Starting September 26, say goodbye to paraquat for good!

On September 25, with the expiration of the last batch of paraquat emulsifiable concentrate, paraquat—a product that had been used in China for over 40 years—officially exited the domestic market. In fact, news about banning paraquat has long been controversial. For a considerable period after the ban on paraquat aqueous formulations, paraquat emulsifiable concentrates remained legally available on the market, and some countries abroad still permit its sale and use. Consequently, certain industry insiders maintained high hopes for lifting the ban on paraquat. Especially in March this year, Hongtaiyang announced breakthrough progress in developing a specific antidote for paraquat and planned additional investment to support preclinical research and clinical trials, aiming to secure regulatory approval as soon as possible. This further fueled speculation about lifting the ban on paraquat. However, a recent notice issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs to strengthen paraquat management has officially brought an end to its domestic sales. Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs: Paraquat products are prohibited from being sold within China. On September 25, the General Office of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs released the “Notice on Effectively Strengthening Special Rectification Work Related to Paraquat.” The notice pointed out that while significant progress has been made in recent years, illegal addition of paraquat and unauthorized trading of paraquat still persist in some regions, leading to frequent poisoning incidents and adverse social impacts. To thoroughly implement the Regulations on Pesticide Management, Ministry of Agriculture Announcements No. 1745 and No. 2445, and Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Announcement No. 269, strictly enforce paraquat oversight measures, and sustainably advance special rectification efforts, thereby safeguarding public health and safety, this notice was formulated. The notice stipulates that only manufacturers holding production licenses for paraquat technical grade and registered exclusively for overseas use may produce paraquat products. Products manufactured by such companies must be exported only and cannot be sold domestically. Furthermore, paraquat producers are required to sell their products solely to overseas purchasers, not to domestic entities. In addition to mandating regular reporting and data aggregation on paraquat production, the notice explicitly states that any entity without a production license will have its registration for paraquat technical grade and formulated products intended solely for export revoked. Manufacturers already licensed to produce paraquat technical grade but no longer meeting the required conditions or choosing not to continue production will also lose their production license. Meanwhile, the notice emphasizes the need to intensify market supervision and inspections, focusing particularly on detecting illegal trade of paraquat products. It calls for enhanced random checks on non-selective herbicides such as diquat, glyphosate, and glufosinate, with special attention paid to identifying clandestine additions of paraquat ingredients. Any detected illegal adulteration must be traced back to its source, promptly investigating both procurement channels and manufacturing origins, and resolutely cracking down on unlawful practices involving hidden paraquat components. Expansion: The Past and Present of Paraquat Paraquat was originally developed and produced in the United Kingdom and began large-scale commercial application in the 1960s. In 1984, paraquat first entered China (though some sources suggest it arrived as early as the mid-1970s). By the 1990s, annual usage in China had surged from several hundred tons to over 5,000 tons, though imports still dominated at the time. It wasn’t until Li Dejun, known as the “Father of Chinese Paraquat,” emerged that China achieved a major technological breakthrough, breaking the UK’s monopoly and becoming the second country worldwide to master paraquat production technology. Beginning in the 21st century, China started independently producing paraquat products. Sales grew steadily, rising from 7,800 tons in 2001 to 45,400 tons in 2011, with production capacity reaching 73,000 tons by 2013. In 2012, the Ministry of Agriculture (now the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs), together with the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine, issued Announcement No. 1745, stating that effective immediately, no new approvals would be granted for the production of paraquat technical grade or formulation facilities; applications for field trials, registrations, and production permits—including those for technical grade and aqueous formulations—would no longer be accepted; and no further registrations or production licenses for paraquat technical grade or aqueous formulations would be approved. Starting July 1, 2014, all registrations and production permits for paraquat aqueous formulations were revoked, halting domestic production. However, manufacturers retaining technical-grade production licenses could still register their products for export use, with permission to produce exclusively for overseas markets. By July 1, 2016, domestic sales and use of paraquat aqueous formulations were completely banned. On July 10, 2015, the 17th plenary session of the Eighth National Pesticide Registration Review Committee reclassified paraquat’s toxicity from highly toxic to extremely toxic. Following this, the national resolve to ban paraquat grew increasingly firm. In September 2016, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs issued Announcement No. 2445, reaffirming that, effective immediately, no new field trial or registration applications for paraquat would be accepted, nor would renewal applications for domestic use be approved. Meanwhile, manufacturers holding technical-grade production licenses could apply to convert their existing registrations into exclusive export-use registrations during renewal processes. On June 29, 2017, the Department of Crop Production under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs clarified in response to Proposal No. 3326 submitted to the Fifth Session of the 12th National People’s Congress that although paraquat is a non-selective herbicide, its lack of a specific antidote results in high mortality rates, prolonged suffering for victims, and strong public calls for its prohibition. To protect