Full text of Xi's speech at the 30th APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 17 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a speech here Friday at the 30th APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting.

The following is the full text of the speech:

Staying True to APEC Founding Mission

And Enhancing Unity and Cooperation

To Jointly Promote High-Quality Growth in the Asia-Pacific

Remarks by H.E. Xi Jinping

President of the People's Republic of China

At the 30th APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting

San Francisco, November 17, 2023

The Honorable President Joe Biden,

Colleagues,

It is my great pleasure to meet you all in beautiful San Francisco. This APEC economic leaders' meeting, the 30th of its kind, holds special significance. I wish to thank President Biden and the U.S. government for the thoughtful arrangements for this meeting.

Since the establishment of the economic leaders' regular meeting mechanism, APEC has always stood at the global forefront of openness and development. It has played a robust role in promoting Asia-Pacific trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, economic growth and technological progress, and the flow of goods and people. It has helped create the "Asia-Pacific miracle" that has staggered the world.

In the world today, changes on a scale unseen in a century are unfolding at an accelerating pace. The world economy faces multiple risks and challenges. The Asia-Pacific region, which is an engine of global growth, thus has greater responsibility in these times. We, the leaders of Asia-Pacific economies, must think very hard as to what kind of Asia-Pacific region we should have by the middle of this century, what we should do to usher in another "golden 30 years" for the region, and how we can bring out the best of APEC in this process.

An ancient Chinese sage said, "For a righteous cause, I shall press forward, undaunted by thousands standing in my way." In the same spirit, we must remain steadfast in our commitment to APEC's founding mission. We must respond to the calls of our times responsibly and meet global challenges together. We must fully deliver on the Putrajaya Vision of building an open, dynamic, resilient and peaceful Asia-Pacific community for the prosperity of all our people and future generations. To this end, I wish to propose the following.

First, staying committed to innovation-driven development. Innovation is a strong driver of development. We should follow the trends of scientific and technological advancement, more proactively promote exchanges and cooperation in science and technology, and work together for an open, fair, equitable and non-discriminatory environment for scientific and technological progress. We should accelerate digital transformation, narrow the digital divide, redouble our efforts to implement the APEC Internet and Digital Economy Roadmap, support the application of big data, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, quantum computing and other new technologies, and create new momentum and new drivers of growth in the Asia-Pacific region.

China remains committed to its strategy for driving growth and development through innovation. China is advancing both its digital industry and the digital transformation of traditional industries. China has put forward a number of initiatives for promoting growth and development in the region through digital empowerment, such as digital technology-driven rural development, corporate digital identity, and transition to a green and low-carbon economy through the application of digital technologies.

Second, staying committed to openness in development. As manifested by the Asia-Pacific experience, an economy thrives in openness and withers in seclusion. We must promote free and open trade and investment, support and strengthen the WTO-centered multilateral trading regime, and keep global industrial and supply chains open and stable. We must say no to any attempt to politicize, weaponize, or impose security implications on economic and trade issues. We must remain unwavering to promote regional economic integration, accelerate the building of a Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific, fully implement the APEC Connectivity Blueprint, and share in the opportunities of open regional development.

The recent third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation that China hosted was a success, injecting fresh impetus into global connectivity and the building of an open world economy. China applies the highest standards in implementing the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, and has taken proactive steps to align its economic and trade rules with the high standards of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Digital Economic Partnership Agreement (DEPA), to accelerate the process of its accession to the CPTPP and DEPA. China will work with all relevant parties to write a new chapter in open development.

Third, staying committed to green development. Given the increasingly grave challenges such as climate change and natural disasters, we must continue to promote harmony between man and nature, accelerate the transition to green and low-carbon development, and see to it that reducing carbon emissions and mitigating pollution operate in parallel with expanding green transition and promoting economic growth. We must deliver on the Bangkok Goals on Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Economy, making "green" a defining feature of Asia-Pacific growth.

China remains as determined as ever to pursue green development that prioritizes eco-environmental conservation and protection. China is making active yet prudent moves toward its goal of carbon peak and carbon neutrality, and is accelerating its transition to green development. China has put forward initiatives for cooperation between APEC member economies in green agriculture, sustainable city development, green and low-carbon energy transition, and marine pollution control and prevention. All such initiatives aim to build a clean and beautiful Asia-Pacific region.

Fourth, staying committed to inclusive development that delivers benefits to all. Global development now faces severe challenges and the development divide is getting wider. I have said on many occasions that true development is development for all. We must fully implement the U.N. 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and put development back on the international agenda as a central priority. We need to develop greater synergy in our development strategies and work together to resolve the global development deficit. China welcomes participation by all parties in the Global Development Initiative (GDI) to deepen cooperation in poverty reduction, food security, industrialization and development financing and build a global community of development so that the fruits of modernization are shared by people across the world. China will continue to support APEC in its economic and technical cooperation and work together with other member economies to make the "cake" of Asia-Pacific development bigger.

Colleagues,

China is advancing the noble cause of building a great country and national rejuvenation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization. China will remain committed to the path of peaceful development. The ultimate goal of China's development is to better our people's lives, not to unseat anyone. As we celebrate 45 years of our reform and opening up this year, we will continue to pursue high-quality development and high-standard opening up. Chinese modernization will bring the world more and greater opportunities for the modernization of all countries. I am ready to work with you for new success in Asia-Pacific cooperation and for another "golden 30 years" of the region.

Thank you. ■

Full text of Xi's written speech at Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation CEO Summit

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a written speech here Thursday at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit.

The following is the full text of the speech:

Meeting Challenges with Unity of Purpose

To Write a New Chapter for Asia-Pacific Cooperation

Written Speech by H.E. Xi Jinping

President of the People's Republic of China

At the APEC CEO Summit

San Francisco, November 16, 2023

Representatives of the Business Community,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Friends,

It gives me great pleasure to be invited to address the APEC CEO Summit. I visited San Francisco many years ago, and I was deeply impressed by the openness, inclusiveness and creativity which this beautiful city is famous for.

Three decades ago, where humanity should be headed in the post-Cold War era was the question of the world, of history and of the times in front of Asia-Pacific leaders. In response, they followed the trend toward peace and development, and convened the inaugural APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting. They agreed unanimously to rise above the outdated mentality of bloc confrontation and zero-sum game, deepen economic cooperation and integration in the region, and build a dynamic, harmonious and prosperous Asia-Pacific community. This major decision enabled Asia-Pacific development and economic globalization to embark on a fast track of growth, turning the region into a powerhouse for world economic growth, an anchor of stability for global development, and a pacesetter for international cooperation. There is so much we can draw from this remarkable journey of Asia-Pacific cooperation.

Openness and inclusiveness are the defining feature of Asia-Pacific cooperation. Development in our region has been achieved not through provoking antagonism and confrontation, pursuing a beggar-thy-neighbor policy, or erecting high fences around a small yard, but by staying open and inclusive and drawing on each other's strengths. We have stayed committed to open regionalism, jointly formulated the Bogor Goals and the Putrajaya Vision, promoted trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, and bolstered economic integration of the region. Over the past three decades, the Asia-Pacific has cut its average tariff rate from 17 percent to 5 percent, and contributed 70 percent of global economic growth.

Development for all is the overarching goal of Asia-Pacific cooperation. Development is an eternal pursuit in our region. We have stayed focused on development and continually deepened economic and technical cooperation, thus strengthening the ability of developing members to achieve self-development. We jointly developed "the APEC Approach" based on the principles of voluntarism, consensus-building and incremental progress, and we respect the right to development of all members. Over the past three decades, per capita income in the Asia-Pacific has more than quadrupled, and one billion people have been lifted out of poverty. This is an important contribution to human progress and global sustainable development.

Seeking common ground while shelving differences is the best practice of Asia-Pacific cooperation. Economies in the region have different histories and cultures and are in different stages of development.

Forcing uniformity will not advance cooperation in the region; seeking common ground while shelving differences is the right way forward. Over the past three decades, we have properly tackled major challenges such as the Asian and international financial crises, and have sustained the momentum of economic development in the Asia-Pacific. Our success was possible because we have followed the underlying trend, kept the larger picture in mind, and capitalized on the spirit of partnership featuring harmony without uniformity, and solidarity and mutual assistance. This has enabled us to turn diversity in membership into momentum for cooperation and make collective progress through tapping into complementarity.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Friends,

The world has entered a new period of turbulence and change. The momentum of world economic growth is sluggish. Destabilizing, uncertain and unpredictable factors are increasing. Where will Asia-Pacific cooperation be headed in the next 30 years? This is a new question of the times facing us. As an ancient Chinese scholar observed, "plants with strong roots grow well, and efforts with the right focus ensure success." We should stay committed to APEC's founding mission, never forget our mission bestowed by history, and move to relaunch Asia-Pacific cooperation.

San Francisco, where the United Nations Charter was signed, embodies the noble aspiration of all peoples for peace across the world. Peace does not come by easily, and development is a long and arduous task. We should jointly uphold the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and follow the right norms for state-to-state relations to maintain Asia-Pacific prosperity and stability through dialogue and partnership rather than confrontation and alliance. The region cannot and should not be an arena for geopolitical rivalry, still less should it be plunged into a new cold war or camp-based confrontation.

The story of Asia-Pacific prosperity and development shows that development is only possible with cooperation, absence of cooperation is the biggest risk, and that decoupling and supply-chain disruption are not in anyone's interests. We should remain committed to open regionalism, and steadfastly advance the building of a Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific. We should respect laws governing economic development, bring out the best in each and every one of us, make our economies more interconnected, strengthen synergy between relevant regional trade agreements and development strategies, and build an open Asia-Pacific economy featuring win-win cooperation.

Facing a new wave of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation, we should look beyond the horizon, seize the opportunities, and move along with the trend to promote transition to digital, smart and green development. We should jointly boost innovation and market application of scientific and technological advances, and push forward full integration of digital and physical economies. We should jointly improve global governance of science and technology, bolster support for green and digital transition and sustainable development through innovation, and build an open, fair, just and non-discriminatory environment for the development of science and technology.

Ten years ago, I called for building a community with a shared future for mankind. The APEC Putrajaya Vision explicitly lays out its vision for an Asia-Pacific community by 2040, charting the course for further cooperation in our region. In recent years, in response to the pressing needs around the world, I have proposed the Global Development Initiative (GDI), the Global Security Initiative (GSI) and the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI). They are intended to galvanize all stakeholders to address global challenges, promote common development, and improve the well-being of humanity. China will work with all in the Asia-Pacific to advance and implement these initiatives, and build an open, inclusive, clean and beautiful world of lasting peace, universal security and shared prosperity.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Friends,

This year, China's economy has been steadily recovering and turning for the better. Its growth rate is among the highest among major economies of the world. And solid gains have been made in our pursuit of high-quality development. China remains the most powerful engine of global growth, and will generate one-third of global growth this year. Just as some leaders of the business community have said, China has become a synonym of the best investment destination, and that the "next China" is still China. We invite friends from business communities across the world to invest and deepen your footprint in China.

China enjoys distinct strengths such as a socialist market economy in systemic terms, a supersize market in terms of demand, a full-fledged industrial system in terms of supply, and abundant, high-caliber labor forces and entrepreneurs in terms of human resources. China's economic development is self-generative, resilient and has many potentials. In the past, China surmounted numerous difficulties and obstacles by defusing risks and meeting challenges, and made historic achievements. Today, the overall Chinese economy, blessed by its strong resilience, enormous potential and ample room for maneuver, remains promising, and it will remain so in the long run. We have the confidence in, and even more capability of achieving long-term and stable growth, and through our development we will continue to provide the world with new growth momentum and opportunities.

China is committed to applying the new development philosophy with a focus on achieving innovative, coordinated, green and open development for all, and it is pursuing high-quality development and high value-added and green economic growth. Recent years have seen rapid growth in China's export of "the new three," namely, new energy vehicles, lithium-ion batteries and photovoltaic products. A national voluntary greenhouse gas emissions reduction trading market will soon be launched, which will create huge green market opportunities. China will expedite its efforts to modernize the industrial system, provide better institutional safeguards to enable business entities of all types to share in the gains of development, and foster new drivers of growth and create more room for development.

We remain committed to pursuing development with our doors open. We will unswervingly advance high-standard opening up and further expand market access. China has announced the removal of all restrictive measures on foreign investment in manufacturing. The sixth China International Import Expo was held recently, and the second Global Digital Trade Expo will be held later this month. All these steps will expand China's opening up and create more development opportunities and benefits for other countries. China is applying high standards to its implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. It is working to align itself with the high-standard economic and trade rules of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement to advance the process of acceding to these two agreements, and expand a globally-oriented network of high-standard free trade areas. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative that I proposed. Last month, China hosted the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation with 458 deliverables. Chinese financial institutions established a financing window of RMB 780 billion for Belt and Road projects, and Chinese and foreign companies reached business deals worth USD 97.2 billion. All this will contribute to high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and provide strong momentum for connectivity, development and prosperity around the world.

No matter how the international situation evolves, China's resolve to foster a market-oriented, law-based and world-class business environment will not change. And our policy of providing equal and quality services to foreign investors will not change. We will continue to improve the mechanisms for protecting the rights and interests of foreign investors, further shorten the negative list on foreign investment, fully ensure national treatment for foreign investors, and continue to strengthen IPR protection. We will strive to tear down the barriers to the flow of innovation factors, deepen reform of the digital economy, and promote free and orderly flow of data in compliance with the law. We will also take more "heart-warming" measures, such as improving the policies on entry and stay of foreign nationals in China and removing for them choke points in financial, medical, e-payment and other services. All this is designed to make it easier for foreign companies to invest and operate in China.

I wish to stress that Chinese modernization naturally calls for high-quality development by overcoming economic challenges and making steady progress. Its immutable goal is to deliver a better life to the whole of more than 1.4 billion Chinese people. For the world, this means a broader market and unprecedented cooperation opportunities. It will also instill strong impetus in the global modernization endeavor.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Friends,

The Asia-Pacific business community has always been courageous pioneers in Asia-Pacific cooperation and global development. I hope that you will make full use of your entrepreneurship, and contribute even more to building an open Asia-Pacific economy and boosting global economic development. I also hope to see an active part of the global business community in the Chinese modernization drive to benefit from the huge opportunities brought by China's high-quality development!

Thank you. ■

Full text of Xi's speech at Welcome Dinner by Friendly Organizations in the United States

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a speech here Wednesday at Welcome Dinner by Friendly Organizations in the United States.

The following is the full text of the speech:

Galvanizing Our Peoples into a Strong Force

For the Cause of China-U.S. Friendship

Speech by H.E. Xi Jinping

President of the People's Republic of China

At Welcome Dinner by Friendly Organizations in the United States

San Francisco, November 15, 2023

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Friends,

It gives me great pleasure to meet with you, friends from across the American society, in San Francisco to renew our friendship and strengthen our bond. My first visit to the United States in 1985 started from San Francisco, which formed my first impression of this country. Today I still keep a photo of me in front of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Before going further, I wish to express my sincere thanks to the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations, the U.S.-China Business Council, the Asia Society, the Council on Foreign Relations, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and other friendly organizations for hosting this event. I also want to express my warm greetings to all American friends who have long committed to growing China-U.S. relations and my best wishes to the friendly American people.

San Francisco has borne witness to exchanges between the Chinese and American peoples for over a century. A hundred and fifty-eight years ago, a large number of Chinese workers came all the way to the United States to build the first transcontinental railroad, and established in San Francisco the oldest Chinatown in the Western Hemisphere. From here, China and the United States have made many achievements--USD 760 billion of annual bilateral trade and over USD 260 billion of two-way investment, 284 pairs of sister provinces/states and sister cities, and over 300 scheduled flights every week and over five million travels every year at peak time. These extraordinary accomplishments were made jointly by our peoples accounting for nearly one quarter of the global population.

