Political figures and scholars from five countries said the Communist Party of China's (CPC) emphasis on discipline and self-reform is key to its ability to govern and maintain public support after a key Party meeting concluded on Thursday.
The fifth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, held from Oct 26 to 29, adopted a resolution on persevering with full and rigorous Party self-governance. The communique from the plenary session also set out plans for tightening discipline, improving oversight and fighting corruption.
The communique outlined seven guiding principles that call for serving the Party's missions and tasks, taking strengthening the Party politically as the overarching principle, and exercising rigorous governance across the board. The principles also emphasize adopting a problem-oriented approach, upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground, adhering to a top-down approach, and running the Party according to regulations.
For Jhala Nath Khanal, former prime minister of Nepal, the principles have relevance beyond China.
"This was an important meeting that will go down in history. The fifth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee put forward seven guiding principles. They have played an important role in the past and are even more relevant today. Communist parties around the world can also draw on the CPC's experience and insights in Party building. These guiding ideas, policies and principles reflect Xi Jinping Thought on Party Building. I believe this thought will provide the strongest support for the CPC to continue growing stronger," said Khanal.
Ahmed Bahaa El-Din Shaaban, secretary-general of the Egyptian Socialist Party, said lessons could be learned from the communique about maintaining public support.
"In fact, the communique of the fifth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee offers essential lessons for any party seeking to strengthen its support among the people and grow. President Xi Jinping has always made the people a priority in his thinking and public remarks. The CPC has consistently followed a people-centered approach. I believe that is the fundamental reason for the success of the Chinese strategy," said Shaaban.
Gertrude Imenda, deputy secretary-general of Zambia's United Party for National Development, linked the CPC's efforts to improve itself with its ability to withstand challenges.
"By engaging in a process of self-purification, self-perfection, self-renewal, and self-improvement, the party started emerging, or rather, the party emerged even stronger and more resilient. That has helped the party to have this enduring spirit and to steer through whatever challenges they faced," said Imenda.
Anthony Moretti, an associate professor at Robert Morris University in the United States, focused on what Party discipline could mean for China's goals in the coming years.
"Party discipline, which is certainly something in the communique that became obvious and was addressed more than once, that this idea of party discipline is a factor, but a critical factor in ensuring that China can reach all of its aims internally and internationally over the next five or so years," Moretti said.
Sergey Sanakoev, head of Russia's Asia-Pacific Research Center, said the plenary session's outcomes were a sign of the Party's willingness to address problems within its own ranks.
"The significance of this plenary session lies in its systematic plans for Party self-governance and for strengthening the CPC's governing capacity. The communique's emphasis on persevering with full and rigorous Party self-governance and turning the blade inward demonstrates the CPC's commitment to self-reform," Sanakoev said.
International observers say CPC's self-reform strengthens governance, public trust
