Radio Taiwan International’s annual Tamsui transmissions

Radio Taiwan International (RTI) continues its tradition of annual direct transmissions on shortwave from Taiwan. RTI’s German service has activated frequencies from Taiwan since 2011 or earlier, and its French service joined in 2022.

Tamsui launch, RTI French service’s 2022 QSL card

Just as last year, the German service broadcast from Tamsui station in northwestern Taiwan on the weekends of July, Fridays through Sundays, and the French service is currently running its direct transmissions on the same weekdays of August.

Times and frequencies

11995 kHz from 17 to 18 hours GMT (or 18 to 19 hours in Algeria and 19 to 20 hours in France), and 9545 kHz from 18 to 19 hours GMT.

Observations

I listened to the French transmissions last weekend, on 9545 kHz on August 4, from 18:00 to 18:24 GMT, and on 11995 kHz on August 5, from 18:00 to 19:00 GMT. These broadcasts didn’t create quite the radio feeling the German programs did in July, and the reason was that there was no music played between the different program items in French. The German service threw in a few songs by Teresa Teng, and played songs by Namewee in their national-hitparade digest. Maybe French and North African listeners aren’t as much into music as German-speaking people are, but I find that hard to believe.

Outlook

Either way, opportunities to listen to programs directly from Taiwan continue for the remaining weekends of August, and hopefully, the tradition will also be kept to in the coming years.

Between these annual shortwave highlights, RTI broadcasts via Kostinbrod in Bulgaria, also on shortwave, on 5900 kHz in German from 19 to 19:30 GMT, and on 6005 kHz in French, also from 19 to 19:30 GMT – every day of the week. The times and frequencies haven’t changed for years, and both frequencies usually provide good signals to central and western Europe.

Happy listening!

Ramaphosa-Xi Phone Call: “China and South Africa are important developing countries”

The following is my translation of a communiqué published by the Chinese foreign ministry, summarizing a telephone conversation between Chinese State Chairman Xi Jinping and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. It’s followed by a copy & paste of the South African president’s press release concerning his telephone call with Xi.

Links within bllockquotes added during translation.

–

CCTV Evening News, June 10, 2023 

(1) FMPRC communiqué

Main Link: Xi Jinping has a telephone conversation with South African President Ramaphosa

习近平同南非总统拉马福萨通电话
2023-06-10 00:26
Xi Jinping has a telephone conversation with South African President Ramaphosa
2023年6月9日晚，国家主席习近平应约同南非总统拉马福萨通电话。
In the evening of June 9, State Chairman Xi Jinping accepted an invitation by South African President Ramaphosa for a phone call.
习近平指出，中国和南非都是重要的发展中大国，两国有着兄弟般的特殊友好关系。中南关系对于维护广大发展中国家共同利益、引领中非团结合作具有重要战略意义。今年是金砖“南非年”，两国关系面临重要发展机遇。中方愿同南非提升两国关系水平，构建高水平中南命运共同体，一道践行真正的多边主义，携手维护广大发展中国家共同利益，推动国际秩序朝着更加公正合理的方向发展。中方支持南非作为轮值主席国，办好今年金砖合作各项活动。
Xi Jinping pointed out that both China and South Africa are important developing countries with a brotherly extraordinary friendship. Chinese-South African relations were of strategic significance for the protection and broadening of developing countries’ common interests and for leading the way for Sino-African unity and cooperation. This year is the BRICS countries‘ “South African year” with important development opportunities for the two countries [China and South Africa]. China wanted to raise the level of the two countries’ relations, build a high-level Sino-South African community of common destiny , practice genuine multilateralism together, join hands to protect and broaden developing countries common interests , and promote a fairer and more reasonable direction of the international order. China supports South Africa’s rotational chairmanship and successful cooperation activities of BRICS this year.
拉马福萨表示，南非高度珍视南中强有力、高水平的战略伙伴关系，对此深感自豪。南中合作使非洲受益。南非致力于同中方一道，推动南中关系不断发展。南非将同中国等金砖成员国为加强金砖合作深化沟通协调。
Ramaphosa said that South Africa highly appreciates strong and high-level strategic partnership and is deeply proud of it. South African-Chinese cooperation is beneficial for Africa. South Africa makes efforts to promote, together with China, the continuous development of South African-Chinese relations. South Africa will deepen communication and coordination with China and the other BRICS member states to strengthen and deepen BRICS cooperation.
双方还就乌克兰危机交换了意见。拉马福萨表示，南非支持中方提出的关于政治解决乌克兰危机的立场文件，希望有关各方尽快恢复谈判。南非等非洲六国领导人组成的和平代表团将访问俄罗斯和乌克兰，推动冲突尽快结束。习近平指出，中方在乌克兰危机上的立场是一贯的，概括起来就是劝和促谈。希望各方为通过对话解决危机积累有利条件。总统先生同非洲有关国家领导人组成和平代表团访问俄罗斯和乌克兰，这是好事。希望全世界爱好和平、坚持正义的国家都能够发出劝和促谈的理性声音。
The two sides exchanged opinions about the Ukraine crisis. Ramaphosa said that South Africa supports China’s position paper concerning a political solution of the Ukraine crisis and hoped that the parties involved would resume talks as soon as possible. The delegation made up by leaders of the six African countries, including South Africa’s, that are to visit Russia and Ukraine, promoted an end, as early as possible, to the conflict. Xi Jinping pointed out that China’s position on Ukraine is consistent, and in short, the task is to encourage peace and to urge talks. Hopefully, all parties would accumulate good conditions to resolve the crisis through dialogue. The delegation of Mr. President and the relevant African countries’ leaders would visit Russia and Ukraine – that was a good thing. Hopefully, all the world’s peace-loving and justice-seeking countries would be able to make themselves heard with voices of peace and reason.

