Xi & Environmental Inspections - Li's Requirements from Officials - Tax Easing at RMB 2.58 tln - Yang Jiechi on 4-nation Visit - Wang Yi in Thailand - Subsistence & Development Rights - China-US Talks
Here are the stories and pieces that I found noteworthy in the Wednesday, July 6, 2022, edition of the People’s Daily.
Page 1: At the top of the page is the story about Xi Jinping’s letter to Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune on the 60th anniversary of the victory of the Algerian War of Independence. Xinhua reports:
“Sixty years ago, the Algerian people realized national independence and people's liberation after going through an arduous struggle, opening a glorious chapter of the liberation movements of the Arabian and African people, Xi said. The Chinese government and the Chinese people provided support and assistance to Algeria's independence revolution, and the two countries and their people had forged a profound friendship during the struggles, he added. In recent years, political mutual trust between the two countries has been strengthened continuously and bilateral practical cooperation has been fruitful, taking the China-Algeria comprehensive strategic partnership to ever new levels, he said. Xi also said that he highly values the development of China-Algeria relations, and stands ready to work together with President Tebboune to push forward bilateral communication and cooperation in all fields within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative to benefit both countries and their people. On the same day, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang sent a congratulatory message to Algerian Prime Minister Ayman Benabderrahmane.”
Next, there’s a long feature piece about how the “Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at the core has made unprecedented efforts to build ecological civilisation” since the 18th Party Congress. The article says that from 2015 onward, the supervision work has been thoroughly implementing Xi Jinping thought on ecological civilisation, firmly establishing institutional rigidity and authority, consolidating the political responsibility of ecological civilisation construction, solving a large number of outstanding ecological and environmental problems, helping in green transformation and development, and becoming an important force in the construction of a Beautiful China. 从2015年底试点至今，督察工作始终深入贯彻落实习近平生态文明思想，牢固树立制度刚性和权威，夯实了生态文明建设政治责任，解决了一大批突出生态环境问题，助力经济社会绿色转型发展，成为推动美丽中国建设的重要力量.
The report says that in terms of environmental inspections, over the past few years, Xi Jinping has “personally reviewed every batch of inspection deployment, every inspection report, every rectification plan, and the implementation of each rectification, and pointed out the direction for the inspections work.” 几年来，习近平总书记亲自审阅每一批督察工作安排、每一份督察报告、每一份整改方案、每一份整改落实情况，为督察工作指明方向.
The rest of the article then talks about the different regulations and guidelines issued in this regard since 2015, Xi’s supervision through key meetings, and Xi’s visits to different places. We are told that Xi has “profound thoughts on the relationship between development and protection.” For instance, “lucid waters and lush mountains” are “invaluable assets.” And to “protect the ecological environment is to protect productive forces, and to improve the ecological environment is to develop productive forces.” Or that “ecological environmental protection and economic development are not a relationship of contradictions and opposites, but a relationship of dialectical unity.” One of the key points around inspections that the piece makes is that “the central ecological and environmental protection supervision work focuses on promoting high-quality development, promotes the transformation and upgrading of industrial structures, and gradually embarking on a green and low-carbon development path.”
Third, a report telling us that as per the State Administration of Taxation, as of June 25, China had added about 2.58 trillion yuan (about $384 billion) in tax rebates, tax reductions, fee reductions, and tax deferrals. In this:
So far this year, value-added tax credit refunds hit 1.83 trillion yuan, 2.8 times the amount of tax refund last year. Out of this, 1.7 trillion yuan of this was added from April 1.
preferential tax and fee reduction policies helped companies save 285.9 billion yuan
deferred payment of tax and fees during the period came in at 463.2 billion yuan
Small and micro enterprises accounted for 94.5% of all tax entities that received tax refunds since April. The tax refund amount was 756.3 billion yuan, accounting for 44.4% of the total.
From April 1st to June 25, six sectors including manufacturing, received tax rebates of 991.2 billion yuan. This comprised:
manufacturing tax rebate of 441.1 billion yuan
285 billion yuan in tax rebates for the transportation industry
172.5 billion yuan in tax rebates for the production and supply of electricity, heat, gas and water
Three industries, including scientific research and technical services, software and technical services, and ecological protection and environmental governance, received a total of 92.7 billion yuan in tax rebates.
