Xi Tells Party Schools to Focus on Marxism & Morality - Xi-Lukashenko Meeting - Mobilising Support for Party & State Institutional Reform - Warning on NATO's Asian Outreach - Nord Stream Probe Call
Here are the key reports and articles that I found noteworthy from the People’s Daily’s edition on Thursday, March 2, 2023.
Page 1: It’s all Xi Jinping on the front page today. First, let’s look at his speech marking the 90th anniversary of the Central Party School (shorter English report). PBSC members Cai Qi and Ding Xuexiang were in attendance. Xi called on Party schools to stay true to their founding mission of fostering talent for and contributing wisdom to the Party.
Xi said that “focusing on the central task and serving the overall situation is a political position that Party schools must always adhere to. It is an inevitable requirement for practising the original intention/founding mission of Party schools. We must always take the Party's banner as the banner, the Party's will as the will and the Party's mission as the mission, consciously position ourselves precisely in the Party's great new cause and great new project of Party building, and consciously serve the overall work of the Party and the country. Adhere to the correct direction of running the school, always adhere to the principle of Party spirit, consciously obey the political line of serving the Party, strictly abide by the Party’s political discipline and rules, persist in caring for the Party, speaking about the Party, worrying for the Party and serving the Party, strengthen the four consciousnesses and four self-confidences and achieve the two safeguards, and consciously maintain a high degree of consistency with the CPC Central Committee in ideological and political actions. 他指出，围绕中心、服务大局，是党校事业必须始终坚持的政治站位，是践行党校初心的必然要求。必须始终坚持以党的旗帜为旗帜、以党的意志为意志、以党的使命为使命，自觉在党的新的伟大事业和党的建设新的伟大工程中精准定位，自觉为党和国家工作大局服务。必须坚持正确办学方向，始终坚持党校姓党，坚持党性原则，自觉服从服务于党的政治路线，严守党的政治纪律和政治规矩，坚持在党爱党、在党言党、在党忧党、在党为党，增强“四个意识”、坚定“四个自信”、做到“两个维护”，在思想上政治上行动上自觉同党中央保持高度一致.
In the next bit, Xi called on the schools to cultivate cadres who are “worthy of the important task of national rejuvenation.” They must also do a good job in “teaching and dispelling doubts in the new era” along with “spreading the truth of Marxism well.” Xi argued that “theoretical cultivation is the core of the overall quality of leading cadres, theoretical maturity is the basis of political maturity, and political firmness stems from theoretical sobriety. For leading cadres, the more firmly they master Marxism, the higher their political position, the stronger their political judgement, political understanding and political execution, and the more active they are in observing the current situation, planning for development, and guarding against and defusing risks. Party schools should further strengthen the education and training of Marxist theory, focus on unifying thoughts, wills and actions with the latest achievements of the modernisation of Marxism in China, and persistently Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era to forge souls.” 习近平指出，理论修养是领导干部综合素质的核心，理论上的成熟是政治上成熟的基础，政治上的坚定源于理论上的清醒。对领导干部来说，马克思主义这个看家本领掌握得越牢靠，政治站位就越高，政治判断力、政治领悟力、政治执行力就越强，观察时势、谋划发展、防范化解风险就越主动。党校要进一步加强马克思主义理论教育培训，重点抓好用马克思主义中国化时代化最新成果统一思想、统一意志、统一行动，坚持不懈用新时代中国特色社会主义思想凝心铸魂。
He then argued that Party schools must focus on “Party spirit education as the main content of teaching.” This deals with Party history, clean government, ideals and beliefs, traditional Chinese virtues, revolutionary traditions, etc. The aim is the “moral cultivation” of leading cadres to “establish the correct attitude towards power, performance and career in order to preserve the political character of Communists.” 引导和推动领导干部不断提高思想觉悟、精神境界、道德修养，树立正确的权力观、政绩观、事业观，保持共产党人的政治本色.
After this, the next paragraph talks about the need for officials to develop competence and proficiency in their areas of work. This entails cultivating the spirit to fight and the ability to serve the country's major strategic needs. The next paragraph discusses the need for Party schools to produce more quality output in various domains including the study and interpretation of the Party's new theories, boosting the Party's theoretical innovation and offering suggestions and proposals to the Party and the government.
