洗洗澡 (xi xi zao): Take a bath

Take a bath 洗洗澡 (xi xi zao)

The Communist Party of China General Secretary Xi Jinping raised the slogan "take a long look in the mirror, groom oneself, take a bath and seek remedies" in folksy style to highlight the importance of the "mass line". The "mass line" campaign, officially launched in June, aims at prioritizing the interests of the people, sharing the joys and sorrows with the people, and forging closer Party-people ties by eliminating the "four forms of decadence": formalism, bureaucratism, hedonism and waste (or extravagance of Party members).

In other words, to study the mass line, CPC officials should focus on self-purification, self-improvement, self-innovation and self-awareness. The emphasis on building personal character is echoed in Xi's slogan. And the catchphrase "take a bath" means Party officials should indulge in soul-searching and take measures to eradicate formalism, bureaucratism, hedonism and extravagance.

Identifying mistakes (committed by others or oneself) and criticizing those who commit them is not difficult. But few people do so. Some people are afraid of criticizing others for fear of a backlash or damaging their relationships with friends, relatives or colleagues. And some are reluctant to admit their own mistakes for fear of losing face.

We must realize that the purpose of criticizing (others or oneself) is to identify the shortcomings and help improve the Party's work style; its purpose is to unite, not to create a chasm or isolate someone. That's why Party cadres have been urged to take the lead in "taking a bath", and voicing their criticism and suggestions frankly.

(China Daily 09/13/2013 page9)