Credit ratings, political will, the Mekong Countries, and a bridge bringing hearts closer
Michael Horlick, MPM, M Ed., PMP
Educator, Ethicist, and Incurable Idealist
Terms to note from today’s PRC Ministry of Foreign Affairs press conference:
12月5日，中国人权发展基金会在北京举办“纪念《世界人权宣言》发表75周年”国际研讨会。亚洲、非洲、拉美、欧洲各国和联合国人权高专办的高级别官员及驻华使节、专家学者、民间组织代表等出席。中共中央政治局委员、外交部长王毅出席开幕式并作主旨发言，深入宣介习近平主席关于人权问题的重要论述、中国人权发展道路的丰富内涵以及关于全球人权治理的立场主张。各方在研讨会上围绕促进经济社会文化权利、人权发展道路、全球人权治理等议题进行深入研讨，就新形势下改革完善全球人权治理的路径发表真知灼见。研讨会发表的“北京宣言”，反映了国际社会共识，为推进世界人权事业提供了有益启示。?
On December 5 [2023], the China Foundation for Human Rights Development held the International Symposium Commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in Beijing. Senior officials from Asian, African, Latin American and European countries and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights as well as diplomats in China, experts and scholars, and representatives from civil society organizations attended the symposium. Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended the opening ceremony and delivered a keynote speech, in which he elaborated on the important views of President Xi Jinping on human rights, China’s human rights development path, and China’s position and propositions on global human rights governance. Relevant parties had in-depth discussions at the symposium on the promotion of economic, social and cultural rights, human rights development paths and global human rights governance, and shared their insights on ways of reforming and improving global human rights governance under the new situation. The Beijing Declaration issued at the symposium reflects international consensus and provides useful ideas on advancing the world’s human rights cause.? (Foreign Ministry Regular Press Conference on December 6, 2023)
近来多家国际机构密集上调今年中国经济增长预期，看好中国经济强劲的内生动力、韧性和发展潜力。国际货币基金组织和经济合作与发展组织分别将今年中国经济增长预期调高至5.4%、5.2%。?
Multiple international institutions recently revised up their forecasts of China’s economic growth for this year, expressing optimism about the strong internal driving force, resilience and potential of China’s economy. The IMF and OECD revised up China’s growth forecasts of 2023 to 5.4 percent and 5.2 percent respectively.? (Foreign Ministry Regular Press Conference on December 6, 2023)
澜湄合作专项基金支持实施了“丰收澜湄”、澜湄甘泉行动计划、绿色澜湄计划等数百个造福民生的合作项目，为各国人民带来实实在在的福祉。?
The LMC Special Fund has supported hundreds of livelihood cooperation projects, including the LMC Bumper Harvest Projects, the Lancang-Mekong Sweet Spring Action, and the Green Lancang-Mekong Initiative, bringing tangible benefits to the people of these countries.? (Foreign Ministry Regular Press Conference on December 6, 2023)
Today’s quote:
中老铁路、中泰铁路、暹粒国际机场等互联互通项目为区域经贸和人员往来装上加速器，推动中国同湄公河国家年贸易额在过去7年内翻番。?
Connectivity projects such as the China-Laos Railway, the China-Thailand Railway and the Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport have boosted the region’s trade and cross-border travel, doubling the annual trade volume between China and the Mekong countries over the past seven years.? (Foreign Ministry Regular Press Conference on December 6, 2023)?
Previous PRC history of the term:
?? 中巴经济走廊、中斯科伦坡港口城和汉班托塔港等互联互通项目合作稳步推进。?
The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, the Port City Colombo project and the Hambantota Port in Sri Lanka and other connectivity cooperation projects are all making steady progress.? (Foreign Ministry Regular Press Conference on November 22, 2022)?
?? 中吉乌公路、第二条北南公路等互联互通项目助力吉尔吉斯斯坦经济发展，已成为吉尔吉斯斯坦人民的繁荣路、富裕路、幸福路。?
The China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan highway, the new North-South highway and other connectivity projects have boosted the economic development of Kyrgyzstan and become roads of prosperity, affluence and happiness for the local people.? (Foreign Ministry Regular Press Conference on September 7, 2022)?
?? 截至2021年7月底，我企业在上合组织成员国承包工程超过2900亿美元，建设了中国-中亚天然气管道、中吉乌公路、中俄同江铁路桥和黑河公路桥等基础设施互联互通项目。?
