Xi @ PLA & PAP Meeting - Two Sessions Discussions - NPC's Financial & Economic Affairs Committee's Meeting - Wang Yi's Press Engagement on Foreign Policy
Here are the stories and pieces that I found noteworthy from the Tuesday, March 08, 2022, edition of the People’s Daily.
Page 1: The lead story on the page today is about Xi Jinping’s remarks while attending a plenary meeting of the delega of the People's Liberation Army and People's Armed Police Force at the NPC.
The report informs that many deputies spoke at the meeting. He Lei, Xu Xisheng, Liang Yang, Jiang Qingqun, Wang Zhenguo, Gao Buming and other 6 representatives delivered speeches. Their comments covered areas like improving military laws and regulations, making preparations for military struggle, protecting the legitimate rights and interests of servicemen in accordance with the law, accelerating innovation in national defence science and technology, and promoting innovative development of national defence mobilisation.
Then Xi spoke. He said that in the past year, the armed forces had resolutely implemented the decision-making instructions of the CPC Central Committee and the Central Military Commission, and achieved a good start to the 14th Five-Year Plan, while struggling, preparing for war and building themselves, which has provided strong support for the development of the cause of the Party and the country. 他指出，过去的一年，全军坚决贯彻党中央和中央军委决策指示，边斗争、边备战、边建设，实现了“十四五”良好开局，为党和国家事业发展提供了有力支撑.
The next bit of the report focuses on Xi’s remarks around running the military in accordance with the law and enhancing the rule of law in national defence and military building.
He said that “through unremitting efforts over the years, major progress has been made in running the armed forces in accordance with the law. At the 6th Plenum of the 19th Central Committee, it was proposed to implement the strategy of running the armed forces in accordance with the law. This is an important decision and plan made by the CPC Central Committee based on the overall situation of building and running the armed forces in the new era. 经过这些年不懈努力，依法治军实践取得重大进展。党的十九届六中全会提出要贯彻依法治军战略，这是党中央把握新时代建军治军特点规律、从强军事业全局出发作出的重要决策部署.
The next paragraph says:
“It is necessary to implement the Party’s thought on strengthening the army in the new era, the thought of socialist rule of law with Chinese characteristics in the new era, focus on comprehensively strengthening the revolutionary, modernized and standardized nature of the armed forces, build a military rule of law system with Chinese characteristics, accelerate the fundamental transformation of the way of running the armed forces, and improve the level of rule of law in national defense and army building. We must adhere to the Party’s absolute leadership over the army, adhere to the standard of combat effectiveness, adhere to the construction of a military rule of law system with Chinese characteristics, adhere to transforming the way of running the army according to the rule of law, adhere to the iron law of enforcing strict governance over the armed forces, adhere to the ‘key minority’ of leading cadres, adhere to the principal position of officers and soldiers, and adhere to the requirement of comprehensively governing the country according to law.” 习近平强调，要全面把握依法治军战略。要贯彻新时代党的强军思想，贯彻新时代中国特色社会主义法治思想，着眼于全面加强我军革命化现代化正规化建设，构建中国特色军事法治体系，加快治军方式根本性转变，提高国防和军队建设法治化水平。要坚持党对军队绝对领导，坚持战斗力标准，坚持建设中国特色军事法治体系，坚持按照法治要求转变治军方式，坚持从严治军铁律，坚持抓住领导干部这个“关键少数”，坚持官兵主体地位，坚持贯彻全面依法治国要求.
In the next paragraph, Xi points out that the implementation of the strategy of running the armed forces according to law is a systematic project, and it is necessary to make overall plans, highlight key points, and promote overall progress with key breakthroughs. It is necessary to deepen legislative work in the military, fight the tough battles of policy and system reform, improve the quality of legislation, and enhance the systematicness, integrity and coordination of legislation. We should do a good job in the implementation of laws and regulations, implement the laws and regulations for joint operations, deepen the management of training according to the law, implement training according to the outline, strengthen the rigid constraints of our armed forces development plans, and strengthen the management of troops strictly according to the law. It is necessary to strengthen the supervision of the implementation of laws and regulations, clarify the main body of responsibility and evaluation standards, improve the supervision mechanism, and strictly investigate the responsibility to ensure that the laws and regulations are effective. It is necessary to strengthen the rule of law in foreign-related military affairs, make overall plans for military operations and the struggle against the rule of law, improve foreign-related laws and regulations in the military field, and make better use of the rule of law to safeguard national interests. It is necessary to strengthen the supervision of the implementation of laws and regulations, clarify the main body of responsibility and evaluation standards, improve the supervision mechanism, and strictly pursue accountability to ensure that laws and regulations are implemented and effective. It is necessary to strengthen the rule of law in foreign-related military affairs, make overall plans for military operations and the struggle against the rule of law, improve foreign-related laws and regulations in the military field, and make better use of the rule of law to safeguard national interests.
