Xi & the Yáo Dòng Question - Common Prosperity Policy Direction - Formalism & Reducing Grassroots Burden - Emmanuel Bonne's Visit - The Principal Contradiction

Here are the stories and pieces that I found noteworthy from the Friday, January 14, 2022, edition of the People’s Daily.

Page 1: Let’s begin with the commentary at the top of the page today, which is based on Xi’s speech at the Party School. This focuses on Xi’s comments about understanding, grasping and addressing the principal contradictions in society. It says that historically this is what the Party has done well, and that it is important to do this well to ensure that the cause of the Party and country is furthered. 

For instance, during the new democratic revolution period, the Party identified that the “principal contradiction in modern Chinese society was the contradiction between imperialism and the Chinese nation and between feudalism and the masses of the people. To achieve the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, it was necessary to carry out anti-imperialist and anti-feudal struggles.” 

Likewise, during the period of Socialist Revolution and Construction, the Eighth National Congress decided that the principal contradiction in China was no longer the contradiction between the working class and the bourgeoisie, but rather that between the demand of the people for rapid economic and cultural development and the reality that the country’s economy and culture fell short of the needs of the people. Therefore, the major task facing the nation was to concentrate on developing the productive forces and realise industrialisation in order to gradually meet the people’s growing material and cultural needs. And then during the reform and opening up period, the Party clarified that the principal contradiction facing Chinese society was that between the ever-growing material and cultural needs of the people and backward social production.

In the new era, the principal contradiction facing Chinese society in the new era is that between unbalanced and inadequate development and the people’s ever-growing needs for a better life, and the Party must therefore remain committed to a people-centered philosophy of development, develop whole-process people’s democracy, and make more notable and substantive progress toward achieving well-rounded human development and common prosperity for all.

The piece says that Xi’s assessment of the principal contradiction in the new era is an “important political judgment that accurately grasps the characteristics of the times and the new historical orientation of China’s development. It reflects the objective reality of China’s social development, identifies the fundamental focus of solving the main problems of contemporary China’s development, and enriches and develops the Marxist theory on social contradictions.” 这一重大政治论断，准确把握时代特征和我国发展新的历史方位，反映了我国社会发展的客观实际，指明了解决当代中国发展主要问题的根本着力点，丰富发展了马克思主义关于社会矛盾的学说. It adds that this change in principal contradiction does not imply a change in the historical stage of socialism that China finds itself in, but it does imply a historic shift in China’s overall situation. The paragraph further underscores the correctness of this assessment of the principal contradiction by the Central Committee with Xi at its core.

The next paragraph talks about understanding that people’s cognitive and practical activities essentially entail a process of constantly understanding and resolving contradictions. Also, the main contradictions are a concentrated reflection of various social contradictions. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to the relationship between the main and secondary contradictions, and between the main and secondary aspects of contradictions. 要认识到，矛盾是普遍存在的，矛盾是事物联系的实质内容和事物发展的根本动力，人的认识活动和实践活动，从根本上说就是不断认识矛盾、不断解决矛盾的过程。还要认识到，社会主要矛盾是各种社会矛盾的主要根源和集中反映，在社会矛盾运动中居于主导地位。积极面对矛盾、解决矛盾，必须注意把握好主要矛盾和次要矛盾、矛盾的主要方面和次要方面的关系. At the same time, it is important to focus on the main contradictions and central tasks, give priority to solving the main aspects of the main contradictions, so as to promote the resolution of other contradictions and achieve key breakthroughs, which can lead to a leap in overall advancement of economic and social development, and keep advancing towards the goal of building a socialist modernisation power in an all-round way.

Next, there’s a long piece summarising the work done to address the issue of formalism and reduce burden at grassroots level last year. This appears to be a preview to the upcoming CCDI plenum. The piece talks about Xi’s comments at the Central Economic Work Conference in December. 

He is quoted as having said that the climate and ecological environment differ across the country. There are also wide differences in terms of economic and living standards. Some of the places were shoddy (浮皮潦草) and superficial (浮光掠影), leading to serious problems with a large number of toilets. So I have made several comments." General Secretary Xi Jinping’s words were so loud that they would even resonate with the deaf/the most apathetic. 习近平总书记的话语, 振聋发聩.

Also, the piece says that two instructions were issued shortly after each other. A stern warning: “Formalism and bureaucracy are the biggest threat to poverty alleviation and rural revitalisation, and should not be revived.” Another: “Seek quality, not speed; resolutely oppose the wastage of money and labor and doing things to keep up appearances.” 其中，有两份批示时隔不久。一份严肃告诫：“形式主义、官僚主义是扶贫和乡村振兴的最大危害，切勿死灰复燃. 另一份谆谆嘱咐：“求好不求快，坚决反对劳民伤财、搞形式摆样子.”