Then Xi said: “Party schools are important frontiers of the Party's ideological work and must be in the hands of people who are loyal to the Party and Marxism. Party schools should propagate the Party's ideas, refute all kinds of fallacies and heresies in a precise manner, be an active propagator of the Party's innovative theory, a firm defender of Marxism's guiding position in the ideological field, and a reliable vanguard of guiding social thoughts with the Party's ideology.” 习近平指出，党校是党的意识形态工作的重要前沿阵地，必须掌握在忠于党、忠于马克思主义的人手里。党校要宣传党的主张，有针对性地批驳各种歪理邪说，当好党的创新理论的积极宣讲者、马克思主义在意识形态领域指导地位的坚定维护者、用党的意识形态引导社会思潮的可靠排头兵.
The next two paragraphs talk about the importance of upholding the Party's overall leadership over the work of Party schools and the need to maintain the most stringent political standards, academic standards, teaching standards, and management standards for Party schools. Finally, the report informs that Chen Xi told the gathering that Xi’s speech serves as a guiding document for the development of Party schools in the new era. He added that Party schools at all levels must thoroughly study and implement the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important speech, deeply understand the decisive significance of the Two Establishments, strengthen the four consciousnesses and four self-confidence, and achieve the two safeguards.
Next, let’s look at Xi Jinping’s meeting (English report) with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. Xi said that “in the face of an international situation full of instability and uncertainty, China is willing to work together with Belarus to promote the healthy and stable development of bilateral relations at a high level.”
Xi Jinping emphasised that the friendship between China and Belarus is unbreakable, and the two sides should continuously enhance political mutual trust and unswervingly be each other’s true friends and good partners. China highly appreciates Belarus’ firm support for China's legitimate position on issues related to Taiwan, Xinjiang, Hong Kong and human rights. The two sides should firmly support the development path chosen by each other, support each other in safeguarding their own core interests, oppose external forces interfering in internal affairs, and safeguard the sovereignty and political security of the two countries.”
Xinhua adds: “The two presidents agreed to expand economic and trade cooperation, do a good job in building the China-Belarus Industrial Park, and focus on the joint building of the Belt and Road to advance cooperation in connectivity projects such as the China-Europe Railway Express service.” Xi added that China and Belarus are joint defenders of international fairness and justice. China appreciates Belarus' support for GDI and GSI, and is willing to strengthen coordination and cooperation with Belarus across multilateral platforms such as the United Nations to jointly address global challenges and build a community with a shared future for mankind.” 习近平指出，世界正面临百年未有之大变局，维护世界和平与发展任重道远。中白是国际公平正义的共同维护者。中方赞赏白方支持全球发展倡议、全球安全倡议，愿同白方在联合国等多边平台加强协调配合，共同应对全球性挑战，携手构建人类命运共同体.
The report says that Lukashenko first praised Xi. He said that “President Xi Jinping is deeply supported by the Chinese people and enjoys high prestige in the world. I deeply admire him. I firmly believe that under the strong leadership of President Xi Jinping, China will continue to make new and brilliant achievements. The hearts of the Belarusian people are always connected with the Chinese people, and they will stand firmly with China at all times. Belarus firmly supports China in safeguarding its core interests, firmly supports and actively participates in the joint construction of BRI, GSI and GDI proposed by President Xi Jinping. The Belarusian side is willing to strengthen cooperation with the Chinese side in fields such as science and technology, industry, agriculture, and tourism, and promote the construction of the China-Europe Railway Express and the Belarus-China Industrial Park. Chinese companies are welcome to invest in Belarus and strengthen local and people-to-people exchanges. China is the mainstay of maintaining world peace. Belarus is willing to strengthen coordination with China on major international and regional issues, and work together to maintain international and regional security and stability.” 卢卡申科再次热烈祝贺中共二十大胜利召开，表示习近平主席深受中国人民拥戴，在世界享有崇高威信，我深表钦佩。我坚信，在习近平主席坚强领导下，中国将不断取得新的辉煌成就。白俄罗斯人民的心始终同中国人民连在一起，将在任何时候都和中国坚定站在一起。白方坚定支持中方维护自身核心利益，坚定支持、积极参与习近平主席提出的共建“一带一路”倡议、全球安全倡议和全球发展倡议。白方愿同中方加强科技、工业、农业、旅游等领域合作，推进中欧班列和白中工业园建设，欢迎中国企业赴白投资，加强地方和人文交流。中国是维护世界和平的中流砥柱。白方愿同中方就重大国际地区问题加强协作，共同致力于维护国际地区安全稳定.
The report only briefly addresses the Ukraine war. Xi said that “China's stance on the Ukraine crisis has been consistent and clear, and China has already released a paper stating its position on the political settlement of the crisis. ‘China's position boils down to supporting talks for peace,’ Xi stressed, calling for adherence to the direction of political settlement, abandoning the Cold War mentality, respecting legitimate security concerns, and helping forge a balanced, effective and sustainable European security architecture. Instead of politicising the world economy or using it as a tool, relevant countries should do things that are conducive to a ceasefire and the peaceful settlement of the crisis, Xi said. Lukashenko said that the Belarusian side fully agrees with and supports China's position and proposition on a political solution to the Ukrainian crisis, which is of great significance to resolving the crisis.”
They also signed a joint declaration on furthering the all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership in the new era and witnessed the signing of cooperation documents on economy and trade, industry, agriculture, customs, science and technology, health, tourism, sports and sub-national levels.
Some key points from the joint statement:
Ties between the two countries have “achieved a historic leap” and the relationship has “become a model for a new type of international relations.”
The pledged “mutual firm support on issues concerning each other's core interests is the cornerstone of the stable development of China-Belarus relations. Belarus abides by the one-China principle, recognises the government of the People's Republic of China as the only legal government representing the whole of China, reaffirms that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory, opposes any form of "Taiwan independence", and supports all efforts made by the Chinese government to realise national reunification, supports all efforts made by the China government to achieve national reunification, and supports China's position of safeguarding national security and territorial integrity and safeguarding citizens' rights. China supports Belarus' efforts to maintain political stability and economic development, and opposes external forces interfering in Belarus' internal affairs under any pretext. The two sides agreed that it is necessary to proceed from national conditions, explore a path of democracy and human rights development that meets the needs of the people, and resolutely oppose the practice of double standards on the issues of democracy and human rights and the use of democracy and human rights to interfere in the internal affairs of other countries. The two sides expressed serious concern over practices such as restricting the sovereign rights of other countries to independently choose the direction of political, economic and social development in accordance with the generally recognised principles of the UN Charter. Both sides stress the importance of working together to resist illegal unilateral restrictions and pressure on sovereign and independent states.” 双方强调，在涉及彼此核心利益问题上相互坚定支持是中白关系稳定发展的基石. 白方恪守一个中国原则，承认中华人民共和国政府是代表全中国的唯一合法政府，重申台湾是中国领土不可分割的一部分，反对任何形式的“台独”，支持中国政府为实现国家统一所作的一切努力，支持中方维护国家安全和领土完整、保障公民权利的立场。中方支持白方为维护政治稳定和经济发展所作努力，反对外部势力以任何借口干涉白俄罗斯内政。双方一致认为，必须从本国实际出发，探索符合人民需求的民主和人权发展道路，坚决反对在民主和人权问题上搞双重标准、利用民主和人权问题干涉别国内政的行径。双方对限制其他国家按照公认的联合国宪章原则自主选择政治、经济和社会发展方向的主权权利等做法表示严重关切。双方强调携手抵制对主权和独立国家实施非法单边限制措施及施压的重要性.
On economy and trade, the document talks about financial cooperation, “expanding the use of local currency in bilateral trade, investment and financing”, expanding “mutual direct investment”, carrying out cooperation in high-tech industries, promoting commercial cooperation between enterprises, and encouraging entrepreneurship. They have concluded the draft text of an agreement on services trade and investment. They “will continue to support the mutual export of high-quality agricultural products from China and Belarus to each other's countries, the high-quality development of the China-Belarus Industrial Park, carry out TCM cooperation projects, build high-quality tech talents actively carry out cooperation in the field of digital economy, encourage the development of e-commerce, and jointly promote the implementation of the Global Data Security Initiative proposed by China.
