Xi's WEF Speech - Li-Scholz Chat - Wang Yi on Ties with Philippines - Learning from History - Report on Russia's Talks with US-NATO
Here are the stories and pieces that I found noteworthy from the Tuesday, January 18, 2022, edition of the People’s Daily.
Page 1: The lead story on the page is about Xi Jinping’s speech at the World Economic Forum. I am doing a breakdown of the full English version of the speech on offer by Xinhua.
After speaking about putting wings to a tiger, Xi said:
“The world today is undergoing major changes unseen in a century. These changes, not limited to a particular moment, event, country or region, represent the profound and sweeping changes of our times. As changes of the times combine with the once-in-a-century pandemic, the world finds itself in a new period of turbulence and transformation. How to beat the pandemic and how to build the post-COVID world? These are major issues of common concern to people around the world. They are also major, urgent questions we must give answers to.”
He then made some specific points about the direction of the world:
Xi said that the pandemic was proving to be a “protracted one,” and countries need to continue to cooperate. He added that “holding each other back or shifting blame would only cause needless delay in response and distract us from the overall objective.” He spoke about the need for cooperation on drugs and the need to ensure the equitable distribution of vaccines. “China has already sent over two billion doses of vaccines to more than 120 countries and international organizations. Still, China will provide another one billion doses to African countries, including 600 million doses as donation, and will also donate 150 million doses to ASEAN countries.”
He then called for strengthening macro-policy coordination. Xi said that “major economies should see the world as one community, think in a more systematic way, increase policy transparency and information sharing, and coordinate the objectives, intensity and pace of fiscal and monetary policies, so as to prevent the world economy from plummeting again. Major developed countries should adopt responsible economic policies, manage policy spillovers, and avoid severe impacts on developing countries. International economic and financial institutions should play their constructive role to pool global consensus, enhance policy synergy and prevent systemic risks.”
Xi then talked about the Global Development Initiative, pitching it as a “public good.” He said that the “process of global development is suffering from severe disruption, entailing more outstanding problems like a widening North-South gap, divergent recovery trajectories, development fault-lines and a technological divide.”
On climate change, he underscored the “need to uphold the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, promote international cooperation on climate change in the context of development, and implement the outcomes of COP26 to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Developed economies should take the lead in honoring their emissions reduction responsibilities, deliver on their commitment of financial and technological support, and create the necessary conditions for developing countries to address climate change and achieve sustainable development.”
Next, he talked about the need to “discard Cold War mentality and seek peaceful coexistence and win-win outcomes.” He added: “a zero-sum approach that enlarges one's own gain at the expense of others will not help. Acts of single-mindedly building ‘exclusive yards with high walls’ or ‘parallel systems’, of enthusiastically putting together exclusive small circles or blocs that polarize the world, of overstretching the concept of national security to hold back economic and technological advances of other countries, and of fanning ideological antagonism and politicizing or weaponizing economic, scientific and technological issues, will gravely undercut international efforts to tackle common challenges.”
Xi then spoke about China’s policies:
“China will stay committed to pursuing high-quality development…Shifts in the domestic and international economic environment have brought tremendous pressure, but the fundamentals of the Chinese economy, characterized by strong resilience, enormous potential and long-term sustainability, remain unchanged.”
He then talked about the goal of common prosperity: “China has made it clear that we strive for more visible and substantive progress in the well-rounded development of individuals and the common prosperity of the entire population. We are working hard on all fronts to deliver this goal. The common prosperity we desire is not egalitarianism. To use an analogy, we will first make the pie bigger, and then divide it properly through reasonable institutional arrangements.”
Next, he said that “China will stay committed to reform and opening-up.” He added: “China will continue to let the market play a decisive role in resource allocation, and see to it that the government better plays its role. We will be steadfast in consolidating and developing the public sector, just as we are steadfast in encouraging, supporting and guiding the development of the non-public sector. We will build a unified, open, competitive and orderly market system, where all businesses enjoy equal status before the law and have equal opportunities in the marketplace. All types of capital are welcome to operate in China in compliance with laws and regulations.”
