Xi Meets Top Officials ahead of Two Sessions - What was New at the 2025 Taiwan Affairs Work Conference? - China-New Zealand Ties - Chinese Business Delegation Visits Saudi Arabia
Here are the reports on articles that I found worth reading in the People’s Daily on Thursday, February 27, 2025.
Page 1: The lead report discusses Xi Jinping’s remarks to officials ranging from members of the Politburo and the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, and members of the leading Party members’ groups of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, the State Council and the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, as well as secretaries of the leading Party members’ groups of the Supreme People’s Court and the Supreme People’s Procuratorate.
Xi had earlier reviewed their annual work reports. The report says:
“Xi Jinping carefully reviewed the performance reports and put forward important requirements, emphasising that this year is the final year of the 14th Five-Year Plan and an important year for further deepening reform in an all-round way. The tasks of reform, development and stability are arduous.”
“It is necessary to deeply study and implement the Thought on socialism with Chinese Characteristics for the New Era, fully implement the spirit of the 20th Party Congress and the Second and Third Plenary Sessions of the 20th Central Committee, enhance the four consciousnesses, strengthen the four self-confidences, achieve the Two Safeguards, unswervingly implement the general policies and decisions of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, promote high-quality completion of the 14th Five-Year Plan goals and tasks, and lay a solid foundation for achieving a good start for the 15th Five-Year Plan. It is necessary to enhance political capabilities, calmly respond to challenges brought about by changes in domestic and international situations, adhere to the general tone of work of seeking progress while maintaining stability, fully and accurately implement the new development concept, accelerate the construction of a new development pattern, solidly promote high-quality development, further comprehensively deepen reform, expand high-level opening up, promote sustained economic recovery and improvement, steadily improve people’s living standards, and ensure social stability. It is necessary to temper Party spirit, enhance ideological consciousness, establish and practice the correct view of political achievements, strengthen investigation and research, strictly implement the spirit of the eight-point central regulations and their implementation rules, and consciously fulfil the political responsibilities for Party self-governance. It is necessary to base ourselves on one’s own responsibilities, prioritise taking action, perform duties, overcome difficulties, promote the implementation of various decisions and deployments of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, and demonstrate new responsibilities and new achievements on the new journey of comprehensively advancing Chinese-style modernisation.” 习近平认真审阅述职报告并提出重要要求，强调今年是“十四五”规划收官之年，也是进一步全面深化改革的重要一年，改革发展稳定任务繁重。要深入学习贯彻新时代中国特色社会主义思想，全面贯彻党的二十大和二十届二中、三中全会精神，增强“四个意识”、坚定“四个自信”、做到“两个维护”，坚定不移贯彻落实党中央大政方针和决策部署，推动高质量完成“十四五”规划目标任务，为实现“十五五”良好开局打牢基础。要增强政治能力，沉着应对国内外形势变化带来的挑战，坚持稳中求进工作总基调，完整准确全面贯彻新发展理念，加快构建新发展格局，扎实推动高质量发展，进一步全面深化改革，扩大高水平对外开放，推动经济持续回升向好，稳步提高人民生活水平，确保社会大局稳定。要锤炼党性、提高思想觉悟，树立和践行正确政绩观，加强调查研究，严格落实中央八项规定及其实施细则精神，自觉履行管党治党政治责任。要立足自身职责，坚持干字当头，履职尽责、攻坚克难，推动党中央各项决策部署落到实处，在全面推进中国式现代化的新征程上展现新担当新作为.
Next, there’s a report informing that the total GDP of national high-tech zones reached 19.3 trillion yuan, a nominal year-on-year growth of 7.6%, accounting for 14.3% of the national total. Key data points:
The industrial added value was approximately 9.8 trillion yuan, accounting for 24.1% of the national total, with a nominal year-on-year growth of 5.8%.
In 2024, national high-tech zones achieved a total industrial output value above the designated scale of 34.8 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 6.2%.
The total profit of industrial enterprises above the designated scale was approximately 2.4 trillion yuan, growing 2.2% year-on-year.
In 2024, the total import and export of goods and services in national high-tech zones reached approximately 9.5 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 2.5%. Among this, the total export volume was 6 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 10.1%.
记者在工业和信息化部26日举行的2024年国家高新区发展情况新闻发布会上获悉：2024年，国家高新区主要经济指标平稳增长，韧性活力持续显现，园区生产总值19.3万亿元，同比名义增长7.6%，占全国比重为14.3%；其中，工业增加值约9.8万亿元，占全国比重为24.1%，同比名义增长5.8%。工业经济持续向好。2024年国家高新区实现规模以上工业总产值34.8万亿元，同比增长6.2%。规上工业企业利润总额约2.4万亿元，同比增长2.2%。开放合作成效明显。2024年国家高新区货物和服务贸易进出口总额约9.5万亿元，同比增长2.5%，其中，出口总额6万亿元，同比增长10.1%.
