- David Gitter, Julia Bowie, Calvin Blackburn
Weekly Report 3|45 9.5.2020-9.11.2020
Highlights
Xi Jinping hosted a ceremony in Beijing to honor China’s resistance against the Covid-19 pandemic. In his speech, he emphasized that the CCP was able to control the pandemic because all aspects of Chinese society united around the Party and that entire experience proved the superiority of CCP leadership (see Senior Leaders section). A People’s Daily editorial declared that the Covid-19 outbreak added new momentum to the effort to achieve the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation (see Propaganda Work section).
Senior Leaders
Xi Jinping Delivers Speech At the 2020 China-World International Trade Fair Summit
9.5 Xi’s speech at the 2020 China International Fair For Trade in Services stressed the importance for all nations to jointly work toward international cooperation, openness, and inclusivity. Xi contended that China had overcome substantial difficulties in light of the continuing struggle against the COVID-19 pandemic. Xi emphasized the importance of international cooperation in activating economic dynamism and stated the need for cooperative innovation and mutual benefits, continuing China’s openness to the world, and to continuing to broaden service industry market access in China. The objective of the event, he explained, is to inspire cooperative efforts to promote the flourishing of global services trade and to stimulate the recovery of the global economy. He expressed hope that at this moment a platform and bridges can be built so that the peoples of all nations can share in the growth of the global services trade.
Xi said that Beijing will play an important role in the opening of the Chinese service sector. Xi called for national support to create service industry pilot zones in Beijing. He emphasized the importance of duplicating and popularizing successful experiments in pilot zones. He also called for the establishment of science and technological innovation, service sector openness, and the information economy as the principal elements of the new free trade experimental zones. Xi noted the importance of the Jing-Jin-Ji Integration Plan as a new platform which will propel the development of the next stage of the Reform and Opening.
Xi stressed three main points:
First, he first called for greater openness in the world economy. In particular, Xi reproached discrimination against the development of industries, and called for all nations to lower entry and exit tariffs and non-tariff barriers to trade. Xi described the importance of cross border interconnectedness. Xi stated that there is a need to establish a cross-border service trade management institution. Xi noted the need for continued liberalization in access to service markets, and the need to increase the quality of service imports. Furthermore, Xi emphasized the importance of matching the development of the Chinese services trade with actual international conditions and to coordinate the regulations of regional services trade, to continually perfect international economic governance, and to promote international economic growth.
Secondly, Xi noted the need for the promotion of international cooperative efforts. Xi expressed the importance of closing the digital gap and further developing network, digital, and smart technology. According to Xi, China should focus on creating a new format and a new model for the export of services. As with other nations, Xi stated, China will focus on the harmonization of macroeconomic governance and international cooperation in the digital realm. He also expounded on the importance of the protection of intellectual property rights, the informatization of the economy, the development of the shared economy, and the promotion of global development.
Thirdly Xi opined on the importance of creating a bigger “pie” of global wealth. It is through the increased services trade, collaboration on innovative ventures, the deepening of regional cooperation, and actively pursuing the highest common factor of mutual benefit. He commented that China will use the China International Fair for Trade in Services and the China International Import Fair as platforms to cultivate the diversification of relations amongst the government, international organizations, business associations, and businesses.
Xi Hosts Ceremony in Beijing to Solemnly Honor National Resistance Against Covid-19 Pandemic
9.9 Xi Jinping presided over a ceremony to honor the national resistance against the Covid-19 pandemic in the Great Hall of the People with the entire Politburo Standing Committee in attendance. General Secretary Xi Jinping conferred national medals and honorary titles to distinguished recipients.
Subsequently Xi gave an “important speech” during which he praised the “mighty spirit” of pandemic response. That spirit, Xi elaborated, is traceable to the same origin: The long-term development of the cultural “genes” and “characteristics” of the Chinese people are embodied in patriotism, collectivism, and socialism. The same spirit that was employed to resist the virus will also be used to create a moderately prosperous, modern, socialist nation, and to achieve the great revitalization of the Chinese nation, Xi contended.
Xi’s speech pointed out that in eight months the CCP united and led all of the peoples’ of the nation, in an all-out war against the pandemic, and underwent a bitter historical test. Through great diligence the CCP achieved a great strategic victory over the virus, and brought about a valiant and heroic feat for humanity in the struggle against the virus.
