Xi's Agenda for Building a Legal System Related to Foreign Affairs & Global Governance
Here are the key reports and articles that I found noteworthy from the People's Daily’s edition on Wednesday, November 29, 2023.
Page 1: The lead story today is on Xi Jinping's speech at the 10th Politburo study session. Xi talked about the need to strengthen foreign-related legal system development. Huang Huikang, a professor at Wuhan University, addressed the Politburo. This was followed by a discussion, and then Xi’s remarks. He said that:
“The foreign-related legal system is an important part of the national legal system and serves as the foundation for the rule of law in foreign affairs and plays a crucial role in consolidating the fundamentals, stabilising expectations, and ensuring long-term benefits. On the new journey of building a strong country and national rejuvenation, we must adhere to the correct political direction and accelerate the construction of China’s foreign-related rule of law system and capacity with a more active historical responsibility and creative spirit.” 涉外法律制度是国家法制的重要组成部分，是涉外法治的基础，发挥着固根本、稳预期、利长远的重要作用。在强国建设、民族复兴新征程上，必须坚持正确政治方向，以更加积极的历史担当和创造精神，加快推进我国涉外法治体系和能力建设.
“Xi Jinping emphasised that the foreign-related rule of law, as an important part of the socialist rule of law system with Chinese characteristics, is related to the comprehensive law-based governance of the country, and is related to the overall situation of China’s opening to the outside world and diplomatic work. The fundamental purpose of promoting foreign-related legal work is to use the rule of law to better safeguard the interests of the country and the people, promote the progress of the international rule of law, and promote the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind. It is necessary to unwaveringly follow the path of socialist rule of law with Chinese characteristics.” 习近平强调，涉外法治作为中国特色社会主义法治体系的重要组成部分，事关全面依法治国，事关我国对外开放和外交工作大局。推进涉外法治工作，根本目的是用法治方式更好维护国家和人民利益，促进国际法治进步，推动构建人类命运共同体。必须坚定不移走中国特色社会主义法治道路.
Xi Jinping pointed out that foreign-related rule of law work is a systematic project with broad coverage and strong interconnections. It is necessary to coordinate domestic and international affairs and development and security; adhere to forward-looking thinking, overall planning, strategic layout and overall promotion; strengthen top-level design; and promote foreign-related legislation, law enforcement, justice, compliance consciousness and legal services in an integrated manner, forming a coordinated pattern of foreign-related legal work. It is necessary to adhere to enacting legislation first, and reform and repeal simultaneously, thereby forming a systematic and complete system of foreign-related laws and regulations. It is necessary to build a coordinated and efficient implementation system of foreign-related rule of law, improve the judicial efficiency of foreign-related law enforcement, promote the reform of the system and mechanism of foreign-related judicial trials, and improve the credibility of foreign-related justice. It is necessary to actively develop foreign-related legal services and cultivate a number of world-class arbitration institutions and law firms. It is necessary to deepen international cooperation in law enforcement and justice, strengthen consular protection and assistance, and build a strong legal security chain to protect China’s overseas interests. It is essential to strengthen compliance consciousness, guiding Chinese citizens and enterprises to consciously abide by local laws, regulations, and customs during the process of ‘going global’, and to utilise the rule of law and regulations to safeguard their legitimate rights and interests. 习近平指出，涉外法治工作是一项涉及面广、联动性强的系统工程，必须统筹国内和国际，统筹发展和安全，坚持前瞻性思考、全局性谋划、战略性布局、整体性推进，加强顶层设计，一体推进涉外立法、执法、司法、守法和法律服务，形成涉外法治工作大协同格局。要坚持立法先行、立改废释并举，形成系统完备的涉外法律法规体系。要建设协同高效的涉外法治实施体系，提升涉外执法司法效能，推进涉外司法审判体制机制改革，提高涉外司法公信力。要积极发展涉外法律服务，培育一批国际一流的仲裁机构、律师事务所。要深化执法司法国际合作，加强领事保护与协助，建强保护我国海外利益的法治安全链。要强化合规意识，引导我国公民、企业在“走出去”过程中自觉遵守当地法律法规和风俗习惯，运用法治和规则维护自身合法权益。
“Xi Jinping emphasised that it is necessary to firmly safeguard the international order based on international law, actively participate in the formulation of international rules, and promote the rule of law in international relations. Actively participate in the reform and construction of the global governance system, promote the development of global governance in a more just and reasonable direction, promote global good governance with good international laws, and help build a community of shared future for mankind.” 习近平强调，要坚定维护以国际法为基础的国际秩序，主动参与国际规则制定，推进国际关系法治化。积极参与全球治理体系改革和建设，推动全球治理朝着更加公正合理的方向发展，以国际良法促进全球善治，助力构建人类命运共同体.