Third, there’s a report on Wang Huning’s remarks at the 31st Chairperson’s Council meeting of the 14th CPPCC NC. The report says:
Wang Huning said that the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core attaches great importance to the work of the CPPCC. General Secretary Xi Jinping has made important instructions and put forward clear requirements many times recently, providing fundamental guidance for doing a good job in the work of the CPPCC. It is necessary to deeply study and understand the important speeches and instructions of General Secretary Xi Jinping, adhere to Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as the general outline for the work of the CPPCC, implement the Party’s overall leadership over the CPPCC, deeply understand the decisive significance of Two Establishments and resolutely implement Two Safeguards. It is necessary to thoroughly study and implement the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important speech at the symposium on private enterprises, organise CPPCC members to conduct extensive research and in-depth consultations on promoting the healthy development and high-quality development of the private economy, and lead the majority of private enterprises to contribute to the promotion of Chinese-style modernisation. It is necessary to thoroughly study and implement the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important speech when he inspected Liaoning and listened to the work reports of the Jilin Provincial Party Committee and the Provincial Government, conduct in-depth research on key issues in promoting the comprehensive revitalisation of Northeast China in the new era, and put forward valuable opinions and suggestions. It is necessary to thoroughly study and understand the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important speech when he visited and comforted grassroots cadres and the masses on the eve of the Spring Festival and at the Spring Festival gathering, adhere to the principle that the CPPCC serves the people, and carry out in-depth activities of ‘serving the people’ by members in performing their duties.” 会议传达学习贯彻习近平总书记近期重要讲话和指示精神。王沪宁表示，以习近平同志为核心的中共中央高度重视人民政协工作，习近平总书记近期多次作出重要指示、提出明确要求，为做好人民政协工作提供了根本遵循。要深学细悟习近平总书记重要讲话和指示精神，坚持把习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想作为统揽政协工作的总纲，落实党对人民政协的全面领导，深刻领悟“两个确立”的决定性意义、坚决做到“两个维护”。要深入学习贯彻习近平总书记在民营企业座谈会上的重要讲话精神，组织政协委员围绕促进民营经济健康发展、高质量发展广泛调研、深入协商，引领广大民营企业为推进中国式现代化贡献力量。要深入学习贯彻习近平总书记在辽宁考察、听取吉林省委和省政府工作汇报时的重要讲话精神，围绕推动新时代东北全面振兴的重点问题深入研究，提出有价值的意见和建议。要深入学习领会习近平总书记在春节前夕看望慰问基层干部群众和春节团拜会上的重要讲话精神，坚持人民政协为人民，深入开展委员履职“服务为民”活动.
Among other decisions,
Han Jun, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, presented a report as part of the CPPCC’s first collective study session of 2025. The theme of this was Promoting the Comprehensive Revitalisation of Rural Areas.
The membership of Xue Jingxia, a standing committee member of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, has been revoked.
Finally, there’s a report on Han Zheng meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of New Zealand Winston Peters. Xinhua reports:
“Han said that leaders of both sides met on the sidelines of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting last November, providing strategic guidance for the continued development of China-New Zealand relations from a new starting point. Noting that as the China-New Zealand comprehensive strategic partnership enters its second decade, Han said that China attaches great importance to the development of China-New Zealand relations and stands ready to work with New Zealand to implement the important consensus reached by leaders of the two countries, enhance mutual understanding, and promote the sustained, sound and steady development of the China-New Zealand comprehensive strategic partnership. Peters, meanwhile, said that New Zealand attaches importance to developing relations with China and is willing to strengthen dialogue, enhance understanding, and deepen economic and trade cooperation as an active partner of China.”
On the third page, there’s a report on Wang Yi’s meeting with Peters. Xinhua reports:
Wang said that “China-New Zealand relations have maintained sound, steady development and have long been at the forefront of China’s relations with Western countries. China is ready to work with New Zealand to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, strengthen strategic communication, and push forward their comprehensive strategic partnership, he said. Wang noted that the two sides should adhere to the principle of mutual respect and the correct understanding of each other, and become partners with mutual trust. Certain specific differences can be resolved properly through constructive dialogue. Wang said that the two countries should upgrade their economic and trade cooperation, launch negotiations on the negative list for trade in services as soon as possible, and work together to create new growth engines such as artificial intelligence and the green economy. Wang said that China has implemented a unilateral visa-free travel policy for New Zealand, and hopes that New Zealand will continue to provide a good environment for Chinese students and overseas Chinese citizens. The Asia-Pacific region is the shared home of China and New Zealand, and China respects New Zealand's traditional relations with Pacific island countries, Wang said.”