On science and tech cooperation, it says: The two sides will “encourage the joint establishment of joint scientific research centres, laboratories and other platforms, increase investment in scientific and technological cooperation projects, and promote joint research and development of new technologies in the fields of artificial intelligence and 5G.” They will “carry out joint research” and “support the establishment of joint centres and enterprises to facilitate the commercialisation of scientific and technological achievements of the two countries.” In addition, it talks about joint initiatives under the BRI and SCO frameworks.
“The two sides will strengthen cooperation in the fields of defense, justice, law enforcement and security, and deepen cooperation including military personnel training, joint combat against transnational crimes, and combating terrorism, so as to jointly prevent ‘colour revolutions’.七、双方将在防务、司法、执法安全领域加强合作，深化包括军事人员培训、联合打击跨国犯罪、打击恐怖主义等在内的合作，共同防范“颜色革命”。
The two sides “resolutely oppose all forms of hegemonism and power politics, including imposing illegal unilateral sanctions and restrictive measures on other countries, and will work together to build a new type of international relations, deepen and expand equal, open, and cooperative global partnerships, and work together to build a community with a shared future for mankind. The two sides strongly condemn any attempt to replace the existing international rules, order and mechanisms and undermine the basic contents of the UN Charter, and reiterate that they will promote the international community to consolidate the principle of rule of law in international relations on the basis of universally recognized principles and norms of international law, and support each other to reduce the negative impact of illegal unilateral restrictive measures. 十一、白方认同中方提出的和平、发展、公平、正义、民主、自由的全人类共同价值。双方将共同维护以联合国为核心的国际体系、以联合国宪章宗旨和原则为基础的国际关系基本准则，秉持旧金山精神，继续加强在联合国框架内的协调配合，就重大国际和地区问题及时交换意见，协调立场。坚决反对一切形式的霸权主义和强权政治，包括对他国实施非法单边制裁和限制措施，共同致力于构建新型国际关系，深化拓展平等、开放、合作的全球伙伴关系，携手构建人类命运共同体。双方强烈谴责任何企图取代现有国际规则、秩序和机制，破坏联合国宪章基本内容的行径，重申将推动国际社会以公认的国际法原则、准则为基础，巩固国际关系法治原则，相互支持减少非法单边限制措施带来的负面影响.
On Ukraine, the statement expresses “deep concern over the protracted armed conflict in the region.” They say that they “look forward to the restoration of peace in Ukraine as soon as possible to avoid escalation of the crisis. The two sides are willing to make efforts to restore regional peace.” 十二、双方对地区武装冲突延宕深表关切，期待乌克兰尽快恢复和平，避免危机升级。双方愿为恢复地区和平作出努力.
There’s support for GDI and GSI. For the former, the statement says: “The two sides are committed to close coordination in regional and global security affairs, and agreed to strengthen synergy on GSI to jointly address global challenges such as terrorism, climate change, cybersecurity, and biosecurity.” 白方支持中方提出的全球安全倡议。双方致力于在地区和全球安全事务中密切协作，一致同意就全球安全倡议加强对接，共同应对恐怖主义、气候变化、网络安全、生物安全等全球性挑战.
China supports Belarus becoming a member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization as soon as possible.
Also on Page 3, there are reports of Li Keqiang and Li Zhanshu meeting with Lukashenko. Xinhua’s report on the meeting with Li Keqiang said:
“China stands ready to work with Belarus to make good use of mechanisms such as the inter-governmental cooperation committee, and called on the two sides to do a good job in building the China-Belarus Industrial Park and support enterprises of the two countries to carry out cooperation in accordance with market-oriented and commercial principles. China will work with Belarus to steadily advance trade in agricultural products and other areas and deepen people-to-people and subnational exchanges and cooperation, Li said. Thanking China's support and assistance for Belarus's economic and social development, Lukashenko said Belarus is delighted to see a prosperous and strong China, and the cooperation between Belarus and China is aimed at benefiting both peoples and is not targeted at any third party.”
The report on the meeting with Li Zhanshu says: “China firmly supports Belarus in safeguarding its sovereignty, security and development interests, and stands ready to work closely with Belarus to safeguard the common interests of the two countries and other developing countries, Li said. The legislatures of the two countries should strengthen exchanges and cooperation to better promote the development of the two countries, Li added. Lukashenko said Belarus firmly supports the one-China principle, supports China's cause of peaceful reunification, and opposes any acts that interfere in China's internal affairs, adding that both sides should firmly support each other on issues concerning their core interests. Belarus is willing to work with China to deepen economic and trade cooperation, expand people-to-people exchanges, support each other in international affairs and push forward the all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, Lukashenko added.”
