Xi Meets Dissanayake - To Lam Willing to Learn from Xi's Thought - Deep Dive into Xi's Qiushi Article on 3rd Plenum Decision - Zunyi Conference Commemoration - United Front Agenda
Here are the key reports and articles that I found noteworthy from the People’s Daily’s edition on Thursday, January 16, 2025.
Page 1: The lead story on the page is about Xi Jinping’s meeting (English report) with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Xi talked about the “traditional friendship” between the two countries. He added that “with joint efforts, China and Sri Lanka have continuously promoted strategic cooperative partnership featuring mutual assistance and ever-lasting friendship. High-quality Belt and Road cooperation and cooperation in various fields have achieved fruitful results, bringing tangible benefits to the two peoples”.
Xi told Dissanayake that China-Sri Lanka ties today face “a historical opportunity”. “The two countries should have a keen grasp of bilateral relations from a strategic perspective and jointly build a China-Sri Lanka community with a shared future”
He added:
“China takes Sri Lanka as a priority in its neighbourhood diplomacy. China will continue to support Sri Lanka in safeguarding its national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, support Sri Lanka in independently exploring a development path that suits its national conditions, and is willing to deepen political mutual trust with Sri Lanka, exchange experiences in state governance, and enhance dialogue and communication between various departments of the two countries. China’s further comprehensive deepening of reform and promotion of Chinese-style modernization will bring new opportunities for Sri Lanka’s development. China will actively support Sri Lanka in focusing on economic construction, promoting high-quality joint construction of the ‘Belt and Road’, modern agriculture, digital economy, marine economy and other fields of cooperation, and create new highlights. It is necessary to strengthen cultural exchanges between the two sides and enhance linkages between the two peoples. China is willing to strengthen coordination and cooperation with Sri Lanka in multilateral institutions such as the United Nations, jointly address major issues concerning human development such as climate change, adhere to the solidarity and development of the Global South, and contribute to regional peace, stability, development and prosperity.” 习近平强调，中国始终把斯里兰卡置于周边外交重要方向，将一如既往支持斯里兰卡维护国家独立、主权和领土完整，支持斯方自主探索符合本国国情的发展道路，愿同斯方深化政治互信，交流治国理政经验，加强两国各部门对话沟通。中国进一步全面深化改革、推进中国式现代化，将为斯里兰卡发展带来新的机遇。中方将积极支持斯方聚焦经济建设，推进高质量共建“一带一路”、现代农业、数字经济、海洋经济等领域合作，打造新的亮点。要加强双方人文交流，增进两国人民的“心联通”。中方愿同斯方加强在联合国等多边机构内的协调合作，共同应对气候变化等事关人类发展的重大问题，坚持全球南方联合自强，为地区和平稳定和发展繁荣贡献力量.
Dissanayake reportedly said that “Sri Lanka admires China’s major development achievements in the fields of economy, science and technology, and infrastructure. China has always been a reliable friend and partner of Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka attaches great importance to relations with China, firmly adheres to the one-China principle, and thanks China for its valuable support in safeguarding Sri Lanka’s independence, sovereignty and legitimate rights and interests. Sri Lanka is committed to jointly building BRI and helping to improve the level of regional connectivity. It welcomes more Chinese companies to invest in Sri Lanka and is willing to strengthen cooperation with China in infrastructure, energy, agriculture, finance, poverty reduction, digital transformation, tourism, marine industry and personnel training. China plays a significant leading role in the Global South, as well as a constructive role in international affairs, he added. The Sri Lankan side is willing to continue strengthening coordination and mutual support with China on multilateral forums to safeguard common interests. 迪萨纳亚克表示，很高兴新年伊始来华访问。斯方钦佩中国在经济、科技、基础设施等领域取得的重大发展成就。中国一直是斯里兰卡可靠的朋友和伙伴。斯方高度重视对华关系，坚定恪守一个中国原则，感谢中方在斯方维护独立、主权和正当权益上给予的宝贵支持。斯方致力于共建“一带一路”，助力提升地区互联互通水平，欢迎更多中国企业赴斯投资兴业，愿同中方加强基础设施、能源、农业、金融、减贫、数字转型、旅游、海洋、人员培训等领域合作。中国是全球南方重要引领国家，在国际事务中发挥着建设性作用。斯方愿同中方继续在多边场合加强协调、相互支持，维护好共同利益.
During this visit, deals were signed in such areas as Belt and Road cooperation, agricultural products, social welfare, and news and broadcasting.
Another report on the page discusses Xi’s call with CPV General Secretary To Lam. Xinhua reports:
Xi “called on China and Vietnam to step up connectivity, jointly build frontier platform for new quality productive forces cooperation, and build stable and smooth cross-border industrial and supply chains.”
