Foreign Analysts Praise CPC’s Resolve to Strengthen Party Self-Governance

Dragon Media News Desk

The fifth plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) adopted a resolution to advance full and rigorous self-governance within the Party. The session was held in Beijing from October 26 to 29. CPC General Secretary Xi Jinping delivered an address. Foreign political analysts said the meeting demonstrated the Party’s resolve to strengthen governance, integrity and its ties with the public.

According to a report by Xinhua, the session identified strict management of officials as a key part of Party self-governance. It called for applying rigorous standards to officials’ education, professional development, selection, appointment, management and supervision. The resolution also emphasized strengthening Party organizations at every level and in every sector.

Lyazid Benhami, an expert on China-France relations, said rigorous Party self-governance could promote policy continuity, clarify officials’ responsibilities and improve coordination across levels of government. He said continuity in strategic policies was important for a large and diverse country, while regular assessments could help the Party hear public concerns and adjust policies when needed.

Ling Tek Soon, a senior lecturer at the University of Malaya, described the CPC’s efforts to address internal problems and fight corruption as part of a long-term governance vision. Joseph Mutaboba, a former Rwandan diplomat, said effective governance depended on the competence, integrity and accountability of public officials. He also highlighted merit-based appointments, continuing professional development, performance reviews and transparent accountability.

The CPC outlined four priorities in its anti-corruption drive: maintaining a firm stance against corruption, strengthening oversight of the use of power, promoting a culture of integrity, and curbing the audacity, opportunity and desire to engage in corruption.

Eduardo Regalado, a researcher at Cuba’s International Policy Research Center, said these measures addressed different causes of corruption. The threat of punishment raises the cost of wrongdoing, institutional safeguards close loopholes, and education can make integrity a personal commitment, he said. Regalado added that Party rules and institutions could turn political resolve into stable and binding procedures.

Koh King Kee, president of Malaysia’s Center for New Inclusive Asia, said the anti-corruption campaign sent a message that no individual or area was beyond scrutiny. Alberto Moreno, president of the Communist Party of Peru, said preventing corruption, bureaucracy and privilege from weakening the Party’s relationship with the public was essential to its long-term governing capacity.

A communiqué issued after the session said efforts to advance full and rigorous Party self-governance and self-reform had brought historic changes to the Party and the country. Swiss sinologist Peter Hediger described the CPC’s experience as a continuing effort to adapt Marxist thought to China’s conditions and the needs of the times.

Winston Alarcon, general secretary of the Communist Party of Ecuador, said Xi Jinping Thought on Party Building addressed China’s national conditions and modernization needs. He said Latin American societies could learn from their own histories and cultures while developing approaches suited to their circumstances.

Benhami said countries with different histories and institutions could draw lessons from China’s experience as they sought to strengthen accountability, ensure public resources served the public interest and extend the benefits of development to the people.