Xi's Expectations from Vietnam Visit - Industrial System Advancements - Wang Talks to Iranian FM - Integrating Domestic & Foreign Trade - HK's Patriots Only Election
Here are the key reports and articles that I found noteworthy from the People's Daily’s edition on Friday, December 12, 2023
Page 1: The lead story today is about Xi Jinping’s article in the Nhan Dan Newspaper of Vietnam. Xinhua has the full English text. Xi wrote about the engagement between the top leaders of the two countries, along with interagency and subnational cooperation. He then talked about economic ties:
“China has long been Vietnam's largest trading partner, and Vietnam is China's biggest trading partner in ASEAN and the fourth largest globally…Vietnamese agricultural exports including fruits and vegetables are the favorites of Chinese consumers. China's raw materials and machinery equipment exported to Vietnam effectively boosted the Vietnamese manufacturing sector. Vietnam's first urban light rail project, the Cat Linh-Ha Dong metro line which was built by a Chinese company, has served nearly 20 million passenger trips so far, making travels in Hanoi more convenient. China-Vietnam cross-border freight trains are up and running smoothly, the smart port program has been launched, and connectivity at land boundary ports has been advanced rapidly. The largest overseas photovoltaic industrial cluster that Chinese businesses have constructed to date is in Vietnam. This, together with wind power stations built by Chinese companies, has greatly helped with the transformation of energy use in Vietnam. Chinese companies also invested in and constructed many waste-to-energy plants in Hanoi, Can Tho and other cities.” — (Comment: A distinct effort in this to highlight green industries.)
He later added:
“We have always treated each other with sincerity. As two vocal advocates of multilateralism, both China and Vietnam value the importance of dialogue, consultation, and peaceful cooperation, and firmly uphold the basic norms of international relations underpinned by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. We support each other on issues involving our respective core interests and major concerns, and maintain close coordination in regional and international cooperation mechanisms. Vietnam is an important player in the Group of Friends of the Global Development Initiative (GDI). It supports the Global Security Initiative (GSI) and the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI), and supports China's accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.”
“Asia is our common home. Neighboring countries cannot be moved away. Helping one’s neighbor is helping oneself, and good neighbors wish each other well. China is ready to better align its development with that of its neighbors, and work with them together to build a community with a shared future and deliver a better life to all. Vietnam’s friendship with China featuring ‘camaraderie plus brotherhood’ is profound indeed. The CPC and the Chinese government always take it as a priority in our neighborhood diplomacy to develop relations with Vietnam. We sincerely hope that our two nations will always hold dear to the hearts our traditional friendship, always keep in mind our shared visions and missions, advance together along the socialist path, and steadily promote the building of a community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.”
Xi then made four points:
“We need to maintain strategic communication and reinforce the political foundation for a China-Vietnam community with a shared future…We should firmly support each other in pursuing the socialist path suited to our respective national realities. We should coordinate our two priorities, i.e., development and security, and jointly act on the GDI, the GSI and the GCI. We need to deepen exchanges on the theory and practices of socialist development, fend off external risks and challenges together, and ensure steady and sustained progress in our socialist endeavors.”
“We need to make good use of our complementary strengths to cement the cooperation foundation for a China-Vietnam community with a shared future…we should accelerate synergizing the BRI and the Two Corridors and One Economic Circle strategy, and broaden cooperation in such areas as connectivity, SOE reform, green energy and critical minerals, in a bid to better serve our respective national development and benefit our two peoples.”
“We need to step up friendly exchanges to cement popular support for a China-Vietnam community with a shared future…make full use of counterpart exchange mechanisms such as central media outlets, think tanks, cultural and tourism departments, publishers, as well as radio, film and television institutions. We should deepen cooperation in Chinese language education, vocational education, sports and health. We should ensure the success of flagship events including the China-Vietnam People’s Forum and the China-Vietnam Youth Friendship Meeting with a view to increasing mutual understanding and affinity between our peoples, especially the younger generation. We should also have more direct flights between us.”
