- David Gitter, Julia Bowie, Yun-ling Ko, Sandy Lu
Weekly Report 1|6 11.04.2017-11.10.2017
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Former Politburo Standing Committee Members Liu Yunshan, Wang Qishan, and Zhang Gaoli each penned articles in People’s Daily signaling their continued support for General Secretary Xi Jinping’s key initiatives, including Xi Jinping Thought, strong Party building, the anti-corruption campaign, and balanced economic development.
People’s Daily coverage of the meeting between US President Donald Trump and President Xi reports that both leaders agree that cooperation is the only correct choice in US-China relations, and that Trump expressed the US government’s continued support for the one China policy, and the willingness to strengthen high-level communication and cooperation.
SENIOR LEADERS
Liu Yunshan: Deeply Study Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era
11.6 Liu Yunshan (刘云山), the former Politburo Standing Committee member in charge of ideology, penned an article in the People’s Daily that urges deep study of Xi Jinping Thought, demonstrating the continued support of the retired senior leader for Xi Jinping’s theoretical contributions. Liu’s article emphasized the important historical contributions of Xi Thought, saying it opens up a new realm of Marxism, a new realm of socialism with Chinese characteristics, a new realm of governance of the country, and a new realm of management and governance of the Party (管党治党). He emphasized that theoretical innovation has no end--the introduction of Xi Jinping Thought is not the end of the Party’s theoretical innovation; rather, it signifies a new starting point for the sinicization of Marxism.
Wang Yang: Fighting Against IPR Infringement and Counterfeiting Supports building an Innovative Country
11.6 Three days before US President Donald Trump landed in Beijing, Politburo Standing Committee member and Vice Premier Wang Yang (汪洋) stated at the meeting of the National Leading Group for Combating IPR Infringement and Counterfeits that the fight against infringement and counterfeiting is a requirement for satisfying the people's growing needs for a better life, and an important support factor for building a modernized economic system and an innovative country. With Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as a guide, people should adhere to the principle of rule by law, curing both the symptoms and the disease, and working together to make new achievements. Trump ordered a probe in August 2017 into China’s alleged theft of intellectual property.
Wang Qishan: Uphold Party Leadership, Continue the Fight on Corruption
11.7 Former Politburo Standing Committee member and Central Commission for Discipline Inspection Secretary (CCDI) Wang Qishan (王岐山) demonstrated his continued support for Xi Jinping’s leadership through an article published in the People’s Daily. Wang’s article explains how Xi Jinping’s leadership has rescued China with his profound insight into the main problems weakening the Party’s leadership: the absence of Party building, the complete absence of strict Party governance, indifference to the Party, and discipline relaxation.
Wang writes that upholding the leadership of the Party is the highest political principle in contemporary China and the key to realizing the dream of the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. He asserts that certain people have weakened the Party’s leadership by treating this truth as a secret. Under the leadership of Xi Jinping, however, the importance of the Party’s leadership has been affirmed and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is unstoppable, writes Wang.
Furthermore, Wang writes of the importance of continuing the Party’s anti-corruption campaign in his absence. Political corruption, the most significant type of corruption, can come in two forms: first, through the formation of interest groups in an attempt to steal Party and state power; and second, through engaging in sectarianism and undermining the unity of the Party. Through his article, he expresses confidence that Xi Jinping is up to the task.
Work Committee of Departments under the CCP Central Committee Holds Lecture on the Study and Implementation of the Spirit of the 19th Party Congress
11.7 Politburo member, Secretary of the Central Secretariat, and Secretary of the Work Committee of Departments under the CCP Central Committee Ding Xuexiang (丁薛祥) gave a speech at the lecture on studying and implementing the spirit of the 19th Congress. Ding stated that to implement the spirit of the 19th Congress is the primary Party building task and top priority for departments of the Central Committee. Ding tasked every cadre with strengthening the "four consciousnesses," resolutely safeguarding the core status of General Secretary Xi Jinping, and safeguarding the authority and centralized and unified leadership of the Central Committee.
