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Weekly Report 4|48 10.23.2021-10.29.2021
Highlights
The Central Committee and State Council published a 22 September set of Opinions on implementing the new development concept and doing peak carbon and carbon neutrality work well. (see Senior Leaders section)
A highly authoritative People’s Daily Ren Ping (任平) commentary addressed the topic of China’s technological innovation. (see Propaganda Work section)
Xi Jinping issued important instructions at a military equipment work conference from 25 to 26 October, affirming the Central Military Commission's progress under the 13th Five-Year Plan, calling for the implementation of the 14th Five-Year Plan’s tasks, and urging the acceleration of weapons and military equipment management modernization. (see Central Military Commission section)
Senior Leaders
Xi Jinping: Set Your Goals, Be Firmly Grounded, and Make an All Out Effort for a Long Time [to Achieve] Results; Strive Unremittingly for the Yellow River to Benefit the Chinese Nation Forever
10.22 Xi Jinping hosted a symposium on promoting the ecological protection and high-quality development of the Yellow River basin on 22 October in Jinan City, where he gave a speech. In his speech, Xi stressed that work must be done to analyze the current state of ecological protection and high-quality development in the Yellow River basin, ensure visible results during the 14th Five-Year Plan, and “strive unremittingly for the Yellow River to benefit the Chinese nation forever.” He then noted that since the Party Central Committee has elevated this issue to a national level strategy, it has worked to solve problems existing in the river basin and built the “four beams and eight pillars” (四梁八柱) of the Yellow River protection and governance. In properly implementing these strategies, the provinces and regions along the Yellow River must “unswervingly follow the modern path of ecological priority and green development.” Four key steps to this path include: adhering to the correct view of political performance and accurately grasping the relationship between protection and development; coordinating the two major issues of development and security while also improving risk prevention and response capabilities; improving strategic thinking capabilities and integrating “systematic thinking” (系统观念) into the whole process of ecological protection and high-quality development; and resolutely following the path of green and low-carbon development, while also promoting changes in the quality, efficiency, and dynamics of economic development in the basin.
Xi then stressed the importance of implementing these major tasks and seeing results as soon as possible during the 14th Five-Year Plan, listing five ways to do so: accelerating the construction of defense lines against natural disasters; comprehensively implementing the “four waters and four determinations” (四水四定); vigorously promoting environmental protection and governance; accelerating the construction of a new pattern of land space protection and utilization; and taking a solid step in high-quality development. He noted that the Central Committee attaches great importance to the relocation and resettlement of residents in the Yellow River flood plain, ensuring that the people live and work in peace and contentment. Lastly, Xi emphasized the need to solve core oil and gas needs, increasing exploration and development efforts while consolidating the foundation of domestic production and improving self-protection capabilities. He noted that they “must continue to carry this banner well,” making new contributions and achieving better results to ensure the country’s energy security, economic development, and social development.
Politburo Standing Committee Member and State Council Vice Premier Han Zheng (韩正) also attended and spoke at the symposium.
Central Committee and State Council Release Opinions on Completely, Correctly, and Comprehensively Implementing the New Development Concept and Doing Peak Carbon and Carbon Neutrality Work Well People’s Daily
10.25 The Central Committee and State Council published a set of 22 September Opinions on implementing the new development concept and doing peak carbon and carbon neutrality work well. The Opinions stated that achieving peak carbon and carbon neutrality comprise major strategic decisions made by the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core in coordinating the overall domestic and international situations, focusing on solving outstanding problems of resource and environmental constraints, and represents a “solemn promise to construct a community of shared future for mankind (人类命运共同体).” In implementing peak carbon and carbon neutrality work, the Opinions state that work must adhere to the principles of national overall planning: prioritizing conservation work, the “dual drivers” (双轮驱动), smooth internal and external communication, and risk prevention.
Key milestones for this project include: by 2025, forming an initial economic system of green and low-carbon circular development; significantly improving the energy efficiency of key industries; reducing energy consumption per unit of GDP by 13.5% compared to 2020; achieving roughly 20% non-fossil energy consumption as a proportion of total consumption; achieving a forest coverage rate of 24.1%; and reaching a cumulative volume of 18 billion cubic meters of forest. By 2030, significant results will have been achieved in the overall green transformation of economic and social development and the energy efficiency of key energy-consuming industries will have reached the level of advanced international economies. Energy consumption per unit of GDP will have dropped by more than 65% compared with 2005, while the proportion of non-fossil energy consumption will have reached about 25%, and the total installed capacity of wind power and solar power will have reached more than 1.2 billion kilowatts. In addition, the forest coverage rate will have reached roughly 25%, the cumulative volume of forest will have reached 19 billion cubic meters, and the carbon dioxide emissions have reached their peak and begun a steady decline. By 2060, a green, low-carbon circular economic system and a clean, low-carbon, safe, and efficient energy system will be fully established. The overall efficiency of energy use will have reached the level of advanced international economies, the proportion of non-fossil energy consumption will exceed 80%, and the goal of carbon neutrality will be successfully achieved. In fulfilling these goals, the Opinions state that “the construction of an ecological civilization will achieve fruitful results, creating a new realm of harmonious coexistence between man and nature.”
