Xi Leads PSC at Beijing Exhibition - Xi as the Helmsman - Ren Lixian Commentaries on Marxism & China's Socialist System - State Council Eases Charges - He Yiting on 'Managing Own Affairs Well'
Here are the stories and pieces that I found noteworthy in the Wednesday, September 28, 2022, edition of the People’s Daily.
Page 1: At the top of the page is a brief report on Xi’s message of condolence to Vladimir Putin over a school shooting incident in the city of Izhevsk.
But the big story on the page is about Xi leading the entire top leadership of the Party to the Beijing Exhibition Hall to visit the new “Forging Ahead in the New Era” exhibition. This was Xi’s first public appearance after returning from the SCO summit. The exhibition “focuses on the governance of the country by the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China.”
Xinhua English’s report also has Xi’s comments reported in PD.
“Xi stressed that since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, the CPC Central Committee has united and led the whole Party, the country, and the people in solving many challenging problems that were long on the agenda but never resolved, making many achievements that concerned the nation's future, and overcoming many political, economic, ideological, and natural risks, challenges, and trials. Historic achievements and shifts have taken place in the cause of the Party and the country, equipping the country with better institutions, firmer material foundations, and a more proactive mindset for realizing national rejuvenation, Xi added. He called for more efforts in raising public awareness of strategic measures, transformative practices, breakthroughs, and landmark accomplishments over the past decade. He also urged a better understanding of the significance of the profound changes during this period in the history of the CPC, of New China, of the reform and opening-up, of the development of socialism, and of the development of the Chinese nation, so that the whole Party, the country, and the people will maintain historical confidence and enhance the historical initiative.”
Also on the page is a report on Wang Huning’s comments at the opening of the exhibition. Xinhua English has a good translation, but I’ll add more below from PD.
“Wang hailed the decade since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012 as a truly extraordinary and remarkable decade in the course of the development of the Party and the country. The CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has united and led the entire Party, the military, and all Chinese people in advancing a host of transformative practices, making many new breakthroughs and achieving a number of landmark accomplishments, Wang said. With great success achieved for socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era, the last 10 years are a milestone in the history of the Party, the People's Republic of China, reform and opening up, the development of socialism, and the development of the Chinese nation, he said. The fundamental reason why historic achievements and historic shifts have been made in the cause of the Party and the country is the helmsmanship and leadership of General Secretary Xi Jinping and the sound guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, Wang said. Wang stressed the need to maintain a high degree of unity with the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core.”
He added: “We must deeply understand the decisive significance of the Two Establishments, strengthen the four consciousnesses and four self-confidences, and achieve the two safeguards; we must constantly improve political judgement, understanding, and execution, and maintain a high degree of consistency with the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core in terms of ideology, politics and actions.” 我们要深刻领悟“两个确立”的决定性意义，增强“四个意识”、坚定“四个自信”、做到“两个维护”，不断提高政治判断力、政治领悟力、政治执行力，始终在思想上政治上行动上同以习近平同志为核心的党中央保持高度一致.
The report adds that Ding Xuexiang, Sun Chunlan, Zhang Youxia, Cai Qi, Wang Dongming, Zhang Qingli, He Lifeng and Miao Hua attended the opening ceremony. Huang Kunming presided over the opening ceremony.
Next, there’s a report on the election of the 52 top Chinese leaders, including XI Jinping, to the 20th Party Congress. These individuals were nominated by the CPC Central Committee as candidates and put to the vote in their respective electoral units. The piece first talks about Xi’s election from Guangxi. This took place in April. Xi had been unanimously elected by the 666 delegates.
“The 666 delegates and 666 votes represented the common will of more than 2.5 million party members and more than 150,000 grassroots party organisations in Guangxi; it fully reflected the heartfelt love of 57 million Zhuang sons and daughters for General Secretary Xi Jinping; it reflected the common will and firm determination of hundreds of millions of people to work hard and act with determination in order create a better future under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at the core.” 666位代表、666张选票，凝聚了广西250多万名党员、15万多个基层党组织的共同意愿，充分体现了5700万壮乡儿女对习近平总书记的衷心爱戴，反映了亿万人民在以习近平同志为核心的党中央坚强领导下踔厉奋发、勇毅笃行，开创更加美好未来的共同意志和坚定决心。
The decade since the 18th Party Congress has been extremely unusual and extraordinary in the development of the cause of the Party and the country. The complexity and severity of the situation and environment and the onerous and arduous nature of the tasks that have been shouldered by the Party are rare in the world and in history. With the grandeur and visionary foresight of a Marxist politician, thinker and strategist, General Secretary Xi Jinping has made plans keeping in mind the overall situation at home and abroad, promoted the reform, development and stability, internal affairs, foreign affairs and national defense, and managed the Party, country and army. In doing so, he has fully demonstrated the political wisdom, strategic determination, mission responsibility, feelings for the people and leadership skills that behove the leader of a big party and big country. The cadres and masses of all ethnic groups in Guangxi said that the most fundamental reason for the historic achievements and changes in the cause of the party and the country over the past decade lies in the fact that General Secretary Xi Jinping, as the core of the Party Central Committee and the core of the whole Party, has been at the helm steering the ship, and in the scientific guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.” 党的十八大以来这十年在党和国家事业发展进程中极不寻常、极不平凡，党面临形势环境的复杂性和严峻性、肩负任务的繁重性和艰巨性世所罕见、史所罕见。习近平总书记以马克思主义政治家、思想家、战略家的恢弘气魄、远见卓识、雄韬伟略，谋划国内外大局，推进改革发展稳定、内政外交国防、治党治国治军工作，充分展现了大党大国领袖的政治智慧、战略定力、使命担当、为民情怀、领导艺术。广西各族干部群众表示，党和国家事业取得历史性成就、发生历史性变革，最根本的原因在于有习近平总书记作为党中央的核心、全党的核心掌舵领航，在于有习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想科学指引.
