Xi Meets Visiting PMs - Under Xi 'Organisational Line Serves the Political Line' - Li's Pitch to Entrepreneurs - NDRC's report to NPCSC on Development - Newspapers Must 'Persevere in Using Xi Thought'
Here are the key reports and articles that I found noteworthy from the People’s Daily's edition on Wednesday, June 28, 2023.
Page 1: The front page today is dominated by reports and images of Xi Jinping’s meetings with four visiting prime ministers. Wang Yi is reported to have attended these meetings, but there’s no mention of Qin Gang attending.
First, Xi met with Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Amor Mottley. Xinhua reports:
“China is promoting Chinese modernization with high-quality development, which will bring new opportunities for Barbados' development and China-Barbados cooperation, Xi said. China welcomes Barbados to board the ‘express train’ of China’s development, and to work with China to build a closer China-Barbados community with a shared future, he added. Xi stressed that China and Barbados should deepen political mutual trust and continue to understand and support each other on issues concerning their core interests and major concerns. China, as always, supports Barbados in safeguarding its national sovereignty and independence, and independently choosing its own development path. China stands ready to strengthen exchanges with Barbados' government, legislature and political parties, and enhance the sharing of governance experience. ‘China and Barbados -- both developing countries -- share much in common in the field of development and enjoy great potential for cooperation,’ Xi said. He noted that the two sides should expand practical cooperation and take the Belt and Road Initiative as an opportunity to expand cooperation in fields such as infrastructure construction, the digital economy, climate change, new energy, agriculture and medical care. China supports Chinese enterprises to cooperate with partners in Barbados, Xi said, adding that the two sides should also increase people-to-people and cultural exchanges and expand personnel exchanges.”
“Xi noted that facing profound global changes unseen in a century, developing countries should strengthen solidarity and cooperation, practice real multilateralism, oppose the Cold War mentality and camp confrontation, uphold the basic norms of international relations, safeguard international fairness and justice, and promote building a community with a shared future for humanity. Noting that China fully understands the aspirations of Barbados and other small-island developing countries in the field of climate change, Xi said China will continue strengthening South-South cooperation on climate change and provide assistance and support for developing countries, including Barbados. China attaches importance to its relations with the Caribbean from a strategic and long-term perspective, and will continue to provide assistance to the best of its ability for the economic and social development of the Caribbean, Xi said.”
Mottley backed GDI as demonstrating “outstanding global leadership and is conducive to helping countries and people around the world achieve common development and prosperity, and better cope with global challenges.” She said that “Barbados firmly supports the one-China principle, and is willing to actively participate in the implementation of the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative.” She also expressed willingness to strengthen cooperation with China in such areas as climate change, water resources, narrowing the digital divide, and health care, saying that Barbados adheres to multilateralism, opposes ‘decoupling and breaking the chain’, and is willing to continue promoting the development of relations between the Caribbean and China.”
Second, Xi met with Mongolian Prime Minister Luvsannamsrai Oyun-Erdene. Xinhua reports:
Xi said that “the development of long-term good-neighborliness is a strategic choice made by both sides, which fully conforms to the fundamental interests of the two peoples. China, a trustworthy and reliable partner for Mongolia, attaches great importance to developing China-Mongolia relations.”
“Xi stressed that China and Mongolia should uphold mutual respect for national independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, respect the development paths independently chosen by the two peoples, and firmly support each other on issues concerning each other's core interests and major concerns. China is advancing national rejuvenation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization, while Mongolia is also making efforts in national reform and economic and social development. The two sides can forge ahead to synergize development strategies and work together to promote modernization, he said. Xi said that China will continue to cooperate with Mongolia in the spirit of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit, and inclusiveness, strengthen connectivity between the two countries, advance the construction of the China-Mongolia-Russia Economic Corridor, and jointly promote the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). China plays an active role in global environmental governance and stands ready to cooperate with Mongolia in preventing and controlling desertification, and will continue to support Mongolia's tree-planting campaign dubbed ‘Billion Trees,’ said Xi, adding that China is willing to improve interparty exchanges and promote experience exchanges in state governance with Mongolia. He pointed out that China and Mongolia are both developing countries, sharing extensive common interests and similar positions on international and regional affairs. He said that China supports Mongolia in playing a positive role in regional and international affairs. He expressed hope that the two sides will uphold the vision of a community with a shared future for humanity, firmly safeguard multilateralism, and jointly promote a new type of international relations featuring mutual respect, fairness, justice, and win-win cooperation.”
As per Xinhua, Oyun-Erdene said that: “Mongolia adheres to the one-China principle, supports China's position on Taiwan, Tibet and Xinjiang, as well as the China-proposed Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, and Global Civilization Initiative. He expressed the willingness to work closely with China, continue to uphold mutual respect and support each other's choice of development path, jointly promote a high-quality BRI, and strengthen exchanges between political parties and young people. He said the two countries should improve the connectivity of cross-border railways and ports, and promote cooperation in areas such as economy, trade, investment, energy, green development, and anti-corruption.”
Third, Xi met with Prime Minister of Vietnam Pham Minh Chinh. Xinhua reports:
Xi said “China regards Vietnam as a priority in its neighborhood diplomacy…Facing an increasingly severe and complex international situation, China and Vietnam should uphold the spirit of equality, mutual benefit, solidarity, mutual trust and win-win cooperation, work together for common development to bring more benefits to the two peoples, and inject more stability into the world, Xi said. Xi described China and Vietnam - both socialist countries - as comrades with a high degree of mutual trust, partners pursuing win-win results, and friends who know each other well. He called on the two sides to adhere to the concept of putting people first, and firmly support each other in pursuing socialist paths that suit their own national conditions and modernization paths with their own characteristics.”
