Improving the Study System of the Theoretical Study Center Group

Valuing study and being adept at study are fine traditions and valuable historical experiences of the Communist Party of China. As early as the Yan’an period, around the study of the entire Party, especially strengthening the study of leading cadres, the Party Central Committee established a strict study system, setting up the Central General Study Committee to specifically focus on the theoretical study of leading cadres. During the period of reform and opening up, Party committees at all levels actively explored and gradually formed the practice of theoretical study for leading cadres. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, the study system of the theoretical study center group of Party committees (Party leadership groups) has continuously enriched study content, innovated study methods, standardized study management, and promoted the transformation of study, resulting in an unprecedented improvement in the theoretical quality, Party spirit, and work competence of Party committees (Party leadership groups) at all levels. The study system of the theoretical study center group of Party committees (Party leadership groups) is an important measure for our Party to strengthen its own construction, an inevitable requirement for maintaining strategic sobriety and gaining strategic initiative on the new journey of the New Era, and an inevitable requirement for further solving our own problems and improving the quality of the ruling backbone cadre contingent.

重视学习、善于学习是中国共产党的优良传统和宝贵的历史经验。早在延安时期，围绕全党学习特别是加强领导干部学习，党中央就建立了严格的学习制度，成立中央总学习委员会，专门抓领导干部的理论学习。改革开放时期，各级党委积极探索，逐步形成了领导干部理论学习的做法。党的十八大以来，党委（党组）理论学习中心组学习制度不断丰富学习内容，创新学习方式，规范学习管理，促进学习转化，使各级党委（党组）的理论素质、党性修养、工作本领有了前所未有的提升。党委（党组）理论学习中心组学习是我们党加强自身建设的重要举措，是新时代新征程始终保持战略清醒、赢得战略主动的必然要求，是进一步解决自身问题、提升执政骨干队伍素质的必然要求。

The *Decision* of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th National Congress of the CPC proposed improving the study system of the theoretical study center group of Party committees (Party leadership groups). Adhering to building the Party through ideology and strengthening the Party through theory is a distinctive feature of our Party. On the new journey of further deepening reform comprehensively and advancing Chinese-path modernization, deeply understanding, grasping, and correctly implementing the spirit of the Party Central Committee on improving the study system of the theoretical study center group is of great significance for us to maintain theoretical sobriety and political steadfastness, and to achieve pioneering innovation and steady and long-term progress.

党的二十届三中全会《决定》提出要完善党委（党组）理论学习中心组学习制度。坚持思想建党、理论强党是我们党的鲜明特色。在进一步全面深化改革、推进中国式现代化的新征程上，深刻理解把握和正确贯彻落实党中央关于完善理论学习中心组学习制度的精神，对于我们保持理论清醒和政治坚定，做到开拓创新、行稳致远具有重要意义。

The life of a system lies in its implementation. To further improve the study system of the theoretical study center group, we must make great efforts in the implementation mechanism, exert effort in making it deeper, more detailed, and more concrete, effectively enhance the practical operability and effect measurability of the center group study system, and effectively supervise and promote the improvement of the quality and effect of center group study. To improve the center group study system, efforts should focus on the following aspects.

制度的生命在于落实，进一步完善理论学习中心组学习制度要在落实机制上狠下功夫，在做深做细做实上用心用力，切实提高中心组学习制度的实践可操作性和效果可衡量性，切实督促提升中心组学习质量和效果。完善中心组学习制度，应突出抓好以下几方面。

Taking the improvement of the collective study and discussion mechanism as the main starting point, supervise and promote the study consciousness of Party members and cadres. According to the system regulations, center group members generally consist of leading team members and principal heads of various departments, and outstanding young cadres may be appropriately arranged to participate as needed. The *Study Rules for the Theoretical Study Center Group of the Communist Party of China Party Committee (Party Leadership Group)* clearly stipulates: “The center group should take collective study and discussion as the main form of study, combine key speeches with collective discussion, and thematic study with systematic study, and deeply carry out study discussions and interactive exchanges.” Party committees (Party leadership groups) at all levels must earnestly implement this regulation requirement, study and formulate the center group study system in conjunction with the actual situation of their own unit, earnestly implement it after collective deliberation by the team, and report it to the higher-level leadership and the Party committee of the organ for mastery, so as to effectively standardize the work related to the center group study. They should make institutional arrangements for collective study and discussion based on actual conditions, combine key speeches with collective discussion, and thematic study with systematic study, form a normalized mechanism for collective study and discussion, and improve the quality of center group study discussions and interactive exchanges; they should organize thematic lectures and on-site observations based on actual conditions to enhance the attractiveness, pertinence, and effectiveness of study. They should make principled provisions on the time frequency of center group study and the frequency of speeches by center group members, supervise and guide center group members to carry forward the spirit of “squeezing” and “drilling” [1]1 A metaphor derived from a famous saying of Mao Zedong, encouraging a proactive and persistent attitude towards study, likening it to squeezing time and drilling into knowledge., make efforts to read original works, study original texts, and comprehend principles, effectively play the role of “weathervane,” “pacesetter,” and “leading goose” [2]2 These terms are commonly used in CPC political discourse to describe the exemplary and leading role of cadres: “weathervane” indicates direction, “pacesetter” leads the way, and “leading goose” guides the flock., create a strong study atmosphere, guide cadres and staff to regard theoretical study as a political responsibility, a spiritual pursuit, and a way of life, and truly master the fundamental skills of Marxism.

