Xi on Energy, Ethnic Policy & Common Prosperity in Inner Mongolia - Boosting Jobs for Graduates - China-RSA Law-Enforcement Cooperation - Xu Bu on China's Diplomacy - Wheat Harvest Data
Here are the key reports and articles that I found noteworthy from the People's Daily's edition on Friday, June 09, 2023.
Page 1: The front page today is basically dedicated to Xi’s inspection of Hohhot in Inner Mongolia on Wednesday and Thursday (English report). First, on Wednesday, he visited the Zhonghuan industrial park.
He heard about the development of “new energy and new material industries, promotion of industrial structure optimization and adjustment, and promotion of green and low-carbon development.” He visited a factory floor to learn more about the production process of semiconductor and photovoltaic materials.
Xi said green development is the path that must be taken. The top priority of Inner Mongolia's development lies in transforming and upgrading the traditional energy industry, vigorously developing green energy, and strengthening the country's major energy base.” 他强调，坚持绿色发展是必由之路。推动传统能源产业转型升级，大力发展绿色能源，做大做强国家重要能源基地，是内蒙古发展的重中之重.
Later, meeting with folks working at the park, Xi said that “we need to rely on high-level science and technology to be self-reliant and build a new development pattern to overcome scientific and technological difficulties. The purpose of building a large domestic cycle is to ensure the normal operation of the national economy under extreme circumstances, which is not contradictory to participating in the international economic cycle. We will unswervingly open to the outside world at a high level, open our doors to construction and work together to achieve a win-win situation.” 现在，我们要靠高水平科技自立自强、构建新发展格局来攻克科技难关。构建国内大循环是为了保证极端情况下国民经济能够正常运行，这同参与国际经济循环是不矛盾的。我们坚定不移实行高水平对外开放，敞开大门搞建设，一起合作实现共赢. — Comment: This is interesting because it is an acknowledgement that the external environment and demand is worsening, which is requiring China to focus more inward for economic growth. But this does not imply that one needs to close off from the world. External economic engagement is critical for many reasons.
The next day, Xi “heard a work report from the Party committee and government of Inner Mongolia and spoke approvingly of their achievements.” He said:
“Inner Mongolia is an important national energy and strategic resource base, a production base for agricultural and livestock products and an important bridgehead for China’s opening to the north. To optimise the industrial structure, we must base ourselves on these endowment characteristics and strategic positioning, vigorously develop industries with distinctive advantages and characteristics, actively explore new paths for the transformation and development of resource-rich areas, and accelerate the construction of a modern industrial system that reflects the characteristics and advantages of Inner Mongolia.” 内蒙古是国家重要能源和战略资源基地、农畜产品生产基地和我国向北开放重要桥头堡，优化产业结构必须立足这些禀赋特点和战略定位，大力发展优势特色产业，积极探索资源型地区转型发展新路径，加快构建体现内蒙古特色优势的现代化产业体系.
He then talked about “developing a modern energy economy.” “It is necessary to give full play to the advantages of strategic resources, strengthen the protective development, high-quality utilisation, and standardised management of strategic resources, strengthen the in-situ deep processing of energy resources, and develop the strategic resource industry well.” 要发挥好能源产业优势，把现代能源经济这篇文章做好。要发挥好战略资源优势，加强战略资源的保护性开发、高质化利用、规范化管理，加强能源资源的就地深加工，把战略资源产业发展好.
He talked about reforming the agriculture and animal husbandry sectors and for Inner Mongolia to “take an active part in the joint development of the Belt and Road Initiative as well as the China-Mongolia-Russia economic corridor.” He also urged “Inner Mongolia to boost its connectivity with the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, the Yangtze River Delta, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and China's northeastern provinces.”
Xinhua English covers the next bit well: “On the ecology front, Inner Mongolia must consolidate its role as a vital ecological barrier in northern China, with efforts to facilitate major ecological projects, including the Beijing-Tianjin sandstorm source control project and the Three-North Shelterbelt Forest Program, and ensure tougher management of ecological red lines, according to Xi. More efforts should go into the conservation of natural forests as well as soil and water, the fight against desertification, and the conservation of wetlands, Xi said, also calling on the autonomous region to sustain the positive trend of expanding afforestation and curbing desertification.”