Xi, representing the Central Committee, State Council, and Central Military Commission commended the work of “advanced individuals” and “advanced teams” in their work combating the virus. Xi extended heartfelt gratitude to numerous healthcare workers, disease prevention workers, People’s Liberation Army soldiers, People’s Armed Police officers, workers in science and technology, community workers, public security officers, first responders, reporters, employees of various enterprises, engineers, volunteers, the masses, all levels of Party organs, to all of the enterprise work unit Party members and cadres. Xi also offered gratitude to all members of the democratic parties, trade federations, party-unaffiliated individuals, and all of the people’s organizations that leapt enthusiastically to aid our Hong Kong compatriots, Macao compatriots, Taiwanese compatriots, and overseas Chinese. The victory against the virus in China, the report added, demonstrates China’s spirit, strength, and initiative.
Xi noted that this life-and-death struggle demonstrated the utterly fearless quality of the Chinese people. Moreover, he added, the sacrifices of the people above all collectively demonstrate the Chinese people’s profound traditional benevolence and the CCP, with the people at its heart, is pursuing this value. In the battle against the virus, Xi continued, the Chinese people have accumulated valuable experiences and profound lessons. The experience in the pandemic proved that the Chinese Community Party has incomparable leadership ability and is the most dependable pillar of strength for the Chinese people.
Xi invoked an idiom: “as nature’s movement is continual, a gentleman must strive unremittingly for self-improvement.” 5000 years of Chinese civilizational development bore witness to suffering but also glory. No individual or power can obstruct the Chinese people as they march ahead in the realization of an increasingly prosperous life Xi concluded.
Propaganda Work
PD Commentator Series on Xi Jinping’s Speech Commemorating the Chinese People’s War Against Japanese Aggression
People’s Daily ran a commentator series to further publicize Xi Jinping’s 3 September speech.
The first commentator article, titled “Inherit and Carry Forward the Great Spirit of the War of Resistance in the New Era,” asserted that “the great spirit of the War of Resistance is the extremely precious spiritual wealth of the Chinese people and will always motivate the Chinese people to overcome all hardships and dangers.” It also reiterated the “five absolutely will not allows” (五个绝不答应) in full, stressing that they “firmly and profoundly express the common aspirations of the 1.4 billion Chinese people.”
The second commentator article, titled “[We] Must Adhere to the Leadership of the Chinese Communist Party and Be of One Mind about Moving Forward Regardless of Trials and Hardships,” opened by quoting Xi’s first “absolutely will not allow.” The article reiterated his point that “adhering to the party’s comprehensive leadership is the foundation for the prosperity and development of the country and the nation.”It concluded by asserting, “history’s verdict” is that “‘the key to handling China’s affairs well lies in the Party.’”
The third commentator article, titled “[We] Must Adhere to the Path of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics and Make Our System More and More Mature,” opened by quoting Xi’s second “absolutely will not allow.” The article argued that the past 75 years since victory in the War of Resistance against Japan have shown that “the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics opened up by the CCP leading the Chinese people is correct,” stressing that “Whether socialism with Chinese characteristics is good depends on facts and the judgment of the Chinese people, not the subjective assumptions of those with entrenched ideological prejudice.”
The fourth commentator article, titled “[We] Must Adhere to a People-Centered [Approach] and Closely Rely On the People to Open Up a New Phase for [Our] Cause,” opened by quoting Xi’s third “absolutely will not allow.” The article emphasized that “today, nobody should turn a blind eye to the reality that the CCP has received the endorsement and support of the Chinese people, and [any effort from] any individual or force attempting to separate the CCP and the Chinese people and set them against one another is doomed to be futile!”
The fifth commentator article, titled “[We] Must Adhere to the Spirit of Struggle; The Greater the Hardships and Perils, The More [We Must] Advance,” opened by quoting Xi’s fourth “absolutely will not allow.” The article argued that “[the CCP] was born out of the nation’s internal and external troubles, a time of national crisis. From birth it was engraved with the mark of struggle.” It emphasized, “the Chinese people’s determination is as solid as a rock. Anyone or any force that attempts to impose their will on China through bullying methods is bound to fail.”
