Zhu Yan, Zhou Zhudong, and Huang Li: Development and Practical Analysis of Party Spirit Cultivation Theory in the New Era
Since the 18th Party Congress, in the face of an intricate international situation and the arduous tasks of reform, development, and stability, "General Secretary Xi Jinping has focused on the major epochal questions of what kind of long-term governing Marxist party to build and how to build it." Center-stage has been the primary theme of comprehensively strengthening the party-spirit cultivation of the vast membership in the New Era. He has proposed a series of new concepts, ideas, and strategies for managing, governing, flourishing, and strengthening the Party, emphasizing that party-spirit cultivation is the "learning of the heart" [1] for Communists and a lifelong compulsory course. Through a series of original achievements, he has greatly enriched and developed the theory and practice of party-spirit cultivation, marking a new height in its development and practical efficacy in the New Era.
I. Accurately understanding General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important discourses on party-spirit cultivation
General Secretary Xi Jinping has delivered a series of important discourses on party-spirit cultivation, deepening the systematic understanding of party-spirit cultivation among Chinese Communists. These discourses serve as an action guide for leading the Party’s great self-revolution and promoting great social revolution; they constitute an important component of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. Only by profoundly understanding the scientific connotations of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and accurately grasping the General Secretary’s new discourses and concepts can we promote the continuous enhancement of party-spirit and the elevation of cultivation among the vast cadres and members through the deep integration of theory and practice.
(1) Strengthening party-spirit cultivation is a compulsory course for Communists
General Secretary Xi Jinping noted: "A cadre's party-spirit cultivation, ideological consciousness, and moral level will not increase naturally with the accumulation of years in the Party or with the promotion of rank; rather, they require lifelong effort." Strengthening party-spirit cultivation is a lifelong compulsory course for all Communists, requiring every member to persist in study, practice, and reflection. The elevation of a Communist's party-spirit cultivation, ideological consciousness, and moral level is a long-term process; every Communist should take a long-term perspective to master this compulsory course.
In the new historical period, the in-depth development of the market economy, the continuous advancement of reform and opening up, and the deepening of economic globalization will inevitably bring about the pluralization, diversification, and volatility of thought. When reflected within the Party, these factors inevitably lead to many new situations and problems. For example, among some party members and cadres, very serious problems have gradually emerged, such as the dilution of loyalty to the Party and the weakening of ideals and convictions. General Secretary Xi Jinping profoundly pointed out: "These problems seriously erode the Party's ideological and moral foundation, seriously undermine the Party's unity and centralized unification, seriously damage the Party's political ecosystem and image, and seriously affect the development of the cause of the Party and the people." These "four serious [damages]" mentioned by the General Secretary profoundly illustrate the importance, necessity, and timeliness of strengthening party-spirit cultivation. On the new journey of the New Era, to build a contingent of party member cadres with iron-like convictions, iron-like discipline, and iron-like responsibility, we must unswervingly persist in the party-spirit education and tempering of cadres.
(2) Party-spirit cultivation is the foundation of a Communist's conduct
What is party-spirit cultivation? This is a core question that every party member should clarify. Only by truly understanding and grasping its scientific connotation can one consciously temper oneself into a Chinese Communist with strong party-spirit. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: "Party-spirit is the bedrock for party member cadres to establish themselves, their careers, their words, and their virtue" [2]. Strong party-spirit is continuously forged and gradually cultivated in daily study, life, and work practice; it is a process of cumulative growth.
General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "Our Party takes Marxism as the foundation for establishing the Party, the realization of Communism as the highest ideal, and serving the people whole-heartedly as its fundamental purpose. This is the 'root' (本) of Communists. Without these, it would be like a tree without roots." A Communist's party-spirit cultivation is the foundation of their conduct. Elevating this cultivation means that all members must improve themselves specifically in those characteristics: taking Marxism as guidance, the realization of Communism as the highest ideal, and wholehearted service to the people as the fundamental purpose.
