Xi Calls for 'Normal Passage' Through Strait of Hormuz - Li Outlines China's Energy Security Approach - Zhong Sheng to Philippines: No Separating Territorial Disputes from Trade Arrangements
Here are the key reports and articles from the People’s Daily’s edition on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
Page 1: The key report on the front page today is on Xi Jinping’s conversation with Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman. The Chinese readout says:
“President Xi noted that China attaches great importance to growing its relations with Saudi Arabia, and always upholds the principle of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the China-Saudi Arabia comprehensive strategic partnership. Taking it as an opportunity, China stands ready to work with Saudi Arabia to deepen mutual strategic trust, enhance practical cooperation, expand exchanges at all levels, continuously increase the scope and depth of our bilateral relations, and set a fine example for the relations between China and Arab states. On the current situation in the Middle East and the Gulf region, President Xi emphasized that China calls for an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire, supports all efforts conducive to restoring peace, and stands for resolving disputes through political and diplomatic means. The Strait of Hormuz should maintain normal passage, as this serves the common interests of regional countries and the international community. China supports regional countries in building a common home of good-neighborliness, development, security and cooperation, holding their future in their own hands, and promoting lasting peace and security in the region. Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman noted that the relationship between Saudi Arabia and China is strategic in nature, and growing ties with China is of vital importance to Saudi Arabia. The current warfare in the Middle East undermines the security of the Gulf states and severely disrupts global energy supplies and economic performance. Saudi Arabia is committed to resolving disputes and differences through dialogue and hopes to prevent further escalation. China is a responsible major country that consistently upholds a just position and supports Middle Eastern countries in pursuing good-neighborliness, dialogue and cooperation. Saudi Arabia is ready to strengthen communication and coordination with China to maintain the ceasefire, prevent the resumption of hostilities, ensure the safety and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, and work together to find a pathway to lasting peace and stability in the region.”
Next, there’s a report on Li Qiang leading a State Council group study session on energy development. The meeting’s theme was: “Coordinating Energy Security with Green and Low-Carbon Transition, and Accelerating the Construction of a New Energy System”.
Tang Guangfu, from the Chinese Academy of Engineering and Director of the Huairou National Laboratory, delivered a presentation during the session. Vice premiers Ding Xuexiang, Zhang Guoqing and Liu Guozhong also delivered speeches at the meeting.
“After listening to the lecture and the remarks, Li Qiang pointed out that raising the level of energy security is an important foundation for building a strong energy country. At present, the international situation is undergoing profound changes, and China’s total energy consumption is continuing to grow; given this, we must maintain a sense of vigilance, adhere to bottom-line thinking, and continuously strengthen the resilience of the energy system and its security assurance capabilities.” 李强在听取讲解和交流发言后指出，提高能源安全水平是建设能源强国的重要基础。当前国际局势深刻变化，我国能源消费总量持续增长，必须保持忧患意识，坚持底线思维，不断增强能源体系韧性和安全保障能力.
“Li Qiang noted that the key to taking the initiative in energy security lies in further optimising and adjusting the energy structure, strengthening innovation in energy technology, accelerating the construction of a new type of energy system, and driving a green and low-carbon transformation in energy production and consumption models.李强指出，把握能源安全主动，关键是进一步优化调整能源结构，强化能源科技创新，加快建设新型能源体系，推动能源生产消费模式绿色低碳变革.
It is necessary fully tap the supply potential of renewable energy, adhere to a whole-nation-as-one-chessboard approach, and accelerate the construction of clean energy bases including wind and solar power in the northwest, hydropower in the southwest, and offshore wind power in the eastern regions; vigorously develop distributed photovoltaics and decentralised wind power, develop biomass energy, geothermal energy, and ocean energy in accordance with local conditions, and promote the integrated and converged development of new energy. 要充分挖掘可再生能源供给潜力，坚持全国一盘棋，加快推进西北地区风电光伏、西南地区水电、东部地区海上风电等清洁能源基地建设，大力发展分布式光伏、分散式风电，因地制宜开发生物质能、地热能、海洋能，促进新能源集成融合开发.
