Wednesday, October 18, 2023

Argentine-Chinese Relations: Deepest Impressions

Xinhua published an article and a video on October 13/14, about an interview conducted “the other day” with Argentine President Fernandez. Discussing his impending participation in the Belt-and-Road summit, Fernandez said that Argentina and China were having a “very harmonious” relationship, especially during his tenure as Argentine president. When signing the “One-Belt-One-Road” agreement with China, he also expected to “advance together with other countries” that had already signed such agreements with China.

your_deepest_impressions_please
Xinhua: What are your deepest impressions of Xi Jinping?

Asked what was his deepest impression of Xi Jinping, and which of his government concepts had left the deepest impression on him, the Argentine president said that China had “the best interpretation of multilateralism”, and Xi Jinping was showing undeniably strong leadership on that matter. Argentina had always been a supporter of the multilateralist ideal. He therefore believed that China was leading in remodelling (or rebuilding) international organizations and upholding multilateralism. This was closely related to Xi Jinping’s leadership. He, Fernandez, had greatly profited from each discussion with him, and every dialogue [with Xi] had been fruitful. He could tell all countries that harbored misgivings about China that “the Chinese government has never put forward any conditions towards me. This is absolutely true. I think this has to do with Xi Jinping’s leadership.”

My quotes above, from the interview, follow the Chinese subtitles – I can’t judge how well they reflect what President Fernandez said in Spanish. What deserves attention is the video footage. Much of the interview is accompanied with pictures about “majestic China”: a big-city skyline emerging from clouds or fog like Huangshan in the morning, containers travelling by sea and road, a bullet train, infrastructure, and Chinese projects in Argentina.

As silly as the question about the impression Xi left on Fernandez may sound, the correspondent is probably well advised to ask it if he likes his job. According to Pavel Slunkin, formerly a Belarusian diplomat, Chinese diplomats unnerved him and his colleagues with all kinds of minutiae about an impending state visit by Xi Jinping. When everything was set and the Chinese Chairman had arrived and departed again,

I approached one of the Chinese diplomats (subordinates of Qin Gang) and asked him: “What was all this for? These months of useless negotiations about the same thing. This game of arithmetic with steps at the museum at night?”.
Perhaps for the first time in months, he was completely honest with me: “In Beijing, there are several hundred people rowing behind me for my position. So, if I don’t do this, someone else will.”

President Fernandez appears to play along on such occasions, but without losing his dignity. Besides, a Chinese role in Latin America can be useful when you have the U.S. as your hegemonial neighbor – just as Vietnam likes to see the U.S. Pacific Fleet somewhere in its neighborhood. If he has never been confronted with any strings attached to the opportunities by China yet, he probably never will. His term of office ends in December this year.

Fernandez travelled Shanghai on Monday.

RAE, Argentina’s foreign radio station:

President Alberto Fernandez continued his tour of China on Monday. Yesterday he met in Shanghai with authorities of the mining company Tibet Summit Resources which controls lithium projects ongoing in northern Argentina. The day before, he had met with representatives of CST Mining Group, Power China, SEMEC, China Energy and Huwei among other important local firms. Mr. Fernandez also met yesterday with the mayor of Shanghai, Gong Zeng, in order to talk mainly about tourism. According to what was reported, Zeng highlighted the local interest in Patagonian destinations and trips to Antarctica. The Argentine president travelled to China at the invitation of his peer Xi Jinping to take part in the Silk-Road-and-Belt summit.

That was newsitem #3.

Newsitem #2:

The Argentine government highlights the international support for the sovereignty claim over Malvinas, the secretary for Malvinas, Antarctica and the South Atlantic Guillermo Carmona stated this on his return from New York. The official headed the delegation that travelled to the United Nations headquarters for meetings of the 4th Committee of the General Assembly on Decolonization. In that context, Carmona renewed Buenos Aires’ willingness to resume negotiations with the United Kingdom to peacefully resolve the dispute over the islands, and he remarked that some thirty countries expressed their support to Argentina at the UN last week. Among these nations are Brazil, Russia, El Salvador, Honduras, Venezuela, Mexico, Uruguay, Cuba, Bolivia, and East Timor.

Footnote: If you want to see Tibet or East Turkestan “decolonized”, don’t count on President Fernandez (or his successor).

Posted in China, Tibet | Leave a Comment »

Tags: , , , , , , , ,
Tuesday, October 17, 2023

Twitter or X – does it still matter?

My initial motivation to start using a Twitter account was to draw more attention to this blog. I realized early on that this wouldn’t happen; people on Twitter rarely click links.

20181108

All the same, Twitter was a medium to keep reading because it helped me to stay up to date about global politics in general, and about China’s internal affairs (such as international united-front work etc.) just as well.
By now, Twitter has lost much of its luster. I’m not as disappointed or angry as many other users are, because Twitter can still provide a reasonably good feed about current affairs that I’m focusing on, but it’s not nearly as good as it used to be – one of the problems being that many intelligent users are leaving it. And of course, I’m aware that there’s a guy at the wheel who probably has no idea what he’s doing, so I’m using feed readers and search machines far more often again than I used to during the past 3.5 years.

“X” means dead, in German. I suppose it can mean the same thing in English – given that there are those smiley with two “x-ed” eyes. OK, it doesn’t mean “dead” in those smiley cases, it just means “little hope”.
Anyway, the internet is big – Twitter, “X”, whatever, is just a small part of it, and probably a diminuishing one.

Posted in blogging, Germany, international, media | Leave a Comment »

Tags: , , , , ,
Tuesday, October 10, 2023

Tsai’s Double-Ten Speech: “If we do not progress, our fate will be decided for us”

The following are the Chinese- and English-language versions of President Tsai Ing-wen’s speech as published by the Presidential Office this morning.

20220530_rti_qsl
A promise in every street: “有鳳來儀”, Radio Taiwan International QSL card, 2022

大會主席游錫堃院長、諾魯共和國昆洛斯總統伉儷、聖克里斯多福及尼維斯聯邦萊柏總督、聖文森及格瑞那丁朵根總督，現場的貴賓、好朋友，還有我們剛從亞運歸來的臺灣之光，以及收看電視和網路直播的國人同胞：大家好！ National Day Celebration Chairperson You Si-kun, President Russ Kun and First Lady Simina Kun of the Republic of Nauru, Governor-General Dame Marcella Liburd of the Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis, Governor-General Dame Susan Dougan of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, distinguished guests, dear friends, Taiwanese heroes who have just returned from the Asian Games, and my fellow citizens watching on TV and online: Good morning.
今天是中華民國112年的國慶日。闊別三年，我們終於脫下口罩、齊聚在此，共度國家的慶典。 Today is the 112th National Day of the Republic of China. After three long years, we are finally taking off our masks to see one another again and are gathered here today to celebrate our country’s National Day.
現場有許多來自全球各地的僑胞，還有許多睽違三年，再次遠道而來的國際友人，我要代表臺灣人民，向大家致上最真摯的感謝。 Today we are joined by many compatriots visiting from across the globe as well as many friends from abroad who have not been to Taiwan for three years. On behalf of the people of Taiwan, I extend my sincerest thanks to you all.
回首三年來辛苦的防疫之路，彷彿那段日子已經很遙遠。然而，有另一條艱辛的路，我們走了三十年。 Looking back on those challenging three years of responding to the pandemic, it feels like it has been a very long time. But, in fact, there is another path beset with challenges that we have walked for 30 years.
不前進就倒退，不奮進就被決定命運 If we do not move forward, we move backward; if we do not progress, our fate will be decided for us
就在上個月底，「潛艦國造」的第一艘原型艦下水了。在完成後續的測試後，這艘「海鯤軍艦」預計在2025年正式服役。 Late last month, the prototype of our first indigenous submarine was launched. Once it has completed testing, this submarine, Narwhal, is set to officially enter into service in 2025.
潛艦國造是歷經三十年，不同政黨的總統，都想實現的夢想。現在，我們做到了！ For the last three decades, producing a domestically developed submarine has been a dream of presidents from different parties. Now, we have made this dream a reality.
從無到有，踏出這一步需要無比的勇氣。要扛住壓力，要突破瓶頸，要頂住流言蜚語，只要稍有猶豫，就會失敗。 As we started from scratch, taking this leap required immense courage, because when facing pressure, overcoming obstacles, and standing up to disparaging and false narratives, any hesitation would lead to failure.
但是，我們終於做到了！我們的國防自主再跨出一大步，國軍不對稱戰力再向上提升；我們更再次展現，守護中華民國臺灣的決心。我相信，全世界更會認同，海鯤軍艦是為了守護區域和平穩定而破浪前行。 But, at the end of the day, we did it. We took a big step forward in our national defense self-sufficiency and further enhanced the asymmetric capabilities of our military. We once again demonstrated our resolve to defend the Republic of China (Taiwan). I believe that the whole world will recognize that Narwhal has taken to the waves to safeguard regional peace and stability.
這正是中華民國立足臺灣七十四年來，之所以屹立不搖的精神。面對特殊的國際處境和瞬息萬變的挑戰，我們不前進就會倒退；不奮進努力，就無法掌握自己的未來和命運。 This is a reflection of the unwavering spirit that has underpinned the Republic of China since establishing itself in Taiwan 74 years ago. As we face unique international circumstances and rapidly changing challenges, if we do not move forward, we will move backward. And if we do not give our all to make progress, we will not be able to decide our own future, our own fate.
感謝臺灣人民，在艱難挑戰中落實改革 Thank you to the people of Taiwan for facilitating reform during challenging times
尤其，這七年多來，國際及區域的政經情勢複雜多變，加上百年大疫與極端氣候，在在挑戰民主國家中，政府治理的韌性機制；也挑戰民主社會中，人與人的信任基礎。 Over the past seven years in particular, we have seen a complicated and changing political and economic landscape, both internationally and regionally, and on top of that, an unprecedented pandemic and extreme weather. Time and again, these have challenged the resilience of governance in democratic countries as well as the foundation of trust between people in democratic societies.
我從未忘記我對改革的承諾，也深知改革所帶來的衝突和陣痛。我要感謝臺灣人民，我們總是能用團結戰勝恐懼，用包容化解仇恨，用民主克服挑戰。 But not once have I forgotten my pledge to reform, and I am deeply aware of the friction and discomfort that reform brings. I want to thank the people of Taiwan, because we are always able to conquer fear through our solidarity, to resolve hostility through our tolerance, and to overcome challenges through our democracy.
婚姻平權法案通過已經四年了。我要感謝反對者的包容，成就了一個讓全世界羨慕的臺灣，每一對相愛的彼此，都能幸福成家的國度。 It has been four years since the passing of legislation for marriage equality in Taiwan. I want to thank those who opposed this for their tolerance, making Taiwan, a country where any two people who love each other can start a family and find happiness, the envy of the world.
我要深深感謝全體軍公教夥伴的諒解。為了讓年金的財務能夠永續，我們一起完成過去無法做到的「年金改革」，也讓政府的財政更有餘裕，來照顧下一代。 I am also deeply thankful to all our military personnel, civil servants, and educators for their understanding. To ensure that pension finances are sustainable, together we have achieved what was once impossible – pension reform. This has given the government more financial resources to look after the next generation.
我也要謝謝勞工朋友的體諒。雖然，我們還沒走完年金改革的最後一哩路，但我們從2020年起，陸續編列了2,670億元預算，撥補勞保基金。我期盼，下一階段勞保財務的改革，能夠在穩定的財務基礎上、在社會的理性對話中，凝聚共識、穩健進行。 I also want to thank the workers for their understanding. Even though we have yet to complete the last mile of our pension reform, we have from 2020 gradually allocated NT$267 billion to supplement the Labor Insurance Fund. I hope that in the next stage of labor finance reform, we can forge consensus and make steady progress through rational dialogue in society and on a solid financial basis.
與此同時，我們連續八年調漲基本工資，並以所累積的經驗為基礎，提出「最低工資法」草案，送交立法院審議。蔡英文沒有忘記要照顧勞工的承諾。 Meanwhile, we have raised the minimum wage for eight consecutive years. And, using our accumulated experience, we proposed a draft bill for a minimum wage law and submitted it to the Legislative Yuan for review. I have not forgotten my pledge to look after workers.
前陣子，我遇到了一對來自桃園的夫妻，他們是投入「包租代管」的公益出租人。他們跟我說，社宅出租的，不只是「一間房」，而是要給房客「一個家」。 Some time ago, I met a married couple from Taoyuan. They were public welfare landlords who were participating in the subletting management scheme. They told me that social housing rentals are not merely “rooms” for tenants, but “homes.”
我要感謝在臺灣不同角落，這樣溫暖投入推動社宅的朋友。七年多來，我們在起步階段的困難中前進，並且奠定基礎；如今，社會住宅運動，逐漸卸下標籤，成為社區的正向力量；八年20萬戶的目標，也將在2024年底達成。 I want to thank our friends from every corner of Taiwan who have so passionately participated in the promotion of social housing. Over these past seven years and more, we have overcome the difficulties of this endeavor’s early phases and set a foundation. Today, the social housing movement has shed the labels of the past and become a force for good in our communities. Our goal of reaching 200,000 social housing units in eight years is set to be completed by the end of 2024.
「居住正義」這條路仍然漫長，但經過這幾年的經驗累積，我相信，未來一定可以在正確的道路上加速前進。 There is still a long way to go to achieve housing justice. But with the experience we have attained over the past few years, I believe we can accelerate our progress down the right track.
我還記得，剛接任總統時，臺灣的電力備轉容量率，曾經最低只有1.64%。但這七年多來，我們大幅提高能源供應，也全力推動能源轉型，終於在去年迎來了轉捩點，讓綠電的總發電量，首度超越核電。 I recall that when I first took office, Taiwan’s electrical operating reserve had hit a low of 1.64 percent. But during these past seven years, we have substantially increased energy supply and have done our utmost to promote an energy transition. And last year, we finally reached a turning point with green energy generation surpassing that of nuclear energy for the first time.
現在，陽光越強，氣候越炎熱，就越不用擔心午後缺電。在傍晚的尖峰時段，我們的備轉容量率，也能夠維持在7%到10%的穩定狀況。 These days, as we have stronger sunlight and warmer weather, we need not worry about afternoon electricity shortages. At evening peak hours, our operating reserve has held steady between 7 and 10 percent.
我們在跟時間賽跑，克服種種困難，一步步實現能源轉型。面對世界急起直追「2050淨零轉型」的目標，臺灣的再生能源發展、儲能網絡建構，和電網韌性強化，只能快、不能慢，更不能走回頭路。 We are in a race against time, overcoming all manner of challenges, and taking one step at a time to achieve a transition to green energy. In the face of intense global competition in the race to achieve net-zero emissions, Taiwan’s renewable energy development, energy storage network construction, and grid resilience enhancements must gather pace, and we cannot look back.
七年厚實國力，臺灣已是世界的臺灣 After seven years strengthening our nation, Taiwan has become a Taiwan of the world
除了推動改革，過去七年多，我們在劇烈變遷的兩岸及國際情勢中，傾全力發展經濟、厚實國力、照顧人民、確保國家安全、穩定兩岸情勢，並且爭取國際支持。 In addition to promoting reform, while facing the drastic changes in cross-strait and international affairs of these past seven years, we have done our utmost to develop the economy, strengthen our country, take care of our people, ensure national security, stabilize the situation across the strait, and garner global support.
經過全體國人七年多的努力打拚，臺灣的經濟，不僅展現強大的韌性，更成為驅動全球供應鏈重組的關鍵力量，中華民國的國力變強了！ Thanks to the hard work of our people over these seven years, Taiwan’s economy has not only proven to be highly resilient, but has become a key force in the restructuring of global supply chains. The Republic of China has increased its national strength.
我們的GDP規模，從我上任時的17.5兆元大幅成長，今年預計將突破23兆元。而在這幾年全球飽受經濟停滯，以及通膨所苦的局勢下，臺灣這幾年來的平均經濟成長率，仍可維持高於全球平均值，站穩四小龍之首，並且維持相對穩定的物價。 Our GDP has grown considerably from NT$17.5 trillion when I first took office and is forecast to top NT$23 trillion this year. In recent years the whole world has felt the full impact of economic stagnation and the pain of inflation. During this time, Taiwan’s economy has been able to outperform the global average as well as the Four Asian Tigers, while maintaining greater price stability.
同時，我們還保持財政穩健，將連續六年的政府歲計賸餘，跟全民共享，除了發放消費券來促進消費，也透過像是普發現金、TPASS、擴大租金補貼等措施，協助大家減輕生活負擔；我們更加強平衡城鄉發展，加大投資中小企業的產業轉型升級。 At the same time, we have maintained fiscal stability, allowing us to share the budget surpluses of the past six years with the people. In addition to distributing stimulus vouchers to encourage spending, we have initiated economic stimulus programs including cash subsidies, the TPASS, and increased rental subsidies to help reduce the burdens on everyday life. We have also stepped up our efforts toward balancing development in urban and rural areas and invested more in the industrial transformation of small- and medium-sized enterprises.
我們也全力推動「六大核心戰略產業」、大力投入基礎建設，帶動臺灣產業完成了「典範轉移」。尤其是強大的科技實力和製造能力，讓臺灣成為全球供應鏈重組中，不可或缺的關鍵角色。 We have also given our all to promote the Six Core Strategic Industries, making major investments in infrastructure to facilitate a paradigm shift in Taiwan’s industrial sector. Taiwan’s particularly strong technology and manufacturing sectors have made Taiwan an indispensable actor in the global restructuring of supply chains.
因此，我們也翻轉了過度依賴單一市場的狀況。我們對美國的出口金額翻倍成長；而今年6月，我們跟美國完成簽署的「臺美21世紀貿易倡議」首批協定，就是率先各國、創新觀念的全新貿易協定。 Through these efforts, we have also reduced our over-reliance on a single market. Our exports to the United States have more than doubled. And this past June, we completed the signing of the first agreement under the Taiwan-US Initiative on 21st-Century Trade, a trade agreement that is both globally pioneering and conceptually innovative.
經過七年多的耕耘，我們對新南向國家的出口貿易，創史上新高；我們也強化與歐洲鏈結，現在，歐盟已經是臺灣最大的外資來源。我們用經濟實力，向全世界證明臺灣無可取代的重要性。 After more than seven years of hard work, our exports to New Southbound Policy countries have reached a record high. We have also deepened connectivity with Europe, as the European Union is now Taiwan’s largest source of foreign investment. We are using our economic strengths to show the world the irreplaceable importance of Taiwan.
而從2016年以來，蔡英文政府始終信守承諾、維持現狀；我們堅守「四個堅持」，不挑釁、不冒進、在壓力下也不屈服，和全球民主國家深化合作，共同維護區域和平穩定，也為世界貢獻良善力量。 Ever since 2016, my administration has kept its promises and maintained the status quo. We have adhered to the Four Commitments. We do not provoke, we do not act rashly, and we will absolutely not bow to pressure. We have deepened our cooperation with democratic countries around the world as we work together to maintain regional peace and stability, acting as a force for good in the world.
對岸因颱風而豪雨成災，我們展現人道關懷；土耳其發生震災，我們挺進第一線；俄烏戰爭爆發，我們堅定與烏克蘭站在一起。當然，我們更不會忘記，三年疫情期間，民主夥伴互相馳援那股「善的循環」。 When a typhoon caused heavy and disastrous rains across the strait, we expressed our heartfelt concern. When Türkiye experienced a devastating earthquake, we deployed our response effort to the very frontline. When Russia invaded Ukraine, we stood firm with Ukraine. And of course, we will never forget the virtuous cycle generated by democratic partners coming to one another’s aid during the three years of the pandemic.
儘管阻撓未曾停歇，但我們沒有停下走向世界的腳步。臺日友情堅定不移、臺美關係堅若磐石；我們的友邦和理念相近國家，在國際場域力挺臺灣；來自不同國家的年輕人，在社群上串連「Viva Taiwan」。 While obstacles have not ceased, neither have we stopped engaging with the world. Friendship between Taiwan and Japan is unwavering, and our relationship with the United States is rock-solid. Both diplomatic allies and like-minded countries have voiced their support for Taiwan on the international stage, and young people from various countries have spread the message of the Viva Taiwan campaign online.
臺灣的民主成就，已成為世界標竿，臺灣的屹立不搖，更無疑是全球民主永續發展，及安全繁榮的最大保證。 Taiwan’s democratic achievements have set a benchmark for the world. Our steadfast resolve stands as a global bulwark of democratic sustainability, security, and prosperity.
自信沉穩，持續貢獻區域和平穩定 Calm and confident, making a continued contribution to regional peace and stability
現在的臺灣，已經是世界的臺灣。我們已經證明了，無論在地緣戰略、全球民主發展，或國際供應鏈體系，我們都是最可靠、最有效率、最安全的合作夥伴；國際支持我們的力量，也來到前所未有的團結堅實。 Taiwan at this moment has become a Taiwan of the world. In geostrategy, the development of global democracy, and international supply chain systems, we are the most reliable, effective, and safest partner to the world. The strength of international support for us has reached an unprecedented height.
此時此刻的我們，已經能自信堅定，面向世界；我們也更能自信沉穩，面對中國，為未來的發展，創造兩岸和平共存的條件。 Since this is a time we can now face the world with confidence and resolve, we can also be calm and self-assured in facing China, creating conditions for peaceful coexistence and future developments across the Taiwan Strait.
做為總統，我的責任就是，守護國家主權，守護兩千三百萬臺灣人民的民主自由生活方式；同時，尋求讓兩岸之間可以和平共處，人民之間，可以自由而無拘束、無負擔的往來；讓臺灣，甚至是兩岸，都能成為區域和平穩定的貢獻者。 It is my duty as president to safeguard our national sovereignty and the democratic and free way of life of the 23 million people of Taiwan; seeking peaceful coexistence, with free, unrestricted, and unburdened interactions between people across the strait. Taiwan, and furthermore both sides across the strait, should be enabled to contribute to regional peace and stability.
我要再次強調，「和平是兩岸的唯一選項，以維持現狀作為各方的最大公約數，就是確保和平的關鍵之鑰」。 Let me reiterate that “peace is the only option across the strait. Maintaining the status quo, as the largest common denominator for all sides, is the critical key to ensuring peace.”
特別是，全球都已經體認到，臺海的和平穩定，是國際社會安全與繁榮不可或缺的要素；任何一方不能片面改變現狀；兩岸分歧須透過和平方式解決。 Particularly, the international community has come to realize that peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait is an indispensable component of global security and prosperity. Neither side can unilaterally change the status quo. Differences across the strait must be resolved peacefully.
因此，我們要持續努力，在確保主權和民主自由之際，能夠在尊重歷史事實之下，持續建構和平穩定的兩岸關係。 While persisting in efforts to ensure our sovereignty, democracy, and freedom, we must be grounded in a respect for historical facts, and continue to construct peaceful and stable cross-strait relations.
今天，許多位政黨領袖和貴賓，都在現場。政黨競爭是民主政治的日常，但我們今天能齊聚在此，正是臺灣難能可貴的民主風景。 Today, many leaders of political parties and other distinguished guests are present. Competition between political parties is a daily reality of democratic politics, but our gathering together here presents a precious landscape of Taiwan’s democracy.
我衷心期盼，在選舉的競爭過後，我們可以放下激情，臺灣內部可以尋求更大的共識，眾志成城，對外團結一致。我相信，這是我們不分朝野政黨，對國家的共同責任。 I sincerely hope that after the competitive elections, we can set aside our passions, and together seek greater agreement, to build a fortress of unity as we face external challenges. I believe this is our shared responsibility to the country, regardless of political party.
我們願意以臺灣的民意共識為基礎，以對等尊嚴為前提，以民主對話為程序，以維持現狀為核心，與北京當局發展雙方可接受的互動基礎，以及和平共存之道。 We are willing to take the Taiwan public consensus*) as a basis, conditioned with dignity and reciprocity, and with a process of democratic dialogue, to develop with the Beijing authorities a mutually acceptable foundation for interaction and a path to peaceful coexistence.
我深信，國際社會對臺灣的支持，只會愈來愈強。在全球共同關注，並致力維繫臺海和平穩定之際，我們必須掌握契機、控管風險，進而讓兩岸成為區域和平穩定的重要貢獻者。而這是臺灣朝野政黨，也是兩岸之間，無可迴避的歷史責任與共同使命。 I deeply believe that international support for Taiwan will only grow stronger. As the world is watching with concern and working to preserve peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, we must grasp the moment of opportunity to manage risk and enable both sides to be contributors to peace. This is not only the shared responsibility of Taiwan’s political parties; it is also an unavoidable historic responsibility and common mission across the strait.
國家繼續前進，讓世界因臺灣而更好 Our country is moving forward, helping make the world a better place
各位國人同胞，無論是六十五年前的八二三戰役，或是如今面對外部威脅的挑戰，我們始終懷抱著，不分彼此、同島一命的信念。 My fellow citizens, whether it is the Second Taiwan Strait Crisis 65 years ago or the external threats we face today, we have always embraced togetherness and the conviction that everyone in Taiwan has a shared destiny.
如今，中華民國臺灣，已經成為兩千三百萬人民的主流共識。這個共識，匯聚了不同族群的歷史情感，和七十四年來福禍與共的體認。 Today, the Republic of China (Taiwan) has become the prevailing consensus of our 23 million people. This consensus is a convergence of the historical sentiments of different groups and the knowledge of the joys and hardships we have shared over the past 74 years.
它更代表，我們會為了團結、為了守護國家、為了捍衛民主自由的生活，願意走近彼此，創造最大的公約數。 It also shows that we are willing to come together and create the largest common denominator in order to foster unity, safeguard our country, and defend our free and democratic way of life.
臺灣的民主，也因此在無比巨大的內外壓力中，成長茁壯，從而孕育出更為堅強的韌性。守護臺灣的民主，就是守護普世價值的民主。 In the midst of tremendous internal and external pressures, Taiwan’s democracy has grown and thrived as a result of that willingness, and we have emerged with even greater resilience. We know that to protect Taiwan’s democracy is to protect the universal value of democracy.
感謝大家的團結一致，我們向全世界點亮了民主臺灣；我們會自信地向世人傳達，臺灣人尊嚴自主、熱情良善。臺灣人樂為世界人，也將世世代代做為民主人、自由人。 Thanks to our solidarity, we have brought the international spotlight to democratic Taiwan. With confidence, we will show the world that the Taiwanese people are dignified, independent, warm, and kind. The Taiwanese people are happy to be people of the world and will be a democratic and free people for generations to come.
感謝臺灣人民給蔡英文兩次機會，擔任中華民國總統，和臺灣人一起打拚，我心中充滿無限感激。 I would like to thank the people of Taiwan for giving me two opportunities to serve as president of the Republic of China and to give my all alongside the Taiwanese people. From the depths of my heart, I am infinitely grateful.
這幾年下來，施政有所成就，也有不盡如人意之處；身為總統，我責無旁貸。這就是民主國家，執政者不能自滿，任何的施政，都要讓更多人民滿意，就是政府永無止境努力的目標。 Over the past several years, we have made achievements in governance, but there have also been areas where we have not met expectations. As president, I cannot shirk my responsibilities. This is a democratic country, and those in power can never be complacent. Each act of governance must bring the people greater satisfaction, and this is the goal of a government’s unceasing efforts.
各位國人同胞，蔡英文的任期會停在明年的520，但國家要繼續前進。 My fellow citizens, my term will end on May 20 next year, but our country will continue moving forward.
我相信，自信沉穩的臺灣，一定會繼續前進。我們不只要給世界更好的臺灣，更要讓世界因為民主臺灣而更好。 I have no doubt that Taiwan, calm and confident, will continue moving forward. We not only want to give the world a better Taiwan, we want to make the world better because of democratic Taiwan.
臺灣加油！中華民國加油！謝謝大家。 I wish all the best to Taiwan. I wish all the best to the Republic of China. Thank you.

Footnote

________________

*)    Tsai combined mínyì and gòngshi today – at times in the past, she has also referred to the “Taiwan Consensus” simply as táiwan gòngshi.

A few takeaways

President Tsai’s speech is a proud speech, and justifiably so. Whoever is going to succeed her as president next year will have to live up to the standards set by her. Her administration seems to have shown an exemplary combination of ingenuity and pragmatism where their predecessors under Ma Ying-jeou had mostly banked on “cooperation with China”. In that regard, Tsai was lucky: the standards set by her predecessor were rather poor. She was also lucky as her mainland counterpart Xi Jinping turned up as her effective canvasser in January 2019, during the early days of the election campaigns in Taiwan that gave her a second term a year later.

Taiwan offered shortwave listeners in the region (and maybe beyond) a nice gift on the occasion of its national day: Radio Taiwan International’s Mandarin service transmitted live coverage from the celebrations in Taipei on several shortwave frequencies*)  this morning – a software-defined receiver in northern Taiwan helped me to listen to a rather clear signal even here in Europe. Of course, there were also live transmissions on the internet, even in German, but I only believe that things happen when they happen on shortwave.

Note

*)    9670 kHz, 9790 kHz, 12100 kHz (and maybe more than these).

Posted in media, Taiwan | Leave a Comment »

Tags: , , , , , , , ,
Tuesday, September 26, 2023

“China, as a responsible country, …”

Xinhualogical (English), Sept 26, 2023:

China, as a responsible country, is never absent at multilateral forums in which it takes part, said Wang at a press conference on a newly-released white paper, titled “A Global Community of Shared Future: China’s Proposals and Actions.”

–
Sputnik (Chinese), Sept 26, 2023:

Wang Yi: APEC should not be a wrestling ring of provocation and confrontation
王毅：APEC峰会不应该是挑起对抗的角斗场
America will hold the 30th APEC leaders’ informal meeting. Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi said at a press conference held at the State Council news buro of a white book titled “Working together to build a community of human destiny: China’s advocacy and action” that APEC is the highest-level, most widely-ranging and most influential mechanism for economic cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region and should be a great stage for the promotion of cooperation, not a wrestling ring for provocation and confrontation.
美国将于11月举办亚太经合组织第十三次领导人非正式会议，中国外交部部长王毅在国务院新闻办公室举办的关于《携手构建人类命运共同体：中国的倡议与行动》白皮书新闻发布会上表示，亚太经合组织是亚太地区层级最高、领域最广、最具影响力的经济合作机制，应成为促进合作的大舞台，而不应是挑起对抗的角斗场。
Answering reporters’ questions*) about whether Chairman Xi Jinping would attend the meeting, Wang Yi said:
“China is a responsible country, and we have never been absent from important multilateral forums where China participates. Concerning participation arrangements for APEC, we are maintaining communications with all parties and will officially publish information at the appropriate time.”
“中国是一个负责任的国家，我们从不缺席中方参与的重要多边论坛。关于出席亚太经合组织的安排，我们正在与各方保持沟通，会适时正式发布消息。”
Wang Yi pointed out that multilateral diplomacy is an important pillar of China’s participation and global governance and for the promotion of a community of human destiny. Obviously, it is also an important platform for the development of diplomacy between heads of state. Chairman Xi Jinping attaches great importance to multilateral diplomacy, and China’s role in global governance has become ever greater.
王毅指出，多边外交是中国参与全球治理、推进人类命运共同体的重要依托，当然也是开展元首外交的重要平台。习近平主席高度重视多边外交，中国在全球治理中发挥的作用越来越大。
[…..]

Wang’s warnings against “provocation” or “confrontation” can refer to lots of things, of course (the only thing being sure that they are targeting the U.S. as the host), but one of the issues on his mind is probably the attendance of Hong Kong’s chief executive. According to a report by Singapore’s “Lianhe Zaobao”, John Lee Ka-chiu may be locked out by the U.S. as the host country to the meeting. Washington had imposed sanctions on Lee at the time when he was Hong Kong’s security secretary, and played a role in implementing China’s “national security law” in Hong Kong.
It appears as if China makes his attendance at the informal summit a bargaining chip. It didn’t work on India, if Beijing tried it in the run-up to the G20 summit, too.
________________

Note

Sputnik’s article doesn’t make it clear if it was one reporter / one question, or several of either, but according to “Lianhe Zaobao”, the question was asked by a Bloomberg reporter.
________________

Related

John Lee: “Terrorism, iron fact”, June 3, 2020
________________

Posted in America, China, human rights, international, press review | Leave a Comment »

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Sunday, September 17, 2023

Another Teacher’s Day in China

It was another “teacher’s day” in China on September 9th, the country’s 39th such day, and an unspecified number of “outstanding teacher representatives” descended on Beijing to hold a symposium there. Party secretary general and state chairman Xi Jinping sent a letter, but didn’t appear in person, nor did Li Qiang, the politburo’s number two. Instead, they sent that letter (Xi) and “instructions” (Li). Instead, they sent Ding Xuexiang (丁薛祥), another member of the politburo’s standing committee, and vice chief state councillor under Li Qiang to convey both the letter and the instructions.

youxiu_jiaoshi
CCTV Xinwen Lianbo coverage, Sept 9, 2023

Nothing new really, but given that Ding emphasized the need to “create a social trend of “respecting teachers and valuing education”, so that “the people’s educators” would be a title of supreme honor”, one might have expected some more protocol. After all, winners of that title – “people’s educators” – attended the sympsium, too.

The honorary title appears to have been an award since 2019.

________________

Related

“Unobtrusive and Imperceptible Moral Influence”, Jan 7, 2012
________________

Posted in China, education, ideology, Li Qiang, teaching | Leave a Comment »

Tags: , , , , ,
Saturday, September 9, 2023

“One country, two systems is the best-intentioned plan for the Taiwan compatriots”

China’s “cross-strait” media have been full of it this week: the “Zhongshan Forum,” “a cross-Strait forum focusing on exchanges and cooperation between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan” according to the Chinese Communist Party’s English-language propaganda leaflet “China Daily”.

ohsohappy_fifth_zhongshan_forum
Happyhappyjoyjoy in Guangdong Province: the Forum’s logo

The “1992 consensus” mentioned by a (Taiwanese) KMT representative in the following quotes may never have existed, and if it ever has, Xi Jinping most probably buried it in 2019. It became clear back then that he meant “one country, two systems” by mentioning the “consensus”, and what Huang Zhxian said at the forum seems to suggest that those who still attend the Chinese “unification” forums have put up with that, too.

At best, you might think of the Taiwanese participants of people who want to avoid war and join China’s propaganda work out of fear. Another factor is that when you have investment in China and want to keep it (sort of) safe, you must abandon independent political positions. But maybe some of them just went there to enjoy the black humor of it all. It must be a bizarre experience.

Here goes – the Zhongshan Forum story according to Xinhua newsagency.

Xinhua, Guangzhou, Sept 7, 2023 message. The fifth cross-strait Zhongshan Forum opened in Guangdong Province on September 7, with more than 2,000 personalities from all walks of life in Hong Kong and Macau participating. Guangdong provincial party secretary Huang Kunming, the central committee’s and state council’s Taiwan Affairs Office director Song Tao, former acting chairman of the Chinese Guomindang Lin Junq-tzer, Peoples First Party chairman James Soong, and former New Party chairman Yok Mu-ming were present at the forum’s opening ceremony.
新华社广州9月7日电 第五届海峡两岸中山论坛7日在广东省中山市开幕，来自海峡两岸和港澳地区的各界人士2000多人参加。中共广东省委书记黄坤明，中共中央台办、国务院台办主任宋涛和中国国民党前代理主席林政则、亲民党主席宋楚瑜、新党前主席郁慕明等两岸嘉宾共同出席论坛开幕式。

Song Tao said at his opening speech that Secretary General Xi Jinping has emphasized that Mr. Sun Zhongshan [another name for Sun Yat-sen] was a great national hero, a great patriot and a great pioneer of China’s democratic revolution. The Communist Party of China is Sun Zhongshan’s most sincere successor. The independent, democratic, prosperous and strong country hoped for by Mr. Zhongshan had become a reality under the leadership of the Communist Party of China. Currently, the Chinese nation’s great rejuvenation has entered its irreversible historic stage. It was hoped that compatriots from both sides [of the Taiwan Strait] would strengthen the exercise of their responsibility, firmly grasp the fate ahead for the cross-strait relations, adhere to the fundamental mode of peaceful unification, and come full circle with the dream of the nation’s great revjuvenation. All sons and daughters together will overcome difficulties together, strive together, and certainly be able to create a good future of national rejuvenation together.
宋涛在论坛开幕式致辞表示，习近平总书记强调，孙中山先生是伟大的民族英雄、伟大的爱国主义者、中国民主革命的伟大先驱。中国共产党人是孙中山先生革命事业最忠实的继承者。中山先生所期盼的独立、民主、富强的国家，在中国共产党领导下已成为现实。当前，中华民族伟大复兴进入了不可逆转的历史进程。希望两岸同胞强化责任担当，牢牢掌握两岸关系前途命运，坚持和平统一根本方式，共圆民族复兴伟大梦想。全体中华儿女和衷共济、共同奋斗，一定能够共创民族复兴的美好未来。

[…]

Lin Junq-tzer said that compatriots from both sides of the Strait needed to carry forward the spirit of Zhongshan, to strive together to put Mr. Zhongshan’s concept of a “united China, rising China” into practice, seek the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation together, adhere to the “1992 consensus” as an important political foundation for cross-strait exchanges, safeguard peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and promote the peaceful development of cross-strait relations. Straits Economic and Cultural Interchange Association president Kao Koong-lian said that the Zhongshan spirit and Zhongshan culture, nation-building strategy, industrial programs etc. are a precious asset of the compatriots of both sides of the Strait. This forum vigorously advocated the Zhongshan spirit, joined forces for national rejuvenation, is conducive to the cooperation of compatriots from both sides of the Strait to promote cross-strait relations and to deepen cross-strait exchanges and cooperation. Huang Zhixian, a well-known media person, said that national unification is the foundation for national rejuvenation and a responsibility entrusted to this generation. “One country, two systems” is the best-intentioned plan for the Taiwan compatriots. Our generation must bring Taiwan home.”
林政则表示，两岸同胞要共同弘扬中山精神，努力践行中山先生“统一中国、振兴中华”的理念，共谋中华民族伟大复兴；坚持“九二共识”这一两岸交往的重要政治基础，维护台海和平稳定，推动两岸关系和平发展。海峡两岸经贸文化交流协会会长高孔廉表示，中山精神与中山文化、建国方略、实业计划等，是两岸同胞共同的珍贵资产。本届论坛大力倡导弘扬中山精神、共同致力民族复兴，有利于两岸同胞携手推动两岸关系发展、深化两岸交流合作。台湾知名媒体人黄智贤表示，国家统一是民族复兴的基础，是历史赋予我们这一代人的责任。“一国两制”是对台湾同胞最大善意的方案，我们这一代人要把台湾带回家。

[…]

Posted in China, international, propaganda, public diplomacy, Taiwan | Leave a Comment »

Tags: , , , , , , , ,
Thursday, August 31, 2023

Argentine Foreign Minister on Business Tour to Japan and South Korea

While Argentina has become a likely candidate for joining BRICS, it is also expanding economic relations with Japan and South Korea. As an author pointed out in South Africa’s “Daily Maverick” on August 16,

The BRICS bloc accounts for more than 42% of the world’s population, 30% of its territory, 23% of global GDP, and 18% of global trade. However, only about 6% of the total trade of the five BRICS countries is with each other.

When reading Argentina’s 2022 trade statistics, especially with South Korea, one should bear in mind that Argentina’s trade with China appears to have been at about 25 bn US dollars.

That’s a very big league, compared to Argentine-South Korean bilateral trade, which was only around 2.7 bn US dollars, if I have read the statistics correctly.

According to the Argentine foreign ministry’s website, Argentine foreign minister Santiago Cafiero left for a visit to East Asia on Sunday (August 27 Argentine time). He was scheduled to meet with Japan’s prime minister Fumio Kishida, foreign minister Yoshimasa Hayashi, minister of agriculture Tetsuro Nomura, trade and industry minister Yasutoshi Nishimura, and Science and Technology minister Keiko Nagaoka. He was also to take part in a working breakfast of the mixed committee of Argentine and Japanese entrepreneurs.

20191223_e_qsl
Argentine foreign radio eQSL, 2019

Following his visit to Japan, Cafiero traveled to South Korea.

According to Argentine foreign radio’s German news program on August 29, based on the above website’s information,

Argentine foreign minister Cafiero is visiting Japan and the Republic of Korea. The emphasis of his visits is on trade and investment. Argentine and Japan have achieved a recovery of bilateral trade of goods after the pandemic in 2021. With exports at 794.6 mn US dollars, i. e. a growth by 10.1 percent compared to the previous year, and imports of 1.2 bn US dollars, this trend continued. Japan was the seventh-biggest destination for Argentine exports to Asia in 2022, after China, India, Vietnam, Indonesia, the Republic of Korea, and Malaysia. In terms of Japanese imports, Argentina ranked sixth in Latin America in 2022.

The minister will then travel to Korea. He will not only visit the capital Seoul where he will be received by the prime minister, but also visit the facilities of the Posco company in Pohang. Posco is running a lithium project named Sal de Oro in the provinces of Salta and Catamarca in Argentina’s northwest,, on an area of 25,000 hectares, for the production of lithium carbonate. Total investment is 1.6 bn US dollars, in two stages. Posco is planning a total investment of four bn US dollars until 2030. Bilateral trade between Argentina and South Korea reached record amounts at exports and imports in 2022.

The rise in bilateral trade of goods reached 2.7 bn US dollars, a rise of 16 percent compared to the previous year, based on a rise in Argentine exports and, to a lesser extent, Argentine imports from Korea.*) The balance of trade showed an Argentine surplus of almost 1.3 bn US dollars in 2022, a rise by 20 percent compared to the previous year. South Korea was the fifth-biggest destination for Argentine exports to Asia in 2022, after China, India, Vietnam and Indonesia.

KBS World Radio reports that supply-chain cooperation on critical minerals and hydrogen were discussed between Cafiero and South Korean trade minister Ahn Duk-geun in a meeting on Thursday (Aug 31). According to Yonhap, Argentina has the world’s third-largest lithium reserves.

________________

Note

*) Exports up 17% / Imports up 12%
________________

Posted in China, international, Japan | Leave a Comment »

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
Saturday, August 26, 2023

Upgrades, common prosperity and “no ‘welfarism'” – Xi’s 2021 talk on financial and economic affairs

“Qiushi” published excerpts in October 2021, from a talk given by Xi Jinping about two months earlier, on August 17, 2021 at the Central Financial and Economic Affairs Commission‘s 10th meeting. Xi touched upon “welfarism” (福利主义), “involution” (内卷) and “lying flat” (躺平). His talk may not describe the current outcomes of the CPC’s recent economic policies well, but it  might say a few things about their intended effects.

xinwen_lianbo_poverty_isnt_socialism
“The party recognized that poverty isn’t socialism”, Xinwen Lianbo, 2021
I’ve only translated the first paragraphs of the article. Follow the main link underneath to read more there, or buy yourself a personality-cult-book at Xinhua’s webstore.

Main Link:    “Firmly promote common prosperity” (扎实推动共同富裕)

