CHINA MIRROR WEEKLY NEWS 24 ISSUES

V O L U M E - 1

I S S U E - 2 4

2 5 - 3 1

J A N

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Association for Sri Lanka China Social and Cultural Co-operation

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Wang Yi: China to contribute more to safeguarding world peace, prosperity in new year 3

PM Mahinda Rajapaksa Addressed Regional BRI Conference 8

Webi-5 nar to celeth brate 65 4 Anniver4 sary of Diplomatic Relations between China and Sri Lanka. 4 5 4

25-31 Jan 2022

Xi Jinping encourages Chinese people to march toward fully building a modern socialist country Xinhua 31 Jan As this year's Spring Festival, or the Chinese New Year, knocks on the door, Chinese President Xi Jinping extended Spring Festival greetings to all Chinese people and encouraged them to make efforts toward building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks on Sunday when delivering a speech at a gathering at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Greeting Chinese people of all ethnic groups, compatriots in Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, and overseas Chinese, he called on over 1.4 billion Chinese people to march toward the future.

Looking back, new great achievements were made "The Year of the Ox is coming to an end. It has been a year for us to review history, pay tribute to history and look to the future," Xi said, adding that significant new achievements have been made in advancing the cause of the Party and the country.

The president highlighted several milestone events, such as the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the CPC, the success of the sixth plenary session of

the 19th CPC Central Committee, and a landmark victory in building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, known as a "Xiaokang" society in Chinese.

Last year, China maintained its leading position in the world in terms of both economic development and COVID-19 control, he said.

He also cited China's progress in its high-quality development, capabilities in strategic science and technology, reform and openingup, and people's well-being.

Comprehensive plans had been made for China to reach its carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals, he added.

Looking ahead, 'impressive miracles' to be made "During the second half of the year, the CPC will convene its 20th National Congress to review the work of the past five years and draw a development blueprint for the years ahead," Xi said.

The congress comes at an important time when the CPC has embarked on a new journey to build a modern socialist country in all respects and to realize the Second Centenary Goal by 2049.

It will be a highly important

meeting and an event of great political significance for both the Party and the country, according to an official statement released by the CPC Central Committee in November last year.

China will coordinate development and security, implement a new development philosophy, comprehensively deepen reform and opening up, and promote high-quality development, he said.

In 2020, China made a strategic decision to foster a new development pattern where domestic and foreign markets can boost each other, with the domestic market as the mainstay.

Efforts should be made in taking concrete actions to welcome the 20th National Congress, and advance the historic cause of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, said the president.

(Cover: Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, addresses a Chinese New Year reception at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, January 30, 2022. /Xinhua)

25-31 Jan 2022

Wang Yi: China to contribute more to safeguarding world peace, prosperity in new year

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi delivers a Lunar New Year message to diplomatic corps in Beijing. /Chinese Foreign Ministry China will join hands with "all countries that love peace and uphold justice" to make new and greater contributions to safeguarding world peace and prosperity this year, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said.

Wang made the remarks in a Chinese Lunar New Year message to diplomatic corps in Beijing, which was published on the website of the Chinese Foreign Ministry on Saturday. The Chinese Lunar New Year, Spring Festival, falls on February 1.

Describing 2021 as a year "full of turbulence and challenges," Wang reviewed the spread of COVID-19 across the globe, difficulties faced by the world economy and the com-

plex international situation.

tion," he said.

"A certain country attempted to draw lines based on values and ideologies, and stoke division and confrontation in the name of democracy and human rights, casting clouds of a new Cold War over the whole world," he said.

The Beijing Winter Olympics will take place from February 4 to 20, followed by the Paralympic Winter Games from March 4 to 13.

"Meanwhile, peace and development remained the theme of the times. Solidarity over division and cooperation over confrontation became the shared aspiration and choice of the majority of countries," he added.

The diplomat underscored China's contributions to the world last year in terms of fighting the pandemic, promoting economic recovery, and defending international fairness and justice. China had provided more than two billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines to over 120 countries and international organizations by the end of last year, he noted.

China made joint efforts with the majority of countries in the world to advocate true multilateralism and uphold the UN-centered international system and the international order underpinned by international law, he said.

