Political commitments, manufacturing value added, and major trading partners
Michael Horlick, MPM, M Ed., PMP
Educator, Ethicist, and Incurable Idealist
Terms to note from today’s PRC Ministry of Foreign Affairs press conference:
Today’s quote:
菲方言论严重违反一个中国原则和中菲建交公报，严重违背菲方对中方所作的政治承诺，粗暴干涉中国内政。?
The remarks of the Philippine side seriously violate the one-China principle and the joint communiqué of establishing diplomatic ties between China and the Philippines, seriously go against the Philippines’ political commitments to China, and blatantly interfere in China’s internal affairs.? (Foreign Ministry Regular Press Conference on January 18, 2024)?
Previous PRC history of the term:
?? 美国声称尊重领土主权，却在台湾问题上走边缘、搞突破，违背自身政治承诺，向中国台湾地区出售先进武器；美国说要和平，却在世界各地发动战争，煽动对抗；美国强调要尊重和维护国际秩序，却大搞非法单边制裁，将国内法凌驾于国际法之上；美国说要公平竞争，却滥用国家力量无理打压别国企业，践踏国际贸易规则。?
The US keeps saying that territorial sovereignty must be respected, but on the Taiwan question, the US has been walking on the edge and pushing the envelope. The US has broken its own political commitments and been selling sophisticated weapons to China’s Taiwan region. The US says there’s desire for peace to prevail, yet it has waged wars and stoked confrontation around the world. The US says it’s important to respect and uphold the international order, yet it has slapped massive unilateral sanctions and put its domestic laws above the international law. The US says competition must be fair, yet it has been cracking down foreign companies by using all kinds of state apparatus and defying international trade rules.? (Foreign Ministry Regular Press Conference on March 2, 2023)?
?? 中方敦促日方恪守中日四个政治文件原则和此前所作严肃政治承诺，严格按照一个中国原则处理相关事宜，不要为“台独”分子借机搞政治操弄提供任何舞台和机会。?
China urges Japan to abide by the principles of the four political documents between China and Japan and the serious political commitments it previously made, handle relevant matters in strict accordance with the one-China principle, and refrain from providing any platform or opportunity for “Taiwan independence” elements to take advantage of the occasion for political manipulation.? (Foreign Ministry Regular Press Conference on September 16, 2022)?
?? 中美三个联合公报是双方的政治承诺，一个中国原则是中美关系的政治基础。?
The three Sino-US joint communiqués embody the political commitments made by the two sides, and the one-China principle is the political foundation for China-US relations.? (President Xi Jinping Speaks with US President Joe Biden on the Phone_2022_07_28)?
?? 我们也提醒欧盟方面明辨是非，警惕立陶宛绑架中欧关系的企图，劝导立陶宛同欧盟其他成员国一样，履行同中国建交时所作的政治承诺。?
We would also remind the EU to tell right from wrong, and stay wary of Lithuania’s attempts to take China-EU relations hostage. We also advise Lithuania to follow other EU members in fulfilling the political commitment made upon the establishment of diplomatic ties with the PRC.? (Foreign Ministry Regular Press Conference on January 27, 2022)
Today’s quote:
在全球经济增长乏力的背景下，中国内需稳定，通胀保持低位，制造业增加值连续14年居世界首位，进出口规模逆势增长，是全球经济的稳定器。?
In the face of an anemic global economy, China has stable domestic demand, low inflation, increasing imports and exports against the global trend, and has topped the world in manufacturing value added for 14 years in a row. It is an anchor for the world economy.? (Foreign Ministry Regular Press Conference on January 18, 2024)?
Previous PRC history of the term:
?? 高技术制造业、装备制造业增加值年均分别增长１０.６％、７.９％,数字经济不断壮大,新产业新业态新模式增加值占国内生产总值的比重达到１７％以上.?
The value-added of high-tech manufacturing and of equipment manufacturing increased by an annual average of 10.6 percent and 7.9 percent respectively. China’s digital economy continued to grow in strength. The value-added of new industries and new business forms and models accounted for over 17 percent of GDP.? (政府工作报告_2023)?
