Recently, Mr. Li, a former vice chairman of the Beijing Municipal Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, is accused of taking bribes. He stood on trial at the Changchun Intermediate People's Court in Northeast China's Jilin province.

Accused of receiving more than $12.8 million from bribes, Li abused his power bestowed by previous positions and colluded with other government employees to assist associates in job promotions, construction projects, and real estate development. (It is worth noting that as the national poverty line currently stands at $1.50 per person per day, these brides can cover the daily living expenses of about 8.53 million people who live below the poverty line.)

During the trial, Li confessed to all of the accusations and said he regrets what he did. The court will pronounce final judgment at a later date.

Li's case shows the determination of the Communist Party of China to take down corrupt officials in order to purify the Party. This anti-corruption case, among many others like it, exemplifies the CPC's determination to pursue the Party's continuous self-reform.

The practice of self-reform has kept the CPC on track in its 70-year journey as the ruling party of the world's most populous country.

Why is self-reform so important to ensure the vitality and cohesion of the CPC? Robert Lawrence Kuhn discussed this matter with Feng Jun, former Councilor Member, Academy of Party History and Documentation, CPC Central Committee.

According to Feng Jun, the CPC must remain alert at all times and prepare for all kinds of potential dangers. Today, the CPC's governance is legitimate, he says, because it has the people's support. 

The continuity of the people's support for the Party always depends on whether the CPC can continue to represent the people and the interests of the people.

Without strong and continuous self-reform, the CPC would lose the recognition and support of the people, and thus its long-term governance leadership would dissipate. 

In order to ensure its long-term governance leadership, the CPC must maintain its progressiveness and purity through self-reform, and always represent the fundamental interests of the Chinese people.