“Xi said he is glad to hold phone talks with To Lam at the turn of the year and on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic ties, recalling that during To Lam’s state visit to China last August, the two leaders had in-depth exchanges and reached broad consensus on deepening relations between the two parties and the two countries, as well as jointly promoting the development of socialist cause. Over the past six months, the two sides have been active in implementation of the consensus, and the cooperation issues the two leaders agreed on have achieved positive progress, Xi said. The year 2025 marks the conclusion of China’s 14th Five-Year Plan period, and a key year for the preparation of 14th National Congress of the CPV, Xi said, noting it is a year of great significance for both countries that serves as both a point of continuity and a new starting point. The two sides should continue to rejuvenate and strengthen the two parties, deepen exchanges of socialist theory and practical experience, and promote the development of the socialist cause amid great changes unseen in a century, said Xi. It is necessary to fully leverage the political guidance of high-level exchanges and continue to maintain close exchanges, Xi said, adding the two countries should push for more results in mutually beneficial cooperation. The two sides should carry out warm and down to earth people-to-people and cultural exchanges that connect people’s hearts, and strengthen exchanges and cooperation in areas such as media, culture and tourism, as well as between the youths of the two nations and at the sub-national level, creating more projects that win the hearts of the people, Xi said. The two countries should also strengthen international and regional coordination, safeguard international fairness and justice, and jointly build a community with a shared future for mankind, he added.”
Among other things, To Lam reportedly said “that with the goal of preparing for the 14th National Congress of the CPV, Vietnam is set to embark on a new era of development, which envisions a prosperous, powerful, democratic, equitable, and civilized nation. In this process, Vietnam will learn from China’s development experience as much as possible, especially the new theoretical and practical innovation of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, he added.”
Next, there’s a report on Xi’s latest article in Qiushi. I’ll look at the original article.
The article is an extract from Xi’s speech at the special seminar for leading provincial and ministerial-level cadres on studying and implementing the spirit of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee on October 29, 2024.
In the first part of the article, Xi talks about the achievements of reform since the 18th Party Congress. He says that “comprehensively deepening reform in the new era has achieved major practical, institutional and theoretical results, which have attracted worldwide attention and have far-reaching influence.” 新时代全面深化改革取得了重大实践成果、制度成果、理论成果，举世瞩目，影响深远.
In terms of practical results, Xi says that:
“The new development concept was formed through reforms, the ideological concepts and institutional mechanisms that influence and constrain high-quality development were eliminated through reforms, and the effective qualitative improvement and reasonable quantitative growth of economic development were gradually achieved through reforms. It is through the comprehensive deepening of reform that China’s economic strength, scientific and technological strength, and comprehensive national strength have leaped to a new level…” 新发展理念是在改革中形成的，影响和制约高质量发展的思想观念和体制机制弊端是在改革中破除的，经济发展质的有效提升和量的合理增长也是在改革中逐步实现的。正是通过全面深化改革，我国经济实力、科技实力、综合国力跃上了新台阶...
In terms of institutional results, Xi says that:
“China’s fundamental systems, basic systems, and important systems have become more complete. In particular, the Party’s leadership system has been established as the country's fundamental leadership system. A systematic, well-structured, scientifically regulated, and effectively functioning institutional framework is gradually maturing and taking shape. We have strengthened the implementation of systems, focusing on transforming institutional advantages into the efficiency of national governance. These efforts are not only aimed at addressing immediate needs but also at ensuring the long-term stability and security of the nation.” 我们不断丰富和拓展制度内容、优化制度结构、完善制度体系，我国根本制度、基本制度、重要制度更加完善，特别是把党的领导制度确立为国家的根本领导制度，系统完备、科学规范、运行有效的制度体系日渐成熟定型。我们强化制度执行，着力把制度优势转化为国家治理效能。这些都不仅是为当下计，更是为国家长治久安谋.
Finally, in terms of theoretical results, Xi says that the current phase of reform, i.e., comprehensive deepening of reform in the new era, has been conceived and advanced against the backdrop of China’s reform entering a critical stage and deep waters, characterized by its broad scope, deep impact on interests, high difficulty in implementation, and strong interconnectivity and synergy. We have continuously promoted theoretical innovation in reform, scientifically grasped the timing and situation, risks and opportunities that reform faces, summarised fresh experiences in a timely manner, continuously deepened our understanding of reform patterns, and formed a series of new ideas, new perspectives, and new assertions about comprehensively deepening reform. For example,
it is emphasized that reform must adhere to the leadership of the Party;
it is emphasized that reform must adhere to the people-centered approach;
it is emphasized that reform must adhere to the principle of maintaining integrity while making innovations, neither returning to a closed and rigid old path nor deviating to the evil path of changing flags and banners;
it is emphasized that reform must adhere to the overall goal of improving and developing the socialist system with Chinese characteristics and promoting the modernization of the national governance system and governance capabilities;
it is emphasized that reform must adhere to problem orientation;
it is emphasized that it must adhere to the reform of the economic system as the driving force;
it is emphasized that reform must be promoted on the track of the rule of law;
it is emphasized that top-level design must be combined with crossing the river by feeling the stones;
it is emphasized that the relationship between reform, development and stability must be properly handled, among other things.
