Xiao Xinjian, Li Yuju, and Deng Yongbo: Establishing and Practicing a Correct Outlook on Political Achievements
The outlook on political achievements is the manifestation of a Party member or cadre’s worldview, outlook on life, and values—as well as their views on power, status, interests, and career—within their work and endeavors. A correct outlook on political achievements constitutes the virtue of governance, the way of administration, and the essentials of exercising power. Establishing and practicing a correct outlook on political achievements concerns the overall development of the cause of the Party and the state, the vital interests of the people, and the progress of Chinese-path modernization. Since the 18th CPC National Congress, General Secretary Xi Jinping has delivered a series of important expositions on establishing and practicing a correct outlook on political achievements. He has scientifically answered major questions such as for whom achievements are made, what kind of achievements should be sought, and how to achieve them. These insights have pointed the way forward and provided a fundamental compliance for Party members and cadres to perform their duties and start businesses. The Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee proposed to "establish and practice a correct outlook on political achievements, and improve work mechanisms for effectively preventing and rectifying deviations in the outlook on political achievements. Implement the 'three distinctions' [1] to motivate cadres to be pioneering, enterprising, and proactive in their work." On the New Journey, the vast number of Party members and cadres must unremittingly use Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era to solidify their souls and forge their minds. They must firmly establish and practice a correct outlook on political achievements, taking loyalty to the Party, sharing the Party's concerns, fulfilling duties for the Party, and benefiting the people as their fundamental political responsibility, creating achievements worthy of the Party, the people, and the era.
1. Firmly establish an outlook on political achievements that benefits the people
General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out, "Communists must keep in mind that benefiting the people is the greatest political achievement." He emphasized that they should "consciously be selfless contributors dedicated to benefiting the people, always place the people in the highest position in their hearts, establish and practice a correct outlook on political achievements, follow the Party's mass line in the New Era, improve their ability to do mass work, and solve the urgent, difficult, and anxious problems [2] of the masses with heart, emotion, and strength, continuously enhancing the people's sense of fulfillment, happiness, and security." These important expositions profoundly clarify "for whom political achievements are made," requiring the vast number of Party members and cadres to always prioritize the fundamental interests of the broadest masses of people under any circumstances and at any time, and consciously use the fundamental interests of the broadest masses to test their own work and achievements.
Upholding the people's standpoint and adhering to the people-centered development philosophy are the fundamental hallmarks that distinguish a Marxist party from all other political parties. For Communists, the people are always the core of a correct outlook on political achievements and the source of value for all endeavors. For Party members and cadres to establish and practice a correct outlook on political achievements, they must remember that "the country is its people; the people are the country. As the Party has fought to take the state and governs it, it is all for the sake of the people's support" [3]. They must always regard benefiting the people as the greatest achievement, doing more things that the masses urgently need, more things from which the masses benefit, and more things that lay a foundation for long-term interests, consciously acting as selfless devotees for the people.
Since the dawn of the New Era, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has united and led the whole Party and the people of all ethnic groups in the country, always adhering to a people-centered approach. They have won the battle against poverty, historically resolving the problem of absolute poverty, and built the world's largest education, social security, and medical and health systems. Economic strength, scientific and technological strength, and comprehensive national strength have leapt to new heights. These substantial and tangible achievements in people's livelihood have won the high recognition and heartfelt support of the masses for the cause of the Party and the state. Currently, China is in a critical period of comprehensively promoting the construction of a strong country and the great cause of national rejuvenation through Chinese-path modernization. We must highlight the value orientation of benefiting the people in reforms, taking it as the starting point and the ultimate goal of a correct outlook on political achievements.
In planning and promoting work, we must adhere to the people-centered development philosophy, catch the pulse of the people, respond to their concerns, and reflect their wishes. We must remain true to our original aspiration, be honest in performing official duties, and identify the pressure points and breakthroughs for reform from the urgent, difficult, and anxious problems of the ordinary people. We should introduce more reform measures that meet the needs of people's livelihoods and the aspirations of the people, solving practical matters of concern such as income distribution, employment, education, social security, elderly and childcare, medical and health services, and housing security. We must continue to deepen the rectification of formalism to reduce burdens at the grassroots level [4], continuously improve leadership and work styles, and ensure that the masses see changes and receive tangible benefits, better sharing the fruits of development.