By the end of July 2021, Chinese enterprises had undertaken more than USD290 billion of contracted projects in SCO member states, including infrastructure connectivity projects such as the Central Asia-China gas pipeline, the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, the China-Russia Tongjiang-Nizhneleninskoye Railway Bridge and the Heihe-Blagoveshchensk Highway Bridge. China-EU Block Train also runs through the SCO region.? (MOFCOM Regular Press Conference September 16, 2021)
澜湄合作专项基金支持实施了“丰收澜湄”、澜湄甘泉行动计划、绿色澜湄计划等数百个造福民生的合作项目，为各国人民带来实实在在的福祉。?
The LMC Special Fund has supported hundreds of livelihood cooperation projects, including the LMC Bumper Harvest Projects, the Lancang-Mekong Sweet Spring Action, and the Green Lancang-Mekong Initiative, bringing tangible benefits to the people of these countries.? (Foreign Ministry Regular Press Conference on December 6, 2023)
Today’s quote:
澜湄合作是首个由流域六国共同发起和建立的新型次区域合作机制。启动7年来，澜湄六国本着互利共赢、共谋发展的初心，共商、共建、共享澜湄合作平台，取得了一系列务实成果。中老铁路、中泰铁路、暹粒国际机场等互联互通项目为区域经贸和人员往来装上加速器，推动中国同湄公河国家年贸易额在过去7年内翻番。澜湄合作专项基金支持实施了“丰收澜湄”、澜湄甘泉行动计划、绿色澜湄计划等数百个造福民生的合作项目，为各国人民带来实实在在的福祉。面对当前变乱交织的国际形势，中方高度重视并期待通过此次外长会，同流域国家就推进澜湄合作走深走实深入交换意见，共同打造高质量共建“一带一路”示范区、全球发展倡议先行区、全球安全倡议实验区、全球文明倡议首善区，携手建设人民相知相亲、邻里互帮互助、共同发展繁荣的澜湄命运共同体。?
LMC is the first new sub-regional cooperation mechanism jointly initiated and launched by the six Lancang-Mekong countries. Over the past seven years since its launch, the six Lancang-Mekong countries have built up consensus and worked together at the LMC platform in the spirit of mutual benefit for common development, and achieved a number of practical outcomes. Connectivity projects such as the China-Laos Railway, the China-Thailand Railway and the Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport have boosted the region’s trade and cross-border travel, doubling the annual trade volume between China and the Mekong countries over the past seven years. The LMC Special Fund has supported hundreds of livelihood cooperation projects, including the LMC Bumper Harvest Projects, the Lancang-Mekong Sweet Spring Action, and the Green Lancang-Mekong Initiative, bringing tangible benefits to the people of these countries. Amid changes and instability in the world, China attaches great importance to the LMC Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. We hope to have an in-depth exchange of views with Mekong countries at the meeting on deeper and more substantive cooperation, jointly make the region an exemplar for high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, a pacesetter for implementing the Global Development Initiative, a pioneer for implementing the Global Security Initiative and a front runner for implementing the Global Civilization Initiative, and build a Lancang-Mekong community with a shared future that enjoys close people-to-people bond, mutual help and common prosperity.? (Foreign Ministry Regular Press Conference on December 6, 2023)?
Previous PRC history of the term:
?? 区域合作走深走实。 。。。澜湄合作是次区域互利合作的成功实践，澜湄流域经济发展带正在形成。?
Regional cooperation has grown in depth and substance.? ... Lancang-Mekong Cooperation is a success story of mutually beneficial cooperation in the sub-region, and the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Economic Development Belt is taking shape.? (Outlook on China’s Foreign Policy on Its Neighborhood In the New Era_新时代中国的周边外交政策展望_2023_10_26)?
?? 作为首个由流域国家共商共建共享的新型次区域合作机制，澜湄合作启动七年来持续高水平发展，成为次区域合作的“金色样板”。去年7月在缅甸举办的澜湄合作第七次外长会上，六国同意共同打造高质量共建“一带一路”示范区、全球发展倡议先行区、全球安全倡议实验区，建设更为紧密的澜湄国家命运共同体。?
Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC), as the first new type subregional cooperation mechanism launched by riparian countries based on wide consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, has been growing at a high level since its inception seven years ago, becoming a golden model of success for subregional cooperation. The six countries agreed at the seventh LMC Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held in Myanmar in July 2022 to jointly build an area of demonstration for high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, an area of pioneering efforts under the Global Development Initiative (GDI) and a pilot area of cooperation under the Global Security Initiative (GSI), and forge an even closer community with a shared future for Lancang-Mekong countries.? (Foreign Ministry Regular Press Conference on March 22, 2023)?
?? 在各方共同努力下，一年来澜湄合作“水涨船高”，成果丰硕。习近平主席与湄公河国家领导人以灵活方式保持战略沟通，为澜湄合作领航定向。? 湄公河五国都加入了“全球发展倡议之友小组”，积极响应全球安全倡议，积极参与和探讨两大倡议框架下合作。? 高质量共建“一带一路”合作继续走实，中老铁路开通一年来客货两旺，中泰铁路建设稳步推进，中老泰联通发展构想正式启动。? 2022年，中国同湄公河五国贸易额达4167亿美元，同比增长5%。? 中国从湄公河五国进口农产品总额增长22%。? 第二届澜湄水果节成功举办，更多榴莲、燕窝、龙眼、椰子等五国特色农产品进入中国老百姓菜篮子。? “澜湄农业合作百千万行动计划”启动以来为湄公河国家培训了1300人次农技人员。? “澜湄兴水惠民计划”为湄公河国家开展了农村供水示范、小流域治理示范、水库大坝“体检”等10多个项目。? 澜湄合作专项基金已支持五国开展数百个民生项目。? 澜湄公共卫生专项资金支持的中缅合作新冠疫苗在仰光正式投产。? 特别是中方优化调整疫情防控政策后，泰、柬、老、越四国成为中方恢复中国公民出境团队游试点国家，中国与湄公河国家人员往来迅速增多。? 仅今年一月，就有近10万人次中国游客赴泰国，2.4万人次中国游客前往柬埔寨。? 老挝、越南预计今年全年将分别接待中国游客近40万和400万人次。?
With the concerted efforts of all sides, LMC has flourished over the past year and yielded fruitful outcomes.? President Xi Jinping has maintained strategic communication with leaders of the Mekong countries in flexible ways to set the course for LMC.? All five Mekong countries have joined the Group of Friends of the GDI, responded positively to the GSI, and actively supported and participated in cooperation under these two initiatives.? High-quality BRI cooperation has continued to make solid progress. The China-Laos Railway has seen booming passenger and freight services since it was open to traffic. Construction on the China-Thailand Railway has made steady progress. The vision of interconnected development of China, Laos and Thailand has been launched officially. In 2022, trade between China and the five Mekong countries reached $416.7 billion, up by 5% year on year. China’s import of agricultural products from the five countries increased by 22%. The second Lancang-Mekong Fruit Festival was successfully held, bringing more specialties from the five countries such as durian, bird’s nest, longan and coconut into the Chinese market. The Hundred, Thousand, Ten Thousand Action Plan on Lancang-Mekong Agricultural Cooperation has provided training opportunities for 1,300 agricultural technicians in the Mekong countries. Under the Plan on Lancang-Mekong Water Resources Benefiting the People, a dozen projects have been conducted including demonstration projects for water supply in rural areas and small watershed management and safety checks for reservoirs and dams. The LMC Special Fund has supported the five countries in carrying out hundreds of livelihood projects. The production of COVID vaccines in Rangoon under China-Myanmar cooperation supported by the LMC Special Fund for Public Health has been put into operation. Especially after China adjusted its COVID response measures, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam became the pilot countries where group tours from China have resumed, personnel exchange between China and Mekong countries went up rapidly. In January 2023 alone, Chinese tourists made nearly 100,000 trips to Thailand and 24,000 trips to Cambodia. Laos and Vietnam are expected to receive 400,000 and four million Chinese tourists throughout the year respectively.? (Foreign Ministry Regular Press Conference on March 22, 2023)?
?? 当前世界进入新的动荡变革期，全球经济复苏乏力，中国正在扎实推进中国式现代化建设，将为湄公河国家发展带来新的利好，也将为澜湄合作增添更大动能，为次区域实现和平与发展注入更多“源头活水”。
In the world facing a period of uncertainty and transformation and struggling to reboot the economy, China is steadfastly advancing the process of Chinese modernization, which will bring new benefits to the development of Mekong countries, add a stronger boost to Lancang-Mekong cooperation, and inject more impetus into subregional peace and development.? (Foreign Ministry Regular Press Conference on March 22, 2023)
Today’s quote:
澜湄合作专项基金支持实施了“丰收澜湄”、澜湄甘泉行动计划、绿色澜湄计划等数百个造福民生的合作项目，为各国人民带来实实在在的福祉。?
The LMC Special Fund has supported hundreds of livelihood cooperation projects, including the LMC Bumper Harvest Projects, the Lancang-Mekong Sweet Spring Action, and the Green Lancang-Mekong Initiative, bringing tangible benefits to the people of these countries.? (Foreign Ministry Regular Press Conference on December 6, 2023)?
Previous PRC history of the term:
?? 在各方共同努力下，一年来澜湄合作“水涨船高”，成果丰硕。... 澜湄合作专项基金已支持五国开展数百个民生项目。?
With the concerted efforts of all sides, LMC has flourished over the past year and yielded fruitful outcomes. ... The LMC Special Fund has supported the five countries in carrying out hundreds of livelihood projects.? (Foreign Ministry Regular Press Conference on March 22, 2023)?
?? 支持和完善以东盟为中心的地区安全合作机制和架构，秉持协商一致、照顾各方舒适度等“东盟方式”，加强地区国家间的安全对话与合作。支持在澜沧江－湄公河合作框架下推进非传统安全领域合作，通过澜湄合作专项基金实施相关合作项目，努力打造全球安全倡议实验区，共同维护地区和平稳定。?
Support and improve the ASEAN-centered regional security cooperation mechanism and architecture, and adhere to the ASEAN way of consensus-building and accommodating each other’s comfort level to further strengthen security dialogue and cooperation among regional countries. Support efforts to promote cooperation in non-traditional security areas under the framework of Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC), implement relevant cooperation projects under the LMC Special Fund, and strive to foster a pilot zone for GSI to jointly safeguard regional peace and stability.? (The Global Security Initiative Concept Paper_全球安全倡议概念文件_2023_02_21)
Today’s quote:
展望未来，中方期待同阿方在和平合作、开放包容、互学互鉴、互利共赢的基础上，携手推进高质量共建“一带一路”，搭建起贯通中阿的“发展带”、“连心桥”和“幸福路”，更好造福双方人民。?
Going forward, China looks forward to working with Arab countries to promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation on the basis of peaceful cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning and mutual benefit so as to build a belt of development, a bridge bringing hearts closer and a road to happiness for the people of both sides.? (Foreign Ministry Regular Press Conference on December 6, 2023)?
Previous PRC history of the term:
?? 中方欢迎更多洪都拉斯留学生来中国大陆就读，愿同洪方拓展人文领域交流合作，为两国人民铺就友谊路、搭建连心桥。?
We welcome more Honduran students to China’s mainland to pursue their education and stand ready to work together with the Honduran side to expand people-to-people exchange and cooperation and build a bridge of friendship to bring our two peoples closer.? (Foreign Ministry Regular Press Conference on July 5, 2023)?
? ?民心相通不断促进，一条条“幸福路”、一座座“连心桥”、一片片“发展带”在共建国家不断涌现，菌草、水井、杂交水稻等“小而美、见效快、惠民生”项目扎实推进，不断增进共建国家民众的获得感、幸福感。?
People-to-people connectivity continues to strengthen. Roads, bridges and development belts that lead to a happier and better life are constantly emerging in participating countries, and solid progress is being achieved in Juncao, wells, hybrid rice and other small projects that work faster in improving people’s lives, giving local people of BRI countries a stronger sense of gain and fulfillment.? (White_Paper_Global Community of Shared Future- China’s Proposals and Actions_携手构建人类命运共同体：中国的倡议与行动_2023_09_26)
据报道，近期中方加强了对尿素和磷酸铵的出口管制，尿素出口处于暂停状态，磷酸铵出口报检也被要求停止。?
According to reports, China has recently tightened export control over urea and ammonium phosphate. The export of urea is suspended and the export inspection application for ammonium phosphate was also asked to stop.? (Foreign Ministry Regular Press Conference on December 6, 2023)
领英推荐
澜湄合作专项基金支持实施了“丰收澜湄”、澜湄甘泉行动计划、绿色澜湄计划等数百个造福民生的合作项目，为各国人民带来实实在在的福祉。?
The LMC Special Fund has supported hundreds of livelihood cooperation projects, including the LMC Bumper Harvest Projects, the Lancang-Mekong Sweet Spring Action, and the Green Lancang-Mekong Initiative, bringing tangible benefits to the people of these countries.? (Foreign Ministry Regular Press Conference on December 6, 2023)
Today’s quote:
经同湄公河国家商定，中共中央政治局委员、外交部长王毅将于12月7日在北京与澜湄合作共同主席国缅甸副总理兼外长丹穗共同主持澜沧江—湄公河合作第八次外长会。?
As agreed with the Mekong countries, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) co-chair Myanmar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Union Minister for Foreign Affairs U Than Swe will jointly host the eighth LMC Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Beijing on December 7.? (Foreign Ministry Regular Press Conference on December 6, 2023)?
Previous PRC history of the term:
?? 中老铁路、中泰铁路、暹粒国际机场等互联互通项目为区域经贸和人员往来装上加速器，推动中国同湄公河国家年贸易额在过去7年内翻番。?
Connectivity projects such as the China-Laos Railway, the China-Thailand Railway and the Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport have boosted the region’s trade and cross-border travel, doubling the annual trade volume between China and the Mekong countries over the past seven years.? (Foreign Ministry Regular Press Conference on December 6, 2023)?
?? 在各方共同努力下，一年来澜湄合作“水涨船高”，成果丰硕。习近平主席与湄公河国家领导人以灵活方式保持战略沟通，为澜湄合作领航定向。湄公河五国都加入了“全球发展倡议之友小组”，积极响应全球安全倡议，积极参与和探讨两大倡议框架下合作。高质量共建“一带一路”合作继续走实，中老铁路开通一年来客货两旺，中泰铁路建设稳步推进，中老泰联通发展构想正式启动。2022年，中国同湄公河五国贸易额达4167亿美元，同比增长5%。中国从湄公河五国进口农产品总额增长22%。第二届澜湄水果节成功举办，更多榴莲、燕窝、龙眼、椰子等五国特色农产品进入中国老百姓菜篮子。“澜湄农业合作百千万行动计划”启动以来为湄公河国家培训了1300人次农技人员。“澜湄兴水惠民计划”为湄公河国家开展了农村供水示范、小流域治理示范、水库大坝“体检”等10多个项目。澜湄合作专项基金已支持五国开展数百个民生项目。澜湄公共卫生专项资金支持的中缅合作新冠疫苗在仰光正式投产。特别是中方优化调整疫情防控政策后，泰、柬、老、越四国成为中方恢复中国公民出境团队游试点国家，中国与湄公河国家人员往来迅速增多。仅今年一月，就有近10万人次中国游客赴泰国，2.4万人次中国游客前往柬埔寨。老挝、越南预计今年全年将分别接待中国游客近40万和400万人次。当前世界进入新的动荡变革期，全球经济复苏乏力，中国正在扎实推进中国式现代化建设，将为湄公河国家发展带来新的利好，也将为澜湄合作增添更大动能，为次区域实现和平与发展注入更多“源头活水”。今年“澜湄周”和之后一段时间，中方20个部委和10多个地方省市将举办“澜湄水资源合作成果展”“澜湄绿色低碳与可持续基础设施知识共享圆桌对话”“澜湄世界遗产对话会”“澜湄中医药传统文化宣传日”“中老缅泰湄公河联合巡逻执法友好交流活动”等50多项丰富多彩的活动。?
With the concerted efforts of all sides, LMC has flourished over the past year and yielded fruitful outcomes. President Xi Jinping has maintained strategic communication with leaders of the Mekong countries in flexible ways to set the course for LMC. All five Mekong countries have joined the Group of Friends of the GDI, responded positively to the GSI, and actively supported and participated in cooperation under these two initiatives. High-quality BRI cooperation has continued to make solid progress. The China-Laos Railway has seen booming passenger and freight services since it was open to traffic. Construction on the China-Thailand Railway has made steady progress. The vision of interconnected development of China, Laos and Thailand has been launched officially. In 2022, trade between China and the five Mekong countries reached $416.7 billion, up by 5% year on year. China’s import of agricultural products from the five countries increased by 22%. The second Lancang-Mekong Fruit Festival was successfully held, bringing more specialties from the five countries such as durian, bird’s nest, longan and coconut into the Chinese market. The Hundred, Thousand, Ten Thousand Action Plan on Lancang-Mekong Agricultural Cooperation has provided training opportunities for 1,300 agricultural technicians in the Mekong countries. Under the Plan on Lancang-Mekong Water Resources Benefiting the People, a dozen projects have been conducted including demonstration projects for water supply in rural areas and small watershed management and safety checks for reservoirs and dams. The LMC Special Fund has supported the five countries in carrying out hundreds of livelihood projects. The production of COVID vaccines in Rangoon under China-Myanmar cooperation supported by the LMC Special Fund for Public Health has been put into operation. Especially after China adjusted its COVID response measures, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam became the pilot countries where group tours from China have resumed, personnel exchange between China and Mekong countries went up rapidly. In January 2023 alone, Chinese tourists made nearly 100,000 trips to Thailand and 24,000 trips to Cambodia. Laos and Vietnam are expected to receive 400,000 and four million Chinese tourists throughout the year respectively. In the world facing a period of uncertainty and transformation and struggling to reboot the economy, China is steadfastly advancing the process of Chinese modernization, which will bring new benefits to the development of Mekong countries, add a stronger boost to Lancang-Mekong cooperation, and inject more impetus into subregional peace and development. In this LMC Week and some time afterwards, 20 Chinese government departments and more than 10 provinces and municipalities will hold more than 50 diverse events including the exhibition about Lancang-Mekong Water resources cooperation outcomes, the roundtable dialogue of the Lancang-Mekong knowledge hub for green, low-carbon and sustainable infrastructure, the Lancang-Mekong world heritage dialogue, the day for Lancang-Mekong traditional Chinese medicine and traditional culture, and friendly exchange of China-Laos-Myanmar-Thailand joint patrol and law enforcement of the Mekong River.? (Foreign Ministry Regular Press Conference on March 22, 2023)?
? 澜湄合作保持高水平发展，成功打造了区域合作的“金色样板”。中国向湄公河国家提供超过2亿剂新冠肺炎疫苗，同五国建立近150对友好省市。2021年，双方贸易额达3980亿美元，同比增长23%。各领域务实合作蓬勃开展，欣欣向荣，为六国经济复苏和区域繁荣振兴作出了重要贡献。在昨天的外长会上，王毅国务委员兼外长宣布，中方下阶段将推出六大惠湄举措，包括实施“澜湄农业合作百千万行动计划”“澜湄兴水惠民计划”“澜湄数字经济合作计划”“澜湄太空合作计划”“澜湄英才计划”和“澜湄公共卫生合作计划”等，与湄公河国家分享合作红利、增添发展动力。?
LMC has enjoyed excellent progress and become a golden model of success for regional cooperation. China has provided more than 200 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to Mekong countries and established nearly 150 pairs of sister provinces and cities with the five countries. Two-way trade in 2021 reached $398 billion, up by 23% year-on-year. Practical cooperation in various sectors has been flourishing, making important contributions to the six countries’ economic recovery and regional prosperity and revitalization. At yesterday’s [July 5,2022] foreign ministers’ meeting, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi announced that China will take six measures to benefit the Mekong countries, which are cooperation programs on agricultural expertise, harnessing water resources for better livelihood, digital economy, aerospace, talent training, and public health. Through these programs, China aims to share the benefits of cooperation with Mekong countries and inject fresh impetus to shared development.? (Foreign Ministry Regular Press Conference on July 5,2022)
Today’s quote:
据报道，近期中方加强了对尿素和磷酸铵的出口管制，尿素出口处于暂停状态，磷酸铵出口报检也被要求停止。?
According to reports, China has recently tightened export control over urea and ammonium phosphate. The export of urea is suspended and the export inspection application for ammonium phosphate was also asked to stop.? (Foreign Ministry Regular Press Conference on December 6, 2023)?
Previous PRC history of the term:
?? 中国海关总署日前叫停对韩出口尿素的通关流程。韩国政府认为，此举为中方非正式限制尿素出口的措施。?
China’s General Administration of Customs has recently halted customs clearance on exports of urea to the Republic of Korea (ROK).? The ROK government considers the Chinese action as an informal export restriction.? (Foreign Ministry Regular Press Conference on December 4, 2023)
Today’s quote:
正如工商界朋友所言，中国已经成为最佳投资目的地的代名词，下一个“中国”，还是中国。?
Just as some friends from the business community have said, China has become a synonym of the best investment destination. The “next China” is still China.? (Foreign Ministry Regular Press Conference on December 6, 2023)?
Previous PRC history of the term:
?? 习近平主席在亚太经合组织（APEC）工商领导人峰会上的演讲中指出，中国仍是全球增长最大引擎，今年对全球经济增长的贡献将达到三分之一。正如工商界朋友所言，中国已经成为最佳投资目的地的代名词，下一个“中国”，还是中国。中国之所以成为全球工商界的“必选项”，得益于中国经济韧性强、潜力大、活力足，得益于中国改革开放的基本国策，得益于中国超大规模市场。这次APEC会议期间，习近平主席再次强调，中国将不断完善外商投资权益保护机制、进一步缩减外商投资准入负面清单、全面保障外商投资企业国民待遇。传递出中国扩大高水平对外开放的强烈信号。下一个“中国”，还是中国。欢迎各国工商界继续投资中国、深耕中国。?
President Xi Jinping pointed out in his speech at the APEC CEO Summit that China remains the most powerful engine of global growth, and will generate one-third of global growth this year. Just as some friends from the business community have said, China has become a synonym of the best investment destination, and that the “next China” is still China. The reason why China is the place to go for the global business community lies in the strong resilience, ample potential and strong vitality of its economy, the fundamental national policy of reform and opening up and the huge Chinese market. At APEC, President Xi Jinping stressed again that China will improve the mechanisms for protecting the rights and interests of foreign investors, further shorten the negative list on foreign investment and fully ensure national treatment for foreign investors. All of this sends out a strong message about China’s continued expansion of opening up. The “next China” is still China. We invite businesses from across the world to invest and cultivate success in China.? (Foreign Ministry Regular Press Conference on November 21, 2023)?
?? 今年以来，中国经济持续回升向好，增速在全球主要经济体中保持领先，高质量发展扎实推进。中国仍然是全球增长最大引擎，今年对全球经济增长的贡献将达到三分之一。正如工商界朋友所言，中国已经成为最佳投资目的地的代名词，下一个“中国”，还是中国，欢迎各国工商界朋友们继续投资中国、深耕中国！?
This year, China’s economy has been steadily recovering and turning for the better. Its growth rate is among the highest among major economies of the world. And solid gains have been made in our pursuit of high-quality development. China remains the most powerful engine of global growth, and will generate one-third of global growth this year. Just as some leaders of the business community have said, China has become a synonym of the best investment destination, and that the “next China” is still China. We invite friends from business communities across the world to invest and deepen your footprint in China.? (Xi_Jinping_Written Speech at the APEC CEO Summit_ Meeting Challenges with Unity of Purpose To Write a New Chapter for Asia-Pacific Cooperation_2023_11_16)
穆迪评级公司周二对中国的信用评级发出了降级警告，并表示预计未来十年中国经济增长将放缓。?
Moody’s on Tuesday put a downgrade warning on China’s credit rating and said it expected China’s economic growth to slow over the coming decade.? (Foreign Ministry Regular Press Conference on December 6, 2023)?
Previous PRC history of the term:
?? 据世界银行统计，在121个发展中国家主权债务中，多边金融机构和商业债权人占比超过80%。据英国非政府组织“债务正义”报告，非洲国家借自西方私营金融机构的债务额约为中国的3倍，利率约为中国的2倍。西方债权人却以维护自身信用评级为借口，始终拒绝参与有关缓减债行动。?
Data from the World Bank shows that multilateral financial institutions and commercial creditors hold more than 80% of the sovereign debt of 121 developing countries. According to a report by UK-based charity Debt Justice, African governments owe three times more debt to Western private lenders than to China, and are charged double the interest. Western creditors claim they need to maintain their credit rating and have thus refused to be part of the debt relief and service suspension effort.? (Foreign Ministry Regular Press Conference on March 22, 2023)
Today’s quote:
遗憾的是，一些国家不愿自身外空军力发展受到约束，长期以技术理由否定法律文书谈判的根本路径，甚至质疑防止外空军备竞赛的基本共识。中方希望有关国家拿出政治意愿，纠正错误做法，支持并建设性参与外空军控法律文书谈判，维护以国际法为基础的国际秩序。?
Regrettably, certain countries, unwilling to have their military buildup in outer space constrained, have long refused to acknowledge the fundamental approach of negotiating a legal instrument on technical grounds and even questioned the basic consensus of preventing an arms race in outer space. We hope relevant countries will demonstrate political will, correct their wrong practice, support and constructively participate in negotiations for a legal instrument on arms control in outer space, and uphold the international order based on international law.? (Foreign Ministry Regular Press Conference on December 6, 2023)?
Previous PRC history of the term:
?? “昆明宣言”作为政治性宣言，主要目的是集中反映各方政治意愿，释放强有力信号，向世界展现各方解决生物多样性丧失问题的决心和行动。?
As a political declaration, the main purpose of the Kunming Declaration is to reflect the political will of all parties, send a strong signal, and show to the world the determination and actions of all parties to solve the problem of biodiversity loss.? (Foreign Ministry Regular Press Conference on October 14, 2021)?
?? 中国愿意与有关各国加强司法和执法合作，共同打击跨国犯罪，同时希望各国进一步提升国际合作的政治意愿，努力克服法律制度的差异，积极推进在《联合国打击跨国有组织犯罪公约》框架下的合作，包括以公约为法律基础进行引渡合作，提供广泛的司法协助，并就犯罪所得的返还和分享积极开展合作。?
China stands ready to enhance judicial and law-enforcement cooperation with relevant countries in a joint effort to fight transnational crimes, and calls on all countries to enhance their political will for international cooperation, overcome differences in legal systems, promote cooperation within the framework of the UNTOC, including cooperation on extradition, provide wide judicial assistance, and cooperate in the recovery and disposal of criminal proceeds.? (White_Paper_China's Policies on Asia-Pacific Security Cooperation_《中国的亚太安全合作政策》_2017_01_11)
Today’s quote:
10年来，中国和阿拉伯国家作为共建“一带一路”的天然伙伴，交出了亮眼的成绩单。2022年中阿贸易额超过4300亿美元，比10年前翻了一番。中国从阿拉伯国家进口原油2.7亿吨，占当年中国进口总量的半壁江山。?
Over the past decade, China and Arab countries, as natural partners in Belt and Road cooperation, have achieved remarkable progress with concerted efforts. China-Arab trade volume in 2022 exceeded USD 430 billion, doubling the amount a decade ago. China imported 270 million tonnes of crude oil from Arab countries, accounting for half of China’s total imports of the year.? (Foreign Ministry Regular Press Conference on December 6, 2023)?
Previous PRC history of the term:
?? 去年，中阿贸易额已经超过4300亿美元。?
Last year [2022], trade between China and Arab countries exceeded USD 430 billion.? (Foreign Ministry Regular Press Conference on June 1, 2023)?
?? 人民币跨境支付的运用，对促进中阿贸易往来发挥了重要作用。 ... 中国目前是阿拉伯国家的最大贸易伙伴。2021年，中国对阿拉伯国家直接投资存量达到230亿美元，比10年前增长了2.6倍；中阿贸易额达到3303亿美元，比10年前增长了1.5倍。今年前三季度，中阿贸易额达到3192.95亿美元，接近去年全年水平，同比增长35.28%。?
The cross-border RMB payment has played an important role in boosting trade between China and Arab states. ... China is Arab states’ biggest trading partner. In 2021, China’s FDI stock in Arab states hit $23 billion, a 2.6 times increase over 10 years. The trade volume topped $330.3 billion, 1.5 times more than 10 years ago. In the first three quarters of 2022, China-Arab states trade reached $319.295 billion, up 35.28 percent year on year and close to the total of the whole year of 2021.? (Foreign Ministry Regular Press Conference on December 9, 2022)? 力争2027年中阿贸易额达到4300亿美元。? China aims to expand its trade with Arab states to 430 billion dollars by 2027.? (Xi_Jinping_Eight Major Initiatives on China-Arab practical cooperation 八大共同行动2022_12_09)?
?? 去年，中阿贸易额达到2400亿美元，中国稳居阿拉伯国家第一大贸易伙伴国地位；中阿“一带一路”重点项目复工复产有序推进，5G、人工智能、航空航天等高新技术合作方兴未艾。?
Trade between China and Arab states has reached $240 billion. China remains the largest trading partner of Arab states. Key projects of Belt and Road cooperation are being resumed in an orderly way. Cooperation in high and new technologies such as 5G, artificial intelligence, aviation and aerospace is thriving.? (Wang_Yi_State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi Meets the Press_2021_03_07)
11月29日，中国同约旦签署《中华人民共和国政府与约旦哈希姆王国政府关于共同推进丝绸之路经济带和21世纪海上丝绸之路建设的谅解备忘录》。至此，中国同全部22个阿拉伯国家和阿盟都签署了共建“一带一路”合作文件。?
On November 29 [2023], China and Jordan signed a memorandum of understanding between the government of the People’s Republic of China and the government of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan on jointly promoting the construction of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. This means China has signed Belt and Road cooperation documents with all 22 Arab countries and the Arab League, achieving full coverage.? (Foreign Ministry Regular Press Conference on December 6, 2023)
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