Xinwen Lianbo, China's most important TV program, on May 24
Xi's letter to Iowa, "Following the Footsteps of the General Secretary", Xinjiang, COVID, etc.
Every day, China’s most important TV program is broadcast between 7 pm to 7:30 pm Beijing Time (GMT+8). This is the content of 新闻联播 Xinwen Lianbo/News Simulcast on Tuesday, May 24, 2022 - on-air roughly three hours ago.
Documenting Xinwen Lianbo in English is an experiment starting yesterday. As of now, there is no guarantee whatsoever this will continue. You’re very welcome to reply to the email and give your feedback - if you don’t like it, please tell me.
Please note only the content within the Quote - the blue line - is sourced from the show.
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Part 1
Xi Jinping replies to a letter from Ms. Sarah Lande, a friend from Iowa
Recently, President Xi Jinping replied to a letter from Ms. Sarah Lande, a friend from Iowa.
Xi Jinping pointed out that I visited the beautiful state of Iowa twice and formed an inseparable bond with the city of Muscatine. The people of China and the United States are great people. Their friendship is a valuable asset and an important foundation for the development of relations between the two countries. The Chinese people are willing to continue to work with the American people to strengthen friendly exchanges, promote mutually beneficial cooperation and jointly promote the well-being of the two peoples.
Xi encouraged Ms. Sarah Lande and other old friends from Iowa to continue to sow the seeds of friendship and make new contributions to the friendship between the Chinese and American people.
Ms. Sara Lande hosted Xi, then Party Secretary of Zhengding County in Hebei Province, on a visit to Muscatine in 1985. In 2012, then Vice President Xi visited the United States and met with his old friends at Lande’s home. Recently, Lande sent a letter to President Xi, thanking him for his precious friendship with his old friends and looking forward to deepening humanistic exchanges between the two countries to enhance understanding and mutual trust. Lande also sent a copy of her memoir, 《老朋友：习近平与艾奥瓦的故事》Old Friends: The Story of Xi Jinping and Iowa.
A story of Xi’s visits to Muscatine, Iowa, via Singapore’s Channel News Asia.
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Part 2
[Following the Footsteps of the General Secretary] Tianjin: The Pearl of Bohai Sea Rides New Tide
Since the 18th Party Congress [in 2012], General Secretary Xi Jinping has visited various places time and again, covering 31 provinces, autonomous regions, and cities. With 国之大者 "the country’s priorities" in mind, he went to the grassroots level, listened to the people's voices, gathered the people's wisdom, and unified top-level design with suggestions from the people. With extraordinary political courage and strong responsibility, he steered the helm to promote the Party and the state to make historic achievements and historic changes.
Starting today (May 24), Xinwen Lianbo will launch a series of reports entitled "Following the Footsteps of the General Secretary", which will comprehensively review the footprints of the General Secretary's inspections over the past 10 years, revisit the General Secretary's ardent instructions full of people's feelings, show the General Secretary's strategic drawing to face the challenges and lead the times, and reflect the unity and struggle of cadres and masses to advance into a new journey under the guidance of Xi Jinping's thought of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era.
The series reflects the vivid practice of cadres and masses, guided by Xi Jinping's thought of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the New Era, to welcome the victory of the 20th Party Congress. Today, we will first broadcast the Tianjin chapter.
Tianjin is located on the shore of the Bohai Sea and the Haihe River and is an important port city in northern China with a strong manufacturing base. Since the 18th Party Congress, General Secretary Xi Jinping has visited Tianjin four times to inspect work and attend activities, plan and promote the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei cooperative development strategy, and put forward the important requirements of "focusing on improving the quality and efficiency of development, protecting and improving people's livelihood, and strengthening and improving the leadership of the Party" for Tianjin's development.
In January 2019, the General Secretary came here and urged Tianjin to build a world-class smart port and green port to better serve the coordinated development of Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei and to co-build the Belt and Road.
Now the port of Tianjin has broken the regional restrictions within Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei…the port of Tianjin has trades with more than 800 ports at home and abroad, more than 300 than in 2019…In Binhai Zhongguancun Science and Technology Park, the general secretary pointed out that…promote the Beijing and Tianjin cities to truly achieve complementary advantages and strong alliances.
The proportion of Beijing enterprises settled in the Binhai Zhongguancun Science and Technology Park has increased from 16% in 2019 to 30% in 2021…Now, in the National Supercomputing Center in Tianjin, the Tianhe platform supports more than 4,000 major national projects; the Airbus A320 assembly line in Tianjin has the capacity of monthly production and assembly of six aircraft…
…Tianjin insists on spending 75% of its financial expenditure in the field of people's livelihood, implementing 20 people's projects every year, flexible heating for six consecutive years, and completing the renovation of more than 1.6 million square meters of shantytowns and 94 million square meters of old neighborhoods.