public health and ensure safe production and use of paraquat, the Ministry of Agriculture (now the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs) has progressively implemented various measures to tighten regulation over paraquat registration, production, sales, and application. These include: first, no further registration approvals for paraquat products; and second, a complete nationwide ban on paraquat effective 2020. At that time, only one company’s 20% paraquat soluble concentrate (registration number PD20131912) remained on the market, with its registration valid until September 25, 2018. After that date, no further registration extensions were granted. As of September 25, 2020, no paraquat products were available for sale or use in China. By then, the story of paraquat’s ban seemed to have reached its conclusion, with alternatives like glyphosate, glufosinate, and diquat gaining prominence. Yet repeated cases of illegal adulteration and misuse kept paraquat in the public eye. In particular, the 2018 “Fish-Killing Brother” incident reignited debates over paraquat’s safety. In response, national agricultural authorities continuously introduced stricter regulations and intensified oversight of the paraquat market. Nevertheless, calls for reinstating paraquat occasionally surfaced. With paraquat still widely used in over 90 countries worldwide and listed among permitted pesticides in government‑approved designated outlets as of 2017, some individuals continued to harbor hopes for lifting the ban before its full implementation. September 25, 2020—the very day the final batch of paraquat products expired—also marked the issuance of the aforementioned “Notice on Effectively Strengthening Special Rectification Work Related to Paraquat” by the General Office of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs. Under this directive, legally produced paraquat products could only be exported, with no domestic sales allowed. Thus, paraquat officially bid farewell to the Chinese market.

Attention! To address the issue of “chemical plants encircling the river,” Hubei Province will invest 141.3 billion yuan over the next three years.

On September 23, at a press conference held by the Hubei Provincial Government Information Office, it was announced that, as part of an initiative to address ecological and environmental shortcomings, the province will invest 141.3 billion yuan over the next three years to resolve the issue of “chemical industries encircling the Yangtze River.” According to a report in the Hubei Daily, Hubei Province will implement this shortcoming‑filling program across five key areas: collection and treatment of medical and hazardous waste; closure, upgrading, relocation, or transformation of chemical enterprises along the river; improvement of rural living environments; rectification of prominent ecological and environmental problems in the Yangtze Economic Belt; and construction of water‑environment infrastructure in priority river basins. A total of 419 projects have been planned, with combined investments amounting to 174.4 billion yuan. In the area of medical and hazardous waste collection and treatment, Hubei Province plans to launch 23 major projects totaling 5.6 billion yuan. By the end of 2022, the province aims to establish a relatively comprehensive system for the collection, transportation, disposal, and utilization of medical and hazardous wastes. Regarding the closure, upgrading, relocation, or transformation of chemical enterprises along the river, Hubei Province intends to undertake 257 major projects with a total investment of 141.3 billion yuan. By the end of this year, all chemical enterprises within one kilometer of the riverbank are expected to be closed, upgraded, relocated, or transformed; by December 31, 2022, similar measures will be extended to enterprises located between one and fifteen kilometers from the river. By promoting the relocation and upgrading of these riverside chemical firms, the province seeks to accelerate the high‑end transformation of its industrial structure and eliminate potential sources of pollution along the Yangtze. In August this year, Hubei Province released the “Three-Year Action Plan (2020–2022) for Revitalizing After the Epidemic and Strengthening Weaknesses and Enhancing Capabilities through ‘Ten Major Projects,’” which targets ten key sectors and strives to comprehensively address critical weaknesses while bolstering core capabilities. The plan calls for actively seeking approval to commence construction on the Hubei section of the Third West-to-East Gas Pipeline, advancing interconnectivity among natural gas pipelines, and completing the Jianli–Qianjiang oil pipeline and the Three Gorges dam‑crossing refined oil pipeline project. It also emphasizes coordinated efforts to build and operate centralized, large‑scale gas storage facilities along main pipelines and the Yangtze River, establishing a storage network primarily composed of underground salt caverns and medium‑to‑large liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanks, supplemented by smaller local emergency gas storage units. Priority will be given to developing the Qianjiang underground salt cavern gas storage facility, LNG storage facilities in Anshan and Baihushan in Wuhan, as well as in Huanggang and Yichang, and an LNG tank container base in Huangshi, thereby forming three major gas storage hubs in Qianjiang, Wuhan, and eastern Hubei. Additionally, the plan stipulates completing the closure, upgrading, relocation, or transformation of chemical enterprises within one kilometer of the riverbank, and advancing similar measures for those located between one and fifteen kilometers from the river. It further proposes establishing circular, full‑life‑cycle green industrial chains to achieve efficient resource utilization, recycling, and “zero emissions” of waste, thus elevating the level of green development in industrial parks. The plan also calls for enhancing professional safety management within these parks, strengthening routine oversight, improving emergency response capabilities, and raising the intrinsic safety standards of park operations. Moreover, it envisions creating an integrated information management platform covering safety, environmental protection, emergency rescue, and public services, thereby building smart industrial parks. Finally, the plan encourages the widespread adoption of advanced technologies, vigorously promotes technological upgrades toward cleaner production, and drives the high‑end extension of the chemical industry value chain.

