Press Review: Lushan Earthquake Coverage

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Links within blockquotes added during translation

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1. China News Service (中新网)

April 22, 2013

According to Sichuan Provincial Home Affairs Secretary’s website, the 7.0 earthquake of Ya’an City, Lushan County has so far affected 1.99 million people, killed 189, injured 12,211, and led to the evacuation of more than 608,000 people in the area of Ya’an City’s nineteen cities and administrative areas / 115 counties.
[...]

中新网4月22日电 据四川省民政厅网站消息，四川省雅安市芦山县7.0级地震目前已造成包括雅安在内的19个市州115个县199余万人受灾，189人遇难，12211人受伤，紧急转移60.8万余人。
[...]

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2. Ministry of Foreign Affairs

April 22, 2013

On the evening of April 22, State Chairman Xi Jinping had a telephone conversation with Russian president Putin.

2013年4月22日晚，国家主席习近平应约同俄罗斯总统普京通电话。

Putin once again offered his condolences on behalf of the Russian government and the Russian people, concerning the strong earthquake in Lushan, Sichuan Province. He said that at this difficult time, the Russian people stood firmly with the Chinese people and Russia wanted to provide all the help required. He believed that the Chinese government and the Chinese people would certainly overcome the difficulties and triumph over disaster. Whatever the difficulties, all the Russian people were the reliable friends of the Chinese people.

普京代表俄罗斯政府和人民，再次对中国四川芦山发生强烈地震致以深切慰问。他表示，值此困难时刻，俄罗斯人民坚定同中国人民站在一起，俄方愿为中方提供一切必要帮助。相信中国政府和人民一定能够克服困难，战胜灾害。无论遇到什么困难，俄罗斯人民都是中国人民的可靠朋友。

Xi Jinping said that the message of condolence Putin had sent on the day of the Lushan earthquake and his telephone call now to express deep condolences was something he valued highly. On behalf of the Chinese government and the Chinese people, he expressed sincere thanks to Putin.

习近平表示，普京总统在四川芦山发生地震当天就发来慰问电，现在又打来电话，表达深切慰问，我对此高度评价。我代表中国政府和人民，向你表示诚挚谢意。

Xi Jinping said that at times of trials and tribulation, truth could be found [another translation: a friend in need is a friend indeed].  Whenever major natural disasters occured in the two countries of China and Russia, both sides supported each other right away. This amply reflected the high standard of Sino-Russian relations and the fraternal relations between the two countries and peoples. China wanted to work with Russia at the earthquake relief and at the reconstruction afterwards.

习近平指出，患难见真情。每当中俄两国发生重大自然灾害时，双方都第一时间给予相互支持。这充分体现了中俄高水平的关系和两国人民的友好情谊。中方愿同俄方就抗震救灾及灾后重建保持密切沟通。

Explaining the post-disaster situation, Xi Jinping emphasized that the disaster relief work was carried out comphrehensively and orderly. The Chinese people were of one mind, fighting in a joint effort, and would certainly triumph over disaster,  rebuild their homes, and make the lives of the people in the disaster area better lives.

在介绍了地震灾情后，习近平强调，我们正在全面有序展开抗震救灾工作。中国人民同心同德、协力奋战，一定能够战胜灾害、重建家园，让灾区人民过上美好生活。

The two heads of state also exchanged views about bilateral relations. Xi Jinping said that the state visit he had recently made to Russia had achieved major results. China wanted to conscientiously implement the consensus and agreements reached by the two sides on the same path with Russia, and further deepen the comprehensive strategic cooperative relationship.

两国元首还就双边关系交换了意见。习近平表示，我不久前对俄罗斯进行的国事访问取得重大成果。中方愿同俄方一道，认真落实双方达成的各项共识和协议，进一步深化中俄全面战略协作伙伴关系。

Putin said that Xi Jinping’s state visit to Russia had been a complete success, that Russia would make all efforts to implement the results of the visit, and promote the rise of Russian-Chinese relations to a new level.

普京表示，习近平主席对俄罗斯的国事访问取得圆满成功，俄方将尽全力落实好访问成果，推动俄中关系迈上新台阶。

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3. Xinhua (via Shijiazhuang News Net)

April 20, 2013

Chief State Councillor Li Keqiang directed the earthquake relief work  from the scene of the epicenter at Lushan County, Longmen Township government square. He demanded that the road leading to Baoxing should be opened up again as quickly as possible, and close attention be paid to the rescue work.

新华网快讯：李克强总理在震中芦山县龙门乡政府广场现场指挥抗震救灾。他要求尽快打通通往宝兴的道路，抓紧救援。

[picture 1 showing Li on board of an aircraft, on the phone]

On April 20, on his way to Sichuan Li Keqiang held an emergency meeting to map out the earthquake relief work. After their arrival at the airport, Chief State Councillor Li Keqiang and his party boarded four helicopters to fly to the epicenter.  The picture shows Li Keqiang as he talks to Sichuan provincial party secretary Wang Dongming on the phone. (photo origin: Xinhua Viewpoint Weibo)

4月20日，在飞往四川途中，李克强总理召开紧急会议，部署抗震救灾工作。到达机场后，李克强总理一行分乘四架直升飞机，飞往震中。图为李克强与四川省委书记王东明通电话。（图片来源：新华视点微博）

[picture 2 showing Li on board of an aircraft, talking to what appears to be either a captain or a colonel]

