VOL. XXVII No. 3 March 2015 Rs. 20.00

The third session of China's 12th National People's Congress (NPC) opened at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, on March 5, 2015. Nearly 3,000 NPC deputies from across the country attended the opening meeting along with top Party and State leaders. Premier Li Keqiang delivered his government work report at the opening meeting. On March 4, Mr. Le Yucheng, Chinese Ambassador to Chinese Ambassador Mr. Le Yucheng attended the India attended the party organized by teachers and “International Conference Railways @ 2020” organized students of Jawaharlal Nehru University to celebrate by ASSOCHAM on March 11 and gave a lecture. Indian China’s Spring Festival. The Ambassador delivered a Railway Minister Mr. Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu and other speech on Chinese cultural to the participants. 150 officials and enterprisers were also present.

Chinese Ambassador to India Mr. Le Yucheng met with Mr. Chinese Embassy to India held a reception to celebrate Rajeev Kher, Commerce Secretary of Indian Ministry of the upcoming Chinese Lantern Festival and Holi in the Commerce and Industry in New Delhi on March 2 and evening of March 3. About 150 correspondents and exchanged views with him on China-India trade and scholars attended the event. economic cooperation.

Chinese Ambassador to India Mr. Le Yucheng addressed China’s Guangzhou Acrobatic Troupe held their first the “India China Investment and Trade Promotion “Happy New Year” show at Siri Fort Auditorium in New Symposium” in New Delhi on March 3. The symposium Delhi on February 27. Chinese artists’ wonderful was jointly organised by Chinese Tianjin municipal performance was warmly welcomed by a total of about government and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). 2,000 audiences. CONTENTS

NPC & CPPCC SESSIONS 2015

1. China's National Legislature Opens Annual Session 4 2. China's Top Legislator Delivers NPC Standing Committee Work Report 10 3. China's Top Political Advisory Body Starts Annual Session 11 4. Premier Li Keqiang Meets the Press 12 5. Foreign Minister Wang Yi Meets the Press 15

65th ANNIVERSARY OF CHINA-INDIA DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS

1. Chinese Ambassador Le Yucheng's Speech for the India Today Conclave 2015 24 2. Chinese Ambassador Le Yucheng's Address at the Media and Think Tank Reception 27 3. On the 65th Anniversary of India-China Diplomatic Relations 30 4. Dragon-Elephant Win-Win Tango is Desirable 34 5. Bearing Witness to the Growth of China-India Relations 36

EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

1. Xi Meets with Kissinger, Calls for More Trust Between China, U.S. 39 2. Xi Reaffirms China's Support for European Integration 40 3. Chinese President Xi Jinping Meets with Britain's Prince William 41 4. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang Meets with Sri Lankan Foreign Minister 43

REVIVING THE SILK ROAD

1. China's 2015 Diplomacy Focuses on "Belt and Road" 44 2. China's Silk Road Fund Starts Operation 47 3. China to Share Economic Development with Countries along Maritime Silk Road 48 4. China's Maritime Silk Road Initiative Promotes Regional Prosperity 48

ECONOMIC AFFAIRS

1. World Factory to World Investor 50 2. China Goes Global 54 3. Unleashing the Force of Agriculture 57

CULTURE & LIFE

1. Representing Old Beijing 61 2. Revisiting Quanzhou's Cultural Heritage 64 3. People Celebrate Spring Festival & Lantern Festival around China 67

TIBET TODAY

1. Tibetan Official Slams Dalai Lama Reincarnation Claim 69 2. Lhasa Households Enjoy Heating Subsidy 70 3. Construction of the Eco-Friendly Lhasa-Shigatse Railway 71

BOOK REVIEW 76 CCTV NEWS YOUR LINK TO CHINA AND THE WORLD 77 CRI A BRIDGE OF FRIENDSHIP 78 4 NPC & CPPCC Sessions 2015 News From China March 2015

NPC & CPPCC SESSIONS 2015

China's National Legislature Opens Annual Session

Chinese leaders Xi Jinping (3rd L, front), Li Keqiang (3rd R, front), Yu Zhengsheng (2nd L, front), Liu Yunshan (2nd R, front), Wang Qishan (1st L, front) and Zhang Gaoli (1st R, front) attend the opening meeting of the third session of China's 12th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2015.(Xinhua/Lan Hongguang)

Beijing, March 5 (Xinhua) — The 12th Lower GDP growth target National People’s Congress (NPC), China’s China plans to lower the annual GDP growth national legislature, opened its third annual target to around 7 percent from 7.5 percent, the session Thursday morning at the Great Hall of slowest in 22 years. the People in Beijing. Proactive fiscal, prudent monetary Premier Li Keqiang delivered his annual policies government work report at the opening China will continue to implement proactive meeting. fiscal policy and prudent monetary policy in 2015, while noting policy flexibility to sustain Highlights of Government Work Report economic growth. Premier Li Keqiang delivered his Fiscal reform government work report when the 12th China will encourage qualified private National People’s Congress opened its annual investors to establish, in accordance with law, session on March 5. Below are the Highlights of small and medium-sized banks and other the report: financial institutions. News From China March 2015 NPC & CPPCC Sessions 2015 5

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang delivers the government work report during the opening meeting of the third session of China's 12th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2015. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

The nation will also keep the RMB exchange 4.5% rate at an appropriate and balanced level and Ensure registered urban unemployment allow it to float more freely. rate not to exceed 4.5 percent The Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect 6% will be launched on a trial basis at an Increase imports and exports by around 6 appropriate time. percent Agricultural reform 3.1% China set the target to reduce the poor rural Cut energy intensity by 3.1 percent population by more than 10 million. 1.62 trillion yuan Annual government budget deficit is “Made in China 2025” Strategy projected to be 1.62 trillion yuan China will develop the “Internet Plus” action 2.3% plan to integrate the mobile Internet, cloud Deficit to GDP ratio will rise from last year’s computing and big data with modern 2.1 percent to 2.3 percent manufacturing. 12% Key Figures for China’s Economy in 2015 M2 money supply is forecast to grow by around 12 percent, but actual supply may be 7% slightly higher Increase GDP by approximately 7 percent 477.6 billion yuan 3% The central government will increase its Keep increase in CPI at around 3 percent budgetary investment to 477.6 billion yuan 10 million 800 billion yuan Create over 10 million jobs in urban areas Over 800 billion yuan will be invested in 6 NPC & CPPCC Sessions 2015 News From China March 2015

railway construction and open over 8,000 km of He also expressed dissatisfaction over the railways to traffic implementation of some policies and 7.4 million denounced laziness and corruption among a Build an additional 7.4 million units of small number of civil servants. government-subsidized housing However, Li said he is “fully confident” as 10 million China’s development has enormous potential Reduce the poor rural population by more and is hugely resilient, with ample room for than 10 million growth. 550 million metric tons The Premier stressed that the growth rate is Keep grain output above 550 million metric “both aligned with our goal of finishing building tons a moderately prosperous society in all respects 3.1% and is appropriate in terms of the need to grow Cut the intensity of carbon dioxide by at and upgrade our economy.” least 3.1 percent Considering the size of China’s economy, 3.66 million gross domestic product (GDP) worth of 63.6 Renovate 3.66 million dilapidated rural trillion yuan (10.39 trillion U.S. dollars) in 2014, houses, an increase of 1 million over the even the growth of 7 percent will produce an renovated last year annual increase of more than 800 billion U.S. dollars at current price, larger than the figure China’s Parliament Convenes, Pooling produced by a 10-percent growth five years ago, Strength to Tackle “Formidable said Fan Jianping, chief economist for the Difficulty” government think-tank State Information Premier Li Keqiang warned “formidable Center of China. difficulty” in 2015, setting a slower growth David Dollar, senior fellow with John L. target, but stressed his confidence in the Thornton China Center under U.S. think-tank ongoing reform to start new development Brookings, told Xinhua that it is realistic for engines in his government work report. China’s economy to grow in the 6-7 percent The annual government work report, range. delivered by Li at the opening meeting of the “I do not see that as a problem for China or national legislature’s annual session, set this the world, as long as the slowdown is gradual,” year’s economic growth target at 7 percent, Dollar said. “China will continue to provide a lot lower than last year’s target and the 7.4-percent of demand for other economies, but the nature actual growth in 2014. of that demand is changing.” Other economic indices such as consumer Premier Li highlighted “dual objectives” of price index (CPI), set at 3 percent, and maintaining a medium-to-high level of growth unemployment rate at 4.5 percent are also rate and moving toward a medium-to-high level slightly lower than last year. of development. Predicting the situation in 2015, the As for how to realize the goals, the solution Premier admitted that the difficulties China is presented in Li’s report is dubbed “twin to face may be “even more formidable” than last e n g i n e s ”, w h i c h r e f e r s t o p o p u l a r year, with downward pressure on the economy entrepreneurship and innovation and increased building up and deep-seated problems in supply of public goods and services. development surfacing. In the report, Li has stressed the Party Summarizing weaknesses in 2014’s work, leadership headed by President Xi Jinping for Li listed sluggish investment growth, relatively five times while summing up the progress in damp consumer demand, increasing labor cost, 2014 and laying out the plan for 2015. inefficient growth model, overcapacity, weak “Let us rally closely around the Party Central rural infrastructure and serious pollution. Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as General News From China March 2015 NPC & CPPCC Sessions 2015 7

Chinese President Xi Jinping (front R), also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, meets with deputies to the 12th National People's Congress (NPC) from south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region during the third session of the 12th NPC, in Beijing, capital of China, March 8, 2015. (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang)

Secretary, hold high the great banner of down, but as long as we improve our business socialism with Chinese characteristics, and environment, people will show more work together to break new ground,” he said in understanding and support to new commercial the end. models, and the economic growth will have a The year of 2015 is considered a key one to higher quality,” Ma said. realize the overall reform blueprint set by the Yang Yuanqing, chairman and CEO of Lenovo leadership in 2013 and the first year since the Group, who observed the meeting as a national legal reform plan was unveiled last October that political advisor, referred the country’s aims to realize the rule of law in China. situation to business changes of his own It is also the last year for the government to company. meet the targets set by the country’s 12th five- “The ‘new normal’ of China’s economy year national development plan, which range implies adaptation,” he said. “Pressure has been from people’s livelihood to pollution control. there since we (Lenovo) enjoyed high speed of Other than voicing worry, China’s business growth in the past few years. Now we need to leaders have taken the new situation as an find more new growth areas.” opportunity to change. Nearly 3,000 NPC deputies from across the Jack Ma, executive chairman of the Alibaba country attended the opening meeting along Group, compared the country to a person with top Party and state leaders Xi Jinping, Yu whose height can’t grow forever. Zhengsheng, Liu Yunshan, Wang Qishan and “When growing up, we will try to pursue Zhang Gaoli. The meeting was presided over by wisdom. The Chinese economy is slowing Zhang Dejiang, chairman of the National 8 NPC & CPPCC Sessions 2015 News From China March 2015

People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee. To foster a new engine of growth, the Dong Mingzhu, president of China’s leading country will need to draw the strength of the air conditioner maker Gree Group, was among market, which has great potential in China with the deputies in the Great Hall of the People. 1.3 billion people, 900 million of workforce and “The government work report drew a over 70 million enterprises and self-employed blueprint for all Chinese,” Dong said. “As a businesses. business person, I am inspired and would like to Thursday’s report fully responded to the seize the opportunities.” principle set by the reform blueprint adopted in U.S Ambassador to China Max Baucus, who November 2013, which is to “transform the observed the opening meeting, told Xinhua that government function and let the market play a he always hopes that the Chinese economy will decisive role in allocating resources.” do well in 2015 and the country has good, According to the report, the central strong and robust GDP while people have well- government will continue abolishing or paid jobs. delegating powers to local governments and put in place a negative-list approach for market Removing Policy Barriers access. The Premier stressed that systemic, The Premier promised to exchange less institutional, and structural problems have government power with more market vitality. become “tigers in the road” holding up The country will expect easier policies on development and, without deepening reform investment approval and pricing, more and making economic structural adjustments, transparent budget management, faster China will have a difficult time sustaining financial reform and bolder restructuring of steady and sound development. state-owned enterprises.

Deputies to the 12th National People's Congress (NPC) arrive at the Tian'anmen Square in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2015. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing) News From China March 2015 NPC & CPPCC Sessions 2015 9

Deputies to the 12th National People's Congress (NPC) listen during the third session of China's 12th NPC at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2015. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

Local government officials, such as Xu Qin, improve the efficiency. mayor of southern Chinese city of Shenzhen, Government spending in infrastructure, a have felt the need of self reform. long-term drive of China’s economy, still stands An industrial park in Shenzhen has been out in Thursday’s report as Li earmarked 477.6 included in the new free trade zone of billion yuan as the central budgeted spending Guangdong, one of the three approved late last for 2015 as well as 800 billion yuan in railway year. construction, in addition to 27 new water Xu, an NPC deputy, told Xinhua that, taking conservancy projects. this as a change, the city will have reform However, the Premier stressed that the measures in all aspects of government work, government does not intend to invest alone but particularly the investment policies in financial attract more private investment into more and service sectors. areas. Smarter Government Spending Iron Hand on Pollution Admitting that traditional growth engine is Quite rare compared with previous weakening, Li said the government looks to government work reports, Thursday’s report upgrading traditional engines while creating listed environment targets, together with gross new ones. d o m e s t i c p r o d u c t ( G D P ) g r o w t h , He promised to provide more public goods unemployment rate and consumer price index and services and increase government input in (CPI), as the country’s major development goals areas like education and health care, and in 2015. encourage nongovernmental participation to In 2015, Chinese government plans to 10 NPC & CPPCC Sessions 2015 News From China March 2015

reduce the energy intensity, or units of energy given to employment and creation of jobs, Li per unit of GDP, by 3.1 percent and continue said. reducing the emission of major pollutants. The government will work to help people, Intensity of carbon dioxide is also set to who have lost their jobs due to structural drop at least 3.1 percent with other indices like adjustments or measures to address chemical oxygen demand and emissions of overcapacity, find new jobs, he said. ammonia nitrogen, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen The basic pension benefits for enterprise oxides. retirees will be increased by 10 percent, Li In strong word, the Premier pledged that said, adding that the monthly basic pension polluters will “pay a heavy price” for illegal benefits for rural and non-working urban discharges. residents will be uniformly raised from 55 yuan (9 U.S. dollars) to 70 yuan per person, he China to Improve People’s Livelihood said. China will beef up efforts to improve The government will also improve basic people’s living standards and promote social medical insurance for rural and non-working development this year, Premier Li Keqiang said. urban residents, and increase the annual The number of college graduates will reach government subsidy for this insurance from 320 7.49 million this year, and top priority will be yuan to 380 yuan per person, Li said.

China's Top Legislator Delivers NPC Standing Committee Work Report

Zhang Dejiang, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), delivers a work report of the NPC Standing Committee during the second plenary meeting of the third session of the 12th NPC at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 8, 2015. (Xinhua/Ma Zhancheng) News From China March 2015 NPC & CPPCC Sessions 2015 11

Beijing, March 8 (Xinhua) — China’s top Chinese leaders Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, Yu legislator Zhang Dejiang delivered a work Zhengsheng, Liu Yunshan, Wang Qishan and report of the Standing Committee of the Zhang Gaoli attended the meeting along with National People’s Congress (NPC) at a plenary nearly 3,000 lawmakers at the Great Hall of the meeting of the ongoing NPC annual session People in downtown Beijing. Sunday.

China's Top Political Advisory Body Starts Annual Session

Yu Zhengsheng, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), delivers a report on the work of the CPPCC National Committee's Standing Committee at the third session of the 12th CPPCC National Committee at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 3, 2015. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

Beijing, March 3 (Xinhua) — The Third the annual session. Session of the 12th National Committee of the At the opening meeting in the Great Hall of Chinese People’s Political Consultative the People, CPPCC National Committee Conference (CPPCC), the country’s top political Chairman Yu Zhengsheng delivered a report on advisory body, opened Tuesday in Beijing, the work of the Standing Committee of the kicking off the most important two weeks on CPPCC National Committee in the past year. China’s political calendar this year. Top Communist Party of China and state A total of 2,153 members of the CPPCC leaders Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, Zhang Dejiang, National Committee will discuss major issues Liu Yunshan, Wang Qishan and Zhang Gaoli concerning the country’s development during attended the opening meeting. 12 NPC & CPPCC Sessions 2015 News From China March 2015 Premier Li Keqiang Meets the Press

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang speaks at a press conference after the closing meeting of the third session of China's 12th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 15, 2015. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan)

China Has Multiple Policy Tools to development enters a “new normal,” Li said. Bolster Growth China’s gross domestic product expanded 7.4 percent last year, its lowest level of growth Beijing, March 15 (Xinhua) — China still has a since 1990. host of policy tools at the government’s disposal “The good news is that in the past couple of to bolster its economic growth, Premier Li years we did not resort to massive stimulus Keqiang said Sunday. measures for economic growth. That has made It is “by no means easy” to achieve this it possible for us to have fairly ample room to year’s target of registering an economic growth exercise macro-economic regulation, and we at around 7 percent, as, with the expansion of still have a host of policy instruments at our the Chinese economy, a 7-percent increase in disposal,” he said. the Chinese economy is equivalent to the total size of a medium-sized economy, Li said at a China Not Free Rider, but Major press conference after the conclusion of China’s Contributor annual parliamentary session. Beijing, March 15 (Xinhua) — Chinese The Chinese economy will operate within Premier Li Keqiang said Sunday that China is not an appropriate range when the economic a free rider and its development at a reasonable News From China March 2015 NPC & CPPCC Sessions 2015 13 speed is huge contribution to the world. government debts are in the form of investment “For such a huge country, how could it easily which have quite good prospect for yielding get a free ride in anybody’s train,” Li said at a returns. press conference after the conclusion of China’s “We are also regulating these financing annual parliamentary session. platforms to ensure that we keep the front door China needs to run its own affairs well and open while blocking the back door,” he said. maintain its development at a reasonable The premier also clarified potential speed. “I believe that in itself is China’s huge financial risks involving the banking system, contribution to the world,” Li said. pointing to “fairly high capital adequacy ratios At the same time, China is assuming its due and relatively ample provisions” with the international obligations and responsibilities, country’s banks. he said. “It is true that there are non-performing “I think what China is doing is working with loans (NPLs) and the NPL ratios have picked up other countries in pursuing common progress,” somewhat, but the NPL ratios in China are still according to the premier. quite low in the international context,” he said. Li also said that China is still a developing While allowing the market to rule individual country in every sense, with around 200 million and isolated cases of financial risks, China will Chinese people living in poverty. encourage the practice of balancing one’s book China Capable of Preventing Systemic, in a market-based way so as to guard against Regional Financial Crises possible ethics violations and raise people’s awareness of risks, the premier said. Beijing, March 15 (Xinhua) — China is The Chinese authorities will also introduce capable of preventing systemic or regional the deposit insurance system this year and financial crises while allowing market-ruled continue to develop a multiple-tiered capital liquidation in individual and isolated cases, market so as to lower companies’ leverage ratio Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said on Sunday. and help ensure financial services better serve Li made the remarks after the conclusion of the real economy, said the premier. the annual session of the National People’s Polluters to Pay Price “too high to bear” Congress, China’s top legislature, in response to a question on financial risks in the world’s Beijing, March 15 (Xinhua) — Polluters will second largest economy. pay a price “too high to bear” for their illegal “It is true that there are individual and acts, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang warned isolated cases of financial risks, but at the same Sunday. time, we are fully capable of preventing All businesses involved in illegal production systemic or regional financial crises,” the and emission, no matter what kind of business premier said at a press conference. they are, will be brought to justice and held Reassuring the market, he cited the facts accountable, Li told a press conference after the that the Chinese economy continues to operate annual national legislative session concluded. within the proper range and there is a fairly He made the remarks in response to a high saving rate in the country. question on whether two Chinese oil giants, Regarding concerns over the potential risks Sinopec and PetroChina, have obstructed the which may arise from local government debts, implementation of environment policies in the the premier said more than 70 percent of local country. 14 NPC & CPPCC Sessions 2015 News From China March 2015

“We need to make the cost for doing so too in the consumption of coal in heavily-polluted high to bear,” the premier said. areas. This year the Chinese government will focus The country will promote the use of new- on fully implementing the newly-revised energy vehicles, reduce vehicle exhaust Environmental Protection Law, he said. emissions, raise the national fuel quality M o re s u p p o r t s w i l l b e g ive n to standard, and provide motor gasoline and diesel environmental law enforcement departments fuel of higher quality. All highly polluted including capacity building, he said. vehicles registered before 2005 will be banned “No one should use his power to meddle from the road. with law enforcement in this regard,” he said. “This is a joint effort of the whole society,” However, the premier stressed that the law the premier said. “It may be difficult for one to enforcement departments should also have the change natural environment he lives in anytime courage to take charge and fulfill their duty soon but one can always change the way he while nonfeasance will be held accountable and behaves.” abuse of power and breach of duty will be China Willing to Build New Type of Major- punished. Country Relations with U.S. The law must work as a powerful, effective tool to control pollution instead of being “as soft Beijing, March 15 (Xinhua) — China is as cotton candy,” he said. willing to build a new type of major-country Although the government has made relations with the United States featuring no tremendous efforts in tackling pollution, the conflict, no confrontation, mutual respect and premier said, the progress still falls short of win-win cooperation, Premier Li Keqiang said people’s expectation. Sunday. Unlike previous years, the targets for Chinese President Xi Jinping’s planned U.S. energy conservation and emission reduction visit in September will inject new impetus into are placed in a more prominent position in this the development of China-U.S. relations, added year’s government work report. the premier at a press conference after the Chinese government plans to reduce the conclusion of the annual session of the National energy intensity, or units of energy per unit of People’s Congress, China’s top legislature. GDP, by 3.1 percent in 2015. It is true that China and the United States It will also cut the intensity of carbon have divergences, but they also share broad dioxide by at least 3.1 percent, reduce both common interests, stressed the premier. chemical oxygen demand and ammonia “The ongoing China-U.S. investment treaty nitrogen emissions by around 2 percent, and negotiations have sent a clear signal to China, reduce emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen the United States and the whole world at large oxides by around 3 percent and 5 percent, that Sino-American economic and trade respectively. relations, a ballast of bilateral ties, will become The policies to improve economic structure closer,” said Li. and fuel quality will also contribute to pollution “We have proposed that China and the control, the premier said. United States work together to build a new In Li’s government work report, China will model of major-country relationship featuring upgrade coal-burning power plants to achieve mutual respect, win-win cooperation, no- ultra-low emissions and strive for zero-growth conflict and no-confrontation,” Li said. News From China March 2015 NPC & CPPCC Sessions 2015 15

Foreign Minister Wang Yi Meets the Press

On 8 March 2015, the Third Session of the Twelfth National People's Congress held a press conference at the Press Center of the Two Sessions. Foreign Minister Wang Yi was invited to answer questions from Chinese and foreign media about China's foreign policy and external relations. The press conference lasted 95 minutes and was attended by over 500 Chinese and foreign journalists.

Wang Yi: Friends from the press, good With these words, I would like to open the floor morning. Today is the International Women’s to questions. Day. At the outset, I would like to extend sincere People’s Daily: Mr. Minister, you once said greetings to the female journalists and all that 2014 was a year of harvest and all-round Chinese women who show understanding of progress in China’s diplomacy. Could you and support for China’s diplomacy. elaborate on that? And what can we expect On this day a year ago, the MH370 flight from China’s diplomacy in 2015? What are went missing. A year has passed, and the plane the keywords we need to watch? has not been located, but the search effort will Wang Yi: Indeed, 2014 was a year of harvest continue. Today must be a tough day for the next for China’s diplomacy. It was also a year of of kin of those on board MH370. Our hearts are forging ahead and breaking new ground. with you. Malaysia Airlines has started its Under the leadership of the CPC Central compensation work. We will provide all needed Committee headed by General Secretary Xi service to every next of kin and help you uphold Jinping, we successfully hosted the CICA your legitimate and lawful rights and interests. Summit in Shanghai and the APEC meeting in 16 NPC & CPPCC Sessions 2015 News From China March 2015

Beijing, and left a deep imprint of our own. We avenues of win-win cooperation. The emphasis took an active part in the resolution of global will be on promoting infrastructural hot-spot issues, and played China’s role in connectivity, and building overland economic international and regional affairs. We made corridors and pillars of maritime cooperation. energetic efforts to expand external We will also promote people-to-people and cooperation, and our initiative to establish a cultural exchanges and cooperation, and speed Silk Road Economic Belt and a 21st Century up relevant FTA negotiations. We are confident Maritime Silk Road won support from a lot of that the “Belt and Road” initiative will win even countries. more support and deliver even more “early harvests”, so as to catalyze the revitalization of the Eurasian continent as a whole. In 2015, we will do a lot under the two themes of peace and development. We will work with the international community to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the end of the world’s anti-Fascist war, draw lessons from history, look to the future, and make China a staunch force for peace. The 70th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations will be a good opportunity for us to take an active part in t h e U N ’ s d eve l o p m e n t s u m m i t a n d international cooperation on climate change. It is particularly worth mentioning that We will play a constructive role in helping to focusing on building a new type of international secure a post-2015 development agenda and a relations featuring win-win cooperation, we are new international regime for addressing taking a new path of external relations climate change that are in the interests of characterized by partnership rather than developing countries. alliance. By the end of last year, we had Beijing News: In recent years, more and established different forms of partnerships more Chinese citizens have made outbound with over 70 countries and a number of regional visits, and we see a good example of that organizations, and basically established a during the just passed Chinese New Year. global network of partnerships. One can say What will the Chinese Foreign Ministry do to that China’s circle of friends and partners has facilitate the outbound visits of Chinese widened and will continue to expand. citizens and protect their legitimate rights In 2015, we will continue to forge ahead and and interests overseas? expand all-round diplomacy. While steadfastly safeguarding our national interests, we will work to expand the common interests we have with other countries in the world. The keywords for China’s diplomacy in 2015 will be “one focus” and “two main themes”. Our key focus in 2015 will be making all- round progress in the “Belt and Road” initiative. We will further enhance policy communication with other countries, expand the convergence of our shared interests, and explore effective News From China March 2015 NPC & CPPCC Sessions 2015 17

Wang Yi: Last year, for the first time, that China and Canada have just reached Chinese citizens made over 100 million visits agreement on issuing visas to each other’s abroad, making them the largest floating citizens with a validity period of up to 10 years. population in the world. There are also more This agreement will go into effect tomorrow. than 20,000 Chinese enterprises which have The effort to protect and assist Chinese established a presence abroad, and millions of nationals overseas is always a work in progress; our compatriots are living and working in it is never a mission accomplished. Wherever different parts of the world. The task and there is Chinese footprint, consular service responsibility of protecting their rights is must step up and cover that place. We will heavier than ever. We are always concerned continue to work hard to improve the value of with the safety and wellbeing of every one of Chinese passports, so that our compatriots can our compatriots, and we will do everything in more directly feel the dignity of being a Chinese our power to protect and assist them. and find it easier to travel abroad. We hope more Last year, the Chinese Foreign Ministry’s and more of our compatriots can go abroad any Global Emergency Call Center for Consular time they wish and they can have smooth, safe Protection set up the 12308 hotline. The hotline and worry-free travels. is a 24/7, all-time-zone channel of Russia Today News Agency: Against the communication between overseas Chinese background of Western sanctions on Russia nationals and their loved ones back in China. and the sharp depreciation of the ruble, how Now no matter which part of the world you are will China carry out cooperation with Russia, in, if you run into trouble, you can dial this especially in the energy and financial number and get prompt assistance from the sectors? And what will China and Russia do Foreign Ministry and our diplomatic and to further strengthen their coordination and consular missions abroad. In the half year since cooperation in international affairs? the launch of the hotline, we have received over 30,000 phone calls. Many of our compatriots say that this hotline is very reassuring for them, because they can feel that the motherland is always by their side. We hope more of our compatriots can know about this hotline and make good use of it. When in trouble, please call 12308. In 2014, we also made important progress in visa facilitation. We signed visa exemption or simplification agreements with 24 countries, equal to the total of the previous four years. And nowadays, Chinese citizens can visit more than 50 countries and territories without a visa or by Wang Yi: The China-Russia relationship is obtaining a visa upon arrival. You may not dictated by international vicissitudes and remember the reciprocal visa arrangement does not target any third party. Thanks to the which China and the United States announced strong strategic trust the two sides have last year. It means that if a Chinese or American established, our relationship has become more person has a visa, then for up to five or even 10 mature and stable. As comprehensive strategic years, he or she can travel easily between the partners of coordination, China and Russia have two shores of the Pacific Ocean with just a a good tradition of supporting each other. And passport and an air ticket. And let me tell you the friendship between our two peoples 18 NPC & CPPCC Sessions 2015 News From China March 2015

provides a strong foundation for strengthening has spread far and wide in China. The Chinese strategic cooperation between the two sides. people believe in reciprocating the courtesy of Practical cooperation between China and others. So I’m sure when Prime Minister Modi Russia is based on mutual need, seeks win-win visits China later this year, he will be warmly results, and has enormous internal impetus and welcomed by the Chinese government and room for expansion. This year, our practical people. cooperation is expected to deliver a series of new results. For example, we will work hard to lift two-way trade to US$100 billion. We will sign an agreement to work on the Silk Road Economic Belt and begin relevant cooperation. We will start full construction of the eastern route of the natural gas pipeline and sign an agreement on the western route of the pipeline. We will accelerate the joint development and research of long-distance, wide-body passenger jets. We will start strategic cooperation on the development of Russia’s Far Eastern region. And we will strengthen our cooperation on high-speed railways. At the same time, we will continue to intensify our Mr. Deng Xiaoping once said that unless cooperation in the financial, oil and gas, and China and India are developed, there will be no nuclear-power sectors. Asian century. China is prepared to work with China and Russia are both permanent India to implement the important agreement members of the UN Security Council. We will reached by our leaders. The Chinese “dragon” continue to carry out strategic coordination and and the Indian “elephant” should join each other cooperation to maintain international peace in a duet to work for the early revitalization of and security. This year, both countries will hold two oriental civilizations, the common a series of activities to commemorate the 70th prosperity of two emerging markets and the anniversary of the end of the world’s anti- amicable coexistence of two large neighbors. Fascist war. We will support each other and As for the China-India boundary question, it jointly uphold international peace and the is a legacy of history. We have worked on it for outcome of the Second World War. many years and made some progress in the Press Trust of India: The Indian Prime boundary negotiation. The dispute has been Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit contained. At the moment, the boundary China in the course of a few months. How negotiation is in the process of building up small does China view his visit, and what kind of positive developments. It is like climbing a significance does it attach to this? And also, mountain. The going is tough and that is only the two countries are scheduled to have the because we are on the way up. This is all the next round of border talks. Is there a more reason that we should do more to breakthrough expected for us to resolve the strengthen China-India cooperation, so that we boundary issue? can enable and facilitate the settlement of the Wang Yi: Last September, President Xi boundary question. Jinping paid a historic visit to India. The picture Xinhua News Agency: This year marks of the two leaders working the spinning wheel the 70th anniversary of the founding of the in Gujarat, the home state of the Prime Minister, United Nations. It is an important historical News From China March 2015 NPC & CPPCC Sessions 2015 19 moment for the international community to legitimate rights and interests of developing reflect on the past and look to the future. countries, which are in the majority, so that we Some people say that China wants to can make the world a more equal, harmonious challenge and even overturn the current and safe place. international order, and replace it with a NBC: Last month, State Councilor Yang new one dominated by China itself. What is Jiechi and National Security Advisor Susan your comment? Rice declared that both sides have agreed to strengthen coordination on regional and global challenges. With President Xi Jinping visiting the United States later this year, in your view, how can this strengthened coordination for the new type of great- power relationship help resolve the US- China disputes over, for example, cyber- security or the maritime conflicts in the Asia-Pacific region?

Wang Yi: I want to make it very clear that China has always been a constructive force in building the international order. If we can compare the international order and system built around the United Nations to a big boat, then 70 years ago China was intimately involved in designing and building that boat, and China was the first country to put its signature on the Charter of the United Nations. Today we are in this boat together with more than 190 other Wang Yi: President Xi Jinping will pay a countries. So of course, we don’t want to upset state visit to the United States this fall at the that boat. Rather, we want to work with the invitation of his US counterpart. We expect that other passengers to ensure that this boat will following their Yingtai meeting last year, the two sail forward steadily and in the right direction. presidents will have another productive S even t y yea rs have p a ssed. The discussion and inject new momentum into our international situation and landscape has efforts to build a new model of major-country changed dramatically. Naturally, the relations between China and the United States. international order needs to be updated. China The undertaking to build a new model of supports the reform of the international order relations is a pioneering effort. It will not be and system. Such reform is not about smooth sailing. But it is a logical development, overturning the current system or starting all because it accords with the common interests of over again; rather, it is about seeking new ideas both sides and the trend of our times. There is a to improve it. The general direction is to Chinese saying, “Sincerity can work wonders.” promote democracy in international relations As long as the two sides show sincerity, buttress and the rule of law in global governance. In the bottom line of “no conflict and no particular, it is very important to safeguard the confrontation”, cement the foundation of 20 NPC & CPPCC Sessions 2015 News From China March 2015

“mutual respect”, then we can explore the terrorism, we must remove its breeding ground. immense possibility of “win-win cooperation” To deny any haven to the specter of terrorism, between China and the United States. we have to promote economic and social China and the United States are two large development, appropriately handle regional countries. It’s impossible for there not to be any conflicts, and advocate equal-footed dialogue disagreements between us, and these between different civilizations, religions and disagreements will not disappear the moment ethnic groups. we commit to build a new model of major- country relations. But we shouldn’t magnify the problems through a microscope. Rather, we should use the telescope to look ahead to the future and make sure we will move forward in the right direction. At the Beijing APEC meeting, President Xi Jinping called for shaping the future through Asia-Pacific partnership. Many countries responded enthusiastically to his initiative. China and the United States interact most frequently in the Asia-Pacific and our interests intersect the most in this region. In our view, the China has also suffered at the hands of building of a new model of major-country terrorism. The “Eastern Turkestan Islamic relations should begin with the Asia-Pacific Movement” is a clear and present threat to our region. If both sides can work to establish and security. We would like to work with other deepen strategic trust and have positive countries in the spirit of mutual respect and equal- interactions, then we can surely jointly footed cooperation to jointly address the new contribute to peace, stability and prosperity in threats and new challenges brought by terrorism. the region. China Radio International: The As for the issue of cyber-security, since both negotiation of a comprehensive agreement China and the United States are major users of on the Iranian nuclear issue has been twice the Internet, we have common interests in extended and the June deadline is not far upholding it. We hope cyberspace will become a away. Can you talk about the prospect of the new frontier of our cooperation rather than a negotiation? What kind of role has China new source of friction. played in the negotiation? And what steps is China Daily: In recent months, major China going to take to push forward the terrorist attacks have frequently hit many negotiation? parts of the world, from Sydney to Paris, from western Asia to western Africa. What is China’s position on fighting terrorism and carrying out international counter- terrorism cooperation? Wang Yi: Terrorism is a common scourge to mankind, and fighting it is a common responsibility of every country. China has always been an active participant in international counter-terrorism cooperation. At the same time, we believe that to uproot News From China March 2015 NPC & CPPCC Sessions 2015 21

