What Was Discussed at Beidaihe? - Foreign Trade Slumps - Wooing the 'Global South' - State Council Discusses Flood Situation - Jeddah Talks - South China Sea Tensions
Here are the key reports and articles that I found noteworthy from the People’s Daily's edition on Wednesday, August 9, 2023.
Page 1: There’s a report on the Beidaihe “summer vacation” with the science and technology experts who had gathered there. I’ll do a brief breakdown of this and another Xinhua report which was published yesterday. To be honest, there isn’t a whole lot interesting that’s being said. But it is useful to note the individual experts mentioned, their specialisations and their comments. It lends some understanding into the priority areas that were discussed. These include:
Health and life sciences
Agricultural technology & Food Security
Information & Communications technology
Superconducting technology
AI
Aerospace
Mechanical Engineering
Developing linkages between academia, research & industry
Talent and administrative policies to incentivise research
The PD report essentially starts with Cai Qi’s comments, which I had covered last week. Then it mentions Zhong Nanshan arriving and immediately gathering “several experts in related fields to discuss research and cooperation.” His quote basically frames the meeting as a networking opportunity. He adds: “One of my wishes now is to build a good platform to cultivate more talents for the country and the next generation.” 现在我的一个愿望就是搭建好平台，为国家、为下一代培养更多的人才.”
Mentioned next is Fan Xingming from the Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences. He talks about the importance of food security and the critical role of the seed industry. The report tells us that Fan “spends over 200 days every year conducting research in corn fields, dedicated to breeding high-quality corn varieties. To date, Fan’s team has developed more than 60 corn varieties and promoted high-quality corn on over 140 million acres. ‘General Secretary Xi Jinping has emphasized the need to achieve tangible results in revitalising the seed industry and firmly holding key varieties in our own hands. The road ahead is long and arduous, but as long as the country needs it, I will persist’.” “粮食安全是‘国之大者’，种业的作用太重要了。”云南省农业科学院首席专家番兴明肤色略深，一看就知道饱经风吹日晒。他每年有200多天都在玉米地里搞科研，致力于选育优质玉米品种。至今，番兴明团队已累计选育出60余个玉米品种，推广优质玉米超1.4亿亩。“习近平总书记强调，‘把种业振兴行动切实抓出成效，把当家品种牢牢攥在自己手里。’任重道远，只要国家需要，我就会坚持做下去。”番兴明说.
Long Teng, president of Beijing Institute of Technology and an academician at the Chinese Academy of Engineering, talks about the need to “take practical actions to pass on this spirit of dedication to the country and continuous struggle for decades, from generation to generation.” 我们要以实际行动，将这种为国奉献、几十年如一日持续奋斗的精神，代代传承下去.”
The next section says that during the vacation, “everyone shared experiences and exchanged views on how to deal with the outstanding problems and challenges faced in the field of science and technology and how to make more contributions to scientific and technological innovation. It was the consensus of experts to highlight forward-looking, strategic demand orientation and strengthen basic research…Zhao Hongwei, secretary of the Party Committee of the Institute of Modern Physics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said: ‘In technical research and scientific device research and development, we insist on starting with the core basic research, and then carry out core technology research and device integration and demonstration’.” 在北戴河休假期间，海边步道、林下小径、茶室餐桌，成为专家们探讨科技创新的场所。大家围绕如何应对科技事业面临的突出问题和挑战，如何为科技创新作出更多贡献等问题，分享经验、交流见解。突出前瞻性、战略性需求导向，加强基础研究，是专家们的共识。由中国科学院近代物理研究所自主研制的国内第一台重离子治疗肿瘤专用装置，自2018年安装运行以来，已帮助数百名患者完成了重离子治疗，疗效显著，耐受性良好。中国科学院近代物理研究所党委书记、中国科学院院士赵红卫说：“在技术研究和科学装置研发上，我们坚持从最核心的基础研究开始，然后进行核心技术攻关和装置集成及示范.”
You Zheng, president of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, talked about the ‘need to consider education, science and technology, and talent in a coordinated manner, strengthen research in basic science and high-tech fields, and cultivate high-level innovative talents’. He believes that high-level universities should align with the country’s strategic needs, anchor themselves in several national strategic focus areas, and shift from focusing on what and how they can do to what they should do and need to do. It is also important to identify individuals with innovative abilities and creative thinking, refine related assessment mechanisms, and encourage and protect their freedom to explore deeply.” 华中科技大学校长、中国工程院院士尤政说：“要把教育、科技、人才统筹起来考虑，加强基础科学和高科技领域的研究，培养高水平创新人才。”他认为，高水平大学要面向国家战略需求，锚定若干国家战略攻坚方向，从想干什么、会干什么向该干什么、要干什么转变。还要发现有创新能力、创新思想的人才，完善相关考核机制，鼓励和保护他们沉下心来自由探索.
Later Peng Zhike, president of Ningxia University, is quoted discussing changes made in terms of evaluation systems to encourage talents; likewise, Wang Endong from the Inspur Group praises the effectiveness opf the “863 Plan” and “973 Plan”. He says that “these plans have helped our country cultivate a large number of talents, which have played a role in broadening our horizons…Currently, the importance of strategic scientists is becoming increasingly prominent. To cultivate more strategic technological talents, it's necessary to enhance organized talent programs and initiatives that are aligned with national needs.” “这些计划帮助我国培养了大量人才，起到了开阔眼界、以老带新的作用。”王恩东说，“当前，战略科学家的重要性日益凸显，要培养更多战略科技人才，需要增加有组织的、面向国家需求的人才计划和工程.”
