Xi wants solidity in automation

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday stressed efforts to enhance the building of a digital government and advance fiscal system reforms at and below the provincial level.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks while chairing the 25th meeting of the central commission for deepening overall reform.

The meeting reviewed and adopted several guidelines on the above-mentioned issues, along with other guidelines on establishing a criteria system for the auditing of outgoing officials on the management of natural-resource assets, and enhancing the incentive mechanism for the scientific research community, as well as a work plan on improving financial support for innovation.

Xi stressed efforts to fully implement a national strategy for building China’s strength in cyberspace, urging broad application of digital technology in government management and services.

Digital and intelligent operation of the government should be promoted to offer solid support for the modernisation of the national governance system and governance capability, Xi said.

On local fiscal system reforms, Xi noted that fiscal relations between governments at and below the provincial level should be straightened out to enable a more rational balance between power and responsibility, a more standardised division of revenue, a relatively balanced distribution of fiscal resources, and stronger fiscal security at the primary level.

He called for speeding up the construction of a unified domestic market, promoting the equalisation of basic public services and advancing high-quality development.

On establishing a criteria system for the auditing of outgoing officials on the management of natural-resource assets, Xi said such a system must be scientific, standardised and reasonable to encourage officials to fulfill their responsibilities on natural-resource asset management and ecological protection. He also urged focusing on the weak links in financial services for sci-tech innovation, and improving the financial support for innovation, so as to ensure the financial system better meets the needs of sci-tech innovation in the new era.

To encourage scientific and technological personnel to reach their full potential and show their capabilities, Xi called for building an innovation ecology that is conducive to the continuous emergence of achievements and effective application of research outcomes.

Expresses condolences

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday sent a condolence message to his South African counterpart, Cyril Ramaphosa, over the severe floods hitting the country.

Continuous heavy rains in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal Province has triggered a severe flood disaster, causing heavy casualties and serious property losses, the Chinese president noted.

Xi, on behalf of the Chinese government and people, and in his own name, expressed deep condolences to the victims and sincere sympathy to the bereaved families, the injured and the people in the affected areas.

Xi also expressed his belief that under the strong leadership of the South African government, people in the affected region will surely overcome the disaster and rebuild their homes at an early date.

Earlier on Sunday he sent a message of sympathy to his Philippine counterpart, Rodrigo Duterte, over the suffering caused by a typhoon attack.

In his message, Xi said that he was shocked to learn the Philippines was hit by the typhoon, which caused serious casualties and property losses, adding that he, on behalf of the Chinese government and people and in his own name, expresses his deep condolences to the victims and sincere sympathies to the bereaved families and the injured people.

China, he said, stands ready to provide assistance within its capacity to the Philippines.

Xi said he believes that under the leadership of President Duterte and the Philippine government, people in the affected region will surely overcome the disaster and rebuild their homes.

Related Story Box

Chinese Wisdom in Xi’s Words:
Sharing the people’s pleasure and sorrow

Xinhua

BEIJING

Ancient Chinese philosopher Mencius once suggested that governors of nations should share the pleasure and sorrow of their people. This millennia-old wisdom is still alive in today’s governance in China.

“When one takes pleasure in the people’s pleasures, the people will also take pleasure in one’s pleasures, and when one sorrows over the people’s sorrows, they will also sorrow over one’s sorrows,” Mencius said during China’s Warring States Period (475 B.C.-221 B.C.).

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, has cited this Chinese aphorism on various occasions to explicate the Party’s relationship with the people.

Earlier this month, during his inspection tour in the southern province of Hainan, Xi called on Party cadres to make every possible effort to ensure that people can live happy lives.

“What the CPC cares about is how to make sure the lives of Chinese people of all ethnic groups are getting better every day,” Xi said during a visit to a village on the tour.

The people-centered philosophy is a fine Party tradition. Since its founding in 1921, the CPC has pursued the people’s happiness as its mission and has considered its close ties with the people as its greatest political strength.

“Putting the people first” was listed as one of the 10 “secrets” behind the Party’s success when the CPC reviewed its century-long history last year.

“The Party has in the people its roots, its lifeblood and its source of strength,” Xi said while addressing a ceremony marking the Party’s centenary in July 2021.

Under the CPC’s leadership, China has declared victory in the critical battle against poverty as envisaged, achieved the first centenary goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects on schedule, and began a new journey toward the second centenary goal of building a modern socialist country in all respects.

“As long as the 1.4 billion Chinese people stay united, and the 95 million CPC members stay close to the people in pursuit of a shared future, we will surely be able to continue creating miracles on our new journey ahead,” Xi said.