What precautions should be taken when transporting hazardous chemicals? How should emergency response be handled?

Transportation of hazardous materials is a specialized form of transport. Generally, only those who have undergone rigorous review by relevant national authorities and possess the necessary facilities and equipment to ensure safe transportation of dangerous goods are qualified to engage in such activities. Precisely because hazardous materials are flammable, explosive, and highly corrosive, their transportation poses significant risks. Improper handling during transport or accidents en route can result in severe consequences for surrounding vehicles, personnel, and the environment. What precautions should be taken when operating a hazardous‑material transport vehicle safely? And what are the requirements for emergency response? I. Five Mandatory Checks Before Departure 01 Verify that the vehicle’s license plate is securely mounted, that safety inspection and insurance stickers are properly displayed, and that the vehicle registration, road transport permit, and special permits for transporting highly toxic chemicals are all present, valid, and carried on board. 02 Ensure that safety devices—including warning lights, signage, reflective markings, side and rear protective devices, and fire extinguishers—are intact and functioning correctly, and that the satellite positioning system is operational. 03 Confirm that the vehicle’s braking, lighting, steering, and other safety systems meet operational standards, and that tire specifications comply with regulations and wear is normal. 04 Check that the emergency shut-off device on tank trucks carrying liquid hazardous materials is installed properly and remains closed. 05 Verify that the driver’s license, as well as the professional qualifications of both the driver and the escort, are complete, valid, and carried on board. II. Five Safety Precautions While Driving 01 Choose an appropriate route with favorable traffic conditions, stay away from towns and residential areas, and avoid entering zones where hazardous‑material transport vehicles are prohibited. Vehicles transporting highly toxic chemicals must follow the approved times and routes set by public security authorities and may not alter them arbitrarily. 02 Maintain a safe driving speed; under any circumstances, do not exceed 80 km/h. Reduce speed at night or in low‑visibility conditions such as rain, fog, or icy roads. 03 Keep a reasonable following distance from the vehicle ahead, increasing this gap further in adverse weather conditions like rain, fog, or snow. 04 Avoid changing lanes unnecessarily while driving; on highways, stay within designated lanes. 05 Drivers must remain attentive, stopping to rest approximately every two hours and promptly inspecting the vehicle’s technical condition to ensure the emergency shut-off valve remains closed. III. Five Key Points for Loading and Unloading 01 Hazardous‑material transport companies, vehicles, drivers, escorts, and loaders must hold the required certifications. 02 The loaded substance must match the medium indicated on the tank body and the medium listed on the vehicle’s road transport permit. 03 Load hazardous materials evenly and securely, ensuring each vehicle carries only one type of cargo; different hazardous substances must not be mixed, and overloading is strictly prohibited. 04 After loading, record the name, shape, quantity, disposal method, and contact information of the enterprise on paper, and carry this documentation with the vehicle. 05 Once a liquid hazardous‑material tank truck has been fully loaded, close the emergency shut-off valve and confirm there is no damage or leakage. IV. Three Requirements for Emergency Response 01 In the event of vehicle malfunctions, accidents, or cargo spills, respond appropriately according to the specific properties of the hazardous material—explosive, flammable, corrosive, highly toxic, or radioactive—by following the corresponding emergency response plans and operating procedures. 02 If a vehicle obstructs traffic and cannot be moved, activate hazard warning lights as required, place warning signs 50–100 meters behind the vehicle on regular roads and 150 meters behind on highways, and turn on position lights and rear lights at night. 03 If initial measures prove insufficient, park the vehicle in an open area far from people and water sources, and report the incident immediately, providing detailed information about the hazardous material’s name, shape, quantity, and extent of the leak to enable prompt and effective action by the relevant authorities. If a hazardous‑material transport vehicle is involved in an accident—even if it blocks traffic—what should drivers and passengers behind it, as well as nearby residents, keep in mind when seeking self‑rescue or evacuation? I. Preventative Measures: Pay Attention to These Details 01 Be Mindful of How You Follow First, learn to identify hazardous‑material transport vehicles. Currently, most such vehicles are tank trucks, though some use standard trucks. According to regulations, all hazardous‑material transport vehicles must display a prominent “Hazardous Materials” sign. When driving, avoid traveling alongside these vehicles; maintain distance when overtaking or passing, and never change lanes or cut in front of them intentionally. In heavy traffic or slow-moving conditions, you may find yourself stuck behind a