Xi Jinping: Persistently implement the spirit of the central government's eight-point regulation and lead the social and folk customs with a fine Party style
I
The new central collective leadership must establish rules, and these [referring to the Eight-Point Regulations of the Political Bureau of the 18th Central Committee on Improving Work Style and Maintaining Close Ties with the Masses—Ed.] are very important rules. Without rules, nothing can be established [1]. This starts with all of us present; new personnel require new methods. In formulating these rules, the guiding ideology is to set strict requirements, reflecting the principles that the Party must supervise itself and practice comprehensively and strictly governing the Party. The construction of Party style and clean government must start with leading cadres, and leading cadres must start first and foremost with the central leadership. As the saying goes, if one is not upright oneself, how can one correct others? The most important thing is to nip problems in the bud [2] and avoid the "boiling frog" effect. Currently, certain manifestations of formalism, bureaucratism, extravagance, and waste exist across all levels. We cannot remain indifferent, or regard them as "commonplace" and "not worth noticing." Since we are making regulations, we must strive toward stricter standards and mean business. Half-hearted or overly cautious measures are merely hollow slogans; they will not be implemented effectively, and it would be better not to do them at all. To establish rules means to implement matters that already have clear norms, to constrain matters that do not conform to norms, and to standardize matters that lack norms entirely. Rules are meant to act as constraints, so they must be a bit tight. Naturally, being tighter is uncomfortable; it creates a problem of "comfort levels." However, it is precisely by being a bit uncomfortable and a bit uneasy ourselves that the people's comfort level will improve, their satisfaction will increase, and their perception of us will be better. This is what constitutes a new image and a new atmosphere.
(Speech at the meeting of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee on improving work style and maintaining close ties with the masses, December 4, 2012)
II
On December 4, the Political Bureau of the Central Committee deliberated and adopted the Eight-Point Regulations on improving work style and maintaining close ties with the masses. The guiding ideology is to set strict requirements, reflecting the principles that the Party must supervise itself and practice comprehensively and strictly governing the Party, starting with the Political Bureau to improve work style. During the discussion, comrades of the Political Bureau all proposed being stricter. Initially, some draft regulations used the word "generally" (in certain circumstances); everyone said "without exception" would be better. Without a "hard bar" [3], everything eventually becomes an "exception." We have issued a "notice to reassure the public" [4] and made it public. We must rely on everyone’s supervision, which also demonstrates that we mean business and are not just talking. We also hope to lead by example and take the lead from the top down. All regions should, in accordance with the spirit of these regulations and in light of their actual conditions, take forceful measures to improve work style. The entire Party must work together to solve the prominent problems existing in our style of work.
(Speech during an inspection tour in Guangdong, December 7–11, 2012)
III
The task of improving work style is extremely arduous; the Eight-Point Regulations serve as an entry point and a mobilization order. The Eight-Point Regulations are neither the highest standard nor the ultimate goal; they are merely our first step in improving work style and represent the basic requirements we, as Communists, should meet. "He who is good at prohibiting others must first prohibit himself." [5] Leading cadres at all levels must lead by example and set a standard; what is said must be done, and what is promised must be fulfilled. Comrades of the Political Bureau shall start with me. Every word and deed, every movement of leading cadres is seen by the masses and kept in their hearts. If cadres keep the masses in their hearts and immerse themselves in hard work, the masses will praise, support, and follow you; if cadres do not perform practical deeds and indulge in arrogance, luxury, and dissipation, the masses will hate, oppose, and distance themselves from you. Our financial resources have continuously increased, but we must never engage in lavish waste! We must persist in practicing thrift in all undertakings, resolutely oppose ostentation and competition for status, and resolutely resist hedonism and extravagance. Leading cadres at all levels must always keep the safety and well-being of the masses in mind, think more about the people in difficulty and impoverished areas, and do more work that "sends charcoal in the snow" [6] or helps people in their hour of need, rather than wasting effort on "adding flowers to embroidery" [7] or superficial displays. In our socialist country, we must never allow the phenomenon of the old society where "behind the vermilion gates meat and wine go to waste, while out on the road lie the bones of those frozen to death." [8]
(Speech at the Second Plenary Session of the 18th Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, January 22, 2013)
IV
Problems of work style are stubborn and recurring; they improve when gripped firmly but rebound once let loose. Some worry whether the implementation of the Eight-Point Regulations will be like a "passing wind" [9] or degenerate into a mere formality; such concern is not without reason. Whether we can dispel the doubts of the cadres and the masses depends on how we act. Issuing the Eight-Point Regulations is only the beginning, only the "opening of the topic" [10]; much hard work remains. We must grasp this task with the vigor of "leaving a footprint on stone and a mark on iron," following through from beginning to end and seeing it to a successful conclusion. We must prevent a "tiger’s head and a snake’s tail" [11], allow the entire Party and all the people to supervise us, and let the masses continuously see tangible results and changes.
