Wang-Lavrov Talks in Moscow - China-Cuba Ties - China-EU Digital Dialogue - What Does it Mean to Pursue High-Quality Development?
Here are the key reports and articles that I found noteworthy from the People's Daily's edition on Tuesday, September 19, 2023.
Page 1: The top story today is about the China Disabled Persons’ Federation opening its eighth national congress in Beijing on Monday. The entire PBSC was in attendance, except Li Xi, who is in Cuba. PD reports that there was a banner hanging in the Great Hall of the People, saying “Guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, comprehensively implement the spirit of the 20th Party Congress, unite and lead the vast number of disabled people to create a happier and better life in the process of Chinese-style modernization!”
Ding Xuexiang delivered a speech at the event. The entire speech is available on Page 2. Ding said that since the 18th Party Congress, the “cause of the party and the country has undergone historic changes and historic achievements have been made.” Some of the developments that he highlighted are:
More than 7.1 million poor rural disabled people have been lifted out of poverty, as part of the poverty alleviation campaign
We have established specialised support systems such as subsidies for economically disadvantaged disabled individuals, nursing subsidies for severely disabled individuals, and rehabilitation assistance for disabled children, benefiting over 20 million disabled individuals.
We have focused on addressing the pressing needs and concerns of disabled individuals, continuously meeting their requirements for rehabilitation, education, employment, cultural life, and more, significantly enhancing the health, education, and quality of life of disabled individuals.
We advocate equal participation and integrated development, successfully host the Beijing 2022 Winter Paralympics, implement the Barrier-free Environment Construction Law…
The achievements attained in these areas fully demonstrate the tremendous advantages of the leadership of the Communist Party of China and the socialist system with Chinese characteristics; they also reflect the remarkable progress in China’s comprehensive national strength and human rights protection efforts, and have received universal praise from the international community!”
在党中央坚强领导下，新时代十年我国残疾人事业开创了蓬勃发展的新局面，广大残疾人生活全面改善，获得感、幸福感、安全感显著增强，如期实现“全面建成小康社会，残疾人一个也不能少”的目标。我们坚持精准扶贫、尽锐出战，在脱贫攻坚中把残疾人作为“群体攻坚的重点”，710多万农村贫困残疾人实现整体脱贫，彻底改变了千百年来残疾人与贫困相伴相随的不幸命运。我们强化兜底保障、全面覆盖，在实施普惠保障的基础上，建立了困难残疾人生活补贴、重度残疾人护理补贴、残疾儿童康复救助等专项保障制度，惠及2000多万残疾人。我们注重统筹规划、兼顾特性，着力解决残疾人急难愁盼问题，不断满足残疾人康复、教育、就业、文化生活等需求，显著提升残疾人健康、教育水平和生活质量。我们倡导平等参与、融合发展，成功举办北京2022年冬残奥会，实施无障碍环境建设法，开展形式多样的扶残助残文明实践活动，不断汇聚向上向善的积极力量。这些成绩的取得，充分体现了中国共产党领导和中国特色社会主义制度的巨大优势，充分体现了我国综合国力和人权保障事业的显著进步，得到了国际社会的普遍赞誉！
Now comes the reason I chose to highlight the above from Ding’s speech:
“The achievement of these accomplishments is fundamentally due to the strong leadership of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at the core and the scientific guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. Since the new era, General Secretary Xi Jinping has made a series of important expositions and instructions on the development of the cause of persons with disabilities, which has pointed out the direction and provided fundamental guidance for the development of the cause of persons with disabilities. General Secretary Xi Jinping has always been concerned about people with disabilities, and has always thought about them. He has visited and extended warm regards to disabled persons on multiple occasions, commending their spirit of self-improvement and perseverance, inspiring a sense of courage among them, encouraging them to bravely face the challenges of life and strive to realise their dreams, providing immense warmth and motivation to them.” 这些成绩的取得，根本在于有以习近平同志为核心的党中央坚强领导，有习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的科学指引。新时代以来，习近平总书记对残疾人事业发展作出一系列重要论述和重要指示批示，为残疾人事业发展指明了前进方向、提供了根本遵循。习近平总书记对残疾人这一特殊困难群体始终牵挂在心、念兹在兹，多次亲切看望慰问残疾人，为残疾人自强拼搏的奋斗精神点赞，激励广大残疾人勇敢迎接生活挑战、努力实现人生梦想，给广大残疾人极大的温暖和鼓舞.
