- Admin
Weekly Report 4|29 5.29.2021-6.4.2021
Highlights
The Central Committee Politburo held a meeting on policy proposals to respond to China’s aging population (see Senior Leaders).
At a Politburo Central Committee Study Session, Xi Jinping emphasized “telling China’s story well” as part of a discussion of China’s international communications (see Propaganda Work).
People’s Daily began a Zhong Sheng (钟声) commentary series called “Novel Coronavirus Origin Tracing Does Not Allow for Political Manipulation,” which criticized US calls for further investigation into the origins of COVID-19 (see Propaganda Work).
Senior Leaders
The China Association for Science and Technology Convened its 10th Conference for National Representatives of the Chinese Academies for Science and Engineering in Beijing: Xi Jinping Delivered Important Remarks Emphasizing the Need to Persist in Placing Scientific and Technological Self-Reliance as a Strategic Pillar of National Development, to Establish a New Stage of Development, and to Implement New Ideas and Patterns for High-Quality Development.
5.28 A large national conference for the Chinese Academy of Science (CAS), the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE), and the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST) solemnly convened at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People on May 28th. Xi Jinping was present, along with six other members from the Politburo Standing Committee: Li Keqiang (李克强) (who conducted the meeting), Li Zhanshu (栗战书), Wang Yang (汪洋), Wang Huning (王沪宁), Zhao Leji (赵乐际), and Han Zheng (韩正).
Speaking on behalf of the Party Central Committee, Xi congratulated workers in the science and technology fields, declaring the importance of these fields in the national journey to achieve a modern socialist country. He praised the scholars of the CAS and CAE as, “the wealth of the country, the pride of the people, the glory of the nation.” Besides asking the above academics to be paragons of civic service, his remarks repeatedly petitioned all workers in science and technology to be more innovative and original in their research and to address societal problems for the benefit of the people as they explore the cutting edge of science and technology. Pointing out that “the competition of today’s world is a competition of human talent and education,” Xi called for China to gather the experts of all fields and make a global “human resource powerhouse” (人才高地), freeing scientists from trivial tasks so that they can do the work that they have talent for. He stated, “We need to be confident that China’s education system is able to produce masters in their fields.”
With respect to education, Xi further elaborated on the need for renowned research universities in China to become the main new force for scientific and technological breakthroughs, helping leading Chinese enterprises in science and technology to excel as they bring market demand, innovation, and company-specific strengths together. He stated that as they do so, it will help China to be able to make a bigger contribution to the shared fate of the global community, perfect the new national system under the terms of a socialist market economy, work towards solving the huge challenges humanity faces, and will promote innovative results that give benefit to even more countries and people. Near the end of the conference, Li Keqiang reaffirmed General Secretary Xi Jinping’s remarks, calling for greater unity around the Party Central Committee with Xi at the core, and to, “use Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as a guide to strengthen the four consciousnesses (四个意识), consolidate the four confidences (四个自信), and achieve the two defends (两个维护),” and use these achievements to celebrate the upcoming 100th birthday of the Communist Party, and strive towards the Chinese dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
Workers in Science and Technology Must be Pioneers of Self-Reliance and Self-Strengthening in Science and Technology--Speech At the 10th National Congress of the China Association of Science and Technology
5.29 Politburo Standing Committee Member Wang Huning (王沪宁) gave a speech at the 10th National Congress of the China Association of Science and Technology (CAST). In his speech, he first pointed out that the event was being held in the first year of the 14th Five Year Plan and the centenary year of the CCP’s founding. He summarized Xi Jinping’s speech the previous day and then pointed out that “since the 18th Party Congress, the Party Central Committee, with Comrade Xi Jinping at the core, has attached a high degree of importance to science and technology work” and the role of science and technology workers, “placing science and technology innovation at the core position of the overall situation of national development and making strategic plans and systematic deployments.” Wang noted that a large number of major innovations were emerging, and some groundbreaking sectors were beginning to shift into a new stage, with their strengths in science and technology moving from “building capacity” toward a “qualitative leap,” from a “breakthrough point” to a “systematic capacity upgrade,” which Wang maintained significantly aided social and economic development, national strength, and the people’s growing need for a beautiful life. He especially noted with appreciation the “major contributions” of science and technology workers to the poverty alleviation effort and the fight against COVID-19. He further reminded participants that CAST and its work were fundamentally political.
