The journal Qiushi published an important article by General Secretary Xi Jinping titled “Be a County Party Secretary in the Style of Jiao Yulu.”

The 13th issue of the journal Qiushi, published on July 1, will republish the important article by Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, President of the People’s Republic of China, and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, entitled “Be a County Party Secretary in the Style of Jiao Yulu.” This article is based on General Secretary Xi Jinping’s address delivered at a symposium with participants of the county party secretary training program at the Central Party School on January 12, 2015.

 

The article emphasizes that, within our Party’s organizational structure and the state’s governance framework, the county level occupies a pivotal position, serving as the crucial link between higher and lower levels. It is an essential foundation for economic development, safeguarding people’s livelihoods, maintaining stability, and promoting long-term national peace and prosperity. County Party committees are the “frontline command centers” through which our Party governs and revitalizes the country, and county Party secretaries are the “frontline commanders-in-chief.” How can one effectively serve as a county Party secretary? Comrade Jiao Yulu has set an exemplary standard for county Party secretaries. To be a county Party secretary is to embody the spirit of Jiao Yulu.

 

The article points out that to be a good county Party secretary, one must always keep the Party at heart. Loyalty to the Party is an essential standard for county Party secretaries. There are many criteria for assessing how well a county Party secretary performs, but this one is paramount. The county-level stronghold must be firmly held by those who have the Party at heart and are loyal to it. We must stay true to the political course, strengthen our sense of organization, trust in the organization, rely on the organization, and obey the organization, consciously safeguarding the Party’s unity and solidarity. We should regard mastering Marxist theory as our core competence, paying close attention to addressing the fundamental issue of worldview, outlook on life, and values—the “master switch.” We must strictly observe political discipline, uphold rules in matters of political direction, political stance, political speech, and political conduct, consciously uphold the leadership of the Party, maintain a high degree of consistency with the CPC Central Committee, and conscientiously safeguard the authority of the CPC Central Committee.

 

The article points out that to be a good county Party secretary, one must always keep the people at heart. Serving the people wholeheartedly is the fundamental tenet of our Party. As a leading cadre who directly engages with the grassroots masses, the county Party secretary must be deeply concerned about the people and work for their well-being. Efforts should focus on effectively addressing the issues that matter most to the people—those that are most immediate and practical—and, in particular, on tackling problems that cause public dissatisfaction, while doing more to provide timely assistance when it is most needed. In pursuing undertakings and getting things done, it is essential to adopt a correct view of political achievements; under no circumstances should one pursue superficial, costly “image projects” or “achievement‑driven projects” merely to enhance personal prestige. Investigation and research must be treated as a basic skill: go deep into the grassroots, among the people, and into real‑world conditions to gain a thorough understanding of the situation and seek advice from the public. Cultivate a sound work style characterized by diligence, pragmatism, and dedication to the people, and consciously resist and rectify the “Four Undesirable Trends.”

 

The article points out that to serve well as a county Party secretary, one must always keep a sense of responsibility at the forefront. County-level leaders are tasked with charting the course for reform, development, and stability across hundreds of thousands or even millions of people, while managing an intricate web of affairs. They must approach their duties with high spirits and wholehearted enthusiasm, striving to deliver tangible benefits to the local community during their tenure. Once work plans are set, they must see them through to completion, ensuring both a strong start and a successful finish. A well‑crafted blueprint—so long as it is scientifically sound, grounded in reality, and aligned with the people’s aspirations—should be carried forward like a relay race, with each successive leader picking up the baton and pressing ahead. When confronted with difficult challenges, one must summon the resolve to “go straight into the tiger’s den,” actively seeking concrete solutions and being willing to take bold, decisive action. With regard to pressing contradictions, a clear sense of responsibility is essential: tackle them head‑on rather than shying away or passing the buck. And in the face of emergencies, remain unflinching, composed, and ready to assume accountability.