Back to the front page. There are two other brief reports. First, Xi’s message of congratulations to Nikos Christodoulides on assuming office as the president of Cyprus. Second, his message of condolence to Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou over a train collision in the country.
Page 2: Apart from the China-Belarus joint statement, which I’ve covered above, the following reports are on the page.
First, this exchange from yesterday’s MoFA briefing:
Shenzhen TV: According to global media, many US companies plan to expand their business in China as they foresee a post-COVID economic rebound. The American Chamber of Commerce in South China (AmCham South China) recently released its 2023 White Paper on the Business Environment in China, which noted that more than 90% of the participating companies select China as one of the most important investment destinations and 75% of the companies plan to reinvest in China in 2023. Do you have any comment on the prospects for foreign investors in China?
Mao Ning: These facts show that China remains a popular destination for foreign investment. This is because China has a huge market and full-fledged industrial and supply chain networks. It is also a result of our relentless effort to advance high-level opening up, our support for the multilateral trading system and a market-oriented, world-class business environment governed by a sound legal framework. Last month saw an influx of foreign investment into China. The paid-in foreign investment reached 127.69 billion yuan, up 14.5% year on year. Foreign companies including US investors have been upbeat about the China market and plan to expand in China. According to statistics from the US Department of Commerce, total trade in goods between the US and China hit a record $690.6 billion in 2022. All this speaks to the fact that trade and investment cooperation between China and the US are mutually beneficial and win-win. Decoupling and cutting off industrial and supply chains benefits no one. It has no support and will not lead anywhere. No matter how the international landscape may change, we will not waver in our resolve to open wider at a high standard and our determination to share development opportunities with the rest of the world. We welcome US and other foreign companies to access the Chinese market, share development dividends and work together for a stronger world economy.
There’s a report on Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone meeting with officials from the Laos-China Railway Co Ltd, and telling them that “it is necessary to continuously improve the comprehensive efficiency of the railway.”
There’s also a report on Chen Xu’s, the Permanent Representative of China to the United Nations Office in Geneva, attending the 52nd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council to commemorate the adoption of the Declaration on the Right to Development. He said that GDI aims to “promote the strengthening of international cooperation in development, solve development problems, and accelerate the implementation of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.”
Finally, there’s the fourth commentary in the series on the global significance of Chinese-style modernisation. This argues that Chinese-style modernisation provides a brand-new concept for addressing the chronic ailments of expanding materialism and spiritual poverty in the process of Western modernisation. It says that one not only needs to meet material needs of the people but also their “growing spiritual and cultural needs.”
The piece talks about Chinese-style modernisation being deeply rooted in Chinese excellent traditional culture. It says that this culture is based on principles that the world is the public, the people are the foundation of the country, governance must be based on morality, innovation, meritocracy, harmony between man and nature, self-improvement, virtue, faith and harmony, and kindness and good neighbourliness, etc. It frames BRI, GDI and GSI within this context and then says:
“Chinese-style modernisation embodies the advanced essence of scientific socialism and offers a new model different from the western modernisation model. In the process of modernisation, western countries have been unable to contain the greedy nature of capital, and have been unable to address chronic ailments such as the expansion of materialism and spiritual poverty. Chinese-style modernisation is committed to the coordination and mutual promotion of material civilisation and spiritual civilisation…” 中国式现代化体现科学社会主义的先进本质，展现了不同于西方现代化模式的新图景。西方国家在现代化进程中无法遏制资本贪婪的本性，无法解决物质主义膨胀、精神贫乏等痼疾。中国式现代化致力于物质文明和精神文明相互协调、相互促进，让全体人民始终拥有团结奋斗的思想基础、开拓进取的主动精神、健康向上的价值追求，为全面建设社会主义现代化国家提供了源源不断的动力.
