- David Gitter, Julia Bowie, Calvin Blackburn
Weekly Report 3|41 8.8.2020-8.14.2020
Highlights
Xi Jinping once again brought up the topic of food waste, this time saying limiting food waste is especially important in light of the coronavirus epidemic (see Senior Leaders section).
Politburo Standing Committee member Li Zhanshu (栗战书) presided over the closing of the 21st meeting of the 13th National People’s Congress (see Senior Leaders section).
Senior Leaders
Xi Jinping Issued Important Instructions on Resolutely Stopping Food Waste Behavior and Earnestly Cultivating the Habit of Saving, Creating an Atmosphere Where Waste is Shameful and Saving is Honorable
8.11 Xi Jinping issued instructions to lower food waste and highlighted its importance in light of the coronavirus epidemic. He emphasized the need to strengthen legislation, supervision, propaganda, and education about food waste to create an “atmosphere where waste is shameful and saving is honorable.” The article noted that Xi has always attached great importance to food security and brought up instructions regarding food waste instructions that he has been issuing since January 2013. The Xinhua article pointed out that since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (NCCPC), various regions and departments have implemented Xi’s instructions, but also mentioned that there is still room for improvement.
Li Zhanshu at the Conclusion of the 21st Meeting of the 13th NPC Standing Committee: Relevant Decisions Passed During the Deliberations Are Highly Significant and that the National Supervision Commissions’ Special Work Report Reflects Society's Concerns
8.11 Politburo Standing Committee member Li Zhanshu (栗战书) presided over the closing of the 21st meeting of the 13th NPC and made remarks in relation to the proceedings of the meeting.
On the NPC’s decision to extend the operation of the 6th Legislative Council and the decision to postpone elections in Hong Kong, Li said that these measures were important for guaranteeing the lives and health of the Hong Kong people and were necessary, legal, and reasonable.
On the conferral of national medals and honorary titles to those involved in the novel coronavirus response, Li emphasized the importance of creating heroes respected by all of society in striving to create a good atmosphere and encouraging everyone to more closely unit around the party center with Xi Jinping at its core.
On the National Supervision Commission’s special work report on bringing back fugitives suspected of corruption and recovering their ill-gotten gains, Li pointed out that the work of the commission achieved important results, reflected the concerns of society, and should be further enhanced to achieve decisive victory in the struggle against corruption.
On a litany of other policy issues deliberated by the NPC, Li emphasized the importance of uniting thought and action under the party center’s scientific judgement and decision making, carrying out responsibilities in accordance with the law while revolving around the larger picture, and implement the new development theory into all processes and areas of development.
On the legislation adopted during the meeting, Li emphasized the need to further perfect the legal system surrounding national symbols and nurture patriotic spirit, so as to concentrate a strong force for Chinese Dream of realizing the great rejuvenation of Chinese nation.
Propaganda Work
If People Cannot Live Up to the Hills, the Green Hills Cannot Live Up to the People--Jointly Constructing Our Beautiful China
On 10 August, People’s Daily published a commentator article on building an ecological civilization. The commentator series appeared with the approach of the 15th anniversary of the “two mountains theory” that Xi Jinping supposedly articulated during a 2005 inspection tour of Anji County in Zhejiang. According to the article, the “two mountains theory” eventually evolved into Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization. Central to the “two mountains theory '' is the following phrase: “green waters and green mountains are gold mountains and silver mountains,” which highlights the value of ecological and sustainable development.
The article notes the widespread awareness of the “two mountains theory” had transformed Anji County into an ecological success story. It is a microcosm of China’s wider green miracle, with increased forest coverage and lower levels of pollution and carbon emissions nationwide cited as examples of successful ecological efforts that have brought China to the forefront of world ecological civilization.
The success of China’s green policies are attributed to the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization. The guidance covers all matters of building an ecological civilization--it emphasizes avoiding the sacrifice of the environment for temporary economic development, addressing the people’s requirements for a healthy environment, strengthening environmental safeguards and regulations, treating the environment as a holistic entity, and participating in global environmental governance.
Under Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization, by 2035, China will have realized a fundamental improvement in ecological quality, and a beautiful China will be basically realized. By the middle of the 21st century, a beautiful China will be established.
Zhong Sheng: Attempts to Challenge the One-China Principle Will Inevitably Be Defeated
8.11 People’s Daily published a Zhong Sheng (钟声) commentary in response to HHS Secretary Azar’s visit to Taiwan. The commentary noted that “the one-China principle is the political foundation of China-US relations” and that the “Chinese side has repeatedly urged the US side to prudently handle the Taiwan issue… so as to avoid disturbing and harming the general condition of China-US relations.” In addition to the Azar visit, the commentary referred to a series of recent “provocations,” extending from the “so-called 2019 TAIPEI Act” passed in March to the US “attempt[ing] to play the ‘Taiwan card’ to smear China” amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and “continuously strengthen[ing] military contacts with the Taiwan region, promot[ing] arms sales to Taiwan, and hyp[ing] US-Taiwan joint training.” The commentary concluded that “as for the US’ erroneous conduct, the Chinese side will resolutely adopt powerful countermeasures. Any attempt to ignore, reject, or challenge the one-China principle will end in failure.”
