Xi's Kazakhstan Visit - China-Kazakhstan Joint Statement - SCO Summit Preview - More Tax Breaks - Foreign Trade & Investment 'Facing Big Pressure' - Qiushi on Xi & Democracy
Here are the stories and pieces that I found noteworthy in the Thursday, September 15, 2022, edition of the People’s Daily.
Page 1: The entire front page is dedicated to Xi’s visit to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. At the top of the page is a report (English report) about Xi being awarded the Order of the Golden Eagle, or Altyn Qyran Order by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who offered profuse praise for Xi.
“He noted that the visit of Xi today, the great Chinese president, is a tremendous honor for Kazakhstan. President Xi is a genuine great leader who has the wholehearted support of the Chinese people, Tokayev said, adding that under the remarkable leadership of Xi, China has made enormous development progress, eradicated extreme poverty, and built a moderately prosperous society in all respects, and the Chinese nation is marching on a new journey toward great rejuvenation. He said he believes that under the wise leadership of Xi, China will realize the grand goal of fully building a modern socialist country as scheduled. Xi put forward the great initiatives including Belt and Road cooperation and the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, and has made outstanding contribution to building a new type of international relations, Tokayev said, adding that the Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative put forward by Xi are of particular strategic significance in resolving risks and challenges faced by today's world. Tokayev highly commended the historic role and extraordinary contribution of Xi in consolidating friendship between the two peoples and in promoting Kazakhstan-China relations, and noted that Xi's visit today will go down in the history of Kazakhstan-China relations. Kazakhstan is ready to work with China to advance shared prosperity and development of the two countries, deliver for the wellbeing of the two peoples, and join hands to create an even brighter future, he said.”
Ding Xuexiang, Yang Jiechi, Wang Yi and He Lifeng were with Xi.
Next, there’s the full report on Xi’s visit to Kazakhstan. Once again, Xinhua English has a detailed report too.
On Xi’s reception: “Xi was warmly received by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev accompanied by senior Kazakh officials including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi and Mayor of Nur-Sultan Altai Kulginov at the airport. Some 70 ceremonial guards stood in two ranks saluting the leaders as the military band played a fanfare. Two beautifully dressed Kazakh girls, with flowers in their hands, welcomed the arrival of Xi…The golden autumn brought fair winds and wispy clouds to the city of Nur-Sultan. On the flagpoles lining the streets, five-starred red flags were flying high. Accompanied by a motorcycle escort, the state guest motorcade of Xi arrived at the Ak Orda Presidential Palace. He was warmly received by Tokayev as he exited the car. The two heads of state then proceeded together to the main hall of the Presidential Palace…In the brightly lit, elegant and august main hall, ceremonial guards stood tall and straight. Tokayev held a grand welcome ceremony for Xi. The two heads of state jointly stood on the podium as the military band played the national anthems of China and Kazakhstan. Accompanied by Tokayev, Xi inspected the honor guard.”
Xi’s comments:
“Xi pointed out that over the past three decades since China and Kazakhstan established diplomatic ties, the bilateral relationship has stood the test of the changing international landscape, achieving greater substance, higher levels and more fruitful outcomes. The two countries have created many ‘firsts’ in their relations, including the first in settling the boundary question, the first in laying cross-border oil and gas pipelines, the first in conducting international production capacity cooperation and the first in building a permanent comprehensive strategic partnership, Xi said. China highly values its relations with Kazakhstan, and firmly supports Kazakhstan in safeguarding national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and in taking reform measures to preserve national stability and development, Xi said, adding that China will always be a trustworthy and reliable friend and partner of Kazakhstan. China is ready to work with Kazakhstan in firmly supporting each other's development and rejuvenation, and helping each other achieve development and prosperity. The unbreakable friendship between China and Kazakhstan will contribute to the growth of positive and progressive forces in the world and to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, Xi said…”
“It is important that the two sides work together for high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, boost cooperation in areas such as economy and trade, production capacity, connectivity and COVID-19 response, and expand innovation cooperation in such fields as big data, artificial intelligence, digital finance, cross-border e-commerce, green energy and green infrastructure, Xi said, adding that the two sides need to forge closer people-to-people ties and promote friendly exchanges and mutual understanding between their peoples. Xi underscored that China supports Central Asian countries in safeguarding political security and social stability and in enhancing cooperation for integration. China will maintain close communication with Kazakhstan to properly handle various new problems and new challenges, oppose external forces' interference in the affairs of Central Asian countries, and jointly uphold lasting stability and security in the region, Xi said. The two sides need to enhance cooperation within multilateral frameworks such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) and China+Central Asia, and jointly support efforts for a successful SCO Samarkand Summit, in order to inject new impetus into the Organization's future development. The two sides should also step up international coordination, practice true multilateralism and contribute their shares to building a more just and equitable global governance system, he added.”
