Xi Talks Employment Policies - China-Equatorial Guinea Jt. Statement - Resist 'Countercurrent of ‘de-Sinicization’ in Taiwan - Wang Yi on China-Arab Ties - NatSec Warning for SOEs - $47.5 bln IC Fund
Here are the key reports and articles that I found noteworthy from the People's Daily’s edition on Wednesday, May 29, 2024.
Page 1: The lead story today is about the group study session of the Politburo. Before getting to that, let me cover yesterday’s report on the Politburo meeting. Xinhua has a detailed English report on that.
The meeting “reviewed two documents, namely Policy Measures to Accelerate Development of Central China in the New Era, and Regulations on Accountability for Failing to Prevent or Defuse Financial Risks (trial).” The report added that the meeting noted that promoting the development of central China was a “major strategic decision” by the Central Committee. “It is imperative to thoroughly understand the strategic intent of the CPC Central Committee, and the significance of strengthening the strategic position of central China as an important base in terms of grain production, energy and raw materials, modern equipment manufacturing and high-tech industry, and also a comprehensive transportation hub…”
“The Central Leading Group for Coordinated Regional Development should strengthen the overall coordination to flesh out the content of all tasks, and push local efforts to fulfill the tasks by constantly checking the to-do list. Relevant departments should intensify their support, and provinces in central China including Shanxi, Anhui, Jiangxi, Henan, Hubei and Hunan should bear their principal responsibilities and form synergy to write a new chapter in energizing the central region.”
On the issue of financial risks, the report is quite blunt. It says that “Financial oversight must have ‘teeth and thorns’ and be sharp-pointed. Strict tone, measures and atmosphere must prevail in the financial sector forever.”
It adds: “Formulating and introducing trial regulations concerning accountability for failing to prevent or defuse financial risks are aimed at further exercising full and rigorous Party self-governance in the financial sector. It is also meant to strengthen the centralized and unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee over work in the financial sector, and to further make relevant administrative departments, financial institutions, competent departments in the sector, and local Party committees shoulder their responsibilities. With the new regulations, leading officials at all levels will be urged to have a correct understanding of what it means to perform well. They should make sure that various tasks in strengthening financial regulation across the board, preventing and defusing financial risks, and promoting high-quality development in the financial sector are fulfilled well.”
Back to today’s paper. This was the 14th collective study session of the Politburo. The big focus was employment. Mo Rong, President of the Chinese Academy of Labor and Social Security Sciences, was the scholar who addressed the gathering.
Xi said that promoting “high-quality and sufficient employment is the new positioning and mission of employment work in the new era and on the new journey.” 中共中央总书记习近平在主持学习时强调，促进高质量充分就业，是新时代新征程就业工作的新定位、新使命.
He then talked about the work done since the 18th Party Congress, distilling the experience that has been accumulated.
In our practice, we have continuously deepened our understanding of the laws of employment work in the new era and accumulated a lot of experience. This includes:
Persist with employment as the foundation of people's livelihood
Persist with the implementation of the employment first strategy
Persist with relying on development to promote employment
Persist with the combination of expanding employment capacity and improving employment quality
Persist with focusing on the employment of key groups
Persist with entrepreneurship to drive employment
Persist with creating a fair employment environment;
Persist with building harmonious labour relations
These experiences are very valuable and must be persisted with for a long time along with being continuously enriched and developed.” 在实践中不断深化对新时代就业工作规律的认识，积累了许多经验。主要包括：坚持把就业作为民生之本；坚持实施就业优先战略；坚持依靠发展促进就业；坚持扩大就业容量和提升就业质量相结合；坚持突出抓好重点群体就业；坚持创业带动就业；坚持营造公平就业环境；坚持构建和谐劳动关系，等等。这些经验十分宝贵，要长期坚持并不断丰富发展.
“Xi Jinping stressed that we must unswervingly implement the new development concept, prioritise high-quality and sufficient employment as a primary goal of economic and social development, make the process of high-quality development a process of improving the quality and expanding the capacity of employment, and enhance the employment driving force of development. Develop new quality productive forces according to local conditions, transform and upgrade traditional industries, cultivate and strengthen emerging industries, plan and build future industries, improve the modern industrial system, and strive to create more high-quality jobs. Support the development of industries and enterprises with strong employment absorption capacity in order to stabilize and expand employment capacity. According to the new trends of economic and social development and the new expectations of the people for high-quality life, vigorously develop new business formats and models, actively explore and cultivate new job categories, and create new employment growth points. Strengthen the assessment of the impact of major policies, major projects, and major productivity layouts on employment, coordination and synergy of fiscal, monetary, investment, consumption, industrial, and regional policies with employment policies, and build an employment-friendly development model.” 习近平强调，要坚定不移贯彻新发展理念，更加自觉地把高质量充分就业作为经济社会发展的优先目标，使高质量发展的过程成为就业提质扩容的过程，提高发展的就业带动力。因地制宜发展新质生产力，改造提升传统产业，培育壮大新兴产业，布局建设未来产业，完善现代化产业体系，努力创造更多高质量就业岗位。支持发展吸纳就业能力强的产业和企业，稳定和扩大就业容量。根据经济社会发展新趋势和人民群众高品质生活新期待，大力发展新业态、新模式，积极挖掘、培育新的职业序列，开发新的就业增长点。强化重大政策、重大项目、重大生产力布局对就业影响的评估，推动财政、货币、投资、消费、产业、区域等政策与就业政策协调联动、同向发力，构建就业友好型发展方式.
