Xi Inspects Information Support Force - Dong Jun's Public Appearance - Improving BRI's 'Nine Mechanisms' - He Lifeng Meets BlackRock CEO - What Should Enterprises Do Amid Economic Challenges?
Hi folks,
I hope everyone’s well. I have an invitation and a request to share before I get to the today’s edition of the paper.
First, if you are in Bangalore, please do sign up to attend the launch of The Takshashila Institution’s 2024 Survey Report, ‘Pulse of the People: State of India-China Relations’. We’ll be releasing the report’s findings and having what promises to be a fun conversation on the future of the India-China relationship.
The details are below:
Date: Tuesday, 17 December 2024
Time: 7:00-8:30 PM IST
Venue: Seminar Hall 1, Bangalore International Center, Domlur, Bengaluru
Please RSVP on this link latest by 15 December, 2024.
Second, my colleagues at Takshashila are also conducting a survey to understand perspectives about the emerging intersections between technology and geopolitics and to understand and assess what people think about how India should navigate high-tech geopolitics. This shouldn’t take more than 5 minutes of your time. You can take the survey by clicking here.
Here are the key reports and articles that I found noteworthy from the People’s Daily’s edition on Friday, December 06, 2024.
Page 1: The lead story today is about Xi Jinping’s inspection of the Information Support Force of the PLA on Wednesday. Zhang Youxia, He Weidong, Liu Zhenli, and Zhang Shengmin were present for this.
Xi emphasized that “it is necessary to implement the thought of strengthening the army in the new era, implement the new era's military strategic guidelines, strengthen mission responsibility, bravely innovate and break through, consolidate the foundation of the military, strive to build a powerful modern information support force, and realize the leapfrog development of the Chinese military’s network information system.” 他强调，要贯彻新时代强军思想，贯彻新时代军事战略方针，强化使命担当，勇于创新突破，夯实部队基础，努力建设一支强大的现代化信息支援部队，推动我军网络信息体系建设跨越发展.
The report says:
“Xi Jinping listened to the work report of the Information Support Force and delivered an important speech. He pointed out that currently, a new round of technological revolution and military revolution is developing rapidly, war forms are accelerating their evolution, and the position and role of network information systems in modern warfare are unprecedented. The Information Support Force is first and foremost a combat force. It must stand at the height of strengthening the military and being victorious in war, fully recognize the extreme importance of network information system construction, understand the historical mission it bears, and rapidly advance the construction of network information systems and service support capabilities for the military’s combat readiness.” 随后，习近平听取信息支援部队工作汇报，并发表重要讲话。他指出，当前，新一轮科技革命和军事革命迅猛发展，战争形态加速演变，网络信息体系在现代战争中的地位作用空前凸显。信息支援部队首先是一个战斗队，要站在强军胜战的高度，充分认清网络信息体系建设的极端重要性，认清担负的历史重任，加快把网络信息体系建设和服务支撑备战打仗能力搞上去.
“Xi Jinping emphasized that it is necessary to persist in emancipating thinking, seeking truth from facts, keeping up with the times, strengthen overall planning, innovate development models, actively explore and practice, and solidly carry out various network information system construction tasks. It is necessary to focus on being able to fight and win wars, optimize information service guarantee methods, steadily promote the construction of network information public service platforms, integrate and make good use of various types of data and information, attach great importance to network information security protection, quickly integrate into the system, drive the system, and empower the system, and lead innovations in command models and transformations of combat methods. It is necessary to continuously promote the implementation of reform tasks, establish and improve work operation mechanisms, improve relevant laws and regulations, create a good ecology of co-construction and sharing, and improve the quality and efficiency of network information system construction.” 习近平强调，要坚持解放思想、实事求是、与时俱进，加强统筹谋划，创新发展模式，积极探索实践，扎实做好网络信息体系建设各项工作。要聚焦能打仗、打胜仗，优化信息服务保障方式，蹄疾步稳推进网络信息公共服务平台建设，融合利用好各类数据信息，高度重视网络信息安全防护，加快融入体系、驱动体系、赋能体系，引领指挥模式创新、作战方式转变。要持续推进改革任务落实，建立健全工作运行机制，配套完善相关法规制度，打造共建共用共享良好生态，提高网络信息体系建设质量和效益.
