Editor’s Note:

The book of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China includes a number of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s governance ideas that involve improving Party conduct, such as “the issue of working style is in no sense a small one.” Xi stressed that “if the Party has a sound style of work, then the people are at peace and willing to stand with the Party in both success and adversity.” In March, the Communist Party of China (CPC) launched a Party-wide education campaign to implement its central leadership’s Eight-Rules decision on improving work conduct, immediately after the conclusion of the annual two sessions. The move underscores that the Eight Rules have not only become a “golden hallmark” of the CPC’s efforts to improve Party conduct in the new era, but also a mobilization order for Party members to uphold credibility with concrete actions, stay clean and dedicated in their work, and create new achievements.

In the second installment of the “Decoding the Book of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China” series, the Global Times (GT) continues to invite Chinese and international scholars, translators of the work, practitioners of its concepts, and overseas readers to share their insights, understandings and reflections on CPC’s efforts to improve Party conduct and promote full, rigorous Party self-governance.

In the second article of “Translators’ Voices” which comprises interviews with translators of the book from various countries, GT reporter Li Xuanmin talked to Wirun Phichaiwongphakdee (Wirun), director of the Thailand-China Research Center of the Belt and Road Initiative, who is responsible for translating and publishing the book’s Thai edition.

GT: In the article of “Power must be ‘caged’ by the system” in Volume 1 of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China, it is stated that “the issue of working style is in no sense a small one. If misconduct is not corrected but allowed to run rampant, it will build an invisible wall between our Party and the people. As a result, our Party will lose its base, lifeblood and strength.” As such, the CPC released its Eight Rules late in 2012 to combat undesirable work practices, taking it as a breakthrough point and mobilization order to launch a persistent and long-term effort to improve Party conduct. You have been closely following this process for years. And what are the keywords characterizing relevant work in improving Party conduct over the past decade that impress you? What changes has this initiative brought about?

Wirun: The CPC has demonstrated unprecedented strategic resolve and institutional resilience in improving Party conduct since 2012, and I would use one of the keywords “self-reform” to summarize this effort. I have had the privilege to witness firsthand, through my continuous engagement and learning, the profound transformations in the CPC’s efforts to improve its conduct, shape institutional frameworks, and enhance national governance capabilities. This highly self-aware approach has been vividly reflected in my interactions during multiple visits to China over the past decade – whether at local government service counters or in the words and actions of officials at all levels, the CPC’s governance permeates the “capillaries,” exerting strong practical influence in guiding and regulating Party members’ behaviors.

Personally, I have visited government service halls in multiple Chinese provinces, where tasks that once required multiple visits can now be completed in a single step through a “one-stop, one-time processing” system. This reflects both an innovation in governance philosophy and serves as solid evidence of improved conduct among officials. In my discussions with local officials, I deeply feel their strong sense of respect for institutional regulations and their serious attention to conduct and discipline. This rigorous, efficient, and pragmatic governance environment is a genuine reflection of how the CPC’s efforts to improve its conduct have been deeply embedded in institutional operations.

The second keyword that impresses me is the concept of the “critical few” put forward by Xi, which has also played a crucial and demonstrative role in improving Party conduct. I was impressed by Xi’s work experience in a small village called Liangjiahe in Northwest China’s Shaanxi Province. During that time, Xi did all the farm work, including carrying manure and building dams. He has always demonstrated the principle of “serving the people” through his actions and I was particularly inspired by this political culture of “setting an example for those below them.” I noticed that he has carried out many in-depth inspections at the grassroots level, keeping the entourage small and simple, and such a down-to-earth and low-profile approach demonstrates a governance philosophy of putting people first, which sets a benchmark for Party members and officials at all levels.

It is through establishing the “critical few” as role models that China has imbued a culture of clean government and upright conduct into the Party’s work, and thus it helps improve Party conduct and government work style. This improvement has not only earned the trust of the people but also significantly enhanced the execution capacity and credibility of the CPC and the national administrative system.

GT: The above-mentioned key word “critical few” was first put forward by Xi in February 2015. As illustrated in the book of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China, Xi stressed many times that China’s success hinges on the Party, especially on the Party’s efforts to exercise effective self-supervision and full and rigorous self-governance. From the perspective of Party building, what important role does Party conduct play in shaping a political party? What can political parties in other countries learn from the CPC’s approach to improving Party conduct by focusing on the role of the “critical few”?

Wirun: The Party’s efforts in improving its conduct are precisely where the spiritual strength of the century-old CPC lies. Those efforts are also important guarantee for the country to achieve Chinese modernization and a vivid reflection of how a political party should take its responsibility for modernization. The effectiveness of China’s efforts in improving Party conduct lies in the fact that it goes beyond mere “superficial refinement” or “statements,” and is instead deeply rooted in the Party’s governance philosophy and a people-centered approach. From my perspective, the “Party conduct” is by no means superficial embellishment, but is an external reflection of the CPC’s governing philosophy and institutional arrangements. The issue is closely tied to political beliefs, institutional enforcement, and national strategic stability.

