- Admin
Weekly Report 4|9 12.12.2020-12.18.2020
Highlights
The Politburo met for a year-end meeting to review economic and disciplinary work for 2020 (see Senior Leaders section).
Senior Leaders
Xi Jinping Presides Over Politburo Meeting in Beijing
12.11 Xi Jinping presided over a year-end Politburo meeting intended to analyze and study economic work in 2021, listen to the work report of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Supervision Commission, and review new “Regulations on Local Organizations Election Work of the Communist Party of China.”
The body put forth that this year was an extraordinary year in the history of New China. In the face of severe challenges, the CCP “maintained strategic determination, accurately judged the situation, carefully planned and deployed, acted decisively, worked hard, and responded in a way that satisfied the people and attracted global attention.” Decisive results were achieved in the “three tough battles” (against poverty, pollution, and financial risks), major progress was achieved in scientific and technological innovation, new breakthroughs were achieved in reform and opening up, and the people’s livelihood was “strongly guaranteed.”
The Politburo also said that next year will be an important year in the country’s modernization drive and that “doing economic work well” is of great significance. In order to do this well, the Party must be guided by Xi Jinping Thought, fully implement the spirit of the 19th Party Congress and the second, third, fourth, and fifth plenums, adhere to the new development concept, and deepen supply side structural reform in order to ensure a good start to the 14th Five Year Plan.
On the subject of discipline and inspection work, the Politburo said that it must also be guided by Xi Jinping thought and implement the spirit of the 19th Party Congress and subsequent plenums. “Strict governance of the Party” must continue in order to provide a strong guarantee for the building of a modern socialist nation.
The Politburo declared that the new “Regulations on Local Organizations Election Work of the Communist Party of China”--a series of major arrangements to standardize and improve the intra-party election system--are crucial to improving the Party’s governing ability. The Politburo called on the Party to persist in developing intra-party democracy
Xi Jinping at CCP Politburo’s 26th Collective Study Session: Adhere to Systematic Thinking to Construct a Grand Security Structure, Provide Strong Safeguards to Build a Modern Socialist Country
12.11 Xi Jinping presided over the CCP Politburo’s 26th Collective Study Session and emphasized the importance of national security work. He stated that such work is “very important to the Party to govern the country and to safeguard peace and prosperity.” He gave a speech in which he briefly summarized national security-related successes since the founding of “New China” and issued 10 requirements for implementing the national security concept:
Adhere to the Party’s “absolute leadership” in national security work, strengthen coordination, and implement a system of responsibility at all levels of Party committees and organizations.
Adhere to the path of national security with Chinese characteristics, adhere to the “organic integration” of political security, people’s security, and the supremacy of national interests.
Adhere to the aim of people’s security because everything depends on the people, and from beginning to end view the people as the foundational strength of national security.
Adhere to the overall plan of development and security, raise the strength of national security through development, and deepen the advancement of national security thinking, system, and means of innovation.
Adhere to placing political security at the most important position, and safeguard regime security and system security.
Adhere to the overall plan of promoting every area’s security and use the “toolbox” of national security policies well.
Adhere to moving the prevention and resolution of national security risks to a prominent position and raise risk prediction and anticipation capabilities.
Adhere to carrying forward international joint security, hold high the banner of cooperation, innovation, the rule of law, and mutual profitability, and strengthen international security cooperation.
Adhere to the modernization of the national security system and capabilities, strengthen rule of law thinking, and increase the use of science and technology to safeguard the capabilities of national security.
Adhere to strengthening the construction of a national security cadre team, strengthen party building on the national security front, and adhere to political construction as the guide to build an indestructible national security cadre team.
The Politburo and State Council Hold National Memorial Ceremony for the Victims of Nanjing Massacre
12.14 The Politburo and State Council jointly hosted the 2020 memorial ceremony for victims of the Nanjing Massacre held at the Memorial Hall in Nanjing. Organization Department Head Chen Xi (陈希) delivered a speech remembering those massacred by the “brutal” Japanese invaders and the sacrifices of revolutionary martyrs and national heroes for the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japan. Chen Xi emphasized the linkage between the unstoppable forward progress of history and the Communist Party’s leadership in achieving targets throughout time, such as solving the 1,000 year problem of poverty and the impending building of a modern socialist country. Chen Xi then proceeded to pay homage to Xi Jinping’s leadership at the convergence of 200 years of history with an unprecedented attitude and unimpeded spirit to create a new great cause for the new journey of building a modern socialist country.
3,000 people that attended the ceremony, including: Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress Shen Yueyue (沈跃跃), Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Zheng Jianbang (郑建邦), Director of the Political Work Department of the Military Commission Miao Hua (苗华), and representatives of relevant departments, military groups, industries, and family members.
Xi Jinping: Jointly Shoulder the Responsibilities of the Era, Jointly Promote Global Development
12.15 CCP theoretical journal Qiushi published an article by Xi Jinping titled “Jointly Shoulder the Responsibilities of the Era, Jointly Promote Global Development,” which focused on economic globalization. The essay emphasized that economic globalization “provided strong motivation for economic growth, promoted the flow of goods and capital, progress in science and technology and civilization, and contact with people of every country.” It pointed out that the global economy is in a difficult position and noted three contradictions that have not yet been resolved: insufficient energy in the economic sphere’s global growth, sluggish global economic governance, and an imbalance in global development. The essay proposed four actions. First, adhere to innovation to drive and create a rich and vigorous growth model. Second, adhere to coordination and linkage to create an open win-win cooperation model. Third, keep up with the times to create a just and reasonable governance model. Fourth, adhere to fairness and inclusivity to create a balanced, universal, and benevolent development model. The essay highlighted the CCP’s focus on putting people’s interests first and emphasized that “China’s development is an opportunity for the world” that people from every country could benefit from freely. The essay concluded by stating, “Let us show confidence, take action, and forge ahead hand in hand toward the future!”
