“Strengthening the Cultivation of a Culture of Integrity in the New Era” (The General Secretary’s Deep Concern for the People)

August 14, 2026, 08:28 AM Source: People’s Daily Online – People’s Daily

　　Integrity is the foundation of good governance.

　　On July 30, General Secretary Xi Jinping presided over a meeting of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee. The meeting noted: “The entire Party must, from the strategic perspective of consolidating the Party’s ruling position and fulfilling its mission and tasks, deeply recognize the profound significance of steadfastly advancing comprehensive and rigorous Party self-governance; maintain firm confidence and unwavering resolve; and, with higher standards and more concrete measures, ensure that the valuable experiences gained in comprehensively strengthening Party self-governance in the new era are both upheld and effectively applied, that the most salient problems confronting Party building are thoroughly addressed and resolved, and that the favorable political environment fostered through sound Party governance is firmly consolidated and further developed.”

　　Comprehensively and strictly governing the Party requires both addressing symptoms—employing strong measures to cure deep‑seated ills and imposing severe penalties to restore order—and tackling root causes—rectifying the mind and cultivating personal integrity, nurturing a sound culture, and upholding the fundamental principles of governance.

　　General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out in the report to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China: “We will strengthen the development of a culture of integrity for the new era, educating and guiding all Party members and cadres to cultivate a conscious commitment not to be corrupt, and to conduct themselves with integrity and perform their duties with honesty.”

　　By vigorously combating corruption and fostering integrity through culture, by taking decisive measures to address symptoms while establishing lasting mechanisms to tackle root causes, we are continuously elevating the level of Party governance and self‑discipline.

　　Strengthening the development of a culture of integrity in the new era provides crucial support for advancing the comprehensive and rigorous governance of the Party to greater depths.

　　General Secretary Xi Jinping has consistently championed the development of a culture of integrity.

　　In Zhengding, Hebei, he spearheaded the formulation of the “Six Provisions” on improving leadership conduct; in Ningde, Fujian, he led the introduction of the “Twelve Measures for Clean Governance”; and during his tenure in Zhejiang, he promoted pilot initiatives to foster a culture of integrity at the provincial level…

　　Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has attached great importance to cultivating a culture of integrity in the new era, effectively revitalizing Party and government conduct and continuously improving social and public ethos.

　　By strengthening top-level design and improving institutional frameworks, the building of a culture of integrity in the new era now has clear guidelines and legal foundations. The Central Committee’s Eight-Point Decision on Improving Party and Government Conduct has been formulated and implemented, polishing the “golden brand” of conduct‑building; the Opinions on Strengthening the Building of a Culture of Integrity in the New Era have been issued; the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee included “strengthening the building of a culture of integrity in the new era” among its key reform measures; and the Three-Year Action Plan for Building a Culture of Integrity in the New Era (2025–2027) has been promulgated…

　　From the local level to the central government, the integration of theory and practice underscores a consistent strategic vision and relentless pursuit of innovation.

　　The development of a culture of integrity in the new era is a vibrant practice rooted in Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, drawing deeply from the nourishment of China’s fine traditional culture, revolutionary culture, and advanced socialist culture.

　　General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: “We must consolidate and elevate our efforts to ensure that corruption is unthinkable, placing greater emphasis on addressing root causes and strengthening the foundations.” He further stated: “Without the profound heritage and nourishment of China’s fine traditional culture, revolutionary culture, and advanced socialist culture, it is difficult for faith and conviction to be both deep-rooted and unwavering.”

　　Cultivate a spiritual realm of self-discipline and public service, and uphold integrity and personal restraint, by drawing on the fine traditions of Chinese culture; refine the noble character of putting the public interest above all else and willingly dedicating oneself to others through revolutionary culture; and foster a cultural environment that upholds clean governance and impartial exercise of power by nurturing socialist advanced culture.

　　In March 2014, at an expanded meeting of the Standing Committee of the Lankao County Party Committee in Henan Province, General Secretary Xi Jinping quoted Zhang Boxing, a renowned upright official from Lankao’s history, from his “Qu Zeng Xí Wén”: “Every thread and grain is my honor; every fraction and speck is the people’s fat and cream. Grant one extra inch, and the people will receive more than just that inch; take even a single coin, and I am worth not a single coin. Who says such conduct is merely social propriety? In truth, it wounds both integrity and shame. Unless it is ill-gotten gain, whence would such things come?” The General Secretary remarked: “In my view, this can also serve as a mirror.”

　　General Secretary Xi Jinping leads by example and keeps this issue constantly at the forefront of his mind.

　　In Xibai Po, Pingshan County, Hebei Province, he pointed out, “This is where rules are established. The formulation and enforcement of the Party’s rules and institutions have powerfully advanced the building of the Party’s style and discipline.” At the Gu Wenchang Memorial Hall in Dongshan County, Fujian Province, he emphasized, “To learn from Comrade Gu Wenchang, we must not only hold him in high esteem but also strive to emulate his exemplary conduct—living with integrity and governing with virtue, just as he did…”

　　The cultivation of a culture of integrity in the new era involves, by deeply elucidating the ideals, beliefs, values, moral principles, and awareness of discipline and law embedded in Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and building upon the foundations of China’s fine traditional culture, revolutionary culture, and advanced socialist culture, subtly guiding Party members and cadres to properly address the fundamental issue of their worldview, outlook on life, and values.

　　From a political ecosystem characterized by integrity and uprightness to a social ethos that champions honesty and resists corruption, the cultivation of a culture of integrity in the new era has gained widespread momentum.

　　General Secretary Xi Jinping earnestly cautioned: “Only by maintaining integrity in governance can we win the trust of the people, and only by exercising power impartially can we earn their hearts.”

　　Uphold integrity in one’s conduct and practice honesty in governance. Family traditions are closely linked to the Party’s and the government’s ethos. Since assuming leadership positions, Comrade Xi Jinping has consistently cautioned his relatives and friends wherever he has worked: “You must not engage in any commercial activities in the places where I serve, nor invoke my name to pursue any personal interests; otherwise, do not blame me for showing no favoritism.”

　　Those who lead by example inspire others. Several menus and receipts have long been the talk of the town: the dinner menu from the General Secretary’s inspection tour in Fuping County, Hebei, in 2012; the meal receipt from his visit to Lankao County, Henan, in 2014; and the lunch receipt from his stay at the home of villager Liang Yuming in Liangjiahe Township in 2015—simple, unpretentious meals served with nothing but plainness and sincerity.

　　General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized, “We must strengthen the building of a culture of integrity in the new era and foster a new ethos of the times characterized by truth-seeking pragmatism and united striving,” and called for “actively promoting the principles of integrity and exemplary models of incorruptibility, thereby cultivating a favorable social climate that upholds integrity and resists corruption.”

　　Lead by example, and you will shape customs and transform people.

　　Integrity-themed parks, anti-corruption education bases, and clean villages—many localities are innovating to meet the public’s needs, making effective use of platforms like the “Clean Breeze Map” to link and strengthen venues for cultivating a culture of integrity. Today, from government offices to schools, from communities to rural areas, an atmosphere of integrity and uprightness is sweeping across the land.

　　“I ask for no praise for my color; I only wish to fill the world with pure fragrance.” We must persevere in strengthening the culture of integrity in the new era, deepen the implementation of the “precision‑targeted outreach” initiative for integrity education and publicity, and continuously ensure that officials are upright, the government is clean, politics is transparent, and society is wholesome.

　　People’s Daily (August 14, 2026, Page 01)

(Editor: Ren Jiahui, Ren Yilin)