Xi's Global South Pitch at BRICS+ Meeting - Wang Huning Visits Xinjiang - Aligning People’s Congresses with Party Agenda - China's Diplomatic Push at UNHRC
Here are the key reports and articles that I found noteworthy from the People’s Daily’s edition on Friday, October 25, 2024.
Page 1: The main story today is drawn from Xi Jinping’s remarks at the BRICS+ dialogue that took place in Kazan, Russia, on Thursday. The full text of Xi’s remarks is on Page 2 and available in English. Xi stressed the significance of the rise of the Global South. But he added that “peace and development still faces severe challenges, and the road to prosperity for the Global South will not be straight.”
He then added:
We should uphold peace and strive for common security. We should come forward together to form a stabilizing force for peace. We should strengthen global security governance, and explore solutions to address both symptoms and roots of hotspot issues. Many parties have warmly responded to my Global Security Initiative. Under the Initiative, we have made prominent progress in maintaining regional stability and in many other areas. China and Brazil jointly issued the six-point consensus, and launched the group of Friends for Peace on the Ukraine crisis together with other Global South countries. We should promote early deescalation to pave the way for political settlement. Last July, Palestinian factions reconciled with each other in Beijing, marking a key step toward peace in the Middle East. We should continue to promote comprehensive ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and revive the two-State solution. We must stop the flames of war from spreading in Lebanon and end the miserable sufferings in Palestine and Lebanon.
We should reinvigorate development and strive for common prosperity. The Global South emerges for development and prospers through development. We should make ourselves the main driving force for common development. We should play an active and leading role in the global economic governance reform, and make development the core of international economic and trade agenda. Since its introduction three years ago, the Global Development Initiative has helped make available nearly US$20 billion of development fund and launch more than 1,100 projects. And recently the Global Alliance on Artificial Intelligence for Industry and Manufacturing Center of Excellence has been established in Shanghai. China will also build a World Smart Customs Community Portal and a BRICS Customs Center of Excellence. We welcome active participation by all countries.
We should promote together development of all civilizations and strive for harmony among them. Diversity of civilization is the innate quality of the world. We should be advocates for exchanges among civilizations. We should enhance communication and dialogue, and support each other in taking the path to modernization suited to our respective national conditions. The Global Civilization Initiative I proposed is exactly for the purpose of building a garden of world civilizations in which we can share and admire the beauty of each civilization. China will coordinate with others to form a Global South Think Tanks Alliance to promote people-to-people exchanges and experience-sharing in governance.
Xi ended by saying that “we support more Global South countries in joining the cause of BRICS as full members, partner countries or in the ‘BRICS Plus’ format…”
Moving on, there’s a report on Wang Huning visiting Hotan and Kashgar in Xinjiang from October 21 to 24. It says:
Wang said that “we must adhere to the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, thoroughly implement the spirit of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, fully and accurately implement the Party’s strategy for the governance of Xinjiang in the new era, adhere to the main line of building a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation, and better build a beautiful Xinjiang in the process of Chinese-style modernization.” 他表示，要坚持以习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想为指导，深入贯彻落实党的二十届三中全会精神，完整准确全面贯彻新时代党的治疆方略，坚持铸牢中华民族共同体意识主线，在中国式现代化进程中更好建设美丽新疆.
Wang visited schools, hospitals, villages and the homes of people belonging to ethnic minority groups. He said that:
“Efforts to promote ethnic unity should be implemented in grassroots governance, school education, and aspects of people’s daily lives. The awareness of the Chinese nation as a community should be instilled in the hearts of children from an early age, so as to promote all ethnic groups to hold together like pomegranate seeds.” When visiting an economic and technological development zone and related enterprises in Hotan, Wang said that “it is necessary to build a modern industrial system with the characteristics and advantages of southern Xinjiang, cultivate a group of enterprises with long industrial chains and strong driving capabilities, support the improvement of people’s livelihood, and enhance the vitality of development.” 他表示，要把民族团结落实到基层治理、学校教育、群众日常生活中，把中华民族共同体意识从小植入孩子们心灵，促进各民族像石榴籽一样紧紧抱在一起。在和田地区昆冈经济技术开发区和有关企业调研时，他表示，要构建具有南疆特色优势的现代化产业体系，培育一批产业链长、带动能力强的企业，促进民生改善，增强发展活力.