以完善集体学习研讨机制为主要抓手，督促强化党员干部的学习自觉。按照制度规定，中心组成员一般由领导班子成员和各部门主要负责人组成，根据需要可以适当安排优秀年轻干部参加。《中国共产党党委（党组）理论学习中心组学习规则》明确规定：“中心组应当将集体学习研讨作为学习的主要形式，把重点发言和集体研讨、专题学习和系统学习结合起来，深入开展学习讨论和互动交流。”各级党委（党组）要认真落实这一规定要求，结合本单位实际研究制定中心组学习制度，经班子集体审议后认真贯彻落实，并报上一级领导和机关党委掌握，切实规范中心组学习相关工作。要结合实际对集体学习研讨作出制度性安排，把重点发言和集体研讨、专题学习和系统学习结合起来，形成集体学习研讨的常态化机制，提升中心组学习讨论和互动交流的质量；要结合实际组织专题讲座、现场观摩，增强学习的吸引力、针对性和实效性。要对中心组学习时间频次和中心组成员发言频次作出原则性规定，督促引导中心组成员发扬“挤”和“钻”的精神，下功夫读原著、学原文、悟原理，切实发挥“风向标”“排头兵”“领头雁”作用，营造浓厚学习氛围，引导干部职工把理论学习作为一种政治责任、一种精神追求、一种生活方式，真正把马克思主义看家本领学到手。

Closely focus on central tasks and key work to study and formulate annual study plans. The *Study Rules for the Theoretical Study Center Group of the Communist Party of China Party Committee (Party Leadership Group)* clearly stipulates: “Party committees (Party leadership groups) at all levels should include the study of the theoretical study center group in important agendas, incorporate it into the Party building responsibility system, and incorporate it into the ideological work responsibility system.” “The theoretical study center group of the Party committee (Party leadership group) should, at the beginning of each year, formulate an annual study plan in accordance with the deployment of the Party Central Committee and higher-level Party organizations, combined with work realities.” Party committees (Party leadership groups) at all levels should, in conjunction with the actual situation of their own unit, fully leverage the collective wisdom of the leading team, closely focus on central tasks and the progress arrangement of the unit’s key work, study and formulate a center group study plan coordinated with business work, and report it to the higher-level organ Party committee for filing. They should make special arrangements for the study of the “first agenda” [3]3 A term referring to the first item on the agenda of a Party committee meeting, which is typically dedicated to studying the latest important speeches and directives of General Secretary Xi Jinping. in the annual plan, promptly follow up on the study of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s latest important speeches and important instructions and directives. By formulating the center group study plan and the study deployment arrangement for the “first agenda,” supervise and guide center group members to strengthen their understanding of the political seriousness of theoretical study, and continuously improve the quality of theoretical study.

紧紧围绕中心任务和重点工作研究制定年度学习计划。《中国共产党党委（党组）理论学习中心组学习规则》明确规定：“各级党委（党组）应当把理论学习中心组学习列入重要议事日程，纳入党建工作责任制，纳入意识形态工作责任制。”“党委（党组）理论学习中心组每年年初按照党中央和上级党组织部署，结合工作实际，制定年度学习计划。”各级党委（党组）要结合本单位实际，充分发挥领导班子集体智慧，紧紧围绕中心任务和本单位重点工作进度安排，研究制定与业务工作相协调的中心组学习计划，并报上级机关党委备案。要在年度计划中对“第一议题”学习作出专门安排，及时跟进学习习近平总书记最新重要讲话和重要指示批示精神。通过制定中心组学习计划和“第一议题”学习部署安排，督促中心组成员强化对理论学习政治严肃性的认识，持续提升理论学习的质量。