?? 深入实施促进工业经济平稳增长的系列政策措施、出台加力振作工业经济的政策举措、扎实推进产业基础再造工程、重大技术装备攻关工程、国家战略性新兴产业集群发展工程、多措并举促进制造业投资不断增长、制造业增加值占国内生产总值比重稳步提升。?
We implemented a series of policies and measures on stimulating steady growth in the industrial economy and introduced policies and measures for boosting its revitalization. We made solid progress in advancing industrial foundation reengineering projects, research projects on major technologies and equipment, and the national program to foster clusters of strategic emerging industries. We adopted multiple measures to drive investment in manufacturing and steadily expanded the sector’s value-added as a proportion of the GDP.? (Report on the Implementation of the 2022 Plan for National Economic and Social Development and on the 2023 Draft Plan for National Economic and Social Development_2023_03_05)?
?? 高技术制造业增加值增长18.2%，信息技术服务等生产性服务业较快发展，产业链韧性得到提升。?
Value-added of the high-tech manufacturing sector grew by 18.2 percent, IT services and other producer services recorded rapid growth, and industrial chains became more resilient.? (政府工作报告_2022)?
?? 节能环保等战略性新兴产业快速壮大并逐步成为支柱产业，高技术制造业增加值占规模以上工业增加值比重为15.1%。?
Strategic emerging industries such as energy conservation and environmental protection are growing rapidly and becoming pillars of the economy. Hi-tech manufacturing now accounts for 15.1 percent of the added value of industrial firms of designated size – with a revenue of RMB20 million and above per annum.? (White_Paper_Responding to Climate Change_China's Policies and Actions_《中国应对气候变化的政策与行动_2021_10_27)
Today’s quote:
2023年中国经济增量超过6万亿元，相当于一个中等国家一年的经济总量。?
China’s economic growth generates over RMB 6 trillion, equivalent to the annual GDP of a medium-sized country.? (Foreign Ministry Regular Press Conference on January 18, 2024)?
Previous PRC history of the term:
?? 今年经济确实遇到了新的下行压力和挑战，且不说各种复杂环境在变化，不确定因素增多，就是我们本身要实现5.5%的目标，它的增量，也就是中国百万亿元量级以上GDP5.5%的增量，就相当于一个中等国家的经济总量。?
This year [2022], we face new downside pressures and challenges, with much complexity and rising uncertainty. With China’s GDP exceeding 100 trillion yuan, a 5.5 percent increase would generate the amount of output equivalent to the size of a medium economy.? (Premier Li Keqiang Meets the Press_李克强总理出席记者会并回答中外记者提问_2022_03_11)?
?? 今年中国经济预计实现7%左右增长，其增量相当于一个中等国家全年的国内生产总值，比前几年两位数增长时还要多。?
领英推荐
For the year of 2015, China's economy is expected to grow at around 7%, with an increment equivalent to the GDP of a medium-sized country and larger than the increment created by the double-digit growth several years ago.? (Xi_Jinping_Innovative Growth That Benefits All_创新增长路径共享发展成果_2015_11_19)
Today’s quote:
目前中国中等收入群体已经超过4亿人，未来十几年将达到8亿人，必将为提升全球总需求发挥重要作用。?
In China, there are now [ January? 2024] over 400 million people in the middle-income bracket, and the number is expected to reach 800 million in the next decade or so. This will play an important role in boosting aggregate global demand.? (Foreign Ministry Regular Press Conference on January 18, 2024)?
Previous PRC history of the term:
?? 到二0 三五年，我国发展的总体目标是：经济实力、科技实力、综合国力大幅跃升，人均国内生产总值迈上新的大台阶，达到中等发达国家水平；实现高水平科技自立自强，进入创新型国家前列；建成现代化经济体系，形成新发展格局，基本实现新型工业化、信息化、城镇化、农业现代化；基本实现国家治理体系和治理能力现代化，全过程人民民主制度更加健全，基本建成法治国家、法治政府、法治社会；建成教育强国、科技强国、人才强国、文化强国、体育强国、健康中国，国家文化软实力显著增强；人民生活更加幸福美好，居民人均可支配收入再上新台阶，中等收入群体比重明显提高，基本公共服务实现均等化，农村基本具备现代生活条件，社会保持长期稳定，人的全面发展、全体人民共同富裕取得更为明显的实质性进展；广泛形成绿色生产生活方式，碳排放达峰后稳中有降，生态环境根本好转，美丽中国目标基本实现；国家安全体系和能力全面加强，基本实现国防和军队现代化。?
