Norms and Standards That the Entire Party Must Strictly Follow in Political Matters

Principles are the fundamental norms and standards that constrain and guide people’s thought and conduct; they are the regularities and wisdom summed up by people in long-term practice, and they possess the characteristics of authority, universality, stability, and guidance. Political principles are the basic requirements and norms in political matters; they guide and regulate all fields and all aspects of society by political standards. Political principles embody the will, interests, and value orientation of the ruling class, embody the overall nature and stance of society, and are the basic guide for all work. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, General Secretary Xi Jinping has emphasized on many occasions that the issue of political principles must be taken very seriously. Studying and grasping these important expositions in depth is of great significance for correctly understanding the connotation and requirements of political principles, effectively upholding the Party’s overall leadership, and enhancing the entire Party’s political leadership capacity.

原则是约束指导人们思想和行为的根本准则、规范，是人们在长期实践中总结出来的规律性认识和智慧，具有权威性、普遍性、稳定性和指导性等特征。政治原则就是政治上的基本要求和规范，以政治标准指导、规范社会的各个领域、各个方面。政治原则体现了统治阶级的意志、利益和价值取向，体现了社会总体性质和立场，是一切工作的基本遵循。党的十八大以来，习近平总书记在多个场合强调要高度重视政治原则问题。深入学习领会这些重要论述，对正确理解政治原则的内涵和要求、有效坚持党的全面领导、提高全党的政治领导力都具有重要意义。

On January 22, 2013, at the Second Plenary Session of the 18th Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, General Secretary Xi Jinping stressed that being in alignment with the Party Central Committee is not an empty slogan but a major political principle. On issues of guiding ideology, line, principles, and policies, as well as major principles affecting the overall situation, the entire Party must maintain a high degree of alignment with the Party Central Committee in thought, politics, and action. Always maintaining a high degree of alignment with the Party Central Committee in thought, politics, and action is a major political principle. Party organizations at all levels and leading cadres must firmly establish a concept of the big picture and an overall situation awareness, correctly handle the relationship between ensuring the smooth implementation of central government decrees and carrying out work creatively based on actual conditions, and prevent and overcome local and departmental protectionism and departmentalism. They must never allow “policies from above, countermeasures from below”; never allow orders not being carried out or prohibitions not being heeded; never allow discounting, cherry-picking, or making detours in implementing the Party Central Committee’s decisions and deployments; never allow the dissemination of opinions that deviate from the Party’s theory, line, principles, and policies; never allow the public expression of statements that violate the Party Central Committee’s decisions; never allow the leaking of Party and state secrets; never allow participation in various illegal organizations and illegal activities; and never allow the fabrication or spread of political rumors or statements that vilify the Party’s and the state’s image. There must be a firm stance on issues of major right and wrong, and a clear attitude toward words and deeds that deviate from Party spirit; one cannot simply let them go unchecked or stand aloof. When signs or tendencies of violations of political discipline are discovered, timely reminders and corrections must be made, and acts that violate political discipline must be resolutely stopped.

2013年1月22日，习近平总书记在十八届中央纪委二次全会上强调，同党中央保持一致不是一个空洞口号，而是一个重大政治原则。在指导思想和路线方针政策以及关系全局的重大原则问题上，全党必须在思想上政治上行动上同党中央保持高度一致。始终在思想上政治上行动上同党中央保持高度一致是一个重大政治原则。各级党组织和领导干部要牢固树立大局观念和全局意识，正确处理保证中央政令畅通和立足实际创造性开展工作的关系，防止和克服地方和部门保护主义、本位主义，决不允许“上有政策、下有对策”，决不允许有令不行、有禁不止，决不允许在贯彻执行中央决策部署上打折扣、做选择、搞变通，决不允许散布违背党的理论和路线方针政策的意见，决不允许公开发表违背中央决定的言论，决不允许泄露党和国家秘密，决不允许参与各种非法组织和非法活动，决不允许制造、传播政治谣言及丑化党和国家形象的言论。对大是大非问题要有坚定立场，对背离党性的言行要有鲜明态度，不能听之任之、置身事外。发现违反政治纪律的苗头性倾向性问题要及时提醒和纠正，对违反政治纪律的行为要坚决制止。

