Xi's Party School Speech Commentary - Political Supervision & Two Safeguards - Xi & Teachers - Zhong Sheng: Polarisation a Threat to US Democracy - Asteroid Defense - Digital Economy Plan
Here are the stories and pieces that I found noteworthy from the Friday, January 13, 2022, edition of the People’s Daily.
Page 1: Let’s begin with the front page commentary drawing from Xi’s speech at the Party School. The article begins by talking about the history resolution, calling it a “brilliant Marxist programmatic document; a political declaration by the Chinese Communists in the new era to keep in mind their original mission and adhere to and develop socialism with Chinese characteristics; and an action guide to learn from history, create the future and realise the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.” 这是一篇光辉的马克思主义纲领性文献，是新时代中国共产党人牢记初心使命、坚持和发展中国特色社会主义的政治宣言，是以史为鉴、开创未来、实现中华民族伟大复兴的行动指南.
The next paragraph praises Xi’s speech as being “strategic, broad in vision, rich in connotation and profound in thought. The speech, the author says, will “help the whole Party to deeply understand the decisive significance of the ‘two establishments’, further strengthen the four consciousnesses, strengthen the four self-confidences and achieve the ‘two safeguards’. It is important for everyone to continue to summarise, study, learn and publicise Party history, enhance historical confidence, unity and strengthen the spirit of struggle, mobilise the whole Party and people of all ethnicities to move forward with firm confidence and courage, and win great victories and glory on the new journey in the new era.”
The next paragraph draws from Xi’s emphasis on the need for “theoretical thinking and correct guidance,” which leads to the significance of Marxism. In this context, the commentary calls Xi Jinping Thought on socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era as a
“Looking back on the Party’s century-long struggle, Mao Zedong Thought was founded by our Party during the New Democratic Revolution period. This was the first historic leap in adapting Marxism to China. In the period of reform, opening up and socialist modernisation, our Party established Deng Xiaoping Theory, formulated the important thought of Three Represents and the Scientific Outlook on Development, formed a system of theories of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and achieved a new leap in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context. In the new era, our Party established Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, achieving a new leap in adapting Marxism to The Chinese context. The history of our Party is a history of constantly promoting the sinicisation of Marxism and of constantly promoting theoretical innovation and creation. Practice has fully proved that Marxism has profoundly changed China and China has greatly enriched Marxism.” 回望党的百年奋斗历程，在新民主主义革命时期，我们党创立了毛泽东思想，是马克思主义中国化的第一次历史性飞跃；在改革开放和社会主义现代化建设新时期，我们党创立了邓小平理论，形成了“三个代表”重要思想、科学发展观，形成中国特色社会主义理论体系，实现了马克思主义中国化新的飞跃；在中国特色社会主义新时代，我们党创立了习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想，实现了马克思主义中国化新的飞跃. 我们党的历史，就是一部不断推进马克思主义中国化的历史，就是一部不断推进理论创新、进行理论创造的历史。实践充分证明，马克思主义深刻改变了中国，中国也极大丰富了马克思主义.
These years since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China have been extremely unusual and extraordinary in the development of the cause of the party and the country. The complexity and gravity of the situation and environment the Party faces and the onerous and arduous tasks it has been undertaking are rare in the world and in history. With the courage of a Marxist politician and strategist, General Secretary Xi Jinping has planned keeping in mind the overall situation at home and abroad, promoted reform, development and stability, domestic, foreign affairs and national defense, and governed the Party, the country and the military, led the Party and the people of all nationalities to seize opportunities and overcome difficulties, solved many difficult problems that we had wanted to resolve for a long time and achieved many major outcomes that had been attempted but not achieved in the past. 党的十八大以来这些年在党和国家事业发展进程中极不寻常、极不平凡。党面临形势环境的复杂性和严峻性、肩负任务的繁重性和艰巨性世所罕见、史所罕见。习近平总书记以马克思主义政治家、战略家的胆略，谋划国内外大局，推进改革发展稳定、内政外交国防、治党治国治军工作，领导全党全国各族人民抓住机遇、攻坚克难，解决了许多长期想解决而没有解决的难题，办成了许多过去想办而没有办成的大事.
