Xi's Speech on Chinese-style Modernisation at Central Party School
Here are the stories and pieces that I found noteworthy from the Wednesday, February 8, 2023, edition of the People’s Daily.
Page 1: The top story today is about Xi’s speech at the opening of a study session at the Central Party School. The session was attended by newly-elected members and alternate members of the CPC Central Committee, as well as principal officials at the provincial and ministerial levels. The speech discussed the idea of Chinese-style modernisation. This is a reiteration of the broad development agenda that Xi outlined at the 20th Party Congress. I am leaving out the preamble and getting straight to the operative policy bits.
“The leadership of the Party is directly related to the fundamental direction, future and destiny, and ultimate success or failure of Chinese-style modernisation. The leadership of the Party determines the fundamental nature of Chinese-style modernisation. Only by unswervingly adhering to the leadership of the Party can Chinese-style modernisation have a bright future and prosper; otherwise, one will deviate from the course, surrender the soul, or make subversive mistakes. The leadership of the Party ensures that the goal of Chinese-style modernisation will be pursued steadily going forward. Our Party’s goal has been consistently promoted from generation to generation, and it has achieved brilliant achievements that have attracted worldwide attention and shine in the annals of history. The leadership of the Party inspires a strong impetus to build Chinese-style modernisation. Our Party is brave in reform and innovation, constantly eliminating the shortcomings of various institutional mechanisms and injecting inexhaustible impetus into Chinese-style modernisation. The Party’s leadership embodies the majestic power of building Chinese-style modernisation. Our party adheres to the party's mass line, adheres to the people-centred development philosophy, develops whole-process people’s democracy, and fully stimulates the spirit of the people being masters of the country.” 习近平指出，党的领导直接关系中国式现代化的根本方向、前途命运、最终成败。党的领导决定中国式现代化的根本性质，只有毫不动摇坚持党的领导，中国式现代化才能前景光明、繁荣兴盛；否则就会偏离航向、丧失灵魂，甚至犯颠覆性错误。党的领导确保中国式现代化锚定奋斗目标行稳致远，我们党的奋斗目标一以贯之，一代一代地接力推进，取得了举世瞩目、彪炳史册的辉煌业绩。党的领导激发建设中国式现代化的强劲动力，我们党勇于改革创新，不断破除各方面体制机制弊端，为中国式现代化注入不竭动力。党的领导凝聚建设中国式现代化的磅礴力量，我们党坚持党的群众路线，坚持以人民为中心的发展思想，发展全过程人民民主，充分激发全体人民的主人翁精神.
He then added:
Xi stressed that the modernisation process of a country needs to follow the general rule of modernisation, but it shall be suited to its realities and characterised by features unique to its context. Chinese-style modernisation not only has the common characteristics of the modernisation of other countries, but also possesses distinctive features based on China’s national conditions. The 20th Party Congress report clearly summarised the characteristics of Chinese-style modernisation in five aspects. It is:
the modernisation of a huge population
of common prosperity for all
of material and cultural-ethical advancement
of harmony between humanity and nature
and of peaceful development.
This is both a theoretical summary and a practical requirement, outlining the broad path for building a comprehensively modern socialist power and realising the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Since the founding of New China, especially since the reform and opening-up, it has taken us merely decades to complete the industrialisation process that Western developed countries went through over hundreds of years, thereby creating a miracle of rapid economic development and long-term social stability, and opening up broad prospects for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Practice has proved that steadily moving along the path of Chinese-style modernisation is feasible, and it is the only correct way to build a strong country and rejuvenate the nation.” 习近平强调，一个国家走向现代化，既要遵循现代化一般规律，更要符合本国实际，具有本国特色。中国式现代化既有各国现代化的共同特征，更有基于自己国情的鲜明特色。党的二十大报告明确概括了中国式现代化是人口规模巨大的现代化、是全体人民共同富裕的现代化、是物质文明和精神文明相协调的现代化、是人与自然和谐共生的现代化、是走和平发展道路的现代化这5个方面的中国特色，深刻揭示了中国式现代化的科学内涵。这既是理论概括，也是实践要求，为全面建成社会主义现代化强国、实现中华民族伟大复兴指明了一条康庄大道。新中国成立特别是改革开放以来，我们用几十年时间走完西方发达国家几百年走过的工业化历程，创造了经济快速发展和社会长期稳定的奇迹，为中华民族伟大复兴开辟了广阔前景。实践证明，中国式现代化走得通、行得稳，是强国建设、民族复兴的唯一正确道路.