Page 3: There’s a report on Li Keqiang meeting with phone conversation with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva. She’s had some tough words for Beijing recently. Xinhua’s report says:
“Noting that China is the world's largest developing country and an active promoter of South-South cooperation, Li said that China is committed to closing the North-South divide. Addressing low-income countries' debt problems necessitates the participation of all creditors, Li said, noting that China remains ready to play a constructive role in resolving relevant countries' debt issues within a multilateral framework. At the same time, he said, China urges all parties to work together and share the burden fairly in order to assist low-income countries in overcoming economic challenges and achieving sustainable development.”
Xinhua adds: “Georgieva thanked China for its positive and constructive attitude, as well as its efforts to assist developing countries in dealing with debt crises, adding that the IMF is ready to strengthen coordination and cooperation with China on this issue.” — None of this sounds like there has been any breakthrough on the debt restructuring talks for countries like Sri Lanka.
Another report talks about Li Keqiang presiding over a meeting of the leading Party members group of the State Council, discussing the outcomes from the second plenary session.
Xinhua says: “The meeting stressed understanding the significance and urgency of the reform of Party and state institutions, aligning thoughts and actions with the decisions and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee, and ensuring that the reform can be fully implemented. As the annual sessions of China's national legislature and the top political advisory body approach, the meeting urged making sound amendments to the government work report, the plan for national economic and social development and the budget report on the basis of previous work.”
Likewise, Li Zhanshu chaired a meeting (English report) of the leading Party members group of the NPCSC. The key points are:
Attendees all shared the view that with various efforts led by the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, steady progress has been made in all areas of the Party's and the country's endeavours toward the goal set by the 20th CPC National Congress.
On the Party and state institutions reform plan, the meeting said that this plan was “conducive to promoting the Party's leadership in the process of building socialist modernisation, in order to make it more scientific in organisational setup, more optimised in terms of function allocation, more perfect in institutional mechanisms and more efficient in operation and management. We must view it from the overall perspective of the development of the cause of the Party and the country, fully understand the importance and urgency of the reform of the Party and state institutions, strengthen our confidence and determination in reform, and carry out the task of institutional reform to the letter. 党的二十届二中全会审议通过的《党和国家机构改革方案》，有利于推动党对社会主义现代化建设的领导在机构设置上更加科学、在职能配置上更加优化、在体制机制上更加完善、在运行管理上更加高效。要站在党和国家事业发展全局高度，充分认识党和国家机构改革的重要性和紧迫性，坚定改革信心和决心，不折不扣把机构改革任务落到实处.
It adds that the decision on the new NPC and CPPCC candidates approved at the second plenum has been made keeping in mind “the strategic and overall perspective, focusing on the long-term development of the cause of the Party and the country, and reflects the combination of upholding Party leadership and fully promoting democracy. It is necessary to improve the political position, stress politics, stress the overall situation, observe discipline, and ensure the full realisation of the decision-making and deployment of the CPC Central Committee on personnel layout with practical actions.” 会议强调，全会审议通过的拟向十四届全国人大一次会议推荐的国家机构领导人员人选建议名单和拟向全国政协十四届一次会议推荐的全国政协领导人员人选建议名单，是党中央从战略和全局高度、着眼党和国家事业长远发展作出的战略决策，体现了坚持党的领导和充分发扬民主的结合。要提高政治站位，讲政治、讲大局、守纪律，以实际行动确保党中央关于人事布局决策部署的全面实现.
Also, there was a similar CPPCC meeting. Wang Yang chaired that one. That meeting too concluded that “it is necessary to unify thoughts and actions into the major decisions and deployments made by the plenary session.” And there was a meeting of the Standing Committee of the CCDI, with Li Xi in charge. Li said that discipline inspection and supervision organs at all levels must deeply understand the decisive significance of the Two Establishments, unremittingly arm their minds and guide practice with Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a new era, and take the initiative to focus on the central task and serve the overall situation. 各级纪检监察机关要深刻领悟“两个确立”的决定性意义，坚持不懈用习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想武装头脑、指导实践、统领纪检监察一切工作，更加主动围绕中心、服务大局，以时时放心不下的责任感、积极担当作为的精气神把工作抓紧抓实，持续推进纪检监察工作高质量发展.
