Press conference on guiding principles from fifth plenary session of 20th CPC Central Committee

Phoenix TV:

While efforts to run the Party with systems and regulations continue to deepen, we have seen that, in practice, certain institutions are, to some extent, still not effectively enforced or fully implemented. What arrangements has the fifth plenary session made to further strengthen the enforcement and implementation of institutions? Thank you.

Wang Gang:

I would like to invite Mr. Xie to answer your question.

Xie Chuntao:

Thank you for your question. I touched on the arrangements for strengthening the enforcement of institutions in my earlier remarks. Let me add a few points. It should be noted that institution building runs through the overall framework of Party building in the new era. In other words, measures to strengthen institutional enforcement are incorporated throughout the resolution and should be understood in the context of its overall arrangements. This can be viewed from two perspectives.

First, in setting out the tasks of running the Party through institutions and regulations, Part VIII of the resolution specifically calls for "enhancing the implementation of institutions." It stresses the need to reinforce the binding force of institutions and uphold the principles that everyone is equal before institutions, no one enjoys special privileges in complying with them and no exceptions are permitted in their enforcement. It also requires that the implementation of and oversight over institutions be integrated into every stage of how Party organizations and Party members and officials perform their duties, to ensure that institutions remain authoritative and effective at all times and in all circumstances. Any disregard for orders and prohibitions must be resolutely corrected. These requirements are of great significance for the enforcement of institutions.

Second, every part of the resolution contains requirements for institutional enforcement. For example, both the section on guiding principles and Parts II through VIII which set out strategic arrangements for strengthening Party building on all fronts, include explicit requirements for institutional enforcement. In particular, Part III sets out plans for "strictly practicing democratic centralism," the Party's fundamental organizational and leadership system, further demonstrating the emphasis placed on strengthening institutional enforcement.

Moreover, the resolution also sets out plans for improving the Party and state oversight systems and ensuring that responsibilities for Party self-supervision and self-governance are fulfilled. The tasks and measures in these areas also comprise a series of institutions. Implementing these tasks and measures is itself a form of institutional enforcement and will also play an important role in ensuring the enforcement of other intraparty regulations and institutions. All of these can be regarded as important arrangements for strengthening institutional enforcement and implementation.

As long as Party organizations and leading officials at all levels persist in taking concrete action and exercising strict oversight, it will surely become common practice among Party organizations at all levels and the broad ranks of Party members and officials to strictly enforce and conscientiously observe rules and discipline. Thank you.