Navigating Theoretical Resources

Corruption is the greatest tumor endangering the Party’s vitality and combat effectiveness. The essence of corruption is the abuse of power for personal gain. To combat corruption, supervision must be strengthened and power must be controlled. General Secretary Xi Jinping has stressed that “to combat corruption, the exercise of power must be regulated.” This important论断 provides the guideline and direction for deepening the fight against corruption. On the new journey of the New Era, it is necessary to further strengthen the restraint and supervision over the exercise of power, advance the integrated approach of ensuring that officials dare not, cannot, and do not want to engage in corruption, focus on eradicating the soil and conditions that breed corruption, and carry the Party’s great self-revolution through to the end.

腐败是危害党的生命力和战斗力的最大毒瘤，腐败的本质是权力滥用、以权谋私，反腐败必须强化监督、管住权力。习近平总书记强调，“反腐败必须规范权力运行”。这一重要论断为深入推进反腐败斗争提供了遵循，指明了方向。新时代新征程，必须进一步强化对权力运行的制约和监督，一体推进不敢腐、不能腐、不想腐，着力铲除腐败滋生的土壤和条件，把党的伟大自我革命进行到底。

I. Tightly Grip Key Links to Regulate the Exercise of Power

一、紧盯关键环节规范权力运行

General Secretary Xi Jinping has stressed that “we must improve the institutional mechanism that unifies the granting, exercise, and control of power, making it clear, transparent, and traceable, and focus on identifying loopholes in the exercise of power and filling institutional shortcomings.” Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, our Party has continuously strengthened the construction of laws and regulations on clean governance and anti-corruption, embedding this construction in all areas of clean governance and anti-corruption, implementing it in all aspects of restraining and supervising power, advancing national anti-corruption legislation, and forming a complete set of relatively comprehensive intra-Party regulations and an anti-corruption legal system. However, it must also be recognized that corruption and power often go hand in hand, which determines that the struggle against corruption is a long historical process. Currently, 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 that breed corruption remains arduous and heavy. Institutional issues are more fundamental, overarching, stable, and long-term. Therefore, the construction of laws and regulations concerning anti-corruption must keep pace with the times to effectively respond to the constantly changing situation of the anti-corruption struggle.

习近平总书记强调，“要健全授权用权制权相统一、清晰透明可追溯的制度机制，注重查找权力运行漏洞、补齐制度短板”。党的十八大以来，我们党不断加强反腐倡廉法规制度建设，把法规制度建设贯穿到反腐倡廉各个领域、落实到制约和监督权力各个方面，推进反腐败国家立法，形成了一整套比较完善的党内法规体系和反腐败法律体系。但也要看到，腐败和权力往往相伴而生，这决定了同腐败作斗争是一个长期的历史过程。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。制度问题更带有根本性、全局性、稳定性、长期性，因此，有关反腐败的法规制度建设必须与时俱进，才能有效应对不断变化的反腐败斗争形势。

Continuously make efforts in scientifically granting power. Under the unified leadership of the Party, adhere to the reasonable division of labor and coordinated restraint among decision-making power, executive power, and supervisory power; adhere to the legal definition of powers and responsibilities; improve the systems of dividing matters for exercising power, setting posts for granting power, grading authorization, and regular job rotation; and form a scientific power structure and operational mechanism. The Third Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee decided to deepen the reform of Party and state institutions. For the first time, the provisions on departmental (unit) function allocation, internal institutions, and staffing (abbreviated as the “Three Determinations” provisions) were all expressed in the form of intra-Party regulation entries. This is the Party Central Committee’s elevation of the authority of the “Three Determinations” provisions, serving as the basic basis for departmental operation and law-based performance of duties. By legally allocating power and functions, clarify the positioning of responsibilities and work tasks, define the boundaries of power, and strictly delineate the scope of duties and powers. Comprehensively sort out the legal authorization of power for all departments, establish lists of powers, negative lists, and lists of responsibilities, and promote the legalization of institutions, functions, powers, and responsibilities. Discretionary power should be controlled and compressed within a reasonable range to prevent power from going off track and being abused.

