Zhang Yan: The Eight-Point Regulations of the Central-Level Leadership [1] Lay a Solid Foundation for Long-Term Peace and Stability [2]
The style of the Party [1] concerns the Party’s image, the direction of popular support (人心向背) [2], and the very survival of the Party; it determines the success or failure of the cause of the Party and the state. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core began its work by formulating and implementing the Eight-Point Regulations of the Central Committee. Starting with the rectification of prominent issues such as the Four Winds — formalism, bureaucratism, hedonism, and extravagance — and by beginning with leading cadres, the Party has observed the large through the small (以小见大), led the large through the small (以小带大), and set an example for subordinates (以上率下) [3]. This new atmosphere in conduct construction has won the trust and support of the masses. The Eight-Point Regulations serve as the entry point and mobilization order for improving work style; they are long-term, effective "iron rules" and "hard benchmarks" that profoundly influence the building and development of the Party.
First, persisting in nipping problems in the bud (防微杜渐). The onset of extravagance is the gradual beginning of peril and destruction. General Secretary Xi Jinping has emphasized that we must "persist in strengthening self-cultivation through small matters and details, perfect ourselves bit by bit, be strict in self-cultivation, rectify the mind to clarify the Way (正心明道), and nip problems in the bud." The high degree of historical foresight reflected in the formulation and implementation of the Eight-Point Regulations precisely aligns with this concept.
When Huang Yanpei and Comrade Mao Zedong discussed the "historical cycle" of order and chaos, rise and fall in the Yan'an cave dwellings [4], Huang noted that as environments gradually improve, the spirit gradually relaxes. In some cases, due to the passage of time, natural inertia sets in, spreading from the minority to the majority until a certain social climate (风气) is formed; at that point, even great force cannot reverse or remedy it. Issues of work style often begin in the smallest details; if not detected and corrected in time, allowing them to develop is like a rolling snowball growing larger, or the quiet process of "boiling a frog in lukewarm water." Over time, quantitative change leads to qualitative change [5], eventually producing irreversible consequences. Therefore, the Eight-Point Regulations require acting early and while issues are small—detecting and eliminating them early to extinguish unhealthy styles in their embryonic stage. With the attitude of "providing for a rainy day rather than digging a well only when thirsty" (宜未雨而绸缪，毋临渴而掘井), the Party must constantly "detoxify" and treat "incipient ailments" (治未病), preparing for a rainy day in conduct construction. As the saying goes, "He who exhausts the small achieves the great; he who is cautious of the minute becomes manifest" (尽小者大，慎微者著). By strictly regulating and rectifying issues that seem minor but concern the very foundation of work style—such as dining at public expense, the use of official vehicles, and "mountains of documents and seas of meetings" (文山会海)—the Party detects and uproots the sprouts of unhealthy styles early. It maintains strategic resolve, refuses to yield an inch, guards important nodes, and keeps a close eye on weak links to prevent old problems from resurfacing, new problems from germinating, and small problems from becoming large, resolutely guarding the Party's purity and advanced nature. This is precisely "plugging the ant-hole" (蝼蚁之穴) [6] at the source and preventing "air leakage from a needle prick," laying a solid foundation for the Party to uphold its original aspiration and for the country’s long-term peace and stability.
Second, having the courage for self-revolution. The courage for self-revolution and the comprehensive and strict governance of the Party are the most distinctive characteristics of our Party. The formulation and implementation of the Eight-Point Regulations are a vivid manifestation of our Party’s initiative in self-restraint, self-regulation, and self-supervision. They represent a concrete and realized "three-fold daily self-reflection" (三省吾身) [7], serving as a micro-level and direct form of self-revolution that demonstrates a high degree of self-discipline and consciousness.
