Xi Jinping Stresses Further Deepening Reform During Shandong Inspection to Advance Chinese Modernization
Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, President of the People's Republic of China, and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, recently emphasized during his inspection tour in Shandong that the province should accurately position itself and play a crucial role in the overall national development, fully and faithfully implement the new development philosophy, and be driven by further comprehensive reform. Shandong should continue to take the lead in serving and integrating into the new development paradigm, enhancing innovation in economic and social development, and promoting ecological protection and high-quality development in the Yellow River Basin. The province should accelerate the construction of a pioneering zone for green, low-carbon, and high-quality development, build a new highland for high-level opening-up, and strive to write the Shandong chapter of Chinese modernization. From May 22 to 24, accompanied by Lin Wu, Secretary of the Shandong Provincial Party Committee, and Zhou Naixiang, Governor of Shandong Province, Xi Jinping visited Rizhao and Jinan for research. On the afternoon of May 22, Xi Jinping first inspected Rizhao Port. Rizhao Port is a vital transit hub for energy and bulk raw materials. In recent years, it has advanced smart and green construction, building a shore-aligned, open, fully automated container terminal. Xi Jinping listened to briefings on the development and construction of Shandong's ports and the planning and layout of Rizhao Port, and observed the operations of the fully automated container terminal. He stated that Rizhao Port, built after the reform and opening-up, has promoted scientific and technological innovation in recent years, transforming a traditional port into a modern one. Not only has its cargo throughput ranked among the top in the country, but it has also accumulated experience in developing new productive forces through the transformation and upgrading of traditional industries, which is commendable. Xi Jinping cordially greeted port scientists, operators, and shipping personnel, expressing his hope that they would continue to exert themselves and strive for further progress, elevating Rizhao Port's management and operations to a higher level. Afterwards, Xi Jinping inspected the Sunshine Coast Greenway in Rizhao City. In recent years, Rizhao City has carried out ecological restoration of exposed coastal areas and damaged shorelines, constructing approximately 28 kilometers of the Sunshine Coast Greenway, providing a good place for citizens and tourists to exercise and relax. Xi Jinping listened to a briefing on the overall construction of the greenway, inspected the ecologically restored coastal environment, learned about the local practices and achievements in upgrading the cultural tourism industry and improving people's quality of life, and occasionally engaged in cordial exchanges with citizens and tourists. He pointed out that constructing greenways meets the needs of citizens and is a popular initiative. Advancing Chinese modernization aims to continuously improve the lives of the people. A good ecological environment brings a tangible sense of happiness to the common people. Everyone should work together to build and protect their beautiful homes. On the morning of May 24, Xi Jinping listened to a work report from the Shandong Provincial Party Committee and Provincial Government in Jinan, affirming the achievements made in various aspects of Shandong's work. Xi Jinping pointed out that Shandong has great potential in promoting the deep integration of scientific and technological innovation with industrial innovation, developing new productive forces, and improving the modern industrial system. It should focus on national strategic needs, coordinate the transformation and upgrading of traditional industries, the cultivation and growth of emerging industries, and the forward-looking layout of future industries, fully unleashing the integrated efficiency of the real economy and the digital economy, and developing new productive forces according to local conditions. It should vigorously promote the green and low-carbon transformation of development methods, and advance green and environmentally friendly scientific and technological innovation and industrial development. It should deeply align with regional coordinated development strategies, and strive to become an important economic growth pole in northern China. It should leverage its unique advantages of abundant marine resources, manage the ocean, and strive for maritime strength, building a world-class marine port cluster and a highland for modern marine economic development. Xi Jinping emphasized that Shandong should strive to be a pioneer in further comprehensive reform and promoting high-level opening-up. It should focus on advancing Chinese modernization, work hard to resolve prominent contradictions restricting high-quality development, and make solid efforts to improve systems, perfect mechanisms, stimulate vitality, and add impetus. It should actively build international logistics corridors, vigorously promote coordinated innovation in free trade zones, build a good demonstration zone for institutional opening-up, deeply integrate into high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, meticulously create high-level platforms for major international exchanges and cooperation, and strive to become an important node connecting domestic and international circulations. Xi Jinping pointed out that Shandong is a major agricultural province and a major grain-producing province, bearing significant responsibility for ensuring national food security. It should deepen integrated urban-rural