Xi Stresses Food Security, Core Tech & Patriotism in Hunan Visit - Shi Taifeng on Strengthening 'Overseas Patriotic Forces' - North Korean Delegation Visits China
Here are the key reports and articles that I found noteworthy from the People's Daily’s edition on Friday, March 22, 2024.
Page 1: The report on Xi Jinping’s visit to Hunan dominates the front page today.
The story says that Xi called on the province “should firmly grasp its strategic position in the construction of the new development pattern, adhere to the general principle of seeking progress while maintaining stability, remain unwavering in pursuing high-quality development, stay committed to reform and innovation and follow a realistic and pragmatic approach, continue to work hard to build a national important advanced manufacturing highland, a scientific and technological innovation highland with core competitiveness, and an inland area reform and opening-up highland.” It should also “strive to take the lead in promoting the rise of central China and the development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt.” 中共中央总书记、国家主席、中央军委主席习近平近日在湖南考察时强调，湖南要牢牢把握自身在构建新发展格局中的战略定位，坚持稳中求进工作总基调，坚持高质量发展不动摇，坚持改革创新、求真务实，在打造国家重要先进制造业高地、具有核心竞争力的科技创新高地、内陆地区改革开放高地上持续用力，在推动中部地区崛起和长江经济带发展中奋勇争先，奋力谱写中国式现代化湖南篇章。
On Monday, Xi’s first stop was the Hunan First Normal University in Changsha. At the university, Xi visited an exhibition featuring Mao Zedong in his youth, “understanding the development history of the place and the effective utilization of red resources.” He then spoke to teachers and students, saying that “if the country wants to be strong, it must provide good education.” Xi said “the first division is a good place to carry out patriotic education and inherit the red genes. We must protect and make good use of this red resource. Schools should foster virtue and cultivate students, and teachers should strive to be exemplary educators. Not only should we focus on improving students' knowledge and cultural literacy, but we should also teach ideological and political courses well, educating and guiding students to have a sense of virtue and shame when it comes to moral lapses/be aware of one’s moral responsibilities (明德知耻), firmly establish core socialist values, establish the aspiration to serve the country and strengthen the nation, and the desire to strive to become pillars capable of shouldering the great responsibilities of building a strong nation and rejuvenating the nation.” 18日下午，习近平来到湖南第一师范学院（城南书院校区）考察。该校前身是创办于宋代的城南书院，近代以来培养了一批老一辈无产阶级革命家和名师大家。习近平参观青年毛泽东主题展览，了解学院发展沿革和用好红色资源等情况。在学院大厅，习近平同师生代表亲切交流。他说，国家要强大，必须办好教育。一师是开展爱国主义教育、传承红色基因的好地方，要把这一红色资源保护运用好。学校要立德树人，教师要当好大先生，不仅要注重提高学生知识文化素养，更要上好思政课，教育引导学生明德知耻，树牢社会主义核心价值观，立报国强国大志向，努力成为堪当强国建设、民族复兴大任的栋梁之材.
After this, Xi visited the BASF Shanshan Battery Materials Co., Ltd., a Chinese-German battery materials joint venture. Xi “heard reports about local efforts to accelerate the development of new productive forces and expand high-level opening-up, inspected the display of enterprise products, and learned about material performance testing and battery production processes. He emphasized that technological innovation and high-quality development are the keys for enterprises to continuously grow and strengthen their position. Both private enterprises and joint ventures can make significant contributions in this regard. China's doors of openness will only widen further, and we are willing to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with countries worldwide, welcoming more foreign enterprises to invest and develop in China.” 习近平听取当地加快发展新质生产力、扩大高水平对外开放等情况介绍，察看企业产品展示，了解材料性能测试情况和电池生产流程。他强调，科技创新、高质量发展是企业不断成长壮大、立于不败之地的关键所在，民营企业、合资企业在这方面都可以大有作为。中国开放的大门会越开越大，我们愿意同世界各国加强交流合作，欢迎更多外国企业来华投资发展.