The next bit talks about Xi’s instructions at different times through the year calling for strong action to oppose formalism and bureaucracy. This refers to his comments at the CCDI’s 5th plenum and at the mobilisation conference that kick-started the Party history campaign in February. The next chunk talks about Xi’s inspection in Guizhou. This is essentially an example of how inspections have allowed him to gain a better understanding of the challenges of grassroots-level burdens.

Anyway, some bits that I found interesting are below:

The CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Commission for Supervision have incorporated grassroots burden reduction into the discipline inspection and supervision work to enhance the political accuracy and effectiveness of accountability work. The Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee has taken concrete measures to encourage cadres to take responsibility. The Central Publicity Department has comprehensively used a variety of media platforms to strengthen publicity and guidance. The Central Reform Office has implemented effective measures to modernise grassroots-level governance systems and capacity. The Central Party and State Organs Working Committee has encouraged party members and officials in central party and state institutions to take the lead in improving their conduct and acting in a responsible manner. The General Office of the NPC Standing Committee has further standardised inspections of law enforcement and strengthened the application of research results. The General Office of the State Council is streamlining documents and reducing meetings, along with making efforts to ensure that relevant departments of the State Council change the methods of supervision, inspection and assessment. The General Office of the CPPCC National Committee further standardised inspection and research activities. 中央纪委国家监委机关把为基层减负融入纪检监察工作，增强问责工作的政治性精准性实效性；中央组织部持续抓好激励干部担当作为有关具体措施落实；中央宣传部综合运用多种媒体平台加强宣传引导；中央改革办推动关于加强基层治理体系和治理能力现代化建设相关措施落地见效；中央和国家机关工委推动中央和国家机关党员、干部带头改进作风、担当作为；全国人大常委会办公厅进一步规范执法检查，加强调研成果转化；国务院办公厅精文减会，推动国务院有关部门转变督查检查考核方式；全国政协办公厅进一步规范考察调研活动。

Also, note this bit about not strictly avoiding approaching ideological and political education as a matter of formality (走形式). Instead, the effort must be that this is embedded deep into one’s heart and mind (入脑入心). It says that over the past year, a majority of cadres have done well in terms of theoretical education. There is less empty learning of theoretical aspects, with people simply reading and copying; and more genuine learning, with people studying earnestly and steadfastly. There are fewer flashy/superficial displays, which are indicative of poor understanding and application of lessons. Instead, there is genuine capability development, evident in practice, work and application. 一年来，结合党史学习教育和学习贯彻党的十九届六中全会精神，广大党员干部力戒理论学习中的形式主义，端正学风。泛泛读一读、抄一抄就算学完了的“虚把式”少了，认认真真学、踏踏实实悟的“真学习”多了；浅尝辄止、不求甚解、学用脱节的“花架子”少了，以学促行、以学促干、学以致用的“真本领”强了.

And then this bit about work reduction: In 2021, a total of 47 items were included in the inspection and examination plans of the central and state organs — 94.8% less than the nearly 900 items in 2018; there are 1,184 annual plans of provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities — 17.4% less than the number in 2020. 2021年，列入中央和国家机关督查检查考核计划共47项，比2018年的近900项减少94.8%；各省区市年度计划共1184项，比2020年减少17.4%.

There’s also this about a survey conducted to assess effectiveness of this burden-reduction work. It says that 89% of grassroots cadres are satisfied with the burden reduction work in the past three years, and 92% think that streamlining of documentation and reduction in meetings along with overall planning and standardisation of supervision, inspection and assessment have achieved practical results. – This is fascinating. Who is really going to report back negatively in such an organisational structure on something like this. Even in the flattest of org structures people tend to be wary of negative feedback on the amount of work and disaffection with top-level policies, particularly those that are sold as being for the benefit of the individuals lower down the hierarchy.

Third, a long, long piece about responding to the cave-dwelling question - yáodòng zhī wèn - “窑洞之问.” I’ve tried to do the best I could with a translated summary. This is difficult because it dips in and out of history, while trying to draw connections between the past and present. So, I am going to summarise bits that I found noteworthy and talk about the big picture. The broad thrust of the piece, from my perspective, is that it is articulating the significance of the present moment for the Party and China as a new starting point. Moreover, it is placing Xi on a pedestal as a great Marxist leader and thinker, as being on the same footing as Mao.