He then called to address the “supply-demand imbalance in the workforce which leads to structural unemployment”. This entails “analyzing and assessing the workforce development trends” and coordinating “education, training and employment, dynamically adjusting the layout of higher education majors and distribution of resources, vigorously developing vocational education, and improving the lifelong vocational skills training system.” He also called to “strengthen propaganda and education in order to guide the whole society to firmly establish a correct employment outlook…” 习近平指出，要加快塑造素质优良、总量充裕、结构优化、分布合理的现代化人力资源，解决好人力资源供需不匹配这一结构性就业矛盾。适应新一轮科技革命和产业变革，科学研判人力资源发展趋势，统筹抓好教育、培训和就业，动态调整高等教育专业和资源结构布局，大力发展职业教育，健全终身职业技能培训制度。完善供需对接机制，力求做到人岗相适、用人所长、人尽其才，提升就业质量和稳定性。加强宣传教育，引导全社会牢固树立正确就业观，以择业新观念打开就业新天地。深入分析一些行业出现用工缺口的原因，从破解“有活没人干”入手，解决“有人没活干”的问题.
When it comes to employment support policies for key groups, he talked about “giving top priority to the employment of college graduates and other youth groups”. Xi added that “measures will be adopted to promote the employment of migrant workers and guide returning talent to start businesses in their hometowns, as well as encourage urban talent to move to rural areas for entrepreneurial ventures. Stabilise the scale of employment and income of the people who have been lifted out of poverty, and prevent large-scale return to poverty due to unemployment.” Other groups of people he mentioned are the elderly, people with disabilities, and those unemployed for extended periods, veterans and women. 习近平强调，要完善重点群体就业支持政策。坚持把高校毕业生等青年群体就业作为重中之重，开发更多有利于发挥所学所长的就业岗位，鼓励青年投身重点领域、重点行业、城乡基层和中小微企业就业创业，拓宽市场化社会化就业渠道。结合推进新型城镇化和乡村全面振兴，坚持外出就业和就地就近就业并重，多措并举促进农民工就业，引导外出人才返乡、城市人才下乡创业。稳定脱贫人口务工规模和务工收入，防止因失业导致规模性返贫。加强对大龄、残疾、较长时间失业等就业困难群体的帮扶，统筹用好公益性岗位，确保零就业家庭动态清零。做好退役军人、妇女等群体就业工作.
Towards the end, he talked about:
Improving labour laws and regulations, standardising labour standards for new employment forms, improving the social security system, and safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of workers.
Strengthening the protection of the rights and interests of workers in flexible employment and new employment forms and expanding pilot programs for occupational injury protection.
Strengthening market supervision and labour and social security supervision and effectively dealing with issues of discrimination, wage arrears, illegal layoffs and other problems.
习近平强调，要加强劳动者权益保障。健全劳动法律法规，规范新就业形态劳动基准，完善社会保障体系，维护劳动者合法权益。加强灵活就业和新就业形态劳动者权益保障，扩大职业伤害保障试点，及时总结经验、形成制度。加强市场监管和劳动保障监察执法，有效治理就业歧视、欠薪欠保、违法裁员等乱象。
Moving on, the other big report on the page is about Xi’s meeting with Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, President of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea. The report says:
“Xi Jinping pointed out that China and Equatorial Guinea are good friends and partners who trust each other with sincerity. The most distinctive feature of the relationship between the two countries is the high level of political mutual trust. Since establishing diplomatic relations over half a century ago, both sides have always supported each other and stood together through thick and thin. They have firmly supported each other on issues involving their core interests and major concerns, which has become a vivid portrayal of China’s sincere friendship and joint development with African countries. Under the new situation, consolidating and developing China's relations with Equatorial Guinea is in line with the fundamental interests and common expectations of the two countries and their peoples. China firmly supports Equatorial Guinea in safeguarding its national sovereignty and independence, opposing external interference, and independently exploring its own development path. China is willing to take the opportunity of enhancing the comprehensive strategic partnership with Equatorial Guinea to further strengthen friendly exchanges in all fields and at all levels, carry out in-depth exchanges of experience in reform and development, poverty alleviation and other fields, and inject lasting impetus into the traditional friendship between the two countries.” 习近平指出，中国同赤道几内亚是肝胆相照的好朋友、好伙伴，高水平政治互信是两国关系的最鲜明特征。建交半个多世纪以来，双方始终守望相助、风雨同舟，在涉及彼此核心利益和重大关切问题上坚定相互支持，成为中国同非洲国家真诚友好、携手发展的生动写照。新形势下，巩固好、发展好中国同赤道几内亚关系符合两国和两国人民的根本利益和共同期待。中方坚定支持赤道几内亚维护国家主权独立、反对外来干涉、自主探索本国发展道路，愿同赤道几内亚以提升全面战略合作伙伴关系为契机，进一步密切各领域、各层级友好往来，深入开展改革发展、脱贫攻坚等领域经验交流，为两国传统友好注入持久动力.