China will stay committed to promoting ecological conservation. He spoke about the carbon peak and neutrality goals. “China now has the world's biggest carbon market and biggest clean power generation system: the installed capacity of renewable energy has exceeded one billion kilowatts, and the construction of wind and photovoltaic power stations with a total installed capacity of 100 million kilowatts is well under way. Carbon peak and carbon neutrality cannot be realized overnight. Through solid and steady steps, China will pursue an orderly phase-down of traditional energy in the course of finding reliable substitution in new energy.” – While on this, check out this story: “China coal output hits record in Dec and in 2021 -stats bureau”
Next, a report with Wang Yi’s comments about Xi’s speech. He reiterates the key points from Xi’s comments. Third, report that the third volume of Xi’s Governance of China has been published in Mongolian, Tibetan, Uygur, Kazak and Korean.
Fourth, a report about Li Keqiang’s comments at the national conference on production safety. Broadly, the view was that in 2021, the production safety situation was “generally stable.” Li said that “all localities, departments and units concerned should adhere to the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics in the New Era, conscientiously implement the decision-making arrangements of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, adhere to the people first and life first, implement overall development and safety in all aspects of various fields, and constantly improve the ability to prevent and resolve major security risks…” He talks about safety, specifically in the context of gas and hazardous chemicals and industries like transportation, mines, construction, fire protection, water transportation and fishing vessels.
Vice-Premier Liu He, who is also the head of the Work Safety Committee of the State Council, spoke at the meeting too. He spoke about how everyone had implemented Xi’s instructions. He added that “we should have a deep understanding of the grave situation and challenges faced by production safety, and resolutely prevent and contain serious accidents.” — Makes sense; it’s a big political year. The Party wouldn’t want any serious negative development, tragedy at home.
Fifth, a report about Wang Yang speaking at the United Front Work Department meeting. Wang spoke about the adhering Xi’s views on “strengthening and improving the United Front work, grasping and applying the historical experience of the Party’s century of struggle, carry forward the great spirit of Party building, earnestly improve political judgment, understanding and execution, and welcome the 20th Party Congress…He talks about implementing the decision-making arrangements of the Party Central Committee with regard to the United front work with the spirit of driving down nails, resolutely guard against and resolve the risk challenges in the field of United Front work with the sense of responsibility….”
Wang further “stressed that it is necessary to profoundly understand that the United Front is an important magic weapon for the Party to defeat the enemy and to govern and rejuvenate the nation. The role of the United Front is even more important on the new journey, and the tasks of the United Front work are even more arduous. We should correctly understand and grasp the relationship between consistency and diversity, insist on seeking common ground while reserving differences, converging and assimilating differences, seeking the greatest common divisor and drawing the largest concentric circles.” 他强调，要深刻认识统一战线是党克敌制胜、执政兴国的重要法宝，新征程上统一战线作用更加重要，统战工作任务更加艰巨繁重。要正确理解和把握一致性和多样性的关系，坚持求同存异、聚同化异，寻求最大公约数、画出最大同心圆.
Page 2: A couple of stories on the page worth noting. First, Wang Yi’s comments at the Manila Forum for China-Philippines Relations. Xinhua reports Wang saying that:
“Facts have proved that Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s strategic decision to improve relations with China is in line with the fundamental interests of the Philippine people. It is also in line with the common interests of China and the Philippines and the trend of peaceful regional development…Wang said China is willing to continue to guarantee Philippine COVID-19 vaccine needs. China will also cooperate on specific drugs and public health capacity-building until the virus is defeated. China is willing to continue to open the door to more Philippine agricultural products and improve investment to help the Philippines accelerate its industrialization and modernization process and enhance its independent development capabilities...On the South China Sea issue, Wang said China is prepared to promote joint development without affecting each other’s respective rights and claims. China is also willing to turn challenges into opportunities, help the development of the Philippines, and strengthen the friendship between the two peoples. Wang called on both sides to maintain the ASEAN-centered regional cooperation framework and deepen the China-ASEAN comprehensive strategic partnership.”
