Warnings & Actions Regarding Nancy Pelosi's Taiwan Visit - Manufacturing Industry's Decade of Growth - Commentaries on Xi's Speeches
Hi folks,
Before we begin, let me share Megha Pardhi and my new piece for 9 Dash Line on the work we are doing to tracking changes in regard to PLA members in the Central Committee ahead of the 20th Party Congress.
Cheers,
Manoj
Here are the stories and pieces that I found noteworthy in the Wednesday, August 3, 2022, edition of the People’s Daily.
Page 1: Okay, so Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan finally gets a front page mention in the People’s Daily today. At the bottom of the page is a commentary, which says that she has visited Taiwan despite Beijing’s “strong opposition and solemn representations.” The piece reiterates the Chinese foreign ministry’s statement issued yesterday that her visit has had a “severe impact on the political foundation of China-U.S. relations,” “seriously infringes upon China's sovereignty and territorial integrity,” “gravely undermines peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, and sends a seriously wrong signal to the separatist forces for ‘Taiwan independence’.”
It adds that China’s “resolute countermeasures are completely justified, reasonable and lawful. All the consequences arising therefrom must be borne by the United States and the ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist forces.” 美国国会众议长佩洛西不顾中方强烈反对和严正交涉，窜访中国台湾地区，严重违反一个中国原则和中美三个联合公报规定，严重冲击中美关系政治基础，严重侵犯中国主权和领土完整，严重破坏台海和平稳定，向“台独”分裂势力发出严重错误信号。对此，中方予以坚决反制，完全正当，合理合法，由此产生的一切后果必须由美方和“台独”分裂势力负责.
The next paragraph says:
“The One-China principle is the basic principle underlying the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and other countries and has formed an integral part of the post-World War II international order. The Communique on the establishment of diplomatic Relations between China and the United States clearly states that the United States recognises the Government of the People’s Republic of China as the sole legal government of China, and within this context, the people of the United States will maintain cultural, commercial and other unofficial relations with the people of Taiwan. The US Congress is an integral part of the US government, and Nancy Pelosi is the third-highest-ranking figure in the US government. She should strictly abide by the One-China policy of the US government and the political commitments made by the US to China. China has always opposed US lawmakers visiting Taiwan, and believes that the US executive has the responsibility to prevent them from doing so. However, the US side says one thing and does another; it has no integrity at all. The US side has repeatedly reiterated that its one-China policy has not changed and will not change, and that it does not support Taiwan's ‘independence’. Despite this, Pelosi insisted on visiting the Taiwan region of China, ignoring the political commitments made by the US side. The international community can now clearly see who is changing the status quo in the Taiwan Strait, who is undermining Sino-US relations, who is undermining regional peace and stability, and who is undermining the international order. Whoever moves against the historical trend of peaceful development, no matter who they are, will be nailed to the pillar of historical shame.” 一个中国原则是中国与各国建交的基本原则，构成二战后国际秩序的组成部分。中美建交公报明确指出，美国承认中华人民共和国政府是中国的唯一合法政府，在此范围内，美国人民将同台湾人民保持文化、商务和其他非官方关系。美国国会是美国政府的组成部分，佩洛西是美国政府的第三号人物，理应严格遵守美国政府的一个中国政策，严格恪守美方向中方作出的政治承诺。中方历来反对美国国会议员窜访中国台湾地区，认为美国行政部门有责任予以阻止。然而，美方说一套、做一套，毫无诚信可言。美方一再重申，美国的一个中国政策没有改变也不会改变，美方不支持台湾“独立”。但佩洛西执意窜访中国台湾地区，将美方政治承诺抛诸脑后，让国际社会进一步看清，究竟是谁在改变台海现状，谁在破坏中美关系，谁在损害地区和平稳定，谁在破坏国际秩序。逆和平发展历史大势而动者，无论是谁，都必将被钉在历史耻辱柱上.
