Xi's Sichuan Visit - Wang Yang on Taiwan - Jan-May Foreign Trade Up 8.3% - NHC's COVID Testing Warning - China Leading in 5G Standards - Direction of Comprehensive Reform - Bio-labs in Ukraine
Here are the stories and pieces that I found noteworthy in the Friday, June 10, 2022, edition of the People’s Daily.
Page 1: The only report (English report) on the page is about Xi’s visit to Sichuan. The report talks about Xi’s visits to the cities of Meishan and Yibin on Wednesday. He visited rural areas, a cultural relic protection site, a university, and an enterprise. He was accompanied by Sichuan party secretary Wang Xiaohui and Governor Huang Qiang. Also, Ding Xuexiang, Liu He, Chen Xi, and He Lifeng travelled with Xi. The report begins with Xi discussing the June 1 6.1-magnitude earthquake Ya’an in Sichuan.
The report says that Xi was “deeply concerned about the rescue and treatment of the people injured in the quake.” He urged local and provincial officials to do a good job in treating those hurt, offering psychological support, ensuring supply of basic necessities and making arrangements for them to return to normal work and life as soon as possible.
In Yongfeng Village, Meishan City, Xi inspected a high-standard rice cultivation base. He stressed on abiding by the restrictions related to arable land, while praising the staff at the base for their efforts in helping ensure national food security. He added that the modernisation of agriculture depends on both experts and farmers. So it was necessary to strengthen the popularisation and application of modern agricultural science and technology and training, organise large grain farmers and actively develop green agriculture, ecological agriculture and high-efficiency agriculture. He expressed confidence in keeping the rice bowl of the Chinese people firmly in their own hands. 我们有信心、有底气把中国人的饭碗牢牢端在自己手中.
While in the village, Xi also inspected a sewage treatment facility, the living environment of the villagers, as well as local efforts in COVID-19 prevention and control. He said that medical issues are what rural residents are most concerned about after they have no worries about food and clothing. The health system should be strengthened in rural areas to provide a sound guarantee of basic medical services.
The next paragraph, which covers Xi’s visit to San Su Ci, the memorial temple and former residence of Su Xun and his two sons Su Shi and Su Zhe, three literary masters of the Northern Song Dynasty, is interesting. Xi spoke about China’s 5000-year-old civilisation, traditional culture, family education and the need for Party cadres to be honest and upright and not only discipline themselves but their families as well.
What was also interesting was this bit:
“Urging efforts to broadly draw on all cultural achievements in the world, Xi said rigidity and isolation must be averted. However, no less efforts should be made to avert taking foreign experiences as the sole standard for everything…”
The next paragraph has him discussing the environment, with the key point being made that “ecological conservation along the Yangtze River Basin is the precondition for advancing high-quality development in the Yangtze River Economic Belt.” After this, while visiting Yibin University, the report says that Xi spoke about being “very concerned about the employment situation of college graduates.” At the university, Xi apparently attended a recruitment seminar. Xi talked about the importance of providing support for graduates to get jobs. He said that “poverty-stricken families, low-income families, zero-employment families and college graduates with disabilities who have not been employed for a long time should be given priority assistance.” But as part of the broader message that the Party is not moving towards a welfare state, Xi reiterated to the students that “a happy life is created by hard work/labour.” 对同学们说，幸福生活是靠劳动创造的，大家要保持平实之心... Xi also told the students that they should “remain practical when choosing their future jobs and careers, and realise personal development through diligent work.”
Xinhua says that Xi also visited XGIMI optoelectronic company to learn about its independent innovation, job generation and local efforts to support the private sector. He talked about the importance of cultivating “hidden champions” and developing technology clusters to promote innovation. Speaking to the staff of XGIMI, Xi said:
It is necessary for China to “strive to improve its ability of independent innovation and accelerate its transformation into a manufacturing power. If China is to be strong, it must become stronger in all fields and in all aspects. While the prospects of building a comprehensive modern socialist country and realising the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation are bright, the road to get there will be tortuous, and there will be many rapids and dangerous beaches that one will encounter. We must be brave in meeting various risks and challenges. No pie will fall from the sky, and all achievements must be achieved through our joint efforts. We are all the ‘post-80s’ and ‘post-90s’ generation; this is the time that we must have the dedication and sense of responsibility and strive hard…” 在车间外广场上，习近平同企业员工们亲切交流。习近平强调，我国是制造大国，要努力提高自主创新能力，加快向制造强国转变。中国要强大，各领域各方面都要强起来。全面建设社会主义现代化国家，实现中华民族伟大复兴，前途是光明的，道路是曲折的，还会面临许多激流险滩，要勇于迎接各种风险挑战。天上不会掉馅饼，一切成就都要通过我们共同拼搏来取得。大家都是“80后”、“90后”，正当其时，要有事业心、责任感，努力奋斗，到本世纪中叶全面建成社会主义现代化强国之时，大家一定会为“强国圆梦、功成有我”而感到自豪.
