Wrapping up Xi's Bali & Bangkok Visits - Hospital Resources & Zero-COVID Policy - Xia Baolong on One Country, Two Systems - He Junke on the Struggle Facing China's Youth
Here are the stories and pieces that I found noteworthy in the Monday, November 21, 2022, edition of the People’s Daily.
Page 1: The front page today has two feature pieces talking about Xi Jinping’s visits to Bali and Bangkok. The first one discusses the visit to Bali. There’s a long section on the meeting between Xi and President Biden. The sub-heading for this is “dialogue between two great/big powers” 两个大国的对话.
Some of the terms used to describe Biden and Xi are really interesting, in that they paint a picture of Xi being in command. For instance, Biden is described as “listening attentively”, while Xi speaks “succinctly” and “earnestly.” Also, I thought this was interesting: “At 20: 48, the glass door of the meeting hall opened and President Biden walked out slowly.” 20时48分，会见厅的玻璃门打开了，拜登总统缓步走出来. The operative bit in the piece is an emphasis on the two sides needing a “principled consensus” for the relationship and the Chinese view that the US should not be “saying one thing and doing another,” particularly on Taiwan.
The second section of the article talks about Xi’s two speeches in Bali – one at the G20 meeting and the other on digital transformation. There’s lots of praise for him. Then we talk about the Bali Declaration. This, the article says, showed that the world “has a strong desire for unity, cooperation and stable recovery.” It also says that “China’s voice is woven between the lines of the declaration.” 中国声音融入峰会宣言的字里行间. The example offered is this bit on the need to “create an enabling, inclusive, open, fair and non-discriminatory digital economy” and this sentence: “We will demonstrate leadership and take collective actions to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and accelerate the achievement of the SDGs by 2030 and address developmental challenges by reinvigorating a more inclusive multilateralism and reform aimed at implementing the 2030 Agenda.”
The third section covers Xi’s bilateral meetings, before a final section wraps the whole thing up. Towards the end, even Peng Liyuan’s engagements get a mention as “cultural diplomacy.” Anyway, this article is basically about demonstrating Xi Jinping as being the centre of attention in Bali, China being in demand and Xi being in command in shaping the future global agenda.
In the meeting halls, President Xi Jinping is a vivid narrator of the China story, with foreign dignitaries all being very interested. 会见厅里，习近平主席是中国故事的生动讲述者，外国政要们饶有兴致.
The second feature piece discusses Xi’s visit to Bangkok for the APEC meeting. This follows the same pattern as the G20 piece. It recounts Xi’s comments at the APEC Leaders’ meeting and the APEC CEOs meeting. There’s little of value in the article other than the fact that Xi took two gifts for the Thai PM. One was a high-speed train model and the English version of the four volumes of Xi’s Governance of China books.
Anyway, let me do a quick summary of Xi’s speech at the APEC leaders’ meeting. Xi proposed the following:
“First, we should uphold international fairness and justice and build an Asia-Pacific of peace and stability. The region owes decades of its rapid growth to a peaceful and stable environment. This attests to the critical importance of mutual respect, solidarity and cooperation, and consultation among all parties for the greatest denominator when something comes up. We should always assume the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, and respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries. No one should interfere in other countries' internal affairs, and everyone should respect the development path and social system chosen independently by the people of each country. We should take seriously the legitimate security concerns of every country, and promote peaceful settlement of differences and disputes among countries through dialogue and consultation. We should take an active part in global governance and make the international order more just and reasonable to ensure peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.”
“Second, we should stay committed to openness and inclusiveness and bring about prosperity for all in the Asia-Pacific…We need to continue pursuing open regionalism, strengthen coordination on macroeconomic policies, forge more closely linked regional supply and industrial chains, promote trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, and steadily advance regional economic integration for the early realization of a high-standard Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific…China will work with other parties on the full and high-quality implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), and continue working toward joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement (DEPA), for the purpose of promoting integrated development of the region. China will consider holding the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation next year to provide fresh impetus for the development and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific and the world.”
“Third, we should always strive for green and low-carbon development and ensure a clean and beautiful Asia-Pacific…Last year at the United Nations, I proposed the Global Development Initiative (GDI), calling for enhanced practical cooperation in poverty reduction, food, energy, health and other areas, and urging expedited implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. I welcome Asia-Pacific countries to take an active part in the Initiative.”
“We need to view Asia-Pacific cooperation from a strategic and long-term perspective, uphold APEC's role as the main channel in regional cooperation, and keep Asia-Pacific cooperation in the right direction.”
Also, there was the APEC Leaders declaration. Some excerpts:
“This year, we have also witnessed the war in Ukraine further adversely impact the global economy. There was a discussion on the issue. We reiterated our positions as expressed in other fora, including the UN Security Council and the UN General Assembly, which, in Resolution No. ES-11/1 dated 2 March 2022, as adopted by majority vote (141 votes for, 5 against, 35 abstentions, 12 absent) deplores in the strongest terms the aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine and demands its complete and unconditional withdrawal from the territory of Ukraine. Most members strongly condemned the war in Ukraine and stressed it is causing immense human suffering and exacerbating existing fragilities in the global economy – constraining growth, increasing inflation, disrupting supply chains, heightening energy and food insecurity, and elevating financial stability risks. There were other views and different assessments of the situation and sanctions. Recognising that APEC is not the forum to resolve security issues, we acknowledge that security issues can have significant consequences for the global economy.”
We reaffirm our determination to deliver a free, open, fair, non-discriminatory, transparent, inclusive and predictable trade and investment environment. We will continue to work to ensure a level playing field to foster a favourable trade and investment environment and reaffirm our commitment to keep markets open and to address supply chain disruptions.
“We reaffirm our determination to deliver a free, open, fair, non-discriminatory, transparent, inclusive and predictable trade and investment environment. We will continue to work to ensure a level playing field to foster a favourable trade and investment environment and reaffirm our commitment to keep markets open and to address supply chain disruptions.Furthermore, we recognise the urgency of enhancing the competitiveness of the services sector, especially travel, transport, and other services that have been hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic. We reiterate our commitment to accelerate work in response to the APEC Services Competitiveness Roadmap (ASCR) Mid-Term Review, with the aim to fully implement the ASCR by 2025. By increasing APEC’s global share of trade in services, we will be able to inject dynamism in our economy and underpin APEC’s position as the world’s growth engine.”
“We support efforts to foster open, secure and resilient supply chains, enhance supply chain connectivity and minimise supply chain disruptions. We encourage economies to continue efforts to remove barriers to logistics-related services. We welcome the endorsement of Phase Three of the Supply Chain Connectivity Framework Action Plan by the APEC Ministers.”
“We will deepen cooperation to bridge digital divides between and within economies, including on facilitating access to digital infrastructure and supporting development of digital skills and digital literacy. We will cooperate on facilitating the flow of data, and strengthening business and consumer trust in digital transactions.”
“We will also continue to take concrete steps to implement the APEC Roadmap on Combatting Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing and the APEC Roadmap on Marine Debris. To this end, we will expedite efforts to promote economic policies, cooperation and growth which support global actions to comprehensively address all environmental challenges and call for deepened collaboration with stakeholders to make substantive progress.”
“We will continue to build on this momentum towards high quality and comprehensive regional undertakings through the FTAAP Agenda Work Plan. We task officials to report progress in carrying out the Work Plan to the AMM in the following years. At the same time, we will further strengthen our engagement with stakeholders, including the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) and increase public-private sector dialogues.”
The leaders reaffirmed the “commitment to enhance an open and interconnected Asia-Pacific region, including through the implementation of the APEC Connectivity Blueprint (2015-2025).”
Finally, let me cover the Xinhua report on Xi’s meeting with Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.
