Xi on 'Making BRICS Voice Stronger' - HuánYǔ Píng Commentary on BRICS - Anil Sooklal on BRICS Agenda - China & India's Interests at BRICS - State Council on Digital Economy - Li Meets USCBC Delegation
Here are the key reports and articles that I found noteworthy from the People’s Daily’s edition on Tuesday, August 22, 2023.
Page 1: At the top of the page is a brief report on Xi Jinping leaving for South Africa for a state visit and to attend the BRICS summit. He has landed Ahead of landing, a signed article by Xi was published in South African media. This is published in full in the paper today (English version). I am sharing some key excerpts from the article below:
Over the past 25 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, our relationship has achieved leapfrog development--from a partnership to a strategic partnership, and then to a comprehensive strategic partnership. It is one of the most vibrant bilateral relations in the developing world. Our relationship has entered a ‘golden era’, enjoying broad prospects and a promising future.”
Xi writes that he and President Ramaphosa “give each other firm support on issues involving our respective core interests and major concerns, and maintain coordination on major international and regional issues. We work together to practice true multilateralism and push for the building of a more just and equitable international order.”
“The China-South Africa relationship is standing at a new historical starting point. It has gone beyond the bilateral scope and carries increasingly important global influence. During my forthcoming visit, I look forward to working with President Ramaphosa to chart the plan for a new chapter of our comprehensive strategic partnership.”
“China and South Africa should be fellow companions sharing the same ideals…We need to increase our experience sharing on governance, and firmly support each other in independently exploring a path to modernization that suits our respective national conditions. We should fear no hegemony, and work with each other as real partners to push forward our relations amid the changing international landscape.”
“China and South Africa should be pacesetters for solidarity and cooperation. We will succeed because of our biggest strengths in high economic complementarity and the solid foundation for cooperation. We need to further synergize development strategies, promote stronger cooperation in infrastructure, digital economy, scientific and technological innovation and energy transition, and ensure that more people of our two countries will benefit from the development outcomes. China welcomes more South African products to its market, and encourages more Chinese companies to invest and do business in South Africa as an effort of support for South Africa's target to double its inbound investment over the next five-year period.”
China and South Africa should be inheritors of China-Africa friendship. We need to leverage the all-round, multi-tiered and institutionalized mechanisms for people-to-people exchanges between our two countries, and continue to advance exchanges and cooperation in culture, tourism, education, sports, media, universities, sub-national governments and the youth. We must keep the spirit of China-Africa friendship and cooperation as alive and strong as ever across the vast lands of China and Africa.
China and South Africa should be champions of our common interests. What the world needs today is peace, not conflict; what the world wants is coordination, not confrontation. China and South Africa, as natural members of the Global South, should all the more work together to appeal for greater voice and influence of developing countries in international affairs, promote accelerated reform of international financial institutions, and oppose unilateral sanctions and the ‘small yard, high fence’ approach. We should jointly safeguard our common interests.
On BRICS: “Now more and more countries are knocking on the door of BRICS, aspiring to join our cooperation. This is a testament to the vitality and influence of the BRICS cooperation mechanism. China is ready to work with fellow BRICS partners to act on the BRICS spirit of openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation, build consensus on important issues, carry forward our tradition of independent diplomacy, and resolutely uphold international equity and justice. We will urge the international community to refocus on development issues, promote a greater role by the BRICS cooperation mechanism in global governance, and make the voice of BRICS stronger.”
Finally, Xi committed: “We will convene a China-Africa Leaders' Dialogue. I will work with African leaders to bring more active, effective and sustainable development initiatives to Africa, expand cooperation in agriculture, manufacturing, new energy and digital economy, and facilitate Africa's economic integration, industrialization and agricultural modernization. China will continue to work for substantive progress in African Union's joining of the G20 this year, and looks forward to a greater role by African countries and the AU in international and regional affairs.”
Next, there’s a report on China’s trade with BRICS countries. The report says the first seven months of this year, China’s foreign trade with other BRICS countries totalled at 2.38 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 19.1%. This accounted for 10.1% of China’s total foreign trade, an increase of 1.6 percentage points.
Exports were 1.23 trillion yuan, an increase of 23.9%; imports were 1.15 trillion yuan, an increase of 14.3%.
In the first seven months, China exported 759.45 billion yuan of mechanical and electrical products to other BRICS countries, an increase of 38%. This accounted for 61.7% of China's total exports to other BRICS countries during this period
Among this, the export of lithium batteries and electric vehicles increased exponentially, with the growth rates of 129.5% and 601.3%, respectively, and the export growth rates of auto parts, household appliances and agricultural machinery all exceeded 40%.
In the same period, China exported 157.81 billion yuan of labour-intensive products to other BRICS countries, an increase of 20.5%.
据海关统计，前7月我国对其他金砖国家出口机电产品7594.5亿元，增长38%，占同期我国对其他金砖国家出口总值的61.7%。其中，锂电池、电动载人汽车出口成倍增长，增速分别为129.5%和601.3%，汽车零配件、家用电器、农业机械等出口增速均超过四成。同期，我国对其他金砖国家出口劳动密集型产品1578.1亿元，增长20.5%.