Promote the combination of center group study with investigation and research, and effectively solve practical problems. Integrating theory with practice is our Party’s fine traditional style and magic weapon for victory. The *Study Rules for the Theoretical Study Center Group of the Communist Party of China Party Committee (Party Leadership Group)* clearly stipulates: “Center group members should combine theoretical study with thematic research, go deep into the grassroots and the masses, solidly carry out investigation and research, and deepen theoretical study.” Party committees (Party leadership groups) at all levels must earnestly implement the requirements of the Party Central Committee, vigorously promote the fine study style of integrating theory with practice, establish a working mechanism for integrating theory with practice, supervise and guide center group members to apply what they learn and combine study with application, and effectively transform the achievements of theoretical study into powerful actions to resolutely implement the decisions and deployments of the Party Central Committee, and into ideas, measures, and actual results to promote high-quality development of work. Adhere to the combination of theoretical study and thematic research, follow the mass line of the Party in the New Era, center group members should conduct at least one thematic investigation around their duties each year, produce one high-quality investigation report, and take practical actions to resolutely oppose formalism and bureaucratism.

推动中心组学习与调查研究相结合，切实解决实际问题。理论联系实际，是我们党的优良传统作风和制胜法宝。《中国共产党党委（党组）理论学习中心组学习规则》明确规定：“中心组成员应当把理论学习与专题调研结合起来，深入基层、深入群众，扎实开展调查研究，深化理论学习。”各级党委（党组）要认真落实党中央要求，大力弘扬理论联系实际的优良学风，建立理论联系实际的工作机制，督促中心组成员学以致用、学用结合，切实把理论学习成果转化为坚决贯彻落实党中央决策部署的有力行动，转化为推动工作高质量发展的思路举措和实际成效。坚持理论学习和专题调研相结合，走好新时代党的群众路线，中心组成员每年至少要围绕职责开展1次专题调研，形成1篇高质量调研报告，以实际行动坚决反对形式主义和官僚主义作风。

Take the improvement of the center group study system as an important political responsibility of the leading team of each unit, especially the “first-in-charge” [4]4 A colloquial term for the principal leader of a unit or organization, usually the Party secretary, who bears primary responsibility for its work.. The secretary of the Party committee (Party leadership group), as the first responsible person, should grasp the center group study with a highly responsible attitude, and drive the serious study of center group members through their own exemplary role. Improving the center group study system is not only a very important ideological education task for the leading team, especially the “first-in-charge,” but also a very important political responsibility. Party committees (Party leadership groups) at all levels must fully recognize that center group study is not a simple document transmission, but an important measure of the Party Central Committee to strengthen the construction of leading teams. They must effectively establish a sense of responsibility, strengthen political responsibility, and earnestly implement relevant requirements. To improve the center group study system, Party committees (Party leadership groups) at all levels should, in conjunction with the actual situation of their own unit, establish a sound study-reporting and assessment mechanism [5]5 A mechanism where leading cadres report on their study activities and outcomes, which is then assessed as part of their performance evaluation., combine it with the Party building assessment and the study-reporting assessment of the Party committee secretary’s work in grasping Party building, promptly study and solve new situations and problems encountered, and effectively improve the quality and effect of center group study. The leading team of each unit, especially the “first-in-charge,” must earnestly shoulder political responsibility, promote the construction of model study-oriented organs based on actual conditions, scientifically formulate plans, carefully organize implementation, and solidly grasp and implement theoretical study at all levels.

把完善中心组学习制度作为各单位领导班子特别是“一把手”的重要政治责任。党委（党组）书记作为第一责任人，要以高度负责的态度抓好中心组学习，以自己的示范作用带动中心组成员认真学习。完善中心组学习制度，不仅是领导班子特别是“一把手”一项十分重要的思想教育工作，更是一项十分重要的政治责任。各级党委（党组）必须充分认识到，中心组学习不是简单的文件传达，而是党中央加强领导班子建设的重要举措，要切实树牢责任意识，强化政治担当，认真落实相关要求。完善中心组学习制度，各级党委（党组）应结合本单位实际，建立完善的述学考核机制，结合党建考评和党委书记抓党建工作述学考核，及时研究解决遇到的新情况新问题，切实提升中心组学习质量和效果。各单位领导班子特别是“一把手”，要切实扛起政治责任，结合实际推动建设模范学习型机关，科学制定方案，精心组织实施，抓实抓细各层级理论学习。

Online editor: Tongxin

网络编辑：同心