Formalism, inaction by officials get scrutiny

The Communist Party of China Central Committee is requiring that more efforts be made to solve problems arising from the practice of formalities for formalities’ sake to reduce burdens on community-level officials.

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, issued a written instruction recently, highlighting the need this year to solve problems resulting from the practice of formalities for formalities’ sake that upset community-level officials, according to a circular released by the General Office of the CPC Central Committee.

The circular instructs Party officials to improve their capabilities and work styles and curb the practice of formalities for formalities’ sake and bureaucratism.

Solid efforts must be made to guard against and rectify the wrongdoing of officials who fail to implement the policies and decisions of the CPC Central Committee in full.

The practice of carrying out the central leadership’s instructions by shouting slogans or issuing documents instead of doing practical work should also be banned, the circular said.

The circular demands concrete measures to cut red tape to improve the efficiency of work.

Systems of accountability and incentives should be improved to solve the problems of officials’ dodging responsibilities and inaction, the circular said.

Since the 18th CPC National Congress, the nation has launched campaigns to fight undesirable work styles — formalities for formalities’ sake, bureaucratism, hedonism and extravagance — to improve governance.