Wang Huning on Opposing Taiwan 'Independence' - NPC's Supervision of Gov't Debt - He Lifeng Meets Myron Brilliant - Zhong Sheng: 'Tech Iron Curtain & Small Yard, High Wall Cannot Sustain US Hegemony'
Here are the key reports and articles that I found noteworthy from the People's Daily's edition on Tuesday, September 12, 2023.
Page 1: It’s a slow news day on the front page today. At the top of the page is a report on the enthusiastic responses to Xi Jinping’s speech on the revitalisation of northeastern China. I covered his remarks yesterday. The report basically has local officials talking about how they are/have been aligning their agenda with Xi’s vision.
For instance, Hu Yichong, Director of the Department of Industry and Information Technology of Liaoning Province, says that Liaoning is “currently accelerating the construction of three trillion-yuan-level industrial bases, including advanced equipment manufacturing, and 22 key industrial clusters such as aerospace equipment and CNC machine tools.” Another example is Zeng Fantao, Party Secretary of Lishu County, Jilin Province, informing that it has established approximately 2.09 million acres of high-standard farmland, and the annual grain output has stabilised at 4 billion jin.
The other top story (English report) on the page is about the publication of the thread-bound edition of the first two volumes of ‘Selected Works of Xi Jinping’.
Next, there is a report on Wang Huning’s comments at a meeting of the China Council for the Promotion of Peaceful National Reunification. Wang was elected as the chairman of the Council. In his remarks, Wang said that the Council “is an important force for Chinese people at home and abroad to oppose ‘independence’ and promote China's peaceful reunification. It has consistently upheld the banner of patriotism, and has made important contributions to unite compatriots at home and abroad, resolutely oppose all kinds of separatist acts, promote the peaceful reunification of the motherland, and safeguard the country's core interests. We must adhere to the solidarity and unity, conform to the general trend of history, uphold the cause of national justice, firmly oppose ‘independence’, and jointly advance the great cause of reunification of our motherland.” 王沪宁表示，中国和平统一促进会是海内外中华儿女反“独”促统、促进中国和平统一的重要力量，始终高举爱国主义旗帜，为团结凝聚海内外同胞、坚决反对各种分裂行径、促进祖国和平统一、维护国家核心利益作出重要贡献。要坚持大团结大联合，顺应历史大势，坚守民族大义，坚定反“独”促统，共同推进祖国统一大业.
He further said that:
The Party's overall strategy for resolving the Taiwan issue in the new era “must be fully, accurately and comprehensively implemented.”
“We must persist in being brave in the struggle and skilled in the struggle, shoulder the responsibility and mission of fighting against the ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist forces and external interference forces, and firmly maintain confidence and determination in opposing separatism and promoting reunification.”
We must persist in promoting cross-Strait exchanges and interactions, use in-depth and practical exchanges to promote closer ties between compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Straits, and build a solid foundation of public opinion against ‘independence’ and promoting reunification.
We must persist in promoting friendship between China and foreign countries, widely strive for understanding and support from the international community, and create a favourable external environment of opposing ‘independence’ and promoting reunification.
王沪宁表示，新时代党解决台湾问题的总体方略，为解决台湾问题、实现祖国完全统一指明了方向、提供了根本遵循，必须完整、准确、全面贯彻落实好，牢牢把握反“独”促统正确方向。要坚持敢于斗争、善于斗争，担负起同“台独”分裂势力和外部干涉势力斗争的职责使命，坚定反“独”促统信心决心。要坚持致力于促进两岸交流交往，以交流交往走深走实促进两岸同胞走亲走近，厚植反“独”促统民意基础。要坚持增进中外友好，广泛争取国际社会理解和支持，营造反“独”促统有利外部环境。
UFWD chief Shi Taifeng attended the meeting. He was elected as the executive Vice Chairman, and Zheng Jianbang, Ding Zhongli, Hao Mingjin, Cai Dafeng, He Wei, Wu Weihua, Pabala Gerelangjie, Su Hui, Gao Yunlong, Jiang Zuojun, and He Baoxiang were also elected as vice chairs.
