- Admin
Weekly Report 4|21 4.3.2021-4.9.2021
Highlights
The Central Military Commission (CMC) issued an “Opinion Building an Ideological and Political Education System for the People’s Army in the New Era” (see CMC section).
Xi Jinping discussed China's commitment to achieving carbon neutrality at an annual tree planting activity in Beijing, which was also attended by the entire Politburo Standing Committee (see Senior Leaders section).
Senior Leaders
Xi Jinping Participates in Voluntary Tree-Planting Initiative in Beijing, Top Politburo and State Council Officials Present
4.2 During the annual Beijing voluntary tree-planting initiative, Xi Jinping emphasized that this annual activity intends to promote a culture of “loving green, planting green, and conserving green” (爱绿植绿护绿), and that all should raise awareness for reforestation and making the motherland green. The entire Politburo Standing Committee joined Xi in the tree planting activities, as well as Vice President Wang Qishan (王岐山). Also present were representatives from the National Forest and Grasslands Administration and their Beijing branch, Beijing cadres and residents, and elementary school students.
The article narrated how Xi Jinping planted six different saplings with Young Pioneer members who were elementary school students. The tree-planting location was by Wenyu River in Chaoyang District of Beijing.
Xi Jinping affirmed the achievements of voluntary tree-planting from the past forty years, which have made China the country with the highest rate of forest growth in the world. At the same time, he also pointed out China’s lack of forest and grassland resources.
“Building an ecological civilization is an important aspect of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era,” Xi said. Strengthening ecological civilization is part of the new development concept, is a prerequisite of high-quality socio-economic development, and it is the demand of the people in their pursuit of a better quality life. Chinese civilization has always emphasized the harmonious development of human and nature, Xi said, so we should all adhere to the concept of “green mountains being gold mountains” (青山就是金山).
According to Xi, prioritizing ecology in development means increasing forest coverage, raising forest quality, and making greater contributions to China’s carbon neutrality goals and to the protection of global ecological safety.
To close, Xi called for nationwide mobilization for voluntary tree-planting. Organization mobilization, mechanism innovation, propaganda and education should be coordinated to increase participation. Party cadres and members should lead by example to fulfill the obligation of planting trees, to further encourage society-wide participation.
Party History Education Leadership Small Group Issues Instructions on “Doing Things for the Masses” Initiative
4.5 The Party History Education Leadership Small Group issued “Notice of the ‘Doing Things for the Masses’ Initiative (“我为群众办实事”实践活动) Work Plan” (hereafter referred to as “the Notice”), which revealed detailed instructions on how to put the Initiative into practice.
The Notice pointed out that promoting the “Doing Things for the Masses” Initiative must be guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for the New Era. Party members should summarize lessons from studying party history and combine them with their work in real life. They should carry on the Party’s traditions and practice the Party’s original mission by putting the people first. They should resolve the difficulties faced by the public at the grassroots level in order to strengthen the fulfillment, happiness, and safety felt by the masses, so that the whole Party and the people of all ethnicities embark on the journey of socialist modernization with pride.
The Notice emphasized, “doing things for the masses” means letting them share the achievements of high-quality development and letting them enjoy a happy life. This objective entails solidifying poverty elimination achievements in the countryside; guaranteeing grassroot-level demands for child care, education, employment and wages, healthcare, elderly care, and housing; reforming service mechanisms to increase convenience and efficiency; resolving conflicts at the grassroots-level and maintaining grassroots stability.
Local site visits were discussed as the first step in the initiative. Party members and cadres need to meet people at the grassroots-level to listen to advice and understand their demands. Resulting policy measures should focus on rural revitalization, assistance programs, fast-track mechanisms to get things done, and conflict resolution mechanisms. Party cadres and organs at all levels should coordinate to encourage the active participation of party members, social groups, and the public.
The Notice demanded that party organs at all levels strengthen organizational leadership, research and identify key social policies; coordinate and promote key work tasks; delegate to other party organs based on different levels, regions, and expertise; strengthen propaganda and guidance about central policy directives and grassroot work experience; and remain vigilant against formalism, bureaucratism, and burdening the masses. All must make sure that their work will benefit the masses in concrete ways.