After this, the piece adds that under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with comrade Xi Jinping at the core, the great changes of the new era in the past decade have milestone significance in the history of the Party, the history of New China, the history of reform and opening up, the history of socialist development and the history of the Chinese nation. 在以习近平同志为核心的党中央坚强领导下，新时代十年的伟大变革，在党史、新中国史、改革开放史、社会主义发展史、中华民族发展史上具有里程碑意义.
This is followed by reports of praise for Xi Jinping by local officials and even netizens.
Then the piece talks about the election of the 51 others. It says that:
“At the critical moment when the whole party and the people of all ethnic groups across the country are embarking on a new journey of building a modern socialist country in an all-round way and marching towards the goal of the second century, the leaders of the party and the state, especially General Secretary Xi Jinping and other comrades of the Politburo Standing Committee, took part in elections in border areas with a large ethnic minority population, old revolutionary base areas and key regions where national-level development strategies are implemented, setting an example for leading officials. 在全党全国各族人民迈上全面建设社会主义现代化国家新征程、向第二个百年奋斗目标进军的关键时刻，党和国家领导人特别是习近平总书记和中央政治局常委其他同志带头到边疆民族地区、革命老区以及乡村振兴等国家重大发展战略实施重点省份参选，为领导干部作出表率，形成示范引领之效.
The piece adds that the election of the party and state leaders in the relevant electoral units and their participation in the group discussions are of great significance and far-reaching implications:
It is conducive to in-depth study and implementation of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era; to deeply comprehend the decisive significance of the Two Establishments; to strengthen the four consciousnesses and four self-confidences, and to achieve the two safeguards.
It is conducive to implementing the requirements of comprehensive and strict party governance, strengthening and regulating political life within the party under the new situation, and creating a good political ecology
It is conducive to strengthening guidance over work, basing it on the new development stage, implementing the new development concept, building a new development pattern, promoting high-quality development, promoting the implementation of major national development strategies, and building a comprehensively modern socialist country
It is conducive to keeping close contact with the party members and the masses, listening to a wide spectrum of opinions, and further showcasing a new style and form.
党和国家领导人在有关选举单位当选并将参加分团讨论，意义重大、意蕴深远：有利于深入学习贯彻习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想，深刻领悟“两个确立”的决定性意义，增强“四个意识”、坚定“四个自信”、做到“两个维护”；有利于落实全面从严治党要求，加强和规范新形势下党内政治生活，营造良好政治生态；有利于加强工作指导，立足新发展阶段、贯彻新发展理念、构建新发展格局、推动高质量发展，推进国家重大发展战略的实施，全面建设社会主义现代化国家；有利于密切联系党员群众、广泛听取意见，进一步展现新的作风和形象.
Next, there’s a report on the weekly State Council meeting.
“The meeting pointed out that the key to maintaining stable growth, stable employment and people’s livelihood is to protect market players. It is necessary to implement the deployment of the Party Central Committee and the State Council and increase relief efforts in order to promote economic stability, keeping in mind the fact that market entities – especially small and medium-sized enterprises, individual industrial and commercial households – and the manufacturing industry are facing great difficulties. In the fourth quarter, another batch of deferment of charges will be implemented.”
This includes:
First, payments of 14 government-levied charges, including farmland reclamation fee and sewage and household waste disposal fee, amounting to over 53 billion yuan, will be deferred without overdue fines. Localities will be encouraged to postpone the collection of sub-national government-levied charges on enterprises, and arbitrary charges will be strictly prohibited.
Second, payments of project quality deposits of various kinds, amounting to about 63 billion yuan, will be deferred.
Third, due responsibilities must be fulfilled, and promises delivered with concrete actions to ensure that market entities truly benefit from the policies.
会议指出，稳增长稳就业保民生，关键要保市场主体。要贯彻党中央、国务院部署，针对市场主体特别是中小微企业、个体工商户和制造业困难大的实际，加大纾困力度，促进经济回稳向上。在第四季度，再实行一批收费缓缴。一是缓缴耕地开垦费、污水和生活垃圾处理费等14项行政事业性收费，规模530多亿元，不收滞纳金。鼓励各地对地方涉企行政事业性收费实行缓缴，严禁乱收费。二是缓缴各类工程项目质量保证金，规模约630亿元。三是落实责任，言必行、行必果，确保市场主体受惠.
