Xi's Message at BRICS Meeting - China's 2024 ODI at $192.2 billion - NPC Session Discusses Key Legislation - Doubling Down on Xinjiang Governance Strategy
Hi folks,
Before we get to today’s edition, it’s time to ask a few questions. Takshashila is conducting its annual China survey. We started this last year to gauge how Indians are thinking about the relationship with China and Chinese policies. We had some interesting findings last year. For instance last year, a majority of respondents agreed that:
greater trade with China is in India’s developmental and security interest (49.6%)
investments from China are beneficial, especially in sectors opening up new employment opportunities for Indians (56.3%)
Chinese talent should be welcome in India, if requisite Indian talent in a particular industry is lacking (52.4%)
So what’s the mood this year, particularly after a year of efforts to normalise the relationship since October 2024 and now the tariffs imposed by Donald Trump. Take the survey by clicking here or scan the code below and let us know:
Cheers,
Manoj
Here are the key reports and articles that I found noteworthy from the People’s Daily’s edition on Monday, September 09, 2025.
Page 1: Let’s begin with the report on Xi Jinping’s speech (English text) at the BRICS leaders meeting yesterday. Cai Qi and Wang Yi attended the meeting along with Xi. Interestingly, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not attend this meeting. Instead, Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar attended.
Anyway, here’s what Xi said:
“As we speak, transformation unseen in a century is accelerating across the world. Hegemonism, unilateralism, and protectionism are getting more and more rampant. Trade wars and tariff wars waged by some country severely disrupt the world economy and undermine international trade rules. At this critical juncture, BRICS countries, standing at the forefront of the Global South, should act on the BRICS Spirit of openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation, jointly defend multilateralism and the multilateral trading system, advance greater BRICS cooperation, and build a community with a shared future for humanity. To this end, I wish to make three proposals.
First, we should uphold multilateralism to defend international fairness and justice. History tells us that multilateralism is the shared aspiration of the people and the overarching trend of our time. It provides an important underpinning for world peace and development. The Global Governance Initiative that I proposed is aimed at galvanizing joint global action for a more just and equitable global governance system. We should follow the principle of extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit, and safeguard the international system with the United Nations at its core and the international order based on international law, so as to cement the foundations of multilateralism. At the same time, we should actively promote greater democracy in international relations and increase the representation and voice of Global South countries. We should improve the global governance system through reform so as to fully mobilize resources from all quarters and tackle more effectively the common challenges for humanity.
Second, we should uphold openness and win-win cooperation to safeguard the international economic and trade order. Economic globalization is an irresistible trend of history. Countries cannot thrive without an international environment of open cooperation, and no country can afford to retreat to self-imposed isolation. No matter how the international landscape may evolve, we must stay committed to building an open global economy, so as to share opportunities and achieve win-win outcomes in openness. We should uphold the multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization at its core and oppose all forms of protectionism. We should promote a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, place development at the heart of our international agenda, and ensure that Global South countries participate in international cooperation as equals and share in the fruits of development.
Third, we should uphold solidarity and cooperation to foster synergy for common development. As a Chinese saying goes, ‘It takes a good blacksmith to forge good steel.’ We can only cope with external challenges more effectively when we manage our own affairs well in the first place. BRICS countries account for nearly half of the world's population, around 30 percent of global economic output, and one-fifth of global trade. We are also home to major natural resources, big manufacturers and vast markets. The more closely we work together, the more resilient, resourceful and effective we are in addressing external risks and challenges. China is ready to work with fellow BRICS countries to implement the Global Development Initiative and advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. We should leverage our respective strengths, deepen practical cooperation, and make our business, financial, scientific and technological cooperation more productive, so as to strengthen the foundation, momentum and impact of greater BRICS cooperation and deliver more practical benefits to our peoples.
