Xi Meets Prabowo Subianto - French FM Visits China - AstraZeneca CEO on China Investments - Ma Ying-jeou Visits Guangdong
Here are the key reports and articles that I found noteworthy from the People's Daily’s edition on Tuesday, April 02, 2024.
Page 1: The top story today is about Xi Jinping’s meeting with Indonesian President-elect Prabowo Subianto. The report says that Xi congratulated Prabowo on his election and said that over the past decade, “President Joko and I have jointly led the comprehensive and rapid development of relations between the two countries, achieving significant results.” He called the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway a golden symbol of high-quality cooperation between the two countries.” Ties between the two countries “have entered a new stage of jointly building a community with a shared future,” he indeed.
“China views ties with Indonesia relations from a strategic and long-term perspective, and is willing to deepen all-round strategic cooperation with Indonesia and build a China-Indonesia community with a shared future with regional and global influence, so as to bring more benefits to the two peoples and make positive contributions to regional and world peace, stability and prosperity. Xi Jinping emphasized that the key to the valuable achievements in China-Indonesia relations lies in adhering to strategic autonomy, mutual trust and mutual assistance, win-win cooperation, and fairness and justice. China and Indonesia are both major developing countries and representatives of emerging market countries. In the past, the two countries supported each other in the struggle for national independence and national development. Going ahead, they should unite sincerely to create a model of mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, a model of common development, and a pioneer of South-South cooperation. Both sides should firmly follow a development path that suits their own national conditions, firmly support each other in safeguarding sovereignty, security, and development interests, and understand and support each other on issues involving each other's core interests and major concerns. China is willing to maintain close communication with Indonesia, exchange experiences in governance, strengthen the docking of development strategies, further promote the ‘Two Countries, Twin Parks’ model and Regional Comprehensive Economic Corridor projects, and continue to deepen maritime cooperation. China is willing to strengthen cooperation with and provide support to Indonesia in the field of poverty reduction and alleviation.” 习近平祝贺普拉博沃当选印尼总统，并请其转达对佐科总统的诚挚问候和良好祝愿。习近平指出，过去10年，我和佐科总统共同引领两国关系全面快速发展，取得沉甸甸的成果，雅万高铁成为两国高质量合作的金字招牌，中印尼关系进入共建命运共同体的新阶段。中方从战略高度和长远角度看待中印尼关系，愿同印尼深化全方位战略合作，构建具有地区和全球影响力的中印尼命运共同体，为两国人民带来更多福祉，为地区和世界和平、稳定、繁荣作出积极贡献。习近平强调，中印尼关系取得宝贵成就，关键在于坚持战略自主、坚持互信互助、坚持合作共赢、坚持公平正义。中国和印尼同为发展中大国和新兴市场国家代表。过去，两国在争取民族独立和国家建设事业中始终相互支持，今后也应该精诚团结，打造互利共赢的典范、共同发展的样板、南南合作的先锋。双方应该坚定走符合自身国情的发展道路，坚定支持彼此维护主权、安全、发展利益，在涉及彼此核心利益和重大关切问题上相互理解支持。中方愿同印尼保持密切交往，交流治国理政经验，加强发展战略对接，深入推进“两国双园”和“区域综合经济走廊”项目，持续深化海上合作。中方愿在减贫脱贫领域同印尼加强合作，提供支持.
In the next bit of the report, Xi talked about the profound, once-in-a-century changes taking place in the world. He said that “both sides should actively practice the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, vigorously carry forward the Bandung Spirit with Unity, Friendship, and Cooperation at its core, promote equal and orderly world multi-polarization and inclusive economic globalization, strengthen multilateral cooperation and safeguard the common interests of developing countries. China is willing to work with Indonesia to safeguard the unity and centrality of ASEAN, maintain an open and inclusive regional architecture, and build a closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future.” 双方应该积极践行和平共处五项原则，大力弘扬团结、友谊、合作的万隆精神，推动平等有序的世界多极化和普惠包容的经济全球化，加强多边协作，维护发展中国家共同利益。中方愿同印尼方一道，维护东盟团结和中心地位，维护开放包容的地区架构，构建更为紧密的中国－东盟命运共同体.
