Warships attached to a destroyer flotilla with the PLA Navy sail in formation during a recent real-combat training exercise. (Photo:China Military)

The Chinese military has achieved significant victories in fighting against corruption whereas it is necessary to be aware that there still exist occasional instances of violations of laws among officials and soldiers inspite of strict measures and management, the PLA Daily commented recently, noting to the PLA will take preventive measures against the problems in advance.

The PLA Daily published a commentary on Friday saying that the Chinese army has achieved overwhelming victories in building a clean and honest political environment and fighting against corruption, comprehensively consolidating these achievements, whereas, there still exist occasional instances of violations of laws and disciplinary problems among individual officers and soldiers at the grassroots level with some still engaging in illegal activities and crimes inspite of strict control and management. 

The commentary noted that maximized efforts should be made to prevent and control the occurrence of disciplinary and legal violations to the greatest extent possible. The reason for the occurrence of the violations is that the day-to-day education, management, and supervision by grassroots Party organizations are not stringent enough. There is insufficient and timely reminder and inadequate follow-up to correct the emerging tendencies and issues among the officers and soldiers which consequently lead minor mistakes to gradually escalate into major ones, and minor issues to develop into significant problems. 

According to the PLA Daily, the Political Work Department of the Central Military Commission and the Discipline Inspection Commission of the Central Military Commission recently jointly published the notice on the precise and standardized application of the “first form” of oversight over discipline compliance by grassroots Party organizations in the military. 

The Communist Party of China (CPC) has conducted four forms of oversight over discipline compliance, including the first form stating that criticism and self-criticism activities and oral and written inquiries which are to be conducted regularly, to ensure that those who have committed minor misconduct are made to “redden and sweat.”

The notice specifies the basic requirements that should be emphasized in the practice and application of the “first form.” It standardizes and elaborates on the four methods of dealing with problems, including counseling reminders, criticism and education, compulsory inspections, and admonitions. It aims to establish and improve a sound working mechanism, providing important institutional guarantees for grassroots Party organizations to focus on early prevention, address issues at an early stage, and prevent potential problems effectively. 

The notice emphasizes that grassroots Party organizations must enhance the consciousness and urgency of the practice and application of the “first form,” firmly shoulder the responsibilities and effectively fulfill their duties. 

According to the PLA Daily, the notice means significantly to strengthen the daily education and supervision of military personnel to prevent corruption. 

To address the emerging issues, the notice suggested comprehensive means such as talking and reminding, criticizing and educating, ordering and inspections should be adopted in a timely manner without avoidance, concealment or protection. This approach will make officers and soldiers to recognize and admit their mistakes, improve through education and reminders, and grow healthily under the organization’s care. 

Global Times