Central Economic Work Conference Held in Beijing
The Central Economic Work Conference was held in Beijing from December 11 to 12. Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, Chinese President, and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, attended the conference and delivered an important speech. Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, and Li Xi, members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, attended the meeting. In his important speech, Xi Jinping summarized the economic work of 2024, analyzed the current economic situation, and deployed the economic work for 2025. Li Qiang delivered a concluding speech, putting forward requirements for implementing the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's important speech and doing a good job in next year's economic work. The conference noted that this year is a crucial year for achieving the goals and tasks of the "14th Five-Year Plan." Facing a complex and severe situation with increasing external pressure and growing internal difficulties, the CPC Central Committee, with Comrade Xi Jinping as its core, united and led the entire Party and people of all ethnic groups across the country to respond calmly and adopt comprehensive measures. The economy has maintained overall stability with steady progress, high-quality development has been solidly advanced, and the main goals and tasks of economic and social development are about to be successfully completed. New quality productive forces have developed steadily, reform and opening up have continued to deepen, risks in key areas have been resolved in an orderly and effective manner, and people's livelihoods have been solidly and effectively protected. Chinese modernization has taken new and solid steps. The development process over the past year has been extraordinary, and the achievements are encouraging. In particular, the Political Bureau meeting on September 26 made decisive arrangements for a package of incremental policies, which effectively boosted social confidence and led to a significant economic rebound. The conference pointed out that the negative impacts of changes in the external environment are deepening, and China's economic operations still face many difficulties and challenges, mainly insufficient domestic demand, difficulties in the production and operation of some enterprises, pressure on employment and income for the masses, and a large number of hidden risks. At the same time, it must be recognized that China's economy has a solid foundation, numerous advantages, strong resilience, and great potential, and the supporting conditions and fundamental trend of long-term improvement remain unchanged. We must face difficulties squarely, strengthen confidence, and strive to transform all positive factors into tangible development achievements. The conference believes that in practice, we have continuously deepened our understanding of the laws governing economic work. The centralized and unified leadership of the Party Central Committee is the fundamental guarantee for doing a good job in economic work. At critical moments and important junctures, the Party Central Committee timely assessed the situation and made decisions and deployments, ensuring that China's economic vessel rides the wind and waves and sails steadily and far. We must coordinate the relationship between an effective market and a capable government, forming an economic order that is both "vibrant" and "well-regulated." We must coordinate the relationship between total supply and total demand to smooth the national economic cycle. We must coordinate the relationship between cultivating new drivers and upgrading old ones, developing new quality productive forces adapted to local conditions. We must coordinate the relationship between optimizing increments and revitalizing existing assets to comprehensively improve resource allocation efficiency. We must coordinate the relationship between improving quality and expanding total volume to solidify the material foundation of Chinese modernization. The conference emphasized that to do a good job in next year's economic work, we must be guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, fully implement the spirit of the 20th CPC National Congress and the Second and Third Plenary Sessions of the 20th CPC Central Committee, adhere to the general principle of seeking progress while maintaining stability, fully and accurately implement the new development philosophy, accelerate the construction of a new development paradigm, solidly promote high-quality development, further comprehensively deepen reforms, expand high-level opening up, build a modern industrial system, better coordinate development and security, implement more proactive and effective macro policies, expand domestic demand, promote integrated development of scientific and technological innovation and industrial innovation, stabilize the real estate and stock markets, prevent and resolve risks in key areas and external shocks, stabilize expectations, stimulate vitality, promote sustained economic recovery and improvement, continuously improve people's living standards, maintain social harmony and stability, high-quality complete the goals and tasks of the "14th Five-Year Plan," and lay a solid foundation for a good start to the "15th Five-Year Plan." The conference pointed out that next year we should maintain stable economic growth, overall stable employment and prices, basic balance in international payments, and synchronize growth in residents' income with economic growth. The conference required that next year we adhere to the principle of seeking progress while maintaining stability, promoting stability through progress, upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground, establishing the new before abolishing the old, systematic integration, and coordinated cooperation, enriching and improving the policy toolbox, and enhancing the foresight, precision, and effectiveness of macro-control. We must implement a more