President Xi Jinping clarifies the purpose of the CPC's new rule banning "baseless comments" on Party rules. (Photo : Getty Images)
President Xi Jinping denies preventing debate on the Communist Party of China’s policies, saying that he simply intends to make sure that no one is “singing out of tune,” referring the Party’s new policy banning “baseless comments.”
Citing a recently released speech transcript from the Chinese president, Reuters pointed out Xi's clarification on the CPC's new policy that prohibits its members from making "baseless comments" on some of the Party's major rules.
"Some party organizations think political discipline is soft or false, and when it comes to wrong words and deeds that go against Party discipline they don't care, don't report it, don't resist it, don't fight it and certainly don't investigate and deal with it," he told the Party's discipline watchdog.
Silencing Critics
At first sight, the rule that bans CPC members from commenting on the Party's policies does appear a bit harsh considering that it prevents people from criticizing the rules.
It might also appear to be quite a stringent law that shows how the Communist government of China handles criticism.
However, Xi clarified that the new rule merely seeks to prevent its members from "singing out of tune."
"The reason we demand Party members and cadres not to make baseless comments is not so you can't raise opinions and suggestions or even critical opinions," he said, adding a warning against "political liberalism."
"It's so that on important political principles, on issues of right and wrong (you) cannot sing out of tune with the Party center and engage in political liberalism," he said.
Reuters noted that the Chinese president has repeatedly warned CPC members of "liberalism," putting particular attention to the military.
Punishment for "Baseless Comments"
The Party's Guangzhou-based discipline watchdog intends to punish those who irresponsibly comment about the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee as well as socialism.
According to the Global Times, Cai Penghao, the head of the Party's publicity department, revealed their work objectives for 2016 which will focus more on "improving Party conduct, building a clean government and eradicating corruption."
This comes after Ren Zhiqiang openly criticized President Xi Jinping's emphasis on Party leadership over his account in Sina Weibo where over 37 million other users were watching.
Cai said that callous comments would not be tolerated and that the commission is bent on implementing the rules and disciplinary practices of the Party.
"Collusion for political and economic benefits will be relentlessly investigated to safeguard unity and solidarity within the Party," he added.