“Noting that China is an important partner of New Zealand, Peters said that New Zealand will, as always, adhere to the one-China policy and looks forward to developing closer exchange practices with China at all levels. New Zealand also stands ready to strengthen exchange and cooperation with China in fields such as the economy, trade, agriculture and defense, as well as Antarctica, and to deepen communication and coordination on regional and international affairs. New Zealand is willing to strengthen cooperation with China within multilateral institutions, and to push for the greater development of bilateral relations, Peters said.”
Page 2: The 2025 Taiwan Affairs Work conference was held on Monday. Wang Huning spoke there. He said that:
“It is necessary to adhere to Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as guidance, fully implement the spirit of the 20th Party Congress and the Second and Third Plenary Sessions of the 20th Central Committee, implement General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important discourse on Taiwan work and the Party’s overall strategy for resolving the Taiwan issue in the new era, deeply comprehend the decisive significance of the ‘Two Establishments’ and resolutely achieve the ‘Two Safeguards’, firmly grasp the leadership and initiative in cross-strait relations, and unswervingly advance the great cause of national reunification. 他表示，要坚持以习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想为指导，全面贯彻落实党的二十大和二十届二中、三中全会精神，贯彻落实习近平总书记关于对台工作的重要论述、新时代党解决台湾问题的总体方略，深刻领悟“两个确立”的决定性意义、坚决做到“两个维护”，牢牢把握两岸关系主导权和主动权，坚定不移推进祖国统一大业.
Wang Huning said that it is necessary to adhere to the one-China principle and the ‘1992 Consensus’, unite the broad masses of Taiwan compatriots, firmly support patriotic unification forces on the island, resolutely combat ‘Taiwan independence’ provocative acts, and shape the inevitable trend of national reunification. It is necessary to promote cross-strait exchanges and cooperation, expand personnel exchanges between the two sides, support the development of Taiwanese businessmen and enterprises on the mainland, deepen cross-strait integrated development, and allow Taiwan compatriots to share in the development opportunities and achievements of Chinese-style modernization. It is necessary to create better conditions for Taiwan youth to pursue and realize their dreams on the mainland. It is necessary to resolutely oppose and curb external forces’ interference and consolidate the international community’s pattern of adhering to the one-China principle. It is necessary to strengthen the CPC Central Committee’s centralized and unified leadership over Taiwan-related work to ensure that the CPC Central Committee’s decisions and arrangements concerning Taiwan are implemented.” 王沪宁表示，要坚持一个中国原则和“九二共识”，团结广大台湾同胞，坚定支持岛内爱国统一力量，坚决打击“台独”挑衅行径，塑造祖国必然统一大势。要推动两岸交流合作，扩大两岸人员往来，支持大陆台商台企发展，深化两岸融合发展，让台湾同胞共享中国式现代化发展机遇和成果。要为台湾青年来大陆追梦圆梦创造更好条件。要坚决反对和遏制外部势力干涉，巩固国际社会坚持一个中国原则的格局。要加强党中央对对台工作的集中统一领导，确保党中央对台决策部署落到实处.
I did a quick breakdown of the Taiwan Affairs Work conferences from 2023, 2024 and 2025. I am sharing a PDF file below with a comparative assessment of the language.
The one big takeaway from my perspective is that in both 2023 and 2024, Wang talked about the need to “promote the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations” (推动两岸关系和平发展.) In 2025, this language is missing.
What else is noteworthy is that:
The need to implement the Party’s overall strategy for resolving the Taiwan issue in the new era is common across all three years.
The need to grasp the leadership and initiative in cross-strait relations is common too.
Importance of one-China principle and the ‘1992 Consensus’ is common; the language on the one-China principle in 2025 is largely consistent from 2024, i.e., that the goal is to “consolidate the international community’s pattern of adhering to the one-China principle”. Read this from The Economist for a deeper understanding of what this has meant.
The need to resolutely combat Taiwan independence actions and curbing external interference are common.
Another goal in the 2025 readout that is consistent from 2024 is to “support patriotic unification forces on the island”.
2025’s report has new bits on supporting Taiwanese businessmen and enterprises on the mainland and creating opportunities for Taiwanese youth in the mainland.
