Achieving a Moderately Prosperous Society in All Respects Is a Political Mission

--Interview with Wang Rulin, Secretary of the Shanxi Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China and Deputy to the National People's Congress

(Part 3 of the Special Report on Achieving a Moderately Prosperous Society in All Respects)

□ Chief Correspondent, Newsweek Asia, Wang Chiyun
report (news)

Core Tip: Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, President of the People's Republic of China (PRC) and Chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), emphasized2016The "13th Five-Year Plan" period was officially opened in 2007, and the historical curtain of building a moderately prosperous society in all aspects was officially opened. The future5In the coming year, all the work should be deployed, implemented and promoted closely around building a moderately prosperous society on schedule. We need to be determined to win, and the opening is all about the beginning. Whether we can make a good start depends on concerted efforts and unity. We need to form a unified will and pace on the road, direction and goal, and unite our thoughts and actions to the decision-making and deployment of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, to serve the development of the "13th Five-Year Plan", and to implement the development concepts of innovation, coordination, greenness, openness, and sharing.... ...

The Capital of Shanxi Province—With Night Views as Beautiful as a Painting, Taiyuan Is as Sweet as Honey

Shanxi is blessed with beautiful mountains and clear waters, and is a land of outstanding people;

Shanxi boasts a rich and diverse array of cultural landmarks;

Shanxi is extremely rich in mineral resources;

Shanxi has unique and distinct geographical advantages;

Shanxi has a long history and a rich cultural heritage!

Shanxi Province is located west of the Taihang Mountains and east of the Yellow River. The name “Shanxi” derives from its position west of the Taihang Mountains. Since ancient times, it has been known as “surrounded by mountains and rivers on all sides.” During the Spring and Autumn Period, it was part of the State of Jin, and is therefore commonly referred to as “Jin.” In the early Warring States period, the states of Han, Zhao, and Wei divided the state of Jin among themselves, leading to its alternative name, “San Jin” (Three Jins). The total area of the province is15The6710,000 square kilometers, total population366410,000 people (as of2015(year), comprising Taiyuan, Datong, Shuozhou, Yangquan, Changzhi, Xinzhou, Luliang, Jinzhong, Linfen, Yuncheng, Jincheng, and others11A prefecture-level city,119counties (districts), with Taiyuan as the provincial capital.2015Annual GDP of Shanxi Province12802.6100 million yuan, representing a year-over-year increase at constant prices of3.1%. Among these, the value added by the primary sector788.1100 million yuan, an increase of1.0%, as a percentage of GDP6.2%; Value Added in the Secondary Sector5224.3100 million yuan, down1.1%, as a percentage of GDP40.8%; Value Added in the Tertiary Sector6790.2100 million yuan, an increase of9.8%, as a percentage of GDP53.0%The

Shanxi Province is located on the eastern edge of the Loess Plateau in western North China. The province’s outline resembles a parallelogram sloping from northeast to southwest, and its topography is relatively complex, featuring a variety of landforms such as mountains, hills, plateaus, and basins. To the east, the majestic Taihang Mountains serve as a natural barrier, bordering Hebei Province; to the west and south, the mighty Yellow River forms a natural boundary, facing Shaanxi and Henan Provinces; to the north, the province is bordered by the winding Inner Great Wall, adjoining the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region; and to the northeast, it leads directly to Beijing, Tianjin, and Tangshan.

Shanxi has a long history and a rich cultural heritage, boasting a wealth of historical and cultural treasures. With a documented history spanning three thousand years, it has long been known as the “Museum of Ancient Chinese Culture” and is also hailed as the “Cradle of Chinese Civilization.”

Wang Rulin, Secretary of the Shanxi Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China and a deputy to the National People’s Congress, attended the 2016 National “Two Sessions” as a member of the Shanxi delegation and delivered an important speech.