Next, there’s a report on Zhao Leji meeting with Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) President Duarte Pacheco in Beijing. Xinhua reports:
Zhao said that “China welcomes the IPU to play a greater role in international affairs…the NPC of China supports the IPU in exerting its influence further, in upholding and practicing true multilateralism, in adhering to the principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, and in urging parliaments of countries to strengthen dialogue, build broad consensus and achieve more practical results. China supports the IPU in its efforts to promote sustainable development, and stands ready to strengthen cooperation with parliaments of other countries to narrow the North-South development gap and promote common prosperity, Zhao said. ‘The NPC is ready to work with the IPU and parliaments of other countries to promote the common values of peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy and freedom for all; to promote mutual understanding and amity among people of all countries; and to promote the construction of a community with a shared future for all,’ he said. Zhao said that China appreciates the IPU's long-standing impartial position on issues concerning China's core interests and major concerns, and hopes to enhance friendly relations with the IPU further. Zhao noted that the NPC and the IPU have together held five seminars for parliamentarians from developing countries, saying that China is willing to continue making this platform a success and share experience and seek cooperation with parliamentarians of other countries. He said that the people's congress system in China adheres to the unity of the CPC's leadership, the people as the masters of the state, and the rule of law. The country stands ready to strengthen exchanges with the IPU to exert the functions and roles of legislative bodies in an improved manner.”
Page 2: A report informing that the Seventh National Congress of the China Television Artists Association was held in Beijing on Monday.
“The meeting emphasized the need to adhere to the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, thoroughly implement the spirit of the 20th Party Congress, consciously shoulder new cultural responsibilities, focus the lens on the people, use visual media to reflect the times, produce more high-quality TV works, write a new chapter in the prosperity and development of television art, and contribute to the construction of the modern civilization of the Chinese nation.” 会议强调要坚持以习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想为指导，深入贯彻落实党的二十大精神，自觉担负起新的文化使命，把镜头对准人民，用视像反映时代，推出更多电视精品力作，谱写电视艺术事业繁荣发展新篇章，为建设中华民族现代文明贡献力量。
Propaganda chief Li Shulei attended the meeting. He said that “in the past decade of the new era, China’s television industry has made great progress and remarkable achievements. Excellent works have continued to emerge, creative vitality has continued to thrive, and the creative workforce has grown stronger, making important contributions to promoting the prosperity and development of literature and art and building a socialist cultural power.” 新时代十年来，我国电视艺术事业取得长足进步和喜人成绩，精品佳作持续涌现，创作活力不断迸发，创作队伍发展壮大，为促进文艺繁荣发展、建设社会主义文化强国作出了重要贡献。
The folks in attendance “believed that the TV creative workforce should bravely stand at the forefront of the times, deeply cultivate the people's sentiments, earnestly depict the spiritual atmosphere of the new era and new journey, and create and launch more excellent television works that resonate with the people. It is necessary to strengthen cultural self-confidence, promote creative transformation and innovative development, and vividly showcase the charm of the times of China's excellent traditional culture. We must persist in striving for excellence, adapt to the development trend of the Internet, innovate ideas, means, and methods, and continuously improve the artistic quality of contemporary television works. We must adhere to the artistic ideal, pursue both virtue and art, and climb the peak of TV art in the new era.” 代表们认为，广大电视艺术工作者要勇立时代潮头、厚植人民情怀，用心描绘新时代新征程的精神气象，创作推出更多人民喜闻乐见的电视佳作。要坚定文化自信，推动创造性转化、创新性发展，生动展现中华优秀传统文化的时代风采。要坚持精益求精，适应互联网发展趋势，创新理念、手段、方法，不断提升当代电视作品的艺术质量。要坚守艺术理想，追求德艺双馨，勇攀新时代电视艺术高峰.
