Xi's Shaanxi Visit - China-Kazakhstan Joint Statement - Song Tao on China-Taiwan Ties - Zhao Leji Visits Senegal - Lashing out at Japan on G7 Agenda
Here are the key reports and articles that I found noteworthy from the People's Daily's edition on Thursday, May 18, 2023.
Page 1: The top story on the page is on Xi’s visit to Shaanxi. Ahead of the China-Central Asia Summit, which begins today, he heard a report on the work of the Shaanxi Provincial Committee and provincial government. Shaanxi Secretary Zhao Yide presented the report. After this, Xi spoke.
He called on Shaanxi to make “new breakthroughs in strengthening scientific and technological innovation and building a modern industrial system” taking into account the province’s industrial base and resource endowment.
Guided by scientific and technological innovation, accelerate the upgrading and transformation of traditional industries to high-end, intelligent, and green industries, cultivate and strengthen strategic emerging industries, actively develop the digital economy and modern service industries, and accelerate the construction of a modern industrial system that is intelligent, green, and integrated, and meets the requirements of integrity, advancement, and safety, and make modern energy industry clusters stronger and better. 以科技创新为引领，加快传统产业高端化、智能化、绿色化升级改造，培育壮大战略性新兴产业，积极发展数字经济和现代服务业，加快构建具有智能化、绿色化、融合化特征和符合完整性、先进性、安全性要求的现代化产业体系，做强做优现代能源产业集群.
“Focusing on the national strategic needs and the forefront of international competition, implement major national science and technology projects, overcome more challenges of key core technologies, and create more ‘national treasures’ 国之重器. Strengthen the dominant position of enterprises in scientific and technological innovation, promote the deep integration of the innovation chain, industrial chain, capital chain, and talent chain, and accelerate the industrialization of scientific and technological achievements. Build a comprehensive national science center and technological innovation center in Xi'an, and strive to build an important national scientific research, cultural and educational center, high-tech industry and manufacturing base.” 着眼国家战略需求和国际竞争前沿，实施国家重大科技项目，攻克更多关键核心技术，打造更多“国之重器”。强化企业科技创新的主体地位，推动创新链产业链资金链人才链深度融合，加快科技成果产业化进程。建好西安综合性国家科学中心和科技创新中心，努力打造国家重要科研和文教中心、高新技术产业和制造业基地.
In the next bit, he talks about common prosperity and addressing the gap between urban and rural areas. Xinhua English summarises this well:
“The most arduous tasks in building a modern socialist country in all respects and promoting common prosperity remain in the rural areas, Xi said, stressing efforts to narrow the gap between urban and rural areas and build county economies with county seats as hubs and small townships as junctions. He also called for vigorously developing industries with distinctive features in light of local conditions, creating more channels for increasing farmers' incomes and ensuring that people would not slide back into poverty in large numbers.”
The next paragraph addresses the importance of the “green and low-carbon transformation of the development model.” Again, the English report offers a good summary:
“He stressed the need to strictly implement the Yellow River Protection Law and related plans and strengthen ecological protection and restoration of the river basin to protect the Yellow River, known as the "mother river" of the Chinese nation. Xi called for promoting green and low-carbon economic and social development, facilitating the green transformation of the energy industry while actively and prudently advancing carbon peaking and neutrality. Work should be done to advocate green consumption and further promote the economical and intensive use of resources, Xi said.”
Another key point that Xi made was about the Xi Thought education campaign. He outlined key aims of the campaign.
First, improve political ability. This entails being good at “making decisions, and doing things from the standpoint of the Party and the people and the overall situation of the work of the Party and the country.” It also entails being good at “grasping the regularity of issues from complicated problems, discovering the trend of affairs from incipient problems, and understanding the inevitability of issues from accidental problems; also being good at controlling complex situations, rallying social forces, preventing political risks, earnestly shouldering the political responsibilities entrusted by the Party and the people, and truly become a politically aware person.” 一要提升政治能力，善于从党和人民的立场、党和国家工作大局出发想问题、作决策、办事情，善于从繁杂问题中把握事物的规律性、从苗头问题中发现事物的趋势性、从偶然问题中认识事物的必然性，善于驾驭复杂局面、凝聚社会力量、防范政治风险，切实担负好党和人民赋予的政治责任，真正成为政治上的明白人.