(3) The basic paths for improving party-spirit cultivation
Shortly after the conclusion of the 18th Party Congress, General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: "The Party Constitution is the fundamental law of the Party and the general regulation that the whole Party must follow." "Party-spirit education must first involve studying the Party Constitution well." The Party Constitution is the fundamental compliance for strengthening party-spirit cultivation. It clearly stipulates the rights and obligations of members, the conditions they must meet, and how to strengthen party-spirit cultivation. Members should strictly follow the requirements of the Party Constitution, maintain the advanced and pure nature of the Party, continuously enhance their abilities and skills, better complete various tasks, demonstrate the good image of Communists, and contribute to the comprehensive promotion of Chinese-path modernization. Combined with the requirements of the Party Constitution and the practice of party-spirit cultivation, the specific paths are as follows:
First, continuously strengthening theoretical study. In the report to the 20th Party Congress, General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized "building a Marxist learning party" and "building a learning society and a learning nation where lifelong learning is pursued by all." These important discourses set forth vital requirements for the whole Party, requesting that all party member cadres enhance their learning abilities and persist in using the Marxist stance, viewpoint, and method to strengthen party-spirit cultivation. This means cadres must examine the past with a historical eye, analyze the present with dialectical thinking, and look to the future with a comprehensive perspective. Every member must deeply study and thoroughly understand the Party's innovative theories and unswervingly follow the Party. Strengthening ideals and convictions, enhancing party-spirit cultivation, and continuously reinforcing the party-spirit awareness of Communists is the sacred duty and mission of every member. The strength or weakness of a Communist's party-spirit is often manifested in whether they value study and the extent to which they do so. Members who love, are good at, and long for learning often have stronger party-spirit. Conversely, those who do not value, dislike, or are not good at learning will find it difficult to enhance their party-spirit. Therefore, one must truly develop the good habits of "treating study as work, and work as study" and "living and learning as long as one lasts." Every member must arm their mind with scientific theory to better shoulder the epochal responsibility of comprehensively building a modern socialist country. "In the final analysis, party-spirit is a matter of stance." Firmness of stance requires fully strengthening the party-spirit education of cadres, and in this regard, the role of Party Schools as the "main front" must be fully utilized. Elevating party-spirit cultivation is a lifelong compulsory course for all Communists. In the New Era's comprehensive and deep advancement of Party building, the highest priority remains conducting party-spirit education and reinforcing the party-spirit cultivation of cadres.
Second, tempering oneself through work practice. Party-spirit cultivation is not only a process of learning but also a process of practice. A Communist's party-spirit cultivation comes from practice. If any member wishes to see their party-spirit effectively forged and significantly improved, they can only achieve this by carrying out social practice and drawing nourishment from it. "Communists must master this scientific theoretical weapon and enter the great practice of building socialism with Chinese characteristics to achieve the unity of knowledge and action." By continuously elevating their party-spirit cultivation and having the courage to take responsibility, they should actively perform practical deeds and solve difficult problems for the masses. By reinforcing their party-spirit cultivation and exercising strict self-discipline, they must consciously abide by Party discipline and national laws, achieving integrity in public office and remaining clean and honest, thereby making due contributions to the cause of the Party and the people. In the practical process of realizing self-value and social value, party member cadres learn skills, improve their abilities, and enhance their party-spirit.
Third, effectively carrying out criticism and self-criticism. By conducting criticism and self-criticism, we can not only effectively regulate intra-Party political life but also reinforce the party-spirit cultivation of members. The party-spirit tempering and cultivation of a Communist is a process of transformation through continuous analysis, inspection, and the dual tools of criticism and self-criticism. "We have the Marxist-Leninist weapon of criticism and self-criticism. We can discard bad styles of work and maintain good ones." To elevate party-spirit cultivation, we must make full use of this scientific method to resolve various internal Party contradictions, earnestly identify our own shortcomings and defects, target the root of the illness with precise treatment, resolutely overcome our own weaknesses, and continuously pursue comprehensive progress and development. In fact, a prominent characteristic of party-spirit cultivation is that it primarily relies on the inner initiative and consciousness of the member, rather than depending on external coercive means or pressures to force a passive transformation. Only by consciously and actively overcoming various shortcomings and deficiencies can one better improve one’s "political judgment, political understanding, and political execution."
