Xi on Tech Self-Reliance & Zero-Covid - Two Establishments Provide Guarantee for Self-Revolution - Xuānyán Article on Party's Mission - Yang Jiechi in Pakistan - CPC Membership at 96.71 million

Here are the stories and pieces that I found noteworthy in the Thursday, June 30, 2022, edition of the People’s Daily.

Page 1: The lead story on the page is about Xi Jinping’s inspection of Wuhan. He was accompanied by Hubei’s Party Secretary Wang Menghui, Hubei Governor Wang Zhonglin and Ding Xuexiang. The big message from the visit is a reiteration of the zero-COVID policy and the call to “implement the new development concept completely, accurately and comprehensively and thoroughly implement implement the innovation-driven development strategy; strengthen technological research and development and accelerate the realisation of the country’s scientific and technological self-reliance; continuously improve China’s development independence, autonomy and security; and develop new technologies and industries, open up new fields and tracks for economic development, and form new advantages in international competition. 我们必须完整、准确、全面贯彻新发展理念，深入实施创新驱动发展战略，把科技的命脉牢牢掌握在自己手中，在科技自立自强上取得更大进展，不断提升我国发展独立性、自主性、安全性，催生更多新技术新产业，开辟经济发展的新领域新赛道，形成国际竞争新优势.

The report informs that Xi visited HGLaser Engineering Co., Ltd., a laser equipment company based in Wuhan. He noted that optoelectronic information is a high-tech industry in which China has the conditions to take the lead in achieving breakthroughs. He urged efforts to strengthen the relevant technological research and development, master more core technologies with independent intellectual property rights, expand innovation chains, and improve industrial chains. Breaking through bottlenecks in core technologies in key fields has been a pressing task, Xi said, calling for speeding up the realisation of the country's scientific and technological self-reliance.

He also emphasised that high-end manufacturing was critical for high-quality economic development, and in order to promote the transformation and upgrading of China’s manufacturing industry and build a manufacturing power, it was necessary to strengthen technology research and development, increase the rate of localisation, and hold lifeblood of science and technology in our own hands, so that the country can become truly powerful. 习近平先后走进企业激光科技馆、半导体面板激光智能装备生产车间，察看激光技术产业应用展品。习近平强调，高端制造是经济高质量发展的重要支撑。推动我国制造业转型升级，建设制造强国，必须加强技术研发，提高国产化替代率，把科技的命脉掌握在自己手中，国家才能真正强大起来.

Speaking to employees of the company, he emphasised the importance of high-quality talents. He said that the Central Committee was concerned about the growth of scientific and technological talents, and called on Party committees and governments at all levels to do their best “to create institutional mechanisms and a working and living environment that is conducive to scientific and technological innovation, so that scientific and technological workers can make contributions to the motherland and the people. 看到这里聚集了不少精英人才，大家都很年轻，充满活力，我感到很高兴。党中央十分关心科技人才成长，各级党委和政府要尽可能创造有利于科技创新的体制机制和工作生活环境，让科技工作者为祖国和人民作贡献。希望大家继续努力，取得更大成绩.

The next two paragraphs deal with Xi talking about the success of the zero-COVID policy. Xinhua English summarises it well.

“He then visited a residential community named Zhiyuan in the Wuhan East Lake High-tech Development Zone. Xi said that Wuhan has swiftly controlled several COVID-19 cluster infections over the past two years since the city won the battle against the outbreak in 2020. This shows that the epidemic response measures laid out by the CPC Central Committee are correct and effective, and must be upheld unwaveringly, Xi noted. Highlighting the importance of early detection and swift response, as well as the unity of the general public, he noted that communities are the foundation of the fight against COVID-19. Urging improvements in community-based COVID-19 prevention and control on a regular basis, Xi underscored carrying out decisive, science-based and strict measures at the community level when new infections are detected.”

