Wooing Overseas Chinese - NPC Discusses State Council's Food Security Work - Ding Xuexiang on Ecological Civilization Priorities - James Cleverly's China Visit
Dear subscribers,
I hope this finds you well. Before we get to today’s edition of the newsletter, let me share a new publication from the Takshashila stable. The Takshashila Geospatial Bulletin written by Dr. Nithiyanandam offers monthly insights into India’s strategic affairs using geospatial intelligence. The latest edition discusses Chinese military radar deployment in Tibet, including near disputed border areas with India. Do check it out.
Warmly,
Manoj
Here are the key reports and articles that I found noteworthy from the People’s Daily’s edition on Thursday, August 31, 2023.
Page 1: At the top of the page is a report on Xi Jinping’s instructions, calling for “all-out search and rescue” of the people missing in the recent heavy rains in Sichuan. Xinhua reports that “heavy rain on Aug. 21 triggered a natural disaster at a highway construction site along a river in Jinyang County in Sichuan's Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture.” The report adds that Xi has “has asked the State Council to dispatch a task force to conduct a thorough investigation into the disaster and take stern actions against those responsible in accordance with the law. Lessons must be learned from the disaster and comprehensive checks must be carried out to address problems and risks and ensure that all parties involved earnestly perform their duties.”
The report also says that “the Ministry of Emergency Management dispatched a work group to the site to oversee search rescue operations.”
Next, there’s an editorial on the 11th National Congress of Returned Overseas Chinese. The editorial calls it a “major event” and says that “it is of great significance to unite the strength of the overseas Chinese community and promote the united struggle of Chinese people at home and abroad.” The article praises the leadership of the CCP with Xi as the core for having led the “cause of the Party and the country to achieve historic achievements and undergo historic changes” since the 18th Party Congress, ensuring that “the Chinese nation ushers in a great leap from standing up, getting rich, to becoming strong.” It also praises the contribution of returned overseas Chinese and their relatives as well as overseas compatriots. 党的十八大以来，以习近平同志为核心的党中央统筹中华民族伟大复兴战略全局和世界百年未有之大变局，团结带领亿万人民有效应对严峻复杂的国际形势和接踵而至的巨大风险挑战，推动党和国家事业取得历史性成就、发生历史性变革，中华民族迎来了从站起来、富起来到强起来的伟大飞跃。在波澜壮阔、气象万千的新时代，广大归侨侨眷和海外侨胞发扬优良传统，爱国爱乡、融通中外，与祖国共奋进、与人民同奋斗，用实际行动书写了“侨心向党、报效祖国”的动人篇章，展现出自信自强、团结进取的昂扬精神风貌。事实充分证明，归侨侨眷和海外侨胞不愧为我国现代化建设、实现中华民族伟大复兴中国梦的重要力量.
“The Party Central Committee has always attached great importance to bringing into play the unique role of returned overseas Chinese and overseas Chinese compatriots, and attaches great importance to doing a good job in the work of returned overseas Chinese and overseas Chinese compatriots. Since the new era, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has made a series of important deployments and put forward clear requirements for promoting the reform of the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese, deepening the reform of overseas Chinese affairs, and doing a good job in overseas Chinese affairs from an overall and strategic perspective. General Secretary Xi Jinping's important exposition on overseas Chinese affairs has pointed out the direction for the Party's overseas Chinese affairs work in the new era, and provided fundamental guidelines for the reform and innovation of the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese in the new era.” 党中央历来重视发挥广大归侨侨眷和海外侨胞的独特作用，高度重视做好归侨侨眷和海外侨胞工作。新时代以来，以习近平同志为核心的党中央从全局和战略的高度，对推进侨联改革、深化侨务改革、做好侨务工作作出一系列重要部署，提出明确要求。习近平总书记关于侨务工作的重要论述，为做好新时代党的侨务工作指明了前进方向，为新时代侨联工作改革创新提供了根本遵循.
The article talks about leveraging returned and overseas Chinese to support the implementation of the blueprint drawn at the 20th Party Congress.
“It is the glorious mission of the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese to unite and unite the vast number of returned overseas Chinese and their relatives and overseas Chinese compatriots to make unremitting efforts for the cause of the Party and the people. Focusing on the theme of overseas Chinese affairs work in the new era of ‘unite the hearts and strengths of overseas Chinese to share the Chinese dream’, strengthening and improving overseas Chinese affairs work, and drawing the largest concentric circles, we will surely form a powerful force dedicated to national rejuvenation.” 团结凝聚广大归侨侨眷和海外侨胞为党和人民事业不懈奋斗，是侨联的光荣使命。紧紧围绕“凝聚侨心侨力同圆共享中国梦”的新时代侨务工作主题，加强和改进侨务工作，画好最大同心圆，就一定能形成共同致力民族复兴的强大力量.
It ends by saying: “Let us unite even more closely around the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at the core, safeguard the ‘common roots’, inherit the ‘common soul’, achieve the ‘common dream’, unite our hearts, wisdom and resources, and make new contributions and compose a new chapter in building a comprehensively modern socialist country and advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.” 让我们更加紧密地团结在以习近平同志为核心的党中央周围，守护“共同的根”、传承“共同的魂”、成就“共同的梦”，齐众心、汇众力、聚众智，为全面建设社会主义现代化国家、全面推进中华民族伟大复兴作出新贡献、谱写新华章.
Next, there’s a report on NPC hosting a joint meeting to deliberate and inquire about the State Council's report on ensuring national food security. This is an interesting example of legislative oversight over executive action in China.
The report says that NPCSC members asked questions about: “improving policies to secure the foundation of food security, rigorously implementing the joint responsibilities of the Party and government, fully utilizing assessment mechanisms, ensuring food quality and safety, accelerating the revitalization of the seed industry, and improving mechanisms for compensating the interests of major grain-producing areas.” 全国人大常委会委员庞丽娟、唐华俊、丛斌、许为钢、王刚和徐淙祥、张淑萍等与会同志，围绕完善政策为夯实粮食安全根基提供保障，严格落实党政同责、充分发挥考核作用，确保粮食质量安全，加快推进种业振兴，完善粮食主产区利益补偿机制等问题提出询问.
It adds that Liu Guozhong, Vice Premier of the State Council, and principal responsible comrades of the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Natural Resources, the Ministry of Water Resources, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and the Ministry of Commerce attended the meeting to listen to opinions and answer questions. 国务院副总理刘国中，国家发展改革委、工业和信息化部、财政部、自然资源部、水利部、农业农村部、商务部等有关部门主要负责同志到会听取意见、回答询问.
“After this the report talks about Zhao Leji’s comments. He said that since the 18th Party Congress, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at the core has attached great importance to national food security. It has consistently considered solving the problem of feeding more than one billion people as the top priority in the governance of the country, and has forged a path of food security with Chinese characteristics. It is necessary to earnestly study and implement General Secretary Xi Jinping's important discourse on national food security, comprehensively implement the spirit of the 20th Party Congress and the decisions and deployments of the Party Central Committee, thoroughly implement the national food security strategy, comprehensively consolidate the foundation of food security, and ensure that the rice bowls of the Chinese people are firmly held in their own hands.” 赵乐际在讲话中指出，党的十八大以来，以习近平同志为核心的党中央高度重视国家粮食安全，始终把解决好十几亿人口的吃饭问题作为治国理政的头等大事，走出了一条中国特色粮食安全之路。要认真学习贯彻习近平总书记关于国家粮食安全的重要论述，全面贯彻落实党的二十大精神和党中央决策部署，深入实施国家粮食安全战略，全方位夯实粮食安全根基，确保中国人的饭碗牢牢端在自己手中.
He then made six points:
It is necessary to implement the strictest farmland protection system and firmly hold the red line of 1.8 billion mu of cultivable land
Adhere to self-reliance and self-improvement in agricultural science and technology
Mobilize and protect the enthusiasm of farmers for grain cultivation and promoting and local governments for supporting agricultural activities, particularly in terms of grain production
Efforts should be made to increase production and reduce losses simultaneously to guide the whole society to consciously cherish food and oppose waste
Establish a big food concept and build a diversified food supply system;
Actively participate in global food security governance.
要实行最严格的耕地保护制度，牢牢守住18亿亩耕地红线；坚持农业科技自立自强；调动和保护好农民种粮和地方政府抓粮“两个积极性”；在增产和减损两端同时发力，引导全社会自觉珍惜粮食、反对浪费；树立大食物观，构建多元化食物供给体系；积极参与全球粮食安全治理。
He also called on the NPC to “effectively carry out legislative and supervisory work, advance the deliberation and revision of the Food Security Safeguard Law, establish a comprehensive and well-structured legal system for food security, oversee the implementation of food security responsibility by governments at all levels and relevant departments, and promote the modernization and legalisation of food security governance.” 赵乐际强调，人大及其常委会要立足自身职责定位，做好立法、监督等工作，推进粮食安全保障法草案的审议修改工作，构建系统完善的粮食安全保障法律制度体系，督促各级政府及有关部门落实粮食安全责任制，推进粮食安全治理现代化、法治化.
Next, there’s a report on Ding Xuexiang’s speech at the China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development (CCICED). He said that since the 18th Party Congress, the leadership “has regarded ecological civilization construction as a fundamental task for ensuring the sustainable development of the Chinese nation, and has carried out a series of pioneering work with unprecedented determination, intensity, and results.” 中共十八大以来，以习近平同志为核心的党中央把生态文明建设作为关系中华民族永续发展的根本大计，开展一系列开创性工作，决心之大、力度之大、成效之大前所未有.
He then said that going forward, China will:
be guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization and it will accelerate the modernization of harmonious coexistence between man and nature.
persevere in fighting the battle against pollution, deeply advance the three critical battles of defending blue skies, clear waters, and pure land, and continuously improve the quality of the ecological environment
accelerate the promotion of green and low-carbon transformation of development methods, and build a green background for high-quality development
intensify ecological protection and restoration efforts, and strive to improve the diversity, stability, and sustainability of ecosystems
actively and steadily promote carbon peak and neutrality efforts, and accelerate the planning and construction of a new energy system
improve relevant legal and institutional mechanisms, improve economic policies related to green and low-carbon development, and continue to promote the modernization of the ecological environment governance system and capabilities
uphold the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind, actively participate in global environmental governance, and strengthen international cooperation in areas such as climate change, marine pollution control, and biodiversity protection
丁薛祥强调，新时代新征程，中国将以习近平生态文明思想为指引，加快推进人与自然和谐共生的现代化。持之以恒打好污染防治攻坚战，深入推进蓝天、碧水、净土三大保卫战，推动生态环境质量持续改善。加快推动发展方式绿色低碳转型，厚植高质量发展的绿色底色。加大生态保护和修复力度，着力提升生态系统多样性、稳定性、持续性。积极稳妥推进碳达峰碳中和，加快规划建设新型能源体系。健全相关法律和制度体系，完善绿色低碳发展经济政策，持续推进生态环境治理体系和治理能力现代化。秉持人类命运共同体理念，积极参与全球环境治理，加强应对气候变化、海洋污染治理、生物多样性保护等领域国际合作.
Finally, there’s a report on Vice President Han Zheng meeting with visiting British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly. This is the first such visit by the UK’s top diplomat to China in five years. Xinhua reports:
“Han said China and the UK have established diplomatic relations at the ambassadorial level for more than half a century and achieved positive results in practical cooperation in various fields. Faced with the risks and challenges of the current international situation, the two sides, as permanent members of the UN Security Council and major economies in the world, should uphold the spirit of mutual respect and win-win cooperation, accommodate each other's core interests and major concerns, maintain communication in international and regional affairs, and jointly promote world peace and development, he added. ‘Economic and trade cooperation is the foundation for the sound and steady development of China-UK relations,’ Han said, adding that the two governments should create a sound business environment and actively explore new growth points for practical cooperation. Noting that China is an important country with global influence and is playing an increasingly important role in international governance, Cleverly said the UK appreciates China's important contribution to the world economy and poverty reduction. The UK is willing to strengthen high-level exchanges and strategic communication with China to build consensus and deepen cooperation, said Cleverly.”
Page 2: There’s a report on the new action plan on improving basic education in the new era. The Ministry of Education spoke about this new plan. This comes after a new inter-agency guideline to build a high-quality and balanced basic public education system was issued in June. That guideline had two target periods, 2027 and 2035.
Anyway, Xinhua reports:
“The guideline focuses on deepening the supply-side reform of basic education, further expanding quality education resources, and accelerating the construction of a high-caliber basic education system, said MOE official Tian Zuyin. By 2027, a provision and adjustment mechanism for primary, secondary school and kindergarten enrollments will be basically established in alignment with the country's new urbanization drive and demographic changes in the school-aged population, according to the guideline. The coverage of kindergartens will be further elevated, with the ratio of government-funded kindergartens surpassing 60 percent. All counties nationwide with a population of more than 200,000 will be equipped with special education schools, and the quality of inclusive education will be substantially raised, according to the guideline.”
Page 3: There are two reports of Wang Yi’s engagements. First, Wang met with Cleverly. Xinhua reports:
Wang “said China has always attached importance to the UK's status as a great power and its unique role, committed itself to stable and mutually beneficial China-UK relations, and always believed that China-UK cooperation has global influence. Noting that dialogue and cooperation are the keywords and main tone of China's policy towards the UK, Wang said amid the volatile international situation, China and the UK should show their responsibilities as major countries to work together to cope with global challenges and safeguard world peace and stability, and push China-UK relations forward rather than backward.”
“Wang elaborated on China's position on the Taiwan question, stressing that ‘Taiwan independence’ is incompatible with the stability across the Taiwan Strait, and the UK should earnestly respect China's core interests and abide by the one-China policy.”
Xinhua adds: “Cleverly said a positive UK-China relationship will benefit both peoples and the world. The British government's position on the Taiwan question remains unchanged. The British government adheres to the one-China policy. The UK is committed to strengthening communication with China, taking positive actions to resolve difficulties, enhance understanding, and embrace opportunities, Cleverly said, adding that British enterprises look forward to more cooperation with China and exploring the Chinese market. The two sides also exchanged views on the Ukrainian crisis and the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue.”
It is worth noting that as Cleverly head out to China, the foreign affairs committee of the House of Commons, in its new report, said:
“Taiwan is already an independent country, under the name Republic of China…Taiwan possesses all the qualifications for statehood, including a permanent population, a defined territory, government, and the capacity to enter into relations with other states — it is only lacking greater international recognition.” Politico reports:
“According to Committee Chairperson Alicia Kearns, from the ruling Conservative Party, it's the first time a U.K. parliament report is making such a declaration. ‘We acknowledge China’s position, but we as [the foreign affairs committee] do not accept it,’ Kearns told POLITICO. ‘It is imperative the foreign secretary steadfastly and vocally stand by Taiwan and make clear we will uphold Taiwan’s right to self-determination’.”
Next, Wang met with speaker of the Arab Parliament Adel Al Asoomi. Xinhua reports:
Wang “said that China is willing to work with Arab countries to firmly support each other, deepen pragmatic cooperation, and enhance exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations. He extended congratulatory greetings to Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on becoming full members of the BRICS group. Wang stressed that the future and destiny of the Middle East should be in the hands of regional countries and people. China supports an early, fair and reasonable settlement of the Palestinian issue, he noted. Adel Al Asoomi said the Arab side regards China as a reliable strategic partner, highly appreciates and supports the series of important initiatives put forward by China, and is willing to push bilateral relations to a new level.”
Moving on, on the page, there’s a report on comments by Ren Hongyan from China’s Permanent Mission to the UN.
Ren said that “the current international security environment is undergoing the most profound changes since the Cold War. The international arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation system is facing unprecedented severe challenges, and the risks of nuclear arms race and nuclear conflict are constantly rising. In this context, it is necessary to firmly practise true multilateralism, safeguard international multilateral disarmament mechanisms, including the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, advocate a common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security concept, resolutely resist the Cold mentality and camp confrontation, and make more efforts to achieve common security with the well-being of all humanity in mind.” 任洪岩说，当前的国际安全环境正经历冷战以来的最深刻变化，国际军控、裁军与防扩散体系面临前所未有严峻挑战，核军备竞赛和核冲突风险不断上升。在此背景下，必须坚定践行真正的多边主义，坚定维护包括《全面禁止核试验条约》在内的国际多边裁军机制，倡导共同、综合、合作、可持续的安全观，坚决抵制冷战思维和阵营对抗，以全人类福祉为念，为实现共同安全作出更多努力.
Finally, there’s a report (English report) on an exhibition on Chinese Characters and Civilization being held in Hungary. This is the kind of stuff that will get categorised as activities under GCI.
Page 4: There’s a report on personnel changes at the State Council. Xinhua says:
Xu Shouben was appointed deputy secretary-general of the State Council
Wang Guangyan was named vice minister of education
Wang Jiayi became general inspector of the Ministry of Education
Chen Jie took the post of head of the National Language Commission
Ren Weidong was appointed deputy editor-in-chief of Xinhua News Agency
Liu Huanxin was named head of the National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration, and will no longer serve as vice minister of agriculture and rural affairs as well as head of the National Rural Revitalization Administration
Wang Shaozhong was appointed head of the National Archives Administration, replacing Lu Guoqiang
Gao Qian was named deputy head of the National Archives Administration
Shi Yingli was appointed deputy head of the National Administration of State Secrets Protection
Yang Yinkai was removed from the post of deputy director of the National Development and Reform Commission
Yang Wanming will no longer serve as deputy director of Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council
Cong Liang was removed from the post of head of the National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration
Pan Aihua will no longer serve as deputy head of the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defence
Page 6: There’s a report on Song Tao, who heads the Taiwan Work Office of the Central Committee and the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, meeting Andrew Hsia, vice chairman of the KMT in the city of Yuncheng, Shanxi Province. The report says:
“Song Tao said that General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that the peaceful development of cross-strait relations is the correct path to maintain cross-strait peace, promote common development, and benefit compatriots on both sides of the strait. At present, ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist forces are colluding with external forces to take provocative actions of ‘independence’, harming the interests of Taiwan compatriots and undermining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan is faced with a major choice between peace and war, and between prosperity and recession.” He added that the “mainland side will work with the KMT and other relevant political parties, organizations and people from all walks of life on the island, on the common political foundation of adhering to the 1992 Consensus and opposing ‘Taiwan independence’, to bring cross-Strait relations back to the right track of peaceful development and contribute to national rejuvenation.” 宋涛表示，习近平总书记指出，两岸关系和平发展是维护两岸和平、促进共同发展、造福两岸同胞的正确道路。 当前，“台独”分裂势力勾连外部势力谋“独”挑衅，损害台湾同胞利益，破坏台海和平稳定，台湾面临着和平与战争、繁荣与衰退两条道路、两种前景的抉择。 我们将在坚持“九二共识”、反对“台独”的共同政治基础上，同中国国民党等岛内各有关政党、团体、各界人士共同努力，推动两岸关系重回和平发展正确轨道，共创民族复兴的绵长福祉.
As per the report, Hsia said that “the current situation of cross-strait relations is grim” and the KMT is “willing to continue to strengthen exchanges and cooperation on the basis of adhering to the ‘1992 Consensus’ and opposing ‘Taiwan independence’, so as to promote the peaceful development of cross-strait relations and benefit compatriots on both sides of the strait.” 夏立言表示，当前两岸关系形势严峻，中国国民党愿在坚持“九二共识”、反对“台独”既有政治基础上，持续加强交流合作，推动两岸关系和平发展，造福两岸同胞.
Page 7: There are three reports of disciplinary actions taken against party members.
First, Cui Maohu, vice-minister of The United Front Work Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and former director of the National Religious Affairs Administration, has been expelled from the Party and removed from public office due to serious violations of discipline and law. Xinhua reports:
The investigation found that he “lost his ideals and beliefs, abandoned his original mission, lacked political awareness, was not resolute in implementing the decision-making and deployment of the Party Central Committee, occupied farmland for vanity projects, and resisted investigations into his performance. The investigation also showed that Cui had been engaging in practices of extravagance and hedonism in disregard of the central Party leadership's eight-point decision on improving Party and government conduct. Cui had, for a long time, accepted invitations to banquets and arranged trips that could have compromised his impartiality in performing official duties. He also failed to report his personal information in accordance with the rules and had been dishonest when asked to explain problems. Cui's other offenses include accepting gifts and money in violation of regulations, using his influence to allow his relatives and others to profit from business contracting, and intervening in judicial proceedings, the statement said. Cui was also accused of taking advantage of his position to seek profit for others in project contracting and in the selection and appointment of officials, while accepting huge amounts of money and property in return.”
Second, Jiang Zhigang, former deputy Party chief of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, has been expelled from Party and dismissed from public office over serious violations of Party discipline and laws. Xinhua says:
“It is found that Jiang had attended and organized banquets and tourist trips that could potentially compromise his impartiality in performing his duties and abused budgetary funds in constructing government buildings, according to an official statement. He was also untruthful in his communications with Party authorities regarding his problems, engaged in undue interventions in personnel appointments in units previously under his supervision, and sought gains for others in the selection and promotion of officials. Jiang is alleged to have abused his positions and power to aid his relatives, friends and himself in purchasing residential properties at prices below market rates, and assisted his relatives to obtain stocks in private enterprises. Jiang traded power for money, taking advantage of his positions to seek gains for others in enterprise operations and job adjustment, and accepted huge amounts of money and gifts in return, according to the statement. These actions have gravely breached Party discipline and constitute serious duty-related crimes, the anti-graft body said, adding that Jiang is also suspected of criminal offenses of accepting bribes.”
Third, Zheng Hong, former vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the Chongqing Municipal People's Congress, has been expelled from the Party due to serious violations of Party discipline and laws. Xinhua says:
“Zheng, also former chairman of the Chongqing Municipal Federation of Trade Unions, was found to have lost his ideals and engaged in the exchange of Party and state honors for personal gains. It was found that he had accepted private business owners' arrangements for banquets and golf activities and organized banquets using public funds in violation of the central Party leadership's eight-point decision on improving work conduct. Zheng had sought benefits for others in job promotion, abused his power to benefit his relatives in their business activities, and illegally interfered in judicial activities. Zheng used public power as a tool to seek personal gains, taking advantage of his positions to seek gains for others in enterprise operations and project contracting, and accepted huge amounts of money and gifts in return, according to the statement.”