Wang then offered several exhortations to science and technology workers. First, he expressed his hope that science and technology workers would “strengthen their ideals and beliefs” and use science and technology to serve the country. Second, he said he hoped that they would “adhere to the ‘four orientations’ (四个面向) and contribute their scientific and technological strengths to beginning a new journey for the opening of the 14th Five Year Plan.” Third, he hoped that they would “increase [their] confidence in innovation, and fight the pivotal tough battle for core technology with all [their] strength.” Fourth, he expressed his hope that science and technology workers would promote the spirit of science and promote a culture conducive to creativity and innovation. He reiterated that CAST fell under the leadership of the Party and should work closely with the Party, with Xi Jinping at the core, earnestly implementing the 14th Five Year Plan. Wang concluded by emphasizing self-reliance in science and technology, encouraging those attending to “persist in walking the path of independent innovation with Chinese characteristics” in order to “seize a new victory in comprehensively building a modern socialist country and realize the unremitting struggle of the Chinese dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.”
At Seminar on Promoting the Yan’an Spirit, Wang Chen Emphasized Learning from Glorious Party History, Reviewing Eventful Years, Developing the Yan’an Spirit, and Striving for a New Journey
5.30 On 29 May, Politburo member and head of the China Yan’an Spirit Research Society Wang Chen (王晨) gave a speech at a seminar titled “Remembering a Century of Party History and Promoting the Yan’an Spirit.” In his speech, he pointed out the historical significance of Yan’an as the “sacred place of the Chinese revolution” and the Yan’an spirit as an “important part of the revolutionary culture.” He emphasized the need to closely unite the promotion of the Yan’an spirit with the study and education of party history. He also mentioned strengthening the “four consciousnesses,” consolidating the “four confidences,” and achieving the “two defends” before stating the importance of using “red resources” to strengthen party spirit and transforming the Yan’an spirit into practical actions.
General Office of the CCP Central Committee Publishes “Opinions on Strengthening Party Leadership to Improve Corporate Governance”
5.31 Recently, the General Office of the CCP Central Committee published “Suggestions on Strengthening Party Leadership to Improve Corporate Governance” and issued a notice requiring every locality and department to work together to implement the suggestions. The “Suggestions” are an “iconic institutional achievement for “advancing the construction of a modern enterprise system with Chinese characteristics.” They adhere to Xi Jinping Thought and fully implement Xi’s important instructions on the Party’s leadership in state-owned enterprises. The “Suggestions” also proposed that the centrally-managed, state-owned enterprise party committee be an important part of the Party’s organizational system and stated that the party committee has a legal role in the management system of companies. They also clarify the party committee’s scope of responsibility on discussing and deciding on major issues standardizes the requirements and procedures for it to discuss business management issues, among other things.
CCP Central Committee Politburo Held a Meeting to Listen to Reports on Major Policy Measures to Actively Respond to the Aging Population in the “14th Five-Year Plan” Period, Deliberate on the “Decision about Improving Birth Policies to Promote Long-Term Balanced Population Development,” CCP Central Committee General Secretary Xi Jinping Presided over Meeting
6.1 On 31 May, the Politburo held a meeting to listen to reports on major policy measures to actively respond to the aging population in the “14th Five-Year Plan” period and to deliberate on the “Decision about Improving Birth Policies to Promote Long-Term Balanced Population Development,” which Xi Jinping chaired. The meeting pointed out that “actively responding” to the aging population is “an important measure to achieve high-quality economic development and safeguard national security and social stability.” It also emphasized the necessity of implementing a “national strategy,” “accelerat[ing] the establishment and improvement of related policy systems and institutional frameworks,” gradually extending the legal retirement age, and improving or constructing old-age-related policies and frameworks such as insurance, social security, and elderly care. The meeting also discussed the previous birth policies and China’s changing demographics and explained that “further optimizing the birth policy” to allow for three children will help improve China’s population structure and protect its human resource advantage. It discussed the importance of strengthening policies and guidance related to marriage, childbirth, parenting, education, and childcare. It also noted the necessity of supporting families with children by reducing expenditures, implementing better maternity policies, supporting women in the workplace, and improving existing incentive and assistance systems.
