Xi on Ethnic Affairs Policy - PRC's 75th Anniversary - Li Calls to Accelerate Economic Measures - Friends for Peace Group on Ukraine - China's Afghan Quartet Meeting - China-Russia Coast Guard Drills
Hi folks,
I hope this finds everyone well. I wanted to begin with a brief announcement. I will be in Washington DC all of next week, starting October 7th. It would be really good to catch up with subscribers. So if you are in town during the week, please do drop me a line as an email response to this edition and we can schedule something.
I will also be taking a break from the regular newsletter, given the holidays in China. Of course, as always, I’ll try and cover any major developments or pieces that might be published.
Cheers,
Manoj
Before we get to today’s edition, let me cover Xi Jinping’s remarks at the National Conference on Commending Models for Ethnic Unity and Progress. The entire speech was published in Saturday’s edition of the paper.
Xi had a lot of praise for the Party’s policies:
He said that the Party had combined “Marxist ethnic theory with the specific realities of China's ethnic issues and with the best of traditional Chinese culture, creatively blazing a right path with Chinese characteristics to solve ethnic issues. On this path, the CPC has united and led the people of all ethnic groups in the country to achieve national independence and people’s liberation, creating a new situation of developing equal, united, mutually supportive, and harmonious relations among all ethnic groups. It has promoted unprecedented progress in the economic and social development in ethnic regions and improved their lives. China's ethnic minorities, regions of ethnic groups, relations between different ethnic groups, and the Chinese nation have undergone profound and historic changes.” 中国共产党历来高度重视民族工作。一百多年来，我们坚持把马克思主义民族理论同中国民族问题具体实际相结合、同中华优秀传统文化相结合，创造性地走出了一条中国特色解决民族问题的正确道路。在这条道路上，党团结带领全国各族人民实现了民族独立和人民解放，开创了发展各民族平等团结互助和谐关系的新局面，推动民族地区经济社会发展和少数民族群众生活取得前所未有的进步，我国少数民族面貌、民族地区面貌、民族关系面貌、中华民族面貌发生了翻天覆地的历史性巨变.
He added that since the 18th Party Congress, the Party has “continuously promoted the sinicization and modernization of Marxist ethnic theory, and clearly proposed to make the forging of a strong sense of community of the Chinese nation the main line of the Party’s ethnic work in the new era and the main line of all work in ethnic regions, formed the Party’s important thought on strengthening and improving ethnic work, promoted ethnic regions to join the other parts of the country in securing a victory in the fight against poverty, finished the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects, and embarked on a new journey to build China into a modern socialist country in all respects…” 党的十八大以来，我们坚持守正创新，不断推进马克思主义民族理论中国化时代化，鲜明提出把铸牢中华民族共同体意识作为新时代党的民族工作主线、民族地区各项工作的主线，形成党关于加强和改进民族工作的重要思想，推动民族地区同全国一道打赢脱贫攻坚战、全面建成小康社会，迈上全面建设社会主义现代化国家新征程，党的民族工作取得新的历史性成就。
Practice has proven that the path of solving ethnic issues with Chinese characteristics is completely correct. This path:
focuses on the fundamental interests and overall interests of the Chinese nation, unites all ethnic groups to the greatest extent, and realises the common struggle and common prosperity of all ethnic groups;
insists on the equality of all ethnic groups, opposes ethnic oppression and discrimination, and ensures that people of all ethnic groups truly obtain equal political rights and jointly become masters of their own country;
correctly grasps the relationship between maintaining national unity and implementing ethnic regional autonomy, insists on combining unity with autonomy, and ethnic factors with regional factors, and promotes the Chinese nation to become a more cohesive and unified community with a shared future.
实践证明，中国特色解决民族问题的道路是完全正确的。这条道路着眼中华民族根本利益和整体利益，最大限度把各民族凝聚起来，实现各民族共同团结奋斗、共同繁荣发展；这条道路坚持各民族一律平等，反对民族压迫和民族歧视，确保各族人民真正获得平等政治权利、共同当家做主人；这条道路正确把握维护国家统一和实行民族区域自治的关系，坚持统一和自治相结合、民族因素和区域因素相结合，推动中华民族成为认同度更高、凝聚力更强的命运共同体。
In the next bit, Xi talks about 5000 years of history and the creation of China as “a unified multi-ethnic country”. He says that the “formation and development of the Chinese nation community is the will of the people, the general trend, and the historical inevitability.” He makes five points to elaborate on this.
First, “the intermingling of bloodlines of all ethnic groups has laid the historical foundation for the formation and development of a community for the Chinese nation.” He added: “History has fully proven that the Chinese nation is the result of long-term interaction, exchange, and integration among all ethnic groups. Only by continuously uniting and integrating, and consciously joining the big family of the Chinese nation, can all ethnic groups enjoy a brighter future.” 各民族血脉相融，是中华民族共同体形成和发展的历史根基。各民族共同在中华大地上繁衍生息，有着千丝万缕的血缘亲缘关系，逐渐形成血脉相融、骨肉相连，你中有我、我中有你，多元一体、不可分割的命运共同体。历史充分证明，中华民族是各民族长期交往交流交融的结果，各民族只有不断团结融合、自觉融入中华民族大家庭，才能拥有更美好的未来.
