Xi on Party's Internal Regulations - Zhong Sheng on Five-Eyes' HK Criticism - 2021 Foreign Policy - Huang Wei Fined - US Human Rights Criticism- 'Nothing Good Will Come Out of This': MoFA to Lithuania
Here are the stories and pieces that I found noteworthy from Tuesday, December 21, 2021, edition of the People’s Daily.
Page 1: Let’s begin with Xi Jinping’s instructions to a national meeting on the work of the Party’s internal regulations, which was held in Beijing on Monday. As per the report, Xi said that since the 18th Party Congress, “a relatively complete system of internal laws and regulations” had been put into place. He added that “remarkable achievements have been made in the construction of internal laws and regulations of the Party and new important experiences have been accumulated.”
He added that “it is necessary to enhance the consciousness and firmness of governing the Party according to regulations, keep one’s political orientation firmly in mind, improve one’s political position, shoulder political responsibilities, and continue to promote the construction of inner-party laws and regulations closely around the overall work of the party and the state. It is necessary to give full play to the important role of the Party’s internal laws and regulations in order to safeguard the centralised and unified leadership of the Party Central Committee, ensure the long-term governance of the Party and the long-term stability of the country, promote the new great project of party building in the new era and implementing the comprehensive and strict governance of the party, ensuring that the Party always has a strong leadership core in the historical process of upholding and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics, and providing a strong political guarantee for the Chinese dream of building a socialist modern country in an all-round way and realising the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.” 要增强依规治党的自觉性和坚定性，把牢政治方向，提高政治站位，扛起政治责任，紧紧围绕党和国家工作大局继续推进党内法规制度建设。要发挥好党内法规在维护党中央集中统一领导、保障党长期执政和国家长治久安方面的重大作用，在推进新时代党的建设新的伟大工程、落实全面从严治党方面的重大作用，确保党在坚持和发展中国特色社会主义的历史进程中始终成为坚强领导核心，为全面建设社会主义现代化国家、实现中华民族伟大复兴的中国梦提供坚强政治保证.
The report also says that Ding Xuexiang conveyed Xi Jinping’s instructions. PBSC member Wang Huning presided over the meeting and delivered a speech. He said that “it is necessary to fully implement Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics in the New Era.”
This is an important datapoint to keep in mind:
Next, a report about a new book being published. The book ‘Xi Jinping in Zhejiang’ uses a series of interviews of Xi’s former colleagues, cadres at different levels, business people, experts, journalists and others to depict the thought and practice of Xi in leading the province from October 2002 to March 2007. The PD report tells us that the book sheds light on Xi’s “superb ideological and theoretical achievement and strategic decision-making capacity, outstanding political leadership and organisational coordination ability, but also fully demonstrates his sincere and simple feelings for the people and his in-depth and pragmatic work style, which provides vivid teaching materials for leading cadres to thoroughly study and understand Xi Jinping Thought on socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era…” 这部采访实录，不仅集中展现了习近平高超的思想理论水平和战略决策水平、突出的政治领导能力和组织协调能力，也充分展现了他真挚朴实的为民情怀和深入务实的工作作风，为领导干部在新时代新征程上深入学习领会习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想，胸怀“国之大者”，提高政治判断力、政治领悟力、政治执行力，提高领导能力和领导水平提供了生动教材.
Next, there’s a commentary around the recent LegCo election in Hong Kong. This is the first legislative election under the “improved electoral system.” The piece says that:
“The election was held according to law, the process was smooth and orderly, and the results were legal and effective. The successful election fully demonstrates the great vitality of a democratic system with Hong Kong characteristics under ‘one country, two systems’, which is of great significance for fully implementing the principle of ‘patriots governing Hong Kong’, developing the economy, improving people’s livelihood, maintaining Hong Kong’s long-term prosperity and stability, developing democracy in line with Hong Kong’s reality and shaping a new pattern of good governance in Hong Kong.” 这是香港完善选举制度之后举行的首场立法会选举，选举依法举行、过程平稳有序、结果合法有效。选举的圆满成功，充分展现了“一国两制”下香港特色民主制度的强大活力，对于全面落实“爱国者治港”原则，发展经济改善民生、保持香港长期繁荣稳定，发展符合香港实际的民主、塑造香港良政善治新格局，具有十分重要的意义.
