Conscientiously be a selfless contributor dedicated to benefiting the people

The Research Committee of the Party School of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (National Academy of Governance)

The people are the fundamental force that determines the future and destiny of the Party and the state. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, General Secretary Xi Jinping has issued a series of important expositions on following the mass line of the Party in the New Era, profoundly elucidating our Party's fundamental position, mission, and purpose, and systematically answering the significant, perennially relevant proposition: "Who am I? For whom do I work? On whom do I rely?" At the opening of the training session for young and middle-aged officials at the Central Party School (National Academy of Governance) in the spring semester of 2024, General Secretary Xi Jinping issued an important instruction, emphasizing: "One must consciously be a selfless contributor dedicated to creating well-being for the people, always place the people in the highest position in one's heart, establish and practice a correct outlook on political performance, follow the Party's mass line in the New Era, improve the ability to do mass work, and solve the urgent, difficult, and anxious problems of the masses with heart, emotion, and strength, so as to continuously enhance the people's sense of fulfillment, happiness, and security." General Secretary Xi Jinping has issued a series of important expositions regarding the study and education of establishing and practicing a correct outlook on political performance throughout the Party, pointing out that "the issue of the outlook on political performance is a fundamental issue, concerning the principles of building a party for the public and exercising power for the people," and emphasizing the need to "create achievements that can withstand the test of practice and history, truly benefit the people, and be recognized by the masses." General Secretary Xi Jinping is constantly mindful^[1] of the safety and well-being of the people, and this profound sentiment for the people has become the distinctive background color of all our Party's theory and practice in the New Era. Studying and implementing General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important expositions on following the mass line in the New Era is of vital significance for the broad ranks of Party members and officials to firmly establish a mass viewpoint, take deeper root among and better serve the people, and ensure that decisive progress is made in basically realizing socialist modernization.

Upholding the Mass Line as an Important Heirloom

The mass line is our Party's lifeline and fundamental work line; it is an important heirloom for our Party to maintain its youthful vitality and combat effectiveness. General Secretary Xi Jinping noted: "The people are the root of our Party's life, the foundation of its governance, and the source of its strength." Standing together through thick and thin and sharing life and death with the people, while always maintaining flesh-and-blood ties, is the fundamental guarantee for the Party to overcome all difficulties and risks. The glorious course of the Communist Party of China over more than 100 years is a history of unremitting struggle in which the Party has thought together, stood together, and worked together with the people. From establishing workers' night schools and Peasant Movement Training Institutes to mobilize the masses in a surge of the Great Revolution^[2], to leading the military and people in establishing rural revolutionary base areas, our Party, since its early days, has widely united the people to forge a "true wall of bronze and iron" for the Chinese revolution. During the Yan'an period, the Seventh National Congress of the CPC wrote the fundamental purpose of "serving the people whole-heartedly" into the Party Constitution, establishing the mass line as our Party's "fundamental political line" and "fundamental organizational line." After the founding of New China, the Party united and led hundreds of millions of people to lay the foundations and set the pillars for various aspects of national construction, and established the system of People's Congresses—the fundamental political system ensuring the people are masters of the country—in the form of the state's fundamental law. Following the start of reform and opening up, the Party successively made decisions on major issues such as strengthening ties between the Party and the masses and strengthening the Party's governance capacity, adhering to respecting objective laws and the people’s spirit of initiative, and continuously opening new horizons for reform, opening up, and socialist modernization. Through long-term struggle, the Party has formed the Great Founding Spirit of the Party—which includes "practicing the original aspiration" and "never failing the people"—and has composed magnificent epics of the Party and people being as close as "fish and water," such as the Nanniwan Spirit and the Yimeng Spirit^[3]. History demonstrates that maintaining close ties with the masses is a hallmark that distinguishes the Communist Party of China from other political parties, and is a necessary choice for enhancing the Party's creativity, cohesion, and combat effectiveness, ensuring the Party remains invincible.

"Constantly worrying about the affairs of the common people" reflects General Secretary Xi Jinping’s sincere sentiment toward the people and represents a value persisted in through practice. Drawing on his own experiences, General Secretary Xi Jinping once spoke earnestly: "Planting one's feet on the ground and immersing oneself among the masses makes one feel very grounded and powerful." During his time working in local government, he clearly pointed out: "Do not think that adhering to the mass line is a cliché; many of the problems occurring at the grassroots level today are because mass work has not been prioritized." After the 18th National Congress, General Secretary Xi Jinping personally planned and deployed the "first lesson" of intra-Party concentrated education in the New Era—the Party's Mass Line Education and Practice Activity. Since then, every round of concentrated intra-Party education has included "doing practical things for the masses" as an important component. The CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has listed "putting the people first" as an important historical experience of the CPC’s centenary struggle in the Party’s third historical resolution. It formulated the "Work Plan for Conducting Extensive Research and Projects throughout the Party," emphasizing the need to sincerely listen to the voices of the masses, truly reflect their aspirations, and genuinely care about their hardships. In the New Era, the "Fengqiao Experience"^[4] and the system of "Going Down to the Grassroots at Four Levels"^[5] have been written into central documents multiple times, becoming important work guidelines for the whole Party. Through continuous efforts, the sense of purpose among Party members and officials has been continuously strengthened, and the relationship between the Party and the masses, and between officials and the masses, has become closer, gathering a powerful force for the great cause of building a strong country and national rejuvenation.

Profoundly Grasping that "The Country is its People, and the People are the Country"

The mass viewpoint is the fundamental viewpoint of a Marxist party, and the people’s standpoint is the fundamental political standpoint of the Communist Party of China. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "The country is its people, and the people are the country" and "At all times, we must take the heart of the people as our own heart and the benefit of the world as our own benefit, working unremittingly to enhance the well-being of the people," profoundly elucidating the fundamental question of what the Communist Party of China is and what it aims to do. Marx and Engels pointed out: "The proletarian movement is the self-conscious, independent movement of the immense majority, in the interest of the immense majority." In essence, Marxism is a theory that speaks for the people and on their behalf; this distinct character determine the fundamental value orientation of Communists at a deep level. Simultaneously, the concept that "the people are the foundation of the state" has a long history in Chinese culture. Governing maxims such as "Water can carry a boat, but it can also overturn it"^[6] and "Taking the common people as one's Heaven" remain fresh over time, becoming precious intellectual wealth for the CPC’s governance. "The country is its people, and the people are the country" is an important and original contribution to the Marxist theory of party building, a creative transformation and innovative development of the people-oriented thoughts (minben) in fine traditional Chinese culture, and a major conclusion drawn from our Party’s insistence on the "Two Combinations" to promote theoretical innovation. In a country as large as ours, the "people" are as heavy as Mount Tai. Leading officials must keep in mind that winning the people's hearts is the greatest form of politics. At no time and under no circumstances can our standpoint of sharing a common destiny with the people change, nor can the fundamental purpose of serving the people whole-heartedly be forgotten, or the historical materialist view that the masses are the true heroes be lost.

Our Party comes from the people, was born for the people, and thrives because of the people. Whether in the past, present, or future, it must share weal and woe and a common fate with the people. Facing the question posed by Mr. Huang Yanpei on whether the Party could escape the "historical cycle" [of dynastic rise and fall], Comrade Mao Zedong gave the first answer: let the people supervise the government. Entering the New Era, the Chinese Communists, with Comrade Xi Jinping as their chief representative, gave the second answer: continuously promote the Party’s self-revolution. Both answers require us to rely on the support and help of the masses to solve our own problems. The goal is the same: to ensure that the Party never changes its nature, its conviction, or its character, always stands together with the people through storm and stress, and ensures that the "Red Land" (the socialist state) remains secure forever. As the world's first socialist country, the Soviet Union went from a period of brilliance to failure and disintegration; a key reason was that the CPSU became detached from the people and transformed into a privileged bureaucratic clique that only protected its own interests. The reason our Party has withstood countless risks and tests and achieved world-renowned successes is that it has provided the correct answer to the historical question of rise and fall, and that generations of Chinese Communists have always remembered their original aspiration and founding mission, practicing their rock-solid oaths with resounding actions. Relying on the persistence and efforts of countless Communists, our Party has fulfilled its solemn promises to the people and pushed the cause of the Party and the people forward. On the new journey, only by insisting on placing the people in the highest position in our hearts can our Party win the trust and support of the people forever.

