Xi's G20 Speech - Xi Meets Starmer & Albanese - Wang Huning on Spreading China's Voice - Song Tao Meets Wang Jin-pyng
Earlier today, Xi Jinping delivered a speech at the G20 summit in Brazil. Last year, when the G20 was held in India and Xi had skipped it, there was a fair amount of commentary in India about how Beijing was de-prioritising the G20 as a forum in favour of BRICS. I recall saying, wait till it’s in Brazil; he will go. And look what we have now. Anyway, Xi said:
“the G20 needs to build on its past achievements and continue to act as a force to improve global governance and move history forward. We should keep in mind that mankind lives in a community with a shared future, see each other’s development as opportunities rather than challenges, and view each other as partners rather than rivals. We should observe the basic norms of international relations underpinned by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and defend the international order based on international law. In light of the G20’s mandate, we could build greater international consensus in the economic, financial, trade, digital and eco-environmental fields, among others, to improve global governance and promote an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization.”
He then made five points:
First, improve global economic governance. “We should stay committed to strengthening global economic partnerships, reinforcing macro policy coordination in fiscal, financial, monetary and structural reform policies, cultivating new quality productive forces, and raising total factor productivity, in a bid to open up more possibilities for the global economy. It is important to make good use of the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meetings, let them serve as a ballast for macro policy coordination, and foster an open, inclusive, and nondiscriminatory environment for international economic cooperation. As main creditors, international financial institutions and commercial creditors need to take part in debt reduction and suspension for developing countries. It is also important to create a clean business environment by upholding a zero-tolerance stance against corruption, stepping up international cooperation on fugitive repatriation and asset recovery, and denying safe haven to corrupt officials and their assets.”
Second, improve global financial governance. “To increase the voice and representation of developing countries, the World Bank should carry out shareholding review and the International Monetary Fund should carry out quota share realignment in line with the agreed timeframe and roadmap. Joint efforts are needed to keep the international financial market stable and prevent negative spillover of domestic monetary policy adjustments. Developed countries should fulfill their responsibilities in this regard. It is important to enhance the systems for financial risks monitoring, early warning and handling, reinforce cooperation in such areas as digital currency and taxation, and strengthen the global financial safety net. The G20 Sustainable Finance Roadmap should be implemented at a faster pace to better meet the green financing needs of developing countries.”
Third, improve global trade governance. “We should place development at the center of the international economic and trade agenda, and steadily advance trade and investment liberalization and facilitation. We should press ahead with reforming the World Trade Organization (WTO), oppose unilateralism and protectionism, restore the normal functioning of the dispute settlement mechanism as soon as possible, include the Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement into the WTO legal framework, and reach early consensus on the e-commerce agreement. We should work actively to keep the WTO rules relevant, both addressing long-pending issues and exploring the formulation of new, future-oriented rules, to enhance the authority, efficacy and relevance of the multilateral trading system. It is important to avoid politicizing economic issues, avoid fragmenting the global market, and avoid taking protectionist moves in the name of green and low-carbon development.”
Fourth, improve global digital governance. “We should step up international governance and cooperation on artificial intelligence (AI), to make sure that AI is for good and for all, not a game of the rich countries and the wealthy. China hosted the 2024 World AI Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance, and issued the Shanghai Declaration on Global AI Governance. Together with other parties, China promoted the adoption of a UN General Assembly resolution on enhancing international cooperation on AI capacity-building. China will hold another world AI conference in 2025 and welcomes the participation of fellow G20 members”.
Fifth, improve global ecological governance. “We should honor the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, and fully and effectively implement the Paris Agreement and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework for the sake of man’s harmonious coexistence with nature. Developed countries should provide developing countries with the necessary funding, technology and capacity-building support…Energy transition and energy security is a major issue. We should follow the approach of ‘establishing the new before abolishing the old,’ and replace traditional energy with clean energy in a stable and well-ordered way, as we expedite the green and low-carbon transition of the world economy. China stands ready to continue to deepen international cooperation with all sides on green infrastructure, green energy, green mining and green transport, and will provide support to developing countries to the best of its ability.”