In 2022, China will "celebrate the Winter Olympics with all countries in the spirit of solidarity and coopera-

"We have the confidence and capability to overcome distractions and make the Winter Games a grand global event that enhances mutual understanding and friendship and brings the whole world 'together for a shared future,'" Wang said.

China will continue to contribute to the global fight against COVID -19 and "support other developing countries in closing the immunization gap," he said.

Moreover, China will "strengthen friendship and cooperation with all countries in the spirit of mutual respect and mutual trust," he added, calling on all countries to strive for greater cooperation and mutual trust and less friction and division.

China will also advance the implementation of the Global Development Initiative and boost highquality Belt and Road cooperation with relevant parties, he said.

25-31 Jan 2022

World leaders extend Chinese New Year greetings CGTN 31-Jan-2022

much they appreciate their "iron friendship" with China.

"I stay firm that our friendship and partnership will be even stronger in the years to come."

She also voiced her confidence in Beijing presenting a "fantastic" Winter Olympics, which will officially kick off on Friday.

Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen on Monday sent best wishes for the Chinese New Year, saying that the festival has gained popularity in the Southeast Asian nation.

In a recent message to Pung Kheav Se, president of the FederWorld leaders have sent their Lunar ation of Khmer-Chinese in CamNew Year greetings as China cele- bodia, Hun Sen said Chinese and brates the Year of the Tiger, which Cambodians of Chinese descent will officially ring in on Tuesday. have always shared weal and woe Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic with the Cambodian people since wished China and the Chinese peo- ancient times. ple a lot of success and good health He said they have greatly conin her greetings via CMG. tributed to the socio-economic development in Cambodia even She said Serbia is also celebrating during the time of the COVID-19 the Lunar New Year to show how

pandemic.

"I would like to wish all brothers and sisters happiness and brighter success in your businesses and endeavors," he said.

In a Lunar New Year message, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida sent his best wishes to the Chinese community living and working in Japan as well as everyone celebrating the festival.

He wished the Year of the Tiger to be a marvelous year filled with great vitality and growth.

In a message addressed to Costa Rica Overseas Chinese Association, President Carlos Alvarado, on behalf of the Costa Rican government and in his own name, wished prosperity, health and peace to the Chinese community in the Central American country.

He also congratulated the Chinese people on their great achievements over the past year.

Association for Sri Lanka-China Social & Cultural Cooperation ASLCSCC extended warm greetings to Chinese Traditional New Year.

The Association for Sri Lanka-China Social & Cultural Cooperation (ASLCSCC) wishes happy, prosperous, harmonious and healthy New Year to all the Chinese people.

The greeting message sent to Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) by ASLCSCC said “Sri Lanka and China experiencing long standing friendship. We hope that in the Year of Tiger ,the people to people friendship , mutual understanding and all kind of cooperation between Sri Lanka and China will enter to the historically momentum stage.”

ASLCSCC in the greeting letter to Chinese Association for International Understanding (CAFIU) said “ASLCSCC entered the year of 2022 with strong determination on advancing a better future and enhancing better cooperation with Chinese people. We hope to do more and more projects this year with CAFIU to promote social, educational and cultural relations.”

“ASLCSCC completed a signature banner with 3000 signatures from the youth to great the Beijing Winter Olympics. In Sri Lanka people of all the circles extend their support to the Beijing Winter Olympics and wish all the success to the participants throughout the world “said the ASLCSCC greeting letter to Beijing People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (BPAFFC).

25-31 Jan 2022

Webinar to celebrate 65th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between China and Sri Lanka.

Chinese Association for

International Understanding (CAFIU) and Association for Sri Lanka

Mr. Ai Ping, Vice President of the Chinese Association for International Understanding (CAFIU)

-China Social and Cultural Cooperation (ASLCSCC) have jointly organized a webinar with the theme of Deepening China-Sri Lanka Friendship and Jointly Building a Community of Asian Civilizations to celebrate the 65th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between China and Sri Lanka on 25th January 2022.

Keynote Speech delivered by Mr. Ai Ping, Vice President of the Chinese Association for International Understanding (CAFIU), former Vice Minister of the International Department, Central Committee of CPC (IDCPC)

Mr. Indrananda Abeysekera, President of the Association for Sri LankaChina Social and Cultural Co-operation also delivered a speech.