In the final section, Zhang Boli talks about the work being done to deepen scientific understanding of TCM. Chen Yong, the chief engineer of COMAC China, discussed the journey of development of the C919. He added that “in order to further enhance the competitiveness and cost-effectiveness of the aircraft, and to strive for enhancing autonomy and controllability with regard to the aircraft industry, we particularly hope to strengthen cooperation with research forces from all sides, enhance integration across different specialties, and fully leverage the advantages of the new nationwide system." comac 在一场座谈中，中国商飞工程总师陈勇介绍了国产大飞机从立项到载客的成长历程，对不同学科的交流合作抱有很大期待：“要进一步提高飞机的竞争力、经济性，努力实现飞机产业的自主可控，我们特别希望和各方面科研力量加强合作，不同专业加强融合，充分发挥新型举国体制的优势.”
The article ends by saying:
When it comes to the work plan after the vacation, the experts' goals were very clear:
Dedicating themselves to the development of large-scale component processing systems to address deficiencies in high-end manufacturing
Conducting relevant research on restoring the functions of aging organs to serve healthy ageing
Carrying out R&D in electronic information materials, which contributes to the challenges related to key core technologies.
谈及休假结束后的工作计划，专家们目标都很明确：致力大型构件加工系统开发，补齐高端制造短板；进行衰老器官功能恢复的相关研究，服务健康老龄化；研发电子信息材料，为攻克关键核心技术贡献力量……行业不同、领域各异，相同的是不满足于既有成就，谋划创新、推动创新、落实创新的自觉。
Staying with this, the Xinhua article on the Beidaihe meeting says the following. “From August 1st to 7th, at the invitation of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, 57 experts gathered in Beidaihe. These experts are representatives from the frontiers of science and technology, responsible for crucial core technological breakthroughs in areas such as AI, life sciences, aerospace technology, and more. They are the pillars of the nation, the pride of the people, and the glory of the nation.” 8月1日至7日，受党中央、国务院邀请，57位专家来到北戴河休假。他们是国内科技前沿领域的优秀人才代表，在人工智能、生命健康、空天科技等诸多领域负责关键核心技术攻关，是国家的栋梁、人民的骄傲、民族的光荣.
We then get a quote from Fan Xingming, who was very proud to have received the invitation. Fan has “achieved remarkable results in the field of corn genetics and breeding.” Likewise, Wang Xiaoyun, deputy chief engineer and group-level chief scientist of China Mobile Communications Group Co. was proud of the invitation.
“Inviting experts to vacation in Beidaihe is an important institutional arrangement of the Party and the country's talent work. Since 1998, the CPC Central Committee and the State Council have invited more than 1,300 experts in 22 batches to participate in summer vacation activities.” 邀请专家到北戴河休假，是党和国家人才工作的一项重要制度性安排。自1998年以来，党中央、国务院已先后邀请22批1300余位专家参加暑期休假活动.
The next bit of the article talks about Xi’s focus on talent work. You Zheng, president of Huazhong University of Science and Technology and academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, says that “a series of new ideas, new strategies, and new measures fully demonstrate the Party Central Committee's profound consideration of talents as the first resource to support development.” “一系列新理念新战略新举措，充分彰显党中央把人才作为支撑发展的第一资源的深刻考量。”华中科技大学校长、中国工程院院士尤政说。
Then we are told that the theme of this year’s summer vacation activities was “Determined to achieve high-level technological self-reliance and self-improvement, and devoting ourselves to the great practice of Chinese-style modernization.” 今年休假活动的主题为“矢志高水平科技自立自强，投身中国式现代化伟大实践”.
“‘The CPC Central Committee values and respects talents, and encourages scientific and technological workers to bravely shoulder responsibilities, dedicate ourselves with patriotism, and strive to expand the breadth and depth of scientific and technological advancements’, said Wu Rui, Chairman of Jiangxi Electronic Group Co., Ltd. Currently, he is leading a team to tackle high-temperature superconducting technology, contributing to the development of the new energy industry.” “党中央爱才敬才，激励我们科技工作者勇于担当、爱国奉献，努力拓展科学技术的广度和深度。”江西省电子集团有限公司董事长伍锐说。当前，他正带领团队攻关高温超导技术，助力新能源产业实现新发展.