On August 19, 2013, at the National Conference on Propaganda and Ideological Work, General Secretary Xi Jinping stressed that on issues involving major right and wrong and political principles, it is necessary to enhance initiative, seize the initiative, and fight the initiative battle, helping cadres and the masses draw clear lines between right and wrong and clarify confused understandings. Propaganda, ideological, and cultural work concerns the future and destiny of the Party, concerns the long-term stability and security of the country, and concerns the cohesion and centripetal force of the nation; it is an extremely important task. Propaganda and ideological work is political work; in both major and minor matters, politics and principles must be emphasized, and Party leadership over propaganda and ideological work must be comprehensively strengthened, with a clear-cut adherence to the principle that the Party manages propaganda and the Party manages ideology. The principle of Party spirit must not only be spoken of but spoken of with full justification; one cannot be evasive or hesitant. The leadership, management, and discourse power over ideological work must be firmly held in hand, and must never be relinquished at any time; otherwise, an irreparable historical mistake will be made. Party organizations at all levels must implement the responsibility system for ideological work, clearly support correct ideological statements, and clearly resist various erroneous ideological trends. On issues of major right and wrong and political principles, one must never be ambiguous, let alone retreat; one must adopt a fighting posture and a warrior’s sense of responsibility, dare to manage and dare to take a clear stand, and on fundamental issues such as what banner to hold, what path to take, and toward what goal to advance, one must have a firm stance and a clear-cut position.

2013年8月19日，习近平总书记在全国宣传思想工作会议上强调，在事关大是大非和政治原则问题上，必须增强主动性、掌握主动权、打好主动仗，帮助干部群众划清是非界限、澄清模糊认识。宣传思想文化工作事关党的前途命运，事关国家长治久安，事关民族凝聚力和向心力，是一项极端重要的工作。宣传思想工作是政治工作，大事小情都要讲政治、讲原则，要加强党对宣传思想工作的全面领导，旗帜鲜明坚持党管宣传、党管意识形态。党性原则不仅要讲，而且要理直气壮讲，不能躲躲闪闪、扭扭捏捏。必须把意识形态工作的领导权、管理权、话语权牢牢掌握在手中，任何时候都不能旁落，否则就要犯无可挽回的历史性错误。各级党的组织都要落实意识形态工作责任制，旗帜鲜明支持正确思想言论，旗帜鲜明抵制各种错误思潮。对大是大非问题、政治原则问题决不能含糊其辞，更不能退避三舍，必须以战斗的姿态、战士的担当，敢抓敢管、敢于亮剑，在举什么旗、走什么路、朝着什么目标前进等根本问题上必须立场坚定、旗帜鲜明。

On January 12, 2016, at the Sixth Plenary Session of the 18th Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, General Secretary Xi Jinping stressed that when we require Party members and cadres not to engage in irresponsible carping about the Central Committee, this does not mean that they cannot offer opinions, suggestions, or even critical comments; rather, it means that on major political principle issues and issues of major right and wrong, they must not sing a different tune from the Party Central Committee or engage in political liberalism. To enforce comprehensive and strict governance of the Party, political requirements must be emphasized, and political discipline must be strictly enforced; in particular, leading cadres at all levels must always keep political discipline in mind, uphold Party leadership without wavering, implement the Party’s line, principles, and policies without ambiguity, and always be politically clear-headed. A large amount of evidence shows that relaxing vigilance and lowering standards in political discipline is dangerous. Emphasizing political discipline is not a general statement but has practical relevance. Cadres at all levels, especially leading cadres, must be good at seeing problems from a political perspective, take a firm stance, and keep the correct direction. They must always be loyal to the Party and implement the Party’s line, principles, and policies without compromise; always be frank with the organization, trust the organization, rely on the organization, obey the organization, and consciously accept the organization’s arrangements and disciplinary constraints; always correctly handle power, resolve to do good and practical things for the people, and work for the Party with due diligence; and always remember political responsibility, be open and honest, match words with deeds, and consciously uphold the Party’s image. Party organizations at all levels must make the issue of violations of political discipline an important part of disciplinary review, driving the strict enforcement of other disciplines and resolutely safeguarding the Party’s centralized unity.

