Zhang Yuzhuo: Fully implement the principal responsibility for Party building in government organs, providing a strong political guarantee for the high-quality development of state-owned enterprises and central SOEs.

Cover of Issue No. 9, 2023, of the magazine “Qizhi”

General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized that strengthening and improving Party building in central and state organs requires grasping the “key link” of the responsibility system; only by fully implementing this system can Party‑building work in these organs generate strong synergy. General Secretary Xi’s important instructions fundamentally underscore the accountability mechanisms necessary to ensure that Party building in government organs becomes more rigorous, pragmatic, and robust. The symposium on the implementation of principal responsibility for Party building in central and state organs, convened by the Party groups (Party committees) of relevant departments, set forth clear requirements for solidifying this principal responsibility and elevating the quality of Party building within these institutions. The Party Committee of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission has thoroughly studied and implemented General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important directives on Party building in government organs, resolutely shouldering its principal responsibility. The Party secretary has taken the lead in fulfilling the primary responsibility, while other members of the leadership team have proactively assumed their dual responsibilities. By setting an example from the top down, leveraging the influence of government organs across the broader system, and using Party building to drive business performance, they have comprehensively enhanced the quality of Party building in these organs, thereby providing strong impetus for new progress in the cause of state‑owned enterprises and central SOEs through the construction of model government organs.

Firmly shoulder the responsibility for building political organs, and earnestly serve as the “first mile” in ensuring that state-owned enterprises and central SOEs implement General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important instructions and the decisions and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee.

General Secretary Xi Jinping has emphasized that the central and state organs are, first and foremost, political bodies and must unambiguously uphold political principles. Upholding political integrity is concrete: the “Two Safeguards” must be reflected in resolute actions to implement the decisions and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee, in the tangible results of fulfilling duties and performing one’s job, and in the everyday words and conduct of Party members and cadres. We have come to a profound understanding that the primary attribute of directly affiliated organs—political orientation—and the paramount requirement of political commitment bear on the authority and centralized, unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee, on the effective implementation of its decisions and arrangements, and on the overall cause of reform and development in the state‑owned assets and central enterprises. Therefore, we must deeply grasp the decisive significance of the “Two Establishments,” plan and advance Party building within these organs from a standpoint of political consciousness, continuously strengthen the entire Commission’s conscious commitment to the “Two Safeguards,” and ensure that state‑owned assets and central enterprises always advance along the path guided by the Party.

Zhang Yuzhuo visited several central enterprises to conduct research on thoroughly studying and implementing General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important expositions on the reform and development of state-owned enterprises and Party building, as well as on accelerating high-quality development.

Strengthen political awareness in upholding the “Two Upholds.” Deepen implementation of the Party Committee’s “First Agenda,” the Theoretical Study Center Group’s “Primary Agenda,” and the system of “benchmarking and alignment” in carrying out directives. Improve the institutional framework for implementing the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important instructions and directives, as well as the decisions and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee. Turn major projects and key undertakings that have been inspected by or subject to important instructions and directives from General Secretary Xi Jinping into model examples. Guide Party members and cadres to consciously cultivate the habit of conducting their work on the basis of a thorough understanding of the central leadership’s guiding principles, maintain high-level consistency with the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, and ensure that state‑owned assets remain firmly under the Party’s leadership.

Strengthen ideological awareness in upholding the “Two Upholds.” Conduct thematic education to a high standard, continuously deepen education on political consciousness within Party organs, and regard General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important expositions on the reform and development of state-owned enterprises and Party building as the source of vitality and the logical starting point for all work. Compile and publish study summaries and reader‑type materials, and, through leading Party committee members taking to the podium, implementing the Youth Theoretical Study Enhancement Program, and organizing reading and training sessions, guide Party members and cadres to consciously translate their learning outcomes into concrete ideas and measures that drive high‑quality development of state‑owned assets and central enterprises.

Strengthen the sense of initiative in upholding the “Two Upholds.” Taking the thorough study, understanding, and implementation of the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China as the central thread, we will closely focus on the new positioning and new tasks entrusted to state-owned assets and central enterprises by General Secretary Xi Jinping, and, with the overarching goal of strengthening, improving, and expanding state capital and state-owned enterprises, guide Party members and cadres to cultivate a correct view of performance. Using the action plan to deepen and upgrade state‑owned enterprise reform as a key lever, we will ensure that policies and measures are directed toward enhancing enterprises’ core competitiveness and bolstering their core functions, and we will step up to play a more effective role in leveraging the technological innovation, industrial control, and security‑supporting contributions of central enterprises.

