Chinese President Xi Jinping appeared in public when he visited Hainan province on April 10 and 11 accompanied by Liu He, Ding Xuexiang, and He Lifeng. He was in Wuzhishan City on April 11, and successively inspected the Wuzhishan area of Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park and Mauna Village and Shuiman Township. Xinhua (April 12) emphasised his remarks that "The rural revitalization work must be done in a solid and down-to-earth manner.

The state-owned CCTV (April 13) reported that Chinese Premier Li Keqiang presided over an executive meeting of the State Council on April 13 to discuss policies and measures to promote consumption, help stabilize the economic fundamentals and ensure the improvement of people's livelihood. It decided to further increase policy support such as export tax rebates to promote the stable development of foreign trade; and measures to increase financial support for the real economy to guide the reduction of financing costs for market players. The meeting pointed out that consumption has a lasting driving force for the economy and is related to ensuring and improving people's livelihood.

At the same time Chinese Premier Li Keqiang was in Jiangxi and Zhao Leji was on inspection in Hunan. During his inspection of Jiangxi province, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang will visit the Weilu Water Conservation Project; Nanchang Cross-border E-commerce Business Park; Dingjia Village - inspecting agriculture (here: rice); and Geely's new energy vehicles.

A Hongkong paper was cited by Nikkei Asia as reporting that the 20th Party Congress is to be held in November 2022.

A Commentator's article in China's leading Party theoretical fortnightly Qiu Shi (Seeking Truth) on April 14 highlighted that "Under the personal planning, deployment and promotion of General Secretary Xi Jinping, and under the scientific guidance of the overall national security concept, national security in the new era has made historic achievements. National security has been comprehensively strengthened, the national security system has been basically formed, the national security capability has been significantly improved, the people's defense line has been strengthened, and the national security awareness of the whole people has been significantly enhanced. Resolutely safeguard regime security, institutional security, and ideological security, resist and counter extreme external suppression and containment, push the situation in Hong Kong to achieve a major transition from chaos to governance, carry out indepth struggles involving Taiwan, Xinjiang, Tibet, and the sea, and make steady progress. Promoting the border and enriching the people, stabilizing the border and consolidating the border, properly handling surrounding security risks, and the anti-infiltration, anti-terrorism and anti-separatist struggles have been fruitful." Exhorting cadres it said, "we must grasp the key to "overall". We must establish the concept of big security, integrating politics, military, land, economy, finance, culture, society, technology, network, food, ecology, resources, nuclear, overseas interests, space, deep sea, polar regions, biology, artificial intelligence, data, etc."

A lengthy article in Guangming Daily (April 13) titled "Adhering to the supremacy of the people is a distinguishing mark of the Chinese Communist Party from Western political parties" took the History Resolution as its starting point. It pointed out inter alia that "Western political parties represent the interests of various monopoly groups and safeguard the interests of the minority. In the face of the epidemic, whether or not to put the safety and health of the people at the top of the list is one of the significant differences between the Chinese Communist Party and Western political parties. China's anti-epidemic practice has proved that the Chinese Communist Party cares about the people and will spare no expense for the safety and health of the people. This is absolutely impossible for Western political parties that pursue capital first and vote first."

The Party Building Research Base of New Era Inner Mongolia Universities, the School of Marxism of Shanghai Normal University, and the Research Base of the Integration of Ideological and Political Courses for Universities, Middle Schools and Primary Schools in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region jointly sponsored an online theoretical conference on "Study and Implement the Spirit of the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee of the Party" on April 9.

The Henan Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection and Supervision published (April 13) an interesting article on "civil rights" and the transfer by "Party members and public officials of some of their personal rights for the benefit of all Chinese people and the entire Chinese nation". The article stressed the need for Party members to voluntarily transfer some of their civil rights when they join a party organization or enter a public office, so as to perform the obligations and duties of party members and public officials. It acknowledged that, "in practice, there are still problems of unclear understanding and inaccurate grasp of the transfer of civil rights by party members and public officials". Stating it is necessary to clear misunderstandings, it said "There is a view that party members and public officials, as citizens of the country, enjoy all legal rights on an equal basis with other citizens, and the transfer of party rights lacks a legal basis and violates the spirit of the rule of law. This understanding is one-sided and wrong". It asserted "There are no absolute rights in the world, and the inviolability and restriction of legal rights go hand in hand." It said, "the transfer of rights of party members should not be equal to everyone and that, according to the regulations, leading cadres should report personal matters closely related to family affairs and family property, and cadres at the township level and below are not within the scope of the regulations that must be reported". It also distinguished between ordinary citizens who have the freedom to drive luxury cars and wear famous watches, and party members some of whom "live extravagant lives, talk about pomp and ostentation, and violate the principles of integrity and self-discipline and the spirit of the eight central regulations on thrift and luxury, hardship and simplicity, and diligence and thrift."

The NPC Standing Committee will consider three documents relating to the 14th NPC elections. Two concern the allocation of seats in the 14th NPC: one would allocate all 3,000 seats among the 35 electoral units (i.e., the 31 mainland provinces, Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, and the Chinese military), and the other would more specifically allocate the 360 seats reserved for ethnicity minorities among the 55 officially recognized minority groups and relevant electoral units. The third document lays down rules for selecting the delegation purportedly representing Taiwan in the 14th NPC. The document is likely to create an ad hoc “consultative election meeting” consisting of representatives of “compatriots of Taiwanese ancestry” who hail from all mainland provinces, central Party and state organs, and the military. The meeting is expected to convene next January to select the 13 delegates who will make up the Taiwanese delegation. The NPCSC is expected to approve all three documents at the upcoming session.

Guizhou province's legislative plan for 2022 published on April 8 includes "social credit regulations". The 'Guizhou Provincial People's Congress Standing Committee 2022 Legislative Plan' was adopted at the 30th meeting of the Standing Committee of the 13th Guizhou Provincial People's Congress on January 11, 2022. The detailed notice disclosed that the 'Guizhou Province Social Credit Regulations (Draft)' is among eight regulations being reviewed by the Standing Committee of the 13th Provincial People's Congress.

According to Caixin (April 12) China's Ministry of Education reported that 10.76 million Chinese students are expected to leave college campuses this year, the largest group of graduates in China's history and 1.67 million more than last year. According to leading recruitment service Zhaopin.com, job openings for new graduates declined 4.5% in the first quarter this year from a year ago. The gap between college graduates' job expectations and the market's demands is visible. Data from the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security (MHRSS) showed that manufacturing accounted for the largest portion, 38.7%, of demand for talent in China, followed by the wholesale and retail sectors. But college graduates' most desirable jobs are mostly in sectors including internet and communications, real estate and construction, culture and media, and finance, data from Zhaopin.com showed. Graduates are either unwilling or unable to do jobs in sectors that have the most urgent needs for workers, analysts said. A 2021 survey by recruitment site 51job.com showed that 39% of students from China's top-ranking universities preferred state-owned enterprises (SOEs) in their job hunts, reflecting risk aversion and a desire for stability, according to Feng Lijun, a human resources expert at 51job.com.

Bloomberg (April 12) reported that Chinese Premier Li Keqiang had issued a third warning about economic growth risks in less than a week, suggesting heightened concern about the outlook as widespread Covid lockdowns disrupt production and spending. At a seminar on April 11, he said authorities should “add a sense of urgency” when implementing existing policies and that China will study and adopt stronger economic policies as needed to support the economy.

The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the State Council jointly on April 10 issued a key document titled “Opinions about accelerating the establishment of a unified domestic market” that prescribed new measures to break down local protectionism and other blockages that restrict local consumption. The document was to clarify issues concerning 'dual circulation' and promote it. (Comment: The dual circulation strategy was first announced in May 2020 by the Politburo Standing Committee of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and later revised by Xi to prioritize “internal circulation.”)

Bloomberg (April 13) reported that Chinese firms sold $3.8 billion worth of goods to Russia in March, official data showed Wednesday, a 7.7% drop from a year earlier. That was the lowest amount since May 2020, when global trade was badly affected by the outbreak of Covid19.

Nomura Securities (April 14) says China is facing a "rising risk of recession", with as many as 45 cities now implementing either full or partial lockdowns, making up 26.4% of the country's population and 40.3% of its GDP.

China's Zhang Han Financial magazine on April 9 published an article on what plans China should have for the anticipated 400 million middle income earners in 10 years.

China's largest Covid outbreak since the beginning of the pandemic has struck Shanghai and the number of infections are already overwhelming hospitals and medical staff compelling authorities to reverse policy and place the city of 26 million inhabitants under lockdown. All 26 million residents are to be tested in the coming weeks. According to the Associated Press, the lockdown provides that citizens in locked-down areas, except for those providing essential services, will not be allowed to leave their neighbourhoods; Offices and all businesses not considered essential will be closed and public transport suspended; and Deliveries will be left at special checkpoints.

Reuters (April 14) reported that six US Senators, including the Chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Bob Menendez, landed in Taiwan on April 14 for a previously unannounced visit, in a show of support to the island in the face of Chinese pressure. They arrived by a special US Aircraft and were received by Taiwan Foreign Minister Joseph Wu. The Senators include Lindsey Graham, Burr, Rob Portman, Sasse and Representative Ronny Jackson.

The Indian Express (April 10) reported that around the time Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited India last month, Beijing sent Delhi a proposal on disengagement of troops from Patrolling Point 15 in the Hot Springs area of eastern Ladakh. The proposal was rejected by India. It said Government sources said China proposed that Indian troops, who have been in an eyeball-to-eyeball confrontation with Chinese troops at PP 15 for almost two years now, move back to the Karam Singh Post between PP 16 and PP 17 and in return the Chinese would move their troops to just behind the LAC. It quoted sources saying this was unacceptable because China's claim line and India's understanding of the LAC intersect at PP15. It would also mean that Indian troops move back several kilometres while Chinese troops move back very little. One officer said, "While they will move back to just behind PP 15, they are asking us to relinquish even PP 16 which has never been claimed by the Chinese". They added that PP 15 has come into contention only now and never in the past.

Six of China's People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) Y-20 transport planes landed at Belgrade’s civilian airport early on April 9, reportedly carrying HQ-22 surface-to-air missile systems for the Serbian military. The Chinese cargo planes with military markings were pictured at Belgrade’s Nikola Tesla airport. Serbia’s defense ministry did not immediately respond to AP’s request for comment. “The Y-20s’ appearance raised eyebrows because they flew en masse as opposed to a series of single-aircraft flights,” wrote The Warzone online magazine. “The Y-20′s presence in Europe in any numbers is also still a fairly new development.” Serbian military analyst Aleksandar Radic said that “the Chinese carried out their demonstration of force.” The arms delivery over the territory of at least two NATO member states, Turkey, and Bulgaria, was seen by experts as a demonstration of China’s growing global reach. (Comment: Serbia apparently placed the order in 2019.)

An article in CNN (April 13) confirmed other reports that Chinese Twitter users are very proRussian in their views of the war in Ukraine. It claimed that anonymous Twitter users are exposing the extreme nationalism and pro-Russian sentiment circulating online in China — and Beijing is not happy about it. It cited the example of a prominent military blog falsely claiming a Russian attack on a train station in Kramatorsk was actually carried out by Ukraine, a well-known media commentator dismissing the atrocities in Bucha, and a vlogger with hundreds of thousands of followers using a misogynistic term for Ukraine. CNN disclosed that the Twitter posts are often hash tagged "The Great Translation Movement," or shared by an account with the same name. It's run by a decentralized, anonymous team that crowdsources the collection and translation of popular posts on Ukraine and other hot topics, according to its administrator. The account was only launched in early March but has already made plenty of friends and enemies, attracting 116,000 followers (and counting) and a slew of criticism from China's state-run media. The overseas arm of the People's Daily — the mouthpiece of China's ruling Communist Party — has accused the anonymous translators of attributing the "extreme remarks" of some netizens to the "whole country." Nationalistic tabloid Global Times has accused the group of being "Chinese-speaking bad faith actors," and one of its opinion writers claimed the group included "foreign hostile forces" perpetuating "psychological warfare against China."

Duowei News (April 12) reported that South Korea's Yonhap News Agency quoting the US Naval Research Institute (USNI) said on April 11, that the US Navy's "Abraham Lincoln" nuclear-powered aircraft carrier (CVN-72, 100,000-ton class) sailed into the high seas of eastern South Korea on April 11. It added that this is the first time a U.S. aircraft carrier has entered the eastern waters of the Korean Peninsula after 4 years and 5 months since November 2017. Separately, according to Kyodo News, the Japanese Ministry of Defense announced on April 11 that an intelligence-gathering ship of the Chinese Navy had passed through the Tsushima Strait and entered the Sea of Japan from the East China Sea on April 11. It said that the intelligence-gathering ship of the Chinese Navy sailed about 130 kilometres southwest of Tsushima, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan around noon on April 11 and then passed northward between Tsushima and Iki to enter the Sea of Japan. Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force ships and patrol planes monitored its passage though China's Ministry of National Defence had not confirmed its presence till April 13.

The CCP's official newspaper People’s Daily published four additional Zhong Sheng commentaries on the United States’ supposed role in starting the “Ukraine crisis.” They were titled “Who Is Intentionally Prolonging Conflict?”, “Weaponizing the Economy Will Inevitably Turn on Itself,”, “Clinging to Cold War Thinking Undermines International Security Cooperation,” and “The ‘Defender’ of Human Rights is Actually a ‘False Defender,’” . The articles were critical of the US and blamed it for starting and profiting from the conflict. The commentary, titled “Clinging to Cold War Thinking Undermines International Security Cooperation, “while trying to repress China and Russia and viewing them as “primary strategic competitors,” the US was clinging to rigid Cold War thinking and intensifying regional and global security tensions.”

The People's Daily's Zhongsheng article on April 13 was not on the Ukraine war but on Japan's push to discharge radioactive water into the sea, which is "a serious betrayal of international morality and obligations under international law"

Writing in Nikkei Asia on March 24, Katsuji Nakazawa revealed that on the night of March 19, gunfire rang out in central Beijing, sending shivers through the Zhongnanhai area, where Chinese dignitaries have their offices. The sound of gunfire sparked rumours of a coup. The true nature of the gunfire remains unknown.

The Guangming Daily (March 22) published a lengthy article emphasising Party Unity. Captioned 'To take the new road to take the exam, we must always maintain the unity of the party', it was authored by Sun Cunliang of the Research Center of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, Ministry of Education. The article included 11 references to Xi Jinping.

The People's Daily (March 22) published a lengthy article on the United Front captioned 'Take responsibility for the strength of unity and struggle (People's Discussion)' authored by Zhou Fan, Deputy Secretary and Vice President of the Party Leadership Group of the Central Institute of Socialism.

A China Eastern Airlines Boeing 737-800 with 132 people on board crashed on March 21 in the mountains in southern China on a domestic flight following a sudden descent from cruising altitude. Media said there was no sign of survivors.

Caixin (March 21) reported that following the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on March 8 naming five Chinese companies that could eventually be delisted from U.S. exchanges because American regulators can’t get access to their audit work papers, two days later U.S.-traded Chinese stocks began to fall in a plunge that lasted three straight trading days. During those three days, the Nasdaq Golden Dragon China Index, which tracks more than 90 Chinese stocks traded in the U.S., fell more than 10% each day. The sell-off spread beyond U.S. borders, with the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index, which tracks Chinese mainland companies listed in Hong Kong, plummeting 15.6% from March 11 to March 15 and the mainland benchmark CSI 300 Index shedding 7.5% in the latter two days. (Comment: The fall in Chinese stocks reflects the uncertainty caused also by the Ukraine crisis and threats of sanctions against China.)

The People's Daily (March 23) reported that from 2012-21, the number of private enterprises in China increased from 10.857 million to 44.575 million and the proportion of private enterprises of all enterprises increased from 79.4% to 92.1%.

Caixin (March 21) reported that the Shanghai-based UCloud Technology Co. Ltd. displayed six new products focusing on community governance, transportation, manufacturing, industrial complex management, education, and elder care, at a virtual launch event in mid-March as it hopes to sell surveillance powered by artificial intelligence (AI) to businesses to help turn around its widening losses.

The Economic Daily (March 22) reported that the percentage of high-skilled personnel in China increased from 4% in the early 2000s to 20% now. Saying that problems such as "difficulty in finding employment" and "difficulty in recruiting" have become more prominent in recent years, it said one of the reasons is that it is difficult for the front-line skilled talents who mainly focus on operation to adapt to the requirements of high-quality development. It recommended a focus on the needs of enterprise development. by trying to make up for shortcomings and shortage of skilled talents, provide multi-level learning and training opportunities for a large number of workers, and improving the system of using, evaluating, selecting, and motivating skilled talents to solve the new situation. It also suggested a modern vocational education system to solve the problem of insufficient quantity of high-quality human capital. It recommended integration of industry and education, school-enterprise cooperation, and attracting more young people to receive vocational skills education. It called for getting more high-quality technical and technical personnel, skilled craftsmen, and craftsmen from major countries. The third suggestion was on improving the employment skills of retired military personnel. Saying that retired soldiers generally have responsibility and good execution, it said they need to be provided with skills that are in line with the development of the industrial chain and innovation chain, so as to transform the "rich mine" of retired soldiers into promoting economic growth. talent "bonus".

China's Shanghai-based official 'Paper' (March 23) published a detailed assessment of the economic fallout of the war in Ukraine. It assessed that "In the short term, the RussianUkrainian conflict is leading to a rapid deterioration of the world economic outlook, and the European economy will be severely affected; in the long term, the Russian-Ukrainian conflict may lead to changes in energy trade, reconfiguration of supply chains, fragmentation of payment networks, and prompts countries Reconsider its holdings of foreign exchange reserves, which could fundamentally alter the global economic and geopolitical order." It said in articles and research papers the IMF and OECD said that "in the short term, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine is causing the world economic prospects to deteriorate rapidly, and the European economy will be severely affected; in the long run, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine may fundamentally change the global economic and geopolitical order." It specifically noted that on March 15 a number of IMF officials, including Director of the Asia-Pacific Department Li Changyong, jointly wrote an article highlighting "the negative impact of the situation in Ukraine and sanctions against Russia". They believe "on the global economy is mainly transmitted through three channels: first, rising prices of commodities such as food and energy will further push up inflation, thereby eroding residents’ income and suppressing demand; , Ukraine's neighbouring economies will face disruptions in trade, supply chains and remittances, and a historic surge in the number of refugees. Third, declining business confidence and rising uncertainty will weigh on asset prices, leading to tighter financial conditions and potentially stimulating international Capital flows out of emerging markets." Saying that "latest OECD estimates that the conflict between Russia and Ukraine may reduce global economic growth this year by at least 1 percentage point and increase inflation by 2.5 percentage points", it added that the "conflict will make Europe feel "the most pain" and the European economy will suffer the most." It further said that "IMF officials pointed out that in the long run, the RussianUkrainian conflict could lead to changes in energy trade, reconfiguration of supply chains, fragmentation of payment networks, and prompt countries to reconsider their foreign exchange reserves, which will fundamentally change the global economy and geography political order."

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi arrived in India on the night of March 24 after an unannounced visit to Kabul and earlier visiting Islamabad where he attended a meeting of the OIC and expressed support for an independent Kashmir. He said "On Kashmir, we have heard again today the calls of many of our Islamic friends. And China shares the same hope". Wang Yi will be meeting the EAM Dr S Jaishankar and NSA Ajit Doval. Foreign Secretary Shringla will brief the press at 4.00pm on March 25.

A translation of an article published on the Chinese popular portal 'guancha' by Chen Jing, Director of R&D, Asia Vision Technology, was republished by Asia Times on March 23 with the caption 'China-India ties ‘to ease’ after 2020-22 clashes'. The article, timed to coincide with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's and which visit was implicitly critical of India, made 4 points recommending improvement in India-China ties. Anticipatedly, it sought to project that India needed China to boost its economy.

Criticising US President Joe Biden's remark singling out India for its "shaky" response to Russia's military operation against Ukraine, the Global Times (March 22) said "There is no motivation for New Delhi to serve Washington's interests at the cost of harming its own relationship with Moscow. As an independent country, India has the right to make diplomatic decisions in line with its own interests and the reality." It quoted Li Haidong, a Professor from the Institute of International Relations of China Foreign Affairs University, as saying "It shows the US' deep disrespect for India." The article asserted "The so-called anti-Russia united "democratic front" cannot be established."

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on March 21 discussed ways to further strengthen the "iron-clad friendship" between the two countries and later signed five agreements to deepen their bilateral cooperation in various fields. They exchanged views on bilateral strategic, economic and security cooperation, COVID-19 pandemic, the situation in Ukraine and regional and international issues of mutual interest. Wang Yi is in Islamabad to attend the 48th session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation Council of Foreign Ministers (OIC-CFM) as a special guest at the invitation of Qureshi. In a tweet Qureshi highlighted that this is the first time China is participating in an OIC session and expressed confidence that "interactions with OIC country counterparts will further strengthen engagement." Speaking at the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) on March 22, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan raked up the Kashmir issue, hitting out at India over its "illegal" decision to abrogate Article 370. Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi also called for collective response from the 57-member OIC to meet challenges faced by the Muslim community, highlighting conflicts in the Middle East and the "denial of the right to selfdetermination" for the people of Palestine and Kashmir. He said "We have failed both the Palestinians and the people of Kashmir. I am sad to say that we have been able to make no impact at all.

The South China Morning Post (March 21) disclosed that China is considering offering a US$1.5 billion credit facility to Sri Lanka. Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Qi Zhenhong told reporters the two sides were also discussing a separate loan of up to US$1 billion which the Sri Lankan government had requested. He added that the South Asian nation was offered a loan of US$500 million from the China Development Bank on March 18. (Comment: Sri Lanka has to repay about US$4 billion worth of debt this year, including a US$1 billion international sovereign bond maturing in July. But its reserves dipped to US$2.31 billion as of end February, down around 70 per cent from two years ago.)

Media reports (March 21) indicated that the European Union looks set to reinforce the U.S. warning to China that Beijing would face serious consequences if it tried to cushion the blow of sanctions against Russia or provide Moscow with military support. With the Western allies aligned on a powerful package of sanctions on the Russian economy and President Vladimir Putin trying to find room for manoeuvre, China’s stance on the conflict in Ukraine is coming into sharper focus. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine will be the main item on the agenda when Xi Jinping and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang hold talks with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Charles Michel, who chairs the EU leaders’ council. The reports added that while the substance of the EU message is to be similar to Biden’s, most member states want Von der Leyen and Michel to couch it in a way that doesn’t come across as a threat because they don’t want to alienate Beijing. Separately, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Le Yucheng in a speech on March 19 accused NATO of trying to “flex muscle” in the Asia-Pacific region. Hours after Xi’s phone call with Biden, Le Yucheng said “One could well anticipate the consequences going down this path,” and that “The crisis in Ukraine is a stern warning.” (Comment: Le Yucheng was an Ambassador to India and is considered to be a front-runner for becoming Foreign Minister.)

Reuters (March 23) reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin plans to attend the next G20 summit in Indonesia later this year and received valuable backing from Beijing on March 23 as it rejected suggestions by some members that Russia could be barred from the group. (Comment: The United States and its Western allies are assessing whether Russia should remain within the G-20 following its invasion of Ukraine. But any move to exclude Russia would probably be vetoed by others in the group.)

Bloomberg (March 21) reported that China imported twice as much liquefied natural gas from Russia last month than a year earlier. It said China bought almost 401,000 tons from Russia in February, according to official customs data released Sunday. The increase came as total Chinese LNG imports fell 12% from a year earlier, with Russia’s share rising to 8%.

An article by Benn Steil and Benjamin Della Rocca in Foreign Affairs (March 21) claimed that their "research suggests that Russia may have stashed tens of billions of dollars in reserve assets in opaque offshore accounts, where it holds dollar-denominated securities beyond the reach of international sanctions and asset freezes". According to them indications of this were discernible across two different periods—one in mid-2018 and the other late last year, as Russia built up troops on the Ukrainian border— that Russia may have secluded up to $80 billion in Treasury securities offshore. It stated that Russia’s total offshore dollar holdings could be higher still and, alluding to China, that Russia may have moved some of its dollars with help from a foreign government. The article claimed "China was almost certainly behind the 2014 surge. Throughout that year, the assets of its central bank, the People’s Bank of China (PBOC), rose in tandem with Belgian Treasury holdings. The PBOC was evidently building up its war chest of dollar reserves and storing them in Treasuries, held through Euroclear. In 2021, however, the PBOC’s reserves stayed flat, indicating a different source for the sudden rise in Belgium’s holdings." It also said "The Russian central bank and sovereign wealth fund hold an estimated $140 billion in Chinese bonds—about four times the total in early 2018. Data from June 2021 also show China holding 14.2 percent of Russia’s foreign reserves, the largest share of any country. "

New Chinese Customs data revealed that two-way China-Africa trade is up 24.9% in the first two months of the year to $43.1 billion. South Africa remains China's top trading partner on the continent with 19% of the total.

Reuters (March 22) reported that Algeria and China have signed a shareholder agreement to invest $7 billion to produce 5.4 million tonnes of fertiliser per year in the Algerian region of Tebessa, Algeria’s national oil company Sonatrach said on March 21. Algeria expects the phosphate project to create 12,000 jobs during the construction phase.

CCP CC General Secretary Xi Jinping chaired a meeting of the Politburo Standing Committee on March 17 to 'analyse the situation of the new crown pneumonia epidemic and make arrangements to strictly control the epidemic'. Xinhua (March 17) reported that Xi Jinping also delivered an important speech. He pointed out that since the normalization of epidemic prevention and control, we have adhered to the principle of "foreign defense against imports and internal defense against rebound". He exhorted Party organizations at all levels and the majority of Party members and cadres to play an active role, go deep into the front line of prevention and control, reach out to the masses, and actively help the masses solve their worries and problems. He stressed that it is necessary to strengthen supervision and accountability and warned those who have neglected their duties and caused the epidemic to get out of control that they will be investigated and held accountable. The meeting also studied other matters

A front page People's Daily (March 13) article captioned "when the spring breeze ——General Secretary Xi Jinping and the representatives of the National People's Congress and the National People's Congress have discussed the country together for ten years" described Xi Jinping as the "people's leader" 8 times in total in this article. It said "During the National People's Congress and the National People's Congress this year, the deputies and committee members shared their opinions and experiences in light of their deliberation and work practice, and invariably expressed their common aspirations: The reason why the party and the country can achieve milestone achievements is that they have Comrade Xi Jinping as their leader. The core of the Party Central Committee at the helm is fundamentally guided by the scientific guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era."

Addressing the closing session of the 13th NPC in Beijing on March 14, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang Premier talked about ties with US and the situation in Ukraine. He hoped that US and China can properly manage their differences and for more cooperation between China and the United States to deal with global challenges while properly managing their differences. He said economic competition between Beijing and Washington should be benign and fair. Li Keqiang also called for restraint in Ukraine to avoid a humanitarian disaster. Urging restraint in the Ukraine conflict to avoid a humanitarian catastrophe, he said "We sincerely hope that the situation will ease and peace will return at an early date."

Xinhua (March 14) highlighted certain outcomes of the 13th NPC as the "key to China's "success"." It said one outcome of the Two Sessions is the new slogan of "Five Roads to be Followed" (五个必由之路). It listed the keys to China success as follows: i) Party leadership; ii) Socialism with Chinese characteristics; iii) Concerted efforts; iv) New development concept; and v) Strict party governance. (Comment: The Guangming Daily on March 15, published its fifth commentary on the "Five Roads to be Followed" (五个必由之路) - outcome of the Two Sessions - on the fifth road: strict party governance.)

On March 15, the Chongqing Daily published an article on the Chongqing Municipal Party Committee meeting of leading cadres in the city held on March 14, to convey and study the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's important speech during the National People's Congress and the Fifth Session of the Thirteenth National People's Congress and the Fifth Session of the Thirteenth National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. During the meeting Chongqing's Chen Min'er conveyed the spirit of the Two Sessions, highlighted the "Five Roads to be Followed" (五个必由之路) and "five favourable conditions" (五个有利条件) 传达学习贯彻习近平总书记重要讲话和全国两会精神). The Chongqing Daily said Chen Miner, Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee, presided over the meeting and delivered a speech in which he 'pointed out that this year's National People's Congress is an important meeting held at an important moment when the people of the whole country welcome the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, march towards the second centenary goal, and forge ahead in the new journey of building a modern socialist country in an all-round way'. Chen Miner also emphasised that 'it is necessary to learn and understand the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's important speech, understand the essence, connect with reality, and guide practice' He said it is important to understand the "Five Must-Roads", the "five sure ways", resolutely support the "two establishments", strengthen the "four consciousnesses", strengthen the "four self-confidences", achieve the "two maintenances", and improve political judgment and political comprehension, political execution, and unswervingly advance along the road guided by General Secretary Xi Jinping'.

The Hubei Daily (March 15) published a front page article titled "The General Secretary's wise decision saved our lives", referring to his visiting recovered COVID-19 patients from the Wuhan outbreak two years ago.

Chinese authorities have already put Shenzhen, the giant manufacturing hub near Hong Kong, into full lockdown, along with Jilin province. In Shanghai, schools and businesses have already closed, and numerous Beijing and Tianjin compounds have shut down. More than 50 million people are already locked down across China and it seems likely that the numbers will continue to grow in the coming weeks. The People's Daily (March 18) published two main articles on the COVID-19 situation, including one on Xi Jinping chairing a PBSC meeting and an editorial arguing that the "general strategy and policy of epidemic prevention are correct and effective"

The South China Morning Post (March 12) quoted a CDIC announcement of March 12 stating that 66-year old Liu Yanping, a former anti-corruption chief of China’s Ministry of State Security is for “suspected violation of discipline and law”. Liu Yanping is the 12th highranking official to fall from grace this year and first since the annual national legislative meeting concluded on Friday. He graduated from the China University of Political Science and Law and had a long career in the police department in Beijing before being appointed as Vice Minister of Public Security in 2013. Two years later, he became the head of discipline inspection at the Ministry of State Security. Liu Yanping was also involved in the effort to repatriate Guo Wengui back to China from the US.

Xinhua (March 16) reported that China's Financial Stability and Development Committee of the State Council held a special meeting on March 16 to study the current economic situation and capital market issues. The meeting was chaired by Liu He, Politburo member, Vice Premier of the State Council, and Director of the Financial Stability and Development Committee, and comrades in charge of relevant departments attended the meeting. The meeting pointed out that in the current complex situation, the most critical thing is to adhere to the “development is the Communist Party of China's top priority in governance”, adhere to the "economic development as the central task", adhere to deepening reform and expanding opening-up etc. Regarding Chinese companies listed in the United States, the meeting said that China’s CSRC and the U.S. SEC have maintained good communication and have made positive progress, and are working to form specific cooperation programs. It said the Chinese government continues to support all types of enterprises to go public outside China. A Xinhua report (March 17) clarified that the meeting discussed macroeconomic operation, real estate companies, Chinese concept stocks, platform economic governance, and Hong Kong financial market stability among other issues. It said the meeting gave a clear direction to "maintain the economic operation within a reasonable range, and maintain the stable operation of the capital market."

A Bloomberg report (March 14) said that Chinese stocks in the U.S. which were enjoying an unprecedented boom just a year ago have plummeted 72% -- almost matching losses during the 2008 financial crisis. Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. alone has lost about $522 billions of value, the biggest wipe out of shareholder wealth worldwide. Tencent -- which was close to a $1 trillion market value last year -- slumped almost 10% on Monday, the most since 2011. The company’s shares are now worth $407 billion. In the week ending March 14, the SEC named its first batch of Chinese stocks as part of a crackdown on foreign firms that refuse to open their books to U.S. regulators. The newly identified firms could be subject to delisting from U.S. exchanges if they fail to comply with auditing requirements for three consecutive years. With U.S. officials saying Russia has asked China for military assistance for its war in Ukraine, traders worry that Beijing’s potential overture toward Putin could bring global backlash against Chinese firms and even sanctions. Fears of being delisted on US stock exchanges and imposition of sanctions because of Xi Jinping's support to Russian President Putin are also discouraging investors.

Reuters (March 16) reported (Reuters) that Taiwan held live fire drills on Dongyin, part of the Taiwan-controlled Matsu archipelago off the coast of China's Fuzhou, on March 16, putting the spotlight on a remote island that is strategically located at a chokepoint near China - and potentially vulnerable to attack. The exercises are happening as Taipei has raised its alert level after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, wary of Beijing making a similar move. At a February seminar in Taipei simulating a Chinese attack on Taiwan, retired Navy Rear Admiral Tan Chihlung said Dongyin's missile sites would be among the first targets of a Chinese attack. He said, "The People's Liberation Army for sure will go destroy the Hsiung Feng missile base in Dongyin, it's a must-attack."

Taiwan's Apple Daily (March 17) claimed that a report by human rights activist Vladimir Osechkin, head of the Russian anti-corruption website Gulagu.net, purportedly written by an analyst with the Russian Federal Security Service, mentions that Xi Jinping had considered a "complete take over Taiwan" in 2022 before the Fall. The object was to "recover Taiwan" for his re-election as the President of the country before the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (in the Autumn). However, after seeing Russia's aggression against Ukraine, Xi Jinping believes that the opportunity to attack Taiwan is no longer available, and that the United States can use it to threaten China and give Xi's political opponents favourable conditions. Taiwan's Foreign Minister Joseph Wu said in an interview on March 16, "No matter when China attacks, we must be ready at any time."

The Economic Times (March 15) reported that Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is likely to visit India in a week or so. It recalled that last week, ahead of the 15th round of Commanderlevel talks, Foreign Secretary Harsh V Shringla had said: "We have made it clear to China that peace and tranquillity in the border areas is essential for the development of our relationship. Development of India-China relationship has to be based on 'three mutuals' -- mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and mutual interest."

The Global Times (March 12) reported that "the 15th round of China-India corps commander level meeting concluded on March 11, continuing the positive atmosphere since the 14th round of talk, as the two sides reached consensus on agreeing to maintain dialogue via military and diplomatic channels to reach a mutually acceptable resolution to the remaining issues at the earliest time".

China's State-owned China National Petroleum Corp. agreed to import more natural gas from Russian major Gazprom in a deal announced on the sidelines of the summit between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin in February. Currently, the only gas pipeline between Russia and China is Power of Siberia, which began operating in 2019 and has an annual capacity of 38 billion cu. meters. Nikkei Asia (March 12) said the countries plan to establish a new pipeline under the deal with an annual capacity of 10 billion cu. meters. Russia's Gazprom on March 1 also announced it had begun taking concrete steps toward the construction of the Power of Siberia 2 pipeline, which would pass through Mongolia and have an annual capacity of around 50 billion cu. meters. These projects, which include the Power of Siberia expansion and the new Altai link through China's Xinjiang region, would expand pipeline capacity between the countries to over 100 billion cu. meters a year -- equivalent to almost half of China's imports.

The Hongkong-based HK01 news service on March 14, publicised a report in the Russian newspaper The View (Взгляд) (March 12) which listed 10 areas in which Chinese companies have benefited from the ongoing Russia-Ukraine War and the sanctions from the U.S. and European countries.

Ms Xue Hanqin, China's appointee to the UN's top court, joined her Russian peer Kirill Gevorgian to cast the only votes against Ukraine's case calling for an immediate end to Russia's military operation. This was on March 16 at the International Court of Justice case on 'Allegations of Genocide under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (Ukraine v. Russian Federation)'.

On March 17 there have been several clips over a 12 hour span showing Russian attacks on civilians, but sticking to the official language and calling it "Russia's special military operation". There were similar reports on CCTV-13 prompting speculation inside China as to whether the official media will also change their language, namely call it an "invasion"

Writing in the Washington Post (March 15), China's Ambassador to the U.S. Qin Gang denied statements that China was briefed on Putin's plans for invading Ukraine. He said “ Assertions that China knew about, acquiesced to, or tacitly supported this war are purely disinformation. All these claims serve only the purpose of shifting blame to and slinging mud at China. There were more than 6,000 Chinese citizens in Ukraine. China is the biggest trading partner of both Russia and Ukraine, and the largest importer of crude oil and natural gas in the world. Conflict between Russia and Ukraine does no good for China. Had China known about the imminent crisis, we would have tried our best to prevent it. China is committed to an independent foreign policy of peace." He also sought to differentiate between the cases of Ukraine and Taiwan saying: "Ukraine is a sovereign state, while Taiwan is an inseparable part of China’s territory. The Taiwan question is a Chinese internal affair. It does not make sense for people to emphasize the principle of sovereignty on Ukraine while hurting China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity on Taiwan. The future of Taiwan lies in peaceful development of crossStrait relations and the reunification of China. We are committed to peaceful reunification, but we also retain all options to curb “Taiwan independence.” (Comment: Chinese statements on the subject are contradictory and suggest an attempt at obfuscation.)

Writing on his personal WeChat blog on March 12, the former Editor of Global Times Hu Xijin said he is "calling on Beijing to stick to what he says is the 稳 (stable? middle?) road. Hu wrote, it is in Chinese interests that "Russia cannot fail and the Putin regime cannot fail". Hu Xijin cautioned Beijing: "We must be careful not to 'Russify' our policy toward the U.S. and the West, and (must) resolutely prevent the U.S. and the West from equating the definition of China with the definition of Russia." He said a desirable scenario "In the context of their fierce confrontation with Russia, it will become more acceptable to them to seek common ground 11 with China while preserving differences". He added that Beijing "needs to do its best to ease and develop relations with the U.S. and the West, and promote the gradual strategic shaping of a model of relations between China, the U.S., and the West and China". A "stable, independent Russia that does not buy into the U.S./West and dares to confront them openly has become China's biggest strategic barrier. The comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation between Russia and China in the new era needs to be further consolidated, and China cannot afford to waver in this."

The US-based pro-Xi Jinping Duowei News, regarded as a major media portal of China’s overseas propaganda network, reported (March 17) that, in a press conference on March 15, NATO’s Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg expressed that China has an obligation as a member of the UN Security Council actually to support and to uphold international law and join the rest of the world in condemning Russia’s invasion. In response, the spokesperson for the Mission of the People’s Republic of China to the European Union retorted, “We have taken note of the relevant remarks. The Chinese people can fully relate to the pains and sufferings of other countries because we will never forget who bombed our embassy in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. We need no lecture on justice from the abuser of international law. As a Cold War remnant and the world’s largest military alliance, NATO continues to expand its geographical scope and range of operations. What kind of role has it played in world peace and stability? NATO needs to do some good reflection.” (Comment: The Chinese delegate was referring to the bombing of its Embassy in Yugoslavia by NATO forces decades ago.)

An article in the People's Daily (March 15) signed by ' Zhongsheng' argued that the US "should carefully reflect on its role in the Ukraine crisis, stop lying, deceiving, and misleading the public". It said this "exposes the US' sinister intentions to keep the world in chaos". The article stated, 'The U.S. side should reflect on its role in the Ukraine crisis, stop lying and deceit, 12 confuse people, take its due responsibilities, take practical actions to ease the situation and solve the problem, and do things that are conducive to peace'. It said, "In promoting the resolution of the Ukrainian crisis, the top priority is to promote peace and talks, rather than fuel the fire." Stating that 'China is willing to continue to play a constructive role in persuading peace and promoting talks, and to carry out necessary mediation with the international community when necessary', it said 'China does not support the use of sanctions to solve the Ukrainian issue, and is even more opposed to unilateral sanctions that have no basis in international law. Sanctions have never been an effective way to solve problems' adding that since the last 20 years the US has been imposing an increasing number of sanctions'.

U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan met Chinese Communist Party Politburo Member Yang Jiechi on March 14 in Rome. CNN (March 14) said that Sullivan said U.S. believes China, "was aware...

Xinhua published (March 13) an article on its main page on US bio labs in Ukraine.

Bloomberg (March 16) reported that Merchandise made by Chinese sportswear giant Li Ning Co. has been detained at U.S. ports, after an investigation indicated the company used North Korean labour in its supply chain. The action against Li Ning Sporting Goods was effective March 14, U.S. Customs and Border Protection said in a statement. U.S. Customs said some Li Ning goods can enter the U.S. if the company “provides clear and convincing evidence that their merchandise was not produced with convict labour, forced labour, or indentured labour under penal sanctions within 30 days of notice of detention.” Otherwise, the merchandise may be subject to seizure and forfeiture, it said. Li Ning shares fell as much as 3.2% in early Hong Kong trading, before erasing the losses and rising 4.2% to HK$53.10 at 9:42 a.m. local time. The stock is down almost 38% this year.

The US Government Funding Bill signed into law by US President Biden on March 15: • Increases funding for Tibetans around the world: The legislation provides $10 million for nongovernmental organizations that have experience working with Tibetan communities to preserve Tibetan cultural traditions and promote sustainable development, education, and environmental conservation in Tibet. The legislation also makes $8 million available for programs to promote and preserve Tibetan culture and language in Tibetan refugee and diaspora communities; development; and the resilience of Tibetan communities and the Central Tibetan Administration in India and Nepal; as well as to assist in the education and development of the next generation of Tibetan leaders from such communities. Another $3 million will be available for programs to strengthen the capacity of the Central Tibetan Administration, which provides democratic governance for Tibetans in exile.

The first batch of Chinese humanitarian aid reached Ukraine by plane on March 11. The consignment, which includes 1,000 family kits containing daily supplies worth 5 million yuan ($800,000). The packs contain blankets, towels, cutlery, damp-proof mats, buckets, and torches, and were sent from Beijing by the Red Cross Society of China. Ukraine's Red Cross Society was to receive the consignment when the truck convoy containing the aid arrived in the western Ukrainian city of Chernivtsi. A second batch of materials will leave the Chinese capital on March 13.

The Financial Times (March 14) disclosed that two British publishers, Octopus Books, part of literary empire Hachette, and London-listed Quarto, have censored books intended for western readers to ensure they can be printed cheaply in China and removed references to Taiwan and other subjects banned by Chinese authorities from several books. It said that in 2017, academic publishers Springer Nature and Cambridge University Press were criticised after it emerged, they had each blocked hundreds of articles from being accessed in China. The Financial Times said since 2020 Octopus, a self-described “leading publisher of non-fiction”, has removed references in at least two books to Taiwan. In one case, an entire section relating to Taiwan was cut. Over the same period Quarto, a picture book publisher that in 2020 released the New York Times bestseller This Book is Anti-Racist, erased mentions of Hong Kong and dissident artist Ai Weiwei from separate publications. The nationality of people mentioned in one book was also changed from Taiwanese to East Asian, while references to Tibet, annexed by China in 1951, were revised in two books to suggest it was Chinese territory.

On March 10, the People's Daily front-paged a major article titled "General Secretary, the villagers miss you very much!" The representatives of the two sessions brought the people's hearts to the general secretary".

Reuters (March 11) reported that China's Premier Li Keqiang confirmed on March 11 his plans to step down after his current term expires next March. Li Keqiang told a news conference: "This is the last year I will be premier".

Li Zhanshu, the Executive Chairman and Executive Chairman of the Presidium of the Conference, presided over the conference. Executive Chairman and Executive Chairman Wang Chen, Cao Jianming, Zhang Chunxian, Shen Yueyue, Ji Bingxuan, Ailigen Yiming Bahai, Wan Exiang, Chen Zhu, Wang Dongming, Baima Chilin, Ding Zhongli, Hao Mingjin, Cai Dafeng, Wu Weihua , Yang Zhenwu were seated at the podium.

Chinese President Xi Jinping made two speeches at the ongoing NPC/CPPCC sessions in Beijing. In his first speech he highlighted, among other issues, how China should handle coal in meeting its carbon goals, as well as the "sense of community for the Chinese nation". In his second speech to CPPCC members, he stressed agriculture, food security, social welfare, and protecting women.

Xinhua reported that Chinese leaders met different provincial delegations. PBSC members Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Wang Huning, Zhao Leji, Han Zheng, and Vice President Wang Qishan met delegations from Jiangxi, Sichuan, Hebei, Heilongjiang, Shaanxi, and Hunan respectively.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in the Government Work Report he presented to the Fifth Session of the 13th National People’s Congress of the People’s Republic of China on March 5, 2022, did not even mention Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and took an implacably steady-as-it-goes tone on China’s economic outlook.

The main points in the Government Work Report presented to the NPC on March 5 by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang were: - new approaches to social governance - focus on service provision at grassroots - improve social credit system. -The main targets for 2022 listed by the Chinese Premier were: -GDP growth of around 5.5 percent -over 11 million new urban jobs -surveyed urban unemployment rate of no more than 5.5 percent -CPI increase of around 3 percent -growth in personal income that is basically in step with economic growth -steady increases in both the volume and quality of imports and exports -a basic equilibrium in the balance of payments -grain output of over 650 million metric tons -further improvement in the environment -continued reduction in the discharge of major pollutants

The Global Times and CCTV (March 11) commented that China’s 2022 Government Work Report approved at the closing meeting of the fifth session of the 13th NPC on March 11 has had 92 items revised compared with the original version, with revisions focusing on stabilising the economy, innovation, and fiscal and employment policies. The revisions in China’s 2022 Government Work Report include raising the ratio of investment in basic research to the overall R&D expense, and boosting winter sports and industries. The Paper (March 11) said that Tax cuts and fee reductions "help enhance the confidence of enterprises to expand reproduction; at the same time, it also encourages enterprises to invest more funds in R&D and other production activities" . The China Police Daily (March 11) commented that the integrated mechanism for policing ("情指勤舆") - intelligence, command, patrolling - have given police the "ability to respond quickly, highlight key challenges, and deal with regional emergencies has been effectively strengthened".

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang’s Government Work Report contains exactly one mention of common prosperity (共同富裕), which is rendered as “prosperity for all” in the official English translation.

At the press conference before the start of the NPC's opening session, the spokesman for the Chinese legislature Zhang Yesui addressed China-EU relationship and condemned the US$ 350 billion the America Competes Act, which he described as “small circle” diplomacy that could jeopardise America’s own interests .

The authorities of Changchun on March 11 announced that all businesses and public transport shall be shut except essential sectors. Schools are to be closed and every resident will test for Covid.

On March 3 , over 200 alumni of Tsinghua University – most of whom live in China – signed an open letter circulated on WeChat calling on the university to strip Putin of an honorary doctorate awarded in 2019.

Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the NPC session, China's Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Tang Renjian said that rare heavy rainfall last year delayed the planting of about one-third of the normal wheat acreage.

China Organization and Personnel News (March 4) reported that the CCP CC Organisation Department had held a teleconference on a key task promotion meeting for grassroots party building work in Beijing on February 28. The relevant responsible officials of the Organization Department attended the meeting and delivered speeches. The Party Committee Organisation Department cadres of Beijing, Shanxi, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Guangxi, Sichuan, Qinghai and other provinces, regions and municipalities also exchanged speeches. Among the main points made were: (i) transmit "two establishments" "two safeguards"; (ii) party-building in rural areas; (iii) social governance; (iv) private enterprises and social organisations; (v) SOEs, work units; and (vi) education. The meeting also criticised "lying flat" cadres and said, "there are some "peaceful officials" who dare not act, "leisure officials" who do not do things, "incompetent officials" who are not good at doing things, and "punk officials" who are unwilling".

The CCP on March 5 announced two important appointments. These were the appointment of Hao Zhaoping (郝照平) as the Director, General Manager and Deputy Secretary of the Party Group of AVIC (Aviation Industry Corporation of China) and Wang Jiang (王江) was appointed Secretary of the Party Committee of China Everbright Group

The Jilin provincial party committee in a terse announcement on March 10 and without stating the reason said that Zhang Lifeng, the Communist Party Secretary and top manager of the Jilin Agricultural Science and Technology University, was dismissed on March 10 afternoon.

A Commentator's article in the Economic Daily (March 9) said "the emphasis on coordinating development and security reflects the scientific research and judgment of the general situation by the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at the core". Stating that "economic globalisation has encountered adverse currents, the game between major powers has become increasingly fierce, and the world has entered a new period of turbulence and change", it said it is essential for China to take development as the top priority, "and at the same time ensure political security, economic security, scientific and technological security, public health security, social security, etc., to create favourable conditions for development".

The International Paralympic Committee is investigating and have asked the state-run CCTV for an explanation after President Andrew Parsons speech, where he made a clear and direct call for Peace at the Opening Ceremony, which was censored in China

A survey by the East Asia Institute of the National University of Singapore which has been monitoring trending topics on popular Chinese online platforms, namely Weibo, Zhihu and Douyin, between 14 January – 9 March 2022, suggests declining interest in the war in Ukraine.

In a virtual meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on March 8 , Chinese President Xi Jinping was quoted by CCTV as calling for "maximum restraint" in Ukraine and said China is "pained to see the flames of war reignited in Europe".

The EU High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell Fontelles had a tele conversation with Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on March 7 regarding the situation in Ukraine. They agreed to continue discussions after two days. One report states, however, that in private conversation some EU officials disclosed that Wang Yi during his conversation with Borrell was clear that the EU needs to drop sanctions if it wants China to intermediate. El Mundo earlier on March 4 quoted Borrell as saying that China was the only possible mediator in the war. “We have not asked for it, nor have they asked for it, but since it has to be a power and neither the US nor Europe can be, China could be”.

The South China Morning Post (March 9) quoted an editorial published by Xinhua on March 9 which accused the US government of feeding “slanderous news” to the media and denied reports that Beijing had direct knowledge of Russia’s plans to invade Ukraine. It called the report published last week in The New York Times a “downright lie” adding that “Shifting blame to China, misleading the world and transferring accountability away from the crisis culprit, this is a malicious intention”. The Xinhua editorial said “The US government routinely feeds information to targeted media like The New York Times in the name of an intelligence organisation in order to spin public opinion to its own advantage. “Media like The New York Times then play along in a double act by spreading rumours with lies to maximise Washington’s interests. All of this is to cover up the fact that the US was the ultimate culprit in the Ukraine crisis”.

In a 20-minute speech at the Prospect Foundation in Taipei on March 4, former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he was "Honoured to speak about the importance of America recognizing Taiwan as a free and sovereign country".

Washington’s top diplomat pressed his counterpart in Beijing during a call on March 5 over China’s continued refusal to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The call between US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on March 5 over China’s continued refusal to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The Chairman of the U.S. Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) Gary Gensler announced on March 5 that “If China changes tack, “then there's a path forward.” But otherwise "Congress has spoken about 250 Chinese companies," would have to suspend trading here "potentially as early as 2024.”

As Nepal's parliament on February 27 approved joining the US$ 500 million Millenium Challenge initiative despite Chinese pressure, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned that the U.S. aid would come with political strings attached. Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told a regular news briefing in Beijing on March 2 “I’m afraid it will turn out like a Nepalese saying, ‘It looks good, but you will find the meat difficult to chew.’ ”

The state-owned China National Nuclear Corp. announced on March 8 that an advanced nuclear reactor developed by China has started up in Pakistan, making it the second unit of its kind in operation in the country and fourth overall. The Karachi nuclear power plant, a threereactor site, installed its second Hualong One reactor and connected the unit to the grid on March 4

The CPPCC began its annual session on March 4 in Beijing. CCTV telecast the opening ceremony and showed Chinese President Xi Jinping walking into the Great Hall of the People ahead of the other members of the PBSC.