Wang Yi: The comprehensive settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue can help to strengthen the international system against nuclear proliferation, promote peace and tranquility in the Middle East, and provide useful experience for resolving major difficult issues through negotiation. We believe the parties should keep at it and finish the negotiation. The possible ramifications of the Iranian nuclear negotiation will go far beyond the negotiation itself. It’s not surprising that there might be some ups and downs on the way. At the moment, although there is still some uncertainty about the prospect of the negotiation, we can already see Maybe there is a thing or two that we can light at the end of the tunnel. In our view, the learn from the profound traditional Chinese negotiation has reached a critical point. The medicine. When approaching a hot-spot issue, relevant parties, especially the main first, we need to take the pulse. We need to adopt protagonists, should make a political decision an objective and impartial attitude, understand as soon as possible. where the issue has come from, and establish China is an important party to the the basic facts. We shouldn’t just listen to one negotiation, and we have made a positive side of the story and we shouldn’t write out the contribution to resolving the difficult issues and wrong prescription. sticking points in the negotiation. We are Second, we need to adopt a multi-pronged prepared to work with other relevant parties to approach. Rather than willfully resorting to the finish the marathon negotiation on the Iranian use of force or sanctions, we should seek a nuclear issue at an early date. political settlement and try to put forward a Phoenix Satellite TV: I want to ask about comprehensive and balanced package solution China’s active involvement in settling that addresses the concerns of all involved. international hot-spot issues in 2014. Last Third, we need to address both the symptom year, China called for a special consultation and the root cause. It is important to know what in support of the IGAD-led peace process in the heart of the problem is and then suit the South Sudan, and hosted the Ministerial remedy to the problem. And we should remove Conference of the Istanbul Process on the breeding ground so that there will not be a Afghanistan. And Mr. Minister, you have relapse ever again. travelled personally to Iran to mediate the In short, we will continue to follow a non- nuclear issue. Does all of these mean that interventionist approach and respect the China will take a more active part in helping sovereign equality of countries. In that context, to resolve international hot-spot issues? we will continue to put forward Chinese Wang Yi: Last year, we took an active part in solution and play China’s role in helping to the mediation of a series of hot-spot issues and appropriately resolve all kinds of hot-spot and shouldered our share of international protracted issues. responsibility. In the meantime, we have been Nigerian Television: China has a culture searching for a uniquely Chinese approach to of planning ahead and implementing these settling hot-spot issues, and we pay a lot of plans, and this has contributed greatly to attention to drawing wisdom and inspiration how the country has become what it is today. from China’s traditional culture. Now that China has presented the 2015 year 22 NPC & CPPCC Sessions 2015 News From China March 2015

plan for work in the country, I would like to permanent mission to the African Union, and believe that China also has concrete plans the first head of the mission has already hit the for Africa. I see the deployment of an envoy ground running. This fully shows China’s to the Africa Union in Addis Ababa as a good support for China-Africa cooperation and sign. What concrete plans does China have Africa’s integration process. Later this year, the for Africa, particularly in promoting win- Forum on China-Africa Cooperation will hold its win partnership between those countries? sixth ministerial conference. While consolidating all areas of traditional cooperation, we will focus on the urgent needs of Africa and do more in the following three areas: first, industrial cooperation to boost Africa’s industrialization process; second, health cooperation to build up Africa’s capacity for dealing with infectious diseases; and third, security cooperation to help Africa maintain peace and stability. China and Africa have always been a community of shared destiny. We are prepared to work with our African brothers and sisters to turn our traditional friendship into results of Wang Yi: It’s true that China likes to make win-win cooperation and turn Africa’s plans before we do things, but we are also good development potential into comprehensive at responding to emergencies. For example, national strength. when western Africa was suddenly hit by the China News Service: According to media Ebola epidemic last year, the Chinese reports, China is reclaiming land around its government and people felt for them. We were islands and reefs in the South China Sea. the first to deliver aid, and altogether we Does this signal a change in China’s policy provided four tranches of emergency aid with a towards the South China Sea and even the total value of 750 million RMB yuan. We also neighborhood? deployed nearly 1,000 medical workers to the affected areas. The Chinese medical workers know the risk of infection, yet for the sake of the health of the African people, they are still battling in the affected countries. We want to pay tribute to them and give them the thumbs- up. Just two days ago, the last Ebola patient in Liberia was released from a Chinese-run medical treatment center. What wonderful news and what a relief! Speaking of China-Africa cooperation, during his visit to Africa last year, Premier Li Keqiang put forward the idea of working Wang Yi: China is carrying out necessary together to build six projects and three key construction on its own islands and reefs. The networks. His call received strong support from construction does not target or affect anyone. many African countries. Recently we set up our We are not like some countries, who engage in News From China March 2015 NPC & CPPCC Sessions 2015 23 illegal construction in another person’s house. conclude more such treaties and agreements And we do not accept criticism from others with more countries. You may remember that at when we are merely building facilities in our last year’s Beijing APEC meeting, we secured the own yard. We have every right to do things that adoption of a Declaration on Fighting Corruption are lawful and justified. and the establishment of the APEC Network of This said, China will continue to uphold Anti-Corruption Authorities and Law- freedom of navigation in the South China Sea. Enforcement Agencies. This will make our law- We will continue to peacefully resolve the enforcement cooperation with relevant disputes through direct dialogue and countries more smooth and effective. I would consultation. And we will continue to play a like to take this opportunity to appreciate the constructive role in maintaining regional peace support given to us by many countries. and stability. China’s policy towards the Anti-corruption is a never-ending struggle, neighborhood is guided by the principle of and we will never relent in our effort to bring sincerity, amity, mutual benefit and back fugitives and recover their criminal assets. inclusiveness. It aims to bring harmony, The Chinese Foreign Ministry will strengthen stability and prosperity to the neighborhood. communication and coordination with other This policy has not and will not change. countries and cast a wider and tighter net of KAZ NTV: Last year, China carried out an international anti-corruption cooperation, so overseas operation to go after corruption that even the most cunning fox will have suspects and bring back their criminal nowhere to escape or hide. assets. In 2015, will China continue to CCTV: At last year’s Central Foreign pursue international cooperation to Affairs Work Conference, General Secretary counter corruption? Xi Jinping stated that China will pursue major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics. Mr. Minister, can you spell that out for us, and talk about its most salient feature?

Wang Yi: In 2014, we carried out a campaign code-named “Operation Fox Hunt” to bring back fugitives and uphold the sanctity of laws and social justice. Also last year, we wrapped up 11 extradition treaties and treaties Wang Yi: The concept of major-country on judicial mutual assistance in criminal diplomacy with Chinese characteristics is a very matters, bringing the total number of such rich one. It includes many things, for example treaties we have concluded to 91. This means adhering to the leadership of the Communist that we now have such treaties with countries Party of China and the socialist system, on every continent. Of course, we would like to following the independent foreign policy of 24 65th Anniversary of China-India Diplomatic Relations News From China March 2015

peace, sticking to the path of peaceful intertwined. Countries may have different development, insisting on the equality of all cultures, faiths or systems, but at the very least, countries large and small, and striking a right we can all accept the idea of win-win balance between upholding principles and cooperation. By building a new type of pursuing shared benefits. These ideas originate international relations featuring win-win from the fine tradition of the Chinese nation and cooperation, we want to replace the old practice reflect the essential property of the socialist of “going it alone” and reject the old mentality of system. For our current purposes, let me say “the winner takes all”. that the hallmark of major-country diplomacy In short, in contrast to other major countries with Chinese characteristics is win-win in history, China has already found a new path of cooperation. peaceful development for itself. Now we would Last year, President Xi Jinping called for like to work with other countries to find a new building a new type of international relations path of win-win cooperation for the world. featuring win-win cooperation. His call echoes Under the leadership of the CPC Central the trend of the times and represents an Committee, Chinese diplomats will forge ahead important innovation in the theory of and perform our duty to the country and our international relations. In a globalized world, responsibility to the world. the interests of countries are increasingly

65th ANNIVERSARY OF CHINA-INDIA DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS

Chinese Ambassador Le Yucheng's Speech for the India Today Conclave 2015

March 14, 2015

Ladies and Gentlemen, achieve common development. Today in the Dear Friends, 21st century, although we have made great progress in the cause of peace and development, The year 2015 marks the 70th anniversary the world is far from being peaceful. Today, of the establishment of the United Nations. In traditional and non-traditional security the global celebrations marking this occasion, problems like instability in West Asia and North two themes figure prominently — peace and Africa, twists and turns in Ukraine, armed development. The annual conclave hosted by conflicts, terrorist attacks, trans-boundary the India Today Group provides us an important crimes, food crisis, epidemic diseases have platform to focus on current international become intertwined. The world economy is hotspot issues and exchange views on major experiencing arduous and tortuous recovery problems concerning world peace and while the major economies are heading towards development. diverging directions. How should we deal with The dream shared by all mankind since these challenges? ancient times is to maintain world peace and As Mahatma Gandhi said, “poverty is the News From China March 2015 65th Anniversary of China-India Diplomatic Relations 25

worst form of violence”. History and reality both rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. tells us that all problems facing current human In the meantime, China has also been society, in the final analysis, are development making great efforts to bring benefits to more problems. Proper development increases our and more countries from her own development. resources and provides us with the means to China has already become or increasingly solve various problems. The successful becoming an important export market, trading experience of China’s reform and opening–up in partner and investment source for many the past 30 plus years demonstrates that countries, China’s initiatives of building the Silk development is both primary and fundamental; Road Economic Belt and 21st Century Maritime it is the master key to solve all the problems. Silk Road, establishing the Asian Infrastructure Thanks to our unremitting efforts over Investment Bank, setting up the 40 billion US more than 30 years of reform and opening-up, dollar Silk Road Fund, promoting connectivity China has become the world’s biggest exporter cooperation and free trade negotiations have and the second largest economy. Our economy played a positive role in giving impetus to has grown at an average of around 10% per economic recovery, increasing employment and annum during last many years and increased improving living conditions in relevant 142 folds from 1% to 12% of the world’s total countries and regions. GDP. We have lifted more than 600 million Since the international economic crisis of people out of poverty. The living standard of 2008, China has contributed 93 billion US Chinese people has risen remarkably. China is dollars to the International Monetary Fund in m o v i n g a h e a d t o w a r d s b u i l d i n g a two batches, and supported the Euro countries comprehensively well-off society and thus to deal with their crisis. In the next five years, fulfilling the Chinese Dream of the great China will import goods worth more than 10 26 65th Anniversary of China-India Diplomatic Relations News From China March 2015

trillion US dollars and make out-bound dispatched 18 fleets to the Gulf of Aden and the investments of more than 500 billion US dollars, waters off the Somali Coast since 2009, safely providing the world economy with more escorting almost 6000 vessels. demand and creating more opportunities. China has played a constructive role in D u r i n g t h e p ro c e s s o f h e r o w n hotspot issues such as Ukraine, Syria, and development, China has also lent a helping hand Iranian and Korean nuclear issues, been deeply to many countries and participated actively in involved in multilateral cooperation international development cooperation. Over mechanisms and made an important the past 60 years, China has provided about contribution in the global war on terrorism. RMB 400 billion of assistance to 166 countries C h i n a m a i n t a i n s t h a t p o v e r t y a n d and international organizations, dispatched backwardness provide the breeding ground for more than 600,000 aid personnel and trained terrorism, whose eradication in turn requires nearly 120 million professionals and an international effort to eradicate poverty, practitioners of various kinds for the improve people’s life, and promote beneficiary countries. development. In the face of the Ebola epidemic outbreak As a permanent member of the UN Security last year, the biggest global public health crisis Council and the biggest developing country, in nearly 30 years, China extended financial and China is ready to make even bigger material assistance to the affected countries contributions towards promoting world peace right away. So far, China has provided four and development. I am confident, as long as the batches of assistance worth a total of RMB 750 international community works in unison to million, sent more than 1,000 epidemic control uphold development and cooperation, we will experts and medical workers for the relief be able to overcome whatever difficulty or efforts and built treatment centers in the obstacle that stand in our way, and bring about a affected areas in a timely manner. These moves better future for the world that we all call home. have effectively contributed towards curbing Ladies, Gentlemen and Friends, the spread of the epidemic. China has also fulfilled international This year marks the 65th anniversary of the responsibilities commensurate with her own establishment of diplomatic relations between capacity. On the issue of climate change, China China and India. The destiny of China and India sees Low-Carbon Development as her due is closely intertwined with that of the whole international obligation and a must for her own world. The future of China and India is closely sustainable development. Among developing linked with the future of Asia. As the world’s countries, China is the first to formulate and biggest developing countries and new emerging implement a national plan on tackling climate markets, the combined population of our two change. China has set the goal of reducing countries is over 2.5 billion forming almost 30% carbon emissions by 40% to 45% on the basis of of the global share. The peaceful coexistence 2005 level by 2020 to make a major and win-win cooperation between China and contribution to the global efforts to tackle India will not only benefit the peoples of our two climate change. countries but will also have far-reaching impact China has been taking part in UN on the world’s peace and development. peacekeeping missions since 1990. China is At present, both China and India are now the largest contributor of peacekeeping similarly going through a critical period of personnel among the permanent members of seeking the great national rejuvenation, are at the UN Security Council. As regards maritime similar stages of development, have mutually escort and anti-piracy operations, China has compatible strategies of development, and huge News From China March 2015 65th Anniversary of China-India Diplomatic Relations 27 potential for cooperation. China is striving for will pay an official visit to China this year which all-around deepening of the reforms, will be a significant event in the history of transforming the economic development mode, bilateral relations and will inject new vigor to and adjusting the economic structure. The building an even closer developmental Indian government under the leadership of partnership between China and India. We would Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken like to take this opportunity to join hands with various steps towards good governance, reform India and work together. Once the Chinese and development. Once the “world’s factory” Dream and the Indian Dream are connected and and the “world’s office” connect their respective integrated with each other, it will push the advantages, the impact would be far-reaching China-India relations to a new height and make and we would be able to lead regional growth “dragon-elephant tango” possible. It will not and promote development and prosperity in only bring benefits to the two peoples but will Asia and the whole world. also make important contributions to It is fair to say that our bilateral ties are now promoting the peace and development of Asia at a new historic starting point. Last September, and the whole world. President Xi Jinping successfully completed his Thank you. state visit to India. Now, Prime Minister Modi

Chinese Ambassador Le Yucheng's Address at the Media and Think Tank Reception

March 3, 2015 28 65th Anniversary of China-India Diplomatic Relations News From China March 2015

Distinguished Guests, Dear Friends, Ladies and further motivated both the market and the Gentlemen, business sector. GDP grew by 7.4% for the whole year meeting the set targets, over 13 million Good evening. First of all, I would like to new jobs were created in cities, and the extend my warm welcome and greetings to all surveyed unemployment rate remained stable of you. around 5%. That is, we achieved growth in Right now China is celebrating the Lunar employment despite the economic slowdown. New Year and in next few days India will CPI was kept at 2%, lower than the target set at celebrate the festival of colours—Holi and the beginning of the year. Energy consumption China will celebrate the Lantern Festival. I am per unit GDP came down by 4.8%. The share of extremely happy to meet all of you during these the service and technological innovation days of jubilation and extend my best wishes to industry in the GDP increased. These outcomes all of you. Today we are specially holding a prove that the host of macro-regulation Chinese acrobatics performance to add to the measures China adopted has been right and festivity of the occasion. I hope that everyone effective. China’s economy has the potential and would enjoy it. the requisite conditions to maintain medium- I will be soon completing half year of my to-high speed growth for a long period of time posting in India. During this time I have made a and take development to medium-to-high level. lot of friends from Indian media and think This will in turn bring greater opportunities to tanks. I am delighted to see that everyone is the Asia and world economy. extremely interested in the present China- India Second, “hunting tigers and flies”. relationship, so I would like to take this Corruption is a chronic disease of the world, opportunity to make a brief introduction of which exists in every country more or less, some pertinent points. I know that it is including China. Many Chinese officials are impossible for you to remember everything isolated themselves from the masses and that I am going to speak; I only wish that you became corrupt; some of them even became remember four key expressions which are as highly corrupt. Since the 18th Party Congress, follows: first, the “new normal”; second, the CPC Central Committee, under the “hunting tigers and flies”, third, “the belt and leadership of President Xi Jinping, has taken the road initiatives” and fourth, the “dragon- building of a fine party culture, and a clean and elephant tango”. Let me explain one by one: honest government, and the struggle against First, “the New Normal”. We know that the corruption to a new level. It has adopted a zero- world takes keen interest in the economic tolerance attitude towards corruption cases. outlook of China. China’s GDP growth has “Hunting tigers and flies” is a multi-pronged slowed down in the year 2014. What I want to anti-corruption campaign. It involves resolute tell all of you is that China’s economy has investigation of the cases of disciplinary already entered a state of “new normal”. The violations and unlawful behavior by the senior gear of economic growth is shifting from high leading cadres, that is “hunting tigers” and speed to medium-to-high speed, the growth seeking practical solutions to the corrupt and model is transiting from the investment-driven dishonest practices plaguing the masses, that is to the innovation-driven, and development is “hunting flies”. Up to now, tens of thousands of moving from low-to-medium level to medium- officials have been punished according to the to-high level. Last year, the Chinese government Party discipline and state law. Building of a fine vigorously pursued reforms, streamlined party culture, and a clean and honest administration and delegated power, which government, and the struggle against News From China March 2015 65th Anniversary of China-India Diplomatic Relations 29 corruption have won the wide support of the projects, thus forming a new starting point and a Chinese masses, made significant headway and new bright spot in China- India cooperation. produced a marked effect. Fourth, the “dragon- elephant tango”. Third, the Belt and Road initiatives. These Internationally, China is likened to a dragon, and initiatives put forward by China aims at India is likened to an elephant. The dragon is a achieving the common development and totem of the Chinese nation, it is dynamic, prosperity for the various countries along the peaceful, docile, and implies luck and success. The “Silk Road Economic Belt” and the “21st elephant is loved by Indians, is charmingly naive, Century Maritime Silk Road” by linking the past walk with steady gait and symbolizes with the present, landmass with the seas and auspiciousness and peace. President Xi Jinping the development strategies of the various mentioned in his exclusive article in The Hindu countries. Since the launch of these initiatives, before his visit to India last year, “Despite their China has made significant headway in building distinctive features, the ‘Chinese Dragon’ and the new mechanisms and laying down new policy ‘Indian Elephant’ both cherish peace, equity and framework. More than 50 countries along the justice.” As new emerging markets, both China and Belt and the Road have expressed support for India are similarly going through a critical period the initiatives; China has already signed some of seeking the great national rejuvenation. “One Belt One Road” cooperation agreements Development is a common strategic goal and with some countries, and some are in providing a better life to their people is the top negotiation. A set of programmes involving priority for both the countries. Industries of our building infrastructure, setting up of industries two countries have their respective strong points, and boosting people to people contacts have China is called “world’s factory” and India is called already been started. The Asia Infrastructure as “world’s back office”. The two countries can Investment Bank with 26 prospective founding complement each other’s advantages; help each member countries and the “Silk Road Fund” of other move forward, thus making “dragon- 40 billion USD will provide financial services elephant tango” possible. and support to these initiatives. This year marks the 65th anniversary of the The road and belt initiatives will not only establishment of diplomatic relations between carry forward the all-round opening up and China and India, and China is celebrating it as foreign cooperation of China but will also forge “Visit India Year”. Recently, Indian foreign the 4 billion people from more than 60 minister Smt. Sushma Swaraj successfully countries in Asia, Europe and Africa into a completed her visit to China. Both sides agreed community of common destiny. In carrying that Prime Minister Modi will pay an official visit forward the building of “one road, one belt”, to China in the first half of this year. Both sides China will earnestly listen to the opinions and are actively preparing for this visit. I am eagerly suggestion of the countries and people along looking forward to this visit and full of the routes, will give sufficient consideration to confidence about its success. I believe that this the reasonable interests and concerns of all year would again bring a bumper harvest for the parties, adhere to open regionalism, will not China- India relations. target any third party, observe the principles of discussing together, building together and Dear Friends, Ladies and Gentlemen, sharing together, and seek a rallying point for varied interests of all the concerned parties. Over a long period of time, our friends in “One road, one belt” initiatives can also be Indian media and various think tanks have linked with India’s “Spice Route” and “Mausam” made immense contribution towards advancing 30 65th Anniversary of China-India Diplomatic Relations News From China March 2015

the China India relations; they have worked countries; offer advice and suggestions for especially hard to enhance mutual developing bilateral relations and enhancing understanding and friendship between the pragmatic cooperation; become a window for people of our two countries. I take this the people of two countries to understand each opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude to other, a bridge facilitating communication, and all of you. Media and think tanks are important an engine promoting bilateral cooperation and propellers of development of China India exchanges. You are always welcome to call or relations. They play a significant role in visit the Embassy. I and my colleagues are eager improving mutual cognition and enhancing t o s t re n g t h e n c o r re s p o n d e n c e a n d mutual trust. It is my heartfelt wish that the communication with all of you. Let’s jointly Indian media and think tanks grasp the instill positive energy into the development of mainstream of bilateral relations; write even China India relations. more about the cultural and historical links and Dhanyawaad! the progress and achievements of our two