Here are the key reports and articles that I found noteworthy from the People’s Daily’s edition on Tuesday, November 19, 2024.
Page 1: The lead story today is about Xi’s arrival in Rio for the G20 summit. On the sidelines of the summit, Xi met with (English report) British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
“Noting that the world has entered a new period of turbulence and transformation, Xi said that China and Britain, both as permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and major global economies, share the responsibilities of advancing their respective national development and addressing global challenges. Both countries should stick to their strategic partnership, adhere to the principles of mutual respect, open cooperation, and mutual learning, strive for mutual benefit and win-win outcomes, and jointly write the next chapter of healthy and stable development of bilateral relations, he added. Xi said that while the two countries differ in history, culture, values, and social systems, they share extensive common interests. Both sides should view each other’s development rationally and objectively, strengthen strategic communication, enhance political mutual trust, and ensure that China-UK relations remain stable, practical, and long-lasting. The two countries have extensive room for cooperation in areas such as trade and investment, clean energy, financial services, and healthcare, which should be continuously expanded to better benefit the people of both nations. Both sides should work to promote the political resolution of hotspot issues, strengthen global governance of artificial intelligence, and contribute to global economic growth and the shared development of all countries. 习近平指出，当前世界进入新的动荡变革期。中英作为联合国安理会常任理事国和世界主要经济体，既肩负推动各自国家发展的重任，也承担应对全球性挑战的责任。双方应该秉持战略伙伴定位，坚持相互尊重、开放合作、交流互鉴，实现互利共赢，共同书写中英关系健康稳定发展的下一个篇章。习近平强调，中英两国历史文化、价值理念、社会制度虽有差异，但共同利益广泛，双方应该理性客观看待对方的发展，加强战略沟通，增进政治互信，确保中英关系走得稳、走得实、走得远。两国在贸易投资、清洁能源、金融服务、医疗民生等领域拥有广阔合作空间，应该不断拓展，更好惠及两国人民。双方要推动热点问题政治解决，加强人工智能全球治理，为促进世界经济增长、实现各国共同发展作出贡献.
As per Xinhua, Starmer said that Britain and China share extensive common interests. He added that Britain “hopes to strengthen dialogue with China, enhance mutual understanding and carry out exchanges and cooperation in a wide range of areas, including economy and trade, technology, finance, healthcare, education, and addressing climate change, in a spirit of mutual respect, equality and candor”.
The UK side’s readout says: Starmer told Xi that “the UK and China have a shared responsibility to work together in pursuit of global stability, economic co-operation and the clean energy transition…They also discussed deepening the partnership bilaterally on trade and investment, health, education and other areas of mutual interest. The Prime Minister set out that our approach would be consistent, respectful and pragmatic in order to advance these shared goals…The Prime Minister said that he also wanted to engage honestly and frankly on those areas where we have different perspectives, including on Hong Kong, human rights and Russia’s war in Ukraine. He reiterated that his approach would always be rooted in the national interests of the UK, but that we would be a predictable and pragmatic partner. They discussed next steps and agreed that the Chancellor should visit Beijing next year to discuss economic and financial cooperation with her counterpart, Vice Premier He Lifeng.”
Xi also met with (English report) Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
He said “that in November last year, we had in-depth communication in Beijing on strategic, overall and directional issues concerning the long-term development of China-Australia relations. Over the past year, the two countries have maintained close communication and exchanges at all levels, actively promoted the implementation of the important consensus we reached, and made positive progress. There is no fundamental conflict of interests between China and Australia. As long as the two sides insist on mutual respect, equality, and seeking common ground while reserving differences, China-Australia relations will surely develop well. China is willing to work with Australia to promote the construction of a more mature, stable and fruitful China-Australia comprehensive strategic partnership, and inject more stability and certainty into the region and the world.” 习近平指出，去年11月，我们在北京就事关中澳关系长远发展的战略性、全局性、方向性问题进行了深入沟通。一年多来，两国各层级保持密切沟通交往，积极推进落实我们达成的重要共识，取得积极进展。中澳之间没有根本利益冲突，只要双方坚持相互尊重、平等相待、求同存异，中澳关系就一定能够发展好。中方愿同澳方一道，推动建设更加成熟稳定、更加富有成果的中澳全面战略伙伴关系，为地区和世界注入更多稳定性和确定性.