It later adds that the election has “demonstrated the progressive superiority of the new electoral system and taken a new important step on the road of democracy with Hong Kong characteristics.” 这次立法会选举，彰显了新选举制度的进步性优越性，在香港特色民主发展道路上迈出了新的重要一步. It adds that the new system is characterised by “broad representation, political inclusiveness, balanced participation and fair competition.” The next paragraph defends the “patriots governing Hong Kong” principle, saying that “Those who enter the administrative structure of the HKSAR must love the country and Hong Kong. No anti-China and anti-Hong Kong elements will be allowed to infiltrate the structure through any channels or means.” 进入特别行政区管治架构的人必须是爱国爱港者, 绝不容许任何一个反中乱港分子通过任何途径和方式混进特别行政区管治架构.
Next, a report (English report) about the NPC Standing Committee meeting. A bunch of laws are being deliberated at the session. More details on this are on Page 4.
The report says that the draft amendment to the Organic Law of the Local People’s Congresses and Local People’s Governments should be submitted to the fifth session of the 13th NPC after being reviewed at the current session.
The drafts below are “already mature” and so the NPC Constitution and Law Committee “suggested the current session adopt them,” adds the report.
draft anti-organised crime law
draft wetlands protection law
draft revision to the Law on Progress of Science and Technology
draft amendment to the Seed Law
draft law on the prevention and control of noise pollution
draft amendment to the Civil Procedure Law.
The following drafts are being reviewed.
draft revision to the Vocational Education Law
draft amendment to the Trade Union Law
draft revision to the Company Law
draft amendment to the Rules of Procedure for the NPC Standing Committee
draft law on protecting the black soil
draft revision to the Law on the Protection of Rights and Interests of Women
draft law on protecting the Yellow River
draft revision to the Emergency Response Law.
Finally, the report adds that lawmakers also deliberated a draft decision of the fifth session of the 13th NPC on the number of deputies to the 14th NPC and their election, two draft methods for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) and the Macao SAR to elect their deputies to the 14th NPC, and a draft revision to the decision on strengthening the oversight over economic work.
Page 2: Two reports to note. First, a circular issued by the General Office of the State Council that calls for enhancing incentives and support for local efforts in implementing major policies with noticeable results during the 14th Five-Year Plan period. The Xinhua English report says that:
“Taking the forms of funding and investment, among others, incentives will cover areas such as innovation, intellectual property rights, vocational education, foreign trade, and environmental governance. Central funds will tilt toward scientific and technological development in provincial-level regions with great progress in innovation-driven development and application of scientific and technological outcomes. Well-performing provincial-level regions will get support in building IPR protection centers, launching pilot programs for financial reform and innovation, and improving vocational education, among others. In allocating central fiscal funds, incentives will also be offered if they achieve remarkable results in protecting high-standard farmland, enhancing medical care services and boosting employment.”
Next, an interesting piece that picks up snippets of data to make the point that carbon peak and carbon neutrality are important objectives that folks are working towards.
The piece talks about the 29th study session of the Politburo, where he stressed that the realisation of the peak and neutrality targets were a solemn commitment made by China to the world. Here’s what the readout had said then:
“Peaking carbon emissions and achieving carbon neutrality are a solemn commitment to the world and also a profound economic and social transformation that is by no means easy, Xi noted. He called on Party officials and governments at all levels to set clear timetables and roadmaps to push economic and social development based on efficient use of resources and green, low-carbon growth.”
Then we get to the CEWC, which said that achieving carbon peak and carbon neutrality is an inherent requirement to promote high-quality development. This should be unswervingly promoted, but it is impossible to accomplish all the tasks at once. This is followed by the carbon peak and neutrality target-related discussion in the 14th FYP. After this, there are data points such as renewable energy expansion, the launch of the carbon market, etc., to make the point.
