Xi Meets Honduras' Castro - Honduras Backs BRI, GDI, GSI & GCI - Jan-April Transport FAI @ RMB 1 Trillion - China-Africa Capacity-building Cooperation - Private Sector's Borderlands Investment
Here are the key reports and articles that I found noteworthy from the People's Daily's edition on Tuesday, June 13, 2023.
Page 1: The top story on the page (English report) is about the meeting between Xi Jinping and Honduras President Iris Xiomara Castro Sarmiento.
Xi said that the visit had opened “a new chapter in the annals of the China-Honduras relationship.” He talked about the “immediate and long-term significance” of bilateral ties and said that since the establishment of ties, the relationship had shown “dynamism.” He added: “China will unswervingly develop China-Honduras friendly relations, firmly support the economic and social development of Honduras, and is willing to be a good friend and good partner with Honduras with mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit and common development.” 中方将坚定不移发展中洪友好关系，坚定支持洪都拉斯经济社会发展，愿同洪都拉斯做相互尊重、平等互利、共同发展的好朋友、好伙伴.
Xi added that both sides “should stick to the right direction and deepen political mutual trust” and that “the one-China principle was the primary prerequisite and political foundation for the establishment of diplomatic ties and the development of bilateral relations between China and Honduras, and it is believed that Honduras will act faithfully upon it.” 习近平强调，双方要把牢正确方向，深化政治互信。一个中国原则是中洪建交和发展双边关系的首要前提和政治基础，相信洪方将不折不扣落到实处.
He added that “China supports Honduras' efforts to safeguard national sovereignty and independence, promote development and improve people's livelihoods. China supports Honduras in choosing its own development path suited to its national conditions, and opposes any external interference in Honduras' internal affairs. China is ready to strengthen exchanges of experience in state governance, share experience in poverty eradication, social governance and corruption punishment, and encourage exchanges and cooperation among governments, legislatures, political parties and localities.” He added that the “two sides should synergize strategies, build multiple pillars for cooperation mechanisms between the two countries, and pursue common development with the Belt and Road Initiative as the main line.” 中方坚定支持洪方为维护国家主权独立、促进发展、改善民生所作努力，支持洪方自主选择符合本国国情的发展道路，反对任何外部势力干涉洪都拉斯内政，愿同洪方加强治国理政经验交流，分享消除贫困、社会治理、惩治腐败等经验，鼓励政府、立法机构、政党、地方全方位开展交流合作。双方要加强战略对接，搭建两国合作机制的四梁八柱，以共建“一带一路”为统领，促进共同发展.
He further said that “China will promote the early introduction of Honduran specialty products to the Chinese market, and is willing to start the negotiation process for a free trade agreement at an early date.” Also: “Xi said China is willing to work with Honduras to strengthen collaboration on multilateral fronts, jointly safeguard international order and the basic norms governing international relations, enhance solidarity among developing countries, and safeguard the common interests of developing countries and international fairness and justice.” He added: “China is willing to work with Latin American and Caribbean countries including Honduras to promote the construction of the China-CELAC Forum and the overall cooperation between China and Latin America.” 中方愿同包括洪都拉斯在内的拉美和加勒比国家一道，推动中国—拉共体论坛建设和中拉整体合作.
Castro said that “establishing diplomatic relations with China is a historic choice made by the Honduran government.” She added that “Honduras firmly supports and abides by the one-China principle, and firmly supports the Chinese government's efforts to realise national reunification.” 卡斯特罗表示，同中国建交是洪都拉斯政府作出的历史性抉择，必将载入史册。洪方坚定支持并遵守一个中国原则，坚定支持中国政府为实现国家统一所作的努力.
“Under the strong and resolute leadership of President Xi Jinping, China has achieved remarkable development accomplishments. Honduras deeply admires this. BRI, GDI, GSI and GCI proposed by President Xi Jinping will help build a more peaceful and secure world that meets the common expectations of people all over the world. Honduras appreciates these initiatives and will actively participate in them.” 在习近平主席坚强有力领导下，中国取得了伟大发展成就，洪方深感钦佩。习近平主席提出的共建“一带一路”倡议和全球发展倡议、全球安全倡议、全球文明倡议，有助于建设一个符合世界人民共同期盼的更加和平、安全的世界，洪方高度评价并将积极参与.