Another report on the page talks about Xi’s letter to the 25th China International Fair for Investment and Trade. Xi said that “as a major contributor to and anchor of global economic growth, China will unswervingly expand high-level opening-up, promote trade and investment liberalisation and facilitation, continue to share its development opportunities with the world, and inject more positive energy and certainty into global development. China is willing to work with all parties to promote inclusive economic globalisation and create a bright future of prosperity and development.” 习近平强调，作为世界经济增长的主要贡献者和稳定锚，中国将坚定不移扩大高水平对外开放，促进贸易和投资自由化便利化，继续和世界分享自身的发展机遇，为全球发展注入更多正能量和确定性。中国愿同各方一道，携手推动普惠包容的经济全球化，共创繁荣发展的美好未来.
Next, there’s a report on the 17th session of the 14th NPCSC holding its first plenary session. Key points:
The meeting heard a report on the review of the draft Atomic Energy Law by Luo Yuan, Vice Chairman of the NPC’s Constitution and Law Committee. The third draft of the bill adds provisions on state support for the peaceful use of atomic energy; clarifies that the state will strengthen the development of a standards system in the field of atomic energy and promote and participate in international standardization activities in the field; and stipulates that nuclear facility operators must take necessary measures to prevent cyber attacks, intrusions, interference, and sabotage. 会议听取了全国人大宪法和法律委员会副主任委员骆源作的关于原子能法草案审议结果的报告。草案三审稿增加规定国家支持和平利用原子能等；明确国家加强原子能领域标准体系建设，推动、参与原子能领域国际标准化活动；规定核设施营运单位应当采取必要措施，防范网络攻击、侵入、干扰和破坏等.
The meeting heard a report on the review of the draft Public Health Emergency Response Law by Cong Bin, Vice Chairman of the Constitution and Law Committee. The third draft further strengthens government support and guarantees for grassroots public health emergency response; enhances public health emergency monitoring and information sharing; and further clarifies the applicable relationship with relevant laws such as the Food Safety Law and the Drug Administration Law. 会议听取了宪法和法律委员会副主任委员丛斌作的关于突发公共卫生事件应对法草案审议结果的报告。草案三审稿进一步加强政府对基层突发公共卫生事件应对工作的支持保障力度；加强突发公共卫生事件监测和信息共享；进一步明确与食品安全法、药品管理法等有关法律之间的适用关系等.
The meeting heard a report on the review of the draft National Park Law by Xu Hui, Vice Chairman of the Constitution and Law Committee.
The meeting heard a report by Wang Hongxiang, Vice Chairman of the Constitutional and Law Committee, on the review results of the draft amendment to the Arbitration Law. The third draft improves the online arbitration system; aligns with relevant provisions of the Civil Procedure Law, provides for parties to apply for pre-arbitration preservation measures; broadens the scope of special arbitration; and improves relevant systems supporting arbitration. 会议听取了宪法和法律委员会副主任委员王洪祥作的关于仲裁法修订草案审议结果的报告。草案三审稿完善信息网络在线仲裁制度；与民事诉讼法有关规定相衔接，对仲裁前当事人申请采取保全措施作出规定；拓宽特别仲裁适用范围；完善支持仲裁的相关制度等.
The meeting heard a report by Zhou Guangquan, Vice Chairman of the Constitutional and Law Committee, on the review results of the draft Law on Legal Education and Publicity. The third draft enriches the provisions concerning the content of legal education and publicity; adds provisions for establishing basic rule of law concepts throughout society such as the supremacy of the Constitution and law, and equality of all before the law; consolidates the provisions regarding supervisory organs, judicial organs, and procuratorial organs conducting legal education and publicity. 会议听取了宪法和法律委员会副主任委员周光权作的关于法治宣传教育法草案审议结果的报告。草案三审稿充实有关法治宣传教育内容的规定；增加规定在全社会树立宪法法律至上、法律面前人人平等等基本法治观念；对监察机关、审判机关、检察机关开展法治宣传教育的规定进行整合等。
The meeting heard a report by Xu Hui on the review results of the draft amendment to the Food Safety Law.
