China Daily:

"Improving the systems for exercising full and rigorous self-governance" has been set out in the report to this CPC national congress for the first time. How should we understand this? Thank you.

Tang Fangyu:

Thank you. As you said, the report to the 20th CPC National Congress sets out the requirement of improving the systems for exercising full and rigorous self-governance for the first time in the report to the CPC National Congress. In my opinion, this is a major initiative for exercising Party self-governance in a comprehensive, systematic, coordinated and effective manner.

Our Party is a long-term Marxist governing party and the largest party in the world. Its ambitious goals and historic missions, its huge membership featuring widespread distribution, as well as the risks and challenges it faces, all determine that our Party can only develop well when full and rigorous self-governance is exercised to a high standard, in a comprehensive, systematic and long-term manner, and under a well-conceived, unified and efficient system.

As the CPC rose and grew strong, Party building has been advanced in a more systematic manner through explorations and practices. In particular, since the 18th CPC National Congress, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has strengthened overall planning and moved forward in a coordinated manner to ensure full and rigorous Party self-governance. Now, Party self-governance is exercised under the guidance of a set of theories, especially Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. There is a complete task layout: We have set strengthening ourselves politically as the overarching guide for all other initiatives of Party building; we must strengthen ourselves theoretically and see the Party's organizations consolidated, its conduct improved and its discipline enforced, with institutional improvements incorporated into every aspect of strengthening the Party; and we must step up our efforts to combat corruption. There is sound system design: We have nearly 4,000 Party regulations currently in effect. There are supporting measures, including in the well-planned and high-quality enrolling of new Party members; carrying out intensive education initiatives; organizing systematic training; strengthening internal oversight, especially of Party officials at all levels; enhancing assessment of Party building; and making unremitting efforts to improve conduct, enforce discipline and combat corruption. It's fair to say that we have established a relatively mature system for exercising full and rigorous Party self-governance.

Full and rigorous Party self-governance is an unceasing endeavor. When improving the systems for exercising full and rigorous self-governance, we must focus on the strategic arrangements set out in the report to the 20th CPC National Congress, and further strengthen planning and implementation. I think the following three aspects are particularly important:

First, we need to ensure Party self-governance covers all fields, the whole process and all targeted groups. That is to say, we need to prioritize full coverage, further increase the breadth and depth of rigorous Party self-governance, coordinate various fields, closely connect different links, and leave no ground unturned to effectively manage all Party members and organizations.

Second, we need to provide education, while at the same time improving systems and strengthening oversight. That is to say, we need to continue being rigorous, take simultaneous and coordinated steps, and forge synergy to exercise Party self-governance through genuine, brave and constant efforts.

Third, we need to improve the standards, quality and effect. That is to say, we need to take concrete measures to strengthen Party self-governance, and introduce more targeted and solid steps to address both symptoms and root causes. All these are aimed at high-quality Party building. Thank you.