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Weekly Report 5|4 1.21.23-1.27.23
Highlights
Xi Jinping delivered a speech to the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) via video link. (See Senior Leaders section)
PRC Ambassador to Russia Zhang Hunhui (张汉晖) published an article in People’s Daily about the state of China-Russia relations. (See Senior Leaders section)
People’s Daily published a Commentator Article that discussed Xi Jinping’s speech at a Spring Festival reception. (See Propaganda Work section)
Senior Leaders
At Fifth Plenary Meeting of the Food Safety Committee of the State Council, Han Zheng Stresses Completely Implementing the Requirements of the “Four Strictests” and Ensuring “Safety on the Tip of the Tongue”
People’s Daily
1.20 Vice Premier of the State Council Han Zheng (韩正) presided over the fifth plenary meeting of the Food Safety Committee of the State Council and delivered a speech. The meeting emphasized “earnestly implementing the spirit of the 20th Party Congress and earnestly implementing the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s relevant and important instructions.” It also “summarized food safety work done in 2022, deliberated the relevant documents, and researched and deployed important work steps that would be taken next.” During his speech, Han stressed that food safety concerns the health and safety of the masses and is a “major issue impacting national welfare and the people’s livelihoods (国计民生).” He stressed doing more to “unify ideological understanding and actions with the strategic decisions and deployments (决策部署) of the Party Central Committee and State Council, fully implement the requirements of the ‘four strictests’ (四个最严),” and to strengthen a sense of responsibility. He further emphasized building “every line of defense” for food safety. He proceeded to discuss continuing to build “discovery mechanisms” (发现机制) for food safety problems and to “seriously handling illegal activities” to “resolve the concerns of the masses.” It is important to “improve food safety laws and regulations, strengthen the construction of a standardized system, establish full evaluation and assessment methods, forcefully promote smart supervision (智慧监管), and elevate supervision effectiveness.” He emphasized that as the Spring Festival approaches, it is important to ensure the safety of food and beverages so that people can “rest assured” that what they are eating is safe. Next, he stated the importance of “accurately determining and handling food safety issues and potential risks, responding in a timely manner to the concerns of the masses,” strengthening food safety information dissemination, and “accurately releasing authoritative information” that promotes common interests and food safety in society. State Council Vice Premier Hu Chunhua (胡春华) and State Councilor Wang Yong (王勇) also attended the meeting and delivered speeches.
Chen Wenqing Visits Political and Legal [Affairs] Cadres and Encourages Them to Implement and Do a Good Job of Security and Protection Work During the Spring Festival Period
People’s Daily
1.20 On the eve of the Spring Festival, Politburo member and Secretary of the Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission Chen Wenqing (陈文清) visited Beijing to investigate the state of security work and to encourage cadres to “earnestly implement the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important instructions.” He emphasized using a “sense of responsibility that can never be given up” to do a good job of their work during the Spring Festival and to create a stable “social atmosphere” (社会环境) during the holidays “for the masses.” During his visit, he went to public security bureaus, police stations, and offices responsible for judicial supervision (司法监管) to understand the situation of “on-duty preparation” (值班备勤) and “emergency response” (应急处突) and interact with front-line police officers and cadres working in law enforcement, the procuratorate, and prisons. He expressed his well-wishes while acknowledging the hardships of their job and spoke highly of them for “sticking to their posts” (坚守岗位) and selflessness. He emphasized that “each department should strengthen their care for police officers” and “scientifically and rationally organize duties” to enable more rest time for them and guarantee that they maintain “robust (旺盛) combat capabilities (战斗力).” He pointed out that it is also the “responsibility of judicial organs” and police officers to “protect peace as thousands of families peacefully reunite” during the holiday and stated the importance of “upholding the people as the center, using heart and emotion to service the people, and help the masses to resolve practical and difficult issues.” He stressed “adhering to bottom-line thinking (底线思维),” making “careful arrangements” (周密部署), and “ensuring the safety of important events during the holiday period.” He further emphasized “strengthening patrols and prevention and control,” bolstering safety inspections at key points, and preventing public safety accidents. Lastly, he emphasized maintaining public security during the Spring Festival, punishing criminal activity in accordance with the law, and ensuring a positive environment for security and order. Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong (王小洪) accompanied him during the relevant events.
