Research Update
14
OctoberAt the mere mention of “following the rules and regulations,” many people instinctively frown, as if rules were by nature the enemy of innovation, and abiding by them meant being afraid to act, unwilling to act, or unable to get things done. This is not the case. As Xunzi wrote in Discourse on Heaven: “The course of Heaven is constant; it does not exist for the sake of Yao, nor does it perish for the sake of Jie.” Heaven has its constant Way, and affairs have their constant principles. This “constancy” is precisely what we mean by “laws” and “rules.” Acting in accordance with this constancy yields twice the result with half the effort; going against it leads to outcomes contrary to one’s wishes.
In work, the greatest fear is making a great show of busyness without hitting the real mark. Some matters may appear to be pursued vigorously, yet the old problems remain and new ones emerge. This reflects issues of attitude and work style, but, more fundamentally it is a question of understanding and method.
Empty talk harms the nation; solid work rejuvenates it. Getting things done in earnest requires more than drive and enthusiasm. It requires respecting objective laws and observing rules. Here, respecting objective laws does not mean blindly following established practices; it means acting in accordance with objective realities. Observing rules does not mean being timid or afraid to act; it means strictly abiding by discipline and established requirements. Failure to respect objective laws and observe rules can lead to an unhealthy obsession with achievements: people become eager to produce visible results, turning short-term accomplishments into a means of gaining immediate recognition.
Progress Requires Respect for Objective Laws
Objective laws are the essential connections and inevitable tendencies arising from the internal interactions and contradictions of things. They are independent of human will. People can understand, grasp, and apply objective laws, but they cannot create or alter them. Recognizing this helps us approach our work with less impatience and recklessness and with greater rationality and self-awareness.
Ancient Chinese thinkers advocated gewu zhizhi (investigating things to extend knowledge), emphasizing the need to examine concrete things in order to understand their underlying principles. Zhu Xi advanced the concept of li yi fen shu (one principle, diverse manifestations), which holds that a common underlying principle runs through things, while its manifestations vary from one thing or situation to another. Applied to today's work, the lesson is straightforward. Scientific research has its own underlying principles; educating and cultivating people has its own; and governance has its own. A method that worked in the past will not necessarily work everywhere or at all times. When the people or things we deal with change, when conditions change, or when the principal contradiction or its principal aspect changes, our methods must change accordingly.
Getting things done in earnest begins with an accurate and objective understanding of the people or issues concerned. We must understand both the fundamentals and the broader trends: examining the essence, nature, and origins of a matter to get to its roots, while assessing its direction, emerging trends, and current trajectory to anticipate how it will evolve. The former is about understanding why things are the way they are; the latter is about discerning where they are headed. Consider student development. Each cohort grows up in a different environment and has its own ways of communicating, psychological characteristics, and values and concerns. Sometimes, even a single year can make a generational difference. Without studying the students we serve and understanding the principles governing their development, we cannot identify the right approach.
In the Zhuangzi, the story of Cook Ding illustrates this principle. Cook Ding explains, "What I care about is the Way, which goes beyond skill." His mastery lies neither in speed nor in brute force, but in working with the natural structure of things. An ox has its own network of tendons, bones, and joints; a knife has its own thickness and cutting edge. Hack away indiscriminately, and the knife will become blunt and the ox will be injured. Follow the natural spaces and contours, however, and the blade moves with ease.
The same applies to our work. Identify the principal contradiction, and we can get to the heart of the matter. Fail to do so, and we risk trying to tackle everything at once, spreading ourselves thin and creating the appearance of hard work without achieving meaningful results. Ultimately, respecting objective laws means moving from simply wanting to get things done to knowing how to get them done effectively.
Stability and Confidence Come from Observing Rules
Respecting objective laws is only part of the equation. We must also observe rules. Some people regard rules as constraints, assuming that having too many of them makes it harder to get things done. That is a misconception. Objective laws govern how things operate; rules establish the order within which people act.