The sixth commentator article, titled “[We] Must Unswervingly Walk the Path of Peaceful Development and Jointly Create a Beautiful Future for Humankind,” opened by quoting Xi’s fifth “absolutely will not allow.” The article stated that “the Chinese people have suffered from the invasion, humiliation, and plundering by great powers for more than a hundred years,” which has only “strengthened their determination to safeguard peace.” It concluded that “the Chinese people’s right to peaceful lives and development cannot be infringed upon.”
PD Editorial: A New Spiritual Moment of National Rejuvenation Was Forged In The Struggle Against the Virus
9.8 A People’s Daily editorial discussed how China was able to overcome the Covid-19 pandemic and create new momentum for the achievement of national rejuvenation.
The editorial particularly emphasizes that Xi Jinping’s personal role in addressing the crisis was key to the CCP’s success. According to the article, Xi personally directed and deployed strict prevention and control measures that protected the people’s lives, safety, and health, by mobilizing all of society’s resources and people. Under his leadership, all ethnic groups, and the entire party and army worked together to create a powerful force by promoting the spirit of patriotism, collectivism, and socialism.
The editorial closed by emphasizing that the pandemic provided even more evidence that Xi Jinping’s personal role in leadership and socialism with Chinese characteristics are a significant advantage. Despite the epidemic, China remains at an important stage in achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation because the unification of the whole army, party, and Chinese people of all ethnic groups can overcome all obstacles.
Zhong Sheng: Working Together to Build A Common Destiny in Cyberspace
9.10 People’s Daily published a Zhong Sheng commentary on China’s September 8, 2020 publication of the Global Data Security Initiative, which proposed that global data laws should follow the three principles of: multilateralism, the development of security, and fairness and justice. The Global Data Security Initiative also says global data laws should provide solutions to global problems, reflect the responsibilities of major powers, and meet the international community’s shared expectations.
Zhong Sheng argues that the growth and accumulation of data in a globalized world is a growing source of power for countries’ economic development and industrial innovation. According to the article, the increased risks regarding individual rights and public interests, and national security are testing the ability to govern, and inconsistent laws have increased the compliance costs of multinational businesses. The combination of government and private challenges have led to an increase in demand for the Global Data Security Initiative.
The article emphasizes that the right way to solve global digital governance is through joint consultation and construction, and sharing. The US’ “Clean network” plan is referred to as a hegemonic and “earth-shatteringly greedy” plan that encourages division, and hinders digital cooperation and development by constructing digital barriers. Zhong Sheng cites the Internet Society’s concern that the US approach violates globalization, openness, and decentralization of the internet.
Zhong Sheng asserts that all countries’ have the right to protect their own data security in accordance with the law, as the protection of data security is important to a healthy digital economy. The future of cybersecurity must respect the sovereignty and rights of other countries, use proper channels and international agreements to obtain data, and not install backdoors to illegally obtain data or manipulate systems.
Zhong Sheng concludes by emphasizing international cooperation among stakeholders, as cyberspace is a common resource for all of mankind, and the future should include all countries.
United Front Work
Bateer: To Study and To Use Our Nation’s Universal Spoken and Written Language Is the Shared Responsibility for All Ethnic Groups
9.11 The United Front Work Department (UFWD) published an interview with UFWD Deputy Head Bateer (巴特尔) during which he emphasized that to study and use the nation’s universal spoken and written language is a constitutionally mandated responsibility of all citizens. According to Bateer, to promote and popularize the nation’s universal language is the essential means by which the national consciousness must be forged. He urged ethnic groups to “self-consciously conform to the rules of historical development and diligently study and comprehend Chairman Xi’s discourse on ethnic minority work.”
We must comprehensively implement the Party’s ethnic minority policies and education guidelines, and unwaveringly promote the national language in order to further promote “association,” “communication,” and “blending,” Bateer asserted. He further noted the need to unceasingly strengthen and develop the “excellent phase” of the “Chinese people [as] a family, to be of one heart and to jointly construct the Chinese Dream.”