“Xi Jinping pointed out that the Information Support Force is currently in its initial creation period and must comprehensively strengthen self-construction, pay attention to laying foundations and planning for the long term, and solidify the developmental roots of the force. It is necessary to thoroughly implement the spirit of the Central Military Commission’s Political Work Conference, uphold the fundamental principle and system of the Party’s absolute leadership over the military, strengthen its arming with the Party’s innovative theories, focus on deepening ideological rectification at the root of thought, strictly maintain political discipline and combat corruption, and ensure the force remains absolutely loyal, absolutely pure, and absolutely reliable. The first Party Committee of the Information Support Force must strengthen the sense of entrepreneurship and pioneering spirit, take on their first responsibilities, select and strengthen Party committees at all levels, build strong front-line command posts and front-line combat fortresses, and improve the leadership, organizational, and executive capabilities of Party organizations. It is necessary to implement the whole-chain construction concept, innovate talent cultivation models, and build a high-quality professional network information talent formation. It is necessary to adhere to precise construction, strengthen scientific management, focus on classified guidance, solidly promote grassroots construction, and maintain the force’s normal order and stability.” 习近平指出，信息支援部队正处在初创时期，要全面加强自身建设，重视做好打基础、利长远的工作，打牢部队发展根基。要深入贯彻中央军委政治工作会议精神，坚持党对军队绝对领导的根本原则和制度，加强党的创新理论武装，扭住思想根子问题深化思想整风，从严正风肃纪反腐，确保部队绝对忠诚、绝对纯洁、绝对可靠。信息支援部队首届党委要强化创业意识和开拓精神，把首任首责担起来，选准配强各级党委班子，建强一线指挥部和一线战斗堡垒，提高党组织领导力、组织力、执行力。要贯彻全链路抓建理念，创新人才培养模式，打造高素质专业化网络信息人才方阵。要坚持精准抓建，加强科学管理，注重分类指导，扎实抓好基层建设，保持部队正规秩序和安全稳定.
Xi Jinping finally emphasized that the CMC should strengthen overall coordination, the relevant departments of the Commission should take the initiative to provide guidance, and all units should actively cooperate to jointly build the Information Support Force and create a new situation in the construction of the military’s network information system. 习近平最后强调，中央军委要加强全局统筹，军委机关有关部门要主动靠前指导，各单位要积极协同配合，共同把信息支援部队建设好，开创我军网络信息体系建设新局面.
Next, there’s a report on Xi’s congratulatory letter to Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah on her election as president of Namibia. Xinhua reports:
“Noting that China and Namibia enjoy a long-standing traditional friendship, Xi said that in recent years, the two countries have strengthened their political mutual trust, achieved fruitful outcomes in practical cooperation, and firmly supported each other on issues concerning their core interests and major concerns. Also in the message, Xi said that he highly regards the development of China-Namibia relations, and stands ready to work with Nandi-Ndaitwah to take the implementation of the outcomes of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Beijing Summit as an opportunity to carry forward the traditional friendship, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation and promote the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries, so as to better benefit the two peoples.”
Third, there’s a report on Wang Huning meeting a Vietnamese delegation led by Nguyen Xuan Thang, a member of the Politburo of the CPV Central Committee, president of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics and chairman of the Central Theoretical Council. Xinhua reports:
Wang said that “China will work with Vietnam to follow through on the important consensus reached by the top leaders of the two parties, said Wang, also chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). The CPPCC National Committee is willing to maintain close communication and cooperation with the Vietnam Fatherland Front, Wang said. The CPV hopes to continuously learn from the CPC experience in national governance, strengthen the overall leadership of the party, and improve Vietnam’s socialist development system, head of the delegation Nguyen Xuan Thang said.”
Fourth, there’s a report on Han Zheng meeting with Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez. Xinhua reports:
“Han said China is willing to work with Venezuela to earnestly implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, continue to firmly support each other on issues that bear on each other's core interests and major concerns, strengthen practical cooperation, promote greater progress in bilateral relations, and uphold the common interests of developing countries. Rodriguez said that Venezuela firmly adheres to the one-China principle, supports the series of major initiatives put forward by China and is willing to learn from China’s successful experience in governance. Moreover, the country aims to strengthen bilateral cooperation and multilateral coordination, oppose unilateral illegal sanctions, and safeguard national security and development, as well as international fairness and justice.”