(2) President Ramaphosa’s press release

President Ramaphosa briefs President Xi Jin Ping on African Peace Mission to Ukraine and Russia
10 June 2023 – 2:30pm
President Cyril Ramaphosa has briefed Chinese President Xi Jin Ping on the African Leaders Peace Mission to Ukraine and Russia.
President Ramaphosa noted the peace plan that has been proposed by China and affirmed South Africa’s and the African leaders support of initiatives that are aimed at a peaceful resolution of the conflict. President Xi Jin Ping commended the initiative by the African continent and acknowledged the impact the conflict has had on human lives and on food security in Africa.
The leaders also discussed their cooperation at BRICS and preparations for the upcoming BRICS summit. They both committed to work towards a successful summit.

Xi-Zelensky Phonecall: “China didn’t create the Ukraine Crisis”

The following is my translation of a CCTV / CPBS account of the telephone conversation between Chinese party and state leader Xi Jinping and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday. Links within blockquotes added during translation.

CCTV Xinwen Lianbo, April 26, 2023

The phone conversation ranked second in Central People’s Broadcasting Station’s “News and Press Review” (新闻和报纸摘要) on Thursday morning, and also second in CCTV’s evening news (新闻联播) on Wednesday evening. That doesn’t necessarily mean that the news itself was of greate importance in China, but Xi-related news always comes at the top of China’s news broadcasts.

Main Link: Xi Jinping has phone call with Ukrainian President Zelensky (习近平同乌克兰总统泽连斯基通电话)

Xi Jinping has phone call with Ukrainian President Zelensky
April 26, 2023, 19:35:09
Source: CCTV newsreader
习近平同乌克兰总统泽连斯基通电话
2023-04-26 19:35:09
来源：央视新闻客户端

On the afternoon of April 26, State Chairman Xi Jinping had a telephone conversation with Ukrainian President Zelensky on the latter’s invitation. The two sides exchanged views about Chinese-Ukrainian relations and the Ukraine crisis.
4月26日下午，国家主席习近平应约同乌克兰总统泽连斯基通电话。双方就中乌关系和乌克兰危机交换了意见。

Xi Jinping pointed out that Chinese-Ukrainian relations have passed the milestone of 31 years and reached the level of strategic partnership, which had been helpful in the development and revitalization of both countries. I appreciate President Zelensky’s repeated statements that he attaches importance to Chinese-Ukrainian relations and to cooperation with China, and I thank Ukraine for its great support in the evacuation of Chinese citizens last year. Mutual support for each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity is the political foundation for Chinese-Ukrainian relations. The two sides should have their focus on the future, be persistent in regarding and mapping¹ the two countries’ relations from a long-term perspective, with lasting mutual respect, in the tradition of treating each other sincerely, and promote the further development of the Chinese-Ukrainian strategic partnership. China’s wish to develop Chinese-Ukrainian relations is consistent and clear. No matter what changes there may be in the unstable international situation, China wants to carry the mutually beneficial cooperation with Ukraine forward.
习近平指出，中乌关系走过31年发展历程，达到战略伙伴关系水平，为两国各自发展振兴提供了助力。我赞赏泽连斯基总统多次表示重视发展中乌关系和对华合作，感谢乌方去年为中国公民撤离提供大力协助。相互尊重主权和领土完整是中乌关系的政治基础。双方要着眼未来，坚持从长远角度看待和谋划两国关系，延续双方相互尊重、真诚相待的传统，推动中乌战略伙伴关系向前发展。中方发展中乌关系的意愿是一贯的、明确的。无论国际风云如何变幻，中方愿同乌方一道，把两国互利合作向前推进。

