Xi's PBSC Speech on WWII Anniversary Events - Cai Qi on Studying Xi's Thought - Steps to Boost Service Consumption - China-ROK Ties - Jan-Aug Tax Revenue Up 0.02% - State of Central SOEs
Here are the key reports and articles that I found noteworthy from the People’s Daily’s edition on Thursday, September 18, 2025.
Page 1: The lead report is on the summary meeting related to the events commemorating the WWII anniversary. Xi met with representatives from all sectors that were involved in the process. Cai Qi, who was the head of the leading group for the commemorative activities, attended the meeting and delivered a speech at the summary meeting. The report says:
“Recently, Xi Jinping presided over a meeting of the Politburo Standing Committee, specifically listening to a summary report on the commemorative activities and delivering an important speech. Xi Jinping emphasised that the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War was a solemn and grand, magnificent and majestic, soul-stirring, and spiritually inspiring ceremony (庄严隆重、大气磅礴、震撼人心、激励奋进). It further promoted the great spirit of the War of Resistance, strengthened our conviction and confidence in comprehensively advancing the great cause of building a strong nation and rejuvenating the nation, and further demonstrated our sense of responsibility in promoting the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.” 日前，习近平主持召开中央政治局常委会会议，专门听取纪念活动总结报告并发表重要讲话。习近平强调，纪念中国人民抗日战争暨世界反法西斯战争胜利80周年活动，是一次庄严隆重、大气磅礴、震撼人心、激励奋进的抗战纪念盛典，进一步弘扬了伟大抗战精神，进一步坚定了全面推进强国建设、民族复兴伟业的信念信心，进一步展示了推动构建人类命运共同体的责任担当. (Note: I haven’t seen reports of any PBSC meeting after September 3rd. So this is an interesting bit of information that’s been casually dropped in this report. Xinhua says that )
Xi Jinping pointed out that the leading group for the commemorative activities and its various working bodies resolutely implemented the decisions and arrangements of the Party Central Committee, consistently upheld high standards and strict requirements, and advanced their work with a pragmatic and meticulous approach, effectively completing the political tasks assigned by the Party Central Committee. 习近平指出，纪念活动领导小组及其各工作机构坚决贯彻落实党中央决策部署，始终坚持高标准严要求，以务实和精细的作风推进工作，出色完成了党中央交办的政治任务. (Note: That’s high praise for Cai Qi.)
Xi Jinping emphasised the need to fully leverage the powerful positive energy generated by the commemorative activities, continuously make good use of the commemorative activities as this vivid patriotic education material. Properly utilise and carry forward the self-confidence, sense of pride, and spirit inspired by the activities, integrating them with implementing the various decisions and deployments of the Party Central Committee and them with responding to various risks and challenges, thereby transforming them into powerful driving force for doing well in all work related to reform, development, and stability. It is necessary to persist in upholding the correct historical perspective on the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and World War II, firmly maintain historical confidence, draw wisdom and strength from the great victory of the Communist Party of China leading the entire nation in united and heroic resistance, firmly stand on the correct side of history, grasp historical initiative, and continuously create the future by taking history as a mirror. We must tell well the stories of China’s War of Resistance and peaceful development, demonstrate to the world that China is a firm defender of the post-war international order, and display our image as a responsible major power committed to building a community with a shared future for mankind. We must conscientiously summarise the experience and practices of organizing commemorative activities, and continuously enrich and perfect the ceremonial system of a great party and major country. 习近平强调，要充分用好纪念活动激发的强大正能量，持续用好纪念活动这本生动的爱国主义教材，把活动激发出的自信心、自豪感、精气神运用好发扬好，同贯彻落实党中央各项决策部署结合起来，同应对各种风险挑战结合起来，转化为做好改革发展稳定各项工作的强大动力。要坚持正确抗战史观、二战史观，坚定历史自信，从中国共产党领导全民族众志成城英勇抗战的伟大胜利中汲取智慧和力量，坚定站在历史正确一边，把握历史主动，在以史为鉴中不断开创未来。要讲好中国抗战故事、和平发展故事，向世界表明中国是战后国际秩序的坚定维护者，展示我们致力于构建人类命运共同体的负责任大国形象。要认真总结筹办纪念活动的经验做法，不断丰富完善大党大国典礼制度.
The meeting conveyed Xi Jinping’s important speech at the PBSC meeting.
The meeting pointed out that General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important speech profoundly expounded the significance of the commemorative activities, fully affirmed the organisational and preparatory work, and set clear requirements for effectively leveraging the achievements of the activities. We must carefully study and understand these remarks and ensure their implementation thoroughly. The commemorative activities achieved complete success, fundamentally due to the strong leadership of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, and due to the vigorous support of all localities, all departments, all units, all sectors of society, and the people. We must deeply study and implement the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important speech, expand and deepen the important results of the commemorative activities, solidly conduct follow-up commemorative activities well, strengthen propaganda and education, and guide the broad masses of cadres and people to further unify their thoughts and actions with the spirit of the Party Central Committee, transforming the patriotic enthusiasm for loving the Party and loving the country inspired by the commemorative activities into powerful driving force for advancing Chinese-style modernization. 会议传达了习近平在中央政治局常委会会议上的重要讲话。会议指出，习近平总书记的重要讲话深刻阐述纪念活动的重要意义，充分肯定组织筹办工作，对用好活动成果等提出明确要求，我们要认真学习领会，抓好贯彻落实。纪念活动取得圆满成功，根本在于以习近平同志为核心的党中央坚强领导，在于各地区各部门各单位、社会各界和人民群众大力支持。要深入学习贯彻习近平总书记重要讲话精神，拓展深化纪念活动重要成果，扎实办好后续纪念活动，加强宣传教育，引导广大干部群众进一步把思想和行动统一到党中央精神上来，把纪念活动激发出的爱党爱国热情转化为推进中国式现代化的强大动力.