On April 20, on his way to Sichuan Li Keqiang held an emergency meeting to [.....]. The picture shows Li Keqiang as he flies to the epicenter by helicopter. (photo origin: Xinhua Viewpoint Weibo)

4月20日，在飞往四川途中，李克强总理召开紧急会议，部署抗震救灾工作。到达机场后，李克强总理一行分乘四架直升飞机，飞往震中。图为李克强乘直升飞机前往震中。（图片来源：新华视点微博）

[picture 3 showing Li on board an aircraft, being shown a map]

After their arrival at the airport, Chief State Councillor Li Keqiang and his party boarded four helicopters to fly to the epicenter.  (photo origin: Xinhua Viewpoint Weibo)

4月20日，在飞往四川途中，李克强总理召开紧急会议，部署抗震救灾工作。到达机场后，李克强总理一行分乘四架直升飞机，飞往震中。图为李克强乘直升飞机前往震中。（图片来源：新华视点微博）

[picture 4 showing Li on board an aircraft, pointing at the map]

On April 20, on his way to Sichuan Li Keqiang held an emergency meeting to map out the earthquake relief work. After their arrival at the airport, Chief State Councillor Li Keqiang and his party boarded four helicopters to fly to the epicenter.  (photo origin: Xinhua Viewpoint Weibo)

4月20日，在飞往四川途中，李克强总理召开紧急会议，部署抗震救灾工作。到达机场后，李克强总理一行分乘四架直升飞机，飞往震中。图为李克强乘直升飞机前往震中。（图片来源：新华视点微博）

[picture 5, showing Li and staff meditating on a map]

Member of the Standing Committee of the Politburo and Chief State Councillor Li Keqiang left Beijing by plane on April 20 at 13:15 to fly to the Ya’An earthquake disaster area in Sichuan to direct the earthquake relief work. (photo origin: Xinhua Viewpoint Weibo)

中共中央政治局常委、国务院总理李克强4月20日13时15分从北京乘飞机前往四川雅安地震灾区，指导抗震救灾工作。（图片来源：新华视点微博）

[picture 6, showing Li and at least three staff putting their fingers on a map]

Member of the Standing Committee of the Politburo and Chief State Councillor Li Keqiang left Beijing by plane on April 20 at 13:15 to fly to the Ya’An earthquake disaster area in Sichuan to direct the earthquake relief work. (photo origin: Xinhua Viewpoint Weibo)

中共中央政治局常委、国务院总理李克强4月20日13时15分从北京乘飞机前往四川雅安地震灾区，指导抗震救灾工作。（图片来源：新华视点微博）

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Related

» 温家宝抵达成都, Enorth, May 12, 2008

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Xi Jinping’s Speech on Sunday: China Towering, but Development remains Overriding Ideology

Both an important speech (重要讲话) itself and the Chinese press coverage are part of the same decoration team, aiming at not only creating a verbal message, but an atmosphere, too. Newly elected state chairman Xi Jinping‘s speech on Sunday was no exception.

Today, our People’s Republic stands towering in the East of the world.

今天，我们的人民共和国正以昂扬的姿态屹立在世界东方。

Comrade Hu Jintao held the post of state chairman for ten years, and with a wealth of political wisdom, excellent leadership qualities, assiduous work spirit, did outstanding deeds to uphold and develop socialism with Chinese characteristics, won the love and support from all the nationalities of China and the international community’s universal praise. We express our sincere gratitude and greatest respect to Comrade Hu Jintao!

胡锦涛同志担任国家主席10年间，以丰富的政治智慧、高超的领导才能、勤勉的工作精神，为坚持和发展中国特色社会主义建立了卓越的功勋，赢得了全国各族人民衷心爱戴和国际社会普遍赞誉。我们向胡锦涛同志，表示衷心的感谢和崇高的敬意！

Approving the predecessors: vote on last year’s government work report et al.
Click photo for CCTV coverage.

No need to repeat oneself. In Xinhua newsagency’s coverage, it is Xi Jinping himself who stands towering:

Wearing a dark-blue suit and a red tie, the membership hanging on his chest, Xi Jinping, tall of stature, stood smiling, calmly and self-confident. His voice clear, bright and vigorous, looking frank and honest, resolute and steadfast, he revealed the power of stirring people to action.

身着深色西装，佩带红色领带，胸挂出席证，身材高大的习近平微笑站立，从容自信。清朗而浑厚的声音，坦诚而刚毅的目光，透出激奋人心的力量。

“To achieve the construction of a moderately prosperous society, and the goal of a strong and prosperous, democratic and civilized, harmonious socialist modern motherland, to achieve the Chinese dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, this means achieving modern national prosperity and strength, vigorous national revitalization, and the happiness of the people …”

“实现全面建成小康社会、建成富强民主文明和谐的社会主义现代化国家的奋斗目标，实现中华民族伟大复兴的中国梦，就是要实现国家富强、民族振兴、人民幸福……”

Witnessed by the Great Hall of the People, under the stars of its dome, under surges of applause, Xi Jinping firmly said:

人民大会堂见证，在繁星点点的穹顶下，在如潮涌动的掌声中，习近平坚定表示：

To bring about the Chinese dream, we must take the Chinese road.
To bring about the Chinese dream, we must advance the Chinese spirit.
To bring about the Chinese dream we must cohere Chinese power.

——实现中国梦必须走中国道路。

——实现中国梦必须弘扬中国精神。

——实现中国梦必须凝聚中国力量。

This is the duty the leaders of the People’s Republic of China take for the motherland, the people: we must never be complacent, we must never be sluggish, we must make persistent efforts, advance boldly, continue to push forward the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and continue to struggle for the achievement of the Chinese dream of China’s great rejuvenation.

