Here are the stories and pieces that I found noteworthy from the Tuesday, January 17, 2023, edition of the People’s Daily.

Page 1: The top story on the page is about Xi Jinping’s meeting with non-CPC members ahead of Chinese New Year. Xinhua English also has a detailed report. It says that:

“Xi extended congratulations to the newly-elected leaderships of the central committees of eight non-CPC political parties and the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC)...The year 2023 is the first full year for studying and implementing the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress, with hopes and challenges alongside each other, Xi said, calling for concerted efforts to advance Chinese modernization.”

Xi thanked the attendees, saying that “the year 2022 was extremely significant in the development history of the Party and the country. The year also marked the centenary of the CPC's clear identification of its united front policy. The democratic parties have carried out in-depth learning on the theme of ‘following the party unswervingly and forging ahead hand-in-hand in the new era’ and not forgetting the initial intention of cooperation, carrying forward fine traditions, and strengthening ideological and political consensus. The central committees of non-CPC political parties and personages without party affiliation carried out in-depth surveys and democratic oversight on important issues concerning reform, development, and stability. Their efforts had helped the CPC Central Committee make sound decisions and effectively implement them. The ACFIC boosted the implementation of the ‘10,000 Enterprises Helping 10,000 Villages’ campaign, guiding private enterprises in actively fulfilling their social responsibilities and pursuing high-quality development.” 习近平指出，2022年是党和国家发展史上极为重要的一年，也是我们党明确提出统一战线政策100周年。各民主党派深入开展“矢志不渝跟党走、携手奋进新时代”政治交接主题教育，不忘合作初心、弘扬优良传统，思想政治共识更加牢固。各民主党派中央和无党派人士围绕改革发展稳定中的重大课题深入调研、开展民主监督，为中共中央科学决策、有效施策提供了重要参考。全国工商联推动实施“万企兴万村”行动，引导民营企业积极履行社会责任、实现高质量发展。他代表中共中央向大家表示衷心感谢.

He then added: “Adhering to the leadership of the CPC and always working with the CPC with one heart and one mind is the fundamental political foundation of multi-party cooperation. The primary political responsibility of the new central leadership of the democratic parties is to carry on the political legacy, deepen political consensus, and always maintain the political essence of unity and struggle.” 习近平强调，坚持中国共产党领导，始终同中国共产党同心同德、团结奋斗，是多党合作的根本政治基础。各民主党派中央新一届领导班子第一位的政治责任，就是传承政治薪火、深化政治共识，始终保持同心同德、团结奋斗的政治本色。

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Xi called on all non-CPC party members to study the spirit of the 20th Party Congress as a major task to enhance political transition. He also called on them to strengthen ideological and political guidance and guide the masses to strengthen the four consciousnesses and strengthen the four self-confidences and work to achieve the two safeguards in the context of their engagements with the people. 希望大家把学习贯彻中共二十大精神作为深化政治交接的重要内容，加强思想政治引领，引导广大成员和所联系群众增强“四个意识”、坚定“四个自信”、做到“两个维护”，把思想和行动统一到中共二十大作出的重大决策部署上来.

“It is necessary to consolidate and expand the achievements from the Party history learning campaign, launch a new round of thematic education activities in a timely manner, and constantly enhance the political, ideological, theoretical and emotional identification with the Communist Party of China and Socialism with Chinese characteristics.” 要巩固拓展中共党史学习教育成果，适时开展新一轮主题教育活动，不断增进对中国共产党领导和中国特色社会主义的政治认同、思想认同、理论认同、情感认同.