The ‘Six Adherences’ outlined in the Decision of the Third Plenum are distilled from these new ideas, perspectives, and assertions. These theoretical achievements provide important guidelines for further advancing comprehensive deepening of reform. 新时代全面深化改革取得重大理论成果。新时代全面深化改革是在我国改革进入攻坚期和深水区的背景下谋划并推进的，呈现出涉及范围广、触及利益深、攻坚难度大、关联性联动性强等突出特点。我们在改革中不断推进理论创新，科学把握改革面临的时与势、危与机，及时总结新鲜经验，不断深化对改革的规律性认识，形成关于全面深化改革的一系列新思想、新观点、新论断。比如，强调改革必须坚持党的领导；强调改革必须坚持以人民为中心；强调改革必须坚持守正创新，既不走封闭僵化的老路，也不走改旗易帜的邪路；强调改革必须坚持完善和发展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的总目标；强调改革必须坚持问题导向；强调必须坚持以经济体制改革为牵引；强调必须在法治轨道上推进改革；强调必须把顶层设计和摸着石头过河结合起来；强调必须正确处理改革发展稳定的关系，等等。全会《决定》明确的“六个坚持”的重大原则，就是从这些新思想、新观点、新论断中凝练出来的。这些理论成果，为进一步全面深化改革提供了重要遵循.
The second section of the article discusses the importance of maintaining integrity while pursuing innovation. This is important:
Reform is not about changing flags and banners. I have said many times that our reform has direction and principles. Upholding the Party’s comprehensive leadership, upholding Marxism, upholding socialism with Chinese characteristics, upholding the people’s democratic dictatorship, taking the promotion of social fairness and justice and enhancement of people’s wellbeing as the starting point and ultimate goal—these are all fundamental, directional, and long-term matters that reflect the Party’s nature and purpose, conform to China’s national conditions, and align with the fundamental interests of the people. These principles must remain unwavering, regardless of circumstances. Therefore, we must uphold the overall reform goal of continuing to improve and develop the socialist system with Chinese characteristics and advance the modernization of the national governance system and governance capacity, always moving forward in the direction guided by the overall goal, resolutely reforming what should be reformed and not reforming what should not be reformed. 改革不是改旗易帜。我多次讲，我们的改革是有方向、有原则的。坚持党的全面领导、坚持马克思主义、坚持中国特色社会主义、坚持人民民主专政，以促进社会公平正义、增进人民福祉为出发点和落脚点，这些都是管根本、管方向、管长远的，体现党的性质和宗旨，符合我国国情，符合人民根本利益，任何时候任何情况下都不能有丝毫动摇。因此，我们要坚持完善和发展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的改革总目标，始终朝着总目标指引的方向前进，该改的坚决改，不该改的不改。
The central task of the Party and the country in the new era and on the new journey is to comprehensively promote the construction of a strong country and the great cause of national rejuvenation with Chinese-style modernization. Further comprehensive deepening reform must be carried out closely around this central task. We must move forward with unwavering boldness and courage, align with the new trends of the times, meet the new requirements of practice, and respond to the new expectations of the people. We must vigorously promote theoretical innovation, practical innovation, institutional innovation, cultural innovation, and innovation in all other areas, providing strong momentum and institutional guarantees for Chinese-style modernization. 新时代新征程党和国家的中心任务是以中国式现代化全面推进强国建设、民族复兴伟业，进一步全面深化改革必须紧紧围绕这一中心任务来进行。我们要以一往无前的胆魄和勇气，顺应时代发展新趋势、实践发展新要求、人民群众新期待，大力推进理论创新、实践创新、制度创新、文化创新以及其他各方面创新，为中国式现代化提供强大动力和制度保障.
We must focus on economic system reform as the key point. Adhering to the reform direction of the socialist market economy,
efforts should be made to fully leverage the decisive role of the market in resource allocation while better exerting the role of the government, accelerate the establishment of a unified national market and improve the macroeconomic governance system;
adhere to and implement the ‘two unwaverings’, and provide a fair and just legal environment for the development of various types of ownership economies;
resolutely eliminate the institutional and mechanism obstacles that hinder and restrict high-quality development, improve production relations that are more compatible with new quality productive forces, and shape new development momentum and advantages;
resolutely break through bottlenecks and blockages affecting and restricting comprehensive innovation, coordinate and promote the integrated reform of education, science, technology and talent systems and mechanisms, firmly grasp the strategic initiative in the new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation.
