Suro Senen
Beijing has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to combating undesirable work styles, with President Xi Jinping, also General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, issuing a forceful instruction on Monday. The directive underscores that the battle against deeply entrenched issues like hedonism, extravagance, formalities for formalities’ sake, and bureaucratism must not cease, emphasizing the enduring nature of these challenges despite significant progress. This renewed emphasis followed a revealing article by the official Xinhua News Agency, which highlighted new manifestations of old problems within the Party and government ranks.
A Decade-Long Campaign Against Corruption and Misconduct
The current push is not an isolated event but rather a continuation of a sweeping anti-corruption and anti-misconduct campaign launched shortly after Xi Jinping assumed leadership in late 2012. This campaign, unprecedented in its scale and intensity, was initiated to address widespread public discontent over corruption, abuse of power, and a perceived disconnect between Party officials and the populace. A cornerstone of this effort was the "Eight-point decision" introduced in December 2012, which set strict rules on official conduct, including restrictions on lavish banquets, unnecessary travel, and excessive formalities. The initial years of the campaign saw thousands of officials, from "tigers" (high-ranking) to "flies" (lower-ranking), investigated, prosecuted, and disciplined, sending a clear message that corruption would not be tolerated.
The impact of this decade-long endeavor has been profound. Public trust in the Party’s ability to self-purify has arguably seen a boost, and the overt displays of extravagance and official misconduct that were once common have largely receded from public view. Official data frequently highlights the sheer volume of cases handled and individuals punished, signaling the Party’s resolve. For instance, reports from the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) and the National Supervisory Commission (NSC) have indicated that millions of officials have faced disciplinary action since 2012, reflecting the comprehensive nature of the crackdown. This relentless pursuit of misconduct has become a defining feature of Xi’s leadership, seen as crucial for maintaining the Party’s legitimacy and strengthening its governing capacity.
The Evolving Challenge: "Old Problems in New Forms"
Despite these monumental achievements, Xi Jinping’s latest instruction serves as a stark reminder that the fight is far from over. He pointed out that the "new forms of misconduct" identified are, in their essence, "old problems" that have adapted and resurfaced in more subtle or disguised ways. This observation speaks to the intractability and recurrence of undesirable work styles, which often find new avenues to manifest once previous loopholes are closed.
The Xinhua article, which prompted Xi’s instruction, detailed several concerning trends. It revealed instances of officials conducting perfunctory work in their research and inspections, engaging in superficial efforts that lack genuine depth or impact. Some Party and governmental agencies and their workers were found to show "false concern for the public," merely going through the motions of public service without undertaking practical work that genuinely benefits the people. A particularly insidious problem highlighted was local governments prioritizing the attention and approval of higher officials over the actual satisfaction and welfare of the local populace, leading to show projects and policies designed for upward reporting rather than downward impact. Furthermore, the article pointed to cases of officials dodging responsibilities, exhibiting inaction, sloth, double-dealing, and duplicity, all of which erode administrative efficiency and public trust.
These "new forms" demonstrate the adaptability of misconduct. For example, while overt lavish banquets may have decreased, informal gatherings or disguised expenses might emerge. While direct bribery might be riskier, officials might seek personal gain through less traceable means or through the influence of their power. The persistence of these issues, despite years of intense scrutiny, underscores the deep-rooted nature of bureaucratic inertia and the constant human temptation for privilege and ease.
A Timeline of Renewed Vigilance
The immediate chronology of this renewed focus began with the publication of the Xinhua News Agency article, which brought these evolving forms of misconduct to national attention. This was swiftly followed by Xi Jinping’s instruction on Monday, signaling the highest leadership’s immediate and serious consideration of the reported issues. Subsequently, the General Office of the CPC Central Committee issued a circular, directing all Party and governmental agencies to study and implement Xi’s instruction with prompt action. This rapid sequence of events highlights the Party’s operational efficiency in responding to internal critiques and implementing directives from the top leadership. The circular also specifically emphasized the upcoming New Year’s and Spring Festival season as an "important point" in the fight, a period historically associated with increased social gatherings and potential for gift-giving and extravagance, thus necessitating heightened vigilance to prevent the return of misconduct.
Specific Manifestations and Their Systemic Impact
Understanding the specific types of misconduct is crucial to grasping their broader implications:
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Formalities for Formalities’ Sake (形式主义): This refers to an excessive focus on outward appearances, procedures, and paperwork rather than substantive outcomes. Examples include endless meetings that yield no concrete decisions, voluminous reports that gather dust, or superficial inspections designed to look busy rather than identify genuine problems. This practice stifles innovation, wastes resources, and diverts energy from real problem-solving, ultimately leading to policy implementation failures and public cynicism.