The next paragraph is even more significant. Xi says that:
“Chinese-style modernisation is deeply rooted in Chinese excellent traditional culture, embodies the advanced nature of scientific socialism, draws on and absorbs all outstanding achievements of human civilisation, represents the development direction of human civilisation’s progress, presents a new form of modernisation that is different from the Western model of modernisation, and is a brand new model of human civilisation. Chinese-style modernisation has broken the myth that ‘modernisation=Westernisation’; it has presented another form of modernisation, expanded the options for developing countries to achieve modernisation, and provided a Chinese solution for mankind to explore a better social system (Note: Not just different but better.). Its unique global outlook, values, perspectives on history, civilisation, democracy, and ecology, and the great practice embodied in Chinese-style modernisation represent great innovations in the theory and practice of world modernisation. The Chinese-style modernisation has set a good example and provided a new choice for developing countries to pursue modernisation independently.” 习近平指出，中国式现代化，深深植根于中华优秀传统文化，体现科学社会主义的先进本质，借鉴吸收一切人类优秀文明成果，代表人类文明进步的发展方向，展现了不同于西方现代化模式的新图景，是一种全新的人类文明形态。中国式现代化，打破了“现代化=西方化”的迷思，展现了现代化的另一幅图景，拓展了发展中国家走向现代化的路径选择，为人类对更好社会制度的探索提供了中国方案。中国式现代化蕴含的独特世界观、价值观、历史观、文明观、民主观、生态观等及其伟大实践，是对世界现代化理论和实践的重大创新。中国式现代化为广大发展中国家独立自主迈向现代化树立了典范，为其提供了全新选择.
Xi then said that promoting Chinese-style modernisation is a systematic endeavour that requires overall consideration, systematic planning and overall promotion; it also requires one to correctly manage a series of major relationships, such as top-level design and practical exploration, strategy and tactics, integrity and innovation, efficiency and fairness, vitality and order, self-reliance and self-improvement and opening up. 习近平强调，推进中国式现代化是一个系统工程，需要统筹兼顾、系统谋划、整体推进，正确处理好顶层设计与实践探索、战略与策略、守正与创新、效率与公平、活力与秩序、自立自强与对外开放等一系列重大关系.
To carry out top-level design, it is necessary to have a deep insight into the general trend of world development, accurately grasp the common aspirations of the people, deeply explore the laws of economic and social development, and develop a system of planning and policy that reflects the times, is standardised, and is also creative, so as to achieve a combination of the long and short-terms, top to bottom linkage and substantive coordination. Promoting Chinese-style modernisation is an exploratory undertaking, and there are still many unknown domains. This requires us to explore boldly in practice and promote the development of the cause through reform and innovation… 使制定的规划和政策体系体现时代性、把握规律性、富于创造性，做到远近结合、上下贯通、内容协调。推进中国式现代化是一个探索性事业，还有许多未知领域，需要我们在实践中去大胆探索，通过改革创新来推动事业发展，决不能刻舟求剑、守株待兔.
It is necessary to be more forward-looking in our strategy, accurately grasp the inevitable trends of the development of things, have a keen understanding of possible opportunities and challenges on the road ahead, and use scientific strategies to foresee and guide the future. To enhance the overall situation of the strategy, plan strategic objectives, formulate strategic measures and make strategic arrangements, we must focus on solving major issues related to the success or failure of the cause of the Party and the country. To enhance strategic stability, once the strategy is formed, we must persist in it for a long time, grasp it to the end, make good efforts and not change as one wishes. 要增强战略的前瞻性，准确把握事物发展的必然趋势，敏锐洞悉前进道路上可能出现的机遇和挑战，以科学的战略预见未来、引领未来。要增强战略的全局性，谋划战略目标、制定战略举措、作出战略部署，都要着眼于解决事关党和国家事业兴衰成败、牵一发而动全身的重大问题。要增强战略的稳定性，战略一经形成，就要长期坚持、一抓到底、善作善成，不要随意改变. However, Xi then adds that one must “combine the principle of strategy and the flexibility of tactics.” And that one must “be flexible, adaptable and make decisions at the moment, and grasp the strategic initiative in adapting to local conditions, acting according to the situation and taking advantage of the situation.” 要把战略的原则性和策略的灵活性有机结合起来，灵活机动、随机应变、临机决断，在因地制宜、因势而动、顺势而为中把握战略主动. Xi then said that regardless, the “right direction of Chinese-style modernisation must be ensured.”