Second, the shared convictions of all ethnic groups have served as the endogenous driving force for the founding of a unified multi-ethnic country. Since ancient times, the Chinese nation has adhered to the concepts of ‘the six directions share the same customs, the nine regions are interconnected’ and ‘there is great harmony under heaven’, and regarded great unification as ‘the eternal principle of heaven and earth and the common truth of ancient and modern times’. Since the Qin Dynasty unified China, regardless of which ethnic group ruled the central plains, all have taken the unification of the country as their mission, firmly believing in the common principle that the nation's territory must not be divided, the country must not fall into chaos, ethnic groups must not be scattered, and civilization must not be interrupted. History has fully proven that our unified, multi-ethnic country was jointly created by all ethnic groups and must be jointly safeguarded, consolidated, and developed by them. 各民族信念相同，是中华民族缔造统一的多民族国家的内生动力。中华民族自古以来就秉持“的理念，把大一统看作是“天地之常经，古今之通义”。自秦统一中国后，无论哪个民族入主中原，都以统一天下为己任，都始终坚持国土不可分、国家不可乱、民族不可散、文明不可断的共同信念。历史充分证明，我们统一的多民族国家是由各民族共同缔造的，也必须由各民族共同维护、巩固和发展. (Note: This is an important paragraph, which allows for building the narrative of continuity with the rule of the Yuan and Qing dynasties or Mongol and Manchu rule.)
Third, the cultural connections among all ethnic groups are the cultural genes that have shaped the pluralistic and integrated civilization of the Chinese nation. The cultures of all ethnic groups have learned from and integrated with one another, gradually transcending regional, ancestral, and religious boundaries. This process has converged to form a Chinese culture with strong cohesion and appeal, shaping the unified yet diverse framework of Chinese civilization. History has fully proven that the brilliant Chinese culture was jointly created by all ethnic groups. To forge the new glory of socialist culture, we must continuously enhance identification with Chinese culture and further promote mutual learning and integration among the cultures of all ethnic groups. 各民族文化相通，是中华民族铸就多元一体文明格局的文化基因。各民族文化互鉴融通、兼收并蓄，逐渐超越地域乡土、血缘世系、宗教信仰，汇聚形成具有强大凝聚力和吸引力的中华文化，形成了中华文明多元一体的格局。历史充分证明，灿烂的中华文化是各民族共同创造的，铸就社会主义文化新辉煌必须不断增强对中华文化的认同，不断增进各民族文化互鉴融通.
Fourth, the economic interdependence of all ethnic groups is the powerful force for building a unified economy. Our country has a vast territory, and the resource endowments of different regions each have their own characteristics, with strong economic complementarity and a high degree of interdependence. All ethnic groups have consistently maintained economic ties characterised by mutual exchange and mutual benefit, which has significantly strengthened the overall national power and promoted the formation and development of the Chinese national community. History has fully proved that only by continuously integrating into the overall development of the country and strengthening economic exchanges and cooperation can all regions and ethnic groups better promote national economic prosperity and better realise their own economic development. 各民族经济相依，是中华民族构建统一经济体的强大力量。我国疆域辽阔，各地区资源禀赋各有特点，经济互补性强、依存度高。各民族始终保持互通有无、互利共赢的经济联系，有力增强了国家整体实力，促进了中华民族共同体的形成和发展。历史充分证明，各地区各民族只有不断融入国家发展大局、加强经济交流合作，才能更好推动国家经济繁荣、更好实现自身经济发展.
Fifth, the emotional bonds among all ethnic groups are the strong ties that bind the Chinese nation as one family. Harmonious coexistence, brotherhood, and mutual assistance have always been the mainstream of ethnic relations in our country. The close brotherly ties among various ethnic groups has left many heartwarming historical stories. Especially in the process of resisting foreign aggression, preventing division, and safeguarding unity, the people of all ethnic groups were unprecedentedly united, sharing a common hatred for the enemy, writing a magnificent epic of the Chinese nation’s arduous struggles and earth-shaking greatness. History has fully proved that emotional closeness is a strong bond in the formation and development of the Chinese national community. All ethnic groups must cherish, continuously consolidate, and develop the socialist ethnic relations of equality, unity, mutual assistance, and harmony, and constantly strengthen the emotional foundation for building the Chinese national community. 各民族情感相亲，是中华民族一家亲的坚强纽带。和谐共处、手足相亲、守望相助始终是我国民族关系的主流，各民族亲密无间的兄弟情谊留下了许多历史佳话。特别是在抵御外侮、防止分裂、维护统一的进程中，各族人民空前团结、同仇敌忾，书写了中华民族艰苦卓绝、气壮山河的伟大史诗。历史充分证明，情感上相互亲近是形成和发展中华民族共同体的坚强纽带，各族人民都要倍加珍惜、不断巩固和发展平等团结互助和谐的社会主义民族关系，不断夯实中华民族共同体建设的人心基础.