Xi Jinping pointed out that the complex development of the Ukraine crisis had a major impact on the international situation. Concerning the problem of the Ukraine crisis, China had always stood on the side of peace, with the core position being to urge peace and to promote talks. I put forward a series of “four shoulds”², “four common denominators”³, and “three reflections”⁴. Also on this basis, China issued the document “China’s Position concerning the Political Settlement of the Ukraine Crisis”. China didn’t create the Ukraine crisis, and isn’t a party involved in it. Being a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council and a responsible major power, we will neither [passively] watch the fires burning across the river, nor will we add fuel to it – let alone exploit the situation. China’s conduct and deeds are honorable and aboveboard. Dialogue and talks are the only feasible way out. There are no winners in a nuclear war. In dealing with the nuclear issue, all parties involved should maintain cool heads and restraint, focus on the real prospects and destiny of themselves and mankind, and manage the crisis well together. As the thoughts and voices of reason are gaining ground among all parties, we should seize the opportunity to gather conditions that are favorable for a political solution to the crisis. We hope that all parties will reflect deeply on the Ukraine crisis, and jointly seek a path to lasting peace in Europe. China will persist in encouraging peace and promoting talks, to resume individual efforts for peace to reach a ceasefire as soon as possible. The Chinese government will send its special Euro-Asian affairs representative to Ukraine and other countries to communicate thoroughly with all parties for a political solution to the Ukraine crisis. China has sent several humanitarian consignments to Ukraine before and is willing to provide all help that is in its power.
习近平指出，乌克兰危机复杂演变，对国际形势产生重大影响。在乌克兰危机问题上，中方始终站在和平一边，核心立场就是劝和促谈。我相继提出了“四个应该”、“四个共同”和“三点思考”。中方还在此基础上发布了《关于政治解决乌克兰危机的中国立场》文件。中国不是乌克兰危机的制造者，也不是当事方。作为联合国安理会常任理事国和负责任大国，我们既不会隔岸观火，也不会拱火浇油，更不干趁机牟利的事。中方所作所为光明正大。对话谈判是唯一可行的出路。核战争没有赢家。对待核问题，有关各方都应该保持冷静克制，真正从自身和全人类的前途命运着眼，共同管控好危机。现在各方理性的思考和声音在增加，应该抓住契机，为危机的政治解决积累有利条件。希望各方从乌克兰危机中深刻反思，通过对话，共同寻求欧洲长治久安之道。中方将坚持劝和促谈，为尽快止战停火、恢复和平作出自己的努力。中方将派中国政府欧亚事务特别代表赴乌克兰等国访问，就政治解决乌克兰危机同各方进行深入沟通。中方已向乌方提供了多批人道主义援助，愿继续提供力所能及的帮助。

Zelensky congratulated Chairman Xi on his re-election, praised China’s extraordinary accomplishments, expressed his belief that under the leadership of Chairman Xi Jinping, China would successfully answer to all challenges, and develop further. China upheld the United Nation’s guidance and principles in international affairs and was hugely influential in the international arena. Ukraine scrupulously abided by the one-China policy, hoped to unfold comprehensive cooperation with China, to open a new chapter in Ukrainian-Chinese relations, and jointly make efforts for the protection of global peace and stability. Zelensky presented his views on the Ukraine crisis, thanked China for the humanitarian aid it had provided, and welcomed its important impact in restoring peace and crisis-solving by diplomatic means.
泽连斯基祝贺习近平主席再次当选，赞赏中国取得的非凡成就，相信在习近平主席领导下，中国将成功应对各种挑战，持续向前发展。中方在国际事务中秉持联合国宪章宗旨和原则，在国际舞台上发挥着巨大影响力。乌方恪守一个中国政策，希望同中方开展全面合作，开启乌中关系的新篇章，共同致力于维护世界和平与稳定。泽连斯基介绍了对当前乌克兰危机的看法，感谢中方为乌克兰提供的人道主义援助，欢迎中方为恢复和平、通过外交手段解决危机发挥重要作用。

________________

Notes

1)	“Scheming”, actually, but that’s probably not the intended meaning.
2)	This refers to a “video conference” between Macron (France), Scholz (Germany) and Xi (China) on March 8, 2022. In a referral to that conference more than a month later, the China Institute of International Studies wrote that Xi Jinping pointed out in a video summit with the French and German leaders that all countries’ sovereignty, that territorial integrity should be respected, that the United Nations Charter’s guidance and principles should be complied with, that the legitimate security concerns of all countries should be taken seriously, and that all efforts that were beneficial for a peaceful solution of the crisis should get support.
3)	According to “Qiushi”: Four common denominators (四个共同), i. e. (1) jointly maintaining global peace and stability, (2) jointly advance global sustainable development, (3) jointly achieve mutually beneficial cooperation, and (4) jointly expand openness and harmonization.
4)	No idea what they are about.

________________

Related

“Now there is an Opportunity”, Zelensky video address, April 26, 2023
“We did not start this war”, President Zelensky, April 26
________________

Three in one Go: “Chairman Xi Jinping’s firm and powerful words have once again made the world feel how China takes up the responsibility of a major power”

French President Emmanuel Macron’s and European Union Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s current visits to China were preceded by Spanish President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez. The latter was part of a one-afternoon triptych – but neither Sanchez nor the two other guests of Chinese State Chairman Xi Jinping were the holy guys. That would be Xi Jinping himself.