proactive fiscal policy. Increase the fiscal deficit ratio to ensure that fiscal policy remains continuous and more effective. Increase the intensity of fiscal spending and strengthen support for key areas. Increase the issuance of ultra-long-term special government bonds to continuously support the implementation of "two major projects" and "two new policies." Increase the issuance and use of local government special bonds, expanding the scope of investment areas and use as project capital. Optimize the structure of fiscal expenditure, improve the efficiency of fund utilization, pay more attention to benefiting people's livelihoods, promoting consumption, and increasing growth potential, and ensure the basic "three guarantees" at the grassroots level. Party and government organs must adhere to a tight budget. We must implement a moderately loose monetary policy. Give full play to the dual functions of monetary policy tools in both aggregate and structure, appropriately cut reserve requirement ratios and interest rates in a timely manner, maintain ample liquidity, and ensure that the growth of social financing and money supply matches the expected targets of economic growth and overall price levels. Maintain the basic stability of the RMB exchange rate at a reasonable and balanced level. Explore and expand the macro-prudential and financial stability functions of the central bank, innovate financial instruments, and maintain financial market stability. We must implement a "policy mix." Strengthen the coordinated cooperation of fiscal, monetary, employment, industrial, regional, trade, environmental protection, and regulatory policies, as well as reform and opening-up measures, improve effective communication and feedback mechanisms among departments, and enhance policy synergy. Integrate economic policies and non-economic policies into a consistent assessment of macro policy orientation, coordinate the entire process of policy formulation and implementation, and improve overall policy effectiveness. The conference identified the following key tasks for next year. First, vigorously boost consumption and improve investment efficiency to comprehensively expand domestic demand. Implement special actions to boost consumption, promote income increase and burden reduction for middle and low-income groups, and enhance consumption capacity, willingness, and levels. Appropriately increase basic old-age pensions for retirees, increase basic old-age pensions for urban and rural residents, and increase government subsidies for urban and rural residents' medical insurance. Intensify and expand the implementation of "two new policies," innovate diversified consumption scenarios, expand service consumption, and promote the development of cultural tourism. Actively develop the first-launch economy, ice and snow economy, and silver economy. Strengthen top-down organization and coordination, and support "two major projects" with greater intensity. Appropriately increase central budget investment. Strengthen fiscal and financial coordination to effectively drive social investment with government investment. Plan major projects for the "15th Five-Year Plan" as early as possible. Vigorously implement urban renewal. Implement special actions to reduce overall social logistics costs. Second, lead the development of new quality productive forces through scientific and technological innovation and build a modern industrial system. Strengthen basic research and key core technology breakthroughs, make forward-looking arrangements for major scientific and technological projects, and carry out large-scale application demonstration actions for new technologies, new products, and new scenarios. Carry out the "AI+" action and cultivate future industries. Strengthen the construction of national strategic scientific and technological forces. Improve the multi-level financial service system, expand patient capital, attract more social capital to participate in venture capital, and cultivate innovative enterprises in a stepped manner. Comprehensively rectify "involutionary" competition and regulate the behavior of local governments and enterprises. Actively use digital and green technologies to transform and upgrade traditional industries. Third, leverage the leading role of economic system reform and promote the effective implementation of landmark reform measures. High-quality complete the deepening and upgrading action of state-owned enterprise reform, and promulgate the Law on Promoting the Development of the Private Economy. Carry out special actions to standardize enterprise-related law enforcement. Formulate guidelines for building a unified national market. Strengthen regulation and promote the healthy development of the platform economy. Coordinate and advance fiscal and tax system reforms, and increase local financial autonomy. Deepen comprehensive reforms in capital market investment and financing, remove bottlenecks and obstacles for long-term funds to enter the market, and enhance the inclusiveness and adaptability of capital market systems. Fourth, expand high-level opening up and stabilize foreign trade and foreign investment. Orderly expand autonomous and unilateral opening up, steadily expand institutional opening up, promote the upgrading and efficiency of pilot free trade zones and expand the authorization of reform tasks, and accelerate the implementation of core policies of the Hainan Free Trade Port. Actively develop service trade, green trade, and digital trade. Deepen reforms of foreign investment promotion mechanisms. Steadily advance the opening up of the service industry, expand pilot projects in telecommunications, healthcare, and education, and continue to build the "Invest in China" brand. Promote high-quality joint construction of the "Belt and Road" to go deeper and more solid, and improve the overseas comprehensive service system. Fifth, effectively prevent and resolve risks in key areas and firmly hold the bottom line of preventing systemic risks. Continuously work to promote the