Advance Comprehensive and Strict Governance of the Party Consistently

General Secretary Xi Jinping delivered an important speech at the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the CPC. From a high strategic vantage point and with profound historical insight, he conducted a deep analysis of the current situation in the anti-corruption struggle, unequivocally clarifying erroneous understandings and clearing away ideological confusion. He fully affirmed the achievements of the past year in comprehensively and strictly governing the Party and the anti-corruption struggle, put forward new requirements, and made new deployments. This points the way forward for deepening the comprehensive and strict governance of the Party and the anti-corruption struggle, and provides important guidance for ensuring the steady and sustained progress of Chinese-path modernization.

习近平总书记在二十届中央纪委四次全会上发表重要讲话，从高远的战略高度，以深邃的历史洞察力对当前的反腐败斗争形势进行深刻分析，旗帜鲜明澄清错误认识、廓清思想迷雾，充分肯定过去一年全面从严治党和反腐败斗争的成就，提出了新要求、作出了新部署，为深入推进全面从严治党和反腐败斗争指明前进方向，为推动中国式现代化行稳致远提供了重要遵循。

Winning Historical Initiative

赢得历史主动

The entire Party’s understanding of major issues such as why it must carry out self-revolution, why it can carry out self-revolution, and how to advance self-revolution has become clearer; its actions in advancing self-revolution in accordance with the practical requirements of the “nine withs” [1]1 The “nine withs” (九个以) refers to the nine specific practical requirements for advancing the Party’s self-revolution, as outlined in Xi Jinping’s thought on self-revolution. have become more resolute and powerful; and the path for leading a great social revolution through the Party’s self-revolution and for relying on the Party’s self-revolution to break out of the historical cycle of rise and fall [2]2 The “historical cycle of rise and fall” (历史周期率) refers to the pattern observed in Chinese history where dynasties rise, flourish, and then decline and fall, a problem the CPC seeks to overcome through self-revolution. has become clearer. Through self-purification, self-improvement, self-renovation, and self-enhancement, the Party has continuously raised its governing capacity, leading the people of all ethnic groups across the country to take more solid new steps toward building a strong country and achieving national rejuvenation.

全党在面对为什么要自我革命、为什么能自我革命、怎样推进自我革命等重大问题上的认识更加清醒；在“九个以”实践要求上推进自我革命的行动上更加坚定有力；以党的自我革命引领伟大社会革命，探索出依靠党的自我革命跳出历史周期率的路径更加清晰。党通过自我净化、自我完善、自我革新、自我提高不断提高执政能力，带领全国各族人民向强国建设和民族复兴迈出的新步伐也更加坚实。

Over a period of time, the system for the Party’s overall leadership has become more consolidated, the system of norms and institutions for the Party’s self-revolution has become more complete, the system for comprehensively and strictly governing the Party has become more robust, and the main thread of the Party’s institutional building has become more prominent. By deepening institutional governance of the Party and governance of the Party in accordance with regulations, the Party has effectively enhanced its capacity to lead the anti-corruption struggle and advance comprehensive and strict governance, ensuring that the Party’s leadership becomes the fundamental guarantee for further deepening reform comprehensively and advancing Chinese-path modernization. With the tenacious perseverance of “always being on the road,” [3]3 “Always being on the road” (永远在路上) is a slogan emphasizing that the work of Party conduct, clean governance, and anti-corruption is a continuous, never-ending process. the intensity of the anti-corruption effort has been continuously increased. The strict tone, strict measures, and strict atmosphere are upheld over the long term. The general policy of simultaneously promoting the deterrence of not daring to be corrupt, the constraint of not being able to be corrupt, and the consciousness of not wanting to be corrupt is adhered to. The systems for power supervision and governance are continuously improved. In-depth efforts are made in source governance, partial governance, regional governance, systemic governance, and comprehensive governance of corruption. By addressing both symptoms and root causes and carrying out systematic treatment, the soil and conditions for breeding corruption are thoroughly eradicated, continuously improving the state of entrepreneurship and the political ecosystem of clean and upright conduct.

