[Epoch Times, June 18, 2022]After China’s economy was shut down due to the “zero” epidemic prevention, Li Keqiang made frequent appearances to try to save the economy, and it seemed that he once surpassed Xi Jinping in the limelight. Subsequently, the heads of the CCP media were intensively replaced, and the propaganda trend quickly returned to the state of fully praising Xi Jinping. On June 17, Xinhua News Agency and People’s Daily published an article at the same time, “Walking with Courage and Perseverance – A Review of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s Leading China’s Economic and Social Development to Seek Progress While Stable”, urgently to regain economic dominance for Xi Jinping, But a lot of truth was revealed.
A pale defense of “zeroing” epidemic prevention
The long economic review article of the party media is more than 6,800 words. It should focus on economic issues, but at the beginning, it uses 1,500 words to defend the “zero” epidemic prevention. The harm of “zeroing” epidemic prevention to China’s economy is obvious to all, and the party media also know that it cannot be taken lightly. Even if the relevant logic cannot be found, they must sing praises.
The article said, “The CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at the core has a profound insight into the overall situation at home and abroad, efficiently coordinate epidemic prevention and control and economic and social development, and coordinate development and security. Along the high-quality development channel, we will break through the waves and move forward steadily.”
The party media refused to admit the erroneous “clearing” epidemic prevention policy, only saying that “in June, the domestic economy that was once hit by the epidemic is rapidly ‘returning’—”; “Shanghai has entered a full restoration of normal production and living order. At this stage, the workshops in the park are busy; from June 6th, dine-in restaurants will resume in most areas of Beijing, and the streets and alleys will reappear ‘fireworks’; Jilin, Zhejiang, Fujian, Hunan and other provinces have resumed inter-provincial tourism.”
The article accidentally leaked the dilemma brought about by the implementation of “zero” epidemic prevention in various parts of China, and even the normal “fireworks” had disappeared. Such human decision-making mistakes should have been avoided and reviewed, but they were successful in the propaganda of the party media.
The article recalls that on March 17, Xi Jinping presided over a meeting of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau, emphasizing adherence to “dynamic clearing and curbing the spread of the epidemic as soon as possible”.
From April 10th to 13th, Xi Jinping inspected Hainan, emphasizing that “persistence is victory” and “to overcome paralysis, war weariness, fluke mentality, and relaxation mentality”.
On April 29, Xi Jinping presided over a Politburo meeting, emphasizing that “the epidemic must be prevented, the economy must be stabilized, and development must be safe. This is a clear requirement of the Party Central Committee” and “adhere to dynamic clearing.”
For a period of time, the party media have tried their best to avoid publicizing the “clearing” epidemic prevention, and try to avoid reporting the epidemic situation in various places; this time, when publishing an economic review article, it bluntly stated that Xi Jinping personally ordered it, and lied that “the economy can only be stabilized if the epidemic can be prevented.” live”. Such a defense is illogical, but it cannot admit mistakes and allow no one to question it. The article also concluded that “at present, the epidemic prevention and control has achieved phased results.”
According to this statement, “zeroing” the epidemic prevention is not only flawless, but also has great merit; I don’t know how many party officials and ordinary people will agree.
Who is leading the “stabilizing economy”
The review article of the party media stated that under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Xi Jinping at its core, “seven major policies have accelerated the implementation”, “33 policies in six areas have focused on solidly stabilizing the economy and continued to strengthen… A series of policy measures have focused on stabilizing the macroeconomic market”.
In a word from the party media, Li Keqiang assigned the work of continuous meetings to Xi Jinping. The article also stated that Xi Jinping “has paid great attention to the development of market players”, pointed out that “to protect market players is to protect social productivity”, and “we must do everything possible to protect market players and accumulate basic strength for economic development.”
This is more like what Li Keqiang often said, and it has also become a request from Xi Jinping. The article also stated that at the meeting of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee held on April 29, Xi Jinping emphasized, “We must stabilize market players and implement a package of relief and assistance policies for industries, small, medium and micro enterprises and individual industrial and commercial households that have been severely affected by the epidemic. “We must adhere to a national game of chess, ensure smooth transportation and logistics, ensure the normal operation of key industrial chain supply chains, anti-epidemic and supply chains, and key infrastructure.”
When the party media reported on the Politburo meeting on April 29, it did not mention “Xi Jinping emphasized”, but only said “the meeting emphasized.” Less than two months later, the party media alternately reported Xi Jinping’s words, which also included: Xi Jinping emphasized that “we must effectively protect and improve people’s livelihood, stabilize and expand employment, organize the supply of important goods for people’s livelihood, and ensure the operation of the city’s core functions.”
Li Keqiang should be the first to pierce the above problems. At that time, the Xinhua News Agency’s report also tried to push the local government to blame, demanding that “the epidemic must be prevented and the economy must be stabilized”; leading cadres at all levels must have a sense of responsibility to “always rest assured” to prevent all kinds of “black swans” and “grey swans”. Rhino” incident.