(Speech at the Second Plenary Session of the 18th Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, January 22, 2013)
V
The Central Committee’s proposal to grasp the construction of work style and oppose the Four Winds—formalism, bureaucratism, hedonism, and extravagance—establishes a focal point for building a clean government and an anti-corruption struggle, as well as an entry point for consolidating the mass foundation of the Party’s governance. All comrades in the Party must recognize this issue from such a political height, become ideologically vigilant, keep in mind the "Two Musts," [12] unswervingly transform work style, and unswervingly oppose corruption. We must effectively "leave footprints on stone and marks on iron," continuously winning the trust of the people through new progress and achievements in anti-corruption and clean government, thereby ensuring the prosperity, development, and long-term stability of the Party and the state.
(Speech during the fifth collective study session of the Political Bureau of the 18th Central Committee, April 19, 2013)
VI
I have been pondering a question: for so many years, the Central Committee has frequently spoken of and repeatedly emphasized the "Two Musts," issued many documents, and taken many measures regarding the improvement of work style. Why, then, is there still a significant market for the deviation from the "Two Musts" and the practice of the Four Winds? Why do some people still find pleasure in these unhealthy tendencies? In my view, from a subjective perspective, the main reason is that some comrades have not properly resolved issues regarding their world outlook, outlook on life, and values; they have neither corrected their ideological understanding of the "Two Musts" nor laid a solid ideological foundation for them. From an objective perspective, the main reason is that the policy of "the Party supervising itself and comprehensively and strictly governing the Party" has not been implemented in some places, and in some aspects, Party management has been too broad and too lax.
Regardless of whether the reasons are subjective or objective, the key lies with the leading cadres. If leading cadres do not take the lead in upholding the "Two Musts," and some even take the lead in engaging in the Four Winds, how can we expect others to uphold them? It is always the case: those above act and those below follow [13]; those above lead and those below proceed. Whatever those at the top favor, those below will indulge in even more; whatever those at the top dislike, those below will not do. If the top loosens by an inch, the bottom will loosen by a foot. Therefore, upholding the "Two Musts" must start with leading cadres, who must lead by example.
In this educational practice campaign [14], the Central Committee’s requirement for leading cadres to take the lead is based on this consideration. Since the 18th National Congress, the Political Bureau has taken the lead in improving work style and strictly implementing the Eight-Point Regulations. This is precisely to better uphold the "Two Musts" under new historical conditions and to set an example for the whole Party through practical action. Leading cadres at all levels must respond to the Central Committee’s call and, through "looking in the mirror, straightening one's clothes, taking a bath, and treating one's ailments," [15] effectively resolve prominent problems in work style. They must lead from above, following through level by level, acting as a model for each subsequent level to emulate. In this world, the only thing to fear is the word "earnestness," and the Communist Party is most "earnest." As long as we mean business, there are no problems that cannot be solved. The Central Committee is confident that with the joint efforts of all Party comrades, the Party's work style construction will be successful.