Thorough Study and Implement Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization, Unremittingly Pursue Doing Good Work Supervising Central Ecological and Environmental Protection
12.16 Politburo Standing Committee member and Central Ecological and Environmental Protection Supervision Work Leading Small Group leader Han Zheng (韩正) presided over a meeting of the Central Ecological and Environmental Protection Supervision Work Leading Small Group on 15 December. He pointed out that “Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization is an important component of Xi Jinping’s Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era” and stated that it is important to improve ecological and environmental protection work’s scientific nature and validity. He also said that there should be “zero tolerance” for conduct that damages the ecological environment. Han emphasized that it is important to unremittingly pursue doing good work supervising central ecological and environmental protection in order to promote high quality development. He also mentioned the importance of adhering to supervision in accordance with laws and regulations, improving the system and standardization of supervision, and “solemnly deal[ing] with false reforms and committing crimes against the law.” Members of the leading small group and relevant individuals from the Central Supervision Office of Ecological and Environmental Protection attended the meeting.
Propaganda Work
Xi Jinping’s Important Statements on Coordinating Epidemic Control and Prevention Work with Economic Development Published in English
12.14 The CCP’s Central Compilation and Translation Press announced the publication of Xi Jinping’s Important Statements on Coordinating Epidemic Control and Prevention Work with Economic Development in English. The work includes 43 important manuscripts from Xi with notes and explanations to help foreign readers deepen their understanding of Xi’s thoughts regarding putting people’s health and safety first and developing a “health community.” The readings also contain an explanation of how the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core united and led the successful response of the Chinese people against the coronavirus and hastened an economic recovery. The article concludes it is of great significance for the international community to correctly understand the huge advantages of the Chinese system and deeply understand the rich connotations of building a community with a shared future for mankind.
United Front Work
Central Committee Seeks Opinions and Suggestions on Economic Work from Non-party Figures
12.11 The CCP Central Committee held a forum to listen to opinions and suggestions from the central committees of China’s democratic parties, non-party members, and the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce on the current and future economic situation. The representatives all agreed to promote the construction of smart cities and carbon neutral goals, improve top-level design of innovation in science and technology, and guide private enterprises to participate in rural revitalization and the digital economy.
Xi Jinping gave an “important speech” in which he thanked the attendees for their work on effectively implementing policies of the Central Committee regarding promoting reform and innovation, improved governance, and economic development. Xi Jinping also said that the level of civilization in society has recently improved, and mentioned the recent progress in the construction of ecological civilization. As a result, the people's livelihood has reached a new level, and the efficiency of national governance has been improved.
Xi put forward three “hopes” for the attendees:
First, that everyone will raise awareness and earnestly study the spirit of the Fifth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee to broadly build consensus among all parties in constructing a modern socialist country.
Second, that everyone will unify their thinking with the 14th Five Year Plan, specifically for next year’s economic development.
Third, that everyone will strengthen guidance, build consensus, and create a good atmosphere to start the new journey of building a modern socialist country.
Xi Jinping concludes that the contributed wisdom and strength to promote China’s economic and social development is reflected in the people’s thoughts, desires, and assisting the government and party in resolving contradictions, building consensus, and concentrating on handling one’s own affairs.
International Liaison Work
12.14 International Department Head Song Tao (宋涛) and Deputy Head Guo Yezhou (郭业洲) held a video exchange on “deepening cooperation and jointly seeking development” with leaders from the Vanua'aku Pati (VP/Our Land Party) and members of the Ni-Vanuatu Government and Parliament. Other participants included Chinese Ambassador to Vanuatu Zhou Haicheng (周海成), officials from the Shenzhen Municipal Party Committee and Shenzhen Municipal People’s Government, and VP President and Ni-Vanuatu Prime Minister Bob Loughman.
12.14 Song Tao delivered a keynote speech at and Guo Yezhou, who is also co-chair of the Silk Road Think Tank Association (SRTA), presided over a SRTA-held video seminar on “China’s new development pattern and high-quality joint building of the ‘Belt and Road.’” Other keynote speakers included former Egyptian Prime Minister Essam Sharaf, former Tanzanian Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda, former Bosnian and Herzegovinian Council of Ministers Chairman Zlatko Lagumdžija, former Australian Prime Minister and Asia Society Policy Institute President Kevin Rudd, former Thai National Assembly President Bhokin Bhalakula, and former Malaysian House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Ong Tee Keat (翁诗杰). Participants included over 30 experts and scholars from Chinese and foreign think tanks.
12.16 International Department Deputy Head Qian Hongshan (钱洪山) held a videoconference with GERB (Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria) Administrative Secretary Tsvetomir Paunov.
12.17 Guo Yezhou met with British Ambassador to China Caroline Wilson.
12.17 International Department Deputy Head Shen Beili (沈蓓莉) held a videoconference with Uruguayan National Party President Pablo Iturralde. Other participants included Chinese Ambassador to Uruguay Wang Gang (王刚) and Uruguayan Ambassador to China Fernando Lugris.
Organization Work
12.15 Chen Xiaojiang (陈小江) was appointed secretary of the State Ethnic Affairs Commission’s Party group.
12.16 Ren Zhengxiao (任正晓) was appointed deputy secretary of the Central Party and State Organs Work Committee.
12.17 Zhou Jian (周舰) was appointed deputy secretary of China Ordnance Industries Group Corporation’s (Norinco) Party group.
12.17 He Shengqiang (何胜强) was appointed of deputy general manager of Aviation Industry Corporation of China.