Tokayev said:
“Kazakhstan will continue to firmly uphold the one-China policy and be a good partner and good friend that China can always rely on under all circumstances, Tokayev said. Noting that next year will mark the tenth anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) proposed by Xi, Tokayev said that the BRI has become an important engine driving the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, and Kazakhstan will continue to actively support and participate in the BRI. Tokayev expressed appreciation to China for the valuable support Kazakhstan had received in its battle against COVID-19 and pursuit of economic development, adding that Kazakhstan hopes to better synergize development strategies with China, intensify exchanges at various levels, and deepen cooperation across the board including in economy and trade, infrastructure, energy, manufacturing, science and technology, tourism and people-to-people engagements. Kazakhstan stands ready to work with China to implement the Global Development Initiative and Global Security Initiative, enhance coordination and collaboration within frameworks such as the SCO, CICA and China+Central Asia, and jointly safeguard security and stability in the region and promote common development, Tokayev said.”
The two sides signed a joint statement and deals in such areas as economy and trade, connectivity, finance, water conservancy and the media. The two sides decided to set up consulates general in Xi'an and Aktobe.
Finally on the page is the report (English report) on Xi’s arrival in Uzbekistan. At the airport, Xi was greeted by Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov, Foreign Minister Vladimir Norov and Governor of Samarkand region Erkinjon Turdimov.
Page 2: The full China-Kazakhstan joint statement is published on the page. The document begins by recapping the progress in the relationship over the past 30 years and concludes that:
“The two sides emphasised that contemporary China-Kazakhstan relations possess the following characteristics: high-level political mutual trust; close exchanges at all levels and in various fields; mutual support and coordination on major issues concerning each other’s concerns; establishment of a solid legal basis for treaties based on national interests and priority development directions; close personnel exchanges and cultural exchanges.”
The second section talks about the future:
“The two sides stressed that political mutual trust is an important foundation for China-Kazakhstan permanent comprehensive strategic partnership. The two sides will continue to firmly support each other on issues concerning core interests such as national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity.” 双方强调，政治互信是中哈永久全面战略伙伴关系的重要基础。双方将继续在涉及国家主权、安全和领土完整等核心利益问题上相互坚定支持。
“Kazakhstan firmly supports the one-China principle and reiterates that the government of the People’s Republic of China is the only legitimate government representing the whole of China. This is also the principle established by the UN General Assembly Resolution 2758. Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory. Kazakhstan opposes any form of ‘Taiwan independence’ and supports the peaceful development of cross-strait relations and all efforts made by the Chinese government to realise the peaceful reunification of the country. China firmly supports the development path independently chosen by Kazakhstan, and supports the measures taken by the Kazakh government to maintain domestic stability, inter-ethnic harmony, and promote social and economic development. The two sides reiterated that they will not join any alliance or organisation that undermines each other's sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, and will not conclude such international treaties with third countries.” 哈方坚定支持一个中国原则，重申中华人民共和国政府是代表全中国的唯一合法政府。这也是联合国大会第2758号决议确定的原则。台湾是中国领土不可分割的一部分，哈方反对任何形式的“台湾独立”，支持两岸关系和平发展以及中国政府为实现国家和平统一所作的一切努力。中方坚定支持哈萨克斯坦自主选择的发展道路，支持哈萨克斯坦政府为保持国内稳定、族际和谐、促进社会经济发展所采取的措施。双方重申，不参加任何损害对方主权、安全和领土完整的联盟或组织，不与第三国缔结此类国际条约.
“The two sides believe that the leading role of the head of state diplomacy is crucial. Under the current situation, the two heads of state will regularly conduct various forms of strategic communication on major issues of common concern.” 双方认为，元首外交的引领作用至关重要。当前形势下，两国元首将就共同关心的重大问题经常性开展各种形式的战略沟通.