We are now forging ahead towards the second centenary goal of struggle. To find answers to the changing main contradictions in our society and to satisfiy the growing demand of the people to a good life, promotion of the entire people’s prosperity, as a focus of the people’s happiness, must be laid as a foundation of the party’s long-term government. High-quality development requires high-quality workers. Only by promotion of common prosperity, only by increasing incomes of the inhabitants of the cities and the countryside, upgrades to human resources, the essential overall productivity can be improved and a foundation of motive power for high-quality development be laid.
现在，我们正在向第二个百年奋斗目标迈进。适应我国社会主要矛盾的变化，更好满足人民日益增长的美好生活需要，必须把促进全体人民共同富裕作为为人民谋幸福的着力点，不断夯实党长期执政基础。高质量发展需要高素质劳动者，只有促进共同富裕，提高城乡居民收入，提升人力资本，才能提高全要素生产率，夯实高质量发展的动力基础。当前，全球收入不平等问题突出，一些国家贫富分化，中产阶层塌陷，导致社会撕裂、政治极化、民粹主义泛滥，教训十分深刻！我国必须坚决防止两极分化，促进共同富裕，实现社会和谐安定。
At the same time, there needs to be an awareness that there are still prominent imbalances in our country’s development, that development and income allocation between cities and the countryside continue to show rather big differences. A new round of technolgical revolution and industrial revolution have invigorated economic development, but also with deep influence on gaps in employment and income allocation, including some negative influences that need to be reacted to and that need to be solved.
同时，必须清醒认识到，我国发展不平衡不充分问题仍然突出，城乡区域发展和收入分配差距较大。新一轮科技革命和产业变革有力推动了经济发展，也对就业和收入分配带来深刻影响，包括一些负面影响，需要有效应对和解决。
Common prosperity is an essential requirement of socialism and an important characteristic of socialism with Chinese characteristics. The common prosperity we are talking about is the entire people’s prosperity, a rich quality of the material and spiritual life of the masses, not the prosperity of a minority nor uniformly-arranged egalitarianism.
共同富裕是社会主义的本质要求，是中国式现代化的重要特征。我们说的共同富裕是全体人民共同富裕，是人民群众物质生活和精神生活都富裕，不是少数人的富裕，也不是整齐划一的平均主义。
We must study the different stages of our goals deeply, and divide the promotion of common prosperity into different stages: With the end of the “14th Five-Year Plan”, initial solid steps towards the entire people’s common prosperity will have been made, differences between people’s incomes and actual consumption levels will have been gradually reduced. By 2035, the entire people’s common prosperity will have achieved even more obvious substantial headway, and basic public services will have achieved levelled performances. By the middle of the century, the entire people’s common prosperity will have been basically achieved, and the differences between incomes and actual consumption levels be reduced to a reasonable size. It is urgently necessary to define the promotion of common prosperity’s operational outline and to issue scientific and feasible assessment criteria in correspondence with our national conditions.
要深入研究不同阶段的目标，分阶段促进共同富裕：到“十四五”末，全体人民共同富裕迈出坚实步伐，居民收入和实际消费水平差距逐步缩小。到2035年，全体人民共同富裕取得更为明显的实质性进展，基本公共服务实现均等化。到本世纪中叶，全体人民共同富裕基本实现，居民收入和实际消费水平差距缩小到合理区间。要抓紧制定促进共同富裕行动纲要，提出科学可行、符合国情的指标体系和考核评估办法。
To promote common prosperity, we must grasp the following principles well.
促进共同富裕，要把握好以下原则。
Encouragement of hard work and innovation to become rich. A happy life comes from struggle, and the building of common prosperity must rely on hard work and knowledge. We must persist in safeguarding and improving the people’s livelihood during development, put the promotion of high-quality development first. To improve people’s levels of education, we must increase universally fairer conditions for the development of abilities, raise the entire society’s human capital and professional skills, raise abilities to work and and to create, and the ability to become rich. We must avoid the solidification of social stratification, open channels for upward mobility, create opportunities for more people to become rich, shape an environment of participation to avoid “involution” and “lying flat”.
——鼓励勤劳创新致富。幸福生活都是奋斗出来的，共同富裕要靠勤劳智慧来创造。要坚持在发展中保障和改善民生，把推动高质量发展放在首位，为人民提高受教育程度、增强发展能力创造更加普惠公平的条件，提升全社会人力资本和专业技能，提高就业创业能力，增强致富本领。要防止社会阶层固化，畅通向上流动通道，给更多人创造致富机会，形成人人参与的发展环境，避免“内卷”、“躺平”。
We must maintain the fundamental economic system.*) We must base ourselves on the early stage of socialism and maintain the “two unvaverings”. We must insist on joint development of public ownership as the main part and diverse-ownership economy, resolutely bring the public-ownership economy into play as the important factor to promote common prosperity, develop a healthy non-public-ownership economy at the same time, and the healthy growth of people of the non-public-ownership economy. We must allow some of the people to become rich first and at the same time emphasize that early prosperity carries following prosperity with it and helps following prosperity. The emphasis must be on the encouragement of people leading [on the road of becoming rich] who work hard, respect the law and dare to found entrerprises. dishonest means of becoming rich must not be advocated, and offenses against the law and regulations must be dealt with in accordance with the law.
——坚持基本经济制度。要立足社会主义初级阶段，坚持“两个毫不动摇”。要坚持公有制为主体、多种所有制经济共同发展，大力发挥公有制经济在促进共同富裕中的重要作用，同时要促进非公有制经济健康发展、非公有制经济人士健康成长。要允许一部分人先富起来，同时要强调先富带后富、帮后富，重点鼓励辛勤劳动、合法经营、敢于创业的致富带头人。靠偏门致富不能提倡，违法违规的要依法处理。
Act to the best of your abilities. We must establish a scientific public policy system, divide the cade well, with a pattern by which everyone can hae his appropriate share. It will take greater efforts and more solid measures to give the masses a sense of achievement. At the same time, we must see that there is still a great gap between our country’s level of development and developed countries. Needs and potentialities must match with each other, guarantees and improvements of people’s livelihood must be built on sustainable economic and financial foundations. Don’t be overambitious, rein in your appetite, and don’t make promises that you can’t redeem. The government can’t take charge of everything. the emphasis has to be on strengthening the basic, generally beneficial and observant protection of the people’s livelihood. Even when the future level of development is higher and financial strength more solid, goals mustn’t be set too high, no exaggerated guarantees be given, and falling into the “welfarism” trap and raising idle people must be resolutely avoided.
——尽力而为量力而行。要建立科学的公共政策体系，把蛋糕分好，形成人人享有的合理分配格局。要以更大的力度、更实的举措让人民群众有更多获得感。同时，也要看到，我国发展水平离发达国家还有很大差距。要统筹需要和可能，把保障和改善民生建立在经济发展和财力可持续的基础之上，不要好高骛远，吊高胃口，作兑现不了的承诺。政府不能什么都包，重点是加强基础性、普惠性、兜底性民生保障建设。即使将来发展水平更高、财力更雄厚了，也不能提过高的目标，搞过头的保障，坚决防止落入“福利主义”养懒汉的陷阱。

[…]

________________

Note

*)    Referring to China’s fundamental economic system as seen by the CPC, i. e. its rules for ownership of means of production

________________

Related

Preaching water, living in France, Jan 14, 2015
“What else is there to say”, “Global Voices”, Febr 17, 2009
________________

Posted in America, China, ideology, quote | Leave a Comment »

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,
« Older Entries  |   Newer Entries »