Fifth, there’s another commentary drawing from Xi’s speech on BRI. It says:
“In October 2023, President Xi Jinping announced eight action items at the Third BRI Forum, indicating that the joint construction of BRI has entered a new stage of high-quality development. This new stage of high-quality development is a new stage of three-dimensional connectivity across the Eurasian continent, led by the Green Silk Road, and empowered by the Digital Silk Road, marking a new starting point for China and all parties to make unremitting efforts to achieve modernization for countries worldwide, demonstrating the broad-minded approach of seeking progress for humanity, pursuing great harmony for the world, and showcasing the great power responsibility of having a global perspective and leading the era.” 2023年10月，习近平主席在第三届“一带一路”国际合作高峰论坛上宣布中方下一步采取的八项行动，标志着共建“一带一路”进入高质量发展的新阶段。高质量发展的新阶段是亚欧大陆立体联通、绿色丝绸之路引领、数字丝绸之路赋能的新阶段，标注着中国和各方一道为实现世界各国的现代化作出不懈努力的新起点，彰显了为人类谋进步、为世界谋大同的博大胸襟和胸怀天下、引领时代的大国担当.
General Secretary Xi Jinping profoundly elaborated on the overall requirements, guiding principles, practical paths, and key work for high-quality joint construction of BRI, providing important guidance and pointing out the direction for promoting high-quality development in the new stage. We must deeply recognise that seeking progress while maintaining stability is an important principle of our Party’s governance. The more complex the international situation becomes, the more we must adhere to the work guideline of seeking progress while maintaining stability, steadily and cautiously advance project construction, and gradually expand new areas of cooperation. Adhering to consultation, joint construction, and shared benefits, openness, greenness, integrity, high standards, and benefiting people’s livelihoods in a sustainable way; these are the guiding principles for the high-quality joint construction of BRI. We must actively advocate the concept of win-win cooperation and a correct view of righteousness and gain, uphold the essence of openness, the foundation of greenness, and the highlight of integrity, seek the points of intersection of interests and the greatest common divisor of cooperation, and continuously expand new spaces for win-win cooperation and development.” 习近平总书记深刻阐明了高质量共建“一带一路”的总体要求、指导原则、实践路径、重点工作，为新阶段推动共建“一带一路”高质量发展提供了重要遵循、指引了前进方向。必须深刻认识到，稳中求进是我们党治国理政的重要原则。国际环境越是错综复杂，越要坚持稳中求进工作总基调，稳扎稳打、稳慎推进项目建设，稳步拓展合作新领域。坚持共商共建共享、开放绿色廉洁、高标准惠民生可持续，这是高质量共建“一带一路”的指导原则。我们要积极倡导合作共赢理念与正确义利观，坚守开放的本色、绿色的底色、廉洁的亮色，寻求各方利益交汇点和合作最大公约数，不断拓展共赢发展新空间.
“The joint construction of BRI is a long-term, cross-border, and systemic global project; a century-long project. Looking toward the future, it is necessary to be guided by the eight action items for high-quality joint construction of BRI, take interconnectivity as the main line, combine high-quality development with high-level security, government guidance with market operations, scientific layout with dynamic optimisation, and quantitative growth with quality improvement coordinate the deepening of infrastructure ‘hard connectivity’, the ‘soft connectivity’ of rules and standards, and ‘heart connectivity’ through people-to-people linkages across partner countries, coordinate the promotion of major landmark projects and ‘small but beautiful’ livelihood projects, and coordinate the consolidation of cooperation in traditional fields and steady expansion of cooperation in emerging fields. Only then can we promote the joint construction of BRI to continuously advance along the direction of high-quality development.” 共建“一带一路”，是长周期、跨国界、系统性的世界工程、世纪工程。面向未来，以高质量共建“一带一路”八项行动为指引，以互联互通为主线，坚持高质量发展和高水平安全相结合、政府引导和市场运作相结合、科学布局和动态优化相结合、量的增长和质的提升相结合，统筹深化基础设施“硬联通”、规则标准“软联通”和同共建国家人民“心联通”，统筹推进重大标志性工程和“小而美”民生项目建设，统筹巩固传统领域合作和稳步拓展新兴领域合作，才能推动共建“一带一路”沿着高质量发展方向不断前进.
