The Party's conduct is its image, affecting public sentiment and even its very survival. On January 11th at 8 PM, the first episode of the television documentary series "Never Stop, Never Back Down," titled "Rectifying Unhealthy Practices and Rectifying Disorder for the People," jointly produced by the Publicity Department of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Supervisory Commission and CCTV, premiered on CCTV-1, quickly going viral.
The footage alternates between heartfelt confessions from fallen officials, incisive commentary from investigators, and genuinely approving smiles from the public. For viewers, the cases presented in the film are both cathartic and reassuring, conveying the message that "Party members and cadres who violate discipline and the law will inevitably pay the price, and our interests are protected by the discipline inspection and supervision organs." The resolute efforts to curb unhealthy tendencies, close loopholes in the system, and promote systemic governance have allowed the public to truly feel the intensified efforts to rectify conduct and combat corruption, and the presence of a clean and upright atmosphere around them.
The intertwining of corruption and misconduct is a prominent issue that needs to be addressed in the current stage of Party conduct and anti-corruption efforts. At the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, General Secretary Xi Jinping profoundly pointed out that it is necessary to further promote the simultaneous investigation and treatment of corruption and misconduct, adhere to the principle of integrating the rectification of conduct, discipline enforcement, and anti-corruption efforts, severely punish the intertwined problems of corruption and misconduct through joint investigation, and eradicate the common root causes of corruption and misconduct through joint treatment.
The case of Tang Renjian, former Party Secretary and Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, is a typical example of how good conduct can lead to corruption, and how good conduct can be intertwined with corruption. In front of the camera, he confessed that all his problems started with issues of eating and drinking and violating the spirit of the Central Eight-Point Regulation. He said he should have been "cautious from the beginning in this regard, and not crossed the first line or had the first thought."
"The reason why violations of discipline and law often begin with improper dining and drinking, and violations of the spirit of the Central Eight-Point Regulation, is not because of 'dining and drinking' itself, but because of the failure to uphold the rules over small matters and details." Sun Yuxi, deputy director of the Discipline Inspection and Supervision Office of Pingdu City, Shandong Province, holds a representative view. A meal or a drink is often the first step in testing the bottom line, and also the most common and insidious entry point for "hunting" cadres. Once vigilance is relaxed during toasts and drinks, and "personal relationships" are placed above disciplinary principles, it is easy to be unknowingly swept up, going from "being obliged by others' hospitality" to "being indebted to others' gifts," ultimately sliding step by step into the abyss of violating discipline and law.
Facts have proven that once the "floodgates" of conduct are loosened, the "undercurrents" of corruption can surge forth; if the "soil" of corruption is not eradicated, unhealthy tendencies and "weeds" will inevitably proliferate. Implementing the spirit of the Central Committee's Eight-Point Regulation and combating corruption requires a protracted struggle. In March 2025, the Party Central Committee launched a campaign to thoroughly study and educate the public on implementing the spirit of the Central Committee's Eight-Point Regulation, once again declaring to the entire Party that the work of improving conduct is a never-ending journey, demonstrating its firm determination to relentlessly pursue this issue to the end.
Despite the Party Central Committee's resounding pronouncements and repeated orders, some Party members and cadres still exhibit extremely weak political awareness and show no respect or fear for Party discipline and rules. The case of 10 cadres in Xinyang City and Luoshan County, Henan Province, who violated regulations by engaging in unauthorized dining and drinking during a study and education period, and seriously violated the spirit of the Central Eight-Point Regulation, is a typical example.
The handling of this case resonated with Zhang Shiqian and other villagers in Wenfeng District, Anyang City, Henan Province. "The words and deeds of leading cadres represent the image of the Party and the government. Violating regulations on eating and drinking not only wastes public money but also corrupts the atmosphere. Not to mention, they try to cover it up afterward, making one mistake after another and getting deeper and deeper into trouble."