(Speech during an inspection and guidance tour for the Party’s Mass Line Education and Practice Campaign in Hebei, July 11–12, 2013)
VII
Our focus on building work style, in the final analysis, is the hope that cadres at all levels can establish and carry forward a good style—being strict with oneself in self-cultivation, in the exercise of power, and in self-discipline, while also being honest in planning, in starting undertakings, and in one's conduct.
Being "strict in self-cultivation" means strengthening Party spirit, hardening ideals and convictions, elevating moral standing, pursuing noble sentiments, consciously distancing oneself from low-level interests, and consciously resisting unhealthy tendencies. Being "strict in the exercise of power" means persisting in using power for the people, exercising power in accordance with rules and systems, "locking power in the cage of institutions," and never engaging in privilege or seeking personal gain through power at any time. Being "strict in self-discipline" means maintaining a sense of awe, holding a "ruler" [16] in one's hand, being cautious when alone or in small matters, being diligent in self-reflection, abiding by Party discipline and national laws, and achieving integrity in governance.
Being "honest in planning" means planning undertakings and work based on reality, ensuring that ideas, policies, and schemes conform to actual conditions, objective laws, and the scientific spirit—not being overly ambitious or detached from reality. Being "honest in starting undertakings" means being down-to-earth, working hard and earnestly, daring to take responsibility, having the courage to face contradictions directly, being adept at solving problems, and striving to create achievements that can stand the test of practice, the people, and history. Being "honest in conduct" means being loyal and honest to the Party, the organization, the people, and one's comrades; being an honest person, speaking honest words, and doing honest deeds; being open-hearted, fair, and upright.
these "Three Stricts and Three Honests" are the inevitable requirements for cadres at all levels to improve work style. They must be reflected in all aspects of work style construction and in the practical actions of cadres at all levels, first and foremost leading cadres.
(Speech while participating in the deliberation of the Anhui delegation at the Second Session of the 12th National People's Congress, March 9, 2014)
VIII
"Grasping the routine" (抓常) means grasping frequently and seeing it become the norm. Work style construction relies on frequency; it must be grasped constantly. The cultivation of a healthy atmosphere relies on daily education, and the value of work style construction lies in unremitting effort—always according it a proper position and organically integrating it into daily work. This ensures that managing affairs means managing people, and managing people means managing their thoughts and style. Party organizations at all levels and their principal heads must firmly grasp the work style construction of their leadership teams and cadre ranks, frequently analyzing the status of style within these groups and the state of cadre-mass relations in their regions and departments to timely grasp "sprout-like" or "tendency-based" [17] problems and take targeted measures.
We must be adept at integrating work style construction into the Party’s ideological, organizational, anti-corruption, and institutional construction, allowing work style to deepen in step with all aspects of Party building. In promoting economic, political, cultural, social, and ecological civilization construction [18], specific requirements for work style must be implemented, forming a virtuous cycle of "grasping style to promote work" and "using work to strengthen style."
"Grasping the details" (抓细) means grasping deeply and seeing practical moves. Work style construction relies on grasping details; every link must be grasped. When the masses look at work style construction, they primarily look not at how many meetings were held, how many speeches were made, or how many documents were issued, but at what problems were solved. As the saying goes, "The ducks are the first to know when the spring river water warms" [19]—the masses have the deepest sense of whether there has been a change. Why do we focus on seemingly insignificant matters like clubs in scenic areas, gift-giving during festivals, mooncakes, and New Year cards? Why focus on office space, the allocation of official vehicles, and meals during business trips? It is to start from the details and cultivate habits. If we are satisfied with being mediocre or merely "getting by" in our work and undertakings—grasping in a disorganized "muddle-headed" [20] way or trying to "grab the eyebrows and the beard all at once" [21]—then problems will be covered up. Conversely, raising standards and setting strict requirements will naturally reveal gaps and problems. Grasping problems means grasping specifics.