要突出经济体制改革这个重点。坚持社会主义市场经济的改革方向，着眼充分发挥市场在资源配置中的决定性作用、更好发挥政府作用，加快构建全国统一大市场，加快健全宏观经济治理体系；坚持和落实“两个毫不动摇”，为各种所有制经济发展提供公平公正的法治环境；坚决破除影响和制约高质量发展的体制机制弊端，完善与新质生产力更相适应的生产关系，塑造发展新动能新优势；坚决打通影响和制约全面创新的卡点堵点，统筹推进教育科技人才体制机制一体改革，牢牢掌握新一轮科技革命和产业变革的战略主动.
The section ends with an emphasis on the requirement of coordinated reforms in other domains too, such as “democracy, rule of law, culture, society, ecological civilisation, national security, national defense and military construction, as well as the reform of the party building system.”
In the third section, Xi argues that reform is a “systematic project” that requires scientific methods and proper handling of various relationships.
First, uphold the unity of reform and the rule of law. Reform and rule of law are like two wings of a bird or two wheels of a car; they are interdependent and indispensable. It is necessary to use the power of reform to improve the rule of law, further deepen reforms in the field of the rule of law, and continuously refine the system of socialist rule of law with Chinese characteristics. The scope of the role of the rule of law should be expanded to better leverage its positive role in eliminating resistance to reform and consolidating reform achievements. We must be good at using the rule of law thinking and the rule of law approach to promote reform, safeguard the authority of the rule of law, and ensure that major reforms are based on the law. We must uphold the principle of equal treatment before the law, and equally protect the legitimate rights and interests of citizens, legal persons and other organizations. We must not engage in selective law enforcement, let alone extrajudicial leniency. 一是坚持改革和法治相统一。改革和法治如鸟之两翼、车之两轮，相互依存、缺一不可。要以改革之力完善法治，进一步深化法治领域改革，不断完善中国特色社会主义法治体系。进一步拓展法治作用空间，更好发挥法治在排除改革阻力、巩固改革成果中的积极作用。善于运用法治思维和法治方式推进改革，维护法治权威，做到重大改革于法有据。坚持法律面前人人平等，平等保护公民、法人和其他组织合法权益，不能搞选择性执法，更不能搞法外开恩.
Second, adhere to the dialectical unity of breaking and establishing. Reform is a process of breaking down the old and establishing the new - breaking down is the means, establishing is the purpose. Further comprehensively deepening reform must uphold system building as the main thread, and should emphasize the simultaneous process of breaking down and establishing, by establishing first before breaking. All reform measures must be fully demonstrated and carefully designed, deeply conduct risk assessments, and grasp the timing, degree, and effectiveness well. What should be established should be actively and proactively established, and must be established stably and firmly. It should be feasible and truly effective. What should be broken should be broken in a timely manner, resolutely, and thoroughly on the foundation of establishment, achieving steady and swift reform progress in the unity of breaking down and establishing. We must not break before establishing, resulting in institutional vacuums that leave people at a loss, causing disorder and chaos. 二是坚持破和立的辩证统一。改革是一个破旧立新的过程，破是手段，立是目的。进一步全面深化改革，要坚持以制度建设为主线，更应突出破立并举、先立后破。各项改革举措都要充分论证、精心设计，深入开展风险评估，把握好时度效。该立的积极主动立起来，而且要立得稳、立得住，行得通、真管用；该破的在立的基础上及时破、坚决破、彻底破，在破立统一中实现改革蹄疾步稳。不能未立先破，留下制度真空，让人无所适从，造成无序和混乱.
Third, uphold the unity of reform and opening up. Further deepening reform and high-level opening up complement and promote each other. The deeper the reform, the higher the level of opening up required; the higher the level of opening up, the greater the role of promoting reform. We must steadily expand institutional opening up, actively connect with international high-standard economic and trade rules, deepen the reform of foreign trade, foreign investment and outbound investment management systems, and create a world-class business environment that is market-oriented, law-based, and internationalized. We must implement the free trade pilot zone promotion strategy, encourage innovative and integrated exploration, and create a new highland of reform and opening up with a higher level of opening up and a stronger radiation effect. 三是坚持改革和开放相统一。进一步全面深化改革和高水平对外开放是相辅相成、相互促进的。改革越深入，对开放的水平要求就越高；开放水平越高，对改革的促进作用就越大。要稳步扩大制度型开放，主动对接国际高标准经贸规则，深化外贸、外商投资和对外投资管理体制改革，营造市场化、法治化、国际化一流营商环境。实施自由贸易试验区提升战略，鼓励首创性、集成式探索，打造开放层次更高、辐射作用更强的改革开放新高地.
