Weekly Report 4|90 10.1.22-10.7.22
Highlights
State Council Premier Li Keqiang (李克强) delivered a speech at the State Council’s reception celebrating the 73rd anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. (See Senior Leaders section)
Qiushi published an Editorial (社论) celebrating the convening of the 20th Party Congress, reviewing major achievements since the 18th Party Congress, lauding Xi Jinping’s achievements, and calling for continued adherence to Xi Jinping’s leadership. (See Propaganda Work section)
People’s Daily published a series of He Yin (和音) commentaries on “major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics” (中国特色大国外交) and China’s international role in the “new era” since the 18th Party Congress. (See Propaganda Work section)
Senior Leaders
Commemorating the 73rd Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China: State Council Organizes National Day Reception
9.30 The State Council held a reception to mark the 73rd anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China (PRC). During the reception, State Council Premier Li Keqiang (李克强) delivered a speech. Li emphasized that under Party leadership, the Chinese people have been successful in overcoming several challenges and achieving progress in national development. He emphasized the importance of the upcoming 20th Party Congress, and asserted that this year has been “abnormal” in the course of China’s overall development. Li stated that because of the Party’s leadership with “Xi Jinping at the core,” the country continues to “forge ahead” despite facing an increasingly “complex and severe domestic and international situation.” The entire country is determined to adhere to the concept of “seeking progress while maintaining stability (稳中求进), completely, accurately, and comprehensively implementing the new development concept (新发展理念), establishing a new development pattern, promoting high-quality development” and “persisting in pandemic prevention and control” in addition to “socioeconomic development.” Li also emphasized successfully implementing macroeconomic policies, increasing economic vigor and momentum through continued reform and opening up (改革开放), maintaining price stability, and actively responding to natural disasters. Li emphasized that in order to achieve long-term stability in the economy it is important to focus on fundamental economic issues. This includes prioritizing economic, employment, and price stability, implementing an innovation-driven development strategy, coordinating the development of both rural and urban areas, and promoting “rural revitalization” (乡村振兴).Li emphasized that there are still many economic challenges the nation will have to confront, and that despite this, “we have faith in our ability to ensure the continued operation of the economy in a reasonable interval.” He also stressed that China will continue following “a reform direction” in the socialist market economy and that it will persist in the “two unswervings” (两个毫不动摇), expand market entities, create a business environment of ruling by law, promote external opening, stabilize foreign trade and investment, and deepen bilateral economic cooperation with other countries. Furthermore, China will continue emphasizing people’s livelihoods and do a good job in areas such as “education, healthcare, elderly care, and housing.” Li proceeded to discuss the importance of “completely and accurately implementing” concepts such as “One Country, Two Systems” (一国两制), “Hong Kongers governing Hong Kong” (港人治港), and “Macau people governing Macau” (澳人治澳) in addition to integrating Hong Kong and Macau into the “overall development of the country.” Furthermore, Li stated that it is necessary to adhere to the one-China principle and “1992 Consensus” (九二共识), “firmly oppose ‘Taiwan independence’ splittist activity and external interference,” promote peaceful integrated development of cross-strait relations, forge a unified motherland together, and accomplish the “historical task of national rejuvenation.” Lastly, Li said it is important to use Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as a guide to building a strong, modern socialist country and realizing the “Chinese dream” of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese people.
Politburo Standing Committee Member and State Council Vice Premier Han Zheng (韩正) presided over the reception. Politburo Standing Committee Members General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平), National People’s Congress Standing Committee Chair Li Zhanshu (栗战书), Chinese People’s Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee Chair Wang Yang (汪洋), Secretary of the Central Secretariat Wang Huning (王沪宁), and Central Committee for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) Head Zhao Leji (赵乐际), were also present. Other prominent figures in attendance included Vice-President Wang Qishan (王岐山), the President and Chief Justice of the Supreme People’s Court Zhou Qiang (周强), and various members of the Central Military Commission, among others.