2. Thoroughly, accurately, and comprehensively implement the New Development Philosophy
The outlook on political achievements is closely linked to the outlook on development. Development is the key to achieving people's happiness, and high-quality development is the primary task of building a modern socialist country in all respects. The New Development Philosophy and high-quality development are inherently unified; high-quality development is the development that embodies the New Development Philosophy. Persisting in high-quality development is an important component for leading cadres to establish and practice a correct outlook on political achievements. To do so, one must remember that high-quality development is the "hard truth" [5] of the New Era and thoroughly, accurately, and comprehensively implement the New Development Philosophy.
On one hand, it is necessary to be grounded in reality, look to the long term, and lay a solid foundation. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "Leading cadres at all levels must have the realm of 'success does not have to be attributed to me' [6] and the responsibility of 'I must contribute to the success.' They should not engage in 'vanity projects' [7] for quick success and instant benefits, but rather do more things that are meritorious in the present, conducive to the long term, and beneficial to future generations." "Success does not have to be attributed to me" does not mean being passive, slack, or inactive. Rather, it means both doing practical things that are visible and tangible to the people and doing good things that pave the way, lay a foundation, and benefit the long term. It means performing both "conspicuous merits" and "latent merits," disregarding personal fame and pursuing the good reputation of the masses and the true evaluation that comes after historical accumulation.
On the other hand, we must "act according to local conditions and implement classified policies." General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: "Firmly establish a correct outlook on political achievements, adhere to a problem-oriented approach, seek truth from facts, act according to local conditions, emphasize practical work, perform practical deeds, and strive for practical results." This requires all regions to combine their actual situations, adapt to local conditions, promote strengths while bypassing weaknesses, and find a path of high-quality development suited to their specific realities.
Since the New Era began, the New Development Philosophy has become deeply rooted in the hearts of the people, and positive factors promoting high-quality development have increased daily. Implementing the New Development Philosophy and promoting high-quality development serves as the "baton" [8] for leading cadres at all levels in their endeavors now and for a period to come. Leading cadres must seek truth from facts and be pragmatic; there must be no superficiality. They must base themselves on local realities, explore development paths that fit local characteristics, and avoid blindly following trends or using a "one-size-fits-all" approach. In specific work, they should adhere to a problem-oriented approach and a systems perspective, correctly handling the relationship between speed and efficiency, and between development and security. They should effectively resolve the problem of unbalanced and inadequate development, focusing on improving the quality and efficiency of development. By combining local resource endowments, industrial bases, and scientific research conditions, they should further define their positioning, tap into advantages, identify shortfalls, strengthen forecasting, and selectively promote the development of new industries, new models, and new growth drivers to achieve high-quality development. Keeping in mind that integrity is a blessing while greed is a curse, they should always use the New Development Philosophy to examine and measure political achievements, closely integrating high-quality development with meeting the people's needs for a better life.
3. Strengthen responsibility and accountability, and enhance capabilities and skills
Having the courage to take responsibility and being good at taking action are essential qualities for a good cadre and necessary conditions for starting a business. Real results come from solid work. We must establish an orientation that emphasizes practical work and practical results, pushing cadres to establish a correct outlook on political achievements, carry forward the "spirit of the nail" [9], and do their work with their feet on the ground. The vast number of Party members and cadres must remember that "achievements are all made through work; only through real work can real achievements be produced." They must always take seeking truth from facts and doing solid work as their conscious pursuit.
First, they must stress politics and look at the big picture. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: "When leading cadres think about problems and make decisions, they must have the 'top priorities of the nation' [10] in mind. They should look at the big picture and calculate the 'big accounts' rather than small personal ones. They must be good at integrating the work of their regions and departments into the 'great chessboard' of the cause of the Party and the state, striving to both bring glory to their locale and add luster to the overall situation." Second, they must act according to objective laws. "Development must be scientific development that follows economic laws, sustainable development that follows natural laws, and inclusive development that follows social laws." Party members and cadres should improve their ability to see through phenomena to the essence, deeply grasping economic, social, and natural laws to make their leadership of economic work more conscious and effective. Third, they must perform all tasks according to the law. The socialist market economy is essentially an economy under the rule of law. "The effectiveness of the construction of the rule of law should be taken as an important part of measuring the work performance of leading groups and cadres at all levels, and whether they can abide by the law and act according to the law should be taken as an important basis for evaluating cadres." Fourth, they must fulfill their responsibilities with the "spirit of the nail," "leaving a mark in the iron and a footprint in the stone" [11], moving forward steadily and surely, and continuously opening up new work situations by resolving difficult problems.
