Leaders take lead in campaign against harmful work styles

Top Communist Party of China (CPC) leaders relayed criticisms and self-criticisms during a high-profile meeting that concluded Tuesday, setting examples for others in the Party's campaign to fight undesirable work styles.

The 25-member Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee held a special conference from June 22 to 25.

The meeting, an important part of the campaign to strengthen ties between Party members and the people, was presided over by General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee Xi Jinping.

EXEMPLARY ROLE

The Political Bureau underscored the exemplary role top leaders could play by following through on their commitments, saying overcoming any difficulties will make the Party more powerful.

Political Bureau members should "implement the do's before asking others to do so, and certainly not do something themselves if they don't want others to do it," said a statement issued after the conference.

It is "a basic requirement" that the Political Bureau take a leadership role, according to the statement, which added that the Political Bureau should take the lead in improving the Party's work styles.

The Political Bureau warned of various risks and challenges the CPC faces.

Finding ways to push forward the construction of socialism with Chinese characteristics and realize the Chinese dream of the nation's great rejuvenation is "a direct, constant and important test" of the Political Bureau's political wisdom, leadership and work styles, the statement said.

To make it through the test and pool the strength of all Chinese people to achieve these goals, the Political Bureau must be strict with itself and be a self-starter, it said.

The conference was held on the heels of last week's announcement that the CPC launched a year-long "thorough cleanup" of undesirable work styles such as formalism, bureaucracy, hedonism and extravagance.

To form closer ties with the people, Party members are required to "look in the mirror, straighten their attire, take a bath and seek remedies," which means they should reflect on their own practices and correct any misbehavior.