习近平指出，贯彻依法治军战略是系统工程，要统筹全局、突出重点，以重点突破带动整体推进。要深化军事立法工作，打好政策制度改革攻坚战，提高立法质量，增强立法系统性、整体性、协同性。要做好法规制度实施工作，落实联合作战法规制度，深化依法治训、按纲施训，强化我军建设规划计划刚性约束，严格依法加强部队管理。要强化法规制度执行监督工作，明晰责任主体和评估标准，健全监督机制，严格责任追究，确保法规制度落地见效。要加强涉外军事法治工作，统筹谋划军事行动和法治斗争，健全军事领域涉外法律法规，更好用法治维护国家利益。
At the end, Xi said that “central state organs, local party committees and governments at all levels should strengthen their awareness of national defence, consciously perform their statutory duties of national defence development, and safeguard armed forces building, military operations and the legitimate rights and interests of military personnel according to law. Finally, Xi Jinping stressed that the armed forces should pay close attention to the actual preparations for war, assist local governments to do a good job in maintaining the stability of the overall social situation, deal with all kinds of emergencies in a timely and effective manner, maintain national security and stability, and accomplish all tasks entrusted by the Party and the people.” 中央和国家机关、地方各级党委和政府要强化国防意识，自觉履行法定的国防建设职责，依法保障好军队建设、军事行动和军人合法权益。习近平最后强调，全军要抓紧抓实备战打仗工作，协助地方做好维护社会大局稳定工作，及时有效处置各种突发情况，保持国家安全稳定，完成好党和人民赋予的各项任务.
Like yesterday, on Page 2, today too there is a face-to-face report drawing from Xi Jinping’s attendance of the PLA and PAP meeting. It quotes some of the attendees:
So Chu Xuliang, chief of staff of the Shuozhou Detachment of the Shanxi Corps of the People’s Armed Police, basically reiterates the messages about following and obeying the Party and carrying out mission tasks, etc. Then there are comments by Gu Qingyue, from the Air Force Engineering University.
The piece informs that: since becoming a NPC deputy in 2018, Gu Qingyue has also served as a special supervisor of the Supreme People’s Procuratorate, actively promoting the military-civilian cooperation mechanism of procuratorial public interest litigation to solve problems that the troops and officers and soldiers are eager to solve. Gu talked about the safeguarding of the “legitimate rights and interests of the military and servicemen.” Gu said that over the past few years, “a series of laws and regulations have provided clearer and more complete legal support for the protection of the rights and interests of military family members, so that the preferential treatment and legitimate rights and interests of military family members have a legal basis, which has greatly raised the morale of the military.”
The third part of the piece has comments by a PLA company commander, who talks about the importance of combat readiness.
Next, there’s a report about Xi Jinping sending a message of condolence to the Pakistani President over the deadly terrorist attack in Peshawar.
Xinhua reports: “The Chinese side strongly condemns the terrorist attack and firmly supports the efforts of the Pakistani government and people to combat terrorism, maintain national stability and protect people's lives, Xi said. On the same day, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang also sent a message of condolence to Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan over the attack.”
Third, the appointment of three new ambassadors.
Lu Kang was appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the Republic of Indonesia, replacing Xiao Qian.
He Rulong was appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the Republic of Iceland, replacing Jin Zhijian.
Xiao Qian was appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the Commonwealth of Australia, Replacing Cheng Jingye
Next, a report about Li Zhanshu, Zhou Qiang and Zhang Jun delivering their work reports.
Also, a brief report about the CPPCC holding its second plenary meeting of the annual session. Twelve members of the CPPCC National Committee spoke at the meeting. The topics that were mentioned are:
Ge Huijun spoke about the Two Establishments and the importance of political advisors shouldering their due responsibilities and faithfully practising socialist consultative democracy.
Wang Yiming spoke about the Chinese economy being resilient amid pressure.
Wang Hong spoke about rural revitalisation, arguing that thriving industries are the foundation for rural revitalization and sustainable development in rural areas.
Liu Zhendong spoke about support for small and medium-sized enterprises.
Gao Peiyong spoke about the importance of common prosperity.