In May, the sales revenue of national enterprises increased by 1.9% year-on-year, 9.3 percentage points higher than the increase in April. From June 1 to 25, the sales revenue of national enterprises increased by 6.8% year-on-year, a further increase of 4.9 percentage points from May.
从行业看，制造业等6个行业受益明显。4月1日至6月25日，享受存量和增量全额留抵退税的制造业等6个行业获得退税9912亿元，其中制造业退税4411亿元，交通运输业退税2850亿元，电力、热力、燃气及水生产和供应业退税1725亿元，科研和技术服务业、软件和技术服务业、生态保护和环境治理业等3个行业合计退税927亿元。一系列稳经济措施落地见效，特别是留抵退税政策红利逐步释放，助推经济运行快速恢复。5月，全国企业销售收入同比增长1.9%，较4月增幅提高9.3个百分点。6月1日至25日，全国企业销售收入同比增长6.8%，较5月进一步提高4.9个百分点.
Next, there’s a report about 45 senior officials of departments and units under the State Council taking an oath of allegiance to the Constitution at a ceremony on Tuesday. Do note this bit from the report where Li “demanded” governance in accordance with the constitution, according to law, and called on officials to be diligent in fulfilling their duties. But all of this comes “under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.” 宣誓后，李克强希望大家铭记这一庄严时刻，坚守誓言、以行践诺。他要求，要以习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想为指导，依宪施政、依法行政，恪尽职守、勤政为民.
Li also emphasised the importance of enhancing respect for the law and being law-abiding as a “necessary quality” and imbibing this “into conscious behaviour.” One must “make decisions, formulate policies, and implement them by using the thought process and methods of the rule of law, so as to give full play to the role of the rule of law in consolidating the foundation, stabilising expectations, and benefiting the long-term.” He also called on officials to “have the courage to act” and not seek the easy way out or take refuge; “respect objective laws” and deliver performance that can stand the test of time. 要依法履职尽责。法乃国之纲纪、行之准绳。要把尊法学法守法用法化为自觉行为和必备素质，运用法治思维和方式作决策、出政策、抓落实，更好发挥法治固根本、稳预期、利长远的作用。要勇于担当作为。志不求易，事不避难，尊重客观规律，立足岗位创造性工作，做出经得起检验的实绩.
Li then said that “Persistence in development is the foundation and key to solving all problems in our country. It is necessary to fully implement the new development concept, efficiently coordinate epidemic prevention and control and economic and social development, be pragmatic, and actively respond to difficulties and challenges. Put stable growth in a more prominent position, make overall plans to stabilise growth, adjust the structure, and promote reforms to promote sustainable and healthy economic and social development…” Li then talks about keeping the people’s interests in mind: “At present, in particular, we should keep the security of the masses in mind and do a solid job in ensuring people's livelihood.” He finally calls on the officials to maintain integrity and fairness and ensure “prudent use of power in accordance with laws.” 坚持发展是解决我国一切问题的基础和关键。要全面贯彻新发展理念，高效统筹疫情防控和经济社会发展，务实重干，积极应对困难挑战。把稳增长放在更加突出的位置，统筹稳增长、调结构、推改革，促进经济社会持续健康发展。要倾情竭力为民。细察民情，念兹在兹，以民之所利而利之，及时解决群众急难愁盼问题，在发展中不断增进民生福祉。当前尤其要把群众安危冷暖记在心头，扎实做好民生保障工作。要清廉奉公。既然从事公职就要秉公去私。要以上率下，正己率人，始终绷紧依法依规谨慎用权这根弦，堂堂正正做人，干干净净做事。大家重任在肩，惟有勤勉不怠。要砥砺进取，为建设富强民主文明和谐美丽的社会主义现代化强国不懈奋斗.
Finally, a report about Wang Yang’s comments at a research and consultation symposium on carbon peak and neutrality goals. Xinhua reports:
“At the meeting, representatives of non-CPC political parties shared their views and suggestions on what can be done in various fields to push for green transformation, such as further developing new and clean energy, expanding carbon trading market, and enhancing low-carbon technology research. They discussed the ideas with officials from key governmental departments including the National Development and Reform Commission. Noting that the pursuit of China’s carbon reduction goals requires a synergy of wisdom and strength from various fronts, Wang said relevant political parties and people's organisations should continue to conduct in-depth research and make suggestions with a focus on key issues for the realisation of the goals, as well as efforts to lead by example through green and low-carbon lifestyles. Relevant authorities and departments should make the best of these research results, and raise the quality of consultations with the non-CPC political parties, Wang said.”
