Xi Meets non-CPC Parties' Members - Cai Qi Visits Cultural & Sci-Tech Figures - Reviewing Xi Thought Education Campaign in PLA - Chinese Tourism to Maldives Set for Boost? - China-Switzerland Ties
Here are the key reports and articles that I found noteworthy from the People's Daily’s edition on Wednesday, February 08, 2024
Page 1: The front page today is all about Xi Jinping. The lead story on the page is about Xi Jinping meeting with people from non-CPC political parties and the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, personages without party affiliation, and other members of the united front ahead of the Spring Festival. Wang Huning, Cai Qi and Ding Xuexiang were in attendance too.
Hao Mingjin, who is the chairman of the China National Democratic Construction Association, delivered a speech. He basically said that 2023 brought a “severe and complex situation with multiple difficult challenges”. Amid this, “the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, had demonstrated a far-sighted perspective and grasped the overall situation.” It “united and led people of all ethnic groups across the country to face difficulties head-on, overcome challenges with determination and hard work, forge ahead with vigor and courage…In the new year, all democratic parties, the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, and non-party personages must unite more closely around the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core, work together with one heart and one mind, and make new and greater contributions to the construction of a strong country and national rejuvenation.” 郝明金代表各民主党派中央、全国工商联和无党派人士致辞。他表示，刚刚过去的2023年，面对严峻复杂形势和多重困难挑战，以习近平同志为核心的中共中央高瞻远瞩、统揽全局，团结带领全国各族人民迎难而上、顶压拼搏，踔厉奋发、勇毅前行，中国式现代化迈出坚实步伐，新时代中国日新月异，伟大梦想正一步步靠近。新的一年，各民主党派、工商联和无党派人士要更加紧密地团结在以习近平同志为核心的中共中央周围，同心同德、团结奋斗，为强国建设、民族复兴作出新的更大贡献.
After this, the report talks about Xi’s speech. He said that 2023 was an “extraordinary year”. Xinhua English captures the first bit of Xi’s comments well.
“through the year, the CPC Central Committee led the whole Party and the Chinese people to fully implement the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress and act on the general principle of pursuing progress while ensuring stability. We stood up to external pressure and overcame domestic difficulties, made all-out efforts to boost economic recovery and development, and had successfully achieved the main projected targets of economic and social development, said Xi. We got off to a good start, and there are many highlights in our endeavor…”
We solved problems in a targeted manner, solidly promoted high-quality development, and promoted the overall recovery of our economy. The total economic volume for the year exceeded 126 trillion yuan, and employment and prices were generally stable.
We accelerated the improvement of a new comprehensive national system, achieved new breakthroughs in technological innovation, and promoted the development of new productive forces
Our country successfully hosted the third Belt and Road International Cooperation Summit Forum, the China-Central Asia Summit, and facilitated the expansion of the BRICS countries. China's distinctive major-country diplomacy increasingly demonstrated strong influence, appeal, and shaping power.
We effectively responded to a series of major natural disasters such as floods in North China and Northeast China and earthquakes in Gansu, Qinghai and Xinjiang.
We successfully hosted the Chengdu Universiade and the Hangzhou Asian Games, and our country’s athletes once again achieved great results.
These achievements are the result of the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China, as well as the tenacious struggle and joint efforts of all aspects of society, including democratic parties, All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, and people without party affiliation.” 我们有针对性地破解难题，扎实推进高质量发展，推动我国经济总体回升向好，全年经济总量超过126万亿元，就业、物价总体平稳。我们加快完善新型举国体制，科技创新实现新突破，促进新质生产力发展。我国成功举办第三届“一带一路”国际合作高峰论坛、中国—中亚峰会，推动金砖国家扩员，中国特色大国外交越来越显示出强大的影响力、感召力、塑造力。我们有效应对华北、东北洪涝和甘肃、青海地震及新疆地震等一系列重大自然灾害，成功举办成都大运会、杭州亚运会，我国体育健儿再创佳绩。这些成绩的取得，是中国共产党坚强领导的结果，也是包括各民主党派、工商联和无党派人士在内的全社会各方面顽强拼搏、共同奋斗的结果.
