Red Star News:

In some cases, it has been hard to enforce oversight of top officials in some Party organizations with great power and who have abused their power for personal gain. How should effective oversight be implemented to tackle such problems? Thank you.

Tian Peiyan:

I am glad to take your question. Indeed, some corrupt officials investigated and punished over the years were principal officials of local governments or government departments, but they are merely a small proportion. Rather than holding great power, top officials actually shoulder great responsibilities, with major individuals seeking development, promoting reform, ensuring security, managing and motivating leadership teams, and improving work conduct. In many respects, they are the first person responsible and must be brave to shoulder responsibilities, be good at what they do, and be bold in their decision-making.

Top officials play a key role in a locality or department, so our Party pays significant attention to their oversight. We have shaped an all-around, whole-process, and sound oversight and restriction mechanism, which highlights top officials as the focus of education and guidance, daily management, oversight for discipline observance, and accountability-based restraint.

The CPC Central Committee issued a document on strengthening the supervision of chief officials and leadership teams in 2021, requiring Party committees (Party leadership groups), disciplinary inspection organs, and Party work organs to strengthen oversight of chief officials. The document is part of the efforts to create a powerful synergy for conducting oversight that integrates top-down organizational oversight, peer review or critique, public oversight, and oversight through public opinion. Officials in command must see supervision all the time and exercise their power justly, lawfully, honestly, and for the good of the people.

While stressing external supervision, the Party makes requirements to a higher standard for the leading officials to enhance self-discipline. They should accept supervision willingly and consciously and become used to working and living under oversight. They should hold the Party, the people, the law, and the disciplines in awe and respect, and do not cross the line. They should constantly enhance political orientation, disciplinary and moral strength, and the resolve to fight against corruption. They must remain ceaselessly alert to the harm of corruption, foster integrity, and prevent degradation. Thank you.