Fourth, we must properly handle the relationship between planning and implementation. ‘One part deployment, nine parts implementation’. The deployments made in the Plenum’s ‘Decision’ are mainly considered from broad perspectives, many measures are strategic, forward-looking, and directional, and implementation requires formulating practical and feasible specific measures. In designing reform plans, we must grasp objective laws, fully promote democracy, conform to social expectations, pay attention to the coordination and matching of various reform measures, enhance the consistency of reform orientation, and prevent and overcome departmentalism. We must establish and improve a work mechanism with clear responsibilities, complete chains, and interlocking links, strengthen tracking and performance evaluation, promote the implementation of reform measures in detail, prevent the phenomenon of focusing on document formulation and neglecting supervision and implementation, and prevent ‘the water on the beach never reaches the end’. 沙滩流水不到头.
四是处理好部署和落实的关系。“一分部署，九分落实”。全会《决定》作出的部署主要是从大的方面考虑的，很多举措是战略性、前瞻性、方向性的，落实中需要制定切实可行的具体措施。改革方案的设计，必须把握客观规律，充分发扬民主，顺应社会期盼，注重各项改革举措的协调配套，增强改革取向的一致性，防止和克服本位主义。要建立健全责任明晰、链条完整、环环相扣的工作机制，强化跟踪问效，推动改革举措落实落细落到位，防止重文件制定、轻督促落实等现象，防止“沙滩流水不到头”。
This section ends with Xi issuing a stern warning:
Leaders, especially senior cadres, bear important responsibilities for promoting reform. We must enhance our sense of political responsibility and historical mission, and with the political courage to overcome difficulties and rise to the challenge, face up to contradictions and problems without evasion, eradicate stubborn diseases without ambiguity, and respond to risks and challenges without retreating, and strive to open up a new world of reform and development. We must be good at using scientific methods to promote reform, make systematic arrangements, and act after careful planning to avoid blind actions and confusion. 领导干部特别是高级干部担负着推进改革的重要职责。要增强政治责任感、历史使命感，以攻坚克难、迎难而上的政治勇气，直面矛盾问题不回避，铲除顽瘴痼疾不含糊，应对风险挑战不退缩，奋力打开改革发展新天地。要善于运用科学的方法推进改革，系统布局、谋定而动，避免盲动、进退失据等现象.
In the final section, Xi calls to:
correctly understand and interpret the spirit of the ‘Decision’ of the Plenary Session.
reasonably guide reform expectations, i.e., “reform is a process of adjusting the interests structure, and it is impossible to simultaneously satisfy the interests of everyone. We must guide both officials and the public to strengthen their awareness of the overall situation and correctly handle the adjustment of interest relationships and individual gains and losses during the reform. Reform is also a gradual process; it cannot be accomplished overnight, nor can all problems be solved at once. We must avoid being hasty, setting unrealistically high goals, or raising expectations excessively. Instead, we must be practical, base everything on reality, move forward steadily, and accumulate small successes to achieve greater victories. We must also recognize that reform is the people’s own cause, requiring the participation of all people, united in tackling difficulties and overcoming challenges. During the reform process, we must adhere to a people-centered approach, using actual results and the satisfaction of the people to assess the effectiveness of reforms. This will ensure that the people’s sense of gain, happiness, and security continuously increases through the reform.” 要合理引导改革预期。要看到，改革是利益格局调整的过程，不可能同时满足所有人的利益诉求。要引导干部、群众增强大局意识，正确对待改革中的利益关系调整和个人利害得失。改革也是一个渐进的过程，不可能一蹴而就、一下子把所有问题都解决，不能急于求成、好高骛远，不要把调子起高、胃口吊高，而是要实事求是，一切从实际出发，稳扎稳打，积小胜为大胜。还要看到，改革是人民群众自己的事业，要全体人民共同参与，团结一致攻坚克难。改革过程中，要坚持以人为本，以实绩实效和人民群众满意度检验改革，真正让人民群众在改革中不断增强获得感、幸福感、安全感.
promote positive propaganda around reform, and “continue to pay attention to and respond to social concerns, and promptly resolve doubts and confusion.”
Next, there’s a report on the front page about Li Qiang meeting with the visiting Japanese political delegation led by Secretary-General Hiroshi Moriyama of the Liberal Democratic Party and Secretary-General Makoto Nishida of the Komeito Party. Xinhua says:
Li said that “the resumption of the ruling party exchange mechanism after nearly seven years is an important move in implementing the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries. It is hoped that China and Japan will continue working together to enhance mutual trust, deepen cooperation, manage differences, and promote the sound and steady development of bilateral relations that will bring more benefits to the two peoples, Li said. He noted that ruling parties of the two countries should focus on safeguarding the long-term fundamental interests of the two countries and adopt a responsible attitude towards the people and history. More efforts should be made to promote cooperation and common development, explore more new growth points of economic cooperation in such areas as sci-tech innovation, digital economy and green development, step up people-to-people and sub-national exchanges, and cement a social foundation for bilateral relations.”
Next, there’s a report on the meeting of United Front leaders, where Wang Huning delivered a speech. Wang said that:
“We should take Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as the guide, deeply understand the decisive significance of Two Establishments, resolutely implement ‘Two Safeguards’, comprehensively implement the spirit of the 20th Party Congress and the Second and Third Plenary Sessions of the 20th Central Committee, improve the overall pattern of United Front work, consolidate and develop the broadest patriotic United Front, give play to the political role of the United Front in rallying people’s hearts and minds and gathering strength, and contribute to further deepening reform and promoting Chinese-style modernization.” 他表示，要以习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想为指导，深刻领悟“两个确立”的决定性意义、坚决做到“两个维护”，全面贯彻落实党的二十大和二十届二中、三中全会精神，完善大统战工作格局，巩固和发展最广泛的爱国统一战线，发挥统一战线凝聚人心、汇聚力量的政治作用，为进一步全面深化改革、推进中国式现代化贡献力量.
Wang Huning stated that General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important thought on doing well in the Party’s United Front work in the new era is the latest achievement in adhering to the ‘two integrations’ and advancing the sinicisation and modernisation of Marxist United Front theory, demonstrating strong theoretical creativity and truth power, strong historical penetration and insight into the times, as well as strong political leadership and practical driving force. We must study it deeply, comprehend it thoroughly, and grasp it accurately, in order to promote the high-quality development of United Front work in the new era. 王沪宁表示，习近平总书记关于做好新时代党的统一战线工作的重要思想是坚持“两个结合”、推进马克思主义统一战线理论中国化时代化的最新成果，彰显了强大的理论创造力和真理感召力、强大的历史穿透力和时代洞察力、强大的政治引领力和实践推动力。我们要学习深、领会透、把握准，推动新时代统战工作高质量发展。
Wang called on United Front officials to “do a solid job in uniting hearts, building consensus, pooling wisdom, and gathering strength” to promote Chinese-style modernisation.
We must adhere to, develop, and improve China’s new-type political party system, and enhance the political positioning and work efficiency in serving the central tasks of the Party and the country.
We must focus on strengthening the consciousness of the Chinese national community, and actively promote the construction of the Chinese national community.
We must systematically advance the sinicisation of religion in China, strengthen the rule of law in religious affairs governance, and maintain harmony and stability in the religious sector.
We need to strengthen the ideological and political guidance of non-Party intellectuals and individuals from new social strata, encouraging them to make contributions to the construction of Chinese-style modernisation.
We must promote the healthy development of the non-public economy and the healthy growth of non-public economy individuals, guiding private enterprises and private businesspeople to build confidence, overcome challenges, and drive development.
We must strengthen the unity of Chinese people at home and abroad, and leverage the United Front work in Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, and overseas to win the hearts of the people.
We must enhance the Party’s overall leadership over United Front work, ensuring that the decisions and deployments of the Party Central Committee are fully implemented and effectively executed.
王沪宁充分肯定过去一年统战工作取得的成绩。他表示，2025年是“十四五”规划收官之年，要把握统一战线在推进中国式现代化中的重大责任，扎实做好凝聚人心、凝聚共识、凝聚智慧、凝聚力量的工作。要坚持好发展好完善好中国新型政党制度，提高服务党和国家中心工作的政治站位和工作效能。要聚焦铸牢中华民族共同体意识主线，抓实推进中华民族共同体建设工作。要坚持系统推进我国宗教中国化、加强宗教事务治理法治化，维护宗教领域和谐稳定。要加强党外知识分子和新的社会阶层人士思想政治引领，激励他们在中国式现代化建设中建功立业。要促进非公有制经济健康发展和非公有制经济人士健康成长，引导民营企业和民营经济人士坚定信心、战胜挑战、推动发展。要加强海内外中华儿女大团结，发挥港澳台和海外统战工作争取人心的作用。要加强党对统战工作的全面领导，确保党中央决策部署得到全面贯彻和有效执行.
Finally, there’s a report informing that Guangdong’s total foreign trade value in 2024 was 9.11 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 9.8%. This accounted for 20.8% of the country’s total foreign trade value, and its contribution rate to the national foreign trade growth reached 38.7%.
Page 2: The full text of the provisions to regulate intermediary services for public stock offerings is published on the page.
Xinhua reports that the regulations are “aimed at improving the quality of publicly-listed companies, protecting the legitimate rights and interests of investors, and promoting the healthy and stable development of the capital market. Effective from Feb. 15, these regulations stipulate that intermediary agencies must not aid companies in committing financial fraud, issuing deceptive offerings or breaching information disclosure rules. Relevant regulators in the securities, finance and judiciary fields should work together closely to strengthen oversight of intermediary institutions’ practices in accordance with the law and their obligations, as per the regulations. Administrative penalties, including warnings, fines and suspensions from related activities, may be imposed on intermediary agencies and their personnel in the event of violations of the regulations.”
