Xi's Views on Culture - Xi is 'Chief Architect' of China's Diplomacy - Li on Stabilising Employment - Wang Yang: Taiwan Situation 'Uncertain & Unstable' - Russia-Ukraine Conflict a US 'Proxy War'

Here are the stories and pieces that I found noteworthy in the Thursday, May 12, 2022, edition of the People’s Daily.

Page 1: The top three stories on the page are about Xi Jinping. They occupy the most space on the front page, and are not newsworthy in the conventional sense of the term.

First, there’s a long feature story headlined Xi Jinping’s feelings about culture 习近平的文化情怀. I am not quite sure what this is foreshadowing – a conference of some sort around culture and civilisation?

Anyway, the story says that over the years, Xi has led China’s march towards national rejuvenation with a “firm sense of cultural self-confidence.” The article begins with talking about Xi’s interest in protecting the ruins of Liangzhu way back when he was the Party Secretary of Zhejiang and his support for its listing as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2019. It says that the site is “the most direct and powerful evidence of the 5,000-year history of Chinese civilisation.”

The next example is Xi’s interest in Confucius, and him attending the International Symposium to Commemorate Confucius’ 2565th birth anniversary in 2014. The piece then talks about his visit to the Zhu Xi Garden. There he noted an inscription on the wall, reading that “a country is based on the people, and the state is also built for the people” – 国以民为本，社稷亦为民而立. Xi then quoted this during the June 29, 2018, study session of the Politburo. 

“‘If there is no 5,000-year-old Chinese civilisation, how can there be Chinese characteristics? If it were not for Chinese characteristics, where would the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics be as successful as we are today?’ After reviewing the past, the General Secretary reflected deeply: ‘We should pay special attention to tapping the essence of the 5,000-year-old Chinese civilisation, integrate the promotion of fine traditional culture with Marxist positions, views and methods, and unswervingly follow the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics.’ Standing at the height of the 5,000-year Chinese civilisation and opening up new prospects for the great cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics, we have a strong foundation to ‘go our own way’.” “如果没有中华五千年文明，哪里有什么中国特色？如果不是中国特色，哪有我们今天这么成功的中国特色社会主义道路？”鉴往知来，总书记思考深刻：“我们要特别重视挖掘中华五千年文明中的精华，把弘扬优秀传统文化同马克思主义立场观点方法结合起来，坚定不移走中国特色社会主义道路。”站在中华五千年文明高度，开创中国特色社会主义伟大事业新局面，“走自己的路”因而有了强大底气.

The article continues with more examples. One of them is around Xi’s visit to the Acropolis Museum in Greece in November 2019. I thought this was rather interesting.

There he stood before a Contemplative/Pensive Athena relief. He tells the Greek president that “she is thinking about the meaning of war” and informs him about the Chinese idiom 止戈为武 - zhǐ gē wéi wǔ, which essentially refers to the idea of a just war to quell the scourge of war.  Xi’s host “nodded in agreement while listening.” 2019年11月，雅典卫城博物馆。正在希腊访问的习近平总书记来到这里。在“克里提奥斯少年”雕像前，他停下脚步。在“沉思的雅典娜”浮雕前，他再次驻足。“她在思考战争的意义究竟何在。”习近平同身旁的希腊总统讲起“止戈为武”的中国典故，总统边听边不住地点头表示赞同.

After this, there’s a chunk about Xi Jinping calling on leading cadres to study history and draw wisdom from history to inform modern-day governance. In this context, we get told about Xi in December 2012 talking about the dialogue between Mao and Huang Yanpei on overcoming the challenge of the dynastic cycle of rise and fall of empires. And then it makes the point that under Xi, a second answer has been provided to this question, i.,e., self-revolution.

The piece then says that: “Historical context is a special ‘judgement criterion’ in the eyes of General Secretary Xi Jinping.” – 历史文脉，在习近平总书记眼中更是一种特殊的“评判标准”。

This is followed by brief bits from the past and present about Xi’s interest in the spiritual genealogy of the Chinese Communists, preservation of cultural relics, him being respectful of the elderly, and his appreciation of China’s red heritage, etc.

The second piece around Xi Jinping informs that a new collection - two volumes - of Xi’s speeches on foreign policies has been published. The collection includes 136 speeches covering a period from March 2013 to November 2021. The introduction to the key speeches covered in the two volumes has been reproduced on Pages 2 and 3 in the paper today. The story on Page 1 calls Xi the “chief architect” - 总设计师 - of China’s major-country diplomacy.