Currently, the problems of style reflected by cadres and the masses, especially at the grassroots, are very specific. We cannot respond to specifics with general principles; we must respond to each one and solve them specifically. At the same time, we must categorize various problems to see if they are isolated or universal, whether they occur at a specific stage or throughout the entire process, and whether they are caused by a single reason or deep-seated, complex reasons. We must look through the surface to see the essence, striving to solve universal problems across the board while solving individual specific issues.
"Grasping the long-term" (抓长) means grasping persistently and seeing long-term results. Work style construction relies on persistence; it must be grasped repeatedly. Both history and reality tell us that building a good work style is not the work of a single day. Problems of style often improve when grasped but loosen when let go, creating a "vicious circle" that is hard to escape. We have been grasping style problems for many years, yet many problems have not only remained unsolved but have intensified. The crux is the lack of long-term consistency—"fishing for three days and drying the nets for two" [22]—being thunderous during concentrated efforts but letting things slide during normal times. Therefore, style problems must be grasped for the long term and grasped persistently; we must hold on tight, persevere, and persist over the long term. We must further resolve the issue at the level of systems and mechanisms to provide a long-term guarantee for work style construction.
(Speech while participating in the special democratic life meeting of the Standing Committee of the Lankao County Party Committee, Henan Province, May 9, 2014)
The issues of the "Four Winds" are stubborn and recurrent; we cannot halt our efforts to rectify them, for the improvement of Party conduct is a journey without end. Formalism and bureaucratism are utterly incompatible with our Party's nature, purpose, and fine traditions; they are the great enemies of our Party and our people. Comrades of the Central Political Bureau must take the lead in establishing a correct outlook on performance [23], always being honest people, speaking honest words, and doing honest deeds, while consciously opposing formalism and bureaucratism. Comrades of the Central Political Bureau must not only take the lead in eschewing formalism and bureaucratism but must also wage a resolute struggle against their various manifestations. We must focus on prominent issues, fully recognize the diversity and mutability of formalism and bureaucratism, and identify their different expressions across different periods, regions, and departments. Closely linking our efforts to concrete realities, we must solve old problems while detecting new ones; address both overt and covert [24] issues; and tackle both superficial and deep-seated problems, until proper conduct becomes a habit and achieves long-term efficacy. (Speech at at the Democratic Life Meeting of the Central Political Bureau, December 25–26, 2017)
X
The issue of conduct is, in essence, an issue of Party spirit [25]. The conduct of leading cadres directly affects the internal atmosphere and political ecosystem of the Party, concerns the support or opposition of the people, and determines the Party’s mass base. If the conduct of leading cadres is not up to standard or sufficiently toughened, the conduct of the Party and the social climate cannot be good. Certain behavioral issues that people have come to regard as commonplace are often precisely the ones that cause fatal damage to the Party’s credibility and image. Conduct is by no means a trivial matter; once it becomes a prevailing trend, the harm is immense. For example, in the period prior to the 18th National Congress, the trend of extravagant eating and drinking among some leading cadres was widespread, sparking significant public resentment. Despite the issuance of many regulations, the practice was not contained, and many people lost confidence as a result. After the 18th National Congress, we resolved to remediate this; it is now under control, and the masses are cheering. By restraining the mouths of some leading cadres, we have won the hearts of countless people. This is an example of a small entry point [26] yielding great results.