The deputy leads of the leading group on the commemorative activities were: Wang Yi, Yin Li, Li Shulei, Zhang Youxia, Wang Xiaohong, Wu Zhenglong, and Liu Zhenli.
Another report on the page talks about a symposium that was held marking the publication of the fifth volume of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China. Cai Qi spoke at this event:
“He said that the fifth volume of ‘Xi Jinping: The Governance of China’ represents the latest theoretical crystallization of the Chinese Communists’ adherence to and development of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era. It vividly records the historical process of General Secretary Xi Jinping leading the Party and the people in continuing great struggles, building great projects, advancing great causes, and realising great dreams. The most important thing in studying the fifth volume of ‘Xi Jinping: The Governance of China’ is to deeply understand the decisive significance of the ‘Two Establishments’, strengthen the ‘four consciousnesses’, enhance the ‘four self-confidences’, and achieve the ‘two safeguards’, and consciously become firm believers and faithful practitioners of the Party’s innovative theory in the new era.” 他表示，《习近平谈治国理政》第五卷是新时代中国共产党人坚持和发展中国特色社会主义的最新理论结晶，生动记录了习近平总书记带领党和人民继续进行伟大斗争、建设伟大工程、推进伟大事业、实现伟大梦想的历史进程。学习《习近平谈治国理政》第五卷，最重要的就是深刻领悟“两个确立”的决定性意义，增强“四个意识”、坚定“四个自信”、做到“两个维护”，自觉做新时代党的创新理论的坚定信仰者和忠实实践者.
Cai Qi said that the fifth volume of ‘Xi Jinping: The Governance of China’ is a scientific summary of the great practice of the Party leading the people in promoting Chinese-style modernisation since the 20th Party Congress. It comprehensively showcases the latest achievements of our Party in adhering to the ‘Two Integrations’ and advancing the Sinicization and modernisation of Marxism. It fully reflects our Party’s wisdom and responsibility in promoting the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, and provides an authoritative textbook for us to further study and implement Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. It is essential to deeply comprehend the powerful truth force and great practical power contained in General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important discourse on Chinese-style modernisation, draw wisdom and strength for united struggle from it, and advance the cause of socialist modernisation with an even stronger spirit of historical initiative. It is essential to deepen the understanding of the latest achievements in the sinicization and modernisation of Marxism, persistently use Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era to unite hearts and forge souls, and consciously use it to arm minds, guide practice, and promote work. It is essential to deeply comprehend General Secretary Xi Jinping’s wise reflections on the broad logic and trends of human social development, deeply appreciate the broad-mindedness and sense of responsibility of the Chinese Communists in continuously providing new opportunities for the world through the new progress of Chinese-style modernisation, and create a more favourable international environment.” 蔡奇表示，《习近平谈治国理政》第五卷是对党的二十大以来党领导人民推进中国式现代化伟大实践的科学总结，集中展现了我们党坚持“两个结合”、推进马克思主义中国化时代化的最新成果，充分反映了我们党推动构建人类命运共同体的智慧担当，为我们进一步学习贯彻习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想提供了权威教材。要深刻领悟习近平总书记关于中国式现代化重要论述蕴含的强大真理力量和实践伟力，从中汲取团结奋斗的智慧和力量，以更加强烈的历史主动精神推进社会主义现代化事业。要加深对马克思主义中国化时代化最新成果的理解，坚持不懈用习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想凝心铸魂，自觉用以武装头脑、指导实践、推动工作。要深刻领悟习近平总书记对人类社会发展大逻辑大趋势作出的睿智思考，深切感受中国共产党人不断以中国式现代化新进展为世界提供新机遇的宽阔胸襟和责任担当，营造更加有利的国际环境.
“We must consider Volumes 1 to 5 of ‘Xi Jinping: The Governance of China’ as a whole, conscientiously organise learning, deepen theoretical research, strengthen propaganda and interpretation, innovate external propaganda, deeply advance the study, propaganda, and implementation of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and inspire the broad masses of Party members, cadres, and the masses to strive hard for comprehensively advancing the building of a strong country and the great cause of national rejuvenation through Chinese-style modernization.” 要将《习近平谈治国理政》第一卷至第五卷作为一个整体，认真组织学习，深化理论研究，加强宣传阐释，创新对外宣传，把学习宣传贯彻习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想引向深入，激励广大党员、干部和群众为以中国式现代化全面推进强国建设、民族复兴伟业而努力奋斗.
Propaganda chief Li Shulei, along with officials from the Propaganda Department, the Central Party History and Literature Research Institute, the China International Publishing Group and officials from departments of the central and state organs, as well as key officials from the propaganda departments of provincial-level regions attended this meeting.