在科学授权方面持续下功夫。在党的集中统一领导下，坚持决策权、执行权、监督权既合理分工又协调制约，坚持权责法定，健全分事行权、分岗设权、分级授权、定期轮岗制度，形成科学的权力结构和运行机制。党的十九届三中全会决定深化党和国家机构改革，部门（单位）职能配置、内设机构和人员编制规定（简称“三定”规定）首次全部采用党内法规条目式表述，这是党中央对“三定”规定权威的提升，是部门运行和依法履职的基本依据。通过依法配置权力和职能，明确职责定位和工作任务，明晰权力边界，严格职责权限。全面梳理各部门权力的法定授权，建立权力清单、负面清单、责任清单，推进机构、职能、权限、责任法定化。自由裁量权应当控制压减在合理区间，防止权力出轨和滥用。

Continuously make efforts in regulating the exercise of power. The key to regulating power lies in reasonably setting and strictly adhering to the procedures for the exercise of power. Procedure is justice; procedure is supervision. Not a single step of the required procedures should be omitted, and we must resolutely prevent the arbitrary simplification of procedures or the creation of so-called “simplified procedures” under the pretext of improving decision-making efficiency. It is necessary to creatively compile and refine flowcharts for the exercise of each power, standardize the procedures for power exercise and business operations, improve prevention mechanisms for timely problem detection and correction mechanisms for precise rectification, ensure that every link in the exercise of power meets the requirements of procedural justice, and effectively achieve that where there is power, there is responsibility; where there is responsibility, it must be shouldered; and where responsibility is shirked, there must be accountability. This will realize the institutionalization, standardization, and proceduralization of power exercise. Tightly grip every link in the exercise of power, seize key points such as decision-making power, approval and regulatory power, and law enforcement and judicial power. In regulating decision-making power, insist on making public participation, expert argumentation, risk assessment, and legality review the statutory procedures for major decision-making actions. In regulating approval and regulatory power, ensure that the scope of approval and regulatory authority is clear, principles are explicit, procedures are reasonable, and relevant information such as approval conditions, procedures, and time limits is open and transparent. In regulating law enforcement and judicial power, improve enforcement procedures, clarify law enforcement and judicial operational processes, strictly implement the review system for major law enforcement and judicial decisions, and enhance the efficiency and standardization level of law enforcement and justice.

在规范用权方面持续下功夫。规范权力的关键在于合理设定并严格遵守权力运行程序，程序就是正义，程序就是监督，该走的程序一步也不能省，坚决防止以提升决策效率之名而随意简化程序或者创设所谓“简易程序”。必须创造性编制和细化每项权力运行的流程图，规范权力运行和业务操作程序，完善及时发现问题的防范机制和精准纠偏的矫正机制，确保权力运行的每个环节都有符合程序正义的要求，切实做到有权必有责、有责要担当、失责必追究，实现权力运行制度化、规范化、程序化。紧盯权力运行各个环节，抓住决策制定权、审批监管权、执法司法权等关键点，在规范决策权方面，坚持把公众参与、专家论证、风险评估、合法性审查作为重大决策行为的法定程序；在规范审批监管权方面，做到审批监管权限清晰、原则明确、流程合理，审批条件、程序、时限等相关信息公开透明；在规范执法司法权方面，完善执法程序，明确执法司法操作流程，严格执行重大执法司法决定审核制度，提高执法司法效率和规范化水平。

Continuously make efforts in strictly controlling power. There are many ways to restrain power and prevent corruption, but sunlight is the best disinfectant. Letting power operate in the sunlight is an effective means to improve the mechanism for power allocation and operational restraint. The Fourth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee clearly stated: “Adhere to transparency in powers and responsibilities, promote openness in the exercise of power, improve the systems for openness in Party affairs, government affairs, judicial affairs, and affairs in various fields, and establish a feedback mechanism that allows for inquiry and tracing of the power exercise process.” Following the principles of reducing levels, optimizing processes, improving efficiency, and facilitating service, legally standardize and make public the flow of power exercise, including government functions, legal basis, implementing entities, duties and powers, management processes, and supervision methods, promoting the disclosure of implicit powers and the standardization of explicit powers. The content of disclosure should focus on key points, allowing the masses to hear what they most want to hear, see what they most want to see, and learn what they most want to know. Actively promote systems such as open commitments, open work reports, democratic appraisal, and hearings and inquiries; deeply carry out activities for democratic appraisal of government and industry conduct; let the masses participate and invite the masses to judge; and fully leverage the positive role of the masses. By strengthening the control of power processes, eliminate all kinds of black-box operations and minimize the space for power rent-seeking to the greatest extent.

