Weekly Report 5|17 4.28.23-5.05.23
Highlights
Qiushi published a speech delivered by Xi Jinping at a thematic education work conference on studying and implementing Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, originally given on 3 April 2023. (See Senior Leaders section)
Xi Jinping presided over the first meeting of the Central Financial and Economic Affairs Commission under the 20th Central Committee. (See Senior Leaders section)
People’s Daily published a Zhong Yin (仲音) commentary on stimulating the nation’s youth through an attitude of struggle. (See Propaganda Work section)
Senior Leaders
Xi Jinping Speech at Thematic Education Work Conference on Implementing Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era
4.30 Qiushi published a speech delivered by Xi Jinping at a work conference about thematic education on studying and implementing Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, originally given on 3 April 2023. Following the Party Central Committee’s issue of “Opinions” (意见) on thematic education, Xi discussed three issues: The first issue was “deeply understanding the significance of carrying out this thematic education.” Key points included that: 1. “This is an inevitable requirement for unifying the Party’s ideology, will, and actions, and maintaining the Party’s strong cohesion and combat effectiveness,” which focuses on “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).” 2. “This is an inevitable requirement to drive the whole party to actively take on responsibilities and continuously create new prospects for career development.” 3. “This is an inevitable requirement for comprehensively and strictly governing the Party and leading the social revolution through the Party’s ‘self-revolution’ (自我革命),” which focuses “solving the unique problems of large parties,” “immediately removing all factors that affect the Party’s level of advancement (先进性) and purity (纯洁性),” and ensuring that the Party will “never deteriorate” or “change color.” The second issue was “comprehensively and accurately grasping the objectives of thematic education,” which focuses on the “Opinions” (意见) on thematic education issued by the Party Central Committee. Key points included: 1. “Firmly grasp the general requirements,” which are “studying ideology (学思想), strengthening party spirit (强党性), emphasizing practice (重实践), and making new contributions (建新功).” 2. “Firmly anchor the target tasks,” which are building a solid foundation by “concentrating the heart and casting the soul”; tempering character and strengthening loyalty; promoting development through hard work and responsibility; “practicing the purpose to benefit the people”; and “establishing a new style of honesty and public service” which emphasizes educating and guiding party members to “enhance their awareness of discipline and rules.” 3. “Fully implement key measures,” which emphasize integrating theoretical study, investigation, and research; the promotion of development, review and rectification; and organically integrating and promoting these Opinions as a whole. Other highlighted points included coordinating the overall layout of the “five in one” (五位一体) approach and the promotion of the “four comprehensives” (四个全面) strategic layout.
The third issue was “effectively strengthening the leadership of thematic education.” Key points included: 1. “Clarify leadership responsibilities,” which emphasized creating a good organizational and guidance structure, so that thematic education can be effectively carried out and achieve practical results. 2. “Strengthen supervision and guidance” across all levels of the party, including adopting methods such as roving guidance, random spot checks, forum interviews, and working with cadres to not only identify problems, but also to study countermeasures. 3. “Pay attention to overall planning,” particularly from the 20th Party Congress and reforms of party and state institutions. 4. “Strengthen propaganda and guidance” by giving full play to the role of the full range of party media in publicizing the deployment requirements of the Central Committee, “positively guiding online public opinion,” paying attention to “low-level red” (低级红) and “high-level black” (高级黑), and using cases to “clarify laws and disciplines, promote rectification, and effectively play a warning role.”
Myanmar Leader Min Aung Hlaing Meets Qin Gang
5.3 State Councilor and Minister of Foreign Affairs Qin Gang (秦刚) met with Myanmar leader Min Aung Hlaing in Naypyidaw. He emphasized that China has always attached great importance to bilateral relations with Myanmar and that it is willing to work with Myanmar to implement the historical achievements made during Xi Jinping’s visit to the country in 2012, to construct a “China-Myanmar community of shared future” (中缅命运共同体), to implement the “Global Development Initiative” (全球发展倡议), “Global Security Initiative” (全球安全倡议), and “Global Civilization Initiative” (全球文明倡议), and to promote the steady advancement of comprehensive, strategic cooperation between China and Myanmar. He expressed China’s hope for stability and development in Myanmar and stated that China would support it in exploring a “development path” that is compatible with its own national conditions. He stated that China would promote the process of “political transformation” (政治转型) in Myanmar and support various parties in Myanmar to prudently resolve their differences within the “constitutional and legal framework.” He emphasized that China will continue to advocate for the international community to respect Myanmar’s sovereignty and play a “constructive role” in helping Myanmar realize “peace and reconciliation.” Next, he stated that China would continue assisting in Myanmar’s development, “accelerate the promotion of key cooperation projects in the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor (中缅经济走廊),” and undertake projects that benefit “agriculture, education, and healthcare” in the country. Lastly, he emphasized that China supports Myanmar and Bangladesh improving relations and the resolution of “relevant issues” between them through dialogue and consultation and is willing to work with both countries to expand trilateral cooperation.
