Full text of Xi Jinping’s keynote speech at China-Central Asia Summit

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday delivered a keynote speech at the China-Central Asia Summit held in the city of Xi’an, northwest China’s Shaanxi Province.

The following is the full text of the speech:

Working Together for a China-Central Asia Community with a Shared Future

Featuring Mutual Assistance, Common Development, Universal Security, and Everlasting Friendship

Keynote Speech by H.E. Xi Jinping

President of the People’s Republic of China

At the China-Central Asia Summit

19 May 2023

Distinguished Colleagues,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Friends,

I’d like to welcome you all to Xi’an for the China-Central Asia Summit to explore together ways for closer cooperation between China and the five Central Asian countries.

Xi’an, known as Chang’an in ancient times, is an important cradle of the Chinese civilization and nation. It is also the starting point of the ancient Silk Road on the east end. Over 2,100 years ago, Zhang Qian, a Han Dynasty envoy, made his journey to the West from Chang’an, opening the door to the friendship and exchanges between China and Central Asia. With their joint endeavor of hundreds of years, Chinese and Central Asian peoples made the Silk Road expand and prosper, a historic contribution to the interaction, integration, enrichment and development of world civilizations. The Tang Dynasty poet Li Bai once wrote, “In Chang’an we meet again, worthy of more than a thousand pieces of gold.” Our gathering in Xi’an today to renew our millennia-old friendship and open up new vistas for the future is of very important significance.

Back in 2013, I put forward the initiative of jointly building a Silk Road Economic Belt during my first visit to Central Asia as Chinese president. Over the past decade, China and Central Asian countries have worked closely together to fully revive the Silk Road and actively deepen future-oriented cooperation, steering our relations into a new era.

The China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan highway that runs across the Tianshan Mountain, the China-Tajikistan expressway that defies the Pamir Plateau, and the China-Kazakhstan crude oil pipeline and the China-Central Asia Gas Pipeline that traverse the vast desert — they are the present-day Silk Road. The China-Europe Railway Express operating around the clock, the endless streams of freight trucks, and crisscrossing flights — they are the present-day camel caravans. Entrepreneurs seeking business opportunities, health workers fighting the COVID-19, cultural workers delivering message of friendship, and international students pursuing further education — they are the present-day goodwill ambassadors.

The China-Central Asia relationship is steeped in history, driven by broad actual needs, and built on solid popular support. Our relations are brimming with vigor and vitality in the new era.

Colleagues,

Transformations of the world unseen in a century are unfolding at a faster pace. Changes of the world, of our times, and of the historical trajectory are taking place in ways like never before. Central Asia, the center of the Eurasian continent, is at a crossroads connecting the East and West, the South and North.

The world needs a stable Central Asia. The sovereignty, security, independence and territorial integrity of Central Asian countries must be upheld; their people’s choice of development paths must be respected; and their efforts for peace, harmony and tranquility must be supported.

The world needs a prosperous Central Asia. A dynamic and prospering Central Asia will help people in the region achieve their aspiration for a better life. It will also lend strong impetus to global economic recovery.

The world needs a harmonious Central Asia. As a Central Asian saying goes, “Brotherhood is more precious than any treasure.” Ethnic conflicts, religious strife, and cultural estrangement are not the defining feature of the region. Instead, solidarity, inclusiveness, and harmony are the pursuits of the Central Asian people. No one has the right to sow discord or stoke confrontation in the region, let alone seek selfish political interests.

The world needs an interconnected Central Asia. Blessed with unique geographical advantages, Central Asia has the right foundation, condition and capability to become an important connectivity hub of Eurasia and make unique contribution to the trading of goods, the interplay of civilizations and the development of science and technology in the world.

Colleagues,

At the virtual summit commemorating the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Central Asian countries held last year, we jointly announced our vision of a China-Central Asia community with a shared future. It was a historic choice made for the fundamental interests and bright future of our peoples in the new era. In building this community, we need to stay committed to four principles.

First, mutual assistance. It is important that we deepen strategic mutual trust, and always give each other unequivocal and strong support on issues concerning our core interests such as sovereignty, independence, national dignity, and long-term development. We should work together to ensure that our community features mutual assistance, solidarity, and mutual trust.

Second, common development. It is important that we continue to set the pace for Belt and Road cooperation and deliver on the Global Development Initiative. We should fully unlock our potentials in traditional areas of cooperation such as economy, trade, industrial capacity, energy and transportation. And we should forge new drivers of growth in finance, agriculture, poverty reduction, green and low-carbon development, medical service, health, and digital innovation. We should work together to ensure that our community features win-win cooperation and common progress.

Third, universal security. It is important that we act on the Global Security Initiative, and stand firm against external attempts to interfere in domestic affairs of regional countries or instigate color revolutions. We should remain zero-tolerant to the three forces of terrorism, separatism and extremism, and strive to resolve security conundrums in the region. We should work together to ensure that our community features no-conflict and enduring peace.

