MACAO, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- A meeting to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland and the inaugural ceremony of the sixth-term government of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) was held at the Macao East Asian Games Dome Friday morning. Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, attended the meeting and delivered an important speech.
Over the past 25 years since Macao's return to the motherland, an enormous success has been achieved in advancing the cause of "one country, two systems" with distinctive Macao features, Xi noted, stressing that Macao has undergone earthshaking transformation, and its international standing has increased significantly. He expressed expectations for the new government of the SAR to rally and lead the people of all walks of life in Macao in seizing opportunities, pressing ahead with reform, shouldering responsibilities and making greater contributions. This entails further leveraging the institutional strength of "one country, two systems," and making new achievements in the high-quality advancement of the cause of "one country, two systems," he said.
Inside the venue, the atmosphere was solemn and warm. On the podium, the national flag and national emblem of the People's Republic of China (PRC), and the regional flag of the Macao SAR were particularly eye-catching. When Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, entered the venue accompanied by Sam Hou Fai, the sixth chief executive of the Macao SAR, and his wife, Wong Ho Peng, the audience stood up and gave a warm round of applause.
At 10:00 a.m., the celebration and inauguration ceremony began. All rose to their feet and sang the national anthem of the PRC.
Xi ascended the podium to administer the oaths. Sam took the oath of office first. Facing the national flag, the national emblem, and the regional flag of the Macao SAR, he raised his right hand and solemnly took the oath in accordance with the Macao SAR Basic Law. After the oath, Xi and Sam shook hands firmly.
Next, Xi administered the oath of office to the principal officials of the sixth-term government of the Macao SAR, led by Sam. After the oath was completed, Xi shook hands with each of them.
Then, Sam administered the oath of office to the members of the Executive Council of the Macao SAR.
Amid warm applause, Xi delivered an important speech. At the outset, on behalf of the central government and people of all ethnic groups across China, he extended cordial greetings to all Macao residents. He extended warm congratulations to Mr. Sam Hou Fai, the newly inaugurated sixth-term chief executive of the Macao SAR, and to principal officials of the sixth-term Macao SAR government and members of the Executive Council of the Macao SAR. He also expressed heartfelt appreciation to all fellow Chinese, both at home and overseas, and foreign friends for their longstanding commitment to and support for the cause of "one country, two systems" and Macao's prosperity, stability and development.
He stressed that over the past 25 years since Macao's return to the motherland, the systems for implementing the policy of "one country, two systems" have kept improving in the special administrative region, and national sovereignty, security and development interests have been effectively safeguarded; economic and social development has seen a historic leap, and residents in the region enjoy a much stronger sense of gain, happiness and security; external cooperation has continued to expand, and the SAR's position as "One Center, One Platform, One Base" has grown steadily.
The great achievements of Macao since its return to the motherland have proven to the world that the cause of "one country, two systems," with its distinctive institutional strengths and strong vitality, is a good system that sustains the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and Macao, he said, adding it is a good system that facilitates endeavors to build China into a great country and achieve national rejuvenation, and it is a good system for ensuring peaceful coexistence and mutual benefit between different social systems.
"So we must stay committed to this cause. The values embodied in the cause of 'one country, two systems,' namely, peace, inclusiveness, openness and sharing, are relevant to not only China but also the whole world. These values should be cherished by us all," Xi said.
He emphasized that developments in Hong Kong and Macao since their return to the motherland tell us that to sustain the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and Macao and further advance the cause of "one country, two systems," it is imperative to observe the following four principles. First, we should stay committed to the fundamental policy of one country and fully deliver the benefits of two systems. We should place our country's sovereignty, security and development interests above everything else; we should implement the overall jurisdiction of the central authorities; and we should not deviate from this commitment under any circumstance. At the same time, we should respect the differences between the two systems, fully ensure a high degree of autonomy of the two SARs of Hong Kong and Macao, and continue to fully, faithfully and resolutely implement the policy of "one country, two systems," under which the people of Hong Kong administer Hong Kong and the people of Macao administer Macao, both with a high degree of autonomy. We should see that this policy is not changed, deviated from, bent or distorted.
Second, we should ensure high-standard security and pursue high-quality development. Security underpins development, and development, in turn, ensures security. We must remain firm in both safeguarding security and promoting development. We should cherish the hard-won peace and stability we enjoy today, focus our energy on growing the economy and pursuing development, and continue to create new growth drivers and build new strengths. Third, we should leverage the unique strengths of Hong Kong and Macao and reinforce their connectivity with both the mainland and the world. Hong Kong and Macao should be more open and inclusive, expand international linkages, and raise their global standing and appeal. Hong Kong and Macao should fully align themselves with the national development strategies, accelerate integration into China's overall national development, and better play their role as bridges in ushering in a new development paradigm. Fourth, we should carry forward our core values and boost inclusiveness and harmony. It is imperative to live by the core values of loving the country and Hong Kong and of loving the country and Macao, enhance exchanges and integration of diverse cultures, and rally full public support at home and abroad to create the greatest synergy in advancing the cause of "one country, two systems."
Xi expressed four hopes for the newly inaugurated government of the Macao SAR -- first, Macao should endeavor to promote appropriate economic diversification; second, Macao should endeavor to enhance governance as a special administrative region; third, Macao should endeavor to build itself into a platform for higher-standard opening up; and fourth, Macao should endeavor to maintain social harmony and stability.
The young people are the hope and future of Macao, Xi said, stressing that they are also a vibrant force in building Macao and building China. He expressed the hope that the young people in Macao will keep the SAR and the motherland close to their heart, set ambitious goals, take solid steps, advance and carry forward the cause of "one country, two systems," and thus realize their potentials by fully engaging in endeavors to build a great motherland and a beautiful Macao.
Xi pointed out that this year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. At its Third Plenary Session, the 20th Central Committee of the CPC made a systematic decision to further deepen reform comprehensively to advance Chinese modernization. The cause of building China into a great country is being advanced across the board, with bright prospects unfolding. The Chinese nation is marching toward its great rejuvenation in unstoppable strides. I am convinced that with the full, faithful and resolute implementation of the policy of "one country, two systems," with the concerted effort of the Macao SAR Government and all sectors of its society, and with the strong support of the great motherland, Macao will surely open up a new horizon and achieve new advances in development, and make even greater contribution to building a great country and moving toward national rejuvenation on all fronts through Chinese modernization.
While delivering remarks, Sam said as the sixth-term chief executive of the Macao SAR, he understands well the immense responsibility that comes with this glorious mission. "We will take the proclamation 'Striving Together, Upholding Integrity and Innovating' as our philosophy of administration. With our collective efforts, we will remain committed to upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground. We will fully, faithfully, and resolutely implement the 'one country, two systems' policy," he said. "We will spare no effort to maintain constitutional order in the SAR as stipulated in the Constitution and the Basic Law, resolutely safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests, faithfully implement the principle of "patriots administering Macao," and continue to make new advances for the implementation of the 'one country, two systems' policy enriched with Macao characteristics," he said. He stressed that with the staunch support of the motherland and the united efforts of all Macao residents to forge ahead, the SAR government is confident and capable of making Macao, "the apple of the eye" of the motherland, become more lustrous, thus playing a better role and making greater contribution to advancing national rejuvenation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization.
Senior officials including Cai Qi, Li Hongzhong, He Weidong, He Lifeng, Wang Xiaohong, Wang Dongfeng and Xia Baolong attended the event.
Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Ho Hau Wah, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong SAR John Lee, former chief executives of the Macao SAR -- Chui Sai On and Ho Iat Seng, as well as representatives from various sectors of Macao and special guests also participated in the event. ■
BEIJING, Dec. 20 (Xinhua) -- On Thursday morning, Chinese President Xi Jinping, accompanied by Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) Ho Iat Seng, visited the Macau University of Science and Technology (MUST), where he had a cordial exchange with faculty, students and researchers.
MUST is a young university established after Macao's return to the motherland. It closely aligns its development with the needs of Macao and the country, emphasizing distinctive and advantageous research fields. It has become Macao's largest comprehensive university in terms of student enrollment. Xi visited the university's academic complex, where he gained a detailed understanding of the development of the university and higher education in Macao. He commended the SAR's commitment to using education to support economic and social development and its achievements in advancing the strategy of invigorating Macao through education and strengthening Macao with talent. Xi was briefed on the development of two state-level key laboratories on the quality of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and lunar and planetary science, respectively, learning about their latest scientific achievements. He remarked that TCM is the gem of the Chinese civilization, and its inheritance, innovation and development are of great significance. He emphasized the importance of inheriting, developing, and utilizing this valuable legacy to promote TCM to the rest of the world. Regarding lunar exploration, Xi noted that the achievements represent the wisdom and dedication of generations of Chinese space scientists, showcasing the remarkable progress China has made in building self-reliance and strength in science and technology. He told the researchers that their work had shown Macao's capability of conducting cutting-edge world-class scientific research.
In May 2023, Xi responded to a letter from faculty and students involved in the development of "Macao Science 1" satellites, offering them warm encouragement, which generated widespread enthusiasm across Macao. Visiting the data center for science and application of the satellites, Xi viewed the real-time operation of the satellites on monitor screens and learned about the project's scientific progress and application prospects. He had a friendly exchange with researchers and student representatives present. Xi said the satellite project is a successful example of deepened high-tech cooperation between Macao and the mainland, demonstrating Macao's exceptional innovation and creativity in science and technology. He expressed the hope that they would continue striving for excellence, achieving even greater results to better serve Macao and the country and make contributions to humanity.
At his next stop, Xi visited the university library, where he explored ancient maps featuring Macao and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area at the Global Mapping of Macao exhibition and examined the library's rare book collections. Students conducting research in the library were very excited to see the arrival of Xi. Xi asked in detail about their academic majors, research areas and daily lives. He encouraged them to make the most of their time, immerse themselves in learning, and make good use of online resources for study and research. The library hall resonated with applause as researchers, faculty and students warmly greeted Xi. I am very happy to see that Macao's education is thriving and you are full of vitality and confidence, Xi said. He stressed the importance of maintaining a strategic focus on education, aligning academic disciplines and talent cultivation with the needs of Macao and the country. Xi encouraged the students to aim high, share the same future with the country, keep pace with the times, and realize their potential. He extended his best wishes and expressed confidence in a brighter future for MUST and Macao.
As Xi left the university, faculty and students lined the road, waving and cheering enthusiastically to see him off.
Cai Qi, Li Hongzhong, He Weidong, He Lifeng, Wang Dongfeng and Xia Baolong attended the activities.
On the same morning, Xi's wife Peng Liyuan visited the Macao Museum, accompanied by Cheng Soo Ching, wife of Ho Iat Seng. Peng carefully examined the museum's cultural relics collections, delving into Macao's history and its blend of Chinese and Western influences in architecture, industries and cultural life. She also engaged in a warm exchange with local inheritors of intangible cultural heritage, such as tile painting and wood carving.
In the lobby on the museum's third floor, Peng discussed the exhibitions with children who had just finished exploring the museum. She then visited a fair showcasing creative cultural products, where she viewed the demonstrations and joined in making almond cookies. Peng encouraged everyone present to carry forward fine traditional culture, nurture a love for the country and Macao, acquire knowledge and skills, and actively contribute to the development of Macao and the country. ■
MACAO, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday delivered a speech at a welcoming dinner hosted by the government of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) on the eve of the 25th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland.
BEIJING, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- The Central Rural Work Conference was held in Beijing from December 17 to 18. Guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, the conference thoroughly implemented the guiding principles of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) as well as the second and third plenary sessions of the 20th CPC Central Committee. It also fully followed General Secretary Xi Jinping's important expositions and instructions on work related to agriculture, rural areas and farmers, and the guiding principles of the Central Economic Work Conference. At this conference, the current situation and challenges facing work related to agriculture, rural areas and farmers were analyzed, and arrangements were made for work in this regard for 2025.
The CPC Central Committee attached great importance to the conference, before which the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee held a meeting and put forward clear requirements for making the conference a success and advancing work related to agriculture, rural areas and farmers.
Xi, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivered important instructions on work related to agriculture, rural areas and farmers. Xi pointed out that in 2024, China's grain output has reached a new level, farmers' incomes have steadily increased, and rural areas have been harmonious and stable, providing a solid foundation for promoting high-quality economic and social development.
To do a good job on work related to agriculture, rural areas and farmers in 2025, we must follow the guidance of the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and fully implement the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress and the second and third plenary sessions of the 20th CPC Central Committee. We must also promote integrated urban-rural development, further deepen rural reform, improve the support system for strengthening agriculture, bringing benefits to farmers and increasing their incomes, and comprehensively promote rural revitalization. It is a must to never cross the red line when it comes to the protection of arable land, promote the development of high-standard farmland with high quality, strengthen support for agricultural science and technology and equipment, and ensure stable production and supply of grain and major agricultural products. It is imperative to actively develop rural industries for the benefits of villagers, raise overall agricultural returns, strengthen county economies, expand channels for farmers to increase their incomes, continue to consolidate and expand the achievements in poverty alleviation, and resolutely ensure that no large number of rural residents falling back into poverty. It is necessary to draw on the experience of the Green Rural Revival Program to steadily promote rural development, boost cultural development in rural areas, promote the transformation of outdated customs and habits, and build a beautiful and harmonious countryside for people to live and work in. It is necessary to strengthen the building of primary-level Party organizations in rural areas, and improve the effectiveness of guiding primary-level governance through Party building.
Xi stressed that Party committees and governments at all levels should give priority to the development of agriculture and rural areas, consolidate the political responsibility of secretaries of CPC committees at five levels in advancing rural revitalization, fully mobilize the enthusiasm of Party members and officials as well as farmers, work hard with persistent efforts and accelerate the modernization of agriculture and rural areas, so as to consolidate further the foundation of agriculture, make rural areas and villagers' life more prosperous, and move towards the goal of building the country's strength in agriculture.
Xi's important instructions were delivered and studied at the conference, and the Guidelines of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council on Further Deepening Rural Reforms and Advancing All-Round Rural Revitalization (Draft) was discussed. Liu Guozhong, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Chinese vice premier, attended the conference and delivered a speech.
It was noted at the conference that in his important instructions, Xi fully affirmed the progress made in work related to agriculture, rural areas and farmers this year, put forward clear requirements for the work related to agriculture, rural areas and farmers in 2025, and provided scientific guidance to this work from a strategic viewpoint and with a focus on key areas, which hold great political, ideological, guiding and pertinent significance. Efforts must be dedicated to studying and implementing Xi's important expositions and instructions on work related to agriculture, rural areas and farmers. These directives must be resolutely carried out with a strong sense of political consciousness and translated into concrete actions with practical circumstances considered.
It was noted at the conference that focus should be given to studying and applying the experience gained from the Green Rural Revival Program and advancing comprehensive rural revitalization. Efforts should be concentrated on accomplishing some major practical matters to enhance the economic performance of agriculture, infuse new impetus to the development of rural areas and increase farmers' incomes. It is imperative to safeguard and ensure national food security through continuously improving the supply of key agricultural products such as grains, keeping the total grain acreage stable, increasing per unit yields of grain and oil crops on a large scale, enhancing the capacity to prevent and mitigate agricultural disasters, and ensuring stable and high grain production output. In addition, efforts must also be made to strengthen the protection of the country's farmland and improve its quality. This includes strictly offsetting cultivated land that has been put to other uses, establishing a monitoring network for the use of cultivated land, and guaranteeing regulation of the projects quality and capital security in the construction of high-standard farmland.