Chen Mengshan talked about building a high-level national food security industrial belt northeast and Huang Huai Hai plain.
Shen Nanpeng talked about the need to coordinate the promotion of carbon reduction and the coordinated development of the east and the west, and to transform the clean energy advantage of the western region into an economic advantage.
Huang Zhen spoke about the “double reduction” policy, adding that efforts are needed to deepen education reform, and narrow the gap in elementary education between urban and rural areas.
Tian Qinxin spoke about the importance of literary workers and artists to adhere to the people’s position.
Wei Mingde talked about the mainland’s support for Hong Kong, particularly amid the current COVID outbreak. Wei said that “Xi Jinping was very concerned” about the outbreak and “the central government had fully supported Hong Kong in fighting the pandemic.”
Zhang Zexi said that it is “necessary to resolutely implement the overall strategy of the Party to resolve the Taiwan issue in the new era, closely unite the majority of Taiwan compatriots, work together, forge ahead, and continuously promote the peaceful development and integrated development of the two sides across the Strait, so as to accumulate a more solid foundation of public opinion for the complete reunification of the motherland.”
Sun Dongsheng talked about the Winter Olympics.
Next, there’s a report about Han Zheng participating in a meeting of the Hong Kong and Macau delegations at the NPC. Han said:
Hong Kong and Macau have actively prevented the pandemic, stabilised the economy, and safeguarded people’s livelihood, maintaining overall social stability. In recent years, the legal systems and enforcement mechanisms for safeguarding national security in Hong Kong and Macau have become more complete, and the electoral system has become more complete. The principles of ‘patriots governing Hong Kong’ and ‘patriots governing Macau’ have been lent solid institutional guarantees, and there have been fresh changes in the special administrative regions’ democratic practices. The central government’s determination to implement the ‘one country, two systems’ principle is unswerving, and there will be no change in the implementation of the major policies of ‘Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong’, ‘Macau people administering Macau’ and the commitment toward a high degree of autonomy. Hong Kong’s top priority is to go all out to prevent and control the epidemic. All relevant central departments and local governments must give full support to ensure the supply of living materials, strengthen human and material support in medical care, and ensure the stability of citizens' lives and the overall social stability.” 在中央的大力支持下，在特区行政长官和特区政府带领下，香港、澳门积极防疫情、稳经济、保民生，保持了社会大局稳定。近年来，香港、澳门维护国家安全的法律制度和执行机制更加健全，选举制度更加完善，“爱国者治港”、“爱国者治澳”获得坚实制度保障，特别行政区民主实践展现新气象。中央贯彻“一国两制”方针的决心坚定不移，落实“港人治港”、“澳人治澳”、高度自治的大政方针不会有任何改变。香港当务之急是全力以赴防控疫情，中央各有关部门和地方要全力支持，保证生活物资供应，加强医疗方面人力物力支持，确保市民生活安定和社会大局稳定。
SCMP’s report talks about discussions at the meeting related to the upcoming Chief Executive election. It says:
“In a meeting on Sunday with Hong Kong delegates to the nation’s top advisory body, the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Han had said that with the leadership election set for May, they had to examine candidates’ platforms and consider whether the hopefuls could resolve deep-rooted problems, such as the city’s housing shortage. On Monday, Han met 17 of Hong Kong’s deputies to China’s parliament, the National People’s Congress. NPC deputy Chan Yung, spokesman for the Hong Kong group, said that while Han did not repeat the call on the need to examine manifestos, the leadership race and housing were recurring themes as the vice-premier listed his expectations of the delegates. He said Han told them to “fully support the government in coordinating and planning for Hong Kong’s long-term development”. Beijing would fully support Hong Kong in strengthening its competitiveness as a global financial centre, as well as becoming a global technological hub, Chan quoted Han as saying. “Hong Kong must also resolve the serious livelihood shortcomings that the people are concerned about. That includes the housing problem, which is a long-standing issue that can only be tackled with a top-level mechanism, overall planning, long-term goals and practical measures,” he said, citing Han. “The people need to see hope and feel the benefit.” Chan said the vice-premier also tasked them with supporting the government in organising the chief executive poll on May 8. “The vice-premier also said Hong Kong must also further integrate with the nation’s development plans,” Chan added. “I think boosting the economy and solving livelihood shortcomings are not just Beijing’s expectations for the next chief executive. The central government has always supported Hong Kong in these areas, so these are also state leaders and Hongkongers’ expectations for Election Committee members, lawmakers and officials.”
