Stricter discipline ordinance to fortify Party

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, addresses the 6th plenary session of the 18th CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) in Beijing, Jan 12, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]

The revised discipline ordinance of the Communist Party of China that came into effect on Jan 1, 2016, is aimed at "strictly ruling the Party in an all-round way" and has been called the "strictest Party discipline".

The ordinance has been designed to strictly monitor the behaviors of all Party organizations and members, especially those that hold leading positions. It has six kinds of discipline: political, organizational, anti-corruption, and people, work-and lifestyle-related.

At the macro level, the severity of the ordinance manifests in two aspects. First, the range of misbehaviors it covers is much wider than before, for it not only regulates Party members' political, organizational and work-related behaviors and those related to conflict of interests that draw wide international concern, but also Party members' moral and lifestyle issues. Even if Party members indulge in morality-or lifestyle-related misbehaviors, they will be seriously dealt with.

Second, the nature and circumstances of misbehavior have been clearly stated in the revised ordinance. Misbehaviors are divided into three levels: minor fault, serious fault and criminal offense. Although the ordinance doesn't punish Party members' criminal offense (the country's law deals with it), Party members who receive punishment according to the law will be additionally dealt with according to the ordinance.

At the micro level, the severity of the ordinance manifests in three aspects. To begin with, the ordinance requires related authorities to take measures to first educate, regulate and supervise Party members who commit minor faults. For instance, article 108 of the ordinance stipulates that Party members who are ill-mannered and behave rudely with people could be punished according to the ordinance.

Also, many new articles have been added to the lifestyle-related discipline. For instance, according to article 128, Party members who go against the social order and customs and misbehave in public places will face disciplinary punishment according to the seriousness of their actions.