The improvement of Party conduct is a journey without end and must be pursued unremittingly. Halfway up Mount Tai, there is a level stretch of road called the "Three Li of Joy" [27]. Some people, tired from the climb, like to rest there. However, the mountain porters [28] generally do not linger there, because if one rests for too long, their legs become "lazy," making the subsequent ascent of the "Eighteen Bends" [29] even more difficult. The same applies to conduct: the more critical the juncture, the less we can afford even the slightest relaxation. So long as we maintain the momentum of "rolling a stone up a hill" and the courage to "climb slopes and cross hurdles," while maintaining our focus, yielding not an inch, and deepening remediation until results are fully realized, we can step-by-step achieve a state of "eliminating evils and purifying the air," and "a calm sea and a clear river." [30] (Speech at the seminar for new members and alternate members of the Central Committee and principal provincial- and ministerial-level leading cadres to study and implement Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and the Guiding Principles of the 19th CPC National Congress, January 5, 2018)
XI
We must persist over the long term in implementing the spirit of the Eight-Point Regulations and maintain the flesh-and-blood ties between the Party and the people. The Eight-Point Regulations are not intended for just five or ten years; they must be upheld for the long term. We must demonstrate perseverance and stamina, continuing to work on consistency and longevity, strictness and pragmatism, and depth and detail, until discipline becomes a habit, results are achieved, and these practices transform into social customs. We must keep a close watch on key dates, pay close attention to new trends and manifestations of hedonism and extravagance, identify risk points where a rebound might occur, and resolutely prevent a resurgence.
In rectifying formalism and bureaucratism, the top leaders [31] must take overall responsibility. We must seriously investigate and punish behaviors that, in the implementation of Central Committee directives, are "deemed important in speech, proclaimed loudly in slogans, but left in neutral gear during action." We must never allow a situation where we "only hear the sound on the stairs but see no one coming down." [32] We must work hard to solve difficult problems through in-depth investigation and research, ensure implementation through pragmatic measures close to reality and the masses, and push work forward through each level of hierarchy, ensuring that the Central Committee's decisions and deployments take root. All regions and departments should summarize and review the effectiveness of implementing the spirit of the Eight-Point Regulations over the past five years, revise their local and departmental implementation measures, and make them public to settle themselves under the supervision of the masses.
Strengthening conduct must focus on the key link of maintaining the flesh-and-blood ties between the Party and the people. The "Four Winds" are merely symptoms; the root cause is a deviation from Party spirit and the abandonment of the Party’s purpose. Many current problems at the primary level exist because some Party members and cadres do not have the masses in their hearts; they do not, will not, or cannot do "mass work." A small number of cadres either ignore the expectations of the masses or do not dare to respond to their demands, remaining in a state of "aphasia" before the people. Leading cadres must eradicate "official-centric" [33] thinking and resolutely oppose the "privilege mentality" and "privilege phenomena." Just as Comrade Mao Zedong said: "The masses choose their leadership tools and their leaders through practice. If the person chosen thinks himself extraordinary and does not consciously act as a tool, but instead thinks 'What a figure I am!', then he is mistaken." These resounding words remain thought-provoking even today.
In December 2012, when the Central Political Bureau met to deliberate on the Eight-Point Regulations, I spoke of a principle: "If we are a little less comfortable and a little less at ease, the comfort levels of the people will be higher, their satisfaction will be greater, and their feeling toward us will be better." The higher the position, the more one must strengthen their mass perspective and sense of being a public servant, respecting the masses ideologically and drawing close to them emotionally, while maintaining a "heart of a newborn" toward the people. We must insist on shifting the focus of work downward, immersing ourselves among the people, and performing mass work face-to-face, heart-to-heart, and in a down-to-earth manner, focusing on solving the prominent problems about which the masses complain most loudly. In all we do, we must put the interests of the masses first; we must treat all issues reflected strongly by the masses with gravity and earnestness, and resolutely correct any behavior that harms the interests of the masses, so as to forever win the trust and support of the people. (Speech at the Second Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, January 11, 2018)
XII
