The Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee published the revised regulations on CPC disciplinary actions on Sunday, signaling the Party's determination for self-governance with "iron discipline."

The 19th National Congress of the CPC has made enforcing Party discipline an aspect of utmost importance in the overall strategy of Party building, which requires stricter regulations to counter new forms of discipline violations.

New clauses were added into the revised 142-clause set of regulations, aiming to punish misconduct including duplicity, formalities for formalities' sake and bureaucratism, as well as discipline violations in the field of pollution control, poverty alleviation and fighting criminal gangs.

The regulations have undergone two revisions in the past three years, manifesting the CPC's determination to impose strict Party discipline.

The previous edition, published in 2015, established the bottom-line in six aspects of Party members conduct and formed a negative list of disciplinary actions, a major improvement compared to the initial version that was introduced in 2003.

Defining and implementing disciplinary measures is necessary to keep abreast with the times. Following soliciting opinions from all sides, the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee discussed the regulations on July 31. The revised regulations have added 11, modified 65, and integrated two clauses.

Disciplinary guidelines on inconsistency with the CPC Central Committee concerning matters of principle were added.

Disciplinary guidelines on forming individualistically oriented interest groups, partially implementing decisions by the CPC Central Committee, as well as actions, such as making and spreading political rumors, endangering the unity and solidarity of the Party, were added.

Disciplinary guidelines on actions of disloyalty and dishonesty to the Party, such as double-dealing and duplicity, were added.

Disciplinary guidelines on disrupting disciplinary inspections or failing to implement rectification measures after inspections were added.

Guidelines included in the newly revised regulations are conducive to Party organizations and members at all levels to closely align themselves with the CPC Central Committee in terms of political stance, direction, principle, and path, thus ensuring strict enforcement of orders and prohibitions.

In the new era, tough disciplines are indispensable for putting into practice the new development philosophy, achieving high-quality development, winning the battle against poverty, and addressing the most immediate issues that concern the people.

In accordance with the Party's new missions in the critical historical ages, the newly revised regulations conform to the times.

A heavier punishment should be made for those failing to implement innovative, coordinated, green, open and shared development, thus causing significant losses due to dereliction of duty.

During the first half of 2018, 302,000 cases were filed by China's discipline inspection and supervision organs and 240,000 people were punished, including 28 provincial-level officials.

Ensuring Party self-governance being exercised fully and strictly is a journey that never ends, and the "fence of discipline" will only be stronger. All Party officials must internalize "iron discipline" in their daily routines and voluntary observations, and lead a law-abiding, discipline-observing life.