Support for higher education, opening up, protection and utilisation of historical relics and sites were among other key aspects that he talked about. The report adds:
“During the investigation, Wang Huning said that the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region Party Committee has thoroughly implemented the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important speeches on Xinjiang work, further consolidating the good situation of Xinjiang’s overall social stability and the good situation of people living and working in peace. To do a good job in Xinjiang, it is necessary to always put the maintenance of social stability in the first place/as the priority, ensuring long-term stability in the overall situation in the region. It is necessary to do a solid job in ethnic and religious work, carry out cultural enrichment in Xinjiang, and guide people of all ethnic groups to forge a strong sense of community of the Chinese nation, strengthening the ‘five identifications’. We must promote Xinjiang to embark on the track of high-quality development and consolidate the material foundation for Xinjiang’s social stability and long-term peace and stability. The spirit of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps should be promoted, with deeper integration of civilian and military development, forming new advantages in stabilising and defending the border in the new era.” 调研期间，王沪宁表示，新疆维吾尔自治区党委深入贯彻落实习近平总书记关于新疆工作的重要讲话精神，进一步巩固了新疆社会大局稳定、人民安居乐业的良好局面。做好新疆工作，要始终把维护社会稳定摆在首位，保持新疆社会大局持续稳定。要扎实做好民族宗教工作，深入开展文化润疆，引导各族群众铸牢中华民族共同体意识、增进“五个认同”。要推动新疆迈上高质量发展轨道，夯实新疆社会稳定和长治久安的物质基础。要弘扬兵团精神，深化兵地融合发展，形成新时代兵团维稳戍边新优势.
Next, there’s a report on Zhao Leji’s visit to Liaoning from Monday to Thursday. Zhao stressed the importance of “upholding, improving and running the system of people’s congresses at a new historical starting point.”
Zhao visited Dandong, Dalian and Shenyang, carrying out extensive research at the offices of the local people’s congress standing committees, while also presiding over symposiums.
“He stressed that studying and implementing the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important speech (on the work of people’s congresses at the 70th anniversary of the NPC’s founding) is a compulsory course and basic skill for people’s congresses at all levels to do their jobs well. It should be combined with studying the General Secretary’s series of important expositions and important instructions on the people’s congress system and the work of people’s congresses, so as to fully grasp the development context, core essence and rich connotation of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important thoughts on upholding and improving the people’s congress system, and always adhere to the correct political direction in the work of the people’s congresses.” 他强调，学习贯彻习近平总书记重要讲话精神是各级人大做好工作的必修课和基本功，要与学习总书记关于人大制度、人大工作的一系列重要论述、重要指示结合起来，融会贯通、全面掌握习近平总书记关于坚持和完善人民代表大会制度的重要思想的发展脉络、核心要义、丰富内涵，始终坚持人大工作正确政治方向.
“Zhao Leji pointed out that the people’s congresses should leverage the significant political advantages of the people’s congress system in practice, adhere to the organic unity of the Party’s leadership, the people’s mastery of the country, and the rule of law, ensure that the Party’s propositions become the will of the state and the people’s common actions through legal procedures, and ensure that the Party’s theories, lines, policies, and decision-making arrangements are fully implemented in national work. Persist in adhering to the centre, serving the overall situation, and highlighting key priorities; based on the functions and responsibilities of the people’s congresses, coordinate and promote various work, and play a good role in the overall cause of the Party and the country. Adhere to performing duties according to law, carry out work within the scope of statutory responsibilities and in accordance with legal procedures; adhere to seeking truth from facts, maintain integrity while innovating, summarize and utilize good experiences and practices, explore and innovate work mechanisms and methods, and continuously improve the quality and level of the work of people’s congresses. Local people’s congress should center around the local Party committee’s implementation of the Central Committee’s major principles and policy deployments, carry out work in combination with local realities, and assist with local economic and social development and reform breakthrough tasks. 赵乐际指出，人大要在实践中发挥好人民代表大会制度的显著政治优势，坚持党的领导、人民当家作主、依法治国有机统一，确保党的主张通过法定程序成为国家意志和人民共同行动，保证党的理论、路线、方针政策和决策部署在国家工作中得到全面贯彻；坚持围绕中心、服务大局、突出重点，立足人大职能职责，统筹谋划和推进各项工作，在党和国家事业全局中发挥好人大作用；坚持依法履职，在法定职责范围内、依照法定程序开展工作；坚持实事求是，守正创新，总结运用好经验好做法，探索创新工作机制和方式方法，不断提高人大工作质量和水平。地方人大要围绕地方党委贯彻党中央大政方针的决策部署，结合实际开展工作，助力地方经济社会发展和改革攻坚任务.