It says that “since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the CPC Central Committee with comrade Xi Jinping at the core has been facing the complex and severe international situation and unprecedented external risks and challenges, coordinating both domestic and international situations, and making strategic plans for major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics. China's diplomacy has broken new ground in a rapidly changing world and turned crises into opportunities in a chaotic world. China’s international influence, appeal, and power to shape have significantly enhanced.” 党的十八大以来，以习近平同志为核心的党中央面对复杂严峻的国际形势和前所未有的外部风险挑战，统筹国内国际两个大局，对中国特色大国外交作出战略谋划，我国外交在世界大变局中开创新局、在世界乱局中化危为机，我国国际影响力、感召力、塑造力显著提升.

Third, there’s a feature story around Xi Jinping’s CYL speech. It says that Xi’s speech “vividly reflects key landmarks and footprints of youth” through China’s history, and tells us that his comments aroused strong emotions among those listening.

After all this, we get to the weekly State Council meeting, which called for the adoption of fiscal and monetary policies that prioritise job creation, as part of efforts to keep overall economic performance stable. Xinhua reports:

“‘The greater-than-expected impacts from the new round of COVID-19 resurgence and shifting dynamics in the international environment have added new downward pressure to the economy in April. It is imperative to stay confident, face difficulties and challenges squarely, and keep overall economic performance stable, to lay the foundation for coordinated progress on all fronts,’ Premier Li said. The meeting stressed that fiscal and monetary policies should be employment-oriented. Tax refunds and breaks, deferred payment of social insurance premiums, reductions in financing costs and other measures should all focus on keeping the operation of market entities stable, keeping payrolls stable and keeping employment stable, to ensure basic livelihoods, stabilize growth and drive consumption. Various policy tools will be further explored…to effectively keep jobs and employment stable. ‘We must attach high importance to the work of stabilizing employment. Various support policies should be effectively and speedily implemented to encourage and help enterprises to keep their payrolls stable. Local governments must step up to their responsibilities of supporting market entities and stabilizing jobs. Pro-job policies should be intensified with extended coverage,’ Premier Li said. The meeting urged efforts to keep prices stable. China has sufficient supply of essential livelihood products. That said, work in this regard should not be taken lightly. Solid efforts are needed on grain production to ensure stable grain output and supply and strengthen the foundation for price stability. While ensuring effective COVID-19 response, further efforts will be made to ensure unimpeded logistics, especially in key areas, and safeguard the stability of industrial and supply chains.”

“The normal supply of energy will be guaranteed. On top of the support provided to electricity producers managed by the central government, including 50 billion yuan ($7.43 billion) in renewable energy subsidies and 20 billion yuan of replenished funds from the state capital operations budget, an additional 50 billion yuan in subsidies and 10 billion yuan from the budget will be made available to support coal-fired power plants in overcoming difficulties and increasing electricity generation. Measures to expand the coverage and extend the time-frame of the policy for deferred payments of old-age insurance premiums will be promptly explored. Localities will be guided to subsidize the utility bills of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises and self-employed households.”

“The meeting also noted that infrastructure and other existing assets will be put to better use. This will help broaden channels for private investment, boost effective investment and reduce government debt risks. The mobilization of existing assets through setting up real estate investment trusts and other means will be encouraged. Localities will be guided to introduce demonstrative projects for attracting investment, and all types of investors will be treated as equals. The market-based operation mechanism will be improved to raise the returns of the projects. New projects invested by recovered funds will be given access to the funding of special-purpose bonds.”

In the PD report, the last paragraph informs that in addition to the above, people are being exempt from paying interest on student loans this year, and even principal payments can be deferred for one year without compound interest. 

Next, there’s a report (English report) about Wang Yang’s letter at the fifth cross-Straits Youth Development Forum being held in Hangzhou. He said that China would “welcome more Taiwanese youth to come to the mainland to pursue their dreams and create a better life.” He added that “The Chinese mainland has successfully achieved the first centenary goal - building a moderately prosperous society in all respects and is now moving resolutely toward the second. This will provide room for compatriots on both sides of the Straits, especially young people, to join their hands and proceed ahead.”

He talked about the current situation around the Taiwan Strait being increasingly “uncertain and unstable.” He added that “Taiwan independence secessionists are the biggest threat to compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Straits to jointly create a better life. But the historical wheel of national reunification and rejuvenation cannot be stopped…it is hoped that young people on the island of Taiwan will keep the overall situation in mind and uphold justice. ‘They should firmly oppose 'Taiwan secessionists' and interference by external forces, stand up for their own interests and well-being, and have the courage to pursue a better life, so as to contribute in better ways to the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations, to the great cause of reunification and to national rejuvenation’.”

Next, a report about Li Zhanshu’s comments emphasising the importance of adhering to Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilisation and the rule of law for the protection of wetlands. 

Finally, a report about a new book put out by the Theory Bureau of the Central Propaganda Department. The book is titled 百年大党面对面 - Face to Face with the Party’s Centenary. The book talks about 13 major issues, such as why the Party put out the third history resolution, why are the ‘Two Establishments’ of decisive significance, and why is it that the new era of socialism with Chinese characteristics implies a new leap in the sinicisation of Marxism.