In the next paragraph, the report says that “Xi Jinping pointed out that to realise the central task of comprehensively building a modern socialist country and promoting the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese-style modernisation requires the united efforts of the whole country. I hope that all democratic parties will combine the strengths of multi-party cooperation with the needs of the overall situation of the central government, gather wisdom in participating in and discussing state affairs, make suggestions in democratic supervision, offer sound advice during political party consultations, and act as good advisers, helpers and colleagues of CPC. It is necessary to focus on major issues, such as building a new development pattern, implementing the ‘two unwaverings’ and solidly promoting common prosperity, conduct in-depth investigations and studies, and actively make suggestions. It is necessary to enrich forms, broaden channels, and constantly improve the pertinence and effectiveness of democratic supervision. It is necessary to guide the broad masses of members and the people they contact to strengthen their confidence, enhance their fighting spirit, and bravely overcome difficulties and obstacles on the road ahead. The ACFIC should promote the effectiveness of the bail-out policy for enterprises, help private enterprises solve practical difficulties and enhance their confidence in the development of the private economy.” 习近平指出，实现全面建成社会主义现代化强国、以中国式现代化全面推进中华民族伟大复兴的中心任务，需要全国上下团结奋斗。希望各民主党派把多党合作所长与中心大局所需结合起来，在参政议政中聚众智，在民主监督中建诤言，在政党协商中献良策，做中国共产党的好参谋、好帮手、好同事。要聚焦构建新发展格局、落实“两个毫不动摇”、扎实推进共同富裕等重大问题，深入开展调查研究，积极建言献策。要丰富形式、拓宽渠道，不断提高民主监督的针对性和实效性。要引导广大成员和所联系群众坚定信心，增强斗志，勇于战胜前进道路上的艰难险阻。全国工商联要推动惠企纾困政策落地见效，帮助民营企业解决实际困难，增强民营经济发展信心.

Xinhua English summarises the final bit: “To better leverage the political strength of China's new model of political party system, non-CPC political parties should improve themselves and enhance their political understanding and capability to participate in the deliberation and administration of state affairs, fulfill major organizational roles, cooperate with others, and solve their own issues, Xi said. Xi called on non-CPC political parties to strive to be participants in socialism with Chinese characteristics that are firm in political conviction, well-organized, competent, with good conduct, and have a solid institutional basis.”

Next, on the top of the page is a report on China’s forestry industry, which hit an output value of 8 trillion yuan in 2022. If you are interested, here’s an English report.

Next, there’s a report summarising the work done across the Party’s organisation system to study and implement the spirit of the 20th Party Congress. The piece informs that the process began after a notice was issued by the Organisation Department to conscientiously study and implement the spirit of the 20th Party Congress. Following this, thematic learning activities were held in different parts of the country and at all levels of the Party’s organisational set-up. The activities included special study seminars, ‘organisation forums’ and ‘micro-lectures’ and visits to red education bases, activities to address citizens’ problems, discussions around cultivating talents, etc.. Some examples in the piece are:

The Organisation Department of the Shaanxi Provincial Party Committee carried out study work around Xi leading the PBSC to visit Yan’an.
The Henan Provincial Party Committee Organisation Department organised cadres to study the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's important speech during his inspection in Anyang. It also published a compilation of “Selected Study Materials” related to the 20th Party Congress. 河南省委组织部组织机关干部认真学习习近平总书记在安阳考察时的重要讲话精神，并编印《党的二十大精神学习资料选编》；
The Organisation Department of Changchun Municipal Committee in Jilin Province held a city-wide competition around the knowledge of the 20th Party Congress’ spirit. Some 17 districts, development zones and ministries sent teams to participate. 近日，吉林长春市委组织部举办全市组织系统学习贯彻党的二十大精神知识竞赛，17个县（市、区）、开发区和部机关派出代表队参赛，党员干部踊跃参与.
The Organisation Department of Changli County Committee not only focussed on the 20th Party Congress but also tapped red resources such as the former site of Li Dazhao’s revolutionary activities, recorded more than 30 lectures, and broadcast them through social platforms. 　　河北省昌黎县五峰山，是李大钊同志开展重要革命活动的地方。昌黎县委组织部结合党的二十大精神，挖掘李大钊革命活动旧址等红色资源，录制宣讲视频30余期，通过社交平台播发，成为全县组工干部学习贯彻党的二十大精神的鲜活素材.

Also in the piece are details about central training and guidance for local officials.

From November 17 to 21, 2022, the Central Organisation Department held the first national training course for newly recruited civil servants. About 195,000 newly-hired civil servants who participated in the training earnestly studied the spirit of the 20th Party Congress, strengthened political training, theoretical arming, style education and anti-corruption warning… 2022年11月17日至21日，中央组织部首次统一举办全国新录用公务员初任培训班。参加培训的约19.5万名新录用的公务员认真学习党的二十大精神，加强政治训练、理论武装、作风教育和廉政警示，走好公务员职业生涯第一步，争做堪当民族复兴重任的高素质公务员.
From December 12 to 16, 2022, the Central Organisation Department held a special training course for leading cadres at organisation departments to study and implement the spirit of the 20th Party Congress. 2022年12月12日至16日，中央组织部举办组织部门领导干部学习贯彻党的二十大精神专题培训班.