The next paragraph calls the visit a “dangerous act” by the US to “hollow out” and “distort” the one-China principle. It basically argues that the Biden administration gave Pelosi the go-ahead to visit despite reservations from people in the US and countries in the region. It calls the visit a “grave mistake” 严重错误. It frames the visit within the context of what it sees as the administration’s repeated “wrong words and deeds on the Taiwan question.” It argues that while the US talks about maintaining stability and the status quo in the Taiwan Strait and about setting up guardrails between the US and China, the fact that it allowed this visit shows that its real intentions are to contain China using Taiwan.
The next paragraph frames the issue as “involving sovereign territorial integrity,” arguing that this is not something on which any country will have room for compromises.
“The one-China principle is the premise and foundation for China to develop relations with any country; we will never allow anyone to ‘overstep the line’. The Taiwan issue concerns China’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and involves China’s core interests. It is the most important and sensitive, core issue in Sino-US relations. The US side has intensified its efforts to ‘contain China through Taiwan’ by escalating tensions along the Taiwan Strait; it will certainly pay a heavy price.” 一个中国原则是中国同任何国家发展关系的前提和基础，我们绝不允许“越线”行为。台湾问题事关中国国家主权和领土完整，涉及中国核心利益，是中美关系中最重要、最敏感的核心问题。美方变本加厉搞“以台制华”，将台海局势推向进一步紧张，必将付出沉重代价. The paragraph also promises strong measures.
The next paragraph says that the DPP “has willingly become a pawn of external force” while “disregarding the fundamental interests of the Chinese nation and the well-being of Taiwan Province people.” 台湾民进党当局置中华民族根本利益和台湾民众福祉于不顾，甘当外部势力的棋子，充分暴露“倚美谋独”的危险企图.
“The Chinese nation has a glorious tradition of opposing division and safeguarding unity. The separatist actions of ‘Taiwan independence’ are the biggest obstacles to the reunification of the motherland and a serious hidden danger to national rejuvenation. Those who forget their ancestors, betray the motherland and split the country will never come to a good end and will be spurned by the people and judged by history. Reunification is the historical trend and the correct path. ‘Taiwan independence’ is a historical countercurrent and a dead end. In the face of the historical trend of the reunification of the motherland, any attempt to seek ‘independence’ is doomed to failure. 中华民族具有反对分裂、维护统一的光荣传统。“台独”分裂行径是祖国统一的最大障碍，是民族复兴的严重隐患。凡是数典忘祖、背叛祖国、分裂国家的人，从来没有好下场，必将遭到人民的唾弃和历史的审判。统一是历史大势，是正道。“台独”是历史逆流，是绝路。在祖国统一的历史大势面前，任何谋“独”企图都注定失败.
The final paragraph is also worth noting because it reiterates that the “the general trend (of reunification ) is irreversible,” and that “the time and trend of realising the reunification of the motherland are always firmly in our hands.” 民意不可违，大势不可逆。祖国必须统一，也必然统一。实现祖国统一的时与势始终牢牢掌握在我们的手中. — Quick thought: This is useful because it is indicative of a longer-term view being suggested as opposed to simply short-term crisis actions.
Anyway, some steps have already been taken.
There was a cyberattack targeting at least four Taiwanese websites — those of President Tsai Ing-wen, the National Defense Ministry, the Foreign Affairs Ministry and the country’s largest airport, Taiwan Taoyuan International. Taiwan’s defence ministry said that 21 PLA aircraft had entered Taiwan’s southwest ADIZ on August 2, 2022.
Earlier in the week, the PRC suspended imports from 35 Taiwanese exporters of biscuits and pastries. Taiwan’s Central News Agency reported on Tuesday that among the 3,200 Taiwanese companies registered with China's customs under the category of food, 2,066 entries had been listed as ‘import suspension’.
Later, China’s Ministry of Commerce halted natural sand exports to Taiwan and the GAC banned some fish and fruit imports. Bloomberg reports: “China’s General Administration of Customs said in a separate statement that the suspension of imports was due to excessive pesticide residue detected ‘multiple times’ on products since last year, as well as on some frozen fish packages that tested positive for coronavirus in June.”
Also, this was noteworthy – a call to adopt a long-term perspective by the youth league.
At this point, I am skipping to page 3 of the paper. This is basically all about Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan.