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Part 3
《马克思主义中国化一百年大事记（1921－2021年）》出版发行
A Chronology of One Hundred Years of the Sinicization of Marxism (1921-2021) was published
With the approval of the Party Central Committee, the 中央党史和文献研究院 Central Institute of Party History and Literature has prepared the A Chronology of One Hundred Years of the Sinicization of Marxism (1921-2021)", which was recently published…
The chronology is a comprehensive account of the historical process and theoretical contributions of the Communist Party of China members:
Mainly represented by Comrade Mao Zedong, in creatively applying and developing Marxism-Leninism, founding Mao Zedong Thought, and making the first historic leap in Marxism's Sinicization;
Mainly represented by Comrade Deng Xiaoping, Comrade Jiang Zemin, and Hu Jintao, in adhering to and developing Marxism in the light of new practices and characteristics of the times, forming the theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics and realizing a new leap;
Focusing on the historical process and theoretical contributions of the Communist Party of China members, mainly represented by Comrade Xi Jinping, who profoundly summarized and fully applied the historical experience since the founding of the Party, created Xi Jinping's Socialist Thought with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and realized a new leap in the Sinicization of Marxism since the 18th Party Congress.
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Part 4
Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) Li Zhanshu held talks by video with Konstantinos Tasoulas, Speaker of the Hellenic Parliament.
Li said that under the strategic leadership of President Xi Jinping and the Greek leadership, China and Greece have frequent high-level contacts, deepening political mutual trust, continuing practical cooperation, and closer humanistic exchanges, and have always firmly supported each other's core interests and major concerns. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Greece and China. China is willing to work with the Greek side to implement the important consensus reached between the two leaders and promote greater development of the China-Greece comprehensive strategic partnership.
Li Zhanshu pointed out that at present, the international situation is undergoing a profound and complex evolution, and the importance and strategy of Sino-Greek relations have become more prominent. The two sides should take political mutual trust as the foundation, firmly support each other and cooperate, and jointly promote the construction of a more just and reasonable global governance system. China appreciates the Greek side's long-standing adherence to the one-China principle and supports the Greek side in safeguarding its core interests and legitimate rights and interests. China is willing to work with relevant countries, including the Greek side, to promote the deepening of China-EU cooperation.
Li expressed his hope that both sides would further promote mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries, dovetail the "Belt and Road" with the "Greece 2.0" national recovery plan, build landmark projects such as the Piraeus Port, and expand cooperation in various fields. Greek enterprises are welcome to actively participate in the China International Import Expo…
Li Zhanshu stressed that China's National People's Congress is willing to closely communicate with the Hellenic Parliament at all levels, share experience in legislative and supervisory work, provide legal support for practical cooperation between the two countries, and strengthen communication and cooperation in multilateral parliamentary organizations.
Tassoulas said Greece firmly adheres to the one-China policy. The Greek Parliament is willing to strengthen friendly relations with the NPC, make positive contributions…
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Part 5
Wang Qishan and Vice President of Brazil co-chairs 6th COSBAN meeting
Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan on Monday co-chaired the sixth meeting of the China-Brazil High-level Coordination and Cooperation Committee (COSBAN) with Brazil's Vice President Hamilton Mourao via video link.
Wang said that in recent years, China and Brazil have been accommodating each other's fundamental and long-term interests, and have worked together to counter global challenges, writing a new chapter of cooperation between emerging economies. Bilateral trade has exceeded US$100 billion for four consecutive years, and China has maintained its position as Brazil's largest trading partner for 13 consecutive years. Brazil is the largest destination of Chinese investment in Latin America.
The world is currently entering a new period of turmoil. China and Brazil, both as major countries with global influence, should maintain close communications over major international and regional issues, enhance coordination within multilateral frameworks, and help maintain and facilitate the common interests of emerging markets and developing countries, he said.
Next month, the two heads of state will attend the BRICS leaders' meeting, and both sides should implement the outcomes of this COSBAN meeting, prepare for the leaders' meeting, and work to promote prosperous, green, and balanced development in both countries and globally, Wang said.
Noting that Brazil attaches great importance to its comprehensive strategic partnership with China, Mourao said Brazil hopes to expand exports to China, work with China to respond to common challenges including food security, and tap into new opportunities brought by energy transitions and the low-carbon economy.
He said that Brazil welcomes Chinese enterprises to invest in Brazil.
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Part 6
【在希望的田野上•三夏时节】我国夏收拉开序幕 大规模机收即将展开
[In the field of hope - “Three Summers”] China's summer harvest kicks off with large-scale mechanical harvesting about to begin
Summer in Chinese is 夏, the name of the season. “Three Summers” refers to 夏收、夏种、夏管, or Summer Harvest, Summer Planting, and Summer Management in the field. It is an important period of time in terms of agriculture.