Always Taking the People’s Aspiration for a Better Life as Our Goal

Among all affairs of the family, the state, and the world, letting the people live a happy life is the top priority. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "Our goal is grand yet simple: ultimately, it is to let the common people live better lives." Leading the people to create a better life is our Party's unswerving goal and has been the persistent conviction of General Secretary Xi Jinping, from his early days working at the grassroots to his leadership of China in the New Era. In Liangjiahe, Comrade Xi Jinping took the lead in building dams and silting land to create fertile fields with bare feet, and built the first biogas digester in Shaanxi Province, solving the difficulties of the people in having enough food, fuel for cooking, and electricity for lighting. In Zhengding, he investigated schooling conditions, promoted the renovation of dilapidated school buildings, and improved teacher benefits, so that students could study in peace and teachers could focus on education. In Fujian, he promoted the renovation of shanty towns in Fuzhou, transforming the "Paper Fuzhou"—where houses leaked in the rain and rattled in the wind—into a "Blessed State" (Fuzhou) suitable for living. In Zhejiang, he mapped out the "Double-Eight Strategy" and promoted the "Green Rural Revival Program" (the Thousand Villages Project), allowing the beautiful and peaceful picture of happiness to unfold across the mountains and rivers of Zhejiang. In Shanghai, he visited every district and county to understand the quality of life of the common people, placing great importance on the principal status of the people in urban development. These practices of caring for the people’s livelihoods ^[7], every one of them, are filled with the Party leader's concern and deep affection for the common people, conveying the firm conviction of Communists to "take the heart of the people as our own heart."

What the people hope for is the direction of governance. Since the New Era began, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has accurately judged and grasped the new changes in the principal contradiction in Chinese society, responded to the people’s new expectations for a better life, placed the improvement of people’s well-being in a prominent position, and committed to achieving all-round human development and common prosperity for all. The cause of the Party and the state has continuously achieved new and significant successes, delivering impressive reports on people's livelihoods. Through continuous efforts, China has built the world’s largest education, social security, and medical and health systems. Historical, transformative, and comprehensive changes telah occurred in ecological and environmental protection; good air and beautiful landscapes have become a perceptible part of the people's daily lives. We have promoted judicial justice, carried out special struggles against organized crime and local gangs, and continuously fortified the lines of safety to protect every household. We have led the people in epidemic prevention, flood control, and earthquake relief, protecting people's lives and property to the greatest extent possible. The people's hearts are the scale that measures everything. A 2025 survey report from an authoritative overseas polling agency shows that Chinese citizens' trust in their country continues to rank first among the surveyed countries, while their overall optimism about the future remains the highest in the world. There is no finish line for a better life, only new starting points for continued struggle. Leading officials must keep in mind that letting the people live a happy life is the "top priority of the state" (guo zhi da zhe), and strive to turn the people’s increasingly diverse, multi-level, and multi-faceted needs for a better life into a tangible sense of fulfillment, happiness, and security.

Harnessing the Creative Power of Hundreds of Millions to Advance Chinese-path Modernization

The people are the Party's greatest source of confidence and the fundamental basis for strengthening the Party and the nation. General Secretary Xi Jinping profoundly pointed out: "The masses are not only a vast sea of strength but also a vast sea of wisdom" and "In the comprehensive building of a modern socialist power, the people are the deciding force." Our Party has closely united and relied on the people to achieve one victory after another. On May 1, 1949, when answering Mr. Liu Yazi, who asked, "I didn't expect the [Communist] victory to come so quickly; I don't know what 'clever scheme' Chairman Mao used," Comrade Mao Zedong particularly emphasized that "the support of the people is the greatest clever scheme." After the founding of New China, the masses participated in socialist construction with a strong sense of ownership. On a foundation that was "poor and blank," China established an independent and relatively complete industrial system and national economic system, gathering the surging power of millions of hearts as one for development. Following reform and opening up, the masses dared to explore and take the lead—from exploring the household contract responsibility system to promoting the reform of the rural collective forest tenure system, and from establishing Special Economic Zones to the sudden rise of township and village enterprises—pushing socialist modernization through difficulties and obstacles to continuously achieve new successes.

