ARCID China Update Vol.6, No.1

Asian Research Center for International Development (ARCID), Mae Fah Luang University, Thailand

ARCID CHINA UPDATE

Volume 6, No.1 January – March 2023

(A quarterly issue for 2023) ISSN:

ARCID China Update

Volume 6, No.1

January – March 2023

(A quarterly issue for 2023)

Compiled by Nuttawadee Jensiripon Research Associate

Asian Research Center for

International Development (ARCID) School of Social Innovation

Mae Fah Luang University

Thailand

© All Rights Reserved

Compiled by Nuttawadee Jensiripon

ISSN: 2630-0885

First published in 2018 by

ASIAN RESEARCH CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT (ARCID)

School of Social Innovation, Mae Fah Luang University

333 Moo 1, Thasud, Muang, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand

Tel : +66 5391 7137 Fax : +66 5391 6685

E-mail : arcid.social-innovation.school@mfu.ac.th

Website : https://socialinnovation.mfu.ac.th/social-research/social-arcid/arcidindex.html

Facebook page : https://www.facebook.com/ARCIDTHAILAND/

Cover Photo by Usukhbayar Gankhuyag on Unsplash

Preface

With economic reforms and the opening up of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to the outside world by Deng Xiaoping and post-Deng leaders, China is now the largest economy (on a purchasing power parity basis). All indications show that China will be a superpower. The meteoric rise of China in the 21st century signals the successful comeback of China in regaining its respectful place in regional and international affairs. It also means challenges as well as opportunities for other parts of the world, especially for countries in the Asia Pacific region.

For many of us, the big question is: how should we deal with such a rising superpower? Other questions may include the following:

Is China’s rise going to be sustained? What are the new directions mapped out by Xi Jinping to develop China? What sort of developmental challenges will it face? Is China a threat according to some analysts? How can we promote a win-win relationship with China? How can we manage our problems, if any, with China in order to preserve peace and development?

To answer these questions, the Asian Research Center for International Development (ARCID) of the School of Social Innovation at Mae Fah Luang University has established a Monitor and Analysis (M&A) Unit surveying and analyzing major developments in China. Located in Northern Thailand, ARCID would take advantage of its geography and focus its research more on Mekong region and its relations with East Asia, including China. We hope this strategy could help a young research center to establish a niche in the academic, intellectual and policy community. In this regard, the ARCID China Update, normally a biannual publication, is produced by the M&A Unit to keep track of the developments in China with special reference to its interactions with the Mekong region and Southeast Asia. The publication includes a chronology, selected documentation, selected analysis, and at times, appendices. Essentially, the publication is a record of the events and issues under review.

Lee Lai To, Ph.D. Senior Professor and Director ARCID

N.B. For 2023, ARCID China Update can only cover the period from January to March 2023 because of the shortage of manpower. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Part I : The Chronology

(I) Major Events

January 4 China has urged the US to stop politicizing the COVID issue and to focus on fighting the virus due to the US imposing new travel curbs on passengers from China, citing concerns over new variants and the resurgence of outbreaks.1

January 5

China's National Medical Products Administration made the emergency approval for the first China-developed extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) product for adult patients in order to handle the COVID-19 pandemic.

January 6

January 7

Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with visiting Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov in Beijing.

The 40-day Chunyun or Spring Festival travel rush already started, with passenger numbers expected to surge significantly following the continuous optimization of COVID-19 measures.

January 8

(1)China adjusted the law-enforcement of which people who violate COVID-19 prevention measures will not be convicted or punished.

(2)The World Muslim Communities Council including the chairman, delegations, and scholars visited Xinjiang and an exhibition on the fight against terrorism and extremism.

January 9

TheChinesePeople's LiberationArmy(PLA)sent 57planesand four warships close to Taiwan after its exercise announcement on January 8.

January 10 (1)The Chinese embassy and consulates in South Korea have suspended issuing short-term visas for South Korean citizens to China until entry restrictions against Chinese are lifted.

1 For the policy on Chinese passengers in other countries, see: Reuters. (2023, Jan 9). “Factbox: Countries mandating Covid tests for arrivals from China.” Retrieved from https://www.bangkokpost.com/world/2478475/factboxcountries-mandating-covid-tests-for-arrivals-from-china

(2)The Chinese Embassy in Japan also issued a notice to suspend the issuing of ordinary visas for Japanese citizens who want to travel to China without notifying a date for resumption.

“These suspensions were China's first retaliation for travel restrictions imposed on Chinese travelers. Although there were actions against South Korea's limitation of Chinese flights and Japan’s entry-restriction measures to those coming from China, I anticipated these were just the prelude to making an example of the results ofdiscriminating Chinese travelers.” – Compiler

January 11 Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang pays his first foreign visit toAfrica, with thefirst stop at theAfrican UnionHeadquarters in Ethiopia, followed by Gabon, Angola, Benin, and the League of Arab States Headquarters in Egypt.

January 14 Zheng Yanxiong has been appointed as director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).

January 17 The National Bureau of Statistics of China (NBS) released the data showing the negative population growth for the first time in six decades. It decreased by about 850,000 in 2022.

January 19 China released the White Paper, titled "China's Green Development in the New Era," containing seven chapters, including China's commitment to green development path, green territorial configuration, industrial structure's further optimization, mechanism for green development and international cooperation outreach.2

2 For more details related to this White Paper, see: Li Xuanmin and Fan Anqi. (2023, Jan 19). “White paper showcases China’s firm resolve in green devt in new era.” Retrieved from https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202301/1284100.shtml ; and the full text of the White Paper, see: The State Council Information Office of China. (2023). “China's Green Development in the New Era.” Retrieved from http://english.scio.gov.cn/node_9000497.html

January 20

The Ministry of Culture and Tourism announced that Chinese travel agencies and online travel companies will resume pilot outbound group tours to a total of 20 countries, including Thailand, starting from February 6, 2023.

January 25 A group of 18 House Republicans in the U.S. Congress introduced a new resolution calling for Washington to recognize Taiwan as a sovereign, independent state and resume formal diplomatic ties.

January 27

3

The Government of the HKSAR expressed strong disapproval of and firm opposition to the latest actions under the Memorandum on Extending and Expanding Eligibility for Deferred Enforced Departure for Certain Hong Kong Residents by the US government in relation to the deferred enforced departure for Hong Kong residents in the US.

January 29 China announced plans to resume issuing visas to Japanese tourists from January 29, 2023 as the Japanese Embassy in China resumed visas for Chinese nationals.

February 3 The Chinese Foreign Ministry confirmed that an unmanned airship which appeared over the Montana State in the US was a civilian airship used for meteorological research purposes, claiming that it deviated far from its planned course.

February 14 Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in Beijing.

February 17 Director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Wang Yi attended the Munich Security Conference (MSC) in Germany which was held from February 17 to 19.

“On the sidelines of this event, Wang met with many countries’ leaders like US Secretary of State Antony

3 For more details, see: GovHK. (2023, Jan 27). “HKSAR Government strongly disapproves and firmly opposes US Government's memorandum related to Hong Kong.” Retrieved from https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202301/27/P2023012700507.htmand, Global Times.(2023,Jan27).“US' clumsy intervention in HK affairs doomed to failure: Commissioner's Office of Chinese FM.” Retrieved from https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202301/1284319.shtml ; and the full text of the Memorandum, see Part II, January (B), Page 15

February 22

Blinken,FrenchPresidentEmmanuelMacron,German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi. This meeting could be described as the Chinese endeavor to enhance its relations with the others and maintain its “peaceful policies” amid the geopolitical rivalry between ChinaUS in the recent case of “Balloon Incident” and RussiaUkraine crisis.” – Compiler

Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. During this meeting, both sides expressed support for a “multi-polar world. ”

February 27 The White House asked US government agencies to get rid of a Chinese firm's short video-sharing app TikTok, which is owned by Chinese tech firm ByteDance, from official devices and systems within 30 days.

February 28

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko kicked off a three-day state visit to China and held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping on March 1.

March 1

Chinese embassies in several countries have announced that travelers coming to China are allowed to use antigen tests instead of nucleic acid tests to board direct flights.

March 2 During the G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting (FMM) in New Delhi, Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang called on G20 member countries to uphold the UN-centered international system and reject power politics and bloc confrontation, underscoring China's role in supporting multilateralism.

March 5

(1)The first session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) opened on March 5 and concluded on March 13, lasting eight days and a half.

(2)The Chinese government set an official economic growth (GDP) target of “around 5%” for 2023.

March 6

(3)China’s annual defense budget rose to 1.5537 trillion yuan ($224.79 billion), an increase of 7.2 percent.

(4)Premier Li Keqiang said in his Government Work Report that China is ready to put into action the Global Development Initiative (GDI) and the Global Security Initiative (GSI).

China acted as the mediator in the Saudi Arabia and Iran deal to restore diplomatic ties and reopen embassies and missions within two months after seven years of no diplomatic ties between the two. These talks were conducted in Beijing from March 6 to 10, according to a trilateral statement from China, Saudi Arabia and Iran.4

“This action can be seen as the Chinese attempting to be the leader of the world in global diplomacy and an endeavor to practice its Global Security Initiative (GSI).” – Compiler

March 10 - 11 The first session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) at the annual session of China's national legislature adopted the following: March 10 5

(1)Xi Jinping was elected as Chinese President and Chairman of the Central Military Commission of the People's Republic of China.6

(2)Han Zheng was elected Chinese Vice President.

(3)Zhao Leji was elected chairman of the 14th National People's Congress Standing Committee.

(4)Wang Huning was elected chairman of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the top political advisory body.

4 For more details, see: Global Times. (2023, Mar 11). “China’s mediation in Saudi-Iran deal to restore ties best practice of GSI, exerting far-reaching influence on other hotspot issues: experts.” Retrieved from https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202303/1287105.shtml

5 For more details, see: Yang Sheng. (2023, Mar 10). “Xi Jinping unanimously elected president, CMC chairman of PRC, leads China on new journey in unity, confidence.” Retrieved from https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202303/1287060.shtml

6 For the full text of XiJinping’s speech, see Part II, March (B), Page 34

March 12

March 11 7

(1)Zhang Youxia and He Weidong were endorsed as vice chairmen of the Central Military Commission (CMC) of the People's Republic of China (PRC).

(2)Chinese President Xi Jinping signed a presidential order appointing Li Qiang as premier.

China’s new defense minister General Li Shangfu was sanctioned by the US for purchasing Russian weapons for the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA).

March 15

(1)China's Foreign Ministry announced that it will resume issuing all categories of visas from March 15, 2023.

(2)The navies of China, Iran and Russia were holding the Security Belt-2023 joint maritime military exercise from March 15 to 19 in the Gulf of Oman.

(3)Xi Jinping delivered his keynote speech proposing the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI) at the opening ceremony of the CPC in Dialogue with World Political Parties High-Level Meeting via video link. This online meeting was under the theme of "Path towards Modernization: The Responsibility of Political Parties." 8

(4)Honduran President Xiomara Castro said in her Twitter account that she instructed Honduran Foreign Affairs Minister Eduardo Reina to undertake the opening of official relations with China.