Right now, China's main summer grain production areas have kicked off the summer harvest, with a large area of mechanical harvesting about to start.
This year, China's area for wheat planted in last year’s autumn is stable at more than 330 million mu [850,000 square miles]…At present, more than 97% of the wheat relies on mechanical harvesting, of which 30% require machinery to cross different regions to harvest…The State Council joint prevention and control mechanism [of COVID] and the Ministry of Transport have been clear that the agricultural machinery and spare parts are among key materials granted a “green channel” in logistics…As long as agricultural mechanics hold a negative nucleic acid test certificate within 48 hours, that their health code is code, and their body temperature is normal, they can operate normally.
Surveys by the agriculture ministry show that the number of combine harvesters this year is expected to remain stable at more than 600,000 units, with sufficient capacity to basically meet the needs of mechanical harvesting.
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Part 7
Xinjiang continues to improve people's livelihood and enhance people's sense of access
Xinjiang adheres to the people-centered development ideology and continues to make efforts in education, medical care, and other livelihood areas to continuously enhance the happiness and sense of gain of the people of all ethnic groups.
In recent years, Xinjiang has built and expanded more than 4,000 rural kindergartens, so that every rural school-age child can go to school nearby. At present, rural kindergartens throughout Xinjiang have basically covered all administrative villages. In order to expand the rate of young children to kindergarten, government subsidies ensure that the rural preschool-age children in three years of free preschool education.
While making up for the shortcomings of preschool education, Xinjiang has also addressed the problems of scattered primary and secondary schools and uneven educational resources in the four southern Xinjiang prefectures according to local conditions. Hotan region has invested a total of more than 2.8 billion yuan to build nine education parks in one city and three counties, which cover the whole range of education from kindergarten to high school, providing children with quality education resources.
To solve the problem of difficult and expensive medical care for the masses, Xinjiang has accelerated the construction of county medical communities and various medical associations… striving to let the people have "no need to leave the village for small illness and no need to leave the county for major diseases".
During the "13th Five-Year Plan" period, Xinjiang insists on spending more than 70% of its financial expenditure on safeguarding and improving people's livelihood.
In a high-stakes visit, Michelle Bachelet, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights since 2018, has arrived and met Wang Yi, State Councillor and Foreign Minister.
On the other hand, BBC today published Xinjiang Police Files, shared by Dr. Adrian Zenz, which “coincides with the recent arrival in China of the United Nations Human Rights Commissioner, Michelle Bachelet”.
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin dismissed it in today’s regular press conference as “the latest example of the anti-China forces’ smearing of Xinjiang. It is just the same trick as they used to play before. The lies and rumors they spread cannot deceive the world, nor can they hide the fact that Xinjiang enjoys peace and stability, its economy is thriving and its people live and work in peace and contentment.”
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Part 8
Shanghai: adhere to the "dynamic zero-COVID" strategy, efficiently coordinate COVID prevention & control and economic & social development
Yesterday (May 23), 379 confirmed cases were discharged from Shanghai's local hospitals, and 5094 asymptomatic infected persons were released from medical observation.
Today, Shanghai Minhang Gymnasium Designated Hospital was officially closed. Since the current round of the epidemic, more than 3,400 COVID patients had been admitted here cumulatively, and more than 800 health care workers had worked there.
Since May, the average daily unloading volume of the Yangtze River Delta Railway has continued to run at a [unspecified] high level.
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Part 9
Implement thoroughly and attend to the details of COVID prevention & control, restore economic development in an orderly manner
In today's (May 24) press conference on the prevention and control of COVID in Beijing city, the relevant departments said the situation in Beijing is serious and complex, and it must always adhere to strict prevention and control, speed up contact tracing, strengthen the coordination of joint control…More than 94,000 Party members and cadres from Beijing and district organizations have gone into the community to help.
As of 24:00 on May 23, Xining, capital of Qinghai autonomous region, has had no new confirmed or asymptomatic cases for 6 consecutive days. Xining is gradually returning to normal in an orderly manner.
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Part 10
National Health Commission updates COVID numbers
Just numbers. The Chinese report is here. A piece via Xinhua in English:
The Chinese mainland on Monday reported 141 locally-transmitted confirmed COVID-19 cases, of which 58 were in Shanghai and 41 in Beijing, the National Health Commission said Tuesday.
Following the recovery of 474 COVID-19 patients who were discharged from hospitals on Monday, there were 3,956 confirmed COVID-19 cases receiving treatment in hospitals across the Chinese mainland.
One new death from COVID-19 was reported in Shanghai, according to the commission.
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Part 11
国内联播快讯 Round-up of domestic news items
The Ministry of Education, the State Press and Publication Administration, and other five departments recently jointly issued a policy document that detailed penalties for problems in the preparation, auditing, publishing, printing and distribution, selection, and use of teaching materials for schools.
