New Era of Reform and Opening Up Guided by New Thinking: Forging a New Landscape of High-Level Opening Up
General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that promoting reform and development through opening up is a crucial magic weapon for China's modernization drive to continuously achieve new successes. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as its core has unswervingly expanded opening up, built a new system for a higher-level open economy, and formed a new pattern of opening up across a wider range, in broader fields, and at deeper levels. This has continuously expanded the development space for Chinese modernization and promoted common prosperity for the world economy. Today's China is the world's largest country in terms of goods trade and foreign exchange reserves, ranks among the top globally in attracting and outward foreign investment, and has formed a new pattern of opening up across a wider range, in broader fields, and at deeper levels. In Qianhai, Shenzhen, an average of over 120 new foreign-invested enterprises have been established each month this year, ushering in a new wave of foreign investment. At Xi'an International Port Station, a China-Europe freight train departs every two hours on average. Currently, China-Europe freight trains reach 25 European countries and connect 11 Asian countries. Ezhou, Hubei, home to Asia's largest professional cargo airport, sees 80 international cargo flights weekly, transforming this "Air Silk Road" from China's central inland into a global cargo hub. Over the past decade, China's opening-up drive has achieved historic successes and undergone historic changes. In the second decade of the 21st century, economic globalization encountered headwinds, and world economic growth was sluggish. Facing the unprecedented changes in the world in a century, General Secretary Xi Jinping profoundly observed the major trends in domestic and international development, led China to consistently uphold the banner of openness, creatively proposed the Belt and Road Initiative, and forged a new model of international economic cooperation. In response to the question of "what's wrong with the world, and what should we do?", General Secretary Xi Jinping delivered speeches and remarks three times at the Davos Forum, explaining China's proposals for economic globalization and the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind from a historical and philosophical perspective. At critical junctures concerning the development of human society, there have always been Chinese proposals and solutions that insightfully grasped the changes of the times, providing precious certainty and stability to a world in turmoil. From home-ground diplomatic activities to attending multilateral summits, from central conferences to local inspections and research, General Secretary Xi Jinping, with strategic thinking and a global vision, profoundly expounded the goals, direction, and path of the new era's opening-up strategy from the perspective of coordinating the overall strategic situation of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and the unprecedented changes in the world in a century. From building a new open economic system to promoting the formation of a comprehensive new pattern of opening up; from implementing high-level opening up and forging a new situation of win-win cooperation to building a higher-level open economic system; from establishing pilot free trade zones to building a free trade port with Chinese characteristics in Hainan; from the CIIE, CIFTIS, to the CICPE, a series of major measures to expand high-level opening up have injected Chinese strength into global development. In the new era, China is focusing on institutional opening up and building a higher-level open economic system. From pilot free trade zones to free trade ports, China has actively aligned with high-standard international economic and trade rules, steadily expanded institutional opening up in areas such as rules, regulations, management, and standards, carrying out over 3,500 pilot reforms and forming many landmark and leading institutional innovation achievements. The Foreign Investment Law and the Regulations on Optimizing the Business Environment have officially come into effect, fully implementing the pre-establishment national treatment plus negative list management system for foreign investment. The national negative list for foreign investment access has been reduced from 93 items to the current 31, and China's first negative list for cross-border service trade has been introduced. All foreign investment access restrictions in the manufacturing sector have been lifted, as have foreign shareholding limits in banking, securities, life insurance, and other fields. China is actively opening its market to the world. As the world's first national-level exhibition focused on imports, the CIIE has, over its six sessions, cumulatively generated intended transaction volume exceeding 420 billion US dollars. Opening up promotes reform and development, continuously expanding the development space for Chinese modernization. The main projects of the 31 customs closure projects in Hainan Free Trade Port have been largely completed, and the island's independent customs operation has entered a critical phase. The 22 pilot free trade zones, guided by opening-up policies centered on institutional innovation, have continuously extended their industrial chains and significantly enhanced industrial competitiveness, contributing over 18% of the country's foreign investment and total import and export volume with less than four thousandths of the national land area. In the new era, China is leading high-level opening up through high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. Through Belt and Road cooperation, the connection between the Chinese market and the world market has become closer. Coastal areas have achieved new heights in open development, and inland areas have transformed from "defenders" to "forerunners," with former open-ended areas becoming new frontiers. In the first five months of this year, foreign trade in China's western region increased by 9.3% year-on-year, making it the fastest-growing region in China's foreign trade. Today, the Belt and Road Initiative has attracted more than three-quarters of the world's countries and over 30 international organizations, driving nearly one trillion US dollars in investment, and has become the most popular international public good and international cooperation platform in the world. China's development cannot be separated from the world, and the world's prosperity also needs China. An open China is an important engine for global development. China's GDP accounted for about 18% of the global economy, up from 11.4% in 2012, and its contribution rate to world economic growth has remained at around 30% for many years. China has built a high-standard free trade zone network facing the world, signed and implemented the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement, and the number of free trade agreements signed externally has increased from 10 to 22. China initiated the establishment of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the BRICS New Development Bank, facilitated the completion of quota reform and governance mechanism reform of the International Monetary Fund, and the world's first multilateral investment agreement initiated by China has been formally concluded, with over 120 WTO members jointly promoting smoother global investment flows. Reform will not stop, and opening up will not cease. On the new journey, China will unswervingly deepen reform comprehensively and expand high-level opening up, providing new opportunities for world development with new achievements in Chinese modernization and making greater contributions to human progress!