 

The article points out that to be a good county Party secretary, one must always maintain a sense of self‑restraint. Our power is entrusted to us by the Party and the people; it is meant to serve the Party and the people, serving the public interest rather than private gain, and should be used solely to relieve the Party’s concerns, accomplish national tasks, and advance the welfare of the people. We must exercise power correctly—by law, with impartiality, and with integrity—keeping our hearts in awe, our words circumspect, and our actions measured, and striking the right balance between public and private interests, emotion and law, and personal gain and the law. We should take the lead in upholding democratic centralism and make decisions in accordance with established procedures. We must be adept at pooling the wisdom of the Party committee as a whole, the leadership teams of the major departments, and cadres at all levels, ensuring that we oversee without overstepping, divide responsibilities without blurring boundaries, and delegate authority without relinquishing oversight. We should set an example in studying, respecting, observing, and applying the law, and skillfully employ rule‑of‑law thinking to plan and manage county‑level governance. We must always hold ourselves to the highest standards, conduct ourselves with integrity, work with cleanliness and transparency, and serve in office with openness and honesty. We should consciously promote and practice the core socialist values, strengthen our moral cultivation, pursue wholesome interests, and guide the entire county in fostering a healthy, upward‑looking social ethos.

 

(Xinhua, Beijing, June 30)

 

Be a county Party secretary in the spirit of Jiao Yulu※

Xi Jinping

Comrades:

I am very pleased to hold this symposium with all of you. I pay close attention to the work at the county level. According to the report from the Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee, you are currently studying at the Party School of the CPC Central Committee, and they expressed the hope that I could meet with you. I replied that if we were to meet, we should also sit down together for a frank exchange, listening to your insights and perspectives on your studies. You come from the front lines of reform, development, and stability, and have a good grasp of the real situation; such a dialogue will undoubtedly be beneficial.

 

With the New Year just behind us, I would like to extend my warmest wishes to all of you for a happy New Year. I also wish all county Party secretaries across the country, as well as the vast ranks of Party members and cadres working at the county level, a prosperous and fulfilling New Year. You have all worked very hard!

 

The CPC Central Committee has decided to establish a training program for county Party secretaries, aiming to provide comprehensive, rotational training to all 2,800-plus county (city, district, banner) Party secretaries nationwide over a period of more than three years at the Central Party School. This is a strategic initiative with a long-term perspective. Its primary objectives are to help county Party secretaries thoroughly study and implement the spirit of the 18th National Congress of the CPC and the Third and Fourth Plenary Sessions of the 18th CPC Central Committee; to deepen their understanding of the theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics; to examine both theoretical and practical issues related to county-level economic and social development and Party building; and to equip them with the latest achievements in the Party’s theoretical innovation, thereby guiding their work and advancing their efforts, and to cultivate and develop a contingent of high-caliber county Party secretaries.

 

I have firsthand experience of the functions and operations at the county level, as well as the role of the county Party secretary. After listening to the remarks of the six comrades just now, I was deeply moved; images from my time as a county Party secretary kept flashing through my mind, as if I had been transported back more than 30 years. My feelings are the same as everyone else’s: the post of county Party secretary is extremely important—though the official rank may not be high, the responsibilities and the pressure are substantial, making it no easy job.

 

In the organizational structure of our Party and the structure of state power, the county level occupies a pivotal position that bridges the upper and lower levels, serving as an important foundation for economic development, safeguarding people’s livelihoods, maintaining stability, and promoting the country’s long-term peace and security. As the ancients said, “When the counties and commanderies are well governed, the realm is at peace.” The system of counties in China originated during the Spring and Autumn period and was consolidated and further developed with the Qin dynasty’s promotion of the commandery-county system. For more than two millennia, the county has remained the basic unit of China’s national structure, enduring steadily to this day.

 

Throughout successive dynasties, great importance was consistently attached to the selection and appointment of county-level officials. Even in ancient times, scholars had already observed the historical pattern that “prime ministers rise from local administrative posts, and formidable generals emerge from the ranks.” Historically, many renowned figures began their official careers at the county level. For instance, Wang Anshi, a statesman of the Northern Song dynasty, assumed the post of magistrate of Yinxian County in Zhejiang (now part of Ningbo’s Yinzhou District) at the age of 27. During his three-year tenure, he achieved remarkable administrative success and earned widespread praise for his virtuous governance, thereby laying the groundwork for his later reforms. In the Qing dynasty, Zheng Banqiao served for extended periods as magistrate of Fan County in Shandong (now in Henan) and Weixian County (now in Weifang, Shandong). His famous verse—“Lying in my office, I hear the rustling bamboo; I wonder if it is the voice of the people’s suffering. Though we are but humble county officials, every branch and leaf touches our hearts”—has been cherished through the ages. Moreover, such illustrious figures as Tao Yuanming, Di Renjie, Bao Zheng, and Hai Rui all once held the posts of county magistrate or prefect.

