- Admin
Weekly Report 4|75 6.4.22-6.10.22
Highlights
State Council Premier Li Keqiang conducted a visit to the Ministry of Transport and discussed issues related to domestic and international shipping, logistics, and the agricultural harvest. (See Senior Leaders section)
Xi Jinping conducted a visit to Sichuan, in which he delivered remarks on issues including earthquake recovery, agriculture, rural healthcare, traditional culture, ecological preservation, employment, and technology. (See Senior Leaders section)
A PLA Daily Commentator Article discussed the recent publication of the third installment of Xi Jinping on Strengthening and Revitalizing the Military, explaining its significance and methods for study. (See Propaganda Work section)
Senior Leaders
Han Zheng: Deepen Reform and Innovation, Promote High Quality Development, [and] Strive to Create a New Situation in the Comprehensive Revitalization of Old Industrial Bases in Northeast China
6.5-6 Politburo Standing Committee Member and State Council Vice Premier Han Zheng (韩正) inspected Shenyang, Liaoning, and Dalian, where he emphasized “unswervingly deepening reform and innovation, promoting high quality development, and striving to create a new situation in the comprehensive revitalization of old industrial bases in Northeast China.” During his visit to Liaoning, he commended the province for thoroughly implementing the spirit of Xi Jinping’s important speech and instructions on the revitalization of Northeast China and Liaoning, and then declared that the keys to the revitalization and development of Northeast China are to create a good rule-of-law environment, stimulate market vitality through reform and innovation, and realize the rejuvenation of state-owned assets and the common development of foreign and private capital. He emphasized attaching importance to, gathering, and making good use of talent; building various platforms for young people to find employment and start businesses; promote urban renewal while strengthening the protection and inheritance of history and culture; serving the “actual needs” of the masses and enriching cultural life; efficiently coordinating pandemic prevention and control with socioeconomic development; and making positive contributions to stabilizing the macroeconomic market. Han then traveled to companies in Shenyang and Dalian to conduct inspections, where he pointed out that the equipment manufacturing industry is “[the] country’s most important weapon (国之重器).” Han stressed continuing to promote the industrial base; making the equipment manufacturing industry bigger and stronger; deepening the reform of mixed ownership; improving the design of systems such as equity incentives; and enhancing the “vitality and power” of enterprise development. He further emphasized ensuring the security of industrial chains, supply chains, food, and energy; maintaining overall social stability; better serving the “real economy”; and playing a positive role in ensuring the supply and price of bulk commodities. Continuing his inspections at other Dalian enterprises and research institutes, Han emphasized it is necessary to “deeply implement the innovation-driven development strategy,” strengthen the main role of enterprises in innovation, continue to promote “key core technologies,” deepen the combination of production, education, research, and use; promote the transfer and transformation of scientific and technological achievements; and continuously create new industrial growth points.
Li Keqiang: Further Unblock Transportation and Logistics, Safeguard the Operation of Market Entities, Stabilize the Overall Economy
6.6 State Council Premier Li Keqiang (李克强) conducted a visit to the Ministry of Transport and presided over a discussion meeting. During his visit, Li learned about changes in freight shipment volumes and carried out video inspections of Chinese ports of entry, such as highways, shipping ports, and airports. Port officials told Li that “cargo output has recovered rapidly, although levels have not returned to normal.” Li urged officials to, at the same time as pandemic prevention and control work, unload the existing backload of shipments quickly, emphasizing the importance of trade to China’s economy by stating that “China’s trade volume in goods has consistently ranked first for five years.” Li asserted that “it is important to improve shipping standards and customs clearing capabilities not only to promote stability in the export market” and aid companies in fulfilling their orders but also to ensure the speedy entrance of imports and “stabilize the industrial supply chain” (产业链供应链). During the symposium, Li also held a video discussion with Chinese wheat farmers, emphasizing that more must be done to facilitate the efforts of agricultural machinery drivers (农机手) to ensure “smooth supply of grain during the summer. During his visit, Li also emphasized the importance of the Chinese logistics industry and truck drivers. Li named a number of policies that will be undertaken to support the logistics and transportation industry, stating that truck drivers for example can benefit from “tax refunds, deferred insurance premium payments, and delayed payment of interest on car loans” (留抵退税, 缓缴社保费、车贷延期). Li also promoted initiatives to improve the livelihoods of those in the civil aviation and railway industries including strengthening traffic safety practices. Ultimately, Li Keqiang promulgated that “transportation is the priority (先行官) for development.” He laid out a number of steps that could be taken to improve the performance of China’s transportation sector. These include “strengthening the construction of transportation infrastructure and modernized logistics systems,” improving efficiency in meeting targets and the project approval process, safeguarding land access, and “increasing long-term low-interest loan support.” Li stated that it is important to take measures like continuing reforms to delegate power, streamline administration, and optimize services (放管服) to create an internationalized, marketized, and rule-of-law-based business environment that will ultimately bolster China’s economic development.
