Xiplomacy in Hangzhou - China-Syria Joint Statement - New China-US Working Groups - Pursuing 'New Industrialization' - GCI & Daoism - Cultural Self-confidence & Chinese-style Modernisation
Hi folks,
Before we get to today’s edition, let me share with you an interview I did with the good folks at Kalavinka Advisors, discussing India-China relations and prospects for the future, cooperation under BRICS, and the new found relevance of the Global South nowadays. You can read the entire Q&A here.
Cheers,
Manoj
As I got to writing today’s edition, it hit me that a striking difference between the People’s Daily and a normal newspaper is that you don’t need to go back to previous developments to make sense of a day’s edition. But when it comes to PD, understanding articles in the paper on a given day might actually require one to know earlier developments, because often pieces are basically commentaries about an earlier speech, building on a concept that the leader has introduced earlier, reactions by other cadres to an idea put forward by the leadership, and so on. In that sense, PD’s content functions as a continuum. That said, in order to get what’s being covered today, let’s first engage in a bit of a flashback.
It was a busy weekend in Hangzhou. Saturday’s paper covered Xi Jinping’s meetings with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Crown Prince of Kuwait Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, IOC President Thomas Bach, and Raja Randhir Singh, acting president of the Olympic Council of Asia. All of them were visiting Hangzhou for the Asian Games. I am only covering the first two meetings.
Xinhua’s report on the meeting with the Kuwaiti Crown Prince says:
“Noting that Kuwait was the first Gulf Arab country to establish diplomatic relations with China and the first country in the Middle East to sign Belt and Road cooperation documents with China, Xi said the China-Kuwait relationship has made significant progress, yielding great achievements across various fields of cooperation. China supports Kuwait in safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity, Xi said, commending Kuwait for actively participating in the cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). China is ready to work with Kuwait to strengthen the synergy of development strategies; enhance cooperation in investment, energy, infrastructure, environmental governance, digital economy and other fields; advance cooperation in law enforcement, security and counter-terrorism; and boost cultural and people-to-people exchanges, Xi said. China hopes that Kuwait continues supporting China's rural revitalization strategy and providing a fair, transparent and non-discriminatory market environment for Chinese enterprises investing in Kuwait, Xi said. Expressing satisfaction with the achievements of bilateral cooperation, the Kuwaiti crown prince said Kuwait will firmly support and actively participate in the BRI, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative. Kuwait will firmly follow the one-China policy, support China on issues concerning China's core interests, deepen bilateral cooperation in various fields, and step up communication and cooperation with China in the Middle East and the Gulf region, he said. After the meeting, the two leaders witnessed the signing of a joint statement on the China-Kuwait cooperation plan from 2024 to 2028, and bilateral cooperation documents in areas including renewable energy, infrastructure and environmental governance.”
After the meeting, Kuwait’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Salem Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah said that: “We witnessed the signing of seven MoUs dealing with huge construction projects that include Chinese companies in Kuwait, among them are housing cities and renewable energy.” The ZAWYA report adds:
Sheikh Salem signed an MoU with the National Development and Reform Commission Chairman Zheng Shanjie regarding a low-carbon recycling green system.
Sheikh Salem and Zheng also signed an MoU between the Ministry of Public Works and the National Development and Reform Commission regarding infrastructure of water treatment stations.
Minister of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy Dr. Jassem Al-Ostad signed an MoU with the national energy department, which was represented by Zheng regarding the power systems and renewable energy.
Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Oil and Minister of State for Economic affairs and investment Dr. Saad Al-Barrak signed an MoU with Minister of Transport Li Xiaopeng regarding Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port.
The Foreign Minister represented the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA) and signed an MoU with Chinese Minister of Trade Wang Wentao regarding economic and free zones.
Minister of Justice and Minister of State for Housing Affairs Faleh Al-Rquba signed an MoU between the Public Authority for Housing Welfare and Chinese ministry of trade regarding housing development. China was represented by Minister Wang.