Xi Jinping: Be Firm in Innovation and Self-Confidence, Seize Innovation Opportunities, and Accelerate the Realization of High-Level Technological Self-Reliance
10.26 Xi Jinping attended an exhibition on China’s Achievements in Scientific and Technological Innovation During the 13th Five-Year Plan, where he stated that China’s scientific and technological undertakings had accelerated development over that period, resulting in greatly increased innovation capabilities. In addition, a number of major scientific and technological achievements were made in foundational fields, strategic high technology, and science and technology related to people’s welfare. Xi then noted that “at present, China has embarked on a new journey of comprehensively building a modern socialist country, with scientific and technological innovation occupying an extremely important role in the development of the Party and the country.” According to Xi, this is in order to “meet the needs of the people’s life and health, bravely climb scientific and technological peaks, consciously shoulder the glorious historical mission (自觉肩负起光荣历史使命), and build a world scientific and technological power through realizing the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and making new and greater contributions.”
Politburo Standing Committee Member and State Council Premier Li Keqiang (李克强), Politburo Standing Committee Members Li Zhanshu (栗战书), Wang Yang (汪洋), Wang Huning (王沪宁), Zhao Leji (赵乐际), Han Zheng (韩正), and Vice President Wang Qishan (王岐山) separately visited the exhibition.
Hu Chunhua: Solidly Do Beijing Winter Olympics Meteorological Service Protection Work Well
10.27 State Council Vice Premier and Politburo Member Hu Chunhua (胡春华) visited the China Meteorological Administration to investigate and supervise weather service protection for the Beijing Winter Olympics. During his visit, he emphasized the importance of ensuring the smooth hosting of the Beijing Winter Olympics and high standard of excellence and pointed out that efficient and powerful meteorological services are essential to this goal. Hu noted that it is necessary to strengthen monitoring, forecasting, and early warning, and to make full use of modern weather monitoring methods and technology to improve the accuracy of weather forecasts. He also stressed the necessity of drills to fully prepare China for possible risks and challenges during the Olympics as well as the importance of the organization’s leadership. Additionally, he emphasized the importance of weather services for agricultural production in the fall and winter in minimizing the impact of unfavorable weather conditions.
Propaganda Work
PLA Daily Jun Sheng Series on the US Nuclear Submarine Collision Accident
10.25-10.29 PLA Daily published three additional commentaries on the USS Connecticut collision in the South China Sea under its Jun Sheng (钧 声) byline.
The third commentary, titled “The United States Is the Greatest Source of Disaster in Stirring Up the South China Sea (SCS)” reiterated the threat posed by the USS Connecticut nuclear submarine’s collision and the United States’ subsequent lack of transparency, saying the incident had elicited a “high degree of concern” from the international community. The commentary pivoted from previous commentaries’ focus on nuclear risks to address US military activity in the SCS more broadly, saying that the United States was not content with peace but “only wanted to fish in troubled waters (浑水摸鱼),” making trouble for its own gain. Citing US military exercises, freedom of navigation operations (FONOPs), and freedom of overflight operations in regional waters, Jun Sheng pointed out that the United States was located over 8,300 miles from the South China Sea, further noting its bases and deployments in the area. Additionally, the United States was not a signatory to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), so was “fundamentally unqualified to make thoughtless remarks (说三道四) on SCS issues.” The commentary concluded that, while China would “adhere to the path of peaceful development” and would not pursue invasion or expansion, neither would it “swallow its anger (忍气吞声) in the face of other countries’ provocations.”
The fourth commentary, titled “The United States is the Greatest Destroyer of World Peace” focused on the USS Connecticut as an “attack submarine,” asserting that this use of offensive weapons was typical and emblematic of US hegemonism. Moreover, such a posture reflected the United States’ overall “‘warlike gene,’” (好战基因) with the commentary pointing out that the United States had been engaged in wars for all but 20 years of its history. The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2022 passed by the US House of Representatives—with the Senate Armed Services Committee adding $25 billion to the original—provides ample evidence of the US’ “bellicose (穷兵黩武) and warlike character,” especially given the United States’ urgent pandemic situation. According to Jun Sheng, the United States has an “‘interference addiction’ (干涉成瘾) regarding other countries’ political affairs,” citing its involvement in “color revolutions” following the Cold War. The commentary went on to address the Australia-United Kingdom-United States (AUKUS) trilateral security partnership and submarine deal and concluded by stating that the world must “maintain a high degree of vigilance toward the ‘warlike’ and ‘interference-addicted’ United States.”
