Tongfang Academy Micro-Party Class, Issue 353: How the Communist Party of China Has Gained “Two Historical Initiatives”

Party Class Study

2025-05-08

Tongfang Academy

Micro Party Class · Issue 353

How the Communist Party of China Has Gained “Two Historical Initiatives”

“Theoretical cultivation is the core of the comprehensive quality of Party members and cadres. Theoretical maturity is the foundation for political maturity, and political steadfastness stems from theoretical clarity.” For Party members and cadres, fostering a fine academic ethos and strengthening theoretical training are both fundamental requirements for cultivating Party spirit and an inescapable political responsibility.

Tongfang Law Firm provides all its lawyers with learning opportunities in the form of micro-party classes, thereby enhancing their ideological and political awareness as well as their spirit of learning and inquiry. By establishing a long-term educational mechanism, the firm has created a new platform for self-education and self-improvement.

This issue's speaker

General Secretary Xi Jinping delivered an important speech at the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, emphasizing that, as we enter a new era and face prominent challenges in Party conduct and integrity building as well as the fight against corruption, we have consistently upheld the principle of investigating and punishing all corruption and cracking down on all greed, continuously purifying our cadre ranks, safeguarding the Party’s image, consolidating our red江山 (red foundation), and gaining historical initiative in ensuring that the Party remains unchanged in its nature, color, and flavor. We have also seized the historical initiative to unite and lead all the people in jointly striving toward the great cause of building a strong country and achieving national rejuvenation. General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important speech fully affirms the historic achievements made in the fight against corruption in the new era, profoundly reveals how our Party has consistently used self-revolution to lead social revolution, clearly assessed and scientifically grasped the situation in the fight against corruption, deeply understood the fundamental laws governing this struggle, and adhered to the integrated promotion of deterrence, institutional prevention, and ideological education—thus securing the successful path to winning “two historical initiatives.” This speech provides direction and guidance for deepening the fight against corruption in the new journey ahead, and for resolutely waging tough, sustained, and comprehensive battles against corruption.

Always remain clear-headed and firm in addressing the unique challenges faced by a major political party, and regard the fight against corruption as a major political task that the Party must persistently and firmly pursue as part of its self-revolution.

We must deeply grasp the profound significance of the fight against corruption and, from the strategic perspective of the life-and-death importance to the Party and the country, unswervingly advance this struggle. Corruption erodes the Party’s very essence, undermines fairness and justice, and damages the relationship between officials and the masses. It is the greatest malignant tumor that threatens the Party’s vitality and combat effectiveness—a “roadblock” and “stumbling block” that we must resolutely remove in order to promote Chinese-style modernization. Since the 18th National Congress of the Party, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has consistently viewed Party conduct and integrity building as well as the fight against corruption from a strategic standpoint. From the perspectives of preserving the Party’s advanced nature and purity, rallying the hearts of Party members, military personnel, and the people, solidifying the political foundation for the Party’s governance, consolidating the Party’s ruling status, and fulfilling the Party’s mission and tasks, the Central Committee has profoundly expounded on the great significance of the fight against corruption. It has emphasized that opposing corruption and building an honest political system—while safeguarding the Party’s health—is a clear and consistent political stance upheld by our Party throughout its history. It has stressed that the future and destiny of any political party and regime hinge on the support or opposition of the people; since the people most bitterly resent corruption, we must unswervingly fight against it. It has underscored that corruption poses the greatest threat to the Party’s governing foundation, inflicting the most severe damage and wielding the greatest destructive power—a threat that can easily topple a regime. Thus, the fight against corruption is a major political struggle that we cannot afford to lose and must never allow ourselves to lose. It has also pointed out that failing to fight corruption will indeed lead to the Party’s demise; whereas genuine anti-corruption efforts not only will not destroy the Party but will instead enhance its capacity for self-purification, self-improvement, self-renewal, and self-enhancement, thereby maintaining the close bond between the Party and the people and making our Party stronger and more powerful. Moreover, it has emphasized that only by remaining steadfast and persistent in the ongoing fight against corruption, deepening both symptomatic and root-cause treatments, and ensuring that cadres are upright, the government is clean, and politics are transparent, can we break free from historical cyclical patterns and ensure the long-term stability and enduring prosperity of the Party and the country. These new ideas, new perspectives, and new judgments profoundly summarize the lessons learned from anti-corruption efforts past and present, both domestically and internationally, deepen our understanding of the underlying principles governing Party building and the fight against corruption, reflect our Party’s clarity and determination in addressing the unique challenges faced by a large political party, and highlight our Party’s historical initiative and sense of responsibility in firmly opposing corruption and resolving its own problems.

