- Admin
Weekly Report 4|49 10.30.2021-11.5.2021
Highlights
Politburo Standing Committee Member, State Council Vice Premier and Central Leading Group for the 24th Winter Olympic Games Work Head Han Zheng (韩正) presided over the 24th Central Leading Group for the 24th Winter Olympic Games Work meeting on 4 November, where he emphasized COVID-19 prevention and control. (see Senior Leaders section)
A People’s Daily He Yin (和音) commentary emphasized the different responsibilities for addressing climate change on the part of developed and developing countries. (see Propaganda Work section)
A 1 November People’s Daily Commentator Article lauded the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and called for continued adherence to its leadership in all things. (see Propaganda Work section)
Senior Leaders
Sun Chunlan: Carefully and Precisely Implement Pandemic Prevention and Control Measures; Stop the Spread of the Pandemic at Multiple Points as Soon as Possible
10.30 Politburo Member and State Council Vice Premier Sun Chunlan (孙春兰) conducted an inspection of Gansu Province’s medical institutions and pandemic control measures from 28 to 30 October. During the inspection, Sun visited Lanzhou and Tianshui cities and held a videoconference with medical experts at designated hospitals to learn about the status of pandemic prevention and control measures in these areas. She emphasized the need to “thoroughly implement the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important instructions, implement the policies and plans of the Central Committee and State Council, strengthen unified leadership for pandemic prevention and control, refine the horizontal command system, and work together to win the war of annihilation against pandemic clusters.” Sun pointed out the infections in Gansu were caused by tourism activities, with many hotspots and long transmission chains due to the wide range of activities engaged in by the infected individuals, resulting in “a certain degree of uncertainty in the prevention and control situation.” She urged public health officials to take prompt and decisive measures in order to control the pandemic as soon as possible, stressing the need for improving the efficiency and quality of nucleic acid screening as well as the speed of contact tracing, and quickly locating and isolating contagious individuals to cut off transmission routes.
Sun then noted that the pandemic is still complicated and severe nationwide, and so it is necessary to always adhere to the general strategy of “protecting against imported cases and domestic resurgences ” (外防输入、内防反弹), “consolidate the four responsibilities” (四方责任/local, department, danwei, and personal responsibilities), and implement the requirements of the “four earlies” (四早/early detection, early reporting, early isolation, and early treatment) in order to prevent the large-scale import and resurgence of infections. Lastly, she included instructions on improving pandemic response, such as investigating vulnerable points that have allowed the spread of the pandemic across regions, improving prevention and control methods at border and port cities, accelerating the establishment of a multi-point trigger monitoring and early warning mechanism, and constructing a public health emergency response system in western regions.
The General Offices of the Central Committee and State Council Issue “Food Conservation Action Plan”
10.31 The General Offices of the Central Committee and the State Council recently issued a “Food Conservation Action Plan” (hereafter referred to as the “Action Plan”). The Action Plan provided recommendations across eight areas: 1. “Strengthen[ing] conservation and reduc[ing] losses in agricultural production”; 2. “Strengthen[ing] loss reduction in food storage”; 3. “Strengthen[ing] loss reduction safeguards in food transportation”; 4. “Accelerat[ing] the promotion of grain conservation and [grain] loss reduction in the grain processing sector”; 5. “Adher[ing] to mitigating waste in food and beverage consumption”; 6. “Vigorously promot[ing] technological innovation for food conservation”; 7. “Strengthen[ing] grain conservation and [grain] loss reduction dissemination and education guidance”; and 8. “Strengthen[ing] guarantee measures.” Guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, the Action Plan lists the following goals for 2025: 1. “[Implement] more concrete, realistic, and detailed grain conservation and [grain] loss reduction actions in every part of the food production chain”; 2. Establish institutionalization, standardization, and supervision systems for grain conservation and loss reduction; and 3. “Effectively control the issue of food waste”; among other goals.
Practically, the Action Plan first recommended conserving seed use and reducing loss during harvests as ways to “strengthen conservation and loss reduction in agricultural production.” Next, the Action Plan addressed food storage. Specifically, the Action Plan emphasized “improving grain drying conditions,” “supporti[ng] and guiding scientific grain storage for peasant households,” and focusing on conservation and loss reduction in storage facilities. It then elaborated on ways to “strengthen conservation and loss reduction guarantees in food transportation,” namely: “improving transportation infrastructure and equipment”; “establishing a robust rural food distribution service network”; and “launching models of distribution standardization.” Moving to cover “accelerating grain conservation and loss reduction in food processing,” the Action Plan called for “increasing the transformation rate of food oil processing,” “strengthening the reduction and replacement of grain in animal feed,” and “promoting the comprehensive use of food resources.” Shifting focus to “firmly mitigating waste in food and beverage consumption,” the Action Plan covered the following areas: 1. “Strengthening behavior management in the food and beverage industry and businesses”; 2. “Implementing danwei anti-food waste management responsibility” in areas such as food procurement and processing; 3. Instituting food conservation measures for Party and government organizations and state-owned enterprises; 4. “Establishing a robust mechanism for school cafeteria conservation management that is effective in the long term”; 5. “Decreasing household and personal food waste”; and 6. “Promoting the utilization of kitchen waste resources.”
