Reducing Burdens, Enhancing Efficiency, and Boosting Momentum—A Comprehensive Review of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at Its Core Addressing Formalism and Relieving Burdens at the Grassroots Level in 2025

January 22, 2026, Source: Xinhua News Agency

 

At the end of 2025, Zhongnanhai, Beijing.

At the democratic life meeting of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, each participant had an important document on their desk—the “Report on the Work of Rectifying Formalism and Reducing Burdens at the Grassroots Level in 2025.”

“Continue to deepen and expand efforts to tackle formalism and reduce burdens on the grassroots level, enabling grassroots cadres to devote more energy to implementation.”

Over the past year, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has deepened and advanced comprehensive and strict governance of the Party, leading efforts to tackle formalism and relieve burdens on the grassroots level, thereby steadily building momentum. This has continuously improved the Party’s work style and rallied the entire Party to vigorously advance the great cause of building a strong country and achieving national rejuvenation.

By personally taking the lead and consistently pressing ahead, General Secretary Xi Jinping has provided clear guidance for advancing the campaign to tackle formalism and reduce burdens on the grassroots level.

Less than a week after the conclusion of the Two Sessions in 2025, General Secretary Xi Jinping traveled to Guizhou and Yunnan for an inspection tour, going deep into the grassroots level to conduct research and provide guidance on the Party-wide study and education aimed at thoroughly implementing the spirit of the Central Committee’s Eight-Point Regulation.

During the inspection tour, General Secretary Xi Jinping clearly pointed out: “Party organizations at all levels must deeply understand the profound significance of this decision made by the Party Central Committee, focus on the key themes, and organize study and education in a concise and pragmatic manner. We must avoid formalism—after all, formalism itself is precisely what the Eight-Point Regulation seeks to combat.”

Taking learning and education as an opportunity, we will comprehensively and strictly address formalism to reduce the burden on the grassroots level.

针对一些地方将学习教育异化为“材料比拼”的现象，习近平总书记的批评直指要害：“不要把写了多少万字的学习心得作为学习成绩”“讲空话、搞作秀，毫无用处”。

It gets straight to the point and hits the nail on the head. Over the past year, General Secretary Xi Jinping has consistently provided directional guidance for tackling formalism and relieving burdens on the grassroots level—whether at important meetings or during his visits to local areas for inspection.

Emphasize that “we must effectively address formalism and reduce the burden on the grassroots level. We cannot take on the easy, pleasant tasks while shirking the difficult, unpopular ones.”

It was proposed that we should establish and improve a regular mechanism for identifying and addressing problems, carry out genuine rectifications and remediations, and continuously send a strong signal of unwavering commitment and strict enforcement.

“We must promote the normalization and long-term effectiveness of conduct building, rallying hearts and pooling strengths through excellent work styles, and truly getting down to business and achieving practical results, thus continuously opening up new prospects for our cause.”

General Secretary Xi Jinping’s series of important remarks, from the strategic perspective of consolidating the Party’s governing foundation and promoting the development of the Party and state causes, profoundly elucidates the significance of continuously advancing style-of-work building, providing fundamental guidance for tackling formalism and alleviating burdens on the grassroots level.

On May 12, 2025, at the Fifth Comprehensive Grid Workstation in Yinxing Subdistrict, Yangpu District, Shanghai, staff members discussed using the “one-click call” feature to communicate with residents. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Wang Xiang.

2025 is a pivotal year marking the conclusion of the 14th Five-Year Plan and the start of strategic planning for the 15th Five-Year Plan, as well as an important year for deepening and advancing comprehensive reform in greater depth.

The more daunting and heavy the task, the more we must break free from the shackles of formalism, emphasize practical action, deliver tangible results, and pursue real effectiveness.

Over the past year, General Secretary Xi Jinping has issued numerous important instructions and directives, providing scientific guidance for deepening and expanding efforts to address formalism and reduce burdens on the grassroots level.

Reduce burdens and empower; practical action strengthens the nation.

Over the past year, General Secretary Xi Jinping has set an exemplary example by personally taking the lead and keeping a close eye on the grassroots level. A series of important strategic deployments have established a clear orientation throughout the Party—emphasizing practical action, taking responsibility, and serving the people. This has inspired Party members and cadres at all levels to adopt a pragmatic and responsible work style, providing strong support for the implementation of the goals and tasks outlined in the 14th Five-Year Plan and for high-quality economic and social development.

Targeted treatment and solidifying the foundation—addressing formalism to further reduce burdens on the grassroots level.