In the PD report, Wang also says that “China will continue to adhere to the neighborhood policy of amity, security and prosperity, uphold the neighborhood foreign policy of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness, and strengthen solidarity and cooperation with the Philippines.” 王毅表示，面向未来，中国将继续坚持睦邻、安邻、富邻的周边政策，秉持亲诚惠容的周边外交方针，加强与菲律宾的团结合作.
Do check out Reuters’ report on this. It quotes Wang as having said that:
“Stressing only one side’s claims and imposing one's own will on the other is not a proper way for neighbours to treat each other and it goes against the oriental philosophy of how people should get along with each other.” The report adds that Wang’s remarks come less than two months after the Philippines condemned China's blocking of a military resupply ship in the South China Sea, which prompted a warning from treaty ally the United States that an attack on Philippine vessels would invoke its mutual defence commitments.
Next, Wang Yi’s chat with Estonian Foreign Minister Eva-Maria Liimets. Xinhua reports:
“The two sides should continue to attach importance to each other’s legitimate concerns in core interests, abide by the international relations norms of non-interference in internal affairs, and safeguard the political foundation of bilateral relations, he said. Wang also called on the two sides to expand cooperation in such areas as agriculture and food products, e-commerce and digital economy. Liimets pledged to firmly adhere to the one-China policy, enhance mutual trust, and jointly promote the development of bilateral relations. Estonia supports the Beijing Winter Olympic Games and has co-sponsored a resolution on Olympic Truce for the Beijing Winter Olympic Games, she said, expressing hope that the Olympic Games will be a complete success. The two sides agreed to continue to maintain communication, hold diplomatic and political consultations in due course, and speed up the process of signing the agreement of exporting Estonian dairy and wild aquatic products to China.”
Third, a report (English report) about China-Central Asia trade. The report says that as per the Ministry of Commerce, trade between China and Central Asian nations has grown by more than 100 times in the past 30 years. The stocks of China’s direct investment in the five countries in Central Asia exceeded $14 billion, said Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao at the China-Central Asia trade and business cooperation forum held online.
Fourth, a report about a trial of a TCM treatment for COVID-19 in Pakistan, which it claims was successful. Reuters has a good report on this. It says that the Chinese medicine, Jinhua Qinggan Granules (JHQG) manufactured by Juxiechang (Beijing) pharmaceutical Co Ltd, is already being used in treatment of COVID-19 patients in China. The trials in Pakistan were conducted on 300 patients who were treated at home, and would work on mild to moderate COVID-19 cases, Dr Raza Shah, principal investigator in the trials, told reporters, adding that the efficacy rate was around 82.67%.
Page 3: Just one report to note. First, Li Keqiang’s chat with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Xinhua reports:
“Li said China and Germany are both major economies and responsible countries in the world, as well as supporters of multilateralism and practitioners of free trade, adding that their cooperation not only benefits the two countries, but is also in the interests of China and Europe as well as those of the whole world.”
Li added:
“the practical cooperation between the two countries, which has been expanding in both depth and breadth, has been a ‘ballast stone’ for bilateral relations and is bringing benefits to the people in both countries. China is ready to hold a new round of China-Germany intergovernmental consultations at an early date and let the ‘super engine’ of bilateral practical cooperation promote the upgrading of bilateral cooperation, Li said. He expressed hope that the two sides could tap cooperation potential in advanced manufacturing, service trade, digital economy and climate change, and foster new growth points for China-Germany cooperation. Calling the more than 2,000 Chinese companies in Germany and the more than 7,000 German firms in China as dynamic forces in bilateral cooperation, Li said the Chinese and German governments need to stay committed to creating a fair and non-discriminatory environment for these companies to invest and do business.”
