- Admin
Weekly Report 4|88 9.17.22-9.23.22
Highlights
A People’s Daily article by “Zhong Zuwen” (仲祖文), a homophonous pen name referring to the Party’s Organization Department, covered newly revised “Regulations on Promoting Leadership Abilities of Cadres Moving Up or Moving Down.” (See Propaganda Work section)
A Zhong Sheng (钟声) commentary in People’s Daily discussed the legacy of Japan’s abandoned chemical weapons left in China from World War II, calling on Japan to do more in cleanup efforts. (See Propaganda Work section)
Politburo Standing Committee Member and Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee Chair Wang Yang (汪洋) met with new leaders of the China Islamic Association (中国伊斯兰教协会). (See United Front Work section)
Senior Leaders
Huang Kunming: Unify Ideology and Condense Strength, Warm Hearts to Inspire Fighting Spirit, and Unceasingly Forge a New Situation for the Ideological and Political Work of the New Era
9.20 Politburo Member, Propaganda Department Head, and Party History Study and Education Central Leading Group Head Huang Kunming (黄坤明) delivered a speech at the 10th Members’ Convention (第十次会员代表大会) of the Chinese Society of Ideological and Political Work (中国思想政治工作研究会). Huang emphasized that since the 18th Party Congress, under the “robust leadership of the Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, ideological and political work across the whole Party and society has been deepened and carried out.” Huang emphasized that the “main issue and line have become more distinct, system-building has steadily improved, and vehicles and tools [for ideological and political work] have exuded new colors.” Huang also stressed how such work has strengthened conviction and faith among the masses, enhanced societal cohesion, and made “important contributions” to achieving the tasks set for the Party and country. Huang emphasized that “on the new journey of doing a good job in ideological and political work,” it is important to “adhere to Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for the New Era as guidance.” It is also important to understand the “decisive significance” of the “two establishes” (两个确立). Huang stated the importance of innovation and focusing on unifying ideology (统一思想), in addition to “unceasingly forging a new situation for ideological and political work in the new era.” It is important to strengthen ideological guidance (思想引领), combine the resolution of “ideological problems and practical problems,” encourage the masses and cadres to work hard, advance bravely, unite to struggle and overcome difficulties (团结奋斗), and struggle to “write a new chapter in comprehensively constructing a modern socialist country.” The meeting, held both virtually and in-person, approved the work report from the 9th Members’ Convention, approved the revised constitution of the Chinese Society of Ideological and Political Work, and also saw the election of a new governing body. Representatives from relevant departments in Party and state organs, in addition to department heads and ministers from various provinces, cities, and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (新疆生产建设兵团党委), attended the meeting.
Propaganda Work
Zhong Sheng: The Japanese Side Should Correct Its Approach [and] Eliminate Leftover Japanese Weapons and Toxins as Soon as Possible
People's Daily
9.19 A Zhong Sheng (钟声) commentary in People’s Daily discussed the legacy of Japan’s abandoned chemical weapons (ACW) left in China during World War II, noting the 15 September virtual “visit” to China of a delegation from the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPC) and its Director-General Fernando Arias to discuss progress on destroying these ACWs. The commentary said that during the war, Japan had used a large quantity of chemical weapons and attempted to conceal them through burying them or dumping them into waterways. ACWs have been discovered in over 120 sites in China, with the largest cache discovered in the Ha’erbaling (哈尔巴岭) area of Jilin Province, the focus of the OPC’s virtual visit. After praising the Chinese government’s cleanup efforts, and use of negotiations and “political, legal, and public opinion” pressure against Japan to gain its assistance in this work, the commentary claimed that Japan’s failure to completely destroy ACWs by a 2007 deadline set by the Chemical Weapons Convention was the result of insufficient willpower on the Japanese side. It stated that Japan had been inexplicably slow in cleanup efforts this year and had failed to clarify how many ACWs remain in China and where they may be found, thereby allowing continued soil pollution. Noting the 50th anniversary of the normalization of China-Japan relations, the commentary suggested that this could be a turning point for the two nations in summarizing the past and creating a new future. It stated that the ACW issue is a testing ground for whether Japan can “correctly view history” and a touchstone for whether Japan can truly contribute to regional peace, stability, and development. It called on Japan to recognize the futility of attempts to evade the issue, stressing that China would never abandon the issue and that international pressure on Japan would only increase if it continued to delay properly addressing it. Stating that an early resolution to the issue and a chemical weapons-free world is the “common cry of the international community,” the commentary concluded that Japan should show the “political will to bear its international duty, [show] the political courage to set right its historical crimes, [and] practically increase its investment to cleanly, completely, and comprehensively remove Japanese ACWs and toxins as soon as possible.”