In the first seven months, China imported 422.78 billion yuan of crude oil, coal, lignite, natural gas and other energy products from other BRICS countries, an increase of 17.3%. This accounted for 36.7% of China's total imports from other BRICS countries in the same period
Imported iron ore, copper ore and other metal ores totalled around 181.19 billion yuan, an increase of 8%, accounting for 15.7% of total imports.
China also imported 270.24 billion yuan of agricultural products from other BRICS countries, an increase of 14.9%, accounting for 23.5%.
前7月，我国自其他金砖国家进口原油、煤及褐煤、天然气等能源产品4227.8亿元，增长17.3%，占同期我国自其他金砖国家进口总值的36.7%；进口铁矿砂、铜矿砂等金属矿砂1811.9亿元，增长8%，占15.7%。同期，我国自其他金砖国家进口农产品2702.4亿元，增长14.9%，占23.5%.
Next, there’s a report on Li Qiang leading the third study session of the State Council. This one focussed on facilitating the deep integration of digital technologies and the real economy. Chen Chun, an academician from the Chinese Academy of Engineering was the expert. Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, Zhang Guoqing and Liu Guozhong also delivered speeches.
After listening to them, Li said:
Since the 18th Party Congress, the Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has attached great importance to the development of the digital economy; General Secretary Xi Jinping has made a series of important expositions, which have provided guidance for the development of China’s digital economy and led it to make remarkable achievements. It is necessary to thoroughly study and implement General Secretary Xi Jinping's important thoughts on the development of the digital economy, seize the new opportunities of the new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation, promote deep integration between digital technology and the real economy, continuously strengthen, improve, and expand the digital economy, and better contribute to the overall economic recovery and empower high-quality development. 李强在听取讲座和交流发言后指出，党的十八大以来，以习近平同志为核心的党中央高度重视发展数字经济，习近平总书记作出一系列重要论述，为我国数字经济发展指明了方向，引领数字经济发展取得显著成就。要深入学习贯彻习近平总书记关于发展数字经济的重要论述，把握新一轮科技革命和产业变革新机遇，促进数字技术和实体经济深度融合，不断做强做优做大数字经济，更好助力经济总体回升向好、赋能高质量发展.
The next paragraph makes a few specific points about the direction of China’s digital economy. It is worth noting these priorities, because they inform what sort of segments within the digital economy landscape are favoured by the state. In addition, Li does point to regulatory problems and capacity limitations. I am highlighting what I believe are key messages from this.
Li Qiang pointed out that China has multiple advantages, such as a super-large-scale market, massive data resources and rich application scenarios, and there is broad space for the development of the digital economy. It is necessary to coordinate development and security, leverage our advantages and seize the opportunities, promote digital industrialization and industrial digitization in a coordinated manner, so as to continuously make new breakthroughs in the development of the digital economy.
It is necessary to unswervingly base ourselves on independent innovation, give play to the advantages of the new national system, strengthen fundamental research breakthroughs, enhance research and development in cutting-edge technologies, and fight a successful battle for key core technological advancements.
It is necessary to focus on the forefront of the digital industrialization strategy, vigorously develop the core industries of the digital economy, promote the growth of digital industry clusters, harness the leading role of flagship enterprises to drive progress, and encourage collaboration among large, medium, and small enterprises.
Based on the characteristics and differentiated needs of different sectors, we should grasp the direction of digitalization, networking and intelligence, use digital technology to carry out all-round and full-chain transformation of traditional industries, promote the digitalization of manufacturing, services and agriculture, and reduce the cost of digital transformation for small and medium-sized enterprises.
It is necessary to continue to appropriately advance the construction of digital infrastructure, innovate the mechanism for the development and utilisation of data elements, strengthen talent cultivation (training) and recruitment and the improvement of the professional quality of officials in order to consolidate the basic support capacity for the development of the digital economy.
李强指出，我国具有超大规模市场、海量数据资源、丰富应用场景等多重优势，数字经济发展具有广阔空间，要统筹发展和安全，发挥优势、乘势而上，协同推进数字产业化和产业数字化，推动数字经济发展不断取得新突破。要坚定不移立足自主创新，发挥新型举国体制等优势，强化基础研究攻关，加强前沿技术研发，打好关键核心技术攻坚战。要聚焦数字产业化战略前沿，大力发展数字经济核心产业，推动数字产业集群发展，发挥领军企业龙头带动作用，促进大中小企业协作。要立足不同产业特点和差异化需求，把握数字化、网络化、智能化方向，利用数字技术对传统产业进行全方位、全链条改造，推动制造业、服务业、农业等产业数字化，降低中小企业数字化转型成本。要继续适度超前推进数字基础设施建设，创新数据要素开发利用机制，加强人才培养引进和干部专业素质提升，夯实数字经济发展的基础支撑能力。
The final paragraph deals with regulation.
Li Qiang pointed out that the development of the digital economy is inseparable from a good environment. It is necessary to strengthen the systems perspective, strengthen cross-departmental coordination and vertical linkage, gather the joint efforts of all parties, and accelerate the implementation of major tasks and major projects. It is necessary to persist in promoting development and regulatory norms, uphold an inclusive and prudent regulatory attitude, improve the level of standardised supervision, especially enhance the predictability of supervision, improve laws, regulations and policy systems, and constantly improve the digital economy governance system. It is necessary to actively explore new models of cross-border data management and actively participate in international cooperation in the digital economy. 李强指出，数字经济发展离不开良好的环境。要强化系统观念，加强跨部门协同和上下联动，汇聚各方合力，加快推动重大任务和重大工程落地。要坚持促进发展和监管规范两手抓，秉持包容审慎监管态度，提高常态化监管水平特别是增强监管的可预期性，健全法律法规和政策制度，不断完善数字经济治理体系。要积极探索跨境数据管理新模式，主动参与数字经济国际合作.
Moving on, there’s a report informing that the NPCSC has scheduled its next session from August 28 to September 1. Xinhua reports:
“lawmakers at the session will review draft revisions to the administrative reconsideration law and the company law, a draft law on foreign countries' state immunity and a draft law on value-added tax, as well as a draft amendment to the civil procedure law. The NPC Standing Committee session is also expected to review bills on draft laws on preschool education and on academic degrees respectively, a bill on a draft revision to the law on public security administrative penalties, and a bill on a draft decision regarding extending the authorization for the State Council to carry out a pilot program that enables law practitioners from Hong Kong and Macao to practice law in certain cities on the mainland. The legislators will also review a bill on the ratification of an extradition treaty with Ecuador. Other documents to be submitted at the session include reports on the implementation of the national economic and social development plan and on the implementation of this year's budget.”
Page 2: There’s a HuánYǔ Píng commentary on the upcoming BRICS summit. The commentary says that:
“From August 22nd to 24th, the 15th meeting of BRICS leaders will be held in South Africa. During the meeting, BRICS leaders will discuss issues such as strengthening BRICS cooperation and the ‘expansion’ of BRICS cooperation mechanism. South Africa has also invited dozens of African countries and other emerging market and developing country leaders to attend the relevant meetings. With an increasing number of countries applying to join the BRICS cooperation mechanism, leaders from emerging market countries and developing nations will engage in discussions on a wide range of issues during this summit. This clearly demonstrates that the BRICS cooperation mechanism has gained widespread recognition and support, and its influence and appeal are growing. At a time when the world is experiencing profound changes unseen in a century, emerging market countries and developing nations are playing an increasingly important role in global governance.” 8月22日至24日，金砖国家领导人第十五次会晤将在南非举行。此次会晤期间，金砖国家领导人将围绕加强金砖合作与金砖合作机制“扩容”等议题展开讨论，南非还邀请了数十位非洲国家及其他新兴市场国家和发展中国家领导人出席相关会议。越来越多国家申请加入金砖合作机制，新兴市场国家和发展中国家领导人将在此次会晤期间就广泛议题展开讨论，充分说明金砖合作机制得到了广泛认同和支持，影响力和吸引力越来越大。在世界百年未有之大变局加速演进的当下，新兴市场国家和发展中国家在全球治理中日益发挥重要作用.
Section one of the article begins by quoting South Africa’s Anil Sooklal as saying that more than 40 countries have expressed a desire to join the BRICS; out of these, more than 20 countries have formally submitted applications to join.
“The BRICS mechanism emerged amid the historical tide of the rise of emerging market economies and developing countries, representing the forward direction of the evolution and adjustment of the global landscape and international order. In the past 17 years, the BRICS countries have followed the trend, adhered to the BRICS spirit of openness, inclusiveness, and win-win cooperation. They have strengthened unity and cooperation, advocated fairness and justice, sought common development, leading to a continuous expansion of their influence. At present, the international situation is marked by turbulence, with a rise in anti-globalization sentiments, unilateralism and protectionism are obviously rising, the recovery of the world economy is weak, local conflicts and unrest are frequent, global governance problems such as energy, food and climate are linked with regional security risks, and the peace, development, security and governance deficits are aggravated. ‘The BRICS countries are attracting those who seek peace and cooperation in the world’. The words of Venezuelan President Maduro have revealed the important reasons why many countries want to join the BRICS cooperation mechanism.” 金砖国家诞生于新兴市场国家和发展中国家群体性崛起的历史大潮之中，代表了世界格局和国际秩序演变调整的前进方向。17年来，金砖国家顺势而为，秉持开放包容、合作共赢的金砖精神，加强团结合作，倡导公平正义，谋求共同发展，影响力不断扩大。当前，国际局势动荡不安，逆全球化思潮抬头，单边主义、保护主义明显上升，世界经济复苏乏力，局部冲突和动荡频发，能源、粮食、气候等全球治理难题与地区安全风险联动，和平赤字、发展赤字、安全赤字、治理赤字加重。“金砖国家正吸引着那些在世界上寻求和平与合作的人们。”委内瑞拉总统马杜罗的话，道出了许多国家希望加入金砖合作机制的重要原因.