The piece informs us that at the 6th Plenum, Xi recounted the 1945 conversation between Mao Zedong and Huang Yanpei about the dynastic cycle. Mao had apparently responded to Huang’s concerns about the Party’s ability to survive as a long-term ruling party by saying: “We have found a new path; we can break free of the cycle. The path is called democracy. As long as the people have oversight of the government, then the government will not slacken in its efforts. When everyone takes responsibility there will be no danger that things will return to how they were even if the leader has gone.”

The piece in PD says that speaking to provincial and ministerial officials at the Party school earlier in the week, Xi again pondered over this question. The point being made is that the CCP has consistently answered the question of the dynastic cycle. The key for this is not just to focus on the relationship between the Party and the people (performance legitimacy) but also the Party’s nature and structure itself (self-revolution). It also talks about engaging in self-improvement, rushing with determination to respond to tests and “never forgetting the original mission and having historical confidence.” 两个答案，跨越了一个政党从弱小到强大、从九死一生到蓬勃兴盛的漫漫岁月长河。从探寻党和人民的关系，到将目光同时放到党的自身、反求诸己，一脉相承的，是走好“赶考”之路的清醒坚定，是走得再远都不会忘记的初心使命和历史自信.

The next bit harks back to 1949, the second plenary of the 7th Central Committee, with Mao coining the two musts, i.e., comrades must be taught to remain modest, prudent and free from arrogance and rashness in their style of work. The comrades must be taught to preserve the style of plain living and hard struggle. The piece then says that Xi too has reiterated the two musts during his 2013 visit to Xibaipo, while talking about the challenge of the dynastic cycle.

This is followed by Mao’s quote about entering Beijing after the second plenary session of 1949 and how this was a major test for the CCP to transform into a ruling party. I think the parallel that’s being attempted is to argue that there is a similar sense of momentousness to the current period, given that the arduous examination of the Party continues despite China having stood up, grown rich and now is becoming strong.

The piece then says that the phrase yōuhuàn yìshí 忧患意识, a sense of doom/existential worry/all-encompassing anxiety (as Geremie Barmé translates it) first appeared in Party documents in the fall of 1990. “Since the 18th Party Congress, it is amazing how frequently this phrase has been featured. The 19th Party Congress report made it clear that ‘balancing development and security, being more mindful of potential dangers, and being prepared for danger in times of peace is a major principle of our Party’s governance’.” It further adds that while the 14th FYP was being drafted, Xi personally decided to ensure that there was a chapter on balancing development security, because “we are more and more deeply aware that security is the premise of development and development is the guarantee of security.”

The piece then talks about how Xi has warned about being cautious in the face of the four dangers and four tests. The 四种危险 - four dangers, which Hu Jintao had articulated these in 2011 first, include lacking drive, initiative or complacency, incompetence, being divorced from the people and corruption. The 四大考验 four tests include the test of long-term governance, of reform and opening up, of operating a market economy, and of the external environment.

The article then says that Mao had warned about the danger of incompetence in Yan’an; at the seminar to study and implement the spirit of the 6th Plenum recently, Xi too spoke about this danger. He said: “The most fundamental lack of competence is the lack of theoretical knowledge.” 在学习贯彻党的十九届六中全会精神专题研讨班上，他再次谈到本领恐慌：“其中最根本的本领不足是理论素养不够”.

Xi then is quoted as describing the current moment as being critical; as one in which the challenges facing the ship that is China are demanding, a moment when the climb up the mountain is steeper - a time when it is more difficult and dangerous to advance, but at the same time, retreating is not an option. 习近平总书记精准定位了今日中国的方位：“我们现在所处的，是一个船到中流浪更急、人到半山路更陡的时候，是一个愈进愈难、愈进愈险而又不进则退、非进不可的时候.”

After a bit on food and water security, we get to Xi’s view of external challenges. Here, we get his quote about how there are “many ‘obstacles’ and ‘stumbling blocks’ on our way forward. It is unrealistic to think of a peaceful life without a struggle.” 向世界看，百年未有之大变局加速演进，中国面临的风险挑战明显增多。总书记审时度势：“我们前进的道路上有各种各样的‘拦路虎’、‘绊脚石’。”“总想过太平日子、不想斗争是不切实际的.”

This leads to a bit about “strategic leadership.” The piece tells us that Mao had said that leadership is when there is not yet a great deal of something obvious, when the top of the mast is barely visible; to see that it is going to grow into a great deal of something universal, and to grasp it.” This kind of leadership is strategic leadership. At the seminar on the spirit of the 6th Plenum Xi too spoke about attaching importance to strategic issues. “‘只有当着还没有出现大量的明显的东西的时候，当桅杆顶刚刚露出的时候，就能看出这是要发展成为大量的普遍的东西，并能掌握住它，这才叫领导。’毛泽东同志讲的这种领导，就是战略领导。”学习贯彻党的十九届六中全会精神专题研讨班上，习近平总书记深刻论述了“重视战略策略问题”.