Next, there’s a report on remarks by Li Hongzhong, NPC Vice Chairman, during a symposium on establishing a system for hearing and reviewing government debt management reports.
“Li Hongzhong pointed out that establishing a system for the NPCSC to hear and review the State Council's report on government debt management is a major deployment of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at the core to strengthen the supervision of the NPC, especially the budget review and supervision work. It is necessary to effectively unify our thoughts and actions in the decision-making and deployment of the CPC Central Committee on preventing and defusing government debt risks, resolutely hold the bottom line of no systemic risks, achieve a long-term balance between steady growth and risk prevention, and promote high-quality economic and social development.”李鸿忠指出，建立全国人大常委会听取和审议国务院关于政府债务管理情况报告制度，是以习近平同志为核心的党中央加强人大监督特别是预算审查监督工作的重大部署。要切实把思想和行动统一到党中央关于防范化解政府债务风险决策部署上来，坚决守住不发生系统性风险的底线，实现稳增长与防风险长期均衡，推动经济社会高质量发展。
He said that “it is necessary to accurately grasp the positioning and principles of the NPC's supervision of government debt, supervise according to the law in accordance with the decision-making and deployment of the CPC Central Committee, actively respond to people's concerns, promote scientific and reasonable determination of the scale of government debt, highlight the key points of supervision, conduct in-depth research, comprehensively utilise the various methods of supervision, give full play to the role of NPC deputies and expert think tanks, and strive to enhance the effectiveness of supervision.” 李鸿忠强调，要准确把握人大监督政府债务的定位和原则，按照党中央决策部署依法监督，积极回应人民关切，推动科学合理确定政府债务规模，突出监督重点，深入开展调研，综合运用监督方式方法，充分发挥人大代表和专家智库作用，着力增强监督实效.
Finally, there’s a report informing that the 23rd China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT) concluded on Monday, with 638 projects agreed and a total planned investment of 484.57 billion yuan.
Page 3: A few days ago, Xi Jinping formally extended condolences to Moroccan King Mohammed VI over the devastating earthquake in the country. Today, there’s an article in the paper that praises China for this and quotes voices from Morocco appreciating China.
For instance, Nasser Bouchiba, president of the Africa-China Cooperation Association for Development in Morocco, says that “when Morocco was hit by the disaster, President Xi Jinping's care and condolences made us feel the warmth and support from the Chinese people to the Moroccan people. This is a testament to the friendship and mutual support between the two peoples in the face of disasters. The concern from our Chinese friends will inspire us with the confidence and strength to carry out rescue and rebuild our homes.”
President of the Morocco-China Friendship and Exchange Association Mohamed Khalil said that “President Xi Jinping was one of the first foreign heads of state to send a message of condolences to King Mohammed VI, which reflects the profound friendship between the two countries.”
The report also talks about the Red Cross Society of China providing support to Morocco (Reuters reported that it will transfer $200,000 for emergency humanitarian assistance). The China International Development Cooperation Agency has also announced that it is willing to provide emergency humanitarian assistance. It further says that some Chinese-funded enterprises and overseas Chinese in Morocco have also taken action to make voluntary donations and provide necessary assistance. And there is also a Chinese medical team in the country.
Comment: As good as it is that the people of Morocco are getting aid and support after this terrible tragedy, this article is a cringeworthy example of propaganda. It has nothing to do with building a sense of solidarity; it is rather about talking up China and its generosity.
Next, there’s a report informing that Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng met with Myron Brilliant, senior advisor to the US consulting firm Albright Stonebridge Group and former executive vice president of the US Chamber of Commerce, at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse. All that we are told is that the “two sides exchanged views on the current international economic situation, China-US economic and trade cooperation and other topics.”