hazardous‑material transport vehicle for extended periods. Because tank trucks are heavy and their inertia increases once loaded, pay special attention to maintaining adequate following distance. Generally, keep a safe gap between your vehicle and the hazardous‑material transport vehicle; during congestion, typically leave one to two car lengths between you and the vehicle ahead—this space allows sufficient braking distance to prevent rear‑end collisions. Do not attempt to squeeze into this gap and become the vehicle directly behind it. 02 Monitor the Type of Cargo If you must follow a hazardous‑material transport vehicle for a long time, try to observe its cargo type while ensuring safety. The name of the hazardous material is usually marked on the bottom or sides of the tank; knowing this information will help you take appropriate self‑rescue actions if the vehicle breaks down. 03 Pay Attention to Surrounding Conditions If a hazardous‑material transport vehicle nearby is involved in an accident and its path is blocked, occupants of nearby vehicles should evacuate immediately. However, given the wide variety of hazardous materials and their differing levels of danger, safe evacuation also depends on factors such as nearby water sources, weather, terrain, and wind direction. Therefore, while prioritizing driving safety, carefully assess your surroundings to choose the correct escape route and direction. 04 Key Points for Evacuation and Reporting After a Hazardous‑Material Accident When evacuating, first leave the scene to avoid secondary accidents with other vehicles; do not drive against traffic, cross roads, or walk along the highway. If climbing over guardrails, watch out for shoulders and ditches, where hazardous liquids may accumulate. When exiting bridge or tunnel sections, pay attention to traffic flow and quickly move to areas with slopes or shoulders to exit the highway. Once you’ve reached a safe location, occupants and nearby residents should immediately call 119 to request assistance from the fire department. II. Take Action Before It’s Too Late: How to Escape in These Situations 01 Flammable and Explosive Materials: Keep Them Away Common flammable and explosive items include combustible gases, petrochemical products, explosives, and fireworks. Many solid flammable substances—such as ammonium nitrate, TNT, and white phosphorus—can explode upon impact or friction; some even react explosively when exposed to air or water, and their storage media (like kerosene) are themselves flammable. When transporting such materials, choose cooler times of day, monitor tank temperature and pressure, and avoid heat and direct sunlight. Drivers should also exercise extra caution to prevent collisions. If an accident occurs involving such vehicles, evacuate immediately and stay clear of the scene. 02 Gas or Liquid Leaks: Choose the Right Escape Route Gases and liquids can spread, so when a leak occurs, select an escape route based on whether the substance is flammable, toxic, or soluble in water, taking environmental factors into account. When there is wind, head upwind. For toxic or flammable gases, or volatile toxic liquids, if wind is present, prioritize escaping upwind (against the wind). On slopes, choose vertical escape routes. If an accident happens on a slope, consider both wind direction and vertical orientation. Methane, carbon monoxide, ethylene, and acetylene are lighter than air; in calm conditions, opt for downhill escape. Benzene, chlorine, and phosgene are heavier than air; in calm conditions, choose uphill escape. If the leaked substance is a liquid or liquefied gas, seek higher ground. Note that some liquefied gases are extremely cold; when they evaporate, they absorb heat and can cause severe frostbite upon contact. Liquid ammonia and liquid benzene are also toxic, while liquid oxygen increases the risk of explosion. 03 Water Reactivity: Exercise Extra Caution on Wet Roads Many hazardous materials undergo chemical or physical reactions when exposed to water, creating additional hazards. During rainy weather or on wet roads, aim for higher ground when evacuating, and avoid contact with nearby water sources—especially puddles or runoff near the accident site. Ammonia, potassium cyanide, and sodium cyanide dissolve in water and can produce toxic or corrosive liquids; solid metallic sodium reacts with water to generate flammable hydrogen gas and highly alkaline corrosive solutions. In case of an accident, evacuate quickly and pay attention to escape directions. Large leaks of concentrated sulfuric acid release significant heat when mixed with water, causing boiling splashes that can injure people; therefore, in the event of a concentrated sulfuric acid spill, move swiftly away from the scene. 04 Corrosive Acids: Beware of Inhalable Vapors Nitric acid, sulfuric acid, and hydrochloric acid are well‑known strong acids, but these corrosive substances are more than just something you shouldn’t touch. Hydrochloric acid and fuming concentrated sulfuric acid emit corrosive vapors that spread low to the ground; when evacuating, pay attention to escape directions and protect your respiratory system. Additionally, nitric acid can ignite certain organic materials (such as fibers), and contact with metals—like highway guardrails, which are often made of metal—may produce flammable hydrogen gas. Thus, when evacuating, be mindful of your surroundings and take fire‑prevention measures.