The Standing Committee of the 13th National People's Congress(NPC) started its 33rd session on March 2 to prepare for the upcoming 5th annual session of the 13th NPC, which will open on March 5.

Xinhua reported that Chinese President Xi Jinping addressed the 2022 Spring Semester Central Party School (National School of Administration) training class for young and middle-aged cadres started at the Central Party School on March 1. The state-owned China Central Television (CCTV) telecast a clip of Xi Jinping being welcomed at the Central Party School. Wang Huning, PBSC member Secretary of the Central Secretariat, attended the opening ceremony. Chen Xi presided over the opening ceremony, saying that 'General Secretary Xi Jinping's important speech is full of ardent expectations for young cadres' and exhorted the cadres 'to study and understand deeply, and truly internalize it in the heart and externalize it in action; It is necessary to further learn, understand and implement Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, deeply comprehend the decisive significance of the "Two Establishments", and effectively transform it into a high degree of self-consciousness to resolutely achieve the "Two Maintenances", and transform it into forging ahead in a new journey and making contributions'. Ding Xuexiang and Huang Kunming attended the opening ceremony.

CCP CC General Secretary Xi Jinping chaired the 37th Politburo 'Study Session' on human rights in China and its development on February 25. Lu Guangjin, Secretary-General of the Chinese Society for Human Rights Studies gave a lecture and explained the subject.

Xinhua announced (March 2) that a new book: "Xi Jinping in Shanghai" has been published. (Comment: Xi Jinping was Party Secretary there from March 2007- October 2007.)

Xinhua (February 24) reported that Politburo Standing Committee member and Vice Premier Han Zheng chaired a meeting of the Belt and Road Construction Work Leading Small Group on February 24, where he called for "conscientiously implementing the spirit of the important speech of the General Secretary Xi Jinping at the third "Belt and Road" construction symposium" and summarized the work in 2021 and approved the key tasks in 2022. Yang Jiechi, Hu Chunhua, Wang Yi, Xiao Jie, He Lifeng and members of the leading group for promoting the construction of the "Belt and Road" and "responsible comrades" from relevant departments attended the meeting. (Comment: The last time this Leading Small Group met was in January 2019.)

The People's Daily (February 24)'s theory section published a major article by Chen Yixin, Secretary General of the CCP CC Political-Legal Commission, on the Party's "self-revolution".

Five Chinese Professors from prestigious Chinese Universities, including Hongkong University, issued a statement on February 26 on the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Zhao Leji, Politburo Standing Committee member and Secretary of the CDIC, presided over the 25th collective study meeting of the CDIC Standing Committee on February 28 around "deepening the party history summary, study, education and publicity, and unswervingly promoting the party's self-revolution".

A major article published by the People's Daily on March 1, on common prosperity article quotes Mao in Oct 1955. The relevant paragraph says: 'In the early days of the founding of New China, Comrade Mao Zedong pointed out: "Now we implement such a system and such a plan, we can get richer and stronger year by year, and we can see that we can get richer and stronger year by year. This wealth is common wealth, and this strength is common strength, and everyone has a share.” After the reform and opening up, Comrade Deng Xiaoping pointed out: "The essence of socialism is to liberate productive forces, develop productive forces, eliminate exploitation, eliminate polarization, and finally achieve common prosperity." The fundamental principles of socialism."

The South China Morning Post (March 3) said the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) -- China’s powerful internet regulator -- has drafted a new law to restrict push notification on topics such as sensitive news items, disasters, and celebrity gossip in a new effort from Beijing to curb Big Tech’s power in shaping public discourse.

On March 2, the CDIC disclosed that it had investigated 32 cadres in January 2022 and 43 in February 2022 up from 19 in January 2021 and 21 in February 2021. The CDIC announced (February 26) that while implementing political supervision under the "two safeguards" in 2021, it had interviewed 943,000 people and 55,000 were "held accountable".

The CDIC announced (March 2) that Wang Dawei, Vice Governor of Liaoning Province, and Director of the Provincial Public Security Department, is suspected of serious violations of discipline and law and been placed under investigation. CDIC also announced (March 2) that four new provincial-level managed cadres are under investigation today: Zhou Yongdi, former member of the Party Group and Deputy Mayor of Weihai; Sun Bo, Secretary of the Party Committee of Dongying Vocational College; Zhang Tianzhou, former Secretary of the Standing Committee of the Longyan Municipal People's Congress; and Lei Zhiqiang, former deputy general manager of Jiangsu Radio and Television Cable Information Network Co.

he Chongqing Daily (February 26) reported that Chongqing Party Secretary and Politburo member Chen Min'er attended the Municipality's Religious Work Conference on February 24 and delivered a speech where he emphasised it is necessary to deeply study and understand General Secretary Xi Jinping's important expositions on religious work and fully implement the party's basic policy on religious work and continue to create a new situation in our city's religious work.

Heilongjiang Province Party Secretary Xu Qin authored a lengthy article on the decisive significance of the 'two establishments' and what this means for Heilongjiang which was published in the People's Daily's (March 2) Theory section.

A Global Times (February 24) article said that while the conflict in Ukraine will affect agricultural trade and push prices up, the impact on China will be limited.

The Global Times (March 3) said that analysts and observers predict, ahead of China's announcement of its defense budget for 2022, that China will likely continue to steadily increase its military expenditure, at a rate possibly slightly faster than last year.

The Global Times (February 23) disclosed that the PLA Navy is handing over almost 20 Type 056 corvettes to the China Coast Guard. It said the Type 056 corvettes will be a very good choice in coastal law enforcement after being customized. Chinese military analyst Wei Dongxi said in the hands of the Coast Guard, the Type 056, taking advantage of its original designed purpose as a warship, like its fast speed, can effectively safeguard China's key sea regions, islands, and reefs.

In a carefully worded seemingly neutral statement the China-sponsored Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) issued a statement on March 3. The statement said "As the war in Ukraine unfolds, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) extends its thoughts and sympathy to everyone affected. Our hearts go out to all who are suffering. AIIB is a multilateral organization created by an international treaty, and adherence to international law lies at the very core of our institution. AIIB Management believes that multilateralism provides the best framework for countries to cooperate in dealing with common challenges and supporting development. Our Bank is actively monitoring the situation and assessing its impact on AIIB’s operations and our members’ economies".

An article in the CDIC Daily (March 1) argued that the SWIFT's influence will gradually decline because of digital currencies and rival systems (mentions Russia's SPFS, Iran's SEPAM. It added that its use as a sanctions tool makes SWIFT lose credibility

In a statement on February 25, 2022, Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen issued a statement which "strongly condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine" and said Taiwan is also joining the international economic sanctions against Russia. She also said that the situation concerning Taiwan is different from that of Ukraine.

A lengthy sharply-worded Global Times editorial issued the day after Russia's invasion of Ukraine on February 25 said, "As the situation in Ukraine is heating up, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authority in Taiwan island has again popped into the spotlight, claiming they "empathize with Ukraine's situation."

Reuters (March 1) reported that Chinese traders are scaling back imports of Russian coal as they struggle to secure financing from state banks worried about potential sanctions after Russia invaded Ukraine, in early signs of supply disruption from the world's third-largest coal seller. A China-based trader dealing in Russian coal was quoted saying "Most banks have stopped issuing letters of credit after the SWIFT sanctions. As almost all contracts are dollardenominated, we have no other way to make the payment." China is Russia's largest coal buyer, taking in more than 50 million tonnes of coal worth $7.4 billion last year via rail and sea from Russia's Far East. Russia accounted for roughly 15% of China's total imports and was its second largest supplier behind Indonesia. It said while some buyers could eventually resort to using China's onshore clearing and settlement system, known as CIPS, overall purchases by China have been muted since last week after Beijing cut the domestic price cap that makes coal imports largely uneconomical.

The South China Morning Post (March 1) observed that complying with Western sanctions on Russia would run counter to the Chinese government’s official policy of opposing such measures.

Xu Qiyuan, Researcher of China Finance Forty Forum and Researcher and Deputy Director of the Institute of World Economics and Politics, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and Hou Lei, Associate Researcher of the Institute of World Economics and Politics, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, published an assessment of the impact of Western sanctions against Russia in the 'China Finance Forty Forum on March 1 which was posted on the popular Chinese portal weixin.

Bloomberg News (March 1) claimed that a research group that advises Chinese President Xi Jinping said that sanctions levelled on Russia will ultimately cause more damage to the U.S. and its allies. This input will be a factor as Beijing weighs how much backing to give its close diplomatic partner. Ma Xue, an Associate Researcher at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations (CICIR) subordinate to the Ministry of State Security (MoSS), wrote in an article published on social media on March 1 that Russia has largely adapted to dealing with punitive financial measures since 2014, when it was penalized for seizing Crimea. Ma Xue, said the US and European allies will wind up suffering for supporting Ukraine. He wrote “If the Ukraine refugee crisis is not properly handled, this will be conducive for Russia to sow hatred and sabotage NATO. The fierce debate on refugee problems inside Europe could also damage its unity at crucial moments.”

Chinese Vice Premier Han Zheng summoned Carrie Lam to Shenzhen on February 15, to pass on a direct order from Xi Jinping: Bring Covid under control before Xi's planned visit to mark the 25th handover anniversary.

US President Joe Biden suddenly sent a five-member delegation led by Mike Mullen, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, to Taiwan, in the midst of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, for an about 30 hours stopover. The former Taiwanese legislator Shen Fu-hsiung pointed out in a Facebook analysis on March 2 that "strategic ambiguity" was considered by many to be beneficial to Taiwan in the past, but from the experience of Ukraine, it was a big mistake. Mentioning "strategic clarity" he also said that he believes that "the arrival of the five-member delegation may be a step in this direction", depending on who they meet in Japan

An article by Wei Nanzhi, CASS researcher at the Xi Jinping Thought Research Centre, in the Guangming Daily (February 26)'s theory section said that "American-style representative democracy is out of touch with American society". It said, "Everything is for winning the election" rather than "everything is for the common good", and the American-style representative democracy that is out of touch with American society is bound to be in deep crisis."

In early March the Ukrainian Consulate General in Shanghai in a note to the Shanghai Municipality Foreign Affairs Office, the Foreign Affairs Office of the People’s Government of Anhui Province, the Foreign Affairs Office of the People’s Government of Jiangxi Province and the Foreign Affairs Office of the People’s Government of Fujian Province conveyed that it had 'received many reports from Ukrainian citizens living abroad that Ukrainian citizens are interviewed by the police or by people presenting themselves as police or being interviewed on the telephone by police or Chinese police.

China abstained at the voting in the UNSC on the resolution condemning Russia. The voting was as follows: Yes- United States - United Kingdom - France - Norway - Ireland - Albania - Gabon - Mexico - Brazil - Ghana - Kenya No - Russia Abstain - China - India - United Arab Emirates

The Japanese news service Jiji on February 27 said that in the annual survey, conducted by Japan Press Research Institute in six countries in November-December 2021, 26.3% of people in China said that they feel close to Japan, down by 13.4 percentage points from the previous survey. The drop was largest on record. As reasons, personnel in charge of the research in China cited Japanese politicians’ remarks about Taiwan, which China regards as a renegade province, and a decrease in the amount of favourable information on Japan in line with suspension of tourism due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to officials of the institute.

Chinese President Xi Jinping chaired a Politburo meeting on February 25. The meeting discussed the draft of the "Government Work Report" that the State Council plans to submit to the Fifth Session of the Thirteenth National People's Congress for deliberation, the "Comprehensive Report on the Eighth Round of Central Inspections" and "Report on the Key Work of the Central Inspection Leading Group in 2021". The Xinhua report (February 25) on the meeting said it had stated that "It is necessary to strengthen the atmosphere of comprehensive and strict governance of the party, implement the "two responsibilities", strengthen the supervision of the "top leader" and the leading group, and carry out special rectifications for typical common problems such as violations of the spirit of the eight central regulations and the "revolving door" of politics and business". A Politburo 'Study session' will be held on February 26. (Comment: The last Politburo study session was held on January 24. It is interesting that the Xinhua report called for strengthening "the supervision of the "top leader" and the leading group".)

Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan, along with Party and State leaders such as Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, PBSC members, Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Wang Huning, Zhao Leji, Han Zheng, Vice President Wang Qishan, and IOC President Bach attended the closing ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics on February 20 wearing a face mask. Xinhua said that members of the Political Bureau of the CCP Central Committee in Beijing, Secretary of the Secretariat of the CCP Central Committee, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, State Councillors, President of the Supreme People's Court, Chief Procurator of the Supreme People's Procuratorate, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference in Beijing and members of the Central Military Commission attended the closing ceremony. (Comment: Xi Jinping has made a personal appearance in public after a number of days.)

The Theory and Propaganda Department of the CCP's official newspaper People's Daily published (February 23) an important article under its signature 'Ren Lixuan' (任理轩) captioned 'Deeply grasp the "two establishments" and resolutely achieve "two maintenances" (in-depth study and implementation of the spirit of the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Committee)'.

Xinhua (February 20) published its 8th 'Commentary on "Ten Clarifications" Highlighting the New Leap of the Sinicization of Marxism' - this time on the military - captioned "Building a People's Army That Follows the Party's Commands and Can Win Battles with Excellent Style". It declared "It is clear that the party's goal of strengthening the army in the new era is to build a people's army that obeys the party's command, can win battles, and has a good work style, and build the people's army into a world-class army" and that "The country is big, and nothing is more important than the army." Stating that "A strong country must have a strong army, and a strong army can lead to national security", it gave a chronology of the PLA's reorganisation.

The People's Daily, Chongqing Daily and Beijing Daily published a number of articles and photographs on the developments in Ukraine on February 25. One report in the Beijing Daily predicts that the Ukraine situation will interfere with US mid-term elections.

The Sichuan Party Secretary Peng Qinghua penned a big article for the Central Party School's 'Study Times', which was reprinted in the Sichuan Daily on February 22. The article was captioned: "Deeply grasp the "two establishments" and resolutely achieve the "two maintenances", and constantly draw wisdom from the party's century-old struggle. and power".

Xinjiang-Uyghur Autonomous Region Party Secretary Ma Xingrui held an Autonomous Region Religious Work Conference in Urumqi on February 21. In his speech Ma Xingrui emphasised the need to thoroughly study and implement General Secretary Xi Jinping's important expositions on religious work, implement the spirit of the National Conference on Religious Work and the Third Central Xinjiang Work Symposium, adhere to the direction of Sinicization of China's religion, and actively guide Xinjiang's Islam to adapt to the socialist society, and strive to open up a new situation for Xinjiang's religious work in a new era.

The CDIC Daily (February 22) reported that the TAR Disciplinary Commission Standing Committee recently held its meeting, which 'emphasised that it is necessary to deeply grasp the responsibilities and tasks of the discipline inspection and supervision organs in promoting the party's self-revolution, to be sober and firm on the road forever, and to persevere to comprehensively Strictly govern the party to advance in depth, and constantly realize the strategic goal of not being corrupt, not being corrupt, and not wanting to be corrupt'. It revealed that in 2021, the discipline inspection and supervision organs of the Tibet Autonomous Region will adhere to the principle of no restricted areas, full coverage, and zero tolerance, and insist on heavy containment, strong pressure, and long deterrence. They will deal with 6,869 clues, a year-on-year increase of 41.3%, and file 1,814 cases, punish 1,788 people, and transfer them to prosecutors. There were 73 people in the agency, an increase of 28.3%, 8.3%, and 69.8% year-on-year respectively; 304 party members and cadres at the county level and above were registered, a year-on-year increase of 29.4%, including 38 district management cadres; 321 "top leaders" at all levels were investigated and punished.

Hubei Province Party Secretary Ying Yong chaired the Hubei Provincial Religious Work Conference held on February 18, which emphasised that it is necessary to thoroughly study and implement General Secretary Xi Jinping's important expositions on religious work and the spirit of the National Religious Work Conference and "solidly promote" the "Hubei Practice" of the Sinicization of religion. Ying Yong emphasised that "to promote the "Hubei practice" of the sinicization of religion in our country, we should make good use of our province's religious and cultural resources, and guide religious people and believers to further strengthen the "five identities". It is necessary to guide all religious groups in the province to explore and formulate a standard system and code of conduct for promoting the sinicization of religions in China". The meeting resolved it will construct a research team on Marxist religious studies.

An article in the Zhejiang Ribao (February 21) captioned "Make good use of precious wealth to shoulder the mission" reported that over 5 million copies of "Xi Jinping in Zhejiang" have been sold. The article mentioned Xi Jinping 22 times and said the interview series "demonstrates Comrade Xi Jinping's superb ideological and theoretical level, macro decisionmaking level, and outstanding political control". It quoted Teng Mingya, member of the Standing Committee of the Nanhu District Committee of Jiaxing City and Head of the Organization Department, as saying that "Xi Jinping in Zhejiang" shows "Comrade Xi Jinping's in-depth thinking on how to strengthen party building under the new situation, and is an important guiding ideology and action guide for party building work in Zhejiang. . "The Red Boat of the Chinese Revolution set sail from Nanhu. We must faithfully support the 'Two Establishments' and resolutely implement the 'Two Maintenances' into the party building work in the new era, guard the 'red roots', and make every effort to build the side of the Red Boat' Party building highlands' golden business card." She added "What he cares most about is the grassroots, and what he cares most about is the common people." "He has a very deep affection for the common people, and he goes to the countryside whenever he has the opportunity." The general secretary has a deep and pragmatic work style and sincere and simple feelings for the people."

The Chongqing Daily (February 19) reported that a seminar on the study and implementation of the spirit of the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th CCP Central Committee was held from February 16th to 18th, at the Party School of the Municipal Party Committee. It said the students who participated in the seminar further strengthened their political determination to resolutely achieve the "two safeguards" and ideological determination. It said the seminar stressed on "Loyalty core, maintenance core" and to "Transform the political achievements of the "two establishments" into the political consciousness of resolutely achieving the "two maintenances". the newspaper report stated: "The Party has established Comrade Xi Jinping as the core of the Party Central Committee and the core of the entire Party, and has established the guiding position of Xi Jinping's new era of socialism with Chinese characteristics, which reflects the common aspiration of the entire Party, the army, and the people of all ethnic groups in the country."

A retired former Chinese Commerce Ministry official wrote on February 18 that '2022 now seems likely to be the year of all-out globalisation crisis; it hence may also be the beginning of rebuilding the global order in the post-epidemic era. 2022 is already very important; a key factor is that Xi Jinping will use the 20th National Party Congress to break the term limit, cementing his life-long dictatorship'.

US-based Chinese dissident Wang Dan, who protested at Tiananmen in 1989 and was exiled, has written an article in 'Dialogue China' (February 15) asserting that "Zero Covid" is not really about health.

On February 18 and 19 the CCDIC announced the expulsions from the CCP of Xue Heng, former Deputy Secretary and Vice Chairman of the Liaoning Provincial Political Consultative Conference for, among other things, selling posts and interfering in judicial activities; Sun Yun, former Deputy Secretary-General of the Yunnan Provincial People's Government and member of the Party Group of the General Office for, among other things, "illegally flying first class, business class, and receiving gifts"; and Lu Shicheng, former member of the Party Group and Deputy Director of the Tibet Autonomous Region Education Department; among other things for playing mahjong , mistresses etc. It announced that the following officials had been placed under investigation for corruption including other violations of Party discipline: Bai Hao, the former Deputy Head of the Jiangjin District Government of Chongqing and the former Director of the District Public Security Bureau; Wang Shunsheng, the former Vice Chairman of the Zhengzhou Political Consultative Conference; Wu Weihua, a member of the Party Group and Deputy Director of the Guangdong Provincial Geological Bureau, for "suspected serious violations of discipline and law"; and Li Guohua, former Deputy Secretary of the Party Group and General Manager of China United Network Communications Group Co., Ltd., who has accepted the review and investigation of the CDIC and the State Supervision Commission.

Bloomberg (February 19) reported that scientists from China's 'Qingdao Saline-Alkali Tolerant Rice Research and Development Center, have developed new salt-tolerant rice strains in the hope of ensuring food security that’s been threatened by rising sea levels, increasing grain demand and supply chain disruptions. Known as “seawater rice” because it’s grown in salty soil near the sea, the strains were created by over-expressing a gene from selected wild rice that’s more resistant to saline and alkali. Test fields in Tianjin—the municipality that encompasses Jinghai—recorded a yield of 4.6 metric tons per acre last year. The breakthrough comes as China searches for ways to secure domestic food and energy supplies as global warming and geopolitical tensions make imports less reliable.

The CDIC Daily (February 20) disclosed that since the 18th Party Congress, China's Human Resources and Social departments at all levels have organised and implemented a series of leading talent selection and training projects and high-level talent introduction projects. It said a total of 22 batches of personnel enjoying special government allowances have been selected, with a total of 187,000 people, and the total number of returnees from overseas studies has exceeded 4 million. Among them are 280,000 postdoctoral fellows. It noted that the number of high-level scientists in chemistry, materials, engineering science, life science and other disciplines has grown rapidly bringing China to the forefront of the world. It added that the "2021 Global Innovation Index Report" shows that China's ranking has risen rapidly from the 29th in 2015 to the 12th.

Caixin (February 18) disclosed that each of China's 31 provincial-level governments have announced their growth targets and policy goals for the new year when delivering their annual work reports to local legislatures. It said the majority have set lower goals for 2022 than in the previous year.

The Chinese magazine "K 36" published (February 18) an excerpt from "The Prospects of China's Economy", authored by Justin Yifu Lin, a reputed Chinese economist, and former World Bank Chief Economist. It quoted Justin Yifu Lin as saying "2021 is a very important node.

Bloomberg (February 23) reported that China is again scrutinising founder Jack Ma’s financial empire. Banking regulators recently told the biggest state-owned banks and firms to report all their financial exposure to Ant, its subsidiaries and even its shareholders. (Comment: Consequent to the Ant Group Co.’s US$ 35 billion initial public offering having been cancelled at the last minute 16 months ago and Jack Ma having stepped down from all his positions, it is not clear why he is being investigated again.)

On February 7, China's Ministry of Industry, and Information Technology and three other departments in China issued a “Guidance on Promoting the High-Quality Development of the Iron and Steel Industry", hereinafter referred to as the Guidance. It clearly encourages leading enterprises in the industry to implement mergers and reorganizations to build several worldclass mega steel enterprise groups. The Guidance makes concrete arrangements for steel industry mergers and reorganizations. One to two specialized pilot enterprises will be formed relying on the leading enterprises in stainless steel, special steel, seamless steel tubes, castings, and other fields, respectively. The Guidance mentioned that those enterprises that have completed the mergers and reorganizations will be given capacity replacement policy support during their smelting project construction. The Guidance also encourages Chinese financial institutions actively to offer integrated financial services to those steel enterprises which implement mergers and reorganizations, layout adjustments, transformation and upgrading based on risk-controlled, commercially sustainable principles. Li Xinchuang, Chief Engineer of the Metallurgical Industry Planning and Research Institute, said that the concentration in the domestic steel industry is still less than 40 percent. China’s steel industry has now ushered in an important window of mergers and reorganizations and a period of historic opportunity. Given the background that the output of the iron and steel industry has entered the peak platform area, it is the key to the healthy and high-quality development of the industry to intensify the merger and reorganization of iron and steel and improve the concentration of the industry.

The Global Times (February 20) criticised India for signing an FTA with the UAE and said it was because of the pressure caused by the RCEP. It also compared India with Pakistan and citing the CPEC as example claimed it is favourable to foreign investment and invites 100 per cent foreign investment in a wide range of sectors. It concludes by saying "India is very likely to face severe challenges if it cannot shake off of its fear of outside competition." Another Global Times (February 20) article said that "Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar recently has twice mentioned the China-India border dispute on a multilateral occasion at which China was not present. New Delhi may try to exploit the force of the international community to embolden itself and further play with fire on the border issue. Such a dangerous tendency is what China needs to be wary of."

In an article captioned 'Associating Taiwan with Ukraine is a trap ‘in the Global Times (Chinese edition) on February 15, Cui Hongjian, Director of the European Institute of the China Institute of International Studies, described "The Ukraine crisis, in which the United States, Russia and Europe are deeply involved, has become the biggest geopolitical hotspot at the moment." He added "At the same time, it has also become a “right and wrong place” that some people have too much imagination. One of them is to compare the Ukraine crisis with the Taiwan issue.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying on February 23 slammed the U.S. as "the culprit of current tensions" and criticized Washington for sending weapons to Ukraine.

In an article (February 22) posted on the US' Stimson Centre website, Yun Sun, Senior Fellow at the Stimson Centre, wrote that "If Crimea serves as a precedent, China will remain silent on the issues of sovereignty and territorial integrity, which in reality translates into a tacit recognition of the altered status quo without publicly stating so". She explained that "There are several nuanced differences in China’s position this time around, however.

Southern Mongolia Watch reported February 21) that on February 17, 2022, at around 3:00 PM, Mr. Munkhbayar Chuluundorj, a citizen of the independent country of Mongolia who has long supported the Southern (Inner) Mongolian cause, was arrested by the General Intelligence Agency (GIA) of Mongolia in the capital city Ulaanbaatar. According to a press conference held by the GIA on Friday, “Receiving instructions and accepting funds from a foreign intelligence organization, Mongolian citizen Munkhbayar Chuluundorj has engaged in activities of illegal cooperation [with the foreign intelligence organization]” and was “arrested in action.” The GIA did not disclose at whose behest the arrest was carried out.

On the eve of the 50th anniversary of the Mao-Nixon meeting in Beijing, Xinhua's high circulation Reference News published (February 17) a major article on the Nixon-Mao Summit on its front page.

The US newspaper Politico (February 19) reported that the US Congress is considering legislation allowing the government to screen American investments in China and other adversarial nations — and potentially deny them if a project threatens national security. At the same time, the White House is talking about issuing executive orders to increase scrutiny of American funding for Chinese start-ups and technology firms, expanding a ban that today only exists for a select group of firms aligned with the Chinese military. Supporters say they are necessary to stop American banks from funding China’s technological development and prevent U.S. supply chains from being reliant on Beijing for goods used in critical industries, like medicine, energy, and defense. Senator Bob Casey (D-Pa.), who is leading a bill with Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas) said “We’re in an economic war, whether we want to use that language [or not]. I think it requires that we examine some issues that maybe 10 or 15 years ago we didn’t have to worry about.”

The Epoch Times (February 7) published an article pointing out that a growing number of biotech, genomics, and med-tech firms that have ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) are operating in the United States, raising security concerns about American citizens’ medical and genetic data. The article listed several Chinese companies as examples: China’s Lepu Biopharma Co. 0pened its U.S. branch Innocube Bioscience, Inc. in Texas. Beijing’s sovereign wealth fund, the State Development, and Investment Corporation (SDIC), heavily invests in Lepu. BeiGene, a Chinese pharmaceutical and research firm located in San Mateo, California, conducts research on targeted molecular agents related to gene sequencing. The company’s research center in China has received significant local government funding. The PLA-linked BGI Group purchased Complete Genomics, a California-based company that holds the genetic information of U.S. citizens. Several of China’s sovereign wealth funds have invested in the company. The Chinese firm WuXi Pharma Tech acquired U.S. genomic information company NextCODE Health in 2015. Also In 2015, IuXi Biologics, bought a stake in an American DNA testing company, andMe. WuXi Biologics now has locations in Massachusetts and New Jersey. Its drug plant in Delaware was built with a Chinese government grant. WuXi Advanced Therapies (WuXi ATU) announced the opening of a cell and gene therapy testing facility in the Philadelphia Navy Yard in November 2021. The article also said that U.S. money has aided the CCP’s infiltration of the U.S. bio and medical industries. Last month, Chinese firm Andon Health Co. received a $1.28 billion contract from the U.S. Army Contracting Command to supply COVID-19 self-test kits. A subsidiary of Andon, iHealth Labs, signed a contract with the New York State Department of Health in December for $120 million worth of self-test kits

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang chaired a meeting of the State Council Standing Committee on February 14. Xinhua reported that the State Council had accepted more than 4,300 suggestions from the NPC, which submitted 8,666 proposals and the CPPCC, which submitted 5,718 proposals in 2021, and issued 1,600 policies and measures. The State Council discussed NPC and CPPCC deputies' proposals and the employment situation and concluded that the "stable recovery of industry" is not solid

The 1st volume of a new book of "Xi Jinping's Collected Letters" has been published. The book includes a letter written in 2014 to the villagers of Liangjiahe in Shaanxi province, where Xi spent the Cultural Revolution years. (Comment: The title implies more volumes to come.)

CCTV (February 14) announced that the State Council recently issued the "14th Five-Year Plan" National Emergency Response System Plan, which comprehensively deploys work safety, disaster prevention, mitigation and relief during the "14th Five-Year Plan" period. The "Plan" proposes that by 2025, significant progress will be made in the modernization of the emergency management system and capabilities

The People's Daily (February 16) published its second commentary of a series entitled "Ten Clarifications" - The road of socialism with Chinese characteristics is getting wider and wider". The commentaries highlight "the new leap" in the Sinicization of Marxism and Xi Jinping's leadership. The People's Daily commentaries are being reproduced in all major newspapers of China. Its third commentary on the "10 clears", published on February 16 is a refresher from the Party History Resolution and the fourth published on February 17 similarly clarifies the 4th of Xi Jinping's Thoughts on Party History.

The CDIC official website announced on February 17 that Zhao Ming, the 1975-born former Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of Tibet Communications Development Group, had been expelled from the CCP among other things for "illegally setting up and using an "off book accounts""

he Central Discipline Inspection Commission (CDIC) newspaper, CDIC Daily (February 14) published an important article on the "Regulations on the Reporting of Personal Matters by Leading Cadres", highlighting the importance of leading cadres "disclosing personal matters". It reminded Party members and cadres that "whether or not to report personal matters to the party organization truthfully is the touchstone to test whether the leading cadres are loyal and honest to the party." It mentioned that 2021 was the first year of institutionalization of the "sweep away black and eliminate evil" campaign and that since the beginning of 2022, 3 leading cadres are already under investigation for failing to do this. It also listed 9,931 cases of corruption and "protection umbrella" (where officials protect criminals) issues and dealt with other issues related to "gangsterism". A number of provincial cadres were mentioned. The article cautioned cadres to voluntarily disclose their dealings in real estate, stock investment, running businesses, and going abroad as "In the era of big data, there are advanced technological means, and the traces of your crime will never be erased. The organization is very insightful and very clear about all this. So, you want to be clever and be smart, but you will be punished. A stupid thing that is clever and wrong is actually stealing the bell." It asserted that the instructions include their "marriage, spouse, children emigration, employment, income, real estate, investment and other matters".

A 40,000-Chinese character monograph titled ‘An Objective Evaluation of Xi Jinping’ (客觀 評價習近平 ) authored by Chinese writing under the pseudonym ‘Fang Zhou & China’ (方舟 與中國 - literally ‘China & Its Ark’) was released in late January and is the first public salvo of criticism in China in 2022. Commentators in the independent Chinese media quickly pointed out that Fang Zhou’s damning round-up was released on the eve of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, an event staged in part as a celebration of Xi Jinping. A translation of the article, or monograph, by Geremie R. Barme reveals that it severely castigated Xi Jinping and his performance in a number of areas. It asserted: "Xi will be the architect of his own defeat. His style of governance is simply unsustainable; it will generate ever newer and greater policy missteps. That he has been able to get this far is a testament both to Xi’s obduracy and also his inertia, a kind of helplessness fuelled by the fact that he will not back down on any front. The truth of the matter is that he has never really been bolstered by sincerely held core beliefs; he is sustained by his political instincts. Some people in the Party have his measure. They make a show of total compliance and they even encourage his wilfulness. They commandeer access to him and have proved masterful at putting the best face on the consequences of his political follies. In reality, they are guiding him towards an impossible predicament while letting all the frustrations and fury that his policies create focus on him and him alone. When the time comes, he will bear sole responsibility for the quagmire at the heart of China’s cyclical authoritarian politics". The article says in conclusion: "Even if by some remarkable sleight of hand, he manages to secure another term in office he will still be faced by a landscape riven by problems and an inevitable rout in the year 2027. He’s caught up in a monomaniacal fantasy that realworld politics can actually be based upon the kind of abstract ideal that he holds dear. His circumstances are not all that different from those experienced by Yuan Shikai, whose autocratic mindset and imperial ambitions were frustrated by the reality of the times. Well may Xi Jinping inwardly regard himself as the greatest ruler in all of Chinese history but, sooner or later, he will learn that this is a chimera. The chasm between Xi Jinping’s hubristic self-belief and stark reality is his Achilles heel. Xi Jinping may well end up as a lonely figure; his comeuppance is unavoidable". (Comment: I am attempting a detailed translation and a summary will follow separately.)

China Education Daily (February 15) runs two articles on the building of world class universities and their new mission and requirements. It emphasises that they have a "New orientation, new mission, and new requirements" in higher education. The article highlighted that "the person in charge said that first, the party's leadership over colleges and universities has been comprehensively strengthened, and second, the building (construction) of high-level teachers has made significant progress. The third is to continuously improve the ability to cultivate high-level talents to serve the needs of the country; the fourth is to further improve the ability to serve the country's scientific and technological self-reliance and self-improvement; the fifth is to fully demonstrate the role of the main force in philosophy and social sciences; Continue to improve, and eighth is to demonstrate and drive the new development of regional higher education". The Education Daily said there are 147 universities in the list announced this time, and 7 new universities including Shanxi University, Nanjing Medical University, Xiangtan University, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou Medical University, Southern University of Science and Technology, and Shanghai University of Science and Technology have been added. Among the disciplines, there are 59 basic disciplines such as mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology, 180 engineering disciplines, and 92 philosophy and social science disciplines. The disciplines independently set up by Peking University and Tsinghua University have been announced by themselves. The South China Morning Post (February 16) clarified that “The aim is for more Chinese institutions and specialisms to rank among the world’s best by 2030, and the country to be a global education power by 2035”

Supreme People's Court Chief Justice Zhou Qiang met China Mobile CEO Yang Jie, to discuss about smart courts and informatization and digitization, smart "trial" and "office". He promised to push for further integration. Separately, the CDIC Daily (February 15) published the 33rd batch of Supreme People's Procuratorate Guiding Cases which revealed that "11,150 cases were filed and 14,217 people were punished in 53 centrally management enterprises, an increase of 27.1% and 20.8% compared with 2020".

Tianjin starts its "two meetings" after a delay due to COVID-19. The Tianjin Daily (February 11) reported on the fifth meeting of the 14th Tianjin Municipal Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) that opened in the Tianjin Auditorium on February 11. Tianjin Party Secretary Li Hongzhong, Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee, Liao Guoxun, Deputy Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee and Mayor, and Duan Chunhua, Director of the Standing Committee of the Municipal People's Congress attended. Sheng Maolin, Chairman of the CPPCC, presented the work report on behalf of the Standing Committee of the 14th Tianjin Committee of the CPPCC. Vice Chairman of the CPPCC Cao Xiaohong, Gao Yubao, Shang Binyi, Zhao Zhonghua, Zhang Jinying, Qi Chengxi, Wang Jianguo and Secretary-General Gao Xuezhong were seated in the front row of the rostrum. Li Changjin, vice chairman of the CPPCC, was entrusted by the Standing Committee of the CPPCC to make a report on the proposal work since the fourth session of the 14th CPPCC. Li Shaohong, vice chairman of the CPPCC, presided over the meeting. 583 members of the total 704 members attended the fifth meeting of the 14th CPPCC.

The Chongqing Daily (February 12) On February 11, the sixth working meeting of the Municipal People's Congress was held. Chen Miner, Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee, attended the meeting and delivered a speech. He emphasized that it is necessary to conscientiously study and implement General Secretary Xi Jinping's important thought on adhering to and improving the system of the people's congress, effectively strengthen the party's overall leadership over the work of the people's congress, further strengthen and improve the work of the people's congress in our city in the new era, and continuously develop people's democracy throughout the process. Vigorously promote the construction of socialist democratic politics, provide a strong guarantee for Chongqing to write a new chapter of highquality development and high-quality life, and comprehensively build socialist modernization. He added it is necessary to fully implement the Constitution, safeguard its authority and dignity, strictly abide by, and implement it, and strengthen the supervision of the Constitution. Deputy Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee and Mayor Hu Henghua presided over the meeting, Zhang Xuan, Director of the Standing Committee of the Municipal People's Congress, delivered a speech, Wang Jiong, Chairman of the CPPCC, Wu Cunrong, Deputy Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee, Member of the Standing Committee of the Municipal Party Committee, and relevant municipal leaders attended the meeting. (Comment: Chen Min'er's speech included 5 references to Xi Jinping.)

Reuters (February 16) cited a report (February 16) by the Swiss Bank, UBS (UBSG.S), which said China's drive for "common prosperity" to ease inequality could be a positive catalyst for the local wealth management industry, as it leads to expansion of the middle-income group and healthy development of capital markets. The UBS also said the wealth management market in China could hit 214 trillion yuan ($34 trillion) in investable assets by high net worth individuals in 2030. Stating that the "Common prosperity" policy drive by President Xi Jinping has sparked some concerns as Beijing the UBS report said concerns about policy uncertainties amid Beijing's "aim to 'reasonably regulate and adjust excessively high income'" could boost demand for geographic diversification and offshore asset allocation by high net worth individuals. Reuters mentioned that the number of high net worth individuals in China has jumped from 0.3 million in 2008 to 2.6 million in 2020, adding the growth was still the primary driver for the rise in overall investable assets.

A major Guangming Daily (February 15) article on the digital economy and common prosperity asserted that the tenth meeting of the Central Financial and Economic Commission in August 2021 made comprehensive and specific arrangements for common prosperity, and the Central Economic Work Conference in December 2021 stipulated further "clear requirements for the guiding ideology and practice path of common prosperity". It said the two cannot be separated and "the digital economy will not alleviate but exacerbate the income distribution gap", and advocated introduction of a "digital tax" to help with that. It called for speeding up the establishment of an income distribution system and added that "Preventing and defusing major financial risks, especially preventing the occurrence of systemic financial risks, is the core task of financial work and the eternal theme of financial work".

The South China Morning Post (February 14) reported that China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) announced on February 11 that China is rolling out support for a record 10.76 million college students poised to graduate this year. It said the government will offer special help to young entrepreneurs as “starting a new business has a multiplier effect in driving up employment”. The NDRC statement said: “In recent years, more college graduates have taken part in entrepreneurship, but they also face difficulties in financing, lack of experiences and services among other [issues]. The exemplary activities this year will revolve around the promotion of college graduates’ entrepreneurial practices and employment opportunities.” The list of preferential policies includes free, government-funded start-up incubators, special loans with reduced interest rates, fee, and tax cuts, as well as the possibility for college students to retain school credits while taking years off to start a business. The assistance does not include those who graduated from overseas universities and are returning home.

The Epoch Times (February 4) reported that Chinese companies listed on China’s stock markets – either the Shanghai stock exchange or the Shenzhen stock exchange – are required to report their profits and losses from 2021 by the end of January. Thus, many companies with big losses submitted their information on January 28, the last trading day in January. Suning.com Co had the largest loss, around 43.3 billion yuan (US $6.8 billion), more than the company’s market cap of 36.4 billion yuan. The company was on the Fortune 500 list in August 2021 and ranked number one among the Chinese retail companies. The second largest loss was from China Fortune Land Development, a real estate developer, with an estimated loss of 33.1 to 39.1 billion yuan. Caixin reported that, by January 29, out of the 66 real estate companies which published their 2021 performance information, 30 reported a loss.

An article in China's Economic Daily (February 11) said that from only 17 trains in 2011, now the China-Europe freight train has transported more than 4.55 million TEUs of goods with a value of US$ 240 billion, and has 78 paved and operated lines, reaching 180 cities in 23 European countries. It said despite the impact of the new crown pneumonia epidemic, ChinaEurope freight trains have continued to grow and the number of trains has exceeded 10,000 for two consecutive years, once again confirming the strong vitality and appeal of the "Belt and Road". It added that in 2021, the total value of imports and exports between China and the EU will reach US$ 828.11 billion, a year-on-year increase of 27.5%, continuing to remain the EU's largest trading partner and in Duisburg, Germany, for example, the China Railway Express has attracted hundreds of logistics companies creating more than 20,000 employment opportunities.

The Financial Times (February 11) said that China’s biggest chipmaker may lack leading-edge technology and be under the yoke of strict US sanctions, but Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC)'s record sales last year hint at what to expect this year. Profit from operations quadrupled to $1.4bn in 2021 over the year as its top line rose 39 per cent to a record $5.4bn.

Reuters (February 11) reported that China's National Energy Administration (NEA) guidelines published late on February 10 said that new policies and institutional mechanisms were required in order for China to take full advantage of green energy. It said by 2030, China would create a system allowing all new energy demand to be met by non-fossil fuel sources, “Beijing aims to bring total wind and solar capacity to 1,200 gigawatts (GW) by the end of 2030, almost double the current level, and will gradually phase down fossil fuel use in a bid to become carbon neutral by around 2060”. It said China would make clean coal consumption a priority and further eliminate small and inefficient mines, power plants and heating systems, while providing more support for carbon capture and storage at thermal plants and that "China's new renewable energy plans will focus on the Gobi and other desert regions, as it speeds up the construction of huge new wind and solar power bases and boosts its transmission capabilities".

Al Jazeera disclosed (February 11) that an 870-page report of the UN, titled Application of International Labour Standards, which is an assessment by the Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations, sent to the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and to governments, alleged that China continues to engage in widespread and systematic “programmes” involving the extensive use of forced labour of the Uighur and other Turkic and Muslim minorities in Xinjiang. It said a key feature of China’s programme is the use of forced labour in or around internment or “re-education” camps housing some 1.8 million Uighur and other Turkic or Muslim peoples in the region. The abuses take place in or around prisons and workplaces across Xinjiang and other parts of the country. Life in “re-education centres” or camps is characterised by extraordinary hardship, lack of freedom of movement, and physical and psychological torture, according to the ITUC. It also alleges prison labour in cotton harvesting and the manufacture of clothing and footwear. It said outside Xinjiang, Uighur workers live and work in segregation, are required to attend Mandarin classes and are prevented from practising their culture or religion. The Chinese government rebutted the ITUC findings, stressing that language training for ethnic minority workers in Xinjiang is necessary to increase their language skills and boost their employability and that the minimum wage system applies across the country. The claims that wages of some migrant workers in Xinjiang are as low as $114 (approximately 729 yuan) per month are groundless. However, Beijing pledged to take steps to strengthen the inspection of employer compliance with minimum wage provisions and call on employers to respect the minimum wage standards. It stressed that China has policies ensuring freedom of religion and actively guides religions to adapt to the socialist society, the government said.

The Beijing-owned Hongkong-based Wen Wei Po and Ta Kung Pao newspapers reported (February 16), without saying where they got the information, that Chinese President Xi Jinping had ordered Vice Premier Han Zheng, who heads the Communist Party committee responsible for Hong Kong: “Hong Kong’s government must take up the main responsibility to stabilize and control the pandemic as soon as possible as a mission that overrides everything, mobilize all available forces and resource and take all necessary measures to ensure the safety and health of Hong Kong’s citizens and the stability of Hong Kong’s society.”

The Global Times (February 16) reported that Taiwan's defense authorities had confirmed on February 15 that a Chinese mainland civilian aircraft recently approached Dongyin Island and that the "Taiwan side speculated that the Chinese mainland was testing Taiwan's response measures". The aircraft that was spotted near Dongyin on February 5 was a Chinese mainland civilian Y-12 light twin-engine aircraft. It said that Chinese mainland experts, however, said on February 16 that the incident only exposed the Taiwan military's weak air defense capability, and warned that such a flight could become routine or even expand to include larger areas if Taiwan secessionists continue to provoke

China's PLA Air Force (PLAAF) aircraft entered Taiwan's Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) at 9:18 on February 6 at an altitude of 4,000 meters. The Freedom Times (February 6) quoting the records of the Southwest Taiwan Airspace Facebook fan page, claimed that Chinese military aircraft have entered Taiwan's airspace on 3 days this month and 29 days in 2022. Taiwan's defense department announced that the PLA military aircraft entered Taiwan's airspace for a total of 26 days in 2022, with 146 sorties

The South China Morning Post (February 12) disclosed that a WeChat post by the Chinese Embassy on February 11, urges citizens to ‘enhance defensive awareness’ of changing situation, but that its focus appears to be on Covid-19, even as the US and others urge nationals to evacuate immediately over Russian invasion fears. The Chinese embassy’s notice added “The current tense situation between Ukraine and Russia has aroused wide concerns, and various statements have emerged, which are not consistent with each other.”

China has taken a 15-year extension of its leasing rights on a gold and copper mine project in restive Balochistan province. A 15-year extension of the lease between Saindak Metals Limited (SML) of Pakistan and the Metrological Construction Company of China (MCC) for the Saindak Copper-Gold Project was cleared by the Pakistan cabinet on February 9. The lease contract had been valid until October 31, 2022, but it now expires in 2037.

The Times (February 17) reported that record numbers of students from China have applied to study in the UK, with applicants from the country now outnumbering those from Wales. The latest data from Ucas (University admissions service) shows a 12 per cent increase in Chinese applicants to 28,930, making it the second largest overseas market for British universities after the European Union. There were 26,000 applicants last year and 6,900 in 2013. The number from India has also risen.

Members of the British House of Commons on February 10 unanimously voted for a motion to enhance security cooperation with Taiwan and support its bid for international recognition following discussions over UK-Taiwan friendship and cooperation presided over by MPs Alicia Kearns and Bob Steward — who are cochairs of the China Research Group and BritishTaiwanese All-Party Parliamentary Group respectively.

The state-run CCTV (February 16) disclosed that President Xi Jinping had a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron on the afternoon of February 16 when Macron extended Chinese New Year greetings and said, "The French side has always supported and will continue to fully support the Beijing Winter Olympics". Xi Jinping emphasized that in 2021, "we will 14 have two phone calls and two jointly attend the China-France-Germany Leaders' Video Summit to actively promote the development of bilateral relations" He mentioned that last year, the bilateral trade volume exceeded 80 billion US dollars and the total amount of Chinese agricultural products imported from France increased by 40% year-on-year. Xi Jinping pointed out that since France took over the rotating presidency of the EU this year, it has done a lot to enhance EU unity and strengthen European strategic autonomy and said China and the EU should make joint efforts to promote new development of China-EU relations. It said the two heads of state reached a number of important consensuses on bilateral cooperation in the next stage: 1. Promote cooperation in agricultural science and technology and local advantageous agricultural industries as soon as possible. China welcomes more French agri-food enterprises that meet China's requirements to register in China. 2. Deepen the Sino-French "Green Manufacturing Partnership" initiative and provide a fair, just and non-discriminatory business environment for each other's enterprises to develop in their own countries. 3. Support more French banks and financial infrastructure to access the RMB cross-border payment system. The Chinese side will actively examine and approve the financial qualification applications of French-funded banks in accordance with relevant procedures and standards. 4. Support the aviation enterprises of the two countries to deepen cooperation in various forms and promote the mutual airworthiness certification of aircraft. 5. Accelerate the implementation of the list of the fourth batch of demonstration projects for third-party market cooperation. 6. Hold the China-France strategic dialogue space group meetings and online group meetings as soon as possible, carry out polar and maritime dialogues, and strengthen dialogues and exchanges between the two militaries at all levels. Macron introduced his views on the current situation in Ukraine. Xi Jinping stressed that all parties concerned should adhere to the general direction of political settlement, make full use of multilateral platforms including the Normandy mechanism, and seek a comprehensive solution to the Ukraine issue through dialogue and consultation. They also exchanged views on other issues of mutual concern.

The Chollima Report disclosed on February 15 that China and France have signed a US$ 1.7 billion cooperation agreement to work on seven projects in "third party countries" covering infrastructure, environmental protection, new energy, and others.

A People's Daily 'He Yin' commentary (February 5) highlighted the recent meeting between Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin on February 4 in Beijing. Noting that this meeting was the 38th meeting between the two leaders since 2013 it described the meeting as “a vivid portrayal of the solidarity and cooperation between China and Russia.” It asserted that the two leaders have “established a profound friendship” which has led China-Russia relations to “usher in the best period in [the bilateral relationship’s] history.” It added that the two sides “firmly support each other in safeguarding their core interests,” have “jointly practiced true multilateralism,” “safeguarded the true spirit of democracy,” and “played a pivotal role in uniting the international community to overcome difficulties and safeguard international fairness and justice.” The People's Daily commentary also said that Xi Jinping focused on the long-term development of bilateral relations between China and Russia in the new era, strongly supporting each other in safeguarding sovereignty, security, and development interests,” and “effectively responding to external interference and regional security threats”.

The CDIC Daily (February 14) publicised a report on the website of Russia's "Viewpoint" on February 10, which stated that Russia has overcome the crisis in academia after the disintegration of the Soviet Union in the 1990s, curbed the momentum of brain drain, and created a strong attraction for the return of scholars. conditions of. It said according to the latest poll by the Russian Public Opinion Research Center, "71% of respondents believe that Russian scientists are the best in the world, and 20% disagree. 69% do not support that Russia will never catch up with developed countries in the field of science and technology. 25% agree with this 16 view. “It also quoted Alexander Majuga, Deputy Chairman of the Russian State Duma (lower house of parliament) Committee for Science and Higher Education, as pointing out that the poll results are a true reflection of the status quo: the prestige of scientific research work is increasing, and Russian science is "younger year after year. change". He emphasized: "There are nearly 340,000 people in Russia now engaged in scientific research, and about 100,000 people under the age of 39. In 2010, the number was only about 60,000."

The Guardian (February 15) revealed that “last year Australia’s sovereign wealth fund had invested $4.9m in five subsidiaries of the Chinese arms conglomerate Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC)”.

People's Daily (February 7) reproduced a Xinhua article on the contribution of Xi Jinping Thought to the world captioned 'The strong voice of the times that stirs all continents——A Commentary on the Worldwide Contributions of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era'

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan held a banquet at the Golden Hall of the Great Hall of the People in Beijing at noon on February 5 to "welcome international distinguished guests attending the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics". Xi Jinping and Peng Liyuan waved to the international distinguished guests and took a group photo together. Xi Jinping and Peng Liyuan later walked into the Golden Hall with the guests to the welcome song "Peace - A Community of Shared Future". Xi Jinping delivered a speech at the banquet when he said, "We should keep in mind the original intention of the Olympic Movement, jointly safeguard world peace, adhere to mutual respect and treat each other as equals, and jointly build a world of lasting peace". Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee, and Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, also delivered speeches. Wang Huning, Han Zheng, Ding Xuexiang, Sun Chunlan, Yang Jiechi, Cai Qi, Wang Yi and others attended the event.

China's official media published photographs and reports on Chinese President Xi Jinping's meetings with the foreign visitors. His meeting with the UN Secretary General was specifically reported as was his meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. Xi Jinping told him “China and Egypt share similar visions and strategies in defending their own interests”. The People's Daily, Beijing Daily, Guangming Daily, CDIC 2 Daily and PLA Daily prominently published reports and photographs of Xi Jinping on their front page and page 3. The People's Daily published a photograph and report on Peng Liyuan on page 3 while it published a photograph of Politburo Standing Committee Members Li Keqiang, Li Zhanshu, and Wang Yang on page 4. Peng Liyuan met with María de Lourdes Alcívar, the wife of the President of Ecuador. The People's daily, Beijing Daily, CDIC Daily, PLA Daily, Guangming Daily and the Economic Daily published photographs of Chinese President Xi Jinping and detailed reports of his meetings on their front pages. However, others published only detailed reports of Xi Jinping's meetings without any photographs and usually as one composite article under one headline. These were the Dalian Daily, Guangzhou Daily, Henan Daily, Zhejiang Daily, Sichuan Daily, Guizhou Daily Tianjin Daily, Xinjiang Daily and the Chongqing Daily.

