Xi Inspects Fujian - Xi's Message on US Ties - China-Pakistan Joint Statement - SCO Outcomes - Manufacturing is 'Ballast Stone' for China's Development - 4trln for 'White Listed' Property Projects

Here are the key reports and articles that I found noteworthy from the People’s Daily’s edition on Thursday, October 17, 2024.

Page 1: It’s an all Xi Jinping front page today. The big story is about his inspection tour of Fujian province. From October 15 to 16, accompanied by Fujian Party Secretary Zhou Zuyi and Provincial Governor Zhao Long, Xi visited Zhangzhou, Xiamen and other places. The report says that he conducted in-depth inspections and investigations at rural areas, red education bases, cultural relics protection units, and free trade pilot zones.

The first stop on the 15th was Dongshan County in Zhangzhou, where he learned about the sale of dried seafood and the fishing harvest at the Aojiao Village of Chencheng Township. Xi said “I visited your village 23 years ago, and I still remember it vividly. This time, I see great changes have taken place in the village, and I feel gratified and deeply moved. In this new era and on this new journey, the countryside will surely have a brighter future, and farmers will live even better lives. Village-level Party organizations must play the role of locomotive, leading the villagers to make full use of the ‘sea’ in promoting rural revitalization and moving steadily toward common prosperity.” 他对纷纷围拢过来的村民和渔民们说，你们村我23年前来过，至今记忆深刻。这次来看到村里发生了很大变化，很是欣慰、很有感慨。新时代新征程农村一定会有更加光明的前景，农民会有更加火热的生活。村级党组织要发挥火车头作用，带领乡亲们做好“海”的文章，在乡村振兴、共同富裕的道路上一往无前.

Thereafter, Xi visited the Gu Wenchang memorial hall, where he learned about the inspiring deeds of Gu, a former Party chief of Dongshan. Xi also met with  teachers and students from the Gu Wenchang Cadre Academy. He told them that:

“The key to evaluating the performance of officials is to assess the common people’s view of them. Leaders at all levels should learn from Comrade Gu Wenchang, firmly establish the correct view of political achievements, benefit the local area during their tenure, work hard and diligently for long-term results, and make sustained efforts to ensure their legacy is in the hearts of the people. In learning from Comrade Gu Wenxiang, we should not only look up to him as a lofty example, but also strive to emulate his virtues, following his way of conducting oneself and governing.” 习近平指出，衡量干部业绩好不好，关键要看老百姓口碑好不好。各级领导干部要向谷文昌同志学习，树牢正确政绩观，为官一任、造福一方，真抓实干、久久为功，把丰碑立在人民群众心中。学习谷文昌同志，不仅要高山仰止，还要见贤思齐，像他那样做人、为政.

Next, Xi visited the Guandi cultural industrial park, where he learned about the work done to strengthen cultural heritage protection and promote cross-strait cultural exchanges. He stressed that cultural heritage is a precious wealth left by our ancestors and must be well protected and passed on. The next day Xi visited Xiamen Area of China (Fujian) Pilot Free Trade Zone. There, he called on Fujian and Xiamen to “steadily promote institutional opening up, link with international high standards, and produce more institutional and policy results to make new contributions to expanding high-level opening up.” 福建和厦门要适应形势发展，稳步推进制度型开放，对接国际高标准深耕细作，多出一些制度性、政策性成果，为扩大高水平对外开放再立新功.

Also on the day, he listened to work reports from the Party Committee and Provincial governments. Then he made five points:

Xi “pointed out that we must blaze a new trail in promoting the deep integration of scientific and technological innovation and industrial innovation. We should accelerate the establishment of systems and mechanisms that fully support innovation, coordinate the reform of education, science and technology, and talent management systems, strengthen the construction of high-level scientific and technological innovation platforms, implement major scientific and technological breakthroughs, strengthen the leading position of enterprises in scientific and technological innovation, improve the policies and mechanisms of financial support for scientific and technological innovation, and create a more complete innovation environment and a more attractive talent environment. We must firmly uphold the real economy, consolidate the advantages of traditional industries, vigorously promote transformation and upgrading, cultivate and expand strategic emerging industries, plan the layout of future industries in a forward-looking manner, develop new quality productive forces according to local conditions, and build new advantages in industrial development.” 习近平指出，要在推动科技创新和产业创新深度融合上闯出新路。加快构建支持全面创新体制机制，统筹推进教育科技人才体制机制一体改革，加强高能级科创平台建设，实施科技重大攻关行动，强化企业科技创新主体地位，完善金融支持科技创新的政策和机制，营造更加完善的创新环境、更有吸引力的人才环境。牢牢守住实体经济，巩固传统产业优势，大力推动转型升级，培育壮大战略性新兴产业，前瞻布局未来产业，因地制宜发展新质生产力，塑造产业发展新优势.

