Xi stresses active participation in WTO reform, stronger ability for high-level opening-up

BEIJING, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- The Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on the afternoon of Sept. 27, convened its eighth group study session on the rules of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the reform of the organization.

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, while presiding over the session, stressed that the WTO plays an important role in sustaining multilateralism and functions as an important stage for global economic governance. It has become a universal consensus to make necessary reforms of the WTO in line with the times. We need to have a deep understanding of the importance and urgency of participating in the reform of the WTO from the perspective of better coordinating domestic and international situations, as well as ensuring both development and security. With a strong historical responsibility and enterprise, we will fully participate in the reform of the WTO and the adjustment of international economic and trade rules. We will further boost reform and high-quality development with high-level opening up.

Gu Xueming, director and researcher of the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, gave a lecture on the issue and put forward suggestions. Members of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee listened attentively to the lecture and held a discussion thereafter.

Xi delivered an important speech after listening to the lecture and discussion. He pointed out that China's accession to the WTO is a milestone in China's opening up to the world. In just over 20 years, China's total trade in goods has increased 11 times, becoming the world's largest trade country in goods and a major trading partner of more than 140 countries and regions, contributing nearly 30 percent to global economic growth.

China's relations with the WTO have gone through historic changes as it gradually grows from a member who passively abides by and aligns itself with international economic and trade rules into an important participant in the adjustment of them. The fact proves that China's accession to the WTO has not only sped up its own development, but also brought benefits to the whole world. This major decision is absolutely correct.

Xi stresses that China will firmly defend the authority and efficacy of the multilateral trading system with the WTO at its core in its involvement in the reform of this trade organization, so as to actively promote the resumption of the normal operation of the WTO dispute settlement mechanism. We should firmly stand on the right side of history by championing the overall trend of economic globalization, take a clear-cut stand on free trade and real multilateralism, and oppose unilateralism and protectionism. We will firmly oppose politicizing trade issues, using trade issues as a weapon for ulterior motives, and the abuse of the concept of national security in this regard so as to build an open world economy.

Acting upon the vision of building a global community of shared future, China should present a sound and detailed proposal for its comprehensive and in-depth participation in the reform of the WTO. We will resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of the developing countries, including those of our own.

Xi pointed out that promoting reform and development through opening-up is an important means for China to make continuous achievements in modernization. This year marks the 45th anniversary of the reform and opening up. We must stay committed to self-reform, so as to open the door wider to the world and at the same time ensure steady progress in advancing the reform. We should be more proactive in aligning ourselves with high-standard international economic and trade rules, and expand institutional opening up with regard to rules, regulations, management, and standards. Efforts should be made to foster new pacesetters of opening up, build a new system for a higher-standard open economy, and expedite the establishment of a new development paradigm.

It is imperative to foster a world-class business environment that is market-oriented, law-based, and internationalized. With advancing efforts to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement as an opportunity, we should further unlock the potential for expanding imports, lower the threshold for market access and further advance multilateral and bilateral cooperation to attract more foreign investment. We should also speed up transforming China into a trader of quality, upgrade trade in goods, develop new mechanisms for trade in services, promote digital trade, and focus on being more digital and greener to further elevate our position in global division of labor, so that our country will march toward the middle and high end of the global value chain. At the same time, we must also safeguard our national economic security.

Xi stressed the need to build excellent competence to have a hold on the high-level opening up. It is imperative to do a good job in conducting fact-finding missions, sum up and put to good use what we have achieved in opening up and development, and strengthen the making of strategic, systematic, and forward-looking plans for opening-up work. It is essential to have a thorough understanding of the new developments and problems in international economy and trade so as to know our own mind, and have solutions ready for effective action. We should improve our capability to defend our country's rights to and interests from development by properly utilizing international rules, and accelerate the building of a high-level professional team for opening up work, whose members are politically committed and highly competent and have venerable conduct. It is imperative to coordinate opening up and security, safeguard security, defend our rights and interests, and seek cooperation for mutual benefit through struggle. ■

CPC leadership reviews disciplinary inspection report

BEIJING, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- The Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee convened a meeting on Wednesday to deliberate a comprehensive report on the first round of disciplinary inspections launched by the 20th CPC Central Committee. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, presided over the meeting.

It was recognized at the meeting that the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core attaches great importance to the inspections, considers them as a strategic institutional arrangement for the Party's self-reform and full, rigorous Party self-governance, and has made important decisions and plans in this regard. The first round of disciplinary inspections launched by the 20th CPC Central Committee upheld fundamental principles and broke new ground, and made political supervision concrete, targeted and regular. It has sent a clear signal that full and rigorous Party self-governance as well as the Party's self-reform is a journey to which there is no end. The fact has proved that disciplinary inspection is an effective way to find problems and promote their solution, and we must continue to push forward work in this regard.

The inspections show that Party building and its full and rigorous self-governance have been strengthened in state-owned enterprises, finance and sport sectors. New progress has been made in the work of these fields, but there are some problems. The overtone and atmosphere of strict governance along with rigorous measures must be maintained through to the end. Party organizations inspected, especially their leaders, must be urged to shoulder concrete responsibilities and make rectifications in a strict and practical manner. They must combine inspections and making rectifications with the theoretical study program to study and implement Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, thoroughly understand the decisive significance of the Two Affirmations and exactly act on the Two Upholds.

The need was emphasized at the meeting to take the disciplinary inspection and rectifications as an opportunity to further strengthen the overall leadership of the Party, and urge the Party organizations inspected to raise their political stance and earnestly fulfill the duties and missions entrusted by the Party Central Committee. It is imperative to continuously improve the core functions and competitiveness of state-owned enterprises, and consolidate the important material and political foundation of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Financial companies should provide better service to the real economy and national strategies, as required by high-quality development. It is necessary to ensure both development and security, be prepared to deal with worst-case and extreme-case scenarios, and take effective measures to prevent and defuse major risks, so as to ensure that security is guaranteed.

It's imperative to make more advances in exercising full and rigorous Party self-governance, and ensure that secretaries of CPC committees and leading Party members groups take on principal responsibilities, that the leadership teams are responsible for both performing their duties and improving the conduct of CPC members, and that the discipline inspection and supervisory authorities shoulder their responsibilities for oversight, with particular emphasis on supervision over heads of Party and government bodies at all levels. Efforts should be intensified to combat corruption in state-owned enterprises and the financial sector, and pointless formalities, bureaucratism, hedonism, and extravagance should be further tackled. We must further our efforts to enhance rectifications and governance through specific cases, and take coordinated steps to see that officials do not have the audacity, opportunity or desire to be corrupt. It is imperative to thoroughly implement the Party's organizational line for the new era, and strengthen the building of leadership teams, ranks of officials, talent pool as well as grassroots Party organizations. What has been achieved from disciplinary inspections must be put to good use so as to deepen reforms, improve institutions, make further efforts to address issues at the source, and tackle not only symptoms but also root causes.

Other matters were also discussed at the meeting. ■

Xi stresses building higher-level pilot free trade zones

BEIJING, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, has recently delivered instructions on advancing the development of pilot free trade zones (FTZs). He pointed out that building pilot FTZs is an important strategic move of the CPC Central Committee to promote reform and opening up in the new era. Over the past decade, each pilot FTZ has followed the decisions and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee, emancipated mind, upheld fundamental principles and broken new ground in launching a large number of fundamental and pioneering reform and opening-up measures, making many iconic and groundbreaking achievements in institutional innovation. They have effectively played their role as a comprehensive experimental platform for reform and opening up.

Xi stressed that on the new journey, it is necessary to implement the strategy of improving pilot FTZs on the basis of comprehensively summarizing the 10-year experience on their development. He called for being a pioneer to forge ahead and overcome difficulties, explore in a wider field and at a deeper level, and strive to build higher-level pilot FTZs. To enable pilot FTZs to better play an exemplary role, it is essential for them to uphold overall Party leadership, pursue high-level opening up as the guidance and institutional innovation as the core, coordinate development and security, align domestic rules with international economic and trade rules by high standards, further promote institutional opening-up, strengthen overall planning and systematic integration of reform, and promote innovative development of the entire industrial chain.

A seminar was held in Beijing on Sept. 26 to mark the 10th anniversary of the establishment of China's first pilot FTZ. He Lifeng, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and vice premier, read out Xi's important instructions and delivered a speech. He said that it is imperative to study and thoroughly understand General Secretary Xi's important instructions, comprehensively summarize the experience gained from the development of pilot FTZs, and implement the strategy to upgrade the standards of them. He emphasized the need to continuously update thinking, intensify guarantees, and coordinate development and security. He added that new breakthroughs should be made in institutional innovation, the opening up policy should be expanded to new areas, and new progress should be made in making plans for development, so as to build higher-level pilot FTZs.

At the seminar, a leading official of the Ministry of Commerce reported on the development of pilot FTZs in the past 10 years, and those who delivered speeches include officials from the Ministry of Finance, the People's Bank of China, the General Administration of Customs, and Shanghai and Tianjin municipalities, Fujian, Liaoning and Sichuan provinces, and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

Leading officials of relevant central Party and government departments and those from the provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities where the 21 pilot FTZs are located attended the seminar. ■

Xi calls on Zhejiang to write new chapter in advancing Chinese modernization

HANGZHOU, Zhejiang/ZAOZHUANG, Shandong, Sept. 26 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, stressed the importance of fully and faithfully implementing the new development philosophy on all fronts, on his recent inspection tour in Zhejiang Province. He called on Zhejiang to center around creating a new development paradigm to promote high-quality development. The province should focus on building a demonstration zone for common prosperity and turning itself into a key example showcasing the strengths of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era. He also urged Zhejiang to be steadfast in pursuing its strategy for development, continuously push forward the "Double-Eight" strategy in a down-to-earth manner, always work hard, take the lead and stand at the forefront, and strive toward writing a new chapter in advancing Chinese modernization.

From Sept. 20 to 21, accompanied by Yi Lianhong, secretary of the CPC Zhejiang Provincial Committee, and Wang Hao, the provincial governor, Xi visited cities including Jinhua and Shaoxing, where he inspected places including a village, a trade market, an exhibition hall and a culture park.

On the morning of Sept. 20, Xi arrived at Lizu Village, Houzhai Sub-district of Yiwu City in Jinhua. In recent years, Lizu has achieved solid progress in improving its living environment, attracting various entrepreneurial entities to enter. Lizu has become a popular destination for rural tourism and has been rated as a national village of civility. Xi learned about the development and changes of Lizu by visiting the village's Party and villager service center, the "common prosperity market" and tie-dyeing shops. He was delighted to learn that the annual per capita income of the village had reached 52,000 yuan (about $7,250). He described the solid progress the village has made in promoting common prosperity as a microcosm of the remarkable achievements Zhejiang has made in its Green Rural Revival Program, which was initiated in June 2003 by Xi, then secretary of the CPC Zhejiang Provincial Committee, with a plan to renovate about 10,000 incorporated villages in five years and transform about 1,000 central villages among them into examples of moderate prosperity in all respects. He urged the villagers to make continuous efforts to make greater achievements in promoting rural revitalization. Rural revitalization provides a platform for young people to show their talents, and more young people should play an active role in this regard. Upon his departure, Xi was surrounded by the villagers, who bid him a warm farewell. He told the crowd that rural revitalization has unlimited potential and there is much to be done. He encouraged villagers to work hard together for a future of common prosperity.

Xi then visited Yiwu International Trade Market. He learned about the running of the trade market and the operation of the Yiwu-Xinjiang-Europe cargo train in real time through an electronic screen, entered the market to communicate with representatives of merchants and self-employed business people, and asked about the market situation in detail.

He stressed that Yiwu's small commodities have grown into a big market and created a big industry, and it is so great for Yiwu to have made such achievements. Everyone is a participant, a builder and a contributor. The trade market should make new achievements and greater contributions to expanding domestic and international markets, and smoothening domestic and international economic flows.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of Comrade Mao Zedong's instruction to study and popularize the Fengqiao Experience. On the afternoon of Sept. 20, Xi came to Fengqiao Town in Zhuji City, the birthplace of the Fengqiao Experience, and visited Fengqiao Experience Exhibition Hall to learn about the vivid practices of the Fengqiao Experience in the new era. Xi pointed out that the Fengqiao Experience in the new era should be well practiced and developed. The internal disputes among the people should be handled correctly by adhering to the Party's mass line and staying close to the people, so that problems can be solved in their initial stage.

Xi then came to the Zhedong Canal Culture Park in Shaoxing. He observed the watercourse of the ancient canal and its surrounding historical and cultural relics on foot. On learning the history of Zhedong Canal and how the locals have preserved and utilized its water resources, he stressed that the Grand Canal is the longest artificial canal in the world and an invaluable cultural heritage. The Grand Canal culture is an integral part of the fine traditional Chinese culture. He stressed that the local government should spare no effort in its preservation, utilization and carrying forward its traditions to let the ancient Grand Canal take on a new look in the new era.

On the afternoon of Sept. 21, Xi was briefed on the work of the province by the CPC Zhejiang Provincial Committee and Zhejiang provincial government. He affirmed Zhejiang's achievement on all fronts, and put forward new requirements for the province.

Xi pointed out that Zhejiang should act as a front runner in cultivating new strengths in development by leveraging its technological innovation. He required the province to give prominence to strengthening its innovation capacity in science and technology. The province should integrate its innovative strengths in this regard and advantaged resources to speed up making breakthroughs in cutting-edge technologies, Xi said. The principal role of enterprises as technological innovation entities should be strengthened. The deep integration of innovation chain, industrial chain, capital chain and pool of talent should be promoted, and the transformation of scientific and technological achievement into productivity should be accelerated. Xi said that the real economy should be the foundation for building a modern industrial system. It is important to guide and support traditional industries in making faster application of advanced and applicable technologies, and promote the growth of high-end, smart and green manufacturing industries. Zhejiang should strengthen its national digital economy innovation and development pilot zone and create a number of strategic emerging industry clusters and digital industry clusters that have international competitiveness. More efforts should be made to strengthen basic research capabilities in science and technology, and promote the reform of the scientific and technological system, in order to turn Zhejiang into a pacesetter of technology innovation. A global vision is needed in building the industrial and supply chains, and their resilience and security should be steadily improved. Firm steps should be taken in pursuing green transformation of the development mode for the establishment of a sound, green, low-carbon, and circular economy.

