Xi & Hong Kong - BRICS Commentaries - May Industrial Profits - Wang Yi Speaks to Taliban's Muttaqi - New 100-day Police Action
Here are the stories and pieces that I found noteworthy in the Tuesday, June 28, 2022, edition of the People’s Daily.
Page 1: At the top of the page is a report (English report) about Xi Jinping exchanging congratulatory messages with his Guyanese counterpart, Irfaan Ali on the 50th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral ties. Next, there’s a long feature piece, offering documentation of the concern that the Party Central Committee with Xi at its core have for the development of Hong Kong.
The piece begins by going back 180 years, telling us that the humiliation of China in modern history began with “Hong Kong being forced to leave the embrace of the motherland owing to the powerful guns of imperialism.” 180多年前，中国近代史在这里屈辱开端。在帝国主义的坚船利炮下，香港被迫离开了祖国怀抱.
It then talks about Hong Kong’s handover 25 years ago, before telling us the integration of the development of Hong Kong into the magnificent journey of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is a “major issue” that Xi has been concerned about. 进入新时代，如何让香港发展更好地融入中华民族伟大复兴的壮阔征程，这是习近平总书记一直思考的重大课题.
The article says that “under the care and guidance of General Secretary Xi Jinping, a series of major national strategies and policies have been introduced one after another, which has provided Hong Kong with rare opportunities, inexhaustible power and broad space for its development.” 在习近平总书记关心、推动下，一系列重大国家战略和政策措施相继出台，为香港发展提供了难得机遇、不竭动力、广阔空间.
These include:
The opening of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge
The establishment of the HK-Guangdong-Macau Greater Bay Area
The establishment Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone
The establishment Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park
The Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect
The second section of the article emphasises Xi’s focus on Hong Kong’s development. It says that when Xi visited the city in 2017 for the 20th anniversary of the handover, he had said that the issue of Hong Kong’s development had always been close to his heart. “香港发展一直牵动着我的心.” In his speech back then, he had said that development should be Hong Kong’s “top priority. Development, an abiding pursuit, is crucial for Hong Kong's survival, and it holds the golden key to resolving various issues in Hong Kong.”
The article adds: “Over the past 25 years since its return to the motherland, with the strong support of the central government, Hong Kong has successfully withstood the Asian financial crisis, the SARS epidemic and the international financial crisis. Hong Kong's status as an international financial, shipping and trade centre has remained stable, and innovation, science and technology, culture and art have flourished.” 回归祖国25年来，在中央有力支持下，香港成功抵御了亚洲金融危机、非典疫情、国际金融危机等冲击，国际金融、航运、贸易中心地位稳固，创新科技、文化艺术等各项事业蓬勃发展.
Then we get this story from Xi’s visit to the city in 2008, when he was Vice President. He went to visit folks who had been provided houses under the Home Ownership Scheme to “learn about the lives of ordinary citizens in Hong Kong and listen to the voices of his compatriots.”
Then: “Five years ago, 10-year-old Li Wenzhe and his 11-year-old partner Lu Ruihui sang an excerpt from the Cantonese opera classic ‘The Legend of the Purple Hairpin’ for the General Secretary Xi Jinping during his visit to Hong Kong. The general secretary praised them. Holding the child’s little hand, he said, ‘China’s excellent traditional culture must be passed on, and when you see children, you see hope’. Now, Li Wenzhe has grown up. He took out the costume he wore when he performed for Grandpa Xi; the cloak embroidered with red and blue flowers on a pink background was neatly folded. He said that although this costume was too small to wear, Grandpa Xi's encouragement back then has stayed with him through the years as he has progressed as a Cantonese opera performer.” 5年前，10岁的利文喆与11岁的搭档陆瑞徽一起，为在香港视察的习近平总书记演唱了粤剧经典《紫钗记》的选段。总书记称赞他们年纪虽小，但演唱很到位，并握着孩子的小手说：“中国优秀传统文化要传承下去，看到孩子们就看到了希望。”如今，利文喆长高了、长大了。他拿出当年给习爷爷表演时穿的戏服，一件粉色底上绣有红蓝色团花的披风叠得整整齐齐。他说，虽然这件戏服小了，穿不进去了，但是习爷爷当年的鼓励，一直陪伴着他成长，见证着他在粤剧表演上取得的一个又一个进步.
The third section talks about the challenges that the city has faced in recent years, from Beijing’s perspective. It begins by talking about the “turmoil” of 2019, following the proposed amendments to the extradition legislation in Hong Kong. The article says that this was a product of “various complex internal and external factors, Hong Kong’s long-standing problems and accumulated deep-seated contradictions.” It also calls the protests the “most severe situation” since Hong Kong’s handover. The article says that in November 2019, Xi met with Carrie Lam, who was visiting for the China International Import Expo in Shanghai. He told her that “stopping violence and chaos and restoring order ‘are the most important tasks for Hong Kong at present.’ ‘Suppressing and punishing violent activities in accordance with the law is to safeguard the well-being of the general public in Hong Kong; we must be firm’. At this important historical juncture, which concerned the future and destiny of Hong Kong and whether the ‘one country, two systems’ policy and the Basic Law could be fully and accurately implemented, the CPC Central Committee with comrade Xi Jinping at the core displayed long-term vision, and with superb political wisdom and extraordinary political courage, it unswervingly and comprehensively implemented the ‘one country, two systems’ policy, and took the lead in ensuring Hong Kong's long-term prosperity and stability.” 2019年，受内外各种复杂因素影响，香港长期存在的问题、积累的深层次矛盾，在“修例风波”中集中暴露出来。香港面临回归祖国以来最为严峻的局面。当年11月4日，在上海会见出席第二届中国国际进口博览会的香港特别行政区行政长官林郑月娥时，习近平总书记指出，止暴制乱、恢复秩序“是香港当前最重要的任务”。“依法制止和惩治暴力活动就是维护香港广大民众的福祉，要坚定不移。”在关乎香港前途命运、关乎“一国两制”方针和基本法能否全面准确贯彻的重大历史关头，以习近平同志为核心的党中央高瞻远瞩，以高超的政治智慧和非凡的政治胆略，坚定不移、全面准确贯彻“一国两制”方针，为确保香港长期繁荣稳定，领航定向，一锤定音.
Following this, we get a reference to the national security law and the principle of patriots ruling Hong Kong, with the article saying that these have brought “order out of chaos politically” and have “opened up a new situation of good governance in Hong Kong, creating basic conditions for all segments of society in Hong Kong to concentrate on solving deep-seated contradictions and problems.” 从建立健全香港特别行政区维护国家安全的法律制度和执行机制、制定实施香港国安法、实现“一法安香江”，到完善香港特别行政区选举制度、落实“爱国者治港”原则……政治上的拨乱反正，开启了香港良政善治新局面，为香港各界集中精力解决深层次矛盾和问题创造了基础条件.
Third, there’s another commentary drawing from Xi’s speeches at the BRICS meetings. In fact, there’s a fair amount of post-BRICS coverage in the paper. For instance, there are three BRICS-themed articles on the international page. The essential argument of all of these pieces is praising Chinese diplomacy and its contribution to global development.
Anyway, this commentary focuses on the bit about economic globalisation facing headwinds with some countries attempting to decouple with others, sever supply chains and build ‘a small yard with high fences’.” It says that “any act of containment, of inciting ideological confrontation, politicising and weaponizing economic and technological issues, will seriously weaken the efforts of the international community to meet common challenges.” It calls for “macro-policy coordination,” preventing the “serious negative spillover effects from policy adjustments in some countries” and “promoting balanced, coordinated, and inclusive development of the world.”
“We must adhere to genuine multilateralism, insist on tearing down walls instead of building walls, opening up instead of isolation, integration instead of decoupling, upholding the multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization at its core, eliminating trade, investment, and technological barriers, and on the basis of full consultation create universally accepted and effective rules for artificial intelligence and digital economy, create an open, fair, and non-discriminatory environment that is favourable for scientific and technological innovation, and promote the construction of an open world economy. We must adhere to extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, strengthen global economic governance, increase the representation and voice of emerging market countries and developing countries, and ensure equal rights, rules and opportunities for all countries.” 当今世界，全球价值链、供应链深入发展，你中有我、我中有你，各国经济融合是大势所趋。包容普惠、互利共赢才是人间正道。习近平主席强调：“我们要坚持开放包容，拆除一切阻碍生产力发展的藩篱，引导推动全球化健康发展，让资金和技术自由流动，让创新和智慧充分涌现，汇聚世界经济增长合力。”要把握经济全球化发展大势，加强宏观政策协调，运用科技增强动能，防止一些国家政策调整产生严重负面外溢效应，促进全球平衡、协调、包容发展。要坚持真正的多边主义，坚持拆墙而不筑墙、开放而不隔绝、融合而不脱钩，维护以世界贸易组织为核心的多边贸易体制，消除贸易、投资、技术壁垒，在充分协商基础上，为人工智能、数字经济等打造各方普遍接受、行之有效的规则，为科技创新营造开放、公正、非歧视的有利环境，推动构建开放型世界经济。要坚持共商共建共享，加强全球经济治理，增加新兴市场国家和发展中国家代表性和发言权，确保各国权利平等、规则平等、机会平等.