Xi Jinping meets Spain’s Prime Minister, Xi Jinping meets Malaysia’s Prime Minister, Xi Jinping meets Singapore’s Prime Minister: CCTV Evening News, March 31

–
The following is my translation of an article first published by one of Xinhua’s glossy (online) brochures, named “First Perspective”. Links within blockquotes were added during translation.

This blogpost is followed by a quiz, so keep reading to the end.

First Observation | “The Three Concentric Circles” of China’s Diplomacy as cognizable from Chairman Xi Jinping’s Foreign-Affairs Meetings
第一观察丨从习近平主席密集外事会见看中国外交“三个同心圆”

[From Graphics]
第一观察 (“First Perspective”, a reader published by Xinhua), Issue 315
Produced by Xinhua’s Domestic Department
Produced by Xinhua First Studio
第一观察 ３１５期
新华社国内部制作
新华社第一工作室出品

The wind of spring is warm and kind. On Chan’An Road in Beijing, the Spanish, Malaysian and Singaporean flags are hanging next to the five-star red flag [i. e. the PRC flag] , fluttering in the wind. China warmly welcomes three important visiting foreign leaders.
春风和煦，北京长安街上，西班牙、马来西亚、新加坡的国旗分别同五星红旗并排悬挂、迎风招展。中国热情欢迎来华访问的三位外国政要。

On March 31, Chairman Xi Jinping met separately with Spanish Prime Minister Sanchez, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar, and Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the Great Hall of the People. A person in charge at the foreign ministry told reporters that with Xi Jinping’s meetings as a circle, three concentric circles can be drawn. When looking at bilateral relations, you can see that China has regional relations. It is important to take a long-term perspective to see the global significance of China’s recent diplomatic activities.
3月31日，习近平主席在人民大会堂分别会见西班牙首相桑切斯、马来西亚总理安瓦尔、新加坡总理李显龙。
外交部一位负责人告诉新华社记者，以习近平主席会见为圆心，可以画出三个同心圆，借此看双边关系、看中国同有关地区的关系，更要把目光放长远，看到近期中国一系列外交行动的世界意义。

(1)
（一）

The first concentric circle is about the level of bilateral relations.
第一个同心圆是双边关系层面。

This year is significant for China’s relations with Spain, Malaysia and Singapore.
今年对中国同西班牙、马来西亚、新加坡三国的关系都有着重要意义。

2023 marks the 50th anniversary China’s establishment of diplomatic relations with Spain. In early March, Xi Jinping exchanged messages with Spanish King Felipe 6th on the 50th anniversary of China and Spain establishing diplomatic relations.
2023年是中国同西班牙建交50周年。3月初，习近平主席还同西班牙国王费利佩六世就中西建交50周年互致贺电。

At the meeting [with Sanchez], Xi Jinping summarized the half-century experience of developing Chinese-Spanish relations as “adhering to mutual respect, exchange and dialogue, and proactively developing mutually beneficial cooperation”.
会见中，习近平主席用“坚持相互尊重、交流对话，积极开展互利合作”概括半个世纪以来中西关系发展的经验。

Setting out from the 50th anniversary, how can the good bileateral relations be developed further?
如何以建交50周年为新起点，进一步发展好两国关系？

Xi Jinping emphasized that “the two sides should persist in planning the two countries’ relations from a strategic perspective”, “build bilateral relations with strategic focus”, strengthen the development of strategic connectives, dredge cooperative potentials”, must do a good job at the Chinese-Spanish Cultural and Touristical Year activities, and promote the exchange of global civilizational dialogue and exchange”.
习近平主席强调“双方应该坚持从战略高度和长远角度谋划两国关系”“打造具有战略定力的双边关系”，“要加强发展战略对接，深挖合作潜力”，“要搞好中西文化和旅游年活动，推动世界文明对话交流”。

This year marks the tenth anniversary of China and Malaysia establishing comprehensive strategic partnership relations, and next year will see the 50th anniversary of China and Malaysia establishing diplomatic relations.
今年是中马建立全面战略伙伴关系10周年，明年将迎来两国建交50周年。

This visit to China was Prime Minister Anwar’s first after taking office. During this visit, the two sides reached consensus on the building of a Chinese-Malaysian human-destiny community¹⁾ which will surely open a new chapter in the history of our two countries’ relations.
此次中国之行是安瓦尔总理上任后首次访华。此访期间，双方就共建中马命运共同体达成共识，必将开启两国关系新的历史篇章。

Among the South-East Asian countries, Singapore is the one participating most deeply in China’s reform and opening, and the one whose interests are most closely in harmony with China’s. Chairma Xi Jinping used the words “forward-looking”, “strategic” and “exemplary” to characterize the two countries’ relations. This kind of relations also set an example for regional countries.
在东南亚国家中，新加坡参与中国改革开放程度最深，同中国利益融合最密切。习近平主席用“前瞻性、战略性、示范性”定位两国关系，这样的关系也为地区国家树立了标杆。