 

A county is, in essence, a fully functional society—“though small as a sparrow, it has all its vital organs.” Today, county-level governments shoulder ever‑greater responsibilities and are tasked with an increasing array of duties, playing a pivotal role especially in the process of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, deepening reform across the board, advancing law-based governance, and exercising strict Party self‑discipline. Though the county Party secretary may not rank particularly high in the official hierarchy, his or her position is nonetheless unique and consequential. As Comrade Deng Xiaoping once remarked: “It is no easy task to be a good county Party secretary; one must possess comprehensive leadership experience and be able to effectively oversee work in all areas—east, west, south, north, and central—as well as in Party, government, military, civilian, and academic spheres.” He added, “In particular, we must strengthen the county Party committee level; establishing a robust county Party committee is of paramount importance! In the military, it is the regiment; in local governance, it is the county. That is why we always emphasize the county and regimental levels—that is precisely the point.” As Hai Rui put it: “The most difficult office of all is that of the magistrate,” underscoring just how challenging it is to serve as a county official.

(June 24, 2026: Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, President of the People’s Republic of China, and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, conducted an inspection tour in Dezhou City, Shandong Province. Here, he is seen sitting together with members of the Yu Xinhui family at their home in Xiyujiacun Village, Bianlin Town, Lingcheng District, chatting informally. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Xie Huanchi.)

 

How can one serve well as a county Party secretary? Some comrades have aptly summarized it in their remarks: be a person of firm political conviction, a pioneer in green development, deeply attuned to the people’s concerns, a leading figure for the local team, and a dedicated force in improving work style. I have long believed that Comrade Jiao Yulu set an exemplary standard for county Party secretaries. I have visited Lankao County on numerous occasions, and during last year’s second phase of the Party’s mass-line education campaign, I went there twice more. Each time I set foot on Lankao soil, I am filled with profound emotion. Through his concrete actions, Comrade Jiao Yulu forged a shining image of an outstanding Communist Party member and an exemplary county Party secretary. To be a county Party secretary is to emulate Comrade Jiao Yulu.

 

How can we become county Party secretaries in the spirit of Jiao Yulu? There are many angles from which to approach this question. Today, I would like to examine it from four perspectives: keeping the Party at heart, putting the people first, shouldering one’s responsibilities, and maintaining strict self-discipline.

 

I. To be a good county Party secretary, one must always keep the Party at heart.

 

The county Party committee is the “frontline command post” for our Party’s governance and national rejuvenation, and the county Party secretary is the “chief commander on the front line.” Loyalty to the Party is an important standard for county Party secretaries. There are many criteria for assessing how well a county Party secretary performs, but the most crucial one is this: “There is no greater good than being loyal.”

 

Overall, the contingent of county Party secretaries is in good shape, and the vast majority of comrades are trustworthy. This point must be made clear. At the same time, we must recognize that serving as a county Party secretary entails facing numerous and formidable challenges: the pressures of arduous tasks related to reform, development, and stability; the test of addressing pressing issues in safeguarding and improving people’s livelihoods; the onslaught of diverse erroneous ideologies; the temptations of power, money, and personal allure; and the corrosive influence of vulgar trends and unspoken rules—among many others. Particularly noteworthy is that county Party secretaries wield considerable authority, making them targets of all manner of enticements and machinations, as well as flattery and subtle forms of manipulation designed to undermine them. They often find themselves at the center of what amounts to “hunting” by those seeking to exploit their position. Moreover, many counties are remote from major urban centers, which can foster the perception that “the mountains are high and the emperor far away,” leaving higher-level oversight struggling to reach them. Working under such conditions, without unwavering loyalty to the Party as a political bulwark, one is all too likely to falter in the face of these multifaceted tests.

 

At the county level, the stronghold must be held by those who keep the Party at heart and are loyal to it. When serving as a county Party secretary, you must remember that you are the county Party secretary of the Communist Party of China—and that the Party has sent you here to fulfill this role. The principle is simple, but keeping it firmly in mind at all times is far from easy. You must stay true to the political course, strengthen your sense of organizational discipline, always regard yourself as a member of the Party, and never forget the duties and responsibilities you owe to the Party. Trust the organization, rely on the organization, obey the organization, and consciously safeguard the Party’s unity and solidarity.

 

Only when one’s ideals and convictions are firm, and one keeps the Party at heart and remains loyal to it, can a solid ideological foundation be established. If one’s ideals and convictions waver, it is simply impossible to have the Party firmly in one’s heart. We must regard the study and mastery of Marxist theory as our essential skill, delving deeply into Marxism-Leninism and Mao Zedong Thought, thoroughly studying Deng Xiaoping Theory, the Important Thought of the Three Represents, and the Scientific Outlook on Development, and earnestly learning the Party’s theoretical innovations since the 18th National Congress. We should constantly seek understanding and penetrate to the core, ensuring that we gain knowledge through study and cultivate insight through reflection. We must pay close attention to addressing the fundamental “master switch” of worldview, outlook on life, and values, so as to demonstrate genuine, unwavering devotion and profound, abiding faith in Marxism.

 

Communism is by no means as simple as “potatoes stewed with beef”; it cannot be attained overnight or achieved in a single leap. Yet we must not, because the realization of the communist ideal is a long‑term process, dismiss it as an elusive mirage and thereby fail to remain loyal Communist Party members. Revolutionary ideals stand higher than the heavens. The pursuit of communism is the highest aspiration of Communists, and this supreme ideal requires successive generations to carry forward the struggle through relay after relay. If everyone were to regard it as something intangible and unattainable, unworthy of striving for or sacrificing for, then communism would indeed remain forever out of reach. At present, our steadfast commitment to upholding and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics is precisely a concrete effort directed toward that highest ideal.

 

Although the country’s level of development and the people’s living standards remain relatively modest, and many challenges persist in the course of development—challenges that county Party secretaries may encounter in their work—we must uphold a fundamental stance: we must maintain unwavering confidence in socialism with Chinese characteristics, and on major principled issues concerning the path, theory, and institutions of socialism with Chinese characteristics, we must stand firm and adopt a resolute attitude. Only when county Party secretaries, as the “frontline commanders,” remain steadfast and composed, and unite in striving toward overarching goals, can we hold our ground, win the battle, and see our ideals steadily turn into reality.

Having the Party in one’s heart is concrete, not abstract. As cadres of the Party, no matter where or in what position you serve, you must strengthen your Party spirit and political awareness, stand firm in the face of trials and tribulations, and never stray from the correct political course. You must strictly observe political discipline, uphold established norms in matters of political direction, political stance, political speech, and political conduct; consciously uphold the leadership of the Party; consciously maintain a high degree of consistency with the CPC Central Committee; and consciously safeguard the authority of the CPC Central Committee. We must resolutely respond to whatever the CPC Central Committee advocates, faithfully implement whatever it decides, and firmly prohibit whatever it forbids. Under no circumstances shall we allow “policies from above met with countermeasures below,” nor permit situations where orders are ignored or prohibitions go unheeded. Nor shall we tolerate any compromise or dilution in the implementation of the Central Committee’s decisions and arrangements. Should such problems arise, we must address them with unwavering resolve.

 

II. To be a good county Party secretary, one must always keep the people at heart.

 

Serving the people wholeheartedly is the fundamental tenet of our Party. County Party secretaries are leading cadres who directly engage with the grassroots masses; they must keep the people at heart and work for their well-being. They should always hold the common people in their hearts, share their concerns before they do, and rejoice after them, striving to put aside personal gain and dedicate themselves to public service. They must view personal fame, status, and interests with clarity and detachment, consciously setting aside petty self-interests. Efforts should be focused on effectively addressing the most pressing, direct, and practical issues that concern the people, especially by making concerted efforts to resolve problems that cause widespread dissatisfaction, and doing more to provide timely help when it is most needed. At present, with only five or six years remaining until we achieve the first centenary goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, there are still many impoverished areas and people in need. We must act without delay to advance poverty alleviation and development, ensuring that no region or group is left behind. The Party and the state must regard poverty alleviation and development as a major task, and leading cadres at all levels in impoverished areas must devote themselves wholeheartedly and concentrate fully on this work, uniting and guiding the broad masses to transform their circumstances through persistent effort. As the saying goes, “If an official cannot serve the people, he might as well go home and sell sweet potatoes”—this perfectly captures the point. I often speak of Gu Wenchang, the former Party Secretary of Dongshan County in Fujian during the 1950s and 1960s, who devoted himself entirely to serving the people. During festivals, local residents would “first honor Secretary Gu, then pay respects to their ancestors.”