“We must strive to play a pioneering role in comprehensively deepening reform and expanding high-level opening up. Focus on key areas and key links, highlight the leading role of economic system reform, and continue to boldly experiment, explore, and innovate independently. Adhere to the ‘two unswervings’, innovate and develop the ‘Jinjiang experience’, and fully stimulate the investment and entrepreneurial vitality of the whole society. Focus on the concerns, thoughts, and expectations of the people, prioritizing reforms in areas related to people's livelihoods. Deeply implement the free trade pilot zone upgrading strategy, actively connect with major regional strategies, deeply integrate into the high-quality joint construction of BRI, build the core area of ​​the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, and consolidate and expand the important nodes and important channel functions of domestic and international dual circulation. Build a good cross-strait integrated development demonstration zone.” 习近平强调，要在全面深化改革、扩大高水平开放上奋勇争先。聚焦重点领域和关键环节，突出经济体制改革牵引作用，继续大胆试、大胆闯、自主改。坚持“两个毫不动摇”，创新发展“晋江经验”，充分激发全社会投资创业活力。聚焦人民群众所思所想所盼，优先抓好民生领域各项改革。深入实施自由贸易试验区提升战略，主动对接区域重大战略，深度融入高质量共建“一带一路”，打造21世纪海上丝绸之路核心区，巩固拓展国内国际双循环的重要节点、重要通道功能。建设好两岸融合发展示范区.

Xi Jinping said that Fujian should set an example in promoting coordinated regional development and integrated urban-rural development. Strengthen and improve the mountain-sea collaboration mechanism, enhance coordination between mountainous and coastal areas, and reinforce functional complementarity. Deepen the construction of the National Ecological Civilization Experimental Zone, build a large pattern of protection and governance from the top of the mountain to the sea, strengthen the comprehensive governance of key areas, key river basins, and key sea areas, and expand the ecological environment capacity. Strengthen the organic integration of comprehensive rural revitalization and new urbanisation, and accelerate the pace of urban-rural integration development. Boost the county-level economy, accelerate the revitalization of old revolutionary base areas, and consolidate and expand the achievements of poverty alleviation. Strictly adhere to the red line of cultivated land, establish a big agricultural and big food concept, and build characteristic agricultural industry clusters. Deepen the reform of the collective forest rights system, develop forest foods and under-forest economy, and continuously explore and cultivate the ‘forest grain and wealth reserve’. Promote Fuzhou and Xiamen to accelerate the construction of the National Marine Economic Development Demonstration Zone and expand and strengthen the marine economy. Strengthen the prevention of natural disasters, such as typhoons and earthquakes, and improve disaster prevention, mitigation, and relief capabilities.” 习近平指出，要在推动区域协调发展和城乡融合发展上作出示范。健全深化山海协作机制，加强山海统筹、强化功能互补。深化国家生态文明试验区建设，构建从山顶到海洋的保护治理大格局，加强重点领域、重点流域、重点海域综合治理，扩大生态环境容量。强化乡村全面振兴与新型城镇化有机结合，加快城乡融合发展步伐。壮大县域经济，加快老区苏区振兴发展，巩固拓展脱贫攻坚成果。严守耕地红线，树立大农业观、大食物观，打造特色农业产业集群。深化集体林权制度改革，发展森林食品、林下经济，不断挖掘培育“森林粮库、钱库”。推动福州、厦门加快建设全国海洋经济发展示范区，做大做强海洋经济。加强对台风、地震等自然灾害防范，提高防灾减灾救灾能力.

Xi Jinping stressed that we must work hard to enhance cultural influence and showcase a new image of Fujian. We must inherit and carry forward the red culture, build the Long March national cultural parks in Changting and Ninghua, and deepen the research and interpretation of revolutionary historical materials and revolutionary relics. We must strengthen the protection and inheritance of cultural heritage,  persistently work on cultivating people through culture and actively promote the transformation of social customs. We must promote the in-depth integration and development of culture and tourism, and cultivate the cultural tourism industry into a pillar industry. We must promote cross-strait cultural exchanges, jointly carry forward Chinese culture, and enhance the sense of ethnic, cultural, and national identity among Taiwan compatriots. We must unite overseas Chinese by relying on ties such as kinship, hometown connections, and ancestral culture. 习近平强调，要在提升文化影响力、展示福建新形象上久久为功。传承弘扬红色文化，建好长汀、宁化长征国家文化公园，深化革命史料和革命文物研究阐释。加强文化遗产保护传承，坚持不懈做好以文化人工作，积极推进移风易俗。推进文化和旅游深度融合发展，把文化旅游业培育成为支柱产业。促进两岸文化交流，共同弘扬中华文化，增进台湾同胞的民族认同、文化认同、国家认同。依托宗亲乡亲、祖地文化等纽带广泛凝聚侨心.