Page 4: There’s a commentary on implementing the Party and state institutional reform plan. I am sharing what I think are the two key points in the article:
The 20th Party Congress put forward “important arrangements for deepening the reform of the Party and state institutions, and put forward clear requirements in deepening the reform of the financial system, improving the unified leadership system of the CPC Central Committee over scientific and technological work, optimising the government responsibility system and organisational structure, improving the decision-making and deliberation and coordination mechanism of the CPC Central Committee, optimising the allocation of institutional resources, promoting grassroots governance with Party building, strengthening Party building work in mixed-ownership enterprises and non-publicly-owned enterprises, and rationalising the management system of Party building work in trade associations, societies and chambers of commerce.” 党的二十大对深化党和国家机构改革作出重要部署，在深化金融体制改革，完善党中央对科技工作统一领导的体制，优化政府职责体系和组织结构，完善党中央决策议事协调机构，优化机构编制资源配置，推进以党建引领基层治理，加强混合所有制企业、非公有制企业党建工作，理顺行业协会、学会、商会党建工作管理体制等方面提出明确要求.
“At present, the tasks of China’s reform and development are facing new situations, new tasks and new requirements. The risks and challenges to be dealt with and the contradictions and problems to be resolved are more complex than before. We must have greater courage and take more measures to break down deep-seated organisational and institutional obstacles and promote the modernisation of the national governance system and governance capacity. On the whole, the current reform of the Party and state institutions focuses on key industries and fields, with strong pertinence, great strength, wide coverage and deep interests. Efforts will be made to solve some difficult problems of great significance and social concern, which will have an important impact on economic and social development. All localities and departments should view this from the perspective of the overall development of the cause of the Party and the country, fully understand the importance and urgency of the reform of the Party and state institutions, consciously think and act under within the context of the overall situation, consciously unify their thoughts and actions with the decision-making and deployment of the CPC Central Committee, and resolutely safeguard the authority and seriousness of the decision-making and deployment of the CPC Central Committee. We must strengthen our confidence and determination in reform, strengthen organisational leadership, intensify the efforts to achieve unity, adhere to a stable tone, do a good job in people's work, enforce strict discipline, be based in the law, promote the organisation and implementation of institutional reform in an well-arranged, step-by-step and disciplined manner, and carry out the task of institutional reform to the letter.” 当前，我国改革发展面临新形势新任务新要求，需要应对的风险和挑战、需要解决的矛盾和问题比以往更加错综复杂，必须拿出更大勇气、更多举措破除深层次体制机制障碍，推进国家治理体系和治理能力现代化。总的看，这次党和国家机构改革突出重点行业和领域，针对性比较强，力度比较大，涉及面比较广，触及的利益比较深，着力解决一些事关重大、社会关注的难点问题，对经济社会发展将产生重要影响。各地区各部门要站在党和国家事业发展全局高度，充分认识党和国家机构改革的重要性和紧迫性，自觉在大局下思考、在大局下行动，自觉把思想和行动统一到党中央决策部署上来，坚决维护党中央决策部署的权威性和严肃性。要坚定改革信心和决心，加强组织领导，加大统的力度、坚持稳的基调、做好人的工作、执行严的纪律、做到于法有据，有组织、有步骤、有纪律推进机构改革组织实施工作，不折不扣把机构改革任务落到实处.
Page 17: The lead story on the international page talks about the “international community” desiring an investigation into the Nord Stream pipeline blast. A bunch of people, including the foreign ministers of Hungary and Russia, former Austrian foreign affairs minister Karin Kneissl, Jeffery Sachs and others are quoted in the article.
The other key piece on the page is by someone called Zheng Zaixing (郑载兴), who is from the Sejong Institute in South Korea.
The piece argues that NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg’s visit to South Korea and Japan saw an effort to “strengthen ties between NATO and Asia-Pacific countries by exaggerating regional tensions, and even to create an ‘Asia-Pacific version of NATO’. This attempt by NATO brings with it the danger of leading to an arms race and will pose a threat to regional security and stability.” 北约秘书长斯托尔滕贝格不久前到访韩国和日本，试图通过渲染地区紧张局势来强化北约和亚太国家的联系，甚至要打造“亚太版北约”。北约的这一企图有导致军备竞赛的危险，将给地区安全稳定造成威胁.