On China-Europe ties, Li said that “the two sides to approach bilateral relations from a long-term and broader perspective, uphold dialogue and cooperation as the dominant aspect, respect each other and treat each other as equals.”
Xinhua has Scholz as saying that “Germany attaches great importance to Germany-China relations and adheres to the one-China policy, expressing the hope to take the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Germany and China as an opportunity to promote the further development of bilateral relations. Germany, he said, is ready to work with China to make good preparations for a new round of consultations between the two governments, further deepen cooperation on economy and trade, climate change and pandemic prevention and control, and make full use of the ‘fast track’ for personnel exchanges. He also said that Germany has been and will always be committed to promoting the healthy development of EU-China relations, adding he hopes that the EU-China investment treaty can come into effect at an early date.”
The German readout after the call is very limited. It basically says that they talked about “deepening of the bilateral partnership and economic relations. Other topics included the Covid-19 pandemic, cooperation on environment and climate protection, EU-China relations and international issues.” — No mention of human rights and no mention of Lithuania or coercion.
Page 4: A couple of reports to note. I am not going into details, but just highlighting these.
First, Sun Chunlan’s visit (English report) to Tianjin on COVID prevention and control. Party Secretary for Tianjin, Li Hongzhong, accompanied Sun. The report says that “there are many and scattered quarantine sites in Tianjin, so the management of quarantine sites should be strictly strengthened, professional skills training of staff should be done well, and health monitoring and hygiene supervision should be strengthened to prevent cross-infection.”
Second, a report (English report) about Hu Chunhua’s visit to Shouguang, Shandong. Hu spoke about the need to ensure stable vegetable production and supply during the Spring Festival.
Third, Guo Shengkun speaking at the national political and legal personnel’s education and rectification meeting. He emphasised the “under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era, we should strengthen the ‘four consciousnesses’, strengthen the ‘four self-confidences’ and achieve the ‘two safeguards’, sum up and consolidate the achievements of education and rectification of political and legal personnel, promote the standardisation and institutionalisation of comprehensive and strict management of the Party and police, and forge an iron army of political and judicial officers who are loyal, clean and responsible, so that they can better shoulder the responsibilities and missions entrusted by the Party and the people on our new journey in the new era.”
In the final paragraph, Guo says that it is important to “give top priority to political improvement and always maintain a high degree of ideological, political and action alignment with the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core” and he talks about being tough on corruption.
Fourth, a long preview report about the Sixth Plenum of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, which started today. Finally, a report about Zhao Kezhi meeting with public security bureau chiefs from around the country. He talked about strengthening the four consciousnesses, four self-confidences and two safeguards, along with deeply understanding the decisive significance of two establishments, carrying forward the Party building spirit, while taking the Party’s political construction as the guide…and doing a good job in terms of security and stability ahead of the 20th Party Congress.
Page 9: On the theory page, the lead piece is by Wang Zhimin, the deputy head of the Central Institute for Party History and Literature Research. He basically writes about the importance of deeply understanding the history resolution. He says that the resolution summarises 10 historical experiences, which are of “fundamental and long-term guiding significance” to guide the “Party to further unify ideology, will, and actions, and to unite and lead the Chinese people of all ethnic groups in achieving new, great victories for socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era.”
He argues that the history resolution is a “crystallisation of the wisdom” of the Party’s 100 years of exploration; this experience wasn’t copied from anywhere and neither did it fall from the sky. He adds that the resolution also reflects the Party’s confidence in its historical evolution.
In the second part of the piece, he talks about the significance of the 10 points of historical experience in ensuring the Party’s future success. This is because they reveal “the reasons why the Party has grown stronger and more mature after going through trials and tribulations.” Given the challenges that can be expected in the future, these experiences, Wang argues, are crucial as a guide.
