CHINA MIRROR WEEKLY NEWS ISSUE 39

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Association for Sri Lanka China Social and Cultural Co-operation

Xi stresses ethnic unity, strengthening sense of community for Chinese nation

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How Xi's economic philosophy pro- 25 motes global governance 2

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Books gather Xi's wisdom on diplomacy

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2023 AFC Asia5 6 Cup to be relocated from Chi5 na 3

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China's economy maintains sound momentum despite 4 6 fluctuations 4

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10-16 May 2022

in things through the subtle and mi-

How Xi's economic philosophy promotes global governance BEIJING, May 14 (Xinhua)

nute. We need to foster new opportunities amidst crises, open up new horizons on a shifting landscape, and pool great strength to go through difficulties and challenges," Xi said in his special address, giving insight into a world battered by both the COVID-19 pandemic and sluggish

"The right way forward for humani-

economic growth.

ty is peaceful development and win

In the past two years, under the

-win cooperation," Chinese Presi-

guidance of Xi's economic thought,

dent Xi Jinping told the 2022

China has struck a fine balance be-

World Economic Forum (WEF)

tween pandemic control and eco-

virtual session in mid-January, of-

nomic development.

fering China's solutions to global challenges, including the COVID-

19 pandemic.

"Different countries and civilizations may prosper together on the

In 2020, China has emerged as the only major economy with positive growth. In 2021, its gross domestic product saw a year-on-year increase of 8.1 percent, contributing around a

basis of respect for each other, and

quarter to world economic growth

seek common ground and win-win

and beating most market expecta-

outcomes by setting aside differ-

tions. The country has also played a

ences," he added.

crucial and irreplaceable role in supporting the global supply chains.

Xi's remarks elaborated on

Alexander Petrov, a professor at St.

"Xiconomics," or the economics

Petersburg State University, said

philosophy of the Chinese president, demonstrating China's commitment to building a harmonious world, promoting common devel-

China's success has proved that in a socialist market economy, it is possible to coordinate the efficiency of economic development and social governance, which is needed for

opment and enhancing the common

global economic recovery in the post

interests of mankind.

-pandemic era.

OPENING WIDER

China has once again become one "driving force of the global econo-

"We need to learn from comparing long history cycles, and see the change

my," said Jochen Goller, president and CEO of BMW China, who

spoke highly of China's concerted efforts and strong resilience in both successfully fighting against COVID-19 and boosting economic recovery.

China's steady growth has served as a stabilizer for the world economy amid the pandemic. It has been implementing a development philosophy featuring openness and cooperation, which helped strengthen global solidarity for economic recovery.

"Countries around the world should uphold true multilateralism. We should remove barriers, not erect walls. We should open up, not close off. We should seek integration, not

decoupling. This is the way to build an open world economy," Xi said, urging countries worldwide to "make economic globalization more open, inclusive, balanced and beneficial for all, and to fully unleash the vitality of the world economy."

Humphrey Moshi, director of the Center for Chinese Studies at the University of Dar es Salaam of Tanzania, said that "China has been on the front line of encouraging multilateralism among global countries, and it has been doing that through cooperation on the principles of a win-win situation."

"As a staunch supporter of globali-

zation, China has been actively participating in and promoting international cooperation against COVID19, providing medical equipment and COVID-19 vaccines to many countries," Moshi said.

10-16 May 2022

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian’s Regular Press Conference

Lanka again after the Prime Minister resigned, and local reports say that protesters targeted the homes and properties of ruling-party lawmakers. Does the foreign ministry have any comment about the situation in Sri Lanka?

Zhao says that on May 9, bloodshed and conflict took place in Sri Lanka’s capital Colombo and othChina believes that with the er places, causing relatively large joint efforts of all sectors of casualties. Sri Lanka’s police have Sri Lanka, the country will enforced curfew so far. The Chiregain peace and stability as nese side is closely following the soon as possible, foreign min- development of the situation. We istry spokesperson Zhao Liji- believe that with the joint efforts an said Tuesday at a daily of all sectors of Sri Lanka, the press briefing. A Bloomberg country will regain peace and stajournalist raised the question: bility as soon as possible. violence has erupted in Sri

Chinese Ambassador called on Mahanayake of the Amarapura Nikaya Chapter on Vesak Day

On wesak poyaday 15th Sun-

Friendship Association members

day 2022, the ambassador of

participated at dry ration packs

People's Republic of China, HE

distribution to Maha Nayake

Qi Zhenghong , madam Jin Qi-

Thero of Amarapura Nikaya

an and Mr Luo Chong of Chi-

Most Venarable . Dodampahala

nese Embassy in Sri Lanka

Chandrasiri Thero at Gothama

with Sri Lanka China Buddhist

Tapowaneya temple.