It is essential to coordinate all strengths in agricultural science and technology to make breakthroughs, speed up promoting the broad application of scientific and technological advances, and develop new quality productive forces in agriculture according to local conditions. It is imperative to refine the supportive policy system for grain production, and launch and implement the inter-provincial program under the coordination of the central government for major grain consumption areas to compensate major grain production areas. It is essential to optimize the coordination mechanism between trade and production of agricultural products, and ensure that the prices of key agricultural products including grain remain at a reasonable range. It is imperative to build a diversified food supply system, ensure stable development of the livestock industry, and improve the long-term mechanisms for the conservation of grain and other types of food. It is essential to unswervingly consolidate and expand the achievements in poverty alleviation, improve the efficiency of monitoring and assistance mechanisms to prevent people from slipping back to poverty, and coordinate efforts to establish the mechanism of preventing rural residents from lapsing or relapsing into poverty, and the system of multi-tiered and categorized support for low-income residents and underdeveloped areas. It is imperative to improve the quality and efficiency of rural industries, deliver good results in promoting local specialties, foster new industries and models, improve the mechanism for rural industries of all kinds to help villagers in different ways, and thus help increase their incomes.
It is essential to upgrade rural planning and development, keep up with the trends of demographic change, promote the integration of rural revitalization and new urbanization, coordinate urban and rural planning at the county level, extend endeavors for infrastructure construction to rural areas, improve basic public services there, continuously enhance rural living conditions, and strengthen rural ecological governance. Efforts must focus on refining rural governance systems, advancing Party building to drive rural revitalization, and tackling pointless formalities to alleviate burdens on primary level governments. It is imperative to implement the program to cultivate civilized rural customs, promote progress in rural culture and ethics in the new era and make efforts to change outdated social customs and habits. It is important to apply and further develop the "Fengqiao model" for promoting community-level governance in the new era, so as to identify and settle rural conflicts and disputes and maintain stability and harmony in rural areas. It is imperative to implement the task of comprehensively furthering rural reform, orderly advance the pilot program for villagers to contract their land for another 30 years after the second round of land contract expires. Effective models should be explored for villagers to make the best use of their idle rural housing through leasing, equity participation, or cooperative arrangements. Furthermore, investment and financing mechanisms for rural revitalization should be innovated to unleash the potential and dynamism of initiatives in this regard.
The need was emphasized at the conference to strengthen the Party's overall leadership over work related to agriculture, rural areas, and farmers. It is essential to take profound and effective measures to promote the study and application of experience gained from the Green Rural Revival Program and to improve the long-term mechanism for advancing comprehensive rural revitalization. It is crucial to uphold the Party's mass line in the new era, take into consideration the realities of rural areas, respect the will of farmers, and give full play to their principal role in rural development. It is also imperative to improve approaches and work style, and encourage local explorations, reforms, and innovations, so as to continuously create new prospects for comprehensive rural revitalization.
The first plenary meeting was chaired by Wu Zhenglong, state councilor and secretary-general of the State Council.
Those who attended the conference included members of the Central Rural Work Leading Group, leading officials from provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities directly under the Central Government, municipalities specifically designated in the state plan, and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, along with leading officials from central Party and State departments. Also present at the conference were leaders of relevant people's organizations, financial institutions and enterprises, and those from relevant departments of the Central Military Commission. ■
Chinese Vice Premier Liu Guozhong, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, attends the annual central rural work conference and delivers a speech at the event in Beijing, capital of China. The annual central rural work conference was held in Beijing from Dec. 17 to 18. (Xinhua/Liu Bin)
SANYA, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, after listening to the work report from the CPC Hainan provincial committee and the provincial government, urged Hainan to fully implement the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress and the second and third plenary sessions of the 20th CPC Central Committee, earnestly implement the arrangements of the CPC Central Committee regarding the construction of the Hainan Free Trade Port, focus closely on its strategic positioning as a pilot zone for the comprehensive deepening of reform and opening up, as a national pilot zone for ecological conservation, as an international tourism and consumption destination and as a service zone for major national strategies, and scientifically plan work on reforms, opening up and high-quality development before and after the launch of independent customs operation on the island province. Xi stressed that Hainan should continue to free the mind, explore new ground with innovation, overcome difficulties and make steady progress in its strive to build the Hainan Free Trade Port into an important gateway driving China's opening up in the new era and write the Hainan chapter of Chinese modernization.
On the afternoon of Dec. 17, Xi listened to the work report of the CPC Hainan provincial committee and the provincial government in Sanya, Hainan Province. Feng Fei, secretary of CPC Hainan provincial committee, presented the report. Governor of Hainan Province Liu Xiaoming and other officials attended the meeting.
After listening to the report, Xi delivered an important speech, affirming the various work achievements in Hainan and putting forward requirements for work in the next stage.
Xi pointed out that efforts should be made to build a modern industrial system featuring Hainan's characteristics and advantages. He urged Hainan to promote the deep integration of scientific and technological innovation with industrial innovation, promote the strengthening and extension of industrial chains of as well as the optimization and upgrading of leading industries such as tourism, modern services, high-tech industry and tropical high-efficiency agriculture. He called on Hainan to actively align with national strategic scientific and technological strength, enhance international scientific and technological cooperation, construct a more open talent introduction mechanism, build a multi-tiered scientific and technological innovation system, intensify efforts to make breakthroughs in core technologies, strengthen the application of scientific and technological achievements and develop new quality productive forces in line with local conditions. Xi called for continued efforts in prioritizing ecological protection, pursuing green development, addressing prominent environmental problems, and safeguarding green mountains, clear waters as well as blue seas and skies. Work should be done to promote the integrated development of industries such as culture, sports, tourism and health care, boost opening up and cooperation in the tourism industry, nurture new types of consumption, and promote the transformation and upgrading of consumption. The province should also continuously pursue coordinated land and marine development, promote interplay between mountainous and coastal areas and integrate various resources, and focus on marine development to boost productivity and seek new growth drivers with the aim of building up the province's strength in marine economy.
Xi emphasized the need to steadily promote reform in key areas. He called for focusing on the full implementation of the system of free trade port policies and institutions, and coordinating the pace and rhythm of opening up. He stressed focusing on liberalizing and facilitating trade, investment, cross-border fund flow, personnel entry and exit, and transportation, as well as ensuring secure and orderly flow of data. Xi urged benchmarking against international high-standard economic and trade rules, vigorously promoting institutional opening up, and creating a first-class business environment that is market-oriented, law-based, and internationalized. He demanded improving various opening-up platforms with concrete efforts, strengthening exchanges, cooperation, and functional integration with free trade zones in countries and regions participating in the Belt and Road cooperation. Xi stressed enhancing interconnected development between the province and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and strengthening its cooperation with the Yangtze River Economic Belt, the Yangtze River Delta, and other regions. Efforts should be made to accelerate the implementation of core policies for the Hainan Free Trade Port and carefully prepare for smooth and orderly independent customs operation.
Xi pointed out that it is necessary to continuously improve civility among residents and throughout society. He urged persistently using the Party's innovative theories to enhance cohesion and forge the soul, cultivating and promoting core socialist values, extensively carrying out initiatives to raise the public's cultural-ethical standards, and striving to achieve both material and cultural-ethical advancement. Xi called for protecting, utilizing, and inheriting historical culture, revolutionary culture, marine culture, and folk culture resources, enhancing cultural innovation and creativity, and developing and strengthening the cultural industry. He stressed improving the public cultural service system in urban and rural areas, enriching the intellectual and cultural lives of urban and rural residents, and continuously pushing for the change of outdated social mores.
Xi stressed that it's essential to comprehensively improve people's livelihood and social governance. He called for strengthening public services that meet essential needs, are inclusive, and ensure basic living standards for people in difficulty. He urged improving urban and rural public service systems and social security systems, and solving pressing difficulties and problems that concern the people most. Support should be strengthened for employment and entrepreneurship of key groups and maintaining overall employment stability. He called for coordinating the layout of urban and rural infrastructure and public services, steadily advancing urbanization, enhancing the effectiveness of assistance for the population lifted out of poverty, and ensuring that no large-scale lapsing or relapsing into poverty occurs. Xi emphasized coordinating development and security, improving the risk prevention and control system, strengthening disaster prevention, mitigation, and relief capacity building, and enhancing the ability to respond to major risks and challenges. He called for improving the urban and rural community governance system, combating organized crime and rooting out local criminal gangs on an ongoing basis, and cracking down on illegal activities of all types in accordance with the law.
Xi pointed out that it is necessary to set strengthening the Party politically as the overarching guide for all other initiatives of Party building, and further promote the full and rigorous Party self-governance. Efforts should be made to consolidate and expand what has been achieved in the theoretical study program, promote regular and long-term studies of Party discipline, and continuously implement the central Party leadership's eight-point decision on improving work conduct. Work should be done to encourage officials to continue to uphold the pioneering, courageous and hardworking spirit demonstrated in developing special economic zones, and see that they have a correct understanding of what it means to perform well. Xi said it is imperative to work ceaselessly to push forward the anti-corruption campaign and eradicate the breeding grounds and conditions for corruption. The checks and oversight on the exercise of power should be strengthened, with education and guidance provided to bolster officials' resistance to corruption and moral decline.
Xi stressed that with the approaching New Year and Spring Festival holidays, CPC committees and governments at all levels should ensure people's livelihood, including securing the "rice bag" and "vegetable basket," guarantee the supply of materials and energy, and carry out in-depth workplace safety inspections, in a bid to maintain overall social stability. He called for carefully implementing the guiding principles of the Central Economic Work Conference, scientifically planning economic and social development work for next year, and striving to achieve a good start to the new year.
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.
He Lifeng and leading officials of relevant central Party and government departments participated in the meeting. ■
BEIJING, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- The Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee held a symposium on the morning of Dec. 16 at the Great Hall of the People to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Comrade Qiao Shi. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, Chinese president, and chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivered an important speech. He emphasized that the entire Party, along with the people of all ethnic groups across the country, is now confidently building China into a modern socialist country in all respects and advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. The beautiful ideals for which generations of Chinese communists have strived are gradually being realized. He urged the nation to uphold the great banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics, remain true to the Party's original aspiration and founding mission, work in unity, forge ahead with determination, and continuously achieve new accomplishments that will stand the test of history and time, and fulfill the expectations of the people.
Zhao Leji presided over the symposium. Cai Qi and Li Xi also attended the event. They were members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.
In his speech, Xi pointed out that in the grand processes of China's revolution, construction and reform, generations of outstanding communists have emerged, among whom Qiao stood as an exemplary figure. His life was one of revolution, struggle and brilliance. He devoted his life to the pursuit of truth, progress, and the communist cause. His achievements for the Party and the people are worth remembering, and his revolutionary spirit and noble character are worth learning from.
Xi stressed that commemorating Qiao means learning from his noble character of steadfast belief and dedication to ideals. Strengthening one's ideals and convictions should be a lifelong endeavor, requiring regular self-reflection and advancement. It is essential to remain committed to the lofty ideal of communism and the common ideal of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and stand the tests of time and challenges.
Xi highlighted that commemorating Qiao means learning from his strong Party consciousness, exemplified by improving Party conduct and upholding Party discipline. It is crucial to consistently uphold the Party's overall leadership and the centralized and unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee. This requires unwavering commitment to full and rigorous self-governance of the Party, further improving Party conduct, upholding integrity, and combating corruption to maintain the Party's advanced nature and purity.
Xi emphasized that commemorating Qiao means learning from his traits of staying true to the Party's original aspiration and working diligently for the people. Always adhering to the fundamental principle of wholeheartedly serving the people, we should adopt a people-centered development philosophy, genuinely safeguard the fundamental interests of the people, and strive to bring benefits to them. This will ensure that the fruits of modernization are shared more broadly and equitably by all.
Xi said that commemorating Qiao means learning from his determination to carry out reforms and political courage to take action. It is necessary to unwaveringly hold high the banner of reform and opening up, uphold fundamental principles while breaking new ground, further deepen reform comprehensively and advance high-level opening-up with a focus on the path of Chinese modernization, and strive to write a new chapter of reform and opening up.
Xi emphasized that commemorating Qiao means learning from his steadfast pursuit of respecting and promoting the rule of law. He called for consistent adherence to the path of socialist rule of law with Chinese characteristics as well as all-round efforts to ensure sound legislation, strict law enforcement, impartial administration of justice, and society-wide observance of the law to see that a modern socialist country is built in all respects under the rule of law.
Xi pointed out that commemorating Qiao means learning from his work style which features seeking truth from facts with a pragmatic approach. It is essential to always integrate theory with practice, resolutely oppose pointless formalities and bureaucratism, concentrate efforts on promoting development, and steadily advance Chinese modernization.
Zhao Leji, while presiding over the symposium, said that Xi's important speech highly praised Comrade Qiao Shi's outstanding contributions to the cause of the Party and the country and set clear requirements for learning from his revolutionary spirit and noble character. The speech is of great significance for passing on and advancing the cause pioneered by generations of Chinese communists, as well as for realizing the goals of the Party and the people on the new journey in the new era. It is important to earnestly study, comprehend and implement the spirit of the speech, closely rally around the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at the core, comprehensively implement the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress and the second and third plenary sessions of the 20th CPC Central Committee, and strive to build China into a great country and advance national rejuvenation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization.
During the symposium, Qu Qingshan, head of the Institute of Party History and Literature of the CPC Central Committee, Sun Xinyang, deputy secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, Liu Qi, secretary general of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, and Gong Zheng, mayor of Shanghai, delivered speeches successively.
Li Ganjie, Li Shulei, Li Hongzhong, Chen Wenqing, Wang Xiaohong, Hao Mingjin and Su Hui attended the symposium.
Leading officials from relevant departments of the central and state organs, Shanghai Municipality and Zhejiang Province, along with Qiao's relatives, friends, staff, and representatives from his hometown, attended the symposium. ■
BEIJING, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- The Central Economic Work Conference was held in Beijing from Dec. 11 to 12. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), attended the conference and delivered an important speech. Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang and Li Xi, all members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, also attended the conference.
In his speech, Xi summarized the economic work in 2024, analyzed the current economic situation and arranged the economic work for 2025. Li Qiang delivered a summary speech, in which he laid out requirements for implementing the guiding principles of Xi's speech and doing a good job in economic work next year.
This year marks a crucial year for achieving the objectives and tasks laid down in the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025), said the conference. In the face of a complicated and challenging environment of increasing external pressure and growing internal difficulties, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has united and led the entire Party and the Chinese people of all ethnic groups to respond calmly and implement comprehensive measures. As a result, the economy has maintained overall stability and made steady progress, the high-quality development has been solidly promoted, and the main goals and tasks of economic and social development are expected to be successfully completed. The country has steadily developed new quality productive forces, continued to deepen reform and opening up, orderly and effectively defused risks in key areas, safeguarded people's livelihood in a solid and vigorous manner, and made new solid strides forward in advancing Chinese modernization. The development journey over the past year has been extraordinary, with encouraging achievements. Notably, the decisive deployment of a package of incremental policies at the meeting held by the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee on Sept. 26 has effectively boosted social confidence and led to a remarkable economic recovery.
It was pointed out at the meeting that the adverse impacts brought about by changes in the external environment have deepened, and the country's economy still faces many difficulties and challenges, primarily including the insufficient domestic demand, operational difficulties in some enterprises, pressures on people's employment and income growth, and many hidden risks. At the same time, it must be recognized that Chinese economy is underpinned by a stable foundation, multiple advantages, strong resilience, and great potential, and the supporting conditions and fundamental trends for long-term sound economic development have not changed. We must face up to the difficulties, strengthen our confidence, and strive to transform all positive factors into actual achievements in development.