Finally, there’s a report about China’s foreign trade. “The General Administration of Customs said that China’s imports and exports totaled 6.2 trillion yuan ($980 billion) in the first two months of the year, up 13.3 percent from a year ago. Exports over the period surged 13.6 percent year-on-year to 3.47 trillion yuan, while imports hit 2.73 trillion yuan, growing 12.9 percent on a yearly basis.” The trade surplus was 738.8 billion yuan, an increase of 16.3%.
Trade with the EU was 874.64 billion yuan, an increase of 12.4%.
Trade with ASEAN was 870.47 billion yuan, an increase of 10.5%, accounting for 14% of China’s total foreign trade value.
Total imports and exports along BRI partners reached 1.92 trillion yuan, an increase of 18.3%. Among them, exports were 1.09 trillion yuan, an increase of 16.6%; imports were 831.31 billion yuan, an increase of 20.7%.
The import and export of private enterprises was 2.99 trillion yuan, an increase of 16.1%, accounting for 48.2% of China’s total foreign trade value, an increase of 1.1 percentage points over the same period last year.
Foreign-invested enterprises import and export was 2.22 trillion yuan, an increase of 8.6%, accounting for 35.8% of my country’s total foreign trade value.
Trade with Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership economies also surged 9.5 percent to 1.85 trillion yuan.
China exported 2.02 trillion yuan of mechanical and electrical products, an increase of 9.9%, accounting for 58.3% of the total export value.
The export of labour-intensive products was 621.46 billion yuan, an increase of 8.9%, accounting for 17.9% of the total export value.
In addition to this, SCMP reports that bilateral trade with Russia rose by 38.5 percent to $26.4 billion from the previous year in combined figures for January and February, which represented the highest growth rate for the first two months of the year since 2010. But overall exports grew by only 16.3 per cent in January and February from a year earlier to $544.7 billion, which beat expectations but was down from December’s growth of 29.9 percent.
Page 3: First, a report on the Fifth Session of the Thirteenth National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference holding a video conference. 12 people spoke at the meeting, talking about:
economic development,
TCM development,
dual-circulation,
dual-carbon strategy,
accelerating the reform and development of the pharmaceutical and medical device industry,
scientific development and supporting young science and technology talents,
encouraging the birth of more children and supporting women’s rights and interests in maternal care and employment,
promoting the sinicization of religion
backing the one country, two systems formulation
supporting FTZs
ethnic unity
Next, there’s a report about the Financial and Economic Affairs Committee of the NPC holding a session. This report talks about the committee’s work in terms of drafting the plan and budgets. The first two paragraphs offer details of when meetings took place since December to finalise the two documents. The committee then in this meeting backs the two documents, calling for their approval. This, of course, no surprise to anyone.
The Financial and Economic Affairs Committee believes that the implementation of the national economic and social development plan in 2021 is generally good. The draft national economic and social development plan for 2022 proposed by the State Council, guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, conforms to the spirit of the 19th CPC National Congress and all previous plenary sessions of the 19th CPC National Congress, the spirit of the Central Economic Work Conference, the objectives and requirements of the Outline of the 14th Five-Year Plan, the reality of China's economic and social development, and makes a careful analysis of the more complicated and severe external environment and the triple pressures of domestic demand contraction, supply shock and expected weakening. Corresponding arrangements have been made in the main tasks. The overall requirements of national economic and social development, main expected goals, main macro-policy orientations and main tasks are basically coordinated and matched, and are generally feasible. It is suggested that the Fifth session of the 13th National People’s Congress approve the Report on the Implementation of the National Economic and Social Development Plan in 2021 and the Draft National Economic and Social Development Plan in 2022 proposed by the State Council, and approve the draft national economic and social development plan in 2022. 财政经济委员会认为，2021年国民经济和社会发展计划执行情况总体良好。国务院提出的2022年国民经济和社会发展计划草案，以习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想为指导，符合党的十九大和十九届历次全会精神，符合中央经济工作会议精神，符合“十四五”规划纲要目标要求，符合我国经济社会发展实际，对更趋复杂严峻的外部环境和国内需求收缩、供给冲击、预期转弱三重压力等作了认真分析，在主要任务中作了相应安排，国民经济和社会发展总体要求、主要预期目标、主要宏观政策取向、主要任务基本协调匹配，总体可行。建议第十三届全国人民代表大会第五次会议批准国务院提出的《关于2021年国民经济和社会发展计划执行情况与2022年国民经济和社会发展计划草案的报告》，批准2022年国民经济和社会发展计划草案.