The General Office of the CPC Central Committee has issued the “Opinions on Strengthening United Front Work in the Private Sector in the New Era.”

According to Xinhua News Agency, the General Office of the CPC Central Committee recently issued the “Opinions on Strengthening United Front Work in the Private Sector in the New Era,” along with a notice requiring all regions and departments to earnestly implement these guidelines in light of their specific circumstances. The Opinions underscore the significance of this work from three perspectives: strengthening united front work in the private sector is an important means of ensuring the Party’s leadership over the private economy; it constitutes a vital component of developing and improving the socialist system with Chinese characteristics; and it serves as an essential guarantee for promoting high-quality development of the private sector. Guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, the Opinions call for upholding the Party’s leadership over united front work in the private sector, adhering to the principle of “two unwavering commitments,” fostering close yet clean relationships between government and business, and following the principles of trust, unity, service, guidance, and education, thereby continuously enhancing the political consensus among private-sector entrepreneurs to follow the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics under the Party’s leadership. The Opinions propose that, to strengthen ideological and political development among private-sector entrepreneurs, it is necessary to hold high the banners of patriotism and socialism, intensify political guidance and ideological education, steadily consolidate the foundation of ideological and political work among private-sector entrepreneurs, broaden and deepen political consensus, deepen education on ideals and beliefs, strengthen ideological guidance, and encourage individuals in the private sector to strive to become “four role models.” With regard to building a contingent of high-caliber representatives from the private sector, the Opinions clearly state that the principle of Party leadership over talent must be upheld, while respecting the natural growth patterns of private-sector entrepreneurs. With the goals of improving quality, optimizing structure, and enhancing effectiveness, efforts should be made to cultivate a team of highly qualified, responsible private-sector representatives. This includes defining clear scopes of work, improving personnel selection mechanisms, strengthening education and training, standardizing political arrangements, and intensifying efforts to nurture the younger generation. The Opinions further emphasize that centering on the central tasks and serving the overall situation—thus promoting high-quality development of the private sector—is both an inherent requirement of united front work in the private sector and a crucial criterion for evaluating its effectiveness. It calls for advancing the implementation of the new development philosophy, encouraging participation in major national strategies, supporting engagement in comprehensive deepening of reform, and continually optimizing the business environment. To promote the establishment of close yet clean relationships between government and business, the Opinions identify this as a key task of united front work in the private sector. Leveraging the united front to facilitate communication and consultation between government and enterprises is seen as a critical step toward achieving such relationships. To this end, it is necessary to standardize the content of communication and consultation, innovate formats for dialogue, strengthen outreach and services to chambers of commerce and private enterprises, and improve mechanisms for reflecting enterprise concerns and safeguarding their rights and interests. The Opinions point out that federations of industry and commerce, together with their affiliated chambers of commerce, constitute an important organizational foundation for united front work in the private sector. It calls for deepening reforms and development of federations of industry and commerce, nurturing and expanding chamber organizations with Chinese characteristics, and effectively extending united front work to cover these chambers. Furthermore, it urges advancing the reform and development of federations of industry and commerce, guiding relevant organizations of private entrepreneurs toward orderly and standardized growth. Regarding strengthening the Party’s leadership over united front work in the private sector, the Opinions stress that this work is of paramount importance to the entire Party. Efforts to strengthen united front work in the private sector must be placed prominently on the agenda, and under the unified leadership of Party committees, a working framework should be established that ensures clear division of responsibilities and efficient coordination across all sectors. It is also necessary to refine leadership systems and mechanisms, reinforce organizational support, and enhance capacity-building, thereby providing robust backing for successfully carrying out united front work in the private sector in the new era. The main contents of the “Opinions on Strengthening United Front Work in the Private Sector in the New Era” are as follows: Since the launch of reform and opening-up, China’s private sector has experienced sustained rapid growth, and the Party’s united front work in this sector has continuously broken new ground through innovation. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has put forward a series of new concepts, ideas, and strategies, and adopted a range of major measures, guiding and driving remarkable achievements in united front work within the private sector. At the same time, it must be acknowledged that, as socialism with Chinese characteristics enters a new era, the scale of the private sector continues to expand, risks and challenges have increased significantly, and the values and interests of private-sector entrepreneurs have grown increasingly diverse, presenting new circumstances and tasks for united front work in this field. In order to thoroughly implement the major decisions and deployments of the Party Central Committee, further strengthen the Party’s leadership over united front work in the private sector, and better unite the wisdom and strength of private-sector entrepreneurs around the goal of realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, the following opinions are hereby put forward. I. Significance (1) Strengthening united front work in the private sector is an important means of ensuring the Party’s leadership over the private economy. As an intrinsic component of China’s economic system, the private sector has always served as a crucial economic foundation for upholding and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics. Private-sector entrepreneurs, as members of our own community, remain an indispensable force that the Party must unite with and rely upon in its long-term governance. By fully recognizing the importance of the private sector to China’s economic and social development, and by acknowledging the long-term nature and inevitability of its existence and growth, we can promote innovative developments in united front work in the private sector in the new era, thereby continuously strengthening the Party’s leadership over the private sector, drawing the broad masses of private-sector entrepreneurs ever more closely around the Party, and rallying powerful forces to jointly build the Chinese Dream. (2) Strengthening united front work in the private sector is an essential element in developing and perfecting the socialist system with Chinese characteristics. To uphold and improve this system and advance the modernization of the national governance system and governance capacity, it is imperative to steadfastly adhere to and further develop China’s basic economic system—unwaveringly consolidating and developing the public sector while unswervingly encouraging, supporting, and guiding the development of the non-public sector. Effectively carrying out united front work in the private sector helps stimulate the enthusiasm and initiative of private-sector entrepreneurs in deepening reform, expanding opening-up, and participating in national governance, enabling the market to play a decisive role in resource allocation, enhancing the role of the government, and fully demonstrating the institutional strengths of socialism with Chinese characteristics. (3) Strengthening united front work in the private sector is a vital guarantee for promoting high-quality development of the private sector. Deepening supply-side structural reform and achieving high-quality economic development urgently require private enterprises to accelerate transformation and upgrading, and to raise the overall quality of the private-sector entrepreneurial workforce. Enhancing united front work in the private sector helps guide private-sector entrepreneurs to strengthen their confidence in development, improve their innovation capabilities, and encourages and supports them in shifting their development models, adjusting industrial structures, and transforming growth drivers, thus propelling the private sector toward even greater progress. II. General Requirements (4) Guiding Principles. Guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, comprehensively implementing the spirit of the 19th National Congress of the CPC and the Second, Third, and Fourth Plenary Sessions of the 19th CPC Central Committee, and focusing on coordinating the promotion of the “five-sphere integrated plan” and the “four-pronged comprehensive strategy,” we will comprehensively enhance the Party’s capacity to lead united front work in the private sector, effectively strengthen this work, educate and guide private-sector entrepreneurs to bolster their “four consciousnesses,” firmly uphold their “four confidences,” and resolutely practice the “two safeguards”—unswervingly heeding the Party’s words and following its lead—to make greater contributions toward achieving the “two centenary goals” and realizing the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation. (5) Basic Principles. Uphold the Party’s leadership over united front work in the private sector, always planning and advancing this work from a political and holistic perspective; adhere to the principle of “two unwavering commitments,” further strengthening the Party’s leadership and cohesion among private-sector entrepreneurs; foster close yet clean relationships between government and business, optimize the business environment, and promote a healthy political ecosystem; and follow the principles of trust, unity, service, guidance, and education, properly balancing consistency and diversity—encouraging and supporting on one hand, while educating and guiding on the other—continuously enhancing the political consensus among private-sector entrepreneurs to follow the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics under the Party’s leadership. III. Strengthening Ideological and Political Development Among Private-Sector Entrepreneurs By holding high the banners of patriotism and socialism, intensifying political guidance and ideological education, and steadily consolidating the foundation of ideological and political work among private-sector entrepreneurs. (6) Consolidate and expand political consensus. Educate and guide private-sector entrepreneurs to arm themselves with Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, using it to inform their thinking and practice, maintaining high alignment with the Party Central Committee in terms of political stance, direction, principles, and path, and remaining politically clear-headed at all times. Further strengthen Party building within private enterprises, effectively leveraging the role of Party organizations as bastions of combat and Party members as vanguard models. Vigorously publicize the Party Central