- Admin
Weekly Report 4|64 3.19.22-3.25.22
Highlights
Politburo Standing Committee Member and Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee Chair Wang Yang (汪洋) conducted an inspection of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region from 18 to 22 March. (See Senior Leaders section)
The General Office of the Central Committee released a set of Opinions on increasing the normalization and long-term effectiveness of the Party History Study and Education campaign. (See Senior Leaders section)
Politburo Standing Committee Member and Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) Head Zhao Leji (赵乐际) spoke at a national meeting on inspection tour work and mobilization and deployment for the 19th Central Committee’s ninth round of inspections. (See Party Discipline section)
Senior Leaders
Wang Yang: Comprehensively Implement the Party’s Strategy for Governing Xinjiang in the New Era, Make Concerted Efforts to Create a Beautiful Future for Xinjiang
3.18-22 Politburo Standing Committee Member and Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee Chair Wang Yang (汪洋) conducted an inspection of Xinjiang from 18 to 22 March. Wang emphasized “fully and accurately implement[ing] the Party’s Xinjiang governance strategy in the new era” and “solv[ing] many deep-seated conflicts and problems related to long-term stability” so as to “ensure that work in Xinjiang always moves in the right direction.” He visited Urumqi, Kashgar, Hotan, and other places to inspect rural areas, communities, schools, enterprises, and mosques, and also hosted discussion meetings to hear opinions from relevant local officials. Wang pointed out that "under the leadership of the Central Committee with Xi Jinping as the core, the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region party committee has united and led cadres and the masses of all ethnic groups,” there have been no terrorism cases for more than five consecutive years, the national anti-poverty campaign has succeeded, people of all ethnic groups are more content, and Xinjiang “maintains a favorable situation of general social stability, ethnic harmony, and religious harmony, with people living and working in peace and contentment” (安居乐业). Looking forward, Wang emphasized the need to continuously pursue development and persist in reform and opening up, so as to “not fall behind on the journey of comprehensively building a modern socialist country and the road to common prosperity.” He stressed that officials should “use the fact that the masses of all ethnic groups live happily to fight back against the rumors, smears, and attacks of hostile forces.” Wang then encouraged countering terrorism and enhancing stability in accordance with laws and regulations, adapting relevant regulations to local conditions, implementing the spirit of the Central Conference on Ethnic Work, and doing work to “firmly casting a consciousness ofChinese communal [identity]” (中华民族共同体意识) so that all ethnic groups “have a stronger emotional bond with the great motherland and the Chinese nation, and solidify the ideological foundation of national unity.” Lastly, Wang emphasized the need to promote the sinicization of Islam in Xinjiang, unswervingly promote the deepening reform and southward development of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (XPCC), and “give better play to the special role of the XPCC.”
Secretary of the Central Secretariat and United Front Work Department Head You Quan (尤权) also participated in the inspection.
Xi Jinping Issues Important Instructions on China Eastern Airlines Crash
3.21 Xi Jinping gave “important instructions” on China Eastern Airlines Flight MU 5735, which crashed in Guangxi on a flight from Kunming to Guangzhou on 21 March carrying 123 passengers and nine crew members. Xi expressed his shock after learning of the crash and issued directions to “immediately start an emergency response mechanism.” He also ordered the State Council to send “leading comrades” to “find the reason for the crash as quickly as possible, deduce many things from one case (举一反三), strengthen the inspection of hidden dangers to safety in the civil aviation sector, grasp responsibility and implementation, and ensure the absolute safety of aviation and the lives of the people.” Politburo Standing Committee Member and State Council Premier Li Keqiang (李克强) issued instructions to search and provide care for survivors of the crash, offer service and consolation to the families of those who died in the crash, and release “timely and accurate information.” Based on Xi’s and Li’s instructions, departments such as the Civil Aviation Administration of China and Ministry of Emergency Management sent work teams to the crash site to direct efforts. Emergency management personnel from Guangdong and Guangxi came to assist in efforts at the site as well.