He talked about welcoming Vietnam’s participation in the third BRI Forum and CIIE, along with accelerating “practical cooperation in fields such as infrastructure, smart customs and green energy.” “Xi called on the two sides to jointly oppose decoupling and the severing of industrial and supply chains, and oppose politicizing economic, scientific and technological issues. He said the two countries should safeguard international fairness and justice, and their own development rights and interests. A more just and reasonable international order should be promoted, and a peaceful and stable external environment for the modernization drive of the two countries should be created.”
As per Xinhua, Pham Minh Chinh said that:
“Vietnam firmly upholds the one-China policy, supports the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, supports China's accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, and will continue to actively participate in the construction of the Belt and Road…Vietnam opposes the politicization of economic issues and is willing to work closely with China to guard against and combat all kinds of risks and challenges, and will never allow any force to drive a wedge between the two countries.”
Comment: Now, while governments might say this, there is no denying that tensions between China and the US have brought economic opportunities for others. For instance, take a look at this paper, which argues that:
“Leveraging the US-China trade war episode, we uncover Vietnam’s structural transformation amid a harbinger of the end of globalization. Using Vietnam’s firm census and labor force survey data, we find that regions that were more exposed to the trade war shifted from informal agriculture to formal manufacturing. The trade war also led to increased firm formality and skill upgrading, accompanied by demand for skilled labor, particularly among females. Additionally, the trade war accelerated Vietnam’s urbanization through labor reallocation.”
Finally, a report on Xi’s meeting with New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins. Xi said that he “appreciates” the fact that Hipkins, since taking office, has repeatedly stated that “he attaches importance to China-New Zealand relations and will continue to strengthen cooperation with China.” Xi said that:
“In 2014, when I visited New Zealand, the two sides announced the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership. Over the past 10 years, China-New Zealand relations have continued to develop in a healthy and stable manner, which has brought tangible benefits to the two peoples and is also conducive to regional peace, stability, development and prosperity. China has always regarded New Zealand as a friend and partner…”
“Xi Jinping emphasised that China's current central task is to comprehensively promote the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation with Chinese-style modernization. In this context, realising high-quality development is the primary task, ensuring the common prosperity of all Chinese people is an essential requirement, and making greater contributions to world peace and development is an important goal. This is an unprecedented path, but we will continue to explore and forge ahead. With China’s vast size and large population, we can only base the development of our country on our own strength. Our emphasis on self-reliance and self-improvement is by no means about closing the door, but rather building a better connection between the domestic market and the international market. Only an open China can become a modern China. Development is the top priority of the Communist Party of China in governing and rejuvenating the country. We will continue to vigorously promote high-level opening up and better protect the rights and interests of foreign investors in accordance with the law.” 习近平强调，当前中国的中心任务是以中国式现代化全面推进中华民族伟大复兴，实现高质量发展是首要任务，全体中国人民共同富裕是本质要求，为世界和平与发展作出更大贡献是重要目标。这是一条前无古人的道路，但是我们会持续探索，勇往直前。中国这么大、人口这么多，只能把国家和民族发展放在自己力量的基点上。我们强调自立自强，绝不是闭关锁国，而是更好联通国内市场和国际市场。只有开放的中国，才会成为现代化的中国。发展是中国共产党执政兴国的第一要务。我们将继续大力推进高水平对外开放，更好依法保护外商投资权益.
It adds: Xi said that “China-New Zealand relations have long been at the forefront of/led China’s relations with developed countries. The two sides should continue to carry forward the spirit of striving to be the first, and constantly consolidate and deepen the China-New Zealand comprehensive strategic partnership. It is necessary to continue to see each other as partners rather than adversaries, opportunities rather than threats, and consolidate the foundation for the growth of China-New Zealand relations. It is necessary to respect each other, treat each other as equals, be open and inclusive, and seek harmony amid diversity, implement the upgraded version of the China-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, promote trade and investment liberalisation and provide a better business environment for each other's enterprises to invest and operate in their own countries. It is necessary to strengthen exchanges and cooperation in the fields of education, culture, tourism, local and non-governmental, and cultivate more ‘Rewi Alleys’ for the new era, so that the tree of China-New Zealand friendship will flourish. It is necessary to jointly advocate genuine multilateralism and a free trade system and jointly address global challenges such as climate change. The two sides can also maintain communication and jointly help the development of Pacific Island countries.” 习近平指出，中新关系长期“领跑”中国同发达国家关系。双方要继续发扬争先精神，不断巩固和深化中新全面战略伙伴关系。要继续视对方为伙伴而不是对手、是机遇而不是威胁，巩固好中新关系发展基础。要相互尊重、平等相待、开放包容、和而不同，实施好中新自由贸易协定升级版和《区域全面经济伙伴关系协定》，推进贸易和投资自由化便利化，为对方企业在本国投资经营提供更好营商环境。要加强教育、文化、旅游、地方、民间等领域交流合作，培养更多新时代的“路易·艾黎”，让中新友谊之树更加枝繁叶茂。要共同倡导真正的多边主义和自由贸易体系，携手应对气候变化等全球性挑战。双方还可以保持沟通，共同帮助太平洋岛国发展.
On the remark about Rewi Alley, do check out this thread by Professor Anne-Marie Brady.
As per Xinhua, Hipkins said that he was leading a large trade delegation, hoping to explore more cooperation opportunities with China. “New Zealand is willing to strengthen personnel exchanges with China, continue to expand and deepen bilateral cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, education, science and technology, and people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and jointly implement the upgraded version of the FTA between the two countries.” He added:
“The New Zealand side believes that differences should not define bilateral relations. What is important is candid communication, mutual respect, and harmony amid diversity. The New Zealand side is willing to maintain communication with the Chinese side on issues related to assisting the development of the Pacific Island Countries.” 新方认为，分歧不应定义双边关系，重要的是坦诚交流、相互尊重、和而不同。新方愿同中方就帮助岛国发展问题保持沟通.