Since the New Era began, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has persisted in using Chinese-path modernization to build consensus and pool strength, greatly stimulating the enthusiasm, initiative, and creativity of the masses. Our Party has utilized the distinct advantage of "concentrating resources to accomplish great tasks," forming a social poverty alleviation system involving the whole society, and organizing the battle against poverty, creating a miracle in the history of human poverty reduction. From...

From "BeiDou satellite networking" to "Chang’e lunar exploration," from the rapid rise of the "new three" ^[8] export items to the assembly of the "three pearls" ^[9] on the crown of the shipbuilding industry, enterprising industrial workers and scientific researchers have polished the brand of "Made in China" with their wisdom and sweat, catalyzing new quality productive forces. New employment groups, such as delivery couriers and ride-hailing drivers, connect thousands of cities and industries and smooth the ends of supply and demand, becoming co-creators of the people's beautiful life. Relying on the hard work and dedication of hundreds of millions, our country's high-quality development has made continuous progress. The economy has demonstrated strong resilience and vitality, advancing toward new and superior development while pushing forward against pressure. At the same time, the pattern of social governance based on collaboration, participation, and common interests has been continuously consolidated, and the masses have played an irreplaceable role in promoting high-efficiency governance and achieving high-level security. Chinese-path modernization is an unprecedented and pioneering undertaking, as well as the common dream of all sons and daughters of the Chinese nation. On the New Journey, only by further stimulating the people’s spirit of historical initiative can we create an even brighter future.

Implement the Mass Line Throughout All Activities of State Governance

The two characters for "the people" (人民) carry immense weight; they are not only integrated into the blood and soul of Chinese Communists but also forged into our national state system, political system, and all our work. General Secretary Xi Jinping profoundly pointed out: "All governing activities of the Communist Party of China and all governance activities of the People's Republic of China must respect the principal position of the people, respect the people's spirit of initiative, learn from the people as their teachers, and deeply root the growth of political wisdom and the enhancement of the ability to govern the country in the creative practices of the people." Based on a profound grasp of historical experience, since the beginning of the New Era, the Party has consciously followed the major principle of "putting the people above all else" in advancing various major tasks. The "Decision" of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Committee made important arrangements for persisting in and improving the institutional system for the people as masters of the country. The proportion of frontline workers, farmers, and professional and technical personnel among deputies to the People's Congresses at all levels has continued to increase. The system of People's Congresses has become an important form for the Party to fully develop democracy and implement the mass line within the organs of state power.

The establishment of the Social Work Department of the CPC Central Committee, along with social work departments in provincial, municipal, and county-level Party committees, persists in and strengthens the Party's comprehensive leadership over social work. This effectively integrates social work forces, promotes efficient overall planning and coordination, and focuses on promoting the modernization of the social governance system and governance capacity. By improving the "Great United Front" ^[10] work pattern, the solidarity of the patriotic united front in the New Era has continuously expanded, playing an even more important role in strengthening the Party's class foundation and enlarging the Party's mass base. In practice—whether through the extensive solicitation of opinions from the entire society for the drafting of Party Congress reports and the formulation of Five-Year Plans, or through the establishment of primary-level legislative contact points and the "immediate response to complaints" (接诉即办) mechanism to smooth the "last mile" of contacting and serving the masses—the principle of the people as masters of the country runs through the entire process of democratic elections, democratic consultation, democratic decision-making, democratic management, and democratic supervision. This fully demonstrates that our socialist democracy is the most extensive, genuine, and effective democracy for safeguarding the fundamental interests of the people.

