- Admin
Weekly Report 5|14 4.8.23-4.14.23
Highlights
Xi Jinping inspected the Navy of the PLA’s Southern Theater Command and emphasized deepening military training, accelerating transformation and construction, and comprehensively elevating the level of modernization of the military. (See Senior Leaders section)
Xi Jinping held talks with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. (See Senior Leaders section)
The State Council and Central Military Commission announced the release of newly revised “Regulations on Conscription Work” (征兵工作条例) which are slated to come into effect on May 1, 2023. (See CMC section)
Senior Leaders
Xi Jinping Emphasizes Deepening Military Training, Accelerating Transformation and Construction, and Comprehensively Elevating the Level of Modernization of the Military When Inspecting Navy of the Southern Theater Command
4.13 Xi Jinping inspected the Navy of the PLA’s Southern Theater Command. During his inspection, he emphasized the importance of “seriously implementing the spirit of the 20th Party Congress, implementing the Party’s thinking on strengthening the military in the new era, and implementing the Military Strategic Guideline for the New Era (新时代军事战略方针).” He proceeded to discuss deepening military training and preparation, accelerating “transformation and construction,” comprehensively elevating the level of modernization of the military, and firmly completing tasks set for them by the Party and people. Afterwards, Xi viewed a “multimedia film” explaining the construction of the Navy of the PLA’s Southern Theater Command and listened to relevant work reports. Xi stressed the necessity of thinking about military issues from a political perspective and carrying out “military struggles” (军事斗争) in a “firm and flexible” manner. He emphasized improving capabilities when it comes to responding to “complicated situations” in a timely manner in addition to “firmly defending the country’s territorial sovereignty (领土主权) and maritime rights and interests (海洋权益).” Additionally, he emphasized working hard to maintain the stability of surrounding areas. He proceeded to point out the importance of strengthening practical military training, persisting in “leading training by war” (以战领训), deepening research on “war and operational issues (作战问题),” and innovating new operational concepts and combat tactics. He emphasized that it is necessary to develop “new forms of combat forces and methods,” grasp the “special characteristics and laws of constructing new combat abilities,” and promote using new equipment to accelerate the formation of practical combat capabilities. He further stressed persisting in “system construction” (体系建设) and “system utilization” (体系运用) to “deeply crack down on shortcomings and weaknesses” and promote overall improvements to the military’s “combat system.” Next, he emphasized strengthening Party leadership and Party building in the military and coordinating “educational and practical activities” oriented around studying “thinking on a strong military” and “building strong military careers.” He stressed “promoting the normalization and institutionalization of political training (政治整训)” and persevering in discipline and anti-corruption work. Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC) Zhang Youxia (张又侠) accompanied him during his inspection.
Xi Jinping: Unswervingly and Comprehensively Deepen Reform and Expand High-Level Opening Up, Take the Lead in Promoting Chinese-Style Modernization
4.13 Xi Jinping conducted an inspection tour of Guangdong from 10 to 13 April, during which he emphasized that Guangdong is the “vanguard, pioneering land, and experimental area of reform and opening up (改革开放)” and plays a “prominent role” in the overall situation of Chinese-style modernization. Xi stated that it is necessary to “anchor the goals of building a strong country and national rejuvenation”; focus on the primary task of high-quality development and the strategic task of building a new development pattern; and “continue to be at the forefront of the country and in the advancement of Chinese-style modernization” through comprehensively deepening reforms, expanding high-level opening up, enhancing self-reliance and self-improvement in science and technology, building a modern industrial system, and promoting coordinated regional urban and rural development. During his visit to LG Display’s Guangzhou manufacturing base, Xi emphasized that in the context of sluggish global economic growth China will accelerate the development of a new development pattern and strengthen the construction of the business environment so that its market advantages will “become more obvious.” He expressed hope that more foreign investors will “seize the opportunity to come to China” to “deeply cultivate the Chinese market and create new brilliance for enterprise development.” At a visit to GAC Aion New Energy Automobile Co, Xi noted that China’s reform and opening up policy “will remain unchanged for a long time” and China “will never close the door on opening up.” He stated that for all countries who are “willing to cooperate with China for win-win results,” China is “willing to meet them halfway and promote common prosperity (共同繁荣) and development of the world economy.” Xi further emphasized that China is a big country, that it should “take the road of self-reliance,” and that it must “lay a solid foundation for self-reliance and self-strengthening (自立自强) in science and technology.” Xi proceeded to call for implementing the innovation-driven development strategy in depth, enhancing independent innovation capabilities, and “striving to make greater progress in breakthroughs in key, core technical problems.” Furthermore, he stressed strengthening support for small and medium-sized businesses and enterprises; cultivating more innovative enterprises with independent intellectual property rights and core competitiveness, promoting deep integration of the innovation chain, industry chain, capital chain, and talent chain, and creating an industrial technology innovation center with global influence.
