- Admin
Weekly Report 4|73 5.21.22-5.27.22
Highlights
A He Yin (和音) commentary in People’s Daily praised China’s progress in its human rights work in Xinjiang and decried international criticism. (See Propaganda Work section)
State Council Premier and Politburo Standing Committee Member Li Keqiang presided over and spoke at a large-scale State Council national teleconference on stabilizing the economy. (See Senior Leaders section)
An article from the Editorial Department of Economic Daily explained how to view the current economic situation, main economic factors, and relevant policies. (See Propaganda Work section)
Senior Leaders
Li Keqiang: Strongly Promote the Implementation and Effectiveness of All Economic Stabilization Policies; Protect Market Entities, Employment, and the People’s Livelihoods; Maintain a Reasonable Economic Interval
5.25 State Council Premier and Politburo Standing Committee Member Li Keqiang (李克强) presided over and spoke at a large-scale State Council national teleconference on stabilizing the economy. Li stated that under the leadership of “the Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core,” implementation of central Party-state deployments had effectively responded to “the shock of factors that surpassed forecasts.” However, since March and particularly since April, economic indicators like employment and industrial production have clearly fallen, and “difficulties are, in some aspects and to a certain extent, even greater than the severe impact of the pandemic in 2020.” Li stressed the importance of development for China, saying that controlling the pandemic requires financial and material guarantees, and development would be necessary to support employment and the people’s livelihoods while preventing risk. He expressed that it was currently a critical moment for deciding this year’s economic trend, and this window of time had to be seized to put the economy back on the correct track. Li called for “staunch faith” and facing difficulties; implementing the new development concept; holistically planning both pandemic prevention and control and socioeconomic development; “placing stable growth in a more prominent position”; using market entities to protect employment; protecting the “tenacity of the Chinese economy”; ensuring the economy’s valid growth and a fall in the unemployment rate as soon as possible for the second quarter; and maintaining a “reasonable economic interval.”
Li stated that all departments have a responsibility to help stabilize the economy and must feel a sense of urgency about this work. They must ensure Central Economic Work and State Council policies for the first half of the year are implemented; reforms for delegating power, streamlining administration, and optimizing services (放管服) are used to optimize policy implementation; and policy implementation is closely tracked, promptly improved, and excludes no one from benefits. He said that they should not engage in a “flood” of measures, as there is still space for macroeconomic policy and they should maintain a policy reserve. Li said the active roles of both local and central government must be developed, with local government focusing on development and benefiting the people, and warned that all levels of government’s administrative abilities would be tested by the dilemmas they must resolve. He stressed both pandemic and socioeconomic tasks, not treating either in isolation or using a “one size fits all” (一刀切) solution, but being creative, adaptive to the local situation, and finding the area’s own potential policies. Li said departments should treat private, public, and foreign enterprises equally; use marketization methods and reforms to resolve issues; improve supply chains; and ensure financial support reaches the masses. He said that on 26 May, the State Council would send inspection teams (督查组) to twelve provinces to direct these policies, the National Bureau of Statistics would seek truth from facts (实事求是) to report second quarter provincial economic targets, and the State Council would issue a report on relevant work. Li stressed focusing on the practical efficacy of all work, the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism With Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and acting in accordance with the deployments of the Central Committee and State Council.
The meeting was also attended by Politburo Standing Committee Member and State Council Vice Premier Han Zheng (韩正), Vice Premiers Sun Chunlan (孙春兰), Hu Chunhua (胡春华), Liu He (刘鹤), and State Council members Wei Fenghe (魏凤和), Wang Yong (王勇), Xiao Jie (肖捷), and Zhao Kezhi (赵克志). Leaders from the National Development and Reform Commission, Ministry of Finance, and People’s Bank of China also issued remarks.
Xi Jinping Meets With UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet
5.25 Xi Jinping met with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet through videoconference. Xi welcomed her trip to China, explained major issues related to China’s human rights development, and expressed the Party and government’s “principled stance” on protecting human rights, emphasizing the Party’s consistent dedication to fighting for the people’s wellbeing. He said that China had successfully set out on a “human rights development path” suited to the times and national conditions, and had continuously developed “whole-process people’s democracy” (全过程人民民主), advanced legal human rights protections, and protected social fairness and justice, resulting in an “unprecedented” level of safeguards for the human rights of the Chinese people. Xi stated that China was willing to carry out human rights dialogue and cooperation with all parties “on a basis of equality and mutual respect,” emphasizing the following four points:
“Persisting in being people-centric,” emphasizing practical benefit to the people and their happy lives as “the greatest human right.” The “most important criteria in inspecting a country’s human rights situation” should be whether the people’s interests are protected and the people’s sense of reward, happiness, and safety has been strengthened.