Finally, there’s a long article on the page detailing how Xi as the core of the Central Committee has led the Party’s organisational work. Some excerpts:
From emphasizing that ‘once the political line is determined, cadres become the decisive factor’, to clarifying that cadres should be ‘both red and professional’, and further pointing out that ‘China’s stability and the realization of the four modernizations must be guaranteed by a correct organizational line’...Along the way, our Party has weathered storms and hardships, continuously advancing from victory to victory; it has developed into the world’s largest Marxist ruling party; this would not have been possible without strong organizational work guarantees. Since the 18th Party Congress, the Central Committee with comrade Xi Jinping as the core has proceeded keeping in mind the overall strategic perspective of the development of the cause of the Party and the country, upheld and strengthened the Party’s overall leadership, insisted on the Party’s comprehensive and strict self-governance, put forward a series of new concepts, new ideas and new strategies, and providing profound answers to a series of fundamental, directional, and long-term major issues.” 从强调“政治路线确定之后，干部就是决定的因素”，到明确干部要“又红又专”，再到指明“中国的稳定，四个现代化的实现，要有正确的组织路线来保证”……一路走来，我们党栉风沐雨，不断从胜利走向胜利，发展成为世界上最大的马克思主义执政党，离不开有力的组织工作保证。党的十八大以来，以同志为核心的党中央从党和国家事业发展战略全局出发，坚持和加强党的全面领导，坚持党要管党、全面从严治党，提出一系列新理念新思想新战略，深刻回答一系列管根本、管方向、管长远的重大问题.
“Insisting on the organisational line to serve the political line, it pointed out that ‘the fundamental purpose of strengthening the Party’s organizational building is to uphold and strengthen the Party’s overall leadership and provide a strong guarantee for advancing the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics; proceeding from the principles of Marxist party building, it clarified that ‘organizational building is an important foundation for Party building’; in the context of the historical mission of a century-old Party, it emphasised ‘building a team of high-quality cadres worthy of the important task of national rejuvenation’; from the perspective of winning the initiative in international competition, it is proposed that ‘the competition of comprehensive national strength is ultimately the competition of talents’ … General Secretary Xi Jinping has profoundly summarized the experiences of the Party's century-long struggle, keenly grasped the new situation, new tasks, and new requirements for Party building, and regarded the Party’s organizational work as a strong guarantee for upholding and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics, as an important part of the new great project of Party building in the new era.” 坚持组织路线服务政治路线，指明“加强党的组织建设，根本目的是坚持和加强党的全面领导，为推进中国特色社会主义事业提供坚强保证”；从马克思主义建党原则出发，阐明“组织建设是党的建设的重要基础”；从百年大党历史使命着眼，强调“建设堪当民族复兴重任的高素质干部队伍”；从赢得国际竞争主动角度考量，提出“综合国力竞争归根到底是人才竞争”……习近平总书记深刻总结党的百年奋斗历史经验，敏锐把握党的建设新形势新任务新要求，将党的组织工作视为坚持和发展中国特色社会主义的坚强保证，作为新时代党的建设新的伟大工程重要内容.
After this, the piece talks about Xi’s emphasis on having the right role models. For instance, it mentions Xi’s appreciation for Jiao Yulu, and his call for grassroots party members and cadres to emulate Jiao. The piece then talks about how Xi has been engaged in encouraging grassroots cadres. For instance, it mentions that “important instructions were given on the advanced deeds of comrades Liao Junbo, Huang Wenxiu, and others…” (if you are interested, I found this English publication of CPC Heroes from 1921-2021), Xi awarding cadres, visiting community and village party-mass service centres during his investigation tours, speaking at the inaugural session for cadres at the Central Party School the past six years, etc.
It then says:
“On July 3, 2018, the National Organization Work Conference was held. General Secretary Xi Jinping clearly put forward and profoundly explained the Party's organisational line in the new era—’Now, it is necessary to clearly put forward the Party's organisational line in the new era, which is: fully implement the (Xi Jinping) thought on socialism with Chinese characteristics for the new era, focus on the construction of the organisational system, focus on cultivating loyal, clean and responsible high-quality cadres, and gathering outstanding talents from all walks of life who are patriotic and dedicated. Adhere to the principle of combining virtue with talent, giving priority to virtue, and appointing officials on their merits, providing a strong organizational guarantee for upholding and strengthening the Party's overall leadership and adhering to and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics’.” 2018年7月3日，党的97周岁生日刚过，全国组织工作会议召开。习近平总书记鲜明提出并深刻阐述了新时代党的组织路线——“现在，需要明确提出新时代党的组织路线，这就是：全面贯彻新时代中国特色社会主义思想，以组织体系建设为重点，着力培养忠诚干净担当的高素质干部，着力集聚爱国奉献的各方面优秀人才，坚持德才兼备、以德为先、任人唯贤，为坚持和加强党的全面领导、坚持和发展中国特色社会主义提供坚强组织保证.”
Following this, the article emphasises the focus on cadres’ conduct and learning. It talks about the importance of strict and comprehensive Party governance, theoretical and ideological arming of cadres, holding of hold democratic life meetings, oath ceremonies, holding of thematic days, the Xi thought education campaign, etc.
It argues that “since the 18th Party Congress, the political, contemporary, principled, and combative nature of the Party’s internal political life has continuously been strengthened. Party members and cadres have constantly tempered their ideological and moral cultivation in the ‘crucible’ of the Party’s internal political life.” 党的十八大以来，党内政治生活的政治性、时代性、原则性、战斗性不断增强，广大党员干部在党内政治生活的“大熔炉”中不断锤炼党性修养.
On the education campaign, it says: “In April 2023, General Secretary Xi Jinping visited Guangdong for an inspection. This was his first research trip following the launch of the theme education on studying and implementing Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. During the inspection, General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out, ‘Carrying out theme education is a major task for the Party’s construction this year. Party organisations at all levels must resolutely implement the work arrangements of the Party Central Committee, educate and guide Party members and cadres to work hard to achieve results by casting their souls/strengthening their ideals, enhance their knowledge, cultivate good conduct/correct morals, and promote effective work through learning’.” 2023年4月，习近平总书记来到广东考察。这是在学习贯彻习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想主题教育启动之后，总书记第一次出京调研。在考察中，习近平总书记指出：“开展主题教育是今年党的建设的重大任务。各级党组织要坚决贯彻落实党中央的工作部署，教育引导党员、干部在以学铸魂、以学增智、以学正风、以学促干上下功夫见实效.”
Making the argument in favour of grassroots groups and cadres being the key to the Party’s success, it says that:
“In the decisive battle against poverty, under the command of the CPC Central Committee, 255,000 village teams, more than 3 million first secretaries and village cadres rushed forward with the vast number of rural cadres to create a great miracle of human poverty alleviation struggle. In the fight against the pandemic, a large number of Party members and cadres from government departments, enterprises, and institutions went down to communities, establishing 244,000 temporary Party organisations. Over 25,000 outstanding individuals pledged to join the Party on the frontlines, and the Party flag flew high in the forefront of the fight to control the pandemic.” 决战脱贫攻坚，党中央一声令下，25.5万个驻村工作队、300多万名第一书记和驻村干部，同广大乡村干部冲锋陷阵，创造人类反贫困斗争的伟大奇迹。抗击世纪疫情，大批机关企事业单位党员干部下沉社区，成立临时党组织24.4万个，2.5万多名优秀分子在火线上宣誓入党，党旗在防控疫情斗争第一线高高飘扬.
Then on integrity and good conduct, the article says that:
“Since the 18th Party Congress, the Party Central Committee with Xi Jinping as the core has adhered to the standards of good cadres in the new era and the principle of Party leadership when it comes to cadre management, and promoted the construction of five major systems: quality training, those who govern should know the issues & the people, selection and appointment, strict management, and positive incentives.
Emphasising political standards, the Party has adhered to both ability and integrity, putting morality first, and select talents from all walks of life based on their merits, revised the regulations on the appointment of cadres, and gotten rid of the tendency of ‘relying solely on voting, scores only, GDP only, and age only’, so as to put the cause first, selecting individuals based on the needs, and choosing people according to suitability, thereby establishing the correct orientation for selecting and appointing officials, leading to the timely identification and utilisation of a large number of loyal, clean, and responsible good cadres.
The Party has strengthened management and supervision, improved the assessment and evaluation system for cadres, constantly improved the reporting system of personal related matters of leading cadres with Chinese characteristics, strictly implemented the ‘Four Musts’, earnestly implemented the provisions regulating the behaviour of spouses, children and their spouses of leading cadres in running business and dealing with enterprises, deepened the he supervision, inspection, auditing, and rectification of personnel selection and appointment, so as to promote the creation of a situation in which those who are competent are rewarded, those who are mediocre are demoted and those who are incompetent are removed…” 党的十八大以来，以习近平同志为核心的党中央坚持新时代好干部标准，坚持党管干部原则，统筹推进素质培养、知事识人、选拔任用、从严管理、正向激励五大体系建设。突出政治标准，坚持德才兼备、以德为先、五湖四海、任人唯贤，修订干部任用条例，破除“唯票、唯分、唯GDP、唯年龄”倾向，做到事业为上、以事择人、人事相宜，树立正确选人用人导向，一大批忠诚干净担当的好干部被及时发现出来使用起来。加强管理监督，完善干部考核评价体系，不断完善中国特色领导干部个人有关事项报告制度，严格执行“凡提四必”，切实抓好规范领导干部配偶、子女及其配偶经商办企业行为等规定落实，深化选人用人监督检查和巡视审计整改，推动形成能者上、优者奖、庸者下、劣者汰的局面，凝聚起风清气正、干事创业的正能量.
Page 2: There’s coverage of Li Qiang’s speech at the Summer Davos meeting in Tianjin. The full English speech is available here. Li pitched for GDI, GSI and GCI. In describing the global situation, he argued:
“As the pandemic subsides, the visible barriers it caused will eventually be removed. Yet, the invisible barriers put up by some people in recent years are becoming widespread, and pushing the world into division and even confrontation. This is a bigger cause for concern. Differences in human perceptions and the diversity of civilizations have been with us since ancient times. These differences should not be a cause for estrangement, but a driver for more communication and exchange. The absence of effective communication, and the lack of a comprehensive, holistic and objective perception could easily result in prejudice and stereotypes. Living in the same global village, we, the humankind, must eliminate the visible barriers and, more importantly, remove those invisible ones. Different countries, ethnic groups and civilizations need to deepen mutual understanding and strengthen dialogue to bridge differences and expand common ground.”
Solidarity and cooperation is the right way forward. In the past three-plus years, we have all fought hard against the pandemic, showing the powerful strength of humanity pulling together and looking out for each other in hard times. COVID-19 will not be the last public health crisis humanity faces. Global public health governance needs to be enhanced. Meanwhile, we are also confronted with the global challenges of slowing growth, debt risks, climate change and a wealth gap. As a community with a shared future, we must cherish the gains of our cooperation, embrace the concept of win-win cooperation, and work together to tackle these global challenges and promote human progress.
“The rapid advance of new technologies such as digital technology and artificial intelligence, is creating more favorable conditions for economic globalization. The world should not, and cannot return to a state of seclusion or isolation. A few days ago, I visited Germany and France, where I had in-depth exchanges with leaders of the two countries and people from both political and business communities. The prevailing view is to reject the zero-sum mindset and keep to the right track of win-win cooperation. We should follow the trend of history, cement the consensus on development, and continue our efforts to build an open world economy. We should oppose the politicization of economic issues and work together to keep global industrial and supply chains stable and smooth, and deliver the fruits of globalization to different countries and groups of people in a more equitable way.”