II. All-dimensional, multi-measure, and strict requirements: Continuously and deeply strengthening party-spirit cultivation
Since the 18th Party Congress, the Party Central Committee has firmly grasped the requirement of "strengthening party-spirit," clarified a series of basic questions regarding "how to enhance party-spirit" in the New Era, and used a multi-pronged, simultaneous approach to deeply strengthen party-spirit education, persevering in advancing the Great New Project of Party Building in the New Era.
(1) Raising party-spirit cultivation to an unprecedented level of importance
The key to maintaining the advanced and pure nature of the CPC, improving the moral quality of every member, and enhancing the overall image and combat effectiveness of the Party lies in the party-spirit cultivation of the membership. Considering General Secretary Xi Jinping's series of important discourses, it is evident that "strengthening the party-spirit cultivation of all comrades in the Party" has been raised to an unprecedented height of emphasis and attention.
Based on summarizing the innovative practice of the Great New Project of Party Building, General Secretary Xi Jinping has formed a series of important viewpoints, bringing richer epochal connotations to the "learning of the heart" for Communists. He has emphasized many times that for a Communist, elevating party-spirit cultivation is a task that "requires lifelong effort." In January 2020, in his speech at the summary meeting of the "Staying True to Our Original Aspiration and Founding Mission" theme education campaign, the General Secretary pointed out: "A Communist's party-spirit does not increase naturally with the accumulation of years in the Party or the promotion of rank." "Every member must continuously carry out inspection, analysis, and reflection in their ideology and politics, constantly removing impurities, eliminating viruses, and preventing pollution." Only by continuously elevating one's theoretical level, practical ability, and moral cultivation can one better fulfill the mission and responsibilities of a party member; only through continuous learning and elevation can one remain competent in various tasks under complex circumstances and make greater contributions to the Party and the people.
(2) Launching a series of concentrated intra-Party study and education campaigns
Conducting concentrated study and education activities is an important practical form for the CPC to strengthen Marxist education. The century-long history of the CPC fully proves that conducting intra-Party party-spirit education in the form of concentrated education—focusing on reinforcing the party-spirit cultivation of Communists—is a unique feature and significant advantage that distinguishes the CPC from other political parties. Since the 18th Party Congress, the whole Party has conducted eight concentrated intra-Party education campaigns to date. First...
In May 2013, beginning with the educational practice activities concerning the Party’s mass line, the focus was placed on enhancing the Party spirit cultivation of members from the perspective of improving conduct (作风) [3]. This further transformed work styles and brought the relationship between the Party and the masses, as well as between officials and the masses, closer together. In April 2015, to further advance the construction of the Party's conduct, the entire Party carried out "Three Stricts and Three Steads" [4] thematic education. Through concentrated study and education, the Party spirit cultivation of leading officials became even more "strict" and "steadfast." The "Two Studies, One Action" [5] learning and education campaign launched in 2016 took the Party Constitution, Party regulations, and the Series of Speeches as its primary content. The vast majority of Party members, following the standards for qualified members, strove to be exemplary communists, further elevating their Party spirit cultivation. In May 2019, the entire Party conducted concentrated learning and education centered on the theme of "remaining true to our original aspiration and founding mission," resulting in a significant strengthening of cultivation in theory, politics, morality, discipline, and conduct. In 2021, the entire Party launched in-depth study and education on Party history. During this period, Party members and officials systematically enhanced their theoretical, political, and moral cultivation by studying the history of the Communist Party of China. The thematic education on studying and implementing Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, launched in 2023, focused deeply on "strengthening Party spirit," further propelling all members and officials to temper and hone their cultivation. The Party discipline study and education carried out across the entire Party in 2024 further increased the intensity of theoretical study from the dimension of "disciplinary cultivation." For every member to achieve the goals of studying, knowing, understanding, and abiding by discipline, Party organizations must conduct disciplinary education on a regular basis; even more importantly, members themselves must take the initiative and consciousness to develop their capabilities and continuously reinforce their own Party spirit cultivation. The implementation of Party discipline study and education has powerfully driven the vast majority of members to strengthen their self-awareness in observing discipline. In March 2025, the Party Central Committee decided to carry out in-depth study and education on implementing the spirit of the Eight-Point Regulations throughout the Party. This required the entire Party to earnestly study, comprehend, and implement the Eight-Point Regulations and their detailed implementation rules. This was intended to further guide members and officials in tempering their Party spirit, raising their ideological awareness, and narrowing the gap between the Party and the masses, as well as between officials and the masses. It aimed to promote the normalization and long-term effectiveness of conduct construction, reinforce the Party’s advanced nature and purity, and thereby continuously win the trust and support of the people.