The committee also put forward five suggestions for the implementation of the 2022 plan and economic and social development:
First, put steady growth in a more prominent position, and better grasp the timing and effectiveness of policy adjustments and reforms
Second, resolutely implement the strategy of expanding domestic demand and fully release the potential of domestic demand
Third, deepen reform, open wider to the outside world, and enhance the potential of economic growth;
Fourth, guard against and defuse risks in key areas and firmly forestall systemic risks;
Fifth, strengthen the protection of people’s livelihood, coordinate regular epidemic prevention and control with economic and social development, and maintain social security and stability
It also put forward seven suggestions for the budget implementation and financial work in 2022:
First, further enhance the efficiency and sustainability of fiscal policy
Second, further strengthen the financial support for major national strategic tasks
Third, further improve the work related to ensuring key people’s wellbeing
Fourth, further guard against and defuse local government debt risks
Fifth, further strengthen budget management
Sixth, further advance fiscal and tax reform and tax legislation
Seventh, further tighten financial discipline.
财政经济委员会对做好2022年计划执行和经济社会发展工作提出五条建议：一是把稳增长放在更加突出位置，更好把握调整政策和推进改革的时度效；二是坚决实施好扩大内需战略，充分释放内需潜力；三是深入推进改革扩大开放，提升经济增长潜能；四是防范化解重点领域风险，坚决守住不发生系统性风险的底线；五是强化民生兜底保障，统筹好常态化疫情防控与经济社会发展，维护社会安全稳定。财政经济委员会对做好2022年预算执行和财政工作提出七条建议：一是进一步增强财政政策效能和可持续性；二是进一步增强国家重大战略任务财力保障；三是进一步做好重点民生保障工作；四是进一步防范化解地方政府债务风险；五是进一步强化预算管理；六是进一步推进财税改革和税收立法；七是进一步严肃财经纪律。
Page 4: All of Page 4 is dedicated to Wang Yi’s press engagement yesterday on Chinese foreign policy. I am reproducing some of the relevant Q&A here and sharing some thoughts in brackets. This will be a bit long, but I hope it’s worth your time. Also the entire English version is available here, if you’d like.
Reuters: Russia’s military action in Ukraine has expanded to non-military targets. Will China do more to help resolve the conflict?
Wang Yi: “On the Ukraine issue, China has adopted an objective and impartial attitude. We independently assess the situation and make our position clear on the basis of the merits of the issue. As a Chinese proverb puts it, it takes more than one cold day to freeze three feet of ice. The situation in Ukraine has become what it is today for a variety of complex reasons. What is needed to solve complex issues is a cool head and a rational mind, not adding fuel to the fire which only intensifies the situation. China believes that to resolve the current crisis, we must uphold the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations (UN) and respect and protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries. We must adhere to the principle of indivisible security and accommodate the legitimate security concerns of the parties involved. We must settle disputes by peaceful means through dialogue and negotiation. And we must keep in mind the long-term peace and stability of the region and put in place a balanced, effective and sustainable European security architecture.
As things stand, the international community must make continuous efforts on two priorities. One priority is to facilitate dialogue for peace. China has made some efforts in this regard and had close communications with the relevant parties. On the second day of the conflict, President Xi Jinping spoke to President Vladimir Putin on the phone and expressed China’s desire to see Russia and Ukraine hold peace talks as early as possible. President Putin responded positively, and Russia and Ukraine have since had two rounds of talks. We hope that the upcoming third round will make further progress. China believes that the more tense the situation, the more important that the talks continue. The wider the disagreement, the greater the need to sit down and have negotiation. China is prepared to continue playing a constructive role to facilitate dialogue for peace and work alongside the international community when needed to carry out necessary mediation.
(Quick thought: I don’t read this as an offer to play a more active role in mediation. Any senior Chinese official is yet to speak to Jinping is yet to speak to Volodymyr Zelenskyy. And I don’t think that it is in Beijing’s interests to get locked in a dispute mediating between NATO and Russia; of course, unless these are wide-ranging talks that link developments in Europe to the Indo-Pacific. In that case, we’re not talking just resolving the Ukraine issue, we’re talking about a new global balance of power.)
The other priority is to prevent a massive humanitarian crisis. To this end, China wishes to propose a six-point initiative:
First, make sure that humanitarian operations abide by the principles of neutrality and impartiality, and avoid politicizing humanitarian issues; Second, give full attention to the displaced persons in and from Ukraine, and provide them with proper shelter; Third, ensure the protection of civilians, and prevent secondary humanitarian disasters in Ukraine; Fourth, provide for safe and smooth humanitarian aid activities, including providing rapid, safe and unimpeded humanitarian access; Fifth, provide for the safety of foreign nationals in Ukraine, allow them safe departure and help them return to their home countries; and Sixth, support the UN’s coordinating role in channeling humanitarian aid and the work of the UN Crisis Coordinator for Ukraine.