Then she added: “Honduras firmly believes that developing friendly and cooperative relations with China will help Hong Fang gain more and better development opportunities…Honduras looks forward to strengthening cooperation with China in trade, investment, infrastructure, telecommunications, energy, science and technology, and close cultural exchanges.” 洪方坚信，同中国发展友好合作关系，将有助于洪方获得更多、更好的发展机遇...洪方期待同中方加强贸易、投资、基础设施、电信、能源、科技等领域合作，密切人文交流.
After the talks, the two sides signed deals on BRI, quality inspection, economy and trade, agriculture, science and technology, culture and education, cooperation between diplomatic academies, mutual exemption of visas, and a joint statement was issued. This is published on the next page.
The joint statement has 12 points, one of which underscores the one-China principle. I’ll do brief excerpts here:
Honduras highly appreciates China's comprehensive promotion of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese-style modernization, and believes that Chinese-style modernization provides a new path and new choice for mankind to realize modernization. 洪方高度赞赏中方以中国式现代化全面推进中华民族伟大复兴，认为中国式现代化为人类实现现代化提供新路径、新选择。
China firmly supports Honduras in choosing its own development path and independent development of foreign relations, and is willing to exchange experience with the Honduran side in national governance, provide assistance within its capacity for the economic and social development of Honduras, and achieve common development and prosperity. 中方坚定支持洪都拉斯自主选择发展道路、独立发展对外关系，愿同洪方开展治国理政经验交流，为洪都拉斯经济社会发展提供力所能及的帮助，实现共同发展繁荣.
Both sides agreed to enhance exchanges between the two governments, legislative bodies, political parties, and local authorities, strengthen mutual learning in governance and anti-corruption efforts, adhere to the people-centred development philosophy, and work together to promote the modernization of their respective countries. 双方一致认为，中洪关系发展的根本出发点与落脚点是增进民生福祉、促进共同发展，一致同意增进政府、立法机构、政党、地方间交流，加强治国理政、反腐败斗争经验互鉴，坚持以人民为中心的发展思想，携手推进各自国家现代化建设.
Honduras is willing to actively participate in the Belt and Road Initiative…
The two sides reached a consensus on negotiating a free trade agreement and promoting pragmatic cooperation in various fields. Both sides are willing to take effective policy measures to promote people-to-people exchanges; China welcomes Honduran specialty products to enter the Chinese market and is willing to facilitate it. Honduras is willing to actively use platforms such as the CIIE to expand exports to China; China encourages Chinese companies to participate in Honduras’ economic development, energy, environment, infrastructure, telecommunications, and other projects, and Honduras welcomes Chinese companies to invest and establish businesses in Honduras, providing policy support and convenience. China is willing to provide opportunities for Honduras in the fields of healthcare and education. Both sides will strengthen exchanges and cooperation in the fields of finance, agriculture, education, healthcare, culture, tourism, science and technology, and media. 在中洪关系起步阶段，双方就商谈两国自由贸易协定及推进各领域务实合作达成共识。双方愿采取有效政策措施，促进双方人员往来；中方欢迎洪特色产品进入中国市场，愿为此提供便利，洪方愿积极用好上海进博会等平台扩大对华出口；中方鼓励中国企业参与洪经济开发、能源、环境、基础设施、电信等项目，洪方欢迎中国企业赴洪投资兴业，愿提供政策支持和便利；中方愿向洪方提供卫生、教育领域机会；双方将加强金融、农业、教育、医疗、文化、旅游、科技、媒体等领域交流合作.