“We need to properly manage differences and expand the consensus for a China-Vietnam community with a shared future. Both sides need to act on the common understandings reached by the leaders of our two parties and countries, properly manage differences on maritime issues, and jointly look for mutually acceptable solutions. Both should bear in mind the long-term well-being of our peoples, and stay committed to striving for mutual benefit and win-win cooperation. Both should vigorously promote cooperation, and make due efforts to build an enabling external environment for our respective development and to realize long-term stability and security in our region.”
The final bit in the article is a useful read:
“In today’s world, changes on a scale unseen in a century are unfolding at an accelerated pace. Hegemonism, unilateralism and protectionism are on the rise. Peace and development in the region are confronted with fairly grave challenges of instability and uncertainty. Standing on the historical foundation of a time-honored civilization, Asia has come to a critical juncture of development and revitalization. Its emerging markets and developing economies will remain the powerhouse of world economic growth. History has proved time and again that a country or a region can only prosper when it follows the logic of history and keeps pace with the trend of the times. Asia's future is in the hands of no one but Asians. Over the past decade, the Asian people have more and more realized that they can only keep abreast with the trend toward peace, development and progress by jointly acting on the principles of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness and promoting the Asian values of peace, cooperation, inclusiveness and integration. They can only further unclog the regional economic circulation and upgrade it to deliver more benefit to Asians by staying committed to win-win cooperation, promoting the BRI under the principle of planning, building and benefiting together, and opening their door wider to the world. They can only build a peaceful, tranquil, prosperous, beautiful, amicable and harmonious home in Asia by vigorously working together for an Asian community with a shared future and making one country's development part of the common development of all countries.”
Next, there’s a report on China’s 2023 grain output rising 1.3% year on year to a record high of 695.41 million tonnes. Xinhua reports that this is the ninth consecutive year for China to register a grain harvest of over 650 million tonnes. China’s corn output increased 4.2 percent from 2022, while rice and wheat production decreased 0.9 percent and 0.8 percent, respectively.
Third, there’s a brief report (English report) on the funeral of renowned pharmacologist Sang Guowei. The entire PBSC and Han Zheng attended the funeral.
Finally, there’s the third in what has been a series of articles talking up the Chinese economy’s achievements this year. This one talks about progress made in building a modern industrial system. I am sharing some of the key data points. Despite the positive spin, this does make for quite poor reading.
Some key data points included are:
“In the first 10 months of this year, three key indicators, i.e., shipbuilding completion, new orders received, and the orders-in-hand, have all seen comprehensive growth, accounting for 49.7%, 67%, and 54.4% of the world market share, respectively. Chinese shipbuilding enterprises have delivered 24,000 TEU standard container ships, LNG dual-fuel powered bulk carriers, and gas transport ships, among others, with a significant increase in high-tech, high-value-added vessels.” 今年前10月，造船完工量、新接订单量、手持订单量三大指标全面增长，分别占世界市场份额的49.7%、67%和54.4%。我国造船企业批量交付2.4万标准箱集装箱船、LNG双燃料动力散货船及气体运输船等，高技术、高附加值船舶显著增加.
In the first three quarters, the added value of the equipment manufacturing industry above designated size increased by 6%, 2 percentage points faster than all industries above designated size. 前三季度，规上装备制造业增加值增长6%，比全部规模以上工业快2个百分点.
The report adds that in what has been a challenging period, specific work plans were formulated to stabilise growth in 10 key industries; policies were introduced to promote the development and growth of the private economy; SMEs and little giants were supported; and institutional opening up was expanded while seeking to attract multinational firms. 机遇和挑战并存，各地区各部门积极作为、协同施策：挖潜提质，促进汽车和电子产品消费；聚焦钢铁、有色等10个重点行业，分别制定实施稳增长工作方案；出台一系列促进民营经济发展壮大的政策措施；开展“一起益企”中小企业服务行动，加快培育“专精特新”中小企业；稳步扩大制度型开放，继续吸引跨国企业来华发展……政策举措相继落地，广大企业共同努力，实体经济实现质的有效提升和量的合理增长.