The meeting heard reports from Huang Ming, Vice Chairman of the Constitutional and Law Committee, on revisions to the draft Hazardous Chemicals Safety Law. The second draft specifies that the state will establish and improve the hazardous chemicals catalog management system; adds content encouraging relevant entities and individuals to report potential accidents; strengthens government oversight of the use of hazardous chemicals by relevant entities in their respective industries and fields; and improves regulatory measures for the road transport of hazardous chemicals, strengthening regulatory oversight. 会议听取了宪法和法律委员会副主任委员黄明作的关于危险化学品安全法草案修改情况的汇报。草案二审稿明确国家建立健全危险化学品目录管理制度；增加鼓励有关单位和人员报告事故隐患的内容；加强政府有关部门对本行业、本领域相关单位使用危险化学品的监督管理；完善危险化学品道路运输的监管措施，加大监管力度等.
The meeting heard reports from Shen Chunyao, Vice Chairman of the Constitutional and Law Committee, on the revisions to the draft General Provisions, the draft section on Ecological Protection, and the draft section on Green and Low-Carbon Development of the Ecological and Environmental Code. The second draft of the General Provisions section refines basic provisions such as the legislative purpose and the definition of the ecological environment; enriches and improves content related to ecological and environmental protection supervision and judicial safeguards; and further improves ecological and environmental monitoring and compensation systems. The second draft of the Ecological Protection section adds provisions to strengthen scientific research on plateau species and ecosystems; clarifies that urban and rural greening should meet the requirements of health, safety, and livability; stipulates that the state must establish an ecological product survey and monitoring mechanism; and adds provisions for state support for international exchanges and cooperation in ecological protection. The second draft of the Green and Low-Carbon Development section refines provisions on green transportation, green construction, and green and low-carbon development in agriculture and rural areas; strengthens waste recycling in various fields, further clarifying the requirements for recovery and utilization, and improves the design of systems to address climate change. 会议听取了宪法和法律委员会副主任委员沈春耀分别作的关于生态环境法典总则编草案、生态保护编草案、绿色低碳发展编草案修改情况的汇报。总则编草案二审稿完善立法目的、生态环境的定义等基本规定；充实完善有关生态环境保护督察、司法保障的内容；进一步完善生态环境监测、生态保护补偿制度等。生态保护编草案二审稿增加规定加强高原生物物种、生态系统等的科学研究；明确城乡绿化应满足健康、安全、宜居的要求；明确国家建立生态产品调查监测机制；增加国家支持开展生态保护方面的国际交流与合作规定等。绿色低碳发展编草案二审稿完善关于绿色交通、绿色建造、农业农村绿色低碳发展的规定；强化各领域废弃物循环利用，进一步明确回收和利用有关要求；完善应对气候变化制度设计等.
The meeting heard a report from Zhou Guangquan on the revisions to the draft National Development Planning Law. The second draft adds provisions on the responsibilities and procedures of the NPC, NPCSC, and relevant special committees in the review and approval of national development plans; adds provisions on ‘practicing whole-process people’s democracy’; and stipulates the structure of China’s planning system, the positioning of various types of plans, and their interrelationships. 会议听取了周光权作的关于国家发展规划法草案修改情况的汇报。草案二审稿增加全国人大及其常委会、有关专门委员会在国家发展规划的审查和批准中的有关职责和程序规定；增加“践行全过程人民民主”的规定；对我国规划体系的构成以及各类规划的定位及相互关系作出规定等.
"The meeting listened to the report by Yuan Shuhong, Vice Chairman of the Constitution and Law Committee, regarding the revision of the draft Prison Law revision. The second review of the draft strengthens and standardises prison penalty execution activities; adds provisions regarding strengthening the construction of the prison police force; adds provisions for conducting pre-release education for criminals; improves provisions regarding the sealing of minor criminal records; further strengthens law enforcement supervision of prisons and the police force, and improves accountability mechanisms. 会议听取了宪法和法律委员会副主任委员袁曙宏作的关于监狱法修订草案修改情况的汇报。草案二审稿加强和规范监狱刑罚执行活动；增加有关加强监狱人民警察队伍建设的规定；增加对罪犯进行出监前教育的规定；完善有关轻微犯罪记录封存的规定；进一步加强对监狱及其人民警察的执法监督，完善责任追究机制等.