When in Beijing to Spend “June 1st” with Young Children, Sun Chunlan Emphasized Letting Children Have Happy Childhoods and a Fine Tomorrow
6.2 On 1 June, which was International Children’s Day, Politburo member and head of the National Working Committee on Children and Women under the State Council Sun Chunlan (孙春兰) attended a themed activity in Beijing titled “Childlike Hearts to the Party, Strive to Be a Good Youth.” While participating in various activities with the children, she encouraged them to cherish their happy lives, inherit the “red gene” (红色基因), study party history well, and develop good ideas and morals. She expressed hope that they will cultivate self-reliance, work hard, and develop healthy lifestyles and noted the importance of party committees and governments at all levels to thoroughly implement decisions made by the Central Committee and the State Council, improve education, and create better conditions for learning and growth in society. She also mentioned the responsibilities parents have to ensure their children obtain an education and develop good qualities.
Chinese Communist Party Central Committee Issues “Regulations on Chinese Communist Party Organization Work”
6.2 Xinhua reported that the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee had issued new regulations on organization work. The regulations focused on constructing systems for organization work at all levels and in all sectors, the cultivation and management of cadres, and the recruitment and promotion of talent. According to Xinhua, the regulations were intended to “uphold and strengthen the Party’s overall leadership over organization work,” advance the “standardization” of organization work and make it more scientific, and “comprehensively raise the quality of organization work.” They stipulated that organization work would “adhere to the guidance of Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory, the important thought of the ‘Three Represents,’ the Scientific Outlook on Development, and Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.” It further stipulated that organization work would take place according to nine principles, among them “uphold[ing] the Party’s all-around leadership”; “uphold[ing] the Party’s management of cadres and the Party’s management of talent”; upholding the appointment of people on the basis of merit with both talent and integrity--using integrity as the first criteria; and “persisting in seeking truth from facts and being fair and upright.” The regulations then delineated organization work responsibilities for the Central Committee, local party Committees, and the Organization Department and addressed cadre management and talent promotion and recruitment, stressing the importance of removing barriers to talent recruitment and recruiting widely from all locations and sectors. The regulations emphasized the centrality and authority of the Central Committee and party leadership, calling the Central Committee, the Politburo, and the Politburo Standing Committee the “brains and backbone” (大脑和中枢) of party organization work.
At a Teleconference on Deepening Nationwide Reforms to “Administration and Delegation, Regulation, and Services” and Striving to Cultivate and Stimulate the Vitality of Market Players, Li Keqiang Stressed Cultivating and Expanding Market Entities, Stimulating Market Vitality and Social Creativity, and Continuing to Promote and Reinforce China’s Economic Stability
6.2 Chinese Premier Li Keqiang addressed a teleconference on deepening reforms in administration and delegation, regulation, and services aimed at boosting market vitality. Politburo Standing Committee Member and State Council Vice Premier Han Zheng (韩正) presided over the conference. In his speech, Li praised China’s successful measures to stabilize the economy in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. Noting that “the domestic and international environments are still complex and severe,” Li said that “we must adhere to Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as a guide, carry out the establishment of the new development stage, implement the new development concept, construct a new development pattern, promote high quality development requirements, continue to focus on the concerns of market players, effectively implement fiscal, financial, employment, and other macro policies, closely link micro and macro [policies], deepen reforms to ‘administration and delegation, regulation, and services’ and other important points of reform, help market entities further recover [their] strength, strengthen the impetus for economic development, keep the economy running in a reasonable range, and lay a firm foundation for future development.” He stated that these reforms meet the needs of both the economy and people and would facilitate innovation.
Finally, Li emphasized the importance of the business environment, calling it the “soil for market entities’ existence and development.” He said that reforms to administration and delegation, regulation, and services are only the starting point, and that it was necessary to continue to pursue a business environment characterized by marketization, globalization, and rule of law. In terms of marketization, Li emphasized the importance of streamlining administration, improving supervision, and promoting fair competition. In terms of rule of law, he stressed strengthening property rights and enforcement. In terms of globalization, he highlighted the PRC joining RCEP and the importance of further liberalization. State Council Vice Premiers Sun Chunlan (孙春兰), Hu Chunhua (胡春华), and Liu He (刘鹤) also attended the teleconference.