In the first three quarters, the added value of industrial enterprises above designated size increased by 4% year-on-year, and the growth rate showed a trend of rebounding with each passing quarter. More than 60% of major industrial sectors and more than 50% of major industrial products achieved year-on-year growth. 前三季度，规上工业增加值同比增长4%，增速呈逐季回升态势，六成以上的工业大类行业和五成以上的主要工业产品产量同比实现增长.
In October, the profits of industrial enterprises nationwide increased by 2.7% year-on-year, achieving positive growth for three consecutive months…From January to October, among the 41 major industrial categories, 30 industries experienced an accelerated profit growth rate or a narrowed decline compared to the period from January to September, shifting from a decrease to an increase. 10月，全国规上工业企业利润同比增长2.7%，连续3个月实现正增长，产品销售率连续4个月保持在97%以上。1至10月，41个工业大类行业中，有30个行业利润增速较1至9月加快或降幅收窄、由降转增。
Currently, China has established nearly 10,000 digital workshops and smart factories, among which 421 have become smart manufacturing demonstration factories with internationally advanced levels. The average product development cycle in these demonstration factories has been shortened by 26%, and the average production efficiency has increased by 29%. 目前，我国已建设近万家数字化车间和智能工厂，其中421个成为具有国际先进水平的智能制造示范工厂，示范工厂的产品研发周期平均缩短26%，生产效率平均提升29%.
China has cumulatively established 3,616 national green factories, 267 green industrial parks, and 403 enterprises with green supply chain management. The average solid waste disposal and utilisation rate in green industrial parks exceeds 95%. 我国已累计建设国家级绿色工厂3616家、绿色工业园区267家、绿色供应链管理企业403家，绿色工业园区平均固废处置利用率超过95%.
In the first 10 months, production and sales reached 7.352 million and 7.28 million vehicles, respectively, with year-on-year increases of 33.9% and 37.8%. Exports amounted to 995,000 vehicles, nearly doubling compared to the same period last year. 前10个月，产销分别完成735.2万辆和728万辆，同比分别增长33.9%和37.8%，出口99.5万辆，同比增长近1倍.
In the first three quarters of this year, the output of silicon materials, wafers, batteries and components in China increased by more than 70% year-on-year, and the total output value of the photovoltaic industry exceeded 1.2 trillion yuan. 今年前三季度，我国硅料、硅片、电池、组件产量同比增长均超过70%，光伏行业总产值超过1.2万亿元.
The report mentions Xi’s remarks during a visit to Heilongjiang in September, when he called for “fostering strategic emerging industries including new energy, new materials, advanced manufacturing and electronic information, and nurturing industries of the future, in a bid to create new productivity boosters and new growth impetus.” 今年9月，习近平总书记主持召开新时代推动东北全面振兴座谈会时强调：“积极培育新能源、新材料、先进制造、电子信息等战略性新兴产业，积极培育未来产业，加快形成新质生产力，增强发展新动能.” “General Secretary Xi Jinping first proposed the important concept of ‘new predictive forces’ 新质生产力, providing guidance for accelerating the construction of a modern industrial system.” 习近平总书记首次提出“新质生产力”这一重要概念，为加快建设现代化产业体系指明了方向.
Shi Dan, director of the Institute of Industrial Economics of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said that: “Currently, a new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation is taking shape. Cutting-edge technologies like general artificial intelligence, life sciences, and new energy are profoundly changing the industrial production function, leading to new directions and opening up new pathways for industrial development. Only by closely tracking and grasping changes in the forefront of science and technology can we firmly grasp the initiative in innovation and development in our own hands.” “当前，新一轮科技革命和产业变革方兴未艾，通用人工智能、生命科学、新能源等前沿技术正在深刻改变着工业生产函数，引领产业发展的新方向、开辟产业发展的新赛道。只有紧紧跟踪并把握科技前沿变化，才能把创新主动权、发展主动权牢牢掌握在自己手中.”
