Xi's Election - Wang Yi on Security Initiative & Asia-Pacific NATO - Xi the Reader - Commending Civil Servants - Jiangxi Secretary Yi Lianhong's Article - Seeking a 'Rational & Pragmatic' US Policy
Hi folks,
Before I get into today’s PD, there are a couple of developments over the weekend that I’d like to highlight.
First, Xinhua reports that:
“The Communist Party of China (CPC) Guangxi Zhuang autonomous regional congress was held in Nanning city from Thursday to Friday to elect the region’s delegates to the 20th National Congress of the CPC. Xi Jinping, a candidate nominated by the CPC Central Committee and put to vote in the Guangxi electoral unit, was elected by a unanimous vote. The vote was cast on Friday morning. When it was announced that Xi was elected unanimously, a long and warm applause burst out. The unanimous vote of Xi represents the common will of over 2.5 million CPC members and 150,000 primary-level Party organizations in Guangxi, as well as the wholehearted support of the region's 57 million residents of all ethnic groups, according to the congress. It also shows the common wish and strong desire of the hundreds of millions of Chinese people to follow his lead toward national rejuvenation and strive for a brighter future…Delegates agreed that it is essential to acquire a deep understanding of the decisive significance of the establishment of both Comrade Xi Jinping's core position on the Party Central Committee and in the Party as a whole and the guiding role of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. They believed that Xi's core position must be firmly upheld, and so must the Central Committee's authority and its centralized, unified leadership. They expressed the need to loyally support, uphold and protect the leadership core.”
Also, on Sunday, PD carried an article by Foreign Minister Wang Yi talking about the Global Security Initiative. He argued that the Cold War mentality and engaging in “exclusive ‘small circles’ and ‘small groups’...seriously undermines the international security order and exacerbates the global security governance deficit.”
“At present, the global economic recovery is still sluggish and inflationary pressure continues to rise. Various crises in finance, trade, energy, food, industrial and supply chains are coming one after another. A few countries have wantonly imposed unilateral sanctions and engaged in ‘long-arm jurisdiction’, insisted on building ‘small yards and high fences’ and a ‘parallel system’. They have generalised the concept of national security, and suppressed the economic and technological development of other countries, which has further aggravated the livelihood difficulties of all countries in the world, especially developing countries.” He adds that “all countries in the world are riding on a big ship with a shared destiny. If they want to cross the stormy seas and sail towards a bright future, they must work together in the same boat. It is unacceptable to try to throw anyone into the sea.” 当前，全球经济复苏依然乏力，通胀压力持续上升，金融、贸易、能源、粮食、产业链供应链等各种危机接踵而至。少数国家大肆出台单边制裁和“长臂管辖”，执意打造“小院高墙”“平行体系”，泛化国家安全概念、对别国经济科技发展进行打压遏制，进一步加剧了世界各国特别是发展中国家的民生困难。习近平主席指出，世界各国乘坐在一条命运与共的大船上，要穿越惊涛骇浪、驶向光明未来，必须同舟共济，企图把谁扔下大海都是不可接受的。全球安全倡议与习近平主席去年提出的全球发展倡议相互呼应、相辅相成，呼应和平、发展、合作、共赢的时代潮流，统筹维护传统领域和非传统领域安全，在国际社会寻求最大公约数、画出最大同心圆，为各国促民生、谋发展提供了新支撑.
Wang reiterates the six principles that Xi had outlined in his speech at the Boao Forum. These are:
Adhering to the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security.
Adhering to respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries is the basic prerequisite for effectively maintaining world peace and tranquillity.
“The principle of sovereignty is the cornerstone of modern international relations. All countries, big or small, strong or weak, rich or poor, are equal members of the international community. The internal affairs of any country brook no interference. Their sovereignty and dignity must be respected and their right to independently choose their social system and development path must be safeguarded. History has repeatedly warned us that egotism and bullying the weak are the causes of turmoil, and the law of the jungle and the logic of power are the sources of war. In the face of a rapidly changing world, we should oppose hegemonic infringement of sovereignty, adhere to sovereign independence and equality, and promote equality of rights, opportunities and rules among countries.” 主权原则是现代国际关系准则的基石。国家不分大小、强弱、贫富都是国际社会的平等一员，各国内政不容干涉，主权和尊严必须得到尊重，自主选择社会制度和发展道路的权利必须得到维护。历史反复告诫我们，唯我独尊、以强凌弱是动荡之因，丛林法则、强权逻辑是战乱之源。面对剧烈变化的世界，我们要反对霸权侵犯主权，坚持主权独立平等，推动各国权利平等、机会平等、规则平等.
Adhering to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter is the fundamental principle for effectively maintaining world peace and tranquillity.