Zhong Zuwen: Encouraging Cadres to Refresh their Spirit and Walk the New Road to the Examination
People’s Daily
9.20 A People’s Daily article by “Zhong Zuwen” (仲祖文), a homophonous pen name referring to the Party’s Organization Department, covered newly revised “Regulations on Promoting Leadership Abilities of Cadres Moving Up or Moving Down” (推进领导干部能上能下规定, hereafter “Regulations”) by the General Office of the Central Committee. The article states that the Regulations adhere to “Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism in the New Era as guidance,” and “implement the standard for good cadres in the new era.” The new Regulations aim to ensure that capable cadres are moved up, that excellent cadres are rewarded, and those that are underperforming are moved down or alleviated of their duties. The article emphasized that the key to strict governance of the Party is the strict governance of officials, and that Xi Jinping has emphasized that cadres should be beholden to “high standards and strict requirements.” The article noted that in the past seven years, there have been “breakthrough improvements (突破性进展) in the issue of resolving problems related to cadres.” Of late however, the world has undergone “profound changes unseen in a century,” and the country is “on a new journey” of “building a comprehensively socialist and modernized country.” It is necessary to “confront risks and challenges” and “solve dilemmas and problems” that are more acute than those seen in the past. Therefore, it is necessary to construct strong leadership teams, bolster the spirit of cadres, and through “metabolizing the old into the new” (新陈代谢), maintain “vitality and healthy organizational performance.” The article emphasized that there are still areas where improvement is needed. This includes insufficient political capabilities (政治能力), and a lack in political judgment (政治判断力), political perception (政治领悟力), and political administration (政治执行力) abilities. The article also states that some cadres are “passive, muddling along, not thinking; some have only mediocre capabilities; some do not have clear thought processes, do not seek quick success, and are foolhardy and confused.” The article emphasized that if these cadres are allowed to “lie idle” and “occupy positions while doing nothing,” that it will “bungle (贻误) the development of the Party and nation’s undertakings.” These new regulations focus on mitigating and solving these issues. The article proceeded to highlight that the “law by itself is insufficient to create self-motivation,” and that the “vitality of the legal system” is in its implementation. All Party committees and groups, in addition to personnel departments, must implement and advance “leadership cadres moving up and moving down.” Lastly, the article also emphasized that it is important not to “use one stick to kill” (一棍子打死) cadres, and that educational management should be bolstered to guide cadres. The article asserted that those who perform well and work assiduously should continue their roles and be given promotional opportunities and additional tasks to promote desire and energy among cadres.
PLA Daily Commentator: Seize New Victory in Deepening Reform of National Defense and the Military
9.22 A PLA Daily Commentator Article discussed the “important directives” issued by Xi Jinping the previous day at a conference on national defense and military reform, which praised accomplishments in military reform since the 18th Party Congress, explained the importance of launching a new phase of military reform, and promoted mobilization for said reform. The Commentator Article stated that amid the global revolution in military affairs and rapid changes in the form of military combat, carrying out total military and defense reform was a test for China, a necessary factor when considering its ability to win victories, a requirement for realizing the “China dream” (中国梦) and “strong army dream” (强军梦), and a key deciding factor in the military’s future. It said that throughout his time in office, Xi had focused on national rejuvenation, “holistically coordinated and planned military construction at a high level based on national interests, handled issues in military affairs at a high level of thought based on the political situation, and led the launch of the most wide-ranging and deep defense and military reforms since the founding of New China.” The Commentator Article praised the “unprecedented will and strength” of military reforms by Xi, the Central Committee, and the Central Military Commission which addressed many systemic and structural issues within the military and enabled it to make greater progress towards its goal of becoming a “world-class military.” It emphasized that as the military continues to advance and reform, it must also learn from accumulated historical and practical experience, staying guided by overall military goals and continuing to summarize and deepen ongoing reforms. The Commentator Article stated that reform is an ongoing process, with further reforms necessitated as various problems, contradictions, and tasks become increasingly complex over the course of the reform process. It said reform is currently at a “key transitional point” (承前启后的关节点): the military must on the one hand implement and consolidate existing tasks and accomplishments for reform, and on the other, strengthen follow-up planning for reforms and continue their advancement. It further stated that the modernized construction of defense and the military was in a critical phase, requiring adherence to Xi Jinping Thought on Strengthening the Military (习近平强军思想), closely following global trends in military development, continued modernization and development, a good grasp of new circumstances and tasks, a focus on preparations for and ability in fighting, and daring to innovate.
