Commentary: Raising the bar for CPC’s self-governance

BEIJING, Oct. 26 (Xinhua) — The Fifth Plenary Session of the 20th Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee has drawn close attention for its core agenda: strengthening full and rigorous Party self-governance, with a landmark document tabled for deliberation.

As China enters the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030), a critical stage in laying the groundwork for basically achieving socialist modernization by 2035, the CPC faces severe challenges: strengthening its governing capacity, staying connected with the people, guarding against complacency and resolutely combating corruption.

Only through strong Party leadership and unwavering commitment to full and rigorous self-governance can central leadership decisions be fully implemented and the country’s long-term development stay on course.

For more than a decade, the Party has emphasized advancing this effort, calling for higher standards and more concrete measures to strengthen full and rigorous Party self-governance.

In the implementation of the major decisions and plans of the CPC Central Committee, there must be no resort to empty rhetoric. Words must be matched by deeds.

Oversight must be enhanced in a more targeted, precise and regular manner on applying the new development philosophy, promoting high-quality development, and accelerating the efforts to create a new development pattern, among other strategic imperatives. It should also target key tasks, including developing a modern industrial system and fostering new quality productive forces in line with local conditions.

More scientific and effective efforts are required to confine power to an institutional cage. It is essential to both refine institutional rules and regulations to close loopholes and strengthen safeguards, and ensure their effective implementation through rigorous enforcement and binding constraints.

Compliance brooks no privilege, and enforcement permits no exceptions. The Party has made clear that laws and regulations must be strictly enforced, serving as high-voltage lines that must not be touched.

The fight against corruption remains arduous and complex, demanding greater sobriety and resolve. This high-stake struggle cannot be lost and requires sustained and uncompromising pressure.

Few observers can doubt the resolve and intensity of the CPC’s anti-corruption drive, as shown by years of consistent action targeting senior officials, grassroots misconduct, and cross-border corrupt fugitives alike. Beyond investigating individual cases, the drive combines institutional fixes and education campaigns to demonstrate that the Party’s self-governance is sustained and systematic, not a flash in the pan. This approach targets root causes to ensure officials dare not, cannot and do not want to commit corruption.

For global investors and policymakers, this signals greater predictability. By steadily tackling these problems, China is also creating a more transparent environment for international cooperation. The “rigorousness” in official documents must be translated into a level playing field where merit and the rule of law prevail over connections and bribery. It is hardly surprising that many foreign observers said the CPC’s ability to reform itself is a key factor in its success.

The message is clear: Party self-governance is a continuous endeavor, with no finish line, only new starting points. The CPC will continuously strengthen its capacity to serve the people better.