March 16 Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang told his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba in a phone expressing that China hopes Russia and Ukraine will keep alive the possibility of dialogue and negotiation and not close the door to a political solution.

7 Formoredetails, see:DengXiaociandXuKeyue. (2023, Mar 11). “New centralgovernment leaders appointed, set for new journey towardmodernization.” Retrieved fromhttps://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202303/1287098.shtml

8 For more details, see: Global Times. (2023, Mar 15). “Xi proposes Global Civilization Initiative, stressing inclusiveness.” Retrieved from https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202303/1287326.shtml and, Yang Sheng. (2023, Mar 16). “Global Civilization Initiative proposed by Xi 'provides hope to heal the world in turbulence'.” Retrieved from https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202303/1287427.shtml ; and the full text of Xi Jinping’s keynote address, see Part II, March (C), Page 39

March 20

Chinese President Xi Jinping paid a state visit to Russia from March 20 to 22 at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“During this visit, China showed its attitude towards the Russia-Ukraine conflict indicating that it should be resolved through peaceful diplomacy. However, some anti-China foreign media hyped the quote ‘Ukraine today, Taiwan tomorrow’ to raise concerns that Russia's invasion could be a prelude to China's annexation of Taiwanin the future.Whether China sincerely supported thisceasefireornot,wecanseeatransitionfromtheUScentric unilateral world to the new form of multilateralism and the new characteristic of Chinese diplomacy as a conciliator and peace supporter.”

Compiler

March 25

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang and his Honduran counterpart Eduardo Enrique Reina met in Beijing and signed the Joint Communiqué on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations Between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Honduras

March 27

Former Taiwan leader Ma Ying-jeou started his 12-day ancestral trip in the Chinese mainland. This was the first ever mainland trip by Ma, former president of the Kuomintang (KMT), and was also the first to the mainland by a former Taiwan leader since 1949.

March 29

Taiwan leader Tsai Ing-wen from the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) visited the US from March 29 to April 7. In this trip, she visited Guatemala and Belize. She also met the US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

“We can compare and analyze the politicalactivitiesof Ma Ying-jeou from the Kuomintang (KMT) and Tsai Ing-wen from the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). These activities not only reflect their respective party's perspectives on cross-straits relations, but also highlight the rivalry between the two parties in

anticipation of the upcoming Taiwanese presidential election scheduled for January 2024.” – Compiler

(II) Highlights of China-Southeast Asian Relations

January 3 Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. paid a state visit to China from January 3 to 5.

January 9 After the adjustment of the COVID-19 policy, the first group of 269 Chinese tourists from Xiamen landed in Thailand.

January 13 The Chinese General Administration of Customs (GAC) showed that China's imports and exports to ASEAN came to 6.52 trillion yuan ($970 billion) in 2022, a significant increase of 15 percent.

January 14 Chinese President Xi Jinping and General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong sent congratulatory letters to each other on the coming Spring Festival, which is a traditional festival for both countries.

January 25

The Muse-Ruili checkpoint, a China-Myanmar border crossing, fully reopened after 1,030 days of closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic in late March 2020.

February 2 The deal between Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr and US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) was announced during the latter’s visit to the Philippines. This deal agreed to four new military bases in strategic areas of the Philippines including the islands which are close to Taiwan and the South China Sea.

February 9 Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia Hun Sen paid an official visit to China from February 9 to 11.

February 11 China and Cambodia released a joint statement agreeing to develop a "Diamond Hexagon" cooperation framework highlighting six priority areas, namely, political cooperation, production capacity, agriculture, energy, security and humanity.

February 14

The Philippines filed a diplomatic protest calling on Beijing to ensure its vessels cease "aggressive activities" after Manila accused China's coast guard of trying to block one of its ships in the South China Sea using a "military grade laser."

February 15 Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said that the China Coast Guard ship did not direct lasers at the Philippine crew, and the hand-held equipment did not inflict damage on anything or anyone on the vessel.

February 21

Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang is scheduled to visit Indonesia from February 21. He will also chair the 4th meeting of the Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) between China and Indonesia and visit the ASEAN Secretariat.

February 24

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan had a meeting with Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni and Queen Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing.

March 2

Chinese President Xi Jinping congratulated Vo Van Thuong on assuming office as President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

March 20

The fifth joint exercise between the armed forces of China and Cambodia, the annual Golden Dragon-2023, was held from March 20 to April 8.

March 23

The Thai Embassy in China released a statement that Thailand pays close attention to the safety of Chinese travelers. This statement was an attempt to build confidence of Chinese tourists after some Chinese netizens were concerned about reported cases of missing persons in Thailand and other Southeast Asian countries. "Tourists' safety in Thailand" became a trending hashtag on Chinese social media like Sina Weibo.

March 24

ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn started his official visit to China from March 24 to 29. He also attended the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) and met Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang.

March 27

Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong started a six-day official visit to China from March 27 to April 1 to attend the Opening Plenary of the Boao Forum for Asia and met Chinese leaders in Beijing.

March 29

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim made his first official visit to China from March 29 to April 1. He also attended the Boao Forum for Asia and met the Chinese president Xi Jinping.

Part II : Selected Documentation

January

(A) Full text of Xi Jinping's speech at 2023 Spring Festival gathering9

Speech at the 2023 Spring Festival gathering

Jan. 20, 2023

by Xi Jinping

Comrades and Friends,

The Year of the Rabbit is coming. Today, we are gathered here to bid farewell to the old year and usher in a new year.

First, on behalf of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the State Council, I wish to extend the best holiday wishes to all of you. I wish Chinese people of all ethnic groups, compatriots in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Macao Special Administrative Region and Taiwan, and overseas Chinese a happy New Year! Happy New Year to you all!

The Year of the Tiger, which is about to pass, is a very important year in the development history of the Party and the country. Confronted with the complex and unpredictable international situation and arduous domestic tasks of continuing reform and development and maintaining stability, the entire Party, the military, and the Chinese people of all ethnic groups rose to the challenge and worked together. With their energy, courage and perseverance, they wrote a new chapter in the development of socialist modernization.

We held the 20th CPC National Congress successfullyand drew up a grand blueprint for comprehensively building a modern socialist country. The entire Party, the military, and the Chinese people of all ethnic groups have embarked on a new journey in high spirits and are heading towards a new goal.

Over the year, we have fully implemented the new development philosophy, adhered to the general principle of pursuing progress while ensuring

9 Xinhua. (2023, Jan 22). “Full text of XiJinping's speech at 2023 Spring Festivalgathering.” Retrieved from http://en.people.cn/n3/2023/0122/c90000-10199121.html

stability, fully implemented the requirements for keeping the epidemic at bay, stabilizing the economy and ensuring safe development, and accelerated the efforts to foster a new development pattern and pursue high-quality development. We have maintained economic growth, achieved a bumper harvest of grain, kept employment and prices stable, and firmly ensured people's well-being. We have also consolidated our gains in poverty elimination, made one achievement after another in the fields of sci-tech innovation, kept improving the ecological environment, taken solid steps to modernize the national defense and the armed forces, made further efforts to exercise full and rigorous governance over the Party, and maintained overall social stability.

We have put people and their lives first and kept optimizing the epidemic prevention and control measures according to the mutation of the virus and the anti-epidemic situation, so as to protect people's lives and health to the greatest extent and minimize the impact of the epidemic on economic and social development. Now, epidemic prevention and control still requires much efforts, but we can see the light at the end of the tunnel, as long as we work together and persevere, we will surely win the final victory.

We successfully hosted the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics, respectively, presented a streamlined, safe and splendid Games to the world, and achieved great achievement in organizing the Games and our athletes also achieved a success in competition, making Beijing the first city holding both Summer Olympic Games and Winter Olympic Games in the world.

We held a grand celebration marking the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland. Hong Kong and Macao have remained prosperous and stable. We have been fighting resolutely in major struggles against separatism and foreign interference, maintaining the initiative to steer cross-Strait relations. We have vigorously advanced major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics and made many friends, providing the volatile global environment with stability.

The achievements of this year did not come easily, and were made by the Party and the people together. What has been achieved has shown that as long as the Party and the people stand together, think together and work together, no storm can shake our iron will, and no difficulty can stop our sonorous steps.

Comrades and Friends,

2023 is the first year to fully implement the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress, with both hopes and challenges. We will take keeping stability the top priority, and seek progress while maintaining stability. We will better balance both domestic and international situations, coordinate epidemic prevention and control with economic and social development, and development with security. We will comprehensively deepen reform and opening up, strive to achieve an overall upturn in economic performance, and continue to improve people's lives. As long as we work hard with firm confidence, we will get off to a good start on our new journey.

The greatest truths are the simplest, and hard work is the key. The new journey is a long one full of glories and dreams where there is no shortcut, but hard work. We should come down to earth, work hard, and not fall into fantasies or distractions. We should be honest and studious, respect the reality, do not act against rules or work recklessly. We should seek truth and be pragmatic, focus on the actual effect, and do not make superficial work or show. Those who work will succeed, and those who walk will arrive at their destination. A person of action will leave a good name in history. We created a glorious past with hard work, and we will create a better future in the same way.

Comrades and Friends,

In traditional Chinese culture, rabbit (tu) is called Ruitu (auspicious rabbit) or Yutu (jade rabbit), representing quickness and wit, purity and kindness, peace and beauty. The auspicious rabbit bodes well for China, which is increasingly peaceful, and full of vigor and vitality. In the lunar year of the Rabbit, I hope that the people of the whole country, especially the young people, sprint up and run at full speed like a moving rabbit to exhibit their ability and elegance in whatever work they do.

At this time of family reunion, there are many people who are still at work, leaving their shining footprints in the great journey of building the Chinese dream together. We pay tribute to these selfless contributors!

Finally, I wish you all a happy family reunion, good health, good luck in the year of Rabbit and all the best!

Thank you all!

(B) Memorandum on Extending and Expanding Eligibility for Deferred Enforced Departure for Certain Hong Kong Residents10

MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF STATE THE SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY

SUBJECT: Extending and Expanding Eligibility for Deferred Enforced Departure for Certain Hong Kong Residents

The United States supports the human rights and fundamental freedoms of the residents of Hong Kong. ThePeople’s Republic of China (PRC) has continued to erode those rights and freedoms, and as such I am directing an extension and expansion of the deferral of removal of certain Hong Kong residents who are present in the United States.

By unilaterally imposing on Hong Kong the Law of the People’s Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (NSL) in June 2020, the PRC has undermined the enjoyment of rights and freedoms in Hong Kong, including those protected under the Basic Law and the Sino-British Joint Declaration. The PRC has continued its assault on Hong Kong’s autonomy, undermining its remaining democratic processes and institutions, imposing limits on academic freedom, and cracking down on freedom of the press. Since June 2020, at least 150 opposition politicians, activists, and protesters have been taken into custody on politically motivated NSL-related charges including secession, subversion, terrorist activities, and collusion with a foreign country or external elements. Over 1,200 political prisoners are now behind bars, and over 10,000 individuals have been arrested for other charges in connection with anti-government protests.