Xi Delivers Video Speech to the 7th Summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States
Xinhua
1.24 Xi Jinping delivered a speech via video at the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) summit in Buenos Aires. Xi began by pointing out that “countries in Latin America and the Caribbean” comprise an “important group of the developing countries” and are “participants of and contributors to world governance.” Xi stated that the CELAC had become an “indispensable force that promotes South-South cooperation (南南合作)” and “given full play to the important role of regional integration (域一体化) to protect regional peace and advance common development (共同发展). Xi emphasized that China has “supported the process of regional integration in Latin America” and “highly prioritizes developing relations” with the CELAC. He further stated that China has always regarded the CELAC as an “important partner” in “consolidating unity between developing countries” and “promoting South-South cooperation.” Xi stated that it is under this “original intention” that China will join with Latin America to “continuously strengthen the construction of a China-Latin America forum (中拉论坛) and promote a new era for China-Latin America relations” that is characterized by equality, mutual benefits, innovation, and openness. He stated that “more and more countries in the region are cooperating with China to promote high-quality construction via the Belt and Road Initiative (一带一路), supporting and participating in the Global Development Initiative (全球发展倡议) and Global Security Initiative (全球安全倡议), and joining hands with the Chinese side to construct a China-Latin America community of shared future for humankind (命运共同体).” Xi emphasized that “currently, the world is entering a period of turmoil and transformation” and that “only by strengthening unity and cooperation can we jointly meet challenges and overcome hard times.” He stated that China is willing to work together with CELAC to “advance world peace and development, promote the construction of a community of shared future for humankind, and jointly forge a better and more beautiful future.”
Zhang Hanhui: Unceasingly Advance the New Era of China-Russia Relations
People's Daily
1.26 PRC Ambassador to Russia Zhang Hanhui (张汉晖) published an article in People’s Daily on the state of China-Russia relations. Zhang wrote that in 2022, “facing a rapidly changing international situation and the ongoing spread of the global pandemic, China-Russia relations followed a trend of healthy development throughout.” He stated that under Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin’s leadership, the “China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era” (中俄新时代全面战略协作伙伴关系) has matured, the vitality and “special values” of bilateral cooperation have become more apparent, Xi and Putin have met and spoken many times to steer the development of the relationship, mutual support is strong on topics concerning each other’s “core interests,” and strategic coordination continually deepens. He then listed areas of cooperation including economic and trade relations; major science and technology projects including nuclear, avation, and space projects; transportation and infrastructure; digital commerce; medicine; decarbonization, and more. He also noted signs of increasing cultural exchange between the two countries, such as the popularity of the Russian Olympic Committee figure skating team in China during the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics or a rising “China craze” (中国热) among Russians seen in the rising popularity of Chinese language studies. Zhang wrote that in 2023, China-Russia relations will welcome new opportunities for further development. China’s “optimized” pandemic policies will create better conditions for international travel, freeing up greater potential for bilateral exchanges. Furthermore, as United Nations Security Council members and “responsible great powers,” China and Russia will continue to uphold “an international order with the United Nations at its core and an international order with international law as its foundation,” continue to promote multipolarity and the “democratization of international relations,” work to improve global governance, “promote political resolutions to international ‘hot spot’ region issues (国际地区热点问题),” and increase stability and “positive energy” (正能量) amid a complex international situation. In conclusion, Zhang stated that in the new year, China and Russia will join hands to realize “breakthrough development” and further advance bilateral relations.