The national 高考 Gao Kao [college entrance examination] will be held on June 7-8. According to the relevant requirements of the Ministry of Education and the National Health Commission, candidates should strictly comply with the COVID-19 prevention requirements in their respective regions, enter into 14 consecutive days of health monitoring from today (May 24), reduce unnecessary gathering and cross-regional mobility, avoid crowded and medium- and high-risk areas.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations recently recognized more Chinese systems as Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems. China now has 18 of them, ranking first in the world.
A train departs the southwestern metropolis of Chongqing yesterday May 23, passed the Chinese border of Lincang, in Yunnan Province, and will reach Mandalay, Myanmar.
Looks like a regular cargo line from a Xinhua report, which says it takes 15 days from Chongqing to Mandalay in total.
Finally, apparently a huge bridge in southeastern Guangxi just accomplished a tricky engineering move
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International news from here on.
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Part 12
Russia Continues to Strike Multiple Ukrainian Military Targets; Ukraine Says It's Fighting Russian Troops in Lviv.
Russian troops continued striking Ukrainian military targets and destroying a large number of weapons and equipment transported to the Donbas region by the Ukrainian army on May 23-24. The Ukrainian side said on May 23 that the Ukrainian army fought with Russian troops in the Lviv region.
The Russian Defense Ministry said on 23 that Russian forces used high-precision long-range sea-based missiles to strike a railway station on the Ukrainian side and destroy weapons and military equipment transferred to the Donbas region by the Ukrainian army, and that Russian forces also used high-precision missiles to strike a number of military targets in the Donetsk region.
The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces said on May 23 that the Ukrainian forces fought with Russian airborne forces in the western Lviv region, destroying two Russian combat vehicles, but the Ukrainian side did not disclose the losses of the Ukrainian forces and the time and specific location of the battle.
The United States said on May 23 that NATO countries will provide Ukraine with "Harpoon" anti-ship missiles and supporting launchers, and continue to provide other weapons and training.
Many countries condemned the U.S. desire to perpetuate the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and profit from it.
The U.S. continues to supply weapons to Ukraine, escalating the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and the politically motivated sanctions against Russia are having a negative impact on European countries, people from multiple countries said.
Putin says the Russian economy is coping calmly with shocks from the sanctions.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on May 23 that despite all the difficulties, the Russian economy is coping with the impact of sanctions with calm, as evidenced by all the major macroeconomic indicators.
The Russian Ministry of Finance announced that the proportion of foreign exchange earnings from Russian exports compulsorily remitted to rubles was reduced from 80 percent to 50 percent, saying that this was due to the stability of the ruble exchange rate and the liquidity of the Russian domestic foreign exchange market at the appropriate level.
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Part 13
The cumulative number of confirmed COVID worldwide exceeds 502.78 million
According to WHO statistics, the cumulative number of confirmed cases of COVID worldwide reached 502.78 million and the cumulative number of deaths was 6.3 million.
According to Johns Hopkins University, as of 16:00 BST today (May 24), the cumulative number of confirmed cases in the United States exceeded 83.39 million.
According to the latest data released by the CDC in the U.S., the seven-day average daily number of new cases in the U.S. has exceeded 100,000, which is the second time since February this year that the figure has exceeded 100,000. With the apparent rebound of COVID-19, Philadelphia and other places in the U.S. have again required facial masks on campus.
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Part 14
Japanese people protest for days against Japan-U.S. attempts to destabilize the region
From May 22nd to the 24th, Japanese people held consecutive rallies and demonstrations in Tokyo to protest Japan's and the United States' attempts to undermine regional peace and stability.
In response to the Japan-U.S. summit meeting, which re-emphasized the importance of the Japan-U.S. alliance and the fact that Japan will significantly increase its defense budget, the protesters saw this as a dangerous move.
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Part 15
国际联播快讯 roundup of international news items
UN General Assembly resolution calls on the international community to urgently support food-deprived countries
The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution on the 23rd calling on the international community to take concerted action to urgently support countries hit by the food crisis and to promote the establishment of an equitable multilateral trading system within the framework of the World Trade Organization. The resolution calls on the international community, including the G7 and G20, to make global food security a top priority and support multilateral efforts to find a solution to the crisis.
Iran says it will respond harshly to the assassination of its officer
In response to the assassination of an officer of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Iran's IRGC commander Salami said on May 23rd that Iran's response will be harsh and that the enemy will regret its actions. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said the same day that the United States and other hostile countries are related to this assassination - those who were defeated by Iran tried to express their despair in this way. Iran's security services will thoroughly investigate the matter.
Thank you — I know this must have been very time-consuming to put together, but this definitely helps the rest of us who gauge certain things via XWLB to save a lot of time!