From January to October, manufacturing investment increased by 6.2% year-on-year, significantly higher than all investment. Among them, high-tech manufacturing investment increased by 11.3%, maintaining double-digit growth for 37 consecutive months; as of September this year, the total number of enterprises related to strategic emerging industries in China has exceeded 2 million...In the first year, modern information technology, artificial intelligence, big data and other technologies were widely used, and new technologies, new business forms and new industries were booming. 今年1至10月份，制造业投资同比增长6.2%，明显高于全部投资，其中高技术制造业投资增长11.3%，连续37个月保持两位数增长；至今年9月，我国战略性新兴产业相关企业总数突破200万个……开局之年，现代信息技术、人工智能、大数据等技术广泛应用，新技术新业态新产业蓬勃发展.
The article also reiterates that “China has a solid foundation for industrial development. However, some industries still operate in the low end of the global value chain, facing challenges such as dependence on key core technologies controlled by others.” 作为全球第一制造业大国，我国产业发展基础坚实。同时，部分产业仍处在全球价值链中低端，还存在关键核心技术受制于人等问题.
“In May this year, General Secretary Xi Jinping chaired the first meeting of the Central Financial and Economic Affairs Commission, emphasising the need to ‘accelerate the construction of a modern industrial system supported by the real economy, which is crucial for winning the strategic advantage in our future development and international competition’ and ‘build a modern industrial system that is comprehensive, advanced, and secure.’ By fostering innovation, taking initiative, and creating an independent, controllable, secure, and competitive modern industrial system, China has broad prospects for the high-quality development of its industries.” 今年5月，习近平总书记主持召开二十届中央财经委员会第一次会议，会议强调“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”“建设具有完整性、先进性、安全性的现代化产业体系”。开拓创新、担当作为，打造自主可控、安全可靠、竞争力强的现代化产业体系，我国产业高质量发展前景广阔.
Currently, 5G applications have been integrated into 67 major categories of the national economy. There are more than 7,000 ‘5G + Industrial Internet’ projects nationwide, and the cumulative number of mobile IoT terminals has reached 2.22 billion…当前，5G应用已融入67个国民经济大类，全国“5G+工业互联网”项目超7000个，移动物联网终端累计达22.2亿户，创新融合应用正全面深化.
Page 2: There’s a report on Wang Yi’s call with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian. Xinhua says:
Wang said that “China’s position on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict can be summarized as realizing a cease-fire and ending the conflict as soon as possible, ensuring humanitarian relief, and returning to the two-state solution. Amir-Abdollahian highly appreciated China's efforts to achieve a humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza during its rotating presidency of the UN Security Council. He said the Iranian side opposes the killing of women and children and advocates an immediate cease-fire and cessation of fighting in Gaza and opening humanitarian relief corridors. The United Nations should play an important role in the future settlement of the Palestinian question, he said, adding that Iran is willing to maintain close communication with regional countries to safeguard regional security and stability.”
“The Iranian side supports the Global Security Initiative proposed by China and expects China to be more actively committed to easing the situation in Gaza, resolving the Palestinian question, and safeguarding regional peace and stability, the top Iranian diplomat said.”
“Wang said China's position is consistent with that of Arab countries and is highly congruous with that of Islamic countries and the international community. Countries should make a stronger voice and form a more unified position on the conflict, Wang said. China believes that any arrangement concerning the future and destiny of Palestine should fully reflect the will of the Palestinian people, fully respect their right to statehood and self-determination, and embody the principle of ‘Palestinian-owned, Palestinian-led and Palestinian-administered,’ he said. China is ready to strengthen communication and coordination with Arab and Islamic countries to gradually create conditions for returning to the two-state solution and continue to play a role in truly resolving the Palestinian question, he said.”