And this:

“Speaking about the country’s overall fight against COVID-19, Xi said China's response measures and anti-epidemic policy have protected people's lives and health to the greatest extent. If China had adopted the ‘herd immunity’ policy or a hands-off approach, given its large population, the country would have faced unimaginable consequences, Xi said. China's dynamic zero-COVID policy was formulated by the CPC Central Committee based on the Party's nature and purpose, as well as the country's national conditions, Xi noted. ‘Even if there are some temporary impacts on the economy, we will not put people's lives and health in harm's way, and we must protect the elderly and the children in particular,’ Xi said. ‘If we make an overall evaluation, our COVID-19 response measures are the most economical and effective,’ he said. With the leadership of the Party and the grassroots foundation formed by communities, China has the capability and strength to implement the dynamic zero-COVID policy until the final victory is secured, Xi said. Noting that the pandemic is not yet over, Xi warned against any tendency to lower the guard, grow weary of the fight, or slacken prevention and control efforts. The utmost efforts must be made to promote steady and sound economic development, Xi said, urging Party committees and governments at all levels to help address people's difficulties and reduce the impact on the economy and the work and lives of the people. ‘We are confident in our ability to strike a balance between COVID-19 response and economic and social development, and strive for a relatively good performance in this year's economic development,’ Xi said. — So, he’s not talking about meeting targets but rather doing well when it comes to the economy.

Next, at the top of the page is a review story that offers a record of Xi leading the Party’s self-revolution over the years. This reiterates some of the key themes that I covered in the long article yesterday. It says that Xi has strengthened the Party’s “revolutionary forging with great political courage and a strong sense of responsibility.” It adds that Xi views the ability to engage in self-revolution as the distinctive character of the Party; he believes in taking history as the mirror, ensuring that the Party has no special interests of its own, and believes in promoting party building. 

“On the opening ceremony of the seminar on studying and implementing the spirit of the 19th Party Congress, from the prosperity and decline of the feudal dynasties of the past, to the victory and then defeat of the peasant uprisings, to the disintegration of the Soviet Union, the collapse of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, and the drastic changes in Eastern Europe, General Secretary Xi Jinping analysed the propositions left behind by the struggle against such chaos of rise and fall in ancient and modern times in China and abroad, and profoundly pointed out that the fundamental reason for this was that that ‘they could not solve your own problems’.” 在学习贯彻党的十九大精神研讨班开班式上，从历代封建王朝盛极而衰，到历次农民起义先胜后败，再到苏联解体、苏共垮台、东欧剧变，习近平总书记剖析古今中外治乱兴衰留下的命题，深刻指出其根本原因在于“解决不了自己的问题”.

The piece adds that from Xi’s perspective, self-revolution is also about “strengthening the Party’s long-term governance capacity and purity.” 

The piece then goes back to Xi’s visit to Xibaipo in July 2013. You can go through this old report to refresh yourselves on the visit. It leads with Xi calling on the Party to “ensure the colour of red China will never change.” The PD report today says that Xi had spoken about improving work styles, starting from trivial matters and making sure that cadres adhere to the eight-point central regulation. It says that:

“Work style is related to the image of the Party, and corruption erodes the Party’s body.” On November 15, 2012, soon after being elected General Secretary, when talking about corruption, Xi Jinping told the gathered journalists that “The whole party must wake up.” Just over 20 days later, Li Chuncheng, the deputy secretary of the Sichuan Provincial Party Committee, who was elected as an alternate member of the 18th Central Committee, was investigated and became the ‘first tiger’ to be taken down after the 18th Party Congress. This kicked-off an unprecedented fight against corruption. Corruption is the easiest way to subvert a regime, and anti-corruption work requires the most thorough self-revolution.” The piece then mentions Zhou Yongkang, Bo Xilai, Sun Zhengcai, and Ling Jihua; it says that from a position in which the corruption situation was “grim” the Party has today achieved an “overwhelming victory.” 作风关系着党的形象，腐败侵蚀着党的肌体。2012年11月15日，人民大会堂东大厅。面对中外记者，谈及党内存在的腐败问题，刚刚当选中共中央总书记的习近平态度鲜明：“全党必须警醒起来。”短短20余天后，当选十八届中央候补委员还未满月的四川省委副书记李春城被查，成为党的十八大后落马的“首虎”。一场力度空前的反腐败斗争拉开序幕。腐败最容易颠覆政权，反腐败需要最彻底的自我革命。查处周永康、薄熙来、孙政才、令计划等一批“大老虎”，铲除“蝇贪”“鼠害”“蛀虫”……“老虎”“苍蝇”一起打，谁也没有免罪的“丹书铁券”，谁也不是“铁帽子王”。从“形势依然严峻”，到“依然严峻复杂”，再到“压倒性态势正在形成”，及至“取得压倒性胜利”，党风廉政建设和反腐败斗争笃定前行。风雨不动安如山，赖有砥柱立中流.