Next, we have the Qinghai chapter in the series on following Xi’s footsteps.
Then, there’s a brief report about Han Zheng meeting with exemplary groups and individuals working in government offices administration. This was part of a commendation conference; 130 groups and 130 individuals were awarded at the conference. Ding Xuexiang and Xiao Jie also attended the meeting, as per the report.
Finally, a report about Li Zhanshu addressing an event celebrating the 90th anniversary of the establishment of the National Assembly of Thailand. Xinhua English reports that among other things, Li said:
“The Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative have contributed Chinese solutions to promoting sustainable world development and addressing global security governance challenges…He said China stands ready to work with Thailand to safeguard the international system with the United Nations at its core and international order based on international law, safeguard the common interests of developing countries, and contribute to world peace and development.”
Page 3: First, a report on Wang Chen’s comments on the fifth anniversary of the Law of the People’s Republic of China on Traditional Chinese Medicine going into effect. He said that it is necessary to study and implement General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important expositions on TCM work and the decisions and deployments of the Party Central Committee, and implement the TCM law in depth, contribute to promoting the inheritance, innovation and development of TCM, carrying forward Chinese excellent traditional culture and promoting the construction of a healthy China. 他强调，要学习贯彻习近平总书记关于中医药工作的重要论述和党中央决策部署，深入实施中医药法，为促进中医药传承创新发展、弘扬中华优秀传统文化、推进健康中国建设贡献力量. (Quick thought: On the face of it, this sounds unremarkable. But it just struck me: think of the prioritisation in Wang’s comments. The message being sent by the prioritisation is that Xi’s views, then the Central Committee’s requirements and then the actual law are of significance.)
Second, a report about Wang Yi’s chat with Acting Foreign Minister of the Afghan Interim Government Amir Khan Muttaqi. The initial part of the report has Wang expressing condolences over the recent earthquake in Afghanistan and discussing China’s aid and support. “The first batch of tents, blankets and other supplies are being sent to Afghanistan by chartered planes, and cash and other relief supplies will be delivered as soon as possible,” Wang said.
“Wang pointed out that China's policy toward Afghanistan is clear and firm, and maintains stability and continuity. China always respects Afghanistan's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, respects the independent choices made by the Afghan people, and respects its religious beliefs and ethnic customs, he said, adding China never interferes in the country's internal affairs, nor seeks self-interest or a sphere of influence in Afghanistan. Wang also said that China and Afghanistan will hold the second meeting of the working-level contact mechanisms on humanitarian assistance and economic reconstruction, expressing the hope that both sides will steadily advance pragmatic cooperation in areas such as people's livelihood, economy and trade, agriculture, mining, interconnectivity and capacity building, and implement the consensus reached at bilateral meetings and the outcomes of multilateral meetings regarding Afghanistan, such as the Tunxi Initiative.
The senior Chinese official said he believes that the Afghan side will take concrete measures to resolutely combat all terrorist forces including the East Turkestan Islamic Movement, and strengthen the security and protection of Chinese citizens and institutions in Afghanistan. Wang said that China will continue to play a constructive role, support Afghanistan in the effort to build a broad-based and inclusive government, and to exercise moderate and prudent governance, uphold justice for Afghanistan in multilateral fields such as the United Nations and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), push for the implementation of the outcomes of the third foreign ministers' meeting among the neighbouring countries of Afghanistan, and further build consensus among regional countries in supporting Afghanistan's stability and reconstruction.”
Third, there’s a commentary based on Xi’s speech at last week’s High-level Dialogue on Development. It says that the high-level dialogue on global development held in China marks the beginning of the GDI. Xi said in his speech that countries should:
jointly build international consensus on promoting development
jointly create an enabling international environment for development
jointly foster new drivers for global development
jointly forge a global development partnership
“The leaders of the countries attending the dialogue highly appreciated President Xi Jinping's in-depth exposition on global development cooperation, and believed that China's initiative meets the concerns and needs of the vast number of developing countries, and is conducive to building international consensus, mobilising development resources, and accelerating the implementation of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.”