Propaganda Work
Zhong Sheng: Lies End at the Truth
4.3 On March 31st, the US State Department released its 2021 Hong Kong Policy Act Report. People’s Daily's Zhong Sheng commentary said the report engaged in fear mongering and falsely labeled Chinese actions as “illegal.” “From beginning to end, this is denigration and defamation,” it said. The commentary enumerated the positive changes brought about by the Hong Kong National Security Law, including “improvement of the electoral system”; ending “riots”; “calming people’s minds”; epidemic prevention; and the restoration of living standards and economic recovery. Zhong Sheng argued that the National Security Law upheld the “one country, two systems” framework and prevented Hong Kong from “falling victim to ‘color revolution.’”
Hong Kong’s current reality, Zhong Sheng continued, does not resemble the US narrative. The central government adheres to the Constitution and the Hong Kong Basic Law and “Hong Kongers enjoy a wide range of rights and freedoms like never before.”
The commentary argued that Hong Kong’s current achievement is credited to the struggles of generations of Hong Kong citizens, the immense advantages of the motherland, and its independence from any foreign aid. US removal of Hong Kong’s special status designation, therefore, will not stop Hong Kong’s prosperous development, nor will it stop Hong Kong’s integration into the motherland.
Zhong Sheng concluded by reiterating that Hong Kong affairs are China's internal affairs, and that the US should obey international law and the basic principles of international relations and stop interfering in China’s internal affairs.
Xinhua Commentary: Comprehend Ideology’s Mighty Force from One Hundred Years of Party History
4.6 Xinhua released a commentary titled “Comprehend Ideology’s Mighty Force from One Hundred Years of Party History--Two Discussions on How to Concretely Advance Party History Education.” “Thought is power,” the commentary argued. For a nation to be at the forefront of the times, it cannot go one moment without theoretical thought, nor one moment without thought guidance. Adhering to party-building through thought and utilizing Marxist theories to strengthen the party is a great political advantage of the Party. The commentary traced the timeline of the debut and consolidation of Marxism in China: it began with the October Revolution, which, the commentary said, spread Marxist ideals to China; then Chinese political leaders have continuously built upon Marxist thought, with Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Thought, the Three Represents, the Scientific Development Outlook, and Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for the New Era.
The commentary continued its argument: to know if a theory has the power of truth or not, one needs to see if that theory scientifically answers the questions of history and the questions of the times. It reflected on the victorious strategy of “Marxism in the Valleys” (山沟沟里的马克思主义) and “encircle the cities from the countryside and seize power by armed force” (农村包围城市、武装夺取政权), and of “walk one’s own path, build Socialism with Chinese characteristics” (走自己的道路，建设有中国特色的社会主义). It argued that Marxism has transformed China in the past one hundred years, which in turn transformed the world. This demonstrates that the sinicization of Marxism is the secret to China’s success.
Concretely advancing party history, the commentary said, means first and foremost further understanding and practicing Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for the New Era. The commentary praised Xi Jinping Thought as being comprehensive. It credited Xi Jinping Thought with the Party’s ability to successfully reach the goal of “moderately prosperous society,” eliminate poverty, confront “US hegemony,” protect national security and core interests, and especially the strategic achievements in fighting against the coronavirus epidemic.
Finally, the commentary urged all to utilize the lessons of Xi Jinping Thought in their work to solve concrete problems. They should seek self-improvement through studying party history and Xi Jinping Thought. All have the power, the commentary said, to transform the Party’s innovative thought into a strong force that knows and changes the world.
United Front Work
Wang Yang: Improve Political Judgement, Political Understanding, and Political Execution to Promote the High-Quality Development of United Front Work in the New Era
4.7 The United Front Work Department (UFWD) held a seminar in Beijing to study the new “Regulations on the United Front Work of the Chinese Communist Party.” Politburo Standing Committee member and Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference Chairman Wang Yang (汪洋) spoke at the meeting, which was presided over by UFWD Head You Quan (尤权) and attended by the heads of China’s democratic parties and other united front-affiliated organizations. Wang urged attendees to thoroughly study and implement Xi Jinping’s important ideas on strengthening united front work in the new era, deeply understand the importance of revising the regulations on united front work, and promote them “with the spirit of hammering nails.”