Although the article pieced together a lot of Xi Jinping’s past speeches and some economic figures, it did not show specific economic policies other than slogans. Party media can’t wait to transfer the daily work of the Chinese Premier Li Keqiang to Xi Jinping, trying to prove that Xi Jinping has been leading the “stabilization of the economy”, but it seems too far-fetched and difficult to be realistic.
Other reports from Xinhua News Agency are different
On June 16, Xinhua News Agency also reported, “How do you see the economic situation? How to stabilize prices and help enterprises bail out? ——The National Development and Reform Commission responds to the hot spots of economic operation.
The article continued to try to report the good news of economic recovery, but also stated that “although there have been some positive changes in the economic operation, there are still many challenges in the stable recovery of both the supply and demand sides”; Guarantee and improve people’s livelihood, and strive to bring the economy back to the normal track.”
Discordant reports from the party media suggest that it is too early to rush to sing praises, but with the Beidaihe meeting approaching, the Xi camp should be working hard to control public opinion and consolidate Xi Jinping’s authority.
According to the report, “the State Council recently issued the “Package of Policy Measures to Steady and Stabilize the Economy”, involving 33 measures in 6 aspects including fiscal policy, monetary and financial policy”; it will “make every effort to promote relevant policies and measures to be effective as soon as possible to ensure that the economy in the second quarter is reasonably realized.” growth, and strive to provide a better foundation and conditions for development in the second half of the year.”
This report shows that the State Council of the Communist Party of China under the leadership of Li Keqiang is still focusing on “stabilizing the economy”, but the party media has promoted that Xi Jinping has led the “stabilizing the economy”.
Coincidentally, on June 17, Xinhua News Agency reprinted the article of “Economic Daily”, “Finance Helps Stabilize the Basic Market of Foreign Trade”. The article also mentioned that “the General Office of the State Council issued the “Opinions on Promoting the Stability and Quality Improvement of Foreign Trade”…”. It shows that the State Council of the Communist Party of China is still leading the “stabilization of the economy”.
On the same day, Xinhua News Agency also reprinted the article of “Beijing Daily”, “The market is picking up, farewell to the “cabbage price” for air tickets. The article said, “20% off ‘cabbage price’ air tickets can no longer be found… The air ticket prices are gradually returning to the normal curve.” The article also said that the price of a flight from Hangzhou to Beijing in early April was still 380 yuan including tax. Now, in addition to the 1,000 yuan air ticket price, plus 140 yuan of fuel surcharge and 50 yuan of airport construction fee, the total is 1,190 yuan. That’s triple what it was in early April.
The article quoted the relevant person in charge of the Civil Aviation Administration as saying, “Because of the serious shortage of effective demand in the air transport market, the supply and demand relationship was seriously distorted, and the average fare of domestic routes was much lower than the normal price level”; Development is actually unfavorable and unsustainable.”
The article of the party media once again revealed how much the “zero” epidemic prevention will hurt the economy.
The CCP Politburo meeting does not talk about the economy?
On June 17, the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China held a meeting, and the party media only reported and reviewed the “Report on the Rectification and Improvement of Financial Units in the Eighth Round of Inspections of the Nineteenth Central Committee”.
According to the report, the inspection “focuses on functional responsibilities and strengthens political supervision, insists on identifying problems and forming shock and deterrence”, and “plays the role of an anti-corruption sword”; Understanding of the political nature of work”, “Providing a strong political guarantee for the healthy development of the financial industry”.
Finance and economic recovery are closely related, but the Politburo meeting puts more emphasis on politics. It seems that the top CCP leaders don’t really care about the economy. The monthly Politburo meeting does not even talk about the economy, but the party media is trying to prove that Xi Jinping is leading the “stabilization of the economy”, which is really difficult to convince.
On June 17, Xi Jinping participated in the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum via video, and his speech was more slogan-style, adding that “China’s economy has strong resilience, great potential, and the fundamentals of long-term improvement have not changed. We are full of confidence in China’s economic development.”
The Indo-Pacific economic framework of the United States has been established, and it is now preparing to discuss similar cooperation with European countries. China’s external economic space is bound to be compressed again. The CCP is helpless so far, and the slogans of the CCP’s top leaders cannot solve practical problems.
Party media also promoted the 2022 BRICS Business Forum. Such a forum cannot compete with the Indo-Pacific economic framework, and the participating countries mainly expect Chinese investment, but it will obviously fail.
The high-level CCP has no good strategy for the economy, but in public opinion, they have to compete for the dominance of the economy. In addition to chanting empty slogans, the party media keeps leaking the truth. Before the 20th National Congress, such struggles will continue, and it is conceivable that real economic problems will continue to hang high.
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Responsible editor: Gao Yi