Traditional Chinese Character Editions of "Selected Readings from the Works of Xi Jinping" Volumes I & II and "Excerpts from Xi Jinping's Discourses on Chinese Modernization" Debut at 2024 Hong Kong Book Fair
The traditional Chinese character editions of "Selected Works of Xi Jinping" Volumes I and II, and "Excerpts from Xi Jinping's Discourses on Chinese Modernization" were recently published and released by Joint Publishing (Holdings) Ltd. On July 17, a book launch and publishing seminar were held on the first day of the Hong Kong Book Fair. "Selected Works of Xi Jinping" vividly records the great historical process in which the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core led the people in pioneering a new era of socialism with Chinese characteristics and continuously achieving new victories. It centrally reflects the significant theoretical innovations achieved by Chinese Communists in the new era in advancing the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism, fully demonstrates the power of truth and practical strength of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era in leading the building of a strong country and national rejuvenation, and showcases the mission and responsibility of the Communist Party of China for national development and the future of humanity. It is an authoritative work that comprehensively and systematically reflects Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. "Excerpts from Xi Jinping's Discourses on Chinese Modernization" systematically reflects Comrade Xi Jinping's profound exposition on the rich connotations of Chinese modernization, including its Chinese characteristics, essential requirements, and major principles. It centrally embodies the innovative breakthroughs in the theory and practice of Chinese modernization since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, and showcases the new path of Chinese modernization successfully blazed by the Party leading the people, the new form of human civilization created, and the new blueprint for modernization drawn. The publication and release of the traditional Chinese character editions of these three books will help readers in Hong Kong and Macao systematically understand Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and profoundly grasp the theoretical system and practical requirements of Chinese modernization. This is of great significance for guiding Hong Kong and Macao compatriots to enhance their national, ethnic, and cultural identity, and to work together with people of all ethnic groups across the country in unity for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. John Lee Ka-chiu, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, responsible officials from the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR, representatives of patriotic Hong Kong organizations, political groups, and associations, and representatives from the publishing industry attended the book launch and publishing seminar. Responsible officials from organizations such as the Hong Kong Coalition of Professional Services, the Hong Kong Chinese Enterprises Association, and the Hong Kong Federation of Education Workers received赠书 (donated books) at the book launch. The traditional Chinese character editions of the three books are now fully available and prominently promoted in major bookstores in Hong Kong and Macao.
Stable Investment Growth Drives Structural Adjustment and Quality Enhancement
In the first half of the year, China actively expanded effective investment, stimulated investment vitality, maintained rapid growth in key areas of investment, and continuously optimized the investment structure. Investment in equipment upgrading and renovation maintained rapid growth, a major highlight in the investment sector in the first half of the year. The latest data shows that in the first six months, investment related to equipment upgrading and renovation increased by 17.3% year-on-year, driving a 2.1 percentage point increase in fixed asset investment. Large-scale equipment upgrading and renovation promoted the transformation and upgrading of traditional industries and accelerated the development of advanced manufacturing. In the first half of the year, investment in high-tech manufacturing and high-tech industries increased by 10.1% and 10.6% year-on-year, respectively, 6.2 and 6.7 percentage points faster than overall investment. Driven by high-tech manufacturing, manufacturing investment increased by 9.5% year-on-year in the first half of the year, 5.6 percentage points higher than the overall investment growth rate; its contribution to overall investment growth reached 57.5%, an increase of 5.2 percentage points from the first quarter. In the first half of the year, infrastructure investment also maintained stable growth. Currently, the Zhangbei-Shengli 1000 kV UHV AC project is entering an accelerated construction phase and will be put into operation in October. As an important part of China's "west-to-east power transmission" initiative, it can transmit over 70 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually from the Xilingol and Zhangjiakou energy bases to areas such as Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei, Shandong, and Jiangsu. Since the beginning of this year, the Guxian Water Conservancy Project on the Yellow River has commenced construction, the Pinglu Canal is more than half excavated, and the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link has been completed and opened to traffic. In the first half of the year, China's infrastructure investment increased by 5.4% year-on-year, faster than overall investment, and contributed 1.2 percentage points to overall investment growth. A batch of major projects related to social welfare, people's livelihoods, and urban development are accelerating construction, continuously enhancing the momentum of economic development.
