The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) led by Xi Jinping's leadership has announced new guidelines that allow the expulsion of party members who fall behind in faith, loyalty, and work ability, in order to tighten discipline among nearly 100 million party members, the Hong Kong South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported on the 30th.
According to the report, the CCP Central Office recently introduced new regulations called the "Measures for Handling Unqualified Members of the Chinese Communist Party," which allow the disqualification of party members who perform poorly or exhibit problematic behavior, even if they have not committed corruption or misconduct.
The state-run Xinhua News Agency reported through a Q&A with the head of the CCP's personnel department, the Central Organization Department, that "the new regulations, consisting of a total of 27 articles, are essential for implementing thorough and strict self-purification within the party."
The official explained, "Unlike disciplinary actions imposed on party members who violate party discipline due to corruption and other reasons, these regulations target members who lack revolutionary spirit, fail to fulfill their duties to the party, or no longer meet the qualifications for party membership."
Under the new regulations, CCP branches can expel party members who ▲ have lost their ideology and faith ▲ have wavering political stances ▲ are disloyal to the party ▲ fail to participate in party organizational activities for more than six months without legitimate reasons ▲ neglect tasks assigned by the party.
Party members found to have issues may be given a deadline to correct their behavior, but if problems persist after that, they will be advised to voluntarily withdraw or face expulsion procedures.
The Chinese Communist Party is the world's largest single political party organization, with membership reaching approximately 99.18 million at the end of last year, an increase of about 1.14 million from the previous year.
Until now, enforcement mainly relied on internal party investigation agencies to crack down on members involved in serious corruption, but going forward, the party will be able to control members with poor attitudes or low performance as well.
There are concerns that this process could lead to members being expelled due to falling out of favor with superiors or arbitrary standards.
Nonetheless, Xie Maosong, a senior researcher at Tsinghua University's National Strategy Institute, said, "Chinese people who want to elevate their political and social status need to join the ruling Communist Party, but many have been lazy after joining. Now, the party's personnel organization department has the necessary means to order the exit of those who fall behind."
This regulation is part of a series of control measures introduced to establish discipline within the CCP since Xi Jinping assumed power as state president and party general secretary.
In October 2016, at the 6th Plenary Session of the 18th Central Committee of the CCP (the 18th 6th Plenum), Xi's leadership adopted the "Regulations on Intra-Party Supervision of the Chinese Communist Party" to establish party discipline.
In June, ahead of the 3rd Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the CCP (the 20th 3rd Plenum), the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Supervisory Commission (the Discipline Commission) reportedly sternly warned party members not to criticize policies.
These measures have raised speculation that the intention is to strengthen control over the party and reinforce the "Xi Jinping one-man regime."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