We must have a profound grasp of the situation facing the fight against corruption and remain steadfastly committed to keeping this struggle ongoing. Since the 18th National Congress of the Party, while fully recognizing the historic achievements made in the fight against corruption, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has consistently adopted a historical perspective to make clear-sighted judgments about the situation confronting this struggle. In August 2013, the Politburo meeting made the crucial judgment of “three stills,” emphasizing that corrupt practices remain widespread, the conditions conducive to corruption persist, and the situation facing the fight against corruption remains grave and complex. Subsequently, at the Third Plenary Session of the 18th Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, General Secretary Xi Jinping explicitly stated that “the situation facing the fight against corruption remains grave and complex,” stressing the need to deeply understand the long-term, complex, and arduous nature of this struggle and to resolutely carry forward the building of Party conduct and integrity as well as the fight against corruption to the very end. At the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, General Secretary Xi Jinping further made the important judgment of “two stills,” clearly pointing out that the situation facing the fight against corruption remains grave and complex: the accumulated stock of corruption has yet to be eliminated, new cases continue to emerge, and the task of eradicating the underlying conditions and factors that breed corruption remains daunting and heavy. It is precisely based on this clear-sighted understanding and scientific assessment of the situation facing the fight against corruption that the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has consistently emphasized that as long as the soil and conditions that give rise to corruption persist, the fight against corruption must never pause—it must always maintain an offensive posture, uphold the principle of strict governance over the long term, and pursue the fight against corruption with unwavering determination and perseverance, leaving tangible marks and indelible footprints. Only in this way can we ensure that the Party remains unchanged in its nature, color, and flavor.

We must deeply grasp the fundamental principles governing the fight against corruption and always firmly maintain the initiative in this struggle. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, General Secretary Xi Jinping has led the entire Party to advance comprehensive and strict governance and the fight against corruption with unprecedented determination and intensity. He has put forward a series of original, landmark new concepts, new ideas, and new strategies that scientifically address major questions such as why our Party needs self-revolution, why it is capable of self-revolution, and how to promote self-revolution. These efforts have given rise to General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important thought on the Party’s self-revolution, providing a powerful ideological weapon for deepening comprehensive and strict governance, promoting clean governance within the Party, and advancing the fight against corruption. General Secretary Xi Jinping has profoundly grasped the fundamental laws governing the fight against corruption, emphasizing that only by adhering to strict punishment according to law to establish a deterrent mechanism and create an atmosphere where corruption is simply unacceptable; by continuously improving laws and regulations to build preventive mechanisms and enhance preventive effects; and by strengthening ideological education to foster self-discipline and erect a moral and ethical defense against corruption, can we effectively eliminate the space and breeding grounds for corrupt practices. We must clearly adopt the integrated approach of deterring corruption, making corruption unprofitable, and cultivating an aversion to corruption as the fundamental guiding principle for the fight against corruption and as an important strategy for comprehensively and strictly governing the Party in the new era. We must underscore that deterrence, prevention, and self-restraint are interdependent and mutually reinforcing components of an organic whole that must be coordinated and linked together to maximize overall effectiveness.

Since the 18th National Congress of the Party, the efforts to enforce strict governance across the board and fight corruption have been unprecedented in their intensity and have yielded remarkable results that are evident to all. These achievements have greatly bolstered our confidence and determination to deepen the fight against corruption. In 2024 alone, disciplinary inspection and supervision agencies nationwide handled a total of 2.175 million leads, initiated investigations into 877,000 cases, and imposed disciplinary sanctions on 889,000 individuals—including 58 centrally-managed officials who were placed under investigation. Moreover, more than 700,000 cases involving misconduct and corruption affecting the people’s immediate interests were uncovered and addressed, effectively resolving a large number of pressing issues that had drawn strong public complaints. The fight against corruption in the new era has achieved historic accomplishments, purifying the ranks of Party officials, safeguarding the Party’s image, consolidating the red江山 (the revolutionary legacy), winning the hearts and minds of the Party, the people, and the military, and rallying the entire Party, the armed forces, and all ethnic groups across the country into a powerful force united in their common endeavor to build a strong nation and realize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

We will adhere to the principles of strong deterrence, high-pressure enforcement, and long-term intimidation, and resolutely curb the momentum of corruption’s emergence and spread.

