CPC discipline campaign ends, but work goes on

BEIJING - A campaign put a check on misbehavior by party officials may just be ending, but the Communist Party of China (CPC) is eager for yet more improvements.

The "mass-line" campaign began in June last year to improve the flagging relationship between CPC officials and the general public, by cleaning up undesirable work styles such as formalism, bureaucracy, hedonism and extravagance.

"The campaign has reached its goals... but Party organizations at all levels must not let up on the drive to improve working practices and should continue to deal with the problems exposed by the campaign," said a statement released Tuesday after a meeting of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.

Empty speeches, interminable meetings, lavish banquets and entertainment at VIP clubs were all targets of the campaign. Focused on officials at or above county level, Party members examined their own conduct, laid their problems bare, analyzed the causes and made plans to set things right.

"With strict standards, measures and discipline, the campaign helped officials solve their own problems. It had significant effect and won people's full support as well as positive comments from both inside and outside the Party," the statement said.

Party members have learnt to think for themselves and make decisions from the people's perspective. Many began sincere relationships by speaking honestly and being real friends with the people.

According to the statement, "a batch of prominent issues" that were closely related to people's interests and harmed the Party's grassroots foundations have been solved. Party officials and organizations at the grassroots level have improved their work capacity and sharpened their awareness of rules.

The statement called for continued action on misbehavior and a long-term mechanism to limit the power of officials, making self-improvement a routine part of an official's day.