It adds that in October 2017, the work report of the 18th Central Commission for Discipline Inspection adopted by the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China clearly pointed out that “the achievements of the Party’s discipline inspection work are fundamentally due to the clear-cut stand, firm stand, tenacious will and strong leadership of the Party Central Committee with comrade Xi Jinping as the core’. It was also at this conference that ‘firmly safeguarding the authority and centralised and unified leadership of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core’ was written into the Party Constitution. The whole Party has a core and the central leadership is authoritative. The ‘Two Establishments’ provides a strong political guarantee for self-revolution.” 2017年10月，党的十九大通过的十八届中央纪委工作报告中明确指出：“党的纪律检查工作取得的成绩，归其根本得益于以习近平同志为核心的党中央旗帜鲜明、立场坚定、意志品质顽强、领导坚强有力”。也正是在这次大会上，“坚定维护以习近平同志为核心的党中央权威和集中统一领导”写入党章。全党有核心，中央有权威。“两个确立”为自我革命提供了坚强的政治保障。

The piece talks about how Xi had understood that the problems facing the Party were political problems and required comprehensive and strict governance of the party, first of all, from a political point of view. Therefore, one part of the discipline work has been focussing on top leaders and the key minority. 

The final section of the piece offers a look ahead. It says that the external environment today is much more “unstable and uncertain,” the economy faces the “triple pressure of demand contraction, supply shock, and weakening expectations,” the pandemic continues to be around, and after poverty alleviation the Party now needs to focus on rural revitalisation. Amid all this, “examining oneself, the prominent problems in the party, such as ideological, political, organisational and style-related impurities, continue to exist and have not been fundamentally resolved. The ‘political microbes’ are still growing secretly. Will negative corruption and bad work style make a comeback?” The piece says that amid such concerns, it is critical to adhere to self-revolution and “stand at the forefront of the times.” It adds: “Advanced Marxist parties are not born, but are forged through constant self-revolution. Being advanced in the past does not mean being advanced today, and being advanced today does not mean being advanced forever…The risks and tests that we face will only become more complex, and we will encounter unimaginable stormy waves. The various struggles we face are not short-term but long-term, and will accompany us throughout the entire process of realising the second centenary goal…the more arduous the task and the greater the risk and test, the more it is necessary to carry forward the spirit of self-revolution.” “我们面临的风险考验只会越来越复杂，甚至会遇到难以想象的惊涛骇浪。我们面临的各种斗争不是短期的而是长期的，将伴随实现第二个百年奋斗目标全过程”“任务越繁重，风险考验越大，越要发扬自我革命精神”，习近平总书记对漫漫前路有着十分清醒的认知.

Only by continuing to regard ‘two safeguards’ as the highest political principle and fundamental political rule of the party, adhering to the Party’s political construction as the guide, and always closely uniting around the Party Central Committee with comrade Xi Jinping as the core, can we further unite the whole party and the whole country and consolidate a majestic force for national rejuvenation. 唯有继续把“两个维护”作为党的最高政治原则和根本政治规矩，坚持以党的政治建设为统领，始终紧密团结在以习近平同志为核心的党中央周围，才能进一步团结起全党全国力量，凝聚成民族复兴的磅礴伟力.

Finally, there’s a long declaration 宣言 - Xuānyán - article. This is marking the 101st anniversary of the Party on July 1. The title is: What is the Chinese Communist Party and what does the Chinese Communist Party do? 什么是中国共产党，中国共产党干什么. 

“History has proved and will continue to prove that the Communist Party of China is a party armed with Marxism, a guardian of the interests of the overwhelming majority of the people, a leader of the development direction of human society, and a party that strives for the brightest, most just, and most magnificent cause.” 历史已经证明并将继续证明，中国共产党是用马克思主义武装起来的觉悟者，是最广大人民利益的守护者，是人类社会发展方向的引领者，是最光明最正义最壮丽事业的奋斗者.

The article makes the following points:

First, belief in Marxism, socialism and communism is the political soul of the Communists and the spiritual pillar for the Communists to withstand various tests. Holding lofty and firm ideals and beliefs and striving unremittingly for them is the unique spiritual identity of the Chinese Communists. 对马克思主义的信仰，对社会主义和共产主义的信念，是共产党人的政治灵魂，是共产党人经受住各种考验的精神支柱。胸怀崇高坚定的理想信念并为之不懈奋斗，是中国共产党独特的精神标识.