Towards the end of the report, we get this bit:
“It is necessary to do a good job in effectively coordinating epidemic prevention and control and economic and social development, resolutely overcome some of the current difficulties in economic development, do a good job in employment, social security, supporting the poor… and do a good job in maintaining social stability and stability of the overall social situation. Persistence is victory. We must unswervingly adhere to the general policy of ‘dynamic clearing’, strengthen confidence, eliminate interference, overcome paralysis, pay close attention to the important task of epidemic prevention and control, and firmly consolidate the hard-won achievements in epidemic prevention and control.” 要高效做好统筹疫情防控和经济社会发展工作，坚决克服目前经济发展面临的一些困难，做好就业、社会保障、贫困群众帮扶等方面的工作，做好维护社会稳定各项工作，保持人心稳定，保持社会大局稳定. 坚持就是胜利，要毫不动摇坚持“动态清零”总方针，坚定信心，排除干扰，克服麻痹思想，抓紧抓实疫情防控重点工作，坚决巩固住来之不易的疫情防控成果.
Xi also met with armed forces personnel stationed in Chengdu.
There are three more headlines mentioned at the top of the page. All of these are about Xi Jinping, with the reports being on the second page. I guess this tells us that whatever it is, the editorial decision for the paper is that any Xi Jinping activity must be mentioned on Page 1. I cannot think of any other logic to explain this.
Page 2: First, a report about Xi’s reply to a letter from all participants of the Former Liberation Movements of Southern Africa Leading Cadres Workshop 2022 at the Mwalimu Julius Nyerere Leadership School. Some 120 middle-aged and young cadres from the six African parties attended the workshop. The theme of the workshop was “Exploration by and Exchanges between the CPC and the Former Liberation Movements of Southern Africa.” Xinhua reports:
“In his letter, Xi said he is pleased to know that the workshop was successfully held, during which the participants discussed the important topics of what kind of development a ruling party should lead its country to pursue in the new era and how to pursue it, learnt from each other and gained better understanding of such topics. Xi pointed out that the realization of national development, national rejuvenation and people's happiness requires continuous efforts for generations. Building a better world requires exchanges and mutual learning among countries, he said, adding that the participants are determined to be the pioneer of the times and the pillar of national rejuvenation, which is the original purpose of the school.”
Second, Xi and his Georgian counterpart, Salome Zurabishvili, exchanged congratulations (English report) on Thursday on the 30th anniversary of the establishment of China-Georgia diplomatic relations.
Third, a report about a bunch of changes in Chinese diplomatic appointments:
Sun Haiyan was appointed China’s ambassador to Singapore, replacing Hong Xiaoyong.
Zhang Jianwei was appointed ambassador to Kuwait, replacing Li Minggang.
Zhang Yiming was appointed ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, replacing Ni Jian.
Wang Xuekun was appointed ambassador to Rwanda, replacing Rao Hongwei.
Lu Shan was appointed ambassador to Burkina Faso, replacing Li Jian.
Zhou Qian was appointed ambassador to Georgia, replacing Li Yan.
Han Chunlin was appointed ambassador to Romania, replacing Jiang Yu.
Wang Tongqing was appointed ambassador to Finland, replacing Chen Li.
Chen Daojiang was appointed ambassador to Jamaica, replacing Tian Qi.
Fourth, a report about China’s foreign trade data.
In the first five months of this year, the total value of China’s import and export of goods was 16.04 trillion yuan, an increase of 8.3% over the same period last year.
Exports were 8.94 trillion yuan, an increase of 11.4%
Imports were 7.1 trillion yuan, an increase of 4.7%
The trade surplus was 1.84 trillion yuan, an increase of 47.6%.
In May, import and export value was 3.45 trillion yuan, an increase of 9.6%.
Exports were 1.98 trillion yuan, an increase of 15.3%
Imports were 1.47 trillion yuan, an increase of 2.8%
Trade with BRI countries was 5.11 trillion yuan, an increase of 16.8%.
Fifth, a report about Wang Yang meeting with participants from Taiwan with the theme being the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. PD reports that “leaders and representatives of more than 20 political parties and organisations” from Taiwan attended the meeting.