Over Half of Early Rice Harvested Nationwide
Currently, the harvest of early rice across the country is more than halfway complete. Southern rice-growing regions have entered a critical period for concentrated harvesting of early rice and sequential planting of late rice, with various regions implementing differentiated measures to ensure every grain is harvested. At present, southern rice-growing regions have made early preparations for agricultural machinery deployment, with an estimated 260,000 combine harvesters, 230,000 transplanters, and 50,000 dryers to be put into "double-cropping" mechanized production, which can meet normal operational needs. This year, Jiangxi Province has selected and promoted 20 new rice varieties with regional adaptability across the province, driving increased per-unit yield through improved varieties. Currently, over 18 million mu of early rice are undergoing large-scale harvesting. This year, various regions have implemented technical measures such as centralized seedling cultivation and mechanical transplanting, resulting in good seedling growth. Hunan Province is promoting "reasonable close planting" as the primary technology for increasing per-unit yield over large areas, increasing the number of seedlings per mu from the original 17,000 clumps to 22,000 clumps, thereby increasing the basic seedlings per mu by about 30%. Due to the earlier floods, the affected area of early rice in Hunan is approximately 2 million mu. To address this, the province has established a special working group for disaster relief and compensation, carrying out replanting or change of crops for affected areas. Currently, the transfer of relief seeds and sowing and seedling cultivation have been completed.
Specialty Industries Boost Rural Revitalization
In midsummer, villages across the country are thriving, with unique industries broadening farmers' income channels and promoting comprehensive rural revitalization. Grapes in Turpan, Xinjiang, are ripe. Here, grapes are not only cultivated with standardized practices, but deep processing is also continuously expanding. In Ximen Village, a 3,000-square-meter standardized factory for raisin processing and a 2,000-square-meter deep processing factory for preserved fruits and juices will be gradually put into use starting in July. Once fully operational, the annual production capacity of raisins and other products will double to over 5,000 tons, and it will also create employment for nearly a hundred villagers. In Wenshan Zhuang and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan, marigolds are in full bloom. To facilitate sales for flower farmers, purchasing companies drive their vehicles directly to the fields and have specially built 11 new collection stations for fermentation and storage. Currently, the local area has developed 345,000 mu of marigolds, with an annual output value exceeding 650 million yuan, benefiting over 34,000 households involved in cultivation. In Sanhe Town, Wudu District, Longnan, Gansu, over 20,000 mu of prickly ash are entering the "harvesting season." To turn these heavy fruits into tangible income for growers, the local government, relying on specialized cooperatives, promotes internet-based order sales, develops specialized deep processing, increases product added value, and addresses problems such as difficult storage and sales of agricultural products through multiple, sustainable approaches. The fish-rice co-cultivation area, farming experience area, and rice field viewing area in Linzhai Village, Lu'an, Anhui, attract people for fishing, boating, net fishing, shrimp catching, and farming experiences. Ziyun Village in Mingxi County, Fujian, is located in the experimental area of Fujian Junzifeng National Nature Reserve. Forty-eight rare bird species, including the national first-class protected species Reeves's pheasant and Cabot's tragopan, can be observed here year-round. Relying on its rich bird resources, villagers have engaged in the birdwatching industry in recent years, providing birdwatching tours, accommodation, catering, and study tours for birdwatching enthusiasts visiting the village, transforming the village into a birdwatching culture village. Since the beginning of this summer, it has already attracted tens of thousands of tourists. Shangli County, Jiangxi, has developed a meat rabbit farming industry. Currently, the annual output value of meat rabbit farming exceeds 100 million yuan, bringing an annual income increase of over 3,000 yuan to more than 2,000 villagers. Zhanggangtu Village in Ordos City, Inner Mongolia, has chosen "salted milk tea," a traditional grassland delicacy, as a breakthrough for industrial development. In 2021, with the help of rural revitalization funds and ethnic特色产业扶持资金 (characteristic industry support funds), Zhanggangtu Village established a milk tea factory. After more than three years of development, milk tea sales have steadily climbed, and products have expanded from a single milk tea to six major categories and 21 products, including milk tea, meat porridge, milk tablets, and dairy beverages.