real estate market to stop falling and stabilize, intensify the implementation of urban village and dilapidated housing renovation, and fully release the potential for rigid and improved housing demand. Reasonably control the supply of new real estate land, revitalize existing land and commercial and office buildings, and promote the disposal of existing commercial housing. Promote the construction of a new real estate development model and orderly build relevant basic systems. Prudently dispose of risks of local small and medium-sized financial institutions. Central and local governments will work together to combat illegal financial activities. Sixth, coordinate the promotion of new urbanization and comprehensive rural revitalization, and promote integrated urban-rural development. Strictly adhere to the red line for cultivated land and strictly manage the balance of cultivated land occupation and replenishment. Ensure stable production and supply of grain and important agricultural products, and improve the overall efficiency and competitiveness of agriculture. Protect the enthusiasm of grain farmers and major grain-producing areas, and improve the grain price formation mechanism. Promote the integrated development of industry, strong counties, and prosperous people based on local conditions, and make every effort to broaden farmers' income channels. Develop modern metropolitan areas, improve the modern governance level of mega and super-large cities, and vigorously develop the county economy. Seventh, increase the implementation of regional strategies and enhance regional development vitality. Give play to the superimposed effects of regional coordinated development strategies, major regional strategies, and functional zoning strategies, and actively cultivate new growth poles. Enhance the innovation capabilities and辐射带动作用 of economically advantageous regions. Support major economic provinces in taking on major responsibilities, and encourage other regions to adapt to local conditions and leverage their respective strengths. Deepen industrial cooperation in the eastern, central, western, and northeastern regions, and vigorously develop the marine economy and bay area economy. Eighth, jointly promote carbon reduction, pollution control, afforestation, and growth, and accelerate the comprehensive green transformation of economic and social development. Further deepen the reform of the ecological civilization system. Create a healthy development ecosystem for green and low-carbon industries, and cultivate new growth points such as green buildings. Promote significant results in the landmark battle of the "Three-North" Shelterbelt Program, and accelerate the construction of "desert, Gobi, and barren land" new energy bases. Establish a number of zero-carbon parks, promote the construction of a national carbon market, and establish a product carbon footprint management system and carbon labeling certification system. Continuously and deeply advance the battle for blue skies, clear waters, and clean lands. Formulate an action plan for comprehensive solid waste management. Implement major biodiversity conservation projects. Strengthen the construction of a natural disaster prevention and control system. Ninth, increase efforts to guarantee and improve people's livelihoods and enhance people's sense of gain, happiness, and security. Implement employment support plans for key areas, key industries, urban and rural grassroots, and small and medium-sized enterprises, and promote employment for key groups. Strengthen the protection of the rights and interests of flexible employment and new forms of employment workers. Implement assistance policies such as industry and employment to ensure no large-scale return to poverty or impoverishment, and guarantee the basic living needs of people in difficulty. Promote the balanced development of quality compulsory education and solidly advance the expansion of quality undergraduate education. Implement the medical and health strengthening project and formulate policies to promote fertility. Develop community-supported home-based elderly care and expand inclusive elderly care services. Adhere to and develop the "Fengqiao Experience" in the new era, and strengthen systemic governance of public safety. The conference pointed out that we must consciously unify our thoughts, will, and actions with the Party Central Committee's scientific judgment of the situation, both grasping the general trend and strengthening confidence, and facing difficulties squarely and remaining clear-headed. We must fully implement the overall requirements and policy orientations for next year's economic work, focus on goal guidance, and strive to achieve an optimized combination of stable growth, stable employment, and reasonable price recovery; grasp policy orientations, pay attention to timing and intensity, and ensure that all work is done as early as possible, grasped firmly and practically, and with sufficient intensity; strengthen systemic thinking, pay attention to the coordinated cooperation of various policies and reform and opening-up measures, and amplify policy effects. We must firmly grasp the key links to complete the key tasks of next year's economic work, address the prominent problem of insufficient demand, and focus on boosting domestic demand, especially household consumption demand; address deep-seated obstacles and external challenges that restrict development, unswervingly deepen reform and expand opening up; address bottleneck constraints in industrial transformation and upgrading, promote the smooth transition between new and old drivers; address the concerns and demands of enterprises in their operations, strengthen policy support and optimize regulatory services; address risks and hidden dangers in key areas, and continuously promote risk resolution with sustained effort. We must vigorously improve the efficiency of implementation, fully mobilize the enthusiasm, initiative, and creativity of the grassroots, continuously optimize the business