Xinhua’s report on the meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad says:
“Over the 67 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, the China-Syria relationship has stood the test of changes in the international situation, and their friendship has grown stronger over time, he said. Xi noted that the establishment of the strategic partnership will be an important milestone in the history of bilateral ties. China is willing to work with Syria to enrich their relationship and continuously advance the China-Syria strategic partnership, Xi said. Xi emphasized that China will continue to work with Syria to firmly support each other on issues concerning the two sides' respective core interests and major concerns, safeguard the common interests of both countries and other developing countries, and uphold international fairness and justice. China supports Syria in opposing foreign interference, rejecting unilateralism and bullying, and safeguarding national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, he said. China supports Syria in conducting reconstruction, enhancing counter-terrorism capacity building, and promoting a political settlement of the Syrian issue following the "Syrian-led, Syrian-owned" principle, Xi said. China also supports Syria in improving its relations with other Arab countries and playing a greater role in international and regional affairs, he added. China is willing to strengthen Belt and Road cooperation with Syria, increase the import of high-quality agricultural products from Syria, and jointly implement the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative to make active contributions to regional and global peace and development. Assad said that in international affairs, China has always aligned itself with international fairness and justice, and upheld international law and humanitarianism, playing an important and constructive role.”
“Syria highly appreciates and firmly supports the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, and will actively participate in them, Assad added. The Syrian side thanks the Chinese government for its invaluable support to the Syrian people, firmly opposes any act of interference in China's internal affairs, and is willing to be China's long-term and staunch friend and partner, he said. Assad said Syria will take the establishment of the Syria-China strategic partnership as an opportunity to strengthen bilateral friendly cooperation and step up their communication and coordination in international and regional affairs. After the talks, the two heads of state witnessed the signing of bilateral cooperation documents in areas including Belt and Road cooperation, and economic and technological cooperation. The two sides issued a joint statement on the establishment of the strategic partnership.”
The joint statement that was issued was published in the paper on Saturday. Let me cover that below:
“The two sides will continue to firmly support each other on issues involving each other’s core interests and major concerns. The Syrian side firmly adheres to the one-China principle, recognizes the People's Republic of China (PRC) government as the sole legal government representing the whole of China, and Taiwan Province is an inalienable part of China. It supports China in safeguarding national sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, resolutely opposes any interference in China's internal affairs, and supports all efforts made by the Chinese government to achieve national reunification; Syria firmly supports China’s position on Hong Kong-related issues, support China’s efforts to safeguard national security under the framework of ‘one country, two systems’, firmly believes that Hong Kong affairs are purely China’s internal affairs, and strongly condemns the illegal actions of external forces interfering in Hong Kong affairs and China’s internal affairs; Syria firmly supports China's position on Xinjiang-related issues, and reiterates that the Xinjiang issue is not a human rights issue but an issue of countering terrorism, de-radicalization, and anti-separatism. Syria firmly supports China's counterterrorism and de-radicalization efforts and strongly opposes any interference in China's internal affairs under the pretext of the Xinjiang issue. 双方将继续在涉及彼此核心利益和重大关切问题上坚定相互支持。叙方坚定奉行一个中国原则，承认中华人民共和国政府是代表全中国的唯一合法政府，台湾是中国不可分割的一部分，支持中国维护国家主权、统一和领土完整，坚决反对任何势力干涉中国内政，支持中国政府为实现国家统一所作的一切努力；坚定支持中方在涉港问题上的立场，支持中方在“一国两制”框架下维护国家安全的努力，坚定认为香港事务纯属中国内政，强烈谴责外部势力干涉香港事务和中国内政的非法行径；坚定支持中方在涉疆问题上的立场，重申涉疆问题不是人权问题，而是反暴恐、去极端化和反分裂问题，叙方坚定支持中方反恐和去极端化努力，坚决反对借口涉疆问题干涉中国内政.
China firmly supports Syria in safeguarding national independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity; it supports the Syrian people in pursuing a development path suited to their national conditions and supports the policies and measures adopted by the Syrian government aimed at safeguarding national security, stability and development. China opposes external forces' interference in Syria's internal affairs, undermining Syria's security and stability, opposing illegal military presence in Syria, conducting illegal military operations and illegally plundering Syria's natural resources, and urges relevant countries to immediately lift all illegal unilateral sanctions against Syria. 中方坚定支持叙利亚维护国家独立、主权、统一和领土完整，支持叙利亚人民走符合本国国情的发展道路，支持叙利亚政府采取的旨在维护国家安全、稳定、发展的政策与举措，反对外部势力干涉叙利亚内政、破坏叙利亚安全稳定，反对在叙利亚非法军事存在、开展非法军事行动、非法掠夺叙利亚自然资源，敦促有关国家立即解除所有对叙利亚非法单边制裁.