Xinhua English summarises the last paragraph well: “Zhao also took the time to visit legislation outreach and community deputy liaison offices, enterprises, villages and rural households. During these visits, he engaged in profound exchanges with both deputies to the people's congresses and local residents. In the course of such interactions, he pointed out that people's congresses should consciously practice whole-process people's democracy, establish sound mechanisms for gathering public opinion and wisdom, and ensure the effective performance of deputies' responsibilities in accordance with the law.”
Next, there’s a report on Li Qiang’s investigation and research tour in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region and Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region from Tuesday to Thursday. Xinhua reports that Li “called for concrete efforts to facilitate the progress of the Three-North Shelterbelt Forest Program (TSFP) and ensure the supply of energy”. The report covers Li’s remarks on dealing with desertification, soil and water conservation management, forest belt construction and dairy technology innovation, as well as ecological, grass and seed research, and research on the promotion of improved varieties. They key point from my perspective are these:
In Ningxia, Li “called for continuous energy technology research, and the promotion of the on-site deep processing of coal resources. He said that policy guidance and support should be enhanced and efforts be made to make good use of building facades, particularly rooftop spaces, to release the development potential of new energy, such as photovoltaic power.”
In Inner Mongolia, he called to “put the development of new energy and clean energy in a more prominent position, and promote the complementary and deep integration of traditional energy and new energy. It is necessary to vigorously promote the clean and efficient use of coal, further improve the efficiency of power generation and heating, and ensure that the people can spend the winter in warmth.”
He also stressed the need to “forge a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation.”
Page 2: There’s a report on State Councilor and Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong meeting with Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi in Beijing. Xinhua says:
“Wang noted that China stands ready to deepen practical cooperation with Italy in areas such as drug control and cracking down on telecom fraud and transnational organized crime, to effectively protect each other's national security interests and promote bilateral relations to a higher level. Piantedosi said Italy is willing to enhance law-enforcement and security cooperation with China to jointly address security issues.”
Also on the page are reports of three CPC delegations visiting Laos, Thailand and Ethiopia.
The delegation to Thailand was led by Chen Gang, a member of the CPC Central Committee and secretary of the CPC Qinghai Provincial Committee. Xinhua reports that it met with Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy Pirapan Salirathavibhaga, Deputy Pheu Thai Party leader Chusak Sirinil and other leaders of political parties.
The delegation to Laos was led by Qu Qingshan, member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and director of the Institute of Party History and Literature of the CPC Central Committee. Xinhua reports that Qu met with Bounthong Chitmany, a politburo member of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee, a permanent member of the Secretariat of the LPRP Central Committee, and vice president of Laos. Qu also met with Kikeo Khaykhamphithoune, a member of the Political Bureau of the LPRP Central Committee and deputy prime minister of Laos, and Khamphanh Pheuyavong, a member of the Secretariat of the LPRP Central Committee and head of the Propaganda and Training Board of the LPRP Central Committee.
The delegation to Ethiopia was led by Vice Minister of Education Wu Yan. He met with Adem Farah, Vice President and General Secretary of the Prosperity Party (PP) of Ethiopia, and Minister of Labor and Skills Muferihat Kamil, among others. If you are interested, here’s a related Xinhua report with details of an event that took place.
Page 15: There’s a long article detailing China’s diplomacy at the 57th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council. The report says that the Chinese viewpoint was that the country “has embarked on a human rights development path that suits its national conditions, is supported by the people, and conforms to the trend of the times.”
Chen Xu, head of the Chinese delegation to the 57th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council and China's permanent representative to the United Nations Office in Geneva, highlighted the significance of the Decision following the Third Plenum. He said that “China will further deepen reforms in an all-round way, promote Chinese-style modernization, enhance the well-being of all people, and strengthen human rights law enforcement and judicial protection.”
The report adds:
“On September 18, the Chinese representative spoke to publicise China’s achievements in human rights development, pointing out that China has built a comprehensively moderately prosperous society as scheduled, and has historically solved the problem of absolute poverty; it has continuously developed whole-process people’s democracy, promoted the legal protection of human rights, and promoted the people to enjoy more extensive, substantial and comprehensive democratic rights; it has continuously improved the levels of employment, education, social security, and the quality of living environment. At present, China is promoting Chinese-style modernization and will continue to improve the level of human rights protection with the achievements of modernization construction.” 9月18日，中国代表发言宣介中国人权发展成就，指出中国如期全面建成小康社会，历史性解决绝对贫困问题；不断发展全过程人民民主，推进人权法治保障，推动人民享有更广泛、充实、全面的民主权利；不断提高就业、教育、社保等水平，改善生活环境质量。当前中国正推进中国式现代化，将持续以现代化建设成果提升人权保障水平.