Xi then said that over the past year, all the democratic parties, All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, and people without party affiliation have “studied and implemented the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China.” He added: “seizing the opportunity of commemorating the 75th anniversary of the issuance of the ‘May Day Slogan’ by the CPC Central Committee, we should deepen political exchanges and continuously strengthen the ideological and political consensus on multi-party cooperation.” 习近平指出，过去一年，各民主党派和无党派人士深入学习贯彻新时代中国特色社会主义思想和中共二十大精神，扎实开展“凝心铸魂强根基、团结奋进新征程”主题教育，抓住纪念中共中央发布“五一口号”75周年契机，深化政治交接，不断增强多党合作的思想政治共识.
“Everyone has adhered to focusing on the central tasks and serving the overall situation, focusing on key and difficult issues in promoting Chinese-style modernization and providing suggestions, and has achieved new results in serving economic and social development. The All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce actively cooperated with relevant departments and local governments to implement policies to promote high-quality development of the private economy, and has done a lot of work to promote the healthy development of the non-public economy and the healthy growth of people in the non-public economy.” 大家坚持围绕中心、服务大局，聚焦推进中国式现代化进程中的重点、难点问题建言献策，在服务经济社会发展方面取得了新的成效。全国工商联积极配合有关部门和地方落实促进民营经济高质量发展的政策，为促进非公有制经济健康发展、非公有制经济人士健康成长做了大量工作。他代表中共中央，向大家表示衷心感谢.
Xi then said that 2024 marks the 75th anniversary of the PRC’s founding, and is a “crucial year” for implementing the 14 FYP. It is important to “adhere to the general tone of seeking progress while maintaining stability, implement the requirements of seeking progress while maintaining stability, promoting stability through progress, and the requirement of establishing first and then breaking, continue to consolidate and enhance the positive trend of economic recovery, continue to push the economy to achieve effective improvement in quality and reasonable growth in quantity, and solidly and steadily promote Chinese-style modernization.” 习近平强调，2024年是新中国成立75周年，是实现“十四五”规划目标任务的关键一年。要坚持稳中求进工作总基调，贯彻稳中求进、以进促稳、先立后破的要求，继续巩固和增强经济回升向好态势，持续推动经济实现质的有效提升和量的合理增长，扎实稳健推进中国式现代化。
Xi then shared three hopes for the gathering:
First, strengthen institutional confidence. and uphold, develop and improve China’s new political party system. It is necessary to effectively improve the quality of political party consultations, continuously improve the mechanism for deliberation and suggestions, carry out democratic supervision in an orderly manner, expand platform carriers that play an advantageous role, and strive to enhance the effectiveness of China's new political party system.
Second, build broad consensus and help promote Chinese-style modernization. It is necessary to continue to conduct in-depth research around the major strategic tasks proposed by the 20th Party Congress and the deployment of the Central Economic Work Conference, and provide more targeted suggestions. The All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce should guide people in the private economy to strengthen their confidence in development and jointly sing the bright song of China’s economy.
Third, strengthen political guidance and continuously improve the level of self-construction. The primary task is to strengthen ideological and political construction, firmly grasp the political direction, and establish a solid ideological and political foundation for adhering to the leadership of the Communist Party of China. It is necessary to strengthen integrity construction, leadership team construction and organizational construction, effectively improve ideological conduct and work conduct, and steadily enhance the capability and level of fulfilling duties.