The final bit calls for mechanism or institutional construction. “At the symposium, General Secretary Xi Jinping made a systematic deployment for promoting high-quality joint construction of the BRI mechanism, clearly defining the major requirements for improving the ‘nine mechanisms’. All regions, departments, and units must raise their political standing, focus on implementation and execution, continuously strengthen strategic thinking, security awareness, systemic perspective, and international vision, put more effort into coordination and achieve results practically. It is necessary to focus on advancing systematization and institutionalization, continuously improve top-level design, formulate practical measures, deepen external cooperation, and promote the steady and long-term advancement of high-quality joint construction of BRI.” 制度建设带有根本性、全局性、稳定性和长期性。党的二十届三中全会提出，完善推进高质量共建“一带一路”机制。座谈会上，习近平总书记对推进高质量共建“一带一路”机制建设作出系统部署，明确了完善“九个机制”的重大要求。各地区各部门各单位要提高政治站位、抓好贯彻落实，不断强化战略思维、安全意识、系统观念、国际视野，更多在“统”字上下功夫，在“实”字上见成效。要以推进体系化机制化为重点，持续完善顶层设计，制定务实措施，深化对外合作，推进高质量共建“一带一路”行稳致远。
Finally, the full guideline on promoting the construction of new urban infrastructure and building resilient cities is published today. I am not detailing the entire document. Xinhua summarises it as follows:
“By 2027, significant progress should have been made in the construction of new-type urban infrastructure, providing ever-increasing support for the development of resilient cities, while a number of experiences and practices that can be copied and expanded should have been established. By 2030, the construction of new-type urban infrastructure should have achieved remarkable results, to help push forward the building of a group of high-level resilient cities, improve urban safety and resilience, and ensure safer, more orderly, smarter and more efficient urban operations. To achieve these aims, major tasks must be fulfilled in 11 aspects, including implementing the building and upgrading of intelligent municipal infrastructure, promoting the coordinated development of smart city infrastructure and intelligent connected vehicles, and developing smart residential quarters, according to the guideline. In addition, there are other important tasks such as raising the intelligence level of housing and building management, carrying out digital home construction, improving city information modeling platforms, and maintaining cyber and data security.”
Page 2: Just one report to note.
It says that so far, 700 billion yuan of ultra-long-term special government bonds have been issued for the “two heavy” projects, i.e., projects related to major national strategies and those to build up security capacity in key areas. This allocation was done in three batches. Another 300 billion yuan has been allocated to increase support for the ‘two new’ work, i.e., large-scale equipment renewal and consumer goods replacement. In all, 1 trillion yuan worth of bonds have been issued so far. 截至目前，用于“两重”建设的7000亿元超长期特别国债已分三批全部安排到项目，另安排3000亿元用于加力支持“两新”工作，至此，全年1万亿元超长期特别国债已全部安排完毕.
“The ‘two heavy’ construction projects focus on supporting the development of railways, trunk highways, and airport construction along the Yangtze River, the construction of the new western land-sea corridor, high-standard farmland construction in the black soil region of Northeast China, the ‘Three-North’ project, the public service system for the urbanization of agricultural migrant populations, and the upgrading of higher education quality, among other areas.” “两重”建设重点支持了长江沿线铁路、干线公路、机场建设，西部陆海新通道建设，东北黑土地高标准农田建设，“三北”工程建设，农业转移人口市民化公共服务体系建设，高等教育提质升级等领域建设.
Page 3: China’s Minister of National Defense Dong Jun made his first public appearance after the recent rumours about a corruption probe against him. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs had dismissed those rumours earlier. But then CMC member Admiral Miao Hua was officially removed, and that fuelled further speculation about Dong’s fate. So this appearance is a statement of sorts.
In the past few weeks, I have had a fair few people ask me what I made of the FT report on Dong and whether he was being probed. It is in such moments that China watchers must look to deeper truths, such as those in poetry. So here’s the amateur poetic take that I offered for such questions:
Kuch baaten hum hum tab jaan paate hai,
jab hum unhe jaan paate hai; tab tak
kuch afwah, kuch shikwah,
aur kabhi umeed ke beech jeete hai hum
Or the English version, which sounds less poetic to me at least:
Some things we can only know,
when we really know them; until then,
we exist in a mist of rumours, grievances, and
sometimes, hope.
