Weekly Report 4|81 7.30.22-8.5.22
Highlights
Xi Jinping attended and delivered a speech at the Central Conference on United Front Work, which marked the 100th anniversary of the Party’s united front policy. (See Senior Leaders section)
A People’s Daily Commentator Article condemned US Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi for visiting Taiwan and defended China’s countermeasures. (See Propaganda Work section)
PLA Daily began a series of Jun Sheng commentaries on Speaker Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan, condemning “US anti-China politicians” and the “DPP authorities.” (See Propaganda Work section)
Senior Leaders
Xi Jinping: Promote the United Struggle of the Sons and Daughters of China at Home and Abroad, Gather Great Forces for the Great Rejuvenation of the Chinese Nation
7.29-30 Xi Jinping attended and delivered a speech at the Central Conference on United Front Work, which marked the 100th anniversary of the Party’s united front policy. In his speech, Xi emphasized adhering to the correct direction of the development of the patriotic United Front and accurately grasping the historical orientation of the United Front in the new era. He pointed out that the United Front is an “important part” of the Party’s general line and general policy, and has “played an important role” in different historical periods of China’s revolution, construction, and reform. After commending united front work that has been accomplished so far in the new era, Xi noted that the Party has a number of important steps to take: they must give full play to the important “magic weapon” (法宝) of the United Front; solve the problems of “people’s hearts and strength”; “correctly handle the relationship” between consistency and diversity; adhere to the development and improvement of China’s new political party system; focus on building a “consciousness of Chinese communal [identity]” (中华民族共同体意识) as the main line of the Party’s ethnic work; adhere to the sinicization of China’s religions; do a good job in united front work for non-Party intellectuals and people from new social strata; promote the healthy development of the private economy and private individuals; and give full play to the role of Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, and overseas united front work to “win over people’s hearts.” He further stressed that united front work is important for uniting all Chinese people at home and abroad, and must be maintained for a long time. Whether or not the people support or oppose the Party (人心向背) and the balance of power are the “keys to determining the success or failure of the cause of the Party and the people” and the “greatest politics.” Xi emphasized that the key of united front work is to insist on “seeking common ground while reserving differences” (求同存异), carrying forward the tradition of “unity-criticism-unity” (团结－批评－团结), finding the “greatest common divisor,” and “drawing the greatest concentric circles.” He called for ensuring the Party’s leadership over united front work, which he stated is the “work of the whole Party” and should be taken seriously by the whole Party.
Xi acknowledged that the United Front is “facing major changes” in the world, and so the evolution of the united front is becoming more important in safeguarding national sovereignty, security, and development interests. United front work has also become “even more important” in the work of comprehensively building a modern socialist nation, realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation (中华民族伟大复兴), and expanding the Party’s “class foundation” (阶级基础) and “mass foundation” (群众基础). In order to promote the “great unity of the sons and daughters of China,” the Party must “grasp the relationship between sticking to the center and expanding consensus,” as well as “constantly increasing consensus” so as to “truly unite all Chinese people of different parties, nationalities, classes, groups, beliefs, and social systems.” Xi then highlighted some achievements and major events of united front work and called for actions including strengthening the “building of overseas patriotic forces,” cultivating and expanding the strength of knowledge and friendship between China and other countries, promoting mutual learning between Chinese and foreign cultures and civilizations, striving to do a good job in united front work on the internet, and following the “Internet mass line” (网络群众路线). Lastly, Xi emphasized that united front cadres should “strive to improve their political judgment (判断力), political perception (领悟力), and political administration (执行力) abilities,” pay attention to the “art of work” (工作艺术), and show a good image of united front departments and cadres.
State Council Premier and Politburo Standing Committee Member Li Keqiang (李克强) presided over the meeting; Politburo Standing Committee Members Li Zhanshu (栗战书), Wang Huning (王沪宁), Zhao Leji (赵乐际), Han Zheng (韩正), and Wang Yang (汪洋), other Politburo members, National People’s Congress Standing Committee members, state councilors, and the Supreme People’s Court president also attended.