San Francisco has also borne witness to the efforts by China and the United States in building a better world. Seventy-eight years ago, after jointly defeating fascism and militarism, our two countries initiated together with others the San Francisco Conference, which helped found the United Nations, and China was the first country to sign the U.N. Charter. Starting from San Francisco, the postwar international order was established. Over 100 countries have gained independence one after another. Several billion people have eventually shaken off poverty. The forces for world peace, development and progress have grown stronger. This has been the main fruit jointly achieved by people of all countries and the international community.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Friends,

The foundation of China-U.S. relations was laid by our peoples. During World War II, our two countries fought side by side for peace and justice. Headed by General Claire Lee Chennault, a group of American volunteers, known as the Flying Tigers, went to the battlefield in China. They not only engaged in direct combats fighting Japanese aggressors, but also created "The Hump" airlift to transport much-needed supplies to China. More than 1,000 Chinese and American airmen lost their lives on this air route. After Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, the United States sent 16 B-25 bombers on an air raid to Japan in 1942. Running low on fuel after completing their mission, Lieutenant Colonel James Doolittle and his fellow pilots parachuted in China. They were rescued by Chinese troops and local civilians. But some 250,000 civilian Chinese were killed by Japanese aggressors in retaliation.

The Chinese people never forget the Flying Tigers. We built a Flying Tigers museum in Chongqing, and invited over 1,000 Flying Tigers veterans and their families to visit China. I have kept in touch with some of them through letters. Most recently, 103-year-old Harry Moyer and 98-year-old Mel McMullen, both Flying Tigers veterans, went back to China. They visited the Great Wall, and were warmly received by the Chinese people.

The American people, on their part, always remember the Chinese who risked their lives to save American pilots. Offspring of those American pilots often visit the Doolittle Raid Memorial Hall in Quzhou of Zhejiang Province to pay tribute to the Chinese people for their heroic and valorous efforts. These stories fill me with firm confidence that the friendship between our two peoples, which has stood the test of blood and fire, will be passed on from generation to generation.

The door of China-U.S. relations was opened by our peoples. For 22 years, there were estrangement and antagonism between our two countries. But the trend of the times brought us together, converging interests enabled us to rise above differences, and the people's longing broke the ice between the two countries. In 1971, the U.S. table tennis team visited Beijing--a small ball moved the globe. Not long after that, Mr. Mike Mansfield led the first U.S. Congressional delegation to China. This was followed by the first governors' delegation including Iowa Governor Robert Ray and then many business delegations, forming waves of friendly exchanges.

This year, after the world emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic, I have respectively met in Beijing with Dr. Henry Kissinger, Mr. Bill Gates, Senator Chuck Schumer and his Senate colleagues, and Governor Gavin Newsom. I told them that the hope of the China-U.S. relationship lies in the people, its foundation is in our societies, its future depends on the youth, and its vitality comes from exchanges at subnational levels. I welcome more U.S. governors, Congressional members, and people from all walks of life to visit China.

The stories of China-U.S. relations are written by our peoples. During my first visit to the United States, I stayed at the Dvorchaks in Iowa. I still remember their address--2911 Bonnie Drive. That was my first face-to-face contact with the Americans. The days I spent with them are unforgettable. For me, they represent America. I have found that although our two countries are different in history, culture and social system and have embarked on different development paths, our two peoples are both kind, friendly, hardworking and down-to-earth. We both love our countries, our families and our lives, and we both are friendly toward each other and are interested in each other. It is the convergence of many streams of goodwill and friendship that has created a strong current surging across the vast Pacific Ocean; it is the reaching out to each other by our peoples that has time and again brought China-U.S. relations from a low ebb back onto the right track. I am convinced that once opened, the door of China-U.S. relations cannot be shut again. Once started, the cause of China-U.S. friendship cannot be derailed halfway. The tree of our peoples' friendship has grown tall and strong; and it can surely withstand the assault of any wind or storm.

The future of China-U.S. relations will be created by our peoples. The more difficulties there are, the greater the need for us to forge a closer bond between our peoples and to open our hearts to each other, and more people need to speak up for the relationship. We should build more bridges and pave more roads for people-to-people interactions. We must not erect barriers or create a chilling effect.

Today, President Biden and I reached important consensus. Our two countries will roll out more measures to facilitate travels and promote people-to-people exchanges, including increasing direct passenger flights, holding a high-level dialogue on tourism, and streamlining visa application procedures. We hope that our two peoples will make more visits, contacts and exchanges and write new stories of friendship in the new era. I also hope that California and San Francisco will continue to take the lead on the journey of growing China-U.S. friendship!

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Friends,

We are in an era of challenges and changes. It is also an era of hope. The world needs China and the United States to work together for a better future. We, the largest developing country and the largest developed country, must handle our relations well. In a world of changes and chaos, it is ever more important for us to have the mind, assume the vision, shoulder the responsibility, and play the role that come along with our status as major countries.

I have always had one question on my mind: How to steer the giant ship of China-U.S. relations clear of hidden rocks and shoals, navigate it through storms and waves without getting disoriented, losing speed or even having a collision?

In this respect, the number one question for us is: are we adversaries, or partners? This is the fundamental and overarching issue. The logic is quite simple. If one sees the other side as a primary competitor, the most consequential geopolitical challenge and a pacing threat, it will only lead to misinformed policy making, misguided actions, and unwanted results. China is ready to be a partner and friend of the United States. The fundamental principles that we follow in handling China-U.S. relations are mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation.

Just as mutual respect is a basic code of behavior for individuals, it is fundamental for China-U.S. relations. The United States is unique in its history, culture and geographical position, which have shaped its distinct development path and social system. We fully respect all this. The path of socialism with Chinese characteristics has been found under the guidance of the theory of scientific socialism, and is rooted in the tradition of the Chinese civilization with an uninterrupted history of more than 5,000 years. We are proud of our choice, just as you are proud of yours. Our paths are different, but both are the choice by our peoples, and both lead to the realization of the common values of humanity. They should be both respected.

Peaceful coexistence is a basic norm for international relations, and is even more of a baseline that China and the United States should hold on to as two major countries. It is wrong to view China, which is committed to peaceful development, as a threat and thus play a zero-sum game against it. China never bets against the United States, and never interferes in its internal affairs. China has no intention to challenge the United States or to unseat it. Instead, we will be glad to see a confident, open, ever-growing and prosperous United States. Likewise, the United States should not bet against China, or interfere in China's internal affairs. It should instead welcome a peaceful, stable and prosperous China.

Win-win cooperation is the trend of the times, and it is also an inherent property of China-U.S. relations. China is pursuing high-quality development, and the United States is revitalizing its economy. There is plenty of room for our cooperation, and we are fully able to help each other succeed and achieve win-win outcomes.

The Belt and Road Initiative as well as the Global Development Initiative (GDI), the Global Security Initiative (GSI) and the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI) proposed by China are open to all countries at all times including the United States. China is also ready to participate in U.S.-proposed multilateral cooperation initiatives. This morning, President Biden and I agreed to promote dialogue and cooperation, in the spirit of mutual respect, in areas including diplomacy, economy and trade, people-to-people exchange, education, science and technology, agriculture, military, law enforcement, and artificial intelligence. We agreed to make the cooperation list longer and the pie of cooperation bigger. I would like to let you know that China sympathizes deeply with the American people, especially the young, for the sufferings that Fentanyl has inflicted upon them. President Biden and I have agreed to set up a working group on counternarcotics to further our cooperation and help the United States tackle drug abuse. I also wish to announce here that to increase exchanges between our peoples, especially between the youth, China is ready to invite 50,000 young Americans to China on exchange and study programs in the next five years.

Recently, the three pandas at Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington D.C. have returned to China. I was told that many American people, especially children, were really reluctant to say goodbye to the pandas, and went to the zoo to see them off. I also learned that the San Diego Zoo and the Californians very much look forward to welcoming pandas back. Pandas have long been envoys of friendship between the Chinese and American peoples. We are ready to continue our cooperation with the United States on panda conservation, and do our best to meet the wishes of the Californians so as to deepen the friendly ties between our two peoples.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Friends,

China is the largest developing country in the world. The Chinese people long for better jobs, better lives, and better education for their children. It is what the 1.4 billion Chinese hold dear to their hearts. The Communist Party of China (CPC) is committed to working for the people, and our people's expectation for a better life is our goal. This means we must work hard to secure their support. Thanks to a century of exploration and struggle, we have found the development path that suits us. We are now advancing the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts by pursuing Chinese modernization.

We are committed to striving in unity to achieve modernization for all Chinese. A large population is a fundamental aspect of China's reality. Our achievements, however great, would be very small when divided by 1.4 billion. But a problem, however small, would be huge when multiplied by 1.4 billion. This is a unique challenge for a country of our size. In the meantime, big also means strength. The leadership of the CPC, the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and the endorsement and support of the people are our greatest strengths. China is both a super-large economy and a super-large market. Not long ago the sixth China International Import Expo was held, attracting over 3,400 business exhibitors from 128 countries including the United States. The exhibition area of American companies has been the largest for six consecutive years at the Expo. Modernization for 1.4 billion Chinese is a huge opportunity that China provides to the world.

We are committed to prosperity for all to deliver a better life for each and every Chinese. To eliminate poverty is the millennia-old dream of the Chinese nation, and prosperity for all is the longing of all Chinese. Before I turned 16, I was in a village in northern Shaanxi Province, where I lived and farmed with villagers, and I knew about their worries and needs. Now half a century on, I always feel confident and strong when staying with the people. Serving the people selflessly and living up to their expectations is my lifelong commitment. When I became General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee and President of the People's Republic of China, 100 million people were still living below the poverty line set by the United Nations. Thanks to eight years of tenacious efforts, we lifted them all out of poverty. We realized the poverty reduction goal of the U.N. 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development 10 years ahead of schedule. In the process, over 1,800 CPC members lost their lives in the line of duty.

Our goal is not to have just a few wealthy people, but to realize common prosperity for all. Employment, education, medical services, child care, elderly care, housing, the environment and the like are real issues important to people's daily life and close to their heart. They are being steadily integrated into our top-level plans for national development, thus ever increasing the sense of fulfillment, happiness and security of our people. We will continue to promote high-quality development and deliver the benefits of modernization to all. This is the CPC's founding mission and the pledge we have made to the people. It will surely be realized with the support of the people.

We are committed to well-rounded development to achieve both material and cultural-ethical advancement for the people. Our forefathers observed that "When people are well-fed and well-clad, they will have a keen sense of honor and shame." Material shortage is not socialism, nor is cultural-ethical impoverishment. Chinese modernization is people-centered. An important goal of Chinese modernization is to continue increasing the country's economic strength and improving the people's living standards, and at the same time, enriching the people's cultural lives, enhancing civility throughout society and promoting well-rounded development of the person. The purpose of the Global Civilization Initiative I proposed is to urge the international community to address the imbalance between material and cultural advancement and jointly promote continued progress of human civilization.

We are committed to sustainable development to achieve harmony between man and nature. The belief that humans are an integral part of nature and need to follow nature's course is a distinctive feature of traditional Chinese culture. We live in the same global village, and we possibly won't find another inhabitable planet in our lifetime. As an English saying goes, "We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children." When I was Governor of Fujian Province in 2002, I called for turning Fujian into the first ecological province in China. Later when I worked in Zhejiang Province in 2005, I said that clear waters and green mountains are just as valuable as gold and silver. Today, this view has become a consensus of all the Chinese people. China now has close to half of the world's installed photovoltaic capacity. Over half of the world's new energy vehicles run on roads in China, and China contributes one-fourth of increased area of afforestation in the world. We will strive to peak carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060. We have made the pledge, and we will honor it.

We are committed to peaceful development to build a community with a shared future for mankind. Peace, amity and harmony are values embedded in Chinese civilization. Aggression and expansion are not in our genes. The Chinese people have bitter and deep memories of the turmoils and sufferings inflicted upon them in modern times. I often say that what the Chinese people oppose is war, what they want is stability, and what they hope for is enduring world peace. The great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation cannot be achieved without a peaceful and stable international environment. In pursuing modernization, we will never revert to the beaten path of war, colonization, plundering or coercion.

Throughout the 70 years and more since the founding of the People's Republic, China has not provoked a conflict or war, or occupied a single inch of foreign land. China is the only major country that has written peaceful development into the Constitution of the country and the Constitution of the governing party, thus making peaceful development a commitment of the nation. It benefits from and safeguards the current international order. We remain firm in safeguarding the international system with the U.N. at its core, the international order underpinned by international law, and the basic norms governing international relations based on the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter. Whatever stage of development it may reach, China will never pursue hegemony or expansion, and will never impose its will on others. China does not seek spheres of influence, and will not fight a cold war or a hot war with anyone. China will remain committed to dialogue and oppose confrontation, and build partnerships instead of alliances. It will continue to pursue a mutually beneficial strategy of opening up. The modernization we are pursuing is not for China alone. We are ready to work with all countries to advance global modernization featuring peaceful development, mutually beneficial cooperation and common prosperity, and to build a community with a shared future for mankind.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Friends,

The passage of time is like a surging river--much is washed away, but the most valuable stays. No matter how the global landscape evolves, the historical trend of peaceful coexistence between China and the United States will not change. The ultimate wish of our two peoples for exchanges and cooperation will not change. The expectations of the whole world for a steadily growing China-U.S. relationship will not change. For any great cause to succeed, it must take root in the people, gain strength from the people, and be accomplished by the people. Growing China-U.S. friendship is such a great cause. Let us galvanize the Chinese and American peoples into a strong force to renew China-U.S. friendship, advance China-U.S. relations, and make even greater contributions to world peace and development! ■

Xi calls for continuous efforts in post-flood reconstruction in Beijing, Hebei

BEIJING, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, inspected the reconstruction work at the areas affected by floods in Beijing and Hebei Province on Nov. 10. Xi stressed that Party committees and governments at all levels, as well as relevant parties, should faithfully implement the decisions and arrangements of the Party Central Committee to make persistent efforts in post-flood reconstruction so as to ensure that local people could live in comfort and plenty, and have a warm home during the winter. He stressed the need to uphold a people-centered approach, apply systems thinking and make sound planning and rational overall arrangement in a down-to-earth manner. He called for redoubled efforts to close safety loopholes and strengthen weak links. He urged accelerated progress in improving flood control and prevention projects, emergency management, and capacity to prevent, mitigate and relieve disasters.

In late July and early August, rainstorm occurred in North China and Yellow and Huaihe river valleys, causing floods and geological disasters, resulting in heavy casualties in Beijing, Hebei and other places. Xi has been concerned about flood-affected people and paid close attention to work on flood prevention and relief as well as post-disaster recovery and reconstruction. He has made instructions multiple times, requiring relevant authorities to ensure the safety of people's lives and property, as well as to restore work and life order in disaster-hit regions. In early September, Xi visited flood-affected villagers in Shangzhi City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. As winter approaches in northern China, Xi came to the severely flood-stricken areas of Beijing and Hebei to visit the affected people, and inspect and guide post-disaster reconstruction work.

On Nov. 10, accompanied by Yin Li, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and secretary of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee, Yin Yong, mayor of Beijing, Ni Yuefeng, secretary of CPC Hebei Provincial Committee and Wang Zhengpu, governor of Hebei, Xi visited Mentougou District of Beijing and Baoding City of Hebei to learn about the progress in post-disaster recovery and reconstruction on site.

The Sanjiadian water diversion reservoir is a water control project in the Guanting gorge section of the Yongding River. On the morning of Nov. 10, Xi came here to hear reports on the restoration projects of the Yongding River and other rivers, and the operation of sluices, and learned about the progress in post-disaster recovery and reconstruction. Xi noted that Mentougou, Fangshan and other mountainous areas have high mountains and deep valleys, where continuous heavy rainfall is likely to cause catastrophic mountain floods, and are the key areas for flood control and prevention in Beijing. It is necessary to build and make good use of controlling projects such as reservoirs, as well as improve flood control standards for roads, houses and other buildings in mountainous areas, so as to effectively improve flood control and prevention capacity. It is necessary to sum up historical experience, address prominent problems and weak links, and follow the principle of "storing floodwaters upstream, channeling floodwaters in the middle reaches, and discharging floodwaters downstream to effectively control floodwaters" in accordance with the characteristics of Beijing's river system, speed up the restoration of flood-damaged facilities, and strengthen the construction of key water conservancy projects, so as to provide strong support for flood control in the capital.

After that, Xi took a vehicle to the Miaofeng Mountain Ethnic School. In this year's flood season, the school served as a temporary shelter for displaced residents and the place where flood prevention and relief personnel were stationed. Xi walked into a classroom, where the children were holding a theme class meeting under the guidance of their teacher. The children showed him their handicrafts with the theme of flood control and disaster relief, and reported their experiences and feelings when facing floods. Xi was very happy to hear that. He said that ensuring the flood-affected students can return to school on time is a requirement the CPC Central Committee has imposed for post-disaster recovery and reconstruction. Through the joint efforts of all parties, all schools in the disaster-stricken areas have reopened on time. It is a great relief to see the happy smiles of the children. "Your school successfully avoided risks in this flood, and played a good role as a 'safe island.' It is necessary to make good use of this vivid example, carry out safety education, and strengthen children's safety awareness and ability to avoid risks," Xi said. Children will never forget what they have experienced during this flood control and prevention effort. They should be taught to be grateful, have aspirations, and strive to become a new generation of builders of and successors to the socialist cause.