Paying attention to the legitimate security concerns of all countries is an important principle for effectively maintaining world peace and tranquillity.
“The security of one country cannot be at the expense of the security of others, nor can regional security be guaranteed by strengthening or even expanding military blocs. The security interests of all countries are equal and interdependent. The legitimate and reasonable security concerns of any country should be taken seriously and properly addressed, and should not be ignored for a long time or systematically violated. The long-term solution to global security challenges lies in upholding the principle of security indivisibility, attaching importance to each other's reasonable security concerns, and building a balanced, effective and sustainable security architecture, so as to achieve universal security and common security.” — 一国安全不能以损害他国安全为代价，地区安全也不能以强化甚至扩张军事集团来保障。各国的安全利益都是彼此平等的，也是相互依赖的。任何国家的正当合理安全关切都应得到重视和妥善解决，不应被长期忽视和系统性侵犯。应对全球安全挑战的长久之道在于秉持安全不可分割原则，重视彼此合理安全关切，构建均衡、有效、可持续的安全架构，从而实现普遍安全、共同安全. (Quick thought: If you place this paragraph in the context of China’s policies during the Russian invasion of Ukraine, then this sounds like a full-throated defense of Moscow’s position. In addition, it also sounds like a call for some sort of modus vivendi amid the major powers to respect each other’s security concerns.)
Adhering to the peaceful resolution of differences and disputes between countries through dialogue and consultation is the only way to effectively maintain world peace and tranquillity.
International practice has fully shown that neither war nor sanctions are the fundamental ways to resolve disputes, and only dialogue and consultation are the most effective ways to resolve differences. The international community should unequivocally support all efforts conducive to the peaceful settlement of crises and oppose any forces taking the opportunity to fan the flames or obstruct and sabotage peace talks. All parties should work together to calm the temperature and extinguish the fire, maintain stability and promote peace. All parties engaged in conflicts should be encouraged to engage in talks to build mutual trust, resolve disputes and promote security through dialogue. 国际实践充分显示，战争和制裁都不是解决争端的根本之道，只有对话协商才是化解分歧的最有效途径。国际社会应旗帜鲜明支持一切有利于和平解决危机的努力，反对任何势力借机煽风拱火、阻挠破坏和谈，各方共同致力于降温灭火、维稳劝和，鼓励冲突各方谈起来、谈下去，以对话建互信，以对话解纷争，以对话促安全.
Adhering to the overall maintenance of security in traditional and non-traditional fields is the proper meaning of effectively maintaining world peace and tranquillity.
Towards the end of the piece, Wang writes:
“It is necessary to further strengthen international solidarity against the pandemic, improve global public health governance, ensure the accessibility and affordability of vaccines in developing countries, and form a strong joint force to deal with the pandemic. We should work together to deal with terrorism, the common enemy of mankind, promote the construction of a fair, cooperative and win-win international nuclear security system, promote the improvement of governance rules in new domains such as the deep seas, polar regions, outer space and cyberspace, and practice the global governance concept of joint construction and sharing, so as to prevent and resolve security dilemmas.”要进一步加强国际团结抗疫，完善全球公共卫生治理，确保疫苗在发展中国家的可及性和可负担性，形成应对疫情的强大合力。要携手应对恐怖主义这一人类的共同敌人，推进构建公平、合作、共赢的国际核安全体系，推动完善深海、极地、外空、互联网等新疆域治理规则，践行共商共建共享的全球治理观，防范化解安全困境。
“Asia is the anchor of global peace and stability, a driving force for growth and a new highland for cooperation. A new security architecture commensurate with its economic foundation should be established in Asia. In light of the diversity of Asian countries’ development, social system and cultural values, an Asian security model featuring mutual respect, openness and inclusiveness should accommodate the aspirations and interests of all parties. Resolutely oppose the use of the ‘Indo-Pacific’ strategy to split the region and create a ‘new cold war’, and oppose the use of military alliances to piece together the ‘Asia-Pacific version of NATO’. Safeguard ASEAN’s centrality in the regional structure, carry forward the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and the Bandung Spirit, deepen regional and sub-regional security cooperation, and blaze a path for Asian security featuring joint contribution, shared benefits and win-win outcomes. 亚洲是世界的和平稳定锚、增长动力源、合作新高地，应当建立与经济基础相适应的安全新架构。要根据亚洲国家发展程度、社会制度、文化价值观的多样性，兼顾各方诉求、包容各方利益，打造相互尊重、开放共融的亚洲安全模式。坚决反对借“印太”战略分裂地区、制造“新冷战”，反对借军事同盟拼凑“亚太版北约”。坚定维护东盟在地区架构中的中心地位，弘扬和平共处五项原则和“万隆精神”，深化区域和次区域安全合作，走出一条共建共享共赢的亚洲安全之路.