Page 3: A report about Wang Yong investigating disaster prevention and mitigation work in Gansu. The report talks about drills related to forest fires and earthquake relief. In the article, Wang makes the point of being especially prepared considering the 20th Party Congress will be held later this year. 

Also, there’s a commentary based on Xi’s CYL centenary speech. This basically says:

“At present, the world is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century, and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation has entered a critical period. The Chinese people are striving towards the second centenary goal of building a modern socialist country in an all-round way…The Communist Youth League should pass on and carry forward the valuable experience formed by a hundred years of struggle, uphold the leadership of the party, stick to ideals and beliefs, join in the national rejuvenation, take root in the broad masses of young people, firmly grasp the theme of the times of striving for the realisation of the Chinese dream, constantly maintain and strengthen its political, advanced and mass character, persist in taking the training of socialist builders and successors as the fundamental task, unite and unite young people for the Party’s cause most extensively, and do a good job in youth work for the Party in the new era…” 当前，世界百年未有之大变局加速演进，中华民族伟大复兴进入关键时期，中国人民正意气风发向着全面建成社会主义现代化强国的第二个百年奋斗目标迈进。总书记强调：“共青团要增强引领力、组织力、服务力，团结带领广大团员青年成长为有理想、敢担当、能吃苦、肯奋斗的新时代好青年，用青春的能动力和创造力激荡起民族复兴的澎湃春潮，用青春的智慧和汗水打拼出一个更加美好的中国！”越是往前走、向上攀，越是要善于从走过的路中汲取智慧、提振信心、增添力量。共青团要把百年奋斗形成的宝贵经验传承好、发扬好，坚持党的领导，坚守理想信念，投身民族复兴，扎根广大青年，牢牢把握为实现中国梦而奋斗的时代主题，不断保持和增强政治性、先进性、群众性，坚持把培养社会主义建设者和接班人作为根本任务，最广泛地为党的事业团结凝聚青年，为党做好新时代的青年工作，始终成为引领中国青年思想进步的政治学校，始终成为组织中国青年永久奋斗的先锋力量，始终成为党联系青年最为牢固的桥梁纽带，始终成为紧跟党走在时代前列的先进组织.

Page 4: Just one report to note. There’s an interview with Yu Jiadong, vice minister of human resources and social security, on the issue of employment stability. Yu says that in the first four months, 4.06 million new jobs were created in cities and towns…In the first quarter, China’s surveyed urban unemployment rate stood at 5.5 percent, which was within the expected target range. Despite this, he acknowledges that “there have been some fluctuations in employment data since March, and employment pressure has increased.”

In response to the next question, Yu outlines the policy measures that are being adopted.

• Support for enterprises through fee reductions, deferred payment options and subsidies.

• Employment support for key groups: college graduates and migrant workers.

• Providing support for enterprises in meeting recruitment needs

• Providing more vocational training and skill development opportunities for job-seekers

• online and offline recruitment activities will be launched to provide adequate information to the graduates

• unemployment insurance benefits will be honoured in time

• Steps will be taken to boost employment among those that had shaken off poverty

Page 8: It’s incredible that one has to get to the eighth page to read about the COVID-19 outbreak in China’s capital. The story informs that at present, there are 20 high-risk areas in the city and 34 medium-risk areas. The piece talks about the outbreak in Shunyi. Towards the end, it says that starting today, those entering public places, such as party and government offices, enterprises, institutions, commercial buildings, shopping malls, supermarkets, hotels, etc., must provide a negative PCR test report conducted within a 48-hour period.

Next, there’s a report (English report) about the outbreak situation in Shanghai. It says that “half of Shanghai's 16 districts have achieved ‘zero-COVID” status. “A total of eight districts in Shanghai and parts of the city’s Pudong New Area have achieved zero-COVID status,” Zhao Dandan, deputy director of Shanghai’s health commission, said. 

“Data also showed that the city recorded no cases outside areas under the strictest curbs on Tuesday. Despite achieving that significant milestone, officials said it was not yet time to ease curbs. ‘We must clearly recognize that the current situation is not stable, and the risk of a rebound still remains,’ Zhao said.”

There was also a controversy around the WHO chief’s comments about China’s zero-COVID policy. This has been censored on social media and was not covered in PD today. But basically WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Tuesday that China’s zero-tolerance strategy was not sustainable and that it was time for a change in approach. In response, the foreign ministry’s Zhao Lijian said: “We hope the relevant individual can view Chinese Covid policy objectively and rationally and know the facts, instead of making irresponsible remarks.”

Page 11: A report (English report) informing that Gong Jianhua, a vice chairman of the Standing Committee of Jiangxi Provincial People’s Congress, was expelled from the Party. He was also removed from public office over severe violations of Party discipline and laws. Gong took advantage of his positions to help others in land sales and project development and illegally accepted a vast amount of money and valuables in return. He has severely violated the Party's discipline and committed duty-related crime. He is also suspected of taking bribes.