Later, Ding says that the 20th Party Congress “put forward clear requirements for improving the social security system and care service system for persons with disabilities, and promoting the all-round development of the cause for persons with disabilities.” He outlines the key tasks as follows:
To promote the comprehensive development of the cause of persons with disabilities, we must adhere to the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is the guiding ideology that the Party and the country must adhere to for a long time. On the new journey, we must conscientiously study and implement this important thought, deeply understand the decisive significance of the Two Establishments, resolutely achieve the two safeguards, and always adhere to the Party's leadership in the cause of persons with disabilities. We must comprehensively implement the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important expositions and important instructions on the development of the cause of persons with disabilities, lead the new development of the cause of persons with disabilities with new ideas, and meet the new expectations for the lives of persons with disabilities with new developments. 促进残疾人事业全面发展，必须坚持以习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想为指导。习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想是党和国家必须长期坚持的指导思想。新征程上，我们要认真学习贯彻这一重要思想，深刻领悟“两个确立”的决定性意义，坚决做到“两个维护”，始终坚持党对残疾人事业的领导，全面贯彻落实习近平总书记对残疾人事业发展作出的重要论述和重要指示批示精神，以新思想引领残疾人事业新发展，以新发展满足残疾人生活新期待。
To promote the all-round development of the cause of persons with disabilities, we must firmly grasp the value orientation of equality, integration, and sharing. Disabled individuals are equal members of the social family and an important force for upholding and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics…促进残疾人事业全面发展，必须牢牢把握平等、融合、共享的价值导向。残疾人是社会大家庭的平等成员，是坚持和发展中国特色社会主义的一支重要力量，有志向、有能力为强国建设、民族复兴作出贡献。
To promote the comprehensive development of the cause of disabled persons, we must firmly grasp the historical mission of advancing the modernization of the cause of disabled persons. The cause of disabled people is an important part of the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics. To comprehensively build a modern socialist country, the cause of disabled people must also be modernized. The population of more than 1.4 billion is moving towards modernization as a whole, and disabled people cannot be left behind. 促进残疾人事业全面发展，必须牢牢把握推进残疾人事业现代化的历史使命。残疾人事业是中国特色社会主义事业的重要组成部分，全面建设社会主义现代化国家，残疾人事业也要现代化，14亿多人口整体迈向现代化，残疾人不能掉队.
To promote the all-round development of the cause of disabled persons, we must firmly grasp the goal and task of promoting the common prosperity of disabled people. Chinese-style modernization is the modernization of common prosperity for all people. To promote common prosperity for all people, disabled people are a group that needs special attention. It is necessary to fully, accurately and comprehensively implement the new development concept, promote the high-quality development of the cause of disabled persons, actively expand the channels for increasing employment and income of families of disabled persons, accelerate the improvement of the basic social welfare system for the disabled, and strive to improve the quality of services such as rehabilitation, education, culture and sports, foster care and accessibility for the disabled, and continuously improve the quality of life of the disabled. 促进残疾人事业全面发展，必须牢牢把握推进残疾人共同富裕的目标任务。中国式现代化是全体人民共同富裕的现代化，推进全体人民共同富裕，残疾人是特别需要关注的群体。要完整准确全面贯彻新发展理念，推动残疾人事业高质量发展，积极拓展残疾人家庭就业增收渠道，加快健全兜底性、基础性残疾人社会福利制度，着力提高残疾人康复、教育、文化体育、托养照护、无障碍等服务质量，不断提高残疾人生活品质.