development, comprehensively promote rural revitalization, improve the quality and effectiveness of village planning, vigorously develop modern agriculture, actively develop rural characteristic industries and agricultural product processing industries, extend industrial chains, and enhance value chains. It should advance the construction of high-standard farmland, promote increased grain production and quality improvement, and build a higher-level "Qilu Granary." It should consolidate and expand the achievements of poverty alleviation, broaden paths to common prosperity, and promote increased agricultural benefits, increased farmer income, and increased rural vitality. It should adhere to and develop the Fengqiao experience in the new era, persist in Party building leading grassroots governance, improve the ability of grassroots Party organizations to lead grassroots governance, enhance rural public services, and consolidate the good situation of rural harmony and stability, with people living and working in peace and contentment. Xi Jinping emphasized that Shandong should shoulder the cultural mission of the new era and play an active role in promoting cultural prosperity, building a culturally strong nation, and building a modern civilization of the Chinese nation. It should strengthen cultural confidence, deeply excavate the essence of excellent traditional Chinese culture, adhere to creative transformation and innovative development, deepen cultural exchanges and mutual learning using platforms such as the International Confucius Cultural Festival, and enhance the influence of Chinese culture. It should protect and utilize red resources well, vigorously carry forward the Yimeng Spirit, and promote the inheritance of red genes from generation to generation. It should widely practice socialist core values, continuously deepen urban and rural spiritual civilization construction, effectively carry out the transformation of outdated customs in rural areas, and allow modern civilized concepts to take deep root in the countryside. It should prosper and develop cultural undertakings and cultural industries, innovate and implement cultural benefit projects, and vigorously promote cultural digitalization, so that advanced socialist culture can add impetus and benefits to economic development, add connotation and charm to tourism and leisure, and add integrity and vitality to urban and rural society. Xi Jinping pointed out that advancing Chinese modernization must adhere to Party leadership and strengthen Party building. The Party discipline education currently being carried out throughout the Party is a key task of Party building this year. Party organizations at all levels should carefully organize, solidly promote, and strive for practical results. They should strengthen warning education, effectively promote learning through cases and explaining discipline through cases, so that awe and discipline truly become a daily habit. They should guide Party members and cadres to fully understand and implement Party discipline, and on the premise of abiding by rules and discipline, work with peace of mind, boldly carry out tasks, be keen to make progress, and actively contribute, creating achievements worthy of the people and the era. Taking Party discipline education as an opportunity, they should continue to deepen the rectification of formalism to reduce burdens on grassroots, and create a good environment for grassroots cadres to work and innovate. Xi Jinping emphasized that Party committees and governments at all levels should coordinate development and security, solidly grasp the prevention and resolution of risks in key areas such as small and medium-sized financial institutions, local government debt, and real estate, meticulously implement production safety responsibilities, prevent potential disasters such as floods early, comprehensively strengthen the investigation and rectification of safety risks and hidden dangers in various fields, effectively prevent problems before they occur, and hold the bottom line of safety. Cai Qi, 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 the inspection. Li Ganjie, He Lifeng, and responsible comrades from relevant central and state organs also accompanied the inspection. On the morning of May 23, Xi Jinping cordially met with leading cadres of colonel rank and above stationed in Jinan, extending sincere greetings to all officers and soldiers of the troops stationed in Jinan on behalf of the Party Central Committee and the Central Military Commission, and took a group photo with them. Zhang Youxia accompanied the meeting.
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CCTV Quick Comment: Focus on Advancing Chinese Modernization by Further Deepening Reform
Our station today (May 24) broadcast a CCTV Quick Commentary titled "Focusing on the Theme of Advancing Chinese Modernization and Further Comprehensively Deepening Reform."
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Xi Jinping Congratulates Abinader on Re-election as Dominican President
On May 22, President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to Luis Abinader, congratulating him on his re-election as President of the Dominican Republic. Xi Jinping pointed out that currently, China-Dominican Republic relations maintain a positive momentum of development, with continuously deepening political mutual trust, fruitful practical cooperation, and close coordination in international and regional affairs. I attach great importance to China-Dominican Republic relations and appreciate President Abinader's firm adherence to the one-China policy. I am willing to work with President Abinader to continue to lead China-Dominican Republic relations to new heights, allowing more cooperation outcomes to better benefit the peoples of both countries.