The two sides agreed that changes in the world, times and history are unfolding in an unprecedented way. They are willing to jointly safeguard the international system with the United Nations as the core, the international order based on international law, the basic norms of international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and support true multilateralism. The two sides oppose all hegemonism and power politics, any unilateralism, protectionism and violence, and interference in other countries' internal affairs. 双方一致认为，世界之变、时代之变、历史之变正以前所未有的方式展开，双方愿共同维护以联合国为核心的国际体系及以国际法为基础的国际秩序、以联合国宪章宗旨和原则为基础的国际关系基本准则，支持真正的多边主义。双方反对一切霸权主义和强权政治，反对任何单边主义、保护主义、暴力行径，反对干涉他国内政.
Honduras agrees with China's proposal of promoting the common values of peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy, and freedom for all of humanity, as well as the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind. Honduras supports China's GDI, which fully aligns with the purposes set by the United Nations for achieving sustainable development goals. Honduras also supports the GCI and GSI. Honduras is willing to actively participate in these initiatives and recognizes their important role in addressing global challenges. China appreciates Honduras’ efforts in promoting global and regional peace and development. 十、洪方认同中方提出的和平、发展、公平、正义、民主、自由的全人类共同价值和构建人类命运共同体理念；支持中方提出的全球发展倡议，该倡议完全符合联合国为达到可持续发展目标而确定的宗旨；支持全球文明倡议、全球安全倡议。洪方愿积极参与以上倡议，认可有关倡议为应对全球挑战发挥重要作用。中方赞赏洪方致力于推动全球和地区和平与发展所作努力.
Next, at the top of the page is a report informing that fixed-asset investment in the transport sector rose 13.4% year-on-year to 1 trillion yuan ($140.8 billion) in the first four months of 2023. In April, 315 billion yuan was invested in transportation fixed assets, a year-on-year increase of 13.6%. Among this, the completed highway investment was 237.5 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 15.6% and the completed waterway investment was 15.7 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 29.4%.
Also on the page is a report on Zhao Leji’s meeting with Ganesh Prasad Timilsina, Chairman of the National Assembly of Nepal, in Beijing. Xinhua reports:
Zhao said “that the leaders of the two countries have elevated the China-Nepal relationship to a strategic partnership of cooperation featuring ever-lasting friendship for development and prosperity. China is willing to work with Nepal to deepen exchanges and cooperation in various fields and promote the building of an even closer community of shared future between China and Nepal.” He “pointed out that China and Nepal are connected by mountains and rivers and share a common destiny. It is in the fundamental interests of the two peoples to consolidate and develop the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries.”
The report adds:
“Zhao said that China appreciates Nepal's consistent and firm adherence to the one-China policy and its valuable support on issues concerning China's core interests and major concerns. China firmly supports Nepal in safeguarding independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and respects the development path chosen by the Nepali government and people in light of their own national conditions, Zhao added. He called on both sides to build and maintain infrastructure projects, continue to build the Trans-Himalayan Multi-Dimensional Connectivity Network, and deepen cooperation in various fields, adding that China welcomes Nepal's support for and participation in the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative to jointly promote regional and world peace, stability and prosperity. Zhao said the NPC of China is willing to continue to strengthen exchanges at all levels with the National Assembly of Nepal, consolidate the social and popular support for friendly China-Nepal cooperation, provide legal guarantee for practical cooperation in various fields, strengthen coordination and cooperation between multilateral institutions, and safeguard the common interests of developing countries.”
Page 2: There’s a report on Propaganda chief Li Shulei attending the first meeting of the China-Central Asia political parties dialogue. Li said that the CPC is “willing to work with the political parties of the five Central Asian countries to implement the important consensus reached by President Xi Jinping and the heads of state of the five countries (during the recent summit), and promote the building of a China-Central Asian community with a shared future.”
ILD chief Liu Jianchao also attended the meeting. Xinhua reports:
“China is willing to work with political parties in Central Asian countries to deepen political mutual trust, enhance synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative and the development strategies of Central Asian countries, promote mutual cultural understanding and exchanges, and jointly safeguard regional and global peace, stability and prosperity. Noting that Central Asian countries and China are friendly neighbors and strategic partners, the leaders of the political parties expressed readiness to enhance communication with the CPC on state governance experience, staunchly support each other's development paths, and boost relations between Central Asia and China further.”