environment, and better gather synergy for high-quality development. The conference emphasized that we must strengthen the Party's leadership over economic work, adhere to the principle of "doing" first, strengthen confidence, overcome difficulties, and strive for progress, ensuring that all decisions and deployments of the Party Central Committee are implemented. We must strengthen positive incentives to stimulate the intrinsic motivation for doing pioneering work. Effectively unburden the grassroots, so that cadres who want to do things and know how to do things can do things and succeed. Unswervingly punish corruption, maintain a fair and just market environment, and a clean and upright business environment. Adhere to seeking truth and being pragmatic, resolutely oppose formalism and bureaucracy that are keen on showing off to superiors, irresponsible to subordinates, and disregard practical results. Coordinate development and security, ensure safe production, and effectively prevent and promptly respond to social security incidents. Enhance synergy and collaboration, oppose departmentalism, and form a joint force for implementation. Strengthen expectation management, coordinate policy implementation and expectation guidance, and enhance policy guidance and influence. At the same time, we must accurately grasp the international, national, Party, and social conditions, strengthen strategic planning, and formulate good central "15th Five-Year Plan" recommendations. The conference required that we do a good job in livelihood guarantees and safety and stability at the end of the year and beginning of the next year, deeply investigate and resolve various conflicts and risks, and ensure overall social stability. The conference called on the entire Party, nation, and society to rally more closely around the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as its core, conscientiously implement the various deployments of the conference, comprehensively complete the goals and tasks of economic and social development, and comprehensively promote the building of a strong country and the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation with tangible results of high-quality development. Members of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, members of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, relevant leading comrades of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, State Councilors, President of the Supreme People's Court, Procurator-General of the Supreme People's Procuratorate, relevant leading comrades of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, and members of the Central Military Commission attended the meeting. Principal responsible comrades from Party and government organizations in all provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities directly under the Central Government, cities with separate plans, and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, as well as principal responsible comrades from relevant departments of the central and state organs, relevant people's organizations, some centrally managed financial institutions and enterprises, and various departments of the Central Military Commission attended the meeting.
Xi Jinping Accepts Credentials from New Ambassadors to China
On the afternoon of December 12, President Xi Jinping accepted credentials from 28 new ambassadors to China at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Outside the North Gate of the Great Hall of the People, honor guards stood in formation on both sides, and buglers sounded a welcoming fanfare. The envoys arrived one after another, passing through the flag array and ascending the white marble steps. In front of the magnificent mural "Such Is the Beauty of Our Rivers and Mountains," Xi Jinping accepted credentials from each envoy and had a group photo taken with them. They were: H.E. André Haspels, Ambassador of the Netherlands to China; H.E. Faïz Antoine Chraïbi, Ambassador of Morocco to China; H.E. Khek Cai Mealy, Ambassador of Cambodia to China; H.E. Besar Nasufi, Ambassador of North Macedonia to China; H.E. Archil Kalandia, Ambassador of Georgia to China; H.E. Marta Betanzos Sánchez, Ambassador of Spain to China; H.E. Marcelo Suárez Salvia, Ambassador of Argentina to China; H.E. Atthayuth Srisamoot, Ambassador of Thailand to China; H.E. Martha Mavrommati, Ambassador of Cyprus to China; H.E. Palitha Kohona, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to China; H.E. Fazeel Najeeb, Ambassador of Maldives to China; H.E. Dao Ould Mamadou, Ambassador of Mali to China; H.E. Maija Manika, Ambassador of Latvia to China; H.E. Thomas Østrup Møller, Ambassador of Denmark to China; H.E. Ann Derwin, Ambassador of Ireland to China; H.E. Paul Chikawa, Ambassador of Zimbabwe to China; H.E. Enkhbold Lkhagvajav, Ambassador of Mongolia to China; H.E. Signe Brudeset, Ambassador of Norway to China; H.E. Jeremiah Oludoyele Aremu, Ambassador of Nauru to China; H.E. Leena-Kaisa Mikkola, Ambassador of Finland to China; H.E. Darko Brajović, Ambassador of Montenegro to China; H.E. Mauricio Funes Cartagena, Ambassador of El Salvador to China; H.E. Alenka Suhadolnik, Ambassador of Slovenia to China; H.E. Félix Plasencia, Ambassador of Venezuela to China; H.E. Abakar Mahamat Abderahman, Ambassador of Chad to China; H.E. Awale Ali Kullane, Ambassador of Somalia to China; H.E. Bishnu Pukar Shrestha, Ambassador of Nepal to China; and H.E. Md. Mahbub Uz Zaman, Ambassador of Bangladesh to China. After the ceremony, Xi Jinping delivered a speech to the envoys in the Beijing Hall. Xi Jinping welcomed the envoys to their posts in China and asked them to convey his best wishes to the leaders and people of their respective countries. He stated that the Chinese government would provide convenience and support for the envoys in fulfilling their duties. Xi Jinping pointed out that China has a long history and vast territory. He hoped that the envoys would travel extensively across China, listen more to the voices of the Chinese people, gain a comprehensive