一段时间以来，党的全面领导制度体系更加巩固，党的自我革命制度规范体系更加完善，全面从严治党体系更加健全，党的制度建设主线更加突出，通过深化制度治党、依规治党，切实提高了党领导反腐败斗争、推进全面从严治党的能力，确保党的领导成为进一步全面深化改革、推进中国式现代化的根本保证。以永远在路上的坚韧执着持续加大反腐败力度，把严的基调、严的措施、严的氛围长期坚持下去，坚持一体推进不敢腐、不能腐、不想腐的总方针，不断完善权力监督体系和治理体系，深入开展腐败源头治理、局部治理、区域治理、系统治理、综合治理，标本兼治、系统施治，彻底铲除腐败滋生的土壤和条件，不断提升干事创业的状态和风清气正的政治生态。

Pointing Out Important Guidance

指明重要遵循

From a historical perspective, the statement that “work on Party conduct and clean governance is always on the road, and the anti-corruption struggle is always on the road” aptly points out the arduous and long-term nature of the fight against corruption. The anti-corruption struggle is a war without gunpowder; it requires sustained effort and firm determination to ensure the long-term stability and security of the country and the well-being of the people. From a strategic height, the anti-corruption struggle serves the Party’s historical mission in the New Era and the new journey of comprehensively building a strong country and achieving the great cause of national rejuvenation through Chinese-path modernization. Closely centering on this historical mission, it confronts the stubborn and recurrent problems in Party conduct, clean governance, and the anti-corruption struggle, maintains strategic sobriety, and always keeps a posture of readiness with the arrow on the bowstring, never allowing complacency or relaxation. It enhances the ability to struggle, dares to fight and take responsibility, solves the difficult problems of corruption governance, and strives for strategic initiative. At present, the situation of the anti-corruption struggle remains severe and complex. The stock of corruption has not yet been cleared, and the increment continues to occur. The task of eradicating the soil and conditions for breeding corruption remains arduous and heavy. Therefore, the anti-corruption struggle must be unwavering; any hesitation, wavering, laxity, or giving up halfway would constitute a subversive mistake.

从历史视角来看，党风廉政建设永远在路上，反腐败斗争永远在路上，恰如其分指出了打击腐败工作的艰巨和长期性。反腐败斗争是一场没有硝烟的战争，它需要持续不断的努力和坚定的决心，以确保国家的长治久安和人民的福祉。从战略高度来看，反腐败斗争服务于党在新时代新征程上以中国式现代化全面推进强国建设、实现民族复兴伟业这一历史使命，并紧紧围绕这一历史使命，直面党风廉政建设和反腐败斗争中的顽固性、多发性问题，保持战略清醒，始终保持箭在弦上的备战姿态，切不可麻痹大意、高枕无忧；增强斗争本领，敢于善于斗争、敢于担当作为，破解腐败治理难题，争取战略主动。当前，反腐败斗争形势仍然严峻复杂。腐败存量尚未清除，增量还在持续发生，铲除腐败滋生土壤和条件任务仍然艰巨繁重。因此，反腐败斗争必须坚定不移，任何犹豫动摇、松懈手软或半途而废，都将犯颠覆性错误。

To comprehensively build a strong country and achieve the great cause of national rejuvenation through Chinese-path modernization, it is necessary to adhere to managing and governing the Party with the spirit of reform and strict standards. On the one hand, the spirit of reform is the soul of managing and governing the Party. Driven by innovation and premised on openness, it constantly seeks change and breakthroughs, injecting surging momentum into managing and governing the Party and providing an inexhaustible source of power for the Chinese-path modernization led by the Party. Strict standards are the solid foundation on which the spirit of reform can take root, requiring that the management of Party affairs adhere to the principles of strictness, meticulousness, and comprehensiveness. The organic combination of the two helps solve the various difficulties faced in governing a large party, effectively responds to the complex and changing domestic and international situations, ensures that the Party always stays at the forefront of the times and maintains its advanced nature and integrity, enhances the Party’s creativity, cohesion, and combat effectiveness, and provides strong internal support for promoting Chinese-path modernization. On the other hand, problems such as the “four dangers” [4]4 The “four dangers” (四大危险) are the dangers of mental slackness, incompetence, disengagement from the people, and corruption and degeneration. and “four tests” [5]5 The “four tests” (四种考验) are the tests of governance, reform and opening up, the market economy, and the external environment. faced within the Party, as well as various hidden and mutated forms of corruption, remain very prominent. If the spread of impurity in ideology, politics, organization, and conduct within the Party is allowed to run rampant, then the purity of the Party’s ideology will be eroded, political positions may deviate, the cohesion and combat effectiveness of Party organizations may be weakened, and the work style of Party cadres may become impetuous, which will hinder the great process of realizing Chinese-path modernization. Therefore, these problems must be squarely faced and resolutely corrected. Upholding the spirit of reform and strict standards in managing and governing the Party, waging a resolute and thorough struggle, and constantly challenging and surpassing oneself in self-examination and struggle will achieve development and progress at a higher level.