2016年1月12日，习近平总书记在十八届中央纪委六次全会上强调，我们要求党员、干部不能妄议中央，不是说不能提意见和建议甚至批评性意见，而是不能在重大政治原则问题上、在大是大非问题上同党中央唱反调、搞政治上的自由主义。全面从严治党，必须注重政治上的要求，必须严明政治纪律，特别是各级领导干部要时刻绷紧政治纪律这根弦，坚持党的领导不动摇，贯彻党的路线方针政策不含糊，始终做政治上的明白人。大量事实表明，在政治纪律方面放松警惕、降低要求是危险的。强调政治纪律不是泛泛讲的，而是有现实针对性的。各级干部特别是领导干部要善于从政治上看问题，站稳立场、把准方向。要始终忠诚于党，不折不扣执行党的路线方针政策；始终对组织坦诚，相信组织、依靠组织、服从组织，自觉接受组织安排和纪律约束；始终正确对待权力，立志为人民做好事、做实事，安分守己为党工作；始终牢记政治责任，襟怀坦白，言行一致，自觉维护党的形象。各级党组织要把违反政治纪律问题作为纪律审查的重要内容，带动其他纪律严起来，坚决维护党的集中统一。

On October 10, 2016, at the National Conference on Party Building in State-Owned Enterprises, General Secretary Xi Jinping stressed that upholding the Party’s leadership over state-owned enterprises is a major political principle and must be consistently applied. Upholding Party leadership and strengthening Party building are the glorious traditions of China’s state-owned enterprises, are the “roots” and “soul” of state-owned enterprises, and are the unique advantages of China’s state-owned enterprises. The “special” feature of the modern state-owned enterprise system with Chinese characteristics lies in integrating Party leadership into every link of corporate governance, embedding Party organizations within the corporate governance structure, clarifying and implementing the statutory status of Party organizations in the corporate legal person governance structure, and achieving organizational implementation, cadre placement, clear responsibilities, and strict supervision. The Party’s leadership over state-owned enterprises is an organic unity of political leadership, ideological leadership, and organizational leadership; abandoning or neglecting any one of these points makes it impossible to realize Party leadership. The Party organizations of state-owned enterprises play the role of leadership core and political core, which boils down to one point: setting the direction, managing the overall situation, and ensuring implementation. The powers, responsibilities, and working methods of Party organizations in the links of decision-making, execution, and supervision must be clarified, so that Party organizations play their role in an organized, institutionalized, and concrete manner. Education on Party spirit, education on the original aspiration and founding mission, and warning education must be strengthened for leading personnel of state-owned enterprises, political discipline and political rules must be strictly enforced, guiding them to continuously improve their ideological and political quality, enhance their cultivation of Party spirit, and tighten the screws from the depths of their thoughts.

2016年10月10日，习近平总书记在全国国有企业党的建设工作会议上强调，坚持党对国有企业的领导是重大政治原则，必须一以贯之。坚持党的领导、加强党的建设，是我国国有企业的光荣传统，是国有企业的“根”和“魂”，是我国国有企业的独特优势。中国特色现代国有企业制度，“特”就特在把党的领导融入公司治理各环节，把企业党组织内嵌到公司治理结构之中，明确和落实党组织在公司法人治理结构中的法定地位，做到组织落实、干部到位、职责明确、监督严格。党对国有企业的领导是政治领导、思想领导、组织领导的有机统一，放弃或忽视其中任何一点，都不可能实现党的领导。国有企业党组织发挥领导核心和政治核心作用，归结到一点，就是把方向、管大局、保落实。要明确党组织在决策、执行、监督各环节的权责和工作方式，使党组织发挥作用组织化、制度化、具体化。要加强对国有企业领导人员的党性教育、宗旨教育、警示教育，严明政治纪律和政治规矩，引导他们不断提高思想政治素质、增强党性修养，从思想深处拧紧螺丝。