“On bilateral ties, Wang said China stands ready to work with Iran to implement the important consensus reached by Chinese President Xi Jinping and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi during their two meetings this year. He said China will strengthen communication, consolidate mutual trust, expand cooperation, coordinate and cooperate with Iran on international and multilateral occasions, practice genuine multilateralism, safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of the two countries and developing countries as well as international equity and justice, and push forward the stable and long-term development of China-Iran relations. China supports Iran and Saudi Arabia in continuously improving relations, promoting the unity and cooperation of countries in the region and taking regional peace and security in their own hands, Wang said. Amir-Abdollahian thanked China for its contribution to mediating the rapprochement between Iran and Saudi Arabia, saying that Iran is willing to strengthen cooperation with China in various fields and promote the continuous development of Iran-China relations.”
Beijing also publicly expressed its disappointment with the US’ veto on the Gaza conflict resolution. “We regret and are disappointed at the US veto—the only veto on the Security Council draft resolution calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire,” Mao Ning said.
Next, there is a commentary that discusses China’s innovation capabilities. There is some useful data in this.
The article talks about World Intellectual Property Indicators Report 2023 by WIPO. “In 2022, China accounted for 1.6 million patent applications, ranking first in the world. The ‘2023 Global Innovation Index’ previously released by WIPO, showed that China ranked 12th, with six indicators ranking first in the world; China is home to 24 top scientific and technological clusters in the world, ranking first in the world for the first time.” 世界知识产权组织近日发布的《世界知识产权指标报告》显示，2022年中国专利申请量约160万件，居世界第一。'该组织此前发布的《2023年全球创新指数》显示，中国排名第十二位，其中6个指标排名世界第一；中国拥有24个全球顶级科技集群，在全球顶级科技集群排名中首次跃居世界第一。这些都说明，迈入创新型国家行列的中国，科技创新能力仍在继续提升.
“Innovation is the primary driving force for development and the strategic support for building a modern economic system. Against the backdrop of weak global economic recovery, China's economy is rebounding and progressing positively, significant progress has been made in the construction of a modern industrial system, and there have been breakthroughs in technological innovation. Data released by the National Bureau of Statistics of China in August this year indicates that the new kinetic energy index for China’s economic development in 2022 was 766.8, a 28.4% increase over the previous year. Looking at key components of the index, the innovation-driven index increased by 15.5%, reaching 336.3, and the knowledge capability index increased by 5.9%, reaching 193.4. China has become the world’s most extensive and comprehensive talent resource, with a total talent pool of 220 million people, and an estimated total of over 6 million research and development personnel in 2022.” 创新是引领发展的第一动力，是建设现代化经济体系的战略支撑。在世界经济复苏乏力的背景下，中国经济回升向好，高质量发展扎实推进，现代化产业体系建设取得重要进展，科技创新实现新的突破。中国国家统计局今年8月发布的数据显示，2022年中国经济发展新动能指数为766.8，比上年增长28.4%。从主要构成指标看，创新驱动指数为336.3，比上年增长15.5%；知识能力指数为193.4，比上年增长5.9%。中国已成为全球规模最宏大、门类最齐全的人才资源大国，人才资源总量达到2.2亿人，2022年研发人员总量预计超过600万人年.
It adds that scientific and technological innovation in China has continued to empower the real economy and new industries and new kinetic energy have continued to grow and develop.
From January to October, the investment in high-tech industries in China increased by 11.1% year-on-year, 8.2 percentage points faster than the total investment; the industrial added value of the automotive manufacturing industry and electrical machinery and equipment manufacturing industry increased by 11.3% and 13.6% year-on-year, respectively. China adheres to the core position of innovation in the overall modernization construction, and the innovation and commercialization of new technologies have become crucial drivers of economic operation…The rapid growth of exports in new energy vehicles, lithium batteries, and photovoltaic products is a testament to this. 今年1—10月，中国高技术产业投资同比增长11.1%，快于全部投资8.2个百分点；汽车制造业、电气机械和器材制造业工业增加值同比增长11.3%、13.6%。中国坚持创新在现代化建设全局中的核心地位，新技术的创新与商业化成为经济运行的重要驱动力。得益于先进技术的创新和应用，中国经济发展的新领域新赛道不断开辟，一批产业链条长、技术含量高、带动能力强的行业加快发展。近年来，中国新能源汽车、锂电池、光伏产品“新三样”出口快速增长即是明证.