这是共和国领导者对祖国、对人民的情怀和担当：我们不能有丝毫自满，不能有丝毫懈怠，必须再接再厉、一往无前，继续把中国特色社会主义事业推向前进，继续为实现中华民族伟大复兴的中国梦而努力奋斗。

This is our promise to the people: The Chinese dream is, after all, the dream of the Chinese people, it must firmly rely on the people to achieve it, it must continuously bring benefit for the people.

这是对民族的承诺：“中国梦归根到底是人民的梦，必须紧紧依靠人民来实现，必须不断为人民造福。”

That much from the Xinhua report, and back to the actual speech:

development remains the overriding (or absolute) strategic ideology (我们要坚持发展是硬道理的战略思想), said Xi, thus quoting “Deng Xiaoping theory”, but added that the fruits from development should benefit the entire people in a fairer way – and that China was still in “the first stage of socialism”.¹⁾

Taiwan didn’t escape a mention either²⁾:

Numerous Taiwanese compatriots and mainland compatriots join hands and support, maintain and promote cross-strait relations and peaceful development, enhance the happiness and benefit of compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, jointly set up the new and further prospects of the Chinese nation. Numerous overseas Chinese want to make contributions to carry forward the Chinese nation’s the fine, diligent and kind Chinese tradition, and work diligently to advance the motherlands development, to promote the Chinese people’s and local people’s friendship.

广大台湾同胞和大陆同胞要携起手来，支持、维护、推动两岸关系和平发展，增进两岸同胞福祉，共同开创中华民族新的前程。广大海外侨胞，要弘扬中华民族勤劳善良的优良传统，努力为促进祖国发展、促进中国人民同当地人民的友谊作出贡献。

The Chinese people love peace. We will hold the banner of peace, development, cooperation and win-win high, we won’t change our road of peaceful development, we won’t change the strategy of mutual benefit and opening up, we will make efforts to cooperate friendly with all the countries of the world, fulfill our international responsibilities and duties, continue to work with all people in all countries to advance the lofty cause of humankind’s peace and development.

中国人民爱好和平。我们将高举和平、发展、合作、共赢的旗帜，始终不渝走和平发展道路，始终不渝奉行互利共赢的开放战略，致力于同世界各国发展友好合作，履行应尽的国际责任和义务，继续同各国人民一道推进人类和平与发展的崇高事业。

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Notes

¹⁾ 31 members of the 12th National People’s Congress (NPC) are farmers-turned migrant workers, China Radio International (CRI) reported on Sunday. That number was a tenfold increase from the 11th NPC. But they are hardly a match to the 90 NPC members who appear to be worth at least 1.8 billion Yuan (The Economist, March 16, 2013, page 53).
²⁾ Stability in Hong Kong and Macau was an issue addressed by Xi, too. One day later, on March 18, Xi reminded visiting Hong Kong chief executive Leung Chun-ying that implementation was the key to the chief executive’s vision of “seeking change while maintaining stability” in Hong Kong.
“I’m not an idiot either”, replied Leung. (No, Leung said no such thing. This is just a malicious rumor, courtesy of JR.)

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Related

» Nods to Public Concerns, NY Times, March 14, 2013
» Delegates make Difference, March 6, 2009

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Generosity and Truthfulness: 12th CPPCC 1rst Session opens in Beijing

The first Session of the 12th Chinese “Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference” (CPPCC, 中国人民政治协商会议) opened in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing at 7 a.m. GMT this morning, reports the BBC‘s Mandarin service. Member of the permanent committee of the politburo Yu Zhengsheng presides (正声将), and outgoing chairman Jia Qinglin (贾庆林) delivered his last work report. Yu Zhengsheng, formerly party secretary in Shanghai, is expected to succeed Jia Qinglin as CPPCC chairman. The BBC’s reporter Sha Lei (沙磊, apparently John Sudworth) as saying that some measures had been taken to reflect new CCP secretary general Xi Jinping‘s emphasis on thriftiness during the CPPCC sesson as well as during the “National People’s Congress” session which takes place simultaneously. Among other things, less roads than during previous CPPCC and NPC meetings are expected to be sealed off. The BBC also refers to a People’s Daily editorial published on Sunday.

Sohu republished the editorial from People’s Daily, also on Sunday. People’s Daily’s editorial headline  was unity is strength, only democracy is vitality. Sohu’s version carries To govern, the party needs to be generous; CPPCC delegates need to speak the truth as the headline.

Some of the editorial’s remarks are actually Xi Jinping quotes, possibly made on several occasions, but certainly on February 6, when meeting people from all democratic parties’ central committees, old and new leaders from the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, and personalities without party membership to celebrate Spring Festival together.

People’s Daily online Sohu also displays emoticons for readers to express their feelings, but during the past six or seven hours, only 24 netizens (apparently) cared to “vote”.

The Feelings of the Masses

On Sohu, a netizen (If I’m translating the emotes correctly) may choose to be moved (感动 – 0), surprised (惊讶 – 9), in awe/supportive? (给力 – 8), mad (抓狂 – 4), or pondering (思考 – 3).

However, more than two-thousand comments appear to have been made, and those found on the latest page are either supportive, or stating conventional words of wisdom about generosity and truthfulness.