The full MoFA statement - the English version of which I have linked above - is published. The key point again is that Beijing is laying the responsibility on the Biden administration. It also adds:
“The Taiwan authorities have kept seeking U.S. support for their independence agenda. They refuse to recognize the 1992 Consensus, go all out to push forward “de-sinicization”, and promote “incremental independence”. The United States, for its part, has been attempting to use Taiwan to contain China. It constantly distorts, obscures and hollows out the one-China principle, steps up its official exchanges with Taiwan, and emboldens “Taiwan independence” separatist activities. These moves, like playing with fire, are extremely dangerous. Those who play with fire will perish by it.”
“China and the United States are two major countries. The right way for them to deal with each other lies only in mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, no-confrontation and win-win cooperation. The Taiwan question is purely an internal affair of China, and no other country is entitled to act as a judge on the Taiwan question. China strongly urges the United States to stop playing the “Taiwan card” and using Taiwan to contain China. It should stop meddling on Taiwan and interfering in China’s internal affairs. It should stop supporting and conniving at “Taiwan independence” separatist forces in any form. It should stop its acts of saying one thing but doing the opposite on the Taiwan question. It should stop distorting, obscuring and hollowing out the one-China principle. It must take credible actions to observe strictly the one-China principle and the provisions of the three China-U.S. joint communiqués, deliver on the “five noes” commitment made by the U.S. leadership (i.e. not seek a “new Cold War”; not seek to change China’s system; the revitalization of its alliances is not against China; not support “Taiwan independence”; not look for conflict with China), and not go further down the wrong and dangerous path.”
The official announcement of the new drills around Taiwan
A report on the Eastern Theatre Command saying that it will conduct joint military operations near Taiwan from Tuesday night. The exercises will include joint air and sea drills in the north, southwest and southeast of Taiwan, long-range live firing in the Taiwan Strait, and missile test-launches in the sea east of Taiwan. The report calls the operations a “solemn deterrent against the recent major escalation of the negative actions of the United States.”
Vice Foreign Minister Xie Feng has summoned US Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns (English report) to protest against Pelosi’s visit. Xie says that Pelosi “deliberately provoked and played with fire”; he added that “the US government must take responsibility”; he says that the “US government has indulged rather than restrained Pelosi’s willful act, leading to the escalation of tensions across the Taiwan Strait”; he says that the “US side shall pay the price for its own mistakes”; he also clubs the Indo-Pacific strategy as part of all the actions by USG related to Taiwan. Xie said that the visit “is extremely egregious in nature and the consequences are extremely serious. China will not sit idly by.” He added: “The United States must not go further down the wrong path, escalating tensions and making the situation across the Taiwan Strait and China-U.S. relations irreparable.”
“The United States has made solemn commitment to China on the Taiwan question, but in real action, it has constantly upgraded substantive relations and official exchanges with Taiwan, emboldened and supported "Taiwan independence" separatist forces, attempted to use Taiwan to contain China, and severely undermined the peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait…The Taiwan question bears on China's sovereignty and territorial integrity. For China, there is zero room for compromise and not an inch to give. The Anti-Secession Law has made clear stipulations on major issues including upholding the one-China principle, deterring separatist moves toward "Taiwan independence" and opposing interference in the Taiwan question by external forces. The stance of the Chinese government and the Chinese people on the Taiwan question has been consistent. It is the firm will of over 1.4 billion Chinese people to resolutely safeguard China's national sovereignty and territorial integrity. Any attempt to obstruct China's complete reunification and great national rejuvenation is doomed to fail.”
It says that the visit, “gravely infringes on China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, severely violates the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiques, seriously tramples on international law and the basic norms governing international relations, breaks the serious political commitment the United States has made to China, and sends a seriously wrong signal to forces seeking ‘Taiwan independence’...The U.S. Congress has repeatedly made false remarks on Taiwan, put forward, deliberated and passed multiple negative bills regarding Taiwan. Such U.S. moves attempt to distort and hollow out the one-China principle, play "the Taiwan card," "contain China with Taiwan," and obstruct China's complete reunification and the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. The current U.S. administration has not fixed the grave mistakes made by the previous administration. Instead, it has moved further to get allies on board and gang up with them to play ‘the Taiwan card’, flagrantly attack the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758, and spread the erroneous ‘uncertain status of Taiwan’ theory in an attempt to internationalize the Taiwan question.”