When Inspecting Preparation Work for the College Entrance Exam, Sun Chunlan Emphasized Ensuring the Safe and Smooth Holding of the College Entrance Exam, Earnestly Safeguarding a Fair and Equitable College Entrance Exam
6.3 On 1 June, Politburo member and Vice Premier Sun Chunlan visited a middle school testing center in Beijing and the Chaoyang District Enrollment and Examination Center to inspect preparations for the college entrance exam and presided over a meeting to listen to relevant departments’ reports on exam preparation. At the meeting, she emphasized carrying out the college entrance exam smoothly and in accordance with epidemic prevention and control measures. She pointed out that these measures should be “strictly implemented,” especially in places with recent outbreaks, in order to prevent the spread of the epidemic. She talked about strengthening predictions of and planning for extreme weather and emphasized intensifying investigation and punishment for exam fraud and other violations. She also stated that all localities and relevant departments should “make every effort to realize the goal of a ‘safe and sound college entrance exam’ to create a favorable atmosphere to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Party’s founding.”
Propaganda Work
Zhong Sheng: The Essence of US Political Maneuvering is to Destroy Hong Kong’s Democracy
5.29 A People’s Daily Zhong Sheng (钟声) commentary accused “some US politicians” of using lies and maneuvers to undermine Hong Kong’s democracy, but stated that they “could not stop the general trend of Hong Kong’s movement from chaos to governance and from governance to flourishing.” Referring to the electoral reform bill passed by Hong Kong’s Legislative Council on 27 May, the commentary noted that “some US politicians” had responded by slandering China and had “grossly interfered with China’s internal affairs,” exposing America’s “true colors” in attempting to harm Hong Kong’s democracy and rule of law. It argued that China was a country under rule of law and that the legislation was designed to bring Hong Kong fully in line with the amendments to Annexes I and II of Hong Kong Basic Law passed by the National People’s Congress Standing Committee (NPCSC). Zhong Sheng emphasized that the law will “plug loopholes” and will ensure that “patriots govern Hong Kong” (爱国者治港), which will “provide a more substantial guarantee for Hong Kong realizing good governance and better safeguard China’s national sovereignty, security, and development interests and Hong Kong’s long-term prosperity and stability.” Noting that the United States has often “acted as the ‘spokesperson’ for the Hong Kong people, “ostentatiously shouting ‘listen to the voice of Hong Kong people’” the commentary pointed out that the United States does not listen to the voice of its own people who have died of COVID-19 at high rates. Instead of criticizing China, the US should “expend more energy on its own affairs.” Zhong Sheng concluded by heralding a new chapter for Hong Kong, and warned that “China will absolutely not allow any force or person to extend its black hand (黑手) into Hong Kong.”
Zhong Sheng: Novel Coronavirus Origin Tracing Does Not Allow for Political Manipulation
People’s Daily
People’s Daily began a Zhong Sheng (钟声) commentary series called “Novel Coronavirus Origin Tracing Does Not Allow for Political Manipulation,” which criticized US calls for further investigation into the origins of COVID-19.
31 May's commentary, titled “On Poor Conduct Which Disturbs Global Cooperative Efforts to Fight the Pandemic,” attacked the United States for explicitly ordering its intelligence department to trace COVID-19 back to its source. Zhong Sheng accused US politicians and media of, “blackening China’s name and shifting the blame [for the novel coronavirus] to China,” and called such actions a “cheap trick.” The commentary expressed annoyance at US efforts to cling to the long-since rejected conspiracy theory and “purely fictitious lie” that COVID-19 originated in a lab and brought attention to a World Health Organization (WHO) statement from 30 March, 2021 which stated that, “the virus is extremely unlikely to have started infecting people from a lab.” If the United States really wants China to participate in a full scale investigation, Zhong Sheng asserted that the United States itself should immediately engage with the WHO to do a similar investigation in response to the supposed “deep concern of the international community.” Zhong Sheng pointed out that China was willing to do so even in strenuous periods of fighting the pandemic, assisting a joint research team of international experts who came to Wuhan and came to the conclusion that the pandemic had already appeared around the world by the end of 2019, and may have appeared earlier in America than its reported first official case.
