On January 27, Governor Xu Kunlin presided over the first executive meeting of the new provincial government. It was required that the government shall fully implement the essence of the 20th CPC National Congress and the important instructions by President Xi Jinping on Jiangsu’s work, and carry out the plans and arrangements made on the “Two Sessions” in Jiangsu. Regulations on the Work of Jiangsu Provincial People’s Government and the Plan on Implementation of Major Tasks in 2023 Outlined in Report on the Work of the Government by Governmental Departments were adopted by the meeting, while the debriefing on Jiangsu’s work on COVID response and deployments on major tasks in the next phase were done as well.          

Members of the leading group for the new government who bear the trust and expectations of the CPC Central Committee and all people in Jiangsu were elected on the the first session of the 14th Jiangsu Provincial People’s Congress. The new leading group shall act on its solemn vows to deliver for the people, remain true and loyal to its duty, and stay focused on writing a new chapter in advancing the Chinese modernization in all respects with Jiangsu’s new input. The new government must unswervingly practice the Party’s will which has established Comrade Xi Jinping’s core position on the Party Central Committee and in the Party as a whole and defined the guiding role of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, uphold General Secretary Xi Jinping’s core position on the CPC Central Committee and in the Party as a whole, and uphold the Central Committee’s authority and its centralized, unified leadership, making sure that CPC’s overall leadership is exercised through the whole process and in every aspect of the work of the government, and that all plans and decisions by the CPC Central Committee and the Jiangsu Provincial Committee are implemented with solid gains. The new government shall shoulder the major responsibility and adopt a pragmatic approach to improving the composite strength of Jiangsu, people’s living standard, ecological environment, social civility, common prosperity, and social governance, striving to gain concrete results by advancing the Chinese modernization endeavor in Jiangsu. The new government shall never forget its original aspirations, always deliver for the people and address the actual concerns of the people. It must be loyal to the Constitution, exercise its power based on the rule of law and in accordance with regulations and procedures, abide by Regulations on the Work of Jiangsu Provincial People’s Government, and earnestly fulfill its duties to ensure an efficient and standardized functioning of the work of the government. All members of the government must apply strict self disciplines to uphold integrity and honesty, fulfill the “dual responsibilities” as being Party members and government officials at the same time, take coordinated steps to see that officials do not have the audacity, opportunity, or desire to be corrupt, and work hard with perseverance and grit to live up to the political commitment of Party members.       

It was stressed during the meeting that Report on the Work of the Government has, after completion of the legal procedure, become the guideline for this government to deliver, which must be implemented in full. Pivoting on the general requirement and major objectives to be achieved in the coming five years, it is all the more important to take targeted and concrete measures to complete the ten major tasks within the year, work all-out to realize economic recovery in the first place, defuse risks and address challenges, and maintain social stability and harmony. It is imperative for Jiangsu to be the national pacesetter in advancing high-quality development and contributing more to promoting the Chinese modernization with sound performance.   

In addition, as COVID-19 is now treated as a Category B infectious disease, Jiangsu shall take prevention and control measures in an orderly manner as required by the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, focus on treating the severe cases by leveraging various medical resources, pay more attention to key agencies, organizations, and groups of people, strengthen the monitoring of and research on epidemic dynamics , and secure the victory of combating COVID in rural areas. By doing so, people’s life and health can be safeguarded. The meeting ended by reviewing the Notice on Promoting Groundwater Protection and Administration and several regulations on work of the provincial government.