The Action Plan then addressed the role of technological innovation in supporting food conservation in the areas of food production, transportation, and processing. Next, it discussed “strengthening the guidance of food conservation propagation and education.” Specifically, this involves “carrying out the establishment of food conservation culture”; “strengthening food waste public opinion and propagation”; and “continuing to promote the updating of outmoded and undesirable habits and customs” (移风易俗); and engaging in international cooperation regarding food conservation. Lastly, the Action Plan outlined four ways to ensure the implementation of its recommendations: 1. “Strengthen organizational leadership”; 2. “Refine system standards” such as food safety laws and national food conservation standards; 3. “Establish an investigation and evaluation mechanism”; and 4. “Increase supervision and management.”
A Symposium Was Held in Beijing to Commemorate the 90th Anniversary of the Founding of the Central Revolutionary Base and the Chinese Soviet Republic
11.2 Politburo Standing Committee Member and Secretary of the Central Secretariat Wang Huning (王沪宁) attended a symposium commemorating the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Central Revolutionary Base and the Chinese Soviet Republic and gave a speech. Wang said that in order to commemorate the anniversary, “review the magnificent course of the Party uniting and leading the Chinese people in the tenacious struggle to realize the mission of the the New Democratic Revolution,” and “the immortal achievements of the revolutionary elders and martyrs,” it was necessary to “adhere to the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era,” “learn from history” (以史为鉴), create the future, and “take the new road to realize the second centenary goal, forging onward to achieve the historical undertaking of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.” Wang went on to recount the contributions of the Central Revolutionary Base and the Chinese Soviet Republic of which Mao Zedong had been the “primary representative,” saying that the Base and Chinese Soviet Republic had “expanded the influence of the Party and of red political power (红色政权), launched a new phase of the Agrarian Revolutionary War (土地革命战争), and written a colorful (浓墨重彩) and immortal chapter in China’s revolutionary history.” He emphasized that, since the 18th Party Congress, Xi Jinping had conducted many visits to the former Central Soviet Zone in order to “pass along red genes (红色基因)” and “remember the Party’s original mission.” Wang also stressed “further 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).”
Politburo Member Chen Xi (陈希) presided over the symposium. Politburo Members Sun Chunlan (孙春兰) and Huang Kunming (黄坤明) attended.
Han Zheng: Completely and Precisely Implement the New Development Concept; Solidly Guarantee Energy Supplies for This Winter and Next Spring
11.2 Politburo Member and State Council Vice Premier Han Zheng (韩正) inspected and hosted a symposium at the State Grid Corporation of China on 2 November, where he stressed the importance of further research and planning in order to do a better job guaranteeing energy supplies for the upcoming winter and spring. Han pointed out that the relevant parties had followed the decisions of the Central Committee and State Council and achieved initial results. However, it is necessary to “further strengthen the sense of responsibility and urgency, fully and precisely implement the ‘new development concept’ (新发展理念), coordinate development and safety, fully prepare for the emergence of extremely cold weather, prevent and resolve hidden risks, ensure the stable operation of the economy and society, ensure the security of the energy supply, and ensure that the people live warmly through the winter.” He stressed that all relevant departments and units must firmly establish “big picture consciousness” (大局意识), earnestly implement their responsibilities, and focus on ensuring the energy supply for this winter and next spring. In addition, Han stated they must increase the supply of thermal coal and natural gas through multiple channels, restore the power generation capacity of coal-fired power plants as soon as possible, promote the normal operation of power plants that had faced unplanned shutdowns, and implement “coal to electricity” (煤改电) and “coal to gas” (煤改气) in a safe and orderly manner. Han called for the government to strengthen regulation of coal prices in accordance with the law and to strengthen fiscal policy support, and also encouraged financial institutions to guarantee reasonable financing to meet the needs of coal-fired power and heating enterprises. Lastly, he stressed that “it is necessary to improve energy import, export, and reserve management, pay close attention to changes in international energy prices, better guide and stabilize market expectations, and ensure the smooth operation of the domestic energy market.”
