Crackdown on excess helps reshape China 整治过度行为助力中国重塑形象
CHINADAILY 2025年04月07日 13:36 北京
The Communist Party of China has launched a four-month campaign to urge its around 100 million members to bolster compliance with a code of conduct that has strengthened the Party over the past 12 years. 中国共产党发起为期四个月的教育活动,敦促其约 1 亿名党员加强遵守行为准则,这一准则在过去 12 年里强化了党的力量。
This education campaign on the eight-point rules was planned by none other than China's top leader Xi Jinping.During his inspection tour to Southwest China in March,Xi urged Party organs at all levels to meticulously organize and implement the campaign. 这项关于八项规定精神的教育活动由中国最高领导人习近平亲自部署。今年 3 月在西南地区考察时,习近平要求各级党组织精心组织并落实该活动。
Li Min/China Daily 李敏/中国日报
He called for fighting misconduct and corruption as a whole, and making relentless efforts to root out the underlying conditions for corruption. 他呼吁全面打击不正之风和腐败行为,坚持不懈地铲除腐败滋生的土壤。
Exercising full and rigorous Party self-governance has been a signature and cornerstone of Xi 's leadership. In his first media appearance as the newly elected general secretary of the CPC Central Committee in November 2012, he candidly acknowledged that the Party faced “numerous severe challenges”, with corruption being a primary concern. 全面从严治党是习近平领导下的显著标志和基石。2012 年 11 月,他作为新当选的中共中央总书记首次在媒体前亮相时,坦率承认党面临"许多严峻挑战",其中腐败是首要问题。
He immediately started addressing the issue by tackling the deteriorating conduct of officials - some had indulged in extravagance, grown content with empty formalities, or put on an air of bureaucracy. 他立即着手解决官员行为恶化的问题——一些人沉迷于奢侈浪费,满足于空洞的形式主义,或摆出官僚主义的架子。
“The Party’s conduct is crucial to winning the people’s support and is a matter concerning the Party’s survival or demise,” Xi said. “党的作风关系人心向背,关系党的生死存亡,”习近平说。
In less than 20 days, the eight-point rules were introduced by the CPC central leadership. Spelled out in just over 600 words, the eight-point rules established regulations for Party leaders regarding research tours, meetings, documentation and other official duties, cracking down on lavish banquets, red carpet events, pomp, entourages, unnecessary meetings, and luxury perks that had once been regarded by some as typical symbols of power. 在不到 20 天的时间里,中共中央领导层出台了八项规定。短短 600 余字的八项规定,对党领导干部的调研考察、会议活动、文件简报等公务行为作出规范,严刹曾一度被某些人视为权力象征的奢靡宴请、红毯仪式、排场阵仗、前呼后拥、冗余会议以及豪华待遇等不正之风。
According to the eight-point rules, when conducting grassroots field studies, officials should learn from the people on the ground. Ceremonial formalities such as banners and floral arrangements are not allowed. Official meetings and events must be streamlined. Security protocols such as traffic control and road or venue closures should be minimized. 根据八项规定要求,开展基层调研时,官员应当向一线群众学习。严禁悬挂横幅、摆放花草等迎来送往的形式主义。必须精简官方会议和活动。交通管制、封路清场等安保措施应最大限度减少。
The code of conduct started off with a bang, yielding immediate and remarkable results. 这项行为准则甫一推出便立竿见影,成效显著。
“Few anticipated that the persistent issues of official extravagance plaguing China’s political circles would undergo such a striking transformation,” Singapore’s Lianhe Zaobao newspaper observed. 新加坡《联合早报》评论称:"鲜少有人预料到,长期困扰中国政坛的公务铺张顽疾竟会发生如此惊人的转变。"
Over the past decade, the eight-point rules have continuously evolved and today remain a defining hallmark of Xi and the CPC’s efforts to ensure good and clean governance. 在过去十年中,八项规定不断发展,如今仍是习近平和中国共产党努力确保善治和廉政的决定性标志。
A long-held tradition 一项长期的传统
