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Association for Sri Lanka China Social and Cultural Co-operation
U.S.-held "Summit for Democracy" thwarts democracy under pretext of democracy: Chinese FM 2
Former serf embraces bet4 ter life after democratic reform in Tibet 8 International Forum on Democracy 2 in Beijing focuses on governance
Key tasks set out for economy in 2022 3
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SRI LANKA CHINA LANGUAGE AND CULTURAL STUDENT CIRCLE ESTABLISHED. 6
SIRONET hosted a10 webinar“Strengthening People -to-People Exchanges and Cooperation, Promoting Solidarity and Development” 7 10
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BEIJING, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) The so-called "Summit for Democracy", held by the United States recently, sought to thwart democracy under the pretext of democracy, incite division and confrontation, and undermine the international system with the United Nations at its core and the international order underpinned by international law, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Saturday. The spokesperson said that the so-called "Summit for Democracy", drawing the ideological line and turning democracy into a tool and a weapon, sought to divert attention from U.S. internal problems. The United States attempted to preserve its hegemony over the world. This move by the United States goes against the trend of the times, and has been widely opposed by the international community, according to the spokesperson. The spokesperson said the United States is not a "beacon of democracy", and the American-style democracy has deviated from the essence of democracy. The American-style democracy is full of malaises. Problems like money politics, identity politics, partisanship, political polarization, social division, racial tension, and wealth gap are getting worse. The American-style democracy is a money-based game for the rich. "Ninety-one percent of congressional elections are won by candidates with greater financial support. It is 'one person one vote' in name, but 'rule of the minority elite' in reality. The general public are wooed when their votes are wanted but get ignored once the election is over," said the spokesperson. The check and balance has become "vetocracy", with partisan interests put above national development. The flaws of such an electoral system are self-evident, including the rampant use of gerrymandering to manipulate the division of electoral districts that compromises fairness and justice. The dysfunction of the Americanstyle democracy is a fact that cannot be covered up -- the Capitol riot that shocked the world, the death of George Floyd that sparked mass protests, the tragic mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the harsh reality of the rich becoming richer and the poor poorer, according to the spokesperson. "Is American democracy good? Let's hear out the American people." The spokesperson said surveys show that 72 percent of Americans believe that democracy in the United States has not been a good example for others to follow in recent years, and 81 percent of Americans believe that there are grave domestic threats to the future of American democracy. "Does American democracy work? Let's hear out the people of the world." The
spokesperson said surveys show that 44 percent of respondents across the world regard the United States as the biggest threat to global democracy. Even in U.S. allies, most of the people there see American democracy as a "shattered, washed-up has-been", and 52 percent of respondents in the European Union believe the democratic system in the United States does not work. The spokesperson stressed that a country's path to democracy should be chosen independently by its own people, rather than imposed from outside. The spokesperson noted that as a common value of humanity, democracy is the right of people in all countries. It is not a prerogative of a small number of countries. Whether a country is democratic or not should be decided by its own people, not by a handful of finger-pointing outsiders. A country's democratic system and its path to democracy should be chosen independently by its own people in light of their national reality. Nothing works better than the most suitable. "China promotes its democracy in accordance with its national conditions and realities. China's democracy is people's democracy. Its essence and core is that the people are the masters of the country. China practices whole-process people's democracy under the leadership of the Communist Party of China. It combines electoral democracy with consultative democracy, and integrates all links of democracy, including democratic election, democratic consultation, democratic decisionmaking, democratic management, and democratic oversight. It covers economic, political, cultural, social, ecological and all other fields, so that the people's wills are represented and their voices heard in every aspect of political and social life," said the spokesperson. The spokesperson said whole-process people's democracy integrates processoriented democracy with results-oriented democracy, procedural democracy with substantive democracy, direct democracy with indirect democracy, and people's democracy with the will of the state. It covers all aspects of the democratic process and all sectors of society. It is the most broad-based, real and effective socialist democracy. China's democracy has contributed to the country's development and social progress, and delivered a happy life for the Chinese people. The spokesperson pointed out China has completed the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects. With the eradication of absolute poverty, the 1.4 billion Chinese people are now marching toward common prosperity. China has made the biggest advance in individual freedom in thousands of years, and the creativity of the hundreds of millions of