There are compelling foreign policy reasons to extend Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) for an additional period for those residents of Hong Kong presently residing in the United States who were under a grant of DED until February 5, 2023, as well as to defer enforced departure for other Hong Kong residents who arrived in the United States subsequent to the initial grant of DED. The United States is committed to a foreign policy that unites our democratic

10 The White House. (2023, Jan 26). “MemorandumonExtending and Expanding Eligibilityfor Deferred Enforced Departure for Certain Hong Kong Residents.” Retrieved from https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefingroom/presidential-actions/2023/01/26/memorandum-on-extending-and-expanding-eligibility-for-deferredenforced-departure-for-certain-hong-kong-residents/

values with our foreign policy goals, which is centered on the defense of democracy and the promotion of human rights around the world. Offering safe haven for Hong Kong residents who have been deprived of their guaranteed freedoms in Hong Kong furthers United States interests in the region. The United States will continue to stand firm in our support of the people in Hong Kong.

Pursuant to my constitutional authority to conduct the foreign relations of the United States, I have determined that it is in the foreign policy interest of the United States to defer for 24 months the removal of any Hong Kong resident who is present in the United States on the date of this memorandum, except for those:

(1)who have voluntarily returned to Hong Kong or the PRC after the date of this memorandum;

(2)who have not continuously resided in the United States since the date of this memorandum;

(3)who are inadmissible under section 212(a)(3) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) (8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(3)) or deportableunder section 237(a)(4) of the INA (8 U.S.C. 1227(a)(4));

(4)who have been convicted of any felony or two or more misdemeanors committed in the United States, or who meet any of the criteria set forth in section 208(b)(2)(A) of the INA (8 U.S.C. 1158(b)(2)(A));

(5)who are subject to extradition;

(6)whose presence in the United States the Secretaryof Homeland Security has determined is not in the interest of the United States or presents a danger to public safety; or

(7)whose presence in the United States the Secretary of State has reasonable grounds to believe would have potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States.

I further direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to take appropriate measures to authorize employment for noncitizens whose removal has been deferred, as provided by this memorandum, for the duration of such deferral, and to consider suspending regulatory requirements with respect to F-1 nonimmigrant students who are Hong Kong residents as the Secretary of Homeland Security determines to be appropriate. The Secretary of Homeland Security shall also provide for the prompt issuance of new or replacement documents in appropriate cases.

The Secretary of Homeland Security is authorized and directed to publish this memorandum in the Federal Register.

JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

February

(A) The Global Security Initiative Concept Paper11

The Global Security Initiative

Concept Paper

I. Background

The issue of security bears on the well-being of people of all countries, the lofty cause of world peace and development, and the future of humanity.

Today, our world, our times and history are changing in ways like never before, and the international community is confronted with multiple risks and challenges rarely seen before. Regional security hotspots keep flaring up, local conflicts and turbulence occur frequently, the COVID-19 pandemic persists, unilateralism and protectionism have risen significantly, and traditional and nontraditional security threats are entwined. The deficits in peace, development, security and governance are growing, and the world is once again at a crossroads in history.

This is an era rife with challenges. It is also one brimming with hope. We are convinced that the historical trends of peace, development and win-win cooperation are unstoppable. Upholding world peace and security and promoting global development and prosperity should be the common pursuit of all countries. Chinese President Xi Jinping has proposed the Global Security Initiative (GSI), calling on countries to adapt to the profoundly changing international landscape in the spirit of solidarity, and address the complex and intertwined security challenges with a win-win mindset. The GSI aims to eliminate the root causes of international conflicts, improve global security governance, encourage joint international efforts to bring more stability and certainty to a volatile and changing era, and promote durable peace and development in the world.

11Xinhua. (2023, Feb 21). “Full text: The Global Security Initiative Concept Paper.” Retrieved from https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202302/1285900.shtml

II. Core concepts and principles

1. Stay committed to the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security. In 2014, President Xi Jinping initiated a new vision for common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, which has been widely recognized and supported by the international community. The essence of this new vision of security is to advocate a concept of common security, respecting and safeguarding the security of every country; a holistic approach, maintaining security in both traditional and non-traditional domains and enhancing security governance in a coordinated way; a commitment to cooperation, bringing about security through political dialogue and peaceful negotiation; and pursuit of sustainable security, resolving conflicts through development and eliminating the breeding ground for insecurity. We believe security will only be firmly established and sustainable when it is underpinned by morality, justice and the right ideas.

2. Stay committed to respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries. Sovereign equality and non-interference in internal affairs are basic principles of international law and the most fundamental norms governing contemporary international relations. We believe all countries, big or small, strong or weak, rich or poor, are equal members of the international community. Their internal affairs brook no external interference, their sovereignty and dignity must be respected, and their right to independently choose social systems and development paths must be upheld. Sovereign independence and equality must be upheld, and efforts should be made for all countries to enjoy equality in terms of rights, rules and opportunities.

3. Stay committed to abiding by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. The purposes and principles of the UN Charter embody the deep reflection by people around the world on the bitter lessons of the two world wars. They are humanity’s institutional design for collective security and lasting peace. The various confrontations and injustices in the world today did not occur because the purposes and principles of the UN Charter are outdated, but because they are not effectively maintained and implemented. We call on all countries to practice true multilateralism; firmly uphold the international system with the UN at its core, the international order underpinned by international law and the basic norms of international relations underpinned by the UN Charter; and uphold the authority of the UN and its status as the main platform for global security

governance. The Cold War mentality, unilateralism, bloc confrontation and hegemonism contradict the spirit of the UN Charter and must be resisted and rejected.

4. Stay committed to taking the legitimate security concerns of all countries seriously. Humanity is an indivisible security community. Security of one country should not come at the expense of that of others. We believe all countries are equal in terms of security interests. The legitimate and reasonable security concerns of all countries should be taken seriously and addressed properly, not persistently ignored or systemically challenged. Any country, while pursuing its own security, should take into account the reasonable security concerns of others. We uphold the principle of indivisible security, advocating the indivisibility between individual security and common security, between traditional security and non-traditional security, between security rights and security obligations, and between security and development. There should be a balanced, effective and sustainable security architecture, so as to realize universal security and common security.

5. Stay committed to peacefully resolving differences and disputes between countries through dialogue and consultation. War and sanctions are no fundamental solution to disputes; only dialogue and consultation are effective in resolving differences. We call on countries to strengthen strategic communication, enhance mutual security confidence, diffuse tensions, manage differences and eliminate the root causes of crises. Major countries must uphold justice, fulfill their due responsibilities, support consultation on an equal footing, and facilitate talks for peace, play good offices and mediate in light of the needs and will of the countries concerned. The international community should support all efforts conducive to the peaceful settlement of crises, and encourage conflicting parties to build trust, settle disputes and promote security through dialogue. Abusing unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction does not solve a problem, but only creates more difficulties and complications.

6. Stay committed to maintaining security in both traditional and nontraditional domains. In today’s world, both the intension and extension of security are broadening. Security is more interconnected, transnational and diverse. Traditional and non-traditional security threats have become intertwined. We encourage all countries to practice the principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits in global governance, and work together to

address regional disputes and global challenges such as terrorism, climate change, cybersecurity and biosecurity. There should be concerted efforts to explore multiple channels, develop a holistic solution, and improve relevant rules, so as to find sustainable solutions, promote global security governance and prevent and resolve security challenges.

These six commitments are interlinked and mutually reinforcing, and are an organic whole of dialectical unity. Among them, the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security provides conceptual guidance; respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries is the basic premise; abiding by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter is a primary benchmark; taking the legitimate security concerns of all countries seriously is an important principle, peacefully resolving differences and disputes between countries through dialogue and consultation is a must choice; and maintaining security in both traditional and non-traditional domains is an inherent requirement.

III. Priorities of cooperation

It is our common aspiration to achieve lasting world peace, so that all countries can enjoy a peaceful and stable external environment and their people can live a happy life with their rights fully guaranteed. Like passengers aboard the same ship, countries need to work in solidarity to foster a community of shared security for mankind and build a world that is free from fear and enjoys universal security.

To realize these visions, China is ready to conduct bilateral and multilateral security cooperation with all countries and international and regional organizations under the framework of the Global Security Initiative, and actively promote coordination of security concepts and convergence of interests. China calls on all parties to carry out single or multiple cooperation in aspects including but not limited to the following ones, so as to pursue mutual learning and complementarity and to jointly promote world peace and tranquility:

1. Actively participate in formulating a New Agenda for Peace and other proposals put forth in Our Common Agenda by the UN Secretary-General. Support UN efforts to enhance conflict prevention and fully harness the peacebuilding architecture to assist post-conflict states in peace-building. Further leverage the Secretary-General’s Peace and Security Sub-Fund of the China-UN

Peace and Development Trust Fund and support a bigger UN role in global security affairs.

Support the UN in enhancing capacity for implementing its peacekeeping mandate, uphold the three principles of “consent of the parties, impartiality, and non-use of force except in self-defense and defense of the mandate” for peacekeeping operations, prioritize political solutions, and take a holistic approach to address both symptoms and root causes. Provide peacekeeping operations with adequate resources. Support the provision of sufficient, predictable and sustainable financial assistance to the African Union (AU) for it to carry out autonomous peacekeeping operations.

2. Promote coordination and sound interaction among major countries and build a major country relationship featuring peaceful coexistence, overall stability and balanced development. Major countries shoulder particularly important responsibilities of maintaining international peace and security. Call on major countries to lead by example in honoring equality, good faith, cooperation and the rule of law, and in complying with the UN Charter and international law. Adhere to mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, stick to the bottom line of no conflict and no confrontation, seek common ground while reserving differences, and manage differences.

3. Firmly uphold theconsensus that “a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought”. Comply with the joint statement on preventing nuclear war and avoiding arms races issued byleaders of the five nuclear-weapon states in January 2022. Strengthen dialogue and cooperation among nuclear-weapon states to reduce the risk of nuclear war. Safeguard the international nuclear nonproliferation regime based on the Treaty on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and actively support the efforts of countries in relevant regions to establish nuclear-weapon-free zones. Promote international cooperation on nuclear security, so as to build a fair, collaborative and mutually beneficial international nuclear security system.

4. Fully implement the resolution of Promoting International Cooperation on Peaceful Uses in the Context of International Security adopted by the 76th session of the UN General Assembly.

Carry out cooperation under such frameworks as the UN Security Council’s 1540 Committee, the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and the

Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), promote complete prohibition and thorough destruction of weapons of mass destruction, and build up the capacity of all countries in areas including non-proliferation export control, biosecurity and protection against chemical weapons.

Support the process of global conventional arms control. Support cooperation among China, Africa and Europe on small arms and light weapons control under the premise of respecting the will of Africa. Support the implementation of the initiative of Silencing the Guns in Africa. Actively carry out international cooperation and assistance on humanitarian demining and provide help to affected countries as much as one’s ability permits.

5. Promote political settlement of international and regional hotspot issues. Encourage the countries concerned to overcome differences and resolve hotspots through candid dialogue and communication. Support the international community in constructively participating in the political settlement of hotspots, under the premise of non-interference in internal affairs, mainly through the means of facilitating peace talks, with fairness and practicality as the main attitude, and mainly following the approach of addressing both symptoms and root causes. Support political settlement of hotspot issues such as the Ukraine crisis through dialogue and negotiation.

6. Support and improve the ASEAN-centered regional securitycooperation mechanism and architecture, and adhere to the ASEAN way of consensusbuilding and accommodating each other’s comfort level to further strengthen security dialogue and cooperation among regional countries. Support efforts to promote cooperation in non-traditional security areas under the framework of Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC), implement relevant cooperation projects under the LMC Special Fund, and strive to foster a pilot zone for GSI to jointly safeguard regional peace and stability.

7. Implement the five-point proposal on realizing peace and stability in the Middle East, including advocating mutual respect, upholding equity and justice, realizing non-proliferation, jointly fostering collective security, and accelerating development cooperation, so as to jointly establish a new security framework in the Middle East. Support the positive momentum and the efforts of Middle East countries to strengthen dialogue and improve their relations, accommodate the reasonable security concerns of all parties, strengthen the internal forces of safeguarding regional security, and support the League of Arab States (LAS) and

other regional organizations in playing a constructive role in this regard. The international community should take practical steps to advance the two-state solution to the Palestinian question, and convene a larger, more authoritative and more influential international peace conference, so as to achieve a just solution to the Palestinian question at an early date.

8. Support the efforts of African countries, the AU and sub-regional organizations to resolve regional conflicts, fight terrorism and safeguard maritime security, call on the international community to provide financial and technical support to Africa-led counter-terrorism operations, and support African countries in strengthening their ability to safeguard peace independently. Support addressing African problems in the African way, and promote peaceful settlement of hotspots in the Horn of Africa, the Sahel, the Great Lakes region and other areas. Actively implement the Outlook on Peace and Development in the Horn of Africa, promote the institutionalization of the China-Horn of Africa Peace, Governance and Development Conference, and work actively to launch pilot projects of cooperation.

9. Support Latin American and Caribbean countries in actively fulfilling commitments stated in the Proclamation of Latin America and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace, and support the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States and other regional and sub-regional organizations in playing an active role in upholding regional peace and security and properly handling regional hotspots.

10. Pay high attention to the special situation and legitimate concerns of Pacific island countries in regard to climate change, natural disasters and public health, support the efforts of Pacific island countries to address global challenges, and support island countries in implementing the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent. Increase the provision of materials, funds and talents to help island countries improve their ability to deal with non-traditional security threats.

11. Strengthen maritime dialogue and exchange and practical cooperation, properly handle maritime differences, and work together to tackle transnational crimes at sea including piracy and armed robbery, so as to jointly safeguard maritime peace and tranquility and sea lane security. Call on upstream and downstream countries along trans-boundary rivers to actively engage in international cooperation, resolve relevant disputes through dialogue and consultation, ensure the safety of shipping on trans-boundary rivers, rationally

utilize and protect water resources, and protect the ecological environment of trans-boundary rivers.

12. Strengthen the UN’s role as the central coordinator in the global fight against terrorism, support the international community in fully implementing the UN General Assembly and Security Council counter-terrorism resolutions and the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, and jointlycrack down on all terrorist organizations and individuals designated by the Security Council. Channel more global counter-terrorism resources to developing countries to enhance their counter-terrorism capacity building. Oppose linking terrorism with any particular country, ethnic group or religion. Enhance studies on and responses to the impact of emerging technologies on global counter-terrorism efforts.

13. Deepen international cooperation in the field of information security. China has put forward the Global Initiative on Data Security and calls for joint efforts to formulate global rules on digital governance that reflect the will and respect the interests of all parties. Follow through on the China-LAS Cooperation Initiative on Data Security and the Data Security Cooperation Initiative of China+Central Asia, jointly address various cyber threats, and work to establish a global governance system on cyberspace featuring openness and inclusion, justice and fairness, security and stability, vigor and vitality.

14. Strengthen biosecurity risk management. Jointly advocate responsible bioscience research and encourage all stakeholders to refer to the Tianjin Biosecurity Guidelines for Codes of Conduct for Scientists on a voluntary basis. Jointly strengthen the building of biosecurity capability of laboratories, reduce biosecurity risks and promote the healthy development of biotechnology.

15. Strengthen international security governance on artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies, and prevent and manage potential security risks. China has issued position papers on regulating military applications and strengthening ethical governance of AI, and stands ready to strengthen communication and exchange with the international community on AI security governance, promote the establishment of an international mechanism with broad participation, and develop governance frameworks, standards and norms based on extensive consensus.

16. Strengthen international cooperation on outer space and safeguard the international order in outer space underpinned by international law. Carry out

activities in outer space in accordance with international law, safeguard the safety of in-orbit astronauts and the long-term and sustainable operation of space facilities. Respect and ensure the equal right of all countries to use outer space peacefully. Resolutely reject the weaponization of and arms race in outer space, and support the negotiation and conclusion of an international legal instrument on arms control in outer space.

17. Support the World Health Organization in playing a leading role in global governance in public health, and effectively coordinate and mobilize global resources to jointly respond to COVID-19 and other major global infectious diseases.

18. Safeguard global food and energy security. Strengthen action coordination to maintain the smooth operation of international agricultural trade, ensure stable grain production and smooth supply chains, and avoid politicizing and weaponizing food security issues. Strengthen international energy policy coordination, create a safe and stable environment for ensuring energy transportation, and jointly maintain the stability of the global energy market and energy prices.

19. Fully and effectively implement the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime. Encourage all countries to conclude or join international treaties, conventions or agreements or make institutional arrangements to fight transnational crimes. Support the three international drug control conventions of the UN, safeguard the international drug control system, and advocate coordination, shared responsibility and sincere cooperation in the international community to jointly address challenges posed by the drug problem and build a community with a shared future for mankind that is free from the harm of drugs. Actively conduct law enforcement cooperation on the basis of respecting each country’s sovereignty, so as to jointly improve law enforcement capacity and security governance. Support the establishment of a global training system to train for developing countries more law enforcement officers who are responsive to their countries’ security needs.

20. Support the cooperation among countries in addressing climate change and maintaining stable and smooth supply and industrial chains, and speed up the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in order to promote sustainable security through sustainable development.

IV. Platforms and mechanisms of cooperation

1. Engage in wide-ranging discussions and communication on peace and security at the General Assembly, relevant UN Committees, the Security Council, relevant institutions, and other international and regional organizations based on their respective mandates, and put forward common initiatives and propositions to forge consensus in the international community to address security challenges.

2. Leverage the roles of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, BRICS cooperation, the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia, the “China+Central Asia” mechanism, and relevant mechanisms of East Asia cooperation, and carry out security cooperation incrementally to achieve similar or same goals. Promote the establishment of a multilateral dialogue platform in the Gulf region and give play to the role of coordinating and cooperative mechanisms such as the Meeting of Foreign Ministers of the Neighboring Countries of Afghanistan and the China-Horn of Africa Peace, Governance and Development Conference to promote regional and global peace and stability.

3. Hold high-level conferences on the GSI in due course to strengthen policy communication in the field of security, promote intergovernmental dialogue and cooperation, and further foster synergy in the international community to address security challenges.

4. Support the China-Africa Peace and Security Forum, the Middle East Security Forum, the Beijing Xiangshan Forum, the Global Public Security Cooperation Forum (Lianyungang) and other international dialogue platforms in contributing to deepening exchange and cooperation on security. Promote the establishment of more global security forums to provide new platforms for governments, international organizations, think tanks and social organizations to leverage their advantages and participate in global security governance.

5. Build more international platforms and mechanisms for exchange and cooperation on addressing security challenges in such areas as counter-terrorism, cybersecurity, biosecurity and emerging technologies, with a view to improving the governance capacity in the domain of non-traditional security. Encourage more exchanges and cooperation among university-level military and police academies. China is willing to provide other developing countries with 5,000

training opportunities in the next five years to train professionals for addressing global security issues.

The GSI, following the principle of openness and inclusiveness, welcomes and looks forward to the participation of all parties to jointly enrich its substance and actively explore new forms and areas of cooperation. China stands ready to work with all countries and peoples who love peace and aspire to happiness to address all kinds of traditional and non-traditional security challenges, protect the peace and tranquility of the earth, and jointly create a better future for mankind, so that the torch of peace will be passed on from generation to generation and shine across the world.

(B) China’s Position on the Political Settlement of the Ukraine Crisis12

China’s Position on the Political Settlement of the Ukraine Crisis

1. Respecting the sovereignty of all countries. Universally recognized international law, including the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, must be strictly observed. The sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of all countries must be effectively upheld. All countries, big or small, strong or weak, rich or poor, are equal members of the international community. All parties should jointly uphold the basic norms governing international relations and defend international fairness and justice. Equal and uniform application of international law should be promoted, while double standards must be rejected.

2. Abandoning the Cold War mentality. The security of a countryshould not be pursued at the expense of others. The security of a region should not be achieved by strengthening or expanding military blocs. The legitimate security interests and concerns of all countries must be taken seriously and addressed properly. There is no simple solution to a complex issue. All parties should, following the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security and bearing in mind the long-term peace and stability of the world, help forge a balanced, effective and sustainable European security architecture. All parties should oppose the pursuit of one’s own security at the cost of others’ security, prevent bloc confrontation, and work together for peace and stability on the Eurasian Continent.

3. Ceasing hostilities. Conflict and war benefit no one. All parties must stay rational and exercise restraint, avoid fanning the flames and aggravating tensions, and prevent the crisis from deteriorating further or even spiraling out of control. All parties should support Russia and Ukraine in working in the same direction and resuming direct dialogue as quickly as possible, so as to gradually deescalate the situation and ultimately reach a comprehensive ceasefire.

4. Resuming peace talks. Dialogue and negotiation are the only viable solution to the Ukraine crisis. All efforts conducive to the peaceful settlement of the crisis must be encouraged and supported. The international communityshould

12 Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China. (2023, Feb 24). “China’s Position on the Political Settlement of the Ukraine Crisis.” Retrieved from https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/mfa_eng/zxxx_662805/202302/t20230224_11030713.html

stay committed to the right approach of promoting talks for peace, help parties to the conflict open the door to a political settlement as soon as possible, and create conditions and platforms for the resumption of negotiation. China will continue to play a constructive role in this regard.

5. Resolving the humanitarian crisis. All measures conducive to easing the humanitarian crisis must be encouraged and supported. Humanitarian operations should follow the principles of neutrality and impartiality, and humanitarian issues should not be politicized. The safety of civilians must be effectively protected, and humanitarian corridors should be set up for the evacuation of civilians from conflict zones. Efforts are needed to increase humanitarian assistance to relevant areas, improve humanitarian conditions, and provide rapid, safeand unimpeded humanitarian access, with a view topreventing a humanitarian crisis on a larger scale. The UN should be supported in playing a coordinating role in channeling humanitarian aid to conflict zones.

