China's evolving theory of Party governance reflects a more systematic approach to addressing the challenges of long-term governance and may offer lessons for political parties abroad, although China has no intention of exporting its political model, a Chinese scholar said on Tuesday.
Han Qiang, a professor at the School of Marxism at Beijing Foreign Studies University, made the remarks at a press salon organized by the All-China Journalists Association, where he discussed the distinctive features of Xi Jinping Thought on Party Building and its relevance beyond China.
The thought, outlined in 14 guiding principles, was put forward at a national symposium in June and subsequently promoted through a notice calling for its study and implementation. The fifth plenary session of the 20th Communist Party of China Central Committee in October further emphasized the need to study and apply the thought to advance full and rigorous Party self-governance.
Han identified three defining features of the theory, the first being its response to the new challenges facing the CPC.
Changes in the international environment and China's domestic development, coupled with shifts in the Party's membership, have brought new demands in terms of political commitment, professional competence and conduct, he said.
He pointed to what the CPC calls the "four tests" of long-term governance; reform and opening-up; the market economy; and the external environment, as well as the "four risks" of lack of drive; incompetence; disengagement from the people; and inaction and corruption.
The theory, Han said, responds to these evolving circumstances rather than simply repeating approaches developed in earlier historical periods.
A second defining feature is its emphasis on systematic thinking. The framework addresses not only individual problems but also how political leadership, ideology, organization, conduct, discipline, institutions and anti-corruption efforts work together, he said.
The formulation builds on earlier thinking about Party building and self-reform while bringing related ideas into a more coherent framework. Its central concern is how to build and sustain a Marxist governing party over the long term, Han said.
The third feature is the practical experience gained through stricter Party governance in the new era. Han cited sustained efforts to enforce discipline, correct misconduct and combat corruption, saying the results have demonstrated the importance of a coordinated approach.
He described anti-corruption as a crucial component of the Party's self-reform, alongside efforts to address less serious violations of conduct. The objective, he said, is to ensure that officials do not dare to be corrupt, cannot be corrupt and have no desire to be corrupt.
Asked about the theory's international significance, Han said China's governance experience combines long-standing Marxist organizational principles with approaches developed through the CPC's own practice.
He cited democratic centralism as an example of this continuity, adding that other governing parties, including those in socialist countries, had expressed interest in Chinese approaches to internal discipline and organization.
Political representatives from parts of Africa and Southeast Asia had also shown interest during exchanges, he said. Parties operating under different political systems could likewise examine individual Chinese practices and consider whether they were relevant to their own challenges.
Han stressed, however, that the CPC's experience was not a ready-made formula for other countries. China does not seek to export its political model, he said, but other parties can study its practices and draw lessons suited to their own national conditions.
yangzekun@chinadaily.com.cn