Xinhua English summarises the next paragraph’s key points well: “Xi said innovation must be placed in a prominent position in overall national development, and efforts must be made to achieve higher efficiency than capitalism while maintaining fairness in the society more effectively.” 要把创新摆在国家发展全局的突出位置，顺应时代发展要求，着眼于解决重大理论和实践问题，积极识变应变求变，大力推进改革创新，不断塑造发展新动能新优势，充分激发全社会创造活力。既要创造比资本主义更高的效率，又要更有效地维护社会公平，更好实现效率与公平相兼顾、相促进、相统一.
Three other points that he makes are:
Adhere to the overall national security concept
Persist in independence and self-reliance. The development of the country and the nation should be carried out on the basis of our own strength, and firmly grasp the fate of China's development and progress in our own hands.
Persist in efforts to expand high-standard opening up and deeply involve the country in the global industrial division of labour and cooperation
After this, the report says that Li Qiang said that the important speech delivered by Xi enriched and developed the theory of Chinese modernisation and should be carefully studied and grasped. He called for thinking and acting in line with the guiding principles of the speech. He emphasised the importance of the Two Establishments, and reiterated the 4-4-2 formulation.
Next, at the top of the page, there’s a brief report informing that in 2022, China’s crude oil output was 204 million tons, while natural gas output was 220 billion cubic metres.
Also on the page is a report on Li Keqiang chairing a seminar to solicit opinions on the draft government work report from grassroots organisations’ representatives and people from all walks of life. Li’s reported comments in the article basically defend China’s economic development through the pandemic and since the 19th Party Congress.
“He said that in the past year, under the strong leadership of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, China’s development has made new and hard-won achievements. Outbreaks and other unexpected factors that had a severe impact on the economy; we responded in a timely and decisive manner to these, implemented announced policy measures, introduced a package of policies and follow-up measures to stabilise the economy, and held a national teleconference on stabilising the economy. We implemented large-scale tax rebates, tax reductions and fee reductions to help small and medium-sized enterprises and individual industrial and commercial households tide over the difficulties and support stable employment and people's livelihood. Innovative policy tools were devised to support major project construction, equipment renovation, and expand investment and consumption. There was a focus on grain production and energy supply, which laid a solid foundation for price stability. Local governments were encouraged to introduce stable economic policies according to local conditions...Through hard work, the macro-economic situation has been stabilised, more than 12 million new urban jobs were created, despite high international inflation, the increase in the domestic consumer price index was only 2%, and imports and exports increased by 7.7%, thereby keeping the economic operation within a reasonable range… 李克强与参会代表交流。他说，过去一年，在以习近平同志为核心的党中央坚强领导下，我国发展取得极为不易的新成就。疫情等超预期因素对经济带来严重冲击，我们及时果断应对，靠前实施既定政策举措，推出稳经济一揽子政策和接续措施，召开全国稳住经济大盘电视电话会议。实行规模性退税减税降费等，帮扶中小微企业、个体工商户渡难关，支撑稳就业保民生。创新政策工具支持重大项目建设、设备更新改造，扩投资带消费。突出抓好粮食生产和能源保供，夯实稳物价基础。鼓励地方因地制宜出台稳经济政策，发挥经济大省挑大梁作用。经过努力，稳住了宏观经济大盘，城镇新增就业1200多万人，在国际通胀高企背景下国内居民消费价格涨幅只有2%，进出口增长7.7%，经济运行保持在合理区间。这殊为不易，成之惟艰.
In the next paragraph, he outlines achievements over the past five years. Xinhua English captures these:
“Highlighting the country's great development achievements in the past five years, he said that China's economy has grown at an average annual rate of 5.2 percent in the period, although COVID-19 had disrupted economic operations for three of those years. Over the last decade, China's economy has grown at an annual average of 6.2 percent, realising medium and high-speed expansion over a long term, he said. During the same period, the annual growth of the consumer price index has been maintained at no more than 3 percent, and the total number of enterprises and private businesses has jumped from over 50 million to more than 160 million. China's economic growth stabilised at the end of last year and rebounded at the beginning of 2023, Li said, adding that consumption, a major growth driver for years, logged robust expansion in January this year.”