Second, as a proletarian political party, the Communist Party of China has always made seeking happiness for the people and national rejuvenation as its original mission, always keeping in mind ‘for whom, on whom do we depend, and who am I’, risking lives for the people, the importance of sharing weal and woe with the people, and the party’s struggle and people’s well-being; the fate of the party and the fate of the people have long been deeply integrated. 中国共产党作为无产阶级政党，始终把为人民谋幸福、为民族谋复兴作为初心使命，始终牢记“为了谁、依靠谁、我是谁”，为人民出生入死、同人民休戚与共，党的奋斗和人民的福祉、党的命运和人民的命运早已深深融为一体. Under this, the article talks about “the historical feat of eliminating absolute poverty,” COVID containment, and says that the Party has “insisted on ensuring and improving people’s livelihood when it comes to development” and on seizing the problems and interests that matter the most to the people. In this, it lists the following:

• The adoption of the concept of lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets

• The position that houses are for living and not speculation

• Resolutely prevent capital from seeking gain at the people’s expense - 坚决防止资本与民争利.

• Carry out ‘double reduction’ to rectify problems in education sector

• Strike hard to sweep away the evil forces

坚定践行“绿水青山就是金山银山”理念，牢牢坚持“房子是用来住的”定位，坚决防止资本与民争利，下决心推行“双减”整治教育顽疾，重拳出击扫除黑恶势力...

The next paragraph says this:

“In order to make development achievements better and more equitably benefit all the people, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core emphasised the issue of common prosperity and promoted it as an important task in building a comprehensive modern socialist country. We will not only make the ‘cake’ bigger and better, but also divide the ‘cake’ well. In the process of achieving high-quality development, we will promote common prosperity, constantly create and accumulate social wealth, and constantly improve the distribution system…” 为了让发展成果更好更公平惠及全体人民，以同志为核心的党中央突出强调共同富裕问题，把它作为全面建设社会主义现代化国家的重要任务加以推进。既做大做好“蛋糕”，又切好分好“蛋糕”，在实现高质量发展中促进共同富裕，不断创造积累社会财富，不断健全完善分配制度，亿万人民创造活力不断迸发，全体人民奔跑在美好生活的大道上.

Third, the CCP “was born for the rebirth of the nation and thrived for the rejuvenation of the nation” and it is “deeply rooted in the land of China and in the soil of the nation.” It says that the CCP has continued in the vein of the 3000-year-old tradition of scholar-officials. The Party “has inherited the spiritual blood of the nation, shouldered the long-cherished wishes of countless people with lofty ideals, and fought for the future of the country and the destiny of the nation with the broadest representation, the most thorough revolution and the strongest initiative, becoming the iron backbone of the Chinese nation.” 在历史潮头挺身而出的中国共产党，承继着民族的精神血脉，肩负着无数仁人志士的期冀夙愿，更以最广泛的代表性、最彻底的革命性、最强烈的主动性，为国家的前途、民族的命运而奋斗、而斗争，成为中华民族钢铁般的脊梁.

It talks about the Century of Humiliation, adding that amid that era, “like a light, the Communist Party of China pierced the dark night of modern China and illuminated the great voyage of national rejuvenation.” 中国共产党犹如一道光，刺穿了近代中国的沉沉暗夜, 照亮了民族复兴的伟大航程.

The section then adds:

• The correct path blazed by the CPC in its century-long struggle has accumulated solid material strength for national rejuvenation. 中国共产党百年奋斗开辟的正确道路，为民族复兴蕴蓄和积累了坚实雄厚的物质力量.

• The correct path blazed by the CPC in its century-long struggle has accumulated and consolidated a powerful and remarkable institutional force for national rejuvenation. 中国共产党百年奋斗开辟的正确道路，为民族复兴构筑和夯实了强大显著的制度力量.

• The correct path blazed by the CPC's century-long struggle has activated and invigorated the spirit of self-confidence and high spirits for national rejuvenation. 中国共产党百年奋斗开辟的正确道路，为民族复兴激活和焕发了自信昂扬的精神力量.

The fourth section says that the Party has opened up a ‘new path’ for human civilisation with a ‘new version’ of independent exploration. The fifth section makes the point that self-revolution and the ability to stay at the forefront of times and innovate and purify itself is a critical feature of the Party.

Page 2: Just one report to note. There is a new book on Party history that has been published. In fact, One hundred years of the Communist Party of China - 中国共产党的一百年, is the official Party history covering the past 100 years, the report says. It also tells us why such publications matter, i.e., “historical cognition is an important basis for historical confidence.” 