以中国式现代化全面推进强国建设、民族复兴伟业，必须坚持用改革精神和严的标准管党治党。一方面，改革精神乃是管党治党之魂，以创新为驱动，以开放为前提，不断寻求变革和突破，可以为管党治党注入澎湃动力，为党领导的中国式现代化提供不竭动力之源。严的标准是改革精神能够落地生根的坚固基石，要求在管理党的事务时必须坚持严格、细致和全面的原则。二者有机结合，有助于解决大党治理所面临的种种难题，有效地应对复杂多变的国内外形势，确保党始终走在时代前列，保持其先进性和纯洁性，提升党的创造力、凝聚力和战斗力，为推动中国式现代化建设提供强大的内在支撑。另一方面，党内面临的“四大危险”“四种考验”、各种隐形变异的腐败等问题仍十分突出，若放任党内思想不纯、政治不纯、组织不纯、作风不纯等肆意蔓延，那么党内思想的纯洁性将会受到侵蚀，政治立场可能会出现偏差，党组织的凝聚力和战斗力可能会被削弱，党员干部的工作作风也可能因而变得浮躁，将会阻碍实现中国式现代化的伟大进程。因此，必须正视并坚决纠正这些问题，秉承改革精神和严的标准管党治党，作坚决彻底的斗争，在自我审视与斗争中不断挑战自我、超越自我，实现更高层次的发展与进步。

Providing a Strong Guarantee

提供坚强保障

With the successful conclusion of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the Communist Party of China, meticulous arrangements and deployments have been made in accordance with the communiqué of the session, further promoting the in-depth development of discipline inspection and supervision work.

随着中国共产党第二十届中央纪律检查委员会第四次全体会议的圆满闭幕，根据会议公报进行了细致的安排与部署，进一步推动了纪检监察工作向纵深发展。

Focus on the “great affairs of the state” [6]6 “Great affairs of the state” (国之大者) is a term used by Xi Jinping to refer to the most fundamental and important matters concerning the long-term development of the country and the fundamental interests of the people. and strengthen political supervision. Centering on the major deployments of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the CPC, political supervision is strengthened, with efforts focused on promoting the further comprehensive deepening of reform and the steady and sustained progress of Chinese-path modernization. Wherever the major decisions and deployments of the Party Central Committee go, political supervision must follow. It is necessary to highlight the “seven focuses” [7]7 The “seven focuses” (七个聚焦) are the key areas of reform identified at the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee, including the economy, politics, culture, society, ecology, national security, and Party building. and the strategic priorities in 13 sub-fields, pay attention to preventing and defusing major risks, strengthen supervision and inspection, emphasize normalization and long-term effectiveness, and ensure that the major decisions and deployments of the Party Central Committee are implemented without any discount.

聚焦“国之大者”，强化政治监督。围绕党的二十届三中全会重大部署，强化政治监督，着力推动进一步全面深化改革、推进中国式现代化行稳致远。党中央重大决策部署到哪里，政治监督就要跟进到哪里。要突出“七个聚焦”、13个分领域的战略重点，注重防控和化解重大风险，加强督导督查，突出常态化长效化，确保党中央重大决策部署不折不扣落到实处。

Persist in integrating into daily life and grasping regular practice, and consolidate and deepen the achievements of Party discipline education and learning. Leading cadres must regard tempering strong Party spirit and enhancing profound ideological awareness as a continuous mission, clearly understand the “red lines,” firmly hold the “bottom lines,” and build a solid ideological defense line against “corruption and degeneration,” striving to foster a good atmosphere of abiding by rules and discipline and engaging in entrepreneurship. Strengthen Party discipline education for “first-in-charge” officials, young cadres, and newly promoted cadres, integrate Party discipline education into the daily education, management, and supervision of Party members and cadres, and promote the normalization and long-term effectiveness of Party discipline education.