Among others, Zhong Nanshan, winner of the Medal of the Republic, and Zhang Boli, Zhang Dingyu, and Chen Wei, winners of the national honorary title of People's Hero were present at Beidaihe. 今年的休假专家中，一个“特殊”群体的身影格外闪亮——“共和国勋章”获得者钟南山和“人民英雄”国家荣誉称号获得者张伯礼、张定宇、陈薇。
“‘When we talk about hitting a bottleneck, many times the blockage is about fundamental technologies and processes. Mastering advanced technology often requires long-term accumulation, which cannot be achieved overnight. Breakthroughs come through long periods of iteration,’ said Yu Xiaohui, President of the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology. He emphasized that researchers should always maintain a passion for learning, gradually break through foundational bottlenecks, have the determination and perseverance to remain on the sidelines (坐冷板凳) and keep working, and not be afraid of ‘sharpening the sword for 10 years’ (十年磨一剑) (take the time one needs to succeed). “我们说‘卡脖子’，很多时候‘卡’的是基础性技术和工艺。掌握好的技术往往需要长期积累，不可一蹴而就，经过长期迭代才能实现突破。”中国信息通信研究院院长余晓晖表示，科研工作者要始终保持学习的热忱，一步一步突破基础性瓶颈，有坐冷板凳的决心和毅力，不惧“十年磨一剑”. — Comment: I guess the question is whether the geopolitical window to take one’s time is still open?
Wen Haojun, a researcher at the School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering of Shihezi University, talked about the importance of maintaining an “open-minded attitude like an empty cup and a spirit of perseverance in striving.” He encouraged fellow researchers to “choose one thing and dedicate a lifetime to it; as long as I can truly excel in this one thing, my life will have been worthwhile.” 择一事而终一生，只要我能把这一件事真正干好，这辈子就值了。”温浩军言辞恳切，目光坚定.
Another attendee to note was Qiao Jie, executive vice president of Peking University and academician at the Chinese Academy of Engineering.
Towards the end, the article says:
“Facing the forefront of world science and technology, the main battlefield of the economy, the significant needs of the country, and the well-being of the people's lives—these are the explicit requirements put forward by General Secretary Xi Jinping to scientists and technology workers, and it was also the topic that experts spent time deeply discussing. ‘In the face of major changes unseen in a century, we must first focus on the major strategic needs of the country and strive to carry out internationally leading original work to serve the country,’ said Qiao Hong, Director of the State Key Laboratory of Multimodal Artificial Intelligence Systems, Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. He said that it is necessary to break down barriers, effectively integrate cutting-edge research, scientific and technological research and application, and better promote Chinese-style modernization. National laboratories, national scientific research institutions, high-level research universities, and leading scientific and technological enterprises are important components of the national strategic scientific and technological strength. Yang Shaopu, director of the State Key Laboratory of Shijiazhuang Railway University, believes that to build first-class scientific and technological leaders and innovation teams, it is necessary to further play the role of the national team, cooperate with industry, academia and research to tackle key problems, and improve the overall efficiency of the national innovation system.” 面向世界科技前沿、面向经济主战场、面向国家重大需求、面向人民生命健康——这是习近平总书记对广大科学家和科技工作者提出的明确要求，也是专家们连日来深入探讨的话题。“面对百年未有之大变局，首先必须聚焦国家重大战略需求，努力进行国际领先的原创性工作，为国家服务。”中国科学院自动化研究所多模态人工智能系统全国重点实验室主任、中国科学院院士乔红表示，要打破壁垒，让前沿研究、科技攻关、应用落地有效融为一体，更好推进中国式现代化。国家实验室、国家科研机构、高水平研究型大学、科技领军企业是国家战略科技力量的重要组成部分。石家庄铁道大学国家重点实验室主任杨绍普认为，打造一流科技领军人才和创新团队，要进一步发挥国家队作用，产学研协同攻关，提升国家创新体系整体效能.
The final expert quoted is Wu Limin, president of Inner Mongolia University.
Moving on, there’s a report on the State Council Executive Meeting. This one basically focuses on the flood situation. Key points made:
The current flood season is not yet over. There is still the possibility of typhoons making landfall and heavy rainfall going ahead. The tasks of disaster relief and post-disaster restoration and reconstruction are arduous.
All regions and departments must thoroughly implement the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's important instructions, put the people first and life first.
It is necessary to enhance assessment and early warning capabilities, closely monitor key areas, implement flood control and emergency measures in a practical and meticulous manner, and rigorously prevent the occurrence of secondary disasters. Continuous efforts should be made to search and rescue missing individuals, minimising casualties as much as possible.
Do everything necessary to ensure the basic living needs of affected people, ensuring they have food, clothing, temporary shelter, clean drinking water, and timely medical treatment for illnesses. Comprehensive environmental disinfection and health epidemic prevention measures should be carried out to prevent major epidemics after the major disaster.
Speed up the restoration of roads, power supply, water supply, and communication facilities; actively mobilise and organise the masses to engage in production and self-help; ensure stable supplies and prices in the market, and quickly restore normal production and living order in disaster-affected areas.
Pay close attention to repairing damaged fields and agricultural facilities, increase the supply of agricultural materials, and organise farmers to actively replant and remedy.
Quickly rebuild and renovate homes in disaster-hit areas so that people can have shelter before winter. Accelerate the restoration and reconstruction of public facilities such as schools, hospitals, nursing homes, etc., and ensure that every student affected by the disaster can return to school on time.
Focus on the long-term, strengthen the planning and construction of water conservancy and other infrastructure in the northern region, and improve the ability to prevent and respond to floods and droughts.
The meeting also vowed fast allocation of relief funds, more credit support for business entities (particularly for micro and small firms and self-employed households), and quick compensation payments to minimize the economic and social development impact on people's lives.