Propaganda Work
Unite Thoughts and Actions with the Spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s Important Speech
7.31 A Qiushi Commentator Article covered a speech Xi Jinping delivered at a provincial and ministry-level seminar on “Studying [the] Spirit of Xi Jinping’s Important Speeches and Welcoming the 20th People’s Congress.” Xi’s speech covered his views on the domestic and international situation, the Party’s work and achievements over the past five years, “great changes seen in ten years of the new era,” and the development of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Xi emphasized that the upcoming 20th Party Congress is being held at a “key time in the new journey of comprehensively building a modern socialist nation.” He stressed that the Congress will declare key goals for the Party like “what road the [Party] will take” and “what kind of objectives it will move towards” and would have “very important significance for uniting and inspiring all people and ethnic groups of the entire nation to struggle to seize new victory for socialism with Chinese characteristics.” The Qiushi commentary lauded Xi’s speech, stating that the “entire Party must deeply study and comprehend the spirit of the speech, deeply understand the “two establishes” (两个确立) and “maintain General Secretary Xi Jinping’s core position (核心地位) on the Central Committee and in the entire Party.” It stated that “the world is undergoing changes unseen in a century,” that China’s development faces “risks and challenges that must be addressed,” and the “problems that need solutions are more complex than before.” The commentary then discusses six areas covered by Xi’s speech.
First, the commentary lauds the “brilliant achievements” of the last ten years since the 18th Party Congress. The commentary emphasized the importance of “strengthening the overall leadership of the Party” while achieving several objectives. These include “focusing on the fight against poverty,” “maintaining social stability,” “strongly promoting the modernization of national defense and the military,” “resolutely maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait,” and “practicing major country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics.” The country also celebrated the Party’s 100th anniversary and the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China (PRC). The commentary then discussed achievements in pandemic control, before highlighting its success in consolidating “comprehensive governance” of Hong Kong. Second, the commentary noted that in the past ten years, the Central Committee with Xi Jinping at its core has “achieved breakthrough progress” and overcome several “long-term problems.” Under Xi’s leadership, China has “strengthened its confidence, faced challenges, fought battle after battle, and overcome a series of challenges.” It is now “closer and more capable of achieving the objective of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation than at any other point of time in history.” Third, the commentary emphasized the importance of further studying, understanding, and implementing Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for the New Era. It stated that the Party has “consistently promoted and been guided by Marxism,” and praises the integration between Marxist ideas and Chinese cultural idiosyncrasies within Xi Jinping thought. Fourth, the commentary emphasized the importance of modernization in the pursuit of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. The commentary emphasized that China must “firmly grasp the fate of China’s development in its own hands,” and stressed that the next five years are crucial for China in its “second century of struggle.” Fifth, the commentary emphasized promoting comprehensive and strict governance over the Party. Lauding the achievements made in party governance, the commentary also stated that “past events have cautioned us to never relax in the task of party management.” Lastly, the commentary emphasized the importance of closeness with the Chinese people. It stated that the “entire Party should wholeheartedly and single-mindedly uphold its basic objective of serving the people, reflect the views held by the masses, implement the mass line,” and otherwise maintain closeness to the people. It emphasized the necessity of publicizing and studying Xi’s speech as a “primary political task” (首要政治任务) and called for welcoming the 20th Party Congress with great successes.
People’s Daily Editorial: Provide Stronger Strategic Support for the Great Rejuvenation of the Chinese Nation
8.1 People’s Daily published an editorial (社论) commemorating the 95th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). The editorial began by stating that since its inception, the PLA has “devoted itself to the liberation and happiness of the Chinese nation” and become a “powerful force (强大力量) for maintaining peace in the region and the world.” The editorial proceeded to emphasize the importance of a robust military, stating that in order to “persist in and develop socialism with Chinese characteristics, and to realize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation (中华民族伟大复兴),” there must be a concerted effort to “plan overall for development and security and having both a rich country and strong military, ensure that modernization of national defense and the military is consistent with modernization nationwide, and that military capabilities correspond with the country’s strategic demands.” The editorial highlighted the objective of creating a “world-class military for the new era” and “military strategies for the new era.” It said that since the 18th Party Congress, the Central Committee had “issued a new series of strategic plans (战略谋划) and deployments (部署) that will accelerate modernization of national defense and the military.” The editorial praised recent strides made by the PLA under Party leadership, stating that the military has undergone “comprehensive, revolutionary re-shaping” and that it has successfully “defended the country’s sovereignty, security, and development interests with its staunch spirit of struggle and practical actions.” It then praised the PLA’s “historic achievement (历史性成就)” in strengthening of the military’s connection to industry. The most important reason for these successes is the “strong leadership of the Central Committee with Xi Jinping at its core and the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Strengthening the Military.” The editorial emphasized the importance of adhering to the “Party’s absolute leadership over the people’s army and marching bravely forward in a direction guided by the Party.” The editorial then cited the words of Xi Jinping, emphasizing that it is necessary “to put national defense and military construction in a more important position, and to accelerate construction of a comprehensive national defense and strong military.” The editorial stated, “today, we are closer to the objective of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation compared to any time in history” and that “there has never been a time in history during which it has been more necessary to build a strong people’s army.” The editorial asserted that the PLA will “always focus on war preparedness and warfighting,” and create “strong troops with ironclad thoughts, ironclad beliefs, and ironclad discipline.” It concluded by stating that the PLA should persist in the direction identified by Xi Jinping’s Thoughts on Socialism for the New Era, deeply understand the “two establishes” (两个确立), 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).