understanding of historical China, present-day China, and future China, objectively reflect China's contemporary appearance, development path, and direction, and actively serve as bridge-builders for exchanges, promoters of cooperation, and inheritors of friendship between China and the world. Xi Jinping noted that this year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. After 75 years of arduous struggle, Chinese modernization has unfolded into a magnificent scroll, presenting an incomparably bright and splendid future. The Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China made systematic arrangements for further comprehensively deepening reforms and advancing Chinese modernization, proposing over 300 important reform measures. Chinese modernization is not a modernization where China thrives in isolation. China is willing to share its development opportunities with all countries, achieve mutual success and shared beauty, and work hand in hand to realize the modernization of all countries in the world through peaceful development, mutually beneficial cooperation, and common prosperity. Xi Jinping emphasized that the era we live in faces major challenges and crises such as geopolitical conflicts, unilateral actions, rising protectionism, and climate change, which urgently require joint action from all countries. Standing at a new historical crossroads, all countries should draw lessons from human history, strengthen unity and cooperation, and gather greater synergy for maintaining world peace and development. As a stable, positive, and progressive force in the international community, China will always unswervingly follow the path of peaceful development, and work with all countries to advocate for an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, practice the common values of humanity, and promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. Wang Yi participated in the above activities.
Xi Jinping Meets with United Russia Party Chairman
On December 12, Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee and Chinese President, met with Dmitry Medvedev, Chairman of the United Russia Party, at the Great Hall of the People. Xi Jinping stated that in the 75 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Russia, the two countries have jointly embarked on a new path of mutual respect, harmonious coexistence, and win-win cooperation between major powers and neighbors, setting an example of a new type of international relations and relations between neighboring major powers. China is willing to strengthen the alignment of development strategies with Russia, unleash the endogenous动力 of bilateral cooperation, and continuously benefit the two countries and their peoples. China and Russia should enhance communication and coordination within multilateral frameworks such as the United Nations, the BRICS cooperation mechanism, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, firmly uphold the international system with the United Nations at its core, practice true multilateralism, promote the development of the international order towards a more just and reasonable direction, and jointly safeguard global strategic stability and international fairness and justice. Xi Jinping pointed out that over the past 20 years since the establishment of relations between the Communist Party of China and the United Russia Party, the two sides have carried out high-level, constructive interactions, strengthened exchanges and mutual learning on governance experiences, continuously enriched the connotations of institutionalized exchanges between the two parties, and continuously consolidated China-Russia political and strategic mutual trust. As important forces promoting human progress, the two parties should further strengthen coordination and cooperation, guide the correct direction of global governance, gather consensus from friendly political parties around the world, especially in the "Global South" countries, and promote the world's development in the right direction. Xi Jinping stated that on the issue of the Ukraine crisis, China has repeatedly emphasized adhering to the "three principles" of "no spillover of the battlefield, no escalation of the conflict, and no fanning the flames by any party," and promoting the de-escalation of the situation as soon as possible. China will continue to adhere to its consistent position and work with the international community to create favorable conditions for the political settlement of the crisis. Medvedev handed over a signed letter from President Putin to President Xi Jinping, stating that he was very pleased to visit China again on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and the 75th anniversary of Russia-China diplomatic relations. He said that the current high level of cooperation between Russia and China is the result of the joint leadership and promotion by President Putin and President Xi Jinping, and the phrase "like-minded and kindred spirits" vividly reflects the excellent relationship formed between the two countries. Russia will unswervingly implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state and advance strategic coordination. The exchanges and cooperation between the United Russia Party and the Communist Party of China bear special responsibility in Russia-China relations. The United Russia Party will hold its 22nd Congress the day after tomorrow to make new deployments for future strategic tasks and goals. The United Russia Party is willing to promote practical cooperation and exchanges, including youth exchanges, through the Russia-China ruling party dialogue mechanism, strengthen education on traditional values such as patriotism, and promote the long-term development of bilateral relations. Russia highly appreciates China's stance on the Ukraine crisis, is concerned about the "Friends of Peace" group initiative proposed by China and Brazil, and is willing to actively promote the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis. Cai Qi and Wang Yi attended the meeting.
