Study and Implement the Spirit of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection's Second Plenary Session | Deepen and Advance Comprehensive Party Self-Governance with a Strict Tone

　       "At the start of the year, we look at the whole year ahead." On April 21, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Supervisory Commission released a report detailing the supervision, inspection, investigation, and review activities conducted by disciplinary and supervisory authorities across the country during the first quarter of 2023. The report revealed that in the first three months of this year, these authorities collectively initiated investigations into 138,000 cases and disciplined 111,000 individuals. This underscores the unwavering commitment to advancing comprehensive and strict governance within the Party, maintaining a rigorous tone, stringent measures, and an atmosphere of zero tolerance. It also sends a clear signal: we are firmly committed to simultaneously tackling the issues of "not daring to be corrupt, not being able to be corrupt, and not wanting to be corrupt"—providing robust safeguards to ensure a solid start and steady progress as we strive to build a modern socialist nation in all respects.

　　From January to March this year, disciplinary inspection and supervision agencies across the country handled 358,000 leads—representing a 6% increase compared to the same period last year. This reflects that, on one hand, disciplinary bodies at all levels have been rigorously implementing the "Measures for the Management of Problem Leads in Disciplinary Inspection and Supervision Agencies," continuously promoting standardized management and handling of such leads. On the other hand, they have firmly upheld their primary responsibility of oversight, ensuring that inspections and supervisions are both stronger and more effective. This is clearly demonstrated by the precise application of the "four forms" within disciplinary inspection and supervision agencies, as well as their meticulous and practical approach to daily oversight tasks.

　　Conversational inquiries are an important tool for effectively addressing the first type of disciplinary action and strengthening daily oversight. Data shows that in the first quarter of this year, disciplinary inspection and supervision agencies nationwide conducted 75,000 instances of such conversations and inquiries—representing a 14% increase compared to the same period last year. At all levels, these agencies have accurately balanced the intrinsic connection between strict management and oversight on one hand, and encouraging accountability and proactive action on the other. They treat oversight as their fundamental and primary responsibility, focusing early and addressing minor issues before they escalate. By comprehensively employing methods such as heart-to-heart talks, cautionary interviews, and conversational inquiries, they gently guide and remind officials, fostering a culture of vigilance and self-awareness while effectively serving as an early-warning mechanism to prevent problems from growing larger.

　　Fully leverage the powerful role of the "four forms" as tools for governing and managing the Party—ensuring that strict discipline remains ever-present and authoritative, while also prompting officials to take notice, stay alert, and know when to stop. By clarifying direction, establishing clear rules, fostering a positive atmosphere, and strengthening immunity, we can fully mobilize and protect the enthusiasm, initiative, and creativity of Party members and cadres, creating an ideal environment for work and entrepreneurship, and ultimately achieving a harmonious integration of political, disciplinary, legal, and societal outcomes.

　　The intensity of inspections and investigations remains unwavering, ensuring that overwhelming enforcement power is consistently maintained. Data shows that in the first three months of this year, disciplinary inspection and supervision agencies nationwide received a total of 776,000 complaints and reports—slightly lower than the same period last year—yet the high-pressure anti-corruption campaign continues to deliver a strong deterrent effect. Meanwhile, these agencies employed the third disciplinary measure to address 12,000 individuals and the fourth measure against 13,000 others, underscoring their relentless commitment to robust oversight, thorough investigation, and decisive punishment—leaving no room for compromise or leniency, and firmly reinforcing the "backstop" against corruption.

　　Disciplinary and supervisory authorities at all levels have been closely monitoring the "key few," particularly the top leaders, while also paying attention to ordinary Party members, cadres, and public officials. According to the report, from January to March this year, disciplinary and supervisory bodies across the country disciplined 1 provincial- or ministerial-level official, 633 department- or bureau-level officials, 4,669 county- or division-level officials, 14,000 township- or section-level officials, 15,000 general-level cadres, and 76,000 other personnel working in rural areas, enterprises, and other sectors.

