Dai Lixing: How to further implement the spirit of the eight-point regulation?
In 2012, Socialism with Chinese Characteristics entered the New Era. In response to the phenomenon of "laxity, softness, and weakness" [1] existing within Party building at that time, many people both inside and outside the Party were "deeply anxious" [2] regarding the future and destiny of the Party and the state. To forge iron, one must be strong oneself [3]. To win the trust of the people, the Political Bureau of the Central Committee reviewed and approved the Central Eight-Point Regulations in December 2012. Starting from the areas the masses loathed most deeply and which caused the greatest damage to the Party’s image, this effectively resolved the problem in the New Era where comprehensively and strictly governing the Party felt like "a tiger trying to eat the sky with no place to bite" [4].
"With the placement of the Eight-Point Regulations as a single chess piece, the entire game of Party building came alive" [5]. Through this small point of entry, the Eight-Point Regulations driven a fundamental shift in the landscape of governing the Party, marking a key step in the revolutionary forging of the whole Party. This has fundamentally reversed the situation of laxity, softness, and weakness in Party governance, pushed the comprehensive and strict governance of the Party toward historical and pioneering achievements, and exerted an all-encompassing and deep-seated influence.
Comprehensively and strictly governing the Party is a journey that never ends. The launch of this session of study and education releases a clear signal: that we will consistently implement the spirit of the Central Eight-Point Regulations, resolve new circumstances and problems arising within the Party, and carry through to the end the comprehensive and strict governance of the Party and the building of the Party’s work style.
First, we must resolve new challenges faced in the new stage. This study and education emphasizes prioritizing the education of newly promoted officials, young officials, and officials in key positions. This is because if their study of the "compulsory political course" of the spirit of the Eight-Point Regulations is insufficient, they are easily corrupted; thus, they require strict management and "kind concern" [6] to help them "fasten the first button" [7] correctly.
Second, we must resolve the "new mutations" of work style problems brought about by new technologies. From virtual currency "red envelopes" and bribery through livestreaming "gifts" to the irregular sending and receiving of gifts via electronic gift cards, pickup vouchers, and express delivery, the problems of the Four Winds have donned "cloaks of invisibility" and developed "new mutations." Comprehensively and strictly governing the Party must face these constantly iterating new problems; we cannot "carve a mark on a moving boat to find a lost sword" [8] or remain stagnant. Only by constantly learning and refreshing our knowledge can we better respond to new challenges and solve new problems.
Third, we must resolve the issue of insufficient capacities and methods. Party building must advance with the times and achieve continuous innovation. We must deepen the development and utilization of data resources and promote the deep integration of digital technology into all business areas of comprehensively and strictly governing the Party and of discipline inspection and supervision. For instance, blockchain technology can be used for the full-process traceability of official consumption, and big data can be applied to supervise the use of official vehicles.
(Excerpted and edited from the article "Deeply Carry Out Study and Education on the Spirit of the Central Eight-Point Regulations, Firmly Abandoning the Mentality of Perfunctoriness and Just 'Getting By'" by Dai Lixing) (Unit: Department of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, Institute of Marxism Studies, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences)
Web Editor: Tongxin Source: Pioneer (Xiānfēng), Issue 4, 2025