In the wake of the ongoing 74th World Health Assembly, Zhong Sheng also urged the United States to engage in international cooperative efforts to fight the pandemic by calling for it to cease playing disruptive political games in tracing the novel coronavirus back to its source, because, “on the important issues of the safety of global public health and of people’s lives, even one or two countries acting out of selfish interest” and putting politics above science “is doomed to not be accepted by the international community.” As an example of this supposed international disapproval, Zhong Sheng referenced an article on a Russian website which compared America’s accusation of COVID-19 escaping from Chinese laboratories to when it accused Iraq of having chemical weapons, claiming that the evidence for was not as irrefutable as America claimed. Zhong Sheng finished the article by once again encouraging America to turn to science and work with the international community, claiming that, “respecting science is the only effective way to trace the virus, [and] global cooperation is the only way to defeat it.”
1 June's commentary, titled “‘The Presumption of Guilt’ (有罪推定) Harbors the Evil Intent of Stigmatization,” accused “some politicians in the United States” of “holding a conclusion while looking for evidence,” “certain US politicians” of claiming last year that “‘a large quantity of evidence’ indicates that the novel coronavirus originated in a lab,” and “some politicians and media in the United States” of now “hyp[ing] the ‘lab leak theory.’” After stating that this theory is being “driven by a political virus” and is “complete nonsense” (无稽之谈), it asserted that analysts and experts had ridiculed the evidence provided in a report by the Multi Agency Collaboration Environment (MACE) of the Sierra Nevada Corporation, a US Department of Defense contractor, as a “negative example” (反面教材), that former White House Coronavirus Task Force member Olivia Troye had stated that US politicians only support the “lab leak theory” since they view the pandemic as a political issue, and that a recent Wall Street Journal article on a lab leak had “not offered details” (语焉不详) and was based on “hearsay evidence” (捕风捉影). The commentary argued that US politicians’ support for the “lab leak theory” was based on “hidden political goals,” namely diverting attention away from the United States’ “lackluster performance” in response to the pandemic and “a series of deep-rooted problems in US society, such as racial injustice, the widening wealth gap, increasing violent crime, and governance failures,” that the pandemic had revealed. It concluded by urging “some politicians in the United States” to “ponder the painful experience [of the pandemic]” (痛定思痛) and “take some meaningful actions for the lives and health of their country’s people and global public health security.”
2 June's commentary, titled “Respect the Ability of Science to Effectively Trace the Origin,” accused “some US politicians and media” of “insist[ing] on exceeding their duties and meddling in others’ affairs (越俎代庖) and attempt[ing] to use politics to prejudice and meddle in scientific research and to lie and distort objective facts” and stated that the United States “peddles the ‘lab leak theory’ without a bottom line.” It asserted that virus traceability should be led by the World Health Organization and should “exclude political interference,” “oppose any ‘presumption of guilt,’” and cover all countries “closely linked to the epidemic.” After discussing China’s global leadership in virus tracing, its cooperation with the WHO, and international praise of China, the commentary stated that the China-WHO joint expert group determined that COVID-19 was “very unlikely” to have been transmitted to humans through labs. It then accused “some US politicians and media” of “rehash[ing] the same story” (炒冷饭) about lab leaks without any evidence, which will only “bring humiliation on themselves” (自取其辱). After citing examples of foreign experts opposing the politicization of the epidemic, the commentary concluded by stating that Wuhan is only a small part of the puzzle and that WHO expert teams should also look at other parts of the world where early stages of the virus may have existed.
3 June's commentary, titled “The ‘CIA-ization’ Farce Has Disastrous Consequences,” criticized US intelligence agencies for interfering with international origin tracing efforts and declared that such interference was “anti-science political manipulation” and should be investigated. It noted that the US government’s “so-called statement” on the investigation of the origin of COVID-19 mentioned the words “intelligence agency” six times and never mentioned “science,” which can only mean that the United States is attempting to “CIA-ize” origin tracing. It accused “some US politicians” of “pin[ing] their hopes on intelligence agencies” and continuing to blame China after the WHO and the international scientific community denied the “lab leak theory.” The commentary brought up the CIA’s accusation in 2003 that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction and US airstrikes on Syria for its supposed use of chemical weapons as evidence that “things like this are numerous.” It asserted that US intelligence agencies “have no bottom line” and quoted former directors of the CIA Alan Dulles and Mike Pompeo to demonstrate the CIA’s untoward activity before criticizing “some US politicians” of being “eager to CIA-ize” virus tracing and for using “smokescreens” and “brainwashing techniques” to make people believe the “lab leak theory,” thus stigmatizing China. It further criticized “some US Congress members” of being “in cahoots” and demanding that China take responsibility for causing the major epidemic. The commentary concluded by emphasizing the role science should play in origin tracing and claimed that the United States should be investigated and held accountable for interfering to achieve its political goals.
