Keep Matters of National Significance to the Fore

Keep Matters of National Significance to the Fore*

April 20, 2020-March 1, 2022

I

We must be politically aware, and build a clear understanding of matters of national significance by paying close attention to the Central Committee’s main concerns and priorities, by fully understanding what matters most to the Party and the country, and by seeing clearly what we must uphold. We must not pay lip service to the Four Consciousnesses, the Four-sphere Confidence, and the Two Upholds. We must act on them.

(from the speech during a visit to Shaanxi Province,
April 20-23, 2020)

II

Leading officials must have a clear understanding of matters of national significance in analyzing problems and making decisions. Build a strategic vision and think about the overall situation, rather than being short-sighted and focusing only on local interests. Learn to integrate local and departmental work into the overall undertakings of the Party and the state, contributing to both local and overall development.

(from the speech at the opening ceremony of a training program for
younger officials at the Central Party School [National Academy of
Governance] on October 10, during its 2020 fall semester)

III

With a clear focus on matters of national significance, Party members and officials at all levels, particularly leading officials, must strengthen their political stance and commitment to the Party, and reinforce Party consciousness. When we have problems to solve or decisions to make at work, we must first and foremost consider them from the political perspective – checking against the Party Constitution, regulations on internal Party activities, and Party disciplinary regulations to see what we should do or are allowed to do before taking action. This is the only way that we can withstand tests, resist temptation, and become rational political actors. This is exactly as an old saying goes: “A person without virtue has no high aspirations; a person without talent has no keen insights.”

(from the speech at the Fifth Plenary Session of the 19th CPC
Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, January 22, 2021)

IV

Only with a sound political perspective can we build a thorough understanding of the Central Committee’s major policies, decisions and plans, and work with foresight and initiative. It is imperative for officials at all levels, especially those in senior positions, to constantly improve their political acumen, understanding and capacity to deliver. Officials must be very clear about the priorities of the country and strictly follow the Central Committee’s guiding principles when conceiving major strategies, formulating major policies, planning major tasks, and implementing major programs. We should regularly examine ourselves against our goals and standards, and promptly rectify any deviation.

(from the speech at the 27th group study session of the Political
Bureau of the 19th CPC Central Committee, January 28, 2021)

V

This year is important as we have just embarked on the march towards the Second Centenary Goal of building a modern socialist country in all respects, and we will soon convene the 20th CPC National Congress. We must follow to the letter the guiding principles of the 19th CPC National Congress and of all the plenary sessions of the 19th CPC Central Committee, strengthen our commitment to the Four Consciousnesses, the Four-sphere Confidence and the Two Upholds, have a better understanding of matters of national significance, and closely follow the Party’s central leadership in thinking, action and political commitment.

(from the instruction to the work reports of some officials,
February 2022)

VI

We should be fully conscious of all matters of national significance, and analyze problems and take actions from an overall strategic perspective. In doing all our work, we must first and foremost implement the decisions and plans of the Central Committee. We must never damage overall interests for the sake of local interests, or harm fundamental and long-term interests for the sake of short-term interests. 

(from the speech at the opening ceremony of a training program for
younger officials at the Central Party School [National Academy of
Governance] on March 1, during its 2022 spring semester)

* Excerpts from speeches made between April 20, 2020 and March 1, 2022.

(Not to be republished for any commercial or other purposes.)