Xi then said that “China encourages capable Chinese enterprises to invest in Equatorial Guinea, and is willing to share development experience in the fields of agriculture and rural affairs with Equatorial Guinea, continue conducting agricultural technical assistance projects, give full play to the role of Chinese medical teams and China-Equatorial Guinea Friendship Hospital, and deepen medical care, education, exchanges and cooperation in cultural and other fields, to pass on the traditional friendship between the two countries from generation to generation and better benefit the two peoples.”
“Emphasizing that the world today is intertwined with turmoil, the changes unseen in a century are accelerating, and human society is facing unprecedented challenges, Xi said that developing countries need to strengthen solidarity and cooperation more than ever. China is willing to work with Equatorial Guinea and other developing countries to carry forward the spirit of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, strengthen coordination and cooperation in international affairs, and safeguard the common interests of developing countries and international equity and justice, to build a community with a shared future for humanity, Xi said. Noting that developing solidarity and cooperation with African countries is an important cornerstone of China's foreign policy, Xi said China is willing to hold a new FOCAC summit with Africa, further carry forward traditional friendship, deepen solidarity and cooperation, discuss future development and cooperation plans, and open a new chapter in building a China-Africa community with a shared future.”
Among other things, Obiang is quoted as saying that Equatorial Guinea is willing to open its doors to China, welcomes Chinese enterprises to invest and carry out cooperation in Equatorial Guinea to help Equatorial Guinea achieve economic diversification and industrialization, and ensure the lasting and healthy national development…the vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity, the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative proposed by President Xi, are conducive to promoting global peace and progress and creating a better world…Equatorial Guinea is willing to strengthen cooperation with China within the frameworks of the FOCAC, BRICS and others, to promote a global governance system that is more fair and equitable…Equatorial Guinea firmly upholds the one-China principle…”
A joint statement establishing a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership was issued after the talks. This document is available on Page 3. I’ll cover key excerpts below.
“Both sides reaffirm their firm support for each other to independently explore a development path that suits their national conditions, and agree to continue to strengthen exchanges and mutual learning of governance experience. Equatorial Guinea highly appreciates that the Chinese people, under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, have comprehensively promoted the construction of a strong country and the great cause of national rejuvenation with Chinese-style modernization, and believes that Chinese-style modernization has expanded the path choices and practical solutions for developing countries to move towards modernization.” 双方重申坚定支持对方自主探索符合本国国情的发展道路，将持续加强治国理政经验交流互鉴。赤几方高度赞赏中国人民在中国共产党领导下，以中国式现代化全面推进强国建设、民族复兴伟业，认为中国式现代化为发展中国家走向现代化拓展了路径选择和实践方案.
“The two sides stressed that mutual support on issues concerning each other’s core interests is a natural consequence of the high level of political mutual trust between China and Equatorial Guinea. China reiterates its firm support for Equatorial Guinea in safeguarding its national independence, sovereignty, security and development interests, and firmly opposes external interference in the internal affairs of Equatorial Guinea. Equatorial Guinea reiterates its firm adherence to the one-China principle, believing that there is only one China in the world, Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory, and the government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legitimate government representing all of China. It firmly opposes any form of ‘Taiwan independence’, opposes external interference in China’s internal affairs, and firmly supports all efforts made by the Chinese government to achieve national reunification. Equatorial Guinea reiterates its support for China’s position on issues related to Hong Kong, Xinjiang, Tibet and other issues.” 双方强调，在涉及彼此核心利益问题上相互支持是中赤几高水平政治互信的应有之义。中方重申坚定支持赤几方维护国家独立及主权、安全和发展利益，坚决反对外部势力干涉赤几内政。赤几方重申坚定奉行一个中国原则，认为世界上只有一个中国，台湾是中国领土不可分割的一部分，中华人民共和国政府是代表全中国的唯一合法政府，坚决反对任何形式的“台湾独立”，反对外部势力干涉中国内政，坚定支持中国政府为实现国家统一所作的一切努力。赤几方重申支持中方在涉港、涉疆、涉藏等问题上的立场.
On BRI, the document says that the two sides will jointly draft and sign a BRI cooperation plan. 双方将共同编制并签署关于共同推进“一带一路”建设的合作规划，愿在和平合作、开放包容、互学互鉴、互利共赢的丝路精神指导下，秉持共商共建共享原则，加强两国发展战略对接，立足各自比较优势和发展需求，积极推进各领域合作，力争取得更多务实成果.