Since the 18th National Congress, we have confronted various problems and malpractices within the Party head-on. By taking the formulation and implementation of the Eight-Point Regulations as our "opening move," we sorted out what to focus on and how to handle conduct-building under the new situation. This has propelled the comprehensive and strict governance of the Party and promoted an improvement in the conduct of the Party, the government, and society. Following the 19th National Congress, in response to new circumstances and problems, we revised the detailed rules for the implementation of the Eight-Point Regulations and continued to carry out their spirit. Comrades of the Central Political Bureau must take the lead in strictly implementing the spirit of the Eight-Point Regulations and at the same time strictly manage the implementation within the regions and departments they oversee. We must focus on prominent problems and keep a close eye on key junctures, making great efforts to solve the "Four Winds" issues. We cannot start with a "tiger’s head and end with a snake’s tail" [34], nor can we create "half-finished projects," and even less can we slide into formalism or just go through the motions. (Speech at the Democratic Life Meeting of the Central Political Bureau, December 25–26, 2018)
XIII
The improvement of conduct concerns whether our Party can govern for the long term and fulfill its governing mission. The Eight-Point Regulations are not for five or ten years; they are long-term, iron-clad rules and hard benchmarks. We must regard the halting of the "Four Winds" as an important way to consolidate the heart of the Party and the people. We must resolutely prevent the emergence of "fatigue syndrome," strike down bad habits like hedonism and extravagance as soon as they rear their heads, and remain constantly vigilant against hidden and mutated new trends of the "Four Winds." We must never allow the embers to flare up again! We must never allow new malpractices to emerge before the old ones are even eliminated! Leading cadres at all levels should lead by example and set the standard for subordinates, leading the masses with good conduct and a good image to strive in unity for the realization of the Two Centenary Goals. (Speech at the Third Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, January 11, 2019)
XIV
We must continuously deepen the work of rectifying the "Four Winds," particularly by making every effort to avoid formalism and bureaucratism. The improvement of conduct is a journey without end; there is no completion date. Although the Central Committee has been emphasizing the Eight-Point Regulations for so long, there are still those who treat it as "wind passing the ear." [35] In particular, the ingrained habits of formalism and bureaucratism in some regions and departments remain difficult to change and have become a serious obstacle to the implementation of the Central Committee's major decisions and deployments. (Speech at the Conference on Party Building in Central and State Organs, July 9, 2019)
XV
Party spirit, Party conduct, and Party discipline are an organic whole: Party spirit is the foundation, conduct is its manifestation, and discipline is the guarantee. In the New Era, the comprehensive and strict governance of the Party began with the implementation of the Eight-Point Regulations. The Central Committee took the lead by example, promoting glorious traditions such as modesty, prudence, and hard work, while cultivating a new atmosphere of seeking truth from facts and integrity. We have put discipline and rules at the forefront, catching small problems early to nip them in the bud, correcting one flaw at a time, breaking through one problem at a time, and persevering year after year. We have resolutely corrected formalism, bureaucratism, hedonism, and extravagance, resolutely eradicated the privilege mentality and privilege-seeking behavior, and resolutely rectified corruption and malpractices that occur right at the people's doorsteps. Through the "revolutionary forging" [36] of comprehensive and strict Party governance in the New Era, the situation of slack discipline and superficial conduct has changed significantly. An atmosphere of genuine, courageous, and long-term strictness has basically taken shape. The conduct of the Party and the government has taken on a completely new look, the social and folk climate has continued to improve, and the Party's image in the hearts of the people has been reshaped. (Speech at the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, January 18, 2022)
XVI
To maintain the line of defense against corruption and degeneration, one must start with small things and minor details. "If a small hole is not patched, a large one will bring suffering." [37] An individual's degeneration often begins with indulgence in eating, drinking, and entertainment. Why did the Central Committee start its efforts to improve Party conduct and build a clean government from the Eight-Point Regulations? It is because the "Four Winds" and corruption are two sides of the same coin, with the former being a breeding ground for the latter. However, despite the Central Committee's repeated injunctions, some individuals remain deaf to them and violate discipline in the face of the wind. The Eight-Point Regulations are iron rules established by the Central Committee; they must not be taken lightly. Some people believe that eating and drinking together is just social etiquette [38] and feel they cannot "brush off the face" [39] of others. What is there to be embarrassed about? Is observing rules and discipline more important, or are social pleasantries? If one cannot even think through this question, what else can they hope to accomplish! I have said that regarding the implementation of the Eight-Point Regulations, the discipline will only become stricter as we go forward. For newly selected young cadres, any violation must be strictly investigated and dealt with without exception; such issues will result in a "one-vote veto" [40], and typical cases must be subject to organizational handling. (Speech at the Opening Ceremony of the Training Course for Young and Middle-Aged Cadres at the Central Party School [National Academy of Governance] during the Spring Semester of 2022, March 1, 2022)