Son of revolutionary leader Xi Zhongxun, Xi Jinping learned from his father’s rigorous and disciplined approach to life and work from a young age. 革命领导人习仲勋之子习近平,自幼学习父亲严谨自律的生活和工作作风。
Four children of the family studied at a boarding school, and every weekend, they took the bus home. The elder Xi had never picked them up with his official car. 这个家庭的四个孩子在寄宿学校上学,每个周末他们都会乘公交车回家。习老从未用他的公务车接送过他们。
He taught his children to live frugally and always maintain a humble and modest attitude. 他教导子女要生活节俭,始终保持谦逊低调的作风。
Over the years, a frugal lifestyle, strict self-discipline and strong ties with the masses remained with Xi Jinping. 多年来,习近平始终保持着艰苦朴素的生活作风、严格自律的品格以及同人民群众的紧密联系。
In the late 1980s, when he served as the Party chief of Ningde, a poor prefecture in Fujian Province, Xi Jinping refused to take a new imported car as his vehicle for official use, and insisted on using an old one left by his predecessor. 上世纪 80 年代末,习近平在担任福建省贫困地区宁德地委书记时,拒绝使用进口新车作为公务用车,坚持使用前任留下的旧车。
“We are in a poverty-stricken area, and we should not flaunt wealth or indulge in extravagance,” Xi told his staff. "习近平对工作人员说:“我们身处贫困地区,决不能摆阔气、搞铺张。”"
As he once explained, issues of official misconduct often stemmed from the improper handling of private and public interests, along with the abuse of power. 正如他曾解释的那样,官员不当行为的问题往往源于公私利益处理不当以及权力滥用。
In 1989, Ningde introduced a set of 12 rules promoting clean governance and self-discipline among officials. These straightforward guidelines prohibited misconduct such as excessive wining and dining during inspection tours and the use of official vehicles for personal purposes. 1989 年,宁德出台了 12 条促进官员廉洁自律的规定。这些简明扼要的准则禁止了诸如检查巡视期间过度宴请以及公车私用等不当行为。
“The power of us Communists, regardless of its extent, is granted by the people and is mandated solely to work for their benefit,” Xi said. "习近平说:“我们共产党人的权力,不论大小,都是人民赋予的,只能用来为人民谋利益。”"
In the early 2000s, after Xi was appointed as Zhejiang’s provincial Party chief, Sun Guangming served on his staff, overseeing the planning of Xi’s inspections. 21 世纪初,习近平被任命为浙江省委书记后,孙光明曾在其工作团队中任职,负责习近平视察的规划工作。
He recalled that during these inspections, Xi consistently demanded corrections whenever local officials arranged lavish receptions featuring expensive dishes, fine liquor, or gifts of local specialties. 他回忆道,在这些视察期间,每当地方官员安排豪华接待,摆上昂贵菜肴、高档酒水或赠送土特产时,习近平总会坚决要求予以纠正。
Sun said that based on Xi’s instructions, the general office of the provincial Party committee imposed strict standards for official receptions, giving a heads-up along with Xi’s itinerary to local authorities before each inspection tour. These requirements, typically consisting of seven or eight points, resembled the eight-point rules now in effect. 孙表示,根据习近平的指示,省委办公厅对公务接待制定了严格标准,在每次考察前会随行程安排一并向地方部门提出要求。这些通常包含七八项要点的规定,与现行中央八项规定精神高度契合。
Sun believes the rules, adopted at the Political Bureau meeting chaired by Xi on Dec 4, 2012, signify that Xi has ushered in a new era of the Party’s full and rigorous self-governance. 孙认为,2012 年 12 月 4 日由习近平主持的政治局会议通过的这些规定,标志着习近平开启了中国共产党全面从严治党的新时代。
Leading by example 以上率下
When the eight-point rules were established, some questioned whether the campaign was merely a passing fad or a political show. Xi knew enforcement was crucial. 八项规定出台时,有人质疑这场行动是否只是一阵风或政治作秀。习近平深知落实至关重要。
“Promises made must be kept. In the Political Bureau, it (enforcement) starts with me,” he said. “承诺了就要兑现。中央政治局从我本人开始。”他说。
