- David Gitter, Julia Bowie, Nathanael Callan
Weekly Report 2|5 11.3.2018-11.9.2018
[Peking University/Photo by Yuan Wang on Unsplash]
Highlights
Xi Jinping attended the first China International Import Expo in Shanghai (see Senior Leaders section). People’s Daily called the event a “clear signal that China opposes protectionism and is building and safeguarding an open world economy” (see Propaganda Work section).
Xinhua addressed international condemnation of China’s human rights abuses in Xinjiang, saying mass internment camps are “vocational training centers” that help people who have fallen victim to ideological extremism because they lack the skills to hold down employment (see Propaganda Work section).
Senior Leaders
Xi Jinping Sends Congratulatory Letter to the UN International Committee on Global Navigation Satellite Systems 13th Meeting
11.5 Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter to the 13th Meeting of the UN International Committee on Global Navigation Satellite Systems, which convened in Xi’an, Shaanxi. Xi noted that China’s BeiDou Navigation Satellite System has already become an “important accomplishment in the 40 years of reform and opening up. By the end of this year, the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System will open up service to “Belt and Road Initiative” countries and areas, by 2020 will serve the entire world, and by 2035 will build a comprehensive spatiotemporal system that is even more extensive, integrated, and intelligent. China is willing to share the developmental achievements of the BeiDou system, and jointly promote the vigorous development of a global satellite navigation project.
Xi Jinping Attends the First China International Import Expo Opening Ceremony
11.5 Xi Jinping attended the first China International Import Expo opening ceremony in Shanghai and gave a keynote speech entitled as “Work Together for an Open Global Economy that is Innovative and Inclusive” (共建创新包容的开放型世界经济). In his speech, Xi stressed that “reviewing history, opening up, and cooperating are the important driving forces for strengthening the vitality of international economy and trade” and that “China will not stop taking steps toward pushing for a higher level of opening up and the constructions of an open global economy and a community of shared future for mankind.”
Xi emphasized that each country should adhere to opening up, innovation, inclusiveness, and mutual beneficiality. He added that China will enhance its efforts on stimulating import potentials, continuously loosening restrictions on market entry, building a world-class business environment, creating a “highland” for opening up, and advancing deep developments of multilateral and bilateral cooperation.
Xi Jinping Inspects Shanghai
11.6-7 Xi Jinping conducted an inspection tour of Shanghai after attending the first China International Import Expo opening ceremony. He was accompanied by Shanghai Party Committee Secretary Li Qiang (李强) and Mayor Ying Yong (应勇). Xi emphasized during the inspection to “adhere to using Xi Jinping thought on socialism with Chinese characteristics in a new era as guide, firmly and thoroughly implement the Party Central Committee’s decisions and plans, consolidate the confidence and determination to reform and open up and the general tone of seeking progresses while maintaining stability.”
Xi visited the Party construction service center for Lujiazui Financial City, the Pudong city operation center, Zhangjiang Science City, and other institutions. He mentioned during his visit to the Lujiazui Financial City Party construction service center that “the difficulty of Party construction occurs at the grass-root level” and that “the goal of establishing Party organizations in various industries that have Party members is to manage and serve the Party members in those industries… is beneficial to advancing the healthy development of the industries.”
Xi Jinping Meets with Former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger
11.8 Xinhua reported on Xi Jinping’s meeting with Henry Kissinger in Beijing. Xi told Kissinger that “China and the US must have an accurate judgment of one another’s strategic intentions” before stating that the recent increase in “negative voices on China within the US” is “worth paying attention to.”
Xi also emphasized that China is still working to develop a non-contentious, non-antagonistic, mutually respectful, cooperative, and win-win China-US relationship. He declared that the US “should respect China’s right to choose its own development path and legitimate interests.”
Propaganda Work
Guo Jiping: Jointly Participate in the “Eastern Pact” of Cooperation and Mutual Profit
11.4 A commentary published under the People’s Daily’s pen name “Guo Jiping” (国纪平), which stands for “important commentary related to international affairs” (有关国际的重要评论) and authoritatively transmits the official positions of the People's Daily on matters of international affairs, praised this week’s China International Import Expo (CIIE). It argued that the expo would “pour great positive energy into promoting economic globalization” and “nourish and induce a global mood of greater openness.”
The commentary stated that the CIIE is a “clear signal that China opposes protectionism and is building and safeguarding an open world economy,” corresponds with “China’s consistent stand in supporting the multilateral trade system and developing free trade,” and serves as a means to dispel the “‘de-globalization’ haze that takes trade protectionism as its distinguishing feature.” It maintained that “China in a new era will not only welcome the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation but will also put forward China’s contribution to the world’s common enjoyment of prosperity and development and promotion of the construction of a community of shared future for mankind.”
4th China-Russia Media Forum Held in Shanghai
11.4 The 4th China-Russia Media Forum was held in Shanghai, attended by Central Propaganda Department Head Huang Kunming (黄坤明), and Russian Deputy Prime Minister Maxim Akimov. In his keynote speech entitled “Composing a New Chapter of China-Russia Media Cooperation in the New Era,” Huang discussed the role media cooperation plays in the overall strategic partnership between China and Russia through enhancing friendship and promoting mutual understanding.