General Office of the Central Committee Releases “Opinions on Promoting the Normalization and Long-Term Effectiveness of the Party History Study and Education Campaign”
3.21 The General Office of the Central Committee released a set of Opinions on increasing the normalization and long-term effectiveness of the Party History Study and Education campaign. Calling the entire Party studying party history “the new starting point established by the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core for one-hundred years of party history,” the Opinions noted the achievements of the current Party History Study and Education campaign. It went on to note that the General Office of the Central Committee released the Opinions to promote objectives such as “deeply studying and implementing Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and the spirit of the Sixth Plenum of the 19th Central Committee” and “more resolutely and consciously grasp the original aspiration and mission.” The Opinions consist of the following six sections:
“With an eye to [having] historical self-confidence, persevere unremittingly in making party history a mandatory and regular course”: The Opinions emphasize the need for party members to study the “CCP Central Committee’s Resolution on the Major Achievements and Historical Experience of the Party’s 100-Year Struggle” and the “historic achievements” of the Party and state since the 18th Party Congress. In addition, it highlighted the need to incorporate Party history into the content taught at party committee theoretical study centers and using venues such as “New Era Civilization Practice Centers” (新时代文明实践中心) to conduct party history education at the grassroots level.
“With an eye to strengthening theoretical self-confidence, persevere unremittingly in using Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era to arm minds”: The Opinions emphasized continuing to focus on studying Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and having party members and cadres recognize its role in national rejuvenation, modernization, and the Party’s long-term governance. Among other foci, it discussed the need to “use the Party’s theoretical innovations to arm the entire Party and gather the people to carry out every task of the Party Central Committee’s strategic decisions and deployments.”
“With an eye to increasing political capability, persevere unremittingly in grasping the decisive significance of the ‘two establishes’ (两个确立) and a high degree of consciousness in achieving the ‘two defends’” (两个维护): The Opinions called for “using the process of [increasing] the normalization and the long-term effectiveness of the Party History Study and Education campaign to increase political consciousness and strengthen the development of party spirit" (党性). It also called on party groups to increase the support of cadres for Xi’s leading role in the Party through methods such as “democratic life meetings” (民主生活会) and “reviewing the party admission oath.”
“With an eye to strengthening awareness of objectives, persevere unremittingly in doing things for the masses”: The Opinions called for using grassroots party groups and party members to resolve issues for the masses. It also emphasized that party and government leadership groups at the provincial, city, and county levels should “be established in reality… [and] formulate annual plans to improve the people’s livelihood.”
“With an eye to arousing high spirits and a will to struggle, persevere unremittingly in promoting the great spirit of the Party’s founding”: Identifying the “great spirit of the Party’s founding” as “the major task of promoting the normalization and long-term effectiveness of the Party History Study and Education campaign,” the Opinions emphasized the use of “red resources” (红色资源) such as revolutionary sites to “pass on red genes” (红色基因) and “continue red bloodlines” (红色血脉) for party members and cadres. It also stressed “strengthening education in the spirit of struggle” and focusing on deriving “wisdom and power” from the Party’s history to overcome challenges.
“With an eye to always [grasping] the original aspiration and [keeping] the mission [firmly in mind], persevere unremittingly in advancing self-revolution”: The Opinions called on using “strengthening the normalization and long-term effectiveness of the Party History Study and Education campaign” as an “important channel” to “continually hone the original aspiration and mission.” It also called on “all levels of leading groups and leading cadres” to regularly check for deficiencies in comparison to standards such as the party constitution, regulations, and “the strategic decisions and deployments of the Party Central Committee.”
The Opinions concluded by calling on “all levels of party committees” to “increase [their] political standing” and “further consolidate and expand on the achievements of the Party History Study and Education campaign” and for party members to link the “standardization and long-term effectiveness of Party history study and education with completing core work,” among issuing other requirements.
General Offices of the Central Committee, State Council, and Central Military Commission Release “Opinions on Strengthening Martyr Commemoration Work in the New Era”
3.22 The General Offices of the Central Committee, State Council, and Central Military Commission (CMC) issued Opinions on commemorating “martyrs,” praising them as “the wellspring of strength encouraging the unrelenting struggle of the entire Party, country, and people of all ethnic groups,” among other things. The Opinions stated that while working towards the new goal of “comprehensively building a modern socialist country,” the country should promote a “heroic spirit,” “continue red bloodlines” (红色血脉), and ensure that the “red landscape” (红色江山) is passed between generations. Listed goals in the Opinions included “resolving contradictions and issues limiting the creativity and development of martyr commemoration work” and widely disseminating propaganda on the topic. The Opinions also called for improvements to relevant policies and laws for the families of martyrs, such as showing them increased respect; providing them with better consolation; ensuring their continued welfare and financial support; and improving services and benefits for their housing, eldercare, healthcare, employment, education, and legal needs. The Opinions additionally called for improved planning of memorial sites, stronger educational programs particularly for younger generations, improved management of such sites, and improving such sites’ use of information technology. Finally, the Opinions called for a propaganda campaign throughout society focused on martyrs, including organizing regular youth visits to memorial sites, creating quality works of art focused on the spirit of martyrs, “taking a clear stand against and boycotting historical nihilism (历史虚无主义) and other mistaken ideologies,” producing more creative and appealing propaganda telling martyrs’ stories, encouraging activities like cleaning martyrs’ graves, and “cracking down” on distortion or defamation of martyrs’ deeds, among other things. The Opinions concluded by requiring all Party organizations and levels of government to improve leadership and planning of relevant work.