Xinhua English has the details on the next bit on making more government services interprovincially accessible in order to further unlock market vitality. “On top of the 187 government services already inter-provincially accessible, additional 22 high-demand items that affect a wide range of sectors will be added to the list to address the pressing concerns of households and businesses.” The PD report mentions items like electronic tax payment, tax payment certificate issuance, social insurance premium declaration for enterprises, and for individuals, temporary ID card processing, endowment insurance registration and treatment application, and outpatient chronic and special disease expense settlement. In addition, “inter-agency information sharing will be enhanced and operational standards aligned to make more inter-provincial services available online and processed on a one-stop basis. The needs of senior citizens for in-person services will also be well met. Personal privacy and trade secrets will be protected pursuant to law.”
The meeting also called for accelerating the construction of agricultural and rural infrastructure projects under construction, starting a number of new projects, and completing the investment of more than 300 billion yuan that has been earmarked within the year.
The meeting decided that personal income tax concessions will be made available for those participating in policy-supported and commercially-operated private pension schemes: participants will be entitled to a contribution deduction of up to 12,000 yuan (about 1,687.6 U.S. dollars) each year from their annual taxable income. No tax will be levied on investment yields for the time being. The actual tax burden for receiving pension benefits will be lowered from the previous 7.5 percent to 3 percent. This policy will be applied retroactively to January 1 this year.
Next, a report on the national day reception, and Wang Yang’s comments there. Xinhua reports Wang as having said that:
“Since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has implemented the strategy of national rejuvenation within the context of global changes of a scale unseen in a century…It has solved many longstanding problems, brought about important achievements on matters concerning the future, and withstood risks and challenges at home and abroad…”
Wang Yang emphasised that this year is of great historical significance in the development of the Party and the country, with the 20th Party Congress to be held soon. This historic event is related to the cause of the party and the country, the future and destiny of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. We must study, publicise, and implement the spirit of the 20th Party Congress well, adhere to the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, hold high the banner of ideals and beliefs, unite the mighty power of all people, maintain the firmness of courage and determination, and make unremitting efforts to build a comprehensively modern socialist country and promote the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation in an all-round way. 汪洋强调，今年是党和国家发展进程中具有重大历史意义的一年，举国关注、举世瞩目的中共二十大即将召开。这次历史性盛会事关党和国家事业继往开来，事关中国特色社会主义前途命运，事关中华民族伟大复兴。我们要学习好、宣传好、贯彻好中共二十大精神，坚持以习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想为指导，高扬理想信念的旗帜，凝聚万众一心的伟力，保持勇毅笃行的坚定，为全面建设社会主义现代化国家、全面推进中华民族伟大复兴而不懈奋斗.
He later added that “Being united in struggle is an important guarantee for the Chinese nation to overcome one obstacle after another and create one brilliant achievement after another. It is also the only way for the Communist Party of China and the Chinese people to create great historical achievements in the new era and new journey.” 团结奋斗是中华民族跨过一道又一道难关、创造一个又一个辉煌的重要保证，也是中国共产党和中国人民在新时代新征程上开创历史伟业的必由之路。In this regard, he talked about cultivating unity among different ethnic groups, the people of the country, and all “Chinese sons and daughters.” He then specifically spoke about Hong Kong and Taiwan. Xinhua English captures this bit well.
“Stressing understanding the spirit of President Xi Jinping's address at the meeting celebrating the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland, Wang called for efforts to implement the principle of "one country, two systems," enforce the central government's overall jurisdiction in the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions (SARs), implement the principle of patriots administering Hong Kong and Macao, as well as supporting the SAR governments in their administration in accordance with the law, ensuring that the SARs maintain their unique status and advantages, and supporting their integration into China's overall development. Wang stressed implementing the Party's overall policy for resolving the Taiwan question in the new era, upholding the one-China principle and the 1992 Consensus, and promoting the peaceful and integrated development of cross-Strait relations. Noting that China's reunification is unstoppable, Wang warned that seeking "Taiwan independence" with foreign support will lead nowhere, while using Taiwan to contain China is doomed to fail. Wang urged efforts to implement the policies of the Party and the country on overseas Chinese affairs, and help the world to better understand China.”
Page 2: There’s a Xinhua commentary on the election of the top leadership to the 20th Party Congress. It talks about Xi’s election from Guangxi reflecting the Party's aspirations, the people's aspirations, and the public's expectations.
The commentary says that “the process of party and state leaders participating in the election and being elected fully demonstrates the profound political considerations and strong sense of historical responsibility of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core; it fully promotes inner-Party democracy, and further demonstrates the fine work style of the CPC Central Committee and its clear political and practical orientation, which has greatly inspired the confidence and determination of the whole party and the people of all ethnic groups to build a comprehensively modern socialist modern country and comprehensively promote the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation…” 党和国家领导同志参选、当选的过程，充分彰显以习近平同志为核心的党中央深远的政治考量和强烈的历史担当，充分发扬了党内民主，进一步展现了党中央优良作风形象，体现出鲜明的政治导向和实践导向，极大激发了全党全国各族人民全面建设社会主义现代化国家、全面推进中华民族伟大复兴的信心决心，凝聚起踔厉奋发、勇毅前行、团结奋斗的磅礴力量.
The article repeats the phrasing that I’ve covered above about the past 10 years being of “milestone significance in the history of the party, the history of New China, the history of reform and opening up, the history of socialist development, and the history of the development of the Chinese nation.”