在严格制权方面持续下功夫。制约权力、防范腐败有多种方式，但阳光是最好的防腐剂，让权力在阳光下运行是完善权力配置和运行制约机制的有效手段。党的十九届四中全会明确提出：“坚持权责透明，推动用权公开，完善党务、政务、司法和各领域办事公开制度，建立权力运行可查询、可追溯的反馈机制。”遵循减少层次、优化流程、提高效能、方便办事原则，依法规范并公开权力运行流程，包括政府职能、法律依据、实施主体、职责权限、管理流程、监督方式等，促使隐性权力公开化、显性权力规范化。公开的内容要注意突出重点，让群众听到最想听的、看到最想看的、了解到最想了解的。积极推行公开承诺、公开述职、民主评议、听证质询等制度，深入开展民主评议政风行风活动，让群众参与，请群众评判，充分发挥人民群众的积极作用。通过强化权力流程控制，杜绝各种暗箱操作，最大限度减少权力寻租的空间。

II. Strive to Build an All-Round, Multi-Dimensional Power Supervision System

二、着力构建全方位立体化权力监督体系

General Secretary Xi Jinping has stressed that “we must strictly enforce the system, fully implement democratic centralism, and supervise the exercise of power throughout the entire process.” Supervision, as an important means of regulating the exercise of power, has its core in the governance of power, that is, through institutionalized methods to regulate, restrain, and supervise the power holders and the exercise of power.

习近平总书记强调，“要严格制度执行，全面贯彻民主集中制，全过程监督权力运行”。监督作为规范权力运行的重要方式，其核心在于对权力的治理，即通过制度化方式对权力所有者以及权力运行进行规范、约束与监督。

Continuously exert efforts in strengthening the rigid operation of the system. The vitality of a system lies in its implementation. In the anti-corruption struggle, it is necessary to properly handle the relationship between establishing rules and achieving results, deeply recognizing that establishing systems is important, but implementing them is even more so. Having systems without implementation, or without strict implementation, may cause greater harm than having no systems at all. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has always made strengthening the implementation of systems a crucial lever for comprehensive and strict governance of the Party, strengthening the construction of laws and regulations on clean governance and anti-corruption, focusing on both formulation and improvement on one hand and implementation and enforcement on the other. Acts of disobeying orders and prohibitions are resolutely investigated and punished, giving teeth to the system and making prohibitions effective. The Party Central Committee has always adhered to a strict tone in enforcing the Eight-Point Regulations to the end. This is a vivid manifestation of the attitude of “making the system clear first, and then applying severe penalties.” General Secretary Xi Jinping stressed: “The Eight-Point Regulations are not a regulation for five or ten years, but a long-term effective iron rule and hard constraint.” Facing the new situation of the anti-corruption struggle, the entire Party must strengthen institutional awareness, consciously respect the system, strictly implement the system, and resolutely uphold the system, and resolutely eliminate phenomena such as making choices, engaging in flexible adaptation, and discounting implementation.

在强化制度刚性运行上持续用力。制度的生命力在于执行。在反腐败斗争中，必须处理好建章立制和落地见效的关系，深刻认识到制度制定很重要，制度执行更重要，有制度不执行或者不严格执行，可能比没有制度造成的危害更大。党的十八大以来，以习近平同志为核心的党中央始终把强化制度执行作为全面从严治党的重要抓手，加强反腐倡廉法规制度建设，一手抓制定完善，一手抓贯彻执行，对于有令不行、有禁不止的行为坚决查处，让制度长出牙齿，让禁令带电生威。党中央始终以严的基调将落实中央八项规定精神一抓到底，正是这种“明制度于前，重威刑于后”态度的鲜明体现。习近平总书记强调：“中央八项规定不是五年、十年的规定，而是长期有效的铁规矩、硬杠杠。”面对反腐败斗争新形势，全党必须强化制度意识、自觉尊崇制度、严格执行制度、坚决维护制度，坚决杜绝做选择、搞变通、打折扣等现象。