The next paragraph deals with common prosperity. He said that “the most arduous task in bringing prosperity to all the people nationwide remains in some border areas with mainly ethnic minority populations. These areas must not be left behind on the way to common prosperity.” The action points he made are:
Focus on people’s livelihood issues
Ensure full implementation of the employment-first policy. “Put the promotion of more adequate and higher-quality employment in a prominent position, improve the policy system, strengthen training services, accurately and effectively implement various policies and measures to reduce corporate burdens and stabilise and expand employment, support multi-channel flexible employment, and focus on the employment of college graduates, retired soldiers, migrant workers and other groups.” 要全面落实就业优先政策，把推动实现更加充分更高质量的就业摆在突出位置，完善政策体系，强化培训服务，精准有效实施减负稳岗扩就业各项政策措施，支持多渠道灵活就业，重点抓好高校毕业生、退役军人、农民工等群体就业。
Expand employment channels and strengthen support for vulnerable individuals, such as those from impoverished families, recipients of subsistence allowances, families with zero employment, and people with disabilities. Improve the multi-tiered social security system, ramp up social and medical assistance, increase support for households receiving subsistence allowances or in difficulties, and develop elderly care programs and services. 要开拓就业渠道，加强对脱贫家庭、低保家庭、零就业家庭、残疾人等困难人员就业兜底帮扶。要健全多层次社会保障体系，推动参保扩面，加大社会救助、医疗救助、低保和困难家庭保障扶持措施，发展养老事业和养老产业。
Consolidate and expand the achievements of poverty alleviation. The “development of poverty-stricken counties should be a primary focus” in this regard.
Take utmost efforts to ensure workplace safety.
The next bit is also important:
Xi said that “forging a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation is the main line of the Party’s ethnic work in the new era. Economic construction, political construction, cultural construction, social construction, ecological civilization construction, and Party-building in ethnic regions should all closely revolve around and never deviate from this main theme. The introduction of laws, regulations, policies and measures should be conducive to strengthening the commonalities of the Chinese nation and enhancing the sense of community for the Chinese nation. It is necessary to unswervingly and comprehensively promote the use of nationally compiled textbooks to ensure that young people of all ethnic groups master and use the common language of the country. It is necessary to coordinate the layout planning of urban and rural construction and the allocation of public service resources, and create more perfect social conditions for people of all ethnic groups to live and study together, build and share together, and work together and enjoy together.” 习近平指出，铸牢中华民族共同体意识是新时代党的民族工作的主线，也是民族地区各项工作的主线。民族地区的经济建设、政治建设、文化建设、社会建设、生态文明建设和党的建设等，都要紧紧围绕、毫不偏离这条主线。无论是出台法律法规还是政策措施，都要着眼于强化中华民族的共同性、增强中华民族共同体意识。要坚定不移全面推行使用国家统编教材，确保各民族青少年掌握和使用好国家通用语言文字。要统筹城乡建设布局规划和公共服务资源配置，创造更加完善的各族群众共居共学、共建共享、共事共乐的社会条件.
In the final paragraph, Xi talked about the importance of addressing “outstanding problems in the Party style with the spirit of self-revolution through centralised education.” He added that when it comes to the Xi thought education campaign, the people will assess effectiveness based on whether the problems in the Party’s work style have been resolved and whether the work style of party members and cadres has improved significantly. 习近平强调，通过集中教育推动全党以自我革命精神解决党风方面的突出问题，是一条重要历史经验。人民群众看主题教育是否有成效，最直观的感受是看党风方面存在的问题是否得到解决、党员干部作风是否有明显进步.
Some of the points he made in this regard:
effectively implement the principle of learning and rectifying our conduct
build a pragmatic work style, do a good job in investigation and research, make great efforts to examine the facts, make practical moves and seek practical results
educate leading cadres at all levels to firmly establish a correct view of power, comprehensively identify the risk with regard to corruption, build a solid ideological defence line, and adhere to the red line of law and discipline
cultivate a frugal work style, take living style as an important part of inspection and rectification
The only other report on the page informs that as of 17:00 on June 8, 186 million mu of winter wheat has been harvested across the country. The harvest progress has reached 61%. The daily harvest area was 21.7 million mu. The wheat harvest in Anhui is coming to an end; the progress in Henan is over 90%; the progress in Jiangsu is over 50%; the progress in Shandong is over 20%. 记者从农业农村部获悉：进入6月份以来，安徽、河南、江苏等地紧抓降雨间隙和晴好天气，组织收获机械和农机手连续奋战，加快抢收成熟小麦。截至6月8日17时，全国已收获冬小麦面积1.86亿亩，收获进度达61%。日机收面积2170万亩，当日投入小麦联合收割机28.9万台。安徽麦收进入尾声，河南进度过九成，江苏进度过半，山东进度过两成.