China’s technological innovation not only provides enduring impetus for its own economic growth but also brings tangible development opportunities to the world. China has established technological cooperation relationships with more than 160 countries and regions, signing 116 government-to-government agreements on scientific and technological cooperation. This has laid the foundation for a comprehensive, multi-level, and wide-ranging pattern of open cooperation in science and technology. China has signed government-to-government agreements on scientific and technological cooperation with more than 80 countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative, built more than 50 BRI joint laboratories, more than 20 agricultural technology demonstration centres and more than 70 overseas industrial parks with partner countries. Additionally, 10 overseas science and education cooperation centres and 9 transnational technology transfer centres have been set up. 中国的科技创新不仅为本国经济增长提供持久动力，也为世界带来实实在在的发展机遇。中国与160多个国家和地区建立科技合作关系，签订了116个政府间科技合作协定，构建起全方位、多层次、广领域的科技开放合作新格局。中国与80多个“一带一路”共建国家签署政府间科技合作协定，共建50多家“一带一路”联合实验室，在共建国家建成20多个农业技术示范中心和70多个海外产业园，建立10个海外科教合作中心，建设9个跨国技术转移中心.
Page 3: There’s a report talking about the new State Council guidelines to accelerate the integrated development of domestic and foreign trade. The document proposes 18 work measures across 5 aspects.
First, promote the alignment of domestic and international trade standards, continually increasing the conversion rate of international standards. This entails promoting the convergence of domestic and foreign trade inspection and certification, and deepening international cooperation in inspection, quarantine, certification and accreditation under the BRI and RCEP frameworks. Promote the convergence of domestic and foreign trade supervision and promote the smooth flow of domestic and foreign trade resource elements. Advance uniformity when it comes to domestic and international trade products in terms of production processes, standards, and quality. Encourage all parties to accept the ‘three-in-one’ certification results. 促进内外贸标准衔接，不断提高国际标准转化率。促进内外贸检验认证衔接，深化共建“一带一路”、《区域全面经济伙伴关系协定》（RCEP）等框架下检验检疫、认证认可国际合作。促进内外贸监管衔接，促进内外贸资源要素顺畅流动。推进内外贸产品同线同标同质，鼓励各方采信“三同”认证结果.
Second, promote the connection of domestic and foreign trade market channels. Support foreign trade enterprises to expand the domestic market and organise a series of activities to expand domestic sales of foreign trade products. Support domestic trade enterprises to explore the international market by means of cross-border e-commerce, market procurement trade and other methods. Give full play to the role of platform communication and docking to promote the integration of domestic and international markets. 二是促进内外贸市场渠道对接。支持外贸企业拓展国内市场，组织开展外贸优品拓内销系列活动。支持内贸企业采用跨境电商、市场采购贸易等方式开拓国际市场。发挥平台交流对接作用，促进国内国际市场接轨.
Third, optimise the integrated development environment for domestic and foreign trade. Strengthen the protection of intellectual property rights and carry out special actions to combat infringement and counterfeiting. Improve the domestic and foreign trade credit system and promote the sharing and application of corporate credit information. Enhance logistics convenience and accelerate the development of integrated rail and water transport for coastal and inland ports. Strengthen support for domestic and foreign trade talents, and build a talent exchange and docking platform that integrates online and offline and domestic and foreign trade. 三是优化内外贸一体化发展环境。加强知识产权保护，开展打击侵权假冒专项行动。完善内外贸信用体系，推动企业信用信息共享应用。提升物流便利性，加快发展沿海和内河港口铁水联运。强化内外贸人才支撑，搭建线上线下融合、内外贸融合的人才交流对接平台.