4 June's commentary, titled “Inductive Reports Damage One’s Credibility,” criticized “some US media” for seriously violating the professional ethics of journalism by amplifying lies about origin tracing. It blamed “some media” for publishing inductive reports and “some politicians” for “fann[ing] the flames” (煽风点火), which politicized and stigmatized the epidemic. It singled out the Wall Street Journal for citing a “previously undisclosed US intelligence report” in an article about the “lab leak theory” and declared that the newspaper article was not objective and “will only damage [the paper’s] credibility.” After noting that the “lab leak theory” has been denied by scientific research, the commentary asked a number of questions that it claimed people “cannot help asking,” all of which cast doubt on the newspaper’s credibility. It also asserted that the Washington Post and New York Times had both spread the “lab leak theory” previously, claimed that this “harms the current atmosphere of urgently needed international anti-epidemic cooperation,” and quoted a member of the WHO joint expert group who stated that the theory will also “encourage bullying conduct.” The commentary accused “some US media and politicians with ulterior motives” of “collud[ing] with each other to unceasingly use the epidemic to disseminate lies and smear China,” claiming that they do this because “some US individuals” are “incapable of accepting the fact that China has developed and strengthened.” It concluded by asserting that “some US media” will “inevitably leave unerasable stains on themselves.”
At a Conference Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of China Daily’s Founding, Huang Kunming Emphasized the Need to Remember Well the Obligation to Link China to the Outside World through Communication in Order to Better Reveal the True and Comprehensive Perspective of China
6.2 At a conference in celebration of the 40th anniversary of China Daily’s founding, Politburo member and head of the Central Propaganda Department Huang Kunming (黄坤明) invited those present to wholeheartedly adopt the same congratulatory spirit towards the anniversary as Xi Jinping, to strengthen China’s international public relations efforts, and to exert energy in promoting China and connecting it to the outside world to better reveal the true and comprehensive China. Huang Kunming also pointed out that Xi Jinping’s congratulations shows the important impact the paper has made in the space of its publication, and that China Daily deserves to be followed because of its good work.
In a call to painstakingly forge a brand for international public relations, Huang Kunming elaborated that the main priority and the new direction and starting point of China Daily will be upholding international public relations efforts to propagate Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, which would, “make conspicuous China’s strong powers of truth, practicality, and morality, and enable the world to better understand China’s position, wisdom, and program.” He further called for a refocus on the Communist Party’s original mission, encouraging his audience to tell the story of the Party’s great striving to unite in leading the Chinese people through its brilliant achievements of the last 100 years. To conclude, Huang called for the rising up of a new rank of individuals who have a deep understanding of the international world, who can keep up with the demands of the times and “build strong bridges of cultural exchange and communication to link people together.”
At the 30th Politburo Central Committee Collective Study Session, Xi Jinping Emphasized Strengthening and Improving International Communication Work to Present a True, Multidimensional, and Panoramic View of China
5.31 At a Politburo Central Committee Study Session, Xi Jinping emphasized “telling China’s story well” and presenting a “true, multidimensional, and panoramic” view of China in international communications. He stressed the importance of building China’s international communications capacity in order to “develop a voice in international discourse that matches China’s comprehensive national power and international status and create a favorable external public opinion environment for China’s development.” Saying that the Party has always placed a high value on international communications work, Xi stated that going forward, it was necessary to “accelerate the construction of Chinese discourse and Chinese narrative systems, use Chinese theory to interpret Chinese practices and use Chinese practices to refine Chinese theory, create new concepts, categories, and formulations to integrate China with the world” in order to better present China’s story. Xi said it was necessary to help foreigners understand that the Party “strives for the Chinese people’s happiness,” as well as to better understand socialism with Chinese characteristics, further suggesting that research should be done to provide support for international communications work. Notably, Xi stressed the importance of tone, saying that China’s international communications should be “open, confident, humble, and modest,” and should strive to be “trustworthy, lovely, and venerable.” Now that China is getting “closer to the center of the world stage” and has more responsibility, it should promote its views on development, human rights, ecology, and security, and advocate for multilateralism. He stated that China should focus on making friends and on “continually expanding its circle of friends in international public opinion.”