There’s a report on MoFA’s remarks about Cambodia’s new Prime Minister Hun Manet’s upcoming visit to China. Mao Ning said that “China hopes to, through this visit, chart the course for the comprehensive strategic cooperation between the two countries in the next stage. In particular, we hope to deliver on the cooperation initiatives such as the ‘industrial development corridor’ and the ‘fish and rice corridor’ at an early date, and jointly usher in a new era of building a high-quality, high-level and high-standard China-Cambodia Community with a Shared Future.”
Finally, there’s a report on ILD chief Liu Jianchao meeting with a delegation led by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Nepal (United Marxist-Leninist) Laxmi Prasad Pokhrel.
Page 17: There’s a Zhong Sheng commentary which argues that the US is attempting “to block China's technological advancement path through ‘technological decoupling’ and hinder China’s development and progress. This approach not only overestimates its own capabilities, but also underestimates China's determination to achieve scientific and technological innovation.”
“Huawei's new smartphones have attracted great attention at home and abroad. People can see from this that American sanctions cannot stop China's technological progress. However, the US remains stubborn and claims that ‘no matter what, the United States should continue to implement the “small yard, high wall” technological restrictions’. The US resorts to all means to suppress China’s technological development, attempting to deprive China of its development rights, which is a typical act of bullying. Facts have already proven and will continue to demonstrate that the ‘science and technology iron curtain’ and ‘small yard, high wall’ policy cannot sustain America’s technological hegemony and those who undermine global scientific and technological cooperation and industrial and supply chains will only suffer the consequences.” 华为公司新款智能手机在国内外引发持续关注。人们从中看到，美国制裁无法阻止中国技术进步。然而，美方却执迷不悟，声称“无论如何，美国应继续实施‘小院高墙’技术限制措施”。美方不择手段打压中国科技发展，妄图剥夺中国发展权利，是典型的霸凌行径。事实已经而且必将继续证明，“科技铁幕”和“小院高墙”维护不了科技霸权，破坏全球科技合作和产业链供应链者，只会自食苦果.
“In recent years, under the guise of safeguarding national security, the US government has successively introduced restrictive measures against China in order to suppress China’s development in the field of science and technology. The US has repeatedly claimed that the ‘small yard, high wall’ policy is not to achieve broader ‘decoupling’ and that areas outside the ‘small yard’ will be open to China. However, the scope of regulatory measures keeps expanding, and the degree of control is tightening. They have used state power to launch the so-called ‘CHIPS Act’, created the so-called ‘Semiconductor Industry Alliance’ 半导体产业联盟 and the Quad Semiconductor Alliance 芯片四方联盟 and issued administrative orders for foreign investment reviews...The United States has repeatedly escalated containment and suppression. So far, more than 1,300 Chinese enterprises, institutions, and individuals have been included in various sanction lists, and even Chinese social media applications have not been spared. The real purpose of the US is to block China's technological advancement path through ‘technological decoupling’ and hinder China's development and progress.” 近年来，美国政府打着维护国家安全的幌子，接连出台对华限制措施，在科技领域打压中国。美方多次声称，“小院高墙”不是为了实现更广泛的“脱钩”，“小院”之外的领域会对华开放，但管制措施的范围却在不断扩大，程度在不断收紧。动用国家力量推出所谓《芯片与科学法》，拼凑所谓“半导体产业联盟”“芯片四方联盟”，发布对外投资审查行政令……美方一再升级遏制打压，迄今已将1300多个中国企业、机构和个人列入各类制裁清单，甚至连中国社交媒体应用程序都不放过。美方的真实目的，就是通过“科技脱钩”封堵中国科技上升路径，阻滞中国发展进步.
The next paragraph argues that this approach overestimates American capabilities while underestimating Chinese determination and capabilities.
