The Eight-Point Frugality Code Concerning Improving Working Style and Maintaining Close Ties with the Masses

On December 4, 2012, the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the CPC made eight provisions on improving working style and keeping close ties with the masses. The working style of leading cadres, especially senior cadres, has an important impact on the Party's working style and government, and even on the general social atmosphere. The Political Bureau of the Central Committee held that to grasp the style building, the Political Bureau of the Central Committee should take the lead and be pioneer, it should be first to do what others are required to do, and we must resolutely refrain from doing what others are not required to do, promote the political style and people’s style with a good Party style, so as to truly win the trust and support of the masses. We must be determined to improve the working style, and effectively solve the problems strongly reflected by the masses, and always maintain a flesh-and-blood ties with the people. The code requires all comrades of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee: to improve their investigation and research, understand the real situation, summarize experience, research problems, solve difficulties, guide the work through in-depth inspection at the grassroots, learn from the masses, learn from practice, have more informal discussions with the masses, have more heart-to heart talk with cadres, analyze typical cases. They must understand the real situation facing society through in-depth inspections at grassroots, greater attention should be focused on places where social problems are more acute. They should avoid motions and engaging in formalism, expenditures on trips and inspections should be cut and receptions simplified, there should be no welcome or good-bye ceremonies, fewer accompanying people in visits, no welcome banner, no red carpet, no floral arrangement or grand receptions or banquets for visits. They should streamline and regulate meetings and major events, conference activities, effectively improve the convention style, strictly regulate all kinds of national conferences and major events held in the name of the Central Committee. Leaders should refrain from extensive deployment and requests for meetings. Political Bureau members are not allowed to attend ribbon-cutting or cornerstone-laying ceremonies, or celebrations and seminars, unless they get approval from the CPC Central Committee. Official meetings should get shortened and be specific and to the point, with no empty and rigmarole talks. They should streamline document briefings and improve the style of writing, greatly reduce paperwork and briefings, documents without substantial content should not be issued, at all. In order to standardize visiting activities, they should start from the overall needs of diplomatic work, officials' visits abroad should only be arranged when needed in terms of foreign affairs with fewer accompanying members, and on most of the occasions, there is no need for a reception by overseas Chinese people, institutions and students at the airport. They should improve security work, adhere to the principle of linking up with the masses and there should be fewer traffic controls when leaders travel by cars to avoid unnecessary inconvenience to the public, under normal circumstances, roads or public venues should not be closed. To improve news reporting, the media should not report on stories about official events including meetings and activities of the comrades of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee, unless there is real news value. The regulations also ban worthless news reports on senior officials' work and activities and said such reports should depend on work needs, news value and social effects. Efforts shall be made to streamline news reports about meetings and activities of provincial leaders. News reports about the secretary of the provincial Party committee should be less than 1,500 words. Strict publication of manuscripts is required, leaders should not publish any works by themselves or issue any congratulatory letters or telegrams unless an arrangement with the Central has been made. They should be thrifty and diligent, strictly abide by the relevant provisions on honesty and political work, officials should stay in designated hotels with plain facilities. They are forbidden from accepting gifts, souvenirs, and banned from luxury meals. The police should not be used to clear roads for officials. Officials should enhance the self-discipline of their relatives and staff, strictly executing housing and vehicles rules.

Being practical, concrete and in line with the Party's and the people's hearts, the "Eight-Point Frugality Code" reflects strict requirements and the fundamental requirement of strictly administrating the Party, and was of great significance for improving the working style and close ties with the masses.