Xi Jinping Sends Congratulatory Letter to 2024 Gala Dinner of US-China Business Council
On December 11, President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to the 2024 Gala Dinner of the US-China Business Council, extending congratulations to the Council and all its members, and sincere greetings to American friends from all walks of life who have long cared about and supported China-US economic and trade cooperation. Xi Jinping pointed out that China-US relations are one of the most important bilateral relationships in the world, bearing on the fundamental interests of the two peoples and the future of humanity. China and the US stand to gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation. They should choose dialogue over confrontation, and mutually beneficial cooperation over zero-sum games. China is willing to maintain communication with the US, expand cooperation, manage differences, and continue to explore the right way for the two countries to get along in the new era, so as to achieve long-term peaceful coexistence between China and the US on this planet, benefiting both countries and the world. Xi Jinping emphasized that China-US economic and trade relations are an important part of the bilateral relationship. The interests of the two countries are deeply intertwined, and the scope for cooperation is boundless. Both sides should properly handle differences through equal consultation, expand the pie of cooperation by leveraging complementary advantages, make each other's success an opportunity rather than a challenge, and make each other's development a help rather than an obstacle. Xi Jinping pointed out that openness is an important driving force for the progress of human civilization and an inevitable path for the prosperity and development of all countries. Reform and opening up is a historical process of common development and progress for China and the world. A few months ago, the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China made systematic arrangements for China's further comprehensive deepening of reforms and the advancement of Chinese modernization. China will always adhere to the basic national policy of opening up to the outside world, continue to create a market-oriented, law-based, and international first-class business environment for enterprises from all countries, including American enterprises, and continuously promote trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, providing new opportunities for the world with new achievements in Chinese modernization. It is hoped that the US-China Business Council and friends from all walks of life will continue to care about and support China-US relations, actively participate in the construction of Chinese modernization, jointly write a new chapter of open cooperation and mutual benefit, and make new contributions to promoting the stable, healthy, and sustainable development of China-US relations. On the same day, US President Joe Biden also sent a congratulatory message to the 2024 Gala Dinner of the US-China Business Council.
Xi Jinping Sends Congratulatory Letter to 2024 Imperial Springs International Forum
On December 12, President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to the 2024 Imperial Springs International Forum. Xi Jinping pointed out that since its inception 10 years ago, the Imperial Springs International Forum has consistently advocated multilateralism, deeply discussed global governance issues, and actively shared China's propositions, playing a positive role in enhancing communication and understanding between China and countries around the world. Xi Jinping emphasized that the world today is intertwined with changes and turmoil, and peace and development are the common aspirations of people in all countries. China is willing to work with all countries to uphold the spirit of "global partnership," adhere to fairness and justice, and maintain world peace and stability; adhere to cooperation and win-win outcomes, and promote global sustainable development; adhere to inclusiveness and mutual learning, and promote new progress in human civilization. The 2024 Imperial Springs International Forum opened in Madrid, Spain, on the same day, with the theme of "Acting Together for a Shared Future." It was jointly organized by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, the Australia-China Friendship and Exchange Association, the People's Government of Guangdong Province, and the World Leadership Alliance.
Wang Huning Meets with United Russia Party Chairman
Wang Huning, Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee, met with Dmitry Medvedev, Chairman of the United Russia Party, in Beijing on December 12. Wang Huning stated that this year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Russia. President Xi Jinping and President Vladimir Putin have met three times, providing top-level design and planning for bilateral cooperation in various fields. The Communist Party of China is willing to work with the United Russia Party to implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state, strengthen institutionalized exchanges and strategic communication, and continuously advance the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era. The Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee is willing to make active contributions to this end. Medvedev stated that Russia-China relations are currently developing well, and the dialogue and cooperation between the United Russia Party and the Communist Party of China have effectively promoted bilateral strategic coordination and common interests. Russia is willing to promote cooperation in various fields and address external challenges through mechanisms such as the dialogue between the ruling parties of the two countries. Shi Taifeng and Wang Dongfeng attended the meeting.