(From February 9 to 10, 2026, Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, President of the People’s Republic of China, and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, conducted an inspection in Beijing and visited grassroots cadres and the public. On the morning of the 10th, while inspecting the Parents’ Canteen in Xinjiekou Subdistrict, Xicheng District, Xi Jinping engaged in cordial conversation with delivery couriers who were taking a break there. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Xie Huanchi.)

 

In the role of county Party secretary, many people aspire to accomplish meaningful work—such aspirations and a strong sense of drive are essential. When I first arrived in Zhengding, seeing the poverty-stricken living conditions of the people and the region’s relatively backward economic and social development filled me with deep concern. I was genuinely motivated and determined to change this situation as quickly as possible. However, in pursuing both governance and enterprise, it is imperative to uphold a correct view of political achievements, ensuring that we “do what the people favor and oppose what they detest.” We must be pragmatic and down-to-earth, work with concrete action, and always place the interests of the people at the forefront. Under no circumstances should we pursue hollow, showy projects or vanity‑driven “image‑building” and “achievement‑chasing” initiatives that waste resources and harm the people, simply to enhance our personal reputation.

 

Different counties have different resources and endowments. We must treat investigation and research as a fundamental skill, going deep into the grassroots, among the people, and into real‑world conditions to understand the situation and seek advice from the public. As I’ve said, when serving as county Party secretary, one must visit every village; when serving as city Party secretary, one must visit every township; and when serving as provincial Party secretary, one must visit every county and district. When I was in Zhengding, I often rode my bicycle out to the countryside, traveling from the north bank of the Hutuo River to the communes south of it. Each time I reached the river’s sandy shore, I had to carry my bike and walk. Although it was a bit arduous, it did enable me to gain a clear understanding of the situation, bringing me closer to grassroots cadres and ordinary people and strengthening our bonds. Once the situation is clearly understood, we must steadfastly base our plans and work on reality, ensuring that the ideas, measures, and proposals we develop are grounded in actual conditions—avoiding lofty ambitions and detachment from reality. For important decision‑making plans, especially those policies and measures that directly affect the vital interests of the people, we must widely solicit public opinion and never shy away from trouble or seek shortcuts.

 

To keep the people at heart, we must cultivate a sound work style. At the county level, the county Party secretary serves as a role model for the local Party and government conduct. When the public looks at the Party, their gaze is most focused on the county Party committee leadership team, especially the county Party secretary. If the county Party secretary adopts a poor work style, the Party’s image in the eyes of the local people will be severely undermined. We must, in accordance with the central authorities’ requirements, continue to strengthen work-style development and consolidate the achievements of the mass-line education and practice campaign, ensuring that we are diligent, pragmatic, and dedicated to serving the people, and consciously resist and rectify the “Four Undesirable Trends.”

 

III. To serve effectively as a county Party secretary, one must always bear responsibility in mind.

 

“To shirk responsibility as an official is a lifelong shame.” Cadres must shoulder their duties; the greater their sense of responsibility, the greater the achievements they can attain. We cannot simply aspire to hold office without doing work, seek power without assuming accountability, or strive for recognition without putting in the effort. At the county level, leaders are tasked with charting the course of reform, development, and stability for hundreds of thousands or even millions of people, managing countless complex affairs—this is a stage of truly monumental scope. As you yourselves have noted, it is a “minor official” bearing a weighty responsibility. The Party entrusts cadres with such positions out of trust and high expectations; we must approach our work with vigor and enthusiasm, striving to deliver tangible benefits to the people during our tenure. We must not allow things to remain unchanged year after year, with the county’s development showing no real progress and each year merely repeating the same old story.

(March 23, 2026: Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, President of the People’s Republic of China, and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, inspected the Xiongan New Area in Hebei Province and presided over a symposium on further advancing the high-quality development and construction of the Xiongan New Area. Pictured here is Xi Jinping warmly exchanging views with employees of China Huaneng Group Co., Ltd. during his visit to the company on the morning of the 23rd. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Xie Huanchi.)

