How much impact can a document of just over 600 words have, and how long can it last? On December 4, 2012, the Central Committee of the  Communist Party of China(CPC) introduced the eight-point decision, which covers areas such as improving research studies, streamlining meetings and events, reducing documents and briefings, standardizing overseas visits, enhancing security protocols, improving news coverage, tightening controls on published writings, and practicing strict frugality. Over the past decade, the entire Party has demonstrated unwavering determination in implementing the spirit of the eight-point decision. The conduct of the Party and the government has been revitalized, while social practices and public morale have continued to improve. Why has the eight-point decision changed China? My perspective is as follows.

The eight-point decision exemplifies CPC’s unwavering commitment to putting the people first. The aim of the decision is to improve Party and government conduct as well as maintaining close ties with the people. As President Xi Jinping said, “The style in which you work is no small matter, and if we don’t redress unhealthy tendencies and allow them to develop, it will be like putting up a wall between our party and the people, and we will lose our roots, our lifeblood and our strength. ” CPC started by addressing the misconduct that people were most dissatisfied with. It was resolved to prevent and rectify any practice that the people disapproved of or resented. The introduction and implementation of the eight-point decision and the efforts to improve Party conduct were key steps taken by the CPC in the new era to find a way to break the historical cycle of rise and fall. They were a combination of the two answers the CPC has found to this end—exercising people’s democracy and accepting people’s supervision on the external level and exercising full and rigorous self-governance and practicing self-reform on the internal level. These steps gave expression to the CPC’s philosophy of serving the public good and governing for the people.

The eight-point decision demonstrates CPC’s resolute determination through its prolonged duration and stringent enforcement. When the eight-point decision was made, some questioned whether the campaign was merely a passing fad or a political show. President Xi knew enforcement was crucial. “Leading officials at all levels must lead by example and serve as role models, and they must do as they say and live up to their promises. Within the Political Bureau, I will start with myself” he said. 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. At the hotel, Xi opted for a simple buffet and finished his meal in less than 20 minutes. 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. Xi has always set an example for the whole Party with high standards and a down-to-earth style, making the people across the country feel deeply that the implementation of the eight-point decision is by no means an empty slogan. Instead, it is a conscious action of the whole Party that begins with the leaders setting an example, which has contributed to the overall improvement of Party and government conduct as well as social morals. At the same time, the provisions of the eight-point decision have been made more targeted and practical, with an emphasis on quantified and concrete requirements to avoid deviations in implementation due to ambiguous standards, so that the requirements of the decision are implemented in every task and at every stage.

The eight-point decision has consistently addressed practical issues for the public, demonstrating a strong commitment to serving the people. CPC adheres to the principle of “addressing public concerns and responding to public needs” and strives with genuine dedication to resolve the urgent and difficult issues that matter to the people. The effectiveness of work style building must ultimately be reflected in the number of practical and good deeds accomplished for the people, as well as in their direct and tangible experiences. Across the country, the 12345 citizen service hotline serves as the main channel, enabling a full-channel, all-hour, and comprehensive response to public demands, ensuring efficient handling and timely feedback. An evaluation system centered on response rate, resolution rate, and satisfaction rate has been established, guided by public satisfaction to motivate officials to take initiative and fulfill their responsibilities. Party members and officials at all levels go to the grassroots, stay on-site, process work orders, and follow procedures, devoting more energy and attention to serving the people. This has led to a shift in focus toward “revolving around the grassroots and the people”. 

The eight-point decision has significantly enhanced the people’s sense of fulfillment, happiness, recognition, and satisfaction, earning widespread public trust and support. It broke the long-standing unhealthy practice and became a crucial step in improving Party and government conduct. According to official data, over 225,000 cases violating the rules were investigated nationwide in 2024 alone, while a survey by the National Bureau of Statistics found that 94.9% of the respondents were satisfied with the outcomes of these enforcement efforts. The satisfaction rate has increased significantly from 75% in 2012 to 94.9% in 2024, which reflects the public’s recognition of the CPC’s continuous efforts to improve Party conduct. The conduct of the Party and the government has been notably improved, and the morale of the Party and the people has been greatly boosted. The decision has not only become a hallmark of the full and rigorous governance of the Party with its institutional strength, but also paved a new path for advancing the modernization of China’s governance system and capacity. It started with concrete steps and brought about profound changes, providing a strong guarantee of conduct for building a modern socialist China in all respects. 

The eight-point decision represents an important contribution of Chinese Governance philosophy to global governance. Initiatives such as Indonesia’s regulations to strengthen official discipline and reduce the size of official delegations, as well as the ruling Cambodian People’s Party requires to catch both “big fish” and “small fish” in its anti-corruption campaign demonstrate how foreign political parties and governments are learning from the CPC’s experience in strengthening conduct—further evidence of international recognition for China’s wisdom and solutions.

In today’s interconnected world, where multiple challenges and crises converge, cross-border cooperation among political parties is more crucial than ever. The CPC remains committed to enhancing exchanges and collaboration with political parties around the world in pursuit of our common just cause. Together, let us harness the potential of a new type of inter-party relations to contribute to the development of a new model of international relations. By strengthening global partnerships with political parties worldwide, we can expand our circle of cooperation and solidarity. The CPC is eager to share governance practices and experiences with political parties and organizations of other countries, working together to advance steadily along the path to modernization—and ultimately toward building a community with a shared future for humanity.