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Bureaucratism (官僚主义): Characterized by rigidity, indifference, red tape, and an aloof attitude towards the public. Officials might be slow to respond to public grievances, prioritize internal rules over citizen needs, or act with arrogance. This alienates the public, creates barriers to effective governance, and can lead to significant social friction when people feel ignored or disrespected by the government.
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Hedonism and Extravagance (享乐主义和奢靡之风): These involve the misuse of public funds for personal pleasure, lavish lifestyles, and conspicuous consumption. While the initial anti-corruption drive significantly curtailed overt displays, the concern is that these tendencies could re-emerge in more subtle ways. Such behavior undermines the Party’s image as a vanguard dedicated to serving the people and erodes public trust, especially in a society that values frugality and collective welfare.
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Other Undesirable Work Styles: The Xinhua article’s enumeration of "perfunctory work in research and inspections," "false concern for the public," "seeking excessive publicity but lacking solid practice," "dodging responsibilities," "inaction, sloth, double-dealing and duplicity" paints a picture of a bureaucratic culture that prioritizes self-preservation or superficial performance over genuine service and accountability. These issues collectively hamper effective governance, waste public resources, and ultimately fail to deliver on the Party’s promises to the people.
Official Responses and Implementation Directives
The directives from the Party center are clear and comprehensive. Xi Jinping explicitly called upon Party and governmental departments at all levels and in all sectors to conduct a thorough self-assessment of their performance in combating these undesirable work styles. The emphasis is on taking "concrete measures to rectify problems," with a particular focus on the "most prominent ones," such as the pursuit of excessive publicity at the expense of solid implementation. He further tasked "leading officials at all levels to take the lead in the campaign," recognizing that leadership by example is paramount for the success of such initiatives.
The General Office of the CPC Central Committee’s circular reinforced these instructions, urging agencies to "carefully sift out new forms of undesirable work styles, resolutely correct them and make solid improvement." This implies a systematic and proactive approach, moving beyond reactive punishment to preventative identification and rectification. A crucial point highlighted by Xi was the need to strictly avoid "formalities for formalities’ sake" in the upcoming CPC campaign on "staying true to our founding mission," a major ideological and organizational initiative. This ensures that the campaign itself does not fall victim to the very problems it seeks to address. The circular’s specific mention of the New Year’s and Spring Festival period underscores the need for continuous vigilance, especially during times when old habits might be tempted to resurface. The goal is to consolidate and build upon the advances made since the implementation of the central Party leadership’s eight-point decision, ensuring that the gains are not merely temporary.
Broader Impact and Implications
This renewed campaign against misconduct carries significant implications for China’s political, social, and economic landscape.
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Strengthening Party Governance and Legitimacy: By persistently tackling these issues, the Party aims to reinforce its internal discipline, enhance its governing capacity, and bolster its legitimacy in the eyes of the public. A clean and efficient government is perceived as a strong government, capable of delivering on its promises and maintaining social stability. This continuous "self-purification" is deemed essential for the Party’s long-term survival and effective rule.
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Improving Policy Implementation and Economic Efficiency: Undesirable work styles, particularly formalities, bureaucratism, and inaction, directly impede the effective implementation of policies, including crucial economic reforms and development initiatives. By reducing these inefficiencies, the Party seeks to improve resource allocation, stimulate economic growth, and ensure that government actions genuinely serve the nation’s development goals. For example, reducing red tape and improving accountability can foster a more transparent and predictable business environment, attracting investment and encouraging innovation.
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Fostering Public Trust and Social Harmony: When officials are perceived as dedicated, honest, and responsive to public needs, trust in the government increases. Conversely, misconduct erodes public confidence and can lead to social unrest. This campaign, therefore, is vital for maintaining social harmony and ensuring that the government remains connected to the aspirations of its people.
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A Long-Term Commitment: The emphasis on the "intractability and recurrence" of these issues signals that the Party views this as an ongoing, generational struggle, not a temporary cleanup effort. It necessitates a permanent state of vigilance and continuous adaptation of disciplinary mechanisms to counter evolving forms of misconduct. This reflects a strategic understanding that human nature and institutional complexities will always present challenges to perfect governance.
In conclusion, Xi Jinping’s latest instruction is a clear signal that China’s leadership is acutely aware of the persistent and evolving nature of misconduct within its vast administrative apparatus. Far from declaring victory, the Party is committing to an enduring struggle, recognizing that the integrity of its governance and its relationship with the people depend on relentless self-correction and an unwavering commitment to principle over privilege. The challenge remains significant, but the directive underscores a resolute determination to address "old problems in new forms" and ensure that the Party truly serves its founding mission.
Ammar Sabilarrohman
Azzam Bilal Chamdy