Next, there’s a report on Ding Xuexiang meeting with Lim Chow Kiat, CEO of the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation (GIC), in Beijing. Xinhua says:
Ding said that “under the strategic guidance of the leaders of the two countries, the all-round, high-quality, future-oriented partnership between China and Singapore has continuously reached new heights, setting a benchmark for cooperation among regional countries. Ding noted that China’s economy maintains a positive long-term trajectory, with new quality productive forces steadily developing, scientific and technological innovation yielding cumulative achievements, and the business environment consistently improving, making it a preferred destination for foreign enterprises. China welcomes companies from all countries, including Singapore’s GIC, to deepen their engagement in the Chinese market and to better share in China's development opportunities, Ding added. Lim spoke highly of China's development achievements, expressed firm confidence in its future prospects, and conveyed willingness to strengthen cooperation to make positive contributions to the development of Singapore-China relations.”
Moving on, there’s a report on Han Zheng’s remarks (English text) at the 22nd China-ASEAN Expo, China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit. Han said:
“China considers ASEAN a priority in its neighborhood diplomacy and firmly supports ASEAN centrality in the regional architecture. Continued efforts have been made to deepen strategic mutual trust with ASEAN countries, and to foster a closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future. China-ASEAN relations have become the most successful and dynamic model of cooperation in the Asia-Pacific, and a vivid example of the building of a community with a shared future for humanity. Together we work to ensure a high-quality implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). We have fully concluded the negotiations on the China-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement 3.0, and continued to advance regional economic integration and economic and trade cooperation. In 2024, bilateral trade in goods approached 1 trillion U.S. dollars, cementing our status as each other's largest trading partner for the fifth consecutive year, and two-way investment exceeded 450 billion U.S. dollars in total. Together we keep expanding areas of cooperation. We have joined hands to build the digital economic partnership and actively advanced new energy cooperation in such areas as wind, hydro and solar power. A host of major signature projects such as railways, bridges and ports, and ‘small and beautiful’ livelihood projects have been successfully implemented. Together we remain committed to inclusiveness and mutual learning. Vibrant activities under the China-ASEAN Year of People-to-People Exchanges are well underway, cross-border travel has been made easier, and a growing number of people-oriented and relatable activities are building bridges of mutual understanding and friendship, bringing our people closer together.”
Han then said that: “China is ready to work with ASEAN countries to pursue harmonious coexistence and win-win cooperation, and take a more proactive attitude and more practical steps to advance the building of the China-ASEAN community with a shared future, and contribute more to peace, stability, development and prosperity of the region.” He went on to make four points:
“First, we need to further synergize development strategies and continue to build a closer community with a shared future. China will take the fifth anniversary of the China-ASEAN comprehensive strategic partnership in 2026 as an opportunity, and work with ASEAN to better align development strategies and enhance policy communication, carry out high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and jointly implement the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative and the Global Governance Initiative.
Second, we need to speed up regional openness and cooperation and continue to elevate trade and investment cooperation. China will work with ASEAN to make China-ASEAN FTA 3.0 a success, continue the high-quality implementation of the RCEP, better link up our markets, and enhance hard connectivity of infrastructure and soft connectivity of rules. China will continue to expand import of competitive specialty products from ASEAN countries.
Third, we need to promote the interconnected development of industrial and supply chains and continue to expand cooperation in emerging industries. China will work together with ASEAN countries to safeguard the stability of global industrial and supply chains, further align industrial policies and step up cooperation on industrial parks, so as to build a more stable and smooth regional industrial and supply chain system based on comparative advantages. Following the trend of the latest round of technological revolution and industrial transformation, we need to jointly tap into the cooperation potential in frontier areas like artificial intelligence and deepen cooperation in such fields as digital and green development.
Fourth, we need to increase exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations and continue to champion friendship and connection between the people. China will deepen cooperation with ASEAN in such areas as culture, tourism, youth and media, expand people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and further facilitate mutual visits between our peoples to enhance understanding and affinity. We need to continue the China-ASEAN Young Leaders' Growth Program and the China-ASEAN Young Leaders' Roundtable Dialogue. We need to deliver more projects that enjoy people's support, serve their needs and improve their livelihood, so that China-ASEAN friendship can take a deeper root in people's hearts.”
Also on the front page, there’s a long, long, really long Ren Zhongping article, which makes the argument that the “great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is unstoppable”. It talks about how the framework has gone from “irreversible” to “unstoppable”. What’s promoted this, of course, is the Party’s leadership.
“The reason why the Chinese people have been able to reverse the historical fate since modern times, the reason why socialist China can stand tall and firm in the East, the reason why the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation has entered an irreversible historical course, most fundamentally is because of the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China. This is the fundamental basis of why the great trend of rejuvenation is unstoppable.” 中国人民之所以能够扭转近代以后的历史命运，社会主义中国之所以巍然屹立于世界东方，实现中华民族伟大复兴之所以进入不可逆转的历史进程，最根本的是有中国共产党的坚强领导，这是复兴大势不可阻挡的根本所在.
That’s not all; it is also “because Marxism works, it is because the Marxism that has been adapted to the Chinese context and to the present times works.” “中国共产党为什么能，中国特色社会主义为什么好，归根到底是马克思主义行，是中国化时代化的马克思主义行.”
The article further reiterates: “Time and momentum are on our side. This is where our composure and assuredness lie, and also where our determination and confidence lie.” “时与势在我们一边，这是我们定力和底气所在，也是我们的决心和信心所在.”
The article also tells us that after all the trials and challenges, “One truth is irrefutable: Without the Communist Party of China, there would be no New China, and no great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. One conclusion is also particularly clear: the ‘Two Establishments’ are of decisive significance to the development of the Party and the country’s cause in the new era and to the advancement of the historical process of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.” 一个真理颠扑不破：没有中国共产党，就没有新中国，就没有中华民族伟大复兴。一个结论分外明晰：“两个确立”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.
Finally, there’s a report on SoEs’ growth during the 14th FYP period. Xinhua reports:
“Zhang Yuzhuo, chairman of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC) of the State Council, revealed at a press conference that centrally administered SOEs’ total assets have expanded from under 70 trillion yuan (about 9.86 trillion U.S. dollars) to over 90 trillion yuan, while total profits have increased from 1.9 trillion yuan to 2.6 trillion yuan. This represents average annual growth rates of 7.3 percent and 8.3 percent, respectively. ‘After years of dedicated efforts, centrally administered SOEs have made substantial progress in innovation capacity,’ Zhang noted, highlighting that their research and development expenditures have exceeded 1 trillion yuan for three consecutive years. Additionally, centrally administered SOEs have contributed over 10 trillion yuan in taxes and fees during this period, Zhang said.”
“China’s central SOEs have maintained an average annual growth rate exceeding 20 percent in terms of investment in strategic emerging industries—fostering globally competitive industrial clusters in next-generation information technology, new energy, new materials and high-end equipment, according to Zhang. Since the start of the 14th Five-Year Plan period, cumulative investment by central SOEs in these sectors has reached 8.6 trillion yuan, said Yuan Ye, deputy head of the SASAC.”
“From 2021 to 2024, central SOEs completed fixed-asset investments totaling 19 trillion yuan, achieving an average annual growth rate of 6.3 percent, Yuan added. Central SOEs account for approximately 80 percent of domestic crude oil production, 70 percent of natural gas output and 60 percent of power supply, playing an indispensable role in energy and food security as well as logistics. In recent years, their annual procurement volume has exceeded 15 trillion yuan -- directly driving growth for around 2 million upstream and downstream enterprises and indirectly impacting nearly 7 million related businesses. At the same event, Li Zhen, another deputy head of the SASAC, highlighted that in 2024, investment in strategic emerging industries had for the first time made up over 40 percent of central SOEs' total investment. Operating revenue stemming from these sectors exceeded 11 trillion yuan last year -- representing almost 30 percent of the total.”
Page 2: There’s a report on Wang Yi meeting with Cho Hyun, South Korean foreign minister, in Beijing. The readout says:
Wang welcomed Foreign Minister Cho Hyun on his first visit to China, saying that since President Lee Jae-myung took office, the two heads of state have had a telephone call and reached an important consensus on pushing the China–ROK strategic cooperative partnership to a higher level. Both sides should uphold the original aspiration of establishing diplomatic relations, firmly adhere to the direction of good-neighbourliness and friendship, persist in the goal of mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, and be strategic cooperative partners in the true sense. 王毅欢迎赵显外长首次访华，表示李在明总统就任以来，两国元首通电话，就推动中韩战略合作伙伴关系向更高水平迈进达成重要共识。双方应坚守建交初心，坚定睦邻友好方向，坚持互利共赢目标，做名副其实的战略合作伙伴.
Wang Yi emphasised that China and South Korea are neighbours that cannot be moved away. An ancient Chinese saying goes, ‘all things grow together without harming one another; all paths run parallel without contradicting one another.’ The course of development of bilateral relations shows that good-neighbourliness and friendship, seeking common ground while reserving differences, and focusing on cooperation is the correct choice. China’s policy toward South Korea maintains stability and continuity, and hopes that both sides will treat each other with sincerity, consolidate mutual trust, deepen cooperation, realise win-win, and at the same time properly handle sensitive issues. Both China and South Korea are beneficiaries of economic globalisation. In today's climate of rampant unilateral bullying, they should jointly oppose trade protectionism and safeguard the international free trade system. Recently, a South Korean coast guard officer sacrificed his life in rescuing a Chinese citizen. China expresses condolences for his unfortunate passing and sympathy to his family. In June of this year, a driver in Zhangjiajie, China, sacrificed his life to protect the safety of more than ten South Korean passengers, which also resonated positively in South Korean society. There are many such touching stories between China and South Korea, which deserve to be explored and promoted to continuously enhance the friendly relations between the peoples of both countries.” 王毅强调，中韩是搬不走的邻居。中国古语说，“万物并育而不相害，道并行而不相悖”。两国关系发展历程表明，睦邻友好、求同存异、聚焦合作是正确的选择。中方对韩政策保持稳定性和连续性，希望双方以诚相待，夯实互信，深化合作，实现共赢，同时妥处敏感问题。中韩都是经济全球化的受益者，在当今单边霸凌横行的形势下，应当共同反对贸易保护主义，维护国际自由贸易体系。日前，韩国海警为营救中国公民殉职，中方对他的不幸离世表示哀悼，向他的家人表示慰问。今年6月，中国张家界一位司机用生命守护了10余名韩国乘客的安全，也在韩国社会引发积极反响。中韩之间有很多这样感人的故事，值得发掘和宣介，不断提升双方国民的友好感情.