It adds though: “The time and tide of achieving the reunification of the motherland have always been held firmly in our hands. The fact that Taiwan is part of China will not be changed no matter what actions are taken by the anti-China forces in the United States and by the DPP authorities. The historical process of China's reunification will not be stopped no matter how Nancy Pelosi and her likes attempt to ‘contain China by supporting Taiwan’.”
Statement by the Foreign Affairs Committee of the CPPCC’s National Committee
Wang Yi’s remarks that the US had acted in bad faith and this would only erode its credibility. (English version)
“the U.S. side’s act in bad faith on the Taiwan question is despicable and will only further bankrupt the United States' national credibility. Some U.S. politicians are flagrantly playing with fire on the Taiwan question for selfish gains and making themselves enemies of the 1.4 billion Chinese people. They will not come to a good end. The U.S. side has shown the world what a bully it is. This will only make people of all countries see more clearly that the United States is the biggest destroyer of peace today.”
Now that you have read all this, do check out this thread:
Moving away from Taiwan, there’s a report informing that China’s investment in transportation fixed assets in H1 exceeded 1.6 trillion yuan, an increase of 6.7% year-on-year. In the first half of the year, nearly 170 expressways and ordinary national and provincial highway projects, covering 4,800 kilometres, were newly started. These had a total investment of 291 billion yuan.
Next, there’s a commentary based on Xi’s speech to provincial and ministerial-level officials. It says that “those who observe the trend are wise, those who control it win.” It reiterates Xi’s call that achieving rejuvenation will not be a walk in the park. But then it says that “practice tells us that historical development has its own laws, but people are not entirely passive entities in this process. As long as we grasp the law of historical development and the general trend, seize the opportunity of historical change, follow the trend and work hard, we will be able to make better progress. On the new great journey, no matter how the situation changes, no matter how severe the challenges are, we must maintain our strategic determination, be firm in our resolve to never change our aspirations and our path, carry forward the spirit of historical initiative, inspire the spirit that Communists should possess, firmly grasp the destiny of China’s development and progress in our own hands, not be afraid of any risks, or be confused by any interference, strive to achieve the set goals with persistence…” 实践告诉我们，历史发展有其规律，但人在其中不是完全消极被动的。只要把握住历史发展规律和大势，抓住历史变革时机，顺势而为，奋发有为，我们就能够更好前进。新的伟大征程上，无论风云如何变幻，无论挑战如何严峻，我们都要保持战略定力，坚定志不改、道不变的决心，发扬历史主动精神，振奋起共产党人应有的精气神，把中国发展进步的命运牢牢掌握在自己手中，不为任何风险所惧，不为任何干扰所惑，以咬定青山不放松的执着奋力实现既定目标，以行百里者半九十的清醒不懈推进中华民族伟大复兴.
The next paragraph reiterates Xi’s warnings about the arduous tasks, risks and stormy waves that lie ahead, along with the call to engage in a great new struggle. This is what Xi had said:
“The risks and challenges we are to face and the problems we are to address are more complex than ever before. The whole Party must be more mindful of potential dangers, be always prepared for worst-case scenarios and have a strong will and greater capability to respond to even harder situation. We must formulate right strategies to respond to changes, foster opportunities, and make breakthroughs, and rely on tenacious struggle to open up new horizons for our cause. The most essential is to manage our own affairs well.”