In the course of the Party's development, self-revolution has always been the "magic weapon" (法宝) for maintaining its vigor and vitality. Facing new situations and tasks, the Eight-Point Regulations begin with specific aspects—such as improving investigative research and streamlining documents and meetings—requiring Party members and cadres to constantly examine their own behavior: whether they maintain close ties with the masses, whether they seek truth from facts, and whether they practice industriousness and frugality. This represents the Party's high standards and strict requirements for its own construction; it is a direct measure and micro-path for our Party in the New Era to proactively identify its own deficiencies and achieve self-purification, self-perfection, self-innovation, and self-improvement. Unlike passive changes driven by external pressure, the introduction and implementation of the Eight-Point Regulations are based on our Party’s re-examination and re-recognition of its original aspiration and founding mission, and its re-focusing and re-responding to the "urgent, difficult, and anxious" (急难愁盼) concerns of the masses. It is a self-revolution with the "blade turned inward" (刀刃向内). This proactive restraint, self-discipline, and change are not only a test of the individual Party character (党性) of members and cadres but are also key to the Party’s courage and ability to face its own problems, maintain vitality, and win the trust and support of the masses.
Third, achieving normalcy and long-term effectiveness. One who is good at eliminating harm examines its root; one who is good at treating illness cuts off its source. General Secretary Xi Jinping has emphasized the need to strengthen the restriction and supervision of the exercise of power, to "confine power within the cage of institutions," and to form a punishment mechanism that makes one "not dare to be corrupt," a prevention mechanism that makes one "unable to be corrupt," and a guarantee mechanism that makes one "not want to be corrupt." As a systematic and normalized preventive system, the Eight-Point Regulations create a clean and upright environment through a complete and enforceable long-term mechanism. They push for a "major shift" in style through a "small entry point," becoming a key link in cutting off the chain of corruption at the institutional level.
From the perspective of institutional design, the Eight-Point Regulations cover multiple aspects of work and life, forming a rigorous system of norms. From investigative research strictly following the "Four Nos and Two Straights" (四不两直) [8], to the reduction of burdens at the grassroots level through streamlining documents and meetings, to the strict control of "Three Public Expenses" (三公经费) [9] for overseas trips and receptions, every regulation is specific and meticulous. They possess strong foresight, targeting, and operability, ensuring that every facet of conduct construction is covered without dead ends or blind spots. Simultaneously, a series of supporting systems, such as the Regulations on Practicing Thrift and Opposing Waste in Party and Government Organs and the Certain Provisions on Rectifying Formalism to Reduce Burdens at the Grassroots, echo the clauses of the Eight-Point Regulations. Together, they weave an institutional web to prevent corruption, ensuring there are rules to follow and regulations to rely upon. Regarding institutional execution, the implementation of the Eight-Point Regulations persists in "leading from the top" (以上率下)—each level leading the next, demonstrating for the next, and supervising the next—forming a powerful demonstration effect and deterrent. Consequently, for individuals, Party members and cadres gradually develop good work styles and habits; for the whole, the soil for corruption is eradicated, and a clean and upright environment is formed within the Party, preventing "flies" [10] from emerging, treating style problems at the source, and creating an honest and clean political ecosystem.
Deepening the implementation of the spirit of the Eight-Point Regulations is not a "one-off project" of "spiritual tempering" (精神淬炼), but an unceasing "relay race." The vitality of a system lies in its execution. The vitality of the Eight-Point Regulations is hidden in every innovative practice that transforms the spirit of the document into the "warmth of people's livelihoods," and in every pragmatic action that "counters every move" (见招拆招) of new problems. Facing new challenges where some aspects of the "Four Winds" put on "invisibility cloaks" or hide in "green sorghum fields" (青纱帐) [11], we must use dynamic supervision mechanisms to develop "fiery eyes and golden pupils" (火眼金睛) [12]. This allows us to accurately locate and investigate various hidden and mutated problems, coordinating with technological means such as big data comparison and intelligent early warning to leave violations with nowhere to hide. We must advance with the times, learn to "cut the dress according to the body" (量体裁衣), and refine lists according to local conditions, transforming the Eight-Point Regulations into "detailed blueprints" for specific scenarios. We must persist over the long term, deepening the use of methods such as educational reminders, unannounced visits, public exposure, supervision and inspection, strict and rapid handling of cases, urged rectification, and "looking back" (回头看) [13] to ensure responsibility is implemented on the ground, resolutely winning the tough battle of conduct construction.
(The author is a researcher at the Xi Jinping City Research Center for the Theory of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics in the New Era at the Central Party School (National Academy of Governance) and a professor at the School of Marxism.) Source: Economic Daily, July 15, 2025, Page 10 Online Editor: Tong Xin