10-16 May 2022

how to address the world's gap in development and challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic by reading Xi's speech at the general debate of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly last September. In this speech, Xi proposed the Global Development Initiative which has now received China Daily 13 May support from over 100 countries.

Xu Bu, secretary-general of Xi Collection of speeches from 2013 Jinping Thought on Diplomacy to 2021 tracks China's foreign pol- Studies Center and president of the icy evolution, experts say China Institute of International Studies, said that as manifested by Research on China's foreign policy these two volumes, Xi's proposal will be greatly assisted by a newly on building a community with a released publication－the first and shared future for mankind and his second volumes of a collection of putting forward the Global Develspeeches on diplomacy made by opment Initiative "serve as an esPresident Xi Jinping. sential way to deal with transnaPublished recently by the Central tional problems and resolve global Party Literature Press, the two vol- crises". umes include 136 speeches delivered Currently, the world's economic

by Xi at international events bedevelopment is unbalanced, and tween March 2013 and November infectious diseases have been ram2021. pant for quite a long time, Xu noted.

These books will help the world better understand Xi Jinping Thought "Also, Xi Jinping Thought on Dion Diplomacy, help ensure that Chi- plomacy sharply contrasts with outna's diplomatic agenda is better re- dated ways of thinking that pursue ceived and bolster its teamwork with a zero-sum game and power polipartners across the globe in pursuing tics," Xu said. sustained growth, peace and over"Displaying wisdom, insight and coming uncertainties, experts said. unique ideas on major issues conThey made the observation as the cerning mankind's development, Xi two volumes offer a panoramic view provides China's solutions to global of the original ideas, propositions challenges and points out the direcand initiatives put forward by Xi at tion for the progress and developvenues such as summits, symposiment of the entire human communiums and academic institutions. ty," he added.

Since 2013, Xi has had a packed diplomatic schedule, making 41 trips Wang Fan, vice-president of China abroad to a total of 69 countries.

Foreign Affairs University, said: The two volumes contain the full "Xi's informative speeches on ditext of Xi's speeches, such as the one plomacy show that great perspecmade at the United Nations Office at tives on history, the big picture and Geneva in 2017, which will help a country's role are key to better readers better understand how the tracking the evolving world." vision of building a community with As shown by these two volumes, a shared future for mankind was pro- Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy posed and developed. has profound depth in perceiving the world's political landscape, and Readers may also find answers to it outlines fresh tasks for coordinat-

Books gather Xi's wisdom on diplomacy

ing and advancing the country's diplomatic missions based on the world's transformations and transitions, Wang said.

"We should take note of two facts: China's ability to shape, influence and motivate the world is improving; and there is a great need for China to further boost trust with countries and overcome their doubts," Wang said.

Wang Wen, executive dean of the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies of Renmin University of China, said the collection of speeches "is a testimony to how Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy draws from and concentrates the diplomatic wisdom and success of the country, Party and its people".

The Thought deserves greater academic efforts from home and abroad in its research, Wang said.

"In his speeches, Xi accurately elaborated on China's policy toward its neighbors based on amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness," said Lyu Chao, dean of Liaoning University's Institute of America and East Asia Studies.

Xi's speeches show that China is ready to share opportunities for common development with neighbors, Lyu added.

Shen Yi, a professor and director of Fudan University's Center for Cyberspace Governance Studies in Shanghai, said the two volumes help outline Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy's "well-founded architecture of theories, detailed planning and respective policy practices".

"And his proposal of building a community with a shared future for mankind displays China's selfdriven open mind and inclusive approach to the world," Shen added.

10-16 May 2022

The first C919 large passenger aircraft to be delivered takes off from Shanghai Pudong International Airport in Shanghai, east China, May 14, 2022. The first C919 large passenger aircraft to be delivered completed a successful maiden test flight on Saturday, according to the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC).