Throughout this series of concentrated education programs, members and officials received profound Party spirit education time and again. Practice has proven that concentrated intra-Party educational activities are of vital significance for strengthening the Party spirit tempering of members and officials and serve as the primary channel for Party spirit education. Looking at the course of the Party's 100-plus-year history, it is easy to see that concentrated study and education are primarily realized through a series of thematic education programs within the Party. Meanwhile, routine study and education are mainly achieved through two methods: daily study organized by primary-level Party branches and Party spirit education provided by Party schools.
(III) Simultaneous promotion of rectifying conduct, enforcing discipline, and fighting corruption to resolutely prevent the crossing of the bottom line of Party spirit cultivation
Since the 18th National Congress, under the strong leadership of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, the Party has maintained a zero-tolerance attitude toward corrupt phenomena and behavior. It has resolutely punished key corrupt elements, eradicated "malignant tumors" of corruption at the primary level, and apprehended transnational corrupt personnel. With a determination that "the journey is always ongoing," the Party has comprehensively advanced its self-revolution. Using the Party's self-purification, self-perfection, self-innovation, and self-improvement as its main levers, it has continuously raised the Party spirit cultivation of its members.
First, strictly punishing corrupt elements among the "key few" [6]. "The greater the responsibility and the more important the position of a leading official, the more necessary it is to strengthen supervision." Since the 18th National Congress, the Party Central Committee has clearly recognized that in the anti-corruption struggle, it must firmly grasp the "key few." It is imperative to manage leading officials well and not allow them to be "pulled over" and corrupted into becoming "proxies" for interest groups. A series of "tiger-hunting" anti-corruption actions of unprecedented intensity has dealt severely with the "tigers" (high-ranking corrupt officials) within the Party, effectively eliminating extremely serious internal political risks to the Party and the state. General Secretary Xi Jinping profoundly pointed out: "As the world's largest party, no external force can strike us down; only we can strike ourselves down." General Secretary Xi Jinping also explicitly emphasized: "Only by not seeking private gain can one seek fundamental and great interests, and proceed from the nature and fundamental purpose of the Party." Taking the fundamental interests of the people as the starting and ending point of all work is the source of courage and confidence for our Party to continuously strengthen Party spirit cultivation. It is also the internal reason why the CPC has always emphasized the Party spirit cultivation of all members, continuously growing, strengthening, and moving from victory to victory.
Second, eradicating the malignant tumors of corruption at the primary level. For the masses, "micro-corruption" [7] at the primary level has a more direct impact and is felt more keenly. Since the 18th National Congress, disciplinary inspection and supervision organs at all levels nationwide have focused deeply on people's livelihoods. With a "zero-tolerance" attitude, they have severely investigated and punished various instances of misconduct and corruption at the primary level, clearing away a large number of corrupt "malignant tumors." Consequently, the political ecosystem at the primary level has seen significant improvement. After the 19th National Congress, disciplinary inspection and supervision organs began to focus on rectifying various corrupt acts that directly infringe upon the immediate interests of the masses, emphasizing the investigation and punishment of "flies and ants" (lower-level corrupt officials) at the primary level. Through a series of special investigation actions, various primary-level funds for public welfare and livelihood policies have been properly guaranteed, and the immediate interests of the people have been effectively protected. After the 20th National Congress, a new round of special rectification actions was deployed, achieving new results in anti-corruption work. After more than ten years of persistent and powerful anti-corruption efforts by the Party Central Committee—particularly the high level of importance placed on and the comprehensive advancement of primary-level anti-corruption work—the political ecosystem at the primary level has been significantly purified. This has further united the Party's heart with the people's heart, continuously enhancing the people's sense of gain, happiness, and security, and further consolidating the Party's governing foundation.
