Weekly Report 1|35 6.16.2018-6.22.2018
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Xi Jinping met with Kim Jong-un for the third time in recent months. According to Xinhua, the two leaders held a “frank and in-depth discussion of the current development of China-DPRK relations and the situation on the Korean Peninsula,” and that they “unanimously agreed to safeguard, consolidate, and develop China-DPRK relations and jointly promote momentum favorable toward the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula.”
After the Ministry of Commerce responded to US trade measures and announced the US initiation of a trade war, official media circulated commentaries denouncing US actions, warning that US protectionism is “harming others while harming itself.” A Xinhua commentary proclaimed that “a tough counterattack and preventing war through war are the best choices to stop conflict against warlike people.”
The CCDI made several high-profile announcements this week, including the return of Red Notice fugitive Wang Qi to China, and the investigations of the general managers of the China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation and China Huadian Engineering.
SENIOR LEADERS
Wang Yang Makes Official Friendly Visits to Uganda and Kenya
6.16 Politburo Standing Committee member and Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee Chairman Wang Yang (汪洋) made an official friendly visit to Uganda on 13-16 June. While there, he met individually with President Yoweri Museveni, Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga, and Vice President Edward Ssekandi as well as held talks with Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda.
During his meeting with Museveni, Wang stated that, China and Uganda should strengthen linkages between their development strategies and carry out comprehensive cooperation under the frameworks of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to realize the two centenary goals and Uganda Vision 2040. Museveni praised “China’s previous generation of leaders for always firmly standing by the Ugandan people during the process of anti-colonialism and national independence” as well as the “China-Africa 10 major cooperation plans” (中非十大合作计划) announced by Xi Jinping in 2015 for “providing new opportunities for Uganda to realize national transformation and medium- and long-term development.”
Wang subsequently made an official friendly visit to Kenya on 16-19 June. While there, he met individually with President Uhuru Kenyatta and Speaker of the Senate Kenneth Lusaka as well as held talks with Speaker of the National Assembly Justin Muturi.
Wang hailed cooperation between China and Kenya as “a model for China-Africa cooperation” during his meeting with Kenyatta. He also announced that, new measures for leading China-Africa cooperation into a new era will be unveiled during FOCAC in September. Kenyatta stated that, in recent years, “Kenya has actively participated in building BRI” and the country “has received veritable benefits and its people have obtained visible and tangible gains through cooperation with China.”
Li Zhanshu: Enforcement Inspection Should Confront Problems
6.16 Politburo Standing Committee member and National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee chairman Li Zhanshu (栗战书) presided over the second plenary meeting of the NPC Standing Committee’s inspection team for the enforcement of the Air Pollution Prevention and Control Law. Li emphasized “holding Xi Jinping’s thought on building ecological civilization as a guide, clearly assessing the overall situation of air pollution prevention, and thoroughly discovering the prominent problems in implementing laws.” He said that “there is still a huge gap between the air quality and Central Committee’s requirements and people’s expectations,” pointing out that the lack of knowledge of the law, supporting laws, and legal responsibilities are the main factors affecting the effectiveness of pollution prevention.
Xi Jinping Meets with Bolivian President Evo Morales, Establishes Strategic Partnership
6.19 Xi Jinping met with the President of Bolivia Evo Morales in Beijing. The two leaders decided to establish a strategic partnership between their countries. Xi stated that, “China praises Bolivia for firmly pursuing the One-China Policy, actively responding to the BRI, and vigorously promoting the deepening of China-Latin America relations.” He described the establishment of a strategic partnership as an “important turning point” in bilateral relations and called for China and Bolivia to “jointly protect the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries, jointly build a new type of international relations based on mutual respect, fairness, justice, and win-win cooperation, and join hands in building a community of shared future.” Morales noted that, “China’s support and help in developing Bolivia’s economy and society never has political conditions attached.” He stated that, “Bolivia has a high-level of trust in China” and “the Bolivian people admire China’s development concepts and achievements.”
Following the meeting, Xi and Morales both signed a joint statement on establishing a strategic partnership between China and Bolivia and witnessed the signing of documents on BRI and other forms of bilateral cooperation. Li Keqiang and Li Zhanshu also individually met with Morales.