Stock Taking: Old Cadres and active Dangwais

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1. Visiting

Xinhua — February 7, 19:49 local time.

On the eve of Spring Festival, party and state leaders have themselves separately visited or assigned comrades to visit Jiang Zemin (江泽民), Li Peng (李鹏), Wan Li (万里), Qiao Shi (乔石), Zhu Rongji (朱镕基), Li Ruihuan (李瑞环), Song Ping (宋平), Wei Jianxing (尉健行), Li Lanqing (李岚清), Zeng Qinghong (曾庆红), Wu Guanzheng (吴官正), Li Changchun (李长春), Luo Gan (罗干), He Guoqiang (贺国强), Zhou Yongkang (周永康) and Zhang Jinfu (张劲夫), Zheng Tianxiang (郑天翔), Liu Fuzhi (刘复之), Tian Jiyun (田纪云), Chi Haotian (迟浩田), Zhang Wannian (张万年), Jiang Chunyun (姜春云), Qian Qichen (钱其琛), Wang Lequan (王乐泉), Liu Qi (刘淇), Wu Yi (吴仪), Cao Gangchuan (曹刚川), Zeng Peiyan (曾培炎), Wang Hanbin (王汉斌), Zhang Zhen (张震), He Yong (何勇), Ni Zhifu (倪志福), Wang Bingqian (王丙乾), Zou Jiahua (邹家华), Wang Guangying (王光英), Bu He (布赫), Tiemu’er Dawamaiti (铁木尔·达瓦买提), Peng Peiyun (彭珮云), Zhou Guangzhao (周光召), Cao Zhi (曹志), Li Tieying (李铁映), Simayi Aimaiti (司马义·艾买提), He Luli (何鲁丽), Ding Shisun (丁石孙), Cheng Siwei (成思危), Xu Jialu (许嘉璐), Jiang Zhenghua (蒋正华), Gu Xiulian (顾秀莲), Re Di (热地), Sheng Huaren (盛华仁), Tang Jiaxuan (唐家璇), Xiao Yang (肖扬), Han Zhubin (韩杼滨), Jia Chunwang (贾春旺), Ye Xuanping (叶选平), Yang Rudai (杨汝岱), Ren Jianxin (任建新), Song Jian (宋健), Qian Zhengying (钱正英), Sun Fuling (孙孚凌), Wan Guoquan (万国权), Hu Qili (胡启立), Chen Jinhua (陈锦华), Zhao Nanqi (赵南起), Mao Zhiyong (毛致用), Wang Wenyuan (王文元), Wang Zhongyu (王忠禹), Li Guixian (李贵鲜), Zhang Siqing (张思卿), Luo Haocai (罗豪才), Zhang Kehui (张克辉), Hao Jianxiu (郝建秀), Xu Kuangdi (徐匡迪), Zhang Huaixi (张怀西), Li Meng (李蒙), Deng Liqun (邓力群) and other comrades, offered their sincere [cordial] holiday greetings, sincerely wish the old comrades a happy Spring Festival, health, and a long life.

新华网北京２月７日电 春节前夕，党和国家领导人分别看望或委托有关方面负责同志看望了江泽民、李鹏、万里、乔石、朱镕基、李瑞环、宋平、尉健行、李岚清、曾庆红、吴官正、李长春、罗干、贺国强、周永康和张劲夫、郑天翔、刘复之、田纪云、迟浩田、张万年、姜春云、钱其琛、王乐泉、刘淇、吴仪、曹刚川、曾培炎、王汉斌、张震、何勇、倪志福、王丙乾、邹家华、王光英、布赫、铁木尔·达瓦买提、彭珮云、周光召、曹志、李铁映、司马义·艾买提、何鲁丽、丁石孙、成思危、许嘉璐、蒋正华、顾秀莲、热地、盛华仁、唐家璇、肖扬、韩杼滨、贾春旺、叶选平、杨汝岱、任建新、宋健、钱正英、孙孚凌、万国权、胡启立、陈锦华、赵南起、毛致用、王文元、王忠禹、李贵鲜、张思卿、罗豪才、张克辉、郝建秀、徐匡迪、张怀西、李蒙、邓力群等老同志，向老同志们致以亲切的节日问候，衷心祝愿老同志们新春愉快、健康长寿。

Pronunciation problems? Speak after Kang Hui! (click picture for news recording.)

The old comrades expressed their thanks and their hope that the entire party, the entire state, and all nationalities would be closely united around Comrade Xi Jinping as the secretary general of the central committee of the CCP, that they would hold high the great banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics, that they would liberate their thinking, unswergingly stay on the road of socialism with Chinese characteristics by [carrying on with] reform and opening up, by chohesion cohesion of forces to overcome difficulties, all under the guidance of the Deng Xiaoping Theories, the important ideology [or thought] of the “Three Represents”, and the concept of scientific development, to achieve the tasks issued by the party’s 18th national congress, to comprehensively build a moderately prosperous society.

老同志们对此表示感谢，希望全党全国各族人民紧密团结在以习近平同志为总书记的党中央周围，高举中国特色社会主义伟大旗帜，以邓小平理论、“三个代表”重要思想、科学发展观为指导，解放思想，改革开放，凝聚力量，攻坚克难，坚定不移沿着中国特色社会主义道路前进，为实现党的十八大提出的各项任务、全面建成小康社会而奋斗。

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2. Regrets Only

Xinhua — February 2, February 8, reporter Zhang Shuo.