Second, improve thinking ability, transform the world outlook, viewpoints, stances and methodology of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era into one’s own scientific thinking method as the ‘master key’ to study and solve problems, effectively improve our strategic thinking, dialectical thinking, systematic thinking, innovative thinking, historical thinking, rule of law thinking and bottom line thinking, and be good at grasping the essence of things, grasping the laws of development, grasping the key of work, grasping the policy scale, and enhancing the scientific nature, predictability, initiative and creativity of work. 二要提升思维能力，把新时代中国特色社会主义思想的世界观、方法论和贯穿其中的立场观点方法转化为自己的科学思想方法，作为研究问题、解决问题的“总钥匙”，切实提高战略思维、辩证思维、系统思维、创新思维、历史思维、法治思维、底线思维能力，做到善于把握事物本质、把握发展规律、把握工作关键、把握政策尺度，增强工作科学性、预见性、主动性、创造性.
Third, improve practical ability. This entails “integrating theory with practice”; “grasping the practical requirements of a series of new ideas, new thoughts, and new strategies” within Xi’s thought; and enhancing the ability to promote high-quality development. In addition, this entails “strengthening the development of the spirit and skills for struggle, focusing on enhancing the ability to prevent risks, meet challenges, and resist suppression; address knowledge gaps in a timely manner and make up for shortcomings in quality…” He also called on Shaanxi to use its red resources to shore up Party spirit. 三要提升实践能力，发扬理论联系实际的优良学风，全面把握新时代中国特色社会主义思想一系列新理念新思想新战略的实践要求，增强推动高质量发展、服务群众、防范化解风险本领，加强斗争精神和斗争本领养成，着力增强防风险、迎挑战、抗打压能力，及时填知识空白、补素质短板、强能力弱项，不断提高专业化水平。陕西要用好自身历史文化资源和红色文化资源，大力弘扬伟大建党精神和延安精神，推动主题教育走深走实.
Xinhua English covers the next bit well.
“On his way to Shaanxi, Xi inspected the city of Yuncheng in north China's Shanxi Province, where he visited a museum and a salt lake Tuesday afternoon. Valuable cultural relics in the Yuncheng Museum, some of which are national treasures, are witnesses to the Chinese history of humanity, culture and civilization, he said. He called for further efforts to advance the national research project on tracing the origins of Chinese civilization and the historical research on this civilization to improve the capabilities of protecting and utilizing cultural relics and passing on Chinese cultural heritage. At the Yuncheng Salt Lake, which has a history of over 4,600 years of exploitation, Xi noted that the ecological values and functions of the salt lake are increasingly important, urging coordinated efforts to protect and utilize it to further protect its historical and cultural values. The ecological conservation and high-quality development in the Yellow River basin is a major strategic decision made by the CPC Central Committee for the sustainable development of the Chinese nation and the Chinese civilization, Xi said. He required provinces and regions along the Yellow River to uphold ecological conservation in the Yellow River basin as the bottom line in planning development and pursuing high-quality development.”
The other key story on the page is the meeting between Xi Jinping and Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. All five Central Asian countries’ leaders landed in China yesterday. Xinhua reports: Xi wished Tokayev for his 70th birthday.