On the 19th, Xi visited a cultural street in the city of Changde, which was destroyed in the 1943 Battle of Changde and has been recently restored. He basically said that the “diverse and colorful local traditional cultures collectively constitute the brilliant Chinese civilization” and can also promote economic and social development. Next, he visited a village, where he visited the local comprehensive demonstration area for grain production. Xi said that:
“With a population of over 1.4 billion, China’s food security must be ensured by ourselves. Chinese people's rice bowls should primarily contain Chinese grain. It is necessary to build high-standard farmland; promote moderate-scale operations; strengthen policy support and demonstration guidance; increase the promotion of better quality varieties of seeds, quality machinery, and quality practices/methods; make efforts in meticulous farming in order to further increase both the yield and quality of grain, allowing grain producers to prosper; thereby further attract more farmers to participate in the development of modern large-scale agriculture…” 习近平强调，我国有14亿多人口，粮食安全必须靠我们自己保证，中国人的饭碗应该主要装中国粮。要建设好高标准农田，推行适度规模经营，加强政策支持和示范引领，加大良种、良机、良法推广力度，在精耕细作上下功夫，进一步把粮食单产和品质提上去，让种粮也能够致富，进而吸引更多农户参与发展现代化大农业，真正把中国特色农业现代化之路走稳走扎实.
When leaving the village, Xi told everyone that the Party Central Committee “attaches great importance to the work related to agriculture, rural areas, and farmers. He assured that effective and robust policy measures will be taken to address the concerns and needs of the people, turning the beautiful blueprint of rural revitalization into reality.” 习近平满怀深情地对大家说，党中央高度重视“三农”工作，一定会采取切实有力的政策举措，回应老百姓的关切和需求，把乡村振兴的美好蓝图变为现实.
On the 21st morning, Xi listened to the work report of the Hunan Provincial Party Committee and the Provincial Government and affirmed the achievements of Hunan in various tasks.
“Xi Jinping pointed out that scientific and technological innovation is the core element of developing new quality productive forces. It is necessary to make greater efforts to lead industrial innovation with scientific and technological innovation, proactively connect with national strategic scientific and technological forces, actively introduce first-class domestic and foreign R&D institutions, and improve independent innovation capabilities in key areas. Strengthen the dominant position of enterprises in scientific and technological innovation, promote the deep integration of the innovation chain, industrial chain, capital chain and talent chain, and promote the accelerated transformation of scientific and technological achievements into real productivity. Focus on advantageous industries, strengthen industrial base reconstruction and major technical equipment research, continue to expand and strengthen advanced manufacturing, promote high-end, intelligent, and green development of industries, and create national-level industrial clusters.” 21日上午，习近平听取了湖南省委和省政府工作汇报，对湖南各项工作取得的成绩给予肯定。习近平指出，科技创新是发展新质生产力的核心要素。要在以科技创新引领产业创新方面下更大功夫，主动对接国家战略科技力量，积极引进国内外一流研发机构，提高关键领域自主创新能力。强化企业科技创新主体地位，促进创新链产业链资金链人才链深度融合，推动科技成果加快转化为现实生产力。聚焦优势产业，强化产业基础再造和重大技术装备攻关，继续做大做强先进制造业，推动产业高端化、智能化、绿色化发展，打造国家级产业集群。
Then, Xi talked about reform and opening up. He said that it is important to “highlight problem orientation, focus on solving key issues and bottlenecks that constrain the construction of a new development pattern and promote high-quality development, address the pain points and difficulties in the development environment and people's livelihood areas, tackle the focal and hot issues that adversely impact social fairness and justice, effectively prevent and resolve major risks and constantly add momentum and vitality to economic and social development.” 习近平强调，进一步全面深化改革要突出问题导向，着力解决制约构建新发展格局和推动高质量发展的卡点堵点问题、发展环境和民生领域的痛点难点问题、有悖社会公平正义的焦点热点问题，有效防范化解重大风险，不断为经济社会发展增动力、添活力.