He asserted that the new regulations provide important political, organizational, and legal guarantees for the innovative development of the Party’s united front work. They emphasize the importance of strengthening the Party’s leadership as the fundamental principle of united front work. He said that the problems that united front work addresses are the problems of popular will and strength. It is therefore necessary to improve political judgement, meaning the ability to clearly see the difference between right and wrong; improve political understanding, meaning the ability to fully and accurately comprehend the Central Committee’s major policies regarding united front work; and improve political execution, meaning the ability to promote the high-quality development of united front work in the new era.
Central Military Commission
Approved by CMC Chairman Xi Jinping, the Central Military Commission Issued an “Opinion on Building an Ideological and Political Education System for the People’s Army in the New Era”
4.8 On 7 April, the Central Military Commission (CMC) issued an “Opinion Building an Ideological and Political Education System for the People’s Army in the New Era” and required its implementation by all levels of the military. First, the Opinion emphasized the importance of Xi Jinping thought, stating that implementation must “take Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as a guide,” “deeply implement Xi Jinping Thought on strengthening the military,” and especially implement his “important instructions and requirements” on ideological and political education. The Opinion also stressed the importance of strengthening the Party’s ideological and political leadership of the Army, which should center on “cultivating the ‘four haves’ (‘四有’) of revolutionary soldiers in a new era and forging troops with mastery of the ‘four irons’ (‘四铁’).” It detailed the role of innovation, reconstructing systems, institutions, methods, and other work as guarantees of ideological and political education in the New Era.
Second, the Opinion stressed that “the Party’s goal of strengthening the Army in the New Era” should guide ideological and political education. In this way, the PLA can both bolster its capabilities and cultivate adherence to the Party among troops. It pointed out that “persever[ing] unremittingly in using Xi Jinping thought on strengthening the Army to forge the soul and educate the person and strengthening ideological and political education service” will also strengthen the Army’s ability to win. The Opinion also emphasized that leading cadres should “teach by example” and adhere to the mass line to “radiate a new vitality in ideological and political education.” Finally, the Opinion concluded by stating that it should be considered “top-level guidance on building an ideological and political education system for the People’s Army in the New Era,” saying that this was of great significance for strengthening the Army and the Party’s ultimate leadership of the Army.
International Liaison Work
4.6 International Department Head Song Tao (宋涛) held a videoconference with Bangladesh Awami League (AL) senior leader and Jatiya Sangsad Deputy Speaker Fazle Rabbi Miah. Other participants included International Department Deputy Head Chen Zhou (陈洲) and AL International Affairs Secretary Shammi Ahmed.
4.7 The Chinese Communist Party and the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party – Syria Region (Syrian Regional Branch) held an online training seminar on the theme of “the poverty alleviation experience of the CCP” for mid- and high-level cadres of both parties. Song Tao and Syrian Regional Branch Regional Command member and Syrian Regional Branch Bureau of Preparation, Culture, and Information Head Mahdi Dakhlallah attended and addressed the opening ceremony, and International Department Assistant Head Zhu Rui (朱锐) presided over the seminar. Other participants included nearly 30 mid- and high-level Ba’ath Party cadres.
4.8 The International Department held the first lecture of a special training class on Party history learning and education. International Department Head Song Tao (宋涛) presided over the lecture, and Central Propaganda Team on Party History Learning and Education member and Institute of Party History and Literature Head Qu Qingshan (曲青山) lectured.
4.9 International Department Deputy Head Qian Hongshan (钱洪山) held a videoconference with United Russia Party General Council Deputy Secretary Andrei Klimov.
Organization Work
4.8 Luo Zhaohui (罗照辉) was appointed head of China International Development Cooperation Agency.
4.8 Li Qun (李群) was appointed head of National Cultural Heritage Administration.
4.8 Chen Xiaojun (陈小军) was appointed deputy head of China Earthquake Administration.