China's overall development objectives for the year 2035 are as follows: Significantly increase economic strength, scientific and technological capabilities, and composite national strength; substantially grow the per capita GDP to be on par with that of a mid-level developed country; Join the ranks of the world's most innovative countries, with great self-reliance and strength in science and technology Build a modernized economy; form a new pattern of development; basically achieve new industrialization, informatization, urbanization, and agricultural modernization Basically modernize the system and capacity for governance; improve the system for whole-process people's democracy; build a law-based country, government, and society Become a leading country in education, science and technology, talent, culture, sports, and health; significantly enhance national soft power; Ensure that the people are leading better and happier lives; bring per capita disposable income to new heights; substantially grow the middle-income group as a share of the total population; guarantee equitable access to basic public services; ensure modern standards of living in rural areas; achieve long-term social stability; make more notable and substantive progress in promoting the people's well-rounded development and prosperity for all; Broadly establish eco-friendly ways of work and life; steadily lower carbon emissions after reaching a peak; fundamentally improve the environment; largely accomplish the goal of building a Beautiful China; Comprehensively strengthen the national security system and national security capabilities; achieve basic modernization of national defense and the armed forces.? (Xi_Jinping_Speech at the 20th National Party Congress_2022_10_16)?
?? 坚持多劳多得，鼓励勤劳致富，促进机会公平，增加低收入者收入，扩大中等收入群体。?
We will ensure more pay for more work and encourage people to achieve prosperity through hard work. We will promote equality of opportunity, increase the incomes of low-income earners, and expand the size of the middle-income group.? (Xi_Jinping_Speech at the 20th National Party Congress_2022_10_16)?
?? 鼓励勤劳守法致富，扩大中等收入群体，增加低收入者收入，调节过高收入，取缔非法收入。?
We will encourage people to make their money through hard work and legal means. We will expand the size of the middle-income group, increase income for people on low incomes, adjust excessive incomes, and prohibit illicit income.? (Xi_Jinping_Report at the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China_Secure a Decisive Victory_October_18_2017)?
?? 人民生活更为宽裕，中等收入群体比例明显提高，城乡区域发展差距和居民生活水平差距显著缩小，基本公共服务均等化基本实现，全体人民共同富裕迈出坚实步伐；?
People are leading more comfortable lives, and the size of the middle-income group has grown considerably. Disparities in urban-rural development, in development between regions, and in living standards are significantly reduced; equitable access to basic public services is basically ensured; and solid progress has been made toward prosperity for everyone.? (Xi_Jinping_Report at the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China_Secure a Decisive Victory_October_18_2017)
中华人民共和国政府关于在南海的领土主权和海洋权益的声明为重申中国在南海的领土主权和海洋权益，加强与各国在南海的合作，维护南海和平稳定，中华人民共和国政府声明：一、中国南海诸岛包括东沙群岛、西沙群岛、中沙群岛和南沙群岛。中国人民在南海的活动已有2000多年历史。中国最早发现、命名和开发利用南海诸岛及相关海域，最早并持续、和平、有效地对南海诸岛及相关海域行使主权和管辖，确立了在南海的领土主权和相关权益。第二次世界大战结束后，中国收复日本在侵华战争期间曾非法侵占的中国南海诸岛，并恢复行使主权。中国政府为加强对南海诸岛的管理，于1947年审核修订了南海诸岛地理名称，编写了《南海诸岛地理志略》和绘制了标绘有南海断续线的《南海诸岛位置图》，并于1948年2月正式公布，昭告世界。二、中华人民共和国1949年10月1日成立以来，坚定维护中国在南海的领土主权和海洋权益。1958年《中华人民共和国政府关于领海的声明》、1992年《中华人民共和国领海及毗连区法》、1998年《中华人民共和国专属经济区和大陆架法》以及1996年《中华人民共和国全国人民代表大会常务委员会关于批准<联合国海洋法公约>的决定》等系列法律文件，进一步确认了中国在南海的领土主权和海洋权益。三、基于中国人民和中国政府的长期历史实践及历届中国政府的一贯立场，根据中国国内法以及包括《联合国海洋法公约》在内的国际法，中国在南海的领土主权和海洋权益包括：（一）中国对南海诸岛，包括东沙群岛、西沙群岛、中沙群岛和南沙群岛拥有主权；（二）中国南海诸岛拥有内水、领海和毗连区；（三）中国南海诸岛拥有专属经济区和大陆架；（四）中国在南海拥有历史性权利。中国上述立场符合有关国际法和国际实践。四、中国一向坚决反对一些国家对中国南沙群岛部分岛礁的非法侵占及在中国相关管辖海域的侵权行为。中国愿继续与直接有关当事国在尊重历史事实的基础上，根据国际法，通过谈判协商和平解决南海有关争议。中国愿同有关直接当事国尽一切努力作出实际性的临时安排，包括在相关海域进行共同开发，实现互利共赢，共同维护南海和平稳定。五、中国尊重和支持各国依据国际法在南海享有的航行和飞越自由，愿与其他沿岸国和国际社会合作，维护南海国际航运通道的安全和畅通。
