Attaching great importance to learning and being good at learning is a fine tradition and valuable historical experience of the Communist Party of China. As early as the Yan'an period, the Party Central Committee established a rigorous learning system centered on promoting learning throughout the Party—especially strengthening the learning of leading cadres—and set up the Central General Study Committee specifically to oversee the theoretical study of leading cadres. During the reform and opening-up period, Party committees at all levels actively explored new approaches and gradually developed effective practices for the theoretical study of leading cadres. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, the study system of the theoretical study groups within Party committees (Party leading groups) has continuously enriched its content, innovated its methods, standardized its management, and promoted the practical application of what is learned, thereby achieving unprecedented improvements in the theoretical competence, Party spirit, and working capabilities of Party committees (Party leading groups) at all levels. The study system of the theoretical study groups within Party committees (Party leading groups) is an important measure taken by our Party to strengthen its own building. It is an inevitable requirement for maintaining strategic clarity and gaining strategic initiative in the new era and on the new journey; it is also an indispensable necessity for further addressing our own problems and enhancing the quality of our cadre corps that leads the Party’s governance.

The Decision adopted at the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Party calls for improving the study system for theoretical study groups of Party committees (Party leading groups). Upholding the principle of building the Party through thought and strengthening the Party through theory is a distinctive feature of our Party. As we embark on a new journey to further deepen reform comprehensively and advance Chinese-style modernization, it is of great significance for us to deeply understand and grasp, and correctly implement the spirit of the Party Central Committee regarding the improvement of the theoretical study group learning system. This will help us maintain theoretical clarity and political steadfastness, and enable us to pioneer and innovate while ensuring steady progress and long-term success.

The vitality of any system lies in its implementation. To further refine the study system for theoretical learning groups, we must focus intensely on strengthening the implementation mechanisms and put great effort into ensuring that our work is thorough, meticulous, and practical. This will effectively enhance the system’s practical operability and measurability of outcomes, and genuinely promote and improve the quality and effectiveness of study sessions within these groups. In perfecting the study system for theoretical learning groups, we should place particular emphasis on the following key areas.

Taking the improvement of the collective study and seminar mechanism as the primary focus, we will urge and strengthen the learning initiative among Party members and cadres. According to established regulations, members of the central study group generally consist of members of the leading body and principal heads of various departments; where necessary, outstanding young cadres may also be appropriately included. The "Rules on Study by the Theoretical Study Centers of Party Committees (Party Leading Groups) of the Communist Party of China" explicitly stipulates: "The central study group shall regard collective study and seminars as the primary form of learning, integrating keynote speeches with collective discussions, specialized study with systematic learning, and conducting in-depth study, discussion, and interactive exchanges." Party committees (party leading groups) at all levels must earnestly implement these regulatory requirements, formulate study systems for their respective units based on actual conditions, rigorously carry out these systems after collective deliberation by the leading body, and report them to higher-level authorities and the party committees of their respective organs for record-keeping, thereby effectively standardizing the work related to central study group activities. We must make institutional arrangements for collective study and seminars that are tailored to actual circumstances, combining keynote speeches with collective discussions, specialized study with systematic learning, and establishing a normalized mechanism for collective study and seminars to enhance the quality of study, discussion, and interactive exchanges within the central study groups. Furthermore, we should organize specialized lectures and on-site observations tailored to practical needs, enhancing the appeal, relevance, and effectiveness of learning. We must establish guiding principles regarding the frequency of central study group meetings and the frequency of contributions by group members, encouraging and guiding members to embody the spirit of "making the most of time" and "diligently delving into study," devoting effort to reading original works, studying original texts, and comprehending underlying principles. In doing so, we can truly leverage the central study groups' roles as "weathervanes," "vanguard forces," and "leading geese," fostering a strong learning atmosphere and guiding cadres and workers to treat theoretical study as a political responsibility, a spiritual pursuit, and a way of life—ensuring they genuinely master the essential skills required for their work.