Since the New Era, General Secretary Xi Jinping has persisted in using Marxist stances, viewpoints, and methods. He has not only deployed the task of "crossing the river" but also guided the solution to the problem of "the bridge or the boat" [12], setting an example for us to understand, analyze, and solve problems. The vast number of Party members and cadres must have the courage and responsibility to dare to be the first and dare to struggle, improve their political standing, enhance their professional capabilities, strengthen their awareness of the rule of law, and reinforce their sense of responsibility. They should organically unify the improvement of understanding, the change of style, and the creation of practical achievements, adhering to "drawing one blueprint to the end" [13] to ensure that the Party's line, principles, and policies are effectively implemented. In grasping economic development, one must recognize, respect, and comply with laws, maintain historical patience when formulating long-term plans, undergo repeated research and demonstration, and make moves only after the plan is decided. Once the target tasks are set, they must be implemented unswervingly, swiftly, pragmatically, and with the courage to act.
4. Guide Party members and cadres with a correct orientation to establish and practice a correct outlook on political achievements
As the backbone and core force of the Party's cause, the vast number of Party members and cadres must establish and practice a correct outlook on political achievements. They must remember that one must be capable to hold a position, and even more so, one must be active when in that position. They must seek truth from facts, persevere in promoting reforms, create more achievements through taking responsibility, and demonstrate their capability and level through practical results in further comprehensively deepening reform.
First, strengthen theoretical arming and improve Party spirit [14]. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "In establishing and practicing a correct outlook on political achievements, the decisive factor is Party spirit. Only with a strong Party spirit and the discarding of selfish thoughts can we ensure that the outlook on political achievements does not deviate." Second, improve the performance appraisal system. "We must improve the performance appraisal methods for promoting high-quality development, giving full play to their role as a 'baton,' and pushing leading groups at all levels to earnestly practice a correct outlook on political achievements and effectively form a correct work orientation. Establish a cadre evaluation system that meets the requirements of the New Era and the new stage." Third, improve mechanisms for standardized supervision, error correction, and accountability. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: "We must keep a close eye on every link in the operation of public power, and improve prevention mechanisms for timely discovery of problems and correction mechanisms for accurate rectification of deviations."
Finally, implement the "three distinctions." General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "We must distinguish between errors and mistakes made by cadres due to a lack of experience or 'pilot testing' in the process of promoting reform, and violations of discipline and law committed knowingly; distinguish between errors and mistakes in exploratory experiments where the higher authorities have no explicit restrictions, and violations of discipline and law where people persisted in their own way after explicit prohibitions; distinguish between unintentional negligence for the sake of promoting development, and violations of discipline and law for the sake of seeking personal gain. We should protect those cadres who have an upright style, are daring and active, and are keen to make progress, maximizing the enthusiasm, initiative, and creativity of the vast number of cadres and encouraging them to better lead the masses in their endeavors." These important expositions provide an important compliance for how to assess political achievements and how to correctly guide Party members and cadres.
It is crucial to clearly establish a personnel selection and appointment orientation that emphasizes practical work, practical results, and responsibility. We must nip problems in the bud [15] and timely correct deviations in the outlook on political achievements. We should take the implementation of the New Development Philosophy, the construction of the new development pattern, and the promotion of high-quality development as important bases for evaluating the achievements of leading groups and cadres. Evaluation indicators should be reasonably set and adjusted in a timely manner according to different regions and industries to mobilize and protect the enthusiasm of cadres across all regions and fronts. We must continuously improve daily supervision and prevention mechanisms to timely and effectively prevent and correct budding and symptomatic problems regarding the outlook on political achievements. We should improve scientific and democratic decision-making mechanisms to prevent situations like "patting the head" [16] (impulse decision-making) or "one-man rule." We must improve accountability mechanisms so that holding one person accountable alerts a whole group and improves a batch. We should refine the error-tolerance and incentive mechanisms to give those who work hard a chance to summarize experience and stage a comeback, creating a good political ecosystem and administrative environment that encourages responsibility and initiatives.
In conclusion, the vast number of Party members and cadres must deeply study and understand General Secretary Xi Jinping's important expositions on establishing and practicing a correct outlook on political achievements. With the spiritual realm of "success does not have to be attributed to me" and the historical responsibility of "I must contribute to the success," they should base themselves on their duties, keep their feet on the ground, face difficulties head-on, dare to struggle, and bolster their spirit for starting businesses. They should continuously enhance their ability to promote high-quality development and strive to create practical achievements on the New Journey that can withstand the test of practice, the people, and history.