Fourth, everlasting friendship. It is important that we implement the Global Civilization Initiative, carry forward our traditional friendship, and enhance people-to-people exchanges. We should do more to share our experience in governance, deepen cultural mutual learning, increase mutual understanding, and cement the foundation of the everlasting friendship between the Chinese and Central Asian peoples. We should work together to ensure that our community features close affinity and shared conviction.

Colleagues,

Our Summit has created a new platform and opened up new prospects for China-Central Asia cooperation. China will take this as an opportunity to step up coordination with all parties for good planning, development and progress of China-Central Asia cooperation.

First, we need to strengthen institutional building. We have set up meeting mechanisms on foreign affairs, economy, trade and customs, as well as a business council. China has also proposed establishment of meeting and dialogue mechanisms on industry and investment, agriculture, transportation, emergency response, education, and political parties, which will be platforms for all-round mutually beneficial cooperation between our countries.

Second, we need to expand economic and trade ties. China will take more trade facilitation measures, upgrade bilateral investment treaties, and open “green lanes” for streamlined customs clearance of agricultural and sideline products at all border ports between China and Central Asian countries. China will also hold a live-streaming sales event to further promote Central Asian products, and build a commodities trading center. All this is part of an effort to push two-way trade to new heights.

Third, we need to deepen connectivity. China will strive to increase the volume of cross-border cargo transportation, support the development of the trans-Caspian international transport corridor, enhance the traffic capacity of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan highway and the China-Tajikistan-Uzbekistan highway, and move forward consultations on the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway. China will seek to modernize the existing border ports at a faster pace, open a new border port at Biedieli, promote the opening of the air transportation market, and build a regional logistics network. China will also step up the development of China-Europe Railway Express assembly centers, encourage capable enterprises to build overseas warehouses in Central Asian countries, and build a comprehensive digital service platform.

Fourth, we need to expand energy cooperation. China would like to propose that we establish a China-Central Asia energy development partnership. We should expedite the construction of Line D of the China-Central Asia Gas Pipeline, expand trade in oil and gas, pursue cooperation throughout the energy industrial chains, and strengthen cooperation on new energy and peaceful use of nuclear energy.

Fifth, we need to promote green innovation. China will work with Central Asian countries to conduct cooperation in such areas as improvement and utilization of saline-alkali land and water-saving irrigation, build together a joint laboratory on agriculture in arid lands, and tackle the ecological crisis of the Aral Sea. China supports establishing high-tech firms and IT industrial parks in Central Asia. China also welcomes Central Asian countries to participate in special cooperation programs under the Belt and Road Initiative, including programs on sustainable development technologies, innovation and start-up, and spatial information science and technology.

Sixth, we need to enhance capabilities for development. China will formulate a China-Central Asia special cooperation program for poverty reduction through science and technology, implement the “China-Central Asia technology and skills improvement scheme”, set up more Luban Workshops in Central Asian countries, and encourage Chinese companies in Central Asia to create more local jobs. To bolster our cooperation and Central Asian development, China will provide Central Asian countries with a total of 26 billion RMB yuan of financing support and grant.

Seventh, we need to strengthen dialogue between civilizations. China invites Central Asian countries to take part in the “Cultural Silk Road” program, and will set up more traditional medicine centers in Central Asia. We will speed up establishment of cultural centers in each other’s countries. China will continue to provide government scholarships for Central Asian countries, and support their universities in joining the University Alliance of the Silk Road. We will ensure the success of the Year of Culture and Arts for the Peoples of China and Central Asian Countries as well as the China-Central Asia high-level media dialogue. We will launch the “China-Central Asia Cultural and Tourism Capital” program, and open special train services for cultural tourism in Central Asia.

Eighth, we need to safeguard peace in the region. China is ready to help Central Asian countries strengthen capacity building on law enforcement, security and defense, support their independent efforts to safeguard regional security and fight terrorism, and work with them to promote cyber-security. We will continue to leverage the role of the coordination mechanism among Afghanistan’s neighbors, and jointly promote peace and reconstruction in Afghanistan.

Colleagues,

Last October, the Communist Party of China successfully held its 20th National Congress, which laid out the central task of realizing the Second Centenary Goal of building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects and advancing rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization. It is a grand blueprint for China’s future development. We will strengthen theoretical and practical exchanges with Central Asian countries on modernization, synergize our development strategies, create more opportunities for cooperation, and jointly advance the modernization process of our six countries.

Colleagues,

There is a proverb popular among farmers in Shaanxi Province, “If you work hard enough, gold will grow out of the land.” In the same vein, a Central Asian saying goes, “You get rewarded if you give, and you harvest if you sow.” Let us work closely together to pursue common development, common affluence, and common prosperity, and embrace a brighter future for our six countries!

Thank you.