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Li Qiang Chairs State Council Executive Meeting
Premier Li Qiang of the State Council presided over an executive meeting of the State Council on May 24, listening to a report on administrative reconsideration work and deliberating and approving the "Opinions on Expanding Cross-border E-commerce Exports and Promoting the Construction of Overseas Warehouses." The meeting pointed out that administrative reconsideration is a supervisory system for self-correction within the government system and a remedy system for resolving administrative disputes, serving as an important抓手 (grasp/tool) for promoting law-based administration and building a law-based government. It is necessary to fully leverage the role of administrative reconsideration as the main channel for resolving administrative disputes, conscientiously implement the newly revised Administrative Reconsideration Law, and promptly revise the Regulations for the Implementation of the Administrative Reconsideration Law to further improve the supervisory and restrictive mechanisms of administrative reconsideration on acts such as insufficient performance of statutory duties, procedural violations, and arbitrary fines. It is necessary to use administrative reconsideration to improve the level of law-based administration, promote more convenient administrative reconsideration, and continuously enhance the efficiency and credibility of administrative reconsideration. Strengthen the衔接 (connection/linkage) between administrative reconsideration and people's mediation, administrative litigation, and petitions, and explore the establishment of a mechanism to channel eligible administrative disputes from administrative litigation and petitions to administrative reconsideration. The meeting pointed out that developing new foreign trade business models such as cross-border e-commerce and overseas warehouses is conducive to promoting the optimization and stable scale of foreign trade structure, and to fostering new advantages in international economic cooperation. It is necessary to actively cultivate cross-border e-commerce operators, encourage localities to support traditional foreign trade enterprises in developing cross-border e-commerce based on their distinctive advantages, strengthen the training of cross-border e-commerce professionals, provide more platforms for enterprises to display and connect, and continuously promote brand building. It is necessary to increase financial support, strengthen the construction of relevant infrastructure and logistics systems, optimize supervision and services, and actively carry out the establishment of standards and rules and international cooperation. It is necessary to strengthen industry self-discipline, guide orderly competition, and better empower the development of upstream and downstream industrial chains. The meeting also discussed other matters.
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CPPCC Holds Bi-Weekly Consultation Session on Forging a Strong Sense of Community for the Chinese Nation and Building a Shared Spiritual Home; Wang Huning Presides
The 19th Bimonthly Consultative Symposium of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) was held in Beijing on May 24, presided over by Wang Huning, Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Chairman of the CPPCC National Committee. He stated that since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has, from the strategic height of realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, planned and deployed the Party's ethnic work in the new era, adhered to the correct path of solving ethnic issues with Chinese characteristics, and formed General Secretary Xi Jinping's important thought on strengthening and improving ethnic work, guiding and promoting new historic achievements in the Party's ethnic work in the new era. Regarding the consultative discussions on "forging a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation and building a shared spiritual home for the Chinese nation," it is necessary to deeply study and comprehend General Secretary Xi Jinping's important thought on strengthening and improving ethnic work and the deployments of the CPC Central Committee, continuously enhancing the pertinence and effectiveness of research and proposals. Wang Huning stated that the CPPCC members should focus on deepening research on major fundamental issues of the Chinese national community, helping to construct a Chinese independent historical, discourse, and theoretical system of the Chinese national community. They should focus on conducting research and deliberations closely related to building a shared spiritual home for the Chinese nation, offering more suggestions and advice for strengthening and improving work. They should focus on creating a good atmosphere conducive to the construction of the Chinese national community, actively participating in "CPPCC members promoting three exchanges" and "serving the people" activities in their performance of duties, and telling the story of the Chinese national community well. Some CPPCC National Committee members and experts spoke. They believed that it is necessary to start from civilization, culture, and written language, persist in continuous efforts, and effectively and perceptibly build a shared spiritual home for the Chinese nation. It is necessary to grasp the relationship between Chinese culture and the cultures of various ethnic groups, promote the spirit of the Chinese nation, and consolidate unity through cultural identity. It is necessary to promote exchanges, interactions, and integration among various ethnic groups, and promote high-quality development in ethnic minority areas. Responsible comrades from the Central Propaganda Department, the National Ethnic Affairs Commission, and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism introduced relevant information and held consultations and exchanges with CPPCC members.
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Han Zheng Meets Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
On May 24, Vice President Han Zheng met with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Sok Chenda Sophea in Beijing. Han Zheng stated that China and Cambodia are good neighbors, good friends, and good partners. President Xi Jinping met with King Norodom Sihamoni and Prime Minister Hun Manet twice last year, and maintained strategic communication with Samdech Techo Hun Sen, reaching important consensus on building a high-quality, high-level, and high-standard community with a shared future in the new era. China attaches great importance to and is committed to deepening China-Cambodia comprehensive strategic cooperation, and is willing to continuously enrich the China-Cambodia "Diamond Hexagon" cooperation framework, promote the alignment of the "Belt and Road" initiative with Cambodia's "Pentagon Strategy," advance the construction of the "Industrial Development Corridor" and the "Fish and Rice Corridor," successfully hold a series of activities for the "China-Cambodia People-to-People Exchange Year" this year, and promote the in-depth and solid construction of a China-Cambodia community with a shared future. Sok Chenda Sophea stated that the new Cambodian government will fully carry forward the traditional friendship between Cambodia and China, firmly adhere to the one-China principle, and strengthen practical cooperation with China in various fields.