General Secretary Xi Jinping has put forward profound thoughts and scientific judgments on a series of major theoretical and practical issues related to the development of the Party and the country in the new era. He has made a number of recommendations on what kind of socialism with Chinese characteristics to uphold and develop in the new era; how to uphold and develop socialism with Chinese characteristics; what kind of a modern socialist power to build; how to build a modern socialist power, what kind of a long-term, ruling Marxist political party should we build; and how to build a long-term, ruling Marxist political party. He is the main founder of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and has proposed a series of original new ideas and new strategies for governing the country. The resolution of the 6th plenary has summarised the core content of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era arriving at the 十个明确 on the basis of the 八个明确 outlined in the 19th Party Congress report. 习近平总书记对关系新时代党和国家事业发展的一系列重大理论和实践问题进行了深邃思考和科学判断，就新时代坚持和发展什么样的中国特色社会主义、怎样坚持和发展中国特色社会主义，建设什么样的社会主义现代化强国、怎样建设社会主义现代化强国，建设什么样的长期执政的马克思主义政党、怎样建设长期执政的马克思主义政党等重大时代课题，提出一系列原创性的治国理政新理念新思想新战略，是习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的主要创立者。这次全会决议在党的十九大报告“八个明确”的基础上，用“十个明确”对习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的核心内容作了进一步概括.
The most fundamental reason for the historic achievements and changes of the Party and the country lies in the fact that General Secretary Xi Jinping, as the core of the Party Central Committee and the core of the whole Party, has been at the helm and steering the ship, and in the scientific guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. Practice has fully proved that Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is contemporary Chinese Marxism and 21st century Marxism, the essence of the times of Chinese culture and Chinese spirit, and the latest achievement of the sinicisation of Marxism. The party's determination of Comrade Xi Jinping as the core of the CPC Central Committee and the entire Party, as well as the guiding role of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, is of decisive significance to the development of the cause of the Party and the country in the new era and to the historical process of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. 党和国家事业取得历史性成就、发生历史性变革，最根本的原因在于有习近平总书记作为党中央的核心、全党的核心掌舵领航，在于有习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想科学指引。实践充分证明，习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想是当代中国马克思主义、二十一世纪马克思主义，是中华文化和中国精神的时代精华，是马克思主义中国化最新成果。党确立习近平同志党中央的核心、全党的核心地位，确立习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的指导地位，对新时代党和国家事业发展、对推进中华民族伟大复兴历史进程具有决定性意义.
The next paragraph reiterates the comments from Xi’s speech about the utility of Marxism and that it isn’t about being dogmatic. The last paragraph says that the reason why the Party has been able to lead the people and accomplish the arduous tasks that other political forces in China have been unable to accomplish lies in its persistence with emancipating the mind, seeking truth from facts, advancing with the times, and being pragmatic, along with combining the basic principles of Marxism with China’s realities and Chinese traditional culture, insisting that practice is the only criterion for arriving at the truth, insisting on proceeding from reality, and answering the questions of the times in a timely manner. After this, it calls for uniting more closely around Xi as the core and adhere to Marxist positions, viewpoints and methods.
Next, I guess next is a report previewing the upcoming 6th Plenum of the CCDI; it talks about the importance of political supervision with the aim of achieving the two safeguards. The piece begins like this:
“Discipline inspection and supervision organs are political organs; discipline inspection and supervision work is political work; and political supervision is an important task of discipline inspection and supervision organs. In 2021, the CCDI and National Supervisory Commission and discipline inspection units at all levels have enhanced the ‘four consciousness’, firm ‘four self-confidence’, to achieve ‘two safeguards’, have paid close attention to the political supervision, promoted the formalisation and normalisation of political supervision, and strived to ensure the implementation of the Party’s line, principles and policies and the decision-making arrangements of the Party Central Committee, safeguard the unity and unity of the party, and ensure the unity of the whole party. Shoulder our political responsibility and resolutely promote the implementation of the Party Central Committee's decisions and deployments. Entering the new stage of development, China is facing a complicated and severe environment and onerous and arduous tasks. In order to ensure the close unity of the whole party around the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core, and to ensure the implementation of the Party’s basic theory, line, and strategy and decision-making arrangements of the CPC Central Committee, it is particularly necessary to strengthen political supervision.” 纪检监察机关是政治机关，纪检监察工作是政治工作，开展政治监督是纪检监察机关的重要任务. 2021年，中央纪委国家监委和各级纪委监委增强“四个意识”、坚定“四个自信”、做到“两个维护”，抓深抓实政治监督，推进政治监督具体化、常态化，努力确保党的路线方针政策和党中央决策部署贯彻落实，维护党的团结统一，保证全党步调一致. 扛起政治责任，坚决推动党中央决策部署落地落实. 进入新发展阶段，我国面临复杂严峻环境和艰巨繁重任务。为保证全党紧密团结在以习近平同志为核心的党中央周围，保障党的基本理论、基本路线、基本方略和党中央决策部署贯彻落实，强化政治监督尤为必要.
