Weekly Report 4|24 4.24.2021-4.30.2021
Highlights
Xi Jinping conducted an inspection tour of Guangxi (see Senior leaders section).
People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Chairman Wang Yang (汪洋) hosted the 48th bi-weekly CPPCC meeting in Beijing, which focused on strengthening patriotic education for Hong Kong and Macau youth. Meanwhile Politburo Standing Committee member Han Zheng (韩正) met with Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam (林郑月娥) and Macau Chief Executive He Yicheng (贺一诚) before touring Guangdong (see United Front Work section).
Senior Leaders
Wang Chen Visits Beijing Institute of Technology’s “Yan’an Spirit on Campus” Initiative
4.26 Politburo member, Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference Deputy Head, and China Yan’an Spirit Research Association Head Wang Chen (王晨) visited the Beijing Institute of Technology (BIT) to observe its “Yan’an Spirit on Campus” (延安精神进校园) Initiative. Wang emphasized that students and faculty should deepen the study of the spirit of Xi Jinping’s important remarks at the Party History Education and Study Mobilization Meeting. They should study the 100 years of party history, promote the Yan’an spirit, inherit red genes (红色基因), and contribute to national development. Students should set their fundamental objective as “cultivating morality to shape personal development” to better serve the grand goal of building a modern socialist country.
Wang chose to visit BIT because its precursor was the Yan’an Academy of Natural Sciences established in 1940, the first STEM university founded by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Wang said that BIT resolutely inherited the red gene of “Yan’an roots, soldier and worker’s spirit” (延安根、军工魂), and that it resolutely followed the original mission of cultivating people for the Party and cultivating talent for the country. He praised BIT for building a “red road of education,” which makes important contributions to the development of the economy, national security, and technology.
Wang emphasized the important status of the Yan’an spirit within the genealogy of the Party spirit. As Xi said many times, the Yan’an spirit is the Party’s invaluable spiritual asset. Wang said the Yan’an spirit should be treated as an important lesson in party history education. This will guide faculty and students to strengthen their ideological base and cultivate patriotic sentiments, listen to the Party, follow the Party, be the loyal follower and practitioner of socialism with Chinese characteristics. The correct political direction should be firmly grasped. The “Yan’an Spirit on Campus” Initiative will plant the seed of the Yan’an spirit into the hearts of college youth, so that they will dedicate themselves to the journey toward building a modern socialist country.
The General Offices of the CCP Central Committee and State Council Issue Suggestions on Establishing a Robust Value Realization Mechanism for Ecological Products
4.27 Recently, the General Office of the CPC Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council issued their “Suggestions Regarding the Establishment of a Robust Value Realization Mechanism for Ecological Products,” noting that the mechanism is an important measure to implement Xi Jinping’s Ecological Civilization Thought.
Suggestions included:
A section on overall requirements. This includes adhering to Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as the guiding ideology, and a number of working principles related to prioritizing protection and rational use, government leadership and market operation, system planning and steady advancement, and supporting innovation and encouraging exploration. Strategic directions include cultivating new forces for high-quality economic development, creating a new pattern of coordinated development between urban and rural areas, leading the new way of protecting and restoring the ecological environment, and creating a new plan for the harmonious symbiosis of man and nature. This section also laid out the main goals of this initiative, stating that by 2025, the preliminary framework will be formed, a number of more specific systems will be established or improved upon, existing problems regarding ecological products will be solved, and the ability to transform ecological advantages into economic advantages will be strengthened. By 2035, the value realization mechanism will be complete and a new model of ecological civilization with Chinese characteristics will be fully formed, among other things.
Establish an investigation and monitoring mechanism for ecological products. This includes advancing the natural resource authentication and authority registration system to assess property rights and clarify the rights and responsibilities of ecological products and developing ecological product information surveys to form a list of ecological products and establish an online platform for sharing ecological product information.
Establish the value realization mechanism for ecological products. This includes establishing a system for realizing the value of ecological products in different types of ecosystems and administrative regions and establishing an accounting method that takes into considering the attributes of different ecological products. It also includes formulating accounting standards for the value of ecological products and evaluating the effectiveness of ecological protection in various regions.