Page 3: Another year-end piece today covering key aspects of Chinese foreign policy. This one talks about connectivity and the Global Development Initiative. The first part of the piece basically highlights key speeches by Xi. These include his speech at the WEF, the Global Sustainable Transportation Conference, the 50th Anniversary of the PRC getting into the UN, and at the UNGA. It then discusses the GDI. Robert Lawrence Kuhn gets quoted in the piece saying that the GDI is based on “China’s great achievements” and “introduces China’s development experience and vision to the world,” providing a “blueprint for global development.”
Other key mentions in the report are the China-Pacific Island Foreign Ministers' Meeting, the China-CELAC Forum meeting, FOCAC and China-ASEAN meetings. The piece then talks about China’s poverty alleviation achievements and its contribution to global growth. The piece says that:
The data shows that China has been the biggest contributor to world economic growth for 15 consecutive years; China has actively carried out South-South cooperation, providing development assistance to 166 countries and international organizations, and providing strong support for more than 120 developing countries to implement the United Nations Millennium Development Goals. 中国积极开展南南合作，迄今已向166个国家和国际组织提供发展援助，为120多个发展中国家落实联合国千年发展目标提供有力支持.
The piece also talks about persisting with opening up, green development and high-quality BRI. The piece later says that “China cannot develop itself in isolation from the world, and the world cannot achieve peace, development, prosperity and stability without China.” 中国的发展离不开世界，世界的和平发展、繁荣稳定离不开中国. It talks about RCEP and CPTPP. It also says that “the confidence of foreign investors in China continues to increase.” To make this point, the piece talks about the Daimler R&D Tech Center, which entailed an investment of RMB. 1.1 billion; Legoland project in Shanghai; ExxonMobil’s Huizhou petrochemical complex.
Some of the key international projects/engagements that the report talks about are:
The Kunming Biodiversity Fund
Vaccine provision
The Karot Hydropower Project in Pakistan
The railway from Novi Sad to Subotica in Serbia, which is part of the Hungary-Serbia railroad project
The opening of the Stueng Trang-Kroch Chhmar Cambodia-China Friendship Bridge
While on this subject, I’ll do a quick breakdown of Wang Yi’s year-end press briefing. This was Wang’s assessment of the world:
“During the past year, the world has witnessed a persistent and unchecked pandemic, accelerating changes unseen in a century and a period of turbulence and transformation globally. Confronted by unprecedented challenges, countries around the world are looking for answers and humanity are required to make the right choice. Standing at this crossroads, we have observed two opposite trends at play. One is to revert to a Cold War mentality to deepen division and antagonism, and stoke confrontation between blocs. The other is to act by the common well-being of humanity to increase solidarity and cooperation, advocate openness and win-win results, and promote equality and respect. The tug of war between these two trends will shape the future of humanity and our planet in a profound way.”
He added that amid all this, China had chosen “cooperation over confrontation, openness over isolation, mutual benefit over zero-sum game, and equality over power politics and bullying.” Wang identifies 9 key aspects of China’s diplomacy. I am picking the bits I found interesting.
First on China’s pandemic diplomacy:
Wang says that China has practiced “effective anti-COVID diplomacy and fulfilled the responsibility of a major country.” In this, he talks about how “China has set a good example of COVID response through a “dynamic zero-COVID” strategy.”
Wang spoke about vaccine diplomacy, saying that China has stood at the “forefront of efforts for the equitable distribution of vaccines. This stood in sharp contrast with a certain country’s political manipulation that undermined global solidarity against COVID-19.”
He added: “The political attacks by a certain country under the camouflage of origins-tracing undermined global solidarity and collaboration against the pandemic, and stimulated the physical spread of the virus. Over 80 countries have written to the WHO to express their opposition to politicization of origins-tracing. More than 25 million Chinese have joined the online petition calling for the WHO to investigate the Fort Detrick bio-lab. The consensus is becoming global to reject politicization, stigmatization and the use of origins-tracing as an instrument for political maneuvering. In the end, both the coronavirus and the political virus will be defeated by humanity.” — So, he’s against politicisation, unless China is doing it.