China will continue its efforts to stem the humanitarian crisis. The Red Cross Society of China will provide Ukraine with a tranche of emergency humanitarian supplies as soon as possible.”
Phoenix Television: The international community is concerned about the growing risk of division and confrontation and the potential for a new Cold War. What is your view?
Wang Yi: The world is indeed far from being tranquil. Profound changes unseen in a century are unfolding before our eyes. Some major country, trying to hold on to its hegemony, has resurrected Cold War mentality and stoked bloc confrontation. This has fueled instability and division, and added trouble to a world already facing so many challenges.
What should be done? China firmly believes that the right way forward lies in greater solidarity and cooperation under the banner of multilateralism and joint efforts to build a community with a shared future for mankind. As President Xi Jinping observes, “Amidst the raging torrents of a global crisis, countries are not riding separately in some 190 small boats, but rather all in a giant ship on which our shared destiny hinges. Small boats may not survive a storm, but a giant ship is strong enough to brave a storm.”
First and foremost, we must preserve peace. Peace is the premise and foundation for development of all kinds. Countries need to follow the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, reject the notion of exclusive or absolute security, and stay committed to ceasing conflicts through negotiation, resolving disputes through dialogue, and increasing mutual trust through cooperation, to jointly build a world of enduring peace.
Second, we must enhance solidarity. Diversity is what makes our world an exciting place. Differences should not become a cause for confrontation. Countries should champion true multilateralism, advocate the common values of humanity, oppose hegemony and power politics, and oppose bloc politics. We must safeguard the UN-centered international system and uphold the basic norms of international relations based on the purposes of the UN Charter, as we work to make the global governance system more fair and equitable.
Third, we must uphold openness. Economic globalization is the trend of the times and, like it or not, it is here to stay and not to be stopped by geopolitical competition. We must say no to all forms of protectionism and isolationism, and firmly uphold a free, fair and non-discriminatory multilateral trading system. We should tear down small yards with high fences and build open markets instead.
(Quick thought: I don’t know how much Wang or the Chinese leadership brains-trust will be believing this after the West’s use of economic tools to impose costs on Russia, along with the exit of MNCs which have demonstrated that if the stakes are high enough, they will act in accordance with strategic imperatives of their home countries. I think there’s a lot more talk of self-reliance that we are likely to see in Beijing.)
Fourth, we must strengthen cooperation. Faced with challenges of a global nature, no country can stay aloof or unaffected. We must pull together in these trying times, enhance communication and coordination on COVID-19, terrorism, climate change, cybersecurity and other global issues, build maximum consensus, and pursue convergence of interests wherever possible.
In a world of instability and transformation, China always serves as an anchor for stability and a force for good, and always stands on the right side of history. We will continue to keep a global perspective, honor our responsibilities, and hold high the banner of peace, development and win-win cooperation, to promote the building of a new type of international relations and a community with a shared future for mankind. China will work with all progressive forces in the world for development and together for a shared future.
International Media Group Rossiya Segodnya: The West is ratcheting up sanctions on Russia. How will this affect Russia-China relations?
Wang Yi: … I wish to stress that the China-Russia relationship is valued for its independence. It is based on non-alliance, non-confrontation and non-targeting of any third party. It is free from interference or discord sown by third parties. This is both what historical experience has taught us and an innovation in international relations. Not long ago, the two sides issued a joint statement on international relations entering a new era and global sustainable development. It sends an unequivocal message to the world that China and Russia jointly oppose attempts to revive the Cold War mindset or provoke ideology-based confrontation, and stand for greater democracy in international relations as well as the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.
The China-Russia relationship is grounded in a clear logic of history and driven by strong internal dynamics, and the friendship between the Chinese and Russian peoples is rock-solid. There is a bright prospect for cooperation between the two sides. No matter how precarious and challenging the international situation may be, China and Russia will maintain strategic focus and steadily advance our comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era.
(Quick thought: I hope this will pause some of the headlines that are reading too much into minor changes in language to suggest that Beijing might be having second thoughts and is backing away from Moscow. It’s not an alliance, but I believe that Beijing is not necessarily displeased about developments in Ukraine at present. Strategically, at worst, it refocuses American power towards Europe; at best, it gets everyone on the table for discussions on “blocs” and “cliques” in the Indo-Pacific tool. Now I understand that the US can walk and chew gum at the same time; but it’s just that much harder to do so.)