Firm Up Confidence in Victory, Create New Prospects for Development
At the Central Economic Work Conference, General Secretary Xi Jinping summarized the economic work of 2024, analyzed the current economic situation, and deployed the economic work for 2025. The comrades attending the meeting stated that they would conscientiously implement the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's important speech, strive to achieve next year's economic and social development goals through unremitting efforts, and create a new situation for career development.
South-to-North Water Diversion Project's Eastern and Middle Routes Mark 10 Years of Full Operation, Diverting Over 76.7 Billion Cubic Meters of Water
The State Council Information Office held a press conference today (December 12). A relevant official from the Ministry of Water Resources stated that as of today, the first phase of the Eastern and Middle Routes of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project has been in full operation for ten years, having cumulatively transferred over 76.7 billion cubic meters of water. Over the past decade, the project has significantly improved water resource conditions and water resource carrying capacity in northern China, especially in the Yellow River, Huai River, and Hai River basins. It has effectively promoted the balance between water resources and population, resources, and environment, and contributed to the implementation of major national strategies such as the coordinated development of Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei and the construction of Xiong'an New Area. The project's water supply area has continuously expanded, benefiting 185 million people in 45 large and medium-sized cities, with the number of beneficiaries increasing year by year. The level of water conservation and intensive utilization in the water-receiving areas has been comprehensively improved, and overall water use efficiency ranks among the highest in the country. Through measures such as water source replacement and ecological water replenishment for rivers and lakes, the groundwater levels in North China have generally risen, and a large number of rivers and lakes have regained vitality.
China Becomes World's Largest Contributor to Greening Efforts
The 16th Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is currently being held in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. As the country with the largest contribution to global greening, China continues to contribute to global desertification control. To share China's achievements and experiences in combating desertification, represented by the "Three-North" Shelterbelt Program, the Chinese government established a "China Pavilion" during COP16 of the UNCCD, telling the story of the Chinese people's arduous and long-term efforts in desertification control, which has garnered attention and appreciation from international individuals. Over the past 30 years since signing the UNCCD, China has achieved remarkable success in combating desertification, especially since June last year, when China launched a decisive battle in the "Three-North" Shelterbelt Program. Currently, the forest coverage rate in the "Three-North" project area has increased from just over 5% in the 1970s to 13.84%. As of the end of 2023, China's forest coverage rate exceeds 25%, forest stock volume exceeds 20 billion cubic meters, and its artificial forest area ranks first in the world, making it the country with the most significant increase in greening globally.
China Democratic League's 13th Central Committee's Third Plenary Session Opens in Beijing
The Third Plenary Session of the 13th Central Committee of the China Democratic League (CDL) was convened in Beijing on December 12. Ding Zhongli, Chairman of the CDL Central Committee, delivered a work report on behalf of the 13th Central Standing Committee of the CDL, and Wang Guangqian, Executive Vice Chairman of the CDL Central Committee, presided over the opening ceremony. The meeting noted that over the past year, the CDL has upheld the great banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics, earnestly studied and implemented Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, the spirit of the 20th CPC National Congress and the Second and Third Plenary Sessions of the 20th CPC Central Committee, consolidated and expanded the achievements of thematic education, comprehensively strengthened its own building, and earnestly fulfilled its functions as a participating party, achieving new progress in all aspects of its work. The meeting deployed tasks for the coming year. All levels of CDL organizations should be guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, carry forward the CDL's fine traditions, focus on the goals and tasks of advancing Chinese modernization, and the strategic deployment of further comprehensively deepening reforms, and actively contribute to the realization of the second centenary goal and the building of Chinese modernization.