Xi said that the two sides “need to seek greater synergy between their development strategies and jointly advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation to deliver new results. He added that the two sides need to strengthen cooperation in traditional fields such as investment, trade, tourism, infrastructure and industrial parks, and at the same time cultivate new growth areas and drive progress in new fields of cooperation such as digital economy, new energy vehicles and technological innovation. The two sides need to speed up China-Thailand-Laos tripartite railway cooperation, advance the China-Thailand-Laos Connectivity Development Corridor Outlook, strengthen the physical connectivity of infrastructure as a key focus, enhance institutional connectivity in logistics and customs clearance and expand the export of high-quality Thai agricultural and sideline products to China, Xi said. He added China is ready to work together with Thailand and other parties to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) for its high-quality implementation, so that the world's largest free trade area arrangement will unleash even more benefits. The two sides will step up efforts to crack down on cross-border crimes and deepen cooperation on efforts to repatriate fugitives and recover illegal proceeds, Xi said, adding that they need to strengthen cooperation in education, health care, poverty alleviation and other areas concerning people's livelihood, share experience in poverty alleviation and development through various ways, deepen and substantiate poverty alleviation cooperation between the two countries, and do more practical things for the welfare of the people and their communities. The two sides need to strengthen youth exchanges, bring their people's hearts even closer, further boost their affinity and enrich the people-to-people and cultural aspect of the China-Thailand community with a shared future, he said.”
“Prayut said Thailand welcomes more investment from Chinese companies in Thailand. China has played a lead role in post-COVID economic recovery in the region, which fully demonstrates its sense of responsibility as a major country, he said, adding that China has contributed to stability, security and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific as well as regional countries' joint endeavor to foster an Asia-Pacific community with a shared future. Thailand stands ready to work with China to implement the RCEP, Prayut said, adding that it supports the Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative put forward by Xi and supports China in playing a greater role in regional and international affairs. Thailand hopes to pool efforts together to build a peaceful, safe and secure, prosperous, beautiful and amicable home for China and ASEAN, he said.”
Next, there’s a new series starting today in the paper, new era, new journey and new great undertakings (新时代新征程新伟业). The idea is to showcase the practical measures and practical actions of various regions and departments to study and implement the spirit of the 20th Party Congress. Today’s article talks about the apple plantations of Yan’an.
Next, there’s a piece on 5G development in China. The number of 5G base stations in the country now exceeds 2.22 million, accounting for more than 60% of the base stations globally; all prefecture-level cities and county towns have achieved 5G network coverage. The number of users exceeds 520 million. 我国已建成全球规模最大、技术领先的5G独立组网网络。5G基站数量超过222万个，占全球60%以上；所有地级市和县城城区均已实现5G网络覆盖，用户数量超过5.2亿户.
Page 3: Most of the pieces basically discuss Xi’s visits to Bali and Bangkok. For instance, this piece has comments from foreign and domestic analysts talking about how China is promoting “inclusive” development, particularly via the GDI. For instance, Ren Lin, director of the Global Governance Research Office of the Institute of World Economics and Politics at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, says that China’s proposals at the G20 “fully reflects its firm position against politicising, instrumentalizing, and weaponizing the world economy.” 任琳表示，中方在二十国集团领导人峰会上提出的中国方案，充分体现了反对将世界经济政治化、工具化、武器化的坚定立场. – That is, of course, unless China does the politicising, instrumentalizing and weaponizing of economic engagement.
The piece adds that the world must be tolerant of diversity because “the diversity of the world and the differences among countries should be the vitality and driving force for development, rather than an obstacle.” 海纳百川，有容乃大。世界多样性和各国差异性，应当成为发展的活力和动力，而非阻碍。— Of course, diversity among groups and of thought at home is not something that Beijing appreciates too much. Every major political meeting talks about unifying thoughts and unity being strength.