Hu Chunhua: Oversee the Effective Combination of Consolidating and Expanding Achievements in the Tough Battle of Poverty Alleviation and Rural Revitalization Work
6.4-7 Between 4 June and 7 June Politburo Member and State Council Vice President Hu Chunhua (胡春华) conducted a visit to Xinjiang. His trip emphasized poverty alleviation efforts. Hu stated during his visit that it is necessary to “deeply implement the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s series of important instructions on effectively linking consolidating and expanding the achievements of the tough battle of poverty alleviation to rural revitalization work.”Hu visited several formerly-impoverished villages, enterprises, industrial parks, and relocated communities in Xinjiang, located in Zhaosu County (昭苏县), Tekes County (特克斯县), Yining County (伊宁县), Qapal Xibe County (察布查尔县), Bole City (博乐市), and Shihezi City (石河子市), to deeply understand “employment and income growth, the development of agriculture and animal husbandry, and rural construction.” Hu stressed that continued efforts to “expand achievements of poverty alleviation” are to “become the primary task for rural revitalization.” During his visit, Hu emphasized that the incomes of the masses must increase, that counties successful in poverty alleviation should be promoted as heading in the main direction (主攻方向), and that the development and income gap (收入差距) should be reduced to ensure a large-scale return to poverty (规模性返贫) is avoided. Hu emphasized officials should “focus on industry to promote rural development, steadily promote rural construction, and strengthen and improve rural governance.” Hu proceeded to note the development of ethnic minority areas in particular, promoting for example, “the common prosperity of all ethnic groups'' to “persistently forge a firm consciousness of Chinese communal [identity] (中华民族共同体意识).” During his visit, Hu inspected Horgos (霍尔果斯) and Alashankou Ports (阿拉山口口岸) to better understand their design and integrated free-trade zones (综合保税区), and visited the Horgos International Border Cooperation Center to monitor its construction.
Xi Jinping: Deeply Implement the New Development Concept to Drive Integration Into the New Development Pattern; On the New Voyage, Strive to Write a New Chapter of Sichuan’s Development
6.8 On 8 June, Xi Jinping conducted a visit to Sichuan. At the onset of his tour, Xi visited areas damaged by a recent earthquake of Ya’an, expressing care about the “the recovery of the injured and livelihoods of those affected in the disaster zone.” Xi stressed that the Sichuan Provincial Party Committee and provincial authorities must completely “provide treatment to victims, re-settle affected people, ensure continued provision of basic living supplies… [p]lan effectively for re-construction,” and ensure a return to normal life as soon as possible. Xi proceeded to inspect areas of Meishan City (眉山市) including Yongfeng Village (永丰村). First, Xi visited agricultural areas. While visiting, Xi stated that it is “necessary to strengthen widespread use of and technical training in modern agricultural technology, organize large grain producers [to] actively develop green, ecological, high-efficiency agriculture.” He added that “we have confidence that the Chinese people’s ‘rice bowl’ will remain firmly in Chinese hands.” Second, Xi visited a sewage treatment facility and the village health center in Yongfeng Village, where he stated that it is necessary to “strengthen the construction of the rural health system” and ensure “rural residents have basic medical care.” Third, Xi visited downtown Meishan, where three famous writers from the Northern Song (北宋) Dynasty lived. There, Xi emphasized that we should “respect China’s traditional culture and affirm confidence in our culture,” noting China’s “civilizational history of more than 5000 years.” Xi further emphasized that lessons from the “great achievements of the Chinese civilization” (优秀文明成果) should be absorbed, and warned that though China should not become “rigid and closed off,” it also should not “take foreign trends as the norm to measure against” (外国的东西为圭臬). Fourth, Xi visited Yibin City (宜宾市), a city built on water where several rivers including the Yangtze River meet. Xi stressed that “protecting the environment around the Yangtze River Basin is a prerequisite for promoting the high-quality development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt (长江经济带).” During his visit to Yibin, Xi also visited Yibin College, expressing care about “the situation of employment among college graduates.” He stressed that “the Central Committee places a high degree of importance on employment of college graduates” adding that it “has adopted a series of policies and measures,” Xi further underscored the importance overall employment measures like job resources (岗位资源) and career guidance services (就业指导服务). Following his college visit, Xi inspected XGIMI Optoelectronics Co., Ltd (极米光电有限公司). There, Xi engaged with employees, stressed the significance of promoting “technological innovation” (科技创新), and emphasized the importance of “accelerating” China’s “transformation into a manufacturing power” (制造强国转变) for comprehensively constructing a modern socialist country and realizing national rejuvenation. Xi also noted the need for a good economic, social, and political environment prior to the 20th Party Congress, and the importance of effectively planning both pandemic prevention and control and socioeconomic development. This will involve overcoming difficulties in the economic situation, protecting social stability, and persisting in a “dynamic zero” (动态清零) COVID policy.
Sichuan Province’s Party Committee Secretary Wang Xiaohui (王晓晖) and Governor Huang Qiang (黄强), Politburo Member and Director of the Central Organization Department Chen Xi (陈希), Politburo Member and Director of the General Office Ding Xuexing (丁薛祥), National Development and Reform Commission (NRDC) Head He Lifeng (何立峰), and Politburo Member and State Council Vice Premier Liu He (刘鹤) accompanied Xi on his inspection tour. On the morning of 9 June, Xi received military officials in Chengdu and extended his well-wishes to soldiers stationed in the Chengdu area. CMC Vice Chair Xu Qiliang (许其亮) was also present.
Propaganda Work
PLA Daily Commentator: Untiringly Persist in Arming the Entire Military with Xi Jinping Thought
6.8 A PLA Daily Commentator Article discussed the recent publication of the third installment of Xi Jinping on Strengthening and Revitalizing the Military, describing the book as important for the military’s understanding of the “two establishes” (两个确立) and “possessing extreme significance” for consolidating the guiding position of Xi Jinping Thought on Strengthening the Military (习近平强军思想) in national defense and the military. The Commentator Article praised the past installments for their accomplishments towards this goal and explained that the third installment consists of Xi’s important speeches, guidance, and letters from July 2019 to April 2022, demonstrating the newest results from the Sinification of Marxist military theory. It stressed the importance of strengthening the Party and military’s theoretical study and innovation amid “major historical junctures in the development of the Party’s affairs,” noting the upcoming 20th Party Congress. To ideologically prepare for this event, the entire Party and military must unite with Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era in ideology, will, and action. The Commentator Article said that all officers and soldiers must study the book and other “basic materials” including other major writings by Xi on national defense and the military since the 18th Party Congress, noting specific points to pay attention to such as the “major significance, rich content, spiritual essence and practical requirements” of Xi Jinping Thought on Strengthening the Military. Relevant study should combine theoretical studies with forging Party consciousness (党性), involve frequent review, resolve issues of ideological “master switches” (总开关) like soldiers’ worldviews and values, make ideological conviction and loyalty more firm, and make soldiers understand the importance of the “two establishes” in addition to “strengthening the ‘four consciousnesses’ (四个意识), consolidating the ‘four confidences’ (四个自信), [and] achieving the ‘two defends’ (两个维护),” and focus on practical applications, among other aspects. Ultimately, the results of transforming and improving study should aid in developing the quality of the military, effectively carrying out the military’s tasks for the new era, realizing the Party’s goals for strengthening the military, and transforming the People’s Liberation Army into a world-class military.
Jin Guanping: Create Favorable Conditions for Private Enterprises to Increase Capital and Expand Production
6.8 The Economic Daily published a Jin Guanping (金观平) commentary which called for stabilizing and expanding private investment. In response to increasing downward pressure on China’s economy, the commentary began by calling for putting stable growth in a more prominent position, giving full play to the “key role of investment,” and stabilizing investment and particularly private investment as the “main force” (主力军). It stated that the State Council had recently released the “Package of Policies and Measures for Solidly Stabilizing the Economy” (扎实稳住经济的一揽子政策措施, hereafter referred to as “the Package”), which “clearly called for stabilizing and expanding private investment.” The commentary noted that the private economy is an important part of China’s socialist market economy and plays an important part in stabilizing growth, promoting innovation, increasing employment, and improving people’s livelihoods. It further stated that private investment is seen as a “barometer” (晴雨表) of economic vitality, because private investment “accounts for [the] bulk of overall investment and is an important force in promoting China’s economic development.” It noted that the Central Committee and the State Council attach great importance to the private economy and private investment, and they “actively take measures” to support them. The commentary then listed examples of how the governments of Shanghai, Guangdong, and Beijing are stabilizing and expanding private investment, such as encouraging investment in municipal railways and new infrastructure. It stated that there are currently “many unstable and uncertain economic factors,” and so market entities are facing increased difficulties due to rising raw material costs, poor industrial and supply chains, and insufficient market demand. In order to increase confidence and reduce private businesses’ unwillingness to invest, the commentary called for all localities to conduct comprehensive screening and refinement of the policies included in the Package so that market entities “know and enjoy as much [about these policies] as they should” in order to “transform policy dividends into development effects as soon as possible.” The commentary further called for the creation of “stable, transparent, fair, and innovative institutional rules and business environment;” giving play to the role of major projects and government investment leveraging; promoting the healthy development of real estate investment trust funds in the infrastructure sector; revitalizing existing assets; and standardizing the promotion of public-private partnerships (政府社会资本合作).