The third section talks about specific issues, such as terrorism, bio-safety, nuclear disarmament, regional security issues, multilateral cooperation, etc. Some interesting bits from the statement are:
“The two sides stressed that safeguarding political security and regime security is of great significance and resolutely oppose interference by external forces.” 双方强调，维护政治安全和政权安全意义重大，坚决反对外部势力干涉。
“The two sides stand for developing international relations on the basis of mutual respect, fairness and justice, win-win cooperation, equal participation in global governance and accommodating each other’s interests.” 双方主张以相互尊重、公平正义、合作共赢、平等参与全球治理、照顾彼此利益为基础发展国际关系.
“China and Kazakhstan are willing to actively cooperate to implement the GDI and GSI proposed by President Xi Jinping of the People's Republic of China, and jointly build a community with a shared future for mankind. Both sides believe that this will help build a broad consensus on global security issues.” 中国和哈萨克斯坦愿积极开展协作，落实中华人民共和国主席习近平提出的全球发展倡议和全球安全倡议，共建人类命运共同体。双方相信，这将有助于凝聚全球安全问题的广泛共识。
Section 4 deals with economic cooperation.
The energy sector has always been an important component of China-Kazakhstan pragmatic bilateral cooperation. The two sides agree to take measures to ensure the long-term safe and stable operation of and stable supply from the China-Kazakhstan crude oil pipeline and the Central Asia natural gas pipeline in Kazakhstan as planned, continue to deepen cooperation in oil, natural gas, natural uranium and other fields, actively expand cooperation in new energy fields such as wind power and photovoltaics, and constantly enrich the substantive connotation of China-Kazakhstan energy cooperation. 能源领域始终是中哈双边务实合作的重要组成。双方商定采取措施保障中哈原油管道、中亚天然气管道哈萨克斯坦境内段的长期安全稳定运行和按计划稳定供应，继续深化石油、天然气、天然铀等领域合作，积极拓展风电、光伏等新能源领域合作，不断丰富中哈能源合作的实质内涵。
“The two sides are willing to further deepen pragmatic cooperation in the field of geosciences, continue to carry out investigation and research on geological and mineral cooperation, and tap the potential of bilateral mining investment cooperation to serve the economic and social development of both sides.” 双方愿进一步深化地球科学领域务实合作，继续开展地质矿产合作调查与研究，深挖两国矿业投资合作潜力，服务双方经济社会发展.
There’s lots of supportive language with regard to BRI and on connectivity, it says that “the two sides have reached a consensus on promoting cross-border cargo transportation and expanding the capacity of goods passing through ports, and will actively promote the revision of the Agreement between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan on Motor Transport, so as to improve the level of China-Kazakhstan interconnectivity…Both sides are willing to explore and study the possibility of building a third railway port.” 为持续密切贸易往来、稳步提升双边贸易额，双方就促进跨境货物运输和扩大口岸过货能力达成共识，并将积极推进《中华人民共和国政府和哈萨克斯坦共和国政府汽车运输协定》修订工作，提升中哈互联互通水平。进一步充分发挥中哈边境疫情联防联控机制作用，扎实落实防疫举措，保障口岸安全稳定运行。双方愿探索并研究共建第三个铁路口岸的可能性.
The final section is about people-to-people exchanges.
Also on the page is a long piece summarising party building work in central and state organs. The piece begins with the central conference on this, which was held in July 2019. Then the piece says that:
“In recent years, Party organisations at all levels have conscientiously implemented General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important speech, the spirit of important instructions and the deployment requirements of the CPC Central Committee; guided by the Party’s political construction and taking the establishment of model organs as the carrier, they have constantly improved the system and mechanism of Party-building work…” 近年来，各级机关党组织认真贯彻落实习近平总书记重要讲话、重要指示批示精神和党中央部署要求，以党的政治建设为统领，以创建模范机关为载体，不断完善党建工作制度机制，规范抓实基础工作，逐级压实党建责任，全面提高机关党的建设质量，有力推动机关治理和各项事业发展。
The first section says that “Party organisations at all levels have taken the lead in achieving two safeguards as the primary task of Party-building in government organs, they have firmly established the awareness of political organs, educated and guided party members and cadres in government organs to deeply understand the decisive significance of the two establishments, earnestly strengthen four consciousnesses, strengthen the four self-confidences and achieve the two safeguards.” 各级机关党组织把带头做到“两个维护”作为机关党的建设首要任务，牢固树立政治机关意识，教育引导机关党员干部深刻领悟“两个确立”的决定性意义，切实增强“四个意识”、坚定“四个自信”、做到“两个维护”.