The fifth commentary, titled “The Ugly Face of ‘US-Style Double Standards’” focused on the US’ lack of transparency regarding the USS Connecticut collision. Ironically, while the United States has touted military transparency, “some US politicians for whom telling lies is second nature have been ridiculed by people the world over as political ‘Pinocchios’ (匹诺曹)” stemming from their failure to be forthcoming about the submarine accident. The commentary suggested that this was likely an attempt to conceal hidden motives. Such US “political ‘Pinocchios’ [feign ignorance by] saying ‘I don’t know’ to every question (一问三不知),” much like it had done in response to questions about COVID-19 originating at Fort Detrick and its bioweapons labs around the world. At the same time, the United States continues to make false accusations against other countries. Jun Sheng closed by observing that, if the United States persists in maintaining such double standards, pursuing the path of hegemonism, and failing to take on its responsibility as a major power, its international prestige and image will inevitably face a rapid decline.
Guo Jiping: Continuously Make New Contributions to the Majestic Project of the United Nations
10.25 A Guo Jiping (国纪平) commentary celebrated the 50th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) reinstatement to China’s seat in the United Nations (UN). In the first section, the commentary reviewed the history of China’s role in the founding of the UN and its subsequent exclusion and reinstatement. It emphasized that the PRC’s reinstatement made the UN “truly become an inter-governmental international organization with universality, representativeness, and authority.” Moreover, the commentary emphasized that the PRC had ultimately “played an important role in defending international justice and fairness.” Second, the commentary gave an overview of the PRC’s contributions to UN peacekeeping efforts, its upholding of its World Trade Organization (WTO) obligations, its distribution of global development aid, and its offers of support during financial crises. Overall, the commentary said that China had “raised the flag of true multilateralism from beginning to end” and “offered wisdom and solutions for promoting world peace and development at every historical juncture.” Third, the commentary discussed the “concept of a community of shared future for mankind” (人类命运共同体理念), calling it a “support for the UN-represented project of multilateralism” and remarking on its growing support from the international community. It stated that the PRC had ultimately “protected and practiced multilateralism” and let the world “further sense the important value of the concept of a community of shared future for mankind,” among other contributions.
Fourth, the commentary noted that, although “the majority of members in the global community” supported multilateralism and cooperation “in the face of increasing global challenges, “other countries clung to Cold War thinking (冷战思维)” and “used rules set by a small number of countries to replace universally accepted international law,” among other actions. It then stressed that the PRC opposed “using so-called ‘regulations’ to undermine the international order” and the need to “scrupulously abide by a view of mutually beneficial win-win cooperation.” Furthermore, it asserted that the 50th anniversary of the PRC’s reinstatement to the UN was “another important vow to protect and practice true multilateralism and promote the construction of a community of shared future for mankind.” Finally, the commentary gave an overview of the PRC’s recent contributions in regards to COVID-19; “strong, green and healthy global development”; and “defending and practicing true multilateralism and promoting the improvement of global governance.” It concluded by calling the PRC a “staunch supporter of the UN project,” among other roles, and promised that it would meet future challenges with unity and cooperation and partner with “peace-loving countries and people” to promote common human values, “firmly practice true multilateralism, and jointly promote the construction of a community of shared future for mankind,” among other commitments.
Ren Ping: Comprehensively Create and Develop New Advantages
10.28 A Ren Ping (任平) commentary addressed the topic of China’s technological innovation. The commentary first stated that “technological innovation ha[d] a very important place and use in the Party’s and country’s overall development situation.” It went on to list the various steps China had taken to foster innovation, calling the 14th Five-Year Plan and Long-Range Objectives Through the Year 2035 a “great deployment for adhering to innovation-driven development and comprehensively creating and developing new advantages.” Second, the commentary described how the Party had emphasized technology through various historical periods in modern Chinese history and noted Xi Jinping’s “new theories, judgments, and demands” related to “innovation-driven development strategy” and “accelerating the advancement of comprehensive innovation with technological innovation as the core” since the 18th Party Congress. It also discussed China’s role as a platform for innovation, citing examples such as the Chang’e 5 spacecraft, 5G, the C919 jet, and increases in research funding and equipment. The commentary went on to state that increases in China’s technology and innovation capability were an “important marker” and “key support” for “comprehensively establishing a moderately prosperous society.”