Page 17: The lead story on the international page makes the point that the “Russia-Ukraine conflict is largely the result of the arrogance and successive mistakes of the US-led Western bloc over the past 30 years. The US government should bear considerable responsibility. The current actions of the United States are not helping end the crisis, but only continue to play up camp confrontation.” 越来越多的国际人士指出，俄乌冲突的爆发很大程度上是美国主导的西方阵营过去30年来傲慢自大和接连犯错的结果。美政府应该承担相当大的责任，美国当前的做法无助于结束危机，而是在继续渲染阵营对抗.

The article talks about US aid, particularly military aid to Ukraine. It refers to the conflict as a sort of “proxy war.” It says that US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has announced the creation of an international contact group on Ukraine’s defence with the participation of more than 40 states. They will discuss and coordinate military assistance to Ukraine on a regular basis. 

It then says that writing in Le Figaro, former French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine has argued that “the outbreak of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict was largely the result of arrogance and successive mistakes of the American-led Western camp in the past 30 years. The decision at NATO’s Bucharest summit in 2008 that Ukraine would become a member of the alliance was a ‘counterproductive’ provocation.” Thomas Friedman gets cited for arguing that the US government should bear a great deal of responsibility for the deterioration of relations between Russia and Ukraine, primarily because of NATO’s eastward expansion. – There are many other publications and individuals quoted to make the same point. The one chunk that I found interesting is below:

Then RT gets cited: “What the US is doing clearly shows that it is trying to weaken other countries by escalating the Ukraine crisis in order to consolidate its geopolitical hegemony.” Instead of seeking to stop the war, the US and its allies are trying to turn the Ukraine crisis into a proxy war against Russia for their own geopolitical gains… ‘The US divides the world into different camps according to its own standards. This kind of behaviour itself violates the spirit of democracy and will only bring more chaos to the world and more disasters to the people of all countries.” “美国的所作所为清楚表明，它企图通过升级乌克兰危机削弱他国实力，以巩固自身的地缘政治霸权。”今日俄罗斯通讯社评论说，美国及其盟友不是寻求停止战争，而是竭力将乌克兰危机转变为针对俄罗斯的代理人战争，以获取自身地缘政治利益。“美国按照自己的标准把世界划分为不同阵营，这种行径本身就违背了民主精神，只会给世界带来更多混乱，给各国人民带来更多灾难.”

It is widely believed that since taking office, the Biden administration has repeatedly advocated a ‘return to multilateralism’, but the fact is that it has sought to divide the world by drawing ideological boundaries and forcing others to choose sides. The fundamental purpose of the US is to maintain its hegemony by constantly strengthening small circles and groups such as the Quad, the ‘Five Eyes’ and the G7. 国际舆论普遍认为，拜登政府上台后不断宣扬“回归多边主义”，实际上却是以意识形态划界拉帮结派，以强迫选边站队来割裂世界。美国不断强化“四边机制”“五眼联盟”“七国集团”等小圈子、小集团，其根本目的是为了维护美国的霸权.

In addition to this, there is a report about the visit of Deputy Foreign Policy Chief of the European Union Enrique Mora to Iran, and another about the China South-South Cooperation Assistance Fund and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) cooperating to distribute humanitarian supplies in Kabul on May 9. 

Other Stories:

This is not in PD, but Wang Yi had a video conversation with Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari yesterday. Xinhua reports:

“‘China will, as always, firmly support Pakistan in safeguarding national sovereignty, security and dignity and in its commitment to national development and rejuvenation," Wang said, adding that China believes that Pakistan will also firmly stand with China on all issues concerning China’s core interests. Bilawal said he was glad to have his first official bilateral activity since taking office as meeting with Chinese foreign minister. Bilawal said that both the ruling and opposition parties in Pakistan firmly support the bilateral friendship, which is the consensus shared by Pakistani people. Pakistan firmly upholds the one-China policy and supports China's positions on issues related to Taiwan, Xinjiang, Tibet and the South China Sea. And Pakistan fully supports the Belt and Road Initiative, especially the construction of the Pakistan-China Economic Corridor. The two sides also exchanged views on the safety of Chinese citizens and institutions in Pakistan.”

On the recent terror attack in Karachi, Wang said: “The pressing task is to speed up the investigation of the perpetrators and punish them as soon as possible. We should take targeted measures to improve security protection for Chinese personnel, institutions and projects in Pakistan, give timely security warnings, and plug security loopholes so as to prevent similar incidents from happening again.” —

Bilawal is later reported to have said that “Pakistan is ready to strengthen cooperation with China to enhance its counter-terrorism capability and ensure the safety of all Chinese citizens in Pakistan.”