会议指出，当前汛期仍未过去，后期还有台风登陆、局地强降雨的可能，救灾和灾后恢复重建任务繁重。各地区各部门要深入贯彻落实习近平总书记重要指示批示精神，坚持人民至上、生命至上，切实做好防汛抗洪和抢险救灾工作，全力保障人民群众生命财产安全和社会大局稳定。要立足抗大洪、抢大险，加强研判预警，紧盯重点部位，落实落细防汛抢险措施，严防发生次生灾害。继续全力搜救失联人员，最大限度减少人员伤亡。千方百计保障好受灾群众基本生活，保证他们有饭吃、有衣穿、有临时住所、有干净水喝、有病能及时得到医治。全面做好环境消杀和卫生防疫，确保大灾之后无大疫。加快修复道路、供电、供水和通信等设施，广泛发动、积极组织群众开展生产自救，做好市场保供稳价，尽快恢复灾区正常生产生活秩序。抓紧修复灾毁田块和农业设施，加大农资供应保障力度，组织农民积极补种补救。迅速启动灾毁房屋恢复重建，确保受灾群众入冬前能够回家或搬入新居、安全温暖过冬，加快推进学校、医院、养老院等公共设施恢复重建，保证每一名受灾学生都能按时开学返校。要着眼长远，加强北方地区水利等基础设施规划建设，提高水旱灾害防范应对能力。会议要求，各相关部门要进一步加大支持力度，迅速拨付各类救灾资金，能预拨的提前预拨，提早进行补偿救助。金融机构要加强对受灾地区的经营主体特别是小微企业、个体工商户，以及农业、养殖企业和农户的信贷支持，开通保险理赔绿色通道，能赔快赔、应赔尽赔，最大限度减少洪涝灾害对经济社会发展和人民生活的影响。
On page 4, there’s a report (English report) on the Finance Ministry and Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs allocating 732 million yuan (around $101.4 million) to nine Chinese provincial-level regions for urgent agricultural flood control and disaster relief work, and to support post-disaster agricultural production. Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Shanxi, Inner Mongolia, Jilin, Heilongjiang in north China, as well as the coastal provinces of Zhejiang and Fujian in the country's east, will receive the funding. Beidahuang Group, one of China's major agricultural and agribusiness groups, which is based in Heilongjiang Province, will also receive funds.
Page 3: There’s a Huanyu Ping commentary on the page, which argues that: “Independence is the political background of the Global South, development and revitalization is the historical mission of the Global South, and fairness and justice are the common propositions of the Global South. The voice of the Global South is getting increasingly louder in international affairs, which fully demonstrates that the historical trend of democratisation in international relations is unstoppable.” 独立自主是“全球南方”的政治底色，发展振兴是“全球南方”的历史使命，公道正义是“全球南方”的共同主张。“全球南方”在国际事务中的声音越来越响亮，充分说明国际关系民主化的历史大势不可阻挡.
The article defines the Global South as “a collective of emerging market countries and developing countries.” It says that amid the backdrop of changes unseen in a century accelerating, relevant discussions (about the Global South) reflect the growing desire of emerging markets and developing countries to pursue independence, solidarity and cooperation; they have increasingly become a force that cannot be ignored in the international landscape. 在世界百年未有之大变局加速演进的背景下，有关讨论反映出新兴市场国家和发展中国家追求独立自主、团结合作的意愿日益强烈，越来越成为国际格局中一支不可忽视的力量.
Part 1 of the article says: “During the 1950s and 1960s, some countries that had broken free from colonial oppression and embarked on a path of independent development began using the concept of the ‘South’ to highlight systemic inequalities between developing nations and industrialised countries represented by the ‘North’. For decades, the ‘Global South’ has been pursuing peace and development, fairness and justice.”
The current focus on the Global South has a special backdrop. Since the comprehensive escalation of the Ukrainian crisis, the international community's concern for peace, security and development has risen to a new height. Some Western powers have used the crisis to provoke camp confrontation, and have constantly applied pressure on countries that hold positions different from their own, and even attempted to coerce emerging market countries and developing nations to align and take sides. Some Western countries also frequently use unilateral sanctions, which have impacted the stability of global finance, energy, transportation and supply chains and dragged down the world economy. 上世纪五六十年代，一些摆脱殖民枷锁走上独立发展道路的国家开始使用“南方”概念，来表明发展中国家与工业化国家代表的“北方”之间存在系统性不平等。数十年来，“全球南方”一直追求和平与发展、公平与正义。当前对“全球南方”的关注，有其特殊的时代背景。乌克兰危机全面升级以来，国际社会对和平、安全与发展的关注提升到新的高度。个别西方大国借危机挑动阵营对立，并不断给与其立场主张不一致的国家施加压力，甚至企图胁迫新兴市场国家和发展中国家选边站队。一些西方国家频繁动用单边制裁武器，对全球金融、能源、交通、供应链稳定造成冲击，拖累负重前行的世界经济.