Xi said: “China and Kazakhstan are trustworthy good friends, good brothers and good partners…Xi stressed that both countries are at a crucial stage of development and rejuvenation, and China-Kazakhstan relations have entered the next three golden decades. The two sides should vigorously carry forward the traditional friendship, firmly support each other, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, pursue development and rejuvenation, and build a China-Kazakhstan community with a shared future featuring everlasting friendship, strong mutual trust and solidarity, Xi said. An independent, stable, and prosperous Kazakhstan meets the common interests of the Chinese and Kazakh people, Xi said, noting that China firmly supports Kazakhstan in safeguarding national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity and in choosing its development path based on national conditions. Xi said China and Kazakhstan have successfully carried out dozens of important cooperation projects since he proposed the Belt and Road Initiative 10 years ago. He called for joint efforts to expand cooperation in economy, trade, investment, agriculture, automobile manufacturing and energy, deepen connectivity, and explore new cooperation areas including e-commerce, innovation and big data. China and Kazakhstan will take the signing of an agreement on mutual visa exemption as an opportunity to strengthen people-to-people exchanges and cooperation, Xi said. He welcomed the launch of the Kazakhstan tourism year in China in 2024, and expressed his belief that the opening of a Kazakh consulate general in Xi'an will promote local exchanges between the two countries.”
“Tokayev said he totally agrees with Xi on the evaluation of bilateral relations and the suggestions on further strengthening cooperation. Stressing China's special and important position in his country's foreign policy, he said the Kazakhstan-China relations are based on strong friendship and solid mutual trust and enjoy common goals and missions. Kazakhstan is ready to work with China to further strengthen their permanent comprehensive strategic partnership and lay a solid foundation for the two countries to usher in another three golden decades, said Tokayev. He applauded the signing of the mutual visa exemption agreement and vowed to continue taking part in the Belt and Road Initiative. He said Kazakhstan actively champions the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, all proposed by Xi.”
On Page 2, we have the joint statement issued after the chat. Some key points are:
“The relationship between the two countries is characterised by unbreakable friendship, strategic bilateral dialogue that does not depend on the external environment and high level of political mutual trust.” 两国元首指出双方合作的高水平，重申将一如既往地共同致力于加强中哈关系，两国关系具有友谊牢不可破、双边对话的战略性不依赖外部环境、政治互信水平高的特点.
Both sides emphasised that maintaining political security is of great significance. China and Kazakhstan will continue to deepen political mutual trust, increase mutual support on issues related to each other's core interests such as sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, resolutely oppose external forces interfering in the internal affairs of the two countries, and resolutely oppose the politicisation of human rights issues and double standards. The two sides are willing to strengthen cooperation in the fields of anti-interference and prevention of ‘colour revolutions’. 双方强调，维护政治安全意义重大。中哈将继续深化政治互信，加大在涉及对方主权、安全和领土完整等核心利益问题上的相互支持，坚决反对外部势力干涉两国内政，坚决反对将人权问题政治化和搞双重标准。双方愿加强反干涉、防范“颜色革命”领域合作。
“Kazakhstan firmly adheres to the one-China principle, reaffirms that the government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China, and that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory. All efforts made by the Chinese government to realize the peaceful reunification of the country. China firmly supports the development path independently chosen by Kazakhstan and supports the Kazakh government in taking necessary measures to maintain domestic stability, inter-ethnic harmony and promote social and economic development.” 哈方坚定奉行一个中国原则，重申中华人民共和国政府是代表全中国的唯一合法政府，台湾是中国领土不可分割的一部分，反对任何形式的“台独”，重申不同台湾进行任何形式的官方往来，支持中国政府为实现国家和平统一所作的一切努力。中方坚定支持哈萨克斯坦自主选择的发展道路，支持哈萨克斯坦政府采取必要措施保持国内稳定、族际和谐和促进社会经济发展.
In order to expand cooperation in e-commerce, big data, artificial intelligence, and 5G, the two sides will explore the establishment of an Innovation Cooperation Subcommittee of the China-Kazakhstan Cooperation Committee. The document talks about seeking cooperation in fields such as renewable energy, innovation, food safety, agriculture, transportation, transportation and logistics. In terms of energy, the document talks about ensuring “the long-term safe and stable operation and stable supply” from the China-Central Asia Natural Gas Pipeline and the China-Kazakhstan oil pipeline. It also talks about deepening cooperation in the fields of oil, natural gas, and natural uranium, and expanding cooperation in wind, solar, thermal and nuclear power.
The document talks about expanding cultural, travel, educational, art and publications and TV exchanges.
