18/02/2020
- China was widely expected to announce a gross domestic product (GDP) growth target for 2020 of ‘around 6 per cent’ following 6.1 per cent growth in 2019
- Zhang Yansheng, who is an adviser to China’s economic policymakers, says ‘there will definitely be adjustments’
(190305) — BEIJING, March 5, 2019 (Xinhua) — Xi Jinping (C, front), Li Keqiang (3rd R, front), Wang Yang (3rd L, front), Wang Huning (2nd R, front), Zhao Leji (2nd L, front), Han Zheng (1st R, front) and Wang Qishan (1st L, front) attend the opening meeting of the second session of the 13th National People’s Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2019. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)
China may revise down its annual economic growth target for 2020 in response to the impact of the coronavirus outbreak, but will still not give up the overall target of maintaining economic growth “in a reasonable range”, according to a Chinese government researcher.
The Chinese government has never officially published its goal for 2020, but it is widely expected that the specific gross domestic product (GDP) growth target for 2020
would be “around 6 per cent”, marking a potential slight slowdown from
6.1 per cent growth in 2019 but enough to achieve Beijing’s grand goal of
doubling the size of its economy in 2020 from 2010.
China’s 2020 growth target was originally to be released during Premier Li Keqiang’s government work report at the National People’s Congress, but the March 5 annual parliamentary meeting is set to be postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak.
“There will definitely be adjustments. For the central government, it hasn’t defined what the ‘reasonable range’ should be after the outbreak of coronavirus. People are still watching how the outbreak will develop and influence the economy,” Zhang Yansheng, the chief research fellow at the Beijing-based think tank, the China Centre for
International Economic Exchanges, told the South China Morning Post on Tuesday.
As for the final GDP target figure, we have to be true to facts. The GDP target was not a compulsory requirement but a soft forecast figureZhang Yansheng
“As for the final GDP target figure, we have to be true to facts. The GDP target was not a compulsory requirement but a soft forecast figure – strictly speaking, a forecast figure could be revised three or four times in a year.”
Zhang, though, referenced the fact that 29 of China provincial-level regions, out of a total of 31, had published their 2020 economic growth targets at the Central Economic Work Conference in December.
“The direction and the goals are clear. It’s not the case that people have not known what they should do this year,” added Zhang, who is an adviser to China’s economic policymakers.
has repeatedly said over the last two weeks that China will still strive to achieve its economic and social development goals for 2020 despite the outbreak, which has claimed over 1,800 lives and infected over 70,000 people, and remain on course to build the country into a “comprehensively well-off society”.
China to postpone the year’s biggest political gathering amid coronavirus outbreak
One key aspect of that vision is that China will
double the size of its GDP in 2020 from 2010, which would require a minimum 5.6 per cent growth rate in 2020, although Beijing has never clearly defined the full details of the goal.
On Tuesday, Ren Hongbin, vice-chairman of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council, said that the annual production goals and reform tasks set earlier in the year for state-owned enterprises would also not change despite the outbreak.
“The impact of the epidemic is temporary and phased, will not change the long-term positive fundamentals of the Chinese economy,” he said.
We should neither view 6 per cent as a red line nor take doubling the GDP size as a bottom line Song Xiaowu
Before the country fell into an economic standstill around the extended Lunar New Year holiday as the
virus spread from the city of Wuhan, economists and analysts have been engaged in a heated debate over whether China needs to keep its growth rate above 6 per cent in 2020.
Song Xiaowu, former president of the China Society of Economic Reform, a state-backed think tank, said at a forum on Saturday that China’s GDP growth rate could drop to 3 per cent in the first quarter and 5 per cent for the whole of 2020.
“We should neither view 6 per cent as a red line nor take doubling the GDP size as a bottom line,” said Song, in a speech published by the China Development Research Foundation, who organised the forum.
Source: SCMP
Posted in 13th National People's Congress (NPC), 2020, adjust, Beijing, capital, China, China Development Research Foundation, China Society of Economic Reform, coronavirus, government policy adviser, Great Hall of the People, Han Zheng, Li Keqiang, Premier Li Keqiang’s, President Xi Jinping, Ren Hongbin, State Council, State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, target, Uncategorized, Wang Huning, Wang Qishan, wang yang, Wuhan, Xi JinPing, Zhao Leji |
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23/01/2020
Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, addresses a Chinese Lunar New Year reception at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 23, 2020. The CPC Central Committee and the State Council held the reception on Thursday in Beijing. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei)
BEIJING, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) — Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday stressed racing against time and keeping abreast with history to reach the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation.