United Front Work
Wang Yang Meets New Leadership of the China Islamic Association
Xinhua
9.20 Politburo Standing Committee Member and Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee Chair Wang Yang (汪洋) met with new leaders of the China Islamic Association (中国伊斯兰教协会, hereafter Association) elected at its recent national congress. Secretary of the Central Secretariat and United Front Work Department Head You Quan (尤权) attended the meeting. In remarks, Wang emphasized that Islamic society (伊斯兰教界) should study and implement the spirit of the Central United Front Work Conference and National Religious Work Conference, understand Xi Jinping’s writings and speeches on religious work, implement the Party’s basic religious work program, take responsibility for the implementation of relevant Central Committee policies, closely unite “figures in Islamic society and Muslim members of the masses” around the Party-state, and contribute to “comprehensively building a modern socialist strong country” and realizing national rejuvenation. Wang stressed that the Association’s new leaders must “maintain the correct political orientation,” that the “political stance of listening to and obeying the Party (听党话、跟党走) cannot become vague at any time,” and “the patriotic, socialist banner must be held high at all times.” He called for the continued sinicization of Islam in China; using “core socialist values” for guidance; combining “[traditional] propriety with innovation”; doing tasks like preaching well; disseminating “our nation’s Islamic precepts such as patriotism, peace, and the middle path (中道)”; guiding Islamic society and believers to greater identification with “[our] great motherland, the Chinese nation (中华民族), Chinese culture, the Chinese Communist Party, and socialism with Chinese characteristics”; and promoting better adaptation of Islam to a socialist society. Wang also called for stronger self-regulation among the Islamic world; improving the Association’s organizational systems including the system for democratic supervision of its leadership; for leadership to be models of legal compliance, thrift, and piety; and resolution of “prominent issues influencing the healthy inheritance of Islam.” He said there was a need for “a corps of Islamic figures who are politically reliable, highly accomplished in religion, morally persuasive to the masses, and can play a role at critical times (关键时).”
Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference National Committee Holds Study Symposium on CCP Political Consultative Work; Wang Yang Presides and Delivers Speech
9.21 Politburo Standing Committee Member and Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee Chair Wang Yang (汪洋) presided over and delivered a speech at a CPPCC symposium on studying the “Regulations on [the] Political Consultative Work of [the] Chinese Communist Party” (中国共产党政治协商工作条例, hereafter known as the “Regulations”). In his remarks, Wang pointed out that these Regulations reflect the “strong leadership” of the Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core and the “high importance” the Central Committee places on political consultation work. Wang noted that these Regulations are the “basic principles” of effectively doing political consultation work, and it is important to strengthen the Party’s overall leadership, consolidate and develop the patriotic United Front, develop whole-process people’s democracy (全过程人民民主), and advance the modernization of national governance. He pointed out that it is necessary to “insist on gathering consensus through consultation (以协商聚共识) and solidarity through consensus (以共识固团结),” and “be good at transforming the Party’s propositions, lines, principles, and policies” into the “broad consensus of all parties, organizations, and people from all ethnic groups that participate in the CPPCC.” Wang emphasized that studying and implementing the Regulations are an “important political task” for the CPPCC; the CPPCC’s party group must assume the political responsibility of realizing the Chinese Communist Party’s leadership over the CPPCC’s political consultation work; and the CPPCC should focus on making “various consultation symposia” the norm. He noted that the structural arrangement of political consultation is to “ensure that key consultation and regular consultations complement each other,” and promote the “mutual advancement of practical work and system improvement.”