There are many more examples of activities listed in the article.

Finally, there’s a feature article discussing the latest works of the Xiaomi Group. I am not doing a detailed breakdown.

The 20th Party Congress report proposed to accelerate the development of digital economy, promote the deep integration of digital economy and real economy, and build digital industrial clusters with international competitiveness. Yan Kesheng, vice president of Xiaomi Group, said: "This gives us full confidence in using digital technology to improve manufacturing level." 党的二十大报告提出，加快发展数字经济，促进数字经济和实体经济深度融合，打造具有国际竞争力的数字产业集群。小米集团副总裁颜克胜说：“这让我们对利用数字技术提升制造水平充满信心.” — It’s interesting to note the companies that are being highlighted in these articles.

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Page 2: The lead article on the page is a recounting of Xi Jinping’s speeches at the WEF in Davos. Xi has addressed the forum thrice since 2017. The piece says that in his speeches, “from a historical and philosophical perspective, he has explained China's proposition regarding economic globalisation and the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind, and profoundly answered the question of what is happening in the world and what should we do in response?” 自2017年以来，中国国家主席习近平三次在达沃斯论坛发表演讲和致辞，从历史和哲学高度，阐释中国的经济全球化主张和构建人类命运共同体理念，深刻作答“世界怎么了，我们怎么办”这一时代之问。深邃的思想穿越时空，愈发闪耀出真理的光芒，在大变局、大变革中愈发凸显引领的力量，在全球激发久久回响.

The piece then offers an assessment of the world today. “The global economy is fragile, there are geopolitical tensions, there is a lack of global governance, the gap between the North and South is widening, climate change hazards have intensified, food and energy crises are superimposed, and there are negative spillovers from the financial policies of major powers. Along with this, one after the other, there are hotspots and difficult challenges emerging, and poverty, division and turmoil continue unabated. Peace or War? Development or decline? Open or closed? Cooperation or confrontation? Such opposing forces are in fierce confrontation, and the proposition of the times ‘where is the world going?’ urgently needs an answer.” 放眼当今世界，全球经济脆弱、地缘政治紧张、全球治理缺失、南北差异拉大、气变危害加剧、粮食和能源危机叠加、大国金融政策负面外溢显现……焦点、热点、难点问题层出不穷，贫困、分裂、动荡有增无减。和平还是战争？发展还是衰退？开放还是封闭？合作还是对抗？两股力量激烈交锋，“世界向何处去”的时代命题亟需答案.

In this context, the piece says that Xi has provided clear guidance and answers. Then it quotes Xi criticising protectionism, decoupling, zero-sum games, and building of small yards and high fences and calling for inclusive and resilient global development. The piece also quotes foreigners praising China and mentions GDI, GSI and BRI as Chinese solutions to global challenges.

Next, there’s a report on Wang Yi’s chat with Emmanuel Bonne, diplomatic counselor to French President Emmanuel Macron. Xinhua reports:

“As permanent members of the UN Security Council and independent major countries, China and France should strengthen strategic communication and play an important role in coping with global turmoil and changes, he added. China, he said, is willing to maintain close high-level exchanges with France, deepen strategic mutual trust and open up new prospects for the China-France comprehensive strategic partnership. As this year marks the 20th anniversary of the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership, China is willing to work with France and other EU member states to uphold mutual respect, dialogue and cooperation and mutual benefit, so as to inject new impetus into the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership, Wang said. For his part, Bonne said that France, which attaches great importance to its ties with China, is willing to work with China to strengthen high-level exchanges, deepen cooperation in innovation and technology and jointly draw a blueprint for future development. Bonne said his country, which opposes the Cold War mentality and bloc politics, is willing to play an active role in expanding EU-China dialogue, upholding multilateralism, promoting global economic recovery and collaborating on tackling climate change. France understands and supports China's anti-COVID measures, and believes China will prevail over the latest round of the outbreak, he said.”

The report does not specifically mention the possibility of Macron visiting China. But I guess this final sentence is an indication that this is being discussed: “The two sides exchanged views on the important agendas for bilateral exchanges in the next step.”

While on China-Europe ties, let’s look at some other recent developments. Politico reports that Wang Yi will be travelling to Europe for the Munich Security Conference in February. He will visit Germany and Belgium, the report says. Also, a week ago, there was the publication of the EU-NATO Joint Declaration 2023. Among other things, it said:

“Authoritarian actors challenge our interests, values and democratic principles using multiple means – political, economic, technological and military. We live in an era of growing strategic competition. China’s growing assertiveness and policies present challenges that we need to address.”
It also added: “Our mutually reinforcing strategic partnership contributes to strengthening security in Europe and beyond. NATO and the EU play complementary, coherent and mutually reinforcing roles in supporting international peace and security. We will further mobilize the combined set of instruments at our disposal, be they political, economic or military, to pursue our common objectives to the benefit of our one billion citizens.”

In response, a spokesperson for the Chinese mission to the EU said that the declaration reveals the bias and arrogance of the EU and NATO toward the perception of China, which China strongly opposes. The Global Times has a piece with comments from Chinese analysts:

“Cui Heng, an assistant research fellow from the Center for Russian Studies of East China Normal University, told the Global Times that NATO, as a military bloc left over from the Cold War, always holds a clear attitude toward Russia and China. ‘However, with the recent visit of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to China and the possible visit of French President Emmanuel Macron, NATO is worried about the change in the EU's attitude, so it hopes to regulate the EU's behavior through this joint declaration,’ he said. The declaration clearly reflects the escalation of confrontational thinking in the West. In Europe and the US, conservative forces believe that China and Russia are ‘already allied’, which is the basis for the further strengthening of their bloc, the scholars believe. ‘This is certainly not good news for global security, as NATO is trying to retain the 'legacy' of the Cold War and is trying to escalate the toxic trend,’ Cui said. However, the joint declaration is believed to be mainly a political message, and its practical impact in the short term is more limited, observers say. Such an escalation could further undermine Europe's security and even have a negative impact on Europe's global influence. Against the backdrop of a tense regional situation, while the declaration will in a way help boost the West's diplomatic confidence, the international influence in global politics that Europe has accumulated in the past will gradually diminish as it relinquishes its diplomatic autonomy, Zhang said (This is Zhang Hong, an associate research fellow at the Institute of Russian, Eastern European and Central Asian Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences). While NATO and the EU are attempting to build a pattern of bloc confrontation and want China to jump into the trap by following that line of thinking, China clearly recognizes that China and Europe have good prospects for cooperation rather than focusing on confrontation, Cui said.”

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One additional data point. Ambassador Fu Cong, Head of the Chinese Mission to the EU, met Mircea Geoană, Deputy Secretary General of NATO. The Chinese readout of that meeting has Fu saying that:

“One of the most important messages from the (20th Party) Congress is that China will adhere to an independent foreign policy of peace and pursue a defensive national defense policy. No matter what stage of development China reaches, it will never seek hegemony or engage in expansionism. The incorporation of peaceful development in China’s Constitution and the Constitution of CPC is a solemn commitment to the international community. China’s pursuit of Chinese modernization is to deliver a better life to the Chinese people. It will not threaten anyone, try to replace anyone, still less present systemic challenges to any country or organization. NATO is an important military alliance. It needs to stay within its geographical parameters, foster a rational, right perception of China, and view China’s development in an objective manner, to play a constructive role for regional and global peace and security. China is open to having dialogue and exchanges and stands ready to jointly promote a healthy, stable relationship with NATO.”

Finally, if you haven’t yet, do check out this earlier FT story: Xi Jinping’s plan to reset China’s economy and win back friends

Moving on, there’s a report on the page on Qin Gang meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. The English readout from the Chinese side has Sisi saying that:

“The Egypt-China friendship has been historically ‘unbreakable’. Egypt will continue its firm adherence to the one-China principle and resolutely oppose any external forces to interfere in China's internal affairs. Egypt and China have achieved fruitful results in jointly advancing the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and Egypt welcomes more Chinese enterprises to invest and set up businesses in the country. In light of China's recent improvement and recalibration of the COVID-19 prevention and control measures, the Egyptian people warmly welcome the Chinese people to visit Egypt as soon as possible. Egypt is willing to strengthen coordination with China on international and regional affairs and promote Arab-China and Africa-China cooperation.”
“China highly appreciates Egypt's reaffirmation of firmly adhering to the one-China principle and likewise supports Egypt in pursuing the development path suited to its own national conditions and in defending its national sovereignty, security and development interests. China looks forward to strengthen synergy between the two countries' development strategies, speed up the development of key cooperation projects, advance the BRI cooperation and promote more fruitful implementation of the China-Arab States Summit's outcomes in Egypt. Qin Gang said, China appreciates and supports Egypt's positive role in promoting peace and stability in the Middle East, and China is willing to work with Egypt to promote long-term peace and stability in the region and push for an early and just settlement of the Palestinian question.”