Party Discipline
Central Committee Opinion on the Supervision of “Chief Officials” and Leadership Teams
6.2 On 2 June People’s Daily published a 27 March Central Committee “Opinion on the Supervision of ‘Chief Officials’ and Leadership Teams” (“Opinion”), saying that such supervision was “the inevitable requirement for upholding and strengthening the comprehensive leadership of the Party in the new era, improving the quality of party building, and promoting comprehensive and rigorous party governance to deepen development.” The “Opinion” was designed to implement the Spirit of the 19th Party Congress and the Second, Third, Fourth, and Fifth Plenums in order to implement comprehensive and rigorous party governance and supervision responsibilities, especially supervision of chief officials and leadership teams. The Opinion consisted of the following four sections:
“Fully grasp the importance and urgency of strengthening the supervision of ‘chief officials’ and leadership teams”: Supervision of leading officials and leadership teams should be implemented at all levels, with supervision primarily conducted from the top-down, but also within teams by peers and by the masses. Chief officials should be open to receiving criticism and supervision.
“Strengthen supervision of chief officials”: Supervision of chief officials is critical to preventing abuses of power and chief officials should take the lead in supervision, accepting supervision, and adhering to party discipline. Top-down supervision should be emphasized at all levels with leading cadres each supervising those below them. Violations of discipline should be quickly addressed. Discipline and Inspection organs should implement supervision and assessment, providing suggestions for improvement and these assessments will be used for evaluations and for the appointment of leaders. Supervision of chief officials will involve the three mechanisms of “strategic supervision”: party committees, Discipline and Inspection organs, and the Organization Department.
“Strengthen peer supervision [within] leadership teams”: Members of leadership teams should practice mutual supervision of peers, using the tools of criticism and self-criticism. All leaders’ activities should be subject to collective leadership and supervision and private undertakings or meetings without collective supervision should be avoided. Regular reporting and analysis should be completed on the political environment and integrity of leadership teams at all levels and areas.
“Strengthen the supervision of leadership teams at lower levels”: Supervision and management of lower levels should also be strengthened, to include cadres’ spouses and families, ensuring there are no improper business ties or activities. The petition system should also be strengthened to ensure timely responses to complaints.
“Earnestly strengthen party leadership in supervision work”: party supervision should be implemented across sectors at all levels through party committees and the work of Discipline and Inspection committees should be strengthened.
International Liaison Work
5.29 The CCP International Department’s (CCP/ID) Institute of World Party Politics Studies, the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies, the Shanghai Federation of Social Science Associations, and the Shanghai Association for International Studies jointly held a symposium on “Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy and a Century of Theoretical Innovation in CCP External Work.” CCP/ID Deputy Head Guo Yezhou (郭业洲) and 10th Shanghai Municipal Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Vice Chair and Shanghai Education Development Foundation President Wang Ronghua (王荣华) attended and addressed the symposium. Other speakers included former CCP Central Committee Party History Research Center Deputy Director Zhang Baijia (章百家), China Institute of International Studies President Xu Bu (徐步), China Foreign Affairs University President Xu Jian (徐坚), and Ministry of Foreign Affairs Policy Planning Department Deputy Director-General Miao Deyu (苗得雨). Nearly 30 guests took part in discussions on “theory and practice in a century of CCP external relations,” “Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy and Chinese diplomacy and development in a new era,” and other topics. Over 150 experts and scholars from Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, and elsewhere participated in the symposium.