此次中国举办全球发展高层对话会，标志着全球发展倡议开始落地生根。习近平主席在对话会上指出，各方要共同凝聚促进发展的国际共识、共同营造有利于发展的国际环境、共同培育全球发展新动能、共同构建全球发展伙伴关系。这些主张切中当前全球发展事业面临的突出挑战，为国际发展合作再出发指明了方向和路径。出席对话会的各国领导人高度赞赏习近平主席关于全球发展合作的深刻阐述，认为中方倡议符合广大发展中国家关切和需求，有利于凝聚国际共识，动员发展资源，加快落实联合国2030年可持续发展议程.
The next paragraph says that mankind is at a “critical juncture.” It criticises policies of some countries who have “politicised and marginalised the development issue, built ‘a small yard with high fences’, imposed maximum sanctions, and stoked division and confrontation.” “Such practices will impact the world economic system, and if allowed to advance, they will only lead to a situation in which everyone loses, destroying the achievements of decades of international economic cooperation, and the people of all countries will pay a heavy price for it. Faced with the severe and complex situation, it is even more necessary for the vast number of emerging markets and developing countries to strengthen unity and cooperation, make a concerted effort, put development at the center of the international agenda, build an open world economy, build a more just and reasonable global governance system and institutional environment, and ensure that no country or individual will be left behind.” 人类社会正处在何去何从的关键节点，全球发展事业面临诸多新的风险挑战。有的国家将发展议题政治化、边缘化，搞“小院高墙”和极限制裁，人为制造分裂和对抗。这类做法冲击世界经济体系，任其发展只会造成一损俱损的局面，可能使国际经济合作几十年努力的成果毁于一旦，各国民众将为之付出沉重代价。面对严峻复杂的形势，广大新兴市场和发展中国家更加需要加强团结协作，拧成一股绳，铆足一股劲，把发展置于国际议程中心位置，建设开放型世界经济，构建更加公正合理的全球治理体系和制度环境，确保不让任何一个国家、任何一个人掉队.
The piece then adds that “China has always been a contributor to global development, and insists on promoting global development cooperation with practical actions.” It then talks about some of the 32 outcomes of the dialogue.
Page 4: There’s a commentary by Li Haoran, who argues that BRICS has evolved from a concept in an investment report to “the first important force on the international stage with non-western countries as the main body. Some other excerpts:
“Although the BRICS countries are separated by mountains and seas, they have come together with the common goal of win-win cooperation. In recent years, the ‘BRICS+’ model has been continuously deepened and expanded, and it has become a model for emerging market countries and developing countries to carry out South-South cooperation and achieve unity and self-improvement…BRICS countries are like five fingers, each with its own strengths when stretched out, and a fist when clenched. As the BRICS chair in 2022, China has drawn a new blueprint for high-quality development together with BRICS partners, and issued a stronger call for solidarity and cooperation….”
Page 10: Here’s an example of the same facts, but two very different stories being told. In PD, as in Xinhua English, the headline tells us that China’s industrial profits have improved in May. The PD report says that as per NBS data, “in May, the profits of industrial enterprises above designated size across the country fell by 6.5% year-on-year, a decrease of 2.0 percentage points from the previous month.” What this means is that “Profits shrank 6.5 percent from a year earlier, narrowing from an 8.5 percent slump year-on-year in April.” The report adds that from January to May, the profits of industrial enterprises above designated size increased by 1.0% year-on-year.
The PD report adds that in May “the operating income of industrial enterprises above designated size increased by 6.8% year-on-year, and the sales situation improved.” The report then talks about the policies issued to ease enterprises’ burdens, saying that “the cost per hundred yuan of operating income for industrial enterprises above designated size was 7.56 yuan in May, which was 0.07 yuan and 0.56 yuan lower than that of last month and the same period of last year respectively.” 国家统计局工业司高级统计师朱虹分析，5月份，减税降费、助企纾困政策效应持续释放，工业企业费用负担继续减轻，规模以上工业企业每百元营业收入中的费用为7.56元，较上月、上年同期分别减少0.07元、0.56元.
Reuters’ headline for the report is: “China's May industrial profits slump again despite easing COVID curbs.” The report cites the data and adds:
“May’s improvement was driven by surging profits in the coal mining and oil and gas extraction sectors, as the Russia-Ukraine war sparked a rally in global commodity prices. However, profits in the manufacturing sector dropped 18.5% in May as equipment manufacturing improved significantly, Zhu Hong, senior NBS statistician, said in a statement. April profits were down a sharper 22.4%...Industrial firms’ profits grew 1.0% year-on-year to 3.44 trillion yuan ($514 billion) in January-May, slowing from the 3.5% increase in the first four months, the NBS data showed. Profits at auto manufacturing firms shrank 37.5% in the first five months, while that for the ferrous metal smelting sector dived 64.2%. Over the same five-month period, industrial firms' revenues grew 9.1% to 53.16 trillion yuan, slowing from 9.7% growth in the first four months.”