United Front Work
Joint Conference of National Religious Groups Issues Proposal on Valuing Thrift and Abstaining from Extravagance
6.8 Several national religious organizations including China’s major Buddhist, Daoist, Muslim, Catholic, and Christian associations held a joint conference via video conference, led by the joint conference’s current chair and head of the Buddhist Association of China Yanjue (演觉), featuring remarks from United Front Work Department (UFWD) Deputy Head and recently-appointed director of the State Administration for Religious Affairs Cui Maohu (崔茂虎). The joint conference agreed that while “prominent issues” in the religious sphere had been successfully addressed in recent years due to stricter religious governance, there has recently been a “poor atmosphere” of materialism, making money off religion, and extravagance and waste, causing issues such as harm to the image of religious society and impediments to the Sinification of religion. The religious sphere should therefore launch educational activities on valuing thrift and abstaining from extravagance (崇俭戒奢), such as studying materials of traditional Chinese culture related to “diligence and frugality.” The conference issued a proposal emphasizing various virtues of thrift and opposing forms of extravagance.
Wang Yang Meets With Taiwanese Representatives Who Attended the “Joining Hands to Realize Dreams—Cross-Strait Compatriots Exchange Seminar”
6.9 Politburo Standing Committee Member and Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee Chair Wang Yang (汪洋) met with Taiwanese representatives who attended the second “Joining Hands to Realize Dreams—Cross-Strait Compatriots Exchange Seminar.” On behalf of the CCP Central Committee and General Secretary Xi Jinping, Wang congratulated the successful holding of the exchange and seminar, and also welcomed the Taiwanese representatives who came to participate in the event. Wang pointed out that the “Chinese dream” is “a dream shared by compatriots on both sides of the strait.” Together with relevant mainland Chinese experts and scholars, leaders and representatives from more than 20 Taiwanese political parties and organizations conducted discussions on the theme of “a new historical orientation and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation” to “seek national rejuvenation and discuss ideas for reunification.” Wang emphasized that Chinese civilization has a history of more than 5,000 years, and its development had been at a “world-leading level” for a long time. The realization of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation has a “profound historical background,” and under the guidance of Xi Jinping thought, the “strong guarantee” of the socialist system with Chinese characteristics, and the “material foundation” accumulated over more than 40 years of reform and opening, Wang claimed that the historical process of national rejuvenation has shown an “unprecedented bright future.” Although there will be difficulties, Wang declared that “no force can stop the Chinese nation’s sonorous steps towards rejuvenation.”
He then emphasized that the reunification of the motherland is a “historical trend and an inevitable requirement for realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation,” and China has the “strategic determination for peaceful reunification” and the “strong will to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity.” Wang stated that on the basis of the “1992 Consensus,” China is willing to “conduct extensive and in-depth democratic consultations with all parties, groups, and people in Taiwan on cross-strait relations and the future of the nation,” as well as “jointly promote the peaceful and integrated development of cross-strait relations.” He also emphasized the Chinese government’s willingness to “create favorable conditions for Taiwanese compatriots to go to the mainland for employment, entrepreneurship, and business.” He hoped that the majority of Taiwanese compatriots “will always stand on the right side of history, understand righteousness, speak up for what is right, act in accordance with righteousness, take a clear stand against ‘Taiwan independence’ (台独) and interference by external forces, and work together to advance the reunification of the motherland and realize the great historical cause of national rejuvenation.”
Taiwanese guests including former Kuomintang (KMT) Chair Hung Hsiu-chu (洪秀柱) also spoke at the event.