General Offices of the Central Committee and State Council Issue “Opinions on Strengthening Construction of a Highly-Skilled Talent Corps in the New Era”
10.7 The General Offices of the Central Committee and State Council issued a set of Opinions on improving a body of highly-skilled talent (高技能人才队伍) and a notice calling for all local governments and departments to implement these opinions. Ideological requirements of the Opinions include following the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and Xi’s important thoughts on talent work, fulfilling the Party’s needs according to the new development concept and talent strategies, and creating a system of talent work “led by Party committees, directed by government, supported by policy, comprised of enterprises, and participated in by society.” Goals of the Opinions include improving the system for high-quality talent before the end of the 14th Five-Year Plan in 2025; creating a “social atmosphere” more respectful of skills and labor; improving standardization, quality, institutions, and stable income for talent; and having skilled workers (技能人才) make up over 30% of the workforce, high-skilled talent make up ⅓ of skilled workers, and highly-skilled talent from eastern provinces make up 35% of skilled workers. More specifically, the Opinions call for improving the system of talent cultivation through policies coordinating enterprises, schools, government, and society; creating a “new model” of highly skilled talent with “Chinese characteristics,” such as through school-enterprise cooperative training; focusing on strategically significant fields and major projects where there is a lack of qualified high-skilled talent; making better use of vocational schools; and optimizing resources and services for talent training. The Opinions also describe creating systems for improving the employment, distribution, and retention of talent; a standardized “skill level system” and “diversified evaluation mechanism” for skilled workers; systems for incentivizing and rewarding highly-skilled talent, including through awarding commendations and by increasing or encouraging their participation in management, Party-state representative bodies, and mass organizations; and organizational improvements and policies to support the implementation of these systems.
Propaganda Work
Qiushi Editorial: Advancing Toward the Second Centenary Goal of Comprehensively Building a Strong, Modern Socialist Country
9.30 Qiushi published an Editorial (社论) celebrating the convening of the 20th Party Congress, reviewing major achievements since the 18th Party Congress, lauding Xi Jinping’s achievements, and calling for continued adherence to Xi Jinping’s leadership. The Editorial began by trumpeting calls to action surrounding the second centenary goal of comprehensively building a strong, modern socialist country, calling on its readers to witness the “unstoppable great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation in the new era” and the “magnificent picture” of new China, the new era, and the new journey. Reviewing China’s achievements since 1973, the Editorial noted that while in old China, “not a single car, plane, tank, or tractor could be built,” China now has all industrial categories listed in the United Nations International Standard Industrial Classification of All Economic Activities (ISIC). It further noted that while old China was “poor and weak,” the China of the new era has achieved the first centenary goal of comprehensively establishing a moderately prosperous society (全面建成小康社会), with a per-capita GDP of more than US$12,000, and an overall GDP of more than 110 trillion RMB. The Editorial then reviewed some major achievements since the 18th Party Congress, when Xi Jinping “took over the baton of history, raised the flag, steered the helm, and led socialism with Chinese characteristics into a new era,” such as the creation of the “two establishes” (两个确立).
Looking forward to the 20th Party Congress, the Editorial pointed to Xi Jinping’s speech at a seminar for ministerial and provincial-level cadres on “Studying [the] Spirit of Xi Jinping’s Important Speeches and Welcoming the 20th Party Congress” where he put forward a series of “groundbreaking new ideas, new judgments, and new requirements” and laid an “important political, ideological, and theoretical foundation” for the opening of the 20th Party Congress, which “fully reflects the original intention of the CCP.” The Editorial lauded a number of actions of the Central Committee, declaring them to be “milestones” (里程牌) in the history of the Party, reform and opening up, socialist development, and the development of the Chinese nation. It extolled the Central Committee’s strengthening of the Party’s overall leadership and self-governance, “leading the great social revolution with great self-revolution (自我革命),” and leading the Chinese nation to usher in a “great leap (伟大飞跃) from standing up (站起来) and becoming rich (富起来) to becoming strong (强起来).”It then proclaimed that with China “increasingly approaching” the center of the world stage, “no force can shake the position of the great motherland, and no force can stop the Chinese people from realizing their dreams.” The Editorial further declared that the realization of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation has entered an “irreversible historical process,” and China is now “closer to the goal of this great rejuvenation than at any time in history,” and is “more confident and capable of achieving this goal than at any time in history.”
The Editorial reaffirmed Xi Jinping’s position as the core of the Central Committee and the core of the whole Party, stating that his status as the core of the Party is the “call of the times, the choice of history, and the will of the people”; “reflects the common aspiration of the whole Party, the army, and the people of all ethnic groups in the country”; and possesses “decisive significance” (决定性意义) regarding the historical process of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation (中华民族伟大复兴). In closing, the Editorial stated that the next five years will be a “critical period” (关键时期) for the start of comprehensively building a modern socialist country, and will be crucial to realizing the second centenary goal.