Chinese people has been fully unleashed. Stoking division and confrontation in the name of democracy is to backpedal in history, and will bring nothing but turmoil and disaster to the world, the spokesperson said. For a long time, the United States has been imposing its political system and values on others, pushing for the socalled "democratic reforms", abusing unilateral sanctions and inciting "color revolutions", which have caused disastrous consequences, the spokesperson said, adding that democracy has become a "weapon of mass destruction" used by the United States to interfere in other countries' affairs. As US media commented, if there is one country that is still seeking global hegemony, coercing other countries and defying rules in the 21st century, it must be the United States. Since 2001, the wars and military operations waged by the United States in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya and Syria have claimed hundreds of thousands of lives, caused millions of injuries, and displaced tens of millions of people. The fiasco in Afghanistan has shown that imposing American democracy on others simply does not work, according to the spokesperson. Till this day, the United States is still trying to divide the world into "democratic" and "non-democratic" camps based on its criteria, and openly provoke division and confrontation. Such practices will only bring greater turmoil and disaster to the world, and face strong condemnation and opposition from the international community, the spokesperson said. Facing the impact of COVID-19 and major changes unseen in a century, the spokesperson said countries have become more interconnected and interdependent. The international community needs more than ever to strengthen solidarity and cooperation based on the norms governing international relations represented by the UN Charter. "China stands ready to work with all countries to promote peace, development, equity, justice, democracy and freedom, which are common values of humanity, and advance democracy in international relations. We should choose solidarity over division, dialogue over confrontation, and democracy over hegemony. We should firmly reject and oppose all forms of pseudo-democratic and anti-democratic practices and political manipulations under the cover of democracy, and make tireless efforts toward the building of a community with a shared future for mankind," the spokesperson added.
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Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a speech via video at the opening ceremony of the 2021 Understanding China Conference (Guangzhou), in Beijing, capital of China, on Dec. 2, 2021. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)
Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, speaks during the annual Central Economic Work Conference in Beijing, capital of China. The conference was held from Wednesday to Friday. [Photo/Xinhua]
Key tasks set out for economy in 2022 China has mapped out the priorities for its economic policies in 2022, highlighting stability as a major target and the necessity to maintain the intensity of fiscal expenditure and roll out new tax cuts and fee reductions in shoring up economic growth. The three-day annual Central Eco-
nomic Work Conference, which concluded on Friday in Beijing, outlined key tasks in seven aspects, including steps to make macro policies prudent and effective, energize the vitality of market players and ensure the healthy growth of the real estate sector. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, reviewed the country's economic work in 2021 and mapped out plans for next year at the conference.
With the CPC set to convene its 20th National Congress next year, policymakers underlined the importance of enabling sustained improvements in people's well-being, stabilizing the fundamentals of the macro economy and keeping major economic indicators within a proper range. They also pointed out that China's economy now faces pressures related to demand, supply and expectations.
7-13 Dec 2021
International Forum on Democracy in Beijing focuses on governance CTGN 10 Nov The second phase of the International Forum on Democracy continues in Beijing, with a focus on national governance. "It is a joke for the U.S. to call itself a 'beacon of democracy,'" said Wang Linggui, senior research fellow and deputy director of the Institute of Intelligence and Information Research of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, in his contribution. "The U.S. has long-standing problems of freedom of speech, in its electoral system, corruption and human rights."
