Tongfang Academy
Micro Party Class · Issue 335
Place political cultivation at the forefront of Party spirit cultivation.
“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 a learning platform for all its lawyers in the form of micro-party classes, 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.
Political cultivation is the process by which individuals consciously engage in self-training and self-improvement in social and political life, thereby enhancing their level of political awareness and the quality of their political thinking. When presiding over the democratic life meeting of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that leading cadres must regard honing Party spirit and raising ideological awareness as a lifelong task—continuously learning, cultivating themselves, and striving for improvement throughout their lives. He particularly emphasized placing political cultivation at the very forefront of Party spirit cultivation. This important statement not only profoundly clarifies the primary status and guiding principles of political cultivation but also deepens our understanding of the underlying patterns governing Party spirit cultivation. It holds immense significance for Party members and cadres as they further strengthen their Party spirit cultivation.
Party spirit is the concrete manifestation of the Party’s nature in individual party members; it serves as the cornerstone for cadres and party members in establishing their character, building their careers, articulating their views, and cultivating their moral integrity. The Communist Party of China is the vanguard of the Chinese working class, and at the same time, the vanguard of the Chinese people and the Chinese nation. A distinct class character and political orientation are the essential attributes of the Party. For a Marxist political party, its party spirit is first and foremost embodied in its steadfast adherence to these class and political characteristics. Mao Zedong believed that “party spirit is a common and universal attribute—every single member of the Party possesses it.” Deng Xiaoping emphasized that “all Communist Party members must strengthen their party spirit,” and “every cadre must put party spirit first.” General Secretary Xi Jinping stressed that “the most fundamental aspect of upholding politics is to uphold party spirit—in ideological and political terms, this means standing firm on political stance, political direction, political principles, and political path; in practical actions, it means safeguarding the authority of the Party Central Committee, implementing the Party’s political line, and strictly observing the Party’s political discipline and rules.” These important statements profoundly elucidate the essence of party spirit and provide us with clear guidance and a solid foundation for placing political cultivation at the forefront of our efforts to enhance party spirit.
Practice has shown that when some Party members and cadres run into trouble, it is rarely due to a lack of work competence; rather, most such problems stem from political lapses. To strengthen Party spirit cultivation, we must grasp the fundamental principles, stay true to the right direction, and focus on the very essence of our work. Placing political cultivation at the forefront of Party spirit cultivation means requiring all Party members and cadres to uphold lofty ideals and aspirations, firm political convictions, advanced ideological awareness, and noble moral character. They must keep firmly in mind the fundamental question of what the Communist Party of China is and what it aims to achieve, bear in mind the “two overarching situations,” and always have the “big picture of the nation” at heart. They must remain deeply conscious of the Party’s political nature, political mission, political goals, and political aspirations; they must never forget that their primary identity as Communist Party members and their first duty is to serve the Party. They must steadfastly uphold the political stance, political direction, and political principles of Communist Party members, consciously maintaining the highest degree of alignment with the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core—in thought, politics, and action—and enhancing their “four consciousnesses,” firmly upholding their “four self-confidences,” and ensuring they “safeguard two safeguards.”
Upholding clear political principles is a fundamental requirement for our Party as a Marxist political party, and it also represents the fine tradition and unique advantage that our Party has cultivated over more than a century of struggle. Practice has proven that political cultivation determines both the direction and effectiveness of Party-member cultivation. Especially in today’s intricate domestic and international environment—where various ideological currents are fiercely competing, diverse interests are constantly vying for attention, and factors of instability and uncertainty are on the rise—it becomes exceedingly difficult to maintain a clear political mind in the face of major right-and-wrong issues if one lacks strong political sensitivity and discernment. Strong political cultivation can guide and drive the development of cultivation in all other areas; conversely, if political cultivation falters or loses its way, cultivation in other areas will also lose its meaning. Strengthening Party-member cultivation means putting the principle of clearly upholding politics into practice through the self-reform of Party members and cadres, ensuring that political principles are deeply internalized and outwardly manifested in concrete actions. Placing political cultivation first, starting with political cultivation, and using it as the guiding force will yield remarkable results—achieving twice the outcome with half the effort—in strengthening Party-member cultivation.
Only when we are politically clear-minded can we act with conscious self-discipline; only when we are politically firm can we withstand any test. Faced with new situations and challenges in Party building, General Secretary Xi Jinping has emphasized that “placing the Party’s political development first” and that “the Party’s political development is its fundamental construction, determining both the direction and effectiveness of Party building.” This not only profoundly elucidates the fundamental status and role of the Party’s political development but also sets a clear political orientation. Since the 18th National Congress of the Party, the vast majority of Party members and cadres have significantly enhanced their consciousness and determination to strengthen their Party spirit—especially their political cultivation—thus creating favorable conditions for addressing prominent political issues within the Party and fostering a sound political environment. On this new journey ahead, all Party members and cadres must proactively align themselves with the practical requirements of the Party’s political development, regard enhancing political capability as the top priority, transform the explicit demand to uphold political principles into an internal, proactive commitment, and integrate this commitment throughout the entire process of ideological refinement, Party spirit cultivation, political experience, and practical training. In doing so, they can effectively resist various temptations and risks, ensure that their political capabilities match their responsibilities, and truly shoulder the political responsibilities entrusted to them by the Party and the people.
Source | People's Daily Online, Official Website for Party History Study and Education