“Wang Yi stated that this year is the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japan and the World Anti-Fascist War, and also the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. At this special historical juncture, President Xi Jinping put forward the Global Governance Initiative, offering Chinese solutions and contributing Chinese wisdom to strengthening and improving global governance. China is willing, together with the international community, including South Korea, to remember history, honour the martyrs, defend the outcomes of the victory of World War II, safeguard the international system with the United Nations at its core, and push the international order in a more just and reasonable direction.” 王毅表示，今年是中国人民抗日战争暨世界反法西斯战争胜利80周年，也是联合国成立80周年。在这个特殊历史节点，习近平主席提出全球治理倡议，为加强和完善全球治理提出中国方案、贡献中国智慧。中方愿同包括韩方在内的国际社会一道，铭记历史、缅怀先烈，捍卫二战胜利成果，维护以联合国为核心的国际体系，推动国际秩序朝着更加公正合理的方向发展.
As per the Chinese readout, Cho Hyun said that “the South Korean side cherishes the momentum of improvement in bilateral relations, and is willing to work with the Chinese side to implement well the important consensus of the two heads of state, take the opportunity of hosting the APEC Informal Leaders’ Meeting in Gyeongju, further intensify high-level exchanges, deepen exchanges and cooperation in economic, trade, cultural and other fields, and accelerate negotiations on the ROK–China and ROK–China–Japan free trade agreements. The South Korean side respects the One China position/stance (一个中国立场; this is a different framing from One-China principle, i.e., 一个中国原则 or the One-China policy, 一个中国政策), and looks forward to strengthening bilateral and multilateral communication and coordination with the Chinese side, to jointly safeguard regional peace and stability. 韩方珍视双边关系改善势头，愿与中方落实好两国元首重要共识，以举办庆州亚太经合组织领导人非正式会议为契机，进一步密切高层交往，深化经贸、人文等领域交流合作，加快韩中和韩中日自贸协定谈判。韩方尊重一个中国立场，期待同中方加强双、多边沟通协调，共同维护地区和平与稳定.
Both sides agreed to coordinate and support each other in holding the APEC meetings. South Korea and China will host the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting this year and next year respectively.
The Korean readout, from what machine translation tells me, says that the meeting with Wang lasted 3 hours. It says:
“Minister Cho said that it is our government’s position to solidly develop the Korea-US alliance while also promoting the mature development of the ‘Korea-China Strategic Cooperative Partnership’ based on national interests and practicality, and called for continued efforts to strengthen the public will for the development of ROK-China relations, including enhancing mutual understanding and fostering friendship between the peoples of both countries. Minister Wang emphasized that China will maintain the stability and continuity of its friendly policy toward South Korea and called for continued cooperation to elevate the ‘ROK-China Strategic Cooperative Partnership’ to a higher level.” 조 장관은 한미동맹을 공고하게 발전시켜 나가되 국익과 실용에 기초하여 ‘한중 전략적 협력 동반자 관계’의 성숙한 발전도 추진해 나간다는 것이 우리정부 입장이라고 하고, 한중 양 국민간 상호이해 제고 및 우호정서 증진 등 한중관계 발전의 민의(民意) 기반을 강화하기 위한 노력도 지속 추진해 나가자고 하였다. 왕 부장은 중국이 對한국 우호정책의 안정성과 연속성을 지속 유지해 나갈 것이라는 점을 강조하면서, ‘한중 전략적 협력 동반자 관계’를 더 높은 수준으로 발전시켜 나가기 위해 지속 협력해 나가자고 하였다.
Minister Cho said that, as the economic cooperation structure between South Korea and China is shifting from a vertical division of labour to horizontal cooperation, the bilateral economic cooperation model must evolve in line with the times. He called for continued communication and cooperation at all levels to ensure that the mutually beneficial cooperative relationship between South Korea and China continues to contribute to the livelihoods of the peoples of both countries. The two Ministers also agreed to continue regional cooperation utilizing the South Korea-China-Japan cooperation mechanism. Minister Cho also emphasised the need to respect mutual interests, including the West Sea issue, and requested China’s special cooperation to protect the safety and rights of South Korean citizens in China. Minister Cho noted that the South Korean government is pursuing substantive progress toward denuclearization and peace on the Korean Peninsula through dialogue and cooperation, and urged China’s efforts to encourage North Korea to return to dialogue. Minister Wang stated that China will continue to play a constructive role in peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and urged continued communication. 조 장관은 한중간 경제협력 구조가 수직적 분업 구조에서 수평적 협력으로 변화하고 있는 상황에서 양국간 경제협력 모델도 시대의 흐름에 맞추어 발전해 나가야 할 것이라고 하고, 한중간 호혜적 협력관계가 양국 국민의 민생에 지속 기여할 수 있도록 각급에서 소통・협력을 지속해 나가자고 하였다. 또한, 양 장관은 한중일 협력 기제를 활용하여 역내 협력을 지속해 나가기로 하였다. 아울러, 조 장관은 서해 문제를 포함한 상호 관심사를 존중해야 한다고 강조하고, 중국 내 우리 국민들의 안전 및 권익 보호를 위한 중측의 각별한 협조를 요청하였다. 한편, 조 장관은 우리정부가 대화와 협력을 통해 한반도의 비핵화와 평화 실현을 위한 실질적 진전을 추구하고 있다고 하고, 북한의 대화 복귀를 위한 중측의 노력을 당부하였다. 왕 부장은 중측이 한반도 평화・안정을 위한 건설적 역할을 지속해 나갈 것이라고 하면서 지속 소통해 나가자고 하였다.