Page 2: A brief picture report telling us that the 40th Chinese naval escort taskforce fleet arrived at a military port in Zhanjiang, Guangdong Province, on July 5, 2022, after concluding its escort missions in the Gulf of Aden and the waters off Somalia. The taskforce consisted of the guided-missile destroyer Hohhot, the guided-missile frigate Yueyang and the supply ship Luomahu.
Page 3: First, a report on Liu He’s video conversation with U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen. Xinhua says:
“The two sides had a pragmatic and candid exchange of views on such topics as the macroeconomic situation and the stability of the global industrial and supply chains. Their exchanges were constructive. The two sides agree that as the world economy is facing severe challenges, it is of great significance to strengthen macro-policy communication and coordination between China and the United States. And jointly maintaining the stability of the global industrial and supply chains is in the interests of both countries and the whole world. The Chinese side expressed its concern about issues including the lifting of additional tariffs on China and sanctions by the U.S. side, and fair treatment of Chinese enterprises.”
The US Treasury's readout says: “During the candid and substantive conversation, they discussed macroeconomic and financial developments in the United States and China, the global economic outlook amid rising commodity prices and food security challenges. Secretary Yellen frankly raised issues of concern including the impact of the Russia’s war against Ukraine on the global economy and unfair, non-market PRC economic practices.”
There’s a lot of reportage speculating the possibility of the US easing tariffs on Chinese imports. For instance, Demetri Sevastopulo reported for FT this week that the Biden administration is split over the issue, particularly heading into the midterm elections. The report says:
“When he entered office, Biden suggested that he was in no rush to remove the tariffs that Donald Trump had placed on more than $300bn of Chinese goods during his trade war with Beijing. Yet as inflation has soared to 8.6 per cent, the White House is debating whether lifting some tariffs would help provide some relief to US consumers. While the desire to curb inflation is acute, officials and experts familiar with the debate say there are deep divisions in the administration, partly reflecting the fraught politics of China trade issues. One camp, which includes Treasury secretary Janet Yellen, argues that removing tariffs would help reduce inflation. But another group, which includes US trade representative Katherine Tai, is concerned that cutting tariffs would reduce leverage in future negotiations with China over what Washington views as unfair Chinese trade practices. Unusually for the Biden team, which tends to be disciplined about airing divisions, the debate is playing out in public. This month, Yellen told Congress that some cuts might be warranted, since some tariffs were not strategic and were “paid by Americans not by the Chinese”. But Tai told lawmakers there was a broader issue to consider. “The China tariffs are . . . a significant piece of leverage, and a trade negotiator never walks away from leverage,” Tai said. People familiar with the debate said Jake Sullivan, national security adviser, is more hesitant to cut tariffs. But other officials, including commerce secretary Gina Raimondo, have shown some support.”
Second, there’s a report on Wang Yi’s visit to Thailand. Xinhua reports:
“While meeting with Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said his country attaches great importance to the China-proposed Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative and admires China's great achievements in eliminating extreme poverty. Thailand expects to learn from China's development experience, grasp the trend of the times, seize the historical opportunity and push for Thailand-China cooperation in all fields, the Thai prime minister said. Wang said China and Thailand have witnessed healthy and stable development of relations, which benefits from the strategic guidance of the leaders of the two countries, the traditional friendship of China and Thailand that are close like a family, and the firm political trust between the two countries. Noting that this year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries, Wang said the two sides agreed to set the joint construction of the China-Thailand community with a shared future as a goal and vision, work together to enrich the connotation of ‘China and Thailand are close like a family,’ and forge ahead for a more stable, prosperous and sustainable future for the two countries.”
Along with this, although it’s not in PD, Xinhua reports that at a joint press conference with Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai, Wang said that the two sides had in-depth strategic communication and reached consensus in four aspects:
Firstly, both sides agreed to jointly build a community with a shared future between the two countries, and make it the goal and vision for the development of bilateral ties.
Secondly, both sides agreed to work towards the early opening of the China-Laos-Thailand railway, and foster the development of logistics, economy and trade, and industries. They will launch more cold-chain freight train services, tourism and durian express, and facilitate all-around cooperation in regions along the route, delivering more tangible benefits to the people of the three countries.