Recent years have witnessed repeated rhetoric stoking ideological confrontation, hatred and prejudice, and the resulting acts of encirclement and suppression, and even regional wars and conflicts. People in the regions concerned have suffered deeply, and great damage has been done to world development. Peace is precious and development is never easy. It takes persistent efforts to deliver these two lofty goals. We must act in the common interests of humanity and live up to our responsibility for peace and development. We need to uphold fairness and justice, overcome the security dilemma, and work collectively to safeguard a peaceful and stable environment for development.”
Then he talked about China being a “responsible major country” and argued that “China has developed itself by embracing globalization, and grown into a most staunch force for globalization.” He added
“China’s development has improved the lives of the Chinese people, and provided people in other countries with a large amount of quality yet inexpensive products. China has served as an important anchor and source of impetus for free trade and stable growth in the world.”
“We are on track to hit the growth target of around five percent set for the whole year. Some international organizations and institutions have revised up their growth forecasts for China this year, demonstrating their confidence in China’s development prospects. We have full confidence and the ability to achieve the steady growth of the Chinese economy on the track of high-quality development in a long time to come. This will increase the size of the market, create opportunities of cooperation, and provide a consistent source of dynamism to the world economic recovery and growth as well as opportunities of win-win cooperation to investors from all countries.”
Also on the page is a story on Li attending the entrepreneur dialogue in Tianjin. Li said that “the wisdom and strength of entrepreneurs are indispensable forces for economic development.” He added that “what the world needs most today is communication and, most importantly, openness and cooperation.”
“Li emphasised the need to truly understand China amidst the major changes taking place around the world. I hope the business community will go deep into China and have a three-dimensional understanding of China. China is committed not only to its own development, but also to actively sharing development opportunities with other countries. China is a major country that is open, inclusive and honest. We will align with high-standard international economic and trade rules, steadily expand institutional opening-up, accelerate the creation of a market-oriented, law-based and world-class business environment, and better support the development of all types of enterprises. China's development can inject stability and positive energy, and bring a sense of security to the rest of the world.” 李强指出，要在大变局中真正读懂中国。希望企业界深入中国，立体地了解中国。中国不仅致力自身发展，而且积极与各方分享发展机遇，是开放包容诚信的大国。我们将对接高标准国际经贸规则，稳步扩大制度型开放，加快营造市场化、法治化、国际化一流营商环境，更好支持各类企业发展。中国发展起来，给世界注入的是稳定性和正能量，带来的是越来越多的安全感.
Li stressed that more cooperation opportunities should be created as China pursues high-quality development. China's efforts to strengthen scientific and technological innovation, build a modern industrial system, and expand domestic demand will drive new breakthroughs in a new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation, and bring huge opportunities for cooperation between various industries, especially in new domains and new tracks. We are ready to work with all parties to promote the development of cutting-edge science and technology, explore new areas of cooperation and open up new broad spaces for business investment and development.” 李强强调，要在中国高质量发展中开拓更多合作机遇。中国加强科技创新、建设现代化产业体系、扩大内需等，将推动新一轮科技革命和产业变革取得新突破，带来各产业特别是新领域新赛道的巨大合作机会。我们愿与各方共同推动前沿科技发展，拓展新的合作领域，为企业投资发展打开新的广阔空间.
He expressed hope that entrepreneurs will strengthen their responsibilities in the face of uncertainty, grasp the direction of economic development with certainty, seek out opportunities for certain economic growth, and gather the forces of certainty to firmly support economic globalization and jointly maintain the stability and smooth operation of global industrial and supply chains. China has great potential for economic upgrading, so investing in China means choosing a better future. We are willing to work with entrepreneurs from all over the world to enhance high-quality development momentum with high-level open cooperation and inject more certainty into world economic development.” 李强表示，希望企业家在不确定性中强化担当，把握经济发展的确定性方向，寻找经济发展的确定性机遇，汇聚经济发展的确定性力量，坚定支持经济全球化，共同维护全球产业链供应链稳定畅通。中国经济升级潜力巨大，投资中国就是选择了更好的未来。我们愿同各国企业家一道，以高水平开放合作增强高质量发展动能，为世界经济发展注入更多确定性力量.
The report adds that entrepreneurs around the world support strengthening cooperation with China, adhere to the ‘in China, for China’ - 在中国、为中国 - strategy (very different from in China to service the world market approach), and are willing to actively participate in the high-quality development of China's economy, carry out in-depth cooperation in the global industrial and supply chains, and work together to address global challenges such as climate change and build mutually beneficial partnerships.” 全球企业家支持加强对华合作，坚持“在中国、为中国”战略，愿积极参与中国经济高质量发展，开展面向全球的产业链供应链深度合作，携手应对气候变化等全球性挑战，打造互利共赢的伙伴关系。
Also, there’s a story with Li Qiang’s remarks about the need for “vigorous work on vocational education and training to help people with disabilities.”
Moving on, there’s a report on Defense Minister Li Shanfu’s meeting with his Vietnamese counterpart Phan Van Giang. Xinhua reports:
“Li expressed the Chinese side's willingness to work with Vietnam to enhance high-level communications between the two militaries, improve mechanism building, and deepen practical cooperation. Phan Van Giang said the Vietnamese side will continue to develop comprehensive strategic cooperation with China, and promote the ties between Vietnamese and Chinese militaries to a new level.”
Next, there’s a report on China formally submitting the instrument of acceptance for the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies to the Director-General of the World Trade Organization.
Next, there’s a report on Wang Dongming, NPCSC vice chairman, meeting with a German Bundestag member Hans-Peter Friedrich (I presume because the name mentioned is simply Friedrich). The report says that “the two sides had in-depth exchanges of views on actively developing China-Germany and China-EU relations, enhancing the role of legislative bodies, and jointly addressing climate change, which are common concerns.”