The second section basically emphasises that party-building is also about ensuring implementation of central leadership’s economic and development policies. It says that the “Central and State Organs Works Committee carried out the special work of ‘promoting the implementation of the important instructions of General Secretary Xi Jinping and the Party Central Committee's economic work decision-making through party building’, and urged party members and cadres of the central and state organs to conscientiously study and implement the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important instructions, implement the new development concept completely, accurately and comprehensively, and better act according to economic laws.” 中央和国家机关工委组织开展“以机关党建推动落实习近平总书记重要指示和党中央经济工作决策部署专项工作”，推动中央和国家机关党员干部认真学习贯彻习近平总书记重要指示批示精神，完整、准确、全面贯彻新发展理念，更好地按经济规律办事.
The third section talks about improving the quality of grassroots party organisation construction, with the aim of building high-quality cadres who combine loyalty, discipline and responsibility. The fourth section talks about the work on rectification to strengthen party building.
Page 3: First, there’s a feature piece that offers a curtain-raiser to the SCO summit. It says that:
“Guided by open cooperation, SCO member states resolutely safeguard the multilateral trading system, promote the joint construction of BRI to connect with the development strategies of member states and regional cooperation initiatives, such as the Eurasian Economic Union, and smoothen the regional economic cycle in order to maintain the stability of the industrial chain and supply chain, food security and energy security, demonstrating the voice of the SCO and the SCO’s responsibility.” 上合组织成员国以开放合作为导向，坚决维护多边贸易体制，推动共建“一带一路”倡议同成员国发展战略及欧亚经济联盟等区域合作倡议深入对接，畅通区域经济循环，为维护国际产业链供应链稳定、国际粮食安全和能源安全发出“上合声音”，展现“上合担当”.
“Since the beginning of this year, the member states have reached new consensus on cooperation in science and technology, energy, finance and other fields, and actively planned new directions and searched for new opportunities for regional development. In April, the 6th Science and Technology Ministers' Meeting of the SCO Member States reviewed and approved the SCO Member States' Action Plan for Priority S&T Cooperation (2022-2025), the Implementation Mechanism Plan for Multilateral Joint Scientific Research and Innovation Projects, and the Artificial Intelligence Development Cooperation Plan; In June, the second meeting of the Energy Ministers' Meeting of the SCO Member States was held. The member states coordinated energy security and energy green and low-carbon development, called for actively building renewable energy demonstration projects, deepening scientific and technological innovation cooperation, and promoting the quality and upgrading of energy cooperation; in August, the SCO Interbank Consortium signed a cooperation document, with each member bank committing to carry out financial cooperation in the fields of infrastructure interconnection, green and low-carbon, digital economy, social and people's livelihood, etc., to provide strong support for the stable recovery of the regional economy.” 今年以来，成员国在科技、能源、金融等合作领域达成新的共识，积极为区域发展谋划新方向、寻找新机遇。4月，上合组织成员国第六届科技部长会议审议通过上合组织成员国优先领域科技合作行动计划（2022—2025年）、多边联合科研创新项目实施机制方案和人工智能发展合作计划；6月，上合组织成员国能源部长会第二次会议召开，成员国将统筹能源安全和能源绿色低碳发展，积极打造可再生能源示范性项目，深化科技创新合作，推动能源合作提质升级；8月，上合组织银行联合体签署合作文件，各成员行将在基础设施互联互通、绿色低碳、数字经济、社会民生等领域开展金融合作，为区域经济平稳复苏提供有力支持。
The final section of the article talks about China’s pragmatic cooperation with SCO countries. It references the China-SCO Local Cooperation Demonstration Zone, the SCO Demonstration Base for Agricultural Technology Exchange and Training, the holding of the China-SCO Digital Economy Industry Forum, and the unveiling of the China-SCO School of Economics and Trade.