NBC: It has become a bipartisan consensus in the United States to intensify competition with China across the board. Aren’t you worried that the bilateral relations could only worsen in the months and years ahead?
Wang Yi: Since the start of last year, President Xi Jinping and President Joe Biden have had a virtual meeting and two phone conversations. Meanwhile, the two sides have had dialogue and interactions at other levels. US leaders and senior officials have stated that the US has no intention to seek a new Cold War or change China’s system, that the revitalization of US alliances is not anti-China, that the US does not support “Taiwan independence”, and that it is not looking for conflict or confrontation with China. Regrettably, however, these statements are just verbal assurances and have yet to be put into practice. The reality we have seen is this: the US is going to great lengths to engage in intense, zero-sum competition with China, it keeps provoking China on issues concerning our core interests, and it is taking a string of actions to piece together small blocs to suppress China. These actions undermine the overall China-US relations and disrupt and erode international peace and stability. This is not how a responsible power should act or how a credible country does things. China is an independent sovereign country. We have every right to do what is necessary to firmly defend our legitimate interests.
In China’s view, major-country competition should not be the order of the day and zero-sum game is not the right choice. In a globalized and interdependent world, how China and the US find the right way forward and manage to get along is both a new question for humanity and a formulation that must be worked out by China and the US together.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Shanghai Communiqué. Looking back, China and the US, in a spirit of seeking common ground while reserving differences, were able to replace confrontation with cooperation, advance the interests of our two peoples and make the world a more peaceful and prosperous place. Looking ahead, the two sides need to re-embrace the conviction that helped us break the ice 50 years ago and set out on a new journey. We must replace the “competitive-collaborative-adversarial” trichotomy with the three principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, return the China policy of the US to the right track guided by reason and pragmatism, and to put China-US relations back on the right path of healthy and stable development.
Agencia EFE: Does China believe that its ever closer relations with Russia and the conflict in Ukraine may affect its relations with Europe and the European Union (EU)?
Wang Yi: …some forces are unhappy to see the steady growth of China-Europe relations. They fabricate the narrative of “China threat”, play up competition with China, clamor for seeing China as a “systemic rival”, and even impose sanctions and provoke confrontation with China. Both China and Europe must be on high alert against these developments. China-Europe cooperation, going through decades of ups and downs, is deeply rooted in solid public support, extensive common interests and similar strategic needs. Such cooperation enjoys great resilience and potential. It cannot be reversed by any force.
China views its relations with Europe from a strategic, long-term perspective. China’s policy toward Europe is firm and consistent. It will not be affected by any turn of events. We will continue to support the independence of Europe and a united and prosperous EU. In the meantime, we hope that Europe will develop a more independent and objective perception of China, adopt a more pragmatic and rational China policy, and work with China to oppose a new Cold War and uphold and act on true multilateralism.
Going forward, the two side need to work together for the success of the China-EU Summit and other important events on the political agenda. We will seek greater strategic synergy, expand practical cooperation, advance multilateral coordination, deepen people-to-people exchange, and properly manage differences, so as to jointly deliver more concrete benefits to the world.
(Quick thought: Not so much my thought but this thread below, which I think offers some food for thought)
Lianhe Zaobao: What is China’s take on the US concepts of the Indo-Pacific region and the Quad and their implication for the region?
Wang Yi: The US Indo-Pacific strategy is becoming a by-word for “bloc politics”. The US professes a desire to advance regional cooperation, but in reality it is stoking geopolitical rivalry. It talks a lot about returning to multilateralism, but in reality it is forming exclusive clubs. It claims to uphold international rules, but in reality it is setting and imposing rules that suit itself and its acolytes. From strengthening the Five Eyes to peddling the Quad, from piecing together AUKUS to tightening bilateral military alliances, the US is staging a “5-4-3-2” formation in the Asia-Pacific. This is by no means some kind of blessing for the region, but a sinister move to disrupt regional peace and stability.
The real goal of the US Indo-Pacific strategy is to establish an Indo-Pacific version of NATO. It seeks to maintain the US-led system of hegemony, undermine the ASEAN-centered regional cooperation architecture, and compromise the overall and long-term interests of countries in the region. The perverse actions run counter to the common aspiration of the region for peace, development, cooperation and win-win outcomes. They are doomed to fail.