Central Committee Member and State Councilor Wang Yong (王勇) also participated in the inspection and symposium.
Han Zheng: Place Pandemic Prevention and Control Work in a Prominent Position and Carefully Complete each Preparatory Task in a High Quality [Way]
11.4 Politburo Standing Committee Member, State Council Vice Premier and Central Leading Group for the 24th Winter Olympic Games Work Head Han Zheng (韩正) presided over the 24th Central Leading Group for the 24th Winter Olympic Games Work meeting on 4 November. At the meeting, Han emphasized thoroughly implementing Xi Jinping’s important instructions regarding the preparation for the Winter Olympics, fully enforcing the chain of command during the Games, and researching and implementing key tasks in support of the Winter Olympics and Paralympics. He stated that preparations are progressing smoothly, but “it is necessary to further enhance the sense of responsibility, mission, and urgency while centering on running the Games as scheduled.” In accordance with the requirements of “streamlined, safe, and splendid ” (简约、安全、精彩), Han stressed “putting pandemic prevention and control in a prominent position, while carefully completing each preparatory task in a high quality [way].” He also emphasized that the Winter Olympics chain of command is already fully operational and all relevant parties must cooperate closely to form a strong work force to ensure the efficient and orderly operation of the Games. This includes the strict implementation of various pandemic prevention and control measures, as well as the “comprehensive integration of the Winter Olympics and the host city’s pandemic control measures.” In addition, Han called for conducting anti-doping work with a “zero-tolerance” (零容忍) attitude, carrying out publicity, promotion, and cultural activities, and doing a good job at carrying the [Olympic] flame, the torch relay, and the opening and closing ceremonies. Lastly, he said that it is necessary to “coordinate the preparations for the Winter Olympics, economic development, and protection of the people’s livelihood in order to ensure the smooth and orderly coordinated progress of all aspects of this work.”
Politburo Member, State Council Vice Premier, and Central Leading Group for the 24th Winter Olympic Games Work Deputy Head Sun Chunlan (孙春兰) and Politburo Member Cai Qi (蔡奇) also attended and spoke at the meeting.
Propaganda Work
Firmly [Maintain] Confidence in the System, Continually Develop Whole-Process People’s Democracy
10.31 Qiushi published a Commentator Article on the National People’s Congress (NPC) system and “whole-process people’s democracy”(全过程人民民主). The Commentator Article began by discussing the importance of systems for the Party and nation, remarking that a “strong system guarantee” was necessary for “constructing a modern socialist country” and “realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.” It then discussed the NPC system, characterizing it as “the basic conclusion obtained from summarizing the painful lessons of Chinese political life after the modern era” and “the historic outcome of the more than one-hundred years of Chinese society’s intense transformation and surging development.” The Article expounded further on the various roles that the NPC system played, noting that it had “guaranteed the efficient organization of every project of national reunification and powerfully defend[ed] national reunification, ethnic unity, and social stability” since reform and opening up. Next, it reviewed the achievements of the NPC system since the 18th Party Congress, which included passing a constitutional amendment to elevate the status of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, drafting the Hong Kong National Security Law, and modifying Hong Kong’s electoral system.
After describing the NPC system the Commentator Article turned to the topic of democracy. It stated that “whole-process people’s democracy...greatly deepens our Party’s understanding of the development laws of democracy.” The commentary then asserted that democracy was “an important concept that the Party and Chinese people unswervingly [hold to] from beginning to end,” and cited Xi Jinping’s “Eight Whether or Nots” (八个能否) and “Four Depends, Four More Depends” (四个要看、四个更要看) as standards for determining whether or not a country was democratic. The commentary stated that using Western-style democracy as the standard for democracy was “very narrow,” and asserted that standards for democracy should be decided by an individual country’s people rather than a small number of people or countries. After describing how China’s “whole-process people’s democracy” enjoyed “complete participation and practice,” the commentary stated that the practice of whole-process democracy demonstrated that no “universally applicable (放之四海而皆准) model form of democracy existed.” Moving on, it said that “the NPC system is an important institutional vehicle for realizing [China’s] whole-process people’s democracy” and gave two suggestions for utilizing the superiority of NPC system well: First, “Implement and carry out General Secretary Xi Jinping’s ‘Six Must-Adheres’ (六个必须坚持) and Second,“Unswervingly persist in refining the NPC system in step with the times and strengthen and improve NPC work in the new era.” The Commentator Article concluded by stating “On the great new journey, [we] need to firmly [maintain] confidence in the systeme and continually develop full-process people’s democracy with strong vitality.”