“Facing this complex and challenging situation, emerging market countries and developing nations have maintained a rational attitude, generally supported the pursuit of peace and talks, actively promoted the settlement of the Ukrainian crisis through dialogue and negotiation, resolutely resisted the hegemonic logic imposed by some Western powers, and explicitly opposed unilateral sanctions, extreme pressure tactics and the division of the world. Recently, the EU-CELAC Summit was held in Brussels. During the summit, Latin American countries declined unilateral demands made by the EU and maintained their reasonable positions. This once again underscores that emerging market countries and developing nations are increasingly paying increasing attention to fighting for their legitimate rights and interests in the international arena and gaining a greater voice in the global governance system.” 面对复杂严峻的形势，新兴市场国家和发展中国家秉持理性态度，普遍支持劝和促谈，积极推动以对话谈判解决乌克兰危机，坚决抵制个别西方大国强推霸权逻辑，明确反对单边制裁、极限施压、分裂世界。近日，欧盟—拉美和加勒比国家共同体峰会在比利时布鲁塞尔举行。峰会期间，在乌克兰危机、贸易谈判等问题上，拉美国家拒绝欧盟单方面提出的要求，坚持自身合理立场主张，再次表明新兴市场国家和发展中国家越来越注重在国际舞台上争取正当权益，越来越注重在全球治理体系中获得更多话语权.
The sobriety shown by the vast number of emerging market countries and developing countries in today’s turbulent and volatile world fully shows that their strategic autonomy is constantly improving. Some international observers believe that there is a ‘new Non-aligned movement’ in the world, with a growing number of countries refusing to choose from the options imposed by the United States. Anne-Marie Slaughter, former Director of Policy Planning at the US State Department, believes that the developing countries’ response to the Ukraine crisis signifies a shift in the international order ‘much larger than most European and American analysts thought’...The ‘Global South’ is demonstrating a growing sense of confidence on the international stage. This highlights the diverse values and interests of the developing world, and reflects the urgency to uphold peace, development, fairness, and justice.” 广大新兴市场国家和发展中国家在动荡变革的世界中表现出的清醒，充分表明其战略自主性正不断提升。有国际观察人士认为，世界上出现了一场“新不结盟运动”——越来越多国家拒绝在美国强加的选择题中做选择。美国国务院前政策规划主任安妮—玛丽·斯劳特认为，发展中国家对乌克兰危机的反应代表着国际秩序“出现了一次比大多数欧美分析人士认为的要大得多的转变”。美国《华盛顿邮报》的文章写道，“非西方世界——长期以来被忽视的南半球，或者通常被称为‘其他地区’的地区——正在让人们听到其声音”。“全球南方”在国际舞台上展现出越来越自信的态度，凸显了发展中世界的多元价值观念和利益诉求，反映出维护和平与发展、捍卫公平与正义的迫切性.
The second part of the article says that the increasing attention paid to the Global South is an “inevitable result of the collective rise of emerging market countries and developing countries.”
It explains that during the Cold War “many developing countries had to survive in the cracks between the two camps, and strategic autonomy was out of the question. Today, the Global South, representing the vast majority of the world's population and accounting for half of the world economy, is at a completely different historical position. It has a stronger desire for peace, development and cooperation, a stronger will to work together for self-improvement, and a significantly enhanced ability to oppose hegemonism and power politics.” 冷战时期，许多发展中国家不得不在两大阵营的夹缝中求生存，战略自主无从谈起。今天，“全球南方”代表全球绝大多数人口、占世界经济总量半壁江山，已处在完全不同的历史方位，求和平、谋发展、促合作的愿望更加强烈，团结自强的意志更加坚定，反对霸权主义和强权政治的能力明显提升.
Independence is the political background of the ‘Global South’. Most developing countries have suffered from aggression, colonisation and plunder, and are well aware of the value of peace and cherish their independence. Looking around the world today, it is power politics and hegemonic acts that are disturbing world peace and have become the biggest destructive factors when it comes to international peace. The ‘Global South’ has always been highly vigilant against this, opposing all forms of hegemony and power politics, Cold War mentality, camp-based confrontation, interference in other countries' internal affairs, and double standards, thereby playing a crucial role in safeguarding world peace and stability.” 独立自主是“全球南方”的政治底色。发展中国家大多有过被侵略、殖民、掠夺的苦难经历，深知和平的宝贵，珍视自身的独立地位。环顾今天的世界，强权政治、霸权行径扰乱世界安宁，已成为国际和平面临的最大破坏性因素。“全球南方”对此始终保持高度警惕，共同反对一切形式的霸权主义和强权政治，反对冷战思维，反对挑起阵营对抗，反对干涉别国内政，反对搞双重标准，为维护世界和平稳定发挥着至关重要的作用.
Development and rejuvenation are the historic missions of the Global South. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has warned that without necessary reforms, the richest countries will continue to accumulate wealth, leaving only crumbs for the countries of the South. At present, the world economic recovery is sluggish, and developing countries are faced with particularly severe development challenges. At this critical juncture of global development, the Global South generally believes that the international community should collectively promote a more inclusive, more equitable, and more resilient global development, and accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda of the UN. We should abide by the concept of mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, reject the narrow policy of beggar-thy-neighbour and selfishness, abandon the one-sided approaches of monopolising development advantages, safeguard the equal development rights of all countries and promote common development and prosperity.” 发展振兴是“全球南方”的历史使命。联合国秘书长古特雷斯警告，如果不进行必要改革，最富有的国家将继续积累财富，留给南方国家的将只有面包屑。当前世界经济复苏乏力，发展中国家面临的发展挑战尤其严峻。站在全球发展的关键当口，“全球南方”普遍认为，国际社会应合力推动更加包容、更加普惠、更有韧性的全球发展，加快落实联合国2030年可持续发展议程；应恪守互利共赢的合作观，拒绝以邻为壑、自私自利的狭隘政策，抛弃垄断发展优势的片面做法，保障各国平等发展权利，促进共同发展繁荣.
