1st LD-Writethru-China Headlines: Xi calls for creativity in strict CPC governance

The anti-corruption battle must go deeper, Chinese President Xi Jinping said Friday, calling for strict governance of the Communist Party of China (CPC) systematically, creatively and effectively.

Xi, also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks at the seventh plenary session of the 18th CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI), which opened Friday.

The guidelines established at the sixth plenary session of the 18th CPC Central Committee should be implemented in a comprehensive manner, Xi said, adding that new practices must be guided with renewed understanding.

The values of Communists must be upheld, and ideals and belief should be firmed with cultural confidence, Xi said, stressing the need to maintain the seriousness of political life in the Party and strengthen intra-Party supervision.

The president said efforts should be made to address both symptoms and root causes of corruption, comprehensively strengthen discipline and to constantly improve work styles.

The meeting was chaired by top graft buster Wang Qishan and attended by leaders including Li Keqiang, Zhang Dejiang, Yu Zhengsheng, Liu Yunshan and Zhang Gaoli.

ANTI-GRAFT ACHIEVEMENTS IN 2016

"Managing and running the Party is not only linked to the fate of the Party itself, but is also related to the future and fate of the nation," Xi stressed, adding that the Party should address this issue with greater resolution, efforts and courage.

"Only by managing the Party soundly can we successfully lead the people in handling major challenges, hedge against major risks, overcome major obstacles and solve major contradictions, achieving one victory after another," Xi said.

Since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, "comprehensively and strictly governing the Party" has been included in the strategic blueprint, and efforts have been made to manage the Party stringently and carefully, according to Xi.

Nothing is off-limits in the anti-corruption efforts, and zero tolerance has been shown toward corruption, Xi said, underscoring that the spread of corruption has been curbed and corruption cases that directly impact people's direct interests have been dealt with.

Thanks to the concerted efforts of the entire Party, the Party's discipline has been strengthened, Xi said, adding that "the spread of corruption has been effectively contained and the battle against corruption has gained crushing momentum."

"The objective of ensuring officials do not dare to be corrupt has been basically achieved," Xi said, concluding that a new atmosphere is emerging in the political life within the Party.

ARDUOUS TASKS AHEAD

Strict and comprehensive governance of the Party, despite achieving remarkable progress since the 18th CPC National Congress, remains an arduous task, Xi stressed.

Implementing frugality rules is a "tenacious" and "protracted" battle, Xi said, calling for unwavering resolution.

The battle against corruption will not relax one bit, and the "zero tolerance" principle will not change, Xi said, calling for "resolutely winning the battle of justice against corruption".

Xi called for advancing reforms to the state supervisory system, and urged discipline inspection commissions at all levels to strengthen self-supervision and accept intra-Party and social supervision to build a reliable team of cadres.

Xi also called for treating both root causes and symptoms in advancing strict and comprehensive Party governance.

Xi stressed adhering to the values of Communists and improving one's political conscientiousness.

Party members are confronted with "choices between public and private interests, righteousness and self-interest, virtue and vice, hardship and indulgence," Xi said, adding that it is political conscientiousness that determines their choices.

Unshakable ideals and beliefs stem from cultural confidence, Xi noted, adding they must be grown and nourished in traditional Chinese culture, revolutionary culture, and socialist advanced culture.

Xi also ordered Party members and cadres to stay away from vulgarity. Rather than catering to vulgar taste, they should elevate themselves spiritually to be people of integrity, prudence, and rectitude.

Xi said senior officials of the CPC should take the lead in practicing strict intra-Party political life, always act with a correct political direction and stick to the Party's political stance and principles.

Xi urged Party officials to conform with the CPC Central Committee both in thoughts and actions, as well as to implement the CPC Central Committee's major policies without reservations.

Xi also underscored the importance of persistence in strengthening intra-Party supervision, urging Party organizations at various levels to be bold and serious in Party supervision and "cracking hard nuts."

Xi asked officials to be candid, frank and sincere.

Wang said studying Xi's remarks is "an important political task for the entire Party," asking authorities to maintain a sound intra-Party political environment and prepare for the 19th CPC National Congress to be held this year. Endi