Xi added that this year more than 250 Australian companies participated in the CIIE. This was their “vote of confidence” in the Chinese economy.
“Both sides should continue to expand the pattern of mutually beneficial and win-win cooperation. China is willing to import more high-quality Australian products and encourages Chinese enterprises to invest and do business in Australia. It is hoped that Australia will provide Chinese companies with a fair, transparent, and non-discriminatory business environment. Both China and Australia are supporters and defenders of economic globalization and free trade. The two sides should strengthen coordination and cooperation, oppose protectionism, and promote the sharing of opportunities and benefits through openness to achieve common development.” 双方要坚持拓展互利共赢的合作格局。中方愿进口更多澳大利亚优质产品，鼓励中国企业赴澳投资兴业，希望澳方为中国企业提供公平、透明、非歧视的营商环境。中澳都是经济全球化和自由贸易的支持者、维护者，双方应该加强协调和合作，反对保护主义，推动各国在开放中分享机会和利益，实现共同发展.
Among other things, Xinhua quotes the Australian PM as saying that “the Australian side stays committed to the one-China policy, opposes ‘decoupling’, advocates promoting economic globalization, and hopes to strengthen cooperation with China in such areas as energy transition and climate change.”
In his press briefing in Rio, Albanese said the following:
“Earlier today, I also met with President Xi to talk about the progress in stabilising relations between our two countries. This is the third bilateral meeting I’ve had with President Xi. We have restored trade between our two countries. Impediments have been removed across a range of industries – wine, timber, coal, barley, seafood. And as a result of that, some $20 billion of trade has been resumed. That means Australian jobs. I was in Geraldton talking to the co-op that runs the lobster industry there. That’s important not just for those people who work with the lobster trade, it’s a driver of that town’s regional economy as well. And so these things do matter. And I'm confident that the agreement which will see the lobster trade resume by the end of the year in time for the Lunar New Year in 2025, will be delivered and those negotiations between our respective departments is taking place. I’ve also said that dialogue is crucial. I’ve said, a number of times, that we'll cooperate with China where we can, we'll disagree where we must, but we'll engage in our national interests. And we've managed to improve relations without compromising any of Australia's national interests, which we have continued to pursue and will continue to pursue. This patient, calibrated and deliberate approach has made a difference and has both saved but also created many thousands of new jobs in Australia. We discussed areas that present opportunities for greater practical cooperation, such as the renewable energy transition and climate change. And I also made clear Australia's views on issues affecting regional and international peace, stability and prosperity, ranging a number of bilateral points as well, including consular matters which included Dr. Yang Jun.”
He was then asked questions about the meeting. He was asked if the policies of the incoming Trump administration in the US were discussed. He said no, they weren’t. But he added that “our alliance, is with the United States and that is the only context in which the US was raised, was that.” Albanese also confirmed that he will be visiting China next year for dialogue with Premier Li.
In terms of the issues he raised, Albanese said “I raised the issues of human rights. I raised Taiwan. I raised cyber. I raised the supply of assets to Russia. I raised the ICBM missile test that I previously raised as well with the Chinese Premier. So, we raised issues that matter to us, to Australia.”
Another interaction is this:
JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, you said that Taiwan was one of the issues that was discussed at the meeting. Chinese state media suggested that the Australian delegation said it wasn’t in support of decoupling. Are you able to elaborate a bit further on Taiwan discussions?
PRIME MINISTER: Well that's not about Taiwan, that’s about the economy. We support the bipartisan support that is there for One China Policy. We also support the status quo. That is no unilateral action, and that's been a consistent bipartisan position for a long period of time. We support peace in the Taiwan Strait. Decoupling refers to the idea that you would decouple your economies. That the trade sanctions, those issues, that is what that's referring to. And our economic relationship with China is important because that is where a whole lot of, for example, our iron ore and coal goes to China and creates steel and construction that's the relationship which is there.