The meeting pointed out that, through practice, we have continuously deepened our understanding of the laws governing economic work. The centralized and unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee is the fundamental guarantee for carrying out economic work well. At critical moments and important junctures, the CPC Central Committee promptly assesses the situation and makes decisions and arrangements to ensure that China's economy braves the wind and the waves and sails steadily into the future. It is necessary to coordinate the relationship between an efficient market and an effective government to form an economic order that is both dynamic and well-regulated. The relationship between aggregate supply and demand must be properly managed to ensure the smooth circulation of the national economy. It is necessary to coordinate the relationship between fostering new drivers and upgrading old ones, and promote the development of new quality productive forces in light of local conditions. It is imperative to coordinate the relationship between optimizing incremental resources and making good use of existing resources to comprehensively improve the efficiency of resource allocation. The relationship between enhancing quality and expanding total output must be coordinated to lay a solid material foundation for Chinese modernization.
It was emphasized at the meeting that to do a good job in the economic work next year, it is necessary to follow the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, fully implement the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress and the second and third plenary sessions of the 20th CPC Central Committee, adhere to the general principle of pursuing progress while maintaining stability, as well as fully and accurately implement the new development philosophy on all fronts. It is also essential to accelerate the forging of a new development paradigm, solidly promote high-quality development, further deepen reform comprehensively, expand high-standard opening up, build a modern industrial system, better coordinate development and security, implement more proactive and impactful macro policies, expand domestic demand, promote the integrated development of scientific and technological innovation and industrial innovation, stabilize the real estate and stock markets, prevent and resolve risks in key areas and external shocks, stabilize expectations and stimulate vitality, promote sustained economic recovery, continuously improve people's living standards, maintain social harmony and stability, and fulfill the goals and tasks in the 14th Five-Year Plan with high quality and lay a solid foundation for a good start to the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030).
For next year, it is a must to maintain steady economic growth, keep employment and prices generally stable, ensure a basic equilibrium in the balance of payments, and increase residents' income in step with economic growth, the meeting noted.
It was required at the meeting that next year, the country should continue to seek progress while maintaining stability, promote stability through progress, uphold fundamental principles and break new ground, establish the new before abolishing the old, pay attention to integrated reforms, and strengthen coordination. The policy toolkit should be enriched and improved, and macro regulation should be more forward-looking, targeted and effective.
The country should adopt a more proactive fiscal policy. It should set a higher deficit-to-GDP ratio and ensure that its fiscal policy is continuously forceful and more impactful. Efforts will be made to increase the intensity of fiscal spending and strengthen support for key areas. The country will increase the issuance of ultra-long special treasury bonds and continue to support projects for implementing major national strategies and building security capacity in key areas, as well as implementation of large-scale equipment upgrades and consumer goods trade-in programs. It will also increase the issuance of local government special-purpose bonds, and expand the areas of their investment and use as project capital. It is also required to optimize the structure of fiscal expenditure, use government funds to greater effect, pay more attention to improving people's lives, promoting consumption, and sustaining growth momentum, and see that basic living needs are met, salaries are paid, and governments function smoothly at the primary level. Party and government departments should keep their belts tightened.
A moderately loose monetary policy should be implemented, the meeting noted, calling for efforts to leverage the function of monetary policy tools in both quantity and structural terms. It said the reserve requirement ratio and interest rates should be reduced at an appropriate timing, noting that ample liquidity should be maintained and that the growth of social financing and money supply should match the expected targets for economic growth and price levels. The RMB exchange rate should be kept basically stable at a reasonable and balanced level. Explorations will be made to expand the central bank's function in macroprudential regulation and financial stability, innovate financial instruments, and keep the financial market stable.
The meeting called for better policy coordination. It demanded strengthening coordination between fiscal, monetary, employment, industrial, regional, trade, environmental and regulatory policies and the country's reform and opening up measures, improving inter-departmental mechanisms for effective communication and consultation and feedback, and increasing policy synergy. It is imperative to include economic and non-economic policies in the evaluation of the consistency of macroeconomic policy orientation, coordinate the whole process of policy formulation and implementation, and improve the overall effectiveness of policies.
The meeting outlined the following key tasks for 2025.
First, efforts should be made to vigorously boost consumption, improve investment efficiency, and expand domestic demand on all fronts. A special campaign dedicated to stimulating consumption should be implemented, and efforts should be made to increase the incomes, alleviate the burdens of low- and middle-income groups, and increase the ability, willingness and level of consumption. Work should be done to appropriately raise the basic pensions for retirees and increase basic old-age benefits and government subsidies for medical insurance for rural and non-working urban residents. The large-scale equipment upgrades and consumer goods trade-in programs should be promoted with greater intensity and scope. Work is needed to innovate diversified consumption scenarios, expand service consumption, and promote the development of cultural tourism. Active efforts should be made to develop debut economy, ice and snow economy and silver economy. The meeting called for better top-down organization and coordination to provide stronger support for implementing major national strategies and building security capacity in key areas. Investment from the central government budget should be appropriately increased. Work should also be done to strengthen fiscal and financial coordination to enable government investment to effectively drive nongovernmental investment. Major projects under the 15th Five-Year Plan should be planned early, urban renewal projects should be vigorously carried out, and special actions should be conducted to cut logistics costs throughout society.
Second, efforts should be made to drive the development of new quality productive forces through scientific and technological innovation and build a modernized industrial system. It is necessary to strengthen basic research and strive for breakthroughs in key and core technologies, adopt forward-thinking arrangements for major technological projects, conduct large-scale demonstration for the application of new technologies, products, and scenarios, launch an AI Plus initiative, nurture industries of the future, and boost China's strategic scientific and technological strength. The country should improve the multi-tiered financial service system, nurture patient capital, attract greater nongovernmental capital participation in venture capital, and cultivate innovative enterprises through tiered support. The meeting also underscored addressing rat-race irrational competition and regulating behaviors of local governments and enterprises. Digital and green technologies should be actively used to transform and upgrade traditional industries, it noted.
Third, efforts should be made to give full play to the driving role of economic system reform and ensure that landmark reform measures are effectively implemented. The initiative to deepen and upgrade the reform of state-owned enterprises should be completed in a high-quality manner, a private sector promotion law should be rolled out, and a specific campaign to standardize law enforcement involving enterprises should be conducted. Work will be done to formulate a guideline for building a unified national market, and enhance regulation and promote the healthy development of the platform economy. The meeting also called for reforming the fiscal and tax systems in a coordinated manner and placing more fiscal resources at the disposal of local governments. The comprehensive reform of investment and financing in the capital market should be deepened, the bottlenecks for the entry of medium- and long-term capital into the market should be resolved, and the capital market system's inclusiveness and adaptability should be improved.
Fourth, efforts should be made to expand high-standard opening up while keeping foreign trade and foreign investment stable. Work should be done to expand voluntary and unilateral opening up in an orderly manner, steadily enhance institutional opening up, improve the quality and efficiency of pilot free trade zones and expand mandate for reform tasks, and accelerate the implementation of core policies of the Hainan Free Trade Port. Work should be done to actively develop service trade, green trade and digital trade, further reform the institutions and mechanisms for promoting foreign investment, steadily open up the service sector, expand the pilot programs in opening up such fields as telecom, healthcare and education, and continue to make China a favored destination for foreign investment. The meeting also urged solid progress in high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and improvement in the overseas comprehensive service system.
Fifth, efforts should be made to effectively prevent and defuse risks in key areas to ensure that no systemic risks occur. It is essential to continuously ratchet up work to reverse the downturn of and stabilize the real estate market, further advance the renovation of shanty towns in cities and dilapidated houses, and fully unleash the potential in people's demand for buying their first homes or improving their housing conditions. Work will be done to reasonably control the supply of newly added real estate land, make good use of existing land resources as well as commercial and office properties, and advance the disposal of existing commodity housing. The meeting also urged fostering a new development model for the real estate sector and establishing relevant foundational systems in an orderly manner. Meanwhile, it called for work to address risks in local small and medium-sized financial institutions in a prudent manner, and joint and coordinated efforts by central and local governments to crack down on illegal financial activities.
Sixth, efforts should be made to pursue coordinated progress in new urbanization and all-around rural revitalization and promote integrated urban-rural development. The meeting urged ensuring that the total area of China's farmland remains above the specified red line, while demanding stringent management on offsetting cultivated land that has been put to other uses. Work should be done to ensure stable production and supply of grain and other key farm produce, increase agriculture's overall efficiency and competitiveness, keep grain farmers and major grain-producing areas motivated and optimize the grain pricing mechanism. It also called for developing industries, empowering counties and enriching people in an integrated manner according to local conditions, and doing everything possible to expand channels for farmers to increase incomes. Modern metropolitan areas should be developed, while the governance of super-large and mega cities should be more modernized and county economies should be vigorously boosted.
Seventh, efforts should be made to strengthen the implementation of regional strategies and boost regional development vitality. The meeting called for giving full play to the synergy of the coordinated regional development strategy, major regional strategies, and the functional zoning strategy, while actively fostering new growth poles. It urged enhancing the innovation capabilities and leading role of areas with economic development advantages, supporting major economically developed provinces to play major roles, and encouraging other regions to leverage their local conditions and advantages. Industrial collaboration between the eastern, central, western and northeastern regions should be deepened, while maritime economy and bay area economy should be actively boosted.
Eighth, efforts should be made to cut carbon emissions, reduce pollution, pursue green development and boost economic growth in a concerted manner, and ramp up the green transition in economic and social development. The meeting urged further deepening institutional reform for ecological conservation, creating an ecosystem for healthy development of green and low-carbon industries and cultivating new growth drivers including eco-friendly buildings. Work should be done to push for major progress in the landmark projects of the Three-North Shelterbelt Forest Program and promote faster construction of new energy bases in sandy areas, rocky areas and deserts. It also called for the construction of a group of zero-carbon industrial parks, the development of a national carbon market, the establishment of a product carbon footprint management system and a carbon labeling and certification system. Constant efforts should be made to keep the skies blue, waters clear and lands clean, an action plan should be formulated for the comprehensive treatment of solid waste, major biodiversity conservation programs should be carried out, and the construction of a natural disaster prevention and control system should be strengthened.
Ninth, efforts should be made to ensure and improve the people's wellbeing, and give the people a growing sense of fulfillment, happiness, and security. It demanded implementing employment support plans for key sectors and industries, urban and rural communities, and micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as facilitating employment among key groups. Work should be done to better protect the rights and interests of groups in flexible and new forms of employment, implement policies to strengthen assistance for industrial development and employment, and ensure that no large-scale lapsing or relapsing into poverty occurs and the basic needs of people in difficulty are met. Work should be done to promote the high-quality and balanced development of compulsory education and make solid progress in expanding quality undergraduate education. The meeting also called for implementing the project of strengthening the foundation for medical and health care, formulating pro-childbirth policies, developing community-supported at-home elderly care, and expanding universally beneficial elderly care services. The "Fengqiao model" for promoting community-level governance in the new era should be applied and further developed, and the systemic public security governance should be strengthened.
The meeting urged using the scientific assessment of the CPC Central Committee on the situation to achieve unity in thinking, will and action, and grasping the overall trend and firming up confidence while facing up to difficulties and staying clear-headed. It called for comprehensively implementing the overall requirements and policy orientation for next year's economic work, taking a target-oriented approach, and achieving an optimized mix of stable growth, stable employment and reasonable price rebounds. It urged ensuring sound policy orientation and proper timing and intensity, and doing work in a prompt and effective manner with sufficient intensity. Systemic thinking should be strengthened to coordinate various policies and reform and opening up measures to see that together they deliver greater outcomes. More endeavors should be focused on the accomplishment of major tasks for next year in key links, the meeting noted. In response to the prominent problem of insufficient demand, the country should boost domestic demand, especially consumer demand; in response to the deep-seated obstacles and external challenges that hinder development, it should unswervingly deepen reform and expand opening up; in view of the bottlenecks in industrial transformation and upgrading, it should promote the steady replacement of old growth drivers with new ones; to address the concerns and demands of enterprises in their operations, the country should strengthen policy support and optimize regulation and services; in order to address risks and hidden dangers in key areas, it should make persistent efforts in risk disposal. It is crucial to enhance the effectiveness of policy implementation, fully mobilize primary-level initiative and creativity, continuously improve the business environment, and better pool efforts to promote high-quality development.
It was stressed at the meeting that it is necessary to strengthen the Party's leadership over economic work, make it a priority to get things done, strengthen confidence, face difficulties head-on, and work hard to ensure that all decisions and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee are fully implemented. It is a must to intensify positive incentives and stimulate the enterprising spirit. Effective measures should be taken to ease the burden for governments at the primary level and enable willing and capable officials to act and deliver. Efforts must be made to resolutely combat corruption and maintain a fair and just market environment and a clean business environment. It is necessary to take a realistic and pragmatic approach, and resolutely oppose pointless formalities and bureaucratism that feature eagerness to impress superiors but neglect of responsibilities for the people. Efforts should be made to ensure both development and security, improve workplace safety, and effectively prevent and respond to social security incidents in a timely manner. It is also imperative to enhance coordination and interaction, oppose parochialism, and form synergy to ensure implementation. Efforts should also be made to strengthen expectation management and coordinate policy implementation with expectation guiding, thereby enhancing policy guidance and influence. Meanwhile, it is important to accurately understand developments globally, nationally, within the Party and in society, strengthen strategic planning, and well formulate the CPC Central Committee's proposals for the 15th Five-Year Plan.
The meeting demanded efforts to ensure people's livelihood, security and stability at the turn of the year, and thoroughly identify and resolve all kinds of conflicts and disputes as well as risks and hidden dangers, in a bid to guarantee overall social stability.
The meeting called on the whole Party, the whole country and all sectors of society to closely unite around the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, earnestly implement various arrangements of the conference, comprehensively fulfill the goals and tasks of economic and social development, and advance the building of a great country and the great cause of national rejuvenation on all fronts through practical achievements in high-quality development.
Members of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, secretaries of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, leaders of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, state councilors, president of the Supreme People's Court, procurator-general of the Supreme People's Procuratorate, leaders of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, members of the Central Military Commission, and others attended the meeting.
Also present at the meeting were leading officials of provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities directly under the central government, municipalities with independent budgetary status, and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, as well as leading officials from relevant central Party and government departments, people's organizations, some financial institutions and enterprises under central management, and relevant departments of the CMC. ■
BEIJING, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) -- The Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee held its 18th group study session on the afternoon of Dec. 9, focusing on the governance of China's border areas in history. While presiding over the session, Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, stressed that modernizing the system and capacity for governance in border areas is an integral part of Chinese modernization. It is imperative to earnestly implement the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress and the second and third plenary sessions of the 20th CPC Central Committee, and the CPC Central Committee's decisions and plans regarding border governance, enhance governance in border areas, and boost high-quality development in border areas.
Li Guoqiang, a member of the Academic Divisions of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) and deputy director of the Chinese Academy of History under the CASS, gave a lecture on this issue and put forward suggestions. Members of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee listened attentively to the lecture and held discussions.
Xi delivered an important speech after listening to the lecture and discussions. He pointed out that since the 18th CPC National Congress, the CPC Central Committee, keeping in mind the overall picture for the governance of the country, has proposed a series of important propositions and major measures such as "to govern the country well we must first govern the frontiers well," "vigorously boosting development in border areas and improving the living standards and maintaining stability and security," upheld and improved the coordinated regional development strategy and major regional strategies, accelerated the high-quality development of border areas, pushed the border areas to work with the rest of the country to win the battle against absolute poverty, built a moderately prosperous society in all respects, and embarked on a new journey of building a modern socialist country in an all-round way. Historic achievements and changes have been made in border governance.
Xi emphasized the need to uphold the CPC's overall leadership in all aspects and throughout the entire process of governance in border areas. It is imperative to strengthen strategic planning and coordination, and integrate border governance into all aspects of development initiatives. Relevant departments should fulfill their responsibilities and work together to generate greater synergy, and Party organizations at all levels in border areas should consistently align with the guiding principles of the CPC Central Committee and ensure that these principles are reflected in the formulation and implementation of their plans, regulations, policies and projects.