“Fairness and justice is the common proposition of the Global South. Some western powers provoke ideological conflicts, weave exclusive circles, disrupt international unity, and hinder international cooperation. The Global South generally believes that the international community should unswervingly safeguard the international system with the UN at the core and the international order based on international law, persist in coordinating and regulating relations among countries through institutions and rules, and oppose the practice of bullying the weak. The final say cannot belong to those who have the thickest arms and biggest fists, nor can one practise unilateralism under the guise of multilateralism. The Global South rejects the Western narrative of a ‘rule-based international order’ that it has sought to impose on the developing world. Instead, it advocates promoting the development of the international order in a more just and reasonable direction, continuing to enhance the representation and voice of emerging market nations and developing countries, and promoting the construction of a fair and orderly multipolar world.” 公道正义是“全球南方”的共同主张。个别西方大国挑起意识形态对立，编织排他性小圈子，破坏国际团结，阻碍国际合作。“全球南方”普遍认为，国际社会应毫不动摇维护以联合国为核心的国际体系、以国际法为基础的国际秩序，要坚持通过制度和规则来协调规范各国关系，反对恃强凌弱，不能谁胳膊粗、拳头大谁说了算，也不能以多边主义之名行单边主义之实。“全球南方”排斥西方国家鼓吹并试图强加给发展中世界的“基于规则的国际秩序”，主张推动国际秩序朝着更加公正合理的方向发展，继续提升新兴市场国家和发展中国家代表性和发言权，推动建设平等有序的多极世界.
The last paragraph in this section mentions some recent highlights for the Global South:
The establishment of the Loss and Damage Fund at COP 27.
Countries like China, South Africa, and Brazil have been dedicated to promoting a political resolution to the Ukraine crisis, steadily building consensus in the international community to encourage peace talks.
SCO expansion and growing influence of BRICS
“The rise of emerging market countries and developing nations has not only brought about historic changes in the international balance of power, but also brought new ideas on how to handle international affairs and brought a new look to the entire system of international relations.” 新兴市场国家和发展中国家的崛起不仅推动国际力量对比发生历史性变化，也带来处理国际事务的新思路，让整个国际关系体系有了新气象.
The final section of the article talks about comments by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Summit for a New Global Financing Pact, criticising Western nations for stockpiling vaccines during the pandemic; it also mentions comments by Nana Akufo-Addo, President of Ghana, in February at the Munich Security Conference, criticizing the West for turning inward and prioritizing their own interests while neglecting countries in dire need of assistance.
“From the perspective of the Global South, some Western countries have long dominated international affairs, focusing on their self-interest while neglecting international responsibilities. Faced with the increasingly confident Global South demanding greater strategic autonomy, certain Western countries are struggling to adapt, understand, or are even reacting with anger owing to their embarrassment. They are employing tactics of intimidation, inducement, and creating alienation/divisions, which reflects their ignorance of the history of emerging market countries and developing nations, and their disregard for their actual needs, while also showcasing their arrogance and prejudices that are divorced from reality.” 在“全球南方”看来，一些西方国家长期把持国际事务主导权，重私利而忽视国际责任。面对日益自信、强烈要求战略自主的“全球南方”，个别西方国家不适应、不理解甚至恼羞成怒，使出威逼利诱、分化离间的手段，反映出其对新兴市场国家和发展中国家历史的无知，对新兴市场国家和发展中国家现实需求的漠视，也反衬出其脱离现实的傲慢与偏见.
Since the beginning of this year, some Western countries have paid more attention to emerging market countries and developing nations on certain occasions, such as the G-7 summit and NATO summit. However, the sincerity of this ‘attention’ can only be verified through actions. If these Western countries truly attach importance to the Global South, they should not insist on adding fuel to the flames and causing the Ukraine crisis to exacerbate and prolong while terming the ceasefire calls by emerging market countries and developing nations ‘unacceptable’; when the Global South is facing development challenges, they should not impose indiscriminate sanctions, engage in ‘decoupling and breaking chains’, and intensify the serious risks facing the recovery of the world economy; and they should not pay lip service in terms of their promises and delay fulfilling official foreign development aid commitments and financial support for developing countries to address climate change…Martin Wolf, chief economics commentator at the Financial Times, pointed out that many view Western powers as ‘selfish, self-satisfied, and hypocritical,’ a view that is ‘not without reason’.” 今年以来，在七国集团峰会、北约峰会等场合，一些西方国家“重视”新兴市场国家和发展中国家的虚功多了起来。然而，这种“重视”的成色如何，只有通过事实才能检验。这些西方国家如果真的重视“全球南方”，就不应执意拱火浇油导致乌克兰危机扩大化、持久化，甚至称新兴市场国家和发展中国家的停火呼吁“不可接受”；就不应在“全球南方”面临发展难题时滥施制裁，大搞“脱钩断链”，给世界经济复苏增加严重风险；就不应口惠而实不至，迟迟不兑现官方对外发展援助承诺和对发展中国家应对气候变化的资金支持……英国《金融时报》首席经济评论员马丁·沃尔夫在《西方必须认识到自己的虚伪》一文中指出，许多人认为西方大国“自私、自我满足、虚伪”，这些观点“不无道理”.