Xi Jinping Presides Over the First Meeting for Financial and Economic Affairs Under the 20th Central Committee and Emphasized Accelerating the Construction of a Modern Industrial System
5.5 Xi Jinping presided over the first meeting of the Central Financial and Economic Affairs Commission under the 20th Central Committee. He emphasized bolstering research into how to speed up construction of a modern industrial system and how to improve and support high-quality population development. He emphasized that the “modern industrial system” is the backbone of a strong, modern country and that in economic development there must be a focus on the “real economy” (实体经济) to provide material support for the realization of the second centenary goals. He stressed that “population development” (人口发展) is closely related to the “great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation” and that high-quality population development will support “Chinese-style modernization.” The meeting emphasized that accelerating the construction of a “modern industrial system” concerns “strategic initiative” (战略主动) when it comes to China’s future development and ability to emerge victorious in international competition. It emphasized the importance of “new technological revolutions” in areas such as “artificial intelligence” (人工智能) and emphasized adhering to “seeking progress while maintaining stability” (稳中求进) in addition to upholding “open cooperation.” It stressed that it is important to improve “industrial policy” in the “new development era,” prioritize “industry security” (产业安全), and strengthen “top-level design” in several strategic fields. It proceeded to discuss the importance of strengthening research in key, core technologies and achieving breakthroughs in areas constrained by “natural conditions” such as in agricultural production. It further emphasized “organically combining the strategy of expanding domestic demand with the strategy of innovation-driven development” and building “world-class enterprises.” Next, the meeting pointed out issues such as the country’s declining birthrate, aging, and imbalances between provinces in terms of population growth. It emphasized “improving population development strategy in the new era,” focusing on improvising the “overall quality” of the population, working hard to maintain the “appropriate birth rate levels and population size,” and promoting “common prosperity” (共同富裕) for all people. It proceeded to emphasize deepening “reform and innovation” in education and health work, establishing and improving a “birthrate support policy system (生育支持政策体系) and bolstering child care services. Lastly, it stressed stabilizing the labor force participation rate, comprehensively strengthening the “cultural quality, health quality, and ideological and moral quality” of the population, and improving pension service and insurance systems.
Qin Gang Attends Shanghai Cooperation Organization Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
5.5 State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang (秦刚) attended the meeting of Foreign Ministers’ Meeting of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states in Goa, India. He said that the world today is “facing multiple crises and challenges,” the “ashes of the Cold War are being rekindled,” unilateral protectionism is surging against the current, and “hegemonism and power politics are on the rise.” He noted that as an “important constructive force” in international and regional affairs, the SCO should firmly carry forward the “Shanghai Spirit” (上海精神) and build a closer “SCO community for a shared future” (上合组织命运共同体) as the international situation becomes increasingly turbulent. Qin then made five suggestions: First, he called for “upholding strategic independence and strengthening mutual trust,” firmly supporting each other in safeguarding sovereignty, security and development interests, and “opposing external forces interfering in regional affairs and instigating ‘color revolutions’ (颜色革命).” Second, Qin called for “deepening security cooperation and safeguarding regional peace,” which included “continuing to crack down on the ‘Three Evils’ (三股势力: terrorism, separatism, and religious extremism) such as ‘East Turkestan’ (东突), drug trafficking, and transnational organized crime,” supporting Afghanistan in building a broad and inclusive political structure, and resolutely fighting against all forms of terrorism. Third, he called for advocating for openness and inclusiveness, promoting joint development, resolutely resisting any behavior that disrupts the international economic trade order and market rules, and maintaining the stability of industrial and supply chains. In addition, he stated that China will take this year’s hosting of the third Belt and Road (一带一路) Forum for International Cooperation as an important opportunity to “promote this road of opportunity and prosperity becoming increasingly wide as we travel throughout the next decade.” Fourth, he called for upholding fairness and justice as well as improving global governance. He noted that China is willing to strengthen coordination and cooperation with all parties, jointly promote the development of the international order “in a more just and reasonable direction,” and jointly support the SCO in participating in the implementation of major initiatives such as building a community with a shared future for mankind (人类命运共同体), the Global Development Initiative (全球发展倡议), the Global Security Initiative (全球安全倡议), and the Global Civilization Initiative (全球文明倡议). Fifth, he called for focusing on long-term development, strengthening mechanism construction (机制建设), completing the process of Iran and Belarus joining the SCO in an orderly manner,and promoting the SCO to better adapt to the development and changes of the situation. He emphasized that China is willing to continuously expand cooperation with member states, “join hands on the road of national development and revitalization,” and continue to work together towards the goal of building a community of shared future for mankind (人类命运共同体).
