The recent meeting of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, in its study and deployment of the work on improving Party conduct, upholding integrity, and combating corruption in 2026, emphasized the unwavering advancement of the fight against corruption. The meeting called for unrelenting and uncompromising efforts to address both the symptoms and root causes of corruption, integrating the goal of fostering integrity, improving Party conduct, and fighting corruption to ensure officials do not have the audacity, opportunity, or desire to engage in corruption. It also stressed the need to continuously enhance the comprehensive effectiveness of corruption governance. Discipline inspection and supervision organs must thoroughly comprehend the spirit of the meeting and its important arrangements, deeply grasp the extreme importance of the fight against corruption, and resolutely wage a tough, protracted, and comprehensive battle against corruption. Ensuring that the Party never changes its nature will guarantee that the red country remains forever vibrant.

Corruption is the most dangerous cancer to the Party’s vitality and combat effectiveness. To combat corruption, it is essential to eradicate it. Otherwise, corruption problems will become endless and recurring. Since the new era, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has demonstrated a sense of mission to "take on thousands of critics rather than let down 1.4 billion people" in eliminating maladies and rectifying chaos. It has consistently sent a strong political message to both within and outside the Party, as well as at home and abroad, that the Party is fundamentally incompatible with corruption. Regarding the governance of corruption, General Secretary Xi Jinping has delivered a series of important remarks, pointing out that "we must address both the symptoms and root causes, and implement systemic governance, integrating the goal of fostering integrity, improving Party conduct, and fighting corruption to ensure officials do not have the audacity, opportunity, or desire to engage in corruption." He stressed the need to "enhance the effectiveness of using cases to promote reform and governance, and improve the mechanisms for restricting and supervising the allocation and operation of power." He also called for "severely punishing the intertwining of misconduct and corruption through 'joint investigation' and eradicating the common root causes of such issues through 'joint governance,'" guiding the continuous deepening of the fight against corruption in the new era and on the new journey. However, it is also necessary to remain soberly aware that the existing corruption has not yet been eradicated, and new cases continue to emerge. "To reach the summit, one must not shun the toil." In governing corruption, it is essential to maintain strategic resolve and a high-pressure stance, continuously enhancing the comprehensive effectiveness of corruption governance.

To enhance the comprehensive effectiveness of corruption governance, it is imperative to adhere unwaveringly to the principle of strictness, relentlessly punish corruption, and carry the fight against corruption through to the end. The current situation in the fight against corruption remains severe and complex, and the task of eradicating the breeding ground and conditions for corruption remains arduous and formidable. The fight against corruption must sound the charge forever. It is necessary to demonstrate the heroic spirit of "pressing forward despite dangers" and the fighting spirit of "when two armies meet, the brave win," maintaining a high-pressure stance against corruption at all times. Strict investigations and punishments must be carried out for corruption intertwined with political and economic issues, and efforts to combat corruption in areas with concentrated power, funds, and resources must be deepened. Resolute action must be taken against new and disguised forms of corruption, as well as "flies and ants" corruption that occurs close to the people. Bribery and the act of bribing must be investigated together, and systemic corruption risks and hidden dangers must be resolutely eliminated. Not a single step should be paused, nor half a step retreated, leaving no room for corrupt individuals to hide.

To enhance the comprehensive effectiveness of corruption governance, it is essential to conduct in-depth research on the patterns and characteristics of corruption, identify the "source of the disease," and analyze its "pathology." Actions should be taken in accordance with the times, adapted to local conditions, and tailored to specific circumstances. Investigating and handling cases is not the ultimate goal; promoting governance is the fundamental objective. In response to problems exposed in cases, it is necessary to strengthen the analysis of individual cases and categorize similar cases, thoroughly identifying weaknesses in institutional development, risks in the exercise of power, and gaps in supervision and management. Through self-inspection by the units where the cases occurred, joint consultations by relevant functional departments, and analysis and dissection by discipline inspection and supervision organs, precise disciplinary inspection and supervision recommendations should be proposed. This will effectively leverage the role of such recommendations in reminding, correcting deviations, and addressing root causes. At the same time, typical cases of disciplinary violations and illegal activities should be used to carry out warning education, transforming case resources into educational resources. Based on actual circumstances, morality, discipline, the law, and responsibility should be explained through cases, using real-life "living teaching materials" to draw a clear "warning line" against corruption. The deterrent and cautionary role of warning education should be fully utilized to achieve the effect of investigating one case, warning many, and improving governance in a broader area.

To enhance the comprehensive effectiveness of corruption governance, it is essential to integrate the goal of fostering integrity, improving Party conduct, and fighting corruption to ensure officials do not have the audacity, opportunity, or desire to engage in corruption. This involves not only "purifying the flow" but also "dredging the source," striving tirelessly for a clean and upright environment. The fight against corruption is a systematic project, and piecemeal or ad hoc measures cannot fundamentally solve the problem. It is necessary to adhere to the principle of integrating the "threefold approach" of fostering integrity, improving Party conduct, and fighting corruption, using high-pressure deterrence to strengthen the "dare not," improving institutions to promote the "cannot," and educating minds to inspire the "do not want." A "combination of measures" should be employed to wage a comprehensive battle. When advancing the "dare not," attention should be paid to leveraging the functions of the "cannot" and "do not want." When advancing the "cannot," insights and methods from the "dare not" and "do not want" should be incorporated. When advancing the "do not want," the deterrent effect of the "dare not" and the constraints of the "cannot" should be utilized, creating a synergistic effect and comprehensive efficacy. This will enable the fight against corruption to stay one step ahead, overcoming the ever-adapting nature of corruption.

The way to remain evergreen lies in self-conquest. The year 2026 marks the beginning of the 15th Five-Year Plan. Those who embark on a journey with determination must see it through to the end, and those who seek success must plan carefully from the start. At this critical juncture, it is even more important to view the fight against corruption with a long-term historical perspective and from a strategic height, deeply grasp the fundamental laws governing the fight against corruption, focus on fulfilling the Party’s mission and tasks, and strengthen the confidence, unwavering resolve, and firm determination to win the fight against corruption. This will ensure the continuation of the answer to the "cave-dwelling question" of Yan’an, providing a strong guarantee for a successful start and smooth progress in the implementation of the 15th Five-Year Plan. (Liao Xin News Agency)