Then we get profuse praise for Xi:
“In the great practice of the new era, General Secretary Xi Jinping, with the grandeur, visionary foresight, and lofty ideals of a Marxist statesman, thinker, and strategist, has planned and devised strategies taking the overall situation into account, demonstrating his outstanding leadership skills, noble personality and sincere feelings for the people. Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era scientifically answers a series of major theoretical and practical questions about the development of the Party and the state in the new era. It is contemporary Chinese Marxism and 21st century Marxism, the essence of Chinese culture and the Chinese spirit of the times, and has achieved a new leap in the Sinicization of Marxism. Its truth power, spiritual power and practical power are fully demonstrated. Practice has fully proved that the Party’s establishment of Xi Jinping as the core of the CPC Central Committee and the whole party and the guiding position of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era reflects the common aspiration of the whole party, the whole army and the people of all ethnic groups in the country, and is of decisive significance to the development of the cause of the party and the country in the new era and the promotion of the historical process of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.” 在新时代伟大实践中，习近平总书记以马克思主义政治家、思想家、战略家的恢弘气魄、远见卓识、雄韬伟略，总揽全局，运筹帷幄，展现了卓越领导才能、崇高人格风范、赤诚为民情怀。习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想科学回答新时代党和国家事业发展的一系列重大理论和实践问题，是当代中国马克思主义、二十一世纪马克思主义，是中华文化和中国精神的时代精华，实现了马克思主义中国化新的飞跃，其真理力量、精神力量、实践力量充分彰显。实践充分证明，党确立习近平同志党中央的核心、全党的核心地位，确立习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的指导地位，反映了全党全军全国各族人民共同心愿，对新时代党和国家事业发展、对推进中华民族伟大复兴历史进程具有决定性意义。
The unanimous election of General Secretary Xi Jinping as a delegate to the 20th Party Congress is a reflection of the high degree of cohesion of the will of the whole party, a concentrated expression of the party's desire and public opinion, and a reflection of the heartfelt affection of the whole party, the whole army and the people of all ethnic groups for General Secretary Xi Jinping, and the resolute maintenance of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s position as the core of the Party Central Committee and the core of the Party as a whole. It is the full recognition of the historic achievements and changes in the cause of the party and the country in the new era, and an expression of firm confidence in achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.” 习近平总书记全票当选党的二十大代表，是全党意志的高度凝聚，是党心民意的集中体现，反映了全党全军全国各族人民对习近平总书记的衷心爱戴，对习近平总书记党中央的核心、全党的核心地位的坚决维护，体现了对新时代党和国家事业取得历史性成就、发生历史性变革的充分认可，彰显了对实现中华民族伟大复兴的坚定信心。
The next paragraph praises Xi’s election from an ethnic minority area as a “shining example” of “intra-party democracy.”
Second, there’s a report (English report) on the Ministry of Commerce announcing support measures for foreign trade. Wang Shouwen said that in the first eight months of this year, China's import and export volume reached 27.3 trillion yuan, an increase of 10.1% year-on-year. He added that foreign trade had once again shown strong resilience and vitality, despite pressures to maintain stability increasing.
The new measures relate to supporting enterprises in terms of epidemic prevention, energy supplies, logistics, labour recruitment, etc. PD says that in addition, the measures talk about optimising the underwriting conditions of long-term insurance in export credit insurance, accelerating the use of special funds for foreign trade, supporting enterprises to participate in all kinds of overseas exhibitions, etc.
The ministry also urged the authorities concerned to further the development of innovative foreign trade development platforms, tap the potential of cross-border e-commerce to stabilise foreign trade and facilitate foreign trade through measures like improvements to ports and domestic logistics efficiency and elimination of unnecessary fees.
Page 3: First, there’s a report on Cao Jianming, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, attending the China-Central Asia non-governmental friendship forum. The report talks about the session focussing on deepening people-to-people ties; nothing particularly interesting said in the report.
Second, a report on Liu Jianchao’s call with George Papandreou on “strengthening exchanges, promoting cooperation, addressing global challenges and international and regional issues of common concern.”
Third, there’s a report informing that Pakistan led a joint statement at the UNHRC on behalf of 68 countries. Xinhua English has the report:
“Xinjiang, Hong Kong and Tibet related issues are China's internal affairs, and there should be no politicization of human rights and double standards, or interference in China's internal affairs under the pretext of human rights, a group of countries stressed Monday at the on-going 51st session of the UN Human Rights Council. A joint statement delivered by Pakistan on behalf of 68 States stressed that respect for sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of states and non-interference in internal affairs of sovereign states represent the basic norms governing international relations. The joint statement said that all parties should abide by the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, adhere to the principles of universality, impartiality, objectivity and non-selectivity, and respect the right of the people of each state to choose independently the path for development in accordance with their national conditions. It continued that all human rights should be treated with the same emphasis, with sufficient importance attached to economic, social and cultural rights and the right to development in particular.”
Page 9: Before I get to today’s Ren Lixuan commentary, let’s first quickly scan through yesterday’s, which argued that that thought is power and that the CCP has a “glorious tradition of paying attention to ideological party building and theoretical strengthening of the party. Having the guidance of Marxist scientific theory “is the Party's distinctive political character and strong political advantage.”