Speaking to the press after the meetings, Qin said that during the visit, “both sides agreed that the Belt and Road cooperation between China and Egypt has yielded fruitful results and enjoys huge potential. China is ready to further synergize its development strategies with Egypt and jointly implement the Global Development Initiative. China is ready to work with Egypt to promote major projects, import more quality Egyptian products, and encourage more Chinese companies to invest and do business in Egypt to achieve greater mutual benefit and win-win results, he said.”

Finally, there is a Zhong Sheng commentary, which criticises politicisation of COVID prevention and control. It says that “relevant countries should change the discriminatory restrictive measures against Chinese citizens as soon as possible with a scientific attitude and in the spirit of mutual respect, so as to create favourable conditions for normal personnel exchanges and cooperation.” 有关国家应以科学的态度，本着相互尊重的精神，尽快改变针对中国公民的歧视性限制措施，为正常人员交往和交流合作创造有利条件.

The article talks about countries like Thailand, Maldives, New Zealand and Switzerland welcoming Chinese tourists. It specifically mentions Thailand’s deputy prime minister and government officials going to the airport to greet the return of Chinese tourists. The article then says that China has with “utmost sincerity and the attitude of seeking truth from facts,” “fully communicated with relevant countries and introduced in detail the scientificity and rationality of China’s optimisation and adjustment of epidemic prevention measures and the current epidemic situation in China.” But “regardless of scientific facts and the actual epidemic situation in their own countries, some countries have insisted on adopting discriminatory entry restrictions against Chinese citizens. This is complete politicisation of epidemic prevention and control.” 中国以最大诚意，本着实事求是的态度，与有关国家进行了充分沟通，详细介绍了中方优化调整防疫措施的科学性、合理性和中国当前的疫情形势。个别国家罔顾科学事实和本国疫情实际，执意针对中国采取歧视性入境限制措施，这完全是将疫情防控政治化.

Later, there’s a rather grandiose statement, implying that China’s easing of zero-COVID policy was done to benefit the world economy.

China's epidemic prevention and control policy not only protects the safety of people's lives and health to the greatest extent, but also minimises the impact of the epidemic on economic and social development. Against the background of the increasing downward pressure on the world economy, China has optimised and adjusted epidemic prevention and control measures, facilitated the exchange of Chinese and foreign personnel, and boosted confidence in global economic growth. Leaders of international organisations, including the WTO and OECD, are optimistic about China's economic development prospects, and believe that China's adjustment of epidemic prevention policies will help support the recovery and development of the world economy. People around the world believe that the optimization of China's entry-exit policy is a major event enabling the recovery of the global tourism industry. It will inject strong impetus into the comprehensive recovery of tourism in relevant countries.” 中国疫情防控政策既最大程度保护了人民的生命安全和身体健康，又最大限度减少了疫情对经济社会发展的影响。在世界经济下行压力加大的背景下，中国优化调整疫情防控措施，便利中外人员往来，提振了全球经济增长信心。包括世界贸易组织、经济合作与发展组织等在内的国际组织负责人都看好中国经济发展前景，认为中国调整防疫政策有助于支撑世界经济复苏和发展。国际舆论认为，中国优化出入境政策是全球旅游业复苏进程中的一件大事，将为相关国家旅游业的全面复苏注入强劲动力.

The article ends by saying that while China will continue to “optimise and adjust relevant measures, and work with all parties to ensure the safe and orderly exchange of Chinese and foreign personnel, and contribute to maintaining the stability of the global industrial and supply chains and promoting the recovery of the world economy,” “relevant countries should adopt a scientific attitude and in the spirit of mutual respect, change discriminatory and restrictive measures against Chinese citizens as soon as possible, and create favourable conditions for normal personnel exchanges and cooperation.” 中方将继续因应疫情形势，不断优化调整有关措施，与各方共同保障中外人员安全顺畅有序往来，为维护全球产业链供应链稳定、推动世界经济恢复健康增长贡献力量。有关国家应以科学的态度，本着相互尊重的精神，尽快改变针对中国公民的歧视性限制措施，为正常人员交往和交流合作创造有利条件.