The piece then says that during Xi’s visit to Shaanxi last year, he was taken by a quote on the wall of a cave-dwelling: “policies and strategies are the life of the party.” He wondered when had Mao had required cadres to study Guo Munro’s 甲申三百年祭.(Note: the book was published in 1944 and discusses the fall of the Ming dynasty.) Xi is then quoted as saying that Mao called for studying this book on the eve of the War of Resistance against Japan. Xi says that “the inevitable victory of the Chinese revolution can be found here. Foresight! From here Chairman Mao commanded both the north-west and the national campaign, and started thinking about what would happen after the establishment of the new regime.” 去年在陕北，窑洞墙上的一句话“政策和策略是党的生命”，令总书记印象深刻，并由此想到：“《甲申三百年祭》这本书，毛主席是什么时候让大家学的?” 一本评价李自成功过的历史书，彼时在重庆和延安遭遇了两种待遇。一方弃若敝屣；另一方，毛泽东同志读了深受震撼，将这本书列入整风学习文件之一. 那正是在抗日战争胜利前夕。得知这个时间，总书记感慨：“中国革命必然胜利在这里就能找到答案。高瞻远瞩啊！毛主席在这里既指挥西北战场，又指挥全国战场，同时考虑的还有新政权建立之后的事.”

The next bit is such a stereotype — which of course the Party would like to keep propagating — about how China’s communists are meticulous planners and that they think about time “not in terms of a decade or a hundred years, but in terms of a hundred or a thousand years.” 中国共产党对时间的理解，“不是以十年、百年为计，而是以百年、千年为计.” “在这里就能看出来，中国共产党人的这样一种风范，过去、现在、未来全部规划好、思虑到.”

This is followed by again going back to history and then to the present, connecting the “bean election” to the “ballot election” of today. 

Quick thought: The characterisation of events here is such a tremendous win for the normative idea of representative elections and democracy. Of course, it’s not like in practice the elections in China are transparent or free and fair. But just the fact that they need to be portrayed in the light as they are below informs about the power of the idea of free, fair, and representative elections. Of course, it is also part of the CCP’s effort to contest what it sees as the hegemony of Western notions of democracy, and perhaps also a dig at the chaos seen in the recent US elections. For Indians reading this, in this below, the CCP appears to be claiming that it holds the largest democratic elections in the world.

The piece talks about Xi Jinping voting on November 5 at a polling station in Huairentang, Zhongnanhai electoral district in Xicheng District.  It says that Xi “strode into Huairentang polling station” as “an ordinary voter who participated in the local people's congress election…In more than 2,800 counties (cities, districts) and more than 40,000 townships across the country, hundreds of millions of people also cast their solemn votes. As the world's largest grassroots democratic election, as some observers have called it, it was an effort in sifting through the desert with a sieve. It was as difficult as can be imagined, but yet in China this was conducted in an orderly manner. The most widespread and vivid practice of democracy is slowly spreading over more than 9.6 million square km of China.” 时光转眼间到了2021年11月5日，北京市区和乡镇两级人大代表换届选举投票日。习近平总书记大步走进西城区中南海选区怀仁堂投票站。他此刻的身份，是一位参加区人大代表选举投票的普通选民。总书记郑重投下了自己的一票. 全国2800多个县（市、区）、4万多个乡镇，亿万人民也投下了庄严的一票。作为世界上规模最大的基层民主选举，有观察者将其称为，仿佛用筛子筛了一遍沙漠，难度之大可想而知，却在中国有条不紊。最广泛、最生动的民主实践，在960多万平方公里上徐徐铺展.

After this, there’s a lot that talks about the virtue of China’s system of democracy, listening to the voices of the grassroots, the NPC being a space to hear views of different groups, democracy needing the work for the people. Martin Jacques gets quoted, and we get Xi’s comment about democracy not being an ornament, etc.

