New rules for official appointments issued

Revised regulation aims to foster competent, professional personnel

The Communist Party of China Central Committee has released a revised regulation on the selection and appointment of Party and government officials.

The regulation was revised to respond to new problems and new circumstances and is of great significance in fostering a contingent of competent and professional officials loyal to the Party who possess moral integrity and demonstrate a keen sense of responsibility, a circular announced on Sunday.

The circular calls the intra-Party regulation important and says it underlines the need to uphold and strengthen overall Party leadership, adheres to putting political standards first and incorporates experience gained in the selection and appointment of officials since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012. It is the first amendment of the regulation in five years.

President Xi Jinping has mentioned the criteria for selecting officials in the new era on many occasions.

At a group study session of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee on Nov 26, Xi said being brave in shouldering responsibility is the basic duty of an official. Party officials should dare to face responsibilities while encountering difficulties. He also said important standards used to judge an official’s performance should be based on whether he/she is brave enough to take responsibility, is willing to do his/her duty and is capable of carrying out that duty.

Experts said that to comprehensively advance deepening reform in the country, those officials brave enough to shoulder responsibility and do more practical work should be given important positions.

Liu Xin, a researcher at the National Academy of Development and Strategy at Renmin University of China, said there are some officials who are lazy and negligent of their duties, but during a time of reform and development, capable and experienced cadres who dare to explore new ways are highly needed.

Local governments around the country realize this.

On Feb 11, the first day after the Spring Festival holiday, Liu Jiayi, Party secretary of Shandong province, said in a meeting of provincial authorities, “We should use officials who are motivated and capable at their work — just like Li Yunlong.”

Li is a popular character in a 2005 Chinese television series, Drawing

Sword, which tells of China’s fight against aggression.

In the TV show, the brave soldier is reliable in politics and loyal to the Party. He is also a famous commander who never surrenders. He has the courage to take on missions at critical moments and defeats his opponents with the element of surprise.

On the other hand, Li, who is resolute and decisive, often defies his leaders’ orders. But his leaders and fellow soldiers think highly of him and give him important tasks and unquestioned support.

Liu, Party secretary of Shandong, said that in real life cases, such officials easily offend others and are not embraced by some leaders who think they are inflexible and immature due to their forthright and hard nature.

In January, People’s Liberation Army Daily published an opinion piece about the dilemma of cadres like Li, saying employers are usually hesitant and cautious to appoint such people, or place them in important positions.

“We should encourage and support those who can overcome obstacles during reform, put them in significant positions and let them stand out, even if they are not the most popular,” Liu added.

The researcher Liu Xin said there are two important reasons why Li in the TV series has character defects but is unlikely to cause serious problems.

The army provides necessary constraints on him, he said, adding that there are strict rules in the team and Li’s leader knows him well so gives him suggestions and warnings throughout the series.

“When Li makes mistakes, his leader will punish him no matter how many contributions he had made before. The team is clear in handing out rewards and punishments,” he added.

Liu Xin said that to use such cadres in today’s working environment, which is much different from wartime situations, teams should properly supervise them while also showing necessary restraint and guidance, instead of relying totally on someone with a strong sense of individual heroism.

Li has a principled and disciplined partner who will not allow occasional rashness to result in serious consequences at critical moments, he said.

Meanwhile, having cadres with different levels of expertise and experience is good for teamwork and avoiding serious mistakes, he added.