Thirdly, both sides agreed to jointly safeguard cyber security. An MoU has been signed on this.
Fourth, they will both work for positive results at the APEC meeting later this year.
Third, there’s a report about MoFA’s comment confirming that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Wang Yi will meet in Bali during the G20 meeting.
Fourth, there’s a long interview with Yang Jiechi offering a round-up of his visit to Pakistan, UAE, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. The first question is about what was achieved during the visit.
On the Pakistan visit, Yang talked about the two sides’ “all-weather strategic cooperation” and “rock-solid” friendship. He added that “China and Pakistan agreed to continue to firmly support each other in safeguarding national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity.” 中巴双方同意继续坚定支持彼此维护国家主权安全和领土完整.
And then he said that, “the Chinese side is willing to expand the import of Pakistani competitive products and smooth the industrial and supply chains of the two countries. The Pakistani side will work with the Chinese side to accelerate the construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, expand cooperation in investment, industry, agriculture, science and technology and other fields, so as to better benefit the two countries and peoples. Pakistan will comprehensively strengthen security measures. Both China and Pakistan stressed that they will fight against all forms of terrorism.” 中方愿扩大进口巴优势产品，畅通两国产业链供应链。巴方将同中方协力，加速推进中巴经济走廊建设，拓展投资、产业、农业、科技等领域合作，更好惠及两国和两国人民。巴方将全面加强安保措施。中巴双方强调将重拳打击一切形式的恐怖主义.
On the UAE visit, he highlighted talks seeking an early free trade deal with GCC countries and the focus on strengthening communication and coordination with regard to international and regional affairs.
On ties with Zimbabwe, Yang highlighted efforts to strengthen exchange of experiences in governance and administration, promoting exchanges and cooperation in policy consultation, agriculture, mining, science and technology, anti-epidemic work, people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and BRI cooperation. He also said that China welcomes the export of more high-quality agricultural products from Zimbabwe to China, and will continue to implement agricultural technical assistance to Zimbabwe to seek more outcomes to benefit people’s livelihood. “Zimbabwe welcomes Chinese enterprises to expand investment in Zimbabwe, opposes any rumours and smears against Chinese enterprises, and will continue to provide a good business environment for Chinese enterprises in Zimbabwe.” 津方欢迎中国企业扩大对津投资，反对任何针对中国企业的造谣抹黑，将继续为中国在津企业提供良好营商环境.
On ties with Mozambique, Yang said that the country has “expressed that it will take its 2023-2024 term as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council as an opportunity to strengthen coordination with China on a series of major international and regional issues, so as to effectively safeguard the common interests of the vast number of developing countries. The two sides agreed to continue to maintain the momentum of all-round exchanges, make good use of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and the ‘Belt and Road’ platform, and push China-Mozambique relations to a new level.” 莫方表示将以担任2023至2024年度联合国安理会非常任理事国为契机，在一系列重大国际和地区问题上同中方加强协调，有效维护广大发展中国家共同利益。双方同意继续保持全方位交往势头，用好中非合作论坛和共建“一带一路”平台，推进中莫关系不断迈上新台阶.
The second question is about how these countries perceive China’s development and its future prospects. This response is for the boss and the domestic audience in particular. Yang said:
The four countries offered high praise for China’s development path and hope to learn from China's development experience. “The leaders of the four countries spoke highly of President Xi Jinping’s outstanding leadership and the great development achievements of the Chinese Communist Party in uniting and leading the Chinese people.” 四国表示，中国的巨大发展成就和经验具有重大意义，激励和鼓舞了广大发展中国家。相信在习近平主席和中国共产党的领导下，伟大的中国和中国人民必将实现更大发展.
“The leaders of the four countries appreciated that China’s economy had overcome difficulties and made steady progress. It had performed prominently among the world’s major economies, provided broad opportunities for the development of various countries, and provided strong momentum for the world economy. They were generally full of confidence when it came to China’s development prospects.” 四国领导人赞赏中国经济攻坚克难、稳中有进，在世界主要经济体中表现突出，为各国发展提供广阔机会、为世界经济提供强大动能，普遍对中国发展前景充满信心.