Xi emphasized that Zhejiang should take the lead in promoting common prosperity. Its endeavors should be focused on narrowing the gap between urban and rural areas and among regions, as well as income disparities so that the institutions and mechanisms for integrated urban-rural development will be further optimized. Employment must be prioritized to create more jobs in the process of restructuring and upgrading traditional industries and developing emerging industries, providing jobs to key groups. The province is urged to deepen the reform of its income distribution system and improve its multi-tiered social security. It is imperative for the province to advance rural revitalization. Work should be done to develop rural industries with local characteristics, and push forward the Green Rural Revival Program. The initiative of building a safe Zhejiang and efforts to strengthen the rule of law should be advanced, and more exemplary models should be created when it comes to modernizing the community-level governance and the capability in this regard.

Xi noted that Zhejiang should write a new chapter in advancing reform and opening up. The reform in key areas should facilitate the efforts to innovate institutions and mechanisms in all fields in a comprehensive manner. It is imperative to make plans for reform with not only a view to serving the country but also a global vision, and steadily expand institutional opening up with regard to rules, regulations, management, and standards. New methods and channels for making use of foreign investment and expanding foreign trade should be explored by allowing full play to the role of platforms for opening up. Xi stressed the need to adapt to the way the international economic and trade rules are being restructured, and play a pioneering role in the opening up of the service sector, digital development and environmental protection. The principle must be upheld to unswervingly consolidate and develop the public economy, and unswervingly encourage, support and guide the development of the non-public sector. The non-public sector's status and functions in the country's economic and social development have not changed, neither have the principle and policies to unswervingly encourage, support and guide its development, and nor the principle and policies to provide a sound environment and more opportunities to it. Private enterprises should be encouraged and supported to actively take part in the global industrial division of labor and allocation of resources to boost their core competitiveness.

Xi stressed that Zhejiang should actively explore ways to develop a modern Chinese civilization. It is imperative to shoulder the new cultural mission in the new era, carry forward the fine historical traditions and intensify efforts to protect cultural heritage to advance the creative transformation and innovative development of fine traditional culture. We should stay firmly rooted in Chinese culture, actively develop new culture that reflects the needs and characteristics of the times, and develop a modern pattern of Chinese civilization. Xi called on the province to carry forward the great founding spirit of the Party, widely cultivate and practice the core socialist values, and develop an advanced socialist culture. The province should develop cultural undertakings and industries, continuously promote the standardization of and equal access to public cultural services in urban and rural areas, boost civic morality and encourage people to read books. Opportunities including the Hangzhou Asian Games and Asian Para Games as well as the World Internet Conference should be leveraged to facilitate cultural exchanges and transmission so as to continuously upgrade the appeal of Chinese culture and the influence of Chinese civilization.

Xi pointed out the imperative to uphold and strengthen the overall leadership of the Party, and enhance and improve Party building. It is essential to have a correct understanding of what it means to perform well, ensure sound and fact-based decision-making, make long-term plans, and lay solid foundation. It is important to do work in a down-to-earth manner for effective results so as to prevent pointless formalities and bureaucratism. The training of officials and the tempering of them through practice should be strengthened. The mechanism must be improved to motivate and protect those officials who are active in performing their duties so as to stimulate the enthusiasm of officials to do their work well. It is imperative to establish a cordial but clean relationship between government and business. Party organizations at all levels must strengthen the leadership, organization and guidance of the second round of theoretical study program. By taking hold of the characteristics of those at different levels and in different fields, the Party organizations should differentiate their guidance, and make rectifications through up and down levels to let the people see what has really been achieved.

On his way back to Beijing, Xi made an inspection tour of Zaozhuang accompanied by Lin Wu, secretary of the CPC Shandong Provincial Committee, and Zhou Naixiang, governor of the province, on the afternoon of Sept. 24. The city boasts one of the largest concentrated areas of pomegranate cultivation in China, featuring a wide array of varieties and a fully-developed industrial chain. Xi visited a bank of pomegranate seed resources in Yicheng District, where he observed different pomegranate seedlings, learned about the history of pomegranate planting there, the collection and preservation of pomegranate seed resources, and the development of the related industry. He then came to a pomegranate plantation to ask residents about the harvest of pomegranates and local people's income from the sales of such fruit. Xi was pleased to learn that the local efforts to develop deep processing and pot cultivation of pomegranates had effectively boosted farmers' incomes. He pointed out that with people's living standard improving, the demand for high-quality specialty products is also growing, bringing about a promising future for the pomegranate industry. It is necessary to create good brands, improve quality, extend the industrial chain, improve the industry's market competitiveness as well as comprehensive benefits, and lead more villagers to get rich together. He wishes the villagers a prosperous life.

Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, accompanied Xi on the inspection tour.

Li Ganjie, He Lifeng, Wang Xiaohong and leading officials of the relevant central Party and government departments were on the inspection tour. Leading officials of the fifth Central Steering Group for theoretical study program attended the briefing. ■

Xi Jinping gives important instructions on promoting new industrialization

BEIJING, Sept. 25 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, recently delivered important instructions on pushing forward new industrialization, pointing out that realizing new industrialization is a key task in the nation's pursuit of Chinese modernization to comprehensively build a stronger country and advance national rejuvenation on the new journey in the new era. He stressed the importance of fully and faithfully implementing the new development philosophy on all fronts, coordinating development and security, and grasping the right approach to promoting new industrialization on the new journey of the new era. He urged the need to actively adapt to and lead the new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation, seek high-quality development in the promotion of new industrialization, and integrate the building of a manufacturing powerhouse with the development of digital economy and application of information technology, so as to build a strong material and technological foundation for the realization of Chinese modernization.

Xi stressed that promoting new industrialization is a systematic project. This requires a framework under which the unified leadership of the Party committees (leading Party members groups) at various levels is in place, governments are in charge of implementing plans, enterprises play the principal role, the whole society participates in different ways, and support of policies and factors must be guaranteed. All parties involved must forge ahead with innovation, shoulder responsibility, and pool the great strength to promote new industrialization, so as to make new and greater contributions to building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects.

The national meeting on promoting new industrialization was held in Beijing from September 22 to 23. Xi's important instructions were read out in the meeting. Li Qiang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Chinese premier, attended the meeting and delivered a speech.

Li pointed out in his speech that Xi's important instructions fully expounded the key significance, principles and tasks of promoting new industrialization on the new journey in the new era. His instructions, being of political, theoretical and guiding importance, point out where to go for doing the work in this regard. We must thoroughly understand his instructions and follow them through in an earnest manner.

Li also pointed out that General Secretary Xi made important remarks on a series of major theoretical and practical issues on new industrialization since the 18th CPC national congress. These remarks have extensively enriched and developed the Party's understanding on how industrialization can be realized, and provided guidance for promoting new industrialization. Li noted the importance of understanding the "Two Affirmations" and practicing the "Two Upholds," and called for thorough understanding of Xi's instructions and remarks on new industrialization. He said that the governments at all levels must understand the strategic positioning, and conditions in different stages as well as the possible changes the country may face in different circumstances in promoting new industrialization, fully and faithfully apply the new development philosophy on all fronts, and stay committed to the path of new industrialization with Chinese characteristics, so as to build China into a manufacturing power and better facilitate the forging of a new development paradigm and promote high-quality development for the realization of Chinese modernization.

Li emphasized the need to respond to the call of the times and adapt to changes in situation. Resilience and security of the industrial and supply chains should be strengthened especially in key areas and sectors. Upgrading of industrial capacity in innovation must be accelerated, and optimization of industrial structure should be continuously promoted, and so should the in-depth integration of digital technology into the real economy, and the green development of the industrial sector. It is imperative to continuously further reform and opening up, make it possible for all sorts of enterprises complement each other with their own strengths and grow together, give full play to the supportive role of the unified national market, guide the rational distribution of industries with the functional zoning strategy, and make good use of domestic and international markets and resources to constantly build momentum and vitality for advancing new industrialization. It is essential to uphold overall Party leadership throughout the whole process of promoting new industrialization, strengthen organizational leadership, supportive policies and supply of personnel, so as to form a strong synergy to speed up advancing new industrialization.

Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing, also a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, said in his concluding speech that we must further align what we think and do with General Secretary Xi's important instructions as well as the decisions and plans of the CPC Central Committee. We must implement the requirements Premier Li Qiang made in his speech, strengthen the overall leadership of the Party, boost political responsibilities and systems thinking, and carry forward the fighting spirit. Great efforts must be constantly made to strengthen technological innovation, ensure industrial security, optimize the industrial structure and promote the upgrading of industrial systems. Much work must be done to promote the digital and green development of the industrial sector, further reform and opening up, and increase dynamics and vitality, so as to make solid progress in the implementation of all tasks for promoting new industrialization and put into concrete action the "Two Upholds."

Wu Zhenglong attended the meeting.

The meeting was held in the form of a teleconference. Leading officials who attended the meeting include those of provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities directly under the central government, cities specifically designated in the state plan, Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, the relevant central Party and government departments, relevant people's organizations, financial institutions and enterprises directly under the central government, relevant sectors of the military, and some manufacturing enterprises. ■

Xi urges Heilongjiang to firmly grasp strategic position in China's overall development, strive to open new ground for high-quality development

HARBIN, Sept. 10 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, stressed during a recent inspection tour in northeast China's Heilongjiang that the province must firmly grasp its strategic position in the overall national development, and focus on the primary task of advancing high-quality development. Implementing the decisions and plans made by the CPC Central Committee on promoting the full revitalization of northeast China, Heilongjiang should build on its strengths and make up for its deficiencies, so as to turn its strengths in resources, ecology, scientific research, industries and geographical location into new development impetus. It is also imperative for the province to build and strengthen its role as a significant national commodity grain production base, heavy equipment production and manufacturing base, key energy and raw material supplier, a vital barrier of ecological security in northern China, and a pivotal gateway for China's northward opening up. While actively performing its duties in ensuring the security of national defense, food, ecology, energy and industries, Heilongjiang must strive to break new ground for high-quality development during the course of comprehensive and all-round revitalization.

From Sept. 6 to 8, accompanied by Xu Qin, secretary of the CPC Committee of Heilongjiang Province and Liang Huiling, governor of the province, Xi visited the Dahinggan Mountains, the city of Harbin and other places, inspecting sites including a forest farm, villages and a university and meeting with residents in flood-hit areas under post-disaster recovery and reconstruction.

On the afternoon of Sept. 6, Xi arrived in the city of Mohe in the Dahinggan Mountains to inspect the natural forest of a forest farm. He examined the growth of the natural forest, observed a display of crops growing under trees, and learned about the local efforts to deepen the reform of forest asset management, integrate industries and ecosystems, and intensify forest fire prevention and suppression. Xi noted that equal emphasis must be placed on afforestation and forest protection, and it is urgent to make preparations in advance to preempt possible risks in order to make sure that the achievements made in decades, centuries and millennia will not be ruined overnight.

Subsequently, Xi rode to the northernmost village Beijicun, or North Pole Village, a riverside border village, where he was briefed how tourism with local characteristics was developed and how the locals turned their ecological advantages into development impetus. Xi noted that forests are a great treasure trove that combines reservoirs, grain depots, bank vaults and carbon pools. He stressed the awareness that larger green coverage and forests mean stronger strengths and more wealth, calling for measures to enable people to increase their income through "under-forest economy" on the basis of ecological conservation. At the homestay courtyard of Shi Ruijuan, a local villager, Xi learned about the development of rural industries with unique local features to revitalize border areas, enrich residents and promote rural revitalization. Xi said he was happy to see the development of Beijicun and the good life of its villagers. He noted the importance of tourism sector in achieving high-quality development, stressing the protection of the Dahinggan Mountains, which boast unique tourism resources. He urged policy support from local CPC committees and governments to ensure the development of both "under-forest economy" and tourist industry, in a bid to generate more income for local people from the local snow and ice resources.

When Xi left the small courtyard, local people warmly greeted him on both sides of the road. He kindly told everyone that the prospects for Beijicun are promising. He expressed the hope that officials and local people will work together to build a better countryside, protect the ecology well, live a better life, and work together towards a better future through the Chinese path to modernization.

Concerned with the post-flood reconstruction and living conditions of those affected, Xi on the morning of Sept. 7 came to Longwangmiao Village in Shangzhi City of Harbin, which bore the brunt of the recent flooding, where he checked the damage to rice crops and the reconstruction of damaged buildings. Villager Yang Chungui's house was soaked in water during the flood, with indoor facilities damaged and walls cracking. Walking into Yang's home, Xi was relieved seeing that the house repair was about to be completed and production and life were well arranged. Xi pointed out that he has been concerned about the affected people. Shangzhi City was seriously affected this time, he said, noting that seeing that the recovery and reconstruction were fast and smooth, and the villagers had a livelihood and production guarantee, he felt relieved. Winter in northeast China comes early and lasts longer than in other parts of the country, so it is necessary to ensure the affected people have a warm and safe home through the winter, which requires local Party committees and governments to make plans in time and take proactive actions, take into more detailed and comprehensive consideration all matters concerning people's production and life, such as food, drinking, living, transportation, employment, education, medical care and epidemic prevention, and leave no room for mistakes and accidents, he said. It is imperative to speed up the repair of damaged houses, accelerate post-disaster reconstruction, minimize agricultural losses caused by disasters, and ensure the security of the affected people, he added.

