It is ‘Global Village Today’ that delivers major news from various countries around the world.
Host) What news do you have today?
Reporter) Chinese President Xi Jinping became the first Chinese president since the founding of the People’s Republic of China on the 10th. The US defense secretary visited Israel amid massive protests against the government’s proposed judicial reforms. Iran and Saudi Arabia have agreed to resume diplomatic relations and reopen embassies after seven years.
Host) Global Village Today, let’s go to China first. President Xi Jinping’s third term confirmed?
Reporter) Yes. Chinese President Xi Jinping was elected president on the 10th, becoming the first Chinese president to serve three consecutive terms. On this day, at the 3rd plenary session of the 14th 1st National People’s Congress (NPC) held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China elected President Xi as President of the State and Chairman of the National Military Commission. Xi was already elected as the party’s general secretary at the National Congress of the Communist Party of China (Party Congress) in October last year.
Moderator) Xi’s third consecutive term was widely expected, right?
Reporter) That’s right. It has been pointed out that the National People’s Congress, which corresponds to the legislative branch of other countries, is nominally China’s highest power organ, but in fact serves only as a rubber stamp and flag raising support for the party’s policies and decisions. In China’s ruling system, the election of a president is considered a formality. That is why, at this National People’s Congress, more attention was paid to whether or not there would be a negative vote, rather than whether or not Xi would be reappointed.
Moderator) How did the negative vote come out?
Reporter) Not a single vote came out. Of the approximately 3,000 representatives of the National People’s Congress, 2,952 representatives participated in the vote on the day (10th). There were 2,952 votes in favor and no votes against or abstaining. Xi was also unanimously elected in the subsequent election for the presidency of the National Military Commission. With this, President Xi has become China’s supreme leader of the party, government, and military in name and reality.
Moderator) Isn’t Xi the first case of three consecutive terms in Chinese history?
Reporter) Yes. Since the establishment of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, Xi has been the only one. In his oath of office, President Xi said, “I will be loyal to the Constitution of the People’s Republic of China, uphold its authority, and fulfill my legal obligations.” He also pledged loyalty to his country and people, emphasizing integrity and honesty. He took an oath to “strive to build a civilized modern socialist power that is democratic, harmonious and beautiful.”
Host) How many years is the term of office of the Chinese president?
Reporter) 5 years. The President of the State could be reappointed along with the Prime Minister and other high-ranking posts. In the meantime, it has been established as a ten-year tenure system, usually twice for five years. However, as the National People’s Congress amended the constitution in 2018, more than three consecutive terms were possible. With this, President Xi will lead China for another five years, until 2028. Some observers say that Xi will seek to stay in power for a longer period of time, not just for a third consecutive term. Currently, President Xi is 69 years old.
Moderator) At this National People’s Congress, is the leadership that will form the third term of President Xi Jinping’s presidency also confirmed?
Reporter) That’s right. It is accepted as an established fact that Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, who served for 10 years, will step down and Li Chang, former secretary of Shanghai, will become the new Prime Minister. The Prime Minister’s vote is on the 11th. At the plenary session on the 10th, other key positions were voted on, including vice-president of the country and chairman of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee.
Moderator) Who was elected as the vice-president of the country?
Reporter) Yes. Former Deputy Prime Minister Han Jeong was elected. The new vice-president Han Jeong is a former party secretary in Shanghai. The Vice-President of State assists the President of the State in the duties of the President, and succeeds to the position of President in the event of a vacancy in the Presidency. On the other hand, Zhao Leji, a member of the Standing Committee of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, was elected as the chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, which is equivalent to the chairman of the National Assembly. Both were voted unanimously. In addition, 14 people, including Li Hongzhong, Wang Dongmin, and Xiao Jie, were elected to the NPC Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee, and former Beijing party secretary Liu Qi was elected to the NPC Standing Committee secretary. Among the people elected that day, Vice Chairman Li Hong-jung was the only one who received one vote against and one abstention, drawing attention.
Moderator) President Xi Jinping’s third term in power has now officially been launched. What are the main tasks of President Xi’s state affairs?
Reporter) There are quite a few domestic and international challenges. First of all, the most serious diplomatic issue is the conflict with the United States. Currently, China continues to have friction with the United States over the Taiwan issue, relations with Russia, trade conflicts, China’s human rights situation, and security situation in the Indo-Pacific. How to solve this remains a big homework. Domestically, economic issues are emerging as a top priority.
Presenter) Isn’t China’s economic situation very bright right now?
Reporter) Yes. Last year, China’s economic growth rate was only 3%. This was far below the Chinese government’s target of ‘around 5.5%’. At the National People’s Congress this year, the Chinese government lowered its economic growth target this year to ‘around 5%’. The Chinese government’s high-intensity corona quarantine policy, which President Xi Jinping has maintained over the past three years, is cited as one of the main factors behind the Chinese economy’s slowdown.
Moderator) How is the international community reacting to President Xi Jinping’s third consecutive term?
Reporter) Among foreign leaders, Russian President Vladimir Putin was the first to send a congratulatory message, Archyde.com reported. In a congratulatory message via Telegram on the 10th, President Putin referred to President Xi as a ‘dear friend’ and said that he sincerely congratulates him on being re-elected as the country’s president. He also stressed that the two countries should work together to address critical regional and international agendas. In addition, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un also sent a congratulatory message, China’s state-run CCTV reported.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin (left), who visited Israel, holds a joint press conference with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galland on the 9th.
Host) Global Village Today, we will continue to go to the Middle East this time. The Secretary of Defense has visited Israel?