　　"The crackdown on corruption shows no sign of easing. At the second plenary session of the 20th Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, officials emphasized the need to closely monitor key individuals, placing top priority on those who have failed to curb their corrupt practices since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China—particularly those who have acted boldly and recklessly. Disciplinary actions will be rigorously pursued against relatives and close aides of leading cadres, including spouses, children, and their spouses, as well as staff members who exploit their influence for personal gain or corruption. According to a report from the website of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Supervisory Commission, as of April 21, 17 centrally-managed officials—including Wang Xuefeng, former Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of Hebei Provincial People's Congress; He Zehua, former member of the Party Leadership Group and Deputy Director of the State Tobacco Monopoly Administration; Jiao Xiaoping, member of the Standing Committee and Deputy Commander of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps; and Cui Maohu, former Deputy Minister of the Central United Front Work Department and former Director of the State Administration for Religious Affairs—have already been placed under disciplinary review and are being investigated for suspected violations."

　　"The 'fly-swatting' campaign remains steadfast. According to the reported data, over 90% of those disciplined are township-level officials, general cadres, and other personnel from rural areas, enterprises, and other sectors. Disciplinary inspection and supervision bodies at all levels have vigorously implemented the tasks outlined at the Second Plenary Session of the 20th Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, launching strong and sustained crackdowns on petty corruption—often referred to as 'flies'—that directly affect people's daily lives. This effort is firmly aimed at extending comprehensive and strict Party governance down to the grassroots level and right into the communities where ordinary citizens live. Recently, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection issued the "Opinions on Conducting Special Rectification of Improper Practices and Corruption Issues in Rural Revitalization," emphasizing the need to maintain a rigorous tone and adopt stringent measures to tackle misconduct and corruption in this critical area. Such initiatives serve as a powerful testament to how strengthening discipline and rectifying conduct continuously enhances the people's sense of gain, happiness, and security."

　　The report of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China profoundly emphasizes that as long as the conditions and environment conducive to corruption persist, the fight against corruption must never be paused for a moment. We must deepen efforts to address both the symptoms and root causes, adopt a systematic approach to governance, and simultaneously promote the principles of "dare not be corrupt," "cannot be corrupt," and "do not want to be corrupt."

　　Deeply advancing the fight against corruption, the overarching strategy is to simultaneously promote the principles of "daring not to be corrupt, being unable to be corrupt, and having no desire to be corrupt." Disciplinary inspection and supervision agencies at all levels adhere to the "full-cycle management" approach, continuously intensifying efforts to ensure that officials dare not engage in corruption, deepening and expanding measures to make corruption impossible, and consolidating and enhancing initiatives aimed at eradicating the mindset that leads to corrupt behavior. This integrated approach ensures that severe punishment, effective power oversight, and targeted education and guidance are closely linked, working in seamless coordination to drive simultaneous, aligned, and comprehensive progress toward achieving the goal of "three no's"—no tolerance for corruption, no capacity for corruption, and no willingness to be corrupt.

　　On April 8, the 15 inspection teams conducting the first round of inspections under the 20th Central Committee completed their deployment. Strengthening inspection-based rectification and ensuring effective utilization of inspection outcomes have become key priorities for deepening and advancing the inspection work of the 20th Central Committee. Notably, a prominent feature of this round of inspections is the unwavering commitment to addressing specific problems head-on. By identifying and tackling these critical issues, the inspections aim to bolster the institutional mechanisms that prevent corruption from taking root and spreading, enhance internal oversight systems within relevant sectors, reinforce checks and balances on crucial powers—including policy-making, decision-making processes, and approval/oversight functions—and thereby deepen efforts toward addressing corruption at its very source.

　　The resounding clarion call has been sounded to deeply advance the comprehensive and strict governance of the Party in this new era and on a new journey. Disciplinary inspection and supervision agencies at all levels must always uphold the spirit of the most thorough self-revolution, adopt targeted strategies and adopt a holistic approach to address issues, effectively integrating the principles of "daring not to be corrupt, being unable to be corrupt, and having no desire to be corrupt." They must prioritize rigor, enforce discipline comprehensively, and maintain an unwavering commitment to strictness—leaving no room for compromise—so as to continuously achieve more institutional gains and greater governance effectiveness in building Party conduct and fighting corruption.