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Weekly Report 5|10 3.4.23-3.10.23


Highlights


State Councilor Xiao Jie (肖捷) delivered an explanation of the State Council’s institutional reform plan at the first meeting of the 14th National People’s Congress (NPC). (See Senior Leaders section)


Xi Jinping visited and spoke to members of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce and the China National Democratic Construction Association who participated in the first session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and listened to their opinions and suggestions. (See Senior Leaders section)


Xi Jinping attended and spoke at the plenary meeting of the delegations of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and the People’s Armed Police (PAP) to the 14th National People’s Congress. (See Senior Leaders section)

 

Senior Leaders


Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, and Li Xi Attended and Participated in Discussions at First Meeting of the 14th CPPCC National Committee


3.6 Six members of the Politburo Standing Committee attended the first meeting of the 14th Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), where they participated in group discussions on state affairs. Politburo Standing Committee Member Li Qiang (李强) participated in the joint meeting of economic circles, where he noted that the past five years have been “extremely unusual and extraordinary” (极不寻常、极不平凡), and China has achieved “major achievements that have attracted worldwide attention.” He touted Xi Jinping thought and leadership for this success, and emphasized the need to adhere to the “two establishes” (两个确立), the “two defends” (两个确立), accelerate the construction of a high-level socialist market economic system, and promote high-level opening-up. Politburo Standing Committee Member Zhao Leji (赵乐际) participated in the committee meetings of the Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang, the Taiwan Self-Government League, and the All-China Federation of Taiwan Compatriots, where he noted that the next five years will be a critical period in comprehensively building a modern socialist country, and hoped the three groups will work together with the CCP to resolutely oppose “[Taiwanese] independence” (独) and unswervingly advance the great cause of the reunification of the motherland. Politburo Standing Committee Member Wang Huning (王沪宁) participated in a Party Committee meeting where he stressed the importance of the “two establishes” (两个确立), the “four consciousnesses” (四个意识), the “four confidences” (四个自信), the “two defends” (两个维护), continuously improving political judgment (判断力), political perception (领悟力), and political administration (执行力) abilities, and maintaining a high degree of consistency with the Party Central Committee with Xi Jinping as the core in terms of ideology, politics, and actions. Politburo Standing Committee Member Cai Qi (蔡奇) participated in group meeting with the China Association for Science and Technology and those from the science and technology sector, where he highlighted key achievements in coordinating pandemic prevention and socioeconomic development, winning the battle against poverty as scheduled, and comprehensively building a moderately prosperous society (全面建成小康社会). He stressed adhering to goal orientation, free exploration, and “walk[ing] on two legs” (两条腿走路), deepening the reform of the scientific and technological system, strengthening basic research and breakthroughs in frontier fields, and accelerating the realization of high-level scientific and technological self-reliance and self-strengthening (自立自强).


Politburo Standing Committee Member Ding Xuexiang (丁薛祥) participated in the joint meeting of environmental and resource committees, where he pointed out that since the 18th Party Congress China’s ecological civilization construction has undergone historic and comprehensive changes and has become one of the brightest chapters in the great transformation of the new era. He emphasized firmly establishing and practicing the concept that “clear waters and green mountains are gold and silver mountains,” accelerating the comprehensive green transformation of economic and social development, and actively promoting the achievement of carbon neutrality. Politburo Standing Committee Member Li Xi (李希) participated in the joint committee meeting of the China Association for Promoting Democracy and those from the press and publishing industry, where he emphasized the achievements of the CPPCC, implementing the new development concept (新发展理念), building a new development pattern (新发展格局), advancing high quality development, constantly upholding discipline and anti-corruption work, and providing a strong guarantee for the comprehensive construction of a modern socialist country. Politburo Member Shi Taifeng (石泰峰) also participated in discussions.



Xi Jinping Visits Members of the China National Democratic Construction Association and All-China Federation of Commerce Participating in the CPPCC and Emphasizes Correctly Guiding the Development of a Healthy Private Economy and High-Quality Development