“Since its establishment, our party has always adhered to a high degree of theoretical awareness and confidence, adhered to the guidance of Marxism, continuously promoted the modernisation of Marxism in China, and illuminated the way forward with the light of truth. In the new era, the Chinese Communists, mainly represented by Comrade Xi Jinping, founded Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, which has scientifically answered the questions of China, the world, the people and the times, and has guided the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation into an irreversible historical process. The theoretical self-confidence of the entire Party and the people of all ethnic groups has become stronger. On the new journey, we must deeply understand the decisive significance of the Two Establishments, continuously strengthen the four consciousnesses and four self-confidences, and achieve the two safeguards. We should fully implement Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and constantly promote theoretical innovation based on practice, so that contemporary Chinese Marxism and 21st century Marxism show greater power of truth, spirit, and practice.” 思想就是力量。注重思想建党、理论强党是我们党的鲜明特色和光荣传统；拥有马克思主义科学理论指导是我们党鲜明的政治品格和强大的政治优势。我们党从成立之日起，始终秉持高度的理论自觉和理论自信，坚持以马克思主义为指导，不断推进马克思主义中国化时代化，以真理之光照亮前行之路。新时代，以习近平同志为主要代表的中国共产党人创立了习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想，科学回答中国之问、世界之问、人民之问、时代之问，指引中华民族伟大复兴进入了不可逆转的历史进程，全党全国各族人民的理论自信更加坚定。新征程上，我们要深刻领悟“两个确立”的决定性意义，不断增强“四个意识”、坚定“四个自信”、做到“两个维护”，全面贯彻习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想，不断推进实践基础上的理论创新，让当代中国马克思主义、二十一世纪马克思主义展现出更加强大的真理力量、精神力量、实践力量.
This talks about Marxism being “true scripture” for China and Xi’s thought being a new leap in the sinicization of Marxism and providing the “correct theoretical guidance for advancing the historical process of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.”
It makes the point that while the pursuit of modernisation is the “common aspiration of people of all countries…different countries have different national conditions and different historical and cultural traditions. There is no one-size-fits-all modernisation model or standard in the world. Some countries that blindly copied the Western modernisation model eventually fell into various traps such as the ‘middle-income trap’ and the dependency trap, and have been unable to extricate themselves. Even in the West, the polarisation, materialist expansion, ecological deterioration, external expansion and plundering, which are associated with capital-centred modernisation, have been shocking to witness On the basis of long-term exploration and practice since the founding of New China, especially since the reform and opening up, we have successfully promoted and expanded Chinese-style modernisation through innovative breakthroughs in theory and practice since the 18th Party Congress. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: ‘The modernisation we are promoting has not only the common characteristics of the modernisation of all countries, but also the Chinese characteristics based on the national conditions.’ Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era provides a profound answer to what kind of a modern socialist power we must build and how to build it…” 为推进中国式现代化提供强大理论支撑。现代化是一个世界性潮流，实现现代化是各国人民的共同向往。但不同国家国情不同，历史文化传统各异，世界上既不存在定于一尊的现代化模式，也不存在放之四海而皆准的现代化标准。一些国家盲目照搬西方现代化模式，最终陷入“中等收入陷阱”、依附性陷阱等各种陷阱而难以自拔。即使在西方，那种以资本为中心的现代化伴生的两极分化、物质主义膨胀、生态恶化、对外扩张掠夺等种种弊病，也让人触目惊心。在新中国成立特别是改革开放以来的长期探索和实践基础上，经过党的十八大以来在理论和实践上的创新突破，我们成功推进和拓展了中国式现代化。习近平总书记指出：“我们所推进的现代化，既有各国现代化的共同特征，更有基于国情的中国特色。”习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想深刻回答了建设什么样的社会主义现代化强国、怎样建设社会主义现代化强国的重大时代课题...
Now turning to today’s commentary, which argues that “the rise and fall of a country depends on the system. The system is the foundation of a country's stability. And history and reality have shown that a stable system results in a stable country, and a strong system results in a strong country. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that ‘the institutional advantage is the greatest advantage of a political party and a country’ and ‘the socialist system with Chinese characteristics is the fundamental guarantee for the development and progress of contemporary China’. Since the 18th Party Congress, the Party Central Committee with comrade Xi Jinping at the core has led the whole Party and the people of all ethnic groups to uphold and improve the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics, promote the modernisation of the governance system and governance capacity, writing a new chapter in the governance of China.” 国之兴衰系于制，制度是定国安邦之根本。历史和现实都表明，制度稳则国家稳，制度强则国家强。习近平总书记指出：“制度优势是一个政党、一个国家的最大优势”“中国特色社会主义制度是当代中国发展进步的根本保证”。党的十八大以来，以习近平同志为核心的党中央带领全党全国各族人民坚持和完善中国特色社会主义制度、推进国家治理体系和治理能力现代化，书写“中国之制”新篇章，创造“中国之治”新辉煌.
This makes the point that China’s governance system and institutional architecture has become more mature and stable. There have been landmark achievements and the system has withstood the test of multiple risks and challenges. In fact, the governance of China is in stark contrast to the chaos in the West. None of this stuff is new, if you’ve been following this newsletter.