Wang noted that Pakistan had decided not to attend this week's United States 'Summit for Democracy.'" "It has shown Pakistan's attitude and stance. We need to think about the reasons for that. U.S. democracy hasn't brought South Asia any peace, stability, richness. The debacle in Afghanistan left a deep impression on the Pakistan people," he added. Ong Tee Keat, the chairman of Centre for New Inclusive Asia, said: "If any country tries to impose on others a free democracy that gives civilized
values, it is undemocratic in itself. This is not a so-called altruistic liberation, but an act of compulsion that violates the free choice of the people.” Attendees at the forum from across the globe expressed various perspectives on the meaning of democracy
and national governance. For instance, one Argentinian expert suggested social development is essential to true democratic life and an expert from Albania said global governance should be more inclusive and less instrumental. "Democracy should be judged by how much people's wishes are being fulfilled by the government. Democracy should serve as the end goal, rather than just a fixed format to each assumption and practices can be applied," said Marsela Musabelliu, the executive director of Albanian Institute for Globalization Studies. China cites its "whole-process people's democracy" with distinctive Chinese characteristics. "In China, we always say that giving people fish is good, but not the best," said Ye Hailin, the deputy directorgeneral of the Bureau of International Cooperation under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. "The best way is to teach people how to go fishing. I think it coordinates with the whole process of democracy." "When we try to help people who live in remote areas, we also teach them how to change their own lives, not only just give them the money but provide the assistance."
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Photo taken on Dec 11, 2021 shows a scene of the Greater Bay Science Forum 2021 in Guangzhou, South China's Guangdong province. [Photo/Xinhua]
Xi: China willing to strengthen scientific, technological ties with the world President Xi Jinping on Saturday expressed China's willingness to strengthen the scientific and technological exchanges and cooperation with scientists and international organizations from all over the world, saying the joint promotion of the development of the global scientific progress would benefit the mankind. In a congratulatory letter sent to the Greater Bay Science Forum 2021, which opened in Guangzhou, Xi said the world is undergoing changes unseen in a century and global technology innovation has intensified and become more active. A
new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial reform has brought a profound impact on the global economic structure, he added. Xi called for strengthening research on major scientific issues, facilitating breakthroughs in science and technology obstacles and deepening collaboration on key scientific projects. Xi said the Guangdong-Hong KongMacao Greater Bay Area should focus on the strategic positioning of building an international scientific and technological innovation highland and promote development of emerging industries.
The Greater Bay Area, a region where Guangdong, one of China's economic powerhouses, and Hong Kong and Macao converge, has become a rising new star in China's development, thanks to introduction of a large number of scientific and technological resource and elements in recent years, according to Zhao.
The Greater Bay Science Forum 2021, with the theme of "Exploring the Future, Sharing Scientific Achievement", has brought together leading scientists and international scientific organizations to discuss the global trend of scientific development and their implications for the future.
Zhao Yuliang, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said the forum would influence the future of science and technology innovation in the entire Greater Bay Area. "A very important factor of scientific and technological innovation is the exchange of talent and resource flow," said Zhao, also director of the National Center for Nanoscience and Technology.
HE Mohomed Rasheed ,President of China- Maldivian Cultural Association (CMCA) and Vice President of OSARFCC attended to the 2021 South South Human Rights Forum organized by Foreign Ministry of PRC and CGTN think tank on 8th December 2021.
7-13 Dec 2021
SRI LANKA CHINA LANGUAGE AND CULTURAL STUDENT CIRCLE ESTABLISHED. Sri Lanka- China Language and Cultural Student Circle is established at President, Girls School , Nawala, Sri Lanka on 9th December 2021 with the objective of encouraging to study Chinese language and exchange Sri LankaChina cultures. Chinese Language and Cultural activity room also opened at the school in collaboration with Association for Sri Lanka -China Social and Cultural Cooperation (ASLCSCC). With the invitation of Mrs.Nayana Wanniarachchi, Principal of the school, Mr.Mahendra Wijetunaga, Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Western Province, Sri Lanka participated as the Chief Guest. Mr.Indrananda Abeysekera, President of ASLCSCC was the Guest of Honor. At the event ASLCSCC has initiated a signature banner to collect 2022 signatures from the youth to greet Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.Ms.Tharushi Dewmini, the head prefect of President Girls School kept the first signature to the banner.