A lot of the focus of the piece is about political supervision in regard to the implementation of the policy measures and directions outlined by the central leadership. The next chunk of the piece talks about supervision related to the upcoming Beijing Olympics, and then about supervision work related to environmental issues. Last year, four working groups were sent to carry out supervision in two batches to investigate central ecological and environmental protection agencies/actors. This was in connection with the issues related to the Yellow river basin, waste mineral oil in Yangtze river area, and ecological restoration in Muli mining area in Qinghai. The piece also points to issues of corruption; this covers areas like grain purchase and sale and “revolving doors” and sudden shareholding (突击入股) in financial sector. It adds that from January to October, 2021, the national discipline inspection and supervision organs identified and rectified 247,000 problems in implementing the spirit of the important instructions of General Secretary Xi Jinping and the ineffective deployment of major decisions of the CPC Central Committee.
The next section talks about specific steps taken by discipline units at different provincial levels to strengthen political supervision. I am not detailing these. But some key data points to note:
The disciplinary organs have implemented the Party’s accountability regulations - 中国共产党问责条例. From January to November 2021, a total of 4,068 party organizations and 49,000 leading party members and supervisors were held accountable nationwide. 2021年1至11月，全国共问责党组织4068个，问责党员领导干部、监察对象4.9万人。
In 2021, 57 party organizations were covered by the two rounds of central inspections. The 19th central inspection has completed inspection of 254 local and unit party organizations, with a coverage rate of 91.7%. 31 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps have completed inspection of 2,284 party organizations, with a coverage rate of more than 99%. The national municipal and county party committees inspected a total of 135,000 party organizations in 2021, completing full coverage of inspections at the municipal and county levels. 2021年中央两轮巡视共覆盖57个党组织。十九届中央巡视已累计完成对254个地方、单位党组织的巡视，巡视覆盖率达91.7%。31个省区市和新疆生产建设兵团党委巡视机构完成对2284个党组织的巡视，覆盖率超过99%。全国市县党委2021年共巡察党组织13.5万个，完成市、县两级巡察全覆盖.
With regard to grain purchase and sale, Party committees at all levels sent 2,704 inspection teams to supervise and inspect more than 14,000 grain-related party organizations, and found more than 37,000 problems of corruption and unhealthy practices in grain purchasing, selling and storing. 各级党委共派出2704个巡视巡察组，对1.4万余个涉粮党组织开展监督检查，发现粮食收购、销售、存储等环节存在的腐败和不正之风问题3.7万余个，为促进治理粮食购销系统性腐败问题发挥了重要作用.
Third, there’s a long piece summarising the work done in developing a fine work style last year. This starts by talking about the democratic life meeting carried out at the end of last year. But the key themes are about learning from history, dealing with formalism, emphasising the eight-point regulation, keeping in mind the original mission, ensuring clean government, preventing food waste, achieving the two safeguards, etc. There’s a lot in there about different inspections and instructions by Xi over the course of the year. There’s also praise for Xi, showcasing him as a man of action. For instance:
“In May 2021 at Nanyang in Henan and in September in Yulin, Shaanxi, General Secretary Xi Jinping got off the bus twice, and went deep into the field to inspect the growth of crops. At the Shengli Oilfield in Shandong, in order to understand the application of new technology in practice, the general secretary climbed up a 10-meter-high drilling platform along the iron ladder to inspect the operation of the equipment. At the Yellow River high-tech industrial demonstration zone Xi walked into the field, bent down to pick a pod, peeled off a soybean, and chewed it carefully in his mouth: ‘The beans grow very well’.” 2021年5月，河南南阳；同年9月，陕西榆林。习近平总书记两次在考察途中临时下车，深入田间察看农作物长势；在山东东营胜利油田，为实地了解新技术在实践中的应用情况，总书记沿着铁梯登上10多米高的钻井平台，察看设备运行情况; 来到黄河三角洲农业高新技术产业示范区，总书记走进田里，弯下腰来摘了一个豆荚，剥出一粒大豆，放在口中细细咀嚼：“豆子长得很好”.