The author talks about NATO being a Cold War alliance that has persisted even though the Cold War is over. “NATO has continued to expand its influence in the military and security fields in Europe, and continuously promoted several rounds of eastward expansion, which has intensified the contradiction with Russia; it bears unshirkable responsibility for the emergence of the Ukrainian crisis.” 北约持续扩大在欧洲军事和安保领域的影响力，连续推动多轮东扩，激化了同俄罗斯的矛盾，对乌克兰危机的产生负有不可推卸的责任.
In recent years, under American leadership, NATO has made frequent moves in the Asia-Pacific region, trying to dominate the regional security architecture. NATO is an extra-regional organisation, but it has wantonly manufactured the ‘China threat’, seeking to extend its influence to the Asia-Pacific region and even promote ‘NATO’s globalisation’. Especially after the Ukrainian crisis, NATO created a tense atmosphere in the Asia-Pacific region, trying to establish a new security alliance with America's Asia-Pacific allies and build an ‘Asia-Pacific version of NATO’. China has already issued a warning, stressing that the Cold War mentality and camp confrontation are not welcome in the Asia-Pacific region, and NATO should profoundly reflect on what role it has played in European security, instead trying to mess-up the Asia-Pacific region and the world after doing so in Europe. 近年来，美国及其主导的北约在亚太地区动作频频，试图主导地区安全架构。北约本是域外组织，却肆意制造“中国威胁”，试图将自身影响力延伸到亚太地区，甚至要推动“北约全球化”。特别是乌克兰危机发生后，北约在亚太地区制造紧张气氛，试图同美国的亚太盟友建立新的安保联盟，构筑“亚太版北约”。中国已经发出警告，强调亚太不欢迎冷战思维、阵营对抗，北约应当深刻反思其为欧洲安全到底发挥了什么作用，不要搞乱了欧洲，还企图搞乱亚太和世界.
At present, the US is increasing its pressure on China through the Five Eyes Alliance, the Quad grouping of the US, Japan, India and Australia, the trilateral AUKUS security partnership between the US, Australia and the UK, and the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, and promoting the introduction of NATO into the Asia-Pacific region. If Asian countries cooperate with the relevant actions of the US and form a new security alliance with NATO in the region, it will lead to the evolution of the regional pattern in the direction of ‘New Cold War’ and the security risks will increase significantly. The extension of NATO's tentacles into the Asia-Pacific region is also not conducive to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. 当前，美国正通过“五眼联盟”、美日印澳“四边机制”、美英澳三边安全伙伴关系、“印太经济框架”等加大对中国的施压，并推动将北约引入亚太。亚洲国家如果配合美国的相关举动，同北约在地区形成新的安保联盟，将导致地区格局向“新冷战”方向演变，安全风险将明显增加。北约将触角伸向亚太，也不利于朝鲜半岛和平稳定.
China actively promotes a multipolar world, and is committed to promoting the construction of a Community of Shared Future for Mankind and building a new type of international relations. In dealing with its relations with neighbouring countries, China adheres to the diplomatic policy of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness, as well as friendship and partnership with its neighbours, and takes the initiative to deepen friendship, mutual trust and convergence of interests with neighbouring countries. In China's view, the United States and its allies flaunt the maintenance of the so-called ‘rules-based international order’, in essence, only to safeguard their own interests. China has always opposed the creation of small circles in the Asia-Pacific region, stressing that all parties should adhere to true multilateralism. 中国积极促进世界多极化，致力于推动构建人类命运共同体、构建新型国际关系。在处理同周边国家关系时，中国坚持亲诚惠容和与邻为善、以邻为伴周边外交方针，主动深化同周边国家友好互信和利益融合。在中国看来，美国及其盟友标榜维护所谓“以规则为基础的国际秩序”，实质上只是为了维护自身利益。中国始终反对在亚太地区打造各类小圈子，强调各方应坚持真正的多边主义.
At present, peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region are facing a new situation. In order to effectively cope with various security challenges, including effectively maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, Asia-Pacific countries must adhere to openness, inclusiveness and multilateralism, and resolve their differences through dialogue and cooperation, instead of pursuing their own absolute security and expanding exclusive military security alliances.” 当前，亚太地区和平稳定面临新形势。为了有效应对各类安全挑战，包括有效维护朝鲜半岛和平稳定，亚太国家必须坚持开放包容，坚持多边主义，通过对话合作来化解分歧，而不应追求自身绝对安全，不应扩张具有排他性的军事安全同盟.