CPC establishes mechanism to curb 'formalities for formalities' sake' practices

BEIJING -- China's central authorities have established a specialized work mechanism to address the practice of "formalities for formalities' sake" and alleviate burdens on primary-level authorities.

The first meeting on the mechanism was held Monday in Beijing and was presided over by Ding Xuexiang, member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee as well as director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee.

The General Office of the CPC Central Committee issued a circular stressing efforts to avoid work styles of "formalities for formalities' sake" and relieve burdens on local authorities earlier this year.

Listing a series of measures, the circular aims to inspire officials to be "men of action" and demonstrate a keen sense of responsibility.

"Formalities for formalities' sake" and bureaucratism are not only problematic work styles but also a political issue, which severely affects the implementation of the policies and decisions made by the CPC Central Committee, according to the meeting.

Such practices would also undermine the authority of the CPC Central Committee and damage the image of the Party, the meeting said.

The meeting underlined efforts to resolutely implement the circular, calling on central and state institutions to inspect and rectify "formalities for formalities' sake" practices, make typical cases public and guard against such problems.