G7 will hurt itself being accomplice of economic coercion

By Zhong Sheng, People’s Daily

To pressure China is reportedly to be one of the core topics of the Group of Seven (G7) summit to be held in Japan’s Hiroshima. The summit is likely to attack and smear China in the name of “obeying the rules” and “taking responsible actions.”

Blinded and instigated by the United States and a few other G7 members, the organization has again and again grossly interfered in China’s domestic affairs and arrogantly pointed fingers at China, which reflects deep-rooted Cold War mentality and ideological prejudices.

It’s an open strategy of the United States to contain and oppress China, which it takes as an “imaginary enemy,” and rope in its allies to encircle China.

In June last year, despite China’s stern position and firm opposition, the G7 mentioned China 14 times in a leaders’ communique, making irresponsible remarks on Hong Kong, Xinjiang, human rights, the East China Sea, the South China Sea and the peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait, grossly interfering in China’s domestic affairs and peddling its false narrative of “democracy versus authoritarianism,” to incite confrontational sentiments.

As the G7 presidency, Japan uses the misguided China policy of the United States to speculate and seek private interests, which has provided convenience for the U.S. in jamming the topics of containing China into the agenda of the G7.

A recent G7 foreign ministers’ meeting hyped China-related issues, grossly interfering in China’s domestic affairs and maliciously slandering and smearing China. A G7 trade ministers’ meeting also sent a signal of countering China.

With a decreasing influence, the G7 has been reduced to a servant of the U.S. hegemony, which could only prove its presence by hyping China topics.

Claiming to safeguard the so-called “rules-based international order,” the G7 is blatantly challenging the core of the postwar order.

It’s known around the world that Taiwan’s return to China is an important component of the post-war international order, which is written in the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation. Any country that’s sincerely committed to safeguarding the international order should follow the one-China principle and oppose all acts supporting and emboldening “Taiwan independence.”

With a total disregard for the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation, the G7 said China’s opposition to “Taiwan independence” is “changing the status quo of the Taiwan Strait.” This obviously condones “Taiwan independence” and challenges the post-war international order recognized by the international community. It fully proves that the G7’s efforts to safeguard the so-called international order are hypocritical and the G7 itself is a saboteur of the international order.

Claiming to jointly cope with “economic coercion,” the G7 is turning a blind eye to the economic coercion of the United States around the world.

For a long time, the United States, relying on its economic strength and financial hegemony, has abused illegal unilateral sanctions. According to media reports, U.S. government sanctions designations soared by 933 percent between 2000 and 2021. More than 9,400 sanctions designations had come into effect in the United States by fiscal year 2021. The United States has slapped unilateral economic sanctions on nearly 40 countries, affecting nearly half of the world’s population.

Not even G7 members have been spared from U.S. economic coercion and bullying. Companies such as Toshiba from Japan, Siemens from Germany and Alstom from France, were all victims of U.S. suppression.

China is a victim of U.S. economic coercion. It has been firmly opposed to economic coercion by any country in the world. If the G7 summit is to discuss response to economic coercion, perhaps it should first discuss and condemn what the U.S. has done, rather than being an accomplice.

Claiming to discuss the so-called “economic security,” the G7 tolerates and even assists the “decoupling and severing ties” of the United States, which creates risks for global economic recovery.

During a G7 finance ministers’ meeting, the United States said it was considering further restriction on American enterprises’ investment in China and would discuss the issue with its allies and partners. This just revealed the country’s intention to upgrade its economic hegemony.

Over the recent years, the United States has overstretched the concept of national security and abused export control measures, restricted American enterprises’ normal economic and trade cooperation with China, impeded the decision making of enterprises, and instigated and even forced its allies to follow its practices, which has damaged the international economic and trade order and disturbed the stability of global industrial and supply chains.

If the G7 green-lights the economic bullying practices of the United States to hinder the economic development of other countries, it will not only become a destructive player in global development, but also hurt its own economic recovery.

A big country should act like a big country. As a club of rich countries, the G7 is being cruel and has triggered dissatisfaction around the world. Every summit it has hosted faced strong opposition. Last year, a poster showed a distorted Earth fitted in a letter G, which suggested that the world is becoming distorted under the interference of the G7. This exactly mirrored the destructive role played by the group.

The G7 should understand that being a servant of U.S. hegemony, establishing exclusive cliques, containing other countries and provoking bloc confrontation are against the trend of the times. Those who play fire will only get themselves burned.