In the next bit, he talks about China’s economic diplomacy. I am not going into details here. After this, he talks about China upholding “true multilateralism.” He says:
“people have seen the behavior of a certain country bent on building exclusive blocs under the pretext of multilateralism, imposed its own rules on the international community while calling for a ‘rules-based order’, and drawn ideological lines despite claims of not seeking ‘a new Cold War’. In response, President Xi Jinping has pointed out unequivocally that in today’s world, there is but one international system, i.e. the international system with the UN at its core; there is but one international order, i.e. the international order underpinned by international law; and there is but one set of rules, i.e. the basic norms of international relations underpinned by the UN Charter. On international, regional and bilateral occasions, we have spoken up to shatter the pretenses of false multilateralism and given voice to the common aspiration of people around the world. We have promoted efforts to reform and improve global governance in line with the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, and made new progress in making international relations more democratic. Regarding a certain country’s interference in the internal affairs of other countries in the name of democracy and human rights, and the fabrication of false narratives of democracy versus authoritarianism, we have upheld the common values of humanity, setting forth China’s success in practicing whole-process people’s democracy, and highlighting public satisfaction as the ultimate criterion for measuring democracy. We have refuted the false narratives through multilateral forums and bilateral dialogues, safeguarding the true spirit of democracy and a genuinely right understanding of what democracy is about, while revealing the hidden purpose of a self-important, ‘so-called’ superior model of democracy. Throughout this major debate about true and false democracy, it has become the call of more and more countries to oppose monopolizing the definition of democracy or dividing the world along ideological lines.”
He then talks about China’s ties with major countries:
“China and Russia have scaled new heights in their comprehensive strategic coordination for a new era…Sino-Russian strategic coordination on international and regional hot-spots has brought greater stability to a world fraught with uncertainties. The joint strength of China and Russia has become the bulwark of international fairness and justice.”
China-US ties “have explored a new mode of interactions based on mutual respect and equality….Chinese and US diplomats have had in-depth communication and interaction in Anchorage, Tianjin, Zurich and Rome, during which the Chinese side pointed out the crux and core issues of China-US relations, set clear ‘three bottom lines’ and put forward ‘two lists of key concerns’. It was emphasized that China does not recognize any country as being superior to others in the world, and that the United States should drop its old habit of wanton interference in China’s internal affairs. It was underscored that the United States must never challenge China’s path and system, never obstruct China’s development process, and never infringe on China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity…” He specifically talks about the Meng Wanzhou issue. And then adds:
“The back and forth between China and the United States over the past year shows once again that the fundamental reason for the serious difficulties and multiple challenges in the relationship lies in the strategic misjudgment by the United States regarding China and China-US relations. Some Americans, deep in their hearts, are reluctant to recognise other countries’ right to development, to accept China’s growing strength and progress, and to acknowledge that the two countries may work together for mutual benefit. They even attempted to gang up with other countries to contain and suppress China. Such wrong words and acts have undermined the interests of the two peoples, and had repercussions on world peace and stability.”
On EU ties, “China has unbending sincerity in growing relations with the EU. In the meantime, China remains firm when it comes to safeguarding its sovereignty, security and development interests. We hope that the EU will continue to maintain strategic autonomy, steer clear of obstacles, and work with China for long-term and steady progress in China-EU cooperation.”
He has a fairly positive view of China’s ties with countries in the neighbourhood, including ASEAN states, Japan, India, DPRK, etc. He then talks about South-South cooperation, including Latin American and Caribbean countries, African states, Arab states and the China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. Next, he talks about China’s diplomacy at multilateral forums. The eighth point is about “national sovereignty, security and dignity.” This includes Taiwan, Xinjiang, and Hong Kong.
“With regard to the new round of tensions across the Taiwan Straits, the crux lies in the attempt by the Taiwan authorities to seek American support for independence and the intention of the United States and a very few other countries to use the Taiwan question to contain China. The connotation of the one-China principle is at risk of being obscured or even written off. These perverse moves have changed the status quo, undermined peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits, and run counter to the international consensus and basic norms governing international relations. In response, we have issued stern warnings and taken forceful countermeasures, deterring the separatist forces for ‘Taiwan independence’.”