“BRICS cooperation has always been guided by the principles of openness, inclusiveness, and win-win cooperation, and it is open to all emerging markets and developing countries that wish to maintain independence and desire development. The 5th BRICS Summit held in Durban, South Africa in 2013 invited African leaders to participate in dialogues. The 6th BRICS Summit held in Fortaleza, Brazil in 2014 invited leaders from South American countries to engage in dialogue. During the 7th BRICS Summit held in Ufa, Russia in 2015, dialogues were held between BRICS leaders and leaders from the Eurasian Economic Union, Shanghai Cooperation Organization member states, observer states, and invited nations. The 8th BRICS Summit held in Goa, India in 2016 hosted a dialogue between BRICS leaders and leaders from BIMSTEC countries. At the Xiamen Summit of BRICS leaders in 2017, China innovatively proposed the ‘BRICS+’ cooperation model, which established a new cooperation platform for developing countries to unite, cooperate and develop together. BRICS cooperation is not an exclusive ‘small circle’, and last year, it formally initiated a new round of expansion.” 金砖合作始终以开放包容、合作共赢为导向，对所有希望保持独立、渴望发展的新兴市场国家和发展中国家敞开大门。2013年在南非德班举行的金砖国家领导人第五次会晤邀请非洲国家领导人参与对话；2014年在巴西福塔莱萨举行的金砖国家领导人第六次会晤邀请南美国家领导人参与对话；2015年在俄罗斯乌法举行的金砖国家领导人第七次会晤期间，举行金砖国家同欧亚经济联盟、上海合作组织成员国、观察员国及受邀国领导人对话会；2016年在印度果阿举行的金砖国家领导人第八次会晤期间，举行金砖国家领导人同“环孟加拉湾多领域经济技术合作倡议”成员国领导人对话会。2017年在金砖国家领导人厦门会晤上，中方创新性地提出“金砖+”合作模式，为广大发展中国家团结合作、共同发展搭建了新型合作平台。金砖合作不搞封闭的“小圈子”，去年已正式启动新一轮扩员进程。
“BRICS cooperation is an innovation that transcends the conventional approach of political and military alliances, establishing a new relationship of partnership rather than alliances. It transcends the old thinking of drawing lines based on ideology and instead follows a new path of mutual respect and common progress. It breaks free from the old notion of zero-sum competition, embracing a new philosophy of mutual benefit and win-win cooperation. BRICS countries have become a model for emerging market countries and developing countries to carry out South-South cooperation and achieve unity and self-improvement. According to Spain's EFE News Agency, the success and accomplishments of the BRICS countries are not based on the ability to make other countries serve their interests. The decisive role of BRICS countries in forming the main agenda of the world will make the world more just and stable, and the call for clear support from BRICS countries will only grow stronger.” 金砖合作是一个创新，超越了政治和军事结盟的老套路，建立了结伴不结盟的新关系；超越了以意识形态划线的老思维，走出了相互尊重、共同进步的新道路；超越了你输我赢、赢者通吃的老观念，实践了互惠互利、合作共赢的新理念。金砖国家已成为新兴市场国家和发展中国家开展南南合作、实现联合自强的典范。西班牙埃菲社认为，金砖国家的成功和成就不依靠让其他国家为自己利益服务的能力，金砖国家对形成全球主要议事日程的决定性作用将使世界变得更加公正和稳定，寻求金砖国家明确支持的呼声只会加大。
The second section of the article says BRICS has become a platform for developing countries to discuss and cooperate in many fields, such as politics, economy, finance, development, and culture. It mentions data from Acorn Macro Consulting that BRICS has surpassed G7 in terms of GDP calculated on purchasing power parity basis. As per the data, the BRICS nations now contribute nearly 31.5% of global GDP, surpassing G7 countries’ contribution of 30.7%. “The macroeconomic stability of the BRICS countries has laid an important foundation for the continued increase in the attractiveness of the BRICS cooperation mechanism.” 金砖合作快速发展的基础，是金砖国家经济实力的不断增强。英国经济研究机构橡果宏观咨询公司公布的一项统计数据显示，2022年，按购买力平价计算，金砖国家占世界经济总量的比重达到31.5%，超过七国集团的30.7%，预计到2025年二者的差距将进一步扩大。金砖国家宏观经济稳定为金砖合作机制吸引力持续增强奠定了重要基础.