Prabowo reportedly said that “China is a major country with significant influence. Indonesia and China have always respected each other and treated each other as equals. I greatly admire the great achievements made by the Chinese people under the leadership of President Xi Jinping, and I am willing to learn from the experience of the Communist Party of China and deepen exchanges in state governance. China is a strong cooperative partner of Indonesia. In recent years, Chinese companies have actively and deeply participated in Indonesia's economic construction and assisted Indonesia's national development. I fully support the development of closer relations between Indonesia and China. I am willing to continue President Joko Widodo's friendly policy towards China, adhere to independence and autonomy, adhere to the one-China policy that the Indonesian government has always pursued, firmly support each other's core interests, promote more comprehensive and high-quality development of bilateral relations and effectively implement the important consensus of building a community with a shared future between the two countries. The new Indonesian government is willing to actively promote the alignment of the development strategies of the two countries, promote cooperation in various fields, such as economy, trade, and poverty alleviation to achieve more results, and further benefit the two peoples. China has always upheld fairness and justice in international affairs, especially the Palestinian issue, which I deeply appreciate. Indonesia is willing to strengthen coordination and cooperation with China on international and regional affairs and make greater contributions to South-South cooperation.” 中国是印尼强有力的合作伙伴。近年来，中国企业积极深入参与印尼经济建设，助力印尼国家发展。我完全支持发展更加紧密的印尼同中国关系，愿延续佐科总统的对华友好政策，坚持独立自主，恪守印尼政府一贯奉行的一个中国政策，同中方坚定支持彼此核心利益，推进两国关系更加全面和高质量发展，落实好构建两国命运共同体的重要共识。印尼新政府愿积极推进两国发展战略对接，推动经贸、脱贫等各领域合作取得更多成果，进一步造福两国人民。中国在国际事务中特别是巴勒斯坦问题上始终主持公道正义，我深表赞赏。印尼愿同中方加强国际和地区事务协调合作，为南南合作作出更大贡献.
Another report from Chinese media highlights the significance of this visit.
“‘Subianto chose to visit China soon after he became president-elect, which is an unconventional practice. It showcases the special importance of China among other national relations with Indonesia’, said Novi Basuki, an Indonesian Sinologist. No president-elect in Indonesian history has conducted such a state visit prior to inauguration and with China as the first stop, Basuki added. Shen Fahan, a researcher at the Strategic Research Department of Gentala Institute Indonesia, believes that this unconventional behavior indicates that Subianto wants to bring the relationship between the two countries closer and deliver a friendly message to the Chinese government, business sector and its people. ‘As I see it, Subianto’s visit to China has sent a positive signal to his supporters and the international community that the future Indonesian government attaches great importance to China,’ said Humprey Arnaldo Russel, director of the China-ASEAN Center at the University of Indonesian. Russel observed that Subianto also delivered a message that he appreciates the support that China has provided so far and highlights China's role as ‘a close friend’.”
Next, there’s a report on Premier Li Qiang meeting with French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Stephane Sejourne. Xinhua says:
“Li said China-France relations have long been at the forefront of China's relations with Western major countries, which not only benefits the two peoples but also has a profound impact on the world…Noting the economies of China and France are highly complementary, the premier said China has always regarded France as a priority partner, and is ready to tap the potential of cooperation in such fields as green energy, scientific and technological innovation, advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, and digital economy while deepening traditional cooperation to better achieve mutual benefit and win-win results. It is hoped that France will provide an open, fair and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese companies, and actively promote the EU side to follow economic and market rules and properly address the concerns of both sides through consultation, Li said. ‘Absence of cooperation and failure to develop are the biggest risks,’ the premier said. China and France are both permanent members of the UN Security Council and responsible major countries. China is willing to strengthen multilateral cooperation with France to make positive contributions to resolving international hotspot issues and improving global governance.”