This time, the two countries have taken another step, elevating Chinese-Singaporean relations to a comprehensive high-quality, forward-looking partnership level, thus setting yet higher standards and goals for their bilateral relations. Chairman Xi Jinping pointed out that the Chinese side wanted to strengthen strategic connections with Singapore, deepen strategic connectives, and conscientiously turn “high quality” into a most distinct mark of Chinese-Singaporean cooperation.
此次两国更进一步，将中新关系提升为全方位高质量的前瞻性伙伴关系，为双边关系确立了更高的标准和目标。习近平主席指出，中方愿同新方加强战略沟通，深化战略对接，切实使“高质量”成为中新合作最鲜明的标识。

(2)
（二）

The second concentric circle is about the level of regional relations.
第二个同心圆是地区关系层面。

Spain is a member of the EU, and Malaysia and Singapore are China’s neigbors and also member states of ASEAN. At the three meetings, Chairman Xi Jinping discussed China’s cooperation with the relevant regions from different perspectives.
西班牙是欧盟成员国，马来西亚、新加坡是中国周边邻国，也是重要的东盟成员国。三场会见，习近平主席从不同角度谈到中国同相关地区合作。

China and Europe are comprehensive strategic partners, opportunities for one another, and common interests between China and Europe outweigh their disagreements by far. There is reason to believe that the European side understands this argument. But there is a precondition to develop Chinese-European relations well, which is that Europe maintains its strategic autonomy. That is precisely what Chairman Xi emphasized in his many meetings with European leaders.
中欧是全面战略伙伴、是彼此机遇，中欧间的共同利益远大于分歧。相信欧方也明白这个道理。但要发展好中欧关系，有一个前提，那就是需要欧方坚持战略自主。这也正是习近平主席多次同欧方领导人会晤时所强调的。

During the second half of the year, Spain will take the chairmanship of the European Union. Chairman Xi Jinping emphasized that he hoped Spain would play a positive role in promoting Chinese-European relations.
今年下半年，西班牙将接任欧盟轮值主席国。习近平主席强调，希望西班牙为促进中欧对话合作发挥积极作用。

In 2021, Chairman Xi Jinping made the “five proposals on building our home together” to the ASEAN countries. At these meetings with the two ASEAN leaders, regional cooperation has been an important part of Chairman Xi Jinping’s talks.
2021年，习近平主席面向东盟国家提出中国与东盟“五大家园”建设。此次会见两位东盟国家领导人，区域合作是习近平主席谈话的重要内容。

Meeting Prime Minister Anwar, Chairman Xi Jinping emphasized that together with Malaysia, China wanted to enhance Asian civilization, uphold strategic autonomy, hold fast to the original intention, support the central position of ASEAN, resolutely resist the cold-war mentality and confrontation, and join forces to build the common home²⁾.
会见安瓦尔总理，习近平主席强调，中方愿同马方一道，弘扬亚洲文明，坚持战略自主，坚守东亚合作初心，支持东盟中心地位，坚决抵制冷战思维和阵营对抗，合力建设好共同家园。

Meeting Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Chairman Xi Jinping pointed out that we should cherish and safeguard the good Asian regional development momentum that hasn’t been easy to come by, jointly protect the regional peace dividend, and safeguard the correct direction of economic globalization and regional economic integration.
会见李显龙总理，习近平主席指出，我们尤其应该珍惜和维护亚洲地区来之不易的良好发展势头，共同守护好地区和平红利，维护好经济全球化和区域经济一体化正确方向。

During these years, the Asian region has maintained general peaceful and stable development, the good momentum of overall rise, all of which has been achieved by the people in the region, by their own hard work and wisdom. In today’s world of turmoil, the Asian peoples must all the more exclude external interference, and protect and develop their homeland well.
这些年来，亚洲地区保持总体和平稳定和快速发展、整体崛起的良好势头，这些都是地区国家人民通过自己的勤劳和智慧取得的，在当今变乱交织的世界，亚洲人民更要排除外部干扰，守护好、发展好自己的家园。

“We don’t allow any country to deprive the Asian peoples of the right to strive for a better and prosperous future.” Chairman Xi’s words were profound.
“不允许任何国家剥夺亚洲人民追求更美好幸福生活的权利。”习近平主席的话意味深长。

(3)
（三）

The third concentric circle is about the global level
第三个同心圆是世界层面。

At the tree meetings, the recent set of diplomatic actions taken by China have shown the world a China that is full of vitality, that maintains openness, but also shoulders responsibility as a great power, and, in a world of upheaval and change, provides more determinacy.
三场会见，连同近期中国一系列外交行动，向世界展现出一个充满活力、坚持开放、担当负责的大国形象，为动荡变革中的世界注入了更多确定性。