Propaganda Work
Zhong Yin: Bravely Shoulder the Heavy Responsibilities of the Times
5.2 People’s Daily published a Zhong Yin (仲音) commentary on stimulating the nation’s youth through an attitude of struggle. It began by emphasizing that when the country’s youth prospers, the country prospers as well. It stressed the importance of having Chinese youth adhere to Party leadership and emphasized that young people should “firmly not waver from listening to the Party” and strive to realize the “great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.” It noted that since the 18th Party Congress, Xi Jinping has issued a series of “important discussions” on “youth work” and raised the level of understanding regarding “youth work” to a new level. It stated that Chinese youth in the new era shoulder heavy responsibilities and that the “stage to display their talents” is broad. It stated that “practice has fully proved” that Chinese youth in the “new era” are “active promoters” of high-quality economic development, “active participants” in the political construction of socialist democracy, “active creators” of “socialist cultural prosperity,” and “active practitioners” of civilizational progress. It proceeded to emphasize that the majority of young people must be brave enough to shoulder the responsibility given to them by the times, build trust in the Party from within their hearts, and trust and have faith in both socialism with Chinese characteristics and Marxism. Moreover, it stressed strengthening their “ambition, backbone, and belief” in “being Chinese.” Next, it stated that in the “new era” and on the “new journey,” the country is facing new “strategic opportunities” (战略机遇), new “strategic tasks,” new “strategic stages,” new “strategic demands,” and a new “strategic environment.” It stated the importance of understanding that the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation has entered a “irreversible historical process” and of ensuring an “institutional guarantee” (制度保证) for improving the promotion of “Chinese-style modernization.” It stated that changes unseen in a century are rapidly accelerating and that “external risks and challenges” are becoming increasingly prominent. It stressed that “risks and challenges need to be confronted” and that risks affecting the country's reform, development, and stability must be defused. Young people must “consolidate strategic self-confidence (战略自信)” and maintain belief in victory. Lastly, it emphasized persisting in educating people with Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and stressed firm belief that Chinese youth will be able to take on the “heavy historical responsibility” (历史重任) entrusted to them by the Party and people.
Xinhua Reporter’s Signed Article on the Washington Declaration: South Korea’s ‘Bloc Diplomacy’ is Not In Its Interests
5.3 Xinhua published a signed article by a reporter on the Washington Declaration made during South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol’s visit to the United States. The article stated that “analysts believe” that the South Korean government has deviated from a “balanced diplomatic line” and “thrown themselves” (投怀送抱) at the US by actively catering to its “Indo-Pacific strategy” (印太战略). It emphasized that this may make the Korean Peninsula a frontline of a “new Cold War (新冷战) conflict,” further exacerbate tensions in Northeast Asia, and harm South Korea’s individual security and economic interests. It noted discussions between Yoon and US President Biden on extended deterrence, an agreement between the two for the US to provide a “nuclear umbrella” (核保护伞) to South Korea, and the decision to increase deployments of US “strategic assets” (战略资产) including nuclear submarines around the Peninsula. It emphasized that an economic delegation accompanied Yoon during his trip to discuss cooperation in “supply chain, core technologies, and cutting-edge industries,” and that while they agreed to additional cooperation in these fields in the joint statement, there has not been “practical progress” on issues such as electric vehicle subsidies and chip restrictions which are a primary concern for South Korean companies. It criticized the United States’ Inflation Reduction Act for excluding all Korean electric vehicles from the US market and the Chips and Science Act for allegedly pressuring South Korean semiconductor companies to decouple from China. It stated that both of these Acts constitute “protectionism” and “America first” (美国优先) tendencies. Lastly, it cited domestic criticism of Yoon for his trip from figures such as the leader of the opposition in South Korea.
International Work
5.5 Wang Keqiang (汪克强) and Chang Jin (常进) were appointed Vice-Presidents of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Organizational Work
5.5. Chinese Communist Party International Department (CCP/ID) Deputy Head Qian Hongshan (钱洪山) met with several Western European envoys to China who attended the symposium on “Chinese-style Modernization and China-Europe Relations in the New Era.”
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