The two sides will carry out active cooperation to implement the above-mentioned (GDI, GSI and GCI) initiatives, work together to promote high-quality joint construction of the ‘Belt and Road’, and jointly promote the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind. 双方将开展积极合作，落实好上述倡议，携手推进高质量共建“一带一路”，共同推动构建人类命运共同体.
“The two sides are willing to deepen exchanges and cooperation between the political parties, parliaments and local governments of the two countries, and strengthen the exchange of experience in state governance. The two sides will strengthen friendly cooperation in various fields such as economy, trade, agriculture, culture, youth, and media. China will continue to provide assistance to Syria within its capacity and support Syria in its reconstruction and recovery development. Syria thanks China for its political support and selfless help, and thanks China for speaking up for Syria at the United Nations Security Council. Both sides agreed to continue to strengthen anti-terrorism security cooperation and work together to combat terrorism.” 双方愿深化两国政党、议会、地方交流合作，加强治国理政经验交流。双方将加强在经贸、农业、文化、青年、新闻等各领域友好合作。中方将继续向叙方提供力所能及的援助，支持叙方开展重建、恢复发展。叙方感谢中方的政治支持和无私帮助，感谢中方在联合国安理会为叙方仗义执言。双方一致同意继续加强反恐安全合作，合力打击恐怖主义.
“China supports and welcomes Syria's return to the League of Arab States…Syria highly appreciates China’s diplomatic efforts to promote the restoration of diplomatic relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Iran, and thanks China for its positive contribution to promoting the settlement of hotspot issues in the Middle East and maintaining peace and stability in the Middle East.” 叙方高度赞赏中国为推动沙特阿拉伯王国和伊朗伊斯兰共和国恢复外交关系所作外交努力，感谢中方为推动中东地区热点问题解决、维护中东地区和平稳定所作积极贡献.
They agreed to “actively carry out cooperation to promote the implementation of the outcomes of the first China-Arab States Summit.”
“The two countries support the promotion of the common values of peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy, and freedom for all mankind, respect the people of all countries in independently choosing development paths and social systems that suit their national conditions, and resolutely oppose the politicization and instrumentalization of human rights issues and firmly oppose any country interfering in the internal affairs of other countries under the pretext of democracy and human rights. The two sides will strengthen coordination and cooperation in regional and international affairs, jointly uphold true multilateralism, defend the international system with the United Nations as its core, the international order based on international law, and the basic norms of international relations based on the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter; resolutely oppose all forms of hegemonism and power politics, including the implementation of illegal unilateral sanctions and restrictive measures against other countries, promote the building of a new type of international relations, and work together to build a community with a shared future for mankind.” 六、双方支持弘扬和平、发展、公平、正义、民主、自由的全人类共同价值，尊重各国人民自主选择适合本国国情的发展道路和社会制度，坚决反对将人权问题政治化、工具化，坚决反对任何国家以民主、人权为借口干涉别国内政。双方将在地区和国际事务中加强协调配合，共同坚持真正的多边主义，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，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，推动构建新型国际关系，携手构建人类命运共同体.
Moving on, when he met with OCA President Raja Randhir Singh, Xi said that the Games “will strengthen unity and friendship among the people of Asia”; when Xi met Bach, the IOC President talked about “opposing politicizing sports”. Of course, all of this is rhetorical horse-crap, when you see that Indian athletes from the state of Arunachal Pradesh have been denied the right to participate in the Games. As NDTV reports: “Onilu Tega and Mepung Lamgu - cleared by the Hangzou Asian Games' organising committee were unable to download accreditation cards that double as visas. A third - Nyeman Wangsu - downloaded the accreditation but was then denied entry.”
Anyway, moving to Sunday, there were reports of Xi meeting with visiting leaders. There’s a lot of flowery praise for Xi that some of these men came prepared with:
First, Xinhua’s report on Xi’s meeting with Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni:
“Xi said relations between China and Cambodia epitomize the diplomatic principle of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit, and inclusiveness, which he proposed a decade ago. He stressed that China supports Cambodia in taking a development path that suits its national conditions, maintaining stability and development, and playing an important role on the international and regional stage. The two countries should maintain high-level exchanges and deepen mutually-beneficial cooperation, he said. Noting that China has successfully hosted two Asian Games, Norodom Sihamoni said he believes that China, under the strong leadership of President Xi, will deliver a spectacular sports event again and make new contributions to promoting solidarity and friendship among the people of Asia. Cambodia will always remember the brotherly ties forged by King Father Norodom Sihanouk with Chinese leaders and cherish the ironclad friendship with China, the Cambodian king said, adding that the country stands ready to work with China on Belt and Road cooperation and build a Cambodia-China community with a shared future.”
