1st LD-Writethru: China Focus: New rules separates CPC discipline from law

The Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee has published new rules on clean governance and sanctions for those who violate the Party code of conduct, as the CPC improves the management of its 88 million members.

The two new regulations, adopted at a meeting of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee on Oct. 12, updated existing rules deemed incompatible with the Party following the launch of its anti-corruption drive.

Xie Chuntao, a professor with the Party School of the CPC Central Committee, said some members were not familiar with the Party's rules and code of conduct, resulting in a tenuous relationship with the organization, which is a threat to the very fabric of the CPC.

President Xi Jinping once said that power should be restricted by a cage of regulations. He has repeatedly called for revisions to these regulations.

The new rules on clean governance, for the first time, are applicable to all CPC members.

In stark contrast, the previous rules, which were released in 2010, included 53 articles on behavior that is forbidden, while the new 8-article regulation mainly concerns itself with a moral ethical code that members must abide by.

Gao Bo, a research fellow with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, noted that the new rules required officials not only to be honest in politics but also to concentrate on cultivating their own character and running a harmonious family.

Party members must separate public and private interests, put the public's interest first, and work selflessly, stated one article. Another required members to champion simplicity and guard against extravagance.

The new rules on punishments have been dubbed by many to be the most comprehensive and strictest since the opening up and reform drive began.

Ma Huaide, vice president of China University of Political Science and Law, said the biggest problems with the current disciplinary regulations, released in 2013, was that there was no clear boundary between Party discipline and laws.

Ma added that nearly half of the disciplinary regulation was identical to the Criminal Law. For instance, the new regulation has deleted articles related to corruption, bribery and dereliction of duty, all of which overlap with the Criminal Law.

A statement released after the Oct. 12 meeting said that the revisions uphold the principle that Party discipline is stricter than the law and discipline should be put before the law.

The new discipline regulation explicitly lists extravagant eating and drinking and playing golf as violations, which were not included previously.

The new regulation also includes content about the forming of inter-Party cliques, defying principles, hiding personal issues that should be reported to the Party, seeking profits for family members and staff with their political powers, among others.

The new version of the disciplinary regulation deleted a previous clause about keeping paramours and conducting adultery. This was replaced by a clause saying that "having improper sexual relationship with others," making the regulation stricter.

"Some improper sexual relationship may only involve moral rather than legal issues. The previous version left loopholes," said Xie.

If the new regulation can be enforced well, it will have a preventative affect, said Xie.

The CPC has issued a circular urging government and party organs at all levels to follow the rules and regulations. Endi