Xi ended this section by stating that the common goal of all ethnic groups is the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
Finally, Xi made five points about the tasks ahead in the “new era.” He said that “the central task of the Party and the country is to comprehensively promote the construction of a strong country and national rejuvenation through Chinese-style modernization. This requires the joint efforts of people of all ethnic groups across the country. We must comprehensively implement the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, especially the important thinking on strengthening and improving work on ethnic affairs, adhere to the main line of forging a strong sense of community of the Chinese nation, continuously promote the cause of national unity and progress, and promote the high-quality development of the Party's ethnic work.” 新时代新征程，党和国家的中心任务是以中国式现代化全面推进强国建设、民族复兴，这需要全国各族人民共同团结奋斗。我们要全面贯彻新时代中国特色社会主义思想特别是党关于加强和改进民族工作的重要思想，坚持以铸牢中华民族共同体意识为主线，不断推进民族团结进步事业，推动党的民族工作高质量发展.
First, always adhere to the leadership of the Party and constantly consolidate the common ideological and political foundation for the unity and struggle of all ethnic groups. The CPC is the leading core of the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics and the most reliable backbone of all ethnic groups. We must guide the people of all ethnic groups to continuously enhance their identification with the great motherland, the Chinese nation, Chinese culture, the Communist Party of China, and socialism with Chinese characteristics, firmly establish the concept of a community of sharing weal and woe, honour and disgrace, life and death, and destiny, and work together to realise the Chinese dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. 第一，始终坚持党的领导，不断巩固各民族团结奋斗的共同思想政治基础。中国共产党是中国特色社会主义事业的领导核心，是各族人民最可靠的主心骨。要引导各族群众不断增强对伟大祖国、中华民族、中华文化、中国共产党、中国特色社会主义的认同，牢固树立休戚与共、荣辱与共、生死与共、命运与共的共同体理念，同心共圆中华民族伟大复兴的中国梦.
Second, we should focus on building a shared spiritual home for the Chinese nation, providing strong spiritual and cultural support for advancing the construction of the Chinese national community. To build a spiritual home shared by the Chinese nation, we must enhance the recognition of Chinese culture. We should take the core socialist values as the guide, deepen the education of patriotism, collectivism, and socialism, and guide the people of all ethnic groups to firmly establish a correct view of the state, history, ethnicity, culture and religions. We should strengthen the historical and cultural education of young people, comprehensively promote the popularisation of the national common language and characters, and comprehensively promote the use of state-approved textbooks, so as to instil the sense of community of the Chinese nation into the hearts of children from an early age. 第二，着力构筑中华民族共有精神家园，为推进中华民族共同体建设提供强大精神文化支撑。构筑中华民族共有精神家园必须增进中华文化认同。要以社会主义核心价值观为引领，深化爱国主义、集体主义、社会主义教育，引导各族群众牢固树立正确的国家观、历史观、民族观、文化观、宗教观。加强对青少年的历史文化教育，全面推广普及国家通用语言文字，全面推行使用国家统编教材，把中华民族共同体意识从小就植入孩子们的心灵.
Third, accelerate the high-quality development of ethnic regions and solidly promote the common prosperity of all ethnic groups. To promote Chinese-style modernization and achieve common prosperity, no ethnic group can be left behind. We must support ethnic regions to accelerate their integration into the overall national development and promote closer economic integration and integration among all regions. Ethnic regions must fully and accurately implement the new development concept, continue to deepen reform and opening up, vigorously develop characteristic and advantageous industries, and develop new quality productive forces according to local conditions. We must adhere to the safeguarding and improving people’s livelihoods in the process of development, enhance the balance and accessibility of basic public services, do more practical things that conform to the will of the people, benefit the people’s livelihood, and warm the hearts of the people, and continuously meet the yearning of people of all ethnic groups for a better life. 第三，加快民族地区高质量发展，扎实推进各民族共同富裕。推进中国式现代化、实现共同富裕，一个民族都不能少。要支持民族地区加快融入国家发展大局，促进各地区在经济上更加紧密地连在一起、融为一体。民族地区要完整准确全面贯彻新发展理念，不断深化改革开放，大力发展特色优势产业，因地制宜发展新质生产力。坚持在发展中保障和改善民生，增强基本公共服务均衡性和可及性，多办顺民意、惠民生、暖民心的实事，不断满足各族人民对美好生活的向往.