Wang said:
“Today, we have the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China, the scientific guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era, the strong guarantee of the socialist system with Chinese characteristics, and the material foundation accumulated over 40 years of reform and opening up. The realisation of national rejuvenation has entered an irreversible historical process, showing unprecedentedly bright prospects. Although there will inevitably be various difficulties, risks and challenges on the way forward, there is no force that can stop the Chinese nation’s long march towards rejuvenation. Wang Yang stressed that the reunification of the motherland is a historical trend and an inevitable requirement for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
We have both the strategic resolve for peaceful reunification and the firm will to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity. We are willing to hold extensive and in-depth democratic consultations with all parties, groups and people in Taiwan Province on the basis of adhering to the ‘1992 Consensus’ on cross-strait relations and the future of the nation, and jointly promote the peaceful development and integration of cross-strait relations. We are willing to create favourable conditions for Taiwanese to come to the mainland for employment, entrepreneurship and industrial development. It is also hoped that the vast number of Taiwan compatriots will always stand on the right side of history, understand the important principle of justice, speak out for what is right and act in accordance with what is right, clearly oppose ‘Taiwan independence’ and interference by external forces, and work together to promote the reunification of the motherland and realise the historic cause of national rejuvenation.”
今天，我们有中国共产党的坚强领导、有新时代中国特色社会主义思想的科学指引、有中国特色社会主义制度的有力保障、有改革开放40多年积累的物质基础，实现民族复兴进入不可逆转的历史进程，展现出前所未有的光明前景。尽管前进道路上不可避免会遇到各种困难、风险和挑战，但中华民族迈向复兴的铿锵步伐没有任何势力能够阻挡。汪洋强调，祖国统一是历史大势，也是实现中华民族伟大复兴的必然要求。我们既有和平统一的战略定力，也有维护国家主权和领土完整的坚强意志。我们愿在坚持“九二共识”的基础上同台湾各党派、团体和人士就两岸关系和民族未来开展广泛深入的民主协商，共同推动两岸关系和平发展、融合发展，愿意为台胞来大陆就业、创业、兴业创造良好条件。也希望广大台湾同胞始终站在历史正确的一边，深明大义、仗义执言、奉义而行，旗帜鲜明反对“台独”和外部势力干涉，共同致力于推进祖国统一、实现民族复兴的历史伟业.
Finally, there’s a report about Hu Chunhua’s comments at the 12th meeting of BRICS economic and trade ministers. Xinhua reports:
“Noting that BRICS countries are an important driving force for regional and global economic and trade growth, Hu called on BRICS countries to jointly expand practical cooperation on economy and trade, safeguard the security and stability of global industrial and supply chains, and promote cooperation on emerging areas such as the digital economy. BRICS countries should firmly uphold the multilateral trading system, support WTO reform in the right direction, and effectively safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of developing members, Hu added. China will resolutely open up at a higher level, Hu stressed, adding that China stands ready to align itself with high-standard international economic and trade rules, advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and negotiate and sign high-standard free-trade agreements with more countries and regions.”
Page 3: A report on the BRICS agriculture ministers’ meeting. Tang Renjian, China's Minister of Agriculture, advocated that the meeting should focus on grain security and poverty reduction, and ramp up cooperation among the BRICS members on agricultural technology innovation. To tackle the challenges to global food security, Tang called on BRICS countries to resolutely safeguard the multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization at its center, enhance the synergy of agricultural trade policies, and further expand partnerships with stronger multilateral and bilateral cooperation on agriculture.
A joint statement was issued after the meeting and the ministers also agreed upon a new ‘BRICS Food Security Cooperation Strategy’. The meeting also announced the establishment of the BRICS Agricultural and Rural Development Forum, which will be a new mechanism platform for promoting cooperation in agricultural and rural development issues.
Second, there’s an article by former Egyptian PM Essam Sharaf. He talks about China’s “irreplaceable contributions to the global fight against the pandemic” and expresses hope that China will jointly develop BRI and “contribute more wisdom and solutions to address humanity’s problems.” He is also very impressed by China’s use of big data, 5G and AI in tackling COVID-19. Of course, he’s not going to have any concerns about individual privacy or data security, but then that’s another matter altogether.
Anyway, he talks about China’s support for Egypt in dealing with the pandemic. He says that there is an Arabic proverb: “A true friend is a friend who appears in times of difficulty’. The solidarity and cooperation between Egypt and China in the fight against the pandemic will surely result in taking the friendly cooperation between the two countries to a higher level,” he writes. In particular, he praises vaccine cooperation between China and Egypt. This is actually quite important. Egypt is emerging as a hub for vaccines in the region, with the expectation being that some 1 billion doses of Sinovac will be manufactured there annually.
Page 4: An interesting report based on the briefing by the State Council’s Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism. He Qinghua, an official with the NHC’s Bureau of Disease Prevention and Control, cautioned against “blindly” conducting nucleic acid tests on everyone. He said that since the current domestic epidemic remains at a low level, the key is to increase the sensitivity of the monitoring system and ensure confirmed cases are identified and handled early, which requires nucleic acid tests. “Nucleic acid tests should focus on high-risk groups and people working at risky positions, as well as areas with infected cases,” He said.