Compared to some Western political parties that are keen on using contact with the masses as a campaign strategy, the mass line upheld by the CPC has always been concrete rather than abstract, and substantive rather than formal. In economic construction, we persist in the people-centered development philosophy, ensuring that development is for the people, relies on the people, and its fruits are shared by the people. In political construction, we actively develop whole-process people’s democracy, promote the comprehensive rule of law, and protect the rights and interests of the people according to the law. In cultural construction, we persist in making culture benefit the people, focusing on the prosperity of new mass arts and literature under internet conditions. In social construction, we strengthen the construction of inclusive, basic, and "bottom-line" ^[11] livelihoods, and steadily promote common prosperity. In ecological civilization construction, we regard a good ecological environment as the fairest public product and the most inclusive livelihood welfare, deeply fighting the battles to keep the skies blue, the waters clear, and the soil pollution-free. In Party building, we include mass discipline as one of the Party's "Six Major Disciplines" ^[12] and combine intra-Party supervision with supervision by the people.

The Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee mapped out the blueprint for development during the "15th Five-Year Plan" period (2026–2030), and the "15th Five-Year Plan" Outline made a series of major deployments for strengthening livelihood protections. Whether it is the implementation of the strategy of prioritizing health development and plans to increase the income of urban and rural residents, or the implementation of special actions to boost consumption and projects to improve housing quality, all these fully embody the concepts of "establishing the Party for the public" (立党为公) and "governing for the people" (执政为民). As the backbone of the Party's governance, leading officials should always keep the people in their hearts, shoulder the responsibilities they ought to take, and benefit the local people during their term of office.

Take Conduct Building as an Important Way to Maintain the Blood-and-Flesh Ties Between the Party and the People

The Party’s conduct (作风) is the Party's image; it concerns the support or opposition of the people and the very survival of the Party. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "The core of the issue of conduct is the relationship between the Party and the masses." The historical journey of the CPC's implementation of the mass line clearly marks the developmental trajectory of the step-by-step deepening of conduct building. For over a hundred years—from the "fine conduct of the Soviet Area cadres" to the formation of the Party's "Three Great Styles of Work" ^[13] during the Yan'an period, and from the "Two Musts" ^[14] to the "Three Musts" ^[15]—it is through their genuine perception of the Party's fine conduct that the masses have become firm in listening to the Party and following the Party. Under conditions of long-term governance, because the environment, tasks, and the structure of the Party membership have undergone profound changes, some leading officials have developed problems of distancing themselves from or becoming divorced from the masses, damaging the Party's prestige and image.

Since the beginning of the New Era, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has responded to the expectations of the masses and focused on prominent problems. Starting with the formulation and implementation of the Eight-Point Regulations, they have corrected the "Four Winds" with the "spirit of driving a nail" (钉钉子精神) ^[16], initiating a change in conduct that "clears away the murky and brings in the pure" (激浊扬清). General Secretary Xi Jinping has led by example, setting a benchmark for the whole Party through practical actions. The Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee holds an annual "democratic life meeting" to hear reports on the implementation of the Eight-Point Regulations and to conduct criticism and self-criticism. Leading officials at all levels have earnestly transformed their conduct, continuously strengthening their mass viewpoint and their affinity for the masses—assessing the people's situation, relieving their worries, meeting their needs, and winning their hearts. Through the simultaneous application of "breaking down" (the old) and "establishing" (the new), many unhealthy trends once thought unstoppable have been halted, and some "stubborn ailments" (顽瘴痼疾) difficult to eradicate for years have been cured. The conduct of the Party and the government has taken on a completely new look, gathering powerful positive energy for the development of the Party and the state's cause.

Problems of conduct are recurrent and stubborn, and they are increasingly becoming more hidden; we must focus on the key of maintaining the blood-and-flesh ties between the Party and the masses and fight the "tough battle" and "protracted war" of conduct building. The "15th Five-Year Plan" period places new and higher requirements on the mental state and conduct-image of the broad ranks of cadres. This requires that we must not have the numbing thought of "taking a breath or stopping for a rest" (喘口气、歇歇脚) in our grip on conduct. Even more, we must not hold the erroneous understanding that the Party's self-revolution is only a matter for the Central Committee or the organization and has little to do with oneself. Only by maintaining the focus of "not leaving the saddle and not letting go of the reins" (马不离鞍、缰不松手), unswervingly implementing the spirit of the Eight-Point Regulations, and continuously deepening the rectification of formalism to reduce burdens on the grassroots, can we forge fine conduct with "iron rules" and continue the "fish-and-water sentiment" ^[17] with fine conduct. Leading officials must further transform their work style, take the lead in maintaining close ties with the masses, and win the trust of the people with tangible work results.

