An important article by General Secretary Xi Jinping, 'Be a County Party Secretary Like Jiao Yulu,' will be republished in the 13th issue of Qiushi Journal on July 1.
The speech was delivered at a symposium for county Party secretaries at the Central Party School on January 12, 2015. The article describes the county level as a crucial link connecting the higher and lower levels, and a key foundation for economic development, public wellbeing, and stability. The county Party committee is called the 'frontline command' for the Party's governance and national development, with the county Party secretary serving as 'frontline commander-in-chief.'
How can one be a good county Party secretary? The article's answer: Always keep the Party in mind. Loyalty to the Party is seen as the foremost standard for evaluating a county Party secretary. The county-level post must be held by those who are loyal to the Party. Specific requirements include holding firm on the political direction, strengthening organizational awareness, obeying organizational decisions, and safeguarding the Party's unity. Marxist theory must be treated as an essential skill, and one must properly address issues of world outlook, life values, and value systems. Political discipline must be strictly observed, and rules must be followed regarding political direction, stance, speech, and actions; one must consciously uphold the authority of the Party Central Committee.
The article then states that county Party secretaries must also always keep the people in mind. As the leading officials who directly face grassroots communities, they must care for the people and work for their benefit. They must strive to solve the most immediate and practical problems that matter most to the people, especially addressing issues that cause dissatisfaction, and do more work that provides timely help. In their undertakings, they must establish a correct view of achievements and avoid wasteful, superficial 'image projects' or 'vanity projects' meant to promote personal images. Investigation and research are basic skills; they should go deep into the grassroots, among the people, and into real situations, seeking advice from the people. They should also cultivate a work style of diligence, pragmatism, and service to the people, and consciously resist and correct the 'four forms of decadence.'
Keeping responsibility in mind is the third requirement. County Party secretaries must plan for the reform, development, and stability of hundreds of thousands or even millions of people, managing a myriad of affairs, and they need to work with vigor and enthusiasm. Once a work plan is set, they must follow through thoroughly. A good blueprint, as long as it is scientific, practical, and meets the people's wishes, should be carried forward one step after another like a relay race. When facing challenges, they should press forward with determination, actively seeking solutions and daring to take charge. For acute conflicts, they should take the initiative to resolve them rather than evade or shift blame. During emergencies, they must remain fearless, composed, and willing to shoulder responsibility.
Lastly, the article requires county Party secretaries to always keep discipline in mind. Power is described as bestowed by the Party and the people, public rather than private, and can only be used to serve the Party, the country, and the people. They must exercise power lawfully, impartially, and with integrity, maintaining awe in their hearts, caution in their words, and restraint in their actions, and properly handle the relationships between public and private interests, emotions and law, and benefit and law. They should take the lead in implementing democratic centralism, make decisions according to procedures, and be good at pooling wisdom from various groups, ensuring overall leadership without monopolizing, division of labor without fragmentation, and delegation without laissez-faire. They should also set an example in studying, respecting, abiding by, and applying the law, and use rule-of-law thinking in county governance. They must always hold themselves to high standards, being upright as a person, clean in their work, and honorable as an official, consciously practicing core socialist values and guiding the county towards a healthy and uplifting social climate.