Page 3: There’s an interview with Guangdong Governor Wang Weizhong on the province’s economic policies for 2023. Wang informs that Guangdong's total economic output, total market players and total employment account for 1/10 of the country’s total, and its foreign trade import and export accounts for 1/5 of the country’s total. Therefore, it “shoulders an important mission in the overall economic development of the country. We deeply realise that Guangdong must earnestly shoulder the political responsibility of stabilising the macro-economic market, better support the ‘stability’ of the national economy with the ‘advancement’ of Guangdong's economy, and make Guangdong efforts and contributions to the overall economic development of the country.”

He says that the province saw 2% GDP growth last year, and then outlines some of the highlights from 2022. After listing the steps taken by the government, Wang concludes that “The action to improve the resilience of the industrial chain and supply chain was implemented, and 10,000 enterprises were promoted as part of the ‘小升规’ initiative, and more than 9,000 industrial enterprises carried out technological transformation. The industrial economy withstood the impact and demonstrated strong industrial resilience and development strength.The total number of market entities in Guangdong exceeded 16 million, with a net increase of more than 1 million last year, and 17 Guangdong companies entered the list of the world's top 500 companies. A total of 1.32 million new jobs were created in cities and towns, surpassing the employment target of 1.1 million people.” Wang informs that in 2022, the GDP of the province was 12.8 trillion yuan. 实施产业链供应链韧性提升行动，推动1万家企业“小升规”、超过9000家工业企业开展技改，工业经济顶住了冲击，展现出强大的产业韧性和发展实力。市场主体总量突破1600万户、去年净增超100万户，进入世界500强企业达17家。城镇新增就业132万人、超额完成国家下达的110万人就业任务。预计2022年，全省地区生产总值达12.8万亿元，五年跨过3个万亿元级台阶、年均增长5%，连续34年居全国首位.

Wang then outlines priorities for this year:

deepen the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and Shenzhen Pilot Demonstration Zone, and develop the three platforms of Hengqin, Qianhai and Nansha at a high level
align with Hong Kong’s and Macau’s development strategies
strengthen the role of scientific and technological innovation in supporting high-quality development
Guangdong is home to 67,000 industrial enterprises. It is estimated that the industrial added value of these was about 3.9 trillion yuan in 2022. So he promises to focus on manufacturing.
Wang promises to support eight trillion-yuan industrial clusters. Some of the industries he mentions are: “ultra high-definition video display, biomedicine and health, new energy and other industries to become new trillion-yuan industrial clusters.”
He adds that “this year, we will pay great attention to industrial investment, push about 9,000 key enterprises to carry out technological transformation, and promote the digital transformation of 5,000 industrial enterprises.”
“Private economy is the main force supporting Guangdong's economic development. We will adhere to the "Two Unswervings", study and issue opinions to promote the development of the private economy, support the development of small and medium-sized enterprises and individual industrial and commercial households, actively solve problems and do practical things for private enterprises, and comprehensively build a friendly and clean relationship between government and business in an all-round way, so that private enterprises will have full confidence to take root in and invest in Guangdong.” 民营经济是支撑广东经济发展的主力军。我们将坚持“两个毫不动摇”，研究出台推动民营经济发展的意见，支持中小微企业和个体工商户发展，积极为民营企业解难题、办实事，全面构建亲清政商关系，让民营企业信心满满，植根广东、投资广东.

On foreign engagement, Wang informs that Guangdong’s total foreign trade volume was 8.3 trillion yuan, a record high, in 2022. FDI into the province foreign capital in five years has exceeded 800 billion yuan. 近年来，广东抢抓多重国家战略叠加的重大机遇，2022年全省外贸进出口总额8.3万亿元，创历史新高，五年实际利用外资超过8000亿元，广东“两个重要窗口”作用充分彰显.

He says that Guangdong’s door will continue to open wider going forward. It will “steadily expand institutional openness based on rules, regulations, management, and standards. We will be deeply involved in the joint development of the Belt and Road Initiative, and strive to build new strengths of an open economy.” 新时代新征程，广东将坚持开放不止步、向开放要活力，努力将开放的大门越开越大。打好外贸、外资、外包、外经、外智“五外联动”组合拳，稳步扩大规则、规制、管理、标准等制度型开放，深度参与共建“一带一路”，着力塑造开放型经济新优势.