Equatorial Guinea highly appreciates and firmly supports the GDI, GSI and GCI proposed by President Xi Jinping, and believes that the three global initiatives provide strategic guidance for promoting the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. China appreciates Equatorial Guinea's active participation in joining the Group of Friends of the Global Development Initiative. The two sides agreed to further strengthen cooperation within the GDI, GSI and GCI framework. Equatorial Guinea welcomes the ‘Global Artificial Intelligence Governance Initiative’ and ‘Global Data Security Initiative’ proposed by China, and appreciates China's efforts to enhance the rights of developing countries in global governance in the fields of artificial intelligence, networks and data. 赤几方高度赞赏并坚定支持习近平主席提出的全球发展倡议、全球安全倡议和全球文明倡议，认为三大全球倡议为推进构建人类命运共同体提供战略引领。中方赞赏赤几方积极参与加入“全球发展倡议之友小组”。双方同意进一步加强在全球发展倡议、全球安全倡议和全球文明倡议框架内的合作。赤几方欢迎中方提出的《全球人工智能治理倡议》《全球数据安全倡议》，赞赏中方为增强发展中国家在人工智能、网络、数据领域全球治理中的权利所作努力.
The two sides agreed to “deepen cooperation in agriculture, fisheries, energy, mining, infrastructure and other fields…Equatorial Guinea pledges to enhance communication with Chinese enterprises, actively implement existing cooperation projects, and further improve the business environment to provide favourable conditions for Chinese businesses operating in Equatorial Guinea. China welcomes Equatorial Guinea's active participation in the China International Import Expo, the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo, and the China Import and Export Fair, and supports more high-quality agricultural and fishery products from Equatorial Guinea entering the Chinese market. China will encourage more capable Chinese enterprises to invest in Equatorial Guinea, assisting in the country's diversified economic development.” 双方同意进一步扩大贸易投资合作，深化在农渔业、能矿、基础设施等领域合作。赤几方充分肯定《关于两国经贸合作特殊安排的框架协议》对推动双方在基础设施建设等领域合作发挥的重要作用，愿继续在框架协议下进一步加强双边务实合作。赤几方承诺同中国企业加强沟通，积极落实好现有合作项目，同时进一步改善营商环境，为中国企业在赤几经营提供良好条件。中方欢迎赤几方积极参与中国国际进口博览会、中非经贸博览会、中国进出口商品交易会，支持赤几更多优质农渔产品进入中国市场。中方将鼓励更多有实力的中国企业赴赤几投资，助力赤几经济多元化发展.
The next bit talks about cooperation in culture, tourism, education, youth, media, sports, public health, and epidemic prevention and control.
On security issues, the document talks about strengthening “high-level exchanges between the military and law enforcement agencies of the two countries; cooperation in personnel training, equipment technology, prevention of terrorist attacks, joint exercises and training, and combating transnational crimes.” 双方同意进一步加强在和平与安全领域的交流与合作，密切两国军队、警务高层交往，加强在人员培训、装备技术、防范恐怖袭击、联演联训、打击跨国犯罪等领域合作.
On international affairs, the document says that “both sides reaffirm their commitment to the equality of all countries, big or small, and oppose hegemonism and power politics. They agree to uphold true multilateralism, firmly defend the international system with the United Nations at its core, the international order based on international law, and the basic norms of international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, promote an equal and orderly multipolar world and inclusive economic globalization, and promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.” 双方重申坚持大小国家一律平等，反对霸权主义和强权政治，一致同意坚持真正的多边主义，坚决捍卫以联合国为核心的国际体系、以国际法为基础的国际秩序、以联合国宪章宗旨和原则为基础的国际关系基本准则，推进平等有序的世界多极化和普惠包容的经济全球化，推动构建人类命运共同体.
“Both sides unanimously believe that the publication of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence 70 years ago was a significant milestone in the history of international relations, making historic contributions to promoting the establishment of a just and fair new type of international relations. The international community should further promote the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, enhance friendly cooperation, and promote world peace and development.” 双方一致认为，70年前和平共处五项原则的发表是国际关系史上的重大创举，为推动建立公正合理的新型国际关系作出了历史性的贡献。国际社会应进一步弘扬和平共处五项原则，增进友好合作，促进世界和平与发展.