Seeing the general secretary coming, local villagers and construction workers gathered around to greet him. He kindly told everyone that the Party and the government are very concerned about residents in the disaster-hit areas, and have always stood hand in hand with the people through thick and thin, hoping that the villagers will work together under the leadership of Party organizations to overcome difficulties and strive to build a better home.

On the morning of Sept. 7, Xi came to Harbin Engineering University to learn about the university's development and its contributions to China's national defense science and technology, and to observe its teaching and research achievements. Xi urged Harbin Engineering University to carry forward the fine traditions of its predecessor People's Liberation Army Military Institute of Engineering, and meet the requirements for building a great modern socialist country and a strong military by doing a good job in work related to education, science and technology and talent, so as to make new contributions to building China into a leading country in education, science and technology and talent. Xi said that there will be more hope for achieving the Second Centenary Goal as long as the young generation works hard for national rejuvenation. He called on young students to aspire to serve the country by developing science and technology, work hard with dedication and achieve even more in science and technology, so as to dedicate their youth to the building of a strong country and national rejuvenation. Upon the arrival of Teachers' Day in a few days, Xi extended festive greetings to all the faculty members of the university and wished teachers across the country a happy festival.

Xi was briefed by the CPC Committee of Heilongjiang Province and the provincial government on their work on the morning of Sept. 8 and recognized their efforts in various respects.

Xi noted that it is imperative to lead the overall industrial revitalization by sci-tech innovation. Based on the existing industrial foundation, solid steps should be taken to promote the high-quality development of advanced manufacturing, and efforts should be accelerated to advance the upgrading of traditional manufacturing. The role of sci-tech innovation as a driving force should be given full play to improve the primary, secondary and tertiary industries in an all-round way, and constant efforts should be made to optimize the economic structure and adjust the industrial structure. Resources for sci-tech innovation should be integrated to guide the development of strategic emerging industries and future industries, so as to form new productive forces. The core competitiveness of state-owned enterprises should be strengthened, while the sound development of the private sector should be guided, and a series of industrial clusters should be created to further strengthen and expand the real economy. Enterprises should be where most sci-tech advances are applied to improve the rate of such application. Proactive efforts are required of the province to align its development with the national industrial and supply chains, and do a good job in developing its competitive industries and its niche areas in certain industries so that its economy will better integrate with the unified national market and play a bigger role in fostering interplay between domestic and international economic flows. The province is urged to adhere to green development by strengthening the innovation in green development technologies so as to establish a green, low-carbon, circular economy.

Xi stressed that Heilongjiang should serve as the ballast of national food security. It is necessary for the province to develop modern large-scale agriculture, accelerate the development of large agricultural bases, big corporations and industries, and take the lead in achieving modernization in agricultural equipment, science and technology, operation and management, widely applying information technology and realizing the sustainable use of resources. It is vital to strengthen the application of digital and biological technologies. Priority should be given to turning the black soil into high-standard farmland, and at the same time, work must be done to protect such soil. Greater importance must be attached to the development of science and technology in agriculture so as to advance the development of high-tech agriculture, green agriculture and quality and brand-based agriculture in a coordinated manner. It is important to promote the project of upgrading modern seed industry and wide application of the advanced and applicable science and technology as well as high-end agricultural equipment in a bid to develop the circular economy in agriculture. Agricultural operation models should be innovated while scale operation and commercial agricultural services should be developed. Food and fodder industrial clusters should be created to improve the overall efficacy of grain production. Work should be done to accelerate the revitalization of rural areas so as to provide modern living and working conditions for rural residents.

Xi called for great efforts to develop cultural tourism with distinctive features in the province. It is essential to consider ice and snow economy as a new growth point so as to promote the development of the whole industrial chain involving winter sports and culture, snow-and-ice equipment and tourism. Efforts should also be made to protect the ecological landscape such as forests, rivers, lakes, wetlands and snow and ice. It is essential to improve the infrastructure and develop tourism along the border areas so as to bring prosperity to people in these areas and maintain stability there. The province is urged to develop cultural undertakings and industries, promote cultural-ethical progress in both urban and rural areas, and advance public cultural services, so as to foster new customs and present new images.

Xi stressed the importance of developing a new gateway for northward opening up. It is imperative to better coordinate trade, investment, channels and platforms, and take bold steps in such areas as market access, flows of factors, and institutional opening up, so as to create a new paradigm for opening up on all fronts. Construction of key land routes, river and sea lanes, and energy pipelines should be accelerated to optimize transportation networks open to Northeast Asia. The province is urged to develop free trade zones and comprehensive bonded zones to better integrate with the Belt and Road Initiative and play an active part in regional cooperation. It is imperative to prevent and defuse risks in key areas, and make those in charge of workplace safety accountable to prevent the occurrence of severe and major accidents.

As the first round of the education campaign has ended, Xi noted, work must be done to make rectifications and formulate regulations, so as to turn what have proved effective in the program into long-term methods. It is necessary to develop long-term mechanisms to promote theoretical study, fact-finding missions, high-quality development, close contact with the people, and prevent pointless formalities and bureaucratism, and build on the outcomes of the theoretical study program. Since the second round of the education campaign has commenced, those in charge in all localities should plan and arrange the program in a reasonable and coordinated way, and provide targeted guidance to ensure solid outcomes.

Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, accompanied Xi on the inspection.

Li Ganjie, He Lifeng, and leading officials of the relevant central Party and government departments were on the inspection tour. Officials in charge of the fourth guiding group of the CPC Central Committee for the education campaign attended the meeting. ■

Xi stresses striving for full revitalization of northeast China

BEIJING, Sept. 10 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, presided over a meeting on promoting the full revitalization of northeast China in the new era.

The meeting was held in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, on Sept. 7. Xi delivered an important speech.

He stressed that to revitalize northeast China on the new journey of the new era, it is imperative to implement the arrangement made at the 20th CPC National Congress for new breakthroughs in the full revitalization of northeast China, fully, faithfully and comprehensively implement the new development philosophy, firmly grasp the important mission of northeast China in safeguarding the five major securities (political, economic, military, cultural and social securities) of the country, and firmly grasp the primary task of promoting high-quality development and the strategic task of building new development paradigm.

It is also important to coordinate development and security, adopt goal-oriented and problem-oriented approaches, and consolidate strengths and make up for deficiencies.

He called for more support and stimulating endogenous motivating power, and emphasized the need to blaze a new path for high-quality and sustainable development with tenacity, more courage and concrete actions, so as to write a new chapter for the full revitalization of northeast China.

Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, and Ding Xuexiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and vice premier of the State Council, attended the meeting.

During the meeting, Zheng Shanjie, director of the National Development and Reform Commission, Hao Peng, secretary of the CPC Committee of Liaoning Province, Jing Junhai, secretary of the CPC Committee of Jilin Province, Xu Qin, secretary of the CPC Committee of Heilongjiang Province, and Sun Shaocheng, secretary of the CPC Committee of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region delivered speeches about the work on promoting the full revitalization of northeast China, and put forward opinions and suggestions.

Having listened to their speeches, Xi delivered an important speech. He stressed that since the symposium was held on further promoting the revitalization of northeast China in September 2018 in Shenyang, the provinces of Heilongjiang, Jilin and Liaoning, as well as the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region have made new progress and achievements in this regard.

The region's role as a "ballast" to secure national food security has been further cemented, the foundation of its industrial security continuously consolidated, its role of energy security protection continuously strengthened, its function as ecological security barrier constantly strengthened, its ability to safeguard national defense steadily improved, and reform and opening-up in the region has taken on a new look.

Xi noted that with its rich resources, solid industrial foundation and unique advantages in geographic location, northeast China has enormous potential for development.

Currently, the full revitalization of northeast China is embracing new major opportunities: Efforts to build self-reliance and strength in science and technology at higher levels will help the region turn its strengths in science, education and industries into growth advantages; the building of a new development pattern further highlights the region's significant strategic position; to promote Chinese modernization, northeast China's role as a strategic pillar needs to be bolstered. On the new journey of building a strong country and advancing national rejuvenation, northeast China will regain its vitality and make new achievements.

Xi stressed the importance to promote industrial innovation with sci-tech innovation, and accelerate the development of a modern industrial system with the characteristics and advantages of northeast China.

In the course of fully revitalizing the region, it is a must to develop the real economy, encourage sci-tech innovation, and promote the upgrading of its industries. While focusing on independent innovation, which holds the key to development, the region must consolidate what it has achieved, boost further development, extend its industrial chain, and increase its added value.

Efforts should be made to accelerate the transformation of the traditional manufacturing industry in terms of digital, internet and intelligent technologies, and extend the industrial chain upstream and downstream, so as to form a complete industrial chain and industrial cluster.

Northeast China should actively align itself with national strategic needs, integrate and optimize innovation resources in science and education, and increase investment in research and development, so as to have more key and core technologies.

While building more industrial parks, the region needs to deepen pairing-off cooperation, and facilitate the application of scientific research outcomes. It is necessary to foster strategic emerging industries including new energy, new materials, advanced manufacturing and electronic information, and nurture industries of the future, in a bid to create new productivity boosters and new growth impetus.

The region should speed up the development of clean energy such as wind, photovoltaic and nuclear power, and establish energy bases integrating wind, photovoltaic, fossil and nuclear power as well as energy storage.

It is also urgent to intensify the conservation and utilization of ecological resources, and make full use of the region's advantages in ecological environment and biological resources, so as to develop modern biology, big data and other emerging industries with characteristics, and boost the development of the ice and snow economy and the marine economy.

It's vital to further the reform of state-owned enterprises (SOE), implement special actions for their revitalization, improve their core competitiveness, promote the flow of state-owned capital to important industries and key areas, in a bid to strengthen their strategic supporting role.

It is also important to innovate the cooperation model between central SOEs and local governments, and promote such integrated development to better drive the growth of local economy. It is imperative to support, encourage and guide the healthy development of the private economy, implement more preferential policies for small and medium-sized enterprises, and create a good environment for the common development of enterprises of various types of ownership.

Xi noted that we should prioritize the development of modern agriculture and accelerate the modernization of agriculture and rural areas. Northeast China should serve as a "ballast" in ensuring national food security, he stressed, urging the region to prioritize food security and improve its comprehensive grain production capacity, so as to ensure sufficient grain production and supply in normal times, and enough surplus to provide in extreme cases.

It is imperative to increase investment, take the lead in building normal farmland into high standard one, and expand the scope of black soil conservation. Besides, supporting projects such as river-lake connectivity and the upgrading of large irrigation areas are also necessary, and the vitalization of the seed industry also needs to be promoted.

All these measures are aimed at cultivating modern and high-quality farmland with high and stable yields regardless of drought or flood. We need to practice a "Greater Food" approach, develop and utilize various resources in northeast China rationally, and actively develop modern ecological aquaculture, to build agriculture into a big industry, in which the planting of food crops, cash crops, and feed crops are planned together, and agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry and fishing are developed together.

It is necessary to promote the initial and deep processing of agricultural products, extend the industrial chain, enhance the value chain, expand the space for agricultural development, and raise agricultural efficiency and farmers' income.

Xi further stressed the need to accelerate the construction of a modern infrastructure system and enhance the level of opening up and cooperation domestically and internationally. Northeast China is an important gateway for the country's northward opening up, and its strategic position and role in strengthening regional cooperation in northeast Asia and the interplay between domestic and international flows are increasingly prominent.

It is imperative for the region to be more conscious of its role as a frontier and of opening up, strengthen its ties with coastal areas in east China and the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, and integrate itself more deeply into the Belt and Road Initiative, so as to play a bigger role in boosting the domestic flow of the economy and connecting the domestic and international markets.

It is also imperative to systematically arrange the construction of modern infrastructure system in northeast China, speed up feasibility study and the building of oil and gas pipelines, high-speed railway and rail networks, new power grids and power delivery channels and the new generation of mobile communication and data networks, and further efforts to dovetail with major national strategies such as the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, the development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt, the integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta, the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the large-scale development of the western region of China, so as to ensure that northeast China can be better integrated into the unified national market.

Institutional opening-up covering rules, regulations, management and standards should also be steadily expanded. Ports of entry should also see their capability of customs clearance improved and relevant procedures simplified.

Xi noted that the overall population quality should be improved so that the revitalization of northeast China on all fronts can be sustained by the high-quality development of the population. Greater efforts must be made to develop childcare services that can benefit all to alleviate the burden of giving birth, raising and educating children on households and keep the birth rate and population within an appropriate range.

Efforts should be intensified to develop basic education and increase support for northeast China to run and operate more higher education institutions, so as to ensure that all the people especially young people are better educated and improve the population quality. The region should also optimize the industrial environment for innovation, strengthen the development and application of human resources.

We will provide more supportive policies for the region's talent revitalization, and create more platforms for people to start businesses and engage in innovation, to support the region to retain its existing workforce while introducing new talent.

We should also speed up efforts to plan and arrange the construction of infrastructure such as transportation, communication, energy and water conservancy in border areas, and build more public service facilities in villages in border areas so as to promote rural revitalization in all respects, Xi said.

He added that it's imperative to retain the existing population while at the same time encouraging the development of industries with distinctive features such as border trade, border tourism and agricultural product processing.

More support will be given to building new education institutes providing vocational courses in border cities, and efforts will be made to enhance industrial loading capacity of counties and small townships and their capabilities to increase population. Stronger supportive policies for assisting the protection of border areas will be implemented.

Xi called for efforts to further improve the political landscape and create a sound business environment. The unyielding spirit of northeast united army against Japanese aggression, the dedication of the "iron man" in Daqing oilfield and the enterprising spirit of Beidahuang pioneers should be carried forward.

Party members, officials should be guided in having a correct understanding of what it means to perform well, and motivated to be engaged in undertakings with enthusiasm. The work to improve conduct and build integrity within the Party should be strengthened to make Party members not have the audacity, opportunity and desire to become corrupt.

It is imperative to strictly implement the central Party leadership's eight-point decision on improving conduct, urge Party members, officials, especially leading officials, to keep clean and honest in conducting political affairs and performing their duties. They are required to emancipate their minds, change traditional views, enhance market awareness, gain a stronger sense of service, and overcome pointless formalities and bureaucratism.

It is crucial to develop a cordial and clean relationship between government and businesses across the board. Party members and officials need to provide support to private enterprises, taking the initiative to tackle the difficulties they face while keeping themselves clean and honest. They need to be adept at using law-based mentality and means to resolve problems, defuse tensions, and coordinate relations.

In addition, it is vital to build integrity and credibility among the public, strengthen intellectual property right protection, combat and root out organized crime on regular basis so as to create a stable, transparent, regular, and predictable business environment under the rule of law.

No effort should be spared to defuse local debt risks, speed up the risk management of small and medium-sized financial institutions, and strengthen financial supervision mechanism so as to create a sound financial environment.

Work should be strengthened to send officials from northeast China on secondment to departments of the CPC Central Committee and the central government, as well as to the southeast coastal region, and the other way round, so as to optimize the structure of official ranks, and improve their competence. It is important to manage officials in a strict manner, but they must be given enough care for their all-round development.

In terms of officials' conduct, three distinctions should be made, namely the distinction between errors due to lack of experience and illegal actions, errors from trials and actions in defiance of laws and regulations, and negligence resulting from the pursuit of development and the illegal actions for personal gains.

The mechanism to motivate and protect officials who are active to perform their duties should be optimized to create an environment, in which those competent are promoted, those mediocre are demoted, and those incompetent are dismissed.

Xi Jinping noted that strengthening the Party leadership and Party building is the guarantee to ensure the revitalization of northeast China in an all-around way. A good job must be done to establish connection between the first and the second round of theoretical study program, and implement the targets and measures of the CPC Central Committee.

It is imperative to deepen the theoretical study, enhance cohesion and forge the Party's soul with the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and keep the thoughts and actions of the Party members and officials aligned with the CPC Central Committee's decisions and plans so as to boost their confidence and morale.

Fact-finding must be prioritized to strengthen the capability of Party members and officials, especially leading officials, to make decisions in a well-planned way, solve practical problems, and better implement plans and arrangements.

Focusing on promoting high-quality development, Party members and officials must be guided to fully and faithfully apply the new development philosophy on all fronts, implement the people-centered philosophy of development, and open new ground for development with a sound and pragmatic attitude.

Efforts must be made to intensify inspections and follow-up rectifications and urge Party members and officials to face up to and correct problems related to Party consciousness, Party conduct, and Party discipline to boost people's confidence in development with fresh and healthy custom and practices.

Xi stressed that since the flood season came, some areas in northeast China have been affected by severe flooding and waterlogging. The CPC Central Committee has made comprehensive arrangements for flood relief and post-flood reconstruction.

Provincial Party committees and governments in the three provinces in northeast China (Heilongjiang Province, Jilin Province, and Liaoning Province) and the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region should strictly implement the CPC Central Committee's decisions and plans, make solid efforts on restoration and reconstruction, ensure those affected have a warm home in winter and students in flood-stricken areas return to school, and restore production and life order there as soon as possible.

The region must stay on high alert for the autumn flood and make full preparations for disaster rescue and relief.

Ding Xuexiang said in his speech that under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, we should implement the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress and the gist of General Secretary Xi's speech, and firmly grasp the mission of the times, work to both pursue development and safeguard security, and make further breakthrough for full revitalization of northeast China so as to better serve the country's overall development.

Work should be done to implement the innovation-driven development strategy, step up efforts to build the region into a hub of innovation, promote greater synergy between industry, academia, research, and application, and advance high-quality development with high-level innovation.

It is necessary to comprehensively deepen reform, create a better business environment, remain steadfast in expanding institutional opening up, and stimulate endogenous vitality. We should adhere to the people-centered philosophy of development and make solid efforts to well handle every single affair related to people's well-being to make people feel more fulfilled, happier, and securer.

Li Ganjie, He Lifeng, Mu Hong, and Jiang Xinzhi attended the meeting. Also present were leading officials of relevant central Party and government departments, leading officials of relevant local government departments and those in charge from relevant enterprises. ■

Full text of Xi Jinping's letter to representatives of outstanding teachers

BEIJING, Sept. 10 (Xinhua) -- The following is the full text of Xi Jinping's letter to representatives of outstanding teachers.

Dear teachers,

On behalf of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, I would like to extend festive greetings and best wishes to you, your fellow colleagues and all those working in the education sector across the country ahead of the 39th Teachers' Day.

For a long time, teachers across the country, with you as representatives, have earnestly implemented the Party's education policies. You impart knowledge and educate people, nurture the root and soul of our country, and foster one generation after another of socialist builders and successors with an all-round moral, intellectual, physical and aesthetic grounding, in addition to a hard-working spirit. You have cultivated a large number of talent who can shoulder heavy tasks and responsibilities, and have made important contributions to national development and the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Many educators and outstanding teachers have emerged from teachers across the country. They cherish ideals and convictions of bearing the collective in mind and serving the country with absolute sincerity. They have moral sentiment with what they say as guides for learners and what they do as examples of the times. They have the wisdom of enlightening those they teach and teaching students in accordance with their aptitudes, and professional attitude of being hard-working and seeking truth and innovation. They have benevolence that makes them love their job and those they teach, and willing to devote themselves to what they do. They have a global vision to develop virtues for a better world. All these demonstrate the spirit of educators with distinctive Chinese characteristics.

On the journey ahead, I hope that you and all teachers across the country will regard outstanding educators as role models, carry forward their spirit, bear in mind the original mission of educating people for the Party and nation, harbor the aspiration to devote to teaching and make contributions of your own to building China into a thriving country. You should be confident and build strength, forge ahead with enterprise and fortitude so as to make more contributions to the building of a strong country and rejuvenation of our nation.

Xi Jinping

Sept. 9, 2023

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Eleventh National Congress of Returned Overseas Chinese and Their Relatives opens in Beijing

BEIJING, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- The 11th National Congress of Returned Overseas Chinese and Their Relatives commenced at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Thursday morning. Xi Jinping, Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Han Zheng and other senior leaders of the Party and the state attended the event. Li Xi, on behalf of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, delivered a speech.

The atmosphere was solemn and warm in the main hall of the Great Hall of the People. The logo of the congress hangs above the rostrum, while in the middle of the backdrop is the emblem of the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese (ACFROC), which symbolizes that overseas Chinese from across the globe love their motherland from the bottom of their hearts. On both sides of the emblem stand 10 red flags. A gigantic streamer hung outside the balcony of the second floor reads "Under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, we will fully implement the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress, and unite with returned overseas Chinese, their relatives and overseas Chinese abroad to strive for a modern socialist country in an all-round way and advance the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts!" Some 1,200 representatives of returned overseas Chinese and their relatives from all around the country, as well as nearly 600 overseas Chinese as special guests from over 100 countries, gathered joyfully at the congress.

At 10:00 a.m., Xi, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, together with others, walked into the venue amid a round of enthusiastic applause.

The congress opened in the singing of the majestic national anthem.

Li Xi, on behalf of the CPC Central Committee, delivered a speech titled "Forging a United and Striving Mighty Force of Overseas Chinese for the Building of a Strong Country and National Rejuvenation." Li extended warm congratulations to the convening of the congress and sincere greetings to the vast number of returned overseas Chinese and their relatives, as well as overseas Chinese abroad and workers of the ACFROC.

Li said in his speech that under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee, since the 10th National Congress of Returned Overseas Chinese and Their Relatives, the ACFROC and overseas Chinese organizations at various levels under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, have fully implemented Xi's important ideas on overseas Chinese affairs and mass organizations work, adhered to the principles of serving the overall situation and overseas Chinese faithfully, and fully performed their duties. As a result, the political and advanced nature of the ACFROC has been improved. It became more engaged with the people, and its organization and influence continues to enhance.

The vast number of returned overseas Chinese and their relatives as well as overseas Chinese abroad, have always moved forward together with the motherland and its people. They have been playing a unique role in and made great contributions to the country's economic development, poverty alleviation, fight against the Covid-19 epidemic, opening-up, maintaining long-term prosperity and stability in Hong Kong and Macao, and promoting national reunification.

Li noted that it is the central task of the CPC to realize the Second Centenary Goal of building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects and to advance the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization. The fulfillment of the task requires joint efforts from all the sons and daughters of the Chinese nation at home and abroad. He expressed the hope that all the returned overseas Chinese and their relatives and overseas Chinese abroad could proactively respond to the call of the Party and the people, make greater achievements in helping create a new development pattern and promoting high-quality development, make greater contributions to forging a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation and promoting national reunification, and play a greater role in promoting fine Chinese culture and building a human community with a shared future. They are also hoped to better themselves in the development of their motherland, ancestral homes and the countries they are living in, so as to forge a united and striving mighty force, and make new and greater achievements in jointly shouldering the mission of national rejuvenation and sharing its glory.

A Dong, first secretary of the Secretariat of the 19th Central Committee of the Communist Youth League of China (CYLC), delivered a congratulatory speech to the congress on behalf of All-China Federation of Trade Unions, the CYLC Central Committee, All-China Women's Federation, China Federation of Literary and Art Circles, Chinese Writers Association, China Association for Science and Technology, All-China Federation of Taiwan Compatriots, and China Disabled Persons' Federation. He noted in his speech that people's organizations should remain true to our original aspiration, keep our mission firmly in mind, learn from one another, cooperate closely, carry forward good traditions, and leverage our respective strengths to break new ground in Party-led mass organizations work on the new journey of the new era.

A series of award decisions were announced at the meeting, including a decision on awarding outstanding overseas Chinese and advanced returned overseas Chinese and relatives of returned overseas Chinese by the ACFROC and the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council, a decision on awarding advanced collectives and workers in departments related to affairs of overseas Chinese by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security and the ACFROC, and a decision on awarding advanced organizations and individuals in departments related to affairs of overseas Chinese by the ACFROC. Awards were presented to winners at the meeting.

On behalf of the 10th Committee of the ACFROC, Wan Lijun, executive chairman of the presidium of the congress, delivered to the meeting a work report titled "Unifying Returned Overseas Chinese, Their Relatives, and Overseas Chinese Abroad to Strive for Building a Modern Socialist Country in All Respects under the Guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era."

Wang Yi, Shi Taifeng, Li Ganjie, Li Shulei, Chen Wenqing, Wang Xiaohong, Losang Jamcan, and Xian Hui attended the meeting.

Also present were leading officials from relevant central Party and government departments, people's organizations, military units, leading officials of the Beijing municipal government, and leading members from central committees of the other political parties and the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, as well as representatives of overseas Chinese residing in Beijing. ■

CPC leadership deliberates regulations, plan for training of officials

BEIJING, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- The Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee convened a meeting on Thursday to deliberate a set of regulations and a five-year plan (2023-27) concerning the education and training of officials. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, presided over the meeting.

As noted in the meeting, training of officials is a leading, fundamental, and strategic project for building a high-caliber team of officials. Such training plays an irreplaceable and important role in promoting the great cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics and the great new project of Party building. It is imperative to fully implement Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and fulfill the general requirements for Party building as well as the Party's organizational line in the new era. Efforts must be made to develop a deep understanding of the decisive significance of the "two affirmations," strengthen the "four consciousnesses," bolster the "four-sphere confidence," and ensure the "two upholds." Maintaining firm ideals, convictions and principles as the fundamentals, and comprehensively strengthening governance capability as the focus, we will work to train a team of high-caliber officials who are politically competent, meet the requirements of the new era, and have the capabilities to lead the socialist modernization drive.

It was stressed at the meeting that the study and implementation of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era should be the main subject, and the Party's innovative theories must be employed to enhance cohesion and forge the Party's soul, and consolidate the Party's foundation. It is imperative to carry out political training throughout the whole growth cycle of officials, educate and guide them to establish a correct understanding of power, performance evaluation and career, so as to improve their political acumen, understanding and capacity to deliver. It is imperative to ensure what the education and training provide is commensurate with the demands of Party organizations and posts and the needs of trainees. The methods of education and training must be constantly optimized to make them more systematic, targeted and effective. With the CPC Central Committee's major decisions and plans and major national strategies as the focus, training programs in different fields and domains should be organized to improve officials' capabilities to advance high-quality development, serve the people, and prevent and defuse risks. Efforts must be made to secure basic support for the education and training of officials, give full play to the primary role of Party schools (academies of governance) in this regard, strengthen political scrutiny, and introduce qualified teachers. Marxist academic conduct of combining theory with practice must be promoted to root out pointless formalities, and organize education and training programs in a frugal and standardized manner.

Some other issues were also discussed at the meeting. ■

Xi stresses greater efforts to build beautiful Xinjiang in pursuing Chinese modernization

URUMQI, Aug. 27 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday stressed the importance of firmly grasping the strategic positioning of Xinjiang in the overall national situation and building a beautiful Xinjiang in the process of pursuing Chinese modernization.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks when he was briefed in Urumqi about the work of the Party committee and government of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, as well as the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (XPCC).

He demanded fully, faithfully and comprehensively implementing the Party's strategy in governing Xinjiang in a new era. Focusing on the overarching goal of ensuring the rule of law, unity and enduring prosperity, we should seek steady progress in our work with thorough, meticulous, and concrete efforts, to develop a beautiful Xinjiang that is united, harmonious, prosperous, and culturally advanced, with healthy ecosystems and people living and working in contentment, in the process of pursuing Chinese modernization, Xi said.

Xi was in Xinjiang after returning from the 15th BRICS Summit and a state visit to South Africa. He was briefed in Urumqi about the work of the Party committee and government of the region, as well as the XPCC. Ma Xingrui, a member of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau, and secretary of the CPC Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Regional Committee, together with other governmental officials, gave the briefing, while Erkin Tuniyaz, chairman of the region, and others attended the meeting.

After hearing the report, Xi delivered an important speech, acknowledging the achievements made in various work in Xinjiang. He pointed out that Xinjiang-related work holds a crucial position in the overall work of the Party and the nation, and concerns the building of a strong country and the progress of national rejuvenation. The requirements made by the CPC Central Committee for work on Xinjiang are clear-cut, and it is critical to fully understand and implement them. While focusing on the current situation and addressing the major problems facing its development and stability, Xinjiang must formulate a long-term plan, solidly advance the essential, fundamental and long-range work regarding its long-term security and stability, and take proactive action to resolve all underlying challenges and problems.

Xi stressed that Xinjiang should always give priority to maintaining social stability and step up efforts to coordinate stability with development, so that it can secure development with stability and promote stability with development. Focusing on long-term security and upholding the rule of law, Xinjiang must make full use of the law and elevate the rule of law, so as to build a solid legal foundation for retaining stability. It is imperative to improve the mechanism for preventing and defusing major risks and hidden dangers, and integrate the fight against terrorism and separatism with law-based, persistent work on maintaining stability. Efforts should be focused on addressing both symptoms and root causes, employing a comprehensive strategy, and strengthening problem-solving at source. We need to intensify efforts in adapting Islam to Chinese conditions and fight against various illegal religious activities. It is essential to be vigilant against potential dangers and pay great attention to work in every field, in a bid to consolidate the hard-earned social stability.

Xi pointed out that forging a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation is a focus of the CPC's work on ethnic affairs in the new era and all work in areas with large ethnic minority populations, therefore, great efforts should be made in this regard. When it comes to the introduction of laws, regulations or policies, the primary consideration should be whether it is conducive to strengthening the commonality of the Chinese nation and enhancing the sense of community for the Chinese nation. Xi said that standard spoken and written Chinese must be resolutely taught to advance people's consciousness and capability to use it. He also stressed the importance of strengthening the protection and use of cultural relics and heritage to help officials and the public develop a correct understanding of state, ethnicity, history, and religions. Xi urged civic education and education on popular science for young people, whom he said should be guided to actively integrate into modern civilized life. He called for a new type of people-centered urbanization, increased concentration of population and industries, the development of an interconnected social structure and community environment, and the promotion of exchanges and interactions among people of all ethnic groups.

Xi pointed out that the country's drive to build a new development pattern and promote high-quality development and Chinese modernization has provided Xinjiang with new opportunities, and Xinjiang should seize the opportunities and make new achievements. Based on its resource endowment, geographical advantages and industrial foundation, Xinjiang should advance innovation in science and technology, foster and develop industries with unique advantages, actively develop emerging industries, and accelerate the construction of a modern industrial system that reflects Xinjiang's characteristics and advantages so that Xinjiang will be able to advance on the track of high-quality development and work with the rest of the nation to comprehensively build a modern socialist country. To achieve social stability and high-quality development in Xinjiang, the most arduous task is in rural areas. It is imperative to consolidate and build on the achievements in poverty alleviation and advance rural revitalization for further development. More work should be done to intensify efforts to develop the economy and improve people's well-being, build more water conservancy facilities, optimize the allocation of water resources, and actively develop industrial parks for modern agricultural and photovoltaic sectors, so as to cultivate and develop new areas for continued growth based on Xinjiang's resource endowment. Work concerning pairing assistance for Xinjiang should be done well, and industrial cooperation and the exchange of personnel between Xinjiang and the rest of the country should be strengthened. People from Xinjiang should be encouraged and guided to seek job opportunities in other parts of the country, and people from the rest of the country should also be encouraged to start businesses and live in Xinjiang. The region's unique geographical advantages should be given full play to actively serve and integrate the region into the new development pattern. With such geographical advantages, the region should do a good job in opening up in accordance with its own realities, and accelerate the construction of core areas of the Belt and Road Initiative, so that Xinjiang could develop itself into the gateway of the country's westward opening up.

Xi noted that for a better job of affairs in Xinjiang, emphasis must be placed on the grassroots, and Party members and officials should go down to the grassroots and keep close contact with the people. Organizational systems and work should be directly channeled to the grassroots level to strengthen the frontline. Primary-level Party organizations should be improved and cover all areas, and those weak and lax ones should be consolidated. Efforts should be made to improve the system of selecting the first secretary and task force and dispatching them to the key villages so that local officials will be trained with the support of such task force. It is essential to adhere to and develop "Fengqiao experience" in the new era and learn about people's concerns so as to timely respond to their difficulties and problems.

Xi called for efforts to promote positive publicity, better tell Xinjiang stories in the new era through multiple channels to present an open and confident Xinjiang, while refuting fake and baleful reports about Xinjiang in a targeted manner. Xinjiang should open wider for tourism, and efforts should be made to encourage domestic and overseas tourists to travel in the region.

Xi noted that while implementing the policies and measures made by the CPC Central Committee, XPCC and Xinjiang should strengthen their integrated efforts in anti-terrorism, economic growth, ecological conservation, ethnic unity and cultivation of talent and officials, so as to further advance their coordinated development.

Xi stressed that upholding the Party's overall leadership and strengthening Party building are the key to doing a good job in Xinjiang-related work. It is a must to resolutely uphold the CPC Central Committee's authority and its centralized, unified leadership and implement its decisions and plans. It is imperative to carefully review the experience gained in the first round of the theoretical study program to better carry out the second round of the program, take into consideration realities in Xinjiang to promote theoretical learning and policy training, and strengthen the capability of leading officials at all levels in conducting fact-finding missions, implementing policies, advancing work, and maintaining ties with the people. Work should be done to strengthen officials' political awareness, make sure they keep strict political discipline and take a committed political stand. It is necessary to promote the exchange of officials between Xinjiang and the central Party and government departments as well as other parts of the country, and encourage officials from other regions to take provisional or permanent posts in Xinjiang, so as to improve the structure of officials and their professional competence. Efforts must be continued to improve conduct, enforce discipline, and combat corruption to foster and develop a political atmosphere of integrity.

Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, attended the meeting.

Wang Yi, Shi Taifeng, Li Ganjie, He Weidong, He Lifeng, Chen Wenqing, Wang Xiaohong, and leading officials of the Fifteenth Central Steering Group for theoretical study program and relevant central Party and government departments also attended the meeting. ■

Full Text: Remarks by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the BRICS-Africa Outreach and BRICS Plus Dialogue

JOHANNESBURG, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping addressed the BRICS-Africa Outreach and BRICS Plus Dialogue on Thursday.

Following is the full text of Xi's remarks:

Hand in Hand Toward a Community of Shared Development

Remarks by H.E. Xi Jinping

President of the People's Republic of China

At the BRICS-Africa Outreach and BRICS Plus Dialogue

Johannesburg, August 24, 2023

Your Excellency President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa,

Colleagues,

Let me begin by thanking President Ramaphosa for preparing the Dialogues. I am delighted to join you all in this discussion on global development.

Development embodies our people's aspiration for a better life. It is the top priority for developing countries and a timeless theme for humanity. As the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is due for a midterm review this year, the delivery of most Sustainable Development Goals remains slow. This is a cause for concern, and the global development endeavor faces formidable challenges.

The international community must pursue the larger interests of all countries, respond to people's concerns, and restore development to the center of the international agenda. The representation and voice of developing countries in global governance should be increased, and developing countries be supported in realizing better development. It is also important to uphold true multilateralism, forge a global development partnership, and create a secure and stable international environment for shared development.

Colleagues,

China has invariably stood in solidarity with fellow developing countries through thick and thin. China has been and will always remain a member of developing countries. I proposed the Global Development Initiative (GDI), precisely for the purpose of calling on the world to stay focused on development and lending impetus to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. Last year, China held the first High-Level Dialogue on Global Development where a host of measures for development cooperation were unveiled. Encouraging progress has been made since then.

-- We have put development first and allocated more resources. China has set up a Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund with a total funding of 4 billion U.S. dollars, and Chinese financial institutions will soon set up a special fund of 10 billion dollars dedicated to the implementation of the GDI.

-- We have taken results-oriented actions and deepened practical cooperation. From Asia to Africa, from Pacific island countries to the Caribbean, over 200 cooperation projects have come to fruition, and cooperation mechanisms are growing in areas such as poverty reduction, education and health.

-- We have unleashed the power of innovation and built up momentum for development. Under the GDI, we have prioritized green development, new-type industrialization, the digital economy and some other key areas, and pursued a Partnership on New Industrial Revolution to boost high-quality development.

-- We have tided over difficulties together and made development more resilient. Food and energy security bear on the economy of a country and the well-being of its people. We have launched a China-FAO South-South Cooperation Trust Fund, implemented the Food Production Enhancement Action, and provided food assistance to and shared agrotech with many countries. We have also initiated a Global Clean Energy Cooperation Partnership with a view to achieving energy security.

China is a friend that Africa can count on. Over the past decade, China has provided a large amount of development assistance to Africa and helped build more than 6,000 km of railway, over 6,000 km of highway, and 80-plus large power facilities on the continent. Going forward, China will carry out more cooperation with African countries to support Africa in enhancing its own capacity for development. Specific measures will be taken, such as providing satellite mapping data products, implementing a Smart Customs cooperation partnership, and launching with UNESCO a "GDI for Africa's Future" action plan, to support sustainable development in Africa.

Colleagues,

A Chinese adage reads, "Victory is ensured when people pool their strength; success is secured when people put their heads together." Let us stay committed and united to build a community of shared development, and make sure that in the process of global modernization, no country is left behind.

Thank you. ■

Full Text: Remarks by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the 15th BRICS Summit

Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers an important speech titled "Seeking Development Through Solidarity and Cooperation and Shouldering Our Responsibility for Peace" at the 15th BRICS Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, Aug. 23, 2023. The 15th BRICS Summit was held in Johannesburg on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)

JOHANNESBURG, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping addressed the 15th BRICS Summit on Wednesday.

Following is the full text of Xi's remarks:

Seeking Development Through Solidarity and Cooperation and Shouldering Our Responsibility for Peace

Remarks by H.E. Xi Jinping

President of the People's Republic of China

At the 15th BRICS Summit

Johannesburg, August 23, 2023

Your Excellency President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa,

Your Excellency President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva,

Your Excellency President Vladimir Putin,

Your Excellency Prime Minister Narendra Modi,

I am very pleased to join you in Johannesburg for the important discussions on BRICS cooperation and development. It is especially significant that the BRICS Summit is held in Africa for the third time. I wish to thank President Ramaphosa and the South African government for the thoughtful arrangements.

We gather at a time when the world has entered a new period of turbulence and transformation. It is undergoing major shifts, division and regrouping, leading to more uncertain, unstable and unpredictable developments.

BRICS is an important force in shaping the international landscape. We choose our development paths independently, jointly defend our right to development, and march in tandem toward modernization. This represents the direction of the advancement of human society, and will profoundly impact the development process of the world. Our track record shows that we have consistently acted on the BRICS spirit of openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation, and taken BRICS cooperation to new heights in support of our five countries' development. We have upheld fairness and justice in international affairs, stood up for what is right on major international and regional issues, and enhanced the voice and influence of emerging markets and developing countries. BRICS countries invariably advocate and practice independent foreign policies. We always address major international issues based on their merits, making fair remarks and taking fair actions. We do not barter away principles, succumb to external pressure, or act as vassals of others. We BRICS countries share extensive consensus and common goals. No matter how the international situation changes, our commitment to cooperation since the very beginning and our common aspiration will not change.

We gather at a crucial time to build on our past achievements and open up a new future for BRICS cooperation. We should navigate the trend of our times and stay in the forefront. We should always bear in mind our founding purpose of strengthening ourselves through unity, enhance cooperation across the board, and build a high-quality partnership. We should help reform global governance to make it more just and equitable, and bring to the world more certainty, stability and positive energy.

-- We should deepen business and financial cooperation to boost economic growth. Development is an inalienable right of all countries, not a privilege reserved for a few. The world economic recovery remains shaky, with less than 3 percent of growth for the year as estimated by some international institutions. Challenges for developing countries are even more formidable, hampering their efforts to realize the Sustainable Development Goals. We BRICS countries should be fellow companions on the journey of development and revitalization, and oppose decoupling and supply chains disruption as well as economic coercion. We should focus on practical cooperation, particularly in such fields as digital economy, green development, and supply chain, and bolster economic, trade and financial exchanges.

China will set up a China-BRICS Science and Innovation Incubation Park for the New Era to support the deployment of innovation results. Under the BRICS Remote Sensing Satellite Constellation mechanism, we will explore the establishment of a BRICS Global Remote Sensing Satellite Data and Application Cooperation Platform to provide data support for agriculture, ecological conservation and disaster reduction in various countries. China will also work with all parties to jointly establish a BRICS Framework on Industrial Cooperation for Sustainable Development as a platform of industrial coordination and project cooperation in implementing the United Nations (U.N.) 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

-- We should expand political and security cooperation to uphold peace and tranquility. As a Chinese saying suggests, "Nothing is more beneficial than stability, and nothing is more detrimental than turmoil." The Cold War mentality is still haunting our world, and the geopolitical situation is getting tense. All nations long for a sound security environment. International security is indivisible. Attempts to seek absolute security at the expense of others will eventually backfire. The Ukraine crisis has evolved to where it is today because of complex reasons. What is pressing now is to encourage peace talks, promote deescalation, end the fighting, and realize peace. No one should add fuel to the fire to worsen the situation.

BRICS countries should keep to the direction of peaceful development, and consolidate the BRICS strategic partnership. We need to make good use of the BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting, the Meeting of High Representatives on National Security and other mechanisms, support each other on issues concerning our respective core interests, and enhance coordination on major international and regional issues. We need to tender good offices on hotspot issues, pushing for political settlement and lowering the temperature. Artificial intelligence (AI) is a new area of development. BRICS countries have agreed to launch the AI Study Group of BRICS Institute of Future Networks at an early date. We need to enable the Study Group to play its full role, further expand cooperation on AI, and step up information exchange and technological cooperation. We need to jointly fend off risks, and develop AI governance frameworks and standards with broad-based consensus, so as to make AI technologies more secure, reliable, controllable and equitable.

-- We should increase people-to-people exchanges and promote mutual learning between civilizations. There are many civilizations and development paths in the world, and this is how the world should be. Human history will not end with a particular civilization or system. BRICS countries need to champion the spirit of inclusiveness, advocate peaceful coexistence and harmony between civilizations, and promote respect of all countries in independently choosing their modernization paths. We need to make good use of such mechanisms as the BRICS seminar on governance, the BRICS forum on people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and the Women Innovation Contest to deepen people-to-people exchanges and strengthen the bond between our peoples.

China would like to propose that BRICS countries expand cooperation on education, enhance the role of the BRICS alliance for vocational education, explore and set up a cooperation mechanism on digital education, and foster a paradigm of all-round cooperation on education. In addition, we also need to strengthen exchanges on traditional cultures and promote the renewal of fine traditional cultures.

-- We should uphold fairness and justice and improve global governance. Strengthening global governance is the right choice if the international community intends to share development opportunities and tackle global challenges. International rules must be written and upheld jointly by all countries based on the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter, rather than dictated by those with the strongest muscles or the loudest voice. Ganging up to form exclusive groups and packaging their own rules as international norms are even more unacceptable. BRICS countries should practice true multilateralism, uphold the U.N.-centered international system, support and strengthen the WTO-centered multilateral trading system, and reject the attempt to create small circles or exclusive blocs. We need to fully leverage the role of the New Development Bank, push forward reform of the international financial and monetary systems, and increase the representation and voice of developing countries.

I am glad to see the growing enthusiasm of developing countries about BRICS cooperation, and quite a number of them have applied to join the BRICS cooperation mechanism. We need to act on the BRICS spirit of openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation to bring more countries into the BRICS family, so as to pool our wisdom and strength to make global governance more just and equitable.

Colleagues,

The ancient African continent is a reservoir of simple yet profound wisdom. As an African proverb puts it, "If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together." The philosophy of Ubuntu, which believes that "I am because we are," highlights the interdependence and interconnectedness of all peoples. Similarly, harmonious coexistence has been the aspiration of the Chinese nation for thousands of years. China is ready to work with BRICS partners to pursue the vision of a community with a shared future for mankind, enhance the strategic partnership, and deepen cooperation across the board. As fellow BRICS members, we should meet our common challenges with a shared sense of mission, shape a brighter future with a common purpose, and march together on the journey toward modernization.

Thank you. ■

Full text of Xi's signed article on S. African media

BEIJING, Aug. 21 (Xinhua) -- A signed article by Chinese President Xi Jinping titled "Sailing the Giant Ship of China-South Africa Friendship and Cooperation Toward Greater Success" was published Monday on South African media as he is going to attend the 15th BRICS Summit in Johannesburg and pay a state visit to South Africa.

An English version of the article, carried by The Star, Cape Times, The Mercury as well as Independent Online, is as follows:

Sailing the Giant Ship of China-South Africa

Friendship and Cooperation Toward Greater Success

Xi Jinping

President of the People's Republic of China

At the invitation of President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa, I will soon make a state visit to the Republic of South Africa and attend the 15th BRICS Summit. It will be my sixth visit to the promising land of the "rainbow nation". South Africa is home to the great statesman Nelson Mandela, and it boasts the richest tourist resources, the longest road network, the biggest securities exchange, and the busiest airports and harbors in Africa. The country exudes unique charm with the perfect amalgam of the ancient and the modern, and of nature and culture.

Each of my visits to South Africa gave me new impressions. But the deepest is invariably the brotherly sentiments we have toward each other. Our friendship has traversed a long span of time. As early as in the mid-20th century, the newly founded People's Republic of China lent firm support to the South African people in fighting apartheid, and stood with the African National Congress as comrades and friends. Our friendship has defied the obstacles of mountains and oceans. Facing the sudden onslaught of COVID-19, China was among the first to provide anti-pandemic supplies to South Africa, reaffirming our special brotherhood. More recently, China also provided to the country emergency power equipment. Over the past 25 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, our relationship has achieved leapfrog development--from a partnership to a strategic partnership, and then to a comprehensive strategic partnership. It is one of the most vibrant bilateral relations in the developing world. Our relationship has entered a "golden era", enjoying broad prospects and a promising future.

In recent years, President Ramaphosa and I have maintained close communication through visits, meetings, phone calls and letters. We jointly explore cooperation opportunities, pursue development, and stand up to common challenges. Our strategic mutual trust has been deepening steadily. We give each other firm support on issues involving our respective core interests and major concerns, and maintain coordination on major international and regional issues. We work together to practice true multilateralism and push for the building of a more just and equitable international order.

South Africa was the first African country to sign the Belt and Road cooperation document with China. It has been China's biggest trading partner in Africa for 13 years in a row, as well as one of the African countries with the largest stock of Chinese investment. The pie of bilateral cooperation is getting bigger. South Africa's wines, rooibos tea, and aloe vera gels are trending products in China. Many Chinese companies are expanding their operation and at the same time taking more social responsibilities in South Africa. Automobiles and home appliances with Chinese brands yet made in South Africa are very popular among local consumers, and are now owned by numerous South African households. South African companies are also racing to invest in the Chinese market to seize the abundant business opportunities, and they have made important contribution to China's economic growth.

South Africa's Ubuntu philosophy advocates compassion and sharing. It resonates well with the values of Confucianism--"love the people and all beings and seek harmony among all nations". In 2015, I participated in the Year of China activities in South Africa, and witnessed the gratifying achievements of our Year of China/South Africa programs. Last April, the faculty and students of the Confucius Institute at Durban University of Technology wrote me a letter in Chinese, expressing their fondness for the Chinese culture and thanking China for the valuable opportunities provided to young Africans chasing their dreams. I find it very heart-warming. Indeed, these vibrant people-to-people exchanges enhance the empathy between our peoples, and enable our friendship to be passed down from generation to generation.

The China-South Africa relationship is standing at a new historical starting point. It has gone beyond the bilateral scope and carries increasingly important global influence. During my forthcoming visit, I look forward to working with President Ramaphosa to chart the plan for a new chapter of our comprehensive strategic partnership.

China and South Africa should be fellow companions sharing the same ideals. As an ancient Chinese saying goes, "A partnership forged with the right approach defies distance; it is thicker than glue and stronger than metal and rock." We need to increase our experience sharing on governance, and firmly support each other in independently exploring a path to modernization that suits our respective national conditions. We should fear no hegemony, and work with each other as real partners to push forward our relations amid the changing international landscape.

China and South Africa should be pacesetters for solidarity and cooperation. We will succeed because of our biggest strengths in high economic complementarity and the solid foundation for cooperation. We need to further synergize development strategies, promote stronger cooperation in infrastructure, digital economy, scientific and technological innovation and energy transition, and ensure that more people of our two countries will benefit from the development outcomes. China welcomes more South African products to its market, and encourages more Chinese companies to invest and do business in South Africa as an effort of support for South Africa's target to double its inbound investment over the next five-year period.

China and South Africa should be inheritors of China-Africa friendship. We need to leverage the all-round, multi-tiered and institutionalized mechanisms for people-to-people exchanges between our two countries, and continue to advance exchanges and cooperation in culture, tourism, education, sports, media, universities, sub-national governments and the youth. We must keep the spirit of China-Africa friendship and cooperation as alive and strong as ever across the vast lands of China and Africa.

China and South Africa should be champions of our common interests. What the world needs today is peace, not conflict; what the world wants is coordination, not confrontation. China and South Africa, as natural members of the Global South, should all the more work together to appeal for greater voice and influence of developing countries in international affairs, promote accelerated reform of international financial institutions, and oppose unilateral sanctions and the "small yard, high fence" approach. We should jointly safeguard our common interests.

The BRICS Summit is another important agenda during my visit to South Africa. This is the third time for the Summit to take place on this continent brimming with vibrancy and hope. I still have vivid memories of the Summit in the picturesque Sanya, China's Hainan Province, when South Africa made the formal debut as a member of the BRICS family. Over the past 12 years, South Africa has made important contributions to the development of BRICS cooperation mechanism, further substantiating BRICS cooperation and extending its influence. Now more and more countries are knocking on the door of BRICS, aspiring to join our cooperation. This is a testament to the vitality and influence of the BRICS cooperation mechanism. China is ready to work with fellow BRICS partners to act on the BRICS spirit of openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation, build consensus on important issues, carry forward our tradition of independent diplomacy, and resolutely uphold international equity and justice. We will urge the international community to refocus on development issues, promote a greater role by the BRICS cooperation mechanism in global governance, and make the voice of BRICS stronger.

It has been ten years since I put forth "sincerity, real results, amity and good faith" as the principles for China to develop its relations with Africa. The past decade has witnessed our joint pursuit of a China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era, and the completion and handover of a host of projects including the Africa CDC Headquarters, the Foundiougne Bridge in Senegal, the Nairobi Expressway and the Mombasa-Nairobi Railway, renewing China-Africa friendship across the vast lands of China and Africa.

In face of the profound changes unseen in a century, a strong China-Africa relationship and productive China-Africa cooperation will provide more fresh impetus to global development and ensure greater stability of the world. This is an international responsibility and historical mission entrusted to the 2.8 billion Chinese and African peoples. We will convene a China-Africa Leaders' Dialogue. I will work with African leaders to bring more active, effective and sustainable development initiatives to Africa, expand cooperation in agriculture, manufacturing, new energy and digital economy, and facilitate Africa's economic integration, industrialization and agricultural modernization. China will continue to work for substantive progress in African Union's joining of the G20 this year, and looks forward to a greater role by African countries and the AU in international and regional affairs.

As an ancient Chinese poem goes, "With high tide and tailwind, it is time to sail a smooth ride." Looking ahead into the next 25 years, the giant ship of China-South Africa friendship and cooperation will sail forward, and we will make even greater progress in the building of a China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era as well as the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. ■

CPC leadership studies and arranges work on flood prevention and relief, post-disaster reconstruction

BEIJING, Aug. 20 (Xinhua) -- The Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee held a meeting on Thursday to study and arrange work on flood prevention and relief as well as post-disaster restoration and reconstruction. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, presided over the meeting and delivered an important speech.

It was noted at the meeting that late July and early August are the critical periods of flood prevention. Under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, Party committees and governments at all levels have strengthened organizational leadership and strictly performed their duties. The State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters, together with all relevant departments, has fulfilled their responsibilities and collaborated with each other, with China Fire and Rescue teams fighting at the front line, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and the armed police rushing to provide emergency assistance, and a helping hand from central state-owned enterprises and different social sectors. With such concerted endeavors, the country has achieved phased success in flood prevention and disaster relief.

It was underscored at the meeting that China remains in the main flood season currently, with rainstorms, floods, typhoons and other disasters frequenting many regions nationwide, and some river basins still under risks of flooding. The soil moisture in some mountainous areas in north and northeast China has saturated, while the risks of mountain torrents and geological disasters stay high. Therefore, governments at all levels must not let their guard down. Drought has emerged and even begun to develop in certain areas, against which guard must not be lowered. All relevant regions, authorities and departments should put flood control and disaster relief high on their agenda, and treat the safety of people's lives and property as a top priority. It is imperative to follow through on the work in this regard with a strong sense of responsibility characterized by "staying on high alert."

The meeting called for precise warning and targeted response, and coordination between meteorological warning and disaster forecast. While placing emphasis on the warning of approaching disasters, work should be done to ensure point-to-point forecast and real-time updates, strengthen the pertinence of warning, and implement a "call-and-response" mechanism directly toward grassroots officials in charge as floods arrive. It is also urgent to ramp up the synergy between warning and emergency response and carry out contingency measures, so as to gain the upper hand in disaster prevention. Prevention of major floods in river basins must be taken as the top priority, and flood control measures, contingency plans, rescue teams, disaster-relief materials, and the use of flood detention basins must be well prepared beforehand, in a bid to ensure the safety of areas along large rivers during flood seasons, according to the meeting. Besides, it is vital to refine and put in place prevention and control measures for timely response to floods in small and medium-sized rivers, floods from small and medium-sized reservoirs, mountain torrents and geological disasters, as well as urban and rural waterlogging, eliminating risks and hidden dangers before disasters occur.

Measures should also be taken to coordinate flood prevention and fight against drought, in case drought and flood come concurrently or flood comes on the heels of long drought. It is imperative to act decisively to evacuate and relocate people from dangerous areas at critical moments. It is better to err on the side of caution in this regard. With further refined evacuation and risk prevention plans, those in charge must make sure that no one is left behind and early evacuation is made as soon as possible when it is necessary.

The meeting stressed the coordinated dispatch of China Fire and Rescue teams, the PLA and the armed police, those from central state-owned enterprises and social rescue teams in all-out rescue efforts, to ensure efficient and sound rescue. Efforts must not be spared to fix dykes, rescue the trapped and search for the missing to minimize casualties. Those sections of dykes and dams that are vulnerable to flood must be strengthened and raised in advance, uninterrupted patrol and inspection must be arranged to address major hazards such as seepages in dykes and possible dam failures, and resolutely make sure that natural disasters can be prevented and controlled through flood season. It is important to properly resettle the relocated people. This disaster has hit a large number of areas, many flood detention and storage areas have been used, and a large number of residents have been relocated. It is imperative to do everything possible to ensure the basic livelihood of those relocated, do a good job in disinfection of environmental surfaces and epidemic prevention, strengthen market supply and keep prices stable, and restore production and life order in the disaster-hit areas as soon as possible.

It was noted at the meeting that funds for disaster relief must be well used, and post-disaster recovery and reconstruction must be accelerated. Efforts must be sped up to repair as quickly as possible damaged infrastructure such as transport, communication and power supply. Timely work must be done to restore the farmland and agriculture facilities damaged by the disasters, ensure the provision of agricultural supplies, strengthen agricultural technology guidance for farmers, organize them to save as many as possible the damaged crops or reseed, and do a good job in disaster prevention and deduction in the agricultural sector, so as to minimize agricultural loss and safeguard the country's food security. It is imperative to advance the recovery and restoration of public facilities such as schools, hospitals and nursing homes, and ensure that all the students affected by the disasters can return to campus for autumn semester on time. Work must be done to start up as quickly as possible the renovation and reconstruction of houses damaged or destroyed by the disasters, so as to ensure that those relocated can either return home or move to new houses before winter comes and spend a safe and warm winter. Financial institutions are urged to optimize and streamline relevant procedures, increase credit support and settle insurance claims as timely as possible for regions affected by the disasters. They are required to continuously detect risks and hidden dangers, and work hard to help the people and business entities affected by the disasters get through the hard times.

The meeting calls for efforts to identify problems and shore up weak links to improve the country's capacity for disaster prevention, deduction and relief. The emergency response system at all levels should be consolidated, and the facilities and systems used for dispatch and command, consultation and judgment, as well as supportive service should be refined so that emergencies will be handled in a holistic manner. It is essential to strengthen the capacity of China's regional emergency rescue centers to address urgent, difficult, dangerous and daunting tasks. This will make it possible for them to meet the needs of rescue efforts when severe regional natural disasters occur, and develop their regional rescue capacity. It is also essential to strengthen the capacity at grassroots to respond to disasters, improve their emergency management system, boost and regulate the building of their emergency rescue teams; and provide the major regions vulnerable to natural disasters, high-risk townships and villages with necessary equipment to make them more capable of saving themselves or helping each other in rescue efforts.

It is necessary to improve flood control facilities in basins of main rivers, especially in the northern region, and ensure safe development, operation and management of flood storage and detention areas, so as to strengthen disaster prevention capacity in a holistic manner. It is imperative to strengthen capacity for responding to floods and waterlogging in cities and update or improve the infrastructure such as drainage networks in urban areas to better link with waterways for discharging flood, so as to ensure that main drainage networks in cities work well.

It is stressed at the meeting that Party committees and governments at all levels must strictly implement the CPC Central Committee's decisions and plans, and perform their principal responsibilities. Leading officials at all levels, particularly those holding principal leadership positions should go to the frontline to command flood prevention work. All relevant regions, departments, and institutions must perform their duties well. The China Fire and Rescue teams, the PLA, and the armed police should take the lead in the rescue and relief work. Primary-level Party organizations and every Party member should play a key, exemplary, and vanguard role, stepping forward to take on tough tasks at the frontline of rescue and relief. It is necessary to rely on the solid support of the people and transform the Party's strengths in politics, organizations, and its close ties with the people into political driving power behind flood relief and reconstruction work, so as to protect people's lives and property.

Some other issues were also discussed at the meeting. ■

Xi calls for new progress in the governance of Sichuan on his inspection tour of the province

CHENGDU, Sichuan/HANZHONG, Shaanxi, July 30 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made an inspection tour of southwest China's Sichuan Province. He stressed that to fully study and implement the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress, we should focus on the Party's central task in the new era on the new journey, and firmly grasp the connotations of Chinese modernization and its essential requirements. It is important to keep high-quality development as the top priority, and apply the new development philosophy, forge a new pattern of development and promote common prosperity throughout the entire process of the country's economic and social development. He called for transformation in the mode, driving force, areas and quality of development so as to break new ground in the country's high-quality development. He urged Sichuan to have a better understanding of its strategic position and mission in the country's overall development, and base its work on local realities to clarify its thinking on development and decide where it should concentrate its major efforts. In this way, the province should give full play to its strengths and make up for its deficiencies, achieve new breakthroughs in improving its capacity for scientific and technological innovation, building a modern industrial system, promoting rural revitalization, and strengthening ecological environment governance so that new progress will be made in the governance and revitalization of Sichuan in a new era, and a new chapter will be written for the province in advancing Chinese modernization.

Accompanied by Wang Xiaohui, secretary of the CPC Sichuan Provincial Committee, and Huang Qiang, governor of the province, Xi visited cities including Guangyuan and Deyang from July 25 to 27.

On the afternoon of July 25, Xi first inspected Cuiyun Corridor in Jiange County, Guangyuan City, an important section of an ancient passageway, known as "shudao," which connects Guanzhong Plain with Sichuan Basin in ancient times. The corridor possesses the best-preserved ancient artificial cypress forest in the world. Xi was briefed on the development of the ancient passageway, and the overall situation of Cuiyun Corridor. He walked along the ancient passageway to observe the growth of the millennium-old cypresses, and inquired in detail about the planting and protection of cypresses in history. Xi noted that being the world's largest forest of its kind, this man-made cypress forest has survived for so long and been protected so well, thanks to the inheritance and practice of such policies since the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) as logging prohibition for both officials and civilians, and the transfer of duty to protect these trees along with transition of local government power. More importantly, it has benefited from the collective protection efforts made by local residents from generation to generation. This tells us that a well-functioning institutional framework is key to ecological conservation, and so is the strict implementation of policies, he said, emphasizing the importance of fully spurring the enthusiasm, initiative and creativity of the general public to consolidate and develop on the achievements of ecological conservation in the new era. Upon leaving, Xi urged local officials in charge to preserve these ancient trees and pass on China's fine traditional culture.

Sanxingdui Ruins, located on the south bank of the Yazi River in the northwest of Guanghan, Deyang, show the appearance and development level of the ancient Shu civilization thousands of years ago. The site is the remnants of an ancient capital, which has the richest cultural connotation and the largest area compared with its counterparts within the Yangtze River basin in the same period. On the afternoon of July 26, Xi visited the new building of the Sanxingdui Museum. He toured exhibition halls including the "Century-long Pursuit of Dreams," "Majestic Kingdom Capital," as well as "Heaven, Earth, Humans and Gods," to learn about the discovery and excavation of the ruins, and achievements of the ancient Shu civilization. Xi also paid a visit to the venue for relic preservation and repair, where he carefully observed the procedures, details, and latest techniques for repairing ancient artifacts, and talked amicably with the staff on site. Xi stressed that the archaeological achievements of Sanxingdui are world-renowned, demonstrating the fruits of a civilization more than 4,000 years ago. They also provide more convincing archaeological evidence for the integration of Chinese civilization as well as the mutual influence of the ancient Shu civilization and the Central Plains civilization. The preservation and restoration of cultural artifacts is a long-term task. The country must scale up support, expand its talent pool, and carry forward craftsmanship that features rigor and meticulousness. It is essential to strive for greater achievements step by step amid persistent efforts. On behalf of the CPC Central Committee, Xi extended warm congratulations on the completion and entry into operation of the new building of the Sanxingdui Museum, and expressed heartfelt gratitude and high respect to archaeologists across the country.

On the morning of July 27, Xi was briefed by the Sichuan provincial Party committee and government about their work and recognized their efforts in various respects. He urged Sichuan to make more progress in sci-tech innovation, the application of sci-tech achievements, the building of a modern industrial system, rural revitalization and the consolidation of ecological shields along the upper reaches of the Yangtze River and the Yellow River.

Opening up new areas of development with sci-tech innovation and forging new driving forces for and strengths of development is both a general trend and an urgent requirement of high-quality development, Xi said, calling on Sichuan to rely on innovation, especially sci-tech innovation, for transformations in driving forces for development.

Sichuan boasts a large number of universities and research institutions with numerous innovative talents, a relatively complete industrial system, and a strong industrial foundation. It should give full play to its strengths and make efforts on both sci-tech innovation and the application of sci-tech achievements. He asked the province to resolve problems concerning a number of core technologies in key fields and strive to become an innovation hub in western China through improving its sci-tech innovation system, dovetailing with national strategic sci-tech resources, and optimizing the layout of its resources.

He pointed out that Sichuan is a strategic hinterland for China's development and holds a unique, key position in the overall development of the country, especially in the implementation of the strategy to develop the western region. Relying on its unique strengths in manufacturing, Sichuan should actively contribute to the safety of the country's industrial and supply chains, and dock itself with the new industrial layout in China's eastern coastal areas in a high-quality manner, Xi said. It is imperative to prioritize the development of distinctive and competitive industries and emerging strategic industries, accelerate the transformation and upgrading of traditional industries, and deploy future ones in a forward-looking manner. Stressing the need for deep integration of the digital economy and the real economy, Xi called on the province to build a modernized industrial system with Sichuan characteristics and strengths. It is necessary to soundly plan and build a new energy system to promote the complementary development of multiple energy resources such as water, wind, solar power, hydrogen and natural gas. It is essential to strengthen the production and supply of food and strategic mineral resources, building Sichuan into a strategic base to ensure the supply of important primary products for national needs. The principle must be upheld that the development of Sichuan and Chongqing must be taken into overall consideration to strengthen the cooperation between the two regions, in order to build a strategic highland for opening up to the west and a new base for participating in international competition, so that Sichuan and Chongqing will become an important growth pole and a new source of power for promoting high-quality development in the western region as soon as possible.

Xi urged the province to consolidate the achievements of poverty alleviation, put rural revitalization in a prominent position in the governance and development of Sichuan, and better shoulder the responsibility of maintaining the production and supply of important agricultural products such as grain, live pigs and oil. Importance must be attached to seeds and arable land so that the combination of improved seeds and good fields should help create a higher level "Granary of Sichuan" in the new era. In terms of industrial development, rural construction, and rural governance, efforts must be focused on a few things, about which the masses are very much concerned, and results can be achieved in a few years when work is done, and resources must be concentrated to make breakthroughs, and finally realize landmark achievements. Sichuan should learn and apply Zhejiang province's experience in launching the project "Green Rural Revival Program," focusing on minor things, and persevering in what it is pursuing. The bottom line must be held in the rural homestead reform to strictly control the transfer of land rights, which must never be taken advantage of to put farmland into non-agricultural use. Social security system must be well coordinated between urban and rural areas to promote equal access for rural and urban residents to basic public services.

Xi stressed that Sichuan is an important water conservation area in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, an important water supply area in the upper reaches of the Yellow River, and also a key area for global biodiversity protection, and it is necessary to do a good job in ecological conservation. We should persist with a holistic and systematic approach to the conservation and management of mountains, waters, forests, farmlands, grasslands and deserts, strengthen the control of territorial space and the management of negative lists, and strictly implement the supervision and regulation of nature reserves and ecological conservation red lines. It is imperative to speed up establishing a nature reserve system with national parks as the mainstay, and promote the natural regeneration of grasslands, forests, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. We should also work faster to adjust and improve the industrial structure, the energy mix, the composition of the transportation sector and land use, promote intensive and economical use of resources, and actively advocate green and low-carbon ways of production and life. We should keep our skies blue, waters clear and lands clean at a higher standard, actively explore mechanisms to realize the market value of ecological goods and services and improve the compensation system for ecological conservation, so that ecological and environmental governance can be further modernized.

Xi noted that as natural disasters occur frequently in Sichuan, it's imperative for the province to improve its emergency management system, and strengthen emergency response capacity, so as to establish relevant long-term mechanisms and systematically boost the capacity for disaster prevention, mitigation and relief. As the Yangtze River basin enters a major flood season in July and August, principal responsibilities for flood control and disaster relief must be ensured, and the work concerning response and preparation in this regard must be done well. Disaster reliefs must be carried out in a sound manner to prevent secondary disasters, and efforts must be made to reduce casualties and loss of property to the minimum and restore normal order of production and life as soon as possible. It is essential to implement the accountability system for workplace safety in a down-to-earth manner, detect risks and potential dangers at every corner and prevent the occurrence of severe and major accidents so as to safeguard people's lives and property.

Xi stressed that as there is only over a month's time left before the first round of the theoretical study program ends, Party organizations at all levels should implement the arrangements of the CPC Central Committee, ensure constant efforts, persevere to see it through, and strive for concrete results. Xi called for efforts to conduct sound and objective assessment of the efficacy of the theoretical study program. Whether Party members and officials have fully understood the Party's innovative theories and put them into practice, and whether they can apply the theories wherever it is necessary are the benchmark of how well the theoretical study program is carried out. Whether Party members and officials have learned about real social conditions and public opinions, and take action to solve problems for the people should decide if fact-finding missions and studies work. Whether new breakthroughs are made in high-quality development, and whether people's living standards have been improved are the gauge of how development is pursued. Whether the root causes of problems are identified and misdeeds are thoroughly rectified is a test of how examination and rectification work is done. Whether deviating thinking is rectified, whether unqualified Party members are well educated or dealt with, and whether hidden political dangers are removed are the way to see how endeavors in education of the ranks of officials have fared. Evaluation should be based on facts and open, and public opinions should make a difference, so as to ensure the evaluation is real and objective. It is important to see whether pointless formalities and bureaucratism have been effectively tackled when assessing the effectiveness of the theoretical study program. We should examine pointless formalities and bureaucratism to find out their root causes so as to provide targeted measures to cope with them effectively. It is essential to organize democratic meetings for leaderships and the regular Party activities at the grassroots level, where criticism and self-criticism should be conducted based on study, examination and rectification.

Xi has been concerned about the inheritance of cultural traditions and ecological conservation along the Hanjiang River. On July 29, during his return trip to Beijing, Xi alighted from the train and made an inspection tour of Hanzhong City accompanied by Zhao Yide, secretary of the CPC Shaanxi Provincial Committee, and Zhao Gang, governor of the province. Xi visited an exhibition of cultural artifacts in the Hanzhong Museum to learn about the history, culture and artifact protection in this city. Xi noted that cultural artifacts are a vehicle of a civilization and culture, and carry forward the ethos of a nation. It is imperative to give full play to the vital role of museums in protecting, carrying forward, studying, and showcasing human civilization. Work should be done to preserve China's cultural tradition, and let cultural artifacts play their role in disseminating traditional culture so as to promote the appeal of Chinese culture. He said that intangible cultural heritage such as rattan weaving in Hanzhong City has long been popular, and work should be done to develop industries with local distinction to secure higher incomes for local people. When leaving the museum, Xi was surrounded by villagers greeting him warmly. He said, "I once visited Hanzhong in 2008 for disaster relief when an earthquake struck Wenchuan. For many years, I've been concerned about this place. This time I'm glad to see that great changes have taken place in Hanzhong and everything is in good order." He wished that all the people work well, live well and have happy families.