We have consistently adopted a zero-tolerance approach to combating corruption, advancing relentlessly without the slightest compromise or retreat. Since the 18th National Congress of the Party, the Party Central Committee—with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core—has, driven by a strong sense of historical responsibility, profound awareness of mission and peril, and unwavering willpower, steadfastly promoted efforts to build a clean and honest Party and fight against corruption. We have continuously strengthened the atmosphere of deterrence against corruption, adhered to the principles of severe containment, high-pressure enforcement, and long-term震慑, resolutely reduced existing corrupt practices, focused on curbing new cases, and firmly eliminated all factors that undermine the Party’s advanced nature and purity, as well as all viruses eroding the Party’s healthy body, thereby ensuring that the Party remains healthy, advanced, and pure. By intensifying international efforts to pursue fugitives and recover stolen assets, and by launching major targeted campaigns, we have left no hiding place for those who have already fled and shattered any illusions held by those contemplating escape, thus firmly curbing the spread of corrupt practices.

We must consistently maintain a high-pressure stance against corruption and continuously intensify the fight against it. For serious cases, we must employ strong measures. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has, driven by the mission of “offending thousands but failing to let down 1.4 billion people,” led the entire Party in launching an unprecedented anti-corruption campaign, firmly upholding the principle that any corruption must be investigated and any corruption must be punished. General Secretary Xi Jinping has emphasized that in investigating and dealing with corruption, we must remain unswervingly committed to zero tolerance, maintain our resolve to use strong medicine to cure the disease, never lose the courage to scrape the bone and remove the poison, and keep our standards for severe punishment strictly enforced. We will investigate and deal with every case we uncover, no matter how many cases are found—without setting targets or imposing upper limits. In the new era, the fight against corruption has always kept the sword of anti-corruption raised high and wielded effectively. There are no forbidden zones or special zones in this fight; regardless of rank or position, anyone who violates the law will be dealt with rigorously, ensuring that those who harbor thoughts of corruption abandon such intentions and those who have already engaged in corruption pay the price, thereby creating a powerful deterrent effect in the fight against corruption.

We have consistently adhered to a problem-oriented approach, focusing intently on key issues, critical areas, and priority targets, and conducting thorough investigations and targeted efforts. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has consistently insisted on addressing whatever problems exist and prioritizing those that are most prominent, delving deeply into each issue, conducting meticulous investigations, and meting out strict punishments without any leniency. We have closely monitored major projects, key sectors, and critical positions that are vital to overall development and national security, deepening and expanding anti-corruption efforts in areas characterized by concentrated power, heavy capital flows, and abundant resources. We have continued to intensify efforts to tackle misconduct and corruption affecting the people’s immediate interests. In particular, we have focused on investigating corruption cases where political and economic issues are intertwined, and where collusion between government officials and business elites undermines both the political ecosystem and the business environment. We have also conducted in-depth investigations into new forms of corruption and hidden corruption, insisting on simultaneous investigation of both bribery and corruption. By using specific cases as leverage for reform and governance, we have effectively eliminated the soil and conditions conducive to corruption, thereby creating a cleaner and more upright political environment and fostering a favorable development landscape for advancing Chinese-style modernization through new achievements in anti-corruption and integrity-building.

Strengthen the constraints and oversight of power operations, and firmly establish a “cage” that makes corruption impossible.

Grasping institutional development as the fundamental approach, we must cage power within the confines of institutions. Power is the greatest corrosive agent; at its core, corruption stems from power going astray and exceeding proper bounds. By strengthening institutional development, scientifically allocating power, and severing the chains of interest transmission, we can establish a continuously improving institutional framework and a rigorous, effective oversight system—this is the root solution for advancing the fight against corruption. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has consistently upheld the principle of governing power, affairs, and personnel through institutions, focusing on restraining and supervising power. Through comprehensively deepening reform and promoting institutional innovation, we have simultaneously dismantled old practices and established new ones, reinforcing the building of Party regulations and systems for anti-corruption and integrity, as well as national legislation against corruption. Centering on key links such as authorization, exercise of power, and checks and balances on power, we have scientifically and reasonably defined the allocation of power, clearly delineated power boundaries, and drawn up detailed lists of powers, explicitly specifying which powers may be exercised and which may not. We have also strengthened control over power processes, narrowed the scope for discretionary decision-making, eliminated all forms of clandestine operations, minimized opportunities for rent-seeking through power, and established effective and functional mechanisms and systems to ensure that public power operates on the right track.