People’s Daily Editorial: Unswervingly Advance the Historic Process of the Great Rejuvenation of the Chinese Nation
10.1 People’s Daily published an Editorial (社论) to mark the anniversary of the PRC’s founding, the upcoming 20th Party Congress, and progress towards the “great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.” Reflecting on the previous year, the Editorial praised the entire nation’s staunch faith and unified struggle, under the leadership of the Central Committee with Xi Jinping as the core and in the face of domestic and international challenges, to successfully combine pandemic prevention and control with socioeconomic development. It noted accomplishments including the Party’s November 2021 Resolution on party history, the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics and Paralympics, and the celebration of the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong’s “return to the motherland.” The Editorial then discussed the “new era of socialism with Chinese characteristics” China entered “starting at the 18th Party Congress” when Xi took office. It said that in that time, the Party and state had faced extraordinary challenges, but responded effectively, made substantial progress, and accomplished historic achievements in the development of socialism with Chinese characteristics, “the history of the Party, of China, of reform and opening, of socialist development, of the development of the Chinese nation,” and of the process of national rejuvenation. It declared that the “fundamental reason” for such “historic accomplishments” and transformations was Xi Jinping’s position as “the Central Committee and entire Party’s core, steering a steady course at the helm (掌舵领航)” and the “scientific guidance” of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. The Editorial claimed that the “two establishes” affirming the core status of Xi and his ideology reflected the wishes of the entire Party, military, and all Chinese people, and held “decisive significance” for the Party, state, and national rejuvenation. Warning that national rejuvenation would require an ongoing and difficult “great struggle” (伟大斗争), the Editorial noted ongoing “increasingly prominent” changes in the world; the “new strategic opportunities, tasks, stages, requirements, and environment” facing China’s development; and the increased complexity of resolving risks, challenges, contradictions, and problems. The Editorial then emphasized avoiding slacking off or complacency in light of progress towards national rejuvenation, calling for unwavering determination, adherence to socialism with Chinese characteristics, “the mobilization of all positive factors that can be mobilized,” and “the unification of all forces that can be united.” It then discussed the upcoming 20th Party Congress, which it said held great importance for the “building a modern socialist country” and progress towards the second centenary goals. It said the Congress would set out an overview of its “two-step strategy for comprehensively constructing a strong, modern socialist nation” (全面建成社会主义现代化强国两步走战略安排), scientifically plan goals and overall policy for the next five years, and mobilize the people for the development of socialism with Chinese characteristics, construction of a modern socialist country, and for national rejuvenation. In conclusion, the Editorial called for uniting around “the Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core” and Xi’s ideology, recognition of the importance of the “two establishes,” and “strengthening the ‘four consciousnesses’ (四个意识), consolidating the ‘four confidences’ (四个自信), and achieving the ‘two defends’ (两个维护).”
He Yin: Major Country Diplomacy Forges Ahead
People’s Daily published a series of He Yin (和音) commentaries on “major country diplomacy” and China’s international role in the “new era” since the 18th Party Congress.
2 October’s commentary, “The Action Compass and Fundamental Principles of Chinese Diplomacy in the New Era,” discussed the Party’s various successes in its international work and new path of “major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics” (中国特色大国外交). The commentary praised “Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy” (习近平外交思想) for contributing “Chinese wisdom and the Chinese example (中国方案) for resolving the world’s important problems.” The commentary stated that in “building a community of shared future for humankind (人类命运共同体),” China has “given up the traditional thinking of the West that ‘a strong nation is bound to seek hegemony’ (国强必霸)” and instead espoused its own peaceful development path. It states that China has “actively promoted” a “new type of international relations.” The commentary stated how China’s championing of peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy, and freedom for all humankind has “superseded the historical constraints of so-called universal values.” The commentary noted, for example, how the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) abandons the “obsolete reasoning” of “zero-sum games”(零和博弈) and a “winner eats all” (赢者通吃) mentality. The commentary also noted that China has proposed the Global Security Initiative (GSI) and Global Development Initiative (GDI), and asserted that “China is a key force in maintaining world peace.” The commentary proceeded to highlight international support for China’s international work. It noted for example, how 149 countries and 32 international organizations have participated in the Belt and Road Initiative (一带一路, BRI), how over 100 countries and international organizations, including those in the UN, have supported the GDI, and how 70 countries have supported the GSI.