坚持融入日常抓在经常，巩固深化党纪学习教育成果。领导干部必须将锤炼坚强的党性、提升深邃的思想觉悟视为持续性的使命，明晰“红线”，坚守“底线”，筑牢“拒腐防变”的思想防线，着力推动形成遵规守纪、干事创业的良好氛围。加强“一把手”、年轻干部和新提拔干部的党纪教育，把党纪教育融入党员、干部日常教育、管理和监督之中，推动党的纪律教育常态化长效化。

Enhance the effectiveness of rectifying conduct, enforcing discipline, and combating corruption, and promote the integrated deepening of rectifying conduct and combating corruption. Focus on solving unhealthy tendencies and corruption problems, adhere to the mechanism of simultaneous investigation and treatment, strengthen the rectification of conduct, enforcement of discipline, and combating of corruption, tirelessly correct the “four forms of decadence,” [8]8 The “four forms of decadence” (四风) are formalism, bureaucratism, hedonism, and extravagance. and always persist in promoting the rectification of Party conduct and the punishment of corruption as a whole. Unswervingly advance the anti-corruption struggle in key areas such as finance, state-owned enterprises, education, medical care, engineering construction, and bidding. Hold high the sword of anti-corruption, continuously releasing signals of never turning back, never relaxing, and never tolerating any form of corruption.

提升正风肃纪反腐效能，推动正风反腐一体深化。着力解决不正之风和腐败问题，坚持同查同治机制，强化正风肃纪反腐，驰而不息纠治“四风”，始终坚持将整饬党风与惩治腐败作为整体来推进。坚定不移地推进金融、国有企业、教育、医疗、工程建设以及招投标等关键领域的反腐败斗争。高举反腐利剑，不断释放出绝不回头、绝不松懈、绝不姑息任何形式的腐败行为的信号。

Resolutely rectify unhealthy tendencies and corruption problems around the masses, and resolutely win the battle against “flies and ants” [9]9 “Flies and ants” (蝇贪蚁腐) is a metaphor for low-level corruption that directly affects the daily lives of ordinary people. of corruption. People’s livelihood is no small matter; every leaf and branch touches the heart. [10]10 “Every leaf and branch touches the heart” (枝叶总关情) is a classical allusion from the Qing dynasty poet Zheng Xie, meaning that even the smallest matters concerning the people are of great concern to the ruler. It is necessary to combine departmental and regional realities, target common problems strongly reflected by the masses, mobilize the entire force to carry out rectification, and break through difficulties with the momentum of tackling tough issues. Guided by nationwide special rectifications, deeply advance key rectification projects, urge all cities and counties to carry out individualized rectifications based on local realities, and build a system of joint supervision, stationing supervision, list-based responsibility fulfillment, and project-based rectification.

坚决整治群众身边不正之风和腐败问题，坚决打赢惩治“蝇贪蚁腐”攻坚战。民生无小事，枝叶总关情。应做到结合部门和区域实际，针对群众反映强烈的共性问题，举全体之力抓整治，以攻坚之势破难题。以全国性专项整治为先导，深入推进重点整治工程，督促各市县立足本地实际开展个性化整治，构建起联合督导、蹲点督战、清单化履责、项目化整治体系。

Shoulder the main responsibility and deepen political inspections. Strive to promote the “full-cycle management” of inspections, strengthen daily supervision and overall coordination, and promote rectification and remediation by using key points to drive the whole. Special efforts should be made to strengthen the supervision of “first-in-charge” officials in Party and government organs, ensuring that they can both play a leading role and maintain constant vigilance and self-discipline. It is necessary to strengthen the implementation of rectifications and the transformation of results from inspection tours, ensuring that every decision withstands the test of practice and history.