The fifth point is on international cooperation across platforms like the UN, WTO, SCP, CICA, ASEM and the China-Central Asia Mechanism. Also, “the two sides strongly condemn and oppose all forms of terrorism, extremism and separatism, and are willing to actively practise the new security concept of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable, jointly crack down on activities such as ‘three evil forces’, transnational organised crime and drug trafficking, and safeguard the security and stability of the two countries and the region.” “The two sides are willing to jointly promote global biosecurity governance and promote the institutionalisation of the Biological Weapons Convention. Support and encourage biological research institutions of the two countries to carry out joint scientific research, share research results and conduct other cooperation, carry out exchange of experience and scientific research cooperation on biosecurity policies, and safeguard biosecurity and the lives and health of the people.” 双方强烈谴责和反对一切形式的恐怖主义、极端主义和分裂主义，愿积极践行共同、综合、合作、可持续的新安全观，共同打击“三股势力”、跨国有组织犯罪、毒品贩运等活动，维护两国和地区安全与稳定。双方愿共同促进全球生物安全治理，推动《禁止生物武器公约》机制化。支持和鼓励两国生物科研机构开展联合科研攻关、共享研发成果等合作，开展生物安全政策经验交流和科研合作，维护生物安全和民众生命健康.
The two sides are willing to strengthen the coordination of positions in the global governance of cyberspace, and promote the establishment of a more just and reasonable global Internet governance system. 双方愿加强在网络空间全球治理中的立场协调，推动构建更加公正合理的全球互联网治理体系。
The two sides will actively cooperate to implement the Community of Shared Future for Mankind Initiative, Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative and Global Civilization Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping. 双方将积极合作落实中华人民共和国主席习近平提出的构建人类命运共同体倡议、全球发展倡议、全球安全倡议和全球文明倡议。
The final report on the page is on Xi and Li Qiang’s instructions for rescue efforts after a Chinese deep-sea fishing vessel capsized Tuesday in the central Indian Ocean. The incident has so far left 39 people on board missing, including 17 Chinese mariners, 17 Indonesian mariners and five Philippine mariners.
According to The Hindu, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority was coordinating the rescue effort for the Lu Peng Yuan Yu 028 in waters located around 5,000 km from Australia and 1,300 km south of Sri Lanka. The report adds: “Diplomatic sources said that the Indian Navy’s Information Fusion Centre–Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) was sharing information on the incident with affiliated partners and agencies.”
AP’s report says: “Australia, Indonesia and the Philippines have also expressed their willingness to join in the search…Several ships and an Australian Defense Force P-8A Poseidon aircraft have been searching the area…No survivors or life rafts have been spotted. The Philippine Coast Guard Command Center said Wednesday it was monitoring the situation and coordinating with the Chinese Embassy in Manila, as well as search and rescue teams operating near the vessel’s last known location.”
Page 2: There are reports previewing the China-Central Asia summit, but these have little substance. The only other report that’s worth noting is Li Ganjie’s meeting with Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Lawrence Wong. Li is the chief of the CCP’s Organisation Department. Wong told him that “Singapore is willing to strengthen personnel training cooperation, promote mutual visits of senior officials and advance the development of bilateral relations.”
Page 3: There’s a consolidated report on Tajik President Emomali Rahmon meeting with Premier Li Qiang and Vice President Han Zheng.
Xinhua’s report on the meeting with Li Qiang says:
“Li said China is willing to further synergize development strategies with Tajikistan, deepen win-win cooperation and share new opportunities brought about by Chinese modernization, to continuously make the pie of bilateral cooperation bigger and more substantial and deliver more tangible benefits to the two peoples. He urged the two sides to further strengthen pragmatic cooperation by focusing on high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, continuously optimizing the trade structure and working for trade facilitation. Li also said the two countries should deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in agriculture, industrial parks and infrastructure, among others, continue to promote connectivity and strengthen exchanges in the fields of culture, education, medical care and sister cities…Rahmon said Tajikistan is willing to learn from China's experience, absorb China's technologies, deepen exchanges and cooperation between the two countries in such fields as production capacity, energy, agriculture, water conservancy, connectivity and culture, and jointly promote the construction of the Belt and Road Initiative to bring bilateral ties to a new high.”
