3-minute news for September 2, 2023

1) Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter to the National University of Defense Technology on its 70th anniversary. On the afternoon of September 1, Xi Jinping held talks with Benin President Talon in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing during the latter's state visit to China.

Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to Mnangagwa on his re-election as President of Zimbabwe. Xi Jinping sent a message of condolence to South African President Ramaphosa regarding the Johannesburg fire.

2) Premier Li Qiang met with Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, in Beijing on September 1. He stated that China will further strengthen policy coordination to promote economic growth. Premier Li Qiang will attend the series of East Asia Cooperation Leaders' Meetings and visit Indonesia. Li Qiang signed a State Council order to promulgate the "Regulations on Social Insurance Administration".

3) [Rule of Law] The Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs have launched a regularized "Rural Revitalization, Rule of Law Accompaniment" activity. The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau Ecological Protection Law came into effect, with the rule of law safeguarding the "Chinese Water Tower". The procuratorial organs have legally filed public prosecution against Ji Guogang, former vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the People's Congress of the Tibet Autonomous Region, on suspicion of bribery and abuse of power by personnel of state-owned companies. The first instance trial of Wan Feng, former chairman of New China Life Insurance Company, on charges of bribery opened. Tian Yunsheng, a cadre of the Beijing Municipal Key Station Area Management Committee, was expelled from the Party and removed from office.

4) The Ministry of Civil Affairs announced the third batch of suspected illegal social organizations in 2023. The Financial Regulatory General Bureau recently joined forces with the State Intellectual Property Office to guide the Construction Bank in conducting an internal evaluation pilot program for intellectual property rights mortgage financing.

5) The cumulative number of railway passengers during the 2023 summer transport season reached 830 million, setting a new historical high for the same period. In the first half of the year, China State Railway Group achieved a total operating revenue of 580.7 billion yuan, an increase of 95 billion yuan year-on-year, up 19.6%, and a year-on-year reduction in net losses of 69.3 billion yuan.

6) Beijing, Shanghai, and many other places officially announced the implementation of a "recognizing houses, not loans" policy. The "China (Fujian) Pilot Free Trade Zone Interim Arbitration Guide" was released in Xiamen. The 2023 World Maritime Equipment Conference will be held in Fuzhou, highlighting international cooperation.

7) The results of the twelfth national survey on the scientific literacy of Chinese citizens show that in 2022, the proportion of Chinese citizens with scientific literacy reached 12.93%, an increase of 2.37 percentage points compared with 10.56% in 2020.

8) [Military] A certain army brigade in the Southern Theater Command promoted cross-learning to cultivate military and political all-around talents. The logistics department of the Northern Theater Command Army improved its service level in preparation for war and combat—precise support reaching the front-line positions.

9) [Hong Kong and Macao] Hong Kong suspended classes for one day in response to Typhoon Saola, and the SAR government mobilized all resources for typhoon prevention. The 8th Belt and Road Forum will be held in Hong Kong from September 13 to 14. Hong Kong Independent Commission Against Corruption Commissioner Hu Yingming took over as chairman of the International Anti-Corruption Academy. Online rumors claim that Kenneth Tsang was taken away for investigation for investing in a Myanmar northern fraud group? Hong Kong police: Fake!

10) [Taiwan] Taiwan Affairs Office: Attempts at "using force for independence" will only lead to more military threats and dangers for Taiwan. Chiang Wan-an's Shanghai trip left him wanting more: looking forward to coming again next time. More than 20 new Taiwanese recruits were transferred to the Chiayi District Prosecutors Office for investigation for group fighting, Taiwanese media: A series of scandals, the military discipline of the Taiwan army is questionable.