On February 6, Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, Yu Zhengsheng and others gathered at Zhongnanhai with non-party members  to celebrate Spring Festival together. On the eve of the traditional Spring Festival holidays of the Chinese people, CCP central committee secretary general and central military commission chairman Xi Jinping invited people from all democratic parties’ central committees, old and new leaders from the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, and personalities without party membership to gather at Zhongnanhai on Wednesday afternoon to welcome Spring Festival together. On behalf of the central committee of the CCP, he expressed sincere greetings and holiday wishes to all democratic parties, the Federation of Industry and Commerce and to personalities without party membership, and to the broad membership of the United Front.

2月6日，习近平、李克强、俞正声等在中南海同党外人士欢聚一堂，共迎新春。

[.....]

本报北京２月７日电 （记者张烁）在中国人民的传统节日春节即将到来之际，中共中央总书记、中共中央军委主席习近平２月６日下午在中南海邀请各民主党派中央、全国工商联新老领 导人和无党派人士代表欢聚一堂，共迎新春。他代表中共中央，向各民主党派、工商联和无党派人士，向统一战线广大成员，致以诚挚的问候和新春的祝福。

CCP politburo standing committee member and deputy chief state councillor Li Keqiang, politburo standing committee member Yu Zhengsheng, CCP politburo member and General Office of the Communist Party of China director Li Zhanshu attended.

中共中央政治局常委、国务院副总理李克强，中共中央政治局常委俞正声，中共中央政治局委员、中央办公厅主任栗战书出席。

Revolutionary Committee of the Kuomintang central committee chairman Wan Exiang, China Democratic League central committee chairman Zhang Baowen, China Democratic National Construction Association central committee chairman Chen Changzhi, China Association for Promoting Democracy central committee chairman Yan Juanqi, Chinese Peasants’ and Workers’ Democratic Party central committee chairman Chen Zhu, and China Zhi Gong Party central committee chairman Wan Gang, Jiusan Society central committee chairman Han Qide, Taiwan Democratic Self-Government League central committee chairman Lin Wenyi, All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce chairman Wang Qinmin, non-party-membership personalities’ representative Lin Yifu and others followed the invitation.

民革中央主席万鄂湘、民盟中央主席张宝文、民建中央主席陈昌智、民进中央主席严隽琪、农工党中央主席陈竺、致公党中央主席万钢、九三学社中央主席韩启德、台盟中央主席林文漪、全国工商联主席王钦敏、无党派人士代表林毅夫等应邀出席。

Yan Junqi spoke for the democratic parties, the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, and for the personalities without party membership. She said that the year that had just passed had been a journey with important meaning, the CCP’s 18th national congress had clearly stated the general basis of socialism with Chinese characteristics, the general layout, and the general tasks. [...]

严隽琪代表各民主党派、全国工商联和无党派人士致辞。她表示，刚刚过去的一年在我国发展征程上具有极其重要的意义，中共十八大明确了中国特色社会主义的总依据、总布局、总任务。 [.....]

[...]

Xi Jinping pointed out that democratic supervision needed to be strengthened further. The CCP needed to accomodate sharp criticism and accept valid criticism  (有则改之、无则加勉). People without CCP membership should have the courage to speak the truth, including bitter truths, Authentically reflect the aspirations of the masses, and speak their minds without reservation. He hoped that the comrades would actively build on counsel and criticism, as this would help us to investigate problems, analyse problems, solve problems, and help us to overcome work shortcomings. All CCP levels needed to take the initiative to accept and sincerely welcome the supervision from democratic parties and non-party-membership personalities, practically improve their work styles, continuously improve their working levels.

[Following emphasis (bold characters) by Xinhua/source]

习近平指出，要继续加强民主监督。对中国共产党而言，要容得下尖锐批评，做到有则改之、无则加勉；对党外人士而言，要敢于讲真话，敢于讲逆耳之言，真实反映群众心声，做到知无不言、言无不尽。希望同志们积极建诤言、作批评，帮助我们查找问题、分析问题、解决问题，帮助我们克服工作中的不足。中共各级党委要主动接受、真心欢迎民主党派和无党派人士监督，切实改进工作作风，不断提高工作水平。

People in charge at all democratic parties’ central committees, the All China ———– and departments responsible attended the activity.

各民主党派中央、全国工商联有关负责人及中央有关部门负责人参加活动。 ____________

Related

» Learning Chinese with the CCP, Jan 31, 2011
» Unbelievable Justice, Sept 12, 2009

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Rising China, Rotten Diplomacy: No Game-Changer in Sight

Chinese leaders established a China Public Diplomacy Association in Beijing on December 31 last year. English-language party mouthpiece China Daily carried a news article on page 4 one day later, either because of the expected importance the new organization might carry, or because of the relative prominence of at least two participants in the event, foreign minister Yang Jiechi (杨洁篪) and former foreign minister Li Zhaoxing (李肇星, now chairman of the National People’s Congress foreign affairs committee).

What strikes me in the article is that Yang Jiechi isn’t his own party boss in the foreign ministry. His vice minister, Zhang Zhijun, is. Wu Bangguo on the other hand  is both chairman and party secretary of the National People’s Congress (see notes underneath that post). Not sure how many ministers (if any) double as minister and their ministry’s party secretaries. At the ministry of health, it is also the vice minister who doubles as party secretary, while at the ministry of culture, the minister takes both the state and the party function. Minister of Public Security, Guo Shengkun, also doubles in both functions. He took both the positions in December.