He adds that one reason for engaging in this activity of summarising and learning from history is to “grasp the laws and general trends of historical development.” This, in turn, is critical to “correctly handle China’s relations with the rest of the world” and to “be good at seizing and making good use of various historical opportunities and opportunities for historical change.” 揭示了党始终掌握历史主动的根本原因。历史发展是错综复杂的，但也是有规律可循的，人在其中不是完全消极被动的。只要深入总结历史经验，我们就能够把握历史发展规律和大势，始终掌握党和国家事业发展的历史主动。我们党坚持以马克思主义基本原理分析把握历史大势，正确处理中国和世界的关系，善于抓住和用好各种历史机遇，善于抓住历史变革时机，顺势而为，奋发有为，牢牢掌握历史主动。十条历史经验深刻揭示了我们党在百年奋斗中掌握历史主动的根本原因，为我们在中华民族伟大复兴战略全局和世界百年未有之大变局相互交织、相互激荡中牢牢掌握历史主动提供了历史借鉴.
He later quotes Xi as having said that:
We should take the historical experience of the Party as an important ideological weapon to correctly judge the situation, scientifically foresee the future and grasp the historical initiative.
We should take the historical experience of the Party as an important guide to think about problems, make decisions and do things
We should take the historical experience of the Party as an important basis to judge major political right and wrong
We should take the historical experience of the Party as an important guide to strengthen the cultivation of Party spirit
“要把党的历史经验作为正确判断形势、科学预见未来、把握历史主动的重要思想武器”“要把党的历史经验作为想问题、作决策、办事情的重要遵循”“要把党的历史经验作为判断重大政治是非的重要依据”“要把党的历史经验作为加强党性修养的重要指引”.
Then he outlines objectives going ahead:
Always maintain firmness in beliefs
Fulfil the original mission
Maintain the Party’s political character. Here, he emphasises the following:
“inherit and carry forward the historical experience of the Party’s century-long struggle; deeply understand and grasp the decisive significance of the ‘two establishments’; take a clear stand in terms of upholding political integrity, and be loyal to the Party’s beliefs, organization, and theory, line, principles, and policies; constantly enhance the ‘four consciousnesses’, strengthen the ‘four self-confidences’ and achieve the ‘two safeguards; keep in mind 国之大者 and consciously maintain a high degree of ideological, political, and policy alignment with the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core; strengthen your Party consciousness, keep in mind that one’s first identity is as a member of the Communist Party, one’s first duty is to work for the Party, and always remember the responsibilities and obligations, whether you are thinking about problems, doing research, making decisions or doing things, you must do so from the standpoint of the Party and the people…” 在实现第二个百年奋斗目标新的赶考之路上，我们要传承好发扬好党百年奋斗的历史经验，深刻理解和把握“两个确立”的决定性意义，旗帜鲜明讲政治，做到对党的信仰忠诚、对党组织忠诚、对党的理论和路线方针政策忠诚，不断增强“四个意识”、坚定“四个自信”、做到“两个维护”，牢记“国之大者”，自觉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。强化党的意识，牢记自己的第一身份是共产党员，第一职责是为党工作，时刻不忘自己应尽的责任和义务，无论想问题、搞研究，还是作决策、办事情，都必须站在党和人民的立场上，尽职尽责、率先垂范，为实现中华民族伟大复兴作出应有贡献。
Page 17: On the international page, the lead story is about talks between the US, NATO and Russia from January 10 to 13. In a nutshell, the story says that the holding of talks can be seen as the only positive outcome, but there has been no substantive progress that’s been achieved in addressing the contradictions between Russia and the West. It says that “judging from the statements made by the parties after the meetings, Russia’s demands have not received a positive response, and the principled differences and structural contradictions between Russia and the West on the security issues in Europe are still continuing.” 但从会后各方声明看，俄方诉求没有得到积极回应，俄与西方在欧洲地区安全问题上的原则性分歧和结构性矛盾仍在延续.
The other story to note on the page is this one, drawing from Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi’s comments and news reports in Japan, which have discussed the linkage between the COVID spike in the country and the presence of clusters among US military personnel deployed there.