The report informs that the book “adheres to the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, thoroughly implements General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important expositions on the history of the Communist Party of China, as well as the important speeches and instructions on party history and literature work, and adheres to historical materialism and correct view of party history, persists in emancipating the mind and seeking truth from facts, adheres to the unity of the principle of party spirit and scientific spirit, and integrates political, ideological, authoritative, academic and readable features.” 《中国共产党的一百年》坚持以新时代中国特色社会主义思想为指导，深入贯彻落实习近平总书记关于中国共产党历史的重要论述以及关于党史和文献工作的重要讲话和指示批示精神，坚持唯物史观和正确党史观，坚持解放思想、实事求是，坚持党性原则和科学精神相统一，集政治性、思想性、权威性、学术性、可读性于一体，是全国迄今为止公开出版的读物中，全面系统反映中国共产党历史时间跨度最长、内容最系统最完整的一部党史正史著作.

If you are interested, there’s a Q&A on the book on Page 5.

Page 4: A report on Han Zheng’s remarks at a symposium on the clean and efficient use of coal on Tuesday during his research tour to Taiyuan. Xinhua reports:

“Promoting the clean and efficient use of coal is an important way to facilitate the green and low-carbon transition of energy and achieve carbon peaking and neutrality goals, he said, adding that coal should be a ‘ballast stone’ in stabilizing the macro-economy and consumer prices and ensuring people's well-being. Han called for efforts to ensure energy supply for the summer peak of power use. After the symposium, the vice premier visited a national key laboratory on clean and efficient coal use, stressing enhancing policy support, planning and resource integration in the area. Han also underlined efforts to support traditional industries’ shift to digital and smart-tech models, develop green buildings, and strengthen the role of enterprises in innovation to make breakthroughs in key technologies and stabilize industrial and supply chains.” 

Second, we have reports with the latest membership data from the Party’s Organisation Department. The CPC had over 96.71 million at the end of 2021. This is a net increase of 3.434 million members over the 2020 figure, a 3.7% increase, and a 15.9 percent increase compared to the 2012 figure. Around 21.594 million people joined the Party since the 18th Party Congress.

Also, as of 2021, there were 4.936 million grass-roots party organisations, a net increase of 117,000 over the previous year. This includes 278,000 grass-roots party committees, 316,000 general branches and 4.342 million branches Among the Party secretaries in villages and communities, 40.8% and 77.7% respectively have at least a college degree, an increase of 14.3 and 10.3 percentage points over the previous year; those aged 35 and under accounted for 12.5% and 18.2% respectively, an increase of 4.5 and 5.0 percentage points over the previous year.

In terms of new members joining the Party in 2021, 4.383 million new individuals joined, an increase of 1.956 million over the number that joined in 2020. Among these:

• 2.311 million were in the front line of production work, accounting for 52.7%; 

• 2.115 million had college graduate degrees or higher qualifications, accounting for 48.3%; 

• 3.540 million were 35 years old and below, accounting for 80.8%.

In terms of the overall situation,

• 51.461 million party members have college graduate degrees or higher qualifications, accounting for 53.2% of the total membership, an increase of 1.3 percentage points over the previous year; 

• There are 28.431 million female party members, accounting for 29.4% of the total membership, an increase of 1.0 percentage points over the previous year; 

• There are 7.285 million ethnic minority party members, accounting for 7.5% of the total membership, an increase of 0.1 percentage point over the previous year

• Compared with data at the end of 2012, the proportion of college graduates or higher degree holders, female members and minority party members increased by 13.2, 5.6 and 0.7 percentage points respectively. 

• Workers and peasants are still the main body of Party members, accounting for 33.6% of the total.

In terms of Party study and learning, “taking the study and implementation of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as the main line, combined with the study and education of the party history and improving the education system for party members…around 1.773 million training courses were held at all levels…also the party's organisational life is today more strictly regulated, with 4.248 million party branches holding special organisational life meetings and conducting democratic appraisals of party members. 党员教育管理不断加强。以学习贯彻习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想为主线，结合开展党史学习教育，健全党员教育工作体系，深入开展讲党课和学习榜样活动，加大党员教育培训力度，各级举办培训班177.3万期，县级以上党委集中轮训基层党组织书记430.4万人次，教育质量持续提升.党的组织生活更加严格规范，424.8万个党支部召开专题组织生活会、开展民主评议党员.