Page 11: A report with data on China’s war on drugs. This is a feature being covered, since June 26 marks the 35th International Anti-Drug Day. This largely draws from the Ministry of Public Security’s press conference a few days ago. It said that:
From January to May, more than 14,000 drug-related crimes have been cracked nationwide, more than 18,000 drug-related suspects have been arrested, and a total of 7.8 tons of various drugs have been seized.
In 2021, the national public security anti-drug departments cracked down 5,000 online drug trafficking cases and arrested 8,000 criminal suspects.
In terms of education for teenagers, the ministry has established a national digital platform for drug prevention education. Every year, more than 100 million students in more than 230,000 schools learn anti-drug knowledge online. By 2021, the number of drug users under the age of 35 dropped by 44.8 percent from the end of 2016.
Some other data from the press conference is in this Global Times report.
By the end of 2021, there were 1.486 million drug users nationwide, down 42.1 percent from the end of 2016. After three years of abstinence, 3.403 million former users did not relapse, 2.4 times as many as at the end of 2016.
In order to prevent drug crimes, China has blacklisted 449 kinds of narcotics and psychotropic substances, turning China the country with the most blacklisted drugs and the strictest drug control system in the world.
Next, there’s a report telling us that national public security organs have launched a 100-day action (百日行动) in order to crack down on prominent illegal crimes, vigorously rectify social security problems, tackle all kinds of potential safety hazards, resolutely safeguard social stability and safeguard peace ahead of the 20th Party Congress.
“The meeting pointed out that it is necessary to accurately grasp and actively respond to the public security situation through the summer, put all combat and rectification measures in place and ensure overall social stability. It is necessary to bear in mind that the interests of the masses are no small matter and severely crack down on and rectify crimes that are of the most concern to the masses in accordance with the law, and earnestly make the people feel safe. It is necessary to strengthen the investigation and resolution of contradictions and disputes, adhere to and develop the ‘Fengqiao Experience’ in the new era, work closely with relevant departments under the leadership of the Party Committee, carry out in-depth investigation and mediation of contradictions and disputes, and strive to solve contradictions and problems at the grassroots level and nip them in the bud…It is necessary to protect women, children, the elderly, the disabled, primary and secondary school students and other groups, focus on being ‘quick, accurate and ruthless’ and resolutely crack down on crimes that infringe upon their legitimate rights and interests. Promote the standardisation of the fight against evil, resolutely eradicate gangs and severely punish the ‘protective umbrella’ of evil forces. Quickly investigate and deal with illegal crimes, such as picking quarrels and provoking trouble, gathering a crowd to fight/gang fights, and resolutely crack down on crimes involving the underworld or evil forces, according to law. 会议指出，要准确把握、积极应对夏季治安形势，把各项打击整治措施抓到底、落到位，确保社会大局持续稳定；要牢记群众利益无小事，依法严厉打击整治群众反映强烈的突出违法犯罪，切实让人民群众感到安全触手可及、就在身边；要强化矛盾纠纷排查化解，坚持和发展新时代“枫桥经验”，在党委领导下，同有关部门密切协作，深入开展矛盾纠纷大排查大调解，努力将矛盾问题解决在基层、化解在萌芽状态；要深入推进公安信访突出问题攻坚化解工作，严格落实领导干部包案接访制度，切实解决好群众合理合法诉求。会议强调，要强化突出违法犯罪打击治理。坚持依法严打方针，坚持问题导向，采取雷霆手段，发起凌厉攻势，更快破大案、更多破小案，打出声威、治出成效。要保护妇女、儿童、老年人、残疾人、中小学生等群体，针对侵害他们合法权益的违法犯罪，突出“快、准、狠”，坚决依法打击。推动常态化扫黑除恶斗争向纵深发展，坚决铲除黑恶势力团伙，严惩黑恶势力“保护伞”。快查快处寻衅滋事、聚众斗殴等违法犯罪，对构成涉黑涉恶犯罪的，坚决依法从严打击.