“Respecting all countries’ human rights development paths.” A nation’s human rights path is determined by factors such as culture and history, social systems, and economic development; there are many cautionary examples to show that copying another country’s system brings “catastrophic consequences” (灾难性后果).
“Planning holistically to account for all types of human rights.” Human rights are comprehensive in content and require comprehensive policies, with “the right to exist and the right to develop” (生存权、发展权) taking precedence for developing countries.
“Strengthening global human rights governance.” Protecting human rights requires all people’s unified efforts. Moreover, “[o]n human rights issues, no completely perfect ‘ideal country’ exists, no ‘master’ (教师爷) lecturing other countries is needed, and further still, human rights issues cannot be politicized or instrumentalized, double standards cannot be used, and human rights cannot be used as an excuse to meddle in other countries’ internal affairs.” Instead, countries should abide by the purpose and principles of the UN Charter, foster global shared values, and develop global human rights governance in a more “fair, just, valid, [and] inclusive” direction. China will continue supporting the United Nations’ efforts on global human rights.
Bachelet expressed thanks to the Chinese side for receiving her visit amid hardships of the pandemic, noted that she highly valued this trip as the first UN High Commissioner on Human Rights visit to China in 17 years, said she would speak with an extensive range of people from across the Chinese government and society, and said that she believed this trip would strengthen her understanding of China. According to Xinhua, she expressed admiration for China’s accomplishments in eradicating poverty, protecting human rights, and socioeconomic development and praised its role in defending multilateralism, facing global challenges like climate change, and advancing the UN’s sustainable development goals. Bachelet said her office was willing to strengthen communication, investigate cooperation, and make joint efforts to advance global human rights with the Chinese side.
Politburo Meets, Reviews Regulations on Political Consultative Work; Xi Jinping Presides
5.27 The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Politburo held a meeting to review the “Regulations on the Political Consultative Work of the Chinese Communist Party” (hereafter “Regulations”), with Xi Jinping presiding over the meeting. The meeting pointed out that political consultation is an important part of the multi-party cooperation and political consultation system under the leadership of the CCP, an important part of socialist consultative democracy, and an important way to “gather wisdom, enhance consensus, and promote scientific and democratic decision-making.” The Regulations are of “great significance” for strengthening the party’s leadership over political consultation work, improving the level of scientificness, systematization, and standardization of political consultation work, improving China’s new type of political party system, and consolidating and developing the patriotic United Front. The meeting emphasized following the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era; implementing Xi Jinping’s important thinking on strengthening and improving the work of the United Front as well as the work of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Congress (CPPCC); and “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).” The meeting pointed out that it is necessary to uphold and strengthen the overall leadership of the Party, ensure the correct political direction of political consultation, improve the effectiveness of political consultation, and closely unite all forces around the Party so as to promote the formation of the comprehensive building of a modern socialist country and the realization of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. The meeting further emphasized doing a good job implementing the Regulations, as well as implementing the Party Central Committee’s guidelines, policies, and strategic decisions and deployments for political consultation work.
Propaganda Work
He Yin: Xinjiang’s Most Successful Human Rights Stories
5.22 A He Yin (和音) commentary in People’s Daily praised China’s progress in its human rights work in Xinjiang and decried international criticism, claiming that “people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang equally enjoy stability, security, development, and progress,” as well as an “unprecedented and tangible happy life.” The commentary claimed that since the founding of the PRC 70 years ago, the human rights cause in Xinjiang has “developed vigorously and achieved historic achievements.” Since the 18th Party Congress in particular, the CCP and Chinese government have “continuously enriched and developed the strategy of governing Xinjiang,” as well as persisted in governing Xinjiang according to the rule of law, unifying and stabilizing Xinjiang, and “earnestly guaranteeing the equal participation and development rights of people of all ethnic groups.” The commentary then highlighted some achievements over the last 60 years, including the total economic output of Xinjiang increasing by 160 times, per capita GDP increasing by 30 times, the total Uyghur population increasing from 2.2 million to 12 million, and average life expectancy increasing from 30 to 74.4 years. It claimed that Xinjiang has an average of one mosque for every 530 Muslims, a number “which is higher than many Western and Islamic countries.”