“The two sides agree that the reform of the UN Security Council should support developing countries, including Africa, to play a greater role, expand their representation and voice in the Security Council, and correct the historical injustice suffered by Africa. China positively evaluates the important role played by Equatorial Guinea as a member of the Committee of Ten Heads of State and Government on United Nations Security Council. Reform (C-10) and the positive results of the C10 Equatorial Guinea Summit, and is willing to continue to strengthen coordination and cooperation with Equatorial Guinea. Equatorial Guinea reiterated that the common position of the AU is the only viable option to correct the historical injustice suffered by Africa, and appreciated China's leading support for the AU to join the G20.” 双方一致认为，联合国安理会改革应支持包括非洲在内的发展中国家发挥更大作用，扩大其在安理会的代表性和发言权，纠正非洲遭受的历史不公。中方积极评价赤几方作为非盟安理会改革十国元首委员会（C10）成员国发挥的重要作用和C10赤几峰会积极成果，愿同赤几方继续加强协调合作。赤几方重申非盟共同立场是纠正非洲遭遇的历史不公的唯一可行选择，赞赏中国率先支持非盟加入二十国集团。
“Both sides agree that the development of human rights is a common cause of all mankind, and the right to survival and development are the primary basic human rights. Human rights exchanges and cooperation should be carried out on the basis of mutual respect and equal treatment.” 双方一致认为，发展人权是全人类共同的事业，生存权、发展权是首要的基本人权，应在相互尊重和平等相待基础上开展人权交流与合作.
Back to Page 1. There is a report on the new disciplinary action regulation for those in managerial positions of state-owned enterprises. The document, consisting of seven chapters and 52 articles, specifies various types of misconduct and corresponding penalties. This will come into effect on September 1, 2024. The full document is available on Page 15.
I am not doing a detailed breakdown. But managers are warned against “damaging national security and national interests in foreign economic cooperation, foreign aid, and foreign exchanges.” 在对外经济合作、对外援助、对外交流等工作中损害国家安全和国家利益. It also says that “anyone who publicly publishes articles, speeches, declarations, statements, etc. that oppose the state’s guiding ideology established by the Constitution, the leadership of the Communist Party of China, the socialist system, and reform and opening up will be expelled.” 公开发表反对宪法确立的国家指导思想，反对中国共产党领导，反对社会主义制度，反对改革开放的文章、演说、宣言、声明等的，予以开除.
Also on the front page today are reports on Zhao Leji and Wang Huning meeting with Puan Maharani, speaker of Indonesia's House of Representatives.
Xinhua’s report on Zhao’s meeting with her says:
“China and Indonesia share broad common interests, Zhao said, calling on both sides to consolidate high-level strategic mutual trust and firmly support each other's core interests. Zhao added that China will continue to enhance the synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative and Indonesia's development strategies to upgrade practical cooperation, and boost people-to-people exchanges. Noting that this year marks the 70th anniversary of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, Zhao said China is ready to work with Indonesia and other ASEAN countries to strengthen multilateral coordination on the implementation of the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, build a closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future, and jointly contribute to world peace, stability, development and prosperity. The long-standing tradition of friendly exchanges between the legislative bodies of the two countries is an important manifestation of the high-level strategic mutual trust between China and Indonesia, Zhao said. He added that China's NPC is willing to continue to carry out multi-level and multi-field communication and exchanges with Indonesia's House of Representatives to better serve the economic development and modernization process of their respective countries. He called on both sides to strengthen coordination and cooperation under multilateral mechanisms to safeguard the common interests of the two countries and developing countries. Maharani stressed that Indonesia firmly upholds the one-China principle and regards it as the political foundation of Indonesia-China relations.”
Finally, there’s a report (English report) on Ding Xuexiang’s comments at the signing ceremony of Kunming Biodiversity Fund in Beijing.
Page 3: There are a lot of announcements on the page. Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Tunisian President Kais Saied are visiting China for the 10th Ministerial Conference of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum.
Meanwhile, Wang Yi met with his Sudanese counterpart Hussein Awad. Xinhua says:
“Wang said China supports Sudan in safeguarding its national sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, achieving domestic peace and stability, and exploring a development path suited to its own national conditions. China will continue to promote the international community to provide favorable external conditions for the settlement of the Sudan issue. China appreciates Sudan's active support for and participation in the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum, he said, noting China is ready to use the 10th ministerial conference as an opportunity to promote relations between China and Arab countries. Wang said China is also ready to work with African countries, including Sudan, to successfully host this year's Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) to contribute to building a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future. Hussein expressed admiration for China's great achievements in development, and thanked China for its strong support in Sudan's development. Sudan adheres to the one-China principle, and will always firmly support China on issues concerning China's core interests and major concerns, he added.”
Wang also met with Shayea Mohsen Al-Zindani, Yemen's minister of foreign affairs and expatriates. Xinhua says:
Wang said that “China firmly supports the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Yemen, and always cherishes its traditional friendship with Yemen. Noting that the upcoming 10th ministerial meeting of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum is an important meeting that builds on the past heritage and opens up the future, Wang said it serves the common interests of both China and the Arab States to strengthen solidarity and coordination to jointly meet challenges under the current international situation. The tense situation in the Red Sea is a prominent manifestation of the spillover from the Gaza conflict, and the urgent task is to promote an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. China calls for an end to the harassment of civilian vessels and to ensure the safety of waterways in the Red Sea, Wang said. China hopes that all parties involved in the Yemen issue will be committed to a political settlement, continue to resolve disputes and differences through dialogue and negotiation, and strive for early reconciliation, Wang added. Al-Zindani said that Yemen attaches great importance to its relations with China, and abides by the one-China principle. Yemen hopes that China will continue to play a greater role in cooling down the situation in the Red Sea and promoting reconciliation and reconstruction of Yemen.”