It is necessary to continuously raise the level of clean and efficient utilisation of fossil energy, accelerate the energy-saving and carbon-reduction retrofitting of existing coal-fired power units, and drive the transformation of coal-fired power toward serving equally as both a foundational backstop power source and a system-regulating power source. 要不断提升化石能源清洁高效利用水平，加快现役煤电机组节能降碳改造，推动煤电向基础保障性和系统调节性电源并重转型.
It is necessary to accelerate the construction of new-type power grids, actively explore new architectures, new technologies, and new services; increase investment in optimising the layout of power transmission corridors, strengthening backbone network construction, building new-type power distribution systems, and improving energy storage and charging facilities; use AI to empower the digital and intelligent transformation of power grids; consolidate network foundations; enhance system coordination and regulation capabilities; and build a new-type power grid that is safe and reliable, green and low-carbon, robust and resilient, intelligent and flexible, so as to better guarantee the diversified energy needs of high-quality development. 要加快推进新型电网建设，积极探索新架构、新技术、新服务，在优化输电通道布局、加强骨干网络建设、构建新型配电系统、完善储能和充电设施等方面加大投入，运用人工智能赋能电网数智化转型，夯实网络基础，提升系统协同和调节能力，打造安全可靠、绿色低碳、坚强韧性、智能灵活的新型电网，更好保障高质量发展对能源的多元化需求.
Li Qiang emphasised that coordinating energy security and energy transition is a systematic project that requires deepening reform and innovation of institutional mechanisms, fully mobilising the enthusiasm of all parties, and releasing the vitality of energy development. It is necessary to improve relevant standards and certification systems, enrich scenario applications, and enable the creators and users of green energy to realize green value through the market. We must also deeply advance the construction of a nationally unified large market in the electricity sector, form mechanisms for market access, supervision, and pricing that are compatible with the direction of new-type energy system construction, and allow more market entities and electricity users to benefit from electricity trading.” 李强强调，统筹能源安全与转型是一项系统工程，需要深化体制机制改革创新，充分调动各方面积极性，释放能源发展活力。要完善相关标准和认证体系，丰富场景应用，使绿色能源创造者和使用者能够通过市场兑现绿色价值。要深入推进电力领域的全国统一大市场建设，形成与新型能源体系建设方向相适应的准入、监管、定价等机制，让更多经营主体和电力用户在电力交易中受益.
Next, there’s a report informing that the NPC will hold a standing committee session from April 27 to 30 in Beijing. This is the agenda:
Laws to be discussed
Prison Law (revised draft)
Social Assistance Law (draft)
Medical Security Law (draft)
Farmland Protection and Quality Improvement Law (draft)
State-Owned Enterprise Assets Law (revised draft) — submitted by the NPC Financial and Economic Committee
Agriculture Law (revised draft) — submitted by the NPC Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee
National Defense Mobilization Law (revised draft) — submitted by the State Council and the Central Military Commission
Water Law (revised draft) — submitted by the State Council
International treaties:
Treaty between the PRC and Azerbaijan on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters
Treaty of Permanent Good-Neighbourliness, Friendship, and Cooperation between the PRC and the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Republic of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and the Republic of Uzbekistan
委员长会议建议，十四届全国人大常委会第二十二次会议审议监狱法修订草案、社会救助法草案、医疗保障法草案、耕地保护和质量提升法草案；审议全国人大财政经济委员会关于提请审议企业国有资产法修订草案的议案；审议全国人大农业与农村委员会关于提请审议农业法修订草案的议案；审议国务院、中央军事委员会关于提请审议国防动员法修订草案的议案；审议国务院关于提请审议水法修订草案的议案；审议国务院关于提请审议批准《中华人民共和国和阿塞拜疆共和国关于刑事司法协助的条约》的议案、关于提请审议批准《中华人民共和国和哈萨克斯坦共和国、吉尔吉斯共和国、塔吉克斯坦共和国、土库曼斯坦、乌兹别克斯坦共和国永久睦邻友好合作条约》的议案.