BRICS countries insist on promoting economic recovery. The intertwining impacts of the COVID-19 epidemic and Ukrainian crisis have led to disruptions in global supply chains, continuous increases in commodity prices, and increased vulnerability of the international monetary and financial system. By continuing to promote cooperation in fields such as currency and finance, trade and investment, and energy resources, and continuously expanding cooperation in fields such as supply chains, logistics chains, agriculture and food security, local currency settlement, and cross-border payments, the BRICS countries have made important contributions to global economic growth. 金砖国家坚持推动经济复苏。新冠疫情和乌克兰危机影响交织叠加，导致全球产业链供应链紊乱、大宗商品价格持续上涨、国际货币金融体系更加脆弱。通过持续推进货币金融、贸易投资、能源资源等领域合作，不断拓展供应链、物流链、农业和粮食安全、本币结算和跨境支付等领域合作，金砖国家为全球经济增长作出重要贡献.
The BRICS countries insist on focusing on common development. At present, the global development process has been severely impacted, the momentum of international development cooperation has weakened, the development gap between the North and the South has further widened, and the global implementation of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development has been hit hard. The BRICS countries regard global development as the focus of cooperation, resolutely defend the interests of developing countries under multilateral frameworks such as the G20 and the World Trade Organization, and make unremitting efforts to promote the implementation of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. 金砖国家坚持聚焦共同发展。当前，全球发展进程遭受严重冲击，国际发展合作动能减弱，南北发展差距进一步扩大，联合国2030年可持续发展议程的全球落实受到重创。金砖国家将全球发展作为合作重点，在二十国集团、世界贸易组织等多边框架下坚决捍卫发展中国家利益，为推进落实联合国2030年可持续发展议程做出不懈努力。
BRICS countries insist on pursuing innovation. Social informatization has become the trend of the times, and a new round of scientific and technological revolution represented by artificial intelligence is in the ascendant. The BRICS countries are actively building a new industrial revolution partnership and strengthening cooperation in the fields of future networks, industrial Internet and digital manufacturing, digital transformation of manufacturing, and standardization. Following closely the development trend of the digital economy, the BRICS countries formulated the ‘BRICS Economic Partnership Strategy’ twice, continued to promote cooperation in education, technology and other fields, and created a talent pool for sustainable development and innovative cooperation. 金砖国家坚持追求开拓创新。社会信息化成为时代潮流，以人工智能为代表的新一轮科技革命方兴未艾。金砖国家积极打造新工业革命伙伴关系，加强在未来网络、工业互联网与数字制造、制造业数字化转型、标准化等领域合作。金砖国家紧跟数字经济发展趋势，先后两次制定《金砖国家经济伙伴战略》，持续推动在教育、科技等领域合作，为可持续发展和创新合作打造人才库.
Faced with turbulence and adversity, the BRICS countries are working together to construct a more comprehensive, close, pragmatic, and inclusive high-quality partnership, consistently enhancing the reputation of BRICS cooperation. According to Russian political analyst Timur Fomenko, the strategic significance of BRICS cooperation is growing because it represents the collaboration of the ‘Global South’ countries in shaping a non-Western dominated future economy. 面对惊涛骇浪、风吹雨打，金砖国家携手构建更加全面、紧密、务实、包容的高质量伙伴关系，不断擦亮金砖合作的“金字招牌”。俄罗斯政治分析师铁木尔·福缅科认为，金砖合作的战略意义与日俱增，主要是因为它代表着“全球南方”国家在塑造非西方主导的未来经济方面所进行的合作。
The third and final section says that the growth and development of the BRICS countries has driven the adjustment of the international structure and is fundamentally changing the political and economic landscape of the world. 金砖国家的发展壮大带动了国际格局调整，正在从根本上改变世界政治经济版图.
“At present, the reform of the global governance system is at a historical turning point. The vast number of emerging market countries and developing countries have developed rapidly and their international influence is continuously increasing. In the face of increasing global challenges, the western-led international order characterized by ‘post-colonial rule, double standards and ignoring the concerns of developing countries’ has not really met the common needs of the vast number of emerging market countries and developing countries for peace, development and cooperation. The so-called ‘rules-based international order’ pushed by some Western powers has become a stumbling block to world economic development and social progress. The BRICS countries adhere to genuine multilateralism, and adopt the principle of equality and consensus in making decisions. As a significant achievement of BRICS cooperation, the five founding members of the New Development Bank share equity equally and have equal voting rights, offering a new model for the governance of multilateral development financial institutions. In considering the development a new reserve currency based on a basket of member countries' currencies, initiating a new round of BRICS expansion in due course, and agreeing to invite non-BRICS countries to engage in discussions on digital economy issues, BRICS countries have made important contributions to promoting the development of the international order in a more just and reasonable direction. 当前，全球治理体制变革正处在历史转折点上。广大新兴市场国家和发展中国家快速发展，国际影响力不断增强。面对日益增多的全球性挑战，以“后殖民统治、双重标准和忽视发展中国家的关切”为特点的西方主导的国际秩序，没有真正契合广大新兴市场国家和发展中国家谋和平、求发展、促合作的共同需求。一些西方大国强推所谓“基于规则的国际秩序”，更是成为阻碍世界经济发展和社会进步的绊脚石。金砖国家坚持真正的多边主义，采取平等和协商一致的原则进行决策。作为金砖国家合作的代表性成果，新开发银行的五个创始成员国平均分配股权，拥有平等的投票权，为多边开发金融机构治理模式提供了一种新的选择。考虑开发基于成员国一篮子货币的新储备货币，适时启动金砖国家新一轮扩员进程，同意邀请非金砖国家参与数字经济议题讨论……金砖国家为推动国际秩序朝着更加公正合理的方向发展作出了重要贡献.
