PROMOTE THE THREE GUIDELINES FOR ETHICAL BEHAVIOR AND THREE BASIC RULES OF CONDUCT

PROMOTE THE THREE GUIDELINES FOR ETHICAL BEHAVIOR AND THREE BASIC RULES OF CONDUCT*

March 9, 2014

Since the Party’s 18th National Congress in 2012, the new Central Committee has set improving Party conduct as the immediate target of its work. It has committed to addressing the practices of form over substance, bureaucratism, hedonism, and extravagance. This will enable us to earn the people’s trust with action, so as to better lead them in striving towards the Two Centenary Goals. At the ongoing NPC and CPPCC National Committee sessions, many colleagues have talked about the gratifying improvement in conduct they have noticed. I believe they spoke from the heart. 

Yet we must be sober-minded and realize that these are only preliminary results and that there is much more to do to further consolidate and extend those results. We should devote continuous efforts to preventing any resurgence of malpractices in old forms or new, and allow no interference with our efforts. As I have said, there is no end to improving conduct. We will fall short of our aims if this program tails off and we become lax in the later stages, and all our efforts will be in vain if we cannot stay committed to this task. Taking advantage of the ongoing education campaign on the Party’s mass line, we should continue to expose deep-rooted problems of conduct and find remedies, ceaselessly encourage healthy trends and conduct, and curb malign influences.

The ultimate goal of these efforts is to ensure that officials at all levels enforce standards of good conduct on themselves and others, which can be summed up as being strict with themselves in self-cultivation, in the exercise of power, and in self-discipline, and being earnest in their work when performing their duties, launching new initiatives, and interacting with others. 

Being strict in self-cultivation means that officials should strengthen their commitment to the Party, stand firm in support of the ideals and principles of the Party, cultivate integrity, pursue lofty goals, make a point of distancing themselves from base pursuits, and resist unhealthy practices and evil influences.

Being strict in the exercise of power means that officials should exercise power in the interests of the people, exercise power in accordance with rules and regulations, confine power in an institutional cage, and neither seek privileges at any time nor abuse power for personal gain.

Being strict in self-discipline means that officials should respect discipline and always keep it in mind, guard against all temptations when alone, be prudent, engage in diligent self-examination, abide by Party discipline and state laws, and uphold integrity in governance.

Being earnest when performing duties means that officials should take facts as the basis for work planning, ensure that all ideas, policies and plans are in line with actual conditions, objective laws and scientific principle, and avoid being overly ambitious and divorced from reality.

Being earnest when launching new initiatives means that officials should be down-to-earth in their approach to their duties, be pragmatic and do solid work, be bold in taking on responsibilities and facing problems squarely, and be adept at solving problems. They should strive to deliver results that will stand up when measured against the tests of practice, of the people, and of time.

Being earnest when interacting with others means that officials should remain loyal to the Party, to the organization, to the people, and to their colleagues. They should be honest in thought, words and deeds, be aboveboard, and be just and upright.

The Three Guidelines for Ethical Behavior and Three Basic Rules of Conduct mentioned above are essential requirements for officials to improve their conduct. They must be reflected in all efforts to improve Party conduct and in the action of officials at all levels, especially leading officials. 

I have heard people say that being too strict in conduct could make life difficult for officials. How should we respond to this? We should be unequivocal in addressing this view. Our Party’s stance on the matter is firm – we will apply rigorous standards to officials and place them under close scrutiny, while offering them sincere care and encouragement. We have emphasized the importance of improving Party conduct over the past year, which has raised the political awareness of many officials, as well as relieving them of the burden of writing endless documents and attending endless meetings, social engagements and receptions. They feel much better physically and mentally as they can apply more energy to work and study, and have more time with their families. The reason why some officials feel uneasy or find it painful to adapt is because they remain trapped in outmoded ideas and bad habits. We need to increase education and guide them with patience.

Every occupation has its own rules. Our officials should know that when you choose to be officials, you must conscientiously observe the rules for officials. Without rules, nothing can be done properly. It is only right that the Party’s officials abide by the Party Constitution and other Party regulations, conform to the standards the Party sets for officials, and submit to Party discipline. Such demands are not excessive. Imposing strict requirements on officials is essential to the cause of the Party and the people. It is a fundamental aspect of our efforts to improve Party conduct and supervise our officials. We should stick to what is right and never relax our efforts. “Virtue uplifts, while vice debases.” If we relent at all, problems of misconduct are bound to recur. Like driving a nail, we should sustain the intensity and tenacity of our campaign to improve Party conduct until we reach the intended goals, so as to achieve new successes.

* Part of the speech at the deliberation session of the Anhui delegation to the Second Session of the 12th National People’s Congress.

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