Anyway, back to the report. So Dong Jun met with the heads of delegations from various countries attending the Second Seminar on the Security Situation in the Gulf of Guinea in Shanghai on Thursday. He said that China is willing to work with the armed forces of regional countries to share the responsibility of maintaining security in the Gulf of Guinea. Xinhua reports:
“Hosted by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy, the seminar brought together maritime armed force leaders and defense attachés from 18 nations, including Cameroon, the Republic of Congo, Gabon, Cote d'Ivoire and Nigeria. During the meeting, Dong also called for efforts to promote systematic maritime cooperation, carry forward the traditional friendship with regional countries, and contribute to the building of an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era.”
Next, there’s a report on Vice Premier He Lifeng meeting with BlackRock CEO Larry Fink in Beijing. Xinhua reports:
He said that “China welcomes more foreign financial institutions and long-term capital to continue deepening mutually beneficial cooperation with China … He said China is further deepening the reform of its financial system and steadily expanding the institutional opening up of the financial sector, providing greater convenience for foreign enterprises operating in the country. China welcomes more foreign financial institutions and long-term capital, including BlackRock, to invest and do business in China, sharing China's development opportunities, the vice premier said. Fink said that BlackRock is optimistic about the prospects of the development of China's economy and financial market, and is willing to continue to deepen its engagement with the Chinese market and contribute to U.S.-China economic and trade cooperation.”
Third, there’s a report on Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian meeting with Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing. Xinhua reports:
“Zhang emphasized that Iran holds significant regional and international influence and is a key comprehensive strategic partner for China. He highlighted the successful meeting between the presidents of both countries at the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, in October, during which they provided top-level guidance for strengthening China-Iran relations. Zhang reiterated China’s firm support for Iran in safeguarding its sovereignty, security, territorial integrity, and legitimate rights, expressing Beijing’s readiness to implement the important consensus reached by the two leaders and to promote the stable and long-term growth of China-Iran relations. Pezeshkian, in turn, asked Zhang to convey his sincere regards to the Chinese president. He underscored Iran's strong commitment to developing its relations with China, highlighting the strategic importance of bilateral ties. Pezeshkian reaffirmed Iran's readiness to continue mutual support, deepen practical cooperation, and promote further growth in the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries. Also on Wednesday, Zhang held talks with Iran's First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref. The two officials engaged in in-depth discussions on implementing the China-Iran comprehensive cooperation plan.”
Although it is not in the paper today, for folks tracking India-China relations, do note that ILD chief Liu Jianchao “met with a delegation of the Communist Party of India (CPI) cadres led by Rama Krushna Panda, a national secretariat member of the CPI, in Beijing on Thursday. Both sides agreed on the necessity of delivering on the latest important common understandings between the leaders of the two countries, of strengthening party-to-party exchanges and dialogues, of managing differences properly, and of promoting the improvement and development of China-India relations.”
Page 5: Today’s Xinhua article on the economy deals with the difficulties being encountered by enterprises. The first bit talks about challenges on the demand and supply side. It says:
From a demand point of view, “some business leaders say that competition over ‘quantity’ is becoming increasingly fierce, and every day when they open their eyes, they think about how to retain customers. Meanwhile, some companies report that the contest over ‘quality’ is becoming more pronounced. With consumer demand growing increasingly diverse and personalized, if they cannot adapt to changes, they risk being replaced ‘at any moment’.” 拓市场、找需求，这是很多企业的常态。一些企业负责人说，“量”的竞争越来越激烈，每天一睁眼想的就是如何稳住客户。还有一些企业反映，“质”的角逐越来越凸显，消费者的需求日益多样化、个性化，如果不能适应变化，“分分钟”就会被替代.
From the supply side perspective, the article claims:
“In-depth analysis reveals that the various difficulties currently faced by enterprises are related to the broader economic development environment:
Insufficient domestic effective demand. During the structural adjustment process, on the investment side, fixed asset investment growth has been below expectations; on the consumption side, the total retail sales of consumer goods are in a recovery phase. These factors all impact the sales of enterprise goods and services.
Industrial upgrading continues to advance, and the squeeze from new and old momentum conversion is inevitable. On one hand, the development of emerging industries creates certain impacts and substitutions for traditional industries, with the market scale of some traditional industries shrinking; on the other hand, technological changes are accelerating, with time and opportunities waiting for no one. These factors place enterprises both in the midst of adjustment pains and compel them to race towards innovation.
Global economic recovery is weak, global trade protectionism is intensifying, and uncertainty and instability are increasing. Some industries are experiencing cyclical fluctuations, and some enterprises have not yet adapted to changes in market and industrial development.