Heavy Rains Persist; Regions Intensify Flood Control and Disaster Relief Efforts
Continuous heavy rainfall persists in many parts of China, and the Central Meteorological Administration today (July 17) continued to issue an orange alert for heavy rain and a blue alert for severe convective weather. Yesterday, heavy rain or torrential rain occurred in parts of Sichuan, Gansu, Shaanxi, Henan, Jiangsu, Anhui, and Shandong. Short-term heavy rainfall led to rising and overflowing of the Shibadian River and Wajia River in Baoji, Shaanxi, with some bridges washed away and severe urban waterlogging. Local authorities urgently organized forces to transfer over 2,400 people along the affected areas and those trapped. Currently, dredging and clearing work is underway. Today, the National Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters activated a Level IV emergency response for flood control in Shaanxi. In some areas of Longnan, Gansu, sudden landslides and mudslides occurred due to rainfall, blocking multiple national and provincial roads. Local authorities coordinated large machinery to quickly enter the affected areas, and all blocked roads have been cleared. The Ministry of Water Resources has activated a Level IV emergency response for flood defense for Shaanxi and Gansu provinces. Rainfall continued in Henan today. Shangqiu issued a red alert for heavy rain, and the torrential rain caused extensive waterlogging in urban areas. Local authorities organized equipment to rescue trapped individuals and deployed 15 emergency teams for continuous 24-hour drainage. The rain eased in Nanyang today. Currently, over 11,000 affected residents in Sheqi County have all been relocated, and water levels on main urban roads have receded. Local authorities are organizing personnel to expedite the repair of power and other infrastructure and drainage operations. The National Commission for Disaster Reduction, jointly with the National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration, urgently allocated 10,000 pieces of central disaster relief materials to Henan and Shandong provinces to ensure the livelihood of affected residents. The Central Meteorological Administration predicts that over the next three days, heavy rainfall will continue from the Sichuan Basin to the Yellow-Huaihe River region, and some areas in South China and Northeast China will also experience rainfall. The public needs to be vigilant against potential hazards such as flash floods, mudslides, and landslides.
Domestic News Briefs
Ministry of Finance to Issue 55 Billion Yuan in 30-Year Ultra-Long-Term Special Treasury Bonds. The Ministry of Finance announced today (July 17) that it will tender 55 billion yuan in 30-year ultra-long-term special treasury bonds on July 24. As of now, the Ministry of Finance has issued 308 billion yuan in ultra-long-term special treasury bonds this year, providing funding for the implementation of major national strategies and key areas of security capacity building. China to Accelerate Low-Carbon Transformation of Coal Power Plants. The National Development and Reform Commission and the National Energy Administration recently issued an action plan for the low-carbon transformation and construction of coal power plants, supporting the implementation of low-carbon transformation and construction of coal power plants in areas rich in renewable energy resources and with good economic foundations. The project aims to reduce per-unit carbon emissions by about 20% compared to the average carbon emission level of similar coal-fired units in 2023. 789 Tourist Trains Operated Nationwide in the First Half of 2024. A total of 789 tourist trains operated nationwide in the first half of 2024, with an estimated 1,850 tourist trains expected to operate throughout the year, promoting the integrated development of railways with rural tourism, study tours, and red tourism. In response to the fact that senior tourists are the main source of passengers for tourist trains, the two departments will also increase the age-friendly renovation of tourist trains and improve service levels. Shenzhen Baishiling Oil and Gas Dedicated Tunnel Fully Connected. Today (July 17), the Shenzhen Baishiling Oil and Gas Dedicated Tunnel was fully connected. The tunnel is 6.1 kilometers long and, once completed, will ensure natural gas energy supply to areas such as Shenzhen, Dongguan, and Huizhou. Ten-Thousand-Ton Offshore Oil and Gas Platform Completes Offshore Installation. Reporter learned from China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) today (July 17) that China's independently designed and built offshore oil and gas platform, Xijiang 30-2B, weighing approximately 30,000 tons in total, has been installed in the Xijiang oilfield in the Pearl River Estuary Basin at a depth of nearly 100 meters. After the platform is put into use, it will boost the Xijiang oilfield's annual output to over 3 million tons, injecting new impetus into the energy supply of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. National Ibis Protection and Research Center Established in Shaanxi. Recently, the "National Ibis Protection and Research Center" was approved. Relying on the Hanzhong Ibis National Nature Reserve in Shaanxi, the center will be jointly built by the National Forestry and Grassland Administration and Shaanxi Province, focusing on scientific research, rescue, and breeding, with construction planned to begin in September this year. Currently, the ibis population in Shaanxi Province has reached over 7,700. CMG's Technological Innovation Empowers High-Quality Broadcast Coverage of Paris Olympics. China Media Group (CMG) today (July 17) released its technological innovation applications for the Paris Olympics broadcast coverage. For the first time, it will use its independently developed 8K ultra-high-definition broadcast vehicle to undertake the production of international public signals for the Summer Olympics and build a full 4K plus 3D audio front-end production environment, and fully utilize new technologies such as artificial intelligence, 5G, and cloud platforms to provide comprehensive and multi-dimensional coverage of the Paris Olympics. Grand Exhibition of Ancient Egyptian Civilization Opens in Shanghai. The "Apex of the Pyramids: Grand Exhibition of Ancient Egyptian Civilization," jointly organized by the Shanghai Museum and the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities, opened today (July 17) at the Shanghai Museum. The exhibition brings together 492 sets of 788 precious artifacts from different periods of ancient Egyptian civilization, more than 95% of which are making their first appearance in Asia. The exhibition will run for nearly 13 months.