Third, there’s a report on NPCSC vice chair Wang Dongming attending the National Day reception of the Russian Embassy in China on June 12. Wang said that “China is willing to work with Russia under the guidance of the consensus reached by the two heads of state to deepen political mutual trust, expand practical cooperation, tighten the emotional bond of generational friendship and make new and important contributions to the development and revitalization of the two countries.”
Fourth, two reports informing that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Kiribati's Speaker of the House of Assembly Tangariki Reete will be visiting China. Abbas landed in Beijing earlier today. Tangariki Reete will be leading a delegation from June 14 to 19.
Next, there’s a brief report on Zhao Bin taking charge as China's new ambassador to the DRC. He termed the recent visit of the DRC president to China as “very successful and memorable.”
Finally, there’s an article on China-Africa capacity-building cooperation. I am not covering the human stories; rather, I am sharing the data points in the article.
The piece talks about how Luban workshops have been useful in skilling Africans. “Since the first Luban workshop in Africa began in Djibouti in March 2019, China has set up more than 10 Luban workshops in 11 African countries, providing technical and vocational training opportunities for African youth and effectively promoting local economic and social development.” 作为中国职业教育“走出去”的有益尝试，自2019年3月非洲首家鲁班工坊落地吉布提以来，中国已在埃及、肯尼亚等11个非洲国家设立了10多所鲁班工坊，为非洲青年提供技术和职业培训机会，有力促进当地经济社会发展.
The piece also informs that “in recent years, China has actively promoted human resources development cooperation with Africa through such programs as official training, technical personnel training and on-the-job education. The program includes over 100 majors in 17 fields, including politics and diplomacy, public administration, national development, agriculture and poverty reduction, medical and health care, education and scientific research, culture and sports, and transportation.” 近年来，中方通过开展官员研修研讨、技术人员培训、在职学历学位教育等项目，积极推动援非人力资源开发合作。项目涉及政治外交、公共管理、国家发展、农业减贫、医疗卫生、教育科研、文化体育、交通运输等17个领域百余个专业.
Page 4: There’s a report on the meeting of the Central Steering/Guiding Group for Xi thought education campaign. Liu Jingguo presided over the meeting, and Li Ganjie spoke at the session. The meeting pointed out that “all steering groups should thoroughly study and implement the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's series of important speeches and important instructions on thematic education and arrive at common answers to common questions. It is necessary to understand the spirit of the Party Central Committee, firmly grasp the fundamental principles of the thematic education campaign, and ensure evidence-based supervision.” 会议强调，各指导组要深入学习贯彻习近平总书记关于主题教育系列重要讲话和重要指示批示精神，坚持“同题共答”，高质量做好指导工作。要吃透党中央精神，牢牢把握主题教育的根本遵循，做到督导有据.
Page 6: There’s a report on the evolution of the big data cluster in Shaoguan, Guangdong Province. It says that over the past year, more than 20 domestic enterprises engaged in telecommunications, cloud computing, Internet, data services and AI have successively signed contracts to invest in building a 100-billion-level big data industrial cluster in Shaoguan which seeks to emerge as a national hub for the integrated computing power network in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. 一年多来，国内通信运营、云计算、互联网、数据服务、人工智能等20余家行业企业陆续签约韶关，投资打造千亿级大数据产业集群，构建全国一体化算力网络粤港澳大湾区国家枢纽节点韶关数据中心.