He added that “Hunan should strengthen the integration of reform systems, better participate in the construction of a unified national market, fully integrate into the development strategy of the rise of the central region and the Yangtze River Economic Belt, deeply engage in the joint construction of BRI, steadily expand institutional opening-up, build high-standard free trade pilot zones, and strive to build a pilot zone for deepening China-Africa economic and trade cooperation. 湖南要加强改革系统集成，更好参与全国统一大市场建设，全面融入中部地区崛起和长江经济带发展战略，深度融入共建“一带一路”，稳步扩大制度型开放，高标准建设好自由贸易试验区，着力打造中非经贸深度合作先行区.
He further said that Hunan “should shoulder the heavy responsibility of safeguarding national food security,” while calling on the region to “accelerate breakthroughs in core technologies in key fields such as the seed industry and agricultural machinery”. He also called on the province to “strengthen the construction of rural spiritual civilization and vigorously promote the transformation of outdated customs. Improve the grassroots governance system, combining autonomy, rule by law and rule by virtue under the leadership of Party organizations; adhere to and develop the ‘Fengqiao Experience’ in the new era.” 切实加强乡村精神文明建设，大力推动移风易俗。健全党组织领导的自治、法治、德治相结合的基层治理体系，坚持和发展新时代“枫桥经验”.
He said that “Hunan should better shoulder its new cultural mission and show new achievements in building the modern civilization of the Chinese nation. Protect and make good use of red resources, strengthen the revolutionary tradition and patriotic education, guide the broad masses of cadres and people to carry forward fine traditions, continue the red bloodline, practice the core socialist values…” 习近平强调，湖南要更好担负起新的文化使命，在建设中华民族现代文明中展现新作为。保护好、运用好红色资源，加强革命传统和爱国主义教育，引导广大干部群众发扬优良传统、赓续红色血脉，践行社会主义核心价值观，培育时代新风新貌.
Finally, Xi talked about Party-building. He called for consolidating and expanding the results of thematic education, establishing and practicing a correct view of political performance, and deepening the rectification of formalism to reduce the burden on the grassroots. He also stressed on ensuring that “cadres establish a correct view of power, use power fairly, in accordance with the law, for the people, and with integrity.” 要巩固拓展主题教育成果，建立健全长效机制，树立和践行正确政绩观，持续深化整治形式主义为基层减负。组织开展好党纪学习教育，引导党员干部学纪、知纪、明纪、守纪，督促领导干部树立正确权力观，公正用权、依法用权、为民用权、廉洁用权.
Finally, the report says that Xi also met with troops stationed in Changsha. Zhang Youxia was with him. But there are no details about any comments from Xi.
The only other story on the page is on Xi’s message to Prabowo Subianto on his election as Indonesian president. Xinhua reports:
“Noting that China and Indonesia are traditional friendly neighbors, Xi said that with the joint efforts of the two sides, the development of bilateral relations has embarked on the fast track, with increasingly consolidated political mutual trust, deepening synergy of development strategies and fruitful mutually beneficial cooperation. The two sides have opened a new chapter in building a China-Indonesia community with a shared future, Xi said. Xi added that he attaches great importance to the development of China-Indonesia relations and looks forward to working with President-elect Prabowo Subianto to secure greater achievements in building a community with a shared future, and set an example of solidarity and coordination for common development among major developing countries, so as to bring more benefits to the two peoples and inject strong impetus into regional and global prosperity and stability.”
Page 3: There’s a report on Wang Huning meeting with a delegation led by Kim Song Nam, international department director of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) Central Committee. Xinhua reports:
Wang said that “under the guidance of the top leaders of the two sides, China and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) have witnessed constant consolidation and development of their traditional friendship. Noting that this year marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties and is designated as the China-DPRK Friendship Year, Wang said China is willing to work with the DPRK to turn the important consensus reached by the top leaders into concrete actions advancing the friendship between the two sides, deepen collaboration, strengthen strategic communication, and jointly work for a peaceful and stable external environment. ‘The CPPCC National Committee is ready to make positive contributions to promoting China-DPRK ties’.”
Kim Song Nam also met with ILD chief Liu Jianchao, although the report doesn’t say anything substantive.