Next, he stated that it is necessary to promote the construction of a “talent highland” (人才高地) in the Guangdong-Hong Kong- Macao Greater Bay Area to consolidate the gathering of top scientific and technological talents. Xi emphasized that common prosperity (共同富裕) for all people is the “essential feature” of Chinese-style modernization and coordinated regional development is an “inevitable requirement” for achieving common prosperity. Lastly, Xi pointed out that “carrying out thematic education is a major task of party building this year” and called for continued adherence to the deployments of the Party Central Committee and the Party’s overall leadership. Politburo Standing Committee Member Cai Qi (蔡奇) and Politburo Member Huang Kunming (黄坤明) also attended the inspection tour.
Li Qiang Investigates Start-Ups in Beijing, Emphasizes that Firm Confidence and Innovation Will Inject Strong Impetus Into High-Quality Development
4.13 Politburo Standing Committee Member and State Council Premier Li Qiang (李强) investigated the development of start-ups in Beijing. During his inspection, he emphasized adherence to the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, thoroughly implementing the spirit of the 20th Party Congress, focusing on opening up new fields and new tracks for development, shaping new momentum and new advantages for development, and that high-quality development has been injected with strong impetus. Li visited Yinhe Aerospace (Beijing) Network Technology Co, where he called for aiming at the internationally advanced level in the development of the satellite network industry. He also emphasized supporting relevant enterprises to strengthen research and development of key technologies and core components, further lengthening the industrial chain, and promoting the coordinated development of related industries. At Beijing Haibo Strong Technology Co, he pointed out that energy storage “plays an important role in the energy revolution and has broad market space.” Li called for closely integrating the development of new energy and energy storage industries, further strengthening planning guidance and policy support, and continuing to promote technological progress. At Beijing Horizon Robot Technology R&D Co, he called for speeding up research on key core technologies for intelligent networked cars, such as chip R&D and manufacturing, and called for focusing on stabilizing the supply chain of the industrial chain; creating more “products and technologies with the right to speak” (具有话语权的产品和技术); and promoting greater breakthroughs in industrial development. During the meeting, he “fully affirmed” the practice and effectiveness of Beijing City’s cultivation and development of start-up enterprises, and emphasized that start-up enterprises have high growth potential which “to a certain extent represents the direction of economic transformation and upgrading.” He noted that the “confidence and vitality shown by everyone” has “strong impetus” for the overall improvement of China’s economic operation and the prospect of high-quality development. Li called for the majority of enterprises, especially technological enterprises, to take innovation as their mission, devote more energy to breakthroughs in key core technologies, create more “unique skills” (独门绝技) and “hard-core technologies” (硬核科技), work hard in new fields, and contribute to the realization of high-level technological self-reliance and self-improvement. Lastly, he called for additional support for technology-based enterprises and providing more accurate, high-quality, and efficient services in the areas of talent introduction, financing support, achievement transformation, and market cultivation.