The full bulletin by the Organisation Department is also published on the page. I am providing some additions to the data above from that:

Age distribution:

• 12.624 million party members are aged 30 and below, 

• 11.535 million party members aged 31 to 35, 

• 9.780 million party members aged 36 to 40, 

• 8.775 million party members aged 41 to 45, 

• 9.364 million party members aged 46 to 50, 8.776 million party members aged 51 to 55, 

• 8.648 million party members aged 56 to 60,

• 27.210 million party members aged 61 and above.

Occupation distribution:

• 6.594 million workers (skilled workers)

• 25.923 million farmers, herdsmen and fishermen

• 15.487 million professional and technical personnel in enterprises, institutions and social organisations

• 10.948 million management personnel in enterprises, institutions and social organisations, 

• 7.805 million workers in party and government organs 

• 3.052 million students

• 7.482 million other professionals

• 19.421 million retirees

Also, there are 3,198 local party committees at all levels in China. Among these:

• there are 31 provincial (regional and municipal) committees, 397 municipal (prefectural) committees and 2,770 county (city, district and banner) committees.

• Party organisations have been established in 9,034 urban streets, 29,649 townships, 114,065 communities (neighbourhood committees) and 491,129 administrative villages, with a coverage rate of over 99.9%.

• There are 745,000 grass-roots party organisations in government organs, 949,000 grass-roots party organisations in public institutions, 1.532 million grass-roots party organisations in enterprises and 171,000 grass-roots party organisations in social organisations all over the country.

If you like, you can compare all this data with what was put out last year in my post from back then.

Page 4: The lead article on the page is a Ren Zhongping feature piece written to mark the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong’s handover. This doesn’t really say anything new, compared to the pieces over the past few days, some of which I’ve covered. Among the many points made, Xi’s leadership is praise; the NSL is described as the “patron saint” of Hong Kong, as the sun dispelling darkness – it has ended the situation of turbulence and brought back peace and social stability, the piece argues; the new electoral system is praised as a new ‘milestone’ for good governance, with the principle of ‘patriots governing Hong Kong’ being at the heart of it. 

It says: 

“Foresight, strategic planning and a series of measures to treat both the symptoms and root causes have pushed the situation in Hong Kong to a major turning point from chaos to governance, laying a solid foundation for promoting the rule of law in Hong Kong and promoting the stability and far-reaching implementation of ‘one country, two systems’. Facts have proved that with the strong support of the great motherland and the joint efforts of all Hong Kong compatriots, there will be no storms that Hong Kong cannot overcome and no hurdles that cannot be overcome. 高瞻远瞩、运筹帷幄，一系列标本兼治的举措，推动香港局势实现由乱到治的重大转折，为推进依法治港、促进“一国两制”实践行稳致远打下了坚实基础。事实证明，有伟大祖国的坚强支撑，有全体香港同胞的携手努力，香港就没有抵御不了的风浪，就没有过不去的沟坎.

Next, there’s a report about Yang Jiechi travelling to Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, Zimbabwe and Mozambique from June 29 to July 4. Another Xinhua report, not in PD, informs that Yang has met with Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif.

Yang said that “Pakistan is China's ‘ironclad’ friend and reliable brother. No matter how the international situation changes, the mutual trust and friendship between the two countries are rock solid. China has always prioritized Pakistan in developing its relations with neighboring countries and is ready to further strengthen policy communication and development strategy alignment with Pakistan, carry on the traditional friendship, enhance mutual strategic trust, deepen pragmatic cooperation, jointly build the high-quality China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in a safe and smooth manner, and forge an even closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era, said Yang…Noting that China is willing to push for close coordination with Pakistan on multilateral affairs and safeguard the common interests of the developing countries, Yang said China appreciates Pakistan's support for its Global Development Initiative (GDI) and Global Security Initiative (GSI) and is ready to work with Pakistan to implement the initiatives so as to make Asia and the world safer, more peaceful and prosperous.” — Quick thought: It’s not surprising but it is noteworthy that Yang is reassuring Pakistan on this because Islamabad was not invited to the recent high-level dialogue on development under the BRICS framework. Reports quoting Pakistan’s Foreign Office say that: “China being the host country engaged with Pakistan before the BRICS meetings, where decisions are taken after consultations with all BRICS members, including extending invitations to non-members. ‘Regrettably one member blocked Pakistan’s participation’.