Xi Jinping pointed out that it is necessary to educate Party members and cadres to inherit fine traditions, continue the red bloodline, carry forward the pioneering and innovative spirit of daring to take the lead and striving for success, and be enterprising and good at achieving solid results. Establish and practice the correct view of political achievements that benefit the people, stay true to the original mission, take responsibility, remain clean and selfless, and always preserve the political character of Communists. Deepen the rectification of formalism and effectively reduce the burden on the grassroots. Fully implement the ‘four visits to the grassroots’ system, follow the Party’s mass line in the new era, and improve the effectiveness of Party building in leading grassroots governance. 习近平指出，要教育党员干部继承优良传统、赓续红色血脉，继续发扬敢为人先、爱拼会赢的开拓创新精神，锐意进取、善作善成。树立和践行造福人民的政绩观，不忘初心、担当作为、廉洁奉公，永葆共产党人的政治本色。深化整治形式主义，切实为基层减负。全面落实“四下基层”制度，走好新时代党的群众路线，提升党建引领基层治理效能.

The final point he made was: “we must conscientiously implement the decisions and deployments of the CPC Central Committee, make every effort to do a good job in the fourth quarter’s economic work, and strive to achieve the annual economic and social development goals.” 习近平强调，要认真贯彻落实党中央决策部署，全力抓好第四季度经济工作，努力实现全年经济社会发展目标.

Next, there’s a report on Xi Jinping’s letter to the annual Gala Dinner of the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations. Xinhua reports:

“Xi said in his message that he appreciates the NCUSCR’s unremitting efforts to promote exchanges and cooperation between China and the United States in various fields, and congratulated this year's gala's esteemed honoree, William E. Ford, chairman and chief executive officer of General Atlantic. Xi pointed out that China-U.S. ties are one of the world's most important bilateral relations, which bear on the well-being of the two peoples and the future of mankind. Xi said China has always handled the China-U.S. relationship based on the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, and always believes that each country's success presents opportunities for the other. The two countries should serve as a boost to each other's development rather than a hindrance, Xi said, adding that China is willing to work with the United States as partners and friends, which will not only benefit the two countries but also the whole world.”

“Xi stressed that the third plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China was successfully held in July this year, making systematic arrangements for China to further deepen reform comprehensively to advance Chinese modernization. Xi said that opening up is a defining feature of Chinese modernization, and China will only open itself ever wider to the outside world. China will enhance its institutional openness, continue to build a first-rate international business environment and leverage the advantage of its enormous market and domestic demand potential to bring more opportunities for China-U.S. cooperation. Xi said he hopes the NCUSCR and friends from all walks of life will continue to care about and support China-U.S. relations and actively participate in and benefit from China's modernization. Xi said the two sides should carry out more visits and exchanges, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation and work together to translate the ‘San Francisco vision’ into reality, so as to bring more benefits to the two peoples and inject more stability and positive energy into the world.”

Third, there’s a brief report on Xi’s message (English report) to Mongolian President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh on the 75th anniversary of bilateral ties.

Page 2: First, there’s a report (full speech text - English text) on Li Qiang’s remarks at the SCO meeting in Pakistan.

Li called on the SCO members to move towards the following:

• First, efforts to build an even more solid political foundation. The fundamental reason why the SCO has stayed vibrant since its inception is that we have upheld the Shanghai Spirit, a vital political consensus, and endeavored to be trustworthy and reliable partners for each other. No matter how the international landscape may evolve, SCO cooperation in various fields will move forward steadily as long as the Shanghai Spirit remains entrenched.

• Second, efforts to provide more reliable security safeguards. As we speak, geopolitical conflicts, power politics and acts of bullying continue to undermine regional peace and stability, while on such fronts as cyber security and biosecurity, new threats and new challenges continue to emerge. No country is immune, and the only true security is security for all. Only by further improving the mechanisms and tools to tackle threats and challenges can we provide better safeguards for common development.

• Third, efforts to foster closer economic bonds. The SCO’s continuous expansion of membership in recent years has created more notable economic complementarity among member states. By deepening our economic ties, resisting external attempts of pulling us apart, and tapping into and pooling our respective strengths in resources, market and industries, we will be able to foster even stronger synergy for development.

• Fourth, efforts to cultivate stronger emotional bonds. Our region is home to diverse and splendid civilizations, where different nations and cultures have interacted and converged with each other throughout the course of history and coexisted in harmony. This has been the source of popular support for cooperation among SCO member states. We need to further promote mutual learning among civilizations and cultural exchanges so as to enhance mutual understanding and friendship between the people of SCO member states.