Next, there’s a report informing that Wang Huning met with delegates to the sixth members' congress of the Association of Taiwan Investment Enterprises on the Mainland (ATIEM). There’s nothing in there about what was said. There’s another report of this meeting on Page 6. It informs that a new board of directors and supervisors was chosen during the meeting.
ATIEM President Li Zhenghong said the group must “clearly adhere to the ‘1992 Consensus’, oppose ‘Taiwan independence’, unswervingly promote the peaceful development of cross-strait relations, and advance the process of peaceful reunification of the motherland.” He added: “It is necessary to actively guide and assist Taiwanese businessmen and enterprises to participate in the process of Chinese-style modernisation and national rejuvenation, and take root in the mainland to achieve new development; it is necessary to play the role of bridge and link, strengthen the function of serving Taiwanese businessmen and enterprises, and build a platform for the growth of Taiwanese youth; it is necessary to work harder to give back to the society and show the positive energy of Taiwanese businessmen.” 在当天下午举行的台企联新一届会长、监事长就职典礼上，李政宏表示，台海和平稳定是台商安身立命的保障。台企联要秉持民族大义，旗帜鲜明坚持“九二共识”、反对“台独”，坚定不移推动两岸关系和平发展、推进祖国和平统一进程；要积极引导协助台商台企参与中国式现代化和民族复兴进程，扎根大陆实现新发展；要发挥桥梁纽带作用，强化服务台商台企功能，搭建台湾青年成长平台；要更努力回馈社会，展现台商正能量.
Song Tao, director of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the CCP Central Committee and the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, spoke at the meeting too. He said that “General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasised, ‘The two sides of the Taiwan Strait are like one family’. I sincerely hope that compatriots on both sides of the strait will meet each other halfway and advance hand-in-hand to create the long-term well-being of the Chinese nation. We must thoroughly implement the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's important speech, adhere to the one-China principle and the ‘1992 Consensus’, resolutely oppose Taiwan independence’ separatism and interference from external forces, promote cross-strait exchanges and cooperation, deepen cross-strait integration and development, and unswervingly push forward the great cause of the reunification of the motherland. Taiwanese friends should look at the overall situation, look at the general trend, plan for the long-term, grasp the development opportunities in the mainland, and achieve better development.” 中共中央台办、国务院台办主任宋涛在分别为李政宏、黄明智授印、授牌时表示，习近平总书记强调，“海峡两岸一家亲。衷心希望两岸同胞相向而行、携手并进，共创中华民族绵长福祉”。我们要深入贯彻落实习近平总书记重要讲话精神，坚持一个中国原则和“九二共识”，坚决反对“台独”分裂和外部势力干涉，促进两岸交流合作、深化两岸融合发展，坚定不移推进祖国统一大业。台商朋友们要观全局、看大势、谋长远，把握大陆发展机遇，实现更好发展。
Another report on page 3 informs of Wang Huning’s comments at the Chairperson's Council meeting of the 14th CPPCC National Committee. Apart from the political messaging, Wang called for “thorough investigations and research” to be conducted. In addition, the meeting reviewed and adopted the revised CPPCC National Committee's work rules for the consultative forums for specialists and a work plan for convening specialist consultative forums, along with a set of guidelines for enhancing and improving the CPPCC National Committee's work concerning investigations and research.
Page 4: There’s a report on Zhao Leji’s visit to Senegal. Xinhua says:
“China appreciates Senegal's active support for a series of major initiatives and ideas put forward by Xi, and thanks Senegal for its invaluable support on the Taiwan question and issues related to human rights and Xinjiang, Zhao said. China is ready to expand practical cooperation with Senegal, strengthen synergy between the nine programs for China-Africa cooperation and the Plan for an Emerging Senegal, and deepen exchanges in the fields of culture, education and medical care, Zhao said, adding that as co-chairs of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, China and Senegal should implement the outcomes of the forum and jointly build the Belt and Road. China has always followed the principles of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith and pursuing the greater good and shared interests in cooperation with Africa, Zhao said, adding that China never ties its cooperation with Africa to political considerations, nor does it make hollow promises.”