习近平向各民主党派、工商联和无党派人士提出3点希望。一是坚定制度自信，坚持好、发展好、完善好中国新型政党制度。要切实提高政党协商质量，不断健全议政建言机制，有序开展民主监督，拓展发挥优势作用的平台载体，着力提升中国新型政党制度效能。二是广泛凝聚共识，助力推进中国式现代化。要围绕中共二十大提出的重大战略任务和中央经济工作会议部署继续深入调研，更有针对性地建言献策。全国工商联要引导民营经济人士坚定发展信心，共同唱响中国经济光明论。三是强化政治引领，不断提升自身建设水平。首要任务是加强思想政治建设，把牢政治方向，筑牢坚持中国共产党领导的思想政治基础。要加强廉洁建设、领导班子建设和组织建设，切实改进思想作风和工作作风，稳步提升履职能力和水平.
Next, there’s a report informing that Xi Jinping and other Chinese leaders either visited or entrusted officials of relevant departments to visit veteran comrades to extend festive greetings. The report says that:
The veteran leaders “spoke highly of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core for uniting and leading the whole Party, the whole army and the people of all ethnic groups in the first year of comprehensively implementing the spirit of the 20th Party Congress…and expressed our sincere support for General Secretary Xi Jinping as the core of the Party Central Committee and the core of the entire Party. They hoped that the entire party, the military and the people of all ethnic groups will unite more closely around the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core; deeply understand the decisive significance of the ‘Two Establishments’, strengthen the four consciousness and four self-confidences and achieve two safeguards; persist in forging souls through the use of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, strengthen confidence, forge ahead with a pioneering spirit, and work tirelessly to comprehensively promote the construction of a strong country and the great cause of national rejuvenation with Chinese-style modernization.” 老同志们对此表示感谢，高度评价以习近平同志为核心的党中央在全面贯彻党的二十大精神开局之年团结带领全党全军全国各族人民，顽强拼搏、勇毅前行，在全面建设社会主义现代化国家新征程上迈出了坚实步伐，对习近平总书记作为党中央的核心、全党的核心表示衷心拥护。老同志们希望全党全军全国各族人民更加紧密地团结在以习近平同志为核心的党中央周围，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”，坚持用新时代中国特色社会主义思想凝心铸魂，坚定信心、开拓奋进，为以中国式现代化全面推进强国建设、民族复兴伟业而不懈奋斗.
This is not very different from what was reported last year too.
Next, there’s a report on Xi’s congratulatory letter on the completion of the building of the Qinling Station and its operation in Antarctica. Xinhua reports:
“Noting that this year marks the 40th anniversary of China's polar expedition, Xi said China's polar research cause has achieved fruitful results and the completion of the building of the Qinling Station will provide a strong guarantee for scientists in China and around the world to continue to explore the mysteries of nature and bravely ascend the peak of science. Xi called for better understanding, protection and utilization of the polar regions to make new and greater contributions to the benefit of humanity and the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.”
The report informs that He Lifeng attended the opening ceremony in Beijing marking the launch of the Qinling Station, during which he read out President Xi's congratulatory letter. Even in this context, He said that “General Secretary Xi Jinping’s congratulatory letter has pointed out the direction and provided fundamental guidance for the development of China’s polar undertakings in the new era and on the new journey. It is necessary to thoroughly study and understand and resolutely implement the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s congratulatory letter…” 他说，习近平总书记的贺信为新时代新征程我国极地事业发展指明了前进方向、提供了根本遵循。要深入学习领会、坚决贯彻落实习近平总书记贺信精神，高标准高水平做好中国南极秦岭站开站和运行各项工作，抓紧完善配套设施，抓好安全生产管理，深化科学考察研究，加强国际交流合作。
Next, there is a brief report (English report) on Xi’s message of condolence to Chilean President Gabriel Boric over the passing of former Chilean President Sebastian Pinera. Xi said “that Mr. Pinera was an outstanding politician of Chile and had devoted himself to the development of China-Chile relations and the mutually beneficial and friendly cooperation, actively contributing to the friendship of the two countries. The Chinese people have lost an old friend, a good friend after Pinera's passing.”
Finally, there’s a brief report on Xi’s letter to Nangolo Mbumba, congratulating him on assuming office as president of Namibia.