The commentary highlighted China’s poverty alleviation work in the region, claiming that by the end of 2020, Xinjiang had “successfully conquered the fortress of deep poverty” and won the “tough battle of targeted poverty alleviation” (精准脱贫攻坚战). The commentary stated that Xinjiang has been deeply affected by ethnic separatist, religious extremist, and violent terrorist forces, and frequent terrorist attacks have “caused great harm” to all ethnic groups and “seriously threatened the basic human rights of life, health, and development” of people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang. It noted that Xinjiang has been “free from violent terrorist incidents” since the end of 2016, and since the “penetration of extremism” has been effectively curbed, “the right to life of people of all ethnic groups has been fully guaranteed.” The commentary declared that all international visitors who visit Xinjiang and “hold a fair and objective attitude” recognize that China’s experience in counter-terrorism and de-radicalization in Xinjiang is “worthy of learning from the international community.” It then decried politicians in the United States and the West, claiming that they “concoct and spread lies” about Xinjiang, distort the human rights situation in Xinjiang, and “abuse unilateral sanctions.” The commentary claimed that this “inversion of black and white” is politicizing human rights issues and is a “blasphemy and violation of the global human rights cause.” It declared that “scholars and media from many countries” have published articles telling the true story of Xinjiang, but politicians in the US and the West have concocted lies about Xinjiang in order to “suppress and contain China [and] undermine the ethnic unity and stable development of Xinjiang.” The commentary pointed out that more than 100 countries supported China’s position on Xinjiang-related issues at the UN Human Rights Council and UN General Assembly last year, declaring that “these righteous voices fully demonstrate that justice is at ease in the hearts of the people.” Lastly, the commentary proclaimed that Xinjiang “is in the best period of development in its history,” and its human rights cause is “constantly making new achievements.”
Zhong Sheng: The One-China Principle Is the Common Aspiration of the International Community
5.24 A People’s Daily Zhong Sheng commentary asserted that the failure of Taiwan’s bid to participate as an observer in the World Health Assembly [WHA] this year had shown that the “[Democratic Progressive Party,] DPP authorities’ futile attempts to ‘use the epidemic to seek independence’ (以疫谋独) and ‘rely on the United States to seek independence’ (倚美谋独)” and “certain countries’ attempts to engage in ‘using Taiwan to contain China’ (以台制华)” cannot succeed. It stressed that any questions about Taiwan’s participation “must be resolved under the one-China principle” according to UNGA Resolution 2758 and WHA Resolution 25.1; and that nearly 90 countries had supported China’s position by sending special letters to the WHO and other means. After noting that Taiwan had participated in the WHA between 2009 and 2016, the commentary maintained that Taiwan had not been able to continue doing so since 2017 due to the “DPP authorities’ stubborn adherence to the ‘Taiwan independence’ splittist position and refusal to recognize the ‘1992 consensus’ that embodies the one-China principle” leading to “the political basis for the Taiwan region’s participation in the WHA no longer existing.” The commentary asserted that China had made “proper arrangements for the Taiwan region’s participation in global health affairs under the precondition of the one-China principle,” giving examples of this to refute US claims that Taiwan’s exclusion from international organizations left a gap in the global pandemic response.
The commentary argued, “The Taiwan issue is the most important, most sensitive, and most core (最重要、最敏感、最核心) issue in China-US relations.” It said US actions on Taiwan were contrary to US statements, saying that “the United States’ words and deeds seriously violate international law and the basic norms of international relations, send seriously wrong signals to ‘Taiwan independence’ splittist forces, and are a serious harm to China-US relations and peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.” The commentary concluded that attempts to “use the epidemic to seek independence,” “rely on the United States to seek independence,” “play the ‘Taiwan card,’” or “use Taiwan to contain China” will all “meet with the firm opposition of the overwhelming majority of international community members” and that the United States should “recognize the situation, strictly abide by its commitment, scrupulously abide by the one-China principle and the provisions of the China-US Three Joint Communiques, and stop the futile act of politicizing health issues.”