Reporter) Yes. U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin visited Israel on the 9th and met Israeli leaders, including Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galland. Secretary Austin embarked on a tour of the Middle East, starting with Jordan on the 5th. Prior to his visit to Egypt, he made a surprise visit to Iraq. Israel is the last country visited.
Moderator) What was the main agenda of the meeting between Defense Secretary Austin and Defense Secretary Galland?
Reporter) The two ministers focused on discussions on Iran’s nuclear deterrence plan, the recently escalating West Bank violence, and aid to Ukraine. It is also known that the ongoing political instability in Israel surrounding the current judicial reform bill has been dealt with.
Moderator) Did the two ministers hold a joint press conference after the meeting?
Reporter) Yes. First of all, on the Iran issue, US Secretary of Defense Austin emphasized that the best way to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons is ‘diplomacy’. However, Israeli Defense Minister Galant said, “We must use all necessary means to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.” It is being interpreted as meaning that the possibility of an attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities is not ruled out. Galland also reiterated that the Iranian nuclear threat requires Israel to be fully prepared for action.
Host) What was the story about Ukraine?
Reporter) Yes. Secretary Austin urged the Israeli government to provide more aid to Ukraine, while expressing concern over strengthening military ties between Israel and Russia. “We urge all our allies and partners to step up at this most critical moment in history,” Austin said at a news conference, stressing that they urgently need to do their part for Ukraine’s freedom.
Host) Isn’t Israel supporting Ukraine right now?
Reporter) We are offering humanitarian aid, but refusing any military aid. The Ukrainian government often points directly to Israel and appeals for support for its air defense system, which Israel boasts. But Israel has repeatedly rejected it. Israel and Russia, on the other hand, have maintained friendly relations over the past few years, particularly as their interests align over the Syrian civil war.
Moderator) In the midst of this, they say that large-scale protests are taking place every day in Israel?
Reporter) Yes. Massive protests against the judicial reforms led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have been going on for more than two months. As a result, Minister Austin’s visit to Israel was also disrupted. Originally, Minister Austin was scheduled to arrive in Tel Aviv, Israel on the 8th, but he had to hold a meeting with the defense ministers near the airport as protesters occupied roads and protests.
Host) Why are the protesters against the government’s judicial reform bill?
Reporter) Prime Minister Netanyahu’s judicial reform bill drastically reduces the powers of the judiciary. According to the reforms, Israel’s Knesset (Parliament) can overturn Supreme Court decisions with a simple majority. They also have the right to appoint judges. Israeli opposition and protesters are protesting that Prime Minister Netanyahu, who is on trial for breach of trust and bribery, is trying to neutralize the judiciary.
Ali Shamkhani, right, the head of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, and Saudi Arabia’s national security adviser, Musad bin Muhammad al-Aiban, talk in Beijing on the 10th.
Presenter) Global Village Today, let’s see one more news. The news that Iran and Saudi Arabia have agreed to normalize relations?
Reporter) Yes. Iran and Saudi Arabia have agreed to normalize diplomatic relations and reopen mutual embassies on the 10th after seven years. The agreement between the two countries was reached in Beijing, China.
Moderator) Then, did the officials of the two countries meet in China?
Reporter) Yes. Senior security officials from both countries held closed-door talks in Beijing over the past four days to normalize relations. The Iranian delegation was led by Ali Shamkhani, the head of the Supreme National Security Council, and the Saudi national security adviser, Musad bin Muhammad al-Aiban. In this regard, the ‘AP’ news agency presented an analysis of China’s ‘significant diplomatic victory’. On the same day (10th), Iran and Saudi Arabia, along with China, also issued a statement in the joint name of the three parties.
Moderator) Let’s look at the contents of the joint statement.
Reporter) Yes. According to the statement, Iran and Saudi Arabia have agreed to restore diplomatic relations with each other and reopen embassies in the other country within two months. The two countries also agreed to respect each other’s sovereignty and not interfere in the internal affairs of each other. We also agreed to revitalize the Security Cooperation Agreement and economic, trade and investment-related agreements signed in 2001.
Moderator) Iran and Saudi Arabia are countries that have always been at odds with each other in the Middle East, right?
Reporter) Yes. As you said, Iran is the leader of ‘Shia’, one of the sects of Islam, and Saudi Arabia is the suzerain of ‘Sunni’, which has long been in conflict. In 2016, Saudi Arabia broke off diplomatic relations following the execution of a Shi’ite cleric.
Moderator) Didn’t you continue to have friction after that?
Reporter) That’s right. Saudi Arabia has pointed to Iran for a series of incidents, including missile and drone attacks on oil refineries in Saudi Arabia in 2019, as well as oil tanker attacks in the Gulf. Iran denies all allegations. Relations between the two countries continued to deteriorate as Yemeni Houthi rebels often attacked Saudi oil facilities across the border. Saudi Arabia and other Sunni countries have suspected Iran of supporting the Houthi rebels, a Shi’ite militant group.
Moderator) In the midst of this, the two countries made a fairly groundbreaking decision, right?
Reporter) Yes. The two countries have been negotiating several times to improve relations. In the past 2021, Iraq and last year, Oman mediated the talks. Iran and Saudi Arabia expressed their gratitude to these countries along with China in this statement. Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdullahian stressed that normalization of relations between the two countries would offer great potential for both countries and the Middle East.
Host) What is the position of the US government?
Reporter) Yes. A White House national security adviser said Thursday that the US government would welcome any effort to help end the conflict in Yemen and ease tensions in the Middle East. The US government also said it knew in advance that negotiations were taking place between Iran and Saudi Arabia in China.
Host) Global village, I will listen to this far today.