On September 1, 2021, at the opening ceremony of the 2021 autumn semester training course for young and middle-aged cadres at the Central Party School (National Academy of Governance), General Secretary Xi Jinping stressed that adhering to principles is an important character trait of Communists and an important criterion for measuring whether a cadre is competent. At present, some cadres mistakenly understand “harmony is precious,” [1]1 The Four Consciousnesses (四个意识) refer to the consciousness of the need to maintain political integrity, think in terms of the big picture, follow the leadership core, and keep in alignment with the central Party leadership. blindly emphasize “tolerance” and “amiability,” play the role of the “good old guy,” are vague on political principle issues, act as “enlightened gentlemen” on issues of major right and wrong, let bad phenomena go unchecked, and some are even smooth and slick, ingratiating themselves with everyone, speaking and acting by watching the source and the wind, drifting with the current, and swaying with the wind. This runs counter to the principle of Party spirit and must be resolutely corrected. Practicing the doctrine of the good old guy has a problem from the very starting point, because what is good for oneself is bad for the atmosphere and for the cause. Communists speak of Party spirit and principles, and therefore must speak of struggle. On issues involving political principles, there must be no ambiguity and no retreat; otherwise, it is irresponsible to the Party and the people, or even a crime. Principles must be upheld on issues of major right and wrong, and there are also issues of upholding principles in small matters and minor details. Party cadres must all have the spirit of acting impartially and with integrity, upholding principles without regard for face, and upholding Party spirit without showing favoritism. At present, the changes unseen in a century are accelerating, the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation has entered a critical period, and the risks and challenges we face have increased significantly. It is unrealistic to always want to live a peaceful life and not want to struggle. Illusions must be abandoned, and struggle must be taken up; on matters of principle, not an inch must be yielded, and the sovereignty, security, and development interests of the country must be safeguarded with unprecedented will and quality.

2021年9月1日，习近平总书记在2021年秋季学期中央党校（国家行政学院）中青年干部培训班开班式上强调，坚持原则是共产党人的重要品格，是衡量一个干部是否称职的重要标准。现在，一些干部错误理解“和为贵”，一味讲“宽容”、讲“和气”，当老好人，对政治原则问题含含糊糊，对大是大非问题做“开明绅士”，对不良现象听之任之，还有的八面玲珑、左右逢源，说话办事看来头、看风向，随波漂，随风倒，这同党性原则是背道而驰的，必须坚决纠正。奉行好人主义，出发点就有问题，因为好的是自己，坏的是风气、是事业。共产党人讲党性、讲原则，就要讲斗争。在事关政治原则问题上决不能含糊、决不能退让，否则就是对党和人民不负责任，甚至是犯罪。大是大非面前要讲原则，小事小节中也有讲原则的问题。党的干部都要有秉公办事、铁面无私的精神，讲原则不讲面子、讲党性不徇私情。当前，世界百年未有之大变局加速演进，中华民族伟大复兴进入关键时期，我们面临的风险挑战明显增多，总想过太平日子、不想斗争是不切实际的。要丢掉幻想、勇于斗争，在原则问题上寸步不让、寸土不让，以前所未有的意志品质维护国家主权、安全、发展利益。