'Kim Jong Un, General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, sent a message to General Secretary Xi Jinping, saying that the Beijing Winter Olympics is a great year for the Communist Party of China and the Chinese people to achieve the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and embark on a new journey towards the second centenary goal. It is another huge victory under the unprecedented severe epidemic background.'

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang met the Presidents of Singapore and Ecuador, the Prime Ministers of PMs of Pakistan, Mongolia, Papua New Guinea, the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the WHO Director-General and WIPO Director General among others on February 5.

CPPCC Chairman and PBSC member Wang Yang met the former chairperson of the Kuomintang Hung Hsiu-chu on February 5. Wang Yang said: "On the basis of the one-China principle and the "1992 Consensus", we are willing to conduct extensive and in-depth dialogue, communication and democratic consultation with all parties, groups and people in Taiwan on issues related to cross-strait relations." He also said, "Compatriots on both sides of the strait should work together and move forward in unity, resolutely oppose the "Taiwan independence" split and external interference, promote the peaceful development of cross-strait relations, maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, and jointly create a bright future for the Chinese nation"

Xinhua (February 4) reported that Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met Princess Sirindhorn of Thailand, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Singapore Vivian, and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Meledov on February 4 in Beijing.

Interviewing Tajikistan President Rahmon in Dushanbe the People's Daily (February 4) quoted him saying on February 2 that "The Beijing Winter Olympics will not only be the largest and most unique Winter Olympics, but also one of the most spectatorial winter sports events in recent years." He added "I am very glad that Beijing is about to become the first 'Double Olympic City' in the world that has hosted both the Summer Olympics and the Winter Olympics, which demonstrates China's great strength and the remarkable achievements of the Chinese people" and that the cooperation between Tajikistan and China in building the 'Belt and Road' has broad prospects. Rahmon sent Spring Festival blessings to the Chinese people: "I wish a friendly China prosperous and prosperous, the Chinese people are happy and healthy, and I wish the Beijing Winter Olympics a complete success!"

A People's Daily (February 8) editorial/commentary said 'the socialist market economy is essentially a lawbased economy, and must be based on the protection of property rights, the maintenance of contracts, a unified market, equal exchange, fair competition, and effective supervision. Capital activities must be carried out in accordance with the law.

An article in the Zhejiang Daily (February 7) calls for provincial mobilization in 2022 to achieve and master common prosperity. The article listed a number of cities were common prosperity. The Zhejiang Daily has published three commentaries on common prosperity since February 7. Zhejiang Daily (February 10) published a report on its 'education and rectification' drive in Zhejiang province. It disclosed that in the first batch the province registered a total of 937 cases, 762 people were punished by party discipline and government affairs, 62 people were detained, and 1,175 political and legal police officers took the initiative to explain the problem to the organization. The second batch of education and rectification dealt with 64 provincial-level political and legal police officers who violated discipline and law, and 29 political and legal police officers voluntarily surrendered. Asserting its "zero tolerance" policy and that it has not distinguished between high and low, it disclosed that among those punished were: Jiang Xunbo, Secretary of the Political and Legal Committee, Zhu Guozhen, former Secretary of the Party Committee and Captain of the High-speed Traffic Police Corps of the Provincial Public Security Department, Qiu Maojin, former Director and First-Class Investigator of the Comprehensive Enforcement Division of the Provincial Court, Shen Chugeng, former Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Executive Deputy Director of Jiaxing Public Security Bureau, etc.

Chongqing Party Secretary and Politburo member Chen Yixin, in his speech at the work conference (February 10), where the Chongqing Municipal People's Congress Work Report was released spoke on party conduct and clean government held by the CPLC, studying, and implementing Xi Jinping's strategic thought on self-revolution, continuously deepening the vivid practice of the party's self-revolution in the field of politics and law, and implementing Xi Jinping's thought on self-revolution. He also stated, "Thoroughly and thoroughly clean up the evil influence of Sun Zhengcai and the evil influence of Bo Xilai and Wang Lijun, and purge the evil influence of Deng Huilin."

The Central Discipline Inspection Commission (CDIC) announced (February 7) that Fan Xiuliao, former member of the Party Committee and Vice President of the Guangdong Police Officers College has been expelled from the Party and his case has been transferred to prosecutors for, among other things, illegally interfering in law enforcement activities. Similarly, it announced (February 7) that 1959-born Yang Xiaoping, former Secretary of the Party Committee and President of the Kunming Central Branch of the People's Bank of China, is suspected of serious violations of discipline and law and is currently under disciplinary review and monitoring investigations.

The CDIC Daily (February 7) reported that on the first day of the Lunar New Year on February 1, a discipline inspection team in Xiamen started visiting hotels and restaurants over the Spring Festival to check whether officials had been illegally using public funds to eat and drink. As of February 6, cadres from 17 townships (streets) discipline (work) committees in the district have visited more than 1,320 people and collected 478 pieces of public opinion on integrity.

A report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) released late last month said China’s shift towards joint operations in space, cyberspace, and nuclear technology point to a “proactive defence” strategy that could include a pre-emptive strike. The report said, “Changes to China’s postures and technologies indicate that its concept and practice of ‘active defence’ may be converging with more forwardleaning and even pre-emptive ‘proactive defence’.” It added that “One key potentially destabilising outcome is that the US response to China’s shifts in posture and technologies could trigger an escalatory spiral of both arms races and crises that cut across space, cyberspace and nuclear domains.” The report said China might increasingly employ space, cyberspace and nuclear strategies that were more like those of the US and Russia, which could undermine global security. It said China’s defences had been accelerated by President Xi Jinping’s proactive leadership style, China’s economic growth, and military and political pressure from the US. The South China Morning Post (February 6) said this more aggressive strategy could destabilise regional security as China gains strength but its similarities with the approaches taken by the United States and Russia could help the three powers better understand each other, and eventually encourage conflict prevention and crisis management talks. It cited Chinese military experts who said the People’s Liberation Army was still aiming to deter rather than take a pre-emptive strike. Hongkong-based former PLA officer Song Zhongping said “China’s actions have been for ‘defensive purposes’, meaning that the PLA will only fight back once someone else fires the first shot”. “The military should not only be able to strike back, but also fully paralyse the enemy’s ability to cause further harm. “In Chinese, the concepts of ‘active defence’ and ‘proactive defence’ are the same, with the latter highlighting more combat-ready preparation.” Zhou Chenming, a Researcher from the Yuan Wang Military Science and Technology Institute in Beijing, said China would not change its policy of “not firing the first shot” in any arena. “China’s missiles, including the DF-21 carrierkiller and other weapons, were all designed for deterring and denying foreign military intervention in case of a Taiwan contingency, which will only happen if Taipei formally declares independence.” “The PLA will not take pre-emptive strikes in peacetime.”

Australia's Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade recommended that the Australian Government work with other CPTPP members to encourage China to re-establish full trading relations including ending its coercive trade measures and reengaging in ministerial dialogue, and to demonstrate an ability and willingness to commit to the CPTPP’s high standards, prior to supporting the commencement of an accession process. It also called for the government to back Taiwan’s bid to join one of the world’s biggest trade agreements, and block consideration of China’s membership until it ends its coercive trade measures and re-establishes ministerial dialogue with Australia.

China has ramped up flight cancellations under its zero-COVID strategy, wreaking further havoc on an airline industry already smarting from the pandemic. 2021 saw a total of 603 flights grounded under these measures. In the new year alone, 198 flights were suspended through Jan. 13, reaching almost a third of last year's numbers in just two weeks. Han Guangzu, Director General of the flight standards department at the Civil Aviation Administration of China, told reporters in January 15, "We're determined to prevent an influx from overseas as well as a domestic rebound" in the number of cases. The uptick in circuit breakers comes in response to the spread of the omicron variant. There had been 408 international arrivals and departures per week scheduled between late October 2021 and late March 2022. January's circuit breakers led to a quarter of these being cancelled during the first two weeks of the year. This year, China Southern Airlines was forced to suspend flights to Toronto, Canada, while China Eastern Airlines put flights to Paris on hold. Flights by American Airlines and Germany's Lufthansa have been subject to similar restrictions. But Chinese airlines operating internationally have taken the brunt of the crackdown. Chinese carriers account for 56% of the international flights planned for about half a year through late March, giving them more exposure to the circuit breakers. At China's three biggest carriers, international flights, including those to Hong Kong and Macao, made up less than 1% of their passenger volume -- a big drop from the pre-coronavirus 17%.

In recent months Beijing has sought to tighten controls on 'big business' and imprisoned or detained a number of China's billionaire businessmen regardless of whether they are CCP members. Among them, those identified by Bloomberg (February 8) are Xiao Jianhua, the onetime tycoon, who owned the Tomorrow Group which had interests spanning banking, insurance, real estate, and mining. The government has since taken over a total of 10 companies linked to Xiao. They include Baoshang Bank Co., the first lender to go bankrupt in China in two decades; Xiaohui Wu who headed the Anbang Insurance Group disappeared from public view in 2017, before being ultimately sentenced to 18 years in prison on fraud and corruption charges; Wang Chaoyong, a former investment banker for Morgan Stanley who heads China Equity Group, a private equity firm. In December the Caixin news site reported that he hadn’t been seen in public for two weeks and was the subject of an investigation into financial misconduct. In early January he was released on bail.; Huang Guangyu, founder of retailer Gome Electrical Appliances Holding Ltd., was detained in 2008.; Yang Zhihui, billionaire owner of casino company Landing International Development Ltd. was 8 spirited away in In August 2018. The Board disclosed three months later, with a cryptic announcement, that Yang Zhihui had resumed his duties after “assisting the relevant department of the People’s Republic of China with its investigation.”; Most publicised was the case of billionaire Jack Ma, founder of e-commerce giant Alibaba.com., who since 2020 stepped out of the limelight, his shares took a beating, and at one point he was reported playing golf on China’s Hainan Island.; Chu Lam Yiu, the CEO of e-cigarette maker Huabao International Holdings Ltd. and its -controlling shareholder, was under an investigation that involved “suspected disciplinary violations.” (Comment: A civil liberties group based in Madrid, Safeguard Defenders, estimated that each year an estimated 30,000 people in China are secretly detained, often without public charges or access to lawyers.)

The Economic Daily (February 4) claimed that in 2021, 12.69 million new jobs were created in cities and towns, an increase of 830,000 over the previous year and exceeding the annual target. It said the employment situation remained generally stable in the first year of the "14th Five-Year Plan", but that in 2021, the total employment pressure would increase. Data from the China Labor Statistics Yearbook shows that China's manufacturing employment population has continued to decline since 2013, with a decrease of more than 10 million people in the past five years. It said "The evolution of the production model characterized by "machine substitution" has also accelerated the structural contradiction of employment. However, China's manufacturing industry, which is in a period of high-quality development, has also spawned "technology for good". The Economic Times added that China's "population employed in manufacturing declined since 2013, with a decrease of over 10 million people in the past five years" partially because factories were using machines to replace people

Xiao Kaiti Yiming, Director of the Standing Committee of the Xinjiang Autonomous Region People's Congress, presented the Work Report of the Standing Committee of the People's Congress of the Xinjiang Autonomous Region on January 24, 2022, at the fifth meeting of the 13th People's Congress of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. The Report was published by Xinjiang Daily on February 8. The Report mentioned 'stability' 20 times, 'Xi Jinping' 22 times and development 32 times. "Two establishments" was used twice as to enhance "four consciousness", strengthen "four self-confidence", achieve "two maintenance", defend "two establishments" .

Radio Free Asia (RFA-Feb 2) said that Chinese authorities in Sichuan province have arrested three Tibetan Buddhists who they claim were in possession of “politically sensitive information” as they returned from a pilgrimage. Citing Tibetan sources in exile, RFA said the three Tibetans named Asang, Dodra, and Nortso were interrogated by police on January 10 while traveling home to Chamdo prefecture's Dakyab township from the sprawling Larung Gar Tibetan Buddhist Academy in Sichuan’s Serta (in Chinese, Seda) county and later arrested. These sources said “Their cellphones were examined by police in Drago (Luhuo) county in the Kardze (Ganzi) Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture and all three of them were arrested for ‘possessing politically sensitive information and pictures’. They were handed over to police in Chamdo and are currently held at the Chamdo Police Station.” A second Tibetan in exile, who also declined to be named, told RFA that the content on their phones was related to the destruction late last month of a three-story statue of Maitreya Buddha at Gaden Namyal Ling monastery in Drago. He said “They were interrogated by the police in Drago when they were arrested. The police looked into all the group chat apps on their cellphones and charged them for keeping videos and pictures of the recent destruction of the Buddhist statue in Drago and also using those images as their screensaver wallpaper.”

The China-owned Hongkong-based "Ta Kung Pao" on February 8 criticised the University Grants Commission (UGC) Research and Development Bureau for still granting 5.86 million yuan in research funding to the "Hong Kong independence" activist Fang Zhiheng, despite earlier objections by the Audit Commission. It noted that the RGC has been accused of being a "cash machine" for anti-China scholars who have disrupted Hong Kong and whose "so-called research provided pseudo-academic theories and brainwashing mobilization for the subsequent social unrest". It quoted Liu Zhaojia, Vice President of the National Association for Hong Kong, and Macau Studies, who said that the social sciences and humanities in Hong Kong's higher education sector have long been "colonies" of the West, and their evaluation criteria can no longer be blindly followed by "ghosts", and must establish their own evaluation criteria and papers release channel.

On February 8, the Governments of Australia, Austria, Canada, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States signed a memorandum protesting the raids on media outlets in Hongkong and urging that a stable and prosperous Hong Kong in which human rights and fundamental freedoms are protected should be in everybody’s interest. The statement urged Hong Kong and mainland Chinese authorities to respect freedom of the press and freedom of speech in Hong Kong, in line with the Basic Law and China’s obligations under the Sino-British Joint Declaration.

The "People's Daily" (February 04, 2022) publicised the written interview given by Russian President Putin on the eve of the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics to Shen Haixiong, director and editorin-chief of China Central Radio and Television. While the interview focussed mainly on sports, Putin did say that "China ranks first among Russia's trading partners. Despite the coronavirus restrictions, preliminary figures show that bilateral trade reached a record high of $140 billion last year." He added "China is our strategic partner on the international stage. On most issues on the global agenda, we are aligned or very close. We maintain close coordination within major multilateral organizations and mechanisms such as the United Nations, the BRICS, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the G20, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, and the East Asia Summit, which have a stabilizing effect on the current complex world situation". He said in conclusion "the concepts we have established in the Russia-China Treaty of GoodNeighbourliness, Friendship and Cooperation have brought the partnership between our two countries to an unprecedented high level, with a qualitative change in its nature and scale, and for further joint efforts. to create the conditions".

Xinhua and CCTV (February 4) reported that on February 4, Chinese President Xi Jinping had an "had an in-depth and full exchange of views on Sino-Russian relations and a series of major issues concerning international strategic security and stability in a warm and friendly atmosphere" with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing. Stating that "the world has entered a new period of turbulence and change, and human society has encountered many challenges and crises", Xi Jinping added that "China and Russia have adhered to their original aspirations and have always maintained their bilateral relations to move forward steadily. The two sides firmly support each other in safeguarding their core interests. Political and strategic mutual trust is increasingly consolidated, and bilateral trade volume has hit a new record high". He asserted that "China and Russia are committed to deepening back-to-back strategic cooperation and safeguarding international fairness and justice side by side. This is a strategic decision that has far-reaching influence on China, Russia and the world, and will not be shaken in the past, present and 11 future". He said they should continue to maintain close high-level exchanges, "strongly support each other in safeguarding sovereignty, security and development interests, effectively respond to external interference and regional security threats, and maintain international strategic stability". Putin replied: "Russia-China relations are a model of international relations in the 21st century. The joint statement we issued today reflects the highly unanimous position of Russia and China on major international issues. The strategic nature of Russia-China relations is unprecedentedly prominent and has attracted worldwide attention. The deepening of comprehensive strategic coordination between Russia and China is conducive to the realization of the respective development of the two countries and the maintenance of the common interests of the two countries. It is also of great significance to safeguarding world strategic security and stability. The Russian side is willing to further intensify strategic communication and coordination with the Chinese side, firmly support each other in safeguarding sovereignty and territorial integrity, firmly uphold the core coordination role of the United Nations, firmly uphold international law and international fairness and justice, and promote the building of a more just and reasonable international order". Xinhua said during the meeting, the two heads of state had an in-depth exchange of views on the current international and regional situation and major hotspot issues of mutual concern. After the talks, Xi Jinping held a banquet for Putin. The two sides issued the "Joint Statement of the People's Republic of China and the Russian Federation on International Relations and Global Sustainable Development in the New Era" and signed a series of cooperation documents in key areas. Chinese officials including Ding Xuexiang, Director of the CCP CC General Office, senior Chinese diplomat Yang Jiechi, Foreign Minister Wang Yi, NDRC head He Lifeng, Commerce Minister Wang Wentao and Vice Foreign Minister Le Yucheng also attended the Xi-Putin meeting. (Comment: This was the first in-person meeting between the two in more than 2 years. At the meeting both were wearing closely matching ties! Besides Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, only Russian President Vladimir Putin and Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan stayed at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, while other foreign dignitaries were accommodated in hotels.) The state-run CCTV (February 4) reported the 'China and Russia joint statement on international relations and global sustainable development in the new era' issued in Beijing on February 4. CCTV said: The statement pointed out that at present, the world is going through great changes, and the international community has a stronger voice for peace and sustainable development. A few international forces continue to stubbornly pursue unilateralism and harm the legitimate rights and interests of other countries. The international community will never accept this. - The two sides call on all countries to safeguard the common values of peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy, and freedom for all mankind, defend the international system with the United Nations at the core 12 and the international order based on international law, practice genuine multilateralism, and achieve world peace and stability and sustainable development. - The two sides agreed that the people of all countries have the right to choose the form and method of democratic practice that suits their national conditions. Whether a country is democratic or not can only be judged by its people. - The two sides believe that development is the key to realizing the well-being of the people, and are willing to continue relevant work on advancing the global development initiative proposed by China. - The two sides reiterated that they firmly support each other's core interests and oppose external forces interfering in the internal affairs of the two countries and undermining the security and stability of the common surrounding areas of the two countries. - As world powers and permanent members of the UN Security Council, the two sides will uphold responsibility and morality, promote world multi-polarization and democratization of international relations, and work together to build a new type of international relations. - The Russian side spoke positively of China's concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind, believing that this concept will help strengthen the solidarity of the international community and work together to tackle common challenges. - Russia supports China in successfully hosting the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics. The People's Daily (February 5) published a commentary titled 'Inject more vitality into the development of Sino-Russian relations'. (Comment: The joint statement's language appears to be centred on the Chinese sphere of interests: the IndoPacific, Taiwan, the Asia-Pacific region, and Europe. The coordination between the CEE and BRI is of concern to China, but much less so to Russia. Ukraine is not explicitly mentioned. It makes no mention of mutual support in Russia’s tensions over Ukraine and China’s with Taiwan. It does, however, state: "The Russian side reaffirms its support for the One-China principle, confirms that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China, and opposes any forms of independence of Taiwan". and in the following paragraph "Russia and China stand against attempts by external forces to undermine security and stability in their common adjacent regions, intend to counter interference by outside forces in the internal affairs of sovereign countries under any pretext, oppose colour revolutions, and will increase cooperation in the aforementioned areas". This could signal China's unease over the developments in Ukraine and limits of the growing Sino-Russia partnership.)

China's Weixin published (February 6) an interesting article described as assessing the Sino-Russian joint statement under banner of anti-hegemonic struggle: "China and Russia still have not formed a military alliance, but a strategic alliance has been established in fact". Titled 'China-Russia strategic alliance has reached a new level——Comment on the Sino-Russian Joint Statement for a New Era', the author, Zhang Zhikun, said "Like a thunderclap on the ground, the Chinese and Russian heads of state signed the "Joint Statement of the People's Republic of China and the Russian Federation on International Relations and Global Sustainable Development in the New Era", which was issued at a critical moment in the global strategy. It is also a major strategic measure jointly adopted by China and Russia". He said, "from the perspective of China and Russia, the "New Year's Meeting" and the Joint Statement of the New Era by the heads of state of China and Russia mark a new level of strategic cooperation between China and Russia". Stating that the "Joint Statement made a clear statement on a series of major international strategic and political issues, directly naming the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan and other relevant countries", it said therefore "this document comprehensively criticizes and denies the dominance and dominance of hegemony in terms of strategic logic, ideological value and action line, and can be called a joint declaration against hegemony". The article added "The joint targeting of third parties by China and Russia is an important sign that China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination has reached a new level" and that "the author believes that under or after this joint statement, the military alliance between China and Russia will also be further strengthened", however, they have still "not formed a military alliance, but a strategic alliance has been established". He claimed the joint statement demonstrates to the world the common views on democracy, civilization, development, history and security of China and Russia, sounding a new clarion call for the struggle against hegemony in human society, which will definitely impact the world order dominated by hegemonic countries and the Western Cold War bloc". Contrary to arguments by the US and West that the outbreak of a war between Russia and Ukraine would not benefit China and would have a huge impact on the global economy and energy supply and that China should take advantage of the special relationship with Russia to exert influence in "some constructive way" and advise Russia not to resort to force, the article states that instead, "China and Russia are leaning even more closely". It claimed that "China and Russia have formed a firm strategic core and political backbone" giving "the vast number of countries in the middle zone" including the BRICS countries, the SCO International organizations, etc., various options for development laying the basis for "a worldwide peaceful united front" that will surely grow. Acknowledging that "the Sino-Russian Joint Statement for a New Era has a solid strategic foundation", it said a lot of work has still to be done such as "adjustment and follow-up of domestic and foreign policies, including currency settlement, technical exchanges, trade and investment and other specific issues”. It identified the need for the two countries to jointly oppose "all kinds of sabotage and interference" from, in particular, the "huge pro-American and pro-Western forces in both China and Russia", which are "deeply 14 rooted and powerful, and penetrates into all aspects of society, especially in the media and academic circles". It said, "The Sino-Russian Joint Statement for a New Era is a heavy blow to them" and that while "On the surface, they dare not oppose it", but they will resist it with practical actions. "When it comes to specific projects, they will do everything they can to interfere and destroy. This must not be underestimated". The author has always emphasized that the domestic struggle against hegemony is closely related to the international struggle against hegemony. In conclusion, it said with "the "Joint Statement of the People's Republic of China and the Russian Federation on International Relations and Global Sustainable Development in the New Era", China-Russia strategic cooperation has reached a new level. On this stage, both China and Russia will make great achievements, providing reliable guarantee and support for global strategic stability and balance, and will strongly promote and promote the arrival of a new era of global strategy". (Comment: The commentary projects the Joint Statement as an ideological, diplomatic, economic, and military alternative to the US-dominated international order.)

Reuters reported (February 3) that Russia's Gazprom has agreed a 30-year contract to supply China's CNPC with natural gas from a new pipeline connecting Russia's Far East with China's northeast. An agreement was separately concluded for Russia to supply 100 million tons of oil to China over 5 years.

Prime Minister Imran Khan held a virtual meeting with He Lifeng, Chairman of China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and Vice Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, on February 3 when he said "Pak-China strategic cooperative partnership is timetested and timeless." Xinhua (February 6) reported that he met Chinese President Xi Jinping on February 6 after which a 33-point joint statement was issued on February 7. The joint statement said, "The meetings were marked by traditional warmth, strategic mutual trust and commonality of views that characterize the Pakistan-China All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership" and that "Prime Minister Imran Khan lauded the role of CPC leadership with President Xi Jinping at its core for China's growth and prosperity and appreciated President Xi for his personal contribution to promoting the enduring Pakistan-China partnership". It said both "leaders reaffirmed that close strategic ties and deep-rooted friendship between Pakistan and China are time-tested and timeless" 15 with the Pakistan side underscoring "that Pakistan-China relationship is the cornerstone of its foreign policy and that closest friendship with China enjoys the abiding support of the people of Pakistan. Both sides reiterated their support on issues concerning each other's core interests. The Pakistan side expressed its commitment to One-China Policy and support for China on Taiwan, South China Sea, Hong Kong, Xinjiang, and Tibet. The Chinese side reaffirmed its support for Pakistan in safeguarding its sovereignty, independence and security, as well as promoting its socio-economic development and prosperity". "Prime Minister Imran Khan underscored that as the flagship project of BRI, CPEC has significantly contributed to Pakistan's economic and social development" and both "agreed to task the CPEC Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) to strengthen cooperation across all areas including in the fields of trade, infrastructure, industrial development, agriculture modernization, scientific and technological cooperation and socio-economic wellbeing of local people". The two sides also agreed to launch the China-Pakistan health, industry, trade, green and digital corridors while expressing "their strong determination to safeguard CPEC from all threats and negative propaganda. Pakistan reaffirmed its commitment to making all-out efforts for the security of all Chinese personnel, projects and institutions in Pakistan and the Chinese side expressed its appreciation for the measures taken by Pakistan in this regard". Both sides agreed to continue the momentum in defence cooperation at various levels and "underscored that stronger defence and security cooperation between Pakistan and China was an important factor of peace and stability in the region". China recognized Pakistan's sacrifices and efforts in the fight against terrorism. Article 27 of the joint statement stated: "The Pakistan side briefed the Chinese side on the latest developments on the situation in Jammu & Kashmir, including its concerns, position and pressing issues at the moment. The Chinese side reiterated that the Kashmir issue was a dispute left from history, and should be properly and peacefully resolved based on the UN Charter, relevant Security Council resolutions and bilateral agreements. China opposes any unilateral actions that complicate the situation". In response to Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's invitation to visit Pakistan, the joint statement noted that it was agreed "to undertake the visit at a mutually convenient time". An article in Asia Times (February 10) disclosed that during his recent (February 3-6) visit Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan asked China for a US$ 9 billion bailout package comprised of financial support and the rollover of existing debts to prevent a possible default on external payments worth $8.6 billion that come due at the end of June. Khalid Mansoor, Pakistan’s Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on the ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) who accompanied Imran Khan to Beijing, told media on February 7 that the Chinese leadership “took note” of the request while Khan was in Beijing but had not yet replied. He said China agreed to consider Pakistan’s request for a $4 billion debt rollover and additional financial support worth $5.5 billion by expanding an existing currency swap arrangement from $4.5 billion to $10 billion.

The state-run CCTV on February 6 televised a report on the meeting on February 6 between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Mongolian Prime Minister Oyun Erden at the Great Hall of the People.

An article posted on the popular Chinese portal NetEase (January 3) said that half a million people in Sri Lanka have been thrown into poverty since the outbreak, and rising costs have forced many to cut back on food. The country is now facing a deepening financial and humanitarian crisis, with fears it could go bankrupt in 2022 as inflation rises to record levels, food prices soar and state coffers dry up.

The Times (February 4) published a report stating that British universities have accepted £240 million from Chinese institutions, many with links to the military. It added that their joint research could help Beijing to build superweapons. The Times investigation found the number of research collaborations between scientists in the UK and Chinese institutes with deep connections to the country’s defence forces has tripled to more than 1,000 in six years. The university funding includes £60 million from sources now sanctioned by the US government for supplying the Chinese military with fighter jets, communications technology, and missiles. It said the academics have worked with professors from military-linked Chinese universities on sensitive “dual-use” research, involving technology that can be used for military aims as well as benign civilian purposes. They included drones, futuristic electromagnetic technology that can fire projectiles, cutting edge aerospace materials, radar, jamming equipment and high performance batteries. It reveals that Imperial College London has accepted £5 million in funding to research high-tech aerospace materials from three companies linked to the Chinese military that are sanctioned in the US. An engineer at Swansea has completed research on helicopter parts and advanced wing technology with engineers at two of China’s foremost military research universities. He had previously been an honorary professor at Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, China. The university said this work had been published in accessible international journals. The Times stated that there are 1069 academics in 2021 who are collaborating with Chinese entities. It also revealed that British Colleges/Universities had received large amounts of funds from Chinese entities and listed examples of: Imperial College London receiving GBP 54,573,978; University of Cambridge GBP 46,122, 029; University of Oxford GBP 24,078,126.06; University of Manchester GBP 19,760,242; and the University of Edinburgh GBP 13,904,353. (Comment: It is believed that another more 'explosive' article is to appear shortly.)

Reputed Chinese economist Justin Yifu Lin commenting on 'A New Start in 2022: The Future and Challenges of China's Economy', said as "China's international influence gradually increases, the United States wants to use its hegemony in technology, military, and ideology to block my country's development".

Nikkei Asia (February 4) reported that a bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers proposed matching bills in the Senate and House of Representatives on February 3, that would require the U.S. to negotiate the renaming of Taiwan's de facto embassy in Washington as the "Taiwan Representative Office". It is currently called the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO), using the name of the island's capital city.

The U.S. Department of Commerce on February 7 listed 33 Chinese entities it said use American export items in ways that it has been unable to trace, injecting fresh volatility into markets. The highest-profile among them was Chinese novel drug maker Wuxi Biologics Cayman Inc., which suspended trading in Hong Kong after its addition to the department’s unverified list sparked a record sell-off. Wuxi Biologics shares sank as much as 32% in Hong Kong earlier Tuesday, leading health-care stocks lower. The CSI Health Care Index dropped as much as 2.6% to its lowest level in nearly two years.

Bloomberg (February 4) reported the release on February 3 of an analysis by the Japanese government's Cabinet Office showing that China had a more than 50% share in 1,133 categories of imported goods, or 23% of the value of Japan’s imports in 2019. The analysis was released prior to the introduction of an economic security bill that aims to strengthen supply chains, ensure the security of core infrastructure, enhance research and development, and tighten information disclosure on patents.

Nikkei Asia (February ) said that official data released by the Japanese government showed that Mainland China had become the largest importer of Japanese food products for the first time last year, dethroning longtime leader Hong Kong. Exports of food, farm, forestry, and marine products to mainland China surged 35.2% to 222.4 billion yen ($1.93 billion) in 2021. Japanese sake, whisky and snack foods were among the most popular items

On the occasion of the Spring Festival and Chinese New Year, the People's Daily (February 2) published on its front-page a nearly 1700-word article titled 'Xi Jinping and his mother'. The article recounted that his mother, Qi Xin, was also a revolutionary who had experienced war and her husband Xi Zhongxun had told Xi Jinping that "Your mother is an excellent Communist Party member!" She was a role model for Xi Jinping. It narrated instances of Qi Xin's love for Xi Jinping and how he still misses her deeply.

The People's Daily (January 31) published on page 2 a lengthy article titled 'Dedicated to the people —— The story of General Secretary Xi Jinping and the people', which recounted instances from Xi Jinping's visits to villages since 2013. The opening paragraph said, "Time goes by, true love is eternal" and said, "as the Spring Festival of the Year of the Tiger is approaching, General Secretary Xi Jinping once again came to the people to send the best wishes of the New Year to thousands of households" and that this is the tenth year since the 18th Party Congress that Xi Jinping has visited the grass-roots cadres and the masses before the Spring Festival. He was quoted saying "No matter how busy I am, I always make time to take a walk among the villagers" and in conclusion "I will be without me and not let down the people."

On the occasion of the Spring Festival, the traditional festival of the Chinese nation and the Year of the Tiger, Chinese leaders, heads of the federations and representatives of non-partisan persons gathered together to welcome the festival. On behalf of the CCP CC, Chinese President Xi Jinping extended (January 28) sincere greetings and New Year wishes to all democratic parties, federations of industry and commerce, people without party affiliation, and members of the United Front. PBSC member and Chairman of the CPPCC Wang Yang and PBSC member and Vice Premier Han Zheng attended the meeting. Xinhua published a photograph on January 29, of Xi Jinping, Wang Yang, Han Zheng and others gathered together with people outside the Party at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing to welcome the festival. Newspapers of all provinces and centrally administered municipalities published photographs (Jan 28) of Xi Jinping in military uniform on the front page conveying New Year's greetings to military personnel. CMC Vice Chairmen Xu Qiliang and Zhang Youxia and CMC members Wei Fenghe, Li Zuocheng, Miao Hua, Zhang Shengmin and others participated in the event. CCTV (January 29) reported the "important speech" delivered by Xi Jinping and said he visited the Central Theatre on January 28. Mentioning the "spirit" of the "important" speech, it said he asked officers and personnel to "bear in mind the commander-in-chief's entrustment, faithfully fulfil the mission, focus on preparing for wars, and resolutely complete the mission and tasks entrusted by the party and the people". It said Xi Jinping came to the Joint Operations Command Center of the Central Theatre at approx. 4pm on January 28. He first watched a multimedia film reflecting the construction of the theatre and the operation of the theatre joint command center, and listened to relevant reports. In his speech, President Xi emphasized that it is necessary to thoroughly implement the Party's idea of strengthening the military in the new era, thoroughly implement the military strategic policy for the new era, complete various tasks with high standards, and constantly create new situations in the construction of theatres and war preparations, and meet the Party with practical actions. CCTV added that the commanders and fighters at all levels in the Central Theatre Command who listened to President Xi's important instructions were very excited. Xi Jinping also made a video call with the overseas peacekeeping detachment of the Central Theatre Command, and expressed his condolences to all the officers and soldiers of our army who are performing overseas missions. 'The officers and soldiers have expressed that they must fight on the front line of peacekeeping with high morale and faithfully perform the peacekeeping mission in accordance with the requirements of the commander-in-chief'. Xi Jinping "stressed that as the Spring Festival is approaching, the troops of the whole army should strengthen their combat readiness on duty and maintain national security and social stability". The large numbers of officers and soldiers said that they must bear in mind the ardent trust of President Xi, and forge ahead and fly far in the struggle to strengthen the army and prepare for the war.

The Paper reported (January 28) that Xi Jinping visited Shanxi Province and on January 27 went to Pingyao County. He also travelled to Fengnanyuan, a village in the city of Huozhou, which was hit hard by severe flooding last year, and visited Duancun village of Fenxi county. At Shanxi, Xi Jinping said "The goals of carbon peak and neutrality are not something that others have asked to be done, but they are in China’s selfinterest. Yet, these goals cannot be achieved easily; neither can one wait, nor can one rush. One must “respect objective laws, grasp the pace of steps, first establish and then break, and make progress while maintaining stability.” China is rich in coal, but lacks sufficient oil and natural gas. It is necessary to consolidate the domestic energy production base, ensure coal supply security, make overall plans for clean and low-carbon development of coal, diversified utilization and comprehensive storage and transportation of coal, accelerate the research on green and low-carbon technologies, and continuously promote the optimization and upgrading of industrial structure. We should actively yet prudently advance the goals of carbon peak and neutrality and make due contribution to the realization of the second centenary goal and the construction of a community of shared future for mankind.” Xi Jinping was accompanied by Provincial Party Secretary Lin Wu and Governor Lan Fo’an, in addition to central leaders Xue Xiang, Liu He, Chen Xi, He Lifeng and other members of relevant departments of the Central Committee.

Xinhua (January 25) reported that Xi Jinping chaired and delivered an "important" speech at the thirty-sixth collective study meeting of the Politburo on January 24 afternoon on striving to achieve the goal of peak carbon and carbon neutrality. Xi Jinping emphasised that achieving carbon peaking and carbon neutrality is an inherent requirement for implementing new development concepts, building a new development pattern, and promoting high-quality development. Xinhua observed that in this collective study of the Politburo, the "comrades of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee taught themselves and exchanged their work experience". Liu He, Li Qiang, Li Hongzhong, and Hu Chunhua made speeches in combination with the work-in-charge of the field and local areas.

China's official media reported that former Chinese Vice Premier and PBSC member Zhang Gaoli, who was accused by Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai of sexual assault on social media before later denying she made such allegations, was included in a long list of former party chiefs who had received Lunar New Year wishes from President Xi Jinping and other state leaders by phone ahead of the celebration.

On January 29, 2022, Tsinghua University Law Professor Lao Dongyan wrote a post on Weibo expressing anguish at the present state of affairs in China under Xi Jinping and criticising the unbridled use of technology, ranging from facial recognition to controls on the internet and social media, to control the population. She said the authorities had used the pandemic as a pretext and claimed, "Everything is done in the name of security or social stability." The post was deleted within 20 minutes. Very briefly, she cited as examples an instance of a woman eight months pregnant sitting outside the hospital in snowy weather awaiting a miscarriage, an old man having a heart attack who lost his chance to be treated because he must wait until he gets a nucleic acid test for COVID-19, a mother coming to pick up her daughter from high school at the start of vacation and despite having passed eighteen rounds of nucleic acid testing still being prevented from returning home at the quarantine checkpoint and compelled to wander the cold winter night streets until dawn. She added that this mother, who wandered the streets with her daughter on a cold winter night, cried out at one point: “If every lesson has to cost a life to become a lesson, isn’t that in itself a tragedy? …… you are law enforcement agencies, but shouldn’t you be reasonable and put people first?” and her cries made people weep. In contrast she quoted a township Communist Party Committee secretary in Shandong warning petitioners that there are a hundred ways to “criminalize” them. The county government head of a certain county in Henan Province, she said, was even more aggressive in shouting that those who "maliciously" return home during the Spring Festival should be isolated and detained. Professor Lao Dongyan added "I, like my colleagues in the legal profession and the media, have worked hard over the past two years on the issue of facial recognition. Two years ago, when the Beijing subway was preparing to promote face recognition, it was shelved due to public opposition. Two years later, face recognition has been quietly implemented in five subway stations in Beijing and is expected to be fully rolled out soon. Not only that, in communities, in shopping malls, schools and other kinds of public venues, facial recognition technology is becoming more widespread under the banner of epidemic prevention and control". Another instance referred to the more than 70% of the graduates from the top two universities in China in recent years who have chosen civil service and teaching positions within the system. She said she "felt a bit sorry even as I understood why they made that choice. I understand because I see how the young people around me face huge pressure of survival and are generally highly anxious. I feel sorry because choosing a position within the system means choosing stability". The post included the comment: "It can be said that many people, including myself, choose to just bear it and retreat, thereby enabling evil people to continue to do evil with impunity. In a sense, we are responsible by our passive inaction for the deterioration of our environment since we choose to tolerate and beat a retreat in the face of it. This is not the way a good person should behave. Instead, it is 5 only a manifestation of cynicism and cowardice. How can we repay virtue with virtue? Without lowering yourself, it is time to consider a firm counterattack".

In an article in 'Dialogue China' on February 1, Chinese exiled Tiananmen dissident Wang Dan wrote that a power struggle is underway within the Party and this raised the possibility that Chinese President Xi Jinping might not be able to secure a third term at the 20th Party Congress. Saying that the "recent rumours of the Liu Yazhou incident and the Sun Lijun incident during the Wuhan epidemic are similar in nature to the Bo Xilai and Sun Zhengcai incidents", he said "This shows that Xi Jinping's unchallenged leadership position within the Communist Party is not as secure as it once was". He referred to the two consecutive articles published in the People's Daily on December 9 and 10, 2021, that seemed to be contradictory in terms of content. He said "One article is mainly about reform and opening. The article mentions the names of Deng Xiaoping, Jiang Zemin and Hu Jintao, but not a single word about Xi Jinping. The second article, on the other hand, talks about Xi’s “achievements” without mentioning Jiang and Hu’s names or even Deng’s once". He also mentioned, as another indication of the inner-Party struggle, the rumours circulating about the detention of former National Defense University Political Commissar, PLA General Liu Yazhou, whose brother, Liu Yawei, is director of the China Program at the Carter Center in Atlanta and is the founder and editor of the website US-China Perception Monitor. (Comment: PLA General Liu Yazhou is a 'princeling', a 'hawkish' and outspoken General who has often travelled abroad. Considered close to Xi Jinping, he has also written pieces that appeared to be critical of some of Xi Jinping's policies.)

Reporting on the Municipality's 'rectification' efforts, the Chongqing Daily (January 29) stated that in the past year, the city has held about 3,500 special lectures on Xi Jinping's thought on the rule of law and the study and education of party history, conducted 1,520 political rotation training sessions, delivered 840 party lectures by "top leaders", and carried out "four explanations based on cases" and "four reforms based on cases". It said more than 1820 sessions of lessons and "warning education" sessions had been held. The majority of political and legal police officers said: "After going through strict and serious political experience, ideological tempering, practical exercise, and organizational test, they have strengthened their ideals and beliefs, supplemented their spiritual calcium, and built up political loyalty."

Tianjin Daily (January 29) disclosed that Tianjin Party Secretary Li Hongzhong chaired a 'special democratic life' and party history meeting of the Tianjin Municipal Party Committee where he emphasised the "two establishments". It said the Municipality, through special seminars, collective training, individual self-study, etc., organizes all the comrades of the Standing Committee to deeply study Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and the spirit of the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Committee. They studied the important requirements of Tianjin's "three efforts" pointed out by General Secretary Xi Jinping and the spirit of a series of important instructions, and studied the party constitution and party regulations and the relevant requirements of the Party Central Committee on the democratic life meeting. The team of the Standing Committee of the Municipal Party Committee and the comrades of the Standing Committee strictly followed the requirements of the central government, conducted an in-depth analysis of the party spirit, and carefully wrote the inspection materials and speech outlines. The meeting adopts a variety of methods, widely listens to opinions and suggestions, conducts in-depth heart-toheart conversations, communicates ideas and exchanges opinions. At the meeting, Li Hongzhong reported on the solicitation of opinions at the special democratic life meeting and the implementation of the rectification measures of the 2020 Democratic Life Meeting and Inspection and Rectification Special Democratic Life Meeting of the Standing Committee of the Municipal Party Committee, and made a comparative inspection on behalf of the Standing Committee of the Municipal Party Committee. He analysed the cause of the problem, clarified the direction of future efforts and corrective measures. Afterwards, Li Hongzhong took the lead in self-criticism, and "comrades" on the Standing Committee of the Municipal Party Committee conducted personal comparison checks one by one, and criticized and helped each other. Everyone put themselves in, put their responsibilities in, put their work in, got straight to the problem, pointed out the key points, dug deep into the root cause, and put forward opinions and suggestions in a frank and honest manner. The improvement measures are clear and specific, and the expected goals have been achieved. (Comment: 1956-born Li Hongzheng, when he was Hubei Party Secretary, on January 15, 2016, asserted that "the Politburo and its Standing Committee are the core leaders [hexin] of the party, General Secretary Xi Jinping is the core leader of the party center". He was the first Party Secretary to call Xi Jinping "hexin" or core leader. He is in the running for elevation to the PBSC.)

According to ChinaFile (January 31) and state media articles examined by the Wall Street Journal (February 1), the 'New Era Civilization Practice Centers', first built in 50 counties as part of a small pilot program launched in 2018, have now expanded roughly 10-fold to 100,000 centres in some 500 urban and rural counties across China. The CCP CC Propaganda Department's implementation plan issued in 2019 hailed the centers as helping to “truly open up the ‘last mile’ in terms of ‘propagandizing to the masses, educating the masses, leading the masses, serving the masses.’ ” Local governments and institutions have been estimated to spend as much as 700 million yuan (US$ 110 million) on these centres between August 2018 and September 2021.

China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said at the routing press briefing (January 28) that Chinese President Xi Jinping would host welcome banquets from February 4 to 6 for dignitaries attending the Games opening, which will include more than 30 heads of state, government, royal families and international organisations. She said Xi would also attend a range of bilateral events during the period. CCTV said that among the guests will be: Russian President Vladimir Putin, European representatives from Poland, Serbia, Luxembourg and Monaco and dignitaries from Singapore, the five Central Asian nations and Pakistan, and UN Secretary-General António Guterres, UN General Assembly president Abdulla Shahid and World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Reuters (January 29) reported that China's foreign ministry and the China Daily accused the United States of planning to interfere with and "sabotage" the Beijing Winter Olympics by paying athletes from some countries to make half-hearted efforts in competition and to criticise China. The CCP CC Propaganda Department-owned English-language China Daily, on January 28 evening cited unnamed sources as saying the United States has a plan to "incite athletes from various countries to express their discontent toward China, play passively in competition and even refuse to take part". It said Washington would provide a large amount of compensation and "mobilise global resources" to help protect the reputation of athletes of who choose to compete passively. A spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry told Reuters on January 29 that the report has "exposed the real intention of some Americans to politicise sports and to sabotage and interfere with the Beijing Winter Olympics. He strongly condemned the attempts by some Americans to "buy off" athletes and "cause trouble" during the Games, adding that these attempts are "doomed to fail". A U.S. Embassy spokesman told Reuters by email on January 29 that "We were not and are not coordinating a global campaign regarding participation at the Olympics. U.S. athletes are entitled to express themselves freely in line with the spirit and charter of the Olympics, which includes advancing human rights." In a message to convey greetings for the Chinese New Year festival next week, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told China-based foreign diplomats that China "has the confidence and ability to remove the interference" and turn the Winter Games into an event that promotes friendship and mutual understanding.

The Wall Street Journal (January 28) reported Chinese economists who consult with the government as saying that China’s leadership is likely to set a growth target of about 5.5% for 2022. The figure might, however, prove overly optimistic, given that economic expansion sharply decelerated to 4% in the final quarter of last year. IMF also now expects China’s gross domestic product to expand 4.8% this year, down from its previous projection of 5.7%.

China’s forthcoming rules on overseas IPOs will apply to Chinese companies that want to list in Hong Kong, the China Securities Regulatory Commission told CNBC on January 28. In an exclusive interview with CNBC, the Commission’s Director General of the International Affairs Department, Shen Bing, spoke about what draft rules will mean for Chinese companies that are planning to list in the U.S. and other markets following last summer’s crackdown. he said “By overseas, we mean, of course, you know, anywhere besides mainland China. Of course, it includes Hong Kong.” Shen Bing said the rules would apply not only to Chinese companies wanting to offer H-shares in Hong Kong, but also a category called “red chips,” which previously did not need the CSRC’s approval. The draft rules state that overseas listings are prohibited in some of the following situations: (i) when other government departments consider the offering a threat to national security; (ii) if there are disputes over the ownership of the company’s major assets; or (iii) if there’s criminal offense by a controlling shareholder or executive within the last three years. (Comment: The Regulations are due to come into force shortly as the period for public comment ended on January 24.)

i) Four employees of the "Eastern Airports" SOE, including the company's Chairman, have been expelled from the Party and their cases transferred to the procuratorate. This comes after a COVID-19 cluster in Nanjing airport in summer 2021. The following were reported by the CDIC on February 1 as having been expelled from the CCP: ii) Zhang Wei, former Secretary of the Party group and Director of the Changchun Supply and Marketing Cooperative Association was expelled from the Party for taking bribes, benefits for others in the selection of cadres. iii) Wang Xijing, former Secretary and First-level Inspector of the Licang District Committee of Qingdao, was expelled from the party because he was engaged in "image projects" and "performance projects", nepotism, money and sex, and intervening in judiciary. iv) Hu Xiaogang, former Vice President of China Great Wall Asset Management was expelled from the Party for violating Party Centre's policies on financial work, corruption, abandoning of his responsibility for increasing the value of state-owned assets. v) Zhang Wei, former Secretary of the Party group and Director of the Changchun Supply and Marketing Cooperative Association was expelled from the Party for taking bribes, benefits for others in the selection of cadres vi) Wang Xinghua, former Member of the Standing Committee of the Linyi Municipal Party Committee and former secretary of the Political and Legal Committee of Shandong Province was expelled from the Party for lost ideals and concealing and not reporting personal matters.

Space News (January 28) reported that China's State Council Information Office had on January 28 released a new White Paper titled “China’s Space Program: A 2021 Perspective, “outlining the centrality of space to the country’s “overall national strategy” as well as major plans for the years ahead. The Paper, which is issued every 5 years, said the global space industry has entered a “new stage of rapid development and profound transformation” and over the next five years China will seek to develop its space transportation capabilities, test new technologies, embark on exploration missions, modernize space governance, enhance innovation and boost international cooperation. Crewed lunar landings, on-orbit servicing and work on planetary defence are all noted as key areas for research and technical breakthroughs in the coming years. Wu Yanhua, Deputy Director of the China National Space Administration, said at a press conference on January 28 that “China’s space industry has made rapid and innovative progress.”

The US-based DW news reported (February 2) that Zhao Zhidan, who till recently was previously the Commander of the South Xinjiang Military Region, has been promoted to Lt. General and moved to the PLA Northern Theater Command. According to recent Liaoning news reports, the PLA military bases under the Northern Theatre Command held a meeting for the Spring Festival, which was attended by Zhang Guoqing, Director of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, Li Lecheng, Deputy Secretary of the Liaoning Provincial Party Committee and Governor, and Zhou Bo, Chairman of the Liaoning Provincial Political Consultative Conference. The official TV news-report showed that Zhao Zhidan was attending the meeting and had been promoted to Lieutenant General.

The South China Morning Post (January 30) disclosed that the domestic peer-reviewed journal Acta Aeronautica et Astronautica Sinica had published a report (January 28) where researchers in Sichuan province say they have developed an artificial intelligence system that can teach Chinese combat drones to win dogfights thousands of times faster than comparable American technology. The researchers at the China Aerodynamics Research and Development Centre in Mianyang, Sichuan province, said the higher learning speed could help the drone identify “cheating manoeuvres” by human pilots, reduce a computer chip’s workload and outperform opponents in complex, large-scale air combat. They added “The algorithm in this paper can be extended to an air combat with multiple AI agents, which will be closer to the real situation in a battlefield”

Asia Times (January 27) said that in an interview on the state-run China Central Television (CCTV), Chinese military expert Wang Mingliang mentioned that China's latest stealth fighter jet, the J-20, could in the future be equipped with directed energy weapons such as lasers, optionally-manned capability and the ability to command drone swarms.

Radio Free Asia (January 28) disclosed quoting sources inside Tibet that the Tibet Autonomous Region had issued new directives on January 25 to all provinces and municipalities of the Tibet Autonomous Region directing that all Tibetans looking for work in their region’s state sector must first renounce all ties to Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama as a condition of employment. It stated that workers employed in Tibetan government offices, schools or hospitals must be “trustworthy and reliable citizens” and remain loyal to the ruling Chinese Communist Party. They must also renounce the Dalai Lama and his followers, the directive says, referring to the group of supporters that has formed around the exiled spiritual leader over the years as a “clique.”

Radio Free Asia (RFA) quoting a source inside Tibet said that the Chinese authorities had issued orders on January 20, to take effect from March 1, stating that “All online coordinating of religious activities and related events will be banned” and “Anyone found violating this order will be investigated and punished.” It added “But religious events and ceremonies performed or discussed on social media groups will now be banned completely, and online activities by the groups will be constantly monitored.” However, religious activities conducted inside the monasteries will be allowed to continue as before, the source said.