Xi said that in the course of advancing Chinese modernization, no border areas should be left behind. The development of border areas should be integrated into the overall strategy of Chinese modernization, the coordinated regional development strategy and major regional strategies. The new development philosophy should be comprehensively and accurately implemented, and border areas should be supported to achieve high-quality development by leveraging their own conditions and advantages to integrate themselves into the new development pattern and the unified national market. He urged border areas to increase the momentum and vitality of development through reform and opening up, take advantage of their coastal and frontier locations to build themselves into pacesetters for opening up, and form a new pattern of all-round opening up that coordinates the coastal and inland areas and connects the eastern and western regions. Integrated development of urban and rural areas should be pursued, new urbanization that is centered on county seats should be steadily pushed forward, all-round rural revitalization should be promoted, and the achievements in poverty alleviation should be consolidated and expanded to forestall any large-scale relapse into poverty. People's livelihood should be safeguarded and improved through development, the working and living conditions in border areas should be continuously improved, and the weaknesses in infrastructure and basic public services should be addressed at a quicker pace.
Xi stressed the need to forge a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation regarding the work for border areas with large ethnic minority populations, extensively promote core socialist values, and guide people of all ethnic minority groups in border areas to strengthen their sense of identity with the great motherland, the Chinese nation, Chinese culture, the CPC, and socialism with Chinese characteristics, thereby constructing a shared spiritual home for all Chinese people. The system of regional ethnic autonomy should be upheld and improved, while the legitimate rights and interests of all ethnic minority groups should be safeguarded. Standard spoken and written Chinese should be comprehensively promoted, with unified state-compiled textbooks widely applied. Initiatives to foster ethnic unity and progress should be advanced, while an integrated social structure and community environment should be vigorously constructed to ensure all ethnic minority groups are closely united like the seeds of a pomegranate that stick together.
Xi underscored the importance of safeguarding national security and social stability, noting that this is a bottom-line requirement for border area governance. The social governance system based on collaboration, participation, and shared benefits should be improved, with a more consolidated foundation and elevated governance efficiency in border areas. Efforts should be made to advance infrastructure construction, and raise the overall capability to guard the border and defend the country through intensified technology empowerment.
Xi emphasized the need for theoretical support in advancing border area governance. Multi-disciplinary research on border area history and governance should be furthered, and the construction of China's indigenous intellectual system for border area studies should be accelerated. The research on significant theoretical and practical issues of border area governance should be deepened, and more influential and convincing research outcomes should be produced. The results of border area research should be applied to better present the stories of China's border governance in the new era. A team of border area governance researchers featuring a firm political stance, a thorough understanding and good command of theories and all-around capabilities should be nurtured. ■
BEIJING, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- The Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee on Monday held a meeting to analyze and study the economic work in 2025. A work report of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Commission of Supervision was heard at the meeting, at which work on Party conduct and the fight against corruption in 2025 was also studied and arranged. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, chaired the meeting.
It was emphasized at the meeting that this year is key to achieving the goals and tasks outlined in the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025). The CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has united and led the entire Party and the Chinese people of all ethnic groups to respond calmly, implement comprehensive measures, and ensure the overall stability and steady progress of the economy. China's economic strength, scientific and technological capabilities, as well as composite national strength have continued to grow. New quality productive forces have been developed steadily, reform and opening-up deepened, risks in key areas defused in an orderly and effective manner, and people's livelihood strongly and effectively safeguarded. The major goals and tasks for economic and social development in 2024 are expected to be accomplished.
It was stressed at the meeting that to do a good job in economic work next year, China must follow the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, fully implement the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress and the second and third plenary sessions of the 20th CPC Central Committee, adhere to the general principle of pursuing progress while ensuring stability, fully and accurately implement the new development philosophy, accelerate the forging of a new development dynamic, firmly promote high-quality development, and further deepen reform in an all-round way. China must also promote high-level opening up, develop a modern industrial system, secure both development and security, implement more proactive macro policies, expand domestic demand, and promote integrated development of scientific and technological innovation and industrial innovation, according to the meeting. Efforts must be made to secure the steady development of the real estate and stock markets, guard against and defuse risks and external shocks in key areas, and stabilize expectations and stimulate vitality, so as to promote sustained economic recovery. Work must be done to continuously improve people's living standards, maintain social harmony and stability, accomplish the goals and tasks of the 14th Five-Year Plan with high quality, and lay a solid foundation for getting the 15th Five-Year Plan off to a good start.
It was pointed out at the meeting that next year, we will continue to seek progress while maintaining stability, promote stability through progress, uphold fundamental principles and break new ground, establish the new before abolishing the old, pay attention to integrated reforms, and strengthen coordination. We will implement a more proactive fiscal policy and moderately loose monetary policy, enrich and improve the policy toolkit, strengthen unconventional counter-cyclical adjustment, intensify the coordination of various policies, and make macro regulation more forward-looking, targeted and effective. We need to vigorously boost consumption, improve investment efficiency, and expand domestic demand on all fronts. We should use scientific and technological innovation to lead the development of new quality productive forces and build a modern industrial system. We should give full play to the leading role of economic structural reform and ensure that landmark reform measures are effectively implemented. We will further promote high-level opening up and secure the steady growth of foreign trade and foreign investment. Efforts should focus on preventing and addressing risks in key areas to ensure that no systemic risks occur. It is essential to consolidate and expand the achievements in poverty alleviation, promote coordinated new urbanization and rural revitalization, and promote integrated urban-rural development. Regional strategies must be implemented in an intensified manner to boost regional development vitality. Efforts should also be made to reduce carbon emissions, curb pollution, expand green development, and accelerate the comprehensive green transformation of economic and social development. Furthermore, measures must be intensified to secure and improve people's wellbeing so as to boost people's sense of gain, happiness and security.
It was noted at the meeting that the Party's leadership over economic work must be strengthened to ensure that all decisions and arrangements of the Party Central Committee are implemented to the letter. It is imperative to bring into full play the enthusiasm of all sectors and fully leverage the motivation, dedication and creativity of officials. A realistic and pragmatic approach must be taken to ensure both development and security, strengthen coordination and interplay between policies, and improve expectations management and overall policy effectiveness. Various aspects of work must be done well to ensure people's livelihoods and security in order to safeguard social stability.
It was noted at the meeting that, under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Commission of Supervision as well as discipline inspection and supervision departments at all levels have further studied and implemented Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, especially General Secretary Xi's important thought on the Party's self-reform. With focus on the central tasks of the Party and the country, they have continued to strengthen political oversight, further advanced efforts to improve Party conduct, enforce Party discipline and combat corruption, taken solid steps to conduct studies of Party discipline, made tangible progress in implementing the central Party leadership's eight-point decision on improving conduct, and focused on combating misconduct and corruption that occur at people's doorsteps. They have made intensified efforts to eradicate the breeding grounds and conditions for corruption, improved the systems for exercising full and rigorous self-governance of the Party and state supervision systems, consolidated and expanded what has been achieved in the theoretical study program, and made new progress in promoting the high-quality development of the discipline inspection and supervision work on the new journey.
The need was emphasized at the meeting for the discipline inspection and supervision departments to uphold Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as guidance, have a full understanding of the decisive significance of the "Two Affirmations," and resolutely act on the "Two Upholds." They must maintain a high-pressure stance on combating corruption, unwaveringly and relentlessly push forward the anti-corruption campaign to greater depth, and make new achievements in full and rigorous Party self-governance so as to provide strong guarantees for advancing Chinese modernization. It is necessary to intensify political supervision with focus on "Two Upholds," strictly enforce political discipline and rules, and bring the implementation of major reforms under supervision and inspection to ensure reforms proceed smoothly through effective oversight. The results of Party discipline education campaign should be consolidated and deepened, and the role of Party discipline education as constraints, guarantees, and incentives should be fully utilized. The mechanisms for investigating and addressing instances of both misconduct and corruption should be improved, with great efforts to promote the integrated and deepened development of upholding integrity and combating corruption. Efforts must be made to address misconduct and corruption that occur at people's doorsteps, ensuring that the fruits of reform and development are distributed more equitably to benefit the broad masses of the people. It is crucial to strengthen the political responsibility of exercising full and rigorous Party self-governance, and strict steps must be taken through to the end. Additionally, work must be done to render disciplinary inspection and supervision work standardized, institutionalized and law-based, deepen the reform of the disciplinary inspection and supervision system, and cultivate a team of inspection and supervision personnel who are loyal, upright, responsible and have the courage and capability to engage in struggle.
Previously, General Secretary Xi Jinping presided over a meeting of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, during which reports were presented on the work of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Commission of Supervision for 2024, as well as preparations for the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection.
The CPC central leadership decided that the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection will be held from January 6 to 8 next year.
Other matters were also discussed at the meeting. ■
BEIJING, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- The Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee held a symposium with non-CPC personages on Dec. 6 at Zhongnanhai in Beijing to seek opinions and suggestions from leaders of the central committees of non-CPC political parties, the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC), and the representative of personages with no party affiliation, on the economic situation this year and economic work of the next year. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, presided over the meeting and delivered an important speech. Noting that the next year marks the final year for implementing the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025), he stressed that it is necessary to fully implement the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress and the second and the third plenary sessions of the 20th CPC Central Committee under the guidance of the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. Efforts must be made to adhere to the general principle of pursuing progress while ensuring stability, fully and accurately implement the new development philosophy on all fronts, accelerate the building of a new development paradigm, and effectively promote high-quality development. It is also essential to comprehensively deepen reform, expand high-standard opening up, build a modernized industrial system and better coordinate development and security. Work will be done to carry out macroeconomic policies that are more proactive and impactful, expand domestic demand, promote the integrated development of technological and industrial innovation, stabilize the property and stock markets, and prevent and resolve risks in key areas and external shocks. With these efforts, expectations should be kept steady, and more vitality should be unleashed, so as to sustain the upward trend of the economy, improve living standards for the people and maintain social harmony and stability. The goals and tasks of the 14th Five-Year Plan should then be completed with high quality and a solid foundation should be laid for a good start of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030).
The symposium was attended by Li Qiang, Wang Huning, Cai Qi and Ding Xuexiang, all members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee. Entrusted by the CPC Central Committee, Li Qiang briefed the meeting on this year's economic work and introduced relevant considerations for the economic work of the next year.
Those who spoke at the symposium include Zheng Jianbang, chairman of the Central Committee of the Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang, Ding Zhongli, chairman of the Central Committee of the China Democratic League, Hao Mingjin, chairman of the Central Committee of the China National Democratic Construction Association, Cai Dafeng, chairman of the Central Committee of the China Association for Promoting Democracy, He Wei, chairman of the Central Committee of the Chinese Peasants and Workers Democratic Party, Jiang Zuojun, chairman of the Central Committee of the China Zhi Gong Party, Wu Weihua, chairman of the Central Committee of the Jiusan Society, Su Hui, chairperson of the Central Committee of the Taiwan Democratic Self-Government League, Gao Yunlong, chairman of the ACFIC, and Bao Xinhe, representative of personages without party affiliation. They fully agreed with the CPC Central Committee's analysis and judgment of the current economic situation and its planning and considerations for next year's economic work. They put forward opinions and suggestions on accelerating the development of new quality productive forces, appropriately intensifying macroeconomic regulation, improving the efficiency of fiscal funds, strengthening the ecosystem construction for scientific and technological innovation, creating a new ecosystem of energy consumption, pushing forward the construction of national laboratories, promoting and increasing the employment of skilled talent, bolstering the healthy development of the private economy, and deepening cross-Strait integrated development.
After listening to their speeches attentively, Xi said the attendees fully affirmed the achievements of this year's economic work and put forward a lot of good suggestions for next year's economic work, adding that the CPC Central Committee will carefully study and absorb their views.
Xi pointed out that in the face of a more complex international and domestic environment this year, the CPC Central Committee has united and led the whole Party and the Chinese people of all ethnic groups in withstanding pressures, overcoming difficulties, calmly responding to changes and taking comprehensive measures. The Chinese economy has posted generally stable performance, making progress while ensuring stability. The major tasks and targets for economic and social development will be successfully accomplished, with new solid steps taken in Chinese modernization.
Xi emphasized that since the beginning of this year, the non-CPC parties, the ACFIC and personages without party affiliation have focused on promoting Chinese modernization, actively carried out key research and investigations on developing new quality productive forces and promoting domestic economic circulation, strengthened democratic oversight over the ecological environment protection of the Yangtze River, and submitted various research reports and suggestions to the CPC Central Committee. These contributions have provided important references for the CPC Central Committee's scientific decision-making and effective policy implementation. He expressed heartfelt gratitude to them on behalf of the CPC Central Committee.
Xi said it is a must to firm up the confidence of success so as to do a good job in economic work next year. China's economy has a solid foundation with many advantages, strong resilience and great potential, and the supporting conditions and fundamental trend for its long-term sound development remain unchanged. He urged efforts to maintain strategic focus, take the initiative to create an external environment favorable to the country, unswervingly manage the country's own affairs well, and transform all positive factors into actual achievements in development.
Xi stressed that doing a good job in economic work next year requires the joint efforts and hard work of the whole Party and the entire society. Currently, China's development faces a multitude of uncertainties and challenges that demand much attention and need to be properly addressed. Challenges and difficulties arise every year, but the country has always developed amidst the storms and grown through trials. He called for making full preparations, achieving the goals of economic and social development next year through unremitting efforts, and opening up new prospects for the country's development.
Xi put forward three hopes for the non-CPC parties, the ACFIC, and personages without party affiliation. First, they should enhance political awareness and assist the Party and government in doing a good job in economic work. They should think in big-picture terms, strengthen awareness of the overall situation, and consciously play the role of participating in the overall work of the Party and the state. They should leverage the unique advantage of the united front to assist the Party and government in publicizing policies, stabilizing expectations, and resolving conflicts, and to guide their members and the masses they connect with to view the economic situation and the overall development trend comprehensively and dialectically, champion the underlying values, and project positive energy. Second, they should leverage the advantage of a pool of talents and actively contribute ideas and efforts to the decision-making of the CPC Central Committee. They should conduct in-depth research on key issues related to reform, development and stability, and provide forward-looking and feasible opinions and suggestions. They should also accurately understand the nature and positioning of democratic oversight, strengthen coordination and collaboration in work, and promote the implementation of various national strategies. Third, they should strengthen self-improvement and further enhance their capacity of participation in and deliberation of state affairs. They should strengthen work on the leadership and team building with strict demands, constraints and supervision, and severely punish those involved in corruption. They should arm themselves with theories and keep their knowledge updated, strengthen practice, and continuously improve their ability to perform duties and participate in and deliberate on state affairs.
Shi Taifeng, Liu Guozhong, He Lifeng, Zhang Guoqing, Wu Zhenglong, and heads of relevant departments of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council attended the symposium.
Other participants from outside the Party included Shao Hong, He Baoxiang, Wang Guangqian, Qin Boyong, Zhu Yongxin, Yang Zhen, Zhang Endi, An Lijia, Tian Xuan, among others. ■
BEIJING, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Chinese president, and chairman of the Central Military Commission, on Monday attended the fourth symposium on Belt and Road construction work in Beijing and delivered an important speech. He stressed that promoting high-quality Belt and Road cooperation has both opportunities and challenges in the face of grave and complicated international situation, but overall, opportunities outweigh challenges. He said we must strengthen strategic confidence, maintain strategic focus and act courageously with a sense of responsibility to create a brighter future for Belt and Road cooperation.
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 symposium. Ding Xuexiang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Chinese vice premier, presided over the symposium.
