[Anchor]
The third plenary session of the 19th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, abbreviated as the “3rd Plenum,” which determines the key policy direction of Xi Jinping’s third term, ended yesterday.
Today, a press conference was held to explain the key contents of the resolutions passed during the meeting. Let’s hear more about the context and key points from our special correspondent in China, Kang Jung-kyu.
[Reporter]
Yes, this is Kang Jung-kyu reporting from Beijing.
[Anchor]
The greatest interest is focused on the future economic management policies of the Chinese leadership. What were the conclusions reached?
[Reporter]
It is evaluated that President Xi Jinping reaffirmed the goal of “Chinese-style modernization” emphasized at the 20th Party Congress two years ago. In addition, last September during his inspection in Harbin, President Xi proposed ‘new quality productivity’ as a means.
While China pursued rapid growth and quantitative expansion since Deng Xiaoping’s reforms and opening up, Xi Jinping’s third term aims for a qualitative transformation towards an advanced economic system. Instead of short-term stimulus measures, the focus will be on long-term structural improvements through advanced scientific and technological development.
Acknowledging real estate crises, local government debt, and issues in small and medium-sized banks, which lack sharp solutions, are also part of the background.
Moreover, the mention of security in this decision is increasing, indicating that the national policy is shifting its focus not only on economic direction but also on competition with the United States and strategic competition.
[Anchor]
This meeting also resolves the personnel conflicts that surfaced last year, right?
[Reporter]
In July last year, the former Foreign Minister and close ally of Xi Jinping was removed from his dual role as a central committee member. However, there was no explanation given for the reasons behind the personnel changes.
Around the same time, former Defense Minister Liang Guanglie and missile force commander Wei Liucheng were also stripped of their party membership due to serious breaches of discipline and laws. There are speculations that they may face judicial processes, with some even suggesting the possibility of a death penalty.
Additionally, the dismissal of Sun Jingming, a rocket force staff, who has never been previously mentioned in the press, is seen as a signal of further cleansing within the military.
[Anchor]
The ‘3rd Plenum,’ which was unusually held later than usual due to issues such as economic slowdown and personnel conflicts despite the end of zero COVID policy, has garnered attention. Can we say that the current ‘unusual trend’ has been resolved?
[Reporter]
Yes, according to tradition, the meeting that should have been held around October last year was postponed until July this year.
Reasons cited for the delay include continued economic stagnation and personnel conflicts even after the termination of the zero COVID policy.
While the Chinese authorities have been trying to address the situation, there are still lingering issues. In particular, the deletion of a commentary by Xinhua News Agency that referred to President Xi Jinping as a reformer akin to Deng Xiaoping has attracted notice.
The fact that the over 10,000-character special article was taken off on the opening day of the 3rd Plenum on the 15th is hard to interpret as a message management mistake. Its deletion around the 17th day of the session is seen as evidence that internal strife still persists.
This is the latest from Beijing.
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