6. Protecting civilians and prisoners of war (POWs). Parties to the conflict should strictly abide by international humanitarian law, avoid attacking civilians or civilian facilities, protect women, children and other victims of the conflict, and respect the basic rights of POWs. China supports the exchange of POWs between Russia and Ukraine, and calls on all parties to create more favorable conditions for this purpose.

7. Keeping nuclear power plants safe. China opposes armed attacks against nuclear power plants or other peaceful nuclear facilities, and calls on all parties to comply with international law including the Convention on Nuclear Safety (CNS) and resolutely avoid man-made nuclear accidents. China supports the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in playing a constructive role in promoting the safety and security of peaceful nuclear facilities.

8. Reducing strategic risks. Nuclear weapons must not be used and nuclear wars must not be fought. The threat or use of nuclear weapons should be opposed. Nuclear proliferation must be prevented and nuclear crisis avoided. China opposes the research, development and use of chemical and biological weapons by any country under any circumstances.

9. Facilitating grain exports. All parties need to implement the Black Sea Grain Initiative signed by Russia, Türkiye, Ukraine and the UN fully and effectively in a balanced manner, and support the UN in playing an important role

in this regard. The cooperation initiative on global food security proposed by China provides a feasible solution to the global food crisis.

10. Stopping unilateral sanctions. Unilateral sanctions and maximum pressure cannot solve the issue; they only create new problems. China opposes unilateral sanctions unauthorized by the UN Security Council. Relevant countries should stop abusing unilateral sanctions and “long-arm jurisdiction” against other countries, so as to do their share in deescalating the Ukraine crisis and create conditions for developing countries to grow their economies and better the lives of their people.

11. Keeping industrial and supply chains stable. All parties should earnestly maintain the existing world economic system and oppose using the world economyas a tool or weapon for political purposes. Joint efforts are needed to mitigate the spillovers of the crisis and prevent it from disrupting international cooperation in energy, finance, food trade and transportation and undermining the global economic recovery.

12. Promoting post-conflict reconstruction. The international community needs to take measures to support post-conflict reconstruction in conflict zones. China stands ready to provide assistance and play a constructive role in this endeavor.

(A) List of key officials of China's State Council13

The following is a list of key officials of China's State Council endorsed by lawmakers at the first session of the 14th National People's Congress:

Premier: Li Qiang

Vice premiers: Ding Xuexiang, He Lifeng, Zhang Guoqing, Liu Guozhong

State councilors: Li Shangfu, Wang Xiaohong, Wu Zhenglong, Shen

Yiqin, Qin Gang

Secretary-general of the State Council: Wu Zhenglong

Qin Gang, minister of foreign affairs

Li Shangfu, minister of national defense

Zheng Shanjie, head of the National Development and Reform Commission

Huai Jinpeng, minister of education

Wang Zhigang, minister of science and technology

Jin Zhuanglong, minister of industry and information technology

Pan Yue, head of the National Ethnic Affairs Commission

Wang Xiaohong, minister of public security

Chen Yixin, minister of state security

Tang Dengjie, minister of civil affairs

He Rong, minister of justice

Liu Kun, minister of finance

Wang Xiaoping, minister of human resources and social security

Wang Guanghua, minister of natural resources

Huang Runqiu, minister of ecology and environment

Ni Hong, minister of housing and urban-rural development

Li Xiaopeng, minister of transport

Li Guoying, minister of water resources

Tang Renjian, minister of agriculture and rural affairs

Wang Wentao, minister of commerce

Hu Heping, minister of culture and tourism

Ma Xiaowei, head of the National Health Commission

Pei Jinjia, minister of veterans affairs

Wang Xiangxi, minister of emergency management

Yi Gang, governor of the People's Bank of China

Hou Kai, auditor-general of the National Audit Office

(B) Full text of Xi Jinping's speech at first session of 14th NPC14

Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a speech Monday morning at the first session of the 14th National People's Congress, the country's national legislature.

The following is the full text of the speech:

Speech at the first session of the 14th NPC March 13, 2023

by Xi Jinping

Fellow deputies,

I was elected at this session to continue to serve as the president of the People's Republic of China (PRC). I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude for the trust placed in me by all the deputies and the Chinese people of all ethnic groups.

It is my third time to takeon this nobleposition of thepresident of thePRC. The people's trust has been my greatest source of strength to go forward and also the greatest responsibility on my shoulders. I will faithfully fulfill the duties prescribed in the Constitution, take the needs of the country as my mission and the people's interests as the yardstick to follow, be committed and honest in my duties, devote myself to my work without reserve, and never fail to live up to the great trust of the deputies and the people.

Fellow deputies,

The Chinese nation, with a civilization spanning over 5,000 years, has created a myriad of glories and also been through a lot of hardships and adversity. With the advent of modern times, China was reduced to a semi-feudal and semicolonial society, when bullying by foreign powers and frequent wars tore the country apart and plunged the Chinese people into an abyss of great suffering. Since its founding, the Communist Party of China (CPC) has closely united and

led the Chinese people of all ethnic groups in working hard for a century to put an end to China's national humiliation. The Chinese people have become the masters of their future, the Chinese nation has achieved the great transformation from standing up and growing prosperous to becoming strong, and China's national rejuvenation has become a historical inevitability.

From now until the middle of the century, the central task of the Party and all Chinese people is to complete building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects and advance national rejuvenation on all fronts. And the baton of this central task has now been historically passed on to our generation. In accordance with the strategic plans made at the 20th CPC National Congress, we must implement the Five-Sphere Integrated Plan and the Four-Pronged Comprehensive Strategy, speed up Chinese modernization, strive in unity, and continue to break new ground, so as to make achievements on the new journey that answer the call of our times and history and meet the expectations of our people, and make due contributions of our generation to building a great country and achieving national rejuvenation.

Fellow deputies,

On the new journey to build China into a great country and to achieve national rejuvenation, we must unswervingly promote high-quality development. We must fully and faithfully apply the new development philosophy on all fronts and accelerate the efforts to foster a new development pattern. We must fully implement the strategy for invigorating China through science and education, the workforce development strategy and the innovation-driven development strategy, and focus on achieving greater self-reliance and strength in science and technology. We must also promote transformation and upgrading of industries, promote coordinated urban-rural and regional development, make further efforts to build a green and low-carbon economy and society, and effectively upgrade the quality and appropriately expand the output of our economy, so as to constantly increase our economic strength, scientific and technological capabilities and composite national strength.

We must remain committed to putting the people first. The people are the decisive force for building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects. We must proactively develop whole-process people's democracy, uphold the unity between the Party leadership, the running of the country by the people and law-based governance, improve the system of institutions through

which the people run the country, fulfill the people's will, protect their rights and interests and fully inspire their enthusiasm, initiative and creativity. We need to implement a people-centered philosophy of development, improve the system of income distribution, perfect the social security system, and enhance basic public services. We must ensure that the basic living needs of all our people are met, and work hard to resolve the pressing difficulties and problems that concern them most. We must do a better job of seeing to it that the gains of modernization benefit all our people fairly, and make more notable and substantive progress in promoting common prosperity for all. We must strengthen the great unity of the Chinese people of all ethnic groups and the great unity of all the sons and daughters of the Chinese nation at home and abroad, thus mobilizing all positive factors to give shape to a mighty joint force for building a great country and advancing the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

We need to better coordinate development and security. Security is the foundation of development and stability is the prerequisite for prosperity. We must resolutely pursue a holistic approach to national security, improve the national security system, strengthen our capacity for safeguarding national security, enhance public security governance, and improve the social governance system. With this new security architecture, we will be able to better safeguard China's new pattern of development. We should comprehensively promote the modernization of our national defense and our armed forces, and build the people's military into a great wall of steel that can effectively safeguard our nation's sovereignty, security and the interests of our development.

We should solidly promote the practice of "one country, two systems" and the great cause of national reunification. The long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions is indispensable to the building of a great China. We should fully, faithfully, and resolutely implement the policy of "one country, two systems," under which the people of Hong Kong administer Hong Kong and the people of Macao administer Macao, both with a high degree of autonomy. We will remain committed to law-based governance in Hong Kong and Macao and will support Hong Kong and Macao in developing their economies and improving people's livelihood, so that they can better integrate themselves into the overall development of the country. Realizing China's complete reunification is a shared aspiration of all the sons and daughters of the Chinese nation as well as the essence of national rejuvenation. We should implement the Party's overall policy for resolving the Taiwan question in the new

era, uphold the one-China principle and the 1992 Consensus, actively promote the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations, resolutely oppose foreign interference and separatist activities aimed at "Taiwan independence," and unswervingly promote progress towards national reunification.

We must strive to promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. China's development benefits the world, and China cannot develop itself in isolation from the world. We must solidly promote high-level opening up, not only making good use of the global market and resources to develop ourselves, but also promoting common development of the world. We must hold high the banner of peace, development, cooperation and mutual benefit, always stand on the right side of history, practice true multilateralism and the common values of mankind, actively participate in the reform and development of the global governance system, and promote the development of an open world economy. We should promote the implementation of Global Development Initiative and Global Security Initiative, so as to add more stability and positive energy to world peace and development, and create a favorable international environment for our country's development.

Fellow deputies,

To do a good job of governing the country, the Party should do a good job of governing itself; and to build a great country, the Party must be thriving. To promote the building of a great country, it is essential to uphold the leadership of the CPC and the centralized, unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee, and to step up Party building in a solid manner. We must remain sober-minded and resolved about addressing the challenges unique to a big political party as ours, and have the courage to carry out self-reform. We must unceasinglyexercise full and rigorous Party self-governance, unswervingly fight against corruption, and always maintain the unity and solidarity of the Party. By doing so, we will be able to ensure that the Party will never change its nature, its conviction, or its character, which will serve as a strong guarantee for building a great country and advancing national rejuvenation.

Fellow deputies,

The grand goal of building a great country and achieving national rejuvenation is encouraging and motivating. We should seize the day, remain confident in our history, exhibit greater historical initiative, uphold fundamental

principles and break new ground, maintain strategic resolve, carry forward the fighting spirit, and strive to overcome all difficulties, to contribute to the great cause of building China into a great country and achieving national rejuvenation.

Thank you.

(C) Full text of Xi Jinping's keynote address at the CPC in Dialogue with World Political Parties High-level Meeting15

Join Hands on the Path Towards Modernization

Keynote Address by H.E. Xi Jinping

General Secretary of the Central Committee of The Communist Party of China And President of the People's Republic of China

At the CPC in Dialogue with World Political Parties High-level Meeting Beijing, 15 March 2023

Leaders of political parties from around the world, Ladies and Gentlemen, Friends,

It gives me great pleasure to join all of you for the discussion on "Path Towards Modernization: The Responsibility of Political Parties".

The history of human development is full of twists and turns. Similarly, the journey of each country to explore the path to modernization is also arduous. In today's world, multiple challenges and crises are intertwined. The global economic recovery remains sluggish, the development gap is widening, ecological environment is deteriorating, and the Cold War mentality is lingering. Humanity's modernization process has once again reached a crossroads of history.