“The four countries appreciated the Chinese leadership and government's insistence on putting people first and life first, bringing the pandemic under control in the shortest possible time, ensuring people’s health and normal production and living order to the greatest extent, and ensuring the sustainable, healthy and stable economic and social development with good prevention and control results…The four countries said that China's anti-epidemic achievements are exemplary...” and that they will “never forget the valuable support and great help China has provided during the fight against the pandemic.” 四国赞赏中国领导人和政府坚持人民至上、生命至上，在最短的时间内控制住疫情，最大程度保障人民生命健康和正常生产生活秩序，以良好的防控成效保障经济社会持续健康稳定发展...四国表示，中方的抗疫成果在全球堪称典范.
The third question talks about China’s cooperation with development countries, in the context of the high-level development dialogue that was recently held. Yang said that “China is willing to strengthen strategic communication, coordination and cooperation with other developing countries, jointly promote the realisation of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, firmly safeguard the common interests of developing countries, and promote the construction of a more just and rational international political and economic order.”
He added that the leaders of the four countries supported Xi’s Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative. The paragraph on GSI is useful. It calls GSI as offering a “new security path, featuring dialogue rather than confrontation, partnership rather than alliance, and win-win rather than zero-sum” engagement. It adds that: at present, a number of hot issues in some regions are leading to a series of negative spillover effects. “The world is facing challenges from food and energy crises, and the economic recovery and social stability of developing countries are affected. Developing countries should not be victims of international crises, nor should they be the ones who pay the cost of conflicts and turmoil. China is willing to work with other developing countries to promote the implementation of the GSI as soon as possible, and actively promote the building of a global security community, so that the sunshine of peace will illuminate the world…” “...走一条对话而不对抗、结伴而不结盟、共赢而非零和的新型安全之路。当前，部分地区热点问题不断发酵产生系列负面外溢效应，世界面临粮食危机、能源危机的挑战，广大发展中国家经济复苏和社会稳定受到冲击。发展中国家不应成为国际危机的受害者，更不应成为冲突动荡的埋单方。中方愿同其他发展中国家一道，推动全球安全倡议尽快落地，积极推动构建全球安全共同体，让和平的阳光照亮世界、安全的雨露润泽四方，实现各国共谋安全、共促安全、共享安全.
Later, Yang also says that “developing countries are unanimously opposed to hegemonism, power politics, interference in internal affairs and racial discrimination; they resolutely resist the replacement of the generally accepted basic norms of international relations by unilaterally-defined rules by a few countries, and call for increasing the representation and voice of developing countries in global governance, and to ensure equal rights, equal rules, and equal opportunities for all countries. China firmly supports developing countries in playing a larger and more active role in international affairs…” 发展中国家一致反对霸权主义、强权政治、干涉内政和种族歧视，坚决抵制少数国家以“家法帮规”取代普遍接受的国际关系基本准则，呼吁增加发展中国家在全球治理中的代表性和发言权，确保各国权利平等、规则平等、机会平等。中方坚定支持发展中国家在国际事务中发挥更大、更积极作用，愿同有关国家一道，维护和践行真正的多边主义，就重大国际和地区事务加强沟通协作，推动国际治理体系向更加公正合理的方向发展.
He also pushes back against the idea of decoupling, creating walls and disrupting supply chains.
The final question is about BRI, with next year being the 10th anniversary of the initiative being first announced. Yang talked about the benefits of BRI to Pakistan, UAE and African countries, before again lashing out at the US.
“China has always called on the international community to increase its attention towards and investment in developing countries, carry out truly equal and mutually beneficial cooperation, and improve the well-being of people in developing countries. However, at the critical juncture of the fight against the pandemic and maintaining the global economic recovery, a few countries have clung to ideological prejudices and engaged in geopolitical machinations in the name of democracy and aid. They have done everything possible to suppress countries that adhere to the path of independent development. This is obviously contrary to the trend of the times and the will of the countries and people in the region to seek peace and promote development, and will inevitably fail.” 中方一贯呼吁国际社会加大对发展中国家的关注和投入，开展真正平等互利的合作，改善发展中国家人民福祉。然而，在全球抗疫和经济复苏的关键时刻，少数国家固守意识形态偏见，打着民主和援助旗号搞地缘政治算计，千方百计打压坚持独立自主发展道路的国家。这显然同时代潮流背道而驰，同地区国家和人民谋和平促发展的意愿背道而驰，必将遭到失败.
Also on the page are summaries of outcome documents from the LMC meeting. I am not summarising these.