Propaganda Work
People’s Daily Commentator: [With] Staunch Faith and Tenacious Fight, Realize a Good Start for the New Voyage People's Daily 1.21 A People’s Daily Commentator Article discussed Xi Jinping’s speech at a Spring Festival reception on 20 January, in which he reflected on the accomplishments and challenges of the past year and emphasized the joint efforts of the Party and the people. The commentary described the previous year as an important one for the Party and country, noting the 20th Party Congress and its accompanying plans for China’s socialist modernization and national rejuvenation. It also noted challenges in the international environment and domestic difficulties, stating that “under the staunch leadership of the Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core,” the nation united to face these challenges and implement Xi’s instructions to control the pandemic, stabilize the economy, and secure development. The commentary highlighted accomplishments in the past year, such as economic growth, grain production, the “continued… optimiz[ation] of pandemic prevention and control measures,” the hosting of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, the complete establishment of a Chinese space station, and more. It stressed the impressiveness of such achievements amid “changes unseen in a century” and a global pandemic. The commentary then concluded that the “two establishes” (两个确立) were the “deciding factor” in the Party and country’s historic successes, and the “greatest guarantee” for victory over any obstacle and against all uncertainties. It reiterated Xi’s assertion that nothing can impede the Party and people when united in thought and action. The commentary then noted that 2023 is the first year of fully implementing the spirit of the 20th Party Congress. It quoted Xi’s remarks on emphasizing stability, better coordination on various issues, economic recovery, and improved living standards, then called for using the “spirit of struggle” to take on challenges on the road ahead. It then stated that on the recent “road of struggle,” the Party had relied upon the people to overcome insurmountable challenges and achieve miracles. Citing Xi’s remarks, the commentary stressed the importance of practical action, hard work, and results rather than superficial claims. The commentary expressed optimism that in the Year of the Rabbit, China would get off to a good start in comprehensively building a modern socialist country. In conclusion, it called for closer unity around the Central Committee with Xi as the core; implementation of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics; “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)”; implementing the spirit of the 20th Party Congress; and having the courage and tenacity to unite in struggle for socialist modernization and national rejuvenation. Forever With the Party: In Commemoration of Comrade Soong Ch’ing-ling’s 130th Birthday People's Daily 1.27 The Central Institute of Party History and Literature published an article in People’s Daily to commemorate the life of Soong Ch'ing-ling (宋庆龄, 1893-1981), describing her as a great fighter for “patriotism, democracy, internationalism, and communism,” social activist, pioneer in the cause of world peace, and an “outstanding member of the Chinese Communist Party” (CCP). The article provided a biography of her life and political activism alongside her husband Sun Yat-sen (孫中山), particularly highlighting her support for the Kuomintang (KMT)-CCP United Front, KMT-Soviet alliance, and rural aid. It emphasized her disillusionment with Chiang Kai-shek’s (蔣介石) right-wing faction of the KMT, her regard for the CCP, and her call for a halt to the KMT-CCP civil war in response to the Japanese invasion of China. It noted her efforts to win global support for China in World War II and create an international front against fascism, such as her success in attracting global aid and propagating information about the war in China, including by propagating the successes of Communist troops and in directing international medical aid to Communist base areas. It described her as a “close war comrade” of the CCP and stated that she believed the CCP to be the “pioneering force” in repelling the invasion. It then noted her support during the “liberation war” for the “position advocated by the CCP” to establish a united democratic government, her opposition to the US providing military aid to the KMT, and her inclusion of the CCP in the humanitarian initiatives of the China Welfare Institute (中国福利基金会). The article claimed that she was enthusiastic about the CCP’s victory in the civil war, noting her participation in the first plenum of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Congress (CPPCC) and her election as Vice-Chair of the People’s Republic of China. The article then described and praised her career in the PRC government over the rest of her life, where she served as Vice-President of the PRC, Vice-Chair of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee, Vice-Chair of the CPPCC, and honorary President of the nation. It noted her work for China’s economic development and the people’s welfare, particularly her work for women and children; her support for “national reunification” with Taiwan; her concern for global peace and development and participation in global peace conferences; and her closeness to the CCP, with her eventual formal acceptance to the Party weeks before her death.
Reflecting on her legacy, it stated that she “always stood on the right side of history and on the side of human progress,” tirelessly pursuing her goals and fighting for progress. The article stated that to remember Soong, we should study several aspects of her life and follow relevant guidance on these personal traits from Xi Jinping. First, we should study her conviction in being “forever with the Party,” as per a speech she delivered in 1958. It said that in the face of serious struggles, she persisted in standing with the Party, sharing its hardships and difficult times to forge an unbreakable friendship with the Party’s leaders. It then called for readers to stay close to the Party’s “original mission” (初心使命), take on responsibilities, and “use the light of ideals to illuminate the path of struggle and use the power of conviction to create a beautiful future.” Second, we should study her sincere sympathies for the people by putting the people first (人民至上), implementing people-centric development thinking, and carrying out united struggle for the people’s better lives in the new era. Third, we should study her patriotism and spirit of self-sacrifice for the country by fostering a spirit of patriotic responsibility for the nation’s fate, creating an “iron wall” for “national reunification, unity of nationalities, and social stability.” Finally, we should study her concern for all the world and vision of world peace, holding a broader view of the world, working for human progress, responding to the common concerns of people from all nations, and contributing to resolution of the common problems humanity faces.