On October 16, 2022, General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized in his report to the 20th National Congress of the CPC that upholding the centralized and unified leadership of the Party Central Committee is the highest political principle, that the system of Party leadership institutions must be systematically improved, that the entire Party must strengthen the Four Consciousnesses [1]1 The Four Consciousnesses (四个意识) refer to the consciousness of the need to maintain political integrity, think in terms of the big picture, follow the leadership core, and keep in alignment with the central Party leadership., consciously maintain a high degree of alignment with the Party Central Committee in thought, politics, and action, and continuously improve political judgment, political comprehension, and political execution, so as to ensure the authority and centralized, unified leadership of the Party Central Committee and ensure that the Party plays its role as the leadership core that commands the overall situation and coordinates all parties. Upholding the centralized and unified leadership of the Party Central Committee is the highest political principle of the Party and a fundamental requirement that a mature Marxist political party must adhere to; it must not be ambiguous or wavered under any circumstances or at any time. Governing our large Party and large country well, ensuring the Party’s unity and centralized, unified leadership is of utmost importance, and safeguarding the authority of the Party Central Committee is of utmost importance. Resolutely safeguarding the authority and centralized, unified leadership of the Party Central Committee is most crucially about resolutely safeguarding General Secretary Xi Jinping’s position as the core of the Party Central Committee and the core of the entire Party. The primary task of current Party political construction is to ensure that the entire Party submits to the Central Committee, upholds the authority of the Party Central Committee and centralized, unified leadership, and there must be no ambiguity or wavering whatsoever. On the new journey, to achieve the grand goal of comprehensively advancing the building of a strong country and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese-path modernization, we must always uphold the authority of the Party Central Committee and centralized, unified leadership, continuously strengthen the Four Consciousnesses, firm up the Four Confidences [2]2 The Four Confidences (四个自信) refer to confidence in the path, theory, system, and culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics., achieve the Two Upholds [3]3 The Two Upholds (两个维护) refer to upholding General Secretary Xi Jinping’s core position on the Party Central Committee and in the Party as a whole, and upholding the Party Central Committee’s authority and its centralized, unified leadership., keep in mind the “greatest concerns of the nation” [4]4 “Greatest concerns of the nation” (国之大者) is a phrase used by Xi Jinping to refer to the most fundamental and overarching interests and tasks of the country., continuously improve the Party’s level of scientific, democratic, and law-based governance, and better play the Party’s role as the leadership core that commands the overall situation and coordinates all parties. China’s reform, development, and stability face many deep-seated contradictions that cannot be avoided or bypassed; we must firmly grasp the major principles of upholding and strengthening the Party’s overall leadership, adhering to the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, adhering to a people-centered development philosophy, adhering to deepening reform and opening up, and adhering to carrying forward the spirit of struggle.

2022年10月16日，习近平总书记在党的二十大报告中强调，坚持党中央集中统一领导是最高政治原则，系统完善党的领导制度体系，全党增强“四个意识”，自觉在思想上政治上行动上同党中央保持高度一致，不断提高政治判断力、政治领悟力、政治执行力，确保党中央权威和集中统一领导，确保党发挥总揽全局、协调各方的领导核心作用。坚持党中央集中统一领导是党的最高政治原则，是一个成熟的马克思主义政党必须坚持的根本要求，任何时候、任何情况下都不能含糊和动摇。治理好我们这个大党、大国，保证党的团结和集中统一至关重要，维护党中央权威至关重要。坚决维护党中央权威和集中统一领导，最关键的是坚决维护习近平总书记党中央的核心、全党的核心地位。当前党的政治建设的首要任务，就是保证全党服从中央，坚持党中央权威和集中统一领导，绝不能有丝毫含糊和动摇。新征程上，实现以中国式现代化全面推进强国建设、民族复兴伟业的宏伟目标，我们要始终坚持党中央权威和集中统一领导，不断增强“四个意识”、坚定“四个自信”、做到“两个维护”，胸怀“国之大者”，不断提高党科学执政、民主执政、依法执政水平，更好发挥党总揽全局、协调各方的领导核心作用。我国改革发展稳定面临不少深层次矛盾躲不开、绕不过，必须牢牢把握坚持和加强党的全面领导、坚持中国特色社会主义道路、坚持以人民为中心的发展思想、坚持深化改革开放、坚持发扬斗争精神的重大原则。

Online editor: Tongxin

网络编辑：同心