During the symposium, speeches were given by Zheng Shanjie, head of the National Development and Reform Commission, Ma Zhaoxu, Chinese vice foreign minister, Yin Li, secretary of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee, Wang Menghui, secretary of the CPC Hubei Provincial Committee, Hu Wangming, chairman of China Baowu Steel Group Corporation Limited, Feng Xubin, chairman of YXE Trading Service Group Co., Ltd., and Xing Guangcheng, director of the Institute of Chinese Borderland Studies under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. They introduced their respective work based on reality and put forward opinions and suggestions.
After listening to their speeches, Xi delivered an important speech. He pointed out that since the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) was put forth in 2013, the Belt and Road cooperation, under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee and with the joint efforts of all parties, has consistently embraced the Silk Road spirit of peace and cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning and mutual benefit. It has stayed committed to the principle of "planning together, building together, and benefiting together." The sectors and scope of Belt and Road cooperation have continued to expand, while the level of cooperation has been further elevated. The cooperation has demonstrated greater international appeal, influence and rallying power, and has made major achievements, making China's contribution to enhancing friendship with Belt and Road participating countries and boosting their economic and social development.
Xi emphasized that the world has entered a new period of turbulence and change in recent years, with notably rising unilateralism and protectionism and frequent outbreaks of regional conflicts and disturbances. Against this backdrop, to advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, it is imperative to appropriately manage all types of risks and challenges, effectively address the impact of geopolitical conflicts, properly handle the relationship between strengthening the sense of fulfillment among participating countries and ensuring the benefits for China, and effectively safeguard the security of China's overseas interests.
Xi pointed out that the Belt and Road cooperation has entered a new stage of high-quality development. It is necessary to adhere to the general principle of pursuing progress while ensuring stability, fully and faithfully apply the new development philosophy on all fronts, move faster to create a new pattern of development, and hold high the banner of a human community with a shared future. It is imperative to adhere to the principle of "planning together, building together, and benefiting together," the philosophy of open, green and clean cooperation, and the goal of pursuing high-standard, people-centered and sustainable cooperation, follow through on the eight major measures for supporting high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and focus on connectivity. It is a must to combine high-quality development with greater security, government guidance with market operation, scientific layout with dynamic optimization, and quantitative growth with qualitative improvement. It is necessary to deepen "hard connectivity" of infrastructure, "soft connectivity" of rules and standards, and "heart connectivity" between peoples among partner countries. It is imperative to advance major signature programs and "small yet smart" livelihood programs in a coordinated manner. It is necessary to consolidate cooperation in traditional areas and steadily expand cooperation in emerging areas in a coordinated manner, improve and promote the high-quality Belt and Road cooperation mechanism, and create new space for win-win development at a higher level and with greater resilience and sustainability.
Xi stressed that it is necessary to focus on strengthening the mechanisms for high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and improve the cooperation, planning, coordination and management mechanisms, improve the coordination mechanism for promoting "hard connectivity," "soft connectivity" and "heart connectivity," improve the practical cooperation mechanism of industrial and supply chains, improve the international exchange and cooperation mechanism in emerging fields, and improve the diversified guarantee mechanism for investment and financing. It is a must to improve the internal and external coordination mechanism for risk prevention and control, improve the mechanism for safeguarding overseas interests, improve the mechanism for high-level international communication, improve the cooperation mechanism for clean Silk Road, and promote the steady and long-term development of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation.
Xi stressed sticking to the agenda to turn blueprints into reality and carrying out hard work over generations, having the courage to overcome various risks and challenges, unswervingly promoting high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and making greater contributions to promoting the building of a human community with a shared future.
While presiding over the symposium, Ding said that Xi's important speech fully acknowledged the major achievements in Belt and Road cooperation and made comprehensive arrangements for promoting high-quality Belt and Road cooperation in the present and near future. Xi's important speech is profound in vision, deep in thought, incisive in argumentation, and rich in content, providing important guidance and charting the course forward for promoting high-quality Belt and Road cooperation in the next golden decade. Ding said we must earnestly study, gain a full understanding of, and resolutely implement it. All localities, departments, and organizations must continuously strengthen strategic thinking, security awareness, systems thinking, and international visions. With a focus on advancing systematic and institutional mechanisms, they should continuously improve top-level design, formulate practical measures, deepen international cooperation, and foster a group of influential and significant projects for cooperation and generate more exemplary and leading achievements, in a bid to jointly create new space for win-win development at a higher level and with greater resilience and sustainability.
Wang Yi, He Lifeng and Wu Zhenglong attended the symposium.
Leading officials in charge of BRI construction work from members of the leading group on advancing BRI development, relevant central Party and government departments, all provincial-level regions and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, as well as heads of relevant companies and representatives of experts and scholars, participated in the symposium. ■
BEIJING, Nov. 30 (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 the program to study and develop Marxist theory in the new era. Xi pointed out that studying and developing Marxist theory is the fundamental and strategic program of the Party's ideological and theoretical development. Over the past 20 years, those involved in the program have always focused on the central tasks and served the overall situation, producing a large number of high-quality research results. The program has also played an important role in the study, research and publicity of the Party's innovative theories, consolidating the guiding position of Marxism in the realm of ideology.
Xi stressed that on the new journey in the new era, we must uphold fundamental principles and break new ground, focus on the study, publicity and implementation of the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, make efforts to deepen systematic and theoretical research and interpretation, and strive to render the study and publicity more targeted and effective, so as to make the Party's innovative theories more popular among the people. We must adhere to integrating the basic tenets of Marxism with China's specific realities and fine traditional culture, proceed from China's realities, carry forward Chinese cultural traditions, build a solid academic foundation, conduct in-depth research on major issues in our great efforts to build a strong country and achieve national rejuvenation on all fronts through Chinese modernization, accelerate the development of an independent knowledge system in Chinese philosophy and social sciences and nurture high-caliber theoretical talent, so as to make greater contributions to adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times.
A meeting concerning work on the program to study and develop Marxist theory was held in Beijing on Nov. 29. Xi's important instructions were studied at the meeting. Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and a member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, attended the meeting and delivered a speech.
In his speech, Cai pointed out that Xi's important instructions profoundly expounded on the status and role of the program to study and develop Marxist theory, and clarified the requirements for the task of upholding fundamental principles while breaking new ground in promoting the study, research and publicity of the Party's innovative theories. In his instructions, Xi expressed the hope that efforts would be made to integrate the basic tenets of Marxism with China's specific realities and fine traditional culture in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times. Xi's instructions provide important guidelines for the implementation of the program in the new era.
Cai pointed out that since the 18th CPC National Congress, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has attached great importance to strengthening the Party through ideological endeavor and theoretical development. General Secretary Xi has issued a series of expositions on studying and developing Marxist theory, which have provided answers to the fundamental questions concerning upholding and developing Marxism. At the same time, the expositions have systematically clarified the targets, basic principles, tasks and work in the study and building of Marxist theory. We must thoroughly understand the significance of the "Two Affirmations," act on the "Two Upholds," and thoroughly study the related theories and implement them, Cai said.
Cai stressed that to innovate the program of studying and developing Marxist theory, it is imperative to regard the study, research, and publicity of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as the fundamental task, ensure that the studies and education are more targeted and effective, further make the research and interpretation more systematic and theoretical, and ensure that the publicity and popularization work is more attractive and influential. He also called for efforts to advance the research on the basic tenets of Marxism, further answer the questions concerning China's specific realities, further explore the contents and values of fine traditional Chinese culture, intensify efforts to research on and have a command of integrating the basic tenets of Marxism with China's specific realities and fine traditional culture, and continue to bring out vitality for theoretical creation. We should adhere to the Party's innovative theories as guidance, meet the requirements the times have laid out for us, have a thorough understanding of China's realities, and systematically refine and summarize defining concepts and original theories, so as to advance the development of an independent knowledge system in philosophy and social sciences. We should strengthen organizational leadership, improve institutional mechanisms, enhance incentives and support, foster a healthy academic environment, and accelerate the formation of a well-coordinated, scientifically-managed, and innovation-driven work framework.
Li Shulei presided over the meeting, and Shen Yiqin attended the meeting.
Leading officials from the Party School of the CPC Central Committee (National Academy of Governance), the Institute of Party History and Literature of the CPC Central Committee, the Ministry of Education, and the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences delivered speeches, and so did representatives from the consulting committee of the program and theoretical work platforms, and relevant experts and scholars.
Those who attended the meeting included members of the Central Leading Group for Public Communication and Cultural Work, leading officials from the department in charge of the program, central media and cultural institutions, and relevant people's organizations, as well as some members of the program consulting committee, experts and scholars, along with leading officials from the publicity departments of local Party committees and key universities under the central management. ■
BEIJING, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- On the occasion of the 70th founding anniversary of the All China Federation of Supply and Marketing Cooperatives, Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Chinese president, and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made important instructions and extended cordial greetings to the vast number of cadres and employees in the national supply and marketing cooperative system. He also extended warm congratulations to the commended outstanding groups and individuals.
Xi pointed out that over the past 70 years, supply and marketing cooperatives have always committed themselves to the Party's central tasks, actively served the overall situation, and played an active role in serving urban and rural residents, boosting the rural economy, helping with poverty alleviation, promoting farmers' income growth, and advancing rural revitalization.
Xi emphasized that on the new journey of the new era, Party committees and governments at all levels should further strengthen their leadership over and support for the work of supply and marketing cooperatives and make full use of this force. Supply and marketing cooperatives should earnestly implement the new development philosophy, stay committed to agriculture and rural areas, focus on their principal responsibilities and main tasks, deepen comprehensive reforms, strengthen institutional innovation, and continuously build a comprehensive platform for serving farmers' production and lives and promoting the development of modern agriculture. They should also serve as a bridge and bond linking the Party and the government closely with farmers, and strive to write a new chapter in the high-quality development of the supply and marketing cooperative cause, thus making greater contributions to advancing the all-around rural revitalization and building up China's strength in agriculture.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, gave an instruction, urging supply and marketing cooperatives to implement the guiding principles of Xi's important instructions and the CPC Central Committee's decisions and arrangements, stay committed to their mission and responsibilities, leverage their unique strengths, deepen reforms, promote innovation, strive to improve their operation and management, and continuously consolidate the foundation of serving agriculture, rural areas and farmers. He also urged the supply and marketing cooperatives to further promote the high-quality development of agricultural supplies, distribution of agricultural products, commercial agricultural services as well as recycling and utilization of renewable resources, among others, to better serve the production and lives of farmers and play a greater role in promoting integrated urban-rural development and speeding up modernization of agriculture and rural areas.
A meeting to commemorate the 70th founding anniversary of the All China Federation of Supply and Marketing Cooperatives was held in Beijing on Nov. 28. At the meeting, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security and the All China Federation of Supply and Marketing Cooperatives jointly commended the outstanding groups and individuals as well as model workers of the national supply and marketing cooperative system. Representatives of the award winners delivered speeches.
The All China Federation of Supply and Marketing Cooperatives was founded in 1954. Over 70 years of development, the cooperatives have extended their full commercial agricultural services, expanded their comprehensive urban and rural community services, and formed a comprehensive, large-scale and sustainable service system for agriculture, rural areas and farmers in a faster manner, now playing a unique and important role in advancing all-around rural revitalization and building up China's strength in agriculture. ■
RIO DE JANEIRO, Nov. 18 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday delivered an important speech at the Session II of the 19th G20 Summit under the title "Working Together for a Fair and Equitable Global Governance System."
Following is the English version of the full text of the speech:
Working Together for a Fair and Equitable Global Governance System
Remarks by H.E. Xi Jinping
President of the People's Republic of China
On Reform of the Institutions of Global Governance
At Session II of the 19th G20 Summit
Rio de Janeiro, November 18, 2024
Your Excellency President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva,
Colleagues,
It has been 16 years since the G20 Summit was launched. Over the years, we have worked in solidarity to tackle the global financial crisis, promoted cooperation on global economy, finance and trade, and steered the world economy onto the track of recovery. We have worked in concert to face global challenges head-on, be it climate change or the COVID-19 pandemic, spearheaded technological transformation, and kept renewing the G20's responsibilities and missions. We have worked in unison to improve global governance, strengthened macroeconomic policy coordination, pressed ahead with reforming the international financial institutions, and championed international cooperation in the spirit of equal consultation and mutual benefit.
Proceeding from a new starting point, the G20 needs to build on its past achievements and continue to act as a force to improve global governance and move history forward. We should keep in mind that mankind lives in a community with a shared future, see each other's development as opportunities rather than challenges, and view each other as partners rather than rivals. We should observe the basic norms of international relations underpinned by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and defend the international order based on international law. In light of the G20's mandate, we could build greater international consensus in the economic, financial, trade, digital and eco-environmental fields, among others, to improve global governance and promote an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization.
First, we need to improve global economic governance and build a world economy characterized by cooperation. We have developed the G20 comprehensive growth strategies and established a framework for strong, sustainable, balanced and inclusive growth. We should stay committed to strengthening global economic partnerships, reinforcing macro policy coordination in fiscal, financial, monetary and structural reform policies, cultivating new quality productive forces, and raising total factor productivity, in a bid to open up more possibilities for the global economy. It is important to make good use of the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meetings, let them serve as a ballast for macro policy coordination, and foster an open, inclusive, and nondiscriminatory environment for international economic cooperation. As main creditors, international financial institutions and commercial creditors need to take part in debt reduction and suspension for developing countries. It is also important to create a clean business environment by upholding a zero-tolerance stance against corruption, stepping up international cooperation on fugitive repatriation and asset recovery, and denying safe haven to corrupt officials and their assets.
Second, we need to improve global financial governance and build a world economy characterized by stability. To increase the voice and representation of developing countries, the World Bank should carry out shareholding review and the International Monetary Fund should carry out quota share realignment in line with the agreed timeframe and roadmap. Joint efforts are needed to keep the international financial market stable and prevent negative spillover of domestic monetary policy adjustments. Developed countries should fulfill their responsibilities in this regard. It is important to enhance the systems for financial risks monitoring, early warning and handling, reinforce cooperation in such areas as digital currency and taxation, and strengthen the global financial safety net. The G20 Sustainable Finance Roadmap should be implemented at a faster pace to better meet the green financing needs of developing countries.
Third, we need to improve global trade governance and build a world economy characterized by openness. We should place development at the center of the international economic and trade agenda, and steadily advance trade and investment liberalization and facilitation. We should press ahead with reforming the World Trade Organization (WTO), oppose unilateralism and protectionism, restore the normal functioning of the dispute settlement mechanism as soon as possible, include the Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement into the WTO legal framework, and reach early consensus on the e-commerce agreement. We should work actively to keep the WTO rules relevant, both addressing long-pending issues and exploring the formulation of new, future-oriented rules, to enhance the authority, efficacy and relevance of the multilateral trading system. It is important to avoid politicizing economic issues, avoid fragmenting the global market, and avoid taking protectionist moves in the name of green and low-carbon development. Two years ago, China and Indonesia, together with some other countries, launched the Initiative of International Cooperation on Resilient and Stable Industrial and Supply Chains, calling for industrial and supply chain partnerships that are more equal, inclusive and constructive. We stand ready for closer cooperation with all sides on this initiative.
Fourth, we need to improve global digital governance and build a world economy characterized by innovation. We should strengthen the function of the G20 Digital Economy Ministers' Meeting, and let it play a leading role in digital transition, the deep integration of the digital economy and the real economy, and rules-making in emerging areas. We should step up international governance and cooperation on artificial intelligence (AI), to make sure that AI is for good and for all, not a game of the rich countries and the wealthy. China hosted the 2024 World AI Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance, and issued the Shanghai Declaration on Global AI Governance. Together with other parties, China promoted the adoption of a UN General Assembly resolution on enhancing international cooperation on AI capacity-building. China will hold another world AI conference in 2025 and welcomes the participation of fellow G20 members.