 

Responsibility means wholeheartedly and conscientiously carrying out one’s duties. With respect to work plans that have been set, we must see them through to the end, ensuring both a strong start and a successful finish, and resolutely guard against perfunctory efforts or short-lived bursts of activity. Most county Party secretaries serve for only a few years, so they must avoid adopting a “temporary‑worker” mentality. Some, upon assuming the post of county Party secretary, reason that since their tenure is limited, they might as well make a big splash to showcase their abilities and achievements, thereby paving the way for their own promotion. Such an attitude is unacceptable. In a county where plans are revised every few years and blueprints redrawn just as often, little can be accomplished. We must cultivate the mindset that “success need not be attributed to me.” A well‑crafted blueprint—provided it is scientific, grounded in reality, and aligned with the people’s aspirations—should be pursued step by step, like a relay race, with each generation taking up the baton and pressing forward. Youyu County in Shanxi Province lies in the natural windward zone of the Maowusu Desert, a barren land plagued by wind and sand and characterized by impoverished mountains and valleys. At the founding of New China, the first county Party secretary led the entire county in launching a campaign to control desertification and plant trees. Over more than six decades, guided by a single blueprint and a unified goal, successive county Party committees—each term following the last—have rallied cadres and the general public to persevere, steadily increasing the forest coverage from 0.3% at the time to 53% today, transforming what was once a desolate wasteland into a verdant oasis on the northern frontier. In tackling any task, we must summon the patience and endurance required to achieve lasting results over the long term.

 

There are many reasons for career success, but proactive dedication and a strong sense of responsibility are the primary factors. Most of our leading cadres have managed to keep their duties close to their hearts and shoulder their responsibilities; however, there are indeed some who show no ambition, fail to act in their official roles, and adopt a mindset of “going through the motions day after day.” As long as no major problems arise, they prefer to do nothing, contenting themselves with the safe, uneventful existence of a “peaceful bureaucrat.” Such an attitude is fundamentally mistaken. When confronted with difficult tasks, we must summon the courage to press forward even when faced with daunting challenges, actively seeking concrete solutions to overcome obstacles, stepping up boldly and taking the lead—truly becoming the backbone that guides the people in confronting risks and surmounting hardships.

 

Now, China’s economic development has entered a new normal. To ensure sustained and healthy economic and social development, we must transform our growth model and adjust the economic structure; we must implement an innovation-driven development strategy; and we must promote the coordinated advancement of new‑type industrialization, informatization, urbanization, and agricultural modernization. In carrying out these tasks, the county level plays a crucial role. How should we go about this? What specific actions should we take? We need to think creatively, engage in deep reflection, and take proactive steps. As we comprehensively deepen reform, the county level must act decisively—without waiting or adopting a wait-and-see attitude—stay focused on addressing real problems, and take initiative. The county level stands at the forefront of social conflicts, and the county Party secretary is on the front line of maintaining stability; they must fully shoulder their responsibilities. In recent years, incidents in Weng’an, Menglian, Longnan, and other places have shown that behind acute contradictions and sudden emergencies lie complex conflicts of interest, problems with the work style of cadres, and inadequate responses in handling such situations. With regard to pressing issues, we must cultivate a strong sense of responsibility, proactively seek solutions rather than evade or shirk accountability, and strive to detect problems early and address them while still small. As for unexpected events, we must remain undaunted in the face of crisis, stay calm and composed, and dare to assume responsibility; at critical moments, we must be on the scene, provide frontline command, and make decisive decisions.

 

IV. To be a good county Party secretary, one must always keep vigilance in mind.

 

Our power is entrusted to us by the Party and the people; it is meant to serve the Party and the people, not to serve private interests. It must be used solely to relieve the Party of its burdens, to accomplish tasks for the country, and to secure benefits for the people. We must exercise our authority correctly—by law, with impartiality, and with integrity—ensuring that we act only within the scope of our statutory powers and refrain from any action without legal authorization. We should maintain the utmost caution, as if standing on the brink of an abyss or treading on thin ice, keeping our hearts in awe, our words restrained, and our conduct measured, and properly balancing public and private interests, emotions and the law, and personal gain and the law.