On exports, he says that the province will “create a new batch of 100 billion yuan and trillion yuan export-oriented industrial clusters.” On imports, Wang calls for promoting six import bases for bulk commodities, electronic components, aviation, automobiles, agricultural by-products, and high-end consumer goods and setting up fully licensed bulk commodity import and export companies. 加快推进贸易强省建设。培育引进一批贸易总部型企业、跨境电商龙头企业、现代商贸流通领军企业，新打造一批千亿元级、万亿元级出口产业集群，巩固拓展美欧、日韩、东南亚等多元化国际市场。推进大宗商品、电子元器件、飞机、汽车、农副产品、中高端消费品六大进口基地，组建全牌照大宗商品进出口公司，加快补齐进口短板.

Also on the page is a report on the new 15 measures announced to support MSMEs. Some of the measures mentioned therein are:

The policy of increasing the reserved share of government procurement projects for small and medium-sized enterprises to more than 40% in stages will continue until the end of 2023 其中，明确提出将政府采购工程面向中小企业的预留份额阶段性提高至40%以上政策延续到2023年底，持续加大政府采购促进中小企业发展的支持力度；
Cross-border matchmaking activities will be carried out
Support will be extended for small and medium-sized enterprises to participate in the construction of national scientific and technological innovation projects. Government will promote the expansion of consumption of automobiles, green and smart home appliances and green building materials and new energy vehicles for the countryside 同时，支持中小企业参与国家科技创新项目建设，推动扩大汽车、绿色智能家电消费以及绿色建材、新能源汽车下乡...
The central government will continue to support the high-quality development of specialised and innovative small and medium-sized enterprises and the reduction of fees for financing guarantee business of small and micro enterprises through special funds for the development of small and medium-sized enterprises. 针对中小微企业核心竞争力提升方面，按照《措施》，中央财政将通过中小企业发展专项资金继续支持专精特新中小企业高质量发展和小微企业融资担保业务降费奖补.
Efforts should be made to enhance talent cultivation, step up direct financing support for quality MSMEs and strengthen the application and protection of intellectual property rights of these firms
By the end of 2023, more than 150,000 innovative small and medium-sized enterprises, more than 80,000 provincial-level specialised and innovative MSMEs and more than 10,000 specialised and innovative ‘little giant’ enterprises will be cultivated. 到2023年底，累计培育创新型中小企业15万家以上、省级专精特新中小企业8万家以上、专精特新“小巨人”企业1万家以上.

The 2023 figure is actually bringing forward an earlier target. China Daily informs that “by 2025, China aims to grow 10,000 ‘little giant’ companies, according to a government guideline on the development of SMEs during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25). To be labeled a little giant, a Chinese firm must see a minimum 5 percent year-on-year average growth rate of its main business income or net profit in the past two years. More importantly, it must have two valid invention patents or other similar proof of its innovation capabilities and at least 3 percent of its top line must be dedicated to R&D, among other financial and operational criteria.”

Page 4: There’s a report on Chen Wenqing’s comments at the plenary session of the Commission for Political and Legal Affairs. Xinhua English has a brief summary. “The session stressed the need to intensify efforts to punish corruption in law enforcement and judicial work, and to improve the systems through which full and rigorous self-governance is exercised among the government organs. It underscored the importance of delivering solid outcomes in all areas of work during the upcoming Spring Festival holiday, so as to ensure national security and overall social stability.”

Also on the page is a report on the press briefing by the National Intellectual Property Administration. I am not doing a breakdown. If you are interested, Xinhua English has a report too.

There are also a bunch of reports like yesterday on provincial appointment confirmations.

Page 7: There’s a report on the State Council’s Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism’s press conference. Mi Feng, spokesperson for the National Health Commission, said that the current approach is to focus on early identification and management of infections in key groups like the elderly, children, pregnant women and patients with underlying diseases. Mi also talked about prioritising identifying patients with high risk of severe infections and ensuring that medical resources meet the needs of high-risk and critically ill patients.

Li Yanming, director of the Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine at Beijing Hospital, talked about maintaining basic precautions during the Spring Festival and stressed on the importance of vaccination, even for the elderly.

A Global Times report on this briefing has the following paragraph:

“This is the third consecutive day that China's health authorities have stressed the COVID management for key groups, as data from the NHC showed the number of patients in 16,400 fever clinics in second-tier and above medical institutes and 43,100 fever clinics at grass-root medical institutes have decreased, showing a trend of fever clinics across the nation overcoming the infection peak stage.”

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