4 October’s commentary, “China’s International Influence, Appeal and Power to Shape Has Improved,” discussed how there has been a “deep adjustment in the international balance of power” in the modern world, and how “unilateralism, protectionism, hegemonism, and power politics” are “on the rise” threatening “world peace and development.” As the “world enters a period of turmoil and change” and as China confronts “unprecedented external risks and challenges,” the Central Committee with Xi Jinping as the core has coordinated a strategy for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and international diplomacy. The commentary highlighted how China “adheres to the path of peaceful development,” chooses negotiation over confrontation and partnerships over alliances, and noted that China has established different forms of partnership with over 110 countries and international organizations as China’s “circle of friends” expands and as its interactions with other countries reaches “new heights.” The commentary proceeded to note examples of how China contributes to world development, such as making the “important decision” to initiate the process of a free trade area for the Asia-Pacific during an unofficial APEC leaders meeting in Beijing and promoting various development initiatives at the G20 Hangzhou Summit. It also noted how China has created an “action plan” (行动计划) for “implementing the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,” supported the development of several African countries, and established the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), New Development Bank, and Silk Road Fund to facilitate “high-quality development” through the BRI. The commentary stated that China has also promoted various ecological issues such as addressing climate change, and pointed out that UN Secretary General António Guterres has commended China’s “long-term support for multilateralism” and promotion of international cooperation.
5 October’s commentary, “Jointly Promote the Great Process of Constructing a Community of Shared Future for all Humankind,” discussed China’s commitment to multilateralism and various country-to-country exchanges. The commentary stated that “China has advocated that each country and nation should jointly promote the construction of a new form of international relations,” and jointly “enjoy dignity, development results, and security guarantees.” In line with this, China has advanced several initiatives. At the global level, these include proposed initiatives that will see the construction of a “community of a shared future” (命运共同体) in areas such as cyberspace, health, nature, and the maritime domain. At the regional level, China has promoted a number of ‘shared futures’ with ASEAN, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), and African, Arab, and Latin American countries. Furthermore, China has proposed the BRI, GDI, and GSI. It noted that 60 countries have also joined the “Group of Friends of the Global Development Initiative.” Finally, the commentary provided concrete examples of the benefits associated with China’s overseas initiatives. It noted that activity in special economic zones in Cambodia has increased, more families in Pakistan have access to electricity and water, and that steel factories in Serbia have been revived. China’s cooperation with different parties to build various “shared futures” is thus “transforming people’s aspirations for a better life into reality.”
7 October’s commentary, “Firmly Walk and Do Not Deviate From the Path of Peaceful Development,” discussed how China has made a “strategic choice” to “adhere to peaceful development.” The commentary stated that China’s path is “different” from that taken by “traditional major powers,” and that its interactions with other countries are positive and mutually beneficial. The commentary described how China’s commitment to peaceful development is rooted in the history of Chinese civilization. It noted that historically, the Chinese people have suffered a hundred years of “aggression, humiliation, and plundering” at the hands of foreign powers. The Chinese people, however, did not adopt such predatory “bandit logic” (强盗逻辑) and have instead chosen to bolster their determination for maintaining peace. The commentary stated that since the founding of “new China, we have never actively provoked a conflict, never encroached on an inch of another country’s land, never waged a proxy war, and never participated in military blocs.” It said that China is the “major power with the best record for peace.” The commentary then elaborated on how China contributes to peaceful development, noting that it promotes cooperation in the Global South and various dialogues between states in the Global North and South. In accordance with the logic of “teaching someone how to fish” (授人以渔), China has also provided developing countries with “selfless assistance” in “a large amount of goods, materials, human capital, wisdom, and support.” It noted that China has created multinational financial institutions such as the AIIB and New Development Bank to bolster the “representation and voice” of developing markets and countries. The commentary proceeded to discuss how China contributes to international and regional security. It discussed how China’s no first-use policy when it comes to nuclear weapons, its “constructive” role in issues such as the Korean Peninsula and Afghanistan, its upholding of the UN as the “core of the international system,” and the GSI exemplify how China is a force for peace in the world. Lastly, the article discussed how China’s commitment to peaceful development also means “firmly defending the country’s core interests and bottom line” and engaging in “forceful counterattacks” (有力回击) against acts that “infringe” (侵犯) upon China’s “sovereignty, security, development interests, and national dignity (民族尊严).” When “confronting hegemonism (霸权主义) and power politics (强权政治),” only by “daring to struggle” (敢于斗争) can “peaceful development and the bottom line be protected.” Furthermore, only through “firmly upholding the chosen path and system of the Chinese people,” “forcefully disrupting external interference in China’s internal affairs,” and “firm countermeasures” (坚决反制) against “unilateral sanctions (单边制裁) and long-arm jurisdiction (长臂管辖)” can China “firmly defend the country and nation’s dignity” and “the legitimate interests of its enterprises and people.”