Third, apprehending transnational corrupt personnel. The report to the 20th National Congress mentioned the need to "deepen international cooperation against corruption and establish an integrated mechanism for pursuing fugitives, preventing escape, and recovering stolen assets." This fully reflects the CPC's persistent attitude and determination: "No matter where corrupt elements flee, they will be pursued to the end." Based on the concept of a community with a shared future for humanity proposed by the General Secretary, China has actively engaged in dialogue and cooperation with countries and international organizations worldwide. The "circle of friends" for international anti-corruption has expanded, and China has worked with other nations to establish and improve international anti-corruption coordination mechanisms. The number of international cooperation platforms continues to grow, and transnational anti-corruption work is being comprehensively advanced. Under the overall leadership of the Party Central Committee, and with the in-depth implementation of special operations such as "Operation Fox Hunt" and "Operation Sky Net," the deterrent effect of anti-corruption has continued to manifest. A large number of transnational corrupt personnel and individuals involved in "Red Notice" cases have voluntarily turned themselves in or fallen into the net of the law, marking major progress in China’s international anti-corruption efforts.
During the 20th National Congress, leading comrades from the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection attended a press conference and released a set of data: "Since the 18th National Congress, disciplinary inspection and supervision organs nationwide have filed more than 4.648 million cases. Among them, 553 officials managed by the Central Committee were placed under investigation, and over 25,000 bureau-level officials and over 182,000 county-level officials were disciplined." In 2022, data from a public opinion poll organized by the National Bureau of Statistics showed that 97.4% of the masses "expressed satisfaction" with the results of comprehensively and strictly governing the Party, the construction of a clean government, and anti-corruption work—an increase of 22.4 percentage points over 2012. Comprehensively and strictly governing the Party has received firm support and recognition from the people. In February 2025, a total of 11,459 cases of violating the spirit of the Eight-Point Regulations were investigated and punished nationwide, with 15,209 people criticized, educated, or dealt with, including 9,292 who received Party or administrative disciplinary actions. This was the 138th consecutive month of published monthly report data. In the first quarter of 2025, disciplinary inspection and supervision organs nationwide handled 502,000 clues to problems, filed 220,000 cases, and disciplined 185,000 people (including 139,000 given Party disciplinary actions and 60,000 given administrative actions).
(IV) Providing institutional safeguards for strengthening Party spirit cultivation
Since the 18th National Congress, the Party Central Committee has successively formulated and revised a series of intra-Party regulations and documents concerning organizational construction. These provide institutional safeguards for strengthening Party spirit cultivation. The organizational systems for consolidating Party spirit cultivation have become more complete, various regulations and systems have been effectively implemented, and the Party's institutional construction has become more scientific, systematic, and standardized.
First, establishing systems scientifically and systematically. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "To adhere to the principle of Party spirit, the key is to establish rules, speak of rules, and abide by rules. What can be done and what cannot, what should be done this way and what should be done that way, must all be specified clearly." The CPC's intra-Party regulations and systems are not only an important guarantee for making the Party's self-revolution a routine and long-term endeavor but also the strongest support for advancing the Party's self-construction. Since the 18th National Congress, the CPC has combined reality with advancing with the times, continuously improving the system of regulations and rules related to all aspects of enhancing Party spirit cultivation.
Second, strictly and effectively implementing systems. Since the 18th National Congress, our Party has attached great importance to the implementation of systems, taking institutional execution as an important basis and reference for the intra-Party assessment of leading officials. The Party conducts scientific inspections of how officials implement systems while further clarifying responsibilities layer by layer from top to bottom. Strong execution is met with positive incentives, while weak execution results in punishment and accountability. This continuously urges officials to truly transform their awareness of the system into work implementation. The report to the 19th National Congress pointed out the need to "ensure that members and officials know how to revere, maintain a sense of fear, and keep to the bottom line, and get used to working and living under supervision and constraint." General Secretary Xi Jinping has emphasized many times: "We must improve institutional execution, making systems and discipline become 'high-voltage wires' that carry electricity." In short, institutional regulations must be implemented through "establishment" and, even more so, developed through "practice." Against the backdrop of strict institutional execution, the majority of members and officials take the lead by setting an example. Through strict and effective institutional execution across the entire Party, the Party’s self-construction is continuously guided toward greater depth and sustainability.
