Notice of the Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee on Issuing the “Code of Conduct for Party Committees (Party Leading Groups) in Deliberating and Deciding on Matters Related to the Appointment and Removal of Cadres”

Central Organization Department Document No. 29 [2016]

　　To the Organization Departments of the Party Committees of all provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the central government; to the Organization Departments of the Party Committees of all sub-provincial cities; to the ministries and commissions of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council; to the personnel and organizational departments of all people’s organizations; and to the Organization Department of the Party Committee of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps:

　　Adhering strictly to the Party’s principles, procedures, and disciplinary requirements in cadre work is a crucial safeguard for making precise and sound decisions on personnel selection and appointment. In 2001, upon decision of the Ministry Affairs Meeting of the Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee, the Cadre Supervision Bureau of the same department issued the “Code of Conduct for Party Committees (Party Leading Groups) on Deliberating and Deciding Matters Related to the Appointment and Removal of Cadres,” which played a positive role in standardizing the rules of procedure and decision-making processes of Party committees (leading groups), rigorously scrutinizing the deliberation and decision‑making stages of cadre selection and appointment, and preventing improper practices in personnel matters. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has put forward a series of new ideas, concepts, and requirements regarding cadre work; accordingly, the Regulations on the Selection and Appointment of Leading Cadres of the Party and the Government were revised and promulgated. The Sixth Plenary Session of the 18th CPC Central Committee further laid out new arrangements for upholding the correct orientation in selecting and appointing cadres. In accordance with the spirit of the CPC Central Committee and relevant internal Party regulations, and drawing on practical experience accumulated over the years, the Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee has revised the “Code of Conduct for Party Committees (Party Leading Groups) on Deliberating and Deciding Matters Related to the Appointment and Removal of Cadres.” This revised document is hereby circulated to you; please ensure its thorough implementation and, where appropriate, display it in the meeting rooms of Party committees (leading groups) at or above the county and department levels when they deliberate and discuss matters concerning the appointment and removal of cadres. When conducting supervision and inspection of cadre selection and appointment work, organizational and personnel departments at all levels should treat the implementation of this Code as a key item, ensuring that it is effectively put into practice.

Central Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee

November 24, 2016

Rules for Party Committees (Party Leadership Groups) on Discussing and Deciding Matters Related to the Appointment and Removal of Cadres

　　1. In selecting and appointing cadres, we must adhere to the cadre criteria stipulated in the Party Constitution; uphold the principle of both moral integrity and competence, giving priority to moral character; ensure that appointments are made on the basis of merit and from all sectors of society; place the cause above all else, acting with fairness and impartiality; emphasize practical achievements and public recognition; and uphold the standards for good cadres—firm in conviction, dedicated to serving the people, diligent and pragmatic, courageous in shouldering responsibilities, and honest and clean—thereby establishing a sound orientation in personnel selection.

　　2. Uphold the principle of Party leadership over cadre work, conscientiously implement democratic centralism, and strengthen the leading and gatekeeping role of Party committees (Party leading groups). Strictly adhere to the procedures for selecting and appointing cadres: no matter shall be brought before a meeting unless it has undergone the prescribed deliberation and proposal, democratic recommendation, and organizational investigation; no matter shall be considered unless relevant issues have been thoroughly verified in accordance with regulations; and no appointment or removal of cadres shall be discussed at a meeting unless it has been reported to higher authorities as required or, having been reported, has received formal approval.

　　3. Prior to deliberation and decision-making, it is imperative to thoroughly review the personnel files of candidates proposed for promotion or further assignment, rigorously verify their personal disclosure reports, solicit opinions from disciplinary inspection and supervision authorities, and investigate all complaints and reports containing specific leads, thereby resolutely preventing the promotion of individuals with known issues.

　　4. More than two-thirds of the members of the Party Committee (Party Leadership Group) must be present. Voting shall be conducted on the basis of thorough discussion, and a decision shall be adopted only if it is approved by a majority of the members who are required to attend.

　　5. The leading member of the Party Committee (Party Leadership Group) in charge of organizational (personnel) work, or the head of the organizational (personnel) department, shall individually present information on the nomination and assessment of each candidate, as well as the rationale for their appointment or removal. Where extraordinary promotion is involved, they shall specify the particular circumstances, the underlying reasons, and the procedures followed to solicit the views of the higher-level organizational (personnel) department.

　　6. Each member present shall state, one by one, a clear position—either in favor, opposed, or calling for further deliberation—and the principal leader of the Party Committee (Party Leadership Group) shall deliver the final statement. When significant disagreements arise, voting shall be postponed. The proceedings and decisions of the meeting shall be accurately recorded by a designated person; matters involving appointments and removals shall be documented in minutes and filed in accordance with relevant regulations.

　　7. With respect to any discussion in which the attendees themselves or their relatives are involved, the individual concerned must recuse themselves.

　　8. It is prohibited to substitute individual consultations or leaders’ endorsements for collective deliberation and decision-making by the Party Committee (Party Leadership Group) on matters of cadre appointment and removal. The principal leader of the Party Committee (Party Leadership Group) must not place themselves above the organization, and must oppose and prevent arbitrary decisions made by individuals or a small group.

　　9. Decisions on the appointment or removal of cadres that require reconsideration may be made only upon the approval of more than half of the members of the Party Committee (Party Leadership Group).

　　10. Strictly observe discipline: it is prohibited to practice favoritism, to make hasty promotions or personnel adjustments, to introduce ad hoc proposals for personnel decisions, to appoint or promote cadres beyond the authorized staffing levels or beyond the prescribed institutional standards, or to disclose the details of deliberations and decisions. We must resolutely prevent and rectify any improper practices in the selection and appointment of personnel.

Issued by the Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee