Xi Jinping on the Belt and Road (2023 Edition) Published in English
The English edition of "Xi Jinping on the Belt and Road (2023 Edition)," translated by the Institute of Party History and Literature of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, was recently published by Central Compilation & Translation Press and distributed both domestically and internationally. "Xi Jinping on the Belt and Road (2023 Edition)," compiled by the Institute of Party History and Literature of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, contains 78 important documents by General Secretary Xi Jinping on the joint construction of the "Belt and Road" from September 2013 to November 2023. The book systematically reflects General Secretary Xi Jinping's profound elaborations on the guiding principles, rich connotations, and goals and pathways of the Belt and Road Initiative, fully presenting the development process of the Belt and Road Initiative from a Chinese proposal to international practice, from concept to action, from vision to reality, and from a grand blueprint to meticulous brushwork, achieving tangible and substantial results, and becoming a widely welcomed international public good and platform for international cooperation. The publication and distribution of the English edition of this book will help foreign readers gain a deeper understanding of the concepts, measures, goals, and achievements of the Belt and Road Initiative. It is of great significance for further enhancing the international community's understanding, deepening international cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, promoting its high-quality development, and allowing the Belt and Road to benefit more countries and peoples.
[New Ideas Guide New Journey] Striving to Write a New Chapter in the All-Round Revitalization of Northeast China
General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that to promote the comprehensive revitalization of Northeast China in the new era, it is essential to firmly grasp the important mission of Northeast China in safeguarding the nation's "five major securities" and to embark on a new path of high-quality development. Safeguarding national defense security, food security, ecological security, energy security, and industrial security – along the direction guided by the General Secretary, the three northeastern provinces and Inner Mongolia are deeply advancing agricultural modernization, accelerating industrial transformation and upgrading, continuously carrying out ecological protection and restoration, and striving to write a new chapter of comprehensive revitalization in Northeast China. Northeast China serves as the "ballast stone" for national food production and supply. In recent days, spring plowing has fully commenced in Northeast China, with large-scale corn planting beginning in Liaoning, where the province plans to plant approximately 42 million mu this year. To increase per-mu yield, Jilin is promoting "water and fertilizer integration + dense planting" technology this year, covering an area of 7 million mu. Spring plowing for grain in Heilongjiang has exceeded 3 million mu, and the planting area this year will remain stable at over 218 million mu. The Northeast region is one of the world's three major black soil regions, also an old industrial base in China, and an important ecological security barrier in the north. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, General Secretary Xi Jinping has visited Northeast China for inspections and investigations multiple times and has presided over thematic symposiums, entrusting the new mission of safeguarding the nation's "five major securities" to the revitalization of Northeast China in the new era. Along the direction guided by the General Secretary, comprehensive revitalization in Northeast China has achieved new progress. In 2023, Heilongjiang's grain production achieved its 20th consecutive bumper harvest, ranking first nationwide for 14 consecutive years; Heilongjiang's import and export scale reached a new historical high, increasing by 12.3% year-on-year, with the growth rate of goods trade imports and exports rising to sixth in the country. Jilin Province's GDP increased by 6.3% year-on-year, ranking among the top in the country. Liaoning's total import and export value was 765.96 billion yuan, with exports of "new three items" products, including lithium-ion batteries, solar cells, and electric manned vehicles, reaching 18.8 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 48.8%. In the first quarter of this year, the import and export scale of Northeast China exceeded 300 billion yuan for the first time. The foundation for industrial security continues to be consolidated. This year, Northeast China is accelerating the digital, networked, and intelligent transformation of traditional manufacturing industries, focusing on building digital workshops and smart factories in key industries such as aerospace equipment, steel, and CNC machine tools. In Heilongjiang, Harbin Electric Corporation, the earliest research and manufacturing base for power generation equipment in China, is accelerating the application of new technologies such as robot lamination and robot welding in production. In Liaoning, Ansteel Group, the "eldest son of the Republic's steel industry," is empowering iron ore mining with "5G+无人驾驶" (5G+unmanned driving), significantly improving production efficiency. At the same time, Northeast China is also developing new quality productive forces based on local conditions. In eastern Inner Mongolia, national large-scale wind and solar bases and market-oriented and guaranteed new energy consumption projects with an investment of over 130 billion yuan are under accelerated construction. In Jilin, the national strategic new material carbon fiber's precursor capacity is expected to reach 160,000 tons this year, ranking among the top globally. To continuously strengthen the northern ecological security barrier, various parts of Northeast China are actively taking action. In the five leagues and cities of eastern Inner Mongolia, major "Three-North" Shelterbelt Program projects such as the comprehensive治理 of Horqin Sandy Land and Hunshandake Sandy Land are being fully promoted. Heilongjiang is intensifying efforts to protect and restore forest and grass resources, and Liaoning is diligently building beautiful rivers and lakes, and beautiful bays. This year, Northeast China will also accelerate the construction of energy infrastructure, optimize the energy production structure, and continuously strengthen the supporting role of energy security. Meanwhile, it will further expand outbound train routes, comprehensively improve the informatization of port infrastructure, and promote the construction of bulk commodity storage and transportation bases and China-Europe freight train bases. Embarking on a new journey, Northeast China is firmly grasping its important mission in safeguarding the nation's "five major securities," resolutely taking a new path of high-quality development and sustainable revitalization, and striving to write a new chapter of comprehensive revitalization in Northeast China.
Li Qiang Stresses Vigorous Development of Smart Connected New Energy Vehicles and Promotion of High-End, Intelligent, and Green Upgrading of the Automotive Industry During Inspection of 2024 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition
Li Qiang, Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Premier of the State Council, inspected the 2024 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition on April 28. He emphasized the need to thoroughly implement General Secretary Xi Jinping's important instructions on promoting the high-quality development of the automotive industry, vigorously develop intelligent connected new energy vehicles, adhere to leading industrial innovation with technological innovation, deepen and expand open cooperation, and promote the high-end, intelligent, and green upgrading of the automotive industry. Li Qiang visited the exhibition areas of brands such as Dongfeng, BYD, IM Motors, Jiyue, BMW, Geely, Xiaomi, Seres, and Xpeng, inspecting the exhibited vehicle models and technological displays. Li Qiang stated that China's intelligent connected new energy vehicles have formed a leading advantage through market competition and open cooperation, and efforts must continue to maintain and develop this advantage. He pointed out that today's automotive products are vastly different from the past; they are no longer merely means of transportation. Intelligent connected new energy vehicles can be described as "large terminals" integrating various technologies such as mechanics, electronics, computing, sensing, audio-visual, and energy storage, becoming the main direction for the transformation and upgrading of the automotive industry. He expressed hope that car manufacturers will be driven by innovation, guided by demand, and rooted in quality, accelerate breakthroughs in key core technologies, strengthen forward-looking technological research and development layouts, and continuously promote the improvement and upgrading of the automotive industry. Li Qiang emphasized that both the Chinese and global new energy vehicle markets are currently experiencing sustained growth. China will further advance the construction of a unified national market, expand high-level opening-up, treat domestic and foreign enterprises equally, promote broader exchanges and cooperation between Chinese and foreign car manufacturers, and achieve common development and win-win results. Li Qiang pointed out that China is currently undertaking a new round of large-scale equipment renewal and trade-ins of consumer goods. It is necessary to better leverage the driving role of the automotive industry in expanding investment and promoting consumption, implement policies supporting purchase and use, and unleash the consumption potential of big-ticket items like automobiles to a greater extent. Wu Zhenglong participated in the inspection.
Li Qiang Meets with Tesla CEO
Premier Li Qiang met with Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, Inc., in Beijing on the 28th. Li Qiang stated that Tesla's development in China is a successful example of China-U.S. economic and trade cooperation. Facts show that equal cooperation and mutual benefit are most in line with the fundamental interests of both countries. He expressed hope that the U.S. side will meet China halfway more often, follow the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, and promote the sustained and stable development of China-U.S. relations. China's super-large market will always be open to foreign-invested enterprises. China will keep its word and continue to work on expanding market access and strengthening service guarantees, providing foreign-invested enterprises with a better business environment and stronger comprehensive support, so that enterprises from all countries can invest in China with peace of mind and confidence. Musk stated that the Tesla Shanghai Gigafactory is Tesla's best-performing factory, which is attributed to the diligence and wisdom of the Chinese team. Tesla is willing to further deepen cooperation with China and achieve more win-win results.
Symposium Commemorating 120th Anniversary of Ren Bishi's Birth Held in Beijing, Cai Qi Attends and Delivers Speech
A symposium commemorating the 120th anniversary of the birth of Comrade Ren Bishi was held on April 28 at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Cai Qi, Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Secretary of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, attended the symposium and delivered a speech. Before the symposium, Cai Qi and other leading comrades met with Comrade Ren Bishi's relatives. Comrade Ren Bishi was a great Marxist, an outstanding proletarian revolutionary, politician, and organizer, an exceptional leader of the Communist Party of China and the Chinese People's Liberation Army, and an important member of the first generation of the CPC Central Leadership Collective with Comrade Mao Zedong at its core. In his speech, Cai Qi reviewed Comrade Ren Bishi's life achievements and outstanding contributions. He said that Comrade Ren Bishi established the revolutionary ideal of saving the nation and the people in his youth, always stood at the forefront of revolutionary struggles, and dedicated his entire life to the independence of the Chinese nation and the liberation of the Chinese people. Comrade Ren Bishi was one of the main leaders of the Party during the New Democratic Revolution period, and his revolutionary career was closely linked to the establishment, development, and growth of the Communist Party of China, and to the entire history of the victory of the Chinese New Democratic Revolution. Cai Qi pointed out that on the new journey, we must unite even more closely around the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, fully implement the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Party, deeply understand the decisive significance of "two establishments," strengthen "four consciousnesses," firm up "four self-confidences," achieve "two safeguards," vigorously carry forward the glorious traditions and fine style of the Party, strengthen confidence, forge ahead, and strive unremittingly to comprehensively advance the building of a strong country and the great cause of national rejuvenation through Chinese modernization. Li Ganjie presided over the symposium. He Weidong attended the symposium.
Ren Bishi on Party Building Published
To commemorate the 120th anniversary of the birth of Comrade Ren Bishi, and with the approval of the CPC Central Committee, "Ren Bishi on Party Building," compiled by the Institute of Party History and Literature of the CPC Central Committee, was recently published by Central Literature Press and is now available nationwide. Comrade Ren Bishi was an important member of the first generation of the CPC Central Leadership Collective with Comrade Mao Zedong at its core. "Ren Bishi on Party Building" includes 59 important documents, such as articles, reports, speeches, addresses, letters, and telegrams, by Comrade Ren Bishi on Party building from January 1925 to April 1949, 11 of which are published for the first time. The compilation and publication of "Ren Bishi on Party Building" is of great significance for us to unite even more closely around the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core on the new journey in the new era, firmly uphold the "two establishments," resolutely achieve the "two safeguards," profoundly advance comprehensive and strict Party governance and the Party's self-revolution, and comprehensively promote the building of a strong country and the great cause of national rejuvenation through Chinese modernization.
All Levels of the Military Widely Carry Out Great Discussion on "New Era Outlook on Endeavor"
According to the deployment of the Central Military Commission, the entire military this year is focusing on "forging loyalty to the Party with unswerving resolve and striving together to fulfill the mission," deepening the educational practice activity of "studying the military's strengthening thought and contributing to the military's strengthening cause." The ongoing great discussion on the "New Era Struggle Outlook" is an important part of deepening the educational practice activity and a powerful grasp for advancing political rectification. This great discussion aims to further promote all officers and soldiers of the military to deeply understand the decisive significance of "two establishments," to more firmly unite and strive, overcome difficulties, and forge ahead under the Party's banner, and to gather mighty strength for strengthening the military on the new journey. During the discussion, all levels are comprehensively grasping the links of "study, check, distinguish, and correct," combining them with various tasks such as deepening military training and preparedness, advancing political rectification, and accelerating high-quality development, identifying shortcomings in aspects such as ideological style, value pursuit, work ability, and mental state, and formulating feasible ideas and pragmatic measures to solve problems, transforming the effectiveness of the great discussion into practical actions to go all out in the decisive battle to achieve the centenary goal of army building.
China's Ecological Environment Quality Continues to Improve in Q1
The Ministry of Ecology and Environment announced today (April 28) that China's ecological environmental quality continued to improve overall in the first quarter of this year. In terms of air quality, in the first quarter, the average concentration of PM2.5 in key cities nationwide was 43 micrograms per cubic meter, a year-on-year decrease of 6.5%. The proportion of days with excellent or good air quality was 83.6%, a year-on-year increase of 3.5 percentage points. The air quality in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and its surrounding areas, as well as the Fenwei Plain, improved significantly. In terms of water ecological environmental quality, among the 3,641 national surface water assessment sections, the proportion of excellent or good water quality in the first quarter was 89.9%, a year-on-year increase of 0.8 percentage points. Among them, the water quality of major rivers such as the Yangtze River and Yellow River, as well as 201 key lakes (reservoirs), continued to improve.
Chinese Astronaut Crew Completes On-Orbit Handover
Today (April 28), the Shenzhou-17 and Shenzhou-18 astronaut crews held a handover ceremony, with the two crews transferring the key to the Chinese space station. Around 3 PM, Shenzhou-17 astronauts Tang Hongbo, Tang Shengjie, and Jiang Xinlin, and Shenzhou-18 astronauts Ye Guangfu, Li Cong, and Li Guangsu held a handover ceremony in orbit in the Tianhe core module of the space station, with all six astronauts signing the confirmation document. This is the fourth in-orbit handover and rotation of astronauts since the space station was built. As of now, the Shenzhou-17 astronaut crew has completed all scheduled tasks and will return to the Dongfeng landing site aboard the Shenzhou-17 manned spacecraft on April 30.
[New Era New Journey New Achievements] Beijing Fully Builds International Science and Technology Innovation Center
Beijing is further accelerating the construction of world-leading science and technology parks, striving to be at the forefront in cutting-edge technological innovation and the development of high-end, sophisticated, and advanced industries, and has achieved remarkable results in building an international science and technology innovation center. In recent days, the 2024 Zhongguancun Forum Annual Conference is being held in Beijing, with over 100 countries and regions, more than 150 foreign government departments and international organizations invited to participate, jointly engaging in dialogue, exchange, and cooperation in the field of international scientific and technological innovation. In recent years, Beijing has continuously deepened its industrial layout, with the "one zone with multiple parks" model, led by the Zhongguancun National Demonstration Zone for Independent Innovation, flourishing, and 23 high-quality specialized industrial parks showing strong momentum. At a new energy enterprise in Zhongguancun Fangshan Park, solid-state battery new technology is entering the global leading echelon, in addition to being safer, it also significantly increases the range of new energy vehicles. Beijing also fully supports deep integration of industry, academia, and research, continuously promoting the industrialization of cutting-edge technologies. Currently, Beijing has introduced over 30 sub-industry support policies for general artificial intelligence, humanoid robots, commercial aerospace, etc., forming two trillion-yuan industrial clusters in new-generation information technology and science and technology services.
[Building Modernization, Drawing New Blueprint • Song of Laborers] Making New Contributions to Advancing Chinese Modernization
Since 1985, the All-China Federation of Trade Unions, except in years when national model worker commendation conferences are held, commends advanced individuals and collectives from all walks of life annually before International Labor Day on May 1st. This weighty honor also motivates past award winners to work even harder and achieve new successes. Beside 1,200 mu of farmland in Cailu Village, Dongyang City, Zhejiang Province, Yu Xianghong, director of the Wuning Power Supply Station of State Grid Dongyang Power Supply Company, is directing his team to install new temperature measurement devices. This nut-sized device, developed by his team last year, can monitor the temperature of electrical connectors around the clock, effectively preventing power outages. Promptly eliminating hidden dangers and striving for "fewer outages and faster restoration" has been Yu Xianghong's work for over 20 years, rooted in grassroots power services. To date, he and his team have overcome 53 technical difficulties and obtained 10 national patents. Against the backdrop of new quality productive forces continuously empowering traditional industries, how to better integrate digital technology and advanced manufacturing is what Zhang Shuaikun, a recipient of last year's National May 1st Labor Medal, and his team members have been pondering. At China Railway Construction Heavy Industry Corporation, they are applying a digital twin system, developed over four years, to the manufacturing and operation and maintenance of super-large shield tunneling equipment. Looking to the future, past labor award winners are all full of confidence and are actively participating in the vigorous practice of accelerating Chinese modernization.
National Immigration Administration Releases Six Policies to Facilitate People and Enterprises
Reporters learned from a press conference held by the National Immigration Administration today (April 28) that six convenient immigration management policies and measures for individuals and enterprises will be implemented starting from May 6. From May 6, a pilot program for "full online processing" of passport and entry-exit document renewals and replacements will be implemented in 20 cities, including Beijing, Tianjin, Shenyang, Harbin, and Shanghai. Residents aged 16 and above with household registration in these 20 cities, with the exception of registered national staff and active military personnel, can apply online for the renewal or replacement of similar documents through the National Immigration Administration government service platform, achieving "zero trips" to the office. The six measures also include: "smart and fast processing" and "nationwide processing" for business endorsements for Hong Kong and Macau. Six types of talents, including outstanding talents and scientific research talents working in Beijing and Shanghai, can apply for talent endorsements for Hong Kong and Macau. Mainland residents going to Macau for exhibitions, medical treatment, or performing arts activities can apply for a one-year multiple-entry "other" category endorsement for Macau. The stay period in Hong Kong and Macau for individuals holding business endorsements for Hong Kong and Macau will be extended from the original 7 days to 14 days. Individuals participating in "Hengqin-Macau Tourism Groups" will be allowed multiple round trips between Hengqin and Macau.
Local Snowfall and Temperature Drop in Northern China, Heavy Rainfall Continues in Southern China
Yesterday (April 27), strong rainfall occurred in South China and other regions, with widespread heavy to torrential rain in central and eastern Guangdong, and exceptionally heavy rain in some areas of Guangzhou, Huizhou, and Shanwei. Affected by a cold front, some areas in the north experienced snowfall and temperature drops. Yesterday, Chifeng and Xilin Gol League in Inner Mongolia, as well as Zhangjiakou and Chengde in Hebei, experienced snowfall. Local authorities carried out ice melting and snow removal operations to clear roads for passing vehicles. Over the next three days, strong rainfall is expected in South China, Jiangnan, and eastern parts of Southwest China. The Central Meteorological Observatory continues to issue a blue alert for heavy rain.
Domestic News Briefs
The 2024 International Consumption Season and the 5th Shanghai "May 5th Shopping Festival" were launched on April 27, co-hosted by the Ministry of Commerce, China Media Group, and the Shanghai Municipal People's Government. The event brings together global consumer goods, promotes the matching of supply and demand resources, and fosters deep integration of business, tourism, culture, sports, and health; simultaneously launched, the 5th Shanghai "May 5th Shopping Festival" will further highlight the joint promotion of business, tourism, culture, sports, and exhibitions, the co-promotion of goods and services, and the integration of brands and scenarios, with over 1,000 special activities to be held during the period. The opening ceremony of the Third International Consumption Center City Forum was also held at the event site. The 2024 Medical Security Fund Flying Inspection Launched. Reporters learned from the National Healthcare Security Administration that the 2024 medical security fund flying inspection was launched recently, with a focus on areas such as intensive care medicine, anesthesia, and lung cancer. Since the establishment of the flying inspection mechanism in 2019, more than 8 billion yuan in medical insurance-related funds have been recovered. The Ministry of Education Requires the Establishment and Improvement of Compulsory Education Dropout Prevention and Reporting Mechanisms. Recently, the Ministry of Education required all localities to regularly carry out compulsory education dropout prevention work. County-level education administrative departments should establish accounts for school-age children, suspected dropout students, and dropout students. All localities should focus on special groups such as children with disabilities and left-behind children for investigation and monitoring, accurately grasp the schooling situation of special group students, and establish a rapid discovery and response mechanism for dropout students. Nationwide Electric Bicycle Safety Hazard Chain Rectification Action Launched. The Office of the State Council Safety Committee and the Ministry of Emergency Management held a meeting today (April 28) to deploy a nationwide electric bicycle safety hazard chain rectification action. It emphasized the need to improve the quality standard system and intensify efforts to combat the recycling and assembly of battery packs. New projects should include parking and charging facilities in their配套规划 (supporting planning), existing communities should add parking and charging facilities, and a scrap recycling system should be established.
Israeli Foreign Minister Says Offensive on Rafah Will Be Postponed If Hostage Exchange Deal Reached
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz stated on the 27th that if Israel and the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) reach an agreement on the exchange of detainees, Israel will temporarily suspend its ground operation in Rafah, a city in the southern Gaza Strip. However, Katz said that the overall goal of destroying Hamas would not change. According to Al Arabiya News Channel today (April 28), Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas in the Gaza Strip, has received the latest proposal from the mediating parties Egypt and Israel regarding the exchange of detainees and a ceasefire agreement, and is expected to respond in the coming days. Israel Says It Airstrikes About 25 Targets in Gaza Strip. The Israeli military stated on the 27th that over the past day, the Israeli army conducted airstrikes on approximately 25 targets in the Gaza Strip, striking Palestinian armed group rocket launchers, vehicles carrying Hamas members, and other targets. According to Palestinian media reports on the 27th, Israeli airstrikes on multiple areas in southern and central Gaza Strip on that day resulted in at least 16 deaths.
International News Briefs
Russia claims to have struck Ukrainian military factories, Ukraine claims to have attacked Russian military airfields. The Russian Ministry of Defense stated on the 27th that in the past week, the Russian military used "Kinzhal" hypersonic missiles and drones, among others, to conduct multiple joint strikes on Ukrainian energy facilities, military factories, and drone and unmanned surface vessel production and repair workshops. Ukraine's National News Agency reported that in the early morning of the 27th, Ukrainian SBU drones attacked a Russian military airfield and two oil refineries. The United States will withdraw most of its troops from Chad and Niger. General Charles Q. Brown Jr., Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, confirmed on the 26th that the United States will withdraw most of its troops from Chad and Niger. U.S. media reported that the U.S. military plans to withdraw approximately 1,000 personnel from Chad and Niger combined. According to multiple media reports, earlier this month, the Chadian military demanded the withdrawal of U.S. troops from an air base near Chad's capital N'Djamena, citing a lack of justification for the U.S. presence. In March this year, Niger announced the cancellation of its military cooperation agreement with the United States and demanded the withdrawal of U.S. troops stationed in the country.