Continuously exert efforts in fully implementing democratic centralism. Democratic centralism is the Party’s fundamental organizational principle and leadership system, and an important institutional guarantee for stimulating the political vitality within the Party and regulating the standardized exercise of power by Party members and leading cadres. General Secretary Xi Jinping stressed: “We must ensure that power operates on the right track, adhere to democratic centralism, form a power operation mechanism with scientific decision-making, resolute implementation, and effective supervision, and urge the fair, law-based, and clean exercise of power.” Continuously improve the system of intra-Party regulations with democratic centralism at its core, adhere to a problem-oriented approach, and in response to prominent issues in governing the Party and managing it, refine and specify the various requirements of democratic centralism in the Party Constitution and intra-Party regulations such as the “Norms for Political Life Within the Party Under the New Situation,” ensuring that all systems are systematically matched, practical, and effective. Focus on the “key minority” [n], promote the leading cadres at all levels, especially “first-in-charge” officials, to take the lead in implementing democratic centralism, seriously and earnestly carry out inner-Party political life, implement various systems of inner-Party supervision, and set an example and take the lead in fulfilling the responsibility of governing the Party and correctly exercising their powers.

在全面贯彻民主集中制上持续用力。民主集中制是党的根本组织原则和领导制度，是激发党内政治活力、规范党员领导干部规范用权的重要制度保障。习近平总书记强调：“要保证权力在正确轨道上运行，坚持民主集中制，形成决策科学、执行坚决、监督有力的权力运行机制，督促公正用权、依法用权、廉洁用权。”不断健全以民主集中制为核心的党内法规制度体系，坚持问题导向，针对管党治党存在的突出问题，把党章和《关于新形势下党内政治生活的若干准则》等党内法规中关于民主集中制的各项要求细化具体化，确保各项制度系统配套、务实管用。抓住“关键少数”，推动各级“一把手”带头贯彻执行民主集中制，严肃认真开展党内政治生活，落实党内监督各项制度，在履行管党治党责任、正确行使职权上当标杆作表率。

Continue to exert sustained effort in perfecting the chain of power oversight. General Secretary Xi Jinping has stressed the need to “manage key people, manage key points, manage key matters, and manage key moments.” [1]1 The “key minority” (关键少数) refers to leading cadres, especially senior officials, whose power and influence make them the focus of anti-corruption and Party governance efforts. With the goal of enhancing the effectiveness of oversight, the key to conducting whole-process, all-round oversight of the entire chain of power operation lies in constructing two lines of defense. The first is a prevention mechanism for promptly detecting problems. Adhere to a problem-oriented approach and prioritize prevention; adhere to catching problems early and nipping them in the bud; make good use of oversight methods such as heart-to-heart talks, inspections and audits, letters and visits reporting, and online public opinion; comprehensively grasp the political ecosystem of the unit under oversight and the thoughts, work, conduct, and lifestyle of the targets of oversight; achieve early warning through source prevention and forward-deployed checkpoints; detect problems when they are still minor; handle them when they are still in their infancy; and prevent small problems from evolving into major risks. The second is a correction mechanism for precisely rectifying deviations. Adhere to concrete analysis of concrete conditions; handle matters based on the nature of the problem and in accordance with the principle of seeking truth from facts; in particular, strictly implement the “three distinctions” [2]2 The “three distinctions” (三个区分开来) refers to a policy framework for evaluating Party cadres’ conduct, distinguishing between errors made in the course of reform and innovation and violations of discipline or law. — distinguishing whether actions stem from public spirit or private interest, whether they are unintentional mistakes or deliberate faults, whether they follow procedures or violate rules, whether they comply with laws and discipline or break laws and discipline, and whether their impact is minor or severely harmful; prescribe the right remedy and apply precise treatment for each case; on the one hand, deepen the simultaneous investigation and handling of misconduct and corruption with a zero-tolerance attitude; on the other hand, pay attention to mobilizing the initiative, enthusiasm, and creativity of the vast number of Party members and cadres in undertaking their work and starting undertakings.