Page 4: There’s a 仲音 commentary, which is part of a series on human rights that’s been going on. This is the third piece in the series. It basically makes the point that the right to subsistence and the right to development are primary and basic human rights. It argues that “the right to development and the right to subsistence are closely linked.” The author later adds that “Poverty is the biggest obstacle to the realisation of human rights, and development is the driving force behind the progress of China’s human rights cause.” The author then talks about China’s developmental achievements in this context.
The author then quotes Xi as having said that human rights are not for decoration, and that “China’s development of human rights is not based on the standard proposed by the West. Regardless of the stage of development, our human rights cause must be developed in accordance with our national conditions and the requirements of the people. It is good to achieve the goals and levels we have set. There is no need to follow the West, and we do not need the West to judge!” 我们发展人权事业，不是以西方所提的那个标准为圭臬。不论发展到什么阶段，我们的人权事业都要按照我国国情和人民要求来发展，达到了我们确立的目标和水平就是好的，不需要向西方看齐，不需要西方来评判!”
Under the banner of so-called ‘universal human rights’ and ‘human rights above sovereignty’, some countries have used human rights issues to wantonly interfere in other countries’ internal affairs, resulting in frequent wars, long-term social unrest and displacement of people in some countries. Consequently, the people’s right to subsistence and development have lost their foundation. In such a circumstance, how can one respect and protect human rights? Taking the right to subsistence and development as the primary basic human rights provides a realistic basis for the development of human rights, and has ensured that ordinary people get tangible benefits, which shows that human rights are not abstract concepts. It is necessary to continuously improve the protection of people's right to subsistence and development, and effectively promote the all-round development of people. 人权不是装饰品，不是用来做摆设的。习近平总书记深刻指出：“我们发展人权事业，不是以西方所提的那个标准为圭臬。不论发展到什么阶段，我们的人权事业都要按照我国国情和人民要求来发展，达到了我们确立的目标和水平就是好的，不需要向西方看齐，不需要西方来评判！”一些国家打着所谓“普世人权”“人权高于主权”等旗号，利用人权问题大肆干涉他国内政，结果导致一些国家战乱频仍、社会长期动荡、人民流离失所。人民的生存权、发展权失去了现实基础，谈何尊重和保障人权？把生存权、发展权作为首要的基本人权，为人权事业发展找到了现实载体，让普通民众得到实实在在的利益，说明人权不是抽象的概念，而是要不断提升人们的生存权和发展权保障水平，切实推动人的全面发展.
Other Stories:
I am highlighting a couple of other pieces here; can’t do a detailed breakdown since I am running short on time.
On the theory page, the lead article is by the Party Committee of the Supreme People’s Court. This says that since the 18th Party Congress, Xi Jinping's thought on the rule of law has led the construction of the rule of law in China, and has written a new chapter in the ‘governance of China’. The Party's leadership in terms of comprehensively governing the country by law has become increasingly stronger; the overall pattern of comprehensively governing the country by law has basically taken shape; the system of socialist rule of law with Chinese characteristics has been continuously improved; solid progress has been made in building a country, government and society that are governed by law; significant progress has been made in scientific legislation, strict law enforcement, impartial justice, and observance of the law by everyone; reforms in the field of rule of law are advancing with unprecedented breadth and depth;...Xi Jinping's thought on the rule of law has demonstrated the mighty power of truth and practice. 党对全面依法治国的领导更加坚强有力，全面依法治国总体格局基本形成，中国特色社会主义法治体系不断健全，法治国家、法治政府、法治社会建设迈出坚实步伐，科学立法、严格执法、公正司法、全民守法取得重大进展，法治领域改革以前所未有的广度和深度向前推进，法治固根本、稳预期、利长远的保障作用进一步发挥，我国社会主义法治建设取得历史性成就、发生历史性变革。在这个过程中，习近平法治思想彰显了强大真理力量和磅礴实践伟力.
One other point from this article worth noting is this paragraph, which tells us that the rank and file of the court have undergone a revolutionary forging. This talks about political construction as the priority followed by professional development; and says that strict political discipline and political rules have ensured that the court ranks have become “absolutely loyal, absolutely pure, and absolutely reliable.”
On the international page, the lead story is the fourth, and final article, in the series attacking the US for being a “disruptive” global actor. The article basically quotes from international media, the American press and research projects to criticise America’s many foreign interventions.