China's CCP-owned Global Times (February 2) disclosed that Qi Fabao, a PLA Regiment Commander of the Xinjiang Military Region who sustained a "head injury while fighting bravely in the Galwan Valley border skirmish with India", was a torchbearer during Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Torch Relay on February 2 and took the flame from Wang Meng, China's four-time Olympic short track speed skating champion, at Winter Olympic Park.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan arrived in China on February 3 to attend the Beijing Winter Olympics and meet Chinese leaders including Chinese President Xi Jinping. Pakistan media reports indicate the Pakistan Finance Ministry has finalized a draft agreement for a US$ 3 billion loan to shore up depleting foreign exchange reserves to be discussed with Chinese leaders during Imran Khan’s visit to Beijing. Pakistan separately plans to approach Russia and Kazakhstan for credit lines of US$ 1 billion each. Discussions will also turn toward the US$1.5 billion in overdue payments Pakistan owes Chinese energy companies that have built power plants as part of the $60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Japan’s parliament passed a resolution expressing concern about Uyghur human rights on February 1. The resolution, adopted by the lower chamber, said the international community has expressed concerns over such issues as internment and the violation of religious freedom in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, Tibet and Hong Kong. It said, "Human rights issues cannot just be domestic issues, because human rights hold universal values and are a rightful matter of concern for the international community". "This chamber recognises changes to the status quo with force, which are symbolised by the serious human rights situation, as a threat to the international community." Yasue Funayama, an opposition lawmaker and co-chair of one of the parliamentary human rights groups leading the effort, said “It’s an enormous first step. If the whole of parliament agrees that there are concerns about the human rights situation, we will have to look at what to do about it.” China reacted promptly with its Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian saying, "China reserves itself the right to take further measures". You Wenze of the NPC's Foreign Affairs Committee accused Japan of "serious interference in PRC domestic affairs", adding "For any vile actions that attempt to interfere in China's internal affairs and harm China's interests, China will surely fight back firmly and forcefully." (Comment: The Japanese resolution did not directly use the word "China" anywhere in the text, and steered clear of such expression as "human rights violation", saying, instead, "human rights situation", in a possible nod to close bilateral economic ties.)

Reuters (February 3) quoted Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov as saying that Russian President Putin and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping will have lunch together on February 4, and could sign more than 15 agreements, with lots of new deals being prepared in relation to natural gas. He said the possibility of Russia building a new gas pipeline to China through Mongolia was also being looked at. Reuters also quoted Shi Yinhong, International Relations Professor at Beijing's Renmin University, saying “Putin is very busy now. He is here because he has to be." "Putin knows China is indispensable for Russia, just as Russia is indispensable for China.” Xinhua on February 4 said the Xi-Putin meeting for the Winter Olympics will "open a new chapter in China-Russia relations" and "is expected to inject a much-needed dose of stability and certainty into the world". Putin wrote an article titled "Russia and China: Strategic Partnerships Focusing on the Future" which was published by Xinhua on February 3.

The South China Morning Post (February 3) reported that Wang Jisi, President of the Institute of International and Strategic Studies at Peking University, during an interview with Shenzhen Satellite TV on February 1, said that the risk of an accidental military conflict between China and the United States is high despite efforts by both countries to ease tensions. He said he was neither optimistic nor pessimistic about US-China relations this year but there was a risk of accidental conflict. Wang Jisi said “I believe that we have a guarantee of peace. The leaders of both nations have repeatedly stressed in their conversations that they do not want a new cold war or a political war, or a hot war.”

An article in the Wall Street Journal (February 2) cited a report by the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation and the consulting firm Horizon Advisory, which implicates U.S. and multinational corporations in the Communist Party’s human-rights abuses, the surveillance of Chinese people, and Beijing’s military build-up.

Mingtiandi, an Asia Real Estate publication, on February 2 announced that Blackstone will invest a further $250 million in Beijing-based data centre developer VNET Group, as the US private equity giant looks to jump-start a bet that has suffered in the wake of China’s crackdown on domestic firms listing on American exchanges. Blackstone is led by billionaire co-founder and Chairman Stephen Schwarzman.

An article in SupChina (December 31, 2021) reported on the ties between China and Ukraine, observing that they have been growing in recent years and in the first half of 2021, agricultural trade between China and Ukraine increased by 33% over the same period in 2020. China is a key trade partner for Ukraine, providing 14.4% of its imports and a destination for 15.3% of its exports. Ukraine began selling corn to China in 2013 and by 2019 had become its largest supplier, accounting for more than 80% of Chinese corn imports. Also in 2013, China's paramilitary organisation Xinjiang Construction and Production Corps signed an agreement with Ukraine's KSG Agro to lease 100,000 hectares (247,105 acres) of agricultural land for cultivation and pig farming over a 50-year period. Ukraine has 42 million hectares of farmland. Trade turnover in 2021 amounted to $15.4 billion and China has only invested $127 million in Ukraine since 2015. Ukraine supplies a variety of military equipment to China, including turbofan engines for aircraft, diesel engines for tanks, and gas turbines for air-to-air missiles. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, a Macau-based company purchased Ukraine's Varyag aircraft carrier at the bargain basement price of $20 million, after claiming it would never be used for military purposes. The vessel, later renamed the Liaoning, was later refurbished and ultimately would provide a shortcut for China's People's Liberation Navy to its first aircraft carrier. Ukraine also has very large iron ore deposits.

A People's Daily reporter said on January 21, that the new Xinjiang Party Secretary Ma Xingrui is likely to be the first one to secure a Politburo seat this fall. He described him as "among the most confident provincial chiefs I've seen in the new era".

Mo Gaoyi, head of Beijing's Propaganda Department and member of the Standing Committee of the CCP Beijing Municipal Committee, authored an article captioned 'Strive to build an advanced socialist cultural capital with Chinese characteristics (in-depth study and implementation of the spirit of the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Committee)', which was published in the People's Daily on January 21. The article, which focussed on the CCP's history, said "The Chinese Communists, mainly represented by Comrade Xi Jinping, answered the questions of China, the world, the people, and the times in a timely manner. Starting from the new reality, they created a society with Chinese characteristics in the new era of Xi Jinping." It contained 12 mentions of Xi Jinping.

China's official provincial papers/editions of the People's Daily have been publishing articles on the "two establishments" since at least January 20. Xinhua (January 25) reported that PBSC member and NPC Chairman Li Zhanshu, while chairing a symposium of NPC Deputies in Beijing on January 25, told the Deputies that they "must transform the political consensus of "two establishments" into practical actions of "two safeguards". Politburo member and NPC Standing Committee Vice Chairman Wang Chen attended the symposium. The People's Daily (January 25) published a major article by the Party Secretary and Minister of Civil Affairs Li Jiheng on deeply grasping the "two establishments". Zhejiang Daily (January 19) published the Zhejiang Province High Court Work Report which mentions the "two establishments" four times. Guizhou Daily (January 25) reported that a meeting of the Provincial Propaganda Ministers in Guiyang on January 25, said "framed in terms of "two establishments", 2022 is of special importance and among other things, must "build a "firewall" of ideological security"." Hubei Daily (January 25) front-paged two articles whose titles include the "two establishments". Chongqing Daily (January 27) reported that at the Sixth Plenary meeting of the Chongqing Fifth Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection, Chongqing Party Secretary Chen Min'er mentioned the "Two Establishments". The following provinces have published their respective Government Work Reports: Zhejiang (Jan 18), Sichuan (Jan 18), Chongqing (Jan 17), Xinjiang (Jan 24)

Xinhua (January 23) disclosed that the CCP CC General Office issued the "Regulations on the Management of Leaders of Public Institutions" and issued a notice, requiring all regions and departments to strictly abide by them. The full text of the Regulations on the Management of Leaders of Institutions containing 51 Articles was published. The regulations apply to the members of the leading bodies of the Party committees and the government directly under the provincial level and the public institutions affiliated to the departments, and the leaders of the public institutions affiliated to the standing committees of the people's congresses, the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the Commission for Discipline Inspection, the People's Courts, the People's Procuratorates, and mass organizations at or above the provincial level

In a thinly veiled criticism of the current foreign policy, Jia Qingguo, CPPCC Standing Committee member, former Dean of Peking University’s International Relations School, and an America expert, wrote an article in the January issue of the bimonthly Journal of International Security Studies, published by the University of International Relations in Beijing, which cautioned that overemphasis on absolutes, whether it is defence spending or supply chains, is likely to be self-destructive. He said, “To ignore the comparative nature of security, and blindly pursue [it] absolutely will result in making the country less secure, as it inflicts unbearable costs and fails to achieve absolute security.” The South China Morning Post (January 22) said that while Jia Qingguo opens with paying homage to President Xi Jinping’s general views on national security, his 22-page article is full of thinly veiled criticisms against hawkish outlooks. He says too much emphasis on defence spending could trigger an arms race making all countries involved less secure and cites the Soviet Union’s decades of massive defence spending as a typical example of the drawbacks of ignoring long-term security, which led to the federation’s ultimate disintegration in 1991. (Comment: The article appears when China's relations with the US are under considerable strain and Beijing faces economic difficulties. Other prominent Chinese have recently suggested modulation of the present policies, but without appearing to be critical of Xi Jinping.)

An article in the China Discipline Inspection and Supervision News (January 27) stated that "The people's court is both a judicial organ and a political organ. Talking about politics is the first requirement of the people's court". It asserted that Political supervision "is the foundation and the "two establishments" must be resolutely defended and the "two safeguards" achieved". It said, "We must resolutely resist the influence of erroneous ideological trends such as "constitutional democracy", "separation of powers" and "judicial independence". It also advised grass roots courts on political construction, no rigid case handling, substantive justice, strict court staff mgmt, keeping up with the times.

Xinhua (January 26) reported that China's Central Cyberspace Administration announced that 'Arrangements have been made for the Development of Digital Villages during the Fourth Five-Year Plan period'. The 8- point action plan proposes that by 2025, important progress will be made in the development of digital villages including the popularization of 4G in rural areas and the innovative application of 5G

To "fully implement the party's organizational line and the party's educational policy in the new era, and to uphold and strengthen the party's overall leadership over primary and secondary schools", the CCP CC General Office on January 26 issued the "Opinions on Establishing a Principal Responsibility System for the Leadership of Party Organizations in Primary and Secondary Schools (Trial)". The People's Daily (January 26) published the text of the Regulations, which emphasised strengthening the party's overall leadership over education and building party organizations and party members in primary and secondary schools . The first of the 5 points and their numerous sub-clauses stressed adherence "to the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, strengthen the "four consciousnesses", strengthen the "four self-confidences", and achieve the "two maintenances", etc

The People's Daily (January 25) reported that the Central Discipline Inspection Commission (CDIC) and the National Supervision Commission (NSC) held a mobilization and deployment meeting on January 20 for deepening the reform of the discipline inspection and supervision system in centrally managed colleges and universities. Politburo member, Deputy Secretary of the CDIC and Director of the NSC, Yang Xiaodu attended the meeting and delivered a speech, emphasizing that under the guidance of Xi Jinping's new era of socialism with Chinese characteristics the NSC will supervise, guarantee, implement, and promote development of centrally-managed colleges and universities into world-class universities with Chinese characteristics, and "cultivate socialist builders and successors with comprehensive development of morality, intelligence, physique, beauty, and labour".

The Guangming Daily (January 25) published an interesting article on students returning to China from study abroad. Saying that returning to China after graduation has become the first choice for many international students, it said reports show that after the epidemic, the trend of overseas students returning to China has increased significantly. In 2021, it is expected that the number of returning students for employment will exceed one million for the first time. In contrast, the number of college graduates in 2021 nationwide will reach 9.09 million, and the number of college graduates in 2022 is expected to reach 10.76 million. The article conceded that under the arduous pressure of "stabilizing employment" and "guaranteeing employment", "the employment situation of returnee talents is extremely tense, and it needs to be further resolved in the process of macroeconomic reform".

Stating that the situation of "money laundering is still grim", the Procuratorate Daily (January 26) announced that the People's Bank of China, the Ministry of Public Security, the National Supervisory Commission, the Supreme People's Court, The Supreme People's Procuratorate, the Ministry of State Security, the General Administration of Customs, the State Administration of Taxation, the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission, the China Securities Regulatory Commission, and the State Administration of Foreign Exchange jointly issued the "Three-Year Action Plan for Combating and Controlling Money Laundering Crimes (2022-2024)". It said a three-year campaign to combat and control money laundering crimes will be carried out nationwide from January 2020 to December 2024. The announcement also said the "Three-Year Action Plan for Combating and Governing Money Laundering Crimes (2022-2024)" requires all departments to improve their political positions, strengthen organizational leadership, and strengthen publicity and training

The CCP's anti-corruption watch-dog the Central Discipline Inspection Commission (CDIC) announced that 627,000 officials had been punished for "violating Communist Party discipline and laws" last year, more than any other year since President Xi Jinping took the party's reins in 2012. Of them, 36 were provincial leaders and cabinet-level officials.

The CDIC announced on January 26 that Zhou Jiangyong, former Party Secretary of Hangzhou -- the base of Jack Ma’s Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. -- has been expelled over corruption charges relating to the “disorderly expansion of capital,” serious violations of official duties, taking bribes and abuse of power. It said investigations began in August last year and the case has now been handed over to the prosecutors.

London's Express newspaper reported (January 23) that a Chinese national in his 30s who was a scientist and a rocket technician attached to the state-owned Aviation Industry Corp of China, where he helped develop a mid-range hypersonic boost-glide vehicle capable of carrying DF-17 missiles to a range of up to 2,000 miles, has defected to U.K. He sought asylum for himself and his family who were all sent to a former British colony before being sent onward to the US via a US Air Force base in Germany. The defector resented having been passed over for promotion, which persuaded him to contact a British intelligence asset in Hong Kong at the end of September last year. During that first, tentative approach, he told the middleman he possessed detailed information about the hypersonic glide vehicle. Knowing he faced a firing squad if discovered, he demanded asylum for himself and his wife and child. The Express said a call was made to Vauxhall Cross - the London HQ of the Secret Intelligence Service, more commonly known as MI6 - and a three-person team, comprising two intelligence officers and a technical specialist, were readied to deploy to Hong Kong.

CCTV (January 21) telecast a report on the promotion of 7 officers to the rank of General on January 21 at the Bayi Building in Beijing. General Xu Qiliang, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), read out the order for promotion to the rank of General and police signed by Xi Jinping, Chairman of the Central Military Commission. Zhang Youxia, Vice Chairman of the CMC, presided over the promotion ceremony. The officers and police officers who have been promoted to the rank of general are: Liu Qingsong, Political Commissar of the Northern Theater Command, Wu Yanan, Commander of the Central Theater Command, Xu Deqing, Political Commissar of the Central Theater Command, Qin Shutong, Political Commissar of the Army, Yuan Huazhi, Political Commissar of the Navy, Li Yuchao, Commander of the Rocket Army, and the Armed Police Force Political Commissar Zhang Hongbing. CMC Members Wei Fenghe, Li Zuocheng, Miao Hua, Zhang Shengmin, relevant units of the military stationed in Beijing, and officers in charge of various departments of the CMC attended the promotion ceremony.

Approved by Xi Jinping, Chairman of the Central Military Commission, the Central Military Commission recently issued the "Decision on Strengthening the Work of Military Talents in the New Era". Xinhua (January. ) said the "Decision" pointed out that talents are the key factor to promote the high-quality development of our army, win military competition and take the initiative in future wars. The General Office of the Central Military Commission issued "Several Measures on Strengthening the Construction of Joint Operations Command Talents", "Several Measures on Strengthening the Construction of New-type Combat Forces Talents", "Several Measures on Further Stimulating the Innovative Power of Scientific and Technological Personnel", and "On Strengthening High-tech Several Measures for the Construction of Horizontal Strategic Management Talents".

The Chongqing Daily (January 26) disclosed that Chen Min'er, Secretary of the Chongqing Municipal Party Committee and First Secretary of the Party Committee of the PLA Chongqing Garrison District, attended the Seventh Plenary Meeting (January 24 to 25) of the Fifth Party Committee of the Chongqing PLA Garrison District and delivered a speech. Gao Buming, member of the Standing Committee of the Municipal Party Committee, Secretary of the Party Committee of the Garrison District, and Political Commissar of the PLA Chongqing Garrison District, delivered a work report on behalf of the Standing Committee of the Party Committee of the Garrison District. Liu Shixu, Deputy Secretary and Commander of the Party Committee of the PLA Chongqing Garrison District, and Li Mingqing, Member of the Standing Committee and Secretary-General of the Municipal Party Committee, attended the meeting. The meeting commended the advanced units and individuals of the garrison area in 2021. In his speech Chongqing Party Secretary Chen Min'er invoked Xi Jinping Strong Military Thought and stressed that "it is necessary to adhere to the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, thoroughly implement Xi Jinping Thought on Strengthening the Army", etc. He emphasised "it is necessary to deeply understand the decisive significance of the "two establishments", effectively transform the political achievements of the "two establishments" into the political consciousness of resolutely achieving the "two maintenances", adhere to the party's absolute leadership over the military, and implement the responsibility system of the chairman of the Military Commission".

Li Hongxuan, an officer of a certain department of the PLA Air Force, published an article in the PLA Daily (January 21) on "Scientifically grasping the new changes of the principal contradiction in society". In the article he said China "faces different major social contradictions in different historical periods", but the Party "scientifically judges the main contradictions in society, determines the party's key tasks and goals accordingly, and maximizes the enthusiasm, initiative, and creativity of the broadest masses of the people. Practice has proved that an accurate understanding of the principal contradiction in society is the "key" to grasp the stage of social development"

Stating that "People cannot be born without a soul, and an army cannot stand without a soul. The Party's absolute leadership over the army is the foundation of the people's army and the soul of a strong army", an article in the PLA Daly (January 21) highlighted the importance of political work in the PLA. It said, "Under the new historical conditions, China's security and development are facing a more severe situation, the struggle in the ideological field has become more acute and complex, and the contest between "casting the soul" and "souling the soul" is more intense. Therefore, it is even more necessary to strengthen the role of the lifeline of our military's political work, especially to unswervingly adhere to the dominance of Marxism in the ideological field, to thoroughly study and implement Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and Xi Jinping Thought on Strengthening the Army, Firm ideals and beliefs, and build a strong spiritual pillar, so that our army will have a firm and correct political direction, and will have infinite combat effectiveness and vigorous vitality"

The state-run CCTV (January 23) publicised that a number of provinces have initiated or enlarged S&T projects and innovation in the New Year. It said a world-leading intelligent excavation robot was massproduced in Changsha, Hunan, and this robot can receive gestures and voice commands, automatically and accurately perform actions, and realise remote unmanned operations through its own cloud platform. In Chongqing, the Western (Chongqing) Science City Germplasm Creation Science Center was put into operation and that since January, Chongqing has launched more than 40 projects targeting future industrial needs, covering high-tech services, big health, and other fields.

The People's Daily (January 25) reported that a new aerospace ramjet engine developed by China's Tsinghua University had successfully conducted a test flight on January 24, demonstrating the country's independent research and development capability and a ground-breaking achievement in the field of new airpower.

The state-run CCTV telecast a news item on January 21 highlighting that the Institute of Geographical Sciences and Natural Resources Research of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has conducted a two-year practical investigation on the wastage of food by the public.

After data showed the birth-rate hit a record low in 2021, Yang Jinrui, Deputy Director of the National Health Commission’s Population Surveillance and Family Development Department, said at a press conference on January 20, that the number of women in the 20-34 age group decreased by an average of 3.4 million per year from 2016 to 2020, and the decline reached 4.73 million in 2021 compared with 2020. He said the declining number of women of childbearing age, especially those ages 20 to 34, is a major factor contributing to China’s flagging birth-rate.

Caixin (January 21) reported that 5 Chinese companies are among 27 global generic-drug makers that signed agreements with a United Nations-backed organization to produce versions of Merck & Co.’s Covid-19 antiviral pill for 105 poorer countries. Fosun Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., BrightGene Bio-Medical Technology Co. Ltd., Shijiazhuang Longze Pharmacy Co. Ltd., and Shanghai Desano Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd. were authorized to produce both the raw ingredients for Merck’s molnupiravir and the finished product. Zhejiang Langhua Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. will make only the raw ingredients. The Medicines Patent Pool (MPP), a U.N.-backed public health organization working to increase access to life-saving medicines for lower-income countries, will determine production volumes, when the drugs will be available and what countries will get the medicines, but the drug makers may reach cooperation agreements with the MPP on distribution channels.

Caixin (January 21) disclosed that Liang Wengen, the founder of China’s leading construction-machinery maker Sany Heavy Industry Co. Ltd., stepped down from his role as Chairman in a core leadership shakeup that came after the company suffered a poor third quarter. Xiang Wenbo, the former Vice Chairman and President of Sany, has been appointed its new Chairman. Liang Wengen will continue to serve as a member of the Board.

China’s province-level administrative entities have issued their GDP growth targets for 2022. Hubei, Jiangxi, Anhui, Ningxia, and Henan have all set growth targets of around 7%, while almost all of the remaining Chinese provinces forecast growth of between 5.5 – 6.5%. The Beijing municipal government has set the lowest GDP growth target for 2022, at 5%.

Caixin (January 22) reported that the Acting Governor of Guangdong, Wang Weizhong, while delivering the annual government work report to the province’s legislature on January 20, announced that the province was the first to eliminate hidden local government debt as the country approaches the halfway mark in a campaign to clean up trillions of yuan of risky liabilities piled up off the books. Wang Weizhong did not specify the scale of the liabilities brought back onto the books (Comment: A pilot program to achieve “zero hidden (government) debt” was earlier announced in October.)

The spread of Covid in Hongkong that annoyed Beijing is learnt to have been caused by a birthday party of a longtime former government official held by Witman Hung, principal liaison officer for Hong Kong at the Shenzhen Qianhai Authority, which oversees economic development between Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area. Though Witman Hung is reportedly a relatively low-level official representing private interests in the development zone in Shenzhen his birthday party included some senior guests, including Hong Kong police chief Raymond Siu, Secretary of Home Affairs Casper Tsui, and others. Witman Hung is, however, a HK Deputy to the NPC. Among others who attended were members of the Shenzhen CPPCC, Vice President of Guangdong’s Association For Promotion of Cooperation between Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, Commissioner of Hong Kong Road Safety Patrol, Chairman Emeritus of the Y.Elites Association, Vice President and Secretary General of Hong Kong-ASEAN Economic Cooperation Foundation and Council Member of Hong Kong Professionals and Senior Executives Association.

On January 23, China sent 39 PLA Air Force aircraft to violate Taiwan's Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ). The incursion involved 34 J-16 and J-10 fighter jets, one H-6 bomber, and four aircraft with electronic warfare capabilities. The PLA's J-16D electronic warfare aircraft was spotted for the first time near Taiwan. Chinese warplanes started making forays into Taiwan's ADIZ since September 2020. Taiwan's Defence Ministry said there were about 380 sorties in 2020, and the number more than doubled to 961 sorties in 2021. While this is the largest breach in 2022, the largest show of force by China was on October 4, 2021, when 56 military aircraft breached the island’s ADIZ. So far this month, there have been only five days when Taiwan's Defence Ministry didn’t report any incidence of China’s incursion. (Comment: China's violation of the ADIZ coincided with the 6-day long US-Japan Naval Exercises in waters south of the Japanese prefecture of Okinawa. 10 U.S. military vessels—including aircraft carriers the USS Carl Vinson and the USS Abraham Lincoln, a destroyer, and an amphibious assault ship—took part in the joint exercise with Japan’s Maritime Self Defence Force.)

In an article highlighting the growing China-Russia relationship, the South China Morning Post (January 23) cited the Chinese media as stating that Putin and Xi have held 37 video meetings since 2013 – most recently last month – and the Russian President is likely to be the first world leader to meet Xi in person since the start of the pandemic. It noted Putin's assurance last month that he would attend the Beijing Winter Olympics in a show of solidarity after the US, Britain, Canada, and Australia announced a diplomatic boycott over human rights. At the same time, Xi expressed support for his “old friend” Putin and called for “more joint actions to effectively safeguard security interests” of the two countries. The Hongkong-based newspaper said that as the relations of both countries with the US worsen, their leaders have pledged cooperation in emerging areas, including data security, cyberspace, the Arctic, and infrastructure. Beijing and Moscow are seeking to increase the use of their currencies in bilateral payments to curtail the influence of the US dollar and reduce the effects of Washington-imposed sanctions. Last month, in the face of a threat from the US and Europe to exclude Russia from Swift, the world’s largest electronic payment system, Putin’s foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov said Russia and China had agreed to develop an independent financial infrastructure to service trade between the two countries “that cannot be influenced by third countries”.

The Joint Naval Exercise CHIRU-2022 of warships of Russia, China and Iran started in the Gulf of Oman (northern Arabian Sea) on January 18 and continued till January 21. In total, involved more than 140 warships and support vessels, more than 60 aircraft, 1,000 units of military equipment, and about 10,000 military personnel to participate. The PLA Navy has deployed its guided-missile destroyer 'Urumqi' (118) and replenishment ship 'Taihu' (889), along with embarked helicopters and 40 People’s Liberation Army Navy Marines of the 39th Escort Task Force, which is carrying out anti-piracy missions in the Gulf of Aden.

British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss spoke at Australia's Lowy Institute on January 21 when she discussed countering China. In a speech that contained 8 mentions of China, and 3 mentions of Beijing she said "Russia and China are working together more and more, as they strive to set the standards in technologies like artificial intelligence, assert their dominance over the Western Pacific through joint military exercises and in space through closer ties.

German Navy Chief VAdm Kay-Achim Schönbach speaking (January 22) at an event in IDSA in Delhi said, 'China is giving money to dictators, killers, to criminals as long as long as they give resources to China'.

East Asia Forum (January 23) published an article on the current state of Sino-US relations by Jia Qingguo, CPPCC member, former Dean of Peking University’s International Relations School, and a US expert, where he traced the slide in Sino-US ties. Titled 'Waiting for spring to come in China–US relations', Jia Qingguo said that despite some cooperation on issues, like climate change, the conflict between the two sides has increased, Taiwan is the single contentious issue. Jia Qingguo said the push by Taiwan authorities "for independence coupled with increasing US endorsement and support elicited a tougher stance from China", and "the vicious cycle of interactions between Beijing, Taipei and Washington increased the likelihood of a military showdown". He said despite the November 16 virtual summit meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Biden on 16 November for setting guard rails for the relationship the most recent bickering includes a US official boycott of the Beijing Winter Olympics, sanctions over Xinjiang and Chinese retaliation. He assessed that these factors are unlikely to change in the short run, and "the 2022 mid-term elections bode ill for China–US relations because the Republicans who stand on an even tougher policy toward China appear likely to win. Under these circumstances, the Biden administration is unlikely to be able to advance a pragmatic approach toward China. Ahead of the 20th Party Congress, China is also unlikely to compromise". Jia Qingguo concluded that "the stabilisation and improvement of China–US relations is likely to remain a distant prospect for some time yet"

The Pakistan Navy on January 24 inducted the PNS Tughril, the first of four Type 054A/P frigates developed by China, in the Pakistan Navy Fleet. The President of Pakistan announced that the Type 054A/Ps will serve to safeguard the sea routes of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The induction ceremony of the PNS Tughril multi-role frigate was held at the Pakistan Navy Dockyard in Karachi. The China State Shipbuilding Corp. said the frigate is the largest and most advanced surface combat vessel China has ever exported.

Pakistan has approved an unprecedented $11.6 million in compensation for the families of Chinese engineers who were killed and wounded in a terrorist attack last year in a move to smooth bilateral relations as Prime Minister Imran Khan prepares to visit Beijing in February. The Chinese contractors had demanded Islamabad pay $38 million in compensation for their dead and injured, but the amount finally paid by Pakistan is at a compensation rate reported to be double what Beijing normally pays families of victims in such cases. The cabinet's economic coordination committee made the award last week. Pakistan's finance ministry said in a press statement "The ECC, after deliberation and considering the depth of our relationship with China, approved the proposal of payment of $11.6 million as a goodwill gesture."

Nikkei Asia (January 22) reported that the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)' Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative on January 22 released a January 16 satellite image showing two clamshell dredgers just off the coast of Ream accompanied by barges for collecting dredged sand.

57-year Xiao Qian has been appointed China's new Ambassador to Australia in an apparent bid to improve ties. Married with one daughter, Xiao Qian has previously worked in Ethiopia, India, the US, The Philippines, Hungary, and Indonesia and spent two years as Beijing’s deputy representative on Korean peninsular affairs. In a statement released on arrival in Australia on January 26, he said “The Chinese side always believes that a sound, steady China-Australia relationship serves the fundamental interests of the two countries and the two peoples, and contributes to the prosperity and stability of the Asia-Pacific region. As long as both sides adhere to the principles of mutual respect, equality, inclusiveness, and mutual learning and firmly grasp the right direction of the development, the China-Australia relations will keep moving forward and make further progress.”

Reuters (January 27) reported that the European Union has launched a challenge at the World Trade Organization on January 27 accusing China of discriminatory trade practices against Lithuania that it says threaten the integrity of the EU's single market.

On January 18, CCP CC General Secretary Xi Jinping delivered an "important" speech at the Sixth Plenary Session (January 18 to 20, 2022) of the 19th Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, where he once again talked about "self-revolution".

The Central Political and Legal Work Conference was held via video teleconference on January 15. Xinhua (January 15) reported that Chinese President Xi Jinping issued "important instructions on political and legal work". He mentioned that the political and legal front resolutely implemented the decisions of the Party Central Committee, maintained national political security and social stability, and made new achievements in comprehensively deepening reforms in the field of politics and law and "rectifying the education and rectification of political and legal teams". It said Xi Jinping emphasized that "it is necessary to adhere to the Party's absolute leadership over political and legal work" and, inter alia, "comprehensively deepen political and legal reforms, and consolidate and deepen the educational and rectification achievements of the political and legal teams, earnestly fulfil the major responsibilities of maintaining national security, social stability, and people's tranquillity, so that the people can truly feel that fairness and justice are at their side" He urged Party committees at all levels solve outstanding "problems that restrict political and legal work, support all political and legal units to perform their duties in accordance with the law, provide a strong guarantee for the construction of a higher level of safe China and the rule of law in China, and take practical actions to welcome the victory of the Party's 20th National Congress". Secretary of the Central Political and Legal Committee and Politburo member Guo Shengkun, conveyed Xi Jinping's important instructions and delivered a speech at the meeting, "emphasizing that the political and legal organs across the country should be guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, thoroughly implement Xi Jinping's thought on the rule of law, and fully implement the spirit of the 19th Plenary Sessions to strengthen the "four consciousness", strengthen the "four self-confidence", achieve "two maintenance", deeply study and understand the decisive meaning of "two establishments", and think that the 20th National Congress of the Party will be successfully held". State Councillor and Minister of Public Security Zhao Kezhi, President of the Supreme People's Court Zhou Qiang, and Chief Procurator of the Supreme People's Procuratorate Zhang Jun attended the meeting.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang presided over an executive meeting of the State Council on January 19, which discussed further strengthening the guarantee of coal, electricity, oil and gas transportation and market supply in the next stage, especially during the Spring Festival. It also decided to continue to implement some expired tax cuts and said the fee reduction policy supports the rescue and development of enterprises. The meeting also discussed the Government Work Report to be submitted to the Fifth Session of the 13th National People's Congress for deliberation, and decided to send a draft of the report to all provinces and regions, relevant departments and units of the city and the central state organs to solicit opinions.

Xinhua (January 14) reported that Politburo Standing Committee member Wang Huning addressed the concluding session of the meeting held in Beijing on January 14, of leading cadres at the provincial and ministerial levels to study and implement the 'spirit' of the Sixth Plenum. Wang Huning said that it is necessary to thoroughly study and implement the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's important speech at the opening ceremony of the seminar, deepen the understanding of the decisive significance of the "two establishments", strengthen the "four awareness", strengthen the "four self-confidence", and achieve "Two maintenance", better implement the important requirements of taking history as a mirror and creating the future, strengthen historical confidence, grasp historical laws, grasp historical initiative, and take practical actions to welcome the victory of the Party's 20th National Congress. Politburo member Chen Xi presided over the closing ceremony, and Politburo members Ding Xuexiang, Yang Xiaodu, Guo Shengkun and Huang Kunming and 19th CCP CC member You Quan attended the closing ceremony.

Party Secretary of Guizhou Province Shen Yiqin, in her speech at the opening meeting of the 5th session of the 12th CPPCC Provincial Committee on January 19, 2022, put the "two establishments" before the "two safeguards", both in the title and body of her speech.

The CCP CC Propaganda Department held the 2022 National Publishing (Copyright) Work Conference in Beijing on January 19. It said the Central Propaganda Department will thoroughly implement the 'spirit' of the 19th Party Congress and "the spirit of the previous plenary sessions, study and implement the spirit of the National Propaganda Ministers Conference", study the key tasks of the publishing work in 2022, and take practical actions to welcome the victory of the 20th Party Congress. The meeting emphasized that it "is necessary to hold high the ideological banner, take the publication and publicity of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as the primary political task of the publishing front, highlight the decisive significance of the "two establishments", carefully create a matrix of key works, and promote the party's innovative theory to go deeper"

Radio Free Asia (RFA-January 12) reported that on January 6, Xinhua posted an article that China has broadcast “Discover Shihezi (a city in Xinjiang)” in Chinese and English on the electric billboard “China Screen” at Times Square in New York, 48 times a day for 7 consecutive days. In addition, on January 7, Xinhua posted the same video on the websites of the Paris-based Nouvelles d’Europe newspaper and Japan’s AFPBB News and its social media. The videos were in Chinese, English, French, and German. The videos claimed that Shihezi’s present-day “prosperity” is the result of more than 70 years of development under the CCP’s leadership. RFA added that in July 2011, Xinhua News Agency rented the biggest and best-located billboard at Times Square, a 60 inch by 40 inch screen. Media said the rent could be US $300,000 to $400,000 per month

The People's Daily (January 19) disclosed that the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) had officially established the 'Xi Jinping Economic Thought Research Center' with the approval of the Party Centre

Le Yucheng, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister told a forum held by the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies at the Renmin University of China in Beijing on January 18 that “Exceeding the US in GDP, we are not interested in it, and this is not what we are going after. “He added “To meet the people’s desire for a better life, this is what the Communist Party of China aims for.” Li Yucheng also said, “We should oppose the Cold War mentality of unilateralism, interference in internal affairs, making coterie and group politics.”

The US-based Duowei News (January 14) claimed that Chinese President Xi Jinping had through last year been increasingly mentioning "historical self-confidence" in his speeches. Asserting that it is important to learn from history to avoid mistakes, it stated that Xi Jinping's 'intensive emphasis on "historical selfconfidence" is not only a self-confidence and high recognition of the 100-year history of the CCP, but also a set of historical legitimacy narratives that have been striving for national rejuvenation for generations'. Stating that this complements and conforms to the logic of the "four self-confidences", it assessed that it is very likely that the CCP will expand the "four self-confidences" into "five self-confidences" at an appropriate time, thereby making it 'a new spiritual guide for the whole party'.

The Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) issued a notice on January 13, on increasing the sci-tech R&D capabilities of SMEs. Specifically, MoST plans to create a national fund to support research and development by small- and medium-sized businesses and simplify the admin processes for financial subsidies and tax rebates. MoST is also keen on ensuring that SMEs can access top-tier sci-tech talent.

Reports indicate that salaries of officials in China's provinces are being reduced. Changsha, capital of Hunan Province issued a notice recently announcing a 15 percent cut in salaries

The People’s Bank of China lowered its key interest rate for the first time in almost two years to help bolster an economy that’s lost momentum because of a property slump and repeated virus outbreaks. It lowered the rate at which it provides one-year loans to banks by 10 basis points -- the first reduction since April 2020.

The People's Daily (January 10) reported officials of China's State Administration of Taxation saying at a recent National Taxation Work Conference that from 2016 to 2021, the cumulative tax and fee cuts exceeded 8.6 trillion yuan, and the macro tax burden is expected to drop from 18.7% in 2012 to around 15.2% in 2021. Separately, a report about the support provided to enterprises last year says the annual increase in tax and fee cuts is expected to have exceeded 1 trillion yuan in 2021. Giving details, it said, R&D related subsidies have ensured enterprises enjoyed 333.3 billion yuan in tax reductions and exemptions in advance; tax and fee reductions granted to micro, small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises are expected to be around 200 billion yuan; and some 13 million new tax-related market entities are believed to have been added in 2021, up 13.6% year-on-year, or 2.4 times more than in 2012

Greater Bay Airlines, a new Hong Kong-based airline with ties to Beijing, is awaiting final approval to operate commercial passenger flights out of Hong Kong. It is assessing whether to opt for Boeing’s 737 Max 10 model jets or Airbus’s A321neos, which would mean an investment of approx. US $1.77 billion.

The New York Times (January 20) reported that surveys show that more than 60 percent of Taiwan’s 23 million people identify as solely Taiwanese, three times the proportion in 1992. Only 2 percent identify as Chinese, down from 25 percent three decades ago.

The South China Morning Post (January 20) Chinese Professor of International Relations at Beijing’s Renmin University, Shi Yinhong, as saying at an international relations forum in Beijing on January 20 that tensions in the Taiwan Strait have steadily escalated amid growing US support for Taiwan and with Beijing seeing the self-ruled island as a breakaway province, reunification has become a much more pressing goal in recent years.

A Global Times (January 19) article claimed that "any progress connect to China's infrastructure construction in its southwestern territories touches a nerve in New Delhi. And the news of the bridge across the Pangong Lake appears to be no exception.

Referring to the increase China-India trade in 2021, the Global Times (January 14) said that its reaching "a record high, surpassing $125 billion, amid bilateral tensions, is just another piece of proof that New Delhi is unable to reduce its dependence on the Chinese market".

India's Income Tax authorities have since December 21, conducted raids and search operations in several areas in states including Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Assam, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Bihar, Rajasthan, Delhi & NCR. According to an ANI report, I-T officers targeted 15 manufacturing units of mobile manufacturers Oppo, OnePlus and Xiaomi, Dixon, and Rising Star India.

The Global Times (January 13) observed that "India appears to be showing a sense of unusual urgency in expanding its trade network these days, in contrast to its long-held protectionist stance" but warned " India must understand clearly that any attempt to exclude China, the world's second-largest economy and biggest trading nation, will seriously hamper its quest for influence in global trade."

Meeting his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said: “It is hoped that the two sides will firstly support each other in safeguarding their own sovereignty, security and development interests.”

On January 13, the Foreign Office of Pakistan informed that Prime Minister Imran Khan would attend the opening ceremony of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, which is scheduled to take place on February 4

China Economic Net reported (January 14) that Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan's Special Assistant on CPEC, Khalid Mansoor, said on January 14 that the upcoming CPEC infrastructure projects are likely to attract US $28 billion Chinese investment. Mansoor informed that a total of US $ 25 billion had already been invested under the CPEC by China, while another US $ 28 billion were expected under the upcoming projects. He added “The timeline for the execution of the CPEC phases spanned from 2015 to 2030, with many projects providing benefits over a much longer period” and reminded that Pakistan turned to China for help to solve the energy crisis, so that “we should be able to address the ever-declining economy of Pakistan, as there was no power in the country.”

The Wall Street Journal (January 18) reported that the deepening debt crisis has left Sri Lanka struggling to pay for imports and stoked political controversy over Chinese lending to the South Asian nation as part of Beijing’s global Belt and Road infrastructure program. With around two-thirds of government revenue already going toward interest payments, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa warned in a speech to Parliament that the country had insufficient foreign-currency reserves to pay for the imports it needed. Earlier this month, Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, a member of Parliament in the ruling party, wrote a six-page letter addressed to Chinese President Xi Jinping accusing Beijing of pushing Sri Lanka into a debt trap to expand China’s sphere of political influence. He wrote “It is manifestly visible that your friendship with us is no more genuine and candid, instead you use our relations to achieve your ambition of becoming the world power at the stake of lives of our innocent people.”

China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said at a regular press briefing on January 11 that “After friendly consultations between the two sides, freight in goods in Dandong has resumed.”

Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa strongly criticised China in a television interview on January 17. The Prime Minister also announced that Slovenia plans to allow Taiwan to open an office there. The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said China was “shocked” by Slovenia’s plans to allow Taiwan to open an office, saying it would damage ties between China and Europe.

The International Campaign for Tibet (ICT) reported the first interviews of US Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy and Human Rights Uzra Zeya as US Special Coordinator for Tibetan issues. In separate interviews on Radio Free Asia, Tibet TV, and Voice of America, Uzra Zeya said the US government’s stance on the upcoming Beijing Winter Olympics can help shine a light on China’s human rights abuses in Tibet. She addressed the Biden-Harris administration’s increasing efforts to combat China’s “transnational repression” of Tibetan exile communities. She further discussed her work with Congress and other partners, and her desire to meet with the Dalai Lama. She said, “I think that our decision with respect to the Olympics was also to show that we would not treat these Games as business as usual, and that we would not be contributing to the fanfare of the Games in such a way that obscures the reality of human rights abuses occurring as we speak in the PRC". She added that “On the question of access, this is an absolute priority. We have a legislative mandate as well that we intend to uphold. I think there is an opportunity in our stance with respect to the Olympics to show our commitment to promoting human rights and to shine a light on the reality of the situation in Tibet and elsewhere.” Zeya also spoke in her interviews about the Chinese government’s attempts to intimidate Tibetan communities living in exile in the United States and across the world.

The South China Morning Post (January 21) disclosed that China and the US are in talks to prepare for a potential meeting between Chinese top diplomat Yang Jiechi and US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan on core national security concerns. It cited sources as saying that the two sides are, however, deeply divided on protocol and agenda items.

Xi Jinping delivered an important speech on January 11, at the opening ceremony of the seminar on the study and implementation of the spirit of the CCP CC Sixth Plenary Session for leading cadres at the provincial and ministerial levels.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang presided over an Executive meeting of the State Council on January 10, deploying and accelerating major projects identified in the "14th Five-Year Plan" Outline and special plans, expanding effective investment; centralized procurement with volume to further reduce the medical burden on patients.

The Sixth Plenum of the CCP Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) will be held from January 18 to 20, and a new CCDI committee will be selected later this year.

The Procuratorate Daily (January 5) reported that the Central Political and Legal Committee Party History Learning and Education Summary Meeting was held on January 5. Chen Yixin, Secretary General of the Central Political and Legal Committee (PLAC) delivered a speech, and Wang Xiufeng, head of the 11th Guidance Group of the Central Committee of Party History Learning and Education, attended the meeting for guidance.

Lin Shangli, deputy at the Central Policy Research Office, wrote a big article in the Economic Daily (January 7) emphasising independence, self-esteem, self-reliance and unity. Asserting that "China's affairs must be advocated and handled by the Chinese people themselves" and the people owe their independence to the struggles and leadership of the CCP, he recalled “Comrade Deng Xiaoping has repeatedly warned people: "China's affairs must be handled according to China's conditions, and must be handled by the Chinese people's own strength. Independence and self-reliance, no matter the past, present or future, are our footholds." "Any foreign Don't expect China to be their vassal, and don't expect China to swallow the bitter fruit that harms our country's interests." General Secretary Xi Jinping also emphasized: "The entire history of China since modern times tells us that China's affairs must be based on China's characteristics and China's actual conditions. It's the right way to solve all China's problems." (Comment: Li Shagli is a protege of PBSC member Wang Huning.)

The Economic Daily (January 12) published a major article titled 'The Creative Development of Marxist Political Economy', which mainly focused on Xi Jinping Economic Thought as its development. It was authored by Liu Wei, President of Renmin University. It contained 16 references to Xi Jinping and 6 to "Xi Jinping Thought" and says "Practice has proved that Xi Jinping's economic thought has a strong vitality, which is not only a clear era, but also an open theoretical system facing the future".

The People's Court Daily (January 10) reported that Guo Shengkun, Politburo member and Secretary of the Central Political and Legal Committee, attended and spoke at the second meeting of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and Winter Paralympics Security Headquarters on January 9. He emphasised the importance of doing a good job in security work at the Winter Olympics. State Councilor and Minister of Public Security Zhao Kezhi presided over the meeting and delivered a speech. Chen Yixin, Secretary General of the Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission, Wang Xiaohong, Secretary of the Party Committee of the Ministry of Public Security and Deputy Minister in charge of daily work, Han Zirong, full-time Vice Chairman and Secretary General of the Beijing Winter Olympics Organizing Committee, and relevant responsible comrades from the Security Headquarters attended the meeting. Meanwhile, the Chinese government has promised Olympic athletes’ free access to social media platforms and other websites in the Olympic Village in Beijing, but heavy surveillance of online activity is expected to continue, even for visitors who are allowed to access sites that would otherwise be blocked. Chinese authorities have said Olympic participants and foreign media will have uncensored access to the internet through special SIM cards.

The Central Discipline Inspection Commission (CDIC) announced on its official website on January 8 that Zhang Yongze, Vice Chairman of the Tibet Autonomous Region Government (TAR), was examined and investigated by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the State Supervision Commission on suspicion of serious violations of discipline and law, and is currently undergoing disciplinary review.

A commentary posted (January 8) on the Central Discipline Inspection Commission (CDIC)'s official website spoke of keeping up the "overwhelming" pressure against corruption thereby setting tone for the 20th Party Congress later this year.

The People's Daily (January 11) published a lengthy article by Qu Qingshan, Director of the CCP CC's Party History and Literature Research Institute, on implementation of the spirit of the Sixth Plenary Session.

The CCP CC's Propaganda Department has brought out a new periodical magazine called China News Release (中国新闻发布), available in both Chinese and English. The English-language version will be available monthly.

I, II7 cadres graduated from the CCP CC Central Party School at its graduation ceremony for the fall semester of 2021 held in Beijing on January 8. Politburo member and President of the Central Party School Chen Xi attended the ceremony and issued the graduation certificates. The 'students' all agreed that they had "comprehensively and thoroughly studied Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, deeply comprehended the major achievements and historical experience of the party's century-long struggle, strengthened political literacy, tempered party spirit, improved leadership, and stimulated forge ahead. , to have a deeper understanding of the decisive meaning of "two establishments", and further enhance the consciousness and firmness of "two maintenances"." (Comment: The upward mobile CCP cadres are selected for training at the Central Party School and they usually rise to 'leading' positions in the CCP.)

China's Central Discipline Inspection Commission (CDIC) disclosed on January 8 that Wang Bin, Party Secretary and Chairman of China Life Insurance (Group) Company, is under investigation.

The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), and the Ministry of Transport jointly issued the "14th Five-Year Plan for Civil Aviation Development". It clarifies the guiding ideology, basic principles, target requirements and major measures for the development of civil aviation in the next five years, and is a programmatic document to guide the development of the entire industry in the future. The planning period is to 2025, and the outlook is to 2035. It includes the construction of six major systems is the main part of the "14th Five-Year Plan" of civil aviation. It disclosed that during the "13th Five-Year Plan", 339 general-purpose airports were registered, and 6,795 civil aviation aircraft were in the fleet

Data released on January 14 by the Chinese Customs Administration showed that Chinese exports continued to do well into December, pushing the annual trade surplus to a new high. Exports in December were $340.5 billion, taking the full year total to $3.36 trillion. Imports were $246 billion in December and $2.69 trillion for the year, leaving a trade surplus of $94.5 billion for the month and $676 billion for the full year.

China's State Council issued a plan on January 5 for the development of China's digital economy, aiming to increase this sector's share of national GDP by pushing technologies like 6G and big data centers. It set several targets for 2025, namely the increase of the digital economy's share of the national GDP from 7.8% in 2020 to 10% in 2025. Other targets included accelerating the construction of big data centers and increasing the number of users of gigabit broadband, the fastest connection speed available, from 6.4 million in 2020 to 60 million in 2025. The State Council also pointed out structural issues in China's digital economy that needed to be addressed.

Caixin (January 11) reported that nearly half of Chinese college graduates chose civil service, public sector, and state-owned enterprise jobs in 2021, with graduates from prestigious schools such as Tsinghua University taking a much higher percentage. It said that according to a report published on January 4 by Prof. Yue Changjun of the Institute of Economics of Education of Peking University, there were 9.09 million fresh college graduates in China last year. Some 49.3% of respondents in a survey of more than 20,000 graduates from 34 colleges across the country got a job in the civil service, public institutions and state-owned enterprises.

Liu Kun, China’s Minister of Finance published an article in the 12th issue of the magazine, “Organ’s Party Development Research,” calling on officials to work hard and be thrifty. It doesn’t matter if there is an ample or an insufficient budget, (officials) should always manage income and expenditure as a whole, truly spend the money where it most needs to go, and effectively put the requirement of living on a tight budget into practice

Quoting China's Ministry of Education has estimates, the South China Morning Post (January 13) reported that while there is an overflow of people looking for office jobs, there will be a shortage of nearly 30 million workers in the manufacturing sector by 2025. The Blue Collar Employment and Compensation Management Report 2021, from China International Intellectech, a human resources company, said nearly 70 per cent of Chinese businesses face labour shortages, and 55 per cent of companies are struggling to find blue-collar workers. The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security said in January 2021 that of the 100 occupations with the greatest worker shortages, as many as 36 were categorised as “manufacturing and related personnel.” Of the 25 new occupations on the list, 15 were directly related to manufacturing, accounting for 60 per cent of the total.

China’s largest New York Stock Exchange-listed private education company, New Oriental Education, laid off 60,000 employees after Beijing’s far-reaching crackdown last year. New Oriental Education’s billionaire founder Yu Minhong confirmed the massive shakeup in a post on his WeChat account over the weekend, adding that the company’s operations are in uncertain territory because of “policies, the pandemic and international relations.” Famous for its after-school tutoring services, New Oriental Education laid off 60,000 staff members over the last year. The company had more than 88,000 full-time employees and about 17,000 contract teachers as of May 2021, according to its latest annual report. Yu Minhong did not say whether any of the 60,000 employees were contract workers, but added that New Oriental’s revenue fell 80%, while its market capitalization shrank 90%.

The People's Daily (January 8) reported that 180,000 graduates from over 2,300 universities signed up for volunteering in China's Western regions for 1-3 years; over 410,000 graduates have participated in this programme since 2003. It added that data shows that 13.45% of the college graduates who signed up for the Western Plan in 2020-2021 were party members, and 33% were party members who were eventually admitted as volunteers

Citing a recent survey which said the main reasons for low fertility are the high cost of childbirth and the high housing price, Dr. Ren Zeping, one of the most visible economists in China, made headlines on January 11 by calling for, among other measures, China's central bank to print an additional 2 trillion yuan every year for establishment of an 'encouragement fund' as soon as possible. He asked that the central bank print an additional 2 trillion yuan to give in subsidies over 10 years to encourage births without increasing the burden on ordinary people, enterprises and localities.

Chinese President and Chairman of the Central Military Commision Xi Jinping signed the Central Military Commission's Order No. 1 of 2022 which is a Training and Mobilisation order requiring the entire Army "to comprehensively promote the transformation and upgrading of military training, and to train elite soldiers who can fight well."

A Commentator's article in the PLA Daily (January 5) clarified that the Central Military Commission's Order No. 1 of 2022, clearly directed "comprehensively promote the transformation and upgrading of military training, and train elite soldiers who can fight well." It said the mobilization order "sounded the clarion call of the times for military training and preparation for war" and that the order had prompted an upsurge of actual combat military training in the new year. Asserting that "Armies exist to fight, soldiers are born to win", it said "The army is first and foremost a combat team, and fighting and preparing for war is the duty of soldiers. Our army is an armed group that carries out the party's political tasks. It must be strong in politics and strong in ability.

Xinhua (January 4) reported that 11 departments including the Ministry of Veterans Affairs had jointly issued the "Measures for Retired Soldiers' Monthly Retirement Payments and Resettlement Measures" which will be effective from January 4. The orders were approved on December 24, 2021. It marks the official establishment and operation of a new system for the placement of retired soldiers, and is a monthly payment of pensions. It is intended to "help enhance the sense of respect for the military's career, improve the stability of military service, will help encourage and guide retired soldiers to integrate into social employment and entrepreneurship, and contribute wisdom and strength to social and economic development".

The Party theoretical fortnightly on January 9 published an article titled '2022 Diplomatic Work Outlook'. It observed that "the world has entered a period of turbulence and change. Faced with unprecedented challenges, all countries are exploring ways to deal with them, and mankind needs to make the right choice".

At Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's invitation, Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal, Kuwaiti Foreign Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Ahmed, Oman Foreign Minister Badr, Bahrain Foreign Minister Zayeni and GCC Secretary General Naif will visit China from January 10 to 14.

The South China Morning Post (January 10) disclosed that Beijing has asked Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor to “take swift action” against officials who attended a big birthday party in the midst of an outbreak of Covid-19 cases. It added that observers echoed the need for a prompt response to resolve the controversy and said any delay could deal a “serious blow to the credibility of governance”. Government advisers said should a breach of discipline be confirmed, demotion, pay cuts or even dismissal should be considered. It quoted sources as saying that Mainland China officials were piling pressure on the Hongkong government to punish Cathay Pacific, the city’s flagship carrier, after Beijing health experts had earlier identified aircrew as a potential risk area in their trip to the city. Reporting on the issue, the Beijing-owned Hongkong-based Wen Wei Po (January 10) stated that Carrie Lam had administered a "severe reprimand" to the Cathay Pacific management. It also asked her administration to examine whether "any other loopholes" require to be plugged.

China’s Xinhua News Agency reported late on January 2 that Major General Peng Jingtang, a Deputy Chief of Staff of the People's Armed Police Force, will head the People’s Liberation Army garrison in Hong Kong. He was previously Chief of Staff for the armed police in Xinjiang where he was in charge of counterterrorism

The South China Morning Post (January 9) said that in a post on the CICIR website on January 5, Hu Shisheng, Director of the Institute of South and Southeast Asian and Oceanian Studies and a border expert at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations (CICIR), suggested that 'In the face of rising Western hostility, Russia ‘would not want to see India and China fighting with each other’.

The PLA Western Theatre Command opened its official account on Twitter-like Sina Weibo on January 7 and released a notice that on February 1 it will randomly choose 10 lucky netizens from those who reposted the notice and send them a stone from the Galwan Valley. The Global Times reported that "A picture with Chinese soldiers patrolling the Galwan Valley, with a rockface seen in the post reading in Chinese characters "Splendid landscape, no inch to give up" was posted together with the notice."

Based on images and analysis supplied to Reuters by U.S. data analytics firm HawkEye 360, which uses satellites to gather intelligence on ground-level activities, and vetted by two other experts, Reuters (January 12) disclosed that China has accelerated settlement-building along its disputed border with Bhutan, with more than 200 structures, including two-storey buildings, under construction in six locations. Chris Biggers, the mission applications director at HawkEye 360 was quoted as saying that images show the work speeded up in 2021. Smaller structures were erected - possibly to house equipment and supplies - followed by the laying of foundations and then the construction of buildings. Two other experts who studied the locations of the new construction and recent satellite images taken by Capella Space said all six settlements appear to be in territory disputed by China and Bhutan - including a contested tract of roughly 110 square kilometres - with little in the way of resources or native population. They added that the new construction is 9 to 27km from the Doklam area at the junction of the borders of India, Bhutan and China, where Indian and Chinese troops were locked in standoff for more than two months in 2017. Bhutan's foreign ministry said in response to questions from Reuters that "It is Bhutan's policy not to talk about boundary issues in the public." China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs told Reuters the construction is "entirely for the improvement of the working and living conditions of the local people. It is within China's sovereignty to carry out normal construction activities on its own territory."

Asia Nikkei (January 7) disclosed that the Japanese-owned operator of 7-Eleven convenience stores in Beijing has been fined for describing Taiwan as an independent country and other naming conventions on its company website. It said the Beijing municipal government in December issued a warning to the company and imposed a fine of 150,000 yuan ($23,500). The stores in the capital are run by a local unit of SevenEleven Japan, a subsidiary of Japanese retail giant Seven & i Holdings. The company also failed to use Chinese names for several South China Sea islands as well as for the Japanese-administered Senkaku Islands, which China claims and calls the Diaoyu, according to the site. The 7-Eleven map was found to have mistakes in showing China's borders along the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region and the Tibet Autonomous Region. Seven & i Holdings issued a comment, acknowledging the reprimand by Beijing authorities.

Speaking at the Surface Navy Association symposium in Arlington, Va, the Vice Chairwoman of the U.S. House Armed Services Committee, Rep. Elaine Luria, D-Va. said on January 12 that new legislation is needed to allow the U.S. to respond faster should China invade Taiwan. President Joe Biden “doesn’t have the authority [under the law] to actually respond” should China attack the island, adding that a U.S. response would be needed to maintain stability in the region. She said “If China were to invade Taiwan today, the president would have to come to Congress for authorization to respond. We can’t lose [the] months that it would take in order for us to provide a response.”

Singapore’s Chinese language newspaper Lianhe Zaobao reported (January 7) that the North Korean Olympic Committee and the Ministry of Sports sent a letter to the Chinese Olympic Committee, the Beijing Winter Olympics, the Paralympics Organizing Committee, and the General Administration of Sports of China. The letter said that, due to the conspiracy activities of hostile forces as well as the global epidemic of infectious diseases, North Korea could not participate in the coming Winter Olympics Games. The North Korean Ambassador to China conveyed the letter when he met with the responsible officials of the General Administration of Sports of China. North Korean also pointed out in the letter that the United States and its followers are trying to hinder the smooth holding of the Beijing Winter Olympics. North Korea sent the letter to the General Administration of Sports of China on the day when they tested a hypersonic missile.

Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian commenced his visit to China from January 14 to deepen the “comprehensive strategic partnership” the two countries signed last year. Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin confirmed (January 11) that Amir-Abdollahian will visit China on January 14, reiterating that “China is ready to work with Iran to further deepen the China-Iran comprehensive strategic partnership.”

Articles in the English and Chinese editions of the Global Times (January 6) headlined 'Riots show signs of “color revolution,” sounding alarm bells for China, Russia' said "As the chaos in the Central Asian country - the worst in decades - has shown signs of a "color revolution," analysts warned of the high possibility that the US will take the chance to destabilize the region to further contain China and Russia".

Sri Lanka's President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on January 9 asked China for the restructuring of its loans and access to preferential credit for imports of essential goods. Sri Lanka is facing its worst economic crisis, partly due to Beijing-financed projects that don’t generate revenue. Rajapaksa told visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi that it would be “a great relief to the country if attention could be paid on restructuring the debt repayments as a solution to the economic crisis that has arisen in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic”. A statement said Rajapaksa asked Wang for a concessionary credit facility for imports so that industries can run without disruption. He also requested assistance to enable Chinese tourists to travel to Sri Lanka within a secure bubble.

Commenting on the virtual 2+2 meeting on January 7 between the Foreign and Defense ministers of the US and Japan, an article in the Global Times (January 8) noted that "they hyped the so-called threat from China and declared that 'they resolved to work together to deter and, if necessary, respond to destabilizing activities in the region'.

The Global Times (January 5) reported that Japan is developing a new technology that can be used to combat hypersonic missiles. It quoted Japan's Nikkei Asian Review's website (January 4) as quoting sources that said Japan's Defense Ministry will develop electromagnetic launch technology to intercept enemy missiles "because Japan is now eager to deal with hypersonic weapons being developed by China, Russia and North Korea. ". According to the report, Japan's Defence Ministry is working on rail gun technology capable of launching projectiles by electromagnetic acceleration, which is faster than the launch method of conventional interceptor systems and can fire continuously. Together with long-range missiles, this new generation of weapon systems would provide Japan with a multi-layer interception capability.

The PBSC held a meeting throughout the day on January 6 to listen to the work reports of the NPC Standing Committee, the State Council, the CPPCC National Committee, the Supreme People's Court, Supreme People's Procuratorate, and the work of the Central Secretariat. CCP Central Committee General Secretary Xi Jinping presided over the meeting and delivered an important speech.

Xinhua on January 1, 2022, front-paged a lengthy report eulogising CCP CC General Secretary Xi Jinping's contribution to Chinese Communist Thought. A People's Daily Commentary (January 2) praised Xi Jinping's leadership and his "courage" in locking down cities to combat the pandemic.

CCTV (January 5) reported that Chinese Premier Li Keqiang hosted a seminar on tax reduction and fee reduction in Beijing on January 5. PBSC member and Vice Premier Han Zheng attended the meeting. Hu Chunhua, Liu He, Wang Yong, Xiao Jie, Zhao Kezhi and He Lifeng also participated.

CCTV (January 5) reported that the National Propaganda Ministers' Meeting was held in Beijing on January 5. PBSC member and Secretary of the CCP CC Secretariat, Wang Huning attended and delivered a speech.

There is considerable speculation in Beijing about Li Zhanshu, Politburo Standing Committee (PBSC) member and one of Xi Jinping's closest confidants, since he was absent at the New Year's tea party in Beijing hosted by the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee on 31 December.

2021 was the legislature’s most productive year yet in the New Era. The NPC Standing Committee (NPCSC) was in session for a total of 25 ½ days. It held six regular sessions and, following the Communist Party’s call for additional legislative sessions, a seventh full-length session in January.

The Zhonguo Zuzhirenshi Bao on January 4 published a lengthy article on the changing leadership at the municipal level, to build a team of leaders and cadres with strong political skills. Captioned 'Efforts to build a leadership team and a team of cadres with strong political skills and the ability to lead modernization —— Solid advancement of the change of municipal leadership in various regions', the article enumerated the steps being taken by different provinces. I mentioned that 'Tibet had promoted and reused 49 outstanding cadres with outstanding performance in the forefront of maintaining stability, the main battlefield of economic development, the main frontline of ecological and environmental protection, and the front line of solid borders and strong borders into the municipal leadership team'. It noted that 'Yunnan selected 11 cadres familiar with economic work from the deputy city (prefecture) mayors and county party committee secretaries to join the party committee' and 'Xinjiang focuses on advancing the strategy of long-term stability and stability and enhancing the leadership ability to maintain stability'

The Shanghai Daily (January 5) reported that the Director and Party chief of the Big Data Resources Management Bureau in Xi’an City was dismissed over poor performance. Xi’an’s health code system, the essential id for PCR testing and medical screening in pandemic control, had crashed several times. The announcement was made after the city's health code system, the essential identification method for medical screening during pandemic control, crashed again on January 4 after it broke down on December 20 due to excessive traffic

Xinhua (January 4) announced that the Central Discipline Inspection Commission (CDIC) had issued new "Regulations on the Work of the Disciplinary Inspection Committee of the Communist Party of China".

The Wall Street Journal (January 5) reported that Yu Jianhua, deputy head of Beijing Municipality's Environmental Protection Bureau, said at a press briefing in Beijing on January 4 that Beijing met all national air-quality standards for the first time since targets were set in 2013 in preparation for next month’s Winter Olympics. Yu Jianhua said the average concentration of fine particulate pollution, known as PM2.5, fell by 13% compared with a year earlier and 63% compared with 2013 levels.

A recent New York Times and the Washington Post (December 31) investigation revealed that the Chinese government, which has built an extensive digital infrastructure and security apparatus to control dissent on its own platforms, is going to even greater lengths to extend its internet dragnet to unmask and silence those who criticize the country on Twitter, Facebook, and other international social media.

The Cyberspace Administration of China on January 4 issued Cyber Security Review measures, clarifying that Online platform operators who have personal info of more than 1 million users and are going to list abroad must report for cybersecurity review. It also directed that Online platforms must not use algorithms to influence online public opinion, evade supervision, and monopolize and unfair competition.

SpaceNews (January 3) reported from Helsinki that the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp. (CASC) stated on social media that it will target more than 40 orbital launches this year, including completion of the Tiangong space station, following 48 successful launches in 2021.

The Central Discipline Inspection Commission (CDIC) publicised in its paper that its investigation teams had been active in Inner Mongolia, Hubei, Shanxi, Beijing, Jiangsu, and Tianjin.Hunan, Jiangsu, Sichuan, and Tianjin uncovering different types of corrupt activities.

An article in Nikkei Asia (December 23) quoted Qin Yuyun, head of grain reserves at the National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration, as telling reporters in November reported that China is maintaining its food stockpiles at a "historically high level." He said "Our wheat stockpiles can meet demand for one and a half years.

The state-run CCTV News (January 6) stated that the Central Economic Work Conference put forward several requirements for the development of the capital market this year. Yi Huiman, Chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission, told CCTV that in 2022, the China Securities Regulatory Commission will strive to achieve "three stability and three advancements" and actively contribute to stabilizing the macroeconomic market. The Central Economic Work Conference pointed out that the stock issuance registration system should be fully implemented. Yi Huiman said the China Securities Regulatory Commission is speeding up the formulation of a market-wide registration system reform plan to ensure the smooth implementation of this major reform.

The South China Morning Post (December 31) disclosed that a new five-year (2021-25) document says domestic trade must play an increasingly important role in shoring up national economy.

The South China Morning Post (December 30) disclosed that nearly 4.37 million of China’s smallest businesses permanently shut their doors in the first 11 months of the year – more than three times the number of new ones that opened during the same time. Only 1.32 million new micro and small firms opened in China during the first 11 months of this year, compared with 6.13 million last year.

According to the 21st Century Business Herald (December 28), bank outlets in China have been shrinking rapidly. Based on the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission’s statistics, as of December 24, 2021, a total of 2,459 bank outlets of commercial banking institutions ceased operations this year.

Chinese Foreign Minister, Wang Yi is travelling through the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) from January 4 to 9. He will be visiting Eritrea, Kenya, the Comoros, the Maldives, and Sri Lanka, all face a financial crisis and have debt issues to be addressed. Eritrea joined China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in November 2020.

On December 29, 2021, China's Ministry of Civil Aviation Affairs announced that in accordance with the relevant regulation of the State Council on the management of geographical names, the Ministry and relevant departments have standardized some geographical names in Arunachal Pradesh. The Chinese media report disclosed that of the 15 places whose names have been changed, eight of them are residential areas, four of them are mountain peaks, two rivers and one Mountain Pass. Along with the changes in places names, they have also carried out virtual administrative divisions of these places under the Chinese counties and prefectures namely, Cuona County of Shannan Prefecture, Medog County of Nyingchi Prefecture and Longzi County of Shannan Prefecture

Reference News, a subsidiary publication of Xinhua News, recently reported on December 29, that on the December 27, Chinese State Councillor and Defense Minister Wei Fenghe held a video conference with Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi. The call took about two hours, which exceeded the original scheduled time.

Global Times (December 30) reported that CMLink, a subsidiary of China Mobile Canada, announced on December 28, that, at the request of the Canadian Federal Government, the company will cease its operations on January 5, 2022.

The business news service Axios (December 23) quoted a White House release that US President Biden signed a bill on December 23 banning imports from China's Xinjiang region and punishing the Chinese government for its genocide of Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities. Human rights activists say the bill will impose the first substantive costs the Chinese government has ever faced for its atrocities in Xinjiang and could set a precedent for other countries to follow.

China's Guangming Ribao (January 4) pointed out that the proportion of Chinese students of all international students in the US has slightly increased in 2021, reaching 34.7%. Quoting from a report of the American Society for International Education's latest "U.S. Open Door Report" released in November 2021, it said statistics show that there are 317,000 Chinese students studying in the U.S. from 2020 to 2021, still occupying the first place in the number of overseas students studying in the U.S. Although the number has dropped by 14.8% year-on-year, considering that the total number of international students in the United States has dropped by 15%, the proportion of Chinese students in the total number of international students in the United States has even slightly increased compared with last year, reaching 34.7%.

Xinhua (December 31) reported that the Chinese Ambassador to Cuba, Ma Hui, on December 31 laid a wreath of flowers at the monument to fallen Chinese fighters during Cuba's Independence War in Havana. Ma Hui said, "Over the past 170 years, the Chinese and Cuban people have forged a friendship that has stood the test of time." Luis Gongora, Director General of Foreign Trade, and International Relations at the government of Havana, said that China has provided an extraordinary example to the world in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

A Politburo Democratic Life Meeting was held on 28 December 2021. (Comment: No details are available as yet. The 'Democratic Life Meetings' of the CCP are known to be serious affairs where candid criticisms and self-criticisms are made. They are known to be held at the end of the year. in December since 2015.)

December 26th was the 128th anniversary of Chinese Chairman Mao 's birthday.

The state-owned Xinhua news agency said in a brief announcement on December 25 that Ma Xingrui, the 62-year old Governor of Guangdong province since 2017, had replaced Chen Quanguo as Party Secretary of the Xinjiang-Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR). It said Chen Quanguo will move to another role. Chen Quanguo, 66, was appointed XUAR Party Secretary in 2016. He is one of the 25 members of China’s politburo and was placed on a sanctions list last year by the US. Ma Xingrui has a background in the aerospace industry.

A major article in the Guangming Daily (December 24) by Liu Jianwu, former Dean of Hunan Academy of Social Sciences, Researcher of Hunan Research Center for Theoretical System of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics, clarified the difference between the "two Establishings".

Guangming Daily (December 30) published an article by former Exec. Vice President of the Central Party School and currently Member of the 13th NPC Standing Committee and Chairman of the Social Construction Committee titled 'The core of leadership and innovative theory of the Communist Party of China'.

A People's Daily lead article on December 27, referring to the Central Rural Work Conference held in Beijing from December 25 to 26, asserted that the issue of agriculture and rural farmers is a fundamental issue related to the national economy and the people's livelihood.

The 32nd meeting of the 13th NPC Standing Committee voted on December 24 to convene the decision to convene the 5th meeting of the 13th NPC. According to the decision, the Fifth Session of the 13th National People's Congress will be held in Beijing on March 5, 2022. The 64th Chairman’s Meeting of the 13th CPPCC, the CPPCC National Committee recommended that the Fifth Meeting of the 13th CPPCC National Committee will be held in Beijing on March 4 next year.

In the second week of December, Bitter Winter reported that the National Conference on Work Related to Religious Affairs -- the first such conference since 2016 -- was held on December 3–4 and personally presided over by President Xi Jinping, who also delivered the keynote speech. It said the Minister of Public Security, Zhao Kezhi immediately followed this up with a high-level meeting of security officers on how to implement Xi Jinping’s speech at the conference. Zhao Kezhi instructed officers to earnestly study the Marxist theory of religion to avoid serious mistakes. (Comment: Bitter Winter noted that Zhao Kezhi’s speech was largely a summary of the one delivered by Xi Jinping at the conference and repeatedly used the expression “xie jiao and illegal missionary activities”. Mentioning that this is not usually the case, Bitter Winter clarified that use of the word 'xie jiao' means the concerned group is perceived by the CCP as "anti-Party and subversive.”)

The People's Daily (December 24) published a major article by Xiao Pei, Deputy Secretary of the Central Discipline Inspection Commission (CDIC), titled 'Persist in the courage to struggle and self-revolution (indepth study and implementation of the spirit of the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee of the Party)'.

A post written on China's social media by an employee of the Hangzhou municipal government has become the talk of China, and after December 30 when Nikkei Asia reported it gone global. She wrote: "Listen to this. My annual pay is going to be slashed by around 25%. That's 50,000 yuan ($7,850) less.

The People's Daily (December 30) published an article captioned 'Correctly understand and grasp the new development stage' by Gao Peiyong, Vice President of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS).

The Global Times (December 22) reported that according to a stock filing published by the China Minmetals Rare Earth Co on December 19, the company received notice from its parent company China Minmetals Corp that the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC) has approved to set up a new company based on the strategic merger of assets from companies including China Minmetals Corp, the Aluminium Corporation of China as well as the government of Ganzhou.

Following the sanction by the US Treasury on December 10 of Shohrat Zakir, Chairman of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region’s government from 2018 until early this year, and his successor and former deputy Erken Tuniyaz, China on December 21 announced retaliatory sanctions against four members of the United States Government’s Commission on International Religious Freedom. Those sanctioned by China are: Chairwoman Nadine Maenza, Deputy Chairman Nury Turkel and members Anurima Bhargava and James Carr. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said they are barred from visiting mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau, and any assets they have in the country will be frozen.

Speaking to Chinese diplomats and academics at an annual seminar hosted by the China Institute of International Studies at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing on December 21, Cui Tiankai, the China's longest-serving Ambassador to the United States, warned against any “carelessness, slackness and incompetence” in China’s dealing with the US.

Recently addressing a panel on Sino-US relations at an economic development forum in Sanya, Hainan, the former deputy chief of Party History Research Centre, Zhang Baijia stressed the need for China to balance opening up and safeguarding national interests.

According to the South China Morning Post (December 26) Yuan Peng, President of the influential Beijingbased China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations (CICIR), wrote on the think tank’s social media account that an upgrade to a grouping of Turkic-speaking states is adding to “extreme uncertainty” in Central Asia.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi wrote an article in the People's Daily (December 30) highlighting the scope for cooperation between China and the five Central Asan Republics in various fields. Among the areas of cooperation, he mentioned the need "to jointly build a peaceful and stable regional security structure." Wang Yi said "The changes in Afghanistan have impacted regional security, and the "three forces" have emerged, seriously threatening regional stability. China is willing to continue to work with other countries, relying on bilateral and multilateral platforms such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and AsiaInfo to further deepen law enforcement and security cooperation, resolutely combat the "three forces", jointly prevent transnational organized crime, drug smuggling, and cybercrime, and work together to create a "safe silk". Road", so that the people of the six countries will live in peace and tranquillity forever."

The Australian (December 28) reported that a review by Australia's Defence Department has found there are no national security grounds sufficient to recommend a government intervention to overturn the controversial 99-year lease of the Port of Darwin to Chinese company Landbridge. It has, accordingly, made no formal recommendation for a national security intervention. The Australian confirmed that the national security committee of cabinet has considered the review it commissioned to -re-examine the 2015 agreement under which Landbridge won the bid to operate the port in a deal worth $506m. It added that the review is understood to have disappointed China hawks who were hoping the review would trigger a reversal of the -decision and allow the government to unpick the lease arrangement.

The CCP CC Politburo met on December 6 to analyse and study the economic work in 2022; listen to the work report of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the State Supervision Commission, and study and deploy the party's work style and clean government and anti-corruption work in 2022; deliberation Regulations on the Work of the Disciplinary Inspection Committee of the Communist Party of China.

The state-run CCTV on December 23 reported that a few days earlier Chinese Premier Li Keqiang presided over an executive meeting of the State Council to determine cross-cycle adjustment measures to promote the stable development of foreign trade; make arrangements for the implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement after its entry into force.

Xinhua reported that on December 5 the General Offices of the CCP CC and State Council issued the "Fiveyear Action Plan for the Improvement and Improvement of Rural Human Settlement Environment (2021- 2025)" requesting all regions and departments to conscientiously implement it.

Former People’s Daily reporter Hu Xijin announced his retirement as Editor-in-Chief of the nationalist tabloid the Global Times on December 16. He said he would continue as the Global Times' special commentator and "contribute my efforts to the development of the Global Times and continue to do my utmost for the Party's news and public opinion work".

Caixin (December 22) disclosed that 56-year Wang Chaoyong, a Chinese private equity tycoon who founded China equity Investment Co. Ltd., was detained by Beijing police on allegations of misappropriation of funds. It said Wang Chaoyang disappeared from public sight nearly three weeks ago and was last seen at his office in Beijing’s central business district on the afternoon of November 29. He was detained by police the next afternoon. China equity manages more than US$1.7 billion and is listed on the New Third Board in Shenzhen.

The official newspaper of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) People's Daily published an article on December 9 which, intriguingly, ignored any mention of Chinese President Xi Jinping. The 2703-character article was titled "Deeply Studying the Spirit of the Sixth Plenary Session of the Central Committee (Sixth Plenum)" and authored by Qu Qingshan, member of the CCP's 18th Central Discipline Inspection Commission of and member of the 19th CCP CC. He is currently Dean of the CCP CC's Institute of Party History and Literature. The article was replaced with an amended version many hours later. The amended version read: "General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: “Reform and opening up is a great awakening in the history of our party. It is this great awakening that gave birth to great creations from theory to practice in the new era.” Reform and opening up is the product of a great awakening, and the great awakening gave birth to reform and opening up. Reform and opening up developed China, developed socialism, and developed Marxism". (Comment: Appearing at a time when Xi Jinping is supposed to have consolidated his unshakable authority, the article's appearance strongly hints at inner-Party differences in the months leading to the 20th Party Congress.) .

An anonymous Chinese blogger posted on December 8, a highly satirical blog taunting China's reaction to US President Biden's recent Summit for Democracy. Thousands of Chinese netizens have already viewed the site.

Radio Free Asia (RFA) reported (December 17) that Tang Jitian, a prominent Chinese human rights attorney has been incommunicado since texting friends a couple of hours before an event linked to Human Rights Day at the EU representative office in Beijing on December10. RFA claims he is believed to be detained and that repeated calls to Tang Jitian's phone remained unanswered on December 16.

In an article captioned 'Innovation of Peripheral Diplomacy and Policy Practice' and published by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), Zhou Fangyin the Dean and Professor of the School of International Relations, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, stated that "China has always attached great importance to developing relations with neighbouring countries" and since the 18th Party Congress followed a policy of "being good with neighbours and partnering with neighbours". It observed that in April 2015, China and Pakistan upgraded their China-Pakistan strategic partnership to an "all-weather strategic partnership" and the “China-Pakistan Economic Corridor”, as the flagship project of the “Belt and Road” initiative, "has become a pragmatic cooperation between China and Pakistan to jointly forge a bilateral destiny". In June 2019, China and Russia announced the development of a "comprehensive strategic partnership for a new era", which is currently the highest-level partnership of China's diplomacy. He added that China has also established "comprehensive strategic partnerships" with Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam, established "strategic partnerships" with South Korea, Brunei, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and India, and established "permanent comprehensive strategic partnerships" with Kazakhstan and establish a "comprehensive strategic partnership" with Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Mongolia. China and Laos, Cambodia, Pakistan, and Myanmar, he said, have "reached consensus on building a community with a shared future". The cooperation between the two sides has been further consolidated, enriched, and enhanced. At the same time, China is also actively promoting the construction of a China-ASEAN community with a shared future and a China-Central Asia community with a shared future. The building of a community with a shared future in the surrounding areas is gradually spreading from point to surface, and continues to deepen. The coronavirus pandemic was identified as "the most serious public health crisis in the world since the end of World War II". Zhou Fangyin also referred to the "effective management and control of hot issues", where he said, "the long-term existence of a variety of hot issues is a challenge facing China's surrounding environment". He added "The emergence of this phenomenon is not only caused by complicated historical factors, but also influenced by the transformation of the current regional order. These hot issues are difficult to be fundamentally resolved in a short period of time, but with the joint efforts of China and neighbouring countries, overall management and control are relatively effective. Even in the face of interference from many external factors, the relationship between China and neighbouring countries remains stable and developing for the better. Taking into account the inherent complexity and mutual interaction of surrounding hotspot issues, the continuous involvement of countries outside the region for many years, the profound changes in regional power, the instability and uncertainty of the international situation, and the ongoing deep-level transformation of the regional order, China has successfully maintained Effective management and control of surrounding hotspot issues and promoting the continued development of relations with neighbouring countries are quite commendable". He said, in conclusion, that "China's neighbouring diplomacy" since the 18th Party Congress "has been carried out under the background of the gradual strengthening of strategic competition between China and the United States. Despite the unfavourable international environment, under the guidance of innovative ideas and the joint efforts of both sides, China's relations with neighbouring countries have undergone new development, and China's ability to shape a good surrounding environment has been improved". He concluded that "as the sense of community with a shared future takes root further, the relationship between China and neighbouring countries will be improved, which will also lay a solid foundation and provide a stronger foundation for peace, stability and prosperity in the region".

Qin Yuyun, head of grain reserves at the National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration, told reporters in November that China is maintaining its food stockpiles at a "historically high level" and "Our wheat stockpiles can meet demand for one and a half years. There is no problem whatsoever about the supply of food." According to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, China is expected to have 69% of the globe's maize reserves in the first half of crop year 2022, 60% of its rice and 51% of its wheat. China spent $98.1 billion importing food (beverages are not included) in 2020, up 4.6 times from a decade earlier, according to the General Administration of Customs of China. In the January-September period of 2021, China imported more food than it had since at least 2016, which is as far back as comparable data goes. Over the past five years, China's soybean, maize, and wheat imports soared two- to twelvefold on aggressive purchases from the U.S., Brazil, and other supplier nations. Imports of beef, pork, dairy, and fruit jumped two- to fivefold. China's production of wheat and other provisions as well as the amount of land used for agriculture plateaued in 2015. Goro Takahashi, a Professor Emeritus at Aichi University and expert on Chinese agriculture, said "Agricultural productivity in China is low due to the dispersion of farmland and soil contamination. The amount of agricultural production will continue to stall as farmers migrate to urban areas."

Xinhua (December 10) reported that at the annual Central Economic Work Conference held in Beijing from December 8-10, Chinese leaders mapped out priorities for the economic work in 2022. In a speech at the conference, Xi Jinping, described 2021 as a milestone for the Party and the nation. The meeting noted that China maintained a leading position in the world in economic development and epidemic control, with progress made in scientific strength, industrial chain resilience, reform and opening-up, people's livelihood and ecological civilization.

A People's Daily (December 16) Commentator's article highlighted that "the Central Economic Work Conference pointed out that it is necessary to adhere to the centralized and unified leadership of the Party Central Committee, calmly respond to major challenges, and move forward in unison". Asserting that "Practice has fully proved that the decision and deployment of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at the core are completely correct", it said China's economic development is "faced with the triple pressures of shrinking demand, supply shocks, and weakening expectations" and that "the external environment has become more complex, severe and uncertain". It urged cadres to work hard and focus on economic work.

Candidates loyal to China’s Communist Party won a landslide victory in Hong Kong’s legislative elections after pro-democracy activists were imprisoned and authorities received the power to exclude those deemed inappropriate for office. Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam said during a news conference on December 20 that she was “satisfied” with the election despite a 30.2 percent voter turnout -- the lowest since the British handed Hong Kong over to China in 1997. She left to brief the Chinese leaders in Beijing and met Chinese President Xi Jinping on December 22, who said that Hong Kong had consolidated the achievements in moving from chaos to governance and the situation has constantly improved. He added that the region had also achieved notable results in COVID-19 response, steadily recovered its economy and maintained social stability. Xi Jinping then talked about Lam’s work towards the implementation of changes to HK’s electoral system, holding of elections, implementation of NSL and HKSAR’s integration into the overall development of the country and said that “the central authorities fully acknowledge the work of Lam and the HKSAR government.” Senior Chinese officials including Han Zheng, Ding Xuexiang, Guo Shengkun, You Quan, Wang Yi and Xia Baolong attended the meeting

The results of the national referendum that took place December 18, resulted in a defeat for the KMT and victory for the DPP, with all four referendum proposals voted down. The DPP had advocated the four “Nos”. Four issues were voted on during the referendum. These were: the restart of Nuclear Reactor No. 4; the construction of a liquified natural gas terminal off the coast of Datan, Taoyuan; the lifting of barriers to the import of American pork containing the growth hormone ractopamine; and whether the date that national referendums should be held on the same date as elections. The DPP took the clear lead in all four referendum questions.

Nikkei Asia (December 16) disclosed that Kuomintang Deputy Director Eric Huang will this month open the KMT's new office in the U.S. capital. The move is a tacit admission that the party has an image issue in Washington, where President Tsai Ing-wen's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has been warmly received since coming to power in 2016. It also comes as a Kuomintang-sponsored referendum this on December 18 threatens to derail the prospects for a U.S.-Taiwan trade deal, which would undoubtedly please China. The Nikkei Asia report also said the KMT held a reception for its birthday in conjunction with American Thanksgiving in late November in what appeared to be an informal launch of its strategy of warming up to Washington. KMT Chairman Eric Chu addressed party members, diplomats, and journalists, but said little to suggest the party had new ideas for handling the tricky three-way relationship between Taiwan, the U.S. and China. He said "The KMT is the party with the wisdom and the experience to preserve the cross-strait status quo."

The Guardian (December 24), citing Japan’s Kyodo news agency, reported that amid increased tensions between the island and China, Japanese and US armed forces have drawn up a draft plan for a joint operation for a possible Taiwan emergency. Under the plan, the US marine corps would set up temporary bases on the Nansei island chain stretching from Kyushu – one of the four main islands of Japan – to Taiwan at the initial stage of a Taiwan emergency and would deploy troops. Kyodo said citing unnamed Japanese government sources on December 23.

The South China Morning Post (December 23) referred to an article by Politburo member Yang Jiechi's younger brother and former president of the Shanghai Institute of International Studies Yang Jiemian in The Paper. In the article, Yang Jiemian said China’s US strategy is “confrontational where it must be and collaborative when it can be” and that China should make better use of the US factor in its burgeoning ties with Moscow while maintaining “a sense of crisis” about the limits of its own influence.

The U.S. State Department on December 20 announced the appointment of Ms Uzra Zeya as the new Special Coordinator for Tibetan issues in the US State Department. Uzra Zeya, born in the U.S. to Bihari immigrant parents is the Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy and Human Rights. Her appointment was promptly welcomed by the International Campaign for Tibet (ICT), which observed that she is the first Indian American to be appointed to this position. On December 22, she 'virtually' met the International Campaign for Tibet (ICT)’s Interim President Bhuchung K. Tsering, Interim Vice President Tencho Gyatso and Director of Government Relations Franz Matzner.

Quoting the Financial Times, Nikkei Asia (December. ) reported that the U.S. Commerce Department on December 16 put China's Academy of Military Medical Sciences and 11 affiliated biotechnology research institutes on an export blacklist for allegedly helping the Chinese military to develop "brain-control" weapons.

The Wall Street Journal (December 17) reported that Zhihao Kong, a Purdue grad student from China, was harassed by other Chinese students after he posted a letter online praising the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests and his family in China received a visit from the Ministry of State Security. On hearing of this, Purdue University President Mitch Daniels denounced the “atmosphere of intimidation” directed at Zhihao Kong and his family and affirmed that Purdue is “proud” that mainland Chinese students come to his campus, where they enjoy freedom of inquiry and expression. He insisted, however, that “those seeking to deny those rights to others, let alone to collude with foreign governments in repressing them, will need to pursue their education elsewhere.”

Xinhua (December 14) reported that Chinese President Xi Jinping addressed and delivered important speeches at the opening sessions of the 11th National Congress of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles and the 10th National Congress of the Chinese Writers Association in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on December 14. The speech contained two mentions of Mao Zedong. The Beijing Daily (December 14) front-paged an article by the former Deputy Director of the Party History Research Office of the CCP CC highlighting veteran CCP leader Hu Qiaomu's "important" contributions to the drafting of the First and Second Resolutions on Party History.

In a lengthy (5514-word) article titled 'Persist in taking Xi Jinping's thoughts on the rule of law as the guide, striving to write a new chapter in the comprehensive rule of law at a new starting point', published on Page 6 of the People's Daily on December 13. The article included 48 references to Xi Jinping.

Caixin reported (December 15) that Xiao Yi, Party Chief of Jiangxi provinces's capital Fuzhou City from 2015 till this March was arrested on December 15 for illegal crypto-mining and other illegal activities. He was expelled from the CCP in November and arrested in December. Xiao Yi has become the first high-ranking cadre brought down for misconduct related to the country’s recent crackdown on cryptocurrencies and mining.

China's Central Discipline Inspection Commission (CDIC) issued a notice on December 15 stating that “In the special rectification of business dealings between the relatives of leaders and Sinopec’s business enterprises, a total of 16 people were given party discipline and government sanctions, 78 people were given organizational treatment, and 70 people were given salary deductions." Recently, it has been learned that the disciplinary inspection and supervision team of China Petroleum and Chemical Corporation has included the company's system deputy and above management personnel into the scope of inspection and rectification during the special rectification. Up to now, the inspection and rectification have been completed.

The People's Daily highlighted that on December 13, China submitted the "China's Position Paper on Regulating the Military Application of Artificial Intelligence" to the Sixth Review Conference of the United Nations "Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons". It said this is China's first proposal on regulating the military application of Artificial Intelligence, and it is also the first position paper on the security governance of Artificial Intelligence under the framework of the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons. It described it as "another important effort of China to actively lead the process of international security governance in response to the development of international security and emerging technologies".

The South China Morning Post (December 10) disclosed that China has created a quantum communication network in space to protect its electric power grid against attacks. Part of the network links the power grid of Fujian, the southeastern province closest to Taiwan, to a national emergency command centre in Beijing.

Taiwan’s chip fabricators -- four Taiwanese trade groups and three nonprofit organizations representing the whole of Taiwan’s high-tech industry -- signed an agreement on December 3 to create their own semiconductor equipment industry, opening an “option to decouple from the West,” in the view of a prominent US research firm.

An article published in the People’s Daily on December 12 and the South China Morning Post (December 13) highlighted Chinese President call for self-sufficiency in energy, food and minerals among global challenges at the Central Economic Work Conferemce. He said resource shortages could turn into a ‘grey rhino’ risk – an obvious yet ignored threat – for the world’s No 2 economy.

Xinhua (December 10) reported that the annual Central Economic Work Conference was held in Beijing from December 8 - 10, where Chinese leaders mapped out priorities for the economic work in 2022. In a speech at the conference, Chinese President Xi Jinping reviewed the country's economic work in 2021, analyzed the current economic situation and arranged next year's economic work. A statement issued after the Conference cautioned that China's economic development is facing pressure from demand contraction, supply shocks and weakening expectations, and the external environment is becoming increasingly complicated, grim and uncertain. It said "We must face the difficulties squarely while staying confident." The Central Economic Work Conference said China will continue to implement a “proactive fiscal policy and a prudent monetary policy and some infrastructure investment will be accelerated. It includes long sections on Common Prosperity and about thrift/conservation. The Global Times asserted that stability is a big theme. It said the meeting prioritized stability [稳], a word that was mentioned 25 times , for 2022, vowing to improve people's livelihood, stabilize the macro economy, and maintain social stability.

On December 15, Xinhua released the following statement on the Xi Jinping-Putin Virtual Summit earlier the same day.The statement said: "Xi Jinping pointed out that it is a great pleasure to hold the second video meeting this year with you at the end of the year. This is also our 37th meeting since 2013.

Lithuania's diplomatic delegation to China left the country on December 15, amid worsening relations over Taiwan which opened a de facto embassy in Vilnius last month. Lithuania said in a statement it had summoned its top diplomat back from China for "consultations" and that the embassy would operate remotely for the time being. The diplomats and their families left Beijing for Paris on December 15.

Xinhua (December 9) reported that Xi Jinping told a meeting of the Politburo in Beijing on December 6 that the Party should strengthen its “political guidance” of lawyers. Xi Jinping said “[We should] educate and guide lawyers to consciously abide by the basic requirements of supporting the leadership of the Communist Party and the socialist rule of law in China, and strive to be good lawyers satisfied by the party and the people.” He added that lawyers in China too should consciously “follow and embrace” the leadership of the Communist Party.

Addressing a national conference on work related to religious affairs, held from December 3-4 in Beijing, Xinhua (December 4) reported that Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered an "important speech" where he highlighted fully implementing the Party's theory on religious affairs in the new era, the basic policy on religious affairs, and the policy on the freedom of religious belief.

The Hongkong-based China Media Project recently pointed out that two small signals were sent out on the front page of the People’s Daily on December 5 and 6, through the inclusion in headlines of the phrase “Xi Jinping Economic Thought” (习近平经济思想), the first headline references in the key arena of economic decision-making to Xi’s so-called banner phrase, or qizhiyu (旗帜语), the long-winded “Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism With Chinese Characteristics for a New Era” (习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想). It observed that though these headline appearances may also have something to do with the upcoming annual Central Economic Work Conference, there can be little doubt that they are important steps toward the formal introduction of the potent “Xi Thought” — putting Xi on par with Mao. Separately, the "Economic Daily Issue Group 经济日报课题组" published (November 30) a lengthy article titled - "A review of Xi Jinping Economic Thought", which used this specific phrase 16 times. (Comment: Analysts have commented that this could be a build up to the 20th Party Congress.)

The 13th NPC Standing Committee will convene for its 32nd session from December 20 to 24. According to a preliminary agenda, it will review the following bills: draft amendment to the Organic Law of Local People’s Congresses at All Levels and Local People’s Governments at All Levels [地方各级人民代表大会和地方各级人民政府组织法]; draft Anti–Organized Crime Law [反有组织犯罪法]; draft Wetlands Protection Law [湿地保 draft revision to the Scientific and Technological Progress Law [科学技术进步法]; draft Noise Pollution Prevention and Control Law [噪声污染防治法]; draft amendment to the Seed Law [种子法]; draft amendment to the Civil Procedure Law [民事诉讼法]; draft revision to the Vocational Education Law [职业教育法]; draft amendment to the Trade Unions Law [工会法]; draft Black Soil Protection Law [黑土地保护法]; draft revision to the Women’s Rights and Interests Protection Law [妇女权益保障法]; draft Yellow River Protection Law [黄河保护法]; draft revision to the Emergency Response Law [突发事件应对法]; and draft revision to the Decision on Strengthening the Oversight of Economic Work [加强经济工作监督的决定].

China's State Council released its White Paper titled “On Chinese Democracy” on Democracy on December 4. 54 pages in length, the White Paper observed in its Preamble that "this year marks the centenary of the CPC. Since its founding in 1921, the Party has taken wellbeing for the Chinese people and the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation as its abiding goals, and has made continuous efforts to ensure the people’s status as masters of the country".

According to a report of December 5, well known critics of Chinese President Xi Jinping and Chinese human rights lawyers, Ding Jiaxi and former Professor Xu Zhiyong are likely to be brought to "secret" trial by the Chinese authorities probably between Christmas and New Year to minimise international publicity.

Chen Yunfei, a human rights activist and blogger from Sichuan province who has campaigned against environmental degradation, highlighted human rights abuses and spoken out on behalf of the families seeking justice for those killed in the aftermath of the Tiananmen Square protests in 1989, was sentenced to 4 years imprisonment on December 3. A notice issued on December 3, 2021, by the People's Court of the Pidu District of Chengdu City, Sichuan Province it had "tried the case of the defendant Chen Yunfei for compulsory indecency and child molestation in a closed trial in accordance with the law, and publicly pronounced the sentence. The defendant Chen Yunfei was guilty of the crime of compulsory indecency. Sentenced to fixed-term imprisonment of 1 year and 6 months; committed child molestation, sentenced to fixed-term imprisonment of 3 years; combined punishment for several crimes, and decided to carry out fixed-term imprisonment of 4 years."

Sir Geoffrey Nice QC delivered the Uyghur Tribunal’s judgment in London on December 9, 2021. The tribunal has determined that China has committed torture and crimes against humanity and possibly genocide, all instructed by Xi Jinping and supported by the most senior government officials.

The Guardian (December 10) reported that an editorial in a Chinese state-run website called China Reports Network said that all CCP members. -- there are 95 million CCP members -- must be obliged to have three children. It said "No party member should use any excuse, objective or personal, to not marry or have children, nor can they use any excuse to have only one or two children". The post has subsequently been deleted but not before it went viral with screenshots appearing on other social media sites.

The annual blue book issued by CASS said that China's economy is likely to grow around 5.3% in 2022, but cautioned that the forecast could be adjusted lower depending on the COVID-19 situation. Li Xuesong, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), told reporters "A target of above 5% leaves a certain room of leeway, which is a relatively prudent call. It would also allow all parties to focus on promoting reforms and innovation and pushing for high-quality development."

The People's Daily (November 30) published an article by Zamir Ahmed Awan, a senior fellow with the Center for China and Globalization (CCG) and a sinologist at the National University of Sciences and Technology in Pakistan, on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of China accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Citing data from the Civil Aviation Administration of China, the Wall Street Journal (December 6) stated that airlines carried around 1 million people in and out of China over the first eight months of 2021, down from almost 50 million over the same period in 2019.

Pointing to an article by Brahma Chellaney, the Global Times (December 9) published an article on Indian CDS General Rawat's tragic death and castigated Indian military competence. It said " one thing is clear: The capability of India's military equipment is not as impressive as the country has been boasting. India' defense manufacturing sector has very limited capability. It can make components of arms and some weapons at home, but most of its military equipment is imported and assembled in India. Its locally produced weapons are mostly modeled on arms from other countries. That being said, there are often hidden dangers when the arms come into actual use. Some military equipment is quite old and outdated but still in service. These show that India's overall military capacity is worrisome, Song Zhongping, a Chinese military expert, told the Global Times." (Comment: This is a particularly nasty article.)

In the 'Covert Shores' blog on November 30, submarine expert H.I. Sutton commented on the unexpected appearance of a Chinese submarine in the Taiwan Strait this week and identified the vessel as a Chinese Type-94 nuclear-powered ballistic missile sub in a photo from the open source European satellite imagery service, Sentinel-2. The sub was spotted allegedly cruising above the surface of the waters separating Taiwan from mainland China. The reason for its alleged presence in the strait is unknown, but Sutton said it was likely the Chinese sub — also known as an SSBN or boomer — was on a routine mission, possibly heading back to a People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy port on the Bohai Sea for repairs or maintenance. Other experts who viewed the satellite image said the alleged presence of a boomer on the surface was perplexing. Carl Schuster, an ex-US Navy captain and former director of operations at the US Pacific Command's Joint Intelligence Center, said "An SSBN on the surface is all but unheard of. This may suggest a hull or engineering problem that requires a major shipyard to investigate and fix."

Nicaragua severed diplomatic ties with Taiwan on December 10 and switched recognition to the PRC. Taiwan now has 14 diplomatic allies.

Delivering a speech by video to a forum organized by the Institute for National Policy Research, a Taiwanese think tank, on December 1, former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe warned China that a "military adventure would be the path to economic suicide". He said the actions of an increasingly powerful China towards Japan and Taiwan were likely to become more complex, blurring the line between war and peace. He said "an armed invasion of Taiwan would present a serious threat to Japan. A Taiwan crisis would be a Japan crisis and therefore a crisis for the Japan-US alliance. Beijing, President Xi Jinping in particular, should not have any misunderstanding in recognizing this.” He urged democratic peoples to constantly remind the CCP officials not to take the wrong path.

On November 22, the CCP CC's International Liaison Department held a seminar on the 'spirit of the Sixth Plenary Session' and a seminar on the experience of governing the party and the country through video for the left-wing political parties in South Asia. Leader of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Center), Vice President of Nepal Poon, Speaker of Sri Lanka Abewadner, General Secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxism) Yaqiuri, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Bangladesh (Marxism-Leninism) Barua attended and delivered speeches About 300 people including leaders from about 20 left-wing political parties in South Asia, regional and international left-wing organizations, and think tank media representatives attended the meeting, which was addressed by Song Tao, Minister CCP CC ILD.

A report of December 10 disclosed that top Chinese executives will meet with their Australian counterparts for the first time in years as business leaders attempt to find a way through a hostile diplomatic environment that has hit Australia with $20 billion in trade strikes. The high-level private meeting between half-a-dozen Chinese representatives from state-owned energy and resources firms including Sinosteel, the China National Petroleum Corporation, Chinalco and their Australian counterparts in BHP, Fortescue and Rio Tinto on December 13 is the first sign that Beijing has authorised its representatives to re-engage with major Australian firms.

A report from Vilnius (December 3) quoted Vidmantas Janulevicius, President of the Lithuanian Confederation of Industrialists, to say that China has imposed a customs block on Lithuanian exports. He said "Chinese customs no longer lists Lithuania in its list of origin countries. So customs forms for cargoes from Lithuania cannot be filed." Janulevicius added that the confederation, whose members account for half of Lithuania's economy, will ask the government to file a complaint with World Trade Organisation, to protest over barriers to trade. Lithuania's foreign ministry is separately talking to the European Commission to find "a common European Union reaction". The Chinese Office of the Charge d'Affairs in Vilnius did not comment on the report. Lithuania, which trades largely with European Union countries, exported 300 million euros worth of goods to China in 2020, making it 22nd largest destination for exports, according to government statistics. (Comment: China downgraded its diplomatic ties with the Baltic State and suspended consular services there after the Taiwanese Representative Office in Lithuania opened on Nov. 18.)

An article in the Wall Street Journal (December 6) cited US Intelligence sources as saying the Chinese likely have an eye on Bata, a port in Equatorial Guinea. It claimed Bata already has a Chinese-built deep-water commercial port on the Gulf of Guinea, and excellent highways link the city to Gabon and the interior of Central Africa. It said U.S. intelligence agencies began picking up indications of China’s military intentions in Equatorial Guinea in 2019. During the closing days of the Trump administration, a senior Pentagon official visited the country, but the approach apparently left the Obiangs uncertain about how seriously the U.S. took China’s military aspirations. The Biden White House has sought to deliver a sharper message: It would be shortsighted of Equatorial Guinea to insert itself between the front lines of U.S.-China global competition. It quoted Maj. Gen. Andrew Rohling, Commander of the U.S. Army Southern European Task Force—Africa, as explaining in an interview in June that the U.S. concern “is that the Chinese would develop a naval base in Equatorial Guinea, which would then give them naval presence on the Atlantic.”

On December 2, Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a video speech at the opening ceremony of the 2021 "Understanding China" International Conference (Guangzhou) in Beijing. Pointing out that 'the world has entered a period of turbulent change due to the intertwined effects of the world's major changes unseen in a century and the global pandemic of the new crown pneumonia epidemic', he said at this time it is necessary to promote communication, exchanges and cooperation. He added that "To understand China today, you must understand the Communist Party of China" and that this year marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China.

Chinese President Xi Jinping attended and delivered an "important" speech at the Central Military Commission (CMC)’s Talent Work Conference held in Beijing's Jingxi Hotel from November 26 to November 28. Xi Jinping emphasized that the way to strengthen the army is to win people. 'Talent is a key factor in promoting the high-quality development of the army, winning military competition and taking the initiative in future wars. It is of great practical significance and far-reaching historical significance for achieving the party's goal of strengthening the army in the new era and building the army into a world-class army in an all-round way. It is necessary to implement the spirit of the Central Talent Work Conference, thoroughly implement the strategy of strengthening the army with talents in the new era, and ensure that solid support is provided for the realization of the goal of the century-long struggle of the army, and the overall level of talents ranks among the top military forces in the world'. CMC Vice Chairmen and Politburo members Xu Qiliang and Zhang Youxia attended the meeting along with CMC members Wei Fenghe, Li Zuocheng, Miao Hua, and Zhang Shengmin. The relevant leading comrades of various departments of the Military Commission, various theaters, various services and arms, the Academy of Military Sciences, the National Defense University, the National University of Defense Technology, and the Armed Police Force also attended the meeting.