“Time and history wait for no one as they are both on the side of hard workers,” said Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission.
Xi made the remarks while addressing a Chinese Lunar New Year reception held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
Under the strong leadership of the CPC, all members of the Party, armed forces and people of all ethnic groups must fear no wind or wave, rise up to challenges and keep marching toward the glorious goal of national rejuvenation and the great prospect of building a community with a shared future for humanity, Xi said.
At the reception, held by the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, Xi extended Lunar New Year’s greetings to Chinese people of all ethnic groups, compatriots in Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan and overseas Chinese.
Party and state leaders Li Keqiang, Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Wang Huning, Zhao Leji, Han Zheng and Wang Qishan were among the more than 2,000 people attending the reception. Li Keqiang chaired the event.
Xi noted in his speech that new and significant progress has been made in the past year toward building a moderately prosperous society in all respects.
He mentioned major events during the year, including the fourth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Committee, celebrations marking the 20th anniversary of Macao’s return to the motherland and resolute efforts to safeguard the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and Macao, as well as celebrations marking the 70th founding anniversary of the People’s Republic of China.
A campaign themed “staying true to our founding mission” was also carried out to demand the more than 90 million Party members remember to always stay with the people.
“In the new year, we must secure a decisive victory in building a moderately prosperous society in all respects and fighting poverty,” Xi said, adding that achieving this first centenary goal is a milestone in the process of realizing the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation.
The results, Xi said, must be recognized by the people and stand the test of time.
Xi said the Chinese nation, with a civilization stretching back over 5,000 years, has made indelible contributions to the civilization and progress of mankind. But the nation was held back for too long by various internal and external troubles in modern times.
That is why, Xi said, the Chinese people have always had an extraordinary sense of urgency and appreciation of the underlying trend of the times.
From now to the middle of this century, the Chinese people will strive to build China into a great modern socialist country. It will be a great era in which a new splendid chapter of the Chinese civilization will be written, he said.
Every Chinese person must feel proud of living in such a great era, Xi said.
“We must maintain strategic direction and resolve, stay united, work hard and forge ahead against all odds,” Xi said.
Source: Xinhua
Posted in 70th founding anniversary of the People's Republic of China, all ethnic groups, Beijing, Chairman of the Central Military Commission, Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation, chinese lunar new year, Chinese President Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Great Hall of the People, great modern socialist country, Han Zheng, Hong Kong, Li Keqiang, Li Zhanshu, Macao, Overseas Chinese, Taiwan, Time and history wait for no one, Uncategorized, Wang Huning, Wang Qishan, wang yang, Zhao Leji |
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21/09/2019
Chinese Vice Premier Han Zheng, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, addresses the opening ceremony of the 16th China-ASEAN Expo and the China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit in Nanning, south China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, on Sept. 21, 2019. (Xinhua/Shen Hong)
NANNING, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) — Relations between China and countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have entered a new stage of all-round development, Chinese Vice Premier Han Zheng said Saturday.
Han, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks at the opening ceremony of the 16th China-ASEAN Expo in Nanning, capital of south China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.
Stressing that ASEAN is a key area in Belt and Road construction, Han said China is willing to work with ASEAN countries to pursue a higher level strategic partnership and build a closer community with a shared future.
China is ready to work with ASEAN to construct the Belt and Road and implement the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity 2025 under the guidance of the China-ASEAN Strategic Partnership Vision 2030, Han said.
While stepping up efforts to implement the protocol on upgrading the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area, China will join hands with relevant parties to complete the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, according to the vice premier.
With platforms such as the China International Import Expo and the China-ASEAN Expo injecting strong momentum into common development, China will cooperate with ASEAN in building economic and trade cooperation zones and the China-Indochina Peninsula Economic Corridor.
In addition, efforts will be made to boost the connectivity of infrastructures and deepen innovation cooperation in spheres such as e-commerce, digital trade and 5G internet, Han said.
