The Communist Party of China (CCP) has launched a four-month campaign to urge its nearly 100 million members to strengthen compliance with a code of conduct that has strengthened the Party over the past 12 years.

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This eight-point rule education campaign was planned by none other than China’s top leader, Xi Jinping. During his inspection tour of the southwest of the country last week, Xi urged Party organs at all levels to organize and conduct the campaign meticulously.

Called for the fight against misconduct and corruption as a whole, and for unremitting efforts to eradicate the underlying conditions of corruption.

Exercising full and rigorous self-governance of the Party has been a signature and cornerstone of Xi’s leadership. In his first appearance before the press as newly elected general secretary of the CCP Central Committee in November 2012, frankly acknowledged that the Party faced “numerous severe challenges,” with corruption as its main concern.

He immediately began to tackle the issue by fighting against the deterioration of the conduct of officials, some of whom were indulging in extravagance, content themselves with empty formalities or had become bureaucratic.

“The conduct of the Party is crucial in winning the support of the people and a matter that involves the survival or extinction of the Party,” Xi warned.

In less than 20 days, the eight-point rules were presented by the central leadership of the CCP. Explained in little more than 600 words, the eight-point rules established rules for the leaders of the Party regarding research trips, meetings, documentation and other official duties, to combat lavish banquets, the red carpet events, pomp, courtship, unnecessary gatherings and luxury services that some once considered typical symbols of power.

According to the eight-point rules, when conducting field surveys at the grassroots level, officials must learn from people on the ground. Ceremonial formalities such as banners and flower arrangements are not permitted. Meetings and official events should be streamlined. Safety protocols, such as traffic controls and road or premises closures, should be minimized.

The code of conduct began to be applied vigorously, with immediate and noticeable results.

“Few predicted that the persistent problems of official extravagance plaguing Chinese political circles would undergo such a surprising transformation,” noted the Singaporean newspaper Lianhe Zaobao.

Over the past decade, the eight-point rules have continued to evolve and now remain a hallmark of Xi’s and the CCP’s efforts to ensure good and clean governance.
A LONG TRADITION

Xi Jinping, son of revolutionary leader Xi Zhongxun, learned from his father’s rigorous and disciplined approach to life and work at an early age.

The four children of the family studied in a boarding school and every weekend they came home by bus. The father had never picked them up with his official car.

He taught his children to live frugally and to always be humble and modest.

Over the years, the frugal lifestyle, strict self-discipline and strong ties with the masses remained with Xi Jinping.

In the late 1980s, while serving as head of the Ningde Party, an impoverished prefecture in Fujian province, Xi Jinping refused to use an imported new car as his vehicle for official use, He insisted on using an old one left by his predecessor.
“We are in a poverty-stricken area and should not make ostentation of wealth or fall into extravagance,” Xi told his staff.

As he explained on one occasion, problems of official misconduct often resulted from the improper management of private and public interests, together with abuse of power.

In 1989, Ningde introduced a set of 12 standards to promote clean governance and self-discipline among officials. These clear guidelines prohibited improper conduct, such as excessive eating and drinking during inspection visits and the use of official vehicles for personal purposes.

“The power of us communists, regardless of its scope, is granted by the people and has as its only mandate to work for their benefit,” Xi pointed out.

In the early 2000s, after Xi was appointed head of the Party in Zhejiang province, Sun Guangming, a member of his staff, oversaw the organization of Xi’s inspections.

Sun recalled that during these inspections, Xi constantly demanded corrections whenever local officials organized lavish receptions with expensive dishes, fine liquors or gifts of local specialties.
On the basis of Xi’s instructions, the general office of the provincial committee of the Party imposed strict rules for official receptions, giving a warning to local authorities along Xi’s route before each inspection tour. These requirements, which are usually seven or eight points, were similar to the eight-point rules now in place, said Sun.

Sun believes that the rules, adopted at the Political Bureau meeting chaired by Xi on December 4, 2012, mean that Xi has ushered in a new era of full and rigorous Party self-governance.
LEADING BY EXAMPLE

When the rules of the eight points were established, some wondered whether the campaign was nothing more than a passing fad or a political spectacle. Xi knew that enforcement was crucial.

“Promises made must be kept. In the Political Bureau, (fulfillment) starts with me,” he said.

Three days after the publication of the standards, Xi visited Guangdong province. He declined the option of staying in a presidential suite, opting instead for a standard hotel suite.

“He told us not to improve anything in the room: no new purchases, no additional additions,” recalled a hotel manager named Qu.