The People's Daily (November 28) reported that teachers and students in colleges and universities across the country were discussing the spirit of the CCP 19th CC's Sixth Plenary Session. On November 27, the People's Daily reported that 'the vast number of grassroots police officers in public security organs across the country have thoroughly studied and implemented the spirit of the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee of the Party'.

Xinhua News Agency (December 2) disclosed that China's State Council Information Office will release the White Paper entitled "China's Democracy" on December 4 and hold a press conference.

The Women's Tennis Association on December 2, announced that it is suspending all tennis tournaments in China amid concern for Chinese Tennis player Peng Shuai after she accused former Chinese Politburo Standing Committee member and Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli of sexual assault. The whereabouts of Peng Shuai, a former doubles world No 1, became a matter of international concern almost a month ago, with Peng Shuai having disappeared after alleging that Zhang Gaoli had sexually assaulted her.

Shanghai’s new Data Exchange began trading on November 26. Initial data offerings include 20 products from China Eastern Airlines, Cosco Shipping, China Mobile Insight and other Chinese firms, according to the Exchange’s website. (Comment: Analysts are saying this might be one of the transformational events of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.)

CCTV (November 27) telecast news that in the first year of the 14th Five-Year Plan, China's foreign trade scale and international market share reached new highs, and high-quality development was steadily advancing, which strongly promoted the growth of the national economy. It said the volume of import and export of goods trade in the first 10 months was 31.67 trillion yuan, an increase of 22.2% year-on-year. It was 130 billion yuan higher than the 31.54 trillion yuan in 2019. It said in the first 10 months, China's imports and exports with major trading partners such as ASEAN, the European Union, and the United States increased by more than 20%, and imports with countries along the “Belt and Road” increased by 23%. The growth rates of imports and exports to Latin America and Africa were also 10.3 and 5.2 percentage points higher than the overall growth rate.

Reuters (November 30) reported that a July 29 tender document published on the Henan provincial government’s procurement website details plans for a system that can compile individual files on such persons of interest coming to Henan using 3,000 facial recognition cameras that connect to various national and regional databases. It said a 5 million yuan ($782,000) contract was awarded on September 17 to Shenyang-based Chinese tech company Neusoft, which was required to finish building the system within two months of signing the contract. Reuters was unable to establish if the system is currently operating. U.S.-based surveillance research firm IPVM'S Head of Operations Donald Maye was quoted by Reuters as saying "While the PRC has a documented history of detaining and punishing journalists for doing their jobs, this document illustrates the first known instance of the PRC building custom security technology to streamline state suppression of journalists." IPVM described the tender as unique in specifying journalists as surveillance targets and providing a blueprint for public security authorities to quickly locate them and obstruct their work.

An interesting article in the PLA Daily (November 28) disclosed that Battalions faced the problem of finding the appropriate jobs for recruits, or slotting the right person in the right job. It observed that an electronic air defense battalion of the 80th Army had taken some innovative steps in the matter whereby new recruits had to fill in the "Recruit Assignment Willingness Form," so that everyone could choose positions carefully according to the actual situation of their majors, hobbies and specialties. It said this had become more important with the rapid development of military weaponry and equipment technology, the increasingly complex system, the increasing degree of knowledge intensiveness, and the higher and higher requirements for post specialization.

The Sina.com disclosed on November 18, that a PLAAF propaganda film had recently shown that the H-6K, known as the "quasi-strategic bomber" was used to map topographical features. It added that "the H-6K bomber is usually deployed in Shaanxi, but has been temporarily stationed in the neighboring Kashgar area of western Xinjiang since last year. This bomber belongs to the Western Theater Command which is responsible for disputes with India and security along the border.” It added “The PLA can easily fly the H-6K to the Sino-Indian border area because they are all under the command of the Western Theater Command.” The report specifically emphasized that the H-6K has a combat range of more than 3,500 kilometers. In addition to carrying a long-range "CJ-20" cruise missile, it can also carry missiles with a shorter range such as the "KD-63". The former Hong Kong-based PLA Second Artillery officer and military commentator Song Zhongping stated that although New Delhi is quite close to the China-India border, "China will not attack civilian areas".

Mentioning that the People's Daily had published a book of commentaries in mid-November, the South China Morning Post (November 29) quoted military commentator Zhong Xin to say that the PLA had been “optimising” its personnel structure by deploying more troops to combat roles while cutting 300,000 positions.

In a lengthy article captioned 'Strengthen the core functions of party management and armed work' in the Chinese Journal of Social Sciences (December 2), Ren Long of the School of Political Science, National Defense University stressed the importance of the people's support to the army and said "Party and government leaders, especially the main leaders, must thoroughly study Xi Jinping’s thought on strengthening the army, earnestly study the original text, read the original works, understand the principles, fully recognize the political responsibility of the party’s armed work and the responsibility and mission of the "first secretary", and fully recognize the strengthening of national defense." He said "We must use the goal of strengthening the military to build consensus, soberly see that the world is not peaceful, and the Western hostile forces headed by the United States. The heart will not die. The containment, containment and launching of the "color revolution" has not stopped for a moment. Party committees and governments at all levels must be prepared for emergency response at any time." He also emphasised the need for cohesion and ''national defense education and guidance'.

Global Times (November 28) highlighted that the joint communiqué issued after the18th Meeting of the Foreign Ministers of China, Russia and India included the sentence: "the Ministers expressed their support to China to host Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games". It commented that the US and some of its allies such as the UK and Australia are considering a "diplomatic boycott" of the Beijing Winter Olympic Games and New Delhi in recent years is moving closer toward Washington in terms of geopolitics, and is hostile toward Beijing over some issues. "Against this backdrop, India's support for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games has surprised some netizens at home and abroad".

A report in the Asia Times (December 2) said Pakistan’s repayment problem is reflected in the pace of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), as Beijing slowed further investment given the difficulties faced by Chinese companies in getting their financial matters settled with Islamabad. It said Chinese state insurer Sinosure had already blocked $13 billion worth of CPEC energy and infrastructure projects due to non-payment of capacity dues. Sinosure’s lethargy to underwrite the CPEC projects has delayed the much-touted 1,733-kilometer railway track linking Pakistan’s seaport with the northwestern parts of the country and about half a dozen energy-related projects that should have been started generation by the end of June. Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on CPEC Khalid Mansoor told journalists on November 30 that the Chinese ambassador in Islamabad has been briefed on the Sinosure issue and urged to intervene. Mansoor hoped that strategically important projects like the ML-1 railway line and six energy projects including Gwadar, Karrot, Kohala and Azad Pattan, Thar and Thal-Nova would be prioritized.

Four more US Representatives (3 Democrats and 1 Republican) led by Mark Takano, Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, arrived in Taiwan on November 25, on a US military C40-C transport plane. This is the third delegation of US Congressmen to visit Taiwan this year. The delegation was received by Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen on November 25. In response, a spokesperson for the PLA Eastern Theatre Command said the following day the Chinese army carried out “a naval and air force combat readiness patrol in the direction of the Taiwan Strait”. He said “This is a necessary measure in response to the current situation in the Taiwan Strait,” and pledged the army would “protect sovereignty and territorial integrity of the nation.” The spokesman stated “The army will continue to be on high alert and take all necessary measures to counter, at any time, any interference by external forces and any conspiracy by separatists aiming at the so-called ‘Taiwan independence’.”

Taiwanese fighter aircraft scrambled on November 28 to intercept 27 PLAAF aircraft that intruded into Taiwan's ADIZ. The refueling variant of the Y-20 large transport aircraft took part for the first time in this "massive exercise" by the PLAAF which, the Global Times (Novemberr 28) pointed out took place the same day that a Lithuanian parliamentarian delegation arrived in Taiwan followed shortly after a US congressional delegation.

Reacting to Washington's decision to host a "Summit for Democracy" in December, China Daily (November 27) reported Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi saying that democracy should not be privatized, labeled or politicized, and expressing strong opposition to Washington engaging in undemocratic activities under the banner of "democracy".

An article in the Diplomat (November 27) reported that a Sino-Sri Lankan dispute over fertilizer has ended in China’s favor with Sri Lanka agreeing to pay 70 percent of the claim made by a Chinese organic fertilizer company for a shipment that Colombo had rejected as it was found to be contaminated.

Nikkei Asia (December 2) disclosed that the number of passengers, which includes Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanah, on the inaugural run on December 2, of the 'Lane Xang' bullet train has been reduced due to Covid protocols. The bullet train covers the 414-kms from Vientiane to Boten, a northern frontier town along the Laos-China border, which normally takes 2 days in approx. 3 hours. An estimated 60%, or $3.6 billion, of the high-speed railway's cost has been funded by a loan from the Export-Import Bank of China. The Lao-China Railway Company, a joint venture between the countries, has been covering the remaining 40%. But China holds a 70% stake in the venture, and Laos' share is funded by $250 million from the national budget and $450 million via another loan from the Export-Import Bank. It is a US$ 6 billion project

The state-run CCTV (November 18) reported that the CCP CC Politburo held a meeting chaired by Chinese President Xi Jinping on November 18 to review the National Security Strategy (2021-2025), the Regulations on Commendation of Military Meritorious Services and the 2021 Consultation Report of the National Advisory Committee on Science and Technology.

Xinhua and the Legal Daily disclosed (November 19) that 64-year old Wang Xiaohong, a long-time associate of Chinese President Xi Jinping, has been named as the Ministry of Public Security’s party chief. The Legal Daily said Wang Xiaohong, 64, currently Vice Minister of Public Security and a member of the Communist Party’s Central Committee, will replace Zhao Kezhi as Minister of the Ministry of Public Security (MPS). The South China Morning Post (November 20) quoted Gu Su, a political scientist at Nanjing University, as saying “Wang is a trustworthy person.

CCTV announced (November 24) that Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is also Director of the Central Comprehensive Deepening Reform Commission, presided over the 22nd meeting of the Central Comprehensive Deepening Reform Commission on November 24 afternoon, and reviewed and approved the " Three-year Tackling Plan for the Reform of the Science and Technology System (2021-2023)", "Guiding Opinions on Accelerating the Construction of a Unified National Electricity Market System", "Opinions on Establishing the Principal Accountability System Leaded by Party Organizations in Primary and Secondary Schools (Trial)", "About Implementation Opinions on Revitalizing Cultural Relics and Expanding the International Influence of Chinese Culture", "Several Measures to Support the Zhongguancun National Independent Innovation Demonstration Zone to carry out high-level scientific and technological self-reliance, self-reliance, and pilot reforms." Premier Li Keqiang, PBSC member Wang Huning and PBSC member Han Zheng attended along with the members of the Central Committee for Comprehensively Deepening Reform attended the meeting, and the responsible comrades of relevant departments of the central and state organs attended the meeting as non-voting delegates

Speaking at a symposium with top officials on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) on November 19, Chinese President Xi Jinping acknowledged that “The international environment of the BRI is becoming increasingly complex” and took note of COVID-19, climate change, and “fierce” industrial and technological competition. He stressed that “It is necessary to strengthen the coordination of mechanisms for the protection of overseas interests, international counter-terrorism, and security guarantees.”

Chairing a symposium of economic experts and business leaders on November 18, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang listed the challenges that have impacted China’s economy this year. These included COVID-19 outbreaks; Heavy flooding; Rising commodities prices; and Energy supply. He said the government proposes to meet these challenges by“Making macro policies more forward-looking and targeted, promoting reform and opening up…and maintaining stability in employment.”

The People's Daily (November 26) published as its lead article Politburo member and Tianjin Party Secretary Li Hongzhong's article captioned "Resolutely safeguard the core of the Party and the authority of the Party Central Committee (study and implement the spirit of the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee of the Party)".

The People's Daily (November 24) published an article by China's Deputy Civil Affairs Minister Zhan Chengfu on the Sixth Party Plenum and "realising the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation". He described the Sixth Plenum Resolution as "a brilliant Marxist programmatic document and a new era of China". He stressed that "The party established Comrade Xi Jinping as the core of the Party Central Committee and the core position of the entire party, and established Xi Jinping’s guiding position in the new era of socialism with Chinese characteristics". The article included 10 references to Xi Jinping and Xi Jinping Thought.

Vice Premier Liu He attended and spoke at the opening of the 5G + Industrial Internet Conference on November 20 in Wuhan. China's top tech policy makers were present at the Conference. The People's Daily quoted Vice Premier and Politburo member, Liu He as saying “[The combination of 5G and industrial internet] is a historic opportunity for the leap-forward development of traditional industries.” Separately, Vice-Premier Liu He reflected on the key weakness of the country’s economic system in a 6,500-word article published by the ruling Communist Party’s flagship newspaper, the People’s Daily. In the article he also raised the possibility of further economic reforms, technological innovation and institutional high-level opening-up to tackle stubborn problems in the latest comments by a senior official amid concerns over an economic slowdown.

The People's Daily (November 23) and Xinhua news agency reported that CCP CC PBSC member Huang Kunming had attended the plenary session of the fourth World Media Summit held in Beijing on November 22, and read Chinese President Xi Jinping’s congratulatory letter and delivered a keynote address. Huang Kunming pointed out that Xi Jinping’s congratulatory letter fully affirmed the achievements of the summit and placed great expectations on the global media to shoulder their social responsibilities and promote the building of a “community of human destiny in a better way.” He told the media “to adhere to objectivity, truthfulness, and scientific and rational judgment; to oppose rumors and bias, and to be responsible in disseminating public information.” Huang Kunming then said: “The CCP and the State have made historic achievements and have made important contributions to the peaceful development of the world.” Xinhua news agency hosted this year’s summit. Nearly 400 Chinese and foreign guests from more than 260 media and institutions in nearly 100 countries and regions attended the meeting online and in person.

Xinhua (November 18) announced that the CCP CC had released a circular on the election of delegates to the 20th Party Congress and the CCP CC Organization Department has made detailed arrangements for the nationwide election of delegates. It disclosed that the 20th Party Congress will convene in Beijing in the second half of 2022, and a total of 2,300 delegates elected by 38 electoral units across the country will attend. The Xinhua report said the CCP CC Organization Department has emphasised that political standards must be prioritized and high-caliber delegates should be elected. The Organisation Department also mandated that there should be 15 candidates more on the ballot than the number of vacancies. It said the elections will run from now on until the end of June 2022.

Radio Free Asia (November. ) disclosed that 58-year old Dai Zigeng, co-founder and publisher of Beijing News has been sentenced to eight years' imprisonment for "bribery". The original sentence was awarded by the Beijing No. 1 Intermediate People's Court on February 22, 2021 which also ordered seizure of more than 16 million yuan of Dai Zigeng's assets. selling some of them. It said Dai Zigeng resigned as publisher at the Beijing News after the CCP stepped up control and censorship of the media and later worked as general manager and deputy secretary of the CCP committee of Beijing Cultural Investment and Development Group, a state-owned investment and management services company. Veteran journalist Cheng Yizhong, who co-founded the Beijing News with Dai Zigeng, said his sentencing and trial appeared to have taken place in secret, as neither the sentence nor any details of the charges against him had been made public.

Interpol announced (November 26) in a tweet that Hu Binchen, a Deputy Director General in China's Ministry of State Security (MoSS), was elected for a three-year term on Interpol's executive committee following a secret vote of members at the general assembly. Praveen SINHA of India was also elected to the post of Delegate for Asia (three-year term).

The Australian (November 25) reported that US President Joe Biden confirmed this month that his administration was considering a diplomatic boycott, which would be aimed at protesting China’s human rights record including in Hong Kong, Xinjiang and Tibet. The United Kingdom and Canada are also weighing their positions. The Australian government is awaiting the decision by the Biden administration before it makes a call on whether to sign up to a diplomatic boycott. A diplomatic boycott would involve not sending a delegation of officials to the Winter Olympics, but allowing athletes to participate.

According to the recently published China Statistical Yearbook 2020 compiled by the National Bureau of Statistics, China's birth rate fell below 1 percent last year, marking a new low in 43 years. The birth rate in 2020 was recorded as 8.52 per thousand people, with a natural growth rate of the population accounting for 1.45 per thousand, also a new low in 43 years. Demographers contributed the sharp decline to the falling number of women of childbearing age, and the impact of COVID-19. Statistics from China's Ministry of Civil Affairs show that there were 5.88 million registered marriages during the first three quarters this year, a fall of 17.5 percent compared with last year. There were 966,000 couples registered for divorce in the first half of this year, a decline of 50 percent compared with the same period last year. China in May announced to further lift its family planning policy to allow each couple to have up to three children after the number of the country's newborns declined for four years straight, a major policy shift from the current second-child policy. The South China Morning Post (November 23) called for it to be treated as a "serious crisis".

Quoting the CCTV, Global Times (November 21) reported that the PLA Eastern Theatre Command is replacing old J-7 fighter jets with the advancedthe J-10Cs which, the Shanghai-based news website eastday.com said are equipped with the domestically developed WS-10 Taihang engines. It quoted Colonel Wang Hongbo, a pilot in a brigade with the Eastern Theater Command Air Force, as telling CCTV that the new aircraft has changed the way he perceives the battlefield. He said with the J-10C, the pilot needs to switch his role from just being a pilot to being a combatant, and added that since the old J-7 uses mechanical flight controls while the J-10C uses fly-by-wire, the new warplane allows the pilot to focus on the battlefield instead of on steering the aircraft.

Radio Free Asia (November 24) reported that public libraries in Hong Kong have been quietly removing books from the shelves deemed politically "sensitive" under a national security law imposed on the city by the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP). More than 100 titles -- many of them referencing the 1989 Tiananmen massacre -- are believed to have disappeared from Hong Kong's network of public libraries since the law took effect on July 1, 2020. While the city's leisure and cultural services department has made a list of more than 70 books deemed to be in breach of the law, which criminalizes public criticism of the Hong Kong and Chinese authorities, the local media reports that regular readers have spotted many more.

A Global Times report (November 20) claimed that a report published by Antiy Labs, one of China's cybersecurity companies, disclosed an active hacker team whose members are based in Delhi has been launching cyberattacks against government agencies and defense departments in China and Pakistan.

The South China Morning Post (November 19) quoted the Chinese foreign ministry as saying that during a virtual meeting of the 23rd Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on Sino-Indian Border Affairs, senior officials from the two neighbours also agreed to continue communication through diplomatic and military channels for another round of commander-level talks aimed at agreeing a full disengagement.

Japan's Asahi Shimbun (November 18) disclosed that a Maritime Self-Defense Force P-1 patrol aircraft spotted a Chinese naval survey ship moving south of Yakushima in a westward direction in the contiguous zone and heading for territorial waters around 8:40 p.m. on November 17. Japan's Defense Ministry stated this is the first such incident in about four years, prompting an official complaint to Beijing passed on through diplomatic channels.Defence Ministry officials said the survey ship must have “intentionally intruded” into sovereign waters on the evening of November 17 off the coast of Yakushima island of Kagoshima Prefecture, south of the main southern island of Kyushu. (Comment: Chinese Coast Guard ships have repeatedly entered territorial waters in the southwestern portion of the Japanese archipelago, particularly near the disputed Senkaku Islands of Okinawa Prefecture. However, it is rare for the Defense Ministry to formally announce that a Chinese naval ship had entered territorial waters. The last such incident occurred in July 2017.)

In a strongly worded statement issued on November 19, the US State Department stated that "Two days ago, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) Coast Guard blocked and used water cannons against Philippine resupply ships en route to Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea. The United States stands with our ally, the Philippines, in the face of this escalation that directly threatens regional peace and stability, escalates regional tensions, infringes upon freedom of navigation in the South China Sea as guaranteed under international law, and undermines the rules-based international order". It cautioned the PRC not to "interfere with lawful Philippine activities in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone" and added "The United States stands with our Philippine allies in upholding the rules-based international maritime order and reaffirms that an armed attack on Philippine public vessels in the South China Sea would invoke U.S. mutual defense commitments under Article IV of the 1951 U.S. Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty. The United States strongly believes that PRC actions asserting its expansive and unlawful South China Sea maritime claims undermine peace and security in the region". (Comment: The statement is unusually strong and raises the possibility that the U.S. would have to use force against China. It is in sharp contrast to the passivity shown by the Obama Administration.)

Bloomberg (November 19), quoting official sources, said that officials in Washington and Beijing have agreed to open high-level channels of communication between their militaries. It added that during a 3 1/2-hour virtual summit with President Joe Biden on Monday, Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to support such channels between the U.S. military and top officials from the People’s Liberation Army, including Xu Qiliang, Vice Chairman of the country’s powerful Central Military Commission.

A University of Chicago international student, Zheng Shaoxiong was killed in a shooting incident in Chicago on November 9. The death has sparked outrage over the dangers facing international students in the US. The Chinese ambassador to the United States, Qin Gang, has called for justice and condemned hatred and xenophobia. He mourned the loss and tweeted “My deep condolences to his parents. The Chinese consulate general in Chicago is helping them deal with the aftermath. We call for justice in his case and protection of Chinese in the US from hatred and xenophobia". Li Rong, Zheng’s mother, flew from Sichuan in western China to attend a memorial service for her son at the university’s Rockefeller Memorial Chapel on November 11.

The Global Times (November 21) quoted the Chinese Embassy as reporting that five Chinese nationals have been kidnapped in an armed attack on a gold mine near the village of Mukera in South Kivu province in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on November 21. The Chinese Embassy said that the security situation in Province de l'Ituri, Province du Nord Kivu and Province du Sud Kivu is very severe, and armed attacks involving Chinese people have occurred in these places many times. According to Sputnik News, a local police officer was killed and eight Chinese nationals were kidnapped in the armed attack on a gold mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Reuters reported (November 18) that Guojie Zhang, a Chinese professor at the University of Copenhagen conducted genetic research with the Chinese military without disclosing the connection. Guojie Zhang, is also employed by Shenzhen-based genomics giant BGI Group, which funds dozens of researchers at the university and has its European headquarters on the university campus. Guojie Zhang and a student he was supervising worked with a People’s Liberation Army (PLA) laboratory on research exposing monkeys to extreme altitude to study their brains and develop new drugs to prevent brain damage—a priority the PLA has identified for Chinese troops operating on high plateau borders. He hhad co-published that paper with a PLA major general in January 2020. BGI said the study with the PLA lab “was not carried out for military purposes” and brain research is a critical area for understanding human diseases. Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) said the study had national defense and civilian benefits on the Tibetan plateau.

China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on November 21 downgrading its relations with Lithuania to the Chargé d’Affaires level. It said on November 18, Lithuania, in disregard of China’s strong protest and repeated representations, allowed the Taiwan authorities to set up a “Taiwanese Representative Office in Lithuania” thus openly creating the false impression of “one China, one Taiwan” in the world. Asserring that "There is only one China in the world and the government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China", it said "Lithuania has chosen to ignore China’s solemn position and to disregard the broader interests of bilateral ties and the basic norms governing international relations" and by allowing "the establishment in Lithuania of the “Representative Office” bearing the name of Taiwan, had created an egregious precedent in the world". The statement concluded by stating "We also have this stern warning for the Taiwan authorities: Taiwan is never a country. No matter how “Taiwan independence” forces try to misrepresent facts and confound black and white, the historical fact that the mainland and Taiwan belong to one and the same China cannot be changed. Attempts to seek foreign support for political manipulation will prove a dead end".

Mindaugas Aušra, an LRT Investigation Team, on November 18 said that the Chinese drones used by the Lithuanian intelligence services, the military, the police, and the State Border Guard Service are suspected of leaking information. It said they use hundreds of drones branded with the DJI logo.

Xiao Qian, China’s current ambassador to Indonesia, is being nominated as the Chinese Ambassador to Australia and his nomination has been accepted. The 'Australian' newspaper (November 25) described him as “smart” and “tough” and not yet known as one of Beijing’s “wolf warrior” diplomats. It quoted diplomatic sources as saying Xiao Qian is well-regarded by international counterparts, and suggested his appointment might mark a “more sophisticated approach” by Beijing to its engagement with Australia

Around the period of the CCP CC's Sixth Plenum the official Chinese media, including Xinhua and the People's Daily, has been replete with articles eulogising Xi Jinping and his leadership. The state-run CCTV on November 9 said "The key to managing China's affairs lies in the party. The leadership of the party is the “sacred needle” of the continuous development of the party and the country. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, General Secretary Xi Jinping personally planned, personally deployed, and personally promoted a series of key decision-making decisions, led the party and the people to overcome a series of major risks and challenges, and solved many long-term problems that have not been resolved. It has accomplished many major events that we wanted to do but failed to accomplish in the past, and created the great achievements of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era. Ten thousand mountains are majestic, and there must be a main peak. General Secretary Xi Jinping clearly pointed out that the leadership of the Communist Party of China is the most essential feature of socialism with Chinese characteristics, the greatest advantage of the socialist system with Chinese characteristics, the fundamental and lifeblood of the party and the country, and the interests of the people of all ethnic groups across the country."

The Beijing Daily (November 8) published a frontpage article titled 'What are the historical mission and contemporary value of the "two resolutions"?'. It explained the significance of the resolution to be passed at the Sixth CCP CC Plenum when it meets from November 8-11, 2021. The CCTV (November 8) similarly telecast a programme but added an account of the successes achieved during the CCP's "leadership". Xinhua (November 8) published an article titled 'An irreversible historical process-the realization of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation from the transformational practice of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at the core leading the new era'.

Hongkong's Ming Pao (November 5) reported speculation in Beijing that the Sixth Plenary Session of the Central Committee, which starts on November 8, may be the first to approve members of the new Central Military Commission. It added that personnel adjustments will be an important part of its agenda. The Ming Pao reported also that on the eve of the Sixth Plenary Session, in late October as many as seven provincial party committee secretaries were appointed and that 21 provinces have now got new Party and Government leaders. It said no changes had occurred in the top leadership in the 4 municipalities directly under the Central Government, in Guangdong and Beijing and Sichuan, Qinghai, Ningxia, Hebei, Xinjiang and Inner Mongolia.

The South China Morning Post (November 5) disclosed that China’s state prosecutor had ordered the arrest of Sun Lijun, former Chinese Vice Minister of Public Security. Sun Lijun was placed under disciplinary investigation in April last year and a month earlier had been expelled from the Chinese Communist Party membership and all official posts. (Comment: The CCP's investigation into Sun Lijun lasted 17 months, far longer than most such investigations which take 6-9 months. Sun Lijun's case was not only one of corruption, but of apparent active opposition to Xi Jinping as he was accused of forming "political gangs"!)

In a lengthy post (in Chinese) on Weibo on November 8, the Editor-in-Chief of Global Times, He Xijin commented on China's increasing restrictions on the media. He wrote that while "Many times I feel that I live a very fulfilling life and have a strong sense of integration in this era", "Yet I’ve experienced changes in the media industry as well, and feel deeply it’s becoming ever more difficult for media. Society has high requirements and hopes for the media, but many fail to grasp its fundamental nature, or the political role it should play in promoting social progress".

The South China Morning Post (November 3) reported that Zhang Yiming, the founder of ByteDance, has officially stepped down from the company’s board after an announcement in May 2021. ByteDance owns the popular platform TikTok. South China Morning Post added, citing sources, that Zhang Yiming remains “powerful behind the scenes”. The CEOs of technology companies have been trying to cash out their shares in anticipation of tightening controls. Financial Times recently reported that at least two heads of Chinese tutoring companies started selling their shares right after Xi Jinping criticised private tutoring earlier in March.

Caixin disclosed that Zhang Ruimin, the founder and Chairman of Chinese home appliances and electronics giant Haier Group, is stepping down, the company announced in a statement on November 5. It said Haier President Zhou Yunjie will succeed him as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and Executive Vice President Liang Haishan will replace Zhou as President

The Asia Times (November 10) claimed that China, the world’s biggest emitter, is planning at least 150 new nuclear reactors in the next 15 years, more than the rest of the world has built in the past 35 years. According to Bloomberg, the effort could cost as much as US$440 billion. The Chairman of the state-backed China General Nuclear Power Corp. said the goal is to generate 200 gigawatts by 2035, enough to power more than a dozen cities the size of Beijing.

The Global Times (November 2) disclosed that Chinese President and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, Xi Jinping, had signed a new set of regulations on military equipment procurement, focusing on war preparedness and combat capabilities, to facilitate the PLA acquire the best weapons and equipment that are most needed on future battlefields at a faster pace. It said the PLA Daily (November 1) said the regulations, comprising 42 articles in eight chapters, standardize the management of military equipment procurement, based on the general principle that the Central Military Commission takes charge of the overall administration, the theatre commands concentrate on combat, and the service branches focus on their own development. It said the regulations give clear, concrete measures to generate combat capabilities rapidly, and optimize management procedures including submitting requests, planning, setting up of projects, the signing of contracts, and delivery and supervision.

Timed to coincide with the Party's Sixth Plenum, CCTV (November 9) highlighted Xi Jinping's personal involvement with the PLA. It said "Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, President of the State, and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, profoundly pointed out that the Chinese people’s freedom from suffering and liberation of the Chinese people depend on a heroic people’s army; the Chinese people’s great rejuvenation, the Chinese people to achieve a better life, we must accelerate the building of the People's Army into a world-class army. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core has led the entire army to conduct in-depth theoretical exploration and practical creation in the magnificent practice of strengthening the army, forming Xi Jinping Thought on Strengthening the Army, and the cause of strengthening the army in the new era has made historic achievements. , A historic change has taken place. The People's Army has taken firm steps on the road to a strong army with Chinese characteristics, and has made important contributions to safeguarding national sovereignty, security, and development interests". It added that "Training is in full swing on the military exercises in the north and south of the river: the army has carried out extensive assessments and competitions, and the navy has repeatedly refreshed its open sea and ocean combat training records. The air force has highlighted all-weather and critical combat." It said "With a new system, a new structure, a new structure, and a new look, this is the people's army today. What kind of a strong people's army to build and how to build a strong people's army have always been a major issue for the Party Central Committee and the Central Military Commission to focus on, think about, and plan. In the new era, Chairman Xi Jinping stands on the strategic height of realizing the Chinese dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, and clearly put forward the party’s goal of strengthening the army in the new era—building a people’s army that listens to the party’s command, can win battles, and has a good work style, and puts the people in the army is built to become a world-class army." It particularly added "The party's absolute leadership over the army is the foundation of the people's army and the soul of a strong army. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has insisted on building and controlling the army politically, incorporating the party building of the army into the strategy of comprehensive and strict governance of the party. ... The officers and soldiers of the whole army deeply cherish their absolute loyalty to the party and always obey the party's command, focus on preparing for war with all their strength, and continuously improve the level of actual combat training and the ability to win." The CCTV programme also said "Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, Chairman Xi has taken warships, boarded chariots, and boarded warplanes to drill down to the front line of exercises, put forward a series of important discourses on training and preparations, made a series of major decisions, commanded a series of major actions, and provided actual combat training for the troops. ... At the beginning of the new year in 2018, the Central Military Commission solemnly held a training and mobilization meeting. Chairman Xi, dressed in a uniform, boarded the main hall of the school reading stage, and issued instructions to the whole army: “The whole army must strengthen training and preparations with a clear orientation and unswervingly place military training."

The Global Times (November 8) reported that the PLA, after the Indian military launched a major exercise along the border with China at the start of the month, had conducted multiple drills in the western plateau over the past week. Quoting the state-owned CCTV, it said an artillery regiment affiliated with the PLA Xinjiang Military Command recently conducted a comprehensive, cross-day-and-night exercise in a high-altitude region, involving live-fire shooting of PCL-181 155mm self-propelled howitzers and PHL-11 122mm multiple rocket launchers. In another recent exercise held in the plateau region at an elevation of 5,100 meters, the PLA Xinjiang Military Command organized a joint fire strike confrontation drill, as PHL03 300mm multiple rocket launchers and China's latest type of multiple rocket launchers capable of firing 370mm rockets teamed up with reconnaissance drones and artillery radars to launch precision strikes on the enemy. JH-7 fighter bombers affiliated with the PLA Western Theatre Command Air Force also joined the exercise. CCTV (November 2) also reported that a combined arms brigade of the PLA Xizang (Tibet) Military Command recently conducted an assault training at an elevation of more than 4,000 meters. It said advanced PLA main battle equipment, including the Type 15 light tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, self-propelled howitzers, and auxiliary vehicles, took part in the drill. The Global Times quoted military expert Song Zhongping as observing that the PLA is also enhancing its combat preparedness as India keeps making provocations along the borders, and proper military approaches are needed, when necessary, in order to safeguard national sovereignty and security.

The Chinese government-owned Bauhinia Culture (Hong Kong) Holdings Ltd. is negotiating with Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. the acquisition of Hong Kong’s influential South China Morning Post. Bloomberg News had reported in March that Alibaba has come under pressure from the Chinese government to divest some of its media assets, including SCMP. (Comment: Bauhinia Culture (Hong Kong) Holdings Ltd. is owned by The Liaison Office -- the Chinese government’s main office in the former British colony -- via its Sino United Publishing Holdings Ltd. unit. Its General Manager and Chairman are Wen Hongwu exSecretary General of the Liaison Office, and Mao Chaofeng, former Executive Vice Governor of China’s Hainan province.)

Taiwan's Central News Agency reported (November 5) that the head of a first ever official European Parliament (EP) delegation's visit to Taiwan, its head Raphaël Glucksmann, said on November 5 that he believed Taiwan would be a perfect partner for the European Union (EU) as it considers building a hub to combat disinformation campaigns launched by authoritarian regimes. At the press conference at the end of the delegation's three-day trip to Taiwan, he said "We can benefit a lot as Europeans form a closer cooperation with Taiwan in the fight against disinformation." "That actually makes a lot of sense, the partnership should grow and get deeper and deeper." He added "We are really convinced that the more you have interaction between international community and Taiwan, the less dangerous the situation would be in the Strait." The EU is now considering building a hub to combat disinformation and the whole delegation agreed that "it should be Taiwan." The delegation consisted of members of the EP's Special Committee on Foreign Interference in all Democratic Processes in the European Union, including Disinformation (INGE). China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi reacted angrily to the visit and warned that Europe "will pay the price" for the visit

Reuters reported (November 4) that National Security Bureau Director-General Chen Mingtong, while referring to a scenario of China capturing the Pratas Islands located almost 250 miles (400 Kms) from the Taiwan mainland, disclosed to a parliamentary meeting on November 4 that "Attacking and capturing the Pratas Islands - this scenario where war is being used to force (Taiwan into) talks - our assessment is that this will not happen during President Tsai's tenure." He added "Frankly speaking, they have internally debated this before. We obviously have some understanding." He did not elaborate or mention when such a discussion occurred. China's defence ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Thursday.

Taiwan's Defense Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng confirmed on the sideline of a Legislative hearing on November 2 that a group of Taiwanese marines have been sent to undergo one-month training in Guam as part of a Taiwan-U.S. defense cooperation and exchange program. He said the program is one of a number of "long-standing" bilateral exchange projects between Taipei and Washington. Apple Daily separately said that Taiwan's Marine Corps has recently sent a platoon of 40 marines for a month-long amphibious landing training at the U.S. military base in Guam to enhance their combat capabilities. Both countries' marines will also undergo training for joint operations to learn the latest tactics from the U.S. Marine Corps, it added.

A Global Times (November 2) report claimed that during an exclusive interview on November 2 with Chinese tech giant 360 Security Technology, it learnt that hackers from India have been caught actively launching cyberattacks targeting China's multiple sectors as well as individuals in the past two years during the epidemic, and their attacks are largely on the rise in the first half of 2021. It said the company's experts believe that intelligence analysis is likely behind these hacking groups as they are taking advantage of trendy affairs and topics, such as politics and economy related topics, epidemic situation, and professional activities from industries, so as to accurately launch their attacks. The hackers were identified by China's official media as an "Indian hacking group called ‘Evil Flower’ and accused of targeting “government, defence and military units, as well as state-owned enterprises in China, Pakistan, and Nepal”. Global Times has claimed in an investigation that the hacking group has the support of the Indian government. It said in 2020, the company monitored and captured more than 100 of initial payloads mostly from India and they induce users to execute malicious payloads through harpoon emails in various fields. It added that hackers from India have been caught actively launching cyberattacks targeting China's multiple sectors as well as individuals in the past two years during the epidemic, and their attacks are largely on the rise in the first half of 2021. Two Global Times articles (November 9) highlighted that India lacked border infrastructure and was incapable of building the required roads and logistical support. They claimed that the Indian Army was hampered by the poor logistics.

The Global Times (November 8) reported that on November 8, China delivered to Pakistan the largest and most advanced Type 054A/P frigate named the PNS Tughril. Designed and built by the China State Shipbuilding Corporation Limited (CSSC), the frigate was delivered to the Pakistan Navy in a commissioning ceremony in Shanghai. The PNS Tughril is the first hull of four Type 054 frigates being constructed for the Pakistan Navy.

The Deputy Head of the CCP CC International Liaison Department, Chen Zhou met via video link with Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Socialist) (CPN (Unified Socialist)) Chairman and former Nepali Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal on November 5.

Taiwanese media reported that four senators and two members of the House of Representatives including Republican Senators John Cornyn of Texas and Tommy Tuberville of Alabama made a 'surprise' visit to Taiwan when they landed at Taiwan's Taipei Songshan Airport aboard a US Navy C-40A plane from Manila at around 6pm on November 9. The group included senators Mike Crapo of Idaho and Mike Lee of Utah, as well as Representative Jake Ellzey of Texas, also all Republicans. Beijing said the visit amounts to ‘rude interference in China’s internal affairs’ and an act of provocation and later conducted a combat readiness patrol in the region

Caixin reported (November ) that two Chinese energy majors announced bumper long-term deals to import liquid natural gas (LNG) from U.S. firms this month, continuing a trend that comes amid skyrocketing prices of the fuel source. Sinochem Group Co. Ltd. announced a 17 1/2-year deal to buy as much as 1.8 million tons annually from Cheniere Energy Inc. on November 5, while China’s largest oil refiner, Sinopec, announced a 20-year contract with Venture Holding LNG to import 4 million tons of LNG annually on November 4.

In a step towards enforcement of the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act, which became law at the end of last year and stipulates that any foreign companies listed on US exchanges face delisting if they fail to turn over audit results for three straight years, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission approved a framework to determine which US-listed Chinese companies fail to fully allow auditing inspection and, therefore, will be delisted from American capital markets. It will allow the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board’s (PCAOB), a non-profit entity that deals with accounting issues of public companies, to determine whether a delisting process needs to be triggered.

Yahoo Inc. announced (November 2) that it has pulled out of China, citing an increasingly challenging operating environment. (Comment: The withdrawal was largely symbolic, as many of the company’s services were already blocked by China’s digital censorship. But recent government moves to expand its control over tech companies generally, including its domestic giants, may have tipped the scales for Yahoo.)

A senior Chinese intelligence officer of China's Ministry of State Security, Xu Yanjun was convicted by an American Federal jury in Ohio of trying to steal secrets from General Electric. He was accused of asking a GE Aviation employee who had travelled to China to help him obtain proprietary information in Washington. This is the first time a Ministry of State Security official was extradited to the US for trial. Xu Yanjun was arrested in Belgium in 2018 after being lured there by US agents who were tracking his efforts to obtain aviation-related technology, in particular a composite aircraft engine fan that is made exclusively by GE Aviation.

Associated Press reported (November 9) that commenting on the German frigate Bayern's passage through the South China Sea, Germany's Navy Chief Vice Admiral Kay-Achim Schonbach said the frigate’s dispatch was to show support for Japan, the US, and other partners. He underscored Germany's concerns that freedom of navigation and the rule-based international order were being threatened in the region, apparently referring to its biggest trading partner, China.

The state-run CCTV (November 3) telecast the "grand national science and technology awards conference" organised jointly by the CCP CC and the State Council in Beijing on November 3, which was attended by Party and state leaders including Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, Wang Huning and Han Zheng. PBSC member and Premier Li Keqiang delivered a speech at the conference where PBSC member Han Zheng presided. CCP CC General Secretary Xi Jinping first awarded medals and certificates to Academician Gu Songfen of China Aviation Industry Corporation and Academician Wang Dazhong of Tsinghua University, who won the highest national science and technology award in 2020. Later, Xi Jinping, the Party and state leaders, together with the two top prize winners, issued certificates to the representatives who won the National Natural Science Award, the National Technological Invention Award, and the National Science and Technology Progress Award. A total of 264 projects, 10 scientific and technological experts and 1 international organization were selected for the 2020 National Science and Technology Awards. Among them, there are 2 national top science and technology awards; 46 national natural science awards, including 2 first prizes and 44 second prizes; 61 national technological invention awards, including 3 first prizes and 58 second prizes; There are 157 national science and technology progress awards, including 2 special prizes, 18 first prizes, and 137 second prizes; 8 foreign experts and 1 international organization are awarded the People’s Republic of China International Science and Technology Cooperation Award.

The People's Daily (October 27) reported that Chinese President Xi Jinping gave a speech at the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Military Equipment Conference held in Beijing on October 25 and 26. In his speech, Xi Jinping said, “I hope that comrades implement the Party’s thinking about building a strong army, … and that they build the management system for weapons and equipment modernization in order to make positive contributions to the PLA’s one hundred year anniversary (August 1, 2027).” Xi Jinping emphasized the “breakthrough development” of military weapons and equipment construction during the 13th Five-Year Plan period under the Central Military Commission’s (CMC) strong leadership and expressed hope that “comrades will thoroughly implement the Party’s thoughts on strengthening the military in the new era, thoroughly implement the guidelines on military strategy in the new era, speed up advancing the implementation of the ‘14th Five-Year’ Plan’s tasks, and speed up the construction of a modernized management system for weapons and equipment,” among other things. General Zhang Youxia, Vice Chairman of the CCP Central Military Commission, said “We must focus on national security needs, keep an eye on the realistic military struggle, focus on technological self-reliance and self-improvement, and make every effort to speed up the modernization of weapons and equipment, to advance the PLA’s weapons and equipment work to another great level.”

The People’s Daily (November 2) published its second Episode of the “Crucial choices in the New Era” series, intended to boost Chinese President Xi Jinping's image before the Party's Sixth Plenum, which starts on November 8. this episode is titled 'Xi – the protector of the people’s lives' and credits him with taking the tough decision regarding the lockdown during the Covid pandemic.

In a very unusual and explosive post on China's social media, which the Wall Street Journal (November 2) claims was seen by it before it was taken off within 20 minutes, China's top ranking professional Tennis star 35-year old Peng Shuai accused 1946-born ex-Vice Premier and Politburo Standing Committee member Zhang Gaoli of sexual assault. In her post she described an on-and-off relationship with Zhang Gaoli lasting for some years that she said was sometimes consensual and sometimes involved coercion, including forced sex. Peng Shuai said she couldn't offer any proof. but 'vowed' to tell the truth. (Comment: Peng Shuai was ranked No. 1 in women’s doubles with the Women’s Tennis Association in 2014. Her post comes at an increasingly sensitive time before the 20th Party Congress. She has a Taiwanese partner, Hsieh Su-wei)

Caixin (November 4) reported that local Covid-19 outbreaks in the Chinese mainland have spread to 19 out of 31 provincial-level regions, the widest distribution nationwide since the Wuhan outbreak early last year, as the number of infections mostly linked to trips in northern China since mid-October continues to grow. It said as of November 3, China had recorded more than 700 locally transmitted infections in dozens of cities in 19 province-level regions since October 17 when Xi’an, capital of Shaanxi province, confirmed two cases in a group of eight who had visited Inner Mongolia and Gansu province. The widest spread prior to this began in Nanjing on July 20 before reaching 16 provinces in a month.

On November 1, the CCP CC General Office and State Council issued a 9-section notification restricting the storage, consumption etc of food. The Beijing Municipality issued a notification repeating the notice and its sections: Overall requirements; 2. Improve the conservation and loss reduction in the agricultural production chain; 3. Improve the loss reduction in food storage; 4. Improve the loss reduction in food transportation; 5. Improve the conservation and loss reduction in food processing; 6. Resolutely curb the waste in food and drink consumption; 7. Push for innovation on food conservation and loss reduction; 8. Strengthen the propaganda and education on food conservation and loss reduction; and 9. Strengthen the food safeguarding measures. Separately, the Global Times (November 1) reported that the Chinese government had issued a rare public advisory asking people to store essential daily necessities for “emergency needs” sparked concern of possible food shortages, new COVID-19 outbreaks or a likely offensive by China to capture Taiwan. It quoted a statement issued by China's Ministry of Commerce on November 1, about ensuring stable supplies and prices of vegetables and daily necessities during the upcoming winter and spring seasons. The Ministry said that it “encourages families to store a certain amount of daily necessities in accordance with their needs to meet daily and emergency needs.” The rare public advisory sparked off speculation after it was widely posted on social media, while official media too began highlighting it on Tuesday though in the form of playing it down saying that the public should not read too much into it or wrongly interpret the statement. (Comment: The timing of the notification has prompted speculation whether China is headed for a food shortage or preparing for war with Taiwan or any similar eventuality.)

On October 28, the 4th Population Development Strategy Seminar with the theme of "actively responding to population aging and promoting long-term balanced population development" was held via a hybrid mode. He Wei, Vice Chairman of the CPPCC National Committee and Executive Vice Chairman of the Central Committee of the Peasants and Workers Party, attended the opening ceremony and delivered a speech in Beijing. He Wei said the concept of aging has been integrated into the whole process of economic and social development, accelerated the implementation of the three-child policy, and improved the supporting measures for the whole process of "birth-nurture-nurture” and China needs to promote long-term balanced population development. Yang Zhen, full-time Vice Chairman of the Central Committee of the Peasants and Workers Party, presided over the opening ceremony. The seminar was co-sponsored by the Central Committee of the Peasants and Workers Party, the Chinese Association of Aging and the Heilongjiang Provincial Committee of the CPPCC. The seminar was broadcast live on the Internet, and the majority of Peasants and Workers Party members and relevant experts and scholars listened to the live broadcast of the meeting online.

Tang Wensheng, also known as Nancy and daughter of Tang Mingzhao, a founding member and editor-inchief of China Daily News, visited the exhibition organised by China Daily in Beijing on November 1. She said "China Daily News was designed to be a progressive newspaper made by overseas Chinese people. Although some members of the Communist Party of China joined the preparation, it was not a paper of the CPC. But it was one that aimed to give a voice to overseas Chinese". (Comment: American-born Chinese diplomat Tang Wensheng was Mao Zedong's chief interpreter during U.S. President Richard Nixon's historical 1972 visit to China. Born in 1943, she also served as Premier Zhou Enlai's interpreter.)

Lin Shangli (林尚立) is a protege and former student at Fudan University of Politburo Standing Committee member and China's leading theoretician Wang Huning. He is the author of an early think-piece that touched on ‘common prosperity’. Lin Shangli (林尚立) moved from a Vice Presidency at Fudan (where he had been a student, and later junior colleague of Wang Huning) to Secretary General of the Central Policy Research Office in 2017. (Comment: Lin Shangli authored the book 'Institutions and development: political logic of self-confidence in China’s institutions' (Zhonggong zhongyang dangxiao xuebao, 2 December 2016 [林尚立：'制度与发展： 中国制度自信的政治逻辑'，中共中央党校学报，2016年12月 2日. Professor Dr. Lin Shangli was born in Fuzhou in 1963. In 1981, he studied at the Department of International Politics, and after graduating in 1988 started his teaching career in the School of International Relations and Public Affairs, Fudan University. He became Associate Professor in 1993 and Professor in 1997. He received a Ph.D. from the School of Law at Fudan University in 1998. He has been a visiting scholar at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Keio University in Japan, Georgetown University in the U.S.A. and at the University of Munich in Germany. Apart from Fudan, Prof. Lin is also a guest researcher at Shanghai CCP College and the Shanghai Administration Institute, and Vice Chairman of the Academic Committee of the Institute of East Asia, Shanghai. ).

Xinhua (October 26) announced the appointments of six officials to higher posts among who were: Deng Li (邓励) was appointed Vice Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Hua Chunying (f) (华春莹), MoFA spokesperson, was appointed Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Li Yifei (李邑飞) was appointed Political Commissar of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps and Chairman of the China Xinjian Group.

A commentary by former Foreign Minister and Politburo member and current Director of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission Yang Jiechi was published by Qiu Shi (Seeking Truth - (2021/21) with the title 'Fifty years of deepening cooperation with the United Nations to build a community with a shared future for mankind'.

Chen Zhou, Vice Minister of the CCP CC International Liaison Department (ILD), on October 26 afternoon addressed the “Looking at the CCP from a Cloud” activity for South and Southeast Asian political parties via videolink. Over 100 people, including young politicians from nearly 30 political parties and organizations and representatives from the media, think tanks, and colleges and universities in 10 South and Southeast Asian countries, participated in the activity.

Recalling that November 1 is the 7th anniversary of the promulgation and implementation of the Antiespionage Law, the state-owned CCTV on November 1 telecast a special programme titled 'Secretly detect dangerous leaks'. It said public security agencies have discovered that "some overseas data companies have long-term, large-scale, and real-time collection of data" and added that "The phantom of "commercial espionage" in the field of data security is full of domestic ship data". The programme disclosed that since 2020, national security agencies have carried out special operations and found that a group of foreign-related maritime data companies and radio enthusiasts in Beijing, Shanghai, Shandong and other places have built more than 700 AIS (automatic identification system for ships) base stations on the important islands and inland ports of China's coastline. Security agencies acted in accordance with the "Anti-espionage Law" and "Data Security Law" related regulations, seized a large number of base station equipment, intercepted more than 10,000 GB of outgoing maritime data, promptly cut off the data leakage channels, and required relevant organizations and individuals to make rectifications. Eliminate hidden dangers. The programme stated in conclusion that data resources are of great value to the country's economic and social development, and data security governance and data security protection are also important elements of competition among major powers.

Sina (October 27) reported that on October 26, China’s Foreign Investment Department of the Development and Reform Commission, together with the Capital Department of the Foreign Exchange Bureau, held a forum with some key industry players to discuss their foreign debts. It also disclosed that nine Chinese real estate companies have missed the payments on their U.S. dollar debts, including Oceanwide Holdings (泛海控股), Fantasia (花样年), China Fortune Land Development (华夏幸福), Sunshine 100 China (阳光100中国), The Tianfang Group (天房集团), The Sannong Group (泰禾集团), Sinic Holdings (新力控股), Languang Dev (蓝光发展), and Modern Land (当代置业). The combined unpaid debt is US$ 28.073 billion. (Comment: Fantasia (花样年) is owned by former PBSC member Zeng Qinghong's niece -- brother's daughter. Zeng Qignhong was a very close associate of Chinese President Jiang Zemin. )

Following up on the earlier two commentaries of October 19 and 22, the PLA Daily published three additional commentaries on the USS Connecticut collision in the South China Sea under its Jun Sheng (钧 声) byline. The third commentary on October 25, titled “The United States Is the Greatest Source of Disaster in Stirring Up the South China Sea (SCS)” reiterated that "the US's vagueness and cover-ups after the accident have made the international community full of doubts about the truth of the accident and the US intentions. the threat posed by the USS Connecticut nuclear submarine’s collision and the United States’ subsequent lack of transparency, saying the incident had elicited a “high degree of concern” from the international community". The commentary added that "the United States was not content with peace but “only wanted to fish in troubled waters (浑水摸鱼),” making trouble for its own gain". The fourth commentary (October 27) titled “The United States is the Greatest Destroyer of World Peace” noted that the USS Connecticut is one of three Seawolf-class submarines currently in service in the U.S. Navy and one of the most powerful and sensitive attack submarines currently available in the U.S. Navy. It said the incident "once again reflected the "belligerent gene" in the bones of American politicians". Jun Sheng added that the United States has an “‘interference addiction’ (干涉 成瘾) regarding other countries’ political affairs,” citing its involvement in “color revolutions” following the Cold War and, referring to AUKUS, called for the world to “maintain a high degree of vigilance toward the ‘warlike’ and ‘interference-addicted’ United States.” The fifth commentary (October 29) was titled “The Ugly Face of ‘US-Style Double Standards’” and focused on the US’ lack of transparency regarding the USS Connecticut collision. Ironically, while the United States has touted military transparency, “some US politicians for whom telling lies is second nature have been ridiculed by people the world over as political ‘Pinocchios’ (匹诺曹)” stemming from their failure to be forthcoming about the submarine accident.