Xi Jinping Meets with Kim Jong Un
6.19 Xi Jinping held talks with Korean Workers’ Party Chairman Kim Jong Un in Beijing. Xinhua reported that the two leaders held a “frank and in-depth discussion of the current development of China-DPRK relations and the situation on the Korean Peninsula,” and that they “unanimously agreed to safeguard, consolidate, and develop China-DPRK relations and jointly promote momentum favorable toward the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula.”
Xi expressed that he was pleased with the outcome of Kim’s meeting with US President Donald Trump in Singapore and highly praises Kim’s presence in China, which demonstrates that strategic communication between the two parties and the two countries is a high priority for Kim. He emphasized that, in less than three months, he has seen Kim three times, opening a new chapter in China-DPRK relations. He reiterated that, “regardless of changes in the international or regional situation, the Chinese Party and government devotion to their firm position of consolidating the development of China-DPRK relations will not change, and the friendly feelings of the Chinese people toward the North Korean people will not change.”
Xi also communicated that he was pleased to see that North Korea has “made a major decision to shift its focus to economic construction” and said that China “supports North Korea following a development path in line with its own national conditions.”
Xi Jinping Meets with Global CEO Council Participants
6.21 Xi Jinping met with executives from well-known multinational corporations who were in Beijing to attend a special round-table summit of the Global CEO Council. Xi stated that, “Since 2017, the global economy has stably improved, but global economic growth remains weak, ideological trends such as protectionism, isolationism, and populism continue to gain ground, and the challenges confronting world peace and development are increasingly severe.” He cited the Belt and Road Initiative as an example of China’s willingness to counter these developments and build a community of shared future. Xi told the executives that, “We encourage multinational corporations to work with Chinese corporations to achieve mutual benefits and obtain more concrete results.” He also discussed innovation and smart manufacturing, green development, and global governance.
PROPAGANDA WORK
Ministry of Commerce Responds to US Trade Measures and Announces US Initiation of Trade War
Ministry of Commerce Portal
6.15-18 On 15 June, the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) released a statement expressing deep regret that despite having conducted several rounds of negotiations with the United States, the US has disregarded the afore reached consensus and is provoking a trade war, and in doing so has harmed both sides’ interests and undermines the world trade order. The statement reiterated, “China does not want to fight a trade war” but “China has no choice but to respond strongly, and will resolutely defend national interests, the interests of the Chinese people, and defend economic globalization and the multilateral trading system.” The announcement included the immediate intention to apply retaliatory tariffs of equal measure and strength, and that all agreements previously made during bilateral negotiations will be considered invalid. The statement concluded by calling on all countries to take joint action to “firmly defend the common interests of mankind” (坚定捍卫人类共同利益).
On 19 June, MOFCOM responded to further statements from the White House, stating that the United States had further intensified the situation by threatening to draw up a list of 200 billion USD valued goods subject to tariffs. This practice further broke with the consensus drawn up during bilateral negotiations and “is a disappointment to the international community” (令国际社会十分失望). The statement further notified that if the “US acts irrationally” (美方失去理性) and issues a list, China will adapt comprehensive qualitative and quantitative countermeasures.
The statement declared that the United States initiated a trade war, is not following the global trend in development, and has harmed the interests of the people and enterprises in both China, the United States and the rest of the world. China’s stated response is to safeguard the interests of its country, people, the free trade system, and the common interests of mankind. China will push forward with reform and opening up, advance with high quality economic development, and accelerate the construction of a modern economic system.
The US Stubbornly Clings to Its Course, Inevitably Harming Others and Itself People’s Daily
6.16 Journalist Wu Qiuyu (吴秋余) wrote a highly critical article on American trade policy in the People’s Daily. Wu noted that the recent tariff announcements made by the United States against China came as negotiations were ongoing and efforts were being made to “achieve a win-win situation.”
Wu noted that the international community has expressed shock in reaction to the United States’ “Stubborn clinging to its own course” (一意孤行) and “harming others while harming itself” (损人害己). Wu stated that, ever since the United States provoked the trade dispute, American instability has become a “normal state.” He noted that trade wars do not have winners (贸易战没有赢家) and argued that only if the knowledgeable people with insight into the world band together can the path for the development of the global economy be corrected and all delusions or attempts at trade protectionism be crushed.