United Front Work
Wang Yang Presides Over and Speaks at CPPCC National Chairpersons’ Meeting, Meeting Decides on Date of 24th Standing Committee Meeting of 13th CPPCC National Committee
9.26 Politburo Standing Committee Member and Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee Chair Wang Yang (汪洋) presided over and spoke at the 78th Chairpersons’ Meeting of the 13th CPPCC National Committee, which decided to hold its 24th Standing Committee meeting from 31 October to 2 November. In his remarks, Wang emphasized that holding a standing committee meeting to “study, publicize, and implement the spirit of the 20th Party Congress” is an “important work arrangement” of the CPPCC National Committee, and this spirit must be used to “unify thoughts, forge consensus, gather positive energy, and boost ‘vigor, energy, and drive’ (精气神).” The meeting heard a series of committee presentations on promoting “democratic supervision” (民主监督) work of veterans’ policies; preventing and resolving arrears of small and medium-sized enterprises; improving living environments in rural areas; strengthening the “democratic supervision” of protecting “black soil” (黑土地); and promoting the integration of sports and education. The meeting also heard a special inspection report on the implementation of relevant systems to strengthen the construction of “specialized consultative mechanisms” since the 13th CPPCC National Committee, as well as a CPPCC National Committee report on “Research on Strengthening the Great Unity of Chinese Sons and Daughters” (加强中华儿女大团结研究). Lastly, the meeting decided to revoke Qian Lizhi’s (钱立志) 13th CPPCC National Committee membership, and submitted it to the 24th Standing Committee for ratification. Sixteen CPPCC National Committee Vice Chairs attended the meeting.
Party Discipline
Taking the Century[-Old] Great Party’s Self-Revolution to New Levels: A Summary of Accomplishments in Comprehensive and Strict Party Governance Since the 18th Party Congress
10.5 Xinhua published a retrospective on party discipline over the past ten years, saying that “the Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core pushed for comprehensive and strict party governance (全面从严治党) with unprecedented boldness and determination.” The article first emphasized political guidance and focusing on the “two defends” (两个维护; defending Xi’s core position in the Central Committee and entire Party, and defending the Central Committee’s authority and centralized, unified leadership) to strengthen political supervision, explaining that this would ensure the implementation of central policy deployments. Stating that political problems are often the underlying cause of corruption, it cited the recent cases against former Ministry of Public Security deputy minister Sun Lijun’s (孙力军) “political clique” as an example and emphasized that “political discipline” is “the most fundamental, important discipline.” The article noted that at the same time the Party stressed loyalty to leadership, it also introduced various measures focusing on democratic oversight, preventing the misuse of authority, ensuring responsibility and honesty, and addressing issues with work style like “formalism and bureaucratism” The article then discussed system-wide measures for party governance, emphasizing the importance of the Central Eight Regulations (八项规定) as the start of a national purification process, the high number of disciplinary measures meted out by the Party over the past decade, and the people’s hatred of corruption. As an example of the last point, it quoted a remark from a citizen on one of Xi’s inspection tours that Xi is “the nemesis (克星) of corruption and the lucky star (福星) of the nation’s people.” It stated that under Xi, disciplinary organs had been successful in catching “tigers,” “flies,” and “foxes,” referring to corrupt cadres who held posts in central organs, who were involved in more minor cases concerning the people’s wellbeing or work style, and who fled or moved assets overseas. Finally, the article discussed continued reform and improvement of party and state supervision systems. Noting the 2018 establishment of the National Supervisory Commission (NSC), it praised state and legislative anti-corruption institutions and measures, continued reforms to the NSC system, increasingly unified and centralized leadership over anti-corruption work from the Party center, and standardization of such work. However, it stated that anti-corruption work must now shift from “punishing the small minority” to “governing the vast majority” with an increasingly detailed and preventative focus. It praised innovations in central inspections since the 18th Party Congress, such as the use of “roving inspection tours” (“机动式”巡视), and praised the increased coverage and effectiveness created by the simultaneous use of different modes of supervision. In conclusion, the article stated that under central leadership, using Party governance as a “political guidance and guarantee” and improving the Party’s purity and unity, the Party can lead the people to continued victory.
