Tian Yuqi and Zhang Zhenyan: Grasping the Dialectics of "Action" and "Inaction"
General Secretary Xi Jinping, while addressing the opening of a study session for principal officials at the provincial and ministerial levels focused on implementing the spirit of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, emphasized: "Whatever ought to be done must be done; whatever can be done must be pursued with diligence; and whatever should not be done must resolutely be avoided." This important discourse profoundly elucidates the core essence and behavioral boundaries of party members and cadres in fulfilling their duties. It represents a vivid application of the Marxist standpoint, viewpoint, and method in the endeavor of building a career and undertaking tasks, providing a powerful ideological guide and a code of action for party members and cadres to strictly abide by discipline and regulations and to possess the courage to take responsibility and act.
"Whatever ought to be done must be done" reflects a political commitment to being conscientious in one's duties and having the courage to take responsibility. So-called "ought to be done" refers to those fundamental tasks within the scope of statutory duties that concern the overall development of the cause of the Party and the state, as well as the fundamental interests of the masses. In evaluating a party member or cadre, a crucial criterion is whether their sense of responsibility is sufficient and whether their spirit of taking initiative is robust. Promoting high-quality development, securing the bottom line of people's livelihoods, and strengthening the construction of ecological civilization are all "matters of national significance" [1] that must be firmly grasped and pursued with full effort at present. We must fulfill the duties and missions entrusted by the Party and the people with a sense of responsibility defined by "always feeling a sense of lingering concern" [2]. Any hesitation or perfunctory performance regarding things that "ought to be done" constitutes irresponsibility toward the cause of the Party and the people.
"Whatever can be done must be pursued with diligence" manifests a pioneering spirit and a striving for excellence. This sets higher requirements for work standards and effectiveness on the basis of fulfilling basic duties. So-called "can be done" refers to areas of work and tasks where structures can be optimized and potential enhanced within the framework of policies, laws, and regulations, provided objective conditions allow. For example, in optimizing the business environment, tackling "bottleneck" [3] technical problems, and improving the level of digital governance, there is vast space for what "can be done." Party members and cadres cannot be satisfied with work that is merely "passable" or "good enough"; instead, they should uphold an enterprising spirit of "jumping to pluck the peach" [4], pursuing the "better" and "optimal" within the range of what "can be done," broadening the space for development, enhancing work efficiency, and making every effort to seize opportunities and promote innovative breakthroughs.
"Whatever should not be done must resolutely be avoided" demarcates a boundary of power characterized by knowing when to stop and maintaining integrity. So-called "should not be done" refers both to "arbitrary actions" [5] that violate the laws of development, exceed the current stage of development, or harm the interests of the masses—such as blindly accumulating debt for "vanity projects" [6] or "prestige projects" [7], or trading environmental sacrifice for economic growth—and to acts that violate Party discipline and state law, involve the abuse of power, or seek personal gain through power. Power is a double-edged sword: used well, it serves the public and the people; used with abandon, it harms oneself and others. Party members and cadres must respect objective laws, stand in awe of the people, and place the word "public" [8] at the forefront of their conduct and work. Only by starting from the "public" interest can one calibrate their view of political achievements and their view of power, truly using the power in their hands to perform good and practical deeds for the people.
The "doing" and the "not doing" form an organic whole. "Must do" ensures that the decision-making and deployments of the Party Central Committee are implemented to the letter; "pursue with diligence" transforms development possibilities into realistic advantages; "resolutely avoid" maintains the bottom-line requirements for performing duties. The three reflect a high degree of unity between principle, initiative, and discipline. "Not doing" is by no means "lying flat" [9]; rather, it is for the purpose of "doing" better. Prudent "not doing" is for the sake of more scientific and sustainable "doing." We must resolutely oppose "reckless actions" conducted under the banner of "active participation," as such behavior not only wastes precious human, material, and financial resources but also harms the political ecosystem and the development environment.
How can one better grasp the dialectics of "doing" and "not doing"? The key lies in "accurately grasping policy boundaries and scales." On one hand, it is necessary to comprehensively, profoundly, and accurately understand and grasp the strategic intent and decision-making deployments of the Party Central Committee, constantly paying attention to what the Central Committee is concerned with and emphasizing, and consciously positioning oneself within the overall situation and acting according to the big picture to ensure that the direction of "doing" does not deviate and the position of "not doing" remains firm. On the other hand, it is necessary to strengthen investigation and research, keep one's feet on the ground, and gain a thorough understanding of actual conditions and the expectations of the masses, so that various decisions and measures conform to objective laws and people's expectations, avoiding subjective assertions and blind decision-making. Grasping "doing" and "not doing" tests both political wisdom and professional knowledge and execution capability. It is necessary to strengthen the study of knowledge in fields such as economy, politics, law, science and technology, and culture, and to improve the ability to use professional thinking and professional methods to analyze and solve problems, making "doing" powerful and effective and "not doing" well-founded and justified.
True achievement is active participation built on the foundation of scientific decision-making and compliance with regulations and discipline. We must organically unify the firmness of "must do," the initiative of "pursue with diligence," and the consciousness of "resolutely avoid" throughout the entire process of performing duties, maintaining strategic resolve amidst complex situations, mastering work initiative before risks and challenges, and creating solid achievements in the service of the people.