The next segment is useful to recap in entirety:
“China advocates respecting each country’s right to independently choose its path to human rights development and opposes using human rights as a pretext to interfere in the internal affairs of other countries or hinder their development. In the face of baseless attacks and false accusations, the Chinese delegation resolutely defended its position during the meeting, clearing up the confusion and reaffirming its stance. On September 24, in response to the United States and some other countries attacking and smearing China’s human rights situation at the meeting, more than 100 countries supported China’s just position and opposed the politicisation of human rights issues in different ways, such as joint and individual statements. Cuba, speaking on behalf of nearly 80 countries, including China, emphasized that respecting national sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, and non-interference in the internal affairs of sovereign states, are fundamental principles of international relations. Xinjiang, Hong Kong, and Tibet are internal affairs of China, and the politicization of human rights issues and the application of double standards should be opposed, as well as using human rights as a pretext to interfere in other countries' internal affairs. All parties should adhere to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, follow the principles of universality, fairness, objectivity, and non-selectivity, and respect the right of all peoples to choose their own development paths based on their national conditions. Uganda, on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement, Venezuela, on behalf of the Group of Friends in Defence of the UN Charter, and Gambia, on behalf of the African Group, spoke in support of China’s position, pointing out that all parties should objectively view the human rights situation in other countries, conduct dialogue and cooperation on human rights issues on the basis of equality and mutual respect, avoid selective and double standards, and jointly resist the wrong practice of politicising, instrumentalizing and weaponizing human rights issues. Chen Xu, representing the ‘Group of Friends in Promoting Human Rights through Dialogue and Cooperation’, made a joint statement, noting that the politicisation and polarisation of the Human Rights Council is intensifying. The Human Rights Council should not be a venue for confrontation and pressure but should play its proper role in building trust and promoting cooperation through dialogue and exchanges between countries.” 中国主张尊重各国自主选择人权发展道路，反对打着人权幌子干涉别国内政、遏制别国发展。面对无端攻击和不实指责，中国代表团在会议上坚决反击、激浊扬清。9月24日，针对美国等一小撮国家在会议上发言攻击抹黑中国人权状况，100多个国家以共同发言、单独发言等不同方式，支持中方正义立场，反对将人权问题政治化。古巴代表包括中国在内的近80国作共同发言，强调尊重各国主权、独立和领土完整，不干涉主权国家内政是国际关系基本准则。新疆、香港、西藏事务是中国内政，反对将人权问题政治化和双重标准，反对以人权为借口干涉别国内政。各方应恪守联合国宪章宗旨和原则，遵循普遍性、公正性、客观性和非选择性等原则，尊重各国人民根据国情自主选择发展道路的权利。乌干达代表不结盟运动、委内瑞拉代表“捍卫联合国宪章之友小组”、冈比亚代表非洲组等发言支持中国立场，指出各方应客观看待别国人权状况，在平等和相互尊重的基础上就人权问题开展对话与合作，避免采取选择性和双重标准做法，共同抵制将人权问题政治化、工具化、武器化的错误行径。陈旭代表“对话合作促人权之友小组”作共同发言，指出当前人权理事会政治化和极化氛围加剧。人权理事会不是对抗施压的场所，应为各国通过对话交流积累信任、推进合作发挥应有作用.
Some other key points:
On October 2, the Chinese representative called for the effective protection of the legitimate rights and interests of the Palestinian people…
Li Xiaomei, deputy head of the Chinese delegation to the 57th session of the UNHRC, urged the United States and other Western countries to immediately lift illegal unilateral sanctions against China during an interactive dialogue with the Council’s Special Rapporteur on Unilateral Coercive Measures. Li said that unilateral sanctions seriously violate the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, seriously violate the basic norms of international relations, and seriously infringe on human rights. China has always firmly opposed them. The United States has a poor human rights record, but it often abuses ‘long-arm jurisdiction’ based on domestic law, completely violating human rights in the name of democracy and human rights. 中国出席联合国人权理事会第五十七届会议代表团副团长李笑梅在同该理事会单边强制措施问题特别报告员互动对话时，敦促美国等西方国家立即取消对华非法单边制裁。李笑梅表示，单边制裁严重违反联合国宪章宗旨和原则，严重违反国际关系基本准则，严重侵犯人权，中方一贯坚决反对。美国自身人权记录不佳，却动辄依据国内法滥施“长臂管辖”，完全是借民主、人权之名行侵犯人权之实.