Page 3: There’s a Zhong Sheng commentary today, lashing out at the Philippines. The argument is that while Manila has been sending signals that it wants to restart oil and gas cooperation with China, it has not ceased “infringing provocations in the South China Sea” and has rather “intensified them”. The Philippines “wants both to pull China in as an ‘emergency support’ economically, while at the same time stirring trouble on issues that concern China’s core interests.” 近段时间，菲律宾频频释放希望同中国重启油气合作的声音。然而，就在高谈“合作”的同时，菲方在南海的侵权挑衅不仅没有停止，反而变本加厉，既想在经济上拉中国“应急”，又在关乎中国核心利益的问题上生事滋扰.
“The Philippines has recently been encountering a severe energy crisis. As the spillover effects of the Middle East conflict expand, the Philippines, whose energy structure is singular and highly dependent on oil imports from the Middle East, has been heavily impacted amid turbulence in global energy supply. At the end of last month, the Philippines officially announced that the entire country had entered a state of energy emergency. Faced with a series of thorny problems that directly impact the economy and people’s livelihood, the Philippine government is eager to find ways to break the impasse and extricate itself from difficulty. It is precisely out of this practical consideration that Philippine leaders have not only publicly thanked the Chinese side for ‘providing great assistance in fertilisers’, but also made a high-profile statement of being ‘open’ to restarting Philippines-China oil and gas negotiations.” 菲律宾近期正遭遇严峻的能源危机。随着中东战事外溢效应扩大，能源结构单一、石油高度依赖中东进口的菲律宾，在全球能源供应动荡中备受冲击。上个月底，菲律宾正式宣布全国进入能源紧急状态。面对一系列直接冲击经济民生的棘手难题，菲律宾政府急于寻找破局解困的办法。正是出于这一现实考量，菲律宾领导人不仅公开感谢中方“在化肥方面给予很大帮助”，还高调表示对重启菲中油气谈判“持开放态度”.
“However, no sooner had these calls for ‘cooperation’ faded than the Philippines began engaging in a succession of petty provocations regarding the South China Sea issue. The Philippine President signed an executive order unilaterally announcing the renaming of 131 maritime features located within China’s Nansha Islands (Spratly Islands) in the South China Sea. The Philippine side assembled a large fleet of vessels to forcibly intrude into the training and exercise zones under Chinese jurisdiction near Huangyan Island (Scarborough Shoal), manufacturing incidents under the guise of ‘fishing’ and engaging in sensationalist propaganda. The Philippine side illegally harassed Chinese fishing vessels engaged in normal fishing, seized fishermen’s livelihood supplies, and even staged a so-called ‘cyanide’ farce. The Philippine military also fabricated facts and made counter-accusations, falsely claiming that Chinese naval vessels used fire-control radar against Philippine vessels near Xianbin Jiao (Sabina Shoal), in a blatant attempt to manipulate public opinion. Moreover, the Philippines has not ceased its manoeuvres to collude with other nations to destabilise regional security. Recently, the Philippines held large-scale ‘Balikatan’ joint military exercises with the United States and Japan. This marked the first time in over 80 years, since the end of World War II, that Japanese combat personnel have set foot on Philippine soil.” 然而，所谓“合作”之声未落，菲律宾在南海问题上的小动作却接二连三。菲总统签署行政命令，单方面宣布将重新命名位于中国南海南沙群岛内的131个海洋地物。菲方纠集大量船只冲闯中方在黄岩岛附近管辖海域内的演训区，打着“捕鱼”的幌子制造事端、煽宣炒作。菲方非法侵扰正常捕鱼的中国渔船，抢夺渔民生活物资，还自导自演所谓“氰化物”闹剧。菲律宾军方还捏造事实、倒打一耙，诬称中国海军舰艇在仙宾礁附近对菲舰艇使用火控雷达，大搞舆论操弄。此外，菲律宾勾连他国搅乱地区安全的动作也没有停息。日前，菲律宾同美、日举行大规模“肩并肩”联合军演。这是二战结束80多年来，日本作战人员首次踏上菲律宾本土.