Zhong Sheng: Japan “Inviting a Wolf into the House” Endangers Regional Peace and Stability
5.25 A Zhong Sheng (钟声) commentary condemned the recent US-Japan leaders’ meeting and joint statement, claiming that Japan is “obsessed with acting as a strategic vassal of the United States,” “inciting confrontation between opposing camps,” and increasingly becoming a “disruptor” (搅局者) of regional peace and stability. The commentary claimed that the joint statement disseminated a “large amount of negative remarks” on China-related issues, “grossly interfered” in China’s internal affairs, and “maliciously attacked” China’s foreign policy, further stating that the “wanton smearing” of China’s image has “exposed its insidious plans to contain China and divide the region.” As a member state of Asia, the commentary stated that Japan “should play a constructive role in regional peace, stability and prosperity,” but it has cooperated with the US to “promote a so-called ‘Indo-Pacific strategy’ of creating fragmentation and confrontation” while damaging Japan’s own interests. The commentary reiterated China’s position and will to defend its sovereignty on “Taiwan, Diaoyu Islands, and South China Sea issues,” claiming that China will make a “firm and forceful counterattack” if any country or force attempts to “play any card” to contain China’s development. It stated that the Taiwan question concerns the “political foundation” of China-Japan relations and the “basic trust” between the two countries. Due to Japan’s past colonization of Taiwan and countless crimes against the Chinese people, Japan bears “serious historical guilt to the Chinese people” and is “putting itself on the opposite side of more than 1.4 billion Chinese people.” The commentary stated that even though Japan and the US talk about “openness” (自由开放), their real intention is to create a “small clique” (小圈子) for geopolitical competition; in doing so, they intend to “camp-ify” (阵营化), “NATO-ify” (北约化), and “Cold War-ify” (冷战化) Asia.
The commentary then condemned Japan’s supposed long-term “dream of leaving Asia and joining Europe” (脱亚入欧) as well as its history of militaristic aggression against neighboring countries. It called on Japan to “deeply reflect on its history of aggression, truly learn from history, and avoid causing new harm to the people of other countries in the region.” It called for Japan to “stick to the path of peaceful development” and continue to be cautious in its words and deeds in military security. It quoted the “vast majority of countries in the region” as wishing that the Cold War mentality should not be allowed to resurface in the region, and the tragedy of the Ukraine crisis should not be allowed to repeat itself, and accused Japan of trying to sacrifice other countries’ security for its own. In conclusion, the commentary noted that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the normalization of China-Japan diplomatic relations, which are currently at a critical crossroads. It called for Japan to “correct its attitude towards China, correct its strategic direction, and truly implement its statement of building a constructive and stable relationship with China” in order to avoid greater damage to the bilateral relationship and to “be responsible for the safety and well-being of countries in the region and its own people.”
Economic Daily Editorial Department: A Comprehensive Dialectical Look at the Current Economic Situation
5.25 An article from the Editorial Department of Economic Daily, also republished in People’s Daily, focused on the current economic situation. It stated that since March, factors exceeding forecasts such as “a complexly developing international situation” and repeated resurgences of the pandemic had shocked the recovery of the Chinese economy, creating downward pressure. It stressed proper understanding of how to view the current situation, deal with the influence of this “short-term fluctuating shock,” resolve difficulties and pressure, understand the trends and rules of the Chinese economy and make use of its positive qualities, and continue reform, opening, and development.
The article first discussed the Chinese economy’s resilience (韧性), explaining that continued foreign investment is a sign of faith in the Chinese economy and that to understand the true economic situation and trends, the situation since March must be understood as separate from January and February’s steady recovery. It stressed that the weakening of some economic indicators in March and April was an external and temporary fluctuation caused by the pandemic and the Chinese economy remained resilient, citing positive indicators to consider such as strong support for basic industry, the continued growth of production and sales for daily products like foodstuffs, and the growth of the high-tech industry to conclude the long-term positive trend of the economy is unchanged. Second, the article discussed “seeking progress while maintaining stability” (稳中求进), stated that the past forty years of the Chinese economy had shown rapid growth in spite of challenges, and particularly stressed the success of China’s economy, of “seeking progress while maintaining stability,” and of carrying out economic policies and reforms since the 18th Party Congress (where Xi became General Secretary). Thirdly, the article discussed macroeconomic strengths and resources, explaining that readers must both understand the difficulties, pressure, and challenges facing the economy and also look at the big picture of China’s economic scale and long-term outlook. It stated that despite such difficulties, China still has a foundation of stability and the space and momentum for progress. It described specific factors supporting this assessment, such as the continued upgrading of infrastructure, vast consumer potential, and a large and competitive talent pool. Fourth, the article discussed policy measures for achieving annual economic goals, stressing that maintaining stability was a matter of active intervention and supportive measures. It described and explained the need for measures in the areas of aiding businesses and resolving employment, the stabilizing market and postering innovation, and strengthening foundations of development and construction of a stable economic system.