III. The Comprehensive Elevation of Party Spirit Cultivation for Communists in the New Era
Since the 18th National Congress, the Party Central Committee has taken a multi-pronged and simultaneous approach to strengthen the Party spirit cultivation of its members. The vast majority of members have further mastered theory, tempered their Party spirit, and strengthened their loyalty. Through vivid practical exercises, they have maintained the political character of Communists. The Party spirit cultivation of Communists in the New Era has been comprehensively elevated and renewed.
(I) Theoretical cultivation
In recent years, the vast majority of members and officials, especially young ones, have continuously reinforced their theoretical study amidst the developments of the times. They have deeply strengthened their theoretical cultivation while emphasizing the cultivation of subjective initiative. In the process of theoretical study, their ideals and convictions have become firmer; in the process of social practice, their original aspiration and founding mission have become more robust. They achieve self-cultivation and improvement through daily accumulation and demonstrate responsibility and action through the dialectical unity of knowledge and action. Theoretical cultivation is constantly rising. With the development of the times, theoretical study has increasingly become an essential quality and internal requirement for the growth and progress of officials, and the intensity of theoretical study has increased accordingly. Through systematic theoretical study, the majority of members in the New Era have further deepened their understanding of the Party's innovative theories, strengthened their confidence in the great cause of reform and opening up, and become more hopeful for the bright future of national rejuvenation.
General Secretary Xi Jinping has emphasized the importance of theoretical study for officials on many occasions, requiring them to build a solid foundation in Marxist theory. The political faith of Communists is Marxism. Earnestly studying classic Marxist works is an important prerequisite for officials to improve their theoretical level. Only by calming one's mind and reading the original works thoroughly and solidly, absorbing the essence of the thoughts and theories therein, utilizing the scientific method of Marxism in practical work, and earnestly studying and implementing Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, can one effectively guard against the intrusion of various complex erroneous trends of thought and respond calmly and orderly to intricate situations. Therefore, if a Communist truly wants to study deeply, comprehend fully, and apply well the Marxism of the New Era, they must first improve their theoretical cultivation and build a solid theoretical foundation.
In 2013, at the ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the Central Party School, General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "Our Party has always attached importance to the study of the entire Party, especially leading cadres. This is a successful experience in promoting the development of the cause of the Party and the people." To develop the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics, promote social development, and realize communism, Party members and cadres must possess a high theoretical level. Only then can they acquire unbreakable internal impetus and ideological support, and conquer the various emergencies, difficulties, and dangerous shoals on the road ahead. Scientific theory can guide the development of social practice, but theoretical arming can only be gradually deepened and brought to maturity through the process of full study and practice. By promoting the normalization and institutionalization of the "Two Studies, One Doing" [8] education program, and through study methods such as self-study, centralized study and discussion, theme Party day activities, and the "Three Meetings and One Lesson" [9], political theoretical study is strengthened, closely integrated with actual working conditions, highlighting the cultivation and forging of Party spirit. It is evident that doing a good job in theoretical study has become a necessary path and important foundation for our Party to overcome all difficulties in the New Era.
(2) Political Cultivation
Our Party has always attached great importance to the issue of the Party's political construction, requiring the vast number of Party members and cadres to improve their political standing. In the series of processes of thinking and practice—such as recognizing, analyzing, and solving problems—they must always speak politics with a clear-cut stand. Under the long-term joint efforts of the entire Party, the atmosphere within the Party has continued to improve. Every Party member and cadre can personally feel the changes around them, and intra-Party political life continues to manifest a new outlook. In this atmosphere, confidence in comprehensively and strictly governing the Party is stronger and firmer, and the political cultivation of the vast number of Party members has achieved significant enhancement.
After the 18th National Congress [10], the Party Central Committee has paid more attention to the Party's political construction, resolving to grasp it with great intensity.