Repeatedly filling out forms and reporting data, along with multiple channels for data submission, once left grassroots-level officials mired in “busywork at their fingertips” and “exhaustion within spreadsheets.”

In 2025, the "Regulations on Sharing Government Data" came into effect, providing a systematic solution to longstanding problems that have plagued grassroots-level officials—such as multiple data sources and mutual barriers. The introduction of this crucial regulation once again sends a clear signal: reducing the burden on grassroots levels requires not only “immediate improvements” but also “long-term institutional reforms.” We must persist in our efforts over the long term and achieve sustained success through diligent and effective work.

Only with institutional guidance can we ensure steady and long-term progress. Over the past year, the Party Central Committee has continuously refined its top-level design, and the institutional framework has been steadily strengthened—

Establish systems and regulations—including procedures for reviewing central documents, conducting consistency assessments between document issuance and efforts to reduce burdens on the grassroots level, and further standardizing the submission of official briefings and information—so as to prevent formalism and bureaucracy from exacerbating the burden on the grassroots from the very outset.

Develop institutional documents that establish strict regulations for “one-vote veto” procedures and the signing of responsibility agreements; publish a list of matters retained at the central level; and establish and improve long-term management mechanisms.

Improve the management mechanisms for evaluation, commendation, and demonstration activities, strengthen approval and oversight, and focus on addressing issues such as excessive and indiscriminate practices and a lack of real effectiveness, thereby preventing “hidden increases” in burdens at the grassroots level...

A series of long-term mechanisms have been steadily improved and refined, ensuring that efforts to tackle formalism and reduce burdens on the grassroots level are firmly anchored at the institutional level—building strong safeguards and solid defenses—and promoting the normalization and long-term sustainability of burden-reduction initiatives.

Working in synergy to consolidate and deepen the achievements of the rectification efforts. Over the past year, the Party Central Committee has meticulously planned and deployed measures, while various regions and departments have implemented targeted strategies to prevent problems from rebounding or resurging—

Improve methods and approaches for central ecological and environmental inspections and petition handling assessments by streamlining reception and support services, reducing the need to request and review documents, and effectively alleviating the burden on grassroots-level units in preparing for inspections and assessments. Strictly regulate the entry of social affairs into schools, thereby relieving primary and secondary school teachers of non-teaching-related burdens. Integrate all national government service apps under unified technical oversight; by 2025, the number of newly developed government service apps will have dropped by 93.3% compared to the previous year, and more than 3,700 apps with similar functions and low usage rates will be shut down and consolidated...

This year, supervision, inspection, and assessment have become more standardized; evaluations, commendations, and demonstration initiatives have been tightened up; a long-term mechanism for strictly controlling the secondment of cadres has been further refined; and efforts to tackle “formalism at our fingertips” have been stepped up. All these measures fully demonstrate the Party Central Committee’s unwavering commitment to tackling issues head-on, genuinely alleviating burdens on the grassroots level, and truly reducing their workload.

On September 23, 2025, an operator answers calls from the public in the call-handling hall of the Hainan 12345 hotline center. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Zheng Yue.

Use cases to drive governance, focus on key issues, issue public notifications, and ensure timely rectifications. Over the past year, the Party Central Committee has rigorously held accountable those who have violated rules and discipline, sending a strong deterrent message—

In some places, decision-making in urban management is blind and mechanical, harming the interests of the masses; in other places, government services are plagued by “vanity projects,” with decisions made blindly to launch cultural and tourism initiatives; and yet elsewhere, local governments and departments rely excessively on supervision, inspections, and performance evaluations, frequently engaging in rankings and public announcements that place an undue burden on the grassroots level...

In 2025, the central authorities publicly reported four batches of 11 typical cases, prompting local authorities at the provincial and municipal levels to report over 1,500 additional typical cases. Strict accountability measures were taken against those who violated regulations and discipline, sending a strong deterrent message.

Meanwhile, in response to the pressing issues strongly reported by grassroots levels, we have specially organized and launched “Six Rectifications” to tackle problems such as short-sightedness and rash decision-making. We are also urging and guiding central government departments and state organs to overcome “bureaucratic maladies” and “officialdom-style practices.” Furthermore, we are promoting rectification and improvement efforts across 10 key areas, including education and teaching, rural revitalization, health and wellness, petition handling, and statistics.

On June 30, 2025, newly admitted Party members in Nanhu District, Jiaxing City, Zhejiang Province, attended their “First Lesson on Joining the Party” at the Nanhu·Chuxin Lecture Hall of the Jiaxing Party-Mass Service Center. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Xu Yu.