He then talked about the need for “innovative macro control,” adhering to the employment-first policy, persisting in reform and opening up, adhering to the Two Unswervings, the need to address challenges faced by enterprises — especially the consumer service industry — and address the lack of aggregate demand, which is “still the main contradiction.”
Page 3: There’s a report on China providing emergency aid for Türkiye and Syria. Deng Boqing, deputy head of the China International Development Cooperation Agency, said that China will provide the first batch of emergency aid worth 40 million yuan (about $5.89 million) to Türkiye, while relief materials for Syria are being coordinated. In addition, an 82-member Chinese team was dispatched by the Ministry of Emergency Management, at the request of the Turkish government.
Next, there’s a brief report informing that the first round consultations of Version 3.0 China-ASEAN Free Trade Area negotiations started on Tuesday. The two sides held in-depth discussions on the procedural rules, organizational arrangements and work plans of the negotiations, and worked out a timetable and road map for follow-up negotiations.
In addition to the above, there’s a report highlighting positive economic forecasts for China from multilateral and financial institutions. Also, there’s a report on the 6th Singapore-China Legal and Judicial Roundtable, which was attended by Zhou Qiang. The report says that the two sides talked about the need to “consolidate the existing cooperation mechanism, open up a broad space for cooperation, and serve high-quality BRI development.”
Page 4: A report informing that China’s ambassador to Pakistan, Nong Rong, has been promoted to the position of Vice Foreign Minister. This is quite the rise for someone who wasn’t even in the foreign policy apparatus till 2020.
Next, there’s a Zhòng Yīn commentary on the resilience of the Chinese economy. The commentary begins by defending the adjustments to China’s COVID policies over the years and says that despite the challenges of the pandemic, “China's economy has made steady progress and reached new heights.”
This paragraph on China’s contribution to the global economy is useful to note from a narrative perspective.
“The strong resilience and great potential of the Chinese economy have injected stability and certainty into the global economic recovery. China has the most complete industrial system in the world; its manufacturing scale accounts for 30% of the global scale; and China is also an important hub of global manufacturing. At a time when inflation around the world is still at a high level, Chinese products are playing an important role in stabilising international market prices. China’s super-large domestic market also provides stable demand for the world. China’s total import volume was 14.3 trillion yuan in 2020, 17.4 trillion yuan in 2021 and 18.1 trillion yuan in 2022. China’s total goods import and export volume has continued to increase. When it comes to exports, China continues to rank at the top for 14 consecutive years. This has played a key role in maintaining the stability of the global industrial and supply chains. At present, China has optimised the epidemic prevention and control measures according to the situation, which has greatly stimulated the world's expectation with regard to China's economic growth and has had a positive spillover effect. According to international media reports, global investors are pouring finances back into emerging market countries at a near-record rate, much of which is being invested in Chinese assets, marking a strong start for 2023.” 中国经济的强劲韧性和巨大潜力，为世界经济复苏注入了稳定性和确定性。我国拥有世界最完整的产业体系，制造业规模占全球30%，是全球制造业的重要枢纽。在全球通胀仍处高位之时，中国产品对稳定国际市场价格起到重要作用。中国超大规模国内市场，也为世界提供稳定需求，进口总额从2020年的14.3万亿元，到2021年的17.4万亿元，再到2022年的18.1万亿元。中国货物进出口总额持续增加，出口国际市场份额连续14年居全球首位，为维护全球产业链供应链稳定发挥了关键作用。当前，中国因时因势优化疫情防控措施，极大激发了世界对中国经济增长及其正面外溢效应的预期。有国际媒体报道说，全球投资者正以近乎创纪录的速度涌入新兴市场国家，其中大部分用于投资中国资产，为2023年强劲开局。
The article ends with this: “At the Central Economic Work Conference, General Secretary Xi Jinping provided a strategic assessment that ‘the overall economic operation is expected to pick up’. China's economy has strong resilience, great potential and full vitality, and its long-term positive fundamentals have not changed and will not change.” 在中央经济工作会议上，习近平总书记作出“经济运行有望总体回升”的战略判断。我国经济韧性强、潜力大、活力足，长期向好的基本面没有变也不会变.
Page 16: On the international page, the lead story makes the point that “the Pacific Ocean is not a dumping ground for Japan's nuclear waste.”