Xinhua’s report on Xi’s meeting with Nepalese Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda:
“China and Nepal have set an example of equal treatment and win-win cooperation between big and small countries. The two countries are partners and opportunities for each other on their way to national development and prosperity, Xi said. The two sides should always understand and support each other on issues concerning each other's core interests and major concerns, and constantly consolidate the political foundation of bilateral relations, Xi said. Noting that the two countries have made progress in Belt and Road cooperation and the Trans-Himalayan Multi-Dimensional Connectivity Network has taken shape, Xi urged efforts from both sides to promote infrastructure connectivity and expand transit transportation cooperation to help Nepal transform itself from a landlocked country to a land-linked country at an early date. China is willing to strengthen multilateral coordination with Nepal, safeguard the common interests of the two countries and other developing countries, and promote the building of a community with a shared future for humanity, Xi said.”
“Prachanda said Xi is a visionary global leader and a good friend of all Nepalese people. Hailing Nepal and China as friends and partners who can understand, rely on and support each other, Prachanda reiterated Nepal's firm adherence to the one-China policy. Both Taiwan and Tibet are inalienable parts of China's territory, and Nepal will not allow any force to use its territory to undermine China's sovereignty and security, Prachanda said, adding that this position is firm and unshakable. Prachanda noted that Nepal highly appreciates the Belt and Road Initiative and will actively participate in Belt and Road cooperation, and that it will also promote the construction of the Trans-Himalayan Multi-Dimensional Connectivity Network.”
Xinhua’s report on Xi’s meeting with Prime Minister Han Duck-soo of the Republic of Korea:
“Noting that China and the ROK are immovable close neighbors and inseparable cooperative partners, Xi said the steady and solid advancement of the bilateral ties serves the common interests of the two countries and their peoples, and bodes well for regional peace and development. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries in 1992, friendship and cooperation have always been the mainstream of China-ROK relations, said Xi. He expressed the hope that the ROK will work with China in the same direction, formulate policies and take actions that demonstrate the importance attached to China-ROK relations, uphold mutual respect, and stick to the direction of friendship and cooperation. (Comment: That is as direct as one can be, I guess) The modernization of China, with its 1.4 billion-plus population, will further unleash huge market opportunities, Xi said. Noting that China and the ROK enjoy close economic ties and deeply integrated industrial and supply chains, Xi said the two countries can deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, strengthen their communication and coordination, and promote the development of the international order in a more just and reasonable direction.”
Finally, Xinhua’s report on Xi’s meeting with Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao of Timor-Leste says:
“China is willing to join hands with Timor-Leste on the journey of modernization to bring more benefits to the two peoples, Xi added. Xi emphasized that being staunch supporters for each other's core interests and major concerns serves as an important political foundation for the continuous upgrading of bilateral relations. The two sides should continue to promote Belt and Road cooperation and strengthen cooperative efforts in the four key areas, namely industry revitalization, infrastructure development, food self-sufficiency and livelihood improvement, Xi said, adding that China supports Timor-Leste in better integrating into the regional development.”
The two sides issued a joint statement, which is available in English. Some excerpts:
“Timor-Leste is opposed to any form of ‘Taiwan independence’, will not establish any form of official relationship or conduct any form of official contacts with Taiwan, and supports the efforts of the Chinese government to realize national reunification. China reiterated its firm support for the Timor-Leste people in choosing the development path best suited to its national circumstances, and for Timor-Leste's efforts to safeguard its national sovereignty, security and development interests, and opposed any external interference in Timor-Leste's internal affairs.”
“Timor-Leste highly appreciated the vision of a community with a shared future for mankind proposed by President Xi Jinping and welcomes the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative proposed by China. The two nations will deepen cooperation in areas related to these three initiatives to pursue common development, common security and cultural prosperity, and contribute through joint efforts actively to building a community with a shared future for mankind.”
The joint statement mentions BRI and then outlines four areas of closer cooperation: industry revitalisation, infrastructure development, food self-sufficiency and livelihood improvement. There are specific details provided under each of these four areas.