“The BRICS countries actively promote the reform of the global governance system and are committed to enhancing the representation and voice of emerging market countries and developing countries. In response to emerging traditional and non-traditional security threats, the BRICS countries have supported each other on issues concerning each other's core interests through dialogue rather than confrontation. In a series of global multilateral mechanisms such as the United Nations, the G20, the World Trade Organization, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, BRICS countries have actively strengthened policy communication and position coordination, issued a ‘BRICS voice’ and put forward a ‘BRICS solutions’ to promote the reform of the current international system in a constructive way. ‘The most important thing is that BRICS countries defend multi-polarization and multilateralism.’ Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel said that by defending multilateralism, the BRICS countries are offering the possibility of establishing a more fair and just global international economic order that benefits the world. BRICS is the most important platform for unity and cooperation among developing countries, serving as the core mechanism representing countries from the Global South and embodying the earnest expectations of numerous developing nations. Under the new situation, the BRICS countries should stand on the right side of history, stand on the side of the progress of human civilization, open their doors for development, open their arms to promote cooperation, run the BRICS cooperation mechanism well, make new contributions to promoting world multipolarization, economic globalization and democratization of international relations, allowing the world to hear more of the BRICS voice and witness the greater impact of BRICS actions.” 金砖国家积极推动全球治理体系改革，致力于提升新兴市场国家和发展中国家的代表性和发言权。为应对层出不穷的传统和非传统安全威胁，金砖国家在涉及彼此核心利益的问题上相互支持，对话而不对抗。在联合国、二十国集团、世界贸易组织、国际货币基金组织和世界银行等一系列全球性多边机制中，金砖国家积极加强政策沟通和立场协调，发出“金砖声音”，提出“金砖方案”，以建设性方式推动现行国际体系改革。“最重要的是，金砖国家捍卫多极化和多边主义。”古巴国家主席米格尔·迪亚斯—卡内尔表示，通过捍卫多边主义，金砖国家正在为建立一个更公平公正、有利于全球的国际经济秩序提供可能性。金砖合作是发展中国家团结合作的最重要平台，是代表南方国家的最核心机制，寄托着广大发展中国家的殷切期待。新形势下，金砖国家更要站在历史正确的一边，站在人类文明进步的一边，敞开大门谋发展、张开怀抱促合作，把金砖合作机制办好，为推进世界多极化、经济全球化和国际关系民主化作出新的贡献，让世界听到更多的金砖声音、见证更大的金砖作用.
Page 3: There’s a consolidated report on two meetings by Li Qiang. First, Li met with a delegation from the US-China Business Council (USCBC) led by Marc Casper. Xinhua reports, Li said that:
“China is willing to work with the United States in undertaking their responsibilities as major countries, jointly upholding international trade rules, and ensuring the stability of global industrial and supply chains…Li said that China and the United States, respectively as the world's largest developing country and largest developed country, enjoy economic complementarity far more than competition. He added that the essence of the economic relationship between the two countries is win-win cooperation, and maintaining economic and trade cooperation and economic ties serves the interests of both sides. The premier said the China-U.S. relations and economic and trade cooperation are facing certain difficulties at present, which requires both sides to show sincerity, meet each other halfway, and make joint efforts. China and the United States can certainly achieve common development and work together to make greater contributions to a better future for humanity, Li said. China will open its door even greater to the outside world. As the country is making headway in high-quality development and Chinese modernization, its massive market is blessed with huge potential and opportunities for growth, he said. He noted that China will continue expanding its market access, optimizing its business environment, ensuring that foreign-funded enterprises receive treatment equal to domestic firms, promoting fair competition, and protecting the property rights of enterprises and the rights and interests of entrepreneurs. While congratulating USCBC on its 50th anniversary, Li spoke highly of the contributions it has made to improving China-U.S. trade cooperation, developing bilateral ties, and enhancing people's well-being in the two countries.”
Second, Li met with Dhanin Chearavanont, senior chairman of Thailand's Charoen Pokphand Group. Xinhua reports:
Li said that “China listens to foreign companies' demands and suggestions on a regular basis and has actively helped solve their difficulties and problems. Li said overseas Chinese and Chinese businessmen have made important contributions to China's reform and opening-up. At present, China is focusing on promoting high-quality development, advancing Chinese modernization, and continuing to build a market-oriented, law-based and internationalized first-class business environment, the premier said. China welcomes Charoen Pokphand Group, overseas Chinese businessmen and enterprises from all over the world to actively invest in China and share development opportunities, Li said.”