The piece adds that the creation of the “miracle” of poverty alleviation in human history was the product of the “governance effectiveness of the ‘Chinese system’.” 我们何以能创造这一人类减贫史上的奇迹？这离不开“中国之制”的治理效能. It is precisely because we gave full play to the advantages of the socialist system with Chinese characteristics, explored the establishment of an institutional system with Chinese characteristics for tackling poverty, and established a responsibility system, work system, policy system, input system, assistance system, social mobilisation system, supervision system and evaluation system for tackling poverty, that we were able to make a solid progress in the strategy of targeted poverty alleviation.” 正是因为充分发挥中国特色社会主义制度优势，探索建立中国特色脱贫攻坚制度体系，建立脱贫攻坚的责任体系、工作体系、政策体系、投入体系、帮扶体系、社会动员体系、监督体系和考核评估体系，我们才能以制度保障精准扶贫精准脱贫方略扎实推进。
It further adds: “How could we have made one major innovation after another despite the containment and suppression by anti-China forces in the US and the West? This is also inseparable from the governance efficiency of the ‘Chinese system’.” 我们何以能在美西方反华势力遏制打压下取得一个又一个重大创新成果？这也离不开“中国之制”的治理效能. “It is precisely because of improvements in the new national system for tackling key core technologies combined with the institutional advantages of concentrating on major issues and the advantage of the super-large-scale market along with the decisive role of the market in resource allocation that we have been able to continuously enhance the national strategic scientific and technological strength, firmly hold the initiative of innovation and development in our own hands, and make new progress in promoting self-reliance in science and technology.” 正是因为健全关键核心技术攻关新型举国体制，把集中力量办大事的制度优势、超大规模的市场优势同发挥市场在资源配置中的决定性作用结合起来，我们才能不断强化国家战略科技力量，把创新主动权、发展主动权牢牢掌握在自己手中，推动科技自立自强不断取得新进展.
Likewise, the piece talks about making the skies bluer, mountains greener and water clearer in a short period of time, as being a product of the Chinese system.
Later the piece adds that:
“The strong governance effectiveness of the ‘Chinese system’ is irrefutable proof that the socialist system with Chinese characteristics works, is effective and efficient, and has great vitality and great superiority, which lends strong support for developing confidence in the system.” “中国之制”彰显的强大治理效能，无可辩驳地证明了中国特色社会主义制度行得通、真管用、有效率，具有强大生命力和巨大优越性，这是我们制度自信更加坚定的强大支撑.
General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out: ‘In the history of human civilisation, no national system and national governance system other than the socialist system and national governance system with Chinese characteristics has been able to create such a miracle as the rapid economic development and long-term social stability achieved in China within such a short historical period’. The ‘Chinese system’ has been able to demonstrate strong governance effectiveness because it has significant institutional advantages. The socialist system with Chinese characteristics gives full play to the greatest advantage of the leadership of the Communist Party of China, promoting the Party's leadership of socialist modernisation to be more scientific and reasonable in function allocation, more complete and perfect institutional mechanisms, and more efficient operation and management, ensuring that all undertakings of the Party and the state are always anchored in long-term goals, follow the right direction, and advance in a steady and orderly manner…it has shown extraordinary organisational mobilisation, overall coordination and implementation abilities. The socialist system with Chinese characteristics adheres to the fundamental nature of socialism in China, draws lessons from the beneficial achievements of system construction in the past and present and at home and abroad, embodies the characteristics and advantages of socialism with Chinese characteristics, has strong self-improvement and self-development ability, and can provide a strong institutional guarantee for the development of the party and the country, the happiness and well-being of the people, social harmony and stability, and the long-term stability of the country. We are extremely confident in this system.” 习近平总书记指出：“在人类文明发展史上，除了中国特色社会主义制度和国家治理体系外，没有任何一种国家制度和国家治理体系能够在这样短的历史时期内创造出我国取得的经济快速发展、社会长期稳定这样的奇迹”。“中国之制”能够彰显出强大治理效能，是因为它具有显著的制度优势。中国特色社会主义制度充分发挥中国共产党领导这一最大优势，推动党对社会主义现代化建设的领导在职能配置上更加科学合理、在体制机制上更加完备完善、在运行管理上更加高效，保证党和国家各项事业始终锚定长远目标、沿着正确方向，蹄疾步稳有序推进。同时，中国特色社会主义制度又实现制度体系中不同层次、不同功能具体制度的有机衔接，使13个方面的显著优势协调配合、系统集成，确保各个方面的制度优势在制度体系的整体框架中与其他制度优势发生“化学反应”，产生“1加1大于2”的整体优势，焕发出非凡的组织动员能力、统筹协调能力、贯彻执行能力。中国特色社会主义制度坚持我国社会主义的根本性质，借鉴古今中外制度建设的有益成果，集中体现中国特色社会主义的特点和优势，具有强大自我完善和自我发展能力，能够为党和国家事业发展、为人民幸福安康、为社会和谐稳定、为国家长治久安提供坚强制度保障，我们对这一制度具有无比坚定的自信.
