Clean governance guards quality growth

As the first year of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30), 2026 will set the tone for China's next phase of national rejuvenation. High-quality development, powered by reform and innovation, will be the defining theme. The Party conduct and the anti-corruption campaign must therefore be closely aligned with the goals and tasks of the plan, under close political supervision.

The Communist Party of China has always been strict with the Party regulation and continuously fighting corruption. During the entire year of 2025, 65 centrally administered officials, mostly at the ministerial level or above, were placed under investigation for corruption, with nine of the cases initiated in December alone. Prominent names on the list of probed officials included Jiang Chaoliang, Jin Xiangjun, Lan Tianli, Liu Hui, Yi Huiman, and Zhang Shiping.

Besides robust oversight of key sectors and critical links, the eight-point decision on improving the Party and government conduct is the cornerstone of political discipline. To ensure the high-quality development of Chinese modernization, efforts must be made to institutionalize the improvement in Party conduct. Intensive campaigns against misconduct and corruption should continue, delivering more visible and tangible outcomes to earn public trust.

Special attention should be paid to sectors closely related to public concerns, including education, health care, elder care, and social security, with sustained efforts to crack down on corruption and abuse of power, such as embezzlement, misappropriation and extortion. If these issues are tackled through focused, practical measures, administrative efficiency is improved and rights protection is strengthened, people will be able to feel concrete changes in their daily lives.

A TV documentary series co-produced by the Publicity Department of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Supervisory Commission along with China Central Television (CCTV), which was first aired on Jan 11, reported such cases. Nong Suling and Yang Sujiao, who were former staff at the social security bureau at Longlin county, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, exploited their positions to embezzle a significant amount of flexible employment pensions, with their illegal activities dating back to 2005.

Experience has shown that corruption often stems from improper distribution of power and inadequate checks and oversight. It is therefore essential to regulate the allocation and operation of power, just as indicated in the case of Nong and Yang. Only by improving the supervision system and establishing effective mechanisms for the lawful and standardized exercise of power can the fight against corruption achieve lasting results.

Strengthening constraints and oversight over the allocation of power will be an important safeguard for the effective implementation of the 15th Five-Year Plan. A system featuring clearly defined powers and responsibilities must be established, with explicit boundaries and standardized procedures so that power operates in a transparent manner. Synergies among different forms of oversight should be strengthened by integrating intra-Party supervision with public and media supervision, while keeping a close watch on areas where power is concentrated and stakes are high.

A strict approach must be followed, with zero tolerance for violations of rules and regulations. Accountability should be enforced with precision and severity to ensure that all responsibilities are fulfilled. At the same time, education, publicity and case-based warnings should be strengthened so that respect for institutions gets ingrained and there is strict compliance. Rules and systems should become binding constraints rather than mere formalities.

Efforts should also be made to improve the legal framework for foreign-related anti-corruption work. Better coordination between domestic and international anti-corruption initiatives, stronger integrity and compliance standards in cross-border business operations, and firm safeguards for national sovereignty and security are all essential for high-quality opening-up.

Apart from this, continuing to strengthen the standardization, rule-of-law orientation and professionalism of inspection work is necessary for improving the quality and effectiveness of supervision and enforcing discipline. A loyal, honest and responsible inspection and supervision force is a necessary requirement for Chinese modernization. Institutional systems should be improved, procedures for discipline enforcement and law enforcement refined, and boundaries of authority and operational norms clarified, ensuring that all actions are conducted in accordance with the rule of law.

Coordination between discipline enforcement, law enforcement and criminal justice should also be strengthened, and mechanisms for mutual cooperation and checks among supervisory, prosecutorial, adjudicatory, investigative and enforcement authorities improved. This will provide robust organizational and institutional guarantees for full and rigorous Party self-governance and the struggle against corruption.

The author is the director of the China Anti-Corruption Judicial Research Center and honorary dean of the Discipline Inspection Institute at Xiangtan University.

The views don't necessarily reflect those of China Daily.

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