CSOs vow to drag Buhari to court over appointment of NEDC MD, Board members

Civil Society Groups on Monday asked President Muhammadu Buhari to reverse the appointment of Board members of the North East Development Commission, NEDC and the Managing Director within 72 hours or face legal action.
The group said the President through his actions bypassed the Senate to make such appointments contravention of constitutional provisions.
The CSOs made the call in an address signed by their leaders including Secretary, Coalition of Civil Society Groups, Abubakar Ibrahim; President, First Alliance Group, Olumide Kingsley Egbeola; Convener, Centre for Public Accountability, Akindele Oluwafemi; President, African Leadership Strategy & Transparency Development Initiative, Nelson Osaize; and President, Northern Nigeria Good Governance Forum, Ibrahim Sule.
In the address read during a press conference held in Abuja, the Coalition said Buhari’s directive to bypass the Senate’s confirmation of the board and MD of NEDC was a deliberate affront to the Constitution and subverting the process of appointing public office holders, therefore, declared it is unconstitutional.
“Our attention has been drawn to the recent unconstitutional role played by Mr President in the recent appointment he did barely a few days to handover.
“We are worried that, why the hurry in confirming an appointment made by him without the senate ratifying same as laid down by appointment procedure stated in Section 147 of the constitution, such appointments made by President and not confirmed by the senate shall be null and void.
“This breach of constitutional provisions will not stand. We condemn the action of the outgoing president in the strongest term. The action is condemnable and totally unacceptable.
“We declare that the new board must be cleared by the Nigerian Senate before they resume and therefore call on President Buhari to reverse his earlier decision ordering them to resume officer without the clearance of the Nigeria Senate and allow a senior officer in the commission to hold sway pending the confirmation of the newly appointed managing director and Chief executive officer and other board members.
“We thus see the recent declaration and directive to resume office without Senate confirmation as autocratic, undemocratic and above all reminds us of a Military regime which should not be brought into any democratic process.
“This directive for the new Board and Managing Director of NEDC appointed by President Buhari to resume office without confirmation from the senate confirmation is wrong and should not make to stand”, the group said.
“The question to ask is, why did Mr President give such a directive to resume office in an acting capacity pending when the Senate will confirm or rectify the newly appointed Managing Director of the Commission and others?
“This declaration of resumption setting aside Senate confirmation is unconstitutional and should not be supported when we have few days to go for this regime.
“The North East Development Commission is by extension the creation of National Assembly, thus the management and board must be ratified by the Senate in conformity with laid down rules. This is important so as to ensure we have the right people that can deliver on the mandate to lead the organization and activate the oversight functions of the same institution.
“The argument of vacuum being created before Senate confirmation is laughable, does it mean that nobody can act within the commission pending when Senate screens and approves their appointments? The process of undergoing senate screening is constitutional and should not be jettisoned for illegality”, the group added.
Meanwhile, the Coalition claimed that “there is nothing to hurry about as our findings show that we have capable hands that can direct the activities effectively for the commission while we await senate screening and confirmation.
“We hereby call on President Buhari to as a matter of urgency revert back to the old order. The decision of the newly appointed MD to resume duty is wrong and should not be one of the negative legacies the outgoing government will leave behind.
“We must adhere to our laid down rules and laws, this should not be circumvented at any point in time. The power of the Senate should not be undermined nor swept under the carpet.
The group called on Nigerians to join them to stop the alleged illegality and impunity demonstrated by Buhari.
“We also expect all well-spirited Nigerians to rise up now and let’s make President Buhari do the right thing and put in place a sound legacy few days to exit from office. Recall, that the same wrong decision was taken a few years back (2015) when some Vice Chancellors were wrongly sacked based on wrong advice from the under-performing Minister of Education by Mr President.
“Although the sack was not reversed, when the facts were laid in protest against the decision, President Buhari eventually apologized for the wrong decision.
“We expect the same quick reversal of the directive given for the resumption of Umar Abubakar Hashidu as Managing Director of NEDC and others.
“This call becomes imperative and important for the right thing to be done and for the state actors not to unilaterally set aside our standing rules based on their personal interest.

Lagos Hotel Raid Leads to NDLEA’s Arrest of Drug Baron and Seizure of N567m Worth of Drugs