Next, there’s a report on Wei Fenghe’s meeting with Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen in Phnom Penh. Xinhua reports:
“During Cambodia's tenure as the rotating chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for 2022, the relationship between the ASEAN and China has entered the best period in history, the Cambodian prime minister said. He said Cambodia has actively pushed for the signing of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, and hopes to jointly maintain peace and tranquility in the South China Sea with China. Hun Sen also thanked the Chinese military for providing strong support and assistance to the development of the Cambodian military, hoping the two militaries will continue to strengthen cooperation in various fields.”
The report adds: “China and Cambodia are traditionally friendly neighbors and real brothers, Wei said, adding under the guidance of the leaders of the two countries, the building of the China-Cambodia community with a shared future has continuously reached new heights and development of bilateral relations has been renewed and strengthened over time. In the past two years, the two militaries have coped with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and carried out pragmatic cooperation in such fields as high-level exchanges, mechanism building, joint exercises and training and personnel training, the Chinese defense minister said. Wei hoped that the two militaries will continue to deepen and expand exchanges and cooperation so as to make greater contributions to the development of China-Cambodia comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, and jointly maintain peace and stability in the region.”
Wei is going to be attending the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting-Plus from Sunday to Thursday. US Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III will be in attendance there, as will India’s Defense Minister Rajnath Singh. Let’s see if there are any bilateral meetings.
Finally, China’s climate envoy Xie Zhenhua met with his US counterpart John Kerry in Egypt. This is not the focus of the report in PD; in fact, it’s not even mentioned. But it’s worth noting, since very quickly the two sides have re-established conversation across different domains. What’s covered in PD are Xie’s comments on the “loss and damage” fund. Xie said that “this is a big progress.” He added that:
“The beneficiaries of the loss and damage fund are developing countries, but given the limited scale of funds, these should be first given to the countries that are most vulnerable and in need in the face of climate change. Xie Zhenhua emphasised that China has helped developing countries to improve their ability to cope with climate change through South-South cooperation and green BRI, such as helping developing countries develop renewable energy, building low-carbon transition demonstration zones, and training officials and technicians.” 解振华表示，损失与损害基金的受益方是发展中国家，但鉴于资金规模有限，应该首先给在气候变化面前最脆弱、最有需要的国家。解振华强调，中国通过南南合作和绿色“一带一路”等，帮助发展中国家提高应对气候变化的能力，如帮助发展中国家发展可再生能源、建设低碳转型示范区、培训官员和技术人员.
Page 4: Another 仲音 commentary today around the dynamic clearing policy and the 20 optimisation measures. The piece reiterates the importance of the dynamic clearing policy, the need to unswervingly adhere to it and that adjustments need to be made only in the context of the 20 measures, whereas the rest of the policy continues as per the ninth edition of the prevention and control plan.
This says that “fast and precise dynamic clearing is an important magic weapon for epidemic prevention and control in China” while calling for constantly improving the scientificity and precision with regard to prevention and control policies. 快速和精准的动态清零是我国疫情防控的重要法宝，坚持动态清零必须不断提高科学精准防控水平.
The piece says that China has tremendous capabilities to mobilise resources from across the country to deal with outbreaks, but also that conditions vary across regions. These differences in realities/conditions must be kept in mind when determining scientific and precise responses and classifying areas. What’s also needed is to constantly optimise and adjust epidemic prevention and control measures in accordance with the trend of the evolution of the virus. 打赢常态化疫情防控攻坚战，科学精准是道必答题。我国是一个大国，地域广阔。这既意味着我们具有纵深较大的优势，一地出现疫情可以调动多方资源支援，让我们具备条件和能力战胜疫情，也意味着各地实际不同，情况千差万别。这样的现实国情也决定了，我们必须坚持科学精准防控，不断提升分区分级差异化精准防控水平。同时，还要认识到，根据病毒的演进变化趋势，根据实际防控能力的改善和提升，以及积累的临床治疗的经验和认识，来不断优化和调整疫情防控措施，这是尊重科学、尊重规律的必然选择.