5.31 CCP/ID Assistant Head Zhu Rui (朱锐) attended and addressed a webinar on “promoting the building of a community of shared future for mankind (人类命运共同体)” and the second forum on governance and development for Chinese and Egyptian political parties. The event was organized by the PRC Embassy in Egypt and featured a keynote speech by PRC Ambassador to Egypt Liao Liqiang (廖力强). Other participants included former Egyptian Prime Minister Essam Sharaf, former Egyptian Parliament First Deputy Speaker Al-Sayed Al-Sherif, leaders from 10 Egyptian political parties, the head of the Egyptian Coordination Committee of Parties' Youth Leaders and Politicians, and representatives from Chinese and Egyptian think tanks.
6.1 The CCP and Turkish Justice and Development Party (AK Parti) established a ruling party governance exchange mechanism and held its first meeting via videolink. CCP/ID Head Song Tao (宋涛) and AK Parti Deputy Chair Ekrem Erdem attended and addressed the meeting, and Zhu Rui presided over it. Other participants included Anhui Provincial Party Committee Deputy Secretary Cheng Lihua (程丽华), PRC Ambassador to Turkey Liu Shaobin (刘少宾), Bursa Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Alinur Aktaş, and Turkish Ambassador to China Abdulkadir Emin Önen.
6.2 CCP/ID Deputy Head Qian Hongshan (钱洪山) held a video conference with French National Assembly France-China Friendship Group President and La République En Marche! (LaREM) Asian affairs head Buon Tan.
6.2 Qian Hongshan held a video conference with Hungarian Workers’ Party President Gyula Thürmer, Czech Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia (KSČM) International Department Head Jaroslav Roman, and Communist Party of Bulgaria Central Committee Secretary General Angel Ivanov.
6.3 At the invitation of the CCP/ID and Hebei Provincial Party Committee, envoys from 20 Arab countries, including Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Mauritania, Oman, Palestine, Somalia, Sudan, and Tunisia, and officials from the Arab League Representative Office in China participated in a CCP history-themed visit to the Xibaipo Memorial Museum and Zhengding County and took part in a “Discuss a Century of History, Jointly Create a Better Future”-themed exchange activity. Song Tao and Hebei Party Secretary Wang Dongfeng (王东峰) attended and addressed the activity. Other participants included Zhu Rui, Hebei Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee members Zhang Chaochao (张超超) and Gao Zhili (高志立), Algerian Ambassador to China Ahcène Boukhelfa, Egyptian Ambassador to China Mohamed Elbadri, Jordanian Ambassador to China Hussam Al Husseini, Lebanese Ambassador to China Milia Jabbour, Palestinian Ambassador to China Fariz Mehdawi, Somali Ambassador to China Awale Ali Kullane, Sudanese Ambassador to China Gafar Karar Ahmed K., and Tunisian Ambassador to China Dhia Khaled.
6.3 CCP/ID Assistant Head Li Mingxiang (李明祥) held a video conference with Beninese Progressive Union Leader Bruno Amoussou and Republican Bloc General Secretary Abdoulaye Bio Tchané. Other participants included PRC Ambassador to Benin Peng Jingtao (彭惊涛) and Beninese Ambassador to China Simon P. Adovelande.
Organization Work
5.30 At the 10th National Congress of the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST), the following leadership selections were made:
Wan Gang (万钢) was made chair of the 10th National Committee of CAST;
Ma Weiming (马伟明), You Zheng (尤政), Deng Xiuxin (邓秀新), Bao Weimin (包为民), Qiao Jie (乔杰), Xiang Qiao (向巧), Yang Wei (杨伟), Huai Jinpeng (怀进鹏), Chen Wei (陈薇), Chen Xuedong (陈学东) Meng Qinghai (孟庆海), Shi Yigong (施一公), Yuan Yaxiang (袁亚湘), Mo Zeyao (莫则尧), Gao Song (高松), Gao Hongjun (高鸿钧), Huang Luqi (黄璐琦), and Pan Jianwei (潘建伟) were made vice chairs of the 10th National Committee of CAST;
Huai Jinpeng was also made chief executive secretary of CAST;
Meng Qinghai was also made an executive secretary of CAST; and
Shu Wei (束为), Lü Zhaoping (吕昭平), Yin Hao (殷皓), and Wang Jinzhan (王进展) were made executive secretaries of CAST.
6.4 Rao Quan (饶权) was appointed vice minister of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
6.4 Yao Laiying (姚来英) and Wang Daoshu (王道树) were appointed deputy heads of the State Taxation Administration.