Source: Xinhua
Posted in 5G internet, all-round development, ASEAN Connectivity 2025, Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Belt and Road construction, China International Import Expo, China International Import Expo (CIIE), China-ASEAN Expo, China-ASEAN Free Trade Area, China-ASEAN Strategic Partnership Vision 2030, China-ASEAN ties, China-Indochina Peninsula Economic Corridor, Chinese Vice Premier, connectivity, digital trade, E-commerce, enter, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Han Zheng, infrastructures, innovation cooperation, Nanning, new stage, Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, Uncategorized, Vice Premier Han Zheng |
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27/04/2019
Chinese President Xi Jinping addresses a banquet hosted by him and his wife Peng Liyuan in honor of guests attending the Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing, capital of China, April 26, 2019. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)
BEIJING, April 26 (Xinhua) — Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted a banquet Friday evening in honor of guests attending the Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing.
“On behalf of the Chinese government and Chinese people, my wife and also in my own name, let me extend warm welcome to all guests,” Xi said while proposing a toast at the banquet.
“Today’s gathering makes us recall the beautiful memories in our hearts,” Xi said, adding that “no matter how the international environment changes, the sincere friendship will last forever and the mutually beneficial cooperation will be the eternal melody in our hearts.”
The occasion inspires the participants via exchanges of ideas and insights, he said, calling for fostering global partnerships and creating a bright future of common development.
“Today’s gathering reminds us of the heavy responsibilities on our shoulders,” Xi told the guests that as the world is now undergoing profound changes unseen in a century, “may we all live up to our missions and the times.”
“We should all have faith that people of all countries deserve a better future, and the joint building of the Belt and Road will surely bring about a better world,” he said.
Li Keqiang, Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Wang Huning, Zhao Leji, Han Zheng and Wang Qishan also attended the banquet.
After the banquet, Xi and his wife accompanied the guests in watching a gala.
Source: Xinhua
Posted in belt and road forum, China alert, Chinese President Xi Jinping, common development, global partnerships, Han Zheng, hosts banque, Li Keqiang, Li Zhanshu, Peng Liyuan, Uncategorized, Wang Huning, Wang Qishan, wang yang, Zhao Leji |
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09/04/2019
Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, attends a tree-planting activity in Tongzhou District in Beijing, capital of China, April 8, 2019. Other Party and state leaders, including Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Wang Huning, Zhao Leji, Han Zheng and Wang Qishan, also attended the activity. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)
BEIJING, April 8 (Xinhua) — Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday stressed efforts to carry forward the Chinese nation’s tradition of loving, planting and protecting trees, and to involve the whole society in promoting afforestation.
Wide participation by everyone in China should be encouraged in pushing for large-scale afforestation of the country to achieve more tangible results, said Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission.
He made the remarks while attending a tree-planting activity in east Beijing’s Tongzhou District and planting saplings of different types of trees.
Other Party and state leaders, including Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Wang Huning, Zhao Leji, Han Zheng and Wang Qishan, also attended the activity.
Xi talked with school children who are also attending the tree planting activity, asking about their study and sport exercise, urging them to foster awareness about environmental protection starting in childhood, and encouraging them to build a more beautiful motherland with their own hands.
Xi said this year marks the 40th anniversary of National Tree Planting Day. In the past 40 years, China’s forest area and forest stock volume have doubled, respectively, and China is home to the world’s largest man-made forest. The proportion of China’s contribution to the world’s vegetation increase also ranked first.
At the same time, the lack of forests and vegetation, and fragile ecological environment are still problems that need tremendous efforts, said Xi.
Xi stressed that the Chinese nation has a good tradition of loving, planting and protecting trees. Wide participation by everyone in China should be encouraged and officials at all levels should set examples as volunteer tree planters.
Efforts should be taken to promote the high-quality development of afforestation, coordinate management of mountains, waters, forests, farmland, lakes and grassland, continuously advance the building of forest city and forest countryside, Xi said.
Xi called for solid efforts to improve people’s living environment, develop a green economy, and strengthen forest management and protection to achieve more tangible results.
Source: Xinhua
Posted in Afforestation, Chairman of the Central Military Commission, China alert, Chinese President Xi Jinping, fragile ecological environment, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, Han Zheng, Li Zhanshu, National Tree Planting Day, Tongzhou District, Uncategorized, Wang Huning, Wang Qishan, wang yang, Zhao Leji |
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10/03/2019
Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, joins deliberation with deputies from central China’s Henan Province at the second session of the 13th National People’s Congress in Beijing, capital of China, March 8, 2019. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)
BEIJING, March 8 (Xinhua) — Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday called for more efforts to implement the rural revitalization strategy with the chief goal to modernize agriculture and rural areas.
“The top task for implementing the rural revitalization strategy is to ensure supply of important farm produce, grain in particular,” said Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission.