Propaganda Work
Jun Hao: Strengthen Confidence, Contain the Momentum of the Spread of the Pandemic As Soon as Possible
3.20 PLA Daily published a commentary under its Jun Hao (钧 浩) byline on 20 March which called for continued perseverance in China’s pandemic control work. Early in the piece, the commentary gave a brief overview of the 17 March Politburo Standing Committee meeting on a policy response to COVID-19 in China, in which Xi Jinping emphasized that “perseverance is victory” in preventing and controlling the pandemic. The commentary called for increased unity of thinking, higher awareness, confidence, and perseverance in controlling the pandemic, stating that “confidence is more important than gold.” The commentary declared that with Xi personally directing the pandemic response work and adopting the strategies of "protecting against imported cases and domestic resurgences" (外防输入、内防反弹) and “dynamic zero case policy” (动态清零), China’s economic development and pandemic prevention has allowed it to maintain a leading position in in the world. The commentary then gave a brief overview of the five “strategic advantageous conditions” that Xi outlined on 6 March during the Two Sessions, calling them the “key password for us to create miracles” and an “important magic weapon” (法宝) to defeat the pandemic. In light of recent COVID-19 outbreaks across China, the commentary then further stressed perseverance, stating that “prevention and control is like sailing against the current; if you haven’t reached the finish line, you can’t stop and claim success.” Only by “overcoming paralysis of thought, war-weariness, wishful thinking, and relaxed attitudes” while concurrently “facing tasks with a mindset to overcome difficulties” can the spread of the pandemic be curbed as soon as possible and the impact on economic and social development minimized, it continued. The commentary then called for the continued optimization of the pandemic response, including the use of multi-channel monitoring, an early warning mechanism, and improved scientifically precise prevention and control in order to “gain the greatest prevention and control results for the lowest price.”
Lastly, in preparation for a successful opening to the 20th Party Congress this fall, the commentary called for the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) to maintain strategic focus; earnestly study and implement the spirit of Xi’s speeches on epidemic prevention and control; adopt a stricter style in implementing the decisions and deployments of the Central Committee, the Central Military Commission (CMC), and Xi Jinping; and do a good job training troops and preparing for war under the conditions of normalized pandemic prevention and control.
He Yin: Devote [Our] Strength to the Peaceful Development of the Horn of Africa
3.25 A He Yin (和音) commentary in People’s Daily highlighted the Djiboutian and Kenyan foreign ministers’ recent praise for China’s “Initiative of Peaceful Development in the Horn of Africa” (非洲之角和平发展构想) (hereafter referred to as “the Initiative”). Noting the region’s geographic significance; economic potential; and recent territorial, religious, and tribal conflicts; the commentary claimed that countries in the region approved of China’s Africa policies and hoped China would play a greater role in regional peace and development. It emphasized China’s respect for African autonomy, saying that the core of the Initiative is supporting countries in the Horn of Africa to “cast off the interference of major powers’ geopolitical contestation, resolutely walk the road of unity and self-strengthening, [and] seize their destiny in their own hands.” In addition, the commentary said that China will help reduce conflict in the region by encouraging dialogue, peace agreements, and political consensus. It described economic development as a precondition for peace, noting Chinese infrastructure projects in the region beneficial to this development. The commentary reiterated that China would not interfere in African countries’ internal affairs or exploration of nationally-suited paths of development, with no ulterior motives or political preconditions for aid and financing, and said that the Initiative’s approach to resolution of regional disputes would “support using Africans’ methods to properly handle” conflicts and challenges. In conclusion, the commentary noted past multilateral China-Africa initiatives, saying that in the future, China and Horn of Africa countries would together enact the Initiative and add impetus to the construction of a “China-Africa community of shared future for a new era” (新时代中非命运共同体).