“The Global South is not an arena for international political manoeuvring, nor should it be a tool for great power competition and geopolitical games. If these Western countries really attach importance to the Global South, they should keep pace with the times, adjust their approaches on handling international affairs, earnestly abide by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, earnestly respect the rights of the vast number of emerging market countries and developing nations to independently formulate policies and achieve independent development, attentively and patiently listen to their demands, and help them achieve development and meet global challenges such as climate change.” “全球南方”不是国际政治的角力场，不应成为大国竞争和地缘博弈的工具。这些西方国家如果真的重视“全球南方”，就应跟上时代前进的步伐，对自身处理国际事务的思路做出调整，切实遵守联合国宪章宗旨和原则，切实尊重广大新兴市场国家和发展中国家独立制定政策、实现自主发展的权利，平等、耐心地倾听其诉求，帮助其实现发展并应对气候变化等全球性挑战.
“China is a natural member of the Global South and will always be a member of the big family of developing countries. The voice of the Global South in international affairs is getting increasingly louder, which fully demonstrates that the historical trend of democratisation in international relations is unstoppable. As emerging market countries and developing nations play a more important role in global governance, their power to safeguard the basic norms of international relations, safeguard international fairness and justice, and promote world peace and development will continue to grow.” 中国是“全球南方”的当然成员，永远是发展中国家大家庭的一员。“全球南方”在国际事务中的声音越来越响亮，充分说明国际关系民主化的历史大势不可阻挡。随着新兴市场国家和发展中国家在全球治理中发挥更加重要的作用，维护国际关系基本准则、捍卫国际公平正义、促进世界和平发展的力量必将不断增强.
— Comment: As you read through this commentary, do note the following:
Some of these ideas will have resonance in capitals across the developing world. This reflects not only China’s increased economic and diplomatic clout but also the frustrations of developing countries, which view the war in Ukraine and China-US strategic competition as raising economic costs for them and hindering their development.
However, there is no coordinated grouping called the Global South. There are a large number of developing countries that face very different challenges and possess differing levels of power and capacity. The narrative of the Global South masks a great deal of diversity.
Beijing is likely to continue to lean on this idea to gather strength in numbers, particularly at the UN and other multinational agencies. This is not necessarily an innovation in diplomacy. For the longest time, Chinese officials and commentaries have been doing so. Go back to Hua Chunying’s remarks in October 2020 when a Pew Survey showed poor favourability for China across 14 developed countries. She had said: “They only represent the western countries' perception of China, not the general view of the international community.”
Finally, how should the West and democracies like India respond to this narrative and strategic competition across the developing world? I have a framework for this, which I had presented at a talk recently and am developing further as part of a new study. I am sharing the slide with the framework below.
Two other reports on the page that are worth noting. First, from August 4 to 8, Guo Yezhou, Deputy Director of the International Liaison Department, led a CPC delegation to Mongolia. The report says, “the foreign counterparts highly praised and supported General Secretary Xi Jinping's series of major initiatives including the Global Development Initiative, and expressed their anticipation for enhanced exchanges and mutual learning with the Communist Party of China, as well as the deepening of pragmatic cooperation.” Second, Zhu Rui, Assistant Minister of the International Department, led a delegation to Djibouti from August 5th to 8.
Page 8: On the economy page, there’s no mention of the dismal foreign trade data for July. Reuters reports:
“China's imports and exports fell much faster than expected in July as weaker demand threatens recovery prospects in the world's second-largest economy, heightening pressure for authorities to release fresh stimulus to steady growth. The grim trade numbers reinforce expectations that economic activity could slow further in the third quarter, with construction, manufacturing and services activity, foreign direct investment and industrial profits all weakening. Imports dropped 12.4% in July year-on-year, customs data showed on Tuesday, missing a forecast fall of 5% in a Reuters poll and off a 6.8% decline in June. Meanwhile, exports contracted 14.5%, steeper than an expected 12.5% decline and the previous month's 12.4% fall. The pace of export decline was the fastest since the onset of the pandemic in early 2020 and the tumble in imports was the biggest since January this year, when COVID infections shut shops and factories.”
Bloomberg reports: Exports “have been waning because of slowing demand overseas — making it impossible to maintain the record level of shipments seen in 2021 and 2022 during the pandemic. Shipments to the US plummeted 23.1% in July, according to the customs data. Exports to other markets including Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Asean, the EU, Brazil and Australia all dropped by double digit percentages, too.”
NYT’s report adds: “Exports will probably continue to fall for the rest of the year, Nomura economists wrote in a note to investors. ‘These readings point to worsening growth prospects,’ they said. ‘A worsening export contraction means weaker production, while rapidly deteriorating imports reflects weaker demand within China’...In the first seven months of the year, exports to the United States declined 18.6 percent from a year earlier, while shipments to the European Union fell 5 percent. Exports to Russia, which has been hit with Western sanctions over its invasion of Ukraine, increased more than 70 percent. Mexico and Canada surpassed China this year as the United States’ top trading partners, as American companies seek to bring their supply chains closer to home. Foreign investment in China dropped more than 80 percent in the second quarter from a year earlier, according to Chinese government data released Friday.”