Polarization or common prosperity? Pure materialistic pursuit or coordinated material and cultural-ethical advancement? Draining the pond to catch the fish or creating harmony between man and nature? Zero-sum game or win-win cooperation? Copying other countries' development model or achieving independent development in light of national conditions? What kind of modernization do we need and how can we achieve it? Confronted with these questions, political parties as an important force steering and driving the

15 Qiushi Journal. (2023, Mar 16). “Fulltext ofXiJinping's keynote address at the CPC inDialogue with World Political Parties High-level Meeting.” Retrieved from http://en.qstheory.cn/2023-03/16/c_869575.htm

modernization process are duty bound to provide answers. Here, I wish to share some of my observations.

We must put the people first and ensure modernization is people-centered. The people are the creators of history and are the strongest bedrock and force in advancing modernization. The ultimate goal of modernization is people's free and well-rounded development. For a modernization path to work and work well, it must put the people first. Modernization is not only about indicators and statistics on the paper but more about the delivery of a happy and stable life for the people. With a focus on the people's aspirations for a better life and further progress of civilization, political parties should strive to achieve material abundance, political integrity, cultural-ethical enrichment, social stability, and pleasant living environments so that modernization will better address the concerns and meet diversified needs of the people. In this way, modernization will promote the sustainable development of humanity by not only increasing the wellbeing of this generation but also protecting the rights and interest of future generations.

We must uphold the principle of independence and explore diversified paths towards modernization. Modernization is not "an exclusive patent" of a small handful of countries, nor is it a single answer question. It cannot be realized by a cookie cutter approach or simple "copy and paste". For any country to achieve modernization, it needs not only to follow the general laws governing the process, but more importantly consider its own national conditions and unique features. It is the people of a country that are in the best position to tell what kind of modernization best suits them. Developing countries have the right and ability to independently explore the modernization path with their distinctive features based on their national realities. We must develop our country and our nation with our own strength, and wemust maintain a firm grasp on thefutureof our country's development and progress. We should respect and support the development paths independently chosen by different peoples to jointly usher in a new prospect for humanity's modernization that is like a garden where a hundred flowers bloom.

We must uphold fundamental principles and break new ground and ensure the continuity of the modernization process. In the face of various new issues, conditions and challenges in the modernization process, political parties should boldly take on responsibilities and excel in their work. We should break the shackles of stale thinking, remove institutional barriers, explore new methods and new approaches, and break new ground in theories and practices to instill

unceasing dynamism into the modernization process. We should work together to reform and develop the global governance system and make the international order more just and equitable as we advance humanity's modernization in an environment of equal rights, equal opportunities and fair rules for all.

We must help others to succeed while seeking our own success and ensure all can enjoy the outcomes of modernization. Humanity lives in a community with a shared future where we rise and fall together. For any country to achieve modernization, it should pursue common development through solidarity and cooperation and follow the principles of joint contribution, shared benefits and win-win outcome. The frontrunners should sincerely support other countries in their development. One will not be seen in a more favourable light after blowing out others' lamp; nor will they go farther by blocking others' paths. We should share opportunities, create a future together and make the pie of humanity's modernization bigger to ensure more people enjoy the outcomes of modernization in a fairer way. We stand firmly opposed to the practice of preserving one's own development privilege by suppressing and containing other countries' endeavor to achieve modernization.

We must forge ahead with enterprise and ensure firm leadership over modernization. Modernization does not fall into our lap automatically. It is the result of hard work with the strong historical initiative. Political parties are the leading and driving force for modernization. Their values, ability to lead and govern, ethos, willpower and character have a direct bearing on the orientation and future of the modernization process. As an ancient Chinese philosopher said, "He who conquers himself is strong." Political parties should integrate party building with national modernization, forge ahead with enterprise and resolve, and excel themselves. In this way, they will have the confidence, determination and capability to respond to the challenges and questions presented by the times, meet people's expectations, and steer the course and marshal strength for the modernization cause.

Ladies and gentlemen, Friends,

Achieving modernization is a dream that the Chinese people have strived to fulfill since modern times. The journey of over 100 years that the Party has traversed to unite and lead the Chinese people in pursuing national rejuvenation

is also an exploration of a path towards modernization. Thanks to the unremitting efforts of generation after generation, we have found our own path to modernization.

The 20th National Congress of the CPC has proposed advancing the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization. Chinese modernization is one of a huge population, of common prosperity for all, of material and cultural-ethical advancement, of harmony between humanity and nature, and of peaceful development. It is rooted in our national conditions and also draws on the experience of other countries. It carries the imprint of history and traditional culture and also contains modern elements. It delivers benefit to the Chinese people and also advances common development of the world. It is a sure path for us to build a stronger nation and realize the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. It is also a path we must take to seek progress for humanity and harmony for the entire world. We will stay committed to the right direction, right theories and the right path. We will not veer off course by changing our nature or abandoning our system. As our own future is closely connected with that of other countries and peoples, we will strive to provide new opportunities for world development, add new impetus to humanity's exploration of paths towards modernization and make new contributions to the theory and practice of humanity's modernization as we make new progress in Chinese modernization.

The CPC will continue to pursue high-quality development and promote global growth and prosperity. We will accelerate the building of a new development paradigm that promotes high-standard opening up and steady expansion of market access. China's door will only open wider. As we further modernize our industrial system, we will provide the world with more and better products made and created in China, and with a Chinese market of a larger scale and stronger demand. We will continue to support and help developing countries in their pursuit of faster development, industrialization and modernization and offer Chinese solutions and strength for narrowing the North-South gap and achieving common development. The CPC stands ready to work with political parties of all other countries to advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, accelerate the solid implementation of the Global Development Initiative, foster new drivers for global development and build a global community of development.

The CPC will continue to safeguard international fairness and justice and promote world peace and stability. In advancing modernization, China will neither tread the old path of colonization and plunder, nor the crooked path taken by some countries to seek hegemony once they grow strong. What China pursues is the right course of peaceful development. We seek to settle differences through dialogue and resolve disputes through cooperation. We firmly oppose hegemony and power politics in all their forms. We advocate solidarity and win-win mentality in handling complex and intertwined security challenges to set up a fair and just security architecture that is built and shared by all. The world does not need a new Cold War. The practice of stoking division and confrontation in the name of democracy is in itself a violation of the spirit of democracy. It will not receive any support. What it brings is only endless harm. A modernized China will strengthen the force for world peace and international justice. No matter what level of development China achieves, it will never seek hegemony or expansion.

The CPC will continue to promote inter-civilization exchanges and mutual learning and advance the progress of human civilizations. Around the world, countries and regions have chosen different paths to modernization, which are rooted in their unique and long civilizations. All civilizations created by human society are splendid. They are where each country's modernization drive draws its strength and where its unique feature comes from. They, transcending time and space, have jointly made important contribution to humanity's modernization process. Chinese modernization, as a new form of human advancement, willdraw upon the merits of other civilizations and make the garden of world civilizations more vibrant.

Ladies and gentlemen, Friends,

A single flower does not make spring, while one hundred flowers in full blossom bring spring to the garden. As the future of all countries are closely connected, tolerance, coexistence, exchanges and mutual learning among different civilizations play an irreplaceable role in advancing humanity's modernization process and making the garden of world civilizations flourish. Here, I wish to propose the Global Civilization Initiative.

We advocate the respect for the diversity of civilizations. Countries need to uphold the principles of equality, mutual learning, dialogue and inclusiveness

among civilizations, and let cultural exchanges transcend estrangement, mutual learning transcend clashes, and coexistence transcend feelings of superiority.

We advocate the common values of humanity. Peace, development, equity, justice, democracy and freedom are the common aspirations of all peoples. Countries need to keep an open mind in appreciating the perceptions of values by different civilizations, and refrain from imposing their own values or models on others and from stoking ideological confrontation.

We advocate the importance of inheritance and innovation of civilizations. Countries need to fully harness the relevance of their histories and cultures to the present times, and push for creative transformation and innovative development of their fine traditional cultures.

We advocate robust international people-to-people exchanges and cooperation. Countries need to explore the building of a global network for intercivilization dialogue and cooperation, enrich the contents of exchanges and expand avenues of cooperation to promote mutual understanding and friendship among people of all countries and jointly advance the progress of human civilizations.

We are ready to work together with the international community to open up a new prospect of enhanced exchanges and understanding among different peoples and better interactions and integration of diversified cultures. Together we can make the garden of world civilizations colorful and vibrant.

The CPC is committed to strengthening exchanges and cooperation with other political parties to pursue the just cause together. We are ready to deepen interactions with political parties and organizations in other countries to expand the convergence of ideas and interests. Let us leverage the strength of a new type of party-to-party relations for the building of a new type of international relations and expand global partnerships by fostering stronger partners with world political parties. The CPC stands ready to share governance experience with political parties and organizations of other countries so that together we can make big strides on the path to modernization toward the goal of building a community with a shared future for mankind.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Friends,

There are bound to be setbacks on humanity's journey to modernization, but the future is bright. The CPC is willing to work with all of you to ensure that different modernization drives form a mighty force driving prosperity and progress of the world and forge ahead nonstop in the long river of history!

Thank you.

(D) Full text of Xi's signed article in the Russian media16

A signed article by Chinese President Xi Jinping titled "Forging Ahead to Open a New Chapter of China-Russia Friendship, Cooperation and Common Development" was published on March 20 on Russia's newspaper Russian Gazette and the website of RIA Novosti news agency ahead of his state visit to Russia.

Following is an English version of the full text of the article:

Forging Ahead to Open a New Chapter of China-Russia Friendship, Cooperation and Common Development

Xi Jinping

President of the People's Republic of China

At the invitation of President Vladimir Putin, I will soon pay a state visit to the Russian Federation. Russia was the first country I visited after I was elected President 10 years ago. Over the past decade, I have made eight visits to Russia. I came each time with high expectations and returned with fruitful results, opening a new chapter for China-Russia relations together with President Putin.

China and Russia are each other's biggest neighbor and comprehensive strategic partner of coordination. We are both major countries in the world and permanent members of the UN Security Council. Both countries uphold an independent foreign policy and see our relationship as a high priority in our diplomacy.

There is a clear historical logic and strong internal driving force for the growth of China-Russia relations. Over the past 10 years, we have come a long way in our wide-ranging cooperation and made significant strides into the new era.

High-level interactions have played a key strategic role in leading ChinaRussia relations. We have established a whole set of mechanisms for highlevel interactions and multi-faceted cooperation which provide important

16 Beijing Review. (2023, Mar 20). “Full text of Xi's signed article on Russian media.” Retrieved from https://www.bjreview.com/China/202303/t20230320_800326092.html

systemic and institutional safeguards for the growth of the bilateral ties. Over the years, I have maintained a close working relationship with President Putin. We have met 40 times on bilateral and international occasions. Together we have drawn the blueprint for the bilateral relations and cooperation in various fields, and have had timely communication on major international and regional issues of mutual interest, providing firm stewardship for the sustained, sound and stable growth of China-Russia relations.