The report says that in recent years, Guangdong has focused on key core technology innovation to overcome the chokepoint challenges in the field of digital technology. It talks about the work done with regard to the semiconductor industry. It says that the province “has set up six investment funds with a total scale of over 100 billion yuan to support the development of integrated circuit industry clusters in cities such as Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Zhuhai. Enterprises such as Huawei, Tencent, Gree, and DJI have seen rapid improvement in their comprehensive innovation capabilities in the digital economy.” 近年来，广东聚焦关键核心领域技术创新，破解数字技术“卡脖子”难题。广东推动成立湾区半导体、广大融智、智能传感器等产业集团，设立总规模超千亿元的6只投资基金，支持广州、深圳、珠海等地发展集成电路产业集聚区。华为、腾讯、格力、大疆等企业的数字经济综合创新能力迅速提升.
Guangdong is aiming at the two-way efforts of digital industrialization and industrial digitalization to promote the deep integration of digital economy and real economy. The province is providing support for the development of core industries and emerging industries in the digital economy, such as the new generation of electronic information industry, software and information technology services, artificial intelligence, and big data industry. It is also coordinating the transformation of industries, enterprises, and industrial parks towards digitization, intelligence, and high-end development. Over 22,500 large-scale industrial enterprises in the province have achieved digital transformation, and more than 650,000 small and medium-sized enterprises have embraced cloud computing and platform-based operations. 广东瞄准数字产业化与产业数字化双向发力，促进数字经济与实体经济深度融合。全省扶持发展新一代电子信息产业、软件与信息技术服务业、人工智能和大数据产业等数字经济核心产业和新兴产业，协同推进产业、企业、园区等数字化、智能化、高端化转型。全省超2.25万家规上工业企业实现数字化转型、超65万家中小企业“上云上平台”.
In terms of infrastructure, a total of 171,000 5G base stations have been built in the province, and data centers have been built in 21 cities. 全省累计建成5G基站17.1万座，21个地市均建有数据中心. Also, in the next two years, Shaoguan will build a super-large data center with 500,000 standard racks and 5 million servers. 未来两年，韶关将建成拥有50万架标准机架、500万台服务器的超大型数据中心。
Page 7: There’s a report on the National Ethnic Affairs Commission and the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce holding a meeting with the goal of encouraging, mobilising and guiding private enterprises to actively participate in the construction of border areas. The specific action is called Private Enterprises Entering the Border Areas. This is open to all domestic private enterprises, and covers all bordering provinces and autonomous regions.
The initiative “aims at ‘strengthening the construction of the border areas, promoting the prosperity of the border areas and enriching the people, and stabilising and consolidating the border areas’, guiding private enterprises to actively participate in the infrastructure construction in the border areas based on their advantages in location, policy and culture, help improve the resource transformation capability of border areas, promote the integration of border areas into the unified national market, sharing the development dividends with the border areas, and promoting the exchanges and integration of all ethnic groups in the border areas, so as to move towards socialist modernisation together.” 据国家民委有关负责同志介绍，“民营企业进边疆”行动以“加强边疆地区建设，推进兴边富民、稳边固边”为目标，引导广大民营企业立足区位、政策、人文等方面优势，积极参与边疆地区基础设施建设，助力边疆地区提升资源转化能力，推动边疆地区融入全国统一大市场，共享边疆地区发展红利，促进边疆各民族交往交流交融，共同走向社会主义现代化，实现共同富裕.
“According to incomplete statistics, from January to May this year, a total of 162 private enterprises went to border areas for investigation and negotiation, investment cooperation, public welfare assistance, etc. A total of 434 projects have been implemented (landed), with investments exceeding 5 billion yuan and a total investment of 18.85 billion yuan. The intended investment is 117 billion yuan, covering the construction of modern planting and breeding bases, research and development of high-end new energy equipment, and deep processing of agricultural products.” 据不完全统计，今年1月至5月，共有162家民营企业赴边疆地区开展考察洽谈、投资合作、公益帮扶等，实施（落地）各类项目434个，到位投资超50亿元，投资额188.5亿元，达成意向投资1170亿元，涵盖现代种植养殖基地建设、新能源高端装备研发、农产品精深加工等领域.
