Xi Jinping Emphasizes Humility, Continued Efforts for Sports Powerhouse
Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, President of China, and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, met with all members of the Chinese sports delegation to the 33rd Summer Olympic Games at the Great Hall of the People on the afternoon of the 20th. He emphasized that at the Paris Olympics, you united as one, fought tenaciously, strived for excellence, and fulfilled your mission, achieving China's best performance in an overseas Summer Olympics. You achieved a dual harvest of competitive results and spiritual civilization, bringing honor to the country and the people. On behalf of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, he welcomed everyone's triumphant return, extended warm congratulations and sincere condolences, and extended cordial greetings to comrades on the national sports front. Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, and Li Xi, members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, and Han Zheng, Vice President of China, attended the meeting. The Golden Hall of the Great Hall of the People was filled with a joyous and enthusiastic atmosphere. At around 3:20 PM, Xi Jinping and other Party and state leaders arrived among the delegation members, and the entire hall erupted in prolonged, warm applause. Xi Jinping and others warmly shook hands with everyone and took a group photo. Amidst warm applause, Xi Jinping delivered an important speech. He stated that the excellent achievements of the Chinese sports delegation are not only a concentrated embodiment of the development and progress of China's sports事业, but also a microcosm of the achievements of Chinese modernization, fully demonstrating the strength of China in the new era. When the country prospers, sports prosper; when the country is strong, sports are strong. The fundamental reason why China can rank among the world's major sports powers and Olympic powers is the continuous enhancement of comprehensive national strength, which provides advanced scientific and technological support and solid material guarantees for sports training and competition, and also creates a good growth environment and broad public foundation for the emergence of sports talents in various fields. In the new era and on the new journey, comprehensively advancing the building of a strong country and the great cause of national rejuvenation through Chinese modernization will undoubtedly provide better conditions and inject strong impetus into the development of China's sports事业. We must continue to vigorously develop people-centered sports, promote the deep integration of national fitness and national health, and constantly move towards the goal of building a strong sports nation and a healthy China. Xi Jinping pointed out that the excellent achievements of the Chinese sports delegation carried forward the Chinese sports spirit and the Olympic spirit, allowing the spirit of the Chinese nation and the spirit of the times to shine, vividly interpreting the Chinese spirit in the new era. On the field, everyone kept in mind the entrustment of the Party and the people, with solemn vows such as "national honor always outweighs personal gain" and "I dedicate this gold medal to the great motherland," demonstrating a patriotic sentiment of putting the country first and bringing glory to the country, a winning belief of tenacious struggle and self-reliance, the valuable quality of unity and cooperation, and the confident, optimistic, enthusiastic, and friendly disposition of the younger generation of China. You let the world see the profound accumulation of excellent traditional Chinese culture, the open, inclusive, and enterprising spirit of contemporary China, and the aspirations, vigor, and confidence of the Chinese people. The motherland and the people are proud of you and give you a thumbs-up. Xi Jinping emphasized that the Chinese sports delegation insisted on winning moral gold medals, stylistic gold medals, and clean gold medals, promoting sportsmanship and winning widespread respect and recognition, fully demonstrating China's image in the new era. On the field, everyone abided by the rules, respected opponents, respected referees, and respected spectators, maintaining good sportsmanship, discipline, and civilized etiquette. They were not arrogant in victory and not discouraged in defeat, winning gold medals in competition, morality, and style. Xi Jinping pointed out that a new Olympic preparation cycle has begun. He hoped that everyone would guard against arrogance and impetuosity, continue to make persistent efforts, improve their training and competition levels, leverage strengths and compensate for weaknesses, accelerate talent cultivation, and do a good job in preparation with high quality. Competitive sports and mass sports complement each other, and he hoped that everyone would further enhance the comprehensive strength of competitive sports, drive the vigorous development of national fitness and youth sports, and make new contributions to building a strong sports nation. Wang Yi, Liu Guozhong, Li Shulei, Li Hongzhong, He Weidong, and Chen Wu, as well as responsible comrades from relevant departments of the central and state organs and sports departments of various provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities, and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, attended the meeting.
Xi Jinping Meets Fijian Prime Minister
On the afternoon of August 20, President Xi Jinping met with Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, who was on an official visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Xi Jinping congratulated the Fijian men's rugby sevens team on winning the silver medal at the Paris Olympics. Xi Jinping pointed out that Fiji was the first Pacific island country to establish diplomatic relations with New China, and next year will mark the 50th anniversary of China-Fiji diplomatic ties. Over the past half-century, the two countries have always supported and helped each other, becoming a model of equality and friendly cooperation between large and small countries. China highly values China-Fiji relations and is willing to continue providing assistance within its capacity for Fiji's economic and social development, and work with Fiji to grasp the overall direction of bilateral relations, promote the building of a China-Fiji community with a shared future, and better benefit the people of both countries. Xi Jinping introduced China's practices and experiences in poverty alleviation, drawing on Rabuka's visits and impressions in Yunnan, Fujian, and Zhejiang. Xi Jinping emphasized that over 1.4 billion people jointly entering a moderately prosperous society in all respects is a historic achievement made by the Chinese people under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, and also a historic contribution by China to human poverty reduction and development. In this process, we ensured that no ethnic group, no region, and no individual was left behind, fully demonstrating the political advantage of the socialist system in concentrating efforts on major undertakings, and gaining the sincere support and endorsement of the people of all 56 ethnic groups in China. Currently, China is comprehensively advancing the building of a strong country and the great cause of national rejuvenation through Chinese modernization, and the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee made strategic arrangements for further comprehensively deepening reform and advancing Chinese modernization. Chinese modernization is modernization that adheres to the path of peaceful development. China and Fiji both belong to the "Global South." China is willing to provide assistance to Fiji and other Pacific island countries in addressing climate change, strengthen development cooperation, and make the Pacific Ocean a sea of peace, friendship, and cooperation. Rabuka congratulated the Chinese sports delegation on its excellent achievements at the Paris Olympics. Rabuka stated that he visited China as Prime Minister 30 years ago, and during this visit, he visited Yunnan, Fujian, Zhejiang, and other places, personally witnessing the great miracles and tremendous achievements China has made in poverty eradication and development under the leadership of President Xi Jinping, which he deeply admired. He hoped to learn from China's advanced concepts and successful experiences, especially by going deep into the grassroots and listening to the voices of the people, and strengthening cooperation with China in areas such as poverty reduction, infrastructure, and connectivity. Fiji appreciates China's adherence to the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, supports the series of global initiatives proposed by President Xi Jinping, and is willing to continue jointly building the "Belt and Road" with China, promote the development of relations between Pacific island countries and China, and make the Pacific Ocean a sea of peace. Fiji fully understands China's position on the Taiwan issue and will continue to firmly adhere to the One-China principle. The two sides issued the "Joint Statement of the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Fiji." Wang Yi attended the meeting.
Xi Jinping Meets Foreign Parliamentary Leaders Attending IPU Accession Anniversary and Developing Countries Parliamentary Seminar
On the afternoon of August 20, President Xi Jinping collectively met with foreign parliamentary leaders attending the commemorative event for the 40th anniversary of the National People's Congress joining the Inter-Parliamentary Union and the Sixth Seminar for Parliamentarians from Developing Countries at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Xi Jinping welcomed the speakers from various countries to China, pointing out that these speakers come from different continents, and we are all members of the "Global South." Although the national conditions and circumstances of each country vary, we are all like-minded good brothers and partners. Currently, the world landscape is undergoing accelerated evolution. China is willing to work with all countries to advocate for an equal and orderly multipolar world and inclusive economic globalization, promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, and build our shared planet into a harmonious family. Xi Jinping emphasized that exchanges between legislative bodies are an important part of relations between countries, and legislative bodies have the responsibility and ability to play an active role in building equal and mutually trusting state relations, expanding mutually beneficial and win-win development cooperation, promoting open and inclusive exchanges and mutual learning, and advancing fair and reasonable global governance, making unique contributions to promoting the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. China has always been a member of the "Global South," and solidarity and cooperation with the vast number of developing countries are the unshakeable foundation of China's foreign relations. China