If that wasn’t enough, there’s another story on the page from the series focussing on Xi’s engagement with grassroots cadres. This one talks about the Beijing Bayi School, and through that, it makes a broader point about focus on education and teachers. Basically, the PD reporter is interviewing people at the school. This interview is predominantly around Xi’s visit to the school in 2016. Xi, of course, is an alumnus of the school.
In fact, there’s a comment from Xi’s old teacher Chen Qiuying, who says that Xi’s remarks led him to tear-up. “General Secretary Xi Jinping walked very slowly. Facing each old teacher, the general Secretary smiled and held out his hands. Chen Qiuying excitedly patted the General Secretary’s arm, gave a thumbs-up and said: ‘We are proud of you!’ This touching moment was captured by the camera.” 习近平总书记走得很慢，面对每一位老教师，总书记都笑着伸出双手，紧紧握住老师的手。陈秋影激动地拍了拍总书记的臂膀，竖起大拇指说：“你是我们的骄傲！”这动人的一幕，被镜头捕捉下来.
This 2015 NYT story has more on Xi as a student and Chen’s views.
There’s a lot more colour in this article; I am not going into every little bit. But here’s another example. There’s an exchange with an old teacher telling Xi that he has “brought happiness to the people.” Xi replies saying that it was all a product of the guidance and moulding that teachers imparted. And then Wang Huabei, executive vice president of the school, said:
“The General Secretary’s answer was profound and righteous. It not only reflected his demeanour as a leader of a large party and a major country who respects teachers and values education, but also made teachers feel deeply responsible. According to the requirements of the General Secretary, we should strive to be good teachers with ideals and beliefs, morality, knowledge and kindness…”
Anyway, the big takeaway being communicated is that Xi’s a really nice guy. He respects teachers. And the teachers fondly remember his visit; his instructions are being implemented.
Finally, there’s a report (English report) about the new digital economy development plan issued by the State Council. The key points are:
The aim to raise the proportion of the added value of core digital economy industries in China’s GDP to 10 percent in 2025, up from 7.8 percent in 2020.
By 2025, China will see the digital transformation of industries reach a new level, digital public services will become more inclusive, and the digital economy governance system will improve noticeably.
The plan details key tasks in eight areas, including optimising and upgrading digital infrastructure, pushing forward the digital shift of enterprises, and expanding international cooperation on the digital economy. The areas also include, effective use of data, improving the level of digitalisation of public services, improving digital economy governance, improving digital economy supervision systems, and focussing on the DSR.
China will strengthen its support of 6G research and development, enhance innovation in strategic fields such as integrated circuits and artificial intelligence, and facilitate the development of new business models.
It promises to establish regulations in the fields of cross-border data flows, market access, anti-monopoly work, the digital yuan and privacy protection in the digital era, drawing on international rules and experience.
Page 2: Just one story to note. This is based on a briefing by Hu Wenhui from the National Intellectual Property Administration (English report).
In 2021, there were nearly 3.6 million valid invention patents in China, with 2.7 million held on the Chinese mainland.
The average ownership of high-value invention patents reached 7.5 patents per 10,000 people, up 1.2 over the previous year
The number of Chinese companies holding valid invention patents totalled 298,000, an increase of 52,000 over the previous year.
In all, Chinese companies held more than 1.9 million valid invention patents, up 22.6 percent year on year. Among them, high-tech enterprises held about 1.2 million valid invention patents, accounting for 63.6 percent of the total number of invention patents owned by domestic enterprises.