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Promoting High-Quality Development Series Press Conference: Tibet Vigorously Promotes Long-Term Stability and High-Quality Development
The State Council Information Office held a press conference on May 23 as part of the "Promoting High-Quality Development" series, where relevant officials from the Tibet Autonomous Region introduced the latest developments. Since the "14th Five-Year Plan" period, Tibet's GDP has grown from 190 billion yuan to 240 billion yuan last year, and the growth rate of per capita disposable income for urban and rural residents has remained among the highest in the country for many years. By vigorously developing distinctive advantageous industries such as cultural tourism, unique agriculture and animal husbandry, high-tech digital, Tibetan medicine, and plateau light industry, Tibet has strived to carve out a new path for high-quality economic development on the plateau. At the same time, Tibet has continued to implement "Ten Major Livelihood Projects," effectively carrying out practical livelihood initiatives such as school heating projects, oxygen supply in townships and towns of border counties, heating in county-level public hospitals, and solving seasonal water shortages in high-altitude agricultural and pastoral areas. It has also vigorously improved infrastructure conditions for water, electricity, roads, communications, and housing. In the next step, Tibet will continue to focus on the "four major tasks" of stability, development, ecological protection, and border strengthening. It will increase financial investment and innovation efforts, and accelerate the improvement of major infrastructure such as water, electricity, roads, and communications; open more direct flights to inland cities and international destinations, attract more investment enterprises into Tibet's cultural tourism market, and further build the cultural tourism industry into a pillar industry; coordinate various green resources, actively cultivate ecological industries, and continuously enhance the diversity, stability, and sustainability of the plateau ecosystem.
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Eastern Theater Command Continues Joint Live-Fire Drills in Air and Sea Around Taiwan Island
Today (May 24), the Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army continued to conduct the "Joint Sword - 2024A" exercise around Taiwan Island, integrating operations inside and outside the island chain. The exercise included training subjects such as ship-aircraft coordination, sea assault, and land strike, testing multi-domain coordination and joint strike capabilities in actual combat. The troops of the Eastern Theater Command will, with strong determination, firm will, and powerful capabilities, resolutely crack down on the arrogant actions of "Taiwan independence" separatist forces, resolutely crush all attempts at secession, and resolutely defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity. A certain unit of the Eastern Theater Command Army, upon receiving the order, immediately organized personnel and equipment for emergency deployment. In the rain, officers and soldiers quickly completed vehicle deployment from the depot, ammunition loading, and battlefield maneuver, arriving at the pre-combat area on time. This exercise focused on testing new tactical methods for multi-platform coordinated assault and multi-munition compound strike with new rocket launchers, comprehensively improving rapid fire response capabilities and joint precision strike capabilities. In the sea areas around Taiwan Island, under the unified command of the Theater Joint Operations Command Center, the Eastern Theater Command Navy's warship formation adopted high-speed maneuvering and concealed approach tactics to conduct simulated strikes against maritime targets. The exercise emphasized targeting, confrontation, and coordination, further testing the joint combat capabilities of the troops in actual combat. The Eastern Theater Command Air Force continued to organize combat patrols around Taiwan Island and patrols around offshore islands. Multiple batches of fighter jets, loaded with live ammunition, quickly flew to the target airspace to conduct simulated strikes. Several bombers, under the cover of fighter formations, advanced out of the island chain and established multiple strike positions in the waters east of Taiwan, coordinating with naval ship formations and mobile shore-based missile units to conduct simulated strikes on important targets. Tanker aircraft established refueling positions in the predetermined airspace, continuously organizing aerial refueling for multiple batches of fighter jets, supporting naval and air force operations. Upon receiving the order, a certain unit of the Rocket Force quickly rushed to the predetermined combat area. Various launch units successively occupied their launch positions, commenced launch preparations, and conducted multiple waves of simulated fire strikes.