Okay, with this done, let’s now turn to the stories and pieces that I found noteworthy in the Monday, April 25, 2022, edition of the People’s Daily.
Page 1: Let’s begin with a report informing us about a notice issued by the General Offices of the Central Committee and the State Council on commending civil servants and civil service collectives. The report says that:
“The ‘Notice’ requires that the recommendation and selection work should be guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, put political standards in the first place, highlight the orientation of merit, and pay attention to public recognition.” It adds that these individuals would have made “outstanding achievements in implementing the decisions and deployments of the Party Central Committee and the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important instructions” and have won “praise from the people.” The aim of the effort is to guide civil servants to deeply understand the decisive significance of the ‘Two Establishments’, further strengthen the four consciousness and the four self-confidences and achieve the two safeguards, unite more closely around the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core, vigorously carry forward the great spirit of party building, continue the red blood of the party, and learn from the party’s century-long struggle…” 《通知》要求，推荐评选工作要以习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想为指导，将政治标准放在首位，突出功绩导向，注重群众公认，选树一批近年来在深入贯彻落实党中央决策部署和习近平总书记重要指示批示精神中做出突出成绩、时代特征鲜明、赢得群众赞誉的公务员先进典型，激励引导广大公务员深刻领悟“两个确立”的决定性意义，进一步增强“四个意识”、坚定“四个自信”、做到“两个维护”，更加紧密地团结在以习近平同志为核心的党中央周围，大力弘扬伟大建党精神，赓续党的红色血脉，从党的百年奋斗历程中汲取智慧和力量，在全面建设社会主义现代化新征程上埋头苦干、勇毅前行，为党和人民赢得更大荣光.
The criteria for recommending and selecting nominees for the category are: For civil servants, political performance, work performance, integrity and self-discipline; for the collectives, political performance, work performance, leadership team building and civil servants’ team building.《通知》明确了推荐评选条件。对“人民满意的公务员”，从政治表现、工作业绩、廉洁自律等方面提出要求；对“人民满意的公务员集体”，从政治表现、工作业绩、领导班子建设和公务员队伍建设等方面提出要求。
Next, there’s a front-page commentary drawing from Xi’s speech at the Boao Forum. This one focuses on his remarks about the Chinese economy. The commentary begins by reiterating that “the fundamentals of the Chinese economy - its strong resilience, enormous potential, vast room for maneuver and long-term sustainability - remain unchanged. They will provide great dynamism for the stability and recovery of the world economy and broader market opportunities for all countries.”
The next paragraph says that “the world has entered a new period of turbulent change, with a marked increase in instability and uncertainty. All parties share common expectations for accelerating economic recovery and building a better world after the pandemic, but they are faced with many new difficulties and challenges. As the main stabiliser and driver of global economic growth, China’s economic development has attracted much attention.” It then talks up China’s pandemic management and economic growth amid the pandemic, emphasising that the economy has strong resilience.
The next paragraph talks about the new development philosophy and the new development pattern, along with the pursuit of high-quality development.
“The proposal to build a new development pattern is to expand the domestic market, form a domestic and international dual cycle on a larger scale, and create a more market-oriented, law-based and international business environment. Under the new development pattern, China’s market potential will be fully stimulated, creating more demand for all countries in the world; China’s opening door will be further opened to share development opportunities with other countries in the world; China’s foreign cooperation will continue to deepen and achieve mutual benefit and win-win results with other countries in the world. China’s development is closely related to the fate of the world. Connecting the internal and external markets more efficiently and sharing factor resources will result in the Chinese market becoming the world’s market, a shared market, and everyone’s market. China will surely bring great benefits to the recovery of the world economy and inject more positive energy into the international community.” 我们深刻认识到，贯彻新发展理念是新时代中国发展壮大的必由之路。中国提出构建新发展格局，是要扩充国内市场，在更大范围、更大规模上形成国内国际双循环，打造更加市场化、法治化、国际化的营商环境。在新发展格局下，中国市场潜力将充分激发，为世界各国创造更多需求；中国开放的大门将进一步敞开，同世界各国分享发展机遇；中国的对外合作将不断深化，同世界各国实现互利共赢。中国的发展与世界命运密切相关，更有效率地实现内外市场联通、要素资源共享，让中国市场成为世界的市场、共享的市场、大家的市场，中国必将给世界经济复苏带来重大利好，为国际社会注入更多正能量. — How seriously does anyone take this line of argument any more?