“The obviously self-contradictory words and actions expose the opportunistic tendency of Philippine politicians who bet on both sides. In fact, Philippine President Marcos had already stated as early as 2022 that he was ‘interested in restarting joint oil and gas development with China in the South China Sea.’ However, the reality over the past few years has been that the Philippine side has spared no effort to bring in extra-regional forces and continuously manufacture incidents in the South China Sea. On the one hand, in security matters they place their bets on extra-regional allies who seem to fear nothing more than a tranquil South China Sea; on the other hand, in economic and trade matters they have no choice but to rely on cooperation with China. Philippine politicians call this ‘separating territorial disputes from trade arrangements’. When infringing on the interests of neighbouring countries, they have no scruples, yet they expect those same neighbours to give them a helping hand at critical moments: what kind of logic is that under heaven?” 明显自相矛盾的言行，暴露出菲律宾政客两头下注的投机做派。事实上，菲律宾总统马科斯早在2022年就曾表示，“有意重启对华南海油气联合开发”。然而几年来的现实却是，菲方不遗余力引入域外力量，在南海持续制造事端。一方面在安全问题上押注于唯恐南海不乱的域外盟友，另一方面在经贸上又不得不依赖对华合作，菲律宾政客将之称为把“领土争端和贸易安排区分开来”。侵犯邻国利益时毫无顾忌，却指望邻国在关键时刻拉自己一把，天底下哪有这样的道理?
(My note: I wonder if the authors have read recent Chinese views on the boundary issue with India, where Beijing constantly tells New Delhi that the boundary dispute should not define broader bilateral ties. To quote the Chinese ambassador: “We should not allow the boundary question that was left over from the past to define the current China-India relations, nor let specific differences affect comprehensive bilateral cooperation.” You cannot have it both ways. You cannot criticise the Philippines for wanting to pursue “separating territorial disputes from trade arrangements” while arguing the same with others.)
“As a nation with limited capacity to withstand external risks, the Philippines has not only failed to focus its energies on development but has instead obstinately chosen to wade into the murky waters of geopolitics. Such shortsighted behaviour serves only to repeatedly push the country to the mouth of the wind and the tip of the waves. History offers ample lessons; it is high time for Philippine politicians to clearly discern, and fully comprehend, precisely what course of action truly serves to safeguard their national interests. 作为一个抵御外部风险能力脆弱的国家，菲律宾不仅未能潜心谋发展，反而执意蹚地缘政治的浑水，这种短视行为只会让菲律宾一次次被推向风口浪尖。历史教训已经不少，菲律宾政客们也应该从中看清楚、想明白，到底如何行事才是真正维护国家利益.
“Neighbouring countries cannot be moved away; handling relations well is the correct solution. If the Philippine side truly has the interests of its own people at heart and hopes to improve relations with China, it should think through the issues from the root, recalibrate the overall positioning of China–Philippines relations at the strategic level, and cease all provocative and disruptive actions. The Chinese side attaches importance to the Philippine side’s expressed desire to stabilise relations and strengthen dialogue, and hopes the Philippine side will move in the same direction as China, taking concrete actions to create the necessary conditions and atmosphere for stabilising and improving bilateral relations.” 周边邻国搬不走，好好打交道是正解。如果菲方真心为本国人民着想，希望改善同中国的关系，就应从根子上把问题想明白，从战略上校准中菲关系的整体定位，在行动中停止挑衅生事。中方重视菲方关于稳定关系、加强对话的愿望，希望菲方同中方相向而行，采取实际行动为双边关系企稳改善创造必要条件和氛围.
Also on the page is a report on He Lifeng meeting with Myron Brilliant, senior advisor to the U.S. consulting firm Albright Stonebridge Group. Xinhua says:
“He said that China’s economy got off to a good start in the first quarter this year, with major indicators registering relatively solid growth, which demonstrated the strong resilience and stability of the Chinese economy. It is hoped that Albright Stonebridge Group would continue to play an active role in promoting the stable, healthy and sustainable development of China-U.S. economic and trade relations, the vice premier added. Brilliant said that a sound and stable economic and trade relationship between the United States and China is beneficial to both countries and the world, while expressing readiness to serve as a bridge in further promoting the deepening of economic and trade cooperation between the two countries.”