does not pursue modernization for its own benefit, and is willing to work with all countries, including the vast number of developing countries, to promote peaceful development, mutually beneficial cooperation, and common prosperity in the world's modernization, and jointly serve as a stabilizing force for maintaining peace, a backbone force for open development, a constructive force for global governance, and a promoting force for mutual learning among civilizations. Xi Jinping introduced the relevant situation of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, pointing out that China's unwavering commitment to high-level opening up will inject new impetus into promoting world economic development, provide new opportunities for deepening mutually beneficial cooperation with all countries, and open up new prospects for achieving common development for developing countries. China is willing to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with legislative bodies of all countries to jointly explore modernization paths suitable for their respective national conditions. Xi Jinping pointed out that a very important experience for China's governance to achieve world-renowned achievements is to follow the socialist political development path with Chinese characteristics under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, and to adhere to and develop whole-process people's democracy. It is the essence of people's democracy to consult fully when problems arise, for everyone to discuss their own affairs, and to find the greatest common denominator of the wishes and demands of the whole society. Whole-process people's democracy not only has complete institutional procedures but also complete practical participation, and is extensive, authentic, and effective. China will, as always, support the National People's Congress in deepening exchanges and cooperation with the Inter-Parliamentary Union, and on the basis of mutual respect for each other's chosen development paths and institutional models, strengthen exchanges on legislative and governance experiences, jointly enhance their performance capabilities, and create a good legal environment and consolidate public opinion for deepening friendly cooperation among "Global South" countries. Akbar Abdulla, President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union and Speaker of the National Assembly of Tanzania, Peter Katjavivi, Speaker of the National Assembly of Namibia, and Ronnie Brunswijk, Speaker of the National Assembly of Suriname, spoke on behalf of the foreign side, stating that the Inter-Parliamentary Union and the National People's Congress of China have long-standing friendly and close cooperation, and thanked China for always being committed to promoting unity, mutual trust, friendship, and cooperation among parliaments of various countries, and for making positive contributions to the development of various undertakings of the Inter-Parliamentary Union and the implementation of the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. As the largest developing country, China has successfully lifted hundreds of millions of people out of poverty and achieved world-renowned great development achievements, setting an example for other developing countries, enhancing their confidence, and providing important opportunities. The Inter-Parliamentary Union appreciates China's adherence to a fair and just stance in international affairs, advocating for equality among all countries, regardless of size, and making important contributions to promoting world peace, stability, and common development. All parties expressed their appreciation for China's Belt and Road Initiative and the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, and Global Civilization Initiative, and are committed to strengthening friendly partnerships with China, firmly adhering to the One-China principle, and working closely with China to jointly safeguard multilateralism, practice common values for humanity, advocate for an equal and orderly multipolar world and inclusive economic globalization, and promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. Cai Qi, Wang Yi, Li Hongzhong, and others attended the meeting.
Li Qiang Meets General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam and President
Premier Li Qiang met with Nguyen Phu Trong, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President of Vietnam, who was on a state visit to China, in Beijing on the 19th. Li Qiang stated that China has always regarded Vietnam as a priority in its neighborhood diplomacy. General Secretary and President Xi Jinping held a meeting with you, reaching a series of important consensuses on continuously deepening the building of a China-Vietnam community with a shared future of strategic significance, providing political guidance for the development of China-Vietnam relations in the coming period. China is willing to work with Vietnam to firmly move towards each other and achieve mutual success, accelerate the synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative and the "Two Corridors, One Economic Circle" strategy, improve connectivity, deepen cultural and people-tope-people exchanges, and strengthen multilateral coordination, so as to continuously deepen the building of a China-Vietnam community with a shared future. Nguyen Phu Trong stated that Vietnam firmly adheres to the One-China principle and is willing to strengthen exchanges at all levels with China, deepen cooperation in areas such as trade and investment, and promote the building of a Vietnam-China community with a shared future of strategic significance. Wu Zhenglong attended the meeting.