The next paragraph again reiterates that China will continue to open up. It makes this point using this chunk from Xi’s speech:
“China will expand high-standard opening-up, fully implement the negative list for foreign investment, expand the encouraged catalogue for FDI, improve services for investment promotion, and add more cities to the comprehensive pilot program for service sector opening. China will take solid steps to develop its pilot free trade zones and the Hainan Free Trade Port, align with high-standard international economic and trade rules, and move ahead with institutional opening-up. China will implement the RCEP in full, seek the conclusion of high-standard FTAs with more countries and regions, and actively work for joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement (DEPA). China will press ahead with high-quality Belt and Road cooperation to make it high-standard, sustainable and people-centered.”
Next, there’s a report based on Xi’s letter (English letter) to the First National Conference on Reading. There’s been such a build to this, with the occasion also being used as part of building the cult of Xi. For instance, on Saturday, there was a long piece in the People’s Daily about Xi Jinping’s reading story - 习近平的读书故事. It tells us that Xi as a child read the biography of Yue Fei, leading to him internalising the notion of serving the country. There was a time when he walked 30 miles to borrow a copy of Faust. He apparently read a lot of books during his time in Liangjiahe. He read Das Kapital thrice under the light of a kerosene lamp. At one time, the piece talked about Xi saying that he looked to memorise the Xinhua dictionary. He says that the “seven years in the countryside were not wasted, and the foundation of a lot of knowledge was laid down at that time.” — If you are still interested in this, here’s an English report about Xi’s reading list.
Finally, a report on the recommending and nominating of candidates for the 20th Party Congress from Qinghai. Like many others over the past few weeks and months, this one also emphasises politics first. It says that Qinghai has insisted on putting political standards first, following strict procedures, strict discipline, a combination of bottom-up and top-down work, and step-by-step assessment. It later adds:
“Qinghai maintains strict control over political aspects, has strengthened the investigation of political quality, focussed on the political judgement, political comprehension and political execution of candidates, and strengthened the performance of ‘four consciousnesses’, ‘four self-confidences’ and ‘two safeguards’ to ensure political excellence.” 青海严把政治关，加强政治素质考察，看人选的政治判断力、政治领悟力、政治执行力，增强“四个意识”、坚定“四个自信”、做到“两个维护”等方面表现情况，确保政治上过硬.
Page 2: There are a bunch of stories around the current COVID-19 outbreak in China. The stories don’t seriously discuss the challenges that people are encountering. They instead focus on positivity. For instance, there’s a piece featuring a person called Yao Lingyu, who found out that in a village in the western suburbs of Shanghai, eating fruit had become a problem. So Yao figured out a way to ensure fruit deliveries for the elderly there. Next, there’s a report about the community support work done by party members in Shanghai’s Songjiang District. For example:
“Songjiang District mobilised community party members and cadres to ‘embrace their neighbours’ and adopted methods such as pairing assistance to carry out ‘special care’ actions for special groups and people in need. A total of 21,05 elderly people living alone, left-behind children, severely disabled and seriously ill people, people living on subsistence allowances and in extreme poverty, and pregnant women were identified across 17 streets and towns throughout the district. There were 5,789 paired party members and volunteers, and a number of ‘temporary mothers’ and ‘temporary babysitters’ emerged.” 封控以来，一些困难群体遇到了自身难以解决的问题。松江区发动社区党员干部“包邻里”，采取结对帮扶等方式，对特殊人群、困难群众开展“特殊关爱”行动。全区17个街镇共排摸出独居和孤寡老人、留守儿童、重残重病、低保和特困供养人员、孕妇等21005人，与之结对的党员、志愿者5789人，涌现了一批“临时妈妈”“临时保姆”.
Also, there’s a report about the coordination between different departments to open up transport networks to ensure the supply of key commodities and products. This has data about the total number of expressway toll stations that are currently open or closed, the establishment of green channels, etc.
Page 3: There’s a commentary bylined 和音. This is the fourth in a series of commentaries based on Xi’s speech at the Boao Forum. This one says that:
Xi Jinping pointed out that for Asia, “regional peace and stability did not fall from the sky, nor was it a handout from any country. Rather, it was the result of the joint efforts of countries in the region. The Asian people have a tradition of advocating peace. The Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and the Bandung Spirit initiated by Asia are deeply rooted in the hearts of the people in the countries of the region, and they are of more practical significance now that the world is in a period of turbulent change. Today’s Asia has been reborn from the sufferings imposed by colonialism, militarism and hegemonism. It knows that the Cold War mentality will only destroy the framework of global peace. It is aware that hegemonism and power politics will only endanger world peace, and bloc confrontation will only aggravate the security challenges in the 21st century. At present, the security dilemma facing Europe has also made an increasing number of Asian countries realise that only by adhering to the principles of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, peaceful coexistence, and pursuing the policy of good neighbourliness and friendship, can they firmly hold their destiny in their own hands.” 过去几十年，亚洲地区总体保持稳定，经济持续快速增长，成就了“亚洲奇迹”。习近平主席指出，地区和平稳定不是天上掉下来的，也不是哪个国家的施舍，而是地区国家共同努力的成果。亚洲人民拥有崇尚和平的传统，亚洲首倡的和平共处五项原则和“万隆精神”，在地区国家深入人心，在世界处于动荡变革期的当下更加具有现实意义。如今的亚洲，已经从殖民主义、军国主义、霸权主义等强加的苦难中涅槃重生，深知冷战思维只会破坏全球和平框架，霸权主义和强权政治只会危害世界和平，集团对抗只会加剧21世纪安全挑战。当前，欧洲面临的安全困境也让越来越多的亚洲国家认识到，唯有秉持相互尊重、平等互利、和平共处等原则，奉行睦邻友好政策，才能把命运牢牢掌握在自己手中.