• Fifth, efforts to boost coordination in multilateral fora. Embracing 26 countries from three continents, the SCO family is a constructive force that carries important global influence. With our commitment to the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter, and our enhanced communication and coordinated actions, SCO member states will better rally the developing world in promoting a more just and equitable global order.

Li then made four proposals:

• First, enhancing strategic synergy for our shared purpose. Pursuing peaceful development is the abiding purpose of the SCO. We should stay grounded in the fundamental and long-term interests of the region, bear in mind the big picture and keep external disruptions at bay. Our best efforts must be directed toward mapping out the SCO’s development strategy for the next decade and drawing up roadmaps for cooperation in various areas. Member states should step up strategic communication, bridge differences and boost mutual trust through dialogue, and pool strengths for unity.

• Second, expanding practical cooperation in line with development needs. The year 2025 will be the SCO Year of Sustainable Development. China stands ready to deepen cooperation with all sides in poverty reduction, digital economy and green development, to generate sustained momentum for development. We should continue to draw impetus from openness and cooperation, boost the region's trade and investment facilitation and connectivity, and maintain stable and smooth industrial and supply chains. Active efforts should be made to establish an SCO development bank in order to provide financing support for countries in their pursuit of development.

• Third, proactively addressing major risks. Our region continues to face grave security issues. The fight against terrorism, separatism and extremism remains a long-term, arduous task, and various challenges lie ahead in such areas as safeguarding information security and combating transnational organized crime. China stands ready to work with all sides to strengthen intelligence sharing and joint operations, move faster to build a universal center to address the challenges and threats to the security of SCO member states and the Anti-Drug Center, and strive for major outcomes at next year's summit, so that we can put in place new platforms and a new architecture for regional security cooperation.

• Fourth, expanding people-to-people exchange to meet popular expectations. We should fully leverage the role of the SCO Committee on Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation, develop an effective SCO digital education alliance, organize excellent events under our flagship programs such as the Forum on People-to-People Friendship and the Forum on Friendship Cities, the Forum on Women, and the Art Exhibition of Young Artists, and increase our peoples' participation and sense of fulfillment, to keep people-to-people friendship strong for generations to come.

The full SCO joint communique is published in the paper today. You can find the full English text here. Some points:

• The Heads of Delegation reaffirmed the intention of the Member States to promote the proposal for the adoption of a Resolution by the UN General Assembly in connection with the SCO Initiative “On World Unity for a Just Peace, Harmony and Development’.

• The Heads of Delegation noted the tectonic shifts in the global economy, characterized by rapid advancements and interconnectivity in the areas of information technology, digitalization, artificial intelligence, virtual/digital assets, e-commerce, etc. They expressed concern over the exacerbation of various challenges that have led to reduced investment flows, disrupted supply chains and uncertainty in global financial markets as a result of protectionist measures and other impediments to international trade. The Heads of Delegation consider it important to continue joint efforts to counter protectionist trade measures that are contrary to WTO rules and regulations, as well as to continue working on strengthening the rules-based WTO, non-discriminatory, open, equitable, inclusive and transparent multilateral trading system, based on the WTO. They also oppose protectionist actions, unilateral sanctions and trade restrictions that undermine the multilateral trading system and impede global sustainable development. The heads of delegations emphasized that the unilateral application of sanctions is incompatible with the principles of international law and has a negative impact on third countries and international economic relations.

• Everyone endorsed BRI, except India.

• The Heads of delegations stressed the importance of deepening cooperation in the field of information security, the relevance of the ‘digital divide’ issue and advocated for exploring the creation of a mechanism for cross-border data exchange, taking into account the national legislations of countries, the introduction of digital technologies in the economic and social spheres, the development of e-government, electronic payment systems, e-commerce and other areas of digital business.

• The Heads of Delegations, stressing the importance of promoting a common vision of the energy future, noted the results of the Meeting of the Ministers of Energy of the SCO Member States (Astana, June 21, 2024). They emphasized the need to continue mutually beneficial cooperation in the energy sector, in particular, in order to develop cross-border energy infrastructure, strengthen energy security on the basis of the Strategy for the Development of Energy Cooperation of the SCO Member States for the period up to 2030 (Astana, July 4, 2024), and instructed to accelerate the development of a ‘roadmap’ for its implementation.

• The heads of delegations noted the proposal to prepare a comprehensive plan to stimulate investment and attract technologies in renewable energy. Taking into account the national interests of the Member States, they will continue to promote the development of a full-scale dialogue on energy issues, practical cooperation among energy producers, transit countries and energy consumers.

• The heads of delegations welcomed the establishment of the SCO Investors Association and instructed the authorized bodies of the SCO Member States to take measures to establish the practical work of this cooperation mechanism.