We must comprehensively strengthen disciplinary development and govern the Party with strict discipline. Our Party is a Marxist political party organized on the basis of revolutionary ideals and ironclad discipline. Strengthening disciplinary development is the fundamental approach to exercising full and rigorous governance over the Party, and integrity and self-discipline are the bottom line for Communist Party members in their official duties and political conduct. Since the 18th National Congress of the Party, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has incorporated disciplinary development into the overall framework of Party building, insisting that discipline must be stricter than law and take precedence over law. We have used stringent discipline to regulate the performance of duties and exercise of power by Party members and cadres, educating and guiding them to respect authority, remain vigilant, and stay within the boundaries set by discipline. This ensures that the iron discipline “grows teeth” and exerts its full force, reinforcing rigid constraints, while also encouraging Party members and cadres to take discipline seriously, remain alert, and know when to stop—transforming external discipline into internal self-discipline and internalizing it as a code of conduct that they follow unconsciously in their daily lives. In particular, we have enforced strictly the Party’s political discipline and political norms, educating and guiding Party organizations at all levels and the vast number of Party members and cadres to strictly abide by these disciplines and norms, uphold their political convictions, maintain firm political stances, and stay true to the right political direction. We have resolutely put an end to the “seven types of problems,” using strict political discipline to drive comprehensive and stringent enforcement of organizational discipline, integrity discipline, mass discipline, work discipline, and lifestyle discipline. We have rigorously enforced Party discipline, accurately applied the “four forms” of discipline, adhered to the principle of “three distinctions,” and integrated strict management and supervision with encouragement of taking responsibility and initiative, enabling Party members and cadres to innovate, start businesses, and accomplish tasks while complying with rules and discipline.

We will continue to improve and refine the comprehensive system for strict Party governance, constantly raising the level of institutionalization, standardization, and scientific approach in Party management and governance. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has consistently upheld governance based on rules and regulations, taking the Party Constitution as the fundamental guiding principle, democratic centralism as the core principle, and the establishment of a comprehensive system for strict Party governance as an effective approach. We have ensured that this system covers all aspects comprehensively, reaches every Party member and organization without exception, assigns clear responsibilities across the entire chain, and integrates all systems seamlessly. The strategic guidelines for comprehensive and strict Party governance have been fully integrated into all areas of Party building—including political development, ideological development, organizational development, work style development, disciplinary development, institutional development, and the fight against corruption—so that the requirements of comprehensiveness, the tone of rigor, and the philosophy of governance are thoroughly implemented in the construction of the comprehensive and strict Party governance system. By doing so, we continuously enhance the institutionalization, standardization, and scientific nature of our governance efforts, further fostering a virtuous cycle in which the Party relies on its own strength to identify problems, correct deviations, promote innovation, and achieve an overall enhancement of its governance capacity. This ensures that all aspects of comprehensive and strict Party governance and the fight against corruption better reflect the characteristics of our times, grasp underlying patterns, and demonstrate creativity.

Fully leverage the deterrent and preventive effects of inspection tours, and promote the concretization, precision, and normalization of political oversight. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has attached great importance to inspection work, clearly defining its responsibilities and positioning it as a strategic institutional arrangement for intra-Party supervision. Inspection work has achieved full coverage, and its intensity, rigor, and effectiveness have reached unprecedented levels. The “sword” of inspection has fully played its role in deterring and curbing corruption and promoting clean governance within the Party. In particular, we have deepened political inspections and political oversight, closely focusing on implementing the Party’s theories, lines, principles, and policies, as well as the major decisions and deployments of the Party Central Committee. We have also remained firmly committed to fully, accurately, and comprehensively implementing the new development philosophy, accelerating the establishment of a new development pattern, solidly promoting high-quality development, further deepening comprehensive reform, and advancing Chinese-style modernization—the “matters of paramount national importance.” By deepening political inspections and promoting the concretization, precision, and normalization of political oversight, we are clearing obstacles and providing safe navigation for the giant ship of Chinese-style modernization as it steams ahead steadily and far into the future.

Uphold the foundation and nurture the roots, build a dam against corruption, and enhance the conscious commitment to not wanting to be corrupt.

