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Speakers:

Mr. Pei Jinjia, minister of veterans affairs

Mr. Ma Feixiong, vice minister of veterans affairs

Mr. Yu Jingsen, director general of the Department of Employment and Entrepreneurship of the Ministry of Veterans Affairs (MVA)

Mr. Li Guiguang, director general of the Department of Commendation and Commemoration of the MVA

Chairperson:

Mr. Chen Wenjun, director general of the Press Bureau of the State Council Information Office (SCIO) and spokesperson of the SCIO

Date:

July 28, 2023

Chen Wenjun:

Ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon. Welcome to this press conference held by the State Council Information Office (SCIO). This is the 23rd briefing in the series "Embarking on the New Journey — A Government Perspective," and the theme of this briefing is "comprehensively advancing the high-quality development of veterans affairs in the new journey of the new era." Today, we are glad to have invited Mr. Pei Jinjia, minister of veterans affairs. Mr. Pei will brief you on related information and take your questions. Also joining us today are Mr. Ma Feixiong, vice minister of veterans affairs; Mr. Yu Jingsen, director general of the Department of Employment and Entrepreneurship of the Ministry of Veterans Affairs (MVA); and Mr. Li Guiguang, director general of the Department of Commendation and Commemoration of the MVA.

Now, I will give the floor to Mr. Pei Jinjia.

Pei Jinjia:

Ladies and gentlemen, friends from the media, good afternoon. It is my pleasure to meet with you here today. First, on behalf of the MVA, I would like to express to you my heartfelt gratitude for your long-term interest and support toward the work concerning veterans affairs.

The 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) has drawn up an inspiring blueprint for building China into a modern socialist country in all respects and advancing the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts along a Chinese path to modernization. It has also made definite arrangements for the work concerning veterans affairs, and stressed the needs to "improve our national defense mobilization capacity and the development of our reserve forces " and "better motivate service personnel and their family members through military honors and do more to protect their rights and interests, provide better services and support to ex-service personnel, and consolidate and boost unity between the military and the government and between the military and the people. " The MVA has resolutely implemented the decisions of the 20th CPC National Congress, and grasped the far-reaching strategic considerations of General Secretary Xi Jinping's personal planning, directing and promoting of the establishment of veterans affairs management and support institutions. To ensure that the military profession and veterans are respected by the whole of society and better contribute to socioeconomic development and the cause of national defense and military forces, the MVA has upheld fundamental principles and broken new ground, made solid steps and strived to promote the high-quality development of veterans affairs.

First, the MVA has strengthened theoretical and political guidance. The MVA has taken uniting and leading veterans to follow the instructions and guidance of the Party and feel gratitude towards it as key political responsibilities. The MVA has improved the work mechanism of veterans' theoretical and political issues, and formulated regulations concerning veterans' theoretical and political education in the new era. It has promoted the regular, systematic and consistent learning and implementation of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era among veterans. The MVA has also launched a practical and educational series that strengthens the Party's leadership and promotes the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress among veterans. It has also worked to timely communicate General Secretary Xi Jinping and the CPC Central Committee's care toward veterans, and develop veterans of the new era who embody firm beliefs, patriotism, dedication, enterprise, integrity and observance of the law.

Second, the MVA has proactively advanced reform and innovation. The MVA has improved the organization and management system, the workflow process, as well as policy and institutional arrangements. It has created the new occupation of "veterans affairs officer." It has also formulated regulations for the construction of veterans service centers and stations, and made notable progress in building such centers and stations covering six levels from the national-level to villages and communities. The MVA has thoroughly implemented opinions on improving the administration of veterans affairs in the new era , fully implemented legislation such as the Veterans Law , and carried out arrangements on supporting veterans for the 14th Five-Year Plan period. The MVA has also introduced a series of effective and practical legislation and regulations, and further eliminated long-standing institutional barriers and policy issues that previously hindered progress.

Third, the MVA has made comprehensive plans for the cause of veterans affairs. In accordance with the needs and characteristics of veterans, the MVA has strengthened employment training, ensured unimpeded employment information, expanded career channels, and led efforts to utilize related policies, in a bid to help veterans find jobs. It has also innovated and optimized resettlement policies for ex-service personnel, and worked to ensure the resettlement of military officers and veterans, encouraging them to contribute to socioeconomic development in all sectors of society. Focusing on the goals for the centenary of the People's Liberation Army in 2027 , the MVA has issued a guideline about serving for war preparedness and combat capabilities . It has also established and improved a quick response mechanism for emergencies and wartime within the nationwide military-civilian mutual support system as well as the military-civilian dual list system . The MVA has also completed the resettlement of veterans and soldiers with injuries, illnesses or disabilities, and strengthened the reform and development of military supply stations, glory hospitals and special care hospitals. The MVA has also made efforts to ensure the resettlement of military personnel's family members by providing job opportunities and schooling for their children, in a bid to better contribute to national defense and the development of military forces.

Fourth, the MVA has worked to create an environment where the public values veterans' contributions. The MVA has carried out publicity work based on role models, and inspires and encourages the public with the meritorious deeds of military heroes, soldiers, ex-service personnel and civilians who support the military. As the remains of Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs have gradually been brought back to China from the Republic of Korea, the MVA has organized events to locate the relatives of these martyrs. It has also launched red education programs centered around the martyrs' memorial facilities, and held a nationwide narrator competition for martyrs' stories, in a bid to pass down the revolutionary genes to the younger generation. The MVA has organized an array of military-civilian mutual support activities, in order to consolidate the tight bonds between the military and the government and between the military and the people. The MVA has also enhanced preferential treatment for ex-service personnel and their family members. It has increased government subsidies for entitled groups for five consecutive years and issued preferential treatment certificates for those involved. The MVA has also launched activities to provide care and support for veterans, visiting and assisting veterans in need, with the aim of promoting a profound sense of respect and honor.

Fifth, the MVA has played the role of motivator and guide. The MVA has continued to regard veterans as an important force in the Party's governance of the country. We have rallied and guided them to take the lead in consolidating the achievements of poverty alleviation, rural revitalization, grassroots governance, stability in border regions and other major national strategies, thereby contributing to the glory of the Party and military with practical actions. Currently, there are more than 3.5 million veterans volunteering nationwide. Faced with various difficult and dangerous tasks, they respond promptly and take actions, building a Great Wall of steel to protect and serve the people, and displaying unwavering loyalty to the Party and country.

Ladies and gentlemen, friends from the media, the huge number of veterans have once dedicated themselves to national defense and armed forces building, making great sacrifices and contributions in safeguarding our national security. Following their military service, they have actively participated in the country's socioeconomic development, and are an important force in promoting the Chinese path to modernization. We will thoroughly implement the decisions and arrangements of the 20th CPC National Congress, and implement General Secretary Xi Jinping's important discourse on the work concerning veterans affairs. We will serve and guarantee the legitimate rights and interests of the huge number of veterans, give full play to their important role as valuable human resources and talents, and actively contribute to the construction of a strong country and national rejuvenation through the work concerning veterans affairs.

With Army Day approaching, on behalf of the veterans affairs system, I would like to extend warm regards and profound respect to all veterans. I wish you all good health, successful work and family happiness. Thank you.