Next, there’s a very brief report on the China-Cambodia Golden Dragon-2024 live-fire drills in the sea near Sihanoukville Port. Global Times reports:
“A total of 16 ships of the two militaries participated in the exercise, marking the first joint live-fire drill between Chinese naval vessels and the Cambodian navy. The part of the exercise focuses on maritime anti-terrorism and anti-hijacking operations.”
Another report informs that:
“During the adaptive training phase of the Golden Dragon-2024 joint exercise, the Chinese participating forces deployed a new type of robot dog that weighs 15 kilograms and is equipped with a 4D super-wide-angle sensing system…With a battery and power system that allows an endurance of two to four hours, the robot dog can perform maneuvers such as move forward and backward, jump and crouch, CCTV reported, noting that it can also independently arrange movement routes to avoid obstacles and quickly close in on its target. In a simulated urban area, Chinese troops operated the robot dog with a remote control and had it conduct reconnaissance on the outer area of the streets and send back data on obstacles in the way. Yang Zhisheng, a PLA soldier responsible for operating the robot dog during the drills, said that the robot can send reconnaissance data to command center in real time. Another type of robot dog, a bigger one that weighs more than 50 kilograms, can conduct armed assault missions, the CCTV report shows.With a battery and power system that allows an endurance of two to four hours, the robot dog can perform maneuvers such as move forward and backward, jump and crouch, CCTV reported, noting that it can also independently arrange movement routes to avoid obstacles and quickly close in on its target. In a simulated urban area, Chinese troops operated the robot dog with a remote control and had it conduct reconnaissance on the outer area of the streets and send back data on obstacles in the way. Yang Zhisheng, a PLA soldier responsible for operating the robot dog during the drills, said that the robot can send reconnaissance data to command center in real time. Another type of robot dog, a bigger one that weighs more than 50 kilograms, can conduct armed assault missions, the CCTV report shows.”
Page 4: There’s a report on a seminar in Beijing on Xi Jinping Thought on Culture. Leading officials of central cultural and propaganda organs and experts and scholars attended. Li Shulei also spoke at the event. As per the report, experts in attendance said that the establishment of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture indicates that the Party’s “historical confidence and cultural confidence have reached a new height.” “It has established the cultural banner of the Communist Party of China in the new era, providing a scientific action guide for doing a good job in propaganda, ideology and culture and shouldering new cultural missions.” 习近平文化思想的提出，标志着我们党对中国特色社会主义文化建设规律的认识达到了新高度，表明我们党的历史自信、文化自信达到了新高度，树立了新时代中国共产党的文化旗帜，为做好宣传思想文化工作、担负起新的文化使命提供了科学行动指南.
They added that “it is the responsibility of the social sciences and cultural circles to study and interpret the Thought.” The meeting ended with the first batch of major research topics and directions being announced.
Next, there’s a report (English report) on Song Tao meeting with KMT leader Hung Hsiu-chu as part of a cross-strait dialogue in Guangzhou. Song said:
“The great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is irreversible and the reunification of the motherland will surely be realised. No matter how the situation on the island changes, no matter who is in power, it cannot change or stop the direction of the development of cross-strait relations and the reunification of the motherland. The patriotic forces for unification in Taiwan must adhere to the one-China principle, strengthen their belief in unification, recognize the essence of the ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist forces of ‘harming Taiwan’ and ‘selling Taiwan’, resolutely oppose the provocation of ‘independence’ by the leader of the Taiwan region, resolutely resist the countercurrent of ‘de-Sinicization’, and firmly protect the common home of the Chinese nation; they should actively participate in the great cause of national rejuvenation, jointly devote themselves to Chinese-style modernization, and jointly create the long-term well-being of the Chinese nation.” 宋涛表示，中华民族伟大复兴进程不可逆转，祖国统一必将实现。不管岛内局势如何变化，不管谁当权，都改变不了也阻挡不了两岸关系发展方向和祖国统一进程。台湾爱国统一力量要坚持一个中国原则，坚定统一信念，认清“台独”分裂势力“害台”“卖台”本质，坚决反对台湾地区领导人谋“独”挑衅，坚决抵制“去中国化”逆流，坚定守护中华民族共同家园；积极参与民族复兴伟业，共同投身中国式现代化，共创中华民族绵长福祉.
Hung said that “compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are part of one family, and they must resolutely oppose ‘Taiwan independence’ and maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait…” 洪秀柱等表示，两岸同胞是一家人，要坚决反对“台独”分裂，维护台海和平稳定，维护两岸同胞根本利益，为民族复兴创造良好环境.
Page 6: There are two articles on the 10th Ministerial Conference of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum. The first one is by Wang Yi. The other one is by Ahmed Aboul Gheit, the Secretary-General of the Arab League.