Xinhua adds, Sejourne said that “France adheres to independence, opposes bloc confrontation, and opposes decoupling and severing of supply chains. It firmly adheres to the one-China policy…”
Sejourne’s meeting with Wang Yi is covered on Page 3. Xinhua reports:
Wang said that “China is ready to lead the sound, steady development of China-EU relations and inject more stability into a world beset by frequent upheaval. He said China is actively cultivating new quality productive forces and continuously promoting high-quality development and high-level opening-up. These actions will bring more opportunities to France and the rest of the world, and inject new vitality into China-France relations. It is hoped that the French side will attach importance to addressing China's legitimate and reasonable concerns, and provide a fair, non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese companies, he added.”
Wang added that “China hopes the French side will provide more convenience for Chinese citizens looking to visit France, and competent authorities on both sides should step up their coordination to increase numbers of direct flights. ‘Strategic communication and multilateral coordination are highlights of China-France cooperation,’ Wang said, and the two sides should work together to speak out on issues concerning world peace and stability, and on issues related to the future of humanity. They should also support each other's multilateral initiatives.”
The report adds that the two sides also exchanged in-depth views on international and regional issues of common concern, including the Ukraine crisis and the Palestine-Israel conflict.
Wang and Sejourne addressed the press after their meeting. The French Minister talked about trade challenges, saying “the rebalancing of our economic partnership is a priority, as it is for our European partners…The European Union is a very open market, the most open in the world. But the current deficits with a certain number of countries, including China, are not sustainable for us.” AP’s report on this further says:
“Séjourné insisted that Europe is not becoming protectionist and remains open to investment, a possible reference to attempts to woo Chinese automakers and other companies to create jobs by building factories in Europe rather than exporting their products from China. Neither foreign minister mentioned a Chinese anti-dumping investigation into imports of French brandy that, together with the EU electric vehicle probe, could be a precursor to a trade war. On the Ukraine war, he said France expects China, as a major country, to pass on clear messages to Russia. China, though, has a different stance on the war than Europe or the United States, both of which back Ukraine. China may have Russia’s ear, but it’s unclear what message it is delivering. Séjourné said France is determined to maintain a close dialogue with China to contribute toward finding a path to a lasting peace in Ukraine.”
SCMP’s report is also interesting to note:
“Europe should ‘support free trade’ with China and follow the ‘policies of openness’, Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his visiting French counterpart Stéphane Séjourné on Monday. Meanwhile, Séjourné told Wang that France wants China to send a ‘clear message’ to Russia about the Ukraine war, adding that global trade depended on a just peace. Séjourné, who was appointed to the post in January, told a joint press conference in Beijing: ‘We are convinced that there will be no lasting peace if it is not negotiated with the Ukrainians. There will be no security for Europeans if there is no peace in accordance with international law. It is an essential issue for us, which is why France is determined to maintain a close dialogue with China.’ He also raised concerns about North Korean and Iranian support for Russia, saying that would be a major escalation of the war.”
Finally, there’s a report (English report) on the first unit of the Maerdang Hydropower Station, the highest-altitude facility of its kind on the upper reaches of the Yellow River, being connected to the grid in Qinghai Province.
Page 3: There are two reports related to the terrorist attack in Pakistan, which resulted in the killing of five Chinese nationals. The first report is about a farewell ceremony that was held, as the remains of those killed were transported to China. Xinhua says:
Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong spoke at the ceremony. He said that the Chinese nationals were in the prime of their youth and were making important contributions to Pakistan’s development.
“The best consolation for the deceased is to find out the truth of the incident and severely punish the perpetrators. The most powerful response to the terrorists is to resolutely fight against terrorism and eradicate all the evil forces. He also said that the Chinese side hopes and believes the Pakistani side will speed up the investigation, strengthen its counterterrorism efforts and take all measures to ensure the security of Chinese personnel, institutions and projects in Pakistan. ‘We stand ready to work with the Pakistani side to unwaveringly promote our all-weather strategic cooperation to accelerate the building of an even closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future’.”
The other report is about the remains of the Chinese nationals reaching China. This is essentially the comment from MoFA spokesperson Wang Wenbin.
Meanwhile, ABC News reports that Pakistan’s counterterrorism police in multiple raids arrested at least 12 suspects in connection with the attack. The report adds that “those arrested were not directly involved in the attack but they helped orchestrate Tuesday's bombing targeting the Chinese, three police and security officials said. They said some of them had links with Pakistani militants, adding that the suspects were still being questioned and other raids were ongoing.”