Next, there’s a report on Zhao Leji meeting with Rustam Emomali, chairman of the National Assembly of Tajikistan. Xinhua reports:
“China stands ready to work with Tajikistan to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, strengthen strategic mutual trust, deepen practical cooperation, enhance people-to-people exchanges, safeguard common security, advance international coordination, and advance bilateral relations, Zhao said. He added that China thanks Tajikistan for its long-standing firm support on issues concerning China's core interests and major concerns, including Taiwan, Xinjiang, Hong Kong, and human rights, and will continue to support Tajikistan in pursuing a development path suited to its national conditions. Zhao said that China and Tajikistan achieved fruitful results on the Belt and Road cooperation, and, in recent years, the two sides have overcome the adverse impact of the epidemic and shown strong resilience and vitality in economic and trade cooperation. ‘We hope to deepen cooperation in traditional fields such as the economy, trade, investment, connectivity, and agriculture and open up cooperation in innovative areas such as the digital economy and artificial intelligence,’ he said. He called on the two sides to run Confucius Institutes and Luban Workshops well, promote local cooperation, consolidate popular support for lasting friendship, deepen cooperation on combating the ‘three forces’ and drug crimes, and jointly safeguard regional peace and stability. The NPC of China is willing to work with the National Assembly of Tajikistan to strengthen exchanges at all levels and deepen cooperation on legislation and supervision to provide a solid legal guarantee for the development of bilateral relations, Zhao said, calling on the two sides to strengthen communication and coordination in international and regional parliamentary organizations to safeguard the common interests of developing countries.”
Page 17: Two interesting articles around the BRICS summit to cover from this page. First, there’s an article by South Africa’s Anil Sooklal. He writes that:
“The BRICS cooperation mechanism has become an important platform for emerging market countries and developing countries to unite and strengthen themselves, and promote the improvement of global governance in various fields such as politics, economy, finance, and environment. The BRICS cooperation mechanism is inclusive, and the BRICS ‘circle of friends’ continues to expand. At present, more than 40 countries hope to join the BRICS cooperation mechanism, of which more than 20 countries have formally submitted applications to join. The BRICS cooperation mechanism continues to develop and grow, mainly because the overall strength of the vast number of emerging market countries and developing countries continues to grow, and they have a relatively consistent vision of cooperative development. Many emerging market countries and developing countries are optimistic about the BRICS cooperation mechanism, and hope to use this platform to pool strength, voice collective opinions, coordinate actions, and exert a more significant impact on global affairs.” 金砖合作机制具有包容性，金砖“朋友圈”不断扩大。目前已有超过40个国家希望加入金砖合作机制，其中有20多个国家已正式提出了加入申请。金砖合作机制不断发展壮大，主要原因是广大新兴市场国家和发展中国家整体实力不断增长，拥有相对一致的合作发展愿景。众多新兴市场国家和发展中国家看好金砖合作机制，希望借助这一平台凝聚力量，发出集体声音并协调行动，对世界事务产生更重要的影响.
Since the end of World War II, the global governance system has long been plagued by injustice, clearly benefiting developed countries. With the rise of emerging market countries and developing countries, especially China's growth into the world's second largest economy, the global governance system is bound to undergo profound changes. The establishment and continuous development of the BRICS cooperation mechanism has provided an important platform for enhancing the influence of emerging market countries and developing countries, promoting world multi-polarization and establishing a more just and fair international order. Through innovative initiatives such as the establishment of the New Development Bank and the Contingent Reserve Arrangement, BRICS countries have promoted economic development and financial reform, blazing a new trail for strengthening global governance with a focus on enhancing inclusiveness, equity and promoting common development and prosperity. 二战结束以来，全球治理体系长期存在不公正问题，明显有利于发达国家。随着新兴市场国家和发展中国家群体性崛起，特别是中国成长为世界第二大经济体，全球治理体系必将发生深刻变化。金砖合作机制成立并不断发展，为提升新兴市场国家和发展中国家影响力，推进世界多极化，建立更加公正合理的国际秩序提供了重要平台。金砖国家通过建立新开发银行、应急储备安排等创新举措，推动经济发展和金融改革，为加强全球治理开辟了一条新道路，其重点是增强包容性、公平性，促进共同发展繁荣.
The changes that are taking place in the world today are both positive and negative. For example, quiet but structural geopolitical shifts are taking place in the Middle East, with Saudi Arabia’s relations with Iran and Syria turning around, with the related processes being promoted by China and Russia, respectively. If this positive trend can be sustained, the security situation in the entire Middle East will be improved, and regional peace and stability will be strengthened. At the same time, the Russia-Ukraine conflict has not only caused immeasurable losses to both parties, but also resulted in food and energy shortages. These have had a negative impact on the countries of the ‘Global South’. The Western countries headed by the US have repeatedly forced these countries to choose sides. However, the vast majority of countries in the ‘Global South’ have refused to do so, arguing that the world should not return to the Cold War era. 当今世界正在发生的变化，既有积极的，也有消极的。例如，中东地区正在发生平静但结构性的地缘政治转变，沙特阿拉伯同伊朗、叙利亚的关系出现了转圜，相关进程分别得到中国和俄罗斯的推动。如果这种积极态势能够持续，整个中东的安全状况将得到改善，地区和平稳定将得到加强。与此同时，俄乌冲突不仅给双方造成了不可估量的损失，而且造成了粮食和能源短缺，对“全球南方”国家产生了负面影响，以美国为首的西方国家却一再强迫“全球南方”国家选边站队。绝大多数“全球南方”国家拒绝选边站队，认为世界不应重回冷战时代.