Page 4: There’s a report informing that the central-level working group for the study and education campaign on establishing and practicing the correct view of political achievements, together with the General Office of the CCDI, publicly circulated a notice regarding problems, including the distorted and misaligned view of political achievements, deception of the organization, and infringement of the interests of the masses by Ren Yu, former Chairman of the Board and Party Committee Secretary, and Zhao Baohui, former Chief Accountant and Party Committee member, of China Aviation Supplies Holding Company. 日前，中央层面树立和践行正确政绩观学习教育工作专班、中央纪委办公厅公开通报中国航空器材集团有限公司（以下简称中国航材）原董事长、党委书记任宇，原总会计师、党委委员赵保辉等政绩观扭曲错位、欺瞒组织、侵害群众利益等问题.
Upon investigation, it was found that on March 21, 2024, while returning to China via transfer at Frankfurt Airport in Germany on official business, Ren Yu, Zhao Baohui, and accompanying personnel Su, Wu, Jiao, Cui, and Li, were involved in the following. Ren Yu, Zhao Baohui, and five others gathered in the airline business-class lounge and drank alcohol provided by the lounge. Zhao Baohui became severely intoxicated and was refused boarding by service personnel of Air China. Ren Yu pressured the flight crew, strongly demanding that the entire group be allowed to board, causing a delay of 68 minutes and triggering passenger complaints. Ren Yu and Zhao Baohui also violated regulations by upgrading to first class.
After returning to China, Ren Yu, Zhao Baohui, and other group members concealed the facts and did not report the situation truthfully. In November 2024, after learning of the drunkenness of members of the leadership team, Tang, Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission of China Aviation Supplies, did not report it to the organization. In March 2026, when higher-level organizations investigated the matter, Ren Yu, Zhao Baohui, and others provided false information to the SASAC of the State Council; Tang did not verify the relevant circumstances and provided false information to the Discipline Inspection and Supervision Group of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Supervisory Commission stationed at the SASAC of the State Council. At the same time, investigation and verification found that personnel of Air China’s operations center—Hu, Jia, Xu, Xiao and others—failed to adhere to principles and, in violation of regulations, allowed intoxicated persons to board, while Gu failed in supervisory duty. Personnel of Air China’s marketing department, Gao and others, violated regulations by treating the relevant China Aviation Supplies personnel as VIP passengers and giving them priority for cabin upgrades.
经查，2024年3月21日，任宇、赵保辉以及同行人员苏某某、伍某某、焦某、崔某、李某等7人因公在德国法兰克福机场回国转机期间，任宇、赵保辉等6人在航空公务舱休息室聚众饮用休息室提供的酒水，赵保辉严重醉酒，被中国国际航空股份有限公司（以下简称国航）服务人员拒绝登机。任宇向机组人员施压，强烈要求全团登机，造成航班延误68分钟，引发旅客投诉。任宇、赵保辉还违规升舱至头等舱。回国后，任宇、赵保辉等团组成员隐瞒事实、未如实报告情况。中国航材纪委书记唐某2024年11月了解到班子成员醉酒情况后不向组织报告。2026年3月，上级组织对此事进行调查，任宇、赵保辉等人向国务院国资委提供虚假情况，唐某对有关情况未作核实，向中央纪委国家监委驻国务院国资委纪检监察组（以下简称驻国务院国资委纪检监察组）提供虚假情况。同时，经调查核实，国航运行中心胡某、贾某某、徐某某、肖某等人未坚持原则、违反规定允许醉酒人员登机，顾某工作失察；国航市场营销部高某等人违反规定将中国航材有关人员作为要客并优先予以升舱.
After the investigations, these were the outcomes:
Ren Yu and Zhao Baohui were given sanctions of removal from Party positions and removal from administrative posts
Su, Wu, Jiao, and Cui were given serious warnings within the Party and major demerits in administrative sanctions
Tang was given a serious warning within the Party and a major administrative demerit and was transferred away from discipline inspection posts
Hu and Jia were given serious warnings within the Party and administrative demotions
Xu, Xiao, and Gao were given Party warnings and administrative demerits
Gu was given a Party warning
The report essentially argues that this incident is not a one-off issue. Fundamentally, it points to weak Party discipline and loyalty, disregard for the 8-point regulations, habitual privilege-seeking and bureaucratic arrogance, people having a distorted view of political achievements, prioritising self-interest and image over responsibility and public interest.