Moving on, there’s a report on Li Xi’s visit to Cuba. Li met with Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel. As per the report, Li said:
“China is willing to work with Cuba to implement the important consensus reached by the top leaders of the two parties and countries, carry out in-depth exchanges of experience in Party and national governance and practical cooperation in various fields, continue to support each other on issues involving each other's core interests, and promote the development of the respective party building and socialist cause. China is willing to work with Cuba to promote the implementation of GDI, GSI and GCI, and promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.” 中方愿同古方落实好两党两国最高领导人重要共识，深入开展治党治国经验交流和各领域务实合作，继续在涉及彼此核心利益问题上相互支持，推动各自党的建设和社会主义事业发展。中方愿同古方推动全球发展倡议、全球安全倡议、全球文明倡议落地落实，推动构建人类命运共同体.
“Díaz-Canel asked Li Xi to convey his sincere greetings to General Secretary Xi Jinping and warmly welcomed Li Xi as the special envoy of President Xi Jinping to attend the (G77) summit and lead the CCP delegation's visit to Cuba. He said that China's firm support for the ‘Global South’ countries has effectively safeguarded the common interests of developing countries. He thanked China for its assistance for Cuba's economic and social development and said that Cuba is willing to maintain close friendly exchanges with the Communist Party of China and promote practical cooperation. He also thanked China for its firm support for the Cuban people’s just struggle against unilateral blockade and sanctions, and expressed firm support for the major global initiatives proposed by General Secretary Xi Jinping. He wished the third ‘Belt and Road’ International Cooperation Summit Forum complete success.” 迪亚斯—卡内尔请李希转达对习近平总书记的诚挚问候，热烈欢迎李希作为习近平主席特别代表出席峰会并率中共代表团访古，表示中国坚定同“全球南方”国家站在一起，有力维护了发展中国家共同利益。古方感谢中方对古经济社会发展提供帮助，愿同中国共产党密切友好往来，推进务实合作。古方感谢中方坚定支持古巴人民反对单边封锁制裁的正义斗争，坚定支持习近平总书记提出的重大全球倡议。预祝第三届“一带一路”国际合作高峰论坛圆满成功.
During the visit two sides “agreed to strengthen political mutual trust and strategic cooperation, deepen practical cooperation in various fields, enhance exchanges in governance, party building, and anti-corruption, and cooperate in learning from each other's experiences. They also jointly witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between China's National Supervisory Commission and Cuba's General Audit Office.”
Li also met with Raul Castro during his visit
Third, there’s a report on Cai Qi’s comments during a visit to the Science Popularization Day activities at Shougang Park in Beijing. Xinhua reports that he “called for continuous efforts on science popularization to improve the scientific literacy of the public, and to make new contributions to achieving high-quality self-reliance and strength in science and technology while advancing Chinese modernization.”
“Cai urged social organizations and professionals in the field of science and technology to focus their work on the country's most fundamental interests and shoulder the responsibility of giving full play to the basic role of science popularization in pursuing innovation-driven development. He also encouraged teenagers to aim high in sci-tech innovation and make their contributions to achieving high-quality self-reliance and strength in science and technology at an early date.”
Next, there’s a report informing that China now is the world's largest maritime fleet owner in terms of gross tonnage. This is actually an old story. Anyway, it informs that the Chinese-owned fleet stands at 249.2 million gross tonnage. The report also informs that:
Maritime transport is responsible for about 95% of China’s foreign trade transportation volume, and plays an important role in ensuring the transportation of key materials such as food, energy resources, and the safe, stable and smooth international and domestic logistics supply chains. 海运承担了我国约95%的对外贸易运输量，在保障粮食、能源资源等重点物资运输和国际国内物流供应链安全稳定畅通中发挥了重要作用.
China accounts for 8 of the top 10 ports in the world in terms of cargo throughput and 7 of the top 10 in terms of container throughput. In 2022, the national port cargo throughput reached 15.685 billion tons, and the container throughput was 296 million TEUs. 全球货物和集装箱吞吐量排名前十的港口中，我国分别占8席和7席。2022年全国港口货物吞吐量达156.85亿吨，集装箱吞吐量2.96亿标箱.
China has 16 automated container terminals and more than 10 are under construction. 看智慧化发展，我国已建成自动化集装箱码头16座，在建10余座，已建和在建规模均居世界首位。
Page 3: Let’s begin by covering Chinese media reports on Wang Yi’s visit to Russia. As per Xinhua (Chinese report), when meeting Lavrov in Moscow, Wang said that “in the face of rising unilateralism, hegemonism and bloc confrontations, China and Russia should adhere to true multilateralism.”