The report quotes Senegalese President Macky Sall as saying that “Senegal abides by the one-China principle and opposes the politicization of human rights…Noting that China sincerely helps Africa, he said the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation has played a positive role in promoting solidarity and cooperation between Africa and China. The achievements of China's new Long March, with development as its goal, have set an example for Africa, Sall said, adding that in particular, China insisted on independently exploring a development path suited to its own national conditions and organized its people to efficiently promote national construction, which is of great enlightenment significance.”
Sall apparently also expressed that the “development and growth of China is conducive to a more balanced world pattern and to safeguarding world fairness and justice.” Later, the report informs that:
“During his visit, Zhao made a field trip to the Diamniadio Industrial Park, an important achievement of the Belt and Road Initiative under the joint efforts of China and Africa. He expressed hope that the industrial park will give full play to its economic and social benefits and help Senegal improve its independent development capabilities. He also attended a symposium of Chinese-funded enterprises in Africa, and encouraged the Chinese-funded enterprises to carry forward the spirit of friendly cooperation between China and Africa and expand the breadth and depth of China-Africa economic and trade cooperation. He visited the Museum of Black Civilizations and proposed to actively practice the Global Civilization Initiative, as well as to jointly create a new picture of people-to-people communication, cultural exchanges, and integration of hearts and minds from the two countries. Besides, he visited the exhibition commemorating the 60th anniversary of the dispatch of the Chinese medical team to foreign countries, and visited members of the medical team to Senegal.”
Interestingly, Zhao had a brief “technical stop:” in the UAE while travelling from Senegal to Malaysia.
Page 17: On the international page, there’s a Zhong Sheng commentary, which accuses Japan of “hyping up” the China threat theory as it prepares to host the G7 summit. It says that “this practice of provoking and creating confrontation between camps for selfish interests will only make Asian neighbours more wary of the G7’s irresponsible words and actions, and will only make the international community more aware of its disgraceful role.” 这种为谋取一己私利而挑动和制造阵营对抗的做法，只会让亚洲邻国更加警惕其不负责任的言行，只会让国际社会更加看清其扮演的不光彩角色.
“The return of Taiwan to China is an important part of the post-war international order, and the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation have clearly stipulated this. Japan historically launched a war of militaristic aggression against foreign countries, and should have, therefore, been cautious on issues involving the post-war international order. However, for some time, some forces in Japan have been advocating that if something happens to Taiwan it impacts Japan similarly. In an attempt to internationalise the Taiwan issue, they have even thrown out the wrong argument that ‘Taiwan’s security is of vital importance to Japan and even the whole world’. Japan's provocation on issues involving China's core interests is a gross interference in China's internal affairs and a blatant challenge to the post-war international order. In disregard of European leaders' statement that ‘Europe should not get involved in the Taiwan Strait issue’, Japan is attempting to use the Taiwan issue to hold hostage G7 members; this is disrespectful to other members.” 台湾回归中国是战后国际秩序的重要组成部分，《开罗宣言》《波茨坦公告》就此作出了明确规定。日本曾对外发动军国主义侵略战争，本应在涉及战后国际秩序的问题上谨言慎行。然而，一段时间以来，日本国内一些势力极力鼓噪“台湾有事就是日本有事”，甚至抛出“台湾安全对日本乃至整个世界都至关重要”的错误论调，妄图把台湾问题国际化。日本在涉及中方核心利益问题上挑衅滋事，是对中国内政的粗暴干涉，是对战后国际秩序的公然挑战。日本不顾欧洲国家领导人有关“欧洲不该卷入台海问题”的表态，妄图利用台湾问题绑架七国集团所有成员，是对其他成员的不尊重.