Xinhua’s coverage of this says:
“China's imports and exports maintained stable operation with diversified markets and a better structure in the first seven months of 2023, despite sluggish global demand. China's total imports and exports expanded 0.4 percent year on year to 23.55 trillion yuan (about 3.29 trillion U.S. dollars) in the first seven months of the year, official data showed Tuesday. Exports grew 1.5 percent year on year while imports declined 1.1 percent from a year earlier, according to the General Administration of Customs (GAC). In July alone, foreign trade dropped 8.3 percent year on year to 3.46 trillion yuan, with exports down 9.2 percent and imports down 6.9 percent, the data revealed.”
In terms of trading partners, Xinhua added:
In the January-July period, ASEAN remained China's largest trade partner. China's trade with ASEAN countries rose 2.8 percent year on year.
China saw trade with the European Union, the United States and Japan fell 0.1 percent, 9.6 percent and 5.8 percent respectively.
China's trade with five Central Asian countries grew by 35 percent year on year.
Trade with Latin America and Africa grew 5.5 percent and 7.4 percent, respectively.
Trade with BRI countries amounted to 8.06 trillion yuan, jumping 7.4 percent year on year. The trade value accounted for 34.2 percent of the country's total.
Exports of mechanical and electrical products amounted to 7.83 trillion yuan, rising 4.4 percent year and year and accounting for 58.1 percent of the country's total exports. Specifically, auto exports expanded 118.5 percent year on year
On the economy page, however, there’s a brief report on the issuance of the first national guideline for the development of industrial standards for the production, storage, transport and use of hydrogen energy. Global Times reports:
“The goals of the guideline include accelerating the formulation of relevant technical standards and improving the international standardization on hydrogen energy, according to a statement on the website of the State Administration for Market Regulation. The guideline clarifies the key tasks of domestic and international hydrogen energy standardization work in the next three years, and deploys two major actions - core standard development and international standardization promotion.”
Page 15: On the international page, the lead story is about gun violence in the US. The statement by the foreign ministry on the South China Sea tensions with the Philippines, which I covered yesterday, has also been reproduced. In addition, there’s a statement from the Ministry of National Defense. Xinhua reports:
“China has sovereignty over Nansha Qundao, including Ren'ai Jiao, a fact that is backed by sufficient historical and legal evidence. The Philippines has violated its relevant commitment by attempting to send supplies to a military vessel illegally ‘grounded’ at Ren'ai Jiao, the spokesperson said, denouncing the move as one that has infringed on China's sovereignty and breached the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea. China Coast Guard vessels intercepted the Philippine boats in accordance with the law, and warned them off through appropriate law enforcement measures. Their maneuvers were legitimate, lawful, professional and standard, Wu said. He also expressed resolute opposition to the United States' groundless remarks on China's legitimate law enforcement actions. He urged the United States to immediately cease sowing discord among countries in the region. He also urged the United States to respect China's territorial sovereignty over the South China Sea, its maritime rights and interests, and efforts made by countries in the region to safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea. The Chinese military will resolutely perform its duty to uphold China's national sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.”
Next, there’s a report on comments by Yang Hyang-ja, South Korean lawmaker and former chip engineer and Samsung executive who chaired a ruling party committee on South Korea’s semiconductor competitiveness until early this year, to the Financial Times on US chips policy. These two quotes from the article are reproduced in PD:
“If [Washington] continues to try to punish other nations and to pass bills and implement ‘America First’ policies in an unpredictable manner, other countries could form an alliance against the US.”
“The more the US sanctions China, the harder China will try to make rapid technological progress. China will provide more national support for the goal. Then it will pose a crisis to South Korea, given China’s abundant talent and raw materials.”
Outside of PD, two comments from MoFA that are worth noting. First, the statement following the discussions in Jeddah:
“On August 5, Special Representative of the Chinese Government on Eurasian Affairs Li Hui traveled to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia to attend the meeting on the Ukraine issue at invitation. He had extensive contact and exchanges with participating parties, made clear China’s position and propositions, listened to the opinions and advice from various parties, and worked for more common understandings on the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis. China’s positive role in promoting talks for peace was fully recognized. China will continue to act in the spirit of the four principles, joint efforts in four areas and three observations proposed by President Xi Jinping, work on the basis of the document of China’s Position on the Political Settlement of the Ukraine Crisis, enhance dialogue and communication with all parties, and contribute to the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis.”
Second, the statement in response to European Commission Executive Vice-President and Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis’ remarks about unbalanced China-EU trade:
“China’s trade surplus with the EU is a natural result under the combined influence of different industrial structures, industrial specialization, ways of trade and external factors. For years, the majority of EU companies in China have benefited hugely from China-EU trade. This is the fundamental reason why they have chosen to operate and expand business in China. The EU restrictions on export of high-tech products to China in recent years directly limited the EU’s ability to tap the potential of export to China and led to unbalanced trade between the two sides. If the EU truly wants to address this issue, it needs to lift export control against China, rather than putting the blame on China.”