Page 3: A bunch of stories to note on the page. I am going to very briefly list some of these.
First, Syria has officially signed on to BRI (English report).
Second, China-GCC joint statement. (English report). I covered the key aspects of this yesterday.
Third, at the invitation of Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, French President's Foreign Policy Adviser Emmanuel Bonne will visit China on Thursday and attend the 22nd China-France Strategic Dialogue.
Fourth, the Boao Forum this year will focus on the themes of COVID prevention and control, the world economy, green recovery and sustainable development, digital economy, international cooperation and global governance, and Asian regional cooperation.
Fifth, the page carries a report featuring this exchange from yesterday’s foreign ministry press briefing:
Beijing Daily: On January 10, Gabit Koishibayev, Kazakh Ambassador to China, said at an embassy press briefing that he thanks and highly appreciates China’s support for his country and people at this difficult hour. Do you have any comment?
Wang Wenbin: After a large-scale riot occurred in Kazakhstan, President Xi Jinping sent a verbal message to Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to openly show his support. He said in the message that China is ready to provide necessary support to the best of its capacity to help Kazakhstan tide over the difficulties. State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi had a phone conversation with Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi and reiterated China’s firm support for Kazakhstan in maintaining stability and curbing violence. China also joined other SCO member states in releasing a statement on the situation in Kazakhstan at the earliest time possible to voice support for the measures taken by the Kazakh leadership to restore stability at home, demonstrating strong support for Kazakhstan. President Tokayev has expressed thanks for President Xi’s verbal message at a critical moment for Kazakhstan. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Tileuberdi said that the Chinese Foreign Minister’s call on the National Day of Mourning in Kazakhstan once again demonstrates China’s firm support for and brotherly friendship with Kazakhstan. These interactions fully embody the high level of the two countries’ permanent comprehensive strategic partnership and deep bond of friendship through weal and woe. I also noted that Ambassador Koishibayev said at the press conference that the Kazakh authorities have taken effective measures to maintain stability and curb violence and the security situation is stabilizing. I would like to reiterate that China firmly supports all measures conducive to restoring stability in Kazakhstan and will continue to provide every necessary assistance to help Kazakhstan maintain steady and sound development.
Sixth, there’s a Zhong Sheng commentary, arguing that the real threat to American democracy comes from domestic politics and polarisation at home.
“The Capitol Hill riots were seen as ‘a blow to America's image as a beacon of democracy’. In the wake of the incident, a wave of criticism and introspection in the United States. Some hoped that the process of restoration of democracy would be swift. Yet the walls of isolation erected by America’s political polarisation are so strong and high that despite the fact that the country’s democracy is in crisis, it is difficult for politicians to set aside partisan self-interest. Partisan bickering over the investigation and characterization of the riots has at times led to more intense political recriminations. Democrats see the riots as the result of Republican lies and attacks on democracy, and Republicans argue that democratic investigations into the riots are aimed at dividing the country. There is also a wide gap between the two sides' assertions of basic facts. A Washington Post/University of Maryland poll found that 78 percent of Democrats believe the protesters have been violent, while only 26 percent of Republicans agree. The bitter truth became increasingly clear that the riots were only ‘harbingers of a deeper tear’ in American democracy.” 国会山骚乱事件被认为“是对美国民主灯塔形象的一记重击”。事件发生后，美国国内的批评和反思声浪迅速涌起，其中不乏希望开启民主重建的声音。然而，美国政治极化筑起的隔绝之墙如此牢固高耸，甚至连国家民主制度陷入危机的现实也难以让政客们放下党派私利。围绕对骚乱事件的调查和定性，美国两党各执一词，不时引发更为激烈的政治攻讦。民主党人将骚乱视为共和党人散布谎言、攻击民主的后果，共和党人则反击民主党人对骚乱事件的调查目的是分裂国家。双方对基本事实的认定也存在巨大鸿沟。美国《华盛顿邮报》和马里兰大学的联合民调显示，78%的民主党人认为骚乱事件中的抗议者是暴力的，仅有26%的共和党人认同这一点。苦涩的事实越来越清楚地表明，骚乱只是美国民主“更深层次撕裂的前兆”.