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China Coast Guard Flotilla 2304 Conducts Comprehensive Law Enforcement Drill in Waters East of Taiwan Island
On May 24, the China Coast Guard (CCG) Vessel 2304 flotilla conducted comprehensive law enforcement drills in the waters east of Taiwan Island, focusing on training subjects such as verification, identification, warning, and expulsion, to test joint patrol and emergency response capabilities. Upon the command of the flotilla commander, the vessel formation quickly adjusted its course and maneuvered at high speed to the waters east of Taiwan Island, carrying out the drills according to the plan. During the drill, CCG vessels adopted actions such as radar reconnaissance, close-range verification, verbal warnings, and water cannon sprays to intercept. Law enforcement officers also boarded the target vessel via ship-borne law enforcement boats, successfully controlling and seizing it.
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International Sharp Commentary
Our station today (May 24) broadcast an international commentary. The commentary pointed out that the Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army organized forces including the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Rocket Force to conduct the "Joint Sword - 2024A" exercise around Taiwan Island. This is not only a powerful punishment for the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces' attempts at "independence" and a serious warning to external forces' interference and provocation, but also a just and necessary move to demonstrate the determination and capability to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
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Domestic News Briefs
China's Non-Financial ODI Increased by 18.7% in First Four Months
Data released by the Ministry of Commerce shows that from January to April, China's non-financial outbound direct investment (ODI) reached 343.47 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 18.7%. Of this, Chinese enterprises' non-financial ODI in Belt and Road Initiative partner countries amounted to 77.77 billion yuan, an increase of 20.4% year-on-year.
20-Year Ultra-Long-Term Special Treasury Bonds Issued Today
The 20-year ultra-long-term special treasury bonds were issued today (May 24) with an issuance interest rate of 2.49% and a total issuance amount of 40 billion yuan. These are book-entry treasury bonds, with interest accruing from May 25 and paid semi-annually. According to a notice from the Ministry of Finance, these bonds will be listed for trading from May 29. This year, China will issue a total of 1 trillion yuan in ultra-long-term special treasury bonds, including 20-year, 30-year, and 50-year maturities.
Seventh Digital China Summit Opens in Fuzhou
The Seventh Digital China Summit opened today (May 24) in Fuzhou, Fujian Province. This year's theme is "Unleashing the Value of Data Elements, Developing New Productive Forces." The summit features a main forum and more than 10 sub-forums, focusing on digital economy, digital government affairs, and other topics. The "Digital China Development Report (2023)" was released at the event, and a dedicated 56,000-square-meter on-site experience area showcases China's latest achievements in various fields of digitalization.
"High-End Dialogue" to Air Exclusive Interview with IMF Managing Director Georgieva Tonight
Tonight (May 24), CCTV News Channel's "High-End Dialogue" program will broadcast an exclusive interview with Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Georgieva praised China's potential in green development and digital transformation, believing that China is transitioning from high-speed development to high-quality development. The program will also be simultaneously available on new media platforms such as CCTV News, Yangshipin, and央视网 (https://www.google.com/search?q=CCTV.com).
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Israeli Military to Deploy More Troops to Rafah; Hamas Clashes with Israeli Forces in Rafah
Palestinian health officials in the Gaza Strip stated that Israeli military operations in various areas on May 23 resulted in the deaths of at least 60 Palestinians. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said on May 23 that the Israeli army is intensifying strikes on Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip and will continue to increase its forces. The Israeli military also carried out airstrikes on multiple targets in the northern and central Gaza Strip on the same day, killing a commander of the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas). Hamas's armed wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, claimed on May 23 that it had targeted Israeli tanks and personnel in southern Rafah and the Jabalia area. The World Health Organization (WHO) stated on May 23 that Kamal Adwan Hospital, a major medical facility in the northern Gaza Strip, has ceased operations. Additionally, today (May 24), the generators at Al-Aqsa Hospital in central Gaza Strip have run out of fuel.
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International News Briefs
Russia and Belarus Discuss Non-Strategic Nuclear Force Drills and Other Issues
Russian President Vladimir Putin began a two-day visit to Belarus on May 23. Putin stated that he would discuss issues with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenka, including Belarus's participation in Russia's second phase of non-strategic nuclear force exercises. The Russian Ministry of Defense announced on May 21 that Russia's Southern Military District had begun the first phase of non-strategic nuclear force exercises in response to provocative statements and threats from Western officials.
Tornadoes Strike Texas and Other U.S. States
According to U.S. media reports on May 23, central Texas was hit by tornadoes on May 22. In Temple City, the tornadoes caused approximately 30 injuries and damaged over 500 homes. Recently, Iowa also experienced multiple tornadoes, with the severe weather resulting in at least 5 deaths, 35 injuries, and hundreds of damaged homes.