Finally on the page is a story on China-funded prototype satellites being delivered to Egypt. The Chinese side called this a success story under the BRI. China Daily has an English report on this. It says:
“Two China-funded prototype satellites of the MisrSat II satellite project were delivered to the Egyptian side on Sunday, making Egypt the first African country with the capacity to assemble, integrate and test satellites. During the delivery ceremony held at the Egyptian Space Agency near the country's New Administrative Capital, Egyptian Minister of International Cooperation Rania Al-Mashat thanked China for supporting and cooperating with the agency, and being a ‘strategic partner and friend’ of Egypt. She noted that the China-funded MisrSat II satellite and satellite assembly, integration and test (AIT) center has greatly boosted Egypt's capacities in satellite research, development, measurement and control, making Egypt a leading African country in the aerospace field. ‘The advanced devices and effective technology we saw today are important for Egypt as they open a gateway for cooperation with Africa in this field,’ she said. Describing the MisrSat II satellite project as another landmark outcome of jointly building the Belt and Road Initiative between China and Egypt, Chinese Ambassador to Egypt Liao Liqiang said the project has laid a solid foundation for Egypt's space industry and will promote the development of space technology on the African continent.”
Page 3: There’s a consolidated report on Zhao Leji meeting the four visiting PMs. Xinhua reports:
When meeting with Mottley, Zhao, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, said the NPC of China is willing to carry out multi-level and multi-channel communication and exchanges with the Barbados legislature to learn from each other on legislation and governance experience.
When meeting with Hipkins, Zhao introduced the concept and practice of Chinese modernization, stressing that China regards New Zealand as a significant partner on the road of Chinese modernization. Calling on the two sides to adhere to mutual trust, mutual benefit, and mutual learning, Zhao said the NPC of China is willing to work with the New Zealand Parliament to continue strengthening the exchange of legislative experience and create a sound legal environment for bilateral practical cooperation.
When meeting with Oyun-Erdene, Zhao said the two sides should walk hand in hand on the road of modernization, effectively meeting their respective development strategies and achieving common prosperity. He said the NPC of China is willing to strengthen exchanges with Mongolia's State Great Hural (Parliament), share governance experience in ecological civilization construction and poverty alleviation, create a sound legal environment for bilateral cooperation in various fields, and promote the building of a community with a shared future between the two countries. Oyun-Erdene said that Mongolia “adheres to the one-China principle, supports a series of significant global initiatives proposed by China, and hopes to learn from China's experience in governing the party and the country.”
When meeting with Pham Minh Chinh, Zhao said China and Vietnam share many common topics in developing socialist democracy and building a socialist society under the rule of law, adding the NPC of China is willing to work with the National Assembly of Vietnam to make more efforts to promote bilateral pragmatic cooperation, consolidate the public opinion foundation of bilateral relations, and push forward the continuous development of the socialist democracy.
Also on the page is a report on Wang Huning meeting with Vietnam’s Pham Minh Chinh. Finally, there’s a report on Propaganda chief Li Shulei’s remarks at the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation media summit. More than 130 representatives from relevant departments and mainstream media of the six Lancang-Mekong countries attended the event.
The report says that:
“The Chinese and foreign guests at the meeting believe that since the launch of LMC, under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and the leaders of the five countries, all six countries have worked together and made concerted efforts to promote the high-level development of this new sub-regional mechanism and bring tangible benefits to the people. The five Mekong countries have joined the Group of Friends of Global Development Initiative, are working together to jointly build a high-quality BRI demonstration zone, a GDI pioneering zone and a GSI experimental zone, and are building a closer community of destiny for the Lancang-Mekong countries.” 中外嘉宾认为，澜湄合作启动以来，在主席和五国领导人战略引领下，六国携手同心、团结奋斗，推动这一新型次区域机制实现高水平发展，为六国人民带来实实在在的利益。湄公河五国都加入“全球发展倡议之友小组”，共同打造高质量共建“一带一路”示范区、全球发展倡议先行区、全球安全倡议实验区，建设更为紧密的澜湄国家命运共同体.
“The Chinese and foreign guests said that there is enormous potential for cooperation among the six Lancang-Mekong countries in infrastructure construction, agriculture, poverty reduction, security, environmental protection, and other fields. They look forward to promoting exchanges among the people of the six countries through media cooperation, fostering friendship and mutual trust, telling the ‘Lancang-Mekong story,’ promoting the ‘Lancang-Mekong spirit,’ and jointly tackling various challenges on the path of progress to create greater well-being for the people of all countries.” 中外嘉宾表示，在基础设施建设、农业、减贫、安全、环保等领域，澜湄六国合作潜力巨大；期待通过媒体合作促进澜湄六国民众之间交流，增进友好互信，讲好“澜湄故事”，发扬“澜湄精神”，携手应对前进路上的各种挑战，为各国人民创造更多福祉.
Page 6: A report with details of discussions at the ongoing NPCSC meeting. First, we have some information on the new commission on work related to NPC deputies that is being established under the NPC Standing Committee. Liu Qi, Secretary-General of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, made a statement on this, saying that this commission will be the working body of the NPCSC. Its main responsibilities will be:
To be responsible for the allocation of NPC deputies, qualification review, and liaison services
To undertake the formulation of systems and provide guidance and coordination for concentrated inspections by deputies, research and investigations on special topics, and contact with the masses.
To be responsible for the overall management of the NPC deputies' proposals
To be responsible for the supervision and administration of NPC deputies' performance of their duties.
To be responsible for the overall planning and management of the study and training of NPC deputies.