On Thursday, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) conducted a successful operation resulting in the arrest of a notorious drug baron named Charles Ezeh. The operation was prompted by the recovery of a significant consignment of methamphetamine weighing 30.10kg, with an estimated street value of N567m.
The illicit drugs were cleverly concealed inside powdered custard containers, strategically included within a consolidated cargo intended for shipment to London, United Kingdom. The interception took place at the export shed of the Skyway Aviation Handling Company Plc, located at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja, Lagos, on Tuesday.
On Thursday, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) apprehended Charles Ezeh, a drug baron, after seizing a shipment of methamphetamine weighing 30.10kg. The street value of the drugs is estimated to be N567m.
The illicit drugs were concealed within powdered custard containers, cleverly hidden as part of a consolidated cargo intended for transportation to London, United Kingdom. The interception took place at the export shed of the Skyway Aviation Handling Company Plc, situated within the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja, Lagos, on Tuesday.
In a statement released on Sunday, Femi Babafemi, the spokesperson for the agency, provided details of the operation. According to Babafemi, the interception at the airport was followed by a series of subsequent operations that led to the arrest of Nwobodo Chidiebere, a freight agent, and Chioma Akuta, a female suspect. Ultimately, the drug lord behind the seized shipment, Charles Ezeh, was apprehended at Sotel Suites in Amuwo Odofin, Lagos.
Babafemi revealed that Ezeh initially claimed to be a businessman dealing in articles in Onitsha, Anambra State. However, upon investigation, it was discovered that he had been living with his wife and children in London until December 10, 2022. He fled to Nigeria after being involved in a drug-related offense in the UK.
While Ezeh had been staying in hotels since his return to Nigeria in December, intelligence operatives were able to locate his mansion at No. 1, Hawawu Abikan Street, Lekki, on May 19. A search was conducted, resulting in the recovery of his travel and property documents, among other items.
In a separate incident, on May 15, NDLEA operatives in Adamawa arrested Ikechukwu Uzoma, a notorious 32-year-old drug dealer, in the Mubi area of the state. Uzoma was found in possession of 1kg of skunk.
Babafemi highlighted that Ikechukwu had a history of prior arrests and convictions for the same offense. He had been sentenced to six months in prison in 2017 and received a two-year jail term in 2019.
Furthermore, Faisal Mohammed, a trans-border trafficker, was apprehended on Wednesday, May 17, in Mubi. The arrest took place after a truck from Onitsha, Anambra State, was intercepted. Inside the truck, hidden beneath its body, three blue rubber jerrycans were discovered, containing a total of 2,376 sachets of tramadol, equivalent to 23,760 pills. The suspect confessed that the opioids were intended for transportation to Cameroon.
In Oyo State, two individuals named Osas Susan, 35, and Thomas Biodun, 23, were arrested in Igbon, Gambari, within the Ogbomoso North Local Government Area. They were found in possession of 2.13kg of cannabis. Additionally, Idris Muhammed, 55, was apprehended with 4,500 pills of tramadol during a routine search of a commercial bus on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, where he was traveling with other passengers.
Similarly, Bulus Mikah, 63, was arrested in Kafanchan, Kaduna State, with over 5kg of various opioids, including tramadol, diazepam, rohypnol, and exol-5. In another incident, Shehu Muhammadu Dandare, 25, was found with a total of 965kg of cannabis in Maraban Jos, Igabi local government area of Kaduna State.
Babafemi also mentioned that a warehouse in Uhodoua forest, located in the Esan South-East Local Government Area of Edo State, was raided by operatives, resulting in the recovery of 552kg of cannabis. Additionally, ten suspects were arrested in different parts of Onitsha, Anambra State, on Friday, May 19, with a total of 5.587kg of cannabis sativa, 144.4 grams of methamphetamine, and 48,260 capsules of tramadol.
Furthermore, on Friday, May 19, in Kwara State, two suspects named Mohammed Isa, 47, and Mohammed Haman, 36, were apprehended along the Ilorin-Lagos road while traveling in a commercial bus bound for Maiduguri, Borno State. They were found in possession of 6kg of cannabis, 50 grams of methamphetamine, as well as 20 pieces of military camouflage caps and uniforms.
On the same day, in Jigawa State, Ibrahim Abdullahi, 53, was arrested in Sara town, Gwaram LGA, with 120kg of cannabis.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) made significant arrests and seizures, as disclosed by spokesperson Femi Babafemi. On May 17, a trans-border trafficker named Faisal Mohammed, 27, was apprehended in Mubi. The authorities intercepted a truck from Onitsha, Anambra State, which contained 2,376 sachets of tramadol, totaling 23,760 pills. The drugs were concealed in three blue rubber jerrycans hidden beneath the trailer. Faisal Mohammed confessed that the opioids were intended for transportation to Cameroon.
In Oyo State, two suspects, Osas Susan, 35, and Thomas Biodun, 23, were arrested in Igbon, Gambari, with 2.13kg of cannabis. Additionally, Idris Muhammed, 55, was caught with 4,500 pills of tramadol during a routine search on a commercial bus along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.
In Kaduna State, Bulus Mikah, 63, was apprehended in Kafanchan with over 5kg of various opioids, including tramadol, diazepam, rohypnol, and exol-5. Another significant seizure occurred in Maraban Jos, Igabi local government area, where Shehu Muhammadu Dandare, 25, was found in possession of 965kg of cannabis.
During a raid on a warehouse in the Uhodoua forest of Esan South-East Local Government Area in Edo State, 552kg of cannabis was recovered. The operation also involved the destruction of a cannabis farm spanning 1.5 hectares. In Onitsha, Anambra State, 10 suspects were arrested, and a total of 5.587kg of cannabis sativa, 144.4 grams of methamphetamine, and 48,260 capsules of tramadol were seized on May 19.
In Kwara State, Mohammed Isa, 47, and Mohammed Haman, 36, were arrested on the Ilorin-Lagos road. They were found in possession of 6kg of cannabis, 50 grams of methamphetamine, and 20 pieces of military camouflage caps and uniforms. On the same day, in Jigawa State, Ibrahim Abdullahi, 53, was nabbed with 120kg of cannabis in Sara town, Gwaram LGA.
Furthermore, during a raid on a drug joint in Idanre, 628 bottles of a new psychoactive substance called skuchies were recovered. Four suspects were arrested: Olamide Olusola, 26, Abiodun Tijjani, 21, Fatope Temidayo, 29, and Agba Obi, 30, as well as Olafisoye Festus, 26.
In Kano, a suspect named Kayode Hakeem, 22, was arrested in Hawan Dawaki with 293 blocks of cannabis weighing 211.6kg. These operations signify the NDLEA’s ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking and related offenses.

