- David Gitter, Julia Bowie
Weekly Report 2|7 11.17.2018-11.21.2018
Highlight
Xi Jinping attended the APEC Summit in Papua New Guinea this week (see Senior Leaders section). Propaganda focusing on Xi Jinping’s speeches at the APEC Summit and at the China International Import Expo earlier this month discussed economic globalization as an “irreversible historical trend” that China is both contributing to and leading (see Propaganda Work section).
Senior Leaders
Xi Jinping Attends 26th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting and Gives Important Speech
11.18 Xi Jinping attended the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, where he gave a speech entitled “Harnessing Opportunities of Our Times To Jointly Pursue Prosperity in the Asia-Pacific.” The speech emphasized that the entire Asia-Pacific must comply with the developmental trends of economic globalization, uphold the goal to promote regional economic integration, grasp the general direction of building an open global economy, strive to preserve the momentum of Asia-Pacific cooperation, and steadily stride towards even higher standards.
Propaganda Work
Commentator Series on Xi Jinping’s APEC Speech
People’s Daily
11.19-11.20 A People’s Daily commentator series on Xi Jinping’s keynote speech at the APEC Summit discussed how to grasp the correct direction of the future development of the global economy. According to the commentaries, Xi Jinping’s speech advocated for adhering to “the irreversible historical trend of economic globalization” by outlining the following points: 1) adhere to an open orientation and expand development space, 2) adhere to a development orientation and improve people’s livelihood, 3) adhere to a tolerant orientation and promote exchanges and mutual learning (促进交融互鉴), 4) adhere to an innovative orientation and open up the sources of growth, 5) adhere to a “rules” orientation and improve global governance.
The first article concluded that China has “always been an promoter of global openness and a stable force for global economic growth, a vital market for countries to expand business opportunities, and an active contributor to global governance reform.” The second article called on China to “clearly stand against protectionism and unilateralism, safeguard the multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization at the core, guide economic globalization toward more open, inclusive, balanced, and win-win oriented development that benefits all parties, achieve mutual benefit in opening and joint opportunity in cooperation.”
Xi Jinping Publishes Signed Article in Filipino Newspapers
11.19 Ahead of his state visit to the Philippines, Xi Jinping published a signed article in three Filipino newspapers: The Philippine Star, Manila Bulletin, and Daily Tribune.
In the article, Xi praised Filipino President Rodrigo Duterte for helping China and the Philippines “re-engage in dialogue and consultation on the proper handling of the South China Sea issue.” He also compared relations between the two countries to a “rainbow after the rain,” noting that over the last two years “China has become the Philippines’ largest trading partner, export market, and source of imports” as well as its “second largest source of tourists.”
After stating the primary aim of his visit is “elevating China-Philippines all-around cooperation,” Xi outlined his plan for achieving this goal: deepening political mutual trust, seeking practical cooperation, strengthening links between people, and working together for win-win results. He concluded by urging China and the Philippines to “seize the opportunity… to join hands to create a more beautiful tomorrow for both countries and Asia.”
Zhong Xuanli: Ride the Tide of History, Walk the Correct Path of Human Progress
11.21 An article under the byline Zhong Xuanli (钟轩理), representing the Theory Bureau of the Central Propaganda Department, discussed Xi’s speech at the China International Import Expo held in Shanghai in early November. The article highlights the same theme as the above commentator series on Xi’s APEC speech: that, in Xi’s words, “economic globalization is an irreversible historical trend,” and that “inclusiveness, mutual benefit, and win-win is the only correct path for the progress of human society.”
“The globalization of today,” the article reads, “cannot be started and stopped at will, nor can it be reversed at will.”
The article concedes that “China was not on board the express train to economic globalization from the beginning,” due to the pain and humiliation suffered during the Opium War. Under the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party, however, China has “seized the opportunity of vigorous economic globalization, actively participated in the international division of labor, produced the ‘Chinese miracle’ that has attracted worldwide attention, and provided an important impetus for the development of an open global economy.”
The article noted rising opposition to globalization, saying that “things always exist as a unity of contradictions, and the process of globalization contains both flowers and thorns.” However, Zhong Xuanli states that “it is not in line with the historical trend to blame the problems that plague the world on economic globalization… (those that) self-confine will only lose the world, and eventually lose themselves.”
The article details China’s position on the global economy under Xi Jinping saying, “what China advocates is the path to open, win-win cooperation,” “the path to innovative change that leads to dynamic growth,” and “a fair and inclusive path that leads to mutual benefit.”
The article concluded that “in several hundred years, when people comment on today, they were certainly say that China grasped the trend of history, figured out the rules of development, and walked stably on the only correct path for the progress of humanity.”
United Front Work
14th High-Level Forum on Christianity's Social Function and Influence on Modern China Held
11.20 A high-level forum entitled “Christianity’s Societal Role and Influence in Modern China” was held in Guiyang, Guizhou from 13 to 14 November. The forum was organized by the Hong Kong Liaison Office and jointly undertaken by the China Christian Council and National Committee of the Three-Self Patriotic Movement (中国基督教两会).
Scholars discussed topics including “the sinicization of Christianity and theological construction,” “bringing religious work under the rule of law and the ‘Regulations on Religious Affairs’,” and “religious theory policy and the practice of religious freedom on the Mainland.”