The piece then highlights critical views from people in the US. For instance, it quotes Jimmy Carter’s NYT essay:
“Our great nation now teeters on the brink of a widening abyss. Without immediate action, we are at genuine risk of civil conflict and losing our precious democracy. Americans must set aside differences and work together before it is too late.”
The next paragraph says that some have pointed out that the current situation in the US is not a matter of policy differences, but rather a product of a ‘psychological gap,’ which has led people to regard the other side as a threat. Because of this deepening hostility between the two parties and the shrinking consensus, governance has become more difficult. Ergo, the message to the US is to focus on the domestic situation and public alienation with American democracy at home rather than “create the illusion of ‘defending democracy’ around the world.”
Finally, a piece about Wang Yi’s chats with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and Kuwaiti Foreign Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Sheikh Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah.
Speaking to Cavusoglu, Wang suggested that the two countries, as strategic partners, should be committed to enhancing mutual trust and support. The two sides should support each other in safeguarding their respective sovereignty, security and development interests, and abide by non-interference in each other's internal affairs, a basic norm governing international relations. Wang also expressed the hope that the two countries would not participate in activities against each other on international occasions and would enhance communication and mutual understanding through bilateral channels on differences in historical and national cognition. Hailing the importance that Turkey attaches to pragmatic cooperation with China, Wang called on the two sides to further synergize their development strategies, advance landmark projects such as nuclear power projects, and expand cooperation in such areas as new energy, 5G, cloud computing and big data.
Xinhua adds:
“They also exchanged views on the situation in Kazakhstan and other international and regional issues of common concern. Wang said China values Turkey's unique role in regional and international affairs, and is willing to strengthen multilateral coordination and cooperation, jointly safeguard true multilateralism, promote the democratization of international relations, and safeguard the common interests of emerging market economies, including China and Turkey.”
Speaking to Kuwait’s Ahmad, Wang said that “the two heads of state have established a high level of mutual trust and profound friendship, which provides the most reliable political guarantee for the sustained and sound development of China-Kuwait relations…China appreciates the fact that Kuwait always pursues a friendly policy towards China and understands and supports China's efforts to maintain its sovereignty, security and development interests. China will continue to be Kuwait's trustworthy partner and support the legitimate and reasonable concerns of Kuwait…”
Ahmad said that “Kuwait cherishes its friendship and cooperation with China, supports China's legitimate position of safeguarding its own interests and opposes the politicisation of human rights issues and interference in China's internal affairs.”
Other Stories:
A report (English report) based on PBOC data regarding lending in 2021. China's new yuan-denominated loans totaled 19.95 trillion yuan (3.13 trillion U.S. dollars) in 2021, up 315 billion yuan year on year. Total new social financing reached 31.35 trillion yuan last year, a reduction of 3.44 trillion yuan from the 2020 level and an increase of 5.68 trillion yuan from the 2019 level. Total new social financing reached 31.35 trillion yuan last year, a reduction of 3.44 trillion yuan from the 2020 level and an increase of 5.68 trillion yuan from the 2019 level. Total outstanding social financing had risen 10.3 percent year on year to 314.13 trillion yuan by the end of 2021. Of the total, outstanding RMB loans to the real economy were at 191.54 trillion yuan, up 11.6 percent year on year.
On the theory page, the lead piece is by the Talent Work Bureau of the Organisation Department.中央组织部人才工作局. This draws from Xi’s comments about strengthening the country through talents.
On the international page, there’s a piece by Li Mingtao from the National Space Science Centre in Beijing. Li talks about the importance of asteroid defense in general, and the importance of an asteroid defense plan with Chinese characteristics.
Also, on the international page, MoFA’s criticism of US greenhouse gas emissions. This was in response to a new Rhodium Group report stating that US emissions spiked 6.2% compared to 2020. MoFA said that: “We regret this. Climate change poses a grave challenge to mankind’s survival and development. As a developed country and a major emitter of greenhouse gases, the US should not get too preoccupied with what’s happening in the neighbouring farm to neglect its own crops. It should stop playing the old trick of saying a lot but doing a little or merely paying lip service and instead join the doers with concrete action.”