Next, there’s another set of Q&A on the changes to the COVID policy. The key points that it makes are:
Designated hospitals should be fully equipped with treatment beds according to the local population size. At the same time, ICU facilities should be strengthened, and the ICU beds should reach 10% of the total number of beds in hospitals. At present, in China, the hospital bed ratio is still far below developed countries. There are 6.7 medical beds per 1,000 population, and less than 4 intensive care beds per 100,000 population.
Construct makeshift hospitals, which can house patients with asymptomatic and mild infections. This frees us medical resources for other patients.
Strengthen the construction of fever clinics in hospitals above level 2.
The full vaccination rate of the elderly over 80 years of age is 65.7%, and the number of the elderly over 80 years of age who have received a booster shot only accounts for 40% of the total. Therefore, it is necessary and urgent to improve the whole vaccination rate of the elderly and enhance the vaccination rate. In the next step, we will formulate a plan to speed up vaccination, and guide local governments to continue to take diversified measures to provide convenient services and promote the vaccination work related to COVID-19. 我国80岁以上老年人的全程接种率为65.7%，80岁以上老年人加强针接种人数仅占80岁以上老年人总数的40%。所以，提高老年人的全程接种率和加强针接种率非常必要和迫切。下一步，我们将制定加快推进疫苗接种的方案，指导各地继续采取多样化的便民服务措施，推进新冠病毒疫苗接种工作.
Page 6: Today’s long post-20th Party Congress article is by Xia Baolong, Director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, on the one country, two systems, system. Xia argues that practice over the past decade has shown that the system has been good for:
safeguarding national sovereignty, security, and development interests; in this he talks about the “revisionist storm” that Hong Kong dealt with in the past 10 years and how the Central Committee’s response “effectively dealt a blow to the anti-China chaos in Hong Kong and Macau” and “completely shattered the Hong Kong version of the ‘Color Revolution’.” 这一系列标本兼治的重大举措，有力打击了反中乱港乱澳势力，一举终结了香港维护国家安全“不设防”的历史，彻底粉碎了港版“颜色革命”，确保特别行政区管治权牢牢掌握在爱国者手中，中央全面管治权得到有效落实，国家安全得到有力捍卫.
maintaining the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and Macau. “Since its return, Hong Kong’s GDP has grown at an average annual rate of 2.7% in real terms, 0.8 percentage points higher than the average growth rate of the world’s developed economies during the same period. Despite the continued impact of COVID-19, Hong Kong's per capita GDP reached $49,000 in 2021, surpassing the average of the UK, the eurozone, the EU and Europe. Macau’s GDP grew at an average annual rate of 3.5 percent in real terms, and its per capita GDP rose significantly from $15,000 to $44,000. 回归以来，香港本地生产总值年均实际增长2.7%，比同期全球发达经济体平均增速高0.8个百分点，即使受疫情持续影响，2021年香港人均本地生产总值仍达4.9万美元，超过英国和欧元区、欧盟、欧洲平均值；澳门本地生产总值年均实际增长3.5%，人均本地生产总值大幅增长，由1.5万美元增至4.4万美元.
protecting the fundamental interests and well-being of the people of Hong Kong and Macau. In this, Xia writes that HK’s new electoral system “fully embodies broad representation, political inclusiveness, balanced participation and fair competition.” He adds that “the capitalist system and lifestyle that Hong Kong and Macau residents are accustomed to remain unchanged, with the “horses continuing to run as usual, the stocks continuing to trade, and the dances continuing on. The charm of a cosmopolitan city is better than before.” 港澳居民习惯的资本主义制度和生活方式保持不变，“马照跑、股照炒、舞照跳”，国际大都会魅力更胜往昔.
for solving similar problems left over from history and promoting world peace and development. Basically, in this, Xia pitches the one country, two systems architecture to address territorial disputes left over from history. He calls this system an embodiment of “the Chinese wisdom of accepting all rivers and being tolerant and the Chinese spirit of seeking common ground while reserving differences and seeking common development.” It is a “Chinese idea and Chinese solution provided by the Communist Party of China and the Chinese government to solve similar problems for the international community, and it is a great contribution to human political civilisation.” “一国两制”体现了海纳百川、有容乃大的中国智慧，体现了求同存异、共谋发展的中国气派，是中国共产党和中国政府为国际社会解决类似问题提供的中国思路、中国方案，是对人类政治文明作出的一大贡献.