International Liaison Work
9.30 CCP International Department (CCP/ID) Deputy Head Guo Yezhou (郭业洲) attended and delivered a speech at the closing ceremony of an online training class for cadres of the Communist Party of Vietnam.
Promote the High-Quality Development of the Party’s International Work in the New Era
10.1 CCP International Department Head Liu Jianchao (刘建超) authored an article in Qiushi about the Party’s international work in the new era. First, Liu discussed the importance of deeply studying and comprehending Xi Jinping’s important discussions on the Party’s international work. Xi pointed out that currently, China is “walking closer to the center of the world stage.” Liu emphasized the importance of elucidating the goals and mission of the Party’s external work, and outlined objectives set by Xi Jinping. These include fostering closer relations with political parties from other countries, sharing China’s experience in governance, and organizing more civilizational dialogues and exchanges. Liu also stated the importance of international work for providing a “window” for other countries to view the Party’s “positive image” (良好形象) and a “platform” that will enable leading Party cadres to “observe and research the world” and learn from the experiences of other countries. Additionally, Liu stated that it is necessary to strengthen strategic planning (战略谋划) and noted that Xi has pointed out how political parties in different countries should bolster mutual trust, communication, and cooperation with other parties. Liu also emphasized Xi’s remarks that “we do not ‘import’ foreign models,” but “we also do not ‘export’ the Chinese model or demand other countries ‘copy’ Chinese methods.” Second, Liu emphasized how the Party’s international work has improved and achieved more over time. He elaborated on the importance of “externalizing” the “two defends” (两个维护) and having a strong ideological and political consciousness. He noted relevant actions by Xi Jinping such as delivering speeches on the Party’s international work, maintaining close contact with leaders of other socialist parties, and attending and hosting major diplomatic events such as the G20 Civil Society Summit and Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) forums. Liu stressed that it is necessary to promulgate Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era on the international stage. He noted that China has organized 30 “external awareness groups” (对外宣讲团) that have operated in 100 countries and regions and organized publicity activities to improve other countries’ understanding of the CCP “novel theories, thoughts, and strategies.” Seminars have also been organized for this purpose, and cadres from political parties abroad have been invited to observe local Party meetings and grassroots events in China. He noted that such work has achieved results, citing an example of how on the Party’s 100th anniversary, more than 600 political parties from more than 170 countries sent congratulatory messages that extolled Xi Jinping’s leadership. Furthermore, Liu emphasized the importance of increasing the number of exchanges and events held with other Marxist and left-wing political parties in the world. Liu also outlined ways for the Party to maintain and expand engagement with political entities abroad, such as through existing “political party consultation mechanisms” (政党共商机制) for countries that are members of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Liu asserted that the mechanism has enabled China to share plans for pandemic prevention and control with over 400 political parties in 149 countries, as well as assist in the provision of medical equipment and technical support. Liu then discussed how the Party’s mandate for international work includes safeguarding the Party’s core interests and regime security. He noted that on issues such as Taiwan, Hong Kong, Xinjiang, and Tibet, among others, China’s sovereignty has been “smeared, slandered, and damaged” by select countries and a “small number of forces with hidden agendas.” He discussed however, how many external political parties, think-tanks, and organizations have criticized such behavior, citing more than 500 political parties from more than 150 countries that have criticized US Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi “scuttling to visit Taiwan” as an example.
Third, Liu discussed the importance of using Xi Jinping’s discussions on international work as a guide to “forge ahead in the new journey.” Liu emphasized the importance of “understanding the decisive significance of the two establishes” (两个确立), and firmly grasping the “three in one approach” (三位一体) of “organically integrating” the Party’s diplomacy, public diplomacy, and civil diplomacy. Ahead of the 20th Party Congress, it is important to promulgate the “story of the Chinese Communist Party in a new era, particularly Xi Jinping’s story to fully showcase [his] profound love for the people.” Liu then discussed the importance of exploring new paths to realize modernization, promote high-quality development, build a strong, modern socialist country, and realize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Finally, Liu wrote that it is important to “more closely unite around the Party Committee with Xi Jinping as the core,” “transform ideological power into a majestic driving force (磅礴动力) for the high-quality development of the Party’s international work,” and “use outstanding achievements to welcome the victorious opening of the 20th Party Congress.”
10.6 CCP/ID Head Liu Jianchao attended and delivered a speech at the opening ceremony of an “Ecology Policy and Sustainable Development Forum” organized by the United Russia Party.
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