It adds:
Against a weak global economic recovery, Asia remains an important driver of global economic growth. According to a recent report released by the Boao Forum for Asia, based on purchasing power parity, Asia’s share of the global economy rose to 47.4 percent in 2021 and Asia's GDP growth rate is expected to be around 4.8 percent this year, higher than the global average…Asia's prosperity and stability are hard-won and should be cherished. Dialogue and cooperation should replace zero-sum game, openness and inclusiveness should replace isolation and exclusivity, and exchange and mutual learning should replace egotism. This is what Asia deserves. It is the aspiration of the Asian people to jointly pursue peaceful development, pursue win-win cooperation and build an Asian family of unity and progress. Asian countries have enough wisdom and ability to consolidate ASEAN’s centrality in the regional architecture and maintain a regional order that accommodates the aspirations and interests of all parties. Facing the favourable situation of Asia's development, adding lustre without adding chaos should be the basic criterion for countries within and outside the region to participate in Asian affairs. Any attempts to stick to the Cold War mentality, deliberately provoke confrontation and undermine regional development will not enjoy popular support. 在全球经济复苏脆弱乏力的大背景下，亚洲是世界经济增长的重要动力源。博鳌亚洲论坛新近发布的报告显示，按购买力平价标准计算，2021年亚洲经济占世界经济总量的比重提升至47.4%，预计今年亚洲经济增速达4.8%，高于世界经济平均增速...亚洲的繁荣稳定得来殊为不易，值得倍加珍惜。用对话合作取代零和博弈，用开放包容取代封闭排他，用交流互鉴取代唯我独尊，这是亚洲应有的襟怀和气度。共走和平发展大道，共谋合作共赢大计，共创团结进步的亚洲大家庭，这是亚洲人民的心声。亚洲国家有足够的智慧和能力巩固东盟在地区架构中的中心地位，维护兼顾各方诉求、包容各方利益的区域秩序。面对亚洲发展的大好形势，添彩而不添乱应是域内域外国家参与亚洲事务的基本准则。任何固守冷战思维、蓄意挑起对抗、破坏地区发展的图谋，都是不得人心的.
It adds: “As a member of the Asian family, no matter what changes take place in the world, China will always remain an active participant and important contributor to regional peaceful development and win-win cooperation. China adheres to the path of peaceful development, openness and cooperation, actively promotes the high-quality development of BRI, has put forward and promotes the implementation of the Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative, and continuously injects positive energy into peace, development, win-win cooperation in Asia and the world.” 作为亚洲大家庭的一员，不论世界发生什么样的变化，中国始终是地区和平发展、合作共赢的积极参与者和重要贡献者。中国坚持走和平发展道路，坚持走开放合作之路，积极推进高质量共建“一带一路”，提出并推动落实全球发展倡议、全球安全倡议，持续为亚洲和世界和平、发展、合作、共赢注入正能量.
Page 9: There’s a piece by Yi Lianhong, the Party Secretary of Jiangxi Province. He writes about the importance of stimulating the “vitality of innovation and entrepreneurship in the whole society,” which is key to “stabilising and expanding employment, promoting common prosperity, unleashing the innovation potential of the whole society, and promoting the vigorous development of new industries, new technologies, new formats and new models of business.” 激发全社会创新创业活力，对于稳定和扩大就业、促进共同富裕，释放全社会创新潜能、推动新产业新技术新业态新模式蓬勃发展等都具有重要意义.
The work of cadres is critical in this regard, he adds, before informing us that:
“In recent years, cadres at all levels in Jiangxi Province have thoroughly studied and understood Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, thoroughly implemented the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important speech during his visit to Jiangxi, focused on the goal of ‘setting an example and taking the lead’, and insisted that cadres take the lead in stimulating the innovation and entrepreneurship of the whole society.” He also promises more work in this direction along with promoting mass entrepreneurship. 近年来，江西省各级干部深入学习领会习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想，深入贯彻落实习近平总书记视察江西重要讲话精神，聚焦“作示范、勇争先”的目标要求，坚持以干部创先激发全社会创新创业活力，努力在赣鄱大地全面形成“大众创业、万众创新、干部创先”的生动局面，书写奋进新征程、建功新时代的壮美画卷.