Anyway, Xinhua’s report adds:

“For his part, Sharif said developing relations with China is the cornerstone of his country’s foreign policy. Pakistan firmly adheres to the one-China policy and supports China in safeguarding its core interests and its positions on major concerns, he said, adding that the Pakistani government and people appreciate China for its long-term selfless assistance and are ready to learn from China’s successful experience in economic development and fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. The prime minister stressed that China has bright prospects for development, and no force can hold back China's development and growth. Pakistan stands ready to work with China to deepen practical cooperation in all fields, speed up the construction of CPEC and push the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership between the two sides to a new high, he added. The GDI and GSI meet the expectations of the international community, Sharif said, adding that the initiatives will surely play an important role in maintaining peace, stability and promoting development, prosperity in the region and the world at large. Both sides agreed to further strengthen cooperation in maintaining regional security and stability, promoting regional development and combating terrorism. During his visit, Yang also met with Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Pakistani Chief of Army Staff Qamar Javed Bajwa.

Next, there’s a report about Wang Yi’s chat with Venezuelan Foreign Minister Carlos Faria. Xinhua reports:

“Wang expressed gratitude to Venezuela for firmly standing with China and speaking up for justice on such issues concerning Taiwan, Hong Kong, Xinjiang and human rights. China will, as always, firmly oppose interference in Venezuela’s internal affairs by external forces under any pretext, steadfastly support Venezuela in maintaining national sovereignty and social stability, and back the Venezuelan people in choosing a development path suited to their national conditions, Wang said. He added that China will continue offering whatever help it can to Venezuela in its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Wang said China and Venezuela should continue to strengthen solidarity and coordination in multilateral affairs, uphold the legitimate rights and interests of the two countries, practice true multilateralism, and safeguard the UN-centered international system and the international order based on international law. China appreciates Venezuela for actively supporting the Global Development Initiative (GDI) proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping, and is willing to strengthen cooperation with Venezuela to jointly foster a global development partnership and well implement the UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, he said. Noting that multipolarization of the world, economic globalization and democratization of international relations are an irresistible trend of the times, Wang said China stands ready to work with Venezuela to always stand on the right side of history, uphold international equity and justice, safeguard the common interest of developing countries, and jointly build a community with a shared future for mankind.”

Next, there’s a report about Wang Chen’s video meeting with Tran Thanh Man, Standing Vice Chairman of Vietnam's National Assembly. 

Finally, there’s a piece on BRI. It says that:

• “As of the beginning of June this year, China has signed more than 200 BRI cooperation documents with 149 countries and 32 international organisations.”

• “From 2013 to 2021, the annual trade volume between China and BRI countries expanded from $1.04 trillion to $1.8 trillion, an increase of 73%.

The piece is the opening article, leading to more articles on Page 6. Basically, amid GDI and GSI, BRI continues to remain important.

Page 9: Xie Chuntao, who was recently appointed as the vice president of the National Academy of Governance, writes about the need to vigorously carry forward the spirit of responsibility and struggle in order to achieve the grand goal of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. To vigorously carry forward the spirit of responsibility and struggle, we must cultivate a selfless character and fearless courage, dare to take responsibility, adhere to subordinating the local (interests I presume) keeping in mind the overall situation and consciously assume responsibility for the overall situation. 我们党能够不断战胜强大敌人和各种艰难险阻，不断取得伟大胜利和辉煌成就，靠的是一代代共产党人敢于担当、英勇斗争。新征程上，只有大力发扬担当和斗争精神，才能实现中华民族伟大复兴的宏伟目标。大力发扬担当和斗争精神，必须培养无私品格和无畏勇气，必须敢于负责，必须坚持局部服从全局、自觉为大局担当.

In a spirited display of loyalty, Xie writes how Xi has “set a shining example for the whole party to dare to take responsibility and fight for the country and the people.” 习近平总书记为了国家和人民敢于担当和斗争，为全党树立了光辉榜样. Xie mentions Xi’s time being sent down during the Cultural Revolution to his work presiding over the poverty alleviation work, COVID-19 containment work, and the anti-corruption campaign.

Later Xie talks about the importance of daring to take responsibility. He says that “Mao Zedong and other revolutionaries of the older generation are examples of daring to take responsibility.” The example that he cites here is of Mao going to Chongqing to meet Chiang Kai-shek in 1945, disregarding concerns about his personal safety expressed by some Party members. Xie said that this demonstrated the “sincerity” of the CCP. He says that Mao went and put forward the CCP’s “political proposition on the peaceful construction of a new China for the people of the whole country,” winning the support of the people and “democratic parties.” — Aa an aside, SupChina has a nice article on this entire episode.