Gou Zhongwen, Former Member of 14th CPPCC Standing Committee and Former Deputy Director of Ethnic and Religious Affairs Committee, Expelled from Party and Public Office for Serious Violations
With the approval of the CPC Central Committee, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Supervisory Commission conducted a case review and investigation into Gou Zhongwen, former Standing Committee Member of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and former Deputy Director of the Committee on Ethnic and Religious Affairs, for serious violations of discipline and law. The investigation found that Gou Zhongwen had lost his ideals and convictions, betrayed his original mission, failed to implement major decisions and deployments of the Party Central Committee, and failed to fulfill his primary responsibility for comprehensively strict Party governance, seriously undermining the political ecology of the sports system; violated the spirit of the eight-point frugality rules of the CPC Central Committee by illicitly accepting gifts and banquets and arrangements for travel; violated the principle of democratic centralism by approving large sums of money, failed to truthfully explain issues during organizational inquiries, and sought benefits for others and accepted money and goods in cadre selection and appointment; used his power to provide assistance for the business activities of his relatives and engaged in power-for-sex transactions; failed to correctly perform his duties in sports project construction or acquisition, and privately retained classified documents; abused public power for personal gain, engaged in large-scale power-for-money transactions, used his official position to seek benefits for others in business operations and job adjustments, and illegally accepted huge amounts of money and goods; made arbitrary decisions and abused his power, causing huge economic losses. Gou Zhongwen seriously violated the Party's political discipline, organizational discipline, integrity discipline, work discipline, and living discipline, constituted serious duty violations and is suspected of bribery and abuse of power, and showed no restraint after the 18th CPC National Congress, making his actions serious in nature and having a terrible impact. He should be dealt with severely. In accordance with the Regulations on Disciplinary Punishments of the Communist Party of China, the Supervision Law of the People's Republic of China, and the Law on Punishments for Public Officials of the People's Republic of China, after deliberation by the Standing Committee of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and approval by the CPC Central Committee, it was decided to expel Gou Zhongwen from the Party; to dismiss him from public office by the National Supervisory Commission; to confiscate his illicit gains; and to transfer his suspected criminal issues to the procuratorial organs for review and prosecution in accordance with the law, with all related assets also transferred.
Domestic News Briefs
Personal Pension System Implemented Nationwide: Reporters learned from the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security that starting December 15, laborers participating in either the basic old-age insurance for urban workers or the basic old-age insurance for urban and rural residents nationwide can participate in the personal pension system. National bonds, specific old-age savings, and index funds have been newly included in the scope of personal pension products, and the conditions for early withdrawal of personal pensions have also been relaxed. State Council Approves Overall Plan for Deepening International Trade Comprehensive Reform in Yiwu, Zhejiang: Recently, the State Council approved the overall plan for deepening international trade comprehensive reform in Yiwu, Zhejiang, supporting Yiwu in taking the lead in improving the market procurement trade method and promoting innovative development of import trade, focusing on resolving deep-seated institutional and mechanism problems, and exploring experience for China to transform its trade development model and accelerate the construction of a strong trading nation. The 12th China Enterprise Global Image Summit Forum Held: Today (December 12), the 12th China Enterprise Global Image Summit Forum was held in Beijing. During the forum, excellent cases of China's enterprise international image building and the "China Language Service Development Report (2024)" were released. The China Enterprise Global Image Summit Forum has been held for 12 consecutive sessions, becoming a think tank support platform, exchange and interaction platform, information sharing platform, and communication and promotion platform for promoting Chinese enterprises to the outside world and enhancing their global image. China Successfully Launches High-Speed Laser Diamond Constellation Test System: Today (December 12), China successfully launched the High-Speed Laser Diamond Constellation Test System using a Long March 2D carrier rocket and a Yuanzheng 3 upper stage at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. Five satellites successfully entered their predetermined orbits, and the launch mission was a complete success.
Israeli Military Continues Operations in Syria Amid International Opposition
The Israeli military stated on December 11 that it struck targets in Syria including military airports, air defense batteries, weapons production sites, fighter jets, and missiles. According to multiple foreign media reports, Israeli warplanes continued to launch airstrikes on several military targets in Syria in the early hours of December 12, with the attacked locations including military facilities in Latakia and an arms depot in Tartus province. Russia, France, Germany, Egypt, Lebanon, and other countries issued separate statements on December 11, opposing Israel's recent military operations in Syria. UN Secretary-General António Guterres stated on the evening of December 11 regarding the Syrian issue that Syria's territorial integrity and sovereignty must be upheld, and called on all parties to promote an inclusive political process.
UN General Assembly Adopts Resolution Demanding Immediate Ceasefire in Gaza with Overwhelming Majority
The United Nations General Assembly convened an emergency special session on December 11 and adopted a resolution by an overwhelming majority, demanding an "immediate, unconditional and permanent" ceasefire in the Palestinian Gaza Strip. The resolution also urged the immediate release of all detainees. The United States and Israel voted against the resolution.