He made the remarks when joining deliberation with deputies from Henan Province at the second session of the 13th National People’s Congress, China’s national legislature.
Efforts should be made to promote the supply-side structural reform in the agricultural sector to achieve food security while building a modern and efficient agriculture, Xi added.
Xi also called for enhanced protection of agriculture ecological environment and prevention and treatment of pollution in rural areas.
Xi stressed strict penalties on crimes involving food safety so as to ensure safe farm produce for the public.
Efforts should be made to strengthen the leadership of grassroots Party units in the rural areas, Xi said, noting that the practices of rural residents’ self-governance should be further explored.
Xi also called for measures to promote two-way flow and equal exchange of factors, including human resources, lands and capital, between urban and rural areas.
“The task to eradicate extreme poverty must be fulfilled by 2020,” Xi stressed.
Implementation of the rural revitalization strategy and seeking progress in work related with agriculture, rural areas and farmers should be taken into consideration and promoted in the overall economic and social development, Xi said.
Li Keqiang, Wang Huning and Han Zheng — members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee — on Friday also separately joined deliberation with NPC deputies.
Premier Li Keqiang stressed building a business environment that is fair and convenient for enterprises under all forms of ownership, when joining a deliberation with deputies from Hubei Province.
He called for efforts to fully carry out the reforms of tax and fee cuts and further stimulate the market vitality.
Wang Huning, a member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, asked deputies from central China’s Hunan Province to take bigger steps in pushing forward high-quality development.
He also called for taking a people-centered approach to further live up to people’s new expectations for their cultural lives.
Joining the deliberation of the Beijing delegation, Vice Premier Han Zheng underlined deepening the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region to further relieve Beijing of functions nonessential to its role as the capital.
Source: Xinhua
Posted in Beijing, Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, business environment, capital, Chairman of the Central Military Commission, China alert, China's national legislature, Chinese President Xi Jinping, cultural lives, delegation, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, Han Zheng, Henan province, high-quality development, Hunan Province, implementation, Li Keqiang, National People's Congress, ownership, people-centered approach, rural revitalization strategy, Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, Uncategorized, Wang Huning |
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08/03/2019
Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, joins deliberation with deputies from Gansu Province at the second session of the 13th National People’s Congress in Beijing, capital of China, March 7, 2019. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)
BEIJING, March 7 (Xinhua) — Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday called for perseverance in the fight against poverty as there are only two years left for the country to meet its goal of eradicating extreme poverty by 2020.
“There should be no retreat until a complete victory is won,” said Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission.
He made the remarks when deliberating with deputies from Gansu Province at the second session of the 13th National People’s Congress (NPC), China’s national legislature.
Decisive progress has been achieved in the country’s tough fight against poverty over the past years, marking a new chapter in the poverty reduction history of mankind, said Xi, stressing that the goal to eradicate extreme poverty must be achieved on time.
He warned that the tasks ahead remain arduous and hard as those still in poverty are the worst stricken.
Explaining the criteria of lifting people out of poverty, Xi said they should no longer need to worry about food and clothing while enjoying access to compulsory education, basic medical care and safe housing.
The practices of formalities for formalities’ sake and bureaucratism hamper the effective advancement of poverty reduction, he said, stressing a firm hand in rectifying malpractices in poverty relief.
Xi asked Party committees and governments at all levels to shoulder their responsibilities in the critical battle against poverty.
He ordered efforts to redress undesirable conduct of officials in a timely manner, as well as special campaigns to target corruption and bad conduct in poverty reduction.
Li Keqiang, Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Wang Huning, Zhao Leji and Han Zheng — members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee — on Thursday also separately joined deliberation with NPC deputies.
Premier Li Keqiang spoke of the need to replace old growth drivers with new ones and improve people’s wellbeing to advance high-quality development.
NPC Standing Committee Chairman Li Zhanshu called for efforts to adhere to green, high-quality development and link poverty alleviation with rural vitalization strategy.
Wang Yang, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, urged high-quality poverty alleviation work to make sure that nobody is left behind in the course of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects.
Wang Huning, a member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, said he expects Shanghai to continue to lead the reform and opening-up and to elevate the coordinated development of the Yangtze River Delta to a higher level.
Zhao Leji, secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, spoke of the need for Tianjin to take advantage of the period of strategic opportunity, enhance the capacity of innovation, and focus on developing real economy.