Just take March this year as an example, when Chairman Xi Jinping met several leaders from abroad who visited China, participated in the CPC’s dialog meeting with other political parties of the world and gave a keynote speech, and made a state visit to Russia on its invitation.
China facilitated the resumption of diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran, China hosted the 2023 China Development Forum³⁾, and the Boao Forum for Asia⁴⁾ … …
仅以今年3月为例，习近平主席会晤多位来访外国领导人、出席中国共产党与世界政党高层对话会并发表主旨讲话、应邀对俄罗斯进行国事访问；中国促成沙特和伊朗恢复外交关系；中方举办中国发展高层论坛2023年年会、博鳌亚洲论坛2023年年会……

A number of major moves and vigorous actions have attracted global attention. Recently, dignitaries, entrepreneurs, experts, scholars and delegates of international organizations have come to China one after another to take part in activities, vividly experiencing the vitality and pulsation of China’s development. The official three government leaders’ visits were in conjunction with the Bo’ao Forum for Asia.
一系列重大举措、有力行动吸引世界目光。近期，各国政要、企业家、专家学者和国际组织代表纷纷来华出席活动，真切感受到中国发展的活力与脉动。三位外国政府首脑，正是结合出席博鳌亚洲论坛年会对中国进行正式访问的。

During the meeting, Chairman Xi Jinping repeatedly talked about “Modernization with Chinese Characteristics”, thoroughly pointing out the global significance of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation by means of Modernization with Chinese Characteristics.
会见中，习近平主席多次讲到“中国式现代化”，深刻指出以中国式现代化全面推进中华民族伟大复兴的世界意义。

Facts have proven that the better China develops, the better it can share development opportunities with all countries, and make a greater contribution to the world.
事实已经证明，中国发展越好，就越有能力同各国分享发展机遇，为世界作出更大贡献。

At the meetings, the three foreign leaders discussed global peace and development respectively, from their own perspectives.
会见中，三位外国领导人从各自视角谈及世界和平与发展这个话题——

Prime Minister Sanchez gave a positive assessment of China’s position paper concerning a political solution of the Ukraine crisis and expressed his appreciation of China’s constructive role in a political solution of the Ukraine crisis.
桑切斯首相积极评价中方关于政治解决乌克兰危机的立场文件，表示赞赏中方为政治解决乌危机发挥的建设性作用。

In view of China’s recent successful facilitation of Saudi Arabian-Iranian dialogue, Prime Minister Anwar said that this once again shows China’s constructive role in the promotion of peace. He was deeply moved by the “extremely far-sighted” Global Security Initiative, the Global Development Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative. Prime Minister Anwar said that Chairman Xi Jinping is a great politician with global influence who not only changed the course of China’s historic development, but who also brought hope for global peace and development.
看到近期中方成功促成沙伊北京对话，安瓦尔总理表示，这再次表明中方为促进和平发挥的建设性作用。感慨于全球安全倡议、全球发展倡议、全球文明倡议“极富远见”，安瓦尔总理表示，习近平主席是具有世界影响的伟大政治家，不仅改变了中国的历史发展进程，也为世界和平与发展带来希望。

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said: “Singapore advocates respect between states, peaceful coexistence, win-win cooperation, avoidance of conflicts, and joint reactions to dangers and challenges.” Clearly, this is congenial with the new type of international relations advocated by China.
李显龙总理表示：“新加坡主张国与国应相互尊重、和平共处、互利合作、避免冲突，共同应对风险挑战。”显然，这同中方倡导的新型国际关系理念是相契合的。

At the meetings, Chairman Xi Jinping’s firm and powerful words have once again made the world feel how China takes up the responsibility of a major power.
会见中，习近平主席坚定而有力的话语，让世界再次感受到中国作为负责任大国的历史担当。

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Notes

1)	Aka “community with a shared destiny for mankind”, or “community of common destiny”
2)	Accidentally or not, “共同家园” is how Mikhail Gorbachev’s reference to a “Common European home” is frequently translated into Chinese. Xi doesn’t appear to be superstitious.
3)	Literally: “China Development High-Level Forum 2023”
4)	Literally: “2023 Bo’ao Asia Annual Forum”

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Quiz

Which country is featured in this article without being mentioned even once?

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Radio Austria reduces Airtime on Shortwave

For a while, Radio Austria International’s (Radio Österreich International) shortwave service went on air three times a day – in the morning, at noon, and in the evening. By now, it seems, it has fallen behind pre-Ukraine-war airtime, with only one morning broadcast left, from 05:00 to 05:33 UTC.

Mon through Sat
Time UTC (start)	Time UTC (end)	Frequency
05:00	05:33	6155 kHz

I was a bit disappointed of the QSL card I got for my reception report in April 2022, It featured St. Stephen’s Cathedral, and must have been a beautiful card while they didn’t run out of it – what I got was a QSL letter with the photo printed on it. Wouldn’t have been too bad that way either, but how about a verification stamp? The way it was, I might have printed it out of my mailbox just as well.

But I shouldn’t be ungrateful – they still confirm reports at all. Many European broadcasters have stopped doing so.