All this leads us to the second part of the response to the discussion in Yan’an that we began with, i.e., self-revolution. The piece says that in the 1945 history resolution, the word “error/mistake (错误)” appears 125 times. This is a profound summary of the lessons learned. The 1981 resolution clearly stated that “upholding truth and correcting mistakes” is the fundamental position of dialectical materialism that our Party must adopt. It then quotes the 2021 resolution as saying that “the Party is great not because it never makes mistakes, but because it always owns up to its errors, actively engages in criticism and self-criticism, and has the courage to confront problems and engage in self-revolution.” 细读文本，1945年《关于若干历史问题的决议》中，125次出现“错误”一词，对经验教训的总结极为深刻；1981年《关于建国以来党的若干历史问题的决议》明确提出，“坚持真理，修正错误”，这是我们党必须采取的辩证唯物主义的根本立场；2021年《中共中央关于党的百年奋斗重大成就和历史经验的决议》，将“坚持自我革命”列入百年奋斗的十条历史经验，鲜明宣示“党的伟大不在于不犯错误，而在于从不讳疾忌医，积极开展批评和自我批评，敢于直面问题，勇于自我革命”

After this, key moments when such sharp action of self-revolution was teken are identified. These include the 1929 Gutian Conference, which is paralleled with Xi’s PLA political work conference in Gutian. The Zunyi Conference and Xi’s tough remarks about self-discipline, corruption and integrity. One example that offers a flavour of the piece in this context:

In the winter of 2014, General Secretary Xi Jinping visited Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Province. A 74-year-old party member Cui Ronghai rushed up to Xi. "General secretary, how are you? You are the bane of corrupt elements and the blessing of the people of the whole country! Xi responded by saying that ‘it is only through unremitting efforts that we achieve 河清 and 朗朗乾坤’ (roughly: achieve the rare feat of ensuring political clarity and peace). It was also at this time that Xi had put forward the requirement of ‘strictly governing the party in an all-round way’ for the first time in the history of our party as an important part of the ‘four comprehensives’ strategic layout.” 2014年冬天，习近平总书记在江苏镇江市考察，74岁的老党员崔荣海挤上前来. “总书记，您好！您是腐败分子的克星，全国人民的福星!” “通过不懈努力换来海晏河清、朗朗乾坤。”总书记回答。正是在这次调研，习近平总书记在我们党历史上第一次提出“全面从严治党”，将其作为“四个全面”战略布局的重要组成部分.

We are then told that the CCDI’s 6th Plenum will continue to emphasise the importance of strict discipline. This is followed by a discussion on the importance of performance legitimacy, of being close to the masses and delivering on needs; about not having special interests; and about maintaining strict political discipline. The final bit has Mao talking about the centrality of the people; and then Xi talking about serving the people, and then this about historical confidence.

“Before addressing the topic of the cave-dwelling question at the second meeting of the sixth Plenary Session, Xi Jinping first talked about ‘strengthening historical confidence’. This is about the courage and sense of responsibility to break through the dynastic cycle, demonstrating the fearless spirit to move forward regardless of rain or shine. Looking back on the road traveled, there were so many difficulties and challenges, “it can be said that there were several moments of (returning from death’s door) 绝处逢生 and 柳暗花明 (glimmers of hope at the darkest hour).” Some people ask, where does the 100-year-old Party’s historical confidence come from? It comes from the firm belief of turning the ‘impossible’ into the ‘possible’, from the glorious suffering, from the journey of going from victory to victory in the 100-year history of the Party. It is not only the confidence drawn from the achievements of struggle, but also a confidence drawn from the spirit of struggle. General Secretary Xi Jinping sighed: ‘It is with such a spirit that the Communist Party of China has transformed an old China that was poor, weak and destitute into New China. We are no longer bullied, and we have become a great country, a powerful country.’ A new historical process has begun. On the time scale, the Chinese nation is on a new journey to achieve the second centenary goal…” 在党的十九届六中全会第二次全体会议，讲“窑洞之问”的话题前，习近平总书记首先谈到了“坚定历史自信”。它是破解历史周期率的勇毅担当，彰显着风雨无阻向前进的无畏气概。回首来时路，困难、挑战何其多，“可以说几度绝处逢生、几度柳暗花明”。有人问，百年大党的历史自信来自于哪？它来自把“不可能”变为“可能”的坚定信念，来自百年党史从胜利走向胜利的苦难辉煌，它既是对奋斗成就的自信，也是对奋斗精神的自信。习近平总书记感叹：“中国共产党就是凭着这么一股精神，把一个积贫积弱一穷二白的一个旧中国，建设成为了一个新中国。再也不受人欺负了，我们变成了一个大国、一个强国。”　新的历史进程开始了。时间刻度上，中华民族站在实现第二个百年奋斗目标的新征程上。以伟大自我革命引领伟大社会革命，以伟大社会革命促进伟大自我革命，在革命、建设、改革的恢弘实践中，党的自我革命成为无数伟大事业的开端.

