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To stay true to our original aspiration and founding mission and to continuously work hard is the only way to keep the Communist Party of China (CPC) forever vigorous. As long as all Party members and all Chinese people unite as one and do solid work, the country, like a great ship braving winds and waves, will surely reach the shore of national rejuvenation.

Currently, favoring form over substance and bureaucratism are prominent problems within our Party. They are our archenemies hindering the implementation of the guidelines, principles, and policies of the Party and the major decisions and plans of the Central Committee. 

In reality, there are various manifestations of these problems. Some officials and departments do not stay focused, nor do they make genuine and committed efforts to implement the decisions and plans of the Central Committee. They shout slogans but take few concrete actions. They make promises that they never act upon, or start things but do not see them through. Some keep records of their every trivial action and present these as achievements.

We must view these problems from a political perspective and address them by finding the root causes and identifying the interests involved. Those who favor form over substance are obsessed with results and achievements, with a disinclination to do any real work. This stems from a failure to understand the importance of making solid efforts for tangible progress, an absence of any sense of responsibility, and a mindset that wants only the benefits of the position but not the duties that come with the post. Those with this problem satisfy themselves with superficial work, and prefer eye-catching achievements to laying solid foundations, and window dressing to real results.

Bureaucratism comes from the obsession with official posts and power. It reflects misguided values and a distorted view of power. Those with this problem are inclined to rely too much on their own personal proclivities and subjective judgment, and distance themselves from reality and the people. These mindsets and behavior will hamper the implementation of the guidelines, principles, and policies of our Party, disappoint the expectations of our people, and erode the foundations of the Party's governing status.

(Source: Extract from Xi Jinping's speech at the Third Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, January 11, 2019.)

This episode is presented by Shen Ting.