Also on the page is an interview report featuring AstraZeneca CEO Pascal Soriot, at the sidelines of the Boao Forum for Asia conference. Zhao Leji’s full speech at the conference is available in English, if you are interested. He basically made a pitch for the idea of building a community with a shared future for mankind. One key paragraph from the speech is:
“History and reality both show that peace and stability are the common aspirations of Asian people, the biggest consensus of Asian countries, and the prerequisite for Asia’s development. In the face of intertwined and complex global security threats, we should implement the GSI, follow the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, reject the Cold War mentality and bloc confrontation, oppose power politics and hegemonic acts, and maintain the regional order that accommodates the needs and interests of all parties. We must always keep in our own hands the future of lasting peace and security in Asia and pass on the torch of peace from generation to generation.”
Another one is:
“Now, in the face of clamors for division and confrontation, it is essential that we stay independent, seek strength through unity, and carry on side by side. We should jointly oppose unilateralism and extreme self-serving practices, oppose picking sides and bloc confrontation, and prevent this region and the world from becoming an arena of geopolitical contests.”
Anyway, back to Soriot’s comments. He is quoted as saying that China’s emphasis on innovation and new quality productive forces will bring “broader market space and development prospects to AstraZeneca and other foreign-funded enterprises. In recent years, China’s innovative development in the medical and health field has gained momentum. AstraZeneca is willing to play an active role together with Chinese companies and launch more innovative medical solutions.” 苏博科注意到，当前，中国正致力于加快发展新质生产力，扎实推进高质量发展。“科技创新是发展新质生产力的核心要素，是支撑和推动中国经济持续增长的重要力量。期待高质量发展的中国带来更多新机遇。”苏博科表示，中国持续增强科技创新能力，培育发展新质生产力的新动能，促进健康产业整体升级，将为阿斯利康等外资企业带来更广阔的市场空间和发展前景。“近年来，中国在医疗健康领域的创新发展势头强劲，阿斯利康愿同中国企业一道发挥积极作用，推出更多创新医疗解决方案.”
The report adds that “Since 2023, AstraZeneca has reached a number of new investment agreements in China, including investing $475 million in a new small molecule innovative drug factory in Wuxi High-tech Zone, and investing $700 million in Qingdao to build an inhalation aerosol production and supply base. AstraZeneca also signed a strategic cooperation memorandum of understanding with the Daxing District Government of Beijing and Beijing Meihai Biotechnology Co., Ltd., to jointly explore cooperation models in the field of vaccines.” 自2023年以来，阿斯利康在中国达成多项新投资协议，包括在无锡高新区投资4.75亿美元新建小分子创新药工厂，在青岛投资7亿美元建设吸入气雾剂生产供应基地等。阿斯利康还与北京市大兴区政府以及北京民海生物科技有限公司签署战略合作谅解备忘录，共同探索在疫苗领域的合作模式.
The article also talks about AstraZeneca working with Chinese partners to establish the China Smart Health Innovation Center, China Smart Health Innovation Center and the Medical Artificial Intelligence Innovation Center.
Page 4: There is a report on former chairman of Taiwan's main opposition party, Kuomintang, Ma Ying-jeou, visiting Guangdong with a youth delegation. They met with Song Tao, director of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council. Ma will stay in China for 11 days and is expected next week to have his second meeting with President Xi Jinping.
The report quotes Ma as saying that “compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait have blood thicker than water and share the same spirit. On the basis of the ‘1992 Consensus’ and the political basis of opposing ‘Taiwan independence’, we should strengthen exchanges and cooperation in various fields across the Taiwan Strait, especially among young people…” 马英九对习近平总书记的问候表示感谢。他表示，两岸同胞血浓于水、同气连枝，应在“九二共识”、反对“台独”政治基础上，加强两岸各领域特别是青年之间的交流合作，推动两岸关系向前发展.
Ma also visited Tencent's headquarters in Shenzhen.
Also on the page is a report on CMC Vice Chairs Zhang Youxia and He Weidong, and members Liu Zhenli, Miao Hua and Zhang Shengmin, along with Beijing Party Secretary Yin Li, participating in a tree-planting activity in the city.