Party Discipline
Qinghai [Province] Uncovers and Thoroughly Investigates Corruption in the Sphere of Environmental Protection, Several Investigated for Using Position for Profit
6.6 On 6 June, the Qinghai Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection and Supervisory Commission (CDI-SC) held accountable four individuals suspected of corrupt activity, announcing the investigations as model cases in the environmental protection sphere. These cases involved “accepting bribes'' (收受贿赂) and “seeking benefits” (谋取利益) in return for the award of contracts for environmental projects, favorable environmental impact assessments, and permits for pollution emission. For example, Mi Zhanliang (米占良), the head of the Xinning Ecological Environment Bureau (西宁市生态环境局), illegally took RMB 1.04 million and USD $20,000 in return for favors in environmental project contracting (环保项目承揽) and project payments (工程款结算). Officials from the Qinghai Provincial CDI-SC noted that most leads in the investigation had come from petitioners’ reports, and stated that they would “thoroughly investigate collusion between officials and businesspeople, power-money transactions, and the usage of power for personal gain.” Investigators dispatched by the Central Committee conducted two rounds of inspection on environmental issues, and found 112 members and leading cadres that had to be “seriously held accountable” (已严肃问责). The provincial CDI-SC has increased communication with the province’s Department of Ecology and the Environment to “supervise” (监督) their activity. Thus far, 87% of “corrective tasks” (整改任务) set out for the Department have been completed. The Qinghai Provincial CDI-SC has “strengthened communication and coordination with functional departments,” bolstering “supervision and governance” to address “weaknesses in the field of environmental protection.” An official with the Commission stated that the “symptoms and root causes” (标本兼治) of corruption will be thoroughly investigated.
Central Military Commission
Retired Veterans’ Affairs Department Publishes Notice Issuing Deployments and Arrangements for Practically Doing Veterans’ Employment and Entrepreneurship Work Well
6.8 The Ministry of Veterans Affairs (退役军人事务部) issued a Notice Regarding Adopting Preferential Policies to Improve Employment and Entrepreneurship Among Veterans to help implement new measures released by the Central Committee and the State Council to stabilize the market economy and employment trends. The notice emphasizes the necessity of “deeply studying” (深刻学习) the recently promulgated 33 policies and measures in 6 areas by the State Council and implementing preferential policies for veteran employment and entrepreneurship, which will build a “solidly stable economy” (扎实稳住经济). The notice also emphasized “implementing the spirit of [7 May’s] national video conference on the employment of veteran graduates from vocational higher education institutions, offering deep guidance to veterans towards establishing the correct view of employment and careers, adjusting their expectations for employment, [and] guiding veterans towards suitable positions as quickly as possible.” Lastly, the notice stated that the social forces (社会力量), manifested in industry and business associations (行业协会商会) and industry mentorship program teams (就业创业导师团队), should be mobilized to “relieve obstacles faced by businesses owned by veterans.” Organizing “policy lecture halls” (政策大讲堂) and “face-to-face” service (服务面对面) events, in addition to connecting veteran-owned businesses to the industrial supply and capital chain, are examples of specific steps these entities can take to build a “one enterprise, one policy” (一企一策) or “one house, one case” (一户一案) mentality to support veteran-owned businesses and entrepreneurship.
International Liaison Work
6.7 CCP International Department (CCP/ID) Deputy Head Qian Hongshan (钱洪山) held a video call with Italian Parliament’s “Friends of China” Association Chair Maria Rizzotti. The meeting was attended by representatives of Italy’s Forza Italia, Democratic Party, and Five Star Movement parties.
6.8 CCP/ID Deputy Head Guo Yezhou (郭业洲) attended the opening ceremony of a webinar for young Cambodian People’s Party cadres.
6.8 CCP/ID Assistant Head Chen Zhou (陈洲) held a video dialogue with Vice President of the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) party and Vice Minister of International Trade and Industry of Malaysia Lim Ban Hong (林万锋).
6.8 Xi Jinping responded to a letter from students of a 25 May-1 June Mwalimu Julius Nyerere Leadership School seminar for young and middle-aged cadres of six southern African political parties.
Organization Work
6.7 Cui Maohu (崔茂虎) was appointed director of the State Administration for Religious Affairs.
6.7 Fu Hua (傅华) was appointed president of Xinhua news service.
6.7 Lü Yansong (吕岩松) was appointed editor-in-chief of Xinhua news service.
6.9 Xu Lin (徐麟) was appointed director of the National Radio and Television Administration.