Lan Jianxue, Director of the Department for Asia-Pacific Studies at China Institute of International Studies, reacted to India's successful test of the 5000kms range Agni-V ICBM. In an article in the Global Times (October 30) he warned against India being carried away by the US and West and getting into an arms race with China. He also claimed that "Many Indian people have complaints toward their government on various issues, and many contradictions can be seen at home. For example, the daily new confirmed COVID-19 cases are still as high as more than 10,000. The epidemic continues to severely impact India's economy, and the Modi government appears to lack an effective approach to deal with it. Furthermore, a yearlong series of ongoing protests by farmers against the Indian government has also stepped up. Against this backdrop, the Modi administration is eager to find a new external hotspot issue to divert domestic attention. This has been one of the Modi administration's old tricks, which China has got used to". He added "The root of the ChinaIndia tensions over the recent two years lies in the series of provocative practices by the Indian government on its borders with China. The incitement by Indian and Western media outlets have also played a big role, adding fire to the tensions between China and India. In the face of increased nationalist sentiment and the fanning of flames from the West, the Modi government seems to lack a clear strategy on how to deal with the tensions with China. If the Modi government could remain sober, it should stay away from the incitement from the West and the mounting populist mind-set, and those asking it to resort to military actions to deal with the border tensions with China."

Writing in the Global Times (November 1) Qian Feng, Director of the Research Department at the National Strategy Institute at Tsinghua University, referred to a co-signed article in Foreign Policy entitled "It's Time to Formalize an Alliance with India" by former US ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley and Republican congressman Michael Waltz calling it "an attempt to form a clique in the modern era". He described Nikki Haley as "having the political capital to return to politics and is a possible frontrunner for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination" and said Michael Waltz, "a veteran from Florida, a Republican stronghold, has always shown his strong anti-China attitude". Qian Feng said the proposal will not be acceptable to the Generals in the Pentagon and that the idea of the US and India combining to contain China has always been popular in strategic circles in India. The article said, in conclusion, "The Modi government is committed to leading India to become a global power. It has its own plans and logic for the country's future development and foreign policy. The so-called ideology and democratic values are nothing more than tools to achieve India's goals. With the help of the US, it may be possible for India to obtain the recognition and endorsement for a "great power identity. However, if India is arranged by Quad to take the lead in charging in the anti-China front, and becomes "cannon fodder" of US strategy, Indians will not accept it". It ended with the warning: "For India, China is the biggest neighbour that cannot be moved away. It is also a major country vital to India's security and development. In fierce competition between China and the US, if Indian leaders are tempted by some anti-China forces at home and abroad, put China-India ties behind, abandon its principle of nonalignment, establish formal alliance with the US, this will undoubtedly be tantamount to turning itself to the enemy of China. And if so, such an India will never become a true global power"

A sharply worded article in Global Times (November 4) criticised a Tweet by an Indian comparing Prayagraj with Shanghai. Objecting to such comparison, it said, "Indian elites’ misconception of China exposed in a tweet comparing Prayagraj and Shanghai" and said once more Indians begin travelling to China, they will realise how far advanced China is compared to India. Another Global Times article criticised Modi's speech at the COPS Summit saying it is unachievable. It quoted the "recently released Global Hunger Index 2021 where India was ranked 101 out of 116 countries and regions, behind such economies as Sudan and Mali, and was one among the nations in which hunger was classified as "serious." Although the Indian economy is estimated to be one of the fastest-growing in the world in 2022, many of its people still live in extreme poverty". It added "Even though some in the West expressed disappointment that India's climate target is 20 years behind that of most other countries, the willingness of India, with its large poor population, to make a step forward toward limiting global warming is still commendable. However, it is an open question as to whether India's economy can support its ambitious emissions-reduction target". The last paragraph of the article said, "Under these circumstances, if any one from the advanced economies still think that the developing world needs to commit more to the climate action, they should go to India to experience the real hunger before lecturing others".

The US Government announced that President Joe Biden and Chinese paramount leader Xi Jinping will meet in a virtual summit meeting before the end of the year. The announcement followed the meeting in early October in Zurich between US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and Chinese Politburo member Yang Jiechi. This indicates that Sullivan and Yang Jiechi likely found issues on which their bosses could reach agreement. The Straits Times (October 30) said the US government dropping its attempt to prosecute Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou in September might also create more space for Xi Jinping to be magnanimous at the summit. It assessed Beijing will have two main goals at the summit: (i) a return to the level of economic, educational and scientific exchange that prevailed before the bilateral relationship soured and specifically the restrictions on granting of US visas to members of the Communist Party of China and to Chinese students and researchers with PRC military connections. (ii) Beijing's demand that Washington ceases using the issues of Taiwan, Xinjiang, Hong Kong, and human rights to "interfere in China's internal affairs". This means Beijing will insist that Washington stop supporting the Republic of China (ROC) government on Taiwan as Beijing says the US has taken new steps since the downturn in US-China relations to encourage Taiwan's political separation from China. The United States main objectives are to get China's assent to what the Biden team calls "responsible competition" or relationship "guardrails", meaning the two countries pursue their objectives within the (US-sponsored) rules of international behaviour without taking actions that raise military tensions and the second US objective is to dissuade China from linking climate change cooperation to other issues. Third, the Biden administration has elevated the specific issue of Chinese military pressure on Taiwan as a high-priority concern. "We need to see China stop these actions," US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said recently. The Japan Times (October 29) published a similar assessment of the objectives of the likely Summit.

Sandra Oudkirk, the new Director of the American Institute in Taiwan's (AIT) Taipei office, told Taiwan's CNA (October 29) that the United States considers peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait "central to the security and stability of the broader Indo Pacific region and to the U.S." She said, "Our commitment to Taiwan is rock solid and contributes to the maintenance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and in the region." Asked specifically about President Joe Biden's recent pledge to defend Taiwan in case of a Chinese attack, Oudkirk said there has been no change in U.S. policy. The U.S., she said, will continue to help Taiwan boost its self-defence capability as part of America's commitments under the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA), which has served as the cornerstone of U.S.-Taiwan relations since official diplomatic ties were severed in 1979, adding "We engage with our partners in Taiwan on a routine basis to access vulnerability, to access ways we can support Taiwan in mounting its own self defence."

120 UN member states voted on November 17, in favour of a resolution in the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly reiterating a call for a moratorium on the use of capital punishment. The General Assembly plenary is expected to adopt the resolution in December. China is among the 39 countries which voted against the resolution. (Comment: The 11 countries from the Asia-Pacific region who voted against the resolution are: Afghanistan, Brunei Darussalam, China, India, Japan, the Maldives, North Korea, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, and Tonga.)

The state-owned CCTV (October 25) reported that on October 25, Chinese President Xi Jinping attended the 50th anniversary meeting of the People's Republic of China to restore the legal seat of the United Nations in Beijing and delivered an "important" speech. In his speech Xi Jinping emphasised that "China will adhere to the path of peaceful development and always be a builder of world peace; adhere to the path of reform and opening up and always be a contributor to global development; adhere to the path of multilateralism and always be a defender of the international order". He asserted that China strives unremittingly for a community with a shared future for mankind. PBSC member and Secretary of the CCP CC Secretariat Wang Huning attended the meeting as did Ding Xuexiang and Yang Jiechi. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi presided over the meeting which was attended by over 2000 officials from different departments

Chinese President Xi Jinping and the entire PBSC and Vice President Wang Qishan visited the 13th FiveYear Plan Science and Technology Innovation Achievement Exhibition in Beijing on October 26. The theme was “Innovation Driven Development, Towards a Powerful Country in Science and Technology.” Displays of China’s scientific achievements during the plan (2016-2020) included: The “Nine Chapters” quantum computing prototype; the Tiangong space station; and the Guohe No. 1 nuclear power unit. (Comment: Their visit demonstrated the importance the Chinese leadership is giving S&T.)

The Wall Street Journal (October 21) reported that Chinese President Xi Jinping’s last foreign trip was to Myanmar in January 2020. In March 2020, he hosted Pakistan’s president in Beijing, but since then has not been noticed to have met in person with any foreign leader

At a meeting of the NPC Standing Committee on October 23, the South China Morning Post (October 24) quoted PBSC member and NPC Chairman Li Zhanshu as saying “We need to learn from the beneficial achievements of foreign political civilisations, but we must not abandon the fundamentals of China’s political system. We should resolutely oppose, resist and prevent the erosive influence of so-called ‘constitutionalism’, multi-party elections, the tripartite system, the bicameral system and the independence of the judiciary in the West" and “We should strengthen theoretical research and the propaganda interpretation of socialist democracy with Chinese characteristics and the People’s Congress system, and tell good stories about China’s democracy.” Xie Maosong, a political scientist at the University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said top leaders had made similar remarks in the past, such as referring to “the story of Chinese-style democracy” and that this “looks much the same, but in fact, there are subtle differences, now they will just say ‘telling the story of China’s democracy’, which is more precise and straightforward, and more confident. What all this means is that China’s leaders believe that democracy in China is real democracy, whole-process democracy, that fulfils commitments. It is not a fake democracy where Western politicians make high-profile promises during election campaigns and then don’t deliver afterward. China is now confident that its democracy is real compared to the fake democracy of the West.”

The closing meeting of the 31st session of the 13th NPC Standing Committee on October 23 voted to adopt a new Land Borders Law. The new law empowers the state to: Use the police apparatus and weapons for illegal border crossers under certain circumstances; close China’s borders if war or armed conflict threatens border security; and build border facilities “for the purposes of blockade, transportation, communication, monitoring, deterrence, defence, and assistance”. The law also makes the People’s Liberation Army responsible for “Guarding the land border, resisting armed aggression, [and] dealing with major emergencies, and terrorist activities.” (Comment: China has 14 international land borders, and shares that statistic with Russia. The full text (translated from Chinese) reads: during the period of deepening the reform of the national defence mobilization system , Temporarily adjust and apply the "National Defence Mobilization Law of the People's Republic of China", "People's Air Defence Law of the People's Republic of China", "National Defence Traffic Law of the People's Republic of China", and "National Defence Education Law of the People's Republic of China" related to national defence mobilization and the people's armed mobilization and economic mobilization , Civil air defence, traffic readiness, national defence education leadership and management system, military and local functional configuration, work organization settings, and national defence mobilization resources command and use regulations. The specific measures shall be implemented in accordance with the relevant decisions of the Party Central Committee and the relevant regulations of the State Council and the Central Military Commission. After the reform measures have matured, relevant laws should be revised and improved in a timely manner.)

The South China Morning Post (October 25) disclosed that China’s Supreme People’s Procuratorate had decided on October 25, to formally arrest Yin Jiaxu, former Norinco Chairman, “on suspicion of accepting bribes and making illegal gains for relatives and friends in accordance with the law”. His formal arrest came seven months after he was put under an internal party probe by China’s top anti-corruption body, the Central Discipline Inspection Commission (CDIC), for “serious violations of discipline and the law”. Yin Jiaxu had been the Party Secretary and Chairman of China North Industries Group Corporation (Norinco) until his sudden retirement in 2018, three years ahead of his official retirement age of 65. He was formally handed over to prosecutors on September 30 after being expelled from the party and stripped of all official positions and benefits. The CDIC accused Yin Jiaxu of receiving “huge sums” of money and gifts, using his official capacity to benefit others and transferring the profitable business of the company to relatives and friends for personal gain, “resulting in huge losses in national interests” and being “obsessed with golfing” and having long held a golf club membership illegally. Before rising to Norinco’s top management position in 2013, Yin Jiaxu spent more than 14 years at Changan Automobile Co, a subsidiary of Norinco that manufactures passenger cars, minivans, commercial vans and light trucks, where he was regarded as key to the group’s rebound from near bankruptcy in 1998. (Comment: The CDIC has previously arrested Hu Wenming, Chairman of the Aviation Industry Corporation of China and later China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (CSIC), which oversaw the development of China’s aircraft carriers. There was suspicion that he may have been spying on behalf of a foreign power. Hu Wenming was expelled from the party for taking bribes and abusing his power. He faced trial in February in a Shanghai court and is now awaiting sentencing. Before Hu, Sun Bo, former General Manager of CSIC, was sentenced to 12 years in prison for taking bribes and abuse of power in July 2019.)

Xu Yousheng, Deputy Director of the CCP CC United Front Work Department (UFWD), published an article in the People's Daily on October 25 where he discussed the UFWD's ideological and political work. The article said that since the 18th Party Congress the UFWD's central and provincial (regional, municipal) levels have organized more than 300 classes of non-party intellectuals, trained nearly 20,000 people, and organized more than 5,000 people on the job. It added that since 2018, the CCP CC United Front Work Department has organized more than 20 new training courses for people from social strata, training more than 1,000 representatives.

Foreign Policy magazine (October 28) reported that a record 2 million applicants have registered for the Chinese civil service examinations next month, the first stage in a conventional career as a government official. That is up from 1.5 million applicants last year, which was already a record, illustrating the growing trend of young Chinese seeking official jobs rather than employment in the private sector. It added that under Xi Jinping, China has followed a consistent pattern of “the state advances, the private sector retreats”—a slogan originally coined to describe state-owned enterprises’ advances that is now ideologically pushed from the top. It’s not surprising that a cynical generation of young people are seeking the comfort and stability of government positions. It also suggests that despite a decade of anti-corruption campaigns, the official and unofficial perks of government jobs remain substantial.

The NPC Standing Committee on October 23 approved pilot projects in 10 cities for at least five years in a step towards enacting a nationwide “real estate tax”, or “property tax”. PBSC member and Vice Premier Han Zheng has been tasked to steer the pilot projects. (Comment: Meanwhile a vigorous debate has erupted in China over the issue of "common prosperity" and the property tax is being viewed as a step in the direction of implementing common prosperity. Opposition to common prosperity, enunciated by Xi Jinping on August 17, has also resulted in the pilot projects for property tax being confined to only 10 cities instead of the originally approved 30.)

The Beijing Chaoyang District Justice Bureau issued a notice on October 19, stating that "In accordance with the spirit of the document of the Ministry of Justice and the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Justice on cleaning up and regulating outstanding issues in the establishment and management of law firms, from midOctober to the end of December, the legal team will carry out cleaning up and regulation of outstanding issues in the establishment and management of law firms". It said the inspecting units can accept reports, complaints, clues etc in connection with their investigations

China's Ministry of Commerce (MofCom) released its 32-page Five-Year Plan (FYP) on foreign investment on October 18, where it indicated it hoped that foreign direct investment (FDI) into China will hit US$ 700 billion between 2021 and 2025. This is just 0.2% higher than the US$ 698 billion that landed between 2016- 2020. MofCom’s target allows for a 100 billion dollar decline, but FDI into China is still on track to hit US$ 160 billion in 2021 – meaning that, even if investment stayed flat, the total would hit USD 800 billion in five years. Zong Changqing, head of MofCom’s Foreign Investment Department, said: “The current external environment for stabilizing foreign investment remains complex and grim.” He added “We will strengthen coordination [of national security reviews] with anti-monopoly and anti-unfair-competition reviews to build a solid defensive line on national security.” Wei Jianing, a former research fellow at the Development Research Centre under the State Council, said it was hard to envisage a large amount of foreign investment coming into China due to deteriorating international relations. “What we are worrying about is not only deglobalisation, but also globalisation without China,” he said at a virtual forum in August.

The PLA Daily published two successive commentaries on the USS Connecticut collision in the South China Sea under its Jun Sheng by-line on October 21 and 22. The commentaries titled “What Exactly Does the US Side Want to Cover Up?” and “The Source of the Greatest Risk to International Nuclear Security” urged the U.S. to clarify the circumstances and nature of the collision on October 2, of the USS Connecticut nuclear submarine in the South China Sea (SCS).

Ao Liuquan was appointed the new Party Secretary of Nyingchi Prefecture of TAR. Nyingchi is witnessing considerable dual-use developmental activity. (Comment: Ao Liuquan is of Han nationality. He was born in May 1974 in Guiyang, Guizhou, and joined the Communist Party of China in July 1996. He graduated from Sichuan Business Administration Institute.)

China's Nanya Yanjiu (South Asian Studies Quarterly) Issue No. 2, 2021, published an article by Li Tao and Yuan Xiaojiao assessing the theory and practice of the Modi administration’s economic diplomacy. They assess that under the Modi administration, India’s economic diplomacy seeks to attract FDI, build relationships with the global Indian diaspora, and elevate India’s status in regional and multilateral forums. Stating that India’s economic diplomacy is grounded at a theoretical level in a mixture of neoliberal institutionalism and nationalism, Li Tao and Yuan Xiaojiao argue that India’s economic diplomacy is grounded at a theoretical level in a mixture of neoliberal institutionalism and nationalism. On the one hand, Modi has pursued a pragmatic strategy of cooperation via bilateral and multilateral agreements. Through “selective multilateralism,” India can participate in global multilateral forums while placing some limitations on the impact of globalization and India’s integration into a free and open global economy. At the same time, Modi’s economic diplomacy reflects Hindu nationalism, urging citizens to limit their material consumption and protect the domestic economy. In this view, India’s economic development is a “duty” of both the Indian individual and the Indian government. According to Li and Yuan, this mixture of neoliberal institutionalism and Hindu nationalism is evident in India’s economic diplomacy. They say that at the core are India’s interests. India’s relations with its South Asian neighbours reflect “defensive economic nationalism,” as India uses its influence to protect its national economic interests, and its economic diplomacy is characterized by asymmetric interdependence. As the largest economy in South Asia, India seeks to increase its neighbours’ economic dependence on India by encouraging the adoption of a common market and offering commercial aid. In its relations with great powers such as China, the United States, Russia, and Japan, India mixes neoliberal institutionalism with economic nationalism; it balances and free rides in an attempt to maintain strategic autonomy and assert regional leadership. For example, India has accepted the US “Indo-Pacific” strategy as a way to fend off pressure from China’s Belt and Road Initiative. With regard to China, India’s policy has shifted from “soft checks and balancing” to “comprehensive decoupling” in the wake of the 2020–2021 skirmishes in the Galwan valley. At these peripheral and global levels, India adopts liberal economic policies by seeking to expand economic partnerships. Modi has focused on building relations with Asian countries to attract foreign capital and provide employment opportunities for India’s vast working-age population. Farther afield, Modi has pursued military, energy, and trade deals with Australia and countries in Western Europe and promised credit lines and aid to much of the African continent. Modi has also affirmed India’s commitment to multilateral economic institutions by pursing leadership roles and seeking to reshape global economic governance to reflect a multipolar world order. (Comment: Nanya Yanjiu, also called "International Forum", was founded in 1999 as a bimonthly by the University of International Studies at Beijing Foreign Studies.)

Another article published in Guoji Luntan (No. 5, 2021), Li Qingyan, Associate Research Fellow at the Department for Developing Countries Studies at the China Institute of International Studies, explored US efforts to incorporate India into its Indo-Pacific strategy, which he said is motivated by the U.S. desire to contain China, and Indian motivations for pursuing closer ties with the United States, and the inherent limits to US–Indian relations. He said under Modi, India has shifted from its traditional “non-alignment” policy to a “multi-alignment” approach that emphasizes building strategic relations with multiple great powers. Politically, the United States, operating under what Li criticizes as flawed zero-sum Cold War thinking, views India as a key pillar of its Indo-Pacific strategy. India is happy to acquiesce to the Indo-Pacific strategy because it views cooperation with the United States as a way to achieve its great power ambitions. Consequently, India has increased its dialogues and cooperation with the members of the Quad. In the security field, the United States regards India as a “defence partner” and treats it much as it would treat a formal ally. The two countries share technology and some intelligence, have worked to integrate military operations, and participate in joint military exercises. Li Qingyan contends that India and the United States have teamed up to oppose the Belt and Road Initiative, painting its projects as “debt traps” and “neocolonialism,” and promoting their own initiatives as an alternative. Despite the strengthening of US–Indian relations, however, Li asserts that geopolitical, security, and economic differences will hinder the development of formal alliance relations. US–Indian relations are limited by conflicting objectives and a lack of mutual trust. India participates in the Indo-Pacific strategy not because it wants to take the United States’ side in the US–China strategic competition, but because India views cooperation with the strategy as the best way to achieve its great power ambitions and establish its regional significance as the world transitions to multipolarity. He points to India's continuing purchase of weapons from Russia and trade frictions that are undermining Indian–US relations. Li Qingyan anticipates continued tension between US policies first developed under Trump’s “America First” approach and those promoted by Modi’s “Made in India” strategy of domestic protectionism. He argues, the “China factor” is not enough to push the United States and India toward alliance relations: India remains unwilling to sacrifice its strategic autonomy for US interests. India’s willingness to cooperate with the United States is motivated by India’s perception that China poses a threat to India’s regional dominance and its global influence. Li Qingyan argues, this analysis is completely flawed; if India “abandons ‘strategic autonomy’” and aligns with anti-Chinese elements in the West, it will lose its opportunity to become a great power. He contends that over the long term, China and India as emerging markets with enormous populations have many common interests and face similar development challenges, which might push the two countries closer together. The two countries have extensive trade relations. They also share the view that the Global South should have a far greater say in global economic governance than it currently does and anticipate that their countries will play increasingly significant roles as the world transitions toward a multipolar order. Furthermore, Li Qingyan expects India’s decision to pursue closer relations with the United States for geopolitical reasons to shift over the longer term. He expects that the United States and China will eventually learn to coexist in a multipolar world, decreasing India’s opportunity to advance its own interests by playing off China and the United States against each other, and strengthening the value of strategic autonomy. Li Qingyan predicts that the IndoPacific strategy ultimately will fall away as China and India rise together.

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken issued a Press Statement on October 26 describing Taiwan as a "democratic success story" and "critical to the global high-tech economy and a hub of travel, culture, and education". He said "We are among the many UN member states who view Taiwan as a valued partner and trusted friend". He asserted that "As the international community faces an unprecedented number of complex and global issues, it is critical for all stakeholders to help address these problems. This includes the 24 million people who live in Taiwan. Taiwan’s meaningful participation in the UN system is not a political issue, but a pragmatic one". "Taiwan’s exclusion undermines the important work of the UN and its related bodies, all of which stand to benefit greatly from its contributions. We need to harness the contributions of all stakeholders toward solving our shared challenges. That is why we encourage all UN Member States to join us in supporting Taiwan’s robust, meaningful participation throughout the UN system and in the international community, consistent with our “one China” policy, which is guided by the Taiwan Relations Act, the three Joint Communiques, and the Six Assurances". (Comment: Twice this year, President Biden has made commitments that the U.S. is prepared to defend Taiwan against a Chinese invasion, but the White House promptly issued clarifications walking back on his statements and leading to confusion over a high-stakes U.S. national security policy.)

On October 26, Chinese Vice Premier and economic czar Liu He held a video call with US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen. Few details are available, but the US Treasury’s summary said: “[T]hey discussed macroeconomic and financial developments in the United States and China” and that “Secretary Yellen also frankly raised issues of concern.” Equally succinct was China's Ministry of Commerce (MofCOM) statement which said: “The two sides had pragmatic, frank and constructive exchanges on the macroeconomic situation and bilateral and multilateral cooperation.” It added, though, that “The Chinese side expressed concern about the lifting of tariffs and sanctions imposed by the United States and the fair treatment of Chinese enterprises.”

In a long-expected move, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) unanimously agreed to rescind the license for the state-run firm China Telecom to operate in the United States, citing security risks. The Biden administration hasn’t shown the same level of enthusiasm as its predecessor for picking new Chinese technology targets, but it hasn’t backed off, either. Foreign Policy observed (October 28) that the FCC vote and other reports show, anti-Chinese Communist Party (CCP) action remains one of very few areas of strong bipartisan agreement in Washington.

The South China Morning Post (October 28) reported that Cao Yanzhong, a researcher with the People’s Liberation Army Academy of Military Science, divulged at the 10th Xiangshan forum that United States warships and planes carried out over 2,000 close spying operations aimed at China this year. The targets of these missions include Chinese controlled islands and reefs in the South China Sea, as well as the coastal area of the Chinese mainland. Cao Yanzhong also said “The high frequency of such close reconnaissance endangers China’s sovereign security and heightens regional tensions, which will inevitably trigger firm opposition from China and undoubtedly increase the risk of gunfire.” He added that “The most urgent task at the moment is that the US immediately ceases its frequent close reconnaissance to reduce the possibility of misfires.”

The People's Daily (October 25) reported that Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi is to visit Qatar to meet Taliban's Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, Acting Deputy Prime ,Minister of the (newly restored) Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi from October 25 to 26. The talks in Doha, Qatar, on October 25-26 were the first high-level engagement between China and the Taliban since the group resumed power in August. Xinhua (October 26) said that Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged Afghanistan to “Master its own destiny, achieve reconciliation and tolerance, and advance national reconstruction” and also asked the Taliban to crack down on terrorist groups, notably the East Turkestan Islamic Movement, a separatist group Beijing blames for attacks in Xinjiang. Mullah Baradar thanked China for its respect and friendliness during difficult times. He recognized China’s security concerns and reaffirmed the Taliban’s promise to never allow any force to use Afghan territory to harm China. Baradar reportedly added: “For now, women in medical institutions, airports and other places have resumed their work, and girls in primary and secondary schools in many provinces have returned to school, but they still face difficulties such as lack of facilities and funds.”

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi started his trip in Greece and will visit Serbia, Albania, and Italy from October 27 to 29, ending his trip just ahead of the G-20 Summit in Rome. On October 27, Wang Yi met Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias. The same day, he travelled to Belgrade, Serbia, for meetings with Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic and National Assembly Speaker Ivica Dacic. Explaining the logic behind Wang Yi’s choice of destinations, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said: “Greece, Serbia, Albania and Italy are important cooperation partners of China in Europe. China and these four countries boast profound traditional friendship, have close cooperation across the board and share fruitful outcomes in BRI cooperation.” At a press conference (October 27) in Greece, Wang Yi said his trip was meant to “send three clear messages to my friends in Greece and Europe.” “First, China hopes to work with Europe to carry forward the Olympic spirit”. “Second, China hopes to work with Europe to boost connectivity” and “Third, China hopes to work with Europe to promote dialogue among civilizations”: He said “We hope that more European partners will join us in injecting stability and positive energy into China-Europe relations and international cooperation"

Xinhua (October 18) and the state-run CCTV announced (October 18) that the 19th CCP Central Committee will hold its sixth plenary session in Beijing from Nov. 8 to 11, during which a key resolution on the major achievements and historical experience of the Party's 100 years of endeavours will be reviewed. It said this was decided at a Politburo meeting on October 18, which was presided over by CCP CC General Secretary Xi Jinping. It said Xi Jinping also chaired a symposium to hear from the central committees of the non-CPC political parties, the head of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, and individuals with no party affiliation. Xinhua added that the draft has won wide recognition from various regions, departments, and sides, along with delegates to the 19th CCP National Congress. Xinhua observed "The Party, the military, and the public became united as never before. China’s international status has further consolidated". It also said, “The CPC and the Chinese people have solemnly declared to the world through heroic and tenacious struggle that the Chinese nation has ushered in a great leap from standing up, becoming rich to becoming strong, and the realisation of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation has become a historical inevitability.” CCTV added "The meeting emphasized that in the long course of the party’s struggle, the Chinese Communists, with Comrades Mao Zedong, Deng Xiaoping, Jiang Zemin, and Hu Jintao as the main representatives, have united and led the entire party and the people of all ethnic groups in the country to promote revolution, construction, and reform, and have made major achievements and accumulated valuable resources." The meeting also cautioned that "the whole party must bear in mind that it was born in trouble and died in peace, always think about it, and be prepared for danger in times of peace, continue to promote the new great project of party building in the new era."

The Politburo held its monthly study session on October 18 to discuss promotion and development of China’s digital economy. It was presided by Xi Jinping who, in his speech, described "the digital economy as fundamental to China's future development" and said “We must seize the opportunities, and seize the commanding heights of future development.“ He added “We must use new Internet technologies to carry out all-round and full-chain transformations of traditional industries.” Xi Jinping also spoke of the integration of digital technology into the “real economy”, like manufacturing, services, and agriculture. He suggested: Accelerating the construction of new digital information infrastructure; Enhancing the competitiveness of key links in the industrial chain; Improving the supply chain system of key industries; and accelerating the iteration of products and services. He said China must also: Investigate and deal with monopoly and unfair competition and strengthen tax supervision and tax inspection.

The CCP's leading theoretical fortnightly Qiu Shi (October 15) published an article by Xi Jinping captioned 'Solidly promoting common prosperity', which contained remarks on common prosperity made in his speeches in 2021. Xi Jinping said that "After the reform and opening up, our Party profoundly summarized both positive and negative historical experiences, realized that poverty is not socialism, broke the traditional institutional constraints, allowed some people and some regions to get rich first, and promoted the liberation and development of social productive forces". Since the 18th Party Congress, it said, the Party Central Committee has "put the gradual realization of common prosperity for all people on a more important position, promoted coordinated regional development, taken strong measures to protect and improve people's livelihood, won the battle against poverty, and built a moderately prosperous society, creating good conditions for promoting common prosperity". It said that "Now, it has reached the historical stage of solidly promoting common prosperity". It added that the promotion of common prosperity for all people must be the focus point for the people's happiness and continuously strengthen the Party's long-term ruling foundation. Pointing out that "the global income inequality problem is prominent, some countries are divided between the rich and the poor,", the article emphasised: "Our country must resolutely prevent polarization, promote common wealth, and achieve social harmony and stability". It added "At the same time, it must be soberly recognized that the problem of unbalanced and inadequate development in China is still prominent, with a large gap between urban and rural regional development and income distribution". Xi Jinping said "Common prosperity is the essential requirement of socialism and an important feature of Chinese-style modernization. The common affluence we are talking about is the common affluence of all people, the affluence of both the material and spiritual life of the people, not the affluence of a few, nor the neat and uniform egalitarianism". The article identified this as the goal for the middle of this century.

The Cyberspace Administration of China announced on October 21 an approved list of some 1,300 domestic media outlets, social media accounts and government agencies, banning internet news providers from using other sources. Caixin -- a financial news organization that has reported on official corruption, pollution issues and public anger at the government -- has been put on this banned list meaning its articles cannot appear on the internet platforms such as Sina.com that are popular ways for the Chinese public to consume news. Meanwhile, Ant has exited its stake in Caixin.

The Olympic torch lighting ceremony, held on October 18 in Ancient Olympia, Greece, prior to the Beijing Winter Olympics in 2022, was disrupted by three people protesting China's treatment of Uyghurs and Tibetans. A press conference organized by a separate group of activists in Athens the following day denounced China's human rights violations as the Olympic torch heads to Beijing. The torch-lighting ceremony had a small audience due to COVID restrictions, though top figures such as Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou and International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach attended. The torch will also be taken directly by plane from Greece to Beijing this year instead of being transported by relays of athletes traversing 20 countries

The Legal Daily (October 19) reported on the enlarged meeting of the Party Committee of the Ministry of Public Security on October 16 to convey the spirit of the Ministry of Public Security’s third work report and the spirit of the Ministry of Public Security’s third work report. State Councillor, Secretary of the Party Committee of the Ministry of Public Security, and Minister Zhao Kezhi presided over a meeting of the Party Committee. The Legal Daily said "the bureau and 8 bureau-level units under the Ministry promoted investigation, correction, rectification, and report on the work of eliminating the effects of poisoning". Zhao Kezhi stressed the need to "thoroughly study and implement the important instructions of General Secretary Xi Jinping and the spirit of the CPC Central Committee decisions and arrangements, to enhance the "four consciousness" firm "four self-confidence", so that "two maintenance", continued to deepen political Sun Lijun eliminate the pernicious influence of gangs Work, continue to advance the work of investigation, correction and rectification, to ensure that the goals and tasks set by the Party Central Committee are completed with high quality". It said, "the education and rectification of the second batch of political and legal teams across the country entered the stage of investigation, correction and reform". It included repeated references to "Sun Lijun political gangs" and their serious violation of law, elimination of "the pernicious influence of political gangs as a top priority" and regard practically clarifying the serious violation of law by the Sun Lijun political gangs. The meeting asserted: "We must focus on political loyalty, persist in learning and education throughout, thoroughly study and implement the spirit of the important precepts of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important speech, and earnestly build the foundation of faith, supplement the spirit of the spirit, and stabilize the ideological rudder, from the ideological, political, and organizational In the above and work style, thoroughly eliminate the poisonous influence of Sun Lijun's political gang, and strive to build a loyal and vigilant soul", insisting "We must continue to deepen the rectification of stubborn diseases". Wang Xiaohong, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Executive Vice Minister of the Ministry of Public Security, and members of the Party Committee of the Ministry of Public Security attended the meeting.

Chen Zhimin, China’s Vice Minister for Public Security until 2017 and currently a member of the CPPCC, was quoted by South China Morning Post (October 21) as telling a panel organised by the Beijing-backed Boao Forum in Changsha, Hunan province, on October 18 that “In the face of challenges, countries need to establish a concept of mutual security. [Nations should] agree to share intelligence, rules, education and experiences – including hi-tech and big data components – on security matters, in order to achieve a new model of global development.” The South China Morning Post added that China’s latest five-year plan identified “protecting the rights and interests of Chinese overseas investments” as a key goal to ensure national “economic security”, acknowledging that there were increasing risks and uncertainties regarding the safety of China’s wide range of overseas projects under its Belt and Road Initiative. Lu Wei, an expert at Zhongan Security Services, a government-backed company that was among the first to provide security training and protection for Chinese investment overseas, was quoted as telling Beijing Youth Daily it was clear that the belt and road scheme had been facing bigger security threats due to rising global terrorism threats and growing negative impressions about China. “There needs to be speedy legislation on protecting overseas investment, so there can be legal grounds for taking action. Secondly, there needs to be a government-level warning mechanism that issues alerts, guidance, and emergency response protocols for any huge security risk, in order to minimise the loss of life and financial costs related to overseas Chinese investments. Thirdly, there needs to be a functioning international cooperation mechanism with the investment recipient country, as their public security abilities are always critical to the safety of Chinese-funded projects.”

Xinhua (October 21) reported that the CCP CC and State Council issued a Notification on October 20, publicising the Master Plan for the construction of the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle in southwest China. The plan aims to turn the Chengdu-Chongqing area into an economic circle with its own strengths and distinctive features, as well as a new driver and an important growth engine of the country's high-quality development. It said by 2025, the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle will witness significant increases in economic strength, development vitality and international influence, and about 66 percent of its permanent residents are expected to be living in urban areas. In five years, it will take only an hour to travel between Chongqing and Chengdu, it said. The area will enjoy a railway network of more than 9,000 km that covers all the cities with a population of over 200,000, while a shipping centre and a logistics centre for the upper Yangtze River will be basically established. All urban areas and key scenes will be covered by the 5G network, and the economic circle will see a marked improvement in new infrastructure and stronger capabilities in safeguarding energy security. The area is expected to see spending on research and development reach around 2.5 percent of its gross domestic product, while the contribution rate of scientific and technological progress will hit 63 percent. Breakthroughs will be made in the construction of major opening-up platforms such as the pilot free trade zones in Chongqing and Sichuan by 2025, providing stronger support for the joint construction of the Belt and Road, according to the document. By 2035, the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle will become an active growth pole and a powerful driver with international influence, it said.

A new report released on October 18 by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI), an Australian research organization, reveals new details about how the Chinese Communist Party — and specifically who within the party — is carrying out its campaign of repression in Xinjiang. The report uncovers the actual offices and individuals implementing the Chinese government's forced labour policies in Xinjiang. Entitled "The Architecture of Repression: Unpacking Xinjiang's Governance," the report maps out 170 government bureaus in Xinjiang, identifies 440 top local officials, and reveals a return to mass political campaigns there.

The South China Morning Post (October 17) said the PLA Daily has called for a “people’s war” to defeat American espionage after the CIA set up the China Mission Centre on October 7, which CIA Director William Burns said was aimed at countering “the most important geopolitical threat” of the century, has gone viral on Chinese social media. A widely circulated video clip in the past few days, carried by many state-controlled media outlets, claimed that the CIA was recruiting Chinesespeaking operatives who understood Mandarin as well as Cantonese, Hakka, and Shanghainese. The PLA Daily post on social media says, ‘no cunning fox can defeat a good hunter’ and says the military is relying on the people to look out for spies.

The Financial Times reported (October 17) that China secretly tested a nuclear-capable hypersonic missile which orbited the globe before returning to Earth to strike its target in a technological development that would overcome US anti-ballistic missile systems. The report, which cited five unnamed intelligence sources, said the Chinese military launched the Long March rocket in August carrying a “hypersonic glide vehicle” into low orbit. It circled the globe before descending towards its target, which it missed by about two dozen miles. It quoted sources as saying the system would be able to overcome US anti-ballistic missile defence systems that are based in Alaska and set up to shoot down projectiles coming over the North Pole — the Chinese system would be able to strike the US from the south. It added the incident has left US intelligence officials at the Pentagon stunned, sources say, as it shows China has made astonishing progress on the development of its hypersonic weapons.

The South China Morning Post (October 15) cited satellite photos captured by Planet Labs and first published by American tech and military site The Drive, which revealed that China is upgrading and reinforcing three airbases closest to Taiwan along its southeastern coast in Fujian province. It said that the airbases in Fujian province will give long-term logistical air combat support to the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF), which mounted a record 149 sorties into Taiwan’s air defence identification zone over four consecutive days from October 1. It suggested this could be an indication that Beijing may be stepping up its plans to take the island by force.

The South China Morning Post (October 17) said that retired PLA Senior Colonel Ouyang Wei, who after retiring from the PLA National Defence University is now working with the Grandview Institution, said in a recent report that China faces increasingly serious challenges at its land and sea borders on almost every side and must urgently reinforce its defences in these regions. The assessment from Ouyang Wei, a retired professor with the PLA National Defence University, in a report written on October 12 and titled 'Current Situation in the Building and Development of China's Border and Coastal Defence' has been published as the US steps up its military presence in the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait, and uncertainties grow on China’s land borders with India, Afghanistan, Myanmar and North Korea. In the report, Ouyang said the country was facing encroachment, secession, and terrorism in some border areas. India-specific comments by Ouyang Wei state "India takes China as a strategic contestant and adopts an approach of “defending the north and advancing eastward”. It has deployed forces of comparative advantage against China in the disputed land border areas, intensifying its encroachment on China's territory. At the same time, it has increased its budget in naval forces and implemented the “Act East Policy” to push into the Pacific Ocean. Joining the “Indo-Pacific Strategy” system, India vigorously interacts with the United States, Japan, and Australia. It keeps monitoring and preventing China from expansion into the Indian Ocean.

China has demanded US$ 38 million compensation for the nine dead Chinese engineers at the Dasu Dam Project.

A hard-hitting Global Times (October 14) editorial reacted to US officials describing US-Taiwan relations as "rock solid" and as having "condemned the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA)'s drills in the Taiwan Straits region as "destabilizing and only increase the risk of miscalculation."

A Global Times article (October 14) and a Global Times editorial (October 15), both reporting on the MoU signed between China and Bhutan on October 14 agreeing to a three-step plan for settling the boundary issue, were very critical of India. Reflecting the current tensions and strained bilateral relations, the Global Times articles accused India of preparing to play the spoiler when actual negotiations begin or reach a crucial stage. They also stated that: "According to a list of facts released by the Xinhua News Agency, the 1890 Convention has made it clear that the China-India boundary in the Sikkim sector commences at Mount Ji Mu Ma Zhen on the Bhutan frontier.

The Global Times (October 17) said the new Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida made a "bad start" by sending a ritual offering to the controversial Yasukuni Shrine, where the war criminals are enshrined, on October 17, only two weeks after he took office. It said by following in the footsteps of his predecessors Shinzo Abe and Yoshihide Suga, he had demonstrated again the rise of rightwing conservative forces in Tokyo. Chinese observers warned that the foundation of China-Japan ties is being eroded through a series of provocative moves.

Sina Finance published its interview (in Chinese) with CICIR President Yuan Peng on Sino-US relations on October 21. In his interview Yuan Peng said, "There is a deep-rooted tradition in the United States in dealing with international relations "from a position of strength".

The London Times (October 18) disclosed that their investigation revealed that leading English private schools are making tens of millions of pounds from franchises with close ties to the Chinese Communist Party. The board of Harrow International School Hong Kong, whose sprawling campus was built with an interest-free £22.5 million loan from the Hong Kong government, includes four senior Communist Party members.

Professor Anming Hu, who was arrested last year for wire fraud and false statements but was acquitted by a judge in September, has been offered his position back at the University of Tennessee. Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor John Zomchick said in a letter to Anming Hu on October 14 that he could have his job back with tenure an as engineering professor. He was also given support for his work visa, back pay, payment for an immigration attorney and $200,000 over the next three years to get his research started again. Federal prosecutors went after Hu for not saying he worked part-time at a Chinese university in an application for a NASA-funded research grant. The judge said that Hu never had anyone from China work on the project, nor did he ever take money from China. The judge also said that NASA’s funding restrictions were unclear

Addressing the central People's Congress work conference in Beijing on October 13 and 14, Xi Jinping delivered an "important speech", emphasising that the People’s Congress system conforms to China’s national conditions and reality, reflects the nature of a socialist country, ensures that the people are the masters of the country, and guarantees the realisation of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Describing it as a good system and "a brand-new political system of great significance in the history of political development in China and even in the history of world political development", he said the people's congress system must be strengthened and improved. Politburo Standing Committee Members Li Keqiang, Wang Yang, Wang Huning, Zhao Leji, Han Zheng, and Vice President Wang Qishan attended the meeting. Li Zhanshu, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, made the concluding speech "around studying and implementing the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's important speech". CCTV (October 14) said that "Party secretaries and comrades in charge of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of all provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the Central Government, deputy directors of the Standing Committee of the People’s Congress at the provincial level, major comrades in charge of various departments of the central and state organs, relevant people’s organizations, and relevant departments of the Central Military Commission, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress and various specialized Relevant responsible comrades of the committee and the working committee of the Standing Committee attended the meeting".

Xinhua (October 8) reported that Politburo member and secretary of the CCP CC's Central Political and Legal Committee chaired the second national political and legal team education and rectification work promotion meeting on October 8 where he emphasised that he firmly supported the Party Central Committee's decision to thoroughly implement the Party Central Committee's deployment and increase efforts to promote the education and rectification of political and legal teams. Guo Shengkun also expressed firm supports for the Party Central Committee's decision to deal with Sun Lijun's serious violations of discipline and law and the decision to conduct disciplinary review and supervision and investigation of Fu Zhenghua's suspected serious violations of discipline and law. He added "We must resolutely and thoroughly eliminate the poisonous influence, insist on real hard work, and resolutely clean up in place". Zhao Kezhi, Zhou Qiang and Zhang Jun were present.

In a post to his WeChat public account on October 9, Li Guangman, who came to prominence for his article declaring China to be in the midst of a “profound revolution” and which was reproduced by China's prominent official newspapers, reiterated that a “profound transformation” is underway in China, with deep implications for politics, business, culture and the media. He first quoted the notice issued by the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) of new draft rules unambiguously prohibiting the involvement of all “non-public capital” (非公有资本) – meaning private capital of any kind, domestic or foreign – in news gathering, production and dissemination. While restrictions on news content and its production are of course not news in China, these new rules are so salient and broad in their prohibitions that they seem to remove all strategic ambiguity. The second media case he cited was the detention on October 7 in Hainan of well-known entrepreneur and former professional journalist Luo Changping, who was charged with insulting and defaming the martyrs of Chinese history by criticizing a new film about China’s involvement in the Korean War. Luo’s detention, widely reported by state-run media, underscores the resolve of the Chinese Communist Party leadership in policing the bounds of the CCP’s official narratives, the stories and mythologies that undergird its power and legitimacy.

Reuters reported (October 11) that the PLA had carried out beach landing and assault drills in the province directly across the sea from Taiwan. It said that in a brief report on its Weibo microblogging account, the official People's Liberation Army Daily newspaper said the drills had been carried out "in recent days" in the southern part of Fujian province. The PLA Daily added that the action had involved "shock" troops, sappers and boat specialists. Troops were "divided into multiple waves to grab the beach and perform combat tasks at different stages". It provided no further details. It showed a video of soldiers in small boats storming a beach, throwing smoke grenades, breaking through barbed wire defenses and digging trenches in the sand. The drills appeared to involve a small number of troops. (Comment: China routinely carries out military exercises up and down its coast as well as in the disputed South China Sea.)

On October 14, China disclosed a young crew for its coming Shenzhou-13 mission, including Wang Yaping, who will be the first female Chinese astronaut to visit the country’s first space station and carry out extravehicular activities. Zhai Zhigang, 55, Ye Guangfu, 41, and Wang Yaping, 41, have been selected to carry out the mission. The China Manned Space Engineering Office (CMSEO) said at a press conference that Zhai Zhigang is the commander. The Shenzhou-13 spacecraft is scheduled to blast off at 00:23 a.m. on October 16 from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northern China. (Comment: This will be China's longest space mission.)

The Canton Fair, China’s biggest twice-yearly trade exposition, has for the first time sent invitations to eligible domestic buyers as the country’s pandemic control measures prevent foreign buyers from attending in person. Caixin (October 14) commented that the China Import and Export Fair, held every spring and fall in Guangzhou, is widely seen as a barometer of China’s foreign trade. The theme of this year’s fair is China's “dual circulation” strategy for building up the domestic consumer economy.

A second Global Times (October 11)article referred to the PLA Western Theatre Command statement released on October 11 saying that "China has made tremendous efforts to ease and calm the border situation, while India insisted on unreasonable and unrealistic demands, adding difficulties to the negotiations". It quoted the PLA Western Theatre Command statement that "China's determination to safeguard sovereignty is unwavering, and China hopes India will not misjudge the situation". It said "the "status quo" that India referred to is to legitimize their continuous encroachment on Chinese territory. India's statement said the "resolution of the remaining areas would facilitate progress in the bilateral relations." This shows the Indian side's current attitude of linking border disputes with overall China-India relations and trying to coerce the Chinese side to make concessions". It said the border issue between China and India remains stuck because the "Indian side still hasn't developed a correct attitude in the negotiations. It always makes unrealistic demands not in line with the real situation or its strength". It added that "New Delhi anticipates Beijing softening its stance over the border issue and yielding to its demands to prevent New Delhi from aligning itself with Washington against Beijing" and that "such an opportunistic attitude has lowered India's status in international politics as a major power, because this tactic will not work between great powers. The border issue is related to the dignity of all nations.

Prof. Wu Guoguang (吴国光), Zhao Ziyang's former aide, was interviewed by Yomiuri Shimbun (Yomiuri News) about China under XJP in July and August and the interview was published by Intium News on October 9. In response to the question that some experts in Japan have analysed or predicted that the CCP will attack the outlying islands around Taiwan in the near future, such as Taiping Island or Dongsha and that might entail the CCP paying a higher price for Taiwan’s actions, such as the United States, Prof. Wu Guoguang replied "I don't understand military strategy and tactics.

On October 8, Chinese President Xi Jinping telephoned his new Japanese counterpart, Fumio Kishida. They agreed that maintaining stable relations is the best way forward – for both countries, and for the global community. The South China Morning Post Quoted Xi Jinping as having said“[Our] two countries…should properly handle major sensitive issues concerning history and Taiwan among others, [and] properly manage [our] differences.” It said Kishida agreed, but noted that Japan would“’[S]ay what needs to be said’ regarding China’s perceived shortcomings in upholding human rights and the rule of law.”

The official website of China's powerful Political and Legal Affairs Commission on September 22, disclosed that Chen Yixin, Secretary General of the CCP CC's Political and Legal Affairs Commission (PLAC), recently visited the city of Shenzhen.

Within days of the announcement that former Vice Minister of Public Security Sun Lijun had been expelled from the CCP and is to face trial, the Central Discipline Inspection Commission notified on October 2 that a former Chinese justice minister has become a target of President Xi Jinping's anti-corruption campaign. Fu Zhenghua, who was also a former vice minister of public security, is under investigation for severe violations of party discipline and law. It is unclear why 66 year old Fu Zhenghu would become a target of the campaign. He was the long time head of public security for Beijing and Vice Minister of Public Security from 2013 to 2018. He then served as Minister of Justice from 2018 to 2020. When he was Vice Minister for Public Security, Fu Zhenghua led the probe against Politburo Standing Committee member Zhou Yongkang, one of the most senior officials convicted in the anti-corruption campaign. An interesting aspect of these investigations of senior Public Security officials is observation of the Central Discipline Inspection Commission that Sun Lijun had “extremely bloated political ambition, vile political quality.” The allegations levelled against him are grave and stated that to fulfil his personal political goals, Sun Lijun groomed rebels within the Chinese Communist Party, spent much effort forming interest groups to control key government departments, and seriously undermined the unity and political security of the party, according to the allegations. He is also accused of blatantly selling official posts and inserting his trusted minions in positions, which severely damaged the political and legal environment of the Public Security Ministry. Sun Lijun was secretary to Meng Jianzhu, a former Minister of Public Security, and a close ally of Deputy Prime Minister Han Zheng, who heads the central leading group on Hong Kong and Macau affairs.

China News (October 1) reported that since August, over 20 provinces in China have issued notices to limit electricity usage. This has caused blackouts in certain regions. The power plants are faced with increased electricity demand while there is a coal shortage and thus coal prices are higher. They are operating at a loss because the electricity price is set according to State Council guidelines. Starting in July, over eight provinces have increased the price of electricity, but they are still within the 10 percent ceiling previously required by the State Council. Several provinces introduced peak demand pricing to normalize the usage. Currently the electricity price increase is aimed at business electricity consumption rather than at residential use. On September 29, the National Development and Reform Commission issued a notice calling for increased coal production while enabling the coal power plants to set a price that is market driven and reflects the changes in demand and cost. The central authorities said it is expected that this wave of price increases will continue to expand.