“The two nations agreed to enhance high-level military exchanges, strengthen cooperation in areas such as personnel training, equipment technology, the conduct of joint exercises and training. The government of Timor-Leste highly commended the Peace Ark Hospital ship from the Chinese Navy which performed ‘Mission Harmony-2023’ in Timor-Leste from September 3rd to the 10th, which provided humanitarian medical service to local Timorese people.”
“China supports Timor-Leste's accession to ASEAN, welcomes Timor-Leste to playing a larger role in regional cooperation, and will render help within the scope of its capacity to Timor-Leste in capacity building and other aspects. China will share more development opportunities and benefits with Timor-Leste through the platforms of China-ASEAN cooperation and East Asia cooperation.”
Next, Xi Jinping delivered a speech at the Asian Games banquet. He said:
“The Asian Games embodies the Asian people's shared desire for peace, unity and inclusiveness. Over decades, Asia has enjoyed overall stability as well as sustained rapid economic growth, creating the Asian Miracle that is incomparable across the world. The Asian Games has not only been a witness to this achievement, but also a participant and a contributor. As a community with a shared future connected by mountains and rivers as well as cultural affinity, we should use sports to promote peace, pursue good neighborliness and mutual benefit, and reject Cold War mentality and bloc confrontation. We should make Asia an anchor of world peace.” — Comment: So much for opposing the politicisation of sports.
Next, away from Hangzhou, there was a meeting in Beijing on September 22 and 23 titled the “National New Industrialization Promotion Conference”. Li Qiang attended the meeting but delivered some important remarks. Xi said that:
“in the new era and on the new journey, promoting the construction of a strong nation and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation in a Chinese way requires ensuring new industrialization as a key task. It is necessary to comprehensively implement the new development concept in a complete, accurate, and comprehensive manner, coordinate development and security, deeply grasp the basic laws of promoting new industrialization in the new era and on the new journey, actively adapt to and lead a new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation, integrate the requirements of high-quality development throughout the entire process of new industrialization, and organically combine the construction of a manufacturing powerhouse with the development of digital economy and industrial informatization to establish a strong material and technological foundation for Chinese-style modernization.” 中共中央总书记、国家主席、中央军委主席习近平近日就推进新型工业化作出重要指示指出，新时代新征程，以中国式现代化全面推进强国建设、民族复兴伟业，实现新型工业化是关键任务。要完整、准确、全面贯彻新发展理念，统筹发展和安全，深刻把握新时代新征程推进新型工业化的基本规律，积极主动适应和引领新一轮科技革命和产业变革，把高质量发展的要求贯穿新型工业化全过程，把建设制造强国同发展数字经济、产业信息化等有机结合，为中国式现代化构筑强大物质技术基础.
“Xi Jinping emphasized that advancing the new industrialization is a systematic project. It is necessary to improve the work pattern where the Party committee (Party group) provides unified leadership, the government is responsible for implementation, enterprises play the main role, and various social forces participate widely. This should be accompanied by comprehensive policies and resource guarantees, innovative efforts, and taking on responsibilities, so as to bring together a powerful force for advancing the new industrialization, and make new and greater contributions to building a great modern socialist country in all respects.” 习近平强调，推进新型工业化是一个系统工程。要完善党委（党组）统一领导、政府负责落实、企业发挥主体作用、社会力量广泛参与的工作格局，做好各方面政策和要素保障，开拓创新、担当作为，汇聚起推进新型工业化的强大力量，为全面建成社会主义现代化强国作出新的更大贡献.
Li, of course, praised Xi’s instructions, saying that they have a “strong political, ideological and guiding nature, and points out the direction for doing relevant work well.” He added:
“We must deeply understand the decisive significance of ‘Two Establishments and achieve two safeguards, thoroughly understand General Secretary Xi Jinping's important instructions and important expositions on new industrialization, and accurately grasp the strategic positioning, the characteristics of the stage and changes in environmental conditions to promote new industrialization, implement the new development concept completely, accurately and comprehensively, adhere to the road of new industrialization with China characteristics, accelerate the construction of a manufacturing power, better serve and build a new development pattern, promote high-quality development and realize Chinese-style modernisation” 要深刻领悟“两个确立”的决定性意义，做到“两个维护”，学深悟透习近平总书记关于新型工业化的重要指示、重要论述，准确把握推进新型工业化的战略定位、阶段性特征以及面临环境条件变化，完整、准确、全面贯彻新发展理念，坚持走中国特色新型工业化道路，加快建设制造强国，更好服务构建新发展格局、推动高质量发展、实现中国式现代化.