Those involved were dealt with seriously, a concentrated crackdown on violations of regulations regarding dining and drinking was launched, a comprehensive screening of leads was conducted, and the institutional framework was tightened in all aspects… In Zhang Shiqian's view, the subsequent handling reflects the Party's determination to improve conduct and combat corruption, and also actively responds to the expectations of the people. "First, we hope the rectification efforts can be sustained in the long term; second, we hope the rectification will be fair and just, and that no matter who it is, anyone who violates regulations and discipline will be dealt with seriously, so that everyone is convinced of the fairness. We, the people, trust the Party and support the decision of the Party Central Committee," said Zhang Shiqian.
Party members and cadres with excellent conduct naturally win the hearts of the people. Carrying out a concentrated campaign to rectify misconduct and corruption affecting the masses is an important task deployed by the Party Central Committee. The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Supervisory Commission have vigorously promoted this effort, with local governments and relevant departments working together to overcome the challenges. 2024 saw an extraordinary start, 2025 saw further in-depth progress, and 2026 will focus on consolidating and improving long-term mechanisms to severely punish petty corruption, ensuring the people feel that fairness and justice are right beside them, and continuously strengthening the Party's foundation for governance.
Elderly care services are not only a major concern for the general public, but also a key and challenging aspect of my country's social security system. Yang Hongying, a retired worker from Xiangshan District, Guilin City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, was particularly interested in the embezzlement of pension funds revealed in the documentary.
Yang Hongying is 75 years old and has lived in a nursing home for six years. Previously, she was always worried about her pension being misappropriated, having heard rumors of people fraudulently claiming pensions and some nursing homes providing substandard services. Yang Hongying said, "In recent years, comrades from the district discipline inspection and supervision commission have frequently visited the community. Corrupt officials have been investigated, and illegally obtained money has been recovered and returned. My pension money is truly safe now, and I feel much more at ease."
"I have fewer worries and more peace of mind." Wang Guitang, a resident of Qixing District in Guilin City, lives in another nursing home. Previously, she and her neighbors were always worried about hidden fees, fire safety, and food hygiene at the nursing home. She noticed that in the past two years, officials from the Discipline Inspection Commission, the Supervisory Commission, and the Civil Affairs Department have frequently visited the nursing home—"not just for show, but to genuinely solve problems." For example, the fire escape routes, which used to be cluttered with debris, are now clean and tidy; the weekly menus and expense details are also posted clearly on the bulletin board.
"I heard from the staff that the supervision of elderly care institutions is now very strict, and various inspections are very thorough, all to ensure the safety and quality of life of us elderly people. This feeling of being valued makes me feel at ease," said Wang Guitang.
The masses feel the most direct and abhor the unhealthy practices and corruption around them. Some problems may seem trivial, but they are actually related to the people's hearts and minds. If they are not handled properly, they will affect the well-being of the people and erode the foundation of the Party's rule.
"The fundamental goal of rectifying malpractices and addressing disorder is to safeguard the interests of the people and social fairness and justice." Zhuang Deshui, deputy director of the Center for Public Policy Research at Peking University, analyzed that the documentary, which begins with "rectifying malpractices and addressing disorder," focuses on investigating and punishing both malpractices and corruption, highlights prominent issues that the people strongly reflect on, demonstrates the extension of the anti-corruption struggle to the grassroots level and to the people, and showcases the achievements of rectifying malpractices, enforcing discipline, and combating corruption.
"Each case is a profound lesson, and every task yields tangible results," said Zhuang Deshui. He added that the documentary, employing artistic techniques popular with the public and a case-based analysis focused on addressing root causes, comprehensively demonstrates the Party Central Committee's firm resolve to rectify conduct, enforce discipline, and combat corruption, showcasing how discipline inspection and supervision organs thoroughly implement the Party Central Committee's decisions and deployments, and consistently uphold the fundamental political stance of putting the people first. (Guan Xiaopu, Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and National Supervisory Commission website)