Statement of the Government of the People's Republic of China on China's Territorial Sovereignty and Maritime Rights and Interests in the South China Sea: To reaffirm China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea, enhance cooperation in the South China Sea with other countries, and uphold peace and stability in the South China Sea, the Government of the People's Republic of China hereby states as follows: I. China's Nanhai Zhudao (the South China Sea Islands) consist of Dongsha Qundao (the Dongsha Islands), Xisha Qundao (the Xisha Islands), Zhongsha Qundao (the Zhongsha Islands) and Nansha Qundao (the Nansha Islands).? The activities of the Chinese people in the South China Sea date back to over 2,000 years ago.? China is the first to have discovered, named, and explored and exploited Nanhai Zhudao and relevant waters, and the first to have exercised sovereignty and jurisdiction over them continuously, peacefully and effectively, thus establishing territorial sovereignty and relevant rights and interests in the South China Sea. Following the end of the Second World War, China recovered and resumed the exercise of sovereignty over Nanhai Zhudao which had been illegally occupied by Japan during its war of aggression against China.? To strengthen the administration over Nanhai Zhudao, the Chinese government in 1947 reviewed and updated the geographical names of Nanhai Zhudao, compiled Nan Hai Zhu Dao Di Li Zhi Lüe (A Brief Account of the Geography of the South China Sea Islands), and drew Nan Hai Zhu Dao Wei Zhi Tu (Location Map of the South China Sea Islands) on which the dotted line is marked. This map was officially published and made known to the world by the Chinese government in February 1948. II. Since its founding on 1 October 1949, the People's Republic of China has been firm in upholding China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea.? A series of legal instruments, such as the 1958 Declaration of the Government of the People's Republic of China on China's Territorial Sea, the 1992 Law of the People's Republic of China on the Territorial Sea and the Contiguous Zone, the 1998 Law of the People's Republic of China on the Exclusive Economic Zone and the Continental Shelf and the 1996 Decision of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of the People's Republic of China on the Ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, have further reaffirmed China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea. III. Based on the practice of the Chinese people and the Chinese government in the long course of history and the position consistently upheld by successive Chinese governments, and in accordance with national law and international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, China has territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea, including, inter alia: i. China has sovereignty over Nanhai Zhudao, consisting of Dongsha Qundao, Xisha Qundao, Zhongsha Qundao and Nansha Qundao; ii. China has internal waters, territorial sea and contiguous zone, based on Nanhai Zhudao; iii. China has exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, based on Nanhai Zhudao; iv. China has historic rights in the South China Sea. The above positions are consistent with relevant international law and practice. IV. China is always firmly opposed to the invasion and illegal occupation by certain states of some islands and reefs of China's Nansha Qundao, and activities infringing upon China's rights and interests in relevant maritime areas under China's jurisdiction.? China stands ready to continue to resolve the relevant disputes peacefully through negotiation and consultation with the states directly concerned on the basis of respecting historical facts and in accordance with international law. Pending final settlement, China is also ready to make every effort with the states directly concerned to enter into provisional arrangements of a practical nature, including joint development in relevant maritime areas, in order to achieve win-win results and jointly maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea. V. China respects and upholds the freedom of navigation and overflight enjoyed by all states under international law in the South China Sea, and stays ready to work with other coastal states and the international community to ensure the safety of and the unimpeded access to the international shipping lanes in the South China Sea.)
Previous PRC history of the term:
?? 中国在2016年7月12日发表了《中华人民共和国政府关于在南海的领土主权和海洋权益的声明》，清晰阐明了中国在南海问题上的立场主张。对于涉海争议问题，我们始终坚持通过谈判协商和平解决，通过制定规则和建立机制管控争议。在争议解决前，通过共同开发开展资源勘探与开采。?
China clearly stated its position and proposition on the South China Sea issue in the Statement of the Government of the People’s Republic of China on China’s Territorial Sovereignty and Maritime Rights and Interests in the South China Sea issued on July 12, 2016. On maritime disputes, we always uphold peaceful settlement through negotiation and consultation, and managing disputes through making rules and setting up mechanisms. Before disputes are settled, resource exploration and extraction needs to be conducted through joint development.? (Foreign Ministry Regular Press Conference on January 18, 2024)
Today’s quote:
中国是140多个国家和地区的主要贸易伙伴，关税总水平降至7.3%，接近世贸组织发达成员的水平。?
China is the major trading partner for over 140 countries and regions, with overall tariff level cut to 7.3 percent, relatively on par with the developed members in the WTO.? (Foreign Ministry Regular Press Conference on January 18, 2024)?
Previous PRC history of the term:
?? 中国已经成为140多个国家和地区的主要贸易伙伴，同28个国家和地区签署了21个自贸协定。?
It has become the main trading partner of more than 140 countries and regions, and signed 21 free trade agreements with 28 countries and regions.? (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)?
?? 中国的发展受益于亚太，也用自身发展回馈亚太、造福亚太。中国经济同亚太经济相互依存、深度融合，中国已经成为许多亚太经济体的主要贸易伙伴和地区产业链供应链重要节点。?
China, as a member of the Asia-Pacific, has benefited much from the region. In return, it has shared its development gains with others in the region. The Chinese economy and the Asia-Pacific economy are interdependent and deeply integrated with each other. In fact, China is now a major trading partner of many Asia-Pacific economies and an important part of the industrial and supply chains in the region.? (Xi_Jinping_Written Speech at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit 202211_17)?
?? 正如你提到的那样，今年前10个月，按美元计价，中国进出口总额同比增长31.9%，持续保持两位数增长。对东盟、欧盟、美国、日本等主要贸易伙伴进出口均显著增长，对“一带一路”沿线国家进出口也强劲增长。?
As you said, in the first ten months of 2021, China's total imports and exports grew 31.9 percent in US dollar terms and maintained a double-digit gain. Imports and exports increased significantly between China and its major trading partners, including ASEAN, the EU, the US and Japan. Robust growth was also recorded in China's exports and imports with countries along the Belt and Road.? (Foreign Ministry Regular Press Conference on November 8, 2021)?
?? 对主要贸易伙伴出口保持增长，其中，对欧盟、美国、东盟出口分别增长19.7%、15.1%和19.1%；对“一带一路”沿线国家和金砖国家出口分别增长19.8%和24.8%。?
Growth has been maintained in exports to major trading partners, including an increase of 19.7%, 15.1% and 19.1% to the EU, the U.S. and ASEAN respectively, and exports to countries along the Belt and Road and BRICS countries grew by 19.8% and 24.8% respectively.? (MOFCOM Regular Press Conference_September 1, 2022)
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