Page 2: A brief report informing that fixed-asset investment in China's railways totaled 206.1 billion yuan (around $28.9 billion) during the first five months of 2023, up 7% year on year.
Second, a report on comments by state councillor Shen Yiqin during her visits to Chengdu and Wuhan, focussing on employment and entrepreneurship.
She said that “the employment of college graduates and other young people is of great importance to the development and stability and the well-being of people's livelihood. All relevant departments at all levels should conscientiously implement the decision-making arrangements of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, seize the critical period before college graduates leave universities, do everything possible to expand job positions, provide better and efficient employment services, genuinely help those who are facing difficulties, and strengthen the coordination of employment work. All kinds of enterprises, service institutions and universities should give full play to their advantages and make more contributions to promoting and expanding employment…” 谌贻琴强调，高校毕业生等青年就业是关系发展稳定和民生福祉的大事要事，各级各有关部门要认真落实党中央、国务院决策部署，抢抓高校毕业生离校前的关键期，千方百计拓展就业岗位，提供更加优质高效的就业服务，用心用情做好就业困难人员帮扶，强化就业工作的协同性. 各类企业、服务机构、高校要发挥优势、积极作为，在促进和扩大就业上多作贡献，形成支持高校毕业生等青年就业的强大合力.
Page 3: A report on Vice President Han Zheng meeting with Nicholas Lyons, Lord Mayor of the City of London. Xinhua says:
“London is one of the most internationalized financial hubs in the world, and the City of London is not only the ‘heart’ of London's economic development but also a world-renowned financial center, Han said. At present, China is unswervingly expanding its high-level opening-up in various fields, including the financial industry, Han said, adding that China is willing to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation with the British financial community and promote the sustained and healthy development of bilateral economic and trade relations. China has made massive achievements in economic and social development, and its future development goals will be achieved, Lyons said, adding that Britain and China share broad common interests and enjoy promising prospects for financial cooperation. The City of London is willing to deepen cooperation with the Chinese government, enterprises, and financial institutions to achieve win-win development, Lyons said.”
Next a report on Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong meeting with South African Police Minister Bheki Cele in Beijing. Xinhua says:
“Noting practical cooperation between China and South Africa in various fields shows strong momentum, Wang said China is ready to work with South Africa to earnestly implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state, strengthen pragmatic cooperation in BRICS Summit security, Belt and Road security, crackdown on transnational crimes and law enforcement capacity building, promote personnel exchanges and cooperation mechanisms at all levels, and push for more development of the China-South Africa comprehensive strategic partnership.” Comment: I wonder why he did not mention GSI?
Third, a report on ILD chief Liu Jianchao meeting with Vladimir Bolea, Vice Chairman of Party of Action and Solidarity, Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry of Moldova on Thursday in Beijing.
Fourth, there’s an article by Yu Bo, China’s interim envoy to Honduras. He talks about the opening of the new Chinese embassy in that country and then highlights some recent developments:
“In early May, nearly 30 Honduran media professionals visited China. They experienced China's economic, social and cultural development from a close distance, experienced a real, three-dimensional and comprehensive China, and had a new and profound understanding of the rich connotation of socialism with Chinese characteristics and Chinese-style modernization. A few days ago, a delegation of Honduran entrepreneurs also visited China. It is believed that they will actively explore new opportunities for bilateral cooperation and play an important role in enhancing mutual understanding between the two peoples and promoting mutual benefit and win-win results. The Chinese side is also actively providing convenience for Honduran students in Taiwan to study in the mainland; more than 20 students have been admitted to mainland universities so far. The relevant procedures for the export of Honduran coffee, white shrimp and other specialty products to China are progressing in an orderly manner, and they are expected to appear on the tables of Chinese people in the near future. Many Chinese companies are optimistic about the development potential and market prospects of Honduras, and have come to Honduras to seek cooperation one after another. Facts have proved that the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Hong Kong fully conforms to the long-term and fundamental interests of the two peoples, and is the aspiration of the people and the trend of the times. 谌贻琴强调，高校毕业生等青年就业是关系发展稳定和民生福祉的大事要事，各级各有关部门要认真落实党中央、国务院决策部署，抢抓高校毕业生离校前的关键期，千方百计拓展就业岗位，提供更加优质高效的就业服务，用心用情做好就业困难人员帮扶，强化就业工作的协同性. 各类企业、服务机构、高校要发挥优势、积极作为，在促进和扩大就业上多作贡献，形成支持高校毕业生等青年就业的强大合力.