It adds that:
“As of the end of June this year, China's direct investment in SCO member countries exceeded $37.5 billion. In order to help countries recover from the epidemic, China proposed in 2021 to strive to achieve the target of $2.3 trillion in cumulative trade volume with SCO countries in the next five years, optimise trade structure and improve trade balance. At the beginning of this year, China Development Bank set up a special loan for the second phase of the SCO Inter-bank Consortium, with a scale of 30 billion yuan to support high-quality joint construction of key areas of the project under the Belt and Road Initiative, focusing on supporting modern interconnection, infrastructure construction, green and low-carbon renewable energy sustainable development projects.”
Second, there’s an article by Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. I am not translating the entire thing, but this was interesting:
“The SCO has united countries with different civilisations, foreign policies and development models, and in a relatively short period of time, has walked a broad road and has become an indispensable part of the modern global political and economic system. At present, the SCO has become the largest regional organisation with a vast geographical space and accounting for about half of the world’s population. The key to its success is non-alignment, openness, no targeting of third countries or other international organisations, equality of all member states, respect for each other’s sovereignty, non-interference in internal affairs, and no political confrontation or conflicting competition.” 上合组织将拥有不同文明、外交政策和发展模式的国家团结在一起，在较短时间内，走出了一条康庄大道，并成为现代全球政治和经济体系中不可或缺的组成部分。当前，上合组织已成为拥有广阔地理空间、占世界人口半数左右的最大的区域性组织。其成功的关键在于不结盟、开放、不针对第三国或其他国际组织、所有成员国一律平等、尊重彼此主权、不干涉内政、不搞政治对抗或冲突性竞争.
And this:
“I am convinced that it is very important and necessary for the SCO to share its own development experience with Afghanistan. Afghanistan is an indispensable part of the SCO region, and its people need the support of friends as never before. It is our unshirkable responsibility to lend a helping hand to Afghanistan, promote its economic and social development, integrate it into the regional and global development process, and help Afghanistan get out of its long-standing predicament…” He then talks about connectivity and the building of the trans-Afghan corridor. 我深信，上合组织同阿富汗分享自身发展经验十分重要且必要。阿富汗是上合组织区域不可或缺的一部分，其人民前所未有地需要友邦支持。向阿伸出援手，促进阿经济社会发展、融入地区和全球发展进程，帮助阿走出长期以来的困境，这是我们义不容辞的责任。数百年来，阿富汗一直是世界大国和地区力量对抗的缓冲地带，承担着连接中亚和南亚的和平使命。跨阿走廊建设正是本地区开展互利合作的重要标志。应当看到，实施铁尔梅兹—马扎里沙里夫—喀布尔—白沙瓦铁路等基础设施项目不仅可解决经济社会和互联互通问题，还将为维护地区安全作出重大贡献。我们应秉持相近立场，共同制定上合组织关于促进阿富汗和平、稳定、发展的新议题。唯有如此，才能真正建立起可持续发展、安危与共的上合组织命运共同体.
There’s also an article by the Chinese ambassador to Uzbekistan.
Ambassador Jiang Yan says that “Since the establishment of diplomatic ties 30 years ago, the two sides have adhered to equality, mutual respect, mutual benefit and win-win, continuously deepened political mutual trust and promoted mutually beneficial cooperation, and the relations between the two countries have continuously reached a new level. Both sides cherish national sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, oppose other countries' interference in internal affairs, and firmly support each other in safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests.” 建交30年来，双方坚持平等相待、相互尊重、互利共赢，不断深化政治互信，推进互利合作，两国关系不断迈上新台阶。双方均珍视国家主权独立和领土完整，反对他国干涉内政，坚定支持彼此维护国家主权、安全和发展利益。
He later adds that “in 2021, the bilateral trade volume exceeded $8 billion; China has maintained its position as Uzbekistan’s largest trading partner and the largest export destination for many years. China’s cumulative investment in Uzbekistan has exceeded $10 billion, with more than 2,000 Chinese companies operating in Uzbekistan. The cooperation between the two sides in poverty reduction, scientific and technological innovation, digital economy, green development and other fields has been remarkable. Chinese vaccines have become the main force in Uzbekistan’s anti-epidemic and joint production has been achieved, bringing tangible benefits to the two peoples.” 合作意愿真诚强烈。中乌经济互补性强，合作潜力巨大。2021年，双边贸易额超过80亿美元，中国多年保持乌最大贸易伙伴和第一大出口目的地国地位。中国对乌累计投资额超过100亿美元，在乌中企达2000多家。双方在减贫、科技创新、数字经济、绿色发展等领域合作可圈可点，中国疫苗成为乌兹别克斯坦抗疫主力军并实现联合生产，抗新冠药物获批在乌兹别克斯坦临床使用，给两国人民带来实实在在的好处。
Page 4: There’s a report on the State Council’s executive meeting. Xinhua English reports:
“Noting that the key to stabilizing the economy is securing market entities, the meeting decided that micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and self-employed households in the manufacturing sector could defer the payment of five taxes and two fees (namely, corporate income tax, personal income tax, domestic value-added tax, domestic consumption tax, and urban maintenance and construction tax, as well as the education surcharge and the local education surcharge). Deferrals that have expired will be extended for another four months starting from September 1. Such an arrangement will enable 440 billion yuan (63.66 billion U.S. dollars) of tax relief.”