Create a robust management and development mechanism for ecological products. This includes advancing the precise connection between supply and demand for ecological products to increase efficiency, expanding the value realization model of ecological products to take full advantage of the different natural resource advantages in various regions, advancing value-added ecological products by creating regional public brands with distinctive characteristics and creating a certification system, and pushing for transactions of ecological resource rights and interests such as by improving the carbon emission rights trading mechanism.
Create a compensation mechanism for the protection of ecological products. This includes improving a compensation system for vertical ecological protection to encourage protection at all levels, establishing a compensation system for horizontal ecological protection, and improving the compensation system for ecological environment damage to better punish violations and develop environmental damage evaluations.
Create a robust guarantee mechanism for the value realization of ecological products. This includes establishing an evaluation mechanism for the value of ecological products, establishing an interest-oriented mechanism for ecological and environmental protection, such as through a points-based system, and increasing support for green finance via favorable financing options.
Create a robust advancement mechanism for the value realization of ecological products. This includes strengthening organization and leadership at all levels, promoting pilot project demonstrations, strengthening intellectual support by relying on colleges, universities, and scientific research institutions, and promoting supervision and implementation by using value realization of ecological products to evaluate officials’ performance.
During Inspection of Guangxi, Xi Jinping Emphasized Liberating Thought, Deepening Reform, and Concentrating Efforts to Take on Industrious Work to Build a Magnificent Guangxi with Socialism with Chinese Characteristics in the New Era
4.28 From 25 to 27 April, Xi Jinping carried out an inspection tour in Guangxi. He visited Guilin, Liuzhou, Nanning, and other places to conduct investigations on implementing the spirit of the Fifth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee of the CCP and to promote the 14th Five-Year Plan. On 25 April, Xi visited Guilin and stated that “revolutionary ideals are higher than the sky” and that “we must firmly hold onto [our] belief in certain victory and bravely prevail over various great risks and challenges coming from at home and abroad.” He visited a grape plantation, where he emphasized the need to “comprehensively advance rural revitalization” and “adhere to using science and technology to revitalize agriculture” and “integrat[e] agriculture culture and tourism.” He also visited a villager’s home, where he listened to the villager’s story and noted that China has “won a comprehensive victory in the poverty alleviation fight.” He also visited Yangshuo County to listen to reports on the management and ecological protection of the Li River Basin, where he promoted the deepening of ecological restoration and environmental pollution control. On 26 April, he visited Elephant Trunk Hill in Guilin and stated the need to “use culture to shape tourism and use tourism to manifest culture” and make Guilin into a “world-class tourist city.” Xi also went to Liuzhou for inspection and investigation, where he listened to a report from a manufacturing company and emphasized the importance of “the high-quality development of the manufacturing industry” to the national economy. During another stop in Liuzhou, he emphasized “guid[ing] the development and growth of private enterprises.” On 27 April, Xi visited the Guangxi Museum of Nationalities and stated that Guangxi is a model example of “national unity” and stated that all ethnic minorities must unite and hold hands to strive for “national rejuvenation.” After listening to a work report from the Guangxi government, he pointed out that “to promote high-quality economic development,” China must “construct a new development pattern” and “accurately grasp the comparative advantages of the region” to integrate into the development pattern. He mentioned deepening reforms, increasing innovation, and connecting regional activity to national economic initiatives. He also talked about poverty alleviation and government efforts on food security, as well as the necessity to improve the people’s quality of life, which includes employment, education, and disease prevention and control. Finally, he stated that Guangxi is rich in “red resources” (红色资源), which should be used to study party history, strengthen the belief in Marxism and communism, and increase overall theoretical, institutional, and cultural confidence.
Xi Jinping Presides Over Politburo Meeting
4.30 The Politburo met to analyze the current economic situation, listen to a report on the third national land survey, and to review the “Regulations on the Organization Work of the Chinese Communist Party.”