在完善权力监督链条上持续用力。习近平总书记强调，要“管好关键人、管到关键处、管住关键事、管在关键时”。以提升监督实效为目标，对权力运行的整个链条进行全过程、全方位监督，关键在于构建两道防线：一是及时发现问题的防范机制。坚持问题导向、预防在先，坚持抓早抓小、防微杜渐，用好谈心谈话、巡查审计、信访举报、网络舆情等监督方式，全面掌握被监督单位的政治生态情况和被监督对象的思想、工作、作风、生活情况，通过源头防范、关口前移实现早期预警，发现问题于轻微之时，处置问题于萌芽之初，防止小问题演变成大风险。二是精准纠正偏差的矫正机制。坚持具体问题具体分析，根据问题的性质实事求是进行处置，特别是要严格落实“三个区分开来”，看是出于公心还是源于私利，是无心之失还是有心之过，是履行程序还是破坏规则，是遵纪守法还是违法乱纪，是轻微影响还是严重危害，对症开方、精准施治，一方面以零容忍态度深入推进风腐同查同治，另一方面注意调动广大党员、干部干事创业的积极性、主动性、创造性。

III. Continuously Consolidate the Ideological Foundation of Exercising Power for the People

三、不断筑牢为民掌权用权思想根基

General Secretary Xi Jinping has emphasized that “Party members and cadres must always bear in mind that all power is conferred by the people, and must always hold the people, the organization, and the law and discipline in awe.” The vast number of Party members and cadres must always prioritize the interests of the people, wholeheartedly seek benefits for the people, and take governing for the people and exercising power for the people as the basic requirement for correctly using power, ensuring that power is used for the people, feelings are tied to the people, and benefits are sought for the people.

习近平总书记强调，“党员干部要时刻牢记一切权力都是人民赋予的，始终敬畏人民、敬畏组织、敬畏法纪”。广大党员、干部必须始终以人民利益为重、全心全意为人民谋利益，把执政为民、为民用权作为正确使用权力的基本要求，做到权为民所用、情为民所系、利为民所谋。

Firmly establish a correct view of power. General Secretary Xi Jinping has stressed that correctly exercising power — wielding power for the public good and using it for the people — brings the masses joy, personal honor, and career success; incorrectly exercising power, or even abusing it — wielding power for oneself and using it for private gain — brings the masses resentment, personal disgrace, and career failure. Establishing a correct view of power embodies our Party’s consistent political stance and attitude of clearly opposing privilege through a thoroughgoing spirit of self-revolution. Party members and cadres must always bear in mind that all power is conferred by the people, and resolutely oppose privileged thinking and privileged phenomena. When dealing with power, one must tread as if on thin ice or standing at the edge of an abyss, filled with a sense of awe, achieving “respect for power,” “fear of power,” and “caution with power.” While strictly demanding of oneself, one must also prevent those with ulterior motives from using one’s power and influence to seek illicit gains. Establish the awareness that power is service, constantly reflect on the important question of where the power in one’s hands comes from and for whom it should be used, regularly purge selfish distractions from one’s mind, and consciously ensure that power is used for the public good rather than private ends. Bear in mind the concept that power is responsibility, remember that the greater the power, the greater the responsibility one must bear, and cultivate the awareness of willingly accepting oversight, ensuring that the exercise of power does not deviate from the correct track.

树牢正确权力观。习近平总书记强调，正确行使权力，掌权为公、用权为民，则群众喜、个人荣、事业兴；错误行使权力，甚至滥用权力，掌权为己、用权于私，则群众怨、名声败、事业损。树立正确的权力观，体现了我们党以彻底的自我革命精神，旗帜鲜明反对特权的一贯政治立场和政治态度。党员、干部必须时刻牢记一切权力都是人民赋予的，坚决反对特权思想和特权现象。对待权力一定要如履薄冰、如临深渊，充满敬畏之心，做到“敬权”、“畏权”、“慎权”，既要严格自我要求，又要防止别有用心之人利用自己的权力影响谋取非法利益。树立权力就是服务的意识，经常想一想自己手中的权力是从哪里来的、应该为谁所用这个重要问题，经常清除内心的私心杂念，自觉做到用权为公而不为私。牢记权力就是责任的理念，牢记有多大权力就要承担多大的责任，树立自觉接受监督的意识，确保权力行使不偏离正确轨道。