• Pursuant to the SCO CHS Decision of 4 July 2024 on the mechanisms of financial support for project activities of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the heads of delegations instructed the authorized Ministries and Departments of the Member States to intensify consultations on the establishment of the SCO Development Bank, the SCO Development Fund (Special Account) and, in the format of the interested parties, the SCO Investment Fund. The heads of delegations of the interested SCO member states, noting the efforts to seek consensus to develop agreed recommendations for the SCO member states, reaffirmed the need for consistent implementation of the Road Map of the SCO Member States on gradual increase in the share of national currencies in mutual settlements (Samarkand, September 16, 2022). They highlighted proposals for the establishment of an independent settlement-clearing mechanism, as well as for the convergence of payment systems by interested member states.

• The Heads of Delegations, reaffirming the commitment of the SCO Member States to cooperate on climate change and overcome its negative consequences through the exchange of experience and the study of best practices, instructed the relevant ministries and departments to accelerate the establishment of the activities of the Special Working Group on Climate Change, including the adoption of the relevant Regulation. They noted the proposals for the development of a draft agreement between the governments of the SCO Member States on cooperation in the field of climate change, as well as on the creation of the SCO Database on Innovative Environmental Technologies.

Li also met with his Russian counterpart and attended a China, Russia and Mongolia trilateral meeting.

As per Xinhua, Li told Mikhail Mishustin that China is willing to work with Russia to strengthen strategic coordination, expand mutually beneficial cooperation and make due contributions to the development and revitalization of the two countries and the prosperity and stability of the world…Under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and President Vladimir Putin, the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era has maintained a high level of development, Li said. The two sides firmly support each other on issues concerning their respective core interests and enjoy fruitful strategic coordination, continued progress in practical cooperation, as well as vigorous people-to-people and sub-national exchanges, delivering tangible benefits to the people of both countries, he noted. Standing at the historical juncture of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic ties, China is ready to join hands with Russia to further implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, he said. Li pointed out that China is willing to further deepen cooperation with Russia in traditional areas such as economy and trade, and energy, promote cooperation in emerging fields such as digital economy, and continuously enhance the level of industrial and supply chain coordination between the two countries, so as to achieve more practical results. He called on the two countries to maintain close communication and coordination, encourage SCO member states to continue holding high the banner of the Shanghai Spirit, enhance strategic mutual trust, adhere to mutual benefit and win-win results, work harder in unity and forge ahead, and strengthen cooperation in various areas such as trade, energy, digital economy, and green industry, so as to make the organization more dynamic, cooperation more practical and outcomes more beneficial to all.”

Xinhua’s report on the trilateral meeting has Li saying: “in recent years, under the strategic guidance of the three heads of state, the trilateral cooperation between China, Russia, and Mongolia has maintained a steady momentum of development, which meets the common expectations of the three sides and conforms to the trend of the times. Noting that China, Russia, and Mongolia enjoy geographical proximity and a shared future, Li said trilateral cooperation enjoys unique geographical advantages and solid popular support. China stands ready to work with Russia and Mongolia to follow the consensus reached by the three heads of state, implement the mid-term roadmap for trilateral cooperation, strengthen the synergy of development strategies, deepen policy communication and coordination, drive the trilateral cooperation to be more in-depth, more sustainable and more effective, and set an example of friendly exchanges and mutual benefit among neighboring countries, Li noted. The Chinese side is willing to work with Russia and Mongolia to focus on key cooperation under the China-Mongolia-Russia Economic Corridor, deepen multilateral cooperation within the SCO and other platforms, share development opportunities and fruits, safeguard common interests, and jointly write a new chapter in China-Russia-Mongolia trilateral cooperation, Li added.”

Finally, the full text of the China-Pakistan joint statement (English text) is also published in the paper today. Some excerpts:

• Pakistan “highly commends and firmly supports major visions and propositions put forth by President Xi Jinping” and both reiterated the significance of ties. “The two sides noted that in a transforming and turbulent world where major changes are unfolding at a faster pace, the Pakistan-China relationship is of strategic significance, and any attempt to disrupt or undermine Pakistan-China cooperation is bound to fail.”

• Both sides stressed that the authority of the U.N. General Assembly Resolution 2758 brooks no question or challenge. The Pakistani side reaffirmed its firm commitment to one-China principle, and reiterated that Taiwan is an inalienable part of the territory of the People’s Republic of China, and that Pakistan firmly supports all efforts made by China to achieve national reunification, firmly opposes any form of ‘Taiwan independence’, and will firmly support China on issues concerning Xinjiang, Xizang, Hong Kong and the South China Sea. The Chinese side reiterated its unwavering support for Pakistan in defending national sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, and its support for Pakistan’s efforts to safeguard national security, stability, development and prosperity.