The Asia-Pacific is a promising land for cooperation and development, not a chessboard for geopolitical contest. With its root struck deep in the Asia-Pacific, China is committed to the region’s stability and prosperity. We welcome all initiatives that meet regional realities and the needs of relevant parties, and resolutely oppose all acts that lead to confrontation and rival camps in the region. China wants all parties to join us in doing the right thing and staying on the right course. Together, we will reject attempts to create small, divisive circles in the Indo-Pacific and, instead, foster a broad, inclusive platform for Asia-Pacific cooperation leading to an Asia-Pacific community with a shared future.
(Quick thought: This 5-4-3-2 is complete nonsense. There is no Indo-Pacific NATO being conjured up. If anything, the events of the last two weeks have shown how complex the dynamics of interests are in Asia. But anyway, this is Beijing’s the narrative for the rest of the world, particularly countries in the region that are seeking closer ties with the US. What’s troubling, however, is that I think this narrative is not simply an instrumental tool to be used for deterrence but rather it has been internalised by the leadership, which is viewing the world from an ideological prism of hegemony.)
Finally, I’ll do a quick wrap here of specific comments by Wang on some bilateral relations:
On Japan: “First, cherish the original aspiration and keep the bilateral relations on the right track. It is important to truly abide by the principles and spirit of the four China-Japan political documents, implement such important common understandings as the two countries should “be partners, not threats”, and “support each other’s peaceful development”. These are crucial for the bilateral relations to develop in the direction of peace and friendship. Second, honor commitments and uphold the political foundation of bilateral relations. Major sensitive issues such as history and Taiwan are foundational to mutual trust between our two countries. If the foundation is shaken, whatever above it cannot stand. We hope that Japan will honor the series of solemn commitments it has made on these issues to avoid serious disruption to our bilateral relations in the future. Third, embrace the trend of the times and jointly create brighter prospects for bilateral relations. The world is becoming a multi-polar one, where unilateralism and hegemonism will be replaced by greater democracy in international relations. Cold War alliances and geopolitical confrontation have long lost people’s support. This is the inevitable trend of history.” (Quick thought: Quote the warning there for Tokyo. So much for peaceful development.)
On DPRK: “We have taken note of the recent US statement that it harbors no hostile intent toward the DPRK and is ready to address the issues through diplomacy. This should be welcomed. How the situation will evolve, however, will still largely depend on what the US will do: whether it will take the actions needed to settle the issues on the Peninsula or continue to use them as a geostrategic leverage. Once again we call on the US to take concrete measures to address the legitimate security concerns of the DPRK and build basic mutual trust. The parties need to follow the dual-track approach and the principle of phased and synchronized actions to advance the political settlement of the issues. China will continue to play a constructive role and do what is necessary to facilitate the endeavor.”
On India: “China-India relations have encountered some setbacks in recent years, which do not serve the fundamental interests of the two countries and the two peoples. As regards the boundary question left over from history, China has all along advocated managing differences through equal-footed consultation, actively seeking a fair and equitable settlement, and meanwhile not letting it affect or interfere with the bigger picture of bilateral cooperation. As we have seen, some forces have always sought to stoke tension between China and India and division between regions. Their attempts have put more and more thoughtful people in reflection and on alert. More people have come to realize that for China and India, both major countries with a population of over a billion, only by staying independent can we firmly grasp our own destiny and realize our goals of development and rejuvenation…We hope that India will work with China to uphold the strategic consensus that our two countries “pose no threat but offer development opportunities to each other” and continue to build mutual trust, avoid misunderstanding and miscalculation, so that we will be partners for mutual success instead of adversaries of mutual attrition…” (Quick thought: There’s little new in this. Beijing continues to see New Delhi through the prism of ties with Washington. That’s patronising and foolhardy.)
On South China Sea Code of Conduct: “The COC will not only be in line with international law including UNCLOS, but also provide a more effective safeguard for the lawful rights and interests of countries outside the region. As the consultations enter a crucial stage, I believe it is important to pay attention to and handle well two things. First, we need to put our differences in perspective. Divergent views might appear in any consultation or negotiation. As long as all parties keep in mind that we share the same goal, no differences cannot be bridged and no consensus is beyond reach. Second, we need to firmly thwart disturbances. Some countries outside the region are not happy to see the conclusion of the COC or tranquility in the South China Sea, because that would deny them the ground to meddle in the South China Sea for selfish gains. ASEAN countries need to stay clear-eyed about this and jointly resist disturbances and sabotage attempts from outside.”