Fifth, we need to improve global ecological governance and build a world economy characterized by eco-friendliness. We should honor the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, and fully and effectively implement the Paris Agreement and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework for the sake of man's harmonious coexistence with nature. Developed countries should provide developing countries with the necessary funding, technology and capacity-building support. The recently concluded UN Biodiversity Conference produced important consensus. We should jointly support the ongoing and upcoming UN conferences on climate change and desertification in achieving positive outcomes. Energy transition and energy security is a major issue. We should follow the approach of "establishing the new before abolishing the old," and replace traditional energy with clean energy in a stable and well-ordered way, as we expedite the green and low-carbon transition of the world economy. China stands ready to continue to deepen international cooperation with all sides on green infrastructure, green energy, green mining and green transport, and will provide support to developing countries to the best of its ability.
Global security governance is part and parcel of global governance. The G20 should support the UN and its Security Council in playing a greater role, and support all efforts conducive to the peaceful settlement of crises. To deescalate the Ukraine crisis and seek a political settlement, we should follow the principles of no expansion of the battlefields, no escalation of hostilities and no fanning flames. China and Brazil, together with some other Global South countries, launched the group of "friends for peace" on the Ukraine crisis, with the goal of bringing together more voices for peace. The fighting in Gaza has inflicted deep suffering on the people. It is urgent for all sides to stop fighting, end the war, and provide support for easing the humanitarian crisis in the region and for postwar reconstruction. The fundamental way out of the cycle of Palestinian-Israeli conflict lies in the implementation of the two-State solution, the restoration of Palestine's legitimate national rights, and the establishment of an independent State of Palestine.
Colleagues,
Let us renew our commitment to the founding mission of the G20, and make a fresh start from Rio de Janeiro. Let us carry forward partnership, practice true multilateralism, and usher in a better future of common development and prosperity.
Thank you. ■
RIO DE JANEIRO, Nov. 18 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday delivered an important speech at Session I of the 19th G20 Summit under the title "Building a Just World of Common Development."
Following is the English version of the full text of the speech:
Building a Just World of Common Development
Remarks by H.E. Xi Jinping
President of the People's Republic of China
On Fight Against Hunger and Poverty
At Session I of the 19th G20 Summit
Rio de Janeiro, November 18, 2024
Your Excellency President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva,
Colleagues,
It gives me great pleasure to attend the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro. I thank President Lula and the Brazilian government for the warm hospitality extended to the Chinese delegation.
Today, transformation of a scale not seen in a century is accelerating across the world. Humanity faces unprecedented opportunities and challenges. As leaders of major countries, we should not let our vision be blocked by fleeting clouds. Rather, we must see the world as one community with a shared future, and shoulder our responsibility for history, take historical initiative and move history forward.
I pointed out at this forum that prosperity and stability would not be possible in a world where the rich become richer while the poor are made poorer, and countries should make global development more inclusive, beneficial to all, and more resilient. At the Hangzhou Summit, China placed development at the center of the G20's macroeconomic policy coordination for the first time, and the Summit adopted the G20 Action Plan on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the G20 Initiative on Supporting Industrialization in Africa and Least Developed Countries. The Rio Summit this year has chosen the theme "Building a Just World and a Sustainable Planet." It places fighting hunger and poverty at the top of the agenda, and decides to establish a Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty. From Hangzhou to Rio, we have been working for one and the same goal, that is, to build a just world of common development.
To build such a world, we need to channel more resources to such fields as trade, investment and development cooperation, and strengthen development institutions. There should be more bridges of cooperation, and less "small yard, high fences," so that more and more developing countries will be better off and achieve modernization.
To build such a world, we need to support developing countries in adopting sustainable production and lifestyle, properly responding to challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental pollution, enhancing ecological conservation, and achieving harmony between man and nature.
To build such a world, we need an open, inclusive and non-discriminatory environment for international economic cooperation. We should promote a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, energize sustainable development with new technologies, new industries and new business forms, and support developing countries in better integrating in digital, smart and green development to bridge the North-South gap.
To build such a world, we need to stay committed to multilateralism. We should uphold the UN-centered international system, the international order underpinned by international law, and the basic norms of international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.
Colleagues,
China's development is an important part of the common development of the world. We have lifted 800 million people out of poverty, and met the poverty reduction target of the UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development ahead of schedule.
This achievement did not just fall into our laps. It is the fruit of the strenuous, unified efforts of the Chinese government and people. Everything China does, it always places the people front and center, and it solemnly declares that "not a single poor region or person should be left behind." To tackle poverty, we make targeted policies tailored to each village, each household and each person; we facilitate growth by vigorously channeling talent, funds and technologies to underdeveloped regions; we help localities generate growth by fostering industries with distinctive features and upgrading infrastructure, all in light of their own conditions; and we promote common prosperity by pairing up well-off regions with less developed ones. I have worked from village to county, city, provincial and central levels. Poverty alleviation has always been a priority and a major task I am determined to deliver.
China's story is proof that developing countries can eliminate poverty, and that a weaker bird can start early and fly high, when there is the endurance, perseverance, and striving spirit that enables water drops to penetrate rocks over time and turns blueprints into reality. If China can make it, other developing countries can make it too. This is what China's battle against poverty says to the world.
Colleagues,
China will always be a member of the Global South, a reliable long-term partner of fellow developing countries, and a doer and go-getter working for the cause of global development. A single flower does not make spring. China wants to see a hundred flowers in full blossom and will go hand in hand with fellow developing countries toward modernization. Today, I wish to outline China's eight actions for global development.
First, pursuing high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. On top of RMB700 billion yuan added financing windows and an additional RMB80 billion yuan injection into the Silk Road Fund, China is moving ahead with the development of the multidimensional Belt and Road connectivity network, one that is led by the building of a green Silk Road and will empower a digital Silk Road.
Second, implementing the Global Development Initiative. On the basis of over 1,100 development projects already in operation, we will make sure the Global South research center that is being built is fit for purpose, and the 20 billion U.S. dollars of development funds will continue to be put to good use to support developing countries and deepen practical cooperation in areas such as poverty reduction, food security and the digital economy.
Third, supporting development in Africa. At the Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation held in September this year, I unveiled ten partnership actions on joining hands with Africa to advance modernization over the next three years and, in this connection, a commitment of RMB360 billion yuan in financial support.
Fourth, supporting international cooperation on poverty reduction and food security. China has decided to join the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty. We support the G20 in continuing to convene the Development Ministerial Meeting, and will stay a committed host of the International Conference on Food Loss and Waste.
Fifth, China, alongside Brazil, South Africa and the African Union, is proposing an Initiative on International Cooperation in Open Science to help the Global South gain better access to global advances in science, technology and innovation.
Sixth, supporting the G20 in carrying out practical cooperation for the benefit of the Global South and using such outcomes as the Roadmap to Increase Investment in Clean Energy in Developing Countries and the High-Level Principles on Bioeconomy to good effect. China supports the work of the Entrepreneurship Research Center on G20 Economies based in Beijing, and supports cooperation on digital education and the digitization of museums and ancient archives.
Seventh, implementing the G20 Anti-Corruption Action Plan. We are strengthening cooperation with fellow developing countries in fugitive repatriation and asset recovery, denial of safe haven, and anti-corruption capacity building.
Eighth, China is pursuing high-standard opening up, and unilaterally opening our doors wider to the least developed countries (LDCs). We have announced the decision to give all LDCs having diplomatic relations with China zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines. From now to 2030, China's imports from other developing countries are likely to top 8 trillion dollars.
Colleagues,
The Chinese often say, "A journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step." China is ready to take steps together with all parties to build a just world of common development, leave poverty in the past, and turn our vision into reality.
Thank you. ■
RIO DE JANEIRO, Nov. 17 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping published a signed article in Brazilian media outlet Folha de S. Paulo on Sunday under the title "A Friendship Spanning Vast Oceans A Voyage Toward a Brighter Shared Future" as he is traveling to Brazil for the 19th G20 Leaders' Summit and a state visit to the country.
Following is an English version of the full text of the article:
A Friendship Spanning Vast Oceans
A Voyage Toward a Brighter Shared Future
Xi Jinping
President of the People's Republic of China
At the invitation of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, I will soon pay a state visit to the Federative Republic of Brazil and attend the G20 Leaders' Summit in Rio de Janeiro.
Endowed with an expansive land, abundant resources, breathtaking landscapes and a rich tapestry of cultures, Brazil is a favorite destination of the Chinese people. Over two hundred years ago, as Chinese products, such as tea, lychee, spice and porcelain, traversed the oceans to reach the Brazilian shores, trade and economic exchanges began to bridge our two nations and became a bond of friendship between our people.
Fifty years ago, on August 15, 1974, China and Brazil established full diplomatic ties. Our relationship has since withstood the test of a changing international landscape and become increasingly mature and vibrant. This dynamic relationship has not only boosted our respective development but also contributed significantly to world peace and stability. It has established a model for major developing countries to develop win-win cooperation and pursue a shared future.
China and Brazil value mutual respect and treat each other as equals. Our people appreciate and support each other's choice of development path. Brazil is the first country to establish a strategic partnership with China. It is also the first nation in Latin America to enter into a comprehensive strategic partnership with China. Our relationship has always been a forerunner in the relations between China and fellow developing nations. The two governments have between them a full-fledged mechanism for dialogue and cooperation, of which the high-level commission for coordination and cooperation has been in effective operation for 20 years and played a significant role in coordinating and planning cooperation in various fields and in promoting common development.
China and Brazil value mutual benefit and promote synergy between our comparative strengths as we work hand in hand to advance respective modernization. China has been Brazil's largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years, and is a major source of foreign investment in Brazil. According to statistics from the Chinese side, China's annual imports from Brazil in the past three years have stayed above 100 billion U.S. dollars. Thanks to our joint efforts, the structure of trade is becoming increasingly optimized, the level of cooperation is improving, and the scope of shared interests is expanding. Our mutually beneficial cooperation, with no shortage of bright spots and fruitful outcomes in areas of agriculture, infrastructure, energy, resources, green development, technological innovation and finance, has greatly promoted economic and social progress in both countries.
China and Brazil champion openness, inclusiveness and mutual learning, and we share a natural affinity and a common pursuit of all that is beautiful. Brazil's renowned poets and writers Cecilia Meireles and Joaquim Maria Machado de Assis translated poems from China's Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD), though not directly from Chinese. Their commendable endeavors reflect the resonance between our two cultures that defy time and space. In recent years, music, dance, and other forms of art, along with cuisine and sport, have become a new bridge connecting the people of our two countries, helping to enhance amity and mutual understanding. Brazil's cute capybaras, bossa nova music, Samba dance, and Capoeira are immensely popular in China. China's traditional festivals like the Spring Festival and its cultural heritages such as traditional Chinese medicine are increasingly well-known among Brazilians. Our young people, journalists, and academics interact frequently, and subnational exchanges are active and vibrant. Since earlier this year, a series of events have been held in both countries to celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations, presenting to our people an array of splendid cultural and artistic feasts. In the last couple of days, I received letters from over a hundred Brazilian friends from across sectors, including the Brazil-China Friendship Association, university teachers and students, and the Copacabana Fort Orchestra of Rio de Janeiro. I am profoundly touched by their fervent desire to strengthen the friendship between our two nations.
China and Brazil stay committed to peace, development, fairness and justice. We have similar or identical views on many international and regional issues. Both are staunch defenders of the basic norms of international relations and multilateralism, coordinating closely and consistently within the United Nations, G20, BRICS and other international organizations and multilateral mechanisms on crucial issues, including global governance and climate change. Not long ago, China and Brazil jointly issued a six-point common understanding on political settlement of the Ukraine crisis. Our initiative has received a positive response from the international community. China and Brazil, embracing our roles and responsibilities as major countries, have contributed to a multipolar world, conduced to greater democracy in international relations and injected positive energy into global peace and stability.
Today's world is undergoing an accelerating transformation unseen in a century. New challenges and new changes continue to arise. As a Chinese saying goes, "In a race of a hundred boats, those who row hardest will lead; among a thousand sails competing, those who advance most bravely will win." As major developing countries in the eastern and western hemispheres respectively and important members of BRICS, China and Brazil should unite more closely, row hardest and advance most bravely. We should pioneer new routes together and jointly set sail on a voyage toward a brighter shared future that belongs to both our people and the whole of humanity.
Our two countries should stay the course of friendly relations. We should remain committed to mutual respect, mutual trust and mutual learning. We should further intensify exchanges at all levels and across all fields, including between the governments, political parties, and legislatures, and step up the exchange of experience in state governance and national development. We should continuously strengthen strategic mutual trust and cement the political foundation of our bilateral relations. We should fully leverage the role of the China-Brazil high-level coordination and cooperation commission (COSBAN), the comprehensive strategic dialogue and other cooperation mechanisms to build a stable and mature major-country relationship and ensure its steady and sustained growth.
Our two countries should foster new growth drivers for mutually beneficial cooperation. Both China and Brazil prioritize accelerating economic development and improving people's livelihoods and both are forging ahead on the path of modernization. At present, as the new sci-tech revolution and industrial transformation gather pace, our two countries must seize the opportunities offered by the times. We should promote synergy between China's Belt and Road Initiative and Brazil's development strategies, and we should keep enhancing the strategic impacts of our mutually beneficial cooperation, broaden its scope, and break new ground. We should foster more exemplary projects that align with the trends of the times, deliver lasting benefits to the people, and contribute to the common development of our countries and regions.
Our two countries should solidify the foundation of people-to-people friendship. China and Brazil boast rich, diverse and uniquely fascinating cultures that are complementary and drawn to each other. We should uphold openness and inclusiveness, values that are imbued in our traditions, and deepen our exchanges and cooperation in the areas of culture, education, science and technology, health, sports, tourism, and at the subnational levels. This will help our people view each other's countries in a more accurate, multidimensional, and vivid light, and cultivate more people-to-people ambassadors who will carry forward the China-Brazil traditional friendship. Friendly exchanges, in turn, enhance harmony and mutual enrichment between our civilizations and make the garden of human civilization more colorful and more vibrant.
Our two countries should strengthen solidarity, support each other and fulfill our responsibilities as major countries. Despite its collective rise, the Global South has yet to have its voice and demands fully heard and reflected in the existing international governance system. As two of the world's major developing countries, China and Brazil should take on the mantle of historical duty and responsibilities. We must work together with others in the Global South to resolutely safeguard the developing nations' common interests, address global challenges through cooperation, and promote a global governance system that is fairer and more equitable. China and Brazil should make our distinctive contribution to world peace, stability and common development.
Another reason for my visit to Brazil this time is to attend the summit of the G20, an important platform for international economic cooperation. Following its assumption of the presidency, Brazil has established the summit theme as "Building a Just World and a Sustainable Planet" and made active efforts to advance G20 cooperation in various areas, laying a good foundation for the success of the summit in Rio de Janeiro. President Lula has placed fighting hunger and poverty high on the summit's agenda and proposed the establishment of a Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty. China highly commends and will actively support his initiative.
Building a just world requires the G20 to honor the principles of mutual respect, equal-footed cooperation and mutual benefit, and support Global South countries in achieving greater development. Development must be placed at the center of G20 cooperation, and the attainment of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development must be a top priority. A global partnership for sustainable development must be built, and global development must be more inclusive, beneficial to all and more resilient. It is important to press ahead with the reform of the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the World Trade Organization and to increase the representation and voice of the Global South. Macroeconomic policy coordination must be stepped up, and trade and investment liberalization and facilitation promoted, to create an open, inclusive, and non-discriminatory environment for international economic cooperation.
Building a sustainable planet requires the G20 to promote sustainable production and lifestyle as a way to achieve harmony between humanity and nature. The G20 must advance international cooperation in such areas as green and low-carbon development, environmental protection, energy transition and climate change response. It must honor the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, and provide more funding, technology and capacity-building support to Global South countries. Thirty-two years ago, the UN Conference on Environment and Development held in Rio de Janeiro produced important outcomes such as Agenda 21. This time again in Rio, an important topic for discussion at the G20 leaders' meeting is global green and low-carbon development, and I hope the summit will provide stronger momentum and greater confidence for global sustainable development.