Third, the commentary described changes in China’s internal and external environment. Externally, a new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation has taken place. Additionally, the commentary noted that “the international environment is tangled and complicated (错综复杂), the global economy has fallen into a low point, global industrial value and supply chains [are facing] reconstruction, and instability and uncertainty [are] clearly increasing.” Internally, China’s economy and demographics have undergone changes and its security risks increased, among other factors. Therefore, the commentary noted that “More than at any other time, [China’s] social development and improvements in peoples’ livelihoods required scientific and technological solutions and the strengthening of the primary force of innovation.” It then commented on the importance of accelerating innovation for “the overall situation of the construction of China’s modernization.” Specifically, accelerating innovation was needed to “promote high quality development,” “realize the high quality lifestyle of the people,” “construct a new development pattern,” and “bravely set out on the new journey of comprehensively building a modern socialist country.” It went on to note that China faced challenges and opportunities brought on by the “period of historic convergence (历史性交汇期)” created by the technological revolution, industrial transformation, and China’s changing development pattern. However, the issues facing China’s “key core technologies (关键核心技术)” and other technological areas issues meant that this “period of historic convergence” could pass China by. Fourth, the commentary elaborated on the importance of “autonomous innovation” (自主创新). It said that the most important aspect of “strengthening [China’s] autonomous innovation capability” was “adhering to unswervingly following the road of autonomous innovation with Chinese characteristics” (中国特色自主创新道路). Expounding further, the commentary noted that following such a road would draw on “[China’s] important experience of continually increasing technological strength and comprehensive national strength” (综合国力), required “strong innovation self-confidence,” and “[to be] in step with the times and to aggregate cooperation.”
Fifth, the commentary discussed the importance of innovation to China’s development, discussing the role that the nation, companies, talent, and systems could play in helping realize “innovation-driven development.” Furthermore, it stressed the necessity of having an “open, tolerant, and mutually beneficial and shared international science and technology cooperation strategy” and stated that strengthening international cooperation in this area could ultimately “pour more sources into innovation-led development.” Finally, the commentary contended that China’s “original intent was firm” and it was “confident” (意气风发) in regards to “bravely setting out on the new journey of comprehensively establishing a modern socialist country.” It also said that China’s direction was clear in terms of its commitment to “shouldering the historic mission of realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.” It concluded by stating “Standing on a new historical starting point, uniting more closely around the Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core, adhering to the core position of innovation in the overall situation of the construction of our country’s modernization, grasping opportunities, facing difficulties, working together, [and having] firm conviction, we can definitely create and develop new advantages, write new magnificent chapters in the book of the new journey, continue to create new historic moments of the Chinese nation in the midst of the great historic moment of mankind, and dauntlessly go forward towards the second centenary goal and the Chinese dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.”
United Front Work
Wang Yang Presides Over CPPCC National Chairpersons’ Meeting, Decision Made to Hold 19th Meeting of the 13th CPPCC Standing Committee from 22 to 24 November
10.27 Politburo Standing Committee Member and Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee Chair Wang Yang (汪洋) presided over and delivered a speech at the 60th Chairpersons’ meeting of the 13th CPPCC National Committee. In his speech, Wang emphasized the need to study the spirit of Xi Jinping’s recent speech at the National People’s Congress (NPC) work conference, deepen understanding of the NPC system, and grasp the process of people’s democracy as a distinctive characteristic of socialist democratic politics. He also noted that the CPPCC should further consolidate theoretical, practical, and system innovation achievements since the 13th CPPCC National Committee. Wang pointed out that the establishment of the expert consultation mechanism is a specific measure of the CPPCC National Committee for the high-quality development of the 14th Five-Year Plan period and stated that the special committees under the CPPCC should strengthen mutual learning and promote expert consultation’s institutionalization and proceduralization. The conference also included reports from the CPPCC’s Population, Resources, and Environment Committee; the Education, Science, Culture, Health and Sports Committee; and the Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, and Overseas Chinese Liaison Committee and deliberated over several reports. The meeting also reviewed the draft agenda for the 19th meeting of the 13th CPPCC Standing Committee, deciding to hold the meeting from 22 to 24 November, and approved the decision to remove Fu Zhenghua (傅政华) from the CPPCC’s Social and Legal Affairs Committee and revoke his seniority as a member of the CPPCC National Committee.