“The meeting also decided to support firms in certain fields to upgrade equipment by aligning the use of special re-loans and interest subsidies from fiscal funds to boost market demand and accelerate growth momentum. China will support commercial banks in issuing medium and long-term loans for firms in manufacturing, services and social services industries, and MSMEs and self-employed households in other industries, to upgrade equipment in the fourth quarter, at an interest rate of no more than 3.2 percent, according to the meeting.”
“The People's Bank of China is to provide special re-lending support to commercial banks at 100% of the loan principal. The special re-lending amount is more than 200 billion yuan, with the aim to meet the actual demand. The term is 1 year and can be extended twice. At the same time, according to the established policy, the central government will give a discount of 2.5% to the loan subjects, and the actual loan cost of the loan subjects who update and renovate the equipment in the fourth quarter of this year will not be higher than 0.7%.” 人民银行按贷款本金的100%对商业银行予以专项再贷款支持。专项再贷款额度2000亿元以上，尽量满足实际需求，期限1年、可展期两次。同时落实已定政策，中央财政为贷款主体贴息2.5%，今年第四季度内更新改造设备的贷款主体实际贷款成本不高于0.7%。
The third part of the report talks about foreign trade (related English report). The meeting pointed out that opening up is China's basic national policy, import and export strongly support steady growth and employment, and efforts should be made to stabilise foreign trade and foreign investment.
“We are facing big pressure in keeping foreign trade and foreign investment stable, with a notable slowdown of imports and exports. The first and foremost issue is to help businesses secure orders, by using all policy measures available to the full extent, such as the China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair), the China International Import Expo, overseas warehouses and cross-border e-commerce," Li Keqiang said.
The report added:
The meeting stressed the need to support enterprises in retaining orders and expanding market presence. Stronger efforts will be made to ensure energy and labor supply and logistics for foreign trade companies. Full support will be given when necessary, to ensure the delivery of contracts. The special funds for international economic cooperation and foreign trade will be used fully at a faster pace. Services for companies to participate in overseas exhibitions and conduct business negotiations will be improved.
New forms of foreign trade will be promoted. A number of new integrated pilot zones for cross-border e-commerce will be established without delay. Greater support will be given to building overseas warehouses. Goods transport between inland localities and coastal ports as well as domestic land transport will be made more efficient, to speed up trans-shipment, inbound and outbound transport of goods. Industrial and supply chains will be kept secure. Unwarranted charges for port services will be continuously abolished.
Supply of production factors will be ensured to speed up the launch of key foreign-funded projects. Further measures will be taken to facilitate the border entry and exit of business personnel and technicians employed by foreign companies, as well as their families. Leading provincial regions in foreign trade and foreign investment need to step up to their responsibilities, and better play their backbone roles. Related departments need to enhance coordination and services. “The eastern coastal provinces take up nearly 70 percent of our country's foreign trade. Their leading role must be fully brought to bear, to contribute their part to stable performance of foreign trade and foreign investment,” Li said.
The final section of the report talks about streamlining regulations for the electronics industry, in a bid to lower institutional transaction costs and stimulate market vitality. The meeting also decided to approve the nuclear power projects in the city of Zhangzhou in Fujian Province and the city of Lianjiang in Guangdong Province.
Page 11: The lead article on the theory page is attributed to Qiushi journal. This one also talks about the fourth volume of Governance of China, but it focuses on the theme of democracy and China’s so-called “whole-process democracy.”