On the 65th Anniversary of India-China Diplomatic Relations

Prof. Priyadarsi Mukherji

It was exactly after six months of the many others who actively and wholeheartedly founding of the People’s Republic of China that supported the cause of China’s liberation. In the the formal diplomatic ties between India and literary and cultural spheres, there have been a China were established. On the 1st of April 1950, number of personages in ancient and modern India became the first country from the non- times— from both India and China—whose socialist bloc and the tenth country in the world contributions have enriched and enhanced the to have recognized the People’s Republic of cross-cultural communication that paved the China (PRC), thereby attaching importance to path for greater understanding, mutual the aspirations of the Chinese masses. This year appreciation and for furthering the cause of China and India would celebrate the 65th peaceful development. And the basis of that anniversary of that historic moment. As the peaceful development can only be possible on popular saying goes, “A friend in need is a friend the basis of long-lasting friendship and indeed”, India extended her hand in friendship sustainable cooperation. While engaging with China at an hour when the Western world ourselves in this discussion, one might like to was extremely apprehensive about the political examine what the Chinese had to say about the ideology of New China. One has to pay due concept behind friendship. attention to the fact that the English-speaking One can get to know etymologically that the world with which China today aspires to be at Chinese expression Youyi for friendship is par with— took two to three decades more to comprised of two characters. The first character recognize Red China. India has not only been a You is a stylized depiction of two clasping hands, cultural kin of China but has also been active in meaning amity; and the second character Yi is promoting China’s global status. We cannot reflective of befitting words that denote friendly forget the great contributions made by sentiment. Intimacy and affection conveyed Rabindranath Tagore, Dwarkanath Kotnis and through deeds and honoring the words uttered News From China March 2015 65th Anniversary of China-India Diplomatic Relations 31

President Xi Jinping met Professor Priyadarsi Mukherji during a banquet at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on 18 September 2014 (courtesy: Rashtrapati Bhavan) verbally —manifest genuine friendship. he interacted with Xu Beihong in the latter’s In 1939, when the famous Chinese painter studio. Probably due to Xu’s inspiration, he Xu Beihong (1895-1953) visited Visva-Bharati became an artist par excellence—expert in on an invitation from Tagore, he got enchanted portraying human beings. with the nature in and around Santiniketan, While carrying the baggage of cultural giving expression to his creativity through legacy, India and China have traversed across sketches and portraits. One such portrait which the vast expanse of time and space—cutting Xu Beihong made was that of my paternal through deserts and sailing through oceans to grandfather Prabhat Kumar Mukherji (1892- learn from each other. Now the new age has 1985) who was a renowned historian, arrived where inter-dependence is un- sinologist and the most famous biographer of avoidable. We must not forget that the interests Tagore. Xu had also got Prabhat Kumar’s of the Asian nations can only be preserved by signature in Bengali at the base of this portrait. the conscious efforts of the Asians themselves. In December 1985, during an art exhibition in There cannot be any room for unethical, cut- Delhi, I discovered this portrait dated 7 throat competition whereby predatory powers September 1940 and shared it with Xu’s wife of the West could fish in the troubled Liao Jingwen, much to the latter’s delight. The waters—taking advantage of any intra-Asian work is preserved in the Xu Beihong Memorial dispute. Otherwise that would then prove Museum in China. My father Visvapriya detrimental to the interest of the region as a Mukherji (1930-1984), who had been a whole. After the passage of several centuries, versatile academician in both science and we must not be oblivious that India and China humanities, a pioneer in History of Science, and are the only surviving civilizations by the virtue a friend of Joseph Needham, was just ten when of their profound philosophy of love and 32 65th Anniversary of China-India Diplomatic Relations News From China March 2015

Madam Peng Liyuan met Professor Priyadarsi Mukherji during a banquet at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on 18 September 2014 (courtesy: Rashtrapati Bhavan)

morality, because of their understanding of the combating “tigers” and “flies”. This has been a other and a non-aggressive culture. For good- robust effort undertaken by President Xi neighborly relations, for China there cannot be Jinping—as he proclaimed that power must be no India, for India there cannot be no China. The “caged” by the system. Probably in every society only path is to know each other in the most the problem of corruption needs to be earnest manner. It is undeniably true that the addressed in a similar fashion. In India too, material civilization in the world came along where corruption is rampant, it is imperative for with the great inventions made by China, and us to take practical lessons from Xi’s initiative. the life-spring of spiritual civilization emerged When Narendra Damodardas Modi was the from India. The human body standing erect by chief-minister of Gujarat, it was only China virtue of spinal cord and bones— needs music which understood his charisma as a leader. The for its spiritual life, and food for its material West boycotted him and denied him a visa for existence. That is how the Chinese character Ti more than a decade. But China has been having (body) is structured. In my view, the east-west no such bias or prejudice against Modi whom alignment of the Himalayas is the material spine they considered a man of action and that link India and China, and the Buddhist farsightedness. The petty domestic politics in sutras constitute the spiritual spine that India could not affect China’s focus on her sole nurture the thoughts in India and China. The agenda of enhancing cooperation and mind and the body are reflective of our two development. Unlike the West, China in fact civilizations. adhered to her policy of non-interference in We currently should take a leaf out of domestic affairs of India, and also her China’s new initiatives to root out corruption by independent foreign policy—certainly not News From China March 2015 65th Anniversary of China-India Diplomatic Relations 33 dictated by the West. Recently, Prime Minister Modi’s friendly gestures towards President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan in September 2014—have been extremely cordial, and full of expectations towards opening up a new chapter in our bilateral relations—based on the spirit of peaceful neighborliness a n d re c i p ro c i t y. A b e n i g n a n d constructive dispensation during the process of engagement would be imperative for any fruitful neighborly relations. Modi’s initiative of assistance and equal partnership in the immediate neighborhood is in consonance with Xi Jinping’s diplomacy and effective measures adopted to a practical extent. Here we might recall what President Xi Jinping said on 24 October 2013. He stated that “China’s basic policy of diplomacy with neighboring countries is to treat them as friends and partners, to make them feel secure and to support their development. This policy is characterized by friendship, sincerity, reciprocity and inclusiveness.” Xi also sought to encourage more cultural and The portrait of Prabhat Kumar Mukherji (1892-1985) made by Xu Beihong people-to-people exchanges with (1895-1953) on 7 September 1940 in Santiniketan (courtesy: Xu Beihong Memorial Museum, Beijing neighboring countries on his earlier premise that China and its neighbors are be allowed to blur our cultural complementarity full of vigor and vitality, and show obvious nurtured through ages. strength in development, and high potential. Chinese Ambassador Mr.Le Yucheng has Now when India and China need each other in instilled a fresh lease of life in the people-to- taking major decisions affecting the well-being people communication between India and of their peoples, the two leaderships would China. With his open-hearted demeanor he has definitely require to coordinate well with each endeared the people in India from all walks of other and carry forward the agenda of mutual life. Ambassador Le’s “Silk-Spice” perspective benefit. India or China can never wish away the has given a new dimension to our bilateral ties. age-old fact that the two countries would The Silk Road Economic Belt initiative by China remain neighbors and they need to cultivate can go on side by side with a Spice Route their traditional ties with increasing vigor. The Prosperity Sphere initiative by India. The two countries cannot gain by resorting to Chinese silk and the Indian spice have been after mutually-denigrating rhetoric. It is only all in high demand from across the world since through positive posturing, either in the realm the ancient times. The Silk Road Spirit can be of journalism, or in the sphere of academic matched with the Spice Route Spirit. The age- engagements or business transactions that our old cold war mentality must give way to a new relationship can turn a new page. Economic era of beneficial convergence of interest, and success or geopolitical strategies should never objectives for nation-building—thereby 34 65th Anniversary of China-India Diplomatic Relations News From China March 2015

transforming mutual relations into strategic Development”, “Neighborhood Diplomacy”, partnership. The people-to-people contacts and “Multilateral Relations”—altogether must be elevated to newer heights where their assume significance in the light of India-China hearts would throb in each other’s pain, where relations on the basis of mutual empathy and people must be trained to hold each other and utmost assistance. their customs in high esteem, and where The faith with which diplomatic ties were misperceptions about each other will never be established between India and China, 65 years encouraged in any form. ago, can be strengthened by changing our At the same time, the state-to-state ground realities and building confidence among relations would also need to be bolstered by our peoples for a mutually-beneficial future. enhancing security not only in one’s own Thus a handshake would turn truly warm and territory but also in the neighbor’s backyard. meaningful which could be cherished with fond Cooperation in the field of anti-terrorism and memories. And such a handshake could indeed effective mechanisms therefore need to be usher a turning point in the collective mindset of formulated and practically implemented by a people. India and China so as to ensure peaceful (The author is a Professor of the Centre for development in and around one’s own Chinese & South-East Asian Studies, School of territory. Hence, Xi Jinping’s assertions in his Language, Literature & Culture Studies, Jawaharlal book The Governance of China— for a Nehru University; and also a recipient of the Special “Culturally-Advanced China”, “Peaceful Book Award of China, 2014. The views expressed by the author are personal.)

Dragon-Elephant Win-Win Tango is Desirable – commemorating the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and India Ma Jiali

On April 1st, 1950, the People’s Republic of relationship between the leaders of our two China and the Republic of India established countries with close interaction and formal diplomatic relations. The past 65 years cooperation, and frequent high-level visits came have witnessed a relatively stable development to be regarded as a model in the international of the bilateral relations. Although there were relations. Similarly, their understanding and ups and downs during some periods, but under cooperation in the international arena were the joint efforts of both the sides, the bilateral remarkable. Against the then backdrop that strategic relationship between China and India United States were using the UN Security has matured and are now stepping forward in Council as a tool to implement hegemony, India the direction determined by the leaders of the dared to speak openly in the support of the two countries. restoration of China’s lawful status in the United In the early 1950s, the new China was just Nations and criticized the wrongful conduct of founded and its international status was ostracizing China of some Western countries. relatively fragile. India, a nation which had just Simultaneously, China also lended strong won its independence, was the first non- support to India for its important role in Asian socialist country to establish diplomatic and African countries. The basic idea of relations with China. Leaders from both the “peaceful coexistence” was jointly put forward countries were full of expectations from coming by China and India in the “Agreement between together of two great nations. The friendly the People’s Republic of China and the Republic News From China March 2015 65th Anniversary of China-India Diplomatic Relations 35 of India on Trade and Intercourse between Tibet Region of China and India” signed in 1954. On June 28 in the same year, Chinese Primer Zhou Enlai and Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru formally proposed the famous “Five Principles of Peaceful Co-Existence” in a joint statement, which later became the accepted basic principles of international relations and has been widely recognized by the international community. China-India relations have seen rapid development in the new century. After in- depth reflections, the Professor Ma Jiali in a recent meeting. s t r a t e g i c r e s e a r c h community of the two countries have further Chinese leaders have emphasized the recognized the necessity of developing better importance of China’s relations with India on strategic relations. Because this is not only our various occasions. As India is one of China’s top interest, but also in our common interest. major neighboring countries, a new emerging Based on this understanding, both the power full of potentiality, a country which has governments are making efforts to establish a an important status and influence on the strategic cooperative partnership oriented international stage, it should be highly valued. towards peace and development. Chinese As India’s neighbor, China manages relationship President Xi Jinping paid a historic visit to India with India on the principles of “amity, sincerity, in September, 2014. During the visit both sides mutual benefit and inclusiveness”, and wishes to expressed strong desire for deepening the further consolidate the foundation of bilateral bilateral relations and strengthening the relations. China adopts more and more practical international cooperation. Prime Minister and effective ways to build mutual trust, and Narendra Modi will soon embark on his first make efforts to ensure steady and healthy official visit to China after becoming the prime development of the bilateral relations, thus minister of India. We believe that the high-level actively contributing to the welfare of the mutual visits by the leaders of the two countries people of both countries, to Asia’s peace and will greatly promote the development of development, to the common prosperity of the bilateral relations, enhance the bilateral humanity. cooperation in the international arena, and From the Indian perspective, the Indian make great contribution to bring benefits to the government has regarded improving and 2.6 billion people of our two countries. strengthening relations with China as an The current China-India relationship, with important part of its foreign policy since the strategic significance and global impact, is 1990s. Since the beginning of the 21st century, facing a rare historical opportunity. successive governments in India have regarded As far as China is concerned, the Chinese further improvment in relations with China as government has always placed China-India one of the priorities of their diplomacy, paid relations on a very important position. Since the attention to maintaining the momentum 18th Chinese Communist Party Congress, generated through close interactions between 36 65th Anniversary of China-India Diplomatic Relations News From China March 2015

the top leaders, and shown the strategic immensely contributes to the improvement of importance of India-China relations to the relations and reduction of doubts. world. Indian leaders have repeatedly said that As the initiators of the Five Principles of India is promoting economic reform and Peaceful Coexistence, in the coming years both opening up, and called for a stable outside China and India should continue their efforts to e n v i r o n m e n t a n d c l o s e r s t r a t e g i c adhere to the principles, i.e., mutual respect for developmental partners. China, as India’s each other’s territorial integrity and largest neighbor and a rising major country, sovereignty; mutual non-aggression; mutual apparently meets these needs of India to a great non-interference in each other’s internal affairs; extent from both strategic and economic equality and cooperation for mutual benefit; perspectives. and peaceful co-existence. Both should make Therefore, as the political will of the leaders unremitting efforts to establish a firm strategic of our two countries shows, both sides share the partnership for peace and prosperity. There are strong desire to further promote bilateral many favorable conditions for China and India relations, which is also the great driving force to develop their relations well, but also some guiding bilateral relations in the right direction. disadvantages. The two sides should continue to Looking from the perspective of the economic work jointly to deepen political mutual trust, and social development of the two countries, reduce suspicion, promote win-win economic there is a huge potential for cooperation between and trade cooperation, strengthen mutual trust China and India. As two emerging markets with in areas of military and security, strive for the huge population of 2.6 billion, the exchange and early settlement of boundary dispute, flow of commodities, capital, technology and strengthen cultural exchanges and increase other production factors, will undoubtedly bring non-governmental exchanges. The politicians of considerable benefits to both. The mainstream our two countries bear the historic mission, and public opinion of both countries wishes to the people bear the solemn responsibility of strengthen exchanges in various fields, is for developing the China-India relations. proper handling of the bilateral relations and (The author is Executive Deputy Director of expects efforts to settle issues such as boundary Centre for Strategic Studies of China Reform Forum. dispute at the earliest. Such positive opinion The views expressed by the author are personal.)

Bearing Witness to the Growth of China-India Relations

Tang Lu

How can one bear witness to the growth of from 1996 to 1997. Later on, I studied about China-India relations? I’m really not trying to Indian politics and society at the Political mystify things here. Although I have worked Science Department of the Sardar Patel and studied at various places during my 20 University at Anand, Gujarat from 2004 to 2005. years long career, I have never stopped paying Recalling my two study stints in India, I believe attention to India. As a journalist working for that they have significantly helped me in the Chinese state news agency, I’ve been writing forming a more objective perspective towards a variety of reports about India. As a serious India. scholar, I have been doing in-depth study and Twenty years ago, if one wanted to study the thinking on India. I studied international China-India relations, official statements were relations at the School of International Studies the only source, since there were very few of the Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi reports about each other’s country in the News From China March 2015 65th Anniversary of China-India Diplomatic Relations 37 respective media. At that time, painstaking efforts were needed to find any article about China in the I n d i a n m e d i a . B u t nowadays, even skipping r e a d i n g t h e I n d i a n newspapers for just one day would make me feel that I have missed a lot of reports about China. Media exchanges between the two countries have also become more and more frequent. I remember, ten years ago there was only one Indian journalist in China—my friend Mr. Anil Joseph from The author(L) is talking with Indian friends in Gujarat on March, 2005. PTI, who covered all the stories from China for the countries bear significantly upon the future of Indian media. But now five Indian China India relations. In 1997 when I was in correspondents are based in China. Moreover, India, there were only a dozen Chinese students now China and India are sending several media studying in India, and the number of Indian delegations to visit each other’s country every students studying in China was also almost the year. We are also having regular China India same. But now the number of students from Media Forums at both the official and private both the countries studying on the other side of levels since 2013. the Himalayas has experienced an exponential How the youngsters perceive each others’ growth. Two years ago I met around 30-40 Indian students in Peking University; I was very surprised by their fluent Chinese, which was much b e t t e r t h a n t h e i r predecessors. Also in Peking University, I met many Hindi learners from v a r i o u s C h i n e s e universities. Previously, only a few universities in Beijing offered Hindi major, but now Hindi teaching has expanded to dozens of universities in China. In fact, I feel that e c o n o m i c a n d t r a d e Tang Lu (R) with schoolmates in Ganga Girls Hostel of JNU in 1997. 38 65th Anniversary of China-India Diplomatic Relations News From China March 2015

cooperation is the fastest growing field in China- Indian relations. 20 years ago, I could not find any Chinese product in the Indian market, but, 10 years ago, things began to change. Even in the small town where I lived in G u j a r a t , I s a w t h e advertisements of China’s famous groups like Lenovo and TCL. However, on my return to India again this year, I have found out that

Chinese products are Celebrating Holi with Indian friends in Mumbai on March,6,2015. everywhere. The growth rate of China-Indian trade At that time business was slack. However, with is even more surprising. I remember that in the development of China-India relations, the 1997 in New Delhi, when I was doing a study of number of Indians visiting China has increased China-Indian trade issues at the Federation of a lot, and over a period of time, the Chinese Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry people have also become more interested in the (FICCI), an Indian expert forecasted that the Indian food. Pastakia has opened three more China-India trade volume would reach $ 10 branches of his restaurant in Beijing and the billion after 10 years. Given the fact that the numbers of Indian restaurants have increased China-India trade was no more than $1 billion in Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu and other Chinese a year at that time, I thought of the $10 billion cities. figure as too unrealistic. However, later on the Frankly speaking, although the last 20 years facts convincingly proved that I was have seen a rapid development in China-India conservative in my judgment. Actually, China- relations, I still feel there is some mistrust India trade reached $ 40 billion in 2007, and between the two countries. I think that broke through $ 70 billion in 2014. continuing the official contacts is necessary for Perhaps I have a special affinity with India, us to promote our relations, but boosting so I am always concerned about all things people-to-people exchanges in the following Indian around me. I feel really happy when I see areas will also improve the relations effectively. even a little progress in the relations between First, we must conduct more comprehensive the two countries. For example, I noticed that exchanges between the media of our two Aamir Khan starrer “Lagaan” could not garner countries, because the media plays a vital role in any positive response in China in 2001, building a healthy environment for the growth whereas, in 2011, his “Three Idiots” was of the China-Indian relations. The way media immensely liked by the Chinese audience. Many persons perceive each others’ country is bound youngsters in China become interested in India to affect more and more ordinary people. So, the after watching “Three Idiots”. Another example suggestion is that influential Indian media is that of my friend M.H. Pastakia from Mumbai, persons should be recommended to visit China, who mustered all his courage to open his first and training courses for the journalists under Indian food restaurant, Taj, in Beijing in 1998. the age of 35 years from both the countries News From China March 2015 External Affairs 39 should be held regularly. Second, we must intellectuals, to travel to India. The tourism strengthen exchanges and cooperation conditions in India are not very comfortable, but between our universities. Currently there is a visit to India offers the visitor a chance to know little cooperation between the Indian and oneself and purification of one’s mind. Chinese universities and colleges. If we increase The year 2015 marks the 65th anniversary inter-university cooperation, then we would of the establishment of diplomatic relations able to create a huge platform to enhance between China and India. In this special year, I mutual understanding between the youngsters am back to the familiar shores of India. As the from the two countries. Third, I think movies bureau chief of Xinhua News Agency in Mumbai, are probably the most direct, convenient and I wish to witness the changes coming to India influential way to enhance people-to-people under the leadership of Prime Minister exchanges. The Chinese government should Narendra Modi, and the new leap in China-India introduce more Bollywood movies about the relations under the leadership of Chinese contemporary India every year and attach President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister importance to their pre-release promotion by Narendra Modi. the media. Fourth, the Chinese side should (The author is Mumbai Bureau Chief of Xinhua promote India as a tourist destination and News Agency. The views expressed by the author are encourage the Chinese people, especially the personal. )

EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

Xi Meets with Kissinger, Calls for More Trust Between China, U.S.

Beijing, March 17 (Xinhua) — President Xi peace, stability and prosperity in the Asia- Jinping on Tuesday called for more strategic Pacific region and the world. trust and reciprocal cooperation between China “China attaches great importance to ties and the United States. with the United States and is ready to make joint Xi made the remarks as he met with former efforts with the U.S. side to take care of the U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger at the relationship,” said the Chinese leader, adding Great Hall of the People in downtown Beijing. Xi that he looks forward to a state visit to the praised the veteran diplomat as an “ice- United States later this year. breaker” for China-U.S. diplomacy in the 1970s Xi said China will stick to the path of and for his continuous contributions to the peaceful development. relationship over the past decades. “We need a peaceful environment for Recalling his talks with U.S. President development and China is a positive and Barack Obama in Beijing in November and in a constructive force in international affairs,” said telephone conversation last month, Xi said the the Chinese president. two presidents have charted the course for the To advance the China-U.S. relationship, the bilateral relationship and China-U.S. ties are two sides should learn from history, bear in witnessing visible progress. mind the overall situation and enhance mutual Xi highlighted the importance of building a understanding to build strategic trust in each new type of China-U.S. relationship as well as other, according to the president. 40 External Affairs News From China March 2015

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 17, 2015. (Xinhua/Wang Ye)

He said the two countries should respect historic reform in China and said that the U.S.- each other and seek common ground while China relationship is an important one involving setting aside differences to manage disputes global peace, progress and development. and sensitive problems. It is a far-sighted decision in the interests of During the meeting, Xi also briefed the guest both sides to build a new type of relationship on China’s annual sessions of the legislative and between the two major countries, Kissinger political advisory bodies, which have convened said, wishing President Xi a successful visit to over the past two weeks. the United States. For his part, Kissinger hailed the ongoing

Xi Reaffirms China's Support for European Integration

Beijing, March 16 (Xinhua) — Chinese component of multi-polarization of the world. President Xi Jinping on Monday reaffirmed Recalling his visit to EU headquarters last support for European integration, expecting spring, Xi said the two sides have been closer cooperation between China and the deepening their partnership for peace, growth, European Union (EU). reform and civilization. Xi made the remarks as he met with Xi said the two sides should consider the European Parliament President Martin Schulz 40th anniversary of official EU-China at the Great Hall of the People, saying the diplomatic relations as a new starting point, and development of Europe was an important work together to increase political interactions News From China March 2015 External Affairs 41

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with Martin Schulz, President of the European Parliament, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 16, 2015. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin) and practical cooperation. For his part, Schulz said it is important for During the meeting, Xi also briefed the Europe and China to consolidate their guest on China’s annual sessions of the relationship as they share many common legislative and political advisory bodies, which interests and are faced with similar problems. were convened in the past two weeks, as well as Europe will work with China to boost the work on formulating the country’s 13th practical cooperation and advance the Five-Year Plan. partnership, Schulz said.

Chinese President Xi Jinping Meets with Britain's Prince William

Beijing, March 2 (Xinhua) — Chinese Xi said both China and the United Kingdom President Xi Jinping on Monday told Britain’s were influential countries in the world and that Prince William he was looking forward to t h ey s h a re d c o m m o n i n te re s t s a n d visiting the United Kingdom later this year at responsibilities. the invitation of Queen Elizabeth II. Hailing the development of the China-UK “I look forward to meeting British leaders comprehensive strategic partnership, Xi during the visit to jointly plan out the future of highlighted cooperation between the two China-UK relations,” Xi told the prince after countries in finance, nuclear power and high being handed the invitation by the prince speed railways. during a meeting at the Great Hall of the People. Xi said the trade volume had exceeded 80 42 External Affairs News From China March 2015

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with Britain's Prince William at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 2, 2015. (Xinhua/Ma Zhancheng)

billion U.S. dollars between the two countries younger generation. and that the United Kingdom was a major The prince arrived in Beijing on Sunday destination for Chinese investment. evening for his first visit to China. The four day As China and the UK are important tour will also take the Duke of Cambridge to representatives of Eastern and Western Shanghai and southwestern Yunnan Province., civilizations, Xi said the exchanges and where he will attend a series of cultural and cooperation between the two countries would public welfare events. make contributions to the progress of global During Monday’s meeting, President Xi and civilizations. Prince William, both soccer fans, also talked Xi asked Prince William to convey his about sporting exchanges between the two cordial greetings and best wishes to the queen. countries. “The British royal family holds great They also exchanged views on wildlife influence, not just in the UK but across the protection. Xi briefed the prince on China’s world,” Xi said. policy and efforts to protect elephants and other The British royal family has shown great wild animals, adding that the Chinese side interest in and support for the China-UK hoped for more international cooperation in the relationship and has contributed to exchanges area. and cooperation between the two countries, Xi Prince William said he appreciated China’s said, adding that the China looked forward to work and that he hoped China would establish welcoming more members of the royal family to itself as a leader in wildlife protection. the country. Later in the morning, Chinese Vice President Prince William said he was ready to Li Yuanchao also met with Prince William at the strengthen relations between the countries, Great Hall of the People. and he was particularly interested in the News From China March 2015 External Affairs 43

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang Meets with Sri Lankan Foreign Minister

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (R) meets with Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 27, 2015. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)

In the afternoon of February 27, 2015, common interests, so as to ensure a healthy and Premier Li Keqiang met with Foreign Minister stable development of China-Sri Lanka strategic Mangala Samaraweera of Sri Lanka in Beijing, and cooperative partnership and bring tangible capital of China. benefits to the two peoples. It is hoped that the Li Keqiang expressed that China and Sri Sri Lankan side could provide a sound legal Lanka, serving as good neighbors and partners environment for Chinese investment. to each other, enjoy profound traditional Li Keqiang pointed out that China always friendship. The Chinese government attaches sticks to the principle of good-neighborliness, great importance to developing relations with friendship, mutual benefit and win-win results Sri Lanka, respects the development path in its exchanges with the neighboring nations. independently chosen by the Sri Lankan people China will uphold the concept of amity, sincerity, in line with their national conditions, and mutual benefit and inclusiveness, communicate stands ready to, together with the Sri Lankan with its neighboring countries in a sincere side, hold the general direction of the bilateral manner, meet each other halfway, better relations, consolidate mutual political trust, integrate its development strategy with its intensify high-level exchanges, deepen neighbors and jointly build a community of practical cooperation, and safeguard the shared destiny and common development. 44 Reviving the Silk Road News From China March 2015

China will also make efforts to properly handle apparent backtracking in the approval of a relevant issues through friendly consultation, China-funded port project in Colombo. make the bilateral cooperation withstand the Mangala Samaraweera is on a two-day China test of times and distress, and bring each other visit, the first by a Sri Lankan minister since Sri opportunities and supports through the Lanka’s new government took office in January, development of each nation, so as to safeguard and it comes after the government decided to re- regional peace and stability and achieve examine arrangements to build the 1.4-billion- common development and prosperity. U.S.-dollar project. Mangala Samaraweera said that both of Sri On Feb. 5, it allowed the project to continue Lanka’s political parties pursue a friendly after an environmental assessment study. But policy towards China. The new government of last week, Sri Lanka said it would reconsider the Sri Lanka is ready to make joint efforts with outright transfer of a parcel of land to China China to deepen the existing sound relations under the deal. between the two sides and uplift the bilateral The re-examination is not targeted at China, cooperation in all fields to a new high. Sri Lanka as Sri Lanka does the same with projects funded welcomes more Chinese enterprises to invest in by other countries, Samaraweera told reporters. Sri Lanka and will provide convenience and “Anything relating to Chinese investment will be create favorable environment for them. shared and discussed with the government of China before we take any final decision,” he said. Sri Lankan FM Reassures Chinese “We will always welcome Chinese Investors investment as one of the emerging superpowers Beijing, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) — Sri Lanka’s in the world,” Samaraweera said when meeting foreign minister has moved to reassure Chinese with the press along with his Chinese wishing to invest in his country despite an counterpart Wang Yi after their talks on Friday.

REVIVING THE SILK ROAD

China's 2015 Diplomacy Focuses on "Belt and Road"

Beijing, March 8 (Xinhua) — China’s connectivity, building overland economic diplomacy in 2015 will focus on making all corridors and pillars of maritime cooperation, around progress in the “Belt and Road” he said. initiatives, said Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the China will also improve cultural and people- sidelines of the ongoing national legislative to-people exchanges and speed up talks of free session on Sunday. trade areas with relevant countries. “The keyword for China’s diplomacy in “We are confident that Belt and Road 2015 will be one focus and two main themes,” initiatives will win even more supports and Wang said. deliver even more early harvests,” he said. Referring the focus to the progress of “Belt Two main themes will be peace and and Road” initiatives, Wang said China will development, the minister noted. further enhance policy communicating with China will work with the international other countries, expand the convergence of the community to mark the 70th anniversary of the shared interests and explore possible areas of end of the World Anti-Fascist War and make win-win cooperation. itself a strong force for peace by learning the The priorities will be promoting lesson from the past and looking towards the News From China March 2015 Reviving the Silk Road 45

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi was at a press conference for the third session of China's 12th National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing, capital of China on March 8, 2015. (Xinhua/Li Xin) future, he said. partnership with more than 70 countries and The country will also take an active part in many regional organizations by 2014. the UN development summit and international Wang described the year of 2014 as the one cooperation on climate change, he said. of harvest as well as of forging ahead and China will play a constructive role in helping breaking ground. to secure a post-2015 development agenda and China left its own imprint in the history new international arrangements to address through successfully hosting the meetings of the climate change, which are in line with the Conference on Interaction and Confidence- interests of developing countries, he said. Building Measures in Asia (CICA) and APEC, Summing up China’s diplomatic progress in while taking an active part in settling 2014, Wang said it is worth mentioning that international hotspot issues, according to Wang. China focused on building a new type of Silk Road Initiatives not China’s international relations featuring win-win Marshall Plan cooperation and has taken a new path of external relations characterized by partnership Beijing, March 2 (Xinhua) — China’s Silk rather than alliance. Road initiatives should not be referred to as “We have basically established a global another Marshall Plan, said a spokesman with network of partnerships,” he said. “China’s the country’s national political advisory body circle of friends and partners has widened and Monday. will continue to expand.” China’s initiatives of the Silk Road Economic China has established different forms of Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, or 46 Reviving the Silk Road News From China March 2015

Belt and Road, is a new model of South-South a n d r e g i o n a l cooperation, said Lyu Xinhua, spokesman with the annual session of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). The “Belt and Road” initiatives seek common d e v e l o p m e n t o f countries with different ethnicities, religions and cultures, focusing on

wide consultation, joint Lyu Xinhua, spokesman of the third session of the 12th Chinese People's Political Consultative contribution and shared Conference (CPPCC) National Committee, speaks at a press conference in Beijing, capital of benefits, Lyu said. China, March 2, 2015. (Xinhua/Wang Shen) The Marshall Plan global affairs, its secretary-general said has its own historic context and different Tuesday. political intentions with many conditions “A 10-year strategy has been drafted by the attached, he said. Russian side. It is expected to be adopted during “It is inappropriate to simply describe it the SCO summit in (Russia’s) Ufa,” Dmitry (the Belt and Road initiatives) as another Mezentsev said a day ahead of the opening of the Marshall Plan,” Lyu said. 10th session of the SCO Forum in the western The Marshall Plan was the postwar plan of Siberian city of Khanty-Mansiisk. the United States to provide economic and “The strategy will be the SCO’s proclamation military assistance to its allies of western for deeper and wider participation in global Europe, part of the efforts to contain the affairs,” and combine the national economic expansion of Soviet Union. strategies of SCO members with the big Silk China’s initiatives have led to the Silk Road Road Economic Belt project, he said. Fund and the Asian Infrastructure Investment With regard to the expansion of the Bank, which aim to improve connectivity and organization, Mezentsev said the issue will be provide more public services for people in this discussed in the nearest future and there are no region, he said. legal hurdles for that. “We do expect the early realization of “Specific decisions need to be made at the connectivity will benefit people of all countries level of leaders of SCO member countries,” he along the Belt and Road,” he said. added. With China’s Silk Road Initiative, SCO Eyes Founded in 2001, the SCO comprises China, Bigger Global Role Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan as full members, with Afghanistan, Moscow, March 10 (Xinhua) — The India, Iran, Mongolia and Pakistan as observers Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) will and Belarus, Turkey and Sri Lanka as dialogue combine national development strategies with partners. the China-proposed Silk Road Economic Belt Russia holds the rotating presidency of the initiative and work for deeper involvement in SCO in 2015. News From China March 2015 Reviving the Silk Road 47 China's Silk Road Fund Starts Operation

The first train carrying containers pulls out of a logistics terminal jointly built by China and Kazakhstan in Lianyungang City, east China's Jiangsu Province, Feb. 25, 2015. The railway line, linking China's Lianyungang and Kazakhstan's Almaty will be a new path for goods from central Asian countries to go overseas and a boost to the construction of the Silk Road Economic Belt. (Xinhua/Wang Jianmin)

Beijing, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) — A Silk Road as industrial and financial cooperation, in an Fund designed to finance the China-proposed effort to achieve common development and “Belt and Road” initiatives is now active, the prosperity. central bank said in a statement Monday. “The Silk Road Fund welcomes [...] domestic “The priority [of The Silk Road Fund Co. Ltd] and overseas investors,” the statement said. is to seek investment opportunities and provide The company was jointly backed by China’s monetary services throughout the Belt and foreign exchange reserves, the China Road Initiatives,” according to the statement Investment Corp., the Export-Import Bank of released by the People’s Bank of China (PBOC). China and China Development Bank (CDB). “Belt and Road” refers to the Silk Road In the first phase, the company raised 10 Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime billion U.S. dollars, with foreign exchange Silk Road initiatives proposed by China in 2013 reserves taking up 65 percent, CDB 5 percent for improved cooperation with countries in a and the other two companies each investing 15 vast part of Asia, Europe and Africa. percent. President Xi Jinping announced the creation Other institutions can invest in the of the 40 billion U.S. dollar fund in November, company’s second and third phase as long as and it was established on Dec. 29, 2014. they can make a long-term commitment, said The company will invest mainly in PBOC governor Zhou Xiaochuan. infrastructure, resource development, as well 48 Reviving the Silk Road News From China March 2015

China to Share Economic Development with Countries along Maritime Silk Road

Colombo, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) — China’s initiative of building the “21st Century Maritime S i l k R o a d ” w i l l significantly promote mutually beneficial cooperation between countries along the ancient sea route and share among them a vast market provided by C h i n a ’ s e c o n o m i c expansion, a Sri Lankan expert said. Asanga Abeyagoona- s e ke ra , exe c u t ive director of the Lakshman Newly built Colombo South Container Terminal. Institute of International economic system,” said the expert of the Sri Relations and Strategic Studies, told Xinhua on Lankan government think tank. Wednesday that the new maritime Silk Road, a The maritime Silk Road initiative, proposed revival of sea trade route of the economic and by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013 together cultural exchanges between ancient China and with the “Silk Road Economic Belt,” will offer a the rest of the world, will boost the connectivity platform for the fight against terrorism. and economic integration in South Asia, “It’s expected to contribute to the regional including Sri Lanka. peace, stability and security,” Asanga said. With upgrading and improving transport He also pointed out that the maritime Silk networks in the sea, envisaged by the maritime Road, as an open platform for cooperation, will Silk Road, goods and service trade as well as help other countries better communicate with personnel flows between those countries will and understand China. increase greatly, he said. “It will surely help enhance the connections “Especially for Sri Lanka, which is in the in South Asia and ensure the fair and orderly post-war reconstruction, it needs to develop competition in the new era,” said Asanga. rapidly by being incorporated in a regional

China's Maritime Silk Road Initiative Promotes Regional Prosperity

Beijing, Feb. 11 (Xinhua) — A two-day Maritime Silk Road initiative held in southeast international seminar on China’s 21st Century China’s Quanzhou. News From China March 2015 Reviving the Silk Road 49

The vision, proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013, is in no account aimed at China’s hegemony, but solely dedicated to regional d e v e l o p m e n t a n d prosperity. S o m e A m e r i c a n experts have said that China’s infrastructure initiative was designed as a response to the challenge of the U.S. strategy of maintaining Experts take part in a discussion during the international seminar on the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road in Quanzhou City, southeast China's Fujian Province, Feb. 11, 2015. (Xinhua/Wei its influence in Asia. Peiquan) Such allegations reflect the hegemonic regional prosperity. thinking of their advocates, and such prejudiced Overseas experts have made positive and short-sighted judgment has obviously comments on China’s 21st Century Maritime misunderstood China’s goals. Silk Road initiative, saying it will promote the It is true that China intends to boost development of the countries along the route regional connectivity. Better infrastructure and and boost regional prosperity. transportation systems will play a key role in Professor James Peck from New York creating an Asia-Pacific economic community University told reporters that the strategic 21st that will lead to the prosperity of all related Century Maritime Silk Road initiative will exert countries. an important influence on the economic Over the past months, worries over China’s development of Asia. leading role in the development of the 21st The initiative links countries along the road Century Maritime Silk Road have been economically and culturally, he said, adding that constantly brought up. the countries could share resources and However, China is not pursuing hegemony. achievements in trade, which will make Asia’s Instead, it aims to realize a win-win situation economy even more vibrant. with relevant countries along the ancient trade Peck also lauded China for its positive role in routes. In fact, China’s efforts to revive the sea promoting global economic growth, saying routes, which channeled economic and cultural China, as a major developing country, has exchanges between ancient China and the rest continuously improved its international of the world, are not for dominance in the communication and cooperation skills. region. John Wong, academic advisor to the East Meanwhile, China needs to seek new trade Asian Institute of the National University of and investment opportunities to boost the Singapore, pointed out that China attaches more development of its own and its partners, and importance to interdependence in its external the establishment of the new Maritime Silk economic activities. Road will greatly push such an endeavor. Thus Meanwhile, he said that equality and mutual the rejuvenation of the Maritime Silk Road will benefit, interdependence and common boost not only China’s development but also prosperity are the starting point of China’s 50 Economic Affairs News From China March 2015

Maritime Silk Road initiative. The initiative is an adjustment and upgrade Bambang Suryono, a senior Indonesian of the current regional cooperation mechanism, political analyst, said the 21st century is a which will create “a whole greater than the sum maritime century and China’s Maritime Silk of the parts,” he said. Road initiative shows its willingness to conduct The 21st Century Maritime Silk Road peaceful cooperation with other countries in initiative, proposed by Chinese President Xi developing the ocean. Jinping in 2013, covers countries and regions It is an inevitable choice for the world to with a total population of 4.4 billion and a total build a platform for win-win cooperation under economic volume of 21 trillion U.S. dollars, 63 the current trend, he said, adding that the percent and 29 percent respectively of the Maritime Silk Road provides the Asia-Pacific world’s total. countries with an opportunity to strengthen On Wednesday, a two-day international dialogue and coordination in a bid to maximize seminar on beefing up maritime trade common interests. infrastructure in Asia was opened in Quanzhou, Richard Tan, vice secretary-general of a city in southeast China’s Fujian Province. Over Association of Indonesia-China Economic, 280 academics and experts from 30 countries Social and Cultural Cooperation, said the attended the seminar, themed “collectively Maritime Silk Road initiative fully building the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road demonstrates China’s sincerity to strengthen and creating a community of common destiny”, cooperation with ASEAN countries to boost and discussed proposals on building the 21st connectivity and set up a regional financial Century Maritime Silk Road. mechanism.

ECONOMIC AFFAIRS

World Factory to World Investor

by Zhou Xiaoyan

Dubbed “the world factory,” China has a long with outbound direct investment (ODI) in non- history of being a paradise for global investors, financial sectors reaching $102.89 billion, up with an abundant and cheap labor force, vast 14.1 percent from a year earlier, according to the land and a wide range of preferential policies. Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM). However, that tradition changed dramatically in In sharp contrast, foreign direct investment recent years, as the capital inflow to the country to China grew much slower at 1.7 percent, substantially slowed and capital outflow grew totaling $119.56 billion in 2014. It was the first rapidly. The country ascended to join the time two-way nominal capital flows have been world’s net capital exporters for the first time, near a balance, according to the MOFCOM. with capital output outnumbering capital “If Chinese firms’ investment through third- inflows last year. party financing is included, the total ODI volume Chinese investors channeled capital into would equal about $140 billion, which means 6,128 overseas firms in 156 countries in 2014, China is already a net outbound investor,” said News From China March 2015 Economic Affairs 51

S h e n D a n y a n g , s p o k e s m a n o f t h e MOFCOM. According to the MOFCOM, mergers and acquisitions were more diversified in investment projects and fields in 2014. Popular sectors, like the energy and m i n i n g s e c t o r s , continued to earn more investment, while active acquisitions pushed forward in the manu- facturing sector and the agricultural sector. Mr. Li Shufu (L), Chairman of Geely Automobile was at the Signing Ceremony on 28 March 2010 Meanwhile, a better when Geely signed a deal worth US$ 1.8 billion to buy Volvo Cars from American automobile manufacturer Ford Motor Company. It was the largest foreign purchase by a Chinese car industrial investment manufacturer. structure is taking shape, with leasing and commercial service, requires the nation to transfer part of its mining and retail, and wholesale business as advantageous production capacity to other the top three key overseas investment sectors, countries,” she said. said Shen. Marching Forward Xing Houyuan, Vice President of the Chinese According to the MOFCOM, outbound Academy of International Trade and Economic investment from China grew over 40 times over Cooperation (CAITEC), told Beijing Review that the past 12 years. a surging ODI from China is a result of foreign “It’s a result of the government’s strategy to countries’ thirst for investment and Chinese go global as well as Chinese companies’ companies’ growing ambition for more continuous efforts,” said Long Guoqiang, a development beyond the border amid an senior research fellow with the Development overheated domestic economy. Research Center of the State Council. “From the demand side, the world needs The fact that China has become a net capital Chinese capital more urgently than ever. The exporter signals the Chinese economy has been infrastructure construction and high-end infused into the global economy and both the manufacturing in developed countries need competitiveness and internationalization of Chinese investment, while developing Chinese companies have greatly improved, Long countries, which are in a key period of their said. industrialization and urbanization, also need Zhang Yongjun, a research fellow with the China’s capital, technologies, equipment and China Center for International Economic expertise in infrastructure construction,” Xing Exchanges, said it’s a rare phenomenon for a specified. country to become a net capital exporter when “From the supply side, after 35 years of it’s still a developing country, breaking the accumulation in capital, production capacity previous trend that only developed countries and experience in construction, China can meet may join the club of net outbound investors. global demand. China’s industrial upgrade also 52 Economic Affairs News From China March 2015

“The main reasons for the surging ODI are experience and expertise in infrastructure China’s economic upgrade, continuous trade construction, which will greatly contribute to surplus, abundant foreign exchange reserves as countries involved in the two initiatives, she well as the country’s advantages in several said. industries,” Zhang said. “China is a big country but not yet a strong Deng Yujun, an economics professor with one. China doesn’t want to be strong alone. It the South China Normal University based in wants to share its prosperity with other Guangdong Province, said capital outflow from countries to achieve mutual benefits. Therefore, China will greatly facilitate the inter- this is not the government-pushed ‘Marshall nationalization of the Chinese currency, the Plan’ as some have speculated,” Xing said. yuan. Officially known as the European Recovery “Among the total outbound investment from Program, the Marshall Plan invested $17 billion China, the majority is yuan-denominated, in the rebuilding and bolstering of European making the currency one of the most popular economies after World War II. clearance and reserve currencies in the world,” Xing said the Marshall Plan aimed at Deng said. boosting U.S. influence in Europe, while the two With $4 trillion in foreign exchange initiatives are both about planning, building and reserves and continuous supportive policies sharing fruits of development of countries and such as the Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st regions along the proposed routes. “China will Century Maritime Silk Road initiatives, the definitely respect the will of countries along the potential for a much larger flow of outbound proposed routes and give full consideration to investment from China is enormous. their needs so as to achieve win-win and multi- To better integrate the regional economy, win results.” China proposed the Belt and Road initiatives in Roadblocks 2013. Last November, Chinese President Xi Despite remarkable progress in overseas Jinping announced that China would contribute $40 billion to set up a Silk Road infrastructure f u n d to b re a k t h e bottleneck in Asian connectivity by building a financing platform. The China-led Asian Infrastructure Invest- ment Bank, which was established last October, will be dedicated to funding infrastructure projects in Asia. C A I T E C ’ s V i c e President Xing said the two initiatives will f u r t h e r i n c r e a s e Rick Osterloh, Motorola's President and COO, shows to the audience the latest model of Motorola outbound investment cellphone on January 26. Motorola phones made a comeback to China after leaving the world's from China. China has largest mobile phone market for more than two years. The company was bought by China's accumulated a lot of Lenovo Group from Google last October (CFP). News From China March 2015 Economic Affairs 53 investment, China still has a long way to go mired in lawsuits on the ground of intellectual before becoming a more sophisticated capital property infringement in India. exporter like the United States and Japan. “They will face many challenges and According to data from the MOFCOM, uncertainties when expanding overseas accumulated ODI from China stood at $646.3 markets, including accelerating trade billion as of the end of 2014. protectionism worldwide, an ever-changing international market, a lack of understanding toward the political and economic environment in investment destinations, poor access to financing channels and the shortage of a talent pool that’s familiar with international business operations,” Jiang said. Wang Huiyao, Director General of the Center for China and Globalization, a non-profit think tank based in Beijing that conducts research on many global issues, agreed. “Lack of trust with local stakeholders, fierce Jiang Zengwei, Chairman of China Council competition from local and Chinese for the Promotion of International Trade, said counterparts and ignorance of the local the accumulated ODI from China is a small regulatory and cultural environment have number compared to those top global investors. caused trouble in overseas investments and “It’s about one tenth of the accumulated ODI operations,” Wang said. “It requires careful from the United States, half of the ODI from homework and cooperation with government, Japan and one third from Germany,” Zeng said. professional third-party agencies and qualified “But I think as China becomes a more international talent to be a competent and international company, China’s ODI still has responsible buyer.” huge development room,” Jiang said. Xing summarized the risks facing Chinese With that being said, Jiang said Chinese companies’ overseas expansion as follows. companies’ overseas foray is not without “First, there are risks caused by obstacles. uncontrollable factors, such as natural disaster, China’s telecom operators Huawei or ZTE were blocked from the United States o v e r s e c u r i t y concerns in 2012. Last year, the Mexican Government cancelled a $3.7-billion high- speed train contract w o n b y a g r o u p headed by China Railway Construction. In addition, China’s t o p s m a r t p h o n e maker Xiaomi was 54 Economic Affairs News From China March 2015

religious conflict and war. Second, some risks type of risk. For the second type of risk, Chinese occur because Chinese companies fail to adapt companies should improve their management to local environment, have flawed internal standards and strengthen internal control in control or have poor abilities to integrate local overseas markets. Industrial organizations can re s o u rc e s . F i n a l ly, t h e re a re t ra d e play their role in this respect, too, through protectionism laws specifically targeting methods like disciplining Chinese companies Chinese companies or citizens, such as the and preventing cutthroat competition among deadly riots targeting Chinese people in Viet Chinese companies,” Xing suggested. Nam last May and untenable allegations from “As for trade protectionism, I don’t think any the United States over national security company is powerful enough to solve it. concerns targeting Chinese companies,” Xing Companies concerned should report that to the said. Chinese Government and the issue should be “Chinese companies can buy relevant solved in government-level bilateral talks,” Xing insurance to reduce losses in case of the first said.

China Goes Global

by Michael Zakkour

China’s reemergence as a global economic urbanization, also superpower during the end of the 20th and into contributed to the the early 21st century was marked by a long list phenomenon of of firsts, milestones and eye-popping statistics. China’s growth. The 1990-2014 period saw China become However, one the largest manufacturing and export country o f t h e k e y in the world. China gained admittance to the foundations for all WTO, became a host of the Olympics and saw its of this success was cities become some of the largest in the world. foreign direct Its economy boomed, and it became the largest investment, or consumer market. A Chinese company became i n b o u n d the world’s biggest e-commerce player. Its auto investment into market surpassed all others in growth. Finally, China. No amount of policy changes, its crowning achievement was becoming the entrepreneurial spirit, technological world’s second largest economy. development or urbanization could count for Many policies, events and factors combined anything unless the money to build new to make all of this possible, including the businesses and industries and to institute new government’s long-term planning and policies was not made available. willingness to experiment, the entrepreneurial Thirty years ago, the West had the money, passion of the people and the opening up to the banks, the companies, the experience and world markets. In turn, the world embraced the desire to invest abroad, and a great deal of China. Privatization and the modernization of this investment went to China. Companies from old businesses and an emergent middle class regions and countries such as Hong Kong, resulting from massive job growth and Taiwan, Singapore, the United States and News From China March 2015 Economic Affairs 55

Europe invested in making the Chinese mainland the workshop and marketplace of the world. Eventually, they invested in providing Chinese citizens with the products and services t h e y n e e d e d a n d desired. The West also had the wealth and the insatiable appetite for goods and products that made the investments in Chinese economy keeps on growing rapidly. C h i n a p a y o f f i n affordable products for and healthy adjustment in the mainland import, which allowed the government, economy making overseas investments, an businesses and individuals in China to profit. attractive—and needed—part of China’s In 2015, the roles have been, in many ways, growth; government, corporate, bank, private reversed. China has the economy, the money, equity and private wealth interests seeking high the banks, the foreign reserves, the companies growth opportunities; the desire of foreign and the individuals who are ready, willing and governments, companies and property holders able to invest outside of China. for Chinese-led investment; and the growing Net Cash Exporter wealth of all Chinese individuals. Outbound investment from China can be For most of the last 30 years China has been divided into three categories: government- or a net cash and investment importer, a natural bank-led; corporate-, private equity (PE)-, or role for a developing economy. What has venture capital (VC)-led; and private- or separated China from other net cash importers individual-led. is how its people have used those investments to grow and prosper for the long term. Government-led During this period, outbound investment The Chinese Government has more than $4 started as an experimental afterthought but has trillion in government-administered foreign now become a primary driver for future growth. reserves. It will continue to put this money to In 2002 China invested about $2.7 billion on good use in a number of ways. acquisitions and new projects overseas. In 2013 It will continue developing strong the total had increased to $108 billion. In 2014, relationships in Africa and Latin America China’s outbound investment reached $116 through investment in local economies and billion. If Chinese firms’ investment through infrastructure as well as the development and third-party financing is included, the total purchase of much needed natural resources. investment would amount to $140 billion. In Smart governments will continue to engage 2015 I expect that to increase to between $180- China and learn how to create mutually $250 billion. beneficial partnerships. The major factors that will spur record China will also continue to utilize the outbound investment and make China a larger massive wealth and immense brainpower that net exporter of investment include a natural make up the China Investment Corp. (CIC), the 56 Economic Affairs News From China March 2015

largest sovereign wealth fund in the world. world. A key determinant of success for China Founded in 2007 with $200 billion in assets CIC Going Global will be in Chinese companies’ has leveraged smart investments and savvy abilities to expand their operations, sales, partnerships into more than $600 billion in brands and presence in developed markets. 2014. Smart global companies, banks and In 2015, Chinese companies and investors others will continue to engage with and seek are expected to build on the success of M&As in partnerships with CIC. 2014 with even more activity. As Wanda Group China will also actively encourage and assist proved in 2011 (acquiring the AMC cinema private and state-owned companies to invest in chain) and WH Group proved in 2012 (buying overseas mergers and acquisitions (M&As), U.S. producer Smithfield Foods), Chinese minority stakes and greenfield projects. companies can reap the rewards of new customers and the attainment of new Corporate-led technologies, best practices, distribution, China’s economy is still growing faster than supply chains and personnel through M&A almost any other economy on Earth and, activity. relative to its maturity, the rate is impressive. I expect the following companies to be active One of the fruits of this growth is that the in overseas investment and growth in 2015. country and its companies are awash in cash. A Alibaba should be making major great deal of investment is being deployed in investments in overseas supply chain and China to develop industries, infrastructure, operations projects. It will also engage in a healthcare, urbanization and local companies massive global branding campaign, investing and brands. heavily in creating e-commerce platforms in the Still, there is ample cash on hand at all levels United States, Europe, India and Africa. to invest in projects overseas. Lenovo is seeking to expand its global “China Going Global,” as China’s global step footprint in the mobile communications forward is known, is healthy for China and the category and has the smarts, the muscle and the

High-speed railway has become a new focus of investment. News From China March 2015 Economic Affairs 57 legacy product mix to make it In 2015, individual Chinese work. will increase investments in Chinese conglomerate overseas capital markets and Wanda Group’s motto should investment vehicles as well as be Let Me Entertain You, the overseas real estate. Chinese song from the musical Gypsy. investors rank first in dollars From movies and TV shows to spent in New York City. They Web content, theaters, hotels will also continue to invest in and resorts—if it can put a education abroad. For some smile on your face, Wanda will families, the ideal mix is a be investing in it and doing it well. A play for a Chinese and foreign education that will ensure major Hollywood studio is possible. their children are prepared for a global The investment firm Fosun has now economy. U.S. and European universities love established itself as not only a major Chinese the smart, prepared and ready Chinese students firm but also a major global firm to be reckoned who are willing to pay full tuition. They will also with. It completed its takeover of Club Med this invest in global luxury products and services year, acquired Meadowbrook Insurance for and spend more on experiential luxury. $433 million and is a factor to be considered in Chinese will continue spending on travel. any major investment opportunity in China, the China set a record with more than 100 million United States and Europe. outbound travelers in 2014. That number will Some of the categories where I see the most likely double in the next two years thanks to action taking place include—media and increased wealth, consumer sophistication, entertainment, e-commerce, hard asset real business engagement and new China global estate, FIRE (finance, insurance and real estate) consumers. The recent agreement between the service providers, and food and beverage United States and China for 10-year visas will industry. further spur investment in travel. Individual-led China has gone global and shows no sign of stopping. Investments by the Chinese As I wrote about in my new book China’s Government, banks, investment companies, Super Consumers the era of the China Global corporations and private individuals will grow Demographic/Consumer/Investor has arrived. exponentially in 2015 and this is good news for What makes a China global consumer? It is the the countries, companies and governments nexus of Chinese consumers becoming receiving the investment and the investors from mobile—using mobile devices, acquiring brand China who stand to profit. and product sophistication; and a want/need to (The author is vice president of China/Asia Pacific invest their time, money and future inside and Practice at the global consulting firm Tompkins outside of China. International.)

Unleashing the Force of Agriculture

by Deng Yaqing

Liu Tianhua, a farmer in Zhoukou, central Farming Specialized Cooperative in his China’s Henan Province, established Tianhua hometown in 2009. The cooperative now 58 Economic Affairs News From China March 2015

operates 733 hectares of farmland, with fixed assets exceeding 20 million yuan ($3.19 million). “My greatest wish in 2015 is favorable we a t h e r a n d m o re supportive policies,” Liu said. Liu’s cooperative has evolved into a compre- hensive farming entity, the business of which encompasses planting, land transfer, ware- housing, processing of agricultural products, Clerks from a rural credit cooperative in Jingning County, Zhejiang Province, help a local tea lease of agricultural farmer in the field after discussing a loan arrangement (LI SUREN). machinery and technical assistance. the government, which will undoubtedly pose a “In 2014, rural reforms were carried out in new challenge to agricultural development. steady steps,” said Chen Xiwen, Deputy Director He believes the “new normal” will also have of the Central Rural Work Leading Group, which a positive impact. “Under the ‘new normal,’ is China’s top agency in charge of rural work and attention will be shifted from GDP and output agricultural affairs. He stressed that authorities growth to the quality and efficiency of economic have pushed reforms regarding pricing policies development and production, which will create for some crops, registration and confirmation a propitious atmosphere for the transformation of farmers’ rights to their contracted lands, of agricultural development model, the transfer of land use rights and transformation improvement of production structure and the to large-scale farming. integration of the agricultural, manufacturing On February 1, the Central Committee of the and service industries,” Chen said. Communist Party of China and the State Highway to Modernization Council, China’s cabinet, jointly released their first policy document in 2015, informally China’s grain output hit 607.1 million tons in known as the No.1 Document. Modern farming 2014, up 0.9 percent year on year; its rural per- and rural reform are high on its agenda. Since capita net income stood at 989 yuan ($158), an 2004, issues concerning agriculture, rural areas increase of 9.2 percent after adjusting for and farmers have been the focus of central inflation, according to statistics from the authorities’ No.1 documents for 11 years in a National Bureau of Statistics. The income of row. rural residents grew faster than that of urban Compared to double-digit expansion over residents. the past few decades, the Chinese economy has While great achievements have been made entered a “new normal” of moderate and more in agricultural development, the pressure to do stable growth. Chen said that the economic more lingers. growth slowdown has exerted an influence on “Equal emphasis should be laid on elevating supply and demand as well as fiscal revenue of output, quality and efficiency,” said Han Jun, News From China March 2015 Economic Affairs 59

Deputy Director of the Office of the Central Rural Work Leading Group. Chen noted that the greatest challenges to agricultural develop- ment now come from rising production costs and a deteriorating ecological environment. C u r r e n t l y, p r o - duction costs of major agricultural crops in China are higher than imports. “Since China has Document. According to statistics from the a huge population engaged in agriculture and MOA, there have been 870,000 family farms and household-based farming is usually small- 1.21 million farmers’ cooperatives in China, scaled, it is difficult to lower production costs,” which have greatly boosted efficiency of Chen said. agricultural production. As was stressed during the Central Rural “New land management approaches and the Work Conference held at the end of last year, development of agricultural science and registration and confirmation of farmers’ rights technology will significantly facilitate to their contracted lands should be accelerated agricultural modernization,” said Yang Jianbo, and transfer of land use rights should be Director of China Agro-Technological Extension encouraged to develop large-scale farming. Association. “In the past, China’s agricultural In addition, the No.1 Document also pays development was resource-intensive. To attention to the integration of the agricultural, balance the importance of quantity, quality and manufacturing and service industries. It means efficiency, efforts should be made to propel expanding the agricultural industry from scientific and technological progress and raise simple grain production to include the farmers’ awareness of modern farming processing and circulation of agricultural techniques,” Han said. products and leisure farming, prolonging the According to statistics from the Ministry of industry chain in an effort to boost value-added Agriculture (MOA), the contribution rate of of agriculture and farmers’ incomes. science and technology to agricultural “Take eco-agricultural tourism for example. development has reached 57 percent in China, A total of 1.2 billion tourists traveled to rural and the country’s comprehensive agricultural areas last year, bringing about 320 billion yuan mechanization rate has surpassed 60 percent. ($51 billion) in revenue to farmers and make 33 Farmlands managed by large-scale farming million rural residents live a better-off life,” entities, such as family farms and farmers’ Chen revealed. cooperatives, have accounted for roughly one A Better Countryside third of the total contractual lands. C h i n a n e e d s a n e w a g r i c u l t u ra l “Agricultural development should not management system and new operating blindly pursue high yields and heavily rely on entities are encouraged to develop various resource consumption,” the No.1 Document forms of large-scale farming, says the No.1 states, suggesting protecting and improving the 60 Economic Affairs News From China March 2015

quality of arable land, pushing forward make the construction of new countryside more structural adjustment and highlighting the role sustainable and deliver more tangible benefits of scientific and technological innovation. to farmers,” said Li Guoxiang, a research fellow The old development model that has with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. severely overdrawn soil fertility and capacity Beyond that, the government has decided to has come to an end, said Zhu Lizhi, a research accelerate the improvement of legal systems fellow with the Chinese Academy of concerning agricultural and rural development. Agricultural Sciences. He added that the Zheng Fengtian, a professor at the School of transformation of the development model will Agricultural Economic and Rural Development h e l p C h i n a f o s t e r i t s a g r i c u l t u r a l of Beijing-based Renmin University of China, competitiveness. noted that the rule of law plays an irreplaceable In addition, the No.1 Document proposes to role in tackling issues concerning agriculture, quicken infrastructure construction and rural areas and farmers. expand the coverage of basic public services in “Rural reform will inevitably involve the countryside, make access to electricity interest adjustment, and putting a sound legal available to rural residents in areas which are system in place can guarantee its smooth not covered by power grids, improve rural implementation and safeguard farmers’ rights residents’ living environment and promote and interests,” Zheng said. ethical progress in rural areas. Major Questions Facing China’s Different from the past, while attaching Agriculture importance to the construction of water-, power- and road-related projects, this year’s - China’s economic development has No.1 Document also stresses the importance of entered a “new normal.” Amidst the current building cultural facilities in rural areas. growth slowdown, how can it continue “For the first time, the government strengthening the position of agriculture as the proposes to encourage more private foundation of the national economy and investment in rural construction, which will boosting farmers’ income? - Given that the agricultural production costs are shooting up and domestic bulk farm products are generally priced higher than those from the international market, how can China a d j u s t p o l i c i e s t o enhance the agricultural s e c t o r ’ s c o m p e - titiveness? - While dealing with p r o b l e m s s u c h a s agricultural resource s h o r t a g e , o v e r - e x p l o i t a t i o n a n d pollution, how can China ensure the effective supply and safety of News From China March 2015 Culture & Life 61 agricultural products and promote sustainable up the construction of new countryside and agricultural development? realize common prosperity over the course of - In the context of more dynamic urban- urbanization? rural resource factor flow and more active (Compiled by Beijing Review) urban-rural interaction, how can China speed

CULTURE & LIFE

Representing Old Beijing

by Ji Jing

China attracts tens of millions of inbound more than 400 pictures vividly depicting the tourists annually, with the ancient capital of daily life, food, customs, festivals, street Beijing topping the list of their destinations. But performances and buildings of old Beijing. Half while many visitors seek to explore the city’s of the pictures are black and white and half are long history through its traditional customs and in color. A short description accompanies each classic architecture, several decades of rapid illustration. development has utterly transformed the The book has been distributed in China as Beijing experience. To appreciate the “old city” well as in English-speaking countries such as as it appeared generations ago, one must now the United States, Britain and Australia. So far, look to the art produced by those who lived in it. nearly 2,000 copies have been sold. Fang Yan, a 74-year-old painter who grew Sun Zhipeng, Director of the General up in Beijing, has devoted himself for decades to Editorial Office of New Star Press, told Beijing preserving old Beijing on his canvases. His Review that the collection could be of interest to newly published illustrations collection, foreign visitors to Beijing who wish to learn Pictures of Old Beijing: more about the city’s history. Living Memories of the Ancient Capital, has presented a panoramic view of Beijing during the period spanning from 1912 to 1948. Published by New Star Press, the collection contains four volumes titled Life in Old Beijing; Ancient Architecture; Old Tianqiao Scenes; and Local Customs and Practices. Each volume is bound together using colorful threads on the right like ancient Chinese tomes. The book includes many hand-illustrated drawings— a vivid, personalized depiction of old The collection features Beijing (COURTESY OF NEW STAR PRESS) 62 Culture & Life News From China March 2015

Preserving History Fang spent over one year painting the pictures included in the collection. In order to create an accurate portrayal, he had to research a large number of historical accounts both online and in books before putting his pen to paper. A picture was drawn based on historical accounts together with his memories. It sometimes took him several days to draw a small picture in order to guarantee accuracy. “Only people as old as me are able to draw ancient Beijing because we have seen what the city was like in often drew pictures of city gates, temples and the old days,” said Fang. other ancient buildings. In winter, when it was Many of the architectural sites he painted too cold to stay outside, he would go to the train have been demolished and many customs were station and sketch portraits of passengers. lost in the course of history. For example, most Fang said that the painting skills of the 16 city gates drawn by Fang were torn accumulated early in his life laid a solid down during the 1950s and the 1960s to foundation for his future career as a painter. facilitate transportation, leaving only parts of “It’s inevitable that things fade out of history the Zhengyangmen and Deshengmen gates due to natural disasters or damage. However, I remaining. Beijing proper was once can preserve historic memories through my surrounded by a city wall with a total of 16 paintings so that the generations to come will be gates, nine for the Inner City in the north and six able to know what Beijing was like,” said Fang. for the Outer City in the south. The Forbidden Fang is uncertain about how significant of a City, where the emperor resided, was located in role his paintings can play, but he is committed the Inner City. to making the attempt. Vendors selling stringed jujubes, sesame oil One of his most notable works is a 7.8- and goose feather fans in hutongs (residential meter-long scroll painting of Beijing’s south-to- alleyways); traditional forms of transportation north central axis. Palaces, temples, altars and such as mule carriages, sedan chairs and ancient government offices were built rickshaws; and martial arts performances, symmetrically along the axis when Beijing wrestling matches and puppet shows were served as the imperial capital. The city was first once ubiquitous in the Tianqiao area in the made a national capital in A.D. 1153 during the ancient Outer City. These activities, which were Jin Dynasty (1115-1234), before going on to formerly commonplace in public, would appear function as the capital of the ensuing Yuan quite unusual to today’s Beijingers—especially (1271-1368), Ming (1368-1644) and Qing the younger generation. (1644-1911) dynasties. When he was young, Fang lived near The Beijing Municipal Government Xizhimen Gate in the northwest of the ancient launched a bid to apply world cultural heritage Inner City, where he would often climb onto the status for the central axis in 2011 and Fang was gate tower to fly kites and pick wild jujubes with named an ambassador for the initiative that his friends. With a keen interest in painting, he year. News From China March 2015 Culture & Life 63

In his foreword to Legacy of the Old Capital, Fang is not alone in his quest to artistically another collection of Fang’s illustrations depict old Beijing. Currently there are scores of published in 2012, Luo Zhewen (1924-2012), painters engaged in the cause. Although these noted expert on ancient Chinese architect, painters use differing techniques to draw commented, “Fang has accurately recorded the different aspects of the city, they have one thing hutongs, stores and lifestyles of old Beijing in in common: They all cherish a deep love for the pictures, which is a remarkable feat.” capital. A Secluded Life “As an artist who grew up in Beijing, Fang has deep affection toward the city,” said Liu In order to be fully devoted to painting, Fang Lihua, Deputy Editor in Chief of New Star Press. moved to his current abode in the suburban Despite his ripe age, Fang is still ambitious. Tongzhou District, located about two hours’ drive from the city center, in 2003. The quiet He plans to host a solo exhibition of paintings of surroundings of his house have enabled him to old Beijing in the near future. The exhibition will focus on his art. include 100 to 200 pictures larger in size than Fang said if he lived in downtown, his those included in his newly released collection retired friends, who have a lot of leisure time, and painted in the styles of both ancient Chinese would frequently drop in for a visit—an often paintings and Western oil paintings. He is time-consuming burden. Now that he lives far currently in the process of drawing sketches for from central Beijing, few people pay him a visit. the exhibition. Fang, who has few hobbies aside from painting and gardening, spends most of his time creating paintings of old Beijing. “My wife and I lead a simple life. We seldom dine out or shop for expensive items,” said Fang. As Fang is presbyopic and does not know how to use the computer, his wife helps him do research for his artworks.

Profile Fang Yan, born in north China’s Hebei Province in 1941, came to Beijing with his parents at the age of 8. He developed a deep interest in painting from an early age and studied ancient Chinese masters to learn the art. During the early period of his career, he painted comic strips and book illustrations. Feeling remorseful for the disappearance of ancient architecture and traditional lifestyles, Fang began to paint scenes of old Beijing in the 1980s. Published collections of his pictures include Legacy of the Old Capital and Pictures of Old Beijing: Living Memories of the Ancient Capital. 64 Culture & Life News From China March 2015 Revisiting Quanzhou's Cultural Heritage

by Camille Boullenois

A seaside city of 8 million people, Quanzhou products from the different countries. in southeast China’s Fujian Province was once Quanzhou’s development coincided with a described by Marco Polo (1254-1324) as the period of great commercial and cultural “Alexandria of the East” in the late 13th century, interaction in China. Cultural relics in the when it was known as Zayton (or Zaitun) by Quanzhou area, from sacred Muslim tombs to traders arriving from the Arab world and Indian carvings, bear witness to the variety of heralded as one of the world’s most glorious cultural and religious practices that converged ports. there. Quanzhou was established in 718 during However, with the restrictions of trade the Tang Dynasty (618-907). It later became imposed from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) one of the most important Chinese ports along onward, the city lost its position as a commercial the Maritime Silk Road during the Song (960- center. Shortage of arable land forced people to 1279) and Yuan (1271-1368) dynasties. seek a livelihood elsewhere. During the late Quanzhou has welcomed sailors and Ming Dynasty, the continuation of the Silk travelers from many different cultures and Road’s overseas connections facilitated large- religions. A number of famous medieval scale migration from Quanzhou to Southeast explorers, such as Marco Polo and Ibn Battuta Asia. (1304-68) from Morocco, described the port as A Symbol of Openness one of the most vibrant harbors in the world. During Song times, Chinese maritime trade Because of its history, Quanzhou has flourished. From Quanzhou, Chinese ships become a symbol of cultural pluralism and reached many ports of Southeast Asia, India, international cooperation. The presence of Persia, Mesopotamia, Africa, the Arabic sailors, merchants and explorers contributed to Peninsula and finally Europe. They sold silk, the development of peaceful coexistence porcelain, tea and books in exchange for various between the many different ethnic and religious News From China March 2015 Culture & Life 65 groups in the city, including Buddhists, H i n d u s , T a o i s t s , N e s t o r i a n s , Manichaeans, Jews, Catholics and Muslims. This cultural open- ness is illustrated by the diversity of historic religious sites and monuments in the city. In addition to this, the numerous tombstones and artifacts that are exposed in Quanzhou’s Maritime Museum also tell a story of strong inclusiveness, as they show different religious Although Quanzhou’s openness was and cultural symbols brought together. seriously dampened during the Ming and Qing Islam provides one of the most obvious (1644-1911) dynasties, the city now has the evidence of Quanzhou’s openness and ambition to become a new cultural meeting inclusiveness. This religion was introduced into point. Meanwhile, the tradition of religious and Quanzhou in the Tang dynasty, when large cultural integration is a strong asset for numbers of Arabian-Persian merchants settled Quanzhou as the Chinese Government in the city. Quanzhou provided a cultural emphasizes cultural dialogue and cooperation. environment that valued religious freedom and A Tradition of Trade openness. As a result, many mosques were built, one of which, Qingjing Mosque, is the Quanzhou’s cultural traditions also include oldest Muslim place of worship in China. many products and handicrafts that were exported through the Maritime Silk Road. The m o s t i m p o r t a n t p ro d u c t s , t e a a n d porcelain, still play an essential role in the city’s economy. T e a h a s b e e n produced in the district of Anxi, in the periphery of Quanzhou, for at least 1,000 years. It was exported to as many as 58 countries in Europe, Africa and Asia during Tang, Song and Yuan dynasties. Until the 66 Culture & Life News From China March 2015

middle of the 19th century, Fujian remained the successively attracted thousands of migrant top region in the world for tea exportation, workers from all over the country to work in the before India took over. production of shoes and sportswear. The porcelain sector also reflects the Quanzhou also benefits from very important intertwining of art, innovation and mass commercial ties with overseas Chinese. The Silk production in Quanzhou. Many companies Road during the Song and Yuan dynasties, as were successful in introducing new well as the closing of all seaport trade with the technologies for porcelain production. Some of outside world during the Ming and Qing them now meet the expectations of the global dynasties, have indeed encouraged many market by producing occidental-style people from Quanzhou to settle in other porcelains that are exported en-masse to the countries in Southeast Asia. Today, Quanzhou is United States and Europe. But Quanzhou also said to be the hometown of over 60 million attracts many artists that revisit handicraft overseas Chinese. traditions and make them all the more alive. Valuable Asset Besides its tradition of handicrafts, Quanzhou is also well known as a historical In spite of its glorious past, Quanzhou’s example of successful trade relations and cultural heritage has only recently become an strong entrepreneurial culture. asset for the city’s tourism industry. The Maritime Silk Road and local traditions Quanzhou declined after the Ming Dynasty, have indeed contributed to the development of while Xiamen, a few kilometers away, became a very original economic model, based on a one of the most important ports in China in the multitude of small familial enterprises. Even previous more than 100 years. For this reason, today, unlike many other industrializing areas Quanzhou suffers from a lack of attention from in China, the majority of Quanzhou’s factories Chinese tourists and international travelers and enterprises are neither joint ventures nor alike. public enterprises, but privately owned Several steps have already been made in companies that rely heavily on familial recent years toward a wider recognition of relations. Quanzhou’s cultural past. First of all, Quanzhou This economic tradition may explain why was one of the first historic cultural cities Quanzhou has recently become a very approved by the State Council, China’s cabinet, prosperous city in Fujian and has developed in 1982. rapidly over last decades. The city has In recognition of the role played by News From China March 2015 Culture & Life 67

Quanzhou as one of the major ports along the Maritime Silk Road, a team from the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization also visited the city in 1991. The city is now present in a number of different heritage lists of the organization, including the World Heritage and the Intangible Heritage lists. (The author is an editorial consultant with the ChinAfrica magazine.)

People Celebrate Spring Festival & Lantern Festival around China

People purchasing flower lanterns in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province on the Lantern Festival. The Festival, which falls on March 5 this year, is celebrated on the 15th day of the Chinese Lunar New Year. 68 Culture & Life News From China March 2015

Farmers perform "yangko," a rural folk dance, on the Lantern Residents in Changchun, capital of northeast China's Jilin Province, Festival in Beijing. guess lantern riddles on the Lantern Festival

A performance is staged to celebrate the Spring Festival, at the Farmers perform a rural folk dance on the Lantern Festival in Yuhuangding temple fair in Yantai City, Shandong Province. Beijing.

Children make sweet dumplings in Nanchang, capital of east Lantern show to celebrate the Spring Festival in Xining City, China's Jiangxi Province. capital of northwest China's Qinghai Province. News From China March 2015 Tibet Today 69

TIBET TODAY

Tibetan Official Slams Dalai Lama Reincarnation Claim

Deputies to China's 12th National People's Congress (NPC) from southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region take part in a panel discussion during the third session of the 12th NPC in Beijing, capital of China, March 9, 2015. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan)

Beijing, March 9 (Xinhua) — A senior role should cease with his death, a claim that is Tibetan official on Monday slammed the Dalai against the Tibetan Buddhism tradition as the Lama’s recent claim that the Tibetan Buddhism soul of a senior lama is reincarnated in the body tradition of reincarnation should cease with his of a child on his death. death, saying that the religion and history must The move is expected to upset the be respected. reincarnation system that has been honored for Padma Choling, chairman of the Standing hundreds of years in Tibet and destabilize the Committee of the Tibet Autonomous Regional Buddhist region. People’s Congress, also stressed that door for The reincarnation of the Dalai Lama should dialogue with the 14th Dalai Lama is “always follow strict historical conventions and open.” required religious rituals of the Tibetan But he added that as to how the dialogue Buddhism and should also be approved by the would be held and what to discuss totally central government, Padma Choling said. depend on the Dalai Lama’s attitude. “It’s not up to the Dalai Lama,” he noted. To regain his waning influence, the monk “What he claimed is blasphemy against the said in December that his traditional religious Tibetan Buddhism,” the official said after a panel 70 Tibet Today News From China March 2015

discussion with other Tibetan lawmakers at expected to be unleashed in Tibet this year, China’s annual parliamentary session in which has maintained double-digit growth over Beijing. the past two decades. The year of 2015 is expected to be eventful In 2015, Tibet, still one of the poorest for the southwestern Chinese autonomous regions in the world’s second largest economy, region, as it ushers in crucial anniversaries and will aim to maintain economic growth at 12 strives for development. percent, the same as last year and an eye In September, China will observe the 50th catching figure against the backdrop of China’s anniversary of the founding of Tibet economic slowdown. Autonomous Region, home to over 3 million “Tibetan people’s sense of safety and sense residents of different ethnic groups. of happiness are both at historical high,” Padma More economic growth potential is Choling said.

Lhasa Households Enjoy Heating Subsidy

February 27 (Xinhua) This winter, more In 2014, the average annual income in Lhasa than 100,000 homes in Lhasa, capital city of was 23,350 yuan, and as gas cost 4,000 yuan for Tibet Autonomous Region, were warmed by a a four and half month period, many families local government heating subsidy. could just not afford to heat their homes. A citywide network, initiated in 2012 and However, thanks to the government subsidy, completed in 2014, connected 98 percent of all the price has been slashed to 1.5 yuan per cubic households in Lhasa to piped gas, and the local meter for households that use up to 1,500 cubic government, in conjunction with the Tibet meters a year, the lowest among nearby regions. finance department, allocated a subsidy of 370 In addition, households under the poverty million yuan (60.3 million U.S. dollars) to line are entitled to 600 cubic meters of natural reduce residents’ gas utility costs. gas every year for free, according to the local Lhasa, one of the highest city’s in the world, government. has an annual mean temperature of about 8 “Daily gas consumption has increased by degrees Celsius, and temperatures can fall to as nearly 20,000 cubic meters since the price low as minus 16 degrees Celsius. adjustment,” said Ysetyong, vice manager of According to the city’s previous multi-tier Lhasa Nuanxin Gas and Heating Co. Ltd. pricing mechanism, gas cost upward of 4.46 “Since the government subsidy, we use gas yuan per cubic meter; much higher than the for heating, cooking and bathing,” said 2.02 yuan per cubic meter levied on Beijing Changtsan, a resident of Lhasa City. “And we are residents and 3 yuan per cubic meter in no longer afraid of the cold winter nights.” Shanghai. The clean energy has also helped cut This is due to the fact that all the city’s pollution. Lhasa saw a significant reduction in natural gas must be liquefied before it is carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen transported from Golmud, in nearby Qinghai oxide emissions in 2014, a drop of around Province, and re-gasified once it arrives in 180,000 tonnes, 1,652 tonnes and 510 tonnes, Lhasa. respectively. News From China March 2015 Tibet Today 71

Construction of the Eco-Friendly Lhasa-Shigatse Railway

by He Dacheng & Jiang Xiaojun

Tibet is not only the origin of rivers, the source of ecology in South and Southeast Asia, but also an initiator and a conditioning zone for the Chinese and even the climate of the Eastern Hemisphere, thus honored as the last pure land in the world. Tibet is known as grand, magnificent, pure and mysterious, which c a t c h e s t h e e ye s o f The plant panes are used to prevent the wind and sand along the Lhasa-Shigatse Railway. (Photo by Liu Zhengping) countless tourists from around the world. Recent Giving Way to Nature Reserves construction of the area has also fallen under Abiding by the principles of energy the world’s eye, as well. From as early as the fi conservation and environmental protection, the rst part of the 21st century, when China began Lhasa-Shigatse Railway takes clean energy from to build the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, the First ground source heat pumps and solar power Survey and Design Institution Group Co.,LTD, water heating system. Along the line, no boiler affiliating itself with the China Railway room has been set. In the very beginning of the Construction Corporation (hereinafter referred alignment design, the railway has avoided the as “the FSDI of CRCC”) undertook the design Black-Necked Crane National Nature Reserve in and construction along with other participating the midstream valley of Yarlung Tsangpo, the entities to preserve the pure land. They have Shigatse Chorang Spherical Shell and Ellipsoidal planned to establish a line of ecology for the Lava Nature Reserve, and the Chushur Water Qinghai-Tibet Railway as a model for all Conservation District. Besides that, the Chinese railway constructions. For Chinese construction would not involve any ecologically railways, this is definitely a first with opening sensitive areas like nature reserves or water special passageways for wild animals to conservation districts. All newly-built tank migrate or in restoring and replanting stations, living water stations, and sewage stops vegetation on the highland as high as 4,000 must strictly comply with the national emission meters. standards. In addition, a proposal was added in As the extension to the Qinghai-Tibet the design that garbage on passenger trains and Railway, the Lhasa-Shigatse Railway is bio-waste at railway stations would be piled at undertaken by the same design and particular spots,then collected and delivered to construction enterprises, which carry forward the local environmental sanitation departments the former unique concept of an eco-friendly for final disposal. design and green construction. According to the introduction of Liu 72 Tibet Today News From China March 2015

Zhengping, Vice Commander of the Lhasa- conservation districts and will not exert any Shigatse Railway from the FSDI of CRCC, there impact on water origins. are dozens of nature reserves, cultural relic Along the line, the railway avoids a dozen preservation sites, water conservation districts, cultural relic sites as far as possible, limiting the and wet lands along the line, many of which are distance to the border of the conservation sites environmentally sensitive areas deserving within 2 to 5 kilometers, with the nearest designers’ high attention. To reduce the section at a distance of more than 1 kilometer. influence that construction would exert upon In total, there are four pieces of wet land the environment to a minimum, the FSDI of near the Lhasa-Shigatse Railway. Among them CRCC referred to the successful experience in are the Tanggar Go Wet Land, the Drakpa Lung the former project of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway Wet Land, and the Gyaltsen Wet Land, which are and put emphasis on making an overall plan in small and, to some extent, have lost their the earliest stage in alignment design. The basic function as marshes. Now, they are basically thoughts can be summed up with two key farmlands, with the train running across some words: avoid and across. parts of them without any impact upon the For instance, the Black-Necked Crane environment; however, as with the Nyang Qu Nature Reserve is one of the most important River Wet Land where the railway cannot fully national nature reserves along the line, pass around, builders found the way to build a covering an area of 614 thousand square bridge over it, reducing its environmental kilometers with 3 regions, 6counties, and 47 influence to a minimum. township villages. The FSDI of CRCC made An elaborate route plan worked out by the intensive passes throughout the area as they designing institute, the Lhasa-Shigatse Railway defined the route. Now, the nearest section to occupies a very limited land area, efficiently the reserve is further than 2 kilometers; and the decreasing harm and impact upon the land shortest distance from the rail to the Shigatse source and the ground vegetation along the line. Chorang Lava Nature Reserve is more than 1.5 On top of that, railway stations are taking kilometers, with the space to the Nyemo further green measures by planting trees, National Forest Park being much further. shrubs, and grass. As for the borrowed earth Likewise, the Lhasa-Shigatse Railway is located formed during construction, builders follow the far away from the surrounding water former environmental protection methods by a d o p t i n g s t e p s t o consolidate soil and restore vegetation. They intend to build the Lhasa-Shigatse Railway as the first first-class eco-friendly line in the world. Building the First- class Ecofriendly Railway Along with the d i f f i c u l t y i n engineering, Lhasa- The roof of the Lhasa Station was installed with many solar panels. (Photo by Liu Zhengping) S h i g a t s e R a i l w a y News From China March 2015 Tibet Today 73 project’s task to protect a n d r e s t o r e t h e ecological environment i s a l s o q u i t e c o m p l i c a te d . S i n c e September 16th, 2010, wh e n c o n s t r u c t i o n started, all participating units have declared special full-time or part- t i m e p e r s o n n e l a s r e s p o n s i b l e f o r e n v i r o n m e n t a l protection, offering related pre-job training The steel wind-break wall along the Lhasa-Shigatse Railway. (Photo by Liu Zhengping) for workers and staff members on the one hand, and on the other, working out a target-oriented responsibility debris flow, rock bursts, broken fault belt and system and assessment methods on weak surrounding rocks. During the environmental protection with breakdowns of engineering, the two headquarters and all all the targets and measures in accordance to project departments have always pushed for the d i f f e r e n t w o r k i n g l e v e l s , p l a c i n g concept that “environmental protection is as responsibility on particular operation teams important as construction”. They would not and individuals. disappoint Tibetans and make them feel The sections participating with the 12th, regretful, with anyone saying that “though the 19th, and 21st bureau system companies of the Lhasa-Shigatse Railway was built on my gate, a CRCC are all key programs with difficult mess of colorful garbage was left for my engineering and high environmental protection grandchildren.” standards, of which the two undertaken by the When construction was about to start and it 12th and 21st bureau system companies act was time for site selection, the builders tried basically as junctions that bridges use to join to their best to locate the project departments and tunnels. The construction sites are mainly the mixing stations in the deserted area without located in Nyemo County, Lhasa, and Rinbung trees, farmland, and grassland. Besides that, County, Shigatse, the valley of the Yarlung they built three-level sedimentation basins in a Tsangpo where natural conditions are harsh. score of living quarters to filter domestic and The railway traverses the Yarlung Tsangpo, the engineering waste water. country-level ecological shelter, a grand total of According to the design, the construction three times. The track is laid around Yarlung road before the entrance to the Phomyin La Tsangpo and the No. 318 National Road, directly Tunnel goes by 7 ancient poplars and willows, across the geothermal belt of Yangpachen, each at least one meter in diameter, at the Nyemo and Dochen Tso. Under a fragile Village of Dzongga. Through cooperation and ecological environment, the region has many coordination with the local government and geological problems like developing fracture villagers, the project department applied structure, complicated geological environment, professional skill transplanting the trees in the geothermic challenge, perilous falling rocks, nearest water-abundant place. Now, all these 74 Tibet Today News From China March 2015

ancient highland trees grow well. midstream area of Yarlung Tsangpo. The four- The entrance to No.1 Tunnel of the Thopu step plan will be for education enhancement on Village lies in the sandy land drifted by years of environmental protection, strict pollution wind. If such an amount of wastes and spoils source control, sandy rail base consolidation, had not been disposed well, the fragile ecology and vegetation restoration. would have become worse. So, as waste was “The training for all the staff in the cast off, builders strictly followed design engineering and environmental protection requirements of location, area, and height, Headquarters, which is held once a month, is adhering to the principal of laying screens compulsory and should not be changed,” said before discarding. They also assigned a special Hou Xuefeng, a technician from the Engineering person to assure the efficiency of sand Department. Though many regulations and prevention and stabilization. Considering sand requirements have been so familiar that prevention and control after the corps builders could recite them by heart, the withdrew from the windy and dusty area where consistent lessons played a role in creating they were stationed, the Project Department results. Through repeated education, some bad elaborately laid a network over an area of phenomena like littering at the sites have now nearly 40thousand square meters, covered it seemed to gradually die out. with mellow soil, and seeded that soil with On the selection of the construction road highland grass. The three Divisions invested and borrowed soil, the Headquarters demanded several million Yuan on rock crushing plants, that the vegetation, woods, and nature reserves breaking the harder tunnel spoil into small must be avoided, and any machinery should not pieces and recycling them for the rail sub-base be operated in the natural environment beyond or the preventive slope and barricade. The the range of construction roads and highways. measure not only cut down the area occupied On the disposal of waste and dirty water, by the spoil but also reduced the environmental Headquarters regarded the prohibition to pile pollution in reshipment. “Though much more poisonous construction materials near the was spent, we conserved the highland green rivers and ditches as a high tension line and that Tibetans have cherished for dozens and required that effective measures be taken to even hundreds of years,” said Li Jianmin from prevent oils from fl owing into the water, with the Headquarters of the CRCC’s 21st Bureau waste mud going through on-the-spot solid- System Corporation. liquid separation by precipitation. Zhao Wei Caring for the Blue Water and Sky with said, “The rigid regulations on environmental protection have been carried out forcefully from Hearts the very beginning to the end. Thus, during “The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the pure land in those years, the scenario was that the track and our Chinese hearts, will suffer no damage from bridge were built beside the river, yet the river our engineering. On the contrary, we will make remained clean and clear, which won the it more beautiful by construction and commendation of all proprietors, supervisors, conservation,” Zhang Junhong, Commander of and Tibetans.” the Headquarters of the Lhasa-Shigatse In the meantime, they kept spraying water Railway, often said so to his staff. Therefore, regularly onto mixing places and working roads. from the very beginning of the project, the All construction camps used clean energy like Headquarters have confirmed a four-step electricity and solar power, which reduced man- constructional strategy aiming at the madepollution to a minimum. environmental protection of the section in the In this section, the sandy rail base is as long News From China March 2015 Tibet Today 75 as 12.469 kilometers, covering a sandy land of 1,673 thousand square meters. To effectively consolidate the sandy base and land, the H e a d q u a r t e r s established a special scientific research team to tackle the problems. Different defending schemes were worked out according to the degree of harm that wind The 19th Bureau Group of the CRCC seeded the Lhasa-Shigatse Railway base with highland and sand would exert grass for sand prevention. (Photo by Yang Lei) upon the railway, with factors of water resources, construction hensively prohibited anyone to hunt wild material, vegetative conditions, and natural animals.” Shan Lili, an office clerk, told scenes also along the line. everyone on a QQ Group that some of those “To keep wild animals and plants from signs would be permanently preserved, being disturbed or destroyed, we set up over reminding future tourists and certain illegal 70 striking signs along the constructional line, hunters not to destroy the hard-won new strictly limited the range for builders’ activity highland green nor kill the creatures belonging and machinery operation, and compre- to the lovely land.

Form IV (See Rule 8) 1. Place of publication New Delhi 2. Periodicity of publication Monthly 3. Printer's name Mme. Xie Liyan (Whether citizen of India?) No (If foreigner, state the country of origin) People's Republic of China Address Embassy of the People's Republic of China, 50-D, Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi-110021 4. Publisher's name Mme. Xie Liyan (Whether citizen of India?) No (If foreigner, state the country of origin) People's Republic of China Address Embassy of the People's Republic of China, 50-D, Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi-110021 5. Editor's name Mme. Xie Liyan (Whether citizen of India?) No (If foreigner, state the country of origin) People's Republic of China Address Embassy of the People's Republic of China, 50-D, Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi-110021 6. Name and addresses of individuals who own the Embassy of the People's Republic of China, newspaper and partners or sharholders holding 50-D, Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi-110021 more than one percent of the total capital I, Mme. Xie Liyan, hereby declares that the particulars given above are true to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Date: March, 2015 Mme. Xie Liyan Signature of Publisher 76 Book Review News From China March 2015

BOOK REVIEW

Dear Readers, China is attracting growing attention worldwide. The world wants to know what changes are in progress in China, and what impact they will have on the rest of the world. To respond to rising international interest and to enhance the rest of the world's understanding of the Chinese government's philosophy and its domestic and foreign policies, the State Council Information Office, the Party Literature Research Office of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the China International Publishing Group have worked together to produce this book --- The Governance of China. You can come to get the book for FREE, or ask for a VPP service as you need. Please email us first to reserve the book providing the serial No. Hope to hear from you in the coming future. Your comments and suggestions on NFC are also greatly welcome. Editor News From China E-mail: [email protected] Address: 50-D, Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi-110021 Tel: 0091-11-26116683

FOREWORD

Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) held in November 2012, the new central leadership with Xi Jinping as general secretary has led the whole Party and the people of China in confronting the problems and challengers they face: to drive reform and opening up to a deeper level, to modernize the national governance system, and to marshal their enormous strength behind the Chinese Dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. As general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and president of the People's Republic of China, Xi Jinping has delivered many speeches on a broad range of issues. He has offered his thoughts, views and judgments, and answered a series of important theoretical and practical questions about the Party and the country in these changing times. His speeches embody the philosophy of the new central leadership. The book is a compilation of Xi Jinping's major works from November 15,2012 to June 13,2014. It includes speeches, talks, interviews, instructions, and correspondence. The 79 pieces are arranged in 18 chapters, and notes are added to help readers understand China's social system, history and culture. News From China March 2015 CCTV News 77 78 CRI CIBN News From China March 2015

Postal Regd. No. DL-SW-16/4034/15-17 R.N.I. No. 47440/88 March 2015

Flowers are in full bloom in Hainan Province , Southern China.

Published, Printed and Edited by Mme. Xie Liyan on behalf of the Press Office of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, 50-D, Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi-110021. Tel: 26881249, Fax: 26882024 Printed at A.K. Printers, S-217, Bank Street, Munirka, New Delhi-110067, Ph: 9818114996 Date of Publishing: 24th of every month Posted at Chanakyapuri P.O. on 27th & 28th of every month Chinese Embassy Website: http://in.china-embassy.org E-mail: [email protected] Website of Foreign Ministry of China: www.mfa.gov.cn E-mail:[email protected] www.fmprc.gov.cn

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