The final section of the article talks about the future. It calls for the following:
Adhere to the Party’s leadership: The leadership of the CCP is the most essential feature of socialism with Chinese characteristics and the greatest advantage of the socialist system with Chinese characteristics. Practice has proved that the incomparably strong leadership of the CCP is the fundamental aspect behind China's political stability, economic development, national unity and social stability, and the most reliable backbone of the Chinese people when the storm strikes. 中国共产党领导是中国特色社会主义最本质的特征，是中国特色社会主义制度的最大优势。实践已经证明，中国共产党所具有的无比坚强的领导力，是我国政治稳定、经济发展、民族团结、社会稳定的根本点，是风雨来袭时中国人民最可靠的主心骨. China’s national system and governance system have many distinct advantages, the first of which is the distinct advantage of adhering to the Party’s centralised and unified leadership, adhering to the Party’s scientific theory, maintaining political stability, and ensuring that the country always moves in the direction of socialism. 我国国家制度和国家治理体系具有多方面的显著优势，其中首要的是坚持党的集中统一领导，坚持党的科学理论，保持政治稳定，确保国家始终沿着社会主义方向前进的显著优势. “Only by giving full play to the greatest advantage of the Party’s leadership can we effectively coordinate the relationship between the Party and the state in all areas, ensure the stability and sustainability of our major policies, better leverage the remarkable strengths of China’s national system and governance system in all areas, and better advance the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics.” 坚持发挥党的领导这一最大优势，才能有效协调党和国家事业各领域重大关系，确保大政方针的稳定性和持续性，更好发挥我国国家制度和国家治理体系各方面的显著优势，更好推动中国特色社会主义事业不断向前发展. The better this greatest advantage is brought into play, i.e., the more prominent the Party’s leading core role in overall situation and coordination of all parties will be, the more obvious advantages of China’s national system and governance system will be, and our institutional self-confidence will be firmer. To give full play to the greatest advantage of the party's leadership, the most fundamental thing is to profoundly understand the decisive significance of Two Establishments and resolutely achieve the two safeguards.” 这个最大优势发挥得越好，党总揽全局、协调各方的领导核心作用就越突出，我国国家制度和国家治理体系的显著优势就越彰显，我们的制度自信就越坚定。坚持发挥党的领导这一最大优势，最根本的就是要深刻领悟“两个确立”的决定性意义，坚决做到“两个维护”。这个最大优势发挥得越好，党总揽全局、协调各方的领导核心作用就越突出，我国国家制度和国家治理体系的显著优势就越彰显，我们的制度自信就越坚定。坚持发挥党的领导这一最大优势，最根本的就是要深刻领悟“两个确立”的决定性意义，坚决做到“两个维护”。
Adhere to integrity and innovation
Transform institutional advantages into governance effectiveness: In this, the article talks about leading cadres taking the lead in safeguarding the authority of the system and setting an example for its implementation. It adds that “Preventing hard constraints from becoming ‘rubber bands’ and ‘long-term effects’ from becoming ‘ineffective’ requires not only internal consciousness and actions, but also external effective supervision and inspection.防止硬约束变成“橡皮筋”、“长效”变成“无效”，不仅需要内在的自觉意识和行动，而且需要外部的有效监督和检查. It also warns against making changes or engaging in selective implementation of/adherence to the system.
“The modernisation of a country is not only the modernisation of economy, science and technology, national defense, but also the modernisation of system and governance. When the goal of building socialist modern country has been achieved, we would have also fully realised the modernisation of the national governance system and governance capacity, and the socialist system with Chinese characteristics will be more consolidated and its superiority fully displayed. We should persevere and persevere towards this goal…” 一个国家的现代化，不仅是经济、科技、国防等的现代化，更是制度和治理的现代化。社会主义现代化强国建成之时，我们将全面实现国家治理体系和治理能力现代化，中国特色社会主义制度更加巩固、优越性充分展现。我们要以更加坚定的制度自信向着这个目标坚韧不拔、锲而不舍地努力，推动中国特色社会主义制度不断自我完善和发展，让中国特色社会主义制度永葆生机活力，为国家长治久安、人民幸福安康提供更加坚强的制度保障，续写以“中国之制”保障“中国之治”、创造“中国奇迹”的精彩篇章.
Page 10: There’s an article by He Yiting, drawing from Xi’s July speech to provincial and ministerial cadres. He focuses on the point of managing our own affairs well. He writes that
“Since the reform and opening up, our party has firmly grasped the central task of economic development and led the people to create a miracle of rapid economic development. Ten years into the new era, China has built a moderately prosperous society in an all-round way, and its economic strength, scientific and technological strength, comprehensive national strength and people's living standards have leaped to a new level…It is precisely by adhering to the economic development as the central task that the drive towards socialist modernisation has made great achievements, attracting global attention, thereby enabling the Chinese nation to usher in a great leap from standing up to becoming rich and strong and making China a major power in the world. In the new era and the new journey, as always, we should take economic development as the central task; do a good job in terms of development, as the first priority for the Party to govern and rejuvenate the country; and provide a more solid material foundation for upholding and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics. This is an important guarantee for us to overcome various risks and challenges and ensure that the process of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation will not be delayed or interrupted.” 改革开放以来，我们党牢牢抓住经济建设这个中心，带领人民创造出经济快速发展奇迹，国家经济实力大幅跃升，中国成为世界第二大经济体。新时代10年，我国全面建成小康社会，经济实力、科技实力、综合国力和人民生活水平跃上新的大台阶...正是坚持以经济建设为中心，社会主义现代化建设取得了举世瞩目的伟大成就，中华民族才能够迎来从站起来、富起来到强起来的伟大飞跃，中国才成为世界上举足轻重的大国。新时代新征程，一如既往地坚持以经济建设为中心，抓好发展这个党执政兴国的第一要务，为坚持和发展中国特色社会主义提供更为坚实的物质基础，这是我们战胜各种风险挑战、确保中华民族伟大复兴进程不被迟滞甚至中断的重要保障.