Always hold the people in awe. “Water can carry a boat, but it can also overturn it.” [3]3 “Water can carry a boat, but it can also overturn it” (水能载舟，亦能覆舟) is a classical Chinese allusion, often attributed to the philosopher Xunzi, comparing the people to water and the ruler to a boat. “Those who win the people’s hearts prosper; those who lose the people’s hearts perish” is an eternal truth. Our Party comes from the people, is rooted in the people, and serves the people; the Party’s foundation is in the people, its lifeblood is in the people, and its strength is in the people. Party members and cadres must understand that the power in their hands is conferred by the people, and serving the people is the Party’s purpose and also their duty. Regardless of position or the extent of power, they are all servants of the people. Only by holding the people in awe can one have firm footing and a soul within. To hold the people in awe, one must always keep the people in one’s heart, think of them in every matter, and constantly bear their well-being and hardships in mind. To hold the people in awe, one must establish and practice a correct outlook on political performance, seek no empty fame or engage in vain efforts, always stand with the people when thinking about issues, making decisions, and undertaking work, truly focus one’s mind and energy on promoting high-quality development and doing practical things for the people, and strive to achieve solid results that can stand the test of practice, history, and the people.

始终敬畏人民。水能载舟，亦能覆舟。得民心者昌，逆民心者亡，是一个亘古不变的真理。我们党来自人民、植根人民、服务人民，党的根基在人民、血脉在人民、力量在人民。党员干部必须明白手中权力是人民赋予的，为人民服务是党的宗旨，也是职责所系，无论职位高低、权力大小，都是人民的勤务员。只有敬畏人民，才能脚下有根、心中有魂。敬畏人民，就要心里始终装着人民、处处想着人民，时刻把人民的安危冷暖挂在心上。敬畏人民，就要树立和践行正确政绩观，不图虚名、不务虚功，始终站在人民立场上想问题、做决策、干事业，真正把心思和精力放在推动高质量发展和为民办实事上，努力做出经得起实践、历史和人民检验的实绩。

Always hold the organization in awe. The growth and progress of Party members and cadres, while inseparable from their own efforts, ultimately depend most on the cultivation of the organization. It is precisely because of the organization’s care, concern, and meticulous cultivation that each Party member and cadre has a stage to display their talents and can undergo training, tempering, and growth. If Party members and cadres forget that “I am a person of the organization” and forget the Party’s grace in educating and cultivating them, they will inevitably become estranged from the Party, act willfully, even recklessly and without scruples, and will go astray, even falling into the abyss of illegality and crime. To hold the organization in awe, one must always strengthen organizational consciousness, always remember that one’s primary identity is a Communist Party member and one’s primary duty is to work for the Party, always be a “transparent person” before the organization, speak truthfully and report the actual situation to the organization, and always be of one heart and one mind with the organization. To hold the organization in awe, one must consciously accept the organization’s oversight and education, fully recognizing that the organization’s oversight and education are expressions of care, concern, and help for oneself, assisting in wiping away the dust from one’s thoughts and actions. Only by correctly viewing organizational oversight and consciously accepting it can one achieve greater undertakings and realize the value of life.

始终敬畏组织。党员干部的成长进步，固然离不开自己的努力，但最根本还是靠组织的培养。正是有了组织的关心爱护、悉心培养，每个党员干部才拥有施展才华的舞台，才能经受历练、锻炼成长。如果党员干部忘记了“我是组织的人”，忘记了党的教育培养之恩，必然与党离心离德，我行我素，甚至毫无顾忌，恣意妄为，就会误入歧途，甚至堕入违法犯罪的深渊。敬畏组织，就要始终强化组织观念，牢记自己的第一身份是共产党员、第一职责是为党工作，在组织面前始终做一个“透明人”，对组织讲实话、道实情，始终与组织同心同德。敬畏组织，就要自觉接受组织的监督和教育，充分认识到组织的监督教育是对自己的关心、爱护、帮助，是在帮助自己擦去思想和行为上的灰尘，只有正确看待组织监督、自觉接受组织监督才能成就更大事业、实现人生价值。