To guide the work of deputies to the Standing Committees of provincial People's congresses
To undertake the specific work of the Credentials committee of the NPCSC
To undertake other tasks assigned by the NPCSC
（一）负责全国人大代表名额分配、资格审查、联络服务有关工作。（二）承担代表集中视察、专题调研、联系群众有关制度制定和指导协调工作。（三）负责全国人大代表议案建议工作的统筹管理。（四）负责全国人大代表履职的监督管理。（五）负责全国人大代表学习培训的统筹规划和管理。（六）指导省级人大常委会代表工作。（七）承担全国人大常委会代表资格审查委员会的具体工作。（八）承办全国人大常委会交办的其他事项.
Another useful datapoint from the story is that August 15th is proposed to be marked as China’s National Ecological Day.
Zhao Chenxin, deputy director of the National Development and Reform Commission, talked about regional coordinated development and the challenges of imbalanced development. Key points made are:
In 2022, the GDP of the central and western regions reached 26.7 trillion yuan and 25.7 trillion yuan respectively, accounting for 22.1% and 21.4% of the national total. This has changed from 21.3% and 19.6% in 2012.
The level of equal access to basic public services has been continuously improved. For instance, the ratio of students to teachers in compulsory education in the eastern, central, western and northeastern regions is basically the same, the gap between the per-student housing area has narrowed, and the proportion of large classes in the central and western regions is significantly reduced.
Infrastructure access is more balanced. The total mileage of railways in the central and western regions reached 90,000 km, accounting for nearly 60% of the national total; the total mileage of railways in Northeast China is 19,000 km and the density of the road network exceeds the national average. Expressways in the western region and national and provincial trunk roads have been connected, and expressways have been connected to counties in many provinces. Air transport services cover 92% of the country's prefecture-level administrative units and 88% of the population, and the airport capacity in the central and western regions has greatly increased.”
The ratio of per capita disposable income of residents in the eastern, northeastern, central and western regions continued to shrink; per capita retail sales of consumer goods in the central and western regions grew faster than in the eastern regions; and rural subsistence allowance standards in the central and western regions have increased significantly.
The coordinated development of Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei has achieved remarkable new results, and the function of relieving Beijing's non-capital functions has achieved initial results. The Xiong'an new area has entered a stage of paying equal attention to large-scale construction and undertaking Beijing's non-capital functions. The Yangtze River Delta's integrated scientific and technological innovation and industrial integration development continue to add new momentum, and the ecological and green integrated development demonstration zone has deepened system exploration and formed a number of innovative achievements. The construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area has been further promoted, and the construction of strategic platforms such as Hengqin, Qianhai, Nansha, and Hetao has been accelerated, leading the three places to deepen the convergence of rules and mechanisms.
Significant changes have taken place in the regional ecological environment of the Yangtze River Economic Belt, the outline of ecological protection and high-quality development plan for the Yellow River Basin has been thoroughly implemented, and the vegetation coverage of the Yellow River Basin has been improved. As of 2022, 90.2% of the sections of China’s major rivers will have excellent water quality, the main streams of the Yangtze River and the Yellow River will reach Grade II water quality, the protection and management of ecological function areas such as the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and the Loess Plateau have gradually shown results, and the quality of the ecological environment has been significantly improved. The five main grain producing areas of Heilongjiang, Henan, Shandong, Anhui, and Jilin accounted for more than 40% of the country's total grain production in 2022.
The revitalization and development of the old revolutionary areas was accelerated, and the per capita GDP of 20 key cities exceeded 60,000 yuan. The development and opening up of border areas has been further promoted, and the average per capita disposable income of urban residents in 140 border counties has exceeded 36,000 yuan. The transformation and development of resource-based regions has been accelerated, the resource output rate of resource-based cities has increased by more than 36%, and they have continued to develop alternative industries.
The level of regional opening up has leapt to a new level.
一是区域板块发展平衡性显著增强。2022年，中部和西部地区生产总值分别达到26.7万亿元、25.7万亿元，占全国的比重由2012年的21.3%、19.6%提高到2022年的22.1%、21.4%。二是基本公共服务均等化水平不断提高。东、中、西部和东北地区义务教育生师比基本持平，生均用房面积差距明显缩小，中西部地区大班额比例显著下降。东北地区每千人口医疗卫生机构床位数位居全国前列，中西部地区超过东部地区。三是基础设施通达程度更加均衡。中西部地区铁路营业总里程达到9万公里，占全国比重近60%；东北地区铁路营业总里程达1.9万公里，路网密度超过全国平均水平。西部地区高速公路、国省干线公路连线成网，多个省份已实现县县通高速。航空运输服务已覆盖全国92%的地级行政单元、88%的人口，中西部地区机场容量大幅增加。四是区域间基本生活保障水平逐步接近。东部、东北、中部同西部地区居民人均可支配收入之比持续缩小，中西部地区人均社会消费品零售总额增速快于东部地区，中部、西部地区农村低保标准显著提升。五是动力源地区引擎带动作用得到加强。京津冀协同发展取得新的显著成效，疏解北京非首都功能初见成效，雄安新区进入大规模建设与承接北京非首都功能并重的阶段。长三角一体化科创与产业融合发展不断增添新动能，生态绿色一体化发展示范区深化制度探索，形成一批创新成果。粤港澳大湾区建设深入推进，横琴、前海、南沙、河套等战略性平台加快建设，引领三地深化规则衔接、机制对接。六是重要功能区关键作用进一步发挥。长江经济带区域生态环境发生显著变化，黄河流域生态保护和高质量发展规划纲要深入落实，黄河流域植被覆盖度提升，2022年我国主要江河水质优良断面比例为90.2%，长江干流、黄河干流全线达到Ⅱ类水质，青藏高原、黄土高原等生态功能区保护治理成效逐步显现，生态环境质量显著提升。黑龙江、河南、山东、安徽、吉林5个粮食主产区2022年产量超过全国40%。七是特殊类型地区发展水平明显提升。革命老区加快振兴发展，20个重点城市人均生产总值超过6万元。边境地区开发开放深入推进，140个边境县城镇居民人均可支配收入平均超过3.6万元。资源型地区加快转型发展，资源型城市资源产出率累计提高超过36%，接续替代产业不断培育壮大。八是区域开放水平跃上新台阶。海南自由贸易港加快制度型开放步伐，自由贸易试验区、国家级新区、内陆开放型经济试验区、沿边重点开发开放试验区等发展能级持续提升。西部陆海新通道加快建设，向西开放迈出新步伐.