On the issue of Taiwan, China’s foreign ministry yesterday called on the US “to stop arming Taiwan and to desist from undermining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.” Spokesperson Lin Jian made the remarks responding to reports claiming that the Trump administration had released 5.3 billion U.S. dollars in previously frozen foreign aid, which includes 870 million U.S. dollars designated for security programs in Taiwan.
“Lin said China is seriously concerned about such reports - noting that China has always resolutely opposed the provision of military assistance by the United States to China’s Taiwan region as such behavior seriously violates the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiqués, significantly violates China’s sovereignty and security interests, and sends a very wrong signal to ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist forces. ‘China will closely follow the development of the situation and firmly safeguard national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity’.”
Also, Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson of the State Council’s Taiwan Affairs Office, lashed out at Japan for “allowing individuals from the Taiwan region to ‘list Taiwan instead of China’ as their place of origin, stating that such an attempt to create ‘two Chinas’ or ‘'one China, one Taiwan’ seriously violates the one-China principle. Japan announced in mid-February a key change to its family registration system, allowing ‘individuals from Taiwan to list Taiwan instead of China as their place of origin,’ according to a report by Japanese media outlet The Asahi Shimbun. The change will take effect in May. ‘There is only one China in the world, and Taiwan is a part of China. Japan’s move attempts to create ‘two Chinas’ or ‘one China, one Taiwan,’ which seriously violates the one-China principle and constitutes a grave interference in China’s internal affairs. We firmly oppose this,’ Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said at a press conference on Wednesday. As a country with historical responsibility for the Taiwan question, Japan should learn from history, act with caution, strictly adhere to the one-China principle and the spirit of the four political documents between China and Japan, and handle Taiwan-related issues prudently, Zhu added. ‘We also sternly warn the DPP authorities that misjudging the situation and seeking independence by relying on external forces is doomed to fail,’ she emphasized.”
In addition, Zhu spoke about reports that USAID had “backed and indulged many non-governmental groups in Taiwan, either directly or indirectly, to collude with the DPP in fabricating ‘Taiwan independence’ fallacies and inciting conflicts across the Taiwan Strait.” Zhu said that this “laid bare the inherent nature of some U.S. foundations and think tanks in inciting ‘color revolution’ around the world and stirring up trouble regarding the Taiwan question.” (Note: Gutting USAID is such an incredible self-goal for the US.)
In addition: “Concerning a media report stating that the DPP is considering another arms purchase from the United States worth between 7 billion and 10 billion U.S. dollars, Zhu said it is commonplace for the DPP authorities to spend sums on flattering the United States, such as donating money to certain U.S. think tanks in return for favorable research reports and inviting anti-China politicians to visit the island. Zhu also responded to the DPP’s increasing defense budget, saying that playing up to external forces and ‘selling Taiwan’ would only push Taiwan into the throes of disaster. ‘Taiwan is China's Taiwan. The more than 1.4 billion Chinese people and the Chinese People’s Liberation Army would never allow anyone or any forces to split Taiwan from China,’ said the spokesperson.”
Page 3: There’s a report on the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade leading a delegation to Saudi Arabia. The report says that “the delegation’s visit focused on introducing China’s economic situation and the latest measures to expand its opening-up to Saudi political and business leaders, actively promoting the in-depth and practical construction of the ‘Belt and Road’ between China and Saudi Arabia, further deepening cooperation between the two countries’ business communities in the field of industrial and supply chains, and welcoming Saudi Arabia to actively participate in the third China International Supply Chain Expo.” 代表团此行重点向沙特政商界人士介绍中国经济形势及扩大对外开放最新举措，积极推进中沙共建“一带一路”走深走实，进一步深化两国工商界在产业链供应链领域合作，并欢迎沙方积极参加第三届链博会.
Yu Jianlong, Vice Chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, led a delegation of Chinese entrepreneurs visited the Federation of Saudi Chambers and Saudi Basic Industries Corporation, conducted research on Dragon World Saudi Arabia and BGI’s precision medicine laboratory, and held two exchange events: the China-Saudi Entrepreneurs Symposium and the China-Saudi Entrepreneurs Roundtable Meeting. 访问期间，中国贸促会副会长于健龙率中国企业家代表团拜会沙特商会联合会、沙特基础工业公司，调研沙特龙城、华大基因沙特精准医学实验室等，举行中国—沙特企业家座谈会、中国—沙特企业家圆桌会两场交流活动。
Also on the page is a report informing that a delegation of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, led by Yang Wanming, visited Slovenia, Serbia and Turkey.
Page 7: There’s a report informing that in January, there were 16,430 cases of violations of the Central Committee’s eight-point regulation on Party conduct.