XVII
The issue of Party conduct concerns the very survival of a governing party. We must carry forward the Party's glorious traditions and fine conduct, encouraging Party members and cadres—especially leading cadres—to take the lead in conducting in-depth investigation and research, immersing themselves in doing practical work, devising practical measures, and seeking practical results. We must persist over the long term in implementing the spirit of the Eight-Point Regulations, focusing on the "key few" [41] to lead those below them. We must continuously deepen the rectification of the "Four Winds," focusing on formalism and bureaucratism, and resolutely eradicate the privilege mentality and privilege-seeking behavior. We should grasp the regional, industry-specific, and stage-specific characteristics of conduct-building, deepening remediation by focusing on problems that occur universally and repeatedly, and promoting the normalization and long-term effectiveness of conduct-building. We must comprehensively strengthen the Party's disciplinary building, urging leading cadres—especially senior cadres—to be strict with themselves, take responsibility, and strictly manage their jurisdictions. Any violation of Party discipline must be resolutely investigated and dealt with as soon as it is discovered. We must insist on tackling Party spirit, conduct, and discipline together, consolidating the foundation from an ideological level, improving awareness of Party spirit, enhancing the ability to resist corruption and degeneration, and cultivating a "noble spirit" [42] that "cannot be corrupted by wealth, cannot be moved by poverty, and cannot be bent by force." (Report to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, October 16, 2022)
XVIII
Formalism and bureaucratism are great enemies to the realization of the Party's mission and tasks in the New Era and on the New Journey, and they are chronic maladies within the Party. Some cadres fail to take responsibility or act in implementing the Central Committee's decisions, showing paralysis and laxity; they turn a blind eye to difficulties and contradictions as if they have nothing to do with them, sitting by and watching small issues balloon into large ones, and large ones explode. Some seek quick success and instant benefits [43], exercising power capriciously and acting blindly and recklessly without respecting objective laws, reality, or the needs of the masses; they add extra requirements at every level [44] and set unrealistic high targets, causing major losses to the cause of the Party and the state. Some engage heavily in "low-level red" and "high-level black" [45]—to those above, they practice self-beautification and infinite exaltation, while to those below, they make a mountain out of a molehill and raise issues to the level of high principle. This not only damages the Party's image but also hurts the feelings of the masses and affects the enthusiasm of cadres. We must place the rectification of formalism and bureaucratism in a more prominent position, regarding it as a key task of conduct-building. We should study targeted measures and perform scientifically precise, "target-oriented" remediation, showing genuine grit and seeking practical results. We must start with leading organs and cadres, tracing the root causes back to their awareness of Party spirit, correcting their outlooks on performance and power, and improving evaluation mechanisms and reward-and-punishment systems to resolve cadres’ worries and encourage them to better take up their responsibilities. (Speech at the Second Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, January 11, 2023)
XIX
We must persist over the long term in implementing the spirit of the Eight-Point Regulations. The formulation and implementation of the Eight-Point Regulations was our Party’s act of "moving the pole to establish trust" [46] in the New Era. We must grasp it unremittingly and persist over the long term—if ten years is not enough, then twenty; if twenty is not enough, then thirty—until it truly becomes a social custom, with fine Party conduct leading the way for social and folk customs. (Speech at the Second Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, January 11, 2023)
XX
We must earnestly improve our work style, overcome the chronic ailments of formalism and bureaucratism, continue to reduce burdens on the grassroots, advance the deep-level development of Party conduct and clean government and the anti-corruption struggle, and solidly carry out inspection work [47]. We must consolidate and expand the achievements of the thematic education [48] and deepen education on Party discipline, pushing Party organizations at all levels and the vast number of members and cadres to internalize the Party’s discipline into standards of conduct that are used daily without conscious awareness [49], thereby maintaining the Party's unity and solidarity, and continuously strengthening the Party's creativity, cohesion, and combat effectiveness. (Speech at the Second Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee on July 18, 2024)