The article noted that “the exchanges during the forum can eliminate misunderstandings between sides and allow everyone to develop deeper thoughts on the church’s future development and the sinicization of Catholicism and Protestantism.”
Party Discipline
Former China Coal Technology and Engineering Group Chairman and Party Committee Secretary Under Investigation
11.19 CCDI and NSC released a short announcement on their website saying that former China Coal Technology and Engineering Group Chairman and Party Committee Secretary Wang Jinhua (王金华) is currently under investigation for serious violation of discipline and law. Wang served as the Group’s Chairman and Party Committee Secretary from August 2013 to June 2018.
116 Central and State Institution Departments Held Cautionary Education Meetings
11.20 Since the Central and state institutions held a “cautionary education meeting” on 29 September, 116 departments of Central and state institutions have held cautionary education meetings respectively and used real-life examples to “truly achieve [making people] have fear in their hearts, be aware of what they said, and show restraint in their behavior.” An attendee of one of the meetings expressed that the examples and cases used for education “have made me realize that it is very possible to become one of the ‘people in the cases’.... [if my] ideological defensive line were down.” He said he would use Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and the spirit of the 19th Party Congress as guide to “firmly establish the ‘four consciousnesses’” and “resolutely carry out the ‘two defends.’”
Observe the Anti-Corruption Battle at the Reform and Opening Up 40th Anniversary Exhibition
11.21 China Discipline Inspection and Supervision Newspaper published an article highlighting the anti-corruption section of the exhibition commemorating the 40th anniversary of reform and opening up. The article stated that “corruption is the biggest threat that our Party is facing” and that, if left unaddressed, “not only there is a risk failing the reform and opening up but our Party might also lose the people’s hearts and shake its foundation to govern.” The exhibition displayed pictures of some of the “tigers” (大老虎) on trial, showing that “no matter who one is or how high one’s rank, serious investigation and punishment will be made when Party discipline and the country’s laws are violated."
Central Military Commission
Xu Qiliang Meets Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces Minister Leopoldo Cintra Frías
11.19 Central Military Commission Vice Chairman Xu Qiliang (许其亮) met with Cuban Minister of the Revolutionary Armed Forces Leopoldo Cintra Frías in Beijing. During the meeting, Xu stated that “China and Cuba should further consolidate the traditional friendship between the two countries and conscientiously plan for future bilateral cooperation.” He said that “China will as always support the building of the Cuban military and promote the comprehensive and deep development of exchanges and cooperation between the two militaries.” CMC Political Work Department Head Miao Hua (苗华) also attended the meeting.
Comprehensively Deepening Reform
Chief Economists Want to Safeguard Reputations
11.20 An opinion piece in China Securities Journal described the signing by the Securities Associate of China (证券基金行业) chief economists of the "Chief Economist Self-Discipline Proposal" (首席经济学家自律倡议书) on Friday 16 November. The proposal is described as having three aspects. First, it complies with the provisions of the Securities Law and establishes a good image of honesty and integrity. Second, it safeguards the good reputation in the industry of objective, professionally researched ideas which actively convey positive energy. Third, it strengthens policies and regulations and professional theoretical studies, which contributes to positively guiding market expectations. The author stresses the importance of economists signing the proposal, given the role of economists in contributing to the healthy development of capital markets.
The author stresses that economists represent not only their own ideas but the institutions that employ them, and that visibility is important regardless of the accuracy of their research. The author cautions that chief economists must therefore publish objectively and prudently, otherwise, “if you do not improve your research level and professional capabilities, you will only publish horrific opinions and remarks, and even those bearing the halo of ‘chief economist’ will eventually be abandoned by the market and investors.”
International Liaison Work
11.19 International Department Vice Minister Li Jun (李军) met with a Palestinian multiparty cadre study group led by Fatah Deputy Chairman, Palestine Liberation Organization Executive Committee member, and Palestinian Legislative Council member Mahmoud Aloul.
11.19 International Department Minister Song Tao (宋涛) met with an Assembly of Turkmenistan multiparty study group led by Democratic Party of Turkmenistan Chairman Ata Serdarov.
11.19 International Department Vice Minister Guo Yezhou (郭业洲) met with a European think tank study group led by the Italian Center for International Studies Director Gabriele Iacovino.
11.19-11.20 On 19 November, Song Tao and Li Jun met with a Colombian Democratic Center (CD) party cadre study group led by CD National Director Nubia Stella Martínez Rueda.
Li Jun also individually met with the study group on the same day.
On 20 November, Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Vice Chairman Gao Yunlong (高云龙) met with the CD study group.
11.19 Guo Yezhou met with the second Maltese Nationalist Party (PN) young cadre study group led by PN Shadow Cabinet Foreign Minister Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici.
11.20 Song Tao and Li Jun participated in the Fifth China-Sudan High-Level Political Dialogue in Beijing. The dialogue’s opening ceremony featured speeches from both Song and National Congress Party Deputy President and Assistant to the President of Sudan Faisal Hassan Ibrahim.
11.20 Song Tao and Guo Yezhou met with a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI/Pakistan Movement for Justice) cadre study group led by PTI Secretary-General Arshad Daad.
11.21 Guo Yezhou met with a European Parliament EU-China Friendship Group delegation led by the group’s Chairman Nirj Deva.
11.21 Li Jun met with Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee member, Long An Provincial Party Committee Secretary, and Long An Provincial People's Council Chairman Phạm Văn Rạnh.