Huang emphasized his hope that the two country’s media will work together to promote the Belt and Road Initiative and the Eurasian Economic Union as well as enhance the emotional ties between the two countries.
The Ideological Guide for Leading Internet Security and Informatization Development
11.5 Xinhua published an article summarizing Xi Jinping’s important speeches on Internet security and informatization work prior to the 5th World Internet Conference in Wuzhen, Zhejiang.
The article pointed out five important points from Xi’s past speeches, namely “informationization has brought the Chinese nation an extremely rare opportunity,” “online and offline circles should be made concentric and strive together to realize the China Dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation,” “the shield of national cybersecurity should be consolidated and the overall national cybersecurity quality should be improved,” “breakthroughs should be made in core technology to build a digital China and make the Internet benefit the country and people better,” and “[China] should adhere to multilateral and multiparty participation to promote the reform of the global Internet governance system.” The article explained that “building concentric circles means to “mobilize people from all ethnic groups around the country under the Party’s leadership… and strive to realize the China Dream.”
Xi has emphasized the “reinforcement positive propaganda online,” “strengthening civil-military integration in the Internet domain,” and “pushing for building a strong Internet nation with independent innovation” in order to make new contributions to realizing the China Dream.
Xinjiang’s Vocational Education and Training Build the Basis for a Happy Life
11.7 An article on Xinjiang’s “vocational training and education” stated that the training “gives people not just professional skills, but also provide the ‘golden key’ to a happy life.” The article argues that vocational training targets those who “suffer the influence of religious extremist thought” due to a lack of skills to find employment.
The article purports to quote positive reviews from “students” of the “vocational training and education centers” who are “full of hope for a better life in the future”: “I regained my confidence in life here.”
United Front Work
You Quan: Further Optimize the Development Environment for the Privately-Run Economy Xinhua
11.4 The United Front Work Department (UFWD) held a forum on implementing Xi Jinping’s important speech at last week’s symposium on private enterprises. UFWD Head You Quan (尤权) pointed out “General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important speech amply expressed the firm determination to persist with the fundamental economic system of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and amply expressed the clear attitude of unwaveringly encouraging and supporting guiding the development of the private economy.”
You Quan also emphasised that the “study and implementation of Xi Jinping’s important speech and support and promotion of the development of the private economy, concerns our country’s economic security and social stability and is a major political task.”
Wang Yang Meets Taiwan’s “Chinese National Federation of Industries” Delegation
11.6 Wang Yang (汪洋) met with a delegation from the Taiwanese “Chinese National Federation of Industries.” Wang Yang recognized the Federation’s “promotion of cross-Strait economic cooperation and active contribution to the promotion of the peaceful development cross-Strait relations.” Wang also emphasised that national unification and rejuvenation is the joint expectation of the sons and daughters of China, including Taiwan compatriots.
Party Discipline
Zhao Leji Conducts Investigation and Research in Henan
11.6-9 Politburo Standing Committee member and Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) Secretary Zhao Leji (赵乐际) conducted investigation and research in Henan. During his trip, Zhao visited Zhengzhou National High and New Technology Industries Development Zone, New H3C Group, and various neighborhoods in Henan.
He emphasized that “discipline and supervision units at all levels should firmly establish a developmental thought that centers around the people and conscientiously fulfill their duties under the leadership of Party Committees.” He added that “the primary task of thoroughly implementing the [revised] Regulation [of the Communist Party of China on Disciplinary Actions] is to ensure that the Party’s line and policies and the Central Committee’s critical decisions and plans are thoroughly carried out.”
International Liaison Work
11.3 Chinese and North Korean literary and art workers held their first joint performance in Pyongyang, North Korea. The performance was attended by Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) Chairman and State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un as well as WPK Presidium Standing Committee members and WPK Central Committee Vice Chairmen Choe Ryong-hae and Ri Su-yong.
11.6 International Department Vice Minister Qian Hongshan (钱洪山) met with a delegation led by Socialists & Democrats (S&D) Group in the European Parliament Vice President Victor Bostinaru.
11.6-11.7 International Department Minister Song Tao (宋涛) traveled to Naypyidaw, Myanmar to meet with government, military, and political party leaders.
On 6 November, Song individually met with Minister of the State Counsellor’s Office Kyaw Tint Swe and National League for Democracy Chairperson and State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi.
On 7 November, Song jointly met with Kachin State Democracy Party Chairman Manam Tu Ja and Unity and Democracy Party of Kachin State Deputy General Secretary Doi Bu and individually met with Myanmar Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Min Aung Hlaing and Union Solidarity and Development Party Chairman Than Htay.
11.8 International Department Vice Minister Li Jun (李军) met with Special Envoy of the President of the Republic of Chile for the Asia-Pacific and former Chilean President Eduardo Frei Ruiz-Tagle.
11.8 Li Jun met with Uruguayan Broad Front leader and Minister of the Interior Eduardo Bonomi.
Organization Work
11.7 Lu Hao (陆昊) was appointed to the concurrent post of general inspector of the Ministry of Natural Resources.
11.7 Kurexi Maihesuti (库热西·买合苏提) was appointed to the concurrent post of deputy general inspector of the Ministry of Natural Resources.
11.8 Lin Rui (林锐) was appointed vice minister of the Ministry of Public Security.
11.9 Shao Fujun (邵伏军) was appointed secretary of China UnionPay’s party committee.