"Speaking politics with a clear-cut stand is the fundamental requirement of the Communist Party of China as a Marxist party." This requires Party members and cadres to establish political consciousness and firmly maintain a political stand, especially at critical junctures when facing major issues. Therefore, Party members and cadres should persist in speaking politics at any time and any place. The vast number of Party members and cadres must strengthen their political faith, reinforce political leadership, and improve their political ability. Only by continuously improving the "Three Political Powers" [11] can they constantly overcome various difficulties and obstacles on the road ahead, truly achieving "bright eyes, foresight of events, and swift action."
In October 2016, the Certain Norms Regarding Intra-Party Political Life Under the New Situation was issued, further regulating intra-Party political life. The vast number of Party members and cadres conscientiously studied it, conducted self-examinations, and strictly observed the Party's political discipline and political rules. In October 2017, the 19th National Congress made a series of arrangements and deployments for Party building, among which doing a good job in political construction was the top priority. In October 2022, the report of the 20th National Congress further clarified that all aspects of Party building must be led by the Party's political construction. By regulating intra-Party political life and shaping a healthy political ecosystem and political atmosphere, a favorable environment is provided for the vast number of Party members and cadres to forge high Party spirit. The vast number of Party members and cadres have resolutely implemented the series of important strategic deployments of the Party Central Committee, continuously strengthening their political cultivation, which has been significantly enhanced.
(3) Moral Cultivation
Since the 18th National Congress, General Secretary Xi Jinping's important expositions on moral cultivation have pointed the way for improving the moral character of Party members and cadres and promoting the new great project of Party building in the New Era. With this as a guide, the moral cultivation of the vast number of Party members and cadres has been sublimated in study and practice.
General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: "Cultivating morality requires both high aspirations and a basis in plain reality." Communists must be strict in self-cultivation, be of one heart and mind with the Party, and be loyal to the Party. "Loyalty" is an important yardstick for measuring the moral character of Party members and cadres. General Secretary Xi Jinping requires all Party members to always remain loyal to the Party. He highly admires Jiao Yulu [12] and calls on the vast number of Party members to learn from him—to learn from his good character and conduct. He hopes that the vast number of Party members and cadres can correctly handle the dialectical relationship between "public" and "private," truly achieving all-round improvement in "political morality," "personal private morality," and "ideals and beliefs," thereby continuously strengthening their own Party spirit.
(4) Disciplinary Cultivation
Since the 18th National Congress, the Party Central Committee has exerted effort through both education and institutions to strike directly at accumulated ills and clear away evil influences. General Secretary Xi Jinping has repeatedly emphasized and expounded on the principles of comprehensively and strictly governing the Party. The disciplinary cultivation of the vast number of Party members and cadres has gradually transformed, with strictness becoming the norm, creating a new situation for Party building and giving a new outlook to the style of the Party and government. Comprehensively and strictly governing the Party has become the new normal, and the disciplinary cultivation of Party members and cadres has been continuously improved. This obvious change is visible and felt by the vast number of the people in their daily lives and work. Likewise, under the influence of this transformation, contradictions between Party members and cadres and the masses have also been effectively resolved. A good sense of discipline among Party members and cadres has gradually formed, and their image in the hearts of the people has changed significantly compared to the past.
The disciplinary cultivation of a Party member is the code of conduct that they must observe. "Our Party is a Marxist party organized by revolutionary ideals and iron discipline. Strict discipline is the Party's glorious tradition and unique advantage." The history of the CPC fully demonstrates that strict discipline is the important guarantee and basic prerequisite for ensuring the continuous development and growth of the Party and the continuous advancement of its cause. Therefore, it can be said that disciplinary cultivation is the basic quality and code of conduct that all Communist Party members should possess. With the deepening of the entire Party's understanding of the severe situation involved in comprehensively and strictly governing the Party, the vast number of Party members and cadres have continuously focused on strengthening their own disciplinary cultivation. In Party life, they conscientiously and strictly follow and comply with intra-Party regulations, Party discipline, and democratic centralism. Democratic centralism is our Party's fundamental organizational system. Insisting on the principle of democratic centralism to correctly handle intra-Party affairs helps to increase intra-Party democracy and strengthen intra-Party unity. This further explains that after the 18th National Congress, the Party's discipline construction has been carried out as a matter of course, and the disciplinary cultivation of Party members has become normalized.
