Research Update
08
May
An official’s attitude towards performance is closely tied to their philosophy of development. On March 5, 2026, while taking part in a deliberation with fellow deputies from the Jiangsu delegation during the Fourth Session of the 14th National People’s Congress, President Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of carefully organizing and carrying out educational activities on establishing and practicing a correct attitude towards performance. He called on Party members and officials to uphold the overarching principles of “exercising power for the public good, delivering benefits to the people, making sound decisions, and working diligently and earnestly,” and to achieve results that can stand the test of practice, the people, and history. To ensure the effectiveness of these educational activities, we must profoundly grasp the internal logic of the statement that "a sound attitude towards performance is fundamental." We must clearly understand for whom, for what kind of, and by what means achievements are pursued. Only in this way can Party members and officials be guided toward pragmatic action and enabled to write a new chapter worthy of the Party, the people, and the times.
Why the Attitude Towards Performance Is Fundamental
President Xi Jinping’s profound statement that “a sound attitude towards performance is fundamental” highlights the vital importance of establishing and practicing a correct attitude towards performance. Such an approach serves as a key benchmark for evaluating how Party members and officials fulfill their duties and shoulder their responsibilities. Whether this attitude is sound directly impacts the overall development of the Party and the country, the fundamental interests of the people, and the progress of Chinese modernization.
From the perspective of Marxist epistemology, thought precedes action. An attitude towards performance reflects one’s underlying values and understanding of achievement; it is a concrete manifestation of one’s worldview, outlook on life, and values in the practice of governance. A correct attitude towards performance requires proceeding from reality, acting in accordance with objective laws, and achieving results through scientific decision-making and hard work that can withstand the tests of practice and history, genuinely benefit the people, and earn public recognition. Conversely, an incorrect view often manifests itself in departmentalism, a thirst for vanity projects, fraud, and the evasion of responsibility, ultimately harming the cause of the Party and the country. To foster and maintain a sound attitude towards performance, it is therefore essential to address the “master switch” of worldview, outlook on life, and values, ensuring that subjective understanding aligns with objective reality and that practical actions follow scientific principles.
From the perspective of the Marxist theory of Party building, one’s attitude towards performance epitomizes the commitment to Party principles. President Xi Jinping has stressed that “Party spirit plays the decisive role in establishing and practicing a correct attitude towards performance.” As a Marxist political party, the Communist Party of China has no special interests of its own apart from the interests of the people. All the Party’s work is aimed at realizing, safeguarding, and developing the fundamental interests of the overwhelming majority of the people. Only by strengthening Party spirit and setting aside selfish motives can officials maintain a sound performance attitude and exercise power in the interests of both the Party and the people. Conversely, if one’s attitude towards performance deviates from the Party’s original aspiration and mission, officials may fall into the traps of utilitarianism and short-termism, becoming preoccupied with superficial accomplishments that undermine the implementation of the Party’s line, principles, and policies, disappoint public expectations, and weaken the Party’s governing foundation.
From the perspective of materialist dialectics, a correct attitude towards performance is guided by clear and scientific standards. President Xi Jinping has emphasized the need to achieve results that can stand the tests of practice, the people, and history. Practice is the sole criterion for testing truth. Performance cannot exist merely on paper or as slogans; it must be grounded in reality and capable of solving real problems. The people are the creators of history and the ultimate judges of performance. Wherever the people have needs, there lies the opportunity to accomplish meaningful work and create genuine achievements. Achievements must be measured by the actual feelings and evaluations of the masses. History, meanwhile, serves as a mirror. Achievements must withstand the passage of time rather than amount to short-lived political showpieces, and they must contribute to long-term development rather than leave behind burdens and hidden risks. Party members and officials should embrace the conviction that accomplishments need not always be credited to oneself personally, and work diligently to turn established plans, strategic goals, and development blueprints into reality.
Fully and Accurately Grasping the Connotation of a Correct Attitude Towards Performance
Communists pursue undertakings and achievements for the benefit of the people. Since the 18th CPC National Congress, the important statements made by President Xi Jinping on this issue have represented the Party’s creative application and development of Marxist positions, viewpoints, and methods. They embody the wisdom accumulated by the Party through revolution, development, and reform, and contain profound theoretical and philosophical insights. Taking the educational campaign on fostering and practicing a correct attitude towards performance as an opportunity, Party organizations at all levels, as well as Party members and officials, should be educated and guided to uphold the principle of seeking truth from facts and pursuing achievements through service to the people and solid, practical work. This carries major and far-reaching significance for ensuring a successful start to the 15th Five-Year Plan period and for providing strong support to the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese modernization.
A correct attitude towards performance profoundly embodies the people-centered philosophy of development. The principle that “bringing benefits to the people is the greatest achievement” clearly answers the question of for whom achievements are pursued. Our Party has always represented the fundamental interests of the overwhelming majority of the people and consistently placed those interests above all else. Genuine achievements must benefit the country and the people, meeting immediate need while also serving long-term development. This requires Party members and officials to stand firmly with the people at all times and regard serving the people as their foremost responsibility.