At the webinar main speakers were Mr. Lacan, Secretary-General of China

Mr. K.D.S Ruwanchandra, Secretary to the State Ministry for Cooperative Services, Marketing Development and Consumer Protection in Sri Lanka

Committee on Religion and Peace (CCRP) , Mr. K.D.S Ruwanchandra, Secretary to the State Ministry for Cooperative Services, Marketing Devel-

opment and Consumer Protection, former Minister Councilor in Sri Lanka

Embassy in Beijing , Professor Suranga Silva, Professor in Tourism Economics, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka ,Professor Li Yonghui of

School of International Relations and Diplomacy, Beijing Foreign Studies University , Mr. Ajith Dharmawardena,

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25-31 Jan 2022

Webinar to celebrate 65 Anniversary…. th

Senior Vice President of Sri Lanka China Buddhist Friendship Association ,Mr. Nishantha Wickramasinghe, Vice President of Harmonious Society Development Foundation, Assistant Sec-

retary of ASLCSCC, Professor Zhang Shengjun, Deputy Dean of the Belt and Road School, Beijing Normal University.

Mrs. Zhu Jingfang, Council Member of the CAFIU delivered the conclusion remarks.

25-31 Jan 2022

2022 Yunnan Spring Festival ..

will jointly celebrate the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and the 70th anniversary of the signing of the Rubber-Rice Pact.

Let's work together to lighten up the spring, continue to work hard, move forward bravely, and make greater contributions to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and upgrading of China-Sri Lanka traditional friendly cooperation.

The highlight of the event -Spring Awakening: International Spring Festival Gala was also officially launched. The party took a large number of images and videos showing the cultural links between China's spring festival culture, national culture and South Asia & Southeast Asian countries as the narrative main line, the excellent literary and artistic performances in Yunnan Province and some South and Southeast Asian countries as the main content, and used six chapters of "spring

A still from Spring Reunion: New Year-themed Documentaries. start", "spring ploughing", "spring banquet", "spring joy", "spring flower" and "spring glow" to highlight the concept of affinity, sincerity, benefit and inclusiveness, show the beautiful vision of being good to neighbors, partners with neighbors, inclusiveness and mutual learning among civilizations.

At the party, artists of all ethnic groups in Yunnan put on traditional programs such as "Phoenix Flying into the Sky" adapted from the Dai intangible cultural heritage dance

"Jinnaluo", as well as innovative works such as "Impressive Sound", which showed the life and production of people of all ethnic groups in Yunnan. Artists from South Asia and Southeast Asia put on special programs such as Malaysian dance "The Pulse of Rain Forest" and Sri Lankan dance "The Glory of Luck".

The event was widely reported by main stream medias in South Asia & Southeast Asian countries including Malaysian National News Agency

ability and security. It can meet the different requirements of crewed spaceflight, satellite communication, deep space exploration, and satellite constellation.

The Beijing Institute of Control Engineering began developing

SpaceOS in the 1970s. Its first application was in 2006 in a satellite of the Dongfanghong-4 communication satellite platform. In 2013, SpaceOS II was used in the Chang'e-3 lunar probe.

China releases new-generation spacecraft OS CGTN 26 Jan

China has released Space OS III, a new-generation operating system for spacecraft.

Developed by the Beijing Institute of Control Engineering under China Academy of Space Technology, the operating system has independent intellectual property rights.

Earlier versions of SpaceOS have been used in more than 300 spacecraft.

According to SpaceOS developers, the system boasts outstanding reli-

25-31 Jan 2022

PM Mahinda Rajapaksa Addressed Regional BRI Conference The China - Southeast Asia and South Asia Political Parties' Joint Consultation on Belt and Road was held via video link on January 24.

More than 100 leaders and representatives of more than 40 political parties and social organizations from Southeast Asia and South Asian countries attended the Conference.

Sri Lankan Prime Minister and Leader of the SLPP Hon. Mahinda Rajapaksa attended the event and delivered a keynote speech. PM Rajapaksa stated that “the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has caused severe disruption to people's livelihood across the world. It has also affected the global economy and financial markets. Several countries world-

wide are facing an increase in COVID-19 cases despite all control and containment measures. Needless to say, it is the low income groups in developing countries, who have been more adversely affected by the pandemic.”