Next, we have a story about Wang Qishan speaking to Emmanuel Bonne. Xinhua reports:

“Harmony in diversity is one of the experiences in the development of EU, which should also become the guiding principle for the relations between China and Europe,” said Wang, adding that China stands ready to cooperate with EU to champion the principle of mutual respect, opening and cooperation to achieve common prosperity. Noting that France holds the EU's rotating presidency in the first half of this year, Wang expressed the hope that France would lead EU to have a correct understanding of China, and independently develop relations and carry out cooperation with China.

Finally, Li Keqiang’s chat with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on bilateral ties and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership. Xinhua reports:

Economic and trade cooperation is an important area of bilateral cooperation, and bilateral trade has made great progress during the previous year, Li said, noting that China is willing to provide more customs clearance convenience for Vietnam's high-quality agricultural products. The entry into force of the RCEP agreement at the beginning of this year will help promote the free flow of regional economic factors, enhance the expansion and upgrading of trade and investment, and maintain the security and stability of industrial and supply chains, Li said. China stands ready to work with Vietnam and other RCEP members to push for the effective implementation of the agreement, promote the regional economic integration to a higher level and bring more benefits to the people in the region.

There’s been some stress on one part of the China-Vietnam border, at least as per some videos on social media, which the Indian press has picked up. Nothing, however, in this report by Xinhua.

Page 2: Two reports about Emmanuel Bonne’s visit. First, Liu He met with Bonne. Xinhua reports: “Liu and Bonne exchanged views on China-France and China-EU economic and financial cooperation, the global response to COVID-19, G20 financial issues, and climate change.” Second, a report about the 22nd China-France Strategic Dialogue between Bonne and Wang Yi.

Xinhua reports: The two sides had long and in-depth communication and candid exchanges, and both expressed the willingness to further give play to the strategic leading role of head-of-state diplomacy, highlight the pillar role of practical cooperation in bilateral relations, and leverage the exemplary role of China-France relations in China-EU relations to promote the sound and steady development of both China-France and China-EU relations.

Wang said that “the two countries should adhere to the independent diplomatic tradition, enhance mutual trust through dialogue and consultation…he expected that the two countries would jointly implement the consensus reached and ambitious goals set by the two heads of state to achieve mutual benefit and win-win results…They agreed to continue to promote cooperation on aviation, aerospace, agricultural and food products, nuclear energy, third-party markets, as well as green and digital fields, and explore cooperation on big data and cloud computing. Bonne said that the French side advocates adhering to the Olympic spirit and opposes the politicization of sports, and French athletes look forward to participating in the Beijing Winter Olympics.” –

Quick thought: There doesn’t seem to be any talk of a political delegation from France attending the Games opening though.

Also this:

“‘China supports the European integration, supports the EU’s development and growth, and supports EU playing a greater role in the international arena. No matter whether China-EU relations are in good times or encounter setbacks, this policy will not change,’ Wang said, adding that it is hoped that the EU will continue to adhere to a positive and practical policy towards China. Bonne said Europe will continue to adhere to its strategic independence, and Europe and China should further enhance mutual trust, advance cooperation, and continue to be high-standard cooperation partners. The French side will abide by the one-China principle.”

Among other issues mentioned are the pandemic, global governance, Iran, Afghanistan and Myanmar.

Finally, Wang Yi’s chat with UAE’s Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Xinhua reports:

“China appreciates the UAE’s understanding of and support for China’s legitimate propositions on issues concerning China’s core interests, Wang said, adding that China also supports the UAE in pursuing a development path suited to its national conditions. China always views its relations with the UAE from a strategic and long-term perspective and stands ready to work with the Arab country to continuously advance and deepen their comprehensive strategic partnership under the guidance of the leaders of the two countries, Wang said.”

Just to underscore my point about France and the Olympics above, in this story, Wang invited a political delegation from the UAE to attend the Olympics opening. Anyway, do also note this:

“Noting that the UAE and China are strategic partners as well as true friends in need, Sheikh Abdullah said that the UAE-China relationship has become a model of international relations. Both sides adhere to the principle of non-interference in other countries' internal affairs and believe that the fight against COVID-19 should be conducted in a scientific manner, said Sheikh Abdullah…Congratulating the UAE on serving as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, Wang said China is willing to work closely with the UAE to solve hotspot issues, maintain communication and coordination in the face of global challenges, and stick to and practice true multilateralism, as well as promote democracy in international relations, jointly defend regional peace and stability, protect the legitimate rights and interests of emerging markets, and safeguard international justice.”