Fourth, promote the all-round integration of all ethnic groups and actively promote exchanges and integration among all ethnic groups. Extensive interactions, exchanges, and integration are important ways to advance the construction of the Chinese national community. We must coordinate economic and social development planning and public resource allocation, strengthen the construction of infrastructure such as transportation in border areas and ethnic minority areas, actively promote people-oriented new urbanization, and promote the mobility and integration of all ethnic groups in an orderly manner. Build an interwoven social structure and community environment, continuously broaden the practical paths for the all-round integration of various ethnic groups, and promote their close unity like the seeds of a pomegranate. 第四，推动各民族全方位嵌入，积极促进各民族交往交流交融。广泛交往交流交融是推进中华民族共同体建设的重要途径。要统筹经济社会发展规划和公共资源配置，加强边疆和民族地区交通等基础设施建设，积极推进以人为本的新型城镇化，有序推动各民族人口流动融居。构建互嵌式社会结构和社区环境，不断拓宽各民族全方位嵌入的实践路径，促进各民族像石榴籽一样紧紧抱在一起.
Fifth, govern ethnic affairs in accordance with the law, continually improve the capacity and level of governance in ethnic affairs. We must uphold and improve the system of regional ethnic autonomy, gradually refine relevant laws and regulations as well as differentiated regional support policies, and ensure the legal rights and interests of people from all ethnic groups. We should strengthen legal education and public awareness, guiding people of all ethnic groups to enhance their national consciousness, civic consciousness, and legal consciousness. 第五，依法治理民族事务，不断提高民族事务治理能力和水平。要坚持和完善民族区域自治制度，逐步完善相关法律法规和差别化区域支持政策，依法保障各族群众合法权益。加强法治宣传教育，引导各族群众增强国家意识、公民意识、法治意识.
Towards the end, Xi stresses this:
“Addressing China’s ethnic issues is our internal affairs, and no external forces have the right to interfere. The Communist Party of China and the Chinese people have found the correct path to solving ethnic issues with Chinese characteristics, and we do not need anyone else to point fingers at us or act as an ‘instructor’. We must resolutely oppose all attempts to infiltrate, sabotage, slander, contain and suppress our country by using ethnicity, religion and other issues. We must strengthen the research and propaganda of the history of the Chinese nation and the theory of the Chinese national community, actively carry out foreign cultural exchanges, and tell the story of the Chinese nation community well.” 解决中国的民族问题是我国内政，任何外部势力都无权干涉。中国共产党和中国人民已经找到了中国特色解决民族问题的正确道路，不需要其他任何人对我们指手画脚、充当“教师爷”。要坚决反对一切利用民族、宗教等问题对我国进行渗透破坏、污蔑抹黑、遏制打压的行径。加强中华民族历史和中华民族共同体理论研究和宣传阐释，积极开展对外人文交流，讲好中华民族共同体故事。
Here are the key reports and articles that I found noteworthy from the People’s Daily’s edition on Monday, September 30, 2024.
Page 1: The entire front page today is dedicated to events marking the 75th anniversary of the founding of the PRC. Xi awarded the highest state honours during the event.
Four people, including veteran war hero Huang Zongde and medical scientist Wang Zhenyi, were awarded the Medal of the Republic. Ten individuals, including border patrolman Bayika Kalidibek, technician Xu Zhenchao, and acclaimed actress Tian Hua, were awarded national honorary titles. Dilma Rousseff, former Brazilian president and president of the New Development Bank, received the Friendship Medal.
Xi also delivered a speech. Xi said that the “great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation has entered an irreversible historical process”. Xinhua English has a decent summation of the key points:
“Xi emphasized the need to bear in mind the ambition of making the country greater. ‘We should be loyal to the country, love the country, integrate personal development goals into the overall national development, and realize personal value in fulfilling duties for the country and serving the people,’ he said. He encouraged the Chinese people to hone their skills and contribute to building a strong China. He urged them to strive for extraordinary achievements in ordinary job posts, and contribute to overcoming challenges related to development and reform while safeguarding social harmony and stability. ‘A great era calls for heroes and fosters heroes. A galaxy of heroes emerging generation after generation will ensure the lasting success of the Party and the people's cause,’ Xi remarked.”
Another report on the page informs of a concert to mark the 75th anniversary of the PRC’s founding. Finally, there’s a report telling us that a new official compilation of the chronicle of events during the New Democratic Revolution period (1921 to 1949) has been published.
Page 3: There’s a report on the State Council’s executive meeting. The report said that the meeting sought to “study and implement the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important speech on the current economic situation and economic work at the meeting of the Politburo of the CPC Central Committee, and to study and deploy the implementation of a package of incremental policies.” 国务院总理李强9月29日主持召开国务院常务会议，学习贯彻习近平总书记在中央政治局会议上关于当前经济形势和经济工作的重要讲话精神，研究部署一揽子增量政策的落实工作.
“The meeting emphasised that it is necessary to unify thoughts and actions with the scientific judgement of the Party Central Committee on the economic situation, implement the decisions and arrangements of the Party Central Committee, implement the policies and measures that have been clarified, effectively implement macroeconomic control, promote the coordinated efforts of various policies, focus on addressing prominent issues in economic operation, and strive to achieve the goals and tasks of economic and social development for the entire year.” 会议强调，要把思想和行动统一到党中央关于经济形势的科学判断上来，把党中央决策部署贯彻好，把已明确的政策措施落实好，有效实施宏观调控，推动各项政策协同发力，打好组合拳，着力解决经济运行中的突出问题，努力完成全年经济社会发展目标任务.