Always hold the law and discipline in awe. “Law is the balance of the state and the standard of the times.” [4]4 “Law is the balance of the state and the standard of the times” (法者，国之权衡也，时之准绳也) is a classical Chinese saying from the legalist tradition, emphasizing law as a measure and standard. General Secretary Xi Jinping has stressed: “If discipline is not strict, comprehensive and strict governance of the Party becomes impossible.” Maintaining a sense of awe for Party discipline and state laws is the foundation for not crossing red lines or touching bottom lines. Some leading Party cadres allow greed to blind their eyes and numb their nerves, harbor a fluke mentality, thinking they are clever and undetectable, but in the end, none escape punishment by Party discipline and state laws. Cultivate a sense of awe within established rules and regulations. “Nothing can be accomplished without norms or standards.” [5]5 “Nothing can be accomplished without norms or standards” (无规矩不成方圆) is a Chinese idiom, literally “without compass and square, one cannot form circles and squares,” meaning that rules and standards are essential. Treat understanding and abiding by rules as an important criterion for measuring whether a Party member or cadre is qualified, strengthen Party spirit, unswervingly implement the spirit of the Eight-Point Regulations of the Central Committee, constantly engage in self-reflection and self-discipline, strictly observe discipline and regulations, and fasten the “first button” of clean governance. [6]6 “Fasten the first button of clean governance” (扣好廉洁从政的‘第一粒扣子’) is a metaphorical expression used by Xi Jinping, meaning to establish a correct foundation for integrity and clean governance from the start of one’s career. Build a solid dam within the understanding and clarity of discipline. Internalize Party discipline in the mind and externalize it in action, accurately grasp what can and cannot be done, what should and should not be done, and resolutely hold the bottom line of discipline. Strive to be a role model in acting according to law. Properly handle the relationship between power and law, prevent substituting power for law, overriding law with power, or bending law with power, take the lead in abiding by the law and acting according to law, keep the bright mirror of rule of law in one’s heart, hold the measuring stick of law firmly in hand, transform reverence for the rule of law and awe of the law into ways of thinking and behaving, and ensure that one thinks about issues, makes decisions, and handles matters under the rule of law, not outside it, and certainly not above it.

始终敬畏法纪。“法者，国之权衡也，时之准绳也。”习近平总书记强调：“纪律不严，从严治党就无从谈起。”始终对党纪国法保持敬畏之心，是不踩红线、不触底线的基础。有些党员领导干部让贪欲蒙蔽了双眼、麻痹了神经，心存侥幸，自以为神不知鬼不觉、手段高明，最终都逃不脱党纪国法的惩处。在悬规植矩中养成敬畏之心，“无规矩不成方圆”，把懂规矩、守规矩作为衡量一个党员干部是否合格的重要标准，加强党性修养，锲而不舍落实中央八项规定精神，时刻自重自省，严守纪法规矩，扣好廉洁从政的“第一粒扣子”。在知纪明纪中筑牢堤坝，将党纪内化于心、外化于行，准确把握哪些事情能做、哪些事情不能做，哪些事情该做、哪些事情不该做，坚决守住纪律底线。在依法办事中争当表率，处理好权与法的关系，防止以权代法、以权压法、以权枉法，带头遵守法律，带头依法办事，心中高悬法治明镜，手中握紧法律戒尺，把对法治的尊崇、对法律的敬畏转化成思维方式和行为方式，做到在法治之下、而不是法治之外、更不是法治之上想问题、作决策、办事情。

(Authors: Wang Daguang, Deputy Party Secretary of Capital Normal University, Researcher at the Capital Normal University Research Base of the Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era Research Center; Wu Tongge, Assistant Researcher at the Capital Normal University Research Base of the Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era Research Center)

（作者：首都师范大学党委副书记、北京市习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想研究中心首都师范大学研究基地研究员；北京市习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想研究中心首都师范大学研究基地助理研究员）

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