Our two sides have cemented political mutual trust and fostered a new model of major-country relations. Guided by a vision of lasting friendship and win-win cooperation, China and Russia are committed to no-alliance, no-confrontation and not targeting any third party in developing our ties. We firmly support each other in following a development path suited to our respective national realities and support each other's development and rejuvenation. The bilateral relationship has grown more mature and resilient. It is brimming with new dynamism and vitality, setting a fine example for developing a new model of major-country relations featuring mutual trust, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation.

Our two sides have put in place an all-round and multi-tiered cooperation framework. Thanks to the joint efforts of both sides, China-Russia trade exceeded 190 billion U.S. dollars last year, up by 116 percent from ten years ago. China has been Russia's largest trading partner for 13 years running. We have seen steady increase in our two-way investment. Our cooperation on major projects in such fields as energy, aviation, space and connectivity is moving forward steadily. Our collaboration in scientific and technological innovation, cross-border e-commerce and other emerging areas is showing a strong momentum. Our cooperation at the sub-national level is also booming. All this has brought tangible benefits to both the Chinese and the Russian peoples and provided unceasing driving force for our respective development and rejuvenation.

-- Our two sides have acted on the vision of lasting friendship and steadily strengthened our traditional friendship. On the occasion of commemorating the 20th anniversary of the China-Russia Treaty of GoodNeighborliness and Friendly Cooperation, President Putin and I announced the extension of the Treaty and added new dimensions to it. Our two sides

have held eight "theme years" at the national level and continued to write new chapters for China-Russia friendship and cooperation. Our two peoples have stood by and rooted for each other in the fight against COVID, which once again proves that "a friend in need is a friend indeed."

Our two sides have had close coordination on the international stage and fulfilled our responsibilities as major countries. China and Russia are firmly committed to safeguarding the UN-centered international system, the international order underpinned by international law, and the basic norms of international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. We have stayed in close communication and coordination in the UN, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, BRICS, the G20 and other multilateral mechanisms, and worked together for a multi-polar world and greater democracy in international relations. We have been active in practicing true multilateralism, promoting the common values of humanity, and championing the building of a new type of international relations and a community with a shared future for mankind.

Looking back on the extraordinary journey of China-Russia relations over the past 70 years and more, we feel strongly that our relationship has not reached easily where it is today, and that our friendship is growing steadily and must be cherished by us all. China and Russia have found a right path of state-to-state interactions. This is essential for the relationship to stand the test of changing international circumstances, a lesson borne out by both history and reality.

My upcoming visit to Russia will be a journey of friendship, cooperation and peace. I look forward to working with President Putin to jointly adopt a new vision, a new blueprint and new measures for the growth of China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination in the years to come.

To this end, our two sides need to enhance coordination and planning. As we focus on our respective cause of development and rejuvenation, we should get creative in our thinking, create new opportunities and inject new impetus. It is important that we increase mutual trust and bring out the potential of bilateral cooperation to keep China-Russia relations at a high level.

Our two sides need to raise both the quality and quantity of investment and economic cooperation and step up policy coordination to create favorable conditions for the high-quality development of our investment cooperation. We

need to boost two-way trade, foster more convergence of interests and areas of cooperation, and promote the complementary and synchronized development of traditional trade and emerging areas of cooperation. We need to make sustained efforts to synergize the Belt and Road Initiative and the Eurasian Economic Union, so as to provide more institutional support for bilateral and regional cooperation.

Our two sides need to step up people-to-people and cultural exchanges and ensure the success of China-Russia Years of Sports Exchange. We should make good use of the sub-national cooperation mechanisms to facilitate more interactions between sister provinces/states and cities. We should encourage personnel exchanges and push for the resumption of tourism cooperation. We should make available better summer camps, jointly-run schools and other programs to steadily enhance the mutual understanding and friendship between our peoples, especially between the youth.

The world today is going through profound changes unseen in a century. The historical trend of peace, development and win-win cooperation is unstoppable. The prevailing trends of world multi-polarity, economic globalization and greater democracy in international relations are irreversible. On the other hand, our world is confronted with complex and intertwined traditional and nontraditional security challenges, damaging acts of hegemony, domination and bullying, and long and tortuous global economic recovery. Countries around the world are deeply concerned and eager to find a cooperative way out of the crisis.

In March 2013, when speaking at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations, I observed that countries are linked with and dependent on one another at a level never seen before, and that mankind, living in the same global village, have increasingly emerged as a community with a shared future in which everyone's interests are closely entwined. Since then, I have proposed the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative on different occasions. All these have enriched our vision for a community with a shared future for mankind and provided practical pathways toward it. They are part of China's response to the changes of the world, of our times, and of the historic trajectory.

Through these ten years, the common values of humanity peace, development, equity, justice, democracy and freedom have taken deeper roots in the heart of the people. An open, inclusive, clean and beautiful world with

lasting peace, universal security and common prosperity has become the shared aspiration of more and more countries. The international community has recognized that no country is superior to others, no model of governance is universal, and no single country should dictate the international order. The common interest of all humankind is in a world that is united and peaceful, rather than divided and volatile.

Since last year, there has been an all-round escalation of the Ukraine crisis. China has all along upheld an objective and impartial position based on the merits of the issue, and actively promoted peace talks. I have put forth several proposals, i.e., observing the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, respect of the legitimate security concerns of all countries, supporting all efforts conducive to the peaceful settlement of the crisis, and ensuring the stability of global industrial and supply chains. They have become China's fundamental principles for addressing the Ukraine crisis.

Not long ago, we released China's Position on the Political Settlement of the Ukraine Crisis, which takes into account the legitimate concerns of all parties and reflects the broadest common understanding of the international community on the crisis. It has been constructive in mitigating the spillovers of the crisis and facilitating its political settlement. There is no simple solution to a complex issue. We believe that as long as all parties embrace the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, and pursue equal-footed, rational and results-oriented dialogue and consultation, they will find a reasonable way to resolve the crisis as well as a broad path toward a world of lasting peace and common security.

To run the world's affairs well, one must first and foremost run its own affairs well. The Chinese people, under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, are striving in unity to advance the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through the Chinese path to modernization. Chinese modernization is characterized by the following features: it is the modernization of a huge population, the modernization of common prosperity for all, the modernization of material and cultural-ethical advancement, the modernization of harmony between humanity and nature, and the modernization of peaceful development. These distinctive Chinese features are the crystallization of our practices and explorations over the years, and reflect our profound understanding of international experience. Going forward, we will steadfastly advance the cause of

Chinese modernization, strive to realize high-quality development, and expand high-standard opening up. I believe that this will bring new development opportunities to Russia and all countries in the world.

Just as every new year starts with spring, every success starts with actions. We have every reason to expect that China and Russia, as fellow travelers on the journey of development and rejuvenation, will make new and greater contributions to human advancement.

Part III : Selected Analysis

January

(A) Philippines, China seek to mend ties17

It's not an overstatement to say that the recent visit by Philippines President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr to China was one of the most important visits between the two countries in decades. The outcome of the three-day trip will have far-reaching implications for bilateral, regional, and global strategic landscapes in the post-pandemic era

Given the Philippines' highly valued location as part of the first island chain, its role in Asean and as a US ally, Manila has the potential to set the trajectory of issues related to regional peace and security.

Judging from official statements and comments from Manila and Beijing, Philippines-China ties have now moved upward several tiers towards a comprehensive strategic partnership. Although the gist of their bilateral ties remains in the economic sphere, bilateral strategic matters are now becoming more important and visible, reversing the trends that have hampered their relationship since 2010.

From now on, Philippines-China ties will be more stable and predictable due to three positive trends emerging from Bongbong's visit. First, both countries decided to resume oil and gas exploration discussions in the South China Sea, which Manila calls the West Philippine Sea.

The renewal of discussions, which were terminated by the previous government, would increase the possibility of future joint development. That would be one problem less for the conflicting parties in the South China Sea. If the effort is successful, it could be applied to other conflicting parties.

In addition, as part of confidence-building measures, they also agreed to set up a hotline between the two foreign ministries dealing with maritime affairs, a pivotal move that would allow both sides to contact one another without delay.

17 Kavi Chongkittavorn. (2023, Jan 10). “Philippines, China seek to mend ties.” Retrieved from https://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/2478899/philippines-china-seek-to-mend-ties The author is a journalist on regional affairs.

Other Asean members also have similar arrangements, but this Manila-Beijing hotline is essential given increased reports of sea-borne troubles in disputed maritime zones.

Furthermore, the two countries also agreed to find a compromise and come up with measures that would benefit Filipino fishermen. Progress on this vexing issue is crucial for the Bongbong administration due to his political constituencies in the northern Philippines. Other functional collaboration that would further improve mutual trust includes coast guard cooperation, environmental protection, and mitigation of marine debris, among others.

Since Asean officially took up theSouth China Sea issueover thepast three decades, Philippines-China relations have been serving as de facto barometers of peace and stability in the region as well as the broader ties of Asean and China. China's international image has been very much linked to the day-to-day situation in the disputed waters.

The outcome of the three-day visit was quite impressive, as described in the 2,450-word joint statement with an annexe of 14 agreements in various fields, including agriculture, infrastructure, development cooperation, maritime security, and tourism.

The five paragraphs covering the whole array of maritime cooperation between the two countries in the South China Sea were comprehensive as they also touched on the freedom of navigation and overflight of the South China Sea. Both countries reached a consensus on the peaceful resolution of disputes on the basis of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, which marked its 20th anniversary this year, as well as the UN Charter and the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

At the regional level, the Bongbong administration is pursuing a similar approach with all-around engagements with Asean akin to that of his father, former president Ferdinand Marcos, without the division of mainland and maritime Asean members. As such, the Philippines will be much closer to the group than was the case with his two predecessors, former presidents Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III and Rodrigo Duterte.

During the Aquino administration, the Philippines acted unilaterally, taking the South China Sea disputes to the Permanent Court of Arbitration in

2013, much to the chagrin of its Asean colleagues. Since the arbitration court's verdict, the two countries have been trying to mend fences but have not been successful.

Manila has threatened to implement the arbitral ruling, but so far, it has not yet done so. It does use the decisions as leverage against Beijing sometimes overtly and discreetly.

However, under the current leadership, the Philippines is seeking cooperation rather than confrontation with China. But that does not mean the Bongbong administration will be soft. At various working groups on negotiating the code of conduct (COC) in the South China Sea, Manila remains an important and tough player in shaping the content and wording of the single COC draft, which is currently undergoing its second reading. However, after the latest visit, there could be some shifts in approach on both sides.

Indeed, friendlier ties and more joint cooperation in the South China Sea between the Philippines and China will ease further tension in the troubled maritime zone.

As one of the two Asean members that are American military allies, any improvement in the Philippines and China relations would directly impact the former's ties with the US. Unlike Thailand's stable relationship with the US and China, the Philippines' diplomacy towards the two superpowers has been erratic, in particular during the Aquino and Duterte administrations.