For each policy, there must be a clear division of responsibilities, and the pace of implementation should be accelerated. Policies that are relatively mature should be implemented immediately, while those that need further refinement should be worked on urgently, introducing them in batches as they become ready. All departments should not avoid difficulties or shirk responsibilities, but form a strong synergy in their work. At the same time, new incremental policies should be studied promptly in response to changing situations. In-depth investigations and research should be conducted, paying attention to opinions from all sides, to continuously optimise and improve policy measures. It is necessary to strengthen policy interpretation to better build consensus and enhance confidence. 每一项政策都要明确责任分工，加快出台实施的节奏，条件相对成熟的政策要马上推出，需要进一步细化完善的政策要抓紧做好相关工作、成熟一批推出一批。各部门要不避难、不推责，形成强大的工作合力。同时，要根据形势变化，及时研究新的增量政策。要深入开展调查研究，注重听取各方面意见，不断优化完善政策举措。要加强政策解读，更好地凝聚共识、增强信心.
The meeting deployed relevant measures to accelerate the implementation of 102 major projects in the 14th FYP. The meeting pointed out that the implementation of 102 major projects during the 14th FYP period is an important deployment made by the Party Central Committee coordinating immediate and long-term needs. It is necessary to focus on the overall implementation of major projects, further consolidate the responsibilities of all parties, strengthen departmental coordination and central-local linkage, strengthen financial support and factor resource guarantees, address difficulties and bottlenecks, and ensure that the construction of major projects achieves the expected results. 会议部署加快“十四五”规划102项重大工程实施的有关举措。会议指出，“十四五”时期实施102项重大工程，是党中央统筹当前和长远作出的重要部署。要立足全局抓好重大工程实施，进一步压实各方责任，加强部门协同和央地联动，强化资金支持和要素资源保障，破解难点堵点，确保重大工程建设取得预期成效.
The meeting also discussed the construction of a universal childcare service system, and heard a report on progress in building up China’s strength in intellectual property rights. On IPR, the meeting called to “strengthen the support of intellectual property rights for key core technology research, carry out special actions for patent transformation and application, implement the construction project of the intellectual property protection system, and provide strong support for achieving scientific and technological self-reliance and promoting high-quality development.”
The draft revisions to the law on science and technology popularization and the law against unfair competition were discussed and approved in principle.
Also on the page is a report on the State Council approving a set of revised regulations for commending fallen heroes. As per Xinhua, “the revised regulations stipulate improved criteria and assessment procedures for identifying martyrs, better financial support and preferential treatment for their families, and strengthened protection and management of their memorial facilities. The revised regulations also highlight the need to strengthen the dissemination of martyrs’ heroic deeds and improve the protocols when paying homage to them. The revised regulations will take effect on Jan. 1, 2025.”
Next, there’s a report on Wang Yi’s remarks at the UNGA general debate. The full English text is available on the MFA website. Key points:
What China proposes is to uphold peaceful coexistence and put in place a security architecture that ensures enduring stability; uphold openness and inclusiveness and foster a development paradigm that promotes shared prosperity; uphold harmony without uniformity and adopt an approach to civilizations that promotes exchange and mutual learning; and uphold fairness and justice and develop a governance structure that pools strengths for shared benefit.
In today’s world, the security of all countries is tied together. In face of various kinds of global challenges and risks, no one can stay immune or enjoy security alone. Countries need to be guided by a vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security. We should respect each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, take the legitimate security concerns of others seriously, and resolve disputes and differences through dialogue and consultation. We should actively explore a path for major countries to coexist in peace, and work for a new type of international relations characterized by mutual respect, fairness, justice and win-win cooperation.
Achieving modernization is a legitimate right of the people of all countries, not a prerogative of a few. We should be committed to advancing global modernization, and ensure that no one and no country is left behind on the journey toward modernization. We should advocate a universally beneficial and inclusive globalization, unequivocally oppose unilateralism and protectionism, and help developing countries leap over the development divide, to maintain the vitality of global economic growth.
President Xi Jinping pointed out that there is no such thing as a superior or inferior civilization, and civilizations are different only in identity and location. We should respect the diversity of civilizations, and strive to replace estrangement and clash of civilizations with exchanges and mutual learning. We should advocate humanity’s common values, namely, peace, development, equity, justice, democracy and freedom, refrain from conducting values-oriented diplomacy, and oppose ideology-based confrontation. We should respect each other as equals, and help each other succeed with an inclusive mind.
As a large number of Global South nations are growing with a strong momentum, gone are the days when one or two major powers call the shots on everything. We should advocate an equal and orderly multipolar world, and see that all countries, regardless of their size, have their own place and role in the multipolar system. We should practice true multilateralism, oppose hegemonism and power politics, and make international relations more democratic. We should follow the principle of extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit, and make global governance more just and equitable.