The CPEC bit is useful to note because it underscores the challenges that the corridor continues to face. From financing, investment to actual project execution, the joint statement reveals that it isn’t smooth sailing. 

• Following the important common understanding between leaders of the two countries, the two sides reaffirmed their readiness to advance the upgradation of ML-1, and agreed to build Karachi-Hyderabad section in line with the modality of ‘implementing in a phased manner’. The two sides will work together to refine and optimize the construction plan of Karachi-Hyderabad section and formulate financing and implementation plans that are feasible and sustainable at the earliest.

• The two sides agreed to actively seeking financial support for the Karakoram Highway (Raikot-Thakot) realignment project under the terms of the Framework Agreement of the project. Meanwhile, the two sides agreed to continue harnessing the Intergovernmental Joint Technical Working Group for the Karakoram Highway (Raikot-Thakot) realignment project, and see to it that it provides technical guidance during the entire process of implementation, so as to facilitate the project’s early execution.

• Recognizing the significance of the Gwadar Port as a key hub for cross-regional connectivity, the two sides reaffirmed their readiness to speed up the development of the auxiliary infrastructure of the Gwadar Port, to steadily attract more cargo shipments to the port, to find a solution to inadequate water and power supply at an early date, to accelerate the development of the port’s industrial zone, and to solidly enhance connectivity between the port and other parts of Pakistan. During the visit, leaders of both sides attended the completion ceremony of the New Gwadar International Airport.

• The Chinese side reiterated its support for Chinese companies to invest in Pakistan’s Special Economic Zones in line with the market and commercial principles. The Pakistani side reiterated its commitment to improving its business environment and providing a favorable policy framework for Chinese investment. Both sides welcome the active participation of third parties in CPEC cooperation.

• The two sides reaffirmed their willingness to actively encourage Chinese companies to engage in investment and cooperation in Pakistan’s mining industry, and jointly explore the planning of mining industrial parks, including downstream mineral processing.

• The two sides positively assessed the achievements of Pakistan-China energy cooperation, and agreed to continue to promote the CPEC energy cooperation in a practical, prudent and orderly manner. The two sides will jointly explore solutions for specific issues based on scientific research and friendly consultation. The two sides agreed to strengthen professional exchanges on improving the efficiency and management of the power system of Pakistan.

• The two sides agreed to conduct further consultation on promoting trade liberalization under the framework of the Phase-II of China-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement, and actively explore the possible bilateral concessional arrangements based on the spirit of mutual benefit and win-win cooperation. The Chinese side welcomes Pakistani enterprises to make full use of platforms such as the China International Import Expo to expand bilateral trade, and supports Pakistan enhancing its exports to China. The Pakistani side welcomes Chinese enterprises to expand investment in priority sectors for enhancing export-oriented industries as identified by Pakistan. The two sides agreed to facilitate deeper exchanges and cooperation between business communities of the two countries.

• The Pakistani side expressed high appreciation for China’s valuable support for the fiscal and financial stability of Pakistan. The two sides spoke highly of the extension of the China-Pakistan Bilateral Currency Swap Arrangement, and agreed to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in the financial and banking sectors, and support each other within regional and international multilateral financial platforms.

On security issues, the document says:

• The Pakistani side strongly condemned the terrorist attack on the vehicle of Chinese personnel working on the Dasu Hydropower Project in Pakistan on March 26, 2024, and the terrorist attack on the Chinese convoy of the Port Qasim Power Plant on October 6, 2024, and pledged to find out the whole truth of the above incidents, and hunt down and bring to justice all the perpetrators. The Pakistani side emphasized its firm and unswerving commitment to further enhancing security input and coordination, further strengthening security measures, and making comprehensive efforts to ensure the safety and security of Chinese personnel, projects and institutions in Pakistan. Acknowledging the efforts made by the Pakistani side to ensure the safety and security of Chinese personnel, projects and institutions in Pakistan, the Chinese side underscored the need and urgency to take targeted security measures in Pakistan, to jointly create a safe environment for cooperation between the two countries.

• The two sides underscored that strategic defence and security cooperation between Pakistan and China plays an irreplaceable and critical role in maintaining peace, stability and strategic balance in the region. The two sides expressed satisfaction that the two militaries have long enjoyed high-level of mutual trust, high-level cooperation, and high-level coordination. The two sides agreed to maintain the momentum of high-level military-to-military visits and exchanges, and to continuously elevate cooperation in areas of joint training, exercises and military technology.