Zhang Gaoli: A New Journey to Comprehensively Construct a Socialist Modernized Nation Begins
11.8 Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli (张高丽) published an article in People’s Daily urging that actions need to be taken to push forward the great work of socialism with Chinese characteristics in a new era under the strong leadership of the Central Committee with Xi at the core. He listed out three main objectives: to achieve a moderately prosperous society in all respects, to realize the modernization of socialism by 2035, and to comprehensively push forward the great work of building a modernized socialist nation.
He mentioned that since the 18th Party Congress, economic and technological power, national defense, comprehensive national strengths, international influence, and the people’s sense of gain have noticeably increased. In 2017, the size of China’s economy will reach 12 trillion USD. However, challenges such as imbalance in development, weak innovative capability, low development quality and aggregated financial risks remain. He urged that construction in economics, politics, culture, society, and ecological civilization should be pushed forward together; strategies such as cultivating talent and promoting innovation to support achieving a moderately prosperous society in all respects should be implemented; the economy should be developed in a healthy manner; and the battle against poverty should be won. In terms of realizing the modernization of socialism, he argued that the main objectives are to perfect the socialist market economy system, increase technological innovative capabilities, establish a rule of law society, increase the cultural confidence and standard of living of the people, and improve the ecological environment to create a “beautiful China” (美丽中国). At last, he said China has to learn Xi’s thought on socialism with Chinese characteristics in a new era, address the changes in society’s “major contradictions,” and reinforce the leadership of the Party and Party-building in order to push forward the great work of building a socialist modernized nation.
Xi Jinping: Journalists Should Unify and Record the Great Era
11.8 Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter to the All-China Journalists' Association for the 80th anniversary of its establishment. In the letter, Xi urges the association to deeply study and implement the spirit of the 19th Party Congress, and reinforce its political, advanced, and mass nature in the new era. Xi said in the letter that the “China story” should be told well and China’s voice should be spread. Politburo Standing Committee Member and First Secretary of the Central Secretariat Wang Huning (王沪宁) and Politburo member and Executive Deputy Director of CCP Propaganda Department Huang Kunming (黄坤明) both attended the celebratory meeting. At the event, Wang told journalists to unswervingly follow the CCP line.
Xi Jinping Meets with US President Donald Trump
11.10 People’s Daily published its account of US President Donald Trump’s meeting with Xi Jinping in Beijing this week. The article said that both Trump and Xi agreed that cooperation is the only correct choice in US-China relations, so that a “win-win” situation can lead to a better future. It reported that Trump emphasized that both China and the US are major world powers and important trading partners, and that the two heads of state reached a number of important agreements on bilateral, regional, and global cooperation. Trump expressed the American government’s continued support for the one China policy, and the willingness to strengthen high-level communication and cooperation on law enforcement and internet security. The somewhat controversial term “New Type of Great Power Relations,” deployed by Xi Jinping to characterize U.S.-China relations during the Obama administration, was absent from the People’s Daily report.
PROPAGANDA WORK
Zhong Sheng Series: Build a Community of Common Future for Mankind
People’s Daily
11.6 People’s Daily continued its Zhong Sheng (钟声) series, begun last week, that discusses “building a community of common future for mankind,” an important theme of the 19th Party Congress that expresses China’s approach to international affairs as an emerging great power. Zhong Sheng stands for “Voice of China” and/or “Sounding the Alarm Bell” and authoritatively transmits the official positions of People’s Daily on matters of international affairs. The fifth article in the series poses China as a champion of economic globalization, stating that in the era of economic globalization, cultivating anti-globalization thought is nothing other than creating a trap for yourself. Common prosperity can only be achieved through the liberalization of trade and investment. The article cites China’s One Belt One Road initiative and hosting of the G20 Summit in 2016 as evidence of China’s positive leadership in the global economy. It concludes that as China enters a new era, it will have more opportunities to realize a world of common prosperity through economic leadership.
