Eight-point code cuts red tape, weeds out corruption

Nationwide action

Chongqing is not the only place exploring innovative ways to implement the guiding principles of the eight-point rules and improve work conduct.

Zheng Wenxing is a grassroots worker at Changhe subdistrict in Binjiang district, Hangzhou, Zhejiang province. He spent 60 days working as a delivery rider to better grasp the demands of the occupation.

He rode an electric scooter for about 2,900 kilometers and delivered 330 orders from five online platforms. This helped Zheng to better understand delivery riders' needs in regard to rest and supply stations, the People's Daily reported.

He decided to experience the life of a delivery rider after he discovered the rest stations provided by the subdistrict's service center for Party members and residents were rarely visited by riders. This was despite the stations being equipped with various services such as power banks, microwaves, electric charging piles, umbrellas and water heaters, the media reported.

"The experience changed my perception of delivery riders," Zheng was quoted as saying.

"For example, riders usually have tight delivery schedules and do not have time to charge their scooters, so they mainly rely on battery swaps. Therefore, the charging piles at the stations had a low usage rate. Instead of building stations and waiting for riders to come, we should build them in places where riders frequently go."

Following Zheng's experience, the subdistrict's Party organization relocated the stations to areas with more delivery riders, such as shopping centers and commercial zones, and added more useful service such as electric scooter repairs, maintenance, and roadside assistance.

In addition, four electric scooter shops were asked to provide free vehicle inspections and tire repairs for riders at new stations, the report said.

Zheng said the new stations are attracting more delivery riders. He added he still receives likes and feedback from couriers in a chat group.

Misconduct exposed

China's top anti-corruption watchdogs have also stepped up their efforts to warn and educate Party members and State officials about violations of the guiding principles of the eight-point code.

According to data released by the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Commission of Supervision, over 24,000 people were criticized for violating the guiding principles of the eight-point rules in April. Of those, more than 16,000 received Party disciplinary and administrative punishments.

Instances of inaction or arbitrary actions in serving economic development and environmental protection accounted for 86.2 percent of the formalism and bureaucracy discovered in April. Hedonism and extravagance were mainly reflected in the illegal receipt of gifts and cash, illegal banquets and illegal distribution of allowances, the data showed.

From time to time details of some high-profile cases have been disclosed to demonstrate the central leadership's "zero tolerance "and high-pressure approach to such violations.

In May, the commissions published a case where 10 officials in Henan province attended a banquet that went against discipline.

Li Xianlin, a Party official in Luoshan county, Xinyang, Henan province, was given a banquet organized by nine others on March 22. Li and four people drank four bottles of white liquor that later led to the death of one person.

In an attempt to cover up the consumption of alcohol, Yu Guofang, Party chief of the county, did not report what happened to a higher authority, which constituted a disciplinary violation. To bury the case, Li and some others offered cash compensation to the family of the deceased.

The commissions said that the incident occurred during the in-depth study and education program on the eight-point code on improving Party conduct.

They said it was a typical case of ignoring Party discipline, and violating the rules in defiance of authority. It was also of an extremely serious nature and had an extremely negative impact, so all the Party members involved must be given harsh disciplinary punishments, they said.

Self-improvement

Song Fufan, a professor at the Party School of the CPC Central Committee, highlighted the importance of implementing the guiding principles of the Central leadership's eight-point code. It is a milestone in the Party's self-governance that has profoundly changed the political and social landscape of China, he said in an article posted on the school's WeChat account.

Wang Dongqi, another professor at the school, said via the account that issues involving work style are never trivial. The implementation of the rules and the improvement of work conduct are an unceasing endeavor, he stressed.

"Work conduct is always underway, because the attitude and performance of Party organizations at all levels and a large number of party members, directly relate to the Party's image and credibility, and the development of the Party and the people," he said.

"Party members and officials must resolutely oppose formalism, bureaucracy, hedonism, and extravagance, and truly be responsible to the people, serve the people, and receive the people's supervision," he said.

"We must maintain a high degree of self-awareness and self-improvement in leading social revolution, and adhere to governing the Party with a reform spirit and vigorous standards. Only in this way can we ensure the steady progress of China's modernization."