Represented by head Wang Qishan, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the Communist Party of China (CPC) has stated that the party’s legitimacy lies in history and popular support from the people.
The remarks were made during the 2015 Dialogue between the Party and the world attended by more than 60 overseas politicians and scholars, including former South African president Thabo Mbeki and former Australian prime minister Kevin Rudd.
According to Wang, the mission of the party is to fulfill its promise to the people, and in order to do so, it must implement strict discipline.
Whether the government committed good or bad deeds, it is for the people to judge if they are satisfied of such actions or if they approve of such moves.
He further explained that the ruling party is only acting on behalf of the people, and as such, it must serve the people and establish core values.
"Legitimacy in this context is a political concept, referring to the validity of the source of the power and that basis is the people's approval," said Wang Zhanyang, a professor affiliated with the Central Institute of Socialism. "Wang's statement affirmed the legitimacy of the Party while stressing its obligations and promises to the people."
Prior to the conference, party leaders and Chinese politicians avoided the issue of legitimacy altogether, believing that such a thing should not be denied or questioned.
Professor Wang sees the statements as a breakthrough in China's political discourse which could prove crucial to the party's future survival.
However, Wang noted that is yet unclear whether such a direct engagement of the issue will be written in official statements, but based on the stance of other top leaders throughout the country, there seems to be a consensus on the subject of legitimacy.