 

The county Party secretary is the leader of the leadership team and must take the lead in upholding democratic centralism, refraining from treating the “team leader” as a “parent.” Decisions should be made in accordance with established procedures; in particular, major issues involving funding, projects, and personnel appointments must be subject to collective deliberation, with no room for unilateral decision‑making. The secretary should be adept at pooling the wisdom of the Party committee as a whole, the leading bodies of the various major departments, and cadres at all levels, ensuring overall oversight without micromanagement, clear division of responsibilities without rigid compartmentalization, and delegation of authority without abdication of responsibility. A broad-minded spirit is essential—being open to people and to matters—and attention should be paid to soliciting the views of fellow members of the leadership team, with the secretary taking the lead in fostering and safeguarding unity within the county Party committee. Of course, promoting unity does not mean cultivating an atmosphere of mere harmony, nor does emphasizing harmony mean “watering down” or compromising on principles. On matters of fundamental principle, one must maintain a correct stance and a clear position, dare to speak out, and boldly express one’s own views.

 

The Fourth Plenary Session of the 18th CPC Central Committee proposed to comprehensively advance law-based governance and build a socialist country under the rule of law. The foundation of law-based governance lies at the grassroots level. County Party secretaries should set an example in studying, respecting, abiding by, and applying the law, and be adept at using legal thinking to plan county-level governance. They must bear in mind that legal red lines must not be crossed and legal bottom lines must not be breached; when making decisions and carrying out work, they should carefully consider whether actions are lawful and feasible, and give due thought to the legal basis, statutory procedures, and consequences of violations, consciously acting as promoters and guardians of law-based governance.

 

Integrity and self-discipline are the bottom line for Communists in their official duties and governance. I often say that one cannot have both fish and bear’s paw; those who seek office and wealth must choose one path—those who take office should not seek riches, and those who pursue wealth should not aspire to public office. We must always hold ourselves to the highest standards, firmly guarding against the temptations of power, money, and sensual pleasures, striving to live with integrity, work with cleanliness, and serve as officials with openness and honesty. We must strengthen education and discipline for our relatives and staff, requiring them to uphold moral principles, observe Party discipline, and abide by the law. Comrade Jiao Yulu personally drafted the “Ten Prohibitions for Cadres,” stipulating that cadres must never indulge in special treatment under any circumstances. When he learned that his son had attended a performance without paying, he immediately paid the ticket price himself, urging his son to make up the fare. Zhang Boying, whom Emperor Kangxi hailed as “the foremost upright official under heaven,” once said: “Every thread and grain bears upon my reputation; every fraction and speck is the people’s hard-earned sustenance. Grant one extra inch, and the people will receive more than one inch; take even a single coin, and I am worth not a single coin.” These admonitions on clean governance remain as relevant today as ever; we must all strive to learn from them.

 

As the county party secretary, a figure of both power and public prominence, one must uphold high moral standards; ethical lapses can sometimes be far more damaging than certain professional mistakes. Even in ancient China, county magistrates were expected to “promote and exemplify proper conduct and moral culture.” It is essential to consciously champion and put into practice the core socialist values, cultivate sound moral character, pursue wholesome interests, approach friendships with due care, and constantly examine every aspect of one’s life, thereby guiding the entire county toward the development of a healthy, upward‑moving social ethos. Moreover, we should continually reflect on and carry forward the traditional virtues handed down by our forebears—such as “When the Great Way is followed, the world belongs to all”; “Wealth and honor obtained through unrighteous means are to me like fleeting clouds”; “The noble person is guided by righteousness”; “Words must be trustworthy, actions must be resolute”; “Virtue is never solitary; it will always have neighbors”; and “A person without trustworthiness is beyond comprehension”—all of which offer profound guidance for conduct, personal integrity, and the pursuit of a meaningful life.

 

Comrades, in just a few days, this session of the county Party secretary training program will come to a close. I hope that you will put what you have learned into practice and achieve tangible results, striving to do an even better job in your respective localities. Finally, I wish you all success in your work, good health, and happiness for your families!

 

※This is the speech delivered by General Secretary Xi Jinping on January 12, 2015, at the symposium with participants of the county Party secretary training program at the Central Party School.