Zhao Leji Attends Opening Ceremony of IPU Accession Anniversary and 6th Developing Countries Parliamentary Seminar, Delivers Keynote Speech
Zhao Leji, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, attended the opening ceremony of the commemorative event for the 40th anniversary of the National People's Congress joining the Inter-Parliamentary Union and the Sixth Seminar for Parliamentarians from Developing Countries in Beijing on the morning of the 20th, and delivered a keynote speech titled "Unite and Cooperate, Forge Ahead, and Gather Powerful Synergy for Building a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind." Zhao Leji stated that the IPU is the oldest, largest, and most influential international parliamentary organization in the world today, and an important platform for legislative bodies of various countries to exchange dialogues and seek cooperation. China is willing to work with the IPU and legislative bodies of various countries to enrich cooperation content and continuously achieve fruitful results. Zhao Leji emphasized that President Xi Jinping proposed the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, Global Civilization Initiative, and high-quality Belt and Road Initiative, aiming to promote all parties to jointly address global challenges, promote common development, enhance people's well-being, and work together to build a community with a shared future for mankind. To implement the three global initiatives and deepen solidarity and cooperation, legislative cooperation must adhere to equality, mutual respect, and mutual trust, respect each other's core interests and major concerns, oppose interference in other countries' internal affairs, oppose camp confrontation and various small circles, and practice a common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security concept. We must promote common development and implement the sustainable development agenda. We must strengthen exchanges and mutual learning, respect the diversity of world civilizations, and create a good legal environment for cooperation. We must strengthen multilateral coordination and practice true multilateralism. Akbar Abdulla, President of the IPU and Speaker of the National Assembly of Tanzania, Martin Chungong, Secretary General of the IPU, and parliamentary leaders and representatives from 32 developing countries attended the opening ceremony. Abdulla, Chungong, and Hanafy El-Gebaly, Speaker of the House of Representatives of Egypt, Joseph Andall, Speaker of the House of Representatives of Grenada, Faisal Fayez, President of the Senate of Jordan, and Catherine Hara, Speaker of the Parliament of Malawi, delivered speeches. Before the opening ceremony, Zhao Leji met with Abdulla, Chungong, and heads of various national delegations, and witnessed the signing of relevant cooperation agreements between the National People's Congress and the IPU. Li Hongzhong presided over the opening ceremony and participated in the above activities.
Meeting on Central-Level Formalism Rectification for Grassroots Burden Reduction Held in Beijing, Cai Qi Presides and Speaks
A meeting of the central-level special working mechanism for addressing formalism and reducing burdens on grassroots was held in Beijing on August 20. Cai Qi, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Secretary of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, presided over the meeting and delivered a speech. He emphasized the need to thoroughly study and implement the spirit of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, and, with a spirit of reform and strict requirements, continuously address formalism and reduce burdens on grassroots, so that grassroots cadres can devote more time and energy to implementation. The meeting emphasized that the "Several Regulations on Addressing Formalism and Reducing Burdens on Grassroots" issued by the General Office of the CPC Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council is an important measure to implement the spirit of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee and an important inner-Party regulation for strengthening style building, and should be vigorously and effectively promoted for implementation. Further strictly streamline documents and meetings, and continue to control quantity and improve quality. Further coordinate and standardize inspections, supervision, and assessments, and effectively reduce the total number and rationalize the frequency of inspections, supervision, and assessments targeting the grassroots. Further standardize the temporary transfer of cadres, the creation of demonstration and compliance activities. Further standardize the management of government mobile Internet applications, and continuously deepen the rectification of "formalism on fingertips." Further standardize and clarify grassroots powers and responsibilities, formulate lists of responsibilities for townships (sub-districts) according to local conditions, and coordinate burden reduction and empowerment for grassroots. The meeting emphasized the need to strengthen study and publicity, improve supporting systems and mechanisms, strengthen work supervision and guidance, regularly carry out investigation and notification of typical problems, and promote the extension from "solving one problem" to "solving a category of problems." Central and state organs and provincial Party committees and governments should play an exemplary role and promote continuous practical results in addressing formalism and reducing burdens on grassroots.
Shanghai Lingang New Area Initially Forms Institutional Openness System
The Lingang New Area of China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone today (August 20) marks its fifth anniversary since its establishment. Over the past five years, the Lingang New Area has adhered to benchmarking high-standard international economic and trade rules, and a institutional opening-up system of "five freedoms and one convenience" has been initially established. Today, 44 key projects commenced construction in the Lingang New Area. Over the past five years, the total fixed asset investment in the Lingang New Area has grown by more than 30% annually. Over the past five years, the Lingang New Area has focused on institutional innovation, accelerating bold explorations in investment freedom, trade freedom, capital freedom, transportation freedom, freedom of employment for personnel, and convenient information connectivity. As of now, the Lingang New Area has accumulated 138 breakthrough institutional innovation cases, of which 70 are nationwide firsts. The regional GDP has grown by an average of 19.8% annually, actual utilized foreign direct investment by an average of 45.3% annually, and import and export trade volume by an average of 37.5% annually. The reform and innovation tasks specified in the "Overall Plan for China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone Lingang New Area" have been basically completed, with over 330 policies of various types issued.