“Li Qiang stressed that it is necessary to adapt to the requirements of the times and changes in the situation, highlight and grasp the key points, focus on improving the resilience and security of industrial and supply chains, accelerate the upgrading of industrial innovation capability, continue to promote the optimization and upgrading of industrial structure, vigorously promote the deep integration of digital technology and the real economy, and comprehensively promote the green development of industry. We must persist in deepening reform and opening wider to the outside world, promote the complementary advantages and competitive development of various enterprises, give full play to the supporting role of the unified national market, guide the rational layout of industries with the main functional area strategy, make good use of domestic and international resources, and continuously enhance the drive and vitality for promoting new industrialization. We should persist in putting the Party's overall leadership through all aspects of the whole process of promoting new industrialization, strengthen organizational leadership, policy support and talent guarantee, and gather strong synergy to accelerate the promotion of new industrialization.” 李强强调，要适应时代要求和形势变化，突出重点、抓住关键，着力提升产业链供应链韧性和安全水平，加快提升产业创新能力，持续推动产业结构优化升级，大力推动数字技术与实体经济深度融合，全面推动工业绿色发展。要坚持深化改革、扩大开放，促进各类企业优势互补、竞相发展，发挥全国统一大市场支撑作用，以主体功能区战略引导产业合理布局，用好国内国际两个市场两种资源，不断增强推进新型工业化的动力与活力。要坚持把党的全面领导贯穿推进新型工业化的全过程各方面，强化组织领导、政策支持和人才保障，汇聚加快推进新型工业化的强大合力.
Finally, over the weekend, we heard that China and the US have decided to establish two working groups to cover the economic and financial sectors.
“The economic working group will be co-chaired by vice-ministerial officials from the MOF and the US treasury department. The financial working group will be co-chaired by vice-ministerial officials from the People's Bank of China and the U.S. Department of the Treasury. The two working groups will hold regular and ad-hoc meetings.”
The report says that this was as per the agreement during a meeting between He Lifeng and US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, during her visit to Beijing.
Here are the key reports and articles that I found noteworthy from the People's Daily's edition on Monday, September 25, 2023
Page 1: Now with that long backstory, let’s get to today’s edition. First, there are a couple of articles on the Asian Games. Next, there’s an article on officials and cadres responding to Xi’s comments about “new industrialisation”. No surprises for guessing that they are “greatly inspired” and very motivated in light of this “action plan and scientific guideline” that Xi has outlined. Some of the sectors mentioned are manufacturing equipment, medical equipment, high-speed rails, high-end CNC machine tools, building of 5G + Industrial Internet, etc.
Next, we have a newspaper commentary on the discussion on new industrialisation. It says that:
“Industrialization is the premise and foundation of modernization. Since the 18th Party Congress, the CPC Central Committee with comrade Xi Jinping at the core has made major strategic arrangements to promote new industrialization based on the overall development of the cause of the Party and the country, and has taken solid steps to promote China’s new industrialization. With 41 industrial categories, 207 industrial categories and 666 industrial subcategories, China has become the only country in the world with all the industrial categories in the United Nations industrial classification. Its manufacturing scale has ranked first in the world for 13 consecutive years, and the output of new energy vehicles and photovoltaics has remained first in the world for many years. China cultivated 45 national advanced manufacturing clusters, and built the world's largest and technologically leading mobile communication network...China's scale has grown steadily, the industrial structure has continued to be optimised, and the digital and green transformation has continued to advance. This has not only strengthened the foundation of the Chinese economy but also cultivated new competitive strengths.” 工业化是现代化的前提和基础。党的十八大以来，以习近平同志为核心的党中央从党和国家事业发展全局出发作出了推进新型工业化的重大战略部署，推动我国新型工业化迈出了坚实步伐。拥有41个工业大类、207个工业中类、666个工业小类，成为全世界唯一拥有联合国产业分类中全部工业门类的国家，制造业规模连续13年居世界首位，新能源汽车、光伏产量连续多年保持世界第一，培育了45个国家先进制造业集群，建成了全球规模最大、技术领先的移动通信网络……我国工业规模稳步壮大、产业结构持续优化、数字化绿色化转型不断推进，为中国经济强筋壮骨，不断培育起新的竞争力.