The article says:
“We must grasp the historical characteristics of the new great struggle, carry forward the spirit of struggle, grasp the direction of the struggle, take the initiative, strengthen our will, master the laws of struggle, strengthen our skills, effectively deal with major challenges, resist major risks, overcome major obstacles, resolve major contradictions and constantly win new victories in the great struggle in the new era. 我们必须把握新的伟大斗争的历史特点，发扬斗争精神，把握斗争方向，把握斗争主动权，坚定斗争意志，掌握斗争规律，增强斗争本领，有效应对重大挑战、抵御重大风险、克服重大阻力、解决重大矛盾，战胜前进道路上的一切艰难险阻，不断夺取新时代伟大斗争的新胜利. As long as the whole Party strengthens its historical self-confidence, maintains the historical initiative, continues to carry forward the spirit of responsibility and struggle, takes the initiative to forge ahead amid opportunities, faces difficulties, actively responds to risks, and unites and leads hundreds of millions of people to dare to act and forge ahead bravely, we will surely hold the fate of China's development and progress firmly in our own hands and realise the grand goal of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.” 只要全党坚定历史自信，保持历史主动，继续发扬担当和斗争精神，以狭路相逢勇者胜的气概，在机遇面前主动出击，在困难面前迎难而上，在风险面前积极应对，团结带领亿万人民敢于出击、敢战能胜，攻坚克难、勇毅前进，就一定能把中国发展进步的命运牢牢掌握在自己手中，实现中华民族伟大复兴的宏伟目标.
The final paragraph calls for uniting behind the Central Committee with Xi as the core, adhere to the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and reiterates the importance of the Two Establishments, four consciousnesses, four-self-confidences and two safeguards.
Next, there’s another commentary based on Xi’s comments at the central conference on united front work. This one basically emphasises the importance of the Party’s leadership over united front work. Policies and measures implemented must be conducive to upholding and consolidating the Party’s leadership and ruling position, the piece says.
The piece says that “there is no trivial matter” when it comes to united front work. Party committees at all levels should fulfil their responsibilities and regard united front work as an important aspect of their agenda. Members of the leading bodies of Party committees should take the lead in studying, publicising and implementing united front theories, principles, policies, laws and regulations. They should also take the lead in participating in important united front activities, and making friends outside the Party. We must make it clear that the work of the democratic parties, non-Party intellectuals, people in the non-public sector of the economy, ethnic groups, religions, Hong Kong and Macao, Taiwan, and overseas Chinese affairs are all important components of the united front work. All departments should enhance the awareness of united front work and make concerted efforts to form a strong synergy. 必须深刻认识到，统一战线无小事，统战工作涉及的主要是同党外的关系，是各级党委（党组）必须做好的分内事、必须种好的责任田。各级党委（党组）要履行主体责任，把统战工作摆上重要议事日程。党委（党组）领导班子成员要带头学习、宣传和贯彻落实统一战线理论方针政策和法律法规，带头参加统一战线重要活动，带头广交深交党外朋友。必须明确，民主党派工作、党外知识分子工作、非公有制经济人士工作，民族工作、宗教工作，港澳工作、对台工作、侨务工作，都是统战工作的重要组成部分。各部门各单位要增强统战意识，齐抓共管，形成强大合力。
Page 2: First, there’s a report on the development of China’s manufacturing industry over the past decade. The report says that:
The added value of the manufacturing industry has increased from 16.98 trillion yuan in 2012 to 31.4 trillion yuan in 2021.
China’s manufacturing industry has 31 major categories, 179 medium categories and 609 minor categories.
As of 2021, the number of industrial enterprises above designated size had reached 400,000, an increase of 23.5% compared with 2012.
The operating income of China's top 500 manufacturing enterprises increased from 21.7 trillion yuan in 2012 to 40.24 trillion yuan in 2021, and 58 manufacturing enterprises entered the list of the top 500 in the world in 2021, an increase of 27 over 2012.
As of 2021, there were more than 40,000 ‘specialised, refined, new’ SMEs; more than 4,700 ‘specialised, refined, new’ ‘little giant’ enterprises; and more than 800 manufacturing single-product champion enterprises.
China’s technology-intensive mechanical and electrical products and high-tech products exports have increased from 7.4 trillion yuan and 3.8 trillion yuan in 2012 to 12.8 trillion yuan and 6.3 trillion yuan in 2021, respectively.
China’s trade of manufactured intermediate products accounts for about 20% of the world’s total.
The number of Chinese industrial and information-based brands that are among the top 500 world brands has increased from 10 in the past to 24 at present.