“Over the past 100 years since its founding, the Communist Party of China has always held high the banner of people’s democracy, and has made unremitting exploration and struggle for the realisation of the situation in which the people are the masters of the country. Since the 18th Party Congress, General Secretary Xi Jinping has profoundly summed up our Party’s achievements and experience in realising and developing people’s democracy, comprehensively expounded our Party’s position, ideas and viewpoints on democracy from the perspective of the new era and new practice, and creatively put forward a series of new ideas, viewpoints and assessments, further enriching and expanding the political, theoretical, and practical connotations of socialist democracy with Chinese characteristics, scientifically answering the ‘questions of democracy’ and clarifying the “myths about democracy’. This has greatly enhanced the confidence of the Chinese people in upholding and developing socialist democracy with Chinese characteristics. 中国共产党成立100多年来，始终高举人民民主的旗帜，为实现人民当家作主进行了不懈探索和奋斗。党的十八大以来，习近平总书记深刻总结我们党实现和发展人民民主的成就经验，从新时代新的实践出发，全面阐明我们党关于民主的立场、理念、观点，创造性提出一系列新思想新观点新论断，进一步丰富和拓展中国特色社会主义民主的政治内涵、理论内涵、实践内涵，科学回答“民主之问”、廓清“民主迷思”，极大增强了中国人民坚持和发展中国特色社会主义民主的自信和底气。
“Democracy is used to solve problems that people need to solve. Marx and Engels said: ‘What is democracy? It must have a certain meaning, otherwise it cannot exist. Therefore, the whole problem is to determine the true meaning of democracy.’ General Secretary Xi Jinping has profoundly pointed out: ‘Democracy is not an ornament to be used for decoration; it is to be used to solve the problems that the people want to solve’; and creatively put forward: ‘The key criterion for whether a country is democratic is whether its people are truly the masters of their own fate. Whether a country is democratic depends on whether the people have the right to vote, and more importantly, the right to participate extensively; whether they have been given verbal promises in elections, and more importantly, how many of these promises are fulfilled after elections; whether there are set political procedures and rules in state systems and laws, and more importantly, whether these systems and laws are truly enforced; whether the rules and procedures for the exercise of power are democratic, and more importantly, whether the exercise of power is genuinely subject to public scrutiny and checks.’ It is the essence and core of socialist democratic politics that the people are the masters of the country. The CPC’s leadership of the people to implement people's democracy is to ensure and support the people to remain the masters of the country. On the other hand, in some western countries, the people are awakened only when they vote, but enter a dormant period soon after. They only listen to hyped-up slogans/song and dance during the campaigning but have no say after the election, or if they are favoured during canvassing but are left out in the cold after the election, such a democracy is not a true democracy.” 民主是用来解决人民需要解决的问题的。马克思、恩格斯说过：“民主是什么呢？它必须具备一定的意义，否则它就不能存在。因此全部问题在于确定民主的真正意义。”习近平总书记深刻指出：“民主不是装饰品，不是用来做摆设的，而是要用来解决人民需要解决的问题的”，并创造性地提出：“一个国家民主不民主，关键在于是不是真正做到了人民当家作主，要看人民有没有投票权，更要看人民有没有广泛参与权；要看人民在选举过程中得到了什么口头许诺，更要看选举后这些承诺实现了多少；要看制度和法律规定了什么样的政治程序和政治规则，更要看这些制度和法律是不是真正得到了执行；要看权力运行规则和程序是否民主，更要看权力是否真正受到人民监督和制约”。人民当家作主是社会主义民主政治的本质和核心，中国共产党领导人民实行人民民主就是保证和支持人民当家作主。反观一些西方国家，人民只有在投票时被唤醒、投票后就进入休眠期，只有竞选时聆听天花乱坠的口号、竞选后就毫无发言权，只有拉票时受宠、选举后就被冷落，这不是真正的民主.
The article says that at the end of the day evaluation of democracy also comes down to the effectiveness of the system. In this, the piece goes back to Xi’s speech from 2019 at the 60th anniversary of the NPC. He had then said:
“The main criteria for judging whether a political system is democratic and effective are:
whether the country can conduct leadership transitions in a lawful and orderly manner;
whether the people can administer national, social, economic, and cultural affairs in accordance with the law;
whether people can openly express their demands;
whether various sectors of society can participate effectively in national political affairs;
whether state decision-making is rational and democratic;
whether talent from a variety of sectors can enter systems of national leadership and administration through fair competition;
whether the governing party can exercise leadership over national affairs in accordance with the Constitution and the law;
whether the exercise of power is subject to effective constraints and supervision.”