China's indigenously-developed jet, coded B-001J, took off at 6:52 a.m. from Shanghai Pudong International Airport and landed at the same site at 9:54 a.m. (Xinhua)

2023 AFC Asia Cup to be relocated from China (Xinhua) 15:21, May 14,

BEIJING, May 14 (Xinhua) -- The 2023 Asian Cup football tournament will be relocated from China to a new host, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the tournament's Local Organizing Committee announced on Saturday.

sion has been made to remove the 2023 Asian Cup from China to a new host which is to be confirmed soon," read a statement published by the Chinese Organizing Committee.

"The Organizing Committee hereby expresses sincere gratitude to the AFC, all host cities and the whole society for their great support during the tournament's preparations," the statement added.

The AFC said in a separate statement that it appreciates that "Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the China, the CFA and the Local Chinese Organizing Committee canOrganizing Committee have not pledge at this moment to hold next made "this very difficult but year's Asian Cup competition under a necessary decision in the collecfully open model. After negotiations tive interests of the AFC Asian between the AFC, the Chinese FootCup 2023, which has also proball Association (CFA) and the Local vided the AFC the required time Organizing Committee, a joint decito assess the situation regarding

the hosting of the AFC Asian Cup 2023."

"The AFC worked closely with the CFA and the AFC Asian Cup China 2023 Local Organizing Committee during the preparations and several milestones were achieved, including the launch of the tournament logo and the unveiling of the newly completed Shanghai Pudong Football Stadium last year," the Asian football governing body added.

Details about the next steps related to the hosting of the Asian Cup will be announced in due course, the AFC said.

China was awarded the hosting right of the 2023 Asian Cup in June 2019. The 24-team competition was scheduled to be hosted across 10 Chinese cities.

10-16 May 2022

Photo taken on Jan. 14, 2021 shows a night view of Lujiazui in Pudong of east China's Shanghai Municipality. (Xinhua/Fang Zhe)

China's economy maintains sound momentum despite fluctuations

and high-quality development has not changed, he said.

China's economy got off to a steady start in the first quarter of this year, with its GDP growing 4.8 percent year on year, accelerating from a 4 percent increase in the fourth quarter last year.

However, shrinking demand, supply shocks and weakening expectations have weighed on the economy since Xinhua 12 May March. Sheng said that leveraging BEIJING, May 12 (Xinhua) -- Demulti-pronged macro policies is the spite mounting domestic and external key to reducing the COVID-19 imuncertainties, China's economy con- pact to the minimum and ensuring tinues to progress with a sound mothe economy operates in a reasonamentum, an official told Xinhua in ble range. an interview.

The country has vowed to adhere "Although some indicators saw short unwaveringly to its dynamic zero-term contractions mainly due to the COVID policy to consolidate the COVID-19 blow, the fundamentals hard-won results of prevention and underpinning the economy's stable control work, Sheng said. development and sound momentum He also stressed ramping up proremain unchanged," said Sheng Lai- growth policies and giving full play yun, deputy head of the National Bu- to effective investment. "History reau of Statistics. has shown that expanding infraIn particular, the country's general structure investment is the most eftrend toward economic upgrading fective and fastest way out of short-

term economic hardship," he said.

China's amount of infrastructure per capita is only 20 percent to 30 percent of that of developed countries, and its per capita railway operating length is less than 30 percent of the figure for the United States, showing great potential for infrastructure investment, Sheng said.

He also mentioned measures including tax and fee cuts, the deferral of social security contribution payments and the issuance of inclusive loans to shore up market entities.

Noting the increasing COVID-induced pressure on the job market, Sheng highlighted the importance of the full and thorough implementation of proemployment policies.

"With policies to coordinate pandemic control with economic and social development taking effect, the COVID19 impact is expected to subdue gradually," Sheng said, citing positive signals already seen in power generation and consumption data.

Efforts should also be made to ensure stable supplies and prices, he said.

10-16 May 2022

China eyes incremental policies to shore up growth BEIJING, May 13 (Xinhua) China is mulling new incremental policies to shore up economic growth and will make further adjustments when necessary, a senior economic official said on Thursday.

"There is sufficient room for fiscal, monetary policy and other policies, and we have various policy tools," Han Wenxiu, the official with the Central Committee for Financial and Economic Affairs, said at a press conference in response to questions on China's economic development.

"We have rich experience in coping with downward pressure on the economy, and will not hesitate to take steps," Han said.

The official's comments follow the Chinese authorities' recognition of mounting downward pressure on the economy, which was addressed at a key meeting of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee in late April.

The meeting analyzed the current economic situation and economic work, including the rising risks caused by the resurgences of COVID-19 and the Ukraine crisis, and clearly asserted that efforts should be made to contain the epidemic, stabilize the economy and keep development secure.

"All those aspects should be taken into account, and you cannot fix just one at a time," Han said. "It is a quite difficult work."

Calling the epidemic "a tiger in the way" of economic and social development, Han called for scientific, precise and effective measures to prevent and control COVID-19, which is an "essential pre-condition for the normal operation of the economy and society."

Efforts should be made to implement the existing policies in the first half of the year, Han said, adding that the State Council and relevant departments are working on detailed policy steps to help industries, small and medium-sized enterprises and individual businesses that are severely affected by the epidemic.

Han also called for making reforms and tapping the potential of domestic demand, such as strengthening infrastructure construction, making effective investment and boosting consumption.

"China's economy is at a critical moment in overcom-

ing difficulties, and the problems are the growing pains in the development process," Han said. "As long as we strengthen our confidence and rise to the challenges, we will be able to turn those challenges into opportunities, and that is the basic logic of China's economic development."

Chen Yulu, vice governor of the People's Bank of China, said that, in order to cushion the impact of the epidemic, the central bank has cut the reserve requirement ratio to keep liquidity at an ample level, lowered the financing costs of market entities, and implemented structural monetary instruments.

China has established a relending facility worth 200 billion yuan (about 29.72 billion U.S. dollars) to boost scientific and technological innovation and implemented a re-lending cap of 40 billion yuan for inclusive elderly care, Chen said.

By the end of March, the central bank had issued 138.6 billion yuan of funds through a supporting tool for carbon reduction, he added.

The central bank will put stable growth in a more prominent position, actively plan incremental policy tools, continue to reduce financing costs and step up financial support for

10-16 May 2022

A staff member restores the wall of Cave 1 of the Yungang Grottoes in Datong, north China's Shanxi Province, May 11, 2022. (Xinhua/Yang Chenguang)

Digitalization used to preserve Yungang Grottoes in N China's Shanxi Xinhua 13 May

TAIYUAN, May 13 (Xinhua)

A group of technicians of the Yungang Research Institute are striving to create digital versions of Cave 17 of the Yungang Grottoes in Datong, north China's Shanxi Province.

The institute is dedicated to protection, research and management of the Yungang Grottoes. In recent years, working staff of the institute have been engaged in collecting and digitalizing information of the grottoes relics for the purpose of facilitating digital archives of them.

The digitalization of the information is meant to explore new feasible methods of researching on the relics and to keep them in reliable and lasting protection.

The Yungang Grottoes, with

45 major caves and more than 59,000 statues, were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2001.

To date, one-third of the overall information collection and digitalization work has been completed.

19-25 April 2022

BeijingGuangzhou high -speed train to reach 350 km/h in June CTGN 14 May

from Beijing West Railway Station and ran south along the Beijing-Guangzhou High-speed

The Beijing-Wuhan section of the Railway. high-speed railway connecting During the test, the train's speed the Chinese capital with the

reached 385.1 km/h at one point.

southern city of Guangzhou will

The current maximum operation

use trains running at a maximum

speed along the 2,300-km rail

speed of 350 km/h starting in

between Beijing and Guangzhou

June, the China Railway has an-

is 310 km/h.

nounced.

Ye Yangsheng, the chief engineer A test was conducted on the sec-

at China Railway, explained to

tion linking Beijing with the pro-

China Media Group (CMG) some

vincial capital of Hubei in central

of the safety considerations for

China on Friday.

trains operating at such speeds.

The test used a Fuxing bullet train "The acceleration of high-speed and high-speed integrated testing trains requires comprehensive vehicle, with a comprehensive

consideration of various factors

check on up-down track, bridge,

such as technical conditions, mar-

telecommunication, signal and

ket demand, operation cost and

overhead line system. It started

environmental remediation," he said.

"Inside tunnels, the high-speed train is in a semi-closed environment. The increase in air pressure brings additional resistance, which makes the running resistance up by about 30 percent compared with open line conditions," Ye added.

After the success of the test, the Beijing-Wuhan section of the line will operate at 350 km/h starting June 20.

Currently, there are only four highspeed rails in China operating at 350 km/h, mostly in short-distance travel.

They are: Beijing-Shanghai highspeed rail, Beijing-Tianjin intercity rail, Chengdu-Chongqing high-speed rail, and certain parts of BeijingZhangjiakou high-speed rail. The Beijing-Guangzhou rail is also the longest in terms of travel distance.

10-16 May 2022

Aerial photo taken on Dec. 2, 2020 shows an asphalt mixing station at the construction site of the first expressway in Cambodia in Koh Kong Province, Cambodia. (Photo by Li Zhen/Xinhua)

China's BRI projects greatly benefit Cambodian economy, people: officials, experts

Works and Transport.

"This initiative, in my view, is importantly contributing to building a community of shared future for mankind."

Projects under the Chinaproposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) have been greatly boosting Cambodia's Xinhua 12 May economy and improving local people's livelihoods, "Generally speaking, the Cambodian officials and exBRI has provided tremen- perts said. dous opportunities and Large BRI projects in the benefits to all participating Southeast Asian country incountries around the clude the Sihanoukville Speworld, helping to boost re- cial Economic Zone, hydrogional and global econopower plants, Phnom Penhmies during and after the Sihanoukville Expressway, pandemic," said Vasim new Siem Reap International Sorya, undersecretary of Airport, Morodok Techo Nastate and spokesman for tional Stadium, roads and the Ministry of Public

bridges, hospitals, and rural water supply among others.

"These projects have provided and will continue to provide a lot of tangible benefits to the economy and people of Cambodia," Vasim Sorya, undersecretary of state and spokesman for the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, told Xinhua.

"The BRI projects here are sincere with no strings attached, and their aim is to help boost our socio-economic development and improve our people's livelihoods," he said.

Despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, all BRI projects in the kingdom have made headway steadily, Sorya said, giving an example of the construction work on the 2billion-U.S. dollar Phnom Penh -Sihanoukville Expressway.

10-16 May 2022

Inner Mongolia ups protection of intangible cultural heritages

HOHHOT, May 12 (Xinhua) -- North China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region has included a number of intangible cultural heritages along the Yellow River basin and the Great Wall on its protection list, focusing on protecting traditional cultures that reflect the history of exchanges and integration among ethnic groups.

Since ancient times, Inner Mongolia has been a place

International Nurses Day: pay respect to male nurses

Aerial photo shows the ruins of the Great Wall built in the Qin (221 BC to 206 BC) and Han (206 BC to 220 AD) dynasties, in Urad Front Banner in Bayannur, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Oct. 16, 2020.

(Xinhua/Peng Yuan)

where many ethnic groups gather. The Yellow River basin and the Great Wall have witnessed rich art forms of multiethnic integration.

The newly-listed items include operas, performances, folk cultures as well as winemaking and carpet weaving techniques, according to the regional government.

ing room at the Affiliated Hospital

ly acknowledged as they are usually

Xinhua 13 May

of Guizhou Medical University in

employed in labor-intense units such

Nurse Zhang Guo checks the

Guizhou, southwest China's Gui-

as ICUs, meaning frequent night

surgery equipments at an operat-

yang Province, May 10, 2022. The

shifts and long working hours.

importance of male nurses is wide-

(Xinhua/Tao Liang)

10-16 May 2022

Photo taken on May 13, 2022 shows a cup of coffee with latte art featuring an ancient bronze horse statue in Gansu Provincial Museum in Lanzhou, capital of northwest China's Gansu Province.

The bronze horse statue, popularly known as "Bronze Galloping Horse Treading on a Flying Swallow," was unearthed in 1960s from the Leitai Tomb of the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220 AD) in Wuwei County and is now preserved in the Gansu Provincial Museum.

Its image became a symbol of Chinese tourism in 1983. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)

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16.05.2022