Three days after the rules were issued, Xi visited Guangdong Province. He declined the option of staying in a presidential suite, choosing instead to stay in a standard suite at a hotel. 规定出台三天后,习近平访问了广东省。他婉拒了入住总统套房的安排,选择下榻酒店的标准套房。
“He told us not to upgrade anything in the room - no new purchases, no extra additions,” recalled a manager of the hotel, surnamed Qu. “他告诉我们不要升级房间里的任何东西——不买新的,也不额外添置,”一位姓屈的酒店经理回忆道。
At the hotel, Xi opted for a simple buffet and finished his meal in less than 20 minutes. This surprised a catering manager surnamed Yang, who noted that the restaurant typically served more dishes even for standard corporate events. 在酒店,习近平选择了简单的自助餐,不到 20 分钟就用餐完毕。这让一位姓杨的餐饮经理感到意外,他指出即使是标准的企业活动,餐厅通常也会提供更多菜品。
That afternoon, Xi traveled in an unassuming convoy that blended into regular traffic, traveling alongside taxis and buses, following traffic lights. Everything proceeded as usual - no cleared paths, roadblocks, banners, or trailing entourage. 当天下午,习近平乘坐的车队低调地融入普通车流中,与出租车和公交车同行,遵守交通信号灯。一切如常——没有清空的道路、路障、横幅或随行队伍。
The next day, no red carpets were laid out when Xi attended an event at Lianhuashan Park either. 第二天,习近平参加莲花山公园的活动时也没有铺设红地毯。
It was a tone-setting trip that defined the simple style of Xi’s over 100 domestic inspections in the following decade. He has consistently eschewed special arrangements, instead opting to follow local customs and minimize disruption to residents. 这是一次定调的行程,为习近平此后十年间 100 多次国内考察的简朴风格奠定了基础。他始终避免特殊安排,而是选择遵循当地习俗,尽量减少对居民生活的干扰。
In rural Shaanxi, he dined with locals on Loess Plateau staples like buckwheat noodles and fried dough. In Gansu, he had five meals on the train to ease the reception burden on local authorities. 在陕西农村,他与当地人在黄土高原上共进晚餐,品尝荞麦面和炸油条等主食。在甘肃,他曾在火车上吃了五顿饭,以减轻地方政府的接待负担。
As the top commander of the armed forces, Xi once queued up with sailors at a lunch buffet onboard a warship and ate with them. 作为武装力量的最高指挥官,习近平曾在一艘军舰的自助午餐上与海军士兵一起排队,并与他们共餐。
During his recent inspection trip to Guizhou Province last week, Xi sat on a bench at a drum tower, chatting with folk song singers, batik artists, and college graduates in a mountainous village. 上周在贵州考察期间,习近平坐在鼓楼的长凳上,与山村的民歌歌手、蜡染艺术家和大学毕业生聊天。
Netizens compared the scene to a series of similar encounters, noting that it reflected Xi’s natural and comfortable way of connecting with the public, reinforcing his image as a man of the people - something that has remained 网友们将这一场景与一系列类似的互动相比较,指出这反映了习近平与公众自然舒适的交流方式,强化了他作为人民公仆的形象——这一形象始终如一。
unchanged since his teenage years working in the countryside and throughout his political career. 自他青少年时期在农村工作以来,以及在他的整个政治生涯中,一直保持不变。
“I often remind myself that all fellow members within the Party have entrusted me to serve as general secretary, so I must hold myself to even stricter standards, leading by example in upholding the Party Constitution and adhering to Party discipline and rules,” Xi said. “我经常提醒自己,党内的所有同志都委托我担任总书记,所以我必须以更严格的标准要求自己,在遵守党章和党的纪律规矩方面以身作则。”习近平说。
He is strict with his family members, too. Xi said anyone who claims to be his friend or relative to seek favors should be firmly rejected and reported without delay. 他对家人同样严格要求。习近平表示,任何人以他的朋友或亲戚名义谋取好处都应坚决拒绝并立即上报。
“Communists don’t play by the rules of favoritism in which someone gains power, and people connected to them receive special privileges,” he has repeatedly said. “共产党人不搞任人唯亲那一套,不会因为某人掌权,与他有关系的人就能获得特殊待遇,”他曾多次这样表示。