The piece calls for improving the People’s Congress system and the political party system. In the case of the latter, it quotes Xi as having said that China’s system is a product of the “combination of Marxist party theory and China's reality” and is a system that can “truly, extensively and permanently represent and realise the fundamental interests of the broadest number of masses and people all ethnic groups across the country, effectively avoiding the shortcomings of the old-style political party system of representing a few people and a few interest groups.” It also “unites all political parties and non-party personages to work for a common goal, effectively avoiding the shortcomings of lack of supervision and/or vicious competition among many political parties.” In addition, it “concentrates various opinions and suggestions through institutionalised, procedural and standardised arrangements, and promotes scientific and democratic decision-making.” Also, it “effectively avoids the drawbacks of the old party system, which is limited by party interests, class interests, regional and group interests, and leads to social disintegration.” 坚持好、发展好、完善好我国新型政党制度。中国共产党领导的多党合作和政治协商制度作为我国一项基本政治制度，是中国共产党、中国人民和各民主党派、无党派人士的伟大政治创造，是从中国土壤中生长出来的新型政党制度。习近平总书记指出，我国新型政党制度，“新就新在它是马克思主义政党理论同中国实际相结合的产物，能够真实、广泛、持久代表和实现最广大人民根本利益、全国各族各界根本利益，有效避免了旧式政党制度代表少数人、少数利益集团的弊端”“新就新在它把各个政党和无党派人士紧密团结起来、为着共同目标而奋斗，有效避免了一党缺乏监督或者多党轮流坐庄、恶性竞争的弊端”“新就新在它通过制度化、程序化、规范化的安排集中各种意见和建议、推动决策科学化民主化，有效避免了旧式政党制度囿于党派利益、阶级利益、区域和集团利益决策施政导致社会撕裂的弊端”。习近平总书记深刻阐明了我国新型政党制度的丰富内涵和鲜明特点，为新时代坚持好、发展好、完善好我国新型政党制度指明了前进方向.
It then says that there is no single standard to judge whether a country is democratic and neither is there a universally applicable model of democracy. “The judgement on whether a country is democratic or not should be made by their people, not by the handful of outsiders pointing fingers. Which country in the international community is democratic or not should be judged by the international community, not by a few self-righteous countries…We must strengthen our confidence in the political system of socialism with Chinese characteristics, unswervingly follow the path of political development of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and firmly control the destiny of development and progress in our own hands.” 习近平总书记深刻指出：“一个国家是不是民主，应该由这个国家的人民来评判，而不应该由外部少数人指手画脚来评判。国际社会哪个国家是不是民主的，应该由国际社会共同来评判，而不应该由自以为是的少数国家来评判。”世界上没有定于一尊的制度模板，也没有放之四海而皆准的民主模式，更不能想象突然就搬来一座政治制度上的“飞来峰”。我们要坚定对中国特色社会主义政治制度的自信，坚定不移走中国特色社会主义政治发展道路，把发展进步的命运牢牢掌握在自己手中.
The next chunk of the article talks about the five key aspects of China’s system of “whole-process democracy.” These are:
The people’s right to vote and compete in elections
Democratic consultation
Democratic decision-making
Democratic management
Democratic oversight/supervision
I am not elaborating on these. You can check out the white paper from last year for details of what all this means.
Page 14: Data from PBOC shows that at the end of the second quarter of 2022, the total assets of China’s financial institutions were 407.42 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 9.7%. Of this,
the total assets of banking institutions were 367.68 trillion yuan, an increase of 9.4% year-on-year;
the total assets of securities institutions were 13.1 trillion yuan, an increase of 16.3% year-on-year;
the total assets of insurance institutions were 26.64 trillion yuan, an increase of 11% year-on-year.
The total liabilities of financial institutions was 371.04 trillion yuan, an increase of 9.9% year-on-year. Among them,
the liabilities of banking institutions was 337.3 trillion yuan, an increase of 9.5% year-on-year;
the liabilities of securities industry institutions was 10.02 trillion yuan, an increase of 17.6% year-on-year;
the liabilities of the insurance institutions was 23.73 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 12.2%.