On Ukraine, Wang said:
“An end to the Ukraine crisis remains elusive. The top priority is to commit to ‘no expansion of the battlefield, no escalation of fighting and no provocation by any party,’ and push for deescalation of the situation as soon as possible. China is committed to playing a constructive role, engaging in shuttle mediation and promoting talks for peace, not throwing oil on the fire or exploiting the situation for selfish gains. At this session of the General Assembly, China, Brazil and other Global South countries have jointly launched the group of Friends for Peace. Its very purpose is to uphold the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter, build consensus for a political settlement of the crisis and contribute to a prospect of peace.
The meeting of this group was chaired by the Chinese and Brazilians. 17 other ‘Global South’ countries attended the meeting.
At this meeting, Wang Yi said that:
“The ‘Friends of Peace’ platform is not about taking sides in the conflict, engaging in bloc confrontation, or replacing existing platforms. They hope to rely on the United Nations to bring together more Global South countries and send more objective, balanced and rational voices, so as to accumulate conditions and create an atmosphere for a ceasefire, an end to hostilities and the resumption of peace talks. The ‘Friends of Peace’ platform is open and welcomes the joining of more like-minded countries, in particular, Global South countries.”
He added: “China hopes that the parties involved will consider resuming peace talks at an appropriate time, meet each other halfway in their dialogue, and seek common ground while shelving differences in their negotiations, fairly discuss all peace plans, and promote the establishment of a new security architecture.”
He also called for “peaceful coexistence” and said that “it is necessary to respect the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of all countries, observe the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, value the legitimate security concerns of all countries, and ensure the legitimate living space of all ethnic groups.”
A joint communique was issued by Algeria, Bolivia, Brazil, China, Colombia, Egypt, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Mexico, South Africa, Türkiye, and Zambia.
Back to Wang’s comments at the UNGA debate. On Palestine, he said that “might must not take the place of justice.” He called for a “comprehensive ceasefire” and Palestinian statehood and full UN membership.
On Afghanistan, he said that “it is important to help Afghanistan exercise prudent governance, fight terrorism effectively, improve people’s life and reinvigorate the economy, to open up a better future for the Afghan people.”
Interestingly, at the sidelines of the UNGA, there was a meeting between China, Russia, Pakistan and Iran on Afghanistan. Wang Yi made four points at this meeting:
First, build security together. Closely track the movements of terrorist organizations entrenched in Afghanistan, strengthen intelligence exchange and sharing, and expand law enforcement and security cooperation. Fully utilize the anti-terrorism security collaboration functions of platforms such as the Foreign Ministers’ Meeting of Afghanistan’s Neighboring Countries and the SCO to jointly address risks and challenges, and ultimately achieve the goal of eradicating violent extremist groups within Afghanistan. 一要共筑安全。密切跟踪盘踞在阿富汗的恐怖组织动向，强化情报交流互享，扩大执法安全合作。充分发挥阿富汗邻国外长会、上海合作组织等机制平台的反恐安全协作功能，共同应对风险挑战，最终实现根除阿富汗境内暴恐集团的目标.
Second, implement comprehensive measures. Jointly implement the ‘Tunxi Initiative’ to support Afghanistan’s reconstruction, help Afghanistan cultivate self-development capabilities through deepening regional economic and trade investment, interconnectivity, and major project cooperation. Support the SCO in playing a greater role in Afghan issues, support the UN in coordinating the international community to stabilize and assist Afghanistan, help Afghanistan improve its humanitarian predicament, and promote reconstruction and development. 二要综合施策。共同落实好支持阿富汗重建的“屯溪倡议”，通过深化地区经贸投资、互联互通和大项目合作，帮助阿富汗培育自主发展能力。支持上合组织在阿富汗问题上发挥更大作用，支持联合国协调国际社会稳阿助阿，帮助阿富汗改善人道困局，推进重建发展.
Third, uphold justice. Make Afghanistan a platform for cooperation among all parties, not a venue for geopolitical games. US actions of cutting off aid, freezing assets, and imposing sanctions on Afghanistan are key factors preventing substantial improvement in Afghanistan’s economic and livelihood difficulties. The US should use the seized Afghan overseas assets to support Afghanistan in alleviating livelihood difficulties, developing alternative crops to drugs, and resettling returning refugees. 三要维护公道。让阿富汗成为各方合作的平台，而不是地缘博弈的场所。美国对阿富汗切断援助、冻结资产、实施制裁，是阿富汗经济民生困局无法实质改善的关键因素。美国应将扣押的阿富汗海外资产用于支持阿富汗缓解民生困难，发展禁毒替代种植，安置归国难民.
