7 has left the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation behind and described China’s opposition to the secession of Taiwan independence as ‘changing the status quo in the Taiwan Strait’. This act of condoning the secessionist activities of ‘Taiwan independence’ is a naked challenge to the post-war international order recognized by the international community. This fully illustrates that the G7 is extremely hypocritical in its claim to maintain the international order and is itself a destroyer of the international order.” 七国集团宣称要维护所谓“基于法治的国际秩序”，却公然挑战战后国际秩序的核心。举世皆知，台湾回归中国是战后国际秩序的重要组成部分，《开罗宣言》《波茨坦公告》就此作出了明确规定。任何真心致力于维护国际秩序的国家，都应切实恪守一个中国原则，坚决反对一切“台独”行径。七国集团把《开罗宣言》《波茨坦公告》抛诸脑后，把中方反对“台独”分裂说成是“改变台海现状”。这一纵容“台独”分裂活动的行为，是对国际社会公认的战后国际秩序的赤裸裸挑战。这充分说明，七国集团所谓维护国际秩序极其虚伪，其本身就是国际秩序的破坏者.
“The G7 claims to work together to deal with ‘economic coercion’, but does not pay attention to the US’ economic coercion around the world. For a long time, the US has relied on its economic power and financial hegemony to impose illegal unilateral sanctions on other countries. According to media reports, from 2000 to 2021, US. foreign sanctions increased by 933 percent. As of fiscal year 2021, the United States has imposed more than 9,400 sanctions in total. The United States has imposed unilateral economic sanctions on nearly 40 countries in the world, affecting nearly half of the world's population. Even the other members of the G7 are not immune to the economic coercion and bullying by the United States. Companies such as Japan's Toshiba, Germany's Siemens, and France's Alstom have all been targeted by the United States. China is a victim of economic coercion by the United States and has always firmly opposed economic coercion by other countries. If the G7 summit wants to put together a response to ‘economic coercion’ on the agenda, it should first discuss and condemn the economic coercion of the United States, rather than being an accomplice and an accessory to economic coercion.” 七国集团宣称要共同应对“经济胁迫”，却对美国在世界上大搞经济胁迫不闻不问。长期以来，美国倚仗其经济实力和金融霸权，对他国滥施非法单边制裁。据媒体报道，从2000年到2021年，美国对外制裁增加933%。截至2021财年，美国已生效的制裁措施累计达9400多项。美国对世界上近40个国家实施过单边经济制裁，全球近一半人口受到影响。即使是七国集团其他成员，在美国的经济胁迫和霸凌面前也难以幸免，日本东芝、德国西门子、法国阿尔斯通等企业，都曾是美国打压的对象。中国是美国经济胁迫的受害者，一贯坚决反对其他国家搞经济胁迫。如果七国集团峰会要把应对“经济胁迫”列入议程，首先应讨论和谴责美国的经济胁迫行径，而不是做经济胁迫的同谋和帮凶.
“While the G7 claims to discuss the so-called issue of ‘economic security’, it condones and even encourages the US to ‘decouple and break the chains,’ further risking the global economic recovery. During the G7 finance ministers' meeting, the US side claimed that it was considering further restrictions on US companies' investment in China and openly stated that it would ‘seriously discuss the matter with our allies and partners,’ revealing its intention to further escalate its economic bullying practices. In recent years, the US has repeatedly generalised the concept of national security, abused export control measures, intensified restrictions on normal economic and trade cooperation between its own enterprises and China, influenced normal business decisions, and encouraged and even coerced its allies to replicate its practices, seriously violating the principles of market economy and fair competition, undermining the international economic and trade order, and disrupting the stability of the global industrial and supply chains. If the G7 gives the green light to American economic bullying practices, which retard the development of other countries, it will not only be reduced to a destructive force for global development, but will also harm its own economic recovery.” 七国集团宣称要讨论所谓“经济安保”议题，却姑息甚至助长美国搞“脱钩断链”，给世界经济复苏增添风险。在七国集团财长会议期间，美方声称正在考虑进一步限制美国企业对华投资，并公然表示要“与盟友和伙伴认真讨论此事”，流露出进一步升级其经济霸凌行径的意图。近年来，美国一再泛化国家安全概念，滥用出口管制措施，变本加厉限制本国企业同中国的正常经贸合作，影响企业正常经营决策，并鼓动乃至胁迫盟友复制其做法，严重违背市场经济和公平竞争原则，破坏国际经贸秩序，扰乱全球产业链供应链稳定。七国集团如果给美国迟滞他国发展的经济霸凌行径开绿灯，不仅会沦为全球发展的破坏性力量，也将伤害自身的经济复苏之路.
The article ends with a warning that “the G7 should understand that creating a closed and exclusive ‘small circle’ to contain and oppress other countries and stir up confrontation between camps is against the general trend of the era of openness and tolerance, and those who harm others will eventually harm themselves too.” 七国集团应该明白，搞封闭排他的“小圈子”，遏制打压他国、挑动阵营对立，有悖开放包容的时代大势，害人者终将害己.
Finally, just wanted to highlight this one report from SCMP on an article by General Wang Haijiang, commander of the People’s Liberation Army Western Theatre Command, in Study Times, discussing the importance of preparing for “hybrid warfare.”
“Since the Ukraine crisis broke out, a new form of ‘hybrid warfare’ has emerged. Military confrontations have become intertwined with battles in political, financial, technological, cyberspace and cognitive areas…Military conflicts extend from conventional to unconventional areas, and [modern warfare] has become an overall contest of the comprehensive national strength, ability to wage war and military strength of the countries involved…At present and in the future, local conflicts and turmoil have become frequent … the external suppression and containment the country is facing may escalate at any time,” Wang wrote. He said China needed to better consolidate and improve its “integrated national strategic system and capabilities” – repeating a call made by President Xi Jinping during the party congress in October.