Regarding the economic situation, the Politburo concluded that since the beginning of this year, under the strong leadership of the Central Committee with Xi Jinping at the core, all regions and departments have coordinated efforts to promote epidemic prevention and control along with economic and social development, and have vigorously implemented macroeconomic policies to promote China’s economic recovery. Economic operations are therefore “off to a good start.” However, they also concluded that current economic recovery is uneven and its foundation is unstable. It is therefore necessary to promote economic stability and improvement, deepen supply-side structural reform, and open chokepoints in domestic and international dual circulation in order to provide continuous impetus for the development of the 14th Five-Year Plan. As always, the Politburo emphasized “seeking progress while maintaining stability,” implementing the New Development Concept, and seeking a new development pattern.
Regarding the third national land survey, which began in 2017 to collect data on the country’s land resources, the Politburo said it is necessary to attach great importance to the problems identified in the survey, conduct in-depth analysis, and adopt appropriate measures. It is necessary to adhere to rigorous arable land protection systems, optimize the use of arable land, and ensure that the total amount of arable land does not decrease.
Regarding organization work, the Politburo asserted that “organizational rigor is the glorious tradition and unique advantage of the Party.” Organization work regulations were formulated in order to uphold the Party’s leadership or organization work, implement the Party’s organizational line in the new era, and promote the institutionalization and standardization of organization work. The Politburo emphasized that the regulations are of great significance for comprehensively improving organization work, enhancing the Party’s political leadership, ideological leadership, and societal appeal.
United Front Work
Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference Holds Consultative Meeting on “Strengthening Patriotic Education for Hong Kong and Macau Youth”
4.23 Politburo Standing Committee member, Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Chairman Wang Yang (汪洋) hosted the 48th bi-weekly CPPCC meeting in Beijing. Wang emphasized that strengthening patriotic education for Hong Kong and Macau youth is critical to the long-term stability of Hong Kong and Macau. He said that all must deepen the understanding of Xi Jinping’s important speeches on this topic, correctly enforce the “One Country, Two Systems” framework, implement the principle of “patriots governing Hong Kong and Macau” (爱国者治澳).
Delegates suggested the following measures:
Implement comprehensive central leadership jurisdiction, delegate responsibility to special autonomous region (SAR) governments
Construct appropriate education systems that suit “One Country, Two Systems”, realize the principle of “patriots governing education” (爱国者治教”)
Formulate a long-term plan for patriotic education for Hong Kong and Macau youth
Improve course offerings, choice of textbook materials, teachers training, teaching evaluation work
Support patriotic and Hong Kong-loving schools
Focus on social education, support SAR governments in regulating the media
Innovate mainland exchange policies for Hong Kong and Macau youth, improve policies for Hong Kong and Macau youth to study, work, and live in the mainland
Establish patriotic education centers in mainland provinces and cities, especially the Greater Bay Area (Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau)
Hong Kong and Macau CPPCC delegates should be promoters and advocates for youth patriotic education
CPPCC Vice Chairman Liang Zhenying (梁振英) gave a keynote address. Representatives from the Ministry of Education also spoke at the meeting, as well as those from the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office, Central Youth League, and the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR.
Han Zheng Meets with Carrie Lam, He Yicheng
4.22 Politburo Standing Committee member and Vice Premier Han Zheng (韩正) met with Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam (林郑月娥) and Macau Chief Executive He Yicheng (贺一诚). The two Chief Executives went to Guangzhou for the Greater Bay Area Construction Leading Small Group Meeting. Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council Director Xia Baolong (夏宝龙) also participated in the meeting.
Han Zheng affirmed the recent work of the two special autonomous region (SAR) governments and praised the work of the National People’s Congress (NPC) on improving the Hong Kong electoral system and the NPC Standing Committee’s amendments to Annexes I and II of the Hong Kong Basic Law. Han said that both decisions provided the legal guarantee for implementing the “patriots governing Hong Kong” principle, and for ensuring Hong Kong’s long-term stability. Han told Lam that the HKSAR should pay close attention to local legislative work in order to organize elections well both this year and next year. Han also said that Macau should also make every effort to do well in its work for the general election of the seventh Legislative Council.
Han emphasized pandemic prevention and control as a priority in advancing economic recovery and improving people’s livelihood and affirmed the support of the central government in this regard.
Regarding the construction of the Greater Bay Area, Han stressed the implementation of central-issued support policies for Qianhan and Hengqin Districts of Shenzhen, and Hetao District of Zhuhai, utilization of the unique advantage of Hong Kong and Macau, maintenance of long-term stability and prosperity of Hong Kong and Macau, and the promotion of the continuous development of the successful “One Country, Two Systems” experiment.
Carrie Lam and He Yicheng expressed gratitude to the central government for supporting the development of Hong Kong and Macau. They said that they will actively participate in the construction of the Greater Bay Area according to central policy directives.
Han Zheng in Guangdong, Emphasizes Deepening Reform and Promoting High-Quality Development
4.23-25 Politburo Standing Committee member and Vice Premier Han Zheng (韩正) visited Guangzhou, Shantou, and Chaozhou following his meetings with Carrie Lam and He Yicheng. During his tour, he emphasized upholding Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics in the New Era as a guide, resolutely deepening reform and opening up, and resolutely promoting high-quality development.
In Guangzhou, Han visited various sites to inspect urban planning, public facilities construction, and water management. In Shantou, Han visited ancient and traditional cultural sites. He said that urban expansion has to be suited to local conditions; it cannot be based on mass demolition and mass construction. It needs to preserve historical sites and strengthen environmental protection in order to improve people’s living environment.
Han then visited the Greater Bay Area Innovation and Entrepreneurship Incubation Base and talked to Hong Kong and Macau youth there. Han told them that they should use their personal experiences to actively promote the real stories of the Greater Bay Area and the mainland. They should help other Hong Kong and Macau youth learn about the Greater Bay Area and further facilitate the national integration of Hong Kong and Macau. Han added that policies will be improved to help with the housing, childcare and education, and healthcare for Hong Kong and Macau youth working in the Greater Bay Area.
Han also visited the Guangzhou International Bio Island, where he encouraged researchers to further innovate and to contribute to public health. Han then went to an affordable housing neighborhood in Guangzhou, where he emphasized that housing supply needs to be increased. He encouraged local experimentation for better plans to resolve acute housing problems in big cities.
Lastly, Han visited the old Shantou stop on the secret transportation line between the Chinese Communist Party and the Central Soviet Zone. He noted that promoting “red traditions,” passing on “red genes,” combining party history education with solving real-world problems, and helping the masses solve difficult problems in practical ways should be vigorously carried forward.
Party Discipline
Zhao Leji: Promote Full-Coverage Inspection, Effectively Fulfill the Political Supervisory Role
4.29 Politburo Standing Committee member and Central Leading Group for Inspection Work Head Zhao Leji (赵乐际) addressed the National Inspection Work Conference and the Seventh Inspection Mobilization and Deployment Meeting of the 19th CCP Central Committee. Zhao emphasized that “inspections are political inspections and important political tasks.” He said that at present, it is necessary to focus on the implementation of the major decisions of Xi Jinping at the Central Committee on grasping the New Development Stage (新发展阶段), implementing the New Development Concept (新发展理念), carrying out political inspection and political supervision, and guaranteeing the success of the 14th Five-Year Plan. Zhao also discussed the relevance of the Party History Study and Education campaign to inspection and supervision work, saying it is necessary to study the history of the Party’s inspection system, especially since the 18th Party Congress. Central Committee member and Central Leading Group for Inspection Work Deputy Head Yang Xiaodu (杨晓渡) was also in attendance as well as Politburo Member and Central Leading Group for Inspection work Chen Xi (陈希).
International Liaison Work
4.26 The Chinese Communist Party and the Communist Party of Britain (CPB) jointly held a video exchange on the theme of “Discussing a Century of Party History and Passing On the Power of Truth.” International Department Deputy Head Guo Yezhou (郭业洲) and CPB General Secretary Robert Griffiths attended and delivered keynote speeches.
4.27 International Deputy Head Shen Beili (沈蓓莉) attended and addressed the opening ceremony of a “China-Latin America and the Caribbean Youth Exchange” discussion series session via videolink. Permanent Conference of Political Parties of Latin America and the Caribbean (COPPPAL) Vice President Francisco Cafiero also attended and addressed the event via videolink. More than 250 youth representatives from the political parties, governments, think tanks, media, and social networks of over 10 Latin American countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Columbia, Mexico, and Peru, participated.
4.27 Shen Beili met with Cuban Ambassador to China Carlos Miguel Pereira Hernández.
4.27 The Chinese Communist party and Together with President Andry Rajoelina (MAPAR), the ruling party of Madagascar, held an online training seminar on the theme of “The Role of the Ruling Party in Agricultural Development and the Tough Battle of Poverty Alleviation” for cadres. International Department Assistant Head Li Mingxiang (李明祥), Hunan Province Deputy Governor Sui Zhongcheng (隋忠诚), MAPAR Politburo member and National Coordinator Alder attended and addressed the event. Thirty mid- and high-level Malagasy cadres, including National Assembly President Christine Razanamahasoa, Senate President Razafimahefa Herimanana, and Minister of Youth and Sports Tinoka Roberto Michael Raharoarilala, attended.
4.27 International Department Assistant Head Zhu Rui (朱锐) held a videoconference with South Sudanese Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) Secretary for External Affairs Bol Makueng Yuol. PRC Ambassador to South Sudan Hua Ning (华宁) also participated.
4.29 International Department Head Song Tao (宋涛) held a telephone call with Bolivian Movement for Socialism (MAS) Leader and former Bolivian President Evo Morales.
4.29 The CCP International Department (CCP/ID), Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (GZAR) Party Committee, and Thai Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) jointly held a launching ceremony and special seminar for the China-Thailand Political Parties Poverty Alleviation Project via videolink. CCP/ID Deputy Head Chen Zhou (陈洲), GZAR Party Committee Deputy Secretary Liu Xiaoming (刘小明), Chinese Embassy in Thailand Chargé d'Affaires Yang Xin (杨欣), PPRP Deputy Leader and Thai Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives Thamanat Prompow, PPRP Treasurer and Thai Deputy Minister of Labour Narumon Pinyosinwat, PPRP Deputy Leader Paiboon Nititawan, and PPRP Deputy Leader and Thai House of Representatives Coordinating Committee Chairman Wirat Rattanaset delivered speeches.
4.29 The China Economic Cooperation Center, South African African National Congress (ANC) Progressive Business Forum, and the Foreign Affairs Office of the Fujian Provincial People’s Government jointly held the China-South Africa “political party exchange and practical cooperation” commercial and industrial dialogue Shen Beili, PRC Ambassador to South Africa Chen Xiaodong (陈晓东), Fujian Province Deputy Governor Guo Ningning (郭宁宁), ANC National Executive Committee member and South African Deputy Minister of Finance David Masondo, ANC KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Provincial Executive Committee member, ANC KZN Provincial International Relations Committee Chair, and KZN Provincial Legislature member Makhosi Zungu, and approximately 150 representatives from enterprises from Fujian Province, KZN Province, and the ANC Progressive Business Forum attended the video conference.
Organization Work
4.27 Tan Guangming (谭光明) was appointed deputy director of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration (National Park Administration).
4.27 Liao Jinrong (廖进荣) and Chen Kai (陈凯) were appointed deputy directors of the State Post Bureau.
4.28 Wang Hesheng (王贺胜) was appointed head of the National Administration of Disease Prevention and Control.
4.28 Chang Jile (常继乐), Shen Hongbing (沈洪兵), and Sun Yang (孙阳) were appointed deputy heads of the National Administration of Disease Prevention and Control.
4.29 Huang Ming (黄明) was appointed minister of the Ministry of Emergency Management.
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