After all this, he adds:
“Over the past year, members of the Chinese foreign service have earnestly participated in the campaign on studying the Party’s history, continued to develop the Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy Studies Center, compiled and published a Study Outline for Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, and intensified efforts to study and implement Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, which provides the fundamental guidance for conducting major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics in the new era. The upcoming year of 2022 marks a critical year in the Chinese people’s march toward the second centenary goal. The Party will hold its 20th National Congress, which will be a most important event in the political life of the Party and the country. Members of the Chinese foreign service will rally even more closely around the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, strengthen our consciousness of the need to maintain political integrity, think in big-picture terms, follow the leadership core and keep in alignment, enhance confidence in the path, theory, system and culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics, firmly uphold General Secretary Xi Jinping’s core position in both the Party Central Committee and the Party as a whole, and firmly uphold the Party Central Committee’s authority and its centralised, unified leadership. We will keep firmly in mind what is most important for our country and endeavour to foster a more stable and favourable external environment for the great cause of the Party and the country.”
He finally outlines six priorities:
The Beijing Olympics
Managing the pandemic-related challenges
Push for the implementation of the Global Development Initiative
Pursue partnerships
Pursue steady ties with the US; he wants to “steer America’s China policy back to reason.”
Firmly safeguard China’s core interests; “we will firmly fight back against any despicable attempts to interfere in China’s internal affairs or discredit the country. China will continue to follow an independent foreign policy of peace, keep to the path of peaceful development, and pursue equality and mutually beneficial cooperation with all countries. We have never been subordinate to anyone, and we have never plundered others. In the meantime, we will never give in to any coercion or blackmail.” — Don’t expect a change in the tone and style of Chinese diplomacy, folks.
Next, a report (English report) about Liu He meeting with Swiss Federal Councillor and Finance Minister Ueli Maurer. Xinhua reports:
“noting that China-Switzerland relations offer a model of cooperation between countries featuring equality and win-win results, Liu expressed the hope that the two sides can create more ‘firsts’ in financial cooperation. While hailing the openness of China’s capital market, Maurer said Switzerland is willing to deepen cooperation in financial and other sectors on the basis of friendship and mutual respect. The two sides agreed to establish a ministerial-level working group on finance, to strengthen communication and implement work related to cooperation on sustainable finance, connectivity between stock markets, wealth management, and insurance industry supervision.”
Finally, we have a Zhong Sheng commentary lashing out at the five-eyes alliance members for their criticism of the HK LegCo election. This comes in response to the joint statement issued by the Foreign Ministers of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, and the United States Secretary of State. It says that the alliance members “are not willing to see Hong Kong fully implement the new electoral system and embark on the road to prosperity and stability.” It also criticises them for interfering in China’s internal affairs. “They regard the anti-China-Hong Kong rebels who have been sentenced or have absconded in violation of Hong Kong laws as ‘meaningful political opposition’, and the ugly behaviour of ‘Five Eyes Alliance’ is the real actions that undermines Hong Kong’s rights, freedoms and high degree of autonomy’.”
Pages 5 & 6: Hong Kong is the theme of both the pages. Page 5 basically discusses the responses to the LegCo election. On Page 6, the reports are about the new white paper on the Democratic Progress Under the Framework of One Country, Two Systems. One chapter of the paper deals with “Anti-China Agitators Undermine and Disrupt Democracy in Hong Kong.” This charges “Hong Kong agitators” of colluding “with external anti-China forces” and with “terrorism.”
Page 7: PD today carries a report (English report) about the fine imposed on Chinese internet celebrity Huang Wei, popularly known as Viya. She has been ordered to pay taxes and fines worth 1.34 billion yuan ($210.16 million) for tax evasion, Zhejiang Provincial Tax Service under the State Taxation Administration (STA) announced on Monday.
Page 9: On the theory page, there is a piece by 冷溶 - Lěng Róng. He talks about the history resolution talking about the importance of adhering to the Chinese path. He says that the Party’s history is proof of how difficult it is to identify the correct path that suits China’s national conditions. Therefore, he says that it is important to stick to the path. He later quotes Xi as having said that the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics did not drop out of the sky but emerged from Chinese soil through a long process of revolution, economic development, and reform.