Strengthen education in ideals and convictions, guiding all Party members and cadres to remain true to their original aspirations and keep their mission firmly in mind. Revolutionary ideals are loftier than the heavens. The lofty ideal of communism and the common ideal of socialism with Chinese characteristics are the spiritual pillar and political soul of Communist Party members, and also the solid foundation for all Party members and cadres to resist the erosion of various decadent ideologies. Since the 18th National Congress of the Party, the Party Central Committee—with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core—has made concerted efforts to strengthen ideological and political development, carry forward the Party’s glorious traditions, continue the red lineage, promote socialist core values, nourish Party spirit and moral cultivation with the great spirit of Party building, and educate and guide all Party members and cadres to consolidate the foundation of their faith, replenish their spiritual calcium, and steer their thoughts firmly in the right direction. We must address the “master switch” issue of worldview, outlook on life, and values; uphold great morality, observe public ethics, and strictly practice personal ethics; emphasize integrity and conduct, maintain upright character, and cultivate inner virtue, thus practicing self-discipline and integrity, strengthening our moral and ethical foundations, detoxifying and sterilizing ourselves, eliminating illness and healing wounds, and continuously reinforcing the ideological and moral basis for Party members and cadres to govern with integrity and build an unshakable ideological and moral defense against corruption and degeneration.

Strengthen ideological development, consistently uphold Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as the guiding ideology to unite hearts and forge souls, and thoroughly study and implement General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important thoughts on the Party’s self-revolution. Ideological development is the foundational building block of the Party; theoretical firmness and clarity are prerequisites for ideological and political steadfastness and clarity. Since the 18th National Congress of the Party, the Party Central Committee—with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core—has consistently attached great importance to building the Party through ideology and strengthening it through theory. It has insisted on using the Party’s innovative theories to unite hearts and forge souls, educating and guiding Party members and cadres at all levels to firmly uphold their faith in Marxism and their communist ideals. In particular, we must grasp and effectively apply the worldview, methodology, and underlying standpoints, viewpoints, and approaches embedded in Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. We must continue to exert sustained efforts in truly studying, understanding, believing in, and applying these ideas, deepening our internalization and transformation of them. By drawing spiritual strength and intellectual wisdom from the Party’s innovative theories, we can advance the fight against corruption more effectively.

Firmly establish the correct views on power, performance, and career, and always uphold the political integrity of communists—resisting corruption and remaining untainted. Since the 18th National Congress of the Party, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has guided a broad contingent of Party members and cadres, especially leading officials at all levels, to firmly establish the right worldview, view on power, and view on career. They have been urged to exercise power fairly, in accordance with the law, for the benefit of the people, and with integrity, ensuring that they remain true to their principles, stay within proper bounds, and know when to stop. They must conduct themselves without overstepping boundaries, act without recklessness, and wield power without violating regulations—never crossing disciplinary red lines or stepping beyond the boundaries set by rules. By internalizing compliance with rules and discipline, Party members and cadres have developed a heightened sense of political awareness, ideological consciousness, and behavioral自觉.

Cultivate a positive and healthy intra-party political culture and comprehensively purify the intra-party political environment. Since the 18th National Congress of the Party, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has attached great importance to strengthening intra-party political life and purifying the intra-party political environment as fundamental and crucial issues in Party building. We have enhanced the political nature, contemporaneity, principled stance, and combativeness of intra-party political life, consciously resisted the erosion of commodity-exchange principles on intra-party activities, comprehensively purified the intra-party political environment, and pooled powerful positive energy to eliminate corruption and promote integrity. We have strengthened the construction of intra-party political culture, carried forward the Party’s glorious traditions and fine styles, used revolutionary culture to forge noble character characterized by selflessness and willingness to dedicate oneself to others, cultivated a cultural foundation for clean governance and impartial exercise of power through advanced socialist culture, and nurtured a spiritual realm of self-discipline, public-spiritedness, and integrity through China’s outstanding traditional culture. We have educated and guided Party members and cadres at all levels to consciously resist the erosion of seeking personal gain through power and engaging in corruption and bribery. We have advocated for and promoted values such as loyalty and honesty, openness and integrity, fairness and uprightness, seeking truth from facts, hard work, and incorruptibility. We have firmly opposed and resisted practices like networking, “black-and-white” strategies, bureaucratic artistry, and “unwritten rules,” using a sound political culture to foster a clean and upright political environment and continuously enrich the soil for a good political ecology. We have reinforced institutional development, established clear rules and regulations, and broken down unwritten rules. Through reforms of systems and mechanisms and institutional innovation, we have continuously improved the political environment. We have set the right orientation for personnel selection, implemented the Party’s organizational line for the new era, and promoted a clean and upright personnel environment to ensure that the political environment remains pure and beautiful.

Source | People's Daily Online, Official Website for Party History Study and Education