Domestic News Briefs
The 2024 Beijing Culture Forum will be held in mid-to-late September. The 2024 Beijing Culture Forum will be held in Beijing from September 19 to 21. This forum will have "Deepening Cultural Exchanges, Achieving Common Progress" as its annual theme, and will include a main forum, 6 parallel forums, over 30 professional salons, the Beijing Culture Night art performance, a cultural industry investor conference, and related cultural activities benefiting the public. The Ministry of Education launches the second batch of "National Excellent Teacher Program" pilots. The Ministry of Education recently issued a notice stating that the second batch of "National Excellent Teacher Program" pilots will be launched in September this year, focusing on training a group of high-quality science teachers at the postgraduate level for primary and secondary schools. The second batch of pilot universities includes 11 "Double First-Class" universities such as Shandong University, Harbin Institute of Technology, and Capital Normal University, and 2 Hong Kong universities, namely the University of Hong Kong and the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Pilot universities will recruit students through postgraduate recommendations or secondary selection among current postgraduate students, implementing a "postgraduate education + teacher education" model, supporting eligible science and engineering postgraduates to concurrently obtain a Master of Education degree. China will accelerate the improvement of the national territorial spatial planning system. Reporters learned today (August 20) from the Ministry of Natural Resources that in order to better protect and utilize natural resources, China will accelerate the improvement of the national territorial spatial planning system, study and formulate an optimized implementation plan for national major function-oriented zones, provide planning guidance for urban renewal, historical and cultural protection, etc., and guide cities to establish special management systems involving spatial utilization. CMG's large-scale integrated media live broadcast "China's Green Waters and Lush Mountains" sets off. China Media Group's large-scale integrated media live broadcast "Beautiful China: Songs of Four Seasons Journey" Season 2, "China's Green Waters and Lush Mountains," set off today (August 20). The program will collaborate with multiple local CMG stations, using cameras along the Yangtze River to record the ecological beauty of the Yangtze River National Cultural Park and tell stories of unique cultural relics and historical sites in the Yangtze River basin.
Israeli Military Strikes Shati Refugee Camp in Northern Gaza Strip, Causing Multiple Casualties
Palestinian media reported on the 19th that Israeli forces launched attacks in various locations in the Gaza Strip, including Khan Younis in the south, the Shati refugee camp in the north, and the Nuseirat refugee camp in the center, resulting in multiple deaths and injuries. A television station operated by the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) reported that several staff members from the office of deceased Hamas leader Haniyeh were killed in the Shati refugee camp attack. The Qassam Brigades, Hamas's armed wing, claimed on the 19th that they struck Israeli tanks, armored personnel carriers, and military bulldozers in the western part of Rafah city in the southern Gaza Strip. Hamas claims US-UK cooperation in Gaza intelligence work to support Israel. Palestinian media reported on the 19th, citing Hamas sources, that evidence shows the UK cooperated with the US in intelligence work in the Gaza Strip to support Israel, leading to a large number of civilian deaths in the Gaza Strip. The US stated on the 19th that Israel had accepted a transitional ceasefire proposal for the Gaza Strip and called on Hamas to respond similarly. In response, Hamas issued a statement on the same day, saying that the US had modified the ceasefire agreement to favor Israel, and that the US was attempting to shift pressure and blame Hamas for the failure of negotiations. The statement said that the ceasefire agreement should be based on previously agreed-upon terms and adhere to UN Security Council resolutions.
Russia Claims Repelling Ukrainian Offensive, Ukraine Says Achieving Goals
The Russian Ministry of Defense stated on the 19th that Russian forces continued to repel Ukrainian attacks on the border of Russia's Kursk region and strike Ukrainian equipment concentration points. Ukraine stated that it is achieving its operational goals in the Kursk region. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on the 19th that Ukraine would not have dared to attack the Kursk region without US instigation.