In doing all this, he first begins with political loyalty. He says that:
“We must firmly grasp the correct political direction in order to promote the cause of cadres emerging as pioneers. Jiangxi is an old revolutionary area. Cadres at all levels in the province should consciously inherit the red gene, promote the normalisation and long-term effect of the study and learning of Party history, strengthen political experience, temper political character, improve political ability, and take practical actions to improve their level by stressing on party spirit, politics, loyalty and responsibility, so as to provide a strong political guarantee for promoting innovation and entrepreneurship. We must insist on strengthening our ability to arm ourselves with theory. Adhere to the primary political task of learning, understanding and implementing Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, deeply understand its core essence, spiritual essence, rich connotation, and practical requirements, continuously improve political judgement, political understanding, and political execution and p[romote in-depth study and implementation so as to ensure political firmness with theoretical sobriety.” 推动干部创先首先要牢牢把握正确政治方向。江西是革命老区，全省各级干部要自觉传承红色基因，推动党史学习教育常态化长效化，加强政治历练、锤炼政治品格、提高政治能力，以实际行动提升自身讲党性、讲政治、讲忠诚、讲担当的水平，为推动创新创业提供坚强政治保证。要坚持强化理论武装。坚持把学懂弄通做实习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想作为首要政治任务，学深悟透其核心要义、精神实质、丰富内涵、实践要求，不断提高政治判断力、政治领悟力、政治执行力，推动学习贯彻往深里走、往实里走、往心里走，切实以理论上的清醒确保政治上的坚定。
“We must firmly support the ‘Two Establishments’. Deeply understand the decisive significance of the ‘Two Establishments’, constantly strengthen the ‘four consciousnesses’, strengthen the ‘four self-confidences’ and achieve the ‘two safeguards’, more firmly and consciously trust the core ideologically, love the core emotionally, firmly safeguard the core politically, consciously obey the core organizationally, and always follow the core in action, so as to resolutely respond to what the Party Central Committee advocates, resolutely comply with the Party Central Committee’s decisions, and resolutely put an end to what the Party Central Committee prohibits. We must resolutely implement the decision-making arrangements of the CPC Central Committee. We must resolutely implement the decisions and arrangements of the Party Central Committee. 要坚定拥护“两个确立”。深刻领会“两个确立”的决定性意义，不断增强“四个意识”、坚定“四个自信”、做到“两个维护”，更加坚定自觉地在思想上高度信赖核心、感情上衷心爱戴核心、政治上坚决维护核心、组织上自觉服从核心、行动上始终紧跟核心，做到党中央提倡的坚决响应、党中央决定的坚决照办、党中央禁止的坚决杜绝。要坚决落实党中央决策部署.
I’m not detailing the subsequent paragraphs, but they detail the following themes:
strive for excellence in promoting development. This talks about promoting high-quality development, opening up, supporting market entities, pandemic management while promoting development, people-centred development, etc.
strive for excellence in work style and ability. This says that given the complexities in the domestic and international environment, “how to stimulate the vitality of innovation and entrepreneurship in the whole society and promote high-quality development while managing complex situations and completing urgent, difficult and dangerous tasks is a test of the cadres’ capabilities and is dependent on their work style.” It is, therefore, important to improve “strategic thinking, historical thinking, dialectical thinking, innovative thinking, rule of law thinking and bottom-line thinking” and for cadres to have a broader vision in the sense that they view their work in the context of the “overall situation.”
He argues that cadres should strive for excellence in performance and contribution, and that they should strive for excellence in discipline, diligence and honesty
Page 16: Two pieces on the international page that are worth noting. First, an article with comments from Chinese and American scholars calling for the US to “return to a rational and pragmatic China policy.”
The piece begins by saying that amid the Ukraine crisis, the “international situation is becoming more complex and grave.” The piece lays the blame for the conflict on the US’ doorstep. It says that the US is the “originator/initiator” of the crisis and has only “added fuel to the fire” instead of promoting peace. It has also sought to “use the crisis to shift contradictions, and to discredit and suppress China for no reason, creating divisions, confrontation and insecurity in the Asia-Pacific region. American actions have exposed its naked Cold War mentality and wrong thinking in handling relations with China.” 当前，乌克兰危机外溢效应不断蔓延，国际局势更趋复杂严峻。作为乌克兰危机的始作俑者，美国不是反躬自省，想方设法停火止战、劝和促谈，为世界和平与安全尽责，而是继续拱火浇油加大和解难度，甚至企图利用危机转嫁矛盾，无端对中国进行种种抹黑打压，在亚太地区制造隔阂、对立和不安全。美国的种种行径，暴露出赤裸裸的冷战思维和处理对华关系时的错误思路.
