Striking at misconduct and corruption in one clean sweep

Editor's note: Song Yuehong, a special commentator on current affairs for CGTN, is deputy director and research fellow at the Institute of Contemporary China Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily those of CGTN.

The Eight-Point Decision on Improving Party and Government Conduct, introduced in the new era, is a major strategic move by the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee with Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and Chinese president, at its core to advance full and rigorous self-governance of the Party. 

It reflects the Party's commitment, from a long-term and strategic perspective, to consolidate its governing foundation and fulfill its historic mission. In his government work report at the Third Session of the 14th National People's Congress, Chinese Premier Li Qiang stressed the need to fully assume political responsibility for strict Party self-governance, to thoroughly implement the Eight-Point Decision, and to resolutely advance efforts to improve Party conduct, uphold integrity and fight corruption. Shortly after the conclusion of the "Two Sessions," the CPC Central Committee announced a new initiative to launch a Party-wide campaign focused on studying and fully carrying out the Eight-Point Decision. 

This underscores the leadership's clear determination to make the Eight-Point Decision a long-term, high-standard norm for Party behavior. What this entails is a top-down, example-led approach, starting from senior officials and cascading down throughout the ranks, guided by the principle of thorough self-reform. 

The goal is to confront and correct long-standing problems in official conduct head-on, with no tolerance for simply going through the motions, red tape for red tape's sake, comfort-seeking, or lavish lifestyles. In today's CPC governance system, the Eight-Point Decision has become far more than a temporary disciplinary measure. It has evolved into an "iron rule" and a "hard line" – a non-negotiable standard for behavior, and a durable institutional safeguard. It has also become, in a metaphor rich with connotation, the Party's "golden name card."

To fully carry out the Eight-Point Decision, it's important to tackle not just corruption in the narrow sense, but also broader issues of political integrity, and to do so in a way that fits both the law and Party discipline. This means prescribing the right remedy for each symptom, targeting problems at their source.

For example, as publicly reported by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Supervisory Commission, Gan Rongkun, a former member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Henan Provincial Committee and former Secretary of its Political and Legal Affairs Commission, accepted gifts and cash from seven private business owners between 2013 and 2021, totaling more than 2.1157 million yuan. He also asked these businesspeople to arrange and pay for overseas trips for his family, and on three occasions, he and his family were treated to lavish banquets in Beijing, all paid for by private business owners.

Gan Rongkun was also found to have committed other serious violations of Party discipline and national law, including accepting gifts and cash in breach of regulations, and receiving travel arrangements and banquets that could compromise his impartiality in performing official duties. As a result, Gan was expelled from the Party and removed from his public post. His suspected criminal offenses have been handed over to the procuratorial authorities for legal review and possible prosecution in accordance with the law.

Fully implementing the Eight-Point Decision has played a powerful role in curbing the misuse of public funds for wining, dining and gift-giving. It has targeted and corrected a range of behaviors, from hosting receptions that exceed official standards or using official events as a cover for lavish feasts, to disguising overseas leisure trips as "study tours," "training programs," "seminars," "research exchanges," "investment promotions," or "attending exhibitions," all funded by taxpayers' money. 

It has also addressed violations involving: government vehicles, such as unauthorized allocation, purchase, replacement, luxury decoration, or personal use; the approval of the construction or renovation of office buildings, training centers, and other government facilities; outfitting or using office space beyond approved standards; or using public funds to rent or occupy hotel rooms or other venues for personal use. Such misconduct, once uncovered, is subject to serious investigation and disciplinary action. For both those directly involved and those in leadership positions who bear responsibility, penalties are issued in proportion to the severity of the offense: in cases of moderate severity, this may result in official warnings or serious warnings; in more serious cases, offenders may be removed from their Party positions.

Since the beginning of the new era, the CPC Central Committee with Xi Jinping at its core has taken firm and uncompromising action to implement the Eight-Point Decision and its detailed rules. Party members and officials found to have problems with their conduct have been educated in the error of their ways; those with more serious issues have been investigated and held accountable. Special campaigns have been launched to target unhealthy tendencies and prominent problems, with no discounting of standards and no bending of the rules. 

With the tenacity of "driving nails into wood" (a metaphor for persistence and precision), the Party has been focusing on strict enforcement of systems. A series of rules and procedures has been introduced and refined in areas such as strengthening ties with the people and regulating the exercise of power. This has helped tighten institutional constraints, ensuring that rules are not just written but enforced. Through these practical actions, the Party has set a clear example and raised the bar for conduct across all levels, creating a chain reaction that has pushed forward a vibrant, participatory, and deeply rooted culture of discipline and integrity in the new era.

Fully implementing the Eight-Point Decision means tackling both misconduct and corruption in tandem. Issues strongly felt and frequently raised by the public are addressed one by one, making change visible and giving people a renewed sense of hope. At the same time, the principle of "cracking down on both tigers and flies" remains firm: from high-ranking officials to grassroots functionaries, no one is exempt. 

The fight against corruption continues with unwavering resolve, creating a strong deterrent effect. Party organizations and members at all levels are urged to examine themselves against Party discipline, against the expectations of the people, and against the standards of improved conduct. That means identifying problems in their sense of purpose, their work ethic, and their integrity; facing shortcomings head-on; and finding a clear direction forward. The goal is to be pragmatic, people-focused, and clean in conduct – starting with oneself, starting now. Officials must have the courage to face their own shortcomings, confront deep-seated problems, and reflect critically on their thinking and behavior. 

By doing so, officials can correct their behavior and reinforce the hard boundaries that keep misconduct in check. As the Eight-Point Decision is more thoroughly enforced, Party discipline is becoming a true "live wire" – touch it, and consequences follow. Party conduct and government behavior are being visibly transformed, and society as a whole is moving toward greater integrity and civility.

Relentlessly carrying out the Eight-Point Decision means making discipline and good conduct part of everyday political life, thus turning short-term campaigns into long-term norms. Leading officials at all levels are expected to lead by example, to walk the Party's mass line in the new era, and to guide Party members and cadres in staying grounded in their roles. 

Whether it's driving high-quality development, strengthening grassroots governance, or rising to urgent, complex and high-stake tasks, they are expected to take responsibility, serve the people, and deliver results that are real and felt. To this end, a full toolkit of oversight and accountability mechanisms is being put to work – disciplinary inspection and supervision, routine and special inspection, audit oversight, financial monitoring, performance evaluation, research visits, public complaints and petitions, and more. 

These are used to identify, thoroughly and systematically, where implementation of the Eight-Point Decision and its detailed rules is falling short. The approach is problem-oriented: whatever the issue is, it must be addressed; whatever problem stands out most, it must be the focus of rectification. Problems are to be investigated and corrected on the spot, with no delay. Cases where unhealthy work styles have led to deeper corruption are also being used as cautionary examples to strengthen awareness and discipline. 

By implementing the Eight-Point Decision with greater depth, precision, and effectiveness, and advancing it not just in form but in substance, the Party's ongoing self-reform can serve as a driving force for broader societal transformation. This process will help rally the collective strength of the entire nation, uniting all of society behind the historic mission of building a strong country and realizing national rejuvenation through Chinese modernization.

(If you want to contribute and have specific expertise, please contact us at opinions@cgtn.com. Follow @thouse_opinions on X, formerly Twitter, to discover the latest commentaries in the CGTN Opinion Section.)