7-13 Dec 2021
SIRONET hosted a webinar“Strengthening People-to-People Exchanges and Cooperation, Promoting Solidarity and Development” In order to facilitate exchanges and cooperation of non-governmental forces, the Secretariat of Silk Road NGO Cooperation Network (SIRONET) hosted a webinar on December 9, 2021 themed by “Strengthening People-toPeople Exchanges and Cooperation, Promoting Solidarity and Development”. Scholars from China discussed their perspectives on the theme at the webinar. Meanwhile, representatives from non-governmental organizations of China and SIRONET members also participated. Few speakers shared the philosophy and progress on the preparation of the 2022 Winter Olympic Games.
Ms. Zhang Xiaomeng, Professor, Associate Dean of School of Marxism Studies, Renmin University of China, Ms. Liu Chen, Professor, Beijing Foreign Studies University Mr. Indrananda Abeysekera, President ， Association for Sri Lanka China Social and Cultural Cooperation ,Mr. Zivadin Jovanovic， President, Belgrade Forum for a World of Equals , Mr. Kassem Tofailli, President, Arab Chinese Cooperation
and
Development
Associa-
tion ,Mr. Sergey Sanakoev ， Deputy Secretary General of the Eurasian Peoples' Assembly, Deputy Chairman of the Russian-Chinese Friendship Society delivered speeches at the webinar.
7-13 Dec 2021
World political parties, social organizations issue joint statement to explore path toward democracy Source: Xinhua| 2021-12-13 BEIJING, Dec. 13 (Xinhua)
355 political parties, social organizations and think tanks from 140 countries and regions contacted the International Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee in
various ways to issue Monday the Joint Statement of World Political Parties, Social Organizations and Think Tanks on Making Independent Efforts to Explore the Path toward Democracy and Working Together to Promote Common Development.
fact that different countries and
rigorously enforced, and whether
regions may not necessarily share
the exercise of power is truly sub-
the same history, culture, social
ject to the supervision and re-
system and development stage,
straint by the people.
the ways and means they are real-
The statement pointed out that
izing democracy may vary.
democracy is the right of all peoThere does not exist any system of ples rather than an exclusive privdemocracy or pattern of developilege of the few, and the judgment that is applicable to all coun-
ment on whether a country is
tries, and the practice of judging
democratic or not should be
the rich variety of political systems
made by their people.
around the world by a single yardstick, or observing the colorful po-
The statement demonstrated that
litical civilizations of the humanity
making international relations
from a monochromatic sight, is in
more democratic is the trend of
itself undemocratic, said the state-
the times, and the only way to
ment.
realize this lies in putting true multilateralism into practice.
The statement emphasized that democracy represents an important achievement of humanity in the advancement of political civilization, and there is no democratic system and development model
applicable to all countries, opposing any interference in other countries' internal affairs under the pretext of democracy. According to the statement, the fascinating feature of human civilizations lies in diversity. Due to the
The statement held the view that
The statement appealed for a
the judgment on whether a country
human community with a shared
is democratic hinges on whether
future, featuring peace, develop-
the people can become the real
ment, fairness, justice, democra-
masters of the country, whether
cy and freedom, calling for coun-
the people can enjoy the right to
tries with different social systems,
vote, whether their right of exten-
ideologies, histories, cultures and
sive participation is guaranteed,
levels of development to share
how many of the promises during
interests, rights and responsibili-
election campaigns are fulfilled
ties in international affairs and
after elections, whether stipulated
work together to build a better
political regulations and laws are
world.
7-13 Dec 2021
Former serf embraces better life after democratic reform in Tibet
lage, Nedong District of Shannan, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, June 23, 2021. Born in 1946, Shodolek and his whole family were once serfs who had to do heavy works endlessly before the democratic reform in Tibet in 1959. "The serf owner gave us, a family of five, just a little expired tsamba for meals everyday," Shodolek recalled. At that time, serfs were always beaten by serf owners besides suffering starvation and cold. At the age of only 40, mother of Shodolek passed away Shodolek feeds a milk cow in Gaiba Vildue to the lack of medical care. After the lage, Nedong District of Shannan, southdemocratic reform, great changes have west China's Tibet Autonomous Region, taken place in the lives of Shodolek and the June 23, 2021. Born in 1946, Shodolek and villagers. His family was allocated farmhis whole family were once serfs who had land, and Shodolek even later served as the to do heavy works endlessly before the secretary of the Communist Party of China democratic reform in Tibet in 1959. "The (CPC) branch of his Village. Now, serf owner gave us, a family of five, just a Shodolek has built a two-story building little expired tsamba for meals everyday," where four generations of his family live Shodolek recalled. At that time, serfs were together. always beaten by serf owners besides suffering starvation and cold. At the age of Shodolek poses for a group photo with his only 40, mother of Shodolek passed away family in Gaiba Village, Nedong District due to the lack of medical care. After the of Shannan, southwest China's Tibet Audemocratic reform, great changes have tonomous Region, June 23, 2021. Born in taken place in the lives of Shodolek and 1946, Shodolek and his whole family were the villagers. His family was allocated once serfs who had to do heavy works endfarmland, and Shodolek even later served lessly before the democratic reform in Tias the secretary of the Communist Party of bet in 1959. "The serf owner gave us, a China (CPC) branch of his Village. Now, family of five, just a little expired tsamba Shodolek has built a two-story building for meals everyday," Shodolek recalled. At where four generations of his family live that time, serfs were always beaten by serf together. owners besides suffering starvation and cold. At the age of only 40, mother of Shodolek poses for a portrait in Gaiba Vil- Shodolek passed away due to the lack of medical care. After the democratic reform,
great changes have taken place in the lives of Shodolek and the villagers. His family was allocated farmland, and Shodolek even later served as the secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) branch of his Village. Now, Shodolek has built a two-story building where four generations of his family live together. Shodolek drinks butter tea at his home in Gaiba Village, Nedong District of Shannan, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, June 23, 2021. Born in 1946, Shodolek and his whole family were once serfs who had to do heavy works endlessly before the democratic reform in Tibet in 1959. "The serf owner gave us, a family of five, just a little expired tsamba for meals everyday," Shodolek recalled. At that time, serfs were always beaten by serf owners besides suffering starvation and cold. At the age of only 40, mother of Shodolek passed away due to the lack of medical care. After the democratic reform, great changes have taken place in the lives of Shodolek and the villagers. His family was allocated farmland, and Shodolek even later served as the secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) branch of his Village. Now, Shodolek has built a two-story building where four generations of his family live together.
7-13 Dec 2021
Distribution of gift packs donated by China Charity Foundation to needy Dhamma school students of Sri Lanka, through Sri Lanka China Buddhist Friendship Association was commenced by the HE Qi Zhenhong , The Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China in Sri Lanka, with the participation of the Chief Incumbent of Sri Gauthama Viharaya at Narahenpita , Ven Ven. Omalpe Sumanarathana thero. China Charity Foundation made available 2500 gift packs consisting of a Crayon set, tiger balm, school bag, drawing books and face masks to assist the children to overcome mental trauma faced due to COVID-19 pandemic in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka China Buddhist Friendship Association invited children to join an art competition to commemorate 65 th Anniversary of establishment of Diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and China, which falls on 07th Feb 2022. H.E. Qi Zhenhong the Ambassador of China commenced the distribution at Sri Gauthamaviharaya in the presence of the members of the Maha Sangha and Mr.Ajith Dharamwardena, Snr. Vice President of SLCBFA. Ambassador Qi Zheng Hong donates a gift pack to student of Daham Pasela at Sri Gauthama Viharaya .
7-13 Dec 2021
emphasize, not to pursue 'zero infections,' but to control new infections as soon as possible," he explained. The gist is to control and cut off the spread of new infections, instead of just letting go of the situation, he added. How long China will continue with this strategy is up to multiple factors including global pandemic development, mutations of the virus, the severity of the disease and vaccination rates, Liang told Xinhua in November.