“Don’t assume that being a cadre’s child makes one immune to consequences. Anyone who violates Party discipline or state laws must be held accountable, and they must be dealt with even more strictly to set an example for the people,” Xi said. “不要以为干部子弟就可以免于追责。无论谁违反党纪国法,都要受到严肃查处,而且要从严处理,以儆效尤。”习近平强调。
He demanded that the implementation of the eight-point rules begin with the 20-plus-member Political Bureau. For years, it has been a standard practice for Political Bureau members to report on their adherence to these rules during the annual criticism and self-criticism session. 他要求八项规定的执行必须从二十多人组成的中央政治局做起。多年来,政治局成员在每年度的批评与自我批评会议上汇报遵守八项规定情况已成为标准程序。
Starting small to crack hard nuts 以小切口破解硬骨头
Fighting corruption is no easy task. By starting with officials’ indulgence in lavish banquets - a visible symbol of excess and privilege - Xi made a strategic first strike that addresses public discontent. 反腐败绝非易事。习近平从整治官员奢靡宴请——这一特权与铺张的显性符号——入手,作出了化解民众不满的战略性第一击。
Even mooncakes were put in the spotlight. A traditional treat during the MidAutumn Festival, mooncakes had, at the height of the bribe-giving culture, morphed into a convenient cover for bribery. 甚至连月饼也被推到了聚光灯下。作为中秋传统食品的月饼,在贿赂风气最盛时,曾沦为行贿的便利幌子。
Xi applauded the graft-busters’ attention to mooncakes. “Targeting mooncakes may seem trivial, but it’s actually about tackling the corruption hidden behind such practices,” he said. 习近平对反腐部门紧盯月饼问题表示赞赏。他指出:"整治月饼看似小事,实则是要解决背后隐藏的腐败问题。"
Observers describe Xi’s strategy as tackling issues one by one, making steady progress. By targeting seemingly small matters such as the misuse of public funds for mooncakes, greeting cards, fireworks and so on, the effort moved from simple to complex, gradually making breakthroughs. 观察人士认为习近平采取的是逐个击破、稳扎稳打的策略。通过整治公款购买月饼、贺卡、烟花爆竹等看似微小的问题,反腐工作由简入繁,逐步取得突破。
To add more weight to the eight-point rules, the Party’s top disciplinary watchdog regularly names and shames violators and announces the punishments they receive to deter others. 为增强八项规定的执行力度,中央纪委定期通报违纪案例并公布处罚结果,以儆效尤。
Such measures serve not only as punishment but also as a wake-up call, pulling offenders back before minor infractions spiral into more serious wrongdoing or even criminal acts. 这些措施不仅起到惩戒作用,更是一记警钟,在轻微违纪行为演变为更严重的错误甚至犯罪行为之前,将涉事人员拉回正轨。
In a decade, about 1.1 million people were reminded, reprimanded, or punished for violating the rules. 十年来,约有 110 万人因违反规定受到提醒、训诫或惩处。
Xi’s decision to target misconduct was a well-thought-out move. With misconduct and corruption stemming from the same root, the rules represented a decisive first blow at the heart of the problem. 习近平整治不正之风的决策是经过深思熟虑的。不正之风与腐败同根同源,这些规定直击问题核心,打出了有力第一拳。
After assuming the top position, Xi launched an unprecedented anti-corruption storm that has swept every corner of public office, netting both high-flying “tigers” and lower-level “flies.” Some of the most senior officials - including former members of the Political Bureau and its Standing Committee, top military brass, and retirees who left their leading positions years ago - have been brought to justice. 就任最高领导人后,习近平掀起了一场前所未有的反腐风暴,席卷公职领域各个角落,既打"老虎"也拍"苍蝇"。包括前政治局委员及其常委会成员、军队高级将领、以及多年前离任领导岗位的退休人员在内的多名顶级官员已被绳之以法。
Fully aware that corruption is an issue the people resent most, Xi said: “If we don’t offend a few thousand corrupt officials, we’ll fail 1.4 billion Chinese people.” 深知腐败是人民群众最痛恨的问题,习近平表示:“不得罪成百上千的腐败分子,就要得罪 14 亿中国人民。”
An overwhelming victory had been achieved, but Xi warned that the fight against corruption and misconduct would never end. 虽然取得了压倒性胜利,但习近平警告说,反腐倡廉永远没有休止符。
