MOST recently the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) fifth plenary session was held in Beijing during which the President and general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, Xi Jinping delivered a “work report” on behalf of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and “expounded” on a draft decision of the CPC Central Committee on some major issues concerning “strengthening” full and rigorous “Party self-governance” with perseverance.
It was four days of collective “collaboration” and “consultative coordination” from top-to-bottom, reconfirming its gross-rooted political, social and governance structure working jointly for the welfare of the people. Thus, it was a prime example of China’s unique model of strategic planning, supervision and insight creating strategic balance between “responsibility and authority”, “discretion and development”, “self-governance” and “self-accountability” and last but not least, “anti-corruption” and “people’s centric policies”. It seems that it opened and “institutionalized” a new chapter of party self-governance gearing it towards greater responsibility, accountability, productivity, participation, prosperity, people’s centric policies and above all unity for achieving the ultimate goals of a “qualitative life” for all Chinese.
Hence, it followed a pure “scientific” approach avoiding any political and administrative “self-glorification” & “self-gratification” showcasing and presented a true picture of the CPC self-governance model opening new window of “opportunities” for self-evaluation gearing towards “self-modification” and “self-correction” to serve the people better in the country. Additionally, by setting out strategic plans for strengthening full and rigorous Party self-governance with perseverance it actually started new “policy restructuring” aligning with the strategic “vision” and “thoughts” of President Xi Jinping about the CPC governance.
Comparative studies of the CPC reveals that since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, the full and rigorous Party self-governance has made significant progress, opened up a new frontier for the century-old Party in self-reform and brought about historic achievements and transformations in the cause of the Party and the country which is commendable. The said meeting rightly confirmed the continued and constant high level of “trust” between the CPC and the people building a strong Party and country noting that exercise of full and rigorous Party self-governance is urgently needed to mitigate many new circumstances and challenges showing evolutionary orientation and scientific capacity building of the CPC successfully countering all socio-economic issues at any level.
Obviously, it highlighted the CPC’s “unshakable” resolve building and consolidative efforts and developing strategies to build a sound political environment created through Party self-supervision and self-governance. So, it is not merely based on statements but heavily dependent on “workable” strategies showing its real color, essence and priorities to move forward. Definitely, by entering into a new era the CPC, the largest governing party in the world is facing unprecedented challenges in ensuring reform, development and stability and addressing problems and risks confronting the nation and Xi rightly stressed that China’s success hinges on the Party and has made clear that the CPC must continuously strengthen itself through self-governance which is height of modern good governance.
Interestingly, in 2014, he explicitly put forward the concept of “exercising full and rigorous Party self-governance” as part of the Party’s four-pronged governing strategy, alongside building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, deepening reform and advancing law-based governance. So, Xi emphasized on long term strategy of full and rigorous Party self-governance protecting it any kind of organizational sluggishness forming it an optimal platform of human wisdom, indigenousness, talent, togetherness and positivity, ensuring social harmony, ethnic diversity and enduring stability and the people’s happiness and well-being. Thus, it has been an evolutionary social contract connecting minds and souls for a national cause of Chinese socialism creating equal opportunities for all. Surely, the “20th CPC Central Committee Fifth Plenary Session” was a strategic extension of Xi’s strengthening Party self-governance by introducing a code of conduct that became known as the “eight-point rules of December 2012.
Absolutely, by establishing regulations for Party leaders regarding research tours, meetings, documentation and other official duties, cracking down on lavish banquets, red carpet events, pomp, entourages, unnecessary meetings and luxury perks that had once been regarded by some as typical symbols of power shows the real effectiveness and strength of the CPC rigorous and self-governance system institutionalizing certain separation of powers and checks & balances in the party. Therefore, it is the first giant step which has helped curb longstanding malpractices, with effects extending beyond Party and government offices to wider society reinforcing code of conduct and consolidation of further improvements.
Certainly, Xi’s launch of the anti-corruption drive has revolutionized the CPC’s working and supervision system sweeping every corner of public office, netting both high-ranking “tigers” and lower-level “flies.” It was the start of new codifications and consolidative drive for upholding rule of the law, equality, risk management, equity and of course leadership striving for justice bringing some of the most senior officials including former members of the Political Bureau and its Standing Committee, top military brass and retirees.
Comparative studies reveal that Xi has termed the anti-corruption campaign as an ongoing endeavor. Statistical data confirmed that in 2025 alone, 115 officials at ministerial level or above were placed under investigation, while 627,000 people were disciplined in cases involving misconduct and corruption that affect the people’s immediate interests. The same year, China also opened investigations into more than 500 cases of cross-border corruption.
—The writer is President, the Centre for Knowledge and Public Policy, Regional Expert: China, CPEC, BRI & World Affairs.