The sixth article discusses how China’s global leadership will mitigate the risk of a “clash of civilizations” by promoting mutual understanding and peaceful coexistence between the various civilizations of the world. The article says that the existence of different civilizations does not cause conflict; rather, looking upon other civilizations with pride and prejudice causes the misunderstanding and hatred that are the origin of conflict. Therefore, the goal of building a “community of common future for mankind” is to build an open and inclusive world, allowing different civilizations to coexist--the root of world peace.
Wang Hailou: The New Era Writes a New Chapter for Hong Kong
11.6 An article written for the People’s Daily Foreign Edition’s Wang Hailou (望海楼) column, an important column that targets foreign Chinese speakers, explains that the 19th Party Congress elevated the importance of Hong Kong to Party objectives. Besides declaring that Hong Kong has entered a new era, the 19th Party Congress also stated that maintaining the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and Macau and realizing the complete reunification of the motherland is necessary for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Therefore, the principle of “one country, two systems” will not be changed, and the realization of “one country, two systems” will stay on the same path. The article concludes that Hong Kong should follow the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought and “create a common road ahead together” (同心创前路).
Zhong Sheng: China and the US Promote Cooperation
11.8 People’s Daily published a commentary on the Sino-U.S. relationship under the pen name Zhong Sheng (钟声). The article points out that Xi Jinping explicitly said in his report to the 19th Party Congress that China will persist in taking the road of peaceful development and adhere to strategies that are mutually beneficial. According to the article, this is the “top-level design” (顶层设计) that will direct how China address its relations with the world in the future, including its relationship with the US. A growing China will not address Sino-US relations with a zero-sum mindset. Instead, it will actively work with the US to construct a relationship that contains mutual respect, cooperation, without conflict or antagonism.
2018 Video Conference Held to Promote Party Newspapers and Journals
11.7 The 2018 Annual Party Newspapers and Journals Publishing Work Conference was held in Beijing. The conference emphasized how the Party’s important newspapers and journals, such as People’s Daily, Qiushi, Guangming Daily, and The Economic Daily, can be used in the study and implementation of the spirit of the 19th Congress. All local governments and departments should actively subscribe to Party newspapers and journals and ensure their widespread readership and influence. The conference further discussed the need to improve the quality of Party publications in order attract readers and retain audiences. Party publications continue to search for innovative ways to overcome widespread disinterest in their content, evidenced in part by the continued evolution of the Party’s commentary work.
Zhong Sheng: The Asia-Pacific has Expectations; China has Confidence
11.10 A “Zhong Sheng” commentary calls Xi Jinping’s trip to Vietnam to attend the APEC Summit the grand debut of “major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics.” The article emphasizes China’s calls to create an Asia-Pacific free trade area, posing China as a leader in regional economic cooperation and integration.
UNITED FRONT WORK
The Future of the United Front is Even Brighter
11.6 An article in the CPPCC paper written by CPPCC National Committee Standing Committee member and Shanghai Institute of Socialism Dean Zhou Hanmin (周汉民) discusses the expanded role of united front work under the guidance of Xi Jinping’s Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. He details several ways united front work has changed or expanded under Xi’s leadership. Since the 18th Party Congress, the United Front Work Department has played an “unparalleled” role in regulating consultation between political parties: 113 party consultation meetings were entrusted to the United Front Work Department, 21 of which were attended by Xi Jinping. Furthermore, as new social groups have emerged in the new era (returned overseas students, non-Party intellectuals, members of the “non-public” economy), the United Front Work Department has had to make new efforts to achieve social unity. Lastly, the article says that a major focus of united front work has been ensuring that chinese people at home and abroad “build a Chinese dream together”--mobilizing overseas Chinese to support “one country, two systems,” guiding compatriots in Hong Kong and Macau to promote their Chinese identity, and resolutely opposing Taiwan independence.
