CPC on corruption, grooming in the new era
NOTWITHSTANDING setbacks endured in its 100-year historical journey, particularly in the past decade, owing to lack of ideological conviction, leading to disregard of fundamental tenets of morality as guided by the law, China managed to change its fortunes for the greater good through commitment to the fight against corruption, cultural hinging and grooming of leaders for posterity.
As the driving force behind the Asian economic powerhouse’s success, the Communist Party of China (CPC) has remained obligated to the overall success of the Chinese people. From the beginning, the CPC realised that ideology, though crucial in nation-building, falters if it is not supported by other rudiments like integrity, cultural pivoting and continuity through self-renewal.
Although it is trite that there could never be a one-size-fits-all approach to democracy and governance since all nations are unique, the recently held 20th national congress of the CPC was all the more a learning slate on the relationship between prosperity on the one hand and corruption, culture and grooming on the other.
Even though China has remained committed to Marxism-Leninism and established its guiding role in the ideological domain, over the past decade China has also advanced socialist political theories with Chinese characteristics.
Nipping corruption in the bud
In his report to the CPC congress on October 16, 2022, titled “Hold High the Great Banner of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics and Strive in Unity to Build a Modern Socialist Country in All Respects”, General Secretary Xi Jinping—also the People’s Republic of China President, highlighted that if allowed to fester, corruption poses dangers to “the Party, the country, and the military.”
“Corruption is a cancer to the vitality and ability of the Party, and fighting corruption is the most thorough kind of self-reform there is,” he said, adding, “We have hammered away at the task of rectifying pointless formalities, bureaucratism, hedonism, and extravagance; opposed privilege-seeking mindsets and practices; and taken strong action to address misconduct and corruption that occur at people’s doorsteps.”
China, President Xi said, was working on achieving modernisation for its over 1,4 billion people, thus, the CPC has “waged a battle against corruption” on “a scale unprecedented” in the country’s history.
True, corruption is destructive for it creates acrimony among siblings and friends, leading to anger, poverty, despondency, frustration and civil strife. This is so because resources are usually not distributed equitably, culminating in “privilege-seeking” behaviours.
Corruption should not be measured in terms of proportionality, no; corruption is corruption. If a small cancerous part is not removed in the nick of time, it will eat into the whole body and when that happens it may be too late to undo it.
Like a venomous snake, corruption has a tail, body and head. Dismembering the tail may not destroy it, and lashing it on the back will only incapacitate its movement, but it will not destroy the venomous head, which will still strike any unsuspecting target with so much vigour and ruthlessness. In such instances hitting the head will suffice.
It is this that General Secretary Xi was all too aware of when he said: “Driven by a strong sense of mission, we have resolved to ‘offend a few thousand rather than fail 1,4 billion’ and
to clear our Party of all its ills.
“We have taken coordinated steps to see that officials do not have the audacity, opportunity, or desire to be corrupt, and we have used a combination of measures to ‘take out tigers,’ ‘swat flies,’ and ‘hunt down foxes,’ punishing corrupt officials of all types.”
The realisation that sacrificing “a few thousand” is better than failing the majority should always be the spirit in the fight against corruption if gains are to be consolidated.
It is interesting to note that President Xi’s swipe on bureaucratism, hedonism and extravagance, which create fertile grounds for corruption, are echoed in President Mnangagwa’s stance on the same.
“Equally, the bureaucracy in the Second Republic will be expected to be development-oriented, responsive to the people’s needs as well as exhibit high principles of professional ethics and integrity,” said President Mnangagwa at his inauguration at the
National Sports Stadium in Harare on August 26, 2018.
“My administration will, therefore, expect public sector officials to deliver quality and timely services to the people as well as facilitate business, trade and investment. Bureaucratic bottlenecks, unnecessary delays, lethargic and corrupt activities will not be tolerated.”
The President was on point regarding public sector officials, who have been largely blamed for throwing spanners in the wheels of progress due to skewed bureaucratic and corrupt dispositions.
Hence, as General Secretary Xi said, punishing “corrupt officials of all types” is the way to go as it safeguards the ruling party, the nation and the military, as well as guaranteeing that the people are the ultimate winners.
Upholding both the rule of law and the rule of virtue, and rewarding honest and hard work are hallmarks in curtailing corruption. All the “breeding grounds” and conditions conducive for corrupt tendencies should be cleared, with every step taken to punish wrongdoers.
“There must be no mercy for corruption,” President Xi underscored. “We must show zero tolerance in opposing corruption and punishing wrongdoing, and we must take more forceful action to both prevent new cases and root out existing ones.”
The philosophy in the new era, he emphasised, was to investigate and deal with corruption involving political and economic elements, preventing prominent officials from acting on behalf of any interest or power group, and cracking down on any conspiracy between Government officials and businesspeople aimed at undermining the political environment or economic growth.
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