After this anecdote from history, as though drawing a parallel, Xie says that since the 18th Party Congress Xi Jinping has shown “great sense of historical initiative, great political courage, and a strong sense of responsibility in coordinating both the domestic and international situations, solved many problems that had not been addressed for a long time… (the Party has) accomplished many major things that it wanted to but had failed to accomplish in the past…(this has) promoted historic achievements and changes in the cause of the Party and the country…In the face of economic and trade frictions provoked by the United States, General Secretary Xi Jinping personally led the response, effectively safeguarding China’s sovereignty, dignity, and core interests, strategising and directing efforts, thereby demonstrating the leadership skill and the art of the struggle of a leader of a big party and a big country…” Also, in terms of COVID-19, he adds that “Xi Jinping took charge of the overall situation and made resolute decisions, which provided the most fundamental guarantee for major strategic achievements in epidemic prevention and control.” Then “in the face of external forces interfering in Hong Kong affairs and the rampant ‘anti-China’ activities in Hong Kong, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core maintained its determination and adopted a series of measures to address both the symptoms and the root causes, so as to push the situation in Hong Kong to achieve a major transition from chaos to governance.” 党的十八大以来，习近平总书记以伟大的历史主动精神、巨大的政治勇气、强烈的责任担当，统筹国内国际两个大局，解决了许多长期想解决而没有解决的难题，办成了许多过去想办而没有办成的大事，推动党和国家事业取得历史性成就、发生历史性变革。习近平总书记指出：“中华民族伟大复兴，绝不是轻轻松松、敲锣打鼓就能实现的。”面对美国挑起的经贸摩擦，习近平总书记亲自领导应对，有力维护了我国主权、尊严、核心利益，展现了一个大党大国领袖运筹帷幄、指挥若定的领导水平和斗争艺术。在新冠肺炎疫情防控的人民战争、总体战、阻击战中，习近平总书记统揽全局、果断决策，为疫情防控取得重大战略成果提供了最根本保证。面对外部势力干预香港事务、“反中乱港”活动猖獗，以习近平同志为核心的党中央保持定力，采取一系列标本兼治的举措，推动香港局势实现由乱到治的重大转折.

In the final section, Xie makes the point about subordinating local interests while keeping in mind the overall situation. He talks about the importance of strict discipline. In this, he quotes the example of Zhang Guotao splitting the Red Army and making serious mistakes, but adds that Party unity was still maintained most of the time. “Our party has always emphasised and enforced strict discipline, and has always maintained the authority and centralised and unified leadership of the Party Central Committee. Many leaders of the Party consciously and correctly handle the relationship between individuals and organisations, subordinates and superiors, local and central authorities, and local and overall interests -  insisting that the local is always subordinated to the overall situation - and consciously take responsibility for the overall situation.”我们党始终强调和执行严格的纪律，始终维护党中央权威和集中统一领导。党的很多领导人自觉正确处理个人与组织、下级与上级、地方与中央、局部与全局的关系，坚持局部服从全局、自觉为大局担当。

He cites Deng Xiaoping’s work as the Southwest Bureau secretary, and talks about Deng adhering to the reporting system established by Mao. This, the piece says, earned him Mao’s praise and his good experience being promoted in other regions. And then Xie says that in the late 1980s, the central government had called on many localities to carry out rectification. While some cadres complained, Xi Jinping, who was then secretary of Ningde Prefectural Committee in Fujian Province, said “that the overall situation of eastern Fujian must be subordinated to the overall situation of the whole province and even the whole country. In the current macroeconomic adjustment work, if it is necessary to sacrifice local interests, it should be willing to undertake it.” 时任福建省宁德地委书记的习近平同志讲，闽东这个全局只能服从全省乃至全国这个全局。在当前整个宏观经济的调整工作中，如果需要牺牲局部的利益，还是应该乐于承担的. (Quick thought: Nicely done subliminal messaging by, Xie. The message is that if Deng could and Xi could, then who are the local cadres of today to resist the centre? Also, look where subordinating local interests got Deng and Xi eventually. If you want to see your career progress, then get with the plan.)

Xie ends by emphasising the decisive significance of the Two Establishments, the need to strengthen the four consciousnesses, strengthen the four self-confidences, achieve the ‘two safeguards’, and always keeping 国之大者 in mind.