Flagship factories of foreign companies in China indicate country’s optimized structure of foreign investment attraction

By Kong Dechen

China’s actual use of foreign capital in high-tech industries grew 18 percent year on year to 156.71 billion yuan ($22.34 billion) in the first quarter this year.

More and more multinational corporations have invested in Chinese high-tech industries and established their global flagship factories in the country, which mirrored the importance they attach to China and the strength of China’s high-end manufacturing.

In Tesla’s Shanghai plant, electric cars are rolling off production lines one after another for quality check. The two-storey factory, which looks like a mechanical puzzle cube, have long production lines that stretch beyond one’s eyesight. Auto parts there are handled by robotic arms.

Different from this super large plant, the factory of Siemens Energy in Shanghai is smaller and more “delicate.”

The products manufactured in the factory are customized by its clients, with each of them requiring different assembling techniques, which decides that massive production is not an option for the factory, said Zheng Feng, head of the Siemens Energy factory.

Though covering a small area, the factory features fine-tuned and efficient production, and is a world-leading manufacturer of its type, Zheng told People’s Daily.

At present, factories of foreign enterprises in China are marching toward digitalization and fine-tuned production. It indicates higher-quality foreign investment into China and a constantly optimized structure of foreign investment.

“China has become an innovative country and its economic structure is being adjusted rapidly. The developments of new businesses, models and growth drivers are powered by high-tech industries, which promotes the optimization of the structure of foreign investment,” said Zhang Jianping, deputy director of the Academic Steering Committee of the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation.

The fast growth of high-tech industries, especially high-tech manufacturing, not only indicates the huge potential of China’s manufacturing industry and a complete ecosystem of high-tech manufacturing, but also proves that new comparative advantages of China are taking shape, Zhang added.

China’s increasing appeal for foreign investment also comes from the optimization of business environment in the country.

Zhang noted that the Chinese government has issued a series of favorable policies and reform measures, which have created a sound environment for the development of foreign enterprises in China.

According to him, China’s progress in intellectual property right protection and relevant laws and regulations has ensured stable development of foreign enterprises in China, too.

Digitalization, intelligence and greening are features of the flagship factories of foreign companies in China.

An executive of Tesla’s Shanghai plant told People’s Daily that the factory’s automatic production lines are covered by a reliable industrial network, which offers complete online services for equipment automation, wireless connection of production equipment, production data collection, human-machine interaction and smart decision making.

Recently, Siemens High Voltage Switchgear Ltd. Shanghai under Siemens Energy was listed as a green factory by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.

“Green factory is one that achieves intensive land use, utilizes environmentally friendly raw materials, adopts clean production, recycles waste materials and relies on low-carbon energy,” said an executive of the switchgear manufacturer.

According to the executive, by developing new solutions of green energy, the factory has established an energy structure in which different types of energy complement each other and thus promoted refined management of energy.

Top-notch foreign-funded projects have been implemented in China this year, as regions across the country have actively launched new measures and policies to attract foreign investment and worked vigorously to better business environment.

A 6-billion yuan aircraft lifecycle service center of Airbus is currently under construction in Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan province. A drink production base of Thai TCP Group with total investment of about 2 billion yuan has completed about three quarters of construction. Tesla recently announced that it will build an energy-storage mega factory in Shanghai.

Shu Jueting, a spokesperson of the Ministry of Commerce noted that over 300 new foreign investment projects have been signed since the outside of this year, involving key sectors such as biomedicine, advanced manufacturing, chemical industry, energy and modern services.

Xi’an summit to usher in new chapter of China-Central Asia friendship

By Zhang Xiao

The China-Central Asia Summit will be held in Xi’an, northwest China’s Shaanxi province on May 18 and 19, which is expected to bring new historical opportunities to the development of relations between China and Central Asian countries.

In 1992, China established diplomatic relations with Central Asian countries, opening the window of exchange and cooperation.

Over the past 31 years, the two sides have witnessed leapfrog development in their relations and successively formed strategic partnerships, which has not only promoted their own prosperity, but also safeguarded regional peace and stability. They have set an example for a new type of international relations featuring mutual respect, fairness, justice and win-win cooperation.