“Looking back at history, China’s development has always been based on its own strength — from ‘two bombs and one satellite’ to manned space flight, quantum communication, Beidou navigation, and then to tackling difficulties in the field of chips, numerous facts have long proved that containment and suppression cannot stop China's development, but will only enhance its determination and ability to stand on its own feet and innovate in science and technology. At present, China’s independent innovation capabilities have greatly improved, and emerging frontier technological achievements have continued to emerge, with new industries and formats like new energy and artificial intelligence flourishing. Faced with blockades and suppression, China does not engage in self-isolation or self-seclusion. Instead, it comprehensively strengthens international cooperation in technological innovation, actively integrates into the global innovation network, and enhances its own technological innovation capabilities through open collaboration. Many international observers have pointed out that the retrograde trend of ‘decoupling’ cannot stop China's pace of innovation-driven development.” 回顾历史，中国的发展始终建立在自身力量的基点上，从“两弹一星”到载人航天、量子通信、北斗导航，再到在芯片领域攻坚克难，无数事实早已证明，限制打压阻挡不了中国的发展，只会增强中国自立自强、科技创新的决心和能力。当前，中国自主创新能力大幅增强，新兴前沿科技成果不断涌现，新能源、人工智能等新产业新业态蓬勃发展。面对封锁打压，中国不搞自我封闭、自我隔绝，而是全方位加强国际科技创新合作，更加主动地融入全球创新网络，在开放合作中提升自身科技创新能力。不少国际观察人士指出，“脱钩”逆流无法阻挡中国创新驱动步伐.
The next paragraph says that suppressing China’s tech development will only make the US less competitive. “China is the world's largest semiconductor market, with chip sales accounting for about one-third of the world's total.” “John Neuffer, CEO of the Semiconductor Industry Association in the United States, recently admitted that China is crucial to the American semiconductor industry, serving as a significant part of the supply chain and a large customer base. Forcing American companies to stay away from the Chinese market not only harms the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises but will also backfire. According to forecasts from the Boston Consulting Group, if the US were to completely ‘decouple’ from China, the US semiconductor industry would lose 18% of its global market share and 37% of its revenue, resulting in a reduction of 15,000 to 40,000 highly skilled jobs. An article in the US magazine ‘National Interest’ pointed out that tightening restrictions on technology exports to China has reduced the income of American semiconductor companies and jeopardised their R&D budgets.” 肆意打压中国科技发展不会让美国变得更好，只会极大削弱其全球竞争力。中国是世界最大的半导体市场，芯片销售规模约占全球的1/3，这是中国企业与各国企业互利共赢合作的结果。美国半导体行业协会总裁约翰·诺伊弗近日坦言，中国对美国半导体行业非常重要，是供应链的一个重要组成部分，同时也是非常大的客户群。美方强迫本国企业远离中国市场，不仅损害中国企业正当权益，也会反噬自身。根据波士顿咨询集团的预测，如果对华完全“脱钩”，美国的半导体行业将失去18%的全球市场份额和37%的收入，减少1.5万至4万个高技能工作岗位。美国《国家利益》杂志刊文指出，美国收紧对华技术出口限制减少了美国半导体企业的收入，危及其研发预算.
The next paragraph says that the US must “accept and face fair competition” if it wants to remain a high-tech leader. “The US should not resort to any means to maintain technological hegemony, deprive other countries of their development rights, or disrupt the global supply chains for its own selfish interests. China does not shy away from competition, nor is it afraid of competition, but it believes that competition should contribute to mutual promotion and common improvement, and be in line with the common interests and expectations of both parties and the international community. China resolutely opposes blockading, containment and suppression under the pretext of competition. China's development goal is to continuously improve itself so that the Chinese people can live a happier and better life. No one can deprive the Chinese people of their legitimate right to development.” 美国希望在高科技行业保持全球领先，必须接受和面对公平竞争。美方不应为了维护科技霸权不择手段，不应剥夺其他国家的发展权利，更不应为了一己私利破坏全球产业链供应链。中国不回避竞争，也不惧怕竞争，但认为竞争应有助于相互促进和共同提升，符合双方和国际社会共同利益和期待。中方坚决反对以竞争之名行围堵遏制打压之实。中国发展的目标是不断提升自我，让中国人民过上更加幸福美好的生活。谁也不能剥夺中国人民享有的正当发展权利.