In terms of the fines, the maximum penalty that can be imposed on an intermediary entity is “10x the illegal gains”. In addition, “if there is no illegal gains or the illegal gains are less than RMB 100,000, a fine of not less than RMB 100,000 but not more than RMB 1,000,000 may be imposed; the directly responsible supervisor and other directly responsible persons shall be given a warning and may be fined not less than RMB 100,000 but not more than RMB 1,000,000.”
Also on the page is a report based on a press briefing by officials from the Ministry of Commerce. Some key points:
On domestic consumption, the officials made five points. But the only substantive thing is the talk around expanding the scope of goods trade-in policy. “Recently, the central government has allocated 81 billion yuan for the first batch of funds for the trade-in policy for consumer goods in 2025. This week, detailed implementation rules for the 2025 subsidy for the trade-in policy for automobiles, home appliances, home furnishings and electric bicycles, as well as the purchase of new digital products such as mobile phones, will be issued one after another.” 近日，中央财政已预下达2025年消费品以旧换新首批资金810亿元。本周，将陆续印发2025年加力支持汽车、家电、家装和电动自行车以旧换新，以及手机等数码产品的购新补贴实施细则.
On trade, they said that “The annual import and export of goods reached 43.8 trillion yuan, an increase of 5%, of which exports and imports increased by 7.1% and 2.3%, respectively. In the first 11 months, the import and export of services reached 6.7 trillion yuan, an increase of 14.2%. It is expected that the annual import and export of services will also hit a record high. 李詠箑介绍，2024年，中国对外贸易再创新高。全年货物进出口43.8万亿元，增长5%，其中出口和进口分别增长7.1%、2.3%。前11个月服务进出口6.7万亿元，增长14.2%，预计全年服务进出口也将创历史新高.
A total of 52,000 new foreign-invested enterprises were established in China in the first 11 months, attracting 749.7 billion yuan of foreign investment. The proportion of investment in high-tech manufacturing has reached 11%.
On further attracting foreign investment, the officials said that the approaches will involve relaxing market access, especially expanding the pilot promotion work in the fields of telecommunications, medical care, and education. The ‘Catalogue of Industries Encouraged for Foreign Investment’ will be revised to further enhance the attractiveness of investment policies. There will be more Invest in China activities. Free trade pilot zones and tech zones will be upgraded and supported. And work will be done to connect with international high-standard economic and trade rules.
Finally, in 2025, the Ministry of Commerce will continue to actively promote the process of joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement, communicate with members, and promote reforms in related domestic fields in accordance with the benchmarks. It will promote a series of FTAs or FTA upgrade negotiation processes, mainly including the GCC, Honduras, El Salvador, New Zealand, South Korea, and Switzerland. It will also promote the signing of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0 Upgrade Agreement as scheduled, negotiate and sign FTAs with more willing countries and regions, expand the global high-standard FTA network, and implement the FTAs that have come into effect with high quality. 2025年，商务部将继续积极推进加入《全面与进步跨太平洋伙伴关系协定》和《数字经济伙伴关系协定》进程，与成员进行交流，并对标推进国内相关领域改革。将推动一系列自贸协定或自贸协定升级谈判进程，主要包括海合会、洪都拉斯、萨尔瓦多、新西兰、韩国、瑞士等。还将推动如期签署中国—东盟自贸区3.0升级协定，与更多有意愿的国家和地区商签自贸协定，扩大面向全球的高标准自贸区网络，同时高质量实施已生效的自贸协定.
In terms of high-quality joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative, in 2024, the trade in goods between China and BRI partners reached 22.1 trillion yuan. In terms of imports, nearly 54% of China’s imported goods come from partner countries. In terms of exports, China’s exports to partner countries include not only consumer goods, but also equipment and parts that promote their industrial development. In the first 11 months of 2024, China’s contracted projects in BRI partner countries completed a turnover of 826.34 billion yuan. In 2025, we must actively expand trade, investment and industrial cooperation with partner countries…” 高质量共建“一带一路”方面，2024年，我国与共建国家的货物贸易额达22.1万亿元。进口方面，我国有近54%的进口商品来自共建国家，出口方面，我国出口到共建国家的商品不但包括消费品，还包括设备、零部件等，促进了共建国家产业发展。去年前11个月，我国在“一带一路”共建国家承包工程完成营业额8263.4亿元。2025年，要积极扩大与共建国家的贸易投资和产业合作，进一步发挥好境外经贸合作区、“两国双园”等平台的作用，继续办好进博会等重大展会和中国—东盟博览会等区域展会，务实促进双向贸易投资进一步发展.
