People's Daily: 

It is reported that since the Party's 18th National Congress, the discipline inspection and supervision organs nationwide have investigated and punished more than 4 million people, including many officials at all levels. With so many people having been investigated, does this affect the image of the CPC? The CPC Central Committee unswervingly exercises full and strict governance over the Party. In what aspects is "strict" embodied? 

Wang Jianxin: 

Thank you for your question. I will answer it. "A hallmark that distinguishes the Communist Party of China from other political parties is its courage in undertaking self-reform," General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized at a ceremony marking the centenary of the CPC. On July 1, we all watched the ceremony through different channels. On Tian'anmen Square, more than 70,000 representatives from all walks of life formed the shape of a "giant vessel". One hundred years ago, the CPC was born in a shikumen building in Shanghai, and started a journey from the South Lake in Jiaxing, Zhejiang province. On the way, the CPC has stayed true to its original aspiration and founding mission, fought bravely, and made sacrifices. That small red boat from a hundred years ago has become a great ship that navigates China's stable and long-term development. 

Therefore, General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that an important reason why the Party remains so vital and vibrant despite having undergone so many trials and tribulations is that it practices effective self-supervision and full and rigorous self-governance. Since the Party's 18th National Congress, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, has stressed that it takes a good blacksmith to make good steel, and included full and rigorous self-governance into the Four-pronged Comprehensive Strategy. Through fine conduct, we have boosted the faith of our Party members and our people. We have strengthened governance over the Party through strict disciplines, and punished corruption with an attitude of "zero tolerance." The anti-corruption campaign has been a resounding success, and the achievements have been consolidated. The CPC has achieved historic progress in full and rigorous self-governance. I have the latest statistics, which the journalist mentioned in the question. During the period from the Party's 18th National Congress to the end of June this year, under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee, the discipline inspection and supervision organs nationwide investigated 3.884 million cases, and punished 4.173 million people. 

The CPC Central Committee has always adhered to the overarching principle of "rigorous governance over the Party." Full and rigorous governance over the Party is mainly reflected in the following six respects:  

The first is strict governance over thinking. We require that all Party members and officials should arm themselves with Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, keep purifying their political souls, consciously forge ahead, and make pragmatic efforts based on their original aspiration and mission. They should be brave to rise up to major challenges and be adept at pushing through the struggles. 

The second is strict governance over supervision. We are improving an authoritative and efficient oversight system with complete coverage under the Party's unified command, strengthening political oversight, and carrying out daily oversight to ensure that the power entrusted by the Party and the people is properly exercised.  

The third is strict governance over discipline enforcement. We have tightened political discipline and rules and resolutely guarded against the "seven forms of misconduct" (nepotism, forming cliques, fabricating rumors, buying popularity, promising others fame and gain in exchange for their help, ostensible obedience, and slandering the CPC Central Committee). We put discipline at the forefront and use stringent discipline to forge the whole Party into a "solid piece of steel." Statistics show that from the 18th CPC National Congress to the end of June this year, 3.804 million people received Party disciplinary and administrative penalties.  

The fourth is strict governance over officials' behaviors and performance. We have strictly investigated the practice of seeking official positions through back door means, buying and selling official positions, as well as vote buying and bribery, and resolutely tackled corruption and other forms of misconduct regarding the election and appointment of officials. We have strengthened daily management and reminded officials of misconduct for early correction through letters or by talking to them directly to make Party officials truly feel that strict management is care.  

The fifth is strict governance over conduct. We have been keenly observing the central Party leadership's eight-point decision on improving conduct. We have been continuously addressing the practice of formalities for formalities sake, bureaucratism, hedonism, and extravagance by strict investigation and targeted treatment. Between the 18th CPC National Congress and the end of June this year, 637,000 cases of violating the central Party leadership's eight-point decision were investigated and dealt with nationwide, and 558,000 people received Party disciplinary and administrative penalties.  

The sixth is strict governance over anti-corruption efforts. The Party has allowed no safe haven, left no stone unturned, and shown no tolerance in fighting corruption. We have firmly investigated and punished the leaders and officials who didn't stop playing with fire. We have resolutely investigated and addressed corruption cases involving both political and economic matters. We have been determined to deal with corruption involving petty officials. In doing so, we have done better in ensuring that officials do not dare to be, are denied the opportunity to be, and have no wish to be corrupt. 

The above-mentioned facts irrefutably prove that our Party's full and rigorous self-governance and efforts to ensure discipline, improve Party conduct, and fight corruption are by no means empty talk. Instead, we have undertaken this task unswervingly and consistently, reshaping the Party's image and giving it a new look. Party solidarity and unity have also been reinforced. Our Party has become stronger through revolutionary forging, providing powerful political guidance and guarantees for the development of the Party and the country. General Secretary Xi Jinping has repeatedly stressed that we should live up to the expectations of the 1.4 billion Chinese people by punishing thousands of corrupted officials. This is well illustrated by the findings of the National Bureau of Statistics: 95.8% of the people believe that outstanding achievements were made in full and rigorous governance over the Party in 2020, an increase of 16.5 percentage points from before 2012, when the 18th CPC National Congress was convened. This indicates that the people have greater trust in our Party and full confidence in the path, theory, system, and culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Thank you.