Vice Premier Han Zheng stressed the full implementation of the national strategy of the coordinated development of the Yangtze River Delta.
Source: Xinhua
Posted in bad conduct, basic medical care, bureaucratism, Central Military Commission, China alert, China's national legislature, Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, compulsory education, corruption, CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, cpc central committee, eradicate, Extreme poverty, fight against poverty, food and clothing, growth drivers, Han Zheng, Li Keqiang, Li Zhanshu, malpractices, National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, National People's Congress (NPC), NPC deputies, perseverance, Poverty reduction, poverty relief, President Xi Jinping, safe housing, Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, Tianjin, Uncategorized, Wang Huning, wang yang, Yangtze River Delta, Zhao Leji |
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07/03/2019
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, joins panel discussions by deputies from Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region at the second session of the 13th National People’s Congress in Beijing, capital of China, March 6, 2019. (Xinhua/Ding Lin)
BEIJING, March 6 (Xinhua) — Senior Chinese leaders on Wednesday urged for more efforts to advance high-quality development.
Li Keqiang, Wang Yang and Han Zheng — members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee — made the remarks at the annual “two sessions” of the country’s top legislative and political advisory bodies.
Joining panel discussions by deputies to the 13th National People’s Congress (NPC) from southwest China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Premier Li Keqiang stressed following the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as China’s development faces more and graver risks and challenges in 2019.
He called for efforts to keep the economic growth within an appropriate range and promote high-quality development, and urged solid implementation of the planned tax and fee cuts to reduce burden on the real economy.
At the joint panel discussions of political advisors from economy and agriculture sectors, Wang Yang, chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference National Committee, told them to focus on major and difficult tasks, such as high-quality development and supply-side structural reform, and to deepen their investigations and researches. Wang also urged the advisors to guide the people in correctly interpreting the changes in economy and boost their confidence in development.
Vice Premier Han Zheng joined the panel discussions by lawmakers from Hong Kong. He expressed the support to Hong Kong’s bid to build itself into an international innovation and technology hub, and encouraged the people of Hong Kong, especially the youth, to start up businesses and work in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
Han also joined panel discussions by lawmakers from Macao. He said that Macao will be supported in its efforts to expand new development space, and to develop its tourism and exhibition industries.
Source: Xinhua
Posted in China alert, Chinese leaders, Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee, exhibition industries, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Han Zheng, high-quality development, Hong Kong, international innovation, Li Keqiang, Macao, National People's Congress (NPC), new era, President Xi Jinping, Southwest China, Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, technology hub, Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics, Tourism, Uncategorized, wang yang |
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26/02/2019
Chinese Vice Premier Han Zheng (2nd R), also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, inquires about production of Yunan Baiyao Group in southwest China’s Yunnan Province, Feb. 26, 2019. Han Zheng made an inspection tour to southwest Yunnan Province from Sunday to Tuesday, where he examined protection of Erhai Lake and visited local companies. (Xinhua/Wang Ye)
KUNMING, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) — Chinese Vice Premier Han Zheng has called for continued efforts on environmental protection and support for the real economy to ensure a good start for this year’s economic and social development.
Han, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks during an inspection tour to southwest Yunnan Province from Sunday to Tuesday, where he examined protection of Erhai Lake and visited local companies.
Efforts should be made to ensure sustainable and healthy development of the economy and maintain overall social stability, Han said.
He recognized the outcomes the country has achieved in the protection and pollution treatment of the lake, and urged consistent efforts to win the lake’s pollution battle.
During a tour to a biotech company, Han urged it to use the unique natural resources of the province and independent innovation to explore the global market.
He also underlined efforts to push forward state-owned enterprise (SOE) reform, foster internationally competitive national brands, increase input in research and development, and enhance mixed ownership reform of SOEs.
Source: Xinhua
Posted in China alert, Communist Party of China Central Committee, Environmental protection, Erhai Lake, Han Zheng, real economy, Standing Committee of the Political Bureau, state-owned enterprise (SOE), Uncategorized, vice premier, Yunnan Province |
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22/02/2019
BEIJING (Reuters) – Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman cemented a $10 billion (7.7 billion pounds) deal for a refining and petrochemical complex in China on Friday, meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping who urged joint efforts to counter extremism and terror.
The Saudi delegation, including top executives from state-owned oil company Saudi Aramco, arrived on Thursday on an Asia tour that has already seen the kingdom pledge investment of $20 billion in Pakistan and seek to make additional investments in India’s refining industry.