Later in the piece he says that:
“Now, under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core, we are striding forward on the new journey of building a socialist modern country in an all-round way…When it comes to major issues of principle such as our path, direction and position, we need to take a clear stand and adopt a clear attitude. We must be determined and have our own ideas, and we must never lose our position or go astray. No country or nation in the world can achieve development and rejuvenation by following others’ path that does not accord with its own realities, nor can there be a fixed path that can guide all countries and nations to achieve development and rejuvenation.” 我们现在正在以习近平同志为核心的党中央坚强领导下，大步行进在全面建设社会主义现代化国家的新征程上...在道路、方向、立场等重大原则问题上，我们要旗帜鲜明、态度明确，一定要有定力、有主见，决不能自失主张、自乱阵脚。世界上没有哪一个国家和民族能够脱离本国实际，通过亦步亦趋、走别人的道路来实现自己的发展振兴，也没有一条一成不变的道路可以引导所有国家和民族实现发展振兴
Later, he adds that this does not mean that one must become complacent. “We should actively learn from all the beneficial achievements of human civilization, and welcome all useful suggestions and well-meaning criticism. However, we will never accept the ‘teacher-master’-like preaching! We should always remember that socialism with Chinese characteristics is socialism, not any other doctrine.” 我们强调坚定不移走中国特色社会主义道路，不是说要固步自封，我们要积极学习借鉴人类文明的一切有益成果，欢迎一切有益的建议和善意的批评，但我们绝不接受“教师爷”般颐指气使的说教！我们要永远记住，中国特色社会主义是社会主义，而不是其他什么主义.
Page 17: A few stories to note on the international page. First, a report (related English report) based on a new report issued by the Jilin University Human Rights Center criticising the US on the human rights front. The report is titled Global Human Rights Dilemma Under the Cloud of US Interference.
“The 18,000-word research report reveals a series of acts of brutal interference in the internal affairs of other countries throughout the history of the United States with a large number of facts, revealing the profound disaster caused by American hegemony across the world. According to the report, the United States has talked about values like freedom, human rights, and democracy. But these are simply slogans that have been used as weapons to suppress other countries and interfere in their internal affairs. This has brought many disasters to the countries concerned and polluted the concepts of freedom, democracy and human rights, which are regarded as beautiful dreams by people all over the world.” 这份全文1.8万字的研究报告，用大量事实揭露了美国历史上野蛮干涉他国内政的一系列行径，揭示了美式霸权对世界造成的深重灾难。报告指出，美国口头上宣扬“自由”“民主”“人权”等价值理念，其实不过是把这些口号当作打压别国、干涉他国内政的武器，给相关国家带来了重重灾难，更严重污染了自由、民主、人权这些世界各国人民都视为美好梦想的概念.
The report also says that the US was involved in 188 foreign military interventions from 1992 to 2017. The interventions, carried out in the name of protecting human rights and combating terrorism, have brought more severe humanitarian crises instead of improving people's livelihoods, said the report.
Second, a report on Zhao Lijian’s comments with regard to the China-Lithuania tiff. Here’s the English exchange:
Hubei Media Group: According to reports, on December 17, an official of Lithuania’s Ministry of Agriculture said that the trade dispute with China may cause Lithuania huge losses. What happened to Lithuania is a warning for other European countries that if they stand by their interests and values and refuse to follow the Chinese government’s rules, similar consequences will follow. Lithuanian manufacturers will attend the Food Taipei exhibition for the first time. If the COVID-19 situation eases next year, Lithuania’s Agriculture Minister Kęstutis Navickas may lead a business delegation to Taiwan. Do you have any comment?
Zhao Lijian: Lithuania openly created the false impression of “one China, one Taiwan” in the world, renounced the political commitment it made in the communiqué on the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Lithuania, and violated the one-China principle, a basic norm governing international relations and consensus of the international community. The move is bound to be disdained and rejected. Speaking of rules, it is right and just that national sovereignty and territorial integrity shall be inviolable. Lithuania broke faith and stood on the opposite side of what is right and just. Nothing good will come out of this. If certain people or forces in Lithuania insist on colluding with “Taiwan independence” separatist forces and going further down the dark path, they will eventually end up in the trashcan of history.
While on this, also check out this FT report: German business hits out at China after Lithuania trade row snares exports