To deepen and expand efforts to tackle formalism and reduce burdens on the grassroots level, we must guide the vast number of Party members and cadres to strengthen their ideological foundations and build solid defenses.

This year, the Central Party School (National Academy of Governance) held a special seminar aimed primarily at provincial- and ministerial-level leading cadres, focusing on study and training centered around documents such as the “Several Provisions on Rectifying Formalism and Reducing Burdens on the Grassroots Level.”

The “Several Provisions” have been publicly released and will be incorporated into the study sessions of theoretical learning centers of Party committees (Party groups) at all levels as well as into the training programs for cadres at Party schools (Administrative Institutes). This move aims to encourage Party members and leading cadres at all levels to take the lead in respecting, studying, observing, and applying these provisions, thereby conveying to the entire Party and society the Central Committee’s unwavering and comprehensive commitment to rigorously addressing formalism and alleviating burdens on the grassroots level.

In October 2025, the central-level special working mechanism for addressing formalism and reducing burdens on the grassroots level held a meeting to make arrangements:

“We must advance our work in alignment with the overall development agenda, tackle problems head-on, focus on addressing them, and continue to deepen and strengthen our efforts to achieve tangible results.” “We need to establish a regular mechanism for identifying and resolving issues, and pay close attention to the ‘second half’ of the problem-solving process—ensuring that corrective measures are effectively implemented.”

Improving work style is an ongoing journey, and tackling formalism to relieve burdens on the grassroots level is a tough and protracted battle.

The "Suggestions of the CPC Central Committee on Formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development" calls for "deepening efforts to tackle formalism and reduce burdens on the grassroots level," thereby charting the course for continuously strengthening style of work in the new journey ahead.

Faced with new situations and new tasks, only by consistently and persistently addressing problems can we help grassroots cadres better shed their burdens, go into battle with lighter loads, and faithfully fulfill their duties and responsibilities to the Party and the people.

Spring breezes bring gentle rain, penetrating the heart and inspiring action—positive results from grassroots burden reduction continue to shine through.

By simultaneously emphasizing both burden reduction and empowerment, as well as addressing existing problems and establishing new systems, over the past year, the entire Party has remained firmly focused on its goals, ensuring that the breeze of burden reduction continues to sweep through the grassroots level, unleashing robust momentum for practical action and continually bringing about a fresh outlook in the Party’s style of work.

Responsibilities and authorities are clearer, preventing arbitrary imposition and escalating burdens at every level from the source—

“In the past, it was like ‘a thousand hammers pounding from above, while below there’s just one nail.’ Now, before any document is issued, it’s undergone a rigorous ‘burden-reduction checkup,’ clearly outlining exactly what needs to be done, what requires cooperation, and what simply can’t be done,” said Luo Xinkang, Director of the Party and Government Office of Sirong Township, Rongshui Miao Autonomous County in Liuzhou, Guangxi. His remark perfectly captures the sentiments of many grassroots-level officials.

Underlying this shift is Guangxi’s specially issued “List of Items for Consistent Assessment and Review of Document Issuance and Burden Reduction at the Grassroots Level,” which requires all localities and departments to systematically compare and review each document against the list when issuing documents, thereby eliminating issues such as arbitrary assignment of tasks and shifting responsibility onto others. The clarification of boundaries between powers and responsibilities has enabled more grassroots cadres to shift from merely going through the motions to focusing on practical, results-oriented work.

Higher efficiency—digital intelligence empowers and solves pain points at the grassroots level—

“In the past, just organizing various reports used to take three or four days—and there were frequent issues like duplicate data entries and inconsistent reporting standards,” said Cheng Yonghong, deputy secretary of the Party Working Committee of Gulin Subdistrict in Tianjin’s Binhai New Area, pointing to the “Yi Biao Tong” system on his computer. “Now things are much better: data ‘does most of the work,’ while we ‘have to run around less.’ Once we enter the information once, the system automatically generates all kinds of reports. It takes just a few minutes to complete what used to take several days—and the accuracy has improved dramatically.”

Since 2025, the central authorities have established dedicated task forces to vigorously promote the construction of the “One-Form Integration” system, comprehensively streamlining and consolidating various types of reports. Localities have actively implemented the "Guidance on 'Reporting Only Once' for Grassroots Report Data," issued by the General Office of the State Council, and continue to explore and refine ways and methods to reduce the burden on grassroots-level staff.

On December 18, 2025, volunteer Party members from the Comprehensive Service Center for Public Affairs in Dongbaihu Town, Zhuji City, Zhejiang Province (left), visited villagers' homes to provide “one-on-one” guidance on using the digital platform “Zheli Ban” for handling various services. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Xu Yu.

