Building political capacity to serve people stressed at annual performance review

 

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, has called on members of the Party's top leadership to keep enhancing their capacity to promote high-quality development, serve the people and prevent and defuse risks.

 

In remarks made at a meeting of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee on Monday and Tuesday, Xi said political capacity is the most important factor for senior officials from the 24-member body to conduct their duties.

 

Political Bureau members reflected on their performances and reviewed those of their colleagues, as part of the Party's traditional practice of criticism and self-criticism at the annual meeting, which is usually held at the end of the year.

 

This year's meeting centered on upholding the Party's overall leadership, following a people-centered development philosophy and exercising strict governance over the Party.

 

Xi urged the senior officials to exercise strict self-discipline, as required of Marxist statesmen, and to improve their capacity to analyze and judge general trends in domestic and global affairs.

 

They should always bear in mind major issues of the country, be adept at planning for major issues for the country and Party, deliver benefits to the people and win their support, Xi said.

 

The Political Bureau members said 2022 was a year of "extreme importance" in the history of the Party and State. The nation was able to respond to shocks from factors that went beyond expectations, secure positive economic growth, maintain a steady job market and stable commodity prices, and ensure food and energy security as well as people's living standards.

 

They stressed the need to carry forward the CPC's great founding spirit and work in a united way to ensure the nation has a good start on its journey to build a modern socialist country in all respects next year.

 

Xi stressed that implementing the requirements from the 20th CPC National Congress is the top political task for the entire Party, now and in the future. Members of the Political Bureau must lead the Party on this front.

 

He reiterated the need to uphold the centralized and unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee, and warned that the Party and the country can accomplish nothing without firm and strong leadership from the Central Committee.

 

The Chinese path to modernization is an unprecedented endeavor that requires exploration and innovation, and imposes fresh and higher demands on Party units and officials at various levels, he said.

 

It is important for officials at various levels to undertake their duties to translate the grand visions outlined at the congress into reality, he said, adding that officials must perform their responsibilities with zero complacency and a proactive attitude.

 

The conduct of officials, especially senior officials, has always been a key indicator for the Party and society, and members of the Political Bureau should place emphasis on correcting pointless formalities and bureaucratic acts, Xi said.

 

He encouraged senior officials to make more frequent trips to grassroots areas to learn about real situations and create an atmosphere for grassroots officials and the people to tell the truth and speak from their hearts.

 

The CPC has always represented the fundamental interests of all people and has never stood up for the interests of any particular interest group or a privilege-seeking class, Xi said.

 

Members of the Political Bureau must take the lead in assuming clean governance and self-discipline as well as the political duty for Party governance, he said.

 

He called on the members to discipline their family members and relatives, as well as their associates, to prevent them from seeking unjustifiable benefits with their power or influence.