Finally, although this is not in PD. It is worth noting that India and China issued a joint press release after the 14th round of Corps Commander level talks in Eastern Ladakh. That’s progress in itself, given that the last round ended with acrimony. The important bit in this joint press release is this:

“They agreed that both sides should follow the guidance provided by the State Leaders and work for the resolution of the remaining issues at the earliest. It was noted that this would help in restoration of peace and tranquility along the LAC in the Western Sector and enable progress in bilateral relations. The two sides also agreed to consolidate on the previous outcomes and take effective efforts to maintain the security and stability on the ground in the Western Sector including during winter. The two sides agreed to stay in close contact and maintain dialogue via military and diplomatic channels and work out a mutually acceptable resolution of the remaining issues at the earliest. In this context it was also agreed that the next round of the Commanders’ talks should be held at the earliest.” —

Quick thought: Maybe I am clutching at straws, but that first highlighted bit sounds like progress to me, with Beijing seemingly acknowledging New Delhi’s position that there can be no normalcy or progress in bilateral ties unless there is peace along the boundary. On the other hand, the second highlighted bit can be read as a dilution of the demand to return to the pre-April 2020 status quo.

Page 9: On the theory page, the lead piece is by Lin Zhaomu from China Academy of Microeconomics 中国宏观经济研究院. Lin talks about common prosperity being an “unswerving goal” of the Party and a “basic goal of Marxism”; however, this is a “long-term historical process.” He argues that “high-quality development is the foundation for common prosperity.” 

“Only by relying on the joint efforts of all the people, continuously promoting high-quality development, constantly creating and accumulating social wealth, making the pie bigger and better and improving the distribution of the pie through reasonable institutional arrangements can we steadily move towards the goal of common prosperity.” 只有依靠全国人民共同奋斗，持续推进高质量发展，不断创造和积累社会财富，把可分配的“蛋糕”做大做好，并通过合理的制度安排把“蛋糕”切好分好，才能稳步向共同富裕目标迈进.

This is really interesting then: 

“Whether the distribution system and distribution method are reasonable or not will directly affect the initiative and creativity of workers and business operators, thus affecting the speed and quality of development. In the new stage of development, improving the distribution system and methods according to the requirements of promoting common prosperity will promote high-quality development. On the supply side, scientific and technological innovation has increasingly become the most active and important driving force promoting and supporting modern productivity and industrial transformation. Perfecting the income distribution system, so that all kinds of talents can enjoy reasonable returns, is conducive to stimulating the innovation and creativity of workers, business managers and all kinds of talents, thereby stimulating greater innovation and creativity. On the demand side, insufficient demand is the main factor inhibiting global economic growth. China has a population of more than 1.4 billion, and there is still much room and potential for domestic demand by focusing on expanding consumption. To turn potential demand into actual demand, it is necessary to promote high-quality development and continuously increase residents’ income. At the same time, we need to narrow the gap between income and wealth distribution through a series of measures to promote common prosperity, continue to expand the middle-income group, and achieve mutual reinforcement between high-quality development and common prosperity.” 分配对生产、分配关系对生产力有促进或束缚其发展的反作用。分配制度、分配方式合理与否，直接影响劳动者和企业经营者积极性主动性创造性的发挥，从而会影响发展速度和发展质量。在新发展阶段，按照促进共同富裕的要求完善分配制度和方式，会对高质量发展产生促进作用。从供给方面看，科技创新日益成为现代生产力和产业变革中最活跃、最重要的引领和支撑力量。完善收入分配制度，使各类人才获得合理回报，有利于激发劳动者、企业经营者和各类人才的创新创造积极性，激发更大的创新创造活力。从需求方面看，需求不足是制约全球经济增长的主要因素。我国有14亿多人口，以扩大消费为主的内需空间和潜力还很大。把潜在需求转化为现实需求，需要推动高质量发展，不断提高居民收入；同时需要通过促进共同富裕的一系列举措，缩小收入和财富分配差距，继续扩大中等收入群体，实现高质量发展和共同富裕互相促进.

In the next section of the piece, he talks about adhering to the basic socialist economic system and improving the distribution system. Note, he does not talk about tertiary distribution at all and neither is his emphasis on redistribution.