In 2022, trade volume between China and Central Asian countries hit a historic high of $70.2 billion, an over 100-fold increase since diplomatic ties were established

From January to April, this year, China’s trade with five Central Asian countries increased 37.4 percent year-on-year. China’s direct investment stock in the five countries was nearly $15 billion as of the end of 2022.

In January last year, Chinese President Xi Jinping chaired a summit via video link to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and five Central Asian countries.

The summit adopted and released the Joint Statement Between Leaders of China and the Five Central Asian Countries on the 30th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Ties, which stressed that the relations between China and Central Asian countries have entered a new era.

According to the statement, the six countries are determined to jointly build a strategic partnership featuring rich substance, fruitful results and enduring friendship and build a China-Central Asia community with a shared future.

During the third China + Central Asia (C+C5) foreign ministers’ meeting in June 2022, all parties agreed to establish a mechanism for the heads of state to hold summits in the “C+C5” format. Consensus was also reached that the inaugural China-Central Asia Summit would be held by China.

China and Central Asian countries will take the summit as an opportunity to bring their relations to a new level. The six countries will give full play to the strategic guidance of head-of-state diplomacy, gradually establish cooperation platforms in key areas, and improve the mechanisms for their cooperation.

Following the principles of mutual respect, good-neighborly friendship, solidarity and win-win cooperation, they will resolutely safeguard their sovereignty, security and development interests, offer each other firm support on issues concerning each other’s core interests, firmly oppose external interference in domestic affairs and build a solid foundation for political mutual trust.

They will uphold a vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, follow a coordinated approach to safeguarding traditional and non-traditional security, and work together to combat separatists, religious extremists and terrorists, as well as drug-trafficking and organized cross-border crimes, so as to build a strong fortress for regional peace and stability.

The six countries will uphold the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, pursue high-standard cooperation to improve people’s livelihood and promote sustainable development in Belt and Road construction, and jointly write a splendid chapter of the BRI.

They will strengthen exchanges between parliaments, political parties and non-governmental organizations and exchanges between women, young people and people with disabilities to build stronger momentum for cooperation.

They will work together to implement the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, follow true multilateralism, oppose protectionism, hold dear humanity’s shared values, safeguard international equity and justice, and enrich the connotation of international collaboration.

China and Kazakhstan, connected by mountains and rivers, are good neighbors, good friends and good partners with a shared future. China-Kazakhstan relations have progressed by leaps and bounds and reached the high level of permanent comprehensive strategic partnership, making important contributions to promoting regional peace, stability, development and prosperity.

The two countries will strengthen strategic communication and policy coordination, actively join the construction of China-Central Asia mechanisms, and promote the healthy and stable development of cooperation in various fields, to build an even closer China-Central Asia community with a shared future.

Xi’an is one of the cities where the Chinese civilization is rooted. It is also the starting point of the ancient Silk Road. The China-Central Asia Summit to be held in the city will surely usher in a more splendid chapter of friendly cooperation between China and Central Asia.

Historical city makes progress in integrated development of culture, tourism

By Fu Mingli, People’s Daily

Guan Yu, a famous general serving in the Three Kingdoms period (220-280 A.D.) of China, has long been respected as a symbol of loyalty. Today, he becomes an icon that contributes to the tourism of his hometown Yuncheng, north China’s Shanxi province.

A digital museum of the deified historic figure, who’s also known as Guandi, was established near the Guandi Temple in Yuncheng in September 2022. The two-story red building, equipped with holographic projection and virtual reality technologies, aims to better tell the stories of Guan Yu to more people.

Near another temple commemorating Guan’s family in Yuncheng’s Changping village, a Guan Yu-themed pedestrian street was also built, where hot pot, traditional noodle dishes, fried dough twists and other local food are sold.

The pedestrian street is also home to a number of crosstalk theaters and shops of cultural products. Plays themed with the Three Kingdoms are often performed on the street.

“We do our best to promote local tourism,” said Wang Peng, an employee of the company that manages the pedestrian street.

According to him, the pedestrian is home to some 70 architectures built in accordance with ancient styles—from the materials to the carving and paintings on them.

The pedestrian street aims to demonstrate the culture related to Guandi, Wang noted, adding that five plays about Guandi have been designed and relevant cultural experience activities have been introduced on the pedestrian street.

Yuncheng was named “Hedong”, meaning “East of the Yellow River,” in ancient times. It is a city that enjoys a profound culture and long history. It is home to 102 major historical and cultural sites protected at the national level as well as more than 6,000 pieces of immovable cultural relics。

Over recent years, Yuncheng has been working to promote the integrated development of culture and tourism. The renowned historical city is brimming with new vitality.

The city has completed reforms of institutional mechanisms of three major state-owned tourist sites in the past couple of years, including the Guandi Temple and the Yongle Palace, which has brought new growth points to traditional tourist attractions.