The second section of the article talks about deeply understanding and accurately grasping the essence of implementing the one country, two systems policy in the new era. In this, Xia argues:
The fundamental purpose of one country, two systems is to safeguard national sovereignty, security, and development interests, and to maintain the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and Macau…‘One country’ is the premise and foundation of ‘two systems’, and ‘two systems’ is subordinate to and derived from ‘one country’. Without the premise of ‘one country’, ‘two systems’ cannot be discussed…The stronger the principle of ‘one country’, the stronger the advantages of ‘two systems’. “一国两制”的根本宗旨是维护国家主权、安全、发展利益，保持香港、澳门长期繁荣稳定...“一国”是“两制”的前提和基础，“两制”从属和派生于“一国”。没有“一国”这个前提，“两制”就无从谈起...“一国”原则愈坚固，“两制”优势愈彰显.
It is important to adhere to the unity of implementing the central government's overall governing power and ensuring the high degree of autonomy for the SAR. The relationship between these two aspects is one of “source and flow. “Only by safeguarding and implementing the overall governance power of the central government can the high degree of autonomy of the special administrative region be exercised correctly and effectively.” 必须坚持落实中央全面管治权和保障特别行政区高度自治权相统一。这是近年来“一国两制”成功实践得出的一条极为宝贵的经验。中央对特别行政区的全面管治权是特别行政区高度自治权的源头，两者是“源”与“流”的关系。只有维护和落实好中央全面管治权，特别行政区的高度自治权才能正确和有效行使.
The principles of patriots governing Hong Kong and Macau must be implemented.
It is important to adhere to law-based governance. In this, he calls the implementation of the NSL and new electoral system as “important measures taken by the central government to uphold the rule of law and protect the basic rights of Hong Kong residents.” 制定实施香港国安法、修改完善香港选举制度，就是中央坚持依法治港、保障香港居民基本权利的重要举措.
It is necessary to give full play to the advantages and characteristics of Hong Kong and Macau. This is the interesting bit, because Xia still talks about Hong Kong connecting the mainland to the world. “Openness to the world, a world-class business environment, a widely acclaimed standard of rule of law, the convergence of international capital and talents, the integration of Chinese and western cultures, and the continued maintenance of the common law system in Hong Kong and the original legal system in Macau are important factors for the success of Hong Kong and Macau. Giving full play to the advantages and characteristics of Hong Kong and Macau is of great significance for maintaining the long-term prosperity and stability of the two regions, achieving the second centennial goal, building BRI and promoting win-win cooperation.” He also pledges central support to maintain the “unique status and advantages, engage in more open and closer exchanges and cooperation with other parts of the world, and to better integrate them into the overall development of the country.” 背靠祖国、联通世界是港澳得天独厚的显著优势. 自由开放雄冠全球、营商环境世界一流、法治水准广受赞誉、国际资本人才汇聚、中西文化荟萃交融，以及香港继续保持普通法制度、澳门继续保持原有法律制度等，是港澳取得成功的重要因素。发挥好港澳的优势和特点，对于保持港澳长期繁荣稳定，对于实现第二个百年奋斗目标，对于共建“一带一路”、促进合作共赢，都具有十分重要意义。只要有利于港澳长期保持独特地位和优势，有利于港澳同世界各地开展更加开放、更加密切的交往合作，有利于港澳更好融入国家发展大局，中央都不遗余力予以支持.