(5) Conduct Cultivation
Since the 18th National Congress, the Party Central Committee has attached great importance to the Party's work style construction, continuously improving and transforming conduct from the top down and leading by example. This has set a fine example for the entire Party. Under the influence of the Party Central Committee taking the lead, the conduct cultivation of the entire Party has achieved significant improvement.
General Secretary Xi Jinping profoundly pointed out: "The issue of conduct is, at its root, an issue of Party spirit." An important part of the cultivation of Party spirit for Party members and cadres is to form and continuously maintain a fine style of work. Since the founding of the Party, various unhealthy tendencies within the Party have appeared repeatedly, and work style has faced great challenges. After the 18th National Congress, against the background of comprehensively and strictly governing the Party, improving the conduct of Party members and cadres became an important task of the New Era. First, the Party Central Committee took the Eight-Point Regulations as a landmark breakthrough point for grasping work style construction. Following this, a large number of regulations and systems aimed at transforming conduct were formulated, issued, and effectively implemented. Systems regarding the regulation of "Three Public Expenses" [13], "government procurement," and "official vehicle reform" were all revised, playing a key role in reversing bad conduct. Second, since the 18th National Congress, centralized study and education within the Party have highlighted the characteristic of "grasping the key points" in work style construction. They take "preventing a rebound" as an important task, "normalization" as the direction of advancement, and the "key minority" [14] as the key objects, highly integrating "regular education" with "集中教育" (centralized education). Third, with unity from top to bottom, prominent problems strongly reflected by the masses were vigorously solved. Details determine success or failure. Focus was placed on purifying the atmosphere around the masses, starting from small things, grasping the fine details, and focusing on implementation. Corruption and unhealthy tendencies around the masses were addressed through centralized rectification, clearing out the "fly-type corruption and ant-like embezzlement" [15] around them, and focusing on rectifying problems that damage the Party's image, such as "small officials, huge corruption" and "grassroots rats," effectively protecting the vital interests of the people.
IV. Conclusion
General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "Leading cadres should take the tempering of Party spirit and the improvement of ideological awareness as a lifelong task—study until old, and practice cultivation until old." The cultivation of Party spirit is a "lifelong task" for Communist Party members. Only by grasping the laws of Party spirit cultivation, establishing long-term mechanisms, and achieving overall planning and coordinated advancement can the scientific level of Party spirit cultivation be improved. On the one hand, Party spirit cultivation is a systematic project as well as a long-term project. It is necessary to implement the Party Central Committee's requirements for the Party spirit cultivation of Communists—to be "hard as steel in belief, politics, responsibility, ability, and conduct"—and to continuously improve the systems and measures for Party spirit cultivation, comprehensively strengthening the systematic nature of institutional supply. Party spirit cultivation should be incorporated into the modernization of the national governance system and capacity. At the same time, focus should be placed on stimulating the subjectivity of Party members, transforming the improvement of Party spirit from an "organizational requirement" into a "value pursuit," thereby building a solid spiritual foundation for the Party's long-term governance and providing solid ideological guarantees and organizational support for the development of the cause of the Party and the country. Simultaneously, combined with the "Five Hard-as-Steels" [16] requirement, the exemplary role of the "key minority" should be brought into play to further enhance the political quality and ideological awareness of Party members and cadres from multiple levels, including theoretical study, organizational life, clean government education, and daily supervision and feedback. On the other hand, there is no end to Party spirit cultivation; it must be persisted in over the long term. Party members and cadres must continuously strengthen their Party spirit cultivation, continuously improve their skills and abilities according to the requirements of the principles of Party spirit, and persist in being loyal to the Party and serving the people. By strengthening Party spirit through the tempering of practice and deeply rooting the foundation of faith, the problems of "decoupling between knowledge and action" and "formalism" in Party spirit cultivation can be further solved, and the continuous improvement of Party spirit cultivation can be truly realized.