Yuncheng is currently exploring more opportunities in the integrated development of culture and tourism.

For instance, a grand stage play telling the impacts of Hedong on the formation of the Chinese civilization is always in hot demand. The Yongle Palace, notable for its Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) murals, has hosted a series of exhibitions of cultural relics to attract visitors.

Tourist attractions are emerging in Yuncheng. A highway along the Yellow River, connecting 24 national-level tourist sites, has witnessed the emergence of a number of tourist destinations, including a Yellow River-themed ecological park and a B&B cluster. A tourism belt with the unique features of southern Shanxi has taken shape.

“Yuncheng, working to optimize its tourism layout and improve its tourism services, will strive to build the highway into a superior tourism route in three years,” said Chen Xiaoguang, head of Yuncheng’s culture and tourism bureau.

“It’s important to expand the economy in accordance with local features. The development of the culture and tourism sector must be advanced as a part of urban development, so as to meet people’s expectations for better cultural lives,” said Wang Zhifeng, head of Yuncheng’s publicity department.

Over recent years, the city has built a number of tourist sites themed with historical figures and stories. These sites have not only brought better cultural lives to the local people, but also contributed to the development of the city’s culture and tourism sector.

To build even closer relations between China, Central Asian countries

By Guo Jiping, People’s Daily

Chinese President Xi Jinping will chair the China-Central Asia Summit in Xi’an, northwest China’s Shaanxi province on May 18 and 19.

The event is the first summit held offline by the heads of state of China and Central Asian countries since establishing diplomatic ties 31 years ago. The summit will mark a significant milestone in the development of relations between China and Central Asian countries.

This summit marks the official establishment of the heads of state meeting mechanism of China+Central Asia (C+C5). It will exert important and profound impacts on the relations between China and Central Asian countries, the revitalization of the six countries and regional peace and stability.

Under the guidance of head-of-state diplomacy, the political mutual trust and comprehensive cooperation between China and Central Asian countries have reached an unprecedented height. China has established comprehensive strategic partnerships and signed Belt and Road cooperation documents with all the five Central Asian countries. Together, they have blazed a new trail of good-neighborly friendship and win-win cooperation, and set a good example of fostering a new type of international relations.

China is ready to assist Central Asia to build itself into a bridge linking Western and Eastern civilizations, and to work with the region to jointly pursue national development and rejuvenation.

Since the two sides established diplomatic ties, China has always treated Central Asian countries as equals at the political level, fully understood their legitimate concerns and practically accommodated their demands, winning respect from these countries.

China and Central Asian countries enjoy strong momentum in economic and trade cooperation. Trade between the two sides has a strong complementarity and has maintained long-term stable growth.

In 2022, China-Central Asia trade reached a record high of $70.2 billion, which effectively reinforced the resilience of regional industrial and supply chains.

China is willing to share with Central Asian countries its vast market, complete industrial system and advanced technologies. The two sides have been committed to optimizing trade structures and will work together to promote high-quality economic development of the region.

China and Central Asian countries have made historic and groundbreaking landmark achievements in their cooperation.

The Central Asian region is China’s first neighboring cluster of strategic partners. China is the largest trading partner of Central Asia. Central Asia is where the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) was initiated and the first stop of the Belt and Road to the West. The China-Central Asia gas pipeline is the world’s longest of its type.

These remarkable achievements come from the key to the successful cooperation between China and the five Central Asian countries, which lies in their abiding commitment to mutual respect, good-neighborly friendship, solidarity in trying times, and mutual benefit.

Central Asia is a demonstration zone of BRI achievements. The Qamchiq Tunnel of the Angren-Pap railway line in Uzbekistan has completely changed the way of transport for millions of people. The China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan highway is like an artery of international transport that crosses mountains. Chinese and Central Asian railway systems were a vital contributor to international cooperation amid COVID-19.

Today, there are more and more bridges for China-Central Asia cultural and people-to-people exchanges. The two sides have forged 62 pairs of sister provinces, regions and cities, and are seeing hundreds of thousands of people traveling between them each year. Thirteen Confucius Institutes have been set up in Central Asia and the first Luban Workshop in Central Asia has been inaugurated in Tajikistan. Many renowned Chinese universities have research centers of studies on Central Asian countries and offer majors of Central Asian languages.

China and Central Asian countries share broad common interests and similar positions on many international and regional issues. The two sides have constantly enhanced cooperation in international and regional organizations such as the UN, the WTO and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization to safeguard common security and development interests, making contributions to improving global and regional governance.

The building of a China-Central Asia community with a shared future is a common aspiration of the people in both China and Central Asian countries, and will enjoy broad space for development.

China and Central Asian countries will build on the good momentum and strive shoulder-by-shoulder, to make contributions to building a community with a shared future for mankind and to promoting world peace and development.