Page 11: There’s a report on former traffic police officer Guo Jiefang, who was suspected of taking bribes, being brought back to China after 23 years. The report says that she fled overseas in March 2000. An Interpol Red Notice was issued against her in December 2007. She is the 62nd fugitive to return to China following the launch of the Sky Net campaign aimed at targeting fugitives who have fled overseas. Apparently, Guo surrendered.
Page 17: Today’s international page sees the start of a new series on the adverse impacts of US hegemony. This one criticises the impact of US sanctions on Syria. Here’s the gist of the article offered upfront:
“The United States has long been involved in the Syrian crisis. It has carried out frequent military interventions, and illegally imposed severe unilateral sanctions, causing a large number of civilian casualties in Syria. The country’s economic development and reconstruction process is facing many difficulties. At present, the US still occupies the main oil-producing areas in Syria, looting and plundering more than 80% of the country’s oil production, smuggling and burning Syrian food stocks, making the humanitarian crisis worse. In May this year, Syria returned to the big family of the Arab League. The UN and many countries welcomed this. The United States not only unilaterally opposed the decision and warned the Arab League but also announced that it would extend its unilateral sanctions against Syria for another year.” 美国长期介入叙利亚危机，频繁进行军事干预，非法施加严酷单边制裁，造成叙利亚大量平民伤亡，经济发展和重建进程面临重重困难。时至今日，美方仍然霸占着叙利亚主要产油区，搜刮掠夺八成以上的产油量，走私烧毁叙利亚粮食库存，使人道主义危机雪上加霜。今年5月，叙利亚重返阿盟大家庭，联合国和许多国家表示欢迎，美国不仅单方面反对甚至警告阿盟，还宣布将对叙利亚单边制裁再延长一年.
Among other things, the article points to the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019, which “set up numerous obstacles for foreign investors to invest in Syria,” and through the voices of the Syrian people, it highlights the damaging effect of US sanctions.
Now juxtapose this with another report (English report) on the page talking about China’s food aid - 3,500 tons of grain - to Syria. A handover ceremony was held for this. Chinese Ambassador to Syria Shi Hongwei said that China will continue to provide humanitarian assistance to Syria and will be part of the reconstruction process in the country.
Also reproduced on the page is this exchange from the MoFA briefing yesterday.
People’s Daily: According to reports, on June 9, the US, the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Japan jointly released a statement, emphasizing their concern that trade-related economic coercion and non-market-oriented policies and practices threaten the multilateral trading system and harm relations between countries. They also expressed concern about pervasive subsidization, anti-competitive practices by state-owned enterprises, forced technology transfer, and government interference with corporate decision-making. The six countries also said that they are seriously concerned about the use of forced labor, including state-sponsored forced labor, in global supply chains. The statement did not single out any country but appeared to be aimed at China. What’s your comment?
Wang Wenbin: The statement is made by the US together with its Five Eyes allies and Japan, but every sentence in it reads like a description of the US itself. The US CHIPS and Science Act prohibits companies that receive federal funding from expanding advanced semiconductor production capacity in China for a decade. It also cajoles and coerces US allies into restricting export of semiconductors to China. Isn’t this typical economic coercion? The US has overstretched the concept of national security and abused state power to suppress companies like Huawei and TikTok. Isn’t this clearly a non-market practice? For many years running, the US has been the only one impeding the appointment of new judges to the WTO’s Appellate Body, thus paralyzing the dispute settlement mechanism. The US also refuses to comply with WTO rulings in effect. Isn’t this the biggest threat to the multilateral trade system? The US has adopted the Inflation Reduction Act, resorted to discriminatory subsidies, and triggered a subsidy race. Isn’t this a textbook example of market-distorting illegal subsidies? As to forced labor, it is a persistent problem in the US as old as the country itself. Even today, more than 500,000 people in the US still live under the yoke of modern slavery and forced labor. As the US attempts to project its deplorable image onto others, the world gets a chance to see clearly what the US really is—a country that tramples on market economy principles and international trade rules. We suggest the UK and the other countries use this statement as a checklist and call on the US to correct its economic coercion, unilateral sanctions, long-arm jurisdiction, and other non-market practices.”