He said that:
In the event of an outbreak localities should formulate scientific nucleic acid testing strategies according to the needs, delimit the scope and frequency of nucleic acid testing, and carry out nucleic acid testing in accordance to the risk level. Testing throughout the area that is locked down/closed control area should be completed within 24 hours; and in the control area, testing should be completed within 48 hours. In the absence of an outbreak or risk of imported infections, nucleic acid testing should not be the norm. ‘The State Council’s Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism will require relevant localities to make timely rectification and correction for areas, units and individuals that have carried out illegal and compulsory nucleic acid testing’.” “避免盲目开展全员核酸检测。”国家卫健委疾控局一级巡视员贺青华说，核酸检测的重点应放在高风险人群、高风险岗位的工作人员以及有疫情的地区。疫情发生后，各地要根据需要制定科学的核酸检测策略，划定核酸检测的范围和频次，将受检人员按照风险等级由高到低依次开展核酸检测。封控区应该在24小时内完成首次全员核酸筛查，管控区要在48小时完成首次全员核酸筛查。各地可以根据需要进行调整。在没有发生疫情，也没有输入风险的情况下，查验核酸证明不应成为一种常态。“对于采取非法的、强制居民进行核酸检测的地区、单位和作出决定的个人，国务院联防联控机制将要求有关地方及时整改纠正。”
Other Stories:
A report informing us that China leads the world in terms of 5G standard-essential patents. The report says that there are more than 210,000 5G standard-essential patents declared globally, involving 47,000 patent families. Among them, China has declared 18,000 patent families, accounting for 40% of the world’s total. The target countries/regions with the most 5G standard-essential patents are: 46,000 in the United States, 39,000 in China and 31,000 in Europe. Among the top 15 patent applicants in the world, Chinese companies account for 7, and the United States, Japan, Europe, and South Korea each have 2.
A report about Xu Lun’s comments on TV shows. Xu recently took charge as the head of the National Radio and Television Administration. Xu wants TV dramas to focus on themes and topics around the new era, new ideas and new journey, adhere to the people-centred storytelling, inherit the Chinese civilisation…and create shows that praise the times and praise the people, so as to greet the 20th Party Congress. - SCMP’s story on Xu is worth reading.
A piece by the NDRC’s Policy Research Office. I am not summarising the piece, but I have a couple of observations. This piece basically underscores Xi’s dominance of the broad direction of economic policy. For instance, late in the piece, when discussing what needs to be done going ahead, the first point that is emphasised is:
“The leadership of the CPC is the foundation and lifeblood of the Party and the country, and the interests and destiny of the Chinese people of all ethnic groups depend on it. The Party's centralised and unified leadership is the fundamental guarantee for comprehensive deepening reform, braving the storms and forging ahead courageously. We must deeply understand the decisive significance of the ‘Two Establishments’, strengthen the ‘four consciousnesses’, strengthen the ‘four confidences’ and achieve the ‘Two Safeguards’. Always maintain a high degree of alignment with the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core in terms of ideology, politics and action, and unswervingly push forward the comprehensive deepening of reforms in depth.”中国共产党领导是党和国家的根本所在、命脉所在，是全国各族人民的利益所系、命运所系。党的集中统一领导是全面深化改革乘风破浪、奋勇向前的根本保证。要深刻领会“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”，始终在思想上政治上行动上同以习近平同志为核心的党中央保持高度一致，坚定不移把全面深化改革向纵深推进.
The piece also underscores that while politics is first and the philosophy of development is to be people-centred, the fact is that development is the top priority and must be unswervingly adhered to. This is because development allows to “comprehensively enhance our economic strength, scientific and technological strength, comprehensive national strength and international influence, constantly solve the major social contradictions in the country, and lay a solid material foundation for adhering to and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics and realising the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.” But – and this is an important caveat – adhering to development doesn't mean going back to business as usual or past policies. It means “comprehensively implementing the new development concept, accelerating the construction of a new development pattern and promoting high-quality development.”
Finally, two stories from the international page that are worth noting. First, the lead piece is about the US bearing the “unshirkable” responsibility for the chaos in Syria.
The second is a story that I am highlighting is an amplification of Russian propaganda around the Ukraine war through PD. This one talks about the conspiracy around American funded bio-labs in Ukraine. The story takes from nearly a month-old RT report about the head of Russia’s Investigative Committee, Alexander Bastrykin, saying that the US had spent more than $224 million on biological programmes in Ukraine since 2005. The PD report adds that:
“According to reports, Russia has discovered 30 biological laboratories in Ukraine, which are operating under the orders of the US Department of Defense and may be involved in the manufacture of biological weapons. Seized documents show that on February 24, the day Russia’s military operation against Ukraine began, the laboratories were ordered to ‘urgently destroy’ pathogens of plague, anthrax, cholera and other deadly diseases.”
Later the PD report quotes bits from Tucker Carlson and Marjorie Taylor Greene’s comments that cast doubt on the apparent bio-labs in Ukraine.