A correct attitude towards performance fully applies the scientific methodology of materialist dialectics. President Xi Jinping has emphasized that “our feet must remain firmly on the ground. Everything we do follows inherent laws.” This requires us to proceed from reality in thinking, decision-making, and action, to conduct thorough investigation and research, to strengthen scientific analysis and demonstration, and to guard against arbitrary decision-making and reckless action. We must be adept at analyzing and resolving the major social contradictions affecting high-quality development and people’s daily lives. In promoting development, it is necessary to take all factors into account and properly balance local and overall interests, immediate and long-term interests, and key priorities with secondary tasks.
A correct attitude towards performance strictly adheres to the principle that practice comes first. Marxism holds that practice is the foundation of understanding and the sole criterion for testing truth. Achievements are not produced through rhetoric or fabricated statistics but are forged through practical and sustained effort. President Xi Jinping has repeatedly stressed that “empty talk harms the country, while hard work makes it flourish,” and has called for a step-by-step and steady approach. To foster and practice a correct attitude towards performance, it is essential to resolutely oppose formalism and bureaucracy and focus efforts on understanding real conditions and delivering tangible results.
A correct attitude towards performance vividly demonstrates historical thinking and strategic vision. It requires a strong sense of historical responsibility and strategic resolve, balancing "tangible" and "intangible" achievements. This means not only doing things that deliver immediate benefits to the people but also laying solid foundations for future generations. It requires the perseverance to follow through on long-term plans consistently, and to maintain stability and continuity in governance. This view rises above personal gain and loss, reflecting a strong sense of responsibility toward the Party, history, and the people.
Writing a New Chapter of Chinese Modernization Through Solid Achievements
At this critical juncture marking the beginning of the 15th Five-Year Plan period, carrying out this Party-wide educational activities is essential for implementing the strategic arrangements of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee and ensuring decisive progress toward the basic realization of socialist modernization. It is also an important measure for practicing the Party’s fundamental purpose, consolidating its governing foundation, and maintaining full and rigorous Party self-governance. The campaign is of great significance both for advancing the cause of the Party and the country and for deepening comprehensive and strict Party governance. Party members and officials must earnestly align their thoughts and actions with the decisions and plans of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, thoroughly identify and correct deviations in their understanding of performance, and strive to achieve results that can stand the tests of practice, the people, and history.
First, we must strengthen the ideological foundation and tighten the “master switch” through deeper theoretical study. Deviations in one’s attitude towards performance stem from a weakening of worldview, outlook on life, and values. It is therefore necessary to educate and guide Party members and officials to study and fully understand President Xi Jinping’s important statements on this issue and strengthen their conscious commitment to these principles. By rigorously implementing the requirements of the educational campaign, we can ensure that its essence is integrated into both study and practice. Intra-Party political life should also be conducted seriously, guiding Party members and officials to remain true to the Party’s original aspiration and mission, carefully examine possible deviations in their views on power, performance, and career pursuits, and better fulfill their responsibilities and missions.
Second, we must strengthen practical and effective work and make full use of evaluation systems to promote high-quality development. In the opening year of the 15th Five-Year Plan, both planning and implementation require a correct attitude towards performance. We must break away from the path dependency of "judging success solely by GDP growth" and instead fully and faithfully apply the New Development Philosophy as the primary standard for both work and evaluation. Party members and officials should be encouraged to embrace the principle that achievements need not always be attributed to oneself personally, while also recognizing the historical responsibility to make meaningful contributions. They should pursue the genuine approval of the people and the enduring judgment of history. By refining performance evaluation systems for high-quality development, we can foster the right orientation among leadership at all levels.
Third, we must focus on the “key minority” and build a strong contingent of officials through exemplary leadership. President Xi Jinping has pointed out that as the 15th Five-Year Plan begins, leadership teams at all levels are highly motivated, but it is crucial that their attitude towards performance remains sound. Educational efforts must therefore prioritize leading officials, requiring them to set an example in integrating knowledge with action. Party spirit education should become an important part of cadre education and training. Teaching methods should be innovated, with greater emphasis placed on case-based instruction and capacity building to enhance officials’ abilities to promote high-quality development, serve the people, and prevent and defuse risks. It is also necessary to combine strict management with genuine care, balancing encouragement with discipline, improving mechanisms that motivate and protect officials who take responsibility, clearly supporting those who dare to act and shoulder responsibility, and effectively addressing problems such as arbitrary action, inaction, unwillingness to act, and inability to act. In this way, we can stimulate the internal drive for entrepreneurship and dedicated public service.
Finally, we must establish long-term mechanisms to ensure lasting results. By integrating study, inspection, and rectification, we must identify problems related to performance orientation and address them at their roots through strengthened Party spirit. Discipline inspection and supervisory bodies must resolutely rectify problems such as “new officials refusing to honor commitments made by their predecessors,” short-termism, and reckless decision-making. They must also supervise and guide Party organizations, Party members, and officials at all levels to move forward with dedication and practical action, ensuring a successful start to the 15th Five-Year Plan period. Furthermore, greater attention should be paid to fostering a healthy intra-Party political culture by promoting values such as loyalty, integrity, fairness, pragmatism, and clean governance. We must cultivate a sound political culture within the Party to encourage all members to maintain a sound attitude towards performance and strive tirelessly for the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and the success of Chinese modernization.
Original Link: Supervision in China: A Sound Attitude Towards Performance Is Fundamental