People’s Daily Commentator: Strengthen Party Leadership Over United Front Work
8.3 A People’s Daily Commentator Article discussed a speech delivered by Xi Jinping at the Central Conference on United Work (中央统战工作会议). The article stressed that “since the 18th Party Congress, the Central Committee with Xi Jinping at its core has placed a high degree of comprehensive and strategic importance on united front (统一战线)work.” It also noted that the Sixth Plenum of the 19th Party Congress produced a “detailed summarization of ten lines of historical experience from the Party’s past one hundred years of struggle, and that ‘persistence in the united front’ is one of them.” It referred to Xi’s statement that “the United Front is an important ‘magical weapon’ (法宝)” that the Party can use to achieve “victory over enemies” and “the country’s rejuvenation.” The commentary stated that “persisting in Party leadership is the most basic and core issue for the United Front,” and that “policies implemented and measures adopted” in united front work must “maintain and consolidate the Party’s leadership and governing position.” The commentary emphasized that it is “a necessity to deeply recognize that the United Front is no small thing,” and that “united front work involves primarily relations outside the Party.” Party committees and groups at all levels must place united front work as an important priority, and leaders of Party committees and organizations must also take a leading role in studying and implementing the “theories, policies, and laws of the United Front.” The commentary then emphasized that the “work of democratic parties, intellectuals outside of the party, private sector workers in the economy, ethnic work, religious work, Hong Kong and Macao work, Taiwan work, and overseas Chinese affairs are all an important part of united front work.” The commentary then stated that there should be “serious studying and implementation of important requests put out by General Secretary Xi Jinping.” All united front work departments must work assiduously to “elevate political judgment, perception, and administration; stress the art of work; improve work methods; and depict a favorable image of the united front work department and united front cadres.” The commentary emphasized that “today, we are closer to, more confident in, and more capable of achieving the objective of national rejuvenation compared to any point in time.” The commentary proceeded to affirm the need to deeply comprehend the meaning of the “two establishes” (两个确立), 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).”
People’s Daily Commentator: The Chinese Government and Chinese People’s Will to Realize the Reunification of the Motherland Is Rock Solid
8.3 A People’s Daily Commentator Article condemned US Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi for visiting Taiwan, defended China’s countermeasures, and claimed that the “US side and ‘Taiwan independence’ splittist forces” bear responsibility for the consequences. The Commentator Article noted the China-US Joint Communiques’ language regarding the one-China principle and ending official US-Taiwan contact. It then claimed that as Congress is a part of the US government and Pelosi is the “number three person” in the US government, she should scrupulously adhere to the one-China policy and commitments made by the United States. It said China had historically opposed the visits of US members of Congress to Taiwan and believed that the executive branch had a responsibility to prevent such visits. It said the international community would now see more clearly who was truly changing the status quo in the Taiwan Strait, damaging US-China relations, harming regional peace and stability, and damaging the international order.
The Commentator Article described Pelosi’s visit as “yet another dangerous act of the US side distorting and hollowing-out the one-China principle,” saying that the United States had recently repeatedly made incorrect remarks and actions on the Taiwan issue and continually upgraded its level of official contact with Taiwan. It said that “the US side ultimately gave the green light to Pelosi’s seriously wrong conduct” in spite of warnings of the risks from within the US government, many US public figures in the media, knowledgeable persons of the international community, and countries in the region. This showed the United States’ true goals are to “play the ‘Taiwan card’”(打‘台湾牌’), “use Taiwan to contain China” (以台制华), and “contain China’s development.” The Commentator Article stressed the importance of the one-China principle in China’s relationships with all countries, that China would not permit actions “crossing the [red] line,” and that the “Taiwan issue” is a “core interest” of China and the “most important, most sensitive core issue” in the US-China relationship. Highlighting the Chinese people’s will to defend sovereignty and territorial integrity, the commentary said, “The Chinese side long ago solemnly declared that if the US side obstinately clings to its course, [China] will inevitably adopt forceful measures to thwart any external forces’ interference and ‘Taiwan independence’ splittist plots. The Chinese people do as they say (说到做到).” The Commentator Article then condemned the “[Democratic Progressive Party, DPP] authorities” for supposedly disregarding the interests of the Chinese nation (中华民族) and the wellbeing of the people of Taiwan by being a “pawn” of foreign forces, thereby “fully exposing their dangerous attempt to ‘rely on the US to seek independence’ (倚美谋独).” It warned that Taiwan independence posed the greatest obstacle to reunification and a danger to national rejuvenation, but that in the face of the historic trend towards reunification, such attempts were bound to fail. The Commentator Article concluded, “Public opinion cannot be opposed, the major trend [of history] cannot be reversed. The motherland must be reunited, and inevitably will be reunited.”