Strive to Improve the Ability to Perform Mass Work Under New Circumstances

Doing mass work well is the basic skill of Party members and cadres. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "Mass work is our 'house-keeping skill' (看家本领); our Party started its cause by relying on mass work, and it must likewise rely on mass work to achieve long-term governance." Our Party has always attached importance to strengthening the cultivation of the mass work abilities of Party members and cadres. Comrade Mao Zedong pointed out in Some Questions Concerning Methods of Leadership: "To take the ideas of the masses and concentrate them, then go to the masses and persevere in them, so as to form correct ideas of leadership—such is the basic method of leadership." Comrade Deng Xiaoping said: "Our mass line is not satisfied with mere hustle and bustle; more importantly, it is about doing regular, meticulous work—doing the work of the people. This is work bit by bit, and only when such work is accumulated do we have our great achievements." General Secretary Xi Jinping delivered an important speech at the opening ceremony of the training class for young and middle-aged cadres at the Central Party School (National Academy of Governance) in the autumn semester of 2020, encouraging young cadres to improve "seven types of abilities," including the ability to do mass work; in the report to the 20th CPC National Congress, he emphasized the need to enhance cadres' "ability to serve the masses." In different historical periods, our Party has always put forward clear and specific requirements for improving the mass work skills of leading officials in combination with the needs of the situation and tasks.

Currently, the subjects of mass work are more diverse, the demands of the masses are more varied, and the environment for mass work is more complex. This requires us to deeply study and grasp the new situations and problems of mass work under the New Era and continuously improve corresponding abilities and qualities. The Party's ideological and political work is, in essence, mass work. The Regulations on the Ideological and Political Work of the Communist Party of China formulated by the CPC Central Committee clearly defines the basic methods of ideological and political work from six aspects, including theoretical study and education, the creation of public opinion atmosphere, and the guidance of mainstream values. Developing this outstanding advantage helps to comprehensively enhance the Party's political leadership, ideological guidance, mass organization, and social mobilization. Demonstration and guidance are effective methods for doing mass work well; leading officials should first do what they require the masses to do, and resolutely refrain from doing what they require the masses not to do. By discovering and summarizing advanced models and using the power of examples to inspire and drive the masses, one will naturally win more support from the masses in their work.

Facing the increasing demands of the masses for democracy, the rule of law, fairness, justice, and security, as well as some social contradictions that still exist at the current stage, persisting in and developing the "Fengqiao Experience" ^[18] in the New Era is particularly important. Whether the "forward shifting" of contradiction resolution, the "downward shifting" of the focus of work, and "governance at the source" can be achieved has become an important aspect for testing and improving the mass work level of leading officials. Of course, following the mass line requires "face-to-face" interaction, but also "key-to-key" ^[19] interaction. Making good use of the internet as a new platform for communicating with the masses—a new way to understand, approach, and solve problems for the masses, and a new channel for promoting people’s democracy and accepting people’s supervision—can achieve twice the result with half the effort, making the policies and propositions of the Party and government better approach and serve the masses.

The monuments of history are built by the people; the magnificent chapters of the era are written for the people. General Secretary Xi Jinping's important expositions on following the Party's mass line in the New Era manifest the heart of a devoted son who "will live without self and live up to the people" (我将无我，不负人民), centrally reflecting the unchanging original aspiration and lofty mission of Chinese Communists. Leading officials should deeply study and comprehend the core essence and practical requirements of these important expositions, profoundly grasp the decisive significance of the "Two Establishments," strengthen the "Four Consciousnesses," firm the "Four Confidences," and achieve the "Two Upholds." They should create political achievements for the people and through practical work, striving to achieve a good start for the "15th Five-Year Plan" and courageously taking responsibility for advancing the construction of Chinese-path modernization.