Later the piece adds:
“Since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the United States has spread a series of lies to create the illusion that ‘China is responsible for the crisis’; it has tried to equate the Taiwan Province issue with the Ukrainian crisis in order to find an excuse to ‘contain China by using Taiwan’. The words and deeds of the US side are of no benefit in resolving the Ukrainian crisis, but will only further undermine the mutual trust and cooperation between China and the United States.” 俄乌冲突爆发以来，美国散布一系列谎言，制造“中国需为危机负责”的假象，并试图将台湾问题和乌克兰危机相提并论，为“以台制华”寻找借口。美方言行对解决乌克兰危机没有任何好处，只会进一步破坏中美互信与合作.
Ruan Zongze, executive vice president of China Institute of International Studies, says that:
‘The US has repeatedly fanned the flames and engaged in 'coercive diplomacy', making other countries pay for its mistakes and taking the opportunity to suppress China. This shows that the United States has learned nothing from its past foreign policy mistakes and still sees the world in a black-and-white dichotomy.’ “美国一再煽风点火，大搞‘胁迫外交’，让其他国家为美国的错误埋单，并借机打压中国。这表明美国丝毫没有从其过去的错误外交政策中吸取任何教训，看待世界依然是非黑即白的二分法。”中国国际问题研究院常务副院长阮宗泽指出.
Diao Daming from Renmin University of China says:
“The United States used the Russia-Ukraine conflict to create a split in the world, in an attempt to shape China as a ‘common threat' to the West, and to rally allies to confront China at the lowest cost, thereby safeguarding the hegemonic interests of the United States." “美国利用俄乌冲突在世界上制造分裂，妄图将中国塑造为西方的‘共同威胁’，以最小成本纠集盟友加入与中国对抗，进而维护美国的霸权利益.”
“Since the establishment of the current US government, Sino-US relations have emerged out of the predicament that was created by the previous US government. Instead, they have encountered increasing challenges. American leaders have repeatedly stressed that the United States does not seek to fight a ‘new cold war’ with China, change China’s system, oppose China by strengthening its alliances, support ‘Taiwan independence’ and has no intention to engage in conflict with China. However, these promises of the United States have always been floating in the air (飘浮在空中), and have not materialised in action.” 本届美国政府成立以来，中美关系并没有走出美国上一届政府制造的困境，反而遭遇了越来越多的挑战。美国领导人一再强调，美国不寻求同中国打“新冷战”，不寻求改变中国体制，不寻求通过强化同盟关系反对中国，不支持“台独”，无意同中国发生冲突。然而，美方的这些承诺始终飘浮在空中，迟迟没有落地.
The piece later adds that “containment of China will further divide the United States from its partners, undermine its own reputation, and is ‘an act of national self-harm’.” 遏制中国将使美国与其伙伴更加分裂，削弱自身声誉，是“国家自残行为”. This bit says that “whether China and the United States can handle the bilateral relationship well is the question of the century that the two countries must answer well.” It talks about economic linkages and convergence in interests.
“Sino-US relations are not a ‘new cold war’. In 2021, the bilateral trade volume between China and the United States exceeded US$750 billion for the first time, and two-way investment was close to US$240 billion. More than 70,000 American companies are invested in China. This reality fully shows that the interests of China and the United States are deeply intertwined, and ideological differences cannot define the relationship between the two sides. Insisting on launching a ‘new cold war’ against China will only lead to mutual losses.” 中美关系不是“新冷战”。2021年，中美双边贸易额首次突破7500亿美元，双向投资接近2400亿美元，7万多家美国企业在华投资兴业。现实充分说明，中美利益深度交融，意识形态差异不能定义双方关系，执意发动对华“新冷战”只会造成一损俱损.
The piece then quotes from a piece by Brookings’ Ryan Hass as having written that it would be wrong to characterise the current US-China relationship using analogy of the Cold War, and engaging in ideological confrontation will weaken the prospect of US-China cooperation in coping with global challenges. It also quotes Princeton professor John Ikenberry has apparently having termed containment of China as an act of national self-harm. 美国布鲁金斯学会高级研究员何瑞恩在“全球亚洲”网站撰文指出，用冷战类比定性当前美中关系是错误的，搞意识形态对抗将削弱美中在应对全球挑战上的合作前景。普林斯顿大学政治学系教授约翰·伊肯伯里认为，遏制中国将使美国与其伙伴更加分裂，削弱美国自身声誉，是一种“国家自残行为”.