As the “Cradle of Chinese Civilization,” which boasts particularly distinct geographical advantages,”--Shanxi Province: Its efficient and convenient transportation hub presents tremendous development opportunities for your province. How can we pursue innovative, accelerated, and scientifically sound development?2016surname Nian3moon6On the afternoon of [date], the Shanxi delegation to the National “Two Sessions” opened its doors to Chinese and foreign journalists for on-site interviews. Wang Rulin, a deputy to the National People’s Congress (NPC), Secretary of the Shanxi Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China, and Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Provincial People’s Congress, took time out of his busy schedule during the Fourth Session of the 12th National People’s Congress to grant this magazine’s reporter an on-site photo interview and a written feature interview.

“By leveraging Shanxi’s geographical advantages, pooling the wisdom of the people across the province, and scientifically mapping out the grand blueprint for Shanxi’s development during the 13th Five-Year Plan period, we will undoubtedly further mobilize and inspire the entire population of the province.‘3664People of all ethnic groups in Shanxi are united as one, working together with a common purpose to make a strong start to the 13th Five-Year Plan and striving tirelessly to comprehensively develop Shanxi and build a moderately prosperous society in all respects.!”Speaking to reporters, Wang Rulin—a deputy to the National People's Congress, Secretary of the Shanxi Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China, and Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Provincial People's Congress—articulated Shanxi Province’s new approach to innovative development with sharp insight and unwavering confidence."

● A Cradle of China Shanxi Has a Bright Future for Reform and Opening Up

Journalist:The Cradle of Chinese Civilization, Opportunities in Shanxi! As the “Cradle of Chinese Civilization” with particularly distinct geographical advantages,”--Shanxi Province’s abundant mineral resources present tremendous opportunities for development. Through reform, opening up, and a pioneering spirit, we are forging ahead! Secretary Wang, could you please outline the “Six Major Development Measures” for your province’s coal resources?

Wang Rulin:The "Cradle of China" is developing rapidly, and Shanxi holds a promising future! Shanxi is rich in mineral resources; it is a major coal-producing province and serves as China’s base for energy and heavy chemical industries. Proven mineral reserves include120Various. Coal is Shanxi Province’s most important mineral resource, and the province is rich in coal reserves. As of2014By the end of the year, Shanxi had cumulatively identified proven coal reserves2943.3100 million metric tons, proven and probable reserves2689.67100 million metric tons; its proven reserves account for of the national total17.56%The

In 2014, widespread corruption in Shanxi Province severely hampered the province’s reform and development process. Faced with this severe and complex situation, the Shanxi Provincial Party Committee—following major restructuring—reflected deeply on its mistakes, reformed outdated practices, and established new ones. It proposed the overarching goal of “purifying the political environment, eliminating corruption and fostering integrity, reshaping Shanxi’s image, and promoting the prosperity of its people and the strength of the province,” along with a new path to advance the “Six Major Development Models.” The so-called “Six Major Development Models” refer to market-led, clean and low-carbon, intensive and efficient, extended and circular, eco-friendly and environmentally sustainable, and security-assured development. Adhering to the principle of “revitalizing the coal industry through reform,” the province is advancing the coal industry along a new path of transformation toward these “six models.”

On March 6, 2016, the Shanxi delegation at the National “Two Sessions” discussed the Government Work Report delivered by Premier Li Keqiang.

Journalist:The Cradle of Chinese Civilization, Opportunities in Shanxi! As the “Cradle of Chinese Civilization” with particularly distinct geographical advantages,”--Shanxi Province—its efficient and convenient transportation hub has brought tremendous development opportunities to your province, leading to rapid growth and a bright future! Secretary Wang, how does Shanxi Province leverage its role as a transportation hub?

Wang Rulin:Shanxi Province has now developed a transportation network centered on rail and road transport, with air transport serving as a supplement, making it a major transportation hub for North China and the nation as a whole. The province is traversed north to south by the Tongpu Line, and also features other major railway trunk lines such as the Shijiazhuang–Taiyuan Line, the Beijing–Baotou Line, the Beijing–Yuanping Line, the Taiyuan–Jiaozuo Line, the Handan–Changzhi Line, the Daqing–Qinhuangdao Line, and the Shenyang–Huanghua Line, providing convenient access to most major and medium-sized cities across the country.