Xi said that construction of foreign-related rule of law must go hand-in-hand with opening up. It is necessary to persist in advancing high-level opening-up on the basis of the rule of law, promote the development of the rule of law in foreign affairs during the process of expanding opening-up, and continuously consolidate the rule of law foundation for high-level opening up. The rule of law provides the best business environment. It is important to improve an open and transparent legal system for foreign affairs, enhance intellectual property protection, safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of foreign-funded enterprises, make good use of both domestic and international rules, and create a first-class business environment that is market-oriented, law-based and internationalised. It is necessary to proactively connect with and actively absorb high-standard international economic and trade rules, steadily expand institutional opening up, improve the level of trade and investment liberalisation and facilitation, and build a new higher-level open economic system. It is necessary to benchmark against the international advanced level, promptly elevate effective measures and mature experiences of high-level opening-up such as the free trade pilot zone into laws, and create a new highland of opening-up with a higher level of openness, a better business environment and a stronger radiation effect. It is necessary to comprehensively improve the ability to maintain openness and security according to law. Improve service measures and relevant laws and regulations to facilitate foreigners living in China.” 习近平指出，法治同开放相伴而行，对外开放向前推进一步，涉外法治建设就要跟进一步。要坚持在法治基础上推进高水平对外开放，在扩大开放中推进涉外法治建设，不断夯实高水平开放的法治根基。法治是最好的营商环境，要完善公开透明的涉外法律体系，加强知识产权保护，维护外资企业合法权益，用好国内国际两类规则，营造市场化、法治化、国际化一流营商环境。要主动对接、积极吸纳高标准国际经贸规则，稳步扩大制度型开放，提升贸易和投资自由化便利化水平，建设更高水平开放型经济新体制。要对标国际先进水平，把自由贸易试验区等高水平对外开放的有效举措和成熟经验及时上升为法律，打造开放层次更高、营商环境更优、辐射作用更强的对外开放新高地。要全面提升依法维护开放安全能力。完善外国人在华生活便利服务措施和相关法律法规.
The next paragraph talks about the need for training and talent building. The goal he highlighted is to “cultivate a group of foreign-related legal professionals with firm political stances, excellent professional qualities, a deep understanding of international rules, and proficiency in foreign legal practices”. 早日培养出一批政治立场坚定、专业素质过硬、通晓国际规则、精通涉外法律实务的涉外法治人才. “Leading cadres at all levels should take the lead in respecting the law, learning the law, abiding by the law, and applying the law, effectively enhancing their thinking on foreign-related rule of law and their capacity to handle affairs in accordance with the law.” 各级领导干部要带头尊法、学法、守法、用法，切实提升涉外法治思维和依法办事能力.
Finally, Xi said that it is necessary to “strengthen confidence in the rule of law, actively interpret the concepts, propositions and successful practices of foreign-related rule of law with Chinese characteristics, and tell the story of China's rule of law in the new era. Strengthen research on cutting-edge topics in the theory and practice of the rule of law in foreign affairs, build a theoretical and discourse system of foreign-related rule of law with Chinese characteristics that integrates Chinese and foreign elements, and highlight China’s image as a great country that is ruled by law and a great civilisation…It is necessary to actively promote the creative transformation and innovative development of China’s excellent traditional legal culture, give China's legal civilization a new era connotation and vitality.” 习近平指出，要坚定法治自信，积极阐释中国特色涉外法治理念、主张和成功实践，讲好新时代中国法治故事。加强涉外法治理论和实践前沿课题研究，构建中国特色、融通中外的涉外法治理论体系和话语体系，彰显我国法治大国、文明大国形象。中华法系源远流长，中华优秀传统法律文化蕴含丰富法治思想和深邃政治智慧，是中华文化的瑰宝。要积极推动中华优秀传统法律文化创造性转化、创新性发展，赋予中华法治文明新的时代内涵，激发起蓬勃生机.
Next, there’s a report on Li Qiang’s speech at the first China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE) and the Global Supply Chain Innovation and Development Forum. Li said that “consolidating and strengthening cooperation in global industrial and supply chains is the interest and urgent expectation of all parties.” 巩固和加强全球产业链供应链合作，是各方的利益所系和迫切期盼。
Li said “that both history and reality have proven that the whole world will benefit when cooperation on global industrial and supply chains remains stable and continues to deepen, otherwise the globe will generally bear losses when cooperation on the chains is hindered and stagnates. China is willing to work with all parties to make the global industrial and supply chains more resilient, efficient and dynamic, and make greater contributions to promoting global economic recovery, development and prosperity, he said.”