Next, there’s a report on Zhang Youxia meeting with Chan Chun Sing, Singapore’s minister for defense, and Alvaro Lopez Miera, minister of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Cuba. Both are in Beijing for the Xiangshan Forum. Xinhua says:
“During his meeting with Chan, Zhang said that China stands ready to join hands with Singapore to implement the important consensus reached between the leaders of the two countries, practice true multilateralism and strengthen regional security cooperation. China is also willing to work with Singapore to maintain maritime security and order, uphold international fairness and justice, promote the upward, positive development of military relations between the two countries, and inject more certainty and stability into regional security. Chan said Singapore adheres to the one-China principle, and is willing to deepen and expand exchange and cooperation with China in various fields, continuously enhancing the level of bilateral relations.”
“When he met with Lopez, Zhang said that China is willing to coordinate closely with Cuba on international and regional affairs, deepen practical cooperation in various fields to advance relations between the two countries and the two militaries, and bring the China-Cuba community with a shared future to a deeper level and higher standard. Lopez said Cuba is willing to work with China to oppose hegemonism and power politics, and to safeguard the common interests of both countries and the international community.”
Minister of National Defense Dong Jun held separate meetings with the defense chiefs of Malaysia, Cambodia, Myanmar, Namibia, Rwanda and Senegal. As per Xinhua, he “called for efforts to provide strong support for global governance, and to work together to build a community with a shared future for humanity.” Dong also said that “this year's forum is of historical significance and practical importance. The Chinese military is ready to carry forward its long-standing friendships with all parties, enhance strategic communication, engage in higher-level security cooperation, and work collaboratively to respond to risks and challenges, he said. During the meetings, the foreign defense ministers all expressed their willingness to strengthen military cooperation with China”.
Also on the page is a brief report on NPCSC Vice Chair Tie Ning meeting with the Australian delegation to the ninth China-Australia High-Level Dialogue. No further details are offered.
Finally, there’s a report on the briefing regarding the new measures to increase service consumption. The measures, rolled out by nine government organs, outline 19 tasks in five areas. These are:
cultivating service consumption platforms
enriching high-quality supply
stimulating new demand
strengthening fiscal and financial support
improving the statistical monitoring system
The document calls to:
Expand high-level opening up of the service industry to the outside world. Promote orderly opening of fields such as internet and culture, expand opening pilot programs in fields such as telecommunications, medical care, and education. Accelerate the promotion of comprehensive pilot demonstrations for expanding the opening of the service industry. Support including more service consumption fields in the ‘Catalog of Industries Encouraging Foreign Investment’ and provide differentiated service supply. 扩大服务业高水平对外开放。推动互联网、文化等领域有序开放，扩大电信、医疗、教育等领域开放试点。加快推进服务业扩大开放综合试点示范。支持将更多服务消费领域纳入《鼓励外商投资产业目录》，提供差异化服务供给.
Coordinate the use of existing funding channels to support the launch of a number of high-quality works in literature, art, film, television, animation, and other fields. Make full use of existing venues to create a batch of theaters, museums, art galleries, and science and technology museums with strong radiating and driving effects. Cultivate a batch of mass cultural activities and event brands, and optimise the supply of cultural products and services. Support World Cultural Heritage sites, cultural and museum venues, intangible heritage institutions, and famous historical and cultural cities to explore the market value of traditional cultural IP and create new scenarios for service consumption. Support qualified localities to use online traffic from quality performing arts, animation, games, film and television works to drive offline innovation. 统筹利用现有资金渠道，支持推出一批文学、艺术、影视、动漫等领域精品创作，充分利用已有场馆，打造一批辐射带动作用强的剧场、博物馆、美术馆、科技馆，培育一批群众性文化活动和赛事品牌，优化文化产品和服务供给。支持世界文化遗产、文博场馆、非遗机构、历史文化名城，挖掘传统文化IP市场价值，打造服务消费新场景。支持有条件的地方以优质演艺、动漫、游戏、影视作品等线上流量带动线下场景创新.
Based on actual conditions and local circumstances, extend the operating hours of popular cultural and museum venues and scenic spots, optimise reservation methods, and encourage the implementation of no-reservation arrangements. Support cultural venues and museums in innovating exhibition methods. Proceeds from these activities can be used for performance incentives in accordance with regulations, and the total amount of performance-based wages will be reasonably determined based on work performance. Encourage cultural and museum institutions to open their collections and collaborate with private sectors to develop cultural and creative products and digital products. Promote the introduction of various cultural exhibitions organised through market-oriented methods into shopping malls, communities, and parks. 结合实际、因地制宜延长热门文博场馆、景区营业时间，优化预约方式，鼓励推行免预约。支持文博场馆创新办展方式，其收益可按规定用于绩效激励，根据工作成效合理核定绩效工资总量。鼓励文博单位开放馆藏资源，与社会力量合作开发文创、数字产品，推动市场化方式举办的各类文化展览进商场、进社区、进公园.