I noticed that CPC members and officials are undergoing a profound cognitive restructuring, a process which represents the CPC’s deep reflection on key issues such as what Chinese modernization is, how to assess Western systems and whether and how China should follow its own path – rather than some abstract declarations. I had also discussed with some grassroots officials, who had confided that they once harbored misconceptions about the Western models. But through their systematic study of the book of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China, they had a “reawakening of confidence,” firmly believing that China’s development path is both effective and more aligned with the interests of the people. Such process not only drives changes in governance approaches but also facilitates the institutionalization of Party conduct for Party members and officials.

The CPC’s self-governance holds particular relevance for the Global South countries, including Thailand, that is governing either a party or a country should not rely on imported Western models – but should build a modern governance system in accordance with its own conditions, with roots in a nation’s own history, cultural traditions, institutional heritage, and the needs of its people. The CPC, with a spirit of “Party’s self-reform,” has provided a vivid example of how to continuously refine the exercise of power, safeguard the interests of the people, and enhance governance capacity. I believe this represents the most valuable political wisdom for countries worldwide as they navigate increasingly complex challenges in the future.

GT: You just mentioned that the self-reform spirit of CPC provides the most valuable political wisdom in tackling complex challenges. When the Eight Rules on improving Party conduct were introduced back in 2012, some remain skeptical on whether the CPC could truly eradicate deep-seated problems and be consistent in implementing the decision. Some compared the education campaign to a passing trend which generates buzz but yields little substantive impact. How do you view this perspective?

Wirun: In Volume 1 of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China, Xi stressed that “the mass line is the life of our Party and the fundamental approach to the Party’s work.” And the Party’s close ties with the people are “the hallmark that distinguishes the CPC from other political parties,” and that “unite the people through the Party’s fine tradition.” This shows that the core of improving Party conduct is to return to the people and serve the people, and to anchor the Party's roots deep in the soil of the people. It is fair to say that all the efforts to improve Party conduct reflect the CPC’s people-centered approach and problem-solving orientation – be it to closely connect with the people and conduct in-depth field studies, improve the style of meetings and official documents, oppose formalism and bureaucratism, promote a pragmatic and truth-seeking attitude, or to resist extravagance and waste.

Today, the CPC is leading the Chinese people on a path to Chinese modernization. This is a historic leap partly driven by improved Party conduct, which centers on self-restraint of power, political commitment to the people and connection with the people. Improving the Party conduct is also a profound reconstruction of national governance, epitomizing the shift in governance philosophy from “management-oriented” to “service-oriented.” And thanks to all these efforts, the Chinese people genuinely feel that officials are doing things for the people and the country is making progress, which strengthens their recognition of the Party and reinforces confidence in the system.

GT: You just talked about CPC upholding a “people-centered approach and problem-oriented mindset.” In the article titled “Stay True To Our Original Aspiration And Continue Marching Forward” in Volume 2 of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China, it is stated that “the Party’s style of work has a significant bearing on its image, which serves as a ‘barometer’ to observe the relations between the Party and the people and between officials and ordinary individuals. It can also help judge trends in public sentiment. If the Party has a sound style of work, then the people are at peace and willing to stand with the Party in both success and adversity.” Globally, many political parties have also attempted to establish rules and regulations for themselves and to make the parties closely aligned with the people. How do the CPC’s efforts in improving Party conduct differ from the approaches of some Western political parties?

Wirun: China’s political system is characterized by a high level of organization and execution capacity, enabling the country to mobilize resources for major initiatives. Within this system, Party conduct and discipline is not merely a set of written regulations but a concrete and rigid constraint that could translate into strong enforcement. In contrast, the party systems of some Western countries are relatively loose and constrained by short-term election cycles, making them prone to slipping into populism or political fragmentation. This also weakens their ability to form a unified will and establish long-term, effective disciplinary mechanisms.

More importantly, the key difference between the CPC and some Western political parties is that the CPC does not make empty promises or stop at political slogans. The CPC firmly stands with the people, always putting people’s fundamental interests and wellbeing above all else and placing the people in the highest position at the heart.

I’m quite impressed by the Chinese old saying “selflessness in governance creates social equity” quoted in Volume 4 of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China. At its core, it embodies the political ideal in Chinese culture of taking responsibility for the world and governing a country with a selfless heart. The essence lies in the values of “putting one’s interests aside for the common good.” In the CPC’s governing practices, this concept has been given vibrant contemporary significance and has become a defining characteristic that sets it apart from other political parties. It is precisely this selfless stance that has given the CPC the courage and legitimacy to continuously improve Party conduct and pursue self-reform.

The world is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century. Against the backdrop, the CPC deeply understands that relying solely on administrative orders and institutional arrangements is insufficient to address challenges, and it is even more essential to foster strong Party conduct to unite strength, align thinking, and inspire motivation. Therefore, improving Party conduct is by no means a short-term emergency measure but a strategic undertaking to ensure that the Party maintains its advanced nature, purity, and leadership amid great transformations in the new era.

The CPC’s efforts to improve conduct also carry significant global implications. This is not only a reflection of the Party’s self-reform but also a solemn declaration to the world: Chinese modernization is neither closed-door nor self-satisfied; It is open, inclusive, and committed to advancing together with the world.

https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202503/1331194.shtml