I am only covering Wang Yi’s article. He begins by talking about the first China-Arab Summit in December 2022.
“Over the past year, the construction of the China-Arab community with a shared future has made solid progress, becoming a glorious banner for consolidating political consensus, development consensus, security consensus, and civilization consensus, leading China-Arab relations to forge ahead and stride forward.” 一年多来，中阿命运共同体建设步伐坚实，成为凝聚中阿政治共识、发展共识、安全共识、文明共识的光辉旗帜，引领中阿关系开拓进取、阔步前行.
“China and Arab countries have further strengthened strategic cooperation and achieved a higher level of strategic mutual trust. President Xi Jinping successfully received leaders of Arab countries such as Palestine, Algeria, Syria, and Mauritania on visits to China, leading to the high-level operation of China-Arab relations. China has established strategic partnerships with Palestine and Syria. Currently, it has established comprehensive strategic partnerships or strategic partnerships with 14 Arab countries and the Arab League, making the Arab world one of the regions with the most intensive strategic partnerships with China. Arab countries firmly support China in safeguarding its core interests and major concerns, and have always adhered to the one-China principle and pursued the one-China policy. China also firmly supports Arab countries in strengthening their strategic autonomy, safeguarding their national sovereignty and national dignity, and supports the Arab side in resolving contradictions and differences through dialogue and negotiation, and pursuing the path of unity, self-reliance, and collective security.” 中国和阿拉伯国家进一步加强战略协作，实现更高水平的战略互信。习近平主席成功接待巴勒斯坦、阿尔及利亚、叙利亚、毛里塔尼亚等阿拉伯国家领导人访华，引领中阿关系高位运行。中国同巴勒斯坦、叙利亚建立战略伙伴关系，目前已同14个阿拉伯国家和阿盟建立全面战略伙伴关系或战略伙伴关系，阿拉伯世界成为中国战略伙伴最密集的地区之一。阿拉伯国家坚定支持中国维护核心利益和重大关切，一贯恪守一个中国原则，奉行一个中国政策。中国也坚定支持阿拉伯国家加强战略自主，维护国家主权和民族尊严，支持阿方通过对话协商化解矛盾分歧，走团结自强、集体安全之路.
“Since October last year, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict has erupted violently, causing a large number of innocent civilian casualties and leading to a serious humanitarian crisis. No peace-loving country or people can remain indifferent to this. Faced with this grim situation, China has always stood on the side of justice and righteousness, and the right side of history. It has been pushing the international community to focus on ceasefire, civilian protection, expanded humanitarian assistance, and the implementation of the ‘two-state solution’, aiming to achieve a comprehensive, just, and lasting solution to the Palestinian issue as soon as possible. China and Arab countries have cooperated more closely and worked with solidarity in the struggle to defend international justice, enhancing mutual trust.” 去年10月以来，巴以冲突剧烈爆发，造成大量无辜平民伤亡，导致严重人道主义危机，任何热爱和平的国家和人民都不能无动于衷。面对严峻形势，中国始终站在公道正义一边、站在历史正确一边，推动国际社会聚焦停火止战、保护平民安全、扩大人道救援、落实“两国方案”，推动巴勒斯坦问题早日得到全面、公正、持久解决。中国同阿拉伯国家团结协作，在捍卫国际正义的斗争中更加相互信任.
The next bit talks about BRI and economic cooperation. Wang says that:
The two sides have implemented more than 200 large-scale projects under the framework of the "Belt and Road", and the results of cooperation have benefited nearly 2 billion people on both sides.
In the past two years, the trade volume between the two sides has reached a new level, maintaining a historical high of about $400 billion, which is 10 times that of 20 years ago.
In 2023, China imported 265 million tons of crude oil from Arab countries, accounting for 47% of China’s total overseas crude oil imports. China-Arab cooperation in photovoltaic, wind power, civil nuclear energy, hydrogen energy and other fields is also advancing steadily.
China has renewed or signed local currency swap agreements with Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia respectively, and Egypt has successfully issued panda bonds in the Chinese financial market.
He mentions infrastructure projects like football stadiums, expressways, bridges and buildings.
In the fields of information and communication technology, aerospace, big data, artificial intelligence, and other high-tech areas, fruitful cooperation results have been achieved between China and Arab countries. The centers of technology transfer, Beidou satellite, international research on drought, desertification and land degradation are operating at a high level, forming a technology transfer cooperation network connecting Chinese and Arab scientific research institutions and innovative enterprises.