He ends by saying that the BRICS summit will be a significant event advocating unity and development.
Second, there’s an article by Ma Jia, Chargé d'Affaires of the Chinese Embassy in India. Ma writes that the “BRICS countries have become an important constructive force in promoting global economic growth, improving global governance, and promoting the democratization of international relations.” 金砖国家已成为促进世界经济增长、完善全球治理、推动国际关系民主化的重要建设性力量.
In the following paragraph, she makes the following points:
Ma talks about BRICS’ focus on “common development”. In this context, she plugs GDI. “As of June this year, half of the 32 practical measures listed in the ‘Outcome List of the High-level Dialogue on Global Development’ have been fully implemented or achieved early results. The total number of practical cooperation projects in the Global Development Initiative Project Repository has exceeded 100, benefiting nearly 40 developing countries.” 截至今年6月，《全球发展高层对话会成果清单》中的32项务实举措已有一半实施完成或取得早期成果，全球发展倡议项目库务实合作项目总数突破100个，近40个发展中国家从中受益。
BRICS “oppose unilateralism and hegemony and seek the ‘common denominator’ of universal security.” In this context, she plugs GSI: “In April 2022, President Xi Jinping put forward the GSI, advocating a common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security concept, and embarking on a new security path featuring dialogue rather than confrontation, partnership rather than alliance, and win-win rather than zero-sum. Against the backdrop of the impact of power politics and unilateralism and hegemony on multilateralism, the 14th BRICS Leaders' Meeting adopted and issued the Beijing Declaration, expressing common positions on supporting multilateralism and improving the global governance system, putting forward BRICS proposals for safeguarding world peace, and sending out a strong BRICS voice for safeguarding international fairness and justice. 2022年4月，习近平主席提出全球安全倡议，倡导坚持共同、综合、合作、可持续的安全观，走出一条对话而不对抗、结伴而不结盟、共赢而非零和的新型安全之路。在多边主义面临强权政治、单边霸权冲击的背景下，金砖国家领导人第十四次会晤通过并发表《金砖国家领导人第十四次会晤北京宣言》，就支持多边主义、完善全球治理体系等表明共同立场，为维护世界和平提出金砖主张，发出捍卫国际公平正义的金砖强音.
The third point she makes is about BRICS expanding its “circle of friends.” She says: “In 2022, the leaders of the five countries reached an important consensus on the expansion of the BRICS. The BRICS cooperation mechanism is an important channel for emerging market countries and developing countries to carry out strategic communication. It is expected that at the upcoming 15th meeting of BRICS leaders, the BRICS expansion will make new positive progress and further enhance the representation and voice of emerging market countries and developing countries.” 2022年，五国领导人就金砖扩员问题达成重要共识。金砖合作机制是新兴市场国家和发展中国家开展战略沟通的重要渠道，期待在即将举行的金砖国家领导人第十五次会晤上，金砖扩员取得新的积极进展，进一步提升新兴市场国家和发展中国家的代表性和发言权.
“China and India share extensive common interests in safeguarding the rights and interests of developing countries, promoting South-South cooperation, and addressing global challenges such as climate change. China is willing to work with developing countries, including India, to promote the healthy and vigorous development of the BRICS cooperation mechanism, more effectively safeguard the common interests of emerging market countries and developing countries, and more effectively promote the process of world multi-polarization and democratization of international relations. China will continue to work closely with all parties to promote the implementation of GDI, GSI and GCI, so as to make the pie of cooperation bigger and bigger, make the forces of progress stronger and stronger, and make greater contributions to the construction of a community of shared future for mankind.” 中印两国在维护发展中国家权益、推进南南合作、应对气候变化等全球性挑战方面有着广泛共同利益。中国愿同包括印度在内的广大发展中国家一道，推动金砖合作机制健康蓬勃发展，更有力地维护新兴市场国家和发展中国家共同利益，更有效推动世界多极化和国际关系民主化进程。中国将继续同各方密切合作，推动落实全球发展倡议、全球安全倡议、全球文明倡议，让合作的蛋糕越做越大，让进步的力量越聚越强，为推动构建人类命运共同体作出更大贡献。(Comment: This is a very interesting article since India has not at all endorsed these major initiatives by Xi Jinping. India did participate in the high-level dialogue on global development. But it has not commented on GSI or GCI and neither has there been any public endorsement of the GDI.)