It is necessary to support Hong Kong and Macao in developing the economy, improving people's livelihood, and solving deep-seated contradictions and problems in economic and social development.
It is necessary to build a broader united front at home and abroad to support one country, two systems. Xia attributes united front work as being “one of the most important reasons why the societies in Hong Kong and Macau have overcome various risks and challenges, maintained stable development, and the practice of one country, two systems has achieved continuous success.” 近年来，港澳社会之所以战胜各种风险挑战、保持稳定发展，“一国两制”实践之所以能够不断取得成功，很重要的一条就是做到了把一切可以团结的力量团结起来，把一切可以调动的积极因素调动起来. He calls for greater work on this front amid the increasing complex international situation that China faces.
In the final section, Xia talks about focusing on:
High-quality development in HK and Macau going forward. In this, he points out that the “20th Party Congress report made important arrangements for promoting the economic development of Hong Kong and Macau, emphasising the need for “consolidating and enhancing the status of Hong Kong and Macao fields of international finance, trade, shipping and aviation, innovation and technology, and cultural tourism’ and clearly ‘supporting Hong Kong and Macao better integrate into the overall situation of national development’.” 党的二十大报告对推动香港、澳门经济发展作出重要部署，强调“巩固提升香港、澳门在国际金融、贸易、航运航空、创新科技、文化旅游等领域的地位”，明确“支持香港、澳门更好融入国家发展大局”.
Improving the governance system and capacities of the SARs. In this, he says that the 20th Congress report committed that “we will uphold executive-led government in Hong Kong and Macao and support the chief executives and governments of the two regions in exercising law-based administration, enhancing their overall governance and management capacity, and improving their judicial and legal systems.” Xia talks about the importance of enhancing the consciousness of the Chief Executive’s and SAS government as the key people running the household and those with the primary responsibility, and support them in taking responsibility, taking the initiative, and achieving good results. He adds that it is necessary to “uphold and improve the executive-led system, ensure that the executive and legislative bodies check and balance each other and cooperate with each other, and the judicial organs exercise their judicial power independently in accordance with the law.” Xia also talks about attracting outstanding talents in government, who love the country and the SARs and are keen to serve the public. 要切实增强行政长官和特别行政区政府当家人和第一责任人的意识，支持他们敢于担当、主动作为、善作善成。要坚持和完善行政主导体制，确保行政机关和立法机关既互相制衡又互相配合，司法机关依法独立行使审判权。要完善特别行政区司法制度和法律体系，不断提升港澳依法治理水平，维护居民民主权利，进一步守护好法治这个“金字招牌”。要按照德才兼备的标准，广泛吸纳爱国爱港爱澳立场坚定、管治能力突出、热心服务公众的优秀人才进入政府.
Making “great efforts to improve people's livelihood, and strive to enhance the sense of happiness, gain and security…” “We should pay more attention to the youth, guide them to establish a correct view on the country, outlook on life and values, create a better environment for education, employment, entrepreneurship and living, and provide more opportunities for their growth.” 要更加关心关爱青年，引导他们树立正确的国家观、人生观、价值观，创造更好的教育、就业、创业、生活环境，为他们成长成才提供更多机会.
Further improving the systems and mechanisms for safeguarding national security. In this, he talks about the need to “resolutely prevent and curb external forces from interfering in the affairs of Hong Kong and Macau.”
Consolidating and developing the united front of patriotism in the two SARs. In this, he not only talks about deepening cohesion internally but also says: “It is necessary to tell the Hong Kong and Macao stories of the successful implementation of ‘one country, two systems’ and to form the international community's recognition and support for ‘one country, two systems’.” 要讲好“一国两制”成功实践的港澳故事，更广泛地形成国际社会对“一国两制”的认同和支持.