On broader regional and international issues, the document mentions the conflict in the Middle East. It also says:

• The two sides reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace and stability in South Asia and the need for resolution of all outstanding disputes, and their opposition to any unilateral action. The Pakistani side briefed the Chinese side on the latest developments of the situation in Jammu and Kashmir. The Chinese side reiterated that the Jammu and Kashmir dispute is left over from history, and should be properly and peacefully resolved in accordance with the U.N. Charter, relevant U.N. Security Council resolutions and bilateral agreements. (Note: this has become stock language in these documents.)

• Both sides call for concerted efforts of the international community to encourage the Interim Afghan Government to build an inclusive political framework, adopt moderate policies and pursue good-neighborliness. They also called for strengthening counter-terrorism cooperation at bilateral and multilateral levels to support Afghanistan in taking comprehensive measures to eradicate terrorism and called on the Interim Afghan Government to take visible and verifiable actions to dismantle and eliminate all terrorist groups based in Afghanistan which continue to pose a serious threat to regional and global security, and to prevent the use of Afghan territory against its neighbors, the region, and beyond. The two sides also agreed to play a constructive role in helping Afghanistan achieve stable development and integrate into the international community.

Page 3: There’s a report on Li Xi’s remarks during a visit to Tianjin. The key messages from the visit were:

• High-quality development is the primary task of building a modern socialist country in an all-round way. It is necessary to urge all regions and departments to fully and accurately implement the new development concept, accelerate the construction of a new development pattern, and develop new quality productive forces according to local conditions.

• Li Xi demanded that violations of discipline and law in the field of ecological and environmental protection be severely investigated and dealt with.

• Colleges and universities should strengthen the political responsibility of comprehensive and strict Party governance and adhere to the strict tone.

• There should be continuous efforts to address the issues of misconduct and corruption that directly affect the people, continuously enhancing their sense of gain.

李希来到天津港第二集装箱码头公司、中海油工程股份有限公司天津智能制造分公司、武清京津产业新城、铁科华铁经纬（天津）信息技术有限公司，听取对正风肃纪反腐的意见建议。他指出，高质量发展是全面建设社会主义现代化国家的首要任务，要督促各地区各部门完整准确全面贯彻新发展理念、加快构建新发展格局、因地制宜发展新质生产力。在大黄堡湿地自然保护区，李希要求严肃查处生态环保领域违纪违法问题，以有力监督护航美丽中国建设。在天津大学、天开高教科创园，李希强调高校要强化全面从严治党政治责任，把严的基调坚持下去。在津南区会馆村，李希要求持续抓好群众身边不正之风和腐败问题集中整治，不断增强群众获得感.

Li also attended a symposium to understand the implementation of the spirit of the Third Plenum and the deployment of the Third Plenary Session of the CCDI by the discipline inspection and supervision organs. He told them that:

• It is necessary to improve the mechanisms for political supervision to make them more specific, precise, and regularized, integrating daily supervision with special inspections. We must use a diligent spirit to promote rectification and follow up with the spirit of nailing nails, ensuring the implementation of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s major decision-making and deployment as well as the spirit of the Third Plenum.

• It is necessary to improve the mechanism for simultaneously investigating and addressing unhealthy tendencies and corruption issues. We must jointly tackle Party spirit, Party conduct, and Party discipline, while integrating the efforts to improve conduct, enforce discipline, and fight corruption. This will promote the formation of a clean and upright political ecology and a favourable development environment.

• It is necessary to establish a disciplinary education mechanism that combines regular and concentrated efforts, accurately apply the ‘four forms’, and comprehensively utilize the constraints and incentives of Party discipline education to continuously consolidate and deepen the results of Party discipline learning and education.

• It is necessary to deepen the reform of the disciplinary inspection and supervision system, focusing on improving the levels of standardization, rule of law, and regularisation. 

• It is necessary to integrate the performance of supervision and assistance duties, and promote the implementation of the political responsibility of comprehensive and strict governance of the Party.

要健全政治监督具体化、精准化、常态化机制，把日常监督和专项监督结合起来，以钉钉子精神督促整改、跟踪问效，保障习近平总书记、党中央重大决策部署和三中全会精神贯彻落实。要健全不正之风和腐败问题同查同治机制，党性党风党纪一起抓、正风肃纪反腐相贯通，推动形成风清气正的政治生态和良好发展环境。要建立经常性和集中性相结合的纪律教育机制，准确运用“四种形态”，综合发挥党的纪律教育约束、保障激励作用，不断巩固深化党纪学习教育成果。要深化纪检监察体制改革，着力提升规范化、法治化、正规化水平。要贯通履行监督专责和协助职责，推动全面从严治党政治责任落实到位。

Li also visited the Zhou Enlai and Deng Yingchao Memorial Hall, and asked the discipline inspection and supervision cadres to learn and appreciate the noble style of the revolutionary predecessors…

Also on the page is a report on Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing’s visit to Hunan. The key message from the visit is that “a strong and resilient manufacturing sector serves as a ‘ballast stone’ for China’s high-quality economic development”. 