Indeed, new forms of practices dodging the eight-point rules have continuously emerged. Some officials tried to bypass hotels and restaurants to indulge in luxury in private villas and secluded rural retreats. A few even sought extravagance abroad. 事实上,规避八项规定的新形式不断涌现。一些官员试图避开酒店和餐馆,转而在私人别墅和隐蔽的乡村度假地纵情奢华。少数人甚至寻求在海外挥霍。
Xi used a metaphor to emphasize the long-term nature of improving conduct: “Just as a room needs regular cleaning, the dust in our minds must be cleared away regularly.” 习近平用比喻强调改进作风的长期性:“就像房间需要经常打扫一样,思想上的灰尘也要经常打扫。”
At times, he was more direct, saying that “if 10 years aren’t enough, then 20 years; if 20 years aren’t enough, then 30 years.” 有时,他更为直截了当,表示“如果 10 年不够,那就 20 年;如果 20 年不够,那就 30 年。”
Profound transformations 深刻变革
The ban on extravagant official receptions, along with restrictions on expenses for official overseas visits and vehicle use, eased long-standing public 禁止奢靡的公务接待,加上对因公出国和公务用车开支的限制,缓解了长期以来的公众
frustration. Once-symbolic perks of officialdom - lavish banquets, wasteful junkets and personal use of official vehicles - have largely faded. 不满情绪。曾经象征官场特权的奢华宴请、铺张浪费的公款旅游以及公车私用现象已大幅减少。
With the eight-point rules firmly in place, transparency has improved as government departments and agencies continue to upgrade their practices for regularly disclosing expenses. The focus of the public has also shifted, from outrage over excess to scrutinizing how the money saved from curbing extravagance is being reinvested. 随着八项规定严格落实,政府各部门和机构持续完善经费公开机制,透明度显著提升。公众关注焦点也从对铺张浪费的愤慨,转向监督节约资金如何重新投入民生领域。
Wang Jixia, a former official overseeing vegetable cultivation in Laoling, Shandong Province, was all too familiar with the health problems commonly afflicting government officials: fatty liver, high blood pressure, and soaring cholesterol - all consequences of endless rounds of lavish banquets. “Social drinking twice a day seemed part of the job,” he recalled. 山东省乐陵市原蔬菜种植监管官员王继霞,对官员群体常见的健康问题再熟悉不过:脂肪肝、高血压、胆固醇飙升——这些都是无休止的豪华宴请带来的后果。"一天两场应酬酒局曾是工作常态",他回忆道。
But things are different now. The crackdown on extravagant receptions allowed Wang to refocus on his real work. He had more time to visit farmers to assess vegetable production. His health also improved. 如今情况已然不同。整治公款吃喝让王继霞得以回归本职工作,有更多时间走访农户调研蔬菜生产,健康状况也明显好转。
Xi also noted such lifestyle changes among officials. “Instead of attending lavish events and downing drinks, many officials now feel a renewed sense of relief,” he once said at a meeting. 习近平主席曾指出官员们这种生活方式的转变。他在一次会议上表示:"现在很多干部不再疲于应付酒局应酬,身心都感到前所未有的轻松。"
And the impact of the eight-point rules goes beyond that. As civil servants enhanced their awareness to serve the populace, their push to streamline administration picked up pace, saving time and trouble for businesses and the public. 八项规定的影响远不止于此。随着公务员服务群众意识的增强,他们推进简政放权的步伐加快,为企业和公众节省了时间和麻烦。
This transformation has reshaped social norms as well. Simplicity is now valued over extravagance. Restaurants have shifted to offering smaller portions, with diners readily packing up leftovers. Foods that were once overpriced have become affordable again. 这一转变也重塑了社会规范。如今人们崇尚简约而非铺张。餐馆开始提供小份菜品,顾客也乐于打包剩菜。曾经价格虚高的食品重新变得亲民。
Even weddings and funerals are reducing extravagant banquets, choosing simpler and more budget-friendly arrangements instead. Likewise, agencies and institutions now favor modest venues over luxury hotels or tourist resorts for conferences. 就连婚丧嫁娶也减少了奢华宴席,转而选择更简单、更经济的安排。同样,机关单位举办会议时,如今也更青睐朴素场所而非豪华酒店或旅游度假村。