Karl Marx believed that “language itself is a product of community,” Bateer wrote. Marx also asserted that “language itself is the existence of this community.” In our nation’s historical development, the multitudes of ethnic group languages are the result of “association,” “communication,” and “blending.” All of the languages of our ethnic groups have had a mutual influence on others and have mutually drawn from other languages. This set of conditions gave rise to the development of our common language. Included among these is Mandarin. Mandarin progressively became the principle language and written script of communication for successive regimes in the dynastic period, beginning with the Qin and Han dynasties. This was the “common historical” choice for all of the nation’s ethnic groups. Since the establishment of New China and especially since the beginning of reform and opening, and with the development of education, Mandarin has become the essential tool for communication amongst all ethnic groups from all parts of our nation, Bateer noted. With the aim of the common development and strengthening of the nation, Bateer added, all ethnic groups will increasingly pass on to future generations, to use, and to develop the nation’s language. This development of language must be accompanied, Bateer said, by continuing on the inevitable path of increasing tolerance and cohesiveness as a community of destiny.
The administration of locales in a multi-ethnic nation is possible only with a common written language, Bateer noted. Chinese civilization is the “world’s only extant ancient civilization,” he claimed. The only reason our nation was able to unify a multitude of ethnic groups into a large scale nation, he added, was due to the benefit derived from a universally used language, and from the unceasing deepening of “exchange,” “communication,” and “blending,” There are examples of this in the world, Bateer opined: From the Roman Empire to post-Renaissance England to France, all used language as a method to create a sense of identity, and thereby popularized the language through their respective nations. The 19th provision in the Constitution mandates the propagation of standard spoken and written Mandarin, he added. The Party will persist in organically reconciling “community” with “difference” and “diversity” with “community”.
Bateer concluded that in the process of education for ethnic minorities there must also be an emphasis on CCP, and Socialism with Chinese Characteristics. He asked ethnic groups to unite around the Party Center, core leader, Xi Jinping, strictly enforce political discipline and political guidelines, and forge the Chinese nation community of destiny ideological foundation, to popularize the nation’s universal language, and to promote “exchange,” “communication,” and “blending” amongst all of the nation’s peoples to create a beautiful future.
International Liaison Work
9.8 International Department Assistant Minister Zhu Rui (朱锐) met with Turkish Ambassador to China Abdulkadir Emin Önen.
9.9 International Department Head Song Tao (宋涛) and Deputy Head Qian Hongshan (钱洪山) held a video call with Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia leader and Czech Chamber of Deputies Deputy Speaker Vojtěch Filip.
9.10 Qian Hongshan held a video call with People's Democratic Party of Tajikistan First Deputy Chair Azizi Abdujabbor Abdukahhor.
9.11 International Department Deputy Head Guo Yezhou (郭业洲) met with New Zealand Ambassador to China Clare Fearnley.
9.11 Qian Hongshan met with Azerbaijiani Ambassador to China Akram Zeynalli.
Organization Work
During Teleconference, Chen Xi Emphasizes Forcefully and Effectively Promoting the Implementation of the Party’s Organizational Line for a New Era
9.10 A teleconference was held by the Central Organization Department on 9 September to “deeply study” Xi Jinping’s important speech at the 21st Politburo Collective Study Session and “produce a specific means for comprehensively implementing the Party’s organizational line for a new era.” During the conference, Politburo Member and Director of the Central Organization Department Chen Xi (陈希) emphasized “strengthening the ‘four consciousnesses,’ resolutely [upholding] the ‘four confidences’, and achieving the ‘two defends’, forcefully and effectively promoting the implementation of the Party’s organizational line for a new era.” Chen then said “[We] must study and implement General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important speech, accurately grasp the scientific implications and practical requirements of the Party’s organizational line for a new era, and strengthen the organizational line in service of the consciousness and firmness of the political line.” Chen also stressed “upholding and strengthening the Party’s comprehensive leadership as a fundamental principle,” promoting the “study and implementation of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism With Chinese Characteristics for a New Era going deep, into reality, and into the heart,” and “cultivating loyal, clean, and responsible high-quality cadres.”
9.7 Min Yiren (闵宜仁) was appointed committee member of the Ministry of Emergency Management Party Committee.
9.7 Gu Tao (顾涛), Wang Yi (王轶), and Hu Baijing (胡百精) were appointed standing committee members and Vice Presidents of Renmin University of China’s Party Committee.
9.8 Min Yiren was appointed Director of the China Earthquake Administration.
9.9 Luo Xi (罗熹) was appointed Party Committee Secretary of the People’s Insurance Company of China Limited.
9.9 Xiang Qiao (向巧) was appointed deputy general manager and party leadership group member of the Aero Engine Corporation of China.