Wu stated that, since the day reform and opening up was chosen, China has endured perilous situations and that China is a responsible power and will not close its doors due to “annoying trouble makers.” Commentary: The United States Ought to Remember History's Lessons Xinhua
6.17 Gao Pan (高攀) of Xinhua wrote a commentary that denounced the Trump Administration’s trade policies and stated that American policymakers should take several lessons from America’s past into account. The first lesson that should be recalled is that, when the US provokes a trade war, it “harms others while harming itself” (损人害己) and threatens the global economy’s recovery. Gao referred to the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act of 1930 and its negative effects to make this point.
The second lesson is that “the gains do not make up for the losses” (得不偿失) in American trade protectionism and the United States will lose even more jobs as a result. Gao cited the aftermath of a 2009 American tariff on Chinese tire imports as evidence. The final lesson is that American unilateral trade actions receive widespread denouncement and the effect of such policies is called into question. Gao noted reactions to American usage of Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 as an example.
Xinhua Commentary: Prevent War through War, There is No Choice But to Act Xinhua 6.18 An commentary in Xinhua stated that, in light of the United States openly abandoning a hard-won common consensus and returning to unstable “Sichuan opera face-changing” (川剧变脸), the “Chinese side has no choice but to deal with them as they deal with us” (中方不得不以其人之道还治其人之身). The commentary noted the efforts made by the Chinese delegation over the last three months to settle disagreements and the headway made at the beginning of June. Among other points, the commentary noted that “a tough counterattack and preventing war through war are the best choices to stop conflict against warlike people” (强硬反击、以战止战是对付好战者的最好选择).
From “Standard Bearer” of Human Rights to Withdrawing from the UN Human Rights Council
6.20 The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection published an online commentary on the United States’ recent decision to withdraw from the UN Human Rights Council, contending this necessitates reexamining the country’s human rights record. It argued that, “the United States’ characteristic behavior in the human rights sphere is ‘to use what corresponds with US interests and abandon what does not’ (合则用，不合则弃).” This approach reportedly allows the US to criticize other countries for serious violations of human rights while selectively ignoring its own human rights problems.
The commentary cited the Iraq War, military interventions in Libya and Syria, and separation of families under the Trump administration’s “zero tolerance” policy at the Mexican border as evidence the US does not practice what it preaches. It asserted human rights are historical, political, and social, meaning “countries at different stages of development have different human rights problems,” and the more than 700 million Chinese people lifted out of abject poverty during 40 years of Reform and Opening Up are the most notable symbol of China’s progress in human rights, demonstrate China’s utmost respect for human rights, and embody China’s concrete contributions to human rights.
The Confucius Institute Assists with the Construction of a Community of Shared Future for Mankind People’s Daily
6.22 Tianjin Normal University Vice Principal Zhong Yinghua (钟英华) wrote an article in People’s Daily that stated “forwarding the construction of a community of shared future for mankind to become the Party’s position and the country’s will has embodied China’s ‘big country responsibilities’ (大国担当)” and that Confucius Institutes can be a contributing force in the construction of that community. Zhong stated that in paving a road of language and increasing cultural exchanges Confucius display usefulness. Zhong also noted that the Confucius Institute has for many years taken the shape of a joint-construction and joint-management mechanism; Zhong states that the construction of a community of shared future for mankind requires certain joint activities.
UNITED FRONT WORK
Hao Mingjin: Increase Self-Confidence in the Political Party System, Consolidate the Development of a Good United Front in a New Era
Tuanjie Bao 6.16 China National Democratic Construction Association Central Committee Chairman Hao Mingjin (郝明金) wrote an article in Tuanjie Bao to illustrate several points on the role of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era in “consolidating hearts and concentrating strength.” He stated that one must preserve with studying Xi Jinping thought and the spirit of the 19th Party Congress. Hao also noted that one must persist with, develop, and make perfect the new type of party system lead by the CCP. He concluded by noting the democratic parties of China must perform an important role in consolidating the development of the united front in a new era. Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference National Committee Ethnic and Religion Committee Research Group Visits Gansu Province CPPCC Daily 6.16 The Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference National Committee’s Ethnic and Religious Committee Director Wang Weiguang (王伟光) led a team to research and “solve poverty alleviation issues in abjectly impoverished areas” (解决深度贫困地区脱贫问题) in Tibetan and Hui minority areas of Gansu Province. Among other issues, the team was especially interested in bilingual (i.e. Mandarin and Tibetan) school districts that are advantageous for preparing minority students to learn more about modern culture and science in the future. One member noted that education is an important tool for preventing younger generations from remaining as impoverished as their predecessors.