In the second part of the article, He talks about addressing the problem of unbalanced and insufficient development, insisting on high-quality development, and promoting the steady improvement of the economy in quality and reasonable growth in quantity.” 其中一个重要方面，就是紧紧抓住解决不平衡不充分的发展问题，坚持高质量发展，推动经济实现质的稳步提升和量的合理增长.
In this regard, he talks about:
speeding up the construction of an industrial system led by innovation and coordinated development
building a unified, open and competitive market system
building an income distribution system that reflects efficiency and promotes fairness
building a system of urban and rural regional development that highlights advantages and coordinates linkages
building a green development system that conserves resources and is environmentally-friendly
building a comprehensively open system that is diversified and balanced, safe and efficient
accelerate the development of an economic system that gives full play to the role of the market and the role of the government
加快建设创新引领、协同发展的产业体系，统一开放、竞争有序的市场体系，体现效率、促进公平的收入分配体系，彰显优势、协调联动的城乡区域发展体系，资源节约、环境友好的绿色发展体系，多元平衡、安全高效的全面开放体系；加快建设充分发挥市场作用、更好发挥政府作用的经济体制，实现市场机制有效、微观主体有活力、宏观调控有度，不断增强我国经济创新力和竞争力.
He adds:
Innovation is the fundamental method to address the chokepoint technologies problem, it is key to achieve high-quality development, and it is an inevitable requirement to meet the people’s yearning for a better life. To improve China’s innovation and development capabilities, we must thoroughly implement the strategies of rejuvenating the country through science and education, strengthening the country through talents, and innovation-driven development; give full play to the advantages of the new national system, pool superior resources, and promote the system and mechanism of identifying the list and taking command for tackling key problems in innovation in a vigorous and orderly manner; and speed up efforts to overcome chokepoints in important areas, strengthen the docking of innovation and industrial chains, and promote the optimisation and upgrading of industrial and supply chains. By 2030, we will make China one of the most innovative countries in the world, and by the 100th year of the founding of the New China, we will make China into a global scientific and technological power in the world. 创新是解决“卡脖子”问题的根本出路，是实现高质量发展的关键一招，也是满足人民对美好生活向往的必然要求。提高我国创新发展能力，必须深入实施科教兴国战略、人才强国战略、创新驱动发展战略，充分发挥新型举国体制优势，集合优势资源，有力有序推进创新攻关的“揭榜挂帅”体制机制，加快攻克重要领域“卡脖子”技术，加强创新链和产业链对接，推动产业链供应链优化升级，到2030年时使我国进入创新型国家前列，到新中国成立100年时使我国成为世界科技强国.
The final section basically makes the point that to do this it is imperative to maintain and strengthen the Party’s leadership. He talks about the importance of self revolution, references the 4-4-2 formulation and the Two Establishments, along with the need to unite more closely around the CPC Central Committee with comrade Xi Jinping as the core and comprehensively implementing Xi’s thought.
Page 14: The colour revolution article on the international page today is about the Tulip Revolution in Kyrgyzstan. Yesterday’s article was about the Orange Revolution in Ukraine.
All of these articles follow a pattern of sorts, arguing that the US has engaged in ideological infiltration, supported and cultivated certain types of NGOs that acted as its “pawns”, nurtured a pro-US elite, support for opposition figures, legal and financial assistance, etc. In other words, the US has engaged in subversion, infiltration and sabotage to achieve its strategic objectives. The goal of these efforts has been to establish “Western-style democracy” in these countries. But in the end, all that this has resulted in is turmoil and missed opportunities for these states.
In the case of Kyrgyzstan, the article also accuses the US and friendly media of recruiting “observers.”
“During the parliamentary elections in Kyrgyzstan in October 2020, the US Embassy in Kyrgyzstan and the cooperative media recruited 200 ‘observers’; during the presidential election of Kyrgyzstan in January 2021, the US recruited 1,500 ‘observers’; in April 2021, during the local council election and constitutional referendum in Kyrgyzstan, the US recruited another 3,000 ‘observers’. According to reports, each ‘observer’ can earn around $60 dollars per day. Their task is to collect information about various places and candidates. The basis for these ‘observers’ to evaluate whether the referendum or election has been fair and just and whether there has been any fraud, is whether the election results are in line with America's wishes.” 美国还加大借势造势力度，利用渗透工具在特殊时期推波助澜，伺机干涉他国事务。2020年10月吉尔吉斯斯坦议会选举期间，美驻吉大使馆和合作媒体招募了200名“观察员”；2021年1月吉总统选举期间，美方招募了1500名“观察员”；2021年4月吉地方议会选举和修宪公投期间，美方又招募了3000名“观察员”。据报道，每名“观察员”每天可获得5000索姆（约合60美元）的劳务报酬，任务是收集各地及候选人信息。而这些“观察员”评价公投和选举是否公平公正、是否存在舞弊的依据，则是选举结果是否合美国的意.