Next, there’s a report on United Front chief Shi Taifeng’s comments during his visit to Fujian. He talked about the importance of using the “powerful magic weapon of the united front” to achieve Chinese-style modernisation.
He said that:
“It is necessary to strengthen ideological and political guidance, guiding new social strata and private entrepreneurs to accurately grasp the Party Central Committee's scientific judgment on both domestic and international situations; unify their thoughts and actions to implement the Party Central Committee's major decisions and arrangements and the spirit of the Two Sessions; further strengthen our confidence in development; focus on serving high-quality development; and collectively contribute to the advancement of Chinese-style modernization.” 要加强思想政治引领，引导新的社会阶层人士和民营经济人士准确把握党中央关于国际国内形势的科学判断，切实把思想和行动统一到贯彻落实党中央重大决策部署和全国两会精神上来，进一步坚定发展信心，着力服务高质量发展，围绕推进中国式现代化一起来想、一起来干.
“It is necessary to adhere to the sinicization of religion in China, strengthen the training of religious talents, and promote religious exchanges and interactions with foreign countries.” 要坚持我国宗教中国化方向，加强宗教人才培养，促进宗教对外交往交流.
It is necessary to focus on strengthening the construction of overseas patriotic forces and cultivating and expanding the influence of the friends of China, deepen ideological and political guidance work, strengthen research on overseas Chinese sentiments, adhere to targeted policies, effectively utilize the role of representatives from the overseas Chinese community, and unite and rally more overseas compatriots. It is necessary to grasp the changes in the situation of overseas Chinese, innovate ideas and measures, transform working methods, and further enhance the targeted effectiveness of our work. It is necessary to give full play to the advantages of the great United Front work pattern, promote overseas Chinese-related departments to further enhance their awareness and thinking of the United Front, coordinate with each other, deepen cooperation, and truly form a unified and coordinated working pattern.” 要着眼加强海外爱国力量建设和涵养壮大知华友华力量，做深做实思想政治引领工作，加强侨情调研，坚持分类施策，发挥好侨界代表人士作用，把更多侨胞团结凝聚起来。要把握侨情变化，创新思路举措，转变工作方式，进一步增强工作的针对性实效性。要发挥大统战工作格局优势，推动涉侨部门进一步增强统战意识、统战思维，相互配合、深化合作，真正形成“一盘棋”的工作格局.
Next, there’s a report on Vice President Han Zheng meeting with the visiting Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni and Queen Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk in Beijing. Xinhua says:
“Han said bilateral relations have withstood the test of the evolving international landscape and remained rock-solid for more than half a century, setting a fine example of equality and mutual benefits between countries of different sizes. He said that under the strategic guidance of the leaders of the two countries, China and Cambodia have ushered in a new era of building a high-quality, high-level and high-standard China-Cambodia community with a shared future. ‘China stands ready to work with Cambodia to implement the important consensus reached between the leaders of the two countries, push for new progress in China-Cambodia comprehensive strategic cooperation and bring more benefits to the two peoples,’ Han added. Sihamoni and Monineath expressed appreciation for China's long-term selfless assistance to Cambodia and a series of global initiatives proposed by China, noting that Cambodia firmly abides by the one-China principle and is willing to join hands with China to build a Cambodia-China community with a shared future, deepen exchanges and cooperation in various fields and pass on the traditional friendship from generation to generation.”
Finally, there’s a report on NPCSC Vice Chairman Xiao Jie’s visit to Hungary. Xiao reportedly met with Hungarian National Assembly Speaker László Kövér and the country’s deputy PM. He said that “this year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Hungary. The National People's Congress of China is willing to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with the Hungarian Parliament, implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, and push bilateral relations to a new level.”
Page 4: There’s a report on China’s first independently developed hydrogen-powered urban train completing a test at a speed of 160 kph on Thursday. Xinhua informs:
“The train, developed by CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles Co., Ltd. in Changchun, northeast China's Jilin Province, was tested on a test track belonging to the enterprise, achieving a full-system, full-scenario and multi-level performance verification…Test data also shows that the average energy consumption of the train is 5 kWh per km, which is on par with world leading levels.”