And if you understand German, you’ll get an excellent morning news edition of twenty to twenty-five minutes, with (or so it seems to me) everything you need to know. Every morning, except Sundays, which is dead-air day.

Xi’s Business Speech: The West has spat into your Porridge

China’s party, military and state leader Xi Jinping spoke to the CPPCC delegates of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce on Monday afternoon local time in Beijing.

One of the takeaways from his speech, probably not surprisingly, was  that he emphasized party leadership over business¹⁾. (Ask Jack Ma if he was surprised.)

^{习近平在看望参加政协会议的民建工商联界委员时强调 正确引导民营经济健康发展高质量发展，新闻联播，2023-03-06}

Maybe somewhat more strikingly, Xi went beyond the usual descriptions of a “difficult” etc. environment for China, and blamed  “containment carried out by Western countries under U.S. leadership” for at least some of the undeniable difficulties China is facing. He combined that with an emphasis on achievements of the past five years, using the phrase of “不易” again – i. e. achievements that hadn’t been easy to come by²⁾

What he did not mention was that no country in the world is obliged to throw first-class technology at China, and that it had been China that tested economic-coercion tools against countries like Australia and Lithuania.

The following is a short translated excerpt from Xi’s speech on Monday.

Xi Jinping pointed out that the five years that followed the party’s 19th National Congress have been extremely unusual and outstanding years. Our country’s external environment has suddenly changed. Uncertain factors that are hard to predict have significantly grown, and especially the Western countries under American leadership have carried out comprehensive containment, blockade and suppression, bringing unprecedented, serious challenges to our country. At the same time, we are facing a multitude of difficulties inside our country, such as repeated corona epidemics and growing downward pressure on the economy. We will adhere to the overall main key of seeking progress within stability, we will rise to the challenges, calmly respond, not believe in evil, we will not fear, won’t seek refuge, average GDP will grow by 5.2 percent, we won the fight against poverty as planned, built a society of moderate prosperity, reached the first two-centenary goal, promoted the party’s and nation’s achievements that have found global attention, and promoted our country’s steps into the construction of a new milestone of comprehensive socialist modernization. The successes of the past five years are the fruit of the entire party and the entire people unitedly struggling, showing the essence of the CPPCC representatives’ contributions.
习近平指出，党的十九大以来的5年，是极不寻常、极不平凡的5年。我国发展的外部环境急剧变化，不确定难预料因素显著增多，尤其是以美国为首的西方国家对我实施了全方位的遏制、围堵、打压，给我国发展带来前所未有的严峻挑战。同时国内也面临新冠疫情反复、经济下行压力增大等多重困难。我们坚持稳中求进工作总基调，迎难而上，沉着应对，不信邪、不怕压、不避难，国内生产总值年均增长5.2%，如期打赢脱贫攻坚战，全面建成小康社会，实现第一个百年奋斗目标，推动党和国家事业取得举世瞩目的重大成就，推动我国迈上全面建设社会主义现代化国家新征程。5年来的成就，是全党全国人民团结奋斗的结果，也凝聚着广大政协委员的贡献。

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Notes

1)	「要引导民营企业和民营企业家正确理解党中央方针政策，增强信心、轻装上阵、大胆发展，实现民营经济健康发展、高质量发展。」
2)	「我们动态优化调整防控政策措施，较短时间实现了疫情防控平稳转段，新冠病亡率保持在全球最低水平，取得疫情防控重大决定性胜利。我们完整、准确、全面贯彻新发展理念，着力构建新发展格局、推动高质量发展，在全球通胀达到40多年来新高的情况下，我国物价总水平保持平稳，全年经济增长3%，在世界主要经济体中是很高的。这些成绩的取得，实属不易。」 Previously: 来之不易 (not easy to come by).

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Related

China’s “multilateralism” only for big powers, CNN / Landsbergis, March 7, 2023
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China’s Position: Ukraine still hopes for the Best

On February 27, Ukraine issued a rejection of sorts of China’s February 24 position paper “on the Political Settlement of the Ukraine Crisis”. Advisor to the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Mykhailo Podolyak, told “Freedom TV”  that the only effective measure the position paper called for was “immediate cessation of fire.”

“This means that Russia will remain in the occupied territories, we will have a new dividing line, and we will have a slow absorption of Ukraine. That is, the slow death of Ukraine,” the TV station quoted Pdolyak.

The rejection from Zelensky’s office, but only in an unofficial interview, suggests that Kiev doesn’t want to anger Beijing and possibly provoke Chinese lethal-arms supplies to Russia that wouldn’t happen otherwise.

^{中共中央外事工作委员会办公室主任王毅会见乌克兰外长库列巴，慕尼黑，Febr 18, 2023}

In an article published on March 3, “Freedom TV” quotes interviewees as saying that “it is too early to say that China is openly opposing Ukraine”. China’s “global ambitions”, its long common border with Russia, and its dependence on Russian energy supplies as well as the two countries’ traditional alliance are quoted as factors supporting the bilateral relationship, but “Beijing will not sacrifice its own well-being because of Russia, experts are sure”.