Firmly shoulder the responsibility of strengthening the grassroots and laying a solid foundation, continuously consolidating the vital safeguards for the Party’s leadership over the development of state‑owned assets and central enterprises.

General Secretary Xi Jinping has emphasized that only by consistently strengthening the grassroots and laying a solid foundation, and by giving full play to the role of primary-level Party organizations as fighting fortresses and to the exemplary and leading role of Party members, can Party building in government organs take root and yield tangible results. It is essential to establish a clear orientation toward vigorously developing the grassroots, so as to promote the all-round progress and robustness of primary-level Party organizations. We have come to a profound understanding that governing the Party and administering it hinges on the grassroots and rests on sound foundations; the Party’s grassroots organizations are the very bedrock of all its work and combat effectiveness. We must thoroughly implement the overarching requirements for Party building in the new era and the Party’s organizational line for the new era, keep our focus downward and our重心 shifted to the grassroots, and firmly uphold the goals of setting “three examples” and building a “model organ.” With a particular emphasis on enhancing political and organizational functions, we will adopt an integrated approach to managing organization, personnel, and systems, thereby forging a strong fighting fortress of the Party in the economic sphere.

Recently, China’s largest-diameter tunnel boring machine, the “Jinghua,” broke through, marking the successful completion of the country’s longest shield‑tunnel highway.

Strengthen organizational leadership. The Party Committee of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC) regularly studies and deploys work related to Party building within the agency, reinforces its guidance over the work of the agency’s Party Committee, and has established a mechanism for annual symposiums to study and implement the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important speech delivered on July 9. Members of the Party Committee take the lead in participating in the organizational life of their respective Party branches, further advancing the development of “four‑strong” Party branches. In addition, it has formulated and implemented guiding opinions on classifying Party branches and a corresponding list of responsibilities: agency Party branches focus on centering around core tasks and building strong teams; Party branches in public institutions emphasize ensuring oversight and promoting work; and Party branches for retired Party members prioritize policy publicity and enhanced service delivery—thus addressing, in a targeted manner, the persistent issue of the “two sets of books” phenomenon.

Strengthening the workforce. We have carried out a thorough education and rectification campaign within the cadre ranks, both “uprooting the rotten trees”—comprehensively scrutinizing and standardizing interactions between government agencies and enterprises, and regulating the performance of duties and exercise of power by Party members and cadres—and “protecting the forest”—placing political criteria first and vigorously selecting outstanding cadres who are eager to act, capable of delivering results, skilled in their work, and free from misconduct. Mid‑career officials born in the 1970s have become the mainstay, while those born in the 1980s at the bureau level and those born in the 1990s at the division level are increasingly coming to the fore. We have made effective use of ideological and political work as a time‑honored asset, improved the system of regular heart-to-heart talks, and ensured that cadres devote their full attention to their duties. In recent years, Party members and cadres in government organs have produced a wealth of exemplary models—such as “Civil Servant Collectives Satisfying the People,” the “National May Day Labor Award,” the “National March 8th Red Banner Holders,” and the “National Youth Civilization Units”—fully demonstrating the inspiring power of role models.

Strengthen institutional mechanisms. Improve the accountability system for Party building within government organs, leverage performance assessments as a guiding tool, and conduct regular reports, evaluations, and assessments on Party‑building work. Prioritize the implementation of important instructions and directives from General Secretary Xi Jinping and the effectiveness of advancing core tasks in these evaluations, using the results as a key reference for recognizing outstanding units and individuals and for selecting and appointing cadres. Ensure that Party secretaries take responsibility and hold other Party secretaries accountable, with each level assuming responsibility at its own level and ensuring thorough implementation across all tiers, thereby motivating the heads of Party organizations at all units to earnestly shoulder their responsibilities and effectively carry out their Party‑building tasks.

Firmly shoulder the principal responsibility for exercising full and rigorous Party self‑discipline, and set an exemplary standard in fostering a clean and upright political environment within state‑owned enterprises and central SOEs.

General Secretary Xi Jinping has emphasized that the work style of central and state organs directly affects the image of the CPC Central Committee and the standing of the Party and the government among the people. To ensure strict governance of the Party across the board and to carry out self‑revolution, we must start with the central and state organs and strengthen Party building within these institutions. We have come to a profound understanding that to forge iron, one must first be strong oneself; to effectively oversee and develop state‑owned assets, we must place discipline and rules at the forefront, uphold the “three strict requirements” of rectifying conduct, enforcing discipline, and combating corruption, and resolutely safeguard the common wealth of all the people.

