The Eight-point Regulation of the Centre (Chinese: 中央八项规定) is a set of Chinese Communist Party (CCP or CPC) regulations stipulated by the Politburo in 2012 aimed at instilling more discipline among party members and making the party "closer to the masses".[1] They were first announced on 4 December 2012, after a Politburo meeting lead by Xi Jinping, who then had recently became General Secretary of the CCP. Detailed implementing regulations were adopted by the Politburo in 2022.[2]

In effect, the regulations "aim to reduce bureaucracy, extravagance and undesirable work practices of Party members," calls for party members and officials in particular to "do real work, say real things", and understand the practical situation on the ground. It seeks to tackle "practices of extravagance, formalism and bureaucracy" that permeated Chinese officialdom during the rule of Xi Jinping's predecessors.[3] Beginning in 2012, local authorities implemented the regulation and stressed reforms as such prohibiting private use of public cars, reduce and simplify official meetings, and prohibit expensive meals and showy official trips.[3]

Effect

The eight-point regulation has played a significant role in Xi Jinping's anticorruption campaign.[3]

Regulation Text

1. Leaders must maintain close contact with the grassroots. They must understand the real situation facing society through in-depth visits at the grassroots level. Greater attention should be focused on places where social problems are more acute, and inspection tours must be carried out more thoroughly. Inspection tours which are a mere formality should be strictly prohibited. Leaders should work and listen to the public and lower level officials; the most practical problems facing ordinary people must be tackled. For official visits, there should be no welcome banner, no red carpet, no floral arrangement or grand receptions

2. Meetings and major events should be strictly regulated, and their efficiency improved. Politburo members are not allowed to attend ribbon-cutting or cornerstone-laying ceremonies, or celebrations and seminars, unless they get approval from the Central Committee. Official meetings should be shortened, be specific and to-the-point, and be free of empty-talk and blather.

3. The issuing of official documents should be reduced.

4. Officials' visits to foreign countries should only be arranged when absolutely necessary, with fewer accompanying members; on most occasions, there is no need to mobilize a reception by Chinese expatriates, institutions and students at the airport.

5. There should be fewer traffic controls when leaders travel by car to avoid unnecessary inconvenience to the public.

6. The media should seek to reduce the number of news reports related to members of the Politburo, their work and their activities. The media should also seek to reduce the amount of time spent on these news pieces and minimize their scope. Such stories should only be reported depending on work needs, news value, and potential social impact.

7. Leaders should not publish any works by themselves or issue any congratulatory letters in their own name unless an arrangement has been made with the central authorities. Official documents without much meaningful content and without much actual importance should be withheld. Publications dedicated to senior officials' work and activities are also restricted.

8. Leaders must practice thrift and strictly follow relevant regulations on accommodation and cars.[4]

See also

References

  1. ^ "政治局：委员到基层调研要简化接待". Xinhua. Sina. 4 December 2012. Retrieved 4 December 2012.
  2. ^ "激荡清风正气 凝聚党心民心——以习近平同志为核心的党中央贯彻执行中央八项规定、推进作风建设纪实_滚动新闻_中国政府网". www.gov.cn. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
  3. ^ a b c "Eight-point regulation - China - Chinadaily.com.cn". www.chinadaily.com.cn. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
  4. ^ The excerpt was taken, with minor translation alterations, from China Daily. "Eight-point regulation". China Daily. 15 December 2012.
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