He Yin: Build an Equitable, Cooperative, Win-Win, Global Climate Governance System
10.31 A He Yin (和音) commentary emphasized the different responsibilities for addressing climate change on the part of developed and developing countries. It began by acknowledging the severity and deleterious long-term effects of climate change, noting that China had recently released a white paper on the subject, in which it stated that China “stands at the heights of responsibility for human civilization, vigorously advocating that the international community adhere to the principle of common yet differentiated responsibility [for global climate change],” and further that in addressing climate change it would contribute “Chinese wisdom and Chinese strength.” The commentary then cited Xi Jinping, who called the principle of “common yet differentiated responsibility” the “cornerstone of global climate governance.” Because different countries bear different levels of historical responsibility for climate change and have different development needs and different capabilities, it is “inappropriate and unfair” to use a uniform standard for climate regulation.
The commentary went on to list China’s contributions as a “responsible major country” to the fight against climate change, saying that it had implemented a series of climate change strategies, measures, and actions actively participating in global climate governance, especially emphasizing its work building capacity in developing countries and “South-South” cooperation initiatives. It stated that, as an “important contributor” to the Paris Agreement and an “active participant” in its implementation, China had announced its goals of achieving peak carbon emissions followed by carbon neutrality. While the European Union will take 71 years to achieve the same goals, the United States 43 years, and Japan 37 years, China has committed to reaching these goals in 30 years. In fact, the commentary quoted the President of France’s Constitutional Council, Laurent Fabius, who said that Xi Jinping’s proposed measures had “reignited genuine hope for the world.” It concluded by reemphasizing China’s commitment to working multilaterally to achieve progress in implementing the Paris Agreement and responding to climate change.
People’s Daily Commentator Article: Uphold and Strengthen the Party’s Leadership Over All Work
11.1 A Commentator Article published on 1 November lauded the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and called for continued unswerving adherence to Party leadership. The Article began by rhetorically asking why China has been able to “create rarely-seen miracles of rapid economic development and long-term social stability.” It answered, “One fundamental reason is [that it] always adheres to the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party,” then stated that the leadership of the Party is the “golden cudgel” (定海神针, Sun Wukong’s weapon in Journey to the West) of continuous development of the Party and country. The article then stated that since the 18th Party Congress, the Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core has clearly adhered to and strengthened the leadership of the Party, as well as implemented and embodied adherence to the leadership of the Party in all areas of reform, development, stability, and governance. The Article asserted that “only by unswervingly upholding and strengthening the overall leadership of the Party can we reverse the weakening of party leadership and lack of party building in some localities and departments, eliminate serious hidden dangers within the Party and the country, and provide a strong political guarantee for the development of the Party and the country.” It further claimed that the CCP’s leadership is the “fundamental lifeblood of the party and the country,” which is supported by the “four beams and eight pillars” (四梁八柱). There must be “neither ambiguity nor wavering, for every word of General Secretary Xi Jinping is powerful and eloquent, demonstrating great political courage and strong historical responsibility.”
The Article referenced Xi, stating that if the Central Committee does not have authority, everyone will do what they want, causing the Party to become a “sheet of loose sand” (一盘散沙) and everyone’s own “private club” (私人俱乐部), making the Party’s leadership empty talk. Thus, the Central Committee stated, “it is necessary to strengthen the ‘four consciousnesses’ (四个意识) and consolidate the ‘four confidences’ (四个自信) while resolutely maintaining General Secretary Xi Jinping as the core of the entire Party and maintaining the authority and centralized leadership of the Central Committee.” The Article stated that the designation of Xi Jinping as the core is “history and mankind’s common choice, solemn choice, and inevitable choice, while also being the blessing of the party, the country, the people, and the Chinese nation.” From the “achievements of the first hundred years of the Party’s history to the major strategic results from the fight against the novel coronavirus pandemic and the victory in the tough battle against poverty,” the commentary noted that “facts have proven and will continue to prove that as long as we unswervingly adhere to the leadership of the Party, we will surely be able to overcome any difficulties and obstacles, continuing to satisfy the people’s yearning for a better life and promoting the great cause.” Finally, the Article called for the Party to unite more closely around the Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core, reiterating the need 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), keeping in mind the “big picture and fundamental interests of the country” (国之大者). In doing so, the goals of building a modern and powerful socialist country and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation “will surely be achieved.”