These difficulties arise from both external pressures and internal challenges, involving environmental factors and enterprise-specific reasons. They are the result of multiple complex factors and are also the inevitable test that our country’s economy must directly face while climbing over obstacles and moving towards high-quality development.
深入分析，当前企业面临的种种难题，与经济发展大环境相关：国内有效需求不足。结构调整过程中，在投资端，固定资产投资增速不及预期；在消费端，全社会消费品零售总额正处于恢复阶段。这些都对企业商品和服务的销售带来影响。产业升级持续推进，新旧动能转换带来的挤压难以避免。一方面，新兴产业的发展对传统产业造成一定冲击和替代，部分传统产业市场规模在缩小；另一方面，技术变革加速，时间不等人、机遇不等人。这些都让企业既面临调整的阵痛，又必须投身创新的竞速。世界经济复苏乏力、全球贸易保护加剧、不确定不稳定因素增多。有的产业呈现周期性波动，一些企业一时还未适应市场和产业发展的变化。这些困难，有外部压力也有内部挑战，有环境因素也有自身原因，是多重复杂因素交织的结果，也是我国经济爬坡过坎、迈向高质量必然直面的考验.
Do note that there is no comment or analysis about the Chinese government’s policies and their impact on the economic environment. Anyway, the second section offers advice and a bit of a pep talk to enterprises.
“The market is found, not waited for. When facing problems in the market, seek answers from the market. Recently, some changes are intriguing: The steel industry has been under short-term pressure, but by focusing on new ‘steel’ demand through electric vehicles, high added-value product sales have been robust; the laptop market is approaching saturation, but market segments like gaming laptops and ultra-thin laptops targeting personalised needs have shown significant growth; large-scale performances have driven cultural tourism, with online e-commerce transactions in tourism, sightseeing, and entertainment services increasing by 15.3% year-on-year in the first three quarters...these emerging growth points in niche sectors are precisely the new business opportunities that enterprises have captured by recognizing change, responding to change, and seeking change. Exploring broader markets. In the first 10 months, China’s private enterprises’ exports increased by 9.3% year-on-year, new energy vehicle exports grew by 6.3%, and mechanical and electrical product exports increased by 8.5% ... behind these numbers are Chinese enterprises going out and battling waves in the international market. Competition is always intense, and difficulties will always exist. What determines an enterprise’s development prospects is not the number of difficulties, but the perspective on difficulties, the methods of addressing difficulties, and the determination to resolve difficulties.” 市场是找出来的，不是等出来的。面对市场中遇到的问题，要向市场找答案。近期，一些变化耐人寻味：钢铁行业短期承压，但聚焦电动汽车等新“钢”需，高附加值产品销售强劲；笔记本电脑市场趋近饱和，但瞄准个性化需求的游戏本、超薄本等增速明显；用大型演出带动文旅，前三季度旅游游览和娱乐服务类电子商务交易额同比增长15.3%……这些细分领域迸发的新增长点，正是企业识变、应变、求变，捕捉到的新商机。探寻更广阔的市场。前10个月，我国民营企业出口同比增长9.3%，新能源汽车出口增长6.3%，机电产品出口增长8.5%……数字背后，是一个个中国企业走出去，在国际市场搏击风浪。竞争总是激烈的，困难永远会有。决定企业发展前景的，不是困难有多少，而是看待困难的眼光、应对困难的办法、解决困难的决心.
The other piece of advice is to focus on innovation. Some useful data here is that “in the first three quarters, China's listed companies invested 1.10 trillion yuan in R&D. The R&D intensity of companies on the ChiNext Board, the STAR Market, and the Beijing Stock Exchange was 4.74%, 9.94%, and 4.73%, respectively, indicating strengthened innovation efforts. In the first three quarters, 6.191 million new private enterprises were established nationwide, with 40% of them belonging to the ‘four new’ economy, signifying an expansion in business fields.” 前三季度，中国上市公司研发投入达1.10万亿元。创业板、科创板、北交所企业研发强度分别为4.74%、9.94%、4.73%，创新在加力。前三季度，全国新设民营企业619.1万户，其中“四新”经济民营企业占四成，经营领域在拓展.
The third and final section deals with the policy steps that have been taken to support enterprise. It says that steps have been taken to
Effectively reduce the burden on enterprises: establish a coordination mechanism to support the financing of small and micro enterprises, promote the further reduction of the comprehensive financing costs of enterprises, maintain policies such as the tax deduction of R&D expenses, and introduce a series of measures to effectively reduce the logistics costs of the whole society.
Strictly regulate law enforcement supervision: improve the legal system and judicial mechanism for clearing enterprise account arrears, establish a cross-regional administrative law enforcement assistance system, improve a normalized mechanism for collecting problem clues, resolutely correct and seriously hold accountable behaviours of arbitrary fee collection, arbitrary fines, and arbitrary levies
Precisely support enterprise development: multiple departments have established normalised communication mechanisms with enterprises, a new round of support policies for specialised, refined, and innovative enterprises has been launched, support has been provided to over 1,000 key Little Giant enterprises through central funds.
有力有效减轻企业负担，建立支持小微企业融资协调工作机制，推动企业综合融资成本进一步下降，持续实施研发费用税前加计扣除等政策，出台有效降低全社会物流成本系列举措；严格规范执法监管，健全拖欠企业账款清偿的法律法规体系和司法机制，建立健全异地行政执法协助制度，完善常态化问题线索收集机制，对乱收费乱罚款乱摊派行为坚决纠正、严肃追责；精准扶持企业发展，多部门建立健全与企业的常态化沟通交流机制，启动新一轮专精特新支持政策，通过中央财政支持1000多家重点“小巨人”企业.
It also mentions policy support around the two heavy projects and two new work, the work related to the draft law on promoting the private economy, guidelines to support foreign trade and the building of a unified national market.
The article adds:
“At present, the effects of the policy changes are being released, and the trend of market recovery and stabilizing positive expectations is becoming more obvious. In the first three quarters, the main policies supporting scientific and technological innovation and manufacturing development in the current policies were tax reduction, fee reduction and tax rebate exceeding 2 trillion yuan. In October, nationwide enterprise sales revenue increased year-on-year, rising 1.3 percentage points month-on-month; the Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) was 50.1%, returning to the expansion zone for the first time since May this year; the Non-Manufacturing Business Activity Index has remained stable around 50% for several consecutive months; and the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Index rose 0.3 points from September, the largest increase this year. Although current difficulties are still numerous, the confidence of economic entities is recovering, and more and more enterprises are moving forward more resolutely.” 当前，政策效果正在释放，市场回暖、预期企稳向好的趋势更加明显。前三季度，现行政策中支持科技创新和制造业发展的主要政策减税降费及退税超2万亿元。10月份，全国企业销售收入同比增长，环比提高1.3个百分点；制造业PMI为50.1%，自今年5月份以来首次回升到扩张区间；非制造业商务活动指数连续数月稳定在50%左右；中小企业发展指数较9月上升0.3点，是今年以来最大升幅。尽管眼下的困难依旧不少，但经营主体的信心在恢复，越来越多的企业更坚定地前行.
The piece ends by saying that the “Chinese economy is resilient, has great potential, and is full of vitality”. Its “long-term positive fundamentals will not change.” It also praises Chinese entrepreneurs as “courageous, visionary, brave in innovation, and exceling at taking action…” 我们的企业家有胆识、有眼光、勇创新、善作为，在带领企业攻坚克难中涵养着可持续发展的能力与定力.
(My Note: It is noteworthy that the nationalism rhetoric seems to have taken a bit of a back seat when discussing economic issues. This article is an example of that. It argues that the current challenges are a product of several factors, including just something inherent to the stage of development that China is in. It does refer to the external environment as a factor but there’s no nationalistic rabble-rousing. I also find it striking that patriotism is not one of the qualities that the authors mention when discussing entrepreneurs; a few years ago, patriotism was the rage.)
Page 15: There’s an article by Bobby M. Tuazon, Director for Policy Studies of a Philippine think tank, Center for People Empowerment in Governance (CenPEG). He basically says that the Philippines government has adopted a “confrontational and reckless” approach with regard to China on the South China Sea issue. These actions “undermine ASEAN unity, damage its own reputation, and weaken its policy autonomy.”