China nearing herd immunity with 82.5% of population fully vaccinated. CTGN 11 Nov Over 1.16 billion Chinese people, or 82.5 percent of the country's total population, had been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as of Friday, said an official from the National Health Commission (NHC) at a press briefing on Saturday. Wu Liangyou, deputy head of the disease control and prevention division at the NHC, stressed that vaccination is still the effective way to control the pandemic. He added that the NHC will continue to push the vaccination drive in China. A total of 2.59 billion COVID-19 vaccine doses were administered in the country and more than 120 million people have received a booster shot, according to data from the NHC. China will need to inoculate 83 percent of its population to achieve herd immunity theoretically, the country's top epidemiologist Zhong Nanshan said on the same day at the Greater Bay Science Forum 2021 held in south China's Guangzhou. He said he's confident that the target will be reached by the end of this year. Omicron variant increases uncertain-
ty amid rising global death rate Globally, the COVID-19 pandemic is still evolving, with the number of new cases worldwide exceeding 4 million per week and the mortality rate rising, said NHC spokesperson Mi Feng. The Omicron variant, the new strain first detected in South Africa and which appears to be more transmissible than the Delta variant, further increases the uncertainty of the situation, said Mi, warning that China is under increasing pressure from inbound COVID-19 cases. Since April last year, China has seen over 40 COVID-19 flare-ups, almost all of which were found to be related to overseas cases, said Liang Wannian, head of the expert team on COVID-19 response and disposal at the NHC. The situation in China is basically safe and the top priority is to prevent inbound cases, Liang said, calling for strengthened efforts at borders and customs. China to stick to 'dynamic zeroCOVID' policy China will stick to the "dynamic zeroCOVID" policy, which means early detection of new cases, rapid response to control the spread of new infections, and effective treatment of cases to ensure that no large-scale epidemic rebounds occur, Liang explained. A "'dynamic zero-COVID' does not mean 'zero infections,' as currently we are unable to ensure that not a single local case occurs," Liang said. "But we have the ability and confidence to quickly eliminate every new rebound whenever new cases were detected. So this is what we want to
ASLCSCC ORGANIZED THREE EVENTS TO CELEBRATE IMPORTANT ANNIVERSARIES - DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS BETWEEN SRI LANKA & CHINA AND RUBBER-RICE AGREEMENT. Association for Sri Lanka China Social & Cultural Cooperation (ASLCSCC) will organize an essay competition for general public to celebrate 7oth anniversary of the Rubber -Rice Agreement and a Quiz competition for students to celebrate the 65th anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between Sri Lanka and China.Also ASLCSCC will organize a virtual meeting to celebrate both anniversaries. The details of the events will be published on 20th December 2021.
7-13 Dec 2021
Japanese Invaders in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, Dec. 13, 2021. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)
The first Chinese journalist team with Xinhua News Agency has arrived in Nicaragua after the two countries resumed diplomatic relations. China and Nicaragua signed Friday in Tianjin the joint communique on the resumption of diplomatic relations between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Nicaragua.
The honor guard escorts the national flag ahead of the national memorial ceremony for the Nanjing Massacre victims at the Memorial Hall of the Victims of the Nanjing Massacre by
A view of Yingwuzhou Yangtze River Bridge in Wuhan, Hubei province on Oct 12, 2021. [Photo/IC]
Zhengdong New District in Zhengzhou, Henan province, with Millennium Royal Plaza in the center.
Students prepare for the upcoming national entrance exam for postgraduate studies at the library in Hebei University of Engineering in Handan, Hebei province, Dec 6, 2021. The exam is set to take place from Dec 25-27
The rare sight of snow was recently seen drifting down to enshroud the Taklimakan Desert, in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, creating a snowywhite winter wonderland. This is the second such snowfall at the northern edge of the Taklimakan Desert this year, and the heaviest reported since 2014.
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13.12.2021