Party Discipline
Initial Verdict Announced for Former Deputy Director of Social and Legal Affairs Committee of the CPPCC National Committee Fu Zhenghua for Receipt of Bribes and Bending the Law for Private Gain
Xinhua 9.22 Changchun Intermediate People’s Court issued a suspended death sentence to former Social and Legal Affairs Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Congress (CPPCC) National Committee deputy director, Minister of Justice, and Ministry of Public Security deputy minister Fu Zhenghua (傅政华) for receiving bribes and bending the law for private gain (徇私枉法). Fu’s death sentence can be commuted after two years to a life sentence without parole. Fu was also sentenced to the deprivation of his political rights and the expropriation of all assets and illegally-gained financial interests. According to his trial, from 2005 to 2021, Fu used his positions in the Beijing Public Security department, Ministry of Public Security, Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission, Ministry of Justice, and CPPCC Social and Legal Affairs Committee to provide favorable treatment for individuals and businesses, in exchange for assets worth a total of 117 million RMB. As Beijing Public Security Chief from 2014 to 2015, he reportedly helped conceal clues in an investigation into his brother, Fu Weihua (付卫华), shielding him from prosecution. Explaining the verdict, the court emphasized the seriousness of his offenses, but also noted that Fu had fully confessed and assisted in investigations of his case and other major corruption cases. Initial Verdict Announced for Former Deputy Minister of Public Security Sun Lijun for Receipt of Bribes, Market Manipulation, and Illegal Possession of a Gun
Central Commission for Discipline Inspection 9.23 Changchun Intermediate People’s Court also issued a suspended death sentence to former Ministry of Public Security party group member and deputy minister Sun Lijun (孙力军) for receiving bribes, manipulating financial markets, and illegally possessing a gun. Sun’s death sentence can also be commuted after two years to a life sentence without parole. Sun was also sentenced to the deprivation of his political rights, expropriation of all assets and illegally-gained financial interests, and a 1 million RMB fine. According to his trial, from 2001 to 2020, Sun used his positions in Shanghai government departments and the Ministry of Public Security to provide favorable treatment for individuals and businesses, in exchange for assets worth a total of 646 million RMB. Sun also reportedly led a stock trading scheme that affected market prices and trading volume to prevent associates from suffering financial losses. Finally, Sun reportedly owned two guns in violation of regulations on firearms. As in Fu’s case, the court emphasized the seriousness of his offenses, but noted that Sun had fully confessed and assisted in investigations of his case and other major corruption cases.
Central Military Commission
The “Most Beautiful” Advanced Deeds by Retired Soldiers in 2022
9.21 The Propaganda Department of the Central Committee (中央宣传部), the Ministry of Veterans Affairs (退役军人事务部), and the Political Work Department of the Central Military Commission (中央军委政治工作部) released a list of 2022’s “most beautiful” advanced deeds carried out by retired troops. The goals of the awards include supporting study of Xi Jinping’s important discussions on work related to retired troops, bolstering ideological and political guidance for retired troops, promulgating their stories, and continuing to stimulate their sense of “honor, responsibility, and mission.” Among the retired troops recognized for their deeds are those who are disabled, those who are striving for self improvement, those who are self-reliant, and those who have contributed to innovative development and new models for entrepreneurship. Many have also “served the masses” (服务群众) from a grassroots perspective. These retired troops carry on the “glorious tradition” (光荣传统) and “fine style” of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), and “continue to struggle and forge ahead.” These troops “are able to make extraordinary achievements” from their positions, fully demonstrating that despite their de-commission they have not “faded.” They will “forever” demonstrate their “loyal qualities” (忠诚品格) in following the Party and commitment to the “patriotic struggle” (爱国奋斗). Representatives from the Propaganda Department of the Central Committee, Ministry of Veterans Affairs, and Political Work Department of the Central Military Commission issued the recognized retired troops certificates.
International Liaison Work
9.16 CCP International Department (CCP/ID) Deputy Head Shen Beili (沈蓓莉) attended and delivered a speech at the opening ceremony of an online training class for cadres of Bolivia’s Movement for Socialism-Political Instrument for the Sovereignty of the Peoples.
9.20 CCP/ID Deputy Head Guo Yezhou (郭业洲) attended the opening ceremony of a training class for cadres of the Cambodian People’s Party.
9.20 CCP/ID Assistant Head Zhu Rui (朱锐) attended and delivered a speech at the opening ceremony of a training class for cadres of Tunisia’s People’s Movement.
9.23 CCP/ID Head Liu Jianchao (刘建超) held a group discussion with diplomatic envoys from various Arab countries.
9.23 CCP/ID Deputy Head Chen Zhou (陈洲) attended the opening ceremony of a seminar celebrating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and the Maldives.