Wang “said that the two countries should also conform to the trend of the times, shoulder responsibility as major countries, and fulfill due international obligations. He also called on the two sides to promote multipolarity in the world and advance the development of global governance in a fairer and more equitable direction through strengthened strategic coordination. Wang Yi stated that both China and Russia pursue independent foreign policies, and their cooperation is not directed against third parties, nor is it subject to third-party interference, let alone being influenced by third parties (王毅表示，中俄都奉行独立自主外交政策，双方合作不针对第三方，不受第三方干扰，更不会被第三方左右). As major countries in the world and permanent members of the UN Security Council, Wang said, China and Russia bear important responsibilities for maintaining global strategic stability and promoting world development and progress. Under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, China-Russia relations have maintained a momentum for sound and steady development, with deepening practical cooperation, rich and colorful cultural exchanges, and rapid growth of personnel exchanges, Wang said. A China-Russia relationship featuring permanent good-neighborly friendship, comprehensive strategic coordination, and mutually beneficial cooperation will continue to contribute to the development and revitalization of the two countries and bring important benefits to the two peoples, Wang said.” (Comment: “Permanent good-neighborly friendship” is an interesting phrase. I wonder if this is indicative of anxieties around a post-Putin Russia?)
“For his part, Lavrov said that in March, Chinese President Xi Jinping paid a successful visit to Russia and held an important meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which charted the course for the future of Russia-China relations. Russia is willing to work with China to make good preparations for the next high-level exchanges between the two countries, strengthen the synergy of development plans, and deepen cooperation in such fields as economy, trade, culture, sports and youth, he said.”
“In view of the complex and drastic changes in the international landscape, Lavrov said Russia and China should further strengthen coordination and cooperation within multilateral frameworks such as the United Nations and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, so as to jointly safeguard the basic norms of international relations. The two sides commended the BRICS' historic expansion and voiced willingness to work with all BRICS member states to build a greater BRICS platform of solidarity, cooperation and common development. Lavrov said that Russia will play its role as the rotating chair of BRICS and work with China to push for greater development of the BRICS cooperation mechanism.”
“Lavrov shared his views on the Ukraine crisis, applauded China's position paper for accommodating the security concerns of all parties and being conducive to eliminating the root causes of the conflict. The Russian side, he said, is always open to negotiations and dialogue. China is committed to the right approach of peace talks and will play a constructive role in the political settlement of the crisis in its own way, said Wang. The two sides also exchanged views and coordinated positions on the international and regional issues of common concern.”
The Russian readout of the talks seems far more interesting. Reuters reports that in a Telegram statement the Russian side said that “‘the closeness of the positions of the parties regarding U.S. actions in the international arena, including those of an anti-Russian and anti-Chinese nature, was noted’. The ministry added that Wang briefed Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov about ‘the content of negotiations’ with Sullivan…Wang's talks with Lavrov included preparations for Russia's participation in the third Belt and Road Forum in Beijing in October, the Russian ministry said, without confirming whether Putin will attend. ‘The negotiations took place in the trusting and constructive manner inherent in the Russian-Chinese dialogue’, the ministry said. It added that Lavrov and Wang talked “in detail’ about Ukraine, ‘noting the futility of attempts to resolve the crisis without taking into account the interests and especially without the participation of Russia’.”
Back to PD. On the page is a report on Wang meeting with President George Vella of Malta before he left for Russia. Xinhua reports:
Wang said that the two countries respect and treat each other as equals, help each other and pursue common development, which has become a model for state-to-state relations. China appreciates Malta's adherence to the one-China principle, its objective and friendly view of China's development, and its understanding and support for China's legitimate advocacy, Wang noted. He said that China is willing to work with Malta to continuously firmly support each other, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, and jointly usher in next 50 years of better China-Malta relations. Wang thanked Malta for facilitating the China-U.S. strategic communication, noting that the China-U.S. sides had a long discussion on how to stabilize China-U.S. relations, effectively manage differences, explore mutually beneficial cooperation, and shoulder their respective international responsibilities in addressing global challenges. He said the meeting was comprehensive, in-depth and productive.”