Committee’s major policies and guidelines on private-sector development, further advance theoretical innovation, and promptly address the concerns of private-sector entrepreneurs. Party committees’ united front departments at all levels must implement the responsibility system for ideological work in the private sector, ensuring they fulfill their duties, take responsibility, and perform conscientiously. (7) Deepen education on ideals and beliefs. Continuously carry out practical activities focused on ideal and belief education, innovating educational formats and discourse systems, expanding coverage, and enhancing effectiveness. Drawing on thematic education demonstration bases located in old revolutionary areas, impoverished regions, and frontier zones of reform and opening-up, strengthen education on global conditions, national realities, and Party affairs, guiding private-sector entrepreneurs to deepen their political, ideological, and emotional identification with the Communist Party of China and socialism with Chinese characteristics. Leverage the exemplary roles of Party-member private entrepreneurs and private-sector representatives in ideal and belief education, fully mobilizing the subjective initiative of private-sector entrepreneurs, and reinforcing self-learning, self-education, and self-improvement. (8) Intensify ideological guidance. Guide private-sector entrepreneurs to enhance self-discipline, fortify their moral defenses, strictly regulate their conduct, cultivate healthy lifestyles, and project positive public images. Improve systems for socializing and heartfelt exchanges, making friends—both close and distant—and building a core group of private-sector entrepreneurs who can be relied upon and called upon in critical moments. Following the principle of “unity–criticism–unity,” expand the circle of solidarity and demonstrate inclusiveness. (9) Advocate striving to become “four role models.” Strengthen value-based guidance, encouraging private-sector entrepreneurs to adopt correct views on the nation, the rule of law, careers, and wealth, and to serve as exemplars of patriotism, dedication, lawful operation, entrepreneurial innovation, and social contribution. Deepen publicity and education on the Chinese Dream, guiding private-sector entrepreneurs to cultivate a sense of national pride and responsibility, taking industrial revitalization and national strength as their mission, working pragmatically, and maintaining humility and modesty. Pay attention to the cautionary role of typical cases, conduct regular legal publicity and warning education, solidify the bottom line of lawful and compliant operations, advocate valuing credibility, honoring commitments, and practicing integrity, and continuously elevate the legal literacy and moral standards of private-sector entrepreneurs. Vigorously promote the spirit of outstanding entrepreneurs and craftsmanship, fully unleashing innovation and creative potential. Advocate the concept of balancing righteousness and benefit, prioritizing righteousness, remembering the source of wealth, striving for progress after becoming prosperous, conscientiously fulfilling social responsibilities, actively building harmonious labor relations, participating in projects of public welfare, targeted poverty alleviation, and charitable causes, overcoming hedonism and extravagance, and achieving prosperity accompanied by virtue, love, and responsibility. IV. Building a High-Caliber Contingent of Private-Sector Representatives Adhering to the principle of Party leadership over talent, following the natural growth patterns of private-sector entrepreneurs, and aiming to improve quality, optimize structure, and enhance effectiveness, we will build a contingent of high-caliber, responsible private-sector representatives. (10) Clarify the scope of work.United Front work should reach out to all private enterprises and private-sector entrepreneurs. The target groups primarily include major investors and de facto controllers of private enterprises, key managers holding shares in such enterprises, individual natural-person shareholders of private investment institutions, leading officials of industry‑and‑commerce social organizations mainly composed of private enterprises and private-sector entrepreneurs, heads of relevant social service agencies, principal partners of private intermediary agencies, Hong Kong and Macao businesspeople investing in mainland China, as well as representative individual business households. (11) Improve the personnel selection mechanism. Broaden the scope of talent recruitment, balancing considerations across different regions and industries, and between large, medium-sized, and small enterprises. Establish databases and talent pools for representatives of the private sector. Expand channels for identifying talent, leveraging the roles of competent authorities on talent management, United Front departments, and industry regulators, thereby building a talent management system that supports the healthy growth of private-sector entrepreneurs. Optimize the composition of the representative cadre, appropriately tilting resources toward strategic emerging industries, high‑tech sectors, advanced manufacturing, modern services, and modern agriculture, so as to cultivate and strengthen a contingent of private-sector entrepreneurs who remain steadfastly committed to the Party and wholeheartedly dedicated to development. (12) Strengthen education and training. Develop comprehensive plans for building the ranks of private-sector representatives, establishing a standardized and regular education and training framework. Fully harness the motivating effect of recognizing outstanding non-public-sector entrepreneurs as exemplary builders of socialism with Chinese characteristics, further expanding their social influence. Centered on promoting fine traditional culture and the spirit of entrepreneurship, intensify educational and training efforts for private entrepreneurs. Local party schools (administrative