Central Military Commission
CMC Chair Xi Jinping Signs Order, Publishes “Provisional Regulations for the Supervision and Management of Military Equipment Procurement Contracts”
3.19 In his capacity as Central Military Commission (CMC) Chair, Xi Jinping issued “Provisional Regulations for the Supervision and Management of Military Equipment Procurement Contracts,” effective 20 March. The Regulations are based in “Xi Jinping Thought On Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era,” “Xi Jinping Thought on Strengthening the Military” (习近平强军思想), and the military’s strategic guidelines for a new era. “Following the rules of the socialist market economy and military equipment construction,” the Regulations standardize a basic system for supervising and managing of military equipment procurement contracts with the aim of raising quality and effectiveness. The Regulations create a management system dividing responsibilities between central, theater, and branch commands; strengthen rule of law and oversight; create systemic mechanisms for supervision and management; carry out quality-focused comprehensive planning for procedures and requirements of the procurement process to ensure the delivery of equipment that meets standards; and create a model for supervision and management throughout the procurement process.
Party Discipline
Zhao Leji: Deepen Knowledge of the Regularization of Inspection Tour Work for a New Era; With High Quality, Complete the Task of [Improving] Coverage of Inspections
3.23 Politburo Standing Committee Member and Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) Head Zhao Leji (赵乐际) spoke at a national meeting on inspection tour work and mobilization and deployment for the 19th Central Committee’s ninth round of inspections. The meeting studied Xi Jinping’s writings on inspection tour work, the CCDI’s “key work” in 2021, and tasks for 2022. The aforementioned tasks include assigning inspection work to Party and state organs, emphasizing the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, consolidating and deepening political inspections, developing the role of inspections in the Party’s “self-revolution” (自我革命), improving the Party’s ability to discover and resolve internal issues, and preparing for the 20th Party Congress. In his speech, Zhao noted the effectiveness and new experience gained by “inspection tour work for a new era” under the leadership of “the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core,” saying this experience should be studied and continually improved in practice. He said inspection tours should take actions including strengthening political surveillance of the “two defends” (两个维护), guaranteeing the implementation of policies concerning the “big picture and fundamental interests of the country” (国之大者), advancing the use of inspections for improving development, preventing corruption, improving relations with the masses, improving their coordination and communication with other inspection teams, further standardizing their work according to law, and more. He also emphasized improving the dependability and coverage of inspection work; “searching for issues and shortcomings according to political standards and needs”; and supervising and urging central and state bodies in the strengthening of “political construction” (政治建设), “strengthening the ‘four consciousnesses’ (四个意识), consolidating the ‘four confidences’ (四个自信), and achieving the ‘two defends’ (两个维护),” and fulfilling their duties. In addition, Zhao stressed resolving issues regarding various Central Committee strategic deployments, and improving the efficacy and reform of inspection work based on past experience.
International Liaison Work
3.22 CCP International Department (CCP/ID) Head Song Tao (宋涛) held a video call with Luciana Santos, President of the Communist Party of Brazil.
3.24 The 4th China-Cuba [Communist] Parties’ Theoretical Seminar, held via video-link, concluded with speeches from CCP/ID Head Song Tao and Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) Central Secretariat Member and head of the PCC Central Department of Attention to the Social Sector Jorge Luis Broche Lorenzo.
3.24 CCP/ID Assistant Head Li Mingxiang (李明祥) held a video call with Senegal Party of Independence and Labour (PIT) General Secretary Samba Sy.
Organization Work
3.21 Zhang Ke (章轲) was appointed deputy auditor general of the National Audit Office.
3.21 Wang Xiaozhen (王晓真) was appointed deputy director of the China Media Group (中央广播电视总台).
3.21 Huang Yan (黄艳) was appointed deputy head of the National Rural Revitalization Administration.
3.21 Fu Ziying (傅自应) was appointed national security advisor of the Committee for Safeguarding National Security of the Macao Special Administrative Region.
3.21 Zheng Xincong (郑新聪) was appointed national security technical advisor of the Committee for Safeguarding National Security of the Macao Special Administrative Region.
3.21 Yin Shuhua (殷树华) was appointed national security technical advisor of the Committee for Safeguarding National Security of the Macao Special Administrative Region.