Li then put forward four proposals to deepen international cooperation on industrial and supply chains.
First, he called for building safe and stable industrial and supply chains, enhancing the resource coordination of key industrial chains on a global scale, and avoiding interfering with market behaviors at will. China will continue to provide the world with high-quality made-in-China products and stable supply from China.
Second, he advocated for the building of smooth and efficient industrial and supply chains, strengthening global connectivity and making the circulation of factors of production more convenient and effective. China will continue to promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and step up innovation cooperation in smart manufacturing, digital economy and other fields.
Third, he proposed the building of open and inclusive industrial and supply chains, highlighting a clear-cut stand against protectionism and various forms of ‘decoupling and supply chain disruption’, and efforts to promote the green and low-carbon transformation of industrial and supply chains. China will further integrate into the global system of industrial and supply chains, and will actively participate in international green development cooperation.
Fourth, he urged the building of industrial and supply chains that are reciprocal and win-win. It is necessary to promote the construction of a global system of industrial and supply chains with extensive participation, complementary advantages and shared dividends, said Li. China will actively promote industrial and production capacity cooperation with other countries, and help developing countries participate more deeply in global value chains.
Finally, today there’s a report on Hangzhou’s focus on emerging technologies. Much of the article talks about Zhejiang Dahua Technology Co., Ltd. The policy-specific bit comes at the end. It informs that:
In Hangzhou, one national laboratory and two major scientific facilities are currently under construction; additionally, there are 18 national key laboratories, 7 laboratories in Zhejiang Province, and 36 provincial-level new research and development institutions, forming a new laboratory system…Currently, Hangzhou has established a ‘5+X’ industrial policy system that encompasses five major industry ecosystems: intelligent Internet of Things, biopharmaceuticals, high-end equipment, new materials, and green energy. Future industries such as artificial intelligence, synthetic biology, and future networks are also rapidly being positioned. 在杭州，1家国家实验室、2个大科学装置正在建设，另有18家全国重点实验室、7家浙江省实验室、36家省级新型研发机构，新型实验室体系已经形成。科技创新激活高质量发展动能。目前，杭州已建立涵盖智能物联、生物医药、高端装备、新材料、绿色能源五大产业生态圈的“5+X”产业政策体系，人工智能、合成生物、未来网络等未来产业也在加快布局.
Page 2: There’s a report (English report) informing that “China’s top securities regulator has approved three applications for the country's first publicly traded consumption-related Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs). Two of the three REITs applications were submitted by the China Asset Management, and the other one was submitted by the CICC Fund, according to the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC). In March this year, the CSRC unveiled new measures to foster the issuance of REIT products, saying that China will develop REITs for consumption infrastructure that can create improved conditions and scenarios for consumers. The REITs products are financial tools to pool capital for developing real estate projects. China kicked off a public REITs pilot program in infrastructure in 2020.”
Page 3: There’s a report on Chen Wenqing, head of the Commission for Political and Legal Affairs of the CPC Central Committee, meeting with Singapore's Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon in Beijing. Xinhua reports:
“Chen noted that law and justice cooperation is one of the key areas of cooperation between the two countries. He expressed the hope that the supreme courts of the two countries will use the new positioning of China-Singapore relations as a guide, implement the strategic consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, strengthen exchanges and mutual learning, make positive contributions to regional peace, stability, development and prosperity, and provide a strong legal guarantee for high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. Sundaresh Menon expressed a willingness to push the friendly judicial relations between Singapore and China to a higher level.”
Next, there’s a brief report on an NPC delegation visiting Cyprus. This is part of foreign legislative cooperation that the NPC is engaged in.
Page 4: A symposium was held (English report) to mark the publication of Introduction to Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. Li Shulei attended this. Folks, if anyone has a digital copy of this, I would love to get my hands on it.
“The seminar urged efforts to persistently cultivate and inspire people with Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and to carry out the basic task of fostering virtue through education. The seminar also called for efforts to teach and guide young students to maintain firm ideals and convictions, and strive to be a new generation of young people who are capable of fully developing socialism and carrying forward the socialist cause.”
Also in the paper today is this image of the Tiangong Space Station taking shape.
Page 9: Although I am not doing a breakdown, if you are interested, there’s an article by Ma Xiaowei, who heads the National Health Commission, on China’s health diplomacy or the Health Silk Road.