On the school's playground, he met with the families of martyrs who died on duty, grassroots Party members and officials, members of the public, fire and emergency rescue personnel, employees of state-owned enterprises, volunteer representatives and so on who participated in flood control and disaster relief. Xi noted that during the disaster rescue and relief efforts, grassroots Party members and officials took the lead in the disaster relief effort, demonstrating courage and a sense of responsibility. The People's Liberation Army (PLA), Armed Police, and firefighters bravely stepped forward and marched in harm's way. Employees of state-owned enterprises responded promptly to the call for flood relief. People from all walks of life and volunteers also actively participated in and contributed to the disaster relief work, demonstrating their greater love and compassion in the face of ruthless floods. This has showcased the salient advantage of the socialist system for being able to pool resources together during difficult times. It reflects the spirit of unity and mutual assistance across the country and the people. Many heartwarming stories have emerged from these endeavors. Tragically, some Party members and officials have sacrificed their lives. We must always remember them and make their heroic deeds known to the public. Relevant authorities should take good care of their families.

Approaching noon time, Xi visited Shuiyuzui Village in Miaofengshan Township. At the riverfront platform by the village entrance, Xi was briefed on the situation in the village. Subsequently, he walked around to inspect the looks of the village, learning about the progress of recovery and reconstruction of its infrastructures. He emphasized that after the floods, it is imperative to invest heavily in restoration and significantly improve the resilience of water conservancy facilities and flood prevention infrastructure. It is essential to adhere to a people-centered approach and make plans scientifically with a long-term view, and closely integrate the recovery and reconstruction with the promotion of high-quality development, the advancement of resilient urban construction, the promotion of rural revitalization, and the advancement of ecological environment. Targeted measures should be taken to comprehensively advance disaster prevention, reduction, and relief capabilities. In particular, efforts should be made to improve the emergency management and organization system at the grassroots level in both urban and rural areas so that the capabilities for disaster prevention, risk-aversion, self-rescue and mutual help can be strengthened.

At the home of villager Li Meng, Xi inquired in detail about the extent of damage to the house, expenses for repairs, and heating conditions. Xi stated that ensuring the safety and heating for the disaster-affected residents during the winter is a challenging task that must be addressed effectively. The winter in north China is long, and it is particularly cold in the mountains. Detailed efforts must be made to ensure heating for every household. For the households ready to move in after housing repairs, reinforcement, or reconstruction have been completed, guidance and assistance should be provided to ensure their winter heating. For those whose housing reconstruction has not been completed yet, measures such as seeking help from relatives and friends, house renting, or government resettlement should be taken to ensure they have warm places to live in.

The local residents warmly bid farewell to the general secretary when he was leaving the village. Xi said to them, "I have been concerned about the people in the disaster-stricken areas. The Communist Party is a party that serves the people and always places the people in the highest position in our hearts. Whether it is emergency relief or post-disaster recovery and reconstruction, we will spare no effort. I hope you will remain confident and work hard to build a better home."

In Zhuozhou, a county-level city under Baoding City hit hard by the severe flooding during this year's flood season, production and life order have been basically restored. On the afternoon of Nov. 10, Xi visited the Yongji Xiuyuan residential compound in Shuangta Sub-district. He first came to the pharmacy and the supermarket at the entrance of the compound, inquiring in detail about the recovery of business operations. He then visited the heating station and inspected the operation of the heating facilities. Xi urged Party committees and governments at all levels to take all necessary measures to help local residents, small businesses and enterprises that have suffered a big loss in this major disaster overcome difficulties. Urban recovery and reconstruction should be based on sound disaster prevention and reduction review and planning, in which full considerations must be given to risk and disaster prevention, such as reserving flood channels and flood discharge areas, upgrading drainage pipe networks, and strengthening the city's operational capabilities.

Xi paid a visit to the home of Dong Caiying, a local resident, inquiring in detail about the water level during the flood, emergency housing, change of furniture and appliances, heating, and related subsidies. Dong replied that with the help of Party officials, the house has been cleaned and repaired before they move in, and there is no problem with heating during the winter. Xi stressed that restoring the living environment of every household and neighborhood is the top priority in post-disaster recovery and reconstruction of urban areas. It is imperative to address loopholes and strengthen weak links and seek further and steady progress in every work, with joint efforts from organizations at the primary level, Party members, officials, neighborhoods, professional workforces from all walks of life and volunteers.

Upon his leaving, Xi talked amicably with the residents of the neighborhood. Xi told them that the disaster was so serious in Zhuozhou that he was concerned about the local residents' conditions every day. He said that he felt quite relieved seeing that the urban public service facilities have resumed operation and that residents' life has returned to normal. Xi said that as the saying goes, nothing can be achieved without undergoing trials and hardships. Under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee, as long as everyone is of one mind for joint endeavor, they are bound to live a much better life. The second round of the theoretical study program is underway, Party committees at all levels in the disaster areas should combine the study program with the post-disaster recovery and reconstruction work closely, carry forward the spirit of the fight against flood and disaster relief, ensure that primary-level Party organizations and every Party member and official play a key, exemplary and vanguard role, and examine whether the study program is effective through the results of the recovery and reconstruction and how the people are satisfied with them.

The Wanquanzhuang Village of Diaowo Township is located at a flood detention and storage area in Langouwa. All the 311 households of the village fell victims to the disaster during the flood season this year. Xi took a close look at the recovery and reconstruction work on roads and houses. He walked into a construction site where a house was being rebuilt and learned about the loss caused by the disaster, the progress of the reconstruction work and where the owners were temporarily sheltering. Xi encouraged them to overcome difficulties in unity and rebuild a beautiful and harmonious village.

Villager Yang Peiran's house was not that seriously damaged, and it has been repaired and consolidated, and his family has moved back in. Xi walked into Yang's house and learned about their family income, the expenses on the repair work and the resumption of production. Xi pointed out that repairing, reinforcing and reconstructing houses is the top priority for post-flooding recovery and reconstruction. It now appears that the housing repair and reinforcement have been basically completed and that the heaviest and most difficult task lies in reconstruction. Party committees and governments at all levels should pay more attention to the households whose houses need to be reconstructed, and offer proper places for those who have nowhere to stay or have special difficulties to put up temporarily during the transition period. Concrete and effective measures must be taken to prevent them from returning to poverty because of the disaster.

When bidding farewell, villagers sent their regards to the general secretary loudly. Xi said to the villagers that they suffered tremendously in the flooding disaster that was rarely seen in history, and Xi said that he gave them his condolences. He said that Party committees and governments at all levels are taking a variety of measures to concretely push forward the post-disaster recovery and reconstruction. He expressed the hope that villagers should strive themselves and overcome difficulties to accelerate the pace of recovery and reconstruction and promote rural revitalization with their own efforts.

Xi walked into the farmlands alongside the village to inspect the growth of winter wheat and cabbages. He pointed out that agricultural production is an important aspect of post-disaster recovery and construction. It is not only directly associated with the incomes of villagers but also has a bearing on the national food security. It is imperative to work against the clock to restore the farmlands and agricultural facilities that were damaged in the disaster, ramp up support for supplies of agricultural resources, strengthen the guidance for agricultural techniques, organize and arrange well the agricultural production for this winter and the spring next year, so that a bumper harvest would be secured next year.

The Baigou River is a key waterway in the Daqing River Basin that serves the role of discharging floods. Xi visited the Baigou River control project (the Zhuozhou section) to inspect the development of the project and listened to the report about the post-disaster reconstruction in Hebei Province regarding the key water conservancy projects there. Xi pointed out that the rivers in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region are inter-connected and that flood control and prevention in the region should be considered from an overall perspective to study in an in-depth manner the construction of a flood-control engineering system in the region. It is imperative to stick to systems thinking, coordinate the development of drainage basins and regions, properly tackle the relations between upstream and downstream areas, the west and east river banks as well as the trunk streams and tributaries. Efforts must be made to scientifically organize the construction of reservoirs, waterways, embankment, flood detention areas in accordance with their functions, so as to build up the overall flood-prevention capacity in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region.

On the dam, Xi kindly visited the construction personnel of water conservancy projects and the representatives of the PLA and Armed Police forces, militia reservists and fire rescue teams who had participated in the Zhuozhou flood rescue work. He said, "during this flood relief, all forces and people from all walks of life fought together to build a strong line of defense for flood prevention and relief, to protect people's homes, which has fully demonstrated the strong political strength of our Party and country. The people should thank you, the Party and the government should thank you as well!"

Before returning to Beijing, Xi told those in the company of him on his inspection tour and local officials that under the correct decisions and arrangements of the Party Central Committee, governments and departments at all levels have minimized the loss of the once-in-a-century flood disaster by taking effective measures. Post-disaster recovery and reconstruction involve a wide range of projects and large capital investment. Recently, the central government decided to issue an additional 1 trillion yuan of government bonds to support post-disaster recovery and reconstruction projects and improve disaster prevention, mitigation and relief capabilities. Party committees and governments at all levels and relevant departments must focus on solving real problems by doing their work on a down-to-earth manner, make sound planning and reasonable arrangements, use funds where they are indeed needed, promote high-quality construction of projects so that all projects will be built into popular ones, high-quality ones, and clean ones as well.

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

He Weidong participated in the relevant activities, and leading officials of the relevant central Party and government departments were also on the inspection tour. ■

Xi stresses building Beautiful China, improving supervision mechanism for natural monopoly networks

BEIJING, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, presided over the third meeting of the Central Commission for Comprehensively Deepening Reform on the afternoon of Nov. 7. Xi is also director of the commission. Reviewed and passed at the meeting were Opinions on Comprehensively Promoting the Building of a Beautiful China, Opinions on Further Improving the Budget System for Operation of State Capital, Opinions on Improving the Implementation of Supervision System and Mechanism of Natural Monopoly Networks, Guidelines on Strengthening the Supervision and Management of Experts' Participation in Public Decision Making and Guidelines on Strengthening the Zoning Control of Ecological Environment.

While chairing the meeting, Xi stressed that building a Beautiful China is an important goal for building a modern socialist country in all respects. To basically achieve this goal by 2035, it is necessary to continuously further the efforts in pollution prevention and control, accelerate the green transformation of the development modes and improve the diversity, stability and sustainability of ecosystems. It is also important to never cross the red line as far as environmental safety is concerned, improve the relevant security system, and promote the fundamental improvement of the ecological environment.

The budget for state capital operation is an important part of the state budget system. The system in this regard must be improved, the scope of its implementation must be expanded, its functions must be strengthened, and the management of its revenue and expenditure must be optimized so as to increase the efficiency of the use of funds in this regard. It is necessary to improve the supervision system and mechanism for natural monopoly networks, strengthen the system design, fine-tune the supervision system, boost the supervision capacity, and beef up the control of the state-owned economy over natural monopoly networks, so as to better meet the needs of building a modern infrastructure system and better protect national security. To better serve and support public decision making, it is imperative to strengthen the supervision and management of experts' participation in public decision making, fine-tune system and mechanism, normalize procedure and standards, strengthen the whole-process management, and create a sound environment for experts to participate in public decision making to the best use of their talents and vitality. Zoning control of ecological environment plays a fundamental role in the source prevention in eco-environmental protection. It is necessary to strengthen the top-level design, improve the institutions, aim at safeguarding ecological functions and improving environmental quality, and promote the realization of differentiated and accurate zoning control of ecological environment.

Li Qiang, Wang Huning and Cai Qi, members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, and deputy directors of the Central Commission for Comprehensively Deepening Reform attended the meeting.

It was emphasized at the meeting that since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, China's situation for ecological conservation has witnessed historic, pivotal, and comprehensive changes, both in theory and practice. As a result, greater efforts must be concentrated on addressing prominent eco-environmental problems as dictated by the new demands of high-quality economic and social development and the new expectations of the people for better ecological environment. It is essential to improve institutions concerning ecological conservation, allow full play to the demonstrative role of pioneering and pilot endeavors in this regard, and the whole nation should be mobilized. Work should be done to coordinate local efforts with national endeavors, address both symptoms and root causes, and take into consideration both immediate gains and long-term achievements in the protection of eco-environment. It is crucial to strengthen organizational leadership, implement tailored policies according to local conditions and different localities should apply different approaches as required by their circumstances, and endeavors in this regard should be as meticulously planned as possible. Specific actions must be taken in a down-to-earth manner to gradually transform the goal of building a Beautiful China into reality.

It was emphasized at the meeting that budget work reflects the will of the Party and the state. It is important to uphold and strengthen the Party's leadership, leverage the institutional advantages of pooling resources to accomplish major tasks, and focus on improving the layout and adjusting the structure of the state-owned sector. Efforts should be made to concentrate state capital on major industries and key areas that bear on national security and the lifeline of the national economy, as well as public services, emergency response capabilities, public welfare and other areas crucial to national development and people's livelihoods. State capital should also go to forward-looking, strategic and emerging industries. Thus it will better serve the forging of a new development paradigm and promote high-quality development. It is necessary to have the awareness that strict budgetary discipline must be maintained, strengthen sound coordination and reasonable allocation of fiscal resources, determine the size of budgetary revenues and expenditures on sound basis, ensure social security and improve people's wellbeing, and refrain from extravagance and waste. It is important to make budget in accordance with the law, strengthen budgetary constraints, promote budget performance management, and strengthen the role of people's congresses in oversight.

It was noted at the meeting that the networks and links of sectors including power, oil and natural gas, and railways have the same characters of natural monopoly industries, and they are key areas of China's state-owned economy. It is imperative to refine the supervision system, strengthen the capacity of supervision, and place emphasis on strengthening the supervision on the efforts of natural monopoly industries to implement major national strategies, plans and tasks, fulfill their duties on safeguarding national security and perform their social responsibilities, as well as the scope and actions of their operation. Such supervision should propel enterprises of national monopoly industries to focus on performing their own responsibilities and doing their own work well, and increase the input of state capital into the network infrastructures, so as to improve the security and reliability of the backbone networks. Supervision should also be imposed over the monopolistic and competitive aspects of the operations of natural monopoly industries, so as to prevent them from extending into the upstream and downstream competitive links by taking advantage of their monopolistic status.

It was stressed at the meeting that experts are an important intellectual resource for advancing reform and development. It is imperative to strengthen the political guidance for them, improve supporting policies and incentive measures for experts to participate in public decision making, and fully motivate their enthusiasm and initiative. Efforts must be made to establish and improve the whole-process management involving the selection, examination and supervision of experts, improve the institutional norms for experts to take part in public decision making in accordance with their corresponding fields and categories. It is essential to clarify the roles, rights, obligations and corresponding responsibilities that experts have in public decision making, and motivate them to actively offer advices and suggestions for the sound decision making of the Party and the government.

It was pointed out at the meeting that to strengthen the zoning control of ecological environment, it is necessary to implement the principal functional zone strategy, link up territorial spatial planning and control of land use, focus on regional eco-environmental problems to improve the zoning control plan for ecological environment so that a zoning classification control strategy will be established from identifying problems to finding solutions. It is necessary to implement the responsibilities of local Party committees and governments at all levels, make use of the results of zoning control of ecological environment to serve the implementation of major national and local development strategies, and guide various development, protection and construction activities in a sound manner.

Members of the Central Commission for Comprehensively Deepening Reform attended the meeting, and leading officials of relevant central Party and government departments sat in on the meeting. ■

Xi meets with representatives of model units applying "Fengqiao model"

BEIJING, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, met with representatives of model units that have applied the "Fengqiao model" for promoting community-level governance at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on the morning of Nov. 6. Xi extended his sincere greetings and warm congratulations to them, and encouraged them to carry on their work and further develop the "Fengqiao model" for promoting community-level governance in the new era. He called for efforts to make greater contributions to advancing the Peaceful China Initiative to a higher level.

Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and the director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, and Li Xi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and the secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, were present at the meeting.

At 10:30 a.m., Xi and others came into the east hall of the Great Hall of the People and they were met with a warm round of applause. Xi and others waved to the representatives, had cordial conversations with them and had a group photo taken together.

Chen Wenqing, Wang Xiaohong, Wu Zhenglong, Zhang Jun and Ying Yong attended the meeting.

Since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, General Secretary Xi Jinping has made a series of important instructions on applying and further developing the "Fengqiao model" in the new era. Localities have earnestly implemented Xi's important instructions and closely relied on the people to explore new methods of community-level governance to create a safe and stable social environment for advancing Chinese modernization. The Commission for Political and Legal Affairs of the CPC Central Committee selected 104 model units nationwide that have applied the "Fengqiao model." ■

Central financial work conference is held

BEIJING, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- The central financial work conference was held in Beijing from Oct. 30 to 31, at which Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivered an important speech.

Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang and Li Xi, members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, attended the meeting.

Xi reviewed the financial work since the 18th CPC National Congress in his speech and analyzed the situations facing high-quality development of the financial sector and arranged relevant work for the current and future periods. Li Qiang made specific arrangements for the financial work.

It was stressed at the meeting that the financial sector is the lifeblood of a nation's economy and a crucial component of a country's core competitiveness. It is imperative to accelerate the building of a nation with a strong financial sector, comprehensively strengthen financial regulation, improve the financial system, optimize financial services, and effectively forestall and defuse financial risks. China will remain committed to the path of financial development with Chinese characteristics and boost the high-quality development of its financial sector to provide strong support for fully building China into a strong country and achieving national rejuvenation through Chinese modernization.

It was pointed out at the meeting that since the 18th CPC National Congress, under the centralized and unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee, the financial sector has provided strong support for the country's overall economic and social development, resolutely prevented and defused major risks, and made important contributions to achieving the goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, and the realization of the First Centenary Goal on schedule.

The Party Central Committee has adapted Marxist financial theory to the specific realities of contemporary China and excellent traditional Chinese culture. It has made great efforts to grasp the regularities of financial development in the new era, continuously promote innovation in practice, theories, and institution in China's financial sector, and explore the path of financial development with Chinese characteristics. It has emphasized the need to follow the centralized and unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee over financial work, upheld the people-centered approach as value orientation, upheld serving the real economy as the fundamental mission of the financial sector, and upheld risk prevention and control as the eternal theme of financial work. The Party has persistently promoted financial innovation and development in the market-oriented approach and by the rule of law, deepened financial supply-side structural reform, coordinated financial opening up and security, and followed the underlying principle of pursuing progress while ensuring stability. These practical and theoretical achievements have not come easily. But we must be very clear that various issues and problems in the financial sector are intertwined and affect each other, and some of them are quite prominent, such as potential financial risks, low quality and efficiency of financial services to the real economy, repeated financial disorders and corruptions, and weak financial supervision and governance capacity. The financial sector should earnestly strengthen its political awareness, bear in mind the country's most fundamental interests, strengthen its sense of mission and responsibility, be determined to solve all these problems, and contribute to building China into a strong country and advancing national rejuvenation by high-quality financial development.

It was stressed at the meeting that now and in the near future, the work in the financial sector must be carried out by upholding and strengthening overall Party leadership, with Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as the guidance, to implement the guidelines of the 20th CPC National Congress, fully and faithfully apply the new development philosophy in all fields, thoroughly understand the political significance of the financial work and its importance to the interest of the people. It is imperative to accelerate the building of the country's financial strength, promote high-quality development of the financial sector, deepen the financial supply-side structural reform, improve the integrity, expertise and ability of the financial professionals, and strengthen comprehensive regulation to prevent and defuse risks. It is essential for the sector to follow the underlying principle of seeking progress while maintaining stability, strike a balance between development and security, hold the red line of forestalling systemic financial risks, adhere to the path of financial development with Chinese characteristics, accelerate the building of a modern financial system with Chinese characteristics, continue to meet the needs for financial services in the economic and social development and the people's increasing needs for such services, and constantly break new ground in financial work in the new era.

It was emphasized at the meeting that high-quality development is the primary task in comprehensively building a modern socialist country, and the financial sector must provide high-quality services for economic and social development. It is necessary to create an enabling monetary and financial environment and effectively strengthen the provision of high-quality financial services to major strategies, key areas, and weak links. We must maintain a prudent monetary policy and pay more attention to cross-cycle and countercyclical adjustments, enriching the toolbox of monetary policy. We need to optimize the structure of fund supply, channel more financial resources into promoting technological innovation, advanced manufacturing, green development, and supporting small, medium-sized, and micro enterprises, vigorously support the implementation of the innovation-driven development strategy, and coordinated regional development strategy, and ensure national food and energy security. It is essential to activate financial resources that are inefficiently utilized and improve the efficiency of fund utilization. We must make significant efforts in the areas of technology finance, green finance, inclusive finance, pension finance, and digital finance. It is essential to build modern financial institutions and a modern market system, and clear up channels for funds to enter the real economy. It is equally important to optimize the financing structure, give full play to the pivotal role of the capital market, advance the registration-based initial public offering system, develop diversified equity financing, significantly improve the quality of listed companies, and cultivate first-class investment banks and institutions. We should promote the high-quality development of the bond market. It is essential to improve institutional positioning, support large state-owned financial institutions in becoming stronger and better, playing a major role in serving the real economy, and being a cornerstone for financial stability. Strict admission standards and regulatory requirements for small and medium-sized financial institutions must be enforced, and their operation should be based locally with their own distinctions. The functional positioning of policy-based financial institutions should be strengthened, and the insurance industry as an economic shock absorber and stabilizer for social harmony should be given full play.

It is important to strengthen market rules, create a unified and coordinated regulatory framework for the financial market, and promote the formation of long-term capital. Improvements should be made in corporate governance, the modern financial enterprise system with Chinese characteristics, and the management of state-owned financial capital. The channels for bank capital replenishment need to be broadened, and risk isolation between industries and finance must be ensured. We should promote high-standard financial opening up and ensure national financial and economic security. With equal emphasis on both "bringing in" and "going global," we should steadily expand institutional opening up in the financial sector and facilitate cross-border investment and financing, so as to attract more foreign financial institutions and long-term capital to invest and operate in China. We should boost the competitiveness and influence of Shanghai as an international financial center and consolidate and upgrade the status of Hong Kong as an international financial center.

The need was emphasized at the meeting to comprehensively strengthen financial regulation and effectively forestall and defuse financial risks. Financial regulation should be more effective and cover all financial activities in accordance with the law. Regulation of financial institutions, behaviors and functions should be strengthened, and measures should be more penetrative and long-lasting, so as not to leave any room for regulatory gaps or blind spots. Strict law enforcement is required to crack down on illegal financial activities. Risks in small and medium-sized financial institutions should be addressed without delay. It is imperative to put in place a long-term mechanism on handling local government debt risks and a government debt management mechanism suited for high-quality development, and optimize the structure of central and local government debts. Measures should be taken to promote a virtuous cycle between finance and real estate, which includes a better regulatory system for real estate enterprises and fund management, macro-prudential management of real estate finance, and equal treatment for different types of real estate enterprises in meeting their reasonable financing needs. City-specific targeted policies should be adopted to better support both rigid housing demands and demands for improved housing. Quicker steps should be taken on the "three major projects," including affordable housing, so as to build a new development model for the real estate sector.

To ensure that the financial market is operated in a robust and stable manner, issuance of financial products and their transactions should be regulated, expectations should be guided rationally, and efforts should be made to prevent risks from passing through and resonating across different regions, markets and borders. The management of foreign exchange markets should be strengthened, and the RMB exchange rate should be kept generally stable at a reasonable and balanced level. To guard against and defuse financial risks, it is imperative to properly handle the relationship between power and responsibility and refine the accountability system for handling risks that ensures a correspondence between power and responsibility and compatibility between incentives and constraints. The relationship between speed and stability should also be properly handled, and a balance among time, extent and effects should be struck under the basis of ensuring overall stability to defuse risks in a down-to-earth and stable manner. Illegal, criminal and corruption-related activities must be resolutely cracked down on to guard against risks of moral corruption. Risks must be identified, warned, revealed and handled as early as possible, and the mechanism for rectifying financial risks at an early date with hard constraints must be refined.

It was noted at the meeting that strengthening the centralized, unified leadership of the Party Central Committee over the financial work is the guarantee for its good performance. It is imperative to improve the systems and mechanisms for the Party leadership of the financial work, give full play to the role of the Central Financial Commission, and ensure proper coordination. We should also give full play to the role of the Central Financial Work Commission, and strengthen Party building throughout the financial system in a down-to-earth manner. We should give full play to the role of financial commissions and financial work commissions under local Party committees, and ensure that their due responsibilities are performed. The standard of being politically upright, professionally competent and strictly disciplined in conduct must be upheld in training financial officials who are high-caliber, professional, loyal, upright and responsible. Fine traditional Chinese culture should be promoted throughout the financial sector, and all those involved must remain committed to honesty and trustworthiness, never gaining benefits at the expense of moral principles, being prudent and cautious in work, and being in compliance with law and regulations. Efforts must be intensified to advance the rule of law in the financial sector, and promote legislation in key and emerging areas in a timely manner to ensure the sound development of the financial sector.

It was stressed at the meeting that the important speech made by General Secretary Xi Jinping answered a series of major theoretical and practical questions concerning financial development in a scientific manner. It is an important component of Xi Jinping Thought on Economy, an important innovative outcome of Marxist political economics concerning financial issues, and provides fundamental guidance for promoting the high-quality development in the financial sector on the new journey in the new era. All regions and departments must study it thoroughly, have a good command of its gist and consciously implement it. It is imperative to improve the macro financial regulations, accurately grasp the regularity and characteristics of currency and credit supply and demand, and strengthen the dual regulation of the total amount and structure of the currency supply. Efforts must be made to provide high-quality financial services, expand high-level financial opening up, provide quality services for "go global" strategy and the Belt and Road Initiative, and steadily and cautiously push forward the internalization of RMB. It is imperative to optimize the financial supervision mechanism, establish and improve the system of holding those in charge accountable, and therefore effectively forestall and mitigate financial risks in key fields. It is a must to do a good job as far as key tasks are concerned in the financial sector, step up efforts to implement the policies, to keep liquidity reasonable and adequate and financing costs constantly decreasing, and stimulate the capital market so as to better support expanding domestic demand and stabilize foreign trade and investment. Financial support should be strengthened for new technology, new track and new market, and work should be done to accelerate the pace of cultivating new driving forces for economy and new advantages.

It was required at the meeting that all regions and departments, especially the financial sector, should further align their thoughts and actions with the spirit of Xi's important speech and the decision and plans of the Party Central Committee. They should remain goal-oriented and problem-oriented, and comprehensively strengthen the Party's leadership over financial work, do a solid job in strengthening financial regulation, preventing and defusing financial risks and promoting high-quality financial development, accelerate the building of the country's financial strength, do a good job in giving publicity to and implementing the gist of the meeting, strengthen the training of financial professionals, and ensure that the arrangements for specific work are implemented to the letter.

He Lifeng made a concluding speech. Leading officials of the People's Bank of China, the National Financial Regulatory Administration, the China Securities Regulatory Commission, Beijing municipality, and Liaoning, Hubei and Sichuan provinces delivered speeches.

Members of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and members of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, relevant leading officials of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, state councilors, president of the Supreme People's Court and relevant leading officials of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference attended the meeting.

Also present at the meeting were members of the Central Financial Commission, leading officials of provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities, and cities specifically designated in the state plan, Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, relevant central Party and government departments, relevant people's organizations, relevant departments of the Central Military Commission, centrally administered financial institutions, and some enterprises. ■

Xi stresses organizing, motivating women to contribute to Chinese modernization

BEIJING, Oct. 31 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, on Monday afternoon held a talk with the new leadership of the All-China Women's Federation (ACWF) and delivered an important speech. Xi stressed the need for all the people to unite and work hard together in the building of a strong nation and advancing national rejuvenation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization, and that women play an irreplaceable role. He stressed following a socialist path with Chinese characteristics for women's development, encouraging women to have a strong sense of self-esteem, self-confidence, self-reliance and self-improvement, embark on a new journey and make achievements in the new era, and contribute their wisdom and strength to the Chinese path to modernization.

Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and a member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, attended the event.

Xi noted that since the 18th CPC National Congress, the CPC Central Committee has comprehensively strengthened its leadership over women's work, promoted the reform of women's federations, continuously improved the legal system for safeguarding women's rights and interests, continuously optimized the environment for women's development, and made historic achievements in women's cause. Over the past five years, women's federations at all levels have earnestly implemented the decisions and plans of the CPC Central Committee, performed their duties of leading, serving and connecting with women, and mobilized them to work hard on promoting high-quality development, achieving a decisive victory in building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, fighting poverty, responding to the COVID-19 epidemic, making scientific and technological innovation, and realizing rural revitalization. They have innovatively advanced family ties, values and traditions, attentively provided services for the protection of women's rights and caring for women, continued to deepen the reform of women's federations, enhanced their political consciousness, their advanced nature and their ability to represent women, and further played their role as a bridge connecting the Party and women. The Party Central Committee fully affirms the work of women's federations and has high expectations of the new leadership of the ACWF.

Xi stressed that women's cause and women's federations must follow the right political direction and work with one heart and one mind with the CPC in their work and women's development. Women's federations were urged to adhere to the overall leadership of the Party, uphold the Party Central Committee's authority and its centralized, unified leadership, and keep in alignment with the CPC Central Committee. The federations were required to be politically sober-minded and take a firm political stand so as to have a clear understanding of the political nature of women's cause and the political positioning of the federations. The federations were urged to strengthen the political guidance of women, use the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era to forge cohesion and souls, and guide women to unswervingly follow the Party.

Xi urged women's federations to identify the right focus of their work and translate the decisions and plans of the Party Central Committee into specific tasks for their work when implementing the strategic decisions made at the 20th CPC National Congress. Xi stressed the need to motivate women to give play to their own strengths and roles in practicing the new development philosophy, building a new development paradigm, promoting high-quality development, achieving self-reliance and strength in science and technology at a high level, and comprehensively promoting rural revitalization.

Xi emphasized that harmonious family ties, good family education, and proper family values are essential for the healthy growth of children and the sound development of society. Success in women's work promotes not only the development of women themselves but also the harmony of families and society, and the development and progress of the country and nation. We should encourage women to play a unique role in promoting traditional Chinese virtues and sound family values, and foster family ethics. Xi urged the federations to actively cultivate a new perception of marriage and childbearing, give better guidance to young people in their understanding of marriage, childbirth, and family, improve and implement policies supporting childbirth, improve the overall quality of the population, and actively respond to population aging.

Xi noted that protecting the legal rights and interests of women and children, promoting gender equality and the comprehensive development of women and children are all important aspects of Chinese modernization. Women's federations at all levels should take proactive actions to solve the prominent problems that negatively affect or violate the rights and interests of women and children. It is imperative to care for and support women in difficulty such as the low-income, senior or disabled ones, and work with relevant departments to support and care for migrant and left-behind children. Safeguarding the rights and interests of women and children should be done in a regular manner and the work should be effectively carried out at the primary level.

Xi stressed that women's federations serve as a bridge connecting the Party and the government and women. It is imperative to continuously advance reform of women's federations with a view to strengthening their political consciousness, advanced nature and representativeness of women. It is also essential to strengthen the Party building throughout all the work of women's federations with a focus on shoring up weak links, laying foundations and boosting vitality.

It is essential to conduct fact-finding missions to find out what women at the grassroots are thinking about and what they are expecting as well as what is urgently needed for women's work at the grassroots when development at the grassroots needs to be an important focus of work. Work needs to be done to allocate more resources and services to the grassroots levels. Greater efforts were urged to establish women's federations in new economic and social organizations as well as new employment groups to realize the federations' reach to all organizations as it should, fully implement the online mass line and consolidate women's support for the Party's leadership. Efforts must be made to strengthen the building of a team of highly competent and professional officials for women's federations, constantly boost the federations' capacity to promote the high-quality development of women's cause, provide services for women, and prevent and defuse risks concerning women's issues.

Xi pointed out that Party committees at all levels must adhere to the principle that women's work is under the CPC's leadership. Party committees are required to implement the basic national policy of gender equality, strengthen their leadership over women's federations, timely study and solve important problems in the work of women's federations, and provide support and create conditions for their work. Working committees on children and women under governments at all levels should effectively play their roles, strengthen organization, coordination, guidance and supervision, and implement the decisions and plans of the Party Central Committee on the development of women and children.

On behalf of the new leadership of the ACWF, Shen Yiqin, chairwoman of the federation, reported on the relevant situation of the 13th National Women's Congress and the plans for the ACWF's work in the near future. Huang Xiaowei, Meng Man and Wang Yaping, vice chairwomen of the federation, made speeches.

Shi Taifeng, Li Ganjie, Li Shulei, Chen Wenqing and Liu Jinguo attended the event. ■

Xi stresses forging strong sense of community for Chinese nation and promoting the high-quality development of Party's work on ethnic affairs in the new era

BEIJING, Oct. 29 (Xinhua) -- The Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee conducted the ninth group study session on forging a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation on the afternoon of Oct. 27. While presiding over the group study session, Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, has stressed that to forge a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation, efforts should be made to let the people cultivate the awareness that people from all ethnic groups are in the same community, where they share weal and woe and the same future and stick together through thick and thin, and life and death. We must fully implement the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress and accurately grasp the characteristics of the Party's ethnic work at the new stage, Xi said. The Party's ethnic work and all other initiatives in areas with large ethnic minority populations should focus on forging a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation. Xi urged efforts to continuously strengthen and improve the Party's work on ethnic affairs, promote ethnic unity and progress in a down-to-earth manner, and promote the high-quality development of the Party's work on ethnic affairs in the new era.

Wang Yanzhong, director of the Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, elaborated on this issue and proposed work suggestions. Members of the Political Bureau attentively heard his elaborations and held discussions.

Xi delivered an important speech after hearing the elaborations and discussions. He pointed out that since ancient times, the people of all ethnic groups in China have jointly created a dazzling Chinese civilization and forged the great Chinese nation. Our Party has always attached great importance to ethnic affairs and ethnic work, and to appropriately addressing the relationships among ethnic groups, Xi said.

Since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, the Party has stressed such notions as the big family of the Chinese nation, a community for the Chinese nation, forging a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation, and promoting the building of a community for the Chinese nation, he noted. The Party has made it clear forging a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation should be the main task for the Party's ethnic work and all other initiatives in areas with large ethnic minority populations. The Party has also further expanded the correct and distinctively Chinese approach to handling ethnic affairs, formed its important thinking on improving and strengthening ethnic work, and opened a new frontier in adapting Marxist ethnicity theories to the Chinese context and the needs of the times. And thus, the Party's work on ethnic affairs has made new historic achievements.

Xi stressed that since the 20th CPC National Congress the Chinese people of all ethnic groups have embarked on a new journey of building China into a great country in all respects and advancing the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization, and the Party's work on ethnic affairs has faced new situations and tasks. He stressed that no ethnic group should be left behind in building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects. He called for greater efforts to promote solidarity of all ethnic groups and strive in unity to gather a mighty strength for building China into a great country and for advancing the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. He urged full realization of common prosperity and development of all ethnic groups, so as to ensure that people of all ethnic groups can share the glory of building China into a great country and advancing the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Xi pointed out the necessity to foster a complete set of scientific, sound theories for forging a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation. Based on the long history of Chinese nation, we must integrate Marxist ethnicity theories with China's specific realities and its fine traditional culture, he said. The historical and theoretical logic of the development of the Chinese nation must be followed when unraveling the rationale, principle and philosophy on the formation and development of the Chinese nation. Xi urged efforts to optimize discipline setting, consolidate discipline development, accurately grasp the direction of research and deepen research on major basic issues about the community for the Chinese nation so as to accelerate the formation of an independent system of historical data, discourse and theories on the community for the Chinese nation. We need to incentivize the initiative and creativity of experts and researchers, and enhance the cultivation of young scholars by orienting them to the right direction and building platforms and creating opportunities for them, and thus encouraging them to immerse themselves in research and make achievements through hard work and accumulation. Only in this way can they yield original theoretical achievements which are based on the Chinese history, interpret Chinese practice and give answers to China's questions.

Xi emphasized the need to focus on the cultivation of modern Chinese civilization and building a shared spiritual home for the Chinese nation. We must adapt to the major development trend of the Chinese nation from the past to the future, from tradition to modernity, and from diversity to unity. We must gain a deep understanding of the prominent characteristics of the Chinese civilization, continuously build a shared spiritual home for the Chinese nation at a new historical starting point, and lay a solid spiritual and cultural foundation for forging a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation, Xi said. He urged great efforts in strengthening the education of the Party's theories, guidelines, principles and policies among people of all ethnic groups, and enhancing public communication of the history of the CPC, the history of the People's Republic of China, the history of reform and opening up, the history of socialist development and the history of the development of the Chinese nation. We must enhance cohesion and forge the soul of our people with the common ideals and beliefs, and further foster and practise the core socialist values. We should deepen implementation of initiatives for inheriting the revolutionary tradition, vigorously promote our national spirit centered on patriotism and the spirit of our times built upon reform and innovation, so as to increase our sense of identity and pride in the Chinese nation, and inspire people of all ethnic groups to embark on a new journey and make achievements in the new era, Xi said. We should implement the projects of inheriting and developing fine traditional Chinese culture, study and explore its inherent and contemporary values, and promote its creative evolution and innovative development. He called for efforts in developing advanced socialist culture, building and applying a narrative system to present our cultural characteristics, our national spirit and our national image, and continue to enhance the people of all ethnic groups to identify themselves with the Chinese culture. We should make comprehensive efforts to popularize the standard spoken and written Chinese language and the use of unified state-compiled textbooks, so as to facilitate shared psyche and future through communication.

Xi called for efforts to encourage extensive exchanges and interactions among different ethnic groups and advance Chinese modernization through the great unity of the Chinese nation. He said that the process of building China into a strong country and advancing national rejuvenation must be the process of extensive exchanges and interactions among different ethnic groups and the process in which all ethnic groups strive in unity and seek common prosperity and development. We must hold high the banner of the great unity of the Chinese nation and take the promotion of all ethnic groups to work hard together to build a modern socialist country in all respects as an important task for the Party's ethnic work in the new era, Xi said. It is imperative to promote the population mobility and integrated habitation among various ethnic groups, build an interconnected social structure and community environment, create social conditions for people from all ethnic groups to live, study, work and enjoy themselves together and jointly contribute to its development, and to continuously taking initiatives to promote ethnic unity and progress, Xi noted. The immutable goal for the economic and social development of areas with large ethnic minority populations is to improve people's livelihood and rally their support, Xi said. He urged efforts to integrate those areas into the new development pattern and pursue high-quality development and constantly strengthen the capacity and raise the levels of public services provision so as to ensure that the benefits of development are delivered fairly to people from all ethnic groups. We must also uphold and improve the system of regional ethnic autonomy and refine ethnic policies, laws and regulations so as to push for modernization of the governance system and capacity on ethnic affairs.

Xi stressed that we must better tell the stories of the Chinese nation and strive to promote the sense of community for the Chinese nation. It is imperative to greatly promote the history of the Chinese nation, the theory of the community for the Chinese nation, the historic achievements made by the Party's ethnic work in the new era, and the fine vision in which the Chinese nation joins hands with all the world's people in building a community with a shared future for humanity. We must innovate the dissemination methods in ethnicity-related public communication, enrich its contents, enlarge its channels, and better tell the stories of the community for the Chinese nation, Xi said. We must make it clear in public communication that the CPC's leadership and socialist system are the reliable guarantees for the joint development and progress of Chinese people of all ethnic groups, that the Chinese nation is a community of shared future with a strong sense of identity and cohesion, and that the correct and distinctively Chinese approach to handling ethnic affairs entails apparent strengths. We must actively push forward exchanges and interactions among academic circles and non-governmental organizations both at home and abroad.

Xi pointed out that it is the common task of the whole Party and the people of all ethnic groups in China to firmly forge the strong sense of community of the Chinese nation and promote the high-quality development of the Party's ethnic work in the new era. Party committees and governments at all levels must adhere to the correct and distinctively Chinese approach to handling ethnic affairs, earnestly implement the Party's principles and policies on ethnic work, and promptly study and resolve major problems involving ethnic work in their respective localities and units. He urged leading officials at all levels to thoroughly study and implement the Party's important thought on strengthening and improving ethnic work, heighten their ability to do ethnic work and make due contributions to advancing the cause of ethnic unity and progress. ■

Xi presides over meeting on promoting new breakthrough in full revitalization of northeast China

BEIJING, Oct. 28 (Xinhua) -- The Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee convened a meeting on Oct. 27 to review "The Guideline on Policies and Measures to Further Promote a New Breakthrough in the Full Revitalization of Northeast China in the New Era." Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, presided over the meeting.

It was stressed at the meeting that promoting the revitalization of northeast China is a major strategic decision made by the Party Central Committee. The northeast region has rich resources, relatively solid industrial foundation, unique geographical location advantages and enormous development potential, and occupies an important strategic position in the overall development of the country. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the implementation of the northeast China revitalization strategy. Promoting the full revitalization of northeast China on the new journey of the new era faces new and tremendous opportunities. Formulating and introducing a package of supporting policies is of vital importance to further consolidate confidence, give full play to the comparative advantages of northeast China, and support the region to blaze a new path for high-quality development and sustainable revitalization.

The meeting stressed that the important mission of northeast China in safeguarding China's national security in defense, food, ecology, energy and industry must be firmly grasped, and the primary task of high-quality development and the strategic goal of building a new pattern of development must be firmly grasped. We must coordinate the relationship between development and security and strengthen the role of northeast China as a strategic fulcrum through providing more support and stimulating its endogenous strength. We must push industrial innovation through scientific and technological innovation, transform and upgrade the traditional manufacturing sector, actively foster strategic emerging industries and future industries and strengthen new growth drivers. We must also advance large-scale modern agriculture, increase the overall grain production capacity and strengthen efforts in ensuring the stability of grain production and supply.

The meeting urged efforts to be made to step up ecological conservation. We should bear in mind that more trees bring greater development strengths, and protecting forests means protecting the wealth, said the meeting. We should actively develop the "under-forest" economy and the "snow and ice" economy, and build a solid ecological shield in the northern region. Quicker steps should also be taken in the development of clean energy such as wind, solar and nuclear power, and build energy bases that integrate wind, solar, thermal and nuclear power, and energy storage. We must strengthen the planning, layout and construction of infrastructure in border areas, actively develop characteristic industries, so as to boost local economies, raise local living standards and ensure local stability. We must vigorously develop basic education, and increase support for universities and colleges in the northeast so as to improve the quality of the entire population there, and, on this basis, push for the full revitalization of northeast China.

It was required at the meeting that the Party's leadership should be upheld throughout the whole process, in all fields and links of the full revitalization of northeast China in the new era, and Party organizations and leadership teams at all levels in northeast China should be strengthened. Efforts should be made to improve the Party conduct and the political environment so as to boost people's confidence in development with fresh and healthy customs and practices. The provinces of Heilongjiang, Jilin and Liaoning as well as the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region should perform their principal responsibilities, and not only complete the tasks in common, but also give full play to their own distinctive advantages. Relevant authorities should formulate and introduce targeted supportive policies, strengthen coordination, services, supervision and inspection, and track and study new situations and solve new problems in a timely manner, so as to jointly push for new breakthroughs in the full revitalization of northeast China.

Other matters were also discussed at the meeting. ■

Xi stresses Party's leadership over trade unions, mobilizing workers to participate in national rejuvenation

BEIJING, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, held a talk with the new leadership of the All-China Federation of Trade Unions (ACFTU) and gave a keynote speech. He stressed that the development of the Chinese workers' movement has developed from very beginning under the leadership of the Party, and trade unions are people's organizations of the working class led by the Party. Xi stressed the overall leadership of the Party over trade unions at any time and under any circumstances. Based on the fundamental policy of relying wholeheartedly on the working class, efforts must be made to give full play to the initiative and creativity of workers, and encourage them to actively take part in the great cause of building China into a strong country and rejuvenating the Chinese nation on all fronts, he said.

Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and a member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, attended the event.

Xi noted that since the 18th CPC National Congress, the working class has been the main force in the development of the cause of the Party and the country under the firm leadership of the CPC Central Committee. The Chinese workers' movement has made historic achievements, and the work of trade unions has made comprehensive progress.

Over the past five years, workers followed the Party's leadership and worked hard, demonstrating their courage to fight tough battles and shoulder heavy burdens in major work such as economic development, scientific and technological innovation, poverty alleviation, rural revitalization, epidemic prevention and control, and disaster relief. The ACFTU and trade unions at various levels strengthened the ideological and political guidance of workers, promoted the building and reform of work related to industrial workers, protected workers' rights and interests, maintained political security in the field of labor, deepened the reform of the trade union system, and strengthened their political consciousness, their advanced nature and ability to represent the people. The CPC Central Committee fully acknowledges the significant contributions made by the working class and the new achievements made by the trade unions in their work. The CPC Central Committee has high expectations of the new leadership of the ACFTU.

Xi stressed comprehensive and effective efforts in upholding the Party's leadership in the whole process and every aspect of the trade unions' work. The ACFTU was required to firmly uphold the Party Central Committee's authority and its centralized, unified leadership, and thoroughly follow the Party Central Committee in thinking, political stance, and action. Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era should be practiced unremittingly to pool concerted efforts among Party members. And it is imperative to continuously use this new theory to arm ourselves intellectually to the fullest extent. We shall also strengthen the consciousness in studying the Party's new theories both in thinking and action. The ACFTU was urged to keep in mind "the top priorities of the country" when implementing the decisions and arrangements of the Party Central Committee in trade unions by identifying where the work of trade unions and tasks of the Party dovetail. The ACFTU was urged to strengthen ideological work and do a good job in educating union members in terms of their political awareness, teaching and guiding them to follow the Party unswervingly so that the working class will always be the most reliable class basis for the Party.

Xi pointed out that it is imperative to rally the entire workforce around the Party in a united endeavor for the realization of the Party's central tasks. Labor and skills competitions in various forms should be carried out in an extensive manner under the theme of practicing the new development philosophy, building a new development paradigm, and promoting high-quality development. These competitions should aim at stimulating the enthusiasm and creativity of workers and encouraging them to take full initiatives as the main force in various industries and fields. It is necessary to vigorously celebrate the spirit of model workers, commitment to work and craftsmanship, and give full play to the exemplary and leading role of model workers and master craftsmen, so as to inspire all workers to fulfill themselves by exhibiting diligence, honesty, and creativity in their work. As part of the broader efforts for revitalizing the country through science and education, building a strong talent pool, and driving innovation-led development, more work should be done in the reform on the cultivation of industrial workers, so as to make our industrial workforce more knowledgeable, skilled and innovative, and produce a greater number of master craftsmen and highly-skilled workers.

Xi stressed that the working class and working people are the main creators of social wealth, and more tangible progress in promoting common prosperity for all must first be reflected in the hundreds of millions of workers. As representatives and defenders of workers' interests, trade unions should conscientiously perform their duties for the protection of workers' rights and interests, focus on solving practical problems concerning the immediate interests of workers, and attach importance to safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of workers in new employment forms. Democratic management in enterprises and public institutions should be strengthened, effective channels for employees to express their grievances should be offered, and efforts should be made to guide employees to safeguard their rights and interests in accordance with the law, so as to promote the building of harmonious labor relations.

Xi noted that the reform and building of trade unions should be further advanced with more emphasis placed on the primary level. Work must be done to keep consolidating and invigorating trade unions at the primary level and strengthening their leadership, organization and service capabilities. The existing trade union network should be further consolidated, and its reach should also be further extended to cover more workers. Trade unions are urged to improve ways of their work and strive to provide targeted and thoughtful services for workers. Officials at trade unions are required to put into practice the Party's mass line, conduct fact-finding missions in an earnest manner to learn about what workers are thinking of and expecting of their work, constantly improve their capability to serve them, and speak and work for them wholeheartedly. The ACFTU should take the lead in self-improvement and become a model political department, whose work satisfies both the Party and the people.

Xi Jinping stressed that Party committees at all levels should strengthen leadership over trade unions and their work, select strong and capable leadership for trade unions, care about and be strict with trade union officials, and attach importance to cultivating and putting them in proper posts. It is essential to give full play to the role of trade unions in organizational work, study the important issues encountered by workers and trade unions in a timely manner, and support trade unions to carry out their work creatively. Governments at all levels should pay attention to the role of the joint meetings of the government and trade unions, and actively help trade unions solve the practical difficulties and problems of workers.

On behalf of the new leadership of the ACFTU, Wang Dongming, chairman of the ACFTU, made a report on the 18th National Congress of Chinese Trade Unions and the work arrangements of the unions in the next five years. Xu Liuping, Yang Yudong and Gao Fenglin, vice-chairmen of the ACFTU, also made speeches.

Shi Taifeng, Li Ganjie, Li Shulei, Chen Wenqing, Liu Jinguo, and Wang Xiaohong attended the event. ■

(BRF2023) Full text of Xi Jinping's keynote speech at 3rd Belt and Road Forum for Int'l Cooperation

Chinese President Xi Jinping attends the opening ceremony of the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation and delivers a keynote speech at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 18, 2023. (Xinhua/Wang Ye)

BEIJING, Oct. 18 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday delivered a keynote speech at the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation.

The following is the full text of the speech:

Building an Open, Inclusive and Interconnected World For Common Development

Keynote Speech by H.E. Xi Jinping

President of the People's Republic of China

At the Opening Ceremony of the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation

October 18, 2023

Your Excellencies Heads of State and Government,

Heads of International Organizations,

Representatives of Various Countries,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Friends,

Today, we are meeting here for the opening ceremony of the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF). On behalf of the Chinese government and Chinese people and in my own name, I wish to extend a very warm welcome to you all!

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) I proposed. The BRI, drawing inspiration from the ancient Silk Road and focusing on enhancing connectivity, aims to enhance policy, infrastructure, trade, financial and people-to-people connectivity, inject new impetus into the global economy, create new opportunities for global development, and build a new platform for international economic cooperation.

Over these 10 years, we have stayed committed to this founding mission. Thanks to our joint efforts, Belt and Road international cooperation has gotten off the ground, grown rapidly and produced fruitful outcomes.

Belt and Road cooperation has extended from the Eurasian continent to Africa and Latin America. More than 150 countries and over 30 international organizations have signed Belt and Road cooperation documents. We have held two sessions of the BRF before, and have established over 20 specialized multilateral cooperation platforms under the BRI.

Belt and Road cooperation has progressed from "sketching the outline" to "filling in the details," and blueprints have been turned into real projects. A large number of signature projects and "small yet smart" people-centered programs have been launched.

Belt and Road cooperation has expanded from physical connectivity to institutional connectivity. Important guiding principles for high-quality Belt and Road cooperation have been laid down, which include the principle of "planning together, building together, and benefiting together," the philosophy of open, green and clean cooperation, and the goal of pursuing high-standard, people-centered and sustainable cooperation.

Over these 10 years, we have endeavored to build a global network of connectivity consisting of economic corridors, international transportation routes and information highway as well as railways, roads, airports, ports, pipelines and power grids. Covering the land, the ocean, the sky and the Internet, this network has boosted the flow of goods, capital, technologies and human resources among countries involved and injected fresh vitality into the millennia-old Silk Road in the new era.

Trains speeding along rail tracks, automobiles running on roads, flights connecting different countries, cargo ships breaking waves, and e-commerce bringing so much convenience to people -- they have all become symbols of international trade in the new era, just like camel caravans and the sailing ships were for the past age.

Hydro, wind and solar energy based power plants, oil and gas pipelines, and the increasingly smart and interconnected power transmission networks are removing the development bottleneck caused by energy shortage and fulfilling the dream of developing countries to achieve green and low-carbon development. These energy projects have become the oasis and lighthouse for sustainable development in the new era.

Brand new airports and harbors, smooth roads, and newly built industrial parks for business cooperation have created new economic corridors and new growth drivers, and have become the trading routes and staging posts of the new era.

Rich and colorful cultural years, art festivals, expos and exhibitions, Luban Workshops, people-to-people exchange programs like the Silk Road Community Building Initiative and the Brightness Action program, and deepening exchanges between non-governmental organizations, think tanks, media organizations, and the youth -- all these flourishing activities have composed a symphony of friendship in the new era.

When COVID-19 struck, the Belt and Road became a life-saving road. China provided more than 10 billion masks and 2.3 billion doses of vaccines to other countries and jointly produced vaccines with over 20 countries, making a special contribution to BRI partners' efforts in fighting COVID-19. And China also received valuable support from more than 70 countries when it was hit hard by the pandemic.

Belt and Road cooperation is based on the principle of "planning together, building together, and benefiting together." It transcends differences between civilizations, cultures, social systems, and stages of development. It has opened up a new path for exchanges among countries, and established a new framework for international cooperation. Indeed, the BRI represents humanity's joint pursuit of development for all.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Friends,

Our achievements in the past decade are truly remarkable, and there is so much we can draw from them.

We have learned that humankind is a community with a shared future. China can only do well when the world is doing well. When China does well, the world will get even better. Through Belt and Road cooperation, China is opening its door even wider to the world, with its inland regions turning from "fullbacks" into "forwards," and coastal regions scaling new heights in their opening-up. China's market has become even more closely integrated with the global market. China has become a main trading partner of more than 140 countries and territories and a primary source of investment for more countries. Both Chinese investment overseas and foreign investment in China have boosted friendship, cooperation, confidence and hope.

We have learned that win-win cooperation is the sure way to success in launching major initiatives that benefit all. When countries embrace cooperation and act in concert, a deep chasm can be turned into a thoroughfare, land-locked countries can become land-linked, and a place of underdevelopment can be transformed into a land of prosperity. Countries taking the lead in economic development should give a hand to their partners who are yet to catch up. We should all treat each other as friends and partners, respect and support each other, and help each other succeed. As the saying goes, when you give roses to others, their fragrance lingers on your hand. In other words, helping others is also helping oneself. Viewing others' development as a threat or taking economic interdependence as a risk will not make one's own life better or speed up one's development.

We have learned that the Silk Road spirit of peace and cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning and mutual benefit is the most important source of strength for Belt and Road cooperation. I once said that the pioneers of the ancient silk routes won their place in history not as conquerors with warships, guns, horses or swords. Rather, they are remembered as friendly emissaries leading camel caravans and sailing ships loaded with goods. Belt and Road cooperation is based on the belief that flame runs high when everyone adds wood to the fire and that mutual support can get us far. Such cooperation seeks to deliver a good life not only to people of just one country, but to people in other countries as well. It promotes connectivity, mutual benefit, common development, cooperation and win-win outcomes. Ideological confrontation, geopolitical rivalry and bloc politics are not a choice for us. What we stand against are unilateral sanctions, economic coercion and decoupling and supply chain disruption.

What has been achieved in the past 10 years demonstrates that Belt and Road cooperation is on the right side of history. It represents the advancing of our times, and it is the right path forward. We need to remain clear-eyed and undisturbed in a volatile world, and we need to be keenly aware of our responsibility for history, for the people and for the world. We should jointly address various global risks and challenges, and deliver a bright future of peace, development, cooperation and mutual benefit for future generations.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Friends,

Changes of the world, of our times, and of historical significance are unfolding like never before. China is endeavoring to build itself into a stronger country and rejuvenate the Chinese nation on all fronts by pursuing Chinese modernization. The modernization we are pursuing is not for China alone, but for all developing countries through our joint efforts. Global modernization should be pursued to enhance peaceful development and mutually beneficial cooperation and bring prosperity to all. On our way forward, we will encounter both headwinds and tailwinds. We need to stay focused on our goal, take results-oriented actions, persevere, and keep moving forward until our goal is met. China will work with all parties involved to deepen Belt and Road partnerships of cooperation, usher this cooperation into a new stage of high-quality development, and make relentless efforts to achieve modernization for all countries.

Now, I wish to announce eight major steps China will take to support our joint pursuit of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation.

First, building a multidimensional Belt and Road connectivity network. China will speed up high-quality development of the China-Europe Railway Express, participate in the trans-Caspian international transportation corridor, host the China-Europe Railway Express Cooperation Forum, and make joint efforts to build a new logistics corridor across the Eurasian continent linked by direct railway and road transportation. We will vigorously integrate ports, shipping and trading services under the "Silk Road Maritime," and accelerate the building of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor and the Air Silk Road.

Second, supporting an open world economy. China will establish pilot zones for Silk Road e-commerce cooperation, enter into free trade agreements and investment protection treaties with more countries. We will remove all restrictions on foreign investment access in the manufacturing sector. In light of international high-standard economic and trade rules, we will further advance high-standard opening up in cross-border service trade and investment, expand market access for digital and other products, and deepen reform in areas including the state-owned enterprises, digital economy, intellectual property and government procurement. China will hold the Global Digital Trade Expo annually. In the next five years (2024-2028), China's total trade in goods and services is expected to exceed USD 32 trillion and USD 5 trillion respectively.

Third, carrying out practical cooperation. China will promote both signature projects and "small yet smart" livelihood programs. The China Development Bank and the Export-Import Bank of China will each set up a RMB 350 billion financing window. An additional RMB 80 billion will be injected into the Silk Road Fund. Together, they will support BRI projects on the basis of market and business operation. Cooperation agreements worth USD 97.2 billion have been concluded at the CEO Conference held during this Forum. China will carry out 1,000 small-scale livelihood assistance projects, and enhance vocational education cooperation through Luban Workshops and other initiatives. We will also step up joint efforts to ensure the safety of BRI projects and personnel.

Fourth, promoting green development. China will continue to deepen cooperation in areas such as green infrastructure, green energy and green transportation, and step up support for the BRI International Green Development Coalition. China will continue to hold the BRI Green Innovation Conference, and establish dialogue and exchange mechanisms for the solar industry and a network of experts on green and low-carbon development. China will implement the Green Investment Principles for the Belt and Road, and provide 100,000 training opportunities for partner countries by 2030.

Fifth, advancing scientific and technological innovation. China will continue to implement the Belt and Road Science, Technology and Innovation Cooperation Action Plan, hold the first Belt and Road Conference on Science and Technology Exchange, increase the number of joint laboratories built with other parties to 100 in the next five years, and support young scientists from other countries to work on short-term programs in China. At this Forum, China will put forward the Global Initiative for Artificial Intelligence (AI) Governance. We stand ready to increase exchanges and dialogue with other countries and jointly promote the sound, orderly and secure AI development in the world.

Sixth, supporting people-to-people exchanges. China will host the Liangzhu Forum to enhance dialogue on civilizations with BRI partner countries. In addition to the Silk Road International League of Theaters, the Silk Road International Arts Festival, the International Alliance of Museums of the Silk Road, the Silk Road International Alliance of Art Museums, and the Silk Road International Library Alliance that have been set up, China has also launched the International Tourism Alliance of Silk Road Cities. And we will continue with the Chinese government scholarship Silk Road Program.

Seventh, promoting integrity-based Belt and Road cooperation. Together with its cooperation partners, China will release the Achievements and Prospects of Belt and Road Integrity Building and the High-Level Principles on Belt and Road Integrity Building, and establish the Integrity and Compliance Evaluation System for Companies Involved in Belt and Road Cooperation. We will also work with international organizations to carry out research and training on promoting integrity in Belt and Road cooperation.

Eighth, strengthening institutional building for international Belt and Road cooperation. China will work with its BRI partner countries to strengthen the building of multilateral cooperation platforms covering energy, taxation, finance, green development, disaster reduction, anti-corruption, think tank, media, culture and other fields. China will continue to host the BRF and establish a secretariat for the Forum.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Friends,

The past decade has been a journey of dedicated cooperation and fruitful outcomes. Belt and Road cooperation was proposed by China, but its benefits and opportunities are for the world to share. Let us meet the expectations of the people, assume responsibilities entrusted on us by history, closely follow the trend of the times, and press ahead with energy and enterprise. Let us deepen Belt and Road international cooperation, and bring Belt and Road cooperation to a new stage of higher-quality and higher-level development. Let us advance modernization of all countries, build an open, inclusive and interconnected world for common development, and jointly build a community with a shared future for mankind.

I wish the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation a full success!

Thank you. ■

(BRF2023) Full text: Toast by Chinese President Xi Jinping at welcoming banquet of Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation

Chinese President Xi Jinping addresses a banquet and extends a warm welcome on behalf of the Chinese government and people to all distinguished guests attending the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 17, 2023. Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan on Tuesday hosted a banquet at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing to welcome guests who are in China to attend the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

BEIJING, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan on Tuesday hosted a banquet in Beijing to welcome guests who are in China to attend the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation.

The following is the full text of the toast by President Xi at the banquet.

Toast by H.E. Xi Jinping

President of the People's Republic of China

At the Welcoming Banquet

Of the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation

Beijing, October 17, 2023

Your Excellencies Heads of State and Government,

Your Excellencies Heads of International Organizations,

Distinguished Representatives,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Friends,

Good evening.

It is a great pleasure to meet and gather with so many friends. On behalf of the Chinese government and people and in the name of myself and my wife, I wish to extend a warm welcome to all distinguished guests attending the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation.

Spring is a season of blossoming, and autumn is a time of harvest. Over the past decade since the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) was proposed, China and BRI partners have worked hand in hand and exemplified the Silk Road spirit, which is characterized by peace and cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning and mutual benefit. Together we have contributed to global connectivity and created platforms for international economic cooperation. Together we have been a driving force for global growth.

Together we have carried out thousands of cooperation projects with solid deliverables. Together we have written a magnificent chapter in promoting a connected world and charting a path for all to prosper individually and collectively. None of these achievements simply fell into our laps, or were granted by anyone. They have been made possible by the governments, businesses and people of BRI partners through hard work, wisdom and courage. Let us take this opportunity to salute all those who have participated in and contributed to Belt and Road cooperation.

The BRI pursues development, promotes win-win outcomes, and inspires hope. Human history shows that a bumper harvest would not be possible without an untiring spirit and unremitting efforts, and the same is true of sustainable achievements that benefit our posterity. This is the responsibility that we, political leaders of this generation, must fulfill toward the people of today and future generations. Belt and Road cooperation, robust and fruitful in its first decade, is now full of dynamism and vitality. We must embark with drive and enthusiasm on the new journey toward another golden decade.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Friends,

The world today is far from tranquil. The world economy is under growing downward pressure. Global development is confronted with multiple challenges. That said, we remain unwavering in our belief that the historical trend of peace, development, cooperation and mutual benefit is unstoppable, our people's aspiration for a better life remains strong as ever, and the desire of all countries to achieve common development and prosperity is overwhelming. As long as we remain steadfast in our commitment to cooperation and common development, we will accomplish new feats in high-quality Belt and Road cooperation that reflect the spirit of the times and will create a better future for humanity through our joint efforts.

Now, I would like to propose a toast,

To the full success of the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation;

To the health of all our guests and your families; and

To each and every one of those who have participated in and contributed to Belt and Road cooperation.

Cheers. ■

Xi calls on Jiangxi to write its chapter in Chinese modernization

BEIJING, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made an inspection tour of east China's Jiangxi Province in recent days. He required the province to fully and faithfully implement the new development philosophy in all respects, centering around the CPC's central tasks on the new journey of the new era. Xi called on Jiangxi to grasp its positioning in building a new development paradigm and act on its characteristics and advantages. To meet the new requirements for high-quality, green and low-carbon development, the province was urged to emancipate the mind and make pioneering efforts, put to best use its strengths and improve its weak points, consolidate what it has achieved and break new ground so that it can strive to take the lead in speeding up the high-quality development of the old revolutionary base areas, and in promoting the rise of the central region and the development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt. The province was encouraged to write its chapter in Chinese modernization by doing all these.

From Oct. 10 to 13, Xi, accompanied by Yin Hong, secretary of the CPC Jiangxi Provincial Committee, and Ye Jianchun, governor of the province, visited the cities of Jiujiang, Jingdezhen and Shangrao. He inspected the shoreline of the Yangtze River, local enterprises, a historical and cultural block and a village.

On the afternoon of Oct. 10, Xi came to Jiujiang. At the Jiujiang urban section of the Yangtze River National Culture Park, he stepped onto a pavilion called Pipa to have a bird's eye view over the Yangtze River. He walked on the river levee in the rain to observe the riverside scenery, carefully inquiring about the situations of the Yangtze River, such as water level, water quality, shipping, flood control and fishing ban. He listened to reports about the restoration of collapsed levees, dredging of waterway, and ecological restoration of water front. He pointed out that the Yangtze River is the link of the Yangtze River Economic Belt. No matter how the Yangtze River Economic Belt will develop in the future and what stage of development it will reach, it is impossible to do without the nurturing of the Yangtze River. The Yangtze River should be protected with a vision of the lasting and sustainable development of the Chinese nation and of the community of life with harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature.

Xi then took a vehicle to Sinopec Jiujiang Company. He walked into the control hall of the company's production and control center and the laboratory of the inspection and measurement center to learn in detail about the transformation and upgrading of the company to build green intelligent factories, and to promote energy conservation, pollution reduction and carbon emission reduction. He affirmed what the company has done in carrying out scientific tests and applying strict emission standards. Xi stressed that cutting the Gordian knot of "chemical industry spreading along the river" is the key to promote the ecological environment conservation of the Yangtze River. He called for continuous efforts on pollution control at the source and the whole-process reduction of pollution and carbon emission, as well as promotion of digital and intelligent transformation and green transition to build the company into a world's leading green intelligent refining and chemical enterprise.

Outside the laboratory, employees gathered to greet Xi. He kindly said to everyone, "the petrochemical industry is an important pillar industry of the national economy, and I hope that you will follow the requirements of the Party Central Committee for the new industrialization, with green and intelligent transformation as the direction, work hard and forge ahead to make new contributions to national energy security and high-quality development of the petrochemical industry."

On the morning of Oct. 11, Xi came to Jingdezhen City for inspection. At Taoyangli Historical and Cultural Block, Xi visited the Nanlu kiln ruins, the ceramic museum and the kilns cluster of Ming and Qing dynasties. He took quite an interest in learning about the technological process of ceramic-making, the inheritance and innovation of ceramic culture and the international exchanges in this sector. Xi had cordial conversations with the inheritors of intangible cultural heritage and commended their techniques and craftsmanship from time to time. He encouraged the inheritors to pursue their craftsmanship with dedication and devote themselves to passing down their craft and making innovations. Xi pointed out that fine traditional Chinese culture has never been interrupted since ancient times. Porcelain is a Chinese treasure and an important symbol of Chinese culture. The principle of protection first and like-for-like renovation has been followed in the protection of Taoyangli Historical and Cultural Block, thus facilitating a mutually reinforcing interaction between ceramic cultural protection and the development of cultural and tourism industry. Xi stressed the importance of pooling talent from various fields to promote creative design and R&D innovation, further growing the ceramic industry and making brighter the name card of Jingdezhen City as the "Millennium Porcelain Capital."

Xi then visited AVIC Changhe Aircraft Industry (Group) Corporation Ltd. He inspected the general assembly workshop of helicopters and the test flight station to inquire in detail about the company's efforts in promoting technological innovation and product upgrading. He pointed out that aviation equipment is an important part of our country's manufacturing industry. He urged them to keep to innovation-driven development, and make more efforts in the independent research and development of key technologies with a view to producing new products to meet the needs of the future. He encouraged the corporation to develop an advanced manufacturing system so that it could manufacture world-class helicopters.

On the afternoon of Oct. 11, Xi visited Shimen Village in Qiukou Township, Wuyuan County, Shangrao City. This village is located in the central area of the Raoheyuan (Raohe River Fountainhead) National Wetland Park. It is also part of a natural reserve for Blue-crowned Laughingthrush, a critically endangered bird species. The village boasts diverse vegetation and sound ecological environment. The general secretary inquired in detail about the wetland park and the conservation of the bird. On the village square, locals were "sun-drying" their harvest, with rows of trays filled with red beans, corn, chili peppers, and more, presenting a delightful scene. Students and teachers from an art academy were sketching on-site. Xi stopped to watch, engaging in friendly exchanges with them and encouraging them to develop solid painting skills. He was pleased to learn about the remarkable progress that the local people had made in rural revitalization by developing characteristic tourism and the tea industry. He pointed out that the beautiful natural environment itself is a high-quality resource for rural revitalization. It is necessary to find effective ways to realize the conversion of ecological value into tangible benefits for the people. The key to revitalize the countryside, he said, is to have strong primary-level Party organizations. These organizations should play a leading role in bringing prosperity to the people and ensuring the effective implementation of policies formulated by the Party for the benefit of people.

Upon Xi's departure, the villagers warmly bid farewell to the general secretary who left with the following words, "Chinese modernization means not only urban modernization but also agricultural and rural modernization. I am quite concerned with rural revitalization. I hope you can protect the nature, integrate the flavor of traditional villages with modern elements, maintain the aesthetic taste of the Chinese nation, and make the countryside even more beautiful. May you lead an even happier and more fulfilling life!"

On the morning of Oct. 13, Xi was briefed on the work of the province by the CPC Jiangxi Provincial Committee and Jiangxi provincial government. He affirmed Jiangxi's achievements on all fronts.

Xi noted that to modernize the industrial system, the province must not only be ambitious to seize opportunities for development but also be realistic and good at leveraging its own strengths for development. It is imperative for the province to identify its positioning, chart the courses and integrate resources to make targeted progress. Efforts are needed to speed up transforming and upgrading traditional industries, boosting emerging strategic industries, and actively deploy future industries to build a modernized industrial system that demonstrates Jiangxi's own distinctive features and advantages. Jiangxi should also deploy innovation chains in a targeted manner, actively align with national strategic science and technology resources, make breakthroughs in some core technologies in key fields, and create some high-tech industries to build industry clusters with national influence. The province must actively promote the integration of digital and real economies, and boost the development of its digital economy. The province must remain committed to the path of prioritizing ecological conservation and pursuing green development, and advance the transition to a model of green development in all respects to build a high ground for ecological conservation.

Xi stressed that Jiangxi is an artery linking rivers to the ocean, and it not only connects the eastern and western parts of China but also serves both the northern and the southern parts. As a result, many projects related to major national strategies are in the province. It is imperative for the province to open up wider both domestically and internationally, boost development through opening up, and develop the inland province into a high ground for reform and opening up to serve and integrate itself into the new development paradigm. The province must also develop the port economy, develop cities as important junctures along the Yangtze River Economic Belt, and create regional logistic hubs and trade centers.

Xi stressed the need to build a big and strong metropolitan area, actively dovetailing with and serving the integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta region as well as the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area to boost its appeal to such elements as funds, technologies and talent. Jiangxi should build a regional production and supply base for high-quality agricultural and sideline products by allowing full play to its strengths in ecological resources and traditional agriculture. The province was urged to consolidate its traditional trade channels, actively explore new ones and deeply integrate into the Belt and Road Initiative. It is imperative to deepen reform in key areas, improve business environment, and steadily expand the institutional opening up in terms of rules, mechanisms, management and standards. Market access to private investment should be expanded in an orderly manner, the implementation of polices that encourage fair competition should be promoted, and a cordial but clean relationship should be built between government and business so as to promote the healthy development of private economy.

Xi pointed out that the development of agriculture and rural areas must be given priority, their modernization must be accelerated, food security must be secured, and agriculture must be industrialized to promote the integrated development of the first, second and tertiary industries in rural areas so as to advance rural revitalization on all fronts. Jiangxi should be aware that agriculture can hardly thrive without industries, and quality and green development, and agriculture should be developed into a big industry so as to accelerate the pace of building Jiangxi into a strong agricultural province. It is important for the province to develop forestry economy and relevant food, and cultivate related new businesses such as ecological, and health and convalescence tourism. Jiangxi was urged to consolidate and expand what it has achieved in poverty alleviation, rely more on industries for development, and constantly strengthen its endogenous dynamics for development. Concrete results must be achieved in a number of things related to the development of rural industries, provision of public services, improvement of environment, and building of rural customs in a gradual manner, so as to let people see new changes with their own eyes.

Xi stressed that ensuring that people in the old revolutionary base areas share the fruits of reform and development and live a happy life is the basic task of promoting common prosperity for all. It is necessary to strengthen the policy of giving priority to employment, strive to stabilize and expand the number of jobs, and do a good job in providing employment to key groups. It is important to ensure that public services are inclusive, meet essential needs and secure basic living standards for those in difficulty, and improve social security system, optimize social assistance and charity systems, raise the level of basic public education services, and strengthen the capacity to provide urban and rural health services, and strengthen the assistance to groups in difficulty including those families who have zero-employment or are under monitoring for fear that they may fall back to poverty.

Xi pointed out that it is necessary to sum up the experience of the first round of theoretical study program and carry out the second round with high quality. It is important to encourage party members and officials with the spirit of Jinggangshan, the spirit of the Soviet Area and the spirit of the Long March, to educate and guide them to strengthen their convictions and beliefs, keep in mind the original aspirations, actively forge ahead, and have the courage to take on responsibilities. Concrete requirements must be implemented throughout the whole process of theoretical study program to resolutely prevent and overcome pointless formalities and bureaucratism, and do a good job in theoretical study and investigations. It is imperative to examine work and make rectifications, really do things for the people, and promote development with solid work and win the trust of the people with what we have done.

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

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

Xi stresses high-quality development of Yangtze River Economic Belt

BEIJING, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivered an important speech at a symposium on advancing the development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt (YREB). He chaired the symposium in Nanchang, Jiangxi Province on Oct. 12. He stressed the importance of fully and faithfully implementing the new development philosophy in all respects. He called for joint efforts in extensive protection of ecological environment and not engaging in excessive development, prioritizing eco-environmental protection and pursuing green development.

Xi said the region's development should be led by scientific and technological innovation while environmental protection and economic and social development should be advanced in a coordinated manner. It is imperative to strengthen coordination in policies and work to make long-term plans, seek long-term solutions and lay a foundation for lasting stability, further promoting the high-quality development of the YREB to better support and serve Chinese modernization, he added.

Li Qiang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Chinese premier, Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee and Ding Xuexiang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and vice premier, attended the symposium.

Xi Jinping held this symposium during his inspection trip in Jiangxi. At the symposium, Zheng Shanjie, head of the National Development and Reform Commission, Yuan Jiajun, secretary of the CPC Chongqing Municipal Committee, Yin Hong, secretary of the CPC Jiangxi Provincial Committee, and Chen Jining, secretary of the CPC Shanghai Municipal Committee, gave speeches, reporting on the work on promoting the high-quality development of the YREB and proposing opinions and suggestions. Leading officials from other provinces who participated in the symposium submitted written speeches.

After listening to everyone's speeches, Xi Jinping delivered an important speech. He noted that in the past eight years since the implementation of the development strategy of the YREB, provinces and cities along the river, as well as relevant central departments, have conscientiously implemented the decisions and plans of the CPC Central Committee. They have adhered to the principle of jointly focusing on extensive environmental protection and not engaging in excessive development, prioritizing environmental protection and green development, concretely promoting the protection and restoration of the Yangtze River ecological environment, and actively promoting the green transformation of economic and social development in a comprehensive way. With unprecedented great determination and efforts, significant changes have taken place in the development of the YREB. A major shift in thinking has taken place, as promoting well-coordinated eco-environmental conservation and avoiding excessive development has become a consensus. Significant achievements have been made in ecological environmental protection and restoration, and the beautiful scenery of "the clean Yangtze River flowing eastward" has reappeared. Great changes have taken place in the development mode, and innovation-driven development has gained momentum. Regional integration has been significantly improved, and regional synergy has been continuously strengthened. Significant progress has been made in reform and opening up, and the momentum of all-round internal and external opening up has accelerated. In general, the YREB's achievements in development are obvious, its development quality is steadily improving, and so is its development trend. However, we should also be aware that the ecological environment protection and high-quality development of the Yangtze River Basin are in a critical period from quantitative change to qualitative change. The results achieved are yet to be consolidated, and there are still many difficulties and problems, which should be overcome through continuous efforts.

Xi noted that in the long run, the high-quality development of the YREB fundamentally depends on the high-quality ecological environment of the Yangtze River Basin. He called for efforts to resolutely promote well-coordinated environmental conservation and never to pursue excessive development, instead endeavors must be made in high-level environmental protection. Ecological red lines have been drawn along the Yangtze River, which must never be crossed, and zoning control of the ecological environment must be strengthened, and the permit list must be strictly implemented. Party committees and governments at various levels must have a clear idea of the important designated local ecological spaces, give priority to their strict protection. Comprehensive measures should be taken to improve ecological environment, with strengthened measures for pollution control in key areas. Water resources, water environment and water ecology should be coordinated. Solid progress should be made in preventing and controlling air and soil pollution. More attention should be paid to front-end pollution control to reduce the total amount of pollutants from the source. The "10-year fishing ban" on the Yangtze River should firmly be implemented, and the achievements already made be consolidated. Concerted efforts should be made to cut carbon emissions, reduce pollution, expand green development, and pursue economic growth. The green transformation and upgrading of industries should be prioritized to accelerate the development of green and low carbon industries and actively develop green technologies and products to make the economy greener so as to strengthen the potential and resilience of development. Localities with advantaged ecological environment should be supported to transform their ecological resources into economic gains. The horizontal compensation system for ecological conservation should be optimized to incentivize all stakeholders along the river to be involved in environmental protection efforts.

Xi stressed the need to adhere to innovation-driven development, and transform the region's strengths in scientific research and talents into driving force for development, actively explore new areas and new paths so as to foster new drivers and strengths for development. Work should be done to strengthen the coordination and collaboration between the optimized science and education resources and the innovation in science and technology. To upgrade industries and modernize industrial chains, breakthroughs in new areas should be planned and new paths explored for development. High-level talents in scientific and technological innovation should be attracted to improve the innovation capability in cutting edge technologies so as to expedite the pace in making breakthroughs in a batch of key technologies.

Xi called for efforts to modernize industrial and supply chains and continuously promote the core competitiveness of manufacturing industry. Efforts should be made to facilitate the growth of advanced manufacturing industry, accelerate the development of strategic emerging industries and future industries, and promote the deep integration between digital economy and real economy. The coordination and cooperation of industrial chains needs to be strengthened with a view to promoting the expansion of advantaged industrial chain and the building of industrial chain for emerging industries.

Xi pointed out that the YREB's advantage as an artery that links rivers to the ocean, extends from the west to the east and serves both northern and southern part of China, must be given full play. The YREB should play an active role in connecting the domestic and international market, and channel these resources to improve the endogenous power and reliability of the domestic economy and boost the appeal of the domestic market to the global economy. In this way, the YREB could provide strategic support to the building of a new development paradigm. As far as industrial development is concerned, provinces and cities along the Yangtze River should tap into their own development potential and find their own distinctive strength on the one hand, and coordinate with each other and foster connectivity between them on the other. Efforts should be made to coordinate the layout and transfer of industries along the Yangtze River, improve the distribution of major productive forces, and ensure the orderly transfer of capital, technology, and labor-intensive industries from the country's eastern seaboard to the central and western regions, and from central cities to the hinterland. Vigorous actions are needed to promote high-level opening up and explore new areas and channels for international economic cooperation. The role of the pilot free trade zones in the provinces and cities along the Yangtze River should be fully utilized, and pioneering steps must be taken in institutional innovation, thus promoting coordinated development among them, as well as accumulating new experience and exploring new paths for building an open economy at a higher level.

Xi Jinping emphasized the need to focus on strengthening regional coordination and integration. Provinces and cities along the Yangtze River should keep to inter-provincial consultation and joint ecological conservation, and make sure that all localities are on board of their shared development initiatives for the benefit of all. Efforts should be made to enhance regional connectivity, consistency in policies and rules, and coordination in their implementation, so as to steadily build a community for ecological conservation and shared interests, and promote coordinated regional development. Overall planning and construction of regional transportation infrastructure is needed, and quicker steps should be taken in building multi-storey and multi-modal transportation corridors. This helps strengthen the connectivity among transportation networks and the coordination among land, water, and rail transportation, and improve the level of regional transportation integration. Market reforms for production factors should be advanced. The underlying systems for property rights protection, market access, fair competition, and social credit should be improved, and data and information sharing and interconnection across regions, departments, and administrative levels should be enhanced. We should strengthen cooperation in government services to improve the business environment. The value of the Yangtze River's culture in the new era can be further explored, and more outstanding literary and artistic works can be introduced to showcase the value of the Yangtze River in the new era. Efforts should be made to deepen the integration of culture and tourism, build a number of riverside cities, towns, and villages with natural landscape and historical and cultural heritage, so as to turn areas along the Yangtze River into a golden tourism belt with international fame.