Yu Zhengsheng Attends 2017 Cross-Strait Entrepreneurs Purple Mountain Summit
11.7 Former Politburo Standing Committee Member Yu Zhengsheng (俞正声) attended the 2017 Cross-Strait Entrepreneurs Summit in Nanjing, Jiangsu, marking the first major cross-Strait exchange since the 19th Party Congress and the 30th anniversary of the opening of cross-Strait exchanges. Yu explained in his speech that the 19th Party Congress profoundly expounded on the guiding ideology, objectives, and tasks for working with Taiwan. Yu said that the new era contains opportunities for cross-Strait relations, as well as challenges that cannot be ignored. He emphasized the Party’s unswerving dedication to the 1992 consensus and “one China” policy, and resolute opposition to Taiwan independence. In order to develop cross-Strait ties, Yu said it is important to increase the momentum of cross-Strait economic cooperation, continue to encourage people from all walks of life to participate in cross-Strait economic cooperation, as well as encourage entrepreneurs involved in cross-Strait cooperation to play a positive role in safeguarding stable cross-Strait relations.
You Quan Hosts Meeting on Studying and Implementing 19th Party Congress Spirit for Non-Party members, Intellectuals, and New Social Classes
11.7 United Front Work Department Head You Quan (尤权) held a meeting on promoting the spirit of the 19th Party Congress among non-Party members, intellectuals, and members of the new social classes, whom he emphasized were essential for promoting the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era. You said that socialism with Chinese characteristics entering the new era creates an even bigger demand for members of the united front to use their talents and abilities to contribute to China’s development.
PARTY DISCIPLINE
CCDI Reviews Supervisory Reform Pilot Programs for Nationwide Reform
11.6 People’s Daily released an article summarizing the work of the pilot programs for reforming the state supervision mechanism in Beijing, Shanxi, and Zhejiang, in hopes of providing an example for expanding the reform nationwide. According to the plans of the 19th Party Congress, disciplinary commissions will be established at national, provincial, city and county levels. The article states that deepening the national supervisory system is an innovative move toward creating a supervisory system with Chinese characteristics. The article says that the supervisory commissions are political institutions for anti-corruption work, rather than judicial or executive institutions.
Former China Minsheng Bank Chief Information Officer Expelled from Party
11.6 Former Chief Information Officer of China Minsheng Banking Corp., Ltd. Lin Xiaoxuan (林晓轩) was investigated and convicted for violating political discipline and the eight-point guideline, including colluding with others, transferring and hiding property involved in cases, and accepting bribes. Lin was expelled from the Party, and the related criminal cases will be transferred to judicial authorities to address. The eight-point guideline regulates the work ethic of Party members, demanding they simplify travel arrangements, make their documents and presentations concise, report only necessary news, refrain from publishing work in their own names, and pursue frugal lifestyles.
Tianjin Government Deputy Secretary-General Du Qiang put under Investigation
11.6 Deputy Secretary-General of the Tianjin Municipal Government and member of the Party group at the Tianjin General Office Du Qiang (杜强) is suspected for severe disciplinary violation and is under investigation.
He Jian Returns to China and Surrenders Himself to Authorities
11.7 Under the coordination of the Fugitive Repatriation and Asset Recovery Office of the Central Anti-Corruption Coordination Group (中央反腐败协调小组国际追逃追赃工作办公室) and the hard work of authorities concerned, He Jian (贺俭), number 68 on "China’s Red List" of wanted fugitives, returned to China and surrendered himself to Chinese authorities. He is the first criminal on the Red List to return after the 19th Congress, and the 49th on the list to appear in Chinese court. "China’s Red List" of wanted fugitives was revealed in 2015--a campaign to capture alleged corrupt officials who had fled the country. As General Secretary Xi stated in the 19th Congress, “no matter where the corrupt criminals have fled, they must be brought to justice.”
CENTRAL MILITARY COMMISSION (CMC)
CMC Releases Opinions on Deepening the Chairman Responsibility System
11.6 In order to implement the spirit of the 19th Party Congress and the “CCP Central Committee Politburo’s Several Guidelines on Strengthening and Safeguarding the Centralized and Unified Leadership of the Party Center” (中共中央政治局关于加强和维护党中央集中统一领导的若干规定), the Central Military Commission (CMC) recently released the “Opinions on Comprehensively Deepening Implementation of the Central Military Commission Chairman Responsibility System”(关于全面深入贯彻军委主席负责制的意见). The Opinions list out detailed requirements for the military at each level to effectively implement the System, and point out that the implementation of this System is related to the work of developing a strong country and strong military for a new era.