Fourth, provide positive guidance. Encourage the international community to focus on the most pressing and urgent difficulties facing Afghanistan, promote Afghanistan’s reconstruction and development in a constructive manner, and guide the Afghan governing authorities to improve and strengthen the protection of the rights of women and children in an equal and respectful way. Strengthen the exchange of governance experiences with Afghanistan in a flexible manner, encourage the Islamic world, especially Gulf countries, to exert special influence, and support Afghanistan in exploring a modernization path that aligns with the requirements of the times and the wishes of the people. 四要正面引导。推动国际社会聚焦阿富汗面临的最紧迫困难，以建设性方式推动阿富汗重建发展，以平等尊重方式引导阿执政当局改善并加强对妇女儿童权利的保护。以灵活方式同阿富汗加强治国理政经验交流，鼓励伊斯兰世界特别是海湾国家发挥特殊影响，支持阿富汗探索契合时代要求和民众意愿的现代化道路.
Back to Wang’s UNGA speech. He added “the Korean Peninsula should not experience war again. The important thing is to make persistent effort for deescalation, commit to seeking solutions through dialogue and consultation, realize a transition from the armistice to a peace mechanism, and safeguard peace and stability on the Peninsula.”
Wang also said this about Asia:
“China is deeply aware that Asia needs stability and development and opposes division and conflict. As an important origin of human civilization and a key engine of global growth, Asia has the wisdom and capability to stabilize the situation through regional cooperation and handle differences properly through dialogue and consultation. We are firmly against the meddling by countries outside the region, and will resolutely resist attempts by any force to stoke trouble and confrontation in the region.”
After this, Wang pitched GDI, GSI and GCI. He then said:
In the face of unilateral, bullying acts such as sanctions and blockade, China firmly supports countries in defending their legitimate rights, upholding the equity and openness of the international system, making global development more coordinated and beneficial for all, and jointly opposing technology blockade and rejecting decoupling or severing supply chains. Sanctions and pressure will not bring monopolistic advantages. Suppressing and containing others will not solve problems at home. The right of people of all countries to pursue a better life should not be taken away. Here, we once again urge the United States to completely lift its blockade, sanctions and terrorism-related designation against Cuba.
On environmental issues, he said: “At the global level, the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities must be upheld, and the Paris Agreement must be implemented in earnest. Developed countries should assist developing countries in building their capacity to cope with climate change. Touting the need of climate response while suppressing the green industries of others will only hold back global progress in green transition.”
On AI governance, he said: “We are working to explore and establish widely-recognized international rules and standards. China supports the U.N.’s role as the main channel for global AI governance and is committed to strengthening international cooperation on AI capacity-building”.
On human rights, he said: “China maintains that all countries’ right to independently choose their path of human rights development should be respected. No country should impose its own will on others, or arbitrarily interfere in others’ internal affairs citing human rights as an excuse.”
After this, there’s a big chunk on Taiwan:
“Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory. This is the history and the reality. Both the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation stated in explicit terms that all the territories Japan had stolen from the Chinese, such as Taiwan and the Penghu Islands, shall be restored to China, and this constitutes an important part of the post-war international order. Right here in this august hall 53 years ago, the 26th session of the U.N. General Assembly adopted Resolution 2758 with an overwhelming majority, deciding to restore all the rights of the People’s Republic of China at the U.N., to recognize the representatives of the Government of the People’s Republic of China as the only legitimate representatives of China to the U.N., and to expel forthwith the representatives of the Taiwan region from the U.N. and all the organizations related to it. Once and for all, the resolution resolved the issue of the representation of the whole of China, including Taiwan, in the U.N. It made clear that there is no such thing as ‘two Chinas,’ or ‘one China, one Taiwan.’ On this matter of principle, there is no gray zone or room for ambiguity. The complete reunification of China will be achieved. Taiwan will eventually return to the embrace of the motherland. This is the overwhelming trend of history that no one and no force can stop.”
The final bit in the speech is about how China’s modernization benefits the world.
Moving on, Wang Yi also met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. The Chinese readout says that the “two sides agreed that the meeting was candid and substantive, and that China and the United States need to find a way to live alongside one another in peace in the indefinite future…and agreed to maintain communication on international and regional hotspot issues, and hold a new round of consultations on Asia-Pacific affairs in due course.”
Wang said that: “The stabilization of China-U.S. relations serves the interests of the two peoples and meets the expectation of the international community. Whether or not this momentum can be sustained depends on the efforts of both sides. The United States should not always approach China with two faces: On the one hand encircling and suppressing China brazenly, and on the other hand, having dialogue and cooperation with China as if nothing is wrong. Since the United States has expressed multiple times that it has no intention to have conflict with China, then fundamentally, it needs to establish a rational perception of China, and find the right way to get along with it. The United States needs to carry out dialogue with respect, advance cooperation in the spirit of reciprocity, and address differences with great prudence, rather than act willfully as it sees fit from a position of strength or use previous mistakes as excuses to make more mistakes.”