SCMP’s report on this initiative adds that:
“The authorities will “maximise the display of police force on a street and community level” as part of a 100-day campaign to step up protection for women, children, and the elderly, the Ministry of Public Security announced on Saturday, ahead of the Communist Party’s 20th party congress. On Saturday the new public security minister Wang Xiaohong announced plans at a planning conference to consolidate control over social order this summer, the ministry said in a notice. “We must use hard fists to protect the legal rights of women, children, the elderly, the disabled and students with fast, accurate and fierce measures according to law,” the ministry said. “We must comprehensively deepen the battles against criminal forces and maintain a zero-tolerance approach to actively eliminate organised crime and severely punish their protectors…At the conference on Saturday, Wang vowed that the 100-day “hard-fist” campaign would enhance public social order ahead of the party congress later this year by targeting hidden security risks at a community level. The ministry said in the notice that it would link up police and armed police patrols and activate a swift response mechanism of no less than five minutes. Civil powers will also be mobilised to strengthen community levels to target crimes rampant in the summertime, while night patrols and crackdowns against guns and explosives would also be stepped up.”
Third, a report informing us that in May, 7,778 cases of violation of the eight-point central regulations were investigated and dealt with. A total of 11,299 people (including 36 prefecture-level cadres and 692 county or equivalent level cadres) were criticised, educated, and dealt with; 7,822 people were punished by party and state disciplinary organs. Among the total individuals, 6,092 were sanctioned for engaging in formalities for formalities’ sake or bureaucratism, and 5,207 were punished for hedonism and extravagant conduct.
Two other reports to note on the page. First, Xu Baoyi, former deputy general manager of China Grain Reserves Group (Sinograin), has been expelled from the party. Xinhua reports:
“In an official statement, the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Supervisory Commission said that the investigation into Xu found that he exhibited no ideals and convictions and had been entirely disloyal and dishonest. According to the inquiry, Xu had been deeply engaged in various illegal activities, including political speculation, forging his resume, and resisting investigation. In the meantime, in total disregard of Party regulations, Xu had taken gifts and money, visited private clubs, and accepted various invitations to banquets that might have prevented him from performing his duties unbiasedly. Also, Xu was found to have interfered with economic market activities against regulations and taken advantage of his position to assist others in job transfers, construction project contracting, company operations, and other matters. In return, he received a large amount of money and valuables. Xu's severe negligence of duty has caused great losses for the country, the statement added.”
Second, Liu Hongwu, former vice chairman of the people's government of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, has been expelled from the party and dismissed from public office. Xinhua reports:
“The CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Supervisory Commission said in a statement that an investigation into Liu's case had found that he had defied major decisions of the CPC Central Committee on targeted poverty alleviation and rural revitalization by making compromises and alterations in implementation. He also took undue advantage while implementing these decisions and engaged in corruption. It also found that Liu had defied the CPC Central Committee's eight-point decision on improving Party and government conduct, indulging in hedonism to satisfy his personal desires. He was found to have violated relevant rules by accepting money from others and joining banquets, which may have compromised his ability to exercise power impartially. Liu had been uncooperative during the investigation of his case, according to the statement. It accused Liu of being morally corrupt and trading his power for money and sex. He was keen on building connections with people in the business circles and trading power for money. He was found to have abused his positions to seek benefits for others in project contracting and operations and financial approvals, and have accepted a huge amount of money and gifts in return. Liu has severely violated the Party's discipline and is suspected of taking bribes and committing egregious violations of duty-related laws, the statement said, adding that his case is serious in nature and has a bad influence.”
Page 15: Among the three BRICS-themed articles on the page, I am covering the chat with Ali Obaid Al Dhaheri, the UAE’s Ambassador to China. He praises the BRICS platform and the BRICS+ cooperation model.
He also says that the “Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative are public goods provided by China to promote lasting peace and long-term development in the world. They are crucial to realising the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development on schedule, and they are also in line with the UAE’s development concept of openness, tolerance and cooperation. ‘As a major country with global influence, China has done what it has said, and has continuously contributed wisdom and strength to building a better world.’ Al Dhaheri said that as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council from 2022 to 2023, the UAE will actively promote the implementation of these two initiatives. 扎希里表示，全球发展倡议和全球安全倡议是中国为促进世界持久和平和长远发展提供的公共产品，对如期实现联合国2030年可持续发展议程至关重要，同时也契合阿联酋开放、包容、合作的发展理念。“作为有全球影响力的大国，中国说到做到，不断为建设一个更加美好的世界贡献智慧和力量。”扎希里说，作为2022年至2023年度安理会非常任理事国，阿联酋将在国际社会积极推动落实这两大倡议.