Xi noted that the YREB is vital to China's overall development. It is imperative to ensure both development and security, and this belt should play a bigger role in safeguarding the security of food, energy, key industrial and supply chains and water resources, so that the stability of the YREB will contribute to the overall national security. All the provinces and cities along the Yangtze River must fulfill their responsibilities on food security, be it a major grain-producer, a major grain sales area or an area where agricultural production and sales are balanced. Coordinated protection of quantity, quality and ecosystem of farmland must be strengthened to gradually develop all permanent basic cropland into high-standard cropland, efforts be intensified to protect and use the agricultural germplasm resources, and major bio-breeding projects be carried out to improve the innovation capacity of enterprises in the seed industry. To increase grain production, regions along the river are urged to focus on increasing the output of unit production at a large scale, strengthen integrated promotion of good cropland, seeds, machinery and cultivating methods, and cultivate various types of agricultural operation of appropriate scale and commercial agricultural services. We must continue to advance energy cooperation among the regions in the upper, middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River with coordinated efforts of the whole nation. We must strengthen the basic supporting role of fossil fuels such as coal, ensure that coal is used in a cleaner and more efficient way, attach importance to the complementarity and deep integration between advantageous traditional energy such as water and electricity and new energy such as wind power, photovoltaic and hydrogen power, speed up the efforts to develop a system for new energy resources and promote the integration of power generation, transmission, loading and storage. We must work hard to ensure a peaceful Yangtze River, rationally grasp the change of its water conditions, adhere to a simultaneous prevention and fight against both drought and flood, promote connectivity of water systems and conservation of water and soil in a coordinated manner, strengthen a coordinated and unified dispatch of water conservancy projects along the Yangtze River Basin, better manage the distribution of trans-regional water resources in high-flow and low water season so as to improve the basin's capacity for disaster prevention and mitigation.

Xi stressed the importance of a working mechanism under which the central authorities coordinate, provinces take overall responsibility, and cities and counties ensure implementation. The Central Leading Group for Coordinated Regional Development must strengthen coordination and supervision, while relevant departments of the central authorities should support the projects that comply with the plan to promote high-quality development of the YREB, and promote a batch of major reform projects in key areas. It is imperative to ensure that Party committees and governments at all levels across the provinces and cities along the Yangtze River fulfill their principal responsibilities, and ensure that all work is done to the letter. We must take the theoretical study program as an opportunity to guide all officials to have a correct understanding of what it means to perform well, and improve their capabilities of promoting high-quality development. It is essential to guide all kinds of enterprises and social organizations to actively participate in the development of the YREB, increase input in human, material and financial resources, and give full play to the enthusiasm, initiative and creativity of the people. It is imperative to conduct regular inspections, evaluations and oversight of the implementation of the Outline of Yangtze River Economic Belt Development Plan, and urge local governments to identify problems and make rectifications in a timely manner.

Li Qiang said in his speech that it is necessary to earnestly study, understand and thoroughly implement the spirit of General Secretary Xi's important speech, and maintain the strategic resolve to promote eco-environmental protection, and continue the efforts with perseverance. It is necessary to strengthen comprehensive management and source management, improve compensation system for ecological protection, and explore ways to realize the value of ecological products. The functional zoning strategy must be allowed full play to improve economic structure. To give full play to the leading role of the Yangtze River Delta, work must be done to harness the comparative regional strengths and identify the positioning of regional functions to promote the common development of the regions in middle and upper reaches. Efforts must be made to further the construction of a unified large market, improve the "soft" and "hard" connectivity in the region, actively integrate the region into the flow of international economy, and boost the linkage effect of the two markets and two resources.

Ding Xuexiang said in his speech that it is necessary to deeply study and implement the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress and the spirit of General Secretary Xi's important speech, promoting well-coordinated ecological conservation and never engaging in excessive development, prioritizing ecological conservation and green development, providing important support for high-quality development with high-level eco-environmental protection. Work should be done to strengthen the construction of major innovation platforms, promote the deep integration of innovation and industrial chains, and cultivate new growth drivers for high-quality development with high-level scientific and technological innovation. It is vital to coordinate the actions of local and central authorities and get all levels working as one, rationally determine the functional orientation and development direction, and coordinate opening up in areas along the coast, rivers, the frontier and inland, so as to form synergy for high-quality development with high-level inter-regional coordination.

Li Ganjie, He Lifeng, Wu Zhenglong, Mu Hong and Jiang Xinzhi were present at the symposium. Leading officials of relevant central Party and government departments, relevant local governments and enterprises attended the symposium. ■

Xi makes instructions on work of public communication, culture

BEIJING, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, recently made important instructions on the work of public communication and culture. He pointed out that the work is extremely crucial to the future and destiny of the Party, the long-term stability of the country, and the cohesion and centripetal force of the nation. Since the 18th CPC National Congress, the Party Central Committee has made systematic plans and arrangements from an overall and strategic perspective for the work in this sector, securing historic achievements in this regard in the new era. As a result, overarching and fundamental changes have taken place in the country's ideological landscape, which has greatly boosted the cultural confidence and morale of the entire Party and the Chinese people of all ethnic groups.

Xi stressed that, in a new era and on a new journey, the evolution of changes with a magnitude unseen in a century is accelerating across the world. The Chinese nation has entered a critical period for its great rejuvenation with the juxtaposition of strategic opportunities as well as risks and challenges. The work of public communication and culture is facing new situations and tasks, and thus those in this sector must take on a new look and make greater progress in this regard. Under the guidance of the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, it is essential to fully implement the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress and focus on the primary political task of arming the entire Party and educating the people with the Party's innovative theories. To fulfill the new cultural mission of further advancing cultural prosperity, building a leading country in culture and developing a modern Chinese civilization at a new historical starting point, it is a must to have stronger cultural confidence, follow the approach of openness and inclusiveness, and uphold fundamental principles and break new ground. He called for great efforts to strengthen Party leadership in the work of public communication and culture, develop a socialist ideology that has the power to unite and inspire the people, cultivate and practice the core socialist values, improve the capacity of dissemination and guidance, as well as influence and credibility of the media, carry forward the legacy of Chinese culture with a view to promoting innovative transformation and development of fine traditional Chinese culture, beef up the prosperity and development of cultural undertakings and industries, boost the capability of international communication, and promote exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations. He also called for endeavors to fully stimulate the cultural innovation and creativity of the whole nation, constantly consolidate the common ideological foundation for the concerted efforts of all Party members and the Chinese people of all ethnic groups, continuously strengthen the nation's cultural soft power and the international influence of Chinese culture, so as to provide solid ideological guarantees, powerful inspiration and favorable cultural environment for building a modern socialist country in all respects and advancing the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts.

Xi stressed that the Party committees (leading Party members groups) at various levels should consider the work of public communication and culture as a major political responsibility they must shoulder, so as to ensure that the CPC Central Committee's policies and plans for cultural progress are implemented to the letter. The departments at various levels concerned with the work of public communication and culture should enhance their political awareness, have the courage to reform and innovate, have the courage and ability to carry forward their struggle, and constantly break new ground for this work in the new era.

The National Conference on the Work of Public Communication and Culture was held in Beijing from October 7 to 8. Important instructions from General Secretary Xi Jinping were conveyed at the conference. Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and a member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, attended and addressed the conference.

It was stressed at the conference that General Secretary Xi's important instructions are profound, insightful, and carry immense political, ideological, and guiding significance. They have pointed out where to go for further improving our work of public communication and culture, and therefore must be thoroughly understood, and resolutely implemented.

Those present at the conference agreed that the historical achievements made in the work of public communication and culture since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012 were, in the final analysis, attributed to Xi's leadership and guidance from Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. The general secretary's new thoughts, viewpoints, and assessments on cultural advancement in the new era are rich in content and profound in exposition. They are summaries of the practical experience of the cultural advancement under the Party's leadership in the new era, and enriched and developed the Marxist cultural theories. They have constituted the cultural dimension of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and formed Xi Jinping Thought on Culture.

It was noted at the conference that Xi Jinping Thought on Culture involves not only innovation and breakthroughs in the theoretical proposition of the cultural sector, but also arrangements and requirements concerning the work of culture. It has well coordinated both the theories and applications. It has charted the course for and tasks of cultural development in the new era. It demonstrates that our Party has reached a higher level in its understanding of the right way for the development of socialist culture with Chinese characteristics and in having greater historical and cultural confidence. It also showcases powerful strengths in the development of socialist culture in our country, providing us with strong intellectual tools and guidelines for rational actions so that we will be able to do a better job on the work of public communication and culture on the new journey of the new era, and better shoulder the new cultural mission. Xi Jinping Thought on Culture is an ideological system that remains open and keeps expanding, and it is bound to be enriched and further developed amid practices. It is imperative to thoroughly understand the decisive significance of the Two Affirmations, strengthen our commitment to the Four Consciousnesses, the Four-sphere Confidence and the Two Upholds, intensify our efforts to study, research and interpret Xi Jinping Thought on Culture and implement it to the letter in all aspects and the whole process of the work of public communication and culture.

It was stressed at the conference that to implement Xi Jinping Thought on Culture and the strategic arrangements for cultural development of the 20th CPC National Congress, we must boost our sense of responsibility and mission to do well the work of public communication and culture on the new journey of the new era, and push forward relevant work to achieve concrete outcomes. We must make unremitting efforts to strengthen cohesion and forge the Party's soul with Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. We must work hard to study, understand, believe in and apply the thought, and thus internalize and transform it into what we can draw on for our work. We must consolidate and strengthen the mainstream thoughts and public opinion in the new era, strengthen positive public communication with a view to boosting confidence, and upgrade the capabilities of guiding opinions. We must extensively practice the core socialist values, and improve and innovate the work in making cultural-ethical progress. We must promote the prosperity of cultural undertakings and industries, and strengthen the protection and inheritance of fine traditional Chinese culture. We must strengthen and improve the work of international communication, and promote the dissemination and influence of Chinese culture. We must firmly prevent and defuse ideological risks and have the courage to carry on our fight. We must strengthen the Party's overall leadership over the work of public communication and culture, make sure those in charge shoulder their political responsibilities, have the courage to reform and innovate, strengthen the rule of law, and build a strong contingent of officials and talents, so as to provide a strong political guarantee for shouldering the new cultural mission. We must hammer away at implementing all tasks and requirements to the letter, constantly improve our work capabilities, and the quality and efficiency of our work, and take on a new look and make new achievements in our striving for and practice of building a strong socialist culture as well as a modern Chinese civilization.

Li Shulei, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, announced work plans.

Leaders of the Office of the Central Cyberspace Affairs Commission, People's Daily, China Media Group, the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council, Publicity Department of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee and Publicity Department of the CPC Sichuan Provincial Committee made speeches.

Tie Ning and Shen Yiqin attended the conference.

Also present at the conference were members of the Central Public Communication and Culture Work Leading Group, and leading officials of all provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities and cities specifically designated in the state plan, Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, departments of publicity and culture of the CPC Central Committee, relevant central Party and government departments, relevant people's organizations, financial institutions under the central government, some enterprises and universities as well as leaders of relevant departments of the Central Military Commission. ■

Xi Jinping addresses reception to celebrate the 74th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China

BEIJING, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- A reception to celebrate the 74th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China was held at the Great Hall of the People on the evening of Sept. 28. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, attended the reception and delivered an important speech. He stressed that on the new journey, the future is bright. Our strength comes from unity and confidence is more valuable than gold. We must firm up confidence, invigorate our spirit, strive in unity to continuously overcome obstacles and surmount difficulties to steadfastly march towards the grand goal of building a strong China and realizing national rejuvenation.

Li Qiang presided over the reception. Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi and Han Zheng attended the event together with around 800 Chinese and foreign guests.

The banquet hall of the Great Hall of the People is adorned with dazzling lights and blooming flowers, exuding a cheerful and festive atmosphere. Above the rostrum hangs the solemn national emblem, with large digits "1949-2023" prominently displayed against the bright red flags.

At about 17:30, accompanied by a cheerful and welcoming music, Xi and other Party and state leaders walked into the banquet hall and waved to the people. They were met with a warm round of applause.

The reception began. All stood up and sang the national anthem of the People's Republic of China. The magnificent "March of the Volunteers" echoed in the hall.

Xi delivered an important speech. On behalf of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, he first paid high tribute to the people of all ethnic groups in China, to the commanders and soldiers of the Chinese People's Liberation Army and the People's Armed Police Force, and to other political parties and personages without party affiliation. He extended sincere greetings to compatriots in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Macao Special Administrative Region and Taiwan, as well as overseas Chinese. He expressed heartfelt gratitude to friendly countries and international friends who care about and support China's modernization drive.

In his speech, Xi noted that over the past 74 years since the founding of New China, the country has moved from poverty to moderate prosperity in all respects, and has embarked on a new journey to build a strong nation and advance national rejuvenation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization. The CPC has united and led the Chinese people of all ethnic groups to make such great achievements through hard work.

This year is the first year to implement the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress. We have coordinated COVID-19 response with economic and social development, and worked to ensure both development and security. We have actively promoted the sustained economic recovery while moving forward with the reform of Party and state institutions in an orderly manner, and effectively responded to flooding in a few localities. We have proactively promoted opening-up, scientific and technological innovation and green development. We have resolutely safeguarded national sovereignty, security and development interests. The economic recovery is picking up pace, contributing to the steady advancement of high-quality development. A bumper harvest is to be expected soon. People's standard of living continues to improve, and overall national situation is stable across the board. Chinese athletes have achieved remarkable, hard-earned and heartening results in Chengdu Universiade and Hangzhou Asian Games.

Xi stressed that changes unseen in a century are evolving at an accelerating pace. Profound changes have taken place in the international landscape, and as a result we are facing many risks and challenges on our way forward. To achieve high-quality development, we must fully and faithfully implement the new development philosophy in all aspects, and accelerate the development of a new development paradigm. We should strengthen macroeconomic regulation, expand effective demand domestically, and stimulate the vitality of market players. We should continuously promote the sustained economic recovery, strengthen growth drivers, and raise public expectations. We must effectively forestall and mitigate major risks, and strive to achieve the annual goals of economic and social development. To advance high-standard opening up, it is important to deepen the reforms, steadily expand institutional opening up in terms of rules, regulations, management, and standards, promote high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative, facilitate domestic and international economic flows, and make the economy more resilient and dynamic. To meet the people's growing needs for a better life, we should strengthen social security, prioritize creation of jobs, address the people's pressing concerns, and increase support for vulnerable groups. We should consolidate and expand the achievements in poverty alleviation, promote rural revitalization and work toward common prosperity, so as to further boost the people's sense of gain, happiness, and security.

Xi noted that we must continue to fully, faithfully and unswervingly implement the policy of One Country, Two Systems, see that Hong Kong and Macao are administered by patriots, and support the two regions in growing their economies and improving their people's lives. We must also give full play to the strengths and distinctive features of Hong Kong and Macao, and support their participation in the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, so as to maintain long-term prosperity and stability in the two regions. We must adhere to the one-China principle and the 1992 Consensus, promote peaceful development of cross-Strait relations, advance the integrated development in all fields across the Taiwan Strait, safeguard the fundamental interests of the Chinese nation and improve the wellbeing of Chinese compatriots on both sides of the Strait. Realizing China's complete reunification is what the people aspire for, the trend of the times and an irresistible historic development that can never be stopped by any force.

Xi stressed that we must adhere to peaceful development, pursue a mutually beneficial strategy of opening up, defend international fairness and justice, and practice true multilateralism. We will work for the implementation of the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, and work hand in hand with people from all countries to meet all types of global challenges and jointly create a bright future for humanity.

Amid joyful melody, guests from home and abroad toasted the 74th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. They wished prosperity of China, the wellbeing of the people and the long-standing friendship between the Chinese people and people of other countries.

Those who attended the reception include members of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, members of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, vice chairpersons of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, vice premiers of the State Council, state councilors, director of the National Supervisory Commission, president of the Supreme People's Court, procurator-general of the Supreme People's Procuratorate, vice chairpersons of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, those who have retired from leadership positions, members of the Central Military Commission and former members of the commission.

Those who attended the reception also include leaders of departments of the CPC Central Committee, central government, the military and people's organizations and leading officials of Beijing Municipal Government. Present at the reception were leaders of the central committees of other political parties and the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, representatives of personages without party affiliation, and representatives of those with medals of honor in Beijing, and so were representatives of national model workers and advanced figures, representatives of the Chinese sports delegations to the Chengdu Universiade, Hangzhou Asian Games and Asian Para Games, and representatives of ethnic minorities who have made important contributions to the stability, development and unity of ethnic minority areas. Personages from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Macao Special Administrative Region in Beijing, and representatives of Taiwan compatriots, overseas Chinese nationals and foreign citizens of Chinese origin attended the reception, and so did diplomatic envoys of various countries in Beijing, representatives of international organizations in Beijing, and some foreign experts. ■

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

CPC leadership reviews disciplinary inspection report

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

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

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

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

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

Other matters were also discussed at the meeting. ■