The Communist Party of China (CPC) on Wednesday publicized an update to its norms on Party political life within the CPC.
The document, dealing with norms of political life within the Party under current conditions, was approved at the sixth plenary session of the 18th CPC Central Committee last week.
The document, together with a regulation on intra-Party supervision, was introduced to perfect the CPC's "Four Comprehensives" and promote strict governance of the Party, Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, said while briefing the meeting on the documents.
A similar document was issued in 1980. The CPC noted in the new document that the main principles and provisions of the 1980 norms are still relevant today.
However, problems which need to be addressed have emerged, it said, citing lax discipline, nepotism and corruption.
In particular, a handful of senior Party officials, overcome by their political craving and lust for power, have resorted to political conspiracies by forming cliques to pursue selfish interests, it read.
The new document thus urged CPC members to further consolidate their communist faith through study and adhering to the basic line of the Party.
They must oppose all statements and acts that seek to disavow the Party leadership, China's socialist system or the reform and opening-up drive, as well as those attempts to distort or smear socialism with Chinese characteristics, the history, Party leaders, acclaimed heroes and role models.
It also called on all Party members to uphold the authority of the CPC Central Committee.
Party organizations at all levels and all Party members, especially senior cadres, should follow the CPC Central Committee and CPC theory, in path, principle and policy, as well as decisions made by the CPC Central Committee, and work to prevent individualism and faux obedience.
The document urged that discipline be thoroughly enforced with no exceptions. Every individual or organization is equal before Party discipline and none enjoys any prerogatives, it said.
No Party member should make or distribute statements that run counter to the Party's theory, path, principle, policy and decisions. They shall not practice religion, nor indulge or support religious extremism, ethnic separatist activities, and violence and terrorism.
They must stay honest to the Party, and refrain from forming cliques within the Party, and work to stop careerists and conspirators from rising to power.
In addition, they must stay close to the people, work to dispel difficulties for the public, and protect social harmony and stability.
Party committees at all levels must adhere to the collective leadership system, the document said, adding all major decisions must be made after collective discussion and in line with the principle of majority rule.
Intra-Party democracy is vital to the CPC, and is fundamental to a positive, healthy internal political environment, the document said.
The rights of Party members must be ensured, it said, adding that all Party members should enjoy equal rights as stipulated in Party Constitution, while performing obligations equally.
"No Party organization or member shall infringe upon the democratic rights of CPC members," noted the document.
Party members have the right to responsibly expose or report any Party organizations or members breaking the law or flouting the Party disciplines, it said, adding real-name tip-offs are encouraged.
The norms called for an end to the buying and selling of official posts and vote rigging. Bargaining with Party organizations or disobeying decisions made by Party organizations is forbidden.
Officials, especially high-ranking officials, must not institute patriarchy or demand others obey their orders indiscriminately, the document said, stressing that cadres shall not order their subordinates to engage in misconduct that violate laws or Party rules.
Subordinates should object to such demands and inform higher-level Party organizations about such misconduct, all the way to the CPC Central Committee, the norms said, adding lower-ranking officials should not follow their leaders blindly.
Party officials should not act arrogantly before Party members, and Party members should not flatter officials, it said.
Additionally, it called for the establishment of a system that tolerates and rectifies errors made by officials in pursuit of reform and innovation.
Supervision is the fundamental guarantee for exercising power properly, as well as a crucial measure for strengthening and regulating political life within the Party, the document said.
Party organizations and leading officials must not hide violations of Party discipline and law, or problems reported by Party members, and must deal with such issues in a timely manner.
Leading officials involved in issues reported should not participate in, intervene or meddle with investigations.
The norms ordered officials to report their personal affairs, forbade them from seeking favors for relatives, and forbade their relatives from meddling in official affairs.