Encourage the introduction of excellent foreign sports events, support localities in hosting mass sports events, and create a batch of high-profile quality events, professional leagues, and sports competition performance brands with independent intellectual property rights. Continue to carry out activities such as ‘Travel with the Events’, ‘Bringing Sports Events to Scenic Spots, Neighbourhoods, and Business Districts’, and ‘Enjoy Exciting Events and Discover Chinese Cuisine’, leveraging the driving effect of sports events and related activities. 鼓励引进国外优秀体育赛事，支持地方举办大众体育赛事，打造一批具有较高知名度的精品赛事、职业联赛以及具有自主知识产权的体育竞赛表演品牌。持续开展“跟着赛事去旅行”“体育赛事进景区、进街区、进商圈”“乐享精彩赛事 寻味中华美食”等活动，发挥体育赛事和相关活动带动效应.
Cultivate a diversified education and training market. Regulate and develop non-subject education and training in culture, arts, technology, and sports categories, improve licensing conditions, and qualified online and offline non-disciplinary training institutions may apply for administrative licenses according to law and regulations. Encourage relevant institutions to conduct vocational skills training with market orientation and improve training evaluation mechanisms. Develop community colleges, citizen evening schools, and elderly training in an orderly manner, provide quality skills training and cultural arts training, and encourage qualified localities to provide free or low-rent venue facilities. 培育多元化教育和培训市场。规范发展文化艺术、科技、体育类非学科教育培训，完善许可条件，符合条件的线上、线下非学科类培训机构可依法依规申请行政许可。鼓励相关机构以市场化为导向开展职业技能培训，完善培训评价机制。有序发展社区学院、市民夜校、老年培训，提供优质技能培训、文化艺术培训，鼓励有条件的地方提供免费或低租金场地设施.
Accelerate the promotion of long-term care insurance system construction and expand the coverage of the long-term care insurance system. Strengthen training and education of practitioners in fields such as elderly care, domestic services, and long-term care, and implement relevant support policies. Carry out special vocational skills training actions for domestic services, improve the domestic service vocational evaluation system oriented by professional ability, and guide domestic service enterprises to conduct pre-job training, enterprise new apprenticeship training, and technician training. 加快推进长期护理保险制度建设，扩大长期护理保险制度覆盖面。加强对养老护理、家政服务、长期照护等领域从业人员培养培训，落实有关支持政策。开展家政服务职业技能专项培训行动，完善以职业能力为导向的家政服务职业评价体系，引导家政企业开展岗前培训、企业新型学徒制培训、技师培训等.
Localities with suitable conditions may provide venue support and appropriate operating subsidies to inclusive child-care institutions based on actual circumstances. Support qualified kindergartens in enrolling children aged 2-3, develop community-based childcare centers and family-based childcare centers, encourage employers to provide childcare services, and provide policy support in accordance with relevant regulations. 有条件的地方可结合实际对普惠托育机构给予场地支持和适当运营补助。支持有条件的幼儿园招收2—3岁幼儿，发展社区嵌入式托育、家庭托育点，鼓励用人单位提供托育服务，并按相关规定给予政策支持.
Relax market access in areas such as mid- to high-end medical care and leisure and vacations, reduce restrictive measures, attract more foreign investment and private capital, and increase the supply of high-quality services. 放宽中高端医疗、休闲度假等领域市场准入，减少限制性措施，吸引更多外商投资、民营资本进入，增加优质服务供给.
The document also talks about attracting foreigners to travel to China. It calls to “expand the scope of unilateral visa-free countries” and “optimise and improve regional entry visa-free policies”. It calls to “issue five-year multiple-entry visas to more qualified personnel. Strengthen international publicity and promotion of China’s cultural and tourism resources, give play to the advantages of traditional cultural resources such as cuisine, traditional Chinese medicine, cultural relics and historical sites, and encourage travel agencies and online tourism platforms to launch a number of characteristic tourism routes suitable for foreigners. Strengthen the brand building of ‘Study in China’, attract outstanding foreign students to study in China. Cultivate internationally-oriented markets such as medical care and conventions & exhibitions.” 吸引更多境外人员入境消费。有序扩大单方面免签国家范围，优化完善区域性入境免签政策，持续优化外国人来华签证政策和通讯、住宿、支付等便利化措施，为更多符合条件的人员签发5年多次签证。加强我国文旅资源国际宣传推广，发挥美食、中医药、文物古迹等传统文化资源优势，鼓励旅行社、在线旅游平台推出若干适合外国人的特色旅游线路。加强“留学中国”品牌建设，吸引外国优秀学生来华学习。培育面向国际的医疗、会展等市场.
It also calls to expand digital consumption and talks about the need to “scientifically adjust teaching and vacation time for each school year by taking into account factors such as climate conditions, production arrangements, and implementation of employees’ paid leave system, explore establishing spring and autumn breaks for primary and secondary schools, correspondingly shorten winter and summer vacation time, and increase time for service consumption such as tourism and travel.”
