Chen Hexiang: The "Backbone" is a Distinct Footnote to a Correct Outlook on Political Performance
The perspective on achievements [1] serves as a mirror; it not only reflects the cultivation of a leading official’s Party spirit but, more importantly, determines their weight in the hearts of the masses. General Secretary Xi Jinping has profoundly noted: "When facing difficulties in work, one must possess the momentum of 'knowing full well there are tigers in the mountain, yet deliberately heading toward the tiger-infested mountain' [2]. One must actively seek specific strategies to overcome difficulties, be ready to risk everything [3], and step up to the plate, truly becoming a 'mainstay' [4] who leads the people through risks and crises." The term "mainstay" (zhǔxīngǔ) carries immense weight. This status is not conferred by an official position, nor is it self-appointed; rather, it is forged through the crucible of repeated risks and trials. Establishing and practicing a correct perspective on achievements requires that leading officials not merely "mind the shop" during calm seas, but serve as figures whom the masses can trust and rely upon when the winds are high and the waves are rough.
Being "ready to risk everything" depends on a pioneering spirit. The masses regard a leading official as a mainstay not because of the loftiness of their rank or the eloquence of their rhetoric, but because of whether they dare to charge forward when facing risks, whether they can withstand the pressure of difficult problems, and whether they truly take to heart the urgent concerns and hardships of the people. This ability to "risk everything" at a critical juncture is more persuasive than any public declaration. In reality, a small number of leading officials harbor the mentality that "so long as no trouble occurs, I would rather do nothing," walking around difficult problems and sidestepping risks. In their view, "not making a decision" means avoiding decision-making errors; "doing nothing" means avoiding mistakes; and "not sticking one's head out" means avoiding being held accountable. This logic deviates from the core essence of a correct perspective on achievements. If a locale’s development shows no signs of improvement and the people’s "urgent, difficult, and anxious" concerns [5] are ignored, then the more "stable" such a "peace-time official" [6] remains in their post, the lower the masses' level of trust becomes. As a mainstay, one must step forward at critical moments, daring to make the final call and being willing to take responsibility, thereby giving the masses peace of mind. True achievements are never attained through "defense," but are "pioneered" amidst turbulent waves.
"Stepping up to the plate" relies on competence. Currently, the weight of the tasks for reform, development, and stability—along with the number of contradictions, risks, and challenges—is unprecedented. Having the courage to "head toward the tiger-infested mountain" is insufficient; one must also possess the ability to recognize the "tiger" and the strategies to break the deadlock. True responsibility is not a matter of acting blindly or recklessly; it requires deep investigation and research, substantive countermeasures, and precise solutions. The reason Jiao Yulu [7] was able to become the mainstay of the people of Lankao was not because he shouted slogans, but because he endured physical illness to travel to over 100 production teams across the county, mapping out the true extent of the "three evils" [8] and devising specific methods for governance, thus becoming a model of "stepping up to the plate." In contrast, a small number of leading officials do not lack for vocal declarations, but lack the footprints of going deep into the front lines. Consequently, "risking everything" turns into "reckless action," and "stepping up to the plate" turns into "causing more trouble." "Stepping up" is not a display of "foolhardy courage," but relies on the true skills developed through persisting over the long term.
Leading the masses is a matter of gathering their hearts. No matter how strong an individual is, they cannot surpass the strength of "the collective will as a fortress." A mainstay is by no means a "lone hero," but is the core force that solidifies the hearts of the people. The wisdom and strength of the masses are infinite. Only by immersing oneself in the front lines and "sitting on the same bench" with the masses—to truly hear, see, and inquire—can one transform the "golden ideas" of the masses into "golden keys" for solving difficult problems. In reality, some leading officials have a misunderstanding of what it means to be a "mainstay." Some attempt to "handle everything under heaven" alone, resulting in a situation where the officials are working while the masses are merely watching, unable to twist into a single rope. Others are accustomed to issuing orders, turning "leading" into "commanding," which the masses do not accept. To move the masses from "I am required to do this" to "I want to do this," the key lies in the official taking the lead. Shouting oneself hoarse is not as effective as rolling up one's sleeves; if the leading official charges at the front, the masses will naturally follow. What the masses require is not a "momentary hero" but an "ever-present" reliance. A leading official is a leader, but leading is not commanding, and certainly not monopolizing all tasks. At critical moments, "risking everything" is an act of responsibility; in ordinary times, "stooping down" [9] to listen is the real skill. A true mainstay must be able to hold their ground independently while also being able to converge collective forces, allowing the masses to see hope, receive tangible benefits, and "taste the sweetness." Only when the officials and the masses are of one heart can "their sharpness cut through gold" [10].
The hearts of the people are the greatest form of politics. For the masses to treat a leading official as a mainstay is an act of trust, but even more so, it is a heavy responsibility. Being "ready to risk everything and step up to the plate" is a vivid footnote to a correct perspective on achievements. It requires long-term tempering of one's Party spirit and demands that leading officials always place the people in the highest position in their hearts. They must discard the comfort of being a "peace-time official" and the craftiness of "personal calculations," neither shirking responsibility, retreating before challenges, nor avoiding difficulties. Leading officials at all levels must be ready to risk everything to shoulder responsibility, step up to the plate to solve difficult problems, and stoop down to gather the hearts of the people, truly becoming mainstays who are trusted, relied upon, and indispensable to the masses.