“Wang Yi underscored that the intensifying ‘Taiwan independence’ activities by Lai Ching-te and others pose the greatest danger to the situation across the Taiwan Strait. ‘Taiwan independence’ and cross-Strait peace are irreconcilable. If the United States truly hopes to see peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, it should abide by the one-China principle, implement the three China-U.S. Joint Communiqués, stop arming Taiwan, publicly oppose ‘Taiwan independence’, and support the peaceful reunification of China. Wang Yi said that China is firmly opposed to U.S. suppression in trade and technology. National security should not be politicized, and ‘small yard, high fence’ should not become ‘big yard, iron curtain’. China will never accept finger-pointing by human rights preachers, still less interference in China’s internal affairs under the pretext of human rights. People-to-people exchanges between the two countries are very important, and the United States should remove obstacles with real actions. Wang Yi articulated China’s firm position on the South China Sea issue. He stressed that China remains committed to resolving differences through dialogue and consultation with countries directly concerned. The United States should not stir up trouble in the South China Sea, or undermine regional countries' efforts to safeguard peace and stability there. Wang Yi noted that China’s position on the Ukraine issue is aboveboard. It has been committed to promoting talks for peace and has been making its efforts toward peaceful settlement. The United States should stop smearing, scapegoating and arbitrarily imposing sanctions on China, and stop using this issue to create antagonism and incite camp-based confrontation.”
The State Department said that the two had “candid, substantive, and productive discussions”. It adds:
“Secretary Blinken underscored the United States’ continued concern with PRC support for Russia’s defense industrial base and war of aggression against Ukraine and made clear the need for the PRC to address Russia’s threat to transatlantic security. He emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, and raised concerns about the PRC’s dangerous and destabilizing actions in the South China Sea. Secretary Blinken reiterated that it remains a top priority to resolve the cases of American citizens who are detained or subject to exit bans in China. He also raised human rights concerns, including with respect to Xinjiang, Tibet, and Hong Kong. The Secretary discussed concerns related to technology; U.S. policy remains designed to prevent advanced U.S. technologies from being used to undermine our national security. Both sides agreed to maintain contact, including on regional and global issues.
Another important report is the one on Wang Yi’s meeting with his South Korean counterpart Cho Tae-yul. Wang told him that:
“As long as both sides adhere to the original intent of establishing diplomatic ties, remain committed to a friendly direction and pursue mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, it is believed that the China-South Korea relationship can continue to develop in a healthy and forward-looking manner. As close neighbors and important cooperation partners, China and South Korea should create favorable conditions for their respective development and the development of bilateral relations, Wang said. The deployment of U.S. intermediate-range missiles in the region undermines regional peace and stability and does not serve the interests of regional countries, Wang said, adding that war and chaos must not occur on the Korean Peninsula and maintaining peace and stability on the Peninsula is in the common interest of all parties. China will continue to mediate and promote talks, playing a constructive role in achieving long-term peace and stability on the Peninsula, he said.”
For some context, Reuters’ report informs: “The U.S. deployed the Typhon system, which can be equipped with cruise missiles capable of striking Chinese targets, this year. China has demanded its removal, and Russia has joined in condemning the first deployment of the system to the Indo-Pacific, accusing Washington of fuelling an arms race.”
Page 10: There’s a report on the PBOC and the National Financial Regulatory Administration announcing new measures (English report) to stabilize the real estate market.
The mortgage rates for first homes, second homes and more are required to be reduced no lower than 30 basis points below the loan prime rate (LPR) by Oct. 31, 2024. In principle, 18 national commercial banks need to release their plans for adjustments before Oct. 12.
The minimum down payment ratio for individuals' commercial housing mortgages will be lowered to no less than 15 percent for both first-home and second-home purchases.
The central bank will increase funding for financial institutions if they issue loans to support local state-owned enterprises to acquire completed yet unsold commercial housing at reasonable prices for use as affordable housing.
A Bloomberg report informs:
On Sunday, the trading hub of Guangzhou became the first tier-1 city to remove all restrictions, saying it will stop reviewing homebuyer eligibility and no longer limit the number of homes owned. Both Shanghai and Shenzhen said they will allow more people to purchase residences in suburban areas, as well as allow others to buy more homes. Shanghai, China’s financial hub, and Shenzhen, the southern city known for its tech industry, also announced they were lowering minimum downpayment ratios for first and second homes to 15% and 20%, respectively, in a bid to boost demand. The loosening in Shanghai and Shenzhen is slightly less than expected, while Guangzhou went further than anticipated, according to Jefferies Financial Group Inc. analysts including Shujin Chen. ‘We think the policies are unlikely to turn property prices around, but they could ease potential price declines,’ Chen wrote in a note on Monday.”
Finally, although it is not in the paper, do note this article about the Chinese, Russian coast guards jointly conducing drills and patrols in the high seas of the North Pacific Ocean. The report says:
“The operation aimed to maintain order in high-seas fisheries. During the mission, the vessels also conducted joint exercises in search and rescue, damage control and locating illegal vessels, demonstrating the strong collaborative capabilities of the two coast guards.”