In 2015, the total length of highways in operation across the province reached140960kilometers, new highway mileage opened to traffic524kilometers. The road density is89.95kilometers/100 square kilometers, 100 square kilometers of new roads0.34kilometers. Of the total length of roads open to traffic, national highways account for5305kilometers, provincial highway11691kilometers, county road20467kilometers, rural roads48740kilometers, dedicated highway554kilometers, village roads54203kilometers. By technical classification, the total length of roads in operation is as follows: Expressways5028kilometers from the provincial capital to10These cities are now accessible via expressway within three hours. Within the province, Taiyuan, Datong, Yuncheng, and Changzhi all have airports; among them, Taiyuan Wusu International Airport offers direct flights to Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Tianjin, Haikou, and other destinations.30Multiple cities.

● B "Thirteenth Five-Year Plan"
Development Guidelines Main Objectives

Journalist:2016This year marks the beginning of China’s 13th Five-Year Plan. Formulating a sound economic and social development plan for the 13th Five-Year Plan period is crucial to the implementation of the “Four Comprehensives” strategic layout in Shanxi and to the comprehensive development and progress of Shanxi’s endeavors… Secretary Wang, what is your province’s guiding philosophy for development during the 13th Five-Year Plan period?

Wang Rulin:Holding high the great banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics, fully implement the spirit of the 18th National Congress of the Party and the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Plenary Sessions of the 18th Central Committee; adhere to the guidance of Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory, the Important Thought of the “Three Represents,” and the Scientific Outlook on Development; thoroughly implement the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s series of important speeches; follow the strategic layout of the “Four Comprehensives”; and uphold development as the top priority; firmly establish and earnestly implement the new “Five Development” concepts; in accordance with the Provincial Party Committee’s “Five-Point” general requirements, advance innovative, coordinated, green, open, and shared development, as well as clean and secure development; guided by the construction of the Comprehensive Transformation and Reform Pilot Zone, driven by reform and innovation, and taking the transformation of development patterns, structural adjustment, increasing efficiency, and accelerating growth as our starting points; we will proactively adapt to the new normal of economic development; focus on developing both the coal and non-coal sectors; resolve excess production capacity; expand the scale of emerging industries; strive to purify the political environment; strive to build a culturally strong province; strive to safeguard and improve people’s livelihoods; strive to strengthen the construction of an ecological civilization; and ensure the comprehensive realization of a moderately prosperous society on schedule.

Shanxi Province—The Majestic Taihang Mountains, Famous Throughout China

Journalist:"13th Five-Year Plan“This period marks the decisive stage for Shanxi to fully build a moderately prosperous society, the final push for the “Cradle of Chinese Civilization” to achieve its development goals, and the time to fully launch“A grand blueprint to the end“new phase!Secretary Wang, what are your province’s goals for the next five years?

Wang Rulin:“The 13th Five-Year Plan period marks the decisive stage for building a moderately prosperous society in all respects. The Seventh Plenary Session of the 10th Provincial Party Committee earnestly studied and implemented the spirit of the Fifth Plenary Session of the 18th CPC Central Committee, comprehensively analyzed the situation and tasks for the next five years, and fully considered the phased characteristics of our province’s development and the conditions supporting its future growth. Building upon the previously established goals and tasks for building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, we will strive to achieve the following new objectives: make significant progress in economic transformation and upgrading; generally improve the standard of living for the people; a new phase in cultural development; steady progress in ecological conservation; solid strides in reform and opening-up; and significant achievements in the advancement of democracy and the rule of law.