We’re both genuinely tackling tough issues, easing restrictions, and reducing burdens, while also deepening efforts to address root causes and empower grassroots levels. A series of data points serve as compelling evidence:

In 2025, all 38,000 townships (subdistricts) nationwide will have completed the preparation and public release of their lists of duties and responsibilities, further clarifying the division of responsibilities between counties and townships. A total of 15,200 additional staffing positions have been allocated to counties and townships, and efforts to “reduce burdens at higher levels and bolster those at lower levels” continue to be intensified. The number of forms issued by central government departments and state agencies to townships (subdistricts) and villages (communities) has been streamlined by 57.2%...

We’re even more motivated, and a focus on practical action is energizing our spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation—

“Now, I spend at least three days a week in the community, giving me the chance to calmly listen to the people’s concerns and tackle real-world challenges!” The work status of Zhao Yu, Party Secretary of Xidajie Subdistrict in Guancheng Hui Autonomous District, Zhengzhou City, Henan Province, is a vivid illustration of how grassroots cadres, after being relieved of unnecessary burdens, are now fully committed to practical, hands-on work.

On June 24, 2025, at the e-commerce livestreaming base in Mengshiling Town, Langao County, Ankang City, Shaanxi Province, village officials joined e-commerce livestreamers to help local residents sell specialty agricultural products. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Shao Rui.

In the past, grassroots cadres spent a great deal of time on report meetings and preparing for inspections and exams; now, they have more energy to go directly to the front lines and serve the people.

Reducing burdens doesn't mean reducing responsibilities or commitment; rather, easing restrictions can actually boost motivation. “Reducing burdens does not mean shirking responsibility or abandoning one’s duties. We mustn’t simply equate burden reduction with no overtime or less work, and certainly not use it as an excuse for complacency, ‘lying flat,’ or passing the buck and shifting blame…” Cadres at all levels now have a clearer understanding of which burdens should be reduced and which responsibilities they should uphold.

On the front lines of rural revitalization, a large number of Party members and cadres are going deep into fields and villages to launch projects and improve services, ensuring that more policies benefiting farmers are implemented and yielding tangible results.

In urban and rural communities, grassroots workers go door-to-door to listen to the people’s voices and address their concerns. They are delivering practical, concrete measures—such as services for the elderly and children, and mediation of conflicts and disputes—more thoroughly and meticulously than ever before.

In enterprise workshops and project sites, workers diligently and responsibly ensure safety and boost production, driving development forward through practical actions that enhance quality and efficiency...

From “multi-headed management” to “clearly defined powers and responsibilities,” from “mass mobilization tactics” to “digital and intelligent empowerment,” and from “passive response” to “proactive action,” the grassroots governance system is continuously improving, and the level of modernization in governance capabilities is steadily rising.

The people and grassroots cadres are best positioned to judge whether the burden-reduction efforts have been effective.

“Now, 70% of our time is spent in the villages, tackling real-world problems instead of just chasing after reports and meetings.” “There’s less paperwork, efficiency has improved, and public satisfaction has risen significantly”... The heartfelt voices of grassroots cadres reflect the profound changes brought about by burden reduction.

On June 25, 2025, staff members at the Entry-Exit Visa Application Hall of the Nantong Municipal Government Service Center in Jiangsu Province guided citizens on how to use the self-service form-filling system. Photo by Xu Congjun, Xinhua News Agency.

According to a 2025 survey conducted by the National Bureau of Statistics, 91.7% of respondents—employees from Party and government agencies, enterprises, and public institutions—expressed satisfaction with their localities and organizations' efforts to address formalism and bureaucratic practices.

While significant progress has been made, we must also soberly recognize that there are still some shortcomings and weaknesses in addressing formalism and alleviating the burden on the grassroots level: A small number of cadres have not firmly established the development philosophy centered on the people; some cadres have compromised or found loopholes in implementation; in certain localities, tasks beyond the list of duties assigned to the village and township levels are still arbitrarily imposed; and prominent issues in key areas remain unresolved.

Great responsibilities call for commitment, and practical action paves the way to the future.

Under the strong leadership of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, the entire Party continues to deepen and expand efforts to tackle formalism and reduce burdens on the grassroots level. This will surely inspire grassroots cadres across the board to demonstrate greater vigor and adopt a more pragmatic work style, delivering tangible achievements for the people through hard work and practical actions, and presenting an outstanding report card for the new era to both the Party and the people.

Text reporters: Xiong Feng, Liu Shuo, Wang Mingyu

Poster Design: Dai Yunhe

Editor-in-charge: Yang Xin