Does this indicate something about Yang Jiechi, or about the importance of his job as foreign minister – i. e. the importance of irrelevance of diplomacy? Not necessarily. But there are other indicators, too. Yang wasn’t even a member of the 17th politbureau (let alone its standing committee). Late in November, in an article for CNN, Linda Jakobson pointed out that the power status of diplomacy within the Chinese leadership was unlikely to rise.

So, one shouldn’t expect the China Public Diplomacy Association to become a game-changer. It’s nice for the (public) diplomats that the 18th National Congress – referred to by Yang Jiechi as quoted within the article translated below – gave public diplomacy a mention in its report. But if that’s something to celebrate, it sheds a sad light on the discipline as a whole. No wonder that Zhao Qizheng, director of the CPPCCs foreign affairs committee, longs for the good old days of Zhou Enlai‘s “convivial diplomacy” (official, semi-official and people-to-people diplomacy). Zhou, after all, was a member of the politburo’s standing committee – and for the first nine years after the establishment of the PRC, he was also its foreign minister. In the 1970s, foreign relations were still a job for the top, and in February 1979, Deng Xiaoping celebrated the improving Sino-American relations with an attack on Vietnam.

We probably have to see the inaugural session of the China Public Diplomacy Association in the light of those glory days – it’s a contrast that doesn’t make either official or unofficial diplomacy look important these days.

Maybe the new situation, frequently mentioned by Yang in his congratulatory speech, is just that situation. But then again, maybe not.

Form your own opinion if you can.

Source:
Committee for Friendship with Foreign Countries of Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference Shanghai Committee, January 8, 2013.

Main Link: Tell China’s story well, let China’s voice be heard. China Public Diplomacy Association established, Zhou Taitong attends. (讲好中国故事 发好中国声音 中国公共外交协会成立 周太彤出席)

On December 31, 2012, the China Public Diplomacy Association inaugural meeting was held at Diaoyutai Guest House, with foreign minister Yang Jiechi, foreign ministry party secretary and vice minister Zhang Zhijun and other leaders participating and unveiling the association’s nameplate. Shanghai Municipal People’s Consultative Conference vice chairman and Shanghai Public Diplomacy Association’s vice director Zhou Taitong represented Shanghai’ Public Diplomacy Association at the meeting.

2012年12月31日，中国公共外交协会成立大会在北京钓鱼台国宾馆举行，外交部部长杨洁篪，外交部党组书记、副部长张志军等领导出席并为协会揭牌。上海市政协副主席、上海公共外交协会副会长周太彤代表上海公共外交协会出席会议。

At this first general assembly, the “China Public Diplomacy Association charter (draft) was passed, National People’s Congress foreign affairs committee chairman and former foreign minister Comrade Li Zhaoxing was elected as the association’s first president. [1] Former ambassador to Britain and to the Council on Security Cooperation in Asia and Pacific Region Ma Zhengang; [2] China Museums Association deputy director, China Council for the Promotion of Peaceful National Reunification director, and [3] Central Research Institute of Culture and History staff member Comrade Shu Yi were elected as deputy presidents, and China Institute of International Studies fellow Song Ronghua was elected secretary-general.

在协会召开的第一次会员大会，通过了《中国公共外交协会章程（草案）》，选举全国人大外事委员会主任委员、前外交部长李肇星同志为首任会长，选举中国前驻英国大使、亚太安全合作理事会中国委员会会长马振岗、中国博物馆学会副会长、中国和平统一促进会理事、中央文史研究馆馆员舒乙同志为副会长，中国国际问题研究所研究员宋荣华为秘书长。

Minister Yang Jiechi delivered the congratulatory speech. He pointed out that public diplomacy, in a new situation, is an objective requirement for perfecting the design of our country’s diplomacy, and important in broadening our country’s diplomatic work. The 18th National Congress report says that “we must sturdily promote public diplomacy and cultural exchanges”. This exacts higher demands on the promotion of public diplomacy under the new situation. In the new situation, promoting public diplomacy and cultural exchanges means putting efforts into mutual knowledge between China and the world, deepening China’s relations with the world, as well as promoting China’s and the world’s benign interaction and common development. We must develop and expand equality and mutual trust, be tolerant of each other and learn from each other in the spirit of win-win cooperation, we must strengthen dialog and exchange with the peoples of the world, promote mutual understanding, trust, friendship, and cooperation. Developing public diplomacy requires ample use of resources from all walks of life and bringing all factors from society into play. We hope that the China Public Diplomacy Association will carry out and implement the spirit of the 18th National Congress, make major contributions to the cause of China’s public diplomacy, and build fine foundations for the public-opinion environment and the will of the people.

杨洁篪部长在会上致贺辞。指出，公共外交是新形势下完善我国外交布局的客观要求，是我国外交工作的重要开拓方向。党的十八大报告提出，“我们将扎实推进公共外交和人文交流。”对新形势下推进公共外交提出了更高要求。新形势下，推进公共外交和人文交流，就是要着力促进中国与世界的相互认知，深化中国同世界的关系，推动中国与世界的良性互动和共同发展。我们要大力弘扬平等互信、包容互鉴、合作共赢的精神，加强同世界各国人民的对话交流，促进相互了解、信任、友谊与合作。开展公共外交需要充分利用各界资源，发挥全社会的作用，希望中国公共外交协会认真贯彻落实党的十八大精神，为推进中国公共外交事业做出重要贡献，为国家发展和外交工作营造良好的舆论环境和民意基础。

Yang Jiechi emphasized that public diplomacy absolutely needed innovating ways and means, strengthened communication and exchanges with the masses, it needed to draw on the wisdom and the will of the people, domestic and foreign coordination, wholistic planning of the overall domestic and foreign situations, it needed to tell China’s story well and let China’s voice be heard, it needed to explain a real China to the world, and to establish a just and comprehensive view of China.