In terms of the challenges that persist, the report points to:
the absolute development gap between the eastern and western regions is still large
the economic development vitality of some northern regions is insufficient
there are still difficulties in revitalising and developing special types of areas
the task of adjusting the distribution of regional productive forces is arduous
报告介绍了区域协调发展面临的挑战和问题：东西部地区发展绝对差距仍然较大；北方部分地区经济发展活力不足；特殊类型地区振兴发展仍有困难；区域生产力布局调整任务艰巨。
The report proposes to:
Revise the catalogue of encouraged industries in the western region; make new breakthroughs in the comprehensive revitalization of Northeast China, study and improve policies and measures, and strive to optimize the business environment; and for the central regions, “vigorously promote the development of grain production, energy and raw materials, modern equipment manufacturing, high-tech industrial bases, and comprehensive transportation hubs.” 统筹推进四大板块发展，增强区域发展平衡性协调性。推动西部大开发形成新格局，研究修订《西部地区鼓励类产业目录》。推动东北全面振兴取得新突破，研究完善政策举措，着力优化营商环境。促进中部地区加快崛起，大力推动粮食生产、能源原材料、现代装备制造及高技术产业基地和综合交通运输枢纽建设。
Thoroughly implement major regional development strategies
Promote the revitalization and development of underdeveloped areas, actively do a good job in the follow-up assistance and consumption assistance in connection with poverty alleviation and for those relocated from inhospitable areas, and build a policy system for the revitalization and development of underdeveloped areas. Support the revitalization of the old revolutionary base areas according to local conditions. 大力支持特殊类型地区发展，着力提升人民生活水平。推动欠发达地区振兴发展，积极做好易地扶贫搬迁后续帮扶、消费帮扶等工作，构建欠发达地区振兴发展的政策体系。因地制宜支持革命老区振兴等。
Promote the development of important functional zones to ensure national food, ecological and energy security. Strengthen the cornerstone of national food security, accelerate agricultural modernization in Northeast China and other advantageous areas, and vigorously protect black land and other cultivable land resources. 着力推动重要功能区建设，保障国家粮食生态能源安全。夯实国家粮食安全基石，加快推进东北等优势地区农业现代化进程，大力保护黑土地等耕地资源等.
Encourage regions that meet the right conditions to speed up the alignment with high-level international economic and trade rules, and conduct stress tests on opening up first. 推动具备条件的地区加快对接高水平国际经贸规则，先行开展对外开放压力测试.
Establish and improve a new mechanism for coordinated regional development, and promote the orderly flow of factors of production and the rational distribution of benefits. Accelerate the establishment of a large unified national market, further improve the basic market economy systems such as property rights protection, market access, fair competition, and social credit, and promote the orderly flow, efficient agglomeration, and optimal allocation of various factors of production, and enhance the vitality of regional development. 建立健全区域协调发展新机制，促进生产要素有序流动和利益合理分配。加快建立全国统一大市场，进一步优化产权保护、市场准入、公平竞争、社会信用等市场经济基础性制度，促进各类生产要素有序流动、高效集聚、优化配置，增强区域发展活力等.
Also on the page is a report on the National Press and Publication Administration holding the second China Newspaper Innovation and Development Conference in Nanjing, Jiangsu.
“Zhang Jianchun, vice minister from the Propaganda Department, said in his keynote speech that the newspaper industry must persevere in using Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era to forge its soul, promote the Party’s innovative theory to become more popular among the people, and continuously consolidate the common ideological foundation for the united struggle of the entire Party and the people of all ethnic groups in the country.” 中宣部副部长张建春在大会作主旨讲话时表示，报业战线要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，推动党的创新理论更加深入人心，不断巩固全党全国各族人民团结奋斗的共同思想基础。
“It is necessary to adhere to the people-centered development philosophy, focus on meeting the new expectations of the people for a better life, constantly enrich the people's spiritual world, and enhance their spiritual strength. Cultural self-confidence and self-improvement should be regarded as a powerful driving force and an inexhaustible source for the development of the cause, in order to help build a shared spiritual home for the Chinese nation and promote the construction of a modern civilization of the Chinese nation and a socialist cultural power. It is important to persist in empowering all media construction through digitalization, deepen supply side structural reform in information production, and accelerate the pace of integrated media development. It is necessary to adhere to and strengthen the Party's overall leadership, combine the theme education on studying and implementing Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, promote the improvement of the working mechanism for implementing the major decisions and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee, strengthen the education of Marxist news concepts, and guide the majority of newspaper practitioners to improve their political judgement, political understanding, and political execution, and effectively turn the learning effect into vivid practice to promote the high-quality development of the newspaper industry.” 要坚持以人民为中心的发展思想，着眼满足人民群众对美好生活新期待，不断丰富人民精神世界，增强人民精神力量。要把文化自信自强作为事业发展的强大动力、不竭源泉，助力构筑中华民族共有精神家园，推进中华民族现代文明和社会主义文化强国建设。要坚持以数字化赋能全媒体建设，深化信息生产供给侧结构性改革，加快媒体深度融合发展步伐。要坚持和加强党的全面领导，结合学习贯彻习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想主题教育，推进完善落实党中央重大决策部署工作机制，加强马克思主义新闻观教育，引导广大报业从业者提高政治判断力、政治领悟力、政治执行力，切实把学习成效转化为推动报业高质量发展的生动实践.