Hu Chunhua: Firmly and Vigorously Advance Poverty Alleviation in Abjectly Impoverished Areas
6.19 State Council Leading Small Group on Poverty Alleviation and Development head Hu Chunhua (胡春华) investigated and researched poverty alleviation efforts in Yunnan. While there, he emphasized the need to deeply study and implement the spirit of Xi Jinping’s important directives on poverty alleviation, seriously carry out the Central Committee and State Council’s three-year action plan on winning the poverty alleviation battle, and guarantee that no village or person is left behind.
PARTY DISCIPLINE
China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation General Manager Under Investigation
6.16 The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) announced that China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation Deputy Party Secretary and General Manager Sun Bo (孙波) is under investigation by the CCDI and National Supervision Commission for serious violations of discipline and law.
Eliminating the Sense of Entitlement Behind “Corruption Wheels”
6.16 An article published in China Discipline Inspection and Supervision Magazine and labeled an “important article” on the CCDI website discussed the problem of “private car, public upkeep” (私车公养), which refers to the use of public funds for the upkeep and maintenance of private cars. The article revealed that some public officials treat their private cars as if they were for official use, utilizing official fuel cards for refueling and submitting invoices for insurance, maintenance, and inspection.
The article said that “private car, public upkeep” is simply a new manifestation of an old problem: a sense of entitlement among some government officials that has not yet been eliminated. As a solution to the problem, the article calls for harsher punishment of the violation as well as the improvement of regulatory mechanisms for official car use.
Red Notice Fugitive Surrenders to Authorities
6.18 The CCDI announced that Red Notice fugitive Wang Qi (王颀) has returned to China and surrendered himself to authorities. The former director of the legal department of China Resources Microelectronic Ltd., Wang fled to Singapore in 2013. Xinhua’s article said that Wang’s return demonstrates that “the CCP Central Committee with Xi Jinping at the core has a clear attitude and firm determination to pursue runaways to the end.” It concludes that “corrupt elements fleeing abroad must abandon delusions; surrendering themselves to authorities is the only way out.”
A commentary on Wang’s surrender subsequently appeared on the CCDI’s website. It pointed out Wang was included on the Fugitive Repatriation and Asset Recovery Office’s 6 June list of 50 fugitive graft suspects who have fled overseas and boasted that it only took 12 days to capture someone from the list.
China Huadian Engineering General Manager Suspected of Serious Violations of Law
6.20 The CCDI announced that Huo Li (霍利), general manager of China Huadian Engineering, member of its Party committee, and president of its general research institute for science and technology, is suspected of serious violations of the law and is currently being investigated.
Central Military Commission Discipline Inspection Commission Lists Formalist and Bureaucratic Issues
Xinhua 6.19 With the Central Military Commission (CMC)’s approval, the CMC Discipline Inspection Commission published a list of formalist and bureaucratic issues for correction. According to the article, this list practically implements Xi Jinping’s important directives on issues relating to correcting formalist and bureaucratic issues and promotes accurate corrections to governance. The list includes 52 concrete examples of bureaucratic issues.
Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and National Supervision Commission Jointly Establish Dispatch Mechanism Xinhua 6.20 After receiving Central Committee approval, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and National Supervision Commission jointly established discipline inspection and supervision groups in different organs. The new groups are called: the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and National Supervision Commission Dispatch Disciplinary Inspection and Supervision Groups (中央纪律检查委员会国家监察委员会派驻纪检监察组). The groups are responsible for inspecting officials within state and party structures.