Page 2: There’s a report (English report) on Zhao Leji presiding over the meeting of the Council of Chairpersons of the NPC Standing Committee. It was decided that the eighth meeting of the Standing Committee of the 14th NPC will be held in Beijing from February 26 to 27. The report adds:
“According to an agenda proposed by the meeting, an important task at the upcoming standing committee session will be to prepare for the second session of the 14th NPC, to be held in March. Lawmakers at the February session will deliberate a report on the work of the NPC Standing Committee, a draft agenda for the second session of the 14th NPC, a draft name list of people being considered for the presidium and the role of secretary-general, and a draft name list of non-voting delegates. Lawmakers will also review revisions to the Law on Guarding State Secrets, a report on the qualifications of some NPC deputies and personnel-related bills.”
Next, there’s a report on Cai Qi meeting with people working in the culture, science and technology circles. The report says that Cai “visited several prominent figures on Wednesday morning and extended greetings.”
“The cultural figures and scientific and technological experts expressed their gratitude to the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core for its cordial care, and agreed with the Party Central Committee’s decision-making and deployment of vigorously promoting the development of culture and science and technology. Cai Qi said that work in propaganda, ideology, and culture is crucial for the Party’s future and destiny, for the enduring stability of the country, and for the cohesion and centripetal force of the nation. It is essential to adhere to the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture, better shoulder the new cultural mission, and create a new situation in propaganda, ideology, and cultural work in the new era. Education, science and technology, and talents are the basic and strategic support for comprehensively building a modern socialist country. To achieve high-level scientific and technological self-improvement and self-reliance, we ultimately rely on high-level innovative talents.” 几位文化界知名人士和科技专家对以习近平同志为核心的党中央的亲切关怀表示感谢，对党中央大力推进文化和科技事业发展的决策部署表示赞同。蔡奇表示，宣传思想文化工作事关党的前途命运，事关国家长治久安，事关民族凝聚力和向心力，要坚持以习近平文化思想为引领，更好担负起新的文化使命，开创新时代宣传思想文化工作新局面。教育、科技、人才是全面建设社会主义现代化国家的基础性、战略性支撑，我国要实现高水平科技自立自强，归根结底要靠高水平创新人才.
Page 3: Just two stories to note. First, a report (English report) informing that Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi co-chaired the third round of the China-Switzerland Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue with Swiss Federal Councilor and Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis in Beijing. Xinhua says:
“China-Switzerland relations have stood the test of time, and are exemplary, being at the forefront of China's bilateral relations with Western countries. China is ready to work with Switzerland to open up new prospects for China-Switzerland innovative strategic partnership under the guidance of leaders of the two states…Cassis said that the two countries understand each other and communicated candidly, and that bilateral cooperation has not been affected by the differences between the two sides. He added that Switzerland is willing to work with China to promote the bilateral partnership to a new level. The two sides agreed to continue to respect each other's core interests and major concerns, respect each other's choice of system and development path, and make good use of multiple inter-governmental dialogue and cooperation mechanisms. They also pledged to deepen cooperation in fields such as finance, science and innovation, education, intellectual property rights, climate change, green development and winter sports. Expressing their satisfaction with the feasibility study on upgrading the bilateral free-trade agreement, the two sides said they are willing to officially start the upgrade negotiations as soon as possible. Wang introduced China's positive measures to promote high-level opening-up, calling on Switzerland to offer an open, fair and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese enterprises. Cassis said he appreciated China's opening-up, and that Switzerland supports free trade and opposes protectionism. Cassis spoke highly of China's visa-free policy for Swiss citizens, saying that Switzerland warmly welcomes Chinese tourists and will provide more visa facilitation for Chinese citizens and Chinese enterprises investing in Switzerland. The two sides agreed to make good preparations for the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties and the China-Switzerland Year of Culture and Tourism in 2025. The two sides affirmed their support for the core role of the United Nations in international affairs, and their commitment to stepping up multilateral communication and coordination.”
Second, there’s a report on Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing meeting with Doreen Bogdan-Martin, ITU secretary-general. Xinhua says:
Zhang said that “China stands ready to deepen exchanges and cooperation with other parties concerning the development and utilization of global frequency and communication resources, the formulation of international ICT standards, the construction of digital infrastructure and the governance of emerging digital technologies, so as to jointly build an open, inclusive, interconnected and common development world.”
Page 4: There’s a report on the meeting of the PLA to discuss the Xi thought thematic education campaign. CMC Vice Chair He Weidong, who heads the leading group on the campaign within the armed forces, delivered a speech.
He emphasized “the need to thoroughly implement President Xi Jinping’s important instructions on thematic education and persist in using the Party’s innovative theories to forge souls and guide practice; deeply understand the decisive significance of the ‘Two Establishments’, resolutely achieve the two safeguards, comprehensively and thoroughly implement the Chairman Responsibility System of the Military Commission, and gather a powerful force to achieve the PLA’s centennial goal.” 中共中央政治局委员、中央军委副主席、军队主题教育领导小组组长何卫东出席会议并讲话，强调要深入贯彻习近平主席关于主题教育的重要指示，坚持不懈用党的创新理论凝心聚魂、指导实践，深刻领悟“两个确立”的决定性意义，坚决做到“两个维护”，全面深入贯彻军委主席负责制，为实现建军一百年奋斗目标汇聚强大力量.
He said that the campaign has “achieved significant results, and the political foundation has been strengthened anew. New breakthroughs have been achieved in overcoming difficulties, the morale and ecology has taken on a new look, and the armed forces’ development made new progress.” 何卫东指出，全军认真贯彻党中央、习主席决策部署，坚持以学铸魂、以学增智、以学正风、以学促干，主题教育取得明显成效，政治根基得到新强固，向难攻坚实现新突破，风气生态呈现新气象，部队发展取得新进步.
“He Weidong emphasized taking studying, comprehending, and applying Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as the primary political task and a long-term strategic task, consolidating and expanding the results of thematic education, study the thought to strengthen loyalty, strive to win and strengthen capabilities, and work hard to make new contributions. It is necessary to do a good job in deepening the transformation through theoretical arming, anchoring the central task to enhance military training and preparedness, and building a well-connected organizational system from higher to grassroots levels. The responsibilities of party governance and political accountability should be firmly implemented, deeply promote political rectification, correct conduct and fight corruption, and promote a transparent and clean political ecology.” 何卫东强调，要把学思践悟习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想作为首要政治任务和长期战略任务，巩固拓展主题教育成果，学思想铸忠诚、谋打赢强能力、重实干立新功。要抓好理论武装深化转化工作，锚定中心任务加强练兵备战，贯通高层基层强固组织体系。要压紧压实管党治党政治责任，深入推进政治整训、正风反腐，推动政治生态山清水秀。中央军委委员刘振立、张升民出席会议，中央军委委员苗华主持会议。会议以电视电话会议形式召开，全军军级以上单位设分会场.
Zhang Youxia was not in attendance, it seems. The report only mentions Liu Zhenli, Zhang Shengmin and Miao Hua.
Page 17: A couple of reports to note. First, there’s a report talking up tourism in Maldives. The article says that the Maldives received 1.88 million tourists in 2023. 187,000 out of these were Chinese tourists. It adds that “China is expected to become the Maldives’ largest source of international tourists again in 2024.” China was Maldives’ largest source of tourists from 2010 to 2019.
Second, there’s a report on the dominance of Chinese mobile phone brands in Africa. The report points to a set of chosen data points. But do note this: Transsion mobile phones accounted for 48% of the African smartphone market in Q3 of 2023.
Finally, there’s an article selectively citing scholars from American think tanks and investment banks to make the case that the United States must “maintain rational communication with China, properly manage differences, promote practical cooperation, and create a good environment for promoting the development of economic and trade exchanges and relations between the two countries.” 美国一些智库和专家学者也发表文章和报告，呼吁美方同中方保持理性沟通，妥善管控分歧，推动务实合作，为促进两国经贸往来和关系发展创造良好环境.