Next, there’s a report on the second high-level China-EU digital dialogue. Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing led the Chinese delegation; from the EU side, it was Vera Jourova, Vice-President for Values and Transparency, who led the talks. Xinhua says:
“The two sides had in-depth discussions on issues including development and policy in the digital area, artificial intelligence, standards of communications technology, cross-border data flows, and the safety of non-food products, with a series of results achieved in the process. The two sides stated that China and the EU share broad common interests and strong complementarity in the digital field. China and the EU are ready to work together and strengthen exchanges to push for new results in practical cooperation in the digital area, foster an open, inclusive, fair, just and non-discriminatory environment for the development of the digital economy, and contribute to global digital transformation and economic recovery, they agreed. Companies from all over the world, including Europe, are welcome to share the development opportunities of China's digital economy and achieve mutual benefit and win-win results, Zhang said.”
The EU’s readout says:
“The Commission provided an update of EU regulatory developments including the Digital Services Act and the Digital Markets Act. Both sides exchanged views about Artificial Intelligence (AI). The Commission presented developments on the Artificial Intelligence Act and stressed the importance of an ethical use of this technology in full respect of universal human rights, in the light of recent UN reports. The Commission reiterated its support for global and interoperable Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) standards and urged the Chinese authorities to ensure a fair, reciprocity-based business environment in the digital field. It also conveyed its concern about the difficulties faced by EU companies in China to make use of their industrial data, as a result of the application of recent legislation. Discussions on this matter will continue at the High-level Economic Dialogue with a view to finding concrete solutions.”
“The Commission explained its de-risking approach under the European Economic Security Strategy, which consists in mitigating risks to its supply chains, critical infrastructures and technology security. As regards the safety of products, the Commission and China welcomed the signature of the Action Plan on the safety of products sold online. The objective of the Action Plan is to further enhance dialogue and cooperation between the European Commission and the General Administration of China Customs (GACC). Both parties have agreed to rapidly exchange information on unsafe products sold online; organise regular workshops to exchange information and knowledge on laws, regulations and best practices and organise specific awareness-raising and training activities on EU product safety rules for companies selling online. China shared updates on their policies and practices in the digital domain. Both parties agreed to continue discussions at technical level, by resuming the China-EU ICT Dialogue.”
Next, there’s a brief report on CIDCA announcing 30 million yuan in emergency humanitarian assistance for Libya. Another brief report informs of NPCSC Vice Chairman Wang Dongming meeting with a delegation of the Association of Friends of China under the Italian parliament, led by association president Vinicio Peluffo.
Also on the page is a brief report on the Global Times hosting the 14th China-Germany Media Roundtable, known as the ‘Qingbaijiang Dialogue’ in Chengdu. The report said that nearly 100 participants, including senior media executives, renowned journalists, columnists, and German young student representatives, gathered to engage in in-depth discussions on various topics. Finally, the 14th China-Mongolia Media Forum (English report) was held on Monday in the city of Ulanqab in Inner Mongolia.
Page 4: Just a brief report on the ceremonies to mark the September 18 Incident or the Mukden Incident.
Page 7: Today’s article from the Face to Face with Chinese-style Modernisation book addresses the question about why high-quality development is the primary task for building a comprehensively modern socialist country. Again, this is a really interesting article because as much as it criticises the old model of development and the heroing of GDP growth, it does make a very strong argument about the importance of ensuring quantitative development along with quality improvements. Basically, the struggle is about finding the right kind of balance. As usual, the breakdown is available for paid subscribers.
Page 17: On the international page today, we have comments from MoFA’s briefing lashing out at the Biden administration classifying China as a “major drug source country.” MoFA’s Mao Ning pushed back saying:
“The US, with 5 percent of the world’s population, consumes 80 percent of the opioid produced in the world—which makes the US a black hole and source of problem for global drug control. The US is the single largest major drug demand country and is in no position to wag its finger at China’s counter-narcotics efforts. The incompetence and ineffective control is the true cause of the pervasive drug problem in the US, and the fundamental solution is to reduce domestic demand. We urge the US to stop blaming and smearing China and do things in ways that are conducive to cooperation with China, not otherwise.”