Finally, there’s a report with data from the National Intellectual Property Administration. There is a lot of data in here; I am just sharing a bit of it. It says that in 2024,
China authorised a total of 1.045 million invention patents, a year-on-year increase of 13.5%;
4.781 million trademarks were registered throughout the year, a year-on-year increase of 9.1%;
11,000 integrated circuit layout design registrations and certificates were issued
the number of domestic invention patents in force reached 4.756 million. Among them, the number of high-value invention patents reached 1.978 million, an increase of 18.8% year-on-year
the number of high-value invention patents per 10,000 people reached 14, completing the expected target of the 14th Five-Year Plan ahead of schedule
the number of domestic enterprises with valid invention patents reached 497,000, an increase of 69,000 over the same period last year
the industrialization rate of enterprise invention patents reached 53.3%
Page 4: There’s a report on a conference held in Zunyi to mark the 90th anniversary of the Zunyi Conference. Li Shulei spoke at this meeting. The report says:
“The meeting pointed out that the Zunyi Conference was an important meeting in the history of our Party that marked a great turning point. We must thoroughly study and implement General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important expositions on summarizing and applying the historical experience of the Zunyi Conference, draw wisdom and strength from the Party’s history of struggle, and strive to walk the Long March of the new era. The meeting emphasized that the great contribution of the Zunyi Conference will be recorded in history forever, and the spirit of the Zunyi Conference will shine forever. To inherit and carry forward the spirit of the Zunyi Conference on the new journey, we must deeply understand the decisive significance of the Two Establishments, enhance our ideological and action awareness in achieving the Two Safeguards; consciously promote the sinicisation and modernisation of Marxism, and unremittingly use Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era to unite the hearts and souls; always adhere to independence and self-reliance, take our own path, and firmly promote the confidence and determination to comprehensively promote the construction of a strong country and the great cause of national rejuvenation with Chinese-style modernisation; vigorously carry forward the revolutionary tradition of daring to struggle and dare to win, and gather a strong force to overcome difficulties and move forward courageously.”
会议指出，遵义会议是我们党历史上一次具有伟大转折意义的重要会议，要深入学习贯彻习近平总书记关于总结运用遵义会议历史经验的重要论述，从党的奋斗历史中汲取智慧力量，奋力走好新时代的长征路。会议强调，遵义会议重大贡献永载史册，遵义会议精神永放光芒。新征程上传承弘扬遵义会议精神，要深刻领悟“两个确立”的决定性意义，增强做到“两个维护”的思想自觉和行动自觉；自觉推动马克思主义中国化时代化，坚持不懈用习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想凝心铸魂；始终坚持独立自主走自己的路，坚定以中国式现代化全面推进强国建设、民族复兴伟业的信心决心；大力发扬敢于斗争、敢于胜利的革命传统，凝聚攻坚克难、勇毅前行的强大力量。
Other Stories:
First, Bloomberg reports that “five of China’s most important provinces said they plan to grow at or above 5% this year, signs that the country will set an ambitious national target despite growing trade headwinds. Beijing and Shanghai — big cities classified as provinces — and Guangdong announced growth targets of ‘around 5%’ this week, according to statements from their parliaments. Zhejiang eyes ‘around 5.5%’ expansion and Fujian aims for 5% to 5.5%. The wealthy provinces’ goals suggest China will seek to maintain its growth pace after the economy grew about 5% last year. In 2024, the targets of six out of the eight richest provinces were the same or lower than the national level.” The two charts below are rather telling:
This Global Times report also has some details about the plans from Shanghai, Guangdong and Beijing.
Second, Secretary-designate Marco Rubio’s testimony during his Senate confirmation hearing was interesting. He identified China as the “biggest threat” to American prosperity in the 21st Century. He said: “If we don’t change course, we are going to live in the world where much of what matters to us on a daily basis from our security to our health will be dependent on whether the Chinese allow us to have it or not.” AP’s report adds: “Rubio blamed America’s vulnerability to China on the shift to globalism, which he says ‘is now a weapon being used against us’. He said the U.S. must begin placing ‘our core national interests above all else’.”
Meanwhile, the outgoing Biden administration has intensified its tech restrictions. First, a new three-tier licensing system for access to AI chips was announced a couple of days ago.
FT reported: “The top tier, which includes G7 members in addition to countries such as Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Taiwan, the Netherlands and Ireland, will face no restrictions. The third tier includes nations such as China, Iran, Russia and North Korea to which US groups can, in effect, not export. The middle tier of more than 100 countries will face caps and licences for export volumes over those limits.”
A more detailed assessment of the Regulatory Framework for the Responsible Diffusion of Advanced Artificial Intelligence Technology is available on CFR’s website.
Yesterday, the US Department of Commerce announced it would implement new export controls on certain biotechnology equipment, citing national security concerns relating to artificial intelligence and data science. The Commerce Department warned that China could use the biotech equipment’s technology to bolster its military capabilities and help design new weapons using artificial intelligence. VOA reports: “The sanctions effectively restrict shipments of the technology to countries without a U.S. license, such as China. The controls apply to parameter flow cytometers and certain mass spectrometry equipment, which according to the Commerce Department, can ‘generate high-quality, high-content biological data, including that which is suitable for use to facilitate the development of AI and biological design tools’.”