扛牢主体责任，深化政治巡察。着力推动“全周期管理”巡视，强化日常监督和统筹督促，以点带面推进整改整治。要特别强化对党政“一把手”的监督力度，确保既能发挥引领作用，又能时刻保持警醒和自律。要加强巡视巡察工作的整改落实和成果转化，确保每一项决策都经得起实践和历史的检验。

Continuously deepen the reform of the discipline inspection and supervision system, and promote the improvement of the Party and state supervision systems. Optimize and reform the internal operational mechanisms of discipline inspection and supervision organs, establish a new model led jointly by the Office for Party Conduct and Ethical Governance and Supervision, the Office for Letters and Visits, the Office for Case Supervision and Management, and the Office for Case Review, and establish a model in which specialized supervision offices coordinate “N” dispatched agencies, promoting the rational allocation of resources such as institutions, functions, and forces, thereby significantly raising the level of modernization of the national governance system and governance capacity.

持续深化纪检监察体制改革，推动完善党和国家监督体系。优化改造纪检监察机关内部运行机制，确立由党风政风监督室、信访室、案件监督管理室以及案件审理室共同牵头负责的新模式，确立专门监督室统筹“N”个派驻机构，促进机构、职能、力量等资源要素合理配置，显著提升国家治理体系和治理能力现代化水平。

Strengthen the political responsibility for comprehensive and strict governance of the Party, and promote the layer-by-layer transmission of the pressure of responsibility for governing the Party and managing the Party. Taking the “Two Responsibilities” [11]11 The “Two Responsibilities” refer to the primary responsibility of Party committees and the oversight responsibility of discipline inspection commissions in the comprehensive and strict governance of the Party. as an important lever, effectively guide the primary responsibility borne by Party committees (Party groups), the supervisory responsibility performed by functional departments, and the oversight responsibility strengthened by discipline inspection commissions (discipline inspection groups).

强化全面从严治党政治责任，推动管党治党责任压力层层传导。以“两个责任”作为重要抓手，有效引领党委（党组）所承担的主体责任、职能部门履行的监管责任以及纪委（纪检组）强化的监督责任。

Forever preserve the spirit of self-revolution, and forge an iron army of discipline inspection and supervision. Unswervingly make the implementation of the Party’s important thought on self-revolution a core political task, strictly implement the “First Agenda” system [12]12 The “First Agenda” system requires that the first item on the agenda of Party committee meetings be the study of the latest important speeches and directives of the Party Central Committee. and the collective study system, understand it with deep emotion, comprehend it with firm conviction, and study it thoroughly with a strong sense of mission. With the spirit of “cutting off one’s own wrist like a brave man” [13]13 “Cutting off one’s own wrist like a brave man” is a Chinese idiom meaning to take decisive and painful action to correct a problem, often used in the context of self-reform., resolutely rectify “lamplight darkness” [14]14 “Lamplight darkness” is a Chinese idiom referring to the failure to see or correct problems within one’s own organization, especially in the context of discipline inspection organs themselves., courageously expose and correct, show no leniency, avoid no contradictions, and unswervingly carry out self-renovation.

永葆自我革命精神，锻造纪检监察铁军。坚持不懈地把贯彻党的自我革命的重要思想作为核心政治任务，严格执行“第一议题”制度和集体学习制度，带着深厚的情感去理解，带着坚定的信仰去领悟，怀着强烈使命学深悟透。要以“壮士断腕”的精神，坚决整肃“灯下黑”，勇于揭露和纠正，不留情面，不回避矛盾，坚定不移地进行自我革新。

The clearer the understanding, the more steadfast the action. With a confidence of certain victory, a perseverance as firm as a rock, and an unyielding determination, resolutely win this tough, protracted, and all-out battle against corruption, provide a strong guarantee for advancing Chinese-path modernization, and ensure that Chinese-path modernization proceeds steadily and far.

知之愈明，则行之愈笃。以必胜信心、如磐恒心、坚强决心，坚决打赢反腐败斗争这场攻坚战持久战总体战，为推进中国式现代化建设提供坚强保障，确保中国式现代化行稳致远。

(The authors are professors at the Research Center for Anti-Corruption with Chinese Characteristics, Liaoning University; and researchers at the Institute for CPC History Research, Liaoning University.)

（作者系辽宁大学中国特色反腐败研究中心教授；辽宁大学中共党史研究院研究员）

Online editor: Huihui

网络编辑：慧慧