He writes”
“The changes in the Philippine government’s foreign policy are mainly reflected in three aspects. First, it has abandoned its earlier relatively pragmatic position, ignored China’s concerns, and actively moved closer to the United States militarily, offering four more military bases to the United States in the northern Philippines near Taiwan and sensitive areas near the South China Sea. Although the Philippines claims this is "not targeting any third country," it clearly aims to join the US’ so-called ‘defense alliance’, raising concerns among regional countries. Second, regardless of the content of the ‘Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea’ such as “the directly concerned sovereign states shall resolve their territorial and jurisdictional disputes by peaceful means through friendly consultations and negotiations without resorting to force or the threat of force’, it promoted its wrong stance on the South China Sea at the Shangri-La Dialogue and on other occasions, distorted and exaggerated the situation at sea, and held a series of military exercises with the United States and other extra-regional forces, posing challenges to regional peace and tranquility. Third, it has not fully adhered to or has even obscured the 2016 consensus reached between China and the Philippines. Instead, it has leaned toward seeking US ‘assistance’, weakening the dialogue mechanisms established between China and the Philippines to peacefully resolve maritime disputes.” 菲律宾政府对外政策变化主要体现在三个方面。一是摒弃了此前相对务实的立场，无视中方关切，军事上积极向美国靠拢，在临近中国台湾的菲律宾北部和临近南海的敏感地区对美增加开放4个军事基地。菲方虽宣称此举“不针对第三国”，但意在加入美方所谓“防务联盟”，这令地区国家担忧。二是不顾“由直接有关的主权国家通过友好磋商和谈判，以和平方式解决它们的领土和管辖权争议，而不诉诸武力或以武力相威胁”等《南海各方行为宣言》内容，在香格里拉对话会等场合宣扬涉南海错误立场，歪曲渲染海上事态，并与美方等域外势力举行系列军演，给地区和平与安宁带来挑战。三是未完全遵循甚至掩盖菲中两国2016年达成的有关共识。菲律宾方面倾向于寻求美国的“援助”，不断弱化菲中旨在和平解决海上争端的对话机制.
He further warns:
“The Philippine government has adopted military confrontation and adventurism, undermining ASEAN unity. Military adventurism is a dangerous attempt by the US to maintain its global hegemony. The Philippines, disregarding the common interests of regional countries, insisted on establishing a dangerous ‘alliance’ with the US, which is more than 10,000 km away from its homeland. This violates the common desire of ASEAN countries to pursue regional peace, security and stability.
The Philippine government has adopted military confrontation and adventurism, undermining its own reputation. The Philippines has ignored the historical facts that the Chinese people began to sail and engage in production activities in the South China Sea more than 2,000 years ago, and that China was the first to discover, name and develop and utilize the South China Sea islands and related waters. It has continued to escalate tensions and claim so-called ‘Chinese aggression’, which has not only affected the peaceful dialogue between the Philippines and China, a major trading partner, but also impacted the credibility of the Philippine government.
The Philippine government has adopted military confrontation and adventurism, undermining the Philippines’ policy autonomy. The Philippines has provided support for the US geostrategy, helped the US military carry out so-called ‘freedom of navigation’ operations in the South China Sea, opened additional military bases for the US, allowed the US military to deploy medium-range missiles in the Philippines, and blindly devoted itself to building the so-called ‘US-Japan-Philippines alliance’, gradually exacerbating regional tensions and putting the Philippines at risk of becoming a US ‘tool of war’.”
菲律宾政府采取军事对抗和冒进行为，破坏东盟团结。军事冒进是美国为维护全球霸权而进行的危险尝试。菲律宾不顾地区国家共同利益，执意与距离本土1万多公里的美国建立危险“联盟”，违背了东盟各国追求地区和平、安全与稳定的共同心愿。菲律宾政府采取军事对抗和冒进行为，破坏自身声誉。菲方罔顾中国人民早在2000多年前就已经开始在南海航行和从事生产活动，中国最早发现、命名和开发利用南海诸岛及相关海域的历史事实，持续加剧紧张局势并声称所谓“中国侵略”，既影响了菲律宾与中国这一主要贸易伙伴的和平对话，也对菲政府的信誉造成冲击。菲律宾政府采取军事对抗和冒进行为，破坏菲政策自主权。菲方为美国地缘战略提供支持，帮助美军在南海开展所谓“航行自由”行动，对美增开军事基地，允许美军在菲部署中程导弹，盲目致力于构建所谓“美日菲联盟”，一步步加剧地区局势紧张，使菲律宾面临沦为美国“战争工具”的风险.
To maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea, the Philippines needs to work with all parties to fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and resolve conflicts and differences through dialogue and consultation.