I am confident that the Rio de Janeiro Summit will achieve fruitful outcomes and leave a distinct Brazilian mark on G20's history. I also look forward to working with President Lula to usher in a new "golden 50 years" for China-Brazil relations, and promote a more just and sustainable community with a shared future. ■
Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers an important speech under the title "Shouldering Responsibility to Our Times And Jointly Promoting Asia-Pacific Development" at the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting at the Lima Convention Center in Lima, Peru, Nov. 16, 2024. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)
LIMA, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday delivered an important speech at the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting under the title "Shouldering Responsibility to Our Times And Jointly Promoting Asia-Pacific Development."
Following is the English version of the full text of the speech:
Shouldering Responsibility to Our Times And Jointly Promoting Asia-Pacific Development
Remarks by H.E. Xi Jinping
President of the People's Republic of China
At the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting
Lima, November 16, 2024
Your Excellency President Dina Boluarte,
Colleagues,
It is my great pleasure to visit the beautiful garden city of Lima again after eight years and join you in discussing Asia-Pacific cooperation. I wish to thank President Boluarte and the Peruvian government for the excellent organization of this meeting.
Over the decades, APEC has been instrumental in leading Asia and the Pacific to great success in development, prosperity and connectivity, making the region the most dynamic economy and primary engine of global economic growth. The world today is gripped by accelerating transformation unseen in a century as well as anemic growth. The World Openness Index has been on the decline. Asia-Pacific cooperation is confronted with challenges such as rising tendencies of geopolitics, unilateralism and protectionism. At this historic crossroads, we Asia-Pacific countries carry greater responsibilities on our shoulders. We must act in solidarity and cooperation to meet the challenges, fully deliver on the Putrajaya Vision 2040, build an Asia-Pacific community with a shared future, and start a new era in Asia-Pacific development. To this end, I wish to propose the following.
First, we need to build an open and interconnected paradigm for Asia-Pacific cooperation. We should stay committed to multilateralism and an open economy, firmly uphold the multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization at its core, fully reactivate APEC's role as an incubator of global economic and trade rules, and advance regional economic integration and connectivity. We should tear down the walls impeding the flow of trade, investment, technology and services, uphold stable and smooth industrial and supply chains, and promote economic circulation in the region and the world. A Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP) is an ambitious vision for regional economic integration, and is critical for long-term development and prosperity of our region. Ten years ago, a historic decision to kick off the FTAAP process was taken at the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Beijing. Today, we will adopt a new document to guide this process. I believe that this will give new impetus to our efforts toward an open Asia-Pacific economy.
Opening up is a distinct hallmark of Chinese modernization. China always promotes reform through opening up. We voluntarily subscribe to high-standard international economic and trade rules, adopt proactive measures for further opening up, and take systematic steps to further open the telecom, Internet, education, culture, medical service and other sectors. We continue to implement the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) against high standards. We are also working actively to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement (DEPA). We have just signed a protocol to upgrade the free trade agreement with Peru, and have substantially concluded negotiations with ASEAN to upgrade to free trade area 3.0. Together with the relevant parties, we will seek to discuss trade agreements in digital and green areas, and steadily expand the globally-oriented network of high-standard free trade areas.
Second, we need to make green innovation a catalyst for the Asia-Pacific. We need to firmly seize the opportunities presented by the new round of sci-tech revolution and industrial transformation, and strengthen exchanges and cooperation in artificial intelligence (AI), quantum information, life and health, and other frontier areas. We need to foster an open, fair, just and nondiscriminatory ecosystem for innovation, and promote a leapfrog development of productive forces across our region. To build a clean and beautiful Asia-Pacific, we should prioritize ecological protection, promote resources conservation and their efficient use as well as green and low-carbon development, and engineer an all-round green transition in economic and social development. We need to push forward coordinated digital and green transformation and development to create new momentum and new drivers for Asia-Pacific development.
China is developing new quality productive forces in light of actual conditions and deepening cooperation with interested parties on green innovation. China will launch a Global Cross-Border Data Flow Cooperation Initiative, and seek deeper cooperation with other parties to promote efficient, convenient and secure cross-border data flows. China has put forward initiatives in the APEC framework concerning, among others, the application of digital bill of lading, capacity building on green supply chains, exchanges and dialogue on approaches to AI, and the digitalization of food supply chains, with a view to contributing to high-quality development of the Asia-Pacific.
Third, we need to uphold a universally beneficial and inclusive vision for Asia-Pacific development. We should make good use of the APEC platform to strengthen economic and technical cooperation. We should increase support for developing economies and disadvantaged groups, and work together to grow the pie and distribute it equitably to allow more economies and people to benefit from development. This year, Peru has been actively promoting cooperation on the transition from the informal economy to the formal and global economy. China welcomes this effort which dovetails with our development philosophy of putting people first, promoting social fairness and justice and improving the people's well-being. China will advance initiatives through the APEC platform on increasing residents' income and promoting the industrial cluster development of small and medium-sized enterprises, for the purpose of bringing about universally beneficial and inclusive development of Asia-Pacific economies.
China will host APEC 2026. We look forward to working with all parties to deepen Asia-Pacific cooperation to the benefit of the peoples in the region.
Colleagues,
Reform and opening up is a historic process in which China and the world achieve development and progress together. A few months ago, the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, at its third plenum, laid out systematic plans for further deepening reform across the board to advance Chinese modernization. More than 300 consequential reform measures were unveiled pertaining to building a high-standard socialist market economy, advancing high-quality economic development, promoting high-standard opening up, improving the people's quality of life, and building a beautiful country. China's further development will provide new opportunities for the Asia-Pacific region and the world at large.
An ancient Chinese sage observed, "A man of virtue, while establishing himself and pursuing success, also works to help others establish themselves and succeed." There is a similar saying in Latin America which goes, "The only way to be profitably national is to be generously universal." China welcomes all parties to continue riding the "express train" of its development and grow together with the Chinese economy so that we can all contribute to the modernization of all countries featuring peaceful development, mutually beneficial cooperation and common prosperity.
Thank you. ■
LIMA, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping gave a written speech at the APEC CEO Summit on Friday under the title "Keeping Abreast of the Trend of the Times and Jointly Promoting Prosperity Around the World."
Following is the English version of the full text of the speech.
Keeping Abreast of the Trend of the Times and Jointly Promoting Prosperity Around the World
Written Speech by H.E. Xi Jinping
President of the People's Republic of China
At the APEC CEO Summit
Lima, November 15, 2024
Representatives of the Business Community,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Friends,
I am very pleased to visit the beautiful city of Lima. It is truly heart-warming to set foot on this dynamic country again after eight years.
Although China and Latin America are thousands of miles apart, we have carried forward our exchanges in spite of the vast Pacific Ocean. As early as in the second half of the 16th century, the China Ships, laden with silk and porcelain, reached the far coast of Latin America, starting friendly interactions between China and the region.
Several hundred years later, today, China and Latin America and the entire Asia-Pacific are deeply woven into the fabric of economic globalization. We are now an interdependent community with common interests and a shared future. On the other hand, the world is in a new period of turbulence and transformation. Unbridled unilateralism and protectionism and an increasingly fragmented world economy threaten to reverse the trend toward economic globalization. The grave challenge for us is like sailing up a river -- we either forge ahead or drift downstream. Where will the Asia-Pacific economy be going? It is a decision we must make.
Economic globalization is an objective requirement of growing social productive forces. It is a natural outcome of advancement in science and technology and a mighty historical trend. Despite headwinds and undertows, economic globalization has always been the general trend. The attempt to block economic cooperation under all sorts of pretexts and break up the interdependence of the world is nothing but backpedaling.
Economic globalization is caught now in a tug of war between driving and obstructive forces, but the driving forces still prevail. New technological revolution and industrial transformation are getting more profound, and the world is moving faster to embrace a digital, green and smart economy. All this is building up powerful energy for further expedition of economic globalization down the road.
We should steer economic globalization in the right direction. We must reject the beaten path that a few countries have taken to pursue dominance and hegemony. We should see to it that economic globalization generates more positive outcomes and is taken to a new phase that is more dynamic, inclusive and sustainable.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Friends,
Tougher times call for greater confidence. We should join hands to promote a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization to the benefit of various countries and communities.
First, we should take innovation as the driving force for stronger growth of the world economy. Innovation is the source of productivity. We should make full use of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies to rev up the world economy and stimulate its growth with the current technological revolution. Advances in science and technology should benefit the entire humanity. We should help developing countries with their capacity building in science and technology and promote global flow of knowledge and technologies.
Second, we should keep pace with the times and reform the system of global economic governance. We should follow the principles of "plan together, build together and benefit together" to ensure that the global economic governance system better reflects the new reality of the world economic map. The representation and voice of the Global South should be enhanced continuously, and all countries should be ensured of equal rights, equal opportunities and equal rules in conducting international economic cooperation. We should uphold the WTO-centered multilateral trading regime, push for an open world economic system, and keep the global industrial and supply chains stable and smooth.
Third, we should always take the people-centered approach and seek to settle imbalances in development. Global prosperity and stability cannot be achieved when the rich get richer and the poor poorer. True development means common development of all countries. We should ensure people's well-being while seeking economic growth, and foster a development environment that is inclusive and beneficial for all. We should pursue economic globalization that is people-centered and delivers more balanced development and more equal opportunities, so that different countries, classes and communities can all benefit from development. China hopes that all parties will take an active part in the Global Development Initiative to help expedite the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and promote balanced and full development of all countries.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Friends,
APEC was born on the eve of the end of the Cold War when a new round of economic globalization was gradually emerging, and has since taken it as its mission to promote economic globalization. It has contributed immensely to boosting trade and investment liberalization and facilitation in the Asia-Pacific, economic mutual benefit between member economies, and the interests and well-being of the people in our region. Asia-Pacific economies have maintained robust growth and created the remarkable Asia-Pacific miracle.
The success of the Asia-Pacific is due to our firm commitment to peace and stability in the region, to our continuous practices of true multilateralism and open regionalism, and to our deep faith in the trend toward economic globalization as well as mutual benefit and mutual success.
The Asia-Pacific should remain the locomotive of economic globalization in the future. We should stay on the right course and seek to break new ground at the same time. While further burnishing the Asia-Pacific hallmark of openness and inclusiveness, we should make new brand-building efforts to foster a green and digital Asia-Pacific, build an Asia-Pacific community with a shared future, and usher in another 30 golden years of development for our region.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Friends,
Last July, the Communist Party of China held the Third Plenary Session of its 20th Central Committee, and adopted a comprehensive plan for further deepening reform across the board to advance Chinese modernization. More than 300 important reform measures were introduced at the meeting, and they will be fully implemented within five years. This will provide not only strong impetus for China's economic and social development, but also more opportunities for global development.
-- China will deepen reform comprehensively and continue to provide robust momentum for the world economy. China will build a high-standard socialist market economy, foster a fairer and more dynamic market environment, and make resource allocation as efficient and productive as possible. China is endeavoring to achieve breakthroughs in key areas such as reforming the fiscal and tax systems, building a unified national market and advancing new urbanization. It is taking targeted steps to boost consumption and increase domestic demand so as to improve the effectiveness of reforms. China has adopted a full range of major reform measures, which will give a vigorous boost to the rebounding and growth of the economy. We have full confidence in meeting the growth targets for this year and remaining the biggest engine of world economic growth.
-- China will advance high-quality development and continue to lead the efforts to improve the performance of the world economy. In the first half of this year, investment in China's high-tech manufacturing and service sectors achieved double-digit growth, and its economic structure and growth model improved steadily. China will continue to nurture new quality productive forces in line with actual conditions, promote deep integration of the real economy and digital economy, boost the service sector, further modernize infrastructure, and make industrial and supply chains more resilient. China is committed to high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and will work with all participants to put in place a network of connectivity featuring integrated land-sea transportation and coordinated development.
-- China will stay firmly on the path of green development and continue to be an important force for global green transition. In recent years, the "green quotient" in China's social and economic development has continued to rise. China has become the first country around the world with "zero increase" in land degradation, and its newly-added area of afforestation accounts for a quarter of the global total. China is actively expanding new energy sectors and facilitating international cooperation on green mining. It has achieved one of the world's fastest rates of energy intensity reduction. China's wind and solar power products have helped other countries reduce about 810 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions, and enabled them to access clean, reliable and affordable energy. All this has been an important part of the global effort to address climate change.
-- China will build new, open and higher-standard economic systems and continue to share China's development opportunities with the world. Opening up is a defining feature of Chinese modernization. Since the start of this year, China has lifted all restrictions on foreign investment in manufacturing, and established for the first time a nationwide negative-list system for cross-border trade in services. We have taken systematic steps to further open the telecom, Internet, education, culture, medical service and other sectors. We have also taken the initiative to apply high international standards of economic and trade rules, including those in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement (DEPA), as part of our plan to steadily enhance institutional opening up. We have expanded the coverage of the 144-hour visa-free transit policy to facilitate inbound visits to China, and "Travel to China" is getting very popular around the world. Going forward, China will introduce more policies for voluntary and unilateral opening up, expand its globally-oriented network of high-standard free trade areas, and open its door even wider to the world.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Friends,
As an ancient Chinese scholar said, "When eating fruits, one should remember the tree; When drinking water, one should remember the source." China's development is inseparable from the Asia-Pacific, and it will in turn further benefit the region. As a Latin American proverb goes, "Just as a ship is powered by its sails, people are inspired by their hearts." I am pleased to learn that "From Chancay to Shanghai" has become a fashionable saying in Peru, an echo to the China Ships that arrived here over 500 years ago. This fully shows that as long as we act in the spirit of openness and connectivity, the vast Pacific will become a thoroughfare for more prosperity and growth. Let us enhance our solidarity and cooperation, stand up together to the global challenges, jointly build a community with a shared future for mankind, and form a mighty force for the common prosperity of the world and a brighter future for humanity.
Thank you. ■
LIMA, Nov. 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping published a signed article in Peruvian media outlet El Peruano on Thursday under the title "China-Peru Friendship: Setting Sail Toward an Even Brighter Future" ahead of his state visit to Peru, where he will also attend the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting.
Following is an English version of the full text of the article:
China-Peru Friendship: Setting Sail Toward an Even Brighter Future
Xi Jinping
President of the People's Republic of China
Early summer in the Southern Hemisphere is a season brimming with vitality and hope. At the invitation of President Dina Boluarte, I will soon pay a state visit to the Republic of Peru and attend the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting.
This is my second visit to Peru, a "neighbor" of China across the Pacific Ocean, since I took office as President of the People's Republic of China. Peru is home to ancient civilizations such as Caral, Chavín, Chimú, and Inca. Peruvians endearingly refer to the Chinese people as paisano. Peru's Congress has recently declared every February 1 as the Peru-China Fraternity Day. Chinese restaurants in Peru are called chifa, which is similar to the Chinese word chifan, meaning dining. Every time I came here, I was overwhelmed by the friendly sentiments of the Peruvian people toward the Chinese people.