The “Five Development Concepts” proposed at the Fifth Plenary Session of the 18th CPC Central Committee are a concentrated embodiment of the development philosophy, direction, and priorities for the 13th Five-Year Plan. We must firmly establish these new development concepts and earnestly implement them in the practice of our province’s economic and social development, focusing on promoting innovative, coordinated, green, open, and shared development, as well as clean and secure development, and striving to open up a new chapter in our province’s efforts to build a moderately prosperous society in all respects.

● C opening year The opening of the comprehensive well-being is focused on the beginning

Journalist:As the “Cradle of Chinese Civilization,” with its distinct geographical advantages,”--Shanxi Province’s efficient and convenient transportation hub has brought tremendous development opportunities to your province. Capitalizing on this advantage, your province has pooled the wisdom of its people and strived to get the 13th Five-Year Plan off to a strong start. Secretary Wang, what new ideas do you have for this inaugural year?

Wang Rulin:Under the correct leadership of the Party Central Committee, the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, relying closely on the comrades of the Plenary Session, has united and led the cadres and masses of the entire province; held high the great banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics; adhered to the guidance of Deng Xiaoping Theory, the Important Thought of the “Three Represents,” and the Scientific Outlook on Development; and conscientiously implemented the spirit of the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Plenary Sessions of the 18th Central Committee, We have thoroughly studied and implemented the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s series of important speeches. In accordance with the “Four Comprehensives” strategic layout and the Central Committee’s important instructions and requirements regarding Shanxi’s work, and closely integrating these with Shanxi’s actual conditions, we have treated innovative development, coordinated development, green development, open development, shared development, as well as clean and secure development—as the concrete implementation and new practice of the Central Committee’s new development philosophy in our province—and have implemented them solidly and advanced them with full commitment.

We will vigorously advance the development of Party conduct and integrity and the fight against corruption; exercise strict and comprehensive governance over the Party; comprehensively advance economic, political, cultural, social, and ecological civilization development; and strive to create a new era characterized by the elimination of malpractices, a clean and upright atmosphere, and a prosperous and strong province.

Shanxi Province—Tourist Attractions, a Mecca for Travelers

Journalist:“United as one, with a shared determination, we will strive to get the 13th Five-Year Plan off to a strong start; through hard work, perseverance, and a sense of responsibility, we will secure victory in building a moderately prosperous society in all respects!” Secretary Wang, you made this resounding statement at the 7th Plenary Session of the 10th Shanxi Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China. Secretary Wang, what concrete and feasible measures has your province adopted to promote innovative development?

Wang Rulin:“With a strong start to the 13th Five-Year Plan, we will work hard, tackle challenges head-on, and take on our responsibilities to secure victory in building a moderately prosperous society in all respects! Shanxi Province must strive to resolve key issues and difficulties in eight areas: Seizing the opportunity to actively integrate into major national strategies to build a new pattern of open development for our province; aiming to resolve ”multi-dimensional challenges,“ we will focus on enhancing the breakthrough nature, pioneering spirit, and effectiveness of reform; taking the development and expansion of the county-level economy as a starting point, we will improve the level of coordinated urban-rural and regional development; using the enhancement of core competitiveness in industries such as coal as a breakthrough, we will accelerate the transformation and upgrading of our province’s pillar industries; Taking the expansion and strengthening of the cultural tourism industry as a leading force, we will accelerate the development of successor and alternative industries; using ecological governance and energy conservation and emissions reduction as key drivers, we will ensure that the mountains of Shanxi grow greener, the waters clearer, and the skies bluer; focusing on strengthening the supply of public goods and services, we will strive to enhance the people’s sense of fulfillment and happiness; and with targeted poverty alleviation and eradication as the core measures, we will ensure that our province achieves2020By the end of the year, all people living in poverty will have been lifted out of poverty, and all impoverished counties will have been removed from the poverty list.

