Teaching Comparative Government and Politics

Monday, January 28, 2013

Rule of law with Chinese characteristics

Xi Jinping seems to be talking about rule of law but seems unable to just come out and say it. Or is this one of those translation problems? Or a problem of translating a western cultural concept into the context of Chinese political culture?

Xi Jinping vows "power within cage of regulations"

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), addresses a plenary meeting of the CPC's Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI), in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 22, 2013. (Xinhua/Ding Lin)

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), vowed to unswervingly fight against corruption… During a CPC disciplinary watchdog meeting on Tuesday, as Xi ordered enhanced restraint and supervision on the use of power, he said, "Power should be restricted by the cage of regulations."…

Xi said "the mainstream of our cadres and Party members is good. But we should soberly recognize that corruption is still prone to occur or happen quite frequently in certain areas."…

He stressed that the fight against corruption is a long-term, complicated and arduous task. Anti-corruption efforts must be consistent and will never slacken.

"We must have the resolve to fight every corrupt phenomenon, punish every corrupt official and constantly eliminate the soil which breeds corruption, so as to earn people's trust with actual results," he said…

"No exception will be made when it comes to Party disciplines and law," Xi said. "Cases will be investigated completely and no leniency will be meted out no matter who is involved."

He continued, "Party cadres at various levels should keep in mind that no one can enjoy absolute power outside of the law."

Anyone who exercises power should serve the people, be accountable to the people and consciously accept supervision by the people, Xi said.

The general secretary called for efforts to enhance supervision of chief leaders, earnestly implement democratic centralism, and improve the mechanism of publicizing governing activities so as to ensure high-ranking officials do not abuse their powers for personal gain…