Twenty-One We must always maintain zero tolerance, treating the Eight-Point Regulations as iron rules and hard benchmarks. We must seriously investigate and punish violations of discipline that occur in the face of prohibitions, as well as "Four Winds" problems that take on invisible or mutated forms [50]. We must urge Party members and cadres to resolutely oppose Fujing (privileged) mentalities and phenomena, and firmly establish a correct outlook on power, performance, and career. We must always maintain a high-pressure posture in the anti-corruption struggle, focusing efforts on investigating key issues, key sectors, and key individuals, and deepening the practice of investigating both those who receive bribes and those who offer them, so as to resolutely eliminate systemic corruption risks and hidden dangers. We must enhance the effectiveness of using cases to promote reform and governance, push for the improvement of constraints and supervision mechanisms for the allocation and exercise of power, and enrich effective methods for preventing and treating new and hidden forms of corruption. We must persist in integrating the rectification of work style, the enforcement of discipline, and the fight against corruption, using "simultaneous investigation" to severely punish issues where misconduct and corruption are intertwined, and using "simultaneous governance" to eradicate the common roots of misconduct and corruption. (Speech at the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection on January 6, 2025)
Twenty-Two To promote high-quality development, we must unswervingly uphold the Party's leadership and strengthen Party building. The Party Central Committee has decided to launch a campaign of study and education on the deep implementation of the spirit of the Eight-Point Regulations throughout the Party; this is a key task of Party building work this year. Party organizations at all levels must meticulously organize and implement this, pushing members and cadres to strengthen their resolve and develop habits, so as to pool strength and start businesses with an excellent work style. We must persist in addressing Party spirit, Party conduct, and Party discipline together, integrating the rectification of work style, the enforcement of discipline, and the fight against corruption, and working tirelessly to eradicate the soil and conditions that breed corruption. We must carry forward the Long March spirit and the spirit of the Zunyi Conference [51], and walk the Long March of the New Era with a spirited will to fight. (Speech during an inspection tour in Guizhou on March 18, 2025)
Twenty-Three The Party's leadership is the fundamental guarantee for the development of our cause. To judge whether the level of Party leadership and Party building in a locality is high or not, an important aspect is to look at whether the political ecosystem is healthy. Leading cadres at all levels must earnestly fulfill their responsibilities for governing the Party and managing its members, acting with integrity and impartiality, and promoting the continuous purification of the political ecosystem through their own exemplary actions. Party organizations at all levels must strengthen the education and management of members and cadres, seriously investigating and punishing various types of violations of regulations and discipline, so that unhealthy tendencies and perverted atmospheres [52] find no market. The Party Central Committee has already deployed the study and education on the deep implementation of the spirit of the Eight-Point Regulations throughout the Party. Party organizations at all levels and the vast number of members and cadres must consciously increase their sense of responsibility and urgency regarding this study and education. They should link it to the situation and tasks of comprehensively and strictly governing the Party, and to the specific practices of work style construction in their respective localities, departments, and units over these years. This will allow them to further internalize the spirit of the Eight-Point Regulations and their detailed implementation rules, grasp the relevant disciplinary punishment regulations, and lay a solid ideological and political foundation for identifying problems and carrying out concentrated rectification. We must integrate the rectification of work style, the enforcement of discipline, and the fight against corruption, guiding the vast number of members and cadres to consciously abide by regulations and discipline while boldly pursuing their careers and initiatives. (Speech during an inspection tour in Yunnan on March 20, 2025)
*This consists of excerpts from General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important discourses between December 2012 and March 2025 on persisting over the long term in implementing the spirit of the Eight-Point Regulations and leading social and folk customs with an excellent Party conduct. Online Editor: Tong Xin Source: Qiushi, Issue No. 10, 2025