● D Anti-Corruption Efforts in Shanxi Development Requires Integrity; Integrity Promotes Development

Journalist:2016surname Nian3moon6On the afternoon of [date], the Shanxi delegation to the National “Two Sessions” at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing opened its doors to domestic and international media, accepting on-site interviews from reporters from both China and abroad. A widespread corruption scandal has erupted in Shanxi, resulting in the downfall of a large number of officials. Some say that Shanxi’s officials have been “blacklisted.” Secretary Wang, is this characterization accurate?

Wang Rulin:Since 2014, Shanxi has experienced widespread corruption, resulting in the downfall of a large number of officials. Some have said, “Shanxi is facing serious corruption issues; the central government does not trust Shanxi’s officials, who have been blacklisted and may not be able to recover for a decade.” These claims do not reflect the actual situation.

Shanxi’s officials resolutely maintain ideological, political, and practical alignment with the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as General Secretary; they heed the Party’s guidance and follow the Party’s lead. The Central Committee has full political trust in, attaches great importance to, and extends warm care to the vast number of cadres in Shanxi. Especially against the backdrop of deepening the fight against corruption, purifying the political environment, exercising strict Party discipline, enforcing strict management of officials, and rebuilding a sound political ecosystem, I am confident that Shanxi will continue to produce even more outstanding cadres.

Shanxi Province—Cangshan

Journalist:While Shanxi has been plagued by widespread corruption, the downward pressure on its economy has continued to mount. In 2015, Shanxi’s GDP growth rate ranked second-to-last nationwide. Some believe that Shanxi’s anti-corruption campaign has hindered economic development. Secretary Wang, has the anti-corruption campaign affected the economy?

Wang Rulin:There are many factors behind Shanxi’s economic slowdown. As for the relationship between corruption and the economy, it can be said that corruption is a cancer that severely undermines the healthy development of the economy.

Corruption not only severely undermines economic development, but also directly erodes the relationship between officials and the masses, shaking the Party’s foundation of governance. Anti-corruption efforts, on the other hand, purify the political environment, enforce strict Party discipline and strict management of officials, and help root out the bad apples, restore integrity, and promote capable officials. This enables us to punish evil and promote good, thereby mobilizing the enthusiasm of the vast majority of officials to work hard, pursue their careers, and serve the Party and the people.

Last year’s urban village renovation project in Taiyuan serves as strong evidence of this. It was precisely because corruption in urban villages was rigorously investigated and dealt with, the enthusiasm of officials at all levels was mobilized, and the entire process was conducted openly, transparently, and in the public interest that the smooth progress of the urban village renovation was ensured.

It has been proven that development must be free of corruption, and that integrity promotes development!

Journalist:Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the entire nation has been waging a campaign against corruption and promoting integrity, cracking down on both “tigers” and “flies”! Like other regions across the country, Shanxi has intensified its anti-corruption efforts to an unprecedented degree, a fact that is evident to all. However, some people remain concerned that there may still be those who slip through the cracks or that there are still blind spots. Secretary Wang, are there still any blind spots in Shanxi’s anti-corruption efforts?

Wang Rulin:Are there any gaps in Shanxi’s anti-corruption efforts? This is indeed a crucial question and one that is of widespread concern to the general public. During our research, we found that there was a time when there was a storm of activity at the top, yet no movement whatsoever at the bottom, and calm in the middle—a situation where the intensity of anti-corruption efforts diminished with each level.

In response, Shanxi has strictly enforced the “two responsibilities” of Party committees and disciplinary inspection commissions at all levels. Last year, Shanxi Province held 1,520 officials accountable for failing to effectively implement the “two responsibilities,” of whom 836 received Party disciplinary or administrative sanctions. Shanxi has intensified its inspection efforts; last year, while completing routine inspections, it achieved full coverage across four sectors: counties and cities, key state-owned enterprises, financial institutions, and universities. Furthermore, using public reports of corruption among rural officials as a starting point, the province launched a special campaign to tackle corruption close to the people. A total of 15,612 rural officials were investigated and dealt with, including 8,653 village Party branch secretaries and village committee directors. “It can be said that this has curbed the situation where swarms of ‘fly-level’ corrupt officials cause harm as devastating as that of a tiger.”