MISCELLANEOUS
All-China Federation of Trade Unions Deputy Chairman Jiao Kaihe Met with Belarus Delegation
11.6 All-China Federation of Trade Unions Deputy Chairman Jiao Kaihe (焦开河) met with a Belarusian delegation led by Belarus' Labor and Social Security Minister Irina Kostevich on 1 November, and introduced the spirit of the 19th Party Congress and the tripartite consultation mechanism of industrial relations in China (中国工会三方机制). Kostevich introduced the situation in Belarus and said that China’s mechanism provided a new idea for Belarus to better protect the interests of labor. The “tripartite consultation mechanism" is a consultation system in China between its government, employer, and business to resolve labor disputes.
INTERNATIONAL LIAISON WORK
11.1-11.4 International Department Vice Minister Guo Yezhou (郭业洲) attended the 19th International Meeting of Communist and Workers' Parties in Russia and introduced the spirit of the 19th Party Congress to more than one hundred left-wing political parties who attended in attendance. The Chinese delegation also met with the leader of the Russian Federation Communist Party (KPRF) faction in the State Duma Gennady Zyuganov.
11.5-11.7 Deputy secretary of the Work Committee of Departments under the CCP Central Committee Wang Xiufeng (王秀峰) led a goodwill delegation to Egypt, where they met with a House of Representatives delegation. Wang’s delegation introduced the spirit of the 19th Party Congress and attended the first Egypt-China Forum opening ceremony. The Egyptian side expressed their willingness to deepen the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership under the “One Belt One Road” framework.
11.6 International Department Assistant Minister Wang Yajun (王亚军) met with a study group led by Cambodian People’s Party Central Committee Member and Secretary of State of the Ministry of Planning Rin Vireak. Both sides expressed their willingness to strengthen party-to-party relations and deepen the China-Cambodia comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.
11.7 International Department Vice Minister Li Jun (李军) met with a study group from the National Congress Party of Sudan led by Abdu Dawood Suliman, Secretary of the NCP Secretariat for Economic Affairs and State Minister of the Ministry of Industry. Li introduced the importance of the 19th Party Congress, and expressed the CCP’s willingness to deepen party-to-party exchanges.
11.7 Guo Yezhou met with Chairman of the Senate Committee on Interior and Anti-narcotics of Pakistan Abdul Rehman Malik. The two discussed the success of the 19th Party Congress and Comrade Xi Jinping’s reelection as General Secretary, and Malik reaffirmed that Pakistan will adhere to its friendly policies toward China.
11.7 Li Jun met with Cuban ambassador to China Miguel Ramirez Ramos. Li introduced the 19th Party Congress and expressed that China-Cuba relations have entered a new era of comprehensive development. Both sides expressed willingness to deepen party-to-party and China-Cuba relations.
11.8 Li Jun met with Algerian ambassador to China Ahcene Boukhelfa. Li introduced the spirit of the 19th Party Congress and expressed the importance China places on bilateral relations, and both sides expressed willingness to strengthen bilateral cooperation and party-to-party ties.
11.8 International Department Minister Song Tao (宋涛) met with former President of the Philippines and current chairman of the Association for Philippines-China Understanding Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Song introduced the importance of the results of the 19th Party Congress, including Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and explained the importance of the CCP’s leading role in the advancement of a moderately prosperous society and the realization of national rejuvenation. He further thanked Arroyo for her contributions to the China-Philippine relationship, and both sides expressed support for advancing party-to-party ties and relations between the two countries.
ORGANIZATION WORK
11.4 Zhao Kezhi (赵克志) was appointed head of the Ministry of Public Security.
11.7 You Quan (尤权) was appointed head of the United Front Work Department. He previously served as Party Secretary of Fujian Province.
11.8 Ding Xuexiang (丁薛祥) was appointed Secretary of the Work Committee of Departments under the CCP Central Committee.
Image Source: CNBC.com