The piece concluded by praising the preliminary impact of current economic tools and measures and stressing that officials take on responsibility for their use and implementation. It stated that with Xi “steering the direction” (领航定向), the Party Central Committee’s leadership, and the united struggle of the people, the economy will weather the waves, and “there is no challenge in our future that cannot be defeated.”
Central Military Commission
General Office of the Central Military Commission Issues Opinions on the Military’s Promotion of the Normalization and Long-Term Effectiveness of the Party History Study and Education Campaign
5.21 With approval of the Central Military Commission (CMC), the CMC’s General Office issued Opinions on continued Party History Study and Education. The Opinions called for related courses to be made mandatory and regular, focused on topics like the glory of the Party’s century of struggle, the Party’s dedication to its original mission, and the historical significance and experience of the Party, with goals including increasing unity and confidence. They emphasized study and knowledge of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and Xi Jinping Thought on Strengthening the Military; making a “clear-cut stand” (旗帜鲜明) on politics, “deeply understanding the decisive significance of the ‘two establishes’ (两个确立),” implementing the Chairman Responsibility System, and improving political judgment, understanding, and administration; fostering the “great spirit of the Party’s founding,’ party tradition, and positive morale and work styles; and carrying out “self-revolution” (自我革命) and strict party and military discipline. The Opinions stressed that the normalization and long-term effectiveness of the Party History Study and Education campaign was an important long-term task, and that all military Party committees and leadership must take responsibility for it and serve as models. They encouraged the use of innovative methods, persisting in military training and reforms, using history study as a motivator for other practical matters, welcoming the 20th Party Congress with practical action, and continuing to launch a new situation of strengthening the military.
United Front Work
10 Departments Including All-China Women’s Federation Issue Notice to Deploy and Launch 2022 International Children’s Day Celebratory Activities
5.26 Departments including the All-China Women’s Federation and Central Guiding Commission on Building Spiritual Civilization issued a notice on activities for all areas and departments to celebrate International Children’s Day, on 1 June. The notice says to make use of local volunteer lecture groups, female volunteers, and youth volunteers for activities such as themed speeches, “red” movie screenings, and artistic and musical exhibitions so as to “tell the China and Chinese Communist Party stories well, making youths and children staunch in their ideals and convictions amid visible and palpable new change.” It also calls for propagation and implementation of relevant law such as the Law for the Protection of Minors, using various methods like speeches, visits, courses, and videos to ensure households understand and abide by these laws. The notice stressed using a good system of serving the masses, solving practical issues, and showing care for particularly vulnerable children like orphans, children with disabilities, and rural “left-behind” children, so that they “feel the warmth of the Party and state’s care in practice.”
International Liaison Work
5.24 The Second China-Arab Countries Youth Politicians Summit was held by videoconference. The event was attended by CCP International Department (CCP/ID) Head Song Tao (宋涛), Mauritania Union for the Republic leader and First Deputy Speaker Mohamed Ahamdy Ahamdy, Yemen General People's Congress member and Deputy Speaker of the Yemen House of Representatives Mohammed al-Shadadi and young members of the ruling parties of 17 Arab countries, political organizations, media and think tanks, and embassies to China.
5.24 Song Tao spoke at the opening of a webinar for cadres of the CCP and Nicaragua’s Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN). Member of the FSLN’s national council and Speaker of the National Assembly of Nicaragua Gustavo Porras Cortés also spoke at the event.
5.25 The Mwalimu Julius Nyerere Leadership School, based in Tanzania and founded by six southern African political parties, held an annual seminar for young and middle-aged cadres. Song Tao and Secretary-General of Tanzania’s Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party Daniel Chongolo spoke at the opening of the seminar.
5.25 CCP/ID Deputy Head Chen Zhou (陈洲) held a video conference with former Prime Minister of Madagascar and Silk Road Think Tank Association advisory board member Norbert Ratsirahonana.
5.25 CCP/ID Deputy Head Guo Yezhou (郭业洲) presided over a video conference activity on “The CCP in the New Era” with General Secretary of the Communist Party of Britain (CPB) Robert Griffiths, chair of the Communist Party of Great Britain (Marxist–Leninist) Ella Rule, General Secretary of the New Communist Party of Britain Andy Brooks, editors of the “Friends of Socialist China” website Keith Bennett and Carlos Martinez, and Young Communist League (YCL) representative Jacob Maseyk.
5.26 Song Tao met via video conference with Cyprus’ Democratic Rally (DISY) party chair Averof Neofytou.
5.27 CCP/ID Deputy Head Shen Beili (沈蓓莉) met via video conference with Communist Party of Chile (PCCh) President Guillermo Teillier.