Shanxi Province has achieved significant results in its resolute fight against corruption, which is characterized by zero tolerance, comprehensive coverage, and vigorous enforcement. Last year, the number of complaints and reports received by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection from Shanxi Province declined significantly, with the rate of increase falling 34.1 percent below the national average.

● E the next five years Shanxi Has Fully Built a Moderately Prosperous Society

Journalist:Your province has aligned its thinking and actions with the decisions and policies of the CPC Central Committee, with the goal of serving the development of the 13th Five-Year Plan, and with the implementation of the development philosophy of “innovation, coordination, green development, openness, and sharing.” What goals will your province strive to achieve over the next five years?

Wang Rulin:Looking back on the brilliant achievements of the 12th Five-Year Plan, we are deeply gratified; as we strive to secure victory in building a comprehensively moderately prosperous society during the 13th Five-Year Plan, we are filled with confidence! Over the next five years, Shanxi’s overall development strategy will be to firmly establish and implement the “Five Development Concepts,” in accordance with the “Five-in-One” overall layout and the “Four Comprehensives” strategic layout, vigorously implement the “Three Major Development Strategies,” focus on accelerating transformative development, and build a strong economic province characterized by a large economic scale, an optimized economic structure, strong innovation capabilities, and high-quality, high-efficiency growth, thereby achieving the leap from a general well-off society to a comprehensively well-off society. On this basis, Shanxi will strive to advance the “Six Major Development Initiatives”: focusing on promoting innovative development; promoting coordinated development; promoting green development; promoting open development; promoting shared development; and promoting clean and safe development.

Strive to achieve the “Five Development Goals,” namely: achieving an economic growth rate higher than the national average; comprehensively improving people’s living standards and quality of life; universally enhancing citizens’ quality and the level of social civilization; making significant progress in ecological conservation and environmental governance; and achieving major breakthroughs in reforms in key areas and critical sectors.

Shanxi Province — Yanmen Pass

Journalist:This year marks the beginning of the decisive stage for your province in building a moderately prosperous society in all respects. Achieving this goal requires unwavering determination, and a strong start is crucial. Whether we can get off to a good start depends on our ability to work together and strive in unity. Secretary Wang, what are your thoughts on this, and do you have any strategies or insights to share?

Wang Rulin:pending5This year, all work in Shanxi must be planned, implemented, and advanced with a firm focus on building a moderately prosperous society in all respects on schedule. We must achieve unity of purpose and alignment in our path, direction, and goals. All Party members and officials across the province must remain dedicated to working hard and leading from the front, inspiring ordinary people throughout the province to perform countless acts of kindness and fostering a prevailing ethos of virtue and righteousness, so that the core socialist values take deep root in people’s hearts.

A Shanxi that is reform-minded and innovative, with all sectors thriving; a Shanxi that is open, inclusive, confident, and striving for strength; a Shanxi that is lush, healthy, and refreshing; and a Shanxi filled with integrity and unity from top to bottom—stands at a new historical starting point and presents itself to the Chinese people and the world.

Standing at a new historical starting point, we will rally closely around the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as General Secretary, actively adapt to the “new normal” of economic development, vigorously implement the three major development strategies—multi-point and multi-polar support, the synergy between industrialization and informatization with coordinated urban-rural development, and innovation-driven development—and strive to propel Shanxi from having the second-lowest GDP growth rate in the country to becoming an economically strong province, and from achieving a modest level of prosperity to a comprehensive level of prosperity. We will work to build a beautiful, prosperous, and harmonious New Shanxi, and strive to compose the Shanxi chapter of the great Chinese Dream, work in unison to ensure a smooth start to the 13th Five-Year Plan, and achieve new victories in building a moderately prosperous society in all respects.!

Shanxi Province—Jue Mountain