PLA Daily Commentator: Firmly Defend National Sovereignty and Territorial Integrity
8.3 PLA Daily published a Commentator Article regarding Speaker Pelosi’s visit. After condemning the visit, it stated, “The PLA is on high alert and will conduct a series of targeted military operations to impose countermeasures (反制), staunchly defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and staunchly thwart foreign forces’ interference and ‘Taiwan independence’ splittist plots.” The Commentator Article reiterated the one-China principle and claimed that the principle has secured widespread global consensus, adding that no one could change the “historical and legal fact that both sides of the Strait belong to one China,” nor the “natural feeling of blood being thicker than water and solidarity against outsiders” and the “national identity” (民族认同) shared by people across the Strait. The commentary condemned recent trends of higher-level official contact in US-Taiwan relations. It stated that Pelosi’s visit was equivalent to the United States “breaking faith and abandoning right” (背信弃义) on the “four nots and one no intention” (四不一无意), referring to the PRC’s summary of US claims that it “does not seek a ‘new Cold War,’ does not seek to change China's institutions, does not seek to strengthen alliances against China, does not support ‘Taiwan independence,’ and has no intention of confrontation with China.” It said, "The provocation of US-Taiwan collusion came first, and the Chinese side’s legitimate defense came after. Any countermeasures adopted by the Chinese side are legitimate, valid, and necessary.” In conclusion, the Commentator Article said that defending sovereignty and territorial integrity was the “sacred mission” of the PLA; that the PLA is always ready and able to fight; and that the PLA has the will, faith, and ability to thwart all foreign forces’ interference, “thwart all ‘Taiwan independence’ splittist plots,” and defend the peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait. It stated that then-upcoming military exercises in the waters around Taiwan were “a solemn deterrent against the United States’ recent major escalation in [its] negative acts on the Taiwan issue and a serious warning against ‘Taiwan independence’ forces’ ‘independence’-seeking conduct. The entire military’s officers and soldiers stand ready for battle (严阵以待), will fight given the order, and will not disgrace their mission; [they have] made full preparations to respond to any kind of complex and difficult situation at a moment’s notice, guaranteeing that that they will come if they are summoned, they will fight if they come, and they will win if they fight.”
Jun Sheng Series: On Pelosi Scutting to Visit Taiwan
PLA Daily began a series of Jun Sheng (均声) commentaries on Speaker Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan.
3 August’s commentary, titled “Public Opinion Cannot Be Violated, Playing with Fire Will Inevitably [Result in] Burning Oneself,” accused Pelosi of playing “the Taiwan card,” thereby exposing the “sinister motives” of the United States. It claimed that “some US officials expressed on multiple occasions” the “four nots and one no intention,” but it was now clear that “some US politicians say one thing and mean another,” “say one thing and do something else,” and continually issue “shocks” to the bilateral government and military relationship with incorrect, provocative words and deeds. The commentary said that Pelosi’s visit was another example of US politicians “using Taiwan to contain China” and emboldening Taiwan independence forces. It stressed China’s opposition to trends in US-Taiwan relations, and defended the necessity of military operations to counter this trend. The commentary then claimed the importance of Taiwan to China and all Chinese people, and the Party Central Committee and Chinese government’s concern for the wellbeing of “Taiwan compatriots,” in contrast to the “US anti-China politicians, who can even ignore their own citizens dying while mismanaging the coronavirus pandemic, making it hard to believe they could truly care about the safety of the Taiwan people whom they take as a ‘card’ to expend.” Addressing these US politicians and the “DPP authorities,” the commentary stressed China’s resolve and emphasized the PLA’s capabilities and unwillingness to tolerate “Taiwan independence” and foreign interference.