Next, there’s a report on a forum in Guizhou involving foreign diplomats on ecological civilisation constructions.
Page 9: There’s an article by Amb. Xu Bu, Secretary General of Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy Studies Centre, on China’s “international influence, appeal, and shaping power.” In the first section of the article, he argues that:
In the new era, the significant improvement in overall national strength has laid a solid foundation for China to play a greater role in international affairs. With the world entering a new period of turbulence and change, and the instability and uncertainty increasing, China's diplomacy firmly stands on the right side of history and the progress of human civilisation. It not only maintains strong strategic composure, but also takes the initiative to adapt to changes, creates new prospects amid global challenges, turns crises into opportunities in world chaos, and resolutely safeguards world peace, promotes unity and cooperation, and firmly defends fairness and justice.” 新时代，综合国力的显著提升，为中国在国际事务中发挥更大作用奠定了坚实基础。在世界进入新的动荡变革期、不稳定性不确定性增加的形势下，中国外交坚定站在历史正确的一边、站在人类文明进步的一边，既保持强大战略定力又主动识变应变求变，在全球变局中开创新局，在世界乱局中化危为机，坚定守护世界和平、有力促进团结合作、坚决捍卫公平正义.
He talks about Xi proposing the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind, BRI, GDI, GSI and GCI. He adds:
“We have strategically managed relationships with major powers, promoted coordination among major countries, deepened strategic dialogue, and continued to improve the strategic environment for China’s peaceful development. We have strengthened the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era, advanced four major partnerships between China and the EU for peace, growth, reform and civilisation, and built China-US relations featuring mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation. We have deepened good-neighbourly and friendly relations with neighbouring countries and consolidated solidarity and cooperation with other developing countries. China has established different forms of partnerships with more than 110 countries and regional organisations, building a global network of partnerships, and improving the all-round, multi-level and multidimensional layout of its external work.” 深化外交布局，建设伙伴关系。我们运筹大国关系，推进大国协调，深化战略对话，持续改善我国和平发展的战略环境。加强中俄新时代全面战略协作伙伴关系，推进中欧和平、增长、改革、文明四大伙伴关系建设，推动构建相互尊重、和平共处、合作共赢的中美关系。深化同周边国家睦邻友好关系，巩固同发展中国家团结合作。我国同110多个国家和地区组织建立了不同形式的伙伴关系，打造遍布全球的伙伴关系网络，全方位、多层次、立体化的对外工作布局日益发展完善.
“From 2013 to 2022, China’s two-way investment with countries along the Belt and Road has exceeded $270 billion, resulting in more than 3,000 cooperation projects and creating more than 420,000 jobs for BRI countries.” He also mentions CIIE, Consumer Expo, Canton Fair, etc, to argue that “although protectionism casts a shadow over the world economy, China has brought light to world trade.” 从2013年到2022年，我国与“一带一路”沿线国家双向投资累计超过2700亿美元，形成3000多个合作项目，为沿线国家创造了42万多个就业岗位。从进博会到消博会，从广交会到服贸会，中国举办的一系列经贸盛会为世界各国企业进入中国大市场、共享发展成果提供更多契机，搭建起各国互惠互利、共赢发展的重要平台。外国媒体这样评价：“虽然保护主义给世界经济蒙上阴影，但中国为世界贸易带来了光明”.
