Xi says high standards key for leadership

Political Bureau members reflect on their performance at annual review

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, has set out targets for members of the Party's top leadership, calling on them to maintain a high level of political acumen and uphold the correct outlook when evaluating their performance.

In remarks made at a meeting of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee on Thursday and Friday, Xi said members of the Party's core leadership must take the lead in adhering to a people-centered development philosophy and pursuing high-quality development.

The meeting was held in accordance with the Party's traditional practice of criticism and self-criticism, during which the 24 members of the leadership body reflected on their performance and reviewed that of their colleagues.

Starting from 2015, the Political Bureau has made it a routine practice at the end of the year to hold such annual sessions, which usually last for two days. The goal is to promote intra-Party democracy and oversight, and rely on the strength of the leadership team to address contradictions and problems.

This year's meeting centered on the study and implementation of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.

The leadership body decided earlier this year to launch a thematic campaign for the entire Party to study and implement the Thought starting from April.

The meeting noted that the nation, united and led by the CPC Central Committee, has forged ahead with reform and opening-up, promoted economic recovery and growth and attained the major targets for socioeconomic development this year.

As the nation is set to welcome the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China next year, the meeting stressed the need to work toward a high level of self-reliance in science and technology, enhance the vitality of the economy, prevent and resolve risks, improve social expectations and strengthen the positive momentum of economic recovery.

While summing up the session, Xi said that the meeting served the purpose of enabling the leadership team to "undergo a political check-up, clean political dust and purify the political soul".

He stressed that unity in thinking is the foundation of unity in politics and action, while calling on Political Bureau members to improve their political and leadership capacity through enhancing their theoretical outlook.

Members of the Political Bureau must lead the way in carrying out democratic centralism and offer their thoughtful insights without any reservation as they participate in the making of major decisions, he said.

Xi urged the members to report on the real situation in a timely, objective and comprehensive manner, warning them against "reporting only the good news and holding back the unpleasant".

The prevention and resolution of political risks must be prioritized when addressing contradictions and problems, Xi said, adding that the Political Bureau members should give strong emphasis to preventing nonpolitical risks from evolving into political risks.

The Party's senior officials must take a firm perspective that delivering benefits to the people is the ultimate criteria for evaluating their performance, he added.

Party members work and make political achievements for the well-being of the people, and not for personal gain or promotion, he continued.

Xi urged the officials to take concrete actions and seek concrete outcomes, while warning them against superficiality and data falsification.

Xi said Chinese modernization is a common cause for all the people, and it is a magnificent undertaking full of risks and challenges, requiring strenuous efforts.

He reiterated that the biggest political advantage the Party has is its close ties with the people, while the biggest potential danger it faces as a governing party is becoming distanced from them.

Senior officials must always maintain strong bonds with the people as they perform their duties and respond to the legitimate concerns of the people in a timely manner, Xi said.

He went on to say that being courageous in self-reform is the most distinctive character and greatest advantage of the CPC, adding that members of the Political Bureau should always follow the standards of Marxist politicians and be rigorous in maintaining their personal integrity and self-discipline.