Fourth, accelerate the integration and development of foreign trade in key areas. Deepen the pilot projects for the integration of domestic and international trade, encourage increased efforts in relevant reforms and innovations. Cultivate enterprises integrating domestic and foreign trade, and support core enterprises in the supply chain to drive upstream and downstream enterprises to jointly explore domestic and international markets. Cultivate industrial clusters for the integrated development of domestic and international trade and enhance the level of integrated development of central and western regions. Accelerate the construction of domestic and foreign trade brands and support domestic and foreign trade enterprises to cultivate their own brands. 四是加快重点领域内外贸融合发展。深化内外贸一体化试点，鼓励加大内外贸一体化相关改革创新力度。培育内外贸一体化企业，支持供应链核心企业带动上下游企业协同开拓国内国际市场。培育内外贸融合发展产业集群，提升中西部等地区内外贸一体化发展水平。加快内外贸品牌建设，支持内外贸企业培育自主品牌.
Fifth, implement relevant financial support policies and actively support the integrated development of domestic and foreign trade. Give better play to the role of credit insurance and increase comprehensive support for integrated domestic and foreign trade credit insurance in accordance with market-oriented principles. Increase financial support and strengthen the service capabilities of financial institutions for domestic and foreign trade enterprises. 五是加大财政金融支持力度。落实有关财政支持政策，积极支持内外贸一体化发展。更好发挥信用保险作用，按照市场化原则加大内外贸一体化信用保险综合性支持力度。加大金融支持力度，强化金融机构对内外贸企业的服务能力.
Next, there’s a report on the State Council’s plan to improve air quality. The report is based on the press briefing by the State Council. Xinhua says:
“The plan contains a series of measures to achieve bluer skies by 2025, such as propelling green industrial shifts, building a cleaner energy mix, and developing a low-carbon transport system. Its goals are to reduce PM2.5 density in cities at the prefecture level and above by 10 percent by 2025, compared to the 2020 level; to control the proportion of days each year with heavy air pollution to 1 percent or less; and to cut emissions of nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds by over 10 percent. The plan lists the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and its surrounding areas, as well as the Yangtze River Delta region and the Fenwei Plain, as key areas. China will ban new steel production capacities, accelerate the removal of outdated capacities in key industries, and foster green industries. More will be done to develop new and clean energy to ensure that non-fossil energy will account for 20 percent of the country's total energy consumption by 2025. The production and supply of natural gas will also be increased. New energy vehicles will account for no less than 80 percent of new or updated buses, taxis and other urban public transport vehicles in key areas. Efforts will also be made to strengthen supervision and law enforcement, improve laws, improve environmental policies and economic policies, and expand international cooperation on atmospheric environment management and desertification prevention and control, according to the plan.”
Page 10: There’s a report (English report) informing that “during the January-November period, the fixed-asset investment in the country's railway sector reached 640.7 billion yuan (about 90 billion U.S. dollars), marking a 7.4 percent increase from the previous year, according to China State Railway Group Co., Ltd. As of the end of November, the total operation mileage of China's railway network exceeded 155,500 km, including 43,700 km of high-speed railways.
A lot of the content on the page is about the Seventh District Council Ordinary Election in Hong Kong. For instance, there’s a report on the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office’s article on the election. The article calls the election “a fair, just, enthusiastic and orderly election.”
It says that “the HKSAR is reshaping the district council system and bringing the district councils back onto the right track stipulated in the Basic Law. The new district council system effectively prevents anti-China elements in Hong Kong from entering the district councils, decisively putting an end to the attempts by anti-China elements and external forces such as the United States and the West to seize governance rights in the HKSAR through elections.” 文章指出，香港特区重塑区议会制度，将区议会重新纳入基本法规定的正确轨道。新区议会制度有效防范反中乱港分子进入区议会，彻底终结反中乱港分子及其背后美西方等外部势力通过选举路径夺取特区管治权的图谋. It adds that under this system, district councils can play the role of “consultation and assistance.”