China accounted for 30 percent of the global manufacturing output in 2021, marking an increase from 22.5 percent in 2012.
At present, there are 445 national new industrial demonstration bases in the country, and their industrial added value accounts for more than 30% of the national industrial added value.
R&D investment intensity of China’s manufacturing industry has increased from 0.85% in 2012 to 1.54% in 2021. The average R&D intensity of ‘Little Giant’ has reached 10.3%; more than 570 industrial enterprises have been shortlisted as the top 2,500 global R&D investments.
In all, there are 23 national and local manufacturing innovation centers.
China has promoted about 20,000 kinds of green products, established nearly 3,000 green factories, cultivated nearly 200 green manufacturing service providers, formulated 644 industry standards for energy conservation and green development, and initially established a green manufacturing system.
Next, there’s also a report on 10 years of development in Tibet. The piece is divided into four parts. The first part deals with national and political security and social stability it says
“Tibet has firmly established the overall national security concept, insisted on maintaining stability as the first task, effectively defended political security, maintained social stability, and ensured the peace for the people, and the people's satisfaction in terms of their sense of security has remained above 99%. 西藏牢固树立总体国家安全观，坚持把维护稳定作为第一位的工作任务，有力捍卫了政治安全、维护了社会安定、保障了人民安宁，群众安全感满意度保持在99%以上. — This is perhaps my favourite meaningless official statistic from China. The people are so satisfied that Xi Jinping’s visit could not be acknowledged by state media until it was completed.
We are also told that there are 140 national model collectives of national unity and progress and 189 model individuals. There are 1,794 model collectives and 2,657 model individuals at the autonomous region level. 涌现出全国民族团结进步模范集体140个、模范个人189个. 自治区级模范集体1794个、模范个人2657个.
Lhasa, Shigatse, Nyingchi, Qamdo and Ngari have been established as national demonstration cities for national unity and progress. The national standard spoken and written language has been comprehensively promoted and popularised among preschool children, primary and secondary school students, and grassroots organisations. 拉萨、日喀则、林芝、昌都市和阿里地区成功创建全国民族团结进步示范地市。国家通用语言文字在学前儿童、中小学生和基层组织中全面推广普及.
The next section talks about economic development, followed by ecological protection and finally border security. I am breaking down the last one. It informs that the annual per capita subsidy standard for villagers on the frontier has been raised to 12,600 yuan; 624 Xiaokang border villages have been built; penetration rate of public water supply in 21 border counties is at 84.5%; the main power grid has been extended to all border towns and villages; all border towns and villages have access to roads; 4G signal coverage rate of established villages is above 99%.
Page 6: There’s a page-long 闻言 article based on the new book 论党的青年工作 - On the Party’s Youth Work, which comprises Xi Jinping’s discourses on youth work. I am not doing a breakdown of the article, but the key themes that are covered are:
Adherence to the party’s leadership in terms of youth work
The importance of nurturing socialist builders and successors
Youth should take the responsibility of realising the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation in the new era
The Communist Youth League must unswervingly adhere to the Party’s leadership; it must adhere to self-revolution; strengthen the four consciousnesses and four self-confidences and resolutely achieve the two safeguards, while always maintaining a high degree of consistency with the Party Central Committee in ideology, politics and action. Its “fundamental task” is to make it a political responsibility to consolidate and expand the Party’s youth base and “become a political school that leads the ideological progress of Chinese youth.”
Page 16: There’s a new book on BRI that has been published. This comprises 38 news stories published in PD about the joint construction of the BRI.
The lead story on the page is about the US economy technically facing a recession. The report also warns that the “Fed's tightening of monetary policy has brought significant spillover effects, affecting the stable recovery and development of the global economy.” The report quotes Sun Lipeng from CICIR, saying that given the “current huge government debt,” the US cannot support high interest rates. This “will also constrain the Fed’s further tightening policy.” Meanwhile, Xiao Lisheng, director of the Global Macroeconomic Research Office of the Institute of World Economics and Politics of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, believes that simply “resorting to monetary policy will have limited effect on solving the inflation problem (in the US); rather, it will have a greater impact on the capital market.”