On financial support, the document does not offer any new financial commitment. Do recall that in May, the PBOC had launched an RMB 500 billion re-lending facility for service consumption and elderly care. Rather, it says:
Coordinate the utilisation of various funding channels such as central budget investment and local government special bonds to support the construction of qualified cultural, tourism, elderly care, childcare, sports and other service facilities. 统筹利用中央预算内投资、地方政府专项债券等各类资金渠道，支持符合条件的文化、旅游、养老、托育、体育等服务设施建设
Support the Service Trade Innovative Development Guidance Fund to invest in qualified service consumption enterprises according to market principles, and guide social capital to increase investment in service consumption-related fields. 支持服务贸易创新发展引导基金按市场化原则投资符合条件的服务消费企业，引导社会资本加大对服务消费相关领域投资.
Comprehensively utilise policy tools such as monetary credit to support financial institutions in expanding credit investment in the service consumption field, increase the intensity of credit investment to business entities in the service consumption field, reasonably determine loan interest rate levels, and sustainably support service consumption. Support financial institutions in innovating and developing characteristic financial products and services based on the characteristics and financing needs of service consumption business entities. Encourage financial institutions to strengthen support for diversified service consumption scenarios, agglomeration areas, and related key project construction. 综合运用货币信贷等政策工具，支持金融机构扩大服务消费领域信贷投放，加大对服务消费领域经营主体信贷投放力度，合理确定贷款利率水平，可持续支持服务消费。支持金融机构针对服务消费经营主体特点和融资需求，创新开发特色金融产品和服务。鼓励金融机构加强对多元化服务消费场景、集聚区和相关重点项目建设支持.
Increase support for consumer credit. Support localities through establishing new or incorporating into existing risk compensation special funds and other methods to share consumer credit risks, implement interest subsidies for consumer loans in key fields, guide financial institutions and merchants to cooperatively develop products and services suitable for service consumption characteristics, forming a combination of ‘government subsidies + financial support + merchant discounts’. 加大消费信贷支持力度。支持地方通过新设或纳入现有风险补偿专项资金等方式，分担消费信贷风险，开展重点领域消费贷款贴息，引导金融机构和商家合作开发适合服务消费特点的产品和服务，形成“政府补贴+金融支持+商家优惠”组合拳。
Focus on service consumption fields closely related to residents’ daily lives, provide financial interest subsidy support to service industry business entities, promote reducing business entities’ financing costs, and stimulate service consumption market vitality. 聚焦与居民日常生活密切相关的服务消费领域，对服务业经营主体给予财政贴息支持，推动降低经营主体融资成本，激发服务消费市场活力.
Page 3: There’s a report (English report) on the 2025 Conference of Global Public Security Cooperation Forum, which was held in Lianyungang. The attendees were 2,000 participants from 120 countries, regions and international organizations. As per Xinhua:
The opening speech was delivered by Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong. He said that:
“China is willing to work with all parties to actively implement the GSI and GGI proposed by President Xi Jinping, uphold sovereign equality and achieve shared governance, abide by international rule of law and achieve fairness and justice, practice multilateralism and achieve mutual benefit and win-win results, advocate a people-centered approach and achieve shared results, focus on action-orientedness and achieve lasting security, and promote the building of a more just and reasonable global governance system. China will take concrete actions in five areas:
the joint construction of a governance platform
the development of governance products
the enhancement of governance capabilities
innovation in governance actions, and
the promotion of governance cooperation
in order to contribute to the shaping of a new global public security governance landscape.”
President of the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) Ahmed Naser Al-Raisi and United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix also delivered speeches at the opening ceremony. On Wednesday Wang held meetings with Al-Raisi, Interpol Secretary General Valdecy Urquiza and Minister of Home Affairs of Malaysia Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
Page 12: There’s a report detailing the general budget revenue and expenditure for the January-August period.
From January to August, national general public budget revenue reached 14.82 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 0.3%. Of this, national tax revenue reached 12.109 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 0.02%, while non-tax revenue reached 2.711 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 1.5%. (Note: Keep in mind that low tax revenue also means weak profitability for businesses.)
Central government general public budget revenue reached 6.427 trillion yuan, a year-on-year decrease of 1.7%, while local government general public budget revenue reached 8.393 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 1.8%.
Domestic value-added tax revenue was 473.89 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 3.2%; domestic consumption tax revenue was 115.23 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 2%; value-added tax and consumption tax revenue on imported goods was 117.70 billion yuan, a year-on-year decrease of 6.7%; tariff revenue was 152.7 billion yuan, a year-on-year decrease of 6.5%; stamp duty revenue was 284.4 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 27.4%, of which stamp duty on securities transactions was 118.7 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 81.7%.
National general public budget expenditure totalled 17.932 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 3.1%. Central general public budget expenditure was 2.657 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 8%; local general public budget expenditure was 15.275 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 2.3%.
Education expenditure totalled 2,707.8 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 5.6%; science and technology expenditure totalled 587.4 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 3.1%; social security and employment expenditure totalled 3,072.3 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 10%; and health expenditure totalled 1,371.7 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 5.1%.