“This is an election that promoted the optimisation and improvement of democracy…during this election, candidates put forward their platforms and engaged in policy debates that closely dealt with practical issues in regional governance, thereby allowing citizens to deeply feel that the election is related to their own interests and that this is real and effective democracy. This was an election that lifted spirits and built consensus. Hong Kong society has further recognised that the mistakes of the ‘anti-extradition bill protests’ must not be repeated, and the chaos witnessed in the previous district councils cannot be allowed to happen again. Continuous efforts are essential to safeguard national security, thoroughly rectify various areas, and consistently strengthen the foundation for Hong Kong's long-term stability. There has been further understanding that only democracy that aligns with our own realities and solves problems is genuine democracy and effective democracy. It is crucial to comprehensively implement ‘patriots governing Hong Kong’ and firmly follow the path of democratic development that is in line with Hong Kong’s reality. Furthermore, there is greater understanding that Hong Kong cannot afford to be confused, tossing around, or wasting time any longer. It is important to enhance confidence in the ‘one country, two systems’ system, fully leverage Hong Kong's unique status and advantages, carry forward the fine traditions of tolerance and mutual assistance, seeking common ground while reserving differences, constantly striving for self-improvement, and the courage to strive for victory, and make every effort to promote governance and prosperity and create a better future for Hong Kong.” 这是一次推动民主优化提升的选举。参选人来自不同政团社团、不同群体阶层，充分展现多元化、专业化、年轻化。参选人紧紧围绕地区治理中的现实问题提出政纲，展开政策辩论，让市民深切感受到选举与自身利益相关，深切感受到这是真实、管用的民主。这是一次振奋精神、凝聚共识的选举。香港社会进一步认识到，“修例风波”的覆辙绝不能重蹈，之前区议会的乱象绝不能再演，必须持续做好维护国家安全工作，深入推进各领域拨乱反正，不断巩固香港长治久安的根基；进一步认识到，只有符合自身实际、能够解决问题的民主才是真民主、好民主，必须全面落实“爱国者治港”，坚定走符合香港实际的民主发展道路；进一步认识到，香港不能再迷惘、再折腾、再蹉跎，必须增强“一国两制”制度自信，充分发挥香港独特地位和优势，充分发扬包容共济、求同存异、自强不息、善拼敢赢的优良传统，全力推动由治及兴，创造香港更美好的未来.
Another report (English report) talks about the Liaison Office extending its congratulations on the elections. The spokesperson said that “this is a fair, just, open and high-quality election with wide participation of the society. The HKSAR government organized elections in strict accordance with the law, actively and orderly carried out various electoral affairs, and fully demonstrated the new style of governance of ‘being able to take responsibility and act well’.”
In addition, there’s a report on Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu congratulating the elected officials. Also, there’s an article bylined 张烁, arguing that “‘patriots governing Hong Kong’ is the core essence of ‘one country, two systems’.” “爱国者治港”是“一国两制”的核心要义.
It’s worth noting that as per SCMP:
“The Sunday poll saw 1,193,193 people – or 27.54 per cent of registered electors – vote in the first district council election since the municipal-level bodies were overhauled to align them with Beijing’s principle that only ‘patriots’ should be in charge. The turnout rate is a significant drop from the 71.23 per cent recorded in the last district council election in 2019 held at the height of the anti-government protests, when the opposition bloc scored a landslide victory. It is also the lowest rate since the city’s return to Chinese rule in 1997, with the previous low standing at 35.8 per cent in 1999. The low participation rate followed a massive government promotional blitz to mobilise residents to vote, with authorities rolling out banners, television advertisements, social media clips and a ‘District Council Election Fun Day’ held one day before Hongkongers headed to the ballot boxes.”