Huang Kunming: Profoundly Comprehend the Essence of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics in the New Era
8.13 Politburo member and Propaganda Department Head Huang Kunming (黄坤明) penned an effusive and lengthy piece reflecting on the third volume of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China, which he describes as the “most authoritative, most systematic, and most lively original work and text” for studying Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics in the New Era. According to Huang, the areas of most resonance dealt with the importance of the people, lofty faith, historical awareness, issue orientation, the spirit of the struggle, and worldly vision. The importance of the people means persevering the people as the center, relying on the people to initiative historical exploits, and leading the people in creating a beautiful life.
Lofty faith means having heart, acting in a certain direction, and unswerving determination to fight for ideas and beliefs. According to Huang, this is reflected in the firm belief in Marxism and the unwavering determination to advance the sinicization of Marxism.
Historical awareness means having a grasp of the “two overall situations” and the historical initiative of contemporary China’s development. Possessing a deep understanding of history is a key component in the path of understanding China’s rejuvenation.
Issue orientation means seeking truth and facts, being industrious, and moving forward while facing contradictions, and resolving difficult issues. The spirit of the struggle is referring to grasping the essence of matters, strengthening struggle awareness, and using conscientious struggle practice to open up new horizons and achieve new victories.
World vision is in reference to following the development trend of the world, promoting the building of a community of common destiny among mankind and building a better world.
United Front Work
During Commemoration of the 90th Anniversary of the Founding of the Chinese Peasants’ and Workers’ Democratic Party in Beijing, Sun Chunlan Speaks on Behalf of CCP Central Committee
8.9 Vice Premier and member of the Politburo Sun Chunlan (孙春兰) attended a celebration of the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese Peasants’ and Workers’ Democratic Party (CPWDP), one of the eight legally recognized non-communist parties in the PRC. During the ceremony, Sun said that “generation after generation” of CPWDP workers had “fought shoulder to shoulder and strode hand in hand” with the CCP, and added that “as [we] enter the new era, the CPWDP has constantly maintained a high level of consistency in its thinking with the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core.” Sun also said in his remarks that he “hopes the CPWDP will continue to hold high the great banner of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics as well as earnestly study and implement Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.”
Party Discipline
Legislative Affairs Commission of the Standing Committee of the NPC: Establish a Special Group to Commence Legislation Work to Prevent Food Waste
8.13 A reporter for the news and communication center of the State Supervision Commission conducted an interview with the person responsible for the Administrative Law Office of NPC Standing Committee Legislative Affairs Commission, inspector Zhang Guilong (张桂龙). According to Zhang, on the basis of Xi Jinping’s guidance pertaining to food waste, the Legislative Work Commission is currently engaged in examining and evaluating relevant domestic and foreign legislation. Zhang pointed out that the party and state have always attached importance to food waste, citing passages from relevant legislation. That being said, these laws are scattered and their systemic, targetted, and concentrated nature require further strengthening.
Observation: Despite Successive Years of Bumper Harvests, Why Should We Emphasize Crisis Awareness?
8.13 Following Xi’s speech on food waste, an article by the CCDI stressed the importance of being prepared for the food crisis in spite of years of good harvests. Despite increasing standards of living, grain production continues to lag behind grain consumption. Therefore, food security and preventing waste is of paramount importance. This is especially critical given China’s status as a developing country, with frugality and waste prevention identified as important to China’s future development. Several factors underscore China’s food insecurity. First, China possesses seven percent of the world’s arable land, which feeds 20 percent of the world’s population. Second, urban migration has reduced the number of workers in the agricultural sector. Third, there is staggering food waste in the catering industry. Fourth, international events such as the novel coronavirus pandemic and the locust plague in Africa have disrupted food supply chains. To that end, the party and state have continued to vigorously push measures to prevent waste and increase saving.
International Liaison Work
Qian Hongshan Conducts Video Exchange with Italian Democratic Party International Secretary Fiano
8.7 On 7 August, Qian Hongshan, International Department Vice Minister conducted a video conference with Emanuele Fiano of the Italian Democratic Party’s international department. Qian conveyed that the CCP’s desire to advance mutual understanding and trust, and jointly realize greater developments in the advancement of the China-Italy comprehensive strategic partnership. Fiano praised China’s clear support for multilateralism and its active undertaking of pandemic cooperation, and expressed the Democratic Party’s interest in further increasing exchange and cooperation between the two parties.
Zhu Rui Presides Over the Opening Ceremony for Online Training for Cadres of Argentina’s Justicialist Party
8.12 On 12 August, International Department Assistant Minister Zhu Rui presided over the opening ceremony for an online class for cadres of Argentina’s Justicialist Party. José Luis Gioja, Chairman of the Justicialist Party, also attended. Gioja praised China’s response to novel coronavirus pandemic, lauded China’s economic and social development as a model for the world, expressed desire to earnestly delve into the third volume of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China to learn from Xi’s experiences in order to promote Argentina’s sustainable development. He also declared that the Justicialist Party was willing to work together with the CCP in order to safeguard multilateralism, while opposing unilateralism and hegemony. The seminar took place over three days and covered, within the wider context of the global pandemic, poverty alleviation, work and production resumption, and joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative.
Organization Work
8.11 Xiao Yaqing (肖亚庆) was appointed Minister of Industry and Information Technology.
8.11 Hu Heping (胡和平) was appointed Minister of Culture and Tourism.
8.12 Zhang Gong (张工) was appointed head of the State Administration for Market Regulation.
8.12 Zheng Hongbo (郑宏波) was appointed deputy director of the National Railway Administration.