Innholdsfortegnelse for Vol.67/No.30 i Beijing Review

The recently concluded conference of senior Communist Party of China (CPC) officials will likely go down in history as a major milestone in the country’s development. Held in Beijing on July 15-18, the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee gathered 199 committee members and 165 alternate members to deliberate on China’s reform agenda. A resolution on further deepening reform comprehensively to advance Chinese modernization was adopted. It has become almost a tradition for the Party to address reform-related matters at the third plenary sessions of the CPC Central Committee. For example, the Third Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Committee in 2018 reviewed and adopted a decision on deepening the reform of Party and state institutions, as well as a plan for their restructuring; the Third…

Global supply chains Manufacturing hub: China has become a central player in global supply chains, providing a vast array of manufactured goods at competitive prices, which has benefited consumers worldwide. Trade partner: As one of the world’s largest exporters and importers, China has become a crucial trading partner for many countries, influencing global trade patterns and economic relationships. Economic impact Growth engine: China’s rapid economic growth has contributed significantly to global economic growth, particularly during periods of economic downturn in other regions. Investment opportunities: The opening up of China’s market has provided numerous investment opportunities for multinational corporations and foreign investors, contributing to global economic integration. Geopolitical influence Rising power: China’s economic rise has enhanced its geopolitical influence, leading to a more multipolar world and shifts in global power dynamics.…

Following the CPC’s guidelines for governing Xizang in the new era, and with nationwide support, officials and the peoples of the various ethnic groups in Xizang Autonomous Region have worked together and achieved all-round progress and historic success in various undertakings. Sustainable, sound and rapid economic development In 2022 Xizang’s GDP reached 213.26 billion yuan ($29.35 billion), an increase by a factor of 2.28 compared with that in 2012 at constant prices, representing an average annual growth rate of 8.6 percent. Its economic growth rate ranked among the highest in China. Improved infrastructure As of early 2022, the total road length exceeded 121,400 km, including 1,105 km of high-grade highway. A road network covering the whole of Xizang had been formed, with 20 national highways as the foundation, supported by…

At 3 a.m. one day in July 1978, when the U.S. and China were in the midst of negotiations to normalize diplomatic relations, Jimmy Carter, the 39th American President received an unexpected call from his science advisor, Frank Press, who was in Beijing. Press conveyed that China was interested in sending 5,000 students to the U.S. for education. Carter responded: “Tell them to send 100,000.” Three months later, the two countries signed the U.S.-China Educational Exchange Memorandum of Understanding in Washington, D.C. At the height of this exchange in the 2010s, before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. had 24,583 American students in China and welcomed 350,000 Chinese students. By the end of 2019, the Institute of International Education (IIE) stated in its annual Open Doors Report on…

China’s traditional costumes, celebrated for their modish medleys and abundant histories spanning thousands of years, are currently on display at an exhibition inside the China National Arts and Crafts Museum in Beijing. The exhibition, titled Splendid Colors: Chinese Costume Culture Exhibition, opened on June 7 and will run until September 8. Jointly hosted by the China Intangible Cultural Heritage Museum and the Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology (BIFT), one of the country’s leading fashion colleges, the exhibit features traditional costumes from over 30 ethnic groups across different imperial dynasties, highlighting the unity of Chinese culture. “The 139 ethnic costumes on display are important witnesses of the longstanding partnerships and historical interactions among different ethnic groups, and will continue to connect us all in contemporary society,” Gao Dandan, an associate researcher…

Economic reforms Agricultural reforms: Introduction of the household responsibility system, which allowed farmers to sell surplus produce in the market after meeting state quotas, leading to increased agricultural productivity and rural incomes. Industrial reforms: Decentralization of economic decision-making and introduction of market mechanisms in state-owned enterprises (SOEs) to improve efficiency and productivity. Foreign investment: Establishment of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in coastal areas like Shenzhen, Zhuhai and Shantou in south China’s Guangdong Province, and Xiamen in southeast China’s Fujian Province, which attracted foreign direct investment (FDI) and became hubs of manufacturing and export-oriented industries. Trade liberalization Export-led growth: Export-led growth strategies, which integrated China into the global economy and boosted its foreign exchange reserves. World Trade Organization (WTO) membership: China’s accession to the WTO in 2001 further solidified its integration…

The outcomes of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, the third since its members were elected during the 20th CPC National Congress in 2022, are not just significant locally but also globally. This event, a meeting of senior officials closely followed by political and economic practitioners and observers within China and internationally, is expected to impact global economic and financial systems profoundly. The third plenary session, already dubbed a landmark event by local and international media, introduced essential initiatives to address the risks and challenges associated with China’s medium- and long-term socioeconomic progress. It has significant precedents in the past. For example, it was at a similar event in 1978 that Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping announced the opening up of China, which…

The three-day North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit concluded on July 11 in Washington D.C., the U.S. During the summit, members stated that they would provide more military assistance to Ukraine and support its joining of NATO. It also hyped up tensions in the Asia-Pacific region by continually referring to China as a “challenge.” The NATO summit, which fuels the flames in Europe and interferes in the Asia-Pacific, once again exposes the alliance’s nature of inciting confrontations and even wars. The alliance’s gathering continued to tout outdated Cold War mentality and camp confrontation, deliberately provoking opposition and attempting to disrupt the peace and stability of the Asia-Pacific region. This practice clearly goes against the global trend of peaceful development, win-win cooperation and multilateralism. The Washington summit, on the occasion of…

In south China’s Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, stand two banyan trees. One was planted by late Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping when he visited the city in 1992. The other was planted by President Xi Jinping 30 years later, in December 2012, during his first inspection tour as general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee. The two trees, rooted in the same soil, symbolize the continuity and evolution of China’s process of reform and opening up. “Think of the small as big and of the few as many. Confront the difficult while it is still easy; accomplish the great task through a series of small acts.” This is part of a quote from the Tao Te Ching, a Taoist classic attributed to the ancient Chinese philosopher Laozi, believed…

Wu Zixi, a kindergarten teacher by day, has been operating a stall at a lively night market in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, on weekends since April. She sells handmade bracelets, earrings and other accessories—a creative outlet quite different from her daytime job. “I have a keen interest in design and handcrafts, though it’s not something I do as a fulltime job right now. But my little stall is a way to share my creativity and test out business ideas,” Wu told Beijing Review. She chooses when to set up the stall based on the weather or her mood, and uses her free time to design new products. The market also serves as a social platform, allowing Wu to meet other young, energetic vendors—and customers. Earning money is not her main objective.…

Cancer Screening As screening for the early detection of high-incidence cancers has become increasingly common in China, nearly 200 million women have benefited from cervical and breast cancer screenings since 2009, Chen Wanqing, an official with the National Cancer Center, said at an event on the sidelines of the Third Global Health Forum of the Boao Forum for Asia held in Beijing on July 17. Early screening now covers most of the top 10 high-incidence cancers such as lung cancer, gastric cancer as well as cervical and breast cancer, Chen said. Mao Qun’an, an official with the National Health Commission (NHC), highlighted China’s commitment to a comprehensive approach to cancer, prioritizing prevention and combining it with control measures. In 2022, China reported approximately 4.82 million new cancer cases. According to…

TOP-GROSSING ACTRESS China’s top-grossing actress Ma Li made history on July 16, as the combined revenue of all the films she has starred in exceeded 20 billion yuan ($2.8 billion), according to movie ticketing platform Maoyan. Ma broke the record with the release of comedy film Successor in mid-July. The film details a rich couple’s extraordinary efforts to pretend to be poor in order to educate their son. Born in Dandong, Liaoning Province, in 1982, Ma showed a talent for acting at a young age. In 2010, she starred in her first movie Welcome to Shama Town. She became widely known in 2015 for her leading role in the comedy Goodbye Mr. Loser, which took in more than 1.4 billion yuan ($192 million) at the box office as the dark…

China’s governing Party, the Communist Party of China (CPC), holds a National Congress every five years to, among other duties, elect a new Central Committee. According to the Constitution of the CPC, the highest leading body of the Party is the National Congress and the Central Committee it elects. When the National Congress is not in session, the Central Committee carries out its resolutions, directs the entire work of the Party and represents the CPC in its external relations. The current committee, or the 20th CPC Central Committee, consists of more than 300 full and alternate members. From its ranks, the top party leadership is chosen, including the Political Bureau, the Political Bureau Standing Committee and the General Secretary. The Central Committee convenes plenary sessions, or plenums, at least once…

Economic impact Market reforms and economic growth Market role: The emphasis on giving the market a “decisive role” in resource allocation has led to increased efficiency and competitiveness in various sectors. The private sector has seen substantial growth, contributing significantly to GDP and job creation. Financial sector liberalization: Interest rate and exchange rate liberalization efforts have helped modernize the financial sector, although the full liberalization process has been gradual. The establishment of the Shanghai Free Trade Zone (FTZ) in 2013 and subsequent FTZs have facilitated more significant foreign investment and trade. SOE reforms Efficiency and competitiveness: Reforms within SOEs aimed at increasing efficiency and competitiveness have had mixed results. While some SOEs have become more market-oriented and profitable, others continue to struggle with inefficiency and debt. Innovation and entrepreneurship Tech…

Editor’s note: The “Promoting a Resolution to the Tibet-China Dispute Act” was signed into law by U.S. President Joe Biden on July 12. The act gives recognition to the notion of a “Greater Tibet” fabricated by the Dalai group, and violates the U.S. Government’s long-held position and commitments and the basic norms governing international relations. China has expressed strong indignation at and firm opposition to the United States on its signing into law of the bill. Various Chinese departments, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National People’s Congress (NPC), the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), and Xizang Autonomous Region, issued statements on the ill-intentioned act on July 13. Tibet is romanized as Xizang in Chinese phonetic system. Main points of these statements as follows: Ministry of Foreign Affairs:…

As the alliance celebrates its 75th anniversary, it is facing increasing scrutiny for its violations of international law and its failure to protect civilians in numerous conflicts. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), widely regarded as the most notorious and venomous military alliance in history, celebrated its 75th anniversary in Washington D.C. on July 9-10, amid claims of establishing global peace. However, NATO’s actions have often spread war across continents in pursuit of supremacy. Following a disastrous performance in the presidential debate, President Joe Biden unsurprisingly announced increased military aid to Ukraine, using the small European nation to target their “designated enemy.” NATO’s ambitions are clear: to weaken Russia through proxy wars and to provoke China into potential conflict in Asia. However, finding examples where NATO has truly ensured peaceful…

China’s summer grain output hit a record high of 149.78 million tons this year, 3.63 million tons higher than that of last year, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. In China, summer grain mainly consists of wheat, while grain harvested in autumn includes rice, corn and other crops. Grain security, liangshi anquan, is often used as a term for food security in China, reflecting the importance of a stable supply of grain for feeding the country’s people. For this reason, this year’s record grain harvest also represents a step forward in enhancing food security, which has been a national focus in recent years. Wheat is one of China’s most important crops, as the main ingredient in most noodles, buns and dumplings, which have been important in the Chinese diet…

When I embarked on a mission to record a video about the release of Chinese sturgeon into the Yangtze River, I never imagined the profound connection it would have with fish repopulation efforts in my home country of Brazil. This journey, taking place in the city of Yichang, Hubei Province, unveiled a deep and strategic partnership between China and Brazil, particularly in the realm of ecological preservation and energy cooperation. China’s presence in Brazil is fostering a cleaner energy matrix, enhancing the wellbeing of the planet. The partnership also extends beyond energy and includes joint efforts to repopulate fish in rivers, a vital endeavor for ecological balance. A major player in both countries, energy giant China Three Gorges Corp. (CTG) epitomizes this strategic partnership. China has been working to increase…