Primary distribution is the main source of people’s income, as well as the main way to raise the income of low-income groups, expand the middle-income group, and create opportunities for more people to get rich. To improve the primary distribution system, we should adhere to the principle of distribution according to work and the coexistence of various distribution modes, correctly handle the relationship between efficiency and fairness, increase the proportion of labor remuneration in the primary distribution, and improve the mechanism for market evaluation of determining the remuneration for labor, capital, land, knowledge, technology, management, data and other production factors according to their contribution. 初次分配是人们获得收入的主要来源，也是提高低收入群体收入、扩大中等收入群体、为更多人创造致富机会的主要途径。完善初次分配制度，要坚持按劳分配为主体、多种分配方式并存，正确处理效率和公平的关系，提高劳动报酬在初次分配中的比重，健全劳动、资本、土地、知识、技术、管理、数据等生产要素由市场评价贡献、按贡献决定报酬的机制。

Labor is an important source of material wealth, the creator of new value in products and services and a primary factor of production. In the initial distribution, distribution according to work is the main body, and it is necessary to properly handle the relationship between income from capital and labor, implement the mechanism of getting more for doing more work, improve the wage determination and normal growth mechanism, and improve the collective wage negotiation system in enterprises, so as to realise the simultaneous improvement of labor remuneration while improving labor productivity and protect the legitimate rights and interests of workers. This is not only conducive to giving full play to the enthusiasm of workers to promote enterprise development, but also conducive to the realisation of both labor and capital benefits. Although the primary distribution plays a major role in the market mechanism, it also needs to give consideration to efficiency and fairness. For example, to increase the proportion of labor remuneration in the initial distribution, it is necessary to strengthen the employment priority orientation in high-quality development, stabilise and expand employment, improve employment quality and promote full employment. There is a shortage of supply of high-end technical talents and senior technicians in China, while in traditional industries there is an oversupply of labour. It is necessary to speed up the development of all levels and types of education, including vocational education and lifelong vocational skills training, promote education equity, generally improve people’s education level, and enhance human capital and human development ability. Entrepreneurship and innovation to get rich can drive more people to start their own businesses and get employed… 劳动是物质财富的重要源泉，是产品和服务中新价值的创造者，是首要的生产要素。在初次分配中体现按劳分配为主体，需要处理好资本所得和劳动所得的关系，贯彻多劳多得，健全工资决定和正常增长机制，完善企业工资集体协商制度，在劳动生产率提高的同时实现劳动报酬同步提高，保障劳动者合法权益。这既有利于充分发挥劳动者推动企业发展的积极性，也有利于实现劳资两利。初次分配虽然是市场机制起主要作用，但也要兼顾效率和公平。比如，提高劳动报酬在初次分配中的比重，需要在高质量发展中强化就业优先导向，稳定和扩大就业，提升就业质量，促进充分就业。我国高端技术技能人才和高级技工供不应求、传统行业中低端岗位劳动力供给过剩的就业结构性矛盾突出，需要加快发展包括职业教育和终身职业技能培训在内的各级各类教育，促进教育公平，普遍提高人民受教育水平，增强人力资本和人的发展能力。创业创新致富能带动更多人创业就业，是先富带后富、帮后富的重要形式，我们要给予鼓励和支持，重点鼓励辛勤劳动、合法经营、敢于创业的致富带头人.

On redistribution, Lin writes that:

“it is necessary to strengthen the regulation and precision of policies related to taxation, social security, transfer payments, etc…While protecting property rights and intellectual property rights and lawful incomes and wealth, it is necessary to strengthen the regulation and regulation of high income, rationally regulate excessive income through taxation, and encourage high-income individuals and enterprises to give more to society. At the same time, rectify the order of income distribution, clean up and regulate unreasonable income and ban illegal income. Promoting the equalisation of basic public services and the construction of a social security system are important aspects of national income redistribution. It is important to adhere to gradual and orderly progress, coordinate needs and possibilities, build the protection and improvement of people’s livelihood on the basis of economic development and financial sustainability, and focus on strengthening the basic, inclusive and comprehensive construction of people’s livelihood security.” 有必要加大税收、社保、转移支付等调节力度并提高精准性，在保护产权和知识产权、保护合法致富的同时，加强对高收入的规范和调节，通过税收合理调节过高收入，鼓励高收入人群和企业更多回报社会。同时，整顿收入分配秩序，清理规范不合理收入，取缔非法收入。推进基本公共服务均等化和社会保障体系建设，是国民收入再分配的重要方面。应坚持循序渐进，统筹需要和可能，把保障和改善民生建立在经济发展和财力可持续的基础之上，重点加强基础性、普惠性、兜底性民生保障建设。促进农民农村共同富裕，是全体人民共同富裕的难点和重点.

He ends with talking about tertiary distribution, saying that this should be “based on the voluntary actions of members of society, with the national taxation policy providing appropriate encouragement, but without any compulsion.” 第三次分配基于社会成员自觉自愿的行动，国家税收政策可以给予适当鼓励，但不带任何强制性.

Other Stories:

On the International page, we have a report drawing from the NYT’s investigation into the underestimation of civilian casualties from US airstrikes. There’s also a report about CSTO forces withdrawing from Kazakhstan.