The ancient Chinese attached great importance to the meanings of written characters. Shuowen Jiezi, an early Chinese dictionary, defines gui in terms of established standards. A compass draws circles, while a carpenter's square forms right angles. Circles have their defining principles, and squares have their defining standards. Without the appropriate tools and rules, neither can be properly formed. As Mencius observed, "Without compasses and squares, circles and squares cannot be drawn; without the six pitch pipes, the five musical notes cannot be properly tuned." The point is that even the keenest eye and the most skillful hands cannot produce precise shapes without the proper tools and standards. Likewise, even the sharpest ear cannot establish the correct musical notes without a proper system of pitch. Rules, therefore, do not limit people's abilities. They ensure that those abilities are exercised in the right direction.
For members of the Communist Party of China and public officials, rules also embody political, disciplinary, and organizational requirements. The more determined we are to accomplish something, the more firmly we must keep these requirements in mind. Having the ability to do something does not mean we may act arbitrarily; believing something to be necessary does not justify crossing established boundaries. Procedures are not superfluous, discipline is not merely symbolic, and institutional arrangements are not burdens to be cast aside. Many rules have emerged from years of practical experience. They embody lessons accumulated through success and serve as reminders of the consequences of failure.
Rules address a fundamental question: how can we act without creating disorder? In practice, some things go awry not because people lack drive, but because they disregard boundaries, bypass procedures, or ignore consequences. Some initiatives are presented as bold experimentation, when in fact they mistake flexibility in policy implementation for permission to make arbitrary exceptions and treat reform and exploration as if they required no clear framework. Such efforts may generate considerable activity in the short term, but their results will not stand up to scrutiny over the long term.
Real Results Require Both Respect for Objective Laws and Observance of Rules
Objective laws and rules are not separate or unrelated concepts; they are two complementary sides of the same coin. Objective laws determine whether an endeavor can succeed; rules help ensure that it is carried out without going astray. Acting in accordance with objective laws tests our competence and professional judgment. Acting in accordance with rules tests our commitment to the Party and our integrity and work ethic. Development depends on understanding, grasping, and applying objective laws. Security depends on respecting, observing, and strictly enforcing rules. Pursuing development without regard for security can lead to reckless advances; focusing solely on security without pursuing development can result in stagnation.
This brings us to the principle of making progress while maintaining stability. Making progress while maintaining stability does not mean advancing slowly, nor does stability mean standing still or proceeding at an unnecessarily leisurely pace. Genuine stability comes from laying the groundwork in advance, thoroughly understanding the issues at hand, and ensuring that rules are observed. Genuine progress does not mean blindly pursuing speed regardless of actual conditions. It means moving things forward after assessing the circumstances, understanding the underlying laws, and safeguarding essential boundaries.
Consider the development of a university. Its success cannot be measured solely by current rankings, the number of projects undertaken, or short-term visibility. It must also be guided by the principles governing education, academic disciplines, and talent development. Equally important, it must uphold essential safeguards relating to ideological work, professional ethics among teachers, academic integrity, and campus management. Respect for objective laws and observance of rules are thus two fundamental principles for balancing development and security.
"All of our officials must adhere to the Party's commitment to building itself for the public good, exercising power for the people, making decisions on a scientific basis, and getting things done in earnest." These are the four requirements for the campaign to study and put into practice a correct understanding of what constitutes genuine achievements in governance. Upholding the Party's founding mission for the public good expresses a commitment to the public interest; working for the people's well-being reflects the purpose of serving the people; making decisions on a scientific basis embodies the wisdom required to act effectively; and getting things done in earnest provides the means to turn intentions into results. Ultimately, it is through concrete action that a correct understanding of what constitutes genuine achievements in governance is put into practice. Why do some tasks, despite repeated emphasis, end up being carried out in ways that distort their original purpose? Why do some initiatives, despite their good intentions, produce results that depart from what was originally intended? One important reason is that respect for objective laws and observance of rules have not been upheld throughout the entire process.
At its core, getting things done in earnest is not about doing more or moving faster. It is about acting in accordance with objective laws and within established rules. Achievements that truly stand the test of time must conform to objective laws, respect established rules, and benefit the people. Conformity with objective laws enables achievements to withstand the test of practice; observance of rules enables them to withstand the test of discipline; and benefits to the people enable them to withstand the test of history.