In fact, one can safely argue that from now on, Manila is attempting to walk a tightrope navigating ties with the US and China. Under the Biden administration, the role of American allies has been elevated as Washington is trying to ramp up support to counter China's growing influence.

The Philippines can be a catalyst for bringing peace and stability to the South China Sea if its agreed programmes on maritime cooperation with China are carried out in a transparent and accountable way. Bongbong is scheduled to visit China again in March for the Belt and Road Summit. He will be meeting Mr Xi for the third time within six months. Both leaders could demonstrate their mutual goodwill and produce good practices and win-win benefits.

For too long, the Philippines has been acting alone in pursuing regional issues and interests. Bongbong can make a difference by managing ties with

China as well as the US whilefurther strengthening its solidaritywith Asean. This could transform the first island chain into a sea of peace, sustainability and prosperity.

(A) Mediating the Russia–Ukraine war a risky role for China18

Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, EU leaders, the Ukrainian foreign minister and French President Emmanuel Macron suggested that, as a neutral power close to Moscow, Beijing could mediate between Russia and Ukraine. Chinese President Xi Jinping himself vaguely spoke about a Chinese role in resolving the conflict in March and December 2022.

On the face of it, a Chinese mediation would seem to make sense for Beijing. It would improve China’s relations with the United States and Europe, which suffered massively as a result of Beijing’s stance on the war, present China as a peace-seeking world power and help end a conflict that destabilises the world economy and undermines China’s Belt and Road Initiative.

But China has been consistentlyreluctant to mediate between the twosides. The question is why.

Part of the answer is that neither Russia nor Ukraine is seriously interested in ending the conflict at this stage. The war also brings Beijing not only losses but gains greater internationalisation of the renminbi, cheaper energy and a reduction of the US focus on the Indo-Pacific. China’s increasingly intense rivalry with the United States is yet another factor making an impartial Chinese mediation between US-supported Ukraine and anti-US and China-aligned Russia more difficult.

Beijing’s mediation would immediately put the spotlight back on China’s position of pro-Russian neutrality. China has consistently blamed NATO expansion for the conflict and taken pro-Russian political, rhetorical and media positions all of which would draw renewed harsh criticism. This would reignite tensions with the West at a time when China is stabilising relations with Europe and trying to improve its beleaguered relationship with the United States.

18 Ivan Lidarev - East Asia Forum. (2023, Feb 22). “Mediating the Russia–Ukraine war a risky role for China.” Retrieved from https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2023/02/22/mediating-the-russia-ukraine-war-a-riskyrole-for-china/

The author is a foreign policy analyst and expert on Asian security and international relations, as well as a former advisor at Bulgaria’s National Assembly.

China’s pro-Russian position would also raise doubts about Beijing’s status as a neutral mediator and might even derail its mediation efforts, especially if China proposes controversial compromises during negotiations. But abandoning these pro-Russian positions would be seen by domestic and international audiences as a humiliating retreat forced by Western pressure and Moscow would see it as a betrayal.

China also sees that mediating could easily turn into a Western push to force Beijing to sanction Russia. If Moscow resists ending the war or making substantial concessions in the negotiations mediated by Beijing, the West would likely blame China’s economic lifeline to Moscow for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s intransigence and the continuation of the war. The West, led by the United States, would exert massive pressure on Beijing to prove its commitment to ending the conflict by sanctioning Russia pressure that would mount as the war continues.

In such a scenario, China would face a ‘lose-lose situation’. If it imposes sanctions it would alienate its only great power partner, losing in the process many of the recent high cost gains in China–Russian relations, and strengthen the position of its chief rival, the US, which aims to weaken Russia. If it doesn’t, it would further strain its tense relations with the West. Future progress in relations with the West might even become partly conditioned on Beijing sanctioning Moscow. Both options would likely impose political and economic costs on China.

China also risks failure in its mediation effort. Compromises on the issues behind the war are extremely difficult to achieve, so mediation has slim chances of success. The only gain for China in a failed mediation effort would be to slightly improve its image in the West and briefly look like a responsible global power seeking international peace.

China’s losses in the case of a failed mediation attempt would be substantial. Beijing would look weak, diplomatically incompetent and unable to play the role of an international leader sought by President Xi a point that its many detractors will exploit after China has suffered setbacks in its COVID-19 response and economic development. China would also look unable to manage Russia despite their progressively unequal relationship and be criticised for not using its leverage on Moscow.

None of this means that Beijing will refuse to mediate under any circumstances. It might do so at a later stage when the two sides are more willing to end hostilities and the international situation surrounding the war has changed.

Beijing might also be willing to take part in a multilateral diplomatic effort to mediate the war or facilitate dialogue between the two sides without mediation, in both cases reducing the risks of helping to end the conflict. China’s mediation calculus might also be influenced if Moscow asks Beijing to mediate or the war escalates catastrophically.

China is unlikely to mediate in the Russia–Ukraine war, at least until circumstances change significantly. In the meantime, Beijing will continue to make noises about mediating the conflict and restraining Russia to mollify the West.

(A) How China can multilateralise the BRI19

At the end of 2022, 150 countries and 32 international organisations had signed more than 200 cooperation documents related to joint infrastructure projects with China under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The 2022 report to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China noted that China should promote opening up to the world and development. Anchoring the BRI in a multilateral framework could help China achieve these goals.

The BRI is an ambitious plan by China to build global infrastructure while connecting itself to trading partners. Since its launch, there have been diverse responses to it from the international community. Some countries welcomed the opportunity to form new trade routes, while others notably, the United States depicted it as a sign of China’s efforts to overturn the world order. Doubts about the Initiative also emerged around issues related to the environment, labour standards, transparency, government procurement and social responsibility.

The BRI is largely built around China’s bilateral relations with other countries. Bilateral memorandums of understanding (MoUs) and joint statements supporting the initiative are the main forms of cooperation agreements that anchor the BRI. The legal terms in these agreements, though, are relatively weak. The validity periods stipulated in the MoUs are typically short and signatories can withdraw at any time. To a certain extent, MoUs have become a potentially unstable way for China to codify cooperation with other countries. They appear to be more political overtures than genuine commitments to economic and business cooperation.

Multilateral development of the BRI could increase its global reach and enable the Initiative to play a greater role as a new platform for global governance. China has launched a multi-level and diversified multilateral cooperation mechanism for the BRI and invited countries to participate and ensure its multilateral development.

19 Huiyao Wang - East Asia Forum. (2023, Mar 11). “How China can multilateralise the BRI.” Retrieved from https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2023/03/11/how-china-can-multilateralise-the-bri/

The author is President of the Center for China and Globalization, Professor and Dean of the Institute of Development at Southwestern University of Finance and Economics in Chengdu, China.

It will be very difficult to attract support from some key international players in furthering the reach of the BRI. The United States, some of its allies and those in the international community who are suspicious of Chinese ‘debt trap’ diplomacy will undermine opportunities for China to expand its economic, strategic and geopolitical power. Yet there are ways in which China could build trust and potentially lock in further multilateral cooperation.

First, international and multilateral structures for decision-making could be established to strengthen the BRI and manage how it provides infrastructure. If several countries were offered and accepted real responsibility over what is considered a Chinese initiative, this could involve establishing a BRI International Steering Committee. Invited countries could send representatives to participate in the committee, helping to form a new order of global and regional governance over the BRI.

A BRI Steering Committee could be aligned with existing multilateral institutions of global and regional governance such as the G20 and the AsiaPacific Economic Cooperation forum. Countries could regularly gather to discuss BRI-related agenda items and carry out extensive exchanges and consultations. The agreements, plans, mechanisms and projects jointly implemented would promote sequential development at various stages of BRI projects.

Second, the BRI could attract international organisations under the United Nations system to connect and participate in BRI projects. The initiative could encourage the United Nations to establish a BRI cooperation agency, giving full play to the bridging role and global influence of the United Nations. UN involvement in the BRI could also establish alliances with UN system agencies such as the United Nations Development Programme and World Trade Organization. While the support of the United Nations would encourage participants, getting the support of the United Nations is likely to be difficult as the United States and certain other nations are likely to block UN agencies from assisting BRI.

Third, China could engage more developed countries in BRI third-party market cooperation and enhance its cooperation with the United States and Europe in infrastructure construction plans. China has signed cooperation agreements with France and Japan in third countries and such agreements could be expanded to other developed countries. Third-party market cooperation agreements emphasise complementarities. These complementarities include

China’s high-level production capacity, the advanced technology of developed countries and the infrastructure needs of developing countries. Bringing these together will provide a new model for high-quality joint construction of BRI projects and an effective means of promoting multilateralism. China could propose infrastructure cooperation between the BRI, the EU-led A Globally Connected Europe and the US-led Build Back Better infrastructure initiatives despite the Build Back Better plan being initially created to counter BRI.

Fourth, China could cautiously consider joining the Paris Club. The construction of the BRI involves huge sums of lending. China can greatly relieve the international community’s doubts about the BRI if its lending practices follow internationally accepted rules. As an emerging creditor, China still lacks experience in managing and controlling external debt risks. The Paris Club enables regular communication between major creditor countries. China could consider joining the Paris Club and joining on to following transparent and sustainable international lending rules and become a responsible creditor country. The move will help mitigate China’s external debt risks and safeguard global financial stability.

Fifth, China could update the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and encourage cooperation between international development banks and the BRI. Improving and renovating traditional infrastructure in developing countries, building digital infrastructure and enabling the green transition to achieve carbon neutrality offer potential areas of cooperation. Infrastructure spending can spur investment demand and boost job opportunities, though there are funding gaps.

China could expand the AIIB’s target sectors and regions and provide support for eligible infrastructure investment projects worldwide. A repurposed AIIB could work with the World Bank and other continental development banks such as the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Islamic Development Bank and African Development Bank. So long as the global geopolitical environment allows, the arrangement could form an international, standardised, open and transparent infrastructure development system and expand the supply networks for global products.

Since 2013, the BRI has grown from a vision to a series of bilateral arrangements. But the Initiative has the potential to serve as a multilateral platform for international infrastructure development. Harmonising global infrastructure standards and norms of open development could enable more

countries to participate in the BRI, help countries explore cooperative development opportunities and promote the recovery and development of the world economy.

ARCID CHINA UPDATE SERIES

1. ARCID China Update Volume 1, No.1 (January-June 2018)

2. ARCID China Update Volume 1, No.2 (July-December 2018)

3. ARCID China Update Volume 2, No.1 (January-June 2019)

4. ARCID China Update Volume 2, No.2 (July-December 2019)

5. ARCID China Update Volume 3, No.1 (January-June 2020)

6. ARCID China Update Volume 3, No.2 (July-December 2020)

7. ARCID China Update Volume 4, No.1 (January-June 2021)

8. ARCID China Update Volume 4, No.2 (July-December 2021)

9. ARCID China Update Volume 5, No.1 and 2 (August-December 2022, a special issue for 2022)

10.ARCID China Update Volume 6, No.1 (January-March 2023, a quarterly issue for 2023)

All enquiries for the ARCID China Update should be sent to the following address:

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