Central Military Commission
Xi Jinping: Comprehensively Create a New Situation in Weapons and Equipment Construction to Make Positive Contributions to Realizing the Goals of the Military’s 100 Year Struggle
10.25 At a military equipment work conference from 25 to 26 October, Xi Jinping issued important instructions. He emphasized the “breakthrough development” of military weapons and equipment construction during the 13th Five-Year Plan period under the Central Military Commission’s (CMC) strong leadership. He also expressed hope that “comrades will thoroughly implement the Party’s thoughts on strengthening the military in the new era, thoroughly implement the guidelines on military strategy in the new era, speed up advancing the implementation of the ‘14th Five-Year’ Plan’s tasks, and speed up the construction of a modernized management system for weapons and equipment,” among other things. Politburo Member and CMC Vice Chair Zhang Youxia (张又侠) also attended the conference and gave a speech. He emphasized speeding up the construction of a new development pattern for weapons and equipment, focusing on national security needs, highlighting the self-reliance of science and technology, and working hard to accelerate the modernization of weapons and equipment, among other things. Leaders from the CMC, major units from the military, other relevant officials, and military industry group and company representatives attended the meeting.
International Liaison Work
10.25 CCP International Department (CCP/ID) Head Song Tao (宋涛) and Deputy Head Chen Zhou (陈洲) held talks with members of the International Advisory Board of the Silk Road Think Tank Association (SRTA) via videolink. The members included former Slovenian President Danilo Türk, former Egyptian Prime Minister Essam Abdel-Aziz Shar, and former Bosnian and Herzegovinian Council of Ministers Chairman Zlatko Lagumdžija.
10.25 CCP/ID Assistant Head Zhu Rui (朱锐) attended and addressed the opening ceremony of a webinar for cadres of the Egyptian Coordination Committee of Party’s Youth Leaders and Politicians (CPYP) via videolink. The participants included 30 deputy governors and members of Parliament who are CPYP members, such as Deputy Governor of Giza Ebrahim Al-Shehaby.
10.26 Song Tao, CCP/ID Assistant Head Li Mingxiang (李明祥), and Chinese Ambassador to Lesotho Lei Kezhong (雷克中) held a video call with Basotho Democratic Congress (DC) Leader and Deputy Prime Minister Mathibeli Mokhothu.
10.26 Chen Zhou attended and addressed the “Looking at the CCP from a Cloud” activity for South and Southeast Asian political parties via videolink. Over 100 people, including young politicians from nearly 30 political parties and organizations and representatives from the media, think tanks, and colleges and universities in 10 South and Southeast Asian countries, participated in the activity.
10.26 CCP/ID Deputy Head Guo Yezhou (郭业洲) attended the opening ceremony of a webinar for cadres from the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) via videolink. Other participants included CPP Central Propaganda and Education Committee Deputy Head and Cambodian Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sports Secretary of State Ke Bun Khieng.
10.27 Zhu Rui attended and addressed the opening ceremony of a webinar for cadres from the Algerian National Liberation Front (FLN) via videolink. The participants included over 20 people, including an FLN Central Committee member and an advisor to the FLN secretary general on foreign affairs.
10.28 CCP/ID Deputy Head Qian Hongshan (钱洪山) participated in a “Shaping the Future Together: Poverty Alleviation and Development”-themed webinar for cadres from African political parties via videolink. Other Chinese participants included Ambassador to South Africa Chen Xiaodong (陈晓东), Ambassador to Zimbabwe Guo Shaochun (郭少春), Chargés d’Affaires ad interim to Namibia Yang Jun (杨军), and Minister-Counselor to Tanzania Xu Chen (徐晨). The webinar also featured over 80 young cadres from the Namibian South West Africa People’s Organization (SWAPO), South African Communist Party (SACP), Tanzanian Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), and Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU–PF).
10.29 Qian Hongshan held a video call with New Azerbaijan Party (YAP) Deputy Chairman and Central Office Head Tahir Budaqov.
Organization Work
10.25 Deng Li (邓励) was appointed vice minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
10.25 Hua Chunying (华春莹) was appointed assistant minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
10.25 Lu Yingchuan (卢映川) was appointed vice minister of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
10.25 Liu Guoyong (刘国永) was appointed deputy head of the General Administration of Sport of China.
10.25 Wang Jianjun (王建军) was appointed vice chair of the China Securities Regulatory Commission.
10.25 You Zheng (尤政) was appointed president of Huazhong University of Science and Technology.
10.29 Deng Xiaogang (邓小刚) was appointed vice minister of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.
10.29 Zhao Junning (赵军宁) was appointed deputy head of the National Medical Products Administration.
10.29 Wu Kongming (吴孔明) was appointed president of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences.
10.29 Li Yifei (李邑飞) was appointed political commissar of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps and chairman of the China Xinjian Group.