Other outcomes:
A draft amendment to the Cybersecurity Law was submitted for deliberation. Xinhua adds: “The draft stipulates better alignment with relevant laws, including the Data Security Law, the Personal Information Protection Law and the Administrative Penalty Law, to ensure a more coherent legal framework. It also proposes establishing differentiated legal responsibilities for various violations, covering areas such as network operation security and information security.”
The NPC’s Ethnic Affairs Committee proposed a motion to submit for deliberation the draft law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress.
The NPC’s Finance and Economics Committee proposed a motion to submit for deliberation the draft revision of the Enterprise Bankruptcy Law. Xinhua adds: “The draft introduces a relatively comprehensive revision to the current law, with more than 160 provisions newly added or revised. It highlights the role of governments of county level and above in coordinating bankruptcy affairs, and stipulates measures to prevent the depreciation or malicious transfer of a debtor's property after the filing of a bankruptcy petition and before the court's ruling. New revisions also improve rules on optimizing procedures related to corporate reorganization, refining the bankruptcy system for special types of enterprises, and enhancing judicial cooperation in cross-border insolvencies.”
The NPC’s Education, Science, Culture, and Health Committee proposed a motion to submit for deliberation the draft revision of the Law on the Standard Spoken and Written Chinese Language.
The State Council proposed a motion to submit for review the draft amendment to the Environmental Protection Tax Law. Xinhua adds: “The draft amendment brings all volatile organic compounds within the scope of the environmental protection tax levy, as part of efforts to strengthen control over such compounds. Under the current law, only 18 volatile organic compounds, including benzene and formaldehyde, are subject to this tax. To improve air quality and enhance environmental protection, it is necessary to amend the Environmental Protection Tax Law to include the remaining volatile organic compounds in the scope of this tax, according to Finance Minister Lan Fo’an. Volatile organic compounds are organic compounds that play a role in atmospheric photochemical reactions. They are a major source of PM2.5 and ozone and can lead to air pollution problems such as haze and photochemical smog.”
The State Council proposed a motion to submit for review the draft amendment to the Foreign Trade Law. Xinhua adds: “The draft revision seeks to elevate multiple reform measures to national law, including a negative list system for managing cross-border trade in services, as well as reform measures on promoting new forms and models of foreign trade, encouraging digital trade and establishing a green trade system, in an effort to ensure their implementation. To further optimise the foreign trade environment, the draft emphasises strengthening intellectual property rights protection concerning foreign trade, and establishing a trade adjustment assistance system to stabilise industrial and supply chains. It also aims to promote the development of a diversified mechanism for resolving foreign trade disputes.”
Lawmakers reviewed bills on the ratification of an extradition treaty and a judicial assistance treaty with the Republic of Serbia.
If you are interested further, a detailed report is also available on Page 4.
Page 2: There’s a report on a seminar titled ‘Successful Practices of the Party’s Xinjiang Governance Strategy in the New Era’, being held in Urumqi on Monday. This was co-hosted by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and the Xinjiang government. The report says:
“The attending guests expressed that the Party’s Xinjiang governance strategy in the new era is an important component of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, is a scientific summary and theoretical creation of the successful experience of the Communist Party of China leading the people in building a beautiful new Xinjiang in the process of Chinese-style modernisation, and serves as an action program to guide Xinjiang work in upholding integrity, innovating, and moving forward steadily. It is necessary to accurately grasp the historical position and major significance, theoretical logic and scientific system, institutional achievements and practical experience of the Party’s Xinjiang governance strategy in the new era, and use academic language to tell the story of Xinjiang in the new era well. It is necessary to completely, accurately, and comprehensively implement the Party’s Xinjiang governance strategy in the new era, continuously advance the modernisation of Xinjiang’s governance system and governance capacity, and write a new chapter of Xinjiang’s practice of Chinese-style modernisation with high-quality development.” 与会嘉宾表示，新时代党的治疆方略是习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的重要组成部分，是中国共产党领导人民在中国式现代化进程中建设美丽新疆成功经验的科学总结和理论创造，是指引新疆工作守正创新、行稳致远的行动纲领。要准确把握新时代党的治疆方略的历史地位和重大意义、理论逻辑和科学体系、制度成果和实践经验，用学术语言讲好新时代新疆故事。要完整准确全面贯彻新时代党的治疆方略，不断推进新疆治理体系和治理能力现代化，以高质量发展谱写中国式现代化的新疆实践新篇章.