Xi also inspected Tianhan Wetland Park in central Hanzhong en route, the headwater of the Hanjiang River, and praised it for serving as a happy park for residents. He said that it is a great responsibility and of great significance to conserve the wetland resources in this area as the Hanjiang River and its branches are a major catchment and supply source for the middle route of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project. Ecological parks should be constructed in harmony with nature. A holistic and systematic approach should be adopted to protect and restore the ecology of wetlands, and better integrate ecological conservation with people's work and life, so as to build an ecological city that is beautiful, low-carbon, and desirable to live in and visit.

Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, accompanied Xi on the inspection.

Li Ganjie, He Lifeng, and leading officials of the relevant central Party and government departments were on the inspection tour. Leading officials of the twelfth Central Steering Group for theoretical study program attended the meeting. ■

Chinese President Xi Jinping declares 31st World University Games open

CHENGDU, July 29 (Xinhua) -- Chengdu Universiade opens and provides an opportunity for participants from all over the world to write a chapter of youth. The 31st summer edition of the FISU World University Games kicked off on Friday evening in Chengdu, capital city of southwest China's Sichuan Province. Chinese President Xi Jinping attended the opening ceremony and declared the Games open.

Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, together with leaders and distinguished guests from all over the world, attended the opening ceremony.

Against the night sky, Dong'an Lake Sports Park Stadium was illuminated by dazzling lights and fireworks. A vibrant performance given by university students in Chengdu preceded the ceremony, which added to the lively atmosphere in the stadium.

At 19:58, Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan, together with FISU Acting President Leonz Eder and others, stepped onto the rostrum to a song with the theme of peace and the community for a shared future, waving to the audience. A prolonged round of enthusiastic applause filled the venue.

The logo of China Cultural Heritage "Sun and Immortal Birds" spun swiftly at the center of the venue, with twelve rays of golden light shimmering. As flamboyant countdown fireworks burst into the night sky and ignited thunderous cheers across the audience, the opening ceremony commenced.

In the singing of "Our National Flag Is So Beautiful" by a children's chorus from southwest China's Daliang Mountains, and "Ode to the Motherland" by young representatives from China's 56 ethnic groups, an eight-man honor guard escorted China's national flag into the stadium in a steady march. All stood up and sang the National Anthem of the People's Republic of China. The five-star red flag rose slowly and fluttered in the wind.

At 20:07, athletes began to enter. Participating delegations from 113 countries and regions marched on along the pass paved with Sichuan brocade patterns meaning "Road of Splendor," which received a warm welcome from the audience.

The Chinese delegation with over 700 members entered last as the host nation. Xi stood up and waved his hand, and the whole stadium was filled with joy, with applause and cheers echoing through the stadium. China has sent 411 athletes to compete in all 18 sports.

Huai Jinpeng, president of the organizing committee of the Chengdu Universiade, delivered a speech. On behalf of the committee, he extended warm welcome to the athletes, coaches, technical officials and guests from 113 countries and regions around the world, wishing them to carry forward sportsmanship, display the vigor of youth and forge solidarity and friendship.

In his speech, FISU acting president Leonz Eder expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Chinese government, Sichuan province, Chengdu city and all participants for their joint efforts in creating an outstanding sports gala that will live up to people's expectations, sending his best wishes to the participating athletes.

At 21:16, the opening ceremony ushered in an exciting moment. Chinese President Xi Jinping declared the 31st FISU Summer World University Games in Chengdu open. Suddenly, the whole audience burst with excitement, and fireworks soared into the air, blooming in the shape of "welcome" in both Chinese and English.

Eight young people including outstanding Chinese athletes and representatives of volunteers entered the stadium holding the flag of FISU. To the accompaniment of the song of FISU, its flag was raised gently and flew high together with China's national flag.

On behalf of all the participating athletes and technical officials, respectively, athlete Tang Ziting and referee Liu Jiang took the oath.

A splendid gala performance of "Young Dream Chasers" was unveiled thereafter. The performance was unveiled through three segments of "Pursuit of Light," "Passion of Sports" and "Celebration of Friendship." "Pursuit of Light" showcased young people's ceaseless exploration and flying to the light through vibrantly scaling heights. "Passion of Sports" demonstrated the occasion where young university students run energetically with all their might to express the joy and passion brought about by physical sports. "Celebration of Friendship" saw young university students and models of charming and cute giant pandas, known as "ambassadors of friendship," dancing together to the merry music, and gaining friendship from the gathering.

At 21:40, the ceremony of lighting the cauldron began. Over the past one month, the sacred flame of the FISU World University Games obtained from Turin, Italy had been carried through universities in Beijing, Harbin, Shenzhen, Chongqing, Yibin and Chengdu before it finally reached the destination-Dong'an Lake Sports Park Stadium.

While the cauldron with the pattern of "Sun and Immortal Birds" was rising gently in the center of the stadium, thirty-one torch-bearers including astronaut Ye Guangfu entered the stadium holding high the torches in their hands. With all attention of the audience on them, the torch-bearers ran to the cauldron and formed a circle. They lit up the "Sun and Immortal Birds" with their torches, which began to shine radiantly. The Universiade flame conveys the best wishes of university students across the world to the Universiade.

"Light up the world and hear the singing of life," "Brighten prospects of future, look into a beautiful scene in the distance"... Gathering under the flame, young students sang the theme song of the FISU opening ceremony, "Make Dreams Come True," turning the whole stadium into a sea of joy.

Overseas leaders attending the opening ceremony are Indonesian President Joko Widodo and his wife Iriana Joko Widodo, Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Cheikh Ghazouani, Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye, Guyanese President Irfaan Ali, and Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili.

Wang Yi, Li Ganjie, Wang Xiaohong, and Shen Yiqin were present.

Main executive members of FISU also attended the opening ceremony. ■

Full text: Toast by Chinese President Xi Jinping at welcoming banquet of Chengdu Universiade opening ceremony

CHENGDU, July 28 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan on Friday hosted a banquet in Chengdu, capital city of southwest China's Sichuan Province, to welcome guests attending the opening ceremony of the Chengdu FISU World University Games.

Following is the full text of the toast by President Xi:

Toast by H.E. Xi Jinping

President of the People's Republic of China

At the Welcoming Banquet of

The Opening Ceremony of

The Chengdu FISU World University Games

Chengdu, July 28, 2023

Distinguished Colleagues,

Distinguished FISU Acting President Leonz Eder,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Friends,

It is a great pleasure to join you in Chengdu for the 31st World University Games in the blossoming summer. On behalf of the Chinese government and people, and in the name of my wife and myself, I would like to extend a very warm welcome to all our distinguished guests!

The Chengdu FISU World University Games will officially open tonight. China has committed itself to organizing a streamlined, safe and splendid games. In spite of COVID-19 and other adverse factors, we have acted vigorously to fulfill our solemn pledge for a successful World University Games and to make new contributions to the cause of international youth sports.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Friends,

Since its inception, the World University Games has always been a celebration of youth, solidarity, and friendship.

-- We should bring together young people from around the world to promote world peace and development with the power of youth. While the key to state-to-state relations lies in close bonds between peoples, efforts to this end must start from the youth. The younger generation motivated by ideals and responsibilities are the future of mankind as well as the hope of the lofty pursuit of peace and development. China will work with FISU and all participating delegations to make the Chengdu Games a grand sports event that will present the charms of China, the vibe of our times and the beauty of youth, and facilitate mutual understanding among young people from around the world, so as to provide new impetus for the progress of mankind.

-- We should carry forward the spirit of the World University Games to stand up to global challenges in solidarity. Sixty-two years ago, Dr. Paul Schleimer, founding president of FISU, described the World University Games as a gathering of friendship. This characterization, together with the values of friendship, fraternity, fair play, perseverance, integrity, cooperation and application championed by FISU, has not only guided the sports activities of university students around the world, but also inspired us to navigate the changes of the world, of our times and of the course of history. We should promote solidarity through sports, build up positive energy across the international community, join hands to tackle global challenges such as climate change, food crisis and terrorism, and shape a better future through cooperation.

-- We should deepen exchanges and mutual learning to promote harmony without uniformity in the spirit of inclusiveness. Civilizations take different forms, making the world colorful and diverse. Young people are full of vitality. They can and should be able to view diversity from an equal, inclusive and friendly perspective, and see different cultures with an attitude of mutual appreciation and mutual learning. The Chengdu Games should be an opportunity for us to champion the common values of humanity and write a new chapter in building a community with a shared future for mankind.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Friends,

In ancient times, the metropolis of Chengdu, known as Yi, was famous for its magnificent landscape and rich culture. This historical and cultural city has long been a hub of exchanges connecting China to the rest of the world, like a pearl on the southwestern Silk Road. Today, Chengdu is one of the most dynamic and happiest cities in China. Thanks to its inclusiveness, the city has continued to prosper economically and thrive culturally since it was founded over 2,300 years ago. I encourage you to tour the city, to experience and share firsthand the multifaceted manifestations of the Chinese path to modernization.

Now, I would like to propose a toast,

To the success of the Chengdu Games;

To solidarity and friendship among all peoples in the world; and

To the health of all distinguished guests and your families.

Cheers! ■

Xi calls for high-quality development of armed forces with high-level governance

BEIJING, July 26 (Xinhua) -- As China's Army Day, which falls on Aug. 1, draws close, the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee on Monday held its seventh group study session on strengthening all-around military governance. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, presided over the session. He stressed that strengthening all-around military governance represents a profound transformation in the CPC's philosophy on and methods of running the military, meets the strategic requirements for accelerating the modernization of national defense and the military, and constitutes an important aspect of modernizing China's governance system and capacity. We should fully implement the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress, and the thinking on strengthening the military for the new era, and follow the military strategy for the new era. We must uphold the Party's absolute leadership over the armed forces, and adhere to the fact that combat effectiveness is the sole and fundamental criterion for all military endeavors. While upholding and improving a socialist military system with Chinese characteristics, we must build a modern system for military governance, and boost the capacity for such governance. It is also imperative to facilitate the high-quality development of the armed forces through high-level governance, so as to provide a strong guarantee for the People's Liberation Army (PLA) to achieve the goals for the centenary of its founding.

Zhao Dongbin, head of a military law institute under the Academy of Military Sciences, delivered a lecture on the issue and put forward suggestions for work in this regard. Members of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee listened to Zhao's lecture attentively, and had discussions thereafter.

Xi made an important speech after hearing the lecture and discussions. He pointed out that since the 18th CPC National Congress, in the process of building a strong military, the CPC Central Committee and the Central Military Commission have upheld the Party's absolute leadership over the military, and promoted the exploration and practice of military governance. Through deepening reforms of national defense and the armed forces, promoting the rule of law in the military, and strengthening and improving the strategic management of the military, a series of new systems, mechanisms, laws, regulations and policies have been developed. These have helped us adhere to and develop a socialist military system with Chinese characteristics in the new era, and boost the modernization of our national defense and the armed forces.

Xi pointed out that with the evolution of global changes of a magnitude not seen in a century, a new round of sci-tech revolutions and profound changes in military affairs is well underway. The development of our military is in a critical period of achieving the goals for the centenary of the founding of the PLA. It is necessary to recognize the significance of strengthening all-around military governance, boost the sense of mission, carry forward the spirit of reform and innovation, intensify work in this regard, and promote the military building through strengthening military governance.

Xi Jinping pointed out that strengthening all-around military governance is a complex systematic project involving all aspects of national defense and military development. It is imperative to strengthen systems thinking, adopt a problem-oriented approach, strengthen the top-level design and strategic planning for military governance, boost governance in all fields, in all links, and at all levels, and promote it in a planned and focused manner. We should intensify our efforts to coordinate the overall situation and strengthen coordination across different departments and areas to see to it that military governance is more systematic, holistic and coordinated. It is essential to strengthen the management and supervision of military expenditure and further strengthen governance in key areas so as to make overall progress through major breakthroughs. It is imperative to advance innovation in strategic management, refine the mechanism that ensures sound demand generation, timely responses and effective implementation, and make professional assessments throughout the whole process so that the management procedures are smooth and efficient, and the overall efficacy of military systems is boosted.

High-level departments and senior officials should take the lead in emancipating the mind, innovating working methods and advancing work on all fronts under the guidance of governance thinking. They should strengthen the ability for systematic and rule-based governance, and the ability to govern by solving problems from their root causes and in a holistic way. Importance should be attached to grassroots-based governance, which requires respect for the principal role and pioneering spirit of officers and soldiers. The development at the grassroots should be advanced in an all-around manner so as to achieve overall progress. We should integrate military governance with reform and the rule of law, build on and expand the gains in the reform of national defense and the military. It is essential to deepen military legislation, and strengthen supervision over the enforcement of laws and regulations. Reform should play an active part and so should the rule of law so as to advance military governance in an all-around way.

Xi stressed that improving military-civilian governance is integral to strengthening all-around military governance, and is an essential requirement for consolidating and upgrading integrated national strategies and strategic capabilities. Relevant central Party and government departments as well as local CPC committees and governments at all levels should bear firmly in mind the awareness of national defense, and strengthen overall coordination to perform well their duties to promote the development of national defense. The armed forces should communicate and coordinate well with local governments and give full play to the guiding role of military demands in the development of national defense. Xi called for further efforts to optimize systems and mechanisms, improve organizational system, and refine related policies, ensuring a well-functioning, rule-based, and orderly military-civilian work system featuring close collaboration. ■