The eight-point rules have helped restore public trust. A recent poll revealed that 94.9 percent of respondents approved of the rules. 八项规定帮助恢复了公众信任。最近的一项民意调查显示,94.9%的受访者对这些规定表示赞同。
“We must show that we are not only capable of delivering results but also doing so with genuine dedication,” Xi said. “Only then can we truly earn the trust of the people.” “我们必须证明,我们不仅能取得成果,还能以真诚的奉献精神去实现这些目标,”习近平说。“只有这样,我们才能真正赢得人民的信任。”
Hammering nails 敲钉子
Xi has transformed the Party and the country through the eight-point rules. Yet, he remains keenly aware that the mission is far from accomplished. 习近平通过八项规定改变了党和国家。然而,他清醒地认识到,这项使命远未完成。
“Certain areas have grown lax, some blind spots remain unaddressed, and unhealthy practices have begun to resurge,” Xi noted last week during his inspection tour. “一些领域出现了松懈,某些盲点仍未解决,不良风气开始有所抬头,”习近平上周在考察时指出。
One high-profile case in December 2022 underscored the persistence of misconduct. 2022 年 12 月的一起高调案件凸显了不当行为的顽固存在。
Six senior officials in northwest China’s Qinghai Province held a drinking spree in the dormitory of the provincial Party School, in a blatant violation of rules. 中国西北部青海省六名高官在省委党校宿舍内公然违规酗酒。
The hours-long drinking session led to severe consequences the next day. One of the officials was hospitalized due to a heart attack, while another died from alcohol intoxication. 长时间的饮酒聚会在第二天导致了严重后果。其中一名官员因心脏病发作住院,另一名则因酒精中毒身亡。
Investigations revealed that these officials had formed a clique over the years of socializing, leveraging their positions to exchange favors. They all received severe punishments. 调查显示,这些官员在多年社交中结成小圈子,利用职务之便互相谋利,均受到了严厉惩处。
Following the 20th CPC National Congress in late 2022, China’s disciplinary agencies have handled 768,000 cases of malpractice and corruption at the grassroots level, imposing penalties on 628,000 officials. 2022 年底中共二十大后,中国纪检监察机关共查处基层不正之风和腐败问题 76.8 万起,处分干部 62.8 万人。
In January this year alone, disciplinary agencies nationwide investigated and addressed 16,430 cases of violations of the eight-point rules. 仅今年 1 月,全国纪检监察机关就查处违反中央八项规定精神问题 1.643 万起。
“Conduct issues are recurrent and deeply entrenched; they cannot be resolved overnight or eradicated through a single decisive campaign. We must avoid superficial, short-lived efforts that fade like a passing gust of wind,” Xi has warned. "习近平警示道:“作风问题具有反复性和顽固性,不可能一蹴而就,也不能指望一剂良药就药到病除。必须防止抓一抓就好转、松一松就反弹的‘一阵风’现象。”"
At a top-level anti-corruption meeting in January, Xi identified the deeply intertwined nature of misconduct and corruption as a “prominent problem” and called for an integrated crackdown. 在今年 1 月召开的高层反腐会议上,习近平将不正之风与腐败交织的深层次问题列为“突出问题”,要求进行系统性打击。
The latest education campaign marks Xi’s renewed push to tackle the issue. During talks with local officials last week, he cautioned against mere surfacelevel compliance, stressing that such an approach runs counter to the eightpoint rules themselves. 最新开展的教育活动标志着习近平主席再次推动解决这一问题。上周在与地方官员座谈时,他告诫要避免表面应付的做法,强调这种态度本身就与八项规定精神相违背。
"Like hammering a nail,we must strike it a few more times,"he said,"until the change becomes deeply ingrained in people's behavior and way of thinking." 他说道:'就像钉钉子一样,必须多敲几下,直到这种转变深深植根于人们的行为和思维方式中。'
(By Xinhua writers Zhou Xiaozheng,Xu Lingui,Wang Di,Cheng Zhuo,Yu Xiaohua,Cao Peixian,and Zhang Bowen) (新华社记者周晓峥、徐林贵、王迪、程卓、余小华、曹培贤、张博文联合报道)