What is needed to address this? The report says:
“At present, the study and education campaign on establishing and practicing the correct view of political achievements is being carried out in a thorough and solid manner. Party organizations at all levels should take this as a mirror and draw lessons from it, and with the courage to turn the blade inward and face problems directly, advance learning, inspection, and rectification as an integrated manner, and tackle problems of deviant views on political achievements with real seriousness and determination. It is necessary to deepen ideological study and discussion, strengthen warning through cases, and educate and guide the broad masses of Party members and cadres, especially leading cadres, to enhance Party spirit cultivation, consolidate loyalty to the Party, strictly observe political discipline and political rules, and consolidate the ideological foundation for establishing and practicing a correct view of political achievements. It is necessary to thoroughly investigate and identify problems, earnestly implement the requirements of the ‘three comparisons’, comprehensively examine problems of deviation in views of political achievements, dare to touch the depths of the soul, dare to expose shortcomings and ugliness, and ensure that they are not diluted, not evaded, and not concealed, finding gaps from the perspective of Party spirit, identifying root causes, and strengthening self-cultivation. It is necessary to carry out strict and solid rectification, earnestly correct and rectify problems of deviation in views of political achievements, correcting immediately upon awareness and taking action without delay. Regarding issues such as feigning compliance while secretly defying the Party Central Committee’s decisions and deployments, or disregarding and infringing upon the interests of the masses, particularly instances of flagrant violations of rules and discipline, we must consistently identify and address typical cases, catch offenders in the act, and publicly circulate notifications of these infractions. It is essential to tighten and consolidate the chain of responsibility, urging leading cadres at all levels, especially top leaders, to lead by example, exercise strict self-discipline, shoulder their responsibilities rigorously, and strictly supervise their subordinates. We must hold accountable, with the utmost seriousness and absolutely no leniency, those who correct and reoffend or conceal and fail to report violations.” 当前，树立和践行正确政绩观学习教育正在深入扎实开展。各级党组织要以此为鉴、汲取教训，以刀刃向内、直面问题的勇气一体推进学查改，动真碰硬解决政绩观偏差问题。要深化学习研讨，强化以案示警，教育引导广大党员、干部特别是领导干部增强党性修养、筑牢对党忠诚，严守政治纪律和政治规矩，夯实树立和践行正确政绩观的思想根基要深入查摆问题，认真落实“三个对照”要求，全面查摆政绩观偏差方面存在的问题，敢于触及灵魂深处、敢于揭短亮丑，做到不淡化、不回避、不遮掩，从党性上找差距、查根源、强修养.要从严从实整改，认真纠治整改政绩观偏差问题，即知即改、立行立改。对贯彻落实党中央决策部署阳奉阴违、漠视侵害群众利益等问题特别是顶风违规违纪的，坚持抓典型抓现行抓通报。要压紧压实责任，督促各级领导干部特别是“一把手”以身作则，严于律己、严负其责、严管所辖，对边纠边犯、隐瞒不报的严肃追责问责，决不姑息迁就.
Also on the page is a brief report informing that last year, Chinese courts accepted 552,600 new intellectual property cases of various types and concluded 539,600 cases. Importantly, “the courts concluded 64,000 first-instance civil cases involving technology-related intellectual property; the people’s courts have intensified technological protection in fields such as integrated circuits, industrial machine tools, high-end instrumentation, foundational software, advanced materials, and bio-manufacturing.” 最高人民法院4月20日发布的《中国法院知识产权司法保护状况（2025年）》显示：去年，人民法院新收各类知识产权案件55.26万件，审结53.96万件。审限内结案率、上诉率、民事调解撤诉率等主要质效指标持续向好，审判运行态势稳健。其中，审结技术类知识产权民事一审案件6.4万件，人民法院加强对集成电路、工业母机、高端仪器、基础软件、先进材料、生物制造等领域的技术保护，取得良好效果.