“We advocate true multilateralism, insist that the fate of the world should be shared by all countries, that international rules should be written by all countries, that global affairs should be governed by all countries, and that the fruits of development should be shared by all countries, and that unilateralism, protectionism, hegemonism and power politics should be opposed. We adhere to determining our stance based on the merits of each specific issue. Documents such as ‘China's Position on the Political Settlement of the Ukrainian Crisis’ and ‘China's Position on the Afghan Issue’ have been issued, demonstrating China’s unwavering efforts to promote the political resolution of global hot-spot issues. This has won high recognition from the international community. Firmly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests and development space of developing countries and promote the development of global governance in a more just and reasonable direction.” 我们倡导真正的多边主义，坚持世界命运应该由各国共同掌握，国际规则应该由各国共同书写，全球事务应该由各国共同治理，发展成果应该由各国共同分享，反对单边主义、保护主义、霸权主义和强权政治。坚持按照事情本身的是非曲直决定立场，发布《关于政治解决乌克兰危机的中国立场》文件、《关于阿富汗问题的中国立场》文件等，为推动全球热点问题的政治解决不懈努力，中国特色热点问题解决之道赢得国际社会高度肯定。坚定维护发展中国家的正当权益和发展空间，推动全球治理朝着更加公正合理的方向发展。
China advocates common values and promotes mutual learning among civilisations. We carry forward the common values of peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy and freedom for all mankind, advocate respecting the differences in the understanding of the value connotation of different civilisations, transcend estrangement among civilisations, promote the mutual learning and tolerance of civilisations over the the idea of superiority, oppose imposing our own values and models on others…” 倡导共同价值，促进文明互鉴。我们弘扬和平、发展、公平、正义、民主、自由的全人类共同价值，主张尊重不同文明对价值内涵的认识，以文明交流超越文明隔阂、文明互鉴超越文明冲突、文明包容超越文明优越，反对将自己的价值观和模式强加于人，促进各国人民相知相亲，推动不同文明各美其美、美美与共.
“By holding a high-level dialogue between the CPC and the world's political parties, BRI Forum and the Asian Civilization Dialogue Conference, we have exchanged and shared CPC’s governance and modernisation experience with other countries, built a platform for equal exchanges and dialogues among different civilisations, enhanced the international community's understanding and support for China's political system and development path, and encouraged mutual learning among different civilisations…” 通过举办中国共产党与世界政党高层对话会、“一带一路”国际合作高峰论坛、亚洲文明对话大会等，与各国交流分享中国共产党治国理政经验、现代化建设经验，搭建不同文明平等交流对话平台，增进国际社会对我国政治制度、发展道路的理解和支持，促进不同文明相互取长补短、共同丰富世界文明百花园.
In section two, he talks about what needs to be done going ahead. The key points he makes are:
Deeply grasp and apply Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, especially the scientific thinking methods and working methods contained in Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy.
“Unswervingly adhere to the Party's leadership in diplomatic work, firmly grasp the main line of serving national rejuvenation and promoting human progress, persist in strengthening strategic self-confidence based on Socialism with Chinese characteristics, always maintain the unique style of China's diplomacy, and firmly grasp the initiative without being confused momentary issues or events or being afraid of any storms.” 我们要毫不动摇坚持党对外交工作的领导，牢牢把握服务民族复兴、促进人类进步这条主线，坚持以中国特色社会主义为根本增强战略自信，始终保持中国外交的独特风范，不为一时一事所惑、不为任何风浪所惧，牢牢把握主动权.