Strengthening conduct and discipline. Upholding the principle of “action first,” we resolutely combat formalism and bureaucratism. Members of the Party Committee leadership team have conducted comprehensive, on-the-ground surveys, establishing a “one‑to‑one” liaison mechanism between government departments and 97 grassroots enterprises. This has facilitated online “one‑stop acceptance and cross‑system processing” for enterprise‑related matters, ensuring that data travels more while businesses need to make fewer visits.

Strengthen disciplinary enforcement. The authorities have formulated regulations on the day-to-day oversight and early‑warning duties of primary-level Party organizations, established a mechanism for swift investigation and resolution of violations of the spirit of the CPC Central Committee’s Eight‑Point Decision on Improving Party and Government Conduct and its implementing rules, and effectively leveraged the deterrent power of inspection tours. Targeted campaigns have been launched to address practices such as using official authority for personal gain in interfering with or meddling in major corporate matters, and engaging in unauthorized business activities or running enterprises, thereby imposing strict constraints to ensure a clean and proper relationship between government and business.

Tightening anti-corruption efforts. We resolutely implement the CPC Committee of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission’s list of principal responsibilities for exercising full and rigorous Party self‑discipline, conduct regular thematic reviews of the state‑owned enterprises’ and central enterprises’ progress in this regard, establish a mechanism for regular communication between the Commission’s Party Committee and the resident discipline inspection and supervision teams, and comprehensively strengthen leadership over the work of the Commission’s internal disciplinary committees. Maintaining a strict tone, we focus on areas where power is concentrated, funds are heavily invested, and resources are abundant, deepen efforts to address the problem of “profiting from one’s position,” and advance in an integrated manner the goals of ensuring that officials dare not be corrupt, cannot be corrupt, and do not want to be corrupt. We draw profound lessons from typical cases of disciplinary and legal violations in state‑owned enterprises and central enterprises, carry out regular education on Party spirit, political ethics, cautionary lessons, and family values, and guide Party members and cadres to lead upright lives and perform their duties with integrity.

We will resolutely take concrete actions to lead the way in upholding the “Two Upholds,” and further implement the principal responsibility for Party building within government organs.

Exercising full and rigorous governance over the Party is an ongoing journey, as is the Party’s self-revolution. We must never allow ourselves to grow lax or take a breather, nor succumb to fatigue or war-weariness. We must thoroughly implement General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important instructions on Party building in government organs, and, in accordance with the arrangements made at the symposium on the implementation of principal responsibility for Party building in government organs by the Party groups (Party committees) of central and state organs, advance this responsibility with greater resolve, higher standards, and more concrete measures. With the new positioning and mission of state‑owned enterprises and central SOEs firmly in mind, we will continue to consolidate and expand the achievements of implementing the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important July 9th speech, comprehensively enhance the quality of Party building in government organs, and lead the way in earnestly upholding the “two safeguards.”

Ensure that accountability is effectively implemented with concrete measures in place. Further strengthen the sense of mission and urgency in fulfilling Party‑building responsibilities within government organs, reinforce a mindset of prioritizing core duties and taking center stage, and improve the systems for assigning principal responsibility, designating the primary responsible person, and implementing the “dual responsibility” framework for each post. Provide guidance and support to help organ Party committees better discharge their specialized Party‑building duties and organ discipline inspection commissions better fulfill their supervisory roles. Refine the closed-loop mechanism for clearly defining, fulfilling, assessing, and holding accountable responsibilities, ensuring that rewards are granted where due and accountability is pursued where warranted, so that Party‑building responsibilities are fully and thoroughly carried out.

Ensure that accountability is implemented with a clear focus. Take the comprehensive enhancement of Party building within government organs as the starting point for fulfilling responsibilities, with political Party building serving as the overarching principle. Promote ideological development, organizational capacity-building, and professional competence in an integrated manner, while intensifying theoretical education, strengthening grassroots foundations, and advancing efforts to foster sound conduct and strict discipline. Embed the principles of comprehensiveness, rigor, and governance throughout every stage and link of implementing principal responsibility, thereby better enabling Party building in government organs to serve as a guiding benchmark for Party building in state‑owned enterprises and central enterprises.

Ensure that accountability is effectively implemented. Uphold high‑quality Party building within government organs to lead and underpin high‑quality development; continuously improve the comprehensive system of strict Party self‑discipline in state‑owned and centrally administered enterprises; vigorously address formalism and bureaucratism; correct the orientation toward action, strengthen the motivation to act, and forge synergy in getting things done. Guide Party members and cadres to integrate diligence with integrity, and dedication with probity, striving to build model government organs that reassure the CPC Central Committee, win the satisfaction of the people, and earn the trust of central enterprises, thereby contributing the strength of state‑owned and centrally administered enterprises to the cause of national rejuvenation and the building of a strong country.