“Without a solid material and technological foundation, it is impossible to comprehensively build a modern and powerful socialist country. At present, the digital transformation of the economy and society is accelerating, and information technology, biotechnology, and manufacturing technology is active and evolving rapidly. We are facing both rare historical opportunities and severe challenges. We must deeply realize that the modern industrial system is the material and technological foundation of a modern country. Accelerating the construction of a modern industrial system supported by the real economy is related to our strategic initiative in future development and international competition. On the new journey, we must thoroughly understand General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important instructions and important expositions on new industrialization, firmly grasp the primary task of high-quality development and the strategic task of building a new development pattern, and deeply grasp the basic laws of promoting new industrialization. It is necessary to actively adapt to and lead the new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation, seize the key task of realising new industrialization, and build a strong material and technological foundation for Chinese-style modernization.” 没有坚实的物质技术基础，就不可能全面建成社会主义现代化强国。当前，经济社会数字化转型加速，信息技术、生物技术、制造技术创新活跃、加速演进，我们既面临难得历史机遇，又面临严峻挑战。必须深刻认识到，现代化产业体系是现代化国家的物质技术基础，加快建设以实体经济为支撑的现代化产业体系，关系我们在未来发展和国际竞争中赢得战略主动。新征程上，我们要学深悟透习近平总书记关于新型工业化的重要指示、重要论述，牢牢把握高质量发展这个首要任务和构建新发展格局这个战略任务，深刻把握推进新型工业化的基本规律，积极主动适应和引领新一轮科技革命和产业变革，抓紧抓实实现新型工业化这个关键任务，为中国式现代化构筑强大物质技术基础.
The next two paragraphs point-by-point reiterate Li Qiang’s reported remarks at the conference. The commentary ends by saying that the 20th Party Congress had clarified the goal of “basically realizing new industrialization” by 2035, and calls for everyone to unite behind this goal and Xi.
Next, there’s a report on Wang Huning’s remarks during the International Taoist Forum in Maoshan Mountain, Jiangsu, on Sunday. The report says:
“Wang Huning stated that Daoism is both ancient and modern.” Xinhua adds:
Wang “said the theme of the forum, ‘Revering the Dao and Upholding Virtue, Moving Forward with the World’, demonstrates the joint aspiration of sharing the achievements of human civilizations and building a better homeland for humanity. Wang noted that the inauguration of the World Federation of Daoism represents the shared aspiration of the international Daoist society. The federation serves as a new platform for exploring the values of Daoist culture at the present times and is bound to promote the mutual exchange and learning among human civilizations, he said. The Chinese government will continue to support in-depth and friendly communications between Chinese and overseas Daoist communities to make contributions in promoting enduring world peace and shared prosperity, Wang said.”
“Wang Huning said that the Chinese government will actively implement the GCI proposed by President Xi Jinping, and will continue to support the Chinese Daoist community and overseas Daoist communities to carry out in-depth friendly exchanges, work side by side, practice morality, and contribute to the promotion of lasting peace and common prosperity in the world.” 王沪宁表示，中国政府将积极践行习近平主席提出的全球文明倡议，一如既往支持中国道教界与海外道教界深入开展友好交流，携手并肩，行道立德，为促进世界持久和平与共同繁荣作出贡献.
Page 3: There’s an article drawing from the recently released “Proposal of the People’s Republic of China on the Reform and Development of Global Governance.” The report basically offers positive assessments from analysts and scholars from different parts of the world.
Page 6: Today’s article from the Face to Face with Chinese-style modernisation book focuses on the idea of cultural self-confidence. This is available below for paid subscribers.
Page 17: Just two stories to note. First, a report informing that 90 tons of emergency humanitarian aid from China reached flood-hit Libya. Xinhua says:
“First aid kits, water purifiers, tents, blankets, ultrasound diagnostic systems, life jackets, and other relief materials were unloaded at the Benina International Airport, in the presence of Omar Abu-Dabous, the secretary-general of the Libyan Red Crescent, as well as senior Libyan and Chinese diplomats…Earlier, the Red Cross Society of China delivered 200,000 U.S. dollars in cash to the Libyan Red Crescent as emergency humanitarian assistance.”
Second, the 6th China-Arab States Expo, held in Yinchuan, ended with over 400 cooperation projects signed. Xinhua says:
“Planned investment and trade for these projects will amount to 170.97 billion yuan (about 23.43 billion U.S. dollars). The total number of attendees and exhibitors at the expo this year exceeded 11,200, which is a new record for this event. Attendees and exhibitors included scholars and institution and enterprise representatives.”