Xi Jinping Holds Talks with Brazilian President Lula
4.14 Xi Jinping held talks with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Xi began by pointing out that China and Brazil are the largest developing countries and constitute the most important markets in their respective hemispheres and emphasized that China and Brazil are “comprehensive strategic partners” and share extensive mutual interests. He stressed that China has put bilateral relations with Brazil in a “priority position” before noting that this year marks the 30th anniversary year of the establishment of the China-Brazil strategic partnership and that the next year would be the 50th anniversary year of diplomatic relations between the two countries. He emphasized that China is currently promoting “high-level development” and “high-level external opening (对外开放)” in addition to “comprehensively promoting the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation” thus creating more opportunities for countries such as Brazil. He stressed that both countries should maintain “strategic communication,” strengthen exchanges oriented around sharing mutual experiences in state governance, and “firmly support each other” in creating development paths suited for each country’s own “national conditions.” He proceeded to emphasize deepening practical cooperation, promoting existing “major cooperation projects” in areas such as agriculture, energy, basic infrastructure construction, aerospace, and science and technology, and exploring and bolstering cooperation in building a green economy, “digital economy” (数字经济) and clean energy. Next, he stated that China welcomes the entry of more Brazilian products into China’s market and that China is willing to actively explore alignment between the Belt and Road Initiative (一带一路) and Brazil’s “re-industrialization (再工业化) strategy.” He emphasized that China is also willing to work with Brazil to push China-CELAC cooperation to “new levels.” He proceeded to state that confronting profound changes unseen in a century, it is important that China and Brazil stand on the “right side of history,” practice “true multilateralism,” and promote the development of the “world governance system” in a more “just and reasonable direction.” He stated that China is willing to strengthen “strategic cooperation” with Brazil in multilateral forums such as the UN, BRICS, and the G20 to resolve global issues such as climate change. The two heads of state proceeded to discuss Ukraine, with both sides agreeing that “dialogue and negotiation” is the only way to resolve the Ukraine crisis and that “all beneficial efforts to peacefully resolve the crisis deserve encouragement and support.” Both sides called for “more countries to play a constructive role in promoting a political resolution to the Ukraine crisis.” After their discussion, they signed a series of bilateral cooperation documents on trade and investment, the digital economy, scientific and technological innovation, information and communication, poverty alleviation, quarantine, and aerospace. Central Foreign Affairs Commission Director Wang Yi (王毅) and State Councilor and Minister of Foreign Affairs Qin Gang (秦刚) participated in the relevant activities.
Propaganda Work
Jun Sheng: US Security Guarantees Are Fundamentally Unreliable
4.10 PLA Daily published a Jun Sheng (均声) commentary titled “US Security Guarantees Are Fundamentally Unreliable.” It stated that in recent days, the PLA conducted “United Joint Sword” (联合利剑) exercises in and around the Taiwan Strait. It stated that such exercises were a stern warning and constituted countermeasures to Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and its collusion with “external forces” to provoke China. It stated that these exercises fully demonstrated “firm determination” and “strong ability” to protect the country’s sovereignty. It proceeded to state that Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen and the DPP have continuously “relied on the United States to seek independence.” It criticized the DPP for refusing to acknowledge the 1992 consensus, destroying the “political foundation” of cross-strait relations, wantonly attacking “One Country, Two Systems,” (一国两制), and manipulating industries to “decouple and break chains” (脱钩断链). It stated that on Tsai’s recent transit to the United States she exhibited behavior fully demonstrating her attempts to “flatter the United States” and asserted that she “sold out Taiwan” (卖台). Next, it stated that to further embolden its “provocations,” disguise the fear in “their hearts,” and mislead Taiwan’s masses, the DPP has relied on “security guarantees” from “malicious and deviant” American politicians. It proceeded to state that the DPP is using the hard-earned money of Taiwan’s people to purchase weapons from the US and that induced by Washington, Taiwan has transformed “Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company” (TSMC) into the “US Semiconductor Manufacturing Company.” It further emphasized that the DPP has allowed the vast majority of people in Taiwan to become “cannon fodder” (炮灰) for attempts to “use Taiwan to contain China.” It stated that such attempts have seriously damaged the “horizon” for peaceful unification and that this is why mainstream media is calling the Taiwan Strait “the world’s most dangerous place.” It proceeded to assert that the US’ “security guarantees” are unreliable and stated that the US has wantonly fanned the flames of and created conflict in locales ranging from Iraq and Syria to Afghanistan and Ukraine. It emphasized that the “international credibility” (国际信用) of the United States has long been bankrupt and that the “true face” of its hegemonic bullying has been exposed. Next, it asserted that “facts have again proven the compatriots on both sides of the strait are Chinese,” that “blood is thicker than water,” (血浓于水), and that nobody and no force is able to stop the “trend of the times” (时代潮流) which is namely the “forward development of cross-strait relations.” It emphasized that “only by adhering to the one-China principle” and refusing to be a “pawn” of the “American war machine” can “real security guarantees” be given to Taiwan’s people. It stressed that the motherland must be unified and that it will inevitably be unified. It stated that the the “heroic People’s Liberation Army” will “fulfill with determination” the “sacred mission” (神圣使命) entrusted to it by the Party and people, be ready to fight at any time, and will dare to fight and be adept at fighting. It emphasized that under no circumstances will it allow any forces to split Taiwan away from China and that any attempts to “stir up trouble” over the Taiwan issue will be met with a “head-on assault” (迎头痛击) and is bound to fail.
CMC
Zhang Youxia and He Weidong Attend and Deliver Speeches at Military Thematic Education Work Conference on Studying and Implementing Xi Jinping’s Socialism with Chinese Characteristics
4.10 Politburo Members and Central Military Commission (CMC) Vice Chairpeople Zhang Youxia (张又侠) and He Weidong (何卫东) attended and spoke at a virtual work conference on military thematic education work. Zhang pointed out that it is necessary to “resolutely implement the decision-making and deployments of the Party Central Committee,” focus on studying and implementing Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, “deeply comprehend 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 implement the CMC Chairman Responsibility System (军委主席负责制). He stated that it is necessary to focus on war preparedness and warfighting (备战打仗); improve work style; do well in consolidating the foundation and cultivating talents; conserve a “pure political ecology”; solve challenges related to innovation and development; and strive to realize the goals set for the centenary of the military’s founding. He Weidong emphasized it is necessary to adhere to the spirit of Xi Jinping’s important speech to guide thematic education, grasp the political bearing, strategic requirements, practical landing points, and incentive orientation, and ensure the correct direction of thematic education. He reaffirmed the need to thoroughly implement the CMC Chairman Responsibility System (军委主席负责制) and called for deepening theoretical arming, strengthening party spirit training, highlighting practical orientation, making contributions to strengthening the cause of the military, and achieving practical results in “concentrating the soul, purifying loyalty, overcoming difficulties, and achieving practical results in innovative development.” CMC Members Liu Zhenli (刘振立), Miao Hua (苗华), and Zhang Shengmin (张升民) also attended the meeting.
State Council and Central Military Commission Announce the Implementation of Newly Revised Regulations on Conscription Work
4.13 The State Council and Central Military Commission announced the release of newly revised “Regulations on Conscription Work” (征兵工作条例) which are slated to come into effect on May 1, 2023. The new Regulations implement “Xi Jinping Thought on Strengthening the Military” and the “Military Strategic Guideline for the New Era” (新时代军事战略方针) and are necessary for “servicing national defense.” At their “core,” the regulations focus on “improving the quality of troop recruitment.” They emphasize regulating recruitment procedures, designing and optimizing the entire process of conscription work, and standardizing procedures when it comes to the conscription work system. They “clarify responsibilities and rights” (责权明晰), “connect peace and wartime” (平战衔接), and provide a robust “institutional guarantee” (制度保障) for replenishing troops and and maintaining strong reserve personnel, thus ensuring the “construction and consolidation of a strong national defense and military.” The new Regulations entail 11 chapters and 74 articles and will improve “leadership mechanisms” (领导机制) of “conscription organizations” (征兵组织) and build a leadership system for conscription that runs vertically from the country to provinces and municipalities and horizontally from the government to colleges and universities. They will “optimize” the “implementation methods” of conscription organizations and improve “physical examinations (体格检查), political assessments (政治考核), transfers and transportation (交接运输), and quarantine reviews (检疫复查).” This will enable the “efficient recruitment” of “high quality soldiers” (高素质兵) in accordance with the law, strengthen “comprehensive guarantees” for conscription, promote “informatization construction” for conscription, bolster “supervision and inspection” (监督检查), and “defend the rights and interests of conscripted citizens.”
International Work
4.10 CCP International Department (CCP/ID) Assistant Head Li Mingxiang (李明祥) met with a delegation of cadres from Venezuela’s United Socialist Party.
4.10 CCP/ID Head Liu Jianchao (刘建超) met with the President of the Progressive Democratic Party and Malaysia’s Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Tiong King Sing.
4.12 CCP/ID Head Liu Jianchao (刘建超) met with a cadre delegation led by Secretary General of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement of South Sudan, Peter Lam Both.
4.13 CCP/ID Head Liu Jianchao (刘建超) met with the Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to the PRC, Ali Obaid Al Dhaheri.
4.13 CCP/ID Assistant Head Li Mingxiang (李明祥) met with delegations of cadres from the ruling parties of six Caribbean countries including Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, and Jamaica.
4.13 CCP/ID Deputy Head Qian Hongshan (钱洪山) met with the former leader of Germany’s Social Democratic Party, Rudolf Scharping.
4.14 CCP/ID Head Liu Jianchao (刘建超) met with the National President of the Communist Party of Brazil and Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Luciana Santos.
4.14 CCP/ID Deputy Head Qian Hongshan (钱洪山) met with the Managing Director for Asia and the Pacific of the European External Action Service, Gunnar Wiegand.
Organizational Work
4.11 Wang Zhenjiang (王振江) was appointed Vice Minister of Justice.
4.11 Kang Xuping (康旭平) was appointed Vice Director of the Research Office of the State Council.
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