This bond of friendship and affection is rooted in the wisdom of our ancient civilizations. The Chinese civilization is the only one in the world that has continued uninterrupted for more than 5,000 years. The maritime civilization represented by Caral and the continental civilization represented by Inca are a testament to the time-honored history, profound richness, and tremendous diversity of the Peruvian civilization. It is widely believed in the archeology communities of China and other countries that the Chinese civilization and the civilizations of the Americas were in fact created by descendants of the same ancestors at different periods and different locations. Through the wisdom of our civilizations, our minds find common ground and our hearts resonate. The Chinese people always regard "sincerity as a fundamental principle" and "benevolence as an essential virtue." The Incas believe in the rules of "Do not steal, do not lie, and do not be lazy." Peruvian thinker José Carlos Mariátegui once said, "Spiritually and materially, China is closer to us than Europe. The psychology of our people is more Asian than Western." This is the "code of civilization" that explains the inseparable bond between immigrants of Chinese origin and the local people, forged through seamless integration and familial ties over the past 175 years. A documentary titled From the Great Wall to Machu Picchu will soon premiere in Peru under the auspices of the broadcasting and television authorities of the two countries. Also to be screened in Peru are a number of popular Chinese film and television productions including 3 Body Problem. I believe that they will help our Peruvian friends know more about China.
This bond of friendship and affection is a legacy that shines brightly across the ages through our respective histories. Many told me that Chinese and Peruvian peoples would feel an instant warmth upon their first encounters and would have a déjà vu when appreciating each other's ancient artifacts. For example, the gold masks of the Incas unearthed in Peru are strikingly similar to the gold masks uncovered at an archeological site at Sanxingdui in China's Sichuan Province. The Intihuatana stone on an altar in the ancient city of Machu Picchu, which the Incas used to mark the seasons and compose calendars according to changes of solar shadows, was in fact based on the same principle that inspired the creation of sundials in ancient China. The people of the ancient Shu kingdom in what is now China's Sichuan Province expressed reverence for the sun and the sun god through the image of a soaring sunbird. The Inca civilization expressed its sun worship the same way. The longing for brightness was valued in both of our cultures. Last year, the "Journey Through Civilization" exhibition arrived in Peru as part of its world tour. "The Inca Sky Road South American Continental Andean Culture Exhibition" and the "Inca and Their Tawantinsuyo: The Land of Four Quarters" were on display in China. These events are an immediate hit among our peoples. An exhibition of "Great Ancient Civilizations: China and the Tawantinsuyo in Peru" is now jointly held by the two countries in Peru. You are most welcome to visit the exhibition to see the remarkable commonality and connections between our splendid civilizations.
The bond of our friendship and affection has become stronger through China-Peru win-win cooperation. Peru is one of the first Latin American countries to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China. For over 50 years, our bilateral relations have been progressing steadily. Especially since the elevation of our relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2013, our ties have grown stronger and our practical cooperation fruitful, bringing tangible benefits to our peoples. In fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, China sent a medical expert team to Peru. We also provided vaccines and other medical supplies to the best of our ability. We have proven through concrete actions that China is a trustworthy friend that Peru can rely on in crucial moments. Peru is the first Latin American country to sign a package FTA with China. It is also among the first in Latin America to participate in cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative. China has been Peru's largest trading partner and largest export market for 10 consecutive years. Last year, Peru's exports to China accounted for 36 percent of its total exports. Chinese businesses have an investment stock of about US$ 30 billion in Peru. The Las Bambas copper mine, a project with investment from Chinese enterprises, contributes to about 1 percent of Peru's GDP, creating tens of thousands of job opportunities. The Saúl Garrido Rosillo Hospital in Tumbes, a project undertaken by a Chinese enterprise, will serve over 100,000 local residents. The water project in the three districts of Lima will enable more than 400,000 people to access clean water and sanitation services.
As an ancient Chinese saying goes, "Bringing benefit to the people is the fundamental principle of governance." There is also a Peruvian saying, "The voice of the people is the voice of God." Both China and Peru are striving for a better life for the people. We must build on our traditional friendship to expand and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation across the board, and make it more responsive to the requirements of the new era. The third plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China in July made systemic plans for further deepening reform comprehensively to advance Chinese modernization. This means new opportunities for Peru and the world, and promises a bright future for China-Peru mutually beneficial cooperation.
During my upcoming visit, President Boluarte and I will attend via video the inauguration ceremony of Chancay Port. This is not only an important project under Belt and Road cooperation, but also the first smart port in South America. The first phase of the project, when completed, will reduce the sea shipping time from Peru to China to 23 days, thus cutting logistics costs by at least 20 percent. It is expected to generate US$ 4.5 billion in yearly revenues for Peru and create over 8,000 direct jobs. The completion of Chancay Port will enable Peru to put in place a multi-dimensional, diverse and efficient network of connectivity spanning from coast to inland, from Peru to Latin America and further on to the Caribbean. It will also help build an Inca Trail of the New Era with Chancay Port as its starting point, thus boosting the overall development and integration of the region. The port's development plan also includes establishing animal rescue services to fulfill its social responsibility for the rescue and protection of penguins, seals, and birds and to improve the environment of wetlands, beaches, and habitats. It is thus very important that we work together to ensure the success of Chancay Port from construction through operation, so that the route from Chancay to Shanghai will lead China, Peru and Latin America to common development and prosperity. China is also ready to launch in Peru more "small and beautiful" livelihood cooperation projects, open more Luban Workshops and centers for Chinese language learning, and strengthen cooperation on vocational education. We will encourage Chinese companies to create more jobs and fulfill their social responsibilities in Peru, making our paisano friendship more tangible and beneficial.
Our two countries should embrace the responsibility of our times concerning mutual learning among civilizations. We should strengthen exchange and cooperation in culture, arts, education, scientific research, tourism, youth, cultural heritage protection, archeology and other areas. We should take more measures to facilitate personnel exchanges to garner greater public support for our relations. We should enhance cooperation under the framework of the Ancient Civilizations Forum. We should explore the establishment of a global network for dialogue and cooperation among civilizations, and support their exchanges and mutual learning. We should ensure that civilizations, diverse in many ways, complement each other and shine brightly together, just like the multicolored pools of China's Jiuzhaigou and Peru's Salt Terraces of Maras, thus making greater contributions to the progress of human civilization.
This will be the third time that APEC economic leaders meet in Peru after the country successfully hosted the meetings of 2008 and 2016. The themes of the three meetings, from "A New Commitment to Asia-Pacific Development" to "Quality Growth and Human Development," and on to this year's "Empower, Include, Grow," attest to Peru's firm resolve to promote an open Asia-Pacific economy and world economic growth. They also represent a strong "Lima Voice" for openness, inclusiveness, and win-win cooperation. China firmly supports Peru's presidency of APEC and will work closely with Peru to ensure a successful and productive meeting, enhance Asia-Pacific cooperation with a "Lima Imprint," and make new contributions to building an Asia-Pacific community with a shared future.
The world is undergoing faster transformation unseen in a century. Humanity has again come to a crossroads in history. To fully appreciate the grandeur of the Nazca Lines, we must view them from a height because at the ground level, their true splendor remains hidden from view.
To quote a Chinese poem to the same effect, "Fear not the clouds that obscure your view, for you stand atop the highest summit." China is ready to join Peru in embracing a broader vision and grasping the underlying trends of our times from a long historical perspective to champion true multilateralism, promote an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, jointly implement the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, and build together a community with a shared future for mankind.
As our friends in Latin America often say, without courage, one will never conquer the mountains or cross the sea. On a new historical juncture, China is ready to work hand in hand with our Peruvian friends with one heart and with the same goal and steer the ship of our friendship toward an even brighter future. ■
WUHAN, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Chinese president, and chairman of the Central Military Commission, emphasized the need for Hubei Province to thoroughly implement the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress and the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee. He was on an inspection tour in the province. He stressed the importance for the province to uphold the principle of pursuing development while ensuring stability, and have a clear understanding of its mission and task in forging the new development paradigm. Hubei was urged to leverage its local strengths, and work diligently, ambitiously, continuously and effectively to pioneer high-quality development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt, work faster to build itself into a strategic fulcrum for the rise of the central region, and write its own chapter in Chinese modernization.
From Nov. 4 to 6, accompanied by Secretary of the CPC Hubei Provincial Committee Wang Menghui and Governor Wang Zhonglin, Xi visited the cities of Xiaogan, Xianning, and Wuhan, where he traveled to a number of places, including a museum, a farm, a village, and a research institute for scientific, technological and industrial innovations.
On the afternoon of Nov. 4, Xi visited the Yunmeng County Museum in Xiaogan to view an exhibition of unearthed bamboo slips dating back to Qin and Han dynasties. The display of eighteen types of Qin laws indicates that over 2,200 years ago, ancient China's legal system had already been systematically established. Xi listened to detailed presentations on what the bamboo slips are about, their historical and cultural values, and how they have been preserved and studied. He pointed out that China should continue to strengthen archaeological research and improve the protection of cultural artifacts, so as to provide solid support for carrying forward the best of traditional Chinese culture and boosting cultural confidence. In this way, the treasures of Chinese civilization will be well preserved to benefit future generations, and inspire people to constantly enhance national pride and self-confidence.
On the morning of Nov. 5, Xi went to Jiayu County in Xianning City, where he visited a vegetable farm in Panjiawan Township. It was late autumn, but before people's eyes, greens were everywhere and full of vibrancy. Xi went into the field to inspect the growth of vegetables and asked about vegetable varieties, planting techniques and sales in detail. He stressed that the countryside offers vast opportunities, and agriculture holds great potential. To develop modern agriculture and build a strong agricultural sector, continuous advancement of science and technology is a must, and a good job must be done to make it possible for scientific and technological progress to help advance agricultural modernization, Xi said. He encouraged local officials and residents to apply science and technology, enhance product quality and build reputable brands, and do an even better job in planting vegetables which can directly benefit residents, so as to increase income for more people.
Xi then visited Siyi Village in Panjiawan. He visited the village's elderly care service station and public service center, inspecting the elderly-care facilities and local amenities and services, and learning about the operation of the village-level organizations and their efforts in tackling pointless formalities to reduce burdens on primary-level officials. He said that the role of Party building should be given better play to promote work in other sectors, and taking good care of elderly people and children should be the focus, so as to address people's concerns and difficulties in a targeted and effective manner. He also called for efforts to continuously reduce burdens on grassroots officials, to ensure that they can dedicate more time and energy to serving the people.
At the home of villager Xiong Chenglong, Xi carefully looked at the family's living environment, sat with them, and asked about their production, the employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for the younger generation, their income, and their access to elderly-care and healthcare services. He was pleased to know that the basic public service system in both urban and rural areas has been continuously improved over recent years, and that farmers' living standards and their access to cultural services are constantly improving. He expressed the hope that the family will continue their efforts to manage their work and life well, nurture their children well, and live an even better life.
When Xi was leaving, villagers warmly bid farewell to the general secretary. Xi told them that to advance Chinese modernization, it is a must to accelerate rural revitalization, with a primary focus on developing industries that can increase people's income. Xi expressed his hope that, under the Party's leadership, villagers will work together diligently to make their specialty industries more profitable, make their village even more beautiful, and collectively create a happy and prosperous life.
On the afternoon of Nov. 5, Xi visited the Wuhan Institute of Industrial Innovation and Development to view demonstrations of the technology innovation supply chain platform and its achievements. He learned about the measures adopted to promote technological innovation and had in-depth discussions with researchers and enterprise leaders. He emphasized that achieving high-level self-reliance and strength in science and technology and developing new quality productive forces have entailed urgent demands for the integration of technological and industrial innovations. He called on scientific and technological workers and entrepreneurs to boost their confidence, aim high, take collaborative steps and make new progress in raising the overall efficiency of the innovation system and building a modern industrial system.
On the morning of Nov 6, Xi listened to work reports from the CPC Hubei Provincial Committee and the Hubei provincial government. He commended what the province has achieved in various aspects of its work and put forward clear requirements for the work in the future.
Xi noted that Hubei has prominent strengths in science and education talent cultivation and a relatively strong capability for sci-tech innovation. It is therefore imperative for the province to strive forward in terms of sci-tech and industrial innovation. He called on Hubei to integrate into the national innovation chain, work hard to create a sci-tech innovation center with national influence, and better play its role as a hub in this regard. Xi also said that Hubei should strengthen the integration of innovation, industrial, capital and talent chains with a focus on key industries, achieve more breakthroughs in core technologies in key fields, build a mechanism to promote collaborative innovation in large, medium and small-sized enterprises, and promote the application of scientific and technological advances. It is imperative for the province to take simultaneous steps to upgrade and transform traditional industries while fostering and boosting emerging and future-oriented industries, said Xi, who also called on Hubei to develop new quality productive forces in accordance with local conditions and create more well-known brands. He urged the province to prioritize the work to restore the ecosystem of the Yangtze River, build a modern water network that is safe and resilient, push forward comprehensive governance in the Yangtze River basin and take solid steps to enforce the ten-year fishing ban.
Xi stressed that Hubei should be bold to make explorations in comprehensively deepening reform and expanding high-level opening up. It is imperative to deliver good results in reform in key sectors and links, integrate into the building of a unified national market, and build a market that is fairer and more vigorous. It is imperative for the province to unswervingly consolidate and develop the public sector and unswervingly encourage, support, and guide the development of the non-public sector, and promote the common development of enterprises under diverse forms of ownership. He also called on Hubei to open up to both the domestic and international markets, forge an inland highland for opening up, deepen regional cooperation, and optimize the industrial layout in an orderly manner. He called on the province to deepen the integrated reform in domestic and foreign trade, actively participate in the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative, and systematically enhance its function as a hub for opening up.
Xi urged Hubei to proactively advance integrated urban-rural development and all-around rural revitalization. With the Wuhan metropolitan area as the center, the province was urged to promote the development of city clusters along the middle reaches of the Yangtze River. Xi called for strengthened efforts to promote the new-type urbanization with a focus on county seats, and develop county economies based on their unique characteristics. He called on Hubei to keep in mind its responsibilities concerning grain production, and make solid efforts to secure output and ensure the supply of key farm produce, as well as improve the agricultural sector's development quality and benefits by tapping into the potential of specialty industries and developing a diversified rural economy. Xi underlined the efforts to consolidate and expand the achievements in poverty alleviation, and speed up the revitalization and development of old revolutionary base areas. The province was urged to promote the development of the system for guaranteeing basic public services and advance primary-level governance in an integrated manner, and make solid efforts to ensure people's livelihoods. He also called for extensive efforts to promote cultural-ethical progress in both urban and rural areas, as well as further change outdated social mores.
Highlighting Hubei's profound historical and cultural heritage and rich revolutionary resources, Xi urged the province to proactively strengthen the conservation of cultural resources and promote innovative development of the cultural sector. Hubei was urged to systematically advance the protection, inheritance, and proactive application of historical and cultural heritage, and strengthen research into the origins of the Yangtze River civilization and relevant public communication. Xi called on the province to vigorously promote the spirit of the Dabie Mountains, the spirit demonstrated in the battle against major floods, and the spirit demonstrated in the fight against COVID-19, and widely apply core socialist values. Hubei should implement cultural projects for the people, and actively develop new forms of cultural industry, so as to provide more high-quality cultural products and services to the people. Xi called on the province to develop premium cultural tourism brands and routes, cultivating the cultural tourism sector into a pillar industry.
Xi pointed out that Hubei should strengthen Party building by focusing on promoting development through reform, and strive to boost the morale and enterprise of Party members and officials, who should be bold enough to pioneer and innovate, and at the same time persevere in implementing relevant policies and plans. They should make bold moves in their work and know how to collaborate with others, so as to make achievements that can stand the test of time and win the support of the people. The province was urged to strengthen the building of primary-level Party organizations and forge a strong bastion to ensure the implementation of the Party's policies. Xi called for efforts to make the study of Party discipline regular and effective, to unremittingly improve Party conduct, enforce Party discipline and combat corruption, and to continuously consolidate and develop a clean and upright political ecology.
Xi stressed that since there are less than two months left this year, all work, especially economic work, should be further strengthened and implemented to achieve the economic and social development goals for the whole year.
He Lifeng and leading officials of relevant central Party and state departments accompanied Xi on the inspection tour. ■
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