China’s Eight-Point Rules And Impacts On Party Politics, Government Conduct

By Dr. Bridget Chiedu Onochie

Many people across the world have remained in awe on how China was able to have emerged from the economic doldrums to become a global economic power. However, the simple explanation is that beyond the country’s determination for enhanced living standard as well as the patriotic zeal displayed by the government under the Communist Party of China (CPC), there were certain enforceable norms and policies set down by the government upon which the country thrives.

One of such policies was the Eight-Point Decision on Improving Party and Government Conduct and Building Closer Ties with the People, which was issued at a meeting of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee held on December 4, 2012, chaired by the General Secretary of CPC Central Committee, Chinese President and Chairman, Central Military Commission, Comrade Xi Jinping.

It is pertinent to state that of all the policies that have contributed in launching China among the comity of progressives – technological and industrial giants, the eight-point decision resonates visibly due to its leadership by example peculiarity.

The policy decisions include, doing better research and analysis and truly understanding actual conditions when doing grassroots-level studies; streamlining meetings and improving the way meetings are conducted; making documents and briefing papers more concise and improving writing styles; standardizing procedures for working visits abroad and improving security guard work and continuing to observe the principle of doing what improves relations with the people.

Others are, improving news report; having strict rules on the publication of articles and promoting frugality and the strict observance of rules on incorruptibility in government.
Critically analyzing the eight-point decision buttressed their relevance to daily life and living. There is rarely anything pertaining to good governance that was not touched by the decisions.

For the leadership of the CPC, Party’s conduct is not only crucial to winning the people’s support but also a matter of concern to the Party’s survival or demise. This exactly was the standpoint of the party in a speech delivered at the first meeting of the 18th CPC Central Committee Political Bureau on December 4, 2012, where the
decisions were birthed.

The decision articulated a leadership system and working mechanism for combating corruption. For effectiveness, it established a Party discipline inspection commissions, supervision departments, judiciary and auditing agencies, and have worked with them conscientiously to improve the party conduct, uphold integrity and tackle corruption. It also ensured that in the course of their duties, Party committees at all levels should bear total leadership responsibility for improving Party conduct and building a clean government.

One important lesson of the Eight-Point Decision is the resolve or undertaking by party leadership to improve existing institutions to better fight against corruption;
redouble efforts in political and theoretical education, reinforce stricter Party discipline and respond to the demands of the people.

This would have been drawn from the country’s deep-rooted understanding that corruption is not a victimless crime but that which its costs go far beyond the money and property stolen. Corruption greatly undermines human dignity by depriving citizens of access to basic rights and services, including healthcare, education, justice, and economic opportunities.

Consequently, he eight golden rules placed on the ruling Party, the responsibility of completing the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects. The party leadership resolved to be a good blacksmith in forging good tools and since then, members were dedicated to addressing the problems of being “lax, slack and lenient.”

The Four Malfeasances are difficult to eradicate.
Under the Eight-Point decision, the party remained committed to rectifying problems and improving leaders’ conduct including elimination of favourtism and bureaucratic bottleneck, which are two major monsters that tend to frustrate merit and slow down administrative and institutional workflow.

Chinese government considered these two entirely incompatible with the nature, mission and fine conduct of their Party, describing them as the arch enemies of the Party and the people.

They fully understand that combating corruption is the most important political
issue that concerns citizen’s trust and support a fight that must be won, not against the citizens but by leadership first, if sustainable development must be achieved.

Impacts of Eight-Point Rules on Chinese Economy and Lessons for Africa
Since the introduction of the Eight-Point Decision on Improving Party and Government Conduct and Building Closer Ties with the People in 2012, the party leadership was said to have become more robust and effective.

Expectantly, such resolve will dovetail in building a formidable economy and enhancing the living standard of the people.
The decisions prompted a fundamental change in the manner public funds and resources are allocated and utilized, and by curbing extravagance and rent-seeking behaviors, the relationship between government officials and businessmen is sanitized and fosters a more level playing field, which in turn, became a powerful driver for promoting high-quality economic development.

Obviously, the Eight-Point Decision was not just another policy but a commitment to clean governance and a direct response to public concerns about officialdom.

Interestingly, President Xi endeared himself to the world through his actions. In this circumstance, he spearheaded the initiative by playing strictly according to rules, and embodying the spirit of leading by example – setting standards from the top down.

The strict implementation of the eight-point decision provided impetus for a solid foundation for the historic achievements and transformative changes witnessed in China through the efforts of the ruling CPC. It significantly promoted progress in the country’s political, socio-economic and cultural landscapes; strengthening efforts towards building a strong nation and the rejuvenation that is famously known as the Chinese modernization.

Politically, the eight-point decision was instrumental to a major overhaul in the governance of the Party. It has also propelled a revolutionary self-purification within
the Party ranks, safeguarding and enhancing the Party’s advanced nature by sanitizing and bolstering its unity, combating readiness and making Party’s leadership more robust and effective.

On the social front, the decision echoed loudly with the aspirations of both Party members and the general public, having facilitated the resolution of numerous challenges of public concern.

Culturally, the decision equally played a crucial role in thoroughly rooting out the remnants of feudalistic practices and resisted the influence of Western cultures. The revitalized work style within the Party and the government served as a powerful example, leading to insightful positive changes in social customs and public morality and unleashing strong spiritual strength for the advancement of Chinese modernization.

Thus, it was the tangible improvements in official conduct that have earned the sincere support of the people, thereby strengthening the social foundation for the Party’s long-term governance.

For Africa, the great lesson lies in the ability of the ruling party to endeared themselves to the populace through evidence-based performance rather that propaganda. There is no doubt that the amplifying voice of the opposition is often triggered in Africa’s political landscape by poor performance of the party in power. As it is often said, actions sound louder than words.

China’s Eight-Point Rules And Impacts On Party Politics, Government Conduct