The next paragraph argues that Japan is “hyping up” the China threat theory in order to promote “its own military loosening.” It says that the Potsdam Proclamation published in 1945 clearly stated that Japan should permanently eradicate militarism and establish a government that advocates peace…However, in recent years, Japan has accelerated the adjustment of its security policy and sought to break through the peaceful constitution. In December last year, Japan formally adopted three new security policy documents: National Security Strategy, National Defense Strategy and Defence Force Maintenance Plan, claiming that Japan should have ‘counterattack capability’, that is, ‘ability to attack enemy bases’, abandoning the principle of having an exclusively defense-oriented policy and deviating from the pacifist constitution.” 日本大肆炒作所谓“中国威胁”，真正企图在于推进自身军事松绑。1945年发表的《波茨坦公告》明确提出，日本永久铲除军国主义、建立崇尚和平之政府。坚持“专守防卫”的安保政策，禁止行使集体自卫权，“放弃发动战争的权利”，这是日本作为曾发动军国主义侵略战争的国家对世界的承诺。然而，日本近年来加速调整其安保政策，寻求突破和平宪法。去年12月，日本正式通过新版《国家安全保障战略》《国家防卫战略》《防卫力量整备计划》三份安保政策文件，宣称日本应拥有“反击能力”，即“对敌基地攻击能力”，抛弃了“专守防卫”原则，背离了日本宪法的和平理念。日方将中国定位为“前所未有的最大战略挑战”，渲染炒作所谓“中国威胁”，就是为其突破和平宪法、大幅强化防卫力量寻找借口。
“As an Asian country, Japan is keen to play the vanguard of the United States in maintaining its hegemony in the Asia-Pacific, seriously threatening regional peace and stability. Once the US declared that it wanted to ‘shape the strategic environment around China’, Japan blindly followed suit/slavishly imitated (亦步亦趋) and acted as an accomplice 为虎作伥. In doing so, it has completely forgotten the humiliating history of being forced to sign the Plaza Accord, and has turned a deaf ear to the rational voices in Japan that have opposed constitutional revision and military expansion. Japan is also the vanguard of NATO’s Asia-Pacific move. Last year, Japanese leaders attended the NATO summit for the first time. The Japanese side is currently plotting to let NATO set up a liaison office in Tokyo, and its intention to lead NATO to the Asia-Pacific region is obvious. Asia is a highland of peace and stability, a hotspot for cooperation and development, and should not be an arena for geopolitical competition. Japan’s words and deeds have aroused much concern from the international community, especially countries in the Asia-Pacific region.” 作为一个亚洲国家，日本却热衷于扮演美国在亚太维护霸权的急先锋，严重威胁地区和平稳定。美国宣称要“塑造中国的周边战略环境”，日本便亦步亦趋、为虎作伥，完全忘记曾被迫签下“广场协议”的屈辱历史，也对日本国内反对修改宪法、反对强军扩武的理性声音充耳不闻。日本还是“北约亚太化”的急先锋。去年，日本领导人首次出席北约峰会。日方目前正图谋让北约在东京设立联络处，将北约引向亚太的意图昭然若揭。亚洲是和平稳定的高地、合作发展的热土，不应成为地缘争夺的角斗场。日本种种言行已经引起国际社会特别是亚太地区国家的高度警觉。
The next paragraph argues that “Japan is eager to get rid of the shackles of the post-war system and become a ‘normal country’, and hosting the G7 summit is considered an opportunity to demonstrate its ‘major power ambition’. For this “ulterior motive”, it is using the G7 to “to wave a banner as if it were a tiger skin.” But “if Japan wants to become a self-proclaimed ‘responsible member of the international community’, it should first win the trust of its Asian neighbours and the international community with practical actions, rather than empty slogans.” 日本强拉七国集团为其站台，有其不可告人的目的。日本急于摆脱战后体制束缚，成为“正常国家”，举办七国集团峰会被认为是展示其“大国抱负”的机会。但正如日本媒体分析指出的，七国集团在全球力量对比中的权重已经今不如昔。日本靠七国集团拉大旗作虎皮，完全是打错了算盘。日本要想成为自我标榜的“国际社会负责任一员”，首先应以实际行动取信于亚洲邻国和国际社会，而不是空喊口号.