4 August’s commentary, titled “An Event of Selfish and Menacing Political Farce,” asserted that Pelosi “used the Taiwan card to improve sentiment before elections, to concoct a political legacy, and to seek personal gain.” It stated that her family members are “Capitol Hill stock gods” (国会山股神) who “use their power to turn profits” (借权谋利). The commentary noted that former Prime Minister of Australia Paul Keating and Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien-loong had voiced their concerns regarding the trip, but that “politicians such as Pelosi with selfish motives (私欲膨胀) do not listen to criticism or advice.” The commentary stated that US politicians have “frequently intervened in the issues of Hong Kong and Xinjiang and blatantly interfered in China’s internal affairs” for the purpose of “containing China’s development and to fish for political capital for themselves.” The commentary concluded that they “cannot stop the historical trend of a strong China, the national rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, and cross-Strait re-unification,” and that “in the end, they will nail themselves to a historical pillar of shame.”
5 August’s commentary, titled “Relying on the United States is a Dream, Independence is a Dead End,” stated that Speaker Pelosi’s trip “fully reveals [Taiwan’s President] Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) and the DPP’s reliance on foreign powers, links with external forces that sow chaos, and willingness to be a chess piece.” The commentary then stated that “the People’s Liberation Army Eastern Theater Command is conducting multi-service air and sea [exercises] around Taiwan island” that feature “precision-guided weapons” as part of “deterrence against US-Taiwan collusion.” The commentary criticized Tsai’s administration for its “refusal to acknowledge the 1992 consensus, wanton attacks on ‘One Country, Two Systems,’ and pushing of de-Sinicization on the island.” According to the commentary, Tsai and the DPP have also “suppressed rational voices on the island calling for peaceful development and re-unification.” Through “relying on the United States to seek independence,” Tsai and the DPP will “pay a price harder and harder to bear” and be vilified in Chinese history. The commentary concluded by stating that “protecting national sovereignty and territorial integrity is the unshirkable responsibility of every descendant of the Yan and Yellow Emperors,” and that any “countermeasures” China adopts are “legitimate and necessary.”
Zhong Sheng: The United States’ Sinister Plot of “Using Xinjiang to Contain China” Will Not Succeed
People’s Daily published the final installments of a Zhong Sheng (钟声) series that sharply criticized the United States and its policies towards Xinjiang, accusing it of “using Xinjiang to contain China” through unilateral tariffs in an attempt to create “forced decoupling” (强迫脱钩).
2 August’s commentary, titled “Unilateral Sanctions Undermine the Stability of the Global Industrial Chain and Supply Chain,” criticized the United States’ use of unilateral sanctions on Chinese enterprises and personnel in Xinjiang, accusing the US of “trying to separate Xinjiang from the global supply chain” and create “forced decoupling” (强迫脱钩). It claimed that the US’ “real intention” is to “suppress Xinjiang’s advantageous industries” and thereby “undermine Xinjiang’s peace, stability, and prosperous development.” Condemning the effects on Xinjiang’s photovoltaic industry, the commentary then quoted “relevant US business people” and US media outlets who criticized the sanctions and claimed that these sanctions will affect the realization of the US government’s renewable energy goals and domestic photovoltaic industry development. Lastly, claiming that Xinjiang’s cotton is “snow-white” and its solar energy is “clean” while US’ intentions to “concoct evil laws” are “dark and dirty,” the commentary reiterated its claim that the US is “maliciously creating ‘forced decoupling’” and disrupting the normal supply of products, which will “only drag down global economic recovery.”
The 4 August commentary, titled “The United States is the Most Severely Affected by Forced Labor,” highlighted the United States’ history of slavery and forced labor. It began by calling the United States a “country of origin, transit, and destination of forced labor” with a “history infused with the blood, tears, and lives of slaves,” which is “concocting outrageous lies” to smear other countries, particularly through the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act. The commentary stated that no matter how the US attacks other countries, the US is “shrouded in the specter of slavery and racism” and is the true “disaster zone of forced labor” (强迫劳动的重灾区). It then quoted the Business Review at Berkeley as stating that slavery was “deeply intertwined with the US’ history,” and quoted the University of Denver’s website as revealing there are at least 500,000 people living under “a system of modern slavery” and forced labor in the US, most of whom are people of color. The commentary then claimed that the US government acts as a “direct promoter of forced labor,” and US prisons are “tantamount to modern slave factories.” Lastly, it called for the US to “make up for its ‘human rights deficit’ (人权赤字),” as using human rights to “contain and suppress the development of other countries” will only make the US fall into the “human rights trap” (人权陷阱).
International Liaison Work
8.3 International Department Deputy Head Qian Hongshan (钱洪山) met with the outgoing Ambassador to the PRC from Portugal, José Augusto Duarte.
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