PD Commentator Article: Give Better Play to the Important Role of Auditing in the Party and Nation’s Supervision System
6.20 A People’s Daily commentator article discussed the 20 June report of the National Audit Office to the National People’s Congress, the first time it has delivered a “National Audit Account” (国家审计大账) since the establishment of the Central Auditing Committee (中央审计委员会). The commentator article explained that auditing plays an important role in the country’s discipline and supervision system, “ensuring the country’s fiscal and economic order, improving efficiency in the use of public funds, promoting the construction of a clean and honest government, and ensuring the healthy development of the economy and society.” Especially since the 18th Party Congress, auditing has made important contributions to “demanding exact compliance (令行禁止) with the instructions of the Central Committee, safeguarding national economic security, promoting the comprehensive deepening of reform, promoting the rule of law, and promoting the construction of a clean and honest politics.”
The article called for “expanding the breadth and depth of audit supervision,” “deepening the reform of the auditing system,” and “building a team of high-quality, professional audit cadres with firm conviction, and professional mastery, pragmatism, and integrity (清正廉洁).”
CENTRAL MILITARY COMMISSION (CMC)
CMC Releases an Implementation Outline for “Passing on the Red Gene”
6.18 The Central Military Commission (CMC) released an implementation outline for “passing on the red gene” (红色基因). The outline pointed out that “vigorously passing on the red gene is a strategic mission and fundamental project for politically building the military in a new era.” It stressed the importance of “forging absolute loyalty to defend the core and follow the Party’s lead, consolidating the idea and belief in socialism and communism, and strengthening the innovative consciousness that dares to reform and make breakthroughs.” The outline demanded political organs at all levels reinforce their guidance and include “passing on the red gene” in the comprehensive construction of the military.
Let Big Data Inject New Energy into National Defense Mobilization
6.20 An article in PLA Daily stressed that “the application of big data to national defense mobilization is a trend; only by following the trend, reinforcing big data infrastructure building, and enhancing the ability to utilize big data in national defense mobilization can one have the initiative in future warfare mobilization.” The author said that the current legal and regulatory systems for building a national defense mobilization database are not complete and that there are still many barriers in data collection and storage. A data platform should first be built. Then an innovative management model should be created to solve the contradictions between sharing data and security and confidentiality. Finally, policies and regulations should be made to clarify the rights and obligations for providing data at all levels and in all regions.
INTERNATIONAL LIAISON WORK
6.13-16 International Department Assistant Minister Shen Beili (沈蓓莉) led a CCP delegation to Slovakia at the invitation of the Direction-Social Democracy (SMER-SD) party. While there, she met with the leaders of major political parties, such as SMER-SD leader Robert Fico.
6.15 International Department Vice Minister Qian Hongshan (钱洪山) met with Greece’s New Democracy party’s political bureau member and Regional Governor of Central Macedonia Apostolos Tzitzikostas.
6.19 International Department Vice Minister Xu Luping (徐绿平) met with the Tanzanian Ambassador to China Mbelwa Kairuki.
6.20 Qian Hongshan met with a Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) cadre study group led by a CPP Central Committee member and Publicity and Education Commission vice chairman.
6.21 International Department Minister Song Tao (宋涛) met with a Communist Party of Cuba delegation.
6.21 Song Tao met with a Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism (PNDS) delegation led by Minister of Oil and PNDS Deputy Secretary-General Foumakoye Gado. Xu Luping also met with the delegation later that day.
6.21 Qian Hongshan met with a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI/Pakistan Movement for Justice) party cadre study group led by PTI vice chairman Sardar Khadim Hussain Wardak.
6.21 International Department Vice Minister Li Jun (李军) met with a Fatah cadre study group from Palestine led by a member of Fatah’s Revolutionary Council.
ORGANIZATION WORK
6.20 Fu Jianhua (付建华) was appointed secretary of the Ministry of Emergency Management’s newly established temporary organizational Party committee.
6.21 Li Zhaoqian (李兆前) was appointed member of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce’s Party leadership group.
6.21 Chen Gang (陈刚) was appointed secretary of the China Association of Science and Technology’s secretariat.
6.22 Xu Siming (徐思鸣) was appointed deputy bureau chief of the State Bureau for Letters and Calls and member of its Party leadership group.
6.22 Lin Rui (林锐) was appointed assistant minister of the Ministry of Public Security and member of its Party committee.