“From building a community with a shared future for mankind to promoting the common values of mankind, from building a new type of international relations to adhering to the concept of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits in global governance, from jointly building the Belt and Road Initiative to implementing the GDI, GSI and GCI, China's propositions, Chinese wisdom and Chinese solutions have exerted far-reaching international influence and gathered broad international consensus. The key to this lies in the fact that they have responded to the common interests and common aspirations of people of all countries for peace, development and cooperation. We should develop a global vision and broaden our global perspective, better align the interests of the Chinese people with those of people around the world, have a deep insight into the trend of human development and progress, actively respond to the universal concerns of people all over the world, provide more public goods for the international community, and make new contributions to solving the common problems facing mankind.” 从推动构建人类命运共同体到弘扬全人类共同价值，从建设新型国际关系到坚持共商共建共享全球治理观，从共建“一带一路”到落实全球发展倡议、全球安全倡议、全球文明倡议等，中国主张、中国智慧、中国方案之所以能够产生深远国际影响、凝聚广泛国际共识，关键在于从全人类共同利益出发，回应了各国人民求和平、谋发展、促合作的普遍诉求。我们要树立世界眼光、拓展全球视野，把中国人民利益与世界各国人民利益更好统一起来，深刻洞察人类发展进步潮流，积极回应各国人民普遍关切，为国际社会提供更多公共产品，为解决人类面临的共同问题作出新的贡献. — Comment: The highlighted bit is important to note. The way I see it, Xu is underscoring to a domestic audience, particularly the diplomatic community in China, that the development diplomacy approach that Beijing has deployed is the reason behind its ability to achieve positive outcomes rather than an overtly security-focused or ideological approach. As the point below underscores, he believes that China is locked in a narrative contest with the US-led West.
Adhere to the bottom line thinking and carry forward the spirit of struggle. In the face of external blackmail, containment, blockade and extreme pressure, we must dare to struggle and be good at struggle, and rely on tenacious struggle to open up new opportunities for the development of the cause of the Party and country…We must firmly grasp the initiative of China's development and security, resolutely counter any wrong actions that infringe on China's sovereignty and interfere in China's internal affairs, take a clear-cut stand against all hegemonism and power politics, and firmly defend national sovereignty, security and development interests. Take the initiative to tell China's story well, make China’s voice heard, promptly clarify misunderstandings and refute false remarks, and comprehensively expound China's views on development, civilization, security, human rights, ecology, international order and global governance, so as to demonstrate China's contribution to world peace and development, and further enhance the appeal of China's proposals and plans. 坚持底线思维，发扬斗争精神。面对外部讹诈、遏制、封锁、极限施压，我们必须敢于斗争、善于斗争，依靠顽强斗争打开事业发展新天地...要牢牢掌握我国发展和安全主动权，坚决反制任何侵犯我国主权、干涉我国内政的错误行径，旗帜鲜明反对一切霸权主义和强权政治，在原则问题上寸步不让，坚定捍卫国家主权、安全、发展利益。主动讲好中国故事、发出中国声音，及时澄清外界误解、批驳错误言论，全面阐述我国的发展观、文明观、安全观、人权观、生态观、国际秩序观和全球治理观，展现中国为世界和平与发展作出的贡献，进一步提升中国主张、中国方案的感召力.
In the final section, Xu reiterates the standard platitudes of Chinese foreign policy:
“China insists that countries are equal regardless of their size, strength or wealth, respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries, respects the development path and social system independently chosen by the people of all countries, opposes interference in the internal affairs of other countries, and opposes double standards. China advocates bridging differences through dialogue and resolving disputes through cooperation, resolutely opposes all forms of hegemonism and power politics, and opposes the Cold War mentality. Adheres to the solution to hotspot issues with Chinese characteristics, and plays a constructive role in maintaining world peace and regional stability.” 中国坚持国家不分大小、强弱、贫富一律平等，尊重各国主权和领土完整，尊重各国人民自主选择的发展道路和社会制度，反对干涉别国内政，反对搞双重标准。倡导以对话弥合分歧、以合作化解争端，坚决反对一切形式的霸权主义和强权政治，反对冷战思维。坚持中国特色热点问题解决之道，为维护世界和平和地区稳定发挥建设性作用.
He also calls to adhere to “high-level opening up to the outside world to provide more new opportunities for the common development of the world” and “adhere to true multilateralism”, which entails opposing the practice of building a ‘small yards with high walls’ and a ‘parallel system’ and engaging in exclusive ‘small circles’ and ‘cliques’.” He also calls for participating in groups like the WTO, BRICS, APEC and SCO, “strengthening the role of emerging market countries and developing countries in global affairs.”
Page 16: The top story on the international page is about theft and robbery becoming a problem for the retail sector in the US. The article talks about Whole Foods and Walgreens shutting stores in San Francisco. The piece then cites data regarding crimes targeting retail stores in the US.
Other Stories:
Sharing below some key stories and links extra for paid subscribers. These are from outside the People’s Daily. There’s also a breakdown of the Indian Foreign Minister’s latest briefing, which included comments around the LAC issue and broader China policy.