Self-governance of Party seen as strategic task

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, has emphasized the need to persevere with full and rigorous Party self-governance to maintain the Party's advanced nature and integrity, consolidate its long-term governing position and provide strong guarantees for building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects and advancing the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through Chinese modernization.

The remarks were made in Xi's explanation of a draft resolution on certain major issues concerning persevering with full and rigorous Party self-governance, and were delivered at the fifth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, which concluded last week in Beijing.

Both the explanation and the resolution, adopted at the plenum, were made public on Sunday.

Explaining the choice of the plenum's agenda, Xi said that the CPC Central Committee made this major decision based on its assessment and thorough consideration of the situation and in light of the historical stage that the cause of the Party and the country has entered and the advancement of Chinese modernization as a whole.

Xi said full and rigorous Party self-governance is a long-term strategic task, noting that problems and hidden dangers threaten to undermine the Party's advanced nature, weaken its integrity and jeopardize its long-term governance.

He also stressed the need to consolidate and develop the sound political situation in which great solidarity and unity are maintained across the whole Party, and great cohesion is secured within the Party and the military and among the people.

In the face of complicated international and domestic landscapes, Xi said that persevering with full and rigorous Party self-governance is essential for fulfilling the Party's historic mission and ensuring steady and sustained progress in the cause of the Party and the country.

A document drafting group headed by Xi was established by the CPC Central Committee in January this year and held its first general meeting on Feb 6, officially starting the drafting work.

Xi said the CPC Central Committee promoted full democratic engagement, conducted thorough surveys and studies, and sought extensive input during drafting.

On Jan 31, the CPC Central Committee issued a notice soliciting opinions from localities and departments on the plenum's topic and entrusted 16 organizations to research 23 major issues.

Xi presided over a symposium in Shanghai on May 6 to hear opinions from principal leaders of some provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the central government.

On Aug 3, a draft resolution was issued to certain Party members for feedback, including retired senior Party officials. Dedicated meetings were also held to solicit views from the central committees of other political parties in China, leaders of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, and prominent figures without party affiliation.

The Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee met three times and the Political Bureau met twice to review and revise the draft before its submission to the plenum.

In addition to an opening paragraph and conclusion, the resolution consists of three sections. The first elaborates on the importance, urgency and overall requirements of persevering with full and rigorous Party self-governance.

"Strengthening the Party spirit represents a fundamental task in our efforts to ensure full and rigorous Party self-governance," the resolution says. It also states that the implementation of democratic centralism is "an inherent requirement for exercising full and rigorous Party self-governance."

On cultivating high-caliber officials capable of shouldering the mission of national rejuvenation, the resolution emphasizes that "strict management of officials is the key to full and rigorous governance over the Party".

The resolution stresses the principal role of Party organizations at all levels in exercising full and rigorous Party self-governance and identifies improving conduct and tightening discipline as effective measures to advance this work.

Hong Xianghua, a professor at the Party School of the Communist Party of China Central Committee (National Academy of Governance), said the resolution demonstrates the Party leadership's firm determination to persevere with full and rigorous Party self-governance.

He said its systematic arrangements would further strengthen the system of Party self-governance, ensuring comprehensive coverage and a complete chain of responsibility.