杨洁篪强调，一定要创新公共外交方式方法，加强对民众的沟通与交流，汲取民智和民意，国内国外相互配合，统筹国内国外两个大局，讲好中国故事，发好中国声音，把一个真实的中国介绍给世界，树立公正全面的中国观。

____________

Related

» Destined to Fail, The Diplomat, January 7, 2013
» A related discussion, Peking Duck, Jan 7, 2013

____________

Going to the Grassroots to See the Changes: Enorth (Tianjin) Welcomes the CCP’s 18th National Congress

Links within blockquotes added during translation. The original article also contains some links, but the pictures linked to don’t appear to load – JR

Enorth (Tianjin), October 31, 2012 —

Editors note: to welcome the Party’s 18th National Congress, to display the results of Tianjin’s persistent work of creating happier lives and a good future, and to display the scientific implementation of economic and social life, especially the lives of the common people, Enorth launches “Welcoming the Party’s Eighteenth National Congress – Going to the Grassroots to Report the Changes”, to bring into play the characteristics of the internet, to look at Tianjin’s development and to discover the individual changes from the perspective of Enorth’s many netizens. Today, we publish “Small Cameras Record the Changes in Binhai Village”.

编者按：为迎接党的十八大，展示天津为创造幸福生活和美好未来而不懈努力的成果，展示把科学发展观贯彻落实到经济社会，特别是百姓生活的方方面面，北方网特推出《喜迎十八大——走基层看转变系列报道》，发挥网络特色，通过北方网众多网友的角度，看天津发展，晒身边变化。今天刊发：《小相机纪录滨海乡村大变化》。

Enorth News: “This is Dagang‘s agri-touristical project, this is the newly-established wetlands park project – you can see how well our new village project is going …” Browsing his own photographs on the Enorth Forum, Wu Zongyu is thrilled, continuously sighing to the reporter with emotion. “With such rapid development of my hometown, even I, coming from this place myself, feel amazed.”

天津北方网讯:“这是大港的农业旅游项目、这是新建成的湿地公园……看我们新农村建设的多好……”浏览着自己在北方网论坛发表的摄影作品，吴宗禹内心里激动不已，向记者连连感慨：“家乡发展速度之快，连我这个自家人都觉得了不起。”

Fourty-year-old Wu Zogyu is a native from Binhai New District, Dagang, Taiping Village. A year ago, he and one of his colleagues uploaded photos of fresh flowers to Enorth’s forum, and were showered with praise. After so much encouragement, he fell in love with photography and sharing his joy and his works with others on the forum. Therefore, Wu Zongyu bought a micro camera online and started a website with the romantic and canorous name “Grass-Green cqq”.

今年40岁的吴宗禹土生土长在滨海新区大港太平村。一年前，他和同事拍摄鲜花在北方论坛上发表，好评如潮。看到自己的作品被这么多人鼓励，吴宗禹从此爱上了摄影，爱上了在论坛里和网友分享作品的快乐。为此，吴宗禹还特意在网上买了一台微单相机，并起了一个浪漫而又好听的名字“草青青cqq”。

Currently, Wu is very active in the forum, ever since registering late last year, he has published more than 100 photo posts, becoming Enorth Forum’s “news eye internet reporter”.

如今，吴宗禹在论坛里十分活跃，从去年年底注册到现在，已经发表100多个图文并茂的帖子，成为北方网论坛《拍客新闻眼》的“资深网友记者”。

However, Wu Zongyu only humbly tells the reporter: “In fact, I just want to show the “new village” in my heart to everyone, to let more people know how happy our lives are…”

[A set of photos]

Subtitle:
Old Memories, New Village

“My hometown was handed over to Tianjin from Heibei Province and belongs to Tianjin’s outlying districts. Therefore, the folk customs of some of the elderly remain intact, especially during spring festival. People say that these older people are slowly ebbing out. But I believe that this is part of our intangible assets, and should be preserved and be passed on.

“我的老家与河北省交接，属于天津的边远地区，因此，老家的一些民俗至今保留的还算完整，尤其是过年的时候。有人说，这些老例儿应该慢慢取消。可我觉得这应该是我们的一种无形的财富，应该保留下来。“

Most of Wu’s works reflect life in his hometown, this land’s folk customs, changes, and development. This has become his greatest joy.

吴宗禹大部分作品都是在反映自己的家乡，纪录这片土地上的民俗、变化、发展成为他最大的乐趣。

“Look, this was during spring festival, a photo of the villagers coming together. It is in fact very different from past spring festivals”, Wu says. “In the past, people on a picture were formal, but now, such a scene shows the real feeling of spring festival and keeps the fun of the occasion [on picture]. That’s no small thing when walking across a market.

“你看，这是过年时，村民赶大集的照片，实际上跟过去有了很大不同。”吴宗禹说：“过去人们赶集是刚性需求，而现在就是为了体验过年的味道，还留恋着过去那会儿热闹劲儿，这跟逛超市可不是一个概念。”

And this is the integrated metropolitan farm in Dagang, the “Four Seasons Idyllic Countryside” ecological park. It will open soon, providing tourism, eating and drinking, pasttime etc. services. How could the village attract any tourists in the past, as a remote backwater place, not to mention the recreational benefits it now provides…

“你看，这是我们大港综合型现代都市农庄‘四季田园’生态园，现在马上就要建好开放了，可以给市民提供旅游、餐饮、休闲等服务。要在过去，这农村哪能吸引来什么游客啊，穷乡僻壤的地方，更别提休闲娱乐了……”

“Look at this one, this is the aircraft factory built by the Dagang villagers. Looking at this plane, you might find it dumbfounding that villagers can do something related to aircraft, this is our party’s and our state’s strengthened development, with good policies, and that’s the life of us villagers nowadays.” Saying this, Wu Zongyu is very proud.

“你再看看这个，这是我们大港农民自己建的飞机厂，看到这些飞机，我都傻眼了，怎么想象到农民自己能干和飞机相关的事情，这都是我们党和国家发展壮大了，政策好了，才有我们农民的今天。”说起这些，吴宗禹自豪极了。

[Another set of photos - two pictures related to the four paragraphs above]

Subtitle:
Happiness is a home, possessions, and a husband or wife
幸福是老窝儿+老底儿+老伴儿

Talking about life today, Wu Zongyu emotionally tells the reporter that he grew up with four brothers in a small home. Life was very hard, and often, having had a meal, they hardly knew where the next meal would come from. Now it was different. He bought himself a car, lives in a tower block, and his brothers all have a flat as well.

谈起现在的生活，吴宗禹感慨地告诉记者，他从小家里哥四个一起长大，生活非常艰苦，常常是吃了上顿没下顿。可现在条件好了，自己买了汽车，还住上了楼房，而且兄弟中有的还不止一套房。

A few days ago, on CCTV, after he had watched an interview titled “Are you Happy”, he had his own understanding of happiness: “Happiness is a feeling, it’s when you compare with your own past, in the old days, [unsure about the following lines' meaning - JR], everyone had to plan, but it was mostly colorless. If you were poor or rich, as long as you lived your life safely and down-to-earth, happiness was in contentment. To use my mother’s words: ‘As long as there’s a home, possessions, and a husband, as long as there’s your family, economic security, and when parents, wife and children are in good health, isn’t this happiness?’”

前几天，他看见中央电视台随机采访“你幸福吗？”后，也有自己对“幸福”的理解。他认为：“幸福是一种感觉，是和自己的过去比，过日子谁都想好，可大多都是平平淡淡的，穷过也好，富过也好，只要过的平安、踏实就好，应该知足常乐。借用母亲的话来说，就是‘老窝儿+老底儿+老伴儿’，有自己的家，还有经济保障，父母妻儿身体健健康康，这不就是幸福吗？”

Watching Wu Zongyu’s photos, the reporter felt warmth. Different from many landscape photos, Wu Zongyu’s photos exude an air of real life, village customs, changes, and new achievements, containing simple villagers enjoyment and appreciation, and also their expectations and prayers for a beautiful future life. Setting out from small topics, his photos really embody Binhai New Area’s achievements from development and opening up.

看着吴宗禹展示的照片，记者心里暖洋洋的。与很多风景照片不同，吴宗禹的照片总是散发着浓浓的生活气息，这些反应农村民俗、新变化、新成果的照片，既蕴含着朴实的农村人对现有生活的享受和珍惜，同时也蕴含着他们对未来美好生活的祈盼。他的照片恰恰从一个细小的主题出发，体现了滨海新区开发开放的成果。

These days, Wu Zongyu’s lense ebulliently captures Dagang’s changes on each passing day. He says he hopes that his hometown will develop better and better, will let more people come to Dagang to feel this spirit, and he hopes that there will always be people to cultivate this land, and constantly reaping the fruits.

如今，吴宗禹镜头中的大港变化日新月异、朝气蓬勃。他说，希望家乡发展越来越好，让更多的人们走进大港，感受这里蓬勃的朝气，也希望这片土地上不断地有人去耕种，不断地结果。

(Fu Wenchao reporting.)
(记者付文超)

____________

Related

» Internet Information Office meeting, Oct 26, 2012
» Improvement among Minors, Sep 12, 2012
» Beautiful Melodies, Nov 14, 2011

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CCP opens National Congress Newscenter

Enorth (Tianjin) / Xinhua Net, November 1, 2012 —

To enable journalists to obtain information from the parties concerned, the Chinese Communist Party Eighteenth National Conference news center website is going to open on November 1 (http://www.cpcnews.cn).

记者从有关方面获悉，中国共产党第十八次全国代表大会新闻中心网站

Reportedly, the news center will timely publish the Conference’s agendas, trends, communiqués, notifications etc. in Chinese and English, for Chinese and foreign journalists and for readers at home and abroad, concerning news about the CCP’s Eighteenth National Congress, and background information material about the National Congress’ previous sessions, the party’s theoretical knowledge, etc..

据悉，十八大新闻中心网站将及时发布大会的各项议程、动态、公告、通知等，用中、英文为中外记者和国内外读者提供有关中国共产党第十八次全国代表大会的信息，提供历次党代会的背景资料、党的理论知识等。

____________

Related

» Online Publicity Work, Oct 26, 2012
» Outweighing Mount Taishan, Aug 14, 2012

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Gangnam Style in Recent History

-
Some 40 years ago.

(click picture for video)

The real revolutionary opera is here. It’s become a popular target for all kinds of re-mixes online, even before the gangnam hype.