International Figures: China's Deepening Comprehensive Reform Promotes High-Quality Development, Setting an Example for Global Progress
The Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, currently underway, has garnered significant international attention. People from various countries have expressed expectations for China to continue steadfastly advancing reform and opening up, ushering in a new era for Chinese modernization. They believe that China sets an example for global development and will promote the building of a world of common development and prosperity. People from multiple countries stated that China's focus on green development and its achievements in scientific and technological innovation will benefit the world.
Israeli Airstrikes Hit School in Central Gaza Strip; Palestinian Militants Claim Rocket Fire Towards Israeli Cities
The Palestinian Red Crescent Society stated that on July 16, a UN agency school in the Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip was attacked by the Israeli military, resulting in at least 23 deaths. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the airstrike on the school on July 16, claiming the facility was used by Hamas militants as a hiding place and a base for launching attacks. The Israeli military also stated that it conducted drone strikes in the area west of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip. Palestinian armed factions stated on July 16 that they launched rockets towards the southern Israeli city of Sderot and Israeli communities around the Gaza Strip. The Israeli military stated on July 16 that it killed two Hezbollah militants in southern Lebanon using a drone and launched strikes against multiple Hezbollah military facilities. Hezbollah stated today (July 17) that in response to Israeli attacks, it launched dozens of rockets at Israeli settlements.
International News Briefs
IMF Raises China's Economic Growth Forecast to 5% This Year. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) released an update to its "World Economic Outlook Report" on July 16, raising China's economic growth forecast for 2024 to 5%, compared to its April forecast, while maintaining the global economic growth forecast at 3.2%. The update noted that global economic activity and world trade stabilized and rebounded at the beginning of this year, with export growth in the Asian region driving trade growth. IMF Chief Economist Gourinchas stated that emerging Asian economies, represented by China, remain the main engine of global economic growth. Russia Claims Downing US-Made Missiles, Ukraine Claims Striking Russian Air Defense Systems. The Russian Ministry of Defense stated on July 16 that Russian forces continued to strike Ukrainian personnel, tanks, and ammunition depots. Russian air defense systems shot down Ukrainian aircraft and drones and intercepted six US-made ATACMS missiles. Ukraine stated that its forces struck Russian S-300 air defense missile systems in Donetsk, and Ukraine claimed to have destroyed Russian radar stations and launchers. Poll Shows 80% of US Voters Believe the Country is Out of Control. An online poll completed by Reuters and Ipsos on July 16 showed that 80% of voters agreed with the statement that "the country is out of control" after the attempted assassination of President Donald Trump. The latest poll also showed increased public concern in the US about potential political violence stemming from the November 5 election, with approximately 84% of voters worried about violence after the election, a figure higher than the May poll results. The poll surveyed 1,202 American adults. Wildfires Rage on Canada's West Coast. Wildfires have been raging in many parts of Canada recently. Canadian media reported on July 16 that there are currently about 150 wildfires burning in British Columbia on Canada's west coast, 37% of which are out of control. Indigenous communities in the province's south-central region have issued evacuation orders for local ranching areas due to the impact of the wildfires. Additionally, parts of Newfoundland and Labrador on the east coast have also been affected by wildfires.
Beautiful China
Clear waters, green banks, smooth rivers, and beautiful scenery, where humanity and nature coexist harmoniously. At the end of the program, let's enter "Beautiful China" together and experience the picturesque scenery of the divine land.