Closely focus on the central tasks and key priorities when formulating the annual study plan. The "Rules for the Study of the Theory Learning Center Groups of Party Committees (Party Leading Groups) of the Communist Party of China" explicitly stipulate: "Party committees (party leading groups) at all levels shall include the study of the theory learning center groups in their important agendas, incorporate it into the responsibility system for Party building, and integrate it into the responsibility system for ideological work." "At the beginning of each year, the theory learning center groups of party committees (party leading groups) shall, in accordance with the arrangements made by the Party Central Committee and higher-level Party organizations and taking into account actual work conditions, draw up an annual study plan." Party committees (party leading groups) at all levels should, based on their own specific circumstances, fully leverage the collective wisdom of their leading teams, closely align their center group study plans with the progress of the central tasks and key priorities of their respective units, and ensure that these plans are coordinated with their day-to-day business operations; such plans must also be filed with the Party committee of the higher-level authority. Special arrangements should be made within the annual plan for studying the “first topic,” and timely follow-up should be given to the latest important speeches, instructions, and directives issued by General Secretary Xi Jinping. By formulating center group study plans and making specific arrangements for studying the “first topic,” we can urge members of the center groups to strengthen their awareness of the political seriousness of theoretical study and continuously enhance the quality of their theoretical learning.

We should promote the integration of study within the central study groups with investigative research, thereby effectively addressing practical problems. Linking theory with practice is a fine tradition and a winning formula of our Party. The "Rules on Study for the Theory Learning Center Groups of Party Committees (Party Leading Groups) of the Communist Party of China" explicitly stipulate: "Members of the center groups shall combine theoretical study with specialized research, go deep into the grassroots and among the masses, carry out solid investigative research, and deepen their theoretical learning." Party committees (party leading groups) at all levels must earnestly implement the requirements of the Party Central Committee, vigorously uphold the fine academic style of linking theory with practice, establish working mechanisms that integrate theory with practice, and urge members of the center groups to put what they learn into practice, combining study with application. They must ensure that the outcomes of theoretical study are effectively translated into strong actions for resolutely implementing the decisions and deployments of the Party Central Committee, and into concrete ideas, measures, and tangible results that drive high-quality development of their work. By adhering to the combination of theoretical study and specialized research, we can successfully follow the Party’s mass line in the new era. Members of the center groups should conduct at least one specialized research study each year around their respective responsibilities, producing one high-quality research report. Through concrete actions, they must firmly oppose formalism and bureaucratic practices.

Treating the improvement of the study system for central groups as an important political responsibility for the leading bodies of various units, especially for their “top leaders.” As the primary person responsible, the secretary of the Party committee (Party group) must approach the study of central groups with a highly responsible attitude and set a good example to encourage all members of the central group to study earnestly. Improving the study system for central groups is not only a crucial ideological education task for leading bodies—especially for their “top leaders”—but also a vitally important political responsibility. Party committees (Party groups) at all levels must fully recognize that studying in central groups is not merely a matter of simply conveying documents; rather, it is a key measure adopted by the Party Central Committee to strengthen the building of leading bodies. They must firmly establish a sense of responsibility, reinforce their political commitment, and conscientiously implement relevant requirements. To improve the study system for central groups, Party committees (Party groups) at all levels should, based on their own specific circumstances, establish a comprehensive mechanism for reporting on and assessing study activities. This mechanism should be integrated with Party-building evaluations and the assessment of study performance by secretaries of Party committees in charge of Party-building work, enabling them to promptly examine and address new situations and emerging issues, thereby effectively enhancing both the quality and effectiveness of study in central groups. The leading bodies of various units—especially their “top leaders”—must earnestly shoulder their political responsibilities, promote the construction of model learning-oriented organizations in light of actual conditions, scientifically develop plans, carefully organize implementation, and rigorously carry out theoretical study at all levels.