China to hold Party officials accountable for poor leadership

The Communist Party of China (CPC) on Sunday published a regulation that holds Party officials accountable for poor leadership.

The new regulation introduced an internal Party accountability mechanism to be applied across all levels and divisions.

It targets leaders of Party committees and discipline inspection committees at various levels, and holds them responsible for serious consequences caused by negligence or poor work performance, the document said.

Party committees, departments as well as discipline inspection committees also will be held accountable for violations of Party rules as well as poor work performance, according to the new regulation.

"It is a breakthrough for the CPC to apply the accountability mechanism not only to Party committees and discipline inspection committees, but also to organization, publicity and united front work departments, which has showcased the CPC's determination of strictly governing itself," said Xie Chuntao, a professor with the CPC Central Committee Party School.

Accountability mechanism has become a more powerful tool in Party management since the 18th CPC National Congress was held in late 2012. As of the end of May, over 45,000 Party members and officials nationwide have been held accountable.

There are 119 documents involving accountability mechanism among more than 500 Party regulations, focusing on administrative accountability in accidents and incidents.

The new regulation, summing up the existing Party rules and stressing strictly governing the Party, further clarified the subjects, situations and punishments in the accountability mechanism.

For instance, the Party will hold officials and party organizations accountable for failing to implement Party guidelines and policies; failure to discipline subordinates or identify and address loopholes in Party management; or corruption in their own departments.

Leading officials will face punishment according to the severity of their wrongdoings, such as being named and shamed within certain ranks, receiving oral or written warnings, being suspended from their posts, transferred, forced to resign, demotion or dismissal. They are also subject to punishment for violating party discipline.

Party organizations shall be restructured for serious dereliction of duty and violation of Party regulations, the document said, adding organizations and officials may receive multiple punishments in the same case.

"The new regulation has covered all fronts in Party management," said Xin Ming, a professor with the Party School.

According to the document, the public will be informed of serious cases.

Officials will be held responsible for serious breach of duty for life, even if they are transferred, promoted or retire.

The regulation came into effect on July 8.