中国和阿拉伯国家进一步拓展务实合作，实现更高质量的互利共赢。中国同阿拉伯国家和阿盟签署共建“一带一路”合作文件实现“全覆盖”，双方已在“一带一路”框架下实施200多个大型项目，合作成果惠及双方近20亿人民。中国连续多年稳居阿拉伯国家最大贸易伙伴国。过去两年，双方贸易额再上新台阶，保持在4000亿美元左右历史高位，是二十年前的10倍。中阿能源、金融、基础设施等领域合作亮点纷呈。2023年中国自阿拉伯国家进口原油2.65亿吨，占我国海外进口原油总量47%，中阿光伏、风能、民用核能、氢能等领域合作也在扎实推进。人民币加速走进阿拉伯国家，中国同埃及、阿联酋、沙特分别续签或签署本币互换协议，埃及在华成功发行熊猫债。在基础设施建设领域，被埃及人民誉为“新金字塔”的新行政首都“非洲第一高楼”、超过1200公里的阿尔及利亚东西高速公路、卡塔尔足球世界杯主会场卢赛尔体育场、非洲最大跨径斜拉桥摩洛哥穆罕默德六世大桥等一张张中国建设的“新名片”拔地而起。中阿信息通信、航空航天、大数据、人工智能等高新领域合作成果丰硕，技术转移、北斗卫星、干旱、荒漠化和土地退化国际研究等中心高水平运转，形成连接中阿科研机构和创新企业的技术转移协作网络。
The next paragraph is on civilisational and people to people exchanges. Some key points:
Through the China-Arab Research Center on Reform and Development, China has successfully hosted four sessions of the China-Arab Reform and Development Forum, organised 20 training courses for Arab countries and provided training for nearly 500 government officials, think tank scholars, and media professionals from Arab countries. 通过中阿改革发展研究中心，中方成功举办4届中阿改革发展论坛，面向阿拉伯国家举办20期研修班，为近500名阿拉伯国家政府官员、智库学者、媒体人士提供培训.
In December 2023, the Arab League became the first regional organization in the world to jointly issue a document with China on the implementation of the Global Civilization Initiative. 2023年12月首届“良渚论坛”期间，阿盟成为全球首个同中国共同发表践行全球文明倡议文件的地区组织.
In January 2024, the Arab League became the first regional organization in the world to sign a cooperation document with China on the construction of a think tank alliance.2024年1月，阿盟成为全球首个同中国签署建设智库联盟合作文件的地区组织.
China has cooperated with 13 Arab countries to build 21 Confucius Institutes and 2 Confucius Classrooms.中国已同13个阿拉伯国家合作建设21所孔子学院和2所孔子课堂。The United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Palestine, Egypt, Tunisia and Djibouti have officially incorporated Chinese language education into the national education system.阿联酋、沙特、巴勒斯坦、埃及、突尼斯、吉布提正式将中文教育纳入国民教育体系.
He also mentions new flight routes, such as Beijing-Riyadh and Xiamen-Doha.
For the upcoming meeting and looking ahead, Wang says:
China will continue on the “path of strategic mutual trust with Arab countries and build a more solid political foundation” for ties. “China will establish strategic partnerships with more Arab countries, support each other in safeguarding core interests as always, and act as good brothers who assist each other. China will continue to strengthen cooperation with Arab countries in regional and international affairs, determine its policy positions based on the merits of the matter, take into account the reasonable demands of all parties to seek solutions to hotspot issues, promote peace and stability in the Middle East, maintain international fairness and justice, and advance global governance in a direction that serves the interests of developing countries.” 中国将同更多阿拉伯国家建立战略伙伴关系，一如既往支持彼此维护核心利益，做守望相助的好兄弟。中国将继续同阿拉伯国家加强地区和国际事务协作，按照事情是非曲直决定自身政策立场，兼顾各方合理诉求寻求热点问题解决之道，促进中东地区和平稳定，维护国际公平正义，推动全球治理朝着符合发展中国家利益的方向前进.
On development cooperation, he writes that “China will further strengthen the main axis of energy cooperation with Arab countries and strengthen the energy supply and demand partnership. China welcomes Arab countries to increase investment in China's development. At the same time, China will continue to support the implementation of iconic large projects and good ‘small but beautiful’ projects in Arab countries, and work with Arab countries to create a high-tech industry growth pole with more scientific and technological content.” 中国将同阿拉伯国家进一步筑牢能源合作主轴，强化能源供求伙伴关系。中国欢迎阿拉伯国家加大投资中国发展，同时将继续支持在阿拉伯国家实施标志性的大项目、“小而美”的好工程，同阿方合力打造更具科技含量的高新产业增长极.
Wang also promises to strengthen cooperation in “culture, education, tourism, youth, and art”; “promote the common values of peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy, and freedom for all mankind”; “oppose the ‘clash of civilizations’ theory and resist ‘Islamophobia’; and enrich the garden of world civilizations and lead human civilization to develop in the direction of mutual respect and harmonious coexistence.” 中国将继续同阿拉伯国家共同探索现代化多元发展道路，进一步密切文化、教育、旅游、青年、艺术等各领域人文交流，弘扬和平、发展、公平、正义、民主、自由的全人类共同价值，反对“文明冲突论”，抵制“伊斯兰恐惧症”，丰富世界文明百花园，引领人类文明向相互尊重、和谐共生的方向发展.
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