People’s Daily Commentator Article: Key Decision Making in the Face of the Great Battle and Great Test
11.2 A Commentator Article addressed China’s efforts to fight COVID-19. The Article began by describing the challenge China faced balancing multiple objectives in its pandemic prevention and control efforts when COVID-19 first appeared, which included preventing an economic slowdown and social disorder. Next, it recounted how “Xi Jinping personally commanded and deployed [efforts to fight [COVID-19],” citing his convening of a 25 January 2020 Politburo Standing Committee meeting to “carry out research, deployments, and mobilization again for pandemic prevention and control” as one of many examples. Overall, the Article stated that Xi’s actions “display[ed] the assumption of the responsibilities of a major Party and major nation and guid[ed] the direction of winning the defensive battle (阻击战) of pandemic prevention and control.” Furthermore, it described how “the Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core place[d] the safety and health of the people first” through various decisions in the course of fighting COVID-19. The Article lauded the Party’s leadership in containing the pandemic and protecting the life and health of the people, stating that this “demonstrated the spirit of struggle of ‘the greater the difficulties are, the further [we will] advance’ (越是艰险越向前) and the heroic aspiration of ‘having many great aspirations of sacrifice’” (为有牺牲多壮志). Moving on, the Article recalled how China eventually “attained the great strategic results of the national anti-pandemic struggle” and ultimately “composed a touching (感天动地) and heroic (气壮山河) ‘pandemic’ battle epic.” After recounting China’s subsequent accomplishments in economic recovery and helping other countries fight COVID-19, the commentary observed that “the major strategic results of the anti-pandemic struggle” showed the superiority of China’s socialist system and the “conscious sense of responsibility of a responsible major power,” among other things. Next, it said that the Chinese people had “forged a great anti-pandemic spirit (抗疫精神) of life above all else, uniting the entire country, [demonstrating] bravery with no thought of personal safety (舍生忘死), respecting science, and common destiny” in the course of fighting COVID-19. The Article asserted that this spirit ultimately “became the strong power of comprehensively establishing a modern socialist country and realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.” It then said China was closer than ever to the goal of national rejuvenation as it moved toward the second centenary goal and that difficulties would increase the closer China moved toward achieving national rejuvenation, concluding with “On the great new journey, [by] uniting more closely around the Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core, vigorously promoting the anti-pandemic spirit, striving with one heart (勠力同心) and forging ahead, we can definitely create a new splendor of the times and forge new historical great undertakings!”
United Front Work
You Quan: Scientific Guidance for Doing the Party’s Ethnic Work Well in the New Era
11.1 United Front Work Department (UFWD) Head You Quan (尤权) issued guidance for ethnic work based on Xi Jinping’s speech at the 27-28 August ethnic work conference. The guidance was divided into four sections: In the first section, You emphasized “comprehensively and accurately understanding the background of the Party’s ethnic work under the new situation.” Such an understanding involves grasping the importance of ethnic work for national stability and unity in China’s multiethnic context and its relation to long-term peace and stability, national security, and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. You underscored Xi’s assertion that, throughout the Party’s first hundred years, its greatest achievements in ethnic work had come through solutions with “Chinese characteristics,” and touted economic development in China’s ethnic regions. In the second section, You stressed “comprehensively and accurately understanding Xi Jinping’s important thought on strengthening and improving ethnic work,” which identifies ethnic work as critical to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and focuses on “firmly casting a consciousness of Chinese communal [identity] (中华民族共同体意识).”
In the third section, You addressed “comprehensively and accurately grasping the scientific implications and important significance of firmly casting a consciousness of Chinese communal [identity],” which he stated was important for national cohesion and for resisting the infiltration of extremes, divisive ideologies, and hidden dangers that could threaten the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. He also reiterated Xi’s assertion that ethnic work must both affirm ethnic identity while also celebrating commonality and cultivating unity. Finally, the fourth section urged taking up “firmly casting a consciousness of Chinese communal [identity] as the central theme [and] promoting the high-quality development of the Party’s ethnic work in the new era.” Ultimately, the Party must “strengthen and improve its overall leadership over ethnic work,” because the Party provides the “fundamental guarantee” that safeguards the great unity of the Chinese nation.
International Liaison Work
11.3 CCP International Department (CCP/ID) Deputy Head Guo Yezhou (郭业洲) attended the opening ceremony of a webinar for young cadres from the Mongolian People’s Party (MPP). Other participants included MPP Leadership Committee member, Mongolian Social Democratic Youth Union President, and State Great Khural Innovation and Digital Policy Standing Committee Chairman Uchral Nyam-Osor.
11.5 CCP/ID Deputy Head Chen Zhou (陈洲) met via videolink with Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Socialist) (CPN (Unified Socialist)) Chairman and former Nepali Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal.