Weekly Report 4|72 5.14.22-5.20.22
Highlights
People’s Daily published the full text of a 25 April speech from Li Keqiang at the State Council’s Fifth Meeting on Honest Governance Work, in which he emphasized the importance of such work for socioeconomic development. (See Senior Leaders section)
Qiushi published the text of an 8 December, 2021 speech by Xi Jinping at the Central Economic Work Conference, in which he described issues that must be correctly understood and grasped in light of “profound changes” to the domestic and international environment for development. (See Senior Leaders section)
A He Yin (和音) commentary in People’s Daily upheld China’s human rights development and claimed that it is a “successful human rights development path.” (See Propaganda Work section)
Senior Leaders
Li Keqiang’s Speech at the State Council’s Fifth Meeting on Honest Governance Work
5.14 People’s Daily published the full text of a 25 April speech from Li Keqiang at the State Council’s Fifth Meeting on Honest Governance Work (廉政工作), delivered after other speakers’ remarks summarizing recent “government system and Party’s work style and honest governance (政府系统党风廉政) construction” and anti-corruption efforts. Li first discussed how the continued strengthening of this work would provide a “strong guarantee” for socioeconomic development. He explained this would involve 1. Innovation in carrying out market entity-facing macroeconomic policies, persisting in fairness, common benefit, and constant effectiveness for the sake of stable economic operations and clean administration; 2. Deepening reforms to “delegate power, streamline administration, and optimize services” (放管服) so as to transform government capability, continue to cut red tape, and repress potential opportunities for authorities’ “rent-seeking” (寻租) at the source; 3. Continuing to promote frugality and guard against extravagance, cutting unnecessary government expenses for the people’s sake; 4. Strict supervision and management to advance the safe and effective usage of public funds, assets, and resources; and 5. Putting emphasis on not just government employees’ honesty, but also on diligence, pragmatism, and hard work. Li stressed that even while fully affirming results of honest governance work, the meeting’s members must also be clearly aware of issues and insufficiencies, listing nonspecific examples such as “a minority of areas and departments” not fully or accurately implementing central Party-state deployments, discipline, and reforms.
Secondly, Li discussed “the stable, integrated promotion of the tightening of discipline and improving party conduct (正风肃纪) and reform and opening,” as well as overall economic stabilization. He noted the context of the “complex evolution of international geopolitics” in March and resurgence of the pandemic in China as factors in “some economic indicators demonstrating clear weakening,” then stressed the importance of economic stability. He described related policies in detail, under the categories of taking on greater responsibility for and accelerating implementation of stabilizing macroeconomic policy measures, particularly to support struggling market entities; continuing aforementioned efficiency-focused reforms, standardizing authority, and optimizing the business environment; protecting the people’s livelihood and ensuring related funds are not used corruptly; government belt-tightening so resources can be used for the people; and cracking down on corruption and violations at both their root cause and symptoms, particularly in key fields. Thirdly, Li described being strict in the implementation of duties, saying listeners must “persist untiringly” in the deeper implementation of honest governance, work style, and anti-corruption work. This improved implementation includes strengthening political leadership and assumption of political duty; fully implementing responsibility for comprehensively and strictly [following] party governance (从严治党); ensuring leading cadres set an example of honesty and integrity; persevering in opposing the Four Winds (四风), especially formalism and bureaucracy; and ensuring diligence, effectiveness, and practical results by providing clear and detailed assignments, appropriate incentives, and necessary support.
In conclusion, Li stressed the importance of honest governance work, unity with “the Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core,” the guidance of “Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era,” implementing central Party and state policy deployments, promoting socioeconomic development work, and welcoming the 20th Party Congress.
General Office of the Central Committee Issues “Opinions” [On] Strengthening Party Construction Work [Among] Retired Cadres in the New Era
5.15 The General Office of the Central Committee issued Opinions on party construction work among retired cadres, as well as a notice to all areas and departments calling for the Opinions to be implemented. After praising the importance of retired cadres, the Opinions said that party construction work among retired cadres was significant for implementing the policy of “comprehensively and strictly [following] party governance” (从严治党), for progressing party construction in the new era, for better uniting retired cadres around “the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core,” for “remaining true to our original aspiration and keeping the mission firmly in mind” (不忘初心、牢记使命), and for contributing their “wisdom and strength” to the second centenary goals and national rejuvenation. The Opinions aim to strengthen retired cadres’ political guidance, the deep study of the “new era’s” new theory, consciousness and practice of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and understanding of the “two establishes” (两个确立), “four consciousnesses” (四个意识), “four confidences” (四个自信), and “two defends” (两个维护), to ensure retired cadres continue to obey and follow the Party (听党话、跟党走). They also strengthen organization and activities; strengthen supervision and management, including continued consciousness of discipline, especially for cadres who once held leadership positions; and improve care for, propaganda related to, and services for retired cadres. The Opinions stress that all Party committees, groups, and secretaries must carry out relevant tasks, such as establishing effective systems for strengthening party construction work among retired cadres, ensuring relevant funding, or introducing information technology to this work.
Xi Jinping: Correctly Recognize and Grasp Major Theoretical and Practical Issues of Our Country’s Development
5.15 Qiushi published the text of an 8 December, 2021 speech by Xi Jinping at the Central Economic Work Conference, in which he said China was entering a “new development stage,” noting that many new issues must be correctly understood and grasped in light of “profound changes” to the domestic and international environment for development. The first main issue to understand is the strategic goal and practical implementation of “common prosperity” (共同富裕), with Xi expressing concern about the “polarization” of an extreme income gap as seen in some western societies. Xi stated that while common prosperity is a fundamental requirement of socialism with Chinese characteristics, it is a long-term “historical process” and “we are just now carrying out exploration” as to how to implement it. He listed more specific policies to create conditions favorable to common prosperity, including strengthening the prioritization of employment in pursuing high-quality development; supporting micro, small and medium enterprises; investing in human capital and improving education and vocational training; “managing the relationship between efficiency and fairness well” in distribution of wealth; and improving policies and government systems for public services. The second issue to understand is the characteristics of capital and the scientific rules of its behavior. Xi noted the inadequacy of classic Marxist-Leninist theory for understanding capital and a market economy under socialism, saying that China should explore how to make use of the positive role of capital “under the conditions of a socialist market economy,” while also effectively controlling its negative aspect. Xi stated that issues have emerged in some sectors due to China’s insufficient understanding and supervision of capital, and that there should be a “traffic light” system to regulate capital’s unrestrained movement and address issues like monopolies and speculation. The third issue is ensuring the supply of “primary products” (初级产品), requiring economizing of resources used in manufacturing, better protection of domestic resources and production, optimizing the protection of foreign resources, and strengthening the secure supply of agricultural products. The fourth issue is preventing and dispelling risks, such as those related to “shadow banking,” Internet finance, and the housing market, by continuing to coordinate and implement basic strategies for managing risk. The fifth and final issue is ensuring the achievement of peak carbon and carbon neutrality goals, while avoiding issues in its implementation such as “one size fits all” solutions or even imposing power cuts, which are not in accordance with central requirements.
Thoroughly Study and Implement Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, Further Open Up a New Situation in External Work
5.16 People’s Daily published a signed article by CCP Politburo member and Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs Director Yang Jiechi (杨洁篪). In the first part of the article, Yang discussed China’s calm actions and achievements in the face of the “complex situation in which the world has undergone major changes unseen in a century” and the “pandemic of the century.” He noted that China successfully held the Beijing Winter Olympics and that the billions of spectators had “form[ed] strong momentum of the international community against the politicization of sports and completely br[oke] the evil intention of anti-China forces to… contain and suppress [China].” After mentioning that the Party had successfully convened the “Two Sessions” in March, Yang highlighted economic gains since the beginning of the year, including almost five percent growth in China’s GDP, increasing trade volume, and deep trade connections with ASEAN countries. He also defended China’s pandemic prevention and control measures, such as “protecting against imported cases and domestic resurgences” (外防输入、内防反弹) and “dynamic zero” (动态清零), emphasized China’s pandemic-related assistance globally, and criticized “some people in the West” for “ignor[ing] the facts and inverting black and white on anti-pandemic issues.” Yang noted “China’s diplomatic and foreign affairs work cutting through the waves and pressing forward,” elaborating that “We have firmly and forcefully counterattacked against some certain countries’ use of Taiwan-, Xinjiang-, Hong Kong-, and maritime- related, human rights, and other issues to interfere in our internal affairs and [efforts to] provoke and pressure us.” Yang also criticized some countries’ “Cold War thinking” and forming of “small cliques,” asserting that “any futile attempt to delay and prevent [China’s] development is doomed to fail. The goal of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation will surely be realized.” In the second part of the article, Yang explained some of Xi Jinping’s new ideas and initiatives to “lead the great changes in the world in the right direction, break the international security predicament, realize the joint development of the world, protect mankind’s life and health, and safeguard the actions and guide that true multilateralism provides.” This included international cooperation on a variety of issues and the Global Security Initiative (全球安全倡议), which some countries have tried to undercut by “creating countercurrents” or have hampered through a Cold War mentality, hegemonism, and “power politics.” Yang emphasized the need to “vigorously initiate the democratization of international relations, promote an upgrade in developing countries’ representation and right of speech in global affairs, address global challenges hand in hand with the international community, and unceasingly reform and improve the global governance system.” He stated that “the continuous innovation and development of Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy is the fundamental basis for us to analyze and grasp the current international situation.”
In the third part of the article, Yang outlined five points that should guide external work in the lead-up to the 20th Party Congress. First, “coordinate the overall domestic and international situation and strengthen the overall system and plan for external work.” This includes promoting international solidarity and cooperation and “eliminat[ing] all external interference.” Second, “adhere to the overall plan for development and security to better serve national development and national rejuvenation.” For example, “On Taiwan-, Hong Kong-, Xinjiang-, Tibet-, and maritime-related and other issues, [we must] resolutely defend the country’s core and major interests and firmly thwart any plots to harm our country’s territorial sovereignty or interfere in our country’s internal affairs.” Third, “advance and improve the arrangement of external work and consolidate the network of global partners and relations.” This includes “adher[ing] to advancing the China-Russia comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership in the new era” and “firmly respond[ing] to any US-side conspiracies and words and deeds to contain and suppress China.” Fourth, “actively participate in and lead the reform and construction of the global governance system and initiate and put into practice true multilateralism.” This includes “firmly oppos[ing] any ‘small clique’ with Cold War thinking and ideological prejudice.” Fifth, “adhere to the centralized and unified leadership of the CCP Central Committee (CCPCC) and further consolidate the overall coordination of the CCPCC’s overall situation and coordination of all parties’ external work.” This includes ensuring a “high degree of consistency” in ideology, politics, and action.”
Propaganda Work
Zhong Guo’an: Deeply Grasp the Great Achievements of National Security in the New Era
5.16 A Qiushi commentary under the Zhong Guo’an (钟国安) byline focused on the comprehensive strengthening of national security “under the leadership of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as its core” since the 18th Party Congress and the far-reaching significance of the “special section” on “national security work” in the Sixth Plenum of the 19th Party Congress’ November 2021 “CCP Central Committee’s Resolution on the Major Achievements and Historical Experience of the Party’s 100-Year Struggle” (hereafter referred to as “the Resolution”). The commentary first discussed the “increasingly prominent” importance of national security shown in the Resolution, explaining its importance for realizing the “Chinese Dream” (中国梦), urgency for facing risks and challenges, and the importance of holistically planning both development and security as “big picture and fundamental interests of the country” (国之大者). The commentary then called for persisting in turning the “overall national security outlook” (总体国家安全观) into basic strategy for governance, describing policy documents that showed the openness of the “ideological system” and practical significance of the overall national security outlook. It then discussed the increasingly powerful and effective leadership of the Party over national security work, stressing Xi Jinping’s personal involvement and detailing the “centrally unified, efficiently authoritative national security leadership system” and the Party’s responsibility system. Next, the commentary discussed “breakthrough developments” in national security, including improvements to the system of national security in law and policy, the establishment of more robust national security mechanisms, and the continued increase in national security capabilities. It then described national security risks that China had successfully withstood. This included “political security” (政治安全) which it described as “the root of national security” with a core of “regime security (政权安全) and system security (制度安全).” The commentator said that “various hostile forces (敌对势力) have never stopped carrying out their plots to Westernize and divide our country.” It added, “on a series of major issues such as Taiwan, Xinjiang-, Tibet-, and maritime-related [issues], and human rights, [we] have dared to struggle and been adept at struggle, won many tough battles, forcefully counterattacked (有力地回击) against external forces’ interference in our country’s internal affairs.” It then described how China had guarded against and resolved risks to “economic security,” “firmly held the initiative of struggle in the ideological sphere,” and achieved “major strategic results” in COVID prevention and control, more briefly mentioning other areas of security achievements such as Internet and biological security. Finally, the commentary discussed consolidating a foundation of popular support for defending national security, strengthening the public’s consciousness of and cooperation for national security with propaganda and education activities.
Qiushi Commentator Article: The Chinese Economy’s Favorable Fundamentals Will Not Change
5.16 A Qiushi Commentator Article said that China’s economy is moving from a stage of rapid development to a stage of high-quality development, noted remarks from Xi Jinping that emphasized the economy’s long-term positive outlook and “seeking progress while maintaining stability” (稳中求进), and stated that Xi Jinping’s 29 April speech to the Politburo “further indicated the direction of doing current economic work well.” The Commentator Article stressed that despite current foreign and domestic challenges to China’s economy, such as contraction of demand, supply shock, weakened forecasts, unemployment, and global inflation, Xi Jinping’s remarks at the Two Sessions had correctly emphasized the positive strategic factors and trends of China’s economy. It summarized these positive factors as consisting of “the staunch leadership of the Chinese Communist Party, the navigational guidance of scientific thinking, the clear advantages of the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics, a solid foundation accumulated from continuous high-speed development, a social environment with long-term stability, [and] the spiritual strength of self-reliance.” The Commentator Article reiterated that short-term economic “fluctuations” and changes in the international environment would not affect these fundamentals or positive trends. It then stressed the significance of maintaining a “stable and healthy economic environment, peaceful and prosperous (国泰民安) social environment, [and] clean and upright (风清气正) political environment” for the upcoming 20th Party Congress. To accomplish this, the Party-state must “unswervingly” implement the strategic deployment that “the pandemic must be controlled, the economy must be stabilized, [and] development must be secured.”
He Yin: Unswervingly Follow the Path of Chinese Human Rights Development
5.19 A He Yin (和音) commentary in People’s Daily upheld China’s human rights development and claimed that it is a “successful human rights development path.” The commentary highlighted a recent series of press conferences hosted by the Central Propaganda Department on the theme of “China’s [Past] Ten Years,” which focused on the “historic leap forward” in China’s development since the 18th National Congress, and served as an “important window to observe the progress of China’s human rights cause.” The commentary upheld China’s work in political and legal reform, socioeconomic development, and construction of an ecological civilization, declaring that these improvements mark the “continuous progress of China’s human rights cause.” It said such progress demonstrates that under the CCP’s leadership, China “puts the people’s interests first,” promotes human rights through development, promotes “whole-process people’s democracy” (全过程人民民主) and “promotes [the] free and comprehensive development of [the] people.” It further stated that China’s human rights development path “conforms to the trend of the times and suits its national conditions” and that it is a “successful human rights development path.” The commentary said that since the 18th National Congress, Xi Jinping has “insisted on respecting and protecting human rights as an important task in the governance of the country,” and has “promoted China’s human rights cause to achieve historic achievements.” The commentary then highlighted China’s poverty alleviation campaign and its education, social security, and healthcare systems as examples of the continuous improvement China has made to the people’s living standards, declaring this improvement a “vivid manifestation of the progress of China’s human rights cause.” The commentary stated that “many international figures who have observed China’s human rights cause for a long time praised China’s people-centered human rights concept.”
Next, the commentary called development the “master key” (总钥匙) to solving all of China’s problems, as well as the driving force for the progress of China’s human rights cause. It stated that Xi Jinping previously pointed out that “survival is the basis for the enjoyment of all human rights, and a happy life for the people is the greatest human right.” The commentary stated that China “creatively put forward” the concept thatof “[the] rights to survival and development are [the] primary basic human rights,” which has become an “important password” for the continuous development and progress of China’s human rights cause. The commentary quoted the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) data on China’s Human Development Index (HDI), pointing out that it increased from 0.400 in 1990 to 0.761 in 2019, and claimed that this was the only time this has happened since the UNDP started measuring HDI worldwide in 1990. It then pointed out that the United Nations had passed three resolutions on the “contribution of development to the enjoyment of all human rights,” and China’s concept of “promoting human rights through development” has been “widely recognized and supported by the international community.”
Lastly, the commentary stated human rights are “historical, concrete, and realistic,” and human rights “cannot be talked about without [considering] the social and political conditions and historical and cultural traditions of different countries.” It declared that in order to evaluate whether a country has human rights, it should not be measured by the standards of other countries, “let alone double standards,” nor should human rights be “used as a political tool to interfere in the internal affairs of other countries.”
United Front Work
Wang Yang Presides Over CPPCC National Chairpersons’ Meeting, Decides to Hold 22nd Meeting of 13th CPPCC Standing Committee from 20 to 22 June
5.16 Politburo Standing Committee Member and Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee Chair Wang Yang (汪洋) presided over and spoke at the 71st Chairpersons’ Meeting of the CPPCC 13th National Committee. The meeting heard a quality evaluation report on the 2021 CPPCC National Committee, after which Wang pointed out that the CPPCC 13th National Committee has thoroughly studied and implemented Xi Jinping’s important thoughts on strengthening and improving the work of the CPPCC Central Committee. He stated that the work of the CPPCC has shifted from “how much has been done” to “what effect has been produced,” which “not only establishes a ‘good’ standard, but also evaluates a ‘good’ direction.” Wang then commented on the improved effectiveness of work and sense of responsibility of the CPPCC National Committee’s general office and various special committees. He pointed out that the next step is to aim at the requirements of high-quality development, further analyze and summarize the laws and characteristics of various consultation and deliberation activities, make full use of the results of informatization (信息化), promote the quality evaluation system to be more effective, and further improve the quality of the CPPCC’s consultation and deliberation. The meeting then reviewed and approved the draft agenda and schedule for the 22nd standing committee meeting of the 13th National Committee of the CPPCC, and decided to hold the above-mentioned meeting from 20 to 22 June, which will focus on “coordinating the promotion of green, low-carbon and high-quality development.” The meeting also deliberated and passed the decision to revoke Yu Luming’s (于鲁明) membership in the CPPCC 13th National Committee, and submitted it to the 22nd Standing Committee for ratification.
CPPCC National Committee Vice Chair and Secretary-General Li Bin (李斌) and other national committee vice chairs also attended the meeting.
International Liaison Work
5.18 CPP International Department (CCP/ID) Deputy Head Shen Beili (沈蓓莉) held a video call with national coordinator of Mexico’s Citizens' Movement party, Dante Delgado Rannauro.
5.18 CCP/ID Assistant Head Li Mingxiang (李明祥) spoke at the opening of a webinar for cadres of the Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG).
5.18 CCP/ID Head Song Tao (宋涛) hosted the second conference of China-Egypt ruling parties on the joint establishment of a Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) communication mechanism, attended by leaders of 14 main Egyptian political parties and organizations, including the Nation’s Future Party, the Republican People's Party, New Wafd Party, and Egyptian Communist Party.
5.19 Song Tao delivered his own remarks and read the contents of a congratulatory letter from Xi Jinping at the BRICS Political Parties, Think Tanks, and Civil Society Organizations Forum, held via videoconference.
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