“As Sri Lanka and China are important partners in the Belt and Road Initiative, political parties of both countries need to strengthen the exchange of experiences and advance integration between both coun-

tries’ development strategies and infrastructure connectivity. It is my firm belief that the expansion of the BRI between Sri Lanka and China, as well as other participating countries of Southeast Asia and South Asia at this conference today will bring a new era of close cooperation. Sri Lanka looks forward to working with China and its partners in achieving progress and prosperity for all our peoples.” said Hon. Mahinda Rajapaksa.

25-31 Jan 2022

Withdrawing from China, the ‘safest place,’ increases risks of COVID-19 infections for US personnel: Chinese FM Global Time 26 Jan China has expressed serious concerns and dissatisfaction to the US over reports that the US is considering to authorize departures of American diplomats in Beijing over China's Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian COVID-19 rules, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said on Wednessy and consulates to authorize the measures. day, noting China is undoubtedly the safest country in the world right now and withdraw- departure of their US employees in China, citing reasons for "China's However, Zhao said China's COVID-19 ing from the safest place will only greatly prevention and control measures are rigincrease the risk of infections for US person- epidemic situation." orous, scientific and effective, which have nel.

The Global Times learned this inforwell protected foreign nationals in China.

China's epidemic prevention and control The US' logic is hard to understand, Zhao said mation from a source familiar with measures comply with the relevant reguat Wednesday's media briefing. He said China the matter on Tuesday. lations including the Vienna Convention hopes that the US will abide by and cooperate on Diplomatic Relations and the Vienna with China's epidemic prevention regulations, Reuters said that the American diploConvention on Consular Relations,giving take China's position and concerns seriously. mats and their families wish to leave due to the US government's full consideration to comfort and legitimate rights of diplomatic and consular Zhao's remarks came after an exclusive report "inability" to prevent Chinese authorities from subjecting them to personnel,Zhao said. of the Global Times said the US Department of State is mulling to approve the US Embas- "intrusive" pandemic control

China issues guideline to promote highquality RCEP implementation

BEIJING, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- China will push for the high-quality implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) pact and deepen reform via high-level opening-up, stated a guideline from the government released Wednesday.

The country will align the opportunities provided by the trade pact with local development strategies, and help enterprises adapt to a more open and competitive environment, according to the guideline issued by

the Ministry of Commerce and other five departments on highquality RCEP implementation.

The guideline outlines measures in six areas -- highquality development in trade and investment, manufacturing upgrade, standards cooperation, financial support, business environment and supporting services for enterprises.

China will further improve trade and investment facilitation, boost the role of RMB settlement in supporting trade and investment, and strengthen cooperation in high-end industrial chain and manufacturing projects to foster a diversified global supply chain network, the guideline stated.

The country will also help the relatively backward central and western regions become more

competitive in the international market and allow the RCEP agreement and the Hainan free trade port policies to reinforce each other, according to the guideline.

The RCEP agreement, the world's largest free trade agreement, entered into force on Jan. 1. After it took effect, more than 90 percent of merchandise trade among members that have approved the accord will eventually be subject to zero tariffs.

The RCEP was signed on Nov. 15, 2020 by 15 Asia-Pacific countries -- ten members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia, and New Zealand -- after eight years of negotiations that started in 2012.

25-31 Jan 2022

Wang Daoshu introducing tax and fee reduction measures at a news conference in Beijing, China, January 26, 2022. /CFP

China cut another 1.1t yuan in taxes and fees in 2021, will focus on support small businesses next year CGTN 27-Jan

China reduced taxes and fees by a further 1.1 trillion yuan ($170 billion) last year for businesses and individuals to support economic stability and growth, Wang Daoshu, the deputy head of the

State Taxation Administration, said at a new briefing in Beijing on Wednesday.

Taxation authorities across the country authorized deferred tax payments of 216.2 billion yuan for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the manufacturing industry, Wang said. SMEs in the manufacturing industry have faced mounting pressures in recent years as the COVID-19 pandemic upended supply chains, resulting in high raw material costs, energy price hikes and snarls in global shipping. The Chinese government has continued to lower taxes and fees and provide financial support to help the SMEs weather the storm.