Also worth noting is Albanese’s characterisation of the significance of the trade relationship with China, which he said brings “substantial benefit for Australians and for Australian jobs and Australian businesses…” He added: “one in four Australian jobs as export dependent, and one in four of our export dollars comes from China.”
Page 3: There’s a report on Li Qiang’s comments (English report) when he visited the China Construction Technology Exhibition in Beijing. The report says that Li said that “China’s housing situation is shifting from addressing ‘whether there is housing’ to focusing on ‘how good the housing is’; guided by the goal of enhancing residents’ quality of life and sense of happiness, housing development should take into account functionality, quality, and experience, addressing the diverse needs of people with different living habits, age groups, and economic capacities, especially new demands such as elder-friendly and child-friendly housing. Efforts should be tailored to local conditions to promote the construction of quality housing. This includes setting higher standards and leveraging technology to build good new houses, as well as scientifically renovating old houses to transform them into quality housing.” 李强强调，当前我国住房发展正从“有没有”转向“好不好”，要以提升居民居住品质和幸福感为导向，从功能、质量、体验等方面出发，充分考虑不同居住习惯、不同年龄段、不同经济能力等群体的需求特别是适老化、儿童友好等新需求，因地制宜推进好房子建设，既要强化标准引领、技术赋能把新房子建造成好房子，也要通过科学改造把老房子变成好房子.
He also “called for efforts to advance scientific and technological innovation, and improve design, construction and maintenance levels, with the aim of promoting the high-quality development of the real estate and construction industries. Li noted that urban renewal is an important task for ongoing urban construction. He said that combining the improvement of people’s livelihoods with the expansion of domestic demand is necessary, as is strengthening efforts to renovate old urban residential compounds, urban villages and dilapidated houses. Li also stressed the importance of protecting and passing on historical and cultural heritage in the urban renewal process, as part of efforts to build harmonious cities and ensure residents can live happily.”
Next, there’s a report on Wang Huning’s remarks at the China Overseas Friendship Association executive directors’ meeting in Beijing.
Wang said that “to do a good job with overseas friendship work with Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan in the new era, we must take Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as the guide, adhere to great unity and great solidarity, adhere to holding high the banner of patriotism, adhere to playing the role of Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan and overseas united front work in winning hearts and minds, form a vivid situation wherein all children of China think and act in unison, and pool hearts, consensus, wisdom, and strength to broadly rally support for advancing Chinese modernization.” 他表示，做好新时代港澳台海外联谊工作，要以习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想为指导，坚持大团结大联合，坚持高举爱国主义旗帜，坚持发挥港澳台和海外统战工作争取人心的作用，形成全体中华儿女心往一处想、劲往一处使的生动局面，为推进中国式现代化广泛凝聚人心、凝聚共识、凝聚智慧、凝聚力量.
“Wang Huning said that over the past 75 years since the founding of the PRC, the great motherland has undergone earth-shaking changes. Entering the new era, under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core, the cause of the Party and the country has achieved historic achievements and undergone historic changes; a moderately prosperous society in an all-round way has been built, achieving the first centennial goal. We have also embarked on a new journey of building a comprehensively modern socialist country. The great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation now holds an unprecedentedly bright future. The great achievements of the motherland’s development are the result of the full support and dedication of compatriots from Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and overseas Chinese. In this great era, with the strong backing of the motherland, the vast number of compatriots from Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and overseas Chinese have great potential to serve the motherland and realise their dreams.” 王沪宁表示，新中国成立75年来，伟大祖国发生翻天覆地的变化。进入新时代，在以习近平同志为核心的中共中央坚强领导下，党和国家事业取得历史性成就、发生历史性变革，全面建成小康社会，实现第一个百年奋斗目标，开启全面建设社会主义现代化国家新征程，中华民族伟大复兴展现出前所未有的光明前景。祖国发展伟大成就凝结着港澳台同胞和海外侨胞的倾力支持和奉献，欣逢伟大时代、拥有祖国坚强后盾，广大港澳台同胞和海外侨胞报效祖国大有可为、实现梦想的前景无比光明.