3.7 Xi Jinping visited and spoke to members of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce and the China National Democratic Construction Association who participated in the first session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and listened to their opinions and suggestions. He emphasized that the Party Central Committee has always upheld the “two unswervings” (两个毫不动摇) and has treated private businesses and entrepreneurs like they are “our own people.” He stated the importance of guiding private businesses and entrepreneurs to “correctly understand” the Party Central Committee’s policies and consolidating healthy economic development and “high-quality development.” He also noted International Women’s Day and extended his well-wishes to female representatives and party-members, women across the country, and female “compatriots” in Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, and overseas. Next, he emphasized that 2022 was a key year in the Party and country’s history and that despite a turbulent international environment and domestic uncertainties the Party and country’s work was still able to achieve “fruitful results.” He noted that the 20th Party Congress had drawn a “grand blueprint” for “comprehensively constructing a modern socialist country,” that the pandemic has been overcome, and that the Beijing Winter Olympics and Paralympics were successfully held. He further stated alleged achievements such as China maintaining the world’s lowest COVID-19 death rate, stable price levels despite new highs in global inflation, and annual economic growth of 3 percent which constitutes the “highest” among the “world's main economies.” He proceeded to stress that when confronting “profound and complicated” changes it is important to “remain calm, maintain composure, and seek progress while maintaining stability (稳中求进).” He emphasized that going forward risks and challenges will only increase and become more severe and that only by “daring to struggle and being adept at struggle” can “bigger victories” be won. He stated that the “private economy” is important for the “long-term rule of the Party” and to “unite the entire country’s people” to realize the second centenary goals and the “Chinese dream” of the “great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.” He emphasized the importance of optimizing the “development environment” of private enterprises and removing “institutional barriers” that prevent them from participating in fair market competition. He stressed safeguarding the property rights of private enterprises in addition to the “rights and interests of entrepreneurs,” treating private enterprises the same as state-owned enterprises, and encouraging and supporting the “private economy” to bolster “market expectations and confidence.” He then discussed the important role private enterprises play in stabilizing employment and emphasized adopting more effective measures to support small, medium, and micro-sized enterprises and individual households. Next, he discussed “strengthening ideological and political guidance” and guiding private enterprises to correctly understand the Party Central Committee’s policies regarding the “two healths” (两个健康) and “two unswervings.”


He emphasized that private enterprises with the “capabilities and conditions” should “strengthen self-innovation” (自主创新) and play a greater role in promoting both “scientific and technological self-reliance and self-strengthening (自立自强)” and the “transformation of scientific and technological achievements.” Furthermore, it stated the importance of “constructing a new development pattern” and “effectively preventing and defusing systemic financial risks (金融风险).” Next, he stated that “Chinese-style modernization (中国式现代化) is modernization with the common prosperity (共同富裕) of all people.” He stressed that private enterprises should bolster their “sense of responsibility” in advancing “common prosperity” and ensure smooth relations with labor. Lastly, he stressed that private enterprises must be patriotic, law-abiding, and give back to society. Politburo Standing Committee members Wang Hunning (王沪宁), Cai Qi (蔡奇), and Ding Xuexiang (丁薛祥), and Politburo members Shi Taifeng (石泰峰) and He Lifeng (何立峰) also attended and participated in the meeting.



Li Zhanshu Delivers Work Report of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee at the Second Plenary Session of the 14th NPC


3.7 Outgoing National People’s Congress (NPC) Chairperson Li Zhanshu (栗战书) delivered the work report of the Standing Committee of the 13th NPC. He stated that under the “firm leadership of the Party Central Committee with Xi Jinping as the core,” the Party over the past year has “seriously implemented” the spirit of the 19th and 20th Party Congresses. He listed various achievements including the establishment and amendment of various laws and the adoption of decisions on important legal issues. He further highlighted the examination of the implementation process of five laws, the deliberation of 23 supervision reports, the conduct of “specific inquiries” (专题询问), and the carrying out of eight special investigations. Furthermore, he asserted that the government has adhered to “high-quality” representation work and handled 487 representative motions and 9349 suggestions. Moreover, he emphasized that the government has upheld high-quality foreign affairs work. He proceeded to state that the five years of the 13th NPC was a period in which the Party and country’s development was “booming” despite profound historical changes. Next, he emphasized the importance of “deeply comprehending the decisive significance of the ‘two establishes’ (两个确立), 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)” in addition to always maintaining the unified and centralized leadership of the Party Central Committee. He also noted the importance of implementing the “major concept” of “whole-process people’s democracy” (全过程人民民主). Next, he listed the achievements of the Party over the past five years, noting for example the enactment of 47 laws, amendment of 111 laws, the issue of 53 legal interpretations, the examination of the implementation process of 30 laws and decisions, and the conduct of 11 specific inquiries and 33 special investigations. He also noted that the satisfaction rate of deputies’ in regards to the handling of motions and suggestions has reached 98 percent. He proceeded to make suggestions for work in the coming year and emphasized that the Standing Committee must do a good job implementing legislation and carrying out constitutional work, bolster the effectiveness of oversight by the NPC, improve the standard of representative work, do a good job in organizing the NPC’s foreign exchanges, and strengthening the “self-construction” (自身建设) of NPC members. Xi Jinping, Politburo Standing Committee members Li Qiang (李强), Zhao Leji (赵乐际), Wang Hunning (王沪宁), Cai Qi (蔡奇), Ding Xuexiang (丁薛祥), and Li Xi (李希), and State Council Vice-Premier Han Zheng (韩正) were also present to hear the work report.



Explanation of the State Council’s Institutional Reform Plan


3.7 State Councilor Xiao Jie (肖捷) delivered an explanation of the State Council’s institutional reform plan at the first meeting of the 14th National People’s Congress (NPC). He discussed 13 key points related to the reform plan. First, he emphasized reorganizing the Ministry of Science and Technology, noting that “scientific and technological innovation” occupies a “core position” in the country’s drive towards modernization. He stated that facing severe international competition in science and technology and “external containment and suppression” it is important to further “rationalize the scientific and technological leadership and management system, better coordinate scientific and technological forces to overcome difficulties with key, core technologies, and accelerate the realization of a high standard of scientific and technological self-reliance and self-strengthening (自立自强).” He explained that the reform plan will strengthen the Party Central Committee’s “unified and centralized” leadership over science and technology work and establish a “Central Science and Technology Commission” (中央科技委员会). He stated that the reform plan will also entail the strengthening of the Ministry of Science and Technology’s capabilities in “strategic planning (战略规划), structural reform (体制改革), resource coordination,” among other areas. Second, he discussed the establishment of a new National Financial Regulatory Administration by the State Council. He stated that the People’s Bank of China and China Securities Regulatory Commission will transfer daily regulatory activities over financial groups and holding companies, in addition to consumer investor and protection responsibilities, to the National Financial Regulatory Administration. Furthermore, the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission will no longer be kept. Third, he emphasized “deepening the reform of the local financial regulation system.” He stated that a lack of “regulatory tools” and “professional talent” are pressing issues and that it is important to “establish a local financial supervision system with local agencies of the central financial management departments as the mainstay.” Fourth, he stated that the China Securities Regulatory Commission will be placed directly under the State Council. Fifth, he discussed coordinating and promoting the reform of branches of the People’s Bank of China. Sixth, he discussed improving the state-owned “financial capital management system” noting that it is an “important guarantee” for promoting the country’s modernization and maintaining the country’s “financial security.” Seventh, he emphasized strengthening the “unified and standardized” management of staff in financial management departments. Eighth, he discussed the establishment of a National Data Administration under the National Development and Reform Commission noting the importance of the “digital economy” to socioeconomic development and its “major significance” to the country’s competitiveness and the fostering of “new advantages.” The National Data Administration will possess a mandate to preserve “overall stability” as it relates to “data security, the regulation of industry data, the development of informatization, and the construction of digital governance.”


Ninth, he emphasized optimizing the responsibilities of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and ensuring that a good job is done in coordinating work related to the “three rural issues (三农)” and facilitating “rural revitalization” (乡村振兴). Tenth, he discussed improving the system for elderly work and implementing a “national strategy to actively confront an aging population.” Under the reform plan, the Office of the China National Committee on Ageing will be relocated to the Ministry of Civil Affairs. Twelfth, the State Bureau for Letters and Visits will be placed directly under the State Council. Thirteenth, he stated that all central state organs will have their workforce cut by 5 percent in an effort at streamlining. He proceeded to state that the “next step” is to “deeply understand the decisive significance of the ‘two establishes’ (两个确立), strengthen the ‘four consciousnesses’ (四个意识), consolidate the ‘four confidences’ (四个自信), achieve the ‘two defends’ (两个维护), and firmly defend the authority of the Party Central Committee’s unified and centralized leadership.” Lastly, he emphasized “seriously implementing the Party Central Committee’s decision-making and deployments as it relates to Party and institutional reforms” and doing a good job in “ideological and political work.”



Xi Jinping Remarks at the Plenary Meeting of the Delegations of the People’s Liberation Army and People’s Armed Police


3.8 Xi Jinping attended and spoke at the plenary meeting of the delegations of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and the People’s Armed Police (PAP) to the 14th National People’s Congress. He emphasized that “consolidating and improving the integration” of national strategies, systems, and capabilities is a “strategic development” (战略部署) to better grasp the “new situation, missions, and demands confronting a strong country and army,” focus on better coordinating development and security, and better coordinate “economic and national defense construction.” He stated that implementing this strategic deployment has great significance for the comprehensive construction of a “modern socialist country,” the comprehensive promotion of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, “realizing the goals set for the centenary of the military’s founding” (建军一百年奋斗目标), and accelerating the construction of a “world-class military” (世界一流军队). He emphasized “uniting thoughts and understanding” and paying close attention to the implementation of work. He proceeded to highlight that the key to consolidating improvement in the integration of national strategies, systems, and capabilities is to work hard at integration and realize the “maximization of the country’s strategic capabilities.” He stated the importance of adhering to the “centralized and unified leadership of the Party Central Committee,” strengthening the integration of “strategic layouts” (战略布局) in various areas, integrating “strategic resources” (战略资源), and systemically improving the country’s overall ability to confront “strategic risks (战略风险), preserve strategic interests (战略利益), and realize strategic objectives.” Next, he stated that consolidating the improvement and integration of the country’s strategy, systems, and capabilities is a complicated process and that it is necessary to coordinate the overall situation and push overall advancement through “key breakthroughs” (重点突破). He emphasized strengthening self-innovation and “original innovation” and accelerating the promotion of “high-level scientific and technological self-reliance and self-strengthening (自立自强).” He highlighted “accelerating the improvement of strategic capabilities in emerging fields” and seeking “new advantages” in the country’s development and in international competition. He proceeded to state that it is necessary to strengthen the “orientation” of the national defense and technology industry to “service a strong army,” optimize “systemic layouts” (体系布局), strengthen the resilience of the industrial and supply chain, and bolster the ability of the national reserve to defend the country’s security and capabilities. Next, he stated the importance of “reform and innovation” (改革创新) and asserted that it is necessary to optimize institutional mechanisms and improve policy systems. He emphasized that it is necessary to bolster civil-military unity and create a “strong atmosphere” for caring about, building, and protecting national defense. Vice-Chairpeople of the Central Military Commission (CMC) Zhang Youxia (张又侠) and He Weidong (何卫东) and CMC members Li Shangfu (李尚福), Liu Zhenli (刘振立), Miao Hua (苗华), and Zhang Shengmin (张升民) also attended the meeting.

 

Propaganda Work



He Yin: Let More of China’s Scientific and Innovation Achievements Benefit the World




3.10 People’s Daily published a He Yin (和音) commentary titled “Let More of China’s Scientific and Innovation Achievements Benefit the World.” It stated that China will adhere to an “innovation-driven development strategy” and promote the “high-quality development of China’s economy” with a high level of “scientific and technological self-reliance and strengthening (自立自强).” It emphasized using more “original innovations” and “key, core technology breakthroughs” to make greater contributions to humanity’s and civilizational progress. It emphasized that China’s investment in “basic science and technical research areas” demonstrates China’s determination to realize scientific and technological self-reliance and self-strengthening and that this is currently an “important issue” carrying the attention of the international community. It stressed that China has “continuously improved” its capabilities in scientific and technological innovation despite confronting challenges such as “unilateralism” and “protectionism” on the international stage. It proceeded to state that China has continuously consolidated major achievements in science and technology, asserting that China will become a “space power” (航天强国) given its achievements in space while also noting its successes in “quantum computing” (量子计算). Next, it emphasized that China has upheld the “core position” of scientific and technological innovation. It noted that China has bolstered research and development expenditure and increased the number of personnel working in research and development. It also noted that China’s ranking in the Global Innovation Index has jumped from 34th in 2012 to 12th in 2022. It then stated that realizing a “high level of scientific and technological self-reliance and self-strengthening” is the “only path” to promote high-quality development. It quoted Xi Jinping’s statement that “in the midst of intense international competition, we must open up development of new areas and new tracks [for development] and shape new development drivers and new advantages,” that “on the basic level” it is still necessary to “depend on scientific and technological innovation,” and that the “key to whether a comprehensively modern, socialist power can be constructed” is “scientific and technological self-reliance and self-strengthening.” It proceeded to stress that “China will adhere to science and technology as the primary productive force, human talent as the primary resource, and innovation as the primary driver” to deeply implement the “strategy of rejuvenating the country through scientific education, the strategy of strengthening the country through human talent, and the strategy of innovation-driven development.” It emphasized that as China continues to implement innovation policies and “accelerates the optimization of the innovation environment” that the impetus for high-quality development will become more robust. Next, it stressed the importance of “open cooperation” (开放合作) and that “other countries” are trying to engage in “decoupling and chain breaks” with China. Citing Bill Gates’ recent statement that US attempts to stop China from researching and developing chips will be to “no avail,” it stated lastly that such attempts would not block China’s technological innovation and that this would only bolster China’s determination and capabilities as they pertain to self-reliance and self-strengthening.


 

Central Military Commission



Delegation of People’s Liberation Army and People’s Armed Police Deliberate the Government Work Report


3.7 The delegation of People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and People’s Armed Police attending the first meeting of the 14th National People’s Congress deliberated the government work report. Central Military Commission (CMC) Member Li Shangfu (李尚福) highlighted the historical achievements of the last five years under the leadership of Xi Jinping and emphasized the need to use the decision-making and deployments of the Central Committee and Xi Jinping to improve political judgment (判断力), political perception (领悟力), and political administration (执行力) abilities; closely follow Chinese-style modernization to promote the cause of strengthening the military; perform military diplomacy well; consolidate and improve integrated national strategic systems and capabilities; and create a new situation in national defense and military modernization. CMC Member Liu Zhenli (刘振立) emphasized that the “two establishes” (两个确立) are the “foundation of our confidence and the source of our strength to do all our work well.” He called for comprehensively strengthening military governance, curbing and controlling crises and conflicts, deepening system and mechanism innovations, and ensuring that the first centenary goals of the army are achieved as scheduled. CMC Member Miao Hua (苗华) emphasized focusing on realizing the hundred-year struggle of the army; deepening the “theoretical arming” of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era; comprehensively strengthening military training and preparation, reform and innovation, and military governance; and providing strong support for realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. CMC Member Zhang Shengmin (张升民) emphasized persevering in using Xi Jinping Thought to “condense our hearts and souls”; implementing the strategic deployments of the 20th Party Congress to strictly govern the Party; implementing the CMC Chairman Responsibility System (军委主席负责制); and promoting the concreteness, precision, and normalization of political supervision; focusing on war preparedness and warfighting (备战打仗); and strengthening the tightening of discipline and improving party conduct (正风肃纪).


 

Organizational Work


3.2 Ding Kuling (丁奎岭) was appointed President of Shanghai Jiaotong University.


3.2 Wang Jinsong (汪劲松) was appointed President of Sichuan University.


3.2 Zheng Qinghua (郑庆华) was appointed President of Tongji University.


3.2 Jian Zhenyuan (贾振元) was appointed President of Dalian University of Technology.

 

International Work

3.3 Chinese Communist Party International Department (CCP/ID) Deputy Head Chen Zhou (陈洲) met with the General Secretary of the United Left-wing Movement of the Dominican Republic, Miguel Mejia.


3.3 Between February 18 and March 1, CCP/ID Deputy Head Guo Yezhou (郭业洲) led a delegation to Denmark, Iceland, Norway, and Malta. In Denmark, he met with Minister of Foreign Affairs Lars Rasmussen, Secretary General of the Social Democrats Lasse Ryberg, and Permanent Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Jeppe Tranholm-Mikkelsen. In Iceland, he met with Minister of Foreign Affairs Þórdís Kolbrún Reykfjörð Gylfadóttir and former President Ólafar Ragnar Grímsson. In Norway, he met with Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Policy and Deputy Leader of the Labour Party Bjørnar Selnes Skjæran, Minister of Foreign Affairs Anniken Huitfeldt, and State Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs Erling Rimestad. In Malta, he met with Minister for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade Ian Borg, Leader of the Opposition and the Nationalist Party Bernard Grech, and Deputy Leader of the Labour Party Daniel Micallef.


3.3 CCP/ID Head Liu Jianchao (刘建超) met with the President of the Great Britain China Centre, Sir David Lidington.


3.3 CCP/ID Assistant Minister Zhu Rui (朱锐) met with the head of the Iraqi-Chinese Friendship Association, Haider al-Rubaie.


3.7 Between 21 February and 2 March, CCP/ID Assistant Head Li Mingxiang (李明祥) led a delegation to Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. In Kenya, he met with Kenya United Democratic Alliance President William Ruto as well as Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. In Tanzania, he met with Tanzania President and Revolutionary Party of Tanzania Chair Samia Hassan, Vice President Philip Mpango, and Julius Nyerere Leadership School Principal Marcellina Chijoriga. In Uganda, he met with Vice President Jessica Alupo and National Resistance Movement Vice Chair George Mukula.


3.8 CCP/ID Head Liu Jianchao (刘建超) met with Denmark’s Permanent Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Jeppe Tranholm-Mikkelsen.


3.9 CCP/ID Head Liu Jianchao (刘建超) met with a Member of Indonesia’s Presidential Advisory Board and former Speaker of the People’s Consultative Assembly, Sidarto Danusubroto.


3.10 CCP/ID Deputy Head Guo Yezhou (郭业洲) attended and delivered a virtual speech at the opening ceremony of an online seminar for senior party and government cadres of the Communist Party of Vietnam.

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