At the hotel, Xi opted for a simple buffet and finished his meal in less than 20 minutes. This surprised a catering manager named Yang, who noted that the restaurant used to serve more dishes even for standard corporate events.
That afternoon, Xi traveled in a discreet convoy that mixed with normal traffic, traveling alongside taxis and buses, respecting the traffic lights. Everything went as usual: no clear roads, roadblocks, banners or booths.

The next day, there were no red carpets when Xi attended an event at Lianhuashan Park.

It was a journey that set the tone and defined the simple style of Xi’s more than 100 national inspections over the next decade. Xi has systematically avoided special arrangements, opting instead to follow local customs and minimize inconvenience to residents.

In rural Shaanxi, he dined with the locals on basic dishes from the Loess plateau, such as buckwheat noodles and fried dough. In Gansu, he made five meals on the train to ease the local authorities’ reception burden.

As the top commander of the armed forces, Xi once lined up with the sailors at a buffet lunch aboard a warship and ate with them.

During his recent inspection trip to Guizhou province last week, Xi sat on a bench next to a drum tower and chatted with folk singers, batik artists and college graduates in a mountain village.
Internet users compared the scene to a series of similar encounters, noting that it reflected Xi’s natural and comfortable way of connecting with the public, reinforcing his image as a man of the people, something that has remained unchanged since his adolescence working in the field and throughout his political career.

“I often remind myself that all members of the Party have entrusted me with the office of Secretary-General, so I must be even more strict, leading by example in the defense of the Party Statutes and adherence to the discipline and rules of the Party.”, Xi said.

He is also strict with his family members. Xi stated that anyone who mentions being his friend or relative to seek favors should be firmly rejected and denounced without delay.

“Communists do not play by the rules of favouritism in which someone gains power and people related to him receive special privileges,” he has repeatedly recalled.
“Don’t assume that being the son of a painting makes you immune to the consequences. Anyone who violates the discipline of the Party or the laws of the state must be held accountable, and must be treated even more strictly to set an example for the people”, Xi said.

He demanded that the application of the eight-point rules be started by the Political Bureau, which has more than 20 members. For years, it has been a common practice for members of the Political Bureau to report on their adherence to these rules during the annual critical and self-critical session.
START SLOWLY TO CRACK HARD NUTS

Fighting corruption is no easy task. Starting with the indulgence of officials at lavish banquets-a visible symbol of excess and privilege–, Xi delivered a first strategic blow that addressed public discontent.

Even mooncakes were put in the spotlight. A traditional gift during the Mid-Autumn Festival, mooncakes, at the height of the culture of bribery, had become a convenient cover for bribery.

Xi applauded the attention of corruption fighters to mooncakes. ” Focusing on mooncakes may seem trivial, but it is really about addressing the corruption behind such practices,” he said.

Observers describe Xi’s strategy as a step-by-step approach, achieving steady progress. By focusing on seemingly small issues, such as the misuse of public funds for mooncakes, greeting cards, fireworks, etc., the effort moved from simple to complex, achieving gradual progress.
To give more weight to the eight-point rules, the Party’s highest disciplinary control body regularly appoints and shames violators and announces their punishments to deter others.

These measures not only serve as punishment but also as a wake-up call, pushing back offenders before minor offences become more serious or even criminal acts.

In a decade, approximately 1.1 million people were reprimanded, reprimanded or punished for violating the rules.

Xi’s decision to address misconduct was a well-thought-out move. Given that misbehaviour and corruption have the same root causes, the rules were a first decisive blow to the heart of the problem.

After assuming the highest office, Xi launched an unprecedented anti-corruption storm that has swept through every corner of public service, catching both high-flying “tigers” and lower-level “flies”. Some of the highest-ranking officials — including former members of the Political Bureau and its Standing Committee, senior military officers and retirees who left their leadership positions years ago, have been brought to justice.
Fully aware that corruption is the problem that most resents people, Xi said: “If we do not offend hundreds of corrupt officials, we will offend 1.4 billion Chinese”.

Although an overwhelming victory has been achieved, Xi warned that the fight against corruption and misconduct will never end.

In fact, new ways of circumventing the eight-point rules have continually emerged. Some officials tried to avoid hotels and restaurants in order to enjoy the luxury of private villas and isolated rural retreats. Some even sought extravagance abroad.

Xi used a metaphor to emphasize the long-term nature of the rules. ” Just as a room needs regular cleaning, the dust in our minds must be removed regularly,” he said.

Sometimes, he was more direct, saying that “if ten years are not enough, then twenty years; if twenty years are not enough, then thirty years”.

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