A Chinese researcher Tan Hao, Associate Prof. at the University of Newcastle Business School recently (September 28) challenged in the FT Chinese that international estimates that China had funded 70 per cent of the world's coal-fired power plants. He said "China provided financial support to a total of 81GW of coal-fired power stations worldwide from 2009 to 2020. Meanwhile, a total of 335 GW of coal-fired power projects outside of China have been completed during this period. In other words, in the past 12 years, Chinese-funded projects accounted for only about 11% of the world’s newly operating coal power projects. Only in three years (2013, 2018, and 2020), more than 20% of the completed coal power projects involved Chinese funds. In seven of the 12 years, China-funded overseas coal-fired power projects accounted for less than 10%."

Penpa Tsering, Sikyong of the Central Tibetan Administration in Dharamshala, met Taiwan's Representative to India Ambassador Baushuan Ger at the latter's office on October 4 for an hourlong meeting when they discussed issues of mutual interest and concern. Penpa Tsering was on a three-day visit to Delhi from October 3-5.

Beijing marked its National Day on October 1, with its biggest aerial show of force against Taiwan to date, buzzing the self-ruled democratic island with 38 warplanes, including nuclear-capable H6 bombers. First 25 PLA aircraft (J-16*18, SU-30*4, H-6*2 and Y-8 ASW) entered the Taiwan's southwest ADIZ and later the same day another batch of 13 fighter aircraft (ten J-16s, two H-6s and one KJ-500) flew into Taiwan's ADIZ. On October 2 another 39 aircraft of different types entered the ADIZ. The 20 PLA aircraft were fourteen J-16 fighter jets, four Su-30 fighter jets, and two Y-8 anti-submarine warfare aircraft. Last week 24 Chinese warplanes flew into the area after Taiwan applied to join a major trans-Pacific trade pact. On October 3, a US State Department statement reiterated the interest of the United States in ensuring regional peace and security and said it "is very concerned by the People’s Republic of China’s provocative military activity near Taiwan, which is destabilizing, risks miscalculations, and undermines regional peace and stability. We urge Beijing to cease its military, diplomatic, and economic pressure and coercion against Taiwan". (Comment: Last year, PLAAF jets made a record 380 incursions into Taiwan's defence zone, and the number of breaches for the first nine months of this year has already exceeded 500.)

The Global Times (October 10) published a hard-hitting article using language warning India.

The Indian newspaper Print quoted the Chinese Ambassador to India Sun Weidong as saying on the occasion of China's 72nd National Day on October 1 that “China and India should properly handle differences. We should place the boundary question in an appropriate position in bilateral relations and speak a fair, reasonable mutually acceptable solution through dialogue and consultations.” He said “Both sides need to meet each other halfway to move the situation towards stability and shift it from urgent dispute settlement to regular management and control, so as to jointly safeguard the peace and tranquillity of the border area,” and “should stick to the right direction of bilateral relations.” He added “We should view the bilateral ties from a historical and strategic perspective, and uphold the strategic consensus that China and India are opportunities of development and cooperation partners to each other instead of being threats or competitive rivals. ”Both sides need to meet each other halfway to move the situation towards stability and shift it from urgent dispute settlement to regular management and control, so as to jointly safeguard the peace and tranquillity of the border area.

After the US Central Intelligence Agency launched a China Mission Centre, Chinese Ambassador to the US, Qin Gang said in an article published (October 10) by the South China Morning Post, that “Some people in the US, immersed in their delusions that they are James Bond, simply can’t resist the urge to act out their own drama. Haven’t they been worn out by such meaningless and harmful actions? Why not give themselves a break?” He said both countries should “avoid miscommunication, miscalculation and unintended conflict” to put bilateral relations back on track. Saying "It is normal for us to have economic competition and trade frictions. The key is how to deal with them,” he added “We are willing to have further communication with the US side, properly manage differences, and jointly create conditions to expand the positive side of our relations on the basis of mutual respect and win-win cooperation.” Qin Gang also said Chinese firms are finding it more difficult to invest in the US and list on US stock markets and that more than 900 Chinese companies were subject to various restrictions and the US had used national security as an excuse to target Chinese firms.

The Global Times (October 2) said that due to the turbulent political situation and worsening coronavirus infection, over 10,000 Chinese nationals are waiting at the China-Myanmar border city of Ruili, to turn themselves in, in order to return to China, putting great pressure on the border city Ruili as it struggles to fight imported COVID-19 cases. It quoted an anonymous Ruili government official as saying the flow of Chinese nationals, who plan to turn themselves in, waiting to cross the border into China hasn't stopped since June.

The US-based pro-Xi Jinping overseas Chinese news outlet, Duowei, on October 3, while assessing the situation after the general elections in Germany described Merkel as "a rather stable and mature leader, rather than an open leader who is determined to make progress". It called her leadership style more than conservative and less enterprising. In the process, it said, "the Merkel administration was conservative and missed the opportunity of a new round of industrial revolution represented by digital information technology". This misstep has caused Germany and the EU as a whole to lag behind China and the United States in the emerging digital technology industry. Taking the Internet industry as an example, there is currently no leading Internet company in the EU that is capable of supporting global competition. At the same time, the entire European Union's Internet market is under the monopoly control of US Internet giants. It added that outside the field of digital technology also, Germany under Merkel did not have any forward-looking policy in the field of new energy. The most obvious of these was the decision to hurriedly abandon the nuclear power plant after the Fukushima nuclear power plant accident in Japan. However, this expedient measure caused Germany's to lag in the field of new energy, and brought a profound negative impact on Germany's own energy security. This is a serious challenge for Germany, which has long used thermal power generation as the mainstream, and nuclear power, which was originally the first choice for new energy sources, was completely abandoned by Berlin after the Fukushima accident. In this situation, the Merkel authorities have to turn to rely on natural gas that is scarce in the European Union-according to the European Commission's 2019 data, 77% of the EU's natural gas demand depends on imports-for the "green power generation transition." This in turn provides the two major powers outside the EU, the United States and Russia, with the "natural gas" brand that they dream of and can directly influence the EU's foreign decision-making.

The Hongkong-based Ming Pao (September 9) asking whether this year's Sixth Plenary Session will really pass a third "historical resolution", observed that the earlier two such resolutions by Mao and Deng had negated the line of the former 'dynasty'.

Chinese President Xi Jinping addressed the 13th BRICS Summit on September 8. He noted that China will chair the BRICS Summit in 2022, and looked forward to deepening cooperation in various fields with its BRICS partners to build a closer, more pragmatic partnership, and to jointly tackle common challenges. Leaders of the five BRICS countries - China, Russia, Brazil, South Africa, and India - met virtually on September 8 for talks chaired by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Politburo member and Guangdong Party Secretary 1956-born Li Xi and Guangdong Governor Ma Xingrui led a Guangdong Party and Government delegation to Linzhi (Nyingchi) City and Lhasa from September 2 - 4, 2021. (Comment: Li Xi was named a member of the CCP Politburo at the 19th Party Congress. Shortly after the Party Congress in October, Li Xi was transferred to take over the politically important province of Guangdong from Hu Chunhua. Born in 1959, Ma Xingrui is recognised as one of China's top scientists. He received a bachelor's degree at Fuxin Mining College (now Liaoning University of Technology) in 1982, and went on to graduate school for general mechanics at Tianjin University. He earned his doctorate in mechanics at Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT). He was named a Professor at HIT in 1991. He joined the CCP in January 1988.) - Cai Qi, Party Secretary of Beijing, led a delegation to TAR from September 5-6, 2021, to inspect 'counterpart' assistance to Tibet. - Yu Cenxi, Vice Minister of the CCP CC Propaganda Department and Director of the State Administration of Radio and Television, also travelled to Tibet for inspection visits to Nyingchi and Lhasa.

An article posted on the official website of the Central Discipline Inspection Commission (CDIC) on August 31, declared that the entertainment industry must not harm the state’s interest. The article comes in the wake of the CCP crackdown on the entertainment industry and recent broader clampdown on the private sector. Private capital has been blamed for contributing to the risks of data breaches, education inequality, the disintegration of the Chinese culture, threatening social stability, harming state security, among other deep seated concerns. According to the State Council Information Office in 2019, the value-added of China’s entertainment industry reached 4,436.3 billion yuan, accounting for 4.5 percent of China’s GDP. Stating that money has been driving the growth and the chaos in the entertainment industry, the article said entertainment stars induce and influence fans’ consumption habits (particularly young people), ultimately eroding the socialist ideology. It said “Entertainment is by no means mere singing, dancing, and playing music, but an important battlefield for ideological and cultural work. It is an important part of the superstructure [a Marxist term referring to culture, political power, and the state], and it is critical to Party [CCP] work. If capital is allowed to expand unfettered, entertainment will fail its role of serving the people and socialism, and it will disintegrate the spiritual homeland of the Chinese nation.” It said the entertainment industry "cannot harm state interests; and it cannot corrupt Party members and leading cadres, let alone seek improper political gains.”

The U.S.-based China Aerospace Studies Institute in its report in August 2021, stated that on 13 August, the People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force (PLARF) conducted a live fire missile launch, likely from the 1st Test and Training District in Jilantai. The missiles impacted at least two targets parked on the apron of the runway at the PLARF’s Ruqiang Target Impact Area which is roughly 1400km west of Jilantai. It said the lack of observed cratering beyond two target impacts suggests the PLARF used unitary warheads for both missiles. The two targets were almost certainly simulating unsheltered aircraft at an airbase. Given the PLA’s wide definition of jamming, the warheads could be fitted with electro-optical, infrared, or a radar-based guidance system that is jam-resistant. Individuals associated with 613 Brigade have published articles discussing radar signal processing, suggesting that some of the warheads used by 613 Brigade have a radar guidance system, although there is no way to determine if such research efforts are tied to the warheads used on 13 August. The impact area also reveals no substantive improvements to warhead accuracy or destructive power. This missile launch event almost certainly featured a new system of some kind and indicates that the PLARF has modernized yet another missile brigade with a Taiwan-centric mission set. The China Aerospace Studies Institute assessed, however, that this new system does not appear to represent a dramatic improvement in PLARF capabilities. Rather, the PLA likely intends to create a deterrent effect by highlighting what is a relatively limited improvement in capability. The PLA openly talks about revealing advanced weapons and conducting military exercises as ways of deterring or coercing its adversaries. With each deterrent activity, the PLA emphasizes the need for there to be some real capability behind the activity, demonstrated resolve, and for the information on the activity to be transmitted to the adversary’s population. In this instance, there is some limited capability behind the activity, in that the weapon system in question is real and marginally improves the PLARF’s overall capabilities.

Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter to the International Research Centre of Sustainable Development for Big Data, which launched a forum on big data and sustainable development goals in Beijing on September 6. He said establishment of the international research centre underpinned his promise to support the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In the letter Xi Jinping said “At present, the world is suffering from the huge impact of the new crown pneumonia epidemic. Technological innovation and the application of big data will help the international community overcome difficulties and implement the 2030 Agenda.” Separately, Xinhua (September 6) reported that Vice Premier Liu He delivered the opening remarks at the 2021 China International Digital Economy Expo via video link on September 6. In his remarks he said the digital economy is key to innovation (Xinhua) and “[We] need to develop the digital economy with a strong sense of innovation and urgency.” He also emphasised the importance of cultivating tech talent to provide the imagination and ingenuity necessary to build an innovative economy adding that the government will look to support the development of the tech industry by improving the legal environment, including by protecting fair competition and opposing monopolies. Liu, He assured the gathering that “[Our] policy of supporting the development of the private economy has not changed…and will not change in the future!” The South China Morning Post (September 6) quoted Jia Kang, a former Director of the Ministry of Finance’s Research Institute for Fiscal Science, as having said in a speech last month at a Chengdu forum that “Under the current complex and changing situation, we need to give the public, especially those leading private companies a sense of direction, safety and hope.” A People's Daily (September 8) editorial reinforced their message and explained that “The regulations and policies introduced treat [everyone] equally” and that “[They’re] aimed at violations of laws and regulations, and by no means single out specific industries or companies.” The Editorial said in conclusion that “The commitment to create a good environment and provide more opportunities for the development of the non-public sector of the economy have not changed.”

Following Chinese President Xi Jinping's speech at a meeting of the Central Commission for Financial and Economic Affairs (CCFEA), in which he vowed to tackle inequality and promote “common prosperity", China's tech companies have begun funding "common prosperity" initiatives. On September 2, the Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. pledged RMB 100 billion to fund “common prosperity” initiatives. Earlier other wealthy tech companies like TenCent have pledged RMB 100 billion for a raft of social responsibility programs.; Pinduoduo has pledged RMB 10 billion for farmers; and the founders of Xiaomi and Meituan both donated over RMB 10 billion in equity shares.

China’s biggest chip maker, Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp (SMIC), announced (Reuters-September 3) that it will invest nearly USD 9 billion to expand production capacity. This is good news for China’s tech over the long term, given current short-term chip shortages and an overall strategic dependency on foreign chip makers. However, it will be a few years before the plant comes online. The new factory will be producing chips at 28nm and above – not exactly cutting edge. (Comment: For the highest-grade hardware out there, there is no end in sight to foreign dependency.)

Speaking at the China International Trade in Services Fair on September 2, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced that China would set up a new stock exchange in Beijing dedicated to small and medium-sized firms (SMEs). He said the Beijing Stock Exchange will create a platform for 7 innovative SMEs and that the authorities will also further deepen reform of the National Equities Exchange and Quotation (NEEQ) board. In a statement following Xi Jinping’s speech, the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) said that certain innovative firms currently listed on NEEQ will move across to the new Beijing exchange

The latest intrusion of Taiwan's ADIZ by China's PLAAF occurred in September in an area northeast of Pratas Island. Taiwan's Defence Ministry released a map showing that the Chinese aircraft flew in an area closer to the Chinese than Taiwanese coast. The PLAAF sent 10 J-16 and four Su-30 fighters, as well as four H-6 bombers, which can carry nuclear weapons, and an antisubmarine aircraft. Taiwanese combat aircraft were dispatched to warn away the Chinese aircraft, while missile systems were deployed to monitor them.

54-year old German Ambassador Jan Hecker died suddenly within days of presenting his credentials in Beijing on September 5

Japan's former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida, one of two declared candidates to serve as the ruling Liberal Democratic Party’s next leader, said on September 3 that Japan should seek to cooperate with Taiwan and countries that share its values of freedom, democracy and the rule of law, as authoritarian countries wield more power. He said, “Taiwan is at the front line of the standoff between the U.S. and China,” he said. “Looking at the situation with Hong Kong and the Uyghurs, I have a strong feeling that the Taiwan Strait will be the next big problem.”

The South China Morning Post (September 10) reported that US President Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke over the phone on September 10 when, according to the White House they had “a broad, strategic discussion” intended to manage the increasing rivalry between Beijing and Washington. The White House said Biden had made clear the discussion was “part of the United States’ ongoing effort to responsibly manage the competition” between the two countries. It said, “President Biden underscored the United States’ enduring interest in peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific and the world and the two leaders discussed the responsibility of both nations to ensure competition does not veer into conflict.” A senior White House official said Biden’s message was that the US wanted to ensure “the dynamic remains competitive and that we don’t have any situation in the future where we veer into unintended conflict.”

A federal judge in Tennessee on September 9 acquitted Professor Anming Hu who had been accused of hiding his China ties when applying for research grants to work on a NASA project, saying the U.S. government hadn’t proven its case. The judge’s ruling comes as the Justice Department is facing increasing criticism from groups representing Asian-Americans and some Democrats in Congress over whether it is improperly targeting Chinese academics while looking into allegations of fraud in U.S. grant programs.

The Global Times (Chinese-September 8) in a sharply worded article criticised the USS "Benford" guided-missile destroyer for entering waters "adjacent to China's Nansha Mischief Reef on September 8 without permission". The statement issued by the United States acknowledged that the "Benford" entered 12 nautical miles of Mischief Reef. Calling it "a naked provocation by the 9 US", it said "The United States deliberately provoked the South China Sea dispute, and it must in turn endure the PLA's increasingly strong countermeasures against it. The game between the two sides will continue to be limited. Except in the not too distant future, the United States will definitely see the People's Liberation Army appear at its doorstep. It will also face uncertainties that are increasingly difficult to control with China". The article warned: "If things go on like this, sooner or later there will be trouble between China and the United States in the South China Sea." Urging China to prepare for conflict with the US, it said "Once the situation is out of control, leading to short-term battles between China and the United States, we must give full play to our "home field advantage", so that we can do nothing if we fight, and we will win if we fight!"

Speaking at the National Committee on US-China Relations on August 31 in Washington, on the 50th anniversary of Dr Henry Kissinger's 'secret' visits to China, Chinese Ambassador to the U.S. Qin Gang said there are three wrong beliefs on China-US relations in the United States. He enumerated these as: Some people believe that China is betting against America, and China's goal is to challenge and displace America.

The US publication TechCrunch reported (September 2) that the FBI has issued an unclassified bulletin warning that the Chinese government is using both in-person and digital techniques to intimidate, silence and harass U.S.-based Uyghur Muslims and other Chinese refugees and dissidents, including Tibetans, Falun Gong members and Taiwan and Hong Kong activists.

The CCP CC Politburo announced that the 6th plenum will be held in November. It said the main agenda is that the Politburo will present its work report to the plenary session, which will focus on comprehensively summarising/reviewing the major achievements and the historical experience accumulated during the Party's 100 years of struggle.

Xinhua (September 1) reported that Chinese President Xi Jinping addressed a training session for young and middle-aged officials at the Central Party School on September 1.

The state-run CCTV (August 30) telecast a report that CCP CC General Secretary and Director of the Central Comprehensive Deepening Reform Commission, Xi Jinping hosted the 21st meeting of the Central Comprehensive Deepening Reform Commission on August 30.

52-year old Shi Xiaolin has been appointed Party Secretary of Sichuan's capital city Chengdu at a meeting of the city’s leaders and cadres on August 26. Shi Xiaolin Shi is the first female party chief of Chengdu in 40 years, the youngest party chief in any provincial capital city and is the youngest female standing committee member of any provincial party committee. Born in 1969 in Zhejiang province, Shi Xiaolin has studied and worked in Shanghai for more than three decades.

A hard-hitting and important People's Daily article on August 29, 2021, by Li Guangman, former Editor-in-Chief of Central China Electric Power News, which began its trial publication on October 1, 1995, and ceased publication in 2012, targeted China's entertainment industry and prominent personalities like Wu Yifan, Ho Zun, Zhang Zhehan and Hunan TV host Qian Feng, Zheng Shuang, Zhao Wei and others for politically incorrect and unacceptable behaviour and tax evasion.

The People's Daily published a commentary on August 30, on Chinese President Xi Jinping's speech at the Central Ethnic Conference where he stressed that "forging of the Chinese nation’s community consciousness must be the main line of the party’s national work in the new era, and promote all ethnic groups to be firmly committed to the great motherland, the Chinese nation, Chinese culture, and the Communist Party of China". It quoted Xi Jinping as saying only "by all ethnic groups jointly safeguarding national security and social stability, can we effectively resist the infiltration and subversion of various extreme and divisive ideologies. In order to continuously realize the yearning of the people of all ethnic groups for a better life, and to realize, maintain, and develop the fundamental interests of all ethnic groups; only with a strong sense of community of the Chinese nation can we effectively deal with the risks that may occur in the ethnic field in the process of achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. .... only by forging the sense of community of the Chinese nation can the conscious identification of all ethnic groups with the Chinese nation be strengthened." He asserted that "In the big family of the Chinese nation, only if all ethnic groups hug each other like pomegranate seeds, kiss each other and help each other, can the great dream of national rejuvenation be realized smoothly, and the flower of national unity and progress can last forever".

The Ming Pao Daily (August 25) reported that on the eve of the autumn semester in the Mainland, the National Textbook Committee issued a number of textbook guides. Among them, the "Xi Jinping New Era Socialism Thought with Chinese Characteristics" (hereinafter referred to as "Xi Thought Guide") clearly requires to be fully integrated into the curriculum and teaching materials of universities, middle schools, and primary schools. Xi Jinping's thought, it said, infiltrates teaching materials at all levels, and elementary schools emphasize "political enlightenment". 9 topics of revolutionary tradition, national security, and labour education are "integrated" into universities, middle schools, and primary schools.

An article in the publication 'Markets Heard on the Street' (August 28) said that on August 24 internet commerce firm Pinduoduo reported its first quarterly profit since listing in 2018. It also said it would donate it all—$374 million—to support agriculture and rural areas, and would do the same with any future profit up to a total of 10 billion yuan. Its shares rose 22% that day. On Aug. 18, Tencent pledged to contribute 50 billion yuan, the equivalent of $7.73 billion, to low-income groups, basic healthcare, and education—on top of a separate 50 billion yuan charitable pledge in April. Meituan founder Wang Xing donated 10% of his stake in the food-delivery company to his philanthropic foundation in June. The publication added that the weak recovery in services—where most college students head after graduation—has also further exacerbated already high youth joblessness: Surveyed unemployment among the 16 to 24 set, which averaged 11% in 2018 and 2019, has since then averaged 14%. (Comment: In a speech on August 17 aimed at China's big business, Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke on “common prosperity” and called for rationally “adjusting” excessive incomes and for high-income individuals and companies to contribute more to society. He also called for more aggressive measures to expand the middle class and the social safety net, including health and elderly care.)

An article in South China Morning Post (August 31) by Gregory Mitrovich reported that the global wealth report issued each year by the investment bank, Credit Suisse, this year showed that the US remain at the top. According to its 2021 report, the US’ total wealth stands at US$126.3 trillion; China is a distant second with US$74.9 trillion. Furthermore, instead of declining, America’s share of total global wealth has increased over the past decade, from 25 per cent in 2011 to 30 per cent today. It cautioned Beijing to understand that the US is abandoning Afghanistan in 2021 to concentrate on its contest with China.

The Global Times (August 31) reported that the PLA Air Force will display its latest achievements that have transformed the Chinese military into a strategic force on its way to becoming world class, at the Airshow China 2021. It said military observers predicting that the "20 family" aircraft, namely the J-20 fighter jet, Y-20 large transport aircraft and Z-20 utility helicopter, will likely again be in the spotlight.

Chongqing Party Secretary and Politburo member Chen Mine'r visited Chamdo, in eastern Tibet, at the head of a delegation from August 25-26, 2021. Among the delegation from Chongqing were Zhang Xuan, Director of the Standing Committee of Chongqing Municipal People’s Congress, Li Mingqing, Member of the Standing Committee of Chongqing Municipal Party Committee, Secretary-General and Director of the General Office, and Chen Jinshan, Vice Mayor of Chongqing, and Director of the Municipal Economic Commission. Wu Yingjie, TAR Party Secretary, Liu Jiang, Secretary-General, and Member of the Standing Committee of TAR, Doto, Deputy Party Leadership Group of TAR, Deputy Director of TAR People’s Congress, and the Party Secretary of Chamdo, Norbu Dhondup accompanied the delegation during their visit

Radio Free Asia (RFA-August 27) reported that Qinghai province authorities arrested two 19-yearold Tibetan Middle School students of Darlag county for opposing the use of the Chinese language as the only medium of instruction in Tibetan schools. The two students, identified as Gyuldrak and Yangrik, spoke out on the WeChat social media platform against the Chinese policy mandating, beginning in September, that all classes in local schools be taught only in Chinese. The students are presently being held at the Darlag county police station.

Citing Tibetan sources inside China, Radio Free Asia (RFA) on August 26 reported that police in Dza Wonpo township in the Kardze (in Chinese, Ganzi) Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Sichuan province on August 22 arrested about 60 Tibetans found with photos of exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, intensifying a campaign against possession of the banned images. The arrested included 19 monks from a local monastery and 40 laypeople whose homes were thoroughly searched by police. (Comment: The arrests come in the wake of the recent high-level visits by Chinese President Xi Jinping and CPCC Chairman Wang Yang to the Tibet Autonomous Region.)

Reacting to BJP MP Subramaniam Swamy's remark that India should go to war with China, the CCP-owned Global Times (August 30) in a sharp article said "the 81-year-old dotard's words are utter nonsense and crazy. The PLA is stationed on China's own territory. It's the Indian side that has long surreptitiously engaged in salami-slicing tactics to gradually occupy China's territory. Politicians like Swamy have deliberately confused right from wrong". Pointing out that China's comprehensive national strength is way ahead of India's and that Indian politicians and officials are trying to divert the people’s attention from their mismanagement of the Covid pandemic, it said "regrettably, after the Galwan Valley clash in June 2020, ultra-nationalism has been surging in India. It has even become "political correctness" for politicians to make irresponsible anti-China remarks". It quoted Lan Jianxue, head of the Department for Asia-Pacific Studies at China Institute of International Studies, as telling Global Times: "The BJP should have the wisdom and rationality to restrain the politicians and officials from making anti-China belligerent speeches. Otherwise, India will leave the region and world a belligerent ultra-nationalist image, which is detrimental to India's development and rise in the long run." He added "India should understand that China exerted great restraint regarding the Galwan Valley clash; otherwise, India's casualties would have been severer." Lan Jianxue said India should learn a lesson from its Galwan fiasco, knowing what kind of policy is in its best interest.

Japan News (August 27) reported Japan's Defense Ministry as announcing on August 26, that the ASDF scrambled planes in response to three Chinese military aircraft spotted in the airspace between the main island of Okinawa and Miyakojima Island in Okinawa Prefecture. Although there were no airspace violations, one of the aircraft seen on August 27 is believed to have been an unmanned TB-001, making it the third consecutive day of Chinese drone sightings in the area from August 24. The three aircraft flew from the East China Sea to the Pacific Ocean on August 26, and then returned to the East China Sea. The ministry is looking into possible motives behind China’s actions.

Japan-Taiwan relations took a big step forward on August 27, with virtual talks between Japan's LDP and Taiwan's DPP where both sides emphasized the convergence between their governments on the perceived threat from China – and reaffirmed their desire to increase cooperation to counter that threat.

Taiwan's Representative to the United States Hsiao Bi-khim threw out the ceremonial first pitch at the 16th annual Mets Taiwan Day in New York on August 29. Hsiao Bi-khim is the first Taiwanese envoy to the U.S. to have been invited to throw out the ceremonial first pitch on the New York Met's annual Taiwan Day, and wore a No. 11 jersey that symbolized "keeping both feet on the ground." After throwing the pitch, she said it was an honour to perform that part of the ceremony and she appreciated the opportunity to advance Taiwan-U.S. relations, along with TaiwaneseAmericans and baseball fans. Prior to the ceremonial first pitch, President Tsai Ing-wen gave a pre-recorded address to the 20,000 baseball fans at the Citi Field Park in Queens, and she commended the "inspiring" Taiwanese athletes who competed at the recent Tokyo Olympics. Tsai also thanked the U.S. for extending a much-needed helping hand to Taiwan by donating 2.5 million doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. At the end of the video, Tsai and Hsiao appeared together, cheering for the Mets and Taiwan.

Michael Chase, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for China, spoke on August 27 with Chinese Major General Huang Xueping, Deputy Director for the People's Liberation Army Office for International Military Cooperation, vis the U.S.-PRC Defense Telephone Link to conduct a secure video conference. A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said "Both sides agreed on the importance of maintaining open channels of communication between the two militaries". This was the first contact between the US and Chinese militaries for managing risk since US President Joe Biden took office in January.

In an article in the Wall Street Journal (August 30), John Bolton wrote that America’s retreat from Afghanistan is ending tragically—and that has sweeping strategic implications.

Chinese authorities have instructed an American Chamber of Commerce in Chengdu, capital of Sichuan province, to cease operations, officials with the organisation said on August 31. The chamber notified members on August 30 that, in accordance with Chinese laws and regulations, it had to stop operations and “no longer carry out any activities in the name of the American Chamber of Commerce in Southwest China.” The Chinese authorities had closed the US consulate in Chengdu in retaliation for being ousted from its Houston consulate in July 2020.

AFP (September 3) reported that Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen had tweeted on September 1, that Abdul Salam Hanafi, a member of the Islamist group's political office in Doha, Qatar, "held a phone conversation with Wu Jianghao, Deputy Foreign Minister of the People's Republic of China." His tweet said "The Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister said that they would maintain their embassy in Kabul, adding our relations would beef up as compared to the past. Afghanistan can play an important role in security and development of the region."

Reuters reported (September 1) that China's Special Envoy for Asian Affairs Sun Guoxiang visited Myanmar on August 21 to August 28 for talks with its military ruler Min Aung Hlaing as well as Foreign Minister Wunna Maung Lwin and Minister for the Union Government Office Yar Pyae. China's foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said on August 28 that they "exchanged views with them on the political landscape in Myanmar". He added "We will work together with the international community to play a constructive role in Myanmar's efforts to restore social stability and resume democratic transformation at an early date." The visit coincided with the opening of a new route connecting Myanmar with Chinese trade flows to the Indian Ocean.

Even as the Israeli cell phone hacking company Cellebrite tries to go public next week, and said it withdrew from China and Hong Kong, an Intercept investigation has found that police in Mainland China continued to buy the company’s Universal Forensic Extraction Device, or UFED, products, which allow officers to break into phones in their possession and siphon off data. It said while Cellebrite did deregister its Chinese subsidiary earlier this year, it appears to have done little about the brokers that peddle its hacking technology. Chinese government procurement award notices and posts on resellers’ websites show that police have continued to purchase powerful Cellebrite software, while resellers have continued to provide updates for the software. In one case, a reseller reported delivering the Israeli company’s software to border guards in Tibet and demonstrating how it could be used to search people’s WeChat accounts. The Intercept claims the findings follow reports of abuses involving Cellebrite technology elsewhere in the world — including in Bahrain, Botswana, Indonesia, India, and Saudi Arabia — that the company has not meaningfully addressed. Natalia Krapiva, tech legal counsel for AccessNow, said “Cellebrite hasn’t demonstrated that they have made serious efforts to investigate the misuse of their technology,” said Natalia Krapiva, tech legal counsel for AccessNow

On September 23, Taiwan’s defense department issued two consecutive military intelligence bulletins stating that two batches of 24 PLA military aircraft entered Taiwan’s "southwest airspace" that day. The notice mentioned that in the morning, there were 12 sorties of J-16 fighters, 2 sorties of Y-8 anti-submarine aircraft, 2 sorties of H-6 bombers, 1 sortie of Y-8, and 2 sorties of J-11 fighters, totaling 19 sorties; and in the afternoon, 2 sorties of J-11 fighters. -16 fighters, 1 sorties of Air Police -500 early warning aircraft, 2 sorties of J-11 fighters, a total of 5 sorties. The report said that the Taiwan Air Force dispatched air patrol troops to respond, used broadcasts to drive away, and dispatched ground guidance troops to track it. According to Taiwan media statistics, this is the third largest PLA aircraft group to enter Taiwan’s "southwest airspace" this year. The two previous largest flights were 28 sorties on June 15 and 25 sorties on April 12.

The release of Meng Wanzhou, Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei's daughter, has raised many questions in the US and West on China's "hostage diplomacy". Meanwhile, documents released by the US Department of Justice (DoJ) reveal that Meng Wanzhou's prosecution has been deferred for four years and the charges have not been dropped.

Qiu Shi (2021/18 dated September 15) published an article by Chinese President Xi Jinping, which reproduced his speech at the first collective study of the 18th Politburo on November 17, 2012, under the caption 'Unswervingly persist in and strengthen the party's overall leadership'. Its main theme was that "The Communist Party of China is the core of leadership for the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen and improve the leadership of the party, and give full play to the party's role as the core of leadership in overseeing the overall situation and coordinating all parties."

The CCP CC and State Council jointly issued a guideline on developing a more civilized and wellregulated cyberspace environment on September 14. It said the country aims to consolidate the guiding status of Marxism in the ideological cyberspace sphere, foster a common ideology among the whole Party and the Chinese people, and interiorize core socialist values".

The Global Times (August 17) published an Opinion piece on countering US propaganda efforts and how China should win the discourse rights and change the current trend of China’s weak position in international public opinion.

Pursuant to the People's Daily article of August 31, instructing primary and secondary schools in the fall semester to reduce the pressure of student examinations and strengthen the management of education and teaching and promote the "double reduction" policy to fully implement, provinces and counties have started convening meetings to finalise a policy. On August 30, at the Ministry of Education press conference, Director Lv Yugang of the Ministry of Education's Department of Basic Education stressed "We should make great efforts to strengthen and improve in-school education, improve the quality of school education service system, and effectively achieve that teachers should teach as much as possible; students learn enough to learn well." The Forest City 4 Campus of Hefei 45 Middle School convened a meeting on September 9, to exchange ideas on how to improve teaching quality in the context of "double reduction", implement the "Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics in the New Era" teaching work, and further to summarize the work of teaching and research in the last semester and plan the teaching and research activities in this semester.

China Tibet News (September 13) disclosed that Chen Wenqing, the Minister of National Security, and a team of the delegation visited Tibet and met top TAR leaders like TAR Party Secretary Wu Yingjie, Chairman of TAR People's Government Che Dalha, Chairman of TAR People's Congress, Executive Deputy of TAR Party Committee and Secretary of TAR PPCC Zhuang Yuan, Commander of the Tibet Military Region Wang Kai, and Standing Members of TAR Party Committee, He Wenhao, and Liu Jiang. The dates of the visit were not mentioned. In his speech Wu Yingjie said, "there will be policies and actions to further consolidate the campaign to draw clear-cut lines from and eliminate the negative influence of the 14th Dalai Lama, his use of religion to influence people". He went on to add TAR will implement policies and guide people to treat religion "rationally, and dilute the negative influence of religion, and live this life happily". He also talked about strengthening border development, ensuring border defence, consolidating border security, and speeding up of infrastructural constructions in border areas. Wu Yingjie reported that at present, "Tibet's border defence had consolidated border security, the overall social situation has become stable, and sense of security among people have improved". He appreciated the Ministry of National Security for their "strong support". Wu Yingjie also pointed out that protecting Tibet's 1.2 million square kilometres of land and safeguarding national security is a major task entrusted by Xi Jinping and the CCP Central Committee. He said protecting and safeguarding 1.2 million square kilometres of Tibet's land is also a duty of all people in Tibet. Chen Wenqing in his speech said the Ministry of National Security attaches great importance to Tibet-related work. The purpose of the inspection that he and his team are undertaking is to oversee the proper study and implementation of Xi Jinping's speeches during his Tibet visit.

The Uyghur Tribunal concluded on September 13 after eight days of public hearings in London in June and September in which the tribunal heard from over 70 witnesses and after over 30 researchers spent over 10,000 hours reviewing hundreds of thousands of pages of documents, including 500 fact witness statements. The Tribunal’s judgment is due on 9 December.

On September 10, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) forecast that China's domestic corn crop would hit a record 273 million tons this year. It said that China's policy support had helped nurture the bumper harvest.

In a notification issued on September 16, China's Ministry of Commerce said that China had applied for membership of TPP/CPTPP.

China’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security on July 22 and Tencent on September 5 disclosed that China has a shortage of 20 million senior technicians.

A joint venture between multinational car giant Stellantis NV and Guangzhou Automobile Group Co. Ltd. is shutting down one of its two Jeep factories in China, the world’s largest vehicle market, after years of sluggish sales. GAC Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Co. Ltd. said on September 8 that it will close the factory in Guangzhou and transfer all the production to the city of Changsha in Hunan province. Reuters said the transfer will be completed by next March.

The People's Daily (September 16) published an important article on 'Questions and Answers on 'Xi Jinping Thought on socialism with Chinese characteristics', asserting that the PLA is 'An important guarantee for realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation'. The article had excerpts from Xi Jinping's speeches.

The PLA website Sina.com on September 9 reported that at 8:30 on August 24, affected by continuous heavy rainfall, a 110-meter roadbed collapsed near Jiaoba Village, Songzong Town, Bomi County, Sichuan-Tibet Line, rendering the section impassable. After the disaster occurred, a detachment of the Second Mobile Corps of the Armed Police Force immediately dispatched troops and large-scale emergency repair equipment to the scene to perform road repair and emergency construction tasks. From August 29th to 31st, the armed police officers and soldiers carried out the widening of the inner mountain rock, the optimization of the sidewalk descending slope, and the dangerous rock removal work of the high slope. As of September 2, large trucks could pass.

According to a Chinese military media report (September 9) a long-range fire unit of a brigade of the Tibet Military Region conducted day and night, multi-type, ultra-limit range firepower strike drills, and a group of well-trained and heroic female soldiers also participated in the exercise. The officers and soldiers took advantage of the high accuracy and destructiveness of long-range firepower, and effectively destroyed multiple fixed targets and moving targets at extremely long distances! The exercise was held at an altitude of 4600 metres.

An air defence brigade of the Tibet Military Region was reported on September 8 to have organized a live-fire drill in a mountainous area at an altitude of 4,700 meters. During the exercise, after the radar successfully detected the position of the simulated fighter, the cruise missile and the air-to-surface missile hit the target one after another.

Lin Minwang, Professor with the Institute of International Studies at Fudan University, in an article published in Global Times on September 13 warned that "with the intensified strategic competition of the US against China, Canberra and New Delhi have formed a consensus on the policy of jointly containing Beijing. Australia is willing to be a US pawn to charge forward in a series of issues to discredit China. It not only vigorously advocates the "China threat theory," but also unreasonably accuses and attacks China, creating antagonism. India, on the other hand, regards the long-term competition between China and the US as a major opportunity for its own rise, and thus makes a strategic adjustment. India is shifting from pursuing a balanced diplomacy to the path of cozying up to the US to jointly contain China". Stating that "Although India has not formally joined the Five Eyes, it has established different forms and levels of intelligence sharing with members of the group" and advised that "China must be vigilant against the future impact of intelligence sharing between India and the Five Eyes".

Writing in the Global times on September 16, Long Xingchun, senior research fellow with the Academy of Regional and Global Governance at the Beijing Foreign Studies University and president of the Chengdu Institute of World Affairs, referred to Indian media reports citing US Secretary of State Blinken's remarks to the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations that US is in touch with India about using it as a staging post for aerial strikes in Afghanistan, and warned India that the US will continue its relationship with Pakistan, that the US is trying to draw India into a quasi-alliance and that by agreeing to it India will lose its strategic autonomy and independence.

Reuters (September 9) reported that Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi had promised to provide nearly US$ 31 million emergency funding to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. The emergency aid will include food, winter weather supplies, vaccines, and medicine. Wang Yi also announced a donation of 3 million vaccine doses to Afghanistan. He simultaneously called on Taliban to crack down on terrorism and build an “inclusive political structure".

The new deal, dubbed 'Aukus' and unveiled on September 15, by which London and Washington will help Canberra to build nuclear-powered submarines as well as swap knowledge on cyber information, artificial intelligence, undersea technology, and other cutting-edge sciences, has rattled Beijing. A Global Times article pointed out that so far, the US had shared such technology, and that too on a limited scale, only with Britain. It said by now including Australia China will consider Australia a target for nuclear attack in case conflict breaks out with the US.

The US-based pro-Xi Jinping Duowei News (September 10) commenting on the 90-minute telephone conversation between US President Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping on September 10, pointed to a press release issued by the Chinese official media which said Biden stated that "the two countries have no reason to fall into conflict due to competition, and the United States has no intention to change the one-China policy."

After the White House issued a statement that US President Biden will host the first-ever Quad Leaders’ Summit at the White House on September 24, the Global Times (September 15) criticised the proposed meeting and quoted Chinese experts as saying that the summit will make no big change on its hostility against China.

The new Chinese ambassador to the UK, Zheng Zeguang, was on September 14 barred from parliament by the Speakers in the Commons and Lords after the imposition of sanSpeaking at a video conference to the 12th China-US Political Party Leaders Dialogue, which included representatives from the US Democratic and Republican parties, Yang Jiechi, Politburo 12 member and Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, urged the US to correct its wrong China policies and get bilateral ties back on track.

The new Chinese ambassador to the UK, Zheng Zeguang, was on September 14 barred from parliament by the Speakers in the Commons and Lords after the imposition of sanctions on British MPs by Beijing. Zheng Zeguang was due to attend a meeting of the broadly pro-Chinese all-party group in China, but following a letter from MPs who were subjected to sanctions by China, including the former Conservative party leader Iain Duncan Smith, the Commons Speaker, Lindsay Hoyle, has said the meeting is not appropriate. A similar decision has been endorsed by the Lords Speaker, Lord McFall.

Reuters reported (September 16) that China has denied the German frigate Bayern, currently on a six-month mission to the contested South China Sea, entry into a Chinese harbour. , a German foreign ministry spokesperson said on Wednesday. The Chinese harbour was not identified.

Caixin (September 10) reported that in mid-May local authorities in towns and cities across China issued notices urging their citizens living in the border regions of Myanmar to return by June 30, 2022. Many of them, working in places like Muse, Kokang, Mongla and Wa State, crossed the 13 border illegally, often to engage in scams such as telephone and online fraud. In exchange, the state is offering leniency, as long as the migrants return by certain deadlines. According to China's Ministry of Public Security, Chinese scammers, working in gangs to fool unsuspecting phone users back home into handing over their personal details, have become adept at theft. In 2019, a total of 2,553 suspects were extradited to China for their alleged involvement in telecom fraud. Fraud cases originating in northern Myanmar accounted for 50% to 60% of total cases in China.

China's State Council celebrated the 72nd anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China on the evening of September 30, and hosted a National Day Reception in the Great Hall of the People. Party and state leaders such as Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Wang Huning, Zhao Leji, Han Zheng, Wang Qishan and nearly 500 Chinese and foreigners gathered together to celebrate the birthday of the Republic.

The CCP CC Politburo held its 33rd collective study on strengthening China's biosafety construction on September 29. Presiding over the study session, CCP CC General Secretary Xi Jinping delivered an "important" speech when he emphasized that biosecurity is related to people's lives and health, to the long-term stability of the country, and to the sustainable development of the Chinese nation.

On September 24, Chinese President Xi Jinping addressed the 2021 Zhongguancun Forum in Beijing via video.

CCTV (September 26) reported that PBSC member and leader of the Central Inspection Work Leading Group Zhao Leji, attended the CCP CC's eighth round of inspection work mobilization and deployment meeting on September 26 and gave a speech. Zhao Leji pointed out that 3 inspections are political supervision and a powerful tool for comprehensively and strictly governing the party.

Politburo Member, Propaganda Department Head, and Party History Study and Education Central Leading Group Head Huang Kunming attended and spoke at a Party History Study and Education Central Leading Group symposium in Beijing on September 22.

On the eve of the Chinese Lunar New Year on September 26, Xinhua published a lengthy article captioned 'Why we can succeed' outlining the successes achieved under the guidance of the party.

The South China Morning Post (September 29) reported that Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) on September 29 published a notice China laying out a three-year plan to rein in the use of algorithms, marking Beijing’s latest effort to bring the country’s internet industry firmly under state control. Under the new policy guidelines, local governments are urged to tighten the regulation of algorithms, while companies are told that they will be held accountable for misusing the technology.

The Paper (September 27) reported that the Party Center had approved Central Inspection Groups to carry out the 8th round of inspections of the following finance-related institutions--regulators

China's official media reported on September 30 that 52-year old Sun Lijun, a former Chinese Vice Minister of the Public Security Bureau, has been sacked and expelled from the Communist Party, and will face trial for “serious violation of discipline rules and law”.

Recently, more than 20 of China’s 31 provinces completed soliciting public opinions on delaying the retirement age. The process started last December. The statutory retirement ages – 60 for men, 55 for white-collar women, and 50 for blue-collar women – were set 70 years ago. A Beijing government statement said since then life expectancy in urban China has increased by a whopping 40 years.

The China News (September 21) reported that Temporary Chinese Communist Party (CCP) branch offices have been established in 11 cast teams that are currently filming TV and movie dramas in the Hengdian World Studios in Zhejiang Province, China’s film and television production center and also known as China’s Hollywood.

China has been hit by a power shortage compelling at least 21 provinces and local governments to ration power to enterprises and residences to limit and manage electricity demand. The provinces include: Hunan, Guangdong, Hebei, Anhui, Shandong, Tianjin, and Liaoning. Last month, China's top economic planning agency the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), criticised the “energy consumption intensity” of nine provinces – Guangdong, Jiangsu, Yunnan, Fujian, Shaanxi, Guangxi, Ningxia, Qinghai and Xinjiang – for actually increasing their energy use instead of reducing it.

The Wall Street Journal (September 28) reported that on September 26, AidData, a research center at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Va., released an in-depth report on China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) which counted 42 low- and middle-income countries that now have debt exposure to China exceeding 10% of their annual gross domestic product.

The Hongkong-based pro-Xi Jinping HK01 newspaper on September 21 reported that, in 2018, Xi Jinping made a clear statement in an internal meeting of the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP’s) Hong Kong and Macau Coordination Group.

In a congratulatory letter to Eric Chu -- the newly elected leader of the Beijing-friendly Kuomintang (KMT) party on September 26 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said the Chinese Communist Party and the KMT should collaborate under a "shared political basis." In the letter released by the KMT, he said "In the past our two parties insisted on '1992 consensus' and opposing 10 'Taiwan independence' ... to promote peaceful developments in cross- strait relations." Xi Jinping added "At present the situation in the Taiwan Strait is complex and grim," and urged the parties to jointly seek peace and "the unification of the country."

The South China Morning Post (September 26) cited a report released by the Knowfar Institute for Strategic and Defence Studies, a think tank founded by retired Chinese military officers, on September 23.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman announced (September 20) that Chinese President Xi JInping will attend the General Debate of the 76th UN General Assembly by video on September 21 and delivered an "important speech".

The state-run CCTV (September 17) reported Xi Jinping's speech at the 21st meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Beijing on September 17. He urged the member states to strengthen coordination to promote a smooth transition of the situation in Afghanistan and truly embark on the path of peace, stability and development. He also asked them to promote the in-depth integration of the "Belt and Road" initiative with the development strategies of various countries and regional cooperation initiatives such as the Eurasian Economic Union, maintain the stability and smooth flow of the industrial chain and supply chain, and promote economic integration, development linkage, and sharing of results among countries. He said China will provide 1,000 poverty alleviation training places to Shanghai Cooperation Organization countries, build 10 Luban workshops, and carry out 30 cooperation projects in the fields of health, poverty alleviation, culture and education within the framework of the "Silk Road One Family" initiative . China will host the organization’s youth science and technology innovation forum next year. CCTV said the meeting initiated the process of accepting Iran as a member state, and absorbed Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Qatar as new dialogue partners. The meeting decided that Uzbekistan would take over as the rotating chairman of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Ding Xuexiang, Yang Jiechi, He Lifeng and others attended the meeting. Xi Jinping also attended the Joint Summit on Afghanistan among the leaders of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the Collective Security Treaty Organization in Beijing on September 17 and delivered an 'important' speech. Pointing out that the situation in Afghanistan has undergone fundamental changes recently, which have had an important impact on the international situation, regional structure, and security and stability, he asked SCO member states and the Collective Security Treaty Organization to work together at such critical moments to maintain peace and stability. He said it is important to promote the smooth transition of the situation in Afghanistan as soon as possible and support all parties in Afghanistan to reach an inclusive political arrangement at an early date through dialogue and consultation; it is necessary to pay attention to the trends of terrorist organizations in Afghanistan, and urge relevant parties in Afghanistan to carry out resolute strikes and prevent the terrorist forces holding Afghanistan from causing disaster to the Quartet.

PBSC member, State Council Vice Premier, and Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Construction Leading Group Head Han Zheng attended an inauguration ceremony in Zhuhai, Guangdong for the Hengqin Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone (hereafter referred to as “the Zone”) on September 17 and gave a speech.

PBSC member and Head of the Central Discipline Inspection Committee (CDIC) Zhao Leji conducted investigation work in Inner Mongolia from September 15 to 17.

According to the state-run CCTV News on September 18, PBSC member Hu Chunhua travelled to Sichuan from September 16 to 17, to supervise the work of "Key counties for rural revitalization to help counties to consolidate and expand the results of poverty alleviation". This is the first time that Hu Chunhua went to supervise work in key counties for rural revitalization after China's national rural revitalization key assisted counties work conference.

Xinhua (September 21) disclosed that the CCP CC's General Office had recently issued the "Opinions on Strengthening the Construction of Marxist Colleges in the New Era" and issued a notice requesting all regions and departments to conscientiously implement them in light of actual conditions.

Jingbo of the National Defense University Learning Jinping New Era Socialism with Chinese Characteristics Research Center authored a lengthy article titled 'Vigorously inherit and carry forward the great spirit of the party' published in the PLA Daily on September 20. Jingbo commented on "Chairman Xi’s important article "The great spirit of the party is always the precious spiritual wealth of the party and the country", in the 17th issue of Qiu Shi (Seeking Truth) magazine in 2021.

A PLA Daily (September 14) Commentator's article on Chinese President Xi Jinping's letter of September 13 to a PLA Battalion guarding the border in Tibet, said 'Xi’s letter “fully embodied the core of the Party and [his] deep love and concern for the border guard troops as military commander” and his high degree of emphasis on building the grassroots'.

The PLA Daily (September 14) disclosed that an Air Force aviation unit of the Western Theater Command in late August carried out airdrop and airborne training in unfamiliar areas to comprehensively improve the multi-domain cooperative combat capability of the unit.

China's Global Times (September 21) quoted a report released by the PLA South Sea Fleet in its social media account, which disclosed that in two recent, separate moves in the South China Sea, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) dispatched Y-20 large transport aircraft to reefs for troop transport missions, and conducted amphibious landing drills under complex conditions, showing the PLA's capabilities in safeguarding peace and stability in the region.

At the weekly press briefing on September 9, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian reacted to Indian media reports that India is set to conduct its first user trial of nuke capable intercontinental-range ballistic missile Agni-V, which has a 5,000-km range.

The Global Times (September 17) highlighted warnings by Chinese experts on September 10 that India not be "poison" for cooperation under the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

The South China Morning Post (September 18) quoted diplomatic and military observers as saying that Beijing is likely to step up its military activities to deter Taiwan while retaliating diplomatically against the US if the island’s de facto embassy in Washington gets renamed, but these countermeasures are likely to be limited.

Quoting Taiwan's official Central News Agency, Reuters reported (September 22) that Taiwan has formally applied to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), less than a week after China said it too had submitted an application. Taiwan's Deputy Economy Minister Chen Chern-chyi was quoted as sayingthe Economy Minister Wang Mei-hua will give details on September 23.

A report, prepared by law firm WilmerHale at the request of the World Bank's ethics committee, raises concerns about China's influence at the World Bank.

At the weekly press briefing on September 9, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian reacted to Indian media reports that India is set to conduct its first user trial of nuke capable intercontinental-range ballistic missile Agni-V, which has a 5,000-km range.

The Global Times (September 17) highlighted warnings by Chinese experts on September 10 that India not be "poison" for cooperation under the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

Ms Meng Wanzhou, daughter of the Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei, charged by the US of wrongdoing in accounts in dealings with Iran, has been released after 3 years house arrest in Canada and is on her way home following "resolution" on September 25 of the case between the US prosecutors and her lawyers. The two Canadian nationals, Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, imprisoned since 2018 have similarly been released by the Chinese authorities.

Chinese President Xi Jinping made an inspection tour of Chengde a popular tourist spot and the prefectural-level city just north of Beijing, on August 24.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang presided over a meeting of the State Council Leading Group for Revitalizing the Northeastern Region and Old Industrial Bases on August 23.