On this day, the unveiling ceremony of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences Xinjiang Base was held at the Xinjiang Academy of Social Sciences, establishing a high-level academic platform for research in Xinjiang-related fields.
Page 3: There’s a report on Wang Yi’s meeting with Portuguese Minister of State and Foreign Affairs Paulo Rangel. Xinhua says:
Wang “expressed China’s appreciation for Portugal sending representatives to engage in (WWII) commemorative activities in China. Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro’s visit to China is of great importance as this year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Portugal, Wang said. Wang also noted that China is willing to work with Portugal to deepen their friendship, enhance cooperation and advance bilateral relations to a new level. Rangel thanked China for its active preparations for Prime Minister Luis Montenegro’s visit, noting that Portugal values its relations with China greatly and hopes to use the visit as an opportunity to promote further bilateral cooperation. The vision embodied by the Global Governance Initiative has fundamental principles that must be upheld in addressing global challenges and international hotspot issues, Rangel said. Portugal is willing to strengthen communication with China, and to deepen cooperation within multilateral mechanisms such as the United Nations, he added.”
Another report based on data from the 2024 Statistical Bulletin on China’s Outward Direct Investment. Key data points + Global Times’ English report:
China’s ODI in 2024 was $192.2 billion, an increase of 8.4% year-on-year.
As of the end of 2024, China’s cumulative ODI stock reached $3.14 trillion, ranking third globally for eight years running.
China’s direct investment in BRI countries reached $50.99 billion in 2024, a year-on-year increase of 22.9%.
Asia absorbed nearly 80 percent of China’s ODI in 2024, up 8.5 percent, with ASEAN alone receiving $34.36 billion, up 36.8 percent. Latin America, Europe, and Oceania saw increases of 15.4 percent, 25.3 percent, and 113.7 percent, respectively.
China’s ODI in 2024 accounted for 11.9% of the global share, an increase of 0.5 percentage points from the previous year, ranking among the global top three for 13 consecutive years, and accounting for more than 10% of the global share for 9 consecutive years.
By the end of 2024, 34,000 domestic investors in China had established 52,000 overseas enterprises in 190 countries and regions globally, with 70% of overseas enterprises being profitable or breaking even. Only 19000 of these are in BRI countries.
In 2024, China’s outbound direct investment covered 18 industry categories, with investment flowing to wholesale and retail, leasing and business services, manufacturing, finance, and mining, each exceeding $10 billion, cumulatively accounting for more than 80%.
Construction investment grew 80.5 percent year-on-year, while information technology and software services expanded 205.5 percent
Non-state-owned entities were active, investing $91.37 billion, up 24.6 percent, representing 54.3 percent of non-financial ODI. Local enterprises, led by those from Guangdong, Zhejiang, and Shandong provinces, invested $108.43 billion, up 16.8 percent, outpacing the overall growth rate.
China’s ODI spurred $211 billion in goods exports in 2024, up 13 percent year-on-year, accounting for 5.9 percent of the national total.
Chinese enterprises abroad generated $3.6 trillion in sales, paid $82.1 billion in host-country taxes, and employed 5.02 million workers overseas, with 65.8 percent being local hires.
Page 7: There’s a report informing that the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region achieved a regional GDP of 5.7 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 5.4% at constant prices.