Part of China’s “well-beings” is the arable land it owns in Ukraine. It shouldn’t be too difficult to replace, given that Beijing’s investment companies are scouting all continents for farmable land to buy or rent, but it wouldn’t be fun to see the goose being killed by Russia – even if it isn’t quite the “golden” goose.

Besides, at least one of “Voice of America’s” interlocutors, Taiwan International Strategic Study Society director Ching-Sheng Lo (羅慶生), took a rather critical view of China’s food security, a year ago.

Lo Ching-Sheng says: “Having bought that much grain, with storage for a year and a half, there’s nothing to care about – no problem in the short run. If this should turn into an Afghanistan kind of war of twenty years, China’s problems will be very big.”
罗庆生说：“因为中国买了太多粮食的关系，它储存了一年半的粮食，所以一年半之内它不会有事情，所以短期的话没问题。长期的话，如果说变成阿富汗战争那个样子打个20年，那中国的问题就很大了。”

But the Russian hinterland will count more than Ukraine – be it for China’s “global ambitions”, be it for its food security. Beijing took a speaking decision in early February, 2022, a few weeks before the Russian invasion of Ukraine started. Answer to the unfolding crisis: more grain imports from Russia.

Ukraine’s hopes on China are unreasonably high. As Zongyuan Zoe Liu, a fellow for international political economy at the Council on Foreign Relations, recently wrote,

The party can survive setbacks in the chip war, but the stakes are much higher in the fight for food security. Failure on the food security front will threaten the survival of the regime.

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Related

Kuleba addresses Asia, March 22, 2022

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EU: “Just protecting the freedom of expression”

All the news that’s fit to blog.

Fri, Febr 24, 2023	One year after the outbreak of the Russo-Ukrainian war, China publishes a Confucius-says “position paper”. Originally, it had been advised as a “peace plan” by China’s supreme diplomat Wang Yi, but has since been de-ambitioned. Meantime, China’s foreign-ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin (汪文斌) offers a clue as to why: FMPRC tweet, Febr 24, 2023
Thu, Febr 23, 2023	The central committee of Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP, 民進黨) approved a timetable that presidential nominations would be decided by April 12, and Legislative Yuan nominations in May. It appears to be widely accepted among the party’s legislators that, in the light of a poor showing in Taiwan’s “mid-term elections”, i. e. the country’s local elections in November 2022, more time is needed to prepare for the nation-wide presidential and legislative elections next year. Lai Ching-te, the incumbent Tsai administration’s current Vice President, has recently been elected chairman of the DPP, and Chen Jien-jen, Lai’s predecessor as Taiwan’s Vice President from 2016 to 2020, became head of the cabinet in January this year. Source: 央廣 / Radio Taiwan International
Wed, Febr 22, 2023	High-level foreign-policy and defense officials from Japan and China met at Japan’s foreign ministry in Tokyo on Wednesday. It was the first such meeting after an interruption of about four years. Chinese Deputy foreign minister Sun Weidong (孙卫东) was quoted as saying that there was “an important consensus” that neither country posed a threat for the other. However, Sun also said that there were Chinese concerns about Japan’s “strategic documents” issued in 2022, and Japan’s increasing cooperation with “outside forces” (域外力量), and about “negative tendencies” in Taiwan. Source: Radio Japan
Wed, Febr 22, 2023	Russian president Vladimir Putin met China’s chief diplomat Wang Yi in Moscow on Wednesday. The Kremlin published a detailed account of the meeting the same day. Source: Kremlin
Wed, Febr 15, 2023	Pyongyang was said to have gone under a Covid-related lockdown in late January, allegedly lasting from January 25 to 30. But was there a lockdown at all? Source: SinoNK
Tue, Febr 14, 2023	Chen Xuyuan (陈戌源) was – effectively, maybe not nominally yet – fired as chairman of the Chinese Football Association earliert his month, after having been confronted with the usual suspicions of “serious violations of discipline”, which appears to serve as a regular CPC codeword for corruption charges. Chen, a Shanghai native born in 1956, was also the football association’s deputy party secretary. Source: Ifeng
Mo, Febr 13, 2023	“Less then half the world is on the internet”, a BBC documentary broadcast told the audience on February 11, two days ahead of World Radio Day. Source: BBC
Tue, Febr 7, 2023	Critics of the EU’s censorship policy against Russia’s foreign-language service “RT” had a field day early this month, after the EU’s high-representative for for foreign affairs, Josep Borrell, had told a “European Union External Action” (EEAS) conference that by imposing “restrictive measures on the Kremlin’s propaganda machinery and effectively ban them from operating within the European Union”, “we are not attacking the freedom of expression, we are just protecting the freedom of expression”. The EU’s “restrictive measures” aren’t limited to banning RT work from within the EU. Access to RT from EU countries is only possible via VPN. This includes the organization’s German and Chinese services. Main Source: EEAS