China Focus: CPC signals staunch support for reformers

The newspaper of the anti-graft watchdog of the Communist Party of China (CPC) has carried an article pledging the Party's protection for those who push ahead reforms, even if they make mistakes.

The article, published ahead of the annual full sessions of the national legislature and political consultative conference, went viral on major Chinese social networks.

The article aims to send a clear signal that the CPC gives full support to those who are bold in taking reforms, said Liu Zhibiao, a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee.

"In the past, officials competed with each other to seek faster growth for promotions," said Liu, also a professor with Nanjing University. "Many localities have eliminated GDP-based appraisal, but it will take time for some officials to adapt to the new situation and overcome inaction."

Some worry that the country's harsh anti-corruption campaign could hurt officials' enthusiasm for their work if they face punishment for mistakes, leading to inaction and hurting reform and economic growth.

"Inaction" has become a buzzword in the lead-up to the two political sessions this month, as officials are expected to be urged to tackle challenges.

Liu said the article will reassure officials to take bold action to push forward reforms, and the 13th five-year national development plan will give them direction.

It is not true that anti-corruption efforts lead to economic slowdown, he said.

In 2014 alone, two CPC chiefs of Chuzhou City in east China's Anhui Province were investigated for corruption. The city, however, reported a better performance in 2015, with 9.9-percent GDP growth.

The city's CPC committee has rolled out regulations to encourage diligence and punish local officials for inaction.

A local official, who declined to be named, said most officials are ready to take concrete actions and implement reforms. "The article gives us more confidence and assurance," he said.

"We need to be bold in pushing forward reforms," said Wang Yantao, deputy head of Lankao County in central China's Henan Province. "If it succeeds, we can learn from experience. But even if it fails, we can draw a lesson," he said.

A statement issued after a meeting of the Central Leading Group for Overall Reform presided over by Chinese President Xi Jinping late last month said: "Party committees at all levels should [...] encourage forward thinking, praise outstanding work, but also tolerate mistakes and failures so all officials actively, voluntarily and creatively participate."

Observers said a consensus has been reached within the Party on fighting inaction and protecting reformers.

"The reform task list should be made public, and then the general public could support the officials in implementing reforms as scheduled," Liu said. Endi