Considering the pressure faced by power and heating companies due to the global energy shortages and price fluctuations in recent years, the government forgave 27.1 billion yuan of taxes through

tax reduction, refunds and deferral measures.

In 2022, China will continue with the taxes and fees relief measures to support economic growth, focusing especially on support for SMEs, individual businesses and the manufacturing industry.

China also aims to optimize the tax system by expanding contactless payment services and moving most tax return processes online.

The country will implement preferential measures like tax refunds and deductions for foreign trade companies and will optimize tax service support for cross-border e-commerce firms to open up China's economy, State Taxation Administration spokesperson Huang Yun said.

The authorities also pledged to continue their crackdown on tax evaders to improve regulations.

25-31 Jan 2022

Ancient Chinese "golf" balls found in central China

A ceramic ball (R) and a modern golf ball (L) displayed in the art gallery of Pingdingshan University, central China's Henan Province. /Xinhua

sticks, and is thereby widely known

ZHENGZHOU, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- as the ancient "Chinese golf."

Lequan with a research institute of

Pingdingshan University in central

Most of the ball relics are about 5 cen-

the sports culture development cen-

China's Henan Province has found

timeters in diameter and are made of

ter under China's General Admin-

more than 1,000 ceramic balls used pottery or porcelain. Some are decorat-

istration of Sport.

in a golf-like ball game in ancient

ed with dimples that parallel those on

Located between the two ancient

China.

modern golf balls.

capitals of Luoyang and Kaifeng,

The university made the discovery

The relics can be dated back as early as

the Pingdingshan area boasted a

the Tang Dynasty (618-907), with

highly developed porcelain handi-

more than 1,800 such balls made in the

craft industry in ancient times. It

Tang, Song and Yuan dynasties. They

was likely a large production base

were mainly unearthed in the city's

for Chuiwan balls, said Cui.

ancient porcelain-making kilns.

Prevailing in the Yuan, Ming and

"This is the first time that China has

Qing dynasties (1271-1911), Chui-

while sorting out its ceramic collection, also finding several ball moulds and semi-finished ceramic balls.

The relics are related to an ancient

game called "Chuiwan" in Chinese. discovered so many Chuiwan balls,

wan is believed to have originated

It shares various features in com-

providing important reference materi-

from "Budaqiu," a polo-like game

mon with modern golf, such as

als for studying the origin and develop-

dating back to the Tang Dynasty.

knocking balls into holes using

ment of the ball game," said Cui

25-31 Jan 2022 The Zhaosu Tianma Airport, the 1st plateau airport in NW China's Xinjiang, will open soon after an airplane landed here Friday. Standing at over 1,700m above sea level, the airport is designed to have a passenger throughput of 200,000 by 2025.

Huzhu County, Haidong City, China’s Qinghai Province is an important potato planting area. With the expansion of planting scale and the rise of planting cooperatives, potato planting has been mechanized in recent years with cost reduced and efficiency increased. After harvesting, potatoes are directly processed into starch in nearby factories and sold all over the country.

The vehicles are running on the cross bridge in Rugao City, China's Jiangsu Province. The colorful lights on the bridge are like the Milky way in the sky, crossing the intersection of Longyou River and Baota River, making the city more bright and charming at night.

As the only municipality directly under the Central Government in the central and western regions, China's Chongqing City is a grand aggregate with large urban, rural, mountain and reservoir areas.

In recent years, Chongqing has been promoting rural revitalization, high-quality and efficient agricultural industry, improved rural livability and brought prosperity to the local farmers. In Chongqing, characteristic agriculture such as tea and navel orange has flourished, which has become an important channel for the local people to increase their profits. Walking between the mountains and rivers in Chongqing, the posture and shadow of beautiful villages can be seen everywhere, especially the clean and beautiful courtyard blessed with the fragrance of birds and flowers, which is pleasing .

NEWS CONTRIBUTION Embassy of China in Sri Lanka, CPAFFC, CAFIU, and other Chinese Media PUBLISHER

D30, Matha Road, Manning Town Colombo 8 Sri Lanka

Executive Editor Indrananda Abeysekera

Phone: +94 112695772 +94 710885588

714925151

E-mail: chinamirrorsl@gmail.com chinamirrorsl@yahoo.com

Editor in Chief Madushan Kularathne

31.01.2022