institutes) at all levels should pay particular attention to enhancing education and training for Party-member private-sector entrepreneurs. Uphold political standards, and proceed prudently yet proactively in developing Party members among outstanding figures in the private sector, promptly admitting those with strong political integrity, high public recognition, and meeting Party membership requirements. For those whose workplaces lack Party organizations, organizational and personnel departments of county-level or higher Party committees (leading Party groups) may directly undertake liaison and cultivation work. (13) Standardize political arrangements. Adhere to selection and appointment criteria emphasizing strong ideological and political qualities, robust industry representation, solid capacity for participation in state affairs, and high social credibility. Strictly scrutinize candidates’ political reliability and compliance with laws and regulations, and solicit opinions from enterprise Party organizations and relevant stakeholders in advance as required. Refine the comprehensive evaluation system for private-sector representatives to ensure quality in personnel selection and appointment. Pilot the appointment of private entrepreneurs as chairpersons of provincial federations of industry and commerce. Proceed steadily with recommending outstanding private entrepreneurs as candidates for standing committees of people’s congresses and CPPCC committees at various levels, rigorously controlling entry points. Launch initiatives to appoint private entrepreneurs as special prosecutors and supervisors. Guide private-sector representatives to strengthen their sense of responsibility and duty, and establish sound performance‑evaluation systems and exit mechanisms. (14) Intensify efforts to nurture the younger generation. Formulate and implement a plan to promote the healthy growth of the younger cohort of private-sector entrepreneurs, stepping up education and training. Leverage the mentoring role of senior private entrepreneurs, vigorously promote traditional Chinese virtues, emphasize family values, education, and family traditions, and guide the younger generation to inherit and carry forward the glorious tradition of heeding the Party’s call and following its leadership, striving to achieve a smooth generational handover and orderly succession in business endeavors. V. Supporting High-Quality Development of the Private Sector Adhering to the principle of centering on core tasks and serving the overall situation, and promoting high-quality development of the private sector, is an essential component of United Front work related to the private sector and a crucial benchmark for assessing the effectiveness of such efforts. (15) Promote the implementation of the new development philosophy. Strengthen education on current conditions and policies, actively highlight exemplary models, and guide private-sector entrepreneurs to plan and advance enterprise reform and development in line with the new development philosophy. Make full use of government‑established platforms for industry–university–research–application collaboration, and leverage the positive role of private enterprises in technological innovation and the commercialization of research outcomes. Conduct in-depth investigations and studies, promptly identifying and addressing institutional and systemic barriers hindering the transformation and upgrading of private enterprises. Encourage private-sector entrepreneurs to pursue progress while maintaining stability, stay committed to real industries, strengthen core businesses, reinforce bottom-line thinking, heighten risk awareness, and effectively prevent and defuse operational risks, particularly financial risks. (16) Encourage participation in major national strategies. Relying on United Front organizations, mobilize private-sector entrepreneurs to engage in national strategies such as the innovation-driven development strategy, achieving corporate growth while serving the broader national economic agenda, and elevating their ideological outlook and professional horizons. Strengthen exchanges and cooperation with industry‑and‑commerce social organizations and their representative offices in key countries and regions, fully leveraging the role of federations of industry and commerce within relevant international cooperation frameworks. Guide private enterprises to actively participate in the Belt and Road Initiative, consciously safeguard national interests, and project a positive image of Chinese private enterprises. (17) Support engagement in comprehensively deepening reform. Guide private-sector entrepreneurs to properly address the adjustments in interests brought about by reform, to understand, support, and participate in reform, offering insightful advice and pragmatic proposals for advancing comprehensive reform. Encourage private enterprises to take part in mixed‑ownership reforms. Assist private enterprises in improving their corporate governance structures and exploring the establishment of a modern enterprise system with Chinese characteristics. Promote proactive cooperation between private enterprises and world‑class companies and outstanding state-owned enterprises, continuously enhancing operational capabilities and management standards. (18) Continuously optimize the business environment. With a focus on fostering fair market competition and ensuring equal protection of property rights, strive to build a business environment that is market‑oriented, law‑based, and internationally aligned. Educate and guide private-sector entrepreneurs to develop legal awareness and adhere to lawful business practices.

On September 8, 2020, the Monitoring Station of the You County Ecological Environment Bureau conducted comparative monitoring of our company’s annual water samples.

On September 8, 2020, the Monitoring Station of the You County Ecological Environment Bureau conducted comparative monitoring of our company’s annual water samples.