“The Asia-Pacific region is not an ‘arena/colosseum’. For some time now, the US has been trying to push forward its ‘Indo-Pacific strategy’ in order to stoke tensions in the region and provoke confrontation. This has led to widespread concern among countries in the region. It is the common aspiration of the countries in the region to prevent the resurgence of the Cold War mentality and they have refused to take sides between the major powers.” 亚太地区不是“角斗场”。一段时间以来，美国试图通过强推“印太战略”，制造地区紧张，挑动对抗对立，引发地区国家广泛担忧。防止冷战思维在地区回潮，拒绝在大国间选边站队，是地区国家的普遍愿望. The piece then talks about China’s growing trade with ASEAN countries, and then adds that “isolation and decoupling are not viable options.”
The last section adds that “global leadership depends not on winning so-called great power competition, but on providing solutions to global challenges.” This essentially makes the point for the US and China to work together. It says that with the Cold War over, the Iron Curtain must not be lowered again. It adds that “The United States should assume the responsibility of a major country, conform to the expectations of the international community, return to a rational and pragmatic China policy, and work with China to push Sino-US relations back on track at an early date.”
Next, there’s a piece bylined Zhou Han talking about the Global Security Initiative. The author argues that “universal and common security can only be achieved by abandoning the deep-rooted and militaristic approach of the law of the jungle and the Cold War mentality and zero-sum game concept in all its forms and by creating a security architecture featuring fairness, justice, joint contribution and shared benefits.” 只有摒弃弱肉强食、穷兵黩武的霸道做法和一切形式的冷战思维与零和博弈理念，营造公道正义、共建共享的安全格局，才能实现普遍安全和共同安全.
The author then praises Chinese diplomacy for advocating a “common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security concept,” calling for “the building of a new type of international relations, and promoting “the construction of a Community of Shared Future for Mankind.” These concepts and actions, Zhou argues, reflect “the common aspiration of peace-loving people all over the world.” Zhou adds that “since modern times, the Chinese nation has suffered unprecedented disasters. The Communist Party of China has united and led the Chinese people in overcoming hardships, and fully understands the preciousness of peace and development.”
“After the founding of the People's Republic of China, we pursued an independent foreign policy of peace, vigorously advocated the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, adhered to the road of peaceful development, took a clear stand against hegemonism and power politics, firmly safeguarded the interests of developing countries, promoted the establishment of a fair and rational new international political and economic order, created a good external environment for national development, and promoted lasting peace and common prosperity in the world.” 新中国成立后，我们奉行独立自主的和平外交政策，大力倡导和平共处五项原则，坚持走和平发展道路，旗帜鲜明反对霸权主义和强权政治，坚定维护广大发展中国家利益，推动建立公正合理的国际政治经济新秩序，为国家发展营造了良好外部环境，也促进世界持久和平、共同繁荣.
“As socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a new era, General Secretary Xi Jinping has creatively put forward the major initiative of building a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind from the strategic perspective of coordinating the overall strategy of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and profound changes unseen in the world in a century. The Global Security Initiative is a vivid demonstration of the vision of a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind in the security field. It not only meets the need for a world of lasting peace and universal security, but also reflects the historical experience and law of development of human society. It is also a continuation of China’s fine traditional culture…” 中国特色社会主义进入新时代，习近平总书记从统筹中华民族伟大复兴战略全局和世界百年未有之大变局的战略高度，创造性地提出推动构建人类命运共同体重大倡议。全球安全倡议是人类命运共同体理念在安全领域的生动实践，不仅符合实现持久和平和普遍安全世界的需要，体现人类社会历史经验和发展规律，也是对天下一家、和衷共济等中国优秀传统文化的继承.
The next paragraph makes the point that “Security is the premise of development, and development is the guarantee of security.” The author argues that “China has contributed over 30% to global growth and become an important stabiliser and the engine of the global economy.”
Zhou adds that “it is precisely because China has adopted and put into practice the right security concept, created a favourable external environment and seized the important period of strategic opportunities for development that it has made glorious achievements on the road of peaceful development…We not only draw nutrients and motivation from world development, but also continuously contribute Chinese wisdom, Chinese solutions and Chinese strength to world peace and development. China will unswervingly adhere to the path of peaceful development, and always be a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development, and a defender of international order…” 正是因为树立并践行正确的安全观，营造良好外部环境，紧紧抓住发展的重要战略机遇期，中国才能在和平发展道路上取得了一个又一个光辉成就。我们既从世界发展中汲取养分和动力，又为世界和平与发展不断贡献中国智慧、中国方案、中国力量。中国将始终不渝坚持走和平发展道路，始终做世界和平的建设者、全球发展的贡献者、国际秩序的维护者.
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Jean Christopher Mittelstaedt @jcmittelstaedt