Wang added that the China Overseas Friendship Association is an important platform for gathering patriotic people from Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and overseas Chinese, an important bridge for strengthening the unity of Chinese people at home and abroad, and an important force dedicated to the reunification of the motherland and national rejuvenation.” He called on its directors to “better shoulder their responsibilities in promoting Chinese-style modernization, gather the wisdom and strength of Chinese people at home and abroad to promote reform and development, and share the great glory of the motherland’s prosperity.” 王沪宁充分肯定中华海外联谊会工作取得的成绩，他表示，中华海外联谊会是凝聚港澳台海外爱国人士的重要平台，是加强海内外中华儿女大团结的重要桥梁，是致力祖国统一和民族复兴的重要力量。希望中华海外联谊会和广大理事更好为推进中国式现代化挺膺担当，把海内外中华儿女促改革、谋发展的智慧和力量凝聚起来，共享祖国繁荣昌盛的伟大荣光.
“We should make better contributions to the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and Macao, fully and accurately implement the ‘one country, two systems’ policy and the Basic Law, develop and strengthen patriotic forces and those that love Hong Kong and Macao, and support the two regions’ deeper integration into the country’s overall national development. We should better unite our hearts and minds to achieve the complete reunification of the motherland, adhere to the one-China principle and the ‘1992 Consensus’, do more to promote cross-strait economic and cultural exchanges and cooperation, cross-strait integration and development in various fields, and the spiritual harmony of compatriots on both sides of the strait, and resolutely oppose ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist activities and external interference. We should better contribute to the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind, actively promote exchanges and mutual learning between Chinese and foreign civilizations, tell Chinese stories well, and spread China’s voice effectively.” 要更好为港澳长期繁荣稳定献计出力，全面准确、坚定不移贯彻“一国两制”方针和基本法，发展壮大爱国爱港爱澳力量，支持港澳更好融入国家发展大局。要更好为实现祖国完全统一凝心聚力，坚持一个中国原则和“九二共识”，多做促进两岸经济文化交流合作、两岸各领域融合发展、两岸同胞心灵契合的事，坚决反对“台独”分裂活动和外部势力干涉。要更好为构建人类命运共同体贡献力量，积极促进中外文化文明交流互鉴，讲好中国故事，传播中国声音.
Page 6: There’s a report on Song Tao from the Taiwan Affairs Office meeting with Wang Jin-pyng, former leader of Taiwan legislature. The report says:
“Song Tao said that General Secretary Xi Jinping delivered an important speech during his visit to Fujian, which pointed out the direction for exploring a new path for cross-strait integration and development, promoting cross-strait cultural exchanges, and enhancing the identification and affinity between compatriots. We will earnestly implement the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important speech, adhere to the one-China Principle, resolutely oppose ‘Taiwan independence’ separatism, jointly promote Chinese culture, strengthen the national confidence of being upright Chinese people, advance the unification of the motherland, and work together to achieve the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.” 宋涛表示，习近平总书记在福建考察时发表重要讲话，为探索海峡两岸融合发展新路、促进两岸文化交流、增进同胞认同指明方向。我们将认真贯彻落实习近平总书记重要讲话精神，坚持一个中国原则，坚决反对“台独”分裂，共同弘扬中华文化，增强做堂堂正正中国人的民族自信，推进祖国统一，共同实现民族复兴伟业.
Wang said that “people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are one family, connected by blood, culture and religion; maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait is the common aspiration of compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. Let us work together to promote cross-strait cultural exchanges, jointly carry forward Chinese culture, enhance the national and cultural identity of compatriots, and create a new chapter of peace across the Strait. 王金平表示，两岸人民是血脉相连、文化同根、宗教同源的一家人，维持台海和平稳定是两岸同胞的共同愿望。让我们共同努力促进两岸文化交流，共同弘扬中华文化，增进同胞的民族认同、文化认同，创造两岸和平新局.