“We must solidify the foundation of traditional industries, strive to maintain stable operations in key sectors, while intensifying and accelerating equipment upgrades, actively promoting digital intelligence technologies and green technologies, and supporting enterprises in their transformation and upgrading to continuously improve industrial added value. We must deeply promote the innovative development and open cooperation of advantageous industries such as rail transit equipment and construction machinery, accelerate the development and application of new technologies, processes, and products, continuously strengthen and enhance industrial competitive advantages, and actively expand into international markets. It is necessary to fully leverage our country's advantage of a super-large-scale market, adhere to the integrated advancement of the entire chain of technological innovation, achievement transformation, scenario application, and ecological cultivation, accelerate the development and growth of emerging industries, strategically layout future industries, and shape new driving forces for industrial development.” 要筑牢传统产业基本盘，努力保持重点行业平稳运行，同时加力加快推进设备更新，积极推广数智技术、绿色技术，支持企业开展改造升级，不断提高产业附加值。要深入推进轨道交通装备、工程机械等优势产业创新发展、开放合作，加快新技术新工艺新产品开发应用，持续巩固提升产业竞争优势，积极走出去拓展国际市场。要充分发挥我国超大规模市场优势，坚持技术创新、成果转化、场景应用和生态营造等全链条一体推进，加快发展壮大新兴产业，前瞻布局未来产业，塑造产业发展新动能。

He emphasized that a strong enterprise means a strong industry, and a strong industry means a stable economy. It is necessary to guide the leading enterprises in the industrial chain to become stronger, better and bigger, support enterprises to be the leaders of industrial development, the supporters of industrial foundation improvement, and the organizers of industrial collaborative innovation, and enhance their ability to lead and drive SMEs. It is necessary to continue to deepen the reform of state-owned assets and state-owned enterprises, promote the optimization of the layout and structural adjustment of the state-owned economy, and guide state-owned enterprises to focus on their main responsibilities and core businesses, enhancing their technological innovation capabilities and developing strategic emerging industries. It is necessary to cultivate champion enterprises in manufacturing and specialized, sophisticated, and innovative enterprises, support more small and medium-sized enterprises to meticulously cultivate and focus on vertical segmentation areas, concentrate on long-term sustainable development, create ‘unique skills’, and enhance product competitiveness. We should improve and perfect support and guidance policies, promote the integrated development and cluster development of various types of enterprises, and form a good industrial ecology with efficient collaboration and mutual development between upstream and downstream of the industrial chain and large, medium and small enterprises. 张国清强调，企业强则产业强，产业强则经济稳。要引导产业链龙头企业做强做优做大，支持企业当好产业发展方向的领航者、产业基础提升的支撑者、产业协同创新的组织者，增强对中小企业的牵引带动能力。要持续深化国资国企改革，推进国有经济布局优化和结构调整，引导国有企业聚焦主责主业，提升科技创新能力，发展战略性新兴产业。要大力培育制造业单项冠军企业和专精特新企业，支持更多中小企业围绕垂直细分领域精耕细作，专注长期持续发展，打造“独门绝技”，增强产品竞争力。要健全完善支持引导政策，促进各类企业融通发展、集群发展，形成产业链上下游、大中小企业高效协作、相融相长的良好产业生态.

Other Stories:

China-Bangladesh Ties: Xinhua reports on a seminar held by the Chinese embassy in Bangladesh titled Bangladesh-China Relations: A Future Outlook. China’s ambassador Yao Wen told the meeting that “China and Bangladesh are now facing significant historical opportunities for deeper cooperation. China stands ready to work with Bangladesh to seize the opportunities of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties, promote traditional friendship, consolidate political mutual trust, deepen Belt and Road cooperation, and further advance the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership to a new height. Yang said that both countries are at the key juncture of national development. The two countries should enhance experience sharing on governance, enhance synergy of respective strengths, support each other's core interests, and jointly tackle challenges.”

Also, Chinese naval training ship Qi Jiguang (Hull 83) and amphibious dock landing ship Jinggangshan (Hull 999) wrapped up their goodwill visit to Bangladesh. 

Real Estate Market Support: Bloomberg reports that the Chinese government has said that it will expand a program to support ‘white list’ property projects to 4 trillion yuan ($562 billion) from about 2.23 trillion yuan already deployed, adding more ammunition to halt the sector’s decline. Housing Minister Ni Hong announced the measure at a briefing on Thursday. The moves followed a slew of earlier announcements by the central government to help the world’s No. 2 economy meet its growth target of around 5% this year. China in late September unveiled a package to shore up its troubled property sector, including cutting borrowing costs on as much as $5.3 trillion in mortgages and easing rules for second-home purchases.