CPC committed to self-reform, self-improvement
In many Western countries, political parties have increasingly become focused on winning elections and securing political power, at the expense of long-term policy visions, institutional continuity and substantive results. Many of these organizations functioned as "sultan parties", where decisions were made at the top, insulated from criticism or accountability.
In contrast, the Communist Party of China, which just celebrated its 105th anniversary, is a model of self-reform. Three key concepts underpin this approach: self-governance, self-cultivation, and self-strengthening. The most important element is the prefix "self", emphasizing the CPC's commitment to governing itself. The CPC treats these reforms as its own responsibility, rather than as problems for which solutions must be sought from outside or for which blame can be shifted onto others.
All three processes are complementary and take place simultaneously because the CPC acts through synergy and harmony, because one process feeds into another and vice versa.
Self-governance, the first pillar, is about the CPC's commitment to self-regulation. Political organizations that remain in power for extended periods can face the risks of bureaucratic decay, complacency, or the seduction of privilege. The CPC's response to this danger is nothing short of revolutionary: the political courage to "turn the blade inward". The anti-corruption campaign and the strict Eight-Point Regulation are necessary interventions aimed at removing the rot that destroys the Party from within. By holding officials at all levels accountable, the CPC prioritizes political discipline and integrity and the people's trust over the comfort of its cadres.
The second pillar, self-cultivation, involves systematically nurturing political cadres through continuous education, training, selection, mentoring, and gradual advancement within the political structure. Unlike systems in which proximity to power can fast-track careers, the CPC emphasizes that its leaders do not rise to positions of authority by accident, but through merit, hard work, and years of proving themselves. This approach fosters respect for the organization and ensures that leaders rise through dedication and achievement, not accident or privilege.
The Party's tangible results, such as lifting over 800 million people out of extreme poverty and building robust healthcare and social security systems, reflect a deep-rooted relationship with the masses. This people-centered approach is the best antidote to the "trust deficit" that afflicts capitalist democracies.
This internal discipline naturally fuels the third pillar: self-strengthening. Many political parties in Western democracies face challenges including fragmentation, institutional paralysis and the difficulty of maintaining long-term policy continuity amid intense electoral competition. Voters have become like "a reed in the wind", moving from one party to another in the hope that a desperate situation can be overcome simply by changing the political context. The CPC continuously strengthens its organizational cohesion. It understands that in order to lead the nation through a period of profound global turbulence, it must remain a united vanguard whose strength derives from the people, the tangible improvements in their lives and future prospects.
The Party adapts to new challenges with scientific foresight, optimizing grassroots organizations, integrating new forms of employment into its outreach, and advancing "smart Party building" in the digital age. The Party's digital transformation reflects the idea to create a more efficient, transparent, and accountable political system, keeping pace with societal changes.
The CPC has continued to adapt to new developments and challenges rather than remaining static. It is a modern and dynamic organization that embraces new developments for societal advancement. A recent report by a CPC think tank and Xinhua, Contemporary Features and Global Significance of Xi Jinping Thought on Party Building, captures this dynamic, highlighting the CPC's ability to draw from Marxist theory and traditional culture to navigate challenges in the new era.
I often wonder if any Western political party has produced a comparable analysis of its organizational health and ideological foundations or its long-term capacity for renewal. Many Western parties face persistent difficulties balancing short-term electoral pressures with long-term governance competence. The CPC looks at itself in the mirror and seeks to assess its performance through its achievements and its ability to respond to changing circumstances. It is hardly surprising that many young people in the West show disillusionment toward a political sphere that has earned poor public regard and often struggles to deliver tangible results.
For the Global South, and other nations seeking alternative approaches to political and economic development, the CPC's practice of Party building is a profound source of inspiration.
The author is a professor of political science and international relations from Skopje, North Macedonia, and the director of Synergia Orbi: Institute for Global Analysis.
The views don't necessarily reflect those of China Daily.
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