Saudi Arabia signed 35 economic cooperation agreements with China worth a total of $28 billion at a joint investment forum during the visit, Saudi state news agency SPA said.
“China is a good friend and partner to Saudi Arabia,” President Xi Jinping told the crown prince in front of reporters.
“The special nature of our bilateral relationship reflects the efforts you have made,” added Xi, who has made stepping up China’s presence in the Middle East a key foreign policy objective, despite its traditional low-key role there.
The crown prince said Saudi Arabia’s relations with China dated back “a very long time in the past”.
“In the hundreds, even thousands, of years, the interactions between the sides have been friendly. Over such a long period of exchanges with China, we have never experienced any problems with China,” he said.
Crown Prince Mohammed, who has come under fire in the West following the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the kingdom’s Istanbul consulate in October, said Saudi Arabia saw great opportunities with China.
“The Silk Road initiative and China’s strategic orientation are very much in line with the kingdom’s Vision 2030,” he said according to SPA, referring to Saudi Arabia’s sweeping economic reform programme.
Trade between the countries increased by 32 percent last year, he said.
China has had to step carefully in relations with Riyadh, since Beijing also has close ties with Saudi Arabia’s regional foe, Iran.
China is also wary of criticism from Muslim countries about its camps in the heavily Muslim far western region of Xinjiang, which the government says are for de-radicalisation purposes and rights groups call internment camps.
Xi told the crown prince the two countries must strengthen international cooperation on de-radicalisation to “prevent the infiltration and spread of extremist thinking”, Chinese state television said.
Saudi Arabia respected and supported China’s right to protect its own security and take counter-terror and de-radicalisation steps, the crown prince told Xi, according to the same report, and was willing to increase cooperation.
Meeting the crown prince earlier on Friday, Chinese Vice Premier Han Zheng said the two countries should enhance exchanges on their experiences in de-radicalisation, China’s official Xinhua news agency said in a separate report.
Chinese state media made no direct mention of Xinjiang in their stories on the crown prince’s meetings.
DEALS SIGNED
Aramco agreed to form a joint venture with Chinese defence conglomerate Norinco to develop a refining and petrochemical complex in the northeastern Chinese city of Panjin, saying the project was worth more than $10 billion.
U.S., China sketch outlines for trade deal
The partners would form a company called Huajin Aramco Petrochemical Co as part of a project that would include a 300,000-barrels per day (bpd) refinery with a 1.5-million-metric tonnes per year ethylene cracker, Aramco said.
Aramco will supply up to 70 percent of the crude feedstock for the complex, which is expected to start operations in 2024.
The investments could help Saudi Arabia regain its place as the top oil exporter to China, a position Russia has held for the last three years. Saudi Aramco is set to boost market share by signing supply deals with non-state Chinese refiners.
Aramco also signed an agreement to buy a 9 percent stake in Zhejiang Petrochemical, Saudi state news agency SPA said. This formalised a previously announced plan to gain a stake in a 400,000-bpd refinery and petrochemicals complex in Zhoushan, south of Shanghai.
China sees “enormous potential” in Saudi Arabia’s economy and wants more high-tech cooperation, State Councillor Wang Yi, the Chinese government’s top diplomat, said on Thursday.
But China was not seeking to play politics in the Middle East, the widely read state-run tabloid, the Global Times, said in an editorial.
“China won’t be a geopolitical player in the Middle East. It has no enemies and can cooperate with all countries in the region,” said the paper, published by the ruling Communist Party’s official People’s Daily.
“China’s increasing influence in the Middle East comes from pure friendly cooperation. Such a partnership will be welcomed by more countries in the Middle East.”
Source: Reuters
Posted in Asia tour, bilateral relationship, China alert, Chinese Vice Premier, defence conglomerate, Global Times, Han Zheng, Huajin Aramco Petrochemical Co, iran, Istanbul, Jamal Khashoggi, middle-east, Mohammed bin Salman, Muslim countries, Norinco, Panjin, People's Daily, President Xi, refining and petrochemical complex, Riyadh, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Saudi Aramco, Saudi crown prince, Saudi journalist, Shanghai, State Councillor, The Silk Road initiative, top diplomat, Uncategorized, Wang Yi, Xinjiang, Zhejiang Petrochemical, Zhoushan |
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CHINDIA ALERT: You'll be living in their world, very soon 