Page 9: The lead article on the theory page is by He Junke, Secretary of the Secretariat of the Central Committee of the Communist Youth League of China. He writes that the “Party’s banner points the direction for the banner of the CYL. The CYL should lead the broad masses of young people to consciously grow along the direction guided by General Secretary Xi Jinping, shoulder the responsibility of the times, lead and unite the youth, organise and mobilise the youth, contact and serve the youth, and let the youth blossom in the fervent practice of building a modern socialist country in all respects.” 党旗所指就是团旗所向，共青团要引领广大青年自觉沿着总书记指引的方向茁壮成长，扛起时代责任，引领凝聚青年、组织动员青年、联系服务青年，让青春在全面建设社会主义现代化国家的火热实践中绽放绚丽之花.
In the first section of the article, he talks about the importance of ideals. “In the new era, China’s youth should establish faith in Marxism, belief in socialism with Chinese characteristics and confidence in the Chinese dream of great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation; they should integrate their own being into the greater being of the motherland and the greater being of the people…” 新时代中国青年要树立对马克思主义的信仰、对中国特色社会主义的信念、对中华民族伟大复兴中国梦的信心，把自己的小我融入祖国的大我、人民的大我之中，让理想信念在创业奋斗中升华，让青春在创新创造中闪光.
“The Communist Youth League should fully implement Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, organise the broad masses of young people to thoroughly study and comprehend the global outlook and methodology of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and guide the youth to consciously use the standpoints, viewpoints and methods that run through it to observe and grasp the times and analyse and solve problems; guide the youth to correctly address the ideological confusion when it comes to ideals and the reality, doctrine and actual problems, self-interest and altruism, the self and the collective, the nation and the world, so that the sincere trust in the Party, the sincere love for the country, and the relentless pursuit of lofty ideals take root in the hearts of the youth…” 共青团要全面贯彻习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想，组织广大青年深入学习领悟习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的世界观和方法论，引导青年自觉运用贯穿其中的立场观点方法观察时代、把握时代，分析问题、解决问题，引导青年正确解答在理想和现实、主义和问题、利己和利他、小我和大我、民族和世界等方面遇到的思想困惑，让对党的真挚信赖、对国家的赤诚热爱、对崇高理想的不懈追求在青年心中深深扎根，自觉把青春梦融入中国梦，立志为打拼出一个更加美好的中国贡献青春的智慧和汗水.
He also calls on Chinese youth to dare to be pioneers and shoulder heavy responsibilities. He says that the closer one gets to the great goal of national rejuvenation, the more severe the risk challenges will be. There will be high winds and stormy waves. Therefore, the youth must be prepared to “take the initiative to bear hardships, difficulties, burdens and risks, constantly strengthen their will and tenacity to take responsibility, and improve their ability and skills to shoulder responsibilities.” 面对前进道路上风高浪急甚至惊涛骇浪的重大考验，当代青年尤其要发扬担当精神，在党和人民最需要的时刻冲得出来、顶得上去，主动担苦、担难、担重、担险，不断增强担当的意志和韧劲，提高担当的能力和本领.
And there’s more warning of struggle and hardship for the youth. He writes that it is important to “temper the resolute character of ‘being able to bear hardships’.” “Contemporary youth are bathed in the sunshine and rain of the new era and have better living conditions, but the fine tradition of being willing to bear hardships and being able to endure hardships should not be lost.” The youth “should hone the character and spirit of hard work, bravely overcome all difficulties, not be overwhelmed by any difficulties, and create new achievements and win new victories in the great struggle of the new era.” 当代青年沐浴着新时代的阳光雨露，有了更好的生活条件，但肯吃苦、能吃苦的优良传统不能丢...青年要磨砺能吃苦的品格和精神，勇于战胜一切困难，不被任何困难所压倒，在新时代的伟大斗争中创造新业绩、赢得新胜利.
The final section fetishises struggle even more, eventually arguing that “permanent struggle is the revolutionary tradition of Chinese youth movement.” 永久奋斗是中国青年运动的革命传统.