Xu Jun: What a Communist Party Member "Should Look Like"
The “military elite” Guo Rugui was an underground general of our Party who remained embedded within the internal apparatus of the Kuomintang [1] for eighteen years. Yet, because of his “appearance,” he nearly faced exposure. During the Huaihai Campaign [2], Du Yuming revealed to Chiang Kai-shek that Guo Rugui was “incorruptible to an incomprehensible degree”—entirely untouched by lust or greed, to the point that his sofas at home were covered in patches. He noted that Guo’s “words, deeds, and style of work are very much like those of a Communist Party member.”
This was no isolated case. The historian Fan Wenlan was also a secret Party member and was once arrested on “susicion of being a Communist.” Jiang Menglin, the President of Peking University, sought clemency from Chen Guofu, stating that Fan had “always been an upright person, cherished his students, and lived a life of hardship and plain living.” Chen Guofu, however, replied: “That point alone is sufficient to prove Fan Wenlan is a Communist Party member.”
Evidently, members of the Communist Party possess a certain “way they ought to be.”
What is this “way they ought to be”?
It is the flame of ideals and convictions which, once lit, is never extinguished. Yang Jingyu, Zhao Shangzhi, Zuo Quan, Peng Xuefeng… during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, countless Communist Party members acted “to preserve the upright spirit for heaven and earth, and to complete their personal character” [3], using their flesh and blood to brace the iron-willed backbone of the Chinese nation. It is precisely because of firm ideals and convictions that one can be recognized in ordinary times, stand forth at critical moments, and risk everything in times of crisis.
It is taking the people’s aspiration for a better life as the goal of one’s struggle. Huang Wenxiu utilized education to leave the deep mountains, yet returned to them without hesitation to help her fellow villagers escape poverty; Zhang Geimei remained rooted in the border regions for decades, even when burdened by illness, dedicating herself to the cause of education as she always had. On the practical, fertile soil of the New Era, such Communist Party members are too numerous to count. They consistently strive to improve the people’s wellbeing, forging the solid governing foundation of our Party.
It is manifesting great virtue, abiding by public virtue, and strictly observing private virtue [4], “governing through virtue.” Yang Shanzhou paid his own meal expenses when visiting the countryside or traveling for work, and never used official vehicles for private matters; Yang Yegong consistently maintained integrity and self-discipline, hanging the sign “No Entry with Gifts” above his lintel. “The way of governance begins with self-cultivation.” Countless Communist Party members take the cultivation of Party spirit as a lifelong task, repeatedly tempering and sublimating it through continuous practice. By remaining incorruptible and dedicated throughout their lives, they polish the political character of our Party.
Members of the Communist Party of China stand among the broadest masses of the people and possess the “way a Chinese person ought to be”: loving life, working diligently, being sincere and simple, and valuing loyalty and righteousness. They integrate the “lesser self” into the “greater self,” working alongside hundreds of millions of people to stay grounded and struggle unceasingly for a better life and national prosperity.
Yet they are also “uncommon,” using the “lesser self” to achieve the “greater self”: playing a vanguard and exemplary role in production, work, and study; standing forth and fearing no sacrifice to protect the interests of the state and the people in the face of difficulty and danger; daring to venture into “no-man’s land” and being the “first to eat the crab” [5], opening new horizons for national development through tenacious struggle.
The Communist Party of China is the largest political party in the world; to be large, it must have the “look of greatness.” This look of greatness is manifested in the “way they ought to be” of every individual Communist Party member.
Since March of this year, the entire Party has solidly carried out study and education to thoroughly implement the spirit of the central Eight-Point Regulations. The broad ranks of Party members and cadres have generally undergone a concentrated period of ideological tempering, the honing of Party spirit, and political experience. They have generally re-recognized, deepened, and acted upon the Party’s self-revolution, resulting in a holistic improvement in the Party’s work style. Many among the masses have remarked that they have seen the most serious-minded attitude of Communists and the “way a Communist ought to be.”
When members have the proper appearance, the Party has strength. Advancing the normalization and long-term efficacy of work-style construction is the enduring guarantee for members to maintain the “way they ought to be.” Faced with a complex and changing internal and external environment and the arduous tasks of reform and development, Party members and cadres must continuously temper their Party spirit. By adhering to the principle of “living, learning, and cultivating oneself until old age,” they can gather the majestic force to advance the great